Okay. What did we do tonight? Let's see...

We've embarked on a journey to get diamonds for a component to a spell used to resurrect Horatio. So we travel to a place known as "the Temple of Elemental Death". The entrance is a huge skull carved into the side of a mountain, and inside the mouth is a large set of double doors. Strangely enough, the front door is unlocked, so we sneak inside...



...until the doors slam shut. So much for the silent approach.

The first chamber is some kind of altar room. I'm kicking myself for not mapping the place out, but I was just feeling too damn tired and lazy tonight to bother. We pass through another doorway, and most of the group (except for imurrx's Warforged) are forced to attempt a Fortitude save. The cleric, and my three cat familiars become violently ill, as we encounter half-a-dozen grisly-looking humanoids, that turn out to be undead. They're probably ghouls or ghasts. At least one of the bastards is a ghast anyway.

And here's the thing. MeatLips (the DM) had it so these characters were completely helpless, and unable to fight. At the time, I assumed we were the subject of some gas-based trap, but I think they were affected by the ghast's stench attack. If that's the case (and I'll bet it was), then MeatLips....you fucked up. Blimpy and the "battle cats" should have only received a -2 to their damage and d20 rolls. Being sickened is a condition with a specific game effect, but it doesn't render you physically helpless.

Oops.

One of the undead dudes quickly hit me, and paralyzed me....so in seconds we had Blimpy (the cleric), my guy, and the three cat familiars all helpless. Of course, if Mister MeatLips fucked up (and I'm sure he did), then my character should have been the only one to have been helpless. Way to go, sunshine! :rolleyes:

Yes, I'm busting your chops.

Well, the Dragon Shaman and the warforged (imurrx's guy) manage to fight 'em off, but we still came close to having a TPK. Eventually, we reach another chamber with a diamond-encrusted golden idol (about the size of a football). It's guarded by these eight guys sitting completely immobile at a table. These "guys" are, yes, you guessed it...undead. Of course, one of 'em turns around to look at us. I then try to turn them, and fail. Blimpy uses his domain ability, Greater Turning against them, and incinerates them. Good.

We grab the idol, and book it outta there.

In the dungeon, we dealt with a few traps. I think they were an arrow trap, a couple flame traps, and a gas trap. Probably.

We took an intermission from the game when Sgt. Deadnuts dropped by (a friend of ours), but returned soon thereafter. The game was good, overall, though Blimpy and "the battle cats" probably should not have been rendered helpless from that stench effect. Otherwise, we're cool....

Considering the type of creatures you were fighting, and the lack of an adequate explanation of the 'Sickened' effect, (at least in the creature info I was working with; See below) it wouldn't have hurt the more EXPERIENCED DM to make mention of that insight to the more NOVICE DM.

Besides, I usually wait for you to blink your eyes and say "Ummmm.... ok" before I double-check what I'm doing.

You also forgot the whole 'kneeling before Nerull' part to open the altar and get to that next room.

And yeah, they were Ghasts.

Stench (Ex): The stink of death and corruption surrounding these creatures is overwhelming. Living creatures within 10 feet must succeed on a DC 15 Fortitude save or be sickened for 1d6+4 minutes. A creature that successfully saves cannot be affected again by the same ghast’s stench for 24 hours. A delay poison or neutralize poison spell removes the effect from a sickened creature. Creatures with immunity to poison are unaffected, and creatures resistant to poison receive their normal bonus on their saving throws.

You're more than welcome to take over as DM anytime you want, sweetcheeks.

Quote from: MeatLips;277540Considering the type of creatures you were fighting, and the lack of an adequate explanation of the 'Sickened' effect, (at least in the creature info I was working with; See below) it wouldn't have hurt the more EXPERIENCED DM to make mention of that insight to the more NOVICE DM.

Besides, I usually wait for you to blink your eyes and say "Ummmm.... ok" before I double-check what I'm doing.

You also forgot the whole 'kneeling before Nerull' part to open the altar and get to that next room.

And yeah, they were Ghasts.

Stench (Ex): The stink of death and corruption surrounding these creatures is overwhelming. Living creatures within 10 feet must succeed on a DC 15 Fortitude save or be sickened for 1d6+4 minutes. A creature that successfully saves cannot be affected again by the same ghast's stench for 24 hours. A delay poison or neutralize poison spell removes the effect from a sickened creature. Creatures with immunity to poison are unaffected, and creatures resistant to poison receive their normal bonus on their saving throws.

Don't you love it when I bust your chops? You're doing fine, cupcake. At first, I thought we'd set off a gas trap of some kind when we went through the doorway into that section of the dungeon. I didn't realize your mistake on the stench effect until I came home last night. Don't sweat it. Now you know, and knowing is half the battle.

Quote from: MeatLipsYou're more than welcome to take over as DM anytime you want, sweetcheeks.

Oh, that's quite all right. I'm not ready to leap back into the saddle just yet. Please, kind sir.....carry on....

yeah! I can finally post.
Now I forgot what I was going to post....

You are doing fine there meatlips.

We were not going to be TPK last time because we had two guys who were immune to paralysis and that we had no problem dispatching them.

The key thing is now  not to make us use all our stuff and resources in one money shot encounter. It's kinda like having sex. Need to make it go long and hard a with out a premature shooting off in your pants like getting a lap dance for a stripper.

Quote from: imurrx;277685You are doing fine there meatlips.

We were not going to be TPK last time because we had two guys who were immune to paralysis and that we had no problem dispatching them.

The key thing is now  not to make us use all our stuff and resources in one money shot encounter. It's kinda like having sex. Need to make it go long and hard a with out a premature shooting off in your pants like getting a lap dance for a stripper.

Did we really need that analogy? :arcade:

I'll have to make sure I start mapping next session. It feels too easy to get lost without a decent map. Oh, and did we cast Detect Magic on the idol? I don't remember....

On an unrelated note, I can't get Rune to work properly on my computer. Can one of you guys help me reinstall it? I'm having major problems here.

Yes, I did a artificer check on it and it is magical. What, I do not know. Hey Reven, why don't you kiss it.

How bout I just fart on it

This is on Boston.com
http://www.boston.com/lifestyle/articles/2009/01/10/the_never_ending_story/

Quote from: Mutt;277904How bout I just fart on it

:barf:

Quote from: Mutt;277953This is on Boston.com
http://www.boston.com/lifestyle/articles/2009/01/10/the_never_ending_story/

Hmm. The video was ok, when they weren't making the funny voices...

The Boston Dungeons & Dragons Meetup Group from the article has a website. Interesting...

http://dnd.meetup.com/768/

Hello, boys and girls. Once again, welcome to "Kramerland"....

I did a little mapping this time, but I'll attempt to get MeatLips to help me provide us with a more accurate and detailed map next week. Once again, the cast of characters (finally spelled correctly):

* Reven Tyge (mutt); 4th-level human Dragon Shaman. A big, brawny dude with a large sword, possessing bizarre magical abilities derived from gold dragons. He recently suffered some Strength damage, so he's not feelin' his oats, though he is still mostly functional.
* Blimpy Boo; 4th-level human Cleric. He is a Cleric of Pelor, and reluctantly acts as the primary source of healing in the party.
* Kratos (imurrx); 4th-level warforged. I forget what the Hell he is. His introduction to the party was less than amiable, so I'm not privy to all his stats. Has a level or two in Artificer, and possibly two or three levels in Fighter. Maybe? Whatever he is...he's the party tank, and that's all we need to know for now.
* Hrothgar (me); 2nd-level Human Paragon/1st-level Battle Sorceror/1st-level Cloistered Cleric. A brawny warrior-type carrying a large hammer, and an arsenal of minor magical spells. He has his three cat familiars, who act as his sidekicks, scouts, and general companionship.
* Chubbs, Felix, & Meadows; Three cat familiars. These are Hrothgar's   little "bodyguards", and act as general comic relief.

Last session began with our entrance into a tomb; a cool, shadowy chamber fifty feet by seventy-five feet, with the ceiling nearly fifteen feet above the floor. There are eight stone sarcophagi in the room, and the only illumination emanates from both the hallway and our torches, and from diamonds glittering from the lid of each sarcophagus. We need diamonds to resurrect our friend Horatio, so it seems we may have hit the jackpot. But of course, it's never that easy....

When Hrothgar (my character) creeps over to one of the sarcophagi, we all suddenly hear the grinding of stone on stone, as the lids from a couple of the sarcophagi are removed by humanoid figures draped in fine embroidery from within. We back the fuck up into the hallway. :eek:

We realize these are undead, and quickly identify these suckers as vampire spawn. Oh noes...

Our plan is to lure 'em out into the hallway where they will only be able to attack us one or two at a time, so that they don't flank us, and so Reven Tyge can use his breath weapon more efficiently. Blimpy then turns a couple of 'em, and they dissolve into smoke with a shriek, and vanish. Uh-oh. I forget about vamps being able to take on gaseous form. Now we're really in deep shit...

Other vamps leave the confines of their stone sarchopagi, and menacingly approach us. I should have posted all this immediately after I returned home, because my memory is a little hazy on what happened next. I vaguely remember Reven using his breath weapon, and causing the vamps to temporarily withdraw. We then decide to hide around the corner, in the hallway, and have Blimpy cast Hide From Undead so that we may enter the chamber undetected. The spell will be powerful enough to affect the four of us, but not the "battle cats", so the kitties have to sneak in. We then enter the chamber, but there's a problem. At least a couple of the vampires are able to detect our presence, so I decide to turn them. Needless to say, it was not a success. :mad:

Kratos and Reven are now frantically prying the diamonds off the sarcophagi while I chuck vials of holy water at a couple of vamps that I see. Eventually, we rally in a corner of the room so that the bastards can't sneak up us.

At this point, I remember everyone arguing about what tactics to use, as three of the vamps corner us. Senor Kramer (MeatLips) tells me to attempt a Will save. That's fine with me. I have a +9 to Will saves, so these bastards aren't mind-fucking me without a fight. I make the save. It is then that mutt (Reven Tyge) is forced to roll a Will save. Oh noes... Epic fail...

Reven, is dominated. Once we realize what's happened to him, imurrx's character, Kratos, furiously springs into action and charges the vampires. He quickly inflicts an insane amount of damage upon them and kills a couple of the vamps in a single round, while the other one is taking abuse from my vials of holy water.

Again, my memory of events is kinda hazy. I remember both Blimpy and Hrothgar (me) attempting to turn the vampire spawn, and failing miserably. Meanwhile, that other vamp has still commanded Reven to kill Kratos. They duke it out for a little while until Kratos finally pimp-slaps the vamp. Take note that each vampire dissolves into mist when it is "killed". So much for chopping their heads off...

When the vamp is killed, Reven is freed from the Domination effect. The other vamps close in for action. During all this, Reven has been inflicting damage on the vamps using his breath weapon, but is unable to completely finish off any of the vamps. Kratos, on the other hand, is kicking ass and taking names, and kills six of these bastards.

Reven is on the floor grappling one of these vampiric fucks, and tries to get out one of his vials of holy water so that he can spray the bastard trying to choke the life out of him. The vampire then bites Reven, and they roll around on the floor. It gets bloody and messy....

We then get into an argument with the DM. We all assume the vampire briefly bit Reven, and that was it. The DM insisted that Reven was being grappled and drained the entire time, though this was not clear to us. Sorry, Senor Kramer...but it just wasn't. :huhsign:

Well, anyway....Reven and the vamp make opposed grapple rolls, and the bloodsucker wins. At this point, I'm done chuckin' vials of holy water, and have cast Fist of Stone on myself, and "the Battle Cats". We attack the vampire killing Reven, and Hrothgar (my guy) bashes it with his maul (hammer), while the cats go apeshit on the thing, and pounce on it with fang and claw.

The vampire is startled, and releases Reven, but at this point, Reven is close to death....

Blimpy and Hrothgar manage to finish off the two remaining vampires, who then dissolve in a column of smoke, and we somehow manage to survive. Reven is not feeling so wonderful. He suffered some form of energy drain, and will wait twenty-four hours to determine whether or not it's permanent. Also, he suffered major Constitution drain (eight points), and his Constitution is now four. Crap.

Well, we decide to barricade the doors and rest here for the night. Since we have no desire for nasty surprises, we pry the lids off the sarcophagi, and wedge them in front of the doors. No random encounters! So we rest...

Kratos acts as "night watchman", and guards us while we rest. A couple hours pass, and Reven is disturbed by an odd sound. Ok, I'm having a brain fart here, because I forget what the noise was. Oh, well...

At some point, Kratos uses an infusion to restore Reven's Strength damage, and Blimpy heals all his hit point damage, so that's good. But his Constitution loss from the ability draining sucks donkey balls. We have to get that fixed. Normally, he's an effective melee combatant, but now he's a frail flower. He could catch cold in a stiff wind, and we sure as Hell can't have that...

We rest there a full day, and mutt (Reven) successfully attempts his saving throw twenty-four hours later. No level loss. Whew! After removing our makeshift barricade, we enter the next room....

The first order of business is to search for traps, and after doing so, we enter another chamber. It's an armory. The room is fifty feet by fifty feet, and we see gleaming black weapons and armor. Hrothgar (my guy) casts Detect Magic in the room, and detects faint magic beneath four suits of armor in each corner of the room. It is then that I notice another gleam emanating from beneath one of the gauntlets of the sword-wielding suits of armor. We spy a diamond-encrusted pommel stone held by one of the suits of armor. Kratos goes to take it, but it soon turns into a game of "Tug of War" as the suits of armor spring to life. Red eyes glow ominously in the helms of the suits of armor as they attack. And so the battle is joined...

Hiilarity ensues as Kratos furiously head-butts the suit of armor, and manages to wrest the sword from its metal hand. I forget what Blimpy did, but Reven attacked, and so did Hrothgar. We win the battle, and see some kind of corpses in the armor. In disgust, we leave the things, and loot the room.

After this, we reverse direction, and go back the way we came in. The party heads back out into the hallway, and enters another chamber. This one is sixty feet long and thirty feet wide. Inside, we see two chests, each about three feet long and two feet wide. Well, I'm probably missing some details here, but I believe we missed something important when we opened the chests, and looted the potions, gold, and keys contained therein. It's here that things went very bad...

The entrance to the room slammed shut, and bars went over the door. The walls began to close in on us. Picture that scene in Star Wars, where the walls began to get closer and closer. I can't remember what we tried to do, but Kratos finally figured something out with the locking mechanism, either on the chest or the room's entrance (I forget which). He rolled very high, and holy crap, did we luck out. I think we were supposed to close the lid to the chest, but didn't. Anyway, Kratos saved our asses, because we wouldn't have survived that without him. Can you say, "close call"?

After that, the session ended for the night. Here's a list of stuff we looted.

INVENTORY

ITEM..........................................................VALUE

* Diamonds (.........................................500 gp each
* Diamonds (4).........................................500 gp each
* Potions (4; unidentified)...............................?
* Rusty Key....................................................?
* Beautifully Wrought Golden Key....................?
* Diamonds (2)...............................................?
* 500 gp

So there we go, guys. It took forever to type this thing, but that should be most of the important stuff. I hope you can dig it.

Actually, it was two lucky rolls. One by Reven to find the mechanism and them Kratos to reverse it.

Guys, we really need to retool some of the guys. Reven, your guy will shine better as a front line fighter. Kratos will probably retrain his skills to fighting and more seach and spot and more away from traps and locks. Thats why we need Horatio back because he can be more in the support roll to both of Kratos and Reven. He also will excel at the handy skills.

IMOP, we should hav been pan caked  by those two walls.

On the point where Reven got blood sucked, hey, I had a guy once who became a Vampire spawn (i think). it happened back in Thazendar.

Meatlips, good job in posing some good challenges besides the hack and slash model.

I actually would want to game again if you guys are up for it, how about this weekend?

I was not hurting that bad...

Quote from: Mutt;278371I was not hurting that bad...

Actually, if it weren't for the "Battle Cats" startling the vampire enough to let you go, your character would have been toast. Your Constitution is at four. That vampire could have brought it down to zero in a single round. You were lucky. We were all very lucky....

I'm actually kicking myself because we all forgot the vulnerabilities that vampires have. We've fought ghouls, ghasts, zombies, vampire spawn, and probably more. So I'm thinking we're gonna be fighting the undead again, whether we like it or not, so we'd best be prepared for that eventuality. Here's a list of stuff that I think we all might need in the future:

* Holy Water
* Garlic
* Mirrors
* Holy Symbols
* Wooden Stakes
* Axes
* Flasks of oil
* Torches
* Holy Wafers
* Alchemist's Fire
* Antitoxin
* Healer's Kit
* Silver Daggers

There's probably more, but that's all I can think of at the moment...:hmm: