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

Game Master Chris Marsh

For surviving the wisps, each hero earns 120 XP. I'm now officially tracking XP on the heretofore unused campaign tracker!

With Heyou! back up and at'em, the party checks out the ruined site. There's a fair bit, making the combat feel a little more justified. A half-buried leather knapsack is near the cold campfire. It contains a darkwood music box carved with cavorting animals worth 20 gp, a lensatic compass, a minor elixir of life, a vial of lesser antiplague, and a wand of teeming ghosts!

Heyou! starts playing with the music box, playing its song over, and over, and over.

Making note of the carvings on the box, Ferrun jokes with Heyou. "If you keep playing with that box, you will start dancing like a monkey. Look at all of those frolicking creatures on the side."

Ferrun picks up the lensatic compass and starts taking readings with it and trying to secure his sense of direction.

After a while, Ferrun will take ten minutes to refocus and regain his lay on hands.

With that, indeed, Heyou! starts dancing around, sticking his tongue out at the rather severe catlolk.

”See, I told you that you would become a dancing monkey. Just keep that tongue away from me. I’ve seen what sort of things you eat. Besides, I hear that if you stick your tongue out too much, your face will freeze like that.”

Ferrun stows the compass, the elixir, and the vial in his backpack. ”Are any of you able to make use of this wand?”

Refocused, healed, and eager, the party resumes their 140 miles trip from Kibwe to Holy Xatramba. The rest of the day is reasonably quiet.

The next day presents a new challenge. The crumbled highway ends at the edge of a large gorge, which must have cut across this path after the highway was already built. Trees and vines choke its entire width and obscure how deeply it plunges, but the sound of rushing water far below indicates a river flowing at its bottom. Two large posts support a wide bridge of rope and planks, but the opposite end of the bridge leads into darkness within the thick jungle.

Determining the structural soundness of the bridge is either Crafting or a relevant Lore skill.

Crafting (Untrained): 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 1 = 14

"I'm sure the bridge is fine, but then again, what do I know?"

Crafting: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (8) + 14 = 22

”I is not so sure about that, Grumpy Kitty. ”

Heyou! says what Ferrun struggles to conclude. The bridge is safe, though without being able to see the other side, it might not be EXTREMELY safe...

"Alright, my friends. I am willing to cross first and test it out. Cats always land on their feet. Mind you, I am not going to jump up and down in the middle just to be sure. So, follow me, but not too close. Also, try to spread your weight out so that you don't accidentally push your leg through a plank or something."

Ferrun slowly starts making his way across the bridge.

"Oh, ok. You go. Then little me can follow!"

"Hehe, Grumpy Kitty..."

As Ferrun makes his way across the bridge with care, he calls to his companions, "I hear you snickering back there, calling me Grumpy Kitty, but look who is crossing the bridge?"

"Grumpy Kitty walks the bridge,
hope he no fall down the ridge.
Funny goblin here to play,
singing like this all the day!"

Heyou! then starts following Grumpy Kitty across the bridge, ready to leap back (or forward) at moment's notice.

He thinks about quickly making a jumping elixir, until he realizes he never got the formula for one.

The foliage on both sides of the bridge begin to rustle. Suddenly a trio of dragon-like creatures erupt from the trees. The skin of these rugged dragons is mottled in hues of blue and green. They fly forth, each attacking a different section of the party.

In the lead Ferrun faces teeth and claws!
Fangs: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (20) + 17 = 37 for Double: 2d10 + 7 ⇒ (10, 9) + 7 = 26
Stinger Once: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (3) + 12 = 15 MISS
Stinger Twice: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17 MISS

In the center of the party, a second creature spits a large glob of venom. It's lands all over Chivivit and Sir Holton. Both of you make a FORT Save v. Poison.

Finally in the back, a third creature goes after Heyou!
Fangs: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (12) + 17 = 29 for DMG: 2d10 + 7 ⇒ (3, 6) + 7 = 16
Stinger Once: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (19) + 12 = 31 for DMG: 2d6 + 7 ⇒ (5, 4) + 7 = 16 And a FORT Save

Round 1:
Enemies: ATK!
Heyou!: Go
Kicsit: Go
Ferrun: Go
Chivivit: Go
Sir Holton: Go

"You thought I was grumpy kitty before?! Just wait until they see Grumpy Kitty now!"

Ferrun lays hands upon his wounds and then begins his attack!

(Against Dark Green)

Claws: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (9) + 15 = 24
Slashing Damage: 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (2, 5) + 4 = 11

Claws: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (9) + 11 = 20
Slashing Damage: 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (2, 5) + 4 = 11

Ferrun quickly responds with a powerful counter attack. His first claw lands, but the second falls short!

Round 1:
Enemies: ATK!
Heyou!: Go
Kicsit: Go
Ferrun: Hit
Chivivit: Go
Sir Holton: Go

fort: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (2) + 12 = 14Guess not
"NO, no, no!" says Heyou!

Wow... he doesn't have antitoxin?!?!
He quickly tries to draw out the poison with one of his poultices.
crafting to treat poison: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (20) + 14 = 34 Crit! that's +4 to his next save, which is coming up.

He finally chucks an alchemists fire at the beast.
bomb!: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (20) + 13 = 33 Crit!
fire!: 2d8 + 1 ⇒ (4, 2) + 1 = 7 +2 splash Persistent fire 6, I believe, with the crit?

fort save, w/ treat: 1d20 + 12 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 12 + 4 = 30

Heyou! opens his mouth wide in surprise, and that's right where the stinger hits Crit fail. You're Enfeebled 2 and you take Poison: 1d6 ⇒ 3 damage.

He gives it right back though! The drake is clearly burning!

Round 1:
Enemies: ATK!
Heyou!: Crits abound (not all good)
Kicsit: Go
Ferrun: Hit
Chivivit: Go
Sir Holton: Go

actions 1: skill check to ID
actions 2:Color
actions 3:Spray (DC21 Will) (on yellow)

what the heck are these things?
Arcana Skill to ID: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (7) + 13 = 20

He knows they have brains and eyes. a Swirling jets of color fly from Kicsit's fingers arcing towards the closest dragon-thing

Kicsit isn't sure what kind of dragon-like creature it is, but he lets fly a Color Spray nonetheless!

Will: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (1) + 11 = 12 The creature is utterly overwhelmed by the spell!

Round 1:
Enemies: ATK!
Heyou!: Crits abound (not all good)
Kicsit: Crit Color Spray!
Ferrun: Hit
Chivivit: Go
Sir Holton: Go

Holton moves forwards and does his best to angle a Dazzling Flash to hit both of these monsters and not his feline friend on the bridge.

30 foot cone. DC 22 Fortitude.

Dazzling Flash

FORT: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (11) + 17 = 28

Sir Holton tries some light magic as well. The creature's nictating membrane protects it from the worst, but it's still dazzled

Round 1:
Enemies: ATK!
Heyou!: Crits abound (not all good)
Kicsit: Crit Color Spray!
Ferrun: Hit
Chivivit: Go
Sir Holton: Dazzler

Chiv points at the creature behind him and says, "Slow the hell down, why dontcha?"

Casting slow on yellow, DC is 22.

[ooc]Slowing a stunned creature doesn't do much unless it crit fails, so I'll move this spell to the light green drake that is also close to Chivivit. FORT: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (6) + 17 = 23 Magic continues to fly as Chivivit slows the drake down. Unfortunately, it looks like it's not going to last.

Overly burdened by the party's magic, the burning drake simply burns whilst stunned. Flat: 1d20 ⇒ 1 and continues to burn!

The slowed and dazzled drake tries to tear Si Holton apart:
FLAT: 1d20 ⇒ 8 Fangs: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (12) + 17 = 29 for DMG: 2d10 + 7 ⇒ (1, 3) + 7 = 11 and it grabs hold of him!

The other goes after Ferrun with a hunter's ferocity:
Fangs: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (5) + 17 = 22 MISS
Fangs: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (14) + 12 = 26 for DMG: 2d10 + 7 ⇒ (2, 3) + 7 = 12 and it grabs hold of him too!

Round 2:
Enemies: ATK!
Heyou!: Go
Kicsit: Go
Ferrun: Go (Grabbed)
Chivivit: Go
Sir Holton: Go (Grabbed)

Although Ferrun is grabbed, he tries to turn on the drake and let him know how sharp his claws are! Unfortunately, he wrestles to get a good slash in.

1st Attack: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (2) + 15 = 17
Slashing Damage: 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (2, 5) + 4 = 11

2nd Attack: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (7) + 10 = 17
Slashing Damage: 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (1, 3) + 4 = 8

3rd Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17
Slashing Damage: 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (4, 5) + 4 = 13

Unfortunately all of Ferrun's attempts are thwarted by the drake's thrashing!

Round 2:
Enemies: ATK!
Heyou!: Go
Kicsit: Go
Ferrun: Miss (Grabbed)
Chivivit: Go
Sir Holton: Go (Grabbed)

Heyou! steps up, shouting to Ferrun, "Me gonna save you, Grumpy Kitty! But it may sting a little at first!"

He chucks an alchemist's fire at green.
fire bomb!: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (8) + 12 = 20 fire!: 2d8 + 1 ⇒ (3, 7) + 1 = 11 plus 2 splash, and 3 persistent fire

Not sure how well that one worked, he pulls out a frost bomb.
frost vial!: 1d20 + 12 - 5 ⇒ (9) + 12 - 5 = 16 cold!: 2d6 ⇒ (5, 1) = 6 plus 2 splash, and -10 movement

Unfortunately, Hayou!'s bombs are off target and only do a bit of harm.

Round 2:
Enemies: ATK!
Heyou!: Miss
Kicsit: Go
Ferrun: Miss (Grabbed)
Chivivit: Go
Sir Holton: Go (Grabbed)

The gnome sees the Kitty grabbed and tries something different.

He casts grease on the cats armor in hopes of him being able to slip out of the drakes grasp!

He then moves out of the line of fire.

I THINK I'm reading this correctly REF: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (19) + 13 = 32 Despite the spell, the drake's grib is like iron!

Round 2:
Enemies: ATK!
Heyou!: Miss
Kicsit: Grease
Ferrun: Miss (Grabbed, Greased)
Chivivit: Go
Sir Holton: Go (Grabbed)

As a reaction, Holton curses a Blood Vendetta against the drake who sunk his fangs into him.

Blood Vendetta, Will DC 22: 2d6 ⇒ (4, 2) = 6 Persistent blood damage.

Then he snarls as he brings his hammer down.
Attack: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (10) + 14 = 242d8 + 5 ⇒ (2, 7) + 5 = 14
Attack: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 272d8 + 5 ⇒ (4, 2) + 5 = 11

And raises his shield.

Will: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (15) + 11 = 26 Sir Holton's spell and consequent hammer blows wound the drake! It still holds him fast though!

Round 2:
Enemies: ATK!
Heyou!: Miss
Kicsit: Grease
Ferrun: Miss (Grabbed, Greased)
Chivivit: Go
Sir Holton: Spell+Hits (Grabbed)

Chivivit chucks a rock (with his mind) at the burning yellow drake.

telekinetic projectile: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (20) + 12 = 32 bludgeoning: 3d6 + 4 ⇒ (1, 1, 5) + 4 = 11 That's 22 on that crit

He then tries to recall knowledge on the beasts.
Arcana +13

Chivivit's stone strikes the drake in the eye! It's a perfect shot, but the gods saw fit to give the drake a spare, and it fights on, viciously maintaining it's attack in the face of danger.

The burning drake tries to bite at Chivivit:
Blind Flat: 1d20 ⇒ 17 Bite: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (7) + 17 = 24 for DMG: 2d10 + 7 ⇒ (1, 9) + 7 = 17 and it starts to drag Chivivit away from the scrum!
Fire Flat: 1d20 ⇒ 16 and the flames go out!

The other drives a stinger into Sir Holton:
Stringer: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (19) + 17 = 36 for DOUBLE: 2d6 + 7 ⇒ (5, 5) + 7 = 17 Use reaciton if you'd like, also make a FORT save
Stinger: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (8) + 12 = 20 MISS
Bleed Flat: 1d20 ⇒ 11 for Half: 2d6 ⇒ (4, 3) = 7

Finally Ferrun gets the same treatment
Stringer: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (12) + 17 = 29 for DMG: 2d6 + 7 ⇒ (5, 3) + 7 = 15 and a FORT save
Stinger: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (17) + 12 = 29 for DMG: 2d6 + 7 ⇒ (3, 1) + 7 = 11 and a FORT save

Round 3:
Enemies: ATK!
Heyou!: Go
Kicsit: Go
Ferrun: Go (Grabbed)
Chivivit: Go (Grabbed)
Sir Holton: Go (Grabbed)

Ferrun, suffering badly from his wounds, lays hands upon himself and then fights on trying to ward off his own death.

Claws: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (13) + 15 = 28
Slashing Damage: 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (5, 2) + 4 = 11

Claws: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (20) + 15 = 35
Slashing Damage: 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (5, 2) + 4 = 11 Double if Crit!

Ferrun, whilst being dragged off by the drake, plunges his claws into the beast! His own wounds close a bit as the tide begins to turn.

Round 3:
Enemies: ATK!
Heyou!: Go
Kicsit: Go
Ferrun: Crit (Grabbed)
Chivivit: Go (Grabbed)
Sir Holton: Go (Grabbed)

"Roaaaaar!", Ferrun growls as he rips at his foe. "This grumpy kitty is going to be a dead kitty if we don't start taking down these drakes!"

Attack 1: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (11) + 14 = 252d8 + 5 ⇒ (4, 2) + 5 = 11
Battle Medicine DC 15: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (4) + 14 = 182d8 ⇒ (6, 6) = 12

Raise shield.

"Ferrun! You are just out of my reach for a heal. If you could move closer, I could heal you!"

"Chivvit! Me save you!" yells Heyou!!

He chucks a fire bomb at the yellow one, hoping to set it on fire again.
fire!: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (16) + 12 = 28 fire!: 2d8 + 1 ⇒ (6, 8) + 1 = 15 2 splash (17 total to yellow, 2 to Chivvit), 3 persistent fire

He then bandages Chivvit.
battle medicine, assurance DC20: 10 + 10 = 20 healing: 2d8 + 10 ⇒ (1, 3) + 10 = 14

Finally, he throws his dagger at yellow, and then it returns to his hand after striking the drake.
+1 returning dagger: 1d20 + 12 - 4 ⇒ (13) + 12 - 4 = 21 piercing: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Sir Holton's attack lands, and he works quickly to staunch the bleeding.

Heyou! lands a bomb and also heals some injuries, but his blade is a bit off target. Huh.... blind doesn't affect AC.

Round 3:
Enemies: ATK!
Heyou!: Boom!
Kicsit: Go
Ferrun: Crit (Grabbed)
Chivivit: Go (Grabbed)
Sir Holton: Hit (Grabbed)

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (16) + 13 = 29

Chivivit wriggles out of the drake's clutches and scampers away from the ferocious beast.

Chivivit manages to wriggle free!

Round 3:
Enemies: ATK!
Heyou!: Boom!
Kicsit: Go
Ferrun: Crit (Grabbed)
Chivivit: 2 Actions Remaining
Sir Holton: Hit (Grabbed)

Think I've just got the one. One to escape, one to move. Not much I can do with just one action.

Evil Eye is a 1 action hex, for example

Chivivit stares at yellow, which he just got away from, with an evil eye!

Will DC22 or Frightened 1, will not reduce as long as Chivivit sustains it

Kicsit moves next to Chivivit, just to be safe, and then chucks a river rock at yellow!
spell attack: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (4) + 11 = 15 B: 3d6 + 4 ⇒ (2, 6, 5) + 4 = 17

Will: 1d20 ⇒ 14

The blind, wounded, and burning drake decides to retreat in order to dunk itself into a river... if it can get to one! Triple Fly

In the center of the scrum the drake lays into Sir Holton with it's stinger:
Bite: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (16) + 17 = 33 for DMG: 2d6 + 7 ⇒ (3, 5) + 7 = 15 And FORT Save
Bite: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (20) + 12 = 32 for DOUBLE =DMG: 2d6 + 7 ⇒ (4, 2) + 7 = 13 And FORT Save
Bite: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10 MISS

HALF: 2d6 ⇒ (4, 5) = 9 FLAT: 1d20 ⇒ 15

Ferrun's own foe takes the same approach
Bite: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (6) + 17 = 23 for DMG: 2d6 + 7 ⇒ (2, 6) + 7 = 15 And FORT Save
Bite: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (3) + 12 = 15 MISS
Bite: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23 for DMG: 2d6 + 7 ⇒ (1, 3) + 7 = 11 And FORT Save

Round 4:
Enemies: ATK!
Heyou!: Go
Kicsit: Go
Ferrun: Go (Grabbed)
Chivivit: Go
Sir Holton: Go (Grabbed)

"Holton! Get out of there!"

He moves forward, and tries to get another drake on fire, the one holding Holton.

fire bomb vs lt green: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (17) + 13 = 30 fire: 2d8 + 1 ⇒ (2, 8) + 1 = 11 2 fire splash to drake and Holton, 3 persistent fire to drake

He then throws his dagger at it as well.
returning dagger: 1d20 + 13 - 4 ⇒ (19) + 13 - 4 = 28 piercing: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Heyou!'s flurry of attacks all land true. The drake is really hurt!

Round 4:
Enemies: ATK!
Heyou!: Hits
Kicsit: Go
Ferrun: Go (Grabbed)
Chivivit: Go
Sir Holton: Go (Grabbed)