Murder’s Mark is an urban adventure of mystery, illusion, and mob justice for four 1st-level characters.
Trigger warnings: racism, murder, and drug usage.
”Magdelina” | Female CG changeling Witch 2 | HP 12/12 | AC 16, T 12, FF 14 | CMD 11 | F +3 R +2 W +4; | Init +2 | Darkvision, Perc +9 | Speed 30ft | Spells: 1st 3/3 | Active Conditions: mage armor, pass without trace.
REWIND!! :)
Magdelina peers into the room with her darkvision and decide that her gnomish and elven friends would perhaps like her to shed some light on the subject...
Magdelina casts dancing lights into the middle of the room which brings forth four lantern-like light sources, 30-foot normal light radius + increased light level up to 60-foot radius each, and each located at the corners of a 10'x10' square, 10' above ground
You all notice one person hiding behind the wooden railing to the right of the staircase on the upper landing. Sorry, I should have made that check as soon as you entered
Salmok, Ejtehah, & Magdelina:
You also see someone hiding on the parallel left position
A figure perfectly resembling Professor Masaendri in all physical details comes out from the left door of the upper floor landing and stands at the top of the stairs. She calls to the thugs in a passable imitation of Molvil’s voice: “Slaughter these idiots and get to secure locations afterward. I’ve spared the children.” The duplicate of Molvil smiles evilly, and the magical disguise fades away to reveal a handsome older man with a ponytail. “After all, there’s nothing more compelling than living witnesses.” He then calls out reassurances to the children in his own rough, masculine voice, as though he were there to save them, and heads back toward the area he came from.
The door to the room on the right of the ground floor opens and an arrow flies past Salmok! You see a billiards table behind him in the room.
”Magdelina” | Female CG changeling Witch 2 | HP 12/12 | AC 16, T 12, FF 14 | CMD 11 | F +3 R +2 W +4; | Init +2 | Darkvision, Perc +9 | Speed 30ft | Spells: 1st 3/3 | Active Conditions: mage armor, pass without trace.
With a twitch of the nose, Magdelina sends her dancing lights on the ceiling on the second floor, above the archers, declaring, "Nilah! two people hiding at the top of the stairs behind the bannisters... left and right, right under my glowing magic lanterns!"Free action to move the lights; I resized the template to show the four overlapping 30-foot radii from the four lantern-shaped dancing lights... hopefully I got this right and didn't mess things up. I tried to send them a bit to the background so they don't hinder the other pawns and templates on the map.
Magdelina then throws a curse of misfortune at the archer who just attempted to pierce Salmok, and moves inside the manse behind the pillar!
Misfortune (Su) Will DC 14 followed by a move action to get inside the house.
Misfortune:
For 1 round, anytime the creature makes an ability check, attack roll, saving throw, or skill check, it must roll twice and take the worse result. A Will save negates this hex.
GR#2 readied action ranged touch attack @Nilah:1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18
The badly hidden man on the right pops out as Nilah runs up the stairs and throws a tanglefoot bag at her! The bag hits her directly and goo bursts out, entangling her and then becoming tough and resilient upon exposure to air. An entangled creature takes a –2 penalty on attack rolls and a –4 penalty to Dexterity and must make a DC 15 Reflex save or be glued to the floor, unable to move. Even on a successful save, it can move only at half speed.
daze on BM:1d20 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 1 = 17 misfortune on GT #4:1d20 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9
The boss shakes off Nilah's spell, but the archer fails.
Female LG Elf Arcanist 3 | HP 15/15 | AC 13, T 12, FF 11 | CMB +0, CMD 12 | Fort +1, Ref +3, Will +4 | Init +3 | Perception +8, Sense Motive +5 | Spells 1: 5/5 | Arcane Pool 5/6 | low light vision | Speed 30ft | Active conditions: none
This is madness! He looked like me! Those children will believe I did...whatever he did. The Professor also knows that the first questionable character she sprayed will likely wake up soon and charge back into the fight, flee, or fetch backup, all because they didn't have any rope. Well, she can't control everything, so she does what she can. She bustles over to thug #2 and, pushing and pulling, forces him outside before closing and locking the door.
"You go ahead! I'd better stay down here. Those poor children!" She instructs Salmok and Magdelina.
That's for the torches option, but I used the lanterns option; however I'm fine if you want to cap it at 20' radius each... THERE ARE FOUR LIGHTS!!!!!!!!!!!! :P
”Magdelina” | Female CG changeling Witch 2 | HP 12/12 | AC 16, T 12, FF 14 | CMD 11 | F +3 R +2 W +4; | Init +2 | Darkvision, Perc +9 | Speed 30ft | Spells: 1st 3/3 | Active Conditions: mage armor, pass without trace.
GM Khouri wrote:
Ah, ok that makes sense - sorry for the confusion - looks good then!
Bottom line is I want to make sure the whole room is lit; even with 20' radius, the 40' radius of 'increased lighting' would make the rest of the room go from dim to normal anyway, which prevents sneaky sneaks from using dim light concealment for stealth checks (although they can still use furniture for cover, it would reduce their options); thanks for being patient with my low level shenanigans... casters looking for something to do before reaching the 'fireball levels' lol
Div-Spawn Eldritch Scion 5 | hp 33 | AC 18 t14 ff14 | F+5 R+5 W+4 | init+4 | Perc+0
DC 15 Reflex:1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20
Aaaaarg. Great! Nilah growls, as she dodges the goo and lets it slide down the stairs below her. She remains focused on the shape-shifter (or illusionist?), intent on not letting him get away.
Salmok | Male LN Medium Oread Occultist (geomancer) 1 HP 1/11 | AC 17, T 11, FF 16 | CMD 13 | F +4, R +2, W +2 | Init +1 Perc +0 | Focus Points: (geo) 1/1 ; (transmutation) 3/5 | Active Conditions: N/a
Salmok closes his eyes momentarily. He utters an old, Terran word for speed. Then the oread quickly opens up and rushes up the stairs.
Swift Action: spend 1 mental focus to gain 30 ft to land speed for 1 minute.
Then he runs up the steps towards the villain. "You wont get away with this. You aren't even all that handsome. Old, yes but not handsome."
Although Nilah was hit dead center with the tanglefoot bag, her quick thinking has her lift up each foot in quick succession before she got glued to the floor! Still entangled, but can move at half speed
As Salmok runs up the stairs, the other bad guy hidden to the left of the landing pops out and hits him with a tanglefoot bag as well!
GR#1 readied action ranged touch attack @Salmok:1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11
It just barely catches his feet as he dashes up the stairs! DC15 Reflex save to not get glued to the floor, with a -4 to dexterity (-2 penalty) due to being entangled
tanglefoot bags:
A tanglefoot bag is a small sack filled with tar, resin, and other sticky substances. When you throw a tanglefoot bag at a creature (as a ranged touch attack with a range increment of 10 feet), the bag comes apart and goo bursts out, entangling the target and then becoming tough and resilient upon exposure to air. An entangled creature takes a –2 penalty on attack rolls and a –4 penalty to Dexterity and must make a DC 15 Reflex save or be glued to the floor, unable to move. Even on a successful save, it can move only at half speed. Huge or larger creatures are unaffected by a tanglefoot bag. A flying creature is not stuck to the floor, but it must make a DC 15 Reflex save or be unable to fly (assuming it uses its wings to fly) and fall to the ground. A tanglefoot bag does not function underwater.
A creature that is glued to the floor (or unable to fly) can break free by making a DC 17 Strength check or by dealing 15 points of damage to the goo with a slashing weapon. A creature trying to scrape goo off itself, or another creature assisting, does not need to make an attack roll; hitting the goo is automatic, after which the creature that hit makes a damage roll to see how much of the goo was scraped off. Once free, the creature can move (including flying) at half speed. If the entangled creature attempts to cast a spell, it must make concentration check with a DC of 15 + the spell’s level or be unable to cast the spell. The goo becomes brittle and fragile after 2d4 rounds, cracking apart and losing its effectiveness. An application of universal solvent to a stuck creature dissolves the alchemical goo immediately.
Salmok | Male LN Medium Oread Occultist (geomancer) 1 HP 1/11 | AC 17, T 11, FF 16 | CMD 13 | F +4, R +2, W +2 | Init +1 Perc +0 | Focus Points: (geo) 1/1 ; (transmutation) 3/5 | Active Conditions: N/a
BM will save:1d20 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 1 = 21 The ponytail man easily shakes off Ejtehah's spell. "I have nothing to discuss with the likes of you!" Then moves through the doorway into the bedroom and says "Don't worry children, I'll protect you." And throws a dagger at Ejtehah (Who has partial cover from the railing.
The dagger slices through Ejtehah's armor, deep into his bicep. (By my math, you are at 1 hp)
Then the archer from downstairs tries shooting at Ejtehah too, but misses (misfortune'd!) and runs up into melee range on the stairs.
The upstairs landing duo tries throwing daggers at the entangled folks on the stairs, but miss wildly. They then switch to shortswords.
~**Initiative!**~ (round 5)
Ejtehah (-6 hp from round 3, -4 hp from this round)
BM
Gilded Rogues
Gilded Thugs Salmok
Magdelina
Nilah
Molvil
@Salmok you can get freed by making a DC17 STR check or dealing 15 points of damage with a slashing weapon (scraping it off).
@Salmok & @Nilah - "If the entangled creature attempts to cast a spell, it must make concentration check with a DC of 15 + the spell’s level or be unable to cast the spell."
Female LG Elf Arcanist 3 | HP 15/15 | AC 13, T 12, FF 11 | CMB +0, CMD 12 | Fort +1, Ref +3, Will +4 | Init +3 | Perception +8, Sense Motive +5 | Spells 1: 5/5 | Arcane Pool 5/6 | low light vision | Speed 30ft | Active conditions: none
Well, before Ejtehah was in such dire straights, the Professor's plan had been to clear the first floor of the mansion so no one else comes up behind the group. But now... No. It's still a good plan. She crosses to the double doors to the southeastern room. Flinging the door open, she shoots a Color Spray at anyone she sees.
DC Will save to negate. I threw down a 15' spray that seemed to make sense based on what I can see on the map so far, but if she'd see anything that would cause her to adjust it, feel free to retcon for me.
Salmok | Male LN Medium Oread Occultist (geomancer) 1 HP 1/11 | AC 17, T 11, FF 16 | CMD 13 | F +4, R +2, W +2 | Init +1 Perc +0 | Focus Points: (geo) 1/1 ; (transmutation) 3/5 | Active Conditions: N/a
Strength:1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21
With all his strength, Salmok channels his inner boulder. With one fell swoop, he destroys the netting. "You should not have done that. You will regret that.". The oread looks up at number two and moves closer.
@Nilah - Since you made your reflex save, you can just move at half speed now, until the goo dissolves in...
rounds:2d4 ⇒ (4, 4) = 8 rounds. (...Or you scrape it off? That part of the rules only says it lets you move half speed though.)
That was a solid hit - it looks like you did about 1/3 of their health.
Thought I posted this earlier, but apparently didn't: @Nilah - I cannot find any check to escape the entangled condition, you just have to wait until the goo gets brittle and falls apart
@Magdelina Um... whut? I am confused what this comment is in regards to. The goo from tanglefoot bag dissolves in 2d4 rounds? So the entangled condition will naturally go away evenetually?
GR#1 AoO shortsword attack vs Ejtehah:1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15 Mesmeric Mirror Image (I think you have 2 out right now? Right?):1d3 ⇒ 3Since it misses by less than 5, one of your images pops.
BM will save vs color spray:1d20 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 1 = 17Makes it
The little girl is afraid of Ejtehah and climbs up on the bed. The boss man pulls out his longsword as he repositions, calls out for flanking backup, and waits to swing at Ejtehah until his ally is in position. He strikes true, avoiding the image, and knocks Ejtehah unconscious. One of the Rogues abandons their position on the landing to help their boss flank, but misses the downed Ejtehah (badly). (Assuming he doesn't die from Nilah's AoO) The other swings and misses at Salmok.
Sorry, Nilah doesn't get an AoO because it's only a 5' step.
Also I was doing readied actions slightly wrong, so Rogue #2 should technically be going between Magdelina & Nilah (from tanglefooting Nilah). Since he already took his turn I will update this next round, sorry for not noticing it sooner! I thought only Delay changed your initiative.
Salmok | Male LN Medium Oread Occultist (geomancer) 1 HP 1/11 | AC 17, T 11, FF 16 | CMD 13 | F +4, R +2, W +2 | Init +1 Perc +0 | Focus Points: (geo) 1/1 ; (transmutation) 3/5 | Active Conditions: N/a
Salmok swings down hard on the person wearing a "#2" shirt.
No, Nilah can move at half speed (because she made the reflex save), until round 12 when the goo dissolves.
Entangled condition:
The character is ensnared. Being entangled impedes movement, but does not entirely prevent it unless the bonds are anchored to an immobile object or tethered by an opposing force. An entangled creature moves at half speed, cannot run or charge, and takes a –2 penalty on all attack rolls and a –4 penalty to Dexterity. An entangled character who attempts to cast a spell must make a concentration check (DC 15 + spell level) or lose the spell.
Female LG Elf Arcanist 3 | HP 15/15 | AC 13, T 12, FF 11 | CMB +0, CMD 12 | Fort +1, Ref +3, Will +4 | Init +3 | Perception +8, Sense Motive +5 | Spells 1: 5/5 | Arcane Pool 5/6 | low light vision | Speed 30ft | Active conditions: none
"How's it going up there? I don't want to scare the children, since he looked like me earlier, so I'll stay down here unless you need me up there!" The Professor calls up to the group as she opens the door nearest her to check the room for combatants or victims.
Perception:1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5
If there's nothing of note in this room, she'll move on to the next doors, just north of these in the entrance room. If there is something of note, she'll use her standard action to respond to it.
C8. Den
A billiards table occupies this room, and appears to have been recently used. A sideboard sits in front of the drawn curtains. Eight small glasses are set out in various places around the room, all of which smell of whiskey recently poured.
It's been 2 days since I posted round 6, so I'm botting Magdelina to move on. Misfortune (Su) Will DC 14 on boss man BM will save vs misfortune:1d20 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 1 = 10Fail
The boss guy pokes his head out of the bedroom to survey the room, and then decides it's time to cut and run. "Hold the doorway!" He calls to the remaining Rogue, then drops the rope outside the window and climbs out it. He gets within 10' of the ground and drops.
Even with misfortune, it's impossible for him to fail this climb check (DC 5)
The Rogue decides his boss must have meant 'window' and enters the room to defend his boss's exit. He yells "You can take your injured man, but if you enter this room I will do my best to kill you!"and readies an action.
Div-Spawn Eldritch Scion 5 | hp 33 | AC 18 t14 ff14 | F+5 R+5 W+4 | init+4 | Perc+0
Nilah enters the room, just past Ejtehah, keeping her back to the wall and the rogue in her sight. She slides along the wall keeping her rapier out in front of her.
Salmok | Male LN Medium Oread Occultist (geomancer) 1 HP 1/11 | AC 17, T 11, FF 16 | CMD 13 | F +4, R +2, W +2 | Init +1 Perc +0 | Focus Points: (geo) 1/1 ; (transmutation) 3/5 | Active Conditions: N/a
Salmok hears the boss guy jump out the window. "Not so fast, unhandsome man. Let me come join you."
Double move. Speed 50 ft due to Sudden Speed so can move 100 ft this round. Move down stairs and around house. I think I counted correctly but please double check!
