[Adventure] Serpent's Skull: Souls for Smuggler's Shiv (DM: Mewness; Judge: THB)

The big spider, perhaps daunted by Noriaki's swift recovery after being knocked down, decides to go after easier prey. Its leaping strike knocks over Gelik and another enormous jump takes it safely away again.

More poisonous spittle is shot out of the foliage, striking Noriaki and Castile. Though the small spiders continue to keep to the undergrowth, some of them now can be easily seen.

One swarm of spiderlings continues to harass Castile, without much effect on her, although Ishirou and Sasha feel the bites; the other scrambles desperately away from the Irregulars, but is terribly hindered by their formation.

[sblock=actions and rolls]No reply from Cleverusername. Rather than NPC Alkas for potentially the entire fight, I'm going to pretend he's not there.

Ishirou and Sasha take 5 from Swarm 2's aura.

Joompin Spider standard: leaps to E16, attacks Gelik: death from above vs AC, Gelik; damage (1d20+7=21, 1d8+4=11) Gelik takes 11, ongoing 5 poison (save ends), and falls prone.

Joomping Spider move: prodigious leap to L11.

Spitter 1: poison spit vs AC, Dartmoor (1d20+9=13), miss. Spitter moves and hides.

Spitter 2: poison spit vs AC, Noriaki (1d20+9=28), hit for 5 poison damage. Spitter moves and hides.

Spitter 3: poison spit vs AC, Noriaki (1d20+9=16), miss. Spitter moves and hides.

Spitter 4: poison spit vs AC, Castile (1d20+9=11), miss. Spitter moves and hides.

Spitter 5: poison spit vs AC, Castile (1d20+9=26), hit for 5 poison damage. Spitter moves and hides.

Spiderling Swarm 1: moves to H18, falls “prone” owing to the Irregulars’ zone. “Crawls” to G18.

Spiderling Swarm 2: swarm of fangs vs AC, Castile; damage (1d20+4=5, 1d6+2=8) miss.

LOL at how bad the spitters' stealth rolls are this round. Remember that they still have concealment or total concealment if you go after them, though.[/sblock]

[sblock=Special rules and terrain]NPCs: As a minor action, you can command any NPC to take a move. Or, at your option, you can move an NPC at the same time as your character moves, if that NPC is in your way. No NPC can take more than two moves a round.

Terrain Rules
The dark green terrain is heavy undergrowth. It is difficult terrain. A creature who is prone in this terrain gains concealment. If there are at least two squares of heavy undergrowth between such a creature and an observer, the prone creature gains total concealment with respect to that observer.

The light brown areas are relatively clear and count as normal terrain.

The dark brown circles are trees; they are blocking terrain.

The webs look like they will slow you down at the very least; should you enter a square containing a web, you can consult the spoiler block in the Enemies and Hazards section to learn its specific effects. Note that all the webs are in heavy undergrowth squares; the heavy undergrowth has its usual effects in addition to the web effects.[/sblock]

[sblock=Perception 25]There is a small spider hidden in C12.[/sblock]
[sblock=Perception 12]There is a small spider hidden in J13.[/sblock]
[sblock=Perception 10]There is a small spider hidden in M13.[/sblock]
[sblock=Perception 23]There is a small spider hidden in J15.[/sblock]
[sblock=Perception 11]There is a small spider hidden in M21.[/sblock]

[sblock=status]PCs
Alkas (A18) HP 35/35; surges 10/13
Castile (F18) HP 30+3/33; surges 9/13
Dartmoor (B17) HP 28/28; surges 8/10
Hú Lí (B18) HP 24/24; surges 6/8
Noriaki (E17) HP 3/27; surges 4/9; bloodied, ongoing 5 poison (save ends)
Takahaan (F17) HP 9/24; surges 4/8; bloodied, ongoing 5 poison (save ends)

NPCs
Aerys (C18) HP 29/29; surges 9/11
Gelik (D17) HP 11/22; surges 3/6, bloodied, ongoing 5 poison (save ends)
Ishirou (D18) HP 19/24; surges 5/7
Jade (C17) HP 28/28; surges 6/10
Sasha (E18) HP 18/23; surges 4/6

Bad Guys
Jumping Spider (L11), AP spent
Spiderling Swarm 1 (G18), 37 damage taken, bloodied, prone; aura 1 does 5 at the start of the enemy’s turn (7 if another swarm is adjacent to the target); any PC that hits swarm 1 regains 4 HP
Spiderling Swarm 2 (E19), 31 damage taken, bloodied, marked by Castile; aura 1 does 5 at the start of the enemy’s turn (7 if another swarm is adjacent to the target)
Others: "hidden"
[/sblock]

[sblock=Enemy Stats]Please read the appropriate block(s) only when necessary to resolve attacks or OAs, or when you enter a square containing a web.

[sblock=Jumping Spider]Joompin Spider
AC 17, Fort 17, Ref 16, Will 13; HP 56, bloodied 28
bite +7 vs. AC, 1d8+3 damage and ongoing 5 poison damage (save ends)

[sblock=When spider is bloodied]Nothing special happens. Gotcha![/sblock][/sblock]
[sblock=Spidering Swarm]Spiderling Swarm
AC 14, Fort 14, Ref 15, Will 10; HP 44, bloodied 22
Resist half damage from melee and ranged attacks; Vulnerable 5 to close and area attacks
Aura 1: each enemy that starts its turn in the aura takes 5 damage +2 extra damage per additional swarm adjacent to the enemy
Swarm of Fangs +4 vs. AC, 1d6+2 damage and ongoing 5 poison damage (save ends). A creature already taking poison damage is also weakened (save ends). The swarm’s attack deals 2 extra damage for each additional swarm adjacent to the target.
[sblock=When hit by an area or close attack]The swarm shifts reactively. Please wait for me to resolve this.[/sblock][/sblock]
[sblock=Spitter]Spitter
AC 16, Fort 13, Ref 16, Will 13; HP 1 (minion)
Bite +7 vs. AC, 5 poison damage
Note: The spitters are quite small and can gain concealment/total concealment from heavy undergrowth as though they are prone.[/sblock]
[sblock=Web Hazard]When you enter a web, it makes an opportunity attack against you:
Sticky Web Attack: +4 vs. Reflex
Hit: you are restrained (save ends)
Miss: you are slowed until the end of your turn.
Special: when you are restrained by a web and succeed on your save, the web in your square is destroyed.

Restrained: you are immobilized, grant CA, take a -2 penalty to attack rolls, and cannot be pushed, pulled, or slid.[/sblock][/sblock]

Hú Lí's flute playing intensifies, and she dances, moving rhythmically from foot to foot as she plays. The music is now martial, bolstering Takahaan's courage again. Hú Lí motions for Aerys to step away from the fight before she, too is bitten, which she does, allowing Ishirou to then step back safely.[sblock=actions]Minor: Majestic Word on Takahaan. Takahaan regains 11 (surge +4) HP.
Move->Minor: Aerys moves to A17
Standard->Minor: Ishirou shifts to C18

Couldn't find a way to get Sasha out safely. What with the difficult terrain, this will take some coordination (e.g. move Ishirou back some more, then two shifts for Sasha.)[/sblock][sblock=Hú Lí]The Black Fox Fox Spirit (Changeling)

Bard 1
Initiative: +1, Passive Perception: 16, Passive Insight: 18
AC:17, Fort:11, Reflex:15, Will:16

+2 vs. AC, 1d6-1 damage

HP:24/24, Bloodied:12, Surge Value:6, Surges left:6/8
Action Points: 1, Second Wind: unused
Powers: Fox Spirit Disguise, Wild Shape, Staggering Note, Vicious Mockery
Blunder, Fox Spirit Trick, Grasping Claws, Majestic Word x2, Words of Friendship
Stirring Shout

Conditions:
none
[/sblock]

Exhilarated by Hu Li's playing and eyeing the swarm that has been trying to engulf him, Takahaan winds up for a well-timed slash of his nodachi. "Hngh! he cries, as the dragonborn's blade almost rhythmically cuts through various forms in the swarm of spiders.

Taking a quick but thorough glance of the battle around him, Takahaan then turns to his friend Noriaki once again, to boost his morale. "Ah, friend, I see you have joined us in our battle, instead of being a floor-mop. Collect your head, Noriaki, and strike these spiders with your storming wrath!"

[sblock=Takahaan's Actions]Takahaan takes 5 aura damage, and 5 poison damage, bringing him down to 10 HP, and bloodying him.

Standard: Intuitive Strike on Swarm#1. Attack roll: 1d20+8=14. Hit, 14>10 will. Damage roll: 1d10=8. Half damage is resisted, 4 damage is dealt to Swarm#1. Takahaan gains 4 HP for hitting Swarm#1, through Hu Li's bonus, bringing him to 14 HP.

Move: Perception Roll. 1d20-1=18

Minor: Inspiring Word on Noriaki. 1d6+1=5, so it heals him for 11 and expends one of his healing surges.

Takahaan is still poisoned. Saving Throw:1d10=3[/sblock]
[sblock=Takahaan]Takahaan Thanazashi Male Dragonborn Bravura Warlord 1
Initiative: +2
Passive Perception: 10
Passive Insight: 9
Senses: Normal

AC:17
Fort:15
Reflex:13
Will:15
HP:14/24
Bloodied:12
Surge Value:7
Surges left:4/8
Action Points: 1
Brash Assault
Intuitive Strike
Dragon Breath [x]
Inspiring Word [x]
Vengeance Is Mine[x]
Lamb to the Slaughter[][/sblock]

As Noriaki wipes the poison spittle from his jacket, he sees the swarm of little spiders surge up Sasha's leg. His eyes narrow, and a light breeze picks up. Taking a hand from his sword, he reaches into his satchel and pulls out the healing potion. He pulls out the cork with his teeth and drinks it like a shot.

Noriaki strides purposefully toward the swarm attacking Sasha, placing his free hand palm down on the back of his blade. The wounds on his arm and chest begin to close as the potion takes effect, and Noriaki begins a chant in Tsugo. As he chants, wind begins to swirl around him.

"O Ruler, crowned in a mask of flesh and blood
And given the name of Man,
Breathe but lightly upon this world,
And let the Wind carry me away.
Way of Air number thirteen: Leaf on the Wind!"

By the time his chant ends in a fiery crescendo, the wind is whipped into a frenzy. Noriaki swings his blade in an upward arc through the swarm. The sword itself kills only a few, but the howling winds cut the swarm like razor blades, clearing the spiders from Sasha as well as from Ishirou and Castile. With his downward swing, the blades of wind crush what few spiders remained. The swarm dispatched, Noriaki turns to face the big spider. As he does, spiritual force rolls off of him in waves, making him seem to fill the whole jungle, and exerting its pressure on the remaining spiders.


[sblock=mechanics]
Move: shift to E18

Standard: Way of Air 13: Leaf on the Wind(Swift panther Rage) on swarm 2.
Attack Roll: natural 1. Damn.
Miss: [url=http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3081724/]3d12+4=30 halved for 15. Halved again(swarm) for 7...>:|

ACTION POINT(taking Taka's gamble, always): Howling Strike!
Attack Roll: 1d20+12=18, hit.
Damage Roll: 1d12+1d6+4=17 halved for 8 damage.

By my count, swarm 2 dies. I use it to trigger Roar of Triumph. All enemies in 5 squares take a -2 penalty to all defenses until the end of my next turn.

Using move action from Taka's Bravura Presence as a Minor to draw the healing potion.

Minor: use potion.

Save:1d20=10, yay!

Hope you don't mind, I'm playing a bit loose with my descriptions here.[/sblock]

[sblock=Noriaki]
Noriaki Matsumoto Male Human Thaneborn Barbarian 1
Initiative: +3(+5 with Takahaan), Passive Perception: 10, Passive Insight: 11, Senses: Normal
AC:17
Fort:17
Reflex:15
Will:13
HP:19/27 Bloodied:13
Surges left:2/9
Surge Value:6
Action Points: 0
MBA: +7 to hit, 1d12+4 damage

Howling Strike
Pressing Strike
Escalating Violence []
Howl of Triumph [x]
Heroic Effort []
Second Wind [x]
Swift Panther Rage [x]


Conditions:

Feral Might(Thaneborn Triumph): Whenever you bloody an enemy, the next attack by you or an ally against that enemy gains a bonus to the attack roll equal to your Charisma modifier(+2).

Full sheet: Noriaki[/sblock]

Encouraged by how easily the first swarm fell, Castile pushes through the heavy foliage to get between the remaining swarm and the cursed jumping spider. She finishes off the few remaining bugs in the swarm by squashing them with the flat side of her axe. Then, with Takahaan's encouragements, she manages to push herself deeper into the forest for a clear shot at the larger spider.

"You won't touch my friends again, spider! Take this!"

Castile hurls her axe at the beast... but the weapon sails straight into a thickly laid spider web. Thankfully, the strong magic inside the waraxe forces it to rip away from the web and fly back to Castile's hand. She looks frustrated, but still confident.

[sblock=Castile stat block / actions]Actions
Move: walk to G17. This provokes an OA from the swarm. Swarm of Fangs misses AC 12 (1d20+4=12).

AP-Standard: Crushing Surge vs Swarm 1 hits AC 15 for 18 / 2 = 9 damage, killing it, and Castile gains 4 HP and 8 THP. Nice. (1d20+7+2+2=19;1d12+7+2=18). Note I made a mistake in the attack roll; one of the +2s should have been a -2. It still hits, and the roll didn't include Roar of Triumph anyway.

Bravura Presence-Move: walk to H13. If I happen to walk into a spider, I'll still RBA the jumping spider, provoking an OA if necessary.

Standard: RBA vs Jumping Spider misses AC 9, but the spider is marked TENT. (1d20+7=9)

PC:Castile (Dekana) - L4W Wiki- Female Dwarf Fighter 1
Passive Perception: 17, Passive Insight: 12
AC:18, Fort:16, Reflex:13, Will:12, +5 saves vs poison, Speed:5
HP:33/33 + 8 THP, Bloodied:16, Surge Value:8, Surges left:9/13
Initiative +1
Action Points: 0 (encounter)

Conditions

Powers
MBA: Waraxe, +7 vs AC, 1d12+7 damage (see Combat notes below)
RBA: Waraxe, +7 vs AC, 1d12+7 damage, 6/12 (see Combat notes below)
Combat Challenge
Crushing Surge, Weapon Master's Strike
Dwarven Resilience, Hack and Hew
Dwarven Thrower Waraxe, Villain's Menace

Combat notes: +2 melee/close damage if Castile has THP, +2 to attack roll on OAs, OAs stop enemy movement
[/sblock]