GM Kate's The Slithering (closed) (Inactive)

Game Master Kate Baker

Fuchsia builds up her panache and leaves the boggard warrior speechless. Crit success on the Bon Mot!

The fungus leshy hits with one spore!

Fort save: 1d20 + 10 - 1 ⇒ (8) + 10 - 1 = 17

The last warrior standing desperately tries to protect Golga! He attacks Fuchsia.

Club!: 1d20 + 10 - 1 ⇒ (20) + 10 - 1 = 29
ouch!: 1d6 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10

He then moves and attack Yuturr.

Club!: 1d20 + 10 - 1 - 5 ⇒ (2) + 10 - 1 - 5 = 6
ouch!: 1d6 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12

Initiative!
Golga, bon mot'ed, -6 hp
Zarke
Fuchsia, -69 hp (dying 2)
Jack
Warrior 3, frightened 1, bon mot'ed, -7 hp
Asta
Yuturr

Yuturr effortlessly ducks away from the boggard's club and is alarmed as Fuchsia takes her beating. Can't take the main course when the appetizer won't leave, he says with a snarl, gliding between the club wielder and the ratfolk and focusing on #3.

stabbity: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (11) + 14 = 25
piercing: 2d6 ⇒ (3, 4) = 7
plus deadly, if a crit: 1d8 ⇒ 4

stabbity: 1d20 + 14 - 4 ⇒ (12) + 14 - 4 = 22
piercing: 2d6 ⇒ (5, 6) = 11
plus deadly, if a crit: 1d8 ⇒ 1

Stride, Strike x2.

Recall Knowledge (Known Weakness) on #3: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (12) + 13 = 25
DaS: 1d20 ⇒ 8

Seeing a decent opening, Asta strides forward, taking advantage of Yuturr's positioning to strike at the nearest boggard.

+1 striking sword cane vs. flank (DaS d20): 8 + 14 = 22
P damage: 2d6 + 1 ⇒ (1, 5) + 1 = 7
Strategic Strike: 2d6 ⇒ (2, 5) = 7

◆DaS, ◆Stride, ◆Strike

Warrior 3 goes down after Yuturr and Asta'a successful attacks.

The remaining boggard looks at all the downed boggards.

"Alas, my warriors have failed me! I must surrender!"

Initiative!
Golga, bon mot'ed, -6 hp
Zarke
Fuchsia, -69 hp (dying 2)
Jack
Warrior 3, frightened 1, bon mot'ed, -7 hp
Asta
Yuturr

Leaving you in initiative in case you don't want to accept the surrender. Also, to see what happens with Fuchsia.

Flat check DC 12: 1d20 ⇒ 9

I spend my hero point to stabilize.

Accecpting surrender, going to treat Fuchsia, with assurance can stabilize automatically if Fuchsia want's to save the hero point.

The puddles in the Bwamandu Camp glisten in the fading light like delicious pink sugarwater. The young ratfolk and the old ratfolk are tucked away, cozy in their piles of shredded fabric and lovely junk heaps. Fuchsia sits at a café patio beneath an old acacia tree, cradling a glass of fine wine as she waits for her meal. She listens to the relaxing sound of rat feet scrabbling to and fro behind the walls. She sniffs the lovely aromas blossoming from the glass — a blend of wet cardboard and musty basement. The waiter brings her a huge dollop of peanut butter on a plate; it's sprinkled with slivers of cold bacon and bright blueberries. It shines greasily in the light. Fuchsia licks her lips… what a perfect evening!

The scurrying ratfeet have gone silent. Her wine glass is full of tadpoles. The peanut butter's turned into a heap of pond scum crawling with flies. A blood-chilling voice croaks in her ear…

RIBBIT!

--

The stable-but-still-comatose ratfolk twitches on the floor. Her tail jerks and her limbs twitch as she dreams, like she's trying to run away from something…

Golga sighs. "I suppose you'll be wanting my valuables." She removes and hands over a silver necklace that you think is worth 150 gp.

"The chief is upstairs." She points to the next door. "The stairs are through that way. He always has a guard on the upper landing."

Fuchsia groans when she wakes up and sees Golga standing there, mostly unharmed and unbound. Like a waking nightmare. ughhhhhh… so… sick… of… boggards!

She stands up and flexes her biceps, brushes off her clothes. As she does so, she watches Golga out of the corner of her eye. Okay Golga. It's official. Your minions are tough. She glances at the blood-splattered floor. Were. I mean, it only took five of 'em and some lucky cheap shots to take me down. That's more than most in Kibwe can say. It was a one-in-a-million crew you had.

But why push your luck now, instead of making the best deal you can? I can tell you're holding something back. Is there a frog in your throat?

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 12 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 12 + 1 = 33

Zarke pulls yet a another massive roll of bandages from his pack as he goes to work tending the party's wounds as they chat with Golga.

"All right, you got me. The stairs have a trap that shoots a poison dart at you. The switch is at the top of the stairs to turn it off, though."

Zarke shakes his head "There's still more" he says over his shoulder.

The ratfolk sighs. Golga, I'm the good cop. An angel. Literally. But you're still holding back. Maybe Jack or Yutuur want a word…

One For All (Diplomacy to Assist on Intimidate check) (E): 1d20 + 4 + 12 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 4 + 12 + 1 = 33

Looks like a +2 to aid on intimidate. I noticed Jack or Yuturr have +10/11 intimidate. Fucshia is tired of being nice but she is not intimidating.

You're leaping down from a golden opportunity, and into a filthy puddle. Typical frog stuff really. But still disappointing.

Yuturr nods at Fuchsia's words. I, however, am not nearly as restrained as my friend here. In one fluid motion he plants his rapier at the throat of Golga. And I'm far less patient. Now, I believe she asked you a question. If you'd like to continue breathing, I suggest you answer her.

Intimidation: 1d20 + 11 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 11 + 2 = 14 I VOLUNTEER THIS HERO POINT AS TRIBUTE
Intimidation: 1d20 + 11 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 11 + 2 = 14

...wow.

Fuchsia grimaces. She whispers: I've heard mice with more meow…

Well that was an epic set of 1's. :( I am OK moving on and telling Golga to stay out of town — or else — from now on.

It's hard to read Jack at the best of times, and this is not one of those times. Is he angry? Ambivalent? No one really knows.

He walks up to Golga, Meg a few steps behind. For a few moments all he does is stare at the boggard. Reaching some inscrutable conclusion he turns to his sister and plucks a ripe berry from her body. Returning his gaze to Golga, he holds up the berry.

And crushes it in his hand.

"Now is not the time to hold back."
roll: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (4) + 10 = 14
Sure, let's reroll that
roll: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (11) + 10 = 21

Golga sighs. "There are two basilisks in the next room. They are trained not to look at boggards, but they'll definitely look at you all. Can I go now?"

You're all pretty sure that's really it this time.

You can go if you promise to never set foot in my town as long as you live. Stay out of Kibwe, and never hop back.

Asta glances at the ratfolk with a smirk. Your town, huh?

She watches Golga hop off — after taking all her valuables, of course. Boy. What would Kibwe do without me? It would probably be some boring boggard swamp by now, full of bugs and croakings.

Fuchsia begins rooting through the boggard gear but decides it would be too much of an affront to her dignity.

Even if these dumb bax-lisks like kissing boggard butt, it's not worth the stink of these clothes. Who even knows what a bax-lisk is anyways? Probably some kind of swamp puppy. She sniffs a bloody shirt, near the armpit, then throws it into the corner. BLECH!

Maybe there's some other way. She twirls her rapier. Or the tried-and-true way.

The OOC plan to fascinate sounds good. Perhaps we can draw any boggard guards out of the room so combat, if needed, doesn't immediately break the condition.

Arcana to Recall Knowledge about 'bax-lisks': 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (7) + 13 = 20

"Who knows, indeed? They are decidedly more dangerous than some 'swamp-puppy'." Asta goes on to share what he's read about these dangerous creatures.

Asta knows that basilisks are magical beasts who famously can turn people to stone with their petrifying gaze.

With the advance knowledge and a plan, everyone will receive a +4 circumstance bonus to initiative checks in the next encounter. Let me know when you're ready to move in.

Activating bracers and Ready!

Jack grins. "I think I can distract the lizards enough that we can just walk by. If you all trust me, I know a beat that should mesmerize them. Make them wag a tail. Sound good?"

Assuming the group is on board, Jack takes out his lute. He plucks a few strings, pleased that the instrument is in tune. Simultaneously, Nutmeg balls her hands into fists. The musicians take a deep breath, and begin to play. For anyone who hasn't seen them play before, the strangest thing about the performance is that Meg uses Jack's hollow gourd head and parts of her own body, striking those with her fists to produce percussive noises that accompany Jack.

Oh I think I smell a rat
Oh I think I smell a rat
All you little kids
Seem to think you know
Just where it's at
Oh I think I smell a rat
Walking down the street
Carrying a sap and sack
Oh I think I smell a rat
Oh I think I smell a rat
Oh I think I smell a rat
All you little kids
Seem to think you know
Just where is at
Oh I think I smell a rat
Using your mother and father
For a welcome mat
Oh I think I smell a rat
Performance (Fascinating Performance w/Virtuosic Performer and Accompanist) vs Will DC: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (16) + 14 = 30

He performs the song long enough for people to make their way through.
It lasts one round, but I'm guessing that I can Stride twice and get through? If not, I'll make another Performance check to maintain the effect

Fuchsia hums along with her own lyrics.

Oh I think I smell a rat
her purple glowing eyes
and her awesome silk hat

Oh I think I smell a rat
she owns this town
but she ain't no bureaucrat

... and so on

You throw open the doors, revealing two basilisks!

We'll give Jack one free action to start off the encounter, since he was performing as you opened the doors.

Jack's performance immediately captivates the creatures!

Yuturr
Asta
Zarke
Basilisk 2, fascinated
Jack
Basilisk 1, fascinated
Fuchsia

Assuming we can start by the door. I will move once and look for the poison dart trap. If its switch is at the top of the stairs, it follows that the trap is at the bottom.

1d20 + 10 ⇒ (2) + 10 = 12

Hero Point

1d20 + 10 ⇒ (17) + 10 = 27

I have one action left. If possible I would like to Point Out the location of the Trap… hoping a 27 lets me spot it. Unfortunately, this means I will have to end my turn here.

Yes, you can definitely all start by the door! And a 27 is enough to spot the trap. It looks like it is triggered by stepping onto the stairs, but would hit not only people on the stairs but also on the ten foot square at the bottom of the stairs.

Zarke grabs his pug-like ally and nearly gallops through the room to bring him somewhere useful.

Medium creature is within mine/T’gon’l's weight limit. Imagining an action to pull Astra on for an exciting ride, commanding the lizard to double move and then again putting Astra down on the other side.

"Woah, what are you...!" caught off guard by his sudden transportation at the hands of Zarke, Asta nearly falls as he's set down. "Ah, I see. I'll get to work!" He steps up to the pressure plate the party was warned of and sets about trying to disable it, drawing tools from his bandolier as needed. ◆Stride, ◆Thievery to Disable, ◆Thievery to Disable (if needed).

Thievery to disable: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (18) + 11 = 29
Thievery to disable: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (13) + 11 = 24

Asta easily gets the trap disabled.

Basilisk 2 won't do anything since it is fascinated, so Jack can take his turn too. If he successfully fascinates both basilisks again, we'll end the combat there, and everyone can sneak past.

Yuturr
Asta
Zarke
Basilisk 2, fascinated
Jack
Basilisk 1, fascinated
Fuchsia

In that case, Yuturr should delay.

Jack and Meg continue their fascinating performance...
Performance: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (9) + 14 = 23
If that's a fail, I will use a hero point.
Performance: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (11) + 14 = 25

With the basilisk fascinated and the trap disabled, you make your way up the stairs.

This oddly shaped landing has stairs descending to the south, a narrow door with a small window in it to the north, and a grand double door to the east. The double door bears a carving of a sunburst with rays pushing away storm clouds. An irregular alcove near the doors has a small stone table bearing an open chest.

A single boggard stands guard. She seems surprised that you reached the top without the trap going off.

Again adding a +4 bonus to initiative due to advance knowledge of the situation.

Initiative
Jack
Yuturr
Asta
Zarke
Boggard
Fuchsia

Did you know, when you die, you keep the last expression on your face forever? Yuturr says, slinking up alongside the boggard and stabbing with his rapier.

stabbity vs. flat-footed AC: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (6) + 14 = 20
piercing w/sneak attack: 2d6 + 2d6 ⇒ (6, 2) + (5, 4) = 17
plus deadly, if a crit: 1d8 ⇒ 8

stabbity vs. flat-footed AC: 1d20 + 14 - 4 ⇒ (20) + 14 - 4 = 30 w00t, crit!
piercing w/sneak attack: 2d6 + 2d6 ⇒ (3, 2) + (2, 5) = 12
plus deadly, if a crit: 1d8 ⇒ 6

Stride, Strike x2

Zarke lets T’gon’l carry him into battle where he opens with his standard electric arcing hammer.

Hammertime: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (12) + 12 = 24
b damage: 2d12 + 4 ⇒ (12, 2) + 4 = 18

electric: 3d4 + 4 ⇒ (1, 4, 2) + 4 = 11
Basic Reflex 21

Asta moves up to the top of the stairs, studying the cornered boggard as he contemplates what to do.

Society (Known Weakness): 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (16) + 13 = 29 +1 circ to everyone's first attack if that's a crit Recall Knowledge on a boggard.
DaS: 1d20 ⇒ 15

Seeing an opening a mile wide, but having no room to approach, he sighs and draws a short length of heavy rope with a heavy knot at the end into his off hand.

◆Stride, ◆DaS, ◆Interact to draw his monkey's fist.

Yuturr and Zarke easily dispatch the single guard.

Time to hail the chief.

Fuchsia moves to the double doors, looks them over for traps (or lets her allies do so) then opens them up.

The open chest in the room contains only a note in Abyssal.

"Let me see if I can make sense of that writing."
Society (Decipher Writing): 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (2) + 11 = 13
Assuming that is a fail. Hero Point?
Society (Decipher Writing): 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (4) + 11 = 15

Asta will try to puzzle out the meaning of the note.

Society to Decipher Writing: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (15) + 13 = 28

Zarke shrugs "Same language as before, right?"

Asta manages to work out the gist of the message. He also notices that the handwriting matches that of the paperwork in Tomil's office.

Croakchief? Really?

Well, let's go croak the chief.

She makes her way to the double doors. Ready

It's not every day you come across someone whose name is onomatopoetic, Yuturr says. Makes labels easy, though, doesn't it?

Ready as well.

Zarke checks with T'gon'l and then nods in readiness as well.

Asta steps up beside Jack and nods his own readiness as well.

You open the doors.

This wide, arcing room has a double door leading west and two double doors leading east; all of the doors bear a large sunburst symbol. The southern double doors on the east wall have been knocked off their hinges and lie askew on the floor. Against the north wall, an elaborate wooden chair balances atop a wooden chest, which itself balances atop a stone shelf that’s been knocked over to serve as a base. The chair is festooned with large leaves and reeds to give it a more ostentatious and dramatic appearance.

Initiative!
Asta
Croakchief
Yuturr
Fuchsia
Jack
Warrior 1
Warrior 2
Zarke

Asta is up first!

Asta quickly sizes up the nearest boggard, reluctant to stray too far into the room on his own.

Society to Recall Knowledge (Known Weakness) vs. #1: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (12) + 13 = 25 +1 circ bonus to first attack if that's a crit.
DaS: 1d20 ⇒ 12

Seeing enough of an opening to feel worth taking, he quickly darts into the room and strikes at the creature, hoping his allies are close behind.

+1 striking sword cane vs. #1 (DaS): 12 + 14 = 26
P damage: 2d6 + 1 ⇒ (1, 4) + 1 = 6
Strategic Strike: 2d6 ⇒ (5, 2) = 7

◆Devise a Stratagem, ◆Stride, ◆Strike, ◇Worry about the impending consequences of winning initiative.