JZ's Carrion Crown - (Wake of the Watcher) (Inactive)

Game Master JamZilla

Hazel nearly loses her grip on the rope as the howl from above shatters whatever lingering peace there might've been in the woods on this evening. She redoubles her efforts, trying to hurry up the rope to her companions' aid.

Climb: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (11) - 1 = 10

Hazel is now at the top. Kaz one round behind, as is Constantin assuming he passes this climb check

Malthus growls deeply.

You sound like Vrood. But unlike he, who gifted me Sain's heart, you have nothing to offer but words! I am done with you half-breed and I will devour your heart and take whatever meagre power you possess!

I made four climb checks here and none of them were below the 5.

I don't know of Malthus is charging or not but Zed will continue to talk as long as he lets him haha

"Of course, words are nothing but words. You are right to be skeptical. So I brought...a small taste with me" Zed carefully procures a flask, filled with green liquid. "The way in which you and your brood will be strengthened is through the magic of the Lycanthrope Fountain. One must drink directly from the fountain on the night of a full moon in order to gain the full and permanent effect, but a sample will allow you to feel the power it can provide. I would ask that you at least consider the offer."

Bluff: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7 Yup I think we're outta time fellas.

I made four climb checks here and none of them were below the 5.

Yeah that's cool Constantin, I'll take those rolls. Just a matter of time before you get there now

I don't know of Malthus is charging or not but Zed will continue to talk as long as he lets him haha

"Of course, words are nothing but words. You are right to be skeptical. So I brought...a small taste with me" Zed carefully procures a flask, filled with green liquid. "The way in which you and your brood will be strengthened is through the magic of the Lycanthrope Fountain. One must drink directly from the fountain on the night of a full moon in order to gain the full and permanent effect, but a sample will allow you to feel the power it can provide. I would ask that you at least consider the offer."

[dice=Bluff]1d20+6 Yup I think we're outta time fellas.

Kudos for trying, Zed :)

Round 4 - Enemy

Enough. Malthus growls with disconcerting finality. Cybressa?

The female wolf sighs but then begins to gesture and mutter words of an unknown language. Her claws begin to glow a deep green and then in an instant the vines that cover the tower become her deadly allies! They shoot out and begin to wrap themselves around your arms and legs, tangling you and impeding you, setting you up for the kill!

Zed reflex: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13 Fail
Hazel reflex: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19 Success
Verm reflex: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14 Fail

This was Entangle. Zed and Verm are entangled. The whole area indicated on the map is difficult terrain

Malthus, charge, Zed: 1d20 + 13 - 3 ⇒ (13) + 13 - 3 = 23 Hit
Damage: 1d10 + 4 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 4 + 6 = 16

Round 5 - Heroes

Does Malthus seem somehow immune to the effects of entanglement? Normally he would have to make a save and since it's difficult terrain he couldn't charge.

Well I was pushing it with that one.

Zed tries to break free of the roots, then brings up his tetsubo in a vicious uppercut.

Strength: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19

Attack: 1d20 + 9 - 4 ⇒ (17) + 9 - 4 = 22
Damage: 1d10 + 11 ⇒ (10) + 11 = 21/2=10

Fighting defensively and using shield of swings, AC is 27.

He is outside the area of effect Zed. I suppose technically it would extend down the wall and making climbing up very difficult but I'm handwaving that

But regardless of that, he does get his ward/ally/hostage to cast Freedom of Movement on him in any case

"It'll take more than weeds to slow us down," Hazel cries as she manages to nimbly step away from the grasping plants, drawing her dagger again as she moves forward. She tries to get out of the weeds, tumbling forward...

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 1 = 18
________

Hazel draws her dagger as part of a move and tries to move out of the entangle effect, tumbling to avoid eating an AoO from Malthus. Currently on mobile, please move me as appropriate!

Hazel, because acrobatics halves your movement, I believe where I have put you on the map is the best position you can get to but you are still going to eat an AOO

AOO, Hazel: 1d20 + 13 - 3 ⇒ (2) + 13 - 3 = 12 Miss

Malthus slices his bastard sword out toward Hazel as she closes in but at the same moment Zed's tetsubo crashes against his jaw, causing him to stumble and miss

Can Vermundr break free while holding the rope without disrupting the climbers?

No that seems too much to me Vermundr. You are going to need your hands free to break out so I would say you are entangled and immobile for as long as you are holding that rope

Fly (DC 20): 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (11) + 15 = 26
At the sound of Cybrissa casting and the deepening growls from Mathus, Vala ascends the rest of the way. Her voice is taut as she regards the pair of wolves. "You will tell me where Vrood is now or this will not go well for you, Malthus Halfheart." Vala glides around the perimeter of the tower as lightning begins to crackle along her fingers. "Speak! Tell me where he is!" She punctuates the shout with a blast of magical power and the roar of lightning and smell of ozone washes over the shrine.

Lightning Bolt (DC 18): 7d6 ⇒ (6, 3, 2, 1, 3, 1, 3) = 19

I'm hoping I have enough movement to line-up Malthus and Cybrissa in the blast. If not, just Malthus then.

oof - the air suddenly smells like singed dog hair

Malthus reflex: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (6) + 10 = 16 Fail
Cybrissa reflex: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10 Fail

I’ll keep holding the rope in that case. Who hasn’t quite reached the top yet?

Kaz and Constantin will reach the top this round but will be climbing into the area of entangle

Assuming Kaz and Constantin do climb up, I'm going to say you need to spend your action to hold them rope and help them up Vermundr.

Round 5 - Enemy

Malthus steps back and turns his attention to Hazel, swinging at her in a blaze of blades.

Bastard sword 1, Hazel: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (6) + 11 = 17 Miss
Bastard sword 2, Hazel: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17 Miss
Dagger 1, Hazel: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (6) + 10 = 16 Miss
Dagger 2, Hazel: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25 Hit
Confirm, Hazel: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17 Did not confirm
Damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5
Bite: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16 Miss

Hazel displays just as much skill however, and all but one of the attacks are turned aside by her starknife, the final cut slicing into her bicep.

Turning toward Vala, the female wolf raises her claws to the sky and a bolt of her own lightning comes lancing down through the flying ex-teacher!

Call lightning: 3d6 ⇒ (6, 5, 6) = 17

Vala relfex: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13 Fail

Round 6 - Heroes

Does he have significant reach? Can we even reach him with our melee weapons? Just looking at the map and seeing if I can move to get a flank.

Vala grunts in pain as the lightning jolts through her, her jaw tenses and in the back of her mind she fears her teeth are soon to shatter. But the pain passes and she turns angry eyes past Malthus and to the smaller wolf behind. "This pretender is fed half a heart by that snake Vrood and you help him?!" Blue arcs begin to dance across her fingers and palms again as Vala's anger is roused. "GIVE ME AUREN VROOD!"

Lightning Bolt (DC 18): 7d6 ⇒ (3, 1, 2, 4, 5, 3, 1) = 19

Another blast of lightning cascades over the two wolves and when the flash fades, Vala is no longer in view but her voice echoes throughout the shrine. "WHERE. IS. VROOD!"

60 feet of movement, would like to drop down below the edge of the platform and swing out and around the perimeter along the right side, drawing nearer to Cybrissa and getting into position behind Malthus.

Everyone is up now, right?

Not really bothered by being in the entangle area, as it won't stop my psychic powers! Lemme know when I can do somethin'. ;)

last climb: 1d20 ⇒ 19
My token seems to have disappeared, but place me wherever - I'm with Constantin - I'll just be throwin' spells from the back...

"Holy-! He's...strong!" Hazel gasps as she parries a flurry of blades and teeth, though one of the werewolf's daggers does manage to find its way through her defenses. She steps forward to confront the wolf, her own muscles bulging and rippling as she channels the strength of the bull.

"This was...IS...holy ground! Sacred to Desna! You've got no right to it!" Hazel cries as she slices at him with the silver dagger.

Attack vs. Malthus (+1 Silver Shapechanger Bane Dagger; Power Attack): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27
Damage: 1d4 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12
Bane: 2d6 ⇒ (1, 3) = 4

Crit!?: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10
Damage: 1d4 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10
________

Hazel spends a point of Fervor to swift-cast Bull's Strength, then she takes a 5-foot step and attacks!

Constantin and Kaz, you are good to go this round. Last round was the last of you climbing up meaning Vermundr can also act

Zed, he has ten foot reach. You can move to a flanking position probably with a full round action since you are in the are of entangle and also take an AOO

Hazel drives the blade of the silver dagger into Malthus' belly and he howls in pain before raising a boot and kicking her back away from him, steadying himself for his next attack.

Just then more lightning rips through him and Cybressa.

M ref: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21 Success
C ref: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13 Fail

RRRRRAAAAGGGHHH! Witch! Malthus spits at Vala. Your skull will adorn my throne!

Cybressa, deal with that old crone! he roars but the female wolf looks somewhat sheepish now, badly injured and eyes darting left and right looking for an escape route.

reflex: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23
Kaz arrives on the top, and is able to step nimbly out of the grasp of the flailing vegetation. He clambers over the remaining tiers of steps to get a clear view of the combat.

If that movement leaves him time...

Seeing Hazel engaged with the werewolf, Kaz sends a volley of force at her opponent.

magic missile: 4d4 + 4 ⇒ (3, 2, 4, 2) + 4 = 15

Constantin likewise makes it to the edge, where the vines lash and hold him in place. No matter; this simply gives him stable footing. Perspiration beads his brow as he finishes the climb.

He turns his gaze to Cybressa and his voice takes on a strange, slightly echoing timbre.

"You - stay out of this," is all he says.

Suggestion, Will save DC 15.

Strength: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20

I assume that makes it.

With his companions safely upstairs, Vermundr lets the length of rope slip from his fingers and plummet to the lower level.

For the big northerner, completing the task was a great relief as it freed him to join the battle. The few scarce seconds he was out of the battle helping the others climb had set his heart pounding and his skin crawling with anticipation. His wolf howled in rage within his blood. It needed to prove its dominance over another alpha.

Vermundr stands from his kneeling position, invisibly tearing the vines binding him to the earth. Swiftly, he marches across the length of writhing vegetation and moves to engage Malthus. Sensing her master’s bloodlust, Zelda’s buzzing becomes feverish.

Zed moves forward, closing the gap and going back on the offensive.

Attack: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (11) + 9 = 20
Damage: 1d10 + 11 ⇒ (7) + 11 = 18

AOO Zed: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (2) + 13 = 15 Miss

I always seem to roll poorly on these named enemies

Zed closes in, ducking underneath Malthus' slicing bastard sword even as his own blow is blocked by the dagger in Malthus' other claw. The wolf is massive and muscled but moves like a seasoned warrior.

Three bolts of pure force slam into him though and all the swordsmanship in the world couldn't prevent it.

Cybressa Will: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9

See what I mean?

Whether under the effects of Constantin's crushing willpower or her own second thoughts, the female wolf backs slowly toward the edge of the tower, eyes wide like the prey she has hunted all her life.

At that moment she almost topples from the edge as an explosion rips through the lower portion of the temple, the flash momentarily lighting up the night.

But the party has no time to consider it as Malthus presses forward once again, hacking and slicing at Hazel.

Round 6 - Enemy

Malthus roars, his eyes widening and a trail of saliva dripping from his maw as he hurls himself forward

Bastard sword 1, Hazel: 1d20 + 11 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 11 + 4 = 27 Hit
Damage: 1d10 + 4 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 + 4 = 16
Bastard sword 2, Hazel: 1d20 + 6 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 6 + 4 = 13
Dagger 1, Hazel: 1d20 + 10 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 10 + 4 = 16
Dagger 2, Hazel: 1d20 + 5 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 5 + 4 = 23 Hit
Damage: 1d4 + 2 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 2 + 4 = 7
Bite, Hazel: 1d20 + 7 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 7 + 4 = 23 Hit
Damage: 1d6 + 2 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 2 + 4 = 8
Hazel fort: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22 Success

31 damage to Hazel

Cybressa takes no action this round

Round 7 - Heroes

Vermundr descends another step and releases the final thread of willpower that was holding his wolf at bay. In a flash the transformation rips through him causing the burly northerner’s form to swell to monstrous proportions that easily rival the Packlord harrying his companions. The audible snapping of his reshaping bones comes to a close as the transformed Vermundr gives a wordless bestial roar and breaks out from under the veil of invisibility to bring his blade to bear.

Move action to transform. Swift action to arcane strike. Free to rage. Standard to attack.

Attack: 1d20 + 12 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 12 + 2 = 33
Damage: 3d6 + 6 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (5, 5, 6) + 6 + 4 + 2 = 28

Confirming: 1d20 + 12 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 12 + 2 = 27
Extra Damage: 3d6 + 6 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (2, 1, 6) + 6 + 4 + 2 = 21

Vermundr's AC is currently 14. 16 with bodyguard against the first 3 attacks per turn. His Fort save is +4 higher.

"Enough!" Zed's weapon flares like moonshine as he steps forward again and brings a much more potent blow to Malthus.

Activating bane. Only have 2 rounds of this left, and this counts as one of them. This will overcome normal werewolf DR as well. Not sure if his is normal or he has something special.

Attack: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (19) + 11 = 30
Damage: 1d10 + 13 + 2d6 ⇒ (3) + 13 + (1, 4) = 21

"T-took you long enough..." Hazel jokes as Vermundr comes roaring onto the scene at last, grimacing as she channels her power to quickly mend some of the wounds she's taken.

Fervor to Heal (Swift Action): 3d6 ⇒ (3, 1, 1) = 5

She then takes a step back and adopts a defensive position, her own eyes wide as the tower rumbles from whatever's happening down below.

"The hell? Is something trying to bring the entire tower down!?"
________

Hazel will go Total Defense, bringing her AC to 25.

Kaz squints at the brgith flare-up from below, but shakes his head.

One thing at a time, he thinks, turning his attention back to the werewolf...wolves fighting in the middle of the temple. He steps forward, letting his mind suffuse his voice, then opens his mouth in a hideous, rasping shriek.

Sonic scream, catching only Malthus, dc16 reflex for half.

sonic: 4d4 ⇒ (1, 2, 3, 3) = 9

Malthus reflex: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12 Fail

Malthus is almost cut down by Vermundr's terrible attack, the wolf standing before him as tall and broad and muscular as he and he dimly wonders why he had never caught his scent before. But before the thought is finished Zed's club smashes into his ribs and a burst of sound assaults him and blows out his eardrums, made all the worse from his oversensitive hearing.

He staggers, he bleeds. But he is proud and strong and on shaking legs he howls his defiance.

Constantin and Vala

Having forced the other wolf to let this combat play out, Constantin turns his formidable will to the stumbling alpha and unleashes the full force of his psychic power.

Mind Thrust III: 7d8 ⇒ (5, 7, 1, 7, 8, 3, 1) = 32 (Will save DC 16 for half)

Vala appears overhead once more, zipping upward from below the lip of the platform, her hair and shawl ragged from the lightning bolt she suffered a few moments ago. "You don't want to answer my question, Malthus? Then I'll give you a taste of what's in store for Vrood in his stead." At this, Vala alights on the stone floor and completes a familiar spell.

Normally, a shimmering spectre bearing the uncanny likeness of Petros would appear as she finished, but this time the shape is different. Behind Malthus a form slowly rises up out of the floor, not unlike ice unmelting. But instead of Petros and his swordcane, a hunched figure in a flowing cloak floats, red eyes shining from beneath a drawn hood. It holds a small, spectral cage in one hand and a gleaming flute in the other. With a soft and eager giggle, it jabs the flute into Malthus' back like a spike.

Spiritual Ally: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (17) + 14 = 31for: 1d10 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12
Spiritual ally is force damage, so that should bypass any DR this fleabag has!

Well, damn

<small cough>
<innocent voice> what?

Malthus coughs thick strings of blood and his arm, now barely attached after Vermundr nearly cleaved him in twain, still miraculously has the strength to raise his dagger and lunge with it at the warrior's throat.

I would... die for this... Throne. Let us see if you... can say the same...! You look like a wolf... but I can smell the stench of... human on you... Let us continue this battle.... IN HELL..! RRRRAAAAWWWWWWRRRR!

Vermundr bats the blade aside easily opening the packlord up to a tremendous surge of psychic energy from Constantin that erupts the side of his head in a spray of blood and bone.

Combat Over

I yield! Cybressa says, bowing her head and spreading her clawed hands before her. I yield. she repeats.

Were-Vermundr plants a clawed foot on the fallen packlord's broken body and raises a howl of victory.

That sword is pretty tempting. I like the idea that Vermundr carries around this huge sword that he can only comfortably wield when he’s in beast mode.