GM Xavier Kahlvet's Strange Aeons 2e

Game Master KingTreyIII

"Either way, she's not here, so let's stop worrying about her eh? Maybe you should go back to wherever you came from and move on with your life?"

He puts a consoling hand on Nestor's shoulder.

"Look we only need the one tiger, these others will live thanks to you. You've done well."

Jevar seems a little uncomfortable with the assumption.

Well, I'll keep an eye out on the way back, but I suppose we should get to work on one of the tigers...

Apologies; my brain is not fully in working mode right now, so this is probably going to be pathetically brief.

"Look we only need the one tiger, these others will live thanks to you. You've done well."

”I…suppose so. Thank you. I’ll go back to the waking world and see what I can figure out about what happened to Kelvetta.”

With those words, Nestor pulls out a crystal ball and utters a short incantation and completely vanishes.

*

Through whatever method necessary, the amnesiacs transport a tiger corpse back to the zoog colony. The zoogs are more than grateful and gift the amnesiacs the pard tail as promised. With the pard tail in hand, the amnesiacs Wake Up to resume their research in the waking world.

*

Wealday 9 Neth, 4716 (Day 29, Mile 293)

*

Once again, resolving 3 days of downtime. Link back to research info. Y’all could feasibly get done with the research in this research block, so you might want to look into other downtime stuff you could do on the journey.

I’ll also need y’all to give me a choice of where in the Dreamlands you want to go next: to go get the Viscount’s signet in the city of Celephais, to go to a ghoul necropolis to get the royal ghoul’s skull, or to go get the green stone idol (assuming you finish that research, of course).

Merrily Down the Stream
Day 29 —> 31
==============
Count Lowls’s Journals: 8 RP
Signet Ring Research: 12 RP
Feline Tail Research: 12 RP
Royal Ghoul’s Skull Research: 12 RP
Green Stone Idol Research: 9 RP
Ambassador’s Heartstone Research: 12 RP
Captain’s Tricorne Research: 12 RP
Webbed Foot Research: 12 RP
==============

I can't decide which of these dreamscapes has been the oddest so far... dragging the body of a green tiger back to "zoogs" ranks pretty highly.

He gets down to business with the next bout of research.

Green Stone Idol Research (DC 25 Occultism): 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (11) + 14 = 25 ⇒ 1RP

Voting for ghoul necropolis next. NOTE I will set Jevar's prepared spells after we agree on a destination.

Occultism vs DC 25: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (12) + 15 = 27

“Walking around in those giant trees was pretty cool.” Boodiddly pauses to squint suspiciously at the parchment in front of him before passing it to Kolgradd. “Have you found anything that could verify these two conjectures as causation rather than correlation? These books always say ‘fertility rituals’ when they either have no idea or know exactly what something was used for, and I’m hoping it’s the former and not the latter right now for this statue.”

Might as well get the necropolis done sooner rather than later.

Can we hand-wave the crafting required to fix Kolgrad's dream armour? He has a repair kit and I think he'd have to get extremely unlucky to destroy it before fixing it. Even unluckier if Jevar was willing to do it

"Yes, though this question of the missing Huntress is bothering me still"

Kolgradd looks worried and thoughtful as he ponders the mysteries of the dream worlds, but he loves a puzzle and quickly gets carried away.

Occultism DC 25: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (14) + 16 = 30
Occultism DC 25: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (20) + 16 = 36
Occultism DC 25: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (7) + 16 = 23

"You know I think I have something else by Proust in this pile here, she goes into more specifics..."

I'd be willing to repair it for him. I presume it can be done at the end of a day of research.

Can we hand-wave the crafting required to fix Kolgrad's dream armour? He has a repair kit and I think he'd have to get extremely unlucky to destroy it before fixing it. Even unluckier if Jevar was willing to do it

Yeah, that’s handwaved.

Also, after the first day with Boodiddly’s, Kolgradd’s, and Jevar’s checks, all of the research into Lowl’s books has been completed. As such, the remainder of the downtime from here until you reach Cassomir is yours to do with as you wish. I did make mention of other stuff you could do Checks Gameplay 8 months ago, but I’ll repeat it here:

These [days of travel] include stops in port towns to stock up on supplies, but these port towns will almost never be greater than a level 3 settlement, and those that are aren’t places you want to stay in for long, so the most shopping you’ll be able to do is for very basic stuff like raw materials [and item formula] (in essence, you cannot spend any of those downtime days doing shopping, but how you get enough raw materials for, say, Crafting is handwaved)…You can choose to Earn Income on the ship, but Earning Income on a moving vessel provides limited options. You can choose to assist Skywin in odd jobs around the Sellen Starling, in which case you can use Sailing Lore, Athletics, or Survival to attempt job tasks of up to 7th level. You can also go for something else to Earn Income, but if it isn’t Sailing Lore, Athletics, or Survival, then the maximum task level is only 4, AND you’ll have to convince me how you could feasibly earn money using that skill while on a moving ship.

So, Kolgradd, I ask that you redo your other two downtime days to account for this. From here on, I’ll use the initiative card for Merrily Down the Stream to keep track of what y’all are doing with your downtime, including the total amount of Income Earned and progress towards Crafted items. So far, only one of you has Earned Income on this journey, so I’ll put the amount accumulated for that down in the initiative card. I’ll also use the initiative card to keep track of which dream-quests y’all still need to do.

Merrily Down the Stream
Day 30 —> 31
==============
Boodiddly
Jevar
Kolgradd
Shakur (Earned Income: 0.4 gp) [Resolve downtime for Day 29]

Signet Ring
Feline Tail
Royal Ghoul’s Skull
Green Stone Idol
Ambassador’s Heartstone
Captain’s Tricorne
Webbed Foot
==============

After the Green Stone Idol research is done, Jevar retrieves a partially broken-down moderate frost-vial from the locker at his bunk on the ship.

He requires two more days to full decompose it and derive the alchemical recipe.

Previously.

If he does get through these two days uninterrupted I'll need a crafting DC from you.

Reverse-engineer formula (Crafting): 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (16) + 16 = 32

Kolgradd asks around the sailors on the Sellen to see if any of them are experienced fighters. As much as he's been dreaming about combat, it's not helping his muscles stay in shape, and there's a few techniques he'd like to test.

I'd like to start retraining a fighter feat, specifically replacing Sudden Charge (which is great and comes in handy from time to time but is a bit boring) with Combat Assessment (which is not as obviously useful, but fits my idea of Kolgradd as a thoughtful fighter a bit more). It depends on having a teacher though so that's up to you. Failing that he'd try to stay fit with athletics doing jobs on the boat

Just one day of downtime, right?

Survival: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (19) + 14 = 33

After some time on the water, Shakur feels a lot more confident helping to guide the ship.

Boodiddly is quite happy to shelve the Count's books for a while. The next few days are spent sitting on the the ship's prow, gently plucking on his jaw harp.

Performance to Earn Income: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (4) + 15 = 19

Dunno what level of Performance task could be found on a boat, but I wouldn't imagine it to be very high.

Just going to assume that Shakur did a level 7 job and Boodiddly did a level 4 one (which are the maximums for their respective checks).

*

Fireday 11 Neth, 4716 (Dreamlands Day 1)

*

The amnesiacs arrive in the Dreamlands in the center of a circle of six ghouls, chanting strange words in the Aklo tongue.

When the ghouls notice the amnesiacs arrive, the ghouls cease their chanting and drop to their knees in deference, though it seems it’s not necessarily to the amnesiacs.

It is at this point that the amnesiacs get a better grasp of their surroundings. They appear to be in an underground cavern dimly lit by multicolored, phosphorescent fungus. Beyond the kneeling ghouls are dozens of other ghouls seemingly getting ready for battle—putting on makeshift armor and gathering in teams.

Another ghoul, this one with the face of a canine, shoves his way through the kneeling ghouls toward the PCs. The canine ghoul raises his hands. ”Peace! I mean no harm!”

Assuming y’all wish to talk with this guy: The canine ghoul chuckles. ”I’ll be honest, I did not expect these zealots’ ramblings to actually work.” The ghoul raises his arms to the sky in disingenuous deference. ”Praise the great…ah, whatever. You’re here, and that’s what’s important. I am Wilkins Character Profiles Updated, I am one of the leaders here. A group of gugs have occupied our library and we are attempting to reclaim what is ours! They are far more powerful than us, so we need assistance.”

What do you do?

When they shift into the scene, Jevar's trademark anxiety kicks in as he turns a full circle, taking stock of the ghouls surrounding them.

That's... a lot of ghouls...

He attempts to focus on the chanting to calm himself down.

Religion, DC25: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (5) + 12 = 17

He can't really focus though. His anxiety turns to confusion when a friendly ghoul approaches.

Wilkins, is it? Um... what's a gug and why are they interested in your library?

Wilkins, is it? Um... what's a gug and why are they interested in your library?

”Big monstrous beast. Vertical mouth. Four forearms that split off from its two elbows. Nasty brutes. As for ‘why,’ I’m guessing they just wanted the meat. Whatever their reason, their occupation is a sign of ruin for our library.”

Religion: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (1) + 10 = 11

Kolgradd meets Jevar's concerned look and returns it.

"A leader you say Wilkins, but not a King? The monarchies of the Dreamlands Ghouls are well-known. We must know to whom we speak before we barter for service"

"A leader you say Wilkins, but not a King? The monarchies of the Dreamlands Ghouls are well-known. We must know to whom we speak before we barter for service"

”Well, I was trying to be simple, but if you want formalities,” Wilkins suddenly stands at attention. ”I am Chief Strategist Wilkins, member of the leading task force of Leng ghouls for this war camp. We are acting under direct orders of Her Majesty Queen Josqat to retake this important piece of ghoul history from the gugs that have taken from us.” The ghoul relaxes his stance once more. ”How’s that?”

Jaraduk lights up, suddenly remembering something.

So... while your chanting perhaps brought us here, we intended to come to the necropolis for our own purposes. We seek an item called the "Royal Ghoul Skull." Is this a thing you know? It is what we must have if we do this task for you.

He looks at the Chief Strategist expectantly, hoping for a sign of recognition.

So... while your chanting perhaps brought us here, we intended to come to the necropolis for our own purposes. We seek an item called the "Royal Ghoul Skull." Is this a thing you know? It is what we must have if we do this task for you.

”Oh! Haha! My apologies; it seems there was a brief misunderstanding. What I am referring to as a ‘library’ you would likely call a ‘necropolis.’ The library to which I am referring holds not tomes and codices, but magically preserved corpses. You see, we ghouls of Leng ‘read’ the memories from consumed flesh as easily as you would read the words off a page.

“As for the skull, unfortunately none in this camp are nobility; we are merely acting as stewards of Her Majesty’s will. I will admit, though, that one such skull comes to mind. You see, the library (or ‘necropolis,’ as you would call it) was dedicated to several members of the royal House of Vost whose acts led to the library’s creation. They also made request that their destroyed bodies be interred in the library they created. I’m not sure of the exact specifics, but I do know that the mausoleum of Prince Scarcrim of House Vost was placed in the Plaza of Bone; I would imagine his skull would be interred with him.”

Wilkins briefly glances over his shoulder and leans forward toward the amnesiacs. ”While I do not like the idea of you taking Scarcrim’s skull, the thought of the desecrations performed by the gugs is much more chilling to me. If you are dead-set on having the skull of ghoul royalty, then here is what I propose: you may take Scarcrim’s skull if you assist us against the gugs. Just…do not mention this deal; some ghouls would see it as treasonous. The Plaza of Bone is an advantageous choke point and sending you there would not draw undue attention.

“So? What say you?”

Perception, DC25: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (1) + 12 = 13

Jevar winks at Wilkins and also leans in. You got it!

Retreating from his lean he then makes a show of not caring about the skull, and being obvious for the other ghouls to see.

I don't know why you told us about that. It certainly isn't relevant to removing the gugs, which we'll of course do!

Perception vs DC 25: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (1) + 15 = 16

Boodiddly nods in agreement, trying his best not to look nervous at the thought of a monster that would terrify a ghoul.

Perception: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (3) + 17 = 20

Kolgradd nods as well, thinking more about the Gugs they're planning to fight. He checks on his hammers and his spellbook, always worried they're going to suddenly disappear along with his clothes like those other dreams he keeps having.

"We'll take care of your pests for you Chief Strategist. You can count on it"

I don't know why you told us about that. It certainly isn't relevant to removing the gugs, which we'll of course do!

Jevar Deception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21

Wilkins sighs. ”Whatever. We’ve got a short trek, so just get ready.”

At this point you all then make your daily preparations.

*

The small ghoul army, along with the amnesiacs, trek for the better part of 4 miles toward the ghoul “library.” Several teams of ghouls move off in their own directions to challenge the gugs holding the library.

Wilkins puts a hand on Kolgradd’s shoulder to get the amnesiacs’ attention and points to a cave passage. ”Over there is the promenade to the Plaza of Bone. It’ll likely be lightly guarded by gugs, but I’m sure it’s nothing you can’t handle.” Wilkins smiles and pats a clawed hand on Kolgradd’s back. ”Clear it out, then hold your ground until my team comes by to relieve you of that. Now, if you’ll excuse me.” Wilkins moves to his own group of lesser ghouls to lead them into the charge.

To the Promenade

The promenade is thirty feet wide and twenty feet high, with two columns of pillars marching down the center. Multicolored fungi along the ceiling bathe the passageway in an eerie glow. The floor is scattered with cracked bones, which are more numerous at the far end of the promenade. Each step the amnesiac takes causes loud snaps to echo throughout the chamber as the ancient bones crack underfoot. Imposes a -4 circumstance penalty to Stealth while you’re walking along the ground. Map Updated

Each of the columns in the promenade is carved to resemble multiple intertwined skeletons of humanoids, animals, and stranger creatures. Some of these mysterious carvings are representations of Dreamlands denizens or amalgams of known beasts, while others are absolutely unique beings or unfathomable monstrosities. Jevar starts to move forward, but all of the other amnesiacs stop the wizard’s advance as they notice something: three pillars are moving slightly. It is clear there is something hiding in the pillars (or, perhaps, are the pillars). They’re unsure of the exact nature of the threat hiding amidst the pillars, but they know it exists.

Initiative is not yet rolled, as hostilities are not yet obviously presented. What do you do?

Jevar halts and throws one hand forward, closing his eyes. He seeks out with his arcane eye.

Maybe these are not creatures. Maybe these pillars have an effect. An illusion...

Detect magic (4th level)
Identify Magic (Arcana): 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (20) + 19 = 39

Kolgradd peers into the colourless darkness trying to discern whether the pillars are disguised creatures or some form of deadly trap.

Maybe a seek to see if he can spot anything, followed by a recall knowledge [dubious knowledge] to see if he remembers anything like this?

Boodiddly picks up a jawbone from the floor and gives it a gentle slap. The teeth, deprived of their supportive gum tissue, rattle in their sockets like a child’s toy. The gnome laughs at the sound - a catchy, infectious, slightly hysterical, yet melodic sound.

Casting inspire defense and infectious melody (Will 26) [AA].

Boodiddly sings and begins to approach the pillars. As soon as he gets within 20 feet, three creatures—skeletons with the skulls of humans and the bodies of snakes—unwind themselves from around the pillars. More unexpectedly, though, is that a random pile of bones on the far side of the room suddenly springs to life and rushes forward at the amnesiacs!

The random pile of bones lurches forward Stride from its hiding spot among the other miscellaneous bones. As it moves, it’s clear that the bones are being held together by a black, fungus-like substance. One of the skeletal hands reaches in to grab a mass of the bones’ form and chuck it at Kolgradd!

◆ Black hurled bone vs Kolgradd w/inspire defense and lesser cover: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (1) + 19 = 20
Damage: 2d4 + 10 ⇒ (3, 1) + 10 = 14

The pile of bones then lashes out against Boodiddly, some of its skeletal arms wielding other skeletal arms to properly reach out to claw the gnome! That’s just flavor; it naturally has a 10-foot reach.

◆ Black claw vs Boodiddly w/inspire defense; 2nd, agile: 1d20 + 19 - 4 ⇒ (16) + 19 - 4 = 31
Damage: 2d8 + 10 ⇒ (5, 2) + 10 = 17

Bag of Bones
Round 1
==============
Pile of Bones
Boodiddly (-15)
Jevar
Shakur
Red
Green
Blue
Kolgradd
==============

Whoops, yup, there it is. Should have known that was coming...

The wizard quickly incants speed for Kolgradd and turns around to impart it on him. He then backs away to make room for others.

◆◆ Cast (somatic, verbal) haste on Kolgradd, duration 1m
◆ Stride 10'

“Eeep!” In spite of his yelp of pain, Boodiddly doesn’t stop tap-tap-tapping the jawbone. He gives a little twirl, arms held out to define the borders of his magical sanctuary. “That wasn’t quite what I expected!”

Casting inspire defense [A] and sanctuary on himself (Will 26) [AA].

Shakur just gasps and puts his hand on Kolgradd's shoulder. "You got this right? They've ALL gotta go dead again."

Shakur gives Kolgradd some Heroism and tries to Jealous Hex the strange pile of bones

[AA]Heroism Kolgradd
[A]Hex the pile

Boodiddly continues singing and attempts to protect himself. As he does, the pile of bones suddenly lashes out by shooting a mass of oily black substance at the gnome! ↻ Ectoplasmic Filament (essentially has the same triggers as an AoO). The sanctuary triggered it, so Boodiddly hadn’t finished casting yet (so no protection from that spell yet).

Slashing Damage: 2d8 + 10 ⇒ (7, 4) + 10 = 21 Don’t ask me how it’s slashing damage, that’s just what it says.
Boodiddly basic Reflex; inspire defense: 1d20 + 14 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 14 + 1 = 27 Success

About half of the oily filament leaps back to the main pile of bones, which absorbs it along with some of Boodiddly’s life force that was taken by the damage. If the filament deals damage, the bones get temporary HP.

Temp. HP: 2d8 ⇒ (6, 4) = 10

Jevar quickens Kolgradd.

Shakur buffs Kolgradd and hexes the skeleton pile.

Black Will: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (10) + 19 = 29

The three skeletal snakes slither forward and attempt to bite Boodiddly! They all start with a ◆ Stride followed by a ◆ Strike, then I’ll resolve one at a time.

Red and Green are stopped in their tracks of Boodiddly’s abjurations, and thus opt to ◆ Step toward the next nearest target. Blue, on the other hand, attacks so viciously that it completely shatters the gnome’s abjuration!

Blue vs Boodiddly w/inspire defense: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (1) + 10 = 11
Damage: 1d10 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12

So…shatters the sanctuary but gets as bad as it can get on the attack. Huh. Well, let’s try again!

Blue vs Boodiddly w/inspire defense; 2nd, agile: 1d20 + 10 - 4 ⇒ (11) + 10 - 4 = 17
Damage: 1d10 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12

Bag of Bones
Round 1
==============
Pile of Bones (+10)
Boodiddly (-23)
Jevar
Shakur
Red
Green
Blue
Kolgradd {Hasted: Round 0 of 10; Heroism +1}
==============

"That's not what I was expecting-"

Suddenly energised by Jevar and Shakur's magic, Kolgradd launches into action.

"Get behind me!"

He takes a quick ◆ Step, then takes a few experimental swings at the skeletal snake between him and Boodiddly.

◆ Strike
Maul, heroism: 1d20 + 19 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 19 + 1 = 27
Bludgeoning: 2d12 + 7 ⇒ (4, 3) + 7 = 14

◆ Strike
Maul, heroism, MAP: 1d20 + 19 + 1 - 5 ⇒ (8) + 19 + 1 - 5 = 23
Bludgeoning: 2d12 + 7 ⇒ (12, 7) + 7 = 26

If the second of those hit he'd try his luck with another strike, but if not he'd try to recall what this things are instead (and he has dubious knowledge)

Kolgradd moves over and swings his maul three times at the skeletal snake, completely splintering and shattering it on the third swing.

The massive pile of bones lashes a claw out at Boodiddly.

◆ Black claw vs Boodiddly w/inspire defense and lesser cover: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (1) + 19 = 20
Damage: 2d8 + 10 ⇒ (5, 4) + 10 = 19

◆ Black claw vs Boodiddly w/inspire defense and lesser cover; 2nd, agile: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (13) + 19 = 32
Damage: 2d8 + 10 ⇒ (2, 7) + 10 = 19

The many claws of the bones then ◆ Grab onto the gnome.

Bag of Bones
Round 2
==============
Pile of Bones (+10)
Boodiddly (-40) {Grabbed}
Jevar
Shakur
Red
Blue
Kolgradd {Hasted: Round 1 of 10; Heroism +1}
==============

Jevar raises one eyebrow in a confused expression after Kolgradd shatters one of them.

Huh... that went down easier that I might have guessed.

He backs away and tries a much simpler invocation at the bone creature near him.

◆ Step S
◆ Cast (somatic, verbal) produce flame vs. RED Spell attack, F damage: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (20) + 16 = 364d4 + 4 ⇒ (1, 2, 3, 4) + 4 = 14
On crit: Double damage and 4d4 persistence fire damage

Boodiddly experimentally taps the animated bones with his own bony drumsticks, then attempts to leave the unpleasant experience behind him.

Flat check vs DC 5: 1d20 ⇒ 12

Casting inspire defense [A] and dimension door [AA], aiming to reposition to behind Shakur.

Boodiddly continues singing then teleports away from the pile of bones, but not before the bones lash out with another mass of oily filament! ↻ Ectoplasmic Filament.

Slashing Damage: 2d8 + 10 ⇒ (8, 7) + 10 = 25
Boodiddly basic Reflex; inspire defense: 1d20 + 14 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 14 + 1 = 31 Success
Temp. HP (doesn’t stack): 2d8 ⇒ (5, 4) = 9

Jevar hurls fire at one of the snakes and scorch it!

Botting Shakur: Seeing the group of skeletons, Shakur casts a three-action heal.

Positive: 4d8 ⇒ (4, 3, 2, 5) = 14
Black Fort: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (11) + 17 = 28

The pile of bones is minorly affected by the healing light of Pharasma, but the two remaining snake skeletons are completely unaffected.

Red seems completely undisturbed by the fact that it’s on fire, and instead begins swaying hypnotically. ◆◆◆ Dance of Death Boodiddly, seeing this happening, tries to distract his allies from the snake’s swaying! ↻ counter performance

The amnesiacs, despite Boodiddly’s own dance, are unnerved by the hypnotic dance of the skeletal snake. Everyone is flat-footed until the end of Red’s next turn.

Fire Damage: 4d4 ⇒ (4, 4, 4, 1) = 13
DC 15 flat: 1d20 ⇒ 4

Blue, on the other hand, ◆ Strides toward Kolgradd and bites at the dwarf!

◆ Blue vs Kolgradd FF w/inspire defense: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (4) + 10 = 14
Damage: 1d10 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10

◆ Blue vs Kolgradd FF w/inspire defense; 2nd, agile: 1d20 + 10 - 4 ⇒ (20) + 10 - 4 = 26 Exactly a hit by numbers alone, so that makes it a crit.
Damage (doubled from crit): 1d10 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13

Kolgradd Fort; inspire defense: 1d20 + 14 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 14 + 1 = 17 Failure --> Success (incapacitation)

Bag of Bones
Round 2
==============
Pile of Bones (+3)
Boodiddly (-36) {Flat-Footed: Round 0 of 1}
Jevar {Flat-Footed: Round 0 of 1}
Shakur {Flat-Footed: Round 0 of 1}
Red (-41) {4d4 persistent fire}
Blue
Kolgradd (-24) {Hasted: Round 1 of 10; Heroism +1; Flat-Footed: Round 0 of 1}
==============

"Let me give that thing something to chew on"

He ignores the pestering bone snakes and runs directly at the pile of bones.

◆ Cast Shield

◆ Stride

◆ Strike
Maul: 1d20 + 19 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 19 + 1 = 29
Bludgeoning: 2d12 + 7 ⇒ (11, 4) + 7 = 22

◆ Strike
Maul: 1d20 + 19 + 1 - 5 ⇒ (12) + 19 + 1 - 5 = 27
Bludgeoning: 2d12 + 7 ⇒ (5, 3) + 7 = 15

Kolgradd advances and attacks the pile of bones. Both hit.

The pile of bones then lashes out at Kolgradd!

◆ Black claw vs Kolgradd FF w/inspire defense and shield: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (9) + 19 = 28
Damage: 2d8 + 10 ⇒ (2, 6) + 10 = 18 Gonna assume Kolgradd ↻ Shield Blocks that.

The bones then ◆ Grab onto him, and then several skulls covered in black filament crawl towards the dwarf and bites into him! ◆ Gnaw (basically just a reflavored Constrict)

Piercing Damage: 2d6 + 10 ⇒ (3, 5) + 10 = 18
Kolgradd basic Fort; inspire defense: 1d20 + 14 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 14 + 1 = 19 Failure

Bag of Bones
Round 3
==============
Pile of Bones (-34)
Boodiddly (-36) {Flat-Footed: Round 0 of 1}
Jevar {Flat-Footed: Round 0 of 1}
Shakur {Flat-Footed: Round 0 of 1}
Red (-41) {4d4 persistent fire}
Blue
Kolgradd (-46) {Hasted: Round 2 of 10; Heroism +1; Flat-Footed: Round 0 of 1; Grabbed}
==============

Aha! They do burn!

Gleefully he turns to the other and tries the same.

◆◆ Cast (somatic, verbal) produce flame vs. BLUE Spell attack, F damage: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (9) + 16 = 254d4 + 4 ⇒ (3, 1, 3, 4) + 4 = 15
(probably not) On crit: Double damage and 4d4 persistence fire damage

◆ Cast (verbal) shield

Boodiddly taps on the floor bones with his borrowed bones and begins to sing.

“ A dem bones, dem bones, dem dry bones…”

Harmonize

"Wait. Are these things not actually dead?" Shakur adds.

"Back to ol faithful I guess!"

Shakur casts Shield and then Telekinetic Projectiles the red one.

TP: 1d20 + 14 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 14 + 1 = 27
Damage: 4d6 + 4 ⇒ (1, 6, 4, 1) + 4 = 16

Boodiddly harmonizes.

Jevar throws flames at Blue. Retroactively added the +1 from inspire courage

Shakur saw that they’re weak to bludgeoning from Kolgradd’s attack, so I’m assuming you would do that. Shakur telekinetically throws one of the many bones lying around. Retroactively added the +1 from inspire courage to damage

Red once again begins undulating and swaying. ◆◆◆ Dance of Death. Boodiddly then attempts to be distracting again. ↻ counter performance

Jevar and Shakur are completely unaffected, but Kolgradd and Boodiddly are still unnerved by the creature’s swaying. Those two are flat-footed for a round.

The lingering flames on Red finally scorch it and bring its charred bones crumbling to the ground. Minimum damage from the persistent damage kills it.

Blue ◆ Steps over and bites at the grabbed Kolgradd.

◆ Blue vs Kolgradd FF w/inspire defense: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (19) + 10 = 29
Damage: 1d10 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10

◆ Blue vs Kolgradd FF w/inspire defense; 2nd, agile: 1d20 + 10 - 4 ⇒ (11) + 10 - 4 = 17
Damage: 1d10 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11

Bag of Bones
Round 3
==============
Pile of Bones (-34)
Boodiddly (-36) {Flat-Footed: Round 0 of 1}
Jevar
Shakur
Blue (-16)
Kolgradd (-54) {Hasted: Round 2 of 10; Heroism +1; Flat-Footed: Round 0 of 1; Grabbed}
==============

Kolgradd wriggles slightly to get a more comfortable position to swing his maul and to resist the gnawing bites of the bones a little better. He doesn't try to escape though, he's right where he wants to be as he hammers with furious intensity

◆ Strike Pile of Bones
Maul, inspire: 1d20 + 19 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 19 + 1 = 38
Bludgeoning: 2d12 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (6, 8) + 7 + 1 = 22

◆ Strike Pile of Bones
Maul, inspire: 1d20 + 19 + 1 - 5 ⇒ (8) + 19 + 1 - 5 = 23
Bludgeoning: 2d12 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (12, 12) + 7 + 1 = 32

◆ Strike Pile of Bones
Maul, inspire: 1d20 + 19 + 1 - 10 ⇒ (12) + 19 + 1 - 10 = 22
Bludgeoning: 2d12 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (9, 3) + 7 + 1 = 20

◆ Strike Pile of Bones
Maul, inspire: 1d20 + 19 + 1 - 10 ⇒ (7) + 19 + 1 - 10 = 17
Bludgeoning: 2d12 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (2, 5) + 7 + 1 = 15

Kolgradd attacks the pile of bones, his first attack knocking it off of its feet?[ then follows up with several Advantageous Assaults that all miss.

The pile of bones ◆ Stands triggers from Kolgradd, ◆ maintains its grab on the dwarf, and ◆ Gnaws into him.

Piercing Damage: 2d6 + 10 ⇒ (4, 5) + 10 = 19
Kolgradd basic Fort; inspire defense: 1d20 + 14 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 14 + 1 = 28 Success

Bag of Bones
Round 4
==============
Pile of Bones (-78)
Boodiddly (-36) {Flat-Footed: Round 0 of 1}
Jevar
Shakur
Blue (-16)
Kolgradd (-62) {Hasted: Round 3 of 10; Heroism +1; Flat-Footed: Round 0 of 1; Grabbed}
==============

I think the columns and Kolgradd are in the way of the Pile of Bones for Jevar?

Jevar shifts back and forth trying to see the larger creature. He frowns and tries again to burn the snake nearby.

◆◆ Cast (somatic, verbal) produce flame vs. BLUE Spell attack, F damage: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (12) + 16 = 284d4 + 4 ⇒ (3, 1, 2, 1) + 4 = 11
On crit: Double damage and 4d4 persistence fire damage

◆ Cast (verbal) shield

“Disconnect dem bones, dem dry bones
Disconnect dem bones, dem dry bones
Disconnect dem bones, dem dry bones
An' I hear Pharasma’s word!”

Harmonize

Shakur telekinetically flings a bone from the dead snakey thing to the other one!

TP: 1d20 + 14 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 14 + 1 = 27
Bludgeoning Damage: 4d6 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (2, 1, 4, 6) + 4 + 1 = 18

And he quickly casts shield again, just to be safe.

Not in a creative headspace, so super simple post right now.

Boodiddly harmonizes.

Jevar throws fire at Blue.

Shakur throws a bone at Blue.

Blue undulates. ◆◆◆ Dance of Death

Boodiddly is flat-footed until the end of Blue’s next turn. Kolgradd is stunned 1 THEN flat-footed until the end of Blue’s next turn.

Bag of Bones
Round 4
==============
Pile of Bones (-78)
Boodiddly (-36) {Flat-Footed: Round 0 of 1}
Jevar
Shakur
Blue (-50)
Kolgradd (-62) {Hasted: Round 3 of 10; Heroism +1; Flat-Footed: Round 0 of 1; Grabbed; Stunned 1}
==============

The Advantageous Assaults deal 4 bludgeoning damage on a non-critical failure, I'm not sure if that was factored in

↻ AoO
Maul, status: 1d20 + 19 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 19 + 1 = 37
Bludgeoning, status: 2d12 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (9, 9) + 7 + 1 = 26

If that's a crit my understanding is that it happens after it has stood up (whatever that means for a pile of bones!) so it might go back down again? If not he'd do regular strikes instead and try to get it back down

Kolgradd does his best to ignore the weird undulating snake but he can't quite take his eye off it. When he does he tries to turn any bone larger than a gold coin in the pile into dust, bringing his hammer down repeatedly to smash them.

◆ Strke [Q]
Maul: 1d20 + 19 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 19 + 1 = 24
Bludgeoning: 2d12 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (7, 2) + 7 + 1 = 17

◆ Advantageous Assault
Maul, MAP: 1d20 + 19 + 1 - 5 ⇒ (16) + 19 + 1 - 5 = 31
Bludgeoning: 2d12 + 7 + 1 + 4 ⇒ (6, 10) + 7 + 1 + 4 = 28

◆ Advantageous Assault
Maul, MAP: 1d20 + 19 + 1 - 10 ⇒ (13) + 19 + 1 - 10 = 23
Bludgeoning: 2d12 + 7 + 1 + 4 ⇒ (8, 9) + 7 + 1 + 4 = 29