DM Panic's Scourge of the Slavelords Prologue

Game Master wakedown

Petrel will walk like everyone else.

He sets up his folding chair when we make camp and for guard duty.

Tiabar keeps an eye out for food as well as fauna. He will snatch up any edible roots, mushrooms, etc, that he can find. He'll also use his bow to take down any rabbitts, birds, deer, etc, that happen to wander by.

Survival checks:
1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16
1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24
1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18

He will share some of the herbs he finds with Gambli for cooking.

"This purple and green one has a bite to it, but will spice the meat nicely. Just don't put it in the same stew as the yellow one here. That is unless we just want to spend a day admiring the clouds."

Over dinner, while listening to Tiabrar give herbal advice, Mukluk will approach the elf, curious about the elf's training.

"So, PointyEars, how do you know so much about herbs and plants?"

Female voice: Don't bother talking to him.
Don't worry, it's just the dwarven way of conversation. Just watch.

"I've spent most of my life trying to learn the secrets of the natural world around us. Plants, animals, even the minerals you short, ill-mannered, oversized dire gophers mine. There is great magic in all of them and especially when you mix them together correctly. Much of what I have learned has been through experimentation, but there are a few others who share my appreciation of alchemy."

See. It's almost like I'm in his clan.

Uhm. Who are you? The voices usually don't stay the same all day.

This one is much more likable than the one that we buried at sea. I think this one can shoot straight too.

"Yeah, I see them arcanists that favor the type of magic you prefer: boiling cauldrons and eyes of newt and all that. They say that them witches can appear as young or old and as male or female."

That explains *a lot* about Tiabrar.

"Your kind of alchemy is useful no doubt and I share Rinalda's faith in sending you with us." Mukluk smiles ingratiatingly. "If there is something I can do for you, please let me know. I'm happy to help and even share magicks should that prove of use to you or your studies."

Best be nice to Rinalda's friends if I'm going to draw her interest. I'm the perfect gentledwarf.

Doruk is used to the marching, doing a lot of it in military service in the Shieldlands. He defers to Tiabrar for the first round of hunting and is impressed with what he brings down.

"Well done with the hunting! We'll eat well on this trip with your bow at the ready!"

He otherwise keeps largely to himself lulled to half-sleep by the monotonous road. He perks up a bit more when the party finally sheds civilization and assists in the hunting (if more than one can...).

Surivial 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12
Surivial 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24
Surivial 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19

Survival: You can provide food and water for one other person for every 2 points by which your check result exceeds 10.

Day 5 (Tia 18 - food for 5 people)
Day 6 (Dor&Tia 26 - food for 9 people)
Day 7 (Dor 21 - food for 6 people)

Tiabrar and Doruk, assisting one another, have no problem returning to camp each night with armfuls of berries, yarpick nuts, hares and a large doe to feed the others.

These 3 days, your food reserves remain untouched.

Day 7, Evening, 1 Day Out From Phlandish

Doruk and Tiabrar are pursuing an exceptionally elusive hare for supper along the edge of the forest, moving quickly under the canopies of the ancient oak and ipp trees - perhaps a hundred yards away from the group's main camp site.

To the west, the trees rustle, and a man can clearly be seen waving in their direction.

"Ho there! Are you Greyhawk militia? Merleche's men? I need help!" he hollers in your direction.

Tiabrar ends his pursuit of the hare and offers assistance. "We are neither, but still might be of some help. Is someone hurt?"

"Aye."

The man who called heads in the direction of Tiabrar and Doruk, climbing over some fallen trunks and carrying a longbow in his hand.

He appears to have long auburn hair, and is working to grow a beard. He is dressed in the greens of the wood and you can make out an emblem of a silvered oak leaf on a chain about his neck.

The man looks you up and down, as if weighing your worth.

"I'm Eowain, a Ranger Knight. Not far from here, some fellow knights and I were working together to bring down a lyrannikin we heard about from some of the Gnarley's fey. We over-estimated ourselves - it tore Hurram in half!"

He catches his breath a bit, and you can clearly see signs of a fight about him in his torn clothing and bruises.

"I'm not sure about Utrem - he was knocked out. I suspect the creature plans to drink him later, so I ran south to the road here, hoping to find some militia... I knew it was a long shot, but what other choice did I have?"

As he relates his tale, his eyes continue to dart towards Doruk's guisarme.

"Are you any good with that? Are there others with you in a camp nearby?"

Presumably Tiabrar and Doruk will bring Eowain back to the group's camp, and he'll relate his tale again. He seems to be in something of a hurry in his search for help - this all happens within the course of a couple minutes.

"Wut? A 'lyrannikin' did what to whom?!" Mukluk asks as he hastily prepares for trouble.

1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14 Know (local)

"You man, what is your name?" Mukluk waits for an answer before continuing with more direct questioning.

I'd like to know what we are dealing with.

"What is a 'lyrannikin'? Describe it for me." Mukluk hopes to be able to recognize the beast/thing from the man's description so he can add anything he knows to it.

* * *

Whatever it is, Mukluk is ready to move to help the Greyhawkian.

Gotta seem like the good type to impress Rinalda...no doubt Tiabrar is taking notes.

* * *

Editing off the edit:

1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21 Know (Nature)

"Ah yes...I have read about them." Mukluk will relate to others what he knows.

"Vampire trees!? I have a bad feeling about this, Mukluk. Trees are supposed to live in the park and be a home to squirrels, not walking around murdering people."

Petrel will look around at how damp or dry the environment looks.

Survival 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (2) - 1 = 1

"Maybe if we burn the forest down, we can get the learnakin before it does any more damage."

"Have we axes?"

Martigan moves from his place beside the wagon to look through the back.

"Petrel's excellent list seems to have included such, though I'm no expert in using them on trees that move."

Doruk grips his guisarme. "Aye, we're willing to help. What can you tell us of the creature's weaknesses and strengths. We can talk as we walk if you like."

Doruk will try and get a sense of whether he's telling the truth about the attack and if we're walking into a trap.

Sense Motive 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 1 = 19

1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11 - Knowledge nature

"Lyrannikin? Walking trees? Interesting. I bet some of their roots mixed together just right might allow me to climb more easily or even walk through the trees as the druids do. Lead on."

----

"Fire sounds like a great idea Petrel. However, I think burning down the entire forest might be a bit excessive. Walking flaming trees is an awesome image though."

The ranger knight nods his thanks to Doruk.

"I know Utrem said we should use axes or swords on it, no clubs or arrows. From my own eyes, I saw it move as fast a man up to Hurram, grab him and tear him in half, so it's strong!"

Eowain glances to Petrel for a moment.

"Fire's not an option, the druids specifically said so. The Gnarley's old, and using fire could burn down thousands of trees and claim even more in lives."

Doruk finds the man to be likable and honest, as far as he can tell.

Mukluk moves along, following the group as fast as his little dwarvish legs can carry him.

Cast Mage Armor from scroll.

Scroll of Enlarge Person in hand.

Tiabrar drinks his mutagen and follows.

No fire? No bow?

He puts away his bow and pulls out his rarely used longsword.

No fire, unless things get really bad.

"I'll do my best to support the rest of you, my weapon may be ill-suited to this task."

"Slashing weapons? My guisarme fits the bill then. My luck! Martigan, keep us standing and you'll do more than any of us individually. Onward then!"

Doruk readies shield and pole arm and marches off to war... well OK against a tree, but in his mind it's war none-the-less!

Eowain leads everyone (save Gambli who stays near the camp watching the mules and wagon) on a brief hike along a deer trail.

It's clear the Ranger Knight knows his way through the woods, as he makes several turns as you crest a low ridge and look down at the tops of towering, ancient oaks.

"Shhh..." he whispers, and speaks in a low voice.

"It's down there, in a dark glade... since you've all fought together before, how would you like to proceed?"

"With all haste I would say. I can be fairly quiet, but I doubt the same could be said for our entire party. We can try creaping up until the first branch clangs against someone's armor and then charge from there."

"How many of these things were there again?"

"Tiabrar is right. We'll proceed carefully and quietly until noise is made - and that is likely to be soon, sorry."

Doruk grins suspecting he'll be the loud one.

Mukluk strains to find the offending tree.

1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12 Perception

"Are you sure it'd down there? Where? Can you point it out? How far away is it?"

Plans flitter in and out of Mukluk's mind as the scans and waits for his answer.

How far are we from the glade?

Petrel will sneak off a ways to come into the glade at an angle.

Stealth 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (7) + 10 = 17

He will poke each tree with his daggers before hiding behind it, keeping a lookout for the vampire variety.

Perception 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8

Sheesh, with that perception, Petrel probably attacks the wrong tree...

"Just the one," Eowain confirms in a low voice, "there-abouts."

He points to a collection of trees just down the slope from you all, maybe two-hundred yards away.

Petrel disappears into the woods with barely a sound.

I'll assume everyone else heads down the main path, trying to be quiet. You'll need to make Stealth checks for when you get in range of the black treant. Success will be a surprise round against it, failure is just standard initiative.

LvP (-3 for 30ft distance at stream crossing): 1d20 + 8 - 3 ⇒ (11) + 8 - 3 = 16

Battle Map

Petrel makes his way down the slope, where he realizes there is little in the way of cover for him to make his crossing.

He zips across, splashing through the water, catching a glimpse of the weathered, blackened tree, it's long spindly roots plunging into a nearby human corpse and pulsing as if drinking or eating the man's insides.

The tree stops for a moment, and seems to turn ever so slightly in the direction where Petrel crossed, but resumes it's grim business a moment later.

Evil trees are scary. The lyrannikin is large (2x2).

Lucky for the -1 per 10ft rule!

I have the rest of the group in the trees. You're about 100ft back on the far side of the stream (so +10 stealth), you also have cover under the canopies of the trees (another +10). You guys can each get a double-move closer with a successful Stealth check.

Mukluk will move to L32 casts Mage Armor on himself.

"Doruk, if you come out of the trees, I can give you a temporary gift of power and might."

Never seen an evil tree before...outside of all the other evil trees that I've seen...I usually just call them "trees".

Doruk moves closer trying not to sound like a huge tin can.

Stealth 1d20 + 1 - 8 ⇒ (1) + 1 - 8 = -6 (armor check penalty is my master - so's rolling a 1!)

Doruk's first step results in knocking over a young sapling so it snaps back against his new shield with a loud CLANG setting all the forest creatures alight with fear in his immediate area.

Shrugging, he charges onward as fast as he can by first moving out of tree cover and then following along the edge of the forest to L 25.

Maybe the tree will think I'm alone.

OK, here's what we have going on, Doruk (and Mukluk) moving at quarter speed double moves 10ft per round.

The rest of you could move 15ft if you wanted to get ahead of Doruk.

In a dense forest, the penalty for distance is -2 per 10ft, so the treant gets -8 already to spot someone at the edge of trees.

Here's his one roll against you all moving up to that edge...

Lyrannikin vs noisier party: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11

Modified he'd be at a 3, which beats Doruk's -6 (which I'll take as his roll once he reaches the tree-line). I set Doruk to (N,19) instead... perhaps he would have been detected sooner, but I presume being closer for him is desirable.

Eowain Stealth: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7

INIT
Tiabrar: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19
Doruk: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 1 = 15
Martigan: 1d20 ⇒ 7
Mukluk: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15
Petrel: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5
E: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14
L: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (10) - 1 = 9

Surprise--
Tiabrar ??
Mukluk ??
Eowain 14
Martigan ??
Petrel 5

1--
Tiabrar 19
Mukluk 15
Doruk 15
Eowain 14
Lyrannikin 9
Martigan 7
Petrel 5

Anyone rolling a Stealth check over 3 can act in the Surprise Round from the edge of the trees near the stream, just before Doruk's stepping on the sapling. Petrel doesn't need to roll for moving into position earlier.

Mukluk will move as silently as he can while berating himself internally.

1d20 - 1 ⇒ (17) - 1 = 16 Stealth

Drat! I forgot to equip my shield!

Stealth 1d20 - 5 ⇒ (15) - 5 = 10

Round Surprise Init 7

"Blessings for all."

Cast Bless

Round 1 Init 7

"Doruk, I make you strong like the bull."

And smart like the plow...

Bulls Strength on Doruk

Surprise Round and Round 1

Tiabrar looks up at the lyrannikin.

We're really going to chop that down?
Female voice: Don't worry. Nothing bad ever happens when you rush up on big things.
Oh. Okay.

Tiabrar follows Petrel's lead and starts across the river (surprise round, 30' from 20-0 to 14-O). When the branch clangs against Doruk's armor, Tiabrar takes off like a hound at a race. He dashes quickly up the lyrannikin and slashes with the longsword gripped in both hands. He strikes it solidly hoping the sword will penetrate the wood.
EDIT: +1 for bless
1d20 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 2 + 1 = 15
1d8 ⇒ 8 (1.5 x 0 STR bonus. Yeah!)

Female voice: Good job. Now duck.

Surprise--
Tiabrar : Darts across stream
Mukluk : TBD
Eowain 14 : Runs across stream
Martigan : Casts Bless
Petrel 5 : TBD

1--
Tiabrar 19 : Runs up and whacks the tree
Mukluk 15 : TBD
Doruk 15 : TBD
Eowain 14 : Runs up to flank the tree
Lyrannikin 9 : TBD
Martigan 7 : Casts Bull's Strength on Doruk
Petrel 5 : TBD

Martigan's first spell shimmers in the air as everyone feels warmer inside, as if the sun is shining down and penetrating into this otherwise poorly lit glade.

Tiabrar rushes across the stream and then charges at the blackened tree. With a woody thunk, he buries his longsword in it's tough bark, only to find he barely chipped it. AC issue, not DR

Eowain, staying true to his own advice, keeps his longbow on his back and runs forward yelling, "For Hurram! For Utrem!" He works himself around the long way, trying to set up a chance to flank the large tree with the others.

Round Surprise:

Mukluk begins a full round cast, reading from the scroll.

I do hope that Doruk stays close lest I waste this spell on another.

Mukluk gives a sidelong glance to Tiabrar.

Round 1:

Mukluk finishes casting Enlarge Yahoo on Doruk.

"Go get 'em, DORUK!"

He puts the scroll way.

"Martigan, did you happen to get alchemist's fires out of the cart as well? Prepare them, for a tree cries 'TIMBER' this day!"

Surprise Round & Round 1 (assuming difficult terrain): Petrel continues to move through the forest, not sure if trees can be flanked but willing to try.

Round 1, Initiative 15, Location N19 -> M13

Doruk's chest swells at all the help he's received and he nods appreciation to the party at each turn. Doruk then charges to the closest point (M13) and attacks (+2 to hit, -2 AC from charge).

Guisarme power attack 1d20 + 6 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 6 + 3 + 2 = 19 doing 2d6 + 6 + 3 ⇒ (4, 1) + 6 + 3 = 14 damage.

"For the honor!"

Current AC: 18

@Petrel, with a move action during the surprise round you reach the glade, which is no longer difficult terrain, which means you could charge and attack in Round 1, as the treant is only 10ft away from you. I'll leave your Round 1 action open with your latest location on the map sinc others need to decide ahead of you.

Surprise--
Tiabrar : Darts across stream
Mukluk : Begins casting Enlarge Person
Eowain 14 : Runs across stream
Martigan : Casts Bless
Petrel 5 : Moves towards treant

1--
Tiabrar 19 : Runs up and whacks the tree
Mukluk 15 : Finishes casting Enlarge Person, other action TBD
Doruk 15 : TBD
Eowain 14 : Runs up to flank the tree
Lyrannikin 9 : TBD
Martigan 7 : Casts Bull's Strength on Doruk
Petrel 5 : TBD

Updated Map

Now Up: Doruk and Mukluk with Round 1 actions, then the scary tree.

EDIT - Ninja'd by Doruk. Doruk, the stream would count as difficult terrain, but I'll allow the charge attack with a simple DC6 Acrobatics check to leap over it :)

Doruk attempts to leap the stream as he crosses it.

Acrobatics 1d20 - 6 ⇒ (6) - 6 = 0 vs DC 6.

Doruk stumbles over a slippery rock ("It was moss covered I swear!") and fails to swing, but does at least close.

As Doruk grows up - in size and not age - he starts moving awkwardly, like a calf that doesn't quite know the length of it's legs. He apepars poised for a sweeping attack as he charges from his guisarme, but his leap is ill-timed for his new size and he lands in the middle of the slippery streambed with a splash.

1--
Tiabrar 19 : Runs up and whacks the tree
Mukluk 15 : TBD
Doruk 15 : Closes to the tree
Eowain 14 : Runs up to flank the tree
Lyrannikin 9 : TBD
Martigan 7 : Wants to cast Bull's Strength but can't get to Doruk... (!) TBD
Petrel 5 : TBD

Taking the tree's action even though Mukluk goes ahead of it - presumably his action will not alter the trees.

The ancient, blackened tree first stands on it's enormous roots, gaining six to seven feet in height, before shifting it's weight forward and whipping it's massive lower branches at Tiabrar.

LvT: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 9 = 13 for 2d6 + 6 ⇒ (4, 6) + 6 = 16

Luckily, the elf side-steps the massive branches just in time. It then takes a step backward to size up the numerous creatures circling it.

Now Up: Mukluk, Martigan and Petrel to finish Round 1. The Tiabrar, Doruk and Eowain to kick off Round 2.

I'll spend Round 1 Chasing Doruk until he's close enough to Bull Strengthify.

OK, I used your full double movement to bring you to the other side of the stream. (O,19) to (O,12)

Mukluk moves to M16 with his move action.

Round 2, Initiative 15, Location M12->M11

Doruk 5' steps to M11 to keep the tree well in his crosshairs and swings!

Guisarme power attack 1d20 + 6 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 6 + 3 = 26 doing 2d6 + 6 + 3 ⇒ (6, 4) + 6 + 3 = 19 damage.

"OK you tree, your days of leaving are over!"

Doruk chuckles to himself at his little joke. He feels foolishly overconfident with his new size and strength.

1--
Tiabrar 19 : Runs up and whacks the tree
Mukluk 15 : Finishes casting, then moves
Doruk 15 : Closes to the tree
Eowain 14 : Runs up to flank the tree
Lyrannikin 9 : Misses Tiabrar
Martigan 7 : Moves closer to Doruk
Petrel 5 : TBD ( can charge in to attack, or Tumble without an attack to avoid the AoO for basing now the tree isn't flat-footed)

2--
Tiabrar 19 : TBD
Mukluk 15 : TBD
Doruk 15 : Hits the tree for 19 damage!
Eowain 14 : Misses and 5ft step
Lyrannikin 9 : (-19HP) TBD
Martigan 7 : TBD
Petrel 5 : TBD

EvL: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9 for 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

Eowain misses a swing at the tree with his longsword again, after taking a step to keep up with it.

Round 2, Init 19

Ducking as the female voice told him, Tiabrar manages to stay safe.

Thanks.

He takes a 5' step to 10-K and swings again, hoping to penetrate the thick layers of bark. Unfortunately the sword almost bounces off this time. His left hand reaches for a flask, but pauses.

Is it time for fire yet?
Female voice: Right now it's time to duck again!

1d20 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 2 + 1 = 11

Round 2, Init 15

Mukluk sneers at the evil tree...aka, "the tree".

"Tree, you know why you have roots?! So you don't fall over. You should remember that."

Mukluk casts Grease (DC 16) on the squares under the tree.

Doruk your Round 2 won't have Bulls Strength unless you Delay until after I cast it on you, which is my Round 2 action.

"Any more puns and I'll let the tree eat me."

1--
Petrel 5 : TBD ( can charge in to attack, or Tumble without an attack to avoid the tree's AoO)

2--
Tiabrar 19 : Misses and takes a 5ft step
Mukluk 15 : Casts grease, tree makes the save
Doruk 15 : Hits the tree for 19 damage!
Eowain 14 : Misses and 5ft step
Lyrannikin 9 : (-19HP) Attacks Doruk and misses
Martigan 7 : Casts bull's strength on Doruk at last!
Petrel 5 : TBD

3--
Tiabrar 19 : TBD
Mukluk 15 : TBD
Doruk 15 : TBD
Eowain 14 : TBD

Tiabrar swings and misses as the voice inside his head gives him good advice once again.

Mukluk's spell causes the fallen leaves and moist earth to shimmer and grow slippery and the lyrannikin...

L Reflex: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 1 = 21

.. takes the dwarf's advice, sending it's roots shooting into the ground to establish a firm hold on the earth.

On the bright side, that wasn't a crit attack on someone!

The massive tree turns it's attention away from the skinny elf towards the ogre-like man with the "axe" but Doruk is too agile to be hit this time.

LvD: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 = 11 for 2d6 + 6 ⇒ (2, 2) + 6 = 10

Martigan finally completes his intended spell, as Doruk begins to feel even stronger.

Map Linked Again

Round 3, Init 19

Another one!?! Oh. Just Doruk.

Tiabrar takes a 5' step to 10-J for the flank. Trusting that Eowain is on the other side, Tiabrar swings again. Unfortunately, the bark is still too tough.

It would burn so nicely...

1d20 + 2 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 + 1 + 2 = 15

NAT 20!? I hate you, Gli--, uhm, tree! Uh yeah, I hate you, tree!

Round 3, Init 15

Mukluk tugs his beard in frustration.

Maybe I shouldn't have yelled the advice *before* cast the spell.

"Bah!"

Note to self: first spell, *THEN* taunt.

Regaining his composure, Mukluk moves to L15.

Mukluk will hit the tree with an acid cloud

Acid damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4 (DC 14 Fort vs sickness,1/2 damage)

"Tiabrar, Eowain, step back from the creature after you next swing...or...or..." Mukluk doesn't finish the thought.