The Red Arm of Absalom - Ongoing Campaign (Inactive)

Game Master GM Red

Sense Motive, Mayor: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26
Does the Mayor have an ulterior motive for this cover-up?

Cup takes Gallix aside. "Are you sure you want to pay for the whole thing? You got those wounds protecting us!" She then hugs Father Ildris. "Thank you for healing Gallix!"

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (12) + 9 = 21

Then she looks to the others. "Let's go to the warehouse. It was our original plan. Let's stick with it!"

She has no ulterior motives, but she is quite paranoid. Though she was elected by the people, they're quick to lose faith in leaders who fail to keep the world's evils at bay.

Father Ildris smiles at Cup and Gallix. "Not a problem. I only hope that that demon stumbled upon here accidentally and wasn't here for any particular reason."

Whoops. The mayor did come back inside to tell you those things. I assume your discussion about the warehouse took place outside or at least out of earshot, since the Mayor currently has no idea about Gellion, the situation at Gellion's house, or the warehouse

Mr Peppers nods along with Cup and Gallix. "Considering I wasn't much help with that little ball of claws and fangs I'm ready to continue what we started. Lead on Gallix! Besides, we Elves don't need as much sleep as the rest of you. " He gives them a sly wink.

On the way out Mr Peppers will mention to Ildris "Demons are chaotic creatures that do very much enjoy causing havoc. Remote towns with tall walls won't keep them out. Cold iron blades should be used by the guards if they come across any. Normal steel isn't very effective."

While in temple
Uesugi puts the bag down for the Priest to dispose of it."These are the tainted creatures we have encountered so far. We felt it better to remove them from the sight of others. Seeing this would create the chaos the Mayor looks to avoid and the purpose these creatures attempt to create. Before we leave is there any aid you might be able to provide us to better destroy these creatures?"

"Indeed, do you have special blessings that could benefit Uesugi-san and Gallix-san here, for their close encounter?"

The priest shrugs. "I have various spells and abilities, but many of them require the preparation time. I am not exactly prepared for demon battling."

He's a level 2 cleric. He has bless, CLW, and a few other spells that wouldn't last very long. I don't think many would help long-term. You can request a spell and then he'd have it prepared by tomorrow, but you may also have the warehouse taken care of by then.

____

Departing the Temple again, you make for the warehouse. The two rusty front warehouse doors are unlocked and one of them is slightly ajar, as if someone had forgot to close them entirely. The door appears to have a smattering of Demon's Bile on it.

The second entrance, a pair of strong wooden doors to the south, won't budge when you test them, suggesting that they're locked.

What do you do? Slide 1 is updated with the warehouse map.

As they approach, Sirettis casts Comprehend Languages on herself. "This may be useful now. Is anyone good at scouting? This may be a good time."

Sirettis will wait for the stealthy members to enter first. When it's her time to enter...

Stealth: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Isa begins tweeting.

I would assume Mr Peppers would know that holy water is effective against devils and demons? As an idea to suggest for anyone interested, including the priest. Also, has it been more than an hour since we first entered Gellion's house? For mage armor purposes.

Warehouse!

Mr Peppers approaches the warehouse causiously. "More demon bile... wonder if there are any demons to go with it. Have your cold iron at the ready." Mr Peppers draws forth his wand o missiles and refreshes his light spell.

Having kicked down the last door Uesugi stands back and lets the others decide on the best course of action. "Either entrance might be trapped as they were before. If we can find a way in from the back entrance we should choose that one."

Gallix approaches the warehouse, right at the front of the line as usual. As the group pauses to consider the best strategy for their entrance, he looks at the door, checking for any traps he might notice from this distance.
Perception: 1d20 ⇒ 9 Lucky number. Still gonna hold out and not use it yet.

"I don't see any traps from here, but an approach from the back seems like a reasonable idea."

"The back entrance may be less conspicuous since we look a bit like burglars, but the front door is open... making us look less like burglars... hrm. Considering our lack of a key perhaps the front would be more reasonable, just be on your toes!"

Take 10 for 16.

"I still carry that arrow, it might force the bile to recede if poked with it."

If there is any bile in the back, D. uses telekinesis to poke the bile as per above.

"Oh yeah. I forgot earlier, but I've also got these." Gallix takes a pouch from his belt and pulls out a single cold iron sling bullet. "I've got my dagger, but if one of you wants to take these and my sling, that would at least give you something to fight with if we run into any more... creatures... that are weak to the cold iron."

Totally forgot I had these earlier. I've got 10 cold iron sling bullets. I really did learn something from our time in the jungle. I just forgot that I had learned it until now. Haha

Cup summons another Unseen Servant, since the first likely dissipated during the time we were at the temple. Then she casts dancing lights.

"Shall I see if my Unseen Servant can open the door?"

Also, any windows? A solid note can serve as a dandy climbing hook for a gnome with a rope.

Mr. Peppers. I'd say about an hour has passed, yes, and you definitely know about holy water and its effects

D flings the arrowhead at the bile using his mind. It connects with the bile and metal of the warehouse wall and falls to the ground. The bile oozes and immediately retracts from the spot the arrowhead hit, leaving a circle about an inch in diameter.

Gallix and D don't find any traps on either set of doors.

Nope, no windows here!

Ok thanks, Mr Peppers reapplies mage armor once we arrive... he's not the type to forgo his magical protections.

"Stand back in case there's more of that hot spray!" Seeing that people appear to be ready, Mr Peppers casts a spell

As Peppers and Cup vie for the chance to open the door with their respective magics, Gallix quaffs a potion he pulled from his pack, then draws his cold iron dagger. "Better safe than sorry, eh?"

Used potion of Shield of Faith. +2 Deflection bonus to AC for 1 minute

Uesugi nods as the barbarian quaffs the vial in one easy gulp and then draws his dagger. Simultaneously the samurai draws his katana foregoing the need for his wakizashi, but he adjust his belt and equipment to allow him quick access to drawing his short blade if the need arises.

Sirettis takes this opportunity to renew her magical armor.

"It seems like we must enter through the front. Be careful, everyone."

Note to self: Invest in Disable Device. It's not in class but I do have +4 Int.

The door flies open as Mr. Peppers casts his spell. Inside are several stacked crates and clumps of even more Demon's Bile lining the southeast wall. The purple ooze bubbles and gurgles as you look at it from outside the warehouse.

Give me a Perception check if/when you walk in

D. pokes the bile with the Arrow some more.

Not shooting it, just firmly poking it as you would your finger to someone's flank.

Disable Device these days is Dex based, which makes rogues happy!

Mr Peppers sees the oozing, pulsating even, bile in the warehouse and gasps. "Wow look at it all! This must have been going on for a while now, how fast can this stuff reproduce and grow? We're going to need to get Father Ildris down here after we secure the place."

Did anyone decide to take Gallix's sling and cold iron sling bullets? Just want to make sure whether I have it on me or not.

Gallix steps into the warehouse and looks around for any apparent threats.

Perception: 1d20 ⇒ 9

Seeing all the bile Uesugi quickly sheathes his katana in favour of his wakizashi. He steps past the door trying to assess if there are any dangers in this room.

perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Mr Peppers will keep with his wand of unerring little bits of damage. His 10 Str just doesn't help much with a sling.

Once Gallix and Uesugi head inside Mr Peppers readies his wand to cover him, blasting any hostile that shows up. "I got your backs... er fronts I guess... Proceed with caution!"

Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13
"With this much of the substance, expect resistance." Sirettis loads her crossbow and enters.

tokens moved. I've only placed those in the room that rolled Perception checks. Peppers you are right at the door.

Thanks 'Sugi. Red, I just noticed I was down a couple hp from the fight in the house would it be too much to ask that I healed that somewhere's between then and now via my wand o CLW? Mr P loves to use his wands and doesn't like to be bleeding...

Thanks Uesugi. @Mr. Peppers, yup, that's fine.

As D starts moving to poke the bile with his arrowhead, the ooze begins to writhe, and D notices this reaction even though no one else does. Seconds later, it spews forth a swarm of spiders and a much larger spider similar to the one you saw at Gellion's house.

D is up for the surprise round. I'll have knowledge spoilers up shortly.

Fac this is going to hurt!

Squash 'em!
I'm not buffing these ones at all, the CR seems fair enough.

Finally a chance to use some burning hands! Bastards better not be resistant to fire...

"Something's moving in there, watch yourselves."

When the spiders burst from it, D heads back.
"Caution!"

Kb: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 61d6 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10

Kinetic blasts work on swarms, neat huh?
And the dicebot disagrees with me.

The spiders collectively run away from D's blast.. And then scramble forward towards Gallix and Uesugi.

Swarm vs Gallix: 1d6 ⇒ 2
Swarm vs Uesugi: 1d6 ⇒ 6

Can I get two fort saves DC 11 from both of you? The first versus Distraction (failure results in being nauseated for 1 round), the second versus poison (1d2 strength damage for 2 rounds)

The mutated spider moves up and takes another chomp at poor Gallix. Nothing against Gallix, it just saw him first.

Bite: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 141d6 ⇒ 6
... But its fangs cannot penetrate Gallix's magical shield.

__

Unfortunately, the giant spider is quick on its legs and acts first, this time favoring a chunk of elf flesh.
Bite: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 221d6 ⇒ 3
Confirm: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 31d6 ⇒ 1

The good news is it wasn't a crit. The bad news is I need a fort save from Mr. Peppers DC 12 vs poison (1d2 strength damage for 4 rounds).

Warehouse spiders, Round 1
Cup, Mr. Peppers, D, and Sirettis are up
Gallix, Uesugi, and Corsac
Swarm

Gallix curses as the spiders swarm all over him. "Gah! This is really not my day!"

Fort save vs. Distraction: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10
Fort save vs. Poison: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

Well that sucks.

D. steps back again.

"Vermin must be disposed of."

KB vs spider: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24Pew: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7

Fort Save: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2 "Uuuugggghhhh it burns!"
Knowledge:Nature: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16
Knowledge:Nature: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9

Mr Peppers bites his lip as the big spider injects its venom into his thigh from a vicious bite, narrowly missing an artery. He clutches his leg in pain. "That damn spider is mutated just like the others, not good! Gallix, 'Sugi, move north so I can roast the nasty things all together!"

Mr Peppers delays until after Gallix and Uesugi hopefully move.

The spider moves too quickly for Sirettis to react. So she wills it to sleep.

Will Save, DC 14

Ever practical, Cup sighs and tells her Unseen Servant, "Fetch my alchemist fire, and deliver it, still corked, to the center of the swarm." The little glass jar of alchemists fire floats straight to the center of the swarm. Then she nods up to Talk, Dark and Poisoned. "Once Sirettis, Uesugi and Gallix move out, step back and blast your burning hands and you'll light the alchemist fire as well."

As her own move action, she hands Pep an anti-toxin. "I'll uncork it for you in a minute."

Then to help the fight, she inspires courage.

♫ Do you ever feel like a spider treat
Drifting through endless bile, gonna take a while
So here we go again rushing in
A scary moment -- see demonic spiders spin?

Pepper, you're a firework
Come on, make the spiders burst
Make 'em go, "Pop, pop, pop"
Just let go and don't stop, stop, stop! ♫

Inspire Courage: +1 to attack and damage

____
Source: Firework by Katy Perry

Ah, +1 to attack & dmg from Cup's inspire to my last post.

D manages a direct hit on the fiendish spider, blasting it with sand. The huge spider oozes bile as his bullet shoots through its body.

Will save: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 1 = 10
It then curls up into a ball and goes for a nap!

Gallix, Uesugi, (Mr. Peppers delayed), and Corsac are up

Sirettis flees into the corner to give Mr. Peppers and Cup some room.

Uesugi braces himself a swarm oni spiders cover the barbarian and him. With each bite he tries his best to ignore it but each feels like the tiny slash of wakizashi.

Fortitude vs distraction: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

Fortitude vs poison: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

He soon falls victim to both the nausea and the poisonous effects of the spiders. He can barely make out what the scribe is saying but hears the word move and that is enough. He instinctively moves closer to the wall further away from the group hoping to split the swarm.

Once/if Gallix moves out of the way

A sigh of relief waves over Mr Peppers as the large spider that just snacked on his thigh falls to the ground in a slumber. "Well that makes this a bit easier, thanks Sirettis!" He says grimacing in pain.

He begins weaving his spell, putting forth the extra effort that he's spent years learning, practicing, researching, and coveting. He lets forth a heavy gout of flames from his fingertips enveloping the spiders.

Vermin Cleansing Fire + Caster Level Check: 1d20 + 2 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 + 1 + 2 = 173d4 ⇒ (4, 2, 1) = 7

Using 1pt of arcane power for +1 caster level, also have +2 vs spell resistance racial, Reflex DC14. Roll low thanks.

Still covered in the tiny spiders, Gallix runs out of the swarm, swatting at the dozens of arachnids still covering him from head to toe. "Get them off! Get them off!!!

In case you need saves actually on my turn in addition to when the attack took place:
Fortitude vs poison: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13

If it doesn't... Well, that's a sturdy vial. Cup will have her servant pick it up for later use next turn.

Mr. Peppers lets loose a searing hot jet of flames from his palms.

Reflex, giant spider, helpless: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (15) - 1 = 14
Reflex, swarm: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

The giant spider's body twitches in reaction to the oncoming heat and its defensive shape protects it from the flames. Both the spider and the swarm have energy resistance, unfortunately. That said, I'll never get how a helpless creature still gets a reflex save

Hundreds of tiny spiders burn up from Mr. Peppers' flames and Cup's unstable potion explodes as he heats up the flask.

Despite this, a small amount of spiders still scurry around in the swarm.

Giant spider (-7)
Swarm (-7)

Corsac is up

Mr Peppers looks a bit disappointed with the results as he steps back away from the scrum, still clutching his poisoned leg. He grabs Cup's antitoxin and nods in thanks. "Looks like whatever that bile infects ends up resistant to fire, a pity for sure. Knowledge gained at least I guess."

I had only used a standard and 5' step back on my turn and had to rush out of the office so just cleaning up the rest of my turn once I saw the results of the firey goodness.

Ya helpless and a reflex save seems like an oxymoron. If they are helpless though at least they lose all their dex bonus and replace it with a big fat -5, so I guess that's something.

Agreed, a reflex vs fireball from someone who is KO, is pretty silly. Imagine the KO person being someone with Evasion.

"I can fight these things, but i don't carry any acid for one of you to use."