DM Bigrin's Second Darkness (Inactive)

Game Master bigrin42

Peachy!

Sorry everyone, I've had a massively busy week. I've been trying to post in the games I am a player in, but haven't managed before now to get any GM posts in. Thanks for bearing with.

Kelendra's spell captured the attention of the two smaller morlocks, but the big one simply shook her head and snarled at the pretty lights. Lefrik took advantage to cut deeply into his foe twice, but the blows, though deep, barely seemed to phase the creature. One of Calla's arrows puched deeply into the thing's chest, slowing it slightly, even as Bruendor tried to move in an attack. Meanwhile, chanting from the wagon showed that Anklebiter was summoning help once more.

The violence shook the smaller morlocks out of their stupor and the three creatures attacked Lefrik together. The barbarian took a heavy blow tot he leg from a club, but the real damage was from the viscous greataxe swung by the leader. It's heavy blade bit deeply into Lefrik's torso again and again. Blood flew as the human felt pain like he had not felt in a long long time. His time among the drow may not have been pleasant, but it had been...soft.

Anklebiter completes his chant, and (1d3 ⇒ 2) two man-sized, golden furred spiders appear out of thin air -- behind the morlocks. (AD22 and 23)

The two spiders waste no time in spitting webbing at the two lesser morlocks. While the one on the left misses quite badly, the one on the right seems to hit his target dead-center!
Spider AD 22 web vs. AG 22: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6. Spider AD 23 vs. AG 24: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22)

Meanwhile, Anklebiter focuses on the lead morlock, his lips moving in a now-familiar incantation, which ends with a deafening wail which only the enemy leader can hear!

Ear-percing shriek vs. AG 23: 4d6 ⇒ (3, 4, 4, 3) = 14 sonic damage. Fort. save DC 16 for half. Fail Fort. save and be dazed for one round. C'monnnn, dragonslaying spell!

Hope things are settling down, GM.

"Stargirl, Blondie's in trouble," Calla growls, opening fire again with her bow as she aims for the morlock leader's chest once again.

Justice judgment, bane, deadly aim, rapid shot (all balance out to hit):
+1 adaptive composite longbow (rapid shot, point blank): 1d20 + 11 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (7) + 11 + 1 - 2 = 17
Damage: 1d8 + 2 + 2d6 + 2 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 2 + (4, 3) + 2 + 4 = 17
+1 adaptive composite longbow (rapid shot, point blank): 1d20 + 11 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (2) + 11 + 1 - 2 = 12
Damage: 1d8 + 2 + 2d6 + 2 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 2 + (6, 4) + 2 + 4 = 24
+1 adaptive composite longbow (rapid shot, point blank): 1d20 + 6 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (17) + 6 + 1 - 2 = 22
Damage: 1d8 + 2 + 2d6 + 2 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 2 + (1, 5) + 2 + 4 = 19

Well, I for one am offended, seeing as how I have never held up this game for life reasons! Seriously though, I'm glad to hear things are finally calming down a bit for you, DM.

Bruendor could do little as he watched the morlocks savagery on display while they attempt to fell Lefrik, and he once again wondered how the big man could shrug off such lethal blows. He shakes his mind free from the bloody efficiency these creatures show, and clicks his heels together, diving over the morlock in front of him to come to rest behind the leader. "Ignore me at your own peril!", he shouts, thrusting at the leader's midsection.

Acrobatics through square AG20 to come to a rest at AF23. Whether I'm successful or not, I'll attack the leader at AG23. If I end up not making the Acrobatics check, just subtract off the flank bonus.

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 11 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 11 + 5 = 30
Attack, flank: 1d20 + 11 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 11 + 2 = 30
Damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6
Sneak!: 3d6 ⇒ (6, 1, 2) = 9

"Not feeling well, I admit it," Lefrik says and rages! Muscles swelling and he unleashes more furry on the one before him, hoping to take at least one more down.

Bonus to Con, STR... and Plus +16 hp thanks to that conbonus for now . Going to attack AG 23

To hit #1 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (2) + 15 = 17
Dmg: 1d12 + 10 ⇒ (11) + 10 = 21

To hit #2 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (11) + 10 = 21
Dmg: 1d12 + 10 ⇒ (6) + 10 = 16

ug.to hit rolls suck.

Kel leaps from the wagon (move to AI-24) and prays to Desna as she places a hand against a heavy wound on Lefrik's side.

Cure Critical Wounds: 4d8 + 8 ⇒ (4, 7, 6, 5) + 8 = 30

At this point, settling down is relative. I just realized that I will be travelling every single week during August, with trips ranging from 2 days to 10. I may be able to post regularly during most of those, though.

Kelendra managed to heal up the worst of Lefrik's wounds, letting the barbarian attack with impunity. One of his swings got through the morlock's defense, cutting deeply into her leg. The morlock swayed, taking one of Calla's arrows in the side, and shaking her head at Anklebiter's spell. She shook off most of the damage from the spell, but the distraction was enough for Bruendor to stab her most thoroughly from behind.

Swaying on her feet, the morlock still managed to swipe out at Lefrik, catching the raging barbarian in the chest twice, undoing all of the healing that Kelendra had managed, and then some. The female's axe was leaving massive gouges in her own arm as well, but she seemed to ignore that entirely. Her companions swarmed over themselves and her, making it difficult for Bruendor to defend himself against them. One snuck a club through the dwarf's defenses, pulping his left thigh. The other was too entangled in spider webbing to do much of anything.

Calla launches three more arrows, maintaining her goddess' judgment and anger at these creatures and their continued circumstances down here. I'm guessing she won't be alive by the time Lefrik's done with her, in which case I'll start with the closest morlocks and move on from there when I put them down.

Justice judgment, bane, deadly aim, rapid shot (all balance out to hit)
+1 adaptive composite longbow (rapid shot, point blank): 1d20 + 11 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 11 + 1 = 31
Damage: 1d8 + 2 + 2d6 + 2 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 2 + (6, 2) + 2 + 4 = 17
+1 adaptive composite longbow (rapid shot, point blank): 1d20 + 11 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 11 + 1 = 32
Damage: 1d8 + 2 + 2d6 + 2 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 2 + (1, 3) + 2 + 4 = 16
+1 adaptive composite longbow (rapid shot, point blank): 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 6 + 1 = 22
Damage: 1d8 + 2 + 2d6 + 2 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 2 + (1, 5) + 2 + 4 = 15

Crit? (Shot 2): 1d20 + 11 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 11 + 1 = 23
Damage (x3, but not the bane damage): 2d8 + 4 + 2d6 + 4 + 8 ⇒ (3, 1) + 4 + (2, 6) + 4 + 8 = 28 I'm 99 percent sure Deadly Aim is multiplied on crits...

So if a 23 hits, that's 61 hp; 76 if the 22 hits.

Yes, Deadly Aim is multiplied on crits, as it is essentially power attack for ranged combat

Anklebiter aims his last Ear-piercing shriek at the lead morlock. If shes's already dead, he aims it at whichever morlock is looking the most stroppy.

Ear-piercing shriek 4d6 ⇒ (1, 5, 2, 2) = 10, Fort. DC 16 for half. Fail and be dazed for one round.

The spider who failed to hit its mark before has another go, spraying the unbound lesser morlock with webbing!

Spider AD 22 spits webs at morlock AG 22: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13 to entangle.

The other spider, mandibles clicking hungrily, scuttles over to assaults its wrapped prey!

Spider AD 23 attacks webbed morlock at AG 24. Bite 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22 for 1d6 ⇒ 4 damage plus poison: Fort. DC 14 or take 1d2 ⇒ 2 Str. damage.
CRIT THREAT! Roll to confirm: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19 for an additional 1d6 ⇒ 2 damage.

Bruendor notes the stumble that the morlock leader takes after Lefrik deals her a vicious blow, and seizes the initiative. "Stay with us, big guy! We've got these bastards on the ropes!", he shouts, mostly to keep Lefrik focused and conscious. He stabs the leader twice, hoping to bring her down before she can recover.

Full attack on the leader. If she happens to go down with attack #1, the second attack will go after AG 22.

Attack 1, flank: 1d20 + 11 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 11 + 2 = 15
Damage 1: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5
Sneak 1!: 3d6 ⇒ (2, 1, 4) = 7

Attack 2, flank: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 6 + 2 = 20
Damage 2: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5
Sneak 2!: 3d6 ⇒ (5, 5, 4) = 14

Kel continues healing Lefrik as his new wounds overwhelm her last attempt.

Cure Serious Wounds: 3d8 + 8 ⇒ (1, 1, 1) + 8 = 11

wow

Lefrik grunts, and feels healing magics trickle along him, every little bit helps, but he seems to will his wounds to heal just a bit more...

Standard Action, Renewed Vigor to heal self a bit: 2d8 + 6 ⇒ (8, 1) + 6 = 15

And he strikes once more at the leader, hoping it finally falls, his rage continuing

to hit: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (4) + 15 = 19
Dmg if that hits: 1d12 + 10 ⇒ (3) + 10 = 13

Between them, Lefrik and Bruendor finished off the morlock leader, giving Calla the chance to take down the swarming morlock regulars with well-placed shots. The cavern echoes with their chittering death cries, along with the cries of the startled draft lizard.

The creature moaned in its terror, throwing its weight from side to side in the traces. The combat with the morlocks had been so intense that no one noticed the creature's struggles until now. No one, that is, but Gadak, who had spent the combat trying desperately to calm the beast from his place of safety. Now, the creature's thrashings finally allowed it to break free of the restraints and it bolted off down a side passage.

"Fantastic," Calla grouches. "I guess we're walking the rest of the way?"

Unhurt, she looks for her arrows to see if any survived, as well as checking over the bodies of the morlocks.

6d2 ⇒ (2, 1, 2, 2, 2, 1) = 10 recovered 4 arrows
Perception: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (9) + 16 = 25

Anklebiter whistles at the spiders, who rush to spit webbing at the lizard, hopefully before it can get out of range and before they return home....

Web 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10 & 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17

His rage ending ,Lefrik winces as all that pain returns with the rush of fury no longer taking the brunt of it.

"All that time doing nothing in drow sskin made me soft," A spit , some blood in it, to the ground, he watches the lizard run away ...but his lack of night vision means it vanishes from his sight.

Kel heals the party's wounds as they discuss the path forward. "Walking it is, we better get moving before more of those things arrive."

how much healing does each person need?

I'm good.

No healing needed here.

OOC: Oh, about 52 if you want him full up

overheard at the gaming table: "on a scale of 0 to 57, with 0 being out of hit points and 57 being full, how would you rate your condition?"

:p

i.

Seriously, though, I could use a tiny bit of healing. A single CLW or so?

"Lef!", Bruendor says as the last of the morlocks falls. "You alright? Those bastards hit you pretty damn hard." He watches as Kelendra heals his wounds, breathing a silent sigh of relief before turning his attention back to Gadak. "How far to the portal? Can we make it if we push?"

"From the map you have, it appears that we are a few hours of walking from the destination. I hate to leave the cart, though. I suppose I am truly unhomed now. I cannot return without either you or the cart. And the lizards. I practically raised them from eggs. They have been my companions for nearly one hundred turns of your above ground seasons. This is...difficult."

Calla gives the drow a tight smile, though it's not completely clear if it's meant to be sympathetic.

"Life is hard, unfortunately, a truism above or below the surface. Maybe we can find the one that ran off if it hasn't gotten far, but absent that, it doesn't seem like we have many other choices than to keep following the map."

Also, any loot from the morlocks?

So my spiders both missed? Shame.

"It's a pity, to be sure. But we need to save our own skins right now, before scavengers or more morlocks show up. Loot the dead and let's be off."

Oh, loot? Loot?

Calla looked around at the morlocks to see what, if anything, they had that might be worthwhile. the little ones had nothing of interest, wearing little more than loincloths and carrying basic lengths of bone or stone for clubs. The big one, though, was a whole other story. When Calla reached down to look at the axe the morlock leader carried, she swore it twitched in her direction with one of the razor-sharp edges sticking out around the haft. In fact, she noticed that in addition to the wounds dealt by Lefrik's axe, teh morlack had smaller wounds ll down her arm where the vicious blade had cut the wielder as well as her foe. Under the blood trickling down her hand, Calla finds two rings. And in a pouch there are two vials, that appear to be curatives, along with an assortment of pretty stones. Most are base rocks, but there are a few gems in there as well.

Calla relays her discoveries to the other, grimacing in distaste at the axe.

And the rings?

"Thanks to KElendra I'm alive, but I still feel like an oak that angered a hundred mad lumberjacks..." When reports on the items come in "Kind of gratifying to learn it hurt him too." He contemplates the thing, "I'll take it. not sure I'll always use it, but.. somethings might be yond the power of the fine gift you gave me to harm."

Rings? What rings? Oh, THOSE rings! Ring of Prot +1, Ring of Sustenance

Kel heals the party's wounds as they gather their things and start walking.

Cure Moderate Wounds, Lefrik: 2d8 + 8 ⇒ (1, 2) + 8 = 11
Cure Moderate Wounds, Lefrik: 2d8 + 8 ⇒ (1, 6) + 8 = 15
Cure Moderate Wounds, Lefrik: 2d8 + 8 ⇒ (1, 1) + 8 = 10
Cure Light Wounds, Lefrik: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12

Cure Moderate Wounds, Brue: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9

Anyone want the rings? I already am wearing a couple. If not, we can offer one to Gadak maybe, to help ensure loyalty, or save them to sell later.

"Alright," Anklebiter says. "Time we leave -- quickly. We really don't want to be here when the next wave of scavengers comes to find out why there's a smell of blood on the air."

"Thank you, Kel," His deep wounds turn shallow, then the shallow wounds turn to scars.

Got no rings. I'll gladly take either if no one else wants them.

I already have these sweet bracers, and still need to upgrade that amulet of natural armour. I say go for it. ^_^

Kel takes one of the rings and cleans the stink from it before sliding it on her finger. "I like this one, a reminder of our days away from the stars. Now lets move."

taking ring of sustenance

"I think I will take the other" He grunts, "Might make a better...what's the term I've heard bandied about 'meatshield'?" Amused, he puts it on.

Gadak continued to lead you on at a walk, occasionally looking at the map that First Daughter Alcavniss had given you. He occasionally muttered something under his breath, but was obviously not intending anyone to hear his words. The trek was grueling, as for two hours you made you way steadily at an incline. Bruendor, as befit his dwarven heritage, guessed that they were now no more than a thousand feet from the surface, whereas Zirnakaynan was closer to a mile belowground.

Eventually you reached the endpoint of your journey, where you found a complete surprise. The tunnel opened into a sizable cavern, where flickering light illuminated what was clearly an elf gate. The surprise was that it was clearly not the one that you took to reach the darklands in the first place. A howling wind raced through the cavern, offering eerie moans and the occasional whistle. Between you and the gate was a crevasse, a deep rift int he cavern floor spanned by a natural stone bridge.

"Come on, let's go!" Anklebiter says.

As the group heaves into motion, the Goblin chatters: "First thing I want to do when we hit the surface is drink a goblet of pure water, eat some fruit, and some cooked chicken. I'm fed up with underworld meats, and I don't even want to know what the Drow brew their wines out of! Clean food and sunshine, here we come!"

As the group comes upon the chamber with the crevace, the Goblin folds his ears back like an offended cat.

"Noisy. Anyone else think there's traps or guardians?"

Detect magic on. Perception 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23

Anklebiter scanned the area with his arcane sight, but saw nothing of any magical auras about.

Anklebiter turns towards Gadak.

"Decision time," he announces. "You coming, or do you really want to try crossing the wilds of the underworld all alone and without your cart? There's bound to be more than Morlocks around here, and you'd make a mighty tempting target all by your lonesome. We can't promise you it'll be a life of luxury and ease on the surface, but if all goes well it'll at least be a longer life than you're likely to have down here."

Turning towards the others, the Goblin adds: "I don't see any magical auras, so if there's traps and guards, they'll be of the more natural kind. Things down that gorge and all. It'd surprise me if we weren't attacked once we were out in the middle of that bridge. I'd like to boost our defences before we get out there, so everyone who's coming gather in close."

My remaining spells:
1 - Shield
2 - Fire sneeze x2, Mirror image, Protection from arrows
3 - Dispel magic, Fireball
4 - Extended magic circle against evil, Greater invisibility

And Protective Ward, which I'm offering to use for the party.

"I don't like it, but I haven't liked anything since we left the surface, truth be told," Bruendor states flatly, heading close to Anklebiter. "As for you, Gadak...I can't say you've made me change my mind about your people, but you've been at least forthright with us for as long as you've known us. Do me a favor. When you get to the next drow city - do everything you can to avoid the surface world. Live a comfortable life down here, away from our problems on the world above. Do so, and you'll have naught to worry from me. But if I see you again...well, all bets would be off."

I feel like the extended magic circle against evil and the protective ward are our best buffs. Once you cast those, I'll start leading the way across the bridge, checking for any natural traps or ambushes. Also...anyone know how to drive an aiudara? XD

Oh, for the Trigger-spell of the Quest for Glory-series....! One of the best spells, hands down, it would trigger any active or latent spell. Face an enemy wielding a wizard's staff? Trigger would cause the thing to blow up and kill him. Up against an inscrutable elder artefact? Cast Trigger and it would activate as smoothly as a self-made wand.
*sigh*
Happy memories. ^_^ Here and now, we'll just have to wing it and hope for the best.

Just before the group sets off, Anklebiter raises his hands in a gesture as though he wants to embrace everyone who is coming, and intones Words of Power in a clear voice. While he chants, the little Wizard starts to walk around the others and casts pinches of ground silver on the ground, creating a circle pinch by pinch, until he has come full circle -- and the spell comes alive.

With the magic cast, Anklebiter closes his eyes and frowns, scrunching up his face until the scars and brands seem to line up into actual writing. A pulse of energy washes outward from the Goblin and touches everyone in the group.

Extended magic circle against evil active; Protective ward active - everyone add a +2 deflection bonus to AC.

Gadak looked on curiously as the goblin chanted and cast his spell. When the circle was complete, and the invisible dome sprung into action, the drow hunched his shoulders and shook violently. "Argh! What did you do? My head!" He continued to hold his head as he glared at the goblin.

"If you're coming, suck it up. If you can't take it, feel free to leave," Anklebiter says, his eyes narrowing.

No question as to Gadak's zlignment anymore. Let's boogie, guys! ^_^

I'm a little confused, guys. Magic circles aren't communal protection from evils, I don't think; as far as I'm aware, they can't move but are inscribed on the ground. So I suppose we could retreat back to this spot if need be, but otherwise, it's just a protect area that does us no good.

Calla grunts sourly as Anklebiter makes his own preparations, scanning the area herself for any sign of evil or other threats.

Detect evil (beyond Gadak, obviously)
Perception: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (14) + 16 = 30

"Maybe Stargirl's bridge is a better option?" she questions.

Not sure how wide the crevasse is.

Huh. I've been running that wrong for awhile now. That's a stationary spell. I thought it could be cast upon a creature, and that creature emanates a protection from evil spell for every creature within 10' of them.

"I like the idea of using Kel's bridge, if it can reach. We know that one won't be trapped."

I thought so, too. DM ruling?