Kingmaker - Taming the Stolen Lands by DM DoctorEvil

Game Master DM DoctorEvil

Bucky gets his sword in hand and shield raised, ready to take the front as they descend the other way, but waiting for the party to indicate
they're ready to depart.

Defend exploration action plz. :)

Your group travels back out of the hatchery, past the exterior entrance of the underground compounds, and into the room you originally started in. There, another vertical tunnel leads downward, the only means of descent is to use the many roots that stick through the earth as hands and footholds (or just dropping straight down). As you gather around the chute, distinct cries of pain are heard from down below, followed by sinister giggling, which you already associate with the small blue mitflits.

Descent here is only possible one at a time. An Athletics check is needed to control the downward movement, but the DC is not incredibly high. Determine the order and make the first check. Followers may have to descend in combat rounds, so it may bottleneck.

.How far is it to just drop down? How far is the fall?

"Happy to go first. I should be able to get down quietly and maybe get the jump on whatever is down there."

Velas takes a deep breath to calm any nerves and looks down the hole one last time, hoping to see the bottom. He smiles and winks at the group. "Last one down buys drinks at Oleg's!" he whispers and starts climbing down.

Alvis notes the warriors leading, saying, "Those in the lead make sure you have a light with you, it's spoil any surprise but better than stumbling in the dark."

Alvis says to Tessa, "Best we do this like last time, Lady Quintessa, Take the have rope and I'll hold it behind you as you descend in the order you wish."

Faen steps to the edge of the hole and smiles back at Velas, "I'll take that bet!" and follows Velas into the dark hole.

Teela follows after Faen. "I speak the language, so I should be in the first batch, probably."

She looks at the roots with some concern. "No fire if you can help it, guys."

Graham guards the rear, letting Teela and Lady Tessa go before him while having absolutely no intention of footing any future tab at Oleg's.

[ooc: If it were safe to do so without incurring too much damage from the fall, Bucky would probably have just jumped down after Faen/Velas. Otherwise, he'll climb down after Teela.]

.How far is it to just drop down? How far is the fall?

Sorry about the delay. It's hard to see the bottom without a light source there but as Velas descends, he can tell you that is 30' more or less to the bottom of the shaft.

When Velas nears the bottom, he pauses to look and listen for signs of the cowardly mite who fled away from the previous battle. If nothing starts stabbing at him, he finishes climbing down and then attempts to hide among the roots while the others climb down. Once he's hidden, he uses Message to tell Teela that it's safe enough for the others to come down.

I didn't see anyone make Athletics checks, so I will make them for you. LMK if you are using light in the shaft or at the bottom.

Velas enters the shaft first climbing in the dark but able to use touch as best he can to find hand and footholds. But Velas seems to be a natural and slides down the chute quickly and easily, landing lightly. At the bottom it is pitch dark, and while Velas can hear the sounds of things moving and whispering, he cannot see anything without light.

Almost immediately after, Faen starts down the shaft as well.

As he tries to shift in the dark, Velas bangs into something hard with a loud clang. Shouts erupt not far away, though he cannot see the source.

We will move to initiative but Velas is still in the dark, Faen has started down the shaft, and everyone else is still at the top.

Torture Chamber - Round 1

26 Red Mite
25 Velas
25 Scarlet Knight
25 Quintessa
23 Yellow Mite
19 Orange Mite
18 Faen
16 Purple Mite
12 Blue Mite
9 Green Mie
8 Teela
8 Alvis

Any hope he is still hidden from sight is dashed as Velas is stabbed twice by a pointy weapon. He still can't see his assailants, or make good choices about what's in the room but the others can clearly still see him.

Velas takes 7hp dmg and is at 21/28 and blinded until light is provided. He is up now, along with Scarlet and Quintessa. Faen is currently blocking the way down.

Red Mite shortsword vs Alvis: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (16) + 10 = 26
Red Mite vs Velas, MAP: 1d20 + 10 - 4 ⇒ (12) + 10 - 4 = 18
Piercing Dmg vs Velas, 2 hits: 2d6 + 2 ⇒ (2, 3) + 2 = 7

Hmm ...

So am I already down with Velas? Or waiting for Faen to climb down?

Also, GM: If we have to climb down, how many actions does it take us to do so and reach where Velas is?

Hmm ...

So am I already down with Velas? Or waiting for Faen to climb down?

Also, GM: If we have to climb down, how many actions does it take us to do so and reach where Velas is?

Since Faen jumped in second, you are have not started down yet. The speed at which you can move under control is your Climb speed, which is usually 5 feet per successful action. So a series of Athletics checks will be required to descend the 30' to the chamber below. You can, of course, just drop (from any position in the shaft) and take the fall damage possibility.

Sorry, this room is really bottlenecked on purpose. Oh, and you are all still Clumsy 1 in these spaces.

Quintessa hears the sounds of Velas's being attacked and frowns about some poor decisions that have been made.

Mostly talking to herself, she thinks through her options.

"I am not going to be able to get down there quickly, climbing is not my forte, I'm afraid. I have some rope or I could light a torch and send it down."

Without asking for a DC, would we be able to ascertain whether or not climbing a rope down would be easier than climbing down otherwise?

I'm not sure how I was attacked, I should have been able to at least see my attacker.

Velas grunts in pain as he grabs his ribs, hoping to stem the flow of blood. "Yeowch! Not alone down here. Quick!"

After trying to encourage his friends to come to his aid, Velas works on helping himself. A ball of light appears over his head and he gasps. "Lots of mites! Quick quick!"

Then, he removes his bloody hand from his side and extends it in front of himself. A red-tinged shimmering shield appears in front of him. He breathes deeply to calm himself in the face of an unexpected mite horde.

◆◆ Cast Light
◆ Cast Amped Shield

Unfortunately I cannot take any useful actions until Faen is no longer blocking the way down, so I Delay until immediately after Faen's turn is over.

I'm not sure how I was attacked, I should have been able to at least see my attacker.

It was Velas who was attacked in the dark. My fault for typing the wrong name

Without asking for a DC, would we be able to ascertain whether or not climbing a rope down would be easier than climbing down otherwise?

Rope would not make the descent any faster or easier. The DC for climbing is very low due to the roots and branches that fill the chute, but its just a slowdown if you don't want to fall.

Torture Chamber - Round 1 - continued

26 Red Mite
25 Velas (221/28hp remain)
25 Scarlet Knight
25 Quintessa
23 Yellow Mite
19 Orange Mite
18 Faen (climbing)
16 Purple Mite
12 Blue Mite
9 Green Mie
8 Teela
8 Alvis

Bursting forth light, Velas is able to quickly see that the room is filled with evil mitflits who seem to have been torturing a single grey-scaled kobold who is chained to the wall. Realizing he is outnumbered, he spins up a multi-layered psychic shield to protect him from future attacks while calling for help from this team above.

Orange Mite slips over to stab at the interloper with its shortsword while Yellow Mite tosses a pair of darts across the small chamber. The stout warrior is hit by a sword and by a dart, the shield stopping at least one of the other attacks. He uses his magical shield to try to ward the damage as best he can. The psychic shield blocks the sword but breaks, leaving two layers. The dart hits however causing a bit more damage to Velas.

Velas takes 5 (16/28hp left) and loses one layer of the amped Shield. I infer that you can only Shield Block once per turn as a reaction still. But you can Sustain the Spell to put it back up next turn without recasting. Faen, who is 15' down the chute is up next. SK and Quintessa can act when they feel like it

Orange sword vs Velas: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (11) + 10 = 21 hit
Orange sword vs Velas, MAP: 1d20 + 10 - 4 ⇒ (12) + 10 - 4 = 18
Yellow dart vs Velas: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (3) + 10 = 13
Yellow dart vs Velas, MAP: 1d20 + 10 - 4 ⇒ (17) + 10 - 4 = 23 hit
Piercing Dmg to Velas (sword): 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5 blocked all dmg,
Piercing Dmg to Velas (dart): 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Hey GM, I was asking a question about the rope trying to decide if it made a difference. Since it does not, Tessa will just climb down on her turn.

Athletics: 1d20 ⇒ 17

Faen blinks as Velas' light fills up the bottom of the shaft. She then frown as she sees the little critters trying to carve him up.

"I'm coming , Velas!" she calls out, scrambling down using the roots as hand and foot holds.

Athletics(climb): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22
Athletics(climb): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16

When she gets 5ft from the bottom, she leans down and flings a dagger at one of the gremlins!

thrown dagger: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23
Damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
Sneak damage, if applicable: 1d6 ⇒ 5

Climb, Climb, strike

Before Tessa begins to climb down, The Scarlet Knight would say,
“I’ll go next, lady, if you will allow.
We who plummet to pain salute you now.”

Assuming Tessa agrees … Bucky will go right before her.

No problems here. Please prepare my cushion if I fall.

Here goes nothing.

Bucky salutes the rest of the party still topside.
”I’ll need healing shortly,” he says grimly as he approximates, quite well, a soldier’s salute.

The Scarlet Knight takes a deep breath before he … steps into the hole.
As far away from Faen as possible so as not to hit her, but into the hole.

The armored man hits the floor 30 feet below with a grunt. ”Still unbroken,” he says as he stands and wipes a little blood from his lip.

He raises his shield. “ Do your worst, denizens of the tree.
“But focus your wrath right here, on me,
Or else next I’ll paint with blood from thee.”

(damage taken: 15)

Torture Chamber - Round 1 - continued

26 Red Mite
25 Velas (21/28hp remain)
23 Yellow Mite
19 Orange Mite
18 Faen (climbing)
25 Scarlet Knight
25 Quintessa
16 Purple Mite
12 Blue Mite
9 Green Mie
8 Teela
8 Alvis

Climbing but hanging from the bottom of the shaft opening, Faen tosses one of her daggers at a mitflit, striking Green.

Faen did not clear the shaft Scarlet, but is hanging from the last 5'. Do you still want to jump or beginning climbing?

I rolled a climb check above, do you want more? If so, here are two more.

Descend!: 1d20 ⇒ 15
Descend!: 1d20 ⇒ 17

I need to get down in order to help save Velas.

I was hoping the shaft is wide enough for me to get by and not hit Faen. I definitely don't want to do to that. However, it occurs to me that Faen could have simply let go as a free action and dropped the last 5' without taking any damage. If that would avoid problems, can we say that that's what happened?

Or can we say I do squeeze by without any difficulty and without causing any problems to Faen? Sorry, F -- trying to do this without causing you any damage at all, but I don't think it's a good idea to leave you two down there with no tank for the next 2 rounds.

Torture Chamber - Round 1 - continued

26 Red Mite
25 Velas (21/28hp remain)
23 Yellow Mite
19 Orange Mite
18 Faen (climbing)
25 Scarlet Knight
25 Quintessa
20 Graham
16 Purple Mite
12 Blue Mite
9 Green Mie
8 Teela
8 Alvis

Faen lets go and falls the last 5' to the floor of the cavern below which clears a path for Scarlet Knight to leap down behind her. Falling hard, Scarlet lands prone on the floor where the mites are working Velas over.

Quintessa starts down the chute moving 15' or about halfway down the chute to the room below.

The chute is not wide enough for more than one player to descend at a time normally. It will take 5 Athletics checks and a drop to finish the climb. There is now room for another person to start down if they wish.

Graham follows Tessa down.
Athletics: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23

Torture Chamber - Round 1 - continued

26 Red Mite
25 Velas (21/28hp remain; 2 shield layers remain)
23 Yellow Mite
19 Orange Mite
18 Faen (climbing)
25 Scarlet Knight (19/34hp remain, prone)
25 Quintessa (15' down the shaft)
20 Graham (5' down the shaft)
16 Purple Mite
12 Blue Mite
9 Green Mite (5hp dmg)
8 Teela
8 Alvis

Blue Mite advances and stabs at Faen with hits small shortsword. It hits the rogue causing mild damage. It's second attack is against the prone Scarlet Knight, but even with the target off-guard, the attack misses as Scarlet rolls out of the way in time.

Purple Mite advances on Velas, and scores two hits against him. One is quite serious. The combined effect leaves Velas reeling, and ready to go down.

Green, hurt from Faen's knife, steps forward and stabs the prone Scarlet Knight twice. One is just a glancing blow, but the other hurts. Combined with the falling wounds, the champion is in some trouble.

Velas his hit for 15hp dmg total, and can't Shield Block since he already used that reaction this turn. He has 1hp left! Scarlet is hit for 9dmg and is at 10/34remaining. Alvis and Teela are up now.

Blue Mitflit shortsword vs Faen: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (9) + 10 = 19 hit
Blue Mitflit shortsword vs Scarlet(off-guard), MAP: 1d20 + 10 - 4 ⇒ (4) + 10 - 4 = 10
Purple Mitflit shortsword vs Velas: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (19) + 10 = 29 critical
Purple Mitflit shortsword vs Velas, MAP: 1d20 + 10 - 4 ⇒ (14) + 10 - 4 = 20 hit
Piercing Dmg to Faen: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
Piercing Dmg to Velas, Critical: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5 10 total
Piercing Dmg to Velas: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
Green Mitflit shortsword vs Scarlet(off-guard): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (9) + 10 = 19
Green Mitflit shortsword vs Scarlet(off-guard), MAP: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (11) + 10 = 21
Piercing Dmg to Scarlet, 2 hits: 2d6 + 2 ⇒ (6, 1) + 2 = 9

A couple notes:
- SK isn’t prone, so not off-guard. His second action was to stand and third to raise shield. No penalty to his AC.(From my previous turn post)
- He would use his champion’s reaction to prevent 4 damage to Velas and inflict the dazzled condition on the Purple mite. Purple must beat a flat check because Velas is concealed to him, in order for the second attack to land. Otherwise, the second attack misses.
- Green’s second attack vs SK is a miss because it doesn’t include MAP: 11 + 10 - 4 = 17, which is not enough. SK takes 2 less damage.

Sigh...Fine...Sorry, just trying to hustle posts along. Thanks for the catch. Let me reset.

Torture Chamber - Round 1 - continued

26 Red Mite
25 Velas (5/28hp remain; 2 shield layers remain)
23 Yellow Mite
19 Orange Mite
18 Faen
25 Scarlet Knight (12/34hp remain)
25 Quintessa (15' down the shaft)
20 Graham (5' down the shaft)
16 Purple Mite (dazzled 1)
12 Blue Mite
9 Green Mite (5hp dmg)
8 Teela
8 Alvis

Velas is at 5hp and Scarlet is at 12/34. Purple is dazzled 1 but makes the flat check. Teela and Alvis are still up now.

Purple DC5 flat: 1d20 ⇒ 12 still hits

Also, forgot to remind you that Faen has Nimble Dodge and she'll use it when ever appropriate, so her AC goes to 20 vs that attack...so it misses! :) Or we can use it going forward.

Teela walks forward, looks down into the hole, considers her options, but remains in place. She continues in her previous, oddly fitting, song.

"The whole town needs us here to get down. When I feel it crawling,
I feel it just behind my back."

Performance, Lingering composition: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22 That seems like 3 rounds of CA to me.

All my spells are 30 ft range, so can't do much while I am on the floor above. Good luck, all.

On the off chance that I can reach Velas with a 30 ft range spell, I would cast Soothe on him.

Torture Chamber - Round 1 - continued

Alvis intended to belay Quintessa but some pushed past him moving down the hole. He steps past Teela saying, "Pardon me Teela."
Alvis decends as best he can.

Athletics: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11

I'm not sure how many actions that would take so please let me know what action I have left if any. If so I'll post further action in this round.

All my spells are 30 ft range, so can't do much while I am on the floor above.

On the off chance that I can reach Velas with a 30 ft range spell, I would cast Soothe on him.

I thought the floor above was exactly 30' up?

Since we're talking about how fun fighting in three dimensions is, Quintessa is halfway down the hole now, 15' to go. Can she cast a spell from here? If not, how far down does she need to be see someone to cast?

The shaft is 30' long, it is farther to the floor. I would say that 30' spells are just out of reach. Since the shaft is mostly a complete tunnel until the bottom, and since it is lit below, you can see targets directly below until you are at 25' of depth. Right now that's Faen and Velas that you can see directly below. Courageous Anthem has a range of 60' so it will affect all the allies in the room below.

Alvis, since Graham is before you, you can't start down the shaft till he moves. It is an action per 5' of movement and each takes an Athletics check success to proceed. I'll consider you delaying until after Graham's turn, and you can use the roll you made if you wish to start.

orture Chamber - Round 1 - concluded

26 Red Mite
25 Velas (5/28hp remain; 2 shield layers remain)
23 Yellow Mite
19 Orange Mite
18 Faen
25 Scarlet Knight (12/34hp remain)
25 Quintessa (15' down the shaft)
20 Graham (5' down the shaft)
16 Purple Mite (dazzled 1)
12 Blue Mite
9 Green Mite (5hp dmg)
8 Teela
8 Alvis

Teela starts her morale building song, which can be heard in the room below. The performance almost takes a life of its own, freeing the bard to do more in subsequent rounds.

Alvis waits patiently for Graham to move down before he can enter the shaft on his own. (Delaying action)

End of Round 1

Torture Chamber - Round 2

Courageous Anthem adds +1 to attacks/dmg

26 Red Mite
23 Yellow Mite
19 Orange Mite
18 Faen
25 Scarlet Knight (12/34hp remain)
25 Quintessa (15' down the shaft)
20 Graham (5' down the shaft)
8 Alvis (delaying)
16 Purple Mite (dazzled 1)
12 Blue Mite
9 Green Mite (5hp dmg)
8 Teela
25 Velas (dying 1, prone)

Red Mite is flanking Velas and makes a pair of attacks against the wounded, and off-guard magus. The pair of hits are enough to fell Velas, who falls, unconscious and bleeding.

Laughing at the fallen intruder, Orange steps up and attack Scarlet. Even with his shield raised, Scarlet is hit by both attacks from the new foe, and is hurt pretty badly after all.

Yellow works to the side and assaults Faen, who dodged the last attack. Her nimbleness can't avoid a mild wound this time around.

Velas finally falls. He need a DC11 flat check or move to dying 2. He also moves in the initiative order down right before Red, which is the end of the list. Scarlet already used his reaction this turn, so can't shield block or give flash of grandeur. Allowed Faen to use Nimble Dodge last round, but can't this round. Scarlet has 2hp remaining. Faen is at 24/26. Scarlet, Faen, Tessa, Graham, and Alvis (if he wishes) are up now.

Red shortsword vs Velas, off guard: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (18) + 10 = 28 hit
Red shortsword vs Velas, off guard, MAP: 1d20 + 10 - 5 ⇒ (14) + 10 - 5 = 19 hit
Velas piercing dmg, 2 hits: 2d6 + 2 ⇒ (2, 1) + 2 = 5
Red shortsword vs Scarlet: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (14) + 10 = 24 hit
Red shortsword vs Scarlet, MAP: 1d20 + 10 - 5 ⇒ (18) + 10 - 5 = 23 hit
Yellow shortsword vs Faen: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (10) + 10 = 20 hit
Yellow shortsword vs Faen, MAP: 1d20 + 10 - 5 ⇒ (3) + 10 - 5 = 8
Scarlet piercing dmg, 2 hits: 2d6 + 2 ⇒ (4, 4) + 2 = 10
Faen piercing dmg: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Alvis does what he can moving just behind Graham hoping he can see or do something.

Quintessa hears what's happening below and knows they are running out of time and she needs to act. She let's go of her hand hold and free falls to the ground, land with a crack that shoots a pain up her legs as her ankle twists unnatuarlly.

Release - free action. Should be 7 damage and prone. I'm not sure where you are going to place me on the map, GM. My actions may very depending on that. How about landing on that orange mite so he has to do a DC15 reflex save to avoid me crushing him? :)

Faen sucks in her breath as the mite's blade evades her defenses, but she steels herself and returns the favor...

Strike 1: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9
damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
Strike 2: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19
damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
Strike 3: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16
damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Faen sucks in her breath as the mite's blade evades her defenses, but she steels herself and returns the favor...

Strike 1: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24
damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
Strike 2: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14
damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
Strike 3: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16
damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

GM: We still need information on whether Alvis or Teela can affect people below with ranged spells. This is rather urgently needed info.

GM: We still need information on whether Alvis or Teela can affect people below with ranged spells. This is rather urgently needed info.

The shaft is 30' long, it is farther to the floor. I would say that 30' spells are just out of reach.

This is posted above. You need more clarity than that? I will say that if you are 5' down the shaft, you could casts spells that affect a target you can see, which would be those immediately below the shaft opening. (Velas/Orange and Faen for now).

Faen sucks in her breath as the mite's blade evades her defenses, but she steels herself and returns the favor...

[dice=Strike 1]1d20+7
[dice=damage]1d4+1
[dice=Strike 2]1d20+7
[dice=damage]1d4+1
[dice=Strike 3]1d20+7
[dice=damage]1d4+1

This appears to be a duplicate post just with different dice results. Disregarding and taking the rolls from the first post instead.