GM SpiderBeard's Tyrant's Grasp (Inactive)

Game Master Barvo Delancy

If a first search doesn't turn up anything, I'll use a round of Bardic to try Distraction. I'll let you roll the Perform check (+10) if it comes up and just let me know whether to expend the performance round.

Did this happen? If so, what was the result? It makes a difference as to my current performance round count, whether I need to start the performance or maintain it, and whether anyone is still affected or if the entire illusion is down now.

@Malvo sorry! Artyom managed to find the doors through the illusion with a will save, which means the distraction is not necessary. Also the spiders dropped the round after the attempted perception checks/detect magic.

Alara freaks she sees a crab spider and just utterly annihilates it with a thwack!

The rest of you are up!

Malvo sighs and mutters, "Seriously, crab spiders? Why do those even exist?"

To everyone, he calls out, "No matter, we are up to every challenge. Take them down!"

Begin Inspire Courage.
Inspire Courage: As long as you can perceive my performance, you gain +1 Competence Bonus to attack and damage, +1 morale bonus to saves vs Fear and Charm.

Artyom frowns as the spiders come out to attack. He levels his quarterstaff at the yellow tinted spider and throws it!

Hand of the Apprentice (inspire courage): 1d20 + 1 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 1 + 4 + 1 = 22
Damage (inspire courage, STR damage): 1d6 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (5) + 1 - 2 = 4

"Stupid peaches. Stupid spiders." Ridill snarls as he takes a swing at the vermin.

Greatsword: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 6 + 1 = 13
Slashing/cold iron: 2d6 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (5, 4) + 3 + 1 = 13

Tornell moves up beside Ridill and swings his morningstar.

Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17
Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Ridill misses a mighty swing (go figure) while Artyom throws his mighty quarterstaff. Tornell manages to bonk the spider for good effort. The two spiders scuttle at their targets but nobody gets bitten.

Everyone is up!

Malvo shifts slightly around the spider attacking him, and as he swings his weapon he calls out to Alara, "I'll distract it, come in behind!"

Let performance linger. Swift action for Arcane Strike; 5' step and ready to attack when Alara gets into position. She should be able to get into flank without provoking.

Arcane Strike, Inspire Courage, Flanking
Attack (morningstar): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13 Damage (magic): 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

Inspire Courage / Lingering: As long as you were able to perceive my performance, you continue to gain +1 Competence Bonus to attack and damage, +1 morale bonus to saves vs Fear and Charm.

Ridill tries again to smash the annoying arachnid.

Greatsword: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 6 + 1 = 18
Slashing/cold iron: 2d6 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (4, 5) + 3 + 1 = 13

Alara will do as Malvo orders, moving to flank and swinging her nunchaku!

Smack *Inspired, Flanking*: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (2) + 10 = 12 ;_;
Damage...?: 1d6 + 5 + 2d6 ⇒ (2) + 5 + (4, 2) = 13

Tornell slowly shuffles around the spider, hoping to flank it.

Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15
Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

Artyom throws his quarterstaff at the red tinted spider.

Hand of the Apprentice (inspire courage): 1d20 + 1 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 + 4 + 1 = 8
Damage (inspire courage, STR damage): 1d6 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (2) + 1 - 2 = 1

The group quickly rallies, clearing up the remaining spiders. The bitey peaches still hang from the tree but you are otherwise unmolested. Now that doors are revealed, you see them leading to the southwest and to the north.

Map is updated!

Does one of the doors lead to where we came from, or have we been transported to some place completely new? Either way, if nothing makes either door seem more logical than the other after a brief search, let's go through the north door (just to have a decision made).

"ANYBODY INJURED?" Thod calls out after the battle with a bit of weariness to his voice. "SARENRAE'S BLESSING GOING ONCE... GOING TWICE..."

Can you even heal peach damage?

Artyom shakes his head. "I'm fine. Other than my muscles feeling like jelly."

@Malvo - additional doors I should say. I'll reveal the map again. One is immediately to the left of the door you came from, the other is across the garden.

"I'm okay. None of them bit me." Alara says with a shudder.

Malvo points at the northern door. "Shall we continue on, then?"

Artyom nods, ready to keep moving.

Sorry guys life is lifing super goddamn hard right now but will try to get into a reasonable schedule again as these games give me sanity lol.

Ignoring the southwest door, you head to the north and open the door into a hallway. As you close the door behind you... you start to realize that the hallway seems to extend on infinitely.

This long hallway stretches to the east and west to wooden
doors. Every few feet, an elaborate portrait depicts a scholarly
individual. Most are reading heavy tomes, wearing academic
robes, or holding quills. All have sour expressions.

From what you can recall, the tower you're looking for is to the west. But the hall just seems to go on forever in either direction.

Artyom frowns at the infinitely expanding hallway. He tries to detect any sort of magic and examines the portraits and see if he recognizes any of the people in them. He also keeps his wits about him.

Take 10 on Perception for 14 for Artyom (that includes Alertness) and 19 for Ricky. Also casting detect magic.

Knowledge (arcana): 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (13) + 11 = 24
Knowledge (planes): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (18) + 10 = 28
Knowledge (religion): 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (18) + 11 = 29
Knowledge (history): 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (7) + 11 = 18

As Artyon checks for magic, Malvo tries to ascertain if there are any illusions by ordering his group to see past them. "Look sharp, everyone, we've already seen that everything is not as it seems!"

Spending a bardic performance round for Distraction to see past any illusions.
Perform:Oratory (Distraction): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (12) + 10 = 22

Artyom starts studying the portraits and his magic clearly shows that there's lots of illusions going on. Although Malvo is certain the group is under an illusion, his attempts to snap the group out of it doesn't seem to work - the magic is too powerful.

As Artyom looks at the portaits one of the speaks at him, a scholarly man in spectacles.

"What's this, hm?! A ratty mage if I do say so. No no no you'll never make it as a scribe here dressed like that."

A woman with a book in her hand on the other side of Artyom. "And look at that priest. Nothing but gristle and hair. Disgusting specimen of a man."

"And look at that priest. Nothing but gristle and hair. Disgusting specimen of a man."

"Why, thank you, ma'am. But you forgot to mention the booze and the body odour. Now, are you going to sit there and list more of my good qualities? Or do you have some dumb trial for us to pass? One of those 'One of us lies' riddles? Or that one about wolves, chickens, and boats? Lay it on us, we aren't immortal, and we aren't getting any younger."

Alara looks around the illusionary hallway.

"...I mean, riddles would be a bit more straightforward compared to what's here now."

As Artyom looks at the portaits one of the speaks at him, a scholarly man in spectacles.

"What's this, hm?! A ratty mage if I do say so. No no no you'll never make it as a scribe here dressed like that."

Artyom frowns. "Well, I was traveling and only meant to stay for a few days. I find that this outfit is rather practical for that. And I find that I don't need something extravagant for my job as an architect."

A woman with a book in her hand on the other side of Artyom. "And look at that priest. Nothing but gristle and hair. Disgusting specimen of a man."

Artyom sniffs at this. "Rude."

After Tornell's rant, Artyom chimes in. "While I would have used more tact, my friend has a point. If we're to figure out what's going on, we need information. So if there's any sort of riddle or puzzle, please give it to us."

"A dumb riddle? Don't think us to be so gauche. Everyone knows that one of us lies thing anyways."

"No my dear drunk, I'm afraid you're trapped here forever. Muahaha or something. An ignoble end I'm afraid. Colulus was so looking forward to eating you."

Tornell squints a bit at the painting.

"So that means we get to spend an eternity together... Or at least the rest of my life. Just us. In this eternal hallway. Who is this supposed to punish?"

A wicked grin creeps over Tornell's face.
"Hey, can you smell my armpit here? How bad is it, really?"

Tornell indeed follows through, raising his arm and pushing his armpit up to the presumed nose of the talking painting.

"What if we decide to just start busting everything in sight? We are only mortals, after all, and confinement can tend to make us even more erratic than usual. We might just have to start with the talking paintings that are taunting us..." Malvo draws his morningstar and nods toward Alara and Ridill.

Taking 10 for 20 Intimidate, in case it does any good. :)

"AHH! STOP THAT IMMEDIATELY SIR!" shrieks one of the portraits. As Malvo starts uttering threats, the portaits all let out a groan of exasperation, and suddenly the hallway shimmers and you see a door.

You open the door, and once again stare into the garden. This time it is a little different - you recognize the bodies of the dead spiders, but you also see the ettercap lying in a twisted heap, its neck broken.

Artyom blinks in shock as the hallway shimmers back to normal. "Wait... You mean to tell me... that actually worked?! How?!"

Artyom blinks at the sight of the dead ettercap. "I don't think we did that. Hmmm..." He begins to chant as he scans the area. He also gives a few pokes at the corpse with his quarterstaff.

Take 10 on Perception for 14 for Artyom (that includes Alertness) and 19 for Ricky. Also casting detect magic.

As the staff prods him, the ettercap - better known as Colulus, leaps up to his feet immediately and lunges for Artyom! Up close, Colulus appears to be a strange deformed, twisted sort of ettercap and his grin is wicked. However, his outstretched claw misses Artyom entirely.

EVERYONE IS UP!

Artyom blinks in shock as the hallway shimmers back to normal. "Wait... You mean to tell me... that actually worked?! How?!"

Malvo smirks at the wizard and says, "What part of "Master Sergeant" do you not understand?"

Artyom blinks at the sight of the dead ettercap. "I don't think we did that. Hmmm..." He begins to chant as he scans the area. He also gives a few pokes at the corpse with his quarterstaff.

"Wait ... !" Malvo tries to stop Artyom, but isn't quite fast enough. Thankfully, the creature's sudden attack misses.

"Alright, folks, you know the drill! Surround and smash!" Malvo points to either side of the ettercap, where Ridill and Alara can split its attention. Standard action to Inspire Courage. No, movement, leaving the prime flanking positions for the heavier hitters.

Inspire Courage: As long as you can perceive my performance, you gain +1 Competence Bonus to attack and damage, +1 morale bonus to saves vs Fear and Charm.

If anyone fails a saving throw during the round, dismiss the performance for Saving Finale.

"Two steps ahead of ya!" Alara leaps into action and moves to flank the ettercap!

Flanking Smack *Inspired*: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (4) + 10 = 14
Damage...?: 1d6 + 4 + 1 + 2d6 ⇒ (4) + 4 + 1 + (6, 4) = 19

Artyom blinks in shock as the ettercap springs up and takes a swipe at him. Taking a moment, Artyom moves back while saying, "No, no, no! I don't think I want to any sort of this!" He then runs back a bit and throws his staff at Colulus!

Hand of the Apprentice (inspire courage): 1d20 + 1 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 1 + 4 + 1 = 21
Damage (inspire courage, STR damage): 1d6 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (1) + 1 - 2 = 0

"'Bout time this ugly mucker reveals himself!"

Tornell grabs a pearl he keeps readily available, and holds it, chanting.

"סרנריי מדריכה אותנו"

Along with Inspire Courage, Tornell will also cast Bless, granting +1 to Attack rolls and fear saves. I looked it up, Inspire Courage is a Competence Bonus, but Bless is a Morale Bonus, so they stack. For attack rolls, though, not any saving throws.

The group quickly moves to surround Colulus, which lets out gross spidery screeches. Alara and Ridill both miss, while Malvo inspires the group. Artyom mightily flings his staff, which bonks Colulus in the face somewhat ineffectively. Tornell's bless spell motivates everyone, Colulus responds in kind!

Snapping out, Colulus manages to bite Ridill, who starts twitching from the poison.

Ridill takes 5 damage and 2 dex damage. EVERYONE IS UP!

Alara's nunchaku snaps out again!

Inspired Flanking Blessed Sneak Attack: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (9) + 12 = 21
Damage?: 1d6 + 4 + 1 + 2d6 ⇒ (6) + 4 + 1 + (5, 4) = 20

Malvo lets his inspiring words linger in his companion's thoughts as he takes a swing for himself. "That's enough of that!"

Stop performing, linger round 1. Swift action for Arcane Strike, attack with morningstar.

Inspire Courage, Bless, Arcane Strike
Attack (longsword): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27 Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9
Confirm?: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24 Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

Inspire Courage / Lingering: As long as you were able to perceive my performance, you continue to gain +1 Competence Bonus to attack and damage, +1 morale bonus to saves vs Fear and Charm.

While clearly a mighty foe, he is unprepared for a tired, abttered, and very annoyed at being in the dead roads party. Alara's nunchaku cracks against Colulus' skull and he slumps into Malvo, who is ready to completely run the ettercap through. Malvo kicks the big monster off of him, and it collapses to the ground - dead for good this time.

End of Combat

"Stupid Ugly Spider thing."

"Welp, that's one of the bigger names down. Still need to hunt down this 'Mrs. Pedipalp.'"

"And, as always, anyone injured? Ridill, you're looking a bit shaky there."

"And, as always, anyone injured? Ridill, you're looking a bit shaky there."

"Yeah, you've taken the brunt of scratches and bites that look poisonous ... how are you feeling?"

Does Tornell have a Lesser Resto available? 2 Dex damage isn't immediately deadly, though it lowers his AC by one.

"Still need to hunt down this 'Mrs. Pedipalp.'"

Malvo nods, looking around the garden again for any newly revealed exits or other surprises.

Looking at the map, looks like there's another door at the end of the portrait hall, and then more doors we haven't looked through on the south end. Am I reading that right?

Seeing Colulus fall, Artyom straightens out his clothes before approaching. "I apologize, everyone. I thought he was actually dead." At Tornell's question of injuries, Artyom shifts his pack to a more comfortable position. "Other than my weakened strength, I'm perfectly fine. I thank you all for lessening your pace to match my shuffle." Examining Ridill, Artyom says, "Well, I can heal the wounds. But, the poison would be a different matter."

As you look over colulus body with the typical casting of detect magic, Artyom notices something interesting. The topiary ostrich has three tail feathers patterned like leaves, but they actually radiate magic.

Checking back on where you've explored, the hallway to the north is no longer cloaked in illusion with a door leading into an ominous tower. Otherwise, there are a couple of doors behind you that you ahve not explored.

@Malvo you're correct, you can see the unexplored doors on the map.

Does Tornell have a Lesser Resto available? 2 Dex damage isn't immediately deadly, though it lowers his AC by one.

Yep, I got one casting of it. So I certainly can fix that up, but like any situation, you kind of want to hold on to it until a worse situation comes around. Still, we may be approaching the final battle.

"A tall ominious tower. I wonder if organ music will be playing while we climb up."

While Artyom investigates the magic feathers, Malvo considers the options. "So ... doors down there... " he points toward the far end of the garden, "... or past the jerks in the gallery? Any thoughts?"

I suggest the gallery, but if anyone has a reason to prefer the others, I can be swayed. ;-)

"I could check both of the doors first before we decide."

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (2) + 11 = 13

Artyom frowns. "These topiary feathers are radiating magic. But, I can't tell what it is."

Ricky's Spellcraft: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

Ricky shakes his head. "And I can't tell either. Maybe we should take them and identify them later." Artyom nods and takes the feathers before rushing to the others. He adds in his two coppers. "Alara has the right idea. Investigate them before we make a move. This place is constantly trying to dupe us. I'd prefer to get any sort of advantage against them."