GM Michael's Emerald Spire

Game Master Dread

Nycholas grips up on his greatsword. "Sounds good to me."

As the party organizes itself for the assault, Arthdane mutters blessings.

Casts Guidance on myself, Nycholas, Ratel and Arcanus.

Also, Arcanus, you might want to check if the door is locked or not...
Otherwise this could turn into a Monty Python skit.

Checking the lock and the door, Arcannus finds nothing unusual and it is not locked. He opens the door to see the room as described by Arthdane.

Walking into the room, his bardiche at the ready, Ratel points at the body parts with his illuminated weapon, "It looks like someone was trying to attack spider parts to humans to make undead of some sort." Watching to see if anything moves so he can chop at it with his bardiche.

20 ft into the room, Readied Attack Bardiche, PA
attack: 1d20 + 6 - 1 ⇒ (1) + 6 - 1 = 6 for damage: 1d10 + 6 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 6 + 3 = 15
hmmm, he might miss

Ratel moved in the room and turned to look at the bench. As he stepped on a flagstone, he heard an audible click and a cage descended quickly from the ceiling with two leather harnesses holding two skeletons inside of it. Ratel quickly tried to get out of the area, and the cages slammed into his shoulder as he jumped to avoid being stuck inside.

As the cage struck the floor, the two skeletons wriggled out of their harnesses and reached through the bars for Ratel. He pulled back away from both, avoiding their reaching arms.

attack with cage vs AC17: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (20) + 15 = 352d6 ⇒ (4, 3) = 7

Reflex save DC14: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18

attack Ratel vs AC17: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 71d4 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 61d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 161d4 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

Initiative Tracker Bold May Go
26-Skeletons (x2)
17-Edeldhur
17-Arcannus
16-Ratel
16-Nycholas
7-Arthdane

Just to be clear here, GMMichael, the skeletons are stuck inside the cage, and Ratel is not with them... IF that's true, that's a job for reach weapons folks. No need to be in strike distance for the skeletons.

yes. The skeletons are inside the cage. stuck? well that remains to be seen.

Arcanus quickly enters the room, holding his lit longsword up high.
"Ratel, you alright?" Looking up, the bard added, "So this made all that racket?!"

Arthdane's swift feet carry him into the room and outside the grasp of the skeletons in the cage. He lunges at one of the animate bonepiles with his spear...

Move Action - move 40' following the beige path on the map should allow him to avoid all AoO's
Standard Action - attack the closest skeleton with his longspear.

To Hit: 1d20 + 1 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 + 3 + 1 = 13
1 bab +3 str +1 guidance
Damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11
+4 = 1.5*str

Hey GMichael, nicely written post!

Hearing the noise in time to get out from inside of the trap, Ratel doesn't move fast enough to keep the trap from hitting his shoulder as he tries to get out of the way. Fortunately as the trap knocked him down, it knocked him out of the reach of the two skeletons as well. Gingerly shifting his shoulders, he calls across he cage. "I think I broke something." Breathing a sigh, he steps back regripping his bardiche, thrusting it at the skeleton nearest him, hitting the cage instead.

5 ft step Attack Bardiche, PA
attack: 1d20 + 6 - 1 ⇒ (5) + 6 - 1 = 10 for damage: 1d10 + 6 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 6 + 3 = 10

Taking a step forward, Edeldhur targets one of the undead with a blob of acid.

Acid Splash, ranged touch: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7
Damage if it hits: 1d3 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 + 1 = 3

"What a stupid, overlycomplicated trap!"

Readied (Power Attack: 1d20 + 6 - 1 ⇒ (5) + 6 - 1 = 10
S Damage: 2d6 + 9 ⇒ (6, 5) + 9 = 20
Move closer. Ready action to attack if one gets free of the cage and moves close to Nycholas.

Edeldhur was the first to react, moving forward a bit and tossing a ball of acid at one of the skeletons. It hit a bar on the cage and sizzled weakening the metal.

Arcanus moved over next to the wall and looked at the cage and the skeletons asking if Ratel was alright.

Ratel responded by stepping backward and saying he think he broke something as he swung the bardiche at the reaching arms. A pain in his shoulder that made him wince and pull short his strike.

Nycholas stpped into the doorway and planted himself ready should one get through the bars and reach for him.

Arthdane stpped over next to Arcanus and thrust his longspear through the bars, and through the ribcage, missing a skeleton.

the two skeletons were reaching for Ratel when they realized they couldnt get him, they looked at each other and both grabbed a bar of the cage next to each other, pulling it to try and get an opening for them to get through. the skeleton to the right failed to open the bars wide enough, but the one to the left grabbed the one that the metal had weakened on from the acid ball and pulled hard bending it.....

str check aid another DC10: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8
str check to bend bars DC20: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21

take an attack of opportunity Ratel and Arthdane

Initiative Tracker Bold May Go
26-Skeletons (x2)
17-Edeldhur
17-Arcannus
16-Ratel
16-Nycholas
7-Arthdane

His eyes widening, Ratel watches in disbelief as the skeleton bends the bars and begins to step through, lifting his bardiche again, he chops at it.

AOO: 1d20 + 6 - 1 ⇒ (7) + 6 - 1 = 12 for damage: 1d10 + 6 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 6 + 3 = 10

"Sh!t, they're breaking out!" exclaims Arthdane as he stabs at the skeletons...

To Hit, AoO: 1d20 + 1 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 1 + 3 = 5
1 bab +3 str
Damage, AoO: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8
+4 = 1.5*str

Ok, this is getting bad. The party has thrown 6 attacks in the fight so far, and not rolled higher than an 8...

Arthdane clenches his teeth and moves to flank a skeleton with Ratel. He stabs grimly at the skeleton:

Move Action - move 15'
Standard Action - attack the skeleton

To Hit: 1d20 + 1 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 1 + 3 + 2 = 12
1 bab +3 str +2 flanking
Damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11
+4 = 1.5*str

Edit: And that makes 7...

Arcanus approaches the cages and tries to stab the skeletons with his longsword.
Longsword: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17
Dmg.: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9

Luck turns in the parties favor! Nycholas', perhaps inspired by Arcanus' successful strike, obliterates one of the skeletons despite its bones resisting the blade of his greatsword.

Map won't load for me right now, Move and Attack one of em skeles'.
Readied (Power Attack, Combat Expertise): 1d20 + 6 - 1 - 1 ⇒ (15) + 6 - 1 - 1 = 19
S Damage: 2d6 + 9 ⇒ (1, 4) + 9 = 14

"Blast" His shoulder throbbing, Ratel curses as he misses the skeleton pulling at the bars. Shifting his feet he thrusts the bardiche at the creature again and again strikes the metal bar. "Blast!" Cursing again, he steps back waiting for the undead to come at him.

Attack: Bardiche, PA. 5 ft step back
Attack: 1d20 + 6 - 1 ⇒ (2) + 6 - 1 = 7 for damage: 1d10 + 6 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 6 + 3 = 14
should I roll an AOO in case it comes near?
AOO: 1d20 + 6 - 1 ⇒ (11) + 6 - 1 = 16 for damage: 1d10 + 6 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 6 + 3 = 10

Edeldhur ponders if he should use more powerful magic, but is hesitant as a burst of flame could destroy most of the contents of the room. Very curious about the research which was taking place here, he opts for a simpler spell.

Acid Splash, ranged touch: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22
Damage if it hits: 1d3 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 + 1 = 3

I am assuming these are just 'regular' skeletons - has anyone rolled knowledge for them yet? If not:

Reigion (untrained): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23

Edeldhur aimed another acid ball at the one he had tried to hit before, and this time it struck the skeleton in the hip burning into the bone. He then pondered what he knew of skeletons and comparing that to these. they did seem a bit abnormal.

Arcanus then stepped forward and slices his longsword between bars striking at the shoulder of the same skeleton. He hit hard, but the difficulty of finding a weakness in a skeletons bony structure proved to reduce what damage he could do.

Ratel swung at the same one, his bardiche glancing off the bars, he then stepped backwards putting his back to the wall and giving himself some space should tit come out of its cage.

Nycholas growled at his failed attacks and moved in swinging his greatsword accurately through the bars slamming into the creatures spine and snapping it. The bones clattered to the floor.

Arthdane stepped to the side and pushed the longspear through the bars, and once again it slide harmlessly past the bones.

The remaining skeleton squeezed between the bars stepping next to Arcanus and turned his attention on the bard, reaching out with both bone white hands. He avoided both of the reaching arms with deftness.

attacks vs AC14: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 41d4 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 61d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 81d4 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

From the spire arcs of green energy jolted out to touch the inlays on the skeleton laying on the floor of the cage and it vanished from sight.

Initiative Tracker Bold May Go
26-Skeleton
17-Edeldhur
17-Arcannus
16-Ratel
16-Nycholas
7-Arthdane

Arthdane smiles as bone shatters under Nycholas's blade, and then his eyes go wide as arcane strangeness happens!

what's this green energy arcing about and making skeletons vanish?
Spellcraft: 1d20 + 2 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 2 + 3 = 19
2 ranks +3 trained

Still, there is business to be about, he steps forward and lunges past Arcanus at the remaining skeleton...

5' step
Standard action - attack Skeleton

To Hit: 1d20 + 1 + 3 + 2 - 4 ⇒ (7) + 1 + 3 + 2 - 4 = 9
1 bab +3 str +2 flanking -4 cover (Arcanus)
Damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12
+4 = 1.5*str

Smiling to himself, Ratel realized the skeleton was intelligent enough to be cautious. Shrugging his shoulders, he would end the thing one way or another. Lifting the bardiche high he chopped at the undead thing, hoping he didn't hit the cage again. He was already going to have to take a stone to the blade. Striking the things shoulder, he jerked the blade loose from the broken collar bone waiting to see if it ended he thing, before he took another step back.

Attack: Bardiche, PA. 5 ft step back
Attack: 1d20 + 6 - 1 ⇒ (11) + 6 - 1 = 16 for damage: 1d10 + 6 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 6 + 3 = 15

Keep posting please for the round. bwahahahah

... bwahahahah

Well, that's a bad sign...

"Amazing..."

Edeldhur likes the green arcing energy - what is it?: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (10) + 10 = 20

Acid Splash on skeleton, ranged touch: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12
Damage if it hits: 1d3 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 + 1 = 4

Arcanus grits his teeth at the undead. "Get back!"
Longsword: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20
Dmg.: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

"Hmm." Nycholas grumbles. "Why put them in a cage? That makes them less effective."

Pass turn I guess, as far as Nycholas is concerned, they are dead...

Edeldhur sees the green spire energy and his eyes light up with glee at seeing something new. Obviously the energy did something to the body and was drawn to the emerald inlays when the creature list it's necromantic touch to unlife but what exactly the energy did, he was unsure of. He tossed another Acid ball and it struck the remaining skeleton, who also collapsed.

Arcannus was just preparing to swing his longsword when the acid dropped the pile of bones and he slowly lowered his sword and looked around.

Ratel pushes the pile of bones with his bardiche for good measure and glances at the spire expectantly.

Nycholas put his great sword on his shoulder and wonders about the cage.

Arthdane held his longspear at the ready.

Just as before green bolts of magical energy shot out and the remains of the Skelton vanished once the inlays we're touched.

Then in a shimmering of green light the first skeleton was back, completely repaired.

Initiative Tracker Bold May Go
26-Skeleton
17--Edeldhur
17-Arcannus
16-Ratel
16-Nycholas
7-Arthdane

Arthdane observes "This could be a problem", as he rushes around the cage (to get a better angle to attack the reappearing skeleton). He lunges again with his longspear...

Move action - 40' move
Standard action - attack Skeleton

To Hit: 1d20 + 1 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 1 + 3 + 2 = 9
1 bab +3 str +2 flanking
Damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11
+4 = 1.5*str

If these keep reappearing, we're going to have to figure out how to retreat from here...

His eyes widening as the skeleton seems to reassemble itself, Ratel trying to stay calm asks, "Who is it doing that!" Lifting his bardiche he then chops at the skeleton again. But in his fright hits the cage again.

Attack: Bardiche, PA.
Attack: 1d20 + 6 - 1 ⇒ (1) + 6 - 1 = 6 for damage: 1d10 + 6 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 6 + 3 = 14

Luck turns again, this time against the party, as the reanimated skeletons become too spooky to strike! Nycholas looks around the room for any clues to stop the skeletons.

Greatsword (Power Attack): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12
Perception (Is there anything else in the room besides the spire, the spider-folk corpses, and the mean skeles?: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 1 = 16

Edeldhur lobs another acid blob at the remaining skeleton - "I am unable to understand the power of this green energy" - he explained to his companions.

Acid Splash on skeleton, ranged touch: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16
Damage if it hits: 1d3 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 + 1 = 5