GM_DBH's Shattered Star

Game Master DBH

The Librarians are grateful that you have returned all the adventurers. And are surprised that you left Perotus his gear to sell for bringing him back. His wife Hasari is extremely grateful to you for bringing her husband's body back free of the swarm.

The Librarians agree to sell his gear and make up the difference to have him raised. There may be an element of CYA involved, but they do seem to be good people on the whole.

And since you left him his gear they pay you the live return amount. :).

B8 is the room with the Brain Ooze. The Librarians can use their various books and knowledges to give you full details on the horrible things.

Brain Ooze

What are you doing now?

Bharak nodded, knowing that the discussion was over. Turning to Vhane he said Dwarven "That's the price of working with the tall. But we're still getting paid and they're trustworthy, so we're still coming out ahead."

Shrugging, Vhane gives a nod.

B8 is the room with the Brain Ooze. The Librarians can use their various books and knowledges to give you full details on the horrible things.

Brain Ooze

What are you doing now?

"Hmm, it seems like the best strategy here is to use overwhelming violence."

"The less time it and its friends have to eat us, the better." The cleric says and begins warding everyone's minds against its attacks. She also blesses Elathras or Bharak with luck again just prior to opening the door.

If we take back the body first, Elena would do her buffs as above after we return the body, before we enter the brain room. I was under the impression we would do the brain room first before returning to rest.

If we take back the body first, Elena would do her buffs as above after we return the body, before we enter the brain room. I was under the impression we would do the brain room first before returning to rest.

I was under that impression as well

As he opens the door, Elathras realizes it wasn't the gibbering mouther they were facing, but the 'Brain Ooze.' Chuckling at Axton's comment as he brings his polearm to bear, "Over whelming violence? Does that include fireballs?"

Moving within reach, he thrusts his Guisarme at the ooze.

Good Hope +2 morale bonus on all saves, attacks, damage rolls, skills Protection from Evil, Bit of Luck Move 20 ft (or so) Attack + 1 keen guisarme, WT, PA, FF
attack: 1d20 + 15 + 1 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 15 + 1 + 2 + 2 = 29 damage: 2d4 + 9 + 1 + 2 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (4, 1) + 9 + 1 + 2 + 9 + 2 = 28

Axton's mustache puffs out as he sighs. [b]"Unfortunately not this time. For a single target, a spell more narrow in scope is more appropriate, especially if I want to avoid singing the rest of you.

Axton fires a bolt of lightning from is wand of lightning bolt at the ooze.

Lighting damage: 7d6 ⇒ (4, 2, 1, 6, 1, 4, 2) = 20

DC Reflex 20 for half

Looking at her map, Elena frowns. "I thought there were gibbering mouths too? Where are they?" She wonders aloud as she looks into the room and quickly taps Bharak with luck before he moves in. "Watch yourself, everyone! There should be more than just the ooze!" She shouts in warning.

Bit of luck on Bharak, he has 2 rounds of advantage on everything. Move action to start inspire courage, +2 competence on attack and damage rolls for everyone. Good Hope and Prtectection from evil are in effect too. Total to hit and damage for everyone is +4.

Ok, it seems we've all gotten mixed up. There are two Gibbering mouthers & a Brain Ooze. Since the Librarians would also have give you information on the Gibbering mouthers.

Gibbering Mouther

So use the testing chamber map up top. Brian Ooze is Red, the mothers are Orange & Yellow. Lets start this again now we know what we're doing

What are you doing?

What are you doing?

Since Elathras would only have to 5 ft step. He would have clicked his heal (haste) and stabbed the nearest Gibbering mouther on the left repeatedly. Keep the first roll, I'll roll two more for full attack and haste, along with an AoO in case anything moves within reach: Haste AC 27 Attack + 1 keen guisarme, WT, PA, FF

Rage=Hit northern gibbering: 1d20 + 17 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 17 + 4 = 26
Bit of Luck: 1d20 + 17 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 17 + 4 = 27
Damage: 2d6 + 19 + 4 ⇒ (3, 2) + 19 + 4 = 28
Acid: 1d6 ⇒ 1

The dwarf moved in after Elathras, ready to finish off his foe if it still “stood” or to attack the other one if it fell.

Elathras hits Orange twice and it dies.

Bharak moves into the chamber and slams his hammer into Yellow, hurting it a lot.

Axton aims from the doorway and blasts Red with lightning.

ref save: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 9 = 13

Stinging it slightly.

Elena & Vhane to act. Yellow is badly off. Red has more HP.

My actions for round 1 are giving Elathras bit of luxk before he opens the door and then to Bharak once we're actually in combat + inspire courage. She shouldnt have actions left.

Vhane takes aim at yellow and fires!

Deadly Aim
+2 Repeating heavy crossbow: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (6) + 14 = 20
Damage: 1d10 + 13 ⇒ (10) + 13 = 23

+2 Repeating heavy crossbow: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (17) + 9 = 26
Damage: 1d10 + 13 ⇒ (5) + 13 = 18

AC 23; Hp's 105/105

Vhane pins Yellow to the floor, ending it.

Both the Gibbering mouthers are thankfully dead.

Red now acts, hurriedly casting a spell on Bharak

Will save DC19 please Bharak.

Everyone can now act

It has AC26.

Vhane fires off more bolts at Red.

Deadly Aim
+2 Repeating heavy crossbow: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (4) + 14 = 18
Damage: 1d10 + 13 ⇒ (9) + 13 = 22

+2 Repeating heavy crossbow: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (19) + 9 = 28
Damage: 1d10 + 13 ⇒ (8) + 13 = 21

Crit confirm
+2 Repeating heavy crossbow: 1d20 + 9 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 9 + 4 = 14 Crit focus feat. :)

Aw crap.

AC 23; Hp's 105/105

Dropping the first gibbering mouther, Elathras calls as the dwarves drop the second. "Well done!" Turning his guisarme towards the Brain Ooze he issues his Challenge, "Have at thee foul creature." Clicking his heels together, he steps forwards, chopping at the floating thing repeatedly.

Good Hope +2 morale bonus on all saves, attacks, damage rolls, skills Haste (AC 27) Protection from Evil, Challenge, 5 ft step, Full Attack + 1 keen guisarme, WT, PA, FF
primary attack: 1d20 + 15 + 1 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 15 + 1 + 2 + 2 = 22 damage: 2d4 + 9 + 1 + 2 + 9 + 2 + 9 ⇒ (4, 1) + 9 + 1 + 2 + 9 + 2 + 9 = 37
secondary attack: 1d20 + 10 + 1 + 2 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 10 + 1 + 2 + 2 + 1 = 34 damage: 2d4 + 9 + 1 + 2 + 9 + 2 + 9 ⇒ (2, 1) + 9 + 1 + 2 + 9 + 2 + 9 = 35
Haste attack: 1d20 + 15 + 1 + 2 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 15 + 1 + 2 + 2 + 1 = 29 damage: 2d4 + 9 + 1 + 2 + 9 + 2 + 9 ⇒ (2, 3) + 9 + 1 + 2 + 9 + 2 + 9 = 37

Will Save: 1d20 + 9 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 9 + 4 + 2 = 20
Bit of Luck: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (16) + 15 = 31
very fortuitous that BoL was up!

Bharak felt an alien presence worming its way into his mind, but the light of Elena’s faith pushed it out. Knowing how close he was to losing himself he growled at it to stay out of his head and leapt to the attack.

Attack 1 at the monster instead of the party: 1d20 + 17 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 17 + 4 = 31
BoL: 1d20 + 17 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 17 + 4 = 28
Damage: 2d6 + 19 + 4 ⇒ (4, 1) + 19 + 4 = 28
Acid: 1d6 ⇒ 6

Iterative at the monster instead of the party: 1d20 + 9 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 9 + 4 = 23
BoL: 1d20 + 9 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 9 + 4 = 18
Damage: 2d6 + 19 + 4 ⇒ (1, 5) + 19 + 4 = 29
Acid: 1d6 ⇒ 5

Axton fires another bolt of lightning at the remaining enemy.

Lighting damage: 7d6 ⇒ (6, 1, 4, 3, 1, 2, 1) = 18

DC Reflex 20 for half

Intrepid joins the fray by horking a fire globule at the ooze.

Ranged touch attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15
Fire damage: 2d4 ⇒ (4, 2) = 6

Continuing with her earlier approach, Elena moves in with Elathras and does her best to bend Luck and ward him against evil influence both - and his blows are guided to (mostly) strike true!

Move, bit of luck on Elthras. To see if this mattered:

First attack second roll: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (3) + 20 = 23
Second attack second roll: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (20) + 15 = 35
Third attack second roll: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (20) + 20 = 40

Second attack Crit confirm: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (20) + 15 = 35
Third attack Crit confirm: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (3) + 20 = 23

Turns Elathras' second attack into a critical hit, double nat 20! Also in case this thing somehow survives that Barrage of attacks he rolls twice on the saving throws next turn as well as Bharak.

Extra crit damage Elathra's second attack (x3 weapon): 4d4 + 64 ⇒ (4, 1, 4, 3) + 64 = 76

Save your charges and attacks.

Elathras steps in and finishes the loathsome creature, the reach of his weapon ensuring he doesn't need to get close enough to it for its psychic defense to scramble his brain. :)

What are you doing now? Just B14 & B15 to go.

Axton looks over at Elena.

"I'm good for at least another room or two, how about you? I know we had talked about resting for the night soon."

Perception with favored terrain underground?: 1d20 + 20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 20 + 4 = 42

”As am I.” Bharak said. ”Well done, everyone. That took a bit of luck.” Pulling out the magic crossbow from the debris and ruins, he added ”But worth it. Looks like pushing onward was profitable afterall.”

Since we had talked about resting after these two rooms, Elathras used his last challenge. He's good to go on, but if I'd known we were moving forwards I would have saved it.

Seeing the floating brain-like thing fall, Elathras breathed a sigh of relief. Leaning on his polearm as Bharak dug through the debris, he chuckles at Axton's question. Smiling, "I guess it depends on what's in the room." As he speaks he looks from Bharak back towards Elena, mostly concerned about the Shelynite's desire to continue.

"I'm out of most of my spells. I'll be unable to ward anyone from mind control and i can't make something visible if we encounter more invisible enemies. And i think I hit my limit on luck bending too. As such I would really like to rest and head back," Elena reappnds to Axton. It was clear to everyone that the priestess was pretty much exhausted.

Like 20% of spells above level 1 left, and those arent good. Luck bending is down to two uses. Might barely suffice for 1 encounter (can cast haste and stand there) but if anything goes wrong, all her utility counters are already used. If there was time pressure to do this she might push herself but i dont see a clear reason to not rest. Also both Elena's con enhancement to her belt finish and the int tome refreshes both in two rests, this could be one.

"No worries! Back to the librarians it is!"

OK, you rest and recover without any problems.

Perotus the halfling Rogue has been revived thanks to the Librarians and is profoundly grateful to the party, not only did you save his wife, but you recovered his body and left his magic items to help him be bought back!

None of the surviving adventurers are mourning the Naga. The Librarians worked out a deal with their clients in the city and got a scroll of Raise dead cheaply. The Librarians are very grateful you got the adventurers back and have kept there from being any scandal. :)

"I cannot express my gratitude towards you with any form of words. You are really true heroes. Please, if you can find a use for any of my equipment then feel free to take it. Hasari and myself shall be looking for safer employment for a while."

He's offering you his Boots of striding and springing, and his +3 studded leather if anyone wants it? Hasari also shyly offers her Bracers +2.

What are you doing now?

After a pleasant night's sleep and tasty breakfast provided by the 'Librarians' Elathras is surprised to meet the halfling again. Ready to explain why the Naga had not been returned alive, he's pleasantly surprised that no one seemed to care. As the couple thanked them profusely Elathras, never having thought that someone would ever be thanking him, a hell knight' for helping them, smiles shaking his head. "Thank you Perotus and Hasari. I am pleased you are alive and well. I was happy to help." He gestures towards himself and smiles wider. "And I fear your gear would not quite fit."

As the others gather, he asks, "Are we ready to continue?"

Bharak was very pleasantly surprised when the gear was offered. Not being used to generosity being so generously returned, he gladly accepted the boots. ”Mine were getting worn out he said. And they help one move faster? Even better!” With a smile he happily put them on, glad to see that they fit as well as his old ones.

Elena beams at the couple's happiness and generous sentiments. She wishes them well as the group heads back towards exploration and makes its way to the bridge-like structure where Axton had sensed some magic in the water. "I'd like to think that kindness is often repaid in some way. Not always, but even then, that the world is still a slightly brighter place by treating others with kindness rather than as people to take advantage of. Even if that is perhaps naive."

I'll put the room up again for you.

B14 RIVER OF MEMORY
Unlike the chambers around it, this cavern appears to be natural, with a rushing ribbon of dark water running through its bottom half. A stone bridge arches across the torrent to a wide ledge on the other side that leads into another cavern. The bridge is sculpted rather than natural, with low railings on either side that show distorted faces, their expressions utterly blank.

Axton can tell you that the water has the glow of magic.

Use the Therassic workshop map for this. What are you doing now?

Axton casts detect magic again, studying the water long enough to determine the type of magic coming it emits.

Know. (arcana): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21

DC is 15 + spell level, or 15 + 1/2 caster level for a nonspell effect.

Axton can't detect any specific spell in the water, but the magic is of the Enchantment school. So something that effects the mind would be his best guess.

What now?

Returning to the cavernous chamber, Elathras moved toward the bridge. Observing, "If the water is magical it might be best if we stay out of it."

Wanting to make sure the bridge is safe, he starts to poke and prod it with the tip of his polearm.

Taking 20(35) on perception on the bridge

Elathras checks the bridge and finds it very sturdy. So sturdy in fact that the two daemons hiding in the water are annoyed and surface to spit on him.

The skin on this frog-like fiend is clammy and its eyes look dead and milky; its wide face is split by a fanged maw.

spitting Red vs Touch AC: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (8) + 11 = 19
spitting Yellow vs Touch AC: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (20) + 11 = 31

Elathras is hit twice.

Will save DC19 twice please Elathras. Failing means you fall asleep

duration Red: 1d6 ⇒ 6
duration Yellow: 1d6 ⇒ 2

What is everyone doing now? You get a round then we go to initiatives.

Use the River of memory map up top for this.

will DC19: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (7) + 9 = 16
will DC19: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (19) + 9 = 28

Seeing the large flat green heads with two bulbous eyes surface, Elathras begins to point towards them. Just as he shifts, he sees the two creatures spit. Frowning, at the insult, he says, "Watch out they sp.... Falling to the ground asleep, before he can finish the sentence.

Before entering the room.

Knowing there was a lot of water beyond and that she wasn't a particularly great swimmer, Elena casts Air Bubble on herself in case she found herself in the water and needed to fight. She also used another charge of her 10-minute lasting Wand of Heightened Awareness.

Now... (Auto pass on the planes check)

A cold spike of fear worms its way into her chest as she sees Elthras go down instantly . "No!"

But the giant beings emerge from the water and basic survival instinct kicks in just enough to not rush in. "Hydrodaemons! Their ranged attacks can sleep you, and they try to drown you after! They're from the River Styx and-"

Her eyes widen as she regards the water and suddenly had a sinking suspicion of just what exactly it was. "Don't touch that water! You'll lose your memory!"

Standard action is to cast Good Hope on everyone to bolster their willsaves and most attacks, saves and damage rolls by +2. 5ft step forward to get closer to the frontline everyone. Her next initiatve check is at +8.

DBH, I can't edit the map. Axton moves right two squares.

Axton's eyes go wide as he sees Elathras go down, and his mustache twitches as he hears Elena's words.

"Wake him up, whatever it takes!" Axton orders Intrepid in the inscrutable language that they share.

Skittering down from his sorcerer's shoulder to leap out into danger, the fire-red rat rushes towards the helpless cavalier and sinks his teeth into someplace fleshy.

Attack vs. helpless + Good Hope: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 4 + 2 = 23 <-- Helpless creatures also have a -5 to their AC.
Bite damage + Good Hope: 1d3 - 4 + 2 ⇒ (3) - 4 + 2 = 1

Turning his attention to the water daemons, Axton reaches into his handy haversack to pull out a handful of dweomer's essence, which he hurls in front of him as he taps into his arcane power to cast confusion on the yellow daemon closest to Elathras.

CL check + dweomer's essence vs. SR: 1d20 + 10 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 10 + 5 = 26

DC 21 Will negates.

Rage hit: 1d20 + 18 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 18 + 2 = 33
Damage: 2d6 + 19 + 2 ⇒ (4, 3) + 19 + 2 = 28
Acid: 1d6 ⇒ 6
Fire: 1d6 ⇒ 6

Knowing that applying hammer to head was always a useful contribution, Bharak sought to do just that.

will save Yellow: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4 ???

random: 1d100 ⇒ 81 Attack nearest.

Bharak, which one are you attacking?

Red

Bharak hits Red, finding his blow doesn't do as much damage as it should, the acid and fire do nothing.

DR plus immunities and resistances. :)

Yellow will be attacking Elathras on its turn.

chance Yellow=1-50: 1d100 ⇒ 40

Vhane lines up Yellow.

Crossbow + Rapid shot + Deadly aim + PBS: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (13) + 13 = 26
Crossbow + Rapid shot + Deadly aim + PBS: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (13) + 13 = 26
Crossbow + Rapid shot + Deadly aim + PBS: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20

damage: 1d10 + 13 ⇒ (10) + 13 = 23
damage: 1d10 + 13 ⇒ (3) + 13 = 16
damage: 1d10 + 13 ⇒ (9) + 13 = 22

His Cold iron bolts do full damage and the Hydrodaemon screeches in pain and rage.

Yellow switches its attention to Vhane and spits at him.

Spit: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (19) + 13 = 32

Vhane Will save DC19: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17

Vhane slumps to the floor unconscious. :)

Red lashes out at Bharak

claw: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (14) + 13 = 27
claw: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (13) + 13 = 26

Damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8
Damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

grapple: 1d20 + 24 ⇒ (17) + 24 = 41

I take it that means you're grappled Bharak? Next round it will drag you into the water. :)

Going surprisingly well for me isn't it? :)

The party can now act. Elathras you are awake, a rat bit you on the bum! What are you all doing?

Hit: 1d20 + 18 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 18 + 2 = 32
Damage: 2d6 + 19 + 2 ⇒ (5, 4) + 19 + 2 = 30
Cold: 1d6 ⇒ 4
Precise Strike if applicable: 1d6 ⇒ 2

Iterative: 1d20 + 10 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 10 + 2 = 21
Damage: 2d6 + 19 + 2 ⇒ (3, 5) + 19 + 2 = 29
Cold: 1d6 ⇒ 6
Precise Strike: 1d6 ⇒ 6

The flames on his hammer went from red to white as the dwarf continued fighting for his life. He barely managed to escape being pulled into the water. Rather his hammer connected, forcing the creature back.

I keep forgetting he can roll for knowledge
Knowledge: Monster: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8 meh

Waking to the sensation of something biting him, Elathras begins to swipe at whatever it was, But as he comes fully awake he remembers the spitting things as he realizes one is hovering above him. Realizing his Guisarme was laying nearby, but the creature was too close to use it, Elathras quickly rolls to his back as he draws his cold Iron sword. Gripping the rairly used weapons in both hands, he challenges the aquatic yellow creature, "Have at thee foul beast!" chopping at the things frog like head.

Prone, Challenge: 1/4 move action, draws weapon, Attack cold iron longsword, PA/FF
attack: 1d20 + 16 - 4 ⇒ (15) + 16 - 4 = 27 damage: 1d8 + 9 + 9 + 10 ⇒ (7) + 9 + 9 + 10 = 35

"New guy!" Axton exclaims in alarm.

Axton begins casting summon monster 4.

"Squeak!" Intrepid exclaims in alarm.

He skitters back to Axton. Withdrawal action.