GM Silbeg's Age of Ashes AP (Inactive)

Game Master Silbeg

Moving you all forward into the next area

A short flight of stairs leads down to an open-air courtyard surrounded by imposing octagonal walls, while a heavy iron gate separates it from the halls to the south. A few errant milkweeds and tufts of crabgrass protrude from the cracked cobblestone flooring. The ground to the west is sunken in, creating a natural pool of rainwater. To the north, the battlements above have partially collapsed into a huge mound of stone and wooden rubble, under which some sort of reptilian creature seems to have been crushed. The top half of a flight of wooden stairs rises up to the battlements above the collapsed section of the walls; broken plants from the bottom half lie amid the rubble below. A thick rope has been affixed via a grappling hook to the lower portion of the stairs, dangling down to within a few feet of the top of the rubble pile.

The desperate shouts and barking growls continue here, but now their sources are obvious. The shouts come from the battlements above, where a few goblins and a halfling man holding another goblin at knifepoint can be seen. The man seems to be threatening the goblins, while the goblins look like they’re pleading for mercy. The source of the growling is of greater concern, though—for it comes from a large, draconic beast not far away at ground level, roaring at the delicious but inaccessible prey above!

The critter notices you all, and turns towards what to it must look like a group of tasty snacks! It moves from where it was digging in the wall to attack Ingraham and Aragelda! It swings its massive tail at each of the two heroes!

Body Slam - Athletics to trip both: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (16) + 12 = 28
I am assuming that exceeds both of your fortitude DCs - this ability calls out Fort.
if this is a crit bludgeoning: 1d6 ⇒ 1

Both of the heroes fall to the ground, as the creature swings around. It then tries to bite Ingraham!
jaws vs AC18 (shield but flat footed for prone): 1d20 + 12 - 5 ⇒ (18) + 12 - 5 = 25 piercing: 1d12 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12

Once again, poor Ingraham is mauled by a creature!

Party is/are up.
Universal Adjustments:
Universal Conditions:

Gideon reacts as fast as he can, attempting to inspires his allies.

perform DC 15: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14

"Dragon!!!"

Fail, so no lingering on courage.

Gideon circles around, both looking for a clear shot and to spread out in case of a breath weapon before taking a shot with his shortbow.

pew: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 6 + 1 = 10
piercing damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Aragelda Raises her Shield, stands up, and steps to one side.

The Trip was a crit on Aragelda.

Having studied dragons extensively, Edjarha quickly scampers away from the rest of his party, wishing to avoid bunching up. When he has a little space around him, he lets loose a ray of icy energy at the creature.

Ray of frost, sickened 1, Inspire Courage: 1d20 + 6 - 1 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 6 - 1 + 1 = 12
Cold damage, inspire courage: 1d4 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 3 + 1 = 6

Davian runs for safety as he tries to remember what he can on the beast. "That's a...." He calls back as a magical shield envelops him.

◆ Ancestral Memories Focus Spell to become trained in the skill to ID the creature for 1 minute
◆ Recall Knowledge
◆ Shield Spell

Ingraham realizes he is in a very poor position. He stands up, raises his shield, and makes a backwards retreat.

Edjarha misses the creature.

Gideon's shot also goes wide.

Aragelda and Ingraham take defensive positions.

The creature turns to attack Aragelda!
jaws vs AC19: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (11) + 12 = 23 piercing: 1d12 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14

Assuming a shield block here

tail: 1d20 + 12 - 4 ⇒ (17) + 12 - 4 = 25 B: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

Aragelda is dying 1

it then moves up to engage more of the party.

Party is/are up.
Universal Adjustments:
Universal Conditions:

"It's a rock drake! Their teeth can chew through rocks and they breath lava. Spread out!" Davain warns as a brief memory passes through his mind. Davian backs further away as sparks skitter across the rock drake's scales.

Electric Arc Damage; Inspire: 1d4 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 4 + 1 = 8

◆ Move
◆◆ Cast Electric Arc DC 16 (Sickened) on Red and Blue

reflex save Rock Drake: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10

The creature gives out a roar as Davian's spell takes effect.

Suddenly faced with a mountain of drake before him, Edjarha draps into a fighting stance and sending two lashing kicks at the beasts knee before heeding Davian's advice and dashing to the other side.

Dragon tail attack (Flurry attack 1), sickened 1, inspire courage: 1d20 + 6 - 1 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 6 - 1 + 1 = 22
Bludgeoning damage, inspire courage: 1d10 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 3 + 1 = 6

Dragon tail attack (Flurry attack 2), sickened 1, inspire courage: 1d20 + 1 - 1 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 1 - 1 + 1 = 10 +1 if the first attack missed (backswing)
Bludgeoning damage, inspire courage: 1d10 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 3 + 1 = 13

◆Dragon Stance, ◆Flurry of Blows, ◆Stride

Edjara strikes the beast with his first attack, but misses with his second!

There once was a silly little lizard
Who tired to fit us into its gizard
But we said no with a smack
And a big brave attack
And from being eaten we were delivered.

perform: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22
Lingering Success. 3 rounds of Inspire Courage!

Gideon follows up his song with a bit of extra oomph for Aragelda.

soothe: 1d10 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11
+2 status bonus to saves against mental effects for 1 minute

Aragelda, healed by the power of song, stands, Raises her Shield, and asks Folgrit to guide Ingraham's hand.

Stand, Raise Shield, cast Guidance on Ingraham

Ingraham shifts forward, swinging his club down.

Club Attack VS Rock Dragon: 1d20 + 6 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 6 + 1 + 1 = 26
Club Damage VS Rock Dragon: 1d6 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 3 + 1 = 6

What the blazes?! Ingraham hit something!

After he swings his club, Ingraham makes the decision to bravely run away.

Well, lovely... looks like the goblins ate my post!

Reminder to Aragelda that her weapon is on the ground

The rock drake stays where it is and tries to eat the noisy little gnome.
jaws vs AC17: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (1) + 12 = 13 teeth (P): 1d12 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17
Tail for tenderizing vs AC17: 1d20 + 12 - 4 ⇒ (13) + 12 - 4 = 21 tail {B}: 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12
Tail for tenderizing vs AC17: 1d20 + 12 - 8 ⇒ (7) + 12 - 8 = 11 tail {B}: 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10

The drake tries to bite Gideon with its massive jaws, but misjudges how short the gmome is. It follow up, swinging around with its tail, slamming into the bard, though its third attack also misses widely.

Party is/are up.
Universal Adjustments:
Universal Conditions:

Hm...something seems off.

Edjarha, unconvinced that this is truly a rock drake, studies the creature further.

◆Recall Knowledge (Arcana/Dragon Lore +6). Reserving my other actions until I see if I know anything.

Gideon is nearly knocked off his feet by the massive tail.

Gideon summons forth a magical shield as he tumbles back and snaps off a shot with his shortbow.

arrowed: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 6 + 1 = 26
piercing damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
deadly if needed: 1d10 ⇒ 9

Shield, Stride, Strike. AC 18

Courage +1 lingers.

Aragelda hadn't drawn a weapon yet, just her shield, which should still be strapped on.

Aragelda stares at the creature.

Angradd, do you watch us? Do you bless our battle?

She intones a few words, trying to affect the creature's mind.

Casting Daze! 3 mental damage, DC 16 basic Will save, stunned 1 on a crit fail.

She Raises her Shield.

Another electrical charge bursts against the rock drake's scales as he tries to bring it down quickly.

Electric Arc Damage; Inspire: 1d4 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 4 + 1 = 6

◆ Move
◆◆ Cast Electric Arc DC 16 (Sickened)

Ingraham rushes in, smacks at the rock drake, and then rushes out.
Club Attack VS Rock Drake: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 6 + 1 = 24
Club Damage: 1d6 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 3 + 1 = 10

Gideon manages to strike the thing with his arrow, though not before moving to safety.

Aragelda, I was assuming you had a weapon drawn, but it seems this isn't your standard procedure?

Aragelda casts her mind spell at the creature, and it does seem to affect it, at least a little.
will save DC16: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (9) + 9 = 18

Then Darian uses everyone's favorite cantrip to unleash electrical hell on the critter. It seems to be harmed by the spell, but not as much as he had hoped.
reflex save DC16: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22

Then, Ingraham plays darting dodger and smacks the critter hard in the face. It doesn't seem to like that, and in reaction burps out a cloud of noxious halitosis in a 15' cone (catching only Ingraham in its area). The rock-druid is able to handle the horrific stench, likely due to having to deal with worse in the Darklands from which he came.

Ingraham Fort save: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24

Waiting on Edjarha

Aragelda can't cast spells with a material focus while she has both her hands full. Next level, she can emblazon her shield and cast with both hammer and shield in hand. Though when I actually looked just now, the spells that she's down to with all her heals spent don't really use a material focus, so she could have been using her hammer.

"I do not believe this to be a rock drake but a type of dragon native to swamps and noxious fens called a Grauladon--though that would mean it's far from home, indeed. Don't use paralysis or sleep effects."

Following the lead of his spread-out allies, Edjarha fires a ray of icy magic at the creature. ◆◆ Cast ray of frost.

Spell attack, Inspire Courage, sickened 1: 1d20 + 6 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (5) + 6 + 1 - 1 = 11
Cold damage, Inspire Courage: 1d4 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 3 + 1 = 6

Sadly, Edjarha misses the beast.

The creature moves up next to Davian and Ingraham, and swings its massive tail around, attempting to upend both of them. Both heroes are knocked to the ground, but Davian falls poorly,

Athletics vs Fort DC: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (11) + 12 = 23 bludgeoning on crit: 1d6 ⇒ 6

It then smacks its tail at the now prone dwarf, and hits him soundly.
Tail: 1d20 + 10 - 4 ⇒ (15) + 10 - 4 = 21 Bludgeoning : 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13

Party is/are up.
Universal Adjustments:
Universal Conditions:

Edjarha rushes in to a flanking position, letting his leg swing at the dragon in a style clearly meant to mimic the arc of the beast's tail a moment ago, then rushes back away, hoping to draw the beast away from his cornered friends.

Dragon tail attack (Flurry attack 1) vs. flanking, IC, sickened 1: 1d20 + 6 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (12) + 6 + 1 - 1 = 18
Bludgeoning damage, IC: 1d10 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 3 + 1 = 12

Dragon tail attack (Flurry attack 2) vs. flanking, IC, sickened 1: 1d20 + 1 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 + 1 - 1 = 7 +1 if the first attack missed (backswing)
Bludgeoning damage, IC: 1d10 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 3 + 1 = 8

◆Stride to flanking position, ◆Flurry of Blows, ◆Stride away

Davian slams to the ground hard. As he does so he loses what little control he has on his magical runic lines etched into his body. The internal barrier holding it all back lets loose as a large wave of magical missile arc into the underbelly of the beast one by one.

His breath finally returns to him as the rune grows dark once more. He stares wide-eyed up at the beast, prone and backed into a corner. He has nowhere left to run. This is it.

◆◆◆ Magic Missile

Magic Missile Damage; Inspire: 3d4 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (4, 4, 3) + 3 + 1 = 15

Angradd, bless our battle! We can win this!

Aragelda casts daze again, and Raises her Shield.

3 mental damage, DC 16 basic Will save, stunned 1 on a crit fail.

Ingraham, if you don't stabilize this round, Aragelda can cast stabilize next round.

Edjarha swings his leg around in a sweeping motion. If not for the distraction of the flanking he assumes he would have missed. However, he did not.

With that blow, the grauladon goes down.

However, you still hear the shriek of a goblin, and the yell of a halfling saying "You will tell me, or I kill your leader, you little pukes!"

We'll stay in rounds for the moment, for a couple of reasons.
However, actions after Edjara can be retconned

Davian, Aragelda, Gideon is/are up.
Universal Adjustments:
Universal Conditions:

Aragelda moves in closer and casts a spell on Ingraham.

Magrim, it is not time for this one yet.

Stride, Cast stabilize

Gideon protects himself once again with the shield spell as he readies a shot with his bow if that halfling shows up.

Gideon shouts in Goblin "We're coming!"

Gideon can see that the only way up would be to climb that single rope up to the broken stairs. With the way the battlements look, it is unlikely that he'll get much of a shot on a halfling (or a goblin), but readies nonetheless...

Aragelda is able to stabilize Ingraham, so he no longer is in risk of dying.

Davian?

Davian's stomach causes him to retch as he shoves the non rock drake off of his leg. Getting to his feet Davian rushes up the stairs to see what all of the commotion is about with the goblins and the halfling. He looks down at Ingraham. "He going to be alright?"

Seeing the bottom portion of the steps gone Davian leaps up, slowly dragging himself up onto the steps.

Athletics: 1d20 ⇒ 4

◆ Stand
◆ Stride
◆ Athletics (Climb)

Apologies for the randomly timed posting. It is review writing season at work.
@Aragelda: Thanks for the stabilize!

"The bleeding is stopped, but it will take more to get him up again."

Though the dwarven druid does not wake, there is a scream that comes from the battlements. things seem to be getting worse.

Davian does not make any progress up the rope. Edjarha, Davian, Aragelda, Gideon is/are up.
Universal Adjustments:
Universal Conditions:

Davian is the worst as he struggles to climb a rope of all things. His feet slip and his sweaty hands slid down the rope as he stays firmly planted on the ground.

Athletics; Sickened: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (2) - 1 = 1
Athletics; Sickened: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (11) - 1 = 10
Athletics; Sickened: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (8) - 1 = 7

◆ Athletics (Climb)
◆ Athletics (Climb)
◆ Athletics (Climb)

Edjarha rushes to the rope and tries to climb.

Athletics: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20

◆Stride, ◆Climb, ◆Climb/Stride (not sure how tall the rope section is).

Aragelda stows her shield and runs over to the bottom of the rope.

Gideon puts away his bow and heads over to the rope and begins climbing.

athletics: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 13

Davian struggles to climb the rope but Edjarha is able to get up to the bottom of the stairs.

Aragelda is ready to try and get up, but Gideon manages to not quite climb up.

FYI - I have moved you all to a new slide #3 -- which has an expanded version of the battlements. Only Edjarha is up top at this time.

tadel Altaerein’s battlements provide a breathtaking view. To the east rise the majestic Five Kings Mountains, looming as ageless rocky monoliths in the hazy fog. To the south, rolling foothills unfurl, nestled around Breachill’s rooftops. Along the battlements, six bonfires have been heaped, although currently only the southwestern three are burning fitfully, sending plumes of reddish smoke into the air.

The citadel’s battlements are about 25 feet above the courtyard, and are just over 30 feet above ground level. The battlements’ walls are about 4 feet high and crenellated, with a circular watchtower standing at each of the four corners. A significant portion of the northern battlements has collapsed into the courtyard below, leaving the northeastern watchtower partially exposed to the air.

The halfling arsonist and troublemaker Calmont has taken the leader of the surviving Bumblebrasher goblins, Helba, hostage. While the other goblins outnumber him, fear for their leader’s safety has so far paralyzed them, preventing them from taking action.

The hunched halfling man, his hair wild and gestures manic, has a terrified goblin in a headlock as he waves a knife about menacingly, standing in the only surviving doorway in the north east tower.

The goblins cry out for help (in goblin, but it is clear to all what they are asking for).

Calmont responds with "And who are you? Oh... wait! The do-gooders from town! You were supposed to burn in the fire! What are you doing here... No closer! I’ll cut this goblin’s ears off if you don’t leave at once!"

For the moment, we are out of initiative. However, I'll keep things in a relative order, to allow folks to climb up, and to talk, if you all want. For the climbers, make one check per "turn", if you succeed, you make it all the way up.

What do you do now?

Gideon climbs... sorta.

Aragelda climbs up.

Athletics: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17
Athletics: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11
Athletics: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21

"Hey there, friend. I don't think you need to do that. I think we can talk about this. Why don't you release our goblin friend there, and maybe we can all walk away from this?"

Feeling extremely ill Davain has a very difficult time making it up the rope as he heaves numerous times.

I think I wasn't very clear. One roll only... I will take your first. We are doing one turn at a time, since it could turn into a new combat very quickly.

So far, none of the three on the ground have made it up.

With the screaming going on, what is Edjarha doing?

Edjarha moves to the top of the stairs, so he can properly see the halfling. "We've met fire, and dogs, and a dragon on the trail to this moment, and yet here we are. How do you think we'll react if you carry out your threat? Put down the knife."

"Don't you come any closer!" Calmont screams out. "I'll do it! You know I will!"

everyone can make another climb attempt... Edjarha, if you are trying to use diplomacy or intimidate, make me a check with your reply

Athletics: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25

Athletics; Sickened: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (4) - 1 = 3

Davian slips and scraps his chin on the wall.