WotW: A Knot of Thorns The Second Parchment

Game Master Xzaral

Cain's morningstar descends upon the orb, causing the sphere to shatter beneath the blow. Daylight shines in the room as the Darkness disappears entirely. The mist recoils slightly in the light.

Shulme's spear strikes the creature, causing some injury as it descends back into it's sub-ground lair.

Xanos simply watches for the moment.

Delaying my action on account of being all kinds of useless right now. My best option is a scroll of magic missile.

Teon takes a five foot step to O15 and drops his torch on the grate. Ready an action to bite the mist if it comes out.

Price slides far into the room, daylight coming with her. "Cain, are you up for checking the doors and popping locks? I'll guard you as best I can. If we're going to fight this creature, I'd rather we do it on our terms - where it can't hide easily."

[/ooc]Price will ready a strike if the creature comes in range.[/ooc]

~ Round 1 ~
MOVE: Toward East Door
STAND: Ready Action - Bash

Hearing Shulme, Grumblejack comes into the room, weapon in hand. "Grumblejack smash enemies."

Double move into room.

Inish
Shulme
Red Mist
Xanos
Teon
Price
Cain
Grumblejack

Back to the top with Shulme, then the mist.

The Map

Mark, can this Mist attack us through the floor? Have we hit this thing at all?

"If we stay close together, we'll have a better chance to hit this thing! Call out if you need healing."

At this point it's been hit by your Alchy fire's splash damage (which did burn it, and caused it to recoil slightly), and from Shulme's spear (which has blood on it from the creature). And no, it has to come out to attack, so it does provoke when it moves back (though not coming out due to the cover).

Xanos sighs, opens his new book to the back and reads a scroll. In a rush of purple flame it vanishes and Xanos points a bolt of purple light toward the mist creature.

Scroll of Magic Missile.

1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

This attack cost 3 gold per point of damage.

Better than that 1-damage alchemist's fire!

Shulme hisses a commanding, sibilant word, and his blood ceases to flow.

He watches the floor with a baleful gaze, waiting for the creature to reappear.

Cure light wounds. I am presuming that as bleed damage it recurs each turn until you heal it?

1d8 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

I just had to look that up Shulme, and actually you are correct. At the start of Cain's action he will take 1d6 additional bleed damage unless someone wants to heal him first. I won't add retroactive damage since that might have changed actions, but it will play a role from now on.

Xanos's bolt streaks out and strikes the creature, a solid hit. The red mist once again rises, choosing to assault Price this time before moving into a different hole further away. Price swings at the creature, connecting with it and leaving her weapon covered in blood. Grumblejack too takes a swing, but misses the creature while avoiding others with his swing. "Grumblejack think red cloud sneaky."

EDIT: The creature hit's Price for 1 bleed damage, and 2 Constitution damage.

I'll need AoOs from Price, Cain and Teon. Price took her readied attack, and Grumblejack took his AoO.

Inish
Shulme
Red Mist
Xanos
Teon
Price
Cain
Grumblejack

Bleed: A creature that is taking bleed damage takes the listed amount of damage at the beginning of its turn. Bleeding can be stopped by a DC 15 Heal check or through the application of any spell that cures hit point damage (even if the bleed is ability damage). Some bleed effects cause ability damage or even ability drain. Bleed effects do not stack with each other unless they deal different kinds of damage. When two or more bleed effects deal the same kind of damage, take the worse effect. In this case, ability drain is worse than ability damage.

And just an FYI, the Constitution damage isn't a bleed effect.

AoO - two handed morningstar
Attack 1d20 + 6 - 1 ⇒ (2) + 6 - 1 = 7
---> damage 1d8 + 6 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 6 + 3 + 1 = 11

As to the bleed damage. When it's come in games for me so far, we've treated it like whatever amount of bleed damage was originally rolled was the bleed damage the person took every round. So, for instance (and this is how I adjudicated it this last round for Cain), since you rolled a 1 for his bleed damage, Cain took that damage immediately, thn I also had him take 1 more at the top of his next round. Let me know if that's not how you want to play it.

Price swears in a highly unladylike fashion as she fails to connect with the escaping Mist.

AoO Laughing Demon (20/x2)
HIT: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6 Swing... and a miss
DAM: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

AoO 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14 Damage 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

I should also have a readied action to bite it. If I do, here it is. I thought I posted this last night before going to bed, but forgot to hit post after previewing. Sorry.

Bite 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14 Damage 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

Ah, sorry, you did. Missed it.

The creature nimbly dodges all the attacks that come at it, though Teon comes close twice. If not for it's sudden increase in speed after feeding, it may well have hit.

And you all are up for actions now.

With a frustrated growl, Cain disengages from the fight. He dashes to the northern door, dropping his morningstar on the ground next to him as he gives a quick inspection for traps or dangers, also checking to see if it's locked.

~~~ Round 2 ~~~
Another 1 pt. of damage from bleed.
Move: to N16.
Free: drop morningstar
Standard: search for listen at door/search for traps/check if it's locked? Even if the door is unlocked, he won't open it until he's listened at it.)

Cool. Then I'll start that at the beginning of the next round (unless something else comes up)... I'd think the look for traps would take some kind of action, and standard is all I had available. :)

OK, so how are we doing bleed effects? Should I knock off another 1 HP from Price or is it a 1d6 roll? Should I be subtracting additional HP due to her CON drop?

Price moves to the other door, drops her mace, and unbars it as well.

~ Round 2 ~
MOVE: To doorway
FREE: Drop Mace
STAND: Unbar door

If unbarring the door is a Full Round action and I can't split it into two Standards, then I'll move to the door, retain the Mace, and Ready an attack to strike the Mist if it appears close-by.

Unbarring is full round, 1 person only. Two people won't make it go faster. As far as bleed, you take that much damage each round at the start of your turn as you originally took. It's a DC15 heal check to stop it, or cure any HP damage. Con damage will lower current AND max HP, so take that into account as well.

I'm not at Cain's door. So, if I read you correctly, since I can't unbar the door on the same round I move, I may as well use my STAND as a readied attack.

Price growls in frustration, debating whether to pass judgment on the creature.

~ Round 2 (Modified) ~
MOVE: To doorway
STAND: Ready Attack

Cain and Price went, still waiting on Xanos, Shulme and Teon.

Do I have another turn this round? My readied action went off.

A Readied action moves you in the initiative order directly before what it was that you readied against. So yes, you would indeed have another action.

Well in that case...

Teon snarls and charges the mist. He imbues his fangs with the power. Arcane Strike

Bite 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 6 + 2 = 19 Damage 1d6 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 4 + 1 = 10

Delaying again. If it's still alive after all the bruisers swing I'll burn my other Magic Missile scroll.

Shulme moves forward, spear at the ready.

Ready attack - I think it is under cover at the moment right now, no? If not, this can be a standard attack. Either way, flanking with Price.

The red mist attempts to come out from it's hole once again, this time choosing Teon as it's victim. A sudden strike at the young man, and he feels his own blood being sucked out. Bleed damage 5, Con damage 1.

Once again taking the opportunity to retreat down it's hole, it suffers the attacks of Teon, Shulme and Price. The flurry of strikes severly hurts the creature, which seems to cry out in a foreign voice*. It attempts to retreat back down into the floor.

AoOs available still, Price, Shulme and Teon. I took listed attacks as readied actions. Also Xanos can use his scroll if he chooses.

Map, I will be updating with next hallway shortly.

Oh yea, Grumblejack's Readied and AoO as well. Well, those were both whiffs, though powerful ones.

AoO Arcane strike is still in effect. Bite 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22

Damage 1d6 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 4 + 1 = 6

We need to end this. If I grab it, can the rest of you kill it?

Does it seem like it could be grappled? I am not sure how solid this mist is

Xanos whispers harshly in the same sinister tongue

Price tries to smash the creature through the holes in the floor.

AoO Laughing Demon (20/x2)
HIT: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 5 + 2 = 18 Flanking
DAM: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12

The creature suddenly cries out in pain in the same language*, it's body beginning to disperse. As you watch from Teon's and Price's attacks, the creature suddenly spills out in a bloody mess, covering the floors, splatters on the walls, as well as nearby creatures. The trails and droplets continue to pour into the holes in the floor, a few solid masses remaining above ground.

The creature is not grappleable (it doesn't even have a CMD listed to be honest.

For when you are ready to move ahead, just to get it up. Let me know what you do with the Mist. Also just to clarify, Price is appearing as Tiadora, Teon is an old man, and no one has Asmodeus symbols displayed, correct?

This passage leads to another room, the expected inscription reading...

“Cruelty is a tool not a pastime. Be ruthless to thy enemy but reward those who serve thee well.”

In the room you can find a Rack dominating the center of the room. Nothing else obvious is in sight.

The Map

Teon is wearing the symol around his neck. Heal 1d20 ⇒ 16

I think it is faking. Coup de grace, Arcane strike 2d6 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (4, 2) + 4 + 2 = 12

Cain is his normal (human) self; asmodeus symbol not visible.
Heal 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11.

After throwing open the new door, Cain gives the new area -- and it's inscription -- a quick glance. As he watches the large demon do in the mist monster, he still seems to be bleeding. "Price... Shulme... one of you two wanna do something about this bleeding?"

Cain is still taking bleed damage. I'll assume someone gives him a hit from the wand... 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5... Bleeding stopped.

He waits to see if anyone is going to give the current room a closer inspection before he turns to look at the new room with its ominously lonely rack, "We ready to move in here?"

When folks are ready to move on...

Just a minute Lesser Rejuvenate Eidelon 1d10 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

"You aren't the only one still bleeding, friend. Give me a moment." She wraps a strip of cloth across the bloody slashes on her legs.

Heal (on Mist) 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12
Heal (stop bleeding) 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16

I'd suggest we do an immediate heal-up and stop bleeding thing before we press on. Also, are we doing the Wand of CLW correctly? It requires a 5th level caster to create a wand. Assuming the wand maker is also the cleric putting in the spell, shouldn't that be 1d8+5 healing?

Opting to save her spells, Price taps herself with the wand as well.

CLW 1d8 ⇒ 7+ X?

While the Craft Wand feat does require 5th level, the actual wand formula is Spell Level x Caster Level x 750gp, and is made at the minimum caster level for the spell in question. So in this case a Cure Light Wound wand would be Caster Level 1 for 750gp.

Now you could make it all the way up to Caster Level 5, but it would increase the cost as well up to 3,750gp for 1d8+5 healing.

The curious part is spells on multiple lists. For example, Lesser Restoration is a 2nd level cleric spell, but 1st level paladin spell. Thus for a wand (or potion or scroll), it should be purchased at Caster Level 1 as a 1st level spell, but to craft it depends on the class of the crafter. So you can usually buy them for 750 RAW, but generally Paladin's don't have Craft Wand, so it'd be a cleric with the feat making it for Spell Level 2, Caster Level 3, x 750gp; or 4500gp halved for creation costs to 2250gp.

Ooof! That makes my head hurt. :) Either way, that '7' roll puts me back to max (well my reduced max due to CON damage.

OK, is anyone still down points? I'd rather run into the next encounter with everyone doing as well as possible.

Xanos makes a risking sound as Teon strikes the downed creature, then looks toward the other door while the rest heal their injuries.

Shulme stands ready, a spell on his lips, in case any of his companions cannot tend to their own wounds.

I think that was everyone who was bleeding, right? If not, this will turn into a healing spell

Teon's strike deals a fatal blow to the mist, ending it's existence.

Cain's search of the room to the north uncovers nothing unusual.

Price lends her eyes to the Rack Room after chuckling at the inscription. "What the hell is this - a diabolic finishing school? Ten Practices of Highly Effective Evil Leaders?"

She searches the room starting with the rack and moving on to the wall - hoping to find more secret doors.

Perception #1 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (18) + 12 = 30
Perception #2 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (8) + 12 = 20
Perception #3 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (16) + 12 = 28
Perception #4 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (16) + 12 = 28
Perception #5 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (7) + 12 = 19

A search of the room reveals a hidden doorway in the southwest corner of the room. No traps to be found, opening the doorway reveals a young man, dressed in a chain shirt and a dirty tabard*. The young man is unarmed and obviously afraid. He looks over your group, eyes settling on the Asmodean symbol adorning Teon's neck. "Asmodeans. Y-you w-will not t-take me a-alive!" His voice stutters and breaks as he speaks, desparately looking around for a weapon even as he cowers in the corner of the small 10x10 room.

Can't update map, at work now and helping a friend move after.

Price gives him a disarming smile and a tea-party voice. "Gracious! We have no plans to 'take you' at all, young man. But we would like to chat with you like civilized people. If you've got some useful information, we'll leave you in peace. Doesn't that sound better than a whole bunch of screaming and dying?"

Diplo 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21

Shulme examines the inscription, and glances at the rack and shaking squire.

"Very subtle." he murmurs wryly to Xanos.

"Y-you may think y-your clever you witch! I remember you, woman! You were with the man throwing Hellfire, flying around!! Iomedae will s-save me, even in d-d-death! W-what have you d-done with Sire Eldon?"