GM Top's Dungeon Delver's

Game Master Pete H.

Kaz votes for the open room and leads the way of the others are with him.

Open room it is then. Grunigon follows Kaz.

The acrid stench of chemicals and reagents fills this chamber, and the walls are marred by strange stains and scorch marks. Several tables are scattered about the room, covered in a bewildering plethora of glassware, alembics, retorts, tubes, simmering cauldrons, and smoking beakers full of brightly colored liquids. Scattered pages of written notes in a crabbed hand lie strewn about the chamber. A large alcove in the northwest corner contains a bookshelf groaning under the weight of heavy, dusty tomes and scrolls. Three large glass vats stand against the eastern wall, filled with bubbling green fluid. Floating within the vats are three grotesque objects—putrescent corpses, tubes and wires embedded in their rotting flesh, their skin discolored with decay and chemical stains.

A hunchbacked man peeks around the corner, obviously waiting for the loud group to show themselves. He speaks, ”Ah, dwarves. Probably here selling mining tools. I’m sorry though, I don’t need any. My associate, Mr. Marrow, will show you out the way you came.”

A very obvious undead zombie shuffles over to the group.

What… DO YOU DO?!?

Dran eyes the arcane and alchemical apparatus and the approaching zombie says quickly We have no mining tools to sell but might be interested in alchemical wares. Might you have something for sale?

”How long have you been down here? What do you eat,” the Paladin asks the strange man. He also uses his detect evil ability, expecting it to go off with the animated undead.

Umm...what in the blazes? Ander stammers out as he looks around, his hands reflexively readying his gun for a fight.

Grunigon watches the obvious undead zombie approaching and moves to get a better view of the large vats. "We know the way out and won't be needing an escort." Readies a dagger in case there is combat.

Kaztor clearly gets a ping from his god that this zombie is definitely evil!

The mad scientist?’s face turns red with anger and spittle flies as he speaks, ”CAN YOU NOT SEE I’M WORKING ON IMPORTANT THINGS?!? If you won’t leave then you will become bodies for my experiments!!!”

With that, one of the bodies in the tanks bursts out. It smells of acrid chemicals and drips oozing slime as it shambles.

Initiative
Halali: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6
Dran: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8
Grunigon: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12
Bilos: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25
Xev: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 1 = 14
Ander: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17
Kaztor: 1d20 ⇒ 3

Scientist: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23
Zombie: 1d20 ⇒ 5
Chemical Undead Thingy: 1d20 ⇒ 13

Round 1: Mad Scyentist
Bilos
Scientist
Ander
Xev
Green Fancy Zombie (Craft Alchemy to ID, but probably similar to blue details)
Grunigon
Dran
Halali
Blue (basic zombie, DR 5/slashing, undead traits)
Kaztor

Bold are up!

"You could have just asked nicely."

Knowing that his usual strategy won't work here, Bilos advances and does something few have seen before... pulls his battleaxe from his belt.

The psychic changes up tactics!

Face still red with violent rage, the intelligent foe slams back an elixir and steps out into the room, drawing his wicked looking long spear.

Round 1: Mad Scyentist
Bilos
Scientist
Ander
Xev
Green Fancy Zombie (Craft Alchemy to ID, but probably similar to blue details)
Grunigon
Dran
Halali
Blue (basic zombie, DR 5/slashing, undead traits)
Kaztor

Bold are up!

But Dran wanted to talk...

Ander shuffles forward in the middle of the group and lowers his weapon at the nutty professor.

Firing! he warns a half second before he pulls the trigger.

bang!: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 6 + 1 = 211d12 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2 He then draws a paper cartridge, knowing speed is of the essence here.

can't reload this round, but next round reload and fire...

"The time for talk has passed! Have at thee!"

Darksteel Anvil vs. Green: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15
Bludgeoning Damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

A shield of force springs into place around the undead making fiend, deflecting the bullet into the wall (flavor, the shot missed).

Xev lands a blow on the alchemical infused undead monstrosity as well! But its undead lack of biology prevents any organ damage from causing actual harm (DR 5/slashing).

It then attempts to slam into him!

Green at Xev: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23 for Bludg: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

Connecting with a solid *thwack*. Which has similar results to the blow it took (less 5 damage from DR).

Round 1: Mad Scyentist
Bilos
Scientist
Ander
Xev (-2 HP)
Green Fancy Zombie (Basic Zombie (see blue) + some extra stuff, Craft Alchemy to ID)
Grunigon
Dran
Halali
Blue (basic zombie, DR 5/slashing, undead traits)
Kaztor

Bold are up!

Grunigon steps up to the zombie (green) with his dagger, but first reaches out to touch the creature with his hand glowing with positive energy.

Touch attack with CLW from Healing Hex. Touch attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18, damage if that hits?: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6 Will save DC13 for half.

Grunigon feels that the undead chemical monstrosity could use some good healing! He steps up and taps it on an open wound.

Will DC 13: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7

The festering wound just gets worse! Oh this poor creature.

Round 1: Mad Scyentist
Bilos
Scientist
Ander
Xev (-2 HP)
Green Fancy Zombie (-6 HP, Basic Zombie (see blue) + some extra stuff, Craft Alchemy to ID)
Grunigon
Dran
Halali
Blue (basic zombie, DR 5/slashing, undead traits)
Kaztor

Bold are up!

craft alchemy: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12

Ander recalls reading something about alchemical treatments for dead bodies that strengthen their durability. Theoretically these could make an undead creature more resistant to damage (higher AC) and positive energy (Channel Resistance).

Dran and Halali are up!

Halali looks down the crowded corridor, and pauses. "You all brought your axes for zombie-felling, right boys?" she calls as she bolsters her own defences and swaps back to her kusarigama.

Cast Protection from Evil, draw weapon. Not going to move up into the free spot at the front of the queue just yet, I'll give the front rank room to organise themselves first ;)

Dran quick casts Diving Favor before 5' stepping up to green and swinging.

mwk greatsword: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 6 + 2 = 92d6 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (4, 1) + 4 + 2 = 11 Sigh...

I think whoever made your sword and my peashooter are either drunk, incompetent or both, Dran. Ha!

Halali prepares for the fight, picking a weapon and protecting herself from the forces of evil!

Dran knows he has the perfect weapon to hack up zombies, but his confidence is his downfall. He swings too hard and aims for the neck, but his sweaty palms slow the blade to juuust slip a tiny bit over his target’s head.

The last foe to act tries to body slam the spirit.

Blue vs Xev: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24
Confirm?: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15
Bludg: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

The phantom is apparently easy to hit, but hard to take down.

Rounds 1 & 2: Mad Scyentist
Bilos
Scientist
Ander
Xev (-5 HP)
Green Fancy Zombie (-6 HP, Basic Zombie (see blue) + some extra stuff, Craft Alchemy to ID)
Grunigon
Dran
Halali
Blue (basic zombie, DR 5/slashing, undead traits)
Kaztor

Bold are up!

Kaz drops his possibly cursed hammer, moves 5’ forward and pulls his silver battleaxe before attacking eh blue zombie.

Attack 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20
Damage 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

Bilos move sin and actually swings his axe at Blue.

Cold Iron Battleaxe: 1d20 ⇒ 15
Slashing Damage: 1d6 - 1 ⇒ (3) - 1 = 2

It's not the best attack anyone has seen, but he doesn't get any points on his dwarfer's license.

Your damage looks a bit low Kaz - your STR mod is more than +1, right?

Your damage looks a bit low Kaz - your STR mod is more than +1, right?

Using an alchemical silver weapon so it is -1 on the damage die, unfortunately!

Y’all gotta move yourselves or ask for help doing it. Kaztor never moved next to his target and then Bilos slid in the open spot. So both attacked from the same spot. Since Kaz went first I’ll use his attack to count and have Bilos be delayed. That means Bilos can act now, but if you attack anything please use your earlier roll. Thanks!

Kaztor chops the zombie good, even with the dulled edge from the silver coating.

The boss crazy person has seen enough from his minions though, screeching, ”No you idiots! Ignore the spirit. I can’t animate it anyway. You, kill that one. You kill that one. He points the zombies towards the dwarves instead of Xev.”

He also takes a hand off his spear and lobs a bomb into the middle of the group, ”And I’ll just kill EVERYONE!!”

Bomb vs Xev’s Touch AC: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (14) + 9 = 23 for Cold: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

The explosion of icy rime drills the spirit in the face. Xev feels their limbs begin to harden and slow.

Xev has a DC 14 Fort save or will be staggered for one round.

The zombies slowly duck the explosion of icy shards.

Blue Reflex: 1d20 ⇒ 6
Green Reflex: 1d20 ⇒ 20

One of the zombies freezes up and shatters, collapsing dead. The scientist shrugs and regrips his spear with both hands.

Kaztor and Dran have a DC 14 reflex save for half of the 4 ice splash damage.

Round 2: Mad Scyentist
Scientist
Bilos
Ander
Xev (-13 HP, Fort Save Due)
Green Fancy Zombie (-8 HP, Alchemical Zombie, Channel Res, DR 5/slashing, undead traits)
Grunigon
Dran (-4 or -2, Reflex Save due, Divine Favor)
Halali (Prot Evil)
Blue (-12 HP, basic zombie, DR 5/slashing, undead traits)
Kaztor (-4 or -2, Reflex Save due)

Bold are up!

Apologies. I forgot to ask for help moving Kaz. My fault for the confusion.

Stand still, ya mutt! I'm trying to put this between yer peepers... Ander says as he slams home a round and quickly aims and fires at the scientist.

bang!: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 6 + 1 = 201d12 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

Ander gets a pretty good shot in, but his foe does not stand still. The enemy manages to keep Shooter’s own teammates in the line of fire, providing just enough cover to throw off the dwarf’s aim.

Bilos and Xev up, and some saves for various dwarves and spirits.

Fort Save: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

Xev feels sluggish, but still manages to yell out, "Ignore me at your peril!" and slams an ectoplasmic hammer into the zombie.

Darksteel Anvil: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20
Bludgeoning Damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

He then takes a step toward the scientist.

Bilos moves into the vacated space and swings his axe in exactly the way he envisioned earlier.

Reflex save 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 1 = 18

”Im coming to get you, necromancer!”

Refelx Save: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7

Ouch! That stings. Dran shouts as his bad luck continues.

Xev manages to beat his way through the zombies body, arms extending into the chest cavity and ripping out enough parts to make his foe stop moving.

With no cannon fodder left, the psychotic scientist doesn’t seem that concerned.

Round 2: Mad Scyentist
Scientist
Bilos
Ander
Xev (-13 HP, Staggered till start of next turn)
Grunigon
Dran (-4, Divine Favor)
Halali (Prot Evil)
Kaztor (-2)

Bold are up! There is a double wide hallway to the north. I’ll switch us to a different map if we head up there.

Kaz moves 10’ forward to the north and swings his silver battleaxe before attacking the vile necromancer.

Attack 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7
Damage 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Could someone move me 10’ north, please?

The baddie stabs at Kaz!

Spear: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21 for Piercing: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

Ouchies!!!

Kaz’s return slash is definitely a miss.

Not wanting to get in the way of the melee folk Grunigon throws his dagger at the crazy man, Attack: 1d20 + 3 - 2 ⇒ (1) + 3 - 2 = 2 and completely misses.

Halali advances, stepping over bits of recently de-animated corpse. With the lunatic huncback just out of her reach, she calls upon the spirits of the ancestors to renew their closest representative...

healing hex, Xev: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

Ander, aren't you targeting Touch AC within 40' with your boomstick?

gotta use a grit for that...

After looking up the firearm rules, it appears Ander hit with his last shot vs touch.

The bullet wound is slow to show up and the mad scientist initially thinks it misses. But as we all know from TV, attacks like that tend to develop later for dramatic reasons.

First Blood to Ander!

Kaztor and Grunigon try to distract the foe for Dran to strike!

Halali heals up the spirit a bit.

Round 2: Mad Scyentist
Scientist (-7 HP, peeved)
Bilos
Ander
Xev (-5 HP, Staggered till start of next turn)
Grunigon
Dran (-4, Divine Favor)
Halali (Prot Evil)
Kaztor (-9)

Bold are up! There is a double wide hallway to the north. I’ll switch us to a different map if we head up there.

Dran marches up and 5' beyond where he needed to be to strike, hoping the foe had exhausted his ability to make attacks of opportunity. He then quick heals himself and attacks.

Ferver: 1d6 ⇒ 4

mwk greatsword: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 6 + 2 = 172d6 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (1, 5) + 4 + 2 = 12

And since we retconned that missed gunshot to a hit, I don’t feel bad about retconning my forgetting about PBS on the last bomb. So Xev gets one extra damage. Muahahahaaa!

The foe sighs, ”Healing? Really? Wimps. Just let death take you. Then I can get to work.”

Dran’s strike fails to land. The jerk steps back and lobs another bomb into the crowd.

Bomb + buffs at Xev: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (15) + 10 = 25 for Cold + Buffs: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

Xev has another DC 14 Fort Save or he is staggered this round.

Bilos, Halali and Kaztor have a DC 14 Reflex Save for half of 4 frost damage.

He cackles again before regrasping his spear.

Round 3: Mad Scyentist
Scientist (-7 HP, peeved)
Bilos (-4 or -2, Reflex Save due)
Ander
Xev (-12 HP, Fort Save)
Grunigon
Dran (Divine Favor)
Halali (-4 or -2, Reflex Save due, Prot Evil)
Kaztor (-13 or -11, Reflex Save due)

Bold are up!

I've had enough of this mutt! Just die yourself, you misbegotten cur! Ander says with a deliberate puff of his cigar as he slams home a round and pulls the trigger quickly.

bang!: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 6 + 1 = 231d12 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 1 = 12

i think I just pulled aggro...lol

Updated the map to give everyone the appropriate space to do things. Ander hits, hard, but hasn’t killed or forced surrender from the enemy.

Dran strikes again, 5' stepping if needed to avoid cover from that corner.

mwk greatsword: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 6 + 2 = 232d6 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (2, 3) + 4 + 2 = 11

You get to use all your skills and knowledge to attack us while you expect me to not call on my god for aid in this fight. Well, forget that.

Reflex 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 1 = 18

Kaz expends a use of his Lay on Hands to heal himself, hoping the group has brought down the necromancer.

LOH 1d6 ⇒ 1

Having thrown his dagger to who knows where Grunigon switches back to his sling. needing a miracle to hit: 1d20 ⇒ 7 No need to add modifiers. Miss....

ref DC14: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24

Halali ducks the worst of the frigid blast. She darts forwards, her chained blade whirling and whipping forwards...

kusarigama grapple: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12