Sheridan Barlow's page

Much as I would like to continue and finish this, its been very slow going forward and like walking through treacle. So I'm easy either way.

That's pretty much my opinion as well. And I'm going to have only sporadic internet for the next two weeks, so that won't make matters any better.

If that was directed at me, Sheridan can't make a Sense Motive check that high.

Sheridan will spend the walk back chatting to the merchant, catching him up on world events and gossip over the time he's been trapped here.

Sense Motive 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (15) - 1 = 14

"I'll stand ready with a dispel, but against magic that powerful there's no guarantee it will work. Gerant, do you have another of those potions of protection from evil? That would be a good added defense."

"No magical traps that I can see, but I'm not exactly on expert on the subject."

"What's so dangerous about a sword with no wielder? Don't tell me it dances around on it's own. And even so, it's in a box. Why haven't you just toss that thing away or bury it somewhere?"

"It might move on its own - I've seen stranger things. In any case, it is rumored to steal souls, so touching it without proper safeguards might be unwise."

"Hold on just a moment, don't touch it or get too close yet - necromancy that powerful should not be treated lightly." Sheridan pauses for a moment and thinks, then pulls out a journal. "...inverted ziggurat. Did anyone come into this with a description of Blackrazor or what it was supposed to do? I assume it's not a razor of the shaving variety."
Important question - what size box are we talking about here?

"Very powerful necromancy of some sort, and as far as I can tell it's actually something inside the box." Sheridan turns to the halfling "Do you know anything about it? Or about that rather excessive sword above the door?"

Sheridan points out the box "Well, that box certainly seems important, magically speaking, at least."
What type of magic?

As the conversation continues, Sheridan begins to scan the room with detect magic, starting with the blade and slowly moving around the room, scanning the halfling last.
Spellcraft 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (12) + 11 = 23

Sheridan, delayed fot a few moments waiting for the enlarge person to wear off, catches up at about this point. He keeps a handkerchief over his nose and mouth and scans the room for signs of mortal habitation, like food or water. "Magical compulsion, or a matter of honor?"

1d20 ⇒ 13

Sheridan quickly puts the beast out of its misery before planting his sword in the ground, kneeling respectfully, and whispering a Chelaxian funeral prayer. Then he looks back up.
"This wretched creature was so fearful that it chose death at our hands over whatever punishment Keraptis had threatened it with. When I began this quest it was in search of treasure, now I find myself more and more in the mind for justice."

Sheridan critical hit confirmation: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (11) + 10 = 21

Sheridan and Gannertung will charge over to attack the Manticore and remain hovering over it to keep it on the ground.
Sheridan Power Attack 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (20) + 10 = 30
Damage 2d8 + 15 ⇒ (7, 1) + 15 = 23
Gannertung Power Attack 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (14) + 12 = 26
Damage 2d6 + 18 ⇒ (5, 5) + 18 = 28

Sheridan calls out "Are you sure you don't want to consider our offer?"
If the Manticore doesn't surrender, I'll take this turn to enlarge Gannertung and have Sheridan climb on.

What was the result of the charge last round?
Sheridan and Gannertung will both move over underneath the Manticore and stab it with their enhanced reaches.
Sheridan Power Attack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19
Damage: 2d8 + 13 ⇒ (7, 4) + 13 = 24
Gannertung Power Attack: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (2) + 10 = 12
Damage: 1d8 + 16 ⇒ (3) + 16 = 19

Sheridan Barlow wrote:

Hey, I rolled Sense Motive - I just failed.

Gannertung will use his surprise round action to delay and sync up with Sheridan. We will then both charge the Manticore at the same time, ending up on either side of it.
Sheridan Power Attack: 1d20+12
Damage 2d8+9 (Arcane Strike)
Gannertung Power Attack: 1d20+14
Damage 1d8+16

did you include the enlarge bonuses/penalties?

Yes

Hey, I rolled Sense Motive - I just failed.
Gannertung will use his surprise round action to delay and sync up with Sheridan. We will then both charge the Manticore at the same time, ending up on either side of it.
Sheridan Power Attack: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (13) + 12 = 25
Damage 2d8 + 9 ⇒ (8, 4) + 9 = 21 (Arcane Strike)
Gannertung Power Attack: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (13) + 14 = 27
Damage 1d8 + 16 ⇒ (2) + 16 = 18

Sheridan, can I get an Initiative check before you attempt to use Enlarge person please. Since if it beats your I it may require a concentration check, Roll one for Gannertug as well please. Oh does Gannertug have sense motive? If so, roll that, and it won't be surprised and can immediately act.

If it charges me before I can act I won't bother with the enlarge person, as the entire point of that was so I could charge at it without provoking an attack of opportunity.

Sheridan glances down as the spikes bounce harmlessly off his breastplate. "Well that was an unfortunate course of action" Enlarge Person "Are you sure you don't want to consider our offer?

Sense Motive 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (4) - 1 = 3

...says the spider to the fly... no one used sense motive...interesting

Sheridan is lowered by Gannertung...

** spoiler omitted **

Sorry, for some reason this post never showed up in the RSS feed

Sheridan's actually a terrible choice due to his intense gullibility, but for that same reason he's also perfectly willing to go.
When no one else expresses an interest, Sheridan says "Well, I'm certainly willing to give it a go!" He looks around for confirmation, and if no one objects will prepare to be lowered down by Gannertung.

Initiative 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8
Know: Arcana 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15
"Manticore! It's a big lion-ish flying thing. And spikes, obviously, although I don't remember where they come from."
He pauses for a moment and thinks, then whispers:
"You know, magical beasts are almost always intelligent enough to at least speak, we might be able to negotiate with it. We have killed a lot of things on the way here that we could easily turn over to it as food."

"Sounds like a plan to me."
If there are no last-minute objections, Summon Monster 4 for a Medium Water Elemental.

"I can definitely summon something to help us out, although what I summon will depend on how many foes we face and what they are. Gannertung isn't technically aquatic, but he can hover over the water easily and reach anything below the surface."

And you just rested like a hour ago in game time LoL...that's teh problem with not having a ticking clock.

Do we actually need to rest? I'm only down by a single first level spell, and unless I missed something major Delwyn is only down by two spells and no one is injured.

"I can turn into something that can swim again, but I've got nothing that will help anyone else unless you want to try climbing over the top of the room or being enlarged and just wading. I can definitely summon something to give us some support, though. Speaking of which..."
Resummoning Gannertung

"Yes, either that brave Gerant or we lower someone down on a rope to take a look, either is good. I guess it depends what Sheridan has in mind too?"

"Well, our friend the Archon here has a few minutes left before he has to leave, and has the distinct advantage that death just means an early ticket home for him. Why don't we send him down first? He's no dolphin, but he can swim as well as any of you and can teleport back up if he finds anything."

Yes, shall you? Have we lost everyone but Gerant now?

Sorry, didn't realize you were waiting for everyone else to chime in on that.

The Hound Archon will circle around behind the last scorpion to flank it, (risking an attack of opportunity if necessary). Sheridan will wait for Valanos to step forward out of the way and then step forward himself to attack.

Sheridan Attack:
1d20 + 13 ⇒ (16) + 13 = 29 Damage 2d8 + 9 ⇒ (8, 5) + 9 = 22
Hound Archon attack:
Greatsword 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (15) + 11 = 26 Damage 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

Uhm, moving to what square?

Current Map

Ah, I appear to be pointing down a different branch of the hallway than I thought. That makes more sense. In that case, ignore the +2 from flanking and I'll just attack Scorpion2

Sheridan will move up behind a Scorpion to flank it and attack:
Attack 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (17) + 13 = 30 Damage 2d8 + 9 ⇒ (5, 7) + 9 = 21
assuming bless and flanking

The Hound Archon will continue its attack on Scorpion1:
Greatsword 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 15 Damage 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10
Greatsword 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7 Damage 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6
Bite 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7 Damage 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

The Archon steps to attack the scorpions, to no effect. His Aura of Menace seems to have no effect on the Over-sized ** spoiler omitted **

Aura of Menace isn't actually classified as mind-affecting, but whatever.

Sheridan will cast enlarge person on himself and hold his move action to block the path of Scorpion3 if it tries to move around him.

The Hound Archon will unleash a full attack on Scorpion1:
Greatsword 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 9 = 12 Damage 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8
Greatsword 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9 Damage 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5
Bite 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16 Damage 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
+1 to all those attacks if the Archon was summoned before the bless was cast. Also, the Archon's aura of menace is now active, so the scorpions should make a DC 16 Will save or be taking -2 to attacks, AC, and saves until they hit the Archon with an attack.

Sheridan will go in the B column as far down as is possible while still being in front of the people taking cover in the corner. The Hound Archon will be summoned in E3

Initiative 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14
Sheridan summons a Hound Archon between the scorpions and the rest of the party.

If Gerant's potion is identifiable, Sheridan will hold out a hand to stop him and say "Save that for later - points to Hound Archon - just stick close to him and you'll get the same effect."

Sheridan will wait until last, casting feather fall on anyone who needs it, then cast it on himself and carry the rope down.

"Shall we?"

"Well, the dolphins only have a few minutes left before they go back to the dimension they came from, so if we want them to take us to the next level we should go now."

"Gannertung can't actually swim, is the problem there - those wings get cumbersome underwater. That's why I let him take a break in favor of the water elemental last time. That said, there's no reason your plan won't work with a slight alteration." Magical energy begins crackling around Sheridan's fingertips. "Any objections to a pod of dolphins?
Assuming there are none, summoning 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4 Celestial Dolphins to scout out the water and report back.

I'm waiting on you guys to determine if you rest or proceed now.

I could go either way, but I'm more in favor of resting once we make it through the water

Critical confirmation: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22+2 if flanking

Sheridan and the water elemental take advantage of their greater mobility to slowly (5-foot steps) circle around the last creature.
Sheridan (Power Attack) 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28+2 if flanking
Damage 1d10 + 12 ⇒ (10) + 12 = 22 halved for underwater
Water Elemental (last turn) 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15
Damage 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8
Water Elemental (this turn) 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12+2 if flanking
Damage 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13

Attack of Opportunity: (Power Attack) 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13
Damage 1d10 + 12 ⇒ (5) + 12 = 17 halved for underwater.

The crocs can't maintain the grapple, they're grappled, not the grappler.

They weren't, but then Kurgand and Valanos succeeded on their grapple checks, putting their sides in charge of the grapple.

Are you going to advertise for replacement PCs? If we're not going to kick some more life into the game, I'll reluctantly have to leave too. The posting is very slow, We've only managed one round since last Tuesday, I know some of that is waiting for Kurgand to return, but it isn't keeping my interest at that rate. What do the others think?

I will continue to participate as long as something continues to happen, but I agree that things are going a lot slower than I'd really like. And while I will certainly keep up if things accelerate again, I don't have the interest to lead a revitalization by myself.

Sheridan Barlow wrote:

What was the "auto-damage" that killed the crocs?

The chuul caused damage with constrict. Or just by causing damage with their natural weapon in a grapple. Since the crocs didn't attempt to escape, they were still grappled.

Hrm? In your post on grapple rules it said that when multiple creatures were in a grapple, only one creature on each side makes a check - the others have to use Aid Another. That's why I specified earlier that the crocs were going to maintain the grapple even if Kurgand and Valanos opted to break free.

Sheridan will cast an enlarge person on himself, then grab Jequine and push her back over by Delwyn, placing himself between them and the Chuul's.

What was the "auto-damage" that killed the crocs?

I thought that was my round two action? Surprise round/readied action was attack, first round was summon crocs, now second was enlarge person.
The water elemental is grapple-aiding Kurgand 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22