GM MattMorris Cradle of Night (Inactive)

Game Master ChesterCopperpot

"This little special you're running reminds me of the holiday sale we run every Ascendance Day at the temple: sign up for two classes, get your thetodaemon count reduced by one-third. It really packs 'em in!"

"The Frosaken, eh? A bunch of tough customers. Religious fanatics, the lot of them. They started as a secretive society originally based in the southern caverns."

The cloaker takes a deep breath. "You've seen what happens when one of your darkfolk dies? Ka-blammo! Well, the Forsaken assert that when caligni die, fragments of their memories pass on to their children while their souls move on to the afterlife. The violent flash of energy upon death is, they argue, a physical manifestation of this split between memory and soul. According to the Forsaken, most caligni cannot recall these ancestral memories except in dreams or on an instinctual level."
"Of course, they claim that they are special, and can recall ancestral memories dating all the way back to Earthfall, when their own direct ancestors, the Seers of Calignos, first led their people into the Darklands. All a sham if you ask me. Intended to give a group of arrogant caligni a reason to see themselves as superior to others of their kind!"

"Lot of caligni believe it, though! They've taken over the Forsaken Fane--the big island in the middle of our lake. Taken to worshiping some dark being there--name of Veilisendri, I think. Some kind of lost darkfolk god."

"Most folks thought they were pretty harmless, until they took over the Fane and started throwing their weight around in city politics. The Breakshore Council tried to stop them, but I hear they all got rounded up by some Forsaken allies lately."

The sorcerer concludes, "Word on the street is that the Forsaken are looking for a Cradle of Night for some religious purpose. I heard that they were all lost long ago, but..." Here he pauses and gives each of you a penetrating look, his gaze lingering on the black depths of your eyes. "Well. Maybe it's not so far gone as all that."

"So, it sounds like we need to go to that there island and free a bunch of wimps and collect this darkness thing. I say we storm the gates."

"Maybe so Hekk." He turns to the Cloaker, "friend, I didn't catch your name, and yet friend I call you, for I have learned in my years that friends can be found almost everywhere, and in any form. What do you know of the abilities and defenses of those you describe, in particular of Veilisendri."

"This sounds like a contorted version of the creation myth I was putting around back in my cyclops days. It's not that your ancestral memories pass on to your children when you die. When you die you're reborn with those memories still in there," Leo says, tapping his skull. "The only way to bring all your potential together in one lifetime is to get clear." He shakes his head sadly, "These guys need a refresher course."

Aryas's head shifts from the sorcerer to Hekk and Branson and then to Leopold.

"Ehhh ... okay. So we storm the island or are there any other good ideas how to stop them."

He looks at the sorcerer.

"You will surely help us right? I mean these guys are clearly bad for business and at some point will come for you, too?!"

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (4) + 17 = 21

"I can't say I know much about Veilisendri--some sort of creature with a connection to the Shadow Plane. 'Veilisendri lifts the veil' is the passphrase that new recruits of the Reborn use to gain safe access
to Ancestors’ Isle."

To Hekk, he says, "I like your spirit! I think those wimps are being held in a drider's lair in Ragtown, though, not at the main headquarters. A little spider told me."

The cloaker laughs at Aryas's comment, "Look, you think it's easy to run a business anywhere in the Darklands? A fanatical religious cult is the least of my worries. Try calculating shipping rates to Deep Tolguth! Try sourcing organically grown derro fungus! Hrumph."

Hekk stares at the cloak in bewilderment.

"Sounds incomprehensible to me. So where is this drider lair?"

"Well, we know the passphrase, but we're still a bunch of surface dwellers. Should we maybe get some magic to disguise ourselves? Is there somewhere we can buy magical scrolls?"

I could cast Veil and Communal Tongues on us if we're going to infiltrate this Ancestors' Isle.

Both of those scrolls would be available.

The cloaker describes to you the location of the drider's lair.

It is location 5 on this map.

"I hear that drider keeps strange allies, though they've kept a pretty low profile, so I don't know much more."

Aryas smiles.

"Thanks so much Mr. Sorcerer! Also for these great items that you sold us!! Let us go to Ragtown and find the drider's lair!"

If I have the cash, I'll buy 1 of each of those scrolls. Have to check my paper sheet.

Maybe he will trade one to you for a signed copy of your book?

"Let's go, then. The wimps need rescuing."

"Yes Hekk. Let's go rescue them but maybe you shouldn't call them wimps when you see them. They likely don't think of themselves that way. Who knows, they might even be offended." Tathane smirks at the half-orc as he walks by and back towards the shop's entrance.

"Hmmm. I guess. I thought that wimps knew they were wimps, but you could be right. You know, I remember learning something like that from one of the diplomacy classes I took at the grand lodge. Thanks for the reminder..."

Tusk pauses in thought as he tries to figure out what he should call them. From the class he vaguely remembers some titles like honored this or esteemed that, but the rules always confused him. He DOES remember that they told him not to smile.

New purchases and new information in tow, you make ready to head off toward Ragtown.

Just as you are about to leave the brokerage, however, a pack of caligni burst into the entrance of the brokerage. The trio shouts threats at you and directs the two oozes that accompany them to attack!

For his part, Shevarimarr says, "Oh, oh!" and flits behind a tapestry hanging on the wall.

~+~Combat Round 1~+~
Tathane
green
pink
orange
red
Hekk
Aryas
blue
Leopold
Branson
LeGuin

Map

Tathane races across the room while drawing his. Once in position he fires an arrow at the closest of the caligni.

shortbow@green,PBS: 1d20 + 13 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 13 + 1 = 20
dmg,PBS,sneak: 1d6 + 1 + 1 + 4d6 ⇒ (1) + 1 + 1 + (1, 6, 5, 2) = 17

Tathane scores a hit on the green caligni.

In relateation, the creature advances on him and attacks viciously with his short sword.
shortsword: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (20) + 13 = 33 for slashing: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11
Confirm?: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (20) + 13 = 33 for slashing: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9

One of his partners slips around and attempts to flank, though Tathane's experiences as a rogue prevent the creature from getting the upper hand.

shortsword: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (2) + 13 = 15 for slashing: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6

The oozes slurp their way up to LeGuin and Hekk.

~+~Combat Round 1~+~
Tathane (-20)
green (-17)
pink
orange
red
Hekk
Aryas
blue
Leopold
Branson
LeGuin

Map

Hekk doesn't know all that much about oozes but he does remember that they are usually easy to hit and take a lot of damage.

Sort of like whacking a practice dummy!

Aryas starts his crane style and fights defensively.

Swift action Crane style.
AC while fighting defensively vs. melee attacks: AC 35, Touch 31, FF 19 (mage armor +4, Cha +5 Scaled Fist Monk, Dex +6, Dodge feat +1, Fighting Defensively +8 (+2, + 1 ‘Crane Style’, +4 ‘Crane Wing’, + 1 Acrobatics 3 ranks) [only -2 on attack rolls due to Crane Style while fighting defensively’]
To hit / damage calculation: +1 Adamantine Ghost Touch Scimitar: +14 (1d6+7; 18-20/×2) (To hit: BAB +8, Dervish Dance Dex +6, +1 enhancement bonus, Weapon focus Scimitar +1, fighting defensively -2 / Damage: +6 via Dervish Dance feat and +1 enhancement bonus

He readies an action to 5 ft step forward and attack the ooze with red coloring in case of his companions steps back.

Primary attack, fighting defensively : 1d20 + 16 - 2 ⇒ (5) + 16 - 2 = 191d6 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11

Hekk, you going to attack that ooze?

Hekk bites at the red tinged thing, then steps back at waves his bardiche at it (after raging of course)

To hit bardiche, rage: 1d20 + 11 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 11 + 2 = 26
Damage bardiche, rage: 1d10 + 20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 20 + 2 = 25
To hit bardiche, rage, iterative: 1d20 + 11 + 2 - 5 ⇒ (11) + 11 + 2 - 5 = 19
Damage bardiche, rage: 1d10 + 20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 20 + 2 = 24
To hit bite, secondary, rage: 1d20 + 11 + 2 - 5 ⇒ (10) + 11 + 2 - 5 = 18
Damage bite, rage: 1d4 + 11 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 11 + 2 = 17

That will do for that ooze.

Hekk decimates the ooze, but biting it leaves a strange taste in his mouth. Aryas steps up and attacks the orange ooze, slicing into it.
Fotitude save Hekk, please.

The blue darkfolk holds his position.

~+~Combat Round 1~+~
Tathane (-20)
green (-17)
pink
orange (-11)
red
Hekk
Aryas
Leopold
Branson
LeGuin
Blue

Map

Branson will ready an action to zap any of the enemy who begins casting with a searing light spell.

Leo moves over to his #1 disciple and puts an ill omen on Purple.

Leguin attacks the adjacent ooze. “I do despise oozes.”

Attack 1: Power Attack: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (5) + 11 = 16
dmg 1: 1d12 + 15 ⇒ (7) + 15 = 22

Attack 2: Power Attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18
dmg 1: 1d12 + 15 ⇒ (9) + 15 = 24

fort st: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23

The taste doesn't even faze him.

Leguin slices through the other ooze.

Not willing to go into the blender, the remaining caligni joins in the attack on Tathane.
short sword: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (9) + 13 = 22 or ill omen: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (1) + 13 = 14
for slashing: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7

~+~Combat Round 2~+~
Tathane (-20)
green (-17)
pink
orange
red
Hekk
Aryas
Leopold
Branson
LeGuin
Blue (ill omen)

Map

No one could call Tathane a coward, but being surrounded by three creatures intent on killing him just doesn't seem like a great situation. With a twist, Tathane squeezes between two of the caligni and moves down the corridor. He turns to fire a shot from his bow.

Acrobatic to avoid AoO: 1d10 + 17 ⇒ (10) + 17 = 27 Do I need three of them or just one for all? I think it's one for all.

shortbow@purple,PBS: 1d20 + 13 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 13 + 1 = 30
dmg: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Tathane manages to slip away from the attackers and fire an arrow into purple.

The green attacker gathers shadows around himself and all of the torches in the store flicker down to nothingness. It's a darkness that even your enhanced vision can't penetrate.
aka deeper darkness

Aryas, you feel a blade whir at you out of the darkness.
shortsword: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (20) + 13 = 33 for slashing: 4d6 + 5 ⇒ (6, 3, 5, 1) + 5 = 20
critcal?: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (1) + 13 = 14 for slashing: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8

~+~Combat Round 2~+~
Tathane (-20)
green (-17)
pink
Hekk
Aryas (-20)
Leopold
Branson
LeGuin
Purple (ill omen)(-3)

Map

Hekk figures this is as good a time as any to use one of his spells. In the darkness nobody can tell he has cast a mirror image except the nasty darkers, and they don't count.
ASW 5: 1d100 ⇒ 74
images: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Hekk will wait until after LeGuinn goes so he can step into his sport after casting the spell.

Branson will ready an action to zap any of the enemy who begins casting with a searing light spell.

When green started casting, Branson launched his spell...

Searing Light: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (5) + 9 = 14 vs touch
Normal DMG: 5d8 ⇒ (3, 6, 2, 8, 1) = 20

If that hits, the concentration check to get his spell off is going to be pretty brutal.

Waiting to find out if he stopped the deeper darkness before I decide my action for this round.

can i 5ft to the east? boxes there so I am assuming I'm stuck where I am.

14 doesn't touch, so still dark.

There's some kind of desk in that area, but I doubt it is 10 feet long. You can get in that square if you like.

Branson will cast daylight on his shield.

Leguin shifts forward and attacks the green attacker!

Attack 1: Power Attack: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (8) + 11 = 19
dmg 1: 1d12 + 15 ⇒ (2) + 15 = 17

Attack 2: Power Attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26
dmg 1: 1d12 + 15 ⇒ (4) + 15 = 19

Attack 2 Crit Confirm?: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14
crit dmg?: 1d12 + 15 ⇒ (3) + 15 = 18

If daylight is up...

Leo casts Ill Omen on Pink and moves away from the fray.

In case daylight banishes the darkness.

Aryas continues his crane style and fights defensively.

AC while fighting defensively vs. melee attacks: AC 35, Touch 31, FF 19

He attacks the guy with the purple sash with his scimitar and does only nonlethal damage with his softstrike monk ability!

Primary attack, fighting defensively, nonlethal : 1d20 + 16 - 2 ⇒ (3) + 16 - 2 = 171d6 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12

Flurry attack, fighting defensively, nonlethal : 1d20 + 16 - 2 ⇒ (4) + 16 - 2 = 181d6 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8
Iterative attack, fighting defensively, nonlethal : 1d20 + 16 - 2 - 5 ⇒ (9) + 16 - 2 - 5 = 181d6 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8

In case any attack hits he will use the Enforcer feat to demoralize as a free action.
Intimidate demoralize vs. 10+CR+Wis mod as DC: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (3) + 20 = 23

Hekk casts his spell and moves into the spot Leo? left. Somebody left a spot open. Hard to tell in the darkness, but Hekk found his way forward.[/ooc]

With the lights back on, LeGuin slices into green and Aryas swings at purple, but misses. Leo's saps pink's confidence and Hekk moves into place.

Purple moves in and attacks LeGuin.
short sword: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (9) + 13 = 22 or ill omen: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (12) + 13 = 25
for slashing: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7

~+~Combat Round 2~+~
Tathane (-20)
green (-36)
pink (ill omen)
Hekk
Aryas (-20)
Leopold
Branson
LeGuin
Purple (ill omen)(-3)

Map

Tathane steps to the side so that he can more easily shoot around Aryas then fires a couple quick shots.

shortbow@pink,PBS,into melee,precise shot: 1d20 + 13 + 1 - 4 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 13 + 1 - 4 + 4 = 24
dmg,PBS: 1d6 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 + 1 = 8
shortbow@pink,PBS,into melee,precise shot: 1d20 + 8 + 1 - 4 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 8 + 1 - 4 + 4 = 12

Tathane's first arrow hits.

The pink opponent attempts to tumble into the midst of you, but fails utterly. Drat. AoOs all around!
Acrobatics: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (1) + 14 = 15 or ill omen: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (17) + 14 = 31
He gamely tries to take a stab at Aryas.
shortsword: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (5) + 13 = 18 or ill omen: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (3) + 13 = 16
for slashing: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10

The green opponent unleashes a full attack on LeGuin.
shortsword: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (9) + 11 = 20 for slashing: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8
shortsword: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (19) + 11 = 30 for slashing: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11
shortsword: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20 for slashing: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10
crit?: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (18) + 11 = 29 for slashing: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7

~+~Combat Round 3~+~
Tathane (-20)
green (-36)
pink (ill omen)
Hekk
Aryas (-20)
Leopold
Branson
LeGuin (-18)
Purple (ill omen)(-3)

Map

Aryas continues his crane style and fights defensively.

AC while fighting defensively vs. melee attacks: AC 35, Touch 31, FF 19

He attacks the guy with the purple sash with his scimitar and does only nonlethal damage with his softstrike monk ability!

Primary attack, fighting defensively, nonlethal : 1d20 + 16 - 2 ⇒ (16) + 16 - 2 = 301d6 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13

~

Flurry attack, fighting defensively, nonlethal : 1d20 + 16 - 2 ⇒ (20) + 16 - 2 = 341d6 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11

CRIT? Flurry attack, fighting defensively, nonlethal : 1d20 + 16 - 2 ⇒ (12) + 16 - 2 = 261d6 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13

~

Iterative attack, fighting defensively, nonlethal : 1d20 + 16 - 2 - 5 ⇒ (7) + 16 - 2 - 5 = 161d6 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11

In case any attack hits he will use the Enforcer feat to demoralize as a free action.
Intimidate demoralize vs. 10+CR+Wis mod as DC: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (6) + 20 = 26

Branson thinks the fight was going well, and not one for him to hurl more divine magic into it, but with several of his companions already injured, he decides to heal them...

Channel Energy: 5d6 + 1 ⇒ (6, 3, 3, 3, 3) + 1 = 191d6 ⇒ 1 30' radius, exclude 4, cure shaken fatigued, diseased. The extra 1d6 healing applies to anyone that doesn't need the mercies

20 hp of healing, since I think body has any of the conditions I can heal. Excluding the bad guys. I believe that completely heals the entire group.

GM, you said that Tathane's arrow hit but it doesn't seem that you updated the damage for Pink. Was that intentional?

Hekk looks a bit embarassed as his spell casting is revealed to all. All those Hekks dancing about. Then again, maybe they will thinks someone else did it! Though there is the little problem that Hekk can't seem to cast it on other folks. But heck, Hekk didn't know that before he tried so maybe they don't either?!

To hit bardiche, fatigued, AoO: 1d20 + 11 - 1 ⇒ (6) + 11 - 1 = 16
Damage bardiche, fatigued: 1d10 + 19 - 1 ⇒ (5) + 19 - 1 = 23

Note: Hekk had to drop his rage to cast the spell and was fatigued for a bit, but Branson took care of this so, he starts raging again! Dropping his bardiche, the 6 raging Hekks rip into pink.

To hit claw, rage: 1d20 + 11 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 11 + 2 = 18
Damage claw, rage: 1d6 + 11 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 11 + 2 = 14

To hit claw, rage: 1d20 + 11 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 11 + 2 = 15
Damage claw, rage: 1d6 + 11 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 11 + 2 = 19

To hit bite, rage: 1d20 + 11 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 11 + 2 = 30
Damage bite, rage: 1d4 + 11 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 11 + 2 = 14

To hit claw, rage, iterative: 1d20 + 11 + 2 - 5 ⇒ (4) + 11 + 2 - 5 = 12
Damage claw, rage: 1d6 + 11 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 11 + 2 = 16

... once. Not much of a ripping if you ask me.

Leo puts the stink eye on Green. (ill omen)

Leguin will stay focused on green until he drops and then switch to purple.
Attack 1: Power Attack: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (4) + 11 = 15
dmg 1: 1d12 + 15 ⇒ (11) + 15 = 26

Attack 2: Power Attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20
dmg 1: 1d12 + 15 ⇒ (10) + 15 = 25

@Hekk, glad I could be of assistance!

Sorry Tathane. I just missed updating the damage.

Aryas scores some nonlethal hits, Branson heals the whole crew, Hekk rages out and attacks once, Leo curses green, and LeGuin misses with his powerful attacks.

Purple
Attacks LeGuin
short sword: 1d20 + 11 - 2 ⇒ (7) + 11 - 2 = 16 or ill omen: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (15) + 11 = 26 for slashing: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9
short sword: 1d20 + 11 - 2 ⇒ (5) + 11 - 2 = 14 or ill omen: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (11) + 11 = 22 for slashing: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6
short sword: 1d20 + 6 - 2 ⇒ (9) + 6 - 2 = 13 or ill omen: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (8) + 11 = 19 for slashing: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6

~+~Combat Round 4~+~
Tathane
green (-36)(ill omen)
pink (-22)(ill omen)
Hekk
Aryas
Leopold
Branson
LeGuin
Purple (-40)(shaken)

Map