Thirst - A Ravenloft PbP

Game Master Celestial Healer

You round the corner on the narrow stair and look into the cellar before you. The dirt-floored chamber is walled in damp stone and a heap of coal rests in the far corner. Torches set in sconces on the wall illuminate two disturbing creatures.

While they stand on two legs and have human hands, the faces of the creatures are unmistakably rodent-like. Long whiskers droop from their cheeks, while powerful incisors overhang their lower lips. From what is visible beneath their clothing, they are tightly muscled like powerful animals. The male holds a dagger and is clad in studded leather, while the female brandishes a shortsword. She wears leather padding beneath the habit of the Sisters of Charity. While her features have shifted to those of a rat, certain clues in her bearing, voice, and appearance make it clear that this is Sister Jacinthe herself.

On the floor behind them is Sergei, bound and gagged. He is bleeding from a wound on his shoulder, writhing and moaning in agony.

Roll initiative.

MAP

initiative: 1d20 ⇒ 1

edit: Yay, I'm #1 >:/

Initiative: 1d20 ⇒ 17

"Sister!" Leandro gasps.

Andrzej wonders at what the others are mouthing silently. Then his jaw drops as he says the same word dumbly. He rises onto the balls of his feet.

Initiative 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18

"More betrayal from within. Why am I not surprised?," mutters Angalia. She reaches for a silver dagger.

"Might need this."

1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19 - init.

Back from Thanksgiving vacation! Got sick and lost my voice, but I can still play here!!!

Knowledge (local): 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (18) + 12 = 30

Eliva pulls her silver arrows out of her quiver and sets one ready to shoot as she watches the were creatures for signs that they've noticed her party entering the room. She tries to silently edge ahead of Res's spell to hear what might be said.

It may not be possible for her to gt out of the radius of Res's spell on the stairwell, I leave it up to you. Just in case:
Stealth: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (20) + 10 = 30
Perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (12) + 11 = 23

Knowledge (religion) 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14, Knowledge (arcana) 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13, Knowledge (planes) 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (10) + 9 = 19, Knowledge (dungeoneering) 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 15, what is so special about a part rat, part man? Andrzej has no knowledge.

The DC for having heard of a lycanthrope is pretty low. Legends abound of such creatures. By default, much of what you have heard is of dubious veracity, interspersed with wives' tales and the like. However, this does include tales of people slaying werecreatures with weapons of silver.

Andrzej: As a Ravenloft native, these tales were particularly abundant in your upbringing. Of course, there is plenty of misinformation about their motivations, weaknesses, and so on.

Sister Jacinthe: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10
Other wererat: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20
?: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15
Tiffana: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12
Eliva: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12

The leather-clad wererat hurls a dagger at Leandro before swiftly drawing another and holding it ready. 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11 The dagger misses its mark and strikes the stone wall before clattering to the ground.

MAP

Angalia
Andrzej
Leandro
?
Eliva
Tiffana
Jacinthe
Res
Wererat 1

Upon hearing Sister Jacinthe address someone named "Donzago", Eliva looks back at the party and holds up three fingers, hoping they can interpret that.

Will wait to see what happens before posting further. :) "?" will probably effect whatever she does rather strongly.

Leandro, incensed that one of the good sisters is a horrid were-creature, immediately charges the beast that threw a knife.

Glaive attack/PA/FF/charge: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (9) + 10 = 19
Damage if hits,+1 weapon: 1d10 + 10 ⇒ (8) + 10 = 18
Leandro's glaive charge puts him in H9, the closest 'reach' spot to W.

Andrzej moves quickly forwards to see what the commotion is all about Move action to H5. Then the magus taps his chest and mutters arcane Vistani magic so that his body takes a blurred front and side, as the air solidifies into a shield. cast shield

Andrzej casts his protective spell and moves into position. Leandro charges into the chamber, but just misses the quick wererat.

Angalia is up.

Can someone take Angalia's turn?

Angalia slips into the room, moving close to Leandro as she returns her own dagger at the wererat.

MW silver dagger, 10': 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25
damage if hits: 1d4 ⇒ 3

Move to H9, drawing silver rapier, and hurl silver dagger at W. Not sure if the silver damage penalty applies to lycanthropes. If it does, damage is -1.

FYI - we found a silver longsword among Spindles's belongings. Unfortunately, Res is not proficient with longsword's so he cannot use it

Andrzej can. He loves his scimitar but may be convinced during the fight that silver is the way to go. Unless Leandro wants it.

If he can hit, Leandro should be able to do enough damage with his glaive to get through DR. Besides, it's the weapon of his goddess. He'd have to be absolutely desperate to change.

My understanding is the penalty to damage for silver weapons still applies here.

Moving Angalia to G9. Leandro is already at H9.

Angalia hurls a silvered dagger at the wererat, readying her silver rapier to continue the assault. The wererat is wounded, and seems incensed at being attacked with the hated metal.

Abruptly, a swarm of foul rats emerges from nowhere, enveloping Andrzej and carpeting the floor by the entrance to the chamber. The immediately begin biting and scratching at Andrzej with their filthy teeth and claws. Andrzej takes 1d6 ⇒ 5 damage and must make a DC 12 Fort save vs Filth Fever.

Green area is the rat swarm.

MAP

Eliva
Tiffana
Jacinthe
Res
Wererat
Angalia
Andrzej
Leandro
Rat Swarm
?

fort save 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23

Tiffana moves around the corner, stops in front of Res and sees the rats engulfing Andrzej. She yells at Andrzej "watch out!" She casts burning hands at the swarm. damage : 4d4 ⇒ (2, 3, 1, 4) = 10, save dc 17

ref save 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 6 + 2 = 17

Andrzej slashes horizontally through the fan of flames cutting alot of the fire either side of him.

Spellcraft roll 1d20 ⇒ 6

Swarm save 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25

Tiffana's spell singes a great many rats, but they are not deterred in their assault.

Eliva is up.

Eliva moves forward to get a shot and shoot a silver arrow at the wererat.

Attack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14
Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 8

Res tries to identify the spell that was cast. spellcraft: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23

Oops - I forgot, Res's silence spell is still in force. Andrzej could not hear Tiffana call out before casting her spell. In fact, I don't think Tiffana could have cast her spell since it requires a verbal component.

Quite true. Res, was the spell centered on yourself or on a point? Also, Tiffana would know that she cannot cast that spell in an area of silence. Want to declare a different action for her?

The spell was centered on Res. Yes, I'll post a different action for Tiffana. At least Andrzej gets 5 hit points back. I'll have her still move, but hold her spell until Res ends his silence spell then she will cast it.

Sounds good.

Eliva's arrow fails to make contact with the wererat.

Sister Jacinthe casts a wicked spell over Angalia, trying to neutralize the threat of the one who wields silver. Blindness. DC 16 Fort save please. "You should never have come this way," she says to you all.

Sergei's moaning intensifies and he starts to thrash on the ground. You hear the sounds of crunching and popping bones beneath his skin as he writhes in pain.

MAP

Tiffana
Res
Wererat
Angalia
Andrzej
Leandro
Rat Swarm
?
Eliva
Jacinthe

Res dismisses his silence spell and calls out, "Those rats were summoned! I don't know its source."

Res holds up his holy symbol and says a prayer. A glowing greatsword, bearing Gorum's holy symbol materializes in the room. Res directs it toward Sister Jacinthe and strikes. Attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20, damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5 Res casts Spiritual Weapon

As soon as Res's silence spell falls, Tiffana calls out to Andrzej, "Watch out!". She speaks and flames burst out of her hands as she casts burning hands. I assume we will use the same rolls as before (10 damage cut in half by the made reflex saves)

15pts vs a swarm! Love the smell of burning rat flesh

Res's summoned greatsword slashes at Sr. Jacinthe, wounding her.

Meanwhile, Tiffana roasts several of the rats, but they continue in their assault.

The other wererat steps closer and cuts at Leandro with his dagger. 5 foot step. Attack 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27. 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2 damage. When struck, Leandro knows immediately that this is no ordinary wound. It burns and stings, making Leandro feel ill. DC 14 Fort save vs poison.

MAP

Angalia
Andrzej
Leandro
Rat Swarm
?
Eliva
Jacinthe
Res
Tiffana
Wererat

Fort save: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (15) + 10 = 25

"'Ware poison, friends," Leandro winces as he moves away far enough to bring his glaive into play.

5' to I10, attack.

Glaive atk: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25
Damage if hits: 1d10 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13

Andrzej tiptoes out of the swarm at speed then slides over against the wall towards Jacinthe move action. Then he begins a complex attack routine, murmuring words of arcane power as he steps into the blow Concentration check (on the defensive) 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (13) + 12 = 25.
The scimitar crackles with magical energy, shocking flickers up and down the metal as he attacks.

scimitar 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23, damage1d6 + 4d6 + 5 ⇒ (1) + (2, 3, 6, 5) + 5 = 22

Leandro swings his glaive at the wererat, wounding the creature, but only barely. His weapon of steel, magic though it may be, is not particularly effective here.

Andrzej's magic shocks Sister Jacinthe, and she regards the magus with rage. Parsing that out, you appear to have done 6 damage with your weapon and 16 damage from shocking grasp. Does it break down that way? If that is the case, she resists the 6 but takes full damage from the spell. Also, I moved you to K7. Let me know if you'd rather be somewhere else.

Does anyone want to take Angalia's turn?

For Angalia:

Fort Save: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21

Angalia gasps as her vision goes dim momentarily, then the room brightens as she throws off the spell.

She dances to flank the wererat with Leandro, stabbing at the creature with her silver rapier.

Move to F10 to flank. MW silver rapier at +8 +2 for flank. Dmg 1d6 + 2d6 sneak if hits -1 silver

Rapier atk: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (16) + 10 = 26
Rapier dmg: 3d6 - 1 ⇒ (4, 4, 1) - 1 = 8

The wererat shrieks as Angalia's silver rapier pierces a vital area.

The swarm of rats progresses into the stairwell, biting at scratching at Tiffana and Res. 1d6 ⇒ 6 damage to Tiffana and Res and DC 12 Fort save vs Filth fever.

Atop the pile of coal, the vile little monster you glimpsed before winks into view, it's tiny human hands clutching on the filthy coals. In a sibilant voice, it says, "My mistress will be displeased at your meddling. Be gone from here." With a wave of his little hands, he urges you to flee. Cause fear on Andrzej. DC 12 Will save to resist.

The tiny rat-thing has cover while atop the disorderly coal heap.

MAP

Eliva
Jacinthe
Res (DC 12 Fort save vs disease)
Tiffana (DC 12 Fort save vs disease)
Wererat
Angalia
Andrzej (DC 12 Will save vs fear)
Leandro
Rat Swarm
Donzago (cover)

Will save 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23

Eliva runs through the disgusting swarm of rats to get a better shot at the Wererat.

Move to I-7

She attempts to discern what the strange threatening creature is as she moves forward, but takes aim with a second silver arrow at the wererat.

Knowledge: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (19) + 11 = 30 (valid for: dungeoneering, nature, religion) Further +1 for local, -1 for planes
Attack: 1d20 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 8 + 1 = 22
Damage: 1d8 + 2 - 1 ⇒ (1) + 2 - 1 = 2

Andrzej's magic shocks Sister Jacinthe, and she regards the magus with rage.

Parsing that out, you appear to have done 6 damage (8 damage due to cats grace) with your weapon and 16 damage from shocking grasp. Does it break down that way? If that is the case, she resists the 6 but takes full damage from the spell. Also, I moved you to K7 Thats fine....

Res Fort Save: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24
Tiffana Fort Save: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15

Both Res and Tiffana are able to resist effects of the rat's disease. Res cries out, "Tiffana, follow Eliva, we must get away from these vermin!"

Eliva's arrow strikes the wererat. The wound is shallow, but the silver sears his flesh.

Sister Jacinthe, incensed at the efficacy of Andrzej's spell, bares her oversized incisors and tries to bite her erstwhile champion. 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16 Andrzej is able to keep her at bay and the sister steps back, closer now to Leandro. (5 foot step.) "Donzago," she calls out, "take the recruit back to your mistress."

Sergei continues to writhe on the floor as his fingers begin to fuse together and giant teeth force their way through his gums. A rat's tail is emerging from his backside.

MAP

Res
Tiffana
Wererat
Angalia
Andrzej
Leandro
Rat Swarm
Donzago (cover)
Eliva
Jacinthe

Celestial GM wrote:

MAP

Ag should be in F10

Updated

Eliva moved to I-7
Eliva's Knowledge (Arcana) is the same as her knowledge (Planes), sorry, missed it. For that roll her total would be 29.

Res runs through the rat swarm into the room. (move to G5). He then directs his spiritual weapon to attack Sister Jacinthe again. attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18, damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7. Round 2/4

Tiffana runs through the rat swarm. (move to H7). She turns and pulls out an alchemist fire. I assume removing the alchemist fire will be her standard action.

The luminous greatsword again strikes Sister Jacinthe while Tiffana readies her alchemy.

The leather-clad wererat steps closer to Leandro and tries to pierce the paladin with his dagger. 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (5) + 10 = 15 (These guys are not rolling well at all...)

MAP

Angalia
Andrzej
Leandro
Rat Swarm
Donzago (cover)
Eliva
Jacinthe
Res
Tiffana
Wererat

Leandro ducks away to glaive striking distance and readies another attack at the hideous creature, keeping an uneasy eye on Jacinth and Sergei. "Angalia, hit him with silver again!"

5' to J11, ready a cut when Angalia flanks. Attack includes flanking bonus.

Glaive att, PA, FF: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (12) + 10 = 22
dmg if hits: 1d10 + 10 ⇒ (7) + 10 = 17

Andrzej steps up five feet to flank with Leandro (at J10?) and tries to skewer the evil Sister while her attention is divided.

"Someone deal with the rat demon!"

move to J8, scimitar attack inc flank and cats grace 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (16) + 10 = 26, damage 1d6 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14

With my 29 knowledge check, do I know whether or not a normal arrow will hurt the ratling?