Thread and Circuses

Game Master ChesterCopperpot

Orm's attack takes out the fleeing xulgath. You hear stirring behind the curtain in the southwest corner of the area.

You can take a round's worth of actions, or try to get the jump on whatever is behind that curtain.

if orm's attack finished it off, then Derrikk and Adora would have just moved to where they are now on their turn. If they get their next round turn, Derrikk will move some more. I'll await to hear.

Feel his sap boiling with battle, Orm presses on to investigate the the sounds behind the curtain, after looking back and pointing to the team that he hears something.

Thelonious moves closer to the party and uses a single action to throw up a round's worth of Inspire.

Beyond the curtain, two burly-looking xulgaths are gathering their weapons, accompanied by a man-sized dinosaur.

These xulgaths look slightly different than the others--I'm just too lazy to make tokens.

Your bold advance gets the drop on the creatures!

Group Buffs: Inspire +1/+1
~+~Combat Round 1~+~
Madame P
Junebug
Derrikk
Orm
Blue
Red
Green

Map

Orm runs up to the red xulgath, flurries, and then retreats back around the corner.

Attack 1 – flurry w/ IC: 1d20 + 10 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 10 + 1 = 23
dmg 1?: 1d8 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 4 + 1 = 8

Attack 2= flurry w/ IC: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 5 + 1 = 16
dmg 2?: 1d8 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 5 + 1 = 13

Thelonious moves and puts up another 1 round Inspire

Derrikk pulls Adora back, moves up and fires at red

attack: 1d20 + 10 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 10 + 1 = 13 for unlikely piercing: 1d6 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 + 1 = 5

Not sure if i can do this, but can i:
The small cleric channels divinity and blesses Adora, herself and Orm with guidance.
three actions?

Yes, you can cast guidance on everyone. I don't think anyone is immune at the moment.

One of Orm's attacks connects, though Derrikk's arrow flies wide.
Fort: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (15) + 9 = 24

The xulgath's and their dinosaur close in to attack. The blue one seems to be in charge, ordering the dino to attack Derrikk and her compatriot to pursue Orm. She wields a greatpick and keeps her distance from you adventurers.

The dinosaur hops up and dashes across the room to attack Derrikk.
bite: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (11) + 9 = 20 for piercing: 2d6 + 3 ⇒ (2, 4) + 3 = 9

Red snarls and pursues Orm, striking back with his axe.
greataxe: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (18) + 11 = 29 for slashing: 1d10 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10

Group Buffs: Inspire +1/+1
~+~Combat Round 2~+~
Madame P
Junebug
Derrikk
Orm (-10)
Blue
Red (-8)
Green

Map

FYI for all: Guidance doesn’t stack with Inspire Courage, but can be used on other things like skill checks or saves

Orm trades blows with the xulgath in his face, giving a flurry of blows, a normal kick to the knee, and ends with an assured trip.

Attack 1 – flurry w/ IC: 1d20 + 10 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 10 + 1 = 17
dmg 1?: 1d8 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 4 + 1 = 6

Attack 2= flurry w/ IC: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 5 + 1 = 7
dmg 2?: 1d8 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 5 + 1 = 14

Attack 3= w/ IC: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 1 = 11
dmg 3?: 1d8 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 5 + 1 = 14

Assured Trip 18 vs. Reflex DC

None of the attacks hit, but the Trip works, so Red is on the floor.

Junebug does a 1-round Inspire and casts Grim Tendrils to hit all three goons.

DC 20 Fort save or...
Negative Energy: 2d4 + 1 ⇒ (2, 3) + 1 = 6
...and 1 persistent bleed

The cleric moves around, then throws one of her starknifes at green.
take this: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (20) + 11 = 312d6 + 1 ⇒ (6, 4) + 1 = 11

Derrikk moves back, fires at red

attack: 1d20 + 10 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 10 + 1 = 22 for damage: 1d6 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 + 1 = 7

and directs Adora to attack Red

attack: 1d20 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 9 + 1 = 26 for damage: 1d6 + 2 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 2 + 1 + 1 = 10

Fort (red): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (12) + 9 = 21
Fort (blue): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (19) + 9 = 28
Fort (green): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (5) + 10 = 15

Junebug's spell discomforts the xulgaths and really tears into the dinosaur.

Madame P, that's a crit. I'm not sure what you were rolling for your damage. I think starknives are d4, and d6 deadly.

Madame P tosses her holy weapon into green and scores a deadly hit.

Derrikk and Adora savage the xulgath that Orm put on the ground.

The blue xulgath pushes her way through the remaining curtains in the room and takes a swing at Madame P.
greatpick: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (14) + 11 = 25 for piercing: 1d10 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7

The red xulgath swings its axe at Orm, scoring one devastating blow, but the monk's defensive stance deflects the others.
greataxe: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (20) + 11 = 31 for slashing: 1d10 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12
greataxe: 1d20 + 11 - 5 ⇒ (13) + 11 - 5 = 19 for slashing: 1d10 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9
greataxe: 1d20 + 11 - 10 ⇒ (19) + 11 - 10 = 20 for slashing: 1d10 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13

Meanwhile, the dinosaur tussles with Adora, but the cat deftly avoids its claws.
bite: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 = 11 for piercing: 2d6 + 3 ⇒ (3, 6) + 3 = 12
talon: 1d20 + 9 - 4 ⇒ (11) + 9 - 4 = 16 for piercing: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8
talon: 1d20 + 9 - 8 ⇒ (8) + 9 - 8 = 9 for piercing: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

Bleed: 1d20 ⇒ 13

Group Buffs: Inspire +1/+1
~+~Combat Round 3~+~
Madame P (-7)
Junebug
Derrikk
Orm (-34)
Blue (-3)
Red (-28)
Green (-23, 1 bleed)

Map

Junebug takes a guarded step and puts up a lingering Inspire.

oratory: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (16) + 13 = 29

crits for 4 rounds

Orm retaliates against red, his focus allowing him to ignore the grievous wound for now.

Attack 1 – flurry w/ IC: 1d20 + 10 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 10 + 1 = 12
dmg 1?: 1d8 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 4 + 1 = 8

Attack 2= flurry w/ IC: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 5 + 1 = 13
dmg 2?: 1d8 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 5 + 1 = 10

Attack 3= w/ IC: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 1 = 15
dmg 3?: 1d8 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 5 + 1 = 8

Assured Trip 18 vs. Reflex DC

If Red drops anywhere in there, Orm would change target to the dino. haha.never mind. terrible rolls

"Oh no! Orm are you okay!" the cleric sounds worried about her friend, regretting leaving his side earlier. Still holding her good starknife, she slashes at blue.
Slash: 1d20 + 10 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 10 + 1 = 221d6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
Slash: 1d20 + 10 + 1 - 5 ⇒ (9) + 10 + 1 - 5 = 151d6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
Slash: 1d20 + 10 + 1 - 10 ⇒ (20) + 10 + 1 - 10 = 211d6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Derrikk directs Adora to continue attacking red

jaws: 1d20 + 10 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 10 + 1 = 31 for a crit of piercing: 2d6 + 4 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (4, 6) + 4 + 2 + 2 = 18

claws: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 6 + 1 = 13

and then focuses on blue before shooting at it

HuntedShot1: 1d20 + 10 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 10 + 1 = 22 for piercing: 1d6 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 + 1 = 4

HuntedShot2: 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 7 + 1 = 27 for piercing: 1d6 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 + 1 = 7 x 2 if a crit

Orm puts red back down on the ground, where Adora rips out his throat. Madame P. and Derrikk work on blue.
Deadly: 1d6 ⇒ 3

The blue xulgath shouts "No!" in draconic when her companion goes down, then rushes down to take revenge on Orm.

greatpick: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (11) + 11 = 22 for piercing: 1d10 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14
greatpick: 1d20 + 11 - 5 ⇒ (19) + 11 - 5 = 25 for piercing: 1d10 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16

Two hits from the greatax put the monk on the ground!
I think that puts you at exactly 0, right Brian?

The dinosaur continues to attack Adora, but the lithe cat evades its attacks.
bite: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (9) + 9 = 18 for piercing: 2d6 + 3 ⇒ (6, 1) + 3 = 10
talon: 1d20 + 9 - 4 ⇒ (2) + 9 - 4 = 7 for slashing: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8
talon: 1d20 + 9 - 8 ⇒ (1) + 9 - 8 = 2 for slashing: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5
Bleed: 1d20 ⇒ 19

Group Buffs: Inspire +1/+1 (4 rounds)
~+~Combat Round 3~+~
Madame P (-7)
Junebug
Derrikk
--Adora
Orm (0, Dying 1)
Blue (-23)
Red
Green (-24)

Map

Alright, so doing some ooc-chatting for a minute. I believe I have already used -battle medicine- on Orm today when we fought the gargoyels, so that is out of the question. If i use some of my channel energy, and bring Orm up, you will probably get knocked again, right Orm? Did you want me to try anyway?

You could also cast a 2-action heal on Orm and a 1-action [/i]heal[/i] on yourself. It's two spell slots, but it's more likely to keep everyone in play.

agree with GM, that seems better than healing the enemies as well. Or just keep fighting and take them out! You've been a crit machine, M.P.

I keep forgetting the 2-action heal!

Papillon concentrates, "Holy Mother, hear my cry, do not let my ally die!" and targets Orm for a wave of positive energy.
2 Action Heal: 2d8 + 16 ⇒ (5, 5) + 16 = 26

She then walks up green for next turn.

Derrikk directs Adora to continue attacking Blue

Jaws: 1d20 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 9 + 1 = 11

claws: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 5 + 1 = 12

and then shoots around her at blue as well

HuntedShot1: 1d20 + 10 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 10 + 1 = 26
for piercing: 1d6 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 + 1 = 3

HuntedShot2: 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 7 + 1 = 17
for maybe piercing: 1d6 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 + 1 = 8

Shot: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 4 + 1 = 12

Orm returns to consciousness, tingling with Desna’s healing power. He springs to his feet, re-enters Mountain Stance I assume he’d need to do that since he was out and flurries on the xulgath.

Attack 1 – flurry w/ IC: 1d20 + 10 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 10 + 1 = 29 Crit?
dmg 1?: 1d8 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 4 + 1 = 10

Attack 2= flurry w/ IC: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 5 + 1 = 20
dmg 2?: 1d8 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 5 + 1 = 14

Thelonious will try to Soothe the wounded monk on top of Papillon's healing.

Healing: 1d10 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

After Derrikk's arrow hit, Orm's first attack will finish off the xulgath, and his follow-through takes down the wounded dinosaur.

Tim, you can save that sooth if you would rather.

In the detritus scattered around the lair, you find a battered leather pouch containing four tiny emeralds worth 15 gp each and a dose of cytillesh oil.

This is a pretty out-of-the-way spot if you want to take a few minutes to rest.

OK, resting sounds good. I'll save the soothe and regain a focus.

Well, they weren't kidding about these xulgoths. These things are mean.

"Mean is a word i would definitely consider using. Any ideas as to why they are breeding these dinos? What the heaven is going on here?" She smiles, and goes to tend to Orms wounds. "Are you okay? Looks like they got you good that time."

Anything interesting around here other than the loot?

"Madame Papillon, once again you have saved my life. My thanks,but I also need more treatment. Perhaps some bandages on these wounds?" Orm eases himself against a wall, and sits.

everyone ok with taking an hour to double the healing? Or does a skill feat mean MP can keep doing checks?

Treat wounds : 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (3) + 13 = 16
2d8 ⇒ (7, 6) = 13

taking an hour is fine with me. if we have to move on, i can burn some spell slots for soothes.

I think she has the feat to be able to keep going every 10 minutes, right? Continual Recovery I believe. I'm ready whenever

Ah, yes. Ok, I'll just roll a bit more healing then.

Treat Wounds: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (16) + 13 = 29 Crit right?
2d8 ⇒ (7, 8) = 15 x2 = 30 hp, so with earlier heal, back to full after 30 minutes.

You rest in the now-abandoned room and recover some health.

I'm going to assume you continue exploring the hallway to the south.

You are able to easily squeeze through the strange piles of stones and continue down the long hallway to the south. 40 feet down the hallway, a room opens to the west. This room has a sloped ceiling at the eastern end, which accommodates a staircase ascending steeply upward from the middle of the room. Round alcoves to the north and south each bear stone daises with the booted feet of a statue, but both statues are broken off at the shins.

Orm and Madame P notice a secret door in the eastern wall of the hallway, directly across from this opening.

Orm will point it out, and investigate for traps before opening it.

Pushing the secret door sideways and down releases it, causing it to slide into the ground. The door slides back up and into place 30 seconds later. Beyond is a bare stone chamber devoid even of decoration apart from four alcoves to the west, each bearing the image of another tower only slightly different from the Erran Tower in shape and size. The room appears to be unspoiled by the depredations of xulgaths.

Orm beckons for everyone to enter, not relaxing until the door has closed again. "What ancient secrets might be revealed here? This also seems like a good place to hide and rest. After that last fight, I wonder if we should eat and sleep. How is everyone feeling?"

Derrikk looks to the casters in the group

"I am not quite ready to sleep yet. We're doing well, let's see what else this place holds before we rest for the night." Papillon wanders a little further, to look into the next room with the large stairs.

I'm alright, thanks. Unless you need to rest, let's investigate this room and move on.

Thelonious will cast detect magic and read aura if he discovers anything.

While the xulgaths have not discovered the secret room, perhaps some adventurers from ages ago cleared it out--at any rate, there is nothing of interest inside.

The remains of the statues in the room with the stairway are impossible to identify, as the only thing left on each plinth is the statue's feet. The stairway itself is steep and the stairs are worn.

The stairs are difficult terrain and an uneven surface.

Gazing up the stairway, Orm looks back to the hallway. "More of this level to the south we haven't seen. Perhaps explore that first?"

I moved us, but if everyone wants to go up, we can retcon.

Yeah, we can do rule of 2 on where to go next.

I'm happy where you have us

looks good to me

"Just a couple more rooms Orm, to make sure this floor is safe. Lead the way!" Papillon moves down, to peer around the corner.

Orm stays with Papillon, looking down the hall the south.

You walk around the corner into the unexplored section of the floor. Just as Madame P is about to lead the way, Junebug notices a large transparent creature slowly making its way toward the group. It looks like a cube.

{b]~+~Combat Round 1~+~[/b]
Junebug
Derrikk
--Adora
Orm
Madame P
Cube

Map