GM Rotation, The COREageous Crew

Game Master Pete H.

As the creatures move, Paloma takes a step to better position herself to defend her helpless cat.
Do we have a roll in place to determine how many rounds Cheeper is affected without being attacked?

She slashes more precisely this time, helped by Cortina's Bit of Luck.
MW Scimitar attack roll 1: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 3 + 1 = 24 S Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6
MW Scimitar attack roll 2: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 3 + 1 = 11

Confirm roll 1?: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 3 + 1 = 10
Confirm roll 2?: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 3 + 1 = 20 S Crit Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

Can I get a little more clarification on the flanking issue? I couldn't find any rules that take elevation into account. Just the usual "draw a line" guideline that still seems to apply if both Ryul and I are threatening it from these positions. I don't need the bonus to hit in this case, but would do 2 more damage from Dirty Fighter.

Possible AoO roll 1: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 3 + 1 = 22 S Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4
Possible AoO roll 2: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 3 + 1 = 18

Confirm roll 1?: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 3 + 1 = 5
Confirm roll 2?: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 3 + 1 = 21 S Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

@Paloma: Indeed, drawing a straight line allows a flank - doing so when they are 5' in the air, would require you to be below them on one side, and 5' above them on the other. One of the vagaries of a 3D combat zone :-/

Thanks to Desna's blessing, Paloma lands a solid hit on Magenta, delivering a slash to one side of it.

Jack and Ryul, on the other hand, manage to slash up the floor some more.

Cortina grants Paul a bit of luck once again.

Faldon starts to Inspire his colleagues.

Paul... 1d20 ⇒ 4 Well, Desna's luck didn't improve things...

...thanks to Faldon's inspiration, lands a glancing blow with his rapier, which *barely* leaves the flapping head still alive.

Cyan harasses Paul...

Bite: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17, for 1d4 ⇒ 3 damage, and a Fort save.

...whilst Magenta targets Ryul...

Bite: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24, for 1d4 ⇒ 3 damage, and a Fort save.

...and both manage to land hits!

@Paloma: There was indeed a counter running. I rolled and deleted it, since I did not want the duration to be obvious. Speaking of which...

With a yowl, Cheeper shakes off their paralysis (and may act from this round starting now, which is reasonably lucky, since they could have been paralysed for almost a minute)!

The Better Part of Valor, Round 4/5:

V (-18, -11)
Paloma and Cheeper (-5, -)
Jack (-)
Cortina (-)
Faldon (-)
Paul (-4) **Fort save
Ryul (-3) **Fort save

Party is up.

"Cheeper, you can move again! Great timing!"

Cortina pets the cheetah while sending another silent plea to Desna, granting the animal a Bit of Luck.

possible AoO: cold iron longspear: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (3) + 0 = 3 LOL.
Piercing: 1d8 ⇒ 5

Bit of Luck: Until Cortina's next turn, each time you roll a d20, you may roll twice and take the more favorable result.

Fort: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21

Ryul, you can still take an action. The Fort save won't stop you acting (that said, you passed) :-)

Paloma sighs with relief as Cheeper begins to move again, seemingly no worse for wear. She directs the cheetah to attack the one that bit Ryul.
Handle Animal: 1d20 + 5 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 5 + 4 = 17

Then she pivots on her heel to slash at the one harrying Paul.
MW Scimitar attack+IC: 1d20 + 3 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 3 + 1 + 1 = 20 S Damage+IC: 1d6 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 3 + 1 = 5

Probably need to delay Cheeper to after Cortina in initiative to take advantage of that.

Cheeper pauses a moment, accepting the comfort and magical luck from Cortina's kindly hand. Then steps forward and launches a savage assault with all her pent up feline ferocity on the disgusting bat-like thing.

Claw 1 roll 1+IC: 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 7 + 1 = 19
Claw 1 roll 2+IC: 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 7 + 1 = 19 B&S Damage+IC: 1d3 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 + 1 = 4
Claw 2 roll 1+IC: 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 7 + 1 = 11
Claw 2 roll 2+IC: 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 7 + 1 = 25 B&S Damage+IC: 1d3 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 + 1 = 5
Bite roll 1+IC: 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 7 + 1 = 20
Bite roll 2+IC: 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 7 + 1 = 15 B,S,&P Damage+IC: 1d4 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 + 1 = 3 Trip if Bite hits?: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7
Can't trip a flying creature.

Paloma skewers the one harrying Paul, whilst Cheeper (thanks to Desna's blessing) shreds the other one to pieces.

Combat over, although I still need a Fort save from Paul.

Searching the room does not reveal anything of use, although two doors exit the room to the North.

Paloma pets Cheeper excessively looking her over carefully for any sign of harm or contaminant. Then she gets out her waterskin and rinses the cat's mouth and claws. Then she takes a mouthful herself and gargles before spitting it out. She also wets a cloth and washes any area the things touched her. Finally, she reaches into her pouch and retrieves a handful of meaty treats for Cheeper's reward.

With that all sorted, she approaches Jack for his offer of something stronger. After taking a steadying drink, she says, "This place is far worse than I had dared to imagine."

Ryul rinses his wound as well, then ties a bit of cloth over it, ”It isn’t that bad, the natives are a bit restless though. Let’s find Nigel.”

He checks the next door and listens at it, then waits to see if everyone is ready and pulls it open.

Perc: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16

To speed things along...

This simple room of unadorned stone is piled floor to ceiling with boxes and crates, allowing room for only a few small corridors between these towers of dusty, mothballed exhibits.

Ryul does, however, hear maddened cackling through the wall, coming from the adjacent room, which is prominently labelled 'bathroom'.

Jack offers Paloma a drink from his mild alcohol supply as well as taking one himself while saying a devotion to Cayden Caylin.

Yes indeed he says Those things may haunt my dreams for a while.

Looks like there's one in the bathroom.

Making sure it is the Mens bathroom - and if it is, he steps in, sword out, to confront whatever is in there.

Ryul moves over with him and opens the door, ”Ready that ritual, it may be a possessed one.”

Fort save: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 1 = 10

Doubtful.

BTW, did you include the +1 to his damage last round from inspire courage?

For the record, it is a unisex bathroom.

These public restrooms seem to be for the use of visiting clientele. Several stalls are here and a huge cesspool below collects the offal. Mad laughter echoes in this cramped stone chamber. The stench of sewage battles the cold of the mist, but through the haze can be seen smears of blood across the floor, walls, and ceiling, as well as the doors of several stalls.

Another one of the monkey-men is in this room, cackling madly as they... draw art... with the closest available 'paints', which unfortunately seem to be mostly shades of brown.

They are accompanied by a cat-sized viper, which hisses when it sees you.

At that, the monkey-man jumps to his feet, and balls up his brown-daubed fists, ready to fight!

Paloma: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14.
Ryul: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6.
Jack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5.
Paul: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21.
Cortina: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 1 = 13.
Faldon: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18.
M: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26.
Viper: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21.

The monkey-man rushes out, and tries to punch Ryul...

Slam: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23, for 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2 damage.
Crit Confirmation: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17, for 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5 damage.

...landing a piledriver-like punch, that unfortunately spreads some 'paint' onto the unlucky fighter.

The viper then slithers into Ryul's square, and bites his ankle...

Bite: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23, for 1d2 - 2 ⇒ (1) - 2 = -1 + Fort save.

...pumping poison into him!

You Don't Want To Know, You REALLY Don't Want To Know, Round 1:

M (-)
V (-)
Paul (-4 (3))
Faldon (-)
Paloma and Cheeper (-5, -)
Cortina (-)
Ryul (-10 & 1 NL) **Fort save
Jack (-)

Party is up!

Fort vs Poison: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7
Fort vs Poison Folio Reroll I really don’t want to take more penalties: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 4 + 2 = 13

Ryul steps back and chops hard at the viper, all thoughts of non-lethally subduing the cackling man out of his mind.

ECB at snake: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22 for Slashing: 1d10 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 1 = 10

The elf grunts in pain, ”A little help, please.”

Ryul fights off the poison, and then goes on to bisect the viper with a deft swing!

You Don't Want To Know, You REALLY Don't Want To Know, Round 1:

M (-)
Paul (-4 (3))
Faldon (-)
Paloma and Cheeper (-5, -)
Cortina (-)
Ryul (-10 & 1 NL)
Jack (-)

Did Ryul and Jack open the door before the rest of us had had a chance to move up?

Paloma winces as she watches the Elf take a pummeling and then again as the snake bites him and quickly meets it's end.

She draws her sling and sends a bullet flying to strike the cursed employee.

Sling Ranged Attack: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19 P Damage: 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

If Faldon can break the curse, Paloma will not attack.
Faldon, remember you need to use it as a Countersong performance or else it will be consumed in one use like a scroll. You do need to make a Performance check.

Jack goes for the monkey-man hoping it's not Nigel.
greatsword: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6 slashing: 2d6 + 6 ⇒ (5, 4) + 6 = 15

Maybe Cayden is trying to tell him something.

Cortina moves to Faldon to grant him Desna's blessing.

"With a Bit of Luck you should have no trouble to break the hold of the Tik Taan!"

Bit of Luck: Until Cortina's next turn, each time you roll a d20, you may roll twice and take the more favorable result.

For a refresher from earlier: A bard with the countersong ability may speak the chant aloud (using countersong while doing so) to break the hold of the Tik Taan over any listeners. When employed in this manner, the cloth is a reusable item, allowing a bard to use it for as many rounds as he can countersong. Any humanoid affected by the mists who hears the chant gains another saving throw against the mist each round it hears the countersong, but it must use the bard’s Perform skill check result (any Perform skill) for the save.

While drawing out the venerable cloth, Faldon blinks in surprise and feels a surge of confidence as Cortina offers him the blessing of her diety.

Then, setting his mind to the task at hand, the dark-haired bard holds the cloth tight between both hands and begins the ancient war chant, his voice deep and serious...

Countersong/Perform save: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22
Countersong/Perform save/2nd Attempt roll: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11

Obviously using the first roll.

As Faldon chants the unfamiliar words from the cloth in an eerie, almost stochastic, rhythm, mist boils from all of the orifices of the monkey-man like steam fleeing a kettle.

As it does so, his features morph and twist, and he returns to looking like a pudgy, balding man, who squints at you through eyes that clearly need a set of spectacles.

"W-What happened? Where's Sheg?"

His eyes rove frantically around the bathroom, only to land on a severed head sitting in one of the washbasins. Upon seeing that, he slumps to the ground and starts weeping.

"Noooo!"

Paloma puts away her sling and looks around for another scrap of cloth for the recovered employee or anything else of particular interest.

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22

She was at a loss for what to say to comfort the poor man. So she retrieved her waterskin and offered to pour and help Ryul and the man to wash away the filth.

"Are you Nigel, sir?"

Looking around for further threats, Ryul takes a minute to compose himself and clean his wounds. He walks into the gruesome scene with a frown. He eyes the weekly man sobbing on the floor. Putting a hand on his should, the silver haired elf speaks, ”Pull yourself together man. There is more at stake here, more people cursed like you and more who may be injured. What do you know about these tik tak idols and demons?”

Faldon stops singing as the balding man weeps, and for a few moments more (2 rounds), the eerie ballad still hangs in the air.

His eyes red with tears, the man shakes his head.

"No, I'm not Nigel. My name is Maldroog. I'm not an Adventurer - I'm just a scribe, for goodness sake! Things like this are so far outside what my life is normally like, it's practically a nightmare!"

Maldroog shudders.

"When the mists came, just before I blacked out, I saw Nigel carried away by a host of mad, slavering apes and monkeys. I don't know where they went..."

Of course, there *is* only one room you have not investigated, yet...

The elf nods, ”Understood, we will go stop whatever it is. Get yourself out of the museum. And don’t worry, most crimes committed under demonic possession end up being easily defended in court. We will testify on your behalf, if we live.”

My HP is pretty low. Should we burn that scroll? Or risk it?

Jack hands Ryul a healing potion. You might wanna drink this mate

Paloma nods her agreement as well. "Yes, I know it is cold comfort, but you were not yourself. Only the Tik Taan are responsible for the evil wrought here."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 1 = 17

I think Ryul's damage warrants using the scroll. Plus it's awkward to try and use in combat. How is Paul doing? Did we hear back yet about the lack luster fort save? =/

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20
For moving toward the last room.

Re: Paul's Fort save: Nope. Because it has no obvious effect, and you have not done anything, yet, that would make it clear.

Feel free to make a caster level check to activate the healing scroll!

"Cortina, can you cast the scroll of Cure Moderate Wounds the other scribe gave us on Ryul? I fear I did not prepare read magic today."

Also I think it's a lower DC for a cleric than a druid. And she has that BoL trick...

"I'll try..."

Cortina unrolls the scroll and begins to cast it on Ryul.

CL check: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 1 = 15
(DC = scroll’s CL + 1 = 3 + 1 = 4 ==> Success! :-D

CMW: 2d8 + 3 ⇒ (5, 7) + 3 = 15 That should be more than enough.

"There. As good as new!" She turns to Paul. "How about you? You are quite hurt, too..." The cleric casts her last (non-domain) spell for the day on the rogue to cure his wounds.

CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8 That's also more than enough.

"There. You should feel completely fine now!"

@Paul: If you don't (and I think you shouldn't as you failed the fort save), you can ask Cortina to examine you with the Heal skill - depending on the condition she may be able to help you. With guidance and Take 10 she gets a guaranteed result of 20 - not bad at level 1...^_^

@Cortina: Please make me another caster level check for... reasons.

Of course.

CL check: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9

I hope that's enough, but I doubt it... :-/

Cortina proves to be a dab-hand with a scroll, using it to completely heal Ryul's wounds.

When she tries to cast a spell to do the same for Paul, however, although the wound he sustained earlier finishes healing, the bite from the flapping head stubbornly refuses to do so.

Unfortunately, failing the Fort save means that *magical* healing only works with a (very high) caster level check. Natural healing works just fine, though, so it won't persist past the end of the scenario.

Paul (-3 (3))
Faldon (-)
Paloma and Cheeper (-5, -)
Cortina (-)
Ryul (-)
Jack (-)

She turns to Paul. "How about you? You are quite hurt, too..." The cleric casts her last (non-domain) spell for the day on the rogue to cure his wounds.

"There. You should feel completely fine now!"

"Huh? I don't know why it didn't heal that bite..."

Cirtina is quite surprised.

"I'll be all right. Let's get to the bottom of all this." The rogue sounds a little uncertain despite his brave words, though. He retrieves his bow and sheathes his rapier. "Are we ready?"

Moving on to the final room...

A long hallway leads to this grand hall, wherein the Blakros Museum shows off its finest collections. Mock vines cling to the walls and hang from the fifty-foot-high domed ceiling, and huts of grass are strewn about the open area. At the center of this sprawling chamber, a miniature replica of a traditional Mwangi ziggurat rises out of the mist to a height of nearly twenty feet. At the top of the ziggurat, a rail-thin elven gentleman is strapped to an altar, his bare chest painted with strange sigils and monkey paw-shaped blots of paint.

Nearly 20 apes, baboons, and other monkeys revel here, but a terrifying howl shatters the revelry after you arrive, and the primates scatter into the mists, making way for their champion, a large ape named Da’Tunga.

Scuttling around at his feet is a diminutive, crudely-fashioned wooden doll, emanating a fell aura...

Da'Tunga: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6.
Idol: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (2) + 0 = 2.
Paloma: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22.
Ryul: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19.
Jack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10.
Paul: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14.
Cortina: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4.
Faldon: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24.

King of the Jungle, Round 1:

Faldon (-)
Paloma and Cheeper (-5, -)
Ryul (-)
Paul (-3 (3))
Jack (-)
Da'Tunga (-)
Cortina (-)
Idol (-)

Party (sans-Cortina) is up, but Cortina can post an action, and I will slot it in when her turn comes around, since she is sandwiched between the bad guys.

Paloma's eyes widen at the sight of the enormous ape. She had a chance here, if she had prepared well. "A moment, I may be able to calm him."

Knowledge(Nature): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22
She observes the beast, trying to determine if he were an ordinary animal or something more. If she determines him to be ordinary, she will cast calm animals centered on him in an attempt to render him docile. Will save DC 12

HD of animals to be affected: 2d4 + 1 ⇒ (4, 3) + 1 = 8

If she determines he is not an ordinary ape, she will convert the spell and cast summon nature's ally to call upon an eagle to help the party fight.

Da'Tunga is indeed a normal gorilla, albeit one driven mad with rage...

Will: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5.

...and Paloma's spell renders him docile... for now.

Paloma sighs in relief as she sees her spell take effect, "Carefully now, he will still defend himself if he thinks you mean him harm. We must defeat the doll."

Will delay move action until a space opens for her to 5-foot step toward him and try to Handle Animal and call him toward her and away from the idol, if possible.

@Paloma: FYI, Da'Tunga isn't a 'trained' animal, so any attempt to use Handle Animal on him would count as a push, making it DC 25, and a full round action. Basically, it isn't impossible... just very difficult.

Ah, in that case...

Paloma draws her sling.

Ryul nods, ”Understood.”

He moves forward carefully, blade lowered and hand out towards the great ape trying to indicate he is not intending an attack against the calmed creature. Moving around he steps up past the idol, then pivots quickly into a strike!

ECB vs Idol: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10 for Slashing: 1d10 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

Any knowledge check on the idol? Hopefully attacking it doesn’t break the calm.

Paul rushes into the room after the elf, shooting an arrow at the small doll.

Arrow to construct, incl. penalty for shooting into melee: 1d20 + 3 - 4 ⇒ (20) + 3 - 4 = 19

Confirmation roll, incl. penalty: 1d20 + 3 - 4 ⇒ (11) + 3 - 4 = 10

Even flat-footed, that probably won't confirm. However, since it hasn't acted yet and Paul is within 30' of it, he'll get his sneak attack damage.

Arrow damage, incl. sneak attack: 1d6 + 1d6 ⇒ (1) + (3) = 4

Presumably that's Nigel

Jack double moves to the rescue.

Ryul closes with the idol, but his trouble hitting the diminutive statue.

Paul, on the other hand, fires a shot which lands with a satisfying 'thunk' in the wooden idol.

When Jack closes with Nigel, he sees that the elf, although tied down, has decidedly simian features, and a crazed look in his eyes...

Currently monkey-fied, but a non-combatant... unless you choose to set him free ;-)

King of the Jungle, Round 1:

Faldon (-)
Paloma and Cheeper (-5, -)
Ryul (-)
Paul (-3 (3))
Jack (-)
Da'Tunga (-; pacified)
Cortina (-)
Idol (-4)

Faldon and Cortina are up!

Ah.

He calls out. GUYS! Nigel's been cursed!

... before turning towards monkey-Nigel. Sorry mate but it might be safer to leave you there for a bit

"Well done calmming the big guy, Paloma!"

Cortina casts her last spell (True Strike) on herself and moves into the room, ready to attack the idol.

"Faldon, you still have that Kukri, right?"

Faldon?