Brand Orson |
The world spun around him as he pushed his way onto a small mound. The taste of bile choked his throat as he retched.
"Damn...stupid.." He flicked a leech that clung lifelessly to his bare arm.
"...giants." he said breathlessly.
He tried to stand but his legs wobbled unsteadily beneath him.
"Maybe ill sit here for a spell."
Evelyn Nyx |
Evelyn swayed her hand over the dying, burnt leeches. As they disintegrated, the fumes swept over the two monks, bringing back to them some small measure of their lost fortitude.
Lesser Restoration Maitreya=1d4 ⇒ 1
Lesser Restoration Brand=1d4 ⇒ 3
Both monks can choose whether they want to heal that much Con OR Str damage, not both.
Cure Light Maitreya=1d8 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6 hp healed.
Cure Light Brand=1d8 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12 hp healed.
Evelyn then came over to inspect the knight...
Evelyn uses Stabilize on the knight, then a heal check to try brining him to conciousness. Takes 20 on check, since there is no immediate threat nearby. Take 20 Heal = 23.
Evelyn Nyx |
[dice=Evelyn Nyx Dispel Magic vs DC 16] 1d20+9
Evelyn tried to unravel the magic binding the leech swarm without success, watching helplessly as they bit and ripped at Brand.
The toothed club giant moved off, leaving Brand in the clutches of the murderous vermin.
Talon watched the Shaman back away until he vanished into the swamp.
Amelia's ball lightning crackled over the swarm moments later, finishing off the vermin for good.
[dice=Swarm Reflex DC 21] 1d20+8
[dice=Swarm Reflex DC 21] 1d20+8Combat Over!
Party Status
Amelia Darkarch 26 [flying, 60 feet]
Bralani Azata 26 [flying, 0 feet, 6 rounds]
Maitreya the Enlightened 17b [-2 Str/-3 Con, -2 ki, 35 dmg]
Evelyn Nyx 17 [shield of darkness +4 AC, shield of faith +3 deflection]
Brand Orson 16b [Nauseated, -2 Str, -3 Con, -3 ki, 36 dmg]
Talon the Storm Crow 15
Is that damage counting Con loss hp?
Reminder for future ref: Cloak of Darkness (Not Shield of Darkness), gives me +6 AC, not +4...
GM_Arrule |
GM_Arrule wrote:[dice=Evelyn Nyx Dispel Magic vs DC 16] 1d20+9
Evelyn tried to unravel the magic binding the leech swarm without success, watching helplessly as they bit and ripped at Brand.
The toothed club giant moved off, leaving Brand in the clutches of the murderous vermin.
Talon watched the Shaman back away until he vanished into the swamp.
Amelia's ball lightning crackled over the swarm moments later, finishing off the vermin for good.
[dice=Swarm Reflex DC 21] 1d20+8
[dice=Swarm Reflex DC 21] 1d20+8Combat Over!
Party Status
Amelia Darkarch 26 [flying, 60 feet]
Bralani Azata 26 [flying, 0 feet, 6 rounds]
Maitreya the Enlightened 17b [-2 Str/-3 Con, -2 ki, 35 dmg]
Evelyn Nyx 17 [shield of darkness +4 AC, shield of faith +3 deflection]
Brand Orson 16b [Nauseated, -2 Str, -3 Con, -3 ki, 36 dmg]
Talon the Storm Crow 15Is that damage counting Con loss hp?
Reminder for future ref: Cloak of Darkness (Not Shield of Darkness), gives me +6 AC, not +4...
That damage does not include that from any Con loss. Hmmm....thought I'd updated that shield AC thing. Must have used an older version of the lineup to C+P from.
Brand Orson |
The sickness washed out of brand as Evelyn worked her magics. He sighed in relief as his vision stopped spinning.
Thank you very much Lady Nyx He took a deep bow.
Let me know if i can assist you in any way possible.
He rummaged through his pack and produced a small glass vial filled with swirling black.
Here take this, it will help you sneak up on something next time we get into something bad.
Brands hands her the potion.
elixir of hiding- +10 competence bonus on Stealth checks for 1 hour
GM_Arrule |
At the touch of Evelyn's magic, the knight twitched and a groan escaped his lips.
His eyes, a startling slate grey snapped open and he looked at you for the first time. His head jerked backwards and his hand snatched towards his empty scabbard, swampwater splashing at his sudden movements.
"Who....Who are you people? Where am I? The giants! Where are the giants?" His eyes wide, he frantically twisted his head to look around him, rising unsteadily to his feet.
Brand Orson |
"Calm down, we're friends. We ran the buggers off right before they were about to have a knight kabob."
Brand took a cloth from his pocket and started to wipe the slime and dried blood off of his own face.
"So your as safe as you can be for now. Mind you, the stupid giants might come back any minute in force. So we should be up and moving as soon as possible. Ill have a look for your sword and anything else round here."
Perception: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (12) + 13 = 25
GM_Arrule |
Brand hunts without success for the warriors missing weapon.
"It's not here,"the knight said. "One of those brutes bent it in half with his bare hands....his bare hands!...and heaved it into the swamp a ways back. Laughed when he did it, too, as if he had nothing to fear from a Servant of the Four." He made a quick motion with one hand, a touching of chest and forehead, and then forehead and chest, closing his eyes and bowing his head for a moment, as if in prayer.
Brand Orson |
Well then. I have no idea about the four, or what you did there. But why are you here? In a putrid swamp with the middle of nowhere long behind you?
Brand hopped onto a low hanging branch and took off his boots, dumping the muck trapped inside.
GM_Arrule |
"You drove off the giants you say?" The knight blinked and studied the young man and his companions. "An Aerocaster and her elemental pet, a masked woman who walks on water and two warriors with neither arms or armor? Against marsh giants? A shame I was too busy being unconscious to witness such a sight as that battle must have been."
The knights face was impossible to read. "I'll answer your question if you but answer one of mine. Why are you in the swamp?"
GM_Arrule |
Maitreya stepped forward and bowed. "We five are here at the behest of the Hettwoman of the village of Mudwater. Someone has destroyed their hunting traps and their foodstocks are dangerously low. Scouts reported that the Cult of the King in Yellow might have been behind the damage and suggested this area as the home to tunnels bearing their mark. And so, here we find ourselves."
The knight frowned,"Five? I count four...." Talon slipped from the shadows at the knights back, double-bladed sword in hand, lightning crackled from the blades, reflected in the ravenfolk's black eyes. "The giants kept running and met up together again. They are out there...right now, planning their next move. I agree with Orson. We should leave......and soon. We can walk and talk."
The knight regarded the birdman and then nodded and brushed swamp scum from his breastplate. "Low foodstocks you say? That makes no sense. Seven wagons out of Westfork under Maester Turnbull of the Blue Star Banner left for Mudwater the week before last. Four pledged lances along to ensure the shipments safety. Are you saying the supplies never arrived?"
Evelyn Nyx |
Evelyn took off her mask for a moment.
"Hmm. Well, those that sent us certainly never mentioned any such caravan. So either they never made it, or... "
She then turned back to where Talon came from.
"If these giants are coming back again, might I suggest we either be unfindable... and untrackable... or they will be ambushing us at a most unfortunate time? Perhaps we should pursue them after all, to make sure they understand their next move should be to continue retreating?"
"Amelia... if the tower is close, perhaps you may want to check it out? As I said, it is a Storm Tower. Something to do with dragons as well, so you may want to be cautious if you fly there ahead of us..."
GM_Arrule |
"And, while I admire your bravery in suggesting we give chase to the giants, your two warriors are wounded and I lack anything even as dangerous as a letter opener...Ah, but I'm being rude."
The knight bowed slightly. "Sir Norin Mildegard, Knight of the Shining Crusade, and Silver Spur of the Righteous Charge. To whom do I have the honor of addressing?"
The Knight's Bow - Diplomacy DC 15
House Mildegard - Knowledge:Nobility DC 15
The Righteous Charge - Knowledge:Local DC 20
Silver Spur - Knowledge:Local 25
Amelia Darkarch |
Amelia floated above the throng with a look of vague disinterest, drifting slowly over the bog.
As Evelyn addressed her, she looked up " One thing at a time, Dear. We must find these carts and their drivers, and then we can quench our curiosity. Perhaps sir knight knew the route they may have taken" and she returned to her drifting.
GM_Arrule |
Sir Mildegard frowned as Amelia worked an enchantment, gazing about in alarm. "Do you see trouble from up there? We should be off to somewhere more secure if so. Unexplained spellcasting makes me....uncomfortable."
The knight walked over to a half-sunken tree trunk and snapped a stout limb free. He hefted the club in one hand, gave it a few practice swings and sighed. "The best that can be managed at present, I suppose."
He began to walk north towards the lake.
"Follow me."
GM_Arrule |
A walk of half an hour brings you once more to the shore of Cloud Mirror Tarn. A campfire soon blazes, drying your clothes and bodies.
Sir Norin Mildegard gouged lines in the muddy ground. "Westfork is.....here, and Mudwater is around.....here, is it not? That means any caravan heading there would move west around Telara's Anvil....this highland spur....and through this valley. Chillspring Vale, I think it's called. Weird name."
He knight dragged his stick in a serpentine shape. "Two days there, as the crow flies," He looked at Talon. "Back through the swamp."
GM_Arrule |
Amelia Darkarch |
Amelia hovered above the earth, having altered her enchantment of flight after the battle. Nodding at the monk's words she waited until he stopped speaking before interjecting.
" Dear Monk. You are clearly not the one who should venture out on your own. The stink of dark magic is all over you. Allow me to check on the boat. I'm sure I can manage that while the rest of you dry off...and perhaps wash" she said crinkling her nose.
Not waiting for an argument she took to the sky, enacting a minor enchantment to change the color and pattern of her garments and allowing her cloak to billow out. To the world below she resembled nothing more than a large raven.
GM_Arrule |
Amelia hovered above the earth, having altered her enchantment of flight after the battle. Nodding at the monk's words she waited until he stopped speaking before interjecting.
" Dear Monk. You are clearly not the one who should venture out on your own. The stink of dark magic is all over you. Allow me to check on the boat. I'm sure I can manage that while the rest of you dry off...and perhaps wash" she said crinkling her nose.
Not waiting for an argument she took to the sky, enacting a minor enchantment to change the color and pattern of her garments and allowing her cloak to billow out. To the world below she resembled nothing more than a large raven.
** spoiler omitted **
Amelia soon located the eel boat, the shallow craft fetched up against a sunken log. Of the marsh giants, there was no sign.
Brand Orson |
"She is definitely right about the stink." He climbed down the tree and waded through the muck and slime.
"Don't know why I even bothered cleaning out my boots!" As he lifted his boot up, brown water sloshed out the top.
"Now, it seems to me that the people not having food was our mission out here. To see why the traps were broke so they could reset them. Those giants could well have been the reason. There is however wagonloads of food somewhere out there for these hungry folks. So why not get the wagonstuffs, bring it to them, then deal with the bad frogfolk?"
GM_Arrule |
"Because if the servants of the Yellow King ARE out here, they are the biggest threat. As for the giants being responsible for all that. We just let them escape to continue doing it."
Sir Norin nodded. "Your zeal is commendable...Miss....I never did get your name."
Brand Orson |
Brand unknowingly interposed himself between them.
"I'm Brand Orson!" He held out his hand expectantly.
He looked over his own dirty slime covered form.
"Sorry about the extra stink on me. I kind of got eaten by a large and blighted turtle. Bugger gobbled me right down! Pretty nasty stuff inside a turtles stomach,had to rip my way out!"
He made a quick slicing movement with his hand as he chuckled.
"Im gonna hop up this tree and see what i can see from from up top."
Brand will jump into the largest tree nearby and spend his time jumping form one limb to another to get as high as he can to see out above the canopy.
Where did you go lady Amelia?
Perception: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (1) + 13 = 14
GM_Arrule |
Brand unknowingly interposed himself between them.
"I'm Brand Orson! He holds out his hand expectantly.He looked over his own dirty slime covered form.
"Sorry about the extra stink on me. I kind of got eaten by a large and blighted turtle. Bugger gobbled me right down! Pretty nasty stuff inside a turtles stomach,had to rip my way out!"He made a quick slicing movement with his hand as he chuckled.
"Im gonna hop up this tree and see what i can see from from up top."
Brand will jump into the largest tree nearby and spend his time jumping form one limb to another to get as high as he can to see out above the canopy.Where did you go lady Amelia?
[dice=Perception] 1d20+13Brand clambered up a nearby tree and scanned the area. He thought he saw what looked like a giant crow or raven wheeling about over the swamp to the south but he saw no signs of Amelia.
From on high, however, he did see the black iron tower Evelyn had mentioned, a spike of metal thrusting skyward from behind a nearby corpse of trees, maybe a six or seven minute walk away.
Brand Orson |
Bark flaked off through his fingers as he slid down the trunk. He swung up and around on an overhead branch, let go, and landed next to the group. He crouched on the tuft of soil with his hands down and his knees pointing up. Spiderman style FYI
"That tower thing is just that way, pretty close and maybe a place to dry off?"
His arm raised and he gestured through the trees.
"Actually,"
He reached inside his pocket and took out a flask filled with smokey roiling liquid. He popped the top and let out a low belch as he finished drinking it.
"Ill be right back."
He leapt up into the trees and started moving off, disappearing as he entered the leaves.
Lady Amelia did it too, she scouted out the boats. Ill just scout out this spire real quick.
A small curios smile crept up his lip as he swung away.
Stealth check: 1d20 + 10 + 17 ⇒ (10) + 10 + 17 = 37
Moving half speed to keep as quiet as possible. Light rustles as he goes branch to branch either jumping or running along branches.
Acrobatics: 1d20 + 34 ⇒ (13) + 34 = 47
If he gets close enough to see something or listen. He will do a treeshape and look like every other tree.
Amelia Darkarch |
Unburdened of the others, and assured that their boat was still hidden amongst the logs Amelia took to the skies once again. Soaring further and further up until she had a commanding view of the whole lake. Once she had her bearings she began searching for the lake shore tunnels that Slick had spoken of.
Evelyn Nyx |
"I'm afraid my travelling companions can be a bit... flighty at times. Pardon the pun of course. My name is Nyx. Cursed by the likes of the Yellow King, and sworn to hunt down and destroy such monsters before they hurt any other innocents..."
At this, Evelyn took away the mask fully, revealing her milky white eyes to the knight.
"So. marsh giants, cultists, and an ancient dragon tower. We were told this cult may have tunnels near this location, while your caravan is a considerable journey away. Considering the time of day, I suggest we rest here a bit, and await our scouts' reports before deciding the next move. Have some?"
Evelyn gave some mushrooms to the knight to eat, and a flask of pure water. Then she moved slightly into the reeds, practically disappearing from sight. She set to watching out for trouble, and placed her mask back upon her face.
And then the knight was left alone with the Monk and the Crow...
Stealth = 1d20 + 27 ⇒ (9) + 27 = 36
GM_Arrule |
The tower stood on a stout base of fitted stone, a single wide staircase leading to an opening in the structures side. A pair of statues flanked the opening, both worn by weather and time, each of a drake in flight with wings outstretched, forming an awning of sorts that shaded the opening from the afternoon sun.
A man lay sprawled just inside the opening, unconscious or worse, mostly covered by his mustard-colored cloak.
GM_Arrule |
Unburdened of the others, and assured that their boat was still hidden amongst the logs Amelia took to the skies once again. Soaring further and further up until she had a commanding view of the whole lake. Once she had her bearings she began searching for the lake shore tunnels that Slick had spoken of.
The ruins of some sort of ancient structure are just visible beyond, peeking from the woodlands edge, a yellow pennant flapping in the mountain breeze from one shattered tower.
Amelia Darkarch |
With a quick incantation and the raising of the hood of her cloak Amelia changed her camouflage to that of a fluffy white cloud. Drifting slowly towards the caves she began a slow incantation. Long minutes drifted by, until at the end of the incantation she felt her mind ripped from her body and flung across the intervening space and she found herself standing in the camp. Far away, her body continued to drift with the wind as her consciousness roamed the camp.
Dm
Brand Orson |
What if he needs help? What if its a trap? ugh, i wish i had a better grip on this place. Evelyn said something about dragons? What would my father do?
His back stiffened as the answer instantly came to him.
He would try to help!
He crept towards the front of the tower, stopping every few feet to gauge his surroundings.
stealth: 1d20 + 10 + 17 ⇒ (2) + 10 + 17 = 29
GM_Arrule |
With a quick incantation and the raising of the hood of her cloak Amelia changed her camouflage to that of a fluffy white cloud. Drifting slowly towards the caves she began a slow incantation. Long minutes drifted by, until at the end of the incantation she felt her mind ripped from her body and flung across the intervening space and she found herself standing in the camp. Far away, her body continued to drift with the wind as her consciousness roamed the camp.
Dm ** spoiler omitted **
The scaffolding covering the cliffside all but obscures the rockface, but the magical eye slips through a small gap and reveals the bones of some sort of enormous beast are embedded in the stone matrix, as if it were in the process of being swallowed whole by the stone.
Workers hammer and chisel at the rock, passing buckets of rubble downwards on ropes and pulleys, slowly revealing more and more of the great beast. Amelia sees a massive crest bearing a rack of curled horns, scything claws at the end of at least six great legs and a long tail that splits into three or more whipping ends, each bearing a scythe-like stinger longer than Amelia was tall.
A single man oversees the dig, seated in a folding chair atop the scaffolding, a small folding table beside him, crowded with a pair of wire-rimmed spectacles, a small open book, and a crystal flute of amber colored fluid. Tall and broad-shouldered, his sharp nose and peircing eyes lent him a predatary nature.
Amelia watches him take a sip of the fluid and pick up the book, putting on his spectacles.
A warrior wearing a golden cloak walked up and bowed, leaning in to whisper something in the mans ear. He nodded and the soldier turned and walked away. The man returned to his book.
Realizing here time was short, Amelia sent the eye whizzing towards the ruin, taking in massive stones many times largeer than normal masonry, pillars like curving tusks and another array of scaffolding, this one over a sinkhole that has collapsed part of the floor of the ruins courtyard.
Several soldiers in golden cloaks surround the scaffolding, scanning the surrounding area. A rope descends from a crossbeam of the scaffold into the darkness below.
The spell ends
GM_Arrule |
What if he needs help? What if its a trap? ugh, i wish i had a better grip on this place. Evelyn said something about dragons? What would my father do?
His back stiffened as the answer instantly came to him.
He would try to help!He crept towards the front of the tower, stopping every few feet to gauge his surroundings.
** spoiler omitted **
No weapon wounds marred the warriors body. He could be sleeping, save for the look of horror on his face and the wisps of smoke rising from his empty eye sockets.
Something blurred past the doorway, something small...and blue.
The reptile was just larger than a housecat, long-tailed and slender. It raised itself onto it's hind legs, its forelimbs folded as if in prayer. Bony studs framed its blue-scaled face, an other longer spur of bone forming a nose spike.
It stood in the doorframe like a blue groundhog. Another chirped and scampered from the darkness, crawling onto the fallen warrior. The first snapped at the second and hissed, sparks lighting the gloom, lightning crackling from one lizard to the other.
Brand Orson |
Aw there kind of cute in a murderous way.
Brand took the only piece of dried meat he had from his pocket and moved a little bit closer to them.
GM_Arrule |
Aw there kind of cute in a murderous way.
Brand took the only piece of dried meat he had from his pocket and moved a little bit closer to them.
** spoiler omitted **
Brand heard a chorus of echoing chirps and several other small blue lizards moved into sight.
Brands hair began to stand on end as a half dozen pairs of reptilian eyes studied him.
Amelia Darkarch |
Amelia floated amongst the clouds for a moment processing what she had seen.
So. They are here. They are organized. They are led by a magister, and they have at least one capable warrior. Add in ancient ruins and the amount of effort they are expending, plus the proximity of a storm tower and this definitely speaks to weather control of some sort.
Amelia rolled her eyes
Always such gauche plans. Must they always seek world domination. Why not just financial security for a change. Well, I suppose I should gather my companions, such as they are
With that thought, Amelia changed her colouration back to that of a raven, did one more circuit of the lake in search of further tunnels and headed back to relay her information to her companions.
GM_Arrule |
The second site is more ominous, the stone of the lakeshore torn away, ragged holes showing where something huge had once lay. Twin lines marked the soft ground of the lake shore here,winding along the waterway, dissapearing into the distance....wagon ruts. A second wagon lay not far away, one of its iron-rimmed wheels shattered and sitting beside the cart. Its rusted hoops still supported a covering of drab canvas marked with a blue star.
Brand Orson |
Brand smiled to himself. Not such bad creatures, just a little uppity.
He snuck forward carefully to the corpse keeping as non threatening as possible.
Then his plan is to go back as quietly as possible and report.
GM_Arrule |
Brand smiled to himself. Not such bad creatures, just a little uppity.
He snuck forward carefully to the corpse keeping as non threatening as possible.
** spoiler omitted **
You are able to reach out and grab the fallen mans boot, pulling him away from the creatures and down the stone steps.
A quick check of his pockets reveals a sealed scroll tube, a small pouch that clnks of coin, and a full wineskin. His cloak is the color of old mustard but fully servicable.
Brand Orson |
Brand Orson wrote:** spoiler omitted **Brand smiled to himself. Not such bad creatures, just a little uppity.
He snuck forward carefully to the corpse keeping as non threatening as possible.
** spoiler omitted **
Brand Orson |
He held up the yellow bundle. A smile ran across his face as he looked everyone over.
"Well, guess I should explain a few things."
He held up his hand and counted his fingers.
"One, there is a dead guy at the base of the storm tower. He was a yellow cloaked fellow, so i thought that may be useful to abscond with his goods."
He unrolled the cloak on a nearby tuft of grass not under the water.
"Two, said goods."
He pointed to the objects.
"A sealed scroll tube, a small pouch and a full wineskin."
"Three, there are some small blue dragonlooking lizards that shocked this fellow to death. They are not too bad once you calm em down. So no killing them."
He hopped up on nearby tree.The mossy beard underneath shook as he plunked down on a branch.
"So yeah, there we go. Thoughts?"
His legs dangled out from underneath him.
GM_Arrule |
A large raven fluttered over the lakeshore, transforming into Amelia as it neared.
She swooped down next to the campfire and hovered there, just off the ground, and explained what she had seen. Brand shared his discoveries as well, painting a piucture of nearby locales and events.
Feel free to read Amelia and Brand's spoilers above. The question is now, with this information, what are your plans?
Evelyn Nyx |
Evelyn listens carefully to the reports of the others.
"It is obvious we should do something about wiping out this camp of the King in Yellow. Stay here for a few minutes, I will be right back. I have an idea that might work."
Need to know approximate travel times to the tower, the camp, and from tower to camp.
Evelyn Nyx |
"The powers of this mask will enable me to take on the appearance of another. I'll be back in a few moments... wearing the guise of the body at the tower."
Evelyn stealthily moves off to the tower. She attempts not to disturb the reptiles, and activates her mask's powers once she gets within 60 feet of the remains.
Stealth Check=1d20 + 27 ⇒ (12) + 27 = 39
Brand Orson |
As Evelyn left Brand walked over to the knight. He stared at the giant branch the man had taken for a club.
"Here left me fix that a bit for you."
As one finger touched the broken end, the wood creaked and snapped. It smoothed over and straightened out from top to bottom. The Haft cracked and reformed leaving a handhold more suitable for swinging.
Brands eyes narrowed and the crest of the knights crusade etched itself into the broad clubs top.
There, like it was handcrafted and everything! He gave the knight a broad smile.
Wood shape it to be as close to a great-club as possible. Making a decent handle and weighted right.
Woodcraft: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (13) + 14 = 27