Saga of the Sages

Game Master Nathanael Love

Kenji draws his greatsword and retaliates although the skeletal being has cover.

"Vicious dead beings!" he exclaims.

+1 Greatsword, power attack: 1d20 + 7 - 1 ⇒ (19) + 7 - 1 = 252d6 + 6 + 3 ⇒ (2, 5) + 6 + 3 = 16
Crit confirm: 1d20 + 7 - 1 ⇒ (10) + 7 - 1 = 162d6 + 6 + 3 ⇒ (5, 3) + 6 + 3 = 17

@Oxnard - Rogarch has 30 hit points to start plus Die Hard. She will not go down regardless. Even if you redirect the last skeleton's attack it will miss her AC by 4 (or by 2 if you remove the partial cover penalty).

Will Save: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14

Rogarch remains standing despite the nasty blow by the undead leader.
Her faith helps her resist the worst of the negative energy.

She has taken 23 hit points total. Now at 7/30 hit points before her actions.

@Oxnard - It is a little unclear if the the leader undead has a long spear (with reach) or not and it will effect my character's actions. You might want to adjust his position as well on the map if this is the case as Rogarch has not fallen (yet).

Helping Hand begins to glow allowing Rogarch to regain her strength.

Fast Healing 1 is activated for 3 rounds. This is a supernatural ability and will not provoke attacks of opportunity.

Knowledge (religion): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22

"A wicked blow!" Pirro cries out as the undead press their assault. "Strike them hard with hammer and stave. Their fleshless bodies will not be much affected by blades nor cold."

The usher walks forward and then releases a wave of positive energy against their foes.

Channel to Harm Undead: 2d6 ⇒ (6, 5) = 11 Will DC 11 for half

"Zarisha..."

"Yes. I know what to do--for whatever good it will do any of us in delaying our inevitable return to nothingness," she moans as she glides down the hall and past the skeletal warriors.

Form: incorporeal

If still applicable...

Drea takes a side step to flank one of the skeletal warriors with the incorporeal Zarisha. As they do so, a pink bubble of energy billows out, enveloping their form. The heavy flail then crashes into the skeleton sandwiched between the sylph and the phantom.

No flank as Zarisha is incorporeal, but Zarisha can get a flanking opportunity if she becomes corporeal. Expending a focus point to use Mind Barrier as a focus power (preventing 6pts of damage).

Melee Attack, Adamantine: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 151d10 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11

"Ha! Now that's a worthy foe! Everyone - earn your way into the epics!"

Inspire Courage

he has a regular (not long) spear, so he five foot stepped in. Sorry, I read your AC as hit points there- just getting back off my flight home I'll try to get a full update in later tonight or tomorrow before I leave for work.

Correct HP for Rogarch should be 8 or 11 then depending on the save.

@Oxford - I understand how difficult it is to update in transit. :)
Rogarch made her Will save. When you have a minute tonight or tomorrow just confirm how much damage she took in total.

Rogarch decides to withdraw for now and not push a bad position. Once she is in position she drops her large hammer to the floor and draws a wand of Blade Lash.

Standard Action - Withdraw so as to not provoke.

Round 1
Kenji's great sword smashes the skeleton that had struck him and it crumples beneath the mighty blow!

Penthesilea begins her song to inspire everyone!

Pirro channels energy:
Will Save A: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21

Will Save B: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (16) + 12 = 28

Both take half damage. Update- this kills the lesser skeletal champion.

Zarisha moves and positions herself.

Round 2
Rogarch withdraws.

Drea positions to flank when Zarisha materializes and strikes, but the skeletal champion's armor again turns the blow aside.

The unengaged skeleton steps forward and strikes at Pirro, the source of the painful positive energy:
Khopesh: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24
Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4
Hit! Correction- this one actually dies on the channel.

The spear wielding one snarls and stabs at Drea:
Spear attack w/ divine favor, power attack, destructive smite, and channel smite: 1d20 + 10 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (11) + 10 + 1 - 2 = 20
Damage: 1d8 + 7 + 6 + 1 + 1 + 1d6 ⇒ (7) + 7 + 6 + 1 + 1 + (1) = 23

Another brutal hit! minimum (1) damage on the Channeling Smite so I do not believe it can be reduced to nothing

Turn Order:
1. Rogarch
2. Drea
3. Skeletons
4. Kenji
5. Penthesilea
6. Ram
7/8 Zarisha + Pirro

Damage done:
A- 21 DEAD
B- 13

Status- Rogarch 11/30
Drea- 3/26

The whole party can act again for round 2/top of 3

Rogarch's wounds begin to heal under the divine glow of Helping Hand (1 hit point healed). Rogarch shifts behind Ram and pats herself with a gloved hand (Lay on Hands, swift action). She then activates her wand. Suddenly her spiked gauntlet elongates into a 20 foot whip-like weapon which she uses to try and trip the remaining undead champion.

Lay on Hands: 1d6 ⇒ 3

Trip attempt with Blade Lash vs CMD, Bard Song,Cover: 1d20 + 7 + 10 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (10) + 7 + 10 + 1 - 4 = 24

Rogarch hit points is now 15/30

Kenji 5ft steps forward with his greatsword and tries to stop the skeletal champion.

"Your evil deeds are over!" he exclaims.

+1 Greatsword, power attack: 1d20 + 7 - 1 ⇒ (14) + 7 - 1 = 202d6 + 6 + 3 ⇒ (6, 3) + 6 + 3 = 18

A hacking cough escapes Ram's lips and he wipes his mouth with the back of his hand. This foul dust must be getting to me

His unease distracts him from the sudden appearance of the undead and he blinks, seeing his companions surging forward.

Ram utters a prayer to Horus Inspiring Word on Kenji The ever-watchful sun shines bright on you Kenji Ram clangs his Khopesh on his shield and prepares to rush in.

Standard action; Cast Inspiring word. Move action; study target
Ah yes, I see your weakness now...

Drea suffers the hideous blow from the skeleton stoically; the pink bubble around their form winks out. A trickle of blood from their nose that sublimates into vapour indicates the severity to which they are injured. The sylph pauses, waiting for something.

My Mind Barrier absorbed 6 pts of damage from that skeletal hit, but is now expended. I should be at 9/26 hp, GM. Delaying until Zarisha materialises and provides a flank.

@Drea - It is likely that the skeleton will be prone as well before your attack. So keep that in mind. :)

Pirro takes step back as he feels something walk over his grave. He concentrates on drawing Zarisha out of the ethereal plane.

Zarisha manifests ectoplasmic mace and shield, attempting to return the skeletal champion to the void.

Slam 1, IC, Flank: 1d20 + 5 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 5 + 1 + 2 = 19
B, IC: 1d6 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 + 1 = 3
Slam 2,IC, Flank: 1d20 + 5 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 5 + 1 + 2 = 27
B, IC: 1d6 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 + 1 = 3

That was a waste of good hits unless this undead is inexplicably not resistant to mind affecting effects.

Drea grunts as they swing down hard on the compromised skeleton.

Melee Attack, Bludgeoning, Adamantine, Flank: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 7 + 2 = 101d10 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7

Of course. Two 1s. I’d like to meet the dice roller in a dark alley and tell it what I think of it repeatedly with a blunt hatchet.

Round 2
Kenji swings and hits, his powerful strike still damaging the champion through its defenses.

Ram moves and uses his inspiring word.

Both of Zarisha's strikes hit, and the bludgeoning damage is not reduced.

Round 3
Rogarch trips the Skeletal champion.

Turn Order:
1. Rogarch
2. Drea
3. Skeletons
4. Kenji
5. Penthesilea
6. Ram
7/8 Zarisha + Pirro

Damage done:
B- 33, prone

Status- Rogarch 15/30
Drea- 9/26

Still pending Penthesilea and Drea before the Skeletal champion goes again. Zarisha is material so Drea does have flanking and +4 verse prone (and the Inspire Courage) currently.

I already went, GM, and rolled a natural 1. *sad trombone*

I was just hoping to not burn another round of Inspire Courage ;-p

"Alright alright, let Penthesilea show you how it's done..."
Longbow (PBS, IC, RS, Gravity Bow): 1d20 + 8 + 1 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (12) + 8 + 1 + 1 - 2 = 20 Ignoring cover
Bludgeoning: 2d6 + 2 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (4, 4) + 2 + 1 + 1 = 12
Longbow (PBS, IC, RS, Gravity Bow): 1d20 + 8 + 1 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (14) + 8 + 1 + 1 - 2 = 22 Ignoring cover
Bludgeoning: 2d6 + 2 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (4, 5) + 2 + 1 + 1 = 13

With the champion on the ground, Penthesilea's first shot misses, but the second catches it in the skull which shatters under the pressure.

Status:

Status- Rogarch 15/30
Drea- 9/26

As you search the room, you find a gold chalice worth 50 gold, the main skeleton's Mithril chain shirt, and his magic spear.

He also carries a set of keys.

Give me perception checks as you exit this chamber and go back into the hallway; but feel free to take the time to heal if you want.

Rogarch continues to heal under Healing Hand's influence. She places her wand of Blade Lash back into her wrist sheath, reclaims her mighty hammer and then begins to heal herself with another wand.

Wand,Cure Light Wounds: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
Wand,Cure Light Wounds: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7
Wand,Cure Light Wounds: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

After healing up completely she sheathes her wand of healing and grips her Lucerne Hammer. She looks at the battlefield with Helping Hand's assistance.

Perception, Guidance: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 6 + 1 = 20

Helping Hand looks around.

Perception, Guidance: 1d20 + 10 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 10 + 1 = 20

"That was a tough opponent! I am glad not more of us were injured. Let us now search everything!" Kenji says.

Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

"Rogarch," Drea breathes as they watch the half-orc heal themselves, "would you be able to pass some of that healing onto my person? That creature truly would have struck me down had not you all ended its menace when you did."

Appraise (upon the spear): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16
Perception Check: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13

"I'm not certain of the magicks, but that spear is worth quite a price."

Drea was reduced to 9/26 hp in that combat.

With the destruction of the last of the skeletal champions, Pirro concentrates on releasing Zarisha partially back into the ethereal plane.

He turns to Drea, his wand ready to invoke, but pauses at her comment regarding the spear. "Let me see," he says. He stares at the spear for several moments.

Spellcraft (DC 20): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8

"Its true power evades me as well," he says, foiled and continues on with his original intent. "I wonder what those keys unlock."

Cure Light Wounds (CL 1): 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7
Cure Light Wounds (CL 1): 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
Cure Light Wounds (CL 1): 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

Perception (upon exit): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (18) + 10 = 28

Perception (upon exit): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12 darkvision

Form: Incorporeal

Rogarch immediately goes to heal Drea but it appears that Pirro beat her to it.

Edited to reflect the fact that I read Pirro's post. :)

"Next time, Drea. Pirro was too quick with his wand."

"I should look into the occultism surrounding the detection of magical dweomers," breathes Drea as Pirro frowns at the spear. "And thank you for the healing."

I don't have detect magic. A bit of an oversight: soon to be remedied with another level up.

Drea- you can tell the Spear is a +1 Spear with additional properties, but can't tell what else it does.

You spot a hidden chamber with the door slightly ajar (D14):

A stone effigy of a humanoid figure stands at the north end of this room, its arms spread in a gesture of supplication, or as if commanding an object to rise in the air. The figure’s face is devoid of detail, with only vague contours where the eyes and nose should be. An extensive series of hieroglyphs covers the western wall, opposite a stone bench that stands against the eastern wall.

The hieroglyphs translate as:

You notice some drops of blood on the floor- someone has been in this chamber.

As you examine the room, a creature comes out and begins a strange dance: DC 15 Will save or become Entranced.

The creature looks like a snake made out of bones!

Once the combat is over, Drea will use the tablet of languages lost to cast comprehend languages on the hieroglyphics.

Spellcraft Check: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (7) + 10 = 17 I don't know what the drops of blood portent.
Knowledge Arcana Check: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (13) + 9 = 22

"Beware! It is a necrophidius! A creature with a paralysing bite and an entrancing...." Drea stops speaking for a moment.

Will Save: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19 SUCCESS!

"....dance!" the sylph finishes after a brief pause. "It is good that I have my flail already at hand."

GM, I would argue that Drea wouldn't be standing in the back of the chamber, allowing the phantom to occupy a space best used by themself. I will swap my icon with Zarisha and attack. If you're going to rule that I cannot, then I will use my turn to active a focus point for my Legacy Weapon enhancement.

Melee Attack, Adamantine: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 141d10 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10

Now that I have zoomed in on the map, I can see that there is a bench in the way. What a crappy room. I'll be activating my Legacy Weapon focus point, it would seem.

Yah, feel free to reposition to how you would have aligned when you came into the room.

will : 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23

Knowledge (arcana): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18
Will: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14 -4 if this isn't a charm or compulsion effect
Knowledge (arcana): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13

"Huh..."

Rogarch attempt to resist the effects of the strange dance.

Will: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10

Shirt Re-roll: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12

Despite all her efforts she is unable to withstand the interest of the dance.

Lousy rolling here.

Helping Hand tries to resist the effects of the bone snake.

Will: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

He starts to sway to the beat of the dance.

Spellcraft (DC 18): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17
Spellcraft (DC 25): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9
Will (DC 15): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18

"Something of power is or was located on the effigy," Pirro mentions before the necrophidius slithers out of hiding.

Will: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11

Zarisha floats in place, staring at the snake's entrancing dance.

Kenji is surprised that his companions are acting so strangely!!

”What are you all doing! This undead could be dangerous! Please... come to your senses?!“ he shouts.

I will switch places with Pirro, given that I am one of the front-liners (Kenji, Rogarch, myself, Ram). Unless Pirro declines. Go ahead and use my miss of an attack for the first round. Otherwise (if Drea cannot move), they will use their focus point as previously noted.

Ram (following along slowly) finally joins the group, his attention drawn to the wall of Ancient Osiriani. He traces his hands over the stonework, reading portions aloud, then as the urgency of the warning grows his voice grows louder-
"Friends, a dire warning is inscribed on these walls. Woe to those who plunder the treasures in this place for a great army of undead will be called upon"

Know Religion- Ka: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19
Know Religion- who is the forgotten one?: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16

Ram turns to see a creature, moving to some unknown rhythm;
"Rogarch, did you not heed the warning of this place?" Ram snaps his fingers
Will Save: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23

know dungeoneering to ID the creature: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9
Ram prepares himself for an attack, holding up his shield and khopesh outstretched.
"You heed my warning creature, disenchant our companions of face our wrath"

Can I study the target just in case combat starts?

Round 1
The Necrophidius dances, and Penthesilea, Rogarch, Helping Hand, and Zarisha are dazzled for Rounds: 2d4 ⇒ (2, 1) = 3

Drea moves up and misses.

Everyone else can act before the Necrophidius goes again.

Kenji draws his greatsword and sneak attacks with flanking although the skeletal being moves.

"Stay dead!" he exclaims.

+1 Greatsword, power attack, flank, sneak : 2 + 1d20 + 7 - 1 ⇒ 2 + (3) + 7 - 1 = 112d6 + 6 + 3 + 1d6 ⇒ (2, 4) + 6 + 3 + (3) = 18

Dazzled or Dazed? I'm thrilled if it's just the -1 to hit, but I suspect it may be worse...

I am going with Dazzled and acting. If it is daze then my post can be ignored as my character will not be able to act at all.

Rogarch and Helping Hand are momentarily dazzled by the serpent's dance. In the small room Rogarch has no place to swing her large hammer. Instead she drops it to the ground yet again and draws forth a large blade. She decides to fly into a rage after Helping Hand taps her for good luck.

Attack,Guidance,Rage,Dazzled: 1d20 + 8 + 1 + 2 - 1 ⇒ (1) + 8 + 1 + 2 - 1 = 11
Damage,Rage: 2d6 + 9 ⇒ (4, 4) + 9 = 17

Nice rolling. Now I hope that I am dazed to save the round of Rage.

It's dazed.

Pirro concentrates and imbues Drea with a warding from the spiritual realm.

Cast resistance on Drea.

Yes- sorry I misread when I said Dazzled, it is dazed.

Kenji's attack misses.

Pirro casts resistance on Drea.

Assuming Ram studies here

The Necrophiius bites at Kenji:

bite: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14
Damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12
Miss!

Drea, Kenji, Pirro, and Ram can act; Penthesilea, Rogarch, Helping Hand, Zarisha Dazed for 2 more rounds

"Stay still!" he exclaims.

+1 Greatsword, power attack, flank, sneak : 2 + 1d20 + 7 - 1 ⇒ 2 + (13) + 7 - 1 = 212d6 + 6 + 3 + 1d6 ⇒ (5, 2) + 6 + 3 + (3) = 19

Drea attacks again.

Melee Attack, Adamantine: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 111d10 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15

”I am having a difficult time connecting with this accursed thing,” Drea mutters, briefly showing a flicker of irritation.