Balter Farshadow |
"Not Dovan, if that's what you're asking," Balter says to Hrafen, tossing a glance in the direction of the tower. "Shady as the guy seems, he's not an immediate threat. We'll see what changes with him after the Stag Lord's head rolls."
Vladimir Ducheski |
"Sounds like we are all in agreement then, we make our way toward the Stag Lord's fort."
DM Bloodgargler |
Stag Lord info collected so far...
"This (Blinder's Bluff) was to be an out-post... heh... Dovan always liked playing soldier."
"Few more than a dozen still at the fort... Used to be more when Dovan was Stag Lord's second. Akiros "Lady-Locks" has taken over... cut back. That's when we pulled men from here-"
"Topper - makes sure the Stag Lord always has plenty to drink and playthings plucked from the fields and wagon trails... only way to keep the big guy entertained-"
"the fort on Tuskwater Lake. North side... between the rivers Skunk and Shrike. We're prob'ly near twenty miles from it way out here."
"We don't usually wander this much north of Middleridge Trail any more... " "
"he keeps a watch... at least one at the gate... usually a couple. Just watchin for deliveries... never any trouble."
Interrogation of Mulgin(bruiser), and Jence(swordsman) after seizing Topper's shipment, and removing his head--
The swordsman answers, "... Top said we could earn ourselves some serious gold gettin supplies and such to Nugrah's fort - Stag Lord's now... his boy."
The bruiser nods, "You wanna see one mean monster of a man... head on over there."
The swordsman adds, "Aye. Even the Shrike takes issue with that beast."
"We dunno much about Nugrah... Those who were around then don't care to jaw too much 'bout him. Was some heroic fella back in the fight against the fey when we were but babes. The fort was meant to be the start of a proper city. Went off his rocker when he lost his wife and killed a whole mess of folks."
--Marlbeck Sneeg pg66
"No one knows where he came from. Some say he was born of the wild. He wears an antlered skull helm... to my knowledge no one has seen his true face. My brother Falgrim and I were recruited by Dovan. I was placed in one of the outer patrol camps... I've only been within the fort once. That was the day a man named Akiros Ashmoor took Dovan's place as second-in-command. This fella Akiros ratted out a supposed betrayer - he was Dovan's man. The Stag Lord crushed this man's hand to pulp in one fist, then killed him with one punch."
"Many of us were cleared out soon after. Stag Lord must be paranoid or somethin. I'd guess he's likely only got a dozen or so men in the fort now... though there's a good chance he's still got a mess more workin for'im who come and go."
Vladimir Ducheski |
Hearing his companions thoughts on the matter, Vladimir nods in agreement.
"It might be worthwhile to see Papa Grundy about a bit of his brew. It is said that the Stag Lord likes his drink and that there is one gate. Perhaps we set ourselves up as delivery folk, at least long enough to negate the advantage of distance and a guarded gate."
"Any further thoughts or suggestions?" the swordsman asks the others.
Vladimir Ducheski |
Vladimir raises an eyebrow, hearing Marisol's question.
"I suspect either would be appropriate, but my guess is that our ruse will only last long enough to get us into the fort. Given that, your armor may serve you better than a revealing outfit."
A noticeable amount of anger enters Vladimir's voice as he adds, "Beyond that, based on what we saw when last saw Topper Red, I do not believe the Stag Lord prefers his companions be willing."
Vladimir Ducheski |
"Alright then, let's be on our way." Vladimir says walking toward Papa Grundy's house, stopping briefly to whisper something to Marisol.
Arriving at Papa Grundy's front porch, Vladimir knocks on the door.
Marisol Surtova |
Marisol whispers back to Vlad.
She grins, then stays behind Vlad and off the porch, waiting a bit back so that she's not crowding Papa Grundy's doorway.
Balter Farshadow |
"Good plan," Balter agrees. "I won't be the one spinning the b$@#**~% story, though. I'd probably end up starting the fight at the Stag Lord's doorstep. Let's just hope that we don't get in too deep, though."
As they wait on Papa Grundy to answer the door, he adds, "Might as well try his brew for myself, while we're here."
Vladimir Ducheski |
"Indeed we are. Again, thank you for your hospitality." Vladimir says to the owner of the barn.
"We do have a couple of questions to ask of you, if you would indulge us. First, what would the cost of a couple of cases of your finest be? Secondly, where nearby would be able to procure a cart and perhaps a mule capable of carrying said cases?"
Durielle Omenstar |
Durielle wakes prepares her Natural Divination as usual. She is unable to trigger part of her power being without fresh entrails to read, so she at least prepares two.
She dresses and assists with breakfast preparation, humming softly as she works. She finds the future images very distracting today and has difficulty following the conversation due to the overlapping vision of several near-present foretellings.
Once their path has been decided, she finds her head a bit clearer, but mainly because she focuses on those visions related to her friends' whispers.
"Hmmm...hmmm," she mutters allowing her mind to follow some of the those threads of future with an amused smile.
She waits patiently as they approach Papa Grundy's door having only interjected once to remind them they need to get their mounts before pressing forward.
DM Bloodgargler |
Grundy thinks it over.."Could get ya a horse or a goat... Riggle's got only mule I know of, and he's pretty partial to the thing. I need my wagon.. but I've got a cart with a busted wheel I've been putting off fixin... gimme an hour or so and I'll get it going."
"Sixty gold for two cases.. I'll throw in the cart to put you all off the notion of haggling."
There appear to be twenty four bottles per crate.
(Other than however long it takes to cross the river, it's about a 20 minute hike to where your horses are.)
Vladimir Ducheski |
"Perfect. Sixty gold seems like a fair enough price. We will return shortly." Vladimir says, handing the requisit gold to Papa Grundy.
Turning back to his companions, Durielle in particular, he asks, "Shall we retrieve our mounts? Hopefully our friend in the river will not be overly problematic."
Vladimir Ducheski |
"No problem at all, Marisol." Vladimir says.
"I figured it was my plan and Papa Grundy did not seem in the mood to haggle, so why drag things out."
DM Bloodgargler |
You return to where you'd left your boat. As it is dragged into the river, the Shrike churns and froths at your feet.
Knowing what's to come, you have a moment to prepare yourselves before Nettles fully forms.
Balter init: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22
Durielle init: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6
Hrafen init: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25
Marisol init: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22
Vladimir init: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5
Enemy init: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (7) - 1 = 6
Surprise round for party, then by init.
I'll post a map after work tomorrow.. outta time tonight.
Vladimir Ducheski |
"He can be beaten if Dovan makes a regular habit of dueling him." Vladimir encourages as he begins to reach for his blade.
Surprise Round action, start Inspire Courage. +1 to competence bonus to attacks and damage, +1 morale bonus on saves vs. fear.
Balter Farshadow |
"That's certainly encouraging," Balter says with a cocky chuckle, though he cannot quite conceal his anxiety. He proceeds to murmur something under his breath, before placing either hand on the pommels of his swords.
Casting lead blades; Balter's weapons inflict damage as though they were one size category larger. So longsword (2d6) and short sword (1d8).
Hrafen Vormenghast |
Hrafen nods.
"Agreed."
He waits for the creature to form, and then tosses a brace of force missiles into him.
Magic Missile: 4d4 + 8 ⇒ (4, 3, 2, 4) + 8 = 21 Force damage.
DM Bloodgargler |
Nettles rises, and the water begins to form around his drenched putrefied flesh.
"Yooooou have not brought my tormentoooor..."
Hrafen's arcane bolts slam into Nettles.. the water which had been enveloping him drops... His gaze goes to Hrafen.
"Haunt the living until it is done..."
The water-logged zombie hovers inches above the river. His ranseur rises to his outstretched hand.
Round 1
Balter, Durielle (plus single action), Hrafen, Marisol
then Nettles
then Vladimir
Durielle Omenstar |
Surprise Round: Durielle looks perplexed as everyone gets ready to steal a boat by the water and fight Nettles to do so.
"Why aren't we just crossing the bridge?" she asks no in particular with a frown. "Can't we just ask Master Duchester for help with Nettles again?"
Durielle sighs, knowing no one is probably listening to her, She reaches out into the timespace and layers herself with possibilities. It makes her a little bit harder to discern as different variations of each of her actions seems trailed by ghostly images of other actions she may have taken.
Durielle activates Time Flicker: As a standard action, you can flicker in and out of time, gaining concealment (as the blur spell). You can use this ability for 1 minute per oracle level that you possess per day. This duration does not need to be consecutive, but it must be spent in 1-minute increments.
First Round: Durielle summons power from her ability to change time and fixes a less wounded Balter from the future possibilities in her mind. By forcing her will onto it, she makes this future more likely affecting Balter in the present. She exhales with the effort and draws her longbow to aid in the upcoming fight.
Durielle casts shield of faith on Balter. He gains +2 AC for 4 minutes
Balter Farshadow |
"Yeah, yeah, we get it, old man," Balter says dismissively, drawing his swords. Their blades sound unusually heavy grinding against their sheathes. He turns them over in his hands, balancing them properly. "It's on our to-do list. But for now, let's see how we measure up to Dovan against you..."
The half-elf closes the distance, moving right to the shoreline (H8) before taking a swing at the undead creature.
Longsword Power Attack (Inspired): 1d20 + 9 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 9 - 2 + 1 = 22
Damage (Inspired, Lead Blades, Power Attack): 2d6 + 6 + 1 + 4 ⇒ (2, 3) + 6 + 1 + 4 = 16
Marisol Surtova |
Marisol wrenches her cutlass from its sheath as she stalks forward with a sigh. "Let's do this, then," she says.
Concentration check: Disrupt Undead: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24
Cutlass attack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18 (+1 from inspiration)
Cutlass damage: 1d6 + 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (1) + (2) + 4 = 7
She barks an arcane syllable that charges her cutlass with positive energy as she slashes.
Dunno if Nettles has DR, but the mithral cutlass counts as a magic silver weapon.
DM Bloodgargler |
Balter and Marisol deal enough damage to halt Nettles advance. As he is hacked open... a foul stench exudes from his putrid flesh.
He steps back... treading on the surface of the Shrike. He levels the tip of his ranseur blade at Marisol.
"Slumber in solace nevermore.... I.. undying.. will haunt you... I come for you until it is done..."
Bits of the zombie which'd been hacked off, coalesce on the surface of the river. A gentle crest laps the tattered flesh back in place.
all within 30' DC16 Fort save or sickened (poison effect)
Marisol DC16 Will save or be shaken 4rds (cha-based fear effect)
BDHMV: 1d5 ⇒ 4
Hrafen and Vladimir up
Vladimir Ducheski |
Fort Save DC 16: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20
Vladimir fights back the urge to vomit, thouroughly disgusted by Nettles's stench, but none-the-less moves toward the vengeful spirit while continuing to encourage his companions.
Free Action - Maintain Inspire Courage, Move to (G,11)
Slogging his way through the now knee deep water, Vladimir slashes at the undead monstrosity, his blade cutting deep into the creature's side.
Dueling Sword: 1d20 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 9 + 1 = 23 (inspire)
Damage: 1d8 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 4 + 1 = 13 (inspire)
Balter Farshadow |
Fortitude: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10
Balter retches when the odor assails his senses, compelling him to cover his mouth with the back of his wrist.
"Well that... wasn't so... bad," he manages to get out, fighting against the urge to vomit. "Damned spirits..."
Vladimir Ducheski |
"Well that certainly could have gone worse." Vladimir says rinsing his blade in the shrike. "Shall we get in the boat and see about getting our mounts back?"
Vladimir Ducheski |
Having just noticed Marisol's discomfort, Vladimir goes over to her."What happen? Is there anything we can do to help you?"
Durielle Omenstar |
Incidentally Durielle didn't need to move to cast shield of faith. She didn't buy the metamagic rod for nothing! I'll make sure I call that out next time. I meant to do so but must have forgotten.
Durielle shares Vladimir's concern for Marisol's sudden shift in behavior. She approaches and begins to check pulse, color, and her best guess on internal temperature.
"What ails you, Marisol? Did some magic of Nettles affect you?"
Heal: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14
Balter Farshadow |
Balter looks at Marisol with a frown as he wipes his blade off and sheathes it. His nausea was gone, but it seemed that she had been saddled with something a little worse. "Typical undead b!*~#*!&," he grumbles to himself.
"I guess it's not such a big deal that Dovan could take him on his own. Still, we're better off not passing through here again without the Stag Lord's head," the ranger suggests as he prepares the boat.
Durielle Omenstar |
Durielle breathes a sigh of relief her friend is alright.
She pats Marisol on both shoulders. "You be sure to let me know if you're not feeling better in a bit, alright?"
Hrafen Vormenghast |
Hrafen eyes the river nervously.
"Yes, let's get across as quickly as possible. I would rather that the spirit did not reform whilst we were en route..."
Vladimir Ducheski |
"Agreed." Vladimir says to both Balter's and Hrafen's comments.
"With any luck, we will get across and back again with our mounts before the poor bastard reforms." the swordsman adds while helping the others with the boat.
Just before leaving the river bank, Vladimir whispers something to Durielle.
Pausing momentarily, Vladimir asks, "When things are a bit more settled, I have a few concerns that your gifts may be able to help with. Would you mind having a chat later?"
Durielle Omenstar |
Durielle accepts Vladimir's hand to step into the slightly rocking boat. He whispers his message as he does so, and she nods slightly and returns with the same attempt at privacy.
Marisol Surtova |
Marisol accepts the attentions with good grace and even manages to crack a slight smile - "I can't be that worried, I'm already half-undead!" she jokes. She straightens her shoulders, pushes her hair back out of the way, and says, "C'mon, let's deal with this Stag Lord. He can't possibly be as smelly."
DM Bloodgargler |
Not pressed to hurry, you are able to row across the river at a comfortable pace. You see the East Watch building, and your horses after a few minutes of travel.
Stueben and Wilnsted Pfaelof.. as well as Mxylbilnik are all there to greet you.
Stu steps up to where your horses are tethered to greet you first.
"Good to see you are all well. May I ask how you have fared in your endeavor?"
Vladimir Ducheski |
"Good to see you as well." Vladimir says extending his hand in greeting.
"Not everything went as anticipated, but it was a fruitful endeavor none-the-less. If we have our way the Stag Lord and Old Man Nettles will not be a problem much longer. After that, other issues will be resolved as well."
Walking over to the horses, Vladimir pets Shadow's neck and nose."I believe you will find the boat no worse for wear. What do we owe for minding our mounts while we were away?"
DM Bloodgargler |
Mxylbilnik the gnome butts in with a grin "By what you're planning, I'd say it'd be good for us to bank a favor, eh? Heh heh."
Stueben waves it off. "Think nothing of it. Hope to hear word of your conquests someday soon."
Mxylbilnik adds "Aye.. then we can boast that we cleaned up dung drops for heroes."
Wilnsted gives the gnome a mind-your-manners little shove from behind.
Vladimir Ducheski |
Vladimir chuckles and allows himself a small grin hearing the gnome's antics.
"Thank you very much. We were in a bit of a hurry last time, but we have a bit more time now. Do you know of any place close by where we could realistically ford the Shrike with our mounts?"
DM Bloodgargler |
Wilnsted tells you of a spot a few miles upriver where it widens... the force of the Shrike is diminished, and the riverbed is fairly level.
"... it's why we always keep an eye northward as much as the near bank."
Mxybilnik sees the opportunity to proudly display his spyglass... then notices a smudge his cuff won't remove, frowns, and goes off into the building without a word.