Jaye's Carrion Crown
Game Master Jason Sonia

Madeline's eagle swoops down, tearing into the flesh of the zombie attacking Creel, finishing off what Creel started. It drops to the black earth with a satisfying 'thud.'

Madeline continues to move backward, putting several gravestones between her and the zombies. She continues to cast, her words touching the night. In the distance, another eagle, cries out in response.

Creel collapses, blood pooling around his wounds.

Round 3

Alexa, realizing things are dire, swings wildly at the zombie before her and misses.

The zombie responds, reaching out and trying to grapple Alexa 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11. It grabs at her tunic, but Alexa slips free, kicking out with her boot and pushing it back. Denied its prey, the zombie growls, spraying black blood all over its burial tunic.

The two remaining zombies break off, ignoring their fallen foe.

One, its eyes squarely on Hugo, follows him. It charges forward, all but leaping onto his chest and tearing out his throat. The cleric, shocked, swings his mace, trying to fight it off. The zombie, growling, tears into his throat and begins to feast on his flesh as it rides his corpse to the earth.

The final zombie attacks the eagle tearing at its fallen companion's face. 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13 It misses, the black eagle swooping up and around it.

Madeline finishes her spell and another black eagle, a twin of the first she called, answers her call. Madeline, it's your turn.

The path you follow leads south, along the western side of a long, dark, river. As you crest the hill that leads into town, you hear two eagles call out, not far from you. As you look up, you see two of these magnificent creatures swooping down, attacking something. Two things: 1) You're sure the animal swooping down is an eagle, but it's unnaturally black with silver eyes. 2)The eagles are swooping down at something on your right, about 300 feet away. It's in running distance, but will take you 2 rounds to each at a full out run.

Eagle1 Att(Talon):1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 3 + 2 = 7

Eagle1 Att(Talon):1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 3 + 2 = 10

Eagle1 Att(Beak):1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 3 + 2 = 14

Eagle1 Dam(Talon):1d4 ⇒ 2

Eagle1 Dam(Talon):1d4 ⇒ 2

Eagle1 Dam(Beak):1d4 ⇒ 4

Madeline directs Eagle 2 at the same target currently under attack by Eagle one.

Eagle2 Att(Talon):1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 3 + 2 = 24

Eagle2 Att(Talon):1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 3 + 2 = 6

Eagle2 Att(Beak):1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 3 + 2 = 14

Eagle2 Dam(Talon):1d4 ⇒ 3

Eagle2 Dam(Talon):1d4 ⇒ 4

Eagle2 Dam(Beak):1d4 ⇒ 2

Madeline continues to walk slowly backwards, again casting the same spell.

Yah, the more the merrier!

Pausing to stare at the sign, a wave of relief comes over him at having reached his destination. Having used his shovel as walking stick, he leans on it briefly and closes his eyes.

Thank you, Grey Lady, for seeing me this far. May this be a beginning that garners your blessing. I hope that the people here do not...

His musing is cut short by the eagles cries. Something in that sound raises his hair and piques his curiosity. His memory drifts back to the lessons of his mentor.
Knowledge(Nature): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14

Don't recall seeing such beasts this far from the hinterlands. Strange coloration as well. And two in such a small area can't be coincidence...perhaps they are attacking something...or someONE!

The sudden thought that someone may be hurt by these animals spurs him to follow their cries. Any fatigue from his journey disappears in a rush to see what occurs below.

Off I go!

Vaghn narrows his eyes and studies the approach of his foe as he sidesteps to grab the shovel, grasping its weight in both hands. "Tough, but quite slow. Best fought with fire or axe. Attacks are clumsy, prone to leaving wide openings..." he mutters to himself. "Come on, you vile puppet. I know your strengths and weaknesses. I am ready."

Activating Naturalist; +1 AC, attacks, and saving throws vs. zombies.

Two zombies remain. One facing Alexa, one feasting on Hugo's ruined flesh.

Could he, Creel would act. Sadly, he lies there, bruised and bloodied, unconscious.

Round 4

Alexa calls to Creel and continues her offensive, swinging and connecting with her club. She hears a satisfying crack as the club breaks bone, but the zombie's rotting flesh cushions much of the strike.

The zombie growls and launches a counter attack, once again trying to claw at her living flesh. 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22 (1d6 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5 if it hits).

The zombie strikes true, tearing at Alexa's torso, dealing her a grievous wound....

Vaghn, sensing the advantage, is free to act...

As you cusp your small hill and cross the northern bridge that leads into the western side of town, you hear what can only be described as the sounds of battle in the distance. As you move to turn in that direction, you hear a loud scream come from town. It's a woman's cry, and from what you can make out, closer at a full run....

Strange eagles; the sounds of a fight; and people screaming! Goddess, it sounds like I've stepped into the whirlwind!

Valen pauses momentarily - to see if he hears anything further that might spur his decision.
Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19

If hears nothing to help him decide otherwise, - like someone yelling "Help! Our party is getting killed - he rushes towards the closer cry of distress in the sound of the woman's voice in town.

Also, roll initiative (for when you arrive).

Madeline uses her time to summon yet another Eagle.

So....Eagle 1 should disappear, while Eagles 2, 3 & 4 should be continuing thew attack

Eagle2 Att(Talon):1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 3 + 2 = 11

Eagle2 Att(Talon):1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 3 + 2 = 17

Eagle2 Att(Beak):1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 3 + 2 = 7

Eagle2 Dam(Talon):1d4 ⇒ 1

Eagle2 Dam(Talon):1d4 ⇒ 4

Eagle2 Dam(Beak):1d4 ⇒ 2

---------------------------------------------------

Eagle3 Att(Talon):1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 3 + 2 = 7

Eagle3 Att(Talon):1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 3 + 2 = 8

Eagle3 Att(Beak):1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 3 + 2 = 14

Eagle3 Dam(Talon):1d4 ⇒ 1

Eagle3 Dam(Talon):1d4 ⇒ 1

Eagle3 Dam(Beak):1d4 ⇒ 3

----------------------------------------------------

Eagle4 Att(Talon):1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 3 + 2 = 24

Eagle4 Att(Talon):1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 3 + 2 = 18

Eagle4 Att(Beak):1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 3 + 2 = 14

Eagle4 Dam(Talon):1d4 ⇒ 1

Eagle4 Dam(Talon):1d4 ⇒ 2

Eagle4 Dam(Beak):1d4 ⇒ 2

"Summon Monster I (Sp): Starting at 1st level, a summoner can cast summon monster I as a spell-like ability a number of times per day equal to 3 + his Charisma modifier. Drawing upon this ability uses up the same power as the summoner uses to call his eidolon. As a result, he can only use this ability when his eidolon is not summoned. He can cast this spell as a standard action and the creatures remain for 1 minute per level (instead of 1 round per level). At 3rd level, and every 2 levels thereafter, the power of this ability increases by one spell level, allowing him to summon more powerful creatures (to a maximum of summon monster IX at 17th level). At 19th level, this ability can be used as gate or summon monster IX. If used as gate, the summoner must pay any required material components. A summoner cannot have more than one summon monster or gate spell active in this way at one time. If this ability is used again, any existing summon monster or gate immediately ends. These summon spells are considered to be part of his spell list for the purposes of spell trigger and spell completion items. In addition, he can expend uses of this ability to fufill the construction requirements of any magic item he creates, so long as he can use this ability to cast the required spell."

Also, the target your current eagles are attacking has dropped. You may want to change targets.

Hearing the distressed woman's voice call out for healing is all the "push" he needs. Fear and hestitation banish from his mind and he rushes onward towards the woman's direction.

Initiative: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17

Sorry if I am asking the obvious question. Trying to play Valen as a little confused by all this. Thanks for hinting nicely.

Also - quick, dumb question to confirm. It's one initiative roll for the whole battle - not a new one every round? I am used to one roll per battle, but one game I have played the GM asked for new init every round - it was sort of a 2E throw-back thing I think.

Round 5

Alexa, sensing the advantage, moves over and whispers to nature, its green life flowing into Creel's wounds. A light moss-like substance grows over them, stopping the flow of blood and bringing the color back to his face.

Valen arrives on 17. He acts now.

As Madeline and Alexa prepare for the last zombie, feeding on Hugo's corpse, a lithe man, with elven features, crests the little hill. He's winded and wears Pharasma's holy symbol around his neck.

Unless Valen channels and turns the remaining zombie, I will assume Madeline's eagles will swoop in and attempt to finish it off while Alexa aids Creel as best as she's able.

As you reach the gate to the cemetery, you realize your fears and a cold wave washes over you.

The scene before you is one of complete carnage. Bodies lie everywhere, most of them grey with rot, although two are decidedly very fresh with pools of warm, dark blood around them. Two women, each with weapons in hand, move cautiously toward a third creature... as grey and unhuman as the rest, bent over and feasting on a black robed cleric that looks strangely familiar. It's hard to tell for certain, though, here in this half light.

A halbard sticks from the earth, next to a fallen man. Soft, green moss covers parts of his body. The tip of the halbard glows with a warm, yellow radiance.

1d20 - 1 ⇒ (5) - 1 = 4

...and misses horribly.

BAB+1, Str+1, Naturalist +1, Non-proficiency -4 = -1 total attack. Don't really have anything good to do with my move action, though I do take a 5' step back toward the jailhouse. Free action to maintain Naturalist. Oh, if I do hit one of these days, what will be the damage on this thing?

Vaghn swings his shovel at the zombie's head, trying to take it completely off. He overcompensates, unused to wielding farming implements, and nearly falls over. The zombie seizes the advantage and launches forward.

1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10 (1d6 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9 if he hits).

Vaghn's unbalanced advance, however, works to his advantage and the zombie lurches past him, its swing going wild.

Vaghn hears, "By the Nine Hells! Get my crossbow!! from the direction of the jailhouse.

Seeing the display before him, a look of shock crosses Valen's face as he comes running.

Grey Lady, to see your resting place...and these creatures...what could be happening?!

Then, as he glances towards the zombie and his victim, a look of panic and anger crosses his face. His steps bringing him charging closer to the thing...

No! Please don't let it be him...this abomination must be stopped!

All: The elven man carries a shovel in one hand as he reaches for a Pharasman holy symbol with the other. The slight jingling and silvery color of a chainmail shirt visible on his frame contrasts with plain workman's clothes and cap.

As he charges in towards the group, his focus is on the zombie and the dead Hugo. He places himself before the creature warily, uttering Laedo Sanctus Lumen while raising the holy symbol. Gray light washes forth over the thing and everyone close by.

Channel Energy: 1d6 ⇒ 6

I am hoping I am within 30' of both Creel and the zombie to hit them both with the good and bad stuff respectively. If not, he would probably be more focused on Hugo's zombie at the moment. Don't mean to jump in on Madeline's attack on the monster.

Eagle2 Att(Talon):1d20 + 3 + 2 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 + 2 + 3 = 14

Eagle2 Att(Talon):1d20 + 3 + 2 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 + 2 + 3 = 21

Eagle2 Att(Beak):1d20 + 3 + 2 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 + 2 + 3 = 21

Eagle2 Dam(Talon):1d4 ⇒ 4

Eagle2 Dam(Talon):1d4 ⇒ 4

Eagle2 Dam(Beak):1d4 ⇒ 2

---------------------------------------------------

Eagle3 Att(Talon):1d20 + 3 + 2 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 + 2 + 3 = 9

Eagle3 Att(Talon):1d20 + 3 + 2 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 + 2 + 3 = 28

Crit Confirm: 1d20 + 3 + 2 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 + 2 + 3 = 28

Eagle3 Att(Beak):1d20 + 3 + 2 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 + 2 + 3 = 10

Eagle3 Dam(Talon):1d4 ⇒ 2

Eagle3 Dam(Crit)(Talon):1d4 ⇒ 3

Eagle3 Dam(Talon):1d4 ⇒ 2

Eagle3 Dam(Beak):1d4 ⇒ 3

----------------------------------------------------

Eagle4 Att(Talon):1d20 + 3 + 2 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 + 2 + 3 = 18

Eagle4 Att(Talon):1d20 + 3 + 2 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 + 2 + 3 = 26

Eagle4 Att(Beak):1d20 + 3 + 2 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 + 2 + 3 = 14

Eagle4 Dam(Talon):1d4 ⇒ 2

Eagle4 Dam(Talon):1d4 ⇒ 2

Eagle4 Dam(Beak):1d4 ⇒ 2

With an angry swing of his shovel, the elven man bashes aside the remains of the zombie that had been lurching over Hugo's body. Seemingly ignorant of the carnage, he drops down to his knees and frantically attempts to tend to Hugo's wounds.

After a few moments, he stops - as if realizing that the priest is beyond such treatments. He slumps and a saddened heave seems to come from his shoulders. He pulls a gray cloth from his pocket, and drapes it upon the dead man's face and shoulders. In a ragged voice, he utters:

"Oh Lady Pharasma, why has my friend deserved such a fate? Hear my plea - guard him in his journey to the Boneyard and judge him worthy of greater service in your name. If I am to blame for coveting his path, I ask that your wrath be this servant's burden. Guide me to what I must do. Requiem in aeternitas.

Following a quiet pause of prayer, he seems to remember his surroundings and rises to face Alexa and Madeline. Emerald-gray eyes rimmed with redness stare at them briefly before turning to assess the battlefield. A dull numbness has replaced the fury of a minute ago in his voice.

"Pardon my lack of introduction, ladies. You and your comrade look to be injured; can I be of service to you? My name is Valen of Crowbridge - a servant of the Grey Lady, Pharasma." He follows this with a bow of his head and cap.

Creel, for his part, begins to stir.

All of you realize, too, that the graveyard might not be the only place under attack..... if more zombies have risen elsewhere....

Oh, and in Pathfinder, you MUST state whether you are healing or harming with positive energy. You cannot do both.