GM SpiderBeard's Age of Ashes (Inactive)

Game Master Barvo Delancy

Raff moves up to support his allies then brings his staff down on the the blue spider

◆ Stride
◆ Stride
◆ Flurry of Blows
Bo Staff: trip, monk, parry, reach
To Hit: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (15) + 9 = 24 Bludgeon: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7
Bo Staff: trip, monk, parry, reach
To Hit: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (7) + 9 = 16 Bludgeon: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10
Stunning Fist DC 19

Lenna focuses her attention to a different spider and opens fire.

She will target the green spider first, the purple one if it falls.

◆ Hunt Prey vs Green
◆ Hunted Shot
◆ Normal Shot

Attack: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (10) + 11 = 21
Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 6

Attack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12 -2 if directed against Purple
Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 4

Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23 -4 if directed against Purple
Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 3

Aramil moves up beside Lenna and begins playing an inspiring melody to aid his allies in combat.

◆Stride. ◆Stride. ◆Inspire Courage.

Fort Save: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (18) + 10 = 28

Seeing targets all around him, Varook starts slashing the spiders.

◆Strike (Blue)
◆Strike (Blue)
◆Strike (Blue)

Attack: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (11) + 13 = 24
Damage: 2d6 ⇒ (3, 1) = 4
Attack: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (17) + 9 = 26
Damage: 2d6 ⇒ (1, 1) = 2
Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12
Damage: 2d6 ⇒ (5, 4) = 9

Varook: Don't forget +1 to hit and damage from Aramil's inspiration.

Omari gunts heavily as they take the hit and begins casting a spell in response, channeling it through their weapon.

◇ Striking Spell
◆◆ Ray of Frost
◆ Strike

Strike, IC: 1d20 + 11 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 11 + 1 = 23
Strike, IC: 2d8 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (3, 1) + 4 + 1 = 9

RoF, IC: 1d20 + 10 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 10 + 1 = 16
RoF Damage, IC: 2d4 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (2, 1) + 3 + 1 = 7

Crap...I missed that...thanks Lenna!!

Raff's bo staff jabs out repeatedly at a spider, flipping it onto its back and killing it with a solid thwack. While Lennag ets a shot in, Varook retaliates against the spider that bit him with a flurry of exceptional stabs, killing one more spider.

Omari's weapon shimmers with ice, and they strike successfully yet another. The creature is rimmed with frost and flips over onto its back, dead. Varook is again bitten twice, but ignores the poison.

Varook takes 8 damage. Omari is no longer flat-footed, Varook no longer clumsy. EVERYONE IS UP!

Raff moves up in support of Varook. "Don't worry. Back up is here." He cracks his bo staff on green.

◆ Stride
◆ Flurry of Blows
Bo Staff: trip, monk, parry, reach
To Hit: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (16) + 9 = 25 Bludgeon: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5
Bo Staff: trip, monk, parry, reach
To Hit: 1d20 + 9 - 5 ⇒ (4) + 9 - 5 = 8 Bludgeon: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10
Stunning Fist DC 19
◆ Bo Staff: trip, monk, parry, reach
To Hit: 1d20 + 9 - 10 ⇒ (6) + 9 - 10 = 5 Bludgeon: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

Aramil continues playing his inspiring ballad, exhorting his companions in battle while also using his music to hurl a rock at a spider. Yellow

◆Inspire Courage. ◆◆Cast a Spell: Telekinetic Projectile at Yellow.

TK Projectile, IC: 1d20 + 10 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 10 + 1 = 25
Damage, IC: 2d6 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (5, 4) + 4 + 1 = 14

Given the success of the strategy Omari continues with their tactic stepping into flank.

◇ Striking Spell
◆◆ Ray of Frost
◇ Slide Casting Stride
◆ Strike

Strike, IC: 1d20 + 11 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 11 + 1 = 21Flanking!
Damage, IC: 2d8 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (4, 6) + 4 + 1 = 15
Rof, IC: 1d20 + 10 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 10 + 1 = 21Flanking!
RoF, IC: 2d4 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (2, 3) + 3 + 1 = 9

Lenna continues to fire at the green spider, moving to yellow if green falls.[/ooc]

◆ Hunted Shot
◆ Normal Shot
◆ Normal Shot

Attack: 1d20 + 11 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 11 + 1 = 18
Damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Attack: 1d20 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 8 + 1 = 19 -2 if directed against Yellow
Damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Attack: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 5 + 1 = 22 -4 if directed against Yellow
Damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Attack: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 5 + 1 = 19 -4 if directed against Yellow
Damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Bummer.

Turning to the next closest spider, Varook continues slashing the beasts with his swords.

◆Strike (Yellow)
◆Strike (Yellow)
◆Strike (Yellow)

Attack: 1d20 + 13 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 13 + 1 = 17
Damage: 2d6 ⇒ (6, 6) = 12
Attack: 1d20 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 9 + 1 = 12
Damage: 2d6 ⇒ (5, 6) = 11
Attack: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 5 + 1 = 22
Damage: 2d6 ⇒ (3, 3) = 6

Tough week, posting may be limited. Bear with.

=====================
When Last We Left Our Heroes
=====================

Something strange has happened in Breachill. You have all answered the Call for Heroes. There, the town hired you to investigate the silence of the nearby clan of goblins, the Bumblebrashers. This led you into an exploration of the nearby Citadel Altaerin, the original headquarters of the Order of the Nail. There, it turns out that one Voz Lirayne, a local bookstore owner in town, had set this whole mess off in her pursuit of an ancient network of portals between the Citadel - Asleta's Ring.

You have now cleared all available floors of the citadel and defeated Voz, but the stairs downards were blocked. You took the very long route, and after endless traipsing through tunnels now appear to be reaching the lowest level of the citadel, and the elven portal network within.

But first, spiders.

------------

We snap back to the action with our heroes quickly clearing out the rest of the hunting spiders in the room. Omari's magical attacks, Raff's brutality, and the coordinated offence of Lenna and Varook slay the last two while Aramil's singing empowers you all.

With the last spider dead you get a look around the room. There are several human-sized lumps in the walls, but otherwise the tunnels lead to your east.

We're live, kids!

Raff starts opening the human-sized lumps.

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17

"Maybe we should do that from a distance, just in case more spiders crawl out?"

Lenna will position herself to be able to fire at any threats to the monk as he's examining the lumps.

As the 'lumps' come down, Varook helps Raff open the bundles and remove anything of value.

"Let's get them open quickly and get out of here before anything else drops from the roof!"

You puncture the sacs to find the gruesome remains of a human whose body is desiccated beyond recognition. However as you look, a beautiful scimitar falls out.

After a moment you recognize it as a +1 striking scimitar.

Raff holds the sword out to Varook. "Look what fell from the roof."

Once everyone is ready, Raff goes to inspect the southern tunnel.
Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12

Raff pushes into the southern tunnel.

The gloom and tunnels snaking away from each end of this open cvern make it seem like merely a corridor rather than a proper chamber. Thick sheets of spiderwebs hang from the northern wall.

Nothing seems to jump out at you; the spiderwebs loom ominously on the north wall. Otherwise the cavern continues on.

Raff then goes to the northern tunnel.

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16

Varook picks up the sword and hands it to Lenna. He then follows Raff towards the northern tunnel.

Lenna takes the scimitar and admires the craftsmanship.

Without looking, I’m not sure who needs a basic weapon rune or a striking rune at this point. I have two weapons I could use the striking rune on and I can probably use the scimitar as-is, but I don’t have my proficiency lists off the top of my head yet. I’ll take the striking rune if no one else needs it, but I won’t fuss if someone wants it.

For the moment, she carries the beautiful weapon, but at the first opportunity, she offers it to Amaril to see what they think about it.

Rangers are trained in martial weapons. You could use it well enough.

True, but I've had time to check the stats; it's not a finesse weapon, so my attack bonus is relatively weak with it. It would be better to have the striking rune on the bow or the starknife if everyone else has what they need. When we have time, of course.

Raff spares a fleeting glance at the webs and heads northwards with the group.

---

A massive throne constructed of old bones and broken furniture tied together with ropes and chains and draped with moth-eaten velvet is the overwhelming centerpiece of this wide-open cave. Arrayed in concentric circles around the throne are the skeletal corpses of small, oblong-skulled humanoids—each posed with their head inclined reverently toward the throne’s seat.

Seated in the throne is an enormous canine beast-man with an imperious look on his face.

"Mongrel cave-things! You dare enter Ralldar's kingdom? Bestow upon your god proper tribute, or be consumed by misery and death!"

Raff saunters a touch closer and says, "You have totally misread the situation, Ralldar. We aren't here to bow to you."

Intimidation: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19

Aramil tunes his lute, as he's fairly sure they'll be fighting soon.

Religion: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20

Omari holds their sword down, not in a threatening pose, but ready if violence breaks out.

"Fiend. Give up your evil ways and you may be allowed to live. You will have none of our souls today."

Lenna has taken a few experimental swings with the scimitar, but chooses to stick with her current array of weapons, so she wraps the scimitar in her bedroll and stows it. As she finishes, she hears the challenges issued and she hustles to join her friends, bow readied. She will stay back and out of sight, though.

Varook also readies his weapons for what seems to be an inevitable confrontation.

"Bwuh? BWHAWRHRWAWRHRWH!!" The barghest leaps down from his 'throne', roaring with rage at the interlopers who dare not worship him. Raff has scarcely enough time to coerce anything out of him and instead the barghest throws his hands into the air before channeling some sort of strange magic at Varook!

Varook must make a DC 25 will save or be confused! Pass: Babble incoherently and stunned 1 (lose a single action). Fail gain confused condition and resave every round. Remember hero points for big saves like this.

EVERYONE IS UP!

D'oh!!

Will save: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (20) + 10 = 30

WooHoo!

Raff takes Tiger Stance before rushing at Ralldar. He punches at him.

◆ Tiger Stance
◆ Stride
◆ Flurry of Blows
Tiger Claw: agile, finesse, magical, nonlethal, unarmed, powerful fist
To Hit: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (17) + 10 = 27 Slashing: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5
Tiger Claw: agile, finesse, magical, nonlethal, unarmed, powerful fist
To Hit: 1d20 + 10 - 4 ⇒ (1) + 10 - 4 = 7 Slashing: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11
Stunning Fist DC19

Varook stands as if rooted to the ground and spews forth a cacophony of nonsense words and odd sounds.

Haaaa bekflksj kksd, szzzz jjkjkiilelll bwaffinter errt ka!!

Lenna strides forward to get a shot and studies the creature.

Even though she's too close for a good shot, she opens fire with the bow.

◆ Stride
◆ Hunt prey
◆ Hunted Shot/Flurry

Attack: 1d20 + 11 - 2 ⇒ (6) + 11 - 2 = 15
Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 5

Attack: 1d20 + 8 - 2 ⇒ (20) + 8 - 2 = 26
Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 1
Crital damage: 1d8 + 1d10 ⇒ (8) + (5) = 13

Varook, your save was a nat 20, which I'm pretty sure becomes a critical success with no effect. Also, Stunned 1 would only cost you 1 action on your turn - you still have two other actions.

Aramil moves forward to a place he can see the barghest, then begins playing an inspiring ballad for his allies. He then calls out to the creature, "You call yourself a king? Perhaps you are - nothing but a King of Fools!"

◆Action 1: Stride towards the room. ◆Action 2: Inspire Courage. ◆Action 3: Bon Mot.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (8) + 10 = 18

Omari, being out range to strike the creature moves closer and casts a spell to demoralize his foe.

◆◆: Cast Fear FEAR!
◆: Stride

Ah, I thought it meant I lost the full turn, but the wording makes me think you are correct!!

Screaming incoherent words at the barghest, the diminutive warrior moves forward and strikes at the fiend.

◆: Stride
◆: Attack

Attack: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (19) + 14 = 33
Damage: 2d6 + 1 ⇒ (5, 2) + 1 = 8

With Varook completely ignoring the confusion spell, the group charges in at the barghest! Most of the attacks landed do damage but are fairly minor while Varook scores the best hit of all. The barghest ignores Aramil's insult and the worst of Omari's fear spell.

It roars, ripping into Varook with tooth and claw before suddenly a huge blast of overwhelming colours sprays into its eyes. It shields itself from the color spray. Revealed behind it is a woman with long hair, looking absolutely terrified as she attacks the barghest.

"I am with you!" she calls in a shaky voice.

Varook takes 26 damage. EVERYONE IS UP!

Raff moves over to take better advantage of the newcomer and strikes out at Ralldar.
Does the Strange Woman offer flanking? If not, Raff will move next to her instead.

◆ Stride
◆ Flurry of Blows
Tiger Claw: agile, finesse, magical, nonlethal, unarmed, powerful fist
To Hit: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (11) + 10 = 21 Slashing: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7
Tiger Claw: agile, finesse, magical, nonlethal, unarmed, powerful fist
To Hit: 1d20 + 10 - 4 ⇒ (9) + 10 - 4 = 15 Slashing: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11
Stunning Fist DC 19
◆ Strike
Tiger Claw: agile, finesse, magical, nonlethal, unarmed, powerful fist
To Hit: 1d20 + 10 - 8 ⇒ (13) + 10 - 8 = 15 Slashing: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

Aramil continues playing his inspiring ballad as he weaves a spell into the melody, finishing with a bad pun. "Well, I guess we should apologize for 'barg'-ing in like this, but we 'ghest' couldn't help ourselves."

◆Action 1: Inspire Courage. ◆◆Actions 2&3: Cast a Spell (Hideous Laughter), Will DC 20.

Omari suppresses a groan at Aramil's joke. "Really Aramil? Was that really necessary?"

◇ Striking Spell
◆◆: Ray of Frost
◇ : Slide Casting Move
◆: Strike

Longsword Strike, IC: 1d20 + 11 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 11 + 1 = 26 Flanking!
Longsword Damage, IC: 1d8 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 4 + 1 = 9
If Longsword Hits
Ray of Frost Strike, IC: 1d20 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 9 + 1 = 24 Flanking!
Ray of Frost Damage, IC: 2d4 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (2, 3) + 3 + 1 = 9

"Varook!"

Lenna keeps up a steady rate of fire.

Attack 1 for Hunted Shot: 1d20 + 11 - 2 ⇒ (9) + 11 - 2 = 18
Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 5

Attack 2 for Hunted Shot: 1d20 + 8 - 2 ⇒ (6) + 8 - 2 = 12
Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 7

The damage from these two attacks, if they hit, is added together for purposes of overcoming damage reduction.

Question for the GM: Can I use my returning starknife in a hunted shot/flurry combination? It requires a ranged weapon with reload 0, a requirement which a returning weapon appears to meet.

Last two actions pending GM ruling.

Current HP-28/54

Varook, almost enveloped by the enraged creature, stands his ground and strikes back with his enchanted swords.

Attack (Double Slice): 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (12) + 14 = 26
Damage: 4d6 + 2 ⇒ (6, 1, 6, 4) + 2 = 19

Attack: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (9) + 14 = 23
Damage: 2d6 + 1 ⇒ (5, 2) + 1 = 8