GM Michael's Emerald Spire

Game Master Dread

Nycholas moves over and picks up the small barbell looking green stone, and looked at either end and this one and read the Azlanti number 6 on either end....

Arcannus moved up and peered into the room.

Ratel turns and looks over the double doors. Theres nothing noteworthy about them. except they look similar to the ones on the opposite side before the staircase going down.

Arthdane remarks about needing someone to check for magic in this room, and Etheldhur moves in and looks around the room.

The cap of the scroll tube is not so tight it keeps the energy of mana from leaking out. Its an odd combination of Green for enchantment, purple for conjuration magic, and silver of universal magic that shows from his detection.

Nodding in agreement with Nycholas, Ratel responds. "I believe you are correct." He waits while the others finish investigating the goblin bedroom. Once everyone is ready he opens the door, shining his illuminated bardiche into the area. He then begins to cautiously proceed up the stairs.

Taking 10(15) on perception

Nycholas packs the emerald stone safely away with the other one, then joins the others at what should be the stairway up. "I think these might be keys of some kind. This stone is marked with a "six". There was an automaton up here, and there are supposed to be automatons on the sixth floor."

Ratel opens the door and looks inside, a spiral staircase goes up the outer wall of a tower that looks it winds up around the spire at least 30' by what his light shows, perhaps further.

Using the bardiche as a lantern in front of him, Ratel moves up the stairs, testing each step carefully before he puts his full weight on it.

Again, taking 10(15) on perception

Ratel moves up a few steps on the stairs testing each one slowly.

perception DC20: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (11) + 9 = 20

Arthdane stays close behind Ratel (letting him be Polish mine detector), ready to cover him with his longspear if something rushes them... As he climbs the stairs, he tries to estimate how high he is getting. (We know the outside of the spire was broken off at 50', from back in the intro. We get a decent estimate of the height gain between floors and we have an idea of how many levels to go upwards.)

Nycholas is next in line. He starts to ponder the stories of great treasures kept at the tops of ancient towers, but thinks that goblins probably would not be able to hoard any great treasures for themselves if worse monsters also made home in the spire.

Confident with his friends behind him, Ratel continues moving up the steps, testing each one as he goes.

still taking 10(15) on perception

The spiral stairs go up 50'. The central spire narrows so that by the end of the 50' its only 10' across. Theres a rail around the stairs that keep you from falling to the ground.

Ratel starts up the stairs, and the party naturally fall in behind, while Edeldhur checks the scroll case out.

out of the darkness towards the top of the tower a *twang* can be heard as an arrow flies out of the darkness toward Ratel, rattles against the rail and falls to the ground. (^$^()*&!! can be heard above.

attack AC17: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 91d8 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

Initiative Tracker Bold May Go
18-Ratel
10-Arcannus
9-Arthdane
9-Nycholas
4-Grulk
4-Edeldhur

The cap of the scroll tube is not so tight it keeps the energy of mana from leaking out. Its an odd combination of Green for enchantment, purple for conjuration magic, and silver of universal magic that shows from his detection.

Edeldhur packs away the scroll tube for further inspection of its contents.

It takes no more than one round for scroll, so in case there was time before, he would try to peruse the contents of the scrolls inside - assuming they are scrolls. Three auras = 3 scrolls?

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 9 + 2 = 14
Spellcraft: 1d20 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 9 + 2 = 29
Spellcraft: 1d20 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 9 + 2 = 13

----

The wizard follows after the others as they ascend the stairs.

1 scroll 3 auras

Edeldhur opens the ivory cap on the tube and pulls a very ancient sheet of vellum that feels heavier than normal and its the power of the mana it is holding pulses in his hands. He sees ancient writing in a language he cannot understand despite being well versed in arcanna. He realizes he will have to use the cantrip all wizards know to be able to read the arcane instructions herein.

Instinctively ducking at the sound of the bow, "Blast!" Ratel curses as he see's the arrow come out of the darkness and strike the wall behind him. No longer moving slowly checking steps as he goes, Ratel hustles up the steps, trying to keep moving to present a more difficult target.

Double move

Arcanus stops at the door frame, not wishing to give their unseen enemy at good view of his intruders.
Holding action.

"I knew there was someone up here!" Nycholas shouts, following Ratel's lead.

Nycholas will follow Ratel as best he can with his 20' move speed.

Arthdane demonstrates that he is materially fleeter of foot than Ratel (40' move), exploding up the stairs to close with the unseen archer before he can get another shot off.

Move action - move 40 (adjusted for terrain)
Standard action - assuming I can't see the archer, move another 40' (again, adjusted for terrain). Trying to get into threat range...

The group begins to sprint up the stairs, taking them two at a time, Arthdane passes ratel. 50' feet up they reach a solid door thats shut. The central spire pulses with green energy.

50' below, Arcannus stands looking up, while Edeldhur looks over a scroll of ancient magic.

A metallic sound echoed in the staircase then the twang of another arrow coming from the side of the stairs fired at Nycholas. The arrow nicked his arm as it bounced off the wall nearby.

attack Nycholas AC18: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 231d8 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

Initiative Tracker Bold May Go
18-Ratel
10-Arcannus
9-Arthdane
9-Nycholas
4-Grulk
4-Edeldhur

Edeldhur unscrews the cap and pulls out the scroll and looks it over. Then tucks it back into the scroll tube determined to cast read magic on it when he has some down time to study the spell again. Then he starts up the stairs getting about half way up.

Initiative Tracker Bold May Go
18-Ratel
10-Arcannus
9-Arthdane
9-Nycholas
4-Grulk
4-Edeldhur

Ok, I think something is going wrong with they dynamic lighting - Ratel's bardiche has a light spell on it, but the map show the 3 of us (Arthdane, Ratel, Nycholas) in complete darkness. So I'm working blind here...

"Ratel, cover us with your shield. Nycholas, help me force the door!"

Arthdane attempts to force the door open with his shoulder...

Str check: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

Ok, I think something is going wrong with they dynamic lighting - Ratel's bardiche has a light spell on it, but the map show the 3 of us (Arthdane, Ratel, Nycholas) in complete darkness. So I'm working blind here...

I was trying to move Ratel up the stairs and got him stuck in the wall, is there a door? I thought it was an open stairway so the guy at the top could shoot at us.

That section is 20' of stairs going down that you guys are standing on, and outside the rail, open air. Only the inner spire and the door is showing. Thats why you cant see anything else. He's using arrow slits that slide open and shut. Theres always 1 open unless hes not shooting.

Nodding at Arthdanes command, Ratel leans his spear up against the wall, then shifts his shield with his left hand, holding it overhead to give some protection. "Ready"

move action ready's shield, dropping the bardiche was a free action, can he pick it back up and carry it one handed, keeping the shield on the other arm?

"I dunno what you expect me to do from back here."

Looks like the stairs are only wide enough for one person, so I think you're on your own, Arthdane =)

Squeeze Nycholas, squeeze... or you might ready an attack on sniper boy if he tries to use an arrowslit near you...

Arcanus double moved to the top of the stairs.

Ratel shifts and pulls his shield out, holing it up and looking around for where the archer is firing from. He holds the bardiche in one hand, knowing he cant attack without discarding the shield.

Arcannus hurries up the staircase to come up behind Nycholas at the top of the stairs some 35 feet up where he is, though theres another 15 feet of stairs before a stout door to the top. Right behind him is Edeldhur standing on the stairs.

Arthdane pushes against the door and it doesnt open. He knows it will take a bit of strength to force it, or someone could attempt to unlock it.

Nycholas looks at the narrow flight of stairs and realizes this is a tactical nightmare.

who gets attacked from top down: 1d4 ⇒ 2

an arrow flies toward Ratel out of the darkness to the left, but passed behind him and hit the wall, breaking.

attack AC19: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 131d8 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

Initiative Tracker Bold May Go
18-Ratel
10-Arcannus
9-Arthdane
9-Nycholas
4-Grulk
4-Edeldhur

My icon seems to be stuck at the top of the stairs.

Edeldhur readies to cast a spell once the arrow slits open again to reveal their attacker.

Acid Splash, Ranged Touch Attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12
Damage if it hits: 1d3 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 + 1 = 4

Edeldhur- The others are on a dif area of this map thats 'above you' in context. Until some space frees up just know youre just behind Arcannus.

The Wizard began looking at the walls, hearing of probably arrow slits. and could from his vantage point see nothing at the moment but he was vigilant and waiting for the opportunity.

Initiative Tracker Bold May Go
18-Ratel
10-Arcannus
9-Arthdane
9-Nycholas
4-Grulk
4-Edeldhur

Holding his shield at the ready, and trying not to hit anything with the ungainly bardiche, he asks the cleric, "Arthdane, would you like Nycholas or I to take a whack at the door?"

Ok Roll20 lighting and movement is being iffy again - I'm in the dark (I shouldn't be - Ratel's Bardiche has light cast on it) and can't move...

Arthdane says "Nycholas then". He steps away from the door and catches at Ratel's shield, pulling it to guide Ratel with what he had intended with his previous suggestion. Arthdane puts his back to the wall on the right hand side of the arrow slit from which the arrows had been coming from (there pretty much can only be one that can bear on the party at a time, due to the curve of the staircase), and holds Ratel's shield to block the entire arrow slit. (A large wooden shield should be bigger than a reasonable arrow slit. This positioning should let Ratel put himself back to the wall on the left side of the slit, and provide everyone on this side of the arrow slit with improved cover; +8 AC vs archer boy).

I clicked off your nameplate Arthdane so you can better see what is there.. Basically you have a 10' wide area winding around the central spire. With a 5' wide staircase against the outer wall, leaving a 5' area of open air between you and either the spire, or a wall. The wall is what holds the arrow slits with slides that open and shut them most are shut. Arthdane is right in front of the door in. with the name plate off you can make out the door.

I also just redid the dynamic lighting there so you can make out things easier

Trying to hold the shield the way Arthdane wants him to while still holding on to the bardiche in the other hand, Ratel presses himself against the wall. "Well come on Nycholas,"

delay action until after Nycholas

Nycholas stumble-charges up the stairs as best as circumstances allow him too, putting a shoulder solidly into the door.

Can't access map right nowl; move to door and Str check it.
Str Chk: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21

I opened the door. Nycholas actions are done. Everyone else can go I also put Edeldhur on this map as Nycholas forced the door open and went in 5'. Keep in mind Edeldhur is 15' down from the wall looking up, and Arcannus 10' down the stairs, and Arthdane 5' down the stairs.

"Now that's How you hit a door." Chuckling as Nycholas goes through the door, Ratel follows over the threshold. Moving along the wall he drops the shield and holds the bardiche up, not only so he can see, but also so he can defend himself. Seeing the archer on the back side of the central pillar, he calls out. "The shooter is over here."

move action 30 ft into the room, move action drop shield.

Arthdane chases after Ratel with his unnatural speed, longspear at the ready. Rounding the pillar, he takes a jab at the bugbear...

move action - 40' gets me just into spear reach...
standard action - attack bugbear

To Hit: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21
+3 str
Damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12
+4 Str*1.5

The young Pathfinder runs up the stairs with his fellows ready to face whatever rounds the corner. The bard not surprisingly finds a goblinoid across the circular room.

As Nycholas slams the door open, the group begins to enter, seeing a strange room pulsing with a green glow of the columnof glass like crystal that forms the core of the tower. The Walls of the room are damaged, and the roof is cracked. The Spire in the center juts uo, just peaking above the crude ceiling. A bed and a side table sit in the northern half the room, and archery targets line the southern section of the wall.

Ratel follows him in quickly, moving around the outer part of the room until he saw the leader of the defenders. dropping his shield he shifted both hands to his bardiche.

Arthdane heard Ratel identify the occupant nand he rushed around the corner bring his longspear to bear, piercing the Bugbear in his side with it.

Arcannus moved up the stairs and in with the others.

The Bugbear dropped his bow, stepping into the range of the longspear, pulling his morningstar as he moved. He swung it on the priest. The morningstar banged against Arthdanes armor, but did not have the force to penetrate.

attack AC16: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (3) + 10 = 131d8 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7

Initiative Tracker Bold May Go

9-Nycholas
9-Ratel
9-Arthdane
9-Arcannus
4-Grulk
4-Edeldhur

[spoiler=Rd 3]
Arcanus Julum AC:17(T:11/FF:13) CMD:12 HP:10/10 Saves-FO:+1 RE:+3 WL: +3
Bard (archaeologist) (Irori) Male Human (taldane) Defenses: None H.P.1
Enc:C59.5/L0-43/M44-86/H87-130 Water: Waterskin Food Trail rations (5) ammunition: None
Expendables: None

Arthdane Sarkanaroka AC:16(T:12/FF:14) CMD:15 HP:9/10 Saves-FO:+4 RE:+3 WL:+5
1st Cleric(Herald Caller, Cayden) M Human Low Light Vision H.P.: 1
ENC:C:TBD/L<58/M59-116/H117-175 Water:Waterskin+2more+create water Food:5days+10days Sling Bullets-20+20
Expendables: Healer's Kit-10/10

Arthdane's Mule AC:11(T:11/FF:10) CMD:13 (17 vs trip) HP:13/13 Saves-FO:+5 RE:+4 WL:+0
Mule, Low Light Vision, Scent H.P.: n/a
ENC:C:162/L<100/M101-200/H201-300 Water: 2 Waterskin Food:10days Sling Bullets-20
Expendables: Healer's Kit-10/10

Edeldhur Beltharan AC:14(T:13/FF:11)CMD:17 HP:8/8 Saves-FO:+3 RE:+3 WL:+3
1st Wizard (Evoker/Admixture) M Elf (Taldan) +2 vs. enchantments, Immune to Sleep HP:3
ENC:C34.72/L<38/M38-76/H76-115 Water: Waterskin Food: 5days Noammo
Expendables: 1 vial of Acid, marbles

Arzo AC:15(T:14/FF:13)CMD:6 HP:4/4 Saves-FO:+2 RE:+4 WL:+3
1st Familiar Tiny Magical Beast M Rat Defenses: Improved Evasion. Scent within 15'
Enc:C???/L???/M???/H??? Water:n/a Food:n/a ammunition:n/a

Nycholas Hyll AC:18(T:10/FF:18)CMD:15 HP:9/12 Saves-FO:04 RE:00 WL:02
1st Fighter (Weapon Master) Male Human Defenses: HeroPoints:1
Enc:C 116/L 116/M 233/H 350 Water: 2 Gal (1 Day) Food 4 days
Expendables:

Ratel Dier AC:17/19 (w/shield) rageAC:4/17(T:12/FF:15/17)CMD:17 HP:15/15 Saves-FO:+4 RE:+2 WL:+1
1st Bloodrager (spell eater) M Human(Kellid) 1 per day ignore effect causing fatigue HP:1
ENC:C125/L<100/M101-200/H201-300 Water:2days Food:5days bullets: 10
Expendables: N/A

vs

Grulk AC:18(T-13/FF-15)CMD:21 HP:18/32 Saves-FO:+4 RE:+9 WL:+3
2nd Ranger Bugbear M

Nobody block my 5' step backwards please... Also, What are the red lines and boxes drawn on the map?

the furniture I described in the text. Bed side table archery targets.

Edeldhur followed the others upstairs, but unable to see their attacker, he again prepared to cast as soon as he would be able to see him.

I think I moved as far as possible, so will ready to cast an Acid Splash. I feel like I am repeating my actions a lot, but hey... Lvl1 wizard and all :)

Acid Splash, Ranged Touch Attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18
Damage if it hits: 1d3 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 + 1 = 5

Edeldhur hurried up the stairs and past Nycholas, moving forward among the archery targets, looking for any glimpse of the enemy. He could make out Arthdanes feet shifting and his back a little, past the glowing green central spire, but of the leader of the goblins, there was no sight to target his magic. Arzo stood up in his satchel looking keenly as well, his whiskers wiggling.

Initiative Tracker Bold May Go

9-Nycholas
9-Ratel
9-Arthdane
9-Arcannus
4-Grulk
4-Edeldhur

Arthane steps back from the bugbear, buying himself room to stab again with his spear... As he does so, he says "Mob him, he's alone!"

5' step
standard action - attack bugbear

To Hit: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13
+3 str
Damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12
+4 Str*1.5

The young bard hears the cleric's call to attack, skirting the bwall to advance toward the goblinoid.
Longsword: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 1 = 12
Dmg.: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

I was waiting for Nycholas, but he won't be able to move (20 ft,) and attack, so unless he double moves, I don't believe he will block Ratel's action. Since Arcannus goes after Arthdane and Ratel, he will not be providing soft cover for Grulk.

Seeing the others move across the room, Ratel calls out, "Don't trip on the shield." He then steps to the right, waiting for Arthdane to step back, and lifting his bardiche chops at the bugbear. Striking true, he mutters, "That's for shooting at us on the stairs."

5 ft step, delays for Arthdane to step back Attack Bardiche, PA
attack: 1d20 + 5 - 1 ⇒ (14) + 5 - 1 = 18 for damage: 1d10 + 6 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 6 + 3 = 19

Nycholas moves in last, ducking under the polearms of his companions and obliterates whats left of the bugbear with a might slash of his greatsword.

Well, I'm fairly certain it's dead.
Greatsword (Power Arrack, Combat Expertise): 1d20 + 5 - 1 - 1 ⇒ (19) + 5 - 1 - 1 = 22
Crit Confirm: 1d20 + 5 - 1 - 1 ⇒ (17) + 5 - 1 - 1 = 20
S Damage: 4d6 + 16 ⇒ (1, 4, 6, 1) + 16 = 28

It doesnt take long between Ratel and Nycholas to take down the remaining threat in the fort. The Bugbear goes down and the group looks at each other realizing they have learned quite a bit on this assault.

Looking over the Bugbear they find he has leather armor, a bow only usable by stronger archers. Composite Longbow +2, a morningstar, a magical ring, 4 garnets valued at 50gold each and 150 gold in coins.

everyone has gained enough experience for 2nd level. You can start working on that. what would you like to do next?

Kicking the bow away from the fallen bugbear Ratel holds his bardiche at the ready waiting to see if the thing moves. After a moment he nods, and leans the bardiche up against the wall, gesturing towards the side table and the bed. "Should we check to see if he has anything hidden under the bed?"

Turning, he picks up the bow and tests the draw on it. "I'll give him credit he was strong." Smiling, Probably not as strong as me.' Extending the bow out to see if anyone wanted to test it, he asks, "Anyone want to give it a go?"

Second level coming up :)