Arval Beyondane |
Arval takes a step and swings his sword in a large downward stroke.
"Down with you!"
He yells as he swings.
Power Atk roll: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (15) + 9 = 24
Dmg roll: 1d10 + 10 ⇒ (9) + 10 = 19
Damn...
GM SpiderBeard |
Having had enough of this crap, Arval stalks towards Vorkstag and swings out a vicious downwards cut. He barely misses cleaving through Vorkstag's collarbone but he cuts viciously through the evil fey's chest. Blood pours out through the wound and Vorkstag looks properly terrified.
Everyone except for Kawrock still has actions!
Whiskeyjack Dunaldthal |
attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22
damage: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9 + fire: 1d4 ⇒ 2
Whiskeyjack barrels over to the new arrival, flaming hammer leading the way.
HP 40/40. Current AC: 22/10/22
Active conditions:
Active spell effects:
Fervors remaining: 5/5
Blessings remaining: 5/6
Spells remaining: 1st 5/5, 2nd 3/3
Eldon Appleton |
"Well done, Kawrock! You did exactly as I planned and used yourself as bait!"
Eldon cast grease on Vorkstag's weapon as he continues to instruct his allies, telling them how they should deal with Vorkstag now he's visible. "The next part is very important, so listen carefully: hit the bastard as hard as you can!"
DC 14 Ref to ignore grease.
Inspire Courage continues to be up.
Vladlena |
Lena yells I see you her hands already moving in a complicated cast. A quick chant later and three bolts of force careen across the room, dodge people until they strike with unerring accuracy into the evil fey.
magic missile: 3d4 + 3 ⇒ (2, 3, 3) + 3 = 11
GM SpiderBeard |
Arval and Whiskeyjack both retaliate brutally as their weapons slice and smash into Vorkstag! Three glowing blue missiles slam into him, throwing him back against the wall. The skin stealer snarls, but is hammererd again as Iozif produces a wand and fires a magic missile at him.
Damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
Snarling at the wounded tengu, Vorkstag swings out with his mace, cracking Kawrock across the beak! A closed fist of astonishing strength sends the tengu down in bloody heap. Then turning to Whiskeyjack, Vorkstag slams a fist through his unprotected armpit, sending Whiskeyjack almost to the ground with the force of the blow.
Mace: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (18) + 13 = 31 Damage: 1d8 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10
Claw: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (12) + 12 = 24 Damage: 1d4 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9
Claw: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (10) + 12 = 22 Damage: 1d4 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11
Kawrock takes 19 damage and is at -2 and dying. Whiskeyjack takes 11 damage. Everyone is up!
Vorkstag (43 dmg)
---
Kawrock (40 dmg, dying)
Eldon
Arval
Iozif
Lena
Whiskeyjack
Whiskeyjack Dunaldthal |
attack, IC: 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 7 + 1 = 16
damage, IC: 1d8 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 5 + 1 = 13 + fire: 1d4 ⇒ 4
Whiskeyjack staggered from the blow, and recovered with a grimace. He used his shield to help cover Arval as he lashed out with his fiery hammer once more. The maneuver pushed him a little out of position, and his blow wasn't as accurate as her had intended.
Using saving shield to give Arval a +2 shield bonus.
HP 29/40. Current AC: 22/10/22
Active conditions:
Active spell effects:
Fervors remaining: 5/5
Blessings remaining: 5/6
Spells remaining: 1st 5/5, 2nd 3/3
Arval Beyondane |
Arval glances towards Kawrock and tries another swing. Seeing his friend fall he misses his attack.
Atk roll: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 = 11
Dmg roll: 1d10 + 10 ⇒ (2) + 10 = 12
GM SpiderBeard |
Whiskeyjack and Arval both miss badly as they swing at Vorkstag.
Lena, Eldon, and Iozif still ahve actions!
Vladlena |
Oh, a toughie! Well here is a present!
magic missile: 3d4 + 3 ⇒ (3, 1, 2) + 3 = 9
Eldon Appleton |
GM, what about the grease spell I cast in my previous turn? :S
GM SpiderBeard |
Missed it, sorry! Also, apologies for not posting yesterday. Canada Day took over my life.
Reflex Save: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (15) + 11 = 26
Reflex Save: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (4) + 11 = 15
Lena's magic missile slams into Vorkstag who shrieks in pain while Iozif follows up with one of his own from his wand.
Magic Missile: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
Vorkstag looks around wildly as the group pummels him, despite the damage he's done. He quickly chants a spell and his figure blurs. He then tries to leap over Arval and Lena to escape, doing so successfully!
Concentration: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23
Acrobatics: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (13) + 14 = 27
Acrobatics: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (7) + 14 = 21
Eveyrone is up! Vorkstag isnow in the hall behind Lena.
Whiskeyjack Dunaldthal |
trip: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27
high hits: 1d100 ⇒ 76
"No ye don't, ye piss drinkin' camel whore! Ye donnae ge' t' kill folks'n take their skins an' jest walk away!" Whiskeyjack ran up behind the fleeing creature and tried to slide tackle him.
It worked! Man, with that roll I should have flipped over him, or maybe just got in a decent crit. Ah well, I'll take it. Added the hit dice in case he just cast blur or some such.
GM SpiderBeard |
As Vorkstag flies through the air, Whiskeyjack swings out with his hammer, catching his foot! The skin stealer crashes onto his face and is now prone.
Eldon Appleton |
Eldon moves up to Kawrock and casts a healing spell on him.
CLW: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6 Bleh...
"There you go," he tells his comrade after the healing. "Now let me inform you of ways to prevent going down a second time. There are some crucial tips I'll share with you..."
Inspire Courage continues to be up!
Vladlena |
casting defensively: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (17) + 10 = 27
scorching ray: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (4) + 11 = 15 touch (+4 adjacent/prone, +1 bardsong)
damage: 4d6 ⇒ (6, 3, 5, 6) = 20
GM SpiderBeard |
Vorkstag shrieks and rolls to the side as Lena's blast of fire deeply scorches the stones beside him!
Arval and Iozif are up!
Arval Beyondane |
Arval takes a small step forward to where Eldon was standing and lunges at the figure again.
Power Atk roll: 1d20 + 9 + 1 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 9 + 1 + 4 = 25
Dmg roll: 1d10 + 10 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 10 + 1 = 16
GM SpiderBeard |
Arval steps in and swings down brutally. It slams into Vorkstag's shoulder and the skin stealer scrabbles at the air before going still. He is apparently alive, but barely.
End of Combat!
Vorkstag is at negative hit points and dying.
Whiskeyjack Dunaldthal |
Turning to aid Kawrock, Whiskeyjack saw that Eldon was helping the now-conscious bridman to sit up. Knowing that his friend was out of danger for now, he turned to the enemy. This one would be a good witness in court, especially with that closet of skins from upstairs. Whiskeyjack clapped Arval on the shoulder before pulling out a length of rope. He swiftly tied up the fey and then used a minor fervor to stabilize the creature.
Once that was finished, the dwarf pulled out a healing wand and proceeded to heal the rest of Kawrock's wounds. Grunting in satisfaction, he healed himself as well.
Use a fervor for 2d6 ⇒ (1, 2) = 3 healing on Vorkstag.
healing: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
healing: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
healing: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7
healing: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6
healing: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
healing: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
healing: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9
7 more charges off the wand
GM SpiderBeard |
It is still several hours before dawn, but you have successfully captured both Vorkstag & Grine. What do you do next?
Kawrock of the Phoenix Clan |
Kawrock gets to his feat while checking to see if his beak is still intact. "Thank you Whiskeyjack and Eldon. I feel much better now, and we caught the fiend that did all this grizzly business as well. Let us turn them in to the authorities and clear Brodur of the charges."
Eldon Appleton |
"I'm glad we stayed a bit longer, to capture this horrible man."
Eldon puts his weapons away and nods at Kawrock. "Let us do that."
Arval Beyondane |
Arval cleans his sword with a rag and sheaths it. He has a dead tired look in his eyes saying is he ready to leave the place.
"Let's go. It has been a very tiring day."
Vladlena |
and it's not over yet. We have to collect all the skins above, all of our evidence and prisoners, and secure them. Then a nice dinner and a coma like sleep.
Vladlena |
The evidence and prisoners are taken to the court, where we will noterise and secure it and them
Arval Beyondane |
"I don't mind carrying stuff as long as I don't have to see the horrible things. If you go collect the evidence you may hand it to me."
Arval says as he roughly ties up their latest captive.
"Then I would like to leave."
Eldon Appleton |
"Let's bring everything to Brodur's lawyer," Eldon says, pointing at the evidence once it's all gathered.
"We can't just walk into court and throw the evidence out there. Procedures have to be followed."
Barrister Gustav Kaple |
Sorry folks, crazy day.
The group gently gathers the disgusting flayed skins from the cabinet, and with Vorkstag and Grine both bound and unconscious, drags them over to the courthouse the following morning.
To say that Kaple is surprised to see the group is an understatement as they barge into his office hauling what to all intents and purposes look like a couple of horrible monsters. Under Kaple's instructions, the guards cautiously lock up Vorkstag and Grine, not really thinking twice about it considering their gruesome appearances.
Vorkstag sits back and listens as the group tells him the story of what they came across and he shakes his head in amazement.
"You b-b-broke in and slaughtered the factory workers and knocked out the two owners? I'd call you m-m-mad but by Gods we may have the Morast crime in the b-b-bag because of that c-c-lever bit of work tracking down the tools. Even the c-c-clues you found in Morast may have been sufficient."
He looks at the exhausted party and shakes his head, chuckling.
"Get a nap. We'll have a c-c-cleric attend to the two prisoners and have them brought in as witnesses. Whether they want to or not."
I'll set up the trial for tomorrow. You have a few hours spare time you can use to sleep or carry out any errands you need.
Barrister Gustav Kaple |
I'll assume you all sleep to ward off fatigue.
By the time the day is full swing, an enormous crowd has gathered in front of the Punishing Man, and the carnival atmosphere engulfs the courthouse. The clerks arrive early to prepare the courtroom and chambers. As the massive clock over the courthouse approaches 10:0am the three justices arrive in black coaches with several guards in attendance.
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
BURN THE BEAST! BURN THE BEAST! BURN THE BEAST!
A trio of guards lead the Beast up from the dungeons below into the chamber and a [i]frenzy erupts outside as it is spotted through a window. The chants of the crow dare deafening.
Gustav meets privately with all of you.
"One of you will have to s-speak on the evidence you've found. Someone eloqu-quent. Our witnesses and evidence will start around an hour in. Think of what you have found at the factory and the island. If Vorkstag and Grine did this p-p-prove it. If you can get them to confess, all the b-b-better although they don't seem like they want to talk."
You are all escorted into the trial chamber. Vorkstag and Grine have apparently been awakened and thanks to the evidence from the cabinet of skins and faces, and their true faces shown to the world, the skin stealer and dark creeper are likely to be charged with dozens of murders in the town. The gallery is now crammed with a jeering, braying mob.
GM SpiderBeard |
I'm going to fast forward this a bit and let the courtroom drama occur when you guys are actually speaking. For calling evidence, just list something you've encountered and taken and it will be produced like the tools or the cabinet. I can assume retroactively you've registered it.
The first hour of the trial is one of the most painful of your lives, although the surefire evidence you found in the factory gives you some hope. Prosecutor Otto Heiger takes the stand and gives a long, blistering speech about his case. He alleges that the Beast is responsible for the murder of 10 people in the village of Morast a year ago, in addition to two other horrendous crimes that will be described as the trial continues. Barrister Gustav Kaple then makes his case for the Beast’s innocence, a halfhearted attempt full of stutters and awkward pauses, all
the while being jeered and booed by the baying mob in the gallery.
After a half an hour, the witnesses for the Prosecution. Otto first brings three locals from Morast, two young women and a man, to the stand. The trio describes events as they saw them happen—that over a series of nights, the Beast came to the village and took people away; that a trap was finally laid for the Beast; that the Beast was driven into the swamp, and, they assumed, killed. Otto then calls the village elder, Lazne, who led the mob that drove the Beast off and you had spoken with yesterday. He confirms the events related by the other three villagers.
The cheers are deafening and the judge finally turns and calls out.
"Witnesses for the Defense."
Gustav turns to the gruop.
"You're u-u-up. Whichever of you can give the best speech! Just c-c-call for any evidence or witnesses and w-w-we'll bring it up."
Eldon Appleton |
Is taking 20 on Diplomacy allowed right now, or at least taking 10? That'd result in either 33 or 23.
Eldon straightens his clothes and stands up. He slowly walks to the chair where the witness is supposed to sit, and mentally sighs when he sees it's twice his size.
Here we go again... Everything's always human-sized...
To be able to actually see anything from his chair Eldon climbs on top of it. He spreads his arms as if he's about to speak, but waits. Some tension builds up, but just before someone could think to release it Eldon speaks.
"As you all undoubtedly know, my name's Eldon Appleton. I'm a storyteller who usually shares stories about his own marvelously epic adventures, but what I tell you today is proof of a man's innocence. Yes, you heard me well, I speak of a man. Though he wasn't born into this world the way most of us are, 'the Beast' is a person. And in the spirit of politeness I will refer to him with his name, which is Brodur."
"When I and my colleagues arrived in Morast, we received a friendly welcome from the villagers. They told us the same they just told you, and I don't think these people are lying. I think they've seen something, but interpreted it in a way that doesn't match the truth. For what these people saw was someone abducting people. And this person was chased off into the swamp, where the person was bitten by a caiman and went under. It was assumed the abductor died there."
"I and my colleagues went to the boneyard, Morast's graveyard, near the place where the abductor was last seen. Here we discovered several things that shocked us. There were empty graves, the whole skin of a face, and several tools used to remove skin from a body."
Eldon gives the sign for the evidence he just mentioned, the face and tools found at the boneyard, to be brought up.
"These tools were manufactured by Zbraslav Hora, who sold them to Vladka Kostel. Otto Klud, Vladka's associate, informed us the tools were auctioned. By way of auction the tools ended up in the possession of Radniche, who in turn sold them to Master Vorkstag of Vorkstag and Grine's Chymic Works."
If the people Eldon's mentioned are present, Eldon will call everyone but Vorkstag himself out to confirm how the tools went from one person to another.
"Now you may wonder what Master Vorkstag would need these tools for. You may wonder even more how this is related to the case. It all has to do with what we found once we decided to pay a visit to Vorkstag and Grine's Chymic Works."
Eldon indicates now is the time to bring out all the skins. He also requests the posters of the missing people.
"This, dear people, is what we found. A large collection of skins, hidden away at Vorkstag and Grine's Chymic Works. Among them are the missing villagers from Morast."
Eldon holds several skins and the matching posters up, to make clear the skins are those of the missing people. finally, he holds up the skin with the bite marks.
"Does anyone remember the caiman I mentioned earlier? These bite marks are those of a caiman. This skin was worn by the man who abducted the other people, and killed them for their skins. Worn, you may wonder? Yes, worn."
With a nod at Gustav and the party Eldon indicates the moment to bring Vorkstag and Grine up has come. When they come up Eldon gives the onlookers a moment to react.
They like judging people on appearances, so let them do that now.
Eldon waits for the people of the court to calm the crowd down. As soon as the crowd's calm, Eldon speaks again.
"Master Vorkstag is a fey. To be more precise, he's a particularly foul type called a skin stealer. Skin stealers are known for flaying their victims alive and stealing their appearance by wearing the skins. I believe the evidence speaks for itself, now you're aware of his nature. It wasn't Brodur who committed the crimes, but it was master Vorkstag."
"Master Grine is just as guilty of the crimes committed by his colleague. There's no way master Grine wouldn't have been aware of his colleague's skin collection."
Eldon gives the judge a polite nod to show he's done speaking, and waits to see if there are any questions.
Apologies for the text wall, but a lot happened.
GM SpiderBeard |
You can't take 20 on diplomacy.
Eldon stands up and delivers an excellent speech, using pieces of evidence as he structures the story from beginning to end, showcasing the gruesome cabinet of skins and faces to puncuate his final remark. Gasps of horror sound from the audience.
"Very well," says the judge. "Mr. Kaple, your witnesses."
At this, Vorkstag and Grine are both brought into the auditorium.
"This one kept changing shape!" shouts a guard as he roughly drags Grine, the sinister-looking rag man to the stand. Both of them stare angrily at the court.
Vorkstag has a vicious scar on his right shoulder that looks just right to have come from a caiman bite.
Kaple looks to Eldon and the group.
"D-do you have q-questions for them?"
Kawrock of the Phoenix Clan |
Perception: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (2) + 13 = 15
Kawrock will lean over and whisper to Eldon. "I just noticed a scar on Vorkstag's shoulder matching the caiman bite. This would put him at the scene of the crime."
Eldon Appleton |
Perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (18) + 10 = 28
"Indeed," Eldon mutters as Kawrock mentions Vorkstag's scar.
"Before the questioning, I'd like to point out something." Eldon walks over to Vorkstag and points out the vicious scar on his right shoulder.
"This scar is obviously from a caiman's bite, and its location matches that of the bite marks on the skin I just showed. It's evident master Vorkstag wore this skin when he was bitten by the caiman, which proves it was him who was spotted by the villagers. Not Brodur, who doesn't have such a scar."
Eldon walks over to Brodur and points out that he doesn't have the same vicious scar on his shoulder.
"What do you have to say in your defense?" Eldon asks both Vorkstag and Grine, deciding there's no sense in waiting for Kaple to become competent.
GM SpiderBeard |
I misread something in the proceedings here, and Eldon is required to make Diplomacy checks for every single argument. That said, it looks like he's taking 10 with +13, and bonuses form his evidence.
There's a bit of a gasp in the courtroom as Eldon triumphantly reveals that there is no scar.
Vorkstag and Grine stare at Eldon belligerently before Grine starts ranting.
"These savages charged into my factory, slaughtered some of my staff, set the rest free, and then knocked me out and put me into this sham trial! I'm not saying anything except that..."
Grine looks at Brodur.
"Whatever that thing is. It did whatever you're accusing us of."
With Eldon having made his presentation, the group is escorted out for the closing remarks to a chorus of boos. Whatever they've managed to do, they've managed to upset the people of Lepidstadt by possibly denying them their justice.
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!
Barrister Gustav Kaple |
A couple of hours later while you wait patiently in the defense chamber, Gustav bursts in, his normally severe expression replaced by one of joy. His stammer appears to have vanished in his excitement.
"That was a knockout! Noticing that scar on Vorkstag probably won us the case. We won't know until all three charges are heard but fantastic job! If you ever want to take up work as a lawyer, Eldon, then let me know."
He slaps his hands on the desk.
"Get to Hergstag next. That one is trickier because the Beast was seen carrying a child, and he always seems to react to her name. Something happened there with Brodur, I'm sure of it. Good luck!"
Day one of the trial is over. You're now free to do as you please. The next two sites to investigate are Hergstag and Sanctuary, but Hergstag will be heard tomorrow.
Vladlena |
we should question brodur first, then head to town. Can you please provide us the witness statements, barrister. We'll need to read those as well.
Lena looks at Eldon.
She smiles at the others.
to work!
Barrister Gustav Kaple |
Kaple blinks and nods agreeably, he pulls some documents out of his desk, leafs through them, and begins reading.
"The Beast's second alleged crime is the murder of six children in Hergstag, which was once a small religious farming community in the Dippelmere. The village was abandoned after the deaths. The witnesses are three sisters; Garrow, Starle, and Flicht. I couldn't tell you where they are though since the village is apparently a ghost town - literally."
Kaple flips through a couple of more documents.
"Apparently the children vanished one by one, and returned as ghosts. Then one day, the Beast walked into the village, carrying a dead child named Ellsa. The witnesses all recall the Beast laughing as it carried her body. They chased it off with pitchforks. Apparently the 'ghosts' were too much and the village was abandoned."
Eldon Appleton |
Eldon's ego visibly inflates even more from all the praise.
"Of course we won," he says with a smug face. "There's no way to deny all the evidence, and I'm an expert at informing others of important facts."
"Sounds like a miniature Harrowstone," Eldon comments after hearing what's happened to Hergstag. "This time we'll have to interview the ghosts, but that can't be much more difficult."
Vladlena |
Lena gives eldon a long suffering look.
harrow stone was not easy, Eldon. Think of the spatterman. Spooks are never easy.
ghosts? Not something golems tend to create. Or maybe they do.