DM Carbide's Core Emerald Spire

Game Master John Woodford

I still don't know what this was.. but that creature was very dangerous! are you sure you are both well enough to go on, Viridian?

Corbrae did observe that for all its lethality and impressive set of attacks it didn't move quickly.

The party forms up outside the next set of doors in the north-south hallway. The doors are a matched set--each is carved with depictions of lordly feasts, although to the side in each image a hooded humanoid figure appears, apparently watching.

Listening at the door, Viridian hears several voices in muted conversation.

"Well, perhaps we should barge in and surprise them. I think it is safe to assume that they will be hostile."

Any preparations you'd like to make before you kick in the door?

Viridian casts magic fang on blitz. He whispers…

”No point saving a spell if I get engulfed again.Ready? “

Know religion: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 6 + 1 = 19

So close, no matter how far... I couldn't hear the name of the god they pray, as Viridian spoke right at that moment, but I won't blame him.

I'm ready. They will probably have some guards with ranged attacks, I hope you have some spells to get them down quick, Ms Books. Or Joseph will have to shoot them anyway.

The door flies open, revealing a dining room/mess hall. Its north and south walls are fitted with shelves containing mismatched goblets, platters, and bowls. A number are made of fine porcelain emblazoned with the crests of noble families. At the east end of the room stands a raised table with three lavish chairs behind it. Four humans in leather armor sit around the common tables, apparently taken completely by surprise.

Surprise Round (one action only):

Initiative order
Mrs. Book
Corbrae
Viridian
Joseph

Everyone can act!

Scouts: AC ? T ? FF ? HP taken - Red: 0 Black: 0 Blue: 0 Green: 0

... I hope you have some spells to get them down quick, Ms Books. Or Joseph will have to shoot them anyway.

"Maybe someday, since my powers are growing, but for now I'm not that powerful. Wish I had a sleep spell handy."

Of course she doesn't, but with their being surprised she is able to rush into the room and position herself for a nearly perfect, though risky, DC 15 color spray spell on red, black, and blue.

Since this is a surprise round, you only get a move action or a standard action.

Ah, a surprise round is it?

That changes things a bit. If she wins init next round she will try her stunt, but until then all she will do is sling a magic missile at green.

mm damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Mrs. Book plinks at one of the bandits.

Viridian, Joseph, Corbrae?

Expecting Mrs Book to use her spells, Corbrae bids her time, not wanting to get caught in the arcane energies soon to be unleashed.

She sings again, anyway

Inspire courage, 6 rounds used out of 17

Joseph readies an action to fire if one the humans does anything hostile.

"They are just sitting there, Shouldn't we ask them why they are here?"

Mrs. Book already launched us into combat.

shoot my post was lost. Sorry

Viridian calls to blitz ”Guard me“

He casts shillelagh on his quarterstaff

”You four! Who is in charge here? “

Even before Mrs. Book blasted one of the quartet, they looked hostile.

Joseph can do sneak attack damage as well:

Sneak attack damage: 1d6 ⇒ 6

Corbrae sings, Viridian casts a combat spell, and Joseph drops the red-clad bandit.

Round 1 (ongoing):

Initiative order
Bandits-acted
Mrs. Book
Corbrae
Viridian
Joseph

The three remaining bandits snatch up light crossbows and send bolts at Blitz. Only one hits, though for 8 HP + DC 13 Fort save or take 1 point CON damage.

Party up!

Scouts: AC 14 T 13 FF 11 HP taken - Red: 11 (unconscious) Black: 0 Blue: 0 Green: 5

Blitz fort : 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 1 = 19 the wolf howls in pain and charges

bite: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23 for bite: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6 (plus trip)

Viridian follows up with a wand tap of cure onto the wolf

clw : 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

cannot update map

Mrs. Book lurks behind the others and seems to have it in for green as she plinks him with another magic missile.

mm damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Round 1 (ongoing):

Initiative order
Bandits-acted
Mrs. Book-acted
Corbrae
Blitz (-3 HP)/Viridian-acted
Joseph

Mrs. Book puts another missile into one of the bandits, staggering her. Viridian heals Blitz, and then the wolf bounds into the room and bites another one, throwing him to the ground. Viridian, don't forget the inspire courage.

Trip attempt: 1d20 ⇒ 13

Corbrae and Joseph to go!

Scouts: AC 14 T 13 FF 11 HP taken - Red: 11 (unconscious) Black: 0 Blue: 7 (prone) Green: 10 (staggered)

Attack vs Blue (prone, IC): 1d20 + 3 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 3 + 2 + 1 = 16
dmg, IC: 1d10 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

Corbrae dashes into action, and strikes at the fallen foe before he can get up

"Right. Violence it is."

Joseph fires past Blitz.

shot #1 vs black including inspire and cover: 1d20 + 10 - 4 - 2 ⇒ (11) + 10 - 4 - 2 = 15
piercing: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

shot #2 vs black including inspire and cover: 1d20 + 10 - 4 - 2 ⇒ (5) + 10 - 4 - 2 = 9
piercing: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

Mrs. Book staggers but does not quite drop her target, Corbrae leaves the prone bandit unconscious and bleeding, while Joseph severely wounds the last one.

Round 2 (ongoing):

Initiative order
Bandits-acted
Mrs. Book
Corbrae
Viridian
Joseph

The remaining conscious bandits disengage and flee through the door in the back of the room.

Everyone can act!

Blitz lives up to his name and gives chase before Viridian can stop him,

not sure which path/door they fled but Blitz is probably faster (50’) and will double move if needed but move and attack if possible

Viridian shrugs as he chases after (double move?)

”By the Green this wolf is going to get me into big trouble someday. Alas I hope that is not today.“

Mrs Book tucks way her want and follows Blitz.

Round 2 (ongoing):

Initiative order
Bandits-acted
Mrs. Book-actred
Corbrae
Viridian-acted
Joseph

Blitz streaks through the door just as it's about to close and brings down the staggered bandit. With a double move, Viridian and Mrs. Book can get to the door behind the wolf and see that the room on the other side is a kitchen. A large hearth takes up most of the south wall, and there's a basin for washing up against the west wall. Dry goods, provisions, and cooking gear clutter the rest of the space.

Corbrae and Joseph to go!

Scouts: AC 14 T 13 FF 11 HP taken - Red: 11 (unconscious) Black: 7 Blue: 13 (unconscious) Green: 17 (unconscious)

Mrs. Book used an action to put away her wand of MM so she only moved once.

Corbrae moves quickly, right behind the wolf

Double move

Round 2 (ongoing):

Initiative order
Bandits-acted
Mrs. Book-actred
Corbrae-acted
Viridian-acted
Joseph

Corbrae scoots up behind the wolf.

Joseph?

Joseph double moves to the doorway.

Joseph hustles up.

Round 3 (ongoing):

Initiative order
Bandit-acted
Mrs. Book
Corbrae
Viridian
Joseph

The last conscious bandit crosses the kitchen and exits through the far door, shouting a warning.

Party up!

Scouts: AC 14 T 13 FF 11 HP taken - Red: 12 (unconscious) Black: 7 Blue: 14 (unconscious) Green: 18 (unconscious)

Blitz gives chase to the fleeing bandit

bite: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17 for bite: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7 (plus trip)

+1 if bard still active

trip: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 4 + 1 = 21

Viridian double moves to keep up.

Having put away her wand, Mrs. Book draws a scroll of bless and continues the chase (though still keeping at a safe distance).

The wolf is pretty fast and may be able to catch up but since the area the opponent is in is spoilered it is hard to say. Could we get the wolf icon moved and the area unspoilered?

sorry I am not able to update map on my phone…but with the blacked out map, I was not sure where wolf was going anyway :)

I'll address that as soon as I can. It's not immediately important, though.

Blitz brings down the last of the bandits.

Out of combat! More to come soon.

The door that the last bandit fled through opens onto a continuation of the hallway, and there are several doors visible.

Mrs. book catches up to the animalistic pair and peeks out into the hallway.

"More doors, hun? Shall we try the one to the right?"

Of course by 'we', she means Vir.

I will check and open it. But beware, these fellows called for more of his kin before Blitz took him down. Is it worth questioning them?

perception: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (4) + 15 = 19 door to right (then open if nothing found)

I don't think we have the time to interrogate one of them right now. But we can try not to kill everyone so we can have answers to our questions later; of course, it supposes we don't get killed in the meantime.

Viridian hears sounds like small animals shrieking in pain and fear.

He points to the door indicating he hears something, and then opens it.

Mrs. Book stands ready with a scroll of bless.

Viridian shoves the door open, and immediately notices the smells of animal waste and fear. The room is filled with small cages containing rabbits, mice, cats, and dogs; many have oddly colored fur or make sounds that are atypical for their species. In the room is a human male in work clothes--a stained linen shirt, trousers, and boots. Although he's unarmored, he has a shortsword sheathed at his side. He wears a mask like the other bandits. By his side is a metallic-looking snake.

Before we go any further, where do Corbrae and Joseph want to be on the map?

Put myself right behind the wolf, sword in hands

Near the front next to a doorway.

Round 1 (ongoing):

Initiative order
Enemy/Cobra-acted
Corbrae
Mrs. Book
Joseph
Viridian/Blitz

Before anyone can act, the man takes advantage of the party's distraction, stepping up in front of Viridian as he draws his sword, then casting a spell.

A brilliant cone of clashing colors flashes forth from his outstretched hand, illuminating everyone except Joseph. Everyone except Joseph, DC 14 Will save or blinded and stunned for four rounds, then stunned for another round. The snake slithers up with a scrape of metal on stone, biting at Viridian around the door frame. Viridian, if you save against the spell it'll barely miss; if you don't, take 7 HP and DC 14 Fort save or fall unconscious and take 1 point CON damage.

Everyone can act (at least, Joseph and everyone else who saved can act).

Bandit: AC ? T ? FF ? HP taken: 0
Snake: AC ? T ? FF ? HP taken: 0

Know Arcana: 1d20 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 8 + 1 = 16

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12

Will save: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14

[ooc]Foolish of us to attack all from the same side! Of course our foes can take advantage of that as we do![/i]

Look out!

But the warning may come too late, as Corbrae close her eyes at the last second, her attention focused on the mechanical snake

An iron cobra! Beware! It might not be natural, but it does have some poison, I guess...

will: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15

Mrs. Book is well versed in that particular spell. Any differences in the way they cast the spell are discarded when the flashing lights hit her.

"Color Spay, huh? I'd return the favor but there are too many friends in the way."

Is he wielding a weapon and, if so, what kind?

He has a shortsword drawn.

Mrs. Book casts a DC 15 grease spell on he man's sword.

Viridian is surprised at the man's quickness.

viridian will: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18 vs color

blitz will: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12 vs color - fails

viridian fort: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18 vs snake

WHAT??!??

The druid instinctively strikes back at the bandit with his enhanced staff. (assuming it has not been 3mins since the start of the 4 bandit combat)

By all that is green, take this you bandit!

+1 shillelagh: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 4 + 1 = 18 for blunt,magic: 2d6 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (1, 5) + 2 + 1 = 9

Beware all, there is a metal snake in here with him!