Sfounder's Curse of the Crimson Throne PbP
Game Master Chris Marsh

Ferox lets fly with an arrow, but it goes wide. Grym slides in with slash and stab, but the weapons get caught in the flowing robes. Finally with a snarl Odric's falchion cuts deep into the foe's body, doing massive damage.

The albino leaps back onto the bed, falling prone as he does so. As he trips he tears some of the artwork off the robe and hurls it forward. It grows into a full sized human zombie! The zombie mindlessly attacks the life form in front of it, Odric. 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5,but it swings wide.

Battle Map here.

Initiative Repost:

Ferox
Grym
Odric
Baddie
Gaius
Sandor
Morkeleb

Gaius!

Alright. I have no idea how this will resolve, but I gotta try it. Map is inaccurate. Gaius is UNDER the bed.

Gaius looks for the most sagging part of the bed and stabs up into it.

Dungeon Master, please apply any attack adjustments you see fit. He's prone and can't see me. But I am stabbing from under a bed. So... Yeah.

Sneak Attack(Dagger):1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20
Damage on Hit:1d4 + 1d6 ⇒ (1) + (2) = 3

Sandor moves to one square SW of the prone Albino and is shocked when the quickly arched hips give him a clue as to where the rogue went to. He quickly moves into position an attempts to separate the upper and lower half of the albino's body fr each other.

Axe vs prone: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 5 + 2 = 9 not sure if melee vs prone is +2 or +5. Also do I get a flanking bonus from Gaius?

Damage: 1d10 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

I am going to rule that the penalties and advantages cancel out

Gaius Drive the blade up into the bed. It doesn't go far enough so he slams the heel of his palm into the pommel. The extra push drives the tip into the albino. He lets out a shriek as insanity breeds further desperation

Finish the albino! He is the biggest threat!

Not my "action", I'm waiting patiently for Mork and Ferox

The ranger is doing his best to keep track of the insanity that is happening before him. This crazy albino first shoots flaming death at him that he somewhat avoids (but still also manages to hit poor Ferox). After his own bungled attack the blasted albino rips off part of robe and flings it at Odric. But instead of being a piece of cloth it turns into a reeking, disgusting, bloated dead corpse that is tieing up our parties best fighter.
Suddenly the albino shriekes and half jumps off the bed. It takes a second for Grym to figure out what happened. Good sting you sly rogue! the ranger says quietly.

It's +4 for a prone target.

Unfortunately Sandor, it's still a miss (even given flanking). Some kind of abjuration protects the albino.

Morkeleb

ROUND 2

Magic Missile on the albino. With any luck this will be *it*.

MM: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Also, what magical protections does he have?

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (11) + 10 = 21

I've been making a huge mistake un player favor.... Morkeleb, SR.

SR: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Round 3

Ferox continues his assault on the albino.

Attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20
Damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9

Booyah!

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but prone targets are -4 to hit with ranged weapons.

So does a 16 hit, Dungeon Master? What's the magic number?

Magic number is 18.

Round 3, HPs 21/26

Grym moves to the south edge of the bed and attemps to slice the prone target.

Svord 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18
Damage 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

Morkeleb's bolt fizzles harmlessly as it strikes the target. Grym and Ferox alike miss with their attacks. Can Odric finish him (or it) off?

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but prone targets are -4 to hit with ranged weapons.

I had an 18 I thought that was the magic number. I'm not using a ranged weapon. Does my svord get a -4 too?

My mistake! Grym's slash does hit home! The sheets begin to change to a brick colored red. Still the enemy spits curses and blood.

Odric moves around the Zombie, jumps up onto the bed, then down ot the floor again ready to attack the prone albino. He swings his falchion in a wild and powerful chopping motion, trying to finish the job he started.

Power attack with falchion:1d20 + 6 - 1 + 3 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 6 - 1 + 3 + 4 = 22 for 2d4 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (3, 4) + 4 + 2 = 13 damage.

He looks with satisfaction at the bloody disaster on the sheet wonders how often Gaius has been *under* the blood-stained bed, and turns to face the ravenous Zombie.

Under the bed, a falchion blade suddenly swoops down, trimming Gaius' hair by half an inch. Blood seeps down and covers his face. The blade retracts, leaving Gaius with his thoughts. He sighs.

Ugh. Not this again.

Grym and Odric slash mercilessly. The creature is on his last ounce of resistance, fueled by insanity more than blood now.

Given the odds, he tries to put off the likely inevitable.... and tries to conjure forth a sphere of darkness. Concentration check 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24 The room is now blanketed with muted light. 20% miss to all without Darkvision or low-light vision.

The zombie simply continues to hammer away at Odric: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14 and misses.

Gaius!

Power attack with falchion:1d20+6-1+3+4 for 2d4+4+2 damage.

Where are you getting all those bonuses from?

Hide.

Stealth:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15

Roll South 1 to get out from under the bed and stand.

Odric the Stout wrote:

Power attack with falchion:1d20+6-1+3+4 for 2d4+4+2 damage.

Where are you getting all those bonuses from?

Crap I added my +3 for STR twice - honest error! sorry!

Odric the Stout wrote:

Power attack with falchion:1d20+6-1+3+4 for 2d4+4+2 damage.

Where are you getting all those bonuses from?

+12 does seem kinda high

ROUND 3

I know Sandor is first, but I don't think we'll interrupt each other!

Trusting the physically stronger of the party to finish cutting down the albino, and since he's proven resistant to magic (finally!!), Morkeleb turns the wand on the zombie to start wearing down THAT monstrosity.

Magic MIssile on the zombie: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Since he cast a spell everyone gets an AoO don't they?

AoO Axe: 1d20 + 5 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 5 + 4 = 23
Damage: 1d10 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

If that doesn't kill him then attack him again.. if it does, move and attack the zombie

Axe: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8
Dmg: 1d10 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

AOO1d20 + 6 - 1 + 2 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 6 - 1 + 2 + 4 = 19 for 2d4 + 3 + 3 ⇒ (3, 1) + 3 + 3 = 10

Gaius rolls out from his rapidly deteriorating cover and stands up. Command decision to move Sandor to striking range. I'll take his first attack roll for his attack. The change is on the map. Joe you can veto. The Stouthammer slams his axe down for a final time shattering the albino's spine and splintering the bed beneath. The frame gives way moments after Gaius emerges. The albino is rapidly bleeding out, but the zombie fights on.

Morkeleb's missile has no problems with the zombie and a massive chunk of its torso breaks off and falls to the floor.

Ferox!

Battle [url=http://imageshack.us/a/img842/3811/battlemap.jpg]map[/map]

Battle map

I think you meant

Oops. Yes, that.

There are no AoOs as the ability was used defensively (successfully obviously.)

Mike why aren't we beating Act III?

Odric should be one to the east of the Zombie.

Command decision to move Sandor to striking range. I'll take his first attack roll for his attack. The change is on the map. Joe you can veto. The Stouthammer slams his axe down for a final time shattering the albino's spine and splintering the bed beneath. The frame gives way moments after Gaius emerges. The albino is rapidly bleeding out, but the zombie fights on.

I thought I was in striking range from round 2 when I moved up.

After my attack kills the albino, I (perception to see Gaius) 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18 take my move action, and move 1 south of the zombie and stand on top of the bed.

since it is difficult terrain I probably take an AoO freeing up the rogue to get into flank easier

Sorry for the confusion guys. To the best of my knowledge:

1. I missed the part where Odric moved. This would have drawn two attacks of opportunity. Zombie slam 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5 ouch. Slash from the albino's claws 1d20 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (11) + 1 - 4 = 8 an awkward miss.

2. Sandor does not draw an AoO for the difficult terrain. You also now have a +1 to hit for the higher ground.

Inquisitor!

Seeing the dwarf's axe crush the life from the albino, Ferox takes a moment to consider whether the creature was naturally without pigmentation or if its pale complexion was the result of years spent underground. That brought to mind the fair Selina, a young lass that Ferox had been smitten with during seminary. Her skin was pale and smooth, like porcelain. Ferox had admired her from afar, not confident that he could draw her attention from the many other suitors she had. Ferox spent many days toiling in the gardens, catching glimpses of fair Selina as she went about her chores as a maid. He received many reprimands for not keeping his mind on his tasks. Alas, Ferox's desire for Selina would go ever unrequited as she tripped over a beggar while in town into the path of a speeding stage coach, trampled to death.

With a cry, "Damn the poor!", Ferox targets the zombie and lets loose a speeding arrow.

Attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22
Damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

Round the Fourth

after Grym if it's still up and shambling about - I'm going to be in meetings all day, so to keep things moving...

Odric thinks about all the times when he felt like a zombie after a long night of drinking. He would stumble around, hungry. Sometimes he would make crazy growling noises and bite people. With a sigh, Odric slashes at the Zombie absently, though still with fearsome efficacy.

Normal attack to the Zombie with Falchion: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 6 + 2 = 28 for 2d4 + 3 ⇒ (1, 3) + 3 = 7 damage.

Not sure what to make of tbe inquisitors odd battle cry, Grym wades in to strike down the zombie corpse. The ranger takes one step to the north to set up a flank with Odric. And strikes out with his blade.
Svord 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7
Damage 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

The ranger curses the bloated walking corpse and its odd jerky movements that foiled his attack. None the less he hopes he takes some heat off of Odric.

In testing. Can someone confirm Odric's Crit? After the arrow it might do it

Confirming Odric's Crit: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 6 + 2 = 15

Crit. Damage: 2d4 + 3 ⇒ (4, 3) + 3 = 10

In rapid succession the heroes fell the zombie. There is little left of the beast after the final attack.

We are finally out of initiative.

XP: 433 each

Then let's get to the searching! Gaius loots the corpses.

Then we should snag those remains that look Shoanti and see if they might be a match for our head.

Casting Detect Magic and saying a quick prayer to Abadar (Guidance), Ferox searches the albino, laying out anything of interest on the bed.

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10

He repeats his prayers and searches the bed and the long bench against the north wall.

Perception(bed): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18
Perception(bench): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10

The albino's corpse produces a few auras that you quickly separate. His robes and the wand certainly, but also a ring on his left hand. He has a masterwork dagger and 5 small vials, but none of those register as magical.

There is little of value on the bench aside from a solid tome of about one hundred pages.

None of the remains in this room bear any semblance to a shoanti human.

Vials: try detmining what htey are via alchemy skill.
Craft (alchemy): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (3) + 10 = 13
Craft (alchemy): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (16) + 10 = 26
Craft (alchemy): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (17) + 10 = 27
Craft (alchemy): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (9) + 10 = 19
Craft (alchemy): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (15) + 10 = 25

Tome? If that doesn't register as magical, I'll take a look at that.

Finally . . .
I think it would be useful to identify all of these items now, for immediate use.

I pull out one of my scrolls and cast it.
Wand--Spellcraft: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (4) + 20 = 24 <--Good for clvl 9 item
Robe--Spellcraft: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (9) + 20 = 29 <--Good for clvl 14 item
Ring--Spellcraft: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (10) + 20 = 30 <--Good for clvl 15 item

"A man’s torso, the chest bearing numerous tribal tattoos and with the right arm still attached, lies on this bench."

That doesn't resemble a Shoanti Human? Okay. Just checking.

Oops, my bad, I read the description for the previous room. you are correct sir. The body parts are the lion's share of what's left of Gaekhen.

All of the nonmagical vials are the same, they are some type of poison.

1d100 ⇒ 62
1d100 ⇒ 57
1d100 ⇒ 36
1d100 ⇒ 59
1d100 ⇒ 98

Thankfully, luckily, you don't accidentally poison yourself. They are identifiable with a craft (Poisonmaking) skill.

The items are as follows,

Is that a big ol' Mission Accomplished or should we check out the south? I vote we check out the south and then head back.

Be sure to grab the MW Dagger. If no one minds, I'd like the poison.

DM: I was unable to find a description of the Burning Arc spell. Can you link to it when you've a mind?

The ring is of the Protection (+1)variety. May I suggest one of our fighters use it?
.
The robe is a "Robe of Bones." It is a distasteful item, but I must admit that being able to summon a creature--even as gauche as a skeleton or zombie--can be of use. I suggest I keep it ot use, unless those of more delecate tendencies object too strongly. I'd also suggest that the wand will see best use in my hands, it being an arcane spell. Objections?

The poison is yours, Gaius. And I have no desire for the dagger.

DM: anything about the book??

Gaius, whiel I agree we've accomplished our mission, I opine we've also made an enemy in Rolth. I think we should end his threat before heading back.

Grym has some interest in the mwk dagger. He feels that might make a good left hand blade. The ranger is all for putting an end to Rolth before leaving.

Gaius looks about, confused.

This isn't Rolth? Do we think it's his... Apprentice?

DM: Gaius goes to the writing desk in the next room and searches it.