The Extinction Curse - A Tour of the Hinterland of Absalom

Game Master Luke_Parry

This time, two arrows hit, the cold iron burning its flesh, and the force missiles do a number on it.

It tries to 'beak' Charles again...

Beak: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (1) + 16 = 17, for 2d8 + 9 ⇒ (1, 5) + 9 = 15 damage, +1d6 ⇒ 6 Evil.
1d20 ⇒ 8
Beak: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (12) + 11 = 23, for 2d8 + 9 ⇒ (2, 7) + 9 = 18 damage, +1d6 ⇒ 6 Evil.
1d20 ⇒ 16

...and then Shrieks!

Fort DC 28, or be Stunned 2 for 1 round.

A Man And His Chicken, Round 5:

V (-161)
Charles (-)
Angus (-142, Unconscious, Dying 3)

Fort: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (7) + 13 = 20.

Cursing, Charles fires off two arrows, then casts Shield.

Hunted Shot: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (14) + 16 = 30, for 2d8 + 2 ⇒ (3, 7) + 2 = 12 damage, +1d6 ⇒ 1 Sonic damage.
Hunted Shot: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (19) + 13 = 32, for 2d8 + 2 ⇒ (1, 2) + 2 = 5 damage, +1d6 ⇒ 1 Sonic damage.

It takes both arrows, but Charles manages to drop the Vrock.

Combat over.

Searching the bodies, and the room...

Charles: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (1) + 16 = 17.

Religious Symbol of Zevgavizeb, +1 Striking Spiked Gauntlet, a Stole of Civility, and a black marble jar containing a single dose of Saint’s Balm.

Charles stabilises Angus, retreats to one of the 'hidden' rooms, and starts healing.

2d8 + 10 ⇒ (3, 5) + 10 = 18.
2d8 + 10 ⇒ (4, 1) + 10 = 15.
2d8 + 10 ⇒ (1, 1) + 10 = 12.
2d8 + 10 ⇒ (3, 2) + 10 = 15.
2d8 + 10 ⇒ (7, 6) + 10 = 23.

An hour and a half later, he is ready to continue.

Trying the doors at the end of the western corridor from the initial intersection.

C8:

Twelve statues ring the perimeter of this round, cavernous chamber. The exquisitely detailed stonework depicts humans facing inward toward the room’s center, each wearing a mask of cloth, leather, or stranger materials. Low stone steps lead to a circular dais at the center of the room, where an inscription has been carved deeply into the gray stone. Double doors exit to the north and east.

Charles: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (8) + 12 = 20.

Charles: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (20) + 16 = 36.

Charles realises that each of the statues is trapped, but as long as he doesn't try to take the masks, it is safe.

Charles carefully leaves the statues alone, and moves through the door to the North.

C14:

The west side of this hallway has crumbled away into an enormous natural cavern. A crude ramp of crumbled stone and earth leads from the cavern floor up to the hallway.

Filthy nests, cold fire pits, and broken tools show that there were once hundreds of xulgaths or more camped here. The cavern still bears their lingering, pungent odor.

Tunnels from this chamber lead deeper into the Darklands...

Treasure: Heroes who Search the abandoned camp discover a Jade Bauble and an iron disk bearing a Wounding Rune amid the debris.

Charles shudders.

There were hundreds of them here? The city doesn't know just how much danger there was lurking beneath its cobblestones...

Determinedly, he heads through the door to the North.

C15:

The double door to this large, open crypt leads to a small balcony and a short flight of stairs. The stone railing on the balcony has been knocked onto the floor a few feet below. Several metal slabs protrude a few inches above the floor, each bearing a life‑sized representation of a reclining human priest. That the slabs cover graves is obvious, as three of the lids have been torn from the ground to reveal shallow pits.

Currently striving to pull open a fourth grave, is a triceratops in a hauling harness, ridden by another Trog caster, whilst three well-muscled (but medium sized) Trogs assist from the ground.

XM: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (13) + 12 = 25.
T: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (6) + 15 = 21.
XL: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 15.
XM: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (11) + 18 = 29.

None of them notice Charles until it is too late...

Grave Robbing, Now With Added Dino Action, Round 1:

Charles (-)
Angus (-)
XM (-)
T (-)
XL (-, -, -)

I need Fort saves from both of you.

Fort: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (9) + 13 = 22.
Fort: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (8) + 14 = 22.

Charles grits his teeth, and focuses upon the caster...

Hunted Shot: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (5) + 16 = 21, for 2d8 + 2 ⇒ (2, 1) + 2 = 5 damage, +1d6 ⇒ 6 Sonic damage.
Hunted Shot: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (12) + 13 = 25, for 2d8 + 2 ⇒ (5, 1) + 2 = 8 damage, +1d6 ⇒ 2 Sonic damage.
Iterative: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (12) + 10 = 22, for 2d8 + 2 ⇒ (7, 6) + 2 = 15 damage, +1d6 ⇒ 5 Sonic damage.

He then tosses a Fireball into the room...

Fireball: 6d6 + 3 ⇒ (5, 2, 5, 1, 3, 1) + 3 = 20 Fire damage. DC 24 Reflex.

...before casting Shield, which causes a tracery of golden scales to glow across his skin.

Angus then moves to block the stairs.

Reflex: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (19) + 13 = 32.
Reflex: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (12) + 12 = 24.
Reflex: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16.
Reflex: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9.
Reflex: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21.

Only one arrow hits.

The mage snarls, and tosses a brace of force missiles at Charles...

Magic Missile: 6d4 + 9 ⇒ (1, 1, 1, 4, 3, 3) + 9 = 22 Force damage.

The Triceratops bellows, and tries to gore Angus...

Horns: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (19) + 19 = 38, for 4d8 + 18 ⇒ (1, 3, 7, 1) + 18 = 30 damage.
Horns: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (3) + 14 = 17, for 2d8 + 9 ⇒ (7, 5) + 9 = 21 damage.
Horns: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10, for 2d8 + 9 ⇒ (5, 5) + 9 = 19 damage.

whilst the other trogs move around, and swing with greataxes...

Greataxe: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (12) + 11 = 23, for 1d10 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10 damage.
Greataxe: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (10) + 11 = 21, for 1d10 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10 damage.
Greataxe: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (6) + 11 = 17, for 1d10 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8 damage.

Grave Robbing, Now With Added Dino Action, Round 2:

Charles (-22)
Angus (-30)
XM (-18)
T (-8)
XL (-16, -16, -16)

Cursing, Charles tries his luck again...

Hunted Shot: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (10) + 16 = 26, for 2d8 + 2 ⇒ (8, 2) + 2 = 12 damage, +1d6 ⇒ 3 Sonic damage.
Hunted Shot: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (14) + 13 = 27, for 2d8 + 2 ⇒ (6, 8) + 2 = 16 damage, +1d6 ⇒ 2 Sonic damage.
Iterative: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (4) + 10 = 14, for 2d8 + 2 ⇒ (3, 6) + 2 = 11 damage, +1d6 ⇒ 2 Sonic damage.
Iterative: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (6) + 10 = 16, for 2d8 + 2 ⇒ (3, 5) + 2 = 10 damage, +1d6 ⇒ 6 Sonic damage.

He then tosses a Fireball into the room (missing Green)...

Fireball: 6d6 + 3 ⇒ (2, 1, 5, 5, 6, 4) + 3 = 26 Fire damage. DC 24 Reflex.

...before casting Shield, which causes a tracery of golden scales to glow across his skin.

Angus then bites...

Jaws: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (6) + 13 = 19, for 2d8 + 3 ⇒ (1, 1) + 3 = 5 damage.

Two arrows hit.

Reflex: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (13) + 13 = 26.
Reflex: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (10) + 12 = 22.
Reflex: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10.
Reflex: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15.

The mage dodges the worst of the blast, but everything else takes full effect, leaving the xuglaths barely standing, and then one of those is taken down by an exploratory nibble from Angus.

The mage snarls, and tosses a brace of force missiles at Charles...

Magic Missile: 6d4 + 9 ⇒ (3, 2, 4, 2, 3, 2) + 9 = 25 Force damage.

The Triceratops bellows, and tries to gore Angus...

Horns: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (2) + 19 = 21, for 2d8 + 9 ⇒ (5, 7) + 9 = 21 damage.
Horns: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (9) + 14 = 23, for 2d8 + 9 ⇒ (1, 5) + 9 = 15 damage.
Horns: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (11) + 9 = 20, for 2d8 + 9 ⇒ (2, 2) + 9 = 13 damage.

whilst the other trogs hew into Angus...

Greataxe: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (6) + 11 = 17, for 1d10 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11 damage.
Greataxe: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14, for 1d10 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8 damage.
Greataxe: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 1 = 16, for 1d10 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13 damage.

Greataxe: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (17) + 11 = 28, for 1d10 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8 damage.
Greataxe: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8, for 1d10 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12 damage.
Greataxe: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 1 = 12, for 1d10 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7 damage.

Grave Robbing, Now With Added Dino Action, Round 3:

Charles (-47)
Angus (-53)
XM (-64)
T (-34)
XL (-42, -16)

Snorting, Continues to unleash...

Hunted Shot: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (10) + 16 = 26, for 2d8 + 2 ⇒ (7, 5) + 2 = 14 damage, +1d6 ⇒ 6 Sonic damage.
Hunted Shot: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (6) + 13 = 19, for 2d8 + 2 ⇒ (3, 3) + 2 = 8 damage, +1d6 ⇒ 4 Sonic damage.
Iterative: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (5) + 10 = 15, for 2d8 + 2 ⇒ (7, 8) + 2 = 17 damage, +1d6 ⇒ 2 Sonic damage.
Iterative: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (16) + 10 = 26, for 2d8 + 2 ⇒ (1, 1) + 2 = 4 damage, +1d6 ⇒ 4 Sonic damage.

He then tosses an Electric Arc...

Electric Arc: 4d4 + 7 ⇒ (4, 2, 3, 1) + 7 = 17 Electricity damage, DC 24 Reflex for half.

...before casting Shield, which causes a tracery of golden scales to glow across his skin.

Meanwhile, Angus tries to bite.

Jaws: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (1) + 13 = 14, for 2d8 + 3 ⇒ (8, 8) + 3 = 19 damage.

Two arrows hit.

Reflex: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (9) + 13 = 22.
Reflex: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (2) + 12 = 14.

The two Trog warriors then explode!

The mage snarls, and tosses yet another brace of force missiles at Charles...

Magic Missile: 6d4 + 9 ⇒ (4, 2, 4, 4, 2, 3) + 9 = 28 Force damage.

The Triceratops bellows, and tries to gore Angus again...

Horns: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (9) + 19 = 28, for 2d8 + 9 ⇒ (7, 4) + 9 = 20 damage.
Horns: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (9) + 14 = 23, for 2d8 + 9 ⇒ (6, 2) + 9 = 17 damage.
Horns: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (10) + 9 = 19, for 2d8 + 9 ⇒ (6, 5) + 9 = 20 damage.

Grave Robbing, Now With Added Dino Action, Round 4:

Charles (-75)
Angus (-90)
XM (-92)
T (-34)

Nodding in satisfaction, Charles continues to direct his attention to his two remaining foes.

Hunted Shot: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (1) + 16 = 17, for 2d8 + 2 ⇒ (1, 6) + 2 = 9 damage, +1d6 ⇒ 6 Sonic damage.
Hunted Shot: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (14) + 13 = 27, for 2d8 + 2 ⇒ (4, 1) + 2 = 7 damage, +1d6 ⇒ 3 Sonic damage.
Iterative: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (18) + 10 = 28, for 2d8 + 2 ⇒ (5, 3) + 2 = 10 damage, +1d6 ⇒ 1 Sonic damage.
Iterative: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (11) + 10 = 21, for 2d8 + 2 ⇒ (7, 6) + 2 = 15 damage, +1d6 ⇒ 2 Sonic damage.

He then tosses an Electric Arc...

Electric Arc: 4d4 + 7 ⇒ (1, 3, 4, 4) + 7 = 19 Electricity damage, DC 24 Reflex for half.

...before casting Shield, which causes a tracery of golden scales to glow across his skin.

Meanwhile, Angus tries to bite.

Jaws: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (6) + 13 = 19, for 2d8 + 3 ⇒ (5, 6) + 3 = 14 damage.

Once again, two arrows hit.

Reflex: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (20) + 13 = 33.
Reflex: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (4) + 12 = 16.

The mage, cursing, tosses yet another brace of force missiles at Charles...

Magic Missile: 6d4 + 9 ⇒ (3, 1, 4, 4, 2, 2) + 9 = 25 Force damage.

The Triceratops bellows, and tries to gore Angus again...

Horns: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (13) + 19 = 32, for 2d8 + 9 ⇒ (5, 2) + 9 = 16 damage.
Horns: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (12) + 14 = 26, for 2d8 + 9 ⇒ (5, 1) + 9 = 15 damage.
Horns: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10, for 2d8 + 9 ⇒ (5, 3) + 9 = 17 damage.

Grave Robbing, Now With Added Dino Action, Round 5:

Charles (-100)
Angus (-121)
XM (-113)
T (-53)

"You are a stubborn one!"

Hunted Shot: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (20) + 16 = 36, for 4d8 + 4 + 1d10 ⇒ (3, 2, 8, 7) + 4 + (5) = 29 damage, +1d6 ⇒ 2 Sonic damage.
Hunted Shot: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (20) + 13 = 33, for 4d8 + 4 + 1d10 ⇒ (8, 7, 6, 8) + 4 + (1) = 34 damage, +1d6 ⇒ 1 Sonic damage.
Iterative: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (1) + 10 = 11, for 2d8 + 2 ⇒ (5, 2) + 2 = 9 damage, +1d6 ⇒ 2 Sonic damage.

He then tosses an Electric Arc...

Electric Arc: 4d4 + 7 ⇒ (2, 1, 2, 3) + 7 = 15 Electricity damage, DC 24 Reflex for half.

...before casting Shield, which causes a tracery of golden scales to glow across his skin.

Meanwhile, Angus tries to bite.

Jaws: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (15) + 13 = 28, for 2d8 + 3 ⇒ (8, 7) + 3 = 18 damage.

Charles' first arrow drills the mage through his skull.

His second wings the Triceratops, which roars in pain!

Reflex: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (12) + 13 = 25.

Angus then bites it on the snout.

The Triceratops bellows, and tries to gore Angus again...

Horns: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (3) + 19 = 22, for 2d8 + 9 ⇒ (5, 1) + 9 = 15 damage.
Horns: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (8) + 14 = 22, for 2d8 + 9 ⇒ (4, 5) + 9 = 18 damage.
Horns: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (13) + 9 = 22, for 2d8 + 9 ⇒ (1, 8) + 9 = 18 damage.

...but, incredibly, misses with all of its attacks.

Grave Robbing, Now With Added Dino Action, Round 6:

Charles (-100)
Angus (-121)
T (-113)

Charles shifts his focus, and tries to finish off the over-sized dinosaur.

Hunted Shot: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (7) + 16 = 23, for 2d8 + 2 ⇒ (4, 1) + 2 = 7 damage, +1d6 ⇒ 2 Sonic damage.
Hunted Shot: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (18) + 13 = 31, for 2d8 + 2 ⇒ (2, 4) + 2 = 8 damage, +1d6 ⇒ 1 Sonic damage.
Iterative: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (19) + 10 = 29, for 2d8 + 2 ⇒ (5, 7) + 2 = 14 damage, +1d6 ⇒ 5 Sonic damage.

He then tosses an Electric Arc...

Electric Arc: 4d4 + 7 ⇒ (2, 4, 2, 1) + 7 = 16 Electricity damage, DC 24 Reflex for half.

...before casting Shield, which causes a tracery of golden scales to glow across his skin.

Meanwhile, Angus tries to bite it.

Jaws: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (11) + 13 = 24, for 2d8 + 3 ⇒ (6, 7) + 3 = 16 damage.

Charles' second and third arrows drop the triceratops!

Combat over.

With the defeat of the Trogs plundering the crypt, Ulthadar appears over
his grave site and says, “My worldly possessions are yours, in gratitude for your aid.” The lid over Ulthadar’s grave moves smoothly and silently aside. “But I ask that you respect my peers in the way these trespassers would not. Sanctify and shelter their remains.” Ulthadar then fades away.

Ulthadar’s grave contains a moderate antidote, a Tourmaline Sphere Aeon Stone, an amethyst necklace worth 20 gp, and a silver athame worth 30gp.

On the Trog corpses: Breastplate x3, Greataxe x3, Javelin x12, +1 Light Mace.

Re-consecrating each grave requires a Religion check.

Charles: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (9) + 16 = 25.

Charles also notices a secret door in the Eastern wall...

Charles does his best to reconsecrate the graves...

Religion: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (14) + 12 = 26.
Religion: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (11) + 12 = 23.
Religion: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (5) + 12 = 17.
Religion: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (20) + 12 = 32.

He then rests, and heals.

Angus: 2d8 + 10 ⇒ (7, 4) + 10 = 21.
Charles: 2d8 + 10 ⇒ (5, 1) + 10 = 16.
Angus: 2d8 + 10 ⇒ (5, 1) + 10 = 16.
Angus: 2d8 + 10 ⇒ (8, 5) + 10 = 23.

An hour later, he is ready to head through the secret door to the East.

C17:

Vibrant tapestries adorn the east and west walls of this room. The woven masterpieces are in remarkably pristine condition considering the damage elsewhere in the temple.

Fragrant smoke wafts through the room from elegant silver sconces built into each of the room’s four corners. A large engraving of a winged eye stares from the north wall above a stone shelf piled high with half‑melted candles.

When Charles enters the room, The eye at the center of the carving on the north wall unfolds into a large block of vaguely-bipedal living stone!

SM: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (12) + 16 = 28.
Charles: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (14) + 18 = 32.

Get Ready To Be Mauled, Round 1:

Charles (-)
Angus (-)
SM (-)

Wincing, Charles designates Prey, and starts firing!

Hunted Shot: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (6) + 16 = 22, for 2d8 + 2 ⇒ (7, 5) + 2 = 14 damage, +1d6 ⇒ 1 Sonic damage.
Hunted Shot: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (17) + 13 = 30, for 2d8 + 2 ⇒ (6, 5) + 2 = 13 damage, +1d6 ⇒ 5 Sonic damage.
Iterative: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (13) + 10 = 23, for 2d8 + 2 ⇒ (2, 5) + 2 = 9 damage, +1d6 ⇒ 1 Sonic damage.

He then tosses a blast of Cold...

Ray of Frost: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (12) + 14 = 26, for 4d4 + 7 ⇒ (4, 2, 4, 2) + 7 = 19 Cold damage.

...before casting Shield, which causes a tracery of golden scales to glow across his skin.

Meanwhile, Angus tries to bite it.

Jaws: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (18) + 13 = 31, for 2d8 + 3 ⇒ (3, 1) + 3 = 7 damage.

Only one arrow strikes...

...as does Angus' jaws.

Charles: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (17) + 12 = 29.

Charles recognises it as a Stone Mauler - otherwise known as a Large Earth Elemental...

Fist: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (5) + 21 = 26, for 2d10 + 10 ⇒ (4, 3) + 10 = 17 damage.
Fist: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (5) + 16 = 21, for 2d10 + 10 ⇒ (1, 7) + 10 = 18 damage.
Fist: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (20) + 11 = 31, for 4d10 + 20 ⇒ (5, 2, 1, 1) + 20 = 29 damage.

...which subsequently gives Angus a good pounding!

Get Ready To Be Mauled, Round 2:

Charles (-)
Angus (-46)
Stone Mauler (-25)

Charles groans.

This smells like an original defender... but it is definitely hostile!

He then keeps firing...

Hunted Shot: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (17) + 16 = 33, for 2d8 + 2 ⇒ (8, 8) + 2 = 18 damage, +1d6 ⇒ 1 Sonic damage.
Hunted Shot: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (11) + 13 = 24, for 2d8 + 2 ⇒ (8, 7) + 2 = 17 damage, +1d6 ⇒ 1 Sonic damage.
Iterative: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (1) + 10 = 11, for 2d8 + 2 ⇒ (8, 7) + 2 = 17 damage, +1d6 ⇒ 2 Sonic damage.
Iterative: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (8) + 10 = 18, for 2d8 + 2 ⇒ (4, 4) + 2 = 10 damage, +1d6 ⇒ 2 Sonic damage.

He then tosses a blast of Cold...

Ray of Frost: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (19) + 14 = 33, for 4d4 + 7 ⇒ (4, 4, 2, 3) + 7 = 20 Cold damage.

...before casting Shield, which causes a tracery of golden scales to glow across his skin.

Meanwhile, Angus tries to bite it.

Jaws: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (11) + 13 = 24, for 2d8 + 3 ⇒ (3, 2) + 3 = 8 damage.

Once again, only one arrow hits, but this time, Charles' frost ray finds its mark.

True to its name, the mauler continues to maul Angus...

Fist: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (3) + 21 = 24, for 2d10 + 10 ⇒ (3, 7) + 10 = 20 damage.
Fist: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (13) + 16 = 29, for 2d10 + 10 ⇒ (3, 8) + 10 = 21 damage.
Fist: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (12) + 11 = 23, for 2d10 + 10 ⇒ (1, 1) + 10 = 12 damage.

...nearly flattening the poor wolf.

Get Ready To Be Mauled, Round 3:

Charles (-)
Angus (-99)
Stone Mauler (-64)

"Scheisse!"

Charles frantically keeps firing...

Hunted Shot: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (6) + 16 = 22, for 2d8 + 2 ⇒ (5, 8) + 2 = 15 damage, +1d6 ⇒ 6 Sonic damage.
Hunted Shot: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (15) + 13 = 28, for 2d8 + 2 ⇒ (1, 2) + 2 = 5 damage, +1d6 ⇒ 1 Sonic damage.
Iterative: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (19) + 10 = 29, for 2d8 + 2 ⇒ (8, 1) + 2 = 11 damage, +1d6 ⇒ 2 Sonic damage.
Iterative: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (9) + 10 = 19, for 2d8 + 2 ⇒ (8, 8) + 2 = 18 damage, +1d6 ⇒ 1 Sonic damage.

He then tosses a brace of force missiles...

Magic Missile: 3d4 + 4 ⇒ (3, 2, 4) + 4 = 13 Force damage.

Meanwhile, Angus tries to bite it.

Jaws: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (10) + 13 = 23, for 2d8 + 3 ⇒ (2, 1) + 3 = 6 damage.

Two arrows find their mark, as do the force missiles.

With the remorselessly of stone, the creature continues to pound Angus...

Fist: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (15) + 21 = 36, for 4d10 + 20 ⇒ (9, 3, 7, 5) + 20 = 44 damage.
Fist: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (11) + 16 = 27, for 2d10 + 10 ⇒ (9, 9) + 10 = 28 damage.
Fist: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (3) + 11 = 14, for 2d10 + 10 ⇒ (10, 3) + 10 = 23 damage.

...nearly pulverising the poor wolf.

Get Ready To Be Mauled, Round 4:

Charles (-)
Angus (-142, Unconscious, Dying 3)
Stone Mauler (-96)

"SCHEISSE!"

Charles tries to distract it from killing Angus...

Hunted Shot: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (6) + 16 = 22, for 2d8 + 2 ⇒ (2, 1) + 2 = 5 damage, +1d6 ⇒ 5 Sonic damage.
Hunted Shot: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (14) + 13 = 27, for 2d8 + 2 ⇒ (7, 4) + 2 = 13 damage, +1d6 ⇒ 6 Sonic damage.
Iterative: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (17) + 10 = 27, for 2d8 + 2 ⇒ (2, 8) + 2 = 12 damage, +1d6 ⇒ 5 Sonic damage.
Iterative: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (5) + 10 = 15, for 2d8 + 2 ⇒ (1, 7) + 2 = 10 damage, +1d6 ⇒ 3 Sonic damage.

He then tosses a brace of force missiles...

Magic Missile: 3d4 + 4 ⇒ (1, 1, 1) + 4 = 7 Force damage.

The elemental is rocked back by Charles' attacks, but does not fall; instead, it responds by gliding forward, and punching him...

Fist: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (4) + 21 = 25, for 2d10 + 10 ⇒ (6, 8) + 10 = 24 damage.
Fist: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (17) + 16 = 33, for 4d10 + 20 ⇒ (9, 1, 4, 3) + 20 = 37 damage.

...delivering some bone-crunching blows.

Get Ready To Be Mauled, Round 5:

Charles (-61)
Angus (-142, Unconscious, Dying 4)
Stone Mauler (-139)

Grimacing, Charles stabilises Archibald...

...then takes some shots.

Hunted Shot: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (8) + 16 = 24, for 2d8 + 2 ⇒ (7, 1) + 2 = 10 damage, +1d6 ⇒ 3 Sonic damage.
Hunted Shot: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (7) + 13 = 20, for 2d8 + 2 ⇒ (4, 5) + 2 = 11 damage, +1d6 ⇒ 1 Sonic damage.

He then tosses a brace of force missiles...

Magic Missile: 3d4 + 4 ⇒ (4, 3, 1) + 4 = 12 Force damage.

Only the force missiles hit.

The elemental continues to pound Charles into submission...

Fist: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (9) + 21 = 30, for 2d10 + 10 ⇒ (4, 10) + 10 = 24 damage.
Fist: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (11) + 16 = 27, for 2d10 + 10 ⇒ (7, 8) + 10 = 25 damage.
Fist: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (20) + 11 = 31, for 4d10 + 20 ⇒ (1, 8, 10, 7) + 20 = 46 damage.

...delivering some bone-crunching blows.

Get Ready To Be Mauled, Round 6:

Charles (-156)
Angus (-142, Unconscious)
Stone Mauler (-151)

Refusing to be taken down by a mobile hunk of landscape, Charles pours everything he has into taking it down.

Hunted Shot: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (20) + 16 = 36, for 4d8 + 4 + 1d10 ⇒ (1, 4, 2, 6) + 4 + (5) = 22 damage, +1d6 ⇒ 1 Sonic damage.
Hunted Shot: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (6) + 13 = 19, for 2d8 + 2 ⇒ (1, 1) + 2 = 4 damage, +1d6 ⇒ 2 Sonic damage.
Iterative: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (10) + 10 = 20, for 2d8 + 2 ⇒ (2, 8) + 2 = 12 damage, +1d6 ⇒ 5 Sonic damage.
Iterative: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (12) + 10 = 22, for 2d8 + 2 ⇒ (4, 1) + 2 = 7 damage, +1d6 ⇒ 6 Sonic damage.

He then tosses a brace of force missiles...

Magic Missile: 3d4 + 4 ⇒ (1, 2, 3) + 4 = 10 Force damage.

Only one arrow hits, but it causes cracks to spread throughout the elemental's form.

Charles' subsequent force missile barrage shatters it.

Combat over.

Apart from the four sweet-smelling everburning torches in the corners, this room has nothing of value in it.

Breathing heavily, Charles drags Angus back to the room he hid in last time, to rest and heal.

Angus: 2d8 + 10 ⇒ (1, 2) + 10 = 13.
Charles: 2d8 + 10 ⇒ (4, 8) + 10 = 22.
Angus: 2d8 + 10 ⇒ (2, 7) + 10 = 19.
Charles: 2d8 + 10 ⇒ (7, 8) + 10 = 25.
Angus: 2d8 + 10 ⇒ (6, 2) + 10 = 18.
Charles: 2d8 + 10 ⇒ (7, 1) + 10 = 18.
Angus: 2d8 + 10 ⇒ (5, 2) + 10 = 17.
Angus: 2d8 + 10 ⇒ (7, 5) + 10 = 22.

An hour and a half later, he tries the door to the East of the initial intersection.

C3:

Towering mahogany bookcases line the walls of this chamber, their shelves crammed with thousands of ancient texts. A thick layer of dust covers the shelves’ contents and the round reading table to the south. Rickety wooden ladders affixed to the ceiling provide access to the highest shelves of books. Faded, threadbare brocade rugs stretch luxuriously across the floor.

Standing in the middle of the room are yet another Trog caster, negotiating with another Gluttondark Babau.

They pause, turn, and as one, launch themselves into an attack!

Xulgath Mage: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (2) + 12 = 14.
Gluttondark Babau: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (10) + 15 = 25.
Charles: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (12) + 18 = 30.

Interrupted Negotiations, Round 1:

Charles (-)
Angus (-)
Gluttondark Babau (-)
Xulgath Mage (-)

Charles shakes his head.

"Typical."

He then opens fire at the mage.

Hunted Shot: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (1) + 16 = 17, for 2d8 + 2 ⇒ (6, 1) + 2 = 9 damage, +1d6 ⇒ 1 Sonic damage.
Hunted Shot - Hero Point: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (13) + 16 = 29, for 2d8 + 2 ⇒ (8, 4) + 2 = 14 damage, +1d6 ⇒ 4 Sonic damage.
Hunted Shot: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (10) + 13 = 23, for 2d8 + 2 ⇒ (2, 8) + 2 = 12 damage, +1d6 ⇒ 5 Sonic damage.
Iterative: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (12) + 10 = 22, for 2d8 + 2 ⇒ (7, 3) + 2 = 12 damage, +1d6 ⇒ 4 Sonic damage.

He then tosses an Electric Arc...

Electric Arc: 4d4 + 7 ⇒ (3, 1, 1, 1) + 7 = 13 Electricity damage, DC 24 Reflex for half.

...before casting Shield, which causes a tracery of golden scales to glow across his skin.

Meanwhile, Angus moves to block.

Two of Charles' arrows hit.

Reflex: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (6) + 13 = 19.
Reflex: 1d20 + 18 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 18 + 1 = 26.

The Mage then burns, whilst the Babau avoids the worst of the blast.

The Babau concentrates, disappears, then reappears directly behind Charles, and bites him...

Jaws: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (10) + 18 = 28, for 2d6 + 8 ⇒ (5, 6) + 8 = 19 damage, +1d6 ⇒ 2 Evil.

The Mage snarls, turns, and throws a force missile barrage at Charles...

Magic Missile: 6d4 + 9 ⇒ (2, 4, 3, 3, 2, 4) + 9 = 27 Force damage.

Interrupted Negotiations, Round 2:

Charles (-48)
Angus (-)
Gluttondark Babau (-6)
Xulgath Mage (-48)

"Damn it!"

Charles tries to bring the Mage down quickly.

Hunted Shot: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (1) + 16 = 17, for 2d8 + 2 ⇒ (2, 7) + 2 = 11 damage, +1d6 ⇒ 5 Sonic damage.
Hunted Shot: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (10) + 13 = 23, for 2d8 + 2 ⇒ (7, 2) + 2 = 11 damage, +1d6 ⇒ 5 Sonic damage.
Iterative: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (9) + 10 = 19, for 2d8 + 2 ⇒ (8, 8) + 2 = 18 damage, +1d6 ⇒ 3 Sonic damage.
Iterative: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (4) + 10 = 14, for 2d8 + 2 ⇒ (3, 5) + 2 = 10 damage, +1d6 ⇒ 4 Sonic damage.

He then tosses an Electric Arc...

Electric Arc: 4d4 + 7 ⇒ (1, 2, 3, 3) + 7 = 16 Electricity damage, DC 24 Reflex for half.

...before casting Shield, which causes a tracery of golden scales to glow across his skin.

Meanwhile, Angus tries to bite it.

Jaws: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (6) + 13 = 19, for 2d8 + 3 ⇒ (6, 1) + 3 = 10 damage.

Reflex: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (16) + 13 = 29.
Reflex: 1d20 + 18 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 18 + 1 = 22.

This time, the Babau burns.

Snarling, it tries to consume Charles...

Jaws: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (4) + 18 = 22, for 2d6 + 8 ⇒ (3, 6) + 8 = 17 damage, +1d6 ⇒ 2 Evil.
Jaws: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (4) + 13 = 17, for 2d6 + 8 ⇒ (2, 5) + 8 = 15 damage, +1d6 ⇒ 5 Evil.
Jaws: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27, for 2d6 + 8 ⇒ (3, 4) + 8 = 15 damage, +1d6 ⇒ 3 Evil.

...but only lands a single hit.

The Mage, however, throws out another withering barrage of force missiles.

Magic Missile: 6d4 + 9 ⇒ (4, 1, 4, 3, 4, 3) + 9 = 28 Force damage.

Interrupted Negotiations, Round 3:

Charles (-94)
Angus (-)
Gluttondark Babau (-22)
Xulgath Mage (-72)

"Try harder, you slimy piece of demonic filth!"

Charles keeps targeting the mage.

Hunted Shot: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (14) + 16 = 30, for 2d8 + 2 ⇒ (2, 3) + 2 = 7 damage, +1d6 ⇒ 1 Sonic damage.
Hunted Shot: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (18) + 13 = 31, for 2d8 + 2 ⇒ (5, 7) + 2 = 14 damage, +1d6 ⇒ 5 Sonic damage.
Iterative: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (13) + 10 = 23, for 2d8 + 2 ⇒ (2, 2) + 2 = 6 damage, +1d6 ⇒ 4 Sonic damage.
Iterative: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (14) + 10 = 24, for 2d8 + 2 ⇒ (1, 8) + 2 = 11 damage, +1d6 ⇒ 1 Sonic damage.

He then tosses an Electric Arc...

Electric Arc: 4d4 + 7 ⇒ (1, 2, 4, 3) + 7 = 17 Electricity damage, DC 24 Reflex for half.

...before casting Shield, which causes a tracery of golden scales to glow across his skin.

Meanwhile, Angus tries to bite it.

Jaws: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (19) + 13 = 32, for 2d8 + 3 ⇒ (6, 4) + 3 = 13 damage.

It takes all of his arrows, but Charles manages to drop the Mage...

...allowing Angus to move back to engage the Babau.

Reflex: 1d20 + 18 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 18 + 1 = 33.

This time, the Babau dodges the worst of it.

Snarling, it tries to consume Charles...

Jaws: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (10) + 18 = 28, for 2d6 + 8 ⇒ (2, 3) + 8 = 13 damage, +1d6 ⇒ 4 Evil.
Jaws: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (13) + 13 = 26, for 2d6 + 8 ⇒ (1, 4) + 8 = 13 damage, +1d6 ⇒ 5 Evil.
Jaws: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17, for 2d6 + 8 ⇒ (2, 3) + 8 = 13 damage, +1d6 ⇒ 5 Evil.

...landing two solid bites.

Interrupted Negotiations, Round 4:

Charles (-129)
Angus (-)
Gluttondark Babau (-30)

"Is that all you've got!?"

Charles backs away, and tosses a force missile barrage...

Magic Missile: 3d4 + 5 ⇒ (1, 1, 1) + 5 = 8 Force damage.

Meanwhile, Angus tries to bite it.

Jaws: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (3) + 13 = 16, for 2d8 + 3 ⇒ (1, 2) + 3 = 6 damage.

The Force missiles are not especially effective.

Ignoring Angus, the Babau concentrates, reappearing next to Charles...

Jaws: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (2) + 18 = 20, for 2d6 + 8 ⇒ (5, 4) + 8 = 17 damage, +1d6 ⇒ 3 Evil.

...and misses!

Interrupted Negotiations, Round 5:

Charles (-129)
Angus (-)
Gluttondark Babau (-38)

Charles backs away again, and throws another brace of force missiles...

Magic Missile: 3d4 + 5 ⇒ (4, 3, 2) + 5 = 14 Force damage.

The Babau repeats the same tactic, as well...

Jaws: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (13) + 18 = 31, for 2d6 + 8 ⇒ (4, 2) + 8 = 14 damage, +1d6 ⇒ 6 Evil.

...and bites, licking its lips.

Interrupted Negotiations, Round 6:

Charles (-149)
Angus (-)
Gluttondark Babau (-52)

Knowing that he can't keep this up forever, Charles goes for broke...

Hunted Shot: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (2) + 16 = 18, for 2d8 + 2 ⇒ (4, 7) + 2 = 13 damage, +1d6 ⇒ 3 Sonic damage.
Hunted Shot - Hero Point: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (19) + 16 = 35, for 2d8 + 2 ⇒ (8, 1) + 2 = 11 damage, +1d6 ⇒ 1 Sonic damage.
Hunted Shot: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (11) + 13 = 24, for 2d8 + 2 ⇒ (3, 5) + 2 = 10 damage, +1d6 ⇒ 4 Sonic damage.
Iterative: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (16) + 10 = 26, for 2d8 + 2 ⇒ (5, 6) + 2 = 13 damage, +1d6 ⇒ 6 Sonic damage.

...and backs away.

Magic Missile: 6d4 + 10 ⇒ (2, 3, 2, 4, 1, 3) + 10 = 25 Force damage.

The Babau chases after Charles, and bites...

Jaws: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (17) + 18 = 35, for 4d6 + 16 ⇒ (1, 4, 1, 5) + 16 = 27 damage, +1d6 ⇒ 4 Evil.

...obviously enjoying its meal.

Interrupted Negotiations, Round 7:

Charles (-177)
Angus (-)
Gluttondark Babau (-108)

Close to death, Charles still refuses to back down.

Retreating, however, has never looked so good.

Magic Missile: 3d4 + 5 ⇒ (1, 1, 2) + 5 = 9 Force damage.