Gods and Monsters and Heroes (Inactive)

Game Master Daxter

Varocles will back off a bit more, to ensure the female creature isn't in the radius, and he channels to heal, which will also heal the bad knight guy.

Channel Energy: 2d6 ⇒ (4, 4) = 8 30' radius

As the warrior rises and Arachne shifts backward, Polyoinos pauses his song; (End Raging Song 4/13 used)

Instead he turns his attention to their armoured foe, recently risen and casts a spell;

"There's many a jape betwixt lip and grape!"

Standard Action - Cast Hideous Laughter on Belach: DC15 Will Save or drops prone in palls of manic laughter for 4 rounds

Casting provokes AoO

He then shifts around the spider-woman, hoping to ultimately enact a flank with one of his companions (30ft Move)

Fort vs Poison: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13
AOO Bite: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14
Bite Damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3 Make a Fortitude save vs Poison DC18 or take 1d2 ⇒ 1 strength damage. Also make a DCDC14 Concentration check to keep the spellcasting.
Fort vs Distraction: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14
Will vs Hideous Laughter: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16

Both Arachne and Belach are able to resist the various spells while Polyoinos gets a unconcensual nibble for his trouble.

All PCs - Inspire Rage/Courage, Belach - 28, Arache -33, Poly - 16, Amphi - 16, Teledoros - (24/12?)

Teledoros? I will bot him by the end of tonight if you doesn't post.

DC14 Concentration (CL+Cha): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17
DC18 Fort Save: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11

As the spiderwoman launches an opportune bite at Polyoinos, the burly skald manages to ignore the pain enough to cast his spell.

Moments later however he feels the strength in his limbs ebb...

"Ho-ho! You seek to ebb my ardor for battle and the grape! Many women have tried fair Arachne, alas you shall not be the one to succeed!"

Teledoros keeps his song up as he steps back and fires a pair of arrows into Arachne.
Reflex: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15
Inspire: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (9) + 9 = 18
Inspire: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (11) + 9 = 20

He misses with both his shots however. Belach moves forward and tries to strike at Amphitryon.
Power Attack: 1d20 + 7 - 2 ⇒ (18) + 7 - 2 = 23
1d12 + 7 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 7 + 6 = 19

Arachne steps away from the swarm and fires off a volley of arcane missiles at Kyronai.
Magic Missile: 3d4 + 3 ⇒ (3, 3, 3) + 3 = 12

PCs - Inspire Rage/Courage, Belach - 28, Arache -33, Poly - 16, Amphi - 35, Kyronai - 12, Teledoros - 24)

Party is up!

Hit Belach: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24
Damage: 1d10 + 13 ⇒ (3) + 13 = 16

Belach charged at Amphitryon, who at the last second turned. His spear rose, and the warrior charged straight into it. Injured as he was, Amphitryon grunted as he braced himself, ensuring that momentum worked in his favor.

Varocles moves and heals Amphitryon...

CMW: 2d8 + 4 ⇒ (8, 5) + 4 = 17

Each magic missile makes a squishy thump as they impact his body.

Concentration Check DC 23: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19

He hisses in pain, which causes him to lose concentration in maintaining his summoned spider swarm. Which means it will stick around for two more rounds and then fade away.

The swarm continues to attack without Kyronai's direction, however, and it completely surrounds Arachne.

spider bite damage: 1d6 ⇒ 2 <-- Distraction DC 11 and Poison

It's really unlikely to matter, but Arachne should have made a DC 13 concentration check before she was able to cast that magic missile spell.

Raising his bow, he hopes to get a lucky shot on her.

Ranged attack: 1d20 + 5 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 5 + 1 + 1 = 10
Damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

@All: Note no Raging Song ended last round when he attempted to cast his spell

With the poison still weakening his limbs, Polyoinos attempts to skewer the spiderwpman;

Melee (+1 Longspear): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21
Damage (P): 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

He hisses in pain, which causes him to lose concentration in maintaining his summoned spider swarm. Which means it will stick around for two more rounds and then fade away.

Whoops, sorry. I was confusing my spell, vomit swarm, with a similar spell, summon swarm. My spell will just last 4 rounds regardless; no concentration check was needed. WFH + (Homeschool*2) = a melted brain.

Amphitryon successfully counterstrikes Belac. Varocles continues the thankful task of keeping the shadow warrior alive.

Fort vs Poison: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9
Str: 1d2 ⇒ 1
Fort vs Distraction: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24

Kyronai's spiders sap some strength out of the spider-woman though she dodges all of the attacks headed her way. Teledoros continues his inspirational music and steps forward to heal Amphitryon further.
CLW: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

Belach wearily hefts his weapon up and attempts to bring it down on Amphitryon.
1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13 1d12 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19
Arachne continues her own spellcasting to disrupt Kyronai's life.
Concentration vs Swarm stuff: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (15) + 9 = 24
Concentration Cast Defensive: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (9) + 9 = 18
MM: 3d4 + 3 ⇒ (1, 2, 1) + 3 = 7

Another trio of missiles impact the witch's torso.

PCs - Inspire Rage/Courage, Belach - 44, Arache -35, Poly - 16, Amphi - 13, Kyronai - 19, Teledoros - 24

Party is up!

Varocles moves due south and channels when he is far enough away from the enemies.

Channel Energy: 2d6 ⇒ (4, 1) = 5 30' radius

Concentration Check DC 19: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22

spider bite damage: 1d6 ⇒ 1 <-- Distraction DC 11 and Poison; swarm gets one more round to continue to be useless

Not having very many other options, Kyronai raises his bow and fires at Arachne again.

Ranged attack: 1d20 + 5 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 5 + 1 + 1 = 15
Damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Hit Belach: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22
Damage: 1d10 + 13 ⇒ (8) + 13 = 21

”Stay down.” Amphitryon said to the other warrior, as he struck again. This fight was getting messy. They really needed one of the threats eliminated.

As his companions pour it on, Polyoinos attempts to skewer the spider-woman once again;

Melee (+1 Longspear): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7
Damage: Yeah right...

Varocles continues to keep the party afloat. Amphitryon puts Belach down again as Polyoinos and Kyronai miss with their attacks.

Fort vs Poison: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22
Fort vs Distraction: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18

As the second threat is dropped, Teledoros gives Amphitryon a blessing to aid in combat. Ampitryon has Heroism for the next 40 minutes.

Arachne throws caution to the wind and casts another spell, provoking an AOO from Polyoinos.

Concentration check if hit: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (14) + 9 = 23
3d4 + 3 ⇒ (1, 4, 2) + 3 = 10

PCs - Inspire Courage, Arache -36, Poly - 16, Amphi - 13, Kyronai - 19, Teledoros - 24

PCs are up!

Varocles moves and lays his hands on Amphitryon...

CMW: 2d8 + 4 ⇒ (3, 1) + 4 = 8

Hit Arachne: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 7 + 2 = 28
Damage: 1d10 + 13 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 13 + 2 = 21

Feeling rejuvenated by Varocles’ healing, and feeling especially heroic, Amphitryon redoubled his attack. His spear lashed out, aiming for her heart.

spider bite damage: 1d6 ⇒ 2 <-- Distraction DC 11 and Poison

The spiders skitter about, biting one last time before dissipating in little wisps of shadow.

Feeling like this battle is finally turning in the party's direction, Kyronai hopes that one of his arrows will finally hit his target.

Ranged attack: 1d20 + 5 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 5 + 1 + 1 = 27
Crit confirm: 1d20 + 5 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 5 + 1 + 1 = 13
Damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
Crit Damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

Arrows do triple damage on a crit. Not that I think a 13 confirms.

Good call, thanks. Although I agree it probably matters this time.

Crit Damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

As Arachne casts her spell, Polyoinos attempts to stymie her intent with another jab from his spear:

"Ho-ho! Tricksy little spider eh!"

(Melee AoO) +1 Longspear: 1d20 + 7 - 1 ⇒ (9) + 7 - 1 = 15
Damage: 1d8 + 4 - 1 ⇒ (2) + 4 - 1 = 5

He then follows up with another stab (Standard Action - Melee Attack)

(Melee Attack) +1 Longspear: 1d20 + 7 - 1 ⇒ (9) + 7 - 1 = 15
Damage: 1d8 + 4 - 1 ⇒ (1) + 4 - 1 = 4

Varocles continues to heal Amphitryon as the latter skewers Arachne and Kyronai finishes the she-spider off with a well placed arrow to the eye. Everything goes quite once she falls, almost to an eerie degree.

Combat Over!

Breaking the silence, Kyronai's quiet voice carries easily to the others. "They may have been trapped here, but innocent or not, they wanted more than freedom. They wanted to conquer."

”True. But they put up a damned good fight. What do we do now? Push on, or try to hide the bodies and rest?”

"We find somewhere to rest, crikey I'm tired!"

Polyoinos grins as he claps his companions shoulders in victory;

"Ho-ho! Our legend grows indeed... We should rest. Toast our victory with some of the holy grape, then a night's sleep before facing their queen."

"So that was quite brutal! I am nearly out of spells, can you others do some healing?"

"I can cure one time."

Kyronai casts cure light wounds on his brother.

1d8 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

”Back to the village then, my brave comrades. Where hopefully we can rest...”

"I don't think that the villagers would be sympathetic to our victory. If we go there, we shouldn't mention this battle to them."

"I can cure one time."

"There are also these curing potions that Arachne and Belach had on them."

Casts Goodberry as a 1/day spell ability: [dice]2d4[/dic]

Polyoinos harvests a quartet of ripe grapes from his garlanded head and offers them to his companions with a broad smile;

"These my friends... these are fermented fruits. The holy grape. They revivify the body and gird the soul.... but ware, for they are somewhat potent!

Each of the alcoholic Fermented Fruit heal 1hp and make you tipsy and somewhat foolhardy (+1 bonus on saves against fear effects for 1 minute).

The party turns around and you go back the way you came. When you reach the settlement, you are not fired upon. In fact you are able to find an empty building where you can rest and spend the rest of the day.

Now what guys? Considered yourselves healed to full after a day.

After spending a day to lick your wounds, you regroup and head back out. The temperature is much more moderate so you do not suffer any ill effects. The journey is still a long one however, but you do eventually reach a castle. The gate is up and you see no guards.

"No guards eh? Still doesn't look too inviting."

”Well we can’t go back, so we must go forward. And we have this sword...” He patted the blade given to them. ”Onwards then, for bravery is easy when it is your only option.”

So how do you want to go about this? Knock on the door, look for another way in, etc....?

Suspicious of unmanned castle walls, but keeping in mind that Circe is a sorceress, Kyronai casts detect magic on the entryway through the castle wall.

"One of you going to try talking our way in?"

Kyronai scans the entry way and after a few moments notices that the portcullis is magic.

Spellcraft, taking 10: 10 + 10 = 20

Studying the portcullis intently, Kyronai suddenly cocks his head in mild surprise.

"That's not the sort of defensive magic I was expecting. The portcullis is an illusion."

Does anyone want to do anything with this information?

Kyronai nudges his brother.

"It might be safe to go through, maybe."

"Perhaps we go up and try to parley with someone first? And if that fails, we call their bluff and head on in?"

"I'm fine with that. I imagine we don't have an element of surprise to lose."

”Onward then. The way forward is as hard as the way back.”

The party is able to walk through the illusory portcullis and finds the castle to be eerily empty. There seems to be no other people or animals save the occasional bird flying by.

Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (7) + 9 = 16

"Unless somebody has a different suggestion, I think we should head straight for the main keep."

Perception DC20: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20

Unusually Polyoinos allows himself to focus between bouts of daydreaming of amazons and the divine grape.

The rotund skald shoots a look to his companions;

"Did you hear that friends? Seems we have a hungry prisoner inside these walls somewhere! By the hairy flanks of Dionysus, he'll be parched too!"

Concerned, the Bacchanal bellows a reply;

"Ho Friend! Guide us to you! We bring you wine and modest fare to slake thirst and hunger! We can release you from your bondage too if you so wish!"