GM Kate's Extinction Curse [closed]

Game Master Kate Baker

Thkrull pushes past the short things and charges in toward the stinky things.

Two actions to Stride
Fort (expert), inspired: 1d20 + 13 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 13 + 1 = 30

Kennari curses at himself under his breath as he reacts too slowly to fire off an area spell before his melee-oriented allies move in. Instead, he moves for a better view and fires of an arc of electricity at the nearest two xulgath. ◆Stride, ◆◆Cast electric arc targeting #1 and #2.

Electricity damage: 3d4 + 4 ⇒ (2, 2, 2) + 4 = 10
DC 22, reduce status bonus vs. magic by 1.

Unset easily tumbles through the creature's space! That's actually a crit success, though I don't believe that adds anything additional.

He then strikes another xulgath twice, bringing them down! Crit and a hit!

Rova then lets loose an arrow into the stinky room! No hero point needed; the 20 was a hit.

The elephant marches in, undeterred by the smell.

Kennari sends in an electric arc!

1 Reflex: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21
2 Reflex: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18

Despite doing their best, they both fail!

Both xulgaths draw greataxes! #2 swings at Unset, trying to drain his strength.

greataxe!: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (18) + 11 = 29
ouch!: 1d10 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10 and a Fort save!

The other moves around the elephant and swings at Prism, but can't add anything extra to the blow.

greataxe!: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (5) + 11 = 16
ouch!: 1d10 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13

Xulgath Leader
Kennari
Unset, -10 hp
Rova
Xulgath 2, -24 hp
Xulgath 1, -10 hp
Niksi
Prism

Fort save: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (6) + 14 = 20

Unset feels the blow from the axe, but is otherwise undeterred!

Prism slashes back at the Xulgath as she narrowly sidesteps the greataxe.

+1 Striking Sickle vs FF: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (12) + 15 = 27
Damage: 2d4 + 1 ⇒ (3, 3) + 1 = 7
Sneak Attack Damage: 2d6 ⇒ (6, 3) = 9

+1 Striking Sickle vs FF: 1d20 + 15 - 4 ⇒ (10) + 15 - 4 = 21
Damage: 2d4 + 1 ⇒ (3, 3) + 1 = 7
Sneak Attack Damage: 2d6 ⇒ (3, 2) = 5

◆ Strike
◆ Strike
◆ Shield

Niksi begins her protective performance, going back to one of her favorite tunes.

She blasts the most wounded xulgath engaged with Unset with a mental attack as well.

Daze vs Xulgath 2: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8
DC 22 basic will save, stunned 1 on a crit fail

Prism successfully strikes twice at #1!

Niksi tries to enter the mind of #2!

Will: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (10) + 9 = 19

Quite successfully!

The spiritual gauntlet punches Rova again!

Spiritual weapon attack!: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (3) + 16 = 19

Still missing.

The caster then reaches out toward Unset, who must make a Fort save!

Xulgath Leader
Kennari
Unset, -10 hp
Rova
Xulgath 2, -32 hp
Xulgath 1, -24 hp
Niksi
Prism

folks in the hallway must succed at a DC 19 Fort save or be sickened 1, now that a xulgath has gotten close!

Fortitude: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (9) + 14 = 23

"What the--? It blinded me, it did!" cries Unset.

Collecting himself, the fleshwarped man attempts to use his other senses to locate the nearest attacker.
Perception to Seek, blinded w/Motion Sense: 1d20 + 11 - 4 ⇒ (12) + 11 - 4 = 19
I believe if that exceeds the xulgath's Stealth DC, the creature is only hidden as to Unset.

He then tries to swing a limb at the creature!
Melee +1 striking tail (backswing, magical) v xulgath: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (6) + 15 = 21
Flat check: 1d20 ⇒ 6

Feeling the his appendage failing to connect, Unset swings again.
Melee 1 striking fist +15 (magical, nonlethal, agile, finesse) v xulgath: 1d20 + 15 - 4 ⇒ (4) + 15 - 4 = 15
Flat check: 1d20 ⇒ 12
Damage B: 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (1, 2) + 4 = 7

Fort (expert): 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (18) + 13 = 31 Assuming I might need this as one gets close

"Get him, Thkrull," Rova encourages as she pulls her fork and stabs at the xulgath in front of her.

Action 1: Command animal
Action 2: Hunt Prey (1); after Thkrull's attacks
Action 3: Quick Draw to Strike 1

+1 Filcher's Fork (Agile, backstabber, deadly d6, finesse, thrown 20 ft.): 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (6) + 14 = 20
Hunter's edge (precision/piercing damage): 1d4 + 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + (3) + 1 = 5

Thkrull kicks at the xulgath and then drives his tusk into the stinky thing.

Foot: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (5) + 12 = 17
Hunter's Edge (bludgeoning/precision damage: 2d8 + 4 + 1d8 ⇒ (4, 8) + 4 + (4) = 20

Tusk (agile): 1d20 + 12 - 4 ⇒ (20) + 12 - 4 = 28
Hunter's Edge (piercing/precision damage: 2d6 + 4 + 1d8 ⇒ (4, 3) + 4 + (2) = 13 -2 if the first attack hit (since no hunter's edge bonus damage)

Fort save vs. stench: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (2) + 10 = 12

Queasy from the stench, Kennari stays in the hall and looses a jolt of electricity at the two nearest xulgath, before casting a protective ward. If the two mooks are still up: ◆◆Cast electric arc on 1 and 2, ◆Cast shield. If one of the them is down: Cast reach electric arc on whoever is left and the boss. DC 21 basic Reflex (after sickened 1), reducing any status bonus to saves vs. magic by 1.

Electricity Damage: 3d4 + 4 ⇒ (2, 1, 4) + 4 = 11

His vision lost, Unset lashes out, but can't quite connect! That Perception check reveals Xulgath 2, but not the cleric.

Rova and Thkrull go after the xulgath menacing the backline. One hit from each!

Kennari, sickened, lets loose with an arc of electricity.

Reflex 1: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18

Reflex 2: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22

#1 collapses!

#2 moves around to get a flank on Unset.

greataxe!: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (15) + 11 = 26
ouch!: 1d10 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10 and a Fort save!

Xulgath Leader
Kennari
Unset, -18 hp
Rova
Xulgath 2, -37 hp
Niksi
Prism

Prism runs into the room to help Unset against the Xulgaths. Hang in there Unset!"

+1 Striking Sickle vs FF: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (6) + 15 = 21
Damage: 2d4 + 1 ⇒ (3, 3) + 1 = 7
Sneak Attack Damage: 2d6 ⇒ (5, 5) = 10

◆ Stride
◆ Stride
◆ Strike

Fortitude Save (inspire defense) vs sickened: 1d20 + 10 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 10 + 1 = 24

Niksi moves closer into the room, continuing her song as she does. She readies to attack any xulgath that comes close to her with her blade.

Stride, Inspire Defense, Ready

Readying is two actions, so I'll take the liberty of assuming that Niksi Takes Cover with her third action behind Thkrull.

Prism moves in to stab the priest! Niksi moves in and keeps everyone inspired!

The spiritual gauntlet attacks Rova!

attack!: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (12) + 16 = 28
ouch!: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5 force damage

The priest then Steps out of the flank and punches Prism with a real gauntlet!

gauntlet!: 1d20 + 16 - 5 ⇒ (19) + 16 - 5 = 30
ouch!: 2d4 + 4 ⇒ (1, 3) + 4 = 8 and a Fort save!

Xulgath Leader, -17 hp
Kennari
Unset, -18 hp
Rova, -5
Xulgath 2, -37 hp
Niksi
Prism, -6 hp

Rova winces as she takes the hit from the spiritual weapon, and moves into the room. "To Groetus with you!" she curses the spellcaster as she sizes him up and lets loose an arrow.

Action 1: Stride
Action 2: Hunt Prey
Action 3: Strike
+1 Shortbow (deadly d10, magical, 60 foot range, reload 0): 1d20 + 14 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 14 + 1 = 27
Hunter's edge (precision/piercing damage): 2d6 + 1d8 ⇒ (3, 1) + (1) = 5

Thkrull stomps on the stinky, spell-y thing.

Foot: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (12) + 12 = 24
Hunter's Edge (bludgeoning/precision damage: 2d8 + 4 + 1d8 ⇒ (4, 6) + 4 + (7) = 21

Unset concentrates in an effort to try and find the nearest foe.
Perception to Seek, blinded w/Motion Sense: 1d20 + 11 - 4 ⇒ (5) + 11 - 4 = 12

Presumably unable to get a bearing, he tries again.
Perception to Seek, blinded w/Motion Sense: 1d20 + 11 - 4 ⇒ (11) + 11 - 4 = 18

If he finds a foe, he swings at it.
Melee +1 striking tail (backswing, magical) v xulgath: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (10) + 15 = 25
Flat check: 1d20 ⇒ 16
Damage B: 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (3, 6) + 4 = 13

If he did not find a foe, then he Seeks again.

"Hm, let's try that again."

Assuming both enemies are still up:

Kennari focuses his magic one more and fires off another burst of electric energy. Casting reach electric arc. DC 21, reduce status bonuses by 1.

Electricity damage: 3d4 + 4 ⇒ (1, 4, 4) + 4 = 13

If one of the enemies is down before Kennari's turn, he'll instead cast magic missile from his staff at the remaining foe.

Rova and Thkrull both hit the priest!

Unset smells out the xulgath next to him and attacks, hitting them with his tail and taking them out of the fight!

Kennari fires off a magic missile!

pew!: 3d4 + 3 ⇒ (2, 4, 1) + 3 = 10

Initiative
Xulgath Leader, -53 hp
Kennari
Unset, -18 hp
Rova, -5
Niksi
Prism, -6 hp

Xulgath 2 is down, so Niksi and Prism are up!

Prism takes the small punch and rolls with it. Her sickle comes around to slash at the Xulgath's arm as a prismatic shield leaps up to defend Prism.

Fort Save DC 22: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (14) + 11 = 25

+1 Striking Sickle vs FF: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (6) + 15 = 21
Damage: 2d4 + 1 ⇒ (2, 1) + 1 = 4
Sneak Attack Damage: 2d6 ⇒ (4, 1) = 5

+1 Striking Sickle vs FF: 1d20 + 15 - 4 ⇒ (4) + 15 - 4 = 15
Damage: 2d4 + 1 ⇒ (2, 2) + 1 = 5
Sneak Attack Damage: 2d6 ⇒ (4, 5) = 9

◆ Strike
◆ Strike
◆ Shield spell

Niksi focuses on bringing down the leader as she maintains her song for her friends.

Daze: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5
DC 22 basic will save, stunned 1 on a crit fail

Two actions for daze, one for inspire defense

Prism strikes once with her sickle!

Niksi assaults his mind.

Will save: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (1) + 13 = 14

And succeeds! The priest is stunned by her spell!

With limited actions, the priest continues the spiritual attack on Rova and the physical attack on Prism.

attack! vs Rova: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (5) + 16 = 21
ouch!: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9 force damage

gauntlet! vs Prsim: 1d20 + 16 - 5 ⇒ (3) + 16 - 5 = 14
ouch!: 2d4 + 4 ⇒ (3, 2) + 4 = 9 and a Fort save!

The sunning seems to have affected his attacks too!

Initiative
Xulgath Leader, -72 hp
Kennari
Unset, -18 hp
Rova, -5
Niksi
Prism, -6 hp

"My, this thing is tenacious." Kennari mutters once again and waves his hand, sending three more bolts of force toward the creature, this time from his hand rather than his staff. ◆◆◆Casting magic missile from his prepared spells.

Force damage: 3d4 + 3 ⇒ (4, 3, 2) + 3 = 12

Rova continues firing arrows, slamming them home into the spellcaster's chest, and then urges Thkrull to help, not that she can easily stop him unless she tries.

Action 1: Strike
Action 2: Strike
Action 3: Command an Animal

+1 Shortbow (deadly d10, magical, 60 foot range, reload 0): 1d20 + 14 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 14 + 1 = 33
Hunter's edge (precision/piercing damage): 2d6 + 1d8 ⇒ (1, 2) + (1) = 4
Deadly?: 1d10 ⇒ 3
Crit specialization (just in case): The target gets stuck to an adjacent surface by the missile. The target is immobilized and must spend an Interact action to attempt a DC 10 Athletics check to pull the missile free; it can’t move from its space until it succeeds.

Shortbow (iterative): 1d20 + 14 - 5 ⇒ (15) + 14 - 5 = 24
Piercing damage: 2d6 ⇒ (4, 3) = 7

Thkrull continues the assault vs. the stinky thing, rearing up to stomp on it and then stabbing it with his tusk. He's teach it to smell so badly!

Foot: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (17) + 12 = 29
Hunter's Edge (bludgeoning/precision damage: 2d8 + 4 + 1d8 ⇒ (7, 7) + 4 + (3) = 21

Tusk (agile): 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (17) + 12 = 29
Piercing damage: 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (2, 6) + 4 = 12

Nice rolls today! I assume that 37 points of damage for my turn; more if the 24 hits and/or 33 crits.

Prism continues to shield herself as she slashes her blade from the other side of Thkrull.

+1 Striking Sickle vs FF: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (17) + 15 = 32
Damage: 2d4 + 1 ⇒ (1, 4) + 1 = 6
Sneak Attack Damage: 2d6 ⇒ (5, 1) = 6

+1 Striking Sickle vs FF: 1d20 + 15 - 4 ⇒ (18) + 15 - 4 = 29
Damage: 2d4 + 1 ⇒ (3, 4) + 1 = 8
Sneak Attack Damage: 2d6 ⇒ (1, 3) = 4

◆ Strike
◆ Strike
◆ Shield spell

Unset quiets his mind and tries to focus on the location of the remaining foe.
Perception to Seek, blinded w/Motion Sense: 1d20 + 11 - 4 ⇒ (16) + 11 - 4 = 23

Assuming that does it ..finding a foe, he moves towards it and swings at it.
Stride
Melee +1 striking tail (backswing, magical) v xulgath: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (12) + 15 = 27
Flat check: 1d20 ⇒ 7
Damage B: 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (2, 6) + 4 = 12

If he did not find a foe, then he Seeks again.

Niksi smiles at the success of her previous mental attack, and she maintains her song and follows up with another mental attack.

Daze: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8
DC 22 basic will save. Stunned 1 on a crit fail

Two actions for daze, one for Inspire Defense

With Kennari's magic missiles and several critical hits, the xulgath priest is easily defeated.

He wears a very nice +1 striking spiked gauntlet and a holy symbol of Zevgavizeb.

The disturbing movements on the human corpse end when the priest falls. As you carefully remove the body from the altar, a small object falls out of the pocket. You are all familiar with an invisible net. This particular one is marked with the intials CM neatly embroidered.

Could it be...the Celestial Menagerie?

Reminder that for this dungeon crawl, you tell me when you want to rest.

"Well, that was unpleasant." After only a moment of making sure everyone is ok, Kennari sets to examining the room around him, paying particular attention to any interesting Aroden-related iconography.

Interesting item.

"CM? Could that be the Celestial Menagerie?" Rova looks at the body to see if she recognizes it.

No need to rest on my end. We can probably take 10 minutes to Treat Unset's Wounds once I check the body.

Medicine (expert, inc. +1 item bonus): 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (9) + 13 = 22
HP recovered: 2d8 + 10 ⇒ (5, 4) + 10 = 19 All filled up!

No need to rest here either.

Prism leans over the invisible net. "Whydo..peoplekeep..makingitems..invisible. Sohard..tofind..after." She waits within the room while they heal unset, she curiously watches how someone treats his anatomy, sitting on the altar as she kicks her legs back and forth.

The body does seem familiar to those of you who worked for the Celestial Menagerie. You think you recognize one of the stagehands. He was often arguing with Madame Dusklight.

"I knew he should have left and come with us," Rova said. "Do you think Madame Dusklight has something to do with what's going on? It's strange that he's here, right?"

"Many thanks, Friend Rova," Unset says with gratitude at the attention to his injuries.

"Cain't say I has much insights ter offer on Madame Dusklight, I'm arfraid."

He begins poking his head around, looking for some clues that may be helpful.
Exploration Mode: Seek

Once satisfied that there is no more of interest to him in the room, Unset heads outside the room, looking around where Prism is (or has been) near a possible stairwell (or rounded wall, may be all he can see).
Token moved

The spacious hall you pass through connects several rooms of the upper temple level. Several crude, heavy packs piled against the north wall contain food and supplies.

Prism sorts through the packs and tosses out the grim shrunken derro head. "Ewww!" But her eyes light up at once as she holds up a small ouch filled with rubies. "Lookat..this!" She pours the glittering gems into her open hand.

"Why der ya think these creature's would want to keep that unfortunate dwarf's 'ead?" Unset inquires as Prism tosses the shrunken derro head to the floor. The fleshforged man begins to question having agreed to remain underground with the party. "I knew yer were lookin' for an old temple and that it might be danger'us, but I didn't suspect we might become somethin's dinner."

Kennari picks up the head, examining it with a critical eye. "Dwarf? Hardly, friend. This is a dero, more akin to our colorful gnome friend here than a dwarf. Still..." He waves a hand over the shrunken head and spends some time looking it over. "Well, quite the intimidating little object, isn't it? And it has been enchanted to be doubly so. I suspect carrying this around could help someone to make quite the impression." Kennari goes into a short but boring lecture on the history, construction, and finally properties of a grim trophy. Looks like Niksi is the only one of us likely to be making Intimidate checks.

"I wonder if these packs were the xulgaths'? I hope that means there were only four of them," Rova says, counting quickly.

"But we should probably make sure!"

Next go into the room Prism is next to?

You continue along.

The next chamber looks as though it once served as a place of study and contemplation. Now the room contains only a scattering of splinters and a bookshelf with several tomes of Arodenite lore. A tall cabinet has fallen on its back, its doors missing and its interior filled with mosses and shredded cloth to serve as a nest. A spiral staircase to the northwest ascends upward.

A xulgath is too engrossed in the books to notice the door open. The hulking xulgath next to her looks bored. A small flying demon trembles in the corner.

Initiative
Prism
Kennari
Unset
Rova
Niksi
Spinesnapper
Zunkri
Givzib

Looks like you got the drop on them!

That doesn't bode well that the *demon* is trembling in the corner.

Rova, sizing up the xulgaths, decides quick action is the best plan. She lets loose with a couple of arrows at the only one she can see, though Prism is blocking her aim.

Action 1: Hunt Prey (big xulgath)
Action 2: Strike
Action 3: Strike

+1 Shortbow (deadly d10, magical, 60 foot range, reload 0): 1d20 + 14 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 14 + 1 = 19
Hunter's edge (precision/piercing damage): 2d6 + 1d8 ⇒ (1, 3) + (5) = 9

Shortbow (iterative): 1d20 + 14 - 5 ⇒ (4) + 14 - 5 = 13
Piercing damage: 2d6 ⇒ (4, 2) = 6

Thkrull jostles Unset, trying to push past him to see what's going on.

No action

Niksi attempts to wiggle a fear of marionettes such as Niksi into the big xulgath’s mind.

Casting Fear DC 22 Will Save on it with two actions, one action to Inspire Defense

Kennari readies a fireball to wipe out the whole room, pausing only once he realizes what the xulgaths are doing.

By the Last Azlanti, to think what I almost just did to those books!

Instead, he sends a jolt of electricity at the two xulgaths, then backs away.

Electric Arc: 3d4 + 4 ⇒ (2, 2, 3) + 4 = 11
DC 22 basic Reflex, reducing status vs. magic by 1.

Prompted by the elephant's nudge, Unset rushes into the room, flips his appendage around at the big thing with the axe!
Stride
Melee +1 striking tail (backswing, magical) v axe-wielder: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (6) + 15 = 21
Damage B: 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (2, 2) + 4 = 8

Then, realizing that no one followed him, Unset quickly tries to back out of the room.
Stride

"That's a big Xulgath!" Prism squeaks. Seeing the room's occupants distracted and not noticing her right away gives Prism a chance to rush into the room and ducks aroound the stairwell.

Stealth +14

◆ Sneak
◆ Sneak
◆ Hide

Rova's arrows bounce off the brutish xulgath.

Niksi tries to terrify it.

Will: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (7) + 9 = 16

And succeeds! frightened 2!

Kennari sends in an arc of electricity.

Zunkri: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (7) + 13 = 20
Spinesnapper, frightened: 1d20 + 10 - 2 ⇒ (11) + 10 - 2 = 19

They both get zapped!

Unset runs in, hits the big guy with his tail, and runs out again!

Prism sneaks in.

Unfortunately, Prism stumbles on some rubble while moving in, and the xulgaths hear her!

The big one steps up to the stairwell and tries to get its maul in!

maul, brutal blow: 1d20 + 15 - 2 ⇒ (18) + 15 - 2 = 31
ouch!: 1d12 + 10 ⇒ (6) + 10 = 16 plus a Fort save

Even with generous cover from the stairwell, that looks like a hit.

The bookish xulgath looks out the door at Niksi at sends three pairs of magical bolts flying.

magic missile: 6d4 + 6 ⇒ (1, 4, 2, 4, 3, 3) + 6 = 23

The tiny demon turns invisible!

Initiative
Prism, -14 hp
Kennari
Unset
Rova
Niksi, -23 hp
Spinesnapper, -19 hp
Zunkri, -11 hp
Givzib

Seeing that Prism entered the room, but failed to come out, Unset rushes into the room and attempts to tumble past the large creature near the doorway.
Stride
Acrobatics to Tumble Through: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (16) + 13 = 29
I sure hope that was a success!

"Keep yer mitts off 'er!" he cries at the xulgath, attempting to draw its attention from the gnome. He pounds at the creature with his appendages.

Melee +1 striking tail (backswing, magical) v axe-wielder: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (4) + 15 = 19
Damage B: 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (3, 5) + 4 = 12
Melee +1 striking fist (agical, nonlethal, agile, finesse) v axe-wielder: 1d20 + 15 - 4 ⇒ (7) + 15 - 4 = 18
Damage B: 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (3, 5) + 4 = 12