GM Tealk's - Core - Thornkeep Series (Inactive)

Game Master Tealk

Telos peers into the room with the Behir, seeing that his flaming sphere still envelopes that creature. He lets it do its work.

Fire damage, reflex DC18 negates: 3d6 ⇒ (4, 5, 6) = 15
Flaming sphere, round 3/7

He backs away from the Visitant and glances over at Seward.

[5' step] N

I really need to get over there and lend him the energy protection, before that thing decides to barf lightning...

Turning back to the Visitant, he addresses it. And as for you...

[standard] Cast fireball, to 4sq to the E of the Visitant

Telos sends the fireball sharply to the side, almost directly away from him and the Visitant, so that the blast radius just reaches it.

Fire damage, DC19 reflex half: 7d6 ⇒ (1, 3, 2, 5, 4, 4, 4) = 23

Apart from the daylight thing, I cannot recall if the Visitant had other immunities. I know the dredges have spell resistance. Hoping the above is effective.

The huge creature gets more crispy.
Reflex: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (19) + 9 = 28

The dredge slams again at the cleric.
I'm helping!: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 131d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
I'm helping!: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 171d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
I'm helping!: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 231d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

The visitant screams in frustration, the vibrations penetrating your mind and for a moment, you all pull your hands to your temples to stop the pain. As you try to keep your eyes open, you watch as the alien steps in between a crack which forms in the fabric of realise and disappears.

Round 5.5
Inspire Courage for +2/+2 to everyone!

@ Telos (shield, proc 84 elec)

+ Dredge (yellow', green, blue -22)

@Will (image 3)
@Roran -12 lethal (proc evil, grease +10 cmb, proc 84 elec)
@Seward -38 lethal (barkskin)
@Pietro (bull str, proc 72 elec, proc evil)

! Behir -105 (--)

Everyone may go!

Fire damage, reflex DC18 negates: 3d6 ⇒ (6, 3, 1) = 10
Flaming sphere, round 4/7

What?! Where did it... ug, nevermind.

The halfling trots over behind his kinsman, casting a protection spell and reaching out to bestow it.

[move] 15' W
[standard] Cast Protection from Energy (electricity), extended on Seward; Duration: 140m or until 84 pts of electricity damage absorbed

Annoyed, Pietro swats at the wretched dretch.

+1 morningstar v blue dretch (bull's str, inspired, power attack): 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (2) + 11 = 13 damage: 1d8 + 12 ⇒ (8) + 12 = 20

"Coward" the Paladin shouts as the visitant retreats out of their grasps once more.

He then moves up the steps to settle into a flank with the cleric.

Power Attack, Inspire Courage, flank
+1 longsword: 1d20 + 11 - 2 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 11 - 2 + 2 + 2 = 211d8 + 4 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 4 + 4 + 2 = 12

Both the creatures fall, as the party overwhelms them with powerful blows. The area grows quiet, after the panting from the rush of the battle subsides. The helmet is unimpressed, "These are extremely perculiar circumstances we seem to be finding yourselves in. What was that thing, and why did it know you?" It floats off-of Telos's shoulder for a moment, flying menacingly around the group.

The stone faces glare at your, their marks glowing a little more faintly than they did before.

How did you want to proceed next, team?

"It is not our first run in with that thing. And now, I doubt it will be our last" Roran says cautiously looking over the area. "So who was going to put their hand in the hole again?"

Seward sighs I suppose I could

Does the visitant make habit of popping up with huge snakes and demons?

Oh snap, I thought that was going to last longer :) Well, perhaps we still need the energy resistance yet.. 140m is a good chunk of time.

Telos sighs and answers Will. Oh, right, that was your first time dealing with this. Yes, last time he showed up with another set of those Dredges. The Behir was the new surprise this time. I can't wait to see what he adds to the performance next time we meet!

"Well, in any case, we should find the apprentices and let them know an alien horror has entered their sanctum. It seems you will need to imprint one of the personal arcane glyphs of the apprentices on your hands if you wish to progress any further."

There are three different runes - blue, yellow, and red. These runes are personal arcane glyphs, created outside of the normal schools of magic.

Who does what? And remember, you get a reflex save if you want to avoid the mark once you insert your hand, but rolling successfully avoids the mark bring printed - as you saw with Telos.

So if we avoid the mark, do we still get through the door? Or do we have to get the mark to gain entrance?

Well, I guess we have to choose one and try. Let's go with red.

Telos places his hand and allows the glyph to mark his hand.

You tried opening the doors without a mark, and you couldn't get through earlier. You need to get it imprinted on your hand.

Telos puts his hand into the reveal of the red visage. "This is the mark of Daegros, good choice." As the helmet makes his comment, everyone sees a flash of red light, as the face animates and clamps down on the sorcerer's hand.
Please take 2 damage, and note down, you have the Mark of Daegros.

Who else wishes to get a mark?

The mark Telos receives is a semicircle curling into the middle of itself like an all consuming snake. Content with his new mark, he moves over to the reception room and towards the red door. Opening the door you find that Daegro's foyer is a simple carved out room made of stone. On the eastern side in the far end, a group of caryatid columns stand in the middle of some sort of statis field.

Map updated!

Pietro retrieves his wand of cure moderate wounds and shoves is into his belt.

"HMMM." Pietro ponders loudly. "THERE MUST BE A DOOR IN THERE SOMEWHERE. GO HAVE A LOOK, TELOS. YOU BEAR THE WIZARD'S MARK, MAYBE THE STATUES WILL NOT REACT. AFTER ALL IT IS LIKE YOU HAVE PAID FOR ADMISSION."

Everyone's HP up to date on their subheader? Pietro can't heal you if it doesn't look like you're hurt. Seward? I know you got hit for a ton. Why, you were as big as Pietro when this mission began.

wand of cure light wounds v Seward: 7d8 + 7 ⇒ (4, 1, 3, 5, 2, 3, 1) + 7 = 26
wand of cure light wounds v Roran: 2d8 + 2 ⇒ (3, 6) + 2 = 11

There's a loud **pop** and smoke begins leaking from the tip of the wand. Pietro shrugs and tosses it over his shoulder.

Seward willingly takes a mark and gives an appreciative smirk to Pietro.

Gotta hate it when that happens, here take mine He says offering his own (32 charges remaining) wand.

CLW: 3d8 + 3 ⇒ (7, 6, 8) + 3 = 24

There. All better.

Yeah. I am only down one. I am good to move on

Roran looks at the mark left on the casters hand. He then moves into the room.

Back!

["This is the mark of Daegros, good choice." As the helmet makes his comment, everyone sees a flash of red light, as the face animates and clamps down on the sorcerer's hand.

Please take 2 damage, and note down, you have the Mark of Daegros.

Oh, well I'm glad you think so! That's encouraging... It's unclear whether the halfling is being sarcastic or not.

Done and noted!

Oh hey, more of those column things... yes the mark could prevent their activation. Everybody, give me a moment to survey the room alone, but be ready to rush in if I need backup. I suppose you could get your own red mark as well...

The halfling carefully walks into the room, not entirely sure what's he's looking for.

If I scan for magic, I think I'm just going to sense the stasis field holding these columns at bay...

Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14

Seward braves another of the contraptions, opting go for the yellow symbol instead. "Brave, may the mark of Vuzhon bode you well."Stamp, Seward: 1d2 ⇒ 1

There is still the blue mark, which no one has chosen to get. Let me know if you change your minds. Do you open the yellow door?

Telos detects magic in the room, lingering around the room, and on the columns.

Party Conditions...
Seward -14 lethal
Roran -1 lethal

Seward gets the blue stamp too.

spellcraft: 1d20 + 10 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 10 + 2 = 16
spellcraft: 1d20 + 10 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 10 + 2 = 22
Will detects and explains nothing ,” A wizard did something...”

Spellcraft, DC20: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (11) + 11 = 22
Spellcraft, DC23: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (7) + 11 = 18

There is a lingering evil here... that repels good. An unhallowing.

The helmet warns Seward of getting another mark. "I wouldn't do that if I were you. Have you ever seen what happens when two powerful entities compete for the rights over the same vessel? Do so at your own peril, my little friend."

Do you still want to take the third mark, Seward?

What do you guys do to get through the statues and the stasis. Or do you go see through another door?

Telos walks up to the statues to see if he can squeak through.

I mean, they're held in place here? Will they activate if I get too close?

He puts his arm through two of them to see what happens.

The mage puts his hand througg the magical stasis field, and you all watch as it begins to disolve. The columns turn around, look af the mark on Telos's hand, and turn aggressive.

Round 1, everyone may act!

Will moves up and begins an inspiring performance.

Prepares to slam door shut?

Pietro! No you don't shut that door on me! The halfling sprints out of the room as soon as the statues begin to animate.

[move] 20', possible AoO
[standard] Cast flaming sphere in the square of the column he just reached past

Fire damage, reflex DC18 negates: 3d6 ⇒ (4, 6, 6) = 16

Flaming sphere round 1/7

The doors remain closed, as you hear some shuffling inside.

Round 2 - everyone may act, Seward and Roran x2!

Pietro! No you don't shut that door on me! The halfling sprints out of the room as soon as the statues begin to animate.

"WHAT!? AND FORCE ME TO WATCH YOUR SENSELESS SLAUGHTER AT THE STONY HANDS OF THOSE THINGS! SHOW A LITTLE CONCERN FOR YOUR FRIENDS WHY DON'T YOU!? NOW! HAD IT BEEN SEWARD....HAHAHA!!"

So to be clear, Telos had the mark for the door, went in alone and still got threatened by the statuary?

Seward sneers at the fat cleric and waits for the door to open back up if it does at all.

@Pietro, i believe that is indeed what happened.

As the cleric opens the door on queue of his team, you look inside and notice the wardens are no longer there. The door into the next area is swung open, and the ball of flame sits causally in the air where it was originally summomed my the mage.

So, we're out of initiative and the columns are just vanished?

" Thats a mighty fine trick, close a door, enemies vanish? Why haven't we tried that before?"

You look inside the room, and the wardens of stone have left. You take a look, and you see heavy scuffle marks from stone grinding on stone moving through the doorway and into the corridor ahead.

You peak into the corridor and you see that the west wall of this corridor features three narrow windows overlooking an enormous chamber below. An elaborate rack against the east wall contains several vertical slots stuffed with scroll tubes.

The door on the other side is battered and looks like it has been knocked off it's hinges by a powerful force.

Map updated.

Spellcraft, DC20: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (11) + 11 = 22

Hey, there are some useful scrolls here!

Telos runs them down for the group. They all look usable by Telos.

These narrow windows look like they overlook the training room we previously inhabited. Onward?

He gestures towards the far door.

Perception, door traps: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21

Pietro follows along behind Telos like a confused parent at a Pokémon card game convention (on another plane of course), still recognizing that he was wise enough not to let himself be bit three times for no apparent reason.

Moving through the hallway, the sweeping ceiling of this next spacious gallery allows for a huge display of framed paintings upon the south wall, each of which sports a different monster looking down on the raised platform at the center of the room. The platform supports a simple table covered with an open book and numerous burning candles of various colors and lengths.

You see the group of cariatid columns from before doing their best to bash down the door to the north.

Round 1.0

@ Telos (shield, proc 84 elec)
@ Will (image 3)

! Columns (yellow, purple, red)

Roran[/b] -12 lethal (proc 84 elec)
Seward[/b] -38 lethal (barkskin)
Pietro[/b] (bull str, proc 72 elec, proc evil)

Telos and Will may take their turns!

"We-HA-HA-ll, look at that! For once something is not trying to kill us."

Telos sighs audibly. I guess it was too much to hope they were gone for good. Okay... where did I put those scrolls...

[move] retrieve scroll of summon monster III
[standard] use scroll of summon monster III

The casting time is one round, so next round a Lantern Archon will appear, last 5 rounds, and each round I want it to avoid close contact with the columns using either light ray or two light rays (depending on whether it had to move in the round.

GM how high is the ceiling? With perfect maneuverability I would prefer to summon it just out of reach above them if there is clearance.

"Wait, WHAT!?"

And what did those three statues ever do to you? If you destroy those three with your archon then we'll just have to fight the three other columns (I'm guessing here) that they are attacking behind the door. Then we might be up a dungeon without an angel. ;)

I presumed iniative mean's they're about to do something to us. If Will starts inspire we'll have a chance to see one way or another before we do damage. Also: I have one more of this same scroll, and *three* more of the next level *higher* for summon monster. I suspect we're okay in that department.

They don’t see us yet, let’s be really quiet until your summons show up....

Will readies to start a performance if any of his allies attack.

An all to familiar feeling of your hairs standing up on the back of your hairs overwhelms you, as the vibrations seemingly out of nowhere ripple a voice between the ether, "You are not wanted here. This sanctum will become your tomb, just like is has for the wizard wannabes who reside here.

Random things of randomness!: 1d8 ⇒ 5
Your attention is focused on the three statues trying to wrestle their way through the next obstacle, while suddently a painting falls from one of the walls. You hear a high pitched laughter emanate and echo through the vibrations.

A huge creature emerges from the painting, this bipedal dinosaur has a mouth filled with sharp teeth and short, powerful arms that end in sharp claws. It looks confused, hungry and angry as it glares in your direction.
Little Halfling (1) or Juicy Human (with armor) (2): 1d2 ⇒ 2
Ommmmmmnom-claw: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (1) + 14 = 151d8 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10
Ommmmmmnom-claw: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (12) + 14 = 261d8 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13
Ommmmmmnom-nom: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (12) + 14 = 262d6 + 8 ⇒ (5, 2) + 8 = 151d20 + 18 ⇒ (1) + 18 = 19

Opting to go for the more fortified Roran, the dino misses with it's first claw, but then lands the rest of it's arsenal, but the heavy paladin is to bulky to stay clenched in it's teeth.

The columns continue to try to break through the door.

Also, HP should be correct now.

Round 2.0
@ Telos (shield, proc 84 elec)
@ Will (image 3)

! Columns (yellow, purple, red)
! Allosaurus

@ Roran -29 lethal (proc 84 elec)
@ Seward -14 lethal (barkskin)
@ Pietro (bull str, proc 72 elec, proc evil)

Roran, Seward and Pietro can take turn 1, Telos and Will may act turn 2!

Round 2, the lantern archon has arrived!

Yeah, okay, it looks like the columns don't even notice us. But this dinosaur...

He turns the newly summoned lantern archon on it.

Lantern Archon, round 1/5
light ray touch attack 1 vs dinosaur, fire damage: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 221d6 ⇒ 4
light ray touch attack 2 vs dinosaur, fire damage: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 101d6 ⇒ 6

Telos then executes an incantation and sends a sickly ray at the Allosaurus.

[standard] cast ray of enfeeblement
Ray of enfeeblement touch attack (PBS), STR damage (DC16 fortitude half): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 111d6 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7 ouch, hope it's got a low flat-footed touch AC

There, perhaps I sapped some of the great beast's strength. He then moves back to let some of the others get easy access.

[move] 15' W

The lantern archons should have benefited from inspire, +2 atk/dmg, from the ready

After Will begins performing, he follows up with a pair of arrows into the dinosaur. " I'm glad the columns are ignoring us... I'm not sure why, but maybe it'll continue until the dinosaur is dealt with"

Rapid Shot, PBS,IC, Heroism: 1d20 + 6 + 1 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 6 + 1 + 2 + 2 = 24damage,IC,PBS: 1d6 + 5 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 5 + 2 + 1 = 13
Rapid Shot, PBS,IC, Heroism: 1d20 + 6 + 1 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 6 + 1 + 2 + 2 = 29damage,IC,PBS: 1d6 + 5 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 5 + 2 + 1 = 12

An all to familiar feeling of your hairs standing up on the back of your hairs overwhelms you, as the vibrations seemingly out of nowhere ripple a voice between the ether, "You are not wanted here. This sanctum will become your tomb, just like is has for the wizard wannabes who reside here.

Pietro points to himself and then to Telos wondering who the voice is talking about.

Your attention is focused on the three statues trying to wrestle their way through the next obstacle, while suddently a painting falls from one of the walls. You hear a high pitched laughter emanate and echo through the vibrations.

A huge creature emerges from the painting, this bipedal dinosaur has a mouth filled with sharp teeth and short, powerful arms that end in sharp claws.

"WELL! YOU CERTAINLY DON'T SEE THAT EVERYDAY." Pietro says grinning in approval of the trick.

It looks confused, hungry and angry as it glares in your direction.

"YIKES!"

Is "Al" close enough to use his tiny little hands through the tiny doorway all the way down there on the floor? (Door and or ceiling cover?) ;) I mean if he dropped his house keys would he realistically be able to pick them up if they were a few stairs down and behind a little pet door?

After Will begins performing, he follows up with a pair of arrows into the dinosaur.

That works both ways too. Folks (other than the archon) have to shoot through (cover) Roran (who is in melee as well), and Pietro through a narrow doorway.

Uses STR surge (round .5) and then PULLS!

CMB v Roran (unimproved Drag, or Pull, or Grapple, or Get the F%^& Outta the Way! STR surge, v maybe flat-footed? INSPIRED! thanks!): 1d20 + 7 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 7 + 3 + 2 = 17

Don't resist and maybe Pietro can just move Roran like an object.

As an alternative, if Roran is really set on killing the allosaurus with indigestion, Pietro can be convinced to push (Bull Rush) instead of pull. ;)

So correct me if I am wrong, by finishing the summoning spell will provoke, and then so will moving away? But then again, so will the ray attacks from the arcon so...

The lantern archon is summoned, and then as it fires an attack off the huge creature turns around and chomps down on the smaller sentinel.
It's dead Jim: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (19) + 14 = 332d6 + 8 ⇒ (4, 1) + 8 = 13
It's REALLY dead Jim: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (6) + 14 = 202d6 + 8 ⇒ (1, 4) + 8 = 13 - crit?

The way I see it, is you summon first, it fires, then you cast spell, then you move - as per your actions? So lets say you can argue you have cover from the creature because you are in a hallway, then the lantern will take the AOO? Agreed?

If the lantern is not provoking for whatever reason, let me know because i'm definitely keeping that roll for one of you guys...

@Pietro, see I mean, it has 15 ft of reach, so I would argue that it can at least threaten in the doorway with it's claws, but not any further than that? It has a really long neck...which would go all the way in.

@Telos, good question. It does not actually give me the hight of the room, but I am making the call it is large enough to fit a huge creature inside of. So at least 15 ft?