Uruk Meginherd |
Stopping dead in his tracks, Uruk takes one hand off his blade to motion towards the others to stop and of impending danger. With a quick glance behind him, he confirms exactly what Evelina had just whispered.
Moving quietly in the snow, Uruk puts himself between the caravan and Ember. Staring at the Caravan with his mighty blade drawn, Uruk scowls and prepares for the worst. With a quick motion of his head towards the overturned caravan, Uruk quietly indicates to his companions prepare for action.
Rorgar Brewmaster |
found a computer
Rorgar stops advancing towards the overturned coach, when he see's the others start drawing weapons.
he then pulls out his warhammer, and then continues to wade through the snow to the coach.
He then looks around, Are we ready to open this up ? he quietly comments.
Uruk Meginherd |
Glancing over at Rorgar with a slow nod, Uruk appears to say be ready without actually saying the words before he approaches the caravan.
Okay, it's game time... Uruk will cautiously approach and open it up, ready for anything.
GM_Fenwick |
Upon prying open the doors, two figures stumble out of the caravan. The stench of rot and decay clings to their bloodstained clothes, and an unearthly moaning noise emanates from their slack-jawed mouths. Their eyes are glazed over and their hands grope blindly in the air towards the closest source of brains living flesh.
Rolling for Initiative.
Uruk: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15
Evelina: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13
Rorgar: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12
Ember: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16
Zombie 1: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (2) + 0 = 2
Zombie 2: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (12) + 0 = 12
Merry Christmas! Gimme a second to get the zombies on the map...
After dice roll: you all go first. Then the zombies.
Ember Fanning |
Ember's eyes widen as the zombies emerge from the carriage, then narrow as she calls to mind what she might know about them.
Knowledge (religion): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17
Would zombies qualify as 'common' monsters? If so, DC to identify would only be 5 + CR to recall a single piece of useful information, and a 17 would get me three pieces.
GM_Fenwick |
/According to the rules, the DC is 10 + the CR, which in this case is 11. While zombies are common in some parts of the world (i.e. Ustalv), I'm going to firmly say that it isn't a common sight to see zombies around a Taldan village. Not rare though. Just not common.
You can recall that weapons that deal damage via slashing are the most effective in dealing with zombies, that isn't to say that others are ineffective.
--
Zombies have DR 5/Slashing
Ember Fanning |
Fair enough.
"Zombies! Cutting weapons are effective against them!" Ember calls out to the rest of the group. She draws her dagger and takes a single move closer to the zombies, but stays still firmly behind Uruk. "Try to approach from the direction of the road -- don't get between me and them, I'm going to try to burn them from the direction of the forest." She's headed due west from her current map position, and next round she should be able to get into a position near the dead horse.
Uruk Meginherd |
Hearing Ember yell, Uruk nods with a grin "Cutting weapons, huh? Good." Trudging through the snow, Uruk hefts his massive blade and strikes at the nearest zombie.
Five foot step and attack the closest Zombie.
Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9
Damage: 2d6 + 6 ⇒ (1, 2) + 6 = 9
Rorgar Brewmaster |
Hearing Ember, Rorgar grumbles Slashing weapons, go figure He then holsters his warhammer, and then draws his dagger as he approaches the zombies.
Evelina Silverblade |
Evelina sighs, drawing her shortsword as she moves towards the zombies. Stupid can't-be-stabbed-zombies...
If I remember correctly our movement is impaired...so Evelina just double moves (moved piece accordingly).
Also, regarding the parry riposte thing...to streamline it, does the following work for you?
3/3 Panache - Assume she will parry/riposte anything that attacks her.
2/3 Panache - Assume she will parry/riposte any boss/identifiably stronger monster
1/3 Panache - Assume she won't use it unless otherwise specified.
GM_Fenwick |
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAND we're back in business!
@Enira: Yeah, that should work.
The zombies shuffle, moaning all the while. The one closest to Uruk swings at him with its rotten claws, and the one pierced with arrows moves in to attack Evelina.
Attack @Uruk: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6
Damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5
Attack @Evelina: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7
Damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8
----
Better late than never when it comes to trying that new thing you've cooked up, Eve...
-----
Both zombies miss dramatically. We are now at the top of the initiative.
Ember Fanning |
Ember moves four squares west (40' move, each square counts as 10') as a move action, and then as a standard action uses her wizard school's fire jet ability -- a 20' line of fire straight northwards. It should catch both zombies.
Damage south zombie: 1d6 ⇒ 1 plus catches fire?
Damage north zombie: 1d6 ⇒ 3 plus catches fire?
Reflex DC 14 to halve the damage and avoid catching fire.
Evelina Silverblade |
Guess I'll go ahead and post for now.
Evelina uses her shortsword to attempt to knock away the claw of the zombie attacking her, then tries to take advantage of the opening.
Parry: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8 I believe I just had to beat his attack roll.
Riposte: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19
Riposte Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
She then tries to slash the sword back down, wielding the the unfamiliar weapon somewhat awkwardly.
Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7
Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6
Rorgar Brewmaster |
Rorgar, cursing under his breath, scrabbles his way beside Urik, and then attempts to eviserate the zombie with his dagger.
attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17
damage: 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6
full 20' move to just south of Urik. (difficult terrain, deep snow), Standard action attack
Evelina Silverblade |
Wiping her sword off with a rag, Evelina laughs nervously and says to Ember, "See! Nothing to worry about! You are safe with us! "Holstering her sword, she scratches her head and says to everyone, "Can't say I was expecting zombies, though...This whole thing keeps getting weirder and weirder...
Evelina begins lazily searching the area for any clues or signs of life.
Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5
Rorgar Brewmaster |
After wiping his dagger off. Well, now that was unexpected.
Rorgar then continues to look around the area.
perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11
Ember Fanning |
"Safe, but not warm", Ember just answers to Evelina in a dour mood, as if the cold was the worst thing that could happen. "Do the zombies look like they are guards from the caravan that was slaughtered here?" she asks from the people who are nearer by to the corpses. "If so, the question is what caused them to rise. I don't think that is something that just occurs spontaneously."
Uruk Meginherd |
Nodding at Ember while sticking his sword into the ground for a moment, Uruk crouches over the zombie corpse to inspect it "Good question Ember, let me take a closer look."
Perception to inspect Zombies: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18
GM_Fenwick |
We now return you to your frozen adventure. We hope you've brought hand warmers.
The zombies are identified as retainers and guards in the service of the currently missing Lady Argenta, if the heraldry on their armor.
There is a frozen statue at A3, bearing a captain's breastplate emblazoned with Taldan heraldry. From its looks, you can estimate it to be a hefty fortune, as well as the masterwork longsword encased in a chunk of ice, still grasped by the poor sod's icy grip.
You may...
* Look into the carriage. You never know what they left behind...
* Follow an obvious snowy trail deeper into the woods. Whoever made them were unable to mask their presence due to the heavy snowfall.
Rorgar Brewmaster |
Rorgar, after looking around, heads over to the carrages.
I wonder if they left things behind
perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9
Evelina Silverblade |
Evelina shrugs and hops into the carriage with Rorgar. She casually uses her rapier to poke around, looking for anything of interest.
Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20
GM_Fenwick |
Inside of the carriage, you find two of Lady Argentea's dead handmaidens. Of monetary value, you find a wide assortment spare clothing worth 90 GP when resold.
Evelina's sharp eye for details yields a jewelry box hidden under the seat. The bandits must have missed it in their haste to make off with Lady Argentea. The box contains:
* Lady Argentea's Signet Ring
* Pair of earrings (25 GP)
* Pearl-inlaid bracelet (90 GP)
* Assorted gold and silver necklaces (75 GP)
* Sapphire Pendant (50 GP)
Do you wish to take the time to defrost the frozen guard captain for his breastplate and masterwork sword? Depending on your method of defrosting, it may take up some time.
I will be making a document for the loot for our organizing and dividing convenience Expect the link for it to go up sometime today.
Evelina Silverblade |
"Yes...I found something!" Evelina replies, excitement evident in her voice. She reemerges from the back, examining the jewelry box. "Beautiful stuff..." she murmurs as she pours through the jewelry.
The bracelet catches her eye, as she holds it up and compares the color to her own clothing and many rings. With a sheepish grin, she asks "Would anybody mind if I took this? I'd be willing to subtract its value from my share...I think it would really complete my outfit."
Almost as an afterthought she adds, "Oh yeah...and I think I found Lady Argentea signet ring too..."
The bracelet isn't a totally random request. It would put Evelina at the 175gp worth of clothing and jewelry she needs to activate her "Extremely Fashionable" trait, which would give her a +1 to Bluff, Diplomacy and Intimidate.
Rorgar Brewmaster |
I cannot see a problem with that, but lets hear about it from the rest.
Looking at the guard captain. Anyone want to help me get those, they are doing him no good, and we may have to return them to the lady Argentea.
Ember Fanning |
"Have at it, as far as I care", Ember nods to Evelina, seeming to have no problem with her taking an advance part of her share.
Intelligence: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24
Do I think that expending a use or two of my Fire Jet ability might help thaw the captain? Would it be too much, too little, or just right?
Ember Fanning |
Ember approaches the fallen captain, uncoils her fingers, and unleashes a torrent of flame (1 use of Fire Jet) that first focuses on the attachment points of the masterwork sword, to crack it free, and then if there's any flame left, on heating the breastplate so that it will melt loose more easily.
Rorgar Brewmaster |
My thanks lady Ember
Rorgar then starts to peel the equipment off the guard captain after it has been loosened. I wonder what caused this to happen to him
Ember Fanning |
Does the degree of freezing seem like something that would have happened in the time that has passed since the caravan's ambush? Or is the freezing too deep and extensive to result from the weather?
Heal: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (7) + 0 = 7
Survival: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (7) + 0 = 7
Ember will agree to head toward A4, though she is as reticent as she has been about the outdoor adventure up to this point.
Rorgar Brewmaster |
These might be useful, can anyone use them ?
Once the weapon and the armour is broken free, Rorgar will attempt to determine length and what caused the freezing.
heal: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22
survival: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9
After that, Rorgar will agree to head down A4
Evelina Silverblade |
Evelina seems to get distracted during the melting of the frozen man, wandering around and twirling her rapier in her hand.
"I don't need 'em..." she replies to Rorgar, as she loses focuses and the rapier flies out of her hand. Blushing slightly, she briskly jogs to reclaim it. "So, uh...we should probably get moving...They probably went this way, right?" she says as she shivers and gestures towards the footprints.
Uruk Meginherd |
Looking at the corpses, Uruk mutters as he shakes his head and responds to Rograr "What caused this? Nothing natural I'm guessing."
Moving over to the newly thawed equipment, Uruk inspects it closely "The sword is of a certain quality, though a bit small for my tastes. This breastplate though, if it will fit me, it might be of use to me."
Ember Fanning |
"Why would they capture Lady Argentea instead of killing her along with everyone else? Ransom? Or something else?" Ember muses in a low voice, mostly to herself, although it's not impossible for others to hear if they pay attention.
GM_Fenwick |
From the way his body reacts to the melting ice, you can tell that this was not a natural freezing. The stump where his sword arm was once attached shows no signs of having bled out. It is most likely that, judging from the way the blood was clotted, that he had been encased in ice by some sort of cold magic and that his body was entirely frozen before someone (or something) proceeded to gleefully carve away body parts, like the sword arm.
Rorgar Brewmaster |
He was frozen solid, then cut up, but I do not know what caused the freezing.
Uruk, take it, I guess for now I will carry the sword, although what use of it I will get, I do not know.
Evelina Silverblade |
"That's plain awful..." Evelina says, shaking her head.
Turning to Ember, she asks, "Any idea what kind of magic could freeze a man solid? I mean, it can't just be the weather, right? It's cold...but not that cold..." she says as she pokes at the frozen arm with the rapier.
Ember Fanning |
"I have some idea", Ember mumbles under her breath, again not intending to make her words heard, but not intending to conceal them either. Then, speaking more out loud, to the party, she says, "There are many kinds of cold magics. None of which I'd like to see."
Uruk Meginherd |
Nodding at Rorgar, the large kellid picks up the breastplate and starts to open up the straps "Even with the straps let out, it's a bit tight, but I suppose it's better than nothing."
Moving up near Ember as he surveys the sight, Uruk responds to her musings "Your suggesting she might still be alive then? Perhaps we should follow the assailants trails, it might not be too late."
Evelina Silverblade |
In agreement with Uruk, Evelina says, "Yeah, I really think we should start moving...especially if she might still be alive."
GM_Fenwick |
You follow the footsteps that lead deeper into the forest, bracing yourselves against the gusts of wind that seek purchase through your winter clothing. As the trail enters the full expanse of the Border Wood, the trail passes through a small clearing among the taller trees before continuing uphill and out of sight. A large chest lies half-buried in the snow, apparently dropped or discarded by those who hastily passed this way.
What do you do?
Rorgar Brewmaster |
Seems an odd thing to just be sitting half buried there,
If I were a bandit and trying to get rid of a chest, I would have buried it completely.
Rorgar pauses and looks around from the trail.
perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12
Evelina Silverblade |
"Maybe they just left it and it got snowed on?" Evelina suggests, with a shrug. "Why? You think its a trap?" she asks, as she give the area a brief inspection.
Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10