Wednesday, June 12, 2013

The Bump in the Night

November 13th in the year 670 by Kingdom reckoning, early morning

The members of the first shift keep their eyes open but there is no sign of the two young men once they ride off. The camp they made is a decent one, with fallen logs used as benches and a nice fire with plenty of wood. There is a large tree to the West and a stream runs North of the camp about 20 feet away. Members of the group not on first watch fall asleep quickly after such a long ride. It is a quiet night.

At around 4 am, the second shift takes over. Dolgi, Rayna and Thor take up their places around the fire. It is quiet for a time and you think it may be an easy night when Dolgi hears something in the brush beyond the tree.

(The camp is laid out roughly in a circle, with a fire in the center and everyone sleeping around. I rolled dice and determined that the horses are tied up to the Northeast. Dolgi sits with his back to the tree, Rayna sits across from him and Thor sits to the south. The sound was then behind Dolgi and Dolgi was the only one to hear it. Dolgi, you have one action.)

64 comments:

  1. Dolgi stands up, keeping the tree behind him. Readying his crossbow, he peers around the tree. Not wanting to disturb the sleepers if it is an animal, he does not send out an alarm.

    (assuming that standing up and looking around the tree is one action. His crossbow would be readied. I guess at this point I am hoping the other watchers can see me move--well Rayna probably, Thor, depends. I am in my armor in case you were wondering)

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  2. As you peer into the darkness, looking for the source of the rustling, a vaguely humanoid form runs out of the bushes and heads straight for you. At the same instant, another similar creature jumps out of the brush and grabs for Rayna.

    They both look human at first glance but are both thin and pallid as death. It looks like their skin is so thin and tautly stretched that their bones might pierce through. Their hair hangs in dry, brittle hanks and their teeth, where they aren't rotted out of their heads, are sharp and vicious. They are wearing scraps of clothing and carry no weapons but their clawed hands. They make no sounds other than the crunching of their bare feet on the ground and the rustling of the leaves as they run into your camp.

    (Everyone please make an initiative roll. Thorvald, Dolgi and Rayna may act this round.)

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  3. ((Shade's Intiative: 16 + 1 = 17))

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  4. The monster tries to bite Dolgi and misses.

    (4+3 = 7 to hit)

    Dolgi is up. There is a creature in front of Dolgi and one in front of Rayna.

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  5. Dolgi takes a 5 foot step back and fires his crossbow.

    ((Attack 15 +2 +1 +1 = 19 (roll +Dex +BAB +PBS)))
    ((Damage 5 +1 = 6 (roll +PBS)))

    After he fires his bolt, he yells, "We are under attack, to arms, undead filth!!" Then drops his empty crossbow and pulls out his longsword.

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  6. That hits and your bolt sticks in the creature's shoulder.

    Everyone is awake and can go next round.

    Thorvald, then Rayna then the second creature can go this round.

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  7. "Raaaaagh!" Thorvald bellows in a furious rage as he charges the assailant nearest to Rayna.

    ((Sam, I intend to charge to a flanking position, if possible. If its possible, add 1 to my attack roll
    ((Attack Roll: 1d20 + 6(hit) + 1(mgc wep) +1(charge) = 14 + 6 + 1 + 1 = 22
    ((Dmg Roll: 2d6 + [4*1.5](str) + 1(mgc wep) = 5 + 3 + 6 + 1 = 15
    ((Penalty: -1 AC for 1 round due to charge

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  8. You can easily flank it and your attack hits. You make a violent slash across the creature's back and it falls to the ground.

    Rayna is up. There is one creature 5 feet from Dolgi.

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  9. Rayna takes a step back (5ft.) and channels energy toward both the undead creatures (30ft. radius if there are any others lurking around)
    (( 1d6 =1 (grrrr!) for 1 damage)

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  10. You hear more creatures moving toward your camp and you begin to smell the disgusting stench of death and decay.

    (Good intuition Rayna. FYI, the one standing in front of Dolgi did resist your channel but you probably did damage to some others.)

    Top of the round. Everyone not on watch is awake but you'll have to spend your move action standing up.

    The creature in front of Dolgi steps forward and attempts to bite him again and succeeds, dealing 6 points of damage. I also need two fortitude saves.

    (20 + 3 = 23 to hit, no crit, 5+1=6 points of damage)

    Dolgi's turn, then Thorvald.

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  11. Dolgi swings his longsword
    ((Attack 6+3=9 probably a miss))
    ((Fort saves 3+5=8,2+5=7, plus 2 each against spells, poison, spell like abilities, if that's what I am rolling against.))

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  12. Your sword swings wide as the creature dodges with uncommon speed.

    As his teeth pierce your skin your body stops responding and you are paralyzed. You stand still in place, you are able to think but you can't move, speak or take any actions.

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  13. Thorvald advances on Dolgi's attacker and launches a vicious strike.

    ((Power Attack: -1 attack roll, +2 damage rolls
    ((Reckless Abandon: -1 AC, +1 attack rolls
    ((Attack Roll: 1d20 + 6(hit) + 1(mgc wep) = 11 + 6 + 1 = 18
    ((Dmg Roll: 2d6 + [4*1.5](str) + 1(mgc wep) + 2 (Power Attack) = 2 + 4 + 6 + 1 + 2 = 15
    ((Penalty: -1 AC for 1 round due to reckless abandon

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    1. That is a hit and the creature falls to the ground, it's dark blood staining the grass at your feet.

      A third creature enters the fray from the southeast, zeroing in on Rayna.

      It attempts to bite her and fails.

      (position roll: 4-southeast. attack roll: 6+3 = 9)

      However, I need a fortitude save from everyone as the stench in the clearing becomes unbearable.

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    2. Yep, you're still breathing.

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    3. ((20+5=25))
      ((Can I confirm my crit?))

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    4. ((Thor's Fort Save 19+9=28))

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    5. (( Draymun's Fort Save: 18+3 = 21 ))

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  14. ((Shade 13 + 4 = 17 Fort Save))

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  15. Shade pulls out his Wand of Enlarge Person and turns to Kring forcing himself to concentrate on the task through the stench of rot and filth. Behind his heavy cowl he smiles as he sees the Orc get bigger, meaner and greener.

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  16. ((Fort Save for Ray is d20= 18+5 for 23))

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  17. Draymun springs to his feet and readies his weapon before unleashing a dart of acid at the newest creature to enter the fight.

    (( Target: creature near Rayna
    Acid Dart: 1d20+1(BAB)-1(Dex)
    Results: 15 vs Touch AC))

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    Replies
    1. (( Whoops! Forgot damage.
      Damage roll: 1d6
      Result: 6 ))

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  18. (I rolled and Kring passed his fort save too.)

    There is a nearly crippling stench of rotting flesh and death in the air and you think it's centered around the newest arrival to the clearing.

    (Anyone near this one has to save every round.)

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  19. The 5th creature runs out of the darkness from the northeast and also attempts to bite Rayna and because she is now flanked, succeeds

    (position roll: 2 - northeast, to hit 14 + 3 + 2 = 17, 4 + 1 = 5 damage and I need two more fort saves)

    Kring then Rayna. Kring, remember you are enlarged now thanks to Shade.

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    1. (Fort Saves for Rayna: 7+5 = 12, 6+5 = 11. You are also paralyzed and surrounded by the undead creatures.)

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  20. Since Kring is gone and Rayna is paralyzed, the final creature enters the camp and heads toward Dolgi. Thorvald is standing in it's way so it attempts to bite him and hits for 2 points of damage.

    (11+3 = 14 to hit, I believe that hits since your enraged AC is 15 and you attacked with Reckless Abandon. 2 points of damage and you make your Fort saves.)

    The first two creatures lie dead on the ground so there are three left, two flanking Rayna who is paralyzed and helpless, and one on Thorvald.

    Dolgi remains paralyzed so it is Thorvalds turn. Thorvald, your combat experience tells you that Rayna and Dolgi are in mortal danger if one of the monsters gets to them in their paralyzed state.

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  21. Looking around, Thorvald realizes that two of his friends are in mortal danger and has a moment of indecision before his instincts take over and he charges one of the creatures next to Rayna and brings his axe down in a vicious arc.

    ((Charge: -1 AC, +1 attack rolls
    ((Attack Roll: 1d20 + 6(hit) + 1(mgc wep) + 1(charge) = 14 + 6 + 1 + 1 = 22
    ((Dmg Roll: 2d6 + [4*1.5](str) + 1(mgc wep) = 4 + 3 + 6 + 1 = 14((Penalty: -1 AC for 1 round due to charge
    ((Rage Rounds used: 3/16

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    1. ((Charge: -1 AC, +1 attack rolls
      ((Enlarge: -1 AC, -1 attack rolls, +2 STR, +1d6 dmg roll
      ((Attack Roll: 1d20 + 6(hit) + 1(mgc wep) = 14 + 6 + 1 = 21
      ((Dmg Roll: 3d6 + [5*1.5](str) + 1(mgc wep) = 4 + 3 + 5 + 7 + 1 = 20
      ((Penalty: -2 AC for 1 round due to charge & enlarge
      ((Rage Rounds used: 3/16
      ((Enlarge duration: 1 min

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  22. The damage done by Draymun and Thor combined is too much for the monster and it succumbs.

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  23. Shade casts the grease spell in the area around the largest concentration of undead creatures.

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    1. Do you want it under the one attacking Rayna or the one attacking Dolgi. They are about 20 feet apart and I doubt you want to create it under any party members.

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    2. ((Under the one attacking Dolgi. Can I center it outside the ring so that the creature is on the edge, and Dolgi is clear?))

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    3. A puddle of grease appears under the creature but it avoids slipping with grace uncommon for the undead.

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    4. "Fly Harken and scout the surrounding woods! Let me know if there are more of these beasts.

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  24. Rayna watches in horror as the undead beasts creep closer to her friends but is unable to move even her pinky finger to cast a spell.

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  25. As Shade conjures up the puddle of oil, Draymun is shocked to see the creature remain standing, the assault on Dolgi continuing.

    "A tricky one, are ya? Let's see how you like this..."

    With a quick dash, he hurries over beside Dolgi in an attempt to assist in his defense before acting. With a snap of his fingers, a spark ignites on the ground just inside the newly formed oil ring.

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  26. The monster near Dolgi deftly avoids the searing flames and makes a full attack against Dolgi. He bites again and strikes Dolgi with one of his claws, dealing 10 points of damage and remains in the fire, taking 2 points of damage at the end of his turn.

    (15+2 = 17 reflex save. 19 + 3 = 21 bite, 9 + 3 = 12 claw 1, 20 + 3 = 23 claw 2, no critical. 4+4+2 = 10 damage)

    Rayna remains paralyzed and the one next to her attempts a coup de grace, biting her on the neck and dealing 10 points of damage. Rayna has to make a Fort save DC 20 to avoid dying.

    (coup de grace, full round attack 18+3 = 21 to hit, 3+5+2 = 10 points of damage.)

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  27. Thorvald cries out in grief as Rayna falls beside him, but he wastes no time, knowing that there would be time to grieve when they were out of danger. He charged back across the camp to where his Dwarven allies stood, attacking with all his might.

    ((Charge: +1 attack, -1 AC
    ((Enlarge: -1 AC, -1 attack rolls, +2 STR, +1d6 dmg roll
    ((Attack roll: 1d20 + 6(hit) + 1(mgc wep) = 15 + 6 + 1 = 22
    ((Dmg roll: 3d6 + [5*1.5](STR) + 1(mgc wep) = 4 + 5 + 3 + 7 + 1 = 20
    ((Rage Rnds: 4/16
    ((Enlarge duration: 54 sec

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  28. Shade screams with fury, pain and loss as he watches the ghoul savagely attack his friend and sees her limp limbs strike the ground. Calling upon magics infusing his very being Shade unleashes a fist of force that cuts through the air and strikes at the creature.

    (Ranged Touch Attack: 13 + 1 = 14, Dmg 1d4 + 1/2 lvl = 4)

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  29. Thorvalds attack bears the ghoul to the ground and it stops moving.

    Shade's kinetic blast catches the ghoul across the face and it snarls in pain.

    Draymun is up.

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  30. Draymun begins to snarl menacingly at the final ghoul as the carnage develops before his eyes. Gripping his war hammer with invigorated strength he charges with a ferocious bear roar, bringing the weapon down with great wrath.

    (( To-Hit: 1d20+4, Results: 16+4=20 ))
    (( Damage: 1d8+3, Results: 5+3=8 ))

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  31. It had taken 1 from Rayna's channel and 4 from Shade's attack so your attack is just enough to fell it.

    The battle is over. Dolgi lays on the ground, bleeding out and Rayna is already turning a pale, ashen color.

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  32. ((Stabilize roll 12 +5(i think)=17))

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    1. That's correct, the DC is 13 so you stabilize.

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    2. (( My Stabilize Spell is moot, then. It's an Orison, so it matters not. ))

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  33. (( Totally forgot about Totem Transformation, not that it was needed. Still, gotta try to remember that one for Minx. ))

    As the creature crumples Draymun stands enraged, his mighty shoulders heaving and eyes darting around in a wild fashion. As the adrenaline from battle begins to leave his veins, he straps his armaments back onto his person and begins to survey the battle-site.

    With sad eyes he looks over the fallen body of Rayna, and he shakes his head solemnly before kneeling down to draw her eyes closed. He says a little prayer under his breath before standing and turning to the others.

    He slowly walks over to Dolgi, injured and unable to move, and he begins to chant slowly and methodically before placing a hand on his friend, healing energies restoring his strength.

    (( Casting: Stabilize ))
    (( Casting: Cure Light Wounds: 1d8+2, Results: 4+2=6 ))

    As his companion's eyes open and he begins to regain his footing, Draymun once again stands and addresses his remaining comrades.

    "Once more, we have seen the untimely end of one of our troupe. Although we did not know Rayna for long, it was a time well spent. Selfless to the end, she always put the safety of others before her own." He removes his flask from his belt and begins to unscrew the top. "May the Great Bear watch and guide you from this plane, and grant you a feast worthy of one so noble." He raises the flask to the sky as he speaks before pouring a small amount on the ground. A moment of silence follows before he swigs from the container and returns it to his belt.

    "There is not much I can do for her this night, but after some meditation I can clean and prepare her for transport. Perhaps we can find her a proper burial until such a time as greater magic is known to us."

    He lowers his head in mourning and slowly walks over to Bear, slumping down against the mighty beast and closes his eyes with a great sigh.

    (( I can change a spell to allow me to instantly "clean" her corpse, leaving only her skeleton. Would make transporting her body much easier. Thoughts? ))

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  34. As Rayna's vision fades she sees out of the corner of her eye 5 more of the undead beasts sniffing a trail. She fears for her comrades, yet can do nothing to warn them. Suddenly and unexpectedly the leader lifts its grizzled head and looks into the woods and away from the camp! The beast sniffs the air and turns, growling and panting and with its fellow undead following gallops off in the direction of the fleeing half orc.

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  35. "I know that I have not been with all of you that long, but I have known loss and I gather from your tales that you all have as well. Let us not forget, let us carry her memory with us and know that with this loss we shall stand forevermore with her in our thoughts." That said Shade begins to turn back to gather up his things and his spellbook, gaining new strength for a day ahead. ((I will also cast a charge of Enlarge Person back into the wand))

    After gaining new spells for the day Shade returns to Rayna's side. "One more task must be done. Our friend was sworn to the gods, and if we do not address the issue at hand she may unwillingly serve darker things.... It is with regret that I must tell you... She will return as those beasts we fought unless we do something to combat this."

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  36. Dolgi awakes from the fog that his wounds caused. He rolls over and sees Rayna's lifeless body laying on the opposite side of the fire. He shakes his head, clearing out more of the cobwebs in his head. He is still not well, barely alive. He knows that only the quick thinking of his companions have saved his life and he, too, could be laying lifeless on the ground.

    As he gets to his feet, his head spins. The worst part was that he watched the battle unfold in front of him, but was not able to help. He kneels beside Rayna, laying his hand on Rayna's cheek he begins to weep. Dolgi remains watching over Rayna's body while the rest of the group finishes their morning routines.

    ((I am at 3HP))

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  37. Shade pulls out his rope and ties up the body of Rayna with almost the entire 50 foot length of rope, the remainder being used to secure her to the horse. Sweating from the effort he leans against a tree and pulls out his smoking pipe. "She is ready to travel, I can't guarantee much in the way of our safety if we don't find a cleric soon, maybe there will be something that can be done for her. If not, well she can always be held within the locked portion of the wagon, tied securely and held fast till we clear the mine and set up a proper containment area. She trusted in her gods and they will not abandon her. We may yet find a cure for the undeath we know awaits her, but patience must be exercised. I will take her on as my charge, although necromancy was never an area I choose to delve deeply into, my spellbooks author seemed to have quite the fascination and affinity for it. Maybe with time I can overcome my shortsightedness and find greater knowledge in this area. If we cannot save her, we can always end it then or even see that her just causes are put to a greater cause even in undeath and have her guard that which she swore an oath to protect." Mounting Shadow and checking that her binds and gag hold true Shade directs the horse toward where the others are gathered. "Let us set out. If we choose to continue towards our quarry we must do so now, every moment we delay is a moment lost.... And those two drunks will surely run out of drink and coin soon enough, coming back to Minx with tales of those hunting her and the knowledge of our passing. We are weaker than when we set out by two, and we may return weaker still, if at all, if we press onward, but the advantage we have gained and paid so dearly for will surely be lost. The choice is yours, I will follow the group in this, but know we must decide quickly and that we must ride true.

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  38. Dolgi barely gets the mule saddled. He sits down on a log panting. Taking a deep breath, he looks up at Shade and says, "I think we should head back to Bremel, lad. I am not feeling so well and I'd hate to be the cause of our failure to get Minx. We scared those lads quite well, I suspect they'll be out of the area quick as they can. In addition, I think I need to trade this crossbow in for a longbow, takes too long to load. I hate being worthless for half the fight..or longer." Dolgi shakes his head, takes another deep breath and mounts up.

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  39. Taking a careful measure of the body along the ride Shade realizes that Rayna will most likely remain among the dead and begins to silently thank the gods. As they approach Bremel Shade covers the body with a bedroll and leans forward, making himself heard above the patter of the hooves on the soft ground. "I believe that the requisite time has passed and our friend remains unrisen. Let us find her a priest to give her the proper burial rituals and the honors she rightly deserves." Realizing how the morale of the group is at an all time low he yells out, "And tonight, drinks are on me! Except for Draymun, you would think he was the bear with the way he throws the mead back!" Laughing half heartedly at his own joke Shade hopes that something can turn the spirit of this group back to the jovial times when the Half-Orcs Danglebones or the little Dwarven lady had them truly mirthful.

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