DM Harpwizard’s Heroes of Elsir Vale (Inactive)

Game Master GM Harpwizard

It was not your fault, Brother. Nobody was expecting them. You see, I agreed to go with him while the rest of the town continued onward. We knew it was a calculated risk, but I also knew that Brother Derny was correct. These plants will help back in the houses of healing in Brindol when we are there helping with the wounded. We just did not plan on getting into trouble ourselves. Once we were surrounded, I did not expect to live, but for some reason they decided that torturing and using us as bait would be a better plan."

Treasure Looted:

2 Ogres
• 2 Hide Armor
• 2 Great Club
• 43 Gold Pieces, 63 Silver Pieces

7 Bladebearers
• 7 Composite Longbows
• 56 Arrows
• 14 +1 Shortswords made from Red Steel
• 7 Masterwork Studded Leather Armor
• 100 feet of Silk Rope
• 2 Whips

5 Blaspawn Raiders
• 5 Masterwork Falchions (Made of Red Steel)
• 20 Tiger Eyes of Turquoise (Worth 10 gold pieces each)
• 350 gold pieces (Cheliaxian currency).

Jorr Natherson comes out of the trees limping from his wounds and a look of exhaustion on his face. Covered in blood and sweat he approaches his companions and says, "That was richt near close! Ahh dannae ever want tae let a monster get the best o' me like those dragonspawn just did! Ahh dannae ken what happened. Ahh suppose Ahh accidentally fell asleep on all o' yae. Ahh didnae mean tae put all o' yer lives at risk!"

Jorr, 'twas an honest mistake that one running from--and harassing--the horde coudl make. YOu're draggin' arse, we should have not given you a watch at all. Don't fret, eh?

Edvard grimaces as the last of the raiders fall, though he does not appear hampered by injury. To those that suffered during the assault, he offers his tender mercies... though the healing hand of the witchwood demands pain in order to draw away injury.
Start with healing hex on all - you get 2d8+7, please roll for yourself.

He does not temper his words to any of the three "Without our presence you would be dead now. Think on that before you continue to stem the flow of a river with a single log of wood. Your arts would be better suited in support of Brindol... lord knows it needs all the help it can get."

After that the warlock turns his eyes to the fallen raiders, and he sets to work. The blackspawn are arrayed in a circle with their backs on the ground. The hand of one is staked to the hand of another by means of an arrow forced through and into the dirt - creating a circle of linked bodies around a central point. Edvard then removes the jaw and tongue of each raider - piling them in the center in a haphazard mound. Finally he removes their eyes and leaves a tiger eye of turquoise in each bloody and vacant socket. Finally one of the ogres greatclubs is erected as though a flagpole in the center of the mound of jaws and tongue... on the side of the wood Edvard writes in the common tongue in the blood of the blackspawn:

Death awaits those with hands of red.

Edvard, I'm impressed!! A little macabre, but it's definitely going to get the point across. May I . . .?

Bofus joins in at the end, using what knowledge of rude insults there are in the Orcish language (and waht else *is* there in Orcish but rude insults?!) to write something sutiably juvnile and crude on the other side of the club. Something like "We'll kill your father and eat your mother" or just a stick figure of a rude gesture.

See, your message is very dark, but even as simple as it is, it may be too mature for some of the minds we're working with. Your message will get to the leaders, mine will get to the grunts! *wink*

As they're working i nblood and gore, Bofus chats a bit--knowing full well Edvard's propensity toward silence and short words.

You know, that was pretty nutsy in that battel back there. They almost cooked your goose. Very effctive, don't get me wrong. But we have big strong guys who wear metal to do the getting hit part so you and I don't have to--savvy? I just wouldn't want to see such a dangerous ally get skewered by a lucky arrow, so watch out for yourself, OK? Oh, and I was getting ready to go to your aid, but the good Brother beat me to it--just so's ya know.

Edvard sighs as the totem erected is marred with a less urbane message, but he keeps his tongue. To the words that follow he replies with a steady timbre "The day is ended and I have not perished... on that measure the risk was warranted. Perhaps a modicum more caution is prudent... especially now that we know the have ones that can fade from sight."

Tirion walks over next to Edvard: Remind me to use my powers to give you additional protection before the night next time. As with you, I am limited in how many spells I can cast in a day, but the armor I can create lasts seven hours which should get us through most of the night and make it much harder for horde archers to hit us less armored types.

"I just want to say thanks to all of you. I am very aware that without your help, Brother Derny and I would both be dead. I can honestly say that I have never quite faced fear as I have in the last few days. I was not sure that we were going to make it. I did not think that you would survive the dragonspawn, but seems to be able to handle yourselves well."

My dear CAptain, if we told you what our current mission is and what we expect to face, I'm sure you'd say what everyone who hears it would--that we're crazy and it's a suicide mission. A few dragonspawn is a light workout!!

At the Captains words Edvard adds "You should take the swords and what armor will not slow you down. Despite being wielded by savages the blades are well made and should be put against the Hand."

"My dear Captain, if we told you what our current mission is and what we expect to face, I'm sure you'd say what everyone who hears it would--that we're crazy and it's a suicide mission. A few dragonspawn is a light workout!!"

"A light workout?! What is it that you are on a mission to do? Drellin's Ferry has been taken and there is little here that can be done to stop the horde from destroying everything in their sight. I was certain that you folks were long gone and I was not expecting to see you until I returned to Brindol."

At the Captains words Edvard adds "You should take the swords and what armor will not slow you down. Despite being wielded by savages the blades are well made and should be put against the Hand."

"These falchions and short swords of red steel do look strong, but the also look like such vile blades. I have seen the Red Hand use these sorts of weapons before. They look like the sort that Durgin Fortkeep stored in his barn before he was slain. Are you sure that it is wise to use them?"

Edvard examines one of the blades more closely, both with his eyes and with his art for anything that could render it useless...

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (16) + 14 = 30 Using detect magic

Tirion listens to the conversation between Edvard and the Captain.

I believe that we determine these red blades to be somehow cursed. They turn the user slowly into some form of dragonspawn.

Edvard's healing: 2d8 + 7 ⇒ (1, 3) + 7 = 11

Not te worry, Jorr, we're still kickin! Next time maybe we'll have double watches... Thordak says scratching his beard.

How d'ye think they snuck up on us like that? Oi was shootin' moi crossbow an' pop! There was lizardy beasties all about! Musta been some kind o' magic...wot d'ye think Tirion?

Aye, don't go usin' those blades, they were'nt crafted by honest folk! Just look how nasty an' red they look! No Dwarf worth his steel would make somethin' looked like that! Tha bows may do, but do somethin' else with tha blades...

Alright miss, we've got te be goin' off, an' we can't risk tellin' ye where. You get yerself an' tha Brother te safety--an travel safe y'hear? Have ye got arms an' armor?

Frowning at the garnered knowledge, Edvard regards the weapons with a changed expression. Shrugging his shoulders "I see, though you should still bear them unto a forge to be unmade, and also to keep them from the hands of the Hand."

"Alright miss, we've got te be goin' off, an' we can't risk tellin' ye where. You get yerself an' tha Brother te safety--an travel safe y'hear? Have ye got arms an' armor?"

"I am afraid that we have no more arms and armor, my dwarven friend, but I can certainly lead Brother Derny back to Brindol. Once we get back to the Dawnway, we will make all haste due east to get back to the city. I certainly will be more careful this time and I will make sure that they do not take us by surprise again."

"So where will you be going yourselves? I hope you are not going to attempt to sneak into the horde and try some daring maneuver again!"

Stepping in before Tirion can speak too freely "Where we go is of our concern... the fewer who know the less likely that our actions will be foreseen."

Tirion listens to the Captain and sees Edvard's actions.

Captain, perhaps you can make use of one of the falchions from the dragonspawn and a longbow from the hobgoblins. Not that it will fit you well, but the hobgoblins armor might even provide some modicum of defense.

"Captain, perhaps you can make use of one of the falchions from the dragonspawn and a longbow from the hobgoblins. Not that it will fit you well, but the hobgoblins armor might even provide some modicum of defense."

"Agreed. We will take the armor, the bows, and the arrows. The falchion is certainly not the blade that my longsword was, but I will feel better with some blade in my hand. Should I be at all concerned about the fact that it is red?"

"Where we go is of our concern... the fewer who know the less likely that our actions will be foreseen."

"I understand. If we get captured again, you do not want the enemy finding out your plans. Well, I will be making our way toward Brindol presently. Is there any message you wish for me to convey to the leaders? I am certain that I will see Norro Wiston once I return."

I did not realize that the falchions were Red Steel. If they have the same curse on them, then I would not have advised her to use them.

In the morning, I will cast Mount twice. The mounts should last 14 hours. I will give the mounts to Captain Soranna and Brother Derny. They should be able to also carry the swords and falchions if both are cursed.

Red steel in and of itself isn't necesssarily bad. ONly if it's cursed.

We would have cast Detect Magic on all the equipment, so we would know whether they are cursed, or simply red.

Edvard did cast Detect Magic and he now knows. If you would have cast it, I would have told you as well.

Folks, please feel free to continue posting dialogue and discussing your plans. Many of you are still badly wounded. Let me know what you decide to do and let me know when you are ready to move onward.

I assumed that since you posted that the swords were +1, we would have had to have cast Detect Magic on the swords. Since we probably would not have just guessed that the swords were magic, we would have naturally had to have cast Detect Magic on everything.

For me, it is standard procedure to cast Mage Armor in the morning as it lasts 7 hours. To also cast Mage Armor before bed as it will last through most of the night if I have any spell slots left. In the same genre, as a standard procedure after every battle unless I post otherwise, I would cast Detect Magic to determine what is magic, and if magic to figure out what items are. And to cast and keep Message (duration 70 minutes) active at all times so that we can communicate over a fair distance without having to shout.

I've updated the Group Pot, which includes Undivided Loot, with the coin from this latest fight (and that the Shield of Faith potion was used).
NOTE: there is still significant goodies that I show as "undivided" that someone should take!! Look at my profile, and see what's there you might want. If no one wants it, we can sell/split it.

I'm ready to continue, once we get the Captain and the Brother pakced up with the goods they can bring to Brindol.

Mantooth cleans Magnimarana and sheaths the great blade.

Next, he kneels down and prays to Iomedae.

"Iomedae, Thank you for keeping us safe and alive as we fight off the onslaught of dragonspawn and bladebearers. Guide us safely that we may continue to fight the horde and put and end to this evil that threatens the vale."

When his prayer is finished, he approaches Captain Anitah and addresses her politely.

"Captain Anitah, I am pleased to see that you and Brother Derny are safe. I am most sorry to hear of this wretched ordeal that you have had to endure. I hope you can return to Brindol without running into any further trouble. I appreciate your desire to help and to know our plans, but I do agree with Edvard that it is best if you do not know where we are going next. I do hope you will understand and do not take any offense at keeping this information secret. It is purely for your own safety. I look forward to seeing you back in Brindol when this evil has been vanquished."

Mantooth is ready to go.

"Sir Longbrow, I understand and I certainly do not take any offense. I will just be glad when we get back to Brindol safely. Go forth yourself and do whatever it is you need to do." Turning to the entire party, she says, "Farewell everyone! I will see you when you return."

Captain Anitah and brother Derny soon depart on the arcane mounts provided by Tirion and begin making the way back toward the dawnway.

Heroe's Hit Points

43/43 Bofus
50/50 Edvard with 8 non lethal.
7/34 Jorr
53/88 Mantooth
60/93 Thordak
32/41 Tirion

I am happy to move things forward, but I was not sure if you were all content to be so low on your health. Please advise.

Heroe's Hit Points

50/50 Edvard with 8 non lethal.

Note: all non-lethal damage is removed with any magical curing--even 1 hp

Healing Nonlethal Damage: You heal nonlethal damage at the rate of 1 hit point per hour per character level. When a spell or ability cures hit point damage, it also removes an equal amount of nonlethal damage.

Edvard cast CMW on everyone I believe.

CMW: 2d8 + 7 ⇒ (8, 6) + 7 = 21

Mantooth, Thordak and Jorr need to roll this healing. Also, Mantooth should have a fair amount of Lay on Hands healing left as well.

I think that we should rest a full 8 hours so that we can regain spells since this attack happened around midnight I believe.

Thordak should be at 71 from my healing hex.
Jorr Healing Hex: 2d8 + 7 ⇒ (5, 4) + 7 = 16
Mantooth Healing Hex: 2d8 + 7 ⇒ (8, 2) + 7 = 17
Tirion Healing Hex: 2d8 + 7 ⇒ (3, 5) + 7 = 15
Anybody wants any more you tell me.

Heroes' Hit Points

43/43 Bofus
50/50 Edvard
23/34 Jorr
70/88 Mantooth
76/93 Thordak
41/41 Tirion

• Fireday, Lamashan 12, 4710 • 8 o'clock in the morning •

After Captain Soranna Anitah and Brother Derny depart, some of you return to sleep and Mantooth keeps watch for the rest of the early morning hours. All is very quiet again and uneventful, but the smell of distant smoke from the fires of Drellin's Ferry still linger in the air.

After a humble breakfast of trail rations, Jorr Natherson, leads you onward along the roads south. You pass several intersections, but the roads you travel are deserted and you continue along with little rest.

• Fireday, Lamashan 12, 4710 • 6 o'clock in the evening •

By the end of the day, you emerge at the edge of the Thornwate, a dangerous, desolate landscape filled with broken hills, briar choked ravines and thistle-clogged fissures. The prospect of slogging through the Thornwaste on foot appears grueling at best.

Map of Elsir Vale

Fireday: Healing Hex Jorr: 2d8 + 7 ⇒ (1, 3) + 7 = 11
Thordak: 2d8 + 7 ⇒ (1, 7) + 7 = 15

Looking upon the wreck of the Thornwaste Edvard remarks to all and none "A pity we do not have the owls yet to carry us on..."

Nonlethal damage--thaks for setting me straight. We played a PFS session this weekend and someone said that all non-lethal was removed, and I never double-checked. Huh.

"A pity we do not have the owls yet to carry us on"

yeah, those owls were pretty cool. How do we get our hands on more hippogriffs or griffons, or nice dragons to ride? See, THAT would be travelling in style!!

I remember on of my campaings we had an adventure where we hunted for griffon eggs. We all ended up with griffon mounts, and it was excellent. *sigh*

The night passes uneventfully on the edge of the Thornwaste. You awake refreshed and healed from your wounds, but you are anticipating a difficult day as Jorr plans to guide you across the Thornwaste. During your first hour across the Thornwaste, countless thistles and thorns have a way of working themselves into your armor and clothing.

Once every hour, a creature that spends any amount of time moving through the thornwaste on foot must make a DC15 Reflex saving throw to avoid taking 1 point of damage from these thorns. Those who take damage from the thorns have their movement speeds reduced by half as if they had been damaged by caltrops.

Those of you with at least 5 ranks in survival can move through the Thornwaste without fear of taking damage from the nettles and thorns.

Please roll eight Reflex saving throws each if you plan on walking, and let's see how your day went crossing the Thornwaste.

I could pull a Willow and ride on one of the dichini's shoulders . ..

Bofus deftly avoids the worst of the prickers--although fatigue at the concentration gives him a close call at the end of the day . .

Reflex Saving Throw 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9

"Ouch!"

Reflex Saving Throw 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14

"Ahhh!"
Reflex Saving Throw 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23
Reflex Saving Throw 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21
Reflex Saving Throw 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24
Reflex Saving Throw 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22
Reflex Saving Throw 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21
Reflex Saving Throw 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11

"Damned Bushes!"

"Yae look like yer havin a difficult time, Mantooth! You've got tae pick up yer feet, Paladin. Stop shufflin and thinkin yae can get through. It takes grace and coordination."

Once Mantooth starts avoiding thorns and thistles, Jorr encourages him.

"That's better!"

Point of order Mr. DM: if these things wound like caltrops, does magical healing fix any movement loss, like caltrops?

Thordak deftly navigates the thorns, at home in the wild as any ranger should be. Thordak has Woodland Stride: Move through any natural undergrowth at normal speed. I'm not sure if this counts, let me know DMHW!

Caltrops

Bofus, yes the cuts are just like with caltrops. Magical healing or a heal check could assist with your movement. Once the wound is healed, you can go back to your normal speed.

Thordak, the fact that you have 6 ranks in Survival is sufficient for me. You are not hindered by the thorns and thistles and your movement is normal. You also have the luxury of riding Lulu over the ground.

Heal Checks for Mantooth: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (10) + 12 = 22 and 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (8) + 12 = 20 and 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (14) + 12 = 26 - vs DC 15 to remove caltrop. Mantooth takes the damage, but we don't get slowed down.

Reflex Saves for Edvard at +5: 8d20 ⇒ (1, 8, 13, 16, 18, 20, 8, 20) = 104 3 failures
Heal Checks for Edvard at +12: 3d20 ⇒ (7, 17, 20) = 44 3 successes
Edvard takes 3 damage

Progress is made with relative ease by Edvard, though a few missteps need palliative care to return him to normal perambulation. He also serves as thorn-side nurse to Mantooth for extraction of the thorns that make their way through his boots.

Preemptively, I would like to ride on Lulu if possible as I am not the most agile and light enough that I should not be a burden.

If not allowed:

Reflex: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9
Reflex: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10
Reflex: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25
Reflex: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23
Reflex: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11
Reflex: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13
Reflex: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20
Reflex: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15
-->4 misses

If he has to walk through the thorns, then Tirion spends half the day pulling thorns from his feet and sides.

"If yae stepped around the thorns yae wouldnae get stabbed sae much! Then we wouldnae have tae stop in this infernal land sae much!"