DM Deinol's Crypt of the Everflame
Game Master deinol

Goooooooooaaaaaal! Nice shot, Anton.

Gritting his teeth, Yarroth takes another shot at the skeleton in front of him.

Attack-Melee: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13
Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10

Tarric plants his feet solidly, shoulder width apart and grasps the loop of hair-braid around his neck with both hands, his eyes pressed hard closed as if he were concentrating very hard.

Irori, guide me as I set the seven spirit seals in harmonic balance.

Tarric achieves focus, allowing a wellspring of energy to flow forth in a ring of warm, yellow light.

Channel Positive 30' heal 1d6 ⇒ 3

Yarroth's blow is deflected by the skeleton's ancient mail. Drummer scores a pair of solid hits and the skeleton before him crumbles to the ground.

Anton's up.

Anton focuses on the skeletal champion before him. Gripping the mace with both hands, he swings.

Attack 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10
Damage 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17

"Thanks, Tarric. If we survive this, I'll have to fill your head with ancient stories of valor. They're full of great tactical advice."

6hp, and 3 rounds of drumming left. Let's hope the undead keep rolling horribly.

Longsword vs Anton: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 15
Scimitar vs Drummer: 1d20 ⇒ 10
Claw vs Drummer: 1d20 - 3 ⇒ (20) - 3 = 17
Scimitar vs Tarric: 1d20 ⇒ 15
Claw vs Tarric: 1d20 - 3 ⇒ (11) - 3 = 8
Scimitar vs Yarroth: 1d20 ⇒ 6
Claw vs Yarroth: 1d20 - 3 ⇒ (3) - 3 = 0

Damage vs Drummer: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

The skeletons continue to press you with claws and swords, but only Drummer is caught by a claw.

Yarroth yet again strikes at the horrid skeleton, praying this time he connects.

Attack-Melee: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 3 + 1 = 19
Damage: 1d8 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 2 + 1 = 5

Whoot!! Finally a hit!!!Not much damage, but its a start!!!

Drummer grits his teeth in pain, then continues to press his desparate (if rhythmic) attack.

In the spirit of "kill the wounded," am I close enough to swing atthe one Yarroth already injured?
To hit heavy mace 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 1 = 17
damage 1d8 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 2 + 1 = 4

assuming that's not a kill. More vs same target.
To hit, lt mace 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 1 = 10
and that's a miss.

"More healing, Tarric. That one almost killed me."

Anton swings again at his foe, this time putting all of his power into the strike.

Still directing attacks at the champion.

Power Attack 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26
Confirm Critical 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18
Damage 1d8 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 9 = 12

"This is for Kassen, you bastard!"

Seriously, what are the chances! Desna, goddess of luck, must favor Anton today.

Wow. Well, I guess that makes up for some earlier rolls.

Go Anton!!!

Yarroth and Drummer each smash one of the lesser skeletons to bits. Anton strikes another solid blow to the champion, which looks severely damaged.

Tarric is up.

"On second thought, hold the healing, Tarric. I'm not under attack anymore, so let's finish the skeleton facing you. Yarroth, can you flank the fiend facing Anton?"

"To heal or not to heal? That sounds like a philosophical question to me." Tarric ducks past outreaching claws to swing at the skeleton.

1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18 Damage 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11

"It seems to me that if you...hold a moment..." Tarric says as he catches a raking blow on his shield, "...heal every little injury, then you are essentially removing the chance for growth. Injury allows for growth and change, while continually healing keeps life static."

"I see your point, but I worry that if I spend too long on Death's doorstep, she's eventually going to let me in. Nice hit."

"You should not speak of your weaknesses in front of your enemy." The skeletal champion steps forward and strikes at Drummer.

To Hit Drummer: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15
Damage Drummer: 1d8 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13

The skeleton laughs as he slices deeply into Drummer.

Drummer collapses to the floor from the force of the skeleton's blow.

That's -10, down and bleeding. -12 and I'm dead. The +1 to hit and damage is gone (to the great surprise of nobody.) Not clear on where we were spatially, but I'm surprised at least Anton didn't get an attack of opportunity there.

Anton tries to take advantage of the champion's distraction, and tries to strike him for what he hopes to be the final time. Seeing Drummer fall to the ground, he screams "NO!"

Attack 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8
Damage 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9

Seeing his comrade fall interrupts Anton's focus however, and he swings wide.

Not sure if Yarroth or Tarric are flanking at this point, but it wouldn't have mattered anyways. I still have a potion of healing, so if either of you want to try to help Drummer, I'll try to hold my own with the champion and the remaining skeleton(s).

I have a potion as well, and if Anton cannot get to him, I will.

You guys were pretty pinned in, so I figured he only needed a 5' step to get to Drummer. He is well flanked now. Yarroth and Tarric are up.

Ah. I was imagining a much larger room. All is explained.

Tarric pulls out his wand and points it at Drummer's fallen form.

A beam of yellow light streaks from the twisted wand and strikes Drummer.

CLW-17-Drummer1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

"Too much change all at once is not healthy either...

Though Drummer is still unconscious, the pool of blood around him has stopped growing, and his breathing is far less labored.

-4. Thanks, guys. I'm cheering for you from the sidelines.

Not for long....

Yarroth still has a turn before the champion goes again.

Seeing Drummer brought down by the skeletal monster, Yarroth presses his attack to destroy the creature before him.

Attack-Melee: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15
Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10

Yarroth's blow is deflected by the champion's chainmail. The skeleton steps further into the middle of your group to swing at Tarric.

To hit: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (12) + 9 = 21
Damage: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13

The champions blade glows reddish as it strikes a wicked blow that finds a weak spot in Tarric's mail.

Tarric drops like a poleaxed steer, blood gushing from a hideous wound in his side. His armor clattering as he crashes to the ground.

-2hp

"Enough!" Anton yells. "Pharasma take you!"

Attack 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14 (+2, flanking)
Damage 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12

Damn. Don't go cold on me, dice script!

Come on Yarroth, let's put this guy down!

"KASSEN!!!" yells the half-elf as he swings at the skeletal monster.

Attack-Melee: 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 3 + 2 = 10

I dont think the darn dice script ever warmed up to me!!! I have not rolled over a 10 for most of the darn game!!

"Kassen cannot save you now," the skeletal champion taunts.

To hit Anton: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 = 11

Anton easily sidesteps the clumsy attack.

Anton focuses, and takes advantage of Yarroth's distracting position on the other side of the skeleton champion.

"Maybe not," Anton says, answering the undead creature's taunt, "But you'll never find out."

Underneath his breath, Anton mutters a quick prayer of luck to Desna.

Attack 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18
Damage 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14

I'm hoping that damage roll wasn't wasted!

Anton's blow is narrowly deflected by the skeleton's chainmail.

Yarroth, it's all you.

Arrrgh...the pressure!!!

Once again, Yarroth swings his mace at the hideous creature, praying that he connects this time!

Attack-Melee: [/occ]1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 3 + 2 = 19
[ooc]Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

Lets hope that is enough!!!

The mace is deflected by the skeleton's armor, which glows faintly in the light. The fierce champion strikes back.

To hit Yarroth: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (16) + 9 = 25
Damage Yarroth: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11

A wicked slice cuts deeply into Yarroth's leather armor.

So close. Bring it back guys.

Ouch....down to 5hp!!!

Gritting his teeth in pain, Yarroth swings again, all his anger, fear and pain are put into the strike....he does not wish to see his friends fall in this evil place.

Attack-Melee: 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 3 + 2 = 21
Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

Oh please, please, please..be enough!!!

The skeletal champion seems to be focusing on finishing off Yarroth, so Anton takes a two-handed swing for good measure - he can't see if Yarroth has hit the skeleton or not!

Yarroth, way to go toe-to-toe with this guy! If you didn't finish him, let's hope this does it!

Attack 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24
Damage 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12

I think...I hope...we've done it!

Seriously weakened by Yarroth's blow, Anton's swing finishes him off. The skeleton crumbles to dust as the animating life force leaves him.

WHOOT!!! Finally!!

Yarroth stares in stunned silence, then shakes himself and quickly goes to his wounded friends. He takes a potion from his pack and slowly trickles it down Tarric's throat. With that done, he moves onto Drummer and uses another potion.

Using my 2 potions of CMW. Hope it should bring them back into the positive HP's!

Yarroth, if this were a real life game, I'd reach across the table and give you a high five. Nicely done.

Anton watches as the skeleton champion collapses. He seems in a daze for a few seconds, unable to believe that he is actually alive. Regaining his senses, he immediately kneels and sees to his fallen comrades. Seeing that Yarroth is attending to their wounds, he places his hand on Yarroth's shoulder.

"Will they be all right? I have another healing potion if it will do some good. Don't forget to attend to your own wounds as well."

Anton then looks up and sees the mysterious woman that he failed to notice before, since he was preoccupied with combat.

"Are you...I mean, are you all right? We've come from Kassen to retrieve the Everflame - and many of us gave our lives here. What is your name?"

2d8 + 1 ⇒ (3, 6) + 1 = 10
Back to 6 hit points
Drummer coughs and spits some blood out onto the ground, then looks around a bit bemusedly. "Yarroth. That tasted like a healing potion, and a strong one at that. My thanks to you."

Then he turns to where Tarric is recovering, "She's got a beautiful doorstep, you know. Still, I prefer this lot of heroes over the legends waiting for us inside."

"Yarroth, Anton. Looks like you two stayed standing. I'm guessing you didn't scare off that dead ass, so you must have killed him. Tell me what happened. They'll be singing of it in Kassen town by tomorrow night."

And with that, Drummer eases himself to his feet and collects his weapons from where they fell. Finally, he notices Anton and the unconscious girl.

"Careful, Anton. You don't know what's been done to her."
Very nicely done, guys. Sorry I wasn't more useful; if I'd realized I was on the front line with a souped up skeletal champion, I'd have withdrawn to at least keep the bonus going.

High five right back at ya Anton!! I really feel like we really worked for our xp!! Guess we should check out the room...as well as the skeleton champion!

Once he has helped Tarric and Drummer up, Yarroth searches the rest of the room, taking careful interest on the remains of the skeletons.

Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (10) + 9 = 19

Potion 2d8 + 1 ⇒ (3, 2) + 1 = 6

Tarric sits up groggily, choking a bit on the potion. "Well that wasn't very good. I don't mean the potion. Thank you for that, I mean the almost dying bit."

"Lets get everyone right as rain now," he says as he grasps his necklace and closes his eyes in prayer.

Channel healing 1d6 ⇒ 4
Channel healing 1d6 ⇒ 6

The girl in the corner appears to be unconscious. You recognize her as Dimira, Roldare's sister, one of the girls from the village.

Kassen’s sarcophagus is open, and the lid is lying next to it. His body is intact, save for the broken links of a chain that lie around his neck. Kassen is dressed in resplendent full plate with a fine longsword resting on his chest.

The chainmail and longsword of the skeletal champion remain. They look to be of exceptional craftsmanship.

The torch above the crypt is the everflame. Even though it has only been a few days, it seems like a long time ago you were sent to light the lantern here.

After the first few rounds of rolls, I thought this fight would be over quickly. I'm glad it lasted just the right amount of time.

As the warm light of healing floods the room, the woman in the corner begins to stir. She sits up groggily and asks, "What happened? Is it gone?"

Some knowledge checks for various things:
the skeletal champion 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3
his weapons 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
the broken chain 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14

Anton speaks to Dimira, now vaguely recognizing here as a girl from the village. "We managed to destroy the skeleton with the glowing blue eyes, if that's what you mean."

Looking around the room, he sees Drummer trying to figure out if he knows anything about their defeated foe and what he was after. Seeing the broken chain, he says"I think it's probably safe to say that the undead were after some kind of amulet or something that was entombed with Kassen's body. What it was or does is beyond my knowledge."

"At any rate, that champion's armor and sword look valuable. We should take them, along with Dimira here, and the lantern lit with the Everflame, back to Kassen - the town that is."

Seeing Tarric, Anton takes the opportunity to make a good-natured jibe at the portly cleric. "Tarric, it was quite a fight. Too bad you missed the best part! Perhaps you could write a scholarly treatise on the best way to smash animated skeletons. I'll leave the epic ballad to Drummer."

Helping the girl to her feet, Anton uses the Everflame to light the lantern. "I think it is time to return home." he says.

Gathering up the armour and weapons, Yarroth takes one more long look at the final resting place of Kassen, and at the Everflame.
"It will feel strange leaving these halls. So much has happened in the few short days we were here, but it seems a lifetime has come and gone." With a shrug of his shoulders, Yarroth claps the portly cleric on the shoulder and say, "So now what are your plans?? Once we get back to the town are you off, or will you stick around for awhile?? Maybe there is more adventure we can find!!