DM Stephens Serpents Skull Campaign - Chp1:The Smugglers Shiv (Inactive)

Game Master terok

10th of Lamashan
You head south into the jungle but the day is not kind to you. Winds wip, storms brew, and you are lashed by rains off and on during the day.

You travel along the coast and identify the nest of Dimorphodon's Hex J6.5 you heard the day before. They stay to their nest due to the weather so you pretty much just ignore them.

The terrain is hard jungle but nothing of interest is seen that day nor do you encounter any other predators.

11th of Lamashan:

You head west of your camp to explore the northwest tip of the island. The terrain is pretty rough, with few flat areas. The weather is at least better, with just the usual afternoon rains.
It is early when you come upon it...a monkey carcass. The large monkey appears to have been shredded/ripped in half by something. They are not cuts so you are guessing it wasn't a blade.
It happened only a few hours ago since rot has not set in yet but you do a quick check and no tracks of any kind are visible in the area. Assume you take a 10 and then move on.

Other than that Nora finds herself infected by the pulsing puffs

11th of Lamashan:

Having had the pulsing puffs and kicked it, Anton practically considers himself an expert, and so he does his best to help Nora with it.

Untrained Heal to treat disease: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3 vs. DC 16

Unfortunately, it is the false confidence of the amateur who doesn't even know enough to realize the scope of how much he doesn't know yet. His efforts are completely useless, to the point that he's lucky he didn't make things worse.

Nora will spend much of the day alternating between treating herself and trying not to complain about the disease as it makes it's progress. She has more or less been agreebale to everything said in terms of exploration though she does voice that "I think Nim is probably right a bit. Create a bit of a buffer around our base-camp and than sort of... well explore one area so we know there is nothing 'behind' us so to speak."

Heal check on myself of 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23

She frowns when they come across the downed monkey, and has taken to travelling with a knife in hand in the jungle in any case. Looking around the jungle she purses her lips and directs towards Anton "You know what did this?"

She frowns when they come across the downed monkey, and has taken to travelling with a knife in hand in the jungle in any case. Looking around the jungle she purses her lips and directs towards Anton "You know what did this?"

Anton shakes his head seriously. "All I can do is state the obvious: it was something savage that doesn't leave much of anything in the way of tracks, despite being strong enough to do *that* to a monkey."

Since we came across it early -- meaning that the afternoon rains hadn't happened yet -- Anton could've taken ten to spot the tracks of a single diminutive creature on soft ground, or a medium creature on firm ground... and Nim is noticeably better.

"I suspect something flying, like the dimorphodons; or possibly something incorporeal, like the ghosts that I saw on our second night here. Hopefully the former."

will post up the next two days tomorrow morning...must...have ...sleep...

We never got around to distributing what we got from The Golden Bow, so here it is.

Flextime: 7th of Lamashan (Golden Bow loot convo)

After they kill the crab and find the captain's chest, Anton spends a couple of minutes fiddling around with the chest's lock before finally springing it. They find four potions and two scrolls, and Tragershen identifies almost everything in less than two minutes, excepting only one of the potions.

Anton shrugs. "I know nothing of scrolls. As for potions, I'm already holding plenty of magic in general, and a potion of water breathing specifically. I don't know, maybe it would be handy to have a potion of cure light wounds to administer to someone in an emergency? Just in case it would take too long to get one from Tragershen for whatever reason. But maybe we should wait until we know what that one other potion is."

Flextime: 8th of Lamashan (Golden Bow loot convo)

The next morning, Tragershen takes another stab at identifying the mystery potion, and he determines that it's a potion of haste. Anton looks distinctly jealous. "I've dreamt of those! No really, I've woken up to confusion followed by bitter disappointment, realizing that it was just a dream. But I have to admit that I couldn't make the best use of it. Considering how he's ripped up the animals that've attacked us, I'd actually feel better knowing that Nim has one than if I did."

Flextime: 7th of Lamashan (Golden Bow loot convo)

I think it would be wise to spread the healing potions around. Each of us should carry at least one if possible. Save for Nora. At least until we have enough for the rest of us. She should carry the scrolls though.

Flextime: 8th of Lamashan (Golden Bow loot convo)

If that is the decision of the group, I will carry the potion of haste.

Current time: 10/11th of Lamashan

When they find the monkey carcass, Nim remarks, My guess would be a large bird of prey of some kind. My only concern would be why kill it and then leave it? A natural animal wouldn't leave a meal like that. This looks like killing for killing sake. I suggest we try and avoid open spaces as much as possible. It makes it harder to spot us, and to dive upon us.

Once back at camp...

After each days trek through the jungle exploring, Nim spends a few hours each night after evening meal practicing fighting techniques with Sasha. The sparring sessions are at times quite brutal, with each of them seemingly pulling no punches. Sasha learns quite quickly that Nim is at no disadvantage when relieved of his spear. He uses his fists with the same deadly efficiency as his spear. improved unarmed strike

After spending a grueling day stomping through the jungle, it is surprising that Nim has the energy to exert himself in this way, but each day he seems to suffer no ill effects from the effort. Once they are finished battering each other for a couple hours, they strip off their armor and Nim uses his ability to conjure water to shower the grime, dirt and blood from themselves before joining everyone around fire.

When Nora exhibits her symptoms, Nim remarks, Did we not find a potion of remove disease? Should we use it? Or are we saving it for a more dire disease?

If she is uncured, should we wait for her to recover before heading out? She will slow us down and possibly worsen her condition being away from camp and Jask for 3 days straight.

Nim pauses before adding, I know it won't be a popular suggestion, but she could stay here and rest while the rest of us trek west and back...

Anton grimaces at Nim's suggestion. "As virulent as this island has been so far, I would fear more for us being without a healer so long than for Nora being away from camp so long. I'd rather wait for her to get better than go on a three-day trek without her."

"As for using our only potion, I had the pulsing puffs recently; and while it was thoroughly unpleasant, the boot soup was worse. We haven't even been here two weeks yet; I fear that we haven't seen the worst that this island can throw at us, and so yes, I'd save it for something more dire."

Morning of the 10th:

Satisfied that the plans for the next few days are complete, Nim retrieves his gear and calls Wicewakan to his side. As the party begins to move away from the camp, Nim calls back to the castaways, We shall return this evening. He then looks at Sasha directly and adds, I look forward to some of your lessons tonight when we return.

Ever since they arrived on the island, the party has been repeatedly attacked by sneaky lizards and snakes, and Anton is a learner -- not always a fast one, but still. The agile halfling speaks up as they head out.

"I want to warn you all that you probably won't see me in front of you; please trust that I'm there. I'm tired of being the one surprised by some animal's sudden appearance, and I figured out how they do it, so I'm going to start returning the favor. I promise that it won't even slow us down -- or a least, not any more than my short legs already do."

Nevermind, don't worry about it slowing her down. I realized I didn't play it this way for Anton so I won't start now. Although slows her down for tactical movement, it is fine for travelling...

If I am moving too quickly just let me know, just trying to move things along with the general island exploration.

BTW you have won over all of the castaways and completed Sasha's quest. Each player gets 140xp.

12th of Lamashan

You head north and west away from camp letting the other castaways know you will not return until late tommorrow. They ae nervous an still scared but seem to have a pretty good camp going and are getting along nicely now. Gelik ca be heard telling a few raunchy jokes as you leave and it brings a little smile to your face.

You travel until lunch stopping for the rains, it is another hot but just normally wet day on the Shiv. You move along the coast with Anton in the lead scouting until just before you stop for the evening...

Nim looks at Anton skeptically. How far ahead are you planning to be? And if those that are following you, can't see you, how are they to follow you?

Updated XP total = 1440

I assumed you lead and Anton just stays ahead of you guys scouting the way...

Flextime: 10th of Lamashan (traveling formation convo)

Nim looks at Anton skeptically. How far ahead are you planning to be? And if those that are following you, can't see you, how are they to follow you?

"I will be following from the front, in much the same way that dainty army officers lead from the back, except the opposite." Anton grins and winks. "The way I was picturing it, you would guide the group; and I would stay close enough to mind your location, while far enough ahead to spot danger early."

"Sometimes I might guess wrong about which way you'll go and have to run to get in front of you again -- but what am I saying, you could probably just track me. We could even arrange a sign that I could leave on hard ground, like three pebbles pointing in the direction I went; I always have extra pebbles on hand for slinging at small game."

Now: 12th of Lamashan

A rather uneventful day of exploration is nearly at an end, and Anton is looking forward to stopping for the day. Spotting trouble, he slips back through the jungle the way he came, nearly imperceptible. It isn't that he's invisible or inaudible; he just matches his movements to the background, so that his passage could be mistaken for shifting shadows and leaves rustling in the breeze.

Anton melts out of the jungle in front of the group. "There's a monitor lizard coming, seconds away!" Anton points and clarifies. "Like what nearly killed Tragershen."

If Anton's warning gives us enough time for an action, Tragershen will cast Mage Armor on himself. If not, I'll wait until we roll initiative to declare.

Sorry, forgot to specify, there should be enough time for one round of action.

Anton points out the creature as it sneaks up, it senses that you are aware of it and hesitates for a moment, then decides it is hungry enough to strike anyways...

Order of Combat Round 1:
Nora 21
Tragershen 19a
Corbrius 19b
Anton 7a
Nim 7b
Wic 7c
Monitor Lizard 3

The lizard is about in this relative position to you all, no map, you had 1 round to prepare actions other than a readied action:
A N Wi T N C
---------ML-
Anton 20' away, Nim 15' etc...Nora is up.

Round 0

Holding his halfling-sized lucerne hammer with an easy readiness, Anton moves a couple yards in the direction he pointed while examining the monitor lizard closely, looking for weaknesses. Between the thick underbrush and his short legs, he is unable to move faster safely without looking where he steps.

Move action to move 5' diagonally toward the monitor lizard. Move action to Perceive the Enemy.
Perception vs. CMD, for -2 AC vs. my attacks: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (6) + 10 = 16

Just waiting for the others to post in the surprise round... :)

Do you have the same rule about no free action speech before your turn in the initiative ? :)

Round 0
Hearing Anton's warning Corbius quickly intones some words of power under his breath and a flash of light surrounds Corbius briefly. Cast Shield on self

Round 1
Corbius steps forward and strikes at the lizard with Asilande trying to draw it's attention away from Trag ans Nora. Hey, you overgrown lizard, over here. Standard Attack1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 71d6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5 But the heavy underbrush deflects the blow.

At some point when the party is exploring and takes a break
Corbius waits until the group has stopped for a rest.So I wanted to discuss something with you all. I was approached by Ishirou about a map that he has. A treasure map if he is to be believed. He would like us to help him find and in return is offering us all equal shares in the treasure. However, he does not want to share it with the others at the beach.
I made no promises to him either way. What so you guys think? Should we help him out? He does not know what the treasure is. You never know maybe it is something that can help us out.

Corbius looks to the group for their opinions.

In the surprise round, Tragershen will cast Mage Armor on himself.

Round 1, he'll draw his rapier and let it fly at the lizard.
To hit 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21
Damage 1d6 + 0 ⇒ (3) + 0 = 3

Round 1

Anton steps carefully forward a few more yards in the same direction as before, bringing him within striking distance of the big lizard. He swings his lucerne hammer around a few times until Corbius provides the perfect distraction with his noisy attack, and then makes a quick jab with the spearpoint.

Move action to move 5' diagonally again, to 10' south of Wicewakan.
Standard attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15 for 1d10 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3 damage.

If Nora is upset by the condition of her feet the cheerful cleric doesn't let on. After returning the camp she readily trades jokes with Galik, has a few quite chats with one or two other members of the party and try and tend to her own infection as best she can.

The days explorations are interrupted more often by her attempting to tend to her feet, and as a matter of course checking the others. When Anton exits the jungle and warns fo the approaching lizard she nods and ensures her weapons are the hand.

Just readying weapons in the pre-round as it were, I don't think the party needs bless for this, unless anyone wants to suggest they really do.

Just readying weapons in the pre-round as it were, I don't think the party needs bless for this, unless anyone wants to suggest they really do.

Can't hurt and wouldn't take any time, but isn't necessary. Main thing is that you're first up for Round 1. ;)

Round 0
Nim immediately orders Wicewakan to attack when the lizard breaks from the underbrush... handle animal: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19 sucess ... which Wicewakan does. Both Nim and Wicewakan move to intercept the lizard.

Round 1
Wicewakan closes the distance quickly and launches himself at the incoming lizard... standard action w/bite 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22 damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3 crit confirm 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7 fail As the wolf lands its bite, it instinctively jerks backwards forcibly attempting to pull the lizard off its feet. trip attempt: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12

Meanwhile Nim moves up alongside his companion move action and thrusts at the lizard with his spear... standard action attack w/spear 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21 damage 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13 ...stabbing the thing in its shoulder.

Round 2
Wicewakan continues to bite at the lizard... standard action attack w/bite 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18 damage 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6 once again trying to pull the lizard down with a tug. trip attempt 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9

Nim stabs once more at the lizard with his spear... standard action attack w/spear 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22 damage 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9 ...once again driving his spear into the flesh of the creature.

Current status:
Nim -- AC: 15 HP: 13 of 13
Wicewakan -- AC: 14 HP: 14 of 14

Flextime: conversation with Corbius

Sounds fine to me. We should get a look at this map, it may prove useful in our explorations. And I am still of the opinion that those that take the risks should reap the rewards. No share for those that remain at camp...

Flextime: convo with Corbius re: Ishirou's map

Anton looks thoughtful. "You know, I can't exactly explain why it's different to me, but it is. I agree that in this case, any reward should just be between the one that provides the opportunity and the ones what do the work." He squints off into the distance.

Anton relaxes and snaps his fingers. "I've got it! It's the difference between survival and profit. Even just staying in camp is risky here -- as I can attest," he says, gesturing at the shoulder savaged by a dimorphodon -- "and we all deserve to survive. So, I'd share the incidentals from exploration. But a treasure hunt? Now, that's different." He gives a wide-eyed grin that goes ear-to-ear.

It's all there in his background, interview, and traits -- this is not something that Anton could possibly refuse.

Nora, just need your Round 1 action....readying I assume was your round 0 action...

Nora starts to delay in Round 1.
Tragershen launches his Rapier in round 1 and slices the Lizard on its shoulder.
Corbrius steps up and misses.
Anton's blow is a little off balance but enogh to land a solid hit.
Wic moves up and gets a hold of the Lizards back leg, but doesn't pull it down.
Nim lands another solid blow from his spear.

The onslaught catches the Lizard completely by suprise...faced with so many prepared foes it withdraws From Nim back into the jungle...giving each of the rest of you standing next to it an opportunity to strike at it...
1d3 ⇒ 1 1=Wic, 2=Corbrius, 2=Anton.
Wic is the first to draw blood and down the Lizard!

150 xp each

The rest of the day passes quietly, and you have a good dinner of fresh Lizard meat!

13th of Lamashan

You wake to heavy fog...it threatens to be a hot and sticky day. Visibility is bad and you are a little concerned about scouting for the day. You continue to move up the coast and the fog burns off eventually. You get to the Northwest tip of the Shiv, across from the strange island you noticed from before, this is about the closest you can get to it from this side. There is still muich water between you and the island and it is still quite far away. Again you see a gray mass, looking odd against the rest of the jungle. You are closer though. You think you pick out dead looking vegetation rising from the island, but you still can't really pick out any detail.
You don't see any wrecks on this side so you continue your exploration until you rest near the wreck you first explored. It is a quiet evening.

14th of Lamashan

You are awaken at Dawn by a large noise coming your way...you have just enough time to grab your weapons and stand when you see it just a short distance away....Hundreds of high-pitched squeaks fill the air as a mass of small, carnivorous bats surges forth, all of them hungry for blood!

W Ni
No A----------BSBS
-C------------BSBS

The bats are 50' (each dash is 5')from you, it occupies a large space and they can fly...

Order of Combat Round 1:
Nim 17a
Wic 17b
Corbrius 16
Tragershen 15
Anton 13
Nora 4a
Bat Swarm 4b

XP total = 1590

Knowledge (nature): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28

As the bats speed towards the party Nim calls out a warning, They are blood suckers! Don't let them swarm you! Trager, your sleep spell might affect them if you cast at the swarm only! Little else we possess will hurt them! RUN FOR THE WATER!

How close are we to the beach? Can we make it and submerge ourselves until they lose interest perhaps?

Will post actions based on info. :) Are there enough higher up plants to entangle the swarm? Do we have any meat left over to drop as a diversion?

Nature 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18

Of course!Tragershen will move 30' away from the bats, spin about and start casting Sleep on the swarm.

If no meat is available, Nim will likely use Summon Nature's Ally to summon a pony directly into the swarm as a distraction while we run. :) Repeating if necessary...

You are a couple of hundred metres from the cliff face...and then its a 75-125 drop...entangle would not work on the flying swarm...you do know that splash and area of effect evocations work well on them...they are not very intelligent, if provided a juicy target they will feed....you are not sure if you have enough bloody meat to distract them, although a warm body is sure to do it...

Nim hesitates to act, waiting to see if Tragershen's spell is effective. delay until init 14

You have seen him cast it before...the bats will be on you before the spell is completed...1 Round to cast

And so is Summon Nature's Ally... but Color Spray is only a standard action. ;)

Ok fine, in the interest of moving things along... :)

Nim strides towards the bats, putting himself directly in the path of the oncoming swarm. move action step diagonally in front of Anton and 5' forward

Corb! Trager! Hit them with whatever you have... wait until they swarm me! Nora! Anton! Get clear!

Nim then pulls some holly from his belt pouch and begins to chant while drawing patterns in the air with his finger. standard action begin casting summon nature's ally

That's why Tragershen moved 30' away before he started casting; essentially, he was using the party as bait for the bats so he could hopefully cast Sleep without interruption.

We don't want too many party members in the area of the spell... you could end up sleeping too many of us and not enough bats! :) That is why Nim will act as the only bait. :P

Corbius moves away from the party towards the bat swarm. Get moving the rest of you I think I can buy us some time for you to get away!

Corbius takes a 5' step towards the bat swarm and readies an action to cast colour spray as soon as they get in range. DC 14

14th of Lamashan, at dawn

Knowledge (nature): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12

Round 1

With Nim and Tragershen actively casting spells, and Corbius apparently prepared to do the same, Anton decides to get some distance and see what happens.

"Okay! I'll go and get out my alchemist's fire, just in case." Anton scampers away from the bats. Double move 30' toward Tragershen -- keeping in mind what happened to Larissia, he wants to be able to fend off anything else that might take advantage of the spell-casting elf's unreadiness.

Nora turns to face the strange unrushing cloud of squeezes and hisses, and her eyes widen a little at Nim's verbal warning. "Are you sure?" she asks in response to the assertion that little we have can hurt them.

She swallows a tad nervously and moves to get out of the way of the bats, away from the swarm itself and hopefully out of any potential area of effect with regards spells.

She'll move to whatever position keeps her out of direct line of fire but 'with' the party. I'd imagine that would be relatively close to Tragershen, but it's hard for me to judge.

Corbrius steps up, whispering arcane words of power waiting for the right moment...Tragershen continues his build up of power.
The Bats swarm towards Corbrius and Nim, the load squeaks hungering for their life....just as the first few bats try to start attaching themselves to Corbrius he unleashes his spell...it slams in to the creatures dropping hundreds and hundreds of them.

The effect is immediate, the remaining bats seem to lose cohesion and their aggressiveness. Corbrius and Tragershen know how short this spell lasts and just for good measure Tragershen drops his sleep on the mass of bats.

You grab your things as quickly as possible and take off. The run for a few hundred yards before stopping...panting. You know you made it out with your lives and it is a real relief.

The spend the rest of the day wary but encounter nothing else. When you make it back to camp you are almost as glad to see the other as they are you!

Half XP for getting away from them but not destroying them entirely. 75xp each.

You rest the night and other than Sasha getting sick with some type of disease you wake up the next morning. What is the plan/course for the day?

Half XP for getting away from them but not destroying them entirely. 75xp each.

Boo! ;) XP total = 1665

I assume further exploration... but how many of us are diseased now? Do we need to treat that before continuing? I can post up a new exploration route/map later this afternoon...