GM Dustin's #7–24: Dead Man's Debt (Inactive)

Game Master dwilhelmi

Since we're not in melee, can we take 10 on those checks?

yup!

[ooc]+10 Knowledge (History), so taking 10 gets her to 20.

Ilarien holds her staff up to better illuminate the artwork. "Interesting. I don't recognize the iconography of the original art, but the human figures appear to be heroes of the Age of Darkness: Old-Mage Jatembe and his Ten Magic Warriors. I expect the scholars at the Magaambya would want to know about this; their tradition holds that Old-Mage Jatembe founded the Magaambya. Give me a moment to sketch it." She takes paper, pen, and ink from her pack and does a quick drawing of the scene.

kn religion : 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24

The Samurai looks at the walls.

“I know that the older images contain iconography associated with Camazotz, the god of bats, blood, and nocturnal predators!!“

She looks around and continues to move forward.

“Please check for magic regularly and whatever is here must be evil and connected to Camazotz. Maybe this is the reason that the elves had to protect this area! Still a shame that there is so little in writing available… “ the Aphorite fighter says shaking her head.

"Well, there's writing, now," Essilor says, gesturing to Ilarien's paper.

He casts and maintains Detect Magic regularly as he wanders with the rest of the group down the tunnel.

"Looks like the good guys won the first time, but it seems like evil always wants another chance and is just waiting for people to stop paying attention."

I hope that Camazotz isn't one of those demon lords that can hear anyone speaking their name.... Ilarien follows the more martially-adept members of the party, renewing her light cantrip as needed.

Going to assume you all keep moving forward into the cavern. You detect no magic along the way.

A cool breeze flows through this large cavern from a ten-foot diameter hole near the center, carrying with it the metallic tang of blood. The floor and walls look to have been shaped long ago and stained with mineral deposits over time, but the ceiling fifty feet above remains in its natural state, covered with stalactites.

North of the hole is a crude stone altar formed of rock. Just past the altar to the north, a massive stalactite hangs from the ceiling and stops five feet from the floor. It has been carved into the shape of a gigantic bat, its wings outspread and its fangs exposed as if about to consume a victim below. Bloodstains cover the altar.

When you fully enter the cavern, you notice several things all at once. In the northwestern corner there is a bamboo cage in which there currently reside three Ekujae elves. Currently tied to the altar is another Ekujae elf, prepared for a sacrifice. One of the caged elves is calling out "Kaghaze, please, stop this madness! Why are you doing this?"

When she hears this, Fola's eyes widen with fear and surprise, and she whispers quickly "Kaghaze is one of ours! Our best scout. His disappearance was the first sign of these recent troubles..."

The altar radiates an evil magic that you can all feel deep in your bones. It is jarring enough to throw you off your normal combat moves. (While within 60ft of the altar, you take a -1 profane penalty on all attack rolls and saving throws). Reverberating through your skulls pierces a deep and evil sounding telepathic voice that calls out to you "Open your veins and give your lifeblood to The Hungry Dark!"

Ash alone notices a shadowy outline of a bat-like humanoid standing on top of the 20' tall ledge to the northeast, with a loaded longbow pointed straight at the party! He has but a second to react.

Surprise round!

Ilarien - Mage Armor
Devin
Bob
Essilor - Mage Armor
Ash
Sakura
Kaghaze
Zombies

The bold may act!

Reminders: it is a DC15 climb check to scale any of the ledges in the cavern, all of which are 20' up. You may not take 10 during combat. You can climb at 1/4 your normal speed, or at 1/2 your normal speed by choosing to take a -5 penalty before you roll. Failing the check by 4 or less means you make no progress. Failing the check by 5 or more means you fall.

As they enter the cave, Ash looks around for anything of interest when he hears the voices from the front. He moves quietly with the group until they reach the altar.

Once Ash notices the man, he takes out his shortbow, and points it towards batman over on the ledge. "Kaghaze, I don't know you, and you don't know me - but you better not force me to do something both of us might regret later."

Intimidation: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15

Since this is a surprise round, you get only one action, so you can't both draw your shortbow and attempt to intimidate. I'll take the drawing of the shortbow as your action. FWIW, attempting to use intimidate to avoid battle wouldn't have worked, at best you might have demoralized him, which you can always attempt again next round :)

Ash's entreaty to the crazed batman falls on deaf ears. Kaghaze lets out a little snarl and looses an arrow at Ash in response.

Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13

The fighter easily bats aside the flying arrow, which was coming in offcourse anyway.

A zombie comes charing out of the west in a surprisingly fast shuffle, and takes a swing at Ash as well.

Surprise round standard action only, so charing only up to his speed instead of double his speed.
Attack, charge: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 4 + 2 = 22
Damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

It has better luck than it's master, and successfully gets an unnaturally stiff blow in on his side.

Two more zombies shuffle forward as well, though from a greater distance, so they are not yet able to land a blow.

Combat round 1

Ilarien - Mage Armor
Devin
Bob
Essilor - Mage Armor
Ash
Sakura
Kaghaze
Zombies - red (-2AC from charge)

The bold may act!

Reminders: it is a DC15 climb check to scale any of the ledges in the cavern, all of which are 20' up. You may not take 10 during combat. You can climb at 1/4 your normal speed, or at 1/2 your normal speed by choosing to take a -5 penalty before you roll. Failing the check by 4 or less means you make no progress. Failing the check by 5 or more means you fall.

Sakura 5 ft steps forward and then Sakura strikes the zombie.

Adamantine Greatsword, pa -1: 1d20 + 8 - 1 ⇒ (10) + 8 - 1 = 172d6 + 6 + 3 ⇒ (6, 5) + 6 + 3 = 20

"You have to be destroyed." she says in a neutral tone.

Sakura is as good as her word, as her greatsword flashes forward and cuts the zombie clean in two! The legs stay standing for just a second as the torso falls to the ground, but quickly the magic that gives the unnatural thing life fails, and the legs fall lifeless to the ground as well.

Combat round 1

Ilarien - Mage Armor
Devin
Bob
Essilor - Mage Armor
Ash
Sakura
Kaghaze
Zombies - red (-2AC from charge)

The bold may act!

Reminders: it is a DC15 climb check to scale any of the ledges in the cavern, all of which are 20' up. You may not take 10 during combat. You can climb at 1/4 your normal speed, or at 1/2 your normal speed by choosing to take a -5 penalty before you roll. Failing the check by 4 or less means you make no progress. Failing the check by 5 or more means you fall.

Ilarien begins to cast a spell, sibilant syllables echoing strangely through the cavern.

Essilor moves up (likely foolishly) and taps into the darker side of his nature. His eyes become wider set and bulge noticeably. His nose sharpens and lengthens, his mouth grows wider and his teeth sharpen.

"You want blood? I'll give you blood!"

Then, he focuses up his psychic energy, channeling more of his mental power into his next spell.

Magic Missile against Batboy: 2d6 + 2 ⇒ (1, 4) + 2 = 7

Unleashing my Dark Half as a move action so my target takes 1 point of bleed damage after being damaged by my attack. I'm also spending a point from my phrenic pool to increase the damage on Magic Missile from d4's to d6's and I have the gifted adept trait which lets me treat Magic Missile as though I were one caster level higher, which is why I'm throwing out two missiles instead of one.

That seems like too many actions? You moved forward on the map (move action), unleashed your Dark Half (another move action?), and fired magic missile (standard action). Am I missing something? If not, how do you want to adjust?

Unleashing my Dark Half is a Swift and using my Phrenic Pool to amplify the damage is part of casting the spell. So move (move), unleash (swift), fire/use phrenic pool (standard.)

Essilor, in your post you said that unleashing your dark half was a move action.

Ah...well...that would be the problem. Nothing good gets accomplished before 9AM, kids. It's a swift.

That is a neat trick. Those missiles are depressingly effective!

The twin blazing bullets of magical energy shoot across the cavern in the blink of an eye. They each ram into Kaghaze, causing him to cry out in pain as blood splatters from the point of impact. The bat-like creature turns a hate-filled gaze of loathing toward the source of this pain, and the longbow begins to sweep around as well.

Combat round 1

Ilarien - Mage Armor
Devin
Bob
Essilor - Mage Armor
Ash
Sakura
Kaghaze - (-7 HP, 1 bleed)
Zombies - red (-2AC from charge)

The bold may act!

Reminders: it is a DC15 climb check to scale any of the ledges in the cavern, all of which are 20' up. You may not take 10 during combat. You can climb at 1/4 your normal speed, or at 1/2 your normal speed by choosing to take a -5 penalty before you roll. Failing the check by 4 or less means you make no progress. Failing the check by 5 or more means you fall.

Devin hefts his battle ax and advances on the Zombie.

Battleaxe (masterwork) 1H attack (Weapon Focus, Power Attack): 1d20 + 6 + 1 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (18) + 6 + 1 + 1 - 1 = 25
Battleaxe 1H damage (Power Attack): 1d8 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 4 + 2 = 8

Devin's gleaming battleaxe slices deep into the zombie's side, creating a gaping hole, but the zombie remained steadfastly standing and vicious looking.

Combat round 1

Ilarien - Mage Armor
Devin
Bob
Essilor - Mage Armor
Ash
Sakura
Kaghaze - (-7 HP, 1 bleed)
Zombies - red (-8 HP, -2AC from charge)

The bold may act!

Reminders: it is a DC15 climb check to scale any of the ledges in the cavern, all of which are 20' up. You may not take 10 during combat. You can climb at 1/4 your normal speed, or at 1/2 your normal speed by choosing to take a -5 penalty before you roll. Failing the check by 4 or less means you make no progress. Failing the check by 5 or more means you fall.

Ash sees an opportunity to dispose of one of the zombies. As Devin charges with his axe, the half orc weasels around the undead to strike him when he is defending from the fighter's attack. He strikes the creature to the neck with his elbow to crush the vertebrae and sever the spine. If that is possible with these creatures.

Acrobatics to Tumble Through: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23
Unarmed Strike vs Flat Footed: 1d20 + 6 - 1 ⇒ (10) + 6 - 1 = 15Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 5SA: 2d6 ⇒ (5, 5) = 10

I believe Sneak attack does apply to Undead in general, unless these have some sort of creature-specific trait.

Move action to tumble through without an attack of opportunity, standard action to hit it.

You are correct, sneak away!

Ash expertly scampers around the zombie, and before it even has a chance to respond, Ash's rock-hard elbow plunges into the zombie's neck. A sickening crunch of bone follows shortly thereafter, and the zombie immediately collapses, his body flapping about like an utterly disgusting sculpture made out of jello.

Botting Bob
From further back in the hall, Bob takes up another rousing sea shanty, the song echoing madly back and forth through the dark cavern. It causes all of you to stand a little straighter and makes your blood pump a little faster.

Kaghaze's hate-filled gaze maintains its steady focus on the little thing that hurt him so from a distance. His dark eyes look Essilor up and down, looking for weaknesses. Finally, his bow sings out again as an arrow flies across the room toward Essilor.

Move action to use Studied Target
Attack, studied target: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 5 + 1 = 15

The arrow looks like it is flying true, but at the last second there is a flicker of energy, and a ghostly breastplate would briefly flash visible as the arrow gets deflected wide.

The one remaining zombie charges in toward the wayang caster as well.

Attack, charge: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 4 + 2 = 26
Crit confirm: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 4 + 2 = 8 Not confirmed!
Damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

It catches the caster in a distracted moment, with one arm slamming hard into the wayang's midsection, knocking the breath out of him.

Once more, a disjointed voice echos in your skulls as a psychic communication flows forth into everyone present. "Kaghaze now serves The Master of Black Wings. Soon you will as well!" You can sense the voice and the dark energy both radiate out from the altar, almost as if it was alive.

Combat round 2

Active Effects: Inspire Courage +1, Demonic Whispers -1 to attack and saves

Ilarien - Mage Armor
Devin
Bob
Essilor - Mage Armor
Ash
Sakura
Kaghaze - (-8 HP, 1 bleed)
Zombie - green (-2AC from charge)

The bold may act!

Reminders: it is a DC15 climb check to scale any of the ledges in the cavern, all of which are 20' up. You may not take 10 during combat. You can climb at 1/4 your normal speed, or at 1/2 your normal speed by choosing to take a -5 penalty before you roll. Failing the check by 4 or less means you make no progress. Failing the check by 5 or more means you fall.

Sakura moves around the undead and strikes the zombie.

Adamantine Greatsword, pa -1: 1d20 + 8 - 1 ⇒ (8) + 8 - 1 = 152d6 + 6 + 3 ⇒ (5, 6) + 6 + 3 = 20

"You are sending magic towards the right target Essilor." she says in a neutral tone.

Ilarien completes her spell. With a burst of sulfurous heat, a black-and-red eagle flashes into being in the air near the archer. The witch calls out in unmistakable tones of command using a language only Essilor and Sakura understand. In response the eagle stoops to strike Kaghaze.

Talon attack; unable to check rules easily: 1d20 ⇒ 19

The echoes of her command haven't died away when she calls a denial to the aphorite. "No! The altar is the source, not the elf! Concentrate your magic there!" Then she casts a cantrip and focuses her attention on the ancient stone.

Started the round finishing summon monster i for an infernal eagle, then cast detect magic to see if there's anything useful to learn about the altar.

The half orc brawler moves into position to try to strike down another undead.

Unarmed + SA vs flat footed: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9Damage: 3d6 ⇒ (6, 1, 2) = 9

Not sure if that hits, even vs flat footed.

"You're not who I want. Away dead thing. I must have life," Essilor says to the zombie, stepping away from it as Sakura and Ash surround it.

He pumps more energy into his mind bullets and flings two more at Kaghaze.

Magic Missile with Phrenic Pool vs. Kaghaze: 2d6 + 2 ⇒ (3, 6) + 2 = 11

Devin move to engage the Zombie.

Battleaxe (masterwork) 1H attack (Weapon Focus, Power Attack): 1d20 + 6 + 1 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (6) + 6 + 1 + 1 - 1 = 13
Battleaxe 1H damage (Power Attack): 1d8 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 4 + 2 = 7

The fighters surround and easily dispatch the last remaining zombie, which falls to pieces on the cavern floor.

For summons, I don't mind helping out on occasion with stats, but would expect you to normally have that available. I assume you were just phone-posting or something and so didn't have access to what you would normally have?
Illarien's eagle appears in a dark blaze of glory, and quickly heeds her instructions by taking a swipe at Kaghaze with one long talon.
Damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3
Negated by DR
Unfortunately, the talon doesn't appear to actually draw any blood against the tough hide of the werebat. He doesn't even appear to notice, keeping his gaze focused much more tightly on Essilor.

Essilor proves himself worthy of such consideration, as another stream of missiles flows forth out of him and cross the room in a flash. They burrow into poor Kaghaze once more, and he lets out a wail of pain!

Combat round 2

Active Effects: Inspire Courage +1, Demonic Whispers -1 to attack and saves

Ilarien - Mage Armor
Devin
Bob
Essilor - Mage Armor
Ash
Sakura
Kaghaze - (-19 HP, 1 bleed)

The bold may act!

Reminders: it is a DC15 climb check to scale any of the ledges in the cavern, all of which are 20' up. You may not take 10 during combat. You can climb at 1/4 your normal speed, or at 1/2 your normal speed by choosing to take a -5 penalty before you roll. Failing the check by 4 or less means you make no progress. Failing the check by 5 or more means you fall.

Correct--I was posting from my phone. ETA: I've got an icon up for the fiendish eagle.

Bob moves away from the giant man-bat, knowing it's out of reach for him, he moves away from the heart of combat but further into the cave.

Kaghaze is clearly hurting, struggling after the barrage of magic missiles. His desperate gaze looks around the room before falling to the demonic altar. Hope gleams in his eyes as he quickly takes flight from the ledge and straight over to the altar.

Eagle AOO: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14

The eagle tries to take a swipe at him as he pulls away, but the sharp talon misses the mark. Kaghaze makes it safely to the altar, where he lands with a thud right next to the bound elf. When he lands, his own blood which has been flowing out since the missiles first hit falls from his body and land with a light splash on the altar.

As soon as it hits, you feel the presence around the altar seem to pulsate and surge, and the dark energy seeps deeper into your bones. The voice in your heads cries out in joy "Kaghaze's lifeblood flows into me, and soon yours will as well! Give yourself over to the inevitable!"

The demonic whispers power grows stronger, and you now suffer a -2 penalty on all attack rolls and saving throws.

With his blood having served it's purpose, he raises his bow once more to target the hated Essilor.

Attack, studied target: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 5 + 1 = 10

His wounds seem to be impacting his aim, though, and the shot flies wide.

Combat round 3

Active Effects: Inspire Courage +1, Demonic Whispers -2 to attack and saves

Ilarien - Mage Armor
Devin
Bob
Essilor - Mage Armor
Ash
Sakura
Kaghaze - (-20 HP, 1 bleed)

The bold may act!

Reminders: it is a DC15 climb check to scale any of the ledges in the cavern, all of which are 20' up. You may not take 10 during combat. You can climb at 1/4 your normal speed, or at 1/2 your normal speed by choosing to take a -5 penalty before you roll. Failing the check by 4 or less means you make no progress. Failing the check by 5 or more means you fall.

"I do not believe that your master has chosen the right pupil! You will be defeated!" she says with little emotion.

Sakura charges forward and attacks.

Adamantine Greatsword, pa -1, inspire +1, debuff -2, charge +2: 1d20 + 8 - 1 + 1 - 2 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 8 - 1 + 1 - 2 + 2 = 202d6 + 6 + 3 ⇒ (6, 2) + 6 + 3 = 17

"Sakura, you're still focusing on the puppet. The altar is the focus of demonic will here." Ilarien begins another lengthy spell.

Sakura's well-aimed sword strike dives deep into Kaghaze's side, and he drops to the ground with a solid *thud*. As his blood pours out of the wound, it gathers around the altar, which throbs all the harder at this fresh application of blood.

Combat round 3

Active Effects: Inspire Courage +1, Demonic Whispers -2 to attack and saves

Ilarien - Mage Armor
Devin
Bob
Essilor - Mage Armor
Ash
Sakura
Kaghaze - (-27 HP, dying, 1 bleed)

The bold may act!

For the time being, I'm keeping us in combat-time and initiative order. Kaghaze is currently unconscious and dying. The altar still throbs with demonic power, but currently presents no direct threat beyond the debuff. No other active threats are apparent.

"You can have all his blood! And his soul, too!" Essilor calls out before flinging his last two mind bullets at the bat man.

Magic Missile: 2d6 + 2 ⇒ (3, 1) + 2 = 6

And with that, his face and form change, resuming their normal appearance.

Psst...Essilor, your target is already down.

Essilor attempts to finish off the downed man with another wave of missiles. While they all hit, it still isn't quite enough to finish off Kaghaze, who still stubbonly clings to life.

You'll have to try murder hoboing a bit harder than that!

Combat round 3

Active Effects: Inspire Courage +1, Demonic Whispers -2 to attack and saves

Ilarien - Mage Armor
Devin
Bob
Essilor - Mage Armor
Ash
Sakura
Kaghaze - (-33 HP, dying, 1 bleed)

The bold may act!

Sakura moves forward and observes the shrine.

”Something is happening here!!“ she says and investigates the situation.

knowledge without modifier : 1d20 ⇒ 15

"Why, yes there is. As I told you before, in case you weren't listening."

The half orc will run towards the altar, full speed. His eyes seem focused on the tied elf and the caged ones to the side.

"Any tips, Ilarien?", he shouts back to the witch.

Double move for me

"Break it and don't let any more blood spill onto it! If you have holy water, that might help. And don't let that elf die!"

Sakura nods.

”Yes, Ilarien is very experienced and smart. The markings on this altar associate it with Camazotz, the god of bats, blood, and nocturnal predators. An altar such as this is often used in rituals and mark magic, and can often be used as a focal point in a spell. Finally, breaking the altar might be an effective way of countering magic emanating from it!“

Sakura uses her adamantine weapon and hacks into the altar!!

Sakura makes a mighty swing with her sword!
Sakura sunder attempt, pa, inspire, whispers: 1d20 + 7 - 1 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (19) + 7 - 1 + 1 - 2 = 24
Sakura damage, pa: 2d6 + 6 + 3 ⇒ (6, 3) + 6 + 3 = 18

The sword takes a healthy chunk out of the altar, damaging it, but the unholy aura still radiates. Kaghaze, meanwhile, marches ever closer to death.

Combat round 4

Active Effects: Inspire Courage +1, Demonic Whispers -2 to attack and saves

Ilarien - Mage Armor
Devin
Bob
Essilor - Mage Armor
Ash
Sakura
Kaghaze - (-34 HP, dying, 1 bleed)

The bold may act!

For the time being, I'm keeping us in combat-time and initiative order. Kaghaze is currently unconscious and dying. The altar still throbs with demonic power, but currently presents no direct threat beyond the debuff. No other active threats are apparent.

"Oh no! What have I done? Don't die! Don't die!" Essilor says as his dark nature recedes.

He hurries toward the altar and reaches out with his mind to latch onto Kaghaze's soul and repair the fraying bonds between it and his body.

Just in range to cast Stabilize.

Ash looks at the stone altar, then at his fists. "Yeah I'll let someone else take care of that."

He instead decides to walk towards the tied elf and attempt to free them of the rope (or chain, if lockpicking is necessary).

Let me know if I need a roll for something.

While Essilor stabilizes their demonic-looking foe, Ash quickly moves to help the bound elf. He is able to get the elven man untied quickly, and the elf quickly moves to the other elves in the cage and away from the evil altar.

The telepathic voice continues to pound into your skulls "All is for naught! Kaghaze is mine, and will die mine! You cannot stop me!"

Combat round 4

Active Effects: Inspire Courage +1, Demonic Whispers -2 to attack and saves

Ilarien - Mage Armor
Devin
Bob
Essilor - Mage Armor
Ash
Sakura
Kaghaze - (-34 HP, stable, 1 bleed)

The bold may act!

For the time being, I'm keeping us in combat-time and initiative order. Kaghaze is currently unconscious. The altar still throbs with demonic power, but currently presents no direct threat beyond the debuff. No other active threats are apparent.

Ilarien completes her spell, summoning from the ground a small but particularly robust earth elemental. The witch points to the altar and mimes a breaking action with her hands, and in response the earth spirit rumbles forward and smashes at the profane shrine.

Slam attack from augmented elemental,
including earth mastery and penalty: 1d20 + 8 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (11) + 8 + 1 - 2 = 18
Slam damage, including earth mastery and penalty: 1d6 + 6 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (3) + 6 + 1 - 2 = 8

While that's happening, Ilarien double-times up to the fallen elf.

The -2 penalty is only to the attack roll, not the damage roll. Unfortunately, I don't think the earth elemental has anything that gets it around the hardness of the altar, so it still doesn't do very much damage.

The earth elemental appears and slams into the altar. A few new cracks appear, but not quite as much damage as you might expect.

Combat round 4

Active Effects: Inspire Courage +1, Demonic Whispers -2 to attack and saves

Ilarien - Mage Armor
Devin
Bob
Essilor - Mage Armor
Ash
Sakura
Kaghaze - (-34 HP, stable, 1 bleed)
Altar - (20 damage)

The bold may act!

For the time being, I'm keeping us in combat-time and initiative order. Kaghaze is currently unconscious. The altar still throbs with demonic power, but currently presents no direct threat beyond the debuff. No other active threats are apparent.

Agree that the elemental doesn't have a way to get past the altar's DR. I miscalculated its damage with the Augment Summoning feat, though...it does 1 more point than I gave it (its STR goes to 20 with the augmentation, so its primary slam attack does 1d6+7).