LG Male Medium Dwarf Fighter 14 (He/Him) | HP 220 | AC 36 (37 with shield) | F +25 [Battle Hardened] R +22 W +24 | Perc +24 (+26 for init) | Speed 25ft | Spells 1st: Sure Strike, Sure Strike 2nd: Mirror Image, See the Unseen 3rd: Time Jump, Blazing Dive, Wooden Double 4th: Fly 5th: Cloak of Colors| Class DC 33 | Resist: Slashing 4 | Helm 0/2 Cape 0/1
Delay until after Jevar for the haste
"Angradd's Axe that's ugly!"
Kolgradd waits for Jevar's spell, and then after some magical and martial preparations, launches at the beast like a bolt from a crossbow!
Kolgradd advances and sends an attack at the giant creature. But despite its size, it manages to dodge away from the dwarf’s attack. And when he looks into this creature’s empty eye-sockets, he feels a sensation that can only be described as his eyeballs attempting to pop out of his skull!
Kolgradd Fort:1d20 + 21 ⇒ (2) + 21 = 23
The other former-amnesiacs watch as thin streams of blood begin streaming out of Kolgradd’s eyes and flying into the eyeless pits on the spider-creature’s face! Kolgradd is now drained 1 and sickened 1. Once again, I am not including the HP loss from drained in the initiative card below for PCs.
Shohreh sends a mass of void energy at the monster.
This is one of the spiders of the nightmare realm of Leng. They are capable of laying complex traps made out of their own webs and can likewise fashion makeshift weapons from its webs.
The spider creature ◆ Stands. Triggers from Kolgradd.
Suddenly, all of the former-amnesiacs begin to feel their blood and life force being drained! 30 foot cone, but I’m not gonna bother putting one on the map because it can easily get every PC.
LG Male Medium Dwarf Fighter 14 (He/Him) | HP 220 | AC 36 (37 with shield) | F +25 [Battle Hardened] R +22 W +24 | Perc +24 (+26 for init) | Speed 25ft | Spells 1st: Sure Strike, Sure Strike 2nd: Mirror Image, See the Unseen 3rd: Time Jump, Blazing Dive, Wooden Double 4th: Fly 5th: Cloak of Colors| Class DC 33 | Resist: Slashing 4 | Helm 0/2 Cape 0/1
I would like to hero point that fort save please
Fort:1d20 + 21 ⇒ (16) + 21 = 37
Hopefully that will avoid the drained and sickened
"Don't get too close if you want to keep your eyes! And don't freeze it!"
Trying not to look at it, Kolgradd tries to take out its legs
M Gnome Bard 14 | HP 162 | AC 33 | F +22 R +22 W +24 (Success -> Crit Success) | Perc +23 (+2 vs Initiative), Imprecise Scent | Speed 25 ft | Focus 2/2 | Spells: 1st 3/3 2nd 3/3 3rd 3/3 4th 3/3 5th 3/3 6th 3/3 7th 3/3 | Staff Charges: 7/7 | Active Conditions: None
"I think it's a Leng spider, which would explain why it's able to use magic," Boodiddly explains as he blinks furiously to clear the spots from his eyes. "Might be a trap-maker, might be a weapon-maker, but to be honest I think those mandibles are weapon enough." His words slip away into singing, accompanied by tapping of feet and clapping of hands.
That reroll does indeed avoid the sickened and drained.
Jevar sends a force barrage at the spider.
Kolgradd attacks the creature. Indeed failed to trip it, and the attack itself missed. Also, Boodiddly cast rallying anthem, previously known as inspire defense, so you wouldn’t have gotten a +1 to those attacks/damages.
LG Male Medium Dwarf Fighter 14 (He/Him) | HP 220 | AC 36 (37 with shield) | F +25 [Battle Hardened] R +22 W +24 | Perc +24 (+26 for init) | Speed 25ft | Spells 1st: Sure Strike, Sure Strike 2nd: Mirror Image, See the Unseen 3rd: Time Jump, Blazing Dive, Wooden Double 4th: Fly 5th: Cloak of Colors| Class DC 33 | Resist: Slashing 4 | Helm 0/2 Cape 0/1
With the back of his hand, Kolgradd wipes away some of the blood from his eyes while pushing down his gorge.
How do you feel about a close-eyes action? Alternatively we could do some sort of blindfold related actions, perhaps using the Helmet if it's been an hour? I'd like to stop looking at it because I don't want my eyes to fall out
◆/◆? Close Eyes
With his eyes shut tightly, he lashes out at the horrific beast
◆◆ Cast a spell: Divine Immolation, 20ft burst to the East so it doesn't catch Kolgradd. Fire (or spirit) damage:6d6 ⇒ (1, 3, 2, 5, 5, 2) = 18 2d6 persistent fire (or spirit) damage
DC31 Reflex and Reference:
Critical Success The creature is unaffected.
Success The creature takes half damage and no persistent damage.
Failure The creature takes full damage and persistent damage.
Critical Failure The creature takes double damage and double persistent damage.
Divine Immolation wrote:
Divine flames scour creatures within the area. Creatures take 6d6 fire damage and 2d6 persistent fire damage. The divine power within the flames scorches the spirit as well; a creature takes spirit damage instead of fire damage from divine immolation if that would be more detrimental to the creature (as determined by the GM).
I also completely forgot about the +2 from Kolgradd Averting his Gaze last round, but it didn’t change anything.
Jevar sends a dart of acid at the beast and misses.
Kolgradd retches successfully.
Tangent:
Kolgradd Thunderiron wrote:
How do you feel about a close-eyes action? Alternatively we could do some sort of blindfold related actions, perhaps using the Helmet if it's been an hour? I'd like to stop looking at it because I don't want my eyes to fall out
I’m going to say that you can’t JUST “close your eyes.” I’m not going off of ANY RAW thing, but I stand by that “simply closing your eyes” is something that’s counterintuitive to the brain in the middle of a combat situation. I think I mentioned this before, but I’m gonna stand by my ruling that voluntary blindness requires something more than just closing your eyes, i.e. a blindfold.
NOW, on a different tangent, the tactician’s helm references a table that’s not reprinted in the Remaster, so I’m going to adjust it by saying you can take the actions listed in the Interact section on page 268 of the Player Core instead of the (now-nonexistant) Table 6-2: Changing Equipment.
MORE notably, though, is that “putting on an item” is not listed in EITHER of those things whatsoever, which creates a weird situation of “how do you put ON an item?!” It’s very much nt RAW, but the RAI is to take simple Interact actions with you or your allies’ equipment. Thus, I’ll allow one of the uses of those Interact actions to be to put on a blindfold. And yeah, it’s definitely been at least an hour since its last use.
Thus, Kolgradd’s actions would be to Activate his helm to Re-Arm!, with subordinate actions to 1) pull out a blindfold, 2) put on the blindfold, and 3) re-grip his hammer.
Please see the tangent above for an explanation. Kolgradd then activates his helmet to pull out and put on a blindfold before regripping his weapon. Kolgradd then attacks the creature. Both attacks hit. Also retroactively adding in the bonuses from courageous anthem.
The spider creature takes Kolgradd’s hits, but glances over to the rest of the former-amnesiacs and decides upon a different tactic. It ◆ Strides* triggering from Kolgradd.
So this creature has a weird ability to go through narrow spaces as if it were Medium, and that created a weird situation of if I could use it here. Just to be on the safe side, I’m also gonna include an Acrobatics check to Tumble Through so this turn is a lot less dubious.
Acid damage:2d8 ⇒ (4, 5) = 9 1d6 persistent acid damage depending on its Reflex save. A creature taking persistent damage from this spell takes a –10-foot status bonus to its Speeds.
DC31 Reflex:
Critical Success The creature is unaffected.
Success The creature takes half damage and no persistent damage, and the claw moves it up to 5 feet in a direction of your choice.
Failure The creature takes full damage and persistent damage, and the claw moves it up to 10 feet in a direction of your choice.
Critical Failure The creature takes double damage and full persistent damage, and the claw moves it up to 20 feet in a direction of your choice.
LG Male Medium Dwarf Fighter 14 (He/Him) | HP 220 | AC 36 (37 with shield) | F +25 [Battle Hardened] R +22 W +24 | Perc +24 (+26 for init) | Speed 25ft | Spells 1st: Sure Strike, Sure Strike 2nd: Mirror Image, See the Unseen 3rd: Time Jump, Blazing Dive, Wooden Double 4th: Fly 5th: Cloak of Colors| Class DC 33 | Resist: Slashing 4 | Helm 0/2 Cape 0/1
Kolgradd is suprised when he feels the thing move past him given its size, his mind conjuring up grotesque contortions that he's glad to not actually witness.
Given how hard it has been to hit this thing, he follows up by evoking arcs of electricity from the head of his hammer washing over where he can sense the creature.
◆◆ Cast Electric Arc
DC 5 Flat:1d20 ⇒ 8 Electricity:6d4 ⇒ (2, 3, 2, 1, 2, 4) = 14 DC 27 basic reflex
Shohreh becomes alarmed as the spider creature draws near. Instead of an excited yelp, she lets out a divine lance before receding to a divine magic shield.
Due to the circumstances. It doesn’t really have anywhere to move TO.
Kolgradd attacks the beast! Second attack only hit because it put itself into flanking. Retroactively applying the bonus from courageous anthem. Still takes no damage from the cold, though.
It’s piercing, not slashing, so the rallying anthem’s resistance will apply instead of the armor specialization. And a reminder that bleed damage is considered physical, so the rallying anthem resistance applies against it.
Acid damage:2d8 ⇒ (8, 8) = 16 1d6 persistent acid damage depending on its Reflex save. A creature taking persistent damage from this spell takes a –10-foot status bonus to its Speeds.
DC31 Reflex:
Critical Success The creature is unaffected.
Success The creature takes half damage and no persistent damage, and the claw moves it up to 5 feet in a direction of your choice.
Failure The creature takes full damage and persistent damage, and the claw moves it up to 10 feet in a direction of your choice.
Critical Failure The creature takes double damage and full persistent damage, and the claw moves it up to 20 feet in a direction of your choice.
M Gnome Bard 14 | HP 162 | AC 33 | F +22 R +22 W +24 (Success -> Crit Success) | Perc +23 (+2 vs Initiative), Imprecise Scent | Speed 25 ft | Focus 2/2 | Spells: 1st 3/3 2nd 3/3 3rd 3/3 4th 3/3 5th 3/3 6th 3/3 7th 3/3 | Staff Charges: 7/7 | Active Conditions: None
Boodiddly shakes his head as if shaking loose cobwebs, then continues to tap and hum encouragingly. Or at least as encouragingly as one might expect from such a small figure in the face of such a fearsome arachnid.
LG Male Medium Dwarf Fighter 14 (He/Him) | HP 220 | AC 36 (37 with shield) | F +25 [Battle Hardened] R +22 W +24 | Perc +24 (+26 for init) | Speed 25ft | Spells 1st: Sure Strike, Sure Strike 2nd: Mirror Image, See the Unseen 3rd: Time Jump, Blazing Dive, Wooden Double 4th: Fly 5th: Cloak of Colors| Class DC 33 | Resist: Slashing 4 | Helm 0/2 Cape 0/1
Kolgradd grunts, and mentally berates himself for failing to avoid the strike. He puts up a little protection before continuing to attack
Gonna just Delay Kolgradd and Shohreh until after Boodiddly so they can get the courageous anthem on their attacks. Kolgradd’s persistent damage would still happen WHEN he chooses to Delay, though. As would Shohreh’s save against the gaze.
As the former-amnesiacs approach this section of the library, Shohreh notices that there is a malevolence hanging in the air.
Kolgradd Occultism:1d20 + 23 ⇒ (18) + 23 = 41
And Kolgradd manages to hold it back, at least for a time. Long enough to search through the books to find whichever of these occult tomes is manifesting this malevolent force. He finds one that disturbingly seems to have mushrooms and other fungi growing from its cover. Knowing better than to try to open it now, he utters some occult phrases which causes the mushrooms on the book’s cover to recede and the malevolence from the book to dissipate.
And now y’all have found all of the angel statues on this floor, meaning you’re good to proceed to the next floor. However, pretty much all of y’all managed to become drained 1, so I’m going to presume that y’all choose to rest so you can get rid of that, plus that makes it a bit more convenient for me.
With the angel statues properly oriented, the former-amnesiacs return to the room with a valve in the floor—an angelic gate depicting four smiling angels with fierce, pointed teeth. Though now, the angels’ mouths are all open. With a bit of searching, the former-amnesiacs find an unpleasantly waxy-feeling metal tongue at the base of the lower-left angel face, which they pull on. With this, the entire gate slides to the side to reveal a shaft 50 feet deep. Carved along the interior of this shaft are carvings of dancing angels, their hands gripped to form convenient footholds. As the former-amnesiacs descend down these makeshift steps, they notice some of the angels’ faces are hungry, and their teeth pointed and sometimes broken.
Down the shaft
The first thing the former-amnesiacs notice as they come to this floor is the fog. The entire floor is completely shrouded in mist that makes sight beyond a certain distance practically impossible. However, like the previous levels of this library, this level contains hundreds of carvings of angels upon the walls. Those in this level are dancing and cavorting, but some of them hold sly expressions. The images seem to move on their own when viewed out of the corner of the eye.
Suddenly, the sound of grinding echoes from above as the light at the top of the shaft from which the former-amnesiacs just came vanishes. There is no apparent method by which the former-amnesiacs can re-open the passageway to the previous level; they are stuck here. Map Updated
Suddenly, out of the corner of their eyes, the former-amnesiacs notice something in the thick mist—while they can’t fully see it with the mist, they DO notice that it is FAR from humanoid! The image on the map has been adjusted to show about what y’all CAN make out about it from this distance.
Also, in case you couldn’t tell, this entire floor is covered in mist, so everyone and everything on this floor is concealed.
I'm also gonna be trying something different with my initiative cards now; specifically the sideways-carrot symbols.
Something in the Mist
Round 1
==============
Boodiddly
Kolgradd
Shohreh
Jevar
??? <Red>
??? <Blue>
==============
LG Male Medium Dwarf Fighter 14 (He/Him) | HP 220 | AC 36 (37 with shield) | F +25 [Battle Hardened] R +22 W +24 | Perc +24 (+26 for init) | Speed 25ft | Spells 1st: Sure Strike, Sure Strike 2nd: Mirror Image, See the Unseen 3rd: Time Jump, Blazing Dive, Wooden Double 4th: Fly 5th: Cloak of Colors| Class DC 33 | Resist: Slashing 4 | Helm 0/2 Cape 0/1
Kolgradd strides forward to get a better look at the things in the mist.
◆ Stride
As he does so, he notices another, so he stops so as to not leave his allies undefended. He adjusts his stance, and brings up a protective ward.
M Gnome Bard 14 | HP 162 | AC 33 | F +22 R +22 W +24 (Success -> Crit Success) | Perc +23 (+2 vs Initiative), Imprecise Scent | Speed 25 ft | Focus 2/2 | Spells: 1st 3/3 2nd 3/3 3rd 3/3 4th 3/3 5th 3/3 6th 3/3 7th 3/3 | Staff Charges: 7/7 | Active Conditions: None
Boodiddly steps out into the hallway proper and takes advantage of Shohreh’s light to squint at the strange figure. A familiar melody whistles through his lips as he considers what the creature might be - and what it might be capable of.
I’m going to go out on a limb here and guess that Occultism might be the most appropriate skill for this. Occultism, Assured Knowledge:10 + 15 = 25(Dubious Knowledge)
Step [A], Recall Knowledge [A], and cast rallying anthem [A]. As implied above, he’s delaying until after Shohreh.
Jevar turns invisible and moves down the hall. You’re not close enough for me to justify revealing the whole image yet. I’d say that requires at least…being within 15 feet, let’s say.
As Kolgradd and Jevar move closer to the silhouette in the mist, they are suddenly bombarded with intrusive “static” in their minds that make it difficult to think.
That same silhouette Red raises its far-too-long arms up and then ◆ shove them into the ground! A noticeable “wave” of mental static seems to pulse out from Red, moving over Jevar and Kolgradd and managing to extend straight to Boodiddly as well! Shohreh has lesser cover, so she’s not affected by the mental static.
Suddenly, ◆◆ the mental static grows “louder” and painfully unbearable! no flat checks to target because of reasons y’all don’t know about yet.
Shohreh strides forward, a magical balm for Jevar's injuries at the ready, before she begins to gather her energies for another, much more powerful spell.
Temp HP from Rousing Splash on Jevar:6d4 ⇒ (1, 4, 2, 1, 4, 4) = 16
LG Male Medium Dwarf Fighter 14 (He/Him) | HP 220 | AC 36 (37 with shield) | F +25 [Battle Hardened] R +22 W +24 | Perc +24 (+26 for init) | Speed 25ft | Spells 1st: Sure Strike, Sure Strike 2nd: Mirror Image, See the Unseen 3rd: Time Jump, Blazing Dive, Wooden Double 4th: Fly 5th: Cloak of Colors| Class DC 33 | Resist: Slashing 4 | Helm 0/2 Cape 0/1
I think you missed Boodiddly's post as it was just before yours, I'll assume Couragous Anthem is not up
"Gah, what is that?"
Shaking his head to try to clear it, Kolgradd runs at the nearest creature.
Assuming that hits, he'd want to know about any weaknesses they have. If he learns something he can take advantage of he may do that, but probably he'd just share it and smash!
M Gnome Bard 14 | HP 162 | AC 33 | F +22 R +22 W +24 (Success -> Crit Success) | Perc +23 (+2 vs Initiative), Imprecise Scent | Speed 25 ft | Focus 2/2 | Spells: 1st 3/3 2nd 3/3 3rd 3/3 4th 3/3 5th 3/3 6th 3/3 7th 3/3 | Staff Charges: 7/7 | Active Conditions: None
"Just to be on the safe side, don't let them bite you!" Boodiddly sends his own splash of magical light down the hallway and tries to hum even louder before remembering that he can whistle instead.
Casting revealing light (Reflex DC 31) on Red [AA] and rallying anthem [A].
Blue then reaches to the ground and digs their claws into the stone. ◆ Broadcast Stance As it does so, the wave of mental static once more rushes into Jevar’s mind.
Something in the Mist
Round 3
==============
Kolgradd (-26)
Shohreh
Boodiddly
Jevar (-25) {invisible}
Alien <Red> {hands in ground}
Alien <Blue> (-51) {hands in ground}
==============
LG Male Medium Dwarf Fighter 14 (He/Him) | HP 220 | AC 36 (37 with shield) | F +25 [Battle Hardened] R +22 W +24 | Perc +24 (+26 for init) | Speed 25ft | Spells 1st: Sure Strike, Sure Strike 2nd: Mirror Image, See the Unseen 3rd: Time Jump, Blazing Dive, Wooden Double 4th: Fly 5th: Cloak of Colors| Class DC 33 | Resist: Slashing 4 | Helm 0/2 Cape 0/1
"They have strong minds, target their feeble bodies instead!"
A note of spitefulness enters Kolgradd's voice as he describes them as feeble, given the strength of the bite he just felt. He resolves to not allow it again.
◆ Cast Shield
He then swings at its legs since it seems to be adopting some sort of stance.
◆ Trip
Athletics:1d20 + 25 ⇒ (10) + 25 = 35
I suppose if it were an Advantageous Assault and 26 was a hit, then it would be just a fail instead of a critical fail and the 5 damage would go through, but it seems unlikely
M Gnome Bard 14 | HP 162 | AC 33 | F +22 R +22 W +24 (Success -> Crit Success) | Perc +23 (+2 vs Initiative), Imprecise Scent | Speed 25 ft | Focus 2/2 | Spells: 1st 3/3 2nd 3/3 3rd 3/3 4th 3/3 5th 3/3 6th 3/3 7th 3/3 | Staff Charges: 7/7 | Active Conditions: None
Boodiddly grimaces as he catalogues his options and recognizes that most of them involve the mind in one way or another. With a bit of effort, he turns the frown upside down and begins to whistle and clap.
Kolgradd trips Blue and swings at the creature. I’m actually gonna give a Hero Point, because you 100% guessed correctly that tripping it knocks it out of its stance. The nat 1 still critically missed, though.
Shohreh sends a wave of void energy at the beasts!
That’s…a 1 in 8,000 chance that it rolled an 18 on EACH of those three Reflex saves. Jeez.
Red begins to ◆◆ Cast a Spell as suddenly a wave of unspeakable horrors manifest over the PCs! Red radius. I didn’t want to put in the effort of making the exact, square-y shape of it. Also, Red can indeed position it so that it perfectly misses Blue; that wasn’t dumb luck or me metagaming.
LG Male Medium Dwarf Fighter 14 (He/Him) | HP 220 | AC 36 (37 with shield) | F +25 [Battle Hardened] R +22 W +24 | Perc +24 (+26 for init) | Speed 25ft | Spells 1st: Sure Strike, Sure Strike 2nd: Mirror Image, See the Unseen 3rd: Time Jump, Blazing Dive, Wooden Double 4th: Fly 5th: Cloak of Colors| Class DC 33 | Resist: Slashing 4 | Helm 0/2 Cape 0/1
I'm not sure if that spell is continuing to manifest, so this is either to get out of its area or to avoid getting hit next time...
Kolgradd steps away from the area of the unspeakable horrors,
◆ Step
and tries the same manoeuvre as his previous assault; hammer swung in a low wide arc before bringing it round for a vertical smash.
Jevar grits his teeth and suffers the chaotic images forces into his mind.
Okay, it's time to use the big spells...
Jevar looks down their mental aggressor with renewed, grim determination and begins gesticulating amidst the mental static and apocalyptic expresssion.
If you hit a creature, it takes 12d10 damage (no damage type) with a basic Fortitude save. If you critically hit, the target gets a result one degree of success worse than the outcome of its Fortitude save. A creature reduced to 0 HP is blasted to fine powder; its gear remains.
Red ◆ Strides forward,, causing the mental static in Boodiddly’s head to subside for a brief moment, before Red stops where it is currently (causing the mental static to return). Red then ◆◆ Casts a Spell. Jevar can’t see it, so no Recognize Spell.
LG Male Medium Dwarf Fighter 14 (He/Him) | HP 220 | AC 36 (37 with shield) | F +25 [Battle Hardened] R +22 W +24 | Perc +24 (+26 for init) | Speed 25ft | Spells 1st: Sure Strike, Sure Strike 2nd: Mirror Image, See the Unseen 3rd: Time Jump, Blazing Dive, Wooden Double 4th: Fly 5th: Cloak of Colors| Class DC 33 | Resist: Slashing 4 | Helm 0/2 Cape 0/1
"Aagh!"
Surprised at being bitten again by the odd creature, Kolgradd lets out a cry of pain and frustration. He steps around it to cut off its retreat,
◆ Step
and then begins the process of turning it into paste.
Jevar gets nervous that his attempt to disintegrate has little effect. He pops around the corner again to throw his splay fingers forward, emitting a streak of lightning through the alien RED
M Gnome Bard 14 | HP 162 | AC 33 | F +22 R +22 W +24 (Success -> Crit Success) | Perc +23 (+2 vs Initiative), Imprecise Scent | Speed 25 ft | Focus 2/2 | Spells: 1st 3/3 2nd 3/3 3rd 3/3 4th 3/3 5th 3/3 6th 3/3 7th 3/3 | Staff Charges: 7/7 | Active Conditions: None
If that Will save was a success, it’s a crit success thanks to Performer’s Heart.
Boodiddly pretends to wince again even if he doesn’t immediately recognize the mental assault through the music flooding his mind. And mouth. And hands.
Red once more anchors its arms into the ground ◆ Broadcast Stance, which causes Jevar to feel its weird mental static. It then ◆◆ sends a bolt of mental energy at everyone! And FYI for Kolgradd: no, it’s not a concentrate action.
