GM Cody Age of Ashes

Game Master Codanous

if we are gonna hang here for a bit I can provide some healing. Violant, would you be able to help fix my shield?

"I could, yes."

Crafting: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (9) + 11 = 20

Lyra pulls out her medic kit and begins to patch up Stoms wounds humming a song of prayer to Sarenrae as she works.

Treat wounds DC 15: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (5) + 11 = 16
HP gained: 2d8 ⇒ (8, 6) = 14

Lyra looking over her work seeing the damage the spider creature did. She rummages around in her bag and pulls out the wand of heal that she picked up a few days back.

2 action wand of heal: 1d8 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14

Satisfied with her work and the magical healing from the wand she packs her bag back up and gets her shield from Violant. ”thank you Violant! It looks great!

"It's no problem. Spent so much time studying math in so many unrelated things it's... literally everywhere for me. Turns out, even applies to fixing shields. Who would have thought," the professor says with a smile.

Stom gently moves his wounded limbs and torso to find that Lyra's healing touch did the trick, yet again. "Thank you, Lyra. All patched up again."

Stom stands up and looks around the room. "So, where to next? Deeper into the cave first and then check out this room again later?

"I'd still like to check the pile for good stuff. What's the problem with the quivering eggs? Is it gonna turn into a swarm of spiders, or something?"

Looking at Samael ”I mean if you want to go and look at the quivering eggs that’s fine I think the rest of us will stay over here

Oppa tries to recall what he might know about the eggs while Doxie finds the dead spider not very appetizing and without a lot of good meat.

Recall Knowledge Nature +9

"Stay back. Those are egg sacks of hunting spiders. If you get too close it will burst open and thousands of tiny, but very poisonous spiders will emerge. Perhaps we can burn it from a distance... or just leave it be".

"Tiny spider that carry poison. I'll pass."

Stom peeks down the tunnel that leads out of the group's current room. "This way is a good as any. Everyone ready?"

”Violant, do you have any alchemist fire or some magical fire you can throw at it from afar? Or Oppa, can Doxie use her breath weapon? I’d hate to leave some valuable items behind…” she trails off looking at the quivering eggs.

"I have a staff of fire and Straightedge -- my staff --I don't know if Ignition or its modified cantrips are enough, though." Violant says.

Seems like we are leaving these spider babies alone, gonna move us along. Y'all can always come back.

Stom starts heading down the next tunnel, quickly walking into a small cavern with A bedroll, a small burnt out fire, a stack of books and papers, and a curious array of equipment covered in a tarp mark this as a spot where someone was been camping for at least several days. A tunnel that looks like it leads back out to the cave entrance as well another tunnel that looks like it leads deeper into the cave system lies beyond.

This tunnel you are in is rather cramped, as you all try to squeeze in, however before you can make it into the room, from behind the boxes and stacked crates, steps out a group of skeletons, two heavily armored, their eyes glowing fiercely, their weapons sharp and ready to defend the area from any intruders. Another two more lightly armorered but still armed and then unfurlying from a large pile of bones as it animates stands a hulking, large skeleton reminiscent of a minotaur!

The skeletal minotaur draws and swings its massive glaive, reaching nearly fifteen feet, all told, and slams it into Stom repeatedly, lacking any sort of finesse it may have possessed in life.

Glaive: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (4) + 12 = 16
damage: 1d8 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15

glaive: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14
damage: 1d8 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11

The green tattered skeletal soldier will stride up to Stom, drawing its wicked and jagged spear and tries to stab Stom with it.

skeletal soldier green spear: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 27 hit
damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

Round 1 - Bones bones bones
Skeletal Minotaur
Skeletal Soldier Green
Samael
Skeletal Champion Red
Violant
Skeletal Champion Blue
Lyra Flamecrest
Oppa / Doxie
Skeletal Soldier Yellow
Stom 2 damage

◆ Samael will attempt to Tumble Behind the Yellow Skeleton: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (12) + 9 = 21 vs Reflex DC

◆ Punch Yellow (-2 to make it lethal): 1d20 + 9 - 2 ⇒ (6) + 9 - 2 = 13for: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7 bludgeoning and: 1d6 ⇒ 6 sneak attack if Off Guard.

◆ Then Samael will move to the entrance of the cave.

Okay I had to do some digging and reading, reddit and the forums and the rule books are all great resources but my reading of undead and skeletons in particular is that they aren't immune to non-lethal so you wouldn't have to take the -2 penalty to your attack to make your attack lethal. This comes up because a 15 would hit their off guard AC. In this case I'll rule that you didn't take the -2 penalty and hit the skeleton, because really what difference is your character making with a lethal vs a non lethal punch against a skeleton lol

Samael tumbles through the skeletal fray, bouncing to his feet and delivering a brutal punch to the Yellow Skeletal Soldier.

The Red Skeletal Champion lumbers over, drawing his sword and striking at Samael.

Longsword: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (11) + 10 = 21
damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12

It delivers a vicious wound to Samael.

Round 1 - Bones bones bones
Skeletal Minotaur
Skeletal Soldier Green
Samael 12 damage
Skeletal Champion Red
Violant
Skeletal Champion Blue
Lyra Flamecrest
Oppa / Doxie
Skeletal Soldier Yellow 13 damage
Stom 2 damage

Telekinetic Projectile (B): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (11) + 9 = 20
Damage: 3d6 ⇒ (2, 6, 4) = 12

Violant decides to do something unorthodox... trying to slam the bones of the skeleton right in front of her into each other... granted, that does about as much good as tossing an object at it thanks to magic's limitations, but she doesn't see any loose pieces of wall.

She then raises her shield towards the creature.

Violant animates, telekinetically some bones to slam into the back of the Green Skeletal Soldier, her bludgeoning damage being particularly effective.

The Blue Skeletal Champion moves to attack Samael as well, striding, drawing its longsword and striking once.

Longsword vs Sam: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (4) + 10 = 14
damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12

But the attack, made with all its might, crashes against the rock wall next to Samael.

Round 1 - Bones bones bones
Skeletal Minotaur
Skeletal Soldier Green 12 damage
Samael 12 damage
Skeletal Champion Red
Violant
Skeletal Champion Blue
Lyra Flamecrest
Oppa / Doxie
Skeletal Soldier Yellow 13 damage
Stom 2 damage

"Other Side Doxie... Other Side"!

◆ MOVE
◆ MOVE
◆ Command Doxie

◆ MOVE
◆ MOVE

Kn Religion: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10

Lyra tries to remember what she learned about skeletons but can’t at the moment as the Skeletal Minotaur stares down the party.

She throws her hand forward and aims a needle dart toward the green skeleton in from of Stom. “NULLISH CRAAALIFK”

attack: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (11) + 9 = 20
damage: 4d4 ⇒ (1, 3, 1, 1) = 6

Oppa and Doxie hustle to get the other entrance to this room, providing a valuable flanking maneuver if they can get there in time.

Lyra struggles to remember what she knows about skeletons but in the heat of the moment, knows very little other than they are quite boney. She launches a trio of piercing needles and while they hit, they do very little damage.

The yellow skeletal soldier unable to attack Samael, will stride over to Stom, drawing his own spear and attacking Stom with it.

Spear: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 9 = 12
damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

But it misses badly.

I also just realized I misunderstood that the arrows Samael had drawn on the map and how they corresponded with his movement intent, so I gotta readjust how my skeletons positioned themselves, that way I'm not totally retconing their actions.

Round 1 - Bones bones bones
Skeletal Minotaur
Skeletal Soldier Green 13 damage
Samael 12 damage
Skeletal Champion Red
Violant
Skeletal Champion Blue
Lyra Flamecrest
Oppa / Doxie
Skeletal Soldier Yellow 13 damage
Stom 2 damage

Stom sees attacks clobbering one of the skeletons close to him, so he decides to focus his attacks on that creature and slashes at the boney skeleton.

◆◆ Intimidating Strike
◆ Strike

Strike #1: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (13) + 10 = 23
Slashing/Force Dmg: 1d12 + 4 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 + 4 = 15

Strike #2: 1d20 + 10 - 5 ⇒ (17) + 10 - 5 = 22
Stabbing/Force Dmg: 1d12 + 4 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 + 4 = 9

Stom raging, swings his axe and his raging heritage, lending a force to his blows is enough on its own just to destroy both skeletons attacking him.

The skeletal minotaur, an opening having been created, stomps its skeletal foot and digs a furrow in the ground before lunging the 10 feet forward, leading with its horns as it attempts to gore Stom, with a particularly terrifying charge.

Terrifying Charge: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (14) + 12 = 26
damage: 1d10 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 9 = 12

free demoralize check vs Stom since it hit: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (15) + 9 = 24

Second Gore Attack: 1d20 + 12 - 5 ⇒ (10) + 12 - 5 = 17
damage: 1d10 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6

Round 2 - Bones bones bones
Skeletal Minotaur
Samael 12 damage
Skeletal Champion Red
Violant
Skeletal Champion Blue
Lyra Flamecrest
Oppa / Doxie
Stom 14 damage / Frightened 1

◆ Samael will attempt to Tumble Behind the Red Skeleton: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (7) + 9 = 16 vs Reflex DC

My next two actions depend upon whether that is successful or not.

You would not have tumbled successfully, do you want to use a hero point?

◆ Samael will attempt to Tumble Behind the Red Skeleton a second time: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (9) + 9 = 18 vs Reflex DC

If that works, then strike against the skeletal minotaur (with sneak attack).
If that didn't work, then strike against Red Skeleton (without sneak attack).

◆ Bludgeoning fist strike: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (16) + 9 = 25for: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5
Additional possible sneak attack damage: 1d6 ⇒ 2

Samael attempts to tumble through the red skeleton's area, unfortunately, the skeleton is far too advanced to fall for such tactics, and as Samael tries to tumble, the Skeleton attempts to skewer him.

Reaction Strike: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (1) + 10 = 11
damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

Luckily, Samael was too tricky for the skeleton, and delivers a brutal uppercut to the skeleton.

The red skeletal champion, his jaw hanging loose after Sam's blow, readies itself to fight back, weaving its longsword in a well trained fashion of strikes.

longsword vs sam: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (7) + 10 = 17
damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

longsword vs sam: 1d20 + 10 - 5 ⇒ (14) + 10 - 5 = 19
damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11

It then prepares itself for any counter attacks, raising its shield in a defensive manner.

Round 2 - Bones bones bones
Skeletal Minotaur
Samael 12 damage
Skeletal Champion Red 5 damage
Violant
Skeletal Champion Blue
Lyra Flamecrest
Oppa / Doxie
Stom 14 damage / Frightened 1

Violant telekinetically slams the jaw of the skeleton in front of her into itself.

Attack: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (15) + 9 = 24
Damage (B): 3d6 ⇒ (6, 6, 1) = 13

I think you're targeting the skeleton minotaur?

Violant wounds the Skeletal Minotaur badly, it roars, shaking the cave.

the Blue Skeleton Champion continues the 2 versus 1 fight against Samael. Weaving a longsword attack at the rogue before raising its shield to defend against any counter attack.

Longsword: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (5) + 10 = 15
damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

longsword: 1d20 + 10 - 5 ⇒ (7) + 10 - 5 = 12
damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12

Sam's got that super evasion going on lol

Round 2 - Bones bones bones
Skeletal Minotaur 13 damage
Samael 12 damage
Skeletal Champion Red 5 damage
Violant
Skeletal Champion Blue
Lyra Flamecrest
Oppa / Doxie
Stom 14 damage / Frightened 1

Lyra takes a step forward up behind Stom and starts to speak in your rough Orcish language. "glsikk sppputttil wwwwheeedden"

As her hands glow a glowing morningstar, that looks much like the weapon currently hanging her her belt, winks into the room behind the skeletal minotaur.

Attack with spiritual weapon-morning star: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16
Damage: 2d8 ⇒ (1, 1) = 2

>Stride
>> Cast spiritual weapon (morning star)

oof i just realized I won’t attack when via is spell is supposed to be +9 so my attack would have been a 17

Good catch

Lyra steps forward, summoning a spectral, floating morningstar that bonks the skeletal minotaur on the head, doing minimal damage.

Round 2 - Bones bones bones
Skeletal Minotaur 15 damage
Samael 12 damage
Skeletal Champion Red 5 damage
Violant
Skeletal Champion Blue
Lyra Flamecrest
Oppa / Doxie
Stom 14 damage / Frightened 1

Stom attacks the large skeletal creature directly in front of him.

◆◆ Intimidating Strike
◆ Strike

Strike #1: 1d20 + 10 - 1 ⇒ (8) + 10 - 1 = 17
Slashing/Force Dmg: 1d12 + 4 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 + 4 = 15

Strike #2: 1d20 + 10 - 5 - 1 ⇒ (4) + 10 - 5 - 1 = 8
Slashing/Force Dmg: 1d12 + 4 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 + 4 = 12

Since Samael has moved to keep Doxie from coming in... she'll probably just stomp around in frustration. Dang low initiative :-)

◆ Move
◆◆ CAST: Square between Minotaur skeleton and others (5' burst)

Caustic Blast

2d8 ⇒ (1, 5) = 6 Acid

BTW forgive me if I make mistakes in positioning. Being color blind I really don't know which enemy is which. :-)

All good, I can try to accommodate, I'll start attaching symbols to the monsters as well

Stom, delivers a frightening blow, if the skeletal minotaur had a mind, he'd be afraid, sadly the boney monstrosity seems immune to fear.

Oppa launches a gob of caustic acid, the blue heart champion dodges, but the red moon champion and the minotaur take the full brunt of the acid.

The skeletal minotaur, rampaging, runs in a big circle before trying to impale Stom again with its horns.

Terrifying Charge: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (1) + 12 = 13
damage: 1d10 + 9 ⇒ (7) + 9 = 16

But it crashes into the rock wall, breaking off a horn with a loud crack!

Roaring it swipes its glaive at Lyra behind Stom.

Glaive vs lyra: 1d20 + 12 - 5 ⇒ (10) + 12 - 5 = 17
damage: 1d12 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16

But it can't quite reach her in the tight corridors!

Round 3 - Bones bones bones
Skeletal Minotaur 35 damage
Samael 12 damage
Skeletal Champion Red 11 damage
Violant
Skeletal Champion Blue 3
Lyra Flamecrest
Oppa / Doxie
Stom 14 damage

◆ Samael will try to Tumble behind Red Heart (vs Reflex DC): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (13) + 9 = 22

◆ Now that he's flanking the skeletal Minotaur, he will punch it: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (13) + 9 = 22for: 1d4 + 4 + 1d6 ⇒ (3) + 4 + (6) = 13 bludgeoning damage.

◆ And punch it again: 1d20 + 9 - 4 ⇒ (16) + 9 - 4 = 21for: 1d4 + 4 + 1d6 ⇒ (2) + 4 + (4) = 10 bludgeoning damage.

Samael learning the skeletal champions fighting pattern, finds an opening and tumbles between the two of them, coming up right behind the skeletal minotaur and delivering a powerful 1-2 combo, his second punch causing the minotaur to explode in a shower of sharp bones.

explosive death DC 17 basic Reflex Save for Stom and Samael: 3d6 ⇒ (2, 6, 4) = 12

The Red Moon Skeletal Champion strides into a flanking position, hoping to finish off Samael with a flurry of longsword slashes.

Longsword: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (19) + 10 = 29 Your 3rd level rogue ability I think block this from being a crit due you not being off guard against creatures your level or lower
damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

longsword: 1d20 + 10 - 5 ⇒ (16) + 10 - 5 = 21
damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12

Round 3 - Bones bones bones
Samael 33 damage
Skeletal Champion Red Moon 11 damage
Violant
Skeletal Champion Blue Heart 3
Lyra Flamecrest
Oppa / Doxie
Stom 14 damage

Reflex vs explosive death: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (7) + 11 = 18

That will knock me out

Do I have a Hero point? If so,: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (18) + 11 = 29

Violant strides and launches the pickaxe at the red skeletal champion, hitting it with the handle to ensure optimal damage.

Attack: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (9) + 9 = 18
Damage: 3d6 ⇒ (2, 3, 1) = 6

Sure, I might need to switch to your method of tracking hero points, I'm the worst at it. I was terrible at giving inspiration in 5E as well.

Samael, backflips, dodging the exploding skeletal remains, barely able to remain standing while Violant launches a pickaxe, handle first at the Red Skeletal Champion but it hits his armor with only a glancing blow, not seeming to do any effective damage.

The blue skeleton will stride over, putting himself between Violant and Samael before attacking both of them, once each.

Violant: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (7) + 10 = 17 I'm not sure if this hits
damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11

Samael: 1d20 + 10 - 5 ⇒ (12) + 10 - 5 = 17
damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

Round 3 - Bones bones bones
Samael 33 damage
Skeletal Champion Red Moon 11 damage
Violant ☘️☘️
Skeletal Champion Blue Heart 3
Lyra Flamecrest ☘️☘️
Oppa / Doxie ☘️☘️
Stom 14 damage ☘️☘️

Your shield remains raised until the start of your next turn.

It does indeed hit.

Moving past her companions into the room Lyra quickly begins to heal Samaels wounds.

Battle Medicine treat wounds DC 20: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (14) + 11 = 25
HP gained: 2d8 + 15 ⇒ (4, 6) + 15 = 25

As she quickly patches him up her spiritual morning star moved into the room and attacks the red skeleton.

attack: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (15) + 9 = 24
damage: 2d8 ⇒ (2, 7) = 9

Lyra, seeing Samael get badly hurt, rushes into danger, pulling her healers kit and applying some quick and timely first aid. At the same time she coordinates her spectral morningstar to bonk the the red skeleton doing decent damage.

The Red Moon Skeleton doesn't look like it has much unlife left in it.

The clover leafs are y'alls hero points, this way its easier to track :) and easier for me to see when I need to award some
Round 3 / 4 - Bones bones bones
Samael 8 damage
Skeletal Champion Red Moon 20 damage
Violant 11 damage ☘️☘️
Skeletal Champion Blue Heart 3
Lyra Flamecrest ☘️☘️
Oppa / Doxie ☘️☘️
Stom 14 damage ☘️☘️

Reflex save: 1d2 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7

More than his share of bones collides with Stom, but he continues the fight with barely a pause. He moves into reach of the nearest skeleton and attacks at it twice.

◆ Stride
◆ Strike
◆ Strike

Strike #1 : 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (17) + 10 = 27
Slashing/Force Dmg: 1d12 + 4 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 + 4 = 9

Strike #2 : 1d20 + 10 - 5 ⇒ (5) + 10 - 5 = 10
Splashing/Force Dmg: 1d12 + 4 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 + 4 = 17

struggling to edit the map on my phone. Trying to move Stom north of the blue.

I moved it for you

Samael will punch the Blue Heart skeleton: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (15) + 9 = 24for: 1d4 + 4 + 1d6 ⇒ (2) + 4 + (4) = 10 bludgeoning damage.

If Blue Heart is not down, then the next attack will be against it. If it is down then Samael will move south of Red Moon (setting up the next flank)

Next strike: 1d20 + 9 - 4 ⇒ (11) + 9 - 4 = 16for: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

◆ MOVE
◆ Command Doxie
◆ Raise Shield

"Join the fray girl... join the fray. I know there isn't much meat on those bones, but there might still be some marrow left".

◆ MOVE
◆ Attack: Bite
1d20 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 15 Bite
1d8 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7 Teeth (Piercing)

Stom strides over, his axe coming down on the skeletal champion, the slashing nature of his axe seems to bas through the bones of the skeleton but then the pure magical force damage that accompanies his blow wounds the undead.

Samael, revitalized, delivers another brutal punch to the blue skeletal champion that Stom is fighting. Together they've brought it near the brink of destruction.

Doxie is finally able to run into the room and tries to snack on the tasty skeleton but she isn't able to find much purchase.

the red moon skeletal champion has a target rich environment, but no way to gain flanking so he will simply split his attacks between the pesky rogue and the new dragon and then he'll raise his shield.

Longsword vs Doxie: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (16) + 10 = 26
damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

longsword vs Samael: 1d20 + 10 - 5 ⇒ (3) + 10 - 5 = 8
damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

Round 4 - Bones bones bones
Samael 8 damage
Skeletal Champion Red Moon 20 damage - Shield Raised
Violant 11 damage ☘️☘️
Skeletal Champion Blue Heart 17
Lyra Flamecrest ☘️☘️
Oppa / Doxie 5 damage ☘️☘️
Stom 38 damage ☘️☘️

Violant steps back (Guarded Step), and launches a piece of wood at the skeleton in front of her, as she reels in pain.

Attack Roll: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (10) + 9 = 19
Damage: 3d6 ⇒ (5, 2, 6) = 13

Guarded Step (is that the name?), and Telekinetic projectile.