'Gallows of Madness - The Festering Blot'

Game Master Shadow Dragon

The catfolk also points out, ”And there could be dirty stinky evil fiendish creatures hiding, and we don’t want them ambushing us from behind after we go in. So, whoever is good at finding traps and hazards go up front with big guardian man, and head on in. Unless ya have spells to cast or something first.”

Ready to swarm forward in the middle-ish of the pack!

She adds, ”Let’s work around the courtyard from the left to the right.”

Is anyone going to deal with the demon bile on the gates before you move in or is that for later?

i think we should deal with it now...

The catfolk will make sure to cold iron it clean.

If his cold iron great sword is useful then Guardian helps.

The KnowledgeCheeseWeasel Vreekka checks the gates for traps...

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12

If the alchemist doesn’t find any, she helps with the cold ironing of the demon bile - with her cold iron dagger.

Vreekka checks the gate but finds no traps. She, Guardian XI, and Cannoli make quick work of the demon bile on the gate - yuck!

As the group approaches the estate havoc breaks out as creatures emerge from their hiding places! The group recognizes four of them as demon-bile infected mites, having just seen a couple of the little mooks, but the other creature doesn't look familiar.

Yes I rolled Perception checks and shockingly no one hit either DC. Don't fear intrepid heroes; I have full confidence in your PC's abilities! Knowledge (Nature) to determine what the unknown Thing is please. Current Slide has been updated and Slide 3 is a better look at the Thing.

Round 1 – Four Mites and a What???

Vreekka
Thing
Cannoli
Daegon
Mites
Grizzlebin
Jakeric
Lucinus
Guardian XI

Vreekka is UP! Again, Knowledge (Nature) to determine what the unknown Thing is and list what you'd like to know about it.

Again something with way too many feet? How original...

Knowledge: Nature: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (13) + 17 = 30

in this order: Resistances, Immunities, Special Attacks, Special Defenses, Special Abilities

Will post actions as soon as I know more about unknown Thing.

Again something with way too many feet? How original...

[dice=Knowledge: Nature]1d20+17

in this order: Resistances, Immunities, Special Attacks, Special Defenses, Special Abilities

Will post actions as soon as I know more about unknown Thing.

It's a fey (so are the mites), no resistances, no immunities. It has two special attacks: It's bite can cause paralysis in its victim and it has a surprising reach for its size. Special defenses: DR 2/cold iron.

Why can't I recall what it's called? I only remember a few very specific details...
GM, you didn't give me the name of the species of the unknown Thing. ;-)

"Be careful with that feety-thing, it's got a longer reach than one would expect! And if you can, use cold iron weapons. It's a bit resistant to other materials."

Vreekka 5-foot-steps back, draws an acid flask and throws it on the ground next to the nearest two mites.

Acid flask: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23 (vs AC 5)
6 splash acid damage to green and orange

This ranged attack provokes an AoO, but the mites should still be flat-footed...

Why can't I recall what it's called? I only remember a few very specific details...

GM, you didn't give me the name of the species of the unknown Thing. ;-)

"Be careful with that feety-thing, it's got a longer reach than one would expect! And if you can, use cold iron weapons. It's a bit resistant to other materials."

Vreekka 5-foot-steps back, draws an acid flask and throws it on the ground next to the nearest two mites.

[dice=Acid flask]1d20+7 (vs AC 5)
6 splash acid damage to green and orange

This ranged attack provokes an AoO, but the mites should still be flat-footed...

Mites: Actually their surprise round action was to appear so they are not flat footed. Did you still want to use the ranged attack?

Oh you want a name eh? Maybe I'm teasing you because it's impossible that I forgot to include its name...I mean who looks at that pictures and doesn't know it's a Drochtac! Hehehe ;)

Wait, I think I can see the caption of the picture now: D-R-O-C-H-T-A-C...

"In case you didn't know: it's called a Drochtac!" :-P

Yes, Vreekka keeps her actions and risks getting an AoO from the green mite.

Vreekka, proud that she recalled the odd creature is a drochtac, scoffs at the combat prowess of the greenie meanie and tosses a flask at it and one of its compatriots. The greenie meanie attempts to make Vreekka pay for her disrespect:

Dagger: 1d20 ⇒ 81d3 - 1 ⇒ (2) - 1 = 1

It instead proves Vreekka correct and misses her; it looks quite disappointed. But it doesn't have long to ponder its failure as the flask explodes and showers the two with acid and they die a horrible, burning death!

The drochtac shifts forward a bit and displays the odd characteristic Vreekka warned the party about almost seeming to compress and launch part of itself at her! Vreekka knows that once the creature uses this odd method of attack it loses a bit of its defensive protection.

Meaning it receives a to hit bonus but an AC penalty.

Claws: 1d20 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 + 2 = 211d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Claws: 1d20 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 + 2 = 221d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Bite: 1d20 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 + 2 = 81d6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

The drochtac Great now I owe it NIL money! sinks both of its claws into Vreekka, drawing blood, but it misses with its bite!

Vreekka takes 8 HP of damage from 2 claws.

Round 1 – Four Mites and a What???

Vreekka [-8 HP]
Drochtac
Cannoli
Daegon
Mites [Red and Blue]
Grizzlebin
Jakeric
Lucinus
Guardian XI

Cannoli and Daegon are UP!

Daegon steps back a couple paces and flings a couple of magic darts at the creature.

MM: 2d4 + 2 ⇒ (4, 3) + 2 = 9

Daegon blasts the drochtac with eldritch energy!

Cannoli is UP!

Cannoli draws her mace and steps over to engage the named foe, ”Well, the mites don’t even make me think that they might hit so… I’m a bit more worried about Drock Tack over here.”

She swings her morningstar.

MW CI Morningstar: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23 for CI/P and B: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9

”How did you know their name again? Seems like they have a personal vendetta against you, Vreeks.”

I chuckled at the NIL joke, lol.

@Cannoli: Glad I made someone chuckle! :)

Cannoli wallops the drochtac with her cold iron morningstar leaving quite a wound behind.

The two remaining mites smite the holy goodness of Guardian XI and shift into a more advantageous position to slay the metallic menace.

Hah it's the smart tactical move but they don't realize his AC is boffo!

Mite Smite Dagger, Flank: 1d20 + 0 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 0 + 2 = 221d3 - 1 + 1 ⇒ (1) - 1 + 1 = 1

Mite Smite Dagger, Flank: 1d20 + 0 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 0 + 2 = 201d3 - 1 + 1 ⇒ (2) - 1 + 1 = 2

Whut? Crit confirm?

Mite Smite Dagger, Flank: 1d20 + 0 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 0 + 2 = 141d3 - 1 + 1 ⇒ (3) - 1 + 1 = 3

Both mites smite the holy goodness of Guardian XI but the real question is: does he even notice?

Guardian XI takes *THREE* HP of damage - HAH! ;)

Round 1 – Four Mites and a What???

Vreekka [-8 HP]
Drochtac [-9 HP]
Cannoli
Daegon
Mites [Red and Blue]
Grizzlebin
Jakeric
Lucinus
Guardian XI [-3 HP]

As usual I'd like the end of the round to go before Vreekka so they get their turns slaughtering poor, helpless, innocent little creatures minding their own business...Grizzlebin, Jakeric, Lucinus, and Guardian XI are UP! And the mites are taunting Guardian XI daring him to do something about the grievous wounds they gave him...

Daegon also blasted Droc for 9.

Daegon also blasted Droc for 9.

And I added that note in my Encounters file right above the Initiative order and just missed it. Yeesh!

Cannoli's strike proves to be the drochtac's undoing as it succumbs to its wounds.

Yep it's a goner!

Guardian simply grunts in reply at the mites.

I'm going to have to get that re-finished!

He swings his cold-iron greatsword at the BLUE mite.

[standard] attack BLUE
cold iron greatsword attack, slashing damage: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 192d6 + 6 ⇒ (5, 5) + 6 = 16

That's odd my post at the weekend about pointing out the goo on the gate and helping clean it off seems to have disappeared.

Lucinus lashes out at the mite in front of him (red)...

greatsword vs red + flank: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 6 + 2 = 24
cold iron slashing damage: 2d6 + 6 ⇒ (2, 1) + 6 = 9

Guardian XI and Lucinus both land strikes that fell their opponents!

Combat is over! It sounded like you were going to look into the various outbuildings first so let me know which one your group wants to investigate first.

Cannoli keeps out her weapon and dances around the immediate area vanquishing any remaining black goo. She then checks the bodies for valuables and points to the west, "That building there I think, it's to the left and we always go left, right? Except when we go right, left?"

The catfolk chortles, having cracked herself up.

Guardian wipes off his blade before re-sheathing it. Compared to his "natural" shadow blade, this one always feels like a chore.

Fey blood smells so weird.

Then Cannoli points to the West, and tells a real knee-slapper that the android doesn't get.

I believe you had a syntax error in your grammar there. But yes, let's go explore that building first.

He listens as they approach it cautiously.

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19

Just to double check I marked the building to the left with a red heart, is that the building you want to check next?

Cannoli checks the mites for pockets and pouches looking for loot in all the empty places. Besides some small-sized daggers and darts she doesn't find anything of value.

I'll let you all know if you find something valuable/useful.

Just to double check I marked the building to the left with a red heart, is that the building you want to check?

YES, CHEF!

Not sure it was a syntax error...might be too many blows to the head... Daegon chuckles.

Aye...makes sense to work from one side to the other...[/b]perc: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16

Daegon checks the area around the building but doesn't notice anything amiss.

With the door having rotted away the group enters the structure. Bones litter the bare stone floor of this stable. The reek of decay hangs heavy in the air. In addition an odd sound of chittering is heard in the back three stalls.

Vreekka can't fail this one:

Vreekka recognizes the sound as that of giant centipedes when they're trying to warn intruders away from their lairs. Grizzlebin and Cannoli agree and add that the giant centipedes would normally rush to attack so they must not be interested in fighting.

What would you like to do?

”Blow ‘em up, Vreeks. We can sort out if they have been biled afterwards.”

Wand of CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
Wand of CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

”Blow ‘em up, Vreeks. We can sort out if they have been biled afterwards.”

Are you sure Cannoli is chaotic good, @GM TOP? The centipedes did not attack and seem to be not interested in a fight. However, Vreekka's alignment is neutral, and a centipede did hurt her recently, so...

"Okay, I'll roast them. That should draw them out."
The alchemist moves to the front, then waits a bit, ready to retreat.
Round 1: move action to move, standard to ready: move back (condition: enemy approaching)

She then throws a bomb and quickly moves to the back again.
Round 2: attack and move to the back (see map)

Bomb: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19 (vs. AC 5)
6 splash fire damage Reflex DC 16 for half

Cannoli interprets a lot into Vreeka’s slightly judgmental glance and adds, ”Oh come on, they are mindless bugs. I ain’t no monk afraid to step on an ant. That’s just extremism, not morality.”

Please please please find a way to RP those OOC thoughts, they are great fodder for good conversation! Also I want to give a shout out to Daegon’s snarky comments. I keep forgetting to respond but I love them.

@Vreekka: Realize when you act that triggers initiative. Did anyone heal Guardian XI?

As Vreekka moves forward for a peek the giant centipedes move to the edge of the stalls. She can see that these giant centipedes, like the ones encountered previously, are covered in purple goo - demon bile!

Vreekka then pulls back with the group to report her observations.

Round 1 – That's not a horse...

Cannoli
Daegon
Giant Centipedes
Jakeric
Grizzlebin
Vreekka [-1 HP]
Guardian XI [-3 HP?]
Lucinus

Cannoli and Daegon are UP! Assuming Vreekka shares her observations everyone will know what she saw. Does the map work okay? I can try to explode the size of the stable but I wasn't sure if that would help or not.

Cannoli glances inside, sees the crowded quarters and wanders around the side before trying to climb up on the roof.

Move 40, Climb up the wall, take ten for a 20, 20ft climb speed. Trying to get on the roof.

Cannoli glances inside, sees the crowded quarters and wanders around the side before trying to climb up on the roof.

Move 40, Climb up the wall, take ten for a 20, 20ft climb speed. Trying to get on the roof.

Where's that Climb check eh? Next thing you'll tell me is that Cannoli was built by some powergaming cheeseweasel and she has a Climb speed! Wait? She does??? Argh!!! ;)

Cannoli scales the unstable stable for some nefarious purpose...

Daegon is UP!

Daegon moves in, but can't see a target, so he reloads his crossbow.

my bad.i think i screwed up the map a bit..tried to undo it but couldn't...

If everyone could check and adjust (if needed) their PC tokens position that would be great. Vreekka: I didn't want to try moving all of the drawings you'd inserted so please add them again or whatever action Vreekka takes.

Adjusted the position of Vreekka's token. Will put new drawings in after the Giant Centipedes acted.

When she spots the vermin Vreekka sighs.
How is Cannoli right again?
”There's three of them and they are infected with demon bile!”

@Cannoli: I'll try, but no promises. ;-)

The giant centipedes don't advance out of their stalls...

Round 1 – That's not a horse...

Cannoli
Daegon
Giant Centipedes
Jakeric
Grizzlebin
Vreekka [-1 HP]
Guardian XI [-3 HP?]
Lucinus

Jakeric, Grizzlebin, Vreekka, Guardian XI, and Lucinus are UP!

We kicked the hornets nest? We're doing this? Okay.

Guardian trudges into the stable and thrusts his cold iron blade into the first stall...

[move] 10ft
[standard] attack GREEN
cold iron greatsword attack (furious focus), slashing damage (furious focus): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 262d6 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (1, 2) + 6 + 2 = 11

Guardian could have healed himself in between, but at -3 I'm not sure it's worth it. Let's see how he's doing after this combat.

As Guardian XI moves into the stall to attack the giant centipede lashes out:

Chomp!: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 151d6 - 1 ⇒ (5) - 1 = 4

but misses. Guardian XI's strike cuts down the giant centipede!

Lucinus moves into the building to see what's going on inside.

Double move

Hearing a battle going on, Jakeric instinctively whispers a prayer to Elysium, and Grizzlebin's teeth begin glowing with radiant light!

Casting magic fang on Grizzlebin (his bite will have a +1 enhancement bonus for 3 minutes).

Grizzlebin then races into the rotting stable, intent on scouring this demonic intrusion!

Doing a double move (I think my last square of movement won't provoke because I have cover from around the corner).

Grizzlebin then races into the rotting stable, intent on scouring this demonic intrusion!

Doing a double move (I think my last square of movement won't provoke because I have cover from around the corner).

Correct!

The giant centipede looks perturbed at being disturbed.

Vreekka is UP! And then we go to the top of the order so as soon as Vreekka posts, Cannoli and Daegon may act.

Are there any holes on the roof to provide easy-ish access inside?

Are there any holes on the roof to provide easy-ish access inside?

Since the module doesn't provide that option I'll have to say 'no' since it would make for an easy shoot-down encounter. Also the 'logic' of it would say the centipedes wouldn't do what they're doing (you'll learn why soon enough) if there were holes above them.

As her fellow pathfinders move into melee Vreekka shrugs and waits for them to deal with the centipedes. Delay.

With Vreekka in delay, Cannoli and Daegon are UP!

The wise and always planning ahead catfolk who definitely knew what she was doing coming up to the roof rushes to the back corner and starts beating on the roof with her mace, shouting, ”DEATH FROM ABOVE!!!”

Move while drawing morningstar, attack roof!

MW CI Morningstar: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15 for CI/P and B: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8