WotW: A Knot of Thorns The First Parchment (Inactive)

Game Master Xzaral

Tatya rattles her pack with a smile, and a soft clinking sound like bottles gently tapping together can be heard. "Already taken care of."

Morthos looks impressed. "Excellent." He says as he then returns to the task at hand.

Pondering her idea, "Sounds reasonable to me."

Bostarg ponders Tatya's words for a moment before shrugging his shoulders and working to assist in making it reality.

I assume someone has a pint of oil on their sheet they can use for this.

The creature below, while displaying some sense of intelligence, gives in to it's fear. Easily herded into the corner of the room, the creature is lured into the trap set. Oil poured down into the holes in the floor, set aflame by a torch, the smell of burning blood wafts up from the entire floor. The creature attempts to escape it's burning prison, coming up through numerous holes, but alas it is too late. It's desparate act to try to save it's own life only serves to give you all the satisfaction of watching as the creature disperes from mist into a shower of blood, scattering across the floor. The mist has indeed died.

This leaves the door to the north and to the east. Both are barred at present, but do not appear locked.

The Map

I assume someone has a pint of oil on their sheet they can use for this.

Alazandaru said he had oil.... Yes, looking at his sheet, he had 3 pints. We'll remind him to mark one off when he's active again.

"Well, that was satisfying," Tatya says cheerfully. "Which door should we try first? Any indication?"

Perception to see if there's any difference between the doors 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

Bostarg grunts with satisfaction before moving back to retrieve his mace from the floor. Stowing the weapon back at his waist he queries "Any thoughts on where our next step should lead us?"

Bostarg points at the 1d2 ⇒ 2 Eastern door and turns to the others questioningly...

Tatya shrugs back at the gnome, willing to try whichever way he chooses. "They look the same to me." She waits near the shattered orb for one of the others to work the mechanism and open the door.

Btw, Morthos, that had to have taken two minutes so you should be at full hp and infernal healing expired by now.

Looking back and forth at the two doors, Beatrix nods in agreement. "Door on the right then." She steps forward and works to open the door.

Hope it wasn't trapped...

The door to the east is opened, easily determined to have been an impossible task in the dark with it's complext barring system. Following the path around, it reveals another doorway, upon which is the inscription...

“The chosen are revealed by their might. The weak deserve no sympathy.”

No traps revealed upon the door, it is opened to reveal three snakes, crafted from mithril in the style of cobras. The three snakes lazily begin to uncoil, givin you all a chance to act first.

You all have 1 surprise round to act first.

Inish
Snakes
Tatya
Alazandaru
Beatrix
Morthos
Bostarg

The Map

Knowledge (arcana) 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (6) + 10 = 16

"They are difficult to damage and resistant to magic," Tatya warns. "You must hit them hard if you hope to do any lasting harm." (DR to overcome) She fixes the nearest snake with a bone-chilling glare.

Evil Eye on the nearest snake: -2 to attack rolls for 8 rounds; Will DC 16 to reduce to 1 round.

Only a move or standard action for the surprise round right?

Beatrix moves to engage the snakes, drawing her sword as she goes.

Morthos moves in with Beatrix, preparing to flank as soon as he is able.

Move to E 27.

Beatrix - you can charge up to 20ft and attack as long as you have a straight line.

Bostarg readies himself for the coming fray... careful to allow those who are more combat ready to engage the snakes first.

Draw mace and that's surprise round done for Bostarg.

I'll play out Alazandaru's actions as best able. If anyone feels I'm not going according to his playstyle, please point it out.

I was behind Alazandaru, and I believe you can't charge through a friendly unit. I'm fine leaving it as is.

Round 0

As the snakes begin to uncoil, our villains move into position to prepare to meet the creatures head-on. Tatya attempts to curse the closest of the mithril creations, but the creature seems resists her unholy gaze.

Inish
Snakes (Surprised)
Tatya (Evil Eye on MC1)
Alazandaru (Move to F26, drawing MW Quarterstaff as part of move)
Beatrix (Move to G26)
Morthos (Move to E27)
Bostarg (Draw Mace)

Round 1

Uncoiled the snakes leap at their attackers, though their strikes are to little effect against our villainous quintet, unable to find purchase in their fleshy bodies.

Inish
Snakes (MC1vM; MC2vA; MC3 5' to G27, vB)
Tatya
Alazandaru
Beatrix
Morthos
Bostarg

The Map Link

Tatya scowls as her glare finds no purchase against the smooth metal of the snake. Moving to the doorway, she gestures sharply and intones words of divination, seeking to learn more about their enemy.

Cast detect poison; Craft (Alchemy) check to identify poison, if any, vs. DC 20 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (7) + 14 = 21

Beatrix brings her greatsword around and smashes down at the snake in front of her with all her might.

Power Attack
attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10
damage: 2d6 + 9 ⇒ (4, 3) + 9 = 16

Round 1

Tatya's divination goes off, searching the area in front of her with her enhanced perceptions.

Beatrix attempts to destroy the cobra that has selected her it's target, but her powerful swing only connects with the air.

Inish
Snakes (MC1vM; MC2vA; MC3 5' to G27, vB)
Tatya (Casts Detect Poison)
Alazandaru
Beatrix (Attacks MC3, miss)
Morthos
Bostarg

The Map Link

"Their bite is poisoned," Tatya informs the others from the doorway. "I suggest you try to avoid being bitten."

Round 1

"Posioned? Fantastic." Morthos moves over a step and swings at the cobra between him and Beatrix.

5' step to E 28; Attack F 27

Mwk Longsword: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 6 + 2 = 9
Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

Round 1:

Bostarg calls to Alazandaru "Hold your blow Alazandaru..." scurrying through the chamber to where he might be of more use before crying "Now!"

Moved around the combat (double move) to a flank with Alazandaru while avoiding AoOs

Round 1 Summary

Morthos steps to flank with Beatrix, bringing his longsword down to strike, though his blow fails to connect with the creature.

Bostarg moves around and flanks with Alazandaru, giving him the chance he needs to land a blow against one of the snakes. While his staff vibrates from the attack, the results are clear as a sizeable dent has been left in the creature's metallic body.

Inish
Snakes (MC1vM; MC2vA; MC3 5' to G27, vB)
Tatya (Casts Detect Poison)
Beatrix (Attacks MC3, miss)
Morthos (Attacks MC1, miss)
Bostarg (Double Move)
Alazandaru (Attacks MC3, hits)

Round 2 Start

The snakes lash out once again, this time one of them finding purchase in their fleshy attackers. A venemous strike lands against Morthos's armr, the poison flowing into him. Morthos takes 5 points of damage, saved against the poison.

Inish
Snakes (MC1vM; MC2vA; MC3vB)
Tatya
Beatrix
Morthos
Bostarg
Alazandaru

Round 2:

Bostarg summons all the strength he can muster and lashes out with his small mace held in two hands...

Attack: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 4 + 2 = 10 for 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

Stand and attempt (and fail) to deliver
Dear King Mark - I believe that Alazandaru would likely TWF with the quarterstaff. No need to change Round 1 action though.

Yea, actually I kept thinking 'he just moved, 1 attack for now'. Next round will see some two-weapon fun.

Still unable to post much so keep botting me DM, just wanted to note that sneak attacks are with D4's when not using knives. Nevertheless- preference is certainly for staff whacks!

Round 2

attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8
damage: 2d6 + 9 ⇒ (1, 6) + 9 = 16

Beatrix brings her sword around again but is unable to get a clear swing in the cramped quarters.

Tatya frowns. Three snakes and only one damaged; this needs to end more quickly, or the lingering effects of the poison will leave the group at a disadvantage against whatever awaits in other rooms. Intoning harsh syllables to provide her a small modicum of protection against the snakes' fangs, she draws a small dagger which looks utterly insufficient to scratch their hard mithril skin.

Cast mage armor for AC 15; draw weapon

I swear, this is ridiculous all these stinking 1's. Apparently I brought them over from my other thread. I can't roll higher than a 3 in that one.

Morthos thinks nothing of his terrible miss and swings again, knowing this group is far superior than the metal snakes.

Round 2

Mwk Longsword: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 6 + 2 = 27 Crit threat
Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10

'Bout dang time!

Attempted Crit confirm
Mwk Longsword: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 6 + 2 = 18
Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

Yeesh. Maybe.

If so, total damage = 18. Otherwise: 10

Round 2

Tatya draws her own weapon while conjuring a layer of arcane protection. Beatrix attacks the snake she flanks with Morthos against, failing to connect but giving him the time to strike hard against the metal reptile. While a good blow that would have killed a living creature, it did not quite penetrate it's mithril scales as easily as it would a fleshy one. (Crit did not confirm). Bostarg launches his own attack, but the cobra dodges his blow, falling right into Alazandaru's strike, one end of his staff connecting with the creature, the other not quite managing to do so.

In the end, all three creatures still stand.

Inish
Snakes (MC1vM; MC2vA; MC3vB)
Tatya (Draws Dagger, cast Mage Armor)
Beatrix (Attack MC3, miss)
Morthos (Attack MC1, threaten crit-not confirmed)
Bostarg (Attack MC3, miss)
Alazandaru (Attack MC3, hit; Attack MC3, miss)

Round 3

While the snakes manage a decent job of surviving the multiple beatings delivered in their direction, they cannot manage to land a solid strike of their fangs against our villains, misfortune being their destiny.

Inish
Snakes (MC1vM; MC2vA; MC3vB)
Tatya
Beatrix
Morthos
Bostarg
Alazandaru

The Map Link

"Gorum's balls, hold still!" In anger, Bea brings her sword around once more, solidly connecting with the snake in front of her. She allows a look of satisfaction to spread across her face with the well placed hit.

Finally, a decent roll! Power attack vs G27:
attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27
confirm crit: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11
damage: 2d6 + 9 ⇒ (5, 6) + 9 = 20

Muttering to himself Bostarg sees the folly in making an attack of his own, and instead seeks to draw the attention of the cobra - to make it easier for Alazandaru to strike it.

Aid Another (+2 to attack for Alazandaru): 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 4 + 2 = 18

Tatya slides up next to Alazandaru and makes a wild swipe in the snake's direction with her dagger, hoping to draw its attention from the man with the staff. Her fear and inexperience with the weapon, however, combine to keep the blade so far from connecting that the creature fails to register her as any kind of threat.

Move to E26; Aid Another vs. DC 10 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

"It matters not. These creatures will fall." He states confidently as he swings again.

Mwk Longsword: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 6 + 2 = 22
Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10

Still attacking F 27. Didn't initially catch that Beatrix was attacking G 27.

Round 3

Beatrix's solid blow brings down one of the snakes, a metallic crunching sword made from the powerful blow. Morthos lands another blow against the foe he has been attacking, dealing another solid hit. Alazandaru switches to Morthos's target, hoping to bring it down from it's already severe wounds but to no avail, stepping into a better position to allow a flank.

Inish
Snakes (MC1vM; MC2vA; MC3vB)
Tatya (Aid Another AC for A, miss)
Beatrix (Attack MC3, threaten crit, not confirm)
Morthos (Attack MC1, hit)
Bostarg (Aid Another Attack for A, hit)
Alazandaru (Attack MC1, miss; Attack MC1, miss)

Round 4

The snakes lash out, unable to feel for the loss of their companion, attacking with single-minded determination. A determination that rewards them, as each find an opening in their intended victims. Both Alazandaru and Morthos are struck by the snakes. Both take 6 points of damage, both saved against poison.

Inish
Snakes (MC1vA; MC2vM)
Tatya
Beatrix
Morthos
Bostarg
Alazandaru

The Map Link

"Ha! That's more like it."

Feeling more confident, Bea turns and swings at another snake.

attack: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 7 + 2 = 25
damage: 2d6 + 9 ⇒ (1, 4) + 9 = 14

Power attack vs F27

Steeling herself, Tatya is able to swipe her dagger close enough to the mithril snake to force it to acknowledge her existence this time. Just in case it's acknowledged her enough to try to bite her, she withdraws behind Alazandaru.

Aid Another vs. DC 10 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12: +2 to Alazandaru's attack vs. F27 if Beatrix hasn't already smashed it by his turn; move to D27

Seeing that Beatrix has that snake under control, he concentrates on the one directly in front of him.

Attack F 28

Mwk Longsword: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20
Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11

At work so I can't see the map. Intent is to move to a flanking position if possible.

Seeing the success of his companions, Bostarg moves to attempt to ensure Alazandaru's ministrations meet with success.

Aid Another (+2 to Attack): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14

Round 4

Beatrix smashes the second snake with another powerful strike, sundering it in half. Tatya and Bostarg aid Alazandaru's strikes, but even with the aid fails to connect with the third and final of the creations, even so far as to elude the blows of Morthos....

Inish
Snakes (MC1vA; MC2vM)
Tatya (Aid Another Alazandaru attack, hit)
Beatrix (Attack MC1, hit)
Morthos (Attack MC2, miss)
Bostarg (Aid Another Alazandaru attack, hit)
Alazandaru (Attack MC2, miss twice)

Round 5

...though the cobra itself is barely able to find it's own opening to dart in to the unholy warrior. Morthos takes 3 damage from the bite, but succeeds on the fort save.

Inish
Snakes (MC2vM)
Tatya
Beatrix
Morthos
Bostarg
Alazandaru

The Map Link

Stepping cautiously and giving it a wide birth, Bea approaches the final snake and swings powerfully at it.

I should be able to get around in a position to flank and avoid the AoO. Power attack on remaining snake.

attack: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 7 + 2 = 23
damage: 2d6 + 9 ⇒ (3, 5) + 9 = 17

Morthos, looks like you didn't apply the 6 damage from last round. With the extra 3 this round, you ought to be at 10/24.

Noting that the antipaladin has been a common target for the needle-like fangs, Tatya lays a hand on his back to apportion him his daily allowance of healing.

Healing hex on Morthos 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6 Now up to 16/24.

King Mark - is the snake still wriggling after Beatrix's strike?

It is though it's definitely injured. She put a sizeable dent in it.

Bostarg once more shuffles into an advantageous position and seeks to assist Alazandaru's strikes against the last foe remaining...

Aid Another (+2 to attack if successful): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

Though he also raises an impressed eyebrow at Beatrix's display of wholesale carnage. I would do well to not drive that one to anger against me...

Got it taken care of. Totally forgot to adjust that. Thanks.

Mwk Longsword: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14

Round 5

Beatrix lands a solid hit on the snake's body, denting it deeply in the middle of the creature. Though it seems to lack it's full range of motion from the dent, it still manages to be a solid foe, evading strike after strike from Morthos and Alazandaru. Tatya summons her patrons power to heal some of Morthos's wounds while Bostarg aids Alazandaru in his strikes.

Inish
Snakes (MC2vM)
Tatya (Healing Hex on Morthos)
Beatrix (Attack MC2, hit)
Morthos (Attack MC2, miss)
Bostarg (Aid Another Attack for Alazandaru, hit)
Alazandaru (Attack MC2 twice, miss twice)

Round 6

The mithril cobra turns it's attentions from Morthos to Beatrix, attacking the one who managed to damage it so, though it fails to connect, slowed by the damage it has suffered.

Inish
Snakes (MC2vB)
Tatya
Beatrix
Morthos
Bostarg
Alazandaru

The Map Link

Just a note, there's no actual mechanical benefit/penalty to the damage beyond flavor text.

What are the odds Beatrix maintains the hot streak? Oh well, she has the potential to do the most damage anyway.

Tatya moves around behind the two men and takes another half-hearted swipe in the snake's direction. The blade never seriously threatens to connect, but its sudden flash is enough to draw the creature's attention momentarily.

Move to E29; Aid Another vs. DC 10 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12: +2 to hit to Beatrix