GM Euan's Jade Regent

Game Master Euan

Durgan moves to where his Channel will catch Kisaiya and Rory, but not the fallen ninja.

Descending if needed.

Then he calls upon the power of Abadar to heal.

Channel #1: 3d6 ⇒ (5, 1, 5) = 11

Rory takes out green as Mukluk continues to plow his way up the stairs. Kisaiya GMPC sticks to her foe, double moving to keep up. Durgan likely ascends if anything - to avoid the one not-quite-dead-yet ninja. Either way, the party is healed. Ameiko does a single move up, and shoots the fleeing ninja. Then she stops inspiring (so everyone gets one more round of +1 and then it’s over).

Ameiko bow: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 4 + 1 = 7 (inspire)
damage: 1d6 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 + 1 = 5 (inspire)

The red ninja turns the corner and rushes up the next flight of stairs. He’s nearly up to a rather beautifully carved set of double doors into the structure. They are currently closed.

- Round 6 -
Rory - 7
Mukluk - 3
- Round 7 -
Durgan - 21 (-13hp, poisoned C2, 90’ up)
Kisaiya - 11+
Ameiko - 11
Blue Ninja - 11- (dead)
Green Ninja - 11- (bleeding)
Red Ninja - 11- (-14hp)

• Now up - everyone. The stairs between the lower map and the upper one are about 30' long and 30' up - so a double move for most of you.

Round 6

Mukluk continues to chase after the party, but eases up a bit as he realizes that there isn't much need for chase now.

*huffa*puffa* *huffa*puffa* *huffa*puffa*

Double move. Not sure where exactly the next map is, but guessed and please move him if it's wrong.

Durgan heals himself some more.

Had a spell from the prior day copy-pasted into the character sheet for level 5... might as well use it.
Detect Good to CLW: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12

Can he move up to the enemy ninja? Not sure. Also, AC is 25 with the helmet - forgot about that.

Edit: Remembered Storms movement is 50 ft not 60 ft, so editing post

Turning toward Durgan, Rory calls out "Thanks Durgan!"

Touching his bare heals to Storms flanks, Rory leans forwards, "Come on Storm let's get that dirty bird." Moving up the stairs quickly, Storm gets close enough to the creature to let Rory slash at the bird with his new scimitar.

Inspire: Storm double move, Rory Outflank Attack + 1 scimitar
scimitar: 1d20 + 7 + 4 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 7 + 4 + 1 + 1 = 24 for damage: 1d4 + 4 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 4 + 1 + 1 = 7

Kisaiya controls her breathing as she keeps rushing up the stairs. Double move it looks like; place her however far she can get

Rory gallops up the stairs and lands a blow on the ninja but does not bring him down. Mukluk gets about half way up the steps to the new platform (upper right on the map, though I haven’t moved you there yet). Kisaiya keeps up with the ninja moving as fast as she can though she’s up against Rory now. Durgan climbs up to 120’ and heals himself further. Ameiko double moves to catch up as she doesn’t have a clean shot.

The red ninja struggles to make it to the door, which he does, and unlock it, which he does. But will he survive long enough to fling the doors open and call the alarm? We shall see…

- Round 8 -
Rory - 7
Mukluk - 3
- Round 9 -
Durgan - 21 (-1hp, poisoned C2, 120’ up)
Kisaiya - 11+
Ameiko - 11
Blue Ninja - 11- (dead)
Green Ninja - 11- (bleeding)
Red Ninja - 11- (-21hp)

• Now up - everyone. The stairs between the lower map and the upper one are about 30' long and 30' up - so a double move for most of you. I put Mukluk on the ‘upper’ map with everyone else though he’s a bit behind.

Seeing the Red ninja move towards the door, Rory touches Storms flanks with his bare heels, "Get 'em!" Storm moves up the steps and snaps at the ninja, trying to drag it to the ground as Rory slashes at it with his shiny new scimitar.

10 ft step Storm Outflank attack: bite, Rory Outflank Attack + 1 scimitar
attack: bite: 1d20 + 5 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 5 + 4 = 15 for damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6 trip: 1d20 + 4 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 + 4 = 15
scimitar: 1d20 + 7 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 7 + 4 + 1 = 26 for damage: 1d4 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 4 + 1 = 9

Durgan closes with the enemy.
Think a double move should get me there; 25' up is 50' of movement, still have 30' left with a double move.

Storm has little luck, but Rory slashes the ninja, who drops, with the key still in the door!

You wait a moment to see if the alarm was raised, but no noise comes from within.

• We are out of initiative!

Mukluk returns to examine the downed ninjas, looking for more keys, magic, things of interest, then will catch up with the party.

"That was an interesting welcome party."

Chuckling at Mukluk's comment, Rory sheathes his fancy new scimitar and dismounts Storm. He looks towards the dwarves, smiling, "Makes you wonder what they do for the holidays."

As he talks, he searches the downed red ninja, then carefully reaches up to the doorknob making sure it's unlocked, he pockets the keys.

Pocketing whatever he finds, Rory climbs back on Storm so he can reach the doorknob easier. As the group gathers, he nods towards the door, "Everyone ready?"

"Do you wish me to search above for other entrances, windows, or balconies?
We might be able to make use of my flight, while it lasts, to do something other than go in the front door."

The ninja’s have little by way of gear, though their wakizashi’s are masterwork.

Who does what? I see conflicting plans. :)

Durgan (-1hp, poisoned C2)

Durgan will go along with Rory's plan of going in the front door.

Without further ado, the group opens the unlocked front door, pocketing the key (just in case).

Rows of pillars support the forty-foot-high roof of this longhall. Torches set into pillar sconces and two fire pits set with iron spits in the center of the rush-strewn floor give the room a ruddy glow. Several doors open into rooms on either side beneath ten-foot-high balconies lined with feasting tables.

At the far end of the hall, a fifteen-foot-high balcony with the master’s high table looks out over all. Smoke holes cut into the roof high above allow in more light and the croaking of the many ravens that roost on the roof’s ridgepole.

The ravens begin to descend (double move)!

On the map, you can see four ravens with a common background. They are actually a swarm of ravens.

- Round 1 -
Rory - 15
Durgan - 11 (-1hp, poisoned C2)
Kisaiya - 10
Mukluk - 4
Ameiko - 3
- Round 2 -
Raven Swarm - 21 (5' up)

• Next up everyone.

Seeing the inside of the room, Rory realizes that Durgan's idea had been a good one. If the dwarf had flied up he could have seen what was inside. As Rory realized the 'shadows' in the rafters were moving, it dawned on him that there were literally hundreds of ravens in the room. As the large birds took flight and swarmed together, it also dawned on Rory that a flying Durgan would be fighting them alone.

Glad his friend hadn't flown ahead, Rory touches his bare heels to Storms flanks. Guiding the wolf, "Come on boy, let's try to get around them." Drawing his scimitar as the wolf ran the outskirts of the room and doubled back on the Murder. As Storm lept in the air snapping at the fowl creatures, Rory slashed with his fancy new scimitar.

Storm 50 ft move attack: bite, Rory Attack + 1 scimitar
attack: bite: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12 for damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4
scimitar: 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 7 + 1 = 17 for damage: 1d4 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 4 + 1 = 9

Durgan moves into the room and strikes at the crows, trying to crush as many as possible with his morningstar.

If they are Diminutive or Fine creatures this will be ineffective, but if they are Tiny (as I imagine crows to be) then a bludgeoning weapon should do full damage. Pretty sure no flanking, though.

Attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17
Damage: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11

1d20 + 10 ⇒ (13) + 10 = 23 Know (Nature) - Raven swarm

Round 1

Mukluk takes a look at the ravens and shakes his head.

"Oh, Moose isn't going to like this one bit. Usually, he and ravens and crowfolk get along just fine, and they don't never bother each other nevers like," Mukluk explains his agitation. "Ol' Moose ain't going to be happy that I'm using our magics to hurt a bunch of ravens, but then again, these aren't so normal, are they?"

He gathers his magics and calls upon the fiery potency of mule dung to weave a nice fiery, peaty spell for the murder. He targets to avoid splashing his friends.

1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20 ranged attack
2d6 + 2 ⇒ (4, 5) + 2 = 11 fire damage;
1d6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4 splash (on miss or within 5') (DC 17 Reflex for 1/2)

1d3 ⇒ 2 rounds extra burning damage
1d6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7 fire damage unless cooled
1d6 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5 fire damage unless cooled

Kisaiya pulls out an alchemist’s fire and moves in, both to keep everyone spread out and to give her and Mukluk clean shots.

Attack with Alchemist’s Fire: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 1

Rory charges in and cuts a few ravens from the hoard. Durgan bashes a larger hole, doing full damage! Kisaiya tosses a flask at the hoard, doing a little damage, but they’ll burn another round. Mukluk fires off a blob of fire damage stripping a ton of the poor ravens out of the sky. Ameiko charges forward but the swarm is already dissipating.

The swarm cannot handle the load, and the few ravens remaining, fly off into the rafters, with nary a squawk. The battle is over before it scarcely began!

• We are out of initiative.

Nothing pours out of the other doors, no doubt as the screeching of ravens is no doubt usual in this place.

As ravens start dropping from the air, Storm begins biting and tearing at the nearest. Not sure what diseases the dirty birds might carry, Rory turns him away, "No Storm, Bad!"

Wanting to get the Wolf's attention away from the meat, he moves Storm towards the nearest door. Quickly checking the door to see if it was locked.

if locked, he will try the key :)

Mukluk moves forward carefully, trying to step over the dirty burning birdies.

"Please don't tell Moose about all these dirty burning birdies, it ain't purdy," he says as he tries not to smell the carnage. "It ain't right what the city life has done to these birds. Ain't right at all. The city life has made them murderous. But that what's you expect in the city."

He will cast Detect Magic and look around, and is happy to follow Stormsy in any direction.

1d20 + 14 ⇒ (11) + 14 = 25 Perception

"Rory, let's be cautious before opening any doors. Listen at them. Those crows definitely alerted anyone in here, so let's see if we hear anyone getting ready for battle."

He will Take 10 for a 20 Perception on any doors before Rory opens them.

Kisaiya retrieves her bow before going any farther. As she walks back in, stowing her bow, she catches Mukluk’s commentary. ”I think they were most caught and kept here by these assassin-type people for some reason. Maybe crow people like crows? I think that’s more at fault for their behavior than city dwelling.” While the others decide on a door, she kneels down and looks over the deceased birds for any that look salvageable for a meal.

Profession (cook): 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (18) + 14 = 32

”Despite the expression, I hear crow doesn’t taste bad, basically like any other game bird. People just have hang ups around carrion eaters is all, I think. And, well, I always felt if you have to kill an animal, it’s more respectful to make full use of them.”

Nudging Storm to the right so the wide shouldered Durgan can move near the door, Rory realized the dwarf was right, they probably should be more cautious. He smiles in retort, "I'll wager the screeching of ravens is no doubt usual in this place, but you're right, no reason not to be cautions."

As Durgan listened at the door, Rory considered Mukluk's and Kisaiya's conversation. Having grown up in the wild, Rory knew crows were opportunistic creatures, willing to eat almost any easy meal, whether carrion, or hunting defenseless young or taking a meal from something smaller. So it was no surprise they hung out where food would be easy, like a large city. Considering how much they'd seen crows following them, he wonders if there is more to these birds than just their nature.

He chuckles at Kisaiya's reference to 'eating crow.' Admittedly if he were starving, he'd eat about anything, and you should eat what you hunt. But he didn't want Storm to get in the habit of stopping to eat when they were 'on the job.' Joining the conversation, "I'll be happy to try anything you cook Kisaiya, crow or not." He gestures at the birds, with his hand that isn't holding the doorknob, "But these crows like this. Do you think this is their natural behavior? Or is there some sort of magical control going on? Remember, they've been following us all around town."

Just a little fluff while Durgan perceives the door and Rory tries to open it

For future reference, and to save time, only doors with a ‘dot’ in them are locked. Also, the key you have only opens the main door. :)

Rory and others check the door, and when everyone is ready, opens it to reveal a guardroom. Not unusually, the opposite door is the same (to save a little time). They both have shuttered and latched arrow slits overlooking the main landing and are empty save for piles of rock and broken rubble for defenders to throw at attackers climbing the stair.

Kisaiya moves down to the next door and checks it out, satisfied the guard room is clear.

Perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (7) + 10 = 17

Peering in to the room, it took Rory a minute to realize the pile of rocks were to toss out on folks coming up the steps. Turning Storm, he tells Mukluk, "Glad no one was in here to drop those rocks on us right?"

As he moves out of the room, he realizes Kisaiya is investigating the next door. Heading her way, he keeps the key ready just in case in his bucklered hand and his fancy new scimitar in the other. just in case

He will also take 10(24) on perception

Profession (Miner): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9

Durgan follows along with Kisaiya and Rory. He has his morningstar in one hand and the Lesser Extend Metamagic Rod in the other.

Mukluk continues is rear guard action, his wand at the ready, as he follows behind.

You open the door, and see a currently empty bunk room. Numerous wooden bed frames with rope mattresses occupy this sparsely furnished room. It does not appear that anyone has used this room recently, but it could quarter as many as a dozen.

However, there’s a far door which happens to be standing open. Leaning in a chair against the frame is a woman with a spear resting next to her. She pushes up her helmet and glances in your direction. Very nearly falling off the chair, she cries, ”Intruders!” as she tries to stand and grab her spear in the same motion.

In spite of her cries, you have a surprise round before initiative (move or standard only).

- Round 1 -
Good Folk - 21
Durgan - 20(-1hp, poisoned C2)
Kisaiya - 16+
Mukluk - 16-
Rory - 13

• First up me - after a surprise round.

Round of Surprise

Not having any really great options at the moment, Mukluk take total defense and keeps look out for foes that might answer the alarm.

Durgan casts Extended Deadly Juggernaut (last use of the rod for today).

Glancing into the room and seeing the woman, who is now screaming, Rory decides the place has a pretty good chance of being symmetrical. Concerned that the woman may make for the far door, touching his bare heels to Storms flanks he tells the wolf, "Come on boy, lets cover the other door."

As he guides the wolf with his knees, Rory drops the keys from his bucklered hand and readies his fancy new scimitar in case she comes out the far door.

Storm, move 40 ft. Rory readied attack. Outflank Attack + 1 scimitar
scimitar: 1d20 + 7 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 7 + 4 + 1 = 30 for damage: 1d4 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 4 + 1 = 7
scimitar: confirm crit: 1d20 + 7 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 7 + 4 + 1 = 27 for damage: 1d4 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 4 + 1 = 8

Kisaiya moves in and enters her battle stance. Move and swift

Durgan protects himself for the long haul. Kisaiya moves into position, but you can’t do a swift in a surprise round, so not in stance yet. Mukluk looks around warily. Rory readies an attack which goes off on an unsuspecting door opener. Ameiko also moves into position, her blade at the ready.

The woman gets to her feet (remember in my campaigns standing from sitting is just 5’ of movement, not a full move action as it would be from prone) as she moves toward the Kisaiya and Ameiko. She swings her spear at Ameiko, Kisaiya: 1d2 ⇒ 2

spear on Kisaiya: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16 damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

She doesn't even come close.

The outer door opens as well, and you hear others in the room as they scramble to get their gear together and move to engage! These ruffians are clearly a mix of Ulfen, Varki, and Tians drawn from the lower echelons of society. Not the tightly wrapped ninja you’ve been fighting.

Sadly, the man who opened the door next to Rory is still getting his helmet straight when Rory smacks him for 15!

- Round 1 -
Durgan - 20 (-1hp, poisoned C2)
Kisaiya - 16+
Mukluk - 16-
Rory - 13
- Round 2 -
Good Folk - 21
Blue Shield - 21 (-15hp)

• Next up - everyone.