"Fists of the Ruby Phoenix" (Campaign) w/ DM rainzax

Game Master rainzax

"Yeah, Slick, you do win a prize," Aoibhean says with a laugh. "You get to be our first impression."

Trapped in a Web! (Round One)

Just ahead, two Gargantuan (20x20) spiders perch atop the 15-foot high roof of the temple linger over a Huge (15x15) dinosaur trapped in a strong webbing...

...and Slick is the first to react!

Cirri, Yagon Suel, you are welcome to cast those spells on your Turns!

Recall Knowledge DCs provided in Tracker below...

...

...

Slick is Up!

Slick is impressed. "Wow! I though dinosaurs were big, but those two leggy bilge rats are BIG big"

Nature: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (14) + 13 = 27

Noticing that the spiders are asleep and that the dinosaur appeared to be well trapped in the web, he decides to take it slow and survey the situation more closely before deciding on a course of action. "Shhhhhh! They're asleep."

Slick would usually leave Nature rolls to the druids and bards, but apparently druids and bards aren't very quick off the mark today, so...

You gave us the Recall Knowledge DCs, so I'm not sure if you want us to roll them or if you still want to make secret rolls for us. I've added spoilers just in case, but let us know in general what you would like us to do with secret rolls (including Stealth checks, see below).

Action 1 (◆): Recall Knowledge (Nature +13) on Big Nasty Spiders - secret

Action 2 (◆): Recall Knowledge (Nature +13) on Dinosaur - secret

Having wrung his brain of every ounce of knowledge he has concerning super giant spiders and dinosaurs, he turns and whispers to the others. First, he tells them whatever he came up with concerning super giant spiders and dinosaurs. Then, "Let's sneak into position before we take them on. I'll go north; Yagon south; and Cirri down the middle." He then heads east towards the nearest trees to find cover.

Presumably we're starting as Unnoticed to the spiders. Slick would like it to stay that way.

Action 3 (◆): Sneak (20 feet) - secret

Reaction (↺): Attack of Opportunity

Trapped in a Web! (Round One, Continued)

Indeed, Slick slips away closer to the Sleeping Spiders through the Cover of the bushes, who seem not to stir...

...too, the Trapped Dinosaur, struggling yet within the Sticky Webbing, seems not to pay him mind just yet, it's own immediate circumstance more pressing...

...

Billy and Yagon Suel are Up!

Standing with the others outside the temple, Billy sees the creatures. He tries to contain his excitement. He whispers, a little loudly, "Wow! A dinosaur. I've never seen one this close." But then he grows concerned and adds, "Aww...but the poor beast is gravely injured." Snapping his attention back to the ridiculously large spiders, Billy doesn't need much of an excuse to burst into song. He does, however, heed Slick's warning. He tries not to sing so loud as to wake the enemies.

Inspire Courage has a 60' emanation. From his starting position, he's more than 60' away from all enemies, so I hope the song doesn't wake the beasts. But we'll find out soon ....

♫ "Here at the temple we stand.
But things are not going as planned.
.....This bug infestation!
.....We need inspiration.
I'm Billy. Let's strike up the band." ♫

Performance - Lingering Composition, DC ??: 1d20 + 25 ⇒ (7) + 25 = 32
If Success, Composition lasts 3 rounds. (Cost: 1 focus point)

As Slick suggested, Billy moves south to spread out. From his new position, he retrieves an antidote potion from his bandolier.

Actions: ◆ Inspire Courage, ◆ Stride, ◆ Interact (draw potion)

Trapped in a Web! (Round One, Concluding)

...the Trapped Dinosaur stirs into a frenzy at the sound of music, bucking harder at the Sticky Webbing...

...

Yagon Suel!

"The beast struggling in those webs will wake them up soon enough. How about we see if we can coax those spiders down one at a time."

To emphasize this he casts a spell, sending a cold ray all the way to the roof at one of the spiders.

◆◆ Cast a Spell - Ray of Frost Target: "Purple" Spider
Attack: 1d20 + 19 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 19 + 1 = 36
Damage (Cold): 6d4 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (3, 4, 3, 4, 4, 3) + 4 + 1 = 26

He then calls a magic field of force to protect himself.

◆ Cast a Spell - Shield

Trapped in a Web! (Round One / Two)

Suel's frost wakes the Spider and it begins to scuttle!

Meanwhile, the Dinosaur rages against it's restraints...

Escape (Athletics) vs Web (DC 30): 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (6) + 21 = 27
Escape (Athletics) vs Web (DC 30): 1d20 + 21 - 5 ⇒ (7) + 21 - 5 = 23
Escape (Athletics) vs Web (DC 30): 1d20 + 21 - 10 ⇒ (2) + 21 - 10 = 13

◆◆◆) Escape x3

...but fails to do anything else but tangle itself further!

...

...

Aoibhean, Cirri, and Slick are Up!

Retcon to when Slick was examining the creatures.

Slick had some idea of what they were up against. He'd come up against large spiders before, though perhaps not quite as large as these two; same with the dinosaur. His long years of preparation for the tournament had not all been physical though. The best way to defeat an enemy was to exploit its weaknesses, so he'd also spent many an hour paging through bestiaries between sparring sessions. His memory wasn't all that great, but he remembered a few details about the creatures they were facing. In a whisper, Slick tells the others what those are. "The big guys are Goliath Spiders; they're tough, but easily fooled. The little guy is a Triceratops; also tough, but a bit slow to react."

To summarize the spoilers... Goliath Spiders: good Fortitude, bad Will. Triceratops: Good Fortitude, bad Reflex. Now back to our regular programming.

Slick watches the spiders stirring and knows that it's only a matter of time before they realize they're being attacked and do something proactive about it. He's also very pleased to see that the Triceratops remains stuck in its webby cage. Even though it was the prey of the spiders, Slick suspects that it won't be too particular about which creatures it'll stomp on once it's freed.

The webs would have to go though. They gave the spiders too much of an advantage. He concentrates, and pointing his sword at the webby corner of the temple, he says, "Boom." At the place he pointed, a pinpoint of flame appears and expands rapidly into a roaring blast of fire.

Actions 1, 2 (◆◆): Cast a Spell: Fireball

Fireball Damage: 6d6 ⇒ (3, 6, 2, 4, 6, 6) = 27 fire damage

20' burst with a basic Reflex save vs a DC of 27

I'm targeting the middle of the web where the Triceratops is trapped. That should put all three within the burst radius.

Knowing what's coming, he tightens the grip on his sword and says, "defend." The space around him shimmers for a moment.

Action 3 (◆): Cast a Spell: Shield - AC 34 (Hardness 10)

Reaction (↺): Shield Block

"Well, Cirri," Aoibhean says, stepping forward, "I suppose we shouldn't let the boys have all the fun."

With a word, she summons an invisible wall of force in front of her. An instant later, her staff twists and reshapes itself in her hands, and she blurs forward.

◆: Cast shield. ◆: Arcane Cascade (Force). ◆: Stride. ◇: Interact to change to a 2-handed grip on my staff, removing the agile trait and giving it the parry, reach, and trip traits.

Because I am a Twisting Tree magus, when I'm in Arcade Cascade, I can Interact to change my grip on the staff as a free action before making a Strike or as a free action that is triggered by the end of my turn. Additionally, my Student of the Staff feat gives it the deadly d6 trait, the additional damage for which matches the type granted by my stance.

↺: Shield Block or Attack of Opportunity

"I didn't know you had it in you!" Aoibhean calls back to Slick, as the flames from his spell stop just short of her position. "What a wonderful little spell."

Giant Spiders!
Dinosaur!
Goliath Spiders!
Triceratops!
Cirri's head snaps to and fro. Predators big enough to turn Triceratops into lunch. Maybe she could convince the dino to guard the base. Or maybe befriend the thing and they could ride it into battle, whee!

Or Slick can fry it with a fireball. Sure. Sad face. Maybe they can spare the dinosaur and it will leave them alone?

Those webs will be a problem, so Cirri takes a moment to prepare herself.

"Waters of the deep, flow freely around me and keep me free." Her wings briefly flap and release mist.

She flaps wing wings and leaps ahead. "Sorry spiders. We gotta clear you out. Nothing personal!"

◇) Nature check to realize the dinosaur's injured
◆◆) Cast >Freedom of Movement< on Cirri
◆) Stride

Trapped in a Web! (Round Two)

Slick uses complex verbal components to conjure fire!

Dinosaur Reflex vs 27 Fire (DC 27): 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (15) + 12 = 27 @13 fire
Nasty Black Spider Reflex w/ Edifice Cover (+2) vs 27 Fire (DC 27): 1d20 + 21 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 21 + 2 = 26 @27 fire
Nasty Purple Spider Reflex w/ Edifice Cover (+2) vs 27 Fire (DC 27): 1d20 + 21 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 21 + 2 = 32 @13 fire
Web Reflex w/ Circumstance Penalty (-4) vs 27 Fire (DC 27): 1d20 + 18 - 4 ⇒ (16) + 18 - 4 = 30 @13 fire
West Side or Northeast Side Web Burnt Away?: 1d2 ⇒ 2 @Northeast

Scorching all three animals, the fire also completely melts away the Northeast half of the Web, cutting off Purple Spider's easy access to the ground.

Aoibhean blurs forward as her staff twists into a gruesome shape!

Cirri casts a spell of lubricated mobility!

And then, the Spiders descend!

Nasty Black Spider nimbly descends down the remaining web and remaining partially suspended, crawls to just within 10 diagonal feet of Cirri (See diagram) and gnashes at her with it's dripping fangs!

◆) Stand from Prone
◆) Descend on Web
◆) Strike

Black Fang w/ Reach (10-ft) vs Cirri (AC 29): 1d20 + 24 ⇒ (14) + 24 = 382d12 + 12 ⇒ (4, 6) + 12 = 22

Nasty Purple Spider, with it's Web burnt away, descends the long way down the vertical surface of the Temple, and spews a Sticky Web at Slick!

◆) Stand from Prone
◆) Climb
◆) Web Strike

Purple Web Spray vs Slick (AC 34 / Shield): 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (11) + 22 = 33

Ricocheting off his shield of force and sticking harmlessly to a nearby bush...

...Meanwhile, the Triceratops is somehow half-stuck and half-freed! (+5 bonus to Escape!)

...

...

Billy and Yagon Suel are Up!

Billy cringes when Slick's fireball catches the perfectly innocent triceratops. He thinks, "Well, sure, it could trample us, but ... it's the coolest thing. An actual dinosaur!" He doesn't know if his voice will carry, but he calls out to his friend, "Cap'n Slick, maybe Dino here will help with our little arachnid problem?"

With his attention on the nearest spider, he yells "Since most of us are closer to the one attacking Cirri, let's focus our attacks if possible." To that end, he chants, "feel the force", and casts Magic Missile at the near spider.

Magic Missile (5th) + IC vs. Black: 9d4 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (3, 3, 4, 1, 3, 1, 4, 3, 2) + 9 + 1 = 34

Actions: ◆◆◆ Cast 3-action Magic Missile

"Let's see if pain can't persuade it to leave."

Having attacked the spider's body he casts another spell to attack its mind.

◆◆ Cast a Spell (Agonizing Despair) - Will DC 29 Target: Purple Spider
Mental Damage: 4d6 + 1 ⇒ (2, 1, 2, 4) + 1 = 10

He then approaches, ready to engage.

◆ Stride

Cirri watches the spider descend upon her. "Oh boy, those are some big mandibles... Are these poisonou-"

Fort Save vs Poison, DC 30: 1d20 + 20 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 20 + 1 = 38
>Poison Resistance< gives a +1 status bonus to Saves vs Poison

"They are, definitely." Cirri shudders and then spits to the side. "You can't hide up there forever, Spider-Dude! I'm coming for ya!"

Trapped in a Web! (Round Three)

Yagon Suel sends a wave of negative emotion towards the Purple Spider...

Purple Spider Will vs DC 29: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (11) + 17 = 28 @10 mental + Frightened 2

...which recoils somewhat in fear!

The Triceratops struggles against the half-burnt Webbing...

Escape (Athletics) w/ Bonus (+5) vs Web (DC 30): 1d20 + 21 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 21 + 5 = 32

...breaking free (!) and charging with furious anger towards 1d4 ⇒ 1 Slick - but incidentally rushing over Yagon Suel on it's way Slick's direction!

◆) Escape
◆) Lumbering Charge
◆) Strike

Tri Horn w/ MAP (-5) vs Yagon Suel (AC 31): 1d20 + 19 - 5 ⇒ (4) + 19 - 5 = 182d8 + 9 ⇒ (2, 3) + 9 = 14
Tri Horn w/ MAP (-10) vs Yagon Suel (AC 31): 1d20 + 19 - 10 ⇒ (9) + 19 - 10 = 182d8 + 9 ⇒ (2, 3) + 9 = 14

...

...

Slick, Aoibhean, and Cirri are Up!

"Just let the triceratops go, focus on the spiders!" Cirri gets distracted as the dinosaur runs wild.

Okay, spiders first. Moss briefly sprouts around her bite wound as she chants, "Great Oozaru, grant me the strength of Kongs!"

Cirri's feathers shrink away as she sprouts golden fur. Her arms fall to the ground as she bulks up and up. Her screech turns into a howl as becomes a great ape.

◆ use >Healing Transformation< to cast a 5th level transformation spell. This will heal 5d6 ⇒ (5, 4, 3, 5, 1) = 18 hit points if successful. I'll be at 147/151 HP
◆◆ cast >Animal Form<(Heightened to 5th level) to take the form of an ape. This gives me AC 29, 20 Temp HP, and a 4d6 + 7 damage fist attack. I keep my +22 attack bonus.

"Cirri, do you think you could...oh," Aoibhean's voice trails off as the druid transforms into an enormous ape. She quickly refocuses and, after giving the dinosaur a sideways glance, rushes forward to deal with the nearer spider (Black). She draws out a complex sigil in the air with her staff as she runs, ending with a powerful swing up at the creature as the end of the staff splinters apart into jagged claws.

Strike vs Black Spider, Inspire Courage: 1d20 + 21 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 21 + 1 = 28
Bludgeoning, IC, Arcane Cascade: 2d8 + 7 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (2, 7) + 7 + 1 + 2 = 19
Gouging Claw, Slashing: 6d6 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (2, 6, 5, 6, 1, 2) + 4 + 1 = 27+19 for a total of 46

◆: Stride. ◆◆: Spellstrike with gouging claw.
↺: Attack of Opportunity

Yagon, if that hits because you frightened it I will be very happy with you

Slick hears his friend's suggestion to use the triceratops as a weapon against the spiders. "Does Billy think I'm an idiot or something? That's the first thing I thought of when I saw the trapped creature. But it's not like a triceratops is a precision instrument of destruction. It's just as likely to attack one of us as a spider." Keeping his voice as irony-free as possible, he shouts back. "Blow me down, Billy! You're so smart. Where would we be without you? Probably trampled to death or something..." And that's when the triceratops breaks free and charges at him. Slick braces for the impact, but Yagon selflessly throws himself into the dinosaur's path and takes the hit. "Is this the sort of thing you had in mind, Billy? Cause I'm beginning to see some potential drawbacks to your great plan."

Slick jumps up and down waving his sword about in an attempt to pull the triceratops' attention away from Yagon. "Yoo hoo! Over here big boy! Look how shiny I am." When the beast turns his way, Slick starts running toward the spider, then cuts left and dodges through the trees around the side of the beast to put the creature between himself and the hopefully charging triceratops behind him. He hopes the others do something similar, giving the dinosaur no targets other than the spiders to aim for. As he passes along the side of the spider, Slick slices his razor-sharp sword along its side.

Actions 1, 2 (◆◆): Sudden Charge
- Action: Stride (40 feet)
- Action: Stride (40 feet)
- Action: Strike (+2 Striking Ghost Touch Greatsword) with Inspire Courage vs Big Nasty Purple Spider .

Greatsword Attack: 1d20 + 24 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 24 + 1 = 40 vs Frightened 2
Greatsword Damage: 2d12 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (7, 3) + 8 + 1 = 19 slashing damage

Let's see if these guys have any nasty reactions.

Expecting the worst, he tightens the grip on his sword and says, "defend." The space around him shimmers for a moment.

Action 3 (◆): Cast a Spell: Shield - AC 34 (Hardness 10)

Reaction (↺): Shield Block
Reaction (↺): Attack of Opportunity

Whichever reaction triggers first is fine by me.

Just realizing I confused myself and went for the wrong spider. Ugh.

Trapped in a Web! (Round Three, Concluding)

Cirri transforms, healing her new ape-ish body. No reactions

Aoibhean's strikes but cunning Black Spider parries with it's mandible. Miss, no reactions

Slick's attack severs a few of the Purple Spider's legs - it staggers but remains standing. Critical Hit, no reactions

...

The spiders retaliate!

Black
◆◆◆) Strike x3

Black Fang vs Cirri: 1d20 + 24 ⇒ (11) + 24 = 352d12 + 12 ⇒ (11, 6) + 12 = 29 Plus Fortitude vs Poison DC 30
Black Fang vs Cirri: 1d20 + 24 - 5 ⇒ (2) + 24 - 5 = 212d12 + 12 ⇒ (8, 12) + 12 = 32 Plus Fortitude vs Poison DC 30
Black Fang vs Cirri: 1d20 + 24 - 5 - 5 ⇒ (17) + 24 - 5 - 5 = 312d12 + 12 ⇒ (10, 10) + 12 = 32 Plus Fortitude vs Poison DC 30

Purple
◆◆◆) Strike x3

Purple Fang (-2) vs Slick: 1d20 + 24 - 2 ⇒ (19) + 24 - 2 = 412d12 + 12 ⇒ (3, 6) + 12 = 21 Plus Fortitude vs Poison DC 28
Purple Fang (-2) vs Slick: 1d20 + 24 - 5 - 2 ⇒ (19) + 24 - 5 - 2 = 362d12 + 12 ⇒ (10, 7) + 12 = 29 Plus Fortitude vs Poison DC 28
Purple Fang (-2) vs Slick: 1d20 + 24 - 5 - 5 - 2 ⇒ (16) + 24 - 5 - 5 - 2 = 282d12 + 12 ⇒ (11, 6) + 12 = 29 Plus Fortitude vs Poison DC 28

...

Billy and Yagon Suel!

Billy blows back a wisp of hair that has fallen out of place. It's important to be presentable. Even in battle. One never knows who (or Hao) is watching.

With one more round before he merrily provides further inspiration, Billy continues his attacks against the Black spider nearest him. He cries out, "This fight is insane, bro. Taste the rainbow." He casts Chromatic Ray. All the colors of the rainbow appear in the palm of his hand, and ...

Chromatic Ray + IC vs Black: 1d20 + 20 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 20 + 1 = 22
A nat-1? Not today. Guiding Luck for a re-roll!
Chromatic Ray + IC vs. Black: 1d20 + 20 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 20 + 1 = 40
1:Red (30 fire dmg), 2:Orange (40 acid dmg), 3:Yellow (50 elec dmg), 4:Green (25 poison dmg + enfeebled): 1d4 ⇒ 4
Poison Damage + IC: (25) + 1 = 26
If crit, double damage.
Additionally, Fort Save DC 30, or Enfeebled 1 for 1 minute (Enfeebled 2 on a crit fail)

... and a neon green ray of poison shoots at the near Black spider. Billy muses aloud, "Oh dear. Poison wouldn't have been my first choice for these guys, but Abadar wouldn't steer me wrong." Billy hopes for the best.

He then decides its past time to drink his Lesser Antidote potion.

Actions: ◆◆ Cast Chromatic Ray (4th level), ◆ Interact (drink potion)

Yagon advances hoping to finish off the spider on the ground. He brings his flail down upon the creature.

◆ Stride
◆ Strike

Attack: 1d20 + 21 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 21 + 1 = 32
Bludgeoning Damage: 2d10 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (7, 9) + 4 + 1 = 21

If the the spider is down after the first attack.

◆ Cast a spell (Shield)

If not...

◆ Strike

Attack: 1d20 + 21 + 1 - 5 ⇒ (10) + 21 + 1 - 5 = 27
Bludgeoning Damage: 2d10 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (10, 2) + 4 + 1 = 17

Reaction (↺): Shield Block (hardness 15) if cast

The spider pierces her hide twice. 20 Temp HP is gone, Cirri takes 41 damage in total. Cirri's >Poison Resistance< will give a +1 bonus to saves against poison.

Fort Save 1: 1d20 + 20 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 20 + 1 = 36
Fort Save 2: 1d20 + 20 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 20 + 1 = 33

At least the spider venom isn't working. A large diet of fruits and veggies go a long way!

Trapped in a Web! (Round Four)

Slick expends his Shield Reaction, softening the blow, but is poisoned! x2 Fortitude vs DC 28 pending

Billy shoots a rainbow whose green color refracts over Nasty Black Spider, infusing it's cells with aerated poison! Then he downs a potion. One hand on Lute

Yagon Suel clamps down twice. Hit, Miss

Meanwhile, the Triceratops charges after...

◆) Lumbering Charge
◆) Knockdown
◆) Vicious Gore

Tri Horn vs Cirri (AC 29 / Ape): 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (14) + 19 = 332d8 + 9 ⇒ (7, 8) + 9 = 24
Tri Horn (-5) vs Cirri (AC 27 / Ape, Prone): 1d20 + 19 - 5 ⇒ (14) + 19 - 5 = 282d8 + 9 ⇒ (3, 7) + 9 = 19

Toppling her and perforating her furry body with it's horns! Cirri @ Prone @ 2d6 Persistent Bleed!

...

...

Meanwhile, the sound of Billy's lyrical song begin to wind down while...

Slick, Aoibhean, and Cirri are Up!

Ouch! These guys hit hard. I'm going to assume that fangs do piercing damage and that Slick's armor resistance to slashing does not apply. By my calculations, the first hit (41) is good for 6 hp of damage (21 -15 from the hardness of his Shield).

Reaction (↺): Shield Block vs first attack.

Slick sees the fangs descend on him and raises his magical shield to fend off the blow. The fangs prove too much for it and it gives way, taking only some of the force from the blow. Slick grunts as the fangs hit home and the poison hits his system...

Fortitude vs DC 28: 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (16) + 22 = 38 Success -> Crit (Juggernaut)

Fortunately, the dose he receives is small enough for that his massively muscled body shrugs off the effects of the poison. A second attack descends on him and once again penetrates his defenses. With his magical shield gone, there is nothing to slow its impact and he takes the full brunt of the attack. More poison...

The second hit (36) is good for 29 hit points of damage for a cumulative total of 35 hp of damage.

Fortitude vs DC 28: 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (15) + 22 = 37 Success -> Crit (Juggernaut)

The half-elf's brawny body once again shrugs off the effects of the poison as he dodges slightly to avoid the spider's third and weakest attack (28 is a miss). Perhaps the creature's wounds were starting to take a toll.

Slick continues traveling along the side of spider, finally managing to break out into the open space behind it and into flanking position with Yagon. "That is definitely one biiiig spider." Without further ado, he slices into the beast twice.

Actions 1, 2 (◆◆): Sudden Charge
- Action: Stride (40 feet)
- Action: Stride (40 feet)
- Action: Strike (+2 Striking Ghost Touch Greatsword) with Inspire Courage vs Big Nasty Purple Spider.

Greatsword Attack: 1d20 + 24 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 24 + 1 = 29 vs Flat-Footed and Frightened 1
Greatsword Damage: 2d12 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (8, 11) + 8 + 1 = 28 slashing damage

Action 3 (◆): Strike (+2 Striking Ghost Touch Greatsword) with Inspire Courage and MAP1 vs Big Nasty Purple Spider.

Greatsword Attack: 1d20 + 24 + 1 - 5 ⇒ (20) + 24 + 1 - 5 = 40 vs Flat-Footed and Frightened 1
Greatsword Damage: 2d12 + 8 ⇒ (11, 9) + 8 = 28 slashing damage

A crit! Double the damage and the target is flat-footed until the start of your next turn.

Slick, looks like you forgot the +1 damage bonus on your crit damage roll.

Aoibhean is a blur of motion, swinging her staff at the dinosaur as it charges Cirri even as she applies a poultice to the transformed druid's wounds with a free hand. She pauses for just a moment to consider her next move before continuing her assault, her staff twisting and changing shape as she strikes both the spider and dinosaur simultaneously. This second strike has a staggering amount of magical force behind it, shoving the enormous creature backwards.

↺ Attack of Opportunity vs Triceratops: 1d20 + 21 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 21 + 1 = 25
Bludgeoning+Force: 2d8 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (2, 3) + 8 + 2 = 15

Battle Medicine for Cirri: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (5) + 16 = 21
Healing: 2d8 ⇒ (7, 7) = 14

Staff vs Black Spider: 1d20 + 21 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 21 + 1 = 32
Staff vs Black Spider: 1d20 + 21 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 21 + 1 = 24
Bludgeoning+Force: 2d6 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (4, 6) + 8 + 2 = 20

Staff vs Triceratops: 1d20 + 21 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (19) + 21 + 1 - 4 = 37
Bludgeoning+Force: 2d6 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (4, 4) + 8 + 2 = 18
Crit total: 36 + 1d6 ⇒ 36 + (4) = 40 The critical specialization for the club weapon group lets me knock it 10 feet away from me, into the flaming webs.

◇: Release to change grip to 1h. ◆: Battle Medicine. ◆: Cast true strike. ◆: Cast spinning staff. ◇: Interact to change grip to 2h (triggered by the end of my turn).
↺: Attack of Opportunity.

"Hopefully that'll buy you some breathing room," Aoibhean says, preparing for another confused charge from the dinosaur.

Trapped in a Web! (Round Four, Continued)

Spider Fortitude vs DC 30 or Enfeebled: 1d20 + 25 ⇒ (16) + 25 = 41

Billy's rainbow hurts, but does not cripple, the arachnid.

Slick's blood rejects the poison - he spits it out unharmed. He cuts twice more, Bloodying the Purple Spider!

Meanwhile, Aoibhean works to stablize and support Cirri, Bloodying the Black Spider while smacking the Triceratops sideways, and nearly killing the latter outright, which confuses it further, as it looks to shift it's rage towards 1d12 ⇒ 11 the Purple Spider next!

...

...

Cirri!

I'm only trained, so I don't have the option of going for anything other than the base DC.

The triceratops is called such due to its three horns on its head. It makes a useful charging tool, and is of course famous for its headbutts.

These very important facts are quite useless when you're facedown in a mess of your own blood and fur while a poisonous spider leers overhead.

Alright Cirri, you have a job to do. Cirri stands up, slaps the sides of her face to regain composure, and reaches for the black spider.

Athletics to Grapple vs Black Spider's Fort DC, includes Inspire Courage: 1d20 + 20 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 20 + 1 = 26

Let's try that again.

Athletics to Grapple vs Black Spider's Fort DC, includes Inspire Courage: 1d20 + 20 - 5 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 20 - 5 + 1 = 32

Much better. Cirri (hopefully) grabs the spider and tries to drag it down to ground level. Spider is also >Grabbed< rendering it flat-footed and immobile.

◆ Stand Up
◆ Athletics check to Grapple
◆ Athletics check to Grapple

EDIT: Forgot Bleed damage
Bleed Damage: 2d6 ⇒ (4, 3) = 7
Persistent Check to end Bleeding: 1d20 ⇒ 13

Trapped in a Web! (Round Four, Concluding)

Yagon's flail crushes into the purple spider. Aoibhean patches Cirri up - but due to the height differential, was probably unable to reach the Black Spider while smacking the Triceratops out of the way...

Struggling with the spider's many legs, Cirri is nearly knocked back down in her attempt to grapple it, unable to grasp purchase with her mighty paws! Near-Critical-Failure, Failure

Black Spider continues it's assault on Cirri while Purple Spider - greviously injured and frightened - flees northerly into the forest!

Black Spider
◆◆◆) Strike vs Cirri then Aoibhean

Black Fang vs Cirri (AC 29 / Ape): 1d20 + 24 ⇒ (15) + 24 = 392d12 + 12 ⇒ (9, 6) + 12 = 27 Plus Fortitude vs Poison DC 30
Black Fang (-5 MAP) vs Cirri (AC 29 / Ape): 1d20 + 24 - 5 ⇒ (18) + 24 - 5 = 372d12 + 12 ⇒ (12, 9) + 12 = 33 Plus Fortitude vs Poison DC 30
Black Fang (-10 MAP) vs Aoibhean (AC 31): 1d20 + 24 - 10 ⇒ (9) + 24 - 10 = 232d12 + 12 ⇒ (4, 4) + 12 = 20 Plus Fortitude vs Poison DC 30

Felling the Great Ape with two powerful blows (Dying 1) who de-transforms back into a medium strix, and turning on Aoibhean! Miss

Purple Spider
◆◆◆) Stride (45 feet) x3

...

As the music stops, Cirri's condition looks vitally dangerous - will Cirri's Corsairs lose their namesake leader in their first encounter with Bonmu's Overjacked Wildlife!?

Billy and Yagon Suel are Up!

Yagon projects another freezing ray, hoping to either draw the dinosaur to him or get it to flee. He then interposes his magical shield in preparation for a counterattack.

◆◆ Cast a Spell (Ray of Frost) Target: Dinosaur
Attack: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (19) + 19 = 38
Damage (cold): 6d4 + 4 ⇒ (3, 3, 2, 2, 4, 3) + 4 = 21
Critical: Double damage and -10 feet to speed for 1 round.

◆ Cast a Spell (Shield)

↺ Shield Block (hardness 15)

Encasing the Triceratops in ice, it tips over and shatters into 5d100 ⇒ (92, 5, 46, 30, 6) = 179 pieces!

...

Billy!

Ouch, those Spiders are packing some nasty Fort saves. And I'm Bleeding. And I'm Dying. Not good.

Cirri tries to stay up, but this spider is way too tough and way too strong. It knocks her down and tears into her twice.

Fort Save vs Poison, DC 30: 1d20 + 20 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 20 + 1 = 27
Hero Point: 1d20 + 20 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 20 + 1 = 30

Fort Save vs Poison, DC 30: 1d20 + 20 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 20 + 1 = 29
Oof, and I'm poisoned.

>Poison Resistance< finally fails her. She takes 2d6 ⇒ (6, 5) = 11 damage. Minus 5 due to Poison Resistance. This puts her to Dying 2, assuming the onset is immediate.

And I'm bleeding from the Triceratops charge. Dying 3.

Persistent check to stop bleeding: 1d20 ⇒ 9 Still bleeding. Great.

I will cash out all of my Hero Points to avoid permanent death if I hit Dying 4.

Trapped in a Web! (Round Four / Five)

The spider's poison just barely proves virulent enough to overcome Cirri's resistance to it - she takes a turn for the worse! Dying 2

...

...

Billy, Slick, and Aoibhean are Up!

Slick watches in bemusement as the spider he was chopping to pieces takes off into the woods. "Hey! Where you going? Don't leave just yet. There's another song coming up." He considers chasing after the creature, but it's moving too fast; he'd never catch it. "Never mind then. I didn't like you much either!" He trots back to the main entrance to see what's been going on during his short absence. Passing the cleric he calls out, "C'mon Yagon, let's see if the other spider still wants to play."

Action 1 (◆): Stride (40 feet)

Action 2 (◆): Stride (40 feet)

Turning the corner he spots Cirri unconscious in a large pool of her own blood. "Blimey! I can't leave you hearties alone for even 15 seconds, can I? Yo, Billy! Can't you do something about our captain? I'd hate for our source of funding to dry up so early in the tournament." He glances around a little confused. "Billy? What happened to your friend the triceratops? Did the spider eat it?" But then he spots the large pile of half-frozen meaty chunks. "Well, blow me down! There it is. Is this your work Yagon? Very impressive, mate." Slick gives the cleric with no ability to heal others a big thumbs up.

Finally, he looks up at the spider still sitting on its web at the top of the entrance. A little confused, he says, "What's it still doing up there? Why aren't you guys standing back and peppering it to force it down?" He sighs and turns to face the spider. Putting on his most menacing demon face, he takes a deep breath and lets out an almighty roar "Aaaarrrrrrrrggghh"

Action 3 (◆): Demoralize with Demon Mask and Intimidating Prowess vs Black Spider
Intimidation (Demoralize): 1d20 + 22 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 22 + 2 = 34 vs Black Spider Will DC (no language penalty)

Billy watches in horror as the poor misguided triceratops tramples Cirri and knocks her over. Then the bard gasps audibly as the spider takes her completely down. Even though she can't hear him, he says, "Hang in there, my friend. Billy is here. We'll have you up in no time." When he's done speaking of himself in the 3rd person, he strides next to her to administer some in-battle healing.

Battle Medicine DC 30 (on Cirri): 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (17) + 23 = 40
Damage Healed: 2d8 + 10 + 30 ⇒ (4, 4) + 10 + 30 = 48
Extra Damage Healed for crit success: 2d8 ⇒ (8, 5) = 13
Total Damage Healed: 61 hp
TreatWounds/BattleMed: If Master in Medicine, attempt at DC 30 to regain additional 30 hp
Medic Dedication: Attempt at DC 30 to regain additional 10 hp. If Master in Medicine, subject is immune to BattleMed for only 1 hr, not 1 day

Having healed Cirri, it's time to grace everyone with another inspirational tune. He knows he sounds even better when he can play the lute to accompany his exceptional singing voice. Alas, he doesn't have a chance to grip his lute properly. (No item bonus for the lute.)

♫ "A ganzi, a dhampir, an ape.
A pirate, who just needs a cape.
.....And me, Billy Bardy
.....The life of the party.
These spiders: no chance of escape!" ♫

Performance - Lingering Composition, DC ???: 1d20 + 24 ⇒ (18) + 24 = 42
If Crit Success at DC ???: Composition lasts 4 rounds. (Cost: 1 focus point)

With a 60' emanation, the Inspire Courage should just reach Yagon.

Actions: ◆ Stride, ◆ Battle Medicine, ◆ Inspire Courage

Trapped in a Web! (Round Five)

Slick races back and screams at the Big Nasty Black Spider - it's antennae shrink a little at the display! Success

Meanwhile, Billy goes full a cappella, the anapestic beat inspiring his allies anew as they work to keep Cirri above water (+61 HPs, awakens) while keeping the spider at bay. Critical Success

Will their shift in tactics work to achieve both ends?

...

...

...

Aiobhean and Cirri are Up!

>Afflictions: Onset< says since I failed the initial saving throw, I wait for the onset to finish and then I suffer stage 1's effects. So I am >Slowed< 1.

"Par, I don't wanna go to class-" Cirri sqwawks as she sees Bronze Billy standing over her, his emergency healing kit coming to the rescue. "Billy, we gotta- whoa, spider venom."

Fort Save vs Poison, DC 30: 1d20 + 20 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 20 + 1 = 32
>Poison Resistance< gives a +1 bonus to saves vs Poison.
>Fast Recovery< means I recover 2 stages instead of 1. If the venom is virulent, I recover 1 stage anyway. So Cirri should be venom free.

"Okay, I think I took care of the poison, but this spider is still glaring at us. Billy, we gotta go. Um... sorry I can't bring you with me!"

Cirri grabs her shield. "Rising tide, whisk me away to safety." Water wells up underneath her, dragging her away from the spider's maw.

Bleed: 2d6 ⇒ (5, 2) = 7
Persistent Check to stop bleeding: 1d20 ⇒ 12

◇ Deal with poison (Cured)
◆ Slowed 1, lose an action
◆ >Rising Surf< (Costs 1 Focus Point), the spell lets me move. I'm still Prone.
◆ Interact to grab shield
◇ Try to stop bleeding (Failed)

"Cirri, stay behind me!" Aoibhean shouts, channeling another spell through her staff and swinging it at the giant spider with all of her strength.

Spellstrike vs Spider: 1d20 + 21 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 21 + 1 = 29
Bludgeoning + Force: 2d8 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (7, 3) + 8 + 2 = 20
Gouging Claw, Slashing: 6d6 + 5 ⇒ (6, 6, 4, 1, 3, 1) + 5 = 26

She retreats back a step and out of the monster's reach, but keeps herself between it and Cirri. "Come on, ugly! Come get me!"

◆◆: Spellstrike with gouging claw. ◆: Stride.
↺: Attack of Opportunity.

Trapped in a Web! (Aftermath)

Black Spider - after Aoibhean's successful Spellstrike - quickly retreats back up it's Web and skulks across the rooftop of the Temple of Irori, perhaps never to be seen again...

◆) Climb (30 feet)
◆◆) Stride (45 feet) x2

...but the wound from Cirri's goring continues to bleed!

And so, we remain in "rounds" until the bleeding condition is cleared!

...

...

...

The Party is Up! (in initiative order...)

We'll need to deal with that sooner or later, Cirri thinks to herself, watching the spider retreat. Still, there were more pressing issues.

She turns and rushes to Cirri's side, taking bandages from a pouch on her hip and pressing them against the druid's bleeding wounds.

Medicine to Administer First Aid to Cirri: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (20) + 16 = 36

◆: Stride. ◆◆: Administer First Aid.

Cirri finishes far away from the action, lying on her back. "Is the triceratops okay?" Cirri sees a frozen chunk of its horn to her left. "Right." She sighs.

"Right, the bleeding." Cirri grabs some dirt. "Okay." She focuses and then rubs the dirt against the bleeding wound. "I am so taking a bath after this."

Medicine vs DC of Triceratops's Bleed effect: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (11) + 17 = 28

Bleed Damage: 2d6 ⇒ (2, 4) = 6
Persistent Flat check to stop bleeding: 1d20 ⇒ 17
Persistent Flat check to stop bleeding (Only if Medicine check was successful): 1d20 ⇒ 20
Pffft. Of Course it works now.

"Okay, that worked. I think." Cirri stares at her wound for a bit to see if it's still bleeding.

◆ >Healing Plaster<
◆◆ >Administer First Aid< to stop the bleeding
◇ Persistent checks to stop bleeding

Billy breathes a sigh of relief when Aoibhean chases off the spider. He runs up to Administer First Aid to Cirri. But he sees that Aoibhean beat him to it. Nodding proudly to the magus, he says, "Nicely done. She's in good hands." He takes one more look around to make sure things remain quiet.

The halfling kneels down (which doesn't appreciably change his height) to start binding Cirri's wounds properly. He calls over to Slick, "Ahoy, Capn, excellent work! But if you're done scaring the forest creatures, please join us over here, so I can take a look at your wounds too. Anyone else?" He unpacks his healer's tools and sets to work on all who are injured.

Medicine-Treat Wounds DC 30 w/ Ward Medic: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (20) + 23 = 43
Damage Healed: 2d8 + 10 + 30 ⇒ (7, 2) + 10 + 30 = 49
Extra Damage Healed for crit success: 2d8 ⇒ (3, 2) = 5

As before, Treat Wounds (Master) heals +30, Medic (Master) heals +10.
Ward Medic: If you’re a master in Medicine, you can treat up to four targets

After about 10 minutes, he looks them over. To Slick, he says, "I'm happy to say, you're as good as new, my friend. How do you feel?" Turning to Cirri, he says, "I'll need to re-dress those wounds in about an hour." He pauses and grins, "But there's a good chance you'll live." He packs up his tools and mutters, "dress for success", and casts Prestidigitation to clean himself off after the dusty battle.

Billy will get Continual Recovery (treat wounds every 10mins) at level 12. If he lives that long.

Slick watches the last spider skedaddle away. "Blistering Barnacles! Come back here you overgrown octopod! I'm not done with you yet." When the spider is out of sight, he turns and looks about at his teammates. "So how's everyone doing? Nary a scratch to be seen amongst the lot of you I see." He looks over to where Aoibhean and Billy are covered in blood trying valiantly trying to keep Cirri from slipping off to the Boneyard. "...well, except for our brave captain that is. Tis but a scratch though, amiright!?" He raises his hand for a high-five, but there's no one around to reciprocate, so he lowers it awkwardly.

He examines the two puncture wounds he got earlier. Nothing too serious, but it didn't do to let such things fester. "Uh, Billy? When you get a mo, I picked up a couple of pinpricks from the other spider that could use a little looking at. No rush."

"Thanks, Billy! Thanks Aoibhean!" She makes sure to hug both, with her wings, too.

"Thanks for scaring them off, Slick. We can try to cut down the webbing so they don't come back here."

She watches the Triceratops remnants skitter by. "Uh, thanks Yagon..."

"I didn't want to risk anyone else losing more blood. You still have need for it. Fighting off the poison was enough."

"Well, I bet you are warm now!" Ingdani steps out from the bushes, her invisibility spell broken to reveal herself "As you can see, ever since the Tsunami, the Island's wildlife and ecosystem has never been the same!"

"Cirri, you look... different I think. I like it!" this with a wink.

Finally, she points to Yagon Suel's strange-looking wand "Is that your hiking stick?"

PCs have Reconnoitered the Home Hex