Kobolds of the Crowned King (Inactive)

Game Master Doug Hahn

"I nominate you to try it out, Broomzad! If you want, I can go down with you."

You pull the chain up. Nothing happens. YUM YUM The cauldron looks weirdly like Chef's buddy.

You guys heading down or tabling it for now & continuing left?

"However, maybe we should continue to the left rather than exploring deeper into the depths?"

Kadosh nods. "Yes, better to leave nothing behind us," he agrees. That's basic koboldry. Leave nothing behind but traps. Leave no trace...

Yes, let's clear out this level first.

You move along the tunnels beyond the well, ignoring the double doors to the right.

Unlike the rest of this level, this area features rough stone and undressed rock reminiscent of a mine shaft. The tunnels divide and rejoin several times, marring one’s ability to maintain a sense of direction. Thick, acrid smoke in these tunnels makes it difficult to see and breathe.

The thick smoke imposes a –2 circumstance penalty to visual Perception checks, and creatures are concealed at a distance of more than 10 feet.

You begin to feel nauseous from all this smoke. Any creature that breathes in the smoke becomes sickened 1 and can’t reduce this condition’s value below 1 until they can get a breath of fresh air.

A loud crackling fills the room ahead.

Level map updated! Move on?

Who needs air? Push through the cloud?

Sure, what could possibly go wrong?

"I have had to make culinary magic out of worse smelling things."

Kadosh uses the smoke to fall back slightly, letting the others get close to the fire or whatever the problem is. That way if they need to run, perhaps whatever's causing it will stop to eat one of them before him.

A loud crackling fills the room. Blistering hot smoke pours forth, lit with a strange orange light. A massive forge responsible for the hellish atmosphere takes up the entire far wall of the cavern. Between the forge and the entrance stands a massive anvil, and nearby rest hammers, tongs, and other blacksmithing tools. The roar of the forge almost drowns out a faint whimpering sound.

A ghostly dwarf with a fiery beard stands at the forge; he pulls beautiful, newly-forged clan dagger from the forge and shatters it with his warhammer.

He notices you, and grasps a ghostly chain and howls like a bellows.

★★★
The Spurrned Round 1

Terrain: creatures are concealed at a distance of more than 10 feet
Battlemap

──────────
BOLD IS UP!:
──────────
➤ Broomzad (26/26 HP) │ Sick 1
➤ Zyphlryx (22/22 HP) │ Sick 1
Fire-Ghost Dwarf (-0 HP)
Imperius (22/22 HP) │ Sick 1
Kadosh (26/26 HP) │ Sick 1
Pepin le Beouf (20/20 HP) │ Sick 1

"Well, that was certainly a waste."

Zyphlryx moves in and takes a look at the dwarf. Recall Knowledge ◈, Arcana/Crafting/Occultism/Society +8, Nature +5

One action remaining, pending outcome of above.

Broomzad moves in and attacks the howling ghost.

Shortsword: 1d20 + 7 - 1 ⇒ (20) + 7 - 1 = 26
Damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

Shortsword: 1d20 + 3 - 1 ⇒ (11) + 3 - 1 = 13
Damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

Check out the hawt ghost-on-ghost action!

Zyphlryx casts his shield cantrip, cowering behind it yet peeking out to watch the melee.

Broomzad curs through the creature's torso then misses wildly! Crit, miss

The ghost whips its fiery chains —

Soul Chains, Sickened: 1d20 + 15 - 1 ⇒ (16) + 15 - 1 = 30
S, Fire: 2d8 + 5 + 1d6 ⇒ (2, 4) + 5 + (2) = 13

Broomzad's nimble reflexes save him from getting one-shot byt his fellow undead.

Air whooshes in towards the ghoat liek a hurricane as it pulls in air, then it blows out a blast of stinging soot, ash, and glowing embers that hovers in the air! Each creature that moves into or starts their turn in the area takes 6d6 fire damage, with a DC 2120 basic Reflex save. A creature that fails its save is also blinded for 1 minute. Creatures within the cloud are concealed, though not from the creature who created the cloud.

It catches everyone but Kadosh.

Fire: 6d6 ⇒ (6, 3, 5, 6, 1, 1) = 22

★★★
The Spurrned Round 2

Terrain: creatures are concealed at a distance of more than 10 feet, creatures in 30 foot cone are concealed and starting your turn in it means another ref save
Battlemap

──────────
BEFORE YOUR TURN:
──────────
Broomzad: DC 20 ref vs 22 fire
Zyphlryx: DC 20 ref vs 22 fire
Imperius: DC 20 ref vs 22 fire
Pepin le Beouf: DC 20 ref vs 22 fire with +2 bonus from cover

──────────
BOLD IS UP!:
──────────
➤ Broomzad (13/26 HP) │ Sick 1
➤ Zyphlryx (22/22 HP) │ Sick 1
Fire-Ghost Dwarf (-18 HP) │ Sick 1
➤ Imperius (22/22 HP) │ Sick 1
➤ Kadosh (26/26 HP) │ Sick 1
➤ Pepin le Beouf (20/20 HP) │ Sick 1

Ref DC20: 1d20 + 7 - 1 ⇒ (15) + 7 - 1 = 21

Somehow Imperius avoids the brunt of the fire, and survives it.

He then attempts his esoteric knowledge on the ghost.
Esoteric Lore: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10

He then moves, and fires his crossbow, triggering his last potency crystal

hand crossbow +7 (range increment 60 feet, reload 1): 1d20 + 7 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (15) + 7 + 1 - 1 = 22
piercing: 2d6 + 2 ⇒ (2, 1) + 2 = 5
Plus personal antithesis 3

DC 20 Refl: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21

Zyphlryx avoids the worst of the damage, but also decides that discretion might be the better part of valor. Maybe we should leave this fellow to his bellows? Z coughs out, eyeing the exit.

Delay until Broomzad at least departs, then follow. (And Imperius who may wanna change his actions, GM permitting.)

Reflex save: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (7) + 10 = 17

Broomzad does not survive the fire.

Kadosh stands back from the conflagration, impressed as always with his cleverness at not rushing forward. He waits to see if anyone stumbles out of the firestorm.

Hero Point!

Reflex save: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (4) + 10 = 14 Whelp

Broomzad falls to the ground in the cloud, dying.

Athletics to shove him into the hallway or sell me on something, looks like you want to run away but we need to help our friend not die again

Kadosh sighs as he realizes several of his fellow kobolds have emerged from the smoke -- which means they would likely tell the queen if he did nothing. Gritting his teeth, he rushes into the cloud to somehow grab Broomzad.

He screams as the fire burns him. 22 hp damage; 4 remaining

Stride (then save), Shove, Stride
Reflex (expert): 1d20 + 10 - 1 ⇒ (10) + 10 - 1 = 19
Athletics (trained): 1d20 + 7 - 1 ⇒ (15) + 7 - 1 = 21

Flat check to find him? I'm hoping I don't need to Seek, since then I'd be stuck in this cloud for another round.

Flat: 1d20 ⇒ 12

Kaadosh bravely strides in and then shoves Broomzad away from the fire! The floating ghost bounces like a ball down the passage…

Imperius also runs away.

Pepin le Boeuf's Reflex (T): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8 Think macros needs updating should be +6

Pepin falls too. The cloud of fire swirls and whooshes, consuming all.

The cloud dissipates. The ghost turns back to work on the bellows.

Staying in init as we have Dying PCs.

★★★
The Spurrned Round 3

Terrain: creatures are concealed at a distance of more than 10 feet, creatures in 30 foot cone are concealed and starting your turn in it means another ref save
Battlemap

──────────
BOLD IS UP!:
──────────
➤ Zyphlryx (11/22 HP) │ Sick 1
Broomzad (0/26 HP) │ Sick 1, Dying 1
Pepin le Beouf (0/20 HP) │ Sick 1, Dying 2
Fire-Ghost Dwarf (-18 HP) │ Sick 1
➤ Imperius (11/22 HP) │ Sick 1
➤ Kadosh (4/26 HP) │ Sick 1

Pepin le Boeuf's Reflex (T): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21

Pepin lives after spending a hero point,. Can you save your ghost friend?

Zyphlryx curses a kobold curse (ooh, what he just called Broomzad's mother!) and races to the fallen apparition, whipping up an elixir faster than anyone can see and dumping down what serves as Broomzad's gullet.

Stride, Quick Tincture ◈ to create a minor elixir of life, Interact action to administer.

Pepin, having exceeded his heroism quota for the day, screams in terror and runs for his life.

Realizing he can actually do something to help, he casts a two action heal on Zyphlryx first.

Healing: 1d8 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10

With your companions alive, you manage to flee! You hear the clattering of a hammer and the bellowing of the forge as the ghost returns to work. Out of combat

Kadosh hisses as he realizes he got burned helping his companions and Pepin isn't healing him. Well, if that's the way things are, Kadosh will remember the chef's priorities for the future.

"We need to recover, somewhere safe. Then go somewhere else!" he suggests.

Executive decision

You head back to the gelatinous cube room and heal up.

Onward!

You come to the next set of doors, avoiding the sulfurous smokey ghost area.

A voice preaches on the opposite side of these closed doors:

… chained by your flesh, confined by your mortality, enslaved by time. In every waking hour, the fear of death lingers over your head, a ticking clock that cannot be ignored, a dirge that dances in your ears. Will it be by old age? A fallen tree? A broken sawblade at the lumber mill? It is a fate that no man or woman can escape... or so the world wants you to believe.

But a path offers transcendence over this crude existence. It is a powerful thing here in this valley — do hyou not feel it too? Necromancy is a path shrouded in mystery and fear by those who do not understand, but in truth, it is a path of power, of liberation… of eternity.

Rebirth into undeath is not a curse. It is a gift that frees you from your mortal coil, gifting you power beyond your wildest dreams, and time...oh, so much time. Eons to do good work for the betterment of humankind… to conquer every forest, cobble every hill, mill every tree.

Life may have been the womb that birthed us, but undeath is the forge that will shape us into something more!

Map updated

Imperius checks that his potency crystal is still mounted on this hand crossbow, and loads a bolt with centipede venom into it.

He indicates everyone should likewise prep for battle before they open the door.

Pepin prepares to unleash havoc!

Havoc refers to his final remaining spell slot, in this case.

"I'm alive again!" Broomzad exclaims as he rises from the floor.

"Right?" He seems less sure upon closer inspection.

You kick open the door. Inside you see a cultist human with an albino rat on his shoulder. Sitting in the room are four pinkskin lumberjacks, listening to the cultist's sermon.

Are you here to join us in prayer, and to hear the wisdom of our new master Thuldrun Kreed?

Seeing no one enthusiastic to join the ranks of undead labor the cultist smirks. So be it! You will join us one way or another! What say you my, flock?

The lumberjacks shout. Yeah! Kill all the kobolds!

Weapons are drawn in the unholy house of Droscrag.

★★★
Sermon Room Round 1

Battlemap

──────────
BOLD IS UP!:
──────────
➤ Kadosh (26/26 HP)
➤ Zyphlryx (22/22 HP)
Cultist (-0 HP)
Fire-Ghost Dwarf (-0 HP)
Imperius (22/22 HP)
Broomzad (26/26 HP)
Pinkskin 4 (-0 HP)
Pinkskin 2 (-0 HP)
Pinkskin 1 (-0 HP)
Pinkskin 3 (-0 HP)
Pepin le Beouf (20/20 HP)

Kadosh deploys the last of his snares in front of him, then sizes up the crazed pinkskins in front of him and adds some heft to his fangwire.

"We're the ones that will kill you!" he retorts. "But we won't let you become undead. You're welcome!"

Deploy poison barbs snare, Hunt Prey (No. 3), cast gravity weapon

Working for the rest of one's unlife sounds like a raw deal, Zyphlryx says, taking the measure of #3...

DaS ◈: 1d20 ⇒ 11

...and finding his chances to be the Okayest.

free Recall Knowledge to Know Weakness (presumably Society): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21 probably not a crit success, but if it is, he'll share with his allies — and with Imperius ;-) — to share the +1 circumstance bonus to their next attack roll vs. #3.

pew: 11 + 5 = 16
piercing: 1d6 ⇒ 1
He'll make #3 flat-footed to Kadosh until the start of my next turn, if the DaS hits.

Lastly, he'll conjure up a shield of force.

Devise a Stratagem ◈, Strike, Cast a Spell ◈. AC now 19.

Zyphlryx knows this is yet another pink skin lumberjack. Not sure what to know, they are weak willed and pretty boring! His bolt scrapes skin while his buddy deploys a trap in plain sight.

The cultist turns to Pinkskin 4. Do you see? They want to steal your glorious future of ceaseless labor! The cultist's eyes glow, stoking the heart of his congregation member.

May the will of Thruldrun Kreed be with you you. And also with you.

He guidances pink skin 4 and 1.

★★★
Sermon Room Round 1

Battlemap

──────────
BOLD IS UP!:
──────────
Kadosh (26/26 HP)
Zyphlryx (22/22 HP)
Cultist (-0 HP)
➤ Imperius (22/22 HP)
➤ Broomzad (26/26 HP)
Pinkskin 4 (-0 HP) │ Heart Stoked, Guidance
Pinkskin 2 (-0 HP)
Pinkskin 1 (-0 HP) │ Guidanced
Pinkskin 3 (-1 HP) │ FF to Kadosh
Pepin le Beouf (20/20 HP)

Broomzad moves into the dorrway and sends debris flying at cultist 3.

"Yeah, no undead life for us."

Telekinetic projectile: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23
Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

”We are much to vibrant and powerful for that!”

Imperius will attempt to learn what he can about the cultist.
Esoteric Lore: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24
He passes on anything he learns.

Then he shoots with his hand crossbow with the poisoned bolt.
hand crossbow +7 (range increment 60 feet, reload 1): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22
piercing: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6
plus greater of personal antithesis or weakness

giant centipede venom

He then reloads.

Soomdevi clobbers 3.

The cultist is a witch! The rat on his shoulder has eyes that burn with fiendish fire. Devils and undead… who would combine such things!? Could it be…… Droscrag!?

Imperius shoots the cultist; a bolt drives into his shoulder. Personal antithesis 3

Fort: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22

The witch must have unholy protections from Droscrag himself!

______

Pinkskin 4 draws a handmade spear from some lumber he cut and rushes Broomzad. His heart is so stoked… to KILL!

Stab: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 5 + 1 = 10

Maybe not.

Pinkskin 2 draws a sling and loads it with a marble. An ugly marble! Also aiming at Broomzad. Ghost!

Marble shot could take an eye out: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18

Pinkskin 1 does the same… this one looks like a hellish catseye.

Marble shot could take an eye out, Guidance: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 5 + 1 = 25
B: 1d4 ⇒ 2

The marble whizzes through Broomzad's eye! For a moment he looks just like the Queen in a certain way, then his eye forms back together.

Pinkskin 3 sighs. He draws his spear and rushes at Kadosh. Yaaah! For boss Thrudrun! His screams sound more like fear as he rushes into the trap. But zealots like to prove their fanaticism right?

Stab: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16
P: 1d4 ⇒ 4 halved to 2

OW!

He dies at the trapmaster's feet.

★★★
Sermon Room Round 1-2

Battlemap

──────────
BOLD IS UP!:
──────────
➤ Kadosh (26/26 HP)
➤ Zyphlryx (22/22 HP)
Cultist (-9 HP) │ Weak 3 Personal Antith.
Imperius (22/22 HP)
Broomzad (24/26 HP)
Pinkskin 4 (-0 HP) │ Heart Stoked
Pinkskin 2 (-0 HP)
Pinkskin 1 (-0 HP)
➤ Pepin le Beouf (20/20 HP)

One down, four to go.

Zyphlryx is annoyed that his companions are in the way for another Zyphlryx lightning hairball. (Well, mostly that Broomzad is in the way; he doesn't mind so much if Imperius gets accidentally zapped. "Accidentally.")

Nevertheless, he looks to plan an attack on #4...

DaS: 1d20 ⇒ 11

...and thinks, "meh, that'll do", like his patron saint Mediocrates.

pew: 11 + 4 + 4 = 19 now adding INT not DEX, because I'm an idiot
piercing: 1d6 ⇒ 1
plus Strategic Strike: 1d6 ⇒ 4 ALSO because I'm an idiot

Z will make #4 flat-footed to Kadosh until the start of my next turn, if the DaS hits.

Finally, he'll conjure up a shield of force to cower behind.

Devise a Stratagem ◈, Strike w/Strategic Strike, Cast a Spell ◈. AC now 19.

Kadosh sizes up the next cultists and slashes with his fangwire.

+1 Fangwire (agile, finesse, grapple): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10

+1 Fangwire (agile, finesse, grapple), iterative vs. hunted prey: 1d20 + 9 - 2 ⇒ (18) + 9 - 2 = 25
Damage (slashing, gravity weapon): 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
Crit (deadly d8)?: 1d8 ⇒ 6

Pepin moves in & microwaves.

Microwave on High (Electric Arc) Reflex DC18: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

targeting he looks.

2d20 ⇒ (15, 18) = 33 Make/make

The cultist grumbles.

Flee! he commands Kodosh!

DC 17 Will vs command

Then he raises an arcane shield.

★★★
Sermon Room Round 2

Battlemap

──────────
BEFORE YOUR TURN:
──────────
Kadosh: DC 17 Will vs COmmand to flee

──────────
BOLD IS UP!:
──────────
Kadosh (26/26 HP)
Zyphlryx (22/22 HP)
Cultist (-9 HP) │ Weak 3 Personal Antith., Shield
➤ Imperius (22/22 HP)
➤ Broomzad (24/26 HP)
Pinkskin 2 (-3 HP)
Pinkskin 1 (-3 HP)
Pepin le Beouf (20/20 HP)

Will (trained): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7

Kadosh decides this is a rare case of the pinkskin that actually has his best interest at heart, and decides he will do just that!

Broomzad steps closer and sends debris flying at 1.

Telekinetic projectile: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15
Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

"I'm not rushing in and getting surrounded again."

Imperius applies a dose of centipede venom to his bolt, and fires at the cultist, triggering the potency crystal.

hand crossbow +7 (range increment 60 feet, reload 1): 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 7 + 1 = 22
piercing: 2d6 + 2 ⇒ (5, 3) + 2 = 10
plus giant centipede venom and personal antithesis 3

He then reloads again.