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

Game Master Kate Baker

You make your way to the Archive of the Sun. You had a chance to buy things first, if needed.

This entrance to the Archive of the Sun is little more than a deep, square alcove. A few discarded jars lie on the ground near the single door. A double door opposite it bears a sunburst and is closed. Unlike last time, the torches around the building are lit and the rooms are bright.

I'm placing a marker on rooms you haven't explored yet this time. Since you were here before, you would remember the layout.

Well, let's check the little room behind us and then go on to where we fought the boggards?

Fuchsia listens at the door to the small room, giver her allies a moment to check for traps, and opens it.

Yuturr has Trap Finder, and he'll carefully check as we go along for traps the Aspis have certainly laid for us.

You open the door to the small room. Shredded fabric covers the floors of this small guard room. A strange animal tries to pounce at you!

Initiative!
Yuturr
Fuchsia
Zarke
Jack
Beastie
Asta

Zarke casts fear upon the beast!

Will DC 25

Zarke then follows up with a guidance on Fuchsia.

T’gon’l will seek towards the room for further hidden creatures. Perception +13, Scent

That's a lot of legs — gonna need all the help I can get. Thanks, Zarke.

Acrobatics (M), Guidance: 1d20 + 18 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 18 + 1 = 27

When the cats away, the mouse will play. Don't let me have all the fun, Yutuur! Fuchsia flicks her swarf through the air as she parries, ready for the inevitable onslaught but hoping to provide a flank for her rogue friend.

Will save: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (20) + 16 = 36

The eight-legged beastie has no fear!

However, that doesn't stop Fuchsia from tumbling in successfully and stabbing it.

Yuturr
Fuchsia
Zarke
Jack
Beastie, -25 hp
Asta

You are one ugly...

Yuturr steps in and attacks.

+1 striking rapier vs. flat-footed AC: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (15) + 16 = 31
piercing: 2d6 + 2 ⇒ (5, 3) + 2 = 10
plus sneak attack: 2d6 ⇒ (5, 1) = 6
plus deadly, if a crit: 1d8 ⇒ 4

+1 striking rapier vs. flat-footed AC: 1d20 + 16 - 4 ⇒ (18) + 16 - 4 = 30
piercing: 2d6 + 2 ⇒ (3, 6) + 2 = 11
plus sneak attack: 2d6 ⇒ (6, 4) = 10
plus deadly, if a crit: 1d8 ⇒ 4

Stride, Strike x2.

Action 1: Interact
Action 2-3: Acid Arrow

With a single target before them, Jack draws forth a rarely used wand they had found on their adventures. With a wave and muttering of the activation word an green-tinged arrow bursts forth, flying at the creature!
Acid Arrow: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (14) + 15 = 29
Damage (Acid): 3d8 ⇒ (4, 6, 4) = 14 plus 1d6 persistent acid damage and DC 25 Fortitude save or become sickened 1

Yuturr steps in, stabbing the creature twice! Jack uses a wand to strike the creature with an arrow of acid!

Fortitude: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (10) + 19 = 29

The eight-legged beastie looks disappointed that the two opponents flanking it are in leather armor. Nevertheless, it bites at Yuturr.

bite!: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (10) + 21 = 31
ouch!: 2d10 + 12 ⇒ (5, 9) + 12 = 26

Yuturr is grabbed in the creature's jaws! It swipes with a claw.

claw: 1d20 + 21 - 4 ⇒ (11) + 21 - 4 = 28
ouch!: 2d8 + 12 ⇒ (4, 6) + 12 = 22

The acid arrow sizzles on its skin.

acid: 1d6 ⇒ 1

flat check: 1d20 ⇒ 19

Yuturr, -48 hp, grabbed
Fuchsia
Zarke
Jack
Beastie, -77 hp
Asta

I know cats like to be squished… but not like that!

One For All (Diplomacy to Aid Another), Badge (E): 1d20 + 4 + 15 ⇒ (8) + 4 + 15 = 27

Fails to meet her DC 28 to get panache, but will Aid Yutuur on the escape (+1)

She tries to tumble through to generate panache. Acrobatics (M): 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (2) + 18 = 20

Also failing. She sighs. Keep it simple.

Striking Rapier, vs FF: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (17) + 16 = 33
P: 2d6 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (6, 2) + 4 + 2 = 14

T'gon'l takes Zarke close enough to heal Yuturr.

DC 20 battle medicine: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (4) + 18 = 22

healing: 2d8 + 10 ⇒ (4, 2) + 10 = 16

Zarke follows up with an electric arc on the beastie.

electic damage: 4d4 + 4 ⇒ (2, 1, 2, 1) + 4 = 10
Basic reflex DC 25

Action 1: Stride
Action 2-3: Ray of Frost

Jack moves to get a better view, dismayed that the acid arrow had little effect. He draws upon the wellspring of fey power, releasing a ray of frost at the many-legged creature!
Ray of Frost: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (16) + 15 = 31
Damage (Cold): 4d4 + 4 ⇒ (3, 4, 2, 4) + 4 = 17

Asta moves up, drawing a hand crossbow in his off hand and trying to recall anything he knows about the strange creature. ◆Step, ◆Interact to draw weapon, ◆Recall Knowledge

Yay, learning new rules

unarmed attack modifier escape check vs Fort DC (I think): 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (10) + 15 = 25

Rest pending the result of that...

Fuchsia doesn't manage the Tumble, but does stab the beastie!

Zarke heals up Yuturr, then fires off an electric arc.

Reflex save: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (20) + 17 = 37

The creature shrugs it off!

Jack hits it with a ray of frost.

Asta still isn't sure what the beastie is.

Yuturr unfortunately can't get out of its jaws!

The check is against its Athletics DC, and it has an extra bonus to its DC against Escape attempts.

Yuturr, -32 hp, grabbed, two actions left
Fuchsia
Zarke
Jack
Beastie, -108 hp
Asta

Unable to escape, Yuturr elects instead to stab the Cayden Cailean out of this thing.

+1 striking rapier vs. flat-footed AC: 1d20 + 16 - 4 ⇒ (16) + 16 - 4 = 28
piercing: 2d6 + 2 ⇒ (2, 5) + 2 = 9
plus sneak attack: 2d6 ⇒ (3, 2) = 5
plus deadly, if a crit: 1d8 ⇒ 1

+1 striking rapier vs. flat-footed AC: 1d20 + 16 - 8 ⇒ (17) + 16 - 8 = 25
piercing: 2d6 + 2 ⇒ (1, 3) + 2 = 6
plus sneak attack: 2d6 ⇒ (1, 2) = 3
plus deadly, if a crit: 1d8 ⇒ 2

Escape ◈, Strike x2.

"Hang in there!" shouts Zarke, getting ready to heal Yaturr again.

Yuturr, unable to escape, stabs the creature.

The beastie retains its grip with its mouth, then lashes out with four claws!

claw 1 vs Yuturr: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (2) + 21 = 23
ouch!: 2d8 + 12 ⇒ (1, 4) + 12 = 17

claw 2 vs Yuturr: 1d20 + 21 - 4 ⇒ (1) + 21 - 4 = 18
ouch!: 2d8 + 12 ⇒ (5, 8) + 12 = 25

claw 3 vs Yuturr: 1d20 + 21 - 8 ⇒ (10) + 21 - 8 = 23
ouch!: 2d8 + 12 ⇒ (8, 6) + 12 = 26

claw 4 vs Yuturr: 1d20 + 21 - 8 ⇒ (14) + 21 - 8 = 27
ouch!: 2d8 + 12 ⇒ (7, 7) + 12 = 26

Looks like three hits against Yuturr flat-footed, yowch. I think the last one drops him.

Fuchsia
Zarke
Jack
Yuturr, dying 1
Beastie, -122 hp
Asta

NO!

Fuchsia delays until she has a flank or the beast is up again. She then frantically tumbles through the creature'ss legs, trying to stab it on the way past but missing 8 damage anyway.

She then parries, knowing she is next, but hoping to be of use in providing a flank.

Tumble Through: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (11) + 18 = 29

Striking Rapier, Confident Finisher: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (7) + 16 = 23
P: 2d6 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (3, 2) + 4 + 2 = 11
Precision: 3d6 ⇒ (3, 4, 1) = 8 (full damage on miss)

Asta drags the fallen Yuturr out of harms way, then leaves the fallen rogued to Zarke's healing touch as he leaps forward to provide Fuchsia with assistance. ◆Grab Yuturr, ◆Drag Yuturr 5ft, ◆Stride into flank. Not sure how the action economy works for dragging. If I don't need to spend an action to grab Yuturr separately from dragging him, then Asta will strike once with his sword cane (spoilered below).

Zarke heals Yuturr.

level 2 heal: 2d8 + 16 ⇒ (7, 8) + 16 = 31

Also touching the cat with the vital beacon.

healing: 4d10 ⇒ (5, 7, 10, 9) = 31

Beacon is now 4d8, reminder Zarke can touch you or you can touch Zarke.

Also wow at dem heals this round.

Fuchsia tumbles in but can't quite connect with her rapier, scratching the creature with the blade instead.

Asta pulls Yuturr out of harm's way while Zarke heals up the cat!

Fuchsia
Zarke
Jack
Yuturr, -16 hp, wounded 1
Beastie, -130 hp
Asta

Yuturr is very grateful to not be still in the maw of...of whatever this thing is, but looks forlornly at his beloved rapier still on the floor next to the beast.

Nothing else for it, he thinks to himself, sending a blast of cold wildly missing the creature, then conjuring up a disk of force for protection.

spell attack: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (1) + 13 = 14 LOL
cold: 4d4 + 4 ⇒ (3, 1, 2, 3) + 4 = 13

Verbal & somatic components for ray of frost, verbal component for shield.

Fuchsia ducks under the errant ray; a whisper is glazed in frost. Watch it! I don't have 9 lives like some cat!

Well you only got 4 left but who's counting…

Action 1: Create a Diversion
Action 2-3: Ray of Frost

Jack lets out a whistle, hoping that draws the creatures attention long enough for him to point into the room.
Create a Diversion vs Perception DC: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (18) + 12 = 30

Confident that the creature has taken the bait (and is Flat-footed to his next attack), the musician releases another ray of cold!
Ray of Frost vs Red: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (18) + 15 = 33
Damage (Cold): 4d4 + 4 ⇒ (2, 2, 3, 1) + 4 = 12

Yuturr misses with a ray of frost, though Jack successfully distracts the creature and hits with his!

The badly injured beastie presses on, lashing out at Asta!

bite!: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (5) + 21 = 26
ouch!: 2d10 + 12 ⇒ (10, 6) + 12 = 28 plus Grab!

It firmly closes its jaws around Asta and swipes with a claw!

claw: 1d20 + 21 - 4 ⇒ (19) + 21 - 4 = 36
ouch!: 2d8 + 12 ⇒ (2, 4) + 12 = 18

Initiative!
Fuchsia
Zarke
Jack
Yuturr, -16 hp, wounded 1
Beastie, -142 hp
Asta, -64 hp, grabbed

Frantic and bleeding, Asta looks for any opening to kill the thing, or at least drive it away.

Nature to Recall Knowledge (Known Weakness): 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (4) + 11 = 15
Devise a Stratagem: 1d20 ⇒ 3
Hero Point Re-roll: 1d20 ⇒ 19

+1 striking ghost touch sword cane vs. flank (DaS): 19 + 16 = 35
P damage: 2d6 + 3 ⇒ (1, 6) + 3 = 10
Strategic Strike: 2d6 ⇒ (6, 4) = 10

+1 striking ghost touch sword cane vs. flank, agile 2nd attack: 1d20 + 16 - 4 ⇒ (19) + 16 - 4 = 31
P damage: 2d6 + 3 ⇒ (2, 4) + 3 = 9

Acrobatics (M): 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (4) + 18 = 22
Acrobatics (M): 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (16) + 18 = 34

Striking Rapier, Confidernt Fnisher vs FF: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (12) + 16 = 28
P: 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (6, 1) + 4 = 11
Precision: 3d6 ⇒ (1, 3, 5) = 9 Full on miss

Action 1-2: Ray of Frost
Action 3: Command Familiar

Jack concentrates on sending another ray into the beast.
Ray of Frost vs Red: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (20) + 15 = 35
Damage (Cold): 4d4 + 4 ⇒ (2, 2, 3, 2) + 4 = 13 x2 plus -10 speed

He then gestures to Meg, urging her to come closer.

Zarke does his best to keep Astra up this time.

DC 20 battle medicine: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (2) + 18 = 20

healing: 2d8 + 10 ⇒ (4, 6) + 10 = 20
Before following up with a touch from his healer's gloves
healing: 2d7 + 7 ⇒ (6, 6) + 7 = 19

and then finally the beacon.

healing: 4d8 ⇒ (2, 7, 1, 2) = 12

51 healing total

healers gloves roll fix: 2d6 + 7 ⇒ (1, 2) + 7 = 10

Make that 42 total :(

Everyone's efforts are more than enough to drop the eight-legged beastie!

With time to really look at it, Asta recognizes an aurumvorax.

Fuchsia looks for the statue that was in here while everyone heals up, trying not to feel useless.

I hope there aren't too many of them around here.

Breathing heavily, Yuturr helps Asta to his feet and looks over the erstwhile foe. Not anxious to meet another of those, I quite agree, the Rogue says. Let's take a few minutes to catch our breaths.

There is no treasure of note in this room.

"Ouch. That wouldn't have been so bad if it hadn't wedged itself in the doorway so only two of us could reach it."

Well of course; it was a very devious creature. By the way, totally unrelated, but it looks more like a feline than a rodent to me. Wouldn't you say?

Will hold onto special healing and go with treating wounds.

Well of course; it was a very devious creature. By the way, totally unrelated, but it looks more like a feline than a rodent to me. Wouldn't you say?

You think so? Yuturr says, peering at its corpse and appearing to think on the matter.

Hmm. Perhaps a bit about the ears, there's a bit of feline-ness. But the snout is assuredly rat-like, and that's a squirrel tail if I've ever seen one.

He turns to Fuchsia with a grin. Besides, by your own words, cats have nine lives, and this one's not gotten back up, has it?

Asta distracts himself from the pain of his wounds as Zarke treats them by giving a short, authoritative, and most of all boring lecture on the history and taxonomy of the aurumvorax.

Zarke does his best to listen in between applying bandages, salves and the like.

Once you're healed up, you continue on. Strangely, the next door seems to be barricaded from the other side. Getting it open requires an Athletics check to Force it Open or a Thievery check to remove the hinges from the door.

I love this thing. Check it out.

Fuchsia shapes the traveler's any-tool and shapes it into a mini battering ram and charges the door at full speed.

Athletics: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (19) + 15 = 34

Oh yeah!

Fuchsia shoves open the door, pushing aside several metal troughs that were stacked up on the other side.

You see a quartet of dwarven guards taking cover behind a pile of rocks with crossbows drawn.

The leading dwarf fires a shot at Fuchsia, then Takes Cover and Reloads.

crossbow: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (13) + 12 = 25
ouch!: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

Initiative!
Dwarf 1, taken cover
Asta
Fuchsia, -9 hp
Dwarf 4
Zarke
Jack
Yuturr
Dwarf 2
Dwarf 3

Is there anything visually identifying them as Aspis (or do we have some other reason to know they are Aspis)?

What else could I possibly expect.

Tumble Through: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (8) + 18 = 26

Striking Rapier, Confident Finisher: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (10) + 16 = 26
P: 2d6 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (2, 3) + 4 + 2 = 11
Precision: 3d6 ⇒ (2, 6, 3) = 11 (full damage on miss)

Move, tumble, strike.

Asta, you heard that a bunch of Aspis had moved into the building. You wouldn't otherwise pick these guards out as Aspis.

Fuchsia tumbles in and stabs the dwarf in front, despite his cover.

Initiative!
Dwarf 1, taken cover, -22 hp
Asta
Fuchsia, -9 hp
Dwarf 4
Zarke
Jack
Yuturr
Dwarf 2
Dwarf 3

Asta moves up and takes his own cover behind the rocks.

Asta takes cover!

One of the dwarves draws an axe, moves up into a flank, and swings at Fuchsia.

battleaxe: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (1) + 16 = 17
ouch!: 2d8 + 8 ⇒ (4, 1) + 8 = 13

When he misses, Fuchsia spins around with an attack of her own!

Initiative!
Dwarf 1, taken cover, -22 hp
Asta
Fuchsia, -9 hp
Dwarf 4, -9 hp
Zarke
Jack
Yuturr
Dwarf 2
Dwarf 3