GM Rat Sass's Age of Worms

Game Master Governayle

"Thank you Alastor. We will see your bones safely put to rest."
Tynan glances down the wooden walkway toward the far end.
"Didn't you say you could open the latch to the area beyond this walkway? We would greatly appreciate it."

"Didn't you say you could open the latch to the area beyond this walkway? We would greatly appreciate it."

Alastor watches Ascaria studying the items he's pointed out, then looks back at Solrisa carrying his bones.

"No, the maiden is right. There is no trust here. I might have done it for you in a moment of crazyhead, had she kissed me, but I'm much more myself now. I can feel myself rooted to those bones, my bones. When I feel myself slipping from this world, I'll know you held up your side of this agreement. Only then will I lift the latch. If I did it now, you'd have no reason to bury my bones."

Sol picks up an iron ball, hefting it in her hand. How many iron balls are there? How much do they weigh?

"Okay, Alastor, that sounds fine," Sol smiles sweetly at Alastor, pleased the boy has left Mort.

Sol opens her backpack and takes out her trusty waterproof bag and puts the bones & remains therein. She places the bag back in her backpack. She will help carry the remains of the gear to the ass (Thistle, not Tynan) when the party leaves. She lingers over the banded mail, considering.

As Alastor peels away from Mortimer, Mortimer's shoulders unslump and he clears his throat, rubbing the back of his neck.

He retrieves the other end of the rope in the event it becomes necessary to pull Solrisa back to safety.

"Didn't you say you could open the latch to the area beyond this walkway? We would greatly appreciate it."

"I thought the deal was to bury Alastor's bones first. He promised, and in regard to that I believe his will is good."

"No, the maiden is right. There is no trust here."

Blast. Can't say I blame him anymore than I can fault people just for being afraid.

"Let me know if you need me to carry anything, Sol," he says, pointing to the Mule Cords around his shoulders.

Solrisa grabs two of the iron balls and places them in her backpack as well.

Sol looks at Alastor (if she can).

"Anything else before we go, Alastor? Anything else you wish before we go?"

I can't wait to tell Rae all about this.

"Oh hey, would you look at that."

Ascaria holds up the amulet. "This my friends is an Amulet of Natural Armor. It keeps you from getting hit quite so much." he looks to the front liners.

He gestures to Mort and Sol, "So, who wants it? Or should we give it to Rae?"

Ascaria hands it around so all can take a closer look before he makes his way back up and out - eager to join the burying party.

"I think, after we bury his bones, we should check on the room Alastor is going to open for us. Then maybe call it a day. I know it's still early, but I've enough to get you lot healthy again and that's about it really. I also want to cash some of this stuff in and buy a few more alchemy fires - just in case."

Also, I've updated the treasure sheet to include everything up to this point and GM Rat Sass has promised to go in and update a few prices. Sol, why don't you take the MW armor and Mort you can take the amulet. You two seem to get hit the most so far anyway.

"Anything else before we go, Alastor? Anything else you wish before we go?"

...balls. Balls. Seriously? She just rejected the poor boy, and she's asking that now? How hard did she get hit by that iron ball?

Something catches in his throat, and he coughs slightly. Gently he says, "Solrisa, we should probably hurry to catch Rae and Pillette up and get these bones to Land's farmstead. It's just outside Diamond Lake."

"Anything else before we go, Alastor? Anything else you wish before we go?"

Alastor shakes his head, looking at Solrisa's backpack attentively.

The companions gather in the prismatic chamber, both Rae and Pillette visibly relieved when the others return intact. Rae offers up Thistle for further burden, and the group finds their way back to the entrance of the cairn easily enough.

The day has strengthened, the sun roughly reaching its apex. Oathday, still, now almost noon.

There is no trust here.

Trust has to be earned, kid. Tynan looks at the child's ghost, and thoughts of Liliana come to mind. What if she's caught somewhere in the same state? I can only hope someone would do her the same kindness that we're doing for him.

"That will be fine, Alastor. We wouldn't have offered to help you were we not prepared to carry through on our promise."

Knowledge Local: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14

Knowledge Local: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24

Ascaria peers at the day, his hands a visor against the sun while his eyes adjust to the light.

"I never get used to the transition out of the mine. I prefer working until dusk to avoid this." he squints.

"I know where the Land farmstead is - it's fairly close, just a few minutes walk. Been years since they lived there though - the family died of illness if I recall correctly. Sort of sudden."

"Do you think the new owners will object to this burial? We should find a nice spot overlooking the land I think. Maybe under a tree or something."

He marches along toward the eastern side of Diamond Lake along the extension of the East Branch of the Vein.

"There you are. We were just going to come check on you, but uhm, these lights were sort of interesting and.... Are you ok?" Rae peers at the group as they return, her brow furrowing in suspicion, though she's not sure just what to suspect.

Sol runs agiggle to Rae.

"Rae, look!! We found bones! And we talked to the ghost..." Sol goes on a long sistergabble with Rae, describing what happened and why and how she felt as it happened. Sol will explain everything, just like sisters do.

She doesn't really pay attention to where the party is going, but sure that others will lead the way. The most important thing is sharing with Rae.

Rae listens, a little deflated that she seemed to miss everything, but happy to see her sister so happy, though she can't help her concern at the troubling tidings.

"You shouldn't talk to ghosts, Sol, it only encourages them... WAIT! He wanted to kiss you?!?!?!" She glowers in Morts general direction, and "casually" switches sides, so that she is between her sister and the overgrown man.

NotSoAutoKnowCheckLocalDC18: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24

"Do you think the new owners will object to this burial? [...] Maybe under a tree [...]"

"No one's worked that Farm for some years -- ' not sure anyone lives there -- perhaps out of fear of what killed the Lands so suddenly? Anyway -- we could start by looking for a family plot. Many of these farmsteads have their own."

She glowers in Morts general direction, and "casually" switches sides, so that she is between her sister and the overgrown man.

Mortimer, while deliberately choosing to misinterpret Rae's overprotective overture over toward Sol -- can not quite bring himself to look Rae in the eye.

"I'm glad to see you again, Rae!" he says, summoning as much sincerity into his tone as possible.

"I'm glad to see you again, Rae!" he says, summoning as much sincerity into his tone as possible.

"Uh-huh. Glad to see you're none the worse the wear for your time as a 'ghost-host'." Trickier than the usual lines, but come *ON*! 'I was possessed!'???? *really*!?!? Rae snorts and keeps walking, nudging into Sol to head her a little further away from Mort.

Sol turns to Rae, pulling open her pouch.

"Rae, look!" Sol pulls out an iron ball from her hand, offering it to her sister. "That's one of the balls that banged my butt off the beam!"

Sol hands the 4lb ball to her sister.

"There must have been a lot of these balls. Hundreds and hundreds," Sol explains. "Do you think the armory or the smith might want to buy them? If it's good iron, pre-smelted, then they might be worth a pretty penny. Or a silver."

"Glad to see you're none the worse the wear for your time as a 'ghost-host'."

He manages to glance and nod once at her in acknowledgement, but says nothing upon perceiving her efforts to edge herself and her sister further from him.

He makes a mental note to procure more breath freshening agents for himself.

~

Upon hearing his name (Smith), he steps up to Rae.

"Can I see that?"

Craft,BS: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12

He hefts it, examaining it closely.

"I'm not an expert yet, but this looks decent enough for some crafts. I can compare it to the supply at the shop and find out what the current going rate and demand is."

Without thinking about it he actually looks up at Rae, and upon seeing what he thinks is another scowl he hedges a bit as his nerves get to him.

"That is -- if that's O.K. with you..." he says, handing back the iron ball and trying to keep his voice even.

"I'm not an expert yet, but this looks decent enough for some crafts. I can compare it to the supply at the shop and find out what the current going rate and demand is."

Sol smiles sweetly at Mort.

"Oh, Mort! You're a smith!? I didn't know that!" Sol says with surprise. "Yes, yes! Take one! Maybe they will have value to the other smiths. We can sell them," Sol presses a ball into Mort's hand.

"Rae, think! This could be your new job! Hauling balls for smith. You and Thistle would make good money, I'm sure." Sol claps with excitement at finally finding a job that Rae wouldn't get fired from.

"I'm not an expert yet, but this looks decent enough for some crafts. I can compare it to the supply at the shop and find out what the current going rate and demand is."

Without thinking about it he actually looks up at Rae, and upon seeing what he thinks is another scowl he hedges a bit as his nerves get to him.

"That is -- if that's O.K. with you..."

"Oh, Mort! You're a smith!? I didn't know that!" Sol says with surprise. "Yes, yes! Take one! Maybe they will have value to the other smiths. We can sell them," Sol presses a ball into Mort's hand.

"Rae, think! This could be your new job! Hauling balls for smith. You and Thistle would make good money, I'm sure." Sol claps with excitement at finally finding a job that Rae wouldn't get fired from.

"You do what you want with the..." Rae gapes at her sister's badly worded suggestion.

"Yeah, Mort can handle his own balls, Sol. Thistle and I want no part of them." Rae stalks forward, her protective instincts momentarily overcome by her embarrassment and anger. I'll find my own jobs, thankyouverymuch!

Yeah, Mort can handle his own balls, Sol.

Tynan watches Raella stalk forward towards Diamond Lake, and Mort looking uncomfortably away from both Sol and Rae.

Well, it was sweet of Solrisa to try and find work for Raella. I just don't think she knows how uncomfortable it would be for both of them with Raella hauling Mort's balls back and forth, day in and day out.

Tynan suppresses a laugh. "Let's get back to Diamond Lake and get Alastor's bones buried. He heeds to be put to rest."

"Hauling balls for smith. You and Thistle would make good money, I'm sure."

"Yeah, Mort can handle his own balls, Sol. Thistle and I want no part of them."

As Solrisa speaks and Rae stalks forward, a sharp pain pierces Mortimer's skull just behind his right eye as he feels a nosebleed coming on.

Wow ... Tough crowd.

He shakes his head, finding his voice again. Looking at Sol he musters a tone of conviction and says, "Let's just go bury those bones."

The otters of the companions soon dry out, the sun beating down evenly on the group as it proceeds west from the cairn. Well past noon, the outlines of worked land left fallow becomes visible, and a discernible road becomes the route for direct approach of the Land farmstead.

Roll20 Map is updated. How do you approach the farmstead? Directly, by road's lead-in? Circuitously? You'll need to leave the main road, walking northward, to arrive at the farmhouse gates as you're positioned on the map.

Mort strides to the head of the group and starts heading for the Land farmstead, occasionally coughing lightly. His pace quickens slightly as the road seems to become more familiar to him -- as though he's tread this particular stretch frequently. As they approach, he scans the Land's land for any signs of a resident family burial ground.

Standing on the main road still some distance out, he faces the property drive entrance.

"I'll just go see if anyone is at the home."

He heads for the drive unless anyone objects.

Ascaria struggles to keep up with Mort's long stride. As they approach, he agrees with Mort, "Sure. Might as well do this right."

Tynan joins Mort and Ascaria, looking at the environs as they approach.

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17

Sol stands non-threateningly down the path and away from the front door, allowing Mort and Ascaria handle things. She doesn't want to frighten anyone, after all.

Not moving on map. Bones are in her backpack, her burden to carry.

The dilapidated Land farmstead consists of a crumbled wall and a sagging, unsafe house with broken windows and a sagging roof. Thick, sludgy puddles of dried blood and unidentifiable fleshy chunks litter the wooden
floor immediately inside the front door.

Down a path to the left/west, along a small bluff, appears to be a copse of trees robust enough to demonstrate thought-out planting, not far from the farmstead.

Approaching the front door of the home, it quickly becomes apparent that blood is still in the air, as well as on the floor.

Mort walks up to the front door, looking for any signs of recent life activity. The stench of fresh blood not his own however emanating from the rotting farmhouse keeps him at bay on the threshold.

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22

"Uh -- what happened here...?" He looks at the sagging roof.

"Ascaria, there is something scratching around back there -- stand waaaaaay back, please."

He trundles over to the center support beam for the front facade, and starts pulling it loose. As it begins to weaken, he backs up pulling the beam along its length in an effort to peel the whole wall away from the rest of the structure.

Strength: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22

"Be cautious all. Something alive is still inside, by the sounds of it." Tynan readies his short sword, and steps back from the porch as Mort begins demolition.

Sol, still maintaining high hopes for a peaceful reunion of Alastor to his family, doesn't want to be overconcerned with Tynan and Mort's warning. She does, however, buckle her shield to her arm.

"Rae, are you sure you don't want a steady job where you are the boss?"

Ascaria, seeing Mort start to tear down the building, steps back a few feet to make way for the rubble. He stays in sight of the big man though, in case he should need help, or healing.

Mortimer's efforts to collapse a wall of the building has its desired effect. The wall collapses, not fully complying with Mortimer's desire for it to come away whole. The rot of the wood, combined with shifting load from the already-collapsed second floor, causes the front facade to break halfway down, folding as it hits the ground in front of the building. The center support beam fares better, simply toppling, almost with encouragement from the second floor weight.

For a moment, the entire first floor is visible to the wall in the middle of the room. Then the second floor collapses. From the west wall, the ceiling slopes to the floor. From the east and back wall, the same. The noise is loud, but brief. As the dust settles, everyone is aware of a distinctive screeching, coming from beyond the collapse. It sounds like it's on the move.

Round 1
Ascaria- 16
Tynan- 15
Raella- 14
OB- 12
Mortimer- 12
Solrisa- 9
Pillette- 8

Ascaria, Tynan, and Raella are up!

Round 1, Init 14

"What is that *screeching?!?!?!"

Rae draws her sword and moves towards the front, next to Mort.

"Stay back, Sol, it sounds dangerous."

Readied action to attack if something aggressive comes towards her or her companions.

Round 1, Init 15

Tynan watches Mort bring down the remnants of the building, as dust rises from the collapse. As the shrieking sounds grows louder, Tynan grips the hilt of his short sword, prepared to stab at the source should it come within reach.

Round: 1, Initiative: 16

Ascaria wonders if the noise might be a wounded victim, but seeing his allies bracing for danger he does the same.

He casts Bless (+1 attacks, saves vs fear (morale))

Ascaria strengthens the group for what approaches. Tynan produces his short sword, awaiting an opponent, as does Raella, warding off her sister for the danger.

The screeching noise grows closer, and its source coming from the eastern side of the farmstead. Towards Tynan, in fact.

Mortimer, Solrisa, and Pillette are up!

Round 1, Init 9

"Rae, look! A bear!"

Sol moves up, drawing a dart from her bandolier as she does. She gets near Tynan and muscles the micro-javelin at the owlbear.

1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 4 + 1 = 15 to hit; (bless)
1d4 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6 damage.

Round 1, Init 12

Mortimer, upon hearing the Screech approach, rushes in front of Tynan preparing to deck whatever it might be.

Mortimer closes distance with the others, well aware of the direction from which danger comes. Solrisa hurls a dart at the injured (owl)bear, her preemptive strike connecting! Pillette takes to the deceptive safety of the decrepit fence, leveling her heavy crossbow, and firing at the large beast before it closes distance.

Heavy Crossbow, Bless: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 5 + 1 = 13 for 1d8 ⇒ 6 damage

The creature screeches again, shaking out the dart from its arm, and turrets its head to study the aggressors.

Round 2
Ascaria- 16
Tynan- 15
Raella- 14
OB- 12 (-6hp?)
Mortimer- 12
Solrisa- 9
Pillette- 8

Ascaria, Tynan, and Raella are up!

Round 2, Init 14

Assuming Rae can get to the square she is in in a single move...

Rae, hearing the new threat, rushes to meet it, moving in front of Mort and Sol to do so.

attack, rage, bless: 1d20 + 5 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 5 + 2 + 1 = 161d10 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15

Round 2, Init 15

Tynan dodges between Mort and Solrisa, and takes up a position beside an abandoned wagon. With a single swift motion, he draws a throwing dagger, and hurls it at the shrieking beast.

Thrown Dagger: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 6 + 1 = 25 (+1 bless)
Dagger Damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Round: 2, Initiative: 16

Ascaria creeps up to the corner of the rubble and looks around at the creature as he takes out his sling.
Knowledge Nature: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20

Seeing the creature he whistles low, "It's getting kind of dangerous around here lately." He then loads his sling.

Group spells in effect
Bless (+1 attacks, saves vs fear (morale))

Ascaria eyeballs the owlbear, taking in a greater understanding of the current threat level.

Tynan looks between sword and dagger, and chooses distance over close quarters, bloodying the poor bird further. Raella demonstrates the impact one can have in those close quarters by stepping up and savaging the owlbear with a mighty blow.

If Tynan's dagger enraged the beast, Raella's blade sends the beast into thoughtless apoplexy.

Claw Attack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12 for 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7 damage, as well as the possibility of Grab

Claw Attack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15 for 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8 damage, as well as the possibility of Grab

Bite Attack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11 for 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10 damage

edit:
Grab Attack: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (15) + 14 = 29

The owlbear wraps the rager in its feathery folds, and begins to decide how to break her neck the quickest way possible.

Mortimer, Solrisa, and Pillette are up!

Round 2, Init 9

"Rae, struggle!" Sol says, moving forward to help her sister wrassle the beast. She draws her long sword as she moves, a comfortable pairing with her shield.

1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 4 + 1 = 23 to hit; (bless)
1d10 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11 damage.

Round2, Init 12

With every intention of provoking, Mortimer sprints up beside the -- thing -- and swings.

"Pick on someone your own size!" he bellows, not caring if the thing can understand him or not.

RHit: 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 7 + 1 = 20 bless for Damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

If that is actually a beak, I hope I dented it.

Mortimer threatens, first with his size, then with his fist. The owlbear realizes there is more than a couple of intruders, so drops the rager, and lashes out viciously, in answer to the giant's cuffing.

Claw Attack AoO: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22 for 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10 damage, declining to grab

Solrisa heartens to her sister's liberation, striking the large beast easily. Pillette sees her opportunity, reloading the massive crossbow, and firing into the fray, after stepping over the broken fence. She pulls high, the bolt passing over the owlbear's shoulder.

Heavy Crossbow, Point Blank, Melee: 1d20 + 5 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (2) + 5 + 1 - 4 = 4 for 1d8 ⇒ 6 damage

The owlbear screeches again and again, its blood staining the ground, its large owl eyes dilating as rage blends with fear.

Round 3
Ascaria- 16
Tynan- 15
Raella- 14 (-8hp)
OB- 12 (-39hp?)
Mortimer- 12 (-10hp)
Solrisa- 9
Pillette- 8

Ascaria, Tynan, and Raella are up!

Round: 3, Initiative: 16

"Get it! Get it quick!" Ascaria yells as he lets go his sling bullet.
Sling: 1d20 + 2 - 7 ⇒ (17) + 2 - 7 = 12 (cover, combat, bless) damage: 1d3 ⇒ 3

Frustrated by his lack of clear shot - but not really wanting to expose himself further, he reloads his sling.

Group spells in effect
Bless (+1 attacks, saves vs fear (morale))

Round 3, Init 15

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20

Tynan yells a warning to the group. "Stay alert! I hear another nearby!"

He does a quick study of the beast, and hurls another dagger.

Dagger Throw: 1d20 + 6 + 1 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (11) + 6 + 1 + 1 - 4 = 15 (+1 Bless, +1 Studied Target, -4 Throwing into Melee)
Dagger Damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

Tynan's dagger sings, embedding itself entirely into the owlbear's right eye.

The dying owlbear stiffens, and falls on its back.

We're still in initiative. Raella, Mortimer, Solrisa, and Pillette are up!