[PbP Gameday VIII] GM.BastardBard's The Veteran's Vault (Inactive)

Game Master Neal B

Ne'erduwyl yawns, acting bored by the whole affair. "If that doesn't work we could roast the pig for her.", she says unhelpfully.

Aid Diplomacy: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (3) - 2 = 1

"And do be careful with that map, Giovanni, lest the three-legged octopus try to eat it."

Giovanni sighs. He raises his hand and a single (index) finger. THANK you, Ne'er. Diplomacy first, please.

"You're welcome. Helpful is my middle name. You've got a little sewer filth on your left cufflink, there Gio. You'll want to polish that before your next court appearance, of course."

"Anyone know what this thing is, other than a hungry Togg? What are you, Togg?"

"No idea. Sorry. Do you know, Togg?"

Eating the carnivore feed, "MMM! This tasty! But so little..." pointing at Salazar the boar, "that one looks good. It's small. No one would notice it's gone."

Alright, alright. There you go. Friend Dexter and Salazar shared good food. Tell us about the sewer. Who else is down here? Do you know this place? Giovanni shares Sascha's map.

“That way," motioning one tentacle to the east, "has the stone rat and mean people. I asked them for food, too. They said ‘no’ and ran. Bad people. Looked tasty, though."

Dexter puts his hand up, "No, that one is not to be eaten, he is very gristly. But I'll give you more food later if you guard our exit for us."

"Never had gristly. Can Togg try just a bite? You give good food to me, I let you pass. Everyone’s happy, and no one’s hungry. If the food is really good, maybe you get treasure.”

Dexter pulls out another chunk of meat, "I said no to nibbling on Sal, how much more of this stuff do you need to let us past? Two chunks? Three?"

the mechanics of the encounter are based on food and drink worth increments of 10 gold pieces. You can decide as a group whenever you want to make the Diplomacy check to ask to pass. But if you were looking to make that check easier, there is a thriving Korvosan market district above you...

Giovanni regards the creature for a moment, Togg, let's make a deal. If you let us pass, you can have whatever food we find from the mean people. It's all yours. More than we are carrying and will last you forever. What do you say?

Ah, okay!

With a better description of what the creature needs, Dexter sends one of his allies up the ladder to purchase a chunk of prefered food stuffs.

Spending 50g on good foods because why not!

He then piles it all up in front of the creature and says, "Alright, there we go. How about we just move things along. You mentioned... treasure?"

"You know, Dexter, if you've got that kind of treasure to throw away on talking cephalopods you could have at least treated us to a meal before we decided to explore a vermin-infested sewer."

Ne'er already failed her diplomacy aid miserably, as one would expect.

Meanwhile, Ne'erduwyl whispers some orders to Pinch.

Pinch skitters past Togg and down the hall to the east. He'll stay hidden, use his darkvision, and quickly return, sending a non-verbal report back to Ne'er.

Gave some time for aiding...

"Hmm... this is okay-good. Some good taste. But can't let you go, and definitely can't give you treasure without more food. My mate be hungry too. Be mad at Togg if not enough food for Argug."

You missed the DC, but thankfully not by enough to ... 'offend' the creature.

Dexter sighs, "Fine, whatever. Your brought this on yourself. Maybe don't open with wanting to eat my friend next time." He casts a spell and summons a small thundercloud above the creature which lashes down lightning at the creature. "Go get 'em Sal!"

Cast as a Standard action, Aggressive Thundercloud, Floating Cloud, 20% conceal in its square, candle-light illumination, 3d6 ⇒ (1, 6, 1) = 8 electricity damage, Reflex DC 15 to negate. Free action to command Salazar to attack. Salazar would move up and attack, but I'll wait to see if you do a Surprise Round or Standard Initiative.

at offensive spellcasting, we will move into initiative. Those actions can be your first turn when it comes up.

Initiatives - Bold may act!
Ne'erduwyl
Endir
GM
Peregryne
Dexter & Sal
Giovanni

Endir knocks and arrow and fires.

attack, point-blank: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 6 + 1 = 17
damage, cold iron if that matters, point-blank: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

Ne'erduyl sighs and wiggles her nose, placing a slumber hex DC Will 16 or asleep for one round on the three-legged cephalopod..

"Good night, octopus," she says. "May you eat pork in your dreams."

As the creature lunges after seeing spellcasting begin, Endir pierces the creature with an arrow, and...

Will: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23

Ne'erduwyl giggles and is obviously disappointed, thinking more would have happened.

The creature furiously attacks Giovanni!
Attack, Bite, Red: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23
Damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8 Fort Save
Attack, Tentacle, Red: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17
Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7
Attack, Tentacle, Red: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21
Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
plus grab
Grab: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (4) + 13 = 17

Giovanni, Fort: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

I will roll most saves that occur during the enemy's turn in combat. Please let me know if you would like to use a reroll, or if you have any bonuses that you feel may be relevant.

And the party hears a loud "HARGHARRRABAAAARRRGGGH!!!" from the tunnel leading to the south, as another of these creatures charges up to Peregryne!

Attack, Bite, Blue, Charge: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 7 + 2 = 17
Damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

... and hits with a savage bite!
Peregryne: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (11) + 10 = 21

Initiatives - Bold may act!
Ne'erduwyl
Endir
GM Red -8hp | Blue Charged
Peregryne -5hp
Dexter & Sal
Giovanni -12hp

Dexter finishes off his spell and a small storm forms above the first enemy creature. He motions to Sal to move in and attack the one that had snuck up behind and follows his ally, drawing a wand as he goes. "Focus on the first, Sal and I will handle this one back here!"

Actions shown here and added a move while drawing a wand of CLW at the end.

Sal moves in towards the new target, trying to duck any tentacles as he does and then stabs his big old tusks deep into the creature, attempting to rip out copious amounts of whatever is inside.

Move w/ Acrobatics to avoid an AoO Acrobatics vs. CMD: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6, Standard to Power Attack Gore vs. Blue.

Gore - Power Attack: 1d20 + 7 - 1 ⇒ (4) + 7 - 1 = 10 for Piercing + P.A.: 1d8 + 6 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 6 + 3 = 17

Reflex, Red: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10

The red creature appears to take some damage from the crackling electricity in the little storm cloud.

The blue creature from the south swings a tentacle attacking of opportunity Sal as it charges in.
Attack, Tentacle, Blue: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11
Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

Initiatives - Bold may act!
Ne'erduwyl
Endir
GM Red -16hp | Blue Charged
Peregryne -5hp
Dexter & Sal
Giovanni -12hp

Giovanni puffs a cloud of smoke from his smokestick at the creature to distract it and stabs with his rapier.

Swift Feint: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (19) + 11 = 30
rapier: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21
damage with sneak attack.: 1d6 + 4 + 3d6 ⇒ (4) + 4 + (4, 3, 4) = 19

With no way to safely escape from the creatures extended reach, Peregryne embraces the situation. Stepping closer he summons a sword of shimmering air and lashes out at the creature with it.

Attack - Kinetic Blade: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (1) + 10 = 11
Bludgeoning Damage: 3d6 + 9 ⇒ (6, 2, 6) + 9 = 23

I'm going to go ahead and act here just to move things along, since the baddies are after me in the initiative order.

Trying not to be distracted by Giovanni's smokestick tricks, Ne'erduwyl turns on the other octopus thingie blue and snaps a finger. Slumber Hex Will Save DC 16 or asleep for one round

Endir: Since I missed the wrap around in initiative, please post for two turns (the one I missed, and the current round).

Giovanni puffs smoke in the red creature's eyes and takes advantage of the situation to strike it where it's weak!

Peregryne tries to lash out with a blade of air, but misses.

Ne'erduwyl snaps her fingers at the newest creature to arrive, but it appears to have no effect.

Will, Blue: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19

The first red creature unleashes a ferocious howl and lashes out at Giovanni!

Attack, Bite, Red: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8
Damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10
Attack, Tentacle, Red: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8
Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6
Attack, Tentacle, Red: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6
Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3
...and fails to connect.

The other blue creature tries to get a taste of the yummy looking pig!
Attack, Bite, Blue: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17
Damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12
Attack, Tentacle, Blue: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23
Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
Attack, Tentacle, Blue: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23
Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7
Ooh!
Crit Confirmation 1: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20
Crit Confirmation 2: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4
...only managing to strike Sal with its tentacles.

Initiatives - Bold may act!
Ne'erduwyl
Endir
GM Red -35hp | Blue
Peregryne -5hp
Dexter & Sal Sal -11 hp
Giovanni -12hp

Giovanni stutter steps at the creature, hopefully throwing it off balance.

bluff feint, move action. DC is opponent's 10+BAB+Wis: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (3) + 12 = 15

rapier: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7

BOO

Ne'erduwyl wiggles an ear and places a fortune hex on Sal. "Get your tentacles off our swine you foul beast."

Sal may roll his attack roll twice and take the best result.

Peregryne continues his assault...

Attack - Kinetic Blade: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (6) + 10 = 16
Bludgeoning Damage: 3d6 + 9 ⇒ (1, 4, 5) + 9 = 19

Dexter whips his fancy little stick around in a complicated pattern, a small bright glow forming on the tip. Touching his boar pal, the energy disperses over his thick skin and appears to start knitting the wounds back together.

Standard to use Wand of CLW on Salazar for 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6 healing, 34 charges remain. If Sal moves, he will follow. Otherwise he stays where is is.

The wise piggy continues his assault on the creature that harmed him, unleashing a vicious swipe with his tusks.

Attack Blue, unless it is down. If it is down he moves up next to Giovvani and attacks Red.

Gore - Power Attack: 1d20 + 7 - 1 ⇒ (10) + 7 - 1 = 16

Gore - Power Attack: 1d20 + 7 - 1 ⇒ (20) + 7 - 1 = 26

Taking the crit threat 20 to hit for Piercing + P.A.: 1d8 + 6 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 6 + 3 = 15

Crit Confirm?: 1d20 + 7 - 1 ⇒ (19) + 7 - 1 = 25 for Piercing + P.A.: 1d8 + 6 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 6 + 3 = 14

If confirmed, 29 piercing damage.

Forgot about the thundercloud over Red, 3d6 ⇒ (1, 3, 5) = 9 electricity damage, Reflex DC 15 to negate.

Giovanni appears to barely confuse the creature, but it may have just been because he lost his step.
Ne'erduwyl seems protective of her bacon.
Endir downs the first red creature that you had found. Then takes a shot at the next blue one and nails it!
Peregryne follows up the spectacular shot with an expert thrust of his air blade.

And, with an incredibly well placed tusk, Sal skewers the second blue creature to death!

Combat over!

Status:
Ne'erduwyl
Endir
GM Red -44hp | Blue -57hp DEAD
Peregryne -5hp
Dexter & Sal Sal -11 hp
Giovanni -12hp

"That'll do, pig," says Ne'erduwyl, nodding at Dexter and giving the lucky boar a pat on the head.

If anyone needs healing, Ne'erduwyl will take your CLW wands and tap you til you're healed.

Giovanni takes Neer's ofer.

clw: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6
clw: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Down 1 hp.

Giovanni dusts himself off, Well, that's not quite how I had envisioned that playing out. No matter, we should continue.

With another tap, Dexter heals up his friend and then looks through the lumpy bodies for any valuables. He chatters as he goes. "Well, thank you all for giving me a chance to talk to them. I do appreciate that. It didn't end well, but honestly I think we did the two of them a favor. One creature that size, much less two, simply can't survive in this ecosystem, there just isn't enough prey. We probably saved them from starvation."

CLW Wand: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9 and Sal is back to full, 33 charges remain.

Perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (18) + 11 = 29

Once that is done he motions towards the direction they had been heading, "Shall we continue?"

Heading north up the tunnel you notice a broken offshoot off the eastern side of the tunnel.

If not (or after) checking out the offshoot, please move your characters up as far as the western edge of the grey box at the top of the map.

Giovanni pokes his head into the offshoot. He'll fling globs of acid at the refuse to see if anything emerges. Otherwise he is content to move on.

Minor Magic- Acid Splash at will.

Dexter takes cues from Giovanni as he checks the side tunnel, if he comes back without anything interesting to say, the gnome assumes it to be a dead end.

Pinch snacks on some beetles.

Ne'erduwyl watches Giovanni play with the garbage. "You've made quite a mess of your finery there, Giovanni. Let's hope no one from the Sovereign Court is scrying you."

Meanwhile, Ne'erduwyl moves into position near the back of the party, keeping a sharp eye out for whatever lies ahead.

Perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (9) + 10 = 19

Ne'erduwyl will also detect magic, because she can.

Giovanni frowns, Yes, well it can't be helped. Missions in a sewer and all. Don't you types have spells to keep my clothes clean anyway?

Giovanni frowns, Yes, well it can't be helped. Missions in a sewer and all. Don't you types have spells to keep my clothes clean anyway?

"My type? You mean a servant? Witches don't lower themselves do the washing. But if you break one of those smokesticks you've been swishing around, I can snap my fingers and mend it."

Giovanni raises an eyebrow. Neat trick. I may take you up on that. For now, let's trudge through this mess and get it over with.

"Agreed." Endir shoulders his longbow and moves on.

Nothing emerges from the refuse piles. They appear to just be valueless junk, potentially assembled by some creature that thought of them as interesting baubles or "treasures".

Heading east down the tunnel to the north...

The tunnel terminates in a small shrine centered around a large statue of a rat, around which handfuls of baubles and trinkets lie as if left as offerings. Nearly every brick bears some type of scratch marks, many having the appearance of writing without actually forming coherent letters. About one foot above the walkway, a large pipe emerges from the southern wall.

Below is just one check (not rolling twice) open only the ones appropriate to the result of your roll (23+ opens both).

Walking towards you are two bedraggled humans walking with quarterstaves.

Giovanni dons his glasses and runs his hands over the scratchings. he hums a light tune as he investigates the artifacts left behind.

Kn Local: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24

Wererats. They leave markings like this to communicate with other packs. This is says "Pipe" and "Plant Growth".

Giovanni looks up as the humans approach.

Yo, there! Is everything alright? You seem weary, travelers.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (16) + 11 = 27

"They look like garbage, actually. What kind of fools voluntarily wander about in the sewers of Korsava?" says Ne'erduwyl.

Aid Diplomacy: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (11) - 1 = 10

Unhelpfully, per her usual.

Peregryne stands behind Giovanni peering around looking for any of the were creatures.

Perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (3) + 10 = 13