GM Erich's 5-23 Cairn of Shadows (Tier 5-9) (Inactive)

Game Master Thereus, Silver Crusader

Paxal will delay until he can be last one through the door.

Just bumping this thread. It has been quiet in here for a combat round. :)

Igor hastens the group he can see and Malik takes off into the chain forest. The sounds of the links clinking fade with every bold step he takes. Notos moves out and defends herself with her own menagerie of mirrored likenesses.

Stepping into the chains you can barely see ahead but realize there are chain draped warriors standing ready to fight among the countless strands of metal. new pic

The chanting continues unabated in the distance.

Round 1 - Bold is up - Haste is up for all (except T.P.)
Red
Tiny Pebble <mage armor, shield, expeditious retreat, clay skin, total cover>
Purple
Igor <fly, mage armor, see invisibility, false life 13, shield, invisible, mirror image 3>
Malik <Still have an action left>
Notos <mirror image 5>
Elbe -3 damage
Yellow
Orange
Zzorn <antitoxin, antiplague, bear's endurance, armored vigor>
Paxal

Haste is up, which means Malik still has an action left if he wants. Elbe is up before my guys.

Elbe disappears into the chain jungle as well. Igor senses more are closing in.

Round 1 - Bold is up - Haste is up for all (except T.P.)
Red
Tiny Pebble <mage armor, shield, expeditious retreat, clay skin, total cover>
Purple
Igor <fly, mage armor, see invisibility, false life 13, shield, invisible, mirror image 3>
Malik <Still have an action left>
Notos <mirror image 5>
Elbe -3 damage
Yellow
Orange
Zzorn <antitoxin, antiplague, bear's endurance, armored vigor>
Paxal

Yellow and Orange may have done something, but I will update their positions on T.P.s turn as he is the only one with a precise sense of where they are now.

Single move at Speed 70 ft. i.e. 14 squares, counting double towards the west; Standard action to throw a spear at Red.

Zzorn advances towards the chanting following Elbe and upon seeing the chain-draped warrior, launches a spear at it.

20% miss chance; 01-20 is a MISS: 1d100 ⇒ 48
spear toss, haste: 1d20 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 8 + 1 = 17
piercing dmg: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

With a sudden burst of speed from the haste effect, Paxal zips into the main chamber while slinging his bow from his back. He pushes forward through the resisting chains.
Getting in a spot past Malik, he can see a chain-warrior not too far away. He nocks an arrow, and with zen precision, lets it loose. The arrow skims past chains and through links towards its target.
+1 adaptive comp. longbow, haste, PBS: 1d20 + 10 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 10 + 1 + 1 = 30
cold-iron arrow & PBS: 1d8 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 3 + 1 = 5
(no miss chance as long as Paxal is within 30 ft of a target.)
What are these strange creatures? Demons? Devils?

After a long wait, Zzorn moves forward far enough to toss his spear into the chain curtains. Paxal strides in as well and hits the being in the chest. Remarkably, the arrow seems not to penetrate into her skin.

She laughs at the ineptness and glides back across the bridge as easily as a shark in water.

Tiny Pebble can sense the enemy close above, but their movements are confounding.

Round 1 - Bold is up - Haste is up for all (except T.P.)
Red
Tiny Pebble <mage armor, shield, expeditious retreat, clay skin, total cover>
Purple
Igor <fly, mage armor, see invisibility, false life 13, shield, invisible, mirror image 3>
Malik
Notos <mirror image 5>
Elbe -3 damage
Yellow
Orange
Zzorn <antitoxin, antiplague, bear's endurance, armored vigor>
Paxal

Paxal's raises an eyebrow in surprise as the arrow bounces off the chain-warrior.
Immune to my arrows? What kind of foul deviltry is this!?!

"Arrows AND spears! there's a tough peel on that orange I'd say!"

Indeed!
Paxal agrees.
This one's going to be a hard nut to crack!
He nods his chin in the chain-warrior's direction.

"Fear not! sometimes you've got to crack a few eggs to make an omelette!! you'll find the right arrow for the job I'm sure!" replies Zzorn, proud to be able to continue the food analogies...

Aye! Yet, these arrows aren't cutting the mustard. Archery is my bread 'n' butter!
Paxal throws a hearty chuckle at Zzorn.

I hope you two enjoy your punfest while these creatures eat us for lunch!

Notos scowls at Zzorn and Paxal.

Paxal gives the "Oh, crap!" look at Zzorn.
"Always gotta walk on egg shells around this one."
He grins and does the eye glance thing in Notos' direction.

"No need to cry over spilt milk, Notos. I realize we're in a pickle here."
He shoves back at the chains swinging against him.
"Let's focus and toast these meat bags!"

Quietly, back to Paxal, "...and I thought we brought her to inspire courage! now she's talking about lunch? man I'm so hungry..."

Tiny Pebble glides underneath the ground and into a wall closer to Yellow protruding slightly so as to be able to attack. He tries to remember what his master has taught him about extra-planar beings.

K-Planes: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20

He calls out to Igor in Terran before attempting to slug one (Yellow).

Slam,Earth Mastery,Power Attack: 1d20 + 7 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (7) + 7 + 1 - 1 = 14

Damage,Earth Mastery,Power Attack: 1d6 + 4 + 1 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 4 + 1 + 3 = 13

T.P. should have cover again from the wall. His current AC does not include a cover bonus.

@GM Erich - Now that the creatures have been identified can others roll their knowledge checks without being within 30 feet of the creatures?

Quietly, back to Paxal, "...and I thought we brought her to inspire courage! now she's talking about lunch? man I'm so hungry..."

"Inspire Appetite for Destruction, my good man."

@Igor Yes, you may.

Tiny P reaches out from the wall but only smacks a handful of chains. The chanting rate across the bridge starts to slow, but now intermingled with the familiar sounds of spellcasting.

Round 2 - Bold is up - Haste is up for all (except T.P.)
Red
Tiny Pebble <mage armor, shield, expeditious retreat, clay skin, total cover>
Purple
Igor <fly, mage armor, see invisibility, false life 13, shield, invisible, mirror image 3>
Malik
Notos <mirror image 5>
Elbe -3 damage
Yellow
Orange
Zzorn <antitoxin, antiplague, bear's endurance, armored vigor>
Paxal

You can tell there is combat going on over by the earth elemental, but the other creature (orange) is hidden for now.

Notos moves closer to her allies and tries to remember important facts about these enemies.

Knowledge (Planes): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (18) + 10 = 28

Special Defenses, please

With her other action, she starts a Bardic Performance using Perform (Oratory) to Inspire Courage for +2 attack and damage.

@Notos Silver or good weapons get past their DR

Igor beams proudly as his familiar is able to successfully identify the creature. In the heat of combat he is not able to recall any other useful facts despite his vastly superior knowledge of the subject.

K-Planes: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (2) + 15 = 17

Igor curses as he pushes himself past the filthy chains. He decides to walk and not fly not wishing to ensnare himself in the chains.
Igor lets loose a trio of magic missiles at yellow hoping they will be effective. He then stands next to Zzorn as his own glowing dagger adds light to the room.

Magic Missile,Intense Spell: 3d4 + 3 + 3 ⇒ (1, 1, 4) + 3 + 3 = 12

With Igor's low light vision he can see twice as far despite the light being dimmed so he should be able to see yellow just fine. :)

Igor lets his missiles fly and Notos starts a chant of her own.

Round 2 - Bold is up - Haste and Inspire Courage +2/+2 are up for all
Red
Tiny Pebble <mage armor, shield, expeditious retreat, clay skin, cover, no haste>
Purple
Igor <fly, mage armor, see invisibility, false life 13, shield, invisible, mirror image 3>
Notos <mirror image 5>
Malik
Elbe -3 damage
Yellow -12 damage
Orange
Zzorn <antitoxin, antiplague, bear's endurance, armored vigor>
Paxal

Looks like the forum ate my post yesteday. Let's try again, then.

Malik moves towards the nearest creature. As he moves, an ice shard forms in his hand, and the half orc swings it at the figure in an attempt to strike.

Sorry, my page didn't show any new posts from this group. Just the way the cookie crumbles, I guess.

Elby forces her way through the chains to get close enough to Yellow to bring her hammer down upon it.

+1 Lucerne Hammer, Power Attack: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (20) + 15 = 35
Bludgeoning Damage: 1d12 + 16 ⇒ (8) + 16 = 24

+1 Lucerne Hammer, Power Attack, Critical Confirmation: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (7) + 15 = 22
Bludgeoning Damage, Critical: 1d12 + 16 ⇒ (11) + 16 = 27

It looks like one of my posts is missing as well.

Did Elby take her +2s from the Bardic Performance? I don't see it in the calculation, but not everyone breaks it out.

They resist damage from weapons that are not Silver or aligned in support of Good. Use that if you can, so we can get through those crunchy shells.

"I find everything crunches well enough for me regardless."

Did not include bardsong, so that's 24 to confirm and either 26 or 55 damage depending on whether or not I did.

Right remember to include Haste bonuses as well. +1 to hit and an additional attack on a full attack. Plus increased speed, +1 AC and +1 Reflex save. :)

The chain slave barely dodges Malik's kinetic blade but cannot repeat the feat against Elbe's powerful swing through the chains which crushes the life from her.

As the battle fades there, another chain slave slinks through the chains from the south to surprise Paxal with a quick wrap of her spiked chain length, but it doesn't fully connect.

orange chain slave attack vs Paxal flat footed: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 161d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
orange chain slave grab vs Paxal: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (3) + 15 = 181d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

Round 2 - Bold is up - Haste and Inspire Courage +2/+2 are up for all
Red
Tiny Pebble <mage armor, shield, expeditious retreat, clay skin, cover, no haste>
Purple
Igor <fly, mage armor, see invisibility, false life 13, shield, invisible, mirror image 3>
Notos <mirror image 5>
Malik
Elbe -3 damage
Yellow -62 damage <dead>
Orange
Zzorn <antitoxin, antiplague, bear's endurance, armored vigor>
Paxal -2 damage

"LIE DOWN!" yells Zzorn at the newly arrived creature. Nothing makes sense when the warrior lets his RAGE take over! (his well-shaven face even grows a 5 O'clock shadow immediately...)

The warrior then lowers his shoulder down behind his shield and attempts to tackle the chain creature threatening Paxal! Trying to take advantage of its stunned reaction, he then jumps and stomps it into the stony ground with his hard riding boots!

Free: Rage, Move action to move 2 squares south, Standard: Breaker Rush (Improved Bull Rush), Free: if Breaker Rush is successful, Breaker Momentum (Improved Overrun)

Breaker Rush, Improved Bull Rush, Haste, IC: 1d20 + 14 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 14 + 1 + 2 = 29 vs. CMD
Success: bludgeoning dmg, IC: 10 + 2 = 12 + Breaker Momentum (see below)

Breaker Momentum, Improved Overrun, Haste, IC: 1d20 + 14 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 14 + 1 + 2 = 36 vs. CMD
Success: bludgeoning dmg, IC: 10 + 2 = 12 and Zzorn moves through its square (target may not chose to avoid Zzorn)
Success Exceeds CMD by 5 or more: see 'Success' above and target is also prone

Map updated with the assumption the above maneuvers worked

Surprised by the lashing chain, Paxal shrugs off the minor wound as Zzorn comes storming through and tramples the chain slave.

Looks like you got this taken care of, Zzorn.
Paxal nods at his Ulfen companion before moving away.

Paxal makes his way through the forest of chains towards the bridge. He stops at the edge and looks for any hiding chain-slaves.
Perception: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (1) + 13 = 14

That was only a single move. If Paxal sees any enemies within 30 ft of him as he moves, he'll take a shot.

Zzorn bursts through the chain curtains and levels the chain slave. She makes a half-hearted attempt at Paxal as he slips away.

Paxal gets a shot at red from his position. If red survives, she will disappear into the chains as the arrow shows.

orange chain slave AOO vs Paxal: 1d20 + 8 - 4 ⇒ (2) + 8 - 4 = 61d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6
red stealth: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (1) + 12 = 13

Round 3 - Bold is up - Haste and Inspire Courage +2/+2 are up for all
Red
Tiny Pebble <mage armor, shield, expeditious retreat, clay skin, cover, no haste>
Purple
Igor <fly, mage armor, see invisibility, false life 13, shield, invisible, mirror image 3>
Notos <mirror image 5>
Malik
Elbe -3 damage
Yellow -62 damage <dead>
Orange -24 damage <prone>
Zzorn <antitoxin, antiplague, bear's endurance, armored vigor>
Paxal -2 damage

Moving to the edge of the bridge, Paxal spots movement through the chains to the west.
So, the meat and potatoes is to use silver weapons, right?
He uses his thin tail to draw a silver arrow from his quiver, nocks it, and takes careful aim before letting the arrow loose.
+1 adaptive comp. longbow (deadly aim, haste, IC & PBS): 1d20 + 10 - 2 + 1 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 10 - 2 + 1 + 2 + 1 = 29

silver arrow (DA, IC, & PBS): 1d8 + 3 + 4 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 3 + 4 + 2 + 1 = 11

Tiny Pebble slides back underneath the ground and glides underneath the surface of the floor towards another Chain Slave. His movements suggest that he enjoys being immersed in his element much more than the possibility of slamming his opponents.

(Double Move - Earth Glide)

Playing Hide and Seek with a familiar is fun. :)

Paxal sticks the arrow in the retreating foe, but she quickly disappears from view.

There is the sound of further spellcasting as a man in gaudy clothes steps forward from the chains with confidence, rapier drawn and eyeing the archer. Inky swirls of darkness dance around his form and he seems quite blurry as well.

Round 3 - Bold is up - Haste and Inspire Courage +2/+2 are up for all
Red -11 damage
Tiny Pebble <mage armor, shield, expeditious retreat, clay skin, total cover, no haste>
Purple
Igor <fly, mage armor, see invisibility, false life 13, shield, invisible, mirror image 3>
Notos <mirror image 5>
Malik
Elbe -3 damage
Yellow -62 damage <dead>
Orange -24 damage <prone>
Zzorn <antitoxin, antiplague, bear's endurance, armored vigor>
Paxal -2 damage

"We can't get bogged down fighting minions," Elby calls out as she stomps towards the sound from the other room. When another foe finally comes into sight, she adds, "Your torture is at an end. Surrender!"

Elby pushes her way through the chains

Double move even hasted, thanks to chains and armor, plus smite. She has a bite attack if Purple provokes, but hopes he 5-foot steps away (and can 5-foot away even if he doesn't, since he'll be moving east.

Elby, try to stay together.

Move to the edge of the stream of gunk, next to the bridge and 30 feet from the new combatant.

He looks human, so trying a Knowledge (Local) to see if I know anything about him?

Knowledge (Local): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 27

He seems to have a number of possible spell effects going, can I identify any if them with Spellcraft?

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (7) + 10 = 17

Lastly, let's see how his saves are.

I assume you are the one in charge here, and I want to let know wnow you have created a really disturbing place to visit.

She casts Ear-Piercing Scream at him.

2d6 Sonic Damage and Dazed 1 round- DC 15 Fortitude save to negate Daze and half damage: 2d6 ⇒ (1, 2) = 3

Round 1 of Lingering Performance

Malik hastily walks up to the cough shady cough man, a spear of ice already forming in his hand as he moves in. He goes for a strike and tosses the thing towards the man covered in shadows.

"You heard the nice lady. Kneel down."

Fair enough. Moving west is difficult, so I will walk into 10 ft distance from him and do a an empowered ranged blast instead.

@Malik - I don't think that you can make it all the way there is one round with the chains even with the haste up. Maybe redirect that attack to Orange instead? It seems a shame to waste that roll. :)

Igor moves up and unloads three bolts of force at the gaudy clad warrior (Purple).

Magic Missile, Intense Spells: 3d4 + 3 + 3 ⇒ (1, 2, 2) + 3 + 3 = 11

@Notos He looks Chelaxian and you can't figure out any of his spells in place with Knowledge Arcana.

Igor trudges forward - blasting the man with a spray of missiles that dissipate harmlessly against his abjuring shield. Notos balances on the edge of the black tar and casts her scream, which seems to startle him easily.

As Malik and Elbe cross the bridge, the chains snarl and wrap around them even more forcefully.

Malik finishes with a powerful blast that somehow misses the still grinning man. The chain slave at Zzorn's feet lashes out but he hops over the arcing chains.

@Malik and Elbe I need DC 15 reflex saves or take Malik: 1d8 ⇒ 7 and Elbe: 1d8 ⇒ 5 damage. So that's what that "T" was for!

purple fort save vs scream: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7 Boo!!!
blur vs kinetic blast: 1d100 ⇒ 2 Whew!!!
orange chain slave attack vs Zzorn: 1d20 + 6 - 4 ⇒ (2) + 6 - 4 = 41d8 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13
orange chain slave attack vs Zzorn: 1d20 + 6 - 4 ⇒ (16) + 6 - 4 = 181d8 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6

Round 3 - Bold is up - Haste and Inspire Courage +2/+2 are up for all
Red -13 damage
Tiny Pebble <mage armor, shield, expeditious retreat, clay skin, total cover, no haste>
Purple -3 damage <dazed>
Igor <fly, mage armor, see invisibility, false life 13, shield, mirror image 3>
Notos <mirror image 5>
Malik <Need reflex save vs chain damage>
Elbe -3 damage <Need reflex save vs chain damage>
Yellow -62 damage <dead>
Orange -24 damage <prone>
Zzorn <antitoxin, antiplague, bear's endurance, armored vigor>
Paxal -2 damage

@GM Erich - Do we know where Red is? I see you have her off the map.

Damn racist chains always bringing us half orcs down, amirite?

Reflex: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (6) + 10 = 16

Is that half damage or fully negated?

@TP red is hidden for now, even from the Pebble, you do know he headed for the door.
@Malik damage is totally negated

Reflex DC 15: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17

"Your chains will not save you now. Only repentance will!"

Zzorn drops the torch on the ground and draws his falchion from his back sheath, bringing it down on the chain creature in one smooth motion.

Draw and attack

+1 Falchion, Rage, PA, vs. Prone, Haste, IC: 1d20 + 10 + 4 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 10 + 4 + 1 + 2 = 32
magic slashing dmg: 2d4 + 16 + 2 ⇒ (3, 3) + 16 + 2 = 24

@GM: what are the prevalent light conditions? is Purple in the dark right now?

Zzorn's falling blade is the last thing the chain slave sees.

Round 3 - Bold is up - Haste and Inspire Courage +2/+2 are up for all
Red -13 damage
Tiny Pebble <mage armor, shield, expeditious retreat, clay skin, total cover, no haste>
Purple -3 damage <dazed>
Igor <fly, mage armor, see invisibility, false life 13, shield, mirror image 3>
Notos <mirror image 5>
Malik
Elbe -3 damage
Yellow -62 damage <dead>
Orange -43 damage <unconscious>
Zzorn <antitoxin, antiplague, bear's endurance, armored vigor>
Paxal -2 damage

@Zzorn It is naturally dark here. The torches and dagger-light illuminate to half their normal ranges, but the chains themselves provide total concealment after 30 feet, even against darkvision. So yes, purple is in the dark, but can be seen by those with darkvision within 30 feet.

Paxal stays put at the edge of the bridge. With his darkvision and precise targeting, Paxal lets a flurry of mundane arrows fly at the inky and gaudy man.

+1 adaptive comp. longbow (deadly aim, haste, IC & PBS): 1d20 + 10 - 2 + 1 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 10 - 2 + 1 + 2 + 1 = 29
piercing (DA, IC, & PBS): 1d8 + 5 + 4 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 5 + 4 + 2 + 1 = 19
+1 adaptive comp. longbow (deadly aim, haste, IC & PBS): 1d20 + 10 - 2 + 1 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 10 - 2 + 1 + 2 + 1 = 28
piercing (DA, IC, & PBS): 1d8 + 5 + 4 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 5 + 4 + 2 + 1 = 14
+1 adaptive comp. longbow (deadly aim, haste, IC & PBS): 1d20 + 5 - 2 + 1 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 5 - 2 + 1 + 2 + 1 = 14
piercing: 1d8 + 5 + 4 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 5 + 4 + 2 + 1 = 17

@GM Erich - Not to be contrary but my character's vision should be good out to 30 feet (in these conditions as well) with his low light vision as well. Right?

@Igor Yes, low light extends the light circles out twice as far for you.

The zen archer pastes the stunned human with a duo of arrows.

The final chain slave swings in from above and lands at Elbe's feet. With a snap and flick of her chain-length she constricts the paladin and draws her close.

stealth: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (17) + 12 = 29
red chain slave attack vs Elbe flat footed: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 221d8 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8
red chain grab vs Elbe: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (19) + 13 = 321d8 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7

Round 4 - Bold is up - Haste and Inspire Courage +2/+2 are up for all
Red -13 damage <grappling>
Tiny Pebble <mage armor, shield, expeditious retreat, clay skin, total cover, no haste>
Purple -36 damage <dazed>
Igor <fly, mage armor, see invisibility, false life 13, shield, mirror image 3>
Notos <mirror image 5>
Malik
Elbe -18 damage <grappled>
Yellow -62 damage <dead>
Orange -43 damage <unconscious>
Zzorn <antitoxin, antiplague, bear's endurance, armored vigor>
Paxal -2 damage

Oops! Forgot extra shot for haste.
+1 adaptive comp. longbow (deadly aim, haste, IC & PBS): 1d20 + 10 - 2 + 1 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 10 - 2 + 1 + 2 + 1 = 14
piercing (DA, IC, & PBS): 1d8 + 5 + 4 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 5 + 4 + 2 + 1 = 18
Meh. Whatevs.

Tiny Pebble begins the long trek to get to the other side without taking the bridge. He glides through floor and wall.

(Double Move - Earth Glide)

T.P. would have really benefited from the Haste spell but I wanted all the players to have it up otherwise this battle would have been a real slow slog.