Way of the Wicked - the Fall of Andoran (Inactive)

Game Master increddibelly

Frowing at the snakes, Talon grunts "I dont like fighting constructs, I find most of my tactics are uneffective"

"My kind of room!" Aerent says with a grin before hefting his trident in both hands, then charging one of the snakes.

Attack, charge, power attack: 1d20 + 7 + 2 - 1 ⇒ (17) + 7 + 2 - 1 = 25
Damage, power attack: 1d8 + 4 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 4 + 3 = 9

and initiative!
Cobras ini: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

Aerent is first, we'll go from there.
The small Cobras are in a defensive position near the south door, and they whirr and click into action as soon as Aerent approaches. Aerent scores first blood though - or, in the case of constructs, oil.
The metal scales are surprisingly tough, but the sheer brutality of the attack allows the trident to get through and break off some scales off the cobra's neck. let's say the one Aerent attacked is Cobra1, the other is Cobra2.

On top of on being immune to a lot of effects, due to their construct traits, their metal hide gives them IMHO insanely high AC. They really are as dangerous as they look.

The first cobra attempts to bite at Aerent's hands :1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13 its jaws open, and they reveal a drop of poison hanging at the end of its fangs, and they snap shut with a loud clang. Fortunately, it misses by more than a foot! The trident seems to hamper its movement somewhat.

The other cobra whirrs and clangs with incredible speed, moving behind Aerent in a blur of metal. It attempts to bite Aerent's heels : 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 3 + 2 = 11 but apparently its magical firmware doesn't account for strong boots, and its attack is useless.

cobra1 is near the S door, I guess Aerent is 1 square NW from there, and cobra 2 is one square N from Aerent. Maybe some of you are far enough into the room to get an attack of opportunity on the snake as it races by? I've drawn the path of its movement on this map here

For the record, the cobra's are Small creatures.

Not sure if we need to roll initiative, but I did below in any event.

Initiative: 1d20 ⇒ 10

Realizing nearly her entire spell arsenal is of little use here, Cala simply shrugs and grabs her crossbow as Aerent makes his charge. Taking aim, she lets loose her first bolt.

If possible, she'll fire before he gets there to avoid the firing into combat penatly. If not, I think it's a -4 penalty?

Light Crossbow Attack: 1d20 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 1 + 2 = 11

Damage if applicable: 1d8 ⇒ 1

well at least i can use my true strike on something lol

Talon smiles "Well I guess it's time to use my new trick. Zuerka letha!" Talon's left hand lets off sparks, and he charges forward. As he reaches the snakes, he draws his hand across his blade and the weapon lights up with magical lightning, coming down towards a cobra

Casting shocking graps through my weapon
Att1d20 + 5 + 20 ⇒ (9) + 5 + 20 = 34
Damage1d6 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8
Electric Damage2d6 ⇒ (5, 5) = 10

Initiative 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17
Just a reminder that Sindran has a torch in hand that he took earlier, after the whole experience with the mist.

Sindran stands guard with Caladwhen and Timeon, knowing he would be more of a hindrance than help if he joined the melee. He takes out a bottle of kerosine oil from his backpack, a precaution should the cobras choose to approach them instead.

Move Action: Take out Kerosine Oil
Ready Action (Standard): Take a mouthful of Kerosine Oil if the cobras approach Sindran/Caladwhen

Caladwhen's shot ricochets off the cobra's metal hide, leaving not even a scratch.
The 2nd cobra has taken position behind Aerent, and Talon steps up and lunges at it from behind so that's +2 flanking, and a frikkin' awesome 36 to hit. Talon's sword dislodges a few shields on the back of the cobra's head, allowing access to the gnomish engineering inside. The crackling electricity of his spell surrounds the cobra's poison reservoirs, causing several leaks.

Arryn hasn't posted, I'll roll an attack for her. Here's round 1 summary:
cobra 1 miss
cobra 2 miss
Aerent attack cobra 1
Cala miss
Talon attack cobra 2
Arryn attack cobra 2 atk: 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 3 + 2 = 14 dmg+sneak: 2d6 + 2 ⇒ (3, 1) + 2 = 6 (missed)
Sindran - ready action.

Ya that's pretty much my entire burst, thats a once a day thing. but constructs are a *&%$* to kill and i wanted to get it started

Impressive burst though. I agree with you, constructs are a pain with their blanket damage reduction and spell resistance. Best to heap on the damage as best as possible.

Aerent stays where he is and attacks the cobra flanked between him and Talon.

Attack, trident, power attack, flank: 1d20 + 7 - 1 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 7 - 1 + 2 = 15
Damage: 1d8 + 6 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 6 + 3 = 13

You all hold your breath as Aerent strikes again, but only manages to dislodge a few more armor scales!

The cobras attack their chosen targets once more.
atk Aerent: 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 3 + 2 = 16 dmg: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7
atk Talon: 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 3 + 2 = 6 dmg: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

Fortunately, both Aerent and Talon easily dodge the incoming bites.

and spell resistance.

I haven't yet decided if these cobras have spell resistance. as written, they have SR13; however I think this will quickly become a nearly impossible fight if even your spells have a 45% chance to fail. However, if you're feeling brave, for a Fat Bonus Reward(tm), you may include the spell resistance yourself. Roll 1d20+2 vs DC 13.

Ya I'm happy dealing with their already rediculous AC

Starting to focus since his main damage is over, Talon gets into hack-n-clash mode, going for a continous barrage of swings. Every other swing is accompanied by a whisper of magic, although the only effect seen is a small glow where he strikes

Full attack, using arcane mark. Pretty much giving me a free attack, but making me cast defensively

Concentration1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11
Attack1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20
Damage1d6 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10
Attack1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7

Talon seems to flinch as the cobra moves and loses the spell, the second attack along with it

Sindran continues to stand guard, eyes following the swift combat. Things seem to be going well though the half-orc doesn't voice the thought out loud.

Cobra 2 takes another hit, and metal scales as well as fragments of a reservoir are torn off. The inner joints and hinges of the construct are now visible to you; one more solid hit could be enough to take this thing down, and already its broken poison tank lies useless on the ground a few feet away.

Sorry, I was out

Initiative: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16

Arryn looks at the cobra's strange, construct, body. It would be a great thing to have as a pet... I wonder if I might be able to tinker with it, me being good with devices like so... She thinks to hereself {and the DM :P) as she lashes out, trying to not do any permanent damage.

Attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14
Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7
Sneak: 1d6 ⇒ 6 If flanking

Arryn's rapier bends and twangs as it catches between the scales, and for a moment she's worried it might break (but it doesn't).

as noted in the discussion thread, cobra1 is on AC 20 and cobra2 is currently on AC 17

Just going to hold back defensively. Nothing I have prepared will work against these constructs, and firing into melee is hellishly difficult for Cala.

Engineering Knowledge: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 29

Instantly recognizing the ore the snakes are made from, Cala raises an eyebrow in surprise. Calling out to her companions, Cala explains the importance "These snakes are constructed from Mithril... they're worth a small fortune if we can take them down."

damnit cala, shoulda actually attacked with that role haha
i'm sorry, where are we at in the order?

well, if both Sindran and Cala hold back, it's just Arryn, Talon, Aerent and the snakes. Let's keep things moving, and get on with the next round. I'll roll the snakes now, even though Aerent is first and he might very well shut down cobra2.

round3!
Cobra1 atk Aerent: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15 dmg: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
Cobra2 atk Talon: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8 dmg: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
okay, the snakes may be very pretty and expensive, but they're also useless.

Aerent continues attacking!

Attack, trident, power attack, flank: 1d20 + 7 - 1 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 7 - 1 + 2 = 25
Damage: 1d8 + 6 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 6 + 3 = 13

Good shot Aerent - cobra #2 is finally destroyed!

phew. I don't know about you, but now that there's only one of them, the threat is seriously reduced. Talon, Aerent and Arryn can drive the remaining bot into a corner and take it down shortly.

In the meantime, Caladwhen and Sindran can go about collecting the valuable metal scales of the destroyed snake.

Continuing his deadly dance, Talon turns his attention to the second cobra, continuing to chant and swing. A bead of sweat runs down his face as he tries to keep his focus

Attack1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9
Concentration1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13
Attack1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15

He quickly realizes he can't keep this up, making wide swings and mispronouncing words

haha i may get a free attack but I have to roll really good every turn to get it off

Intelligence: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21

Sindran makes a mental note to try to bring Grumblejack along on these kinds of expeditions. His strength would be beneficial right about now.

He grins when Aerent destroys a cobra. Deeming it safe enough as the others route the remaining construct, the half-orc puts the bottle of oil back in his backpack and approaches destroyed snake to inspect it. It truly was a fine piece of engineering, Sindran thinks. Would have liked to keep it around.

He gestures Timeon over to help as he starts gathering scales, mindful of any remaining poison.

wow apparently i didnt read that last post very well haha, ignore my previous post

well, it's clear your party is strong on magic, fair on defense, but light on melee damage; and that's precisely what this room is meant to test. With only one enemy remaining, and Aerent's high AC, the battle just becomes a matter of time and tedious rolling of dice while everybody sits it out, and that can't be fun. I'd prefer the battle with the snakes to be over so we can move on with the story :) Don't worry, your future holds plenty of fights worth playing out until the bitter end...but this is not one of them!

Meanwhile, Timeon answers a few of Sindran's questions posted before the nastiness with the constructs:

What else did they say?

Timeon: "Well...besides the metal snakes, they said things like 'the screams will start with moves or light', and 'four drowned rise when the shrieker cries'. I thought these lines were part of some foul magicks to find me, but now that I've seen the snakes...I'm not so sure."

The snakes can be salvaged for a total of 20 pounds of mithral scales, worth 2000gp.

The heavy wooden bar that's blocking the southern exit is lifted easily by Aerent and Talon. The door reveals another passage south, leading to a door. The door also bears an inscription: Suffer not the fool. Stupidity is our faith’s cardinal sin.

Spellcraft (UNTRAINED): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

Sindran does not understand at all, having had little education in magic (if you call dodging spells thrown at you by your master an education in magic). "Well, anything might help at this point, even something you thought irrelevant."

The half-orc finishes shoving the mithral scales in his backpack and hefts it to test its weight before sighing loudly. He looks at Timeon.

"Do you mind carrying my pack?" He shows his arms, which look horribly disfigured from burns. "I can't really do it, I'm afraid."

Reading the inscription he says, "Well, at least this one is significantly less trite."

When they continue forward, Sindran holds his lit torch in his left hand and the bottle of kerosene oil in his right.

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (3) + 12 = 15

After reading the inscription, Cala looks at Timeon with a detached suspicion for a brief moment while musing to herself Speaking of fools...

Placing her hand on her chin with an inquisitive look, Cala presupposes the source of the incantations "If I had to guess, I'd say it was poetry. Some lowly magicians incorporate limericks into their spell-casting. I might suggest that we may encounter such troubles ahead, as neither our dear Tiadora or Thorn would indulge in such base and rudimentary magic." Cala says the last few words with a negative connotation and emphasis, suggesting she holds bardic magic in low regard.

map including the next room(6)

Beyond the inscribed doorway is a square chamber with a podium in its center. The chamber is lit only by a hanging oil lantern. Upon the podium lies a pendant of silver -- a dragon with sapphire eyes.

To the east of the room, there is also a stairway leading up, but there's not enough light to show its exit.

Sindran lets the others lead the way, going in last of the group. He looks, noting the sparse contents of the room. "Not much here, except for that." He gestures at the pendant on the podium. "So what's the test?"

He looks in thought at the podium before raising a hand at it and chanting.

Cast: Detect Magic

Sindran, you're quite sure there is no magic in this room other than your own.

Perception Hidden Doors/traps: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10
Perception DC 15: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23

Arryn looks quizzically at the podium.
"That can't be it, it can't!"She says as she stops her foot. "No way is it just some cheap! So... elementary..." She says as she stops her words, looking to the floor.

She says as she stops her words, looking to the floor.

Your gut feeling tells you something is very wrong - but you don't see it. You do notice Caladwhen staring into the distance, but with her inscrutable elven face, it's still too difficult for you all to tell if she's shocked, pondering, in love, or furious.

Talon takes a moment to examine the room, then kicks a rock near the pendant

Perception1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20

Sorry, first chance I've had in a few days. Busy weekend.

Looking around the room, Caladwhen zeroes in on the floor and scrutinizes it a moment. Lifting her head slowly, Cala holds out her right hand as if to say halt.

"Tread carefully. The stairs are trapped to release a spiked iron ball," guiding her companions eyes with her left hand, Cala illustrates the workings of the trap "it's weight activated. We'll have to disarm it before taking the stairwell."

Aerent stands back, letting the others take the lead in this room.

I think we're waiting for either Talon or Arryn, so we can go either west or east?

I was waiting on the people who are better with traps and such lol. i got one of those feelings

Cala has spotted the trap, and explained the risks, so I'm not going to be a jerk and let any of you walk into it. That wouldn't be fun, just mean. Arryn should be able to disable it, but I'll need to see a roll.
On the other hand, Talon has found a loose brick to the west. Behind it is a pulley that opens a secret door. You're all pretty sure there's nothing else here, except for the rather crude necklace.

Sindran stays where he is, right at the back and away from the trap. "You can disarm the trap, Arryn?" he says, though it's less of a question and more a suggestion.

He appraises the room again before chanting a spell, and his hand glows with fire which he touches Arryn with.

Cast: Guidance on Arryn

Arryn (botted, it's been 48hrs):"Thanks Sindran. Now, if any of you would like to keep the necklace or the podium intact, remove them now. And kindly move to the north-east corner, you'll be safe there."
I'm assuming someone moves the necklace and the podium away.

disable device on trap: 1d20 + 16 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 16 + 1 = 21
Realizing there's no way to go up the stairs with that spiky boulder sitting in the way, Arryn waits until everyone is safely out of harm's way. She then triggers the trap in a controlled fashion so that no one gets hurt.
The huge boulder crashes down the middle of the room, and comes to rest in the northwest corner.

Once the dust has settled, she inspects the stairs. They end in a stone wall with a pleasant inscription: "Only the foolish would believe great deeds are so easy or so obvious."

The secret door to the west reveals a corridor heading due south. It's dark here - there's no light whatsoever.

"Into the darkness then. Any light to be had?"

"Get the torches," Sindran says, waving his own taken torch.

The half-orc takes the crude imitation necklace, inspecting it briefly before handing it to Timeon to keep. They'll find a use for it.

how are those of us with darkvision seeing?

Aerent smiles and looks at the half-orc. "But Sindran, if I carry a torch, who would stand in front of you to kill things?"

how are those of us with darkvision seeing?

Without any difficulty. Tell you what, I'll promise to mention it if the darkness is magical. You'd know immediately anyway, right?

"But Sindran, if I carry a torch, who would stand in front of you to kill things?"

Who indeed... FYI, Without your knowledge, Thorn is already going through a list of capable candidates from his pool of recruits. But we'll get to that bit later.

Timeon the Torchmaster happily stands on the 2nd row behind Talon and Aerent, casting a modicum of light on the dungeon ahead.

new map

As you round the corner, both Arryn and Caladwhen suspiciously look west , then at each other as if they're thinking "did you feel that too?". A quick investigation later reveals that the western wall (6a) is actually a door, leading to another corridor ending at (6b). The same hinges that operate the door at 6a are visible here, but since you're on the side where the hinges are, this time the secret door is obvious.

There's an inscription at 6b. It reads: "Beware the fallen for they may rise once more to threaten you."
Does that sound in any way familiar? Seriously, though; beware.

There is nother inscription at the other end of the corridor - far east of 6a: "Secrecy is our greatest ally. Exposure brings death."
Caught between a rock and a hard place, then. Oh wait, that was the previous room...Well, best of luck!

Aerent reads the inscription, then mutters, "... fallen may rise once more."

Looking at the others with a gleam in his eyes, he says, "I think this one seems exciting."

He will open the door and proceed if nobody else objects.

Cool, games going good

I'll help Aerent with the door and look in with him.

(It seems Arryn was taken care of perfectly (although a bit to formal for her style :)), thanks dm. Sorry for being gone so long, reason in discussion.)

"corrr...do you smell fish? I could go for fish right now.-croak-"