[DM rel20] #7-12 The Twisted Circle (Inactive)

Game Master djpika

After a few attempts, Xiao and Ferdrin are able to duplicate the stance, but Chunhua continues to struggle on the uneven soil. The sun's rays highlight the trio's exposed skin as the scent of vanilla grows stronger on the wind.

The serenity is interrupted by the sound of loud voices.

Coming from the market area, a small group appears to be having a heated exchange.

Um... if I might ask, why should one of you or the other be more important? This is not how communities work. It takes everyone, all types and more!

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16

Xiao junior nods at Ferdrin.

"My friend is right. What you have built here is incredible and your town has a strong spiritual foundation. Trust each other ... then luck will be on your side!" he says with a warm smile.

diplomacy: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (9) + 23 = 32

“We are all intertwined, dependent on each other. That is what makes strong communities strong.”

Chunhua comes upon the villagers looking dismayed. "Petty arguments about one's relative station tear good societies apart!"

"True happiness comes from being satisified with yourself. From believing that the work you do and family you raise are the very best that you can do, without comparing yourself with someone else. After all, you don't know what advantages and hardships they've experienced on their journey."

Aid Diplo: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15

The group stops at the interruption, considering Xiao's words. With a grunt, the carpenter rubs the back of his head sheepishly as he says, "You know, maybe you're right. Maybe all the work we do is important," which is met with some nods from the crowd. "By Robori's will, we should work to maintain Mercy and his blessing,"

The blacksmith adds, "Agreed. If you can respect our work, we can respect yours. Now lets move along folks... nothing more to see here..." he adds, herding the folks out of the way as he starts moving towards his tent.

Huh... that was easy. I wonder how often these fights break out.

Perception, DC15: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20

Ferdrin nudges his teammates and points out See those children there off in the distance? They wear the same orange garb as the rest of the town, but their hands, arms, and faces are covered in bandages. I wonder what happened to them. Should we ask?

“Or maybe just go and ask the children directly, Freddy.”

Perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 1 = 21

Chunhua shades her eyes to see if she can spot the unfortunates. “That way we’re not asking the grown-ups about something that’s ‘none of our business.’”

She nods to herself. “You know, I think this tactic of following the Mercyites’ rules while trying to help them and ‘fit in’ might work in getting them to open up about Amenira.”

“Still, I think there’s some work to do before that’s going to happen.”

Ferdrin starts in slight shock.

Um, I'm not great with children. Maybe I don't need to know...

He grimaces and looks around at what else they could do.

"Yes you do."

Chunhua takes him by the elbow and leads him towards the kids.

Xiao junior smiles.

“I am good with kids!“

He also moves forward to the kids and tries to get a feeling for them.

sense motive : 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (15) + 23 = 38

The kids are being herded back indoors closely by adults; caretakers/parents are adjacent to if not in physical contact with them as they bring them in doors. It'll be impossible to get to them without going through the caretakers first. Not sure what you want to try to sense motive in this situation?

Can I get a feeling about the reason that the kids are so protected or about some feelings associated with the wounds? Is it fear/shame/guilt, or is it to protect or is it custom/pride?

“Try sensing the grown-ups’ motivations through their reaction to THIS, Xiao Junior:

Chunhua projects her voice like she's on stage. “Children are as much members of a community as anyone else! As citizens they have a responsibility to make sacrifices for the betterment of everyone!”

“Keep an eye out for angry parents with pitchforks if I’m wrong about this, fellows.”

Ferdrin looks even more nervous, like he's been smacked in the face with a stick. He takes several full steps away from Chunhua before waiting to see what happens.

Can I get a feeling about the reason that the kids are so protected or about some feelings associated with the wounds? Is it fear/shame/guilt, or is it to protect or is it custom/pride?

A few villagers turn to look at Chunhua with a look of anger and irritation, but they quickly return to what they were doing. For the ones escorting kids, this means getting closer to their homes/moving into their homes at this point in time. A couple of kids watch with a look of curiosity, their heads turned as they continue to move forward.

The space between the party and the rest of the villagers appears appears to have had its radius increased.

Unless the party would like to do more, time has progressed to noon. Villagers can be seen carrying food around to the houses; lunch should be dropped off in the message box as well. Some things are time based, so don't feel pressed to jam everything in at once...

Well... that seems to have not worked. Perhaps we return to our guest house and check for messages or veiled threats?

Just checking one last time before advancing... any other input?

The party returns to the guest house where lunch has been left in the message box. Marbled flatbread with a bubbly texture is paired with a greenish-brown stew of leafy greens, fresh vegetables, and berries. Pitchers of cashew milk and water are also provided.

Sorry, it's getting late. I'll get a better post up tomorrow...

Just a slight correction - we'll say that the food corresponds to dinner. It just makes the transition easier.

As you eat dinner in the guest house, screeches fill the air, accompanied by the sound of thousands of wings crashing through leaves and branches, and the occasional “thud” of something hitting the ground from a great height. The people of Mercy are out in the square, slinging rocks into the
trees to frighten away the mass of bats attacking the town. A swirling collection of shadows appears along the wall of the carriage house. As the people in the square cry out in surprise, the shadows collect themselves into distinct forms. A figure wearing a large cape flees from a small child who lurches forward with an unnatural gait.

Please start your character in the blue box as you exit the house.

Map

ROUND 1 - FIGHT!
Ferdrin: 15
Chunhua: 14
Aldar: 8
Xiao junior: 5

The party may go.

As soon as Ferdrin exits the house he sees trouble. He dashes off to the side to make room for his teammates and cloaks himself in arcane protection, weaving it as if from thin air.

[move] 30'
[standard] Cast mage armor

Aldar rushes towards the closest hostile-appearing entity and studies it. He tries to recall what he knows about these things before he lands a solid blow.

recall knowledge, any: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17 if arcana, add: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

"Hey, we are not so easily attacked!"

+2 to hit and damage including flagbearer and inspire.

Round #1: AC 18

Chunhua grabs the saucepan of hot stew and rushes out into the fray.

Brought up too well to swear, the young archer still manages a:

What the dickens is this all about?

Before hurling the stewed saucepan like a hammer-throw at the swarm of bats.

ranged touch attack – increment penalty + bard + PBS: 1d20 + 5 - 2 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 5 - 2 + 2 + 1 = 15
splash damage + bard + PBS: 1d6 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 2 + 1 = 8 x 1.5 for 12?

For Aldar and anyone else that makes it:

@Chunhua - is that really the saucepan (improvised weapon) or a flask reskinned for flavor purposes? Just checking in case a -4 is needed...

The villagers scatter as the bats descend, their forms twisting like black ink dropped in water. A black tarp is knocked loose from a cart in the commotion, catching a wind and flutters up into the air, casting a shadow onto the buildings. The shadows morph and move silently, elongating at odd angles as it projects across buildings. An unnerving moan like a strong wind whistling through trees mixed with fingernails on chalkboards fills the open air, causing an instinctive flinching.

Black background = shadow on building. Black square = tarp.
Everyone is at a –2 penalty on attack and damage rolls.

The closest swarm engulfs Aldar.
Triggering an AoO.

Aldar takes damage: 1d6 ⇒ 3, is Bleeding, and has to make a fort save DC 11.

ROUND 2 - FIGHT!
Counter[1]

Ferdrin: 15
Chunhua: 14
Aldar: 8
Xiao junior: 5

The party may go.

Ferdrin closes his eyes and begins to weave a spell. It starts to look like he's forming a ball of some kind. When he opens his eyes a ball of flame manifests and lands amidst the nearby swarm, burning some of its members.

[standard] Cast flaming sphere on PINK (marked on map)
Fire damage PINK, DC17 Reflex negates: 3d6 ⇒ (1, 4, 2) = 7

Because I was unsure myself, here is a clarification from James Jacobs that flaming sphere does in fact affect swarms. It seems that while it's a ball of flame and not an AoE spell, it targets the 5' space it resides in and not a specific creature (so, the result is a movable AoE).

He holds out his hands commanding it and starts to stride in an arc around the swarm so that he can get a better view of the others.

[move] 30'

Round #2: AC 18

“Xiao, have you got time to help Aldar?”

This event is so weird – while being extremely cool.

Taking a moment to survey the battlefield, the young warrior tries making sense of the bizarre scene.

“So I think the ‘living’ shadows are some supernatural result of ordinary items being placed in positions to cast a shadow.”

“This dark magic implies the Mercyite’s more-or-less harmless cult has been infiltrated by Night Heralds or some other faction of the Dark Tapestry.”

Based on some external influence, Chunhua checks her battle harness and finds two acid flasks and two alchemists fires SHE HAD COMPLETELY FORGOTTEN ABOUT!

“Guys, I’m so sorry! If you want a splash weapon come and take one from me.”

She then moves 20 feet to attack the swarm harassing the yellow townsperson with a drawn-on-the-run acid flask.

ranged touch attack – GM-stated shadow? penalty + bard + PBS: 1d20 + 5 - 2 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 5 - 2 + 2 + 1 = 12
splash damage + bard + PBS: 1d6 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 2 + 1 = 7 x 1.5 for 10

re-roll the attack with 2 GM stars: 1d20 + 5 - 2 + 2 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 5 - 2 + 2 + 1 + 2 = 21

“Do you think the bats are what could have injured those children?”

Finishing Round 1 actions
Aldar realizes these are just bat swarms and not something supernatural, making them vulnerable to brute force.

round 1 attack: 1d20 + 7 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 7 + 2 + 2 = 26
piercing damage: 1d4 + 1 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 1 + 2 + 2 = 7

On to round 2
AoO: 1d20 + 7 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 7 + 2 + 2 = 12
Aldar misses his free attack as the swarm of bats engulfs him.

fort save: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16
perception: 1d20 + 7 + 1d6 ⇒ (11) + 7 + (4) = 22

Aldar then tries to fight the swarm off of himself with quiet determination.
attack: 1d20 + 7 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 7 + 2 + 2 = 28
piercing damage: 1d4 + 1 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 1 + 2 + 2 = 9

Don't forget to roll for the perception check above as well... and if you forgot swarm info, Aldar did roll 5 higher if you want to ask a question...

The thread is nice to have the confirmation - I wouldn't have questioned the effectiveness in the first place. But I do believe it gets the save still.

Pink Reflex: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21

Aldar attempts to fend off the black-grey mass, thrusting his gauntlet into its center of mass, but finds that he is unable to do any real harm as the continuous thumps and scrapes from individual bats surrounds his weapon arm.

Ferdrin rolls his incendiary ball into the bats as the swarm folds in on itself to redirect out of the way, their shrieks blending in with the moaning.

Chunhua has more luck after slinging the stew over one of the market stalls. The vial shatters on impact, releasing a deadly liquid that coats the swarm, glossy wet fur burning in a mottled pattern.

Xiao Junior is up and then the bats...

Since I would realize the bats were immune to weapon damage after my round 1 attack and AoO, do you mind if we switch that to an Acid Flask attack?

hit: 28 - 4 = 24 No precise shot
Acid damage: 1d6 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 + 2 = 5

sense motive: 1d20 + 7 + 1d6 ⇒ (5) + 7 + (1) = 13

kn nature: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (19) + 13 = 32

"These are bat swarms and they can be dangerous because ...!!" GM, please add whatever you think is interesting.

perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18

Sense Motive auto success. @GM: Can we roll a knowledge to identify that?

"The shadows on the walls appear to be moving in a non-random pattern... like dancers in a ballet. What is this?!" he asks.

He 5 ft steps with his dog, draws an acid and throws it on the swarm engulfing Aldar.

touch acid: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 91d6 ⇒ 4

Since I would realize the bats were immune to weapon damage after my round 1 attack and AoO, do you mind if we switch that to an Acid Flask attack?

[dice=hit]28-4 No precise shot
[dice=Acid damage]1d6+2+2

[dice=sense motive]1d20+7+1d6

No worries - acid attack for round 2, which hits.

[dice=kn nature]d20+13

"These are bat swarms and they can be dangerous because ...!!" GM, please add whatever you think is interesting.

[dice=perception]d20+8

Sense Motive auto success. @GM: Can we roll a knowledge to identify that?

"The shadows on the walls appear to be moving in a non-random pattern... like dancers in a ballet. What is this?!" he asks.

He 5 ft steps with his dog, draws an acid and throws it on the swarm engulfing Aldar.

[dice=touch acid]d20+6;d6

With that high of a roll, I think it's ok to know swarm traits. These are diminutive with:

Wounding (Ex)
-------------
Any living creature damaged by a bat swarm continues to bleed, losing 1 hit point per round thereafter. Multiple wounds do not result in cumulative bleeding loss. The bleeding can be stopped by a DC 10 Heal check or the application of a cure spell or some other healing magic.

RE: knowledge checks:

I'll get the enemy post up tomorrow...

Knowledge (arcana), DC21: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (5) + 11 = 16

kn arcana : 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (12) + 13 = 25

”The shadows appear to be magical or magically manipulated!!“

pink: -5 (Aldar acid)
yellow: -10 (Chunhua acid)
white:

The bats on Aldar continue to surround the man while keeping away from the fires edge as the other two fly towards Ferdrin and Chunhua (provoking AoO). The shadows and cloth continue to flutter about.

Aldar
damage: 1d6 ⇒ 3, is Bleeding, and has to make a fort save DC 11.

Chunhua
damage: 1d6 ⇒ 1, is Bleeding, and has to make a fort save DC 11.

Ferdrin
damage: 1d6 ⇒ 2, is Bleeding, and has to make a fort save DC 11.

Please note that the bleed damage happens at the start of your turn.

ROUND 3 - FIGHT!
Counter[2]

Ferdrin isn't holding a melee weapon, so I don't think he can take an AoO.

Ferdrin grimaces and starts swatting away the bats as they arrive.

Fortitude, DC11: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 1 = 13

He quickly runs out of this swarm of bats and then faces his fiery ball, controlling it to move and try again to set the other bat swarm alight.

[move] 30'
[move] Move flaming sphere
Fire damage PINK, DC17 Reflex negates: 3d6 ⇒ (4, 4, 1) = 9

Xiao junior moves on his dog.

Double move of dog as independent action.

Xiao junior draws another acid and throws it on the swarm engulfing no one.

touch acid, inspire, flag: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 281d6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7
confirm Crit : 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 171d6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Don’t forget +2 to hit and damage for the acid / fire flasks.

Woo hoo, allowing for 1.5x splash damage vs swarms, looks like Xiao Junior did 16 pts of acid damage!

Fort DC 11: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10

I assume, Chunhua stands amongst the shrieking swarm of bats, quite fascinated by their behavior.

☤ -1 swarm damage -1 bleed damage = 32/34 hp

Aldar gets too caught up in trying to dodge the bats in the swarm flying around him that he does little else this turn. "I'm fine, make sure the people are ok!"

fort save: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

Accounting
=================
pink: -7 (Aldar acid)
yellow: -10 (Chunhua acid)
white: -16 (Xiao acid) dead

Pink Reflex: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23

Chunhua and Aldar becomes nauseated for 1 round.

Aldar
damage: 1d6 ⇒ 6, is Bleeding, and has to make a fort save DC 11.

Chunhua
damage: 1d6 ⇒ 2, is Bleeding, and has to make a fort save DC 11.

Please note that the bleed damage happens at the start of your turn.

Combat
Xiao brings down one of the swarms as Aldar and Chunhua succumb to being immersed in the swarm. In the middle of the market, a small figure limps forward, almost unnoticeable if it didn't speak up. "MURDER!" it cries out, pointing upward towards the black tarp.

A sound like a sheet whipping through gale wind fills the air, followed by a renewed screeching of bats, as the tarp shifts from tumbling in the sky to soaring through it with purpose.

ROUND 4 - FIGHT!
Counter[3]

Ferdrin sees that the bats haven fled his flaming sphere and so he leaves it in place.

Fire damage PINK, DC17 Reflex negates: 3d6 ⇒ (5, 3, 2) = 10

I'll figure out my turn actions tomorrow. Ferdrin is out of AoE spells, so unsure at the moment.

Round #4: ☤ -1-1 bleed, -1-2 swarm damage, 29/34 hp ☤

Fort: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20

Chunhua jingles 30 feet to the N-N-E, vomiting all the way!

She draws a flask of acid, holding it up and waving it as she does. (single move with +3 BAB)

Xiao junior moves on his dog again.

Double move of dog as independent action.

Xiao junior draws another acid and throws it on the swarm engulfing no one.

touch acid, inspire, flag: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 251d6 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

Don’t forget +2 to hit and damage for the acid / fire flasks.

Ferdrin begins flipping through his spellbook.

It must be somewhere in here...

[full round] quick study to replace prepared magic missile with burning hands (spending 1 arcane reservoir point)

fort save: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15

Aldar regains his composure long enough to toss another acid flask at the bat swarm harassing him.

acid flask: 1d20 + 7 + 2 + 2 - 4 ⇒ (1) + 7 + 2 + 2 - 4 = 8
damage: 1d6 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 + 2 = 6
scatter: 1d8 ⇒ 3

I almost forgot how annoying 1e swarms can be

HP 17/31

Accounting
=================
pink: -22 (Aldar acid, flaming sphere) dead
yellow: -17(-2?) (Chunhua acid, Xiao acid)
white: -16 (Xiao acid) dead
Counter[4]

Pink Reflex: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10

Xiao junior moves on his dog again.

Double move of dog as independent action.

Xiao junior draws another acid and throws it on the swarm engulfing no one.

[dice=touch acid, inspire, flag]d20+8;d6 +2

Don’t forget +2 to hit and damage for the acid / fire flasks.

For clarity, please note if you add it and the -2/-2 or not so that I know if I have to make adjustments as well...

Ferdrin commands his fireball to roll into the midst of the final bat swarm.

[move] move flaming sphere
Fire damage YELLOW, DC17 Reflex negates: 3d6 ⇒ (1, 2, 6) = 9

He then throws his hands forward, palms facing down, and emits a fan of flames that just reaches the same bat swarm.

[standard] cast burning hands, using arcane point to increase DC by 2
Fire damage (Reflex DC18 half): 5d4 ⇒ (2, 2, 4, 1, 4) = 13