GM Doug's Beginner Box PbP (Closed) (Inactive)

Game Master Fiasko

Dethor moves up, though he no longer has the advantage of his stealth he again feigns teetering as if he would fall into the chasm.

Deception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19

Having hopefully distracted the kobold, he then strikes.
+1 Short Sword: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (7) + 9 = 16 Piercing + precision: 1d6 + 4 + 1d6 ⇒ (5) + 4 + (1) = 10

I found myself back where I started, somehow. I moved my token to where he landed.

Will save: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16 Oh no!

Kruppe makes Biltri's weapon magical.

Baux Commands Zolgran to approach.

Against his dwarven nature, Biltri calls upon the wind, flies over the pit and slashes at Zolgran! -12 hp!

Dethor feints Kobold #1, and stabs him in the gut! -10 hp

Zolgran falls under Baux's spell! She stands up from her throne, provoking an attack from Dethor, which misses. She only uses her fist action as commanded, right? Zolgran then send 2 magic Magic Missiles at Biltri!

Missile 1: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
Missile 2: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

"How dare you approach me! My pet will devour you alive!"

Back to the top of the round!

Kobold #1 drops his crossbow, draws his short sword and strikes at Dethor.
Short Sword: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (9) + 9 = 18
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 1

Kobold #2 loads his crossbow and fires at Baux.
Crossbow: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 15
Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 1

The kobold scouts then reload.

KS 1
KS 2
Biltri
Baux
Kruppe
Dethor
Zolgran

Bold may act!

On a standard failure, correct.

"Plan on chopping you to pieces before then. I call upon the stone!" he calls out and swings away with his axe.

Invoke the Stone, Strike, Strike
Reaction: AOO

Battle Axe, MW: 1d20 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 9 + 1 = 22
S, M, Stone: 2d8 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (3, 5) + 3 + 2 = 13

Battle Axe, MW: 1d20 + 9 + 1 - 5 ⇒ (4) + 9 + 1 - 5 = 9
S, M, Stone: 2d8 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (1, 7) + 3 + 2 = 13

I assume the AOO was from Bilti and not me

”oh, no! You leader has fallen!” calls out Dethor, pointing at the leader, hoping to distract the probably evil kobold.

Deception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8
the skill I would prefer to be expert in!

He then slashes at the dragon-kin
+1 Short Sword: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 9 = 13 Slashing + precision: 1d6 + 4 + 1d6 ⇒ (2) + 4 + (3) = 9

Yes, sorry, got my dwarves mixed up there!

Biltri does indeed chop Zolgran to pieces, killing her with his first strike! -13 hp

Dethor tries but fails to hit Kobold # 2, who does seem concerned that his leader Zolgran is dead.

KS 1 -10
KS 2
Biltri
Baux
Kruppe
Dethor

Baux and Kruppe are up. The kobold scouts still stand!

"Not quite as effective as I had hoped." Baux comments when all his spell did was cause the kobold to stand up.

This is player and character learning a lesson. I believe you did everything right, Doug.

Raising his shield, Baux tromps over to the other side and tries to smash the kobold there.

Warhammer vs #2: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20
Bludgeoning: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

Kruppe will delay. Kruppe thinks the kobolds, bereft of their leader, should lay down arms and throw themselves upon the mercy of dwarves.

With their leader dead, the kobolds throw down their arms and beg for mercy!

They're just not that interesting to fight, and you still have Zolgran's "pet" to contend with..."

Once the kobolds are dealt with, you're free to search the throne room.

The ledge the throne sits on also served as Zolgran’s personal resting area. A straw pallet rests here, but most importantly, there’s an old, rusty iron chest. Atop this chest is a large, broken eggshell that’s almost 2 feet tall.

Ivory in color, the shell has green veins running through it, and it’s clear that the pieces of eggshell worn by the boss and many of the kobolds here came from this egg. Although it’s still not entirely clear what was inside, there are large claw marks, bigger than any kobold could make, down one side of the shell.

The chest is locked, but Zolgran has the key tied at her waist. Inside the chest are some of the more interesting treasure that the kobolds found during their exploration of these tunnels.

The treasure includes a silver bracelet with a fish pattern, a very old map that depicts some strange-looking dungeon (Perhaps for a future AP?), a smoking sword with a dwarven face carved into the hilt, a wand of heal, 2 healing potions, and a hat of disguise.

The tunnel continues beyond the throne room...

Let me know how you'd like to handle the kobolds and the loot and then we'll move on!

Dethor looks disappointed when the key is found. "Openin' a lock wit' a key? Now, where's de fun in dat?"

He checks out the treasure, with the sword catching his eye. "Hey, Biltri, dis one's got your name written all over it, or is dat your face?"

Dethor puts the hat of disguise on. He thinks quickly, and decides to make himself look like Zolgran. "Now, don't ye all be t'inkin' dat I am one of dem kobolds to be killin'"

To the kobolds he says, "Now, I ain't got no beef wit' the none of you, but you are all followin' the wrong path. Maybe you need to stop bein' da 'bad' kobolds, and bein' da good ones, like dem Sewer Dragons back in Absalom. You t'ink you gots it in you?"

He hands the wand to Bauxite, "I know I am probably da one you gonna use this on, but you should hang on to it."

He then looks to the healing potions. "Maybe me an' Biltri should take these?"

As for the map, he hands that to Kruppe, with the bracelet. "Figger out what dey worth."

"I'd toss them in the pit, but they surrendered to Kruppe," Biltri grumbles as they discuss the kobold's fate.

"Well, it ain't an axe, but it does look dwarf-forged. I'll take it." He nods at Dethor. "I'd better drink one of those now since we've still git a "baby" monster to kill. The chieftain got me with his magic."

Healing Potion: 1d8 ⇒ 4

Kruppe takes the silver bracelet; it matches his trusty halibut, which seems to be nearing the end of its shelf life.

Kruppe thinks this 'Baby' must be close. Before his friends move on, he would like to know what it is. Will his new Kobold friends tell? What lies beyond that door?

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (10) + 0 = 10

The kobolds are happy to have their lives, and seem eager to get away.

"Zolgran's wyrmling has finally hatched! It loves fish. It will be so happy to see you've brought one! But it will eat all of you!"

"Turn back now!"

I think the silver fish bracelet is a perfect memento for Kruppe! Any last preparations before the big finale?

If Kruppe thinks the wyrmling is close he will Magic Weapon Bauxite using his Arcane Focus. (1 min buff). Maybe Box can hit Dethor's shortsword with one too?

Magic Weapon only works on non-magical weapons. I can use it on a weapon, but it must be non-magical.

Well, that’s interesting. They used the old wording on magic weapon in the heroes handbook. For the CRB, that has been errata’d to be any weapon. Since these rules are supposed to be the same as the CRB, that leaves an interesting dilemma

New map is up!

You move beyond Zolgarn's chamber through a short tunnel that opens into a cave.

Towering yellow mushrooms cover the floor of this vast cave, some reaching over ten feet in height. They seem to emit a pale light, giving the entire chamber an eerie glow.

Shattered remnants of barrels—torn open with their contents nowhere to be seen—lay scattered around the base of the mushrooms.

Somewhere off on the far side of the chamber, something stirs, and a faint snarl comes from the shadows...

This would be an appropriate time for Kruppe to cast magic weapon!

Baux casts Magic Weapon on Dethor’s rapier.

“Might want this!” he whispers to Dethor.

"Aye, that'd be good. Let's hurry, now!" replies Dethor, pushing the party into the shadows.

Token not moved,b ut he will move forward until he sees something.

"Shields up if you've got 'em, Biltri says, his own shield ready to receive an attack. The longsword in his hand puffs smoke now and then.

Kruppe and his allies will finish this. After casting the spell on Biltri's weapon he draws his Halibut and advances!

When Kruppe reaches the center of the cave, a bright-green dragon leaps into view! Somebody smells fish!

Although the beast isn’t fully grown, large leathery wings and snapping jaws make the hatchling look like an ancient wyrm. The creature gazes at the halibut with cunning eyes and a wisp of yellow vapor rises from its snout.

With a fierce roar, the dragon charges forward to attack!

Biltri
Wyrmling
Baux
Kruppe
Dethor

Biltri is up!

DC 20 Athletics to climb the mushrooms. DC 19 Arcana check to know more about the wyrmling.

"Oh ho! Yes!" Biltri grins ferally as the dragon comes into view. He advances upon the beast and brings the smoking sword up and then down in a dramatic slash toward the wyrmling.

Stride, Intimidating Strike

Smoking Sword: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (12) + 10 = 22
S (1 point is Fire): 2d8 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (2, 6) + 3 + 1 = 12
Frightened 1 if the strike hits.

Biltri strikes the dragon! -12 hp, frightened 1

The dragon seems unsure if this is another training exercise to beat it into submission or what, but it doesn't like being poked, and it definitely doesn't like being denied the fish that it can see just right over there!

The dragon tries to bite Biltri!

Jaws: 1d20 + 14 - 1 ⇒ (5) + 14 - 1 = 18
Damage: 2d8 + 4 ⇒ (3, 3) + 4 = 10
Poison: 1d4 ⇒ 2

The dragon then breathes a toxic yellow cloud! Biltri and Kruppe need to make a DC 24 basic Reflex save.

Poison Breath: 5d6 ⇒ (3, 6, 6, 5, 3) = 23

Biltri
Wyrmling -12 hp, frightened 1
Baux
Kruppe
Dethor

Bold may act!

Waiting to see results of Reflex saves before acting.

1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10 well dwarven con keeps that fron outright killing kruppe....

Ahh yes Kruppe should have known this. Of course. It is so obvious now, after the ovums and kobolds. It makes logical sense they’d be rearing a fellow ectothermic specimen such as —

Kruppe’s monologue is cut off as he inhales a huge lungful of poison gas! Dying 2

Yes! You have 2 Kruppe!

Reflex: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11
Hero Point Reflex: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24

Biltri hides behind his shield and closes his eyes just in time to not be completely melted by the poisonous breath. He coughs and wheezes. "That's a baby?"

Seeing how badly Kruppe is hurt, Baux immediately channels the power of Desna to heal him. He then raises his shield.

2 action Heal via Divine Font, Raise Shield.
Healing: 1d8 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11

"Quit taunting the thing with yer fish, Kruppe!"

Dethor moves up, though the dragon was further from him that he’d have liked. In dwarven he says, ”Biltri, let’s flank this critter!”

Not risking provoking an attack, he stops and stabs!

+1 striking rapier: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 = 11 piercing: 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (5, 3) + 4 = 12

Kruppe holds halibut, sighting along with the fins. They are wilted, succumbing to decay and flacid in the mushroom cave's humid air. Truth be told, the halibut doesn't smell too good anymore.

Halibut. Kruppe knows who his best friend is. It is Halibut who understands him like no other. But it is time to say goodbye. Kruppe has his fate, and Halibut has his. It is time to see what the wide world offers. But for the sake of old times, once more help wise Kruppe…

With a tear in his eye. Kruppe sights the dragon and aims! Ice shoots out of the fish's mouth; its rotting fish-lips tumble to the ground from the force of the blast.

Ray of Frist: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28
Cold: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8 Halibut power!!!

He then throws the halibut! GOODBYE, FRIEND!

Throw: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (16) + 0 = 16

He throws the as far as he can, hoping it will entice the dragon away from him! It splats on the cave floor.

Kruppe nearly succumbs to the poison gas, while Biltri manages to steel himslef against the worst of it.

Baux then calls on Desna and heals Kruppe!

Kruppe takes aim with his trusty halibut for one last Ray of Frost and blasts the fish's lips off with a critical hit! -16 hp! What a way to go out!

He then tosses the fish aside and the dragon can't help but notice where it landed...

Dethor moves in - And the dragon slashes out at him with its tail!

Twisting Tail!: 1d20 + 12 - 2 ⇒ (1) + 12 - 2 = 11
Damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

But the tail strike misses!

So, Dethor is able to get in close and tries to stab the wyrmling, but misses too.

Biltri
Wyrmling -28 hp, frightened 1
Baux
Kruppe
Dethor

Back to the top of the round, Biltri may act!

with that reaction used, Dethor would like to move two more squares, is that ok?

Yes! Take advantage of it!

Biltri steps to his left and the wyrmlings flank so that, if he is going to go down to dragon breath, his companions do not go with him. He then strikes at the green wyrmling and again.

Step, Strike, Strike

If Dethor could move, the dragon should be flanked now.

Smoking Sword: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (7) + 10 = 17
S, MW (1 Point is Fire): 2d8 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (3, 6) + 3 + 1 = 13

Smoking Sword: 1d20 + 10 - 5 ⇒ (19) + 10 - 5 = 24
S, MW (1 Point is Fire): 2d8 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (3, 1) + 3 + 1 = 8

Biltri's second attack hits! -8 hp

Now the dragon is really mad! It goes into a frenzy and attacks Biltri with both claws, and its tail!

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

Claw 2: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (6) + 14 = 20
Damage: 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (6, 4) + 4 = 14

Tail: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (17) + 12 = 29
Damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

It then tries to bite Dethor, because it doesn't like being flanked!

Jaws: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (9) + 14 = 23
Damage: 2d8 + 4 ⇒ (5, 3) + 4 = 12 plus Poison: 1d4 ⇒ 1

Yes, that's four strikes in three actions. But at least it's bloodied now!

Biltri
Wyrmling -34 hp
Baux
Kruppe
Dethor

Bold may act!

Kruppe uses all three actions to cast Magic missile! Last spell for the day.

MM: 3d4 + 3 ⇒ (4, 2, 1) + 3 = 10

Kruppe has never seen so much blood. He is impressed but also somewhat concerned for his friends. However, he is sure the ministrations of Baux will overcome the viciousness of ectothermic fang and claw and tail.

"You sonnufab*$!&!"

Dethor steps into flank, ready to strike.
+1 Striking Rapier: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 = 11 piercing + precision: 2d6 + 4 + 1d6 ⇒ (2, 6) + 4 + (5) = 17 deadly: 1d8 ⇒ 4
HERO POINT +1 Striking Rapier: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 9 = 13 sigh

+1 Striking Rapier: 1d20 + 9 - 5 ⇒ (20) + 9 - 5 = 24 piercing + precision: 2d6 + 4 + 1d6 ⇒ (6, 6) + 4 + (5) = 21 deadly: 1d8 ⇒ 5 Well, at least that was a crit... that's 21 * 2 = 42 + 5 = 47 total damage!

On his first strike, he misses, even though he manages to trip on a vine, the stumbles on the second one, throwing off his aim. However, his second strike lands truly, finding a weak spot in the wyrmling's armpit. Three feet of steel penetrates through a gap of the dragonling's armor, penetrating into its softer innards. Blood sprays out over Dethor as he pulls his blade back out.
"Die, you useless reptile."

Baux moves closer and then uses his healing on Biltri.

Two action heal: 1d8 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13

Well done!

Dethor steps into position and kills the wyrmling with a well placed strike of his rapier!

Out of combat!

I trust you have enough healing to patch yourselves up. That was a scary one!

Kruppe looks greedily at the treasure chest up on the ledge.

Kruppe hereby invokes the power of Zephyr! Wind starts blowing through the dwarf's hair. His handkerchief flutters! Wherewith Kruppe would enjoy gliding up… hmmm… how far? Well, the ledge looks to be ten feet tall. And Kruppe stands fifty feet away, he thinks. The square root of ten squared plus fifty feet squared is 50.99; Kruppe is sure Zephyr would appreciate simple rounding, it is only fair. So he shall ask for a fifty-one foot hypotenuse, at an angle of… hmm… well, sin(θ) is the opposite over the hypotenuse for a right-angle triangle… While Kruppe wastes precious seconds doing algebra, wind stops ruffling his hair.

…11.31 degrees. Kruppe can once again simplify this for Zephyr, and call it eleven-point-three-five. One should not round up too much, lest one fall at the end of one's flight and twist an ankle. Nor should one round down too far, lets one splatter against the cliff-face. However, there is some allowed tolerance within the upper and lower thresholds. YES! Fifty-one feet forward, Zephyr, at eleven-point-three-five degrees!

Nothing happens. His shoulders slump. It seems Kruppe has wasted all his flight time (1 round) doing math. He doesn't seem to realize it, though. Kruppe wonders what went wrong. He saw Biltri fly like a furious and muscular dove. Horrible, yet also beautiful. Yet for Kruppe, nothing. Well. He can always climb. He begins to limber up…

Baux immediately goes over to Dethor and tries to treat the poison. He then treats the wounds of everyone that was injured.

I will gladly hand-wave the following healing.

About the time that he finishes this, Kruppe is completing his dissertation on trigonometry. He looks at the ledge and the Kruppe. Then he walks to just below the ledge and calls out "By the power of Zephyr, lift me up!"

Landing at the top of the ridge, he then gets his rope out and lowers it for the others to climb.

The ledge in the northeast corner of the room holds the treasure the kobolds offered to the dragon.

It is possible to catch a glimpse of this treasure even from the floor, but anyone who wants to climb up to the ledge must succeed at a DC 15 Athletics skill check. You can do it Kruppe!

Atop the ledge sits a small chest and a huge pile of coins. Baux also finds a single giant emerald atop the heap that vaguely looks like a dragon’s eye! This will all appear on your chronicle sheet as a lump sum.

"Ach! You're stealing my thunder, Dethor!" Biltri laments half-heartedly as the fearsome wyrmling falls to the rogue's underhanded assault. "But I'm glad you're all still kicking."

"Think the both of you did plenty to take that wyrm down."

Looking around, he then says "Lots of coins, chest, and a big emerald up here! Think I will wait for Dethor before checking the chest, could be trapped!"

"yeah, whatever. The critter is dead. That's what is important. Ain't never bothered keepin' count... that's fer amateurs."

Dethor starts climbing up, and easily does it.
Athletics: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17

He then checks out the chest, just to be safe.

If he thinks it is safe.

Thinking it to be safe he checks to see if it just opens.

Dethor opens the chest to find yet more coins, a dagger with a snake emblazoned on the blade, and a belt with a heart-shaped jewel in the buckle!

In the back of the mushroom grotto is a tunnel leading to a long, winding passageway. It gently slopes upward, and there is a fresh breeze coming through.

After following this path for over an hour, you emerge into a ravine outside of Otari. Remnants of a camp around the cave’s entrance indicate that kobolds had stayed here for some time before heading under the town to work their mischief.

The sun is beginning to set over Otari. You may yet make it home in time for supper!

Tamily will no doubt like to hear what you have discovered beneath the fishery, but for the most part this will conclude our Beginner Box adventure. Thank you all for playing!