Dungeon Master Sssssssss's "The Slithering" (Inactive)

Game Master Chris Marsh

The group returns, eager to leave the strange warehouse behind.

Abayone is eager to hear the story, and does not interrupt as you tell it. Finally, she gives a grim laugh. “So, it sounds like those who would release the curse upon their enemies have fallen victim to it themselves? Such is the price of malice. But this curse is spreading, and Kibwe is plainly in danger. Fortunately, those who built this city made many preparations to save it."[/b]

“The statues on the walls and columns around the city are the Pillar-Watchers. They are old, old magic. Some we understand; others we do not. There is an abandoned archive, built even before Kibwe was merely a provincial capital in a large empire. It was called the Archive of the Sun—and still is, I suppose! There is a Pillar-Watcher inside it with the head of an eland. It is called Cursebreaker, and its function is to obliterate any curse that would threaten the city. It will work to stop the spread of this slithering curse. You must go to the Archive of the Sun to find and activate Cursebreaker." It's a command, not a request, though she speaks with assuredness, not authority.

"Leave upon first light. Tend to your wounds, and supply yourselves in the market."

"What's an eland?" asks Heyou!

"So, we can go tomorrow? Good. Me all out of stuffs. But, tomorrow me have all new stuff. Good thing everyone all healed up, right? Heyou! do that real good!"

In the evening, Heyou! tries to fix his broken picks, after he goes out to buy a superb repair kit.
craft to repair DC18 w/ assurance: 10 + 9 = 19
craft to repair DC18 w/ assurance: 10 + 9 = 19
Takes 20 minutes for that

"What kind of bomb is best for killing oozes? Me can make fire, which is always best, but also many others. Maybe me can pick up another formula if needed."

"Heyou! I would go ahead and makes lots of fire, but maybe a little bit of bottled lightning in case it resists fire."

"Abayone, how exactly do we get the Pillar Watcher to break the curse? Will he know what to do and will he willingly help us?"

Abayone answers Ferrun, "I have never been inside the Archive of the Sun and know nothing about its interior. I believe the building to be abandoned, but just in case, I assure you that this token should prove your official authority if anyone questions you. You should simply be able to ask it to break the curse."

"Very well, Abayone. In the meantime, I hope everyone here is Kibwe stays safe and healthy."

Ferrun curls up for his evening sleep. The following morning, he turns to his companions and asks, "Are we ready to go, my friends?"

Holton tends to his shield by casting Mending on it. Any other healing that it might need, he asks for help from Heyou which should bring it to full as it hadn't seen much action.

"I too would like to know what an eland is. I want to make sure we are reviving the right Watcher."

Since it was suggested, Heyou! is going to see if he can find anyone that he can learn the formula for moderate bottled lightning from, as he currently does not know that formula.

Heyou! finds someone willing at a standard price. We can handwave specific healing here as Abayone will see to it.

As the sun rises the next day, it's a hot and muggy day, as they all are. The walk to the building is short, but enough to leave the cloth on your body wet with sweat.

The Archive of the Sun is an impressive building made of ancient stone abutting the city wall. Its entry is a square tunnel in the structure’s south side. A single door to the west and a double door to the east are set deep in the shadows of this entry.

"Well, we have made it. Abayone says this place is abandoned, but I would remain vigilant just in case."

Ferrun looks over both doors to see if there are any traps on either door or any evidence of use.

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22

Ferrun sees a peep hole on the small western door, though the room is dark inside and looks abandoned. The double doors on the right are solid, but the muffled sounds of baritone ...cheering? can be heard.

Heyou moves up to the smaller door, and carefully tests it to see if it is trapped or locked.
Perception +7

If he thinks it is safe, he will attempt to open the door.

Finding no reason not to, Heyou! opens the door. This large room has only a single entrance. It is bare except for two old bedrolls—indicating that squatters have slept here—and a realistic statue of a woman with a disgusted look on her face. The statue is on its side near the door as though it had been simply shoved out of sight.

Heyou! is very interested in the statue, having heard stories... both of statues animating and killing people as well as people having been turned into statues.

He inspects it, trying to determine which it will be.

crafting +13

Ferrun looks over the bedrolls and tries to see how long ago they were occupied.

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15

Turning back to look at the statue, he comments. "She has some impressive parts, but she doesn't look very happy!"

Heyou! gets nothing on this statue. It looks like it's a different style of art form the rest of the décor, though he hasn't seen much of it.

Ferrun looks at the rolls, and they seem recent. They also have something of a pungent odor too them.

"Heyou!? Do you think we have to be worried about basilisks or a medusa, or do you think this is the work of a great artist? Over here we have some pungent bedding that looks like it was used rather recently. I'm not sure where they have gotten off to."

Ferrun looks around the room for any additional belongings or even other hidden doors.

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12

"Naw... It look fine. We can ignore. Just different." he says, though he also takes the opportunity to taste the statue. He then quickly looks around the room with Ferrun before moving back to the double doors.

"Heyou!? Didn't you get enough to eat back at Abayone's? If you need more to eat, we could have picked up more rations."

The statue has a slight granite taste to it, with notes of igneous rock and a slight mold dusting.

There seems to be nothing else of interest.

"Naw, it not taste good. Taste like old rock. Not even any good pigeon poop on it."

He then checks, carefully, to see if the double doors are locked.

They are not locked. When the party makes a post opening them, make sure the map is up to date!

"Come on! What you waiting for?" asks Heyou! as he gives his compatriots a moment to gather behind him, and he opens the door.

With the party prepared for Heyou!'s momentous door opening, the goblin boldly shoves the doors open!

This large chamber has a lot going on. The southeast corner is filled with rubble, indicating that part of the building has collapsed. Three large metal troughs have been dragged into this room and pushed against the south wall. They are filled with slick mud and smell foul. A half dozen degenerate looking frog humanoids are laughing and horsing around over two rats fighting. They don't seem to notice anything is amiss until the door opens. It snaps them out of their distraction to attack!

Assumption of Ferrun Scouting
Hostiles: 1d20 + 7 - 2 ⇒ (11) + 7 - 2 = 16
Ferrun: 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 7 + 1 = 16
Pazúr: 1d20 + 10 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 10 + 2 + 1 = 25
Heyou!: 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 7 + 1 = 22
Holton: 1d20 + 13 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 13 + 1 = 32
Chivivit: 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 7 + 1 = 28
Kicsit: 1d20 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 8 + 1 = 29

Round 1:
Holton: Go
Kicsit: Go
Chivivit: Go
Pazúr: Go
Heyou!: Go
Hostiles: TBD
Ferrun: TBD

Pazúr's eyes light up as he sees foes with anatomy, and brains! "Finally, a creature I can trick and slash, as I was meant to!" He darts forward, moving like the sinuous, bold hunter that he is. His tail flicks out left, right, then high, catching the eye of the nearest frog-foe. Attempting to take advantage of the distraction, he then slices at the frog with his great claws!

Stride, Feint, Strike at White

Deception vs Perception DC: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (18) + 14 = 32
Claw attack: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (3) + 14 = 17
Damage: 2d6 + 1 ⇒ (1, 1) + 1 = 3 If Feint was successful, add +3 precision damage to this

Well, at least it's still flat-footed to me thru my next round, assuming that's a crit on the feint.

Pazúr's enthusiasm and verve translate into an elegant attack. The strange creature falls for his gambit, and is completely off guard when the precise attack lands. Crit on the feint.

Round 1:
Holton: Go
Kicsit: Go
Chivivit: Go
Pazúr: Hit
Heyou!: Go
Hostiles: TBD
Ferrun: TBD

Chivivit heads into the room before he fixes a baleful glance on the closest creature.

Casting evil eye on the frontmost enemy, it'll need to make a DC 21 will save or be frightened 1, frightened 2 on a crit fail.

”Well, I guess we not gonna talk, then!” says Heyou!, shrugging.

He moves in, and chucks a fire bomb at black.
Mod alch fire: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (13) + 12 = 25 FIRE!: 2d8 + 2 ⇒ (4, 3) + 2 = 9 splash 2 fire on white, black, and green, 3 persistent fire on black

He then draws his dagger.

Chivivit gives the closest creature The Stink Eye White Will: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12 and fear strikes it to the core!

Heyou!, exulting in the target rich environment, hurls a flask into the fray. It burns one of the creaturely badly, and singes two more!

Round 1:
Holton: Go
Kicsit: Go
Chivivit: Stink Eye
Pazúr: Hit
Heyou!: Boom!
Hostiles: TBD
Ferrun: TBD

Stride, Strike, raise shield.

attack: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (17) + 12 = 292d8 + 5 ⇒ (4, 2) + 5 = 11

[b]" Finally, something with Eyes![b]

With a wave of his hand, a few words and pattern of lights settle down on the group of enemies.
Hypnotic pattern (10 ft burst). all baddies are dazzled, DC 21 Will save to be 'Fascinated'

Holton rushes up to give Pazúr some help and smashes the creature with his warhammer, completely breaking its neck!

Kicsit adds a little color to Heyou!'s flames:

Black WILL: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15 FAIL
Green WILL: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23 PASS
Yellow WILL: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8 FAIL
Blue WILL: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13 FAIL
Red WILL: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25 PASS

The creature in the back rears back, steps up, and lets out a terrifying croak! Everyone within 30 feet becomes frightened 1 unless you succeed at a DC 17 Will save; those who critically succeed are temporarily immune for 1 minute. He draws a morningstar and prepares for battle!

The others follow, scattering out of the hypnotic pattern. Two close to do battle, even as one of them burns.

One of the burning boggards shakes off Kicsit's magic and closes to attack Sir Holton
Morngingstar v. Holton: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13 MISS
Flat: 1d20 ⇒ 13 Still on fire

One of the googly-eyed creatures opts for the more lightly armored Pazúr:
Morngingstar: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12 MISS

The remaining two tip over a pair of troughs, dumping slippery liquid everywhere! The room is now difficult terrain!

Round 1:
Holton: Crit kill
Kicsit: Hypnotic Pattern
Chivivit: Stink Eye
Pazúr: Hit
Heyou!: Boom!
Hostiles: ATK
Ferrun: Go

Round 2:
Holton: Go
Kicsit: Go
Chivivit: Go
Pazúr: Go
Heyou!: Go
Hostiles: TBD
Ferrun: TBD

Will Save: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 27

The cat strengthens his own resolve at the croak of the boggards. With his claws out, he strides forward through the difficult terrain and strikes at the yellow one.

◈Stride
◈Stride
◈Strike

Claw: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (4) + 14 = 18
Slashing Damage: 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (6, 5) + 4 = 15

Ferrun's counter is powerful indeed! His claws dig deep into the creature's face!

Round 2:
Holton: Go
Kicsit: Go
Chivivit: Go
Pazúr: Go
Heyou!: Go
Hostiles: TBD
Ferrun: TBD

will DC17: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24
Heyou! Strides twice to another vantage point, to try to hit frog-men that he hasn't already hit, and so he doesn't hit his friends. "NO! You no scare me! Die with fire froggies!"

mod alch fire vs green: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (12) + 12 = 24 say it with FIRE: 2d8 + 1 ⇒ (1, 5) + 1 = 7 Plus 2 splash to yellow, green, blue, and 3 persistent to green

Heyou! says it loud and clear, burning flesh and setting fire!

Round 2:
Holton: Go
Kicsit: Go
Chivivit: Go
Pazúr: Go
Heyou!: Hit!
Hostiles: TBD
Ferrun: TBD

Pazúr snarls as his deceived prey is flattened by Holton, then turns his attention to the nearest opponent. The nimble catfolk swings a single, sharp claw at the frog-critter's eye and, as it dodges back, he slashes twice at its exposed belly!

Feint, Strike x2 at Red

Deception vs Perception DC: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (10) + 14 = 24 If Feint is successful, target is flat-footed, add +3 precision damage to attacks

Claw attack: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (2) + 14 = 16
Damage: 2d6 + 1 ⇒ (6, 3) + 1 = 10

Claw attack: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (17) + 14 = 31
Damage: 2d6 + 1 ⇒ (1, 5) + 1 = 7 Assuming that's a crit, would be a total of 20 damage with successful Feint

Will save: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (15) + 13 = 28

Hilton raises his war hammer again to fell another foe.

attack 1 at red: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (5) + 12 = 172d8 + 5 ⇒ (5, 8) + 5 = 18
attack 2 at red: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 192d8 + 5 ⇒ (1, 4) + 5 = 10

Holton and Pazúr work together to bring the hurt to the frog-like creatures! Holton fells one with a pair of powerful blows. A second later Pazúr feints, sees his opening, and strikes another lethal blow! He then turns his attention to the lone foe in reach and slashes him across the throat!

Round 2:
Holton: Kill
Kicsit: Go
Chivivit: Go
Pazúr: Kill AND Crit kill
Heyou!: Hit!
Hostiles: TBD
Ferrun: TBD

Chivivit focuses on the boggard in the back, giving it a sneer as illusory pain bombards the poor frog-man.

Casting phantom pain on blue. Save DC is 21 and the effects are here. 1d4 of the damage is persistent.
Critical Success The target is unaffected.
Success The target takes full initial damage but no persistent damage, and the spell ends immediately.
Failure The target takes full initial and persistent damage, and the target is sickened 1. If the target recovers from being sickened, the persistent damage ends and the spell ends.
Critical Failure As failure, but the target is sickened 2.

Damage: 2d4 + 1d4 ⇒ (3, 4) + (2) = 9

Will: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9 Chivivit's spell takes a powerful hold of the creature. Somehow it turns even greener and its face contorts in pain!

Round 2:
Holton: Kill
Kicsit: Go
Chivivit: Phantom Pain
Pazúr: Kill AND Crit kill
Heyou!: Hit!
Hostiles: TBD
Ferrun: TBD

Kicsit hurls a mass of detritus at the closest enemy (green).
attack TP: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (15) + 11 = 26
damage?: 3d6 + 4 ⇒ (4, 4, 1) + 4 = 13

Kicsit fires a bit of debris at the creature. When it connects there's a loud SNAP as its neck breaks!

Through anguish the final creature does its best to go down fighting! It charges Ferrun:
Morningstar: 1d20 + 8 - 2 ⇒ (7) + 8 - 2 = 13
Morningstar: 1d20 + 3 - 2 ⇒ (18) + 3 - 2 = 19

but misses on both attempts. A sad way to go really. Persistent: 1d4 ⇒ 4 Flat: 1d20 ⇒ 4

Round 2:
Holton: Kill
Kicsit: Crit kill
Chivivit: Phantom Pain
Pazúr: Kill AND Crit kill
Heyou!: Hit!
Hostiles: LEEROY!
Ferrun: Go

Ferrun, let's his claws do the talking as he slashes at the frog creature!

1st Attack(Claw): 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (11) + 14 = 25
Slashing Damage: 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (5, 4) + 4 = 13

2nd Attack(Claw): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (3) + 10 = 13
Slashing Damage: 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (3, 3) + 4 = 10

3rd Attack(Claw): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18
Slashing Damage: 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (4, 1) + 4 = 9

Ferrun's counterattack is lethal. The final foe falls to the ground, motionless. The party feels a sense of relief at a fight against more conventional foes. Still, the fight is an indication that this won't be a cake walk.

Out of combat!

"I guess it makes sense that frogs hang out with slimes. What's next, Salamanders?"

"Froggie people! Too bad they people... maybe their legs would taste good!" jokes Heyou! as he starts checking the bodies for salvageable items.

"You joke, Heyou! but I have heard that humans eat frog legs. Well after they are cooked anyway."

"You joke, Heyou! but I have heard that humans eat frog legs. Well after they are cooked anyway."

"Longshanks? They just copy goblins on that! Goblins been eating frog legs for long time. Plus the rest of frogs too... frog eyeball stew is Heyou!'s favorite! Yum!". The little goblin is clearly salivating over the prospect.