Something Wicked This Way Comes (Inactive)

Game Master Fanguar

Iacobus, let us not risk further harm to you by scouting like this. Either we sneak about in the shadows on the ground, or simply take our chances and go now. I am for the latter, we cannot wait either for the dawn or the fire, we need to go now!

With that she moves to the corridor doors that lead out in to the courtyard and waits for everyone to assemble.

GrumbleJack, once I cast my spell you will appear to be of human size and looks, but you must take care not to speak or else the illusion will be ruined

she turns to the others

I must concentrate on the spell so I will walk behind GrumbleJack whilst two of you carry torches like the guards do. With all of us dressed as guards we should at least be able to get to the door, and maybe even beyond given we know the password.

She waits until everyone is dressed as guards and ready, then casts silent image on GrumbleJack and proceeds out of the doors trailing at the rear of the group.

.

Just to clarify, the plan is for the fire to act as a distraction once you have already left the prison? Somehow I don't see four guards nonchalantly walking away from an inferno as being particularly inconspicuous.

Wasn't expecting it to move too quickly, (assuming the only major opening was the doorway, and the building is made mostly of stone) it would take some time to strt being noticed. Also the idea is the guards will be disracted enough to avoid chasing us after we get out.

And, much as Lucetta, said in Iacobus should not go scouting.
If he was not able to listen to Lucetta's advice and avoid the ill-fated trip to the roof...Fire avoidance Reflex: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12 dang... fire damage: 1d6 ⇒ 4 and Putting it out, w/ rolling: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 9 = 13 RNG is feeling especially evil today...fire damage: 1d6 ⇒ 5 and Putting it out 2, w/ rolling: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (15) + 9 = 24
And now he is 0 hit points but not burning.....

Nodding Arthur finds the torches requested, passing them along as needed. He watches Lucetta prepare to channel her powers, wanting to understand more.

Aghast at Iacobus' injuries, Lucetta is very concerned following Poki's disappearance

We now lack the skill, time and magic needed to rouse Iacobus from unconsciousness, honestly I don't know what to do here she laments.

Realising she is unlikely to get assistance from GrumbleJack or Arthur, Lucetta slumps against the wall, momentarily lost.

Without the means to wake him, I can only think to carry him with us as sick, but we'd have to carry him away from here too. He would cause us to be caught for sure...

She shakes her head, unwilling to give up on her family, better to die free than be executed in chains

The Red Feather gang is a family, let's not leave him here to be re-chained

She stares at GrumbleJack

And you ogre, you have already proven yourself, there is a place for you with us if we make it out of here alive. I'll make the feather myself to present it to you! she continues encouragingly.

A thought strikes her and she turns to Arthur

Arthur, would you be ok to say the password when we approach the gatehouse? That will have to be deception enough, for us to get in striking range...

She directs GrumbleJack to carry Iacobus' sleeping body, and makes sure everyone but the ogre are dressed in uniforms. Turning away from the light of the nearby torches and intoning black words, she thrusts her hands in to the shadows of the wall, pulling gossamer threads of darkness away and spinning them across GrumbleJack's form. As the light plays across his festures, he seems to all the world like one of the guards from upstairs.

It won't fool close scrutiny, but it will do to get us there, now, let's go!

Not terribly happy with Iacobus being unconsciousness Arthur realises that something must be done and Lucetta's suggestion is a good one. He walks over to her and places a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Don't worry I'll do it and we'll get out of here."

Being at 0 is just disabled not unconscious. I'm not sure that silent image is intend to work this way, but I'll allow it.

Having Grumblejack squat down, Lucetta is able to tie an illusion around him making his appear to be two guards walking beside each other. Fully dressed in guard's uniforms, the party slips out the front door, as smoke begins to accumulate. Outside in the courtyard a fine drizzle is falling, filling the night with a fuzzy haze. Walking down the main path, you pass a small outdoor kennel where a pair of dog huddle out of the rain.

You see a couple of guards walking the high outer wall and a pair stationed on the roof of the main gate. They play of lantern over you while you cross the courtyard, but seeing nothing out of the ordinary, they leave you be. Opening the door, you find it and the the outer doors unbarred and just like that you find yourselves on the outer bridge, heading for the final guard house. The stones of the bridge are slick and waves crash violently against its sides, throwing up icy spray, but you cross to the far side. A rusty iron portcullis bars your way. A small closed window is the only opening on this side of the portcullis, though a door is visible on the far side.

For some reason I thought a standard or a move action would start someone dying...

Iacobus claws his way out of the kitchens in time to meet up with the party and head out. Grateful to Lucetta and her quick thinking, Iacobus leans on the large ogre and heads out the doors. He starts up a hushed conversation with the other three in the party, intent on trying to make the group and images seem more realistic. Well it sure is raining today, isn't it? Would hate for this to last all day... Hopefully this weather will hide our scent from the dogs.

Lurking at the back of the group, Lucetta's face is hidden underneath a guard's helmet, her expression slightly strained as she focuses on maintaining the arcane energies sustaining the glamor cloaking the ogre.

I wish we could have done something with the dogs, the vinegar from the kitchen will have to do.

she absentmindedly pats the satchel she's carrying, feeling the bottle she stashed earlier. She whispers to Iacobus

Call out, in this rain they're probably huddled around a brazier inside...

"I guess I could just go up there and knock?" Arthur suggests. "What was the password again?, Hester... something?" he asks.

Lucetta whispers to Arthur

It's 'Hesterfield', Arthur. You'll be fine, don't worry

She returns to concentrating on her spell, and trying to keep from drumming her fingers nervously on her uniform.

I wish we could have done something with the dogs, the vinegar from the kitchen will have to do.

Iacobus, grimacing in pain, turns towards Lucetta. With a partial smile and a wink, he pulls out the bag of dog biscuits he picked up earlier. He then motions at her back and whispers, "I just remembered we have a healing potion in the veil. Can you get it out?"

After the long, painful walk to the gates he takes his time to catch his breath before whispering, "You two are taking too long. Let me."

He then inhales deeply and hollers out in a commanding tone of voice,"Oi, open up! It's cold and wet out here and we'd like to get inside before we're soaked to the bone."
Bluff(?): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20

Following alongside Iacobus he tries to shelter himself from the rain. "Come on, Hesterfield, Hesterfield for the love of Mitra" he adds.

The small window on you side of the portcullis opens and a craggy face peers out.

Perc: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

"Ha! Look at you poor sods! Where's Blackerly got you running off to tonight? No matter, better you than me out there in that wet. Give us half a moment an we'll have the damned thing open. Try not to catch your death out there."

The window shuts and after a minute, with a great rusty squeal, the portcullis opens and you are through.

Before you is the keep road to town.

Lucetta has a map, so you can easily find where you are trying to get to, but you stick to the roads and your disguises, or do you try to cut across the mashland?

Well remembered about that potion Iacobus!

Waiting until they are a ways further down the road, Lucetta ventures

Well done everyone, that was well done indeed. In a few minutes they'll have their hands full with that fire so we'd best ensure we keep our headstart.

unrolling the map and keeping it sheltered from the rain she scrutinises it carefully

I'd rather divert across the moors if we can, I can't keep GrumbleJack's glamour up the entire time you see

she casts about looking for a good spot for the party to leave the road

I cannot recall, who is good with wilderness travel? Do not be shy!!

I'm just glad we had one

Feeling a lot more lively, Iacobus leads the group away from the sights of the guard towers.

He stares over Lucetta's shoulder, and carefully memorizes the map. "Here's hoping that the fire is enough to keep them occupied. And agreed we should cut through the marsh if only to avoid being spotted if nothing else." From there he tries to find a good path into the marsh. Perecption: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17 "But I think Arthur would be better at guiding us though; I never did get used to living in the forest and a marsh is just disgusting."

Arthur has survival:

Arthur gets the lay of the land and picks out a trail that should put you on the old moor road near you destination.

Trudging through the dark and wet, you make slow progress through the marches. As you march, Lucetta becomes aware of an large splash that occasionally arises from the darkness behind the trudging line of convicts.

Lucetta whispers to Arthur and Iacobus

Don't look now, but listen, I believe we are being followed by something or someone

She stops suddenly and exclaims in pain, speaking only so loud that her voice just carries a short way in to the darkness.

Ah I think I near twisted my ankle on that root, hold a moment

She turns around and holds Iacobus' shoulder in support as she re-adjusts her footwear, subtly scanning the darkness behind the group to see if she can spot whatever is shadowing them.

If she spots something she'll whisper to the group, otherwise she'll just carry on walking with everyone in a more heightened state of alert.

Iacobus whispers to Lucetta, Arthur and Grumblejack, "Good catch, we may want to see if we can ambush him or it before we reach the road."

He tries to keep an eye out for any places where they could turn and wait.

This is a perception check or survival? Perception/Survival: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11 7 if Survival.

Looking straight ahead Arthur whipser: "Who would be out here?"

Iacobus picks out a small wooded hillock that rises out of the marsh. Hustling up out of the muck and crouching behind a little cover you wait to see who might be following. After a few uncomfortable minutes, you catch a glimpse of you hanger on. The shape of a massive frog hops out of the gloom. The creature moves from pool to pool, but always in your general direction. The beast appears to be on the hunt and has picked up your scent.

Gentlemen, bows if you will!

urges Lucetta, drawing her dagger and taking up a defensive pose. As soon as the frog-thing moves close enough she intones the familiar arcane phrase and acid surges forth from her hand.

acid splash: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17
acid: 1d3 ⇒ 1

"This is like hunting," Arthur remarks as he strings his bow quickly and takes aim. letting the arrow fly a small smile cruses his lips.

Firing longbow: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17
Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 8

Surprise
13 Frog
13 Grumblejack
11 Iacobus
8 Arthur
4 Lucetta

Both missiles fly true and the large creature lets out a croak of surprise and pain.

Grumblejack lumbers out of the thicket and snarls a challenge.

Iacobus still has a surprise round action

Iacobus checks to see if he knows anything useful about large toads, and, having nothing better to do, grabs a longbow and tries to fire the large, unfamiliar weapon.

Know(Nature) w/ free prof.: 1d20 + 8 + 1d6 ⇒ (3) + 8 + (2) = 13

Non-proficient longbow: 1d20 + 3 - 4 ⇒ (1) + 3 - 4 = 0
Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 4

His shot goes wide, very wide.

Whoops, had this all types up Saturday evening and forgot to post it. Sorry

The frog charges Grumblejack
1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 5 + 2 = 21
Damage: 1d6 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11
Grab: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (13) + 11 = 24

The giant toad launches at the ogre and its massive mouth clamps down. The dumb animal appears to be trying to eat his oversized prey.

GJ break grapple: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (13) + 9 = 22

Grumblejack stuggles free. "Dat hurt! Bad Froggy!!"

Everyone is up

Lucetta moves to get a better angle on the beast and throws another spray of acid at it.

Oh for an acid flask to boost the damage!!
acid splash: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9
acid: 1d3 ⇒ 2

Do we have advantage over the frog?

Iacobus drops his bow and draws his dagger. He then moves behind the frog but stays out of its reach.

Move action to draw weapon and another move action to move closer. Oh, for an alchemist's lab...

Arthur's face settles in a more no-descriptive feature as he drops his bow and closes in on the frog to engage it in close combat hoping to aid Grumblejack. He unsheats his sword as he moves.

@Iacobus: Advantage replaces flanking, so if multiple people attack the same target, they get an advantage.

Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12
The frog attacks again, but doesn't get through the ogre's tough hide.

Attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21
Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

The ogre grunting at the bite, swings his sword in retort, slicing into the tough amphibian hide.

Everyone is up

Iacobus moves in behind the frog and tries to slice the animal.
Attack attempt 1: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11
Attack attempt 2: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

His dagger just slides off the beast's slick skin.

Combat stats:Hp 9/9; AC 18/14T/14FF; CMD 13
+0F/+5R/+2W
Buffs:

Moving around to try and get a good vantage point to fire another bolt of acid, Lucetta laments her inexperience with melee...

acid splash: 1d20 + 2 - 4 ⇒ (2) + 2 - 4 = 0
acid: 1d3 ⇒ 3

Gripping the blade tightly Arthur swings it at the giant animal. Somehow he manages to swing it well above it. His face tightens with grim determination.

Attacking: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9

The massive creature strikes at the ogre again, tearing out a great gob of flesh. The ogre looks stunned for a moment, then his eyes roll up into his head and he collapses . The enormous frog then proceeds to try to cram the unconscious Grumblejack into his mouth.

Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13
Damage: 1d6 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12

Grab: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (4) + 11 = 15

You guys are up. The frog has his meal and will not follow if you leave.

Aaahhh!!!

screams Lucetta as the vile beast begins trying to devour the ogre. They may only have known him for a few hours, but he had been invaluable in their escape, and as far as she was concerned he was a part of the gang now, she would not leave him voluntarily.

Oh no you don't!!

Now the ogre was clear of the area of her spell, she takes a strong stance and incants words of power, sending shimmering shadows blasting across the wretched frog.

Casting color spray
DC 16 for it to save

Spells/day 1st:2/5

"I still had uses for him, you giant scavenging oaf, go find some flies to feed off of, stop using my people." Iacobus rants as he continues to hack at the beast's back.

If Lucetta's spell takes Iacobus will deliver a coup-de-grace. If not he will continue attacking.
Coup-de-grace: 2d4 - 2 ⇒ (4, 4) - 2 = 6 Fort. DC 16 or death.

Or Attack attempt 1: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17
Attack attempt 2: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10
Damage: 1d4 - 1 ⇒ (3) - 1 = 2

Save: 1d20 ⇒ 17

The frog ignores the light show and continues to work on his dinner.

Arthur is up.

Hoping to slow the frog or even stop it Arthur launches for the giant toad and slams his blade down. The blade bites deeply into the fleshy back of the monster.

Attacking: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21
Damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

Focused on its meal, the frog ignores Arthur and that inattention proves fatal. With a mighty swing of this sword, he puts an end to the great beast.

Stabilize: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8
GJ HP: -4

Peeling away the dead frog, you find that the ogre is still breathing, but unconscious and in a pretty bad way. DC15 Heal check to stabilize, you can make this untrained

Iacobus moves in closer to the unconscious ogre and tries to perform some qucik first aid using what's left of his prison outfit. He tries to reproduce the wrappings he say a medic use once.
Heal with last inspiration: 1d20 + 1d6 ⇒ (20) + (5) = 25
Finally a usable dice roll

"He's not going to bleed out but we can't readily carry him, any suggestions other than waiting here or leaving him?"

"Can your magic help?" Arthur asks Lucetta as he cleans the toad's fluid of his blade.

Lucetta shakes her head sadly

Unfortunately not Arthur, my powers don't work that way

she hangs her head

Leaving him here simply invites another of the beasts that roam these moors to feast upon him, and yet we must keep moving and with haste. I know not what to do.

she turns beseechingly to Iacobus

Have you an idea?

she sounds almost desperate.

By RAW, Grumblejack will get a Fort save each hour to regain consciousness. At that point he will still be at negative HP, so he will be limited to a single move action a round.

After staring at the surrounding greenery for a moment, Iacobus turns to Lucetta and asks, "Can I see the veil again? Okay this can work..."

After a moment, he pulls one of the patches off and shortly has a coil of rope in his hands.

"Looks like we can make a sort of sled. We take the rope and make a net across two lengths of wood, in a sort of pointed shape. Here Arthur go hack down a that tree and that one. Lucetta, can you start taking the branches off of the first one? We'll start on the second one..."

After finishing the travois, he looks at Arthur, "Can you haul Grumblejack?" and turns to Lucetta "I'll need your help hiding these tracks; our best wilderness survivor is pulling this thing, sadly..."

Grateful for Iacobus' quick thinking, and no stranger to hard work, Lucetta sets to with her knife on the felled tree.

As Arthur pulls the ogre on the makeshift stretcher-cum-cart, she does her best to hide the tracks.

survival: 1d20 ⇒ 7

Unhappy with her work but now tired from the all night slog and fatiguing journey, she just presses on, hoping the fire has been enough of a distraction to give them a large enough head start that their tracks won't matter so much.

Nodding Arthur sets to work felling the indicated tree, it is difficult work and damages the sword, but he hopes he won't be needing it soon. Once the sled like constructing is assembled he looks for something to haul it when Iacobus' question surprises him. "I guess so," he says and tries. Hewing under the weight he manages to slowly but surely drag it along. "Mitra be damned, he is a heavy one," he groans.

Survival: 1d20 ⇒ 14
Iacobus takes one of the sawn-off branches with leaves still and drags it behind Arthur, hoping the rain will help obscure the tracks. Lucetta proves to be of little help, as expected, not pulling one of her unexpected surprises. Mostly he is looking forward to being able to rest after the long, tense day.
Really had been looking for or to help with an aid another, but this works.

Least evil, evil party ever :)

It is exhausting dragging the wounded ogre through the swamp. The hours and the night, slowly pass by. At one point, the night comes alive with the distant sound of many horns blowing. As the moon sets and the faintest lightening of the night sky can be seen in the east, you finally emerge, exhausted out onto the old Moor road. In the distance you can see a faint, red light shining. At Iacobus' urging, you press on and soon the dim form of a shabby, but still impressive manor house comes into sight. A red lantern shines from one of the top windows.

Against all odds, you have escaped.

The wickedly barbed fence glides open silently as you make your way to the front of the manor house through the drizzling rain. Exhausted from your escape, the promise of a warm room and a respite from the freezing cold spring storm fuels your last steps. Reaching the entrance of the manor house, the door opened smoothly as a beautiful blond haired and green-eyed woman stepped out. Giving a smile Iacobus nods to the others, this was the same woman that had given him the veil that had proved so essential to your escape. Everything about her looked identical, except for her dress. Whereas before Tiadora had been draped in black and wore a veil looking like she was destined for a funeral, now she wears a diaphanous white gown that make her look almost angelic. However when she spoke, any illusions about her angelic character were quickly dispelled.

“Dearest, you took long enough,” she says pitilessly. “We were beginning to wonder if you’d ever make it. Oh, and you brought friends. The master commands all of you to appear before him but before that, you must be made presentable. Slaves!” She claps her hands. A dozen young attractive men and women all weaing very traditional servant’s livery appear quickly, their heads bowed. “These people are our guests,” she commands imperiously. “See them to their rooms. I want them cleaned, dressed and refreshed. Oh and do something with ogre. The stables might do. Quickly.” There is something in that
last word that sounds like a threat. Certainly the slaves take it that way, hustling to perform their duties.

One by one each of you are shown to your rooms. The accommodations are comfortable, with large goose down beds that dominated the center of room. Laying atop each bed is a fresh set of clothes.

Also in each room is a bath, already drawn with steam rising from it. Next to the copper tubs are buckets of cold water so that the bather can adjust the temperature as needed. At the door, each slave who was assigned to their individual Forsaken waits patiently. "The mistress commanded that I prepare you for your audience." Each says with a flat monotone voice, as if half asleep. "I am to take away your old clothes and see that you are washed, and I am to assist you in any way you deem fit. Is there anything you need that this slave has not provided? Do you wish for food or drink? Healing? Speak and my mistress will make it so."

Grateful to finally be getting out of the rain, Iacobus heads to the house before being stopped short by the Tiadora. After a moment to compose his face, Iacobus steps forward and rejoins, "Oh, but sweetie we had three days, it's only been one at best. Oh and keep the orge alive, he's useful, it's nice to have a second...shield."

Iacobus, pleased to see the servants, follows them gladly. He winds up even more pleased with the room, clean clothes and a bath. After a good, through scrubbing and a second to be positive, Iacobus dons the clean clothes. "Other than a dinner the only thing I could 'need' is to make sure that the ogre down in the stables is cleaned, healed, and kept alive. If I can't use him then he can be a good guard at least, would hate to see someone that useful tossed away."
Sense motive: 1d20 ⇒ 8