Kingmaker - GM ST

Game Master SodiumTelluride

Studying the brave, focused kobold preparing to wade back in against the very people that were only moments ago torturing him among his dead companions, Rhiann looks to her other companions and nods.

"We have our own reasons for being here and dealing with the mites, but it sounds like there's a good chance we may come across their War Leader. If we do, you'll have your chance to ask him." she says cleaning the blood off her weapon and rising, to stand, giving Mimek a nod, and a hint of a smile.

Alyssa nods back at Rhiann and smiles to Mimek. "We'll be going along with you, don't worry. We're also here to take back something very important that the mites took away." She then looks towards the darkness, thoughtfully. "You said we'd need to cross a chasm to get there, though. Do you have any idea how the mites do it? I'm guessing they'd need an easier way to get around it."

...

Mimek nods at the human woman. "The Sacred Statue. It is a powerful artifact which is...sacred to the Sootscale Clan."

Erik's attention is caught by the mention of the Sootscale clan (see Kobolds in the Hills quest, slide 3 in the quests tab) . When Mimek reveals that the kobolds want their sacred statue back, he asks "Can you make promises for your clan, Mimek? If we help you retrieve your statue, would your folk be willing to share the land with human settlers?"

"Mimek heard mites talking. The roots over the chasm make for an easy climb, but there's a giant centipede there. I can't promise anything on behalf of Chief Sootscale, but if we bring back the Sacred Statue, I believe he'll be willing to listen to your suggestion."

Erik tries to decide if Mimek is feeding us a line:

Uses studied target on Mimek

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 2 + 3 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 2 + 3 + 1 + 1 = 9
2 rank +3 trained +1 wis+1 studied target

Adela is unable to decide if the Kobold can be trusted, but finds him far preferable to the Mites the group has met so far. She readies to continue.

Anyone need any wounds healed?.

Listening to Mimek's explanation, Rhiann considers the sincerety of his words, appreciating that there was no guarantee offered, simply to gain their help.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22

"I suppose that's the best we could ask from you, Mimek. Now, shall we press on? Can't say I'm looking forward to crossing that chasm, but let's see what we're dealing with first."

Rhiann says as she studies the area, unable to determine what path would be best.

Perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Perception, best path: 1d20 + 2 + 3 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 2 + 3 + 2 + 1 = 13
2 rank +3 trained +2 racial+1 wis

At the chasm, Erik holds up a hand to bring the others to a halt. He whispers "Mimek thinks there a giant centipede here. Anyone see any sign of it? I wouldn't want to get caught by it while climbing across..."

He searches for enemies,
Perception: 1d20 + 2 + 3 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 2 + 3 + 2 + 1 = 27
2 rank +3 trained +2 racial+1 wis
and looks about for signs/tracks
Survival: 1d20 + 2 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 2 + 3 + 1 = 20
2 rank +3 trained +1 wis

Adela stifles her groan as she sees yet another climb plus fall in her future. Remembering her less than graceful descent into this cramped hole.

Biting her lip and hoping for the best she follows the others across the root bridge.

perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (14) + 9 = 23
climb: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Can I take 10 on my climb? Which would give me an 11, but at least I don't automatically plummet.

Erik and Adela are easily able to identify that some loops are not able to take the weight of anything bigger than a mite or kobold, but there is nonetheless a chain of more stable loops that can get the party across with no problem. In addition, a humongous centipede, easily 25 feet long, can be seen crawling along the bottom of the chasm.
Taking 10 is possible, yes.
Centipede perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16
The centipede looks up and hisses at the party as they prepare to cross.

Looking down the chasm, Rhiann draws her bow, aiming down and firing a shot at the giant centipede. "If we fall, I'd rather not have something else to worry about on top of that."

Composite Longbow (+2): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19
Piercing: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

And with that, we're entering initiative.

Nope, no K Nature here...

As he draws his bow, Erik's focus narrows to the centipede. He joins Rhiann, shooting at the centipede...

Move action - use studied target on the centipede
standard action - shoot the centipede
5' step back from the edge...

To Hit: 1d20 + 1 + 3 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 1 + 3 + 1 + 1 = 26
+1 bab +3 dex +1 studied target +1 PBS

Damage: 1d8 + 1 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 + 1 + 1 = 11
+1 str +1 pbs +1 studied target

Possible crit

Crit confirm: 1d20 + 1 + 3 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 + 3 + 1 + 1 = 11
+1 bab +3 dex +1 studied target +1 PBS

Extra Damage: 2d8 + 2 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (6, 3) + 2 + 2 + 2 = 15
X3 crit, +2*1 str +2*1 pbs +2*1 studied target

Sorry, misremembered. It was Rhiann who put that point into Nature.
Erik's arrow strikes true but doesn't penetrate as deeply as it could have. Still, it leaves its mark on the centipede.
Crit confirmation failed.

KnNature: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8 I'm guessing that's too low

Alyssa nods at Rhiann's assessment. "I agree. I wouldn't be surprised if it could climb up and try to grab us as we crossed, too. Better to make sure it's down first."

Focusing on the centipede, Alyssa conjures another ball of acid and throws it down at the creature.

Ranged Touch Attack: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 1 = 17
Damage(acid): 1d3 ⇒ 3

Adela swallows, her growing up and helping her mother with housecleaning hadn't prepared her for insects the size of this one! 'I don't think swatting it with a cleaning cloth will help much.' she thought wryly.

Drawing and readying her crossbow this round, while clamping her legs around the root bridge. :)

Alyssa's acid strikes the centipede, but it remains undeterred. It clambers up the wall and bites at Erik.
Centipede bite: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10
Disoriented by its injuries, the centipede misses completely.

Erik gently tosses his bow aside, draws his rapier, and lunges... He bounces back out of the lunge, away from the edge, trying to lure the beast up into the tunnel, where it could be flanked.

free action - drop bow
move action - draw rapier
standard action - attack
5' step back

To Hit: 1d20 + 1 + 3 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 1 + 3 - 2 + 1 = 14
1 bab +3 dex (weapon finesse) -2 caverns penalty+1 studied target

Damage: 1d6 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 + 1 = 4
+1 str +1 studied target

Alyssa makes sure she keeps enough distance from the centipede so as to not get in the way of the more experienced warriors, and throws another ball of acid at the creature.

Ranged Touch Attack: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 1 = 16
Damage (acid): 1d3 ⇒ 3

Taking careful aim Adela shoots at the hideous thing.

crossbow: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 1 = 18
damage: 1d8 ⇒ 2

As usual. Good shooting, awful damage. :(

Quickly dropping her crossbow, Rhian draws her fauchard while stepping back, her weapon whirling around her body to fall in a powerful blow across the giant vermin's back.

Masterwork Cold Iron Fauchard: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23
Cold Iron/slashing: 1d10 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13

Erik's strike just barely fails to penetrate the centipede's exoskeleton, but Alyssa, Adela, and Rhiann all strike true. Rhiann in particular draws a telling blow, cutting a huge gash into the centipede's back.
Erik, just realized you qualified for Sneak Attack on the previous round and didn't roll for it. Doing that now.
Erik's Sneak Attack: 1d6 ⇒ 1

Faced with two powerful warriors who have both dealt major injuries to it, the badly injured centipede goes after both of them, biting at Erik while bring its tail up to strike at Rhiann.
Bite: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18
Bite damage: 2d6 + 7 ⇒ (3, 2) + 7 = 12
Dex damage from venom (DC 17 Fort to avoid): 1d4 ⇒ 1
Tail slap: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9
While the tail goes wide, the bite strikes true as the beast sinks its fangs into Erik's arm.

Fort: 1d20 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 + 2 = 12
+2 Slayer +2 con

Erik curses "The Stag-lord's B#$%+%*s!", and pulls his arm free. He flips his buckler into a usable position and steps to flank the beast before lunging again...

move action - draw buckler
5' step to a flank with Rhiann
standard action - attack

To Hit: 1d20 + 1 + 2 - 2 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 1 + 2 - 2 + 1 + 2 = 12
1 bab +3 2 dex (weapon finesse) -2 caverns penalty+1 studied target +2 flanking

Damage: 1d6 + 1 + 1 + 1d6 ⇒ (6) + 1 + 1 + (1) = 9
+1 str +1 studied target+1d6 sneak attack

Effective AC 17 (-1 due to dex loss), HP 7/19

Once again, Erik cannot quite get through the centipede's protection.
Ability damage does not reduce the actual ability score; instead, every 2 points of ability damage gives a stacking -1 penalty to everything depending on that ability score. Just 1 point of ability damage does not cause any penalties. However, Erik still misses, as using his full Dex only brings the attack roll up to 13, not enough to hit.

"Erik!" Alyssa cries out as she sees the giant creature biting her companion. She conjures another ball of acid and throws it at the centipede, hoping not to hit anyone else.

Ranged Touch Attack (firing into melee): 1d20 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (7) + 1 - 4 = 4
Damage: 1d3 ⇒ 1

Alyssa's shot goes too high, sailing over the centipede into the ceiling.
The centipede is Huge, two sizes larger than Erik and Rhiann, and so the penalty for firing into melee is only -2. A 6 still misses, though.

Rhiann tries to strike the giant vermin again, hoping to end the fight quickly, but her attack goes awry, the creature's wriggling movements making for a difficult target.

Masterwork Cold Iron Fauchard/Flank: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 7 + 2 = 11
Cold Iron/slashing: 1d10 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11

"Damn it!"

crossbow into melee: 1d20 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (19) + 1 - 2 = 18
crossbow into melee Critical?: 1d20 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (14) + 1 - 2 = 13 Guess not.

damage: 1d8 ⇒ 7

Adela puts the bolt she had loaded into the critter, than stores her crossbow, getting ready to apply healing to Eric.

Adela's crossbow bolt strikes the centipede in the head, dealing it a fatal blow. The dying centipede loses its grip and falls back into the chasm, landing with a loud splat.
Combat is over, but the venom is still in Erik's system and so he must continue to roll saving throws against it until he succeeds or until six rounds have passed since it entered his body. After his next roll, the party can begin to attempt to Treat Poison by rolling Heal checks against the venom's DC; if successful, Erik will receive a +4 competence bonus against the venom. For time's sake, let's do all the remaining rolling in one post per person: five Fortitude saves for Erik, four Heal checks for each person attempting to Treat Poison. You can also choose to Aid Another, making a DC 10 roll to boost a teammate's Heal roll (probably Adela's, since she's the only one trained in Heal) instead of attempting the check yourself.

Accumulated Fort Checks, w/o any mods for treating poison...

Erik clutches at his wounded arm and gasps out "Shit, poison, I can feel it!". He grits his teeth and holds the wound upside down so it drips out, pulling the skin back to force as much of the venom out of the wound as possible...

Fort A: 1d20 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 + 2 = 9
+2 Slayer +2 con

Fort B: 1d20 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 + 2 = 19

Fort C: 1d20 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 + 2 = 22

Fort D: 1d20 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 + 2 = 8

Fort E: 1d20 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 + 2 = 15

Heal A, aid another, take 10: 10 + 1 = 11
+1 wis

Heal B, aid another, take 10: 10 + 1 = 11

Heal C, aid another, take 10: 10 + 1 = 11

Heal D, aid another, take 10: 10 + 1 = 11

Heal E, aid another, take 10: 10 + 1 = 11

Regardless of any Treat Poison checks, save A fails and save B passes.
Dex damage from failed save: 1d4 ⇒ 3
Mimek looks on as Erik finally stops the venom from harming him further. "Mimek sorry he froze, but... that centipede could have eaten me whole in one bite."

Adela moves closer to Erik and uses her Wand of CLW.

CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5 Fricken Dice roller!

Having stopped any bleeding she tries to purge the poison from his body.

Heal check vs Venom: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13
Heal check vs Venom: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21
Heal check vs Venom: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13
Heal check vs Venom: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16
Heal check vs Venom: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18

I don't know how many of those help?

Do I need to make anymore rolls?

Further rolls are unnecessary. Erik has recovered and is now at 14/19 HP and 4 Dex damage.

"We understand Mimek, that was a very big centipede." Rhiann says, cleaning the ichor off her weapon and strapping it back across her back. "Now it least if we have any trouble crossing, at least we won't have to deal with that too."

Wand: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

The wand was full before this fight, so I'll top Erik up just in case we run into more trouble.

Adela puts the wand away and takes a deep breath. "Shall we continue?" She asks, trying to sound calm.

"I...guess." Alyssa replies, looking from the roots to the abyss, and letting out a sigh. "I'm... Really not a competent climber, and even with that centipede gone, a fall seems like it would hurt. But it seems like our only way across"

As his wounds close, Erik thanks Adela: "Thank you Adela, I don't suppose you can do anything about how clumsy I feel?"

I don't think we can heal the dex damage other than time, right...

"I...guess." Alyssa replies, looking from the roots to the abyss, and letting out a sigh. "I'm... Really not a competent climber, and even with that centipede gone, a fall seems like it would hurt. But it seems like our only way across"

"Well, we could go back up to the entrance and try the other branch..."

Sadly no. Lesser Restoration comes at 3rd level. Until then it's time for ability damage.

"Yeah, but it seems like this is the most likely way to get across without too much trouble." Rhiann point out.

"I agree with Rhiann. I will do my best to hold on and get across."

Calling upon her fey magic for aid, Alyssa tries to make her away across the roots along with the others.

Using Guidance from my Fey Magic racial trait before attempting the climb.

Climb (Guidance): 1d20 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (15) - 2 + 1 = 14

The party and Mimek make it across the chasm without incident and continue around the bend. Then tunnel opens into a room, in the center of which stands a rickety table held together with twine, covered with a filthy checkered tablecloth and heaped with mounds of dirt, twigs, and gravel, apparently arranged to form some sort of map. At the edge of the map, weighing down a scrap of paper, rests a bloodstained ivory statuette of what looks like a crouching reptilian devil. A bulging burlap sack sits under the table. Five mites are standing around the table in the midst of the discussion, and a giant insect as big as the mites looms nearby.

Minor note, with my dex damage, my init is only +3, for 7

"Ugh, that's a giant tick!" Rhiann calls out. "Try not to let it latch on to you. It'll drain your blood, possibly make you sick!"

Knowledge Nature: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14

So is the mounting up, drawing weapons and advancing their turn, or are we waiting for them to attack before we go?

That's their turn. Players are free to act.

Do we have space to move normally or still have the -2 to attack as other places in the tunnels?

Ceilings are cramped enough that the -2 still applies.