Pilts Swastel

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I'm wondering if anyone else here is having the same issue when trying to download the resource PDF's when it comes to Dungeon Magazines.

I've recently gone back and purchased some old Dungeon Magazine's and wanted to get the PDF's that contained all the maps and images (minus all the GM notes on them). When I went to the page where I have been able to find these in the past, it's not there.

Stranger yet, when I navigate to http://paizo.com/dungeon/resources it asks me to log-in? I've never had to do that in the past. Still, after logging in, I'm left with a blank page. No PDF links or anything.

Am I doing something wrong here?

Anyone else able to see the same thing?


There is so much talent here, someone must keep this going...


Gentlemen, it is with a heavy heart that I wish to resign from the position of dungeon master. It seems my job as of late is not going to let me have much time or energy to devote the time I need to effectively run this. I type this (as I have done with many other posts) while I sit at my gate at the airport, on my iPhone.

This is not to say that I don't have interest in this or I have not enjoyed my time but 60+ hour work weeks and constant travel is not conducive to running this the way I should.

If there is anything I can do for a nice safe handoff, please let me know and I will certainly be in the background as a lurker...

Peace and best of luck adventurers!


Stellan:
Continuing on with other animals, it appears that these creatures are victims of some sort of puncture injury. It is becoming very clear that these animals might have died of a large spider bite and you are in fact entering into it's lair.

Anwel:
Giving some thought to what Stellan said and pondering the creatures that might inhabit this area you feel that all the evidence is pointing to a creature very much like a large spider. The puncture wounds, rotting or decaying flesh, and the plethora of warm blooded creatures makes for a great case saying that is in fact a spider's lair.


Stellan searches deep into his memories to see if these sights are something he might have seen before. Alas, these do not recall anything to mind.

Anwel and Stellan collectively work to think about anything magical causing the death in the area but nothing appears to such. The conversation captures Andrei's attention as he casts detect magic. With his sight illuminated for things magical he looks around but finds nothing.

The area seems very quiet and peaceful except for the sun-bleeched skeletons covering the area. The wind softly blows by carrying with it the smells of a warm afternoon on the open plains.

...

Time passes and frustration starts to build with no answers coming. Taking the initiative, Stellan finds the closest skeleton and does his best to examine the creature to better find the cause of death.

Stellan:
The first creature you are able to find is one of a bear. Looking closer at this skeleton you find that there are not any major marks on the bones that would indicate any sort of battle or strikes. The flesh is completely gone however the ground around the remains shows that something here was rotting away...most likely whatever was left on the bones. A few remaining maggots on the ground show that this most likely died within the past couple months. The only point of interest on this is a clearly dislodged set of ribs. While there are no scratches on the bones themselves, it looks like something might have punctured its side most likely leading the death.

Given the hazardous nature of this scene, if you wish to venture further into the massacre sight just give me a sort of "I wish to head in" in your post. I don't like to make assumptions


Anwel:
Nothing about this location seems normal. The land and the skeletons are nothing you have ever seen before. Looking at the sight, you can see that they are all pointed towards a center location but from this distance, you can't tell what exactly lies at the center.

The group decides to venture closer to the sight of the supposed graveyard. Before heading off, Gorax marks the ground where he found the track of the undead creature as to make sure that he doesn't lose the spot when they are finished.

The scene does not become any more friendly as they near. It becomes apparent that the skeletons that were seen from afar are those of various woodland creatures. Bear, deer, boar, and a few stray human type bodies all cover the surrounding area. The skeletons cover an area of at least 300-400 feet wide. The sight of these remains makes the group slow up their approach.

Interestingly enough, they all seem to be centered around a point in the middle. However curious as it may be, there appears to be nothing at the center other than some dirt.

Before heading any further in, the group stops about 50 feet from the furthest body to survey the land. It does not seem like anything that anyone has ever seen before. It would be safe to assume that this is a sight of either a battle or something worse.


Andrei keeps his eyes focused on the distance to see if anyone or anything is making its way towards the group. At the moment, all he can see are a few stray birds flying in the sky. The land is open and empty.

Meanwhile Gorax tries to find the trail again of the creature and after a few moments finds the trial of footprints again. However they are becoming harder to follow. Continuing on might prove to be challenging.

Stellan ponders the site and thinks about the sizes that he can see. Without much more detail the only thing he can do is use logic to say that this is more of an anomoly rather than something usual. From this distance, looking at the different sizes of skeletons it appears that this is something unusual.

Pardon my delay in response, work has a great way of popping up from time to time


@Anwel - Yes we have moved on to a new hex and the map is now on the campaign tab.

Gorax continues his tracking of the undead but it seems that with the commotion of the grave site that he's lost the trail. It will take a bit to find the trail again.

Stellan looks at the site and tries to see if the details will reveal themselves to him at this distance but it is not working out. The sun must be obscuring his sight. However, looking at the trails leading to the area it appears to be creatures of all sizes; small animals to larger ones.


Stellan looks over the tracks that the undead left behind in its journey here but he quickly loses the trail. Sighing, he gives up his search and lets Gorax give it a try.

Crouching down where the trail was lost by Stellan, Gorax takes a look and is able to pick it up. Again he sees that is continues onward south. Following the pattern of footprint and drag-mark, from the limp foot, he leads the group towards the origin.

The trail leads them southward for a while until, in the distance, you notice something out of the ordinary. Instead of the traditional green open plains with a peppering of trees your eyes give way to what seems like a large collection of bones strewn across the land.

The area stretches rather wide and from what you can tell, possibly 400-500 feet wide. From this distance, it is difficult to make what creatures exactly made up this collection of bones, but give the shapes and colors (as well as a buzzard in the air) it is easy to infer that it is a sort of graveyard. At the moment you are about 300 yards away and with the clear sky, it is not hard to see things at this distance.

Tracks however seem to head off in a direction that does not collide with this area. They seem to travel away from it.


The creature came walking towards you from the south. Please note on the map the orientation of south as well.


Just a refresher on the map. X marks where the party is located at

MAP


Stellan: Standing tall and looking far and wide you survey the land. You feel that today will be a calm and quiet one. The sun is shining brightly in the distance warming up the lands as it goes. However clouds in the distance might call for some rain. Only time will tell.


As I continue with this adventure, I'm concerned that attrition will set in at a point if we don't keep moving this along. That being said, I am still a fan of leveling "at DM's discression" since that can keep the momentum going. I don't see any signs of faultering interest, but I want to make sure that it never pops up.

So simply put, I'll leave it to a group concensus when it comes to XP leveling or DM call leveling.

Side adventures, I think, are another story. If you haven't been able to tell, I like to leave the pace of the story up to you guys. If you want to stop and inspect, or question, or chat, then so be it. This is your adventure and immerse yourself to your heart's content. If you want to continue on and plow forward towards greatness, then all the power to you. I am only here to make sure that rules are follow and the story is laid out appropiately. You all are controlling the ship.


The night will pass with the evening being uneventful.

Morning comes with a sunrise breaking out across the land.

You feel refreshed but not completely since that pesky "disturbance" last night ruined a complete night's rest.


Andrei compares the two rings closely as best as be can given the night time light. The holds one in each hand, turning and spinning, trying to see if there are any similarities.

Andrei:
You can easily tell that both of these rings are very similar. Similar metal and similar styles of engraving. In fact, on the inside of the band, you find on both "To my dearest..."

Looking over the corpse Stellan tries to think of any magical reason this creature is affected the way it is but no answer comes to his head. Necromatic powers must have shrouded his thoughts.

Stellan scans around to take in the weather and it would seem that tonight calls for clear skys, moderate temperature with only a soft breeze throughout the night.


Stellan, Udoeak, and Anwel gather round the corpse to seek answers to their questions. Crouching down, they are able to get a better view at the creature that stalked quietly in the night as it lays face down in the dirt. As they get close, the pungent aroma of death quickly fills their nostrils and continuing on becomes more of a challenge than originally thought.

Udoeak investigates the remnants of the clothing to see if anything can be learned but the flames have made this task impossible. Whatever remains on the flesh simply crumbles away as ash as his hand touches it. Clothing and furs are now in the past. The only thing remaining is a rusty sword that hasn't seen combat in quite some time. Picking it up, you can not see any redeeming value to this object.

Stellan gathers his courage and examines the flesh of the creature. The black left over from the burning clothes does a great job masking the discolored skin previously seen. Handling any extremity on the body leaves his hands covered in the soot. However, despite the blazing inferno, the skin appears to still be in relatively decent condition ... all things considered. It is peculiar but the thought doesn't linger long. Rolling over the creature reveals the cut on chest from the fight. It exposes flesh and internals, also covered in charred maggots.

Anwel carefully glances over the body of the creature before getting close. While the other two take the time to go for the obvious, he is left with the not-so-obvious. At a moment, a glimmer catches his eye as he notices a ring on the creature. It appears to be a silver ring, on the right hand. Crouching down and wiping the soot off it reveals that it is a simple ring, most likely a wedding of some sort.

Anwel:
Picking up the hand to view the ring closer you are struck with a feeling that you have seen something like this before.

While the men cover the creature from head to toe, Gorax, Andrei, and Bimbur cover the surrounding lands and keep an eye out for anything else that might try wondering this way. The night time stars glimmer brightly in the sky, illuminating the land for a distance. No other creatures of the night can be seen.


A massive gash across it's chest, multiple arrows peppered across its front, and now a lit on fire, the creature will scream out and start to fall. It drops to one knee, holding itself up with its hands, almost trying to stay alive as the flames continue to consume it. In a last ditch effort it seems to say something that is hard to understand given the condition of it's mouth and the flames. After a moment, it drops to the ground lifeless.

The corpse smolders for a moment longer, then... no more. It is slain.

Silence.


I am indeed back (as of today). Trip ran longer than planned.

On to the game ...


I thought that Bimbur's arrow hit it and you are correct in hitting the creature as well but alas it still stands.


The creature studder steps back when the arrow hits it in the chest. It still stands however it's focus still remains on the human in front of it.


I am not going to use a map for this encounter since the layout here is rather basic. For reference, the group is standing about 30-50 feet away from the creature presently except for those who will make their move towards it for combat.

Bimbur lets loose an arrow towards the raging creature but it sails past it only finding home in the ground.

Init order:

Stellan @ 19
Gorax @ 19
Bimbur @ 18 <- Rolled for you
Andrei @ 16
Udoeak @ 14
Anwel @ 13 <- Rolled for you
"It" @ 4

Stellan concentrates as he tries to place a hex on the undead creature standing near the tree.

Stellan:
In past experiences you have used this hex and can clearly tell when it takes effect. On this creature, you do not see that same outcome.

Gorax rushes straight at the creature to be the first to take a stand against it. He swings but at the last second his footing goes loose and just misses the creature. It shifts its focus from the group in general and now stares directly at Gorax.

Bimbur is up next followed by Andrei


Lets say that when the creature shouts out, you have 4 minutes remaining. Sound fair?


@ Udoeak - How long does it last? This has not been that long


Trudging along, the creature continues towards the tree where the party was resting. Its movements are slow and clumsy, it occasionally trips along the way.

As it nears the mound where the tree is, it starts to rummage around the groups various belongings. Its drops down on it's hands and knees and scours the ground looking for something. Every so often its easy to hear a grunt or moan as it struggles in its search. It peers through the stash of food prepared previously, and after a moment it finds itself looking down into the hole that the group dug. Its movements start to become more animated and energetic. Clumps of dirt and grass go flying through the air landing where they may fall.

After a few moments, you look at the creature as it starts to stand up. Bracing itself on the tree and stabilizing on its knee it props itself back up. When you look at the creatures face an image of anger comes across it. It stretches its arms out wide and looks at the group and screams louder than you have heard before.


I must apologize for the times between my posts. It is becoming quite difficult lately to find free time (and energy) with my job changing as drastically as it is. I do intend on "picking up the pace" here shortly as things should be calming down more in the next couple weeks.

This being said, I will be out of country next week (Aug 1 - Aug 18) and seeing Germany for business. I don't believe I will be able to post much during that time.


The creature looks at Anwel with its face unchanged. It seems disinterested with the group in front of it and starts to walk, albeit with a severe limp, towards the camp of the group.

It makes no haste in its movement and only continues it's howl periodically as it goes. No distinct person is in it's sight.

@ Anwel

Spoiler:
While he does not respond to what you are requesting him, he does seems to focus his attention on you for a brief moment. Related to this, can I assume these people you speak of pertain to your background and/or class/race combo?


The stone lands next to the man. As it tumbles closer to him, the light shines upon his figure and reveals what the night time has covered. Looking at the man you can see that his flesh is pale and sickly. There are sores all over his exposed legs and arms and there are signs of decay. His hair is snarled and mangled, the cloths are tore and tattered. He carries weapons but they are clearly nothing he has used for some time now. The are covered in dirt and filth from the ground; rust covering what was a sword at some point.

The rocks rolls across the ground next to him and upon noticing the bright light, his head bolts up and quickly looks out. In front of him he sees Andrei standing there while Bimbur makes his advance towards him. The wolf dashes off towards his master frightened by the sight of what it saw.

After taking in the view of those in front it's head tilts to the side. The deathly image stares at the party well in front of him as his jaw slowly starts to drop. Small remnants of dirt, teeth, bugs, and what-not fall out and behind the garbage starts to come a loud howl. "Whaaagh!" bellows the undead creature as his right hand extends forward towards the group still on the hill. He makes no movement, only stands still in place with arm extended and hand open.

Hand extended and scream silent for now, he stands there ... like a statue ... and as quiet as the night.


@ Andrei - You are ok. If you want to throw a rock to his general area then "it is done"


Lumbering onward the stranger makes his way towards the group. He makes no haste in his movements and seems rather sluggish. Coming closer to group the nighttime lights start to show that he seems to be dressed in leathers and furs. He could possibly be a hunter of these lands.

Andrei sends the stranger a warm welcome. He is approximately 100 feet away from him out in the open lands with only the light of the stary night shining down on him. But upon hearing the words, the man stops walking. Not aburptly but rather a slow down in pace until he stands in place.

His head focused on the ground he stands still. He makes no remark back, but stands there. Silence is his answer.

With a lack of response, Andrei calls out again to see if the man would like some shelter or a safe place to sleep for the night. With another silent return, he squints his eyes to see if anything becomes more clearer.

Andrei:
Using your eyes to the best of your abilities you can discern that the leathers and furs that cover him are rather torn and he is a very dirty individual. Certainly hygiene is not top priority out here but he seems to have "let himself go".


The dwarf stares intently towards the approaching stranger...

Bimbur:
You peer off into the distance, squinting the eyes to see as much as you can. After a second you can discern that the approaching person is a male human given the stature and overall shape. Also, your darkvision gives way to the leather and furs that adorn his figure. It is very possible that this is a hunter out roaming the land.


Stellan:
Peering into the distance you see the humanoid creature lumbering forward. It is the size of an average human but given the light and the distance, you can not discern anymore.

Vinur:
Crouching and ducking between cover, you come closer to the creature and see that it is a male human dressed very casually. He appears to be a man of the land from the furs and leathers he's dressed with.

Udoeak and Stellan continue their vigil watching the creature come closer to the party. It appears to be humanoid in size and shape and it is walking closer and closer to the party. Judging the path of it's travel it is heading right for the party. It is not far off from the group when Udoeak notices it is crossing the 300 yard threshold.

Pardon my avatar. I'm seemingly unable to change who I post as at the time of writing this.


If no one else drops their hat in the ring, I would like to give this a go. It would be my first time DM'ing a PBP (but have ran many other games).

I'll check in tomorrow!


Can't wait to get started!


Here is my character submission. I would like to go with the Sage trait. Backstory to follow...

Character:

MARLO

CR 1/2
Male Human Sorcerer 1
NN Medium Humanoid (Human)
Init +1; Senses Perception +2
--------------------
DEFENSE
--------------------
AC 11, touch 11, flat-footed 10 (+1 Dex)
hp 9 (1d6+2)
Fort +2, Ref +1, Will +4
--------------------
OFFENSE
--------------------
Spd 35 ft.
Melee Quarterstaff +0 (1d6/20/x2) and
Unarmed Strike +0 (1d3/20/x2)
Sorcerer Spells Known (CL 1, +0 melee touch, +1 ranged touch):
1 (4/day) Magic Missile, Disguise Self (DC 15)
0 (at will) Acid Splash, Touch of Fatigue (DC 14), Flare (DC 14), Mage Hand
--------------------
STATISTICS
--------------------
Str 10, Dex 12, Con 14, Int 12, Wis 14, Cha 18
Base Atk +0; CMB +0; CMD 11
Feats Eschew Materials, Fleet, Magical Aptitude
Skills Bluff +8, Diplomacy +8, Spellcraft +7, Use Magic Device +10
Languages Common, Elven
SQ Corrupting Touch (1r) (7/day) (Sp), Infernal
Combat Gear Quarterstaff;
--------------------
SPECIAL ABILITIES
--------------------
Corrupting Touch (1r) (7/day) (Sp) Melee touch attack leaves target shaken and -2 save vs. enchantment spells for 1 round.
Eschew Materials Cast spells without materials, if component cost is 1 gp or less.
Infernal +2 DC on Charm spells.


Dont know if you are accepting PBP rookies (but veteran to RPGs), but I'd love to try this. I'll drop a character if you have open slots.