GM Zed |
"Hold yer tongue Shel!!!", Saul Lupescu, who up until now has been silent, cuts his daughter short, "You'll get no help from us miss... We're dead people walking now... The Dream Tender will not forgive the lack of sacrifice tonight".
...as the voices of Briana, Teldon, Ziomarra and Arsith draw nearer, the rustiling within the weeds subsides - and, by the time they arrive, all is quite and still...
Armed and ready, Arsith, Briana, Ziomarra and Teldon rush back down the hill, through the slumbering village, to the edge of the fields... The Lupescus, still not speaking, look sullenly at the friends whilst Joanna, no longer watching them, seems to be preoccupied with the swathe of tall weeds..
Teldon Moore |
Teldon readies his longspear and fixes all his keen senses on the area that seems to preoccupy Joanna...
perception (take 10): 10 + 12 + 1d6 ⇒ 10 + 12 + (4) = 26
Ziomarra Callinovo |
This is probably my last chance to post until Tuesday...
Zee is suspicious not to find any reception at Kriegler Manor, but is thankful for that. She gathers her adventuring gear and suits up as quickly as she can before heading back to the Chenowitz farm with her friends.
Rejoining Joanna and the captured Lupescus, Zee warily looks around to see what her Iomedean friend is looking for.
Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7
Briana Kaddren |
"Doesn't seem like there's anything out here right now," Briana whispers after they spend several tense moments watching and listening for signs of further trouble. "Let's have a look around, while it's quiet. This building here, first?" Cautiously, the shaman moves closer to the dilapidated building but doesn't approach the front door. Instead, she moves towards one of the windows to see if she can see or hear anything from inside.
Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18
Teldon Moore |
odd, Joanna seemed certain there was something here... which is more likely: that she noticed something that escaped my senses, or that her emotions got the better of her and she misinterpreted the sound of a breeze or some animal?
"Must have been a breeze or some animal." Teldon assures Joanna quietly. Then he quietly follows after Briana, keeping his spear at the ready.
Joanna Whitehall |
"It wasn't a breeze, and if it was an animal, it's probably a stirge," Joanna says as she concentrates on that part of her that was able to feel things that others couldn't.
Detect Evil
Briana Kaddren |
The best options that come to mind are either gagging them and leaving them tucked away out of sight somewhere outside or maybe seeing if Viorec (and Nalathi?) want to keep an eye on them. Neither idea is super convenient, but I (and Briana) would be concerned about something happening to them -or- more of their cultist buddies coming along and freeing them if we just left them outside at the farm.
Joanna Whitehall |
Joanna would say bind them and take them back to Magnimar for trial. She's feeling betrayed by them, and isn't in the mood for being nice.
GM Zed |
Whatever had been skulking in the tall weeds is long gone by the time that Teldon and the rest of the friends arrive… and so, beneath Joanna’s steely gaze, the Lupescus – wrists bound and gagged are taken back through the village to the Korzha household. Viorec, who is in the process of brewing a coffee, ”Don’t seem to be the right thing to want sleep tonight you know...” is shocked to silence when the Lupescu family are marched into his small house. With enough detail to emphasise that the captives are dangerous, Briana tells Viorec and Nalathi what has gone on… and asks that they guard them until she returns. With some relish, Nalathi agrees to the job and, emphasising her ability to act as a guard with a flourish of her sword, she binds the captives ankles and perches herself upon a windowsill…
…with the Lupescus taken care of, it is time to return to the Chenowitz place – now illuminated by the red moon that is languorously climbing through the heavens, the building seems ever more threatening… the tall weeds that surround the building seem somehow more oppressive, the noise of insects fills the air and, although there is still no sign of life, someone has definitely been here…
…for now, a wicker-and-gourd scarecrow leans against a rickety frame in the front yard; with rags to represent the gossamer wings of a moth and sickles for hands, this is yet another grotesque misrepresentation of Desna.
Teldon Moore |
perception (take 10): 10 + 12 + 1d6 ⇒ 10 + 12 + (4) = 26
As they approach the abandoned farmhouse Teldon wordlessly draws a flask of alchemist's fire and throws it at the scarecrow.
touch attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17, for: 1d6 ⇒ 5
Then regrasps his longspear in preparation for potentially being attacked.
GM Zed |
The flames from Teldon’s thrown flask briefly light up the dimly moonlit yard… the tall weeds and the building itself throwing bizarre shadows as the fire blossoms… and then, with an inhuman screech and moving with stiffly-jointed limbs, the scarecrow judders to a fully standing position – and, still burning, turns to face Teldon.
Initiative for Party and Enemy
Briana, Initiative: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18
Ziomarra, Initiative: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20
Teldon, Initiative: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 1 = 11
Arsith, Initiative: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9
Joanna, Initiative: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 1 = 18
Scarecrow, Initiative: 1d20 ⇒ 7
Initiative Order
Ziomarra, Briana, Joanna, Teldon, Arsith then
Scarecrow
Map Update coming shortly.
Joanna Whitehall |
Perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 1 = 14
Joanna is about to echo Arsith's question when she sees the scarecrow come to life.
"Okay, this is a thing. A rather wicked and on fire thing. Teldon, why'd you set it on fire? Couldn't you have blown it up?"
Joanna raises her sword and shield before charging the shambling scarecrow.
Atttack: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 7 + 2 = 16
Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9
Briana Kaddren |
Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20
At about the time that Briana suddenly realizes that there's more to the scarecrow than meets the eye, Teldon lights it up with his flask of alchemist's fire. "I'd guess because straw is usually very flammable!" she gasps in reply to Joanna's question as she draws her mace and moves to swing at the flaming monstrosity.
Attack (MW Light Mace): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24
Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
Crit Confirm: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19
Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
As she feels her weapon connect in a solid blow, she cries, "What in the world is this thing!? It's like something out of a child's nightmare!"
Joanna Whitehall |
"Blame Teldon," Joanna says with a laugh, "It wasn't half as creepy before he lit it on fire."
Teldon Moore |
The scarecrow continues to smolder...
burn damage: 1d6 ⇒ 2
Teldon takes advantage of his longspear's reach to charge up behind Joanna and stab at the scarecrow over her shoulder...
charge: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 5 + 2 = 10
...but misjudges her stance and stabs wide to left.
GM Zed |
Fully alight, more a bonfire than a scarecrow, the effigy is knocked backwards by a series of powerful attacks from Joanna, then Briana and finally Arsith... Teldon, looking to support from behind, stabs at the construct but catches air and shadows...
Standing back from the melee, Ziomarra flicks a card into combat... with the scarecrow so alight, she is hesitant to expend any of her arcane force... but the card catches flame and smoulders to ash before it can hit her foe...
Ziomarra, Deadly Dealer (Harrow Card as Dart / into melee): 1d20 + 4 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 + 1 - 4 = 3, missing
...and then, with the fire subsiding, the scarecrow swipes at two of its attackers... Joanna deflects the swinging sickles intended for her... But Briana is caught a wicked blow and, for a moment, it is all she can do to avoid looking into the black soulless eyes of the effigy... and to lose herself to fear...
Scarecrow, Slam vs Joanna: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13, missing
Scarecrow, Slam vs Briana: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28, Critical Threat
Confirming Critical: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19, Critical Confirmed for 2d8 + 6 ⇒ (6, 1) + 6 = 13 plus Fear
Briana must make a DC14 Will Save or do nothing other than cower in fear next round (Briana can attempt another save at the end of each round).
Everyone may take their turn now
Joanna Whitehall |
Aura of Courage gives you a +4 to that roll, Briana.
Joanna sees Brianna take a terrible blow and the laughter is gone in an instant. She snarls and dives into melee to drive it back.
Attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15
Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6
"Briana, get back. I can keep it occupied."
Briana Kaddren |
Will (DC 14; Aura of Courage): 1d20 + 6 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 6 + 4 = 20
Despite receiving a vicious counter in response to the blow that she dealt the creature, Briana is bolstered by her own strong will as well as the presence of Joanna and does not give in to the fear that attempts to consume her. "You don't...scare me!" she hisses, though she does heed Joanna's advice and drops back from the melee.
Briana will withdraw back to a safer distance. Ow...
Teldon Moore |
Seeing the vicious hit Briana took, Teldon steps in front of her as she moves and draws his shortsword. He focuses a flicker of arcane energy into the blade and stabs at the creature...
attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18, for: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8 magic and silver, though it doesn't seem as though it matters
Arsith D' Abariane |
Arsith closes the ranks, so Briana can't be striken again by the spooky creature.
Msw Mace, Wp Focus, PA: 1d20 + 4 + 1 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (9) + 4 + 1 + 1 - 1 = 14
Dmg, PA: 1d8 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 + 2 = 9
GM Zed |
As the scarecrow continues its mindless attack against the uninvited guests, the flames die away... managing to avoid the attacks from Joanna and Arsith, it hisses as Briana moves away… and, distracted, is impaled by Teldon’s spear. Pulling itself from the shaft of the spear with a bizarre fountain of moth chrysalides spilling from the wound, the scarecrow is then struck by a razor sharp card flung by Ziomarra…
GMPC for Ziomarra.
Ziomarra, Deadly Dealer (Harrow Card as Dart / into melee): 1d20 + 4 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 + 1 - 4 = 19, hitting for 1d4 ⇒ 1
The movement of the effigy is hesitant and stiff… but it still has enough power to slam through Arsith’s defences – and, as the sickles rake her flesh, Arsith feels doubt flood her mind…
Scarecrow, Slam vs Joanna: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17, missing
Scarecrow, Slam vs Arsith: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18, hitting for 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5 plus Fear
Arsith must make a DC14 Will Save or do nothing other than cower in fear next round (Arsith can attempt another save at the end of each round).
Everyone may take their turn now.
Teldon Moore |
I switched to my shortsword so I could step in front of Briana...
Teldon shifts forward and presses the attack, hoping to destroy the scarecrow before it could harm anyone else, particularly because that 'anyone else' would most likely be him...
5' step to flank with Arsith.
shortsword attack: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 5 + 2 = 17, hopefully doing: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7
Joanna Whitehall |
Joanna tries to get inside the effigy's reach once more.
Attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13
And finds as little success as last time.
Briana Kaddren |
As Briana retreats and watches her companions surround the maniac scarecrow in an attempt to fell it for good, she focuses her attention on the creature and wills a small swirling storm of wind and rain to engulf it.
The flames are already out, so let's hope this works!
Using the Storm Burst spirit ability. As a standard action, the shaman causes a small storm of swirling wind and rain to form around one creature within 30 feet. This storm causes the target to treat all foes as if they had concealment, suffering a 20% miss chance for 1 round.
Arsith D' Abariane |
Ooops.
powerful attack with magnificent mace: 1d20 + 4 + 1 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (8) + 4 + 1 + 1 - 1 = 13
dmg, PA: 1d8 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 + 2 = 5
Shaking the fear, Arsith next attack is quite clumsy.
GM Zed |
Slashing across the chest of the scarecrow, Teldon spills yet more chrysalides and dead moths across the yard... but none of his friends can press home the advantage - Arsith, Ziomarra and Joanna all missing...
GMPC for Ziomarra.
Ziomarra, Deadly Dealer (Harrow Card as Dart / into melee): 1d20 + 4 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 + 1 - 4 = 13, missing
...and then, as a cloud of rain and fog builds around the scarecrow, it slashes at Joanna and Arsith - striking both of them with its filthy sickle hands...
Scarecrow, Slam vs Joanna: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24, with a 20% miss chance: 1d100 ⇒ 73, hitting for 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11 plus Fear
Scarecrow, Slam vs Arsith: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25, with a 20% miss chance: 1d100 ⇒ 49, hitting for 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10 plus Fear
Arsith / Joanna must make a DC14 Will Save or do nothing other than cower in fear next round (Arsith / Joanna can attempt another save at the end of each round).
Everyone may take their turn now.
Next person to hit AC16 will defeat the Scarecrow
Joanna Whitehall |
No Save for Joanna. She's a Paladin with immunity to fear effects.
Joanna grimaces in pain as the thing leaves a trio of cuts across her shield-arm just below the shoulder. She grits her teeth and tries again to get under the thing's defenses.
Attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23
Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8
She knocks aside a warding claw and lunges up with her sword leading and stabs up through the its chest. Thankfully, its movements cease.
"Is anyone besides Arsith and Briana hurt," she asks.
GM Zed |
Looking beyond the destroyed wreckage of the scarecrow - cloth, sticks and those terrible sickles - it is possible to see into the porch area that it was guarding... Twisted and entwined vines of dead ivy drape the rotting columns and broken boards of this rickety porch, creating a thick curtain of vegetation. A door hanging from rusty hinges is barely visible through a thick drapery of ivy, the only visible means of entry into the otherwise totally boarded-up house.
Briana Kaddren |
Briana breathes a sigh of relief as Joanna finally fells the scarecrow, then winces with pain. "I really hope there aren't anymore of those lurking around here; that was a nasty hit I took," she sighs. "Serves me right I suppose...even though I've got some training, I'm still no warrior like you or Arsith."
Teldon Moore |
Teldon rushes to Briana's side to check on her wounds. Somewhat relieved he encourages her, "it's not as bad as it could have been, thankfully... Can you heal yourself at all?"
Joanna Whitehall |
"I can heal them, Better to save their gifts for when we really need it." Joanna says as she places a hand over the wound.
Lay on Hands (Briana) 2 uses: 2d6 ⇒ (6, 2) = 8
Lay on Hands (Arsith) 2 uses: 2d6 ⇒ (6, 6) = 12
Sorry Bri. Joanna's now tapped out
Arsith D' Abariane |
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Fear save: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24
Arsith stands her ground, fighting throught the pain, overcoming the fear by sheer will.
Joanna heals most of her wounds, but Briana still seem hurt, and there is real concern is Teldon's eyes and words
Briana, I have a healing scroll for you. Don't move, if you are ticklish. Is she ticklish, Teldon?
There is gentle humor in Arsith's voice, as she teases the recent couple.
CLW Scroll, Powerful Healer blessing: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9*1.5=13.5 HP
A spiral envelops Briana, strenghtening her life force. There seems to be more than that, as if Teldon's love was giving even more power to the white haired woman's spell.
With a kind smile, Arsith softly says to Briana and Teldon
Love always find a way...
Used my second (and last ) CLW scroll, updated my equipment. Added in the profile bar a "PH" for Powerful Healing" blessing (4/day)
Joanna Whitehall |
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"Ticklish? How would he... oh... Oh," Joanna begins looking a little puzzled at first, but as comprehension dawns on her, her cheeks begin glowing bright red.
"Well, ah, we should, um... G-get going? Yes! Get going! We have a village to save after all!"
Poor Jo, can't lie or bluff for beans.
Teldon Moore |
When Pharasma's light fades and Briana's wounds are completely healed, Teldon draws her into a tight embrace then quickly kisses her forehead. "Thank you," he softly says to Arsith before letting go of Briana.
"Jo's right, we better get back to work."
GM Zed |
Pushing into the ivy that chokes the porch, the foliage parts relatively easily to allow access through to the door... and the gruesome discovery of a deformed skeleton hanging forlornly within the weeds. A brief examination fails to determine any obvious cause of death nor even how long ago the wretched thing died... and so, cautiously pushing the door of the farmhouse open...
...A cold hearth dominates the large room that the front door opens into. Between the mostly collapsed internal walls and separate jumbles of crumbled furniture, it seems that this large room may have once been several smaller rooms. A rickety ladder leads to what looks like an upper loft above, visible through several large holes in the overhanging ceiling above. A large... and empty... wooden cage sits in the southwest corner of the room.
...and, slightly taken aback by the door swinging open, three more cultists - the same mosquito masks and jagged sickles to hand - stop donning their robes and demand that the friends lay down their weapons...
Initiative for Party and Enemy
Briana, Initiative: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10
Ziomarra, Initiative: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3
Teldon, Initiative: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8
Arsith, Initiative: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7
Joanna, Initiative: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 1 = 16
Cultists, Initiative: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9
Initiative Order
Joanna, Briana then
Cultists then
Teldon, Arsith and Ziomarra
Everyone may take their turn now - folks can place themselves on the map in whichever 'marching order' they wish.
Ziomarra Callinovo |
I'm back!
Shaking her head at the destroyed scarecrow, Zee asks, "Is everyone okay"?
Entering the ruined farmhouse behind Jo, she shouts in alarm at the three cultists. "More slaves of the Gossamer King!"
If she weren't going last in initiative, she'd try hypnotizing the cultists, but instead, she'll just attack...
Drawing the tattered and incomplete Harrow deck she'd recovered from the Tower Girls, Zee draws a card, taps it to her forehead and throws it at one of the cultists.
Posting from phone and can't move her icon. Will attack one that isn't in melee, if possible. (if not, -4 on the attack roll.)
Ranged attack, point-blank shot: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 4 + 1 = 15
Damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
Teldon Moore |
Teldon's slow reaction is rooted in his desire to see how Joanna and the others wish to proceed... and how the locals respond... combat might not be a foregone conclusion yet... (waiting to see what Jo and Briana do, and how the cultists react before I post)
Joanna Whitehall |
"I don't think you are in any position to be making demands," Joanna says in a clipped, cold voice, "surrender or risk meeting your end on my blade. I am not in a forgiving mood this night, and my goddess is not one for showing mercies to those who kill innocents."
Intimidate: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7
Welp, this is about to get messy.
Briana Kaddren |
OUTSIDE
Briana blushes as Teldon and the others make a fuss over her wounds, but she offers a genuinely grateful smile as Arsith and Joanna work together to return her to full strength once more. "Thank you," she says, giving Teldon a quick kiss in return. "And you two though don't worry, I promise I won't kiss you!" she adds with a small chuckle, giving the two women a brief hug before releasing them and turning her attention back to the dilapidated farmhouse.
"I've got a little more healing magic that I can call on for today, as well as a scroll," she murmurs. "But I pray we won't need to use either."
INSIDE
Quickly realizing that Joanna's words aren't going to be enough to make the cultists stand down, Briana does the only thing that she can think of to do as she digs into her pack and pulls out a small sack. "Hot potato!" she yells as she throws it at one of the cultists.
Tanglefoot Bag (Ranged Touch): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6
Sigh...
GM Zed |
Wielding their sickles, it seems that the cultists have no appetite for diplomacy...
"Knew you were trouble the moment you walked into town"
"Ignorant city folk with no respect for the old ways"
...and they fall upon Joanna with their weapons amateurishly slicing at the paladin...
Cutlist 1, Sickle vs Joanna: 1d20 ⇒ 3, missing
Cultist 2, Sickle vs Joanna: 1d20 ⇒ 3, missing
As Briana's tanglefoot bag slips from her hand - spilling its contents uselessly on the floor, Ziomarra leans around the doorframe and manages to strike one of the cultists with a flung card...
Teldon, Joanna, Arsith and Briana may take their turn now
Teldon Moore |
Painfully aware of the ongoing effects of the viper's poison and the blood lost to the stirge, Teldon moves aggressively but cautiously... He steps up directly behind Jo and uses his longspear to attack the cultist that Zee struck...
longspear: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14, potentially doing: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6