GM Natloz's Strange Aeons (Inactive)

Game Master natloz

Jagray moves up to the curtain and looks the creature over trying to figure out what in the world it is.

Know. Dungeon/Planes/Religion, + Monster Lore: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 5 + 2 = 10

In any case, he readies himself for a potential incoming assault from the creature.

Readied attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23
Damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8
Crit?: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9
+ Crit Damage: 2d8 + 8 ⇒ (3, 5) + 8 = 16

The party prepares their attack as some step through the curtain. The creature grins at the well armed dwarf before vanishing. You hear the stairs creek as she steps from them but you don't know to where. Jagray also feels odd as though the creatures stare has left it's imprint on his mind. -2 to will saves vs the creature

Party is up
Initiative Round 1:
Creature
Party

Ethyl advances listening for where she might have gone.

perception vs invisible?: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 9 = 12

Having no clue she advanced forward. invis gives a +20 to stealth checks so I couldn't have succeeded

Ethyl clutched her weapon ready to strike if her target appears.

Endol narrows his eyes, sniffing the air trying to catch the scent of the creature.

Perception + Scent: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 1 = 21

Not knowing where the creature has disappeared to, Amestri quickly stops moving and prepares herself for any possibility. Total Defense: AC is now 17 until next turn. I should probably prep mage armor but oh well I didn't think of that til now XD

I hate to be bearer of bad news, but total defense adds a dodge modifier to AC which it should ignore unless you have uncanny dodge or similar. At least if it had two attacks the second you'll have a better AC

I'm aware. Nothing else to do at the moment so did it on the off chance that I somehow don't end up flatfooted if it attacks me

Jagray stands his ground with no other real options left holding his axe at the ready to attack as soon as the creature appears. He says a brief prayer to Desna for protection as he waits.

Swift action to activate Judgement of Protection. New AC 17 T 13 FF 15

Botting Springy

Springy looks around for the creature and nervously starts singing a tune.

Activate Bard Song: Inspire Courage (+1 moral to attack and damage)

The party waits tensely for their prey to reappear. A heartbeat later it appears next to Jagray and swings with her dagger.

The thing reappears at the start of it's turn so this isn't vs flat-footed. Also, readied actions go off before it attacks.

Attack vs Jagray: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12
dagger damage: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

There's several possible places it could have appeared. Which square is it in so we can know if we are in range, or flanking, or whatever?

My bad, I've updated the map. It is in the square directly between Amestri and Jagray.

As the creature appears right in front of Amestri she flinches and instinctively strikes out with her sickle.
Attack w/ IC and flanking: 1d20 + 2 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 + 1 + 2 = 19
Damage w/ IC: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
After striking, she realizes that she isn't safe being this close to a creature and begins to back away slowly.
5' step. Doing that instead of a move so that hopefully others can 5' step to still get flanking benefits

Moving in for the kill the good doctor drops her spade instead opting for a dagger and lashes out at the doppelganger in uniform.

Dagger, flank: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 4 + 2 = 17
Piercing, Sneak: 1d4 + 1d6 ⇒ (1) + (5) = 6

5ft to flanking, draw dagger, and attack

As the thing reappears and tries to strike at him Jagray returns the favor swinging his axe back at the creature.

Attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14
Damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

I forgot about inspire courage, to hit was 18 and damage was 7

Amestri lands a hit drawing a thin line of purple blood down an arm. Dr Ethyl, emboldened by the song, also manages to weave her dagger into a soft spot in the crratures side. Jagrey's axe misses as the creature recoils from the dagger.

Endol and Springy then the monster again.

Endol moves forward for a powerful thrust of his dagger.

Thrust+power attack: 1d20 + 7 - 1 ⇒ (14) + 7 - 1 = 20

Damage+PA: 1d3 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Endol draws another rivulet of blood as springy fires her crossbow. Her song falters a bit as the bolt goes wild but she continues singing.
Endol, it looks like you didn't include inspire courage so that's 5 damage.

attack: 1d20 + 3 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (9) + 3 + 1 - 4 = 9

Jagray feels a fog lift from his mind as the creature now focuses on Ethyl. (-2 to will saves for Ethyl now) The creature narrows its milky white eyes and slashes again with its dagger at Ethyl this time.

Dagger attack vs Ethyl: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21
dagger damage: 1d4 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 4 + 1 = 8

As the blade slices into you, there is a sharp pain in your head. Seeing the pain on your face, the creature lets out an unearthly laughter.

Amestri takes another step back to make room for the melee folk and concentrates on the creature.
Evil Eye: -2 to AC for 7 rounds. DC14 Will save to reduce that to 1 round.

Not dead yet. I would love to flank with Endol, if he can get on the table.

he is on the table. I was the one who moved him when I just did my last post since he didn't move his icon during his post. I've retconned where I moved him to since he could have gotten there without an aoo from where he was.

It actually makes sense for him to jump onto and then run down the table considering his height

Thanks don't want to risk an AoO when I'm at 1 hp

Dagger, flank, inspire courage : 1d20 + 4 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 4 + 2 + 1 = 26
piercing, courage, sneak: 1d4 + 1 + 1d6 ⇒ (1) + 1 + (5) = 7

confirm?: 1d20 + 4 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 4 + 2 + 1 = 16
piercing, courage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Ethyl sees red and give the monster another slash.

will vs Amestri: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (5) + 9 = 14

-2 ac for 1 round and because of that, a confirmed crit. 23 damage so far.

"Just die already beasty"

Endol tries to place his dagger up under the creatures rib.

Thrust+power attack+inspire courage: 1d20 + 7 - 1 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 7 - 1 + 1 = 24

Damage+PA+IC: 1d3 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 2 + 1 = 5

Jagray watches as the creature slices into Ethyl andcalls on Desna to help him bring this thing down.

Swift action to switch inquisition to justice for +1 attack.

Attack, Justice: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 3 + 1 = 7
Damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

Endol finds a soft spot and draws more blood. Jagray can't seem to find an opening though. Springy reloads her crossbow and fires again but her shot goes wide.

Springy attack: 1d20 + 3 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (8) + 3 + 1 - 4 = 8

The creature, seeing that it is outmatched, attempts to concentrate on a spell.

concentration, cast defensively: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21

A flash of panic crosses the alien face as it attempts to escape even though her spell failed.

AOO's from Endol, Jagray, and Ethyl. If she's still alive after that, I'll move her on the map.

Dagger, flank, inspire courage : 1d20 + 4 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 4 + 2 + 1 = 10
piercing, courage, sneak: 1d4 + 1 + 1d6 ⇒ (1) + 1 + (6) = 8

Ethyl's own blood gets in her eyes and she misses her opportunity when the creature turns her back.

Thrust+power attack+inspire courage: 1d20 + 7 - 1 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 7 - 1 + 1 = 10

Damage+PA+IC: 1d3 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 2 + 1 = 6

The ratman was not prepared for the creature to bolt.

We'll assume Jagray wants to take his aoo as well.

Jagray aoo attack, judgement, ic: 1d20 + 3 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 3 + 1 + 1 = 23

Jagray damage: 1d8 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 4 + 1 = 7

Jagrey leaves a wicked cut on the creature's back as it flees.

Party is up. The thing is just outside the door you all came in.

The good doctor moves closer and draws a dagger in her other hand.

Throw Dagger, courage: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 4 + 1 = 10
Piercing, courage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

The dice roller does not like you all...

Ethyl flings her dagger but it bounces off the wall next to the door.

Endol follows the doctors lead and tosses his dagger.

Throw+inspire courage: 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 7 + 1 = 23

Damage+IC: 1d3 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

he twists his wrist just so, and another dagger pops into his hand with a snict

With a wet 'thwack!' Endol's dagger lands squarely between the creature's shoulder blades. It staggers for a step before collapsing on the ground.

Combat over

Ethyl goes about searching the room and body, "Ms. Batgali would you kindly scan the area for magical auras?"

Perception taking 10: 10 + 9 = 19

"Certainly, my dear"

Detect Magic. If auras are detected, then spellcraft roll on third round is 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24. In a room this size might take several castings so will be busy for a little bit.

Of particular note to Dr Ethyl is a set of well kept surgeons tools resting on a table near the body of a sliced up doppelganger. At the very south end of the room, next to a lantern, is a key that looks like it might fit manacles. Under that table is a bag that detects as magic. just barely made the DC. It's a handy haversack.

In one of the large washbasins is a ghoul with a mangled leg barely moving. He looks to be wearing scraps of a Pharasmin priest's vestiments.

Jagray claps Endol on the shoulder and smiles "Nice throw!" as he wipes the blood off his axe on a nearby sheet. He will let the others look around as he keeps an eye on the door to ensure nothing sneaks up behind them.

Ethyl searches inside the bag to see if it's hiding anything.

Did Dr. Doppelganger have anything magical or valuable on her? I have the surgeon's tools and haversack noted on the treasure sheet, not sure if someone wanted to claim either thing.

A queer smile crosses Ethyl's face when she finds the ghoul, "Is this irony?" She yells down to the ghoul, "Do you speak?"

Endol heads to pick up his dagger, on the way back he grabs the doctors blade as well.

"It felt good to not feel like a victim, if even only for the time it takes to throw a blade."

While the others continue to check the room and talk to the ghoul, Amestri heads back into the previous room to make sure their captive lunatic is still safe and sound.

The creature in the basin looks up at Dr. Ethyl, "Hungry" the creature manages to stammer out. It is obviously very weak.

Endol, as you are retrieving your blade, you notice the one the doctor was using is very well made. Masterwork

Jagray and Amestri find the man alive and... well, alive in the other room.

Using her dagger and the surgical tools Ethyl cleanly cuts off a piece of the dead doppelganger she drops the scrap to the ghoul, "Can you tell us what's going on here?"

The Shiny dagger will prompt Endol to do a further search.

Perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 1 = 12

Can I use the dagger like it was a small sized Shortsword?

Sure Endol, swing away.

Searching the creature for more valuables you find a stoppered glass bottle with a light blue liquid inside.

Ethyl

The ghoul grabs the strip of flesh and looks up to you. "Unsure. I was the chaplain but I woke up like this. I was captured by some shapeshifters and now I'm in this wash basin. "

Ethyl motions for Endol to hand her the potion.

Alchemy to ID potion, taking 10: 10 + 8 = 18

Wincing in pain she turns to face the rest of the party, "Ghouls are a problem. I'd rather deal with problems sooner than later. It could have information though."

Potion of cure light wounds. Anyone doing anything in particular? Any more questions for the "chaplain"?

Endol hands the potion across without question.

Ethyl taps her finger to her lips thinking a moment, "Chaplain, have you had any weird dreams lately? Or suffered any memory loss?"

The creature in the tub responds slowly, "Memory loss... no. Dreams are difficult to remember in normal times. I do have a faint memory of some creature dressed in flowing rags stalking my dreams." the undead creature shudders in a very un-ghoul like manner at the memory.