Jaidoh Palumbra |
Whatever is inside this box is not magical. But we were instructed to not disturb it. I can store it in my pack and I will stay out of harms way as much as possible. One issue is that we are fighting undead and my magical abilities are a little more limited against these unholy abominations.
Turning to their new companions: We were asked to look into the walking dead by our employer. We are to be pain once we have completed the task. The temple is giving him what is in this box as their payment to him.
Jerry Brightstone |
Jerry looks solemn for all of four seconds, then burst into his typical smile.
"Walking dead--I'm in. At least it is not the dancing dead. A famous stage star tried a Thriller performance with dancing dead. Needless to say, I was not a big fan."
Blackhands of the Redeemer |
"It is well that our paths have crossed, for as a vessel of Sarenrae the Sun's Blessing will be of great aid against these foes," states 'Blackhands' with a self-assured fervor.
He smiled at Jerry's quip, responding, "I take it, then, that you were not 'okay'?"
Michael Jackson references for the win?
Jaidoh Palumbra |
That was Bad. Unlike me, this is not all Black and White, there are Dangerous monsters out there which must be destroyed before we can Heal the World.
Please don't get me started on this, I spent an entire week quoting Ozzy songs on one pbp only to find out that nobody on the thread listened to Ozzy Osborn. What a bunch of putzes.
Blackhands of the Redeemer |
That was Bad.
I know, but felt refering to Billie Jean and asking if "the artist" wasn't his lover might have been inappropriate. I'm not at all familiar with any of the other songs on Thriller as MJ was a bit before my time so went to Bad/Smooth Criminal as a more PC alternative.
Utrath Pallan |
"Do we want these temple maidens to join us on this mission, it will have dangers than they have faced before, of that I am sure. We don't want to nanny the temples own along with us. Though if your god gives you powers over these undead, you may very well be an aid to us, Blackhands. Oostog, Rabe, Jaioh what say you? " says Utrath, unsure of these two who want to join the group.
The druid Utrath, looks to his companions, whilst circling the two men hoping to join them, looking them up and down, hoping to see what strengths they have to offer the group. "fear not, all fall before your axe, live or dead, Ostog." He moves over to the strong man and claps his arm round his shoulder in support, "Though I have never come across them myself, I'm sure your strength and arms will be more than a match for them."
DM Aron Marczylo |
For some reason, when saying Walking Dead, I think of the TV show or the awesome video game. Currently working on the map, will take me a while to construct. should've started a few days ago.
Jaidoh Palumbra |
Jaidoh simply shrugs: We were all strangers until a few days ago. And two have already left our small group. We could use these additional hands as long as they understand that they will receive only an equal share and that there is a strong risk of death where we go.
DM Aron Marczylo |
Rabe should be at full hp I believe.
The abbot leads you out of the temple and towards the entrance of the Centaph.
"Be careful. After we sent our group in we heard scratching from the inside of the door." she looks back at the group We also heard hissing, we believe there are some ghouls inside."
DM Aron Marczylo |
"Ghouls?, are they a family of the walking dead?" Ostog asks as the abbot finishes.
"They are intelligent." she points out to the Ulfan man. "They eat the bodies of the dead, are armed with claws and they have a poison that paralyses the body, but they are weak to positive energy like all undead."
Jerry Brightstone |
Jerry nods: "I welcome the opportunity to prove my worth. I would like to think I can be upgraded to amusing diversion over a distraction. Some day we may even prove to be downright useful."
Jerry claps Blackhands on the back.
"Well met all. Let us get down to business."
Jaidoh Palumbra |
While I am much more comfortable in the shadows, I understand that creatures such as undead are weakened by light. So, if you have the ability to create light, that will be helpful. I have the ability to cause minor harm to undead, but no spells that will be of great benefit compared to the spells I have that affect the living.
Blackhands of the Redeemer |
"Either of you should go first, as I am not meant to deliver blows directly," he said with a wry smile, holding up his burnt hands and arms to indicate their unsuitability for combat.
DM Aron Marczylo |
Map nearly done.
The doors before you are large wooden doors, closed for the moment and the abbot dismisses the guards.
"We will be waiting out here for you. Please, clense anything you find in there and let the dead rest in peace." she states simply before handing the key to the group. "I would like the key returned to me afterwards."
Jerry Brightstone |
Jerry gives the group another big grin. "I usually walk in front. I can sweet talk my way out of any situation.....except for maybe this one."
He seems to reconsider. "Count me out on this flip. I don't like my odds at charming walking dead with humrous anecdotes."
Utrath Pallan |
"Ah, the darkness of the earth calls. Let Ostog and Rabe go first, then our new friends can take a position, before Jaidoh and I follow you in." the grey man says, as he feels more relaxed with going down into the cellars and crypt underground. He takes the key from the abbot. "As you wish, we intend to return with the key." he says smiling as the key is placed in his pocket. Despite his new found confidence, he frowns at the Varasian's words.
Utrath Pallan |
As the two strong men agree on the toss of a coin, Utrath takes the key and slowly unlocks the door, his grey skin darkening in the excitement, and opens it it for the group to enter. He stands momentarily in the doorway, looking into the darkness beyond. "It is done, our mission begins." he says with some aplomb, as he lets Rabe and the others enter, before locking the door behind them after any light spells have been cast.
Perception 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9
DM Aron Marczylo |
As Rabe and Ostog are by the doors and they are opened, you are exposed to a grisley display with blood all over the place, yet only one complete dead body of a priest against the door, which collapses to the ground. It's fingernails broken from the scratching and a few chunks taken out of his flesh. All that's left of the others appears to be a odd arm or foot left there with four different blood stains trailing off deeper into the catacombs, down 4 different paths, but the entral path appears to be clear.
Ostog manages to be at a position where he gets a look at a shambling undead down the corridor to your left.
Round 1
Team Iniative:
Rabe the Huntsman: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14
Ostog Oath-Breaker: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9
Jaidoh Palumbra: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9
Utrath Pallan: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7
Jerry Brightstone: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13
Blackhands of the Redeemer: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 1 = 17
???: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16
Zombies: 1d20 ⇒ 11
Order:
Blackhands of the Redeemer
???
Rabe The Huntsman
Jerry Brightstone
Zombies
Jaidoh Palumbra
Ostog Oath-Breaker
Utrath Pallan
Blackhands of the Redeemer |
Imageshack is blocked at work, so can't see the map.
Round 1
"Take heart, friends, for the light of the Dawnflower is with you!" exclaims Black in a quiet but intense voice.
I'm going to Delay for now in order to conserve resources.
DM Aron Marczylo |
You start to hear a hissing coming down from two of the tunnels as two humanoid creatures appear, wearing leather armour that is torn into peices that have specific markings upon them. They have long tongues and as one steps close to Rabe you can smell that it's breath is aweful and see drips of some sticky fluid coming off it's teeth and adding to it's Saliva.
Another comes out of the closest tunnel to the right, also walking down the blood trail and wearing a similar uniform. Both appear to have black spheres in their clawed hands that appear to give a soft hum.
Order:
Ghouls
Blackhands of the Redeemer - now
Rabe The Huntsman
Jerry Brightstone
Zombies
Jaidoh Palumbra
Ostog Oath-Breaker
Utrath Pallan
If you know of a image sight that lets you through I could use that or maybe a proxy?
You don't know why, but you can see something the rest of the party can't which are these strangy smokey trendils eminating from the small orbs. The trendils lead into the monsters, zombies and into alcoves where fresh buried bodies are. There are also many more eminating from deep into the catacombs, however you can't see far enough to tell where they're coming from.
The creatures before you are known as Ghouls. They are undead creatures that feed on the flesh of the recently dead and are common site in graveyards. No one knows where they origonated from, but some theories point to humans who might have eaten the flesh of the dead to survive and been transformed by the experience.
Their hands are claws which drip in a fluid that can paralyse, just as their fangs do, however Elves are, for some unknown reason, immune to this effect and no one knows why.
Being a more powerful undead than the typical zombies of skeletons, they have resistance to channeled energy from any being who can. This makes them more difficult to destroy or control through these means.
The bite of a Ghoul is worse than the paralysing effects of it's poison. They carry a disease known as Ghoul Fever which forces a humanoid to decompose and on the next midnight after they die, they come back to as ghouls. They retain no abilities or knowledge of what they were in life, nor are they under the control of any ghouls. However, more powerful humanoids that die this way is raised as a Ghast which is a more powerful version of the ghoul and it's paralysis even affects elves and are more intelligent, hunting in packs and having a stench radiate around them. They also have a great vision in the dark.
The Ghoul's disease appears to be their best and possibly only way for the creatures to procreate others of their kind. No matter how many you wipe out, there are always more either hidden in the sewers are far deeper underground in the dead cities of the underdark where they are all civilised, wearing robes and bibs as they sit at a banquet hall for their feast on the dead flesh. What's even more frightening is that there have been recordings of humans who have been transformed into ghouls unnaturally from some unknown magic or poisons entering their bloodstream.
More fightening that even that is the exsistance of ghouls that look human and don't have the horrific visage of a ghoul, but are able to walk amungst the humans without having any side effect of death besides pale skin. They are rare, but do infact exsist.
The markings on the leather appears to be that of one of the local Sczarni groups. Why on earth they're wearing it, you don't know.
Utrath Pallan |
Utrath touches Rabe, as he brings the power of the earth to aid mind and body against the evils of the undead. Utrath then takes the club hanging by his side arming himself with it to defend himself against the living dead.
Casts resistance on Rabe, +1 on saves for 1 minute.
Blackhands of the Redeemer |
I can access Google Docs (er, Drive, now) - Jaidoh can tell you more about just how he does that.
Knowledge (Religion): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18
"Ghouls! Their slightest touch can paralyze you if they land a blow, so be careful!" cautions Black.
Reach out out to touch Ostog on the shoulder, 'Black' releases a portion of his energy into the ranger. "Ostog, feel the light of the Sun!"
Actions: Standard - Protection from Evil on Ostog, Move - none
HP 9/9
AC 16, Touch 12, Flat 14
In Hands: none
Conditions: none
Spells used: 1st - 1/4
Channels used: none
Jerry Brightstone |
Jerry is surprised at the fearsome appearance of the ghouls.
"Don't think they would fall for my charm. I'll try to distract one."
Jerry approaches and uses his whip to attempt to trip a ghoul. Unfortunately his whip fails to do the job.
Trip with reach
CM: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9
May have to drop the whip.
Rabe the Huntsman |
I snarl at the foul creatures that have appeared before us, almost to myself I say, "The unnaturalness that is undeath." and swing mightily at the one in front of me me O-12
Attack 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24
Possible Crit 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20
Damage 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (1, 4) + 4 = 9
Crit Damage 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (6, 3) + 4 = 13
Jaidoh Palumbra |
Oh my, these creatures are but a shadow of life. A shadow that should not exist.
Jaidoh then turns and gestures toward the ghoul.
May the light remove the shadow of your existence.
Cast Disrupt Undead @ whichever looks more injured.
Attack-ray-touch: 1d20 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (7) + 1 - 4 = 4
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 1
Unfortunately her unfamiliarity with these monstrosities is apparent as her spell goes wide.
DM Aron Marczylo |
DM blinks after a long day out with his love as he noticed one of his players just butchered a Ghoul before it even attacked.
Note: Made a mistake on teh knowledge religion DCs. Reduce them by 5.
Blackhands casts his spell and touches Ostog with his blackened hands, blessing him in a holy aura that appears to repel the creatures for a moment.
Rabe appears to have a real unnatural hate for the undead as his first blow of combat he removes the creature's head in a single swing. It's head rolls before it's body collapses, still grasping the black orb in it's hand which appears to continue resonating.
Jerry attempts to trip the remaining Ghoul, but he instead ends up dropping his whip as he fails to get a good enough tug on the creature.
You hear some Shambling and two zombies come into view, also wearing tattered remains of the same leather, however they clearly stuggle to move and all life has gone from their visage with their eyes glazed over. One of them not even appearing to notice that part of his intestine is hanging out.
Jaidoh's beam of energy misses and strikes a coffin, which appears to shatter what appeared to be a body that was slowly being animated.
The magical attack appeared to disrupt the smokey tredrils, weakening them, but only slightly. You can now feel as if a presance is now looking through the orbs and stareing at you. In fact, you see a single eye leering back in the orbs. It's yellow and with a black slit like that of a snake.
Ostog's swing comes in hard, smashing into the creature and horribly wounding it, making it hiss as it manages to continue to stand, despite the horrible wound to it's chest.
though Ostog had a spiked shield now? He's not attacking with that too?
Utrath Pallan touches Rabe's shoulder, giving him a blessing of the earth to make him hardier in battle.
round 2
Order:
Ghouls
Blackhands of the Redeemer - now
Rabe The Huntsman
Jerry Brightstone
Zombies
Jaidoh Palumbra
Ostog Oath-Breaker
Utrath Pallan
The lone Ghoul, angered by Rabe's instant kill attempt to bite and claw Rabe. The bite misses, however the only free hand the ghoul has manages to strike the Barbarian hard and the leaky poison entering his body, though Rabe's powerful physique, aided by Utrath's blessing he appears to be uneffected by the poison.
Bite: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10
Claw: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22
damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6
1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19
Rabe the Huntsman |
Feeling my muscles begin to harden after the strike, I fight against it and overcome the ghoul's poison. Realizing I was wounded by the creature I begin to rage and strike out at the remaining ghoul.
Attack 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8
But the after affects of the poison make me clumsy and I miss.
Jerry Brightstone |
Rnd 2
Jerry leaves his whip on the ground and draws a javelin.
From his position he heaves it at the approaching zombie, careful to steer it around his new companions. Invoking his innate luck for the first time, he hopes it helps.
Ranged/damage: 1d20 + 2 - 4 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 2 - 4 + 1 = 71d6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
Once again the entertainer proves more suited to campfire storytelling than combat.
One archeologists luck expended. -4 for cover on javelin throw.
Blackhands of the Redeemer |
Round 2
Black reaches out to Ostog a second time and casts yet another spell on the man, saying, "May Sarenrae guide your arm!"
Actions: Standard - Cast Guidance on Ostog, Move - None
Status as above in Round 1
DM Aron Marczylo |
Rabe's attack misses wildly.
Jerry hurls a Javelin at one of the zombies, but it just misses, landing at the creature's feet.
don't believe the one you can see well has cover, but could be wrong.
The zombies lurch forward now, one running at Jerry and lashing out with it's fists.
attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17
damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9
the other wheels around the corner and stops infront of Rabe, but it doesn't appear to have enough energy to attack this round.
Round 2 still
Order:
Ghouls
Blackhands of the Redeemer
Rabe The Huntsman
Jerry Brightstone
Zombies
Jaidoh Palumbra - now
Ostog Oath-Breaker
Utrath Pallan
Jaidoh Palumbra |
Jaidoh takes a deep breath and calls upon the arcane to again smite these unliving horrors.
Cast Disrupt Undead;
Attack-ranged touch: 1d20 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (15) + 1 - 4 = 12
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 3
Aiming at ghoul.
Ostog Oath-Breaker |
Ostog smiles grimly as Rabes first attack levels his attacker and he hits his own. Like back in Nisroch, well no unliving then
Feeling the divine power surge trough him Ostog renews his attack on his opponent.
Attack O,13: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 5 + 1 = 8
Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10
DM Aron Marczylo |
Jaidoh's ray appears to mess with the creature's life force, weakening it, but it remains standing just barely.
Ostog tries to strike the creature, but misses completely as Utrath empowers Ostog.
Round 3
1d4 ⇒ 1
The orb the ghouls is holding seems to pulsate a bit more and the ghoul's wounds slowly knit themselves together. Only a few minor wounds are sown up this way. The other orb in the other ghoul's had does nothing since the ghoul's head is removed.
The Ghoul attacks Rabe once again, but this time neither it's fangs nor claws connect this time.
bite: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15
claw: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9
Order:
Ghouls
Blackhands of the Redeemer - now
Rabe The Huntsman
Jerry Brightstone
Zombies
Jaidoh Palumbra
Ostog Oath-Breaker
Utrath Pallan