GM Kate's Extinction Curse [closed]

Game Master Kate Baker

Kennari moves for a better shot, then fires another beam of icy energy at the creature, hoping to further slow it down.

◆Stride, ◆◆Cast ray of frost.

Spell attack, IC: 1d20 + 17 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 17 + 1 = 23
Cold damage, IC: 5d4 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (3, 2, 4, 4, 4) + 4 + 1 = 22

Niksi boosts the group, but Kennari can't quite connect with his ray.

The remaining golem attacks the creatures in front of it!

stab! vs Prism: 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (13) + 22 = 35
ouch!: 2d10 + 6 ⇒ (3, 10) + 6 = 19
chamber: 1d6 ⇒ 1

acid: 2d6 ⇒ (2, 1) = 3

stab! vs Unset: 1d20 + 22 - 5 ⇒ (16) + 22 - 5 = 33
ouch!: 2d10 + 6 ⇒ (1, 9) + 6 = 16
chamber: 1d6 ⇒ 5

poison: 2d6 ⇒ (2, 5) = 7

stab! vs Prism: 1d20 + 22 - 10 ⇒ (10) + 22 - 10 = 22

Unset and Prism each get injected once! Prism's needle is acidic while Unset's is poisonous! Niksi's song helps keep the damage down a bit.

Initiative!
Prism, -69 hp
Unset, -71 hp
Kennari, -31 hp, 3d6 persistent acid
Rova, -6 hp
Red, -24 hp
Niksi, -24 hp

"Groetus guide my aim," Rova whispers. "Help me send this thing to its End!"

Groetus listens about as well as he usually does...

Great Groetus! (+1 striking shortbow eldritch shot, deadly d10, magical, 60-foot range): 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (11) + 18 = 29
Piercing damage: 2d6 + 2 ⇒ (3, 4) + 2 = 9
Hunter's edge (precision/piercing damage): 2d6 + 2 + 1d8 ⇒ (4, 5) + 2 + (6) = 17
TK projective: 4d6 ⇒ (6, 1, 4, 4) = 15

Though reluctant to leave Prism's side, Unset believes he can get into a better position with some fancy appendage work.
Acrobatics to Tumble Through: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (10) + 18 = 28
If that beats the Reflex DC, then Unset moves into a flank.

He then strikes.
Melee, striking thundering fist (magical, agile, finesse) v. red: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (2) + 18 = 20
Damage B +1d6 So: 2d6 + 6 + 1d6 ⇒ (3, 4) + 6 + (4) = 17
Melee, striking thundering fist (magical, agile, finesse) v. red: 1d20 + 18 - 4 ⇒ (2) + 18 - 4 = 16
Damage B +1d6 So: 2d6 + 6 + 1d6 ⇒ (6, 2) + 6 + (1) = 15

"Glad Groetus is on our side this time. Glad to end it." Prism smiles as she slices and dices.

+1 Striking Sickle (Gang-up): 1d20 + 18 - 1 ⇒ (9) + 18 - 1 = 26
Damage: 2d4 + 3 ⇒ (4, 1) + 3 = 8
Sneak Attack Damage: 2d6 ⇒ (5, 5) = 10

+1 Striking Sickle (Gang-up): 1d20 + 18 - 1 - 4 ⇒ (19) + 18 - 1 - 4 = 32
Damage: 2d4 + 3 ⇒ (3, 1) + 3 = 7
Sneak Attack Damage: 2d6 ⇒ (6, 3) = 9

+1 Striking Sickle (Gang-up): 1d20 + 18 - 1 - 8 ⇒ (12) + 18 - 1 - 8 = 21
Damage: 2d4 + 3 ⇒ (2, 1) + 3 = 6
Sneak Attack Damage: 2d6 ⇒ (6, 5) = 11

Forgot my persistent acid at the end of last turn:
Persistent acid: 3d6 ⇒ (2, 1, 4) = 7
Flat check: 1d20 ⇒ 17 Finally done!

Worried that none of his other magic will be effective, Kennari fires another ray of icy energy, then weaves a defensive ward.

◆◆Cast ray of frost, ◆Cast shield.

Spell attack: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (11) + 17 = 28 +1 if Inspire Courage is still going.
Cold damage: 5d4 + 4 ⇒ (3, 3, 4, 3, 4) + 4 = 21 +1 if Inspire Courage is still going.

Niksi offers some healing to poor Prism before returning to her song.

Soothe on Prism: 1d10 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11

Two actions for Soothe, one for Inspire Defense

Rova gets a solid hit, thanks to Groetus! Unset can't quite connect. Prism gets two good slices with her sickle. Kennari lands a blow with a ray of cold that slows it down while Niksi tends to Prism's wounds and keeps everyone inspired!

The creature keeps attacking!

stab! vs Prism: 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (4) + 22 = 26
ouch!: 2d10 + 6 ⇒ (6, 2) + 6 = 14
chamber: 1d6 ⇒ 6

stab! vs Unset: 1d20 + 22 - 5 ⇒ (10) + 22 - 5 = 27
ouch!: 2d10 + 6 ⇒ (8, 8) + 6 = 22
chamber: 1d6 ⇒ 5

poison: 2d6 ⇒ (6, 6) = 12

Its joints, stiff with cold, can't attempt a third attack.

Prism ducks underneath the syringe, but Unset gets caught and injected with pure poison!

Initiative!
Prism, -58 hp
Unset, -103 hp
Kennari, -38 hp, 3d6 persistent acid
Rova, -6 hp
Red, -75 hp (<50% health), slowed
Niksi, -24 hp

Sending off a quick, silent prayer of thanks to Groetus for keeping her unharmed, she urges her companions on. "Hold on, I think it's almost destroyed!" she calls out.

Can't they see that Groetus is keeping me safe? If they would just accept Him, surely they would be too!

She fires another arrow.

Three-action eldritch shot)
Great Groetus! (+1 striking shortbow eldritch shot, deadly d10, magical, 60-foot range): 1d20 + 18 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 18 + 1 = 26
Hunter's edge (precision/piercing damage): 2d6 + 3 + 1d8 ⇒ (6, 3) + 3 + (8) = 20
TK projective: 4d6 ⇒ (4, 2, 3, 1) = 10

"Keep at it!" Kennari says, as he renews his shield and fires off another ray of cold energy.

Spell Attack: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (12) + 17 = 29
Cold: 5d4 + 4 ⇒ (3, 2, 3, 2, 3) + 4 = 17

"I think you're right Rova!" Prism strikes back.

+1 Striking Sickle (Gang-up): 1d20 + 18 - 1 ⇒ (20) + 18 - 1 = 37
Damage: 2d4 + 3 ⇒ (1, 4) + 3 = 8
Sneak Attack Damage: 2d6 ⇒ (5, 3) = 8

+1 Striking Sickle (Gang-up): 1d20 + 18 - 1 - 4 ⇒ (1) + 18 - 1 - 4 = 14
Damage: 2d4 + 3 ⇒ (1, 3) + 3 = 7
Sneak Attack Damage: 2d6 ⇒ (2, 5) = 7

+1 Striking Sickle (Gang-up): 1d20 + 18 - 1 - 8 ⇒ (19) + 18 - 1 - 8 = 28
Damage: 2d4 + 3 ⇒ (4, 1) + 3 = 8
Sneak Attack Damage: 2d6 ⇒ (2, 2) = 4

"Keep at it!" Kennari says, as he renews his shield and fires off another ray of cold energy.

"Aye! That be whut ole Unset 'tis a doin'!" Despite the aches in his body, the fleshforged man continues to assault the automaton.

Melee, striking thundering fist (magical, agile, finesse) v. red: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (7) + 18 = 25
Damage B +1d6 So: 2d6 + 6 + 1d6 ⇒ (4, 6) + 6 + (5) = 21
Melee, striking thundering fist (magical, agile, finesse) v. red: 1d20 + 18 - 4 ⇒ (1) + 18 - 4 = 15
Damage B +1d6 So: 2d6 + 6 + 1d6 ⇒ (1, 2) + 6 + (6) = 15
Melee, striking thundering fist (magical, agile, finesse) v. red: 1d20 + 18 - 8 ⇒ (9) + 18 - 8 = 19
Damage B +1d6 So: 2d6 + 6 + 1d6 ⇒ (6, 6) + 6 + (4) = 22

Niksi keeps everyone inspired as the rest of you shoot, slice, pummel, and freeze the remaining golem, who seizes up and collapses!

Prism sigh and look around, "Everyone alright? This looks like a dead end though."

"There must be somewhere we can go!" Rova says, starting to look around between binding wounds. "We always had secret doors to keep Pharasmins from finding us growing up. Maybe there's one here!"

Doing all the Medicine checks, and looking for secret doors.

You heal your wounds and look around for where Thesseka might be. There are no secret doors that you can find, but you do see a shaft in the middle of the room that seems to lead to another room at the top of the tower!

There's a winch and pulley system that you can see, but it is currently withdrawn to the top.

Bracing against the walls of the shaft and climbing up is a DC 28 Athletics check.

Rova looks up.

How high is it?

Unset follows Rova's gaze, then begins to climb.
Athletics: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (18) + 19 = 37

The shaft goes 45 feet up! We'll let it work with a single check, though.

Unset braces himself against both sides of the shaft and carefully makes his way to the top.

Thesseka is not there, though she has clearly spent much time here.

Unset can lower the winch and pulley to bring everyone up one by one.

This room near the tower’s pinnacle is pyramidal in shape. Its corbelled walls rise at a steep angle to an apex 50 feet overhead, where a cylindrical shaft rises another 10 feet before opening to the sky at the tower’s point. The stuttering light of the tower’s aeon orb swings around the top of the shaft, casting dizzying shadows and occasionally shining its light straight down into the shaft.

The 30-foot-square chamber has four alcoves, one in the center of each wall, and the entire room is cluttered with crates bearing a sprawling contraption of glass-and-metal boxes, mirrors, liquid-filled tubes, and copper wiring. The south alcove has a simple hoist with a winch and pulley for hauling items up through a square-cut shaft that descends through the floor. The northern alcove holds a giant piece of rough-cut crystal three feet in diameter. This crystal rests on the floor and glows with an inner fire. Tubes and wiring from the assorted paraphernalia in this room converge on this giant mineral.

A low humming pervades the room, originating from the connected apparatuses. Every so often, the swinging light of the orbiting aeon orb shines down through the shaft from above, striking the device, which sparks wildly as it absorbs the light. The crystal’s inner light then perceptibly brightens. Whenever the orb’s light is momentarily absorbed, the orb takes on a dull, brownish cast for a few moments before gradually regaining its former sheen.

Rova finds several thin metal sheets carved with diagrams and notes in Undercommon. A ring of metal keeps these pages together.

"Is that thing, hm, absorbing the power of the aeon orb, somehow?" Kennari examines the large crystalline device closely, hoping to figure out how it works and, if his suspicions are correct, how to disable it.

Going to remember my abilities and designate this my lead to pursue.

Crafting, Pursue a Lead: 1d20 + 20 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 20 + 1 = 29 Arcana is the same modifier, if that's more appropriate.

Kennari examines it and not only does he start to get a sense of how it works, he starts to shut it down!

Multiple successes are required, either Crafting or Thievery.

Rova focuses on the diagrams and tries to make heads or tails of it. No Undercommon, but also no Crafting or Thievery training. Nope, no Society either, so I can't even try to Decipher Writing. :D

Thievery: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (2) + 19 = 21
Hero Point: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (7) + 19 = 26

Thievery: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (9) + 19 = 28
Thievery: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (9) + 19 = 28

"Let me take a look." She says overly excited as she truly has no clue what she is looking at but is really interested.

Seeing Prism step up, Unset offers his appendages to the efforts.
Thievery: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (6) + 14 = 20
Thievery: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (4) + 14 = 18

With Prism's careful work, the device immediately and permanently ceases drawing power from the aeon orb. The orb shines brightly and consistently again, and the spring at the base of the tower once again produces clean water. You all gain the resonant reflection of the aeon orb!

Reflection of Water
Your body is infused with the essence of water and becomes adapted to its presence. You gain a swim speed of 10 feet and can breathe underwater. In addition, you can also focus this affinity to gain an additional effect.

Activate [two-actions] envision; Frequency once per day; Effect You cast control water as a 5th-level innate divine spell. The area of water you control increases by 10 feet in length and width for every 2 levels you have beyond 10th level.

Rova gasps as for a moment she forgets how to breathe air, but it comes back quickly. Still, she can feel Groetus' blessing has clearly descended on her and her companions. Hail Groetus!

"Good job," she says, handing the metal plates to Kennari. If anyone can read them, he can. Probably.

As you look around the room, you find a few valuable items. The copper wires and high-quality mirrors of Thessekka’s device are worth a total of 200 gp. The crates contain pieces from an early prototype, including crystals embedded in a circular plate of steel that serves as a force shield.

No sign of Thesseka herself.

Prism feels the orb absorb into her body. "That is three now. I am not sure if our bodies can continue to handle this kind of power!" She gasps for breath as does Rova before learning to control it on and off. "This one almost seemed easier to get to. Are we getting ahead of the Xulgaths?"

You finish exploring the room. The copper wires and high-quality mirrors of Thessekka’s device are worth a total of 200 gp. The crates contain pieces from an early prototype, including crystals embedded in a circular plate of steel that serves as a force shield.

You head back to your camp and start to get ready for your next show.

" ... and then we should go to Castinlee!" Rova says as they discuss plans for the show. "Then we probably need to go to another tower, right?"

Sorry, I've lost the thread a little bit of where we're heading next, and my notes don't look like they've been kept properly... (as in I didn't take them).

Indeed, Castinlee was your next planned visit! Are you planning to go through Kerrick again to get there, or travel through the more rural areas? Map is on Slide 5 for reference.

"If you want to go shopping then we should swing throug Kerrick. I hear it is wonderful this time of year." Prism bounces all over the place excitedly.

Rova nods. "And we can warn them about Groetus!" she adds excitedly.

You pack up the crew and start your journey to Castinlee. The members of the circus are excited to pass through Kerrick again, and spend their new money in the biggest town in the area.

On the second day of your journey, the road cuts through a large copse of trees, someremaining trace of a former primeval connection to theImmenwood. The trees are not too dense, and the sunlightfiltering from above brings a cheery air to the greenery. The serenity is cut moments later by a high-pitched scream cutting through the air from the road ahead.

Rova's keen eyes spot tufts of spiderwebs in the trees in that direction!

Prism's smile and hop in her step stop suddenly when she hears the scream. "What was that!?"

"Aye, ole Unset's heard it too!" replies the fleshforged man, looking around for the source of the cry.

"Maybe something with the spiders!" Rova exclaims, sliding down from Thkrull's back and pulling out her bow.

She moves forward, flitting from tree to tree, to see what's happening. Sneaking!

"Sounds like something is in trouble" Kennari says, nervously.

The road ahead is blocked by a sheet of webbing strung across the trees. A tiny humanoid form—no larger than two feet high—struggles in the webbing. An arachnid the size of a cottage lumbers toward the struggling captive, only to stop in confusion as the tiny figure winks out of existence. There is a buzzing of wings and a shrill laugh as a small rock appears in midair and plunks into one of the spider’s massive eyes.

One of the spiders clambers closer and tries to shoot webs at the pixie, who simply shrugs them off!

Initiative
Red spider
Prism
Rova
Niksi
Big Blue Spider
Yellow Spider
Kennari
Unset
Pixie

Prism, Rova, and Niksi are up!

Rova pulls out her bow and -- moving to get a clear shot -- sees another bigger spider nearby. Eyes getting wide, she fires an arrow toward it!

Stride, Hunt Prey, Strike!
+1 striking shortbow (deadly d10, magical, 60 foot range, reload 0): 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (7) + 19 = 26
Hunter's edge (precision/piercing damage): 2d6 + 2 + 1d8 ⇒ (4, 4) + 2 + (5) = 15

Blowing out an annoyed noise, Thkrull stomps closer to keep an eye on his halfling. Unlike her, clearly, he remembers when stupid little fey caused a lot of problems for his circus. It's possible this one is getting just what it deserved from the spiders. If it causes any trouble, he'll stomp on it. Same as the spiders!

One action to Stride

Slides have been updated.

Prism moves up sending a twin pair of smaller fireballs at two of the spiders. Two small explosions cause the trees to sway and the smaller brush to quickly dry and shrivel up.

Fireball modified with Scattered Fire and Lingering Flames

Fireball Damage (Yellow and Blue): 5d6 ⇒ (6, 6, 1, 6, 6) = 25 DC 26 Basic Reflex. Failure is also Persistent Fire 2 due to Lingering Flames.

Botting Niksi

Niksi keeps everyone's offense and defense inspired, harmonizing the two songs.

Rova fires an arrow precisely at Red, while Prism blasts two spiders with a fireball!

Yellow Reflex: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (15) + 13 = 28
Blue Reflex: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (9) + 21 = 30

They both get singed.

Seeing you all arrive, and clearly very tired of the pixie's antics, the other spiders turn their attention to you.

The big spider shoots a web at Prism.

web: 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (15) + 22 = 37

Prism is tethered to the spider by a web! Prism is Restrained and connected to the spider by this tether! DC 30 to Escape or Force Open

The spider fords through the river and tears down the web blocking the path!

The remaining spider climbs over the rocks, appearing next to Thkrull.

Initiative
Red spider, -16 hp
Prism, restrained
Rova
Niksi
Big Blue Spider, -12 hp
Yellow Spider, -12 hp
Kennari
Unset
Pixie

Unset pushes off the ground, into the air, then whirls his tail at the spider of unusual size!
Flying Kick=Leap & Strike
Melee striking thundering tail +19 (backswing, magical) v yellow: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (12) + 19 = 31
Damage B +1d6 So: 2d6 + 6 + 1d6 ⇒ (5, 3) + 6 + (3) = 17

He follows it up with a punch to the cephalothorax!
Melee striking fist (magical, nonlethal, agile, finesse) v yellow: 1d20 + 19 - 4 ⇒ (2) + 19 - 4 = 17
Damage B +1d6 So: 2d6 + 6 + 1d6 ⇒ (1, 4) + 6 + (4) = 15

"I think one at a time is enough" Kennari mutters to himself, weaving a spell that wreaths the tip of his staff in fire. He holds it up to his lips and blows in a sweeping motion, the fire leaping from his staff into a wall that cuts off two of the three spiders from the rest of the party!

◆◆◆Cast wall of fire. Wall is 10 feet high and 5 feet thick. Any creature that passes through or starts its turn in the wall takes 4d6 fire, and creatures on either side are concealed from creatures on the other side.

Unset's first attack is a crit! The spider shudders, throwing off Unset's next punch.

Kennari forms a giant wall of flame!

I'll say that the wall of flame burns the tether connecting Prism to the spider. She is still stuck in the web, but we'll say the DC to Escape is reduced by 2 thanks to the tether being burned away.

The pixie cackles with glee at you all, and then blows a raspberry at you. He does several truly impressive loop-de-loops through the air, then blinks out of visibility.

The red spider gets a foot close to the wall of fire, then goes around it, climbing up on the rock.

Initiative
Red spider, -16 hp
Prism, restrained
Rova
Niksi
Big Blue Spider, -12 hp
Yellow Spider, -46 hp
Kennari
Unset
Pixie

"Look out!" Rova calls out as she shifts her aim to the red-tinged spider, quickly firing an arrow right through the arachnid's torso. "Get it, Thkrull!"

Hunt Prey, Strike, Command an Animal
+1 striking shortbow (deadly d10, magical, 60 foot range, reload 0): 1d20 + 19 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 19 + 1 = 40
Hunter's edge (precision/piercing damage): 2d6 + 2 + 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4, 3) + 2 + (5) + 1 = 15
Deadly?: 1d10 ⇒ 4

Crit specialization: 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.

Thkrull meanwhile concentrates on the nearest spider, smashing it into stupid little insecty bits. Step into my foot, said the elephant to the spider!

Strike x2 vs. yellow
Foot: 1d20 + 18 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 18 + 1 = 25
Bludgeoning damage: 2d8 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (3, 3) + 6 + 1 = 13

Tusk (agile): 1d20 + 17 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 17 + 1 = 34
Piercing damage: 2d6 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (4, 2) + 6 + 1 = 13

Escape: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (19) + 14 = 33

Prism tries to break free from the thick webbing. "Gross!" She slips free and rushes to Thkrull's side through the thick underbrush.

◆ Escape
◆ Stride
◆ Stride

Niksi keeps everyone's offense and defense inspired!

Rova perfectly aims at the Red spider, pinning it to the rock!

Thkrull gets two hits on the yellow spider! I think the second attack is missing MAP? If not, then that is a crit.

Prism gets out of the webbing and gets away from the front line!

The big spider, not wanting to get burned, fords through the river to go around the fire wall!

Yellow, seeing Prism run right toward it, is ready with a bite!

bite!: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (11) + 17 = 28
ouch!: 2d8 + 8 ⇒ (8, 5) + 8 = 21 piercing plus venom

But misses! It then kicks at Kennari.

leg: 1d20 + 17 - 5 ⇒ (12) + 17 - 5 = 24
ouch!: 1d12 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14

And tries again.

leg: 1d20 + 17 - 10 ⇒ (7) + 17 - 10 = 14
ouch!: 1d12 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16

Initiative
Red spider, -52 hp, pinned by arrow
Prism, restrained
Rova
Niksi
Big Blue Spider, -12 hp
Yellow Spider, -69 hp (<50% hp)
Kennari
Unset
Pixie