[Gameday XI] GM Zin's CORE 10-10 The Shattered Shield (Inactive)

Game Master Zin Z'arin

Aye...let's get this done... Theron says as he spits a mouthful of bile out and downs a waterskin in one go.

Moving forward despite the awful stench, you move into a room that was clearly once a shrine with several sarcophagi. Now, it's been turned into a casino, using two of the sarcophagi as gaming tables. The dwarven dealers for those games, as well as a half-elf bouncer, rush out as soon as you enter, clearly fearing the casino is being raided by the authorities. optional encounter that we're skipping since the game has taken so long

Moving through to the next room, you find a grand burial chamber with a large dais in the center. It appears to have been converted into a ritual chamber. Two concentric circles of ornate runes have been scrawled in chalk atop the dais. The dais itself is surrounded by four obelisks, each of which is topped with an inverted tetrahedron clasped by a black stone claw. Each of the crystals emits a strange, crimson glow.

please put yourselves in the yellow box, and then I'll describe who you see and what else is happening.

can someone put me right beside Iladora please? on my phone right now...computer is acting weird...ty!

can someone put me right beside Iladora please? on my phone right now...computer is acting weird...ty!

Done!

Menudo draws his semi-reliable Wand of Shield and attempts to use it.

Not sure how many chances I get on the way, but I'll roll as many as I need either way, and you can let me know if there's enough time.

UMD: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (20) + 12 = 32

A mystical force surrounds Menudo, shielding him somewhat.

sorry, no update, because I ran out of time reading the game so far.

You see a human-like creature preparing a ritual of some sort as she converses with a small doll. "Soon my little friend, soon we will ascend, and we will finally have the power to reach beyond this world!" The little doll responds in a sweet, almost childlike voice, murmuring hopeful encouragements.

A moment later, the larger one notices you are in the room, smirks at you and says "Well, found us, have you? It’s too late now. As soon as my employer gets here I shall become something more powerful than you can possibly imagine!" As she cackles madly at her own declaration, the
doll interjects "Not fair, sweet queen, not fair! A game must be played before you can be declared the victor!"

At this, the woman stops cackling and a strangely serious look comes over her face. "Quite right, quite right. Well, would-be heroes? Shall we play a game for the shard?"

Zaashakar proposes a simple game that involves spinning the shard upon the ground; if the shard comes to rest pointing at Zaashakar, the PCs must agree to leave the Alhanzir Cemetery and not return for exactly 24 hours. If the shard comes to rest pointing at any of the PCs, one of them must assist her in completing her ritual, after which she will relinquish the shard to them.

Knowledge (religion): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24

"That much carrion in a tomb, meeting a ghoul was inevitable," Milo mutters under his breath. "I don't like the sound of her game."

Menudo speaks grimly. "I propose a different game. It's called..."

He pauses dramatically...

"Send to the Boneyard."

Initiative?

I like that game, Menudo... Theron says as he grips his blade tightly, knowing battle imminent.

"Surely you don't intend to raise arms against them before they tell us what their ritual is for? I for one am intrigued."

Zim waits for someone to make the first move.

religion: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18

"She's a ghoul, so be careful."

At Menudo's words, Iladora hoists her sword. "Agreed!"

I say roll for initiative. Iladora would charge, but I don't see the enemy on the map lol.

Red shrugs. Nobody appreciates his people.

The ghoul climbs up the platform and does something to a crystal.

Theron finds himself targeted by a ray from the crystal.
attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12 but the ray misses.

The party is up.

Milo moves up behind Theron and lightly touches his ally's arm. "Remember, having a halfling around is lucky. Now go kill her, hard and fast."

Using his Bit of Luck granted power on Theron: "You can touch a willing creature as a standard action, giving it a bit of luck. For the next round, any time the target rolls a d20, he may roll twice and take the more favorable result."

Menudo moves in on the despicable thing and swings but, wary of a dangerous foe, he chooses to do so very carefully.

Attacking defensively: 1d20 + 9 - 4 ⇒ (8) + 9 - 4 = 13

My gold's on that missing, but here's damage just in case.

damage: 1d10 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14

Menudo has 3 ranks in acrobatics, his AC is now 23 for the turn.

Theron flashes the halfling a smile.

Aye...that I can do... he says as he moves to catch the ghoul between himself and Menudo.

attack, PA, FF: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (15) + 10 = 251d8 + 4 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 + 4 = 9
attack2: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (12) + 10 = 22

"Feel free to tell us your cunning plan. We still care!"

Red punctuates this request with a slash.

+1 Scythe: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10
Slashing Damage: 2d4 + 6 ⇒ (3, 2) + 6 = 11

It's more of a question mark.

"Rrraaaaaaaaah!" Venting all her anger, Iladora rushes up to the creature and brings her sword down in a powerful chop.

Greatsword - Power Attack: 1d20 + 9 - 2 ⇒ (9) + 9 - 2 = 16
Damage + Power Attack: 2d6 + 6 + 6 ⇒ (5, 5) + 6 + 6 = 22

Taking the opportunity while away from the prying eyes of the Pure Legion, Zim holds out her holy symbol and intones a prayer to Abadar. Casts bless on the party. +1 on attacks and saves vs. fear

Casts bless on the party. +1 on attacks and saves vs. fear

Would that be retroactive to our other actions?

She begins to cast a spell, casting defensively.

CL check, roll only: 1d20 ⇒ 20 success.

Iladora finds herself touched by a spell.
fort save, please.

She also has one of the crystals target Menudo.

attack, ranged touch: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10 nope.

Party is up. Please post your save before the rest of your turn, Iladora.

I forgot to note everyone's attacks hit but Red's.

Not sure if I can 5's step there, I belive it would be considered stepping out of difficult terrain, and thus ok.

Menudo moves into a strategic position and throws caution to the wind.

Attack with flank: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (19) + 10 = 29

damage: 1d10 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

Finally, a freaking critical threat!

Crit confirm: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (6) + 10 = 16

damage: 1d10 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

Bless was not included.

"I tried."

+1 Scythe: 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 8 + 2 = 28
Slashing Damage: 2d4 + 6 ⇒ (4, 1) + 6 = 11

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6

Milo sees the spell, but has absolute no idea what it did to Iladora. However, he was planning to spread around his goddess's favors anyway, so he moves up behind the ranger to grant her a bit of luck. It certainly seems a better tactic than putting himself within reach of a ghoul.

Fort: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18
Ooo, just barely.

Iladora feels her body start to warp under her, but she forces it away (briefly).

Greatsword - Power Attack: 1d20 + 9 - 2 ⇒ (16) + 9 - 2 = 23 (+2 Favored Enemy if she's undead, I forgot this last round)
Damage + Power Attack: 2d6 + 6 + 6 ⇒ (4, 1) + 6 + 6 = 17 (+2 Favored Enemy if she's undead)

bit of luck on Iladora's attack: 1d20 + 9 - 2 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 9 - 2 + 2 = 12
Nope, no crit threat, but I wanted to check, just in case! And yes, we know she's a ghoul.

Don't forget, most of us are sickened. I think Milo and Menudo are the only ones who aren't.

Zim moves up to give Theron a boost. (Inspiring Word - +2 on attack, skill checks, ability checks and saving throws for 1 round) She waves her spear "threateningly" at the ghoul while she's there.

[dice=bit of luck on Iladora's attack]1d20+9-2+2

Nope, no crit threat, but I wanted to check, just in case! And yes, we know she's a ghoul.

Thanks! Sorry I didn't realize you had ninja'd me.

yeah...forgot the sickened last round...so take 2 damage off..my bad!

Theron shifts his stance to open up Red to gut her from behind. He slashes at her with a mighty cross cut.

attack, sickened, IW, PA, FF: 1d20 + 10 - 2 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 10 - 2 + 2 + 1 = 131d8 + 4 + 4 - 2 ⇒ (5) + 4 + 4 - 2 = 11[ooc]edit..forgot Bless...so adding +1 to the roll...not likely gonna make a difference..[ooc]

Working together, you shred the evil ghoul.

Iladora, please roll 5 more fort saves. I'll roll the damage for any you fail.

As she falls, the little doll begins to cry out to you, "I’m free! Free from that evil witch! Please take me with you and allow me to serve Abadar
with a righteous ally!"

Fortitude 1: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11
Fortitude 1: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7
Fortitude 1: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8
Fortitude 1: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17
Fortitude 1: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16

Cannot hope to make that Sense Motive check. I'll wait to find out the effects of the spell before saying anything.

Menudo turns to the doll thing...

"Tell us where the shield is, things might go better for you."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19

Iladora's gets to roll twice on one of those Fort saves thanks to bit of luck.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18

Fortitude reroll: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8
Heh, yea that figures.

sense motive: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15going for a hail mary..with a 20 and a few aids, i might hit it...lol...yeah, right...

What are you...some sort of possessed doll or some such? Theron asks, not sure of what he is looking at

The doll answers Menudo sweetly "Pick me up and I'll show you."

It ignores Theron.

For Iladora, that's four failures. You take 4 dex and 4 con damage, as well as 8d6 ⇒ (6, 5, 2, 1, 2, 5, 2, 2) = 25 damage. (this will all go away as soon as the scenario ends, because it's damage not drain.)

What do you do about the doll, team?

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19

"I'm sure the Pure Legion would like to learn about a dutiful artifact such as yourself. Can you move on your own?"

Menudo takes out his winter blanket, and tries to trap the thing in it.

Grapple check?

Ouch! With the Con damage and the couple of points I lost earlier, that leaves me at exactly 1 hit point. I'm gonna go ahead and expend a charge or two from my wand, just so I don't trip and fall unconscious on our way out of here.

Cure light wounds: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
Cure light wounds: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

It's small enough that Menudo is able to grab it.

Menudo, are you trying to cover its head so it can't speak or look around, or just wrapping it up while leaving its head free?

Bundling it up, completely covered, like a hobo sack.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20

Zim looks suspiciously at the doll. "What are you? And why are you talking?" Aside to the rest of the team, "Wasn't the ghoul thing talking to it before we came in?"

Looking around, you are able to find the shield fragment. Having succeeded at your mission, you leave, relieved. The venture captain congratulates you on a successful mission.

OK, team, that's the end. I'll get sheets out in a day or two for you. On behalf of the team for Gameday, I'm sorry that this turned out to be a rough experience, and hope you'll stay around for more play by post games.

Say the word, Menudo...and i'll crush that thing into little pieces...I don't trust it...but as long as it's bound, it shouldn't be a problem. Theron says as he eyes the bundle in case anything warrants his attention.

upon reaching the lodge, a scroll sits waiting for them to return. Theron and Menudo's names are on it. the warrior cracks the seal while the paladin hands off the doll.

Hmm...looks like our presence is "requested", my friend. We are to make our way to Taldor at once. So much for a day off. No rest for the wicked, eh? he chuckles as he raids the kitchen and wine cellar for the trip to Taldor.

gg guys...i'm sure i'll be at a table with at least one of you in the near future...other than Menudo that is..lol...

"I think the Dark Archive would be very interested in this abomination. Don't worry, I'm sure they'll send it after us when it eventually escapes, gets stolen, or takes over the whole damn lodge. Thank you all for an... interesting mission."