GM Tyranius Tyrant's Grasp (Inactive)

Game Master Tyranius

Round: 3

AoO Morning Star: 1d20 + 3 - 1 ⇒ (7) + 3 - 1 = 9 (str dam) Damage: 1d8 - 1 ⇒ (1) - 1 = 0 (str dam)
critthreat AoO Morning Star: 1d20 + 3 - 1 ⇒ (4) + 3 - 1 = 6 (str dam) Damage: 1d8 - 1 ⇒ (4) - 1 = 3 (str dam)

Aishe gets swarmed…

Poison Save: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14 vs DC 10
Poison Save: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17 vs DC 10

He tries, possibly with even less strength than he started, to fight back.
Morning Star: 1d20 + 3 - 1 ⇒ (19) + 3 - 1 = 21 (str dam) Damage: 1d8 - 1 ⇒ (7) - 1 = 6 (str dam)

Round 3, Init 21

1d20 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7 Fort
1d20 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 1 = 14 Fort save #2

"Yes!" Vanyan looks down at another skewered spider on his longspear. "Another for me, *Killspider*." He stabs down again while trying to ignore the throbbing in his hand.

Attack the nearest spider:
1d20 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 + 2 = 22 to hit; (flank)
1d8 ⇒ 4 damage.

"And another! That's 3!" Vanyan hasn't kilt much like this before and is sort of excited about it.

Tessenarin takes his axe and swings at the spider as it enters his square.

aoo on spider: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16
damage: 1d12 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

fort save: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22
fort save: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12

Then he takes a 5ft step back and swings again at one within range.

greataxe: 1d12 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

But he seems to be distracted by all the little buggers running around.

If I killed the first one, I probably only need 1 fort save, but made them both anyway.

Atium sees that the room is not very full of spiders, but the hallway is now teeming with them. He is amazed as how easy they are to kill. He switches from brute force bashing to something with more control.
These things are squishy, kinda like Aishe!
and he laughs. Not exactly realizing that Aishe is surrounded by those things and maybe battling for his life.

Aoo: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22 Red Spider
damage: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12

He then takes a controlled two handed swing at the Yellow striped spider between Twink, Vinas and himself.
attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15
damage: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10

fort save: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7
somehow the barbarian failed! What's the poison?

@Tessenarin- Perfect, the AoO will likely kill and stop some of those save but this seemed like the easiest route to not waste time waiting on saves when it won't make a whole lot of difference on actions.

@Vinas- It's cool, I tend to go all year, rain or shine. Especially since these AP's are so long. I try to keep the steam rolling as much as possible. :P

Tessenarin's axe chips stone all over the place as he can't seem to get a good lock on the fast spiders. Atium splatters his against the floor before it has a chance to bit him.

Vinas slashes one of the spiders crawling all over Tessenarin, freeing him from a little bit of his creepy crawlies. Aishe swings his morning star around a couple times, coming up empty-handed the first go around but obliterating a spider on the second swing.

Vanyan's body is the only one that succumbs to the poison. Flowing through the wound it quickly saps his strength before working itself out. Vanyan keeps count as he pierces another spider with his spear, leaving a pair each on Tessenarin and Aishe.

Green Bite vs Tessenarin AC 15: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19
Damage: 1d3 - 4 ⇒ (1) - 4 = -3 + poison

@Tessenarin- DC 10 Fort save vs Poison

Purple Bite vs Tessenarin AC 15: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11
Yellow Bite vs Aishe AC 17: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18
Damage: 1d3 - 4 ⇒ (2) - 4 = -2 + poison

@Aishe- DC 10 Fort save vs Poison

Red Bite vs Aishe AC 17: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8

Round 4
Aishe (22/22; 3 NL; 1 cha dam; 2 str dam)
Vanyan (20/21; 1 NL; 1 Str dam)
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Scarlet Spiders
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Tessenarin (18/18; 3 NL)
Atium (35/36; raging 41/42)
Vinas (33/33; 1 NL)

@ GM - Atium also failed the save. Please assign strength damage.

@Atium-You killed that spider with your AoO so it never would have bit you then.

"On my way! When I yell left Tess, go LEFT!" Vinas steps forward:

ATK: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12, and swings a moment before yelling LEFT, and swings wide.

Round: 4

(Sorry about my last post - the numbers all changed after preview! I made both my saves, crit (but didn’t confirm) the first swing, and missed with the second. So everything works out the same, but so frustrating.)

Poison Save: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7 vs DC 10

Now that the spiders have thinned a bit, he five foot steps north as he swings to try and knock off another spider.
Morning Star: 1d20 + 3 - 1 ⇒ (7) + 3 - 1 = 9 (str dam) Damage: 1d8 - 1 ⇒ (5) - 1 = 4 (str dam)

Round 4, Init 21

These spiders are dropping like *flies*, Vanyan thinks to himself, chuckling at his own very funny joke. Then, a bit more somberly: "I bet this is what killed the wooden woman... time to clear out the infestation. Tess, go get 'em!".

He moves closer and tries to jab his longspear to help Tess hit.

Aid Tess next attack vs. DC 10:
1d20 + 2 - 4 ⇒ (12) + 2 - 4 = 10 to hit; (cover)

Atium looks for opportunities to help. Not seeing how he can reach in to kill a spider without having an equal chance at cutting one of his allies.
This is like eating yellow snow! Damn it people move to a spot I can help.
Since I am already at the end of the initiative, I'll just delay until next round/

Fort save vs poison: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15

then Tessenarin takes another swing at the spider with his axe.
greataxe: 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 3 + 2 = 15
damage: 1d12 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

@Aishe- Yup, I figured that is what happened. :)

While the majority of the spiders fell quite quickly the group seems to not be able to hit a single one as the many become the few. Congested in the hallway Tessenarin and Aishe try to squirm away to freedom. @Aishe- you get an AoO for them moving into your space.

Green Bite vs Tessenarin AC 15: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9
Purple Bite vs Tessenarin AC 15: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16
Damage: 1d3 - 4 ⇒ (2) - 4 = -2 + poison
@Tessenarin- DC 10 Fort save vs Poison

Yellow Bite vs Aishe AC 17: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23
Damage: 1d3 - 4 ⇒ (1) - 4 = -3 + poison
@Aishe- DC 12 Fort save vs Poison.

Yellow Bite vs Aishe AC 17: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21
Damage: 1d3 - 4 ⇒ (3) - 4 = -1 + poison
@Aishe- DC 12 Fort save vs Poison. This becomes 14 if you fail the second save.

Round 5
Aishe (22/22; 5 NL; 1 cha dam; 3 str dam; poisoned)
Vanyan (20/21; 1 NL; 1 Str dam)
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Scarlet Spiders
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Tessenarin (18/18; 4 NL)
Atium (35/36; raging 41/42)
Vinas (33/33; 1 NL)

How big are these spiders, and is Tess technically grappled? I have a cray idea.

@Vinas- Tessenarin is not grappled. The spiders are tiny so have zero reach which is why they have to enter your space, provoking to attack. You can certainly bulrush Tess out of the way.

That means he can also just walk away, so I'll stick with the original plan:

"I got it this time Tess, go left NOW!" Once there's a clean line to the spider, Vinas snaps his wrist and slices with the foible:

ATK: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25 THREAT
Confirm: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26 for DMG: 2d8 + 4 ⇒ (1, 6) + 4 = 11 Crappy crit, but still a crit!

Correct he can always walk away. Though leaving the space will also provoke unless you 5 foot step it. Which can be a good tactic to keep getting AoO on the spiders.

Round: 5

AoO Morning Star: 1d20 + 3 - 1 ⇒ (15) + 3 - 1 = 17 (str dam) Damage: 1d8 - 1 ⇒ (1) - 1 = 0 (str dam)

Poison Save: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17 vs DC 12
Poison Save: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7 vs DC 12/14

Overwhelmed still, Aishe takes another 5’ step and swings at the remaining beasts, hoping to at least plaster one more.
Morning Star: 1d20 + 3 - 1 ⇒ (15) + 3 - 1 = 17 (str dam) Damage: 1d8 - 1 ⇒ (8) - 1 = 7 (str dam)

He sweats with the effort of fighting off the poison... and the spiders with a melee weapon of all things. Many are the times his crossbow has been worthless. He thinks about ways to make that less true.

Round 5, Init 21

Vanyan tries again to help others defeat the spiders.

Aid Tess vs. DC10:
1d20 + 2 - 4 ⇒ (16) + 2 - 4 = 14 to hit; (cover)

fort save: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11

Tessenarin takes a 5 ft step back and attacks another with his axe.

greataxe: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21
damage: 1d12 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

Atium moves a bit north, to protect Vanyan from anything that might come from the door nearest him.
Taking a look at the desks. Noticing globs of gum underneath the study desks.

Hmm. blobs of sticky tree sap stuff under the desks.

Atium pauses. With one hand on his weapon, he reaches over and picks up a strange and light-weight item from the tops of one of the desks.
I know you guys are still battling the spiders, but when you are done. I want to know What is this?

Tessenarin's axe doesn't even give the spider a chance as it's body is crushed. Atium digs through the desk and finds a lone paper airplane, that seems to boggle the mind.

With a flourish and a snap of his wrist Vinas removes the remaining spider from Tessenarin's leg. Aishe's morningstar crushes down twice more onto the spiders as he kicks them away. Looking around, no more remain.

@Aishe- Need 4 more saves for the poison. 1 DC 12 save will end it's effect. Each fail is 1 str dam.

As Atium digs around for his paper airplane something about the desk seems off. The space under the lid of each desk is only a few inches deep, but the bottom of the interior of the desk appears to be gone, instead extending into indefinite darkness.

[ooc]Give me a Knowledge Planes check. It can be untrained.

”What is this?”

Once the threat is over, Vanyan looks at Atium to see what is in his hands. Vanyan rolls his eyes at what he sees. Like soap, a bath, and deodorant, he’s not surprised that folded paper is new and confusing to Atium.

1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24 Know (planes)

Knowledge (Planes): 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (12) + 0 = 12 Vinas looks in awe at Vanyan's erudite conclusions....

Aishe lowers his morning star as the last spider is splatted away. Breathing deeply, he continues to fight the spiders within, doing what he can with the poison already in his system.

Poison Save: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17 vs DC 12

"Well that wasn't as unpleasant as some things we've faced, but my legs are all wobbly again. Seems I'm doomed to never recover in this place." he shrugs, grins, and cleans spider gore off his morning star before putting it away and checking his crossbow.

He'll join the others in the school room and look around a bit before finding a seat and taking a little break to recover what strength he has left.

Knowledge planes: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6
Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13

Staring into the darkness, Vinas and Vanyan begin to get a bit more understanding of it. The darkness becomes their ally. Others were merely adopted by it. They were born in it, molded by it...Or maybe that was someone else.

Gain 1 clarity point. Total Clarity +2

Vanyan blinks, mesmerized by the hypnotic quality of the darkness surrounding them. What was that whole thing about the abyss gazing back? He shudders, suddenly feeling rather cold.

1d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 29 Know (Arcana - ID a spell that has been cast- the darkness?)
1d20 + 8 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 8 + 4 + 2 = 30 Spellcraft if they are magical objects

"We missed a door, right by the entrance," he points out, eager to get moving, even if that means backtracking a little. If the others will follow, he moves back into the main entrance hall to carefully peek into the still-unexplored room. Otherwise he'll stay put for now... he has no desire to head into any kind of darkness all by himself.

1d20 + 10 ⇒ (19) + 10 = 29 Perception w/Detect Magic

"Sure, we can check that door next." Aishe readily agrees. He moves back, readies his crossbow, and covers those who would open the double doors.

"Maybe it's just a really big closet?" he wonders idly.

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28 (Why can't I get these rolls in combat?!)

Several glass cases stand around this room or are mounted on the walls, each bearing several ancient sheets of parchment or a yellowing book. Each case is lit with only a small dim candle that casts flickering shadows around the room. The room’s only door stands in the east wall.

This gallery contains several notable works, including copies of pages from the Concordance of Rivals and an agreement with a contract devil in excruciatingly small print. Most of the cases bear small latches that open easily, but the contract case is locked.

"Oooooh, shiny!" Vanyan peers into the glass cases. "I wonder if these are any good..."

1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20 Appraise

One of the locks doesn't seem to open, rather suspiciously. He wonders if it's trapped.

1d20 + 10 ⇒ (5) + 10 = 15 Perception w/Detect Magic

Several of the scrolls within the cases radiate magical auras, but further investigation is interrupted as a creature clambers out from its hiding spot under another case nearby. This ratlike creature has tiny human hands in place of its front paws, and an unnerving human face with a toothy mouth. "Hey! Hands off the merchandise! That one's mine!" he chitters angrily, nodding to the contract in the locked case.

1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19 Know (Arcana)

"Oh hey, Ratty," Vanyan steps in before anyone starts getting bitten or fighting or drained of more strength. "I thought this place belonged to Salighara. What makes you think it's yours? Huh? Besides, you probably can't read them anyway. I know *lots* about magics. I'm pretty good at it, you could say. I know lots and lots of things, I do."

Vanyan is trying not to brag, but he does know lots of things.

Aishe isn't a big reader, but he respects books. Many worthy ideas get written down into books. He checks out a few cases before the rat-creature appears.

"Ah oh."

He listens to Vanyans chatter and wonders why Vanyan wants it. Maybe just because it's behind a locked door. He knows the feeling as he unconsciously fingers his thieves tools.

"How did you come to be here little man?"

The creature grunts and folds his arms over his furry chest. "A few months. That Salighara lady's gate drew me here from my home in the Dimension of Dreams. I slipped away and been hiding here ever since, trying to find a way out of the Boneyard. Name's Berthold."

He scurries over to the case with the infernal contract and taps on the glass. "This here contract's full of secrets, including my ticket out of here. But I can't get through the lock, and if I break the glass, the darkness will come and he'll find me. I know a lot about what's going on round here. You get me this contract and I'll tell you what I know."

The rat-thing licks his lips hungrily. "The contract, and a bit of blood. Just a sip! Either from the oldest of your friends, or the youngest."

Vanyan glances back and forth between the ratling and the locked case, feeling rather suspicious. Something here doesn't quite seem to add up, but if what Berthold says is indeed true—if the creature just wants to go home...

1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20 sense motive

He's been ripped from his home and is now lost in a different dimension, just like us.

Still, you don't mess with dimensions lightly. Bad things happen if you do.

"You said *he* will come and find you if you break the glass... who's that? And what kind of information do you have about this place that the Mistress of the Scriptorium hasn't already told us?"

He pauses, then adds: "And why shouldn't we all just go to her and discuss what to do about this?"

Vanyan has another question on his lips, as he looks at the ratman, but he knows, just *knows*, it's not the kind of question you ask, even of a good friend, but he feels like he should ask it anyway. But he doesn't...yet...but he has to know: does the ratman shave his ears?

"Boy, yeah, I don't know. That looks like some sort of infernal contract. Isn't a drop of blood required for those?" he asks honestly, totally unsure.

He listens to Vanyan's excellent points as well, before adding one of his own.

"I can't imagine what information you'd have that would be worth any of us giving you blood anywhere near that document." He looks skeptically at the little ratling. "But perhaps you do. Convince us."

Meanwhile, he looks at his newly found friends, and wonders if he's the oldest of the group. If the group can be convinced to do this thing, he's ready to step forward and offer his blood.

(Aishe is 44, after the aging that took place the other day. How old are the rest of you?)

Tessenarin looks around oddly at the glass case.

"You said if you break the glass someone will come for you. Will the same thing happen if one of us breaks the glass?

Vinas is young, 19. That includes the aging.

"Cavorting with such a creature and seeking to work around the rules is a dangerous temptation. I'll stand to protect you from violence, but the lawyering is all you."

Completely uncomfortable with the situation, Vinas simply stares at the creature, trying to tease out whether this is a trap: Sense Motive: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15

Vanyan seems unmoved to commit to anything until he has a chance to read the contract, not ready to give blood at all.

He waits to hear the creature's reply and then hopes Aishe can pick the lock or find a way to open the case without giving blood. And if they set up an ambush for whatever comes, if something is going to come, that might be interesting too.

As a former Pathfinder, he's used to breaking in and stealing things. And usually nearly dying as a result of those activities.

Atium was 18 before the Age trap. I will look and check to see his specific age now.
Atium steps up. and he smiles at the Ratling. Not a friendly smile. A "show all your teeth like a predator smile". Only this smile has a very obvious window hole as he is missing a tooth.
See this smiling mug o' mine? It's missing a tooth from a former "arrangement" that had to be made with tooth fairies. An arrangement meant to avoid getting in a tussle. That didn't last long, and I sort of feel cheated.

He starts to take off a supple velvet glove from his right hand. Exaggerating the motion of dislodging each finger.
See now, this here is a challenging glove. If I slap you with it, we are going to have a fight.
Now, lets not have any kind of fight. You forget this contract and blood thing and MAYBE when we are done clearing out this school - we liberate the contract for you and let you have it.
I'm even willing to let Vinas here - he's an honorable guy- be the gift giver outer.
intimidate: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26

Atium begins to intimidate the ratling as it shrinks down cowering, its eyes darting between Atium and the contract. From what Vinas and Vanyan can tell Berthold actually seems to be telling the truth. He fully believes that the contract will help get him home. As for the blood, Vanyan doesn't believe it to have anything to do with the contract but the ratling does look a bit gaunt and extremely hungry.

"You said if you break the glass someone will come for you. Will the same thing happen if one of us breaks the glass?

Bethold panics a moment, waving both paws in the air to stop Tessenarin. "NO! He will come. He can see any place the darkness touches. Salighara lady been gone awhile. She not know what I know. Contract and the bit of blood and you too will know." Berthold glares at Atium. "Or I leave."

Atium looks ready to throw down the glove. He's not about to mince words with an evil being that has zero leverage.
Maybe he will answer questions when awoken from consciousness.

Waiting for others to act before Atium.

"I'll not stop someone else from picking locks, but you'll never see me do it. I have little interest in breaking the glass. I've got blood on my armor which is not precious to me."

I'll role play my way around being okay with either combat with this thing, or breaking the glass (since we're trying to restore the rightful owner.)

If the others share their conviction that the little man is telling the truth, and his own instincts reflect that, Aishe will try to open the case.
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7

"He's just trying to get home, just like us. I think we can help him out."

He'll check for traps...
Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20

Then he takes out his lockpicks and tries to open it without breaking the glass.
Disable Device: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (13) + 11 = 24
Disable Device: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (11) + 11 = 22
Disable Device: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (12) + 11 = 23

If that doesn't do it, he'll take-20 for a 31.

Hearing Aishe call for a bit of reason.
Atium pauses. He really was looking forward to breaking this thing's neck .

If the thing can see darkness, why doesn't a holy shamen just bring light to blind whomever "He" is?

Ahem, can Vanyan cast light on the glass case to push back "the darkness" that was referenced?

Atium moves towards the Ratling, looking for where it'd want to escape. He will cover the escape route.
Move and I will kill you. Smashing your skull.

keeping the intimidation going.

"Let's not be too hasty, my simple-minded friends..." Vanyan interjects at both Berthold and Atium, before getting interrupted by Aishe's lock-picking machinations.

Very well, this is about to get rather interesting either way. Just in case, he lingers by the room's only exit, gripping his longspear a little more tightly.

While Aishe works, Vanyan has thoughts.

"Oh, I don't think you're going to leave, ratling. You're going to wait, because you want that contract. And here is what is going to happen if Aishe manages to open that lock: I'm going to read that contract because I know things. Then we're going to talk about what you know and then we'll see about giving you that contract. That's the deal you offered, and that's the deal that we might do. But not before I've read it."

Looking at the ratling, Vanyan's right hand subconsciously moves up to right ear and the fine half-elven hair there. His fingers pull and test the hair, wondering if they are too long and need to be shaved. Or not. Does the ratling shave his ears? I should find out.

If needed, Vanyan will pound and bang his lightbox with his palm until it reluctantly generates a Light spell.

Finding no traps on the lock Aishe sets to work on it. Giving it a few goes he seems to get incredibly close before taking his time. After several long moments the lock clicks open and Aishe swings the door open.

Berthold grows incredibly excited and dives for the contract only to have Vanyan snatch it away first, backing towards the entrance. At first Berthold seems enraged, ready to strike but he actually waits a moment to listen. His small chest heaving up and down. "Fine..." One of the only things holding him back is Atium's imposing presence.

Vanyan looks down and begins to read the contract. The agreement with a contract devil in written in excruciatingly small print. The infernal contract is now defunct and now worthless, but its wordsmithing is excellent. Furthermore it has nothing at all to do with getting the small ratling home, though Berthold truly believes that it does.

Vanyan reads the contract, making occasional "uh huh" and "erg!" and "OMG!" utterances and also making a few furtive glances at Berthold.

After finishing the contract, he seems content to make good on his deal with Berthold.

"Well, Berthold, the contract is yours if you'll tell us what you know. A deal is a deal and I'm willing to make good on it," Vanyan is willing to make the trade if the ratling is ready to speak up.

"What do you know about this place? We want to hear everything. And what about the man who would come here?" Vanyan pats the rolled contract into his palm with his other hand. "And do you shave your ears? It's important that we discuss this. Ear hair care is important. People want to know."