Dimple heals up her object of envy while said object grabs his expensive weapon and flees. Both hope sincerely that the witch saves the day and maybe regret mocking him a bit.
Round 4 Bless is up, 7 rds remain
Dimple
Kasvot
Leech Swarm! (-24 HP)
Liet-Gar (-1 HP, -1 Str, -1 Con, Bit o' Luck 1 rd)
Niza (-8 HP, -2 Str/Con) & Albis
Red Leech (-24 HP, Dead) Blue Leech (-22 HP, Dead)
Fromagalli (-8 HP, -1 Str/Con, Nauseated 1 rd, -2 Dex Drain, Not Poisoned Anymore))
Kasvot rolls his flaming sphere through the mess of leeches once more.
Actions:
I think the leech swarm should probably have taken damage from the flaming sphere when they moved into its space. Did that happen? If not, damage, fire:3d6 ⇒ (3, 4, 3) = 10Reflex DC 18
As the leeches rolled into eat upon Niza and Fromagalli earlier, they managed to skirt around the ball of flame, avoiding damage from the fire.
As Kasvot flicks his hand and rolls it through the group of them again, they are less lucky. A good chunk of them are toasted. It appears they are almost able to reform and rush Dimple as she stands near on the steps... but at the last second the wave just crashes upon the steps at her feet and the remaining couple horrid slugs just schloop away into the water.
Combat Over!
It made 1 of 2 saves vs. Kasvot's flaming sphere and thus took exactly enough damage to drop to 0 HP, which as a swarm means it disbands.
Current Status
Liet-Gar (-1 HP, -1 Str/-1 Con Damage)
Niza (-8 HP, -2 Str/Con Damage)
Fromagalli (-8 HP, -1 Str/Con Damage, -2 Dex Drain*)
*Ability Drain: Ability drain actually reduces the relevant ability score. Modify all skills and statistics related to that ability. This might cause you to lose skill points, hit points, and other bonuses. Ability drain can be healed through the use of spells such as restoration.
Female | HP 46/46 | AC 19, T 14, FF 16 | CMD 16 (13FF)| F +6 R +9 W +9; +2 vs. fear | Init +9 | Perc +13 | Speed 30ft | Bard Spells 1st 6/6 | 2nd 4/4 | Bardic Performance 24/24 | Cleric Spells 2/2+1 | Channel 1d6 7/7 | Active Conditions: |Agile Feet 4/4 | Bit of Luck: 4/4 | Reroll 1/1
Making like a swordsman from an opera, Dimple draws her wand of curative magic. "En garde evil wounds!" She offers a brief salute, then holds her arm out. The gnome then parries, thrusts, lunges and eventually scores a 'hit' on Niza and Fromagalli. "Oh! A tough on, eh? Have at ye!"
"Oh! A tough on, eh? Have at ye!" She dances around Niza, circling her several times before findinig an opening.
CLW vs Niza:1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2"HA!"
Dimple takes a quick step back before extending in an overly dramatic final lunge.
CLW vs Niza:1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4"And 'HA' again I say!"
She salutes again before sliding her wand away with a flourish.
Noticing 'the dumb boys' are still wounded, she rolls her eyes and grasps her pretty butterfly necklace.
The group resumes their normal careful checking of things and Dimple notices a scum-covered leather satchel is crammed among the banyan’s roots.
Within is a watertight scroll tube made of horn containing a scrap of parchment with a hastily scrawled note: “We lost Gavreth, Kehm, and Nars in the Hall of the Flesh Eaters. Before he died, the wizard claimed the horror is a work of necromancy. I know it at least responded to holy water, so that means we should be able to—“ The rest of the note is smeared and illegible.
Unfortunately, I don't think that *drain* is fixed by lesser restoration. I'm hoping the scenario has some relief for that, or we might have an expensive recovery after this one.
Kasvot brushes off his robes, not even wet yet, and makes his way into the bogged chamber. He gives the leech corpses a clear berth, hoping that he doesn't feel any compulsion to snack.
Correct, the drain is not fixed by lesser, but lesser could help with the con/str damage everyone has right now, though only Niza is effected by it mechanically. For the -2 dex drain it'll cost a 2PP Restoration after the session, unless you all find something to help in the hidden rooms. I believe at that point though you could also hire a spellcaster for less cost. A level 7 caster casting a level 4 spell multiplied by 10g adding 100g of diamond dust = 380g.
No one seems interested in the information uncovered by Dimple or the magic item, but shove it into a sack for later, just in case.
The group moves up to the next doorway, checking it carefully for traps and magic. None found, Liet-Gar muscles the doorway opening to see...
This cathedral-like hall has a vaulted ceiling supported by eight square pillars. Dominating the middle of the hall is a huge mound of undulating gray-green flesh covered with weeping scarlet boils. The entire mass stinks of a weeks-old corpse.
Even more concerning is the sheer massive amount of undead creatures clustered around the weeping mound of rotting flesh and... they appear to be eating it! There are at least ten undead, maybe more on the backside. You have at least a brief chance to take advantage of them not noticing you yet.
Surprise Round Move OR Standard only Kasvot
Dimple
Liet-Gar
Niza & Albis
Fromagalli
Bold May Act, remember this is currently a Surprise Round. Maps Page 2 shows where the group is located. Maps Page 1 shows the room.
Trained Knowledge “Religion” 3x, Giant Mound, Undead Type A (5x) and Undead Type B (8x):
With a success on your roll I will ID the creature. This ID will include basic type/subtype and one tidbit of knowledge. I will dole out the tidbits starting with signature special abilities and then working to more mechanical things like DR and other resistances. Multiple rolls from multiple players, assuming they both beat the DC, will grant additional information and not duplicate tidbits.
"What are we... what is that?!?!" Kasvot trusts that there's probably not a bad target in this room, and quickly gets ready to fire off a ray of positive energy at the first provocation.
Actions:
5' step Standard: readied action to cast disrupt undead, targeting the first undead that approaches within range of the spell (35')
Dimple's mouth drops agape at the sight. Before a sound can escape, her right hand covers her mouth. Knowing that won't be enough, her left hand follows a few seconds later.
It's a...and a...and that's a...EWWW!
Leaving her hands in place, she first shuffle-steps to the side, out of the doorway, then slowly spins and inches backwards until her back rests against the wall.
If we are charging in, Dimple will cast Bless. If we are 'holding the door', Dimple will grant Bit of Luck to LGZ (or whomever is holding the door).
burning hands wand 1 charges, disguise self wand 5 charges, longstrider wand 46 chgs Wands and wayfinder are from confirmation and first steps Hand of apprentice 6 remaining AC 18*, touch 10, flat-footed 18 (+6 armor) hp 51/41 Fort +5*, Ref +4*, Will +5*; +2 vs. enchantments Immune sleep
Fromagalli utters some magic words and begins to blur Blur cast with no somantic components
Only Fromagalli is able to identify the obscure mound of disgusting flesh to be a Necrotic Polyp. An Ancient work of necromancy and flesh-warping. It is a living creature in a certain sense, but is completely immobile and doesn't take actions. The half-elf wizard/ranger can tell that touching it would be unwise (touching it you take 1d6 negative energy damage). And he also knows that it is really hard to kill (tons of HP, Fast Healing, Hardness, etc...), so shouldn't be dealt with until safer to do so.
Niza and Dimple quickly identify the five similar type undead creatures (A) to be advanced festrogs. These are stronger versions of the NE Medium Sized Undead dog-like monsters. In addition to normal undead traits, they have hideous oozing pustules all over their body. If they are struck with a piercing or slashing weapon, the disease sprays back at the attacker (no range limit but only sprays the attacker), possibly giving them the disease (onset 1 day, 1d4 con damage daily, 1 save made to cure). They are also good at charging and tripping opponents. Lastly, if they bite someone, they gain temporary hit points.
Niza and Dimple also identify the eight similar type undead creatures (B) to be regular ole boring ghouls. But boring they are not, these are very dangerous CE Medium Sized Undead humanoids. Any attack they hit with can paralyze an opponent for several rounds (elves are immune... jerks) and their bites also carry a disease (onset 1 day, 1d3 dex and 1d3 con damage daily, 2 consecutive saves made to cure).
Kasvot readies to cast a spell upon the creatures, but none come into range as they all appear sluggish to respond to the tasty living creatures invading their domain.
Dimples blesses the group before everyone gets too spread apart.
Liet-Gar moves into the room and Niza begins to cast a spell, summoning the energy to make the half-elf really big!
Fromagalli makes himself harder to hit, his half-elf outline appears blurred, shifting and wavering.
Round 1 Bless 9 rds remain Kasvot
Dimple
Niza & Albis
Liet-Gar
Fromagalli (Blur 4 minutes)
All Undead... but they appear sluggish to respond
Bold May Act. Maps Page 2 shows where the group is located. Maps Page 1 shows the room. Move yourself on both maps if in an overlapped section (like LGZ has done).
Realizing that it's probably going to be a beat before the undead even notice them, Kasvot grabs his wand of shield and makes sure that he's protected. "LGZ, don't forget to come back once they notice you! If we're going to use this doorway as a restriction point, you need to be on this side!"
Actions:
Move: retrieve wand of shield Standard: cast shield on self
Female | HP 46/46 | AC 19, T 14, FF 16 | CMD 16 (13FF)| F +6 R +9 W +9; +2 vs. fear | Init +9 | Perc +13 | Speed 30ft | Bard Spells 1st 6/6 | 2nd 4/4 | Bardic Performance 24/24 | Cleric Spells 2/2+1 | Channel 1d6 7/7 | Active Conditions: |Agile Feet 4/4 | Bit of Luck: 4/4 | Reroll 1/1
GM Top wrote:
Liet-Gar moves into the room
LGZ wrote:
"We should use this door as a choke point. There are a lot of them over there..."
I would take this to mean that LGZ would stay on this side of the door. Going through AND being big just makes him more available to get hit. Am I reading this wrong?
We should probably clarify this before moving forward, especially as LGZ never mentioned heading in. Just being careful as the tiny gnome sees a TPK waiting to happen.
Yeah, I'm thinking if it's a choke point, we want to all be on this side, drawing them through to attack them one at at time as they come out. LGZ on the other side of the door (except momentarily, to get their attention) seems really deadly to him. That's why Kasvot called out as he did.
I do plan to move back. But didnt want to get enlarged in the small hallway. Since it seems they need incentive, after I get big, I'll be whacking one and moving back out.
I will need room though to move back. I wont ne able to get all the way out of the hallway this round
Eyes wide at the sight, the half-elf silently nods to Niza. Long polearm at the ready, he steps through the door and whispers back to the group...
Dimple McSweetness wrote:
We should probably clarify this before moving forward, especially as LGZ never mentioned heading in. Just being careful as the tiny gnome sees a TPK waiting to happen.
He most definitely mentioned going through and moved his piece in there as well. All that aside, I think you are all on the same plan (at least now) to fall back to the hallway/door to try a choke point.
I combined the maps since you all are planning to use the southern rooms. It appears Dimple was in the middle of a wall or behind the wall, so I put her behind the wall. If she needed to be in the hallway or elsewhere that is fine, she can be moved there to squeeze with LGZ.
Kasvot Shields himself for the coming battle.
Niza finishes her spell and moves back into the southern room.
Liet-Gar dashes forwards, swipes with his large weapon and impales one of the undead on the end. It collapses into a clump of bones and tissue.
Dimple begins summoning something!
Round 1 Bless 9 rds remain
Kasvot
Niza & Albis
Dimple
Liet-Gar
Fromagalli (Blur 4 minutes)
All Undead... but they appear sluggish to respond
burning hands wand 1 charges, disguise self wand 5 charges, longstrider wand 46 chgs Wands and wayfinder are from confirmation and first steps Hand of apprentice 6 remaining AC 18*, touch 10, flat-footed 18 (+6 armor) hp 51/41 Fort +5*, Ref +4*, Will +5*; +2 vs. enchantments Immune sleep
Fromagalli steps back and pulls out a light mace infuses it with magic ready to hit the undead with it
Fromagalli prepares for the onslaught, which never comes. The undead do manage to all stand up from their meals and turns towards the living. It seems they are definitely starting to get moving.
A very specific mechanic was put into this fight to avoid an overwhelming horde of undead swarming the group right away. I think it was meant to either give you all a few good shots to thin down the horde or to allow buffing and setup of a choke point like you all are doing.
Moving out of the hallway with a soft *POP* as he expands back out, the half-elf sets up to the south. Eyeing the undead, he readies to end them, one at a time.
Female | HP 46/46 | AC 19, T 14, FF 16 | CMD 16 (13FF)| F +6 R +9 W +9; +2 vs. fear | Init +9 | Perc +13 | Speed 30ft | Bard Spells 1st 6/6 | 2nd 4/4 | Bardic Performance 24/24 | Cleric Spells 2/2+1 | Channel 1d6 7/7 | Active Conditions: |Agile Feet 4/4 | Bit of Luck: 4/4 | Reroll 1/1
Dimple finishes muttering to herself just as a giant eagle bursts into existence by the gathered undead. It darts toward a green skinned abomination and begins attacking it from above. Dimple also snaps off a shot in the same direction.
Talon vs GREEN {Smite Evil}:1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8 Damage:1d4 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
Talon vs GREEN {Smite Evil}:1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8 Damage:1d4 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3
burning hands wand 1 charges, disguise self wand 5 charges, longstrider wand 46 chgs Wands and wayfinder are from confirmation and first steps Hand of apprentice 6 remaining AC 18*, touch 10, flat-footed 18 (+6 armor) hp 51/41 Fort +5*, Ref +4*, Will +5*; +2 vs. enchantments Immune sleep
Fromagalli takes position opposite the gnome putting his sword away
Kasvot prepares to blast the first monster that comes close enough. Niza shields herself and readies for the rush. Niza summons her eagle and fires an arrow, though nothing manages to connect for any damage. LGZ moves out of the tight quarters of the hallway and both he and Fromagalli ready attacks.
The undead horde finally get moving, though slower than expected. The three nearest the eagle attempt to shred it with their teeth.
GM Screen:
Ghoul Cyan Bite:1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14 for BPS:1d6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2 Plus Disease and Paralysis
Festrog Green Bite:1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18 for BPS:1d6 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11 plus 5 Temp HP gained (max 5)
Ghoul Purple Bite:1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18 for BPS:1d6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5 Plus Disease and Paralysis
All three monsters connect, shredding it to pieces. Or maybe it just went back to its native plane. Either way, nothing is left of the majestic bird.
Round 3 Bless 7 rds remain Kasvot (Shield 8 rds remain)
Niza (Shield 5 minutes) & Albis
Dimple
Liet-Gar (Enlarged 5 minutes)
Fromagalli (Blur 4 minutes)
Cyan Ghoul
Green Festrog (+5 Temp HP)
Purple Ghoul
Yellow Festrog
Green Dashed Ghoul
Red Dashed Ghoul
Red Festrog
Yellow Dashed Ghoul
Blue Festrog
Yellow Dashed Ghoul
Purple Festrog
Orange Dashed Ghoul
Bold May Act.
Other than the three that could reach and attack the eagle (which they did), the rest couldn't move far enough into range of you all, sorry. Next round I can assure you they will get to you all (unless something crazy happens) so go ahead and roll any readied attacks and AoO's so I can resolve them as the enemies rush in.
Female | HP 46/46 | AC 19, T 14, FF 16 | CMD 16 (13FF)| F +6 R +9 W +9; +2 vs. fear | Init +9 | Perc +13 | Speed 30ft | Bard Spells 1st 6/6 | 2nd 4/4 | Bardic Performance 24/24 | Cleric Spells 2/2+1 | Channel 1d6 7/7 | Active Conditions: |Agile Feet 4/4 | Bit of Luck: 4/4 | Reroll 1/1
Can I readied action my Inspire Courage? I just don't want to waste a round of it. If it can't be readied, I will start it now. In either case, Dimple draws a tiny mace.
Yes and that is a smart move. I just need to know what condition will trigger the IC. Also, go ahead and spoiler an AoO in case an enemy gets to you and provokes, unless you just wanted the mace out to threaten.
Kasvot waits as before, ready to unleash positive energy at his first opportunity. "I wasn't thinking these things would be so... slow? What are they, drunk from feeding on that glob-thing?"
Actions:
Move: 15' Standard: readied action to cast disrupt undead vs the first undead to reach the square marked with a blue and white lightning bolt
”Dev” | Male CN Medium Magus 4 | HP 44/44 | AC 20 | F +9 R +10 W +8 | Perc +8 | Default Exploration (Avoid Notice) | Speed 25ft | Active Conditions: None
I'll keep Fromagalli's last rolled readied action from the round before, but it still needs a crit confirmation roll.
The fiends turn towards the hallway and with a grunt they rush the group, confident in their numbers and really hungry. Their earlier slowness appears to be completely gone.
The first ghoul to react rushes right into a blast of positive energy from Kasvot as Dimple begins her inspiration, which sears its flesh. It keeps moving and is quickly hacked to pieces by Liet-Gar.
The second undead, a festrog this time, rushes the hallway. He survives the wicked stab from Liet-Gar but its diseased pustules burst, spraying the Half Elf with gooey pus (Fort Save LGZ) but then walks right into an execution blow from the other half elf waiting around the corner.
The third undead is eviscerated by LGZ again, falling onto its buddy. But the fourth makes it all the way through the gauntlet, ducking a slash from the tiring half-elf and avoiding the readied swing of Niza. It jumps right up and rips through Liet-Gar's armor like tissue paper, ripping out a large chunk of flesh (14 damage LGZ).
GM Screen:
Festrog Yellow Bite LGZ:1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26 for BPS:1d6 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7 plus 5 Temp HP gained (max 5)
The next undead (green dashed) in line rushes up and has to decide between two tasty targets. From 1 Niza 2:1d2 ⇒ 1 It bites at the half elf around the corner but misses completely.
GM Screen:
Ghoul Green Dotted Bite Fromagalli - Cover:1d20 + 3 - 4 ⇒ (5) + 3 - 4 = 4 for BPS:1d6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5 Plus Disease and Paralysis
The next one (red dashed) rushes down the corridor and past the two undead taking up space there. As it attempts to jump the gap, Fromagalli and Niza combine to finish it off. But the one (solid red) behind it makes it all the way through and its slavering jaws fling drool at Dimple's face. The last ghoul (dashed yellow) makes it into the hallway, but no farther.
Another Festrog (solid blue) doesn't quit make it into the room, staying ready to move next round. But the next (dashed cyan) makes it all the way into a flanking position around Niza, though takes a hit from Dimple as it goes by.
And the last two make it even farther, even threatening Kasvot hiding in the back.
Round 4 Bless 6 rds remain, IC up! Kasvot (Shield 7 rds remain)
Niza (Shield 5 minutes) & Albis
Dimple
Liet-Gar (-14 HP, Enlarged 5 minutes, Fort Save vs. Green's Disease)
Fromagalli (Blur 4 minutes) Cyan Ghoul (dead) Green Festrog (dead) Purple Ghoul (dead)
Yellow Festrog (+5 Temp HP)
Green Dashed Ghoul
Red Dashed Ghoul (dead)
Red Festrog
Yellow Dashed Ghoul
Blue Festrog
Cyan Dashed Ghoul (-5 HP)
Purple Festrog
Orange Dashed Ghoul
Bold are up! It's quite possible I messed something up, that felt like about a hundred different actions and movements I had to manage. I'll retcon stuff if pointed out and if it would change something important. :(
See the state of affairs as they unfold, LGZ steps back and gives the foes a wide twirl of his blade. Keeping a hand up, he hopes to better protect himself from their response.
"Keep it together guys! We've got this. A third of them already fell!"
"LGZ, aargh, you've cut off my retreat!" Kasvot takes quick step to the side--at least he'll only be threatened by one of these monstrosities--and tries to cast a spell. He draws a dagger just in case.
