[CORE] #4-09 The Blakros Matrimony

Game Master Ilmakis

Only the last arrow hit the creature as it’s not human and the arrow seems to have done some damages

Uldar knows that Shadow demons are CE medium outsider (chaotic, demon, evil, extraplanar, incorporeal) they can pounce even if their combat ability are not great, they still do some damages, cold and physical. They DR are cold iron or good.
They can cast at will deeper darkness, fear, greater teleport and telekinesis. 3/day shadow evocation, shadow conjuration and 1/day magic jar and summon (shadow demon with 50% chance).
Uldar also knows that under natural sunlight these creatures are powerless.

Cloudia attempt to disbelieve the noxious cloud.

will: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19

Is she still nauseated?

She’s still nauseated. But she now knows that what made her sick was an illusion.

Well, then, Cloudia continues to retch, but makes sure it lands as far from her as possible though it soon settles into dry heaves.

"Oh, dear. Oh, gosh."

As Cloudia continues to get as far as possible from the tent, she sees chaos and death everywhere. Numerous guards and lesser demons lay dead, several guests also. But it seems that several of the most important guests have rallied the remaining guards and fight back, containing the rest of the demons horde.

@Travail

"Keep shooting those cold iron arrows at that thing!" Uldar shouts to Travail and Jack.

"It might take a while as it is incorporeal and thus unsneakable, but that last arrow clearly hurt it!"

Uldar knows that the arrows need to be magical to hurt the creature.

Uldar knows that the arrows need to be magical to hurt the creature.

Oh, that's true, incorporeal needs magic. Which means that Travail is screwed as he hasn't bought a magic weapon or magic arrows it seems...

I will bot Travail since he can’t do nothing

Travail knowing that he will be unable to harm the creature hide from it!

Stealth: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (8) + 12 = 20

Arastrax, now revealed, turns his burning eyes toward the only creature that have hurt him and charges Jack!
Too eager to show his strength, the first claw of the shadow demon completely miss Jack, but its second doesn’t and its bite rips off a good chunk of Jack’s essence! 24 damages

Round #5 (bold may act) - Party Hasted - Inspire Courage +2 -
Jack 20 fire
Cloudia 8 fire
Arastrax‘s host body DEAD
Arastrax -6HP
Red DEAD
Orange -53 TELEPORTED AWAY
Aurus DEAD
Travail
Uldar 8 fire

Round #6 (bold may act) - Party Hasted - Inspire Courage +2 -
Jack 44 damages
Cloudia 8 fire Nauseated rd 3/4
Arastrax‘s host body DEAD
Arastrax -6HP
Red DEAD
Orange TELEPORTED AWAY
Red
Aurus DEAD
Travail
Uldar 8 fire

Jack 5' steps, and stubbornly keeps firing.

Just take your AoO, please...

If by some miracle it doesn't kill me, here are some rolls...

+1 Mighty [+2] Darkwood Composite Longbow: 1d20 + 8 + 1 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 8 + 1 + 1 + 2 = 32, for 1d8 + 7 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 7 + 1 + 2 = 13 Magical Cold Iron damage.
+1 Mighty [+2] Darkwood Composite Longbow: 1d20 + 8 + 1 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 8 + 1 + 1 + 2 = 17, for 1d8 + 7 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 7 + 1 + 2 = 16 Magical Cold Iron damage.
+1 Mighty [+2] Darkwood Composite Longbow: 1d20 + 3 + 1 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 3 + 1 + 1 + 2 = 16, for 1d8 + 7 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 7 + 1 + 2 = 14 Magical Cold Iron damage.
+1 Mighty [+2] Darkwood Composite Longbow: 1d20 + 8 + 1 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 8 + 1 + 1 + 2 = 29, for 1d8 + 7 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 7 + 1 + 2 = 18 Magical Cold Iron damage.

The first miss Jack, and the arrow find its way, weakening the demon’s essence isn’t he material plane.
But to Jack’s surprise, the demon continues to strike back! Wounding deeply the ranger.

AoO bite: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (2) + 11 = 13
AoO bite: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (7) + 11 = 18
Damages, physical + cold: 1d8 + 1d6 ⇒ (7) + (5) = 12

Jack takes 12points of damages. As Uldar can heal Jack, I will wait for Uldar’s action to see what’s happening next.

Jack collapses to the ground.

Uldar may be able to heal Jack, but waking him up would be pointless, since Uldar only has CLW, and a) picking up my bow provokes; b) firing my bow provokes ;-)

Uldar keeps up his performance.

"Jack! No worries I'll teleport you back to Skyreach where they'll heal you back up! I know you'll return as fast as you can with reinforcements!"

Uldar steps to Jack draws his emergency wand and activates it and the ranger vanishes!

Bluff: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (19) + 14 = 33

I need Travail and Cloudia to create a distraction...

It’s more like before you collapse, he may heal you - before your attacks, as he acts before you in the initiative order - and give you the ability to shoot one or more arrow ;-)

It’s more like before you collapse, he may heal you - before your attacks, as he acts before you in the initiative order - and give you the ability to shoot one or more arrow ;-)

We usually play block initiative AKA who posts first in a block acts first.

Normally yes, as that represents players working cooperatively. But in the case where beginning of round effects take place I'm not so sure. I know the rules do not allow you to delay effects like this by choosing to move after another player but I'm not sure when that is the case.

Ah, but Travail has a wand of CLW himself. And he's hasted correct? And he hasn't gone yet. Maybe...with a bit of luck...

Travail jumps over chairs and tables to the fallen ranger, draws his wand as he moves, and taps him twice with it!

May the luck of Desna, not fail me now, thinks the strangely pious Varisian.

UMD, CLW: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16
UMD, CLW: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26 heals for CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

I think that helped. Did that help? How far negative were you? It's too bad you can't crit with a CLW wand.

*cough* I would love to be able to benefit from that (for the record, it wouldn't have woken me up), but Haste doesn't let you have an additional crack at a UMD check per round - it 'only' gives you an extra attack, if you make a full attack :-(

Ah, but Travail has a wand of CLW himself. And he's hasted correct? And he hasn't gone yet. Maybe...with a bit of luck...

Travail steps over to the fallen ranger, draws his wand as he moves, and taps him twice with it!

May the luck of Desna, not fail me now, thinks the strangely pious Varisian.

[dice=UMD, CLW]1d20+6
[dice=UMD, CLW]1d20+6 heals for [dice=CLW]1d8+1

I think that helped. Did that help? How far negative were you? It's too bad you can't crit with a CLW wand.

Haste doesn't work that way, but as there were two rounds of actions, so you could have indeed tried twice.

Last round the GM had you hide as you couldn't hurt the demon, but trying to heal the one person that could would be a more valid option, so if the GM will allow a slight rollback last rounds UMD failed and this one succeeded?

last round: Draw wand, try to activate (unsuccessful)
This round: try to activate (successful), move and deliver

I'm happy to continue from this point forward

Travail is able to activates his wand and stabilize’s Jack as Uldar makes the ranger invisible.

Jack is at 0

Now that its main target is down and has been put to safety without his weapon, the demon has two choices for its next victim, Uldar and Travail 1 Uldar, 2 Travail: 1d2 ⇒ 2

Turning its hate burning’s gaze toward the human, Travail hear in his mind You’re next! as the demon fly towards him and attacks.
One claw and the bite connect and Travail starts to sense his life going away... 20 damages

Round #6 (bold may act) - Party Hasted - Inspire Courage +2 -
Jack -46HP
Cloudia 8 fire
Arastrax‘s host body DEAD
Arastrax -12HP
Red DEAD
Orange TELEPORTED AWAY
Aurus DEAD
Travail -20 HP
Uldar -8HP

Round #7 (bold may act) - Inspire Courage +2 -
Jack 46 damages, Staggered (at 0) - hasted -
Cloudia 8 fire Nauseated rd 4/4 (last round)
Arastrax‘s host body DEAD
Arastrax -12HP
Red DEAD
Orange TELEPORTED AWAY
Red
Aurus DEAD
Travail -20HP
Uldar -8HP

Shall we discuss actions before we post?

Uldar continues his performance.

"The manticore appeared from behind the trees, shot his spikes and then disappeared again behind the boulders!"

Uldar casts cure light and tries to deliver it to Jack while pretending to cure himself.

CLW: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9
Misschance: 1d100 ⇒ 74
Bluff: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (13) + 14 = 27

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (18) + 12 = 30

As Uldar’s uses his spell to heal Jack, the demon senses that something is not right...

[dice=Sense Motive]1d20+12

As Uldar’s uses his wand to heal Jack, the demon senses that something is not right...

Not a wand

Yesp, I’ve changed my sentence :P

Cloudia is woefully out of place and only gets one move. She only makes makes it to the corner of the tent this round.

Jack wakes up, grabs his bow, stands, and 5' steps away.

As the bow flies in the air, the demon realized that it was duped!

@Travail

You might want to tuck that bow inside your clothing to make it invisible at least for now.

I think the flying bow could have been less obvious by 5 foot stepping before grabbing the bow as discussed in the discussion thread.
If that tactic would not be valid ruleswise according to the GM, Uldar would like to move N one more step, so Travail can put himself between the shadow demon and Jack and prevent it from full attacking the invisible ranger without cover.

Cloudia is woefully out of place and only gets one move. She only makes makes it to the corner of the tent this round.

I think this is the last round of haste for cloudia, so a single move is 60 feet (before I looked at the map I thought you meant the SW corner)

Added another 30' movement. Too bad I had not realized that previous rounds or I would have been further along.

Added another 30' movement. Too bad I had not realized that previous rounds or I would have been further along.

Why are you moving clockwise around the tent and not counterclockwise? You are immune to the cloud now!

She was moving clockwise. She had planned to stay out of sight and come in from the other side and shoot magic missiles when the nauseousness had passed.

She was moving clockwise. She had planned to stay out of sight and come in from the other side and shoot magic missiles when the nauseousness had passed.

I think the GM might allow you to move a bit further as the character would notice she was hasted and it wouldn't have changed the last 4 rounds of combat in any way! :-P (and we actually need you closer!)

Once I pick up the bow, it becomes an attended item, and goes invisible. I wanted to 5' step *after* that, so it didn't know what square I was in.

Once I pick up the bow, it becomes an attended item, and goes invisible. I wanted to 5' step *after* that, so it didn't know what square I was in.

The creature or object touched becomes invisible. If the recipient is a creature carrying gear, that vanishes, too. If you cast the spell on someone else, neither you nor your allies can see the subject, unless you can normally see invisible things or you employ magic to do so.

Items dropped or put down by an invisible creature become visible; items picked up disappear if tucked into the clothing or pouches worn by the creature.

*shrugs* fair enough. I don't have the actions to do that, so, GM? Feel free to kill Jack ;-)

The flying bow is going to be obvious, regardless; a 5' step before or after picking it up literally makes no difference in terms of how easy it is to spot.

Since we are going RAW, here, even if I only 'lift it slightly' it makes no difference to the Perception check to notice the movement, unless I tried, say, Sleight of Hand or Bluff, which I do *not* have.

Frankly, the GM is taking it easy on us, already - we could be in Deeper Darkness by now, whilst it methodically murders all of our PCs...

*shrugs* fair enough. I don't have the actions to do that, so, GM? Feel free to kill Jack ;-)

The flying bow is going to be obvious, regardless; a 5' step before or after picking it up literally makes no difference in terms of how easy it is to spot.

Since we are going RAW, here, even if I only 'lift it slightly' it makes no difference to the Perception check to notice the movement, unless I tried, say, Sleight of Hand or Bluff, which I do *not* have.

Maybe a stealth roll is an option? The bow is picked up, but doesn't need to leave its square as you have 5-foot reach.

Frankly, the GM is taking it easy on us, already - we could be in Deeper Darkness by now, whilst it methodically murders all of our PCs...

Sometimes the author and editor put suboptimal tactics in a scenario

Travail is ready to take a defensive position as soon as the creature attacks him.

Seeing the weapon floating, the creature flies above Travail, to be next to the fying bow. Nevertheless, the creature chooseS to attack Travail, in hopes to be able to finish the human and then get to the one with the only weapon that seems to work against it.

Travail is able to doge one claw but the second one hit, but for just a scratch as the bite completely miss the rogue.

Round #7 (bold may act) - Inspire Courage +2 -
Jack -37HP
Cloudia 8 fire
Travail -23 HP
Arastrax‘s host body DEAD
Arastrax -12HP
Red DEAD
Orange TELEPORTED AWAY
Aurus DEAD
Uldar -8HP

Round #8 (bold may act) - Inspire Courage +2 -
Jack 37 damages
Cloudia 8 damages
Travail -23 HP
Arastrax‘s host body DEAD
Arastrax -12HP
Red DEAD
Orange TELEPORTED AWAY
Red
Aurus DEAD
Travail -20HP
Uldar -8HP

AFAIK you can't 5 foot step up, even with perfect flight (this differs from D&D3.5 where this was possible with perfect flight), so Jack should be able to fire without provoking and then step away after Uldar has made him invisible again.

Uldar will continue his performance and ready to vanish Jack as soon as he is ready firing his arrows.

I’ve placed the creature next to Travail.

I’ve placed the creature next to Travail.

The bad news is that it has cover, so higher AC. The good news is that is has cover so shooting at it doesn't provoke!

Gritting his teeth, Jack 5' steps away, and starts firing!

+1 Mighty [+2] Darkwood Composite Longbow: 1d20 + 8 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 8 + 1 + 2 = 24, for 1d8 + 7 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 7 + 1 + 2 = 18 Magical Cold Iron damage.
+1 Mighty [+2] Darkwood Composite Longbow: 1d20 + 8 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 8 + 1 + 2 = 16, for 1d8 + 7 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 7 + 1 + 2 = 14 Magical Cold Iron damage.
+1 Mighty [+2] Darkwood Composite Longbow: 1d20 + 3 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 3 + 1 + 2 = 18, for 1d8 + 7 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 7 + 1 + 2 = 17 Magical Cold Iron damage.

Gritting his teeth, Jack 5' steps away, and starts firing!

+1 Mighty [+2] Darkwood Composite Longbow: 1d20+8+1+2+1, for 1d8+7+1+2 Magical Cold Iron damage.
+1 Mighty [+2] Darkwood Composite Longbow: 1d20+8+1+2+1, for 1d8+7+1+2 Magical Cold Iron damage.
+1 Mighty [+2] Darkwood Composite Longbow: 1d20+8+1+2+1, for 1d8+7+1+2 Magical Cold Iron damage.
+1 Mighty [+2] Darkwood Composite Longbow: 1d20+3+1+2+1, for 1d8+7+1+2 Magical Cold Iron damage.

Haste is gone and if you 5 foot step after I make you invisible again it won't know in which square you are exactly... Also 1st attack gets a +2 and goes vs flatfooted AC (for next round as I assume the 25 is a sure hit already)

@Uldar: Someone changed a post. I distinctly recall someone writing that the Haste was cast after my action, so I had another shot.

Regardless, that won't work - if I *don't* 5' step, it will be able to take AoOs on me after my first arrow, since I become visible after the first attack roll.

EDIT: Actually, fine. In order to expedite a quick conclusion to the scenario, I will do that. GM? I believe that you are 'owed' two AoOs...

@Uldar: Someone changed a post. I distinctly recall someone writing that the Haste was cast after my action, so I had another shot.

Regardless, that won't work - if I *don't* 5' step, it will be able to take AoOs on me after my first arrow, since I become visible after the first attack roll.

EDIT: Actually, fine. In order to expedite a quick conclusion to the scenario, I will do that. GM? I believe that you are 'owed' two AoOs...

Yeah, I thought there was another round of haste, but I was mistaken, so I edited my post.

As mentioned earlier, there is cover so no AoO!

You can’t execute an attack of opportunity against an opponent with cover relative to you.

Stepping to the SW would allow Travail to block a full attack again, but stepping to another spot would be more likely to confuse the demon. (and us for that matter)

Cloudia rounds the corner and spots her allies. The demonic presence's hands flash briefly into view and she realizes the Travail is currently engaged with the thing so she splashes him with some heavenly fire.

healing: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

Hey, every bit helps!

Did someone move Cloudia to her current position? I thought she would be further back. Does she have a move action from her current location?

@Cloudia don't forget to make a SR check as Heavenly Fire is a Spell-like ability

As Cloudia moves, she heals Travail from the previous scratch the creature has done.