GM Cody Age of Ashes

Game Master Codanous

Violent takes a defensive 5 foot step back, opening up the space between her and the blue skeleton in front of her. She then proceeds to launch a huge piece of wood, that absolutely clobbers the skeleton. It explodes in a further splintering explosion of bones and armor shards.

Samael and Stom reflex DC 16: 2d6 ⇒ (3, 3) = 6

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

Once again Lyra moves the spiritual Morningstar to attack the last remaining skeleton.

attack: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (8) + 9 = 17
damage: 2d8 ⇒ (1, 2) = 3

attack: 1d20 + 9 - 5 ⇒ (19) + 9 - 5 = 23
damage: 2d8 ⇒ (5, 1) = 6

As the weapon hits the skeleton Lyra raises her shield into place.

Lyra's spiritual weapon whirls into action, delivering two quick and powerful blows, destroying the skeleton. As the light leaves its undead eye holes, it explodes in a shrapnel filled explosion.

Samael and Doxie reflex save dc 16: 2d6 ⇒ (4, 4) = 8

Combat's over, just need those last minute reflex saves, 1 from Stom, 2 from Samael and 1 from Doxie. Though given enough rest, the damage post combat is probably immaterial. Y'all definitely took a beating.

Current HP 26/41

1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9 Reflex Save

"Ouch! Ouch! These bones bite back".

Reflex DC 16: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (7) + 11 = 18

DC 16 Reflex Save: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15

6 dmg; current HP 11/55

Stom nearly avoids the skeletal explosion but isn't able to move quickly enough.

With the battle over, Stom sheathes his weapon and hunches over, checking himself for bleeding wounds. "I'm glad that we have a capable healer in the group. Going to need some time recovering from this fight, I'd say!"

"Well OUCH! And that was not the most fun I've ever had".

"Whimper...whimper...whimper...

Oof, that was a bit rough. I can definitely heal us up but I need to rest for a bit before I can deal out some medical attention.

imma need an hour of rest so I can use treat wounds on you guys since I’ve just done it on most of yall. If that’s okay?

"Resting is... probably the best bet," Violant says as she winces.

Taking some time to rest and recover after a tough combat. There's no doubt that these skeletons were a random occurrence and likely left here to protect the tunnel leading deeper into the cave system.

There is evidence this used to be a campsite or a staging area but it hasn't been used in a day or two at least.

With so much time available, Violant and Oppa are able to determine that these skeletons were raised using necromantic magic. The gear on them is salvageable, 2 longswords, 2 steel shields(undamaged), 2 spears and one large sized glaive, 2 sets of chain mail.

The crates in this area contain some left over mining/excavating supplies, pickaxes, torches, spare lumber for supporting walls.

Let me know after y'all've done your healing if you want to backtrack and loot the spider area and deal with that pesky spider swarm or press onward and deeper into the cave system

Resting here for a while Lyra tends to everyone's wounds. Focusing on Violant and Samael's wounds first.

DC 20 Treat Wounds: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (11) + 11 = 22
HP for Violant and Samael: 2d8 + 15 ⇒ (6, 6) + 15 = 27

Looking over her patients she moves over to Oppa and Doxie to tend to their wounds.

DC 15 Treat Wounds: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (9) + 11 = 20
HP for Oppa/Doxie: 2d8 ⇒ (7, 5) = 12

After waiting and resting for an hour Lyra takes her medic kit over to treat Stom's wounds. "That Minotaur skeleton was pretty brutal. Lets get you healed up!"

DC 20 Treat Wounds: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (10) + 11 = 21
HP for Stom: 2d8 + 15 ⇒ (8, 5) + 15 = 28

Needing to wait yet another hour Lyra to be able to continue to tend to Stom's wounds. Lyra takes the time to inspect the steel shields the skeletons had. "I think I'll take one of these as a backup, just incase mine gets busted up again."

DC 15 Treat Wounds: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (6) + 11 = 17
HP for Stom: 2d8 ⇒ (7, 8) = 15 if i did my math right you should be at 54/55 HP I almost got you back up to full!

"Nearly good as new. Thank you, Lyra. My shoulder is still a bit sore, but nothing that stops me from fighting."

With the rounds of healing complete, Stom ponders what to do next. "That room with the spider nest is still there if anyone wants to poke that ... hornet's nest. I still say deeper into the cave."

Lyra's math is correct. 54/55 HP now. Thanks again!

And, party inventory sheet updated from this new loot. But, didn't include anything for mining supplies as I doubt we want to haul that around.

” i agree i think we should continue farther in. These skeletons must have been here for a reason.”

"Agreed."

Feeling refreshed and stronger, the party sets out to explore the cave beyond this waystation. You guys walk for hours, twisting and winding through the caves. All along the way you find many caverns both big and small and evidence that fights have taken place. Dead bodies of giant spiders, centipedes and other cave denizens lie dead. Here and there lie the broken or smashed remains of skeletons very similar to the ones you guys fought.

You find recent signs of goblin inhabitants but as you investigate, their stone huts lie empty, ruined and crumbling homes in which nothing of value or interest remains.

After walking for what must have been miles through the cramped, underground cavern system. The dead creatures having begun to appear more recently killed.

Although the tunnel opens wide into a sprawling cavern here, it seems even more claustrophobic, for viscous spiderwebs crisscross nearly every inch of the place. Along the northern wall, several human-sized lumps in the webs are thickly wrapped in silk webbing, while the entire floor is covered in sticky goop.

Spider web filled cavern

Lyra rolls her shoulders and cracks her neck as they move into the larger opening of the web filled cavern. "Those tight tunnels were not kind to me." pausing and looking at all the webs on the ground and walls. "Fllishik not more spiders" She shudders and adjusts her pack and shield.

can i make a Nature check (+10) to see if there are any spiders we can see or maybe a medicne (+11) check if we get close to the human size lumps (im picturing that scene in Lord of the rings) have been poisioned?

Lyra inches closer into the cavern, walking deeper into the spider filled cavern. You don't see any dead spiders, what spiders you have seen have been Hunting Spiders which you know have a nasty venom and often hunt by dropping down on unsuspecting creatures from above. As you remember this, you slowly look up, revealing numerous giant spiders that were descending from the ceiling 20 feet above you on thin lines of spider silk.

Hunting Spiders 8 and 3 Launch sticky web at Lyra and Doxie before they finish descending to bite them.

Hunting Spider 3 attacks Lyra
Web: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18
strike: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8
damage + poison: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

Hunting Spider 8 attacks Doxie
Web: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16
strike: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19
damage + poison: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

The spiders, some folks might be afraid so I try to go with friendlier looking spiders. The ones with the white lines on them are still attached to their webs and are effectively 20 feet up. The spiderline can be targeted it; (AC 20, Hardness 3, 5 HP) which causes the spider to fall. No rush if y'all still finishing leveling up

Round 1 - Why'd it have to be spiders?
Hunting Spider 8 -
Hunting Spider 3 -
Stom Flintheart -
Samael Doulen -
Hunting Spider 2 -
Violant -
Oppa / Doxie -
Hunting Spider 1 -
Lyra Flamecrest -
Hunting Spider 4 -
Hunting Spider 5 -
Hunting Spider 6 -

additionally, any square that has spider webs in it is difficult terrain and requires a DC 18 reflex saving throw or be entangled requiring you to have to spend an action to free yourself from the sticky webbing

Samael will get out a dagger, move to flank Spider 8, and stab it.

Strike: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (9) + 11 = 20for: 1d4 + 4 + 1d6 ⇒ (1) + 4 + (6) = 11 piercing damage.

Samael I'll need a reflex saving throw DC 18 because you moved into a square with webbing on it. Unless you have something that prevents you from being entangled by sticky webs. If you succeed you dont have to spend an action freeing yourself from the webbing, if you fail you have to spend an action to not be entangled

Ref DC 18: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (18) + 12 = 30

Stom sees several spiders descending from the cavern ceiling, but none currently in reach. He moves closer to Lyra and then rears back, waiting for an opportunity to swing.

◆ Step
◆◆ Ready a Strike; Trigger: when Hunting Spider 1 or 7 descend to striking distance.

Also, I don't see Hunting Spider 7 in the initiative tracker.

I realize now initiative got a little wonked up, I made the initiative order, then made the attacks, should have done the attacks after the initiative. silly mistake cause it messed everything up. I'll keep the order posted and add in 7 at the bottom

Hunting spider 2 finishes descending from its spidersilk rope, then launches its web net at Lyra before lunging to bite her.

web: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19
bite + poison: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20
damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Since you still have the defend exploration action going, you start combat with your shield raised, so I think that misses

Round 1 - Why'd it have to be spiders?
Hunting Spider 8 -
Hunting Spider 3 -
Stom Flintheart -
Samael Doulen -
Hunting Spider 2 -
Violant -
Oppa / Doxie -
Hunting Spider 1 -
Lyra Flamecrest -
Hunting Spider 4 -
Hunting Spider 5 -
Hunting Spider 6 -
Hunting Spider 7 -

yeah with my shield raises that misses! Thank goodness for the defend exploration action!

Violant sends bolts of electricity out at 3 and 8, hoping to fry the ones closest to her. Then, she raises her shield.

DC 20 Reflex save

Damage: 3d6 ⇒ (1, 4, 6) = 11

◆ Step
◆ Focus Spell (Lifelink Surge). Gives Doxie Fast healing 4 for 4 rounds).
◆ Command Doxie

I know you don't like the taste of these things' girl, but you don't have to swallow them. Just bite and spit".

◆ Stride
◆ ATTACK: Bite #3 (Off guard).
1d20 + 10 ⇒ (16) + 10 = 26 Bite
1d8 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9 Teeth (Piercing).

Yuck. I better get a treat after this.

Samael moves to flank the spider and stabs it right in the abdomen, green viscious blood pools onto the ground.

Violant snaps her fingers and sends an arc of lightning dancing between the 3rd and 8th spiders.

reflex 3: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (15) + 9 = 24
reflex 8: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (8) + 9 = 17

The 8th spider fries in its own blood and it smells oddly tasty for a second before it falls over dead, legs curled up.

The 3rd spider dodges the brunt of the electricity. but finds itself in the jaws of doxie who tears it to pieces critically killing it.

The 1st spider finishes dropping down right into Stom's waiting magical greatsword.

Stom attack vs Spider: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (11) + 11 = 22
damage + force damage: 1d12 + 4 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 + 4 = 19

Where he slices it in half before it even finishes descending, hitting the ground in a wet slop of bug guts.

Round 1 - Why'd it have to be spiders?
Stom Flintheart -
Samael Doulen -
Hunting Spider 2 -
Violant -
Oppa / Doxie -
Lyra Flamecrest -
Hunting Spider 4 -
Hunting Spider 5 -
Hunting Spider 6 -
Hunting Spider 7 -

Drawing her Morningstar Lyra attacks the hunting spider that descended in front of her. number 2

”For her Holy flame!”

attack: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (10) + 9 = 19
damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

As she finishes her attack she raises her shield into place.

<draw weapon
< attack
< raise shield

Lyra proclaiming to her god, she bonks the spider in front of her. Giving it a good walloping, it staggers on its eight legs.

Spider's 4,5,6, and 7 all finish descending on their webs, three of them pouncing on Stom and Lyra while Spider 6 tries to take a bit out of doxie.

1 hit on Stom for 5 damage, need a fortitude saving Throw DC 16 Fortitude; Hunting spider poison: Stage 1 1d4 poison damage and off-guard (1 round)

1 hit on Lyra for 7 damage, need a fortitude saving Throw DC 16 Fortitude; Hunting spider poison: Stage 1 1d4 poison damage and off-guard (1 round) and let me know if you are using your reaction to shield block

1 hit on Doxie for 5 damage, need a fortitude saving Throw DC 16 Fortitude; Hunting spider poison: Stage 1 1d4 poison damage and off-guard (1 round) and let me know if you are using your reaction to shield block

The spiders descend and turn into a flurry of venom soaked fangs biting and swarming over the party.

Round 2 - Why'd it have to be spiders?
Stom Flintheart -
Samael Doulen -
Hunting Spider 2 - 8 damage
Violant -
Oppa / Doxie -
Lyra Flamecrest -
Hunting Spider 4 -
Hunting Spider 5 -
Hunting Spider 6 -
Hunting Spider 7 -

◆ Samael will move to flank spider 6,

Reflex vs webs: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (10) + 12 = 22

◆ Strike: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (4) + 11 = 15for: 1d4 + 4 + 1d6 ⇒ (2) + 4 + (3) = 9 piercing damage.

◆ Strike: 1d20 + 11 - 4 ⇒ (16) + 11 - 4 = 23for: 1d4 + 4 + 1d6 ⇒ (1) + 4 + (4) = 9 piercing damage.

DC 16 Fortitude Save: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (14) + 11 = 25

When the spider swarm Stom, he fends off all but one attack. Thankfully, the poison doesn't seem to set in yet.

With multiple enemies in reach, Stom slashes across two of them with a single arcing attack. Targeting spiders 7 and 4.

◆◆ Swipe
◆ Step west to protect Oppa and Violant

Swipe Attack: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (8) + 11 = 19
Slashing/force dmg: 1d12 + 4 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 + 4 = 10

Samael moves into flanking with Doxie, setting himself up nicely to deliver two precise strikes, eviscerating the spider in front of him.

Meanwhile Stom, fighting back to back with Lyra swings his greastword in a wide sweeping motion, slicing two of the spiders badly, green blood leaking from them.

Hunting Spider 2 will continue trying to eat Lyra.

Spider 2 vs Lyra: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (5) + 9 = 14
damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

Spider 2 vs Lyra: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11
damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Spider 2 vs Lyra: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (12) - 1 = 11
damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

But try as it might it can't get past her able defenses.

Lyra, still need to know if you are using a reaction to shield block the 7 damage from previous attacks still + Need Fort Save DC 16 or be poisoned as above

Round 2 - Why'd it have to be spiders?
Stom Flintheart -
Samael Doulen -
Hunting Spider 2 - 8 damage
Violant -
Oppa / Doxie -
Lyra Flamecrest -
Hunting Spider 4 -
Hunting Spider 5 - 10 damage
Hunting Spider 7 - 10 damage

When the spider with poison dripping from its mouth attempts to bite her Lyra quickly knocks it aside with her shield blocking it.

fort save: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (11) + 10 = 21

She then attacks the spider in front of her. #5

attack: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 9 = 13
damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

Attacking again she swing towards the spider in front of her.

attack: 1d20 + 9 - 5 ⇒ (1) + 9 - 5 = 5
damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

She then raises her shield once more.

Lyra blocks the hunting spider's vicious onslaught, holding its poison droipping fangs just barely back, she tries to get a couple of bonks in but its everything she can do to hold the spider back.

Round 2 - Why'd it have to be spiders?
Stom Flintheart -
Samael Doulen -
Hunting Spider 2 - 8 damage
Violant -
Oppa / Doxie -
Lyra Flamecrest - 1 damage / 1 damage to shield
Hunting Spider 4 -
Hunting Spider 5 - 10 damage
Hunting Spider 7 - 10 damage

Violant sends out another Electric Arc at the fourth and seventh hunting spider, then raises her shield.

Damage: 3d4 ⇒ (3, 3, 4) = 10
DC 20 Reflex.

Hunting Spider 4 and 7 are blasted with electricity.

reflex 4: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (13) + 9 = 22

reflex 7: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 15

Hunting Spider 4 takes a moderate amount of damage, avoiding the brunt of the shock but 7 doesn't fare so good and is veritably cooked, a shockingly tasty smell wafting from its charred body.

Round 2 - Why'd it have to be spiders?
Stom Flintheart -
Samael Doulen -
Hunting Spider 2 - 8 damage
Violant -
Oppa / Doxie -
Lyra Flamecrest - 1 damage / 1 damage to shield
Hunting Spider 4 - 15 damage
Hunting Spider 5 -