GM Cody Age of Ashes

Game Master Codanous

Samael will attempt to pick the lock of the iron gate.

Samael's Thievery modifier is +7

Samael moves up to the gate and attempts to pick the lock, he can see it isn't overly difficult or intricate.

With ease he is able to unlock the old gate and does so quietly, the dragon like creature in the courtyard is still oblivious to Samael's efforts. The creature is clearly hungry and focused only on the tasty goblins and halfling above it.

Initiative

Violant
Samael
Oppa/Doxie
Grauladon
Lyra
Goblin/Halfling commotion

Figured it was best to move into rounds/imitative to continue things going, unless y'all chose to ignore the goblins being threatened by a halfling and a dinosaur wanting to eat the lot of them. As a note, y'all are currently Unnoticed/Undetected by the Grauladon. Additionally if you zoom the map slide out, there is a smaller square in the bottom right corner that shows the upper level where Calmont the Halfling that started the fire earlier is threatening a group of Goblins.

Violant Strides into the room, then casts Electric Arc, not even touching her components as she attacks the creature in front of her, switching to a monotone Utopian.

Will need a DC 17 Reflex save from the creature.
Damage: 2d4 ⇒ (2, 1) = 3

Stride. Cast Electric Arc

◆ Command Doxie
◆ Stride
◆ Take Cover

Oppa points the big lizard out to Doxie, then strides into the courtyard keeping to the walls. She then crouches behind the steps to take cover.

"I wonder if those goblins are the ones we're supposed to rescue. Looks like that little guy is threatening them. I'm going to try to work my way over to that rope".

Doxie
◆ Stride
◆ Breath cold (30' Cone) DC 16 Basic Save
1d6 ⇒ 2 Cold damage
1d4 ⇒ 3 Recharge roll

Samael will move 25 feet, right up to the Dragon.

Then, Samael will attempt to tumble through the Dragon: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10 vs its Reflex DC.

Then, Samael will attack with the dagger: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12

The three of you spring into action, immediately identifying the Grauladon as the immediate threat.

Violant flings electrical magic at it, reflex save: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26 but it shrugs off the majority of the damage, roaring and turning to face you guys.

Doxie springs up and blasts with a breath of icy cold air, reflex: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12 but its caught off guard and takes the full brunt of her icy breath. Paving the way for Samael to come tumbling in but stopping short of sliding through the low bellied legs of the grauladon. It doesn't take advantage though of his failure to slide through its legs, nor is he able to pierce its tough hide with his dagger!

The Grauladon reacts and returns the favor, first with a roar as it tries to bite Samael with its massive gaping maw,

Jaws: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (19) + 10 = 29 ouch crit
damage - piercing: 1d12 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6
crit damage: 1d12 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14

And samael is viciously wounded as the grauladon tears into him with one nasty chomp, leaving him unconscious and bleeding out on the ground.

It rushes over his body to doxie to slam her with his tail.

Tail: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (14) + 10 = 24
bludgeoning: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

Initiative - Round 1 - Courtyard Battle

Violant
Samael -3 and Dying, need a recovery check on your turn
Oppa/Doxie 7 damage
Grauladon 3 damage
Lyra
Goblin/Halfling commotion

Lyra quickly moves into the room after hearing the dragon attack. As she enters the room and sees Samael bleeding out on the flood she swiftly pulls out her holy symbol of Sarenrae and send a flow of healing energy towards him.

"Klllarkisha Sarenrae brisshhraka liikk!"

Heal: 1d8 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9

yikes a 1. actions: stride 25 feet into the room, >> 2 action Heal

And just as quickly does Samael goes down, does Lyra's healing magic bring him right back up and almost into flanking!

The Halflings and Goblins have taken notice to your presence and the goblins yell down, "Help us please! This mad halfling has taken our chief Helba hostage!"

To which the halfling retorts, "Shut up, shut up, just shut up or I'll kill your chief!" pointing his knife at you guys, "Don't even think about coming any closer! I hope that dragon eats you all! Finish what the flames couldn't" He backs up slowly into the turret, struggling with the Goblin chief, Helba.

Initiative - Round 2 - Courtyard Battle

Violant
Samael 4/17 hp + Wounded 1
Oppa/Doxie 12/19 hp
Grauladon 3 damage
Lyra
Goblin/Halfling commotion

RAW, Samael would go after Oppa/Doxie

◆ Stand up
◆ Get knife
◆ Stabby Stabby, Dragon is flanked: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13for: 1d4 + 4 + 1d6 ⇒ (1) + 4 + (1) = 6

HP=9, Wounded 1

Violant begins speaking loudly in Utopian, as she begins casting yet another spell that she's specifically modified to produce an effect closer to another spell.

As she finishes the arcane words, thunder seems to expand from an origin point relatively close to the reptilian creature in front of her, proceeding to make a loud, thunderous clap right near wherever its auditory sensory organs are located.
Electric: 1d12 ⇒ 6
Sonic: 1d4 ⇒ 1
Arcana: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18

"Grauladon," she says as that is the same name for most languages, and she begins motioning for everyone to get away from its mouth. While she cannot reliably convey the information in a language they don't speak, she can still try with her frantic motions.

Going to need a DC 17 Basic Refle save. Cast a Spell (Thunderstrike fluffed as a ranged Shocking Grasp), recall knowledge.

◆ Command Doxie
◆ Cast: Protect Companion
◆ Act as one

Doxie though not really relishing the thought decides it's time to take her teeth into the fray... then her claws.

◆ Stride (Move to flank)
◆ Strike 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22 Jaws
1d8 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8 Piercing

◆ Strike 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9 Claws
1d6 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5 Slashing

But the beast tastes so bad she misses with her claws.

Normally I would have Doxie retreat to make the beast use an action to move but she'll stay flanking with Samael... who might use his mobility going forward :-)

Oppa casts protective magic, shrouding Doxie as he sends her on the offensive, biting into the Grauladon with a vicious tearing of flesh.

Violant lashes it with an electric explosion Grauladon reflex: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24 but it seemed ready and avoids half of the blast!

Fortunately Samael leaps back to his feet and attempts to hamstring the beast but fails to cut through its tough hide.

The beast roars and lets out a noxious cloud of stinking halitosis breath, enveloping Violant and Lyra.

Need a DC 18 Fort save or be Sickened 1 (or Sickened 2 on critical fail) from Lyra and Violant please

After that it tries to take a bite out Doxie, returning the favor.
chomp: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (5) + 10 = 15
damage: 1d12 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14

Its jaws slam down powerfully but doxie nimbly slips out of the way. It then jumps up and slams its body down, swinging its tail at both Doxie and Samael, trying to sweep them off their feet.

Athletics to trip vs Doxie: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (15) + 10 = 25 success
Athletics to trip vs Samael: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (11) + 10 = 21 success

And both of them go careening to the ground, swept off their feet by the powerful lizard's tail.

Initiative - Round 2 - Courtyard Battle

Violant
Samael 9/17 hp + Wounded 1 + Prone
Oppa/Doxie 12/19 hp + doxie Prone
Grauladon 15 damage
Lyra
Goblin/Halfling commotion

Fort: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23

Violant covers her mouth with her wide-brimmed hat as soon as the noxious breath happens, and mutters a curse in utopian.

Fort save: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15 dang it, Sickened 1 it is then

As the noxious breath falls over her Lyra begins to violently cough. Catching her breath and wipes the tears from her eyes and the spit from her mouth. She moves forward in front of the creature and raises her shield. And attacks with her tusks.

Tusk Attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21
Piercing damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

>Stride
>raises shield
>Attack

Lyra struggles through the sickening breath to stride forward and tusk the Grauladon, tearing into its hide.

Calmont having retreated inside the tower the remaining goblins are hooping and hollaring from the battlements, throwing rocks and anything they can at the Grauladon to little effect. One shouts, "Hurry please, defeat this overgrown lizard!!"

Initiative - Round 3 - Courtyard Battle

Violant
Samael 9/17 hp + Wounded 1 + Prone
Oppa/Doxie 12/19 hp + doxie Prone
Grauladon 21 damage
Lyra
Goblin/Halfling commotion

Samael will stand, and poke the flanked dragon.

Stab: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12

Sam, your poor poor dice, i feel bad lol

Violant growing weary of battle (she is not used to it) decides to fire a bolt of magical enemy at the Grauladon as she steps out of range of another noxious breath.

Spell Attack (Phase Bolt): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12

She then mutters more curses under her breath as her bolt of energy goes wide, striking the wall.

Stride. Phase Bolt.

◆ Command Doxie
◆ Cast "Protect Companion"
◆ Act as one with Doxie

Doxie

◆ Strike 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23 Bite
1d8 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10 Teeth

◆ Strike 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19 Claw
1d6 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10 Nails

◆ Step (Move away from the creature) Act as One

Second Stab (see discussion): 1d20 + 7 - 4 ⇒ (14) + 7 - 4 = 17for: 1d4 + 4 + 1d6 ⇒ (1) + 4 + (1) = 6

Doxie ferociously tears into the off guard and hurt Grauladon, while it wishes it could escape, the overwhelming damage from Doxie finishes it off. The creature collapses into a heap, unconscious and bleeding out.

Combat is over!

The goblins cheer as you defeat the Grauladon, shouting "Please please help us, the halfling is going to kill our leader! "

The bottom of the stairs leading up to the battlement are destroyed and collapsed into loose unstable rubble. There is a rope that could be climbed to ascend to the top.

DC 15 Athletics check to climb the rope or DC 10 Acrobatics to move across the loose rubble

Samael begins to dance across the loose rubble: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22

Samael easily dances, hops, skips and runs about the loose crumbling rubble that makes up the lower levels of the stairwell. Quickly he finds himself amongst the 8 goblins on the battlements and can see Calmont in the nearest northern tower.

Calmont is still holding a struggling goblin at knife point, he briefly points the knife at Samael, "Don't come any closer, I'll kill this goblin! You should have just died in the fire!"

"Look, I'll give you a chance. You know, if you kill him, we'll have to kill you -- after an 'appropriate' amount of torture. If you let him go, I'll give you a chance to escape with your life. No harm, no foul."

Deception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18

While saying this, Samael moves forward, slowly.

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

Shaking off the unrelenting urge to speak Utopian, Violant tries to dissuade the Halfling, all while failing to get around the rubble. "I can reach you from here with my spells, I'd advise against trying anything."

Sorry I had put him on the south tower on the map but definitely meant for him to be in the north tower, part of the tower he is in is crumbled and exposed, so y'all can see him from the ground as well

He waves his knife wildly at you Samael, "I'm not letting any of these goblins go until they tell me where Alseta's Ring is! Oh hoho I'm getting my treasure and then I'm getting out this middle of nowhere town!"

Samael you feel like you're diplomacy check worked. While still being unfriendly and afraid that his plan has gone sideways, you think you can continue asking him questions. Though he could be still behave erratically depending on how the situation progresses

Violant just stands there, stunned, repeatedly touching up one of the three holy symbols on her necklace as a nervous twitch. (Alseta, obviously). "What makes you think the Goblins know where Alseta's Ring is?"

Knowledge Religion? Bonus from well... being Alsetan? (Last one largely a joke, lmao)

Yeah my bad, I should have included a recall knowledge :O

Calmont yells down at Violant, sneering, "“These freaks know how to get to the basement. They used to live down there! Everyone knows that! Those blocked stairs on the first floor, they can’t be the only way down. There’s an elf gate down there. Do you have any idea what someone would pay for information about lost elf gates? A lot! Only these worms won’t tell me how to get downstairs and I know that's where Alseta's Ring will be!”

Helba stammering, a thin line of blood running down her neck from where Calmont has nicked her with his wildly gestulating, "Never heard of an Alseta ring. Is it shiny? I bet it is. Rings are always shiny. But there were no shiny rings in our vaults, I can say. But there’s rooms even deeper, and crypts too. We never go there, but maybe the ring is hidden in there?”

Religion: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16 I would have burned a Hero Point here if I needed to, dangit. Core part of her is being Alsetan.

Violant sighs and chuckles at the notion of Alseta's Ring being a mere ring you wear on your finger. If she weren't an awkward wizard-mathematician hybrid, she might have even gone into the clergy of the Goddess, given how much solace The Welcomer has given the Half-Elf throughout her life since early childhood.

"Alseta's Ring is a ring of things: elf-gates. You can't wear it around your finger," she says with derision, unwilling to use the proper elven term for them. "Have you already searched for secret entrances yourself, as opposed to merely threatening Goblins, who seem to be too entrenched in their own affairs to care about the artifacts of elves long past?"

Calmont responds, "You know what Elf Gates are, hunh?? Don’t you realize how valuable that information is to richies who want to travel fast? Selling that information would get me out from under Voz’s thumb! Now that you know the secret too, I don't want to have to share with you! So don't even think about looking for them!" he sneers, waving the dagger, "These goblins must know of a second way into the basement! They just wont tell me and my patience grows thin!"

Athletics: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10

Lyra tries to nimbly climb up the rope but unfortunately doesn't make it up. Getting only slightly frustrated with herself she pulls out her holy symbol and points it toward herself and shouts in Orchish. “QUIIILURTH”

She then grabs the rope and attempts to climb it again.

Athletics w/ Guidence: 1d20 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 2 + 1 = 10

dang i cant roll above a 10

"Just let him go! we don't want to hurt you but we will if it comes to it!"

"Hey. Those elf gates sound interesting. If there's money to be made, we can share the wealth. But, there's no need to hold these nobodies hostage. Let the goblin go, and we can help you. Matter of fact. We can help you with Society: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22 that bookseller, too."

Deception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19

Samael has moved forward another five feet while talking to him.
Additionally, GM permitting, Samael will Palm an Object (in this case one of his daggers) vs Perception DCs: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24

Oppa and Doxie move closer to the foot of the wall where the goblin leader is being held. He talks softly to Doxie. Don't worry Girl. When we get a little time I'll put a poultice on you and we'll heal up.

[DM]

"I'm with Samael here. The only reason I know of the elfgates is I worship Alseta. I'm not exactly worshipping The Welcomer for the money," Violant says, trying to help her cause. She had heard of the reason the elves worshipped Alseta, being the elf-gates, but she had never taken much interest in them... well, up until now, that is.

While Samael and Violant are distracting Calmont, Oppa and Doxie sneak up and cast a spell,

Calmont Save: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24 However despite being caught off guard he resists the spell, though it rocks him back and Helba sensing the distract bites his arm, he yelps and pushes her away, eyes going wide in shock as he realizes his hostage just escaped. "Agh! I'll kill you and be all the richer! Why I can't believe I was about to considering sharing!"

The map kind of sucks ass, we'll have to do our best and improvise space a bit. Calmont is about 25-30 feet up

Round 1 - Battle on the Battlements
Samael
Oppa
Violant
Calmont
Lyra

"Hey! Look over there!"
Create a Diversion: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20 vs Perception DC
If successful, he is off guard to my first attack

Strike: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19for: 1d4 + 4 + 1d6 ⇒ (3) + 4 + (4) = 11

Strike again: 1d20 + 7 - 4 ⇒ (3) + 7 - 4 = 6for: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

Violant sighs, mentally exhausted from the forced flip-flopping between languages at a break-neck pace, and prepares to cast a spell as she murmurs arcane chants in Utopian.

30ft up? No problem! Frostbite it is!

She then points her finger at Calmont, as a ray of icy cold bursts out from it, reaching up into the air and hopefully hitting the halfling. Afterwards, she raises her shield so as to absorb any attempted knife-wounds.

Damage: 2d4 ⇒ (4, 3) = 7

Will need a DC 17 Basic Fortitude Save from the halfling. The pre-remaster version, Ray of Frost, was a spell attack roll, so I decided to say it was fused with magic missile to instead require the Fortitude save against cold. Cast a Spell (Frostbite, a la Ray of Frost), Raise Shield (17 AC). I hope I'm doing a good job of conveying her focus in magic was more manipulating spells then any sort of broader magical experience... hence the only 1 level of Wizard despite graduating, ha.

"Dang it! Almost had him"!
◆ Ready Sling
◆ Load Sling
◆ Strike: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20 Sling
1d6 - 1 ⇒ (1) - 1 = 0 Bullet )1-pt damage if it hits)

Doxie growls, snorts and paces along the wall limping a bit from from his previous injury.

Samael darts past the goblin, distracting Calmont and delivering a sneaky stab straight to the kidney while Violant and Oppa assault him from below.

Fortitude Save: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18

He resists some of the cold damage, taking minimal damage from the sling bullet Oppa fired as well.

Just a reminder, y'all were propositioned by the town and offered 10 gp to bring Calmont alive for questioning by the Council

Calmont feints Deception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18 trying to draw Samael open, which he does so, then delivers his own vicious double slice!

Dagger: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (19) + 9 = 28
damage: 1d4 + 4 + 1d6 ⇒ (1) + 4 + (2) = 7

dagger: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21
damage: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

Cutting into Samael, deeply!

Laughing maniacally as he cuts you Samael, "Once I'm through with you, I'm home free!"

Round 1 / 2 - Battle on the Battlements
Samael 12 damage
Oppa
Violant
Calmont 15 damage
Lyra

Lyra reaches into her spell component pouch and pulls out a small piece of metal. Running her hand over it she says ”NULLISH CRAAALIFK” the metal quickly turns into 3 darts and fly up towards Calmont.

attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13
damage: 3d4 ⇒ (3, 3, 2) = 8

Assuming he's not knocked unconscious yet:

Violant repeats her previous arcane mumblings in Utopian, modifying spells to better suit the situation.

2d4 ⇒ (2, 1) = 3 Another DC 17 Fort save.

He's looking hurt but not hurt too badly yet

I'm last on the initiative though ;)

Samael will attempt to Tumble Behind: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20 vs Reflex DC.

Then, stab: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23for (includes d6 for sneak attack): 1d4 + 4 + 1d6 ⇒ (2) + 4 + (4) = 10

Then, stab more: 1d20 + 7 - 4 ⇒ (12) + 7 - 4 = 15for: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

"This is going to end badly for you if you keep resisting. My Dragon has already defeated one foe and I'm betting he would like the way you taste more than that dragon he just killed".

◆ 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9 Intimidation (Demoralize).
Oh well. I guess a little short dude threatening him from 30' away with a dragon that can't fly isn't too scary.
◆ Load Sling
◆ Strike
1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20 Sling
1d6 - 1 ⇒ (5) - 1 = 4 Bullet

Doxie continues to snort around the base of the wall sounding immensely dangerous.

"Remember all. The council has money for us if we bring him back alive. Not necessarily unharmed... but alive".

Lyra launches some needle darts that splash past him breaking up against the fortifications while Samael, Oppa and Violant launch a violant assault.

Fortitude Save: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13

Samael tries to tumble behind Calmont but is unable to get past the craft halfling, even still Samael gets a decent stab in. Oppa's sling bullet cracks Calmont in the back.

On his last breath, bleeding and bruised, he reaches to belt pouch drawing a potion, uncorking it and quaffing its contents. lesser healing potion: 1d8 ⇒ 1 his shaking hand causes most of its contents to spill out though.

He'll then slice at Samael.

attack: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (5) + 9 = 14
damage: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

Round 2 / 3 - Battle on the Battlements
Samael 12 damage
Oppa
Violant
Calmont 27 damage
Lyra

Lyra determined to get up the rope attempts to climb it gain.

Athletics: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12

Only to get frustrated that she cant make it more than a few inches off the ground. She pulls out more metal and throws it towards Calmont.
"NULLISH CRAAALIFK"

Attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11
Damage: 3d4 ⇒ (3, 2, 3) = 8

Tumble behind: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12 vs Ref DC

Non-lethal stab: 1d20 + 7 - 2 ⇒ (11) + 7 - 2 = 16for: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

Non-lethal stab: 1d20 + 7 - 2 - 4 ⇒ (8) + 7 - 2 - 4 = 9for: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

Assuming the Halfling is still standing, Violant launches one final cast of "Magic Frost Missile", hoping to knock the halfling over in one final spell casting.

Damage: 2d4 ⇒ (4, 3) = 7

Same routine again. Cast a Spell. DC 17 Fort save