Kaylyn frowns as the creature tells her they aren't doing it right.  She does however tell the others what she was told.

"I'll hold off for now.  I'm really not sure what is going on or what our mission is."

"Trying to knock some senses into the senseless goo," explained Sekkar. "Then the big blob will command the beaten up small blob. Something like this."

WIS save: 3

Kastix is so fast off the mark this time that he casts his spell even before any of the warriors have a chance to strike at the ooze. Although the ooze succumbs to the magic, the spell is less potent than the tiefling expects... (So far the second pudding is unharmed, therefore only takes 3 necrotic damage.)

Rhayna continues to concentrate on the blessing from Sune, while Kaylyn refrains from direct attack for now. Pax stands in place in her blurry form, making small dancing motions as if to taunt the ooze. Sekkar is glad to be the one to strike at the monster, with Dawnbringer sharing in the exultation of combat against a creature of darkness.

As Sekkar's radiant blade pushes through the cracks in the floor, Glabbagool's voice returns to Rhayna's mind:

Sekkar's attacks aren't without consequence however, as each strike requires him to extend his sword hand close enough to the pudding to be exposed to its corrosive ectoplasm. (Sekkar's attacks result in 5 acid damage).

The pudding then attempts to strike at the shimmering warrior nearby, although it is unclear whether Pax's blurry form has any effect on the sightless creature...
Pseudopod v Pax: Attack: 14 Damage: 7 bludgeoning plus 25 acid damage.

Back to the top again

 Kastix 4, Zeno 1, Rhayna 28, Kaylyn 21, Pax 18, Sekkar 13, Glabbagool 10, Pudding 6, 

Rhayna says to her colleagues. “Keep hitting at the ooze, but not too hard!!”

Pax looks back at Rhayna as she plays the role of live bait...and roles her eyes....."Right....this is going great. Sekkar, don't kill it." 

Pax decides to try and blast the thing....Eldritch Blast : Attack: 17 Damage: 7

Rhayna deduces that Glabbagool is attempting somehow to persuade or charm the pudding, and that the more damaged the pudding becomes, the more likely Glabbagool will be to succeed. 

Anyone else with an action? I only have Rhayna and Pax for this round. Also, is anyone else in the corridor besides Pax and Sekkar?

(Was impatiently waiting for Kastix, Zeno and Kaylyn since they have the first kill-right :) )

Sekkar is doing his best to chop the thing gently without killing it:

Attack: bless 1+ 17 Damage: 10 + 2

Attack: bless 2+ 21 Damage: 12 + 3 

 (non-lethal strikes if he hits something)

"I don't really get what's going on what here's some more," Kastix cast Toll the Dead once more, "This Underdark is so weird I'm a dinosaur island,"

Wis Save: 16

Damage: 17

(I have no idea if we can deal "non-lethal" damage to the slimes, but....)

Pax looks at both Sekkar and Kastix, "Look. Stop trying to kill the slimes you mighty warriors. We're trying to just beat them up a bit, then give this other weird slime creature a chance to try and take control of their minds or something. If it doesn't work, we hit it again, and it tries again. Let's designate one beater-upper, ok?  I'll shout a name, and you attack, everyone else hold back."  

She glances to see if this slime thing has been killed or not. 

She glances back, "Also, this is the weirdest thing I've ever done by far, in several ways."  

There are rules for knocking out a creature instead of killing it. Basically it's an option you can choose when you deal damage that reduces it to zero HP. I think those creatures that are immune to the unconscious condition can't be knocked out, but oozes aren't so I guess they can. I didn't offer it the first time, because everyone was in 'kill' mode, but for this one I can stop combat if/when the pudding gets to zero. Of course if the pudding is knocked out then can Glabbagool mind-control it? Hmmm.

I'm not sure if just the characters are acting confused, or the players are actually confused, so I'll clarify. Glabbagool has a 0% chance to 'turn' the pudding at full health, 25% at 3/4 health, 50% at 1/2 health, and 75% at 1/4 health. I roll a d4 each time it's his turn. The challenge for you is to slow down the damage-dealing while still withstanding the pudding's attacks, rather than it being just another "hack-till-dead" combat.

The adventure as written DOES have Glabbagool the sentient gelatinous cube, and DOES have black puddings under the floor, but I made up the bit about him trying to control and lead them.

((Looks like there are not that many video-gamers here and no tamers too - standard practice for applying some conditions: first you reduce the mob to certain amount of HP. ))

Sekkar does try to keep pudding alive but beaten up.

Kaylyn continues to watch.  She is unsure that she can control her power to only harm the creature and not outright kill it.

Pax waits to see if the latest round of strikes has subdued this pudding enough for the other creature to control it. 

(Only rolled d8 before for Kastix's Toll the Dead, so I'll add another 7 now)

WIS save: 0

Kastix's loud gong and Pax's blasts weaken the pudding considerably, so when Sekkar strikes his first blow and sees the ooze starting to break up, he withholds his second attack.

1 (LOL. Anything but a 1 would have worked)

Rhayna can sense Glabbagool's frustration as the cube again fails to control the weakened pudding. Worse yet, the two puddings from the other two corridors have evidently sensed the disturbance nearby, and have emerged from their holes and slurped their way to the end of the corridors...

Pudding#2 v Pax: Attack: 9 Damage: 9 bludgeoning plus 23 acid

Pudding#3 v Kaylyn: Attack: 19 Damage: 4 bludgeoning plus 21 acid

Pudding#4 v Zeno: Attack: 14 Damage: 4 bludgeoning plus 21 acid

Pudding #2 is at very low health. Pudding #3 and #4 are at full health. Rhayna's Bless is still active.

 Everyone!

Kastix 4, Zeno 1, Rhayna 28, Kaylyn 21, Pax 18, Sekkar 13, Glabbagool 10, Puddings 6

Pax attempts to kick the slime in front of her while saying, "Soften up the other ones.  Or...I guess they're already soft, so....just....ug....whatever..hit them..."

Attack: 11 Damage: 3

Kaylyn begins to get frustrated as the acid of the new slime causes burns on her skin. She directs her thoughts at Glabbagool "I'm not sure what your game is creature but I won't stand here and die for your stupid feast or whatever you are doing!" She directs her power at the slime that attacked her.

Attack: 18 Damage: 14

Attack: 14 Damage: 9

she then heals herself for 9 HP.

Forgot to add bless to the rolls. 4 and 1

"Slice," remarked Sekkar, "those things can be sliced until you reduce them enough that they can not fight anymore. Let's try on the next one".

He marked another pudding (number 3?) and tried to do just that - slice:

Attack: bless 3+ 25 Damage: 16 + 2

Attack: bless 1+ 12 Damage: 12 + 4 

Rhayna starts to get worried when all the puddings comes together, but she puts on a brave face. "Don't worry Glabbagool, we are actually a pretty capable bunch. My colleagues will aid you." She tries her best to smile and reassure the jelly everything will be all right. She then shouts to the group. "Guys, please do not hurt the one we were attacking any further, concentrate on the new enemies."

She holds her pendant to Pudding #3, and casts Toll the Dead (WIS Save 15, damage: 12)

"Did it just go from annoying to bad!?" Kastix shouts as he points at the new slimes, looking for area farther from all of them, "I feel like this is worst.  Aestu Es!" Kastix casts Scorching Ray at 3rd level. Two rays at each of the new slimes.

#3

Attack: 21 Damage: 9

Attack: 11 Damage: 6

#4

Attack: 20 Damage: 3

Attack: 20 Damage: 9

Zeno: Rapier v Pudding #4: Attack: 9 Damage: Unable to parse dice roll.

 WIS save: 1

The approaching puddings are exposed above water level, so Kastix can once again more effectively cast his fire magic, burning holes in both the oozes at once.

Pax lays a boot into the severely damaged pudding while continuing to avoid its flailing psuedopod. Zeno hears Sekkar's suggestion, and attempts to slash at his own pudding with his rapier, but as his weapon has more of a sharp point than a wide blade, he only manages to poke more holes in the slime. However the ancient rapier starts to hiss and smoke as the acid from the pudding starts to corrode the metal blade.

While Kaylyn launches her eldtrich bolts to good effect, Rhayna summons her spectral books once more, slamming them against Kaylyn's attacker, but its hunger seems to be too great and the attack doesn't seem to slow it down at all. Sekkar attempts to slice the same pudding, but Dawnbringer only manages to sear the ooze with her radiant glowing blade.

3

Sekkar takes 16 acid damage during his attack
Zeno takes 5 acid damage during his attack, and his rapier suffers a -1 penalty to damage rolls.

An exultant voice penetrates Rhayna's mind as Glabbagool declares: I have done it. The disobedient one has acquiesced to my leadership. Your followers have done well, Rhayna. This is very helpful. Please continue to instruct them according to your wisdom.

The pudding beside Pax ceases its attacks and withdraws back into the hole in the floor. The other two however continue to press their attacks...

Pudding#3 Psuedopod v Kaylyn: Attack: 23 Damage: 5 bludgeoning plus 18 acid damage

Pudding #4 Psuedopod v Zeno: Attack: 23 Damage: 4 bludgeoning plus 20 acid damage

Everyone's turn again