DMDM's Fingerprints of the Fiend

Game Master Douglas Muir 406

(I once had a player ask another player, "Can I hit him with Daze, do you think?" And the first guy replied, "He's hitting at +7, but he's not getting a second attack. Figure +2 from Strength, and the DM said he has a nice weapon, so it's probably masterwork, so +1 from that. So I bet he's 4th level, tops. Go ahead, Daze him.")

Damn, your players listened to/read the flavour-text? (Ok, it was purely for metagame purposes, but still.) Now I'm jealous...

Callinda continues the complicated dance of waving bats away from her face in between slashes at the slaver boss -- trying to remember to keep the pointy ends of her blades away from her nose.

one more time...
fort: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17

miss: 1d100 ⇒ 95scimitar: 1d20 + 7 + 2 + 1 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 7 + 2 + 1 + 1 + 2 = 30for: 1d6 + 9 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 9 + 2 + 1 = 16
miss: 1d100 ⇒ 45scimitar: 1d20 + 2 + 2 + 1 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 + 2 + 1 + 1 + 2 = 11for: 1d6 + 9 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 9 + 2 + 1 = 16
miss: 1d100 ⇒ 11kukri: 1d20 + 7 + 2 + 1 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 7 + 2 + 1 + 1 + 2 = 26for: 1d4 + 4 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 4 + 2 + 1 = 9 miss!
miss: 1d100 ⇒ 36kukri: 1d20 + 2 + 2 + 1 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 + 2 + 1 + 1 + 2 = 21for: 1d4 + 4 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 4 + 2 + 1 = 11

if by some chance the boss goes down, I will happily five-foot step towards the overseer (angling to go around Brother A), if he remains up

status: hp 33/46, bleed 1, blessing of war, studied: boss, overseer

Grinceroy steps to the side swinging a mace made of vines at the swarm around Callinda.

1d20 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 15
3d6 + 4 ⇒ (2, 3, 1) + 4 = 10

Damn, your players listened to/read the flavour-text? (Ok, it was purely for metagame purposes, but still.) Now I'm jealous...

Hide hints, clues, and useful information in the flavor text long enough, and... um, they mostly still won't listen to it. BUT you get to smirk about how "I did mention back in Entry 3753 that Gruk-Gruk the half-orc bodyguard seemed strangely familiar with standard floral arrangements, and in Entry 4908 he left the Duke's Dress Ball just moments before The Blue Rose made his dramatic entry -- wasn't it OBVIOUS they were one and the same?"

[slashes a lot with her kukri]

With a howl of rage, Boss goes down!

if by some chance the boss goes down, I will happily five-foot step towards the overseer (angling to go around Brother A), if he remains up

Duly noted!

Grinceroy steps to the side swinging a mace made of vines at the swarm around Callinda.

d20+9
3d6+4

Not quite enough damage to get rid of them.

Waiting on... Brother D, I think?

Stoopid tax season....

Brother Attero shouts in triumph as Callinda handily slay the Boss, so he turns to face the Overseer.

Zeal Attack! w/Flank: 1d20 + 8 + 3 + 2 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 8 + 3 + 2 + 2 + 1 = 29
Zeal Damage!: 1d8 + 7 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 7 + 3 + 2 = 15
Righteousness Attack! w/Flank: 1d20 + 8 + 3 + 2 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 8 + 3 + 2 + 2 + 1 = 25
Righteousness Damage!: 1d8 + 7 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 7 + 3 + 2 = 15

The Earth Elemental continues to harass the Overseer.

EE attack! w/Flank: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 6 + 1 = 19
EE damage!: 1d6 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 6 + 1 = 9

Those were some horrible rolls!

Fortunately for you, the poor Overseer is still stuck fixing his blindness...

I think that's it? Over to Team Slaver, yes?

Okay! Overseer must STILL try to un-blind himself, cursing, for yet another round.

Minions attack! 1d20 ⇒ 7 1d20 ⇒ 18 Dang, that one guy is just hitting Janeesa. He grins evilly, showing two gold front teeth. "Fall, ya witch!" You take 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7 more points of damage.

Callinda, swarm swarm swarm. Another 1d6 ⇒ 1 points of damage from all those sharp little teeth, and another Fort save. Man, if the bleed damage stacked, these guys would be pretty vicious. Oh, well.

And finally... Weasel! Weasel went invisible and moved 30'. Now he'll drop the invisibility, cast a spell from a scroll, and then move another 30', thus putting him 65' away from the closest PC. (Unlike the rest of the enemy party, Weasel actually put some points into Int.)

The scroll spell is the one that Boss called "Crowd Control". A thick cloud of roiling green vapor billows forth from a point near Boss and Overseer. Within moments you're all embedded inside it. Everyone within 5' of you has partial concealment (20% miss); further away has total concealment (50% miss). And, oh yes, everyone must make a DC 16 Fort save against the acidic, eye-watering stench of the vapors. (Well, everyone except for Callinda, who must make two -- the bat swarm one, and then this.)

It's AoE, so Boss and Overseer will have to save too. They'll get a +2 circumstance bonus because they're used to this -- it's a standard tactic against groups of slaves.

Right, back to you guys.

Okay, so we've got a couple things. I've still got the swarm to finish, but we also need someone who can stop Weasel. With Brother A's blessing of war put into speed, I could get there, but I can't do both. Thoughts? Can someone else stop him?

Fort Save: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16 *whew*

Janeesa, on her action, will 5' step out of threat range and cure serious wounds on herself.

3d8 + 6 ⇒ (2, 7, 1) + 6 = 16

Okay, so we've got a couple things. I've still got the swarm to finish, but we also need someone who can stop Weasel. With Brother A's blessing of war put into speed, I could get there, but I can't do both. Thoughts? Can someone else stop him?

Couple of notes on NPC design. First, Weasel is a slaver, so he's optimized for dealing with slaves. What have you seen so far? Summons, because summoned monsters can torment slaves while keeping Weasel at a safe distance. Suggestion, because that's great for quelling a rebellious slave, or for forcing your will upon a recalcitrant one. Invisibility, in case you need to skulk and listen, or escape if the slaves suddenly revolt. And a mass debuff (from a scroll) for crowd control. So, following that logic, you probably won't see him throwing fireballs around. Too much chance of damaging the valuable merchandise!

Second, whether or not Weasel is a wizard, he anyway didn't dump Int or Wis. The two melee characters did, so they have just rushed into combat. Weasel's literally smarter than that. Also, his alignment has neither G nor L in it, so he's going to prioritize his own precious, precious skin over helping others and/or obeying orders.

Grinceroy - let's focus on the immediate enemies and maybe the Weasel problem will solve itself. In the meantime that swarm is chewing Callinda up by inches...

I'm absolutely sure I posted my actions for this round. Here goes again

Fort save: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21

Morvius sneezes once as the acrid vapors assail his nostrils, but is otherwise unaffected.

Whip attack, Trip: 1d20 + 6 + 4 + 1 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 6 + 4 + 1 + 1 + 2 = 15

Assuming that fails!

Whip attack, Trip: 1d20 + 6 + 4 + 1 + 1 + 2 - 5 ⇒ (14) + 6 + 4 + 1 + 1 + 2 - 5 = 23

20% miss chance: 1d100 ⇒ 76

His whip snakes out towards the Overseer, not at his eyes this time but at his feet, aiming to bring the man down so his companions can mob him. The fog makes it difficult, and it takes two goes before his whip curls around the man's ankles.

Full round action: 2 attacks, both trip attempts

I had the same thing Morvius. I swore I'd posted. Busy now, but I should be able to post my actions (again) in about an hour.

Fort: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21

Grinceroy shakes off the cloud than concentrates, swinging another mace built of vines at the bats around Calinda.

Attack+Blessing of War: 1d20 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 8 + 1 = 24
Damage: 3d6 + 4 ⇒ (5, 4, 2) + 4 = 15

fort @ bats: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11
fort @ cloud control: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23

going to pause to let you tell me whether that 11 has me out of action -- also, to make sure I'm clear on lay of the land, we have overseer + two minions left near us, boss is down, and weasel is on the run, right?

A turn spent to CdG the boss would not be a mistake, I think.

Boss is down, Overseer is prone but still kicking, Weasel is on the run. Also Grinceroy killed all the bats, so you no longer have to save against them -- woo.

So waiting on Brother D and Callinda's actions.

a fine idea, M

Seeing the overseer under control and the slaver bard on the run, Callinda pauses to ensure the boss has no chance of troubling them further, delivering a powerful slash to his neck.

miss below 20: 1d100 ⇒ 80coup de grace auto-crit damage: 2d6 + 14 + 4 + 2 + 2d6 ⇒ (4, 2) + 14 + 4 + 2 + (5, 6) = 37

Wrenching her scimitar free of the boss' spine, she looks up and at the remaining underlings. "Who's next?"

Fort Save!: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16

The green mist bellows past Attero, leaving him untouched. He contemplates the fallen Overseer. "Prayer cleanses the body," he intones, raising his fist. "but pain cleanses the body," he says, his gauntlets of STEEL raining down as the evil man at last gains his sight.

Zeal Attack! At prone w/Flank!: 1d20 + 8 + 3 + 2 + 2 + 1 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 8 + 3 + 2 + 2 + 1 + 4 = 29
Zeal Damage!: 1d8 + 7 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 7 + 3 + 2 = 19

Miss chance: 1d100 ⇒ 10 ._.

Righteousness Attack! At prone w/Flank!: 1d20 + 8 + 3 + 2 + 2 + 1 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 8 + 3 + 2 + 2 + 1 + 4 = 35
Righteousness Damage!: 1d8 + 7 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 7 + 3 + 2 = 19

Miss chance: 1d100 ⇒ 83

The Earth Elemental mimics his master.

EE attack! At prone w/Flank!: 1d20 + 6 + 1 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 6 + 1 + 4 = 12
EE damage!: 1d6 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 6 + 1 = 13

Miss chance: 1d100 ⇒ 28

Overseer is also down! And Boss -- his head almost entirely severed from his body -- is definitely dead.

Weasel disappears again -- poof, he's gone.

Morale check for the minions! 1d20 ⇒ 14

These are some determined minions! (Or maybe they're confident of... something.) Minion attacks: 1d20 ⇒ 121d20 ⇒ 1 Maybe a little bit too confident.

Well, there's always bat damage! Callinda, take another 1d6 ⇒ 2 points of damage and make yet one more saving throw.

Didn't I finish off the bats?

Whoops whoops, my bad! Yes you did.

No bats; remove that damage.

On her action, assuming minions are still up, charge with Morningstar.

1d20 + 9 ⇒ (19) + 9 = 28
1d8 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

As soon as all combatants are dealt with (ie when combat is over) I'll gather everyone and throw a couple Channels to get us back up to spec.

Grinceroy charges the other minion with his phytokinetic mace, and smashes it into him.

Attack+Blessing of War: 1d20 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 8 + 1 = 27
Damage: 3d6 + 4 ⇒ (3, 5, 5) + 4 = 17

Morvius nods as the weasel-faced man again disappears. He has faced a number of spellcasters in his time, and he knows that eventually they run out of magic... and this one has been casting at a fearful rate: several swarms, attempted mind-control and now this repeat disappearing act.

When they do finally catch up with him, he'll be that bit more defenceless.

In the meantime, there are enemies still standing. Can't have that. His whip lashes out at the two mooks, trying to trip them both.

Trip: 1d20 + 6 + 4 + 1 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 6 + 4 + 1 + 1 + 2 = 17
20% Miss chance: 1d100 ⇒ 44

Trip: 1d20 + 6 + 4 + 1 + 1 + 2 - 5 ⇒ (4) + 6 + 4 + 1 + 1 + 2 - 5 = 13
20% Miss chance: 1d100 ⇒ 47

OK, I was due some bad rolls, I guess.

Oops. Forgot to roll my miss chance before. Here it is.

20% Miss Chance: 1d100 ⇒ 61

We're rapidly running out of mooks!

Brother D, anything to add?

Morvius nods as the weasel-faced man again disappears. He has faced a number of spellcasters in his time, and he knows that eventually they run out of magic... and this one has been casting at a fearful rate: several swarms, attempted mind-control and now this repeat disappearing act.

I actually have been playing around with a mystic theurge build lately. ("I go to bed with more spells prepared than you start the day with.") This isn't him, though.

Callinda rushes to finish off any slavers remaining and visible -

scimitar, pwr att, blessing, slaver: 1d20 + 9 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 9 + 1 + 1 = 30for: 1d6 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 9 + 1 = 14 miss?: 1d100 ⇒ 4 if that mook is inside the cloud, he just got lucky!

still bleeding 1, 32 hp.

No word from Brother D? Okay then: ONE minion is still left standing. 1d20 ⇒ 8

He takes a 5' step back... and throws down his weapon and raises his hands! "I surrender! I surrender, see! Mercy!"

Brother Attero walks up behind Callinda. "Cure Light Wounds." he states.

HEELZ!: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

"Apologies, I was giving thanks for our success in battle. I did not realize we were still fighting anyone of...consequence.

Morvius? I trust you have ways to...gather intelligence from this fragile thing that has recently had a change of heart?"

The battle over, Grinceroy begins to move quickly, searching the area around them for signs of the weasel or other possible insecurities and enemies.

Perception: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (16) + 14 = 30

Cognizant of the possibility that the slavers' bard may still lurk invisibly nearby, Callinda partners with Grinceroy, helping him identify potential signs of passage and keeping an ear out for any threat.

survival - tracks?: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24

The battle over, Grinceroy begins to move quickly, searching the area around them for signs of the weasel or other possible insecurities and enemies.

[dice=Perception]d20+14

A 30 on Perception! Dang.

Okay, that establishes that either Weasel has a really good Stealth score, or he's not anywhere within 30' of you right now.

Once everyone is together, Janeesa throws a Channel, excluding any slavers dead or dying (or injured, really).

3d6 ⇒ (2, 6, 3) = 11

Janeesa, could you please put your spells left in your header? I don't want to ask for healing if you are getting low.

The battle done, and no further threat materializing immediately, Attero begins searching the bodies of all the foemen, gathering their belongings as his Right of Conquest, healing himself as he goes.

Perception!: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24

CLW!: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

If you click my character link the text has my used spells crossed out; I can Spontaneously cast any Cure spell, so essentially any spells I have left COULD be converted to heal in a pinch.

Currently I have two more 3rd, three 2nd, and one 1st. One of my 2nd is Lesser Restoration. I also have 2 Channels left. And of course I'm sitting on two CLW wands.

Use the wands! Save your spells!

Hit points now up to date

Morvius wanders over to the surrendered mook. "They say mercy is the mark of the truly great."

He smacks the man with his whip.

"It would seem I am merely good."

He smacks the man again.

"Well, I have my off days."

He gives an icy stare. "I'm not keen on slavers, to be honest, but I do believe that there are such things as good slavers. In fact, there are two types of good slaver: there are the ones who are dead; and there are the ones who are telling me everything I want to know."

He raises one eyebrow disdainfully. "So tell me, which sort are you, do you think?"

Intimidate: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (18) + 11 = 29

Assuming Callinda and Attero's HP are correct

Wand of CLW on Callinda:
1d8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Cure Moderate Wounds on Attero:
2d8 + 6 ⇒ (5, 3) + 6 = 14

Wand of CLW on Attero:
1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

Yes, hp was correct, and is correct now. ty 4 heelz. ^_^

"It would seem I am merely good."

He smacks the man again.

"Well, I have my off days."

Snort.

Loot! There isn't actually much on these guys. You can pick up one (1) potion of cure moderate wounds, two doses of what look like some sort of poison to be applied to arrows and crossbow bolts, and one masterwork bastard sword.

Boss wore a bronze serpent badge that you recognize as the symbol of the Aspis Consortium: DC 20 Knowledge (local) to learn anything more. Overseer had a small holy symbol of Asmodeus, iron, nice craftsmanship; also a couple of pairs of manacles and a set of keys.

He gives an icy stare. "I'm not keen on slavers, to be honest, but I do believe that there are such things as good slavers. In fact, there are two types of good slaver: there are the ones who are dead; and there are the ones who are telling me everything I want to know."

He raises one eyebrow disdainfully. "So tell me, which sort are you, do you think?"

[dice=Intimidate]d20+11

"I... I'm just a working man! I'm just following orders, Boss!" The slaver-minion flinches away from you. He's obviously intimidated, but you didn't really ask a specific question.

Meanwhile, there are buildings in the distance. Well, one large building, a couple of tents, and some crude lean-tos for slave shelters. Smoke billows upward from the large building.

Two people are running towards you from that direction -- one large person, and one small.