Janos Ardeal's page

Returning to the Acanor Lodge largely in silence, Janos is surprised to see a new horse in the stables. From the horse’s breathing, it’s newly arrived within the hour. As he approaches it, he get a faint whiff of lilacs. ”Kendra?!” The Ranger bursts into the Lodge and is rewarded with the sight of his beloved coming down the stairs. Kendra was dressed in sturdy traveling clothes, a gray, split riding dress trimmed in dark blue with stout boots.

”Janos!” The woman hurries down the steps, leaping from the last few into the half-elf’s arms. ”I was so worried. They told me what had happened here, all the killings and that the werewolf packs were in chaos. What’s happened? Did you find my father’s killer?” She looks past him and gasps at the sight of Feral. ”Who is that?!” She readies to cast a spell, though on herself or at Feral, it’s unclear.

Janos grabs her hand, however, ruining the arcane energies. ”Easy, Love. It’s Dantrian’s other side.” He glances back at the werewolf. ”I’m not quite sure that he’s always a friend, but he’s not an enemy. It’s name is ‘Feral.’”

”Oh...ok. Um, is Dantrian ok?” The wizard swallows hard, but manages a stiff, curt bow to the werewolf. She eyes him warily before turning back toward Janos. ”Um, the werewolves are partly why I’m here. Shortly after I got your letter about Ashan, Judge Daramid contacted me. She and the...um, Order had heard that the packs were in chaos. Whoever their contact was here seemed to have gone quiet. She wanted to send someone, but I volunteered instead.” She rolls her eyes. ”My studies at the University were going nowhere. Those pompous idiots barely know arcane lore from a hole in the ground. No wonder my father left.”

She smiles at Janos. ”Besides, I missed you. And before you tell me that it’s dangerous, I can handle myself. You’re the ones who throw yourselves into danger.” She produces a small wooden coin from her dress. ”And the Judge gave me this to open friendly doors. I’m temporarily an Agent of the Order.” The wooden coin shows the Order’s symbol of a scarab beetle with the single eye. She tucks it back safely into a hidden pocket in her dress.

”And I have other news…” She trails off, smirking at the Ranger. ”You’d better learn to cook something other than rat stew. I won’t have my child gnawing on rat bones, growing up.” She beams at the half-elf.

"And Dantrian will simply accept that? He's been trying his whole life to avoid that fate. He'll be a prisoner of you and your wolves." Janos sighs. He knows Feral has already won. If Dantrian tries to escape the wolves, they will simply kill him. At least with Feral he has a place among the packs, even guiding them. But is that any life for the alchemist?

Has the time finally come to put an end to Feral? Dantrian always warned us that it might come to this. Or is Feral right and I should spend the rest of my life watching and helping keep him in check?

The Ranger laughs. "If I did, it wouldn't truly be Dantrian saying it, would it?" It felt good to laugh again. The cloud of the Way no longer held them in its darkness.

"You think Dantrian would prefer living here rather than working with the Count? If the man can create Aaron, he might be the one to find a..." Janos suddenly realizes the implication to Feral. ...cure."

Janos had already begun shaking his head. Kendra, I'm coming back. His hand goes to touch the frog pendant she had given him. He hadn't ever taken it off.

But at the sound of Dantrian's name, the Ranger stops. Did I truly forget about him? So easily? He's a prisoner inside there. What will the wolves do to him?

He looks up at the hulking werewolf. "What about Dantrian? What will happen to him in the forests? He's not exactly well-equipped to live here. The man should be with us in Lepidstadt. Count Caromarc would work with him. And where is Mosswick?" Janos looks around for the little homunculus, and then eyes Feral warily.

"We've finished it. If you wish to discuss what we do now, I suggest you let us speak to Dantrian."

Janos breathes heavily and kicks the corpse of one of the undead. "We did it! We finished off the Way and crushed their evil plans. And I suppose restored some order to his forest too." He glances around at the empty village. "It's a pity it cost people this much."

He stretches. "Well, what now? I think we should head back to the Lodge. I'll send Kendra a note from there, but I'll be heading back to Lepidstadt."

"Anton!" Janos points to the necromancer, drawing the attention of the powerful archer. "Take her down!" He rushes towards the undead, hoping to draw some of them off of Drosil while also cutting of the necromancer.

"Dros! Watch yourself, don't let them cut you off from us!"

Double Move

Sorry, everyone. I forgot to mention that I'm traveling in Africa and internet is hit or miss at times. Please bot Janos for the next week. He'll continue to move with the group until the undead are within reach, then he'll movie to attack them.

-Posted with Wayfinder

Janos continues to move with the group, keeping pace with Feral. He watches the group of undead as theyclose with the werewolves.

Double move (60 feet), keeping pace with Feral. Dont move farther than him. I cant access the Roll20 site on my phone. Can someone update me?

"Now we've done it. This will be a bloody melee." He looks to Feral. "If you mean to control the werewolves, Adimarus has to die. And I'm not leaving that necromancer to reform the Way."

The Ranger speaks in odd whispers and the spirits answer. His sword glints like silvery metal. "Anton, how about you put some of them down."

Cast Versatile Weapon. Bypass DR/Silver
Are any of them running towards us?

So...let Feral charge in with Anton gunning for Adimarus. The rest of us hold off the undead until Adimarus is dead, hoping that breaks the morale of the Demon wolves. If not, then Anton might need to change to focus to the necromancer and then we just hope to stay alive until we mop the rest up.

If we have the Prince's Wolves with us, this is doable. If they're all attacking us, we're screwed.

I think Janos made it clear he's done his job. He's got a girl to go home to now. But he's not going to abandon everyone. And if it comes to a fight, he wants to rid the world of a few more undead.

But he's not stupid. If killing Adimarus will end things quicker, he's all for it.

Janos sighs and rolls his eyes at the werewolf. "Fine, then. If you're the Alpha, then get your damned whelps in line. I'll stand with you, but I prefer to destroy the undead." He points to the undead female with his sword and smirks.

Janos glances at Feral. "I wasn't thinking of fleeing so much as...We got what we came for. And as much as I would love to kill more undead, we can leave that to the wolves. This is their domain. Unless you mean to join them?"

The Ranger looks up at the Prince's Wolves when Drosil shows the token. "Yes, we made an agreement with your Alpha. We can be allies."

Janos watches the necromancer fall. The Ranger slumps in relief. "It's over, Kendra. We did it."

He jerks back to attention and drops his bow as werewolves bound in. Janos draws his sword and moves close to the others should battle begin. He glances over to Feral. Now it's come to it. The Way's plans are destroyed. Now we'll see what Feral will force us to do. Oh, Dantrian, where are you?

"The Undead have no place here! The Necromancer is fallen and unless you want to follow him, leave this place to the wolves. We will withdraw as well..."

Janos steps outside and launches a volley of arrows at the man, just as Anton taught him though not as nearly as deadly as the Paladin. The magical fatigue also weighs on him.

Just realized the fatigue makes Janos' bow too strong for him to use effectively. -2 to hit in addition to not getting his full damage with it.
Attack (MS, RS, FE, IC, GH, fatigued): 1d20 + 10 + 2 + 2 + 2 - 1 - 2 ⇒ (11) + 10 + 2 + 2 + 2 - 1 - 2 = 24 Miss
Damage (MS, FE, IC, fatigued): 1d8 + 3 + 2 + 2 - 1 ⇒ (3) + 3 + 2 + 2 - 1 = 9 and Damage (MS, FE, IC): 1d8 + 3 + 2 + 2 - 1 ⇒ (5) + 3 + 2 + 2 - 1 = 11

Attack (MS, RS, FE, IC, GH, fatigued): 1d20 + 10 + 2 + 2 + 2 - 1 - 2 ⇒ (19) + 10 + 2 + 2 + 2 - 1 - 2 = 32 Hit
Damage (MS, FE, IC, fatigued): 1d8 + 3 + 2 + 2 - 1 ⇒ (7) + 3 + 2 + 2 - 1 = 13
Crit Confirm!: 1d20 + 10 + 2 + 2 + 2 - 1 - 2 ⇒ (18) + 10 + 2 + 2 + 2 - 1 - 2 = 31 Crit
Extra Damage: 2d8 + 13 ⇒ (7, 2) + 13 = 22

Attack (MS, RS, FE, IC, GH, fatigued): 1d20 + 5 + 2 + 2 + 2 - 1 - 2 ⇒ (18) + 5 + 2 + 2 + 2 - 1 - 2 = 26 Hit
Damage (MS, FE, IC, fatigued): 1d8 + 3 + 2 + 2 - 1 ⇒ (5) + 3 + 2 + 2 - 1 = 11

46 damage

Janos spots the blood trail and yells for the others. "Here! He's gone this way! He's bleeding!" He rushes through the doorway back out towards the entrance. He spots a man? flying in the air. Janos raises his bow and fires. The arrow is caught by the wind and sails far clear of the target.

Attack (FE, GH, IC): 1d20 + 12 + 2 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 12 + 2 + 2 + 2 = 19
Damage (FE, IC): 1d8 + 3 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 3 + 2 + 2 = 14

I'm assuming he's human, and therefore qualifies for Favored Enemy. If not, subtract 2 from both hit/damage.

Ugh, Nevermind

Having taken a breather, Janos tries to draw the spellcaster's fire by running through the are where the enemy was. He dives to the other side, hoping to gain an advantage by blocking the man in.

Double Move

Is there a roof on this structure?

Janos is getting out of line of sight, putting away a weapon and drawing another. That's actually all of his actions.

Seeing the noxious gas clear, Janos moves out of the wind and takes cover near Drosil. He looks at the others, especially Anton bravely standing out in the open. "Remember, he's the the one responsible for Petros' death!" The Ranger sheathes his sword and draws his bow.

Well, we can wait it out. Round 9 now and Greater Invis lasts 1 round/level. Gotta be soon. If B is willing to burn a Hero Point, she might be able to channel Tibi for some Purple Glitterdust.

Dang, this is partially Janos' oversight. I keep forgetting he can use items like a 1st level Witch. He should have been stocking Witch scrolls. And how is Faerie Fire not a Ranger spell?

Janos moves up to the edge of the wind barrier, watching the gas flow around it. He pulls out a potion and looks for any sign of the spellcaster. "I don't see anyone. He might be invisible." He drinks the potion of cure light wounds.

CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

Fort save (GH): 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 8 + 2 = 11 +1 vs. arcane spells

Janos suddenly feels air rushing into his lungs, and he takes a deep breath only to find the room filled with poisonous gas. He tries to hold his breath, and sees Feral's hulking silhouette nearby, struggling with the giant hand that was choking him a moment ago. The Ranger steps towards the werewolf and lashes out at the hand, trying to kill it.

Attack (PA, FE, Bard, GH): 1d20 + 13 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 13 + 2 + 2 = 33
Damage (PA, FE, Bard): 1d8 + 15 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 15 + 2 + 2 = 25
Miss Chance (<20 is miss): 1d100 ⇒ 68

Attack (PA, FE, Bard, GH): 1d20 + 8 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 8 + 2 + 2 = 22
Damage (PA, FE, Bard): 1d8 + 15 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 15 + 2 + 2 = 24
Miss Chance (<20 is miss): 1d100 ⇒ 55

Janos' mind suddenly reels with a burst of whispers from the nature spirits. It seems the nearby trees, grasses, and moss sensed the critical need the group was in. Nearly taking control of the Ranger, the spirits impart a secret of theirs and in an instant Janos finds himself casting their spell. Wind suddenly buffets around him and Feral, pushing the gas up and away.

Cast Wind Wall using a Hero Point for an extra action, combined with Spirit Bond to cast any Ranger spell. Ideally, it would not only encircle Feral and Janos, protecting them from the Cloudkill, but also push the gas up and over the wall.

2nd round of nausea for Janos.

Fort Save: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12 +1 vs. Arcane spells
And 1 point of Con damage

Janos begins wheezing from the gas as the hand tightens its grip.

Jelani is ending this with a bang!

So...nauseated and grappled pretty much means Janos can't do anything. Nauseated means he can't do anything but move, and grappled means he can't move. I don't even think he can try to escape the grapple.

Janos tries to recoil from the nasty pus, but his head begins to spin and he can barely struggle against the hand choking him. He manages a small groan, but that's it.

Janos recoils from the hand around his throat only to realize it's not attached to anything. He grunts and growls as the thing tightens its grasp. The Ranger reverses his grip on his sword and tries to stab the hand holding him.

Attack (FE, Grappled): 1d20 + 16 - 2 ⇒ (18) + 16 - 2 = 32
Damage (1handed, FE): 1d8 + 9 ⇒ (7) + 9 = 16

Crit Confirm: 1d20 + 16 - 2 ⇒ (6) + 16 - 2 = 20
Extra Damage: 1d8 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 9 = 12

Attack (FE, Grappled): 1d20 + 11 - 2 ⇒ (11) + 11 - 2 = 20
Damage (1handed, FE): 1d8 + 9 ⇒ (7) + 9 = 16

So which way are we going, through the curtain?

Janos ducks into the tower, sword and shield in hand. He sees Feral head to the curtain and rip it down. The Ranger barrels through the space raising his shield to protect from whatever might be on the other side.

Janos runs up with the full intention to help shield Feral, only to realize the werewolf's massive size as he steps next to him. "Oh right, I guess I can't-" He looks up at the archers and holds the shield over himself. "Hurry, Feral! Break it down!"

Janos begins to draw his bow when he realizes that unlike Anton, he has no blunted arrows. He growls. "My arrows will make little effect, Anton!" He races across the field, following Feral to the door. The Ranger holds his shield high, trying to reach the werewolf and protect him.

Can Janos try to hold his shield over Feral to give him the +2 Shield bonus? It's not strictly an Aid Another (which requires him to be threatening the skeletons and uses an attack bonus).

Fair enough. I think we're headed to G anyway. Might as well go as fresh as we can be.

Janos quickly casts a spell and then begins running after Feral. The Ranger seems much faster over the grass than before. "Feral! Don't get ahead of us!"

Cast Longstrider. 30 foot move now.

Did Janos find anything in the pit?

Otherwise, I say we go F9->F8->F5->F12->F6->F14->G if we want to explore everything.

Janos hardly gets across the field by the time Feral, Drosil, and Anton have torn apart the skeletons and killed the cultists. "Well...Remind me never to turn on you four." He eyes Feral for a moment.

The Ranger goes to inspect the pit of bones and the cultists' corpses to see if there's anything that can be learned.

Perception: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (15) + 18 = 33

"I can't quite see. There are bones in the pit...Oh gods, maybe they dug up some bodies? Maybe those skeletons are from the pit." Janos spits on the ground, trying to get the distasteful image out of his head.

"Anton, I think those two cultists are yours. Send the arrows fast. Drosil, Feral, and I will move up to the inevitable rush of skeletons. Spread out so they can't surround us easily, but don't go too far to get enveloped. It'll be a slog, but we have to give Anton time to finish off the necromancers." He looks at the Fletching and the werewolf and nods. "B, a little song to dance by should make this more enjoyable." He winks at her.

Perception: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (9) + 18 = 27

Janos charges at the cultist, intent on catching him before he is able to flee. The half-elf barrels at the man with his sword low, driving it at him.

Attack (PA, FE, Charge): 1d20 + 11 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 11 + 2 = 32
Damage (PA, FE): 1d8 + 12 ⇒ (1) + 12 = 13

Crit Confirm: 1d20 + 11 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 11 + 2 = 15
Extra Damage: 1d8 + 12 ⇒ (1) + 12 = 13
-2 to AC

Janos steps around the skeleton to flank it with Feral's hulking form. He slashes at the skeleton, realizing that his keen sword might not be the best at bringing these down.

Red first, then Orange (no flanking bonus vs him)
Attack (PA, FE, Flank): 1d20 + 13 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 13 + 2 = 30
Damage (1handed, PA, FE): 1d8 + 15 ⇒ (8) + 15 = 23

Crit Confirm: 1d20 + 13 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 13 + 2 = 27
Extra Damage: 1d8 + 15 ⇒ (5) + 15 = 20

Attack (PA, FE, Flank): 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 8 + 2 = 28
Damage (1handed, PA, FE): 1d8 + 15 ⇒ (1) + 15 = 16

Crit Confirm: 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 8 + 2 = 25
Extra Damage: 1d8 + 15 ⇒ (4) + 15 = 19

Janos stood by with a grim look on his face as Anton delivered justice. It was well earned for the cultist. He understood Anton wanting to take the responsibility himself, though he knew it pained the man. But it was a better death than Feral would have given her.

As the enter the new room, the half-elf eyes the desk and then the jars on the shelf behind it. He glances at Feral wondering if the werewolf shares Dantrian's interest in reagents. The Ranger moves to the desk to check for any traps, but then begins to open drawers to see what may be inside.

Perception: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (13) + 18 = 31

When the cultist refuses to answer, Janos grunts in frustration. "Very well, you've intruded on the peace of the Shudderwood and turned the forest into chaos. Once we find the Prince's Wolves, you'll be turned over to them for their judgement. And I doubt it will be merciful."

"I suggest we tie her up, gag her, and leave her here for the time being."

Good Hope is still up. She's just restarting Inspire Courage.

Janos rushes up beside Drosil and takes a deep lunge towards the undead, reaching with his sword in one hand. It enables him to bring his weapon to bear and he slices at it in a vicious chop.

Attack (PA, FE, Bard, GH): 1d20 + 13 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 13 + 2 + 2 = 29
Damage (One-handed, PA, FE, Bard, GH): 1d8 + 15 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 15 + 2 + 2 = 27
Using Lunge: -2 to AC

Janos levels his sword at Feral as he manhandles B'yelka, but whatever he was going to say is cut off by the appearance of the cultist and more undead. The Ranger growls as Feral takes off and rushes to join the fight. How long do we keep Feral around for his usefulness? When will he cross the line and take control of Dantrian completely?

Double Move. Janos should have cast Longstrider earlier.

Janos' jaw drops as the werewolf grows to an immense size. If it ever some times to put Feral down, it will not be easy...

The Ranger's attention is drawn by the arrival of the woman. He points to her. "Then seek our revenge, Feral! That's got to be one of the Way! Drosil and I will take down the skeletons." The takes off running and closes with one of them. Janos swings a heavy, two-handed blow with his longsword.

Attack(PA, FF, FE, Bard, GH): 1d20 + 16 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 16 + 2 + 2 = 23
Damage (PA, FE, Bard, GH): 1d8 + 19 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 19 + 2 + 2 = 26

"Hold here! Let them come to us, and we can get the drop on them. They're mindless undead, they won't be able to fight with any tactics."

Janos kicks ones of the festrogs and scans the area. "Anyone see signs of a necromancer who would be controlling them?"

Perception: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (14) + 18 = 32

Janos closes with the final Festrog. He thrusts his sword at the undead beast with both hands. "Die, monster!"

Attack (PA, FF, FE, Bard): 1d20 + 16 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 16 + 2 = 32
Damage (PA, FE, Bard): 1d8 + 19 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 19 + 2 = 22

Actually, it's worse. Drosil's AC is 31. +2 from the Barkskin that Janos cast on him.

The Ranger begins to sweat both from the nasty pus sickening him and the fight for his life. He grips his sword in two hands and slashes at the monsters before him. He yells out a fearsome cry as the sword rips at the undead.

Attack (PA, FF, FE, Bard, sickened): 1d20 + 16 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (18) + 16 + 2 - 2 = 34
Damage (PA, FE, Bard, sickened): 1d8 + 19 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (6) + 19 + 2 - 2 = 25

Crit Confirm: 1d20 + 16 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (7) + 16 + 2 - 2 = 23
Extra Damage: 1d8 + 19 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (4) + 19 + 2 - 2 = 23

Attack (PA, FF, FE, Bard, sickened): 1d20 + 8 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (20) + 8 + 2 - 2 = 28
Damage (PA, FE, Bard, sickened): 1d8 + 19 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (4) + 19 + 2 - 2 = 23

Crit Confirm: 1d20 + 8 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (3) + 8 + 2 - 2 = 11
Extra Damage: 1d8 + 19 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (6) + 19 + 2 - 2 = 25

Orange first. If he dies, then 5 foot step to attack Green.

Ew

Some of the disgusting pus lands in Janos' mouth and the the ranger immediately feels sick. Vomit comes up and he spits to get the gross pus out of his mouth.

Wow, 4 years, 3 months and over 6700 posts. That's the most successful PbP game anyone I know has ever done. Hat's off to everyone, especially Jelani!

I think our commitments have grown over the years. I'm no less interested in the game, but my ability to do in-depth, character searching, high-intensity RP posts has waned (if it was ever there in the first place!) While I would love to continue gaming with you all for the next 4 years, I understand fatigue and changing demands. I'm very happy with how Janos has turned out.

If we are to stop before the end of the AP, it sounds like this is would be a good place. To me, being able to wrap up our stories would be preferable to just grinding to a halt one day.

Knowledge, Religion (FE): 1d20 + 5 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 5 + 4 = 28

Janos recoils from the attack of the undead beast. He steps forward next to Drosil, releasing his shield and gripping his sword in two hands. The animated shield floats up, protecting the half-elf on its own. The sword flashes out at the beast.

Attack (PA, FF, FE): 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (2) + 16 = 18
Damage (PA, FE): 1d8 + 19 ⇒ (2) + 19 = 21

It's catching, Dros.

F7!

"Finally. We caught up to some of them. Maybe we can question them as to their plans." Janos kicks at one of the skeleton's bones. "Disgusting what they do with people's remains. We should be very careful as we continue."

He approaches Drosil. "Come, let me help. The nature spirits have a few secrets up their sleeves to help us." He whispers to the spirits and Drosil's skin become tough and leathery, easily enough to turn a hard blow.

Cast Barkskin on Drosil. +2 natural AC for 50 minutes.

Janos looks horrified at the corpse. "Feral, was this by one of the wolves?" He kneels down next to it. "One of the Demon Wolves most liekly?"

The Ranger examines the body, looking for any items or clues.

Perception: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (7) + 18 = 25

"What the hell was that?" Janos tentatively goes to look around the pot of solidified wax. "You think that was what happened here?"