GM_MG's Extinction Curse (Inactive)

Game Master GM_MG

Al squints her eyes menacingly at the unexpectedly nimble lizards.

"It is very rude to refuse a gift someone gives to you."

A surge of electricity punctuates her statement.

My intimidate against Red 2 turns ago got walked back thanks to Kvothe's Fear, right? In that case I will intimidate him now and capitalize on the Bon Mot. Then I'll try again with Electric Arc on Red and Blue.

intimidate on Red: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (6) + 15 = 21

elec arc: 3d4 + 4 ⇒ (1, 1, 2) + 4 = 8

Didy nods as his prey falls, and his gaze quickly shifts to a new target. With a sharp whistle, he directs his pet's attention towards the xulgath approaching the fragile gnome. Ambrosius spitefully bites at the one swinging an axe at him before darting between Carl's legs to approach his new prey from the rear. At the same moment that claws rake at his back, the lizardman has two arrows streak toward his face.

1. hunt prey on Red
2. command: Darting Attack (on Blue), then 10ft Step, then Strike on Red.
3. hunted shot on Red

Ambrosius jaws+inspire: 1d20 + 12 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 12 + 1 = 21
piercing: 2d8 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (3, 8) + 3 + 1 = 15
Ambrosius talon+inspire: 1d20 + 12 - 4 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 12 - 4 + 1 = 19
slashing: 2d6 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (5, 6) + 3 + 1 = 15
precision: 1d8 ⇒ 6

hunted shot 1+inspire: 1d20 + 15 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 15 + 1 = 29
piercing+inspire: 2d6 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (3, 5) + 1 + 1 = 10
hunted shot 2+inspire: 1d20 + 15 - 5 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 15 - 5 + 1 = 17
piercing+inspire: 2d6 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (5, 1) + 1 + 1 = 8
precision: 1d8 ⇒ 7

Active Effects - Inspire Courage
Al
Didy (Sickened 1)
Ambro (-8)
Leader (-41)
Carl (-24)
Kvothe

1d20 ⇒ 4 Crit fail

Blue drops from Al's spell, while Red looks unsteady on his feet.

Reassigning Ambro to attack Red twice.

Ambro hits Red twice, killing it. Didy hits the leader with a single arrow.

The leader stands to his feet and casts a spell, reaching out to touch Carl.

Touch: 1d20 + 16 - 3 ⇒ (19) + 16 - 3 = 32
Carl's Fort: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (2) + 13 = 15 Fail
Negative Energy damage: 3d8 ⇒ (5, 8, 3) = 16

Finally, the leader casts a second spell.

Up next, everyone.

Moving into the room, Kvothe summons his arcane power and grabs one of the fallen axes and hurls it at the leader

TK projectile: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (13) + 12 = 25
slashing: 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (5, 1) + 4 = 10

Smart, sneaky leader.  Can't block that.

Carl gives a small grimace as his foliage blackens a bit.  Setting his shield, he tries to trip his foe, then takes a step back toward the group.  If someone could give me a 5’ step to a nice place.

Inspired Trip: 1d20 + 14 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 14 + 1 + 1 = 28

Raises shield to keep AC 26, Trip, Step

Going to use my reaction on the first hit. Either Shield Block (Hardness 10) on myself, or Glimpse of Redemption on an ally(-7 hp damage & Enfeebled (or Stupefied) 2)

nice! Thanks for the redirect.
@Carl, I got your step taken care of. And I won't ruin your set up to waste his action by leaving Ambro adjacent :)
1. hunt prey on boss
2. command: step up to the boss, then Darting Attack to Strike and step back where I started
3. hunted shot for nonlethal (let's see if we can learn what they are up to)

Ambrosius jaws+inspire-NL: 1d20 + 12 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (14) + 12 + 1 - 2 = 25
piercing: 3d8 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (7, 5, 2) + 3 + 1 = 18

hunted shot 1+inspire-NL: 1d20 + 15 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (7) + 15 + 1 - 2 = 21
piercing+inspire: 2d6 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (3, 2) + 1 + 1 = 7
hunted shot 2+inspire-NL: 1d20 + 15 - 5 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (14) + 15 - 5 + 1 - 2 = 23
piercing+inspire: 2d6 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (2, 2) + 1 + 1 = 6
precision: 1d8 ⇒ 8

Get up and step kind of limits what you can do for a final action.  It would be neat if we could figure out what that last spell was he cast.  Thinking some sort of focus spell.

Sorry, I missed that it was my turn. I will intimdate the leader and hit him with a Daze since I guess we are trying to take him alive.

intimidate: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (12) + 15 = 27
daze DC 22 will: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

Active Effects - Inspire Courage
Al
Didy (Sickened 1)
Ambro (-8)
Carl (-24)
Kvothe

No worries, I meant to post after dinner last night and forgot.

Kvothe scores a good hit on the leader, drawing blood with the fallen axe, and Didy finishes the job.

Out of combat!

I will tie up the leader, then bandage Carl before we try waking the boss for interrogation.

medicine DC 20: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (20) + 14 = 34
crit: 4d8 + 10 ⇒ (4, 6, 8, 4) + 10 = 32

wow. that is by far the best healing I have ever rolled. Didy is channeling his patron in his temple! @Carl, would you mind topping Ambro off with a little handstuff? Then once everyone is full and bodies/room are looted, we can get down to interrogation, which I'll leave to Al.

Alright, but you know how much I hate taking prisoners. At least the guards are probably within earshot and we can easily turn this guy in to them. And yes, I will detect magic and search around while the healing is going on.

Al leans over and gently strokes the cheek of the xulgath leader until he comes around. The smile he sees on her face is broad and warm, but her eyes make it clear she is not being friendly.

"Good morning, sleepy head. Do be a dear and illuminate us as to whatever misguided goal you are working towards here."

intimidate: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (6) + 15 = 21

That is best healing that I can remember so far. Will heal up Ambro and then focus up again.

The creature wakes with start, then snarls at Al.

perception: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (4) + 14 = 18

Didy shrugs.

perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (9) + 9 = 18

Al smirks and answers in Draconic, "Won't you though?"

intimidate: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (4) + 15 = 19

Screw it, I want this one to hit home. The hell with the dice. I am spending a hero point.

intimidate: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (14) + 15 = 29

Perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (16) + 10 = 26

Any divine symbol to see what he may have been praying to? And I am pretty sure he understood you and is just playing games. He looks toward the torches on the wall. Are those the ones that give off just light, or is it a real fire with heat and everything?

The Xulgath shrinks back.

<Bah, damn you, gnome! I am not respected among my kind, because of my infirmity, I know nothing!> he says, turning a milky, blind eye towards you.

The torches appear to be mundane.

"Aww, you poor thing. There, there." she says in a drastically shifted tone, as she rests his head on her chest and pats him gently.

"They can be rather cruel, can't they? Why don't you tell me all about it?"

Deception: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (20) + 14 = 34

Ha! That ought to trigger my Charming Liar feat, which lets me improve his attitude towards me by 1 step.

The xulgath growls deep in his chest, though, for the moment, Al doesn't seem to be the target of his anger.

<Oh, yes. I am blessed by Zevgavizeb, yes. Blessed with visions. I should lead here, I should.>

"Of course you should! Visions, you say? How impressive! What has the great Zevgavizeb shown you?"

diplomacy: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (15) + 12 = 27

After he answers, my next questions would be: Well then, who is the fool in charge who has ignored your clear destiny to lead? How would you like it if we got vengeance for you? What can you tell us about him/her and the others? Help us, help you.

deception: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (17) + 14 = 31

smooth and great rolls to match.

Letting Al take the lead with the interrogation, Kvothe plays music to heighten the mood

The xulgath's eyes narrow.

<Many things, he has shown me. A return to greatness for our race. The ruin of the surface dwellers.>

He scowls when asked who is in charge.

<None are in charge. Sarvel left, and the squabbles began. None strong enough to gain supremacy over the others. Bah!>

He looks at Al with his good eye.

<Oh, yes, vengeance is fine. Perhaps you are an instrument of Zevgavizeb.">

He tries to stand, but fails due to the binding.

<I will lead you.>

I would like to sense motive on that to make sure he isn't planning to betray us (Perception +14). But if it checks out, bonus! Always happy to have a good henchman!

is Sarvel the guy from book 1.

I don't think you've heard the name before.

"Ah, ah, ah. Not so fast, scaleface. I don't trust you."

Didy ties a gag around the xulgaths mouth.

"Carl, would you mind slinging him over your shoulder. Let's turn this demon-summoner in to those hard-workibg guards up above!" he says cheerfully.

Carl nods in agreement as he removes some of his spare shields and gear to make room for the load. Now, or after we get a bigger catch?  Lots left to look at around here.

As the prisoner is a Medium creature, Carl will be encumbered moving him up the stairs, but can handle it.

"We are still close to the entrance. Best to turn him in quickly now, before he becomes a nuisance."

Carl nods and looks at the small point of light at the top of the stairs. Very well.

Did we search and ID stuff in this room and the backpacks while we were healing up?

Al did mention that she was detecting magic and searching while you and I did our healing, but I am not sure if that got overlooked in the interrogation discussion or if there's just nothing of interest in this room.
Also I can't help but be amused at the image of us climbing back out of the sinkhole after 20 min or so and depositing a bound lizardman in front of those two lazy guards, then coming back after probably another 20 min or so with another. Then another and another. Bad cop, no donut.

There is magic in this room. The backpacks aren't in the room, but you are free to search them if you wish. You may want to refer back to the room description in this post.

Much appreciated! I should have thought to scroll back to that myself. Ok so, probably should have jumped on this a little quicker than the rest but...

"Whoa! I don't like the looks of that one bit! Now let's see... bloated belly... throat slashed... dim, flickering candles at ten and two... unholy symbols that looks like a three-pronged spoon bent over a serrated banana...

Didy would like to rack his (dubious) memory about any halloween tales the professor may have read to him (religion +12). I am hoping to know what exactly is going on and better yet, how to stop it from hatching.

Some sort of evil ritual in service to Zevgavizeb has been performed here. The symbol is awful, but it doesn't seem to actually be doing anything but squirm at the moment.

In the sacrificial victim's pocket you find a folded up handkerchief that Al is able to identify as an invisible net. Embroidered on the handkerchief is the CM logo of the Celestial Menagerie.

oi! What is this doing here! Maybe we should take this back to the constable as proof of some nefarious activity.....

"Huh. This guy belongs to the Menagerie. I dunno. It belonging to the victim here to me says that maybe they're not in on this afterall."

"That, or Dusklight's severance packages have gotten even worse," he shivers.

"This net oughtta make our show even more impressive in no time! No wonder they've been raking in the crowds. Having gadgets like this'll make a world of difference!" he excitedly demonstrates its use to Carl as he returns from paddy-wagon duty.

"Let's see what other wicked and foul deeds these guys are up to!" the shoony says, his tone conveying more excitement than disgust.

I will lead us to explore the hallway to the north, Searching for traps and ambushers.

The backpacks are full of supplies, mostly in the form of food. You do spot a small pouch containing nineteen cracked rubies (worth 5 gp each) and a grim trophy in the form of a shrunken, pallid-skinned head with huge, white eyes.

The hall reaches a sharp turn, with a door along the wall. The hall appears to turn again a short distance down.

After slinging a pack over his shoulders (and stealing a quick bite of food), Didy follows Carl down the hallway. Upon reaching the doorway, he pulls out his brass ear (finally remembering to use it! Perception +14 with the DC modifier for the door halved) and takes a listen.

Well that is both cute and disturbing, perfect for my act! Al thinks to herself as she affixes the grim trophy to her clothes.

I will Avoid Notice as we move on.

Didy hear's sounds within the room—at least being is within.

Didy gives a quick once-over of the door to make sure there are no booby traps, then (assuming all clear) gives a signal to indicate something is inside and steps back to let Carl lead the way.

perception: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (16) + 14 = 30

Grabbing a backpack of supplies, Kvothe follows the others and prepares for battle as they get closer to the door

Carl will raise his shield, open door, step inside.

The room is mostly empty of furnishings. Several splinters and chunks of wood are scattered around the room. A bookshelf here is laden with many volumes, and several are scattered around on the ground. A fine cabinet has been knocked the ground, doors torn off. The inside is full of shredded cloth and paper, making a crude nest. A spiral staircase leads up.

A xulgath stands near the back of the room, a book open in front of her. Two hulking xulgath stand nearer to the door, carrying mauls. A tiny, imp-like creature is nesting in the fallen cabinet.

Carl
Little Demon
Bookish Xulgath (Green)
Didy
Big Xulgath (Blue)
Big Xulgath (Red)
Al
Kvothe

Carl is up first!

Seeing the massive weapons the 2 are carrying, Carl sets his shield as he enters the room. With a flourish, his trident whips out at both of the brutes.
Staff Sweep: 1d20 + 14 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 14 + 1 = 19

Raises shield to keep AC 26, Step, Flourish
Going to use my reaction on the first hit. Either Shield Block (Hardness 10) on myself, or Glimpse of Redemption on an ally(-7 hp damage & Enfeebled (or Stupefied) 2)

Carl (-23)
Little Demon
Bookish Xulgath (Green)
Didy
Ambro
Big Xulgath (Blue)
Big Xulgath (Red)
Al
Kvothe

Carl's staff fails to budge these two large xulgath.

The tiny demon moves forward and feints at Carl.

Deception vs. Perception DC: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22 Success
Bite vs. flat footed: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (7) + 9 = 16

The xulgath in the back drops the book and casts a spell, sending six arcane bolts of energy flying unerringly toward Carl.

Magic Missile: 6d4 + 6 ⇒ (2, 1, 3, 4, 4, 3) + 6 = 23

Didy is up!

Didymus flattens his ears and growls at the xulgaths before letting a pair of arrows sail over Carl's shoulder. With a quick click of his tongue, Ambrosius looks to his master and follows his gaze to his new prey, scurrying into the room to stand beside the champion. His long neck stretches toward his foe's ankle.

1. hunt prey (with recall knowledge check on Red please, which Didy will immediately share with the group)
2. hunted shot
3. command: stride + strike
I am not going to have Ambro retreat back out, so that Carl doesn't end up surrounded, with nowhere for him to step in for melee attacks later. Plus after that magic missile volley, it seems like it's worth making them split their fire a bit.

hunted shot 1: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (9) + 15 = 24 sadly I can't avoid the soft cover
piercing: 2d6 + 1 ⇒ (3, 3) + 1 = 7
hunted shot 2: 1d20 + 15 - 5 ⇒ (3) + 15 - 5 = 13
piercing: 2d6 + 1 ⇒ (2, 2) + 1 = 5
precision: 1d8 ⇒ 8

Ambrosius jaws: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (5) + 12 = 17
piercing: 2d8 + 3 ⇒ (7, 8) + 3 = 18
precision: 1d8 ⇒ 3

Carl (-23)
Little Demon
Bookish Xulgath (Green)
Didy
Ambro (-13)
Big Xulgath (Blue) (Enfeebled 2)
Big Xulgath (Red) (-15)
Al
Kvothe

Didy doesn't know what these are, besides some form of Xulgath.

Didy strikes red with an arrow, but Ambro doesn't manage to land a hit.

Blue swipes at Ambro with a claw.

Claw: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (15) + 15 = 30
Slashing: 2d4 + 8 ⇒ (4, 2) + 8 = 14

The xulgath grabs Ambro by the neck (one action) and slams him into the wall.

Bludgeoning damage: 4d6 ⇒ (1, 3, 1, 1) = 6
Ambro Fort: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (9) + 13 = 22 Success, no further effect.

Red swings its maul at Carl.

Maul: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (9) + 15 = 24
Maul: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (10) + 10 = 20
Maul: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9

Al, Kvothe, and Carl are up!