GM Xavier Kahlvet's Strange Aeons 2e

Game Master KingTreyIII

"AW HEEEELL NO!" Urzok shouts as he backs away from the swarm of cockroaches. "Light 'em up, Human!"
________
Stride away, recall knowledge... Can I recall knowledge twice? He'll do that if he can, otherwise... pull out a torch?

Remember that swarms in 2E are much less unforgiving than 1E swarms. In this edition they usually have resistance to most physical damage and weakness to area damage - so weapon immunity is not the rule of thumb.

"Urzok's got the right idea - spread out!" Boodiddly calls. He steps to the side, hums a few warmup notes, and tries to remember something useful about cockroaches.

Step [A], cast inspire defense [A], and Recall Knowledge [A].

Remember that swarms in 2E are much less unforgiving than 1E swarms. In this edition they usually have resistance to most physical damage and weakness to area damage - so weapon immunity is not the rule of thumb.

Boodiddly’s correct, and the same is actually true of incorporeal stuff: swarms and incorporeal stuff just have resistance to a lot of stuff. You can still hack-and-slash them to death, it’ll just take longer than if you were to, say, use other tactics like AoEs or splash effects. Generally, some swarms also have lower (or nonexistent) resistance against a particular kind of physical damage (for example, rat swarms have no resistance against bludgeoning damage, and centipede swarms have resistance 2 against slashing damage as opposed to their resistance 5 against bludgeoning and piercing).

So, with all due respect, I’m changing Urzok’s two Recall Knowledges into a single Power Attack (which is useful in this circumstance since you know that swarms have resistances).

Also, for the record, you can Recall Knowledge multiple times, but the DC gradually increases to a point, after which point you can’t Recall Knowledge further (I, as GM, would inform you when you got to said point).

Shakur Delays until after Urzok.

1 is S, 2 is P: 1d2 ⇒ 1
Urzok takes a wide slice at the cockroaches!

Urzok Power Attack: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (9) + 16 = 25
Damage: 3d8 + 4 ⇒ (4, 6, 3) + 4 = 17

The half-orc hits many of the cockroaches, but the sheer number and their small size leaves much to be desired. Translation: you do run into their resistance. Urzok then does a tactical retreat.

Shakur moves out of Jevar’s way as he telekinetically chucks one of his daggers at the swarm!

Shakur vs Swarm: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (14) + 11 = 25
P Damage: 3d6 + 4 ⇒ (2, 5, 3) + 4 = 14

But Shakur’s dagger seemed just as effective as Urzok’s slash.

Jevar pulls out a vial of reagents and quickly mixes it together with some ingredients until the liquid reagents catches fire! At which point he chucks it. The vial narrowly hits the cockroaches, catching the group—as well as the damp bales of hay—on fire! They do have weakness to splash damage.

Boodiddly Steps over and begins singing.

For clarity, “dealing damage” to a swarm is equivalent to either killing off some of the constituent creatures or knocking them away from the rest of the swarm. This is important for the flavor of what’s to come. Despite the amnesiacs’ efforts, more cockroaches continue to pour out from the door on the other side of the hay, replacing the roaches killed from Jevar’s bomb, and the cockroaches knocked away by Shakur and Urzok scurry back to the main swarm! This is flavor for the fact that the swarm just healed.

The large pile of cockroaches [[A]] scurries forward out of the flaming hay. The swarm then [[A]] starts writhing and moving, piling on top of each other to form a pillar of insects. Then, about a quarter of the way from the top, a number of the roaches start piling on themselves horizontally, connecting the pillar of insects to the southern wall, and where the horizontal “beam” touches the wall, the roaches spread outward mildly, making a small circle about four inches in diameter. The circle then splits several times, creating five smaller “beams” out of the single circle on the wall. The bottom half of the main, vertical pillar splits into two, and where these two new “beams” meet the floor, they spread out parallel to the floor. At the same time, the top foot of the main pillar reshapes, becoming oval-like, narrowing down to the point where the oval appears to be balanced on some kind of pedestal, and where that pedestal meets with the horizontal “beam” connecting to the southern wall, the pedestal flanges outward then gradually smooths down as it moves down the primary pillar.

The amnesiacs quickly look at what the swarm has become and cannot deny the visual before them: this swarm of cockroaches has reshaped itself into the form of a one-armed humanoid, using its right hand to balance itself against the southern wall, its back arching as it pants. The cockroaches then spread outward to create a second arm for this human-shaped swarm, but instead of a hand, this arm ends in a long, whiplike appendage.

A cacophony of soft, yet sharp, hissing fills the room—the sound of a thousand roaches hissing in unison. It quickly becomes clear that the spine-chilling hissing forms familiar sounds: words. It’s as if the entire swarm is speaking at once!

”Nemira. I’m coming.”

Everyone fails the sanity save (Jevar crit-fails). Let me know if you guys would spend a Hero Point to reroll your save.

The roach man turns to look at Jevar, and in one swift motion it swings its whip-arm at the wizard!

Roach Man vs Jevar: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (1) + 18 = 19

But the creature misses as it seems to still be growing accustom to its current form.

The fire from Jevar’s bomb scorches the roach man!

DC 15 Flat: 1d20 ⇒ 7

The Immurement of Clymes Prett
Round 2
==================
Urzok
Shakur
Jevar
Boodiddly
Roach Man (-39 from “2” attacks [before resistances]) {1 persistent fire}
==================

Botting Shakur:

Hero Point Reroll for Sanity: 1d20 + 13 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 13 + 1 = 30

Shakur turns around and casts heroism on Urzok, then casts shield.

The Immurement of Clymes Prett
Round 2
==================
Urzok
Shakur
Jevar
Boodiddly
Roach Man (-39 from “2” attacks [before resistances]) {1 persistent fire}
==================

Yes, I'll take a re-roll on the sanity save. At least my hero-points are getting full use this month!

Jevar watches curiously as the roach swarm exits the fire he inflicted on it, and as the denizens form a strange humanoid form.

Fascinating... I wonder if such a thing could be controlled and harnessed for our usage...

He almost becomes completely lost in the though, and how he would build such a thing when the one arm elongates and lashes out at him. Snapping him back to attention, he fumbles around in his belt-pouch for the next useful device.

Holding: minor elixir of life
[[A]] Interact: draw lesser bottled lightning
[[A]] Strike (ranged): alchemical bomb
[[A]] Interact: draw lesser bottled lightning
Holding: lesser bottled lightning, minor elixir of life

alchemical bomb attack, electricity damage, electricity splash damage: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (8) + 11 = 191d6 ⇒ 21 = 1

on a hit, the target becomes flat-footed until the start of your next turn. NOTE I'm unclear how much of this applies since the swarm is *acting* as a humanoid and not a real boy (ie, can swarms even be flat footed as the result of a direct hit? can their humanoid forms be targeted as a singular humanoid?)

Swarms can indeed become flat-footed from a direct hit from a bottled lightning. The only thing a swarm is inherently immune to with regards to targeting is mental effects that target a specific number of creatures. (e.g. you couldn’t affect it with suggestion, but you could affect it with bane)

Jevar Hero Point Reroll: 1d20 + 11 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 11 + 1 = 15 Bad news: that fails. Good news: that’s EXACTLY what you needed for it to not be a critical failure.

Jevar throws a vial of electricity, but it shatters just shy of the roach man, still managing to cover the creature in a minor amount of electricity. Failure, but not a crit fail, so the enemy still takes splash damage (which triggers its weakness).

The Immurement of Clymes Prett
Round 2
==================
Urzok
Shakur
Jevar
Boodiddly
Roach Man (-47 from “2” attacks [before resistances]) {1 persistent fire}
==================

No reroll - it’d be quite likely to end up worse than a 9 on the die.

”Urzok! Try something blunt!” Boodiddly suggests. The gnome clears his throat and begins singing a steady melody with only three different pitches. The toad atop his head likewise joins in, pausing only to grab ahold of the hair it’s perched on as Boodiddly reaches down for a rock to throw.

Performance vs DC 20: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (12) + 14 = 26

Telekinetic Projectile: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (10) + 11 = 21
Bludgeoning damage: 3d6 + 4 ⇒ (1, 5, 6) + 4 = 16

Using Lingering Composition [F] to extend inspire defense [A], then cast telekinetic projectile [AA].

I'll risk a reroll!
"I ain't punching that just like I ain't punching the blob!" Urzok responds. Really got to get a club or something, this is embarassing! Lifting his shield and getting in close, he tries to slash the... Roachman.
________
Strike (Heroism) vs Red: 1d20 + 16 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 16 + 1 = 272d8 + 4 ⇒ (6, 7) + 4 = 17

Urzok Reroll: 1d20 + 12 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 12 + 1 = 33 Urzok takes no sanity damage.

Boodiddly chucks a rock at the roach man, but manages to completely miss the creature.

Urzok slashes at the creature, and while his sword mostly passes through its swarming body, Urzok manages to knock some of the roaches away!

However, the roaches scurry back into the roach man’s form as he recovers from some of the half-orc’s attack.

The roach man begins waving its “arms” as it utters words of magic, a dark aura surrounding it as it does so. The hissing words it utters squirming through the air. [[A]][[A]][[A]]

”Y̲͈̻'̮ ̷̭ḽ̠̥͝'̵̩͍̙̻͖ ̗͚̙u̱͝l҉̼͎͍n̯̝̠̭̞̖ͅ ̧̟̖̱o҉̻̣̼t̶̞̲̟̪̹͚ ̢̻̙̙͖̣h́a̬͇͇̩̩f̪h̙͘ ̗̙̺̹̫͓͡ư͉̩̩̺h̡͓̗̻͖͓̗̲'̮͇͓̝͉̮e͓̪n̸͎y̶t̶h̛h͓͚ ̸o̭̱̪͕̗͚͕t̻̙̼̗̜͉ ̛̰̙̝̤s̪̦̩̮̤̩͠ͅo̟̠͔̪t̴h̖̣͙ ͚̞̹l̮͔̝̺̩ͅl̸̝l͖̗͙̰͎͙̙l̼̲͙͍̦̖͠ ͡yo̮͓̘̱͟g̶̪̳̱̭͙̦̯f͙̫͕̀m̠̞̣͕͚͠'̷̺͎̰̘̖̺̜ḽ̮̘͉̩̦̝͟l̠͕̘̮̺̦!̝̰“

*

Urzok slashes out to attempt to disrupt the walking swarm’s magic!

((R)) Urzok AoO vs Roach Man: 1d20 + 16 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 16 + 1 = 27
Damage: 2d8 + 4 ⇒ (1, 4) + 4 = 9

And while he knocks away some of the swarm, the roach man continues uttering the magic incantation. At the incantation’s culmination, a shrieking hissing fills the air, as all of the cockroaches scream in pain!

Mental Damage to Roach Man: 4d10 ⇒ (4, 9, 2, 2) = 17

The swarm’s screams echo uncomfortably in the air, eventually the dark aura surrounding the roach man flies past Urzok and Jevar. The aura solidifies as it takes a form that is unfortunately all-too-familiar to the amnesiacs: a blob of flesh covered in eyeballs and mouths that speak unknowledgeable words!

In an all-too-familiar sight, the fleshy blob rips open a single massive maw as it rushes forward in an attempt to swallow anything in its path—starting with Jevar!

Knowing the danger of what might happen—especially Shakur—the amnesiacs (sans Boodiddly) swiftly jump out of the way of the fleshy blob! I adjusted people’s positions to accommodate for this; alternatively you could choose to be pushed to the end of the creature’s movement (instead of just out of the way of its path), in which case you could have your position be in the space with the red circle.

Jevar’s alchemical fire continues to burn the swarm.

DC 15 Flat: 1d20 ⇒ 20

But it is at this point that the fire is snuffed.

This occurs at the beginning of each player’s turn: The constant gibbering nonsense emanating from the blob’s many mouths worm their way into the amnesiacs’ minds!

Boodiddly and Urzok would fail this save. I will leave it up to those two as to whether or not to spend a Hero Point (there may be some retconning of their turns).

The Immurement of Clymes Prett
Round 3
==================
Urzok
Shakur
Jevar
Boodiddly {Lingering Defense: Round 1 of 3}
Roach Man (-84 from “4” attacks [before resistances])
Fleshy Blob
==================

Just terrific. And here I thought were almost out of the woods. Everybody clear of the foul creatures so that we can burn and zap them!

[[AA]] Cast (somatic, verbal) flaming sphere, starting on the roach-man

FIRE damage (DC21 basic reflex save): 3d6 ⇒ (4, 4, 3) = 11

Once EITHER the roach-man or the fleshy eye-blob is cleared as Jevar suggested of the team (i.e., 5' clearance of teammates)...

Flaming sphere: round 1/10

Yeah, Boodiddly will use the reroll. On the bright side, maybe the roach-that-walks will also have to make the save since we saw that he's not immune to mental effects!

Boodiddly squeezes past Jevar to the hallway. "Here, I'll get out of the way," he offers. "And take that!"

Telekinetic Projectile vs Red: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (7) + 11 = 18
Bludgeoning damage: 3d6 + 4 ⇒ (6, 1, 4) + 4 = 15

Stride [A] and cast telekinetic projectile at Red [AA].

Yikes! REROLL IT UUUUUP! I'm not about failed saves when I've rerolls to burn!

"Don't mind me!" Urzok adds, taking a swing at the Roachman and then putting some space between them for another elemental strike from Jevar.
________
Power Attack (Heroism) vs Red: 1d20 + 16 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 16 + 1 = 213d8 + 4 ⇒ (1, 3, 8) + 4 = 16
Step to the NW, Power Attack! What do we know about the blobby blob again? I remember it likes to eat people (especially Elves ;) )

Looks like with the current movement Jevar's bottle'd lightning would go to fleshy eye-beast (GREEN).

You know, you guys are fully capable of actually rolling the reroll yourselves :P

Boodiddly Reroll: 1d20 + 12 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 12 + 1 = 29
Urzok Reroll: 1d20 + 12 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 12 + 1 = 31

You both are thankfully not confused.

Urzok slices at the roach-man, though the walking swarm narrowly dodges away from the half-orc’s attack before he steps away.

Shakur Delays until after Jevar.

Jevar conjures a ball of flame on top of the swarm!

Roach Man Reflex: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (3) + 12 = 15

The walking swarm screams in pain as it is scorched gonna count the flaming sphere as area damage, because it kinda is (it’s just an area of 5 feet), followed by a bottled lightning shattering on its body!

Boodiddly chucks another rock at the swarm, but misses it even against FF.

Botting Shakur: ”I really don’t want to be eaten by one of these again!” X Hums was very particular that Shakur says that. Shakur likewise magically throws a stone at the swarm!

Shakur vs Roach Man FF: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (19) + 11 = 30
Bludgeoning Damage: 3d6 + 4 ⇒ (2, 1, 2) + 4 = 9

Shakur hits the roach man, and the stone easily cracks through the cockroaches’ exoskeletons still ran into resistance, but it was less resistance. Shakur then moves away from the gibbering blob. casts shield.

Yeah, Boodiddly will use the reroll. On the bright side, maybe the roach-that-walks will also have to make the save since we saw that he's not immune to mental effects!

It’s funny that you mention that, because it’s 100% correct!

Roach Man Will: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (14) + 15 = 29

The swarm ignores the blob’s gibbering, more of the knocked-away cockroaches returning to the humanoid shape to heal it. The roach man’s humanoid shape wavers as it stands on its last legs, and it utters a hissing incantation as it waves its arms!

The roach man hunches over, as suddenly a swarm of cockroaches pours forth from its “head.” The cockroaches unrealistically pour forth—there being far more roaches here than should be in the roach man’s “body”—and bite at the amnesiacs in their way, even despite Boodiddly’s music! Deals damage in the red cone (ignore my poor outlining).

EDIT: Shakur was originally in the AoE of this spell on my first draft, and I didn’t want to screw up the die rolls for the rest of the post, so I just crossed out Shakur’s roll here to represent that he wasn’t actually affected by it (and I didn’t wanna just hand Urzok a crit fail).

While Urzok manages to deflect many of the oncoming roaches with his shield and sword, Boodiddly and Jevar are bitten excessively by the cockroaches—including some entering orifices that were never meant to be entered! Boodiddly and Jevar are sickened 1 from having cockroaches fly into their mouths. Remember, you can spend an action wretching to attempt a Fort save (same DC as the spell) to reduce your sickened value.

As the amnesiacs look back into the jail cells, they find that the massive swarm of cockroaches has disappeared completely—save, unfortunately, for those crawling all over Jevar and Boodiddly.

The roach man turns to the blob and points toward Jevar and hisses!

”Mgehye'bthnk ya nyth'drn!”

The blob once more rips open a massive maw as it rushes forward toward Jevar!

I am making the executive guess that Jevar would reroll that save!

Jevar Reroll: 1d20 + 13 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (15) + 13 + 1 - 1 = 28

Urzok, unfortunately, does not have the Hero Point to reroll his failed save. But he does get an AoO.

Urzok AoO: 1d20 + 16 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 16 + 1 = 37
Piercing Damage (doubled from crit): 2d8 + 4 ⇒ (4, 4) + 4 = 12

I…I want to hear Urzok’s flavor for what just happened, because he did get swallowed, but he critted the creature in the process.

Piercing Damage to Urzok: 3d8 ⇒ (7, 2, 5) = 14

The humanoid swarm looks at what transpired and just says. ”That works too, I guess.”

The Immurement of Clymes Prett
Round 4
==================
Urzok (-30) {grabbed; slowed 1; suffocating: 8 rounds of breath left}
Jevar (-22) {sickened 1}
Shakur
Boodiddly (-45) {sickened 1; Lingering Defense: Round 2 of 3}
Roach Man (-113 from “4+1” attacks [before resistances])
Fleshy Blob (-24)
==================

The walking swarm screams in pain as it is scorched gonna count the flaming sphere as area damage, because it kinda is (it’s just an area of 5 feet), followed by a bottled lightning shattering on its body!

Yeah, it's not direct, so I don't know what else it would be but that.

Hey, I know that spell! It's a Vomit Swar.... aaah Cough, cough, hack, sputter, spit.

At that Jevar begins gagging on the bugs that made their way into his throat while he was exclaiming that he recognized the spell.

[[A]] Wretch to save Fortitude: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9
[[A]] Wretch to save Fortitude: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21
[[A]] Interact: draw minor elixir of life

Fortitude: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (18) + 11 = 29

Boodiddly finishes spitting cockroaches out of his mouth and smiles weakly at the toad perched on his shoulder. "Oh sure, they're a nice meal for you," he jokes. "Hey, what about you?" He turns his attention to the many-mouthed creature.

Fortitude to reduce Sickened [A], then casting hideous laughter (Will 21) on Green [AA].

Forgot something:

Jevar desperately tries—and fails—to cough up the roaches that crawled into his mouth.

Jevar, you are aware that because you didn’t Sustain the flaming sphere it’ll disappear, right?

Boodiddly spits out the roaches as he tells a joke to the undulating blob. Had to double-check; hideous laughter has no linguistic trait or anything about not speaking the same language as the target. Interesting (but not unwelcome) change from 1e.

Blob Will: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (3) + 10 = 13

In a display that is almost as horrifying as it is relieving, the many-mouthed monstrosity laughs hysterically—the sound of which is amplified by the sheer number of its maws!

The Immurement of Clymes Prett
Round 4
==================
Urzok (-30) {grabbed; slowed 1; suffocating: 8 rounds of breath left}
Jevar (-22) {sickened 1}
Shakur
Boodiddly (-45) {Lingering Defense: Round 2 of 3}
Roach Man (-113 from “4+1” attacks [before resistances])
Fleshy Blob (-24) {slowed 1}
==================

Slipped my mind, to be honest. I'd retcon the draw-elixir to sustain if allowed.

With the blob rushing Jevar, Urzok turns his attention to the Roachman. It is simply too late when he notices the man juke the ravenous blob and the gaping maw is coming for him.

Aw shit.

As the mouth looms over him, he throws himself back with his sword braced against his own stomach. The jaws close over him, but not without Urzok's longsword impaling the roof of its mouth and out the top, creating a cold iron horn.

I'm not getting eaten today! Shimmying his hatchet out, the Half-Orc drags the axe from his waist to his face in an effort to cut his way out of the thing. Muffled roars escape the fleshy blobs forming and unforming mouths.
________
Will (Just in Case): 1d20 ⇒ 1 lol
Flat Check (Manipulate Hatchet), DC 5: 1d20 ⇒ 20 What a time for a 20 -_-
+1 Returning Hatchet (Heroism) vs Uni-Blob: 1d20 + 14 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 14 + 1 = 271d6 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5
Manipulate hatchet, Strike! If I'm following correctly, that's 6 rounds of air left.

Roach Man Reflex: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (5) + 12 = 17

The fiery sphere engulfs the walking swarm, and with thousands of hissing screams the swarm falls to the ground, leaving behind a pile of roasted cockroaches! Several scorched (but not dead) cockroaches squirm out of the pile, desperately scurrying toward any open crevice or other crack that they can find! roach man’s space prior to that last attack is shown with a red circle.

Immediately after the swarm collapses, the blob’s form starts to waver, as black wisps emanate off of it.

Shakur quickly casts a spell [[R]] death’s call when the roach man falls, absorbing the latent life-essence of the majority of the swarm.

Shakur then magically chucks a stone at the blob.

Telekinetic Projectile vs Blob w/lesser cover: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (2) + 11 = 13
Bludgeoning Damage: 3d6 + 4 ⇒ (2, 6, 5) + 4 = 17

Shakur then utters a magical word and casts jealous hex at the blob.

Blob Will: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (15) + 10 = 25

Flat Check; DC 10: 1d20 ⇒ 15

The blob’s form becomes more unstable, but it still manages to maintain its form for now. Amid its horrific laughs it bites at Jevar!

Blob vs Jevar: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (6) + 14 = 20
Damage: 2d8 + 5 ⇒ (8, 2) + 5 = 15 Plus 1d4 persistent bleed

But the undulating horror is too busy laughing to properly bite the wizard.

The Immurement of Clymes Prett
Round 5
==================
Urzok (-30) {grabbed; slowed 1; suffocating: 6 rounds of breath left}
Jevar (-22) {sickened 1}
Shakur (+12)
Boodiddly (-45)
Fleshy Blob (-29) {slowed 1}
==================

Thanks for the ret-con. Back to properly tracking the sphere...

The wizard grimaces, and yells out to the blob hoping that Urzok can hear him.

Fire incoming! Hopefully it burns the outside of this creature and doesn't reach its insides!

[[A]] Sustain a spell: Flaming sphere, moving it onto the blob
FIRE damage (DC21 basic reflex save): 3d6 ⇒ (3, 2, 3) = 8
Flaming sphere: round 3/10

Really counting on Urzok's cumulative +15 here :D

Leaning towards the blob and inspect it carefully for the extent of the fire damage, Jevar half-consciously reaches into his belt pouch for an elixir that he consumes.

[[A]] Interact: draw minor elixir of life
[[A]] Interact: consume minor elixir of life
Healing, minor elixir of life: 1d6 ⇒ 6 +1 item bonus to saving throws against diseases and poisons for 10 minutes

Fascinating - a summoned creature that sticks around after its summoner is no longer sustaining the spell. Or are they...

Boodiddly continues humming as if his friend's life depended on it. Thinkthinkthinkthink... he thinks very hard. Why is this one smoking? Is Urzok alright in there? Can we dispel it or something to get rid of it fast?

Sustain hideous laughter [A], cast inspire defense [A], and Recall Knowledge [A].

Midway through digging his hatchet into the blob again, Urzok starts to scream as his skin sears. "IT'S COOKING ME IN HERE! CUT! ME! OUT!"
________
Reflex (Cover), DC 21: 1d20 + 11 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 11 + 4 = 17
Power Attack (Heroism) vs Blobby-O: 1d20 + 14 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 14 + 1 = 232d6 + 4 ⇒ (2, 5) + 4 = 11
Power Attack!

Midway through digging his hatchet into the blob again, Urzok starts to scream as his skin sears. "IT'S COOKING ME IN HERE! CUT! ME! OUT!"

I’m going to pretend Urzok didn’t say that, because then he’d, you know, run out of air.

Urzok uses his hatchet and manages to cut a hole in the blob’s form, cutting his way out of the creature! Since Urzok’s turn occurs first, I’m going to say that he isn’t affected by the flaming sphere. Though the hole Urzok climbed out of quickly turns into another one of the creature’s many mouths.

Jevar moves the ball of fire onto the blob.

Blob Reflex: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (10) + 12 = 22

Though it dodges out of the way. For the record, the DC is actually 20 right now because you’re sickened 1 (which reduces your DCs).

Jevar then pulls out an elixir and as he is about to drink it, a cockroach scurries across his face and into his mouth, which makes him gag! A part of the sickened condition is that you can’t willingly ingest anything—“including elixirs and potions.” I’ll change your last action from drinking the elixir to a Fort save to reduce your sickened value.

Jevar Fort; sickened 1: 1d20 + 7 - 1 ⇒ (4) + 7 - 1 = 10

Botting Shakur: ”Urzok, I’ve still got Zandalus’s mace if you need a better weapon!”

Shakur moves over to try and get the blob’s attention as he casts a one-action heal on Urzok and pulls out the late Zandalus’s mace. It’s a +1 striking light mace; Urzok will need to take an action to take it out of Shakur’s hand, though.

Healing to Urzok: 3d8 ⇒ (6, 4, 6) = 16

Boodiddly continues singing.

Any remaining cockroaches from the roach man flee the scene, scurrying into various cracks and crevices in the stone.

DC 10 Flat: 1d20 ⇒ 19

The blob’s form continues to smoke as it laughs, attempting to take a bite out of Jevar!

Blob vs Jevar w/sickened 1: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (4) + 14 = 18
Damage: 2d8 + 5 ⇒ (2, 2) + 5 = 9 plus 1d4 persistent bleed

But it is too busy laughing to properly bite the wizard.

The Immurement of Clymes Prett
Round 6
==================
Urzok (-14)
Jevar (-22) {sickened 1}
Shakur (+12)
Boodiddly (-45)
Fleshy Blob (-40) {slowed 1}
==================

"It's on the tip of my tongue..." Bodiddly's face scrunches up as the gnome tries to figure out what the deal is with airline food this mouthy blob!

Sustain hideous laughter [A], cast inspire defense [A], and Recall Knowledge [A].

Jevar continues to wretch to attempt to get over sickness.

Fort; sickened 1: 1d20 + 7 - 1 ⇒ (7) + 7 - 1 = 13
Fort; sickened 1: 1d20 + 7 - 1 ⇒ (12) + 7 - 1 = 18
Failed again, but using last action to sustain flaming sphere
Flaming sphere: round 4/10

FIRE damage (sickened; DC20 basic reflex save): 3d6 ⇒ (4, 2, 2) = 8

Still holding the elixir... and its good roll :P

Bah! Forgot that Jevar’s Fort bonus was 1 higher because of inspire defense.

The roach on Jevar’s person is particularly tenacious as the wizard continues to be nauseous. The ball of fire flares up once again on the undulating horror!

Blob Reflex: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (6) + 12 = 18

The Immurement of Clymes Prett
Round 6
==================
Urzok (-14)
Jevar (-22) {sickened 1}
Shakur (+12)
Boodiddly (-45)
Fleshy Blob (-48) {slowed 1}
==================

Shakur practically shoves the mace into Urzok's chest. "For reals. This is for you."

With his other hand, Shakur quickly reaches for Jevar with some healing.

"Hang in there. Shouldn't be much longer," he says.

One action heal: 3d8 ⇒ (1, 7, 7) = 15

He then magically shouts BOO at the mouther.

Casting 1st level Fear. DC 21.

"YOU'VE HAD ONE THIS WHOLE TIME?!" Urzok roars, snatching the mace from Shakur. Thank you! :D

Dripping with mouther saliva, he channels his frustration into a hearty smash aimed at the would-be Eater of Orcs!
________
Power Attack (Heroism) vs Green: 1d20 + 11 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 11 + 1 = 233d4 + 4 ⇒ (1, 4, 4) + 4 = 13
Manipulate to take the weapon, Power Attack!

Shakur heals Jevar and tries to scare the blob.

Blob Will: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (13) + 10 = 23

And it seems mildly frightened by Shakur’s magic.

Urzok takes the mace from Shakur’s hand and hits the blob, leaving a massive bruise on the creature’s fleshy skin!

DC 10 Flat: 1d20 ⇒ 13 I know it’s a 55% chance of success, but wow.

The undulating horror continues to laugh as it tries to bite Jevar.

Blob vs Jevar; frightened 1: 1d20 + 14 - 1 ⇒ (18) + 14 - 1 = 31
Damage: 2d8 + 5 ⇒ (1, 7) + 5 = 13 plus 1d4 persistent bleed

The fleshy horror takes a bite out of the wizard, but is too busy laughing to properly grab onto Jevar!

The Immurement of Clymes Prett
Round 7
==================
Urzok (-14)
Jevar (-19) {sickened 1; 1d4 persistent bleed}
Shakur (+12)
Boodiddly (-45)
Fleshy Blob (-66) {slowed 1}
==================

Am I supposed to be rolling the flat checks to shake off the persistent damage? If so, I've been missing those.

Flat check, persistent damage: 1d20 ⇒ 5

Jevar continues coughing up a lung...

Fort; sickened 1: 1d20 + 7 - 1 ⇒ (4) + 7 - 1 = 10
Fort; sickened 1: 1d20 + 7 - 1 ⇒ (3) + 7 - 1 = 9 These dice are comical...

Sustaining flaming sphere, at least it's typically effective...

Flaming sphere: round 5/10

FIRE damage (sickened; DC20 basic reflex save): 3d6 ⇒ (3, 5, 1) = 9

”Um... folks... just, like... walk away from it?” Boodiddly’s words are interspersed between hummed pitches and intense stares of concentration, but he eventually gets them all out. ”It’s... too slow... to chase...”

Sustain [A], cast inspire defense [A], and cast guidance on Jevar [A].

Am I supposed to be rolling the flat checks to shake off the persistent damage? If so, I've been missing those.

You roll those at the end of your turn after taking the persistent damage.

Bleed to Jevar: 1d4 ⇒ 4

Jevar burns at the blob.

Blob Reflex: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (2) + 12 = 14

Boodiddly backs up whilst urging the other amnesiacs’ retreat.

Botting Urzok and Shakur: Urzok swings twice at the blob before making a tactical retreat.

Urzok vs Blob: 1d20 + 11 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 11 + 1 = 17
Damage: 2d4 + 4 ⇒ (3, 3) + 4 = 10

Urzok vs Blob; 2nd, agile: 1d20 + 11 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (17) + 11 + 1 - 4 = 25
Damage: 2d4 + 4 ⇒ (2, 1) + 4 = 7

Shakur then uses telekinetic projectile to throw a stone at the creature before retreating as well.

Shakur vs Blob: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (18) + 11 = 29
Damage: 3d6 + 4 ⇒ (3, 4, 2) + 4 = 13

DC 10 Flat: 1d20 ⇒ 13

The blob continues laughing as it tries to bite at Jevar!

Blob vs Jevar: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (2) + 14 = 16
Damage: 2d8 + 5 ⇒ (8, 7) + 5 = 20

The Immurement of Clymes Prett
Round 8
==================
Urzok (-14)
Jevar (-23) {sickened 1; 1d4 persistent bleed}
Shakur (+12)
Boodiddly (-45)
Fleshy Blob (-105) {slowed 1}
==================

”Now move, Jevar!” Boodiddly calls from outside the room. ”I’ll keep it distracted!”

Sustain [A], cast inspire defense [A], and cast guidance on Shakur [A].

Thanks for the bot. That's some serious HP on this thing!

"If he's gonna take his time..." Urzok mutters as he darts into the room, smacks the blob with Shakur's mace, and darts back out.
________
Strike(Heroism) vs Green: 1d20 + 11 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 11 + 1 = 322d4 + 4 ⇒ (2, 4) + 4 = 10
Stride, Strike, Stride!

Urzok jumps back into the action and swings at the blob, completely caving in its fleshy exterior before the creature’s form disperses in wisps of black smoke.

Combat over. For the record, if I failed that DC 10 flat check I was making then the blob disappeared.

I’ll pick this up in a few hours.

It takes almost a full minute for Jevar to finally hack up the last of the accursed cockroaches!

The amnesiacs peer into the now-revealed jail cell and see nothing inside. Boodiddly pulls out his tools and picks the lock.

Boodiddly easily opens the mostly-rusted door, and the amnesiacs are immediately assaulted with the smell of rotting flesh.

Huddled in the middle of the floor, next to a bench, is the desiccated corpse of a human man dressed only in a ragged loincloth. His body seems to have undergone the process of natural mummification. He is covered in a number of holes in his body, though the largest is on his upper torso, revealing his insides to be almost completely hollowed out and is now the home of a nest of cockroaches. The most recognizable feature of the corpse besides the holes in his body are the number of large tattoos on his torso and thighs, mostly depicting abstract, swirling monstrosities with too many eyes and too many mouths.

Jevar discovers that there is magic in this room—specifically divination magic thanks to detect magic now being heightened to 3rd level. With some triangulating, the amnesiacs discover that the magic is coming from the body itself.

Shakur notices something about the body and, much to his own chagrin, reaches into the corpse’s hollowed body—his arm being swarmed by cockroaches. Eventually he pulls out something that was apparently in the corpse’s stomach: a platinum ring etched with runes.

The amnesiacs sit down, patching their wounds, Refocusing, Identifying Magic on the ring, and so on.

After all of that, Boodiddly is at -1, Jevar is at -3, and Urzok is at -3.

Boodiddly looks over the ring that was inside the corpse and only finds that the ring is a primarily arcane item, which Boodiddly has minimal knowledge about, so he hands it over to Jevar. After studying the ring, Jevar is astounded to find that this is a type I ring of wizardry! For the record, I’m going to say that you have to wait until your next daily preparations to prepare spells in those bonus spell slots from the ring.

With nothing else to do, the amnesiacs backtrack and climb the stairs.

Up the stairs

The amnesiacs climb the stairs and find themselves in a simple hallway. The only thing of note is that the eastern door appears to have been forced open. Seeing a clear way to go (and because the other doors are locked), the amnesiacs go through the open door.

To the east

This room contains a long wooden table and a dozen chairs. A pair of decorated chests and a display case featuring a collection of creations from some of Thrushmoor’s artisans sit against the walls. The floor is damp with water and covered with dirty, webbed footprints. The door to the north is open.

The various tableware here is in rather pristine condition, and is worth 20 gp. A pair of crystal goblets rests in a velvet-lined box and is worth 50 gp as a set.

To the north

Two wide cabinets with reinforced doors stand against the north wall and the ascending stairway in this room. A perforated metal bin sits near the fireplace in the northeastern corner.

Boodiddly unlocks the cabinets and the amnesiacs find dozens upon dozens of administrative documents—trial records, building permits, ships’ logs, notary deeds, contracts, and other such paperwork. Searching through all of this would take several hours—hours which the amnesiacs do not have.

Jevar notes that there is magic coming from the cabinets. Shakur sees a very strange book amid the documents: a book of Pharasmin hymns. As he removes the book, he finds a leather strip covered in runes being used as a bookmark—Boodiddly finds that this is a lesser talisman cord keyed to transmutation. Shakur also discovers that this is in fact not a Pharasmin hymnbook, but is in fact a scholarly journal about the Dreamlands! Inventory Updated

The amnesiacs decide to go through the other door to the south.

To the south

The walls of this semicircular room are clad in wood up to half of their height, and decorated with murals of the town’s civil life on the upper half. A bench runs along most of the curved outer wall, under three grated windows fitted with stained glass. Opposite the bench are a trio of highbacked chairs and a desk with a stool. Two more benches sit in the middle, near a central pillar that supports the ceiling. Map Updated

The amnesiacs find a trio of deep ones gazing out the barred windows in this room. With them is also what can only be described as a soldier, ready to move into combat at a moment’s notice. Upon closer inspection, though, the soldier’s skin appears gray and decrepit.

When the amnesiacs open the door the soldier sees them and then shouts at the deep ones. ”You idiots! We’ve got company!” The deep ones turn to the soldier in confusion, sees the amnesiacs, and growl!

Window-Gazers
Round 1
================
Shakur
Boodiddly
Soldier
Red
Green
Blue
Urzok
Jevar
================

"Looks like you're holding the line, Urzok!" Boodiddly calls out from the rear. "You've got this!" Edvard adds a deep croak of encouragement from atop the gnome's head and the sound of magic fills the air. Or is it the magic of sound? Whatever it is, the sound of something whistling through the air adds to the cacophony.

Telekinetic Projectile vs Black: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (16) + 11 = 27
Bludgeoning damage: 3d6 + 4 ⇒ (1, 1, 3) + 4 = 9

Casting inspire defense [A] and telekinetic projectile at Black [AA].

Despite the people he has to go through, Boodiddly manages to hit the soldier square in the chest!

Botting Shakur: Shakur Recalls Knowledge about the soldier.

”Yup, definitely an intelligent zombie. Not the slow and shambling kind, though. Use slashing at it!”

Shakur then casts telekinetic projectile at Red since that would only be lesser cover, rather than standard cover against Black.

Shakur vs Red w/lesser cover: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (12) + 11 = 23
Damage: 3d6 + 4 ⇒ (3, 2, 2) + 4 = 11

The soldier unsheathes a longsword then pulls out a set of manacles from his belt. He stares intensely at Urzok. ”I know a soldier when I see one…guerilla tactics! You! Assist me!”

Blue steps forward and shouts at Urzok ”yOu WiLl FaLl BeFoRe FaThEr DaGoN!”

Blue Demoralize vs Urzok: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16

The deep one then stands at the ready.

Red and Green each take turns advancing forward to bite at Urzok before immediately retreating behind the soldier.

Red fangs vs Urzok: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (20) + 10 = 30
Damage (doubled from crit): 2d4 + 4 ⇒ (2, 1) + 4 = 7

Green fangs vs Urzok: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (9) + 10 = 19
Damage: 2d4 + 4 ⇒ (2, 4) + 4 = 10

Window-Gazers
Round 1/2
================
Shakur
Boodiddly
Soldier (-9)
Red (-11)
Green
Blue
Urzok (-13)
Jevar
================

GM, would any of that movement provoke?

"Gggrrrrr..." Urzok growls, lifting his shield and angling his sword for a slash. "What's the game plan? I don't like those manacles, and the fishpeople aren't fighting like morons anymore now that the corpse is giving them directions."
________
Readied Strike vs Foe: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (3) + 16 = 192d8 + 4 ⇒ (3, 1) + 4 = 8
Assuming Herosim is gone now. Raise shield and ready a strike vs foe!

"Whatever they're thinking, don't let them do it," Boodiddly agrees. "Let's give it our best, Fitzgerald!"

"Bworp!"

Performance vs DC 20: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (8) + 14 = 22

As the music begins, the gnome turns his attention to the fish-person. "Hey you - don't you think there's something fishy going on here?"

Using Lingering Composition [F] to extend inspire defense [A] and casting hideous laughter (Will 21) on Blue [AA].

Jevar smiles and slips the magical ring onto his finger for the immediate +1 to Arcana checks.

This will be most useful...

Presumably Jevar gathers the crystal goblets and dinnerware up into his bag of holding for sale later.

Who would even buy this stuff from us in this town? I have doubts the residents of Thrushmoor are clamoring for crystalware, but we'll see.

He looks almost annoyed as they collect all of it.

I suppose we'll never collect as much as we did at Briarstone. A bunch of pack-rats, we are!

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

As the battle is joined, Jevar comments on Urzok's observations. Then let us take out the "brain" first!

As he can see the undead leader from where he stands, he chooses to remain in relative safety in sending a destructive spell at it.

[[AA]] Cast (somatic, verbal) Acid Arrow vs. black
Spell attack, acid damage: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (5) + 11 = 163d8 ⇒ (4, 5, 7) = 16 darn
1d6 persistent acid damage
On a critical hit, double the initial damage, but not the persistent damage.

He then draws his dagger.

[[A]] Interact: draw weapon

GM, would any of that movement provoke?

That it would, if Urzok had the reaction to take an AoO (remember, you (re)gain (re)actions at the start of your turn). And yes, heroism is long gone.

Boodiddly and his toad both echo out their music as the gnome tells a joke.

Blue Will: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15

The deep one lets out several over-the-top croaks at the bard’s joke, which makes the soldier eye them in annoyance.

Jevar shoots a magical arrow at the soldier, but the zombie soldier dodges out of the way.

Botting Shakur: Shakur casts shield then chucks a rock at Green with magic.

Shakur vs Green w/cover: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (4) + 11 = 15
Damage: 3d6 + 4 ⇒ (2, 3, 2) + 4 = 11

But completely misses.

The soldier grits his teeth. ”Fine, then. You’re helping me this time.” He motions to Red, then limps forward toward Urzok—the amnesiacs note that the zombie soldier walks with an awkward and bowlegged stride. When Urzok [[R]] takes a swing at the soldier, the two longswords clang as the zombie deflects the attack! The zombie then [[A]][[A]] swings his sword at Urzok!

Soldier vs Urzok: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (16) + 11 = 27
Damage: 1d8 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14

As the soldier’s sword connects with the half-orc, the zombie swiftly moves and places Urzok’s chin at the corner between the crossguard and the blade, and jerks Urzok’s head upward in an attempt to shatter the half-orc’s confidence. I have no good way to flavor this particular ability. But Urzok’s fear is overshadowed by his anger at being embarrassed by this zombie! Urzok should be frightened 1 from that attack, but thanks to Bravery, he reduces the value of that by 1, so he instead isn’t frightened at all.

The laughing deep one Blue advances forward and tries to bite at Urzok. Urzok has cover from this, but that doesn’t stack with the bonus from the shield.

Blue fangs vs Urzok: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (9) + 10 = 19
Damage: 2d4 + 4 ⇒ (4, 2) + 4 = 10

Green advances forward and bites at Urzok before retreating.

Green fangs vs Urzok: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (8) + 10 = 18
Damage: 2d4 + 4 ⇒ (2, 3) + 4 = 9

Red then advances forward and holds his ground for the soldier’s command.

Window-Gazers
Round 2—>3
================
Shakur
Boodiddly {Lingering Defense: Round 1 of 3}
Soldier (-9)
Red (-11)
Green
Blue {slowed 1; no reactions}
Urzok (-26)
Jevar
================

Urzok, lean to the side so I can get a couple of clear shots!

In seemingly rapid succession Jevar incants a bolt of flame at the undead leader and then flicks his dagger it, but it swiftly returns to his open hand.

[[AA]] Cast (verbal, somatic) produce flame vs. BLACK
Product flame spell attack vs BLACK, FIRE damage: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (19) + 11 = 303d4 + 4 ⇒ (2, 3, 1) + 4 = 10
[[A]] Cast (somatic) hand of the apprentice vs. BLACK
Hand of the apprentice attack vs BLACK, P damage: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (2) + 11 = 131d4 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

"After what I've seen, it'll take more than a little sword to ruffle my feathers!" Urzok challenges back. supporting his point, he takes a hefty cut at "the brains."
________
Power Attack vs Black: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (12) + 16 = 283d8 + 4 ⇒ (5, 2, 7) + 4 = 18
Raise Shield, Power Attack. Do we want to back up to gang up on one of them instead of them ganging up on Urzok? Pros and cons either way, no worries.

Boodiddly glances at the crowd of folks on the other side of the doorway. That's no good... "Everyone calm down!" he yells suddenly.

"Bwurp!"

Sustain hideous laughter [A] and cast calm emotions as a 3rd lvl spell (Will 21) to catch everyone on the other side of the doorway [AA].

Jevar’s fire impacts with the soldier not a crit due to cover but the zombie then dodged the flying dagger.

Urzok chops deeply into the zombie, his sword easily cutting through its rotting flesh.

I’m actually going to resolve Shakur’s turn before Boodiddly’s because a) he technically goes first, and b) his turn might counteract some of Boodiddly’s.

Shakur takes a Step away from the soldier and casts searing light at him!

Shakur vs Soldier: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (20) + 11 = 31 Uhhhhh...
Fire Damage (doubles from crit): 5d6 ⇒ (2, 5, 1, 3, 1) = 12 Good Damage (doubles from crit): 5d6 ⇒ (2, 1, 3, 3, 4) = 13

A fiery ray shoots from Shakur’s finger and hits the soldier square in his chest, causing him to be engulfed in the holy fire of the Lady of Graves! The charred pieces of the zombie falling to the ground one by one. And Shakur gets a Hero Point.

Boodiddly then tries to calm down the remaining deep ones.

Red and Green desperately resist the bard’s words, but Blue is completely overtaken by pure calmness. Hideous laughter, as an emotion effect, is now suppressed, by the way.

Blue raises a claw toward Urzok, but the deep one just shrugs and walks back to the window to look out it. I’m honestly at a loss for non-hostile actions he could take; my only idea is Demoralize, but that’s a gray area of if that qualifies as “indirect” harm (since it’s lowering a creature’s AC), but even then Urzok is temporarily immune to Blue’s Demoralizes, so that action is just pointless. But anyway, that triggers from Urzok, if he wants to take an AoO against the incapacitated deep one (it crit failed, so whether or not you do is irrelevant to the rest of its turn).

Green moves up to Urzok and moves to bite him—at that same time, Red [[R]] Aid swings a claw at the half-orc in an attempt to overwhelm Urzok!

Red Aid attack roll; calm emotions: 1d20 + 10 - 1 ⇒ (16) + 10 - 1 = 25

Green fangs vs Urzok; calm emotions, Aided: 1d20 + 10 - 1 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 10 - 1 + 1 = 26
Damage: 2d4 + 4 ⇒ (3, 2) + 4 = 9

Green then backs off from the half-orc. Triggers from Urzok; your choice whether to Shield Block or AoO.

Red then bites and claws at Urzok.

Red fangs vs Urzok; calm emotions: 1d20 + 10 - 1 ⇒ (5) + 10 - 1 = 14
Damage: 2d4 + 4 ⇒ (4, 4) + 4 = 12

Red claw vs Urzok; calm emotions, 2nd, agile: 1d20 + 10 - 1 - 4 ⇒ (11) + 10 - 1 - 4 = 16
Damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

Red then backs off away from the fighter.

Window-Gazers
Round 3—>4
================
Shakur
Boodiddly {Lingering Defense: Round 2 of 3}
Red (-11) {-1 attack}
Green {-1 attack}
Blue {no hostile actions}
Urzok (-34)
Jevar
================

If Blue is ?non-hostile?, then I think Urzok would focus on the ones that still are! So AoO vs Green.

"Oh no you don't!" Urzok says, taking a swipe at the retreating Deep One. With all of the Deep Ones a little scrambled after their leader's sudden demise, he gives chase!

"YOUR END IS NOW!" he declares, trying to get another cut into his foe.
________
AoO vs Green: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (3) + 16 = 192d8 + 4 ⇒ (2, 5) + 4 = 11
Strike (Rage) vs Green: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (6) + 16 = 222d8 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (6, 4) + 4 + 2 = 16
Stride, Rage, Strike vs Green.

Jevar rushes into the room and slinks to the corner, opposite the retreating Deep Ones.

[[A]] stride 15'

IF Urzok hasn't taken GREEN down...

[[AA]] Cast (verbal, somatic) produce flame vs. GREEN
Product flame spell attack vs GREEN, FIRE damage: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (5) + 11 = 163d4 + 4 ⇒ (2, 4, 2) + 4 = 12

ELSE he'll wait to see the disposition of RED/BLUE