The_Demonic_DM's page

Unfortunately, the party cannot find any trails worth tracking, as it appears these jungle elves were quite intelligent about covering their tracks. With no other recourse and rather than wander aimlessly in the jungle, the party returns to the camp.

The party receives some accolades from the civilians at the camp, even though it is frowned upon by the mercenaries, for their role in driving off the elves. You continue on with your duties for the day. The dead elf's decomposing head is removed from his body and placed with the other heads to scare off the attackers.

At night, after sharing a meal, where you again receive supportive glances from the civilians, you retire to your rooms.

Hope your holidays were fun.

So you manage to convince Mynafee the Station Manager to go hunting for elves, especially since you won't be sacrificing any of his men to do it. The mercenaries provide distractions of shoring up the north side of the perimeter and you sneak off.

Need some survival rolls to see if you can track the elves.

Is there a consensus yet? Or do I move on?

Captain Esteban tells you the River Queen's repairs will take about a week.

The mercenaries do not give chase. One of the remaining commanders, Boraz, approaches you and kicks the corpse of the wild elf. "These elves are not stupid. They are targeting our commanders with guerrilla hit and run tactics. Usually, they kill three of us to one of theirs, but today, it was even, 1:1. I thank you all for that. However, we can't keep up this war of attrition. Our numbers are gradually decreasing. I hope we can survive long enough to get out of here alive. I have no idea where these elves' camp may be. Thanks again."

With that, Boraz leaves you and the mercenaries proceed to say their respects over the fallen commander and proceed to bury him. What do rest of you do? Back to guard duty? Something else?

The Aspis agents move up 30' and take shots at the elves with their crossbows, killing the elf wounded by Bel and Baolo!
1d20 ⇒ 5
1d20 ⇒ 15
1d20 ⇒ 9
1d20 ⇒ 7
1d20 ⇒ 3
1d20 ⇒ 4

The two remaining elves seeing the onrush of the camp's defenses back up and disappear into the forest.

End combat or pursue? The mercs seem content to have driven off the elves...for now.

Your post changing your action is invisible to me, Bel, but I will take your word for it.

I believe total defense is a standard action, so Jon can take a move action. Thrynn cast a spell so he also takes a move action. Baolo's arrow is off the mark.

The elves seeing the mercs approaching take shots at them, wounding only one of them!
1d20 ⇒ 17
1d8 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8
1d20 ⇒ 2
1d20 ⇒ 2
1d20 ⇒ 12
1d20 ⇒ 1
1d20 ⇒ 10

Party is up again:
Ialda 140' away
Baolo, Thrynn, and Jon 170' away
Bel prone 200' away

You could run as a full-round action (x4 speed) toward the elves...but then again, no one else is that crazy. Hehe...

Thrynn's bullet hits one of the trees the elves are using for cover, while Jon's arrow also misses the mark.

Round 2:
With the camp ducking for cover, the elves focus on the most threatening enemy, who killed one of their kind: Baolo! They yell in Elven, "Die Mwangi!" Six more arrows fly his way, but the grace of Shimye-Magalla and his defensive stance save him from harm!

1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7
1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16
1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9
1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12
1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13
1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21

Ialda and rest of party can act.

The Aspis Consortium mercs are double moving toward the elves.

Bel, you missed part where I said archers are 200' away. Your MM range is only 140'. You can re-post action on your turn after archers attack.

Baolo's arrow misses by a mile. Thrynn and Spinnaker are up in Round 2.

Baolo's arrows bring down one of the elven archers, so the other three focus on him, letting loose 2 arrows each at the inquisitor!

Attack: 1d20 + 6 + 2 - 2 - 2 ⇒ (15) + 6 + 2 - 2 - 2 = 19
Attack: 1d20 + 6 + 2 - 2 - 2 ⇒ (12) + 6 + 2 - 2 - 2 = 16
Attack: 1d20 + 6 + 2 - 2 - 2 ⇒ (4) + 6 + 2 - 2 - 2 = 8
Attack: 1d20 + 6 + 2 - 2 - 2 ⇒ (18) + 6 + 2 - 2 - 2 = 22
Damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8
Attack: 1d20 + 6 + 2 - 2 - 2 ⇒ (4) + 6 + 2 - 2 - 2 = 8
Attack: 1d20 + 6 + 2 - 2 - 2 ⇒ (20) + 6 + 2 - 2 - 2 = 24
Critical confirmation:1d20 + 6 + 2 - 2 - 2 ⇒ (10) + 6 + 2 - 2 - 2 = 14...no confirmation
Damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12
Total damage: 20
Baolo at 8/28 hps.

Round 1:
Baolo killed one archer
Thrynn moved and cast Bless
Spinnaker moved and cast message
Elves shot at Baolo
Ialda casts mage armor?
Belsiard?
Archers still at 200' away.

Initiative:
Elves: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15
Baolo: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24
Belsiard: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5
Ialda: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9
Spinnaker: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21
Thrynn: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 1 = 21

Everyone but Ialda is surprised, as she notices the gleam of arrow tips of the Ekujae in the woods. However, before she can react, arrows fly from the forest. The first two miss horribly, but the second two strike one of the mercenary commanders patrolling next to Baolo and he falls down in a heap! Screams fill the camp and everyone tries to move for cover!

1d20 ⇒ 2
1d20 ⇒ 5
1d20 ⇒ 18
1d20 ⇒ 17

Ialda has a partial action in surprise round. Archers are about 200 feet away, at the edge of the tree line.

With the note's author's identity a mystery, the party rests for the night. In the morning, you are assigned guard duties, rotating between patrol, barracks entrance, and guard duties. The heat is stifling but the morning is quiet. You rest for lunch and continue in the afternoon.
Perception checks please.

Anyone else want to chime in or we move on?

Assuming Baolo shows it.. The bard recognizes the island as a very obscure and uninhabited one, located in The Shackles, and known as Beaver Island.

After the tour, the guards drop off the party back at the main building where they will be staying. You are then shown to your individual rooms. The rest of the day passes along, although you sense the tension in the camp, as the threat of the elves is very real and present. After dinner, wherein none of the local guards or merchants interact with the party, you retire to your rooms for the night. Baolo finds a note on his cot, that was not there before.

It reads: Commendable to stand up to MG, but watch your back. Things are not what they appear to be…

Instead of a signature, there is a strange seal on the bottom of the note in the shape of an island. Knowledge Geography checks for anyone who inspects the note.

Baolo does not detect evil. Does anyone have K. Religion or should I move on?

Need a Knowledge (Religion) check if you're examining the severed heads.

Gareth looks at Ialda and opens his mouth in shock..."I didn't say he slept with the corpses. That is disgusting! I said he is a mage and he cast magic to make the corpses twitch to give it that creepy vibe!"

The Station manager scowls, "Bunch of fools, hope you fight better than you hold yer liquor! Officer Gareth, show them around so they can be ready." He then walks off to his office, giving Baolo a dirty look.

Gareth, a bulky mercenary, walks over, "A'right newcomers, let's go. Ya heard, Mr. Gorse. Oh and pick up yer friend." Gareth gives you the following information:

Area 1 - Nightfall station - this is where the party will be sleeping and staying alongside the servants (8 in total), Captain Esteban is given an Officer's quarters (his crew has to sleep on the River Queen), and six staff members - a boatwright (Henry), 2 carpenters (Tom and Harry), an engineer (Carlus), a blacksmith (Trevor), and the accountant (Lloyd). You notice a lot of empty rooms and Gareth comments that many have died in the war of attrition with the jungle elves.

Area 2 - Simple wooden roof structure with a boiling cauldron - Laundry area.

Area 3- Large wooden building - Barn - holds station's supply of livestock.

Areas 4 - 2 guardhouses - you always see 2 mercenaries on guard at each house.

Area 5 - Workshop - working area during day for smith, carpenters, engineer, and boatwright.

Area 6 - Cold Storage - it's where the dead Aspis Consortium members' bodies are stored on ice for shipment back to their families - the smell of decay is quite obvious. Gareth tells you they had a cemetery about half a mile away but with the elves around, it's too dangerous now to use. Hence, the need for the building. Most people stay away from it.

Area 7 - Rough building with one door and no windows - Barracks for guards. Gareth stresses, "No one but Aspis Consortium Guards guards allowed inside! Got it?"

During the tour, you see a number of mercenaries walking the grounds, but the most disturbing sight is a the number of clearings where you see elves' heads mounted atop sharpened stakes. The heads seem to twitch and move. Gareth tells ya, "Warning to those damn elves of what awaits them if they attack. It's creepy to see them move, scowl, and blink but ya get used to it. It was Petrune's doing. He's Mr. Gorse's secretary, some type of mage, I believe. He would have to be to make severed heads move, right? Anyway, those are main trails that elves have been attacking lately. There were 40 of us guards initially and 8 Officers. Now we're down to 24 guards and 3 officers. So hopes ya can end this threat. Now, ya'll get paid for yer hours and ya will be expected to be 12 hours on guard duty, like the rest of us. Just report yer wages to Lloyd. I'll post you at the guardhouses or on patrol. Well, that's about it. Ya can start tomorrow bright and early. Any questions??"

The Manager narrows his eyes in anger at Baolo and lets the comment slide. "Well, must head off. Business to attend to and such. Try and keep us safe, won't you?"
Unless there is anything else...

"Yes, my men will tell ya what they know and about the attacks. We lost some good men. Things are really sour if we have to rely on natives to help us. Guess your people are good for something, Mwangi." The Manager gives Baolo a sinister smile.

The merchants in the mess hall make room for the noisy gnome and the party, as they clearly take a quick dislike to outsiders but realize your muscle is needed in these times of need so they bear it. Spinnaker Jon is intrigued by the vessel Ialda and her party arrived in, since he has never heard such a silent engine. Captain Esteban and the rest of his men from the River Queen engaged in unpacking the crates.

20 minutes later, while the party eats and chats, a human male, with a sword strapped at this side, commanding much respect from the others, approaches the party. "I see you are all making yourselves comfortable. That is good, you need to eat and be healthy and strong to deal with those damn elves attack. I am Mynafee Gorse, the Station Manager here at Nightfall. Yes, these elves are bad for business and anyone who messes with Aspis Consortium business is just looking for trouble. Hopefully, you won't mind staying on for a few days to help us with this problem. I will pay for your services of course. I will have two of my men show you around the compound when you're ready. Unless there's anything else, I must take my leave."

Map of Station
Note one square = 30 feet on map.

Baolo's search turns up the root of the plant in the bowels of the deck of the ship and he realizes that if left untouched, the plant would have regenerated itself in a few days. Thankfully, cutting out the root kills the yellow musk for good.

The party has a cremation ceremony for Aero and Gruug, just to make sure the latter will not rise as an undead. Captain Esteban says a few nice words of how loyal Gruug was as his second in command and wraps it up, spreading his ashes in the sea, as the half-orc would have liked.

The somber party, having lost one of its own, continues its journey down the river. Captain Esteban also seems determined to reach his goal as soon as possible and he pushes the riverboat past dusk and into the night until....

Rounding a bend in the night-shrouded river, you suddenly see a welcoming sight: On the left bank is a break in the monotonous jungle wall, revealing a clearing and low hill. Built up at the edge of the river is a large structure—part dock, part fortress. Its many windows are ablaze with lights, and you can see crossbow armed guards walking along the covered pier. A shrill whistle sounds from the top of one of the watchtowers, and soon there is all sorts of activity as people gather at the dock. At last, you have arrived at Nightfall Station.

Guards come on to the ship, ignore you all, salute the captain and begin unloading the crates. The Captain leads you into the Station House, and the first thing you notice outside is that spaced at intervals around the clearing are sharpened stakes, upon which are mounted the heads of slain wild elves in various stages of decomposition — some little more than jawless skulls — presumably posted as warnings to the other elves.

Feel free to retcon any rp. Did not want to rush, just wanted to get new players involved.

Reflex save: 1d20 ⇒ 4

The yellow musk is caught by the gnome's acidic spray and its vines and flowers collapse, inert on the floor. Short fight indeed!

Ialda rushes in and lands a devastating blow on the plant, nearly destroying the sac in one blow! As I said, short fight.

The party heads below two decks, following the drops of blood, that lead to Faruq's room. In the open doorway, lies the lifeless husk of Aero, her spine apparently severed, presumably by Faruq's falchion. As you head into the room, you are not surprised when the green vines and flowers that cover the walls of the room come to life and gather to form a large bulbous brown sac with hint of yellow gas around it (Medium creature).
Yellow Musk

Initiative:
Enemy: 1d20 ⇒ 1
Party: 1d20 ⇒ 20

Party is up! Plant is 10' from party and is a medium sized creature. I don't think this will be long battle so we will use theater of the mind instead of a map.

My apologies, Gruug. You are right...Faruq's corpse. :)

2 days later, Bel, so you have your full repertoire.

Actually, Gruug came from below deck, so I assume you head there.
Gruug's leather armor and a potion on his belt glow magical on his corpse.
Who is in lead?
Captain Esteban is in shock over the events and he gets on his knees and cradles his dead friend's head in his lap. He looks at the party, "Please whatever you need to do, kill whatever did this to Faruq."

Actually, the creature formerly known as Faruq is slow as molasses and as easy to hit as a tree so Ialda's blow connects, crushing the creature's melted skull and ending its existence.

Reflex save: 1d20 ⇒ 1
Belsiard's spray again mangles the former Faruq, melting most of its face off, but it still stands!

Reflex save: 1d20 ⇒ 4

Faruq gets shot in the eye by Baolo's arrow and fails to evade the spray of acid that engulfs him, but still stands as Gruug and Ialda both miss wildly.

Faruq's corpse, animated by the plant, grips his falchion and attacks Gruug!
Attack: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (13) + 9 = 22
Damage: 2d4 + 7 ⇒ (3, 3) + 7 = 13

Party is up!

Baolo spots a tiny bit of green vine growing out of the half-orc's ear and he remembers the stories of the "Kecha Nacha" ("Thought Stealer") in his tribe, an evil sentient yellow jungle plant that makes zombies of men by draining their memories and planting roots in their brains! Ialda's people call the plant "Yellow Musk" and both players know that if Faruq has succumbed, the plant cannot be far.

Still want to make damage non-lethal, Baolo?
Belsiard, does Baolo's arrow count as an attack for purposes of your acidic hands?
Ialda and Gruug are up as well.

Baolo can tell one thing for certain: Faruq is not undead, even though he is acting as if he were, moving very slow and methodical.
Proper knowledge skill is Nature.

Initiative:
Faruq: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (13) - 2 = 11
Baolo: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25
Belsiard: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12
Gruug: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12
Ialda: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 1 = 14

Party is up first. I have Belsiard's action, unless he wants to change it. Faruq is 30' away and he is looking at Gruug with hatred. Still working on map.

Captain Esteban yells out to the half-orc, "Boyo, what's wrong with ye? Who have your hurt???" You see no remorse in the half-orc's eyes. He looks gone.

Whomever drinks thus so and the meal passes on in relative merriment, as the Captain puts off Belsiard's question for now. That is, until the door to below deck is kicked open and you see from the port hole, a blood-covered Faruq....except he doesn't quite look normal. He has pale yellow skin and stark white eyes and his falchion is dripping with blood!

Map to follow.

"I doubt it..I hear dem elves breeds like rats! We shall try not to stop unless absolutely necessary. And with 2 strong warriors down, we can't afford any more combat."

The River Queen appears to be finally having a smooth run. The next two days are without incident. By the second day, Aero has exhausted her magic and Gruug is full health again. Faruq is conscious but without healing magic, he can only heal naturally and is in a foul mood. He is confined to his quarters and keeps his door closed, only opening it for food.

The boat passes the abandoned village of Nantambu, who abandoned the area thanks to the hostile Ekujae nearby. The Captain refuses to stop, afraid of an ambush.

That night, you gather for dinner. Aero offers to take Faruq his food and check on her patient while the party and the Captain gather together. "We are only 1-2 days tops away from our destination of Nightfall Station. It appears these last 2 days have been peaceful so perhaps our luck is changing." He pours the party some wine.

The party, with the unconscious Gruug, reaches the boat, only to learn it was also attacked by Ekujar rangers. It was able to stave off the attack, but one of the crew members was killed and Faruq was severely injured. Captain Esteban is delighted to see the party come back with the arcophage. "Glad to see you three alive! Hurg, get up here and lead Ialda to where she needs to take damn plant life for your engine." The dwarf engineer guides Ialda to the engine room. The Captain looks at the gnome, chewing on some leather and offers him rations. He looks at Baolo, "He is a hungry one, isn't he? I hope he proved his worth to you out in the wild. I see your half-orc friend is also down. Faruq too. Perhaps, the elven lass can heal them up. Well. let's not hesitate any longer. Want to get a move on as quick as possible."

20 minutes later, Hurg has the boat running. Aero uses her healing magic on Gruug and he wakes up with 10 hps. The most she can do for Faruq is stabilize him and bandage him. The Captain orders that he be confined to bed rest in his quarters until he recovers.

The journey down the swamp continues...

I am out of country in vacation so I will post intermittently. I will be back on Sunday.

That ends that chase sequence! LOL! The two energy missiles strike the shaman in the back just as he was about to dive off the cliff and he crumples dead to the ground.

The burned lizardman surrenders immediately and begs for mercy. The shaman gets hit by one of Baolo's arrows and he flees on his round, heading toward the water. You can chase if you wish.

Sure.

Yeah, thanks. I found it eventually but hated searching for it. Hence my post.

Bel, in the future, include a link for your spells, if not in PHB. Thanks.

Reflex save: 1d20 ⇒ 5
Reflex save: 1d20 ⇒ 8

One lizardman warrior's face is burned off by Bel's acid, while the other suffers acidic burns down 60% of his body but is still alive. Ialda moves up, rages, and drop the third lizardman warrior, ripping out his chest!

Don't think there will be a need for a map. There is a severely wounded warrior and the shaman and Baolo is up.

My bad, forgot he has Stabilize. LOL! Gruug is safe.

As you carry your unconscious friend back to the ship, you hear screams and sounds of combat. You hurry there and find it under attack by lizardmen. You gently put Gruug down, as 3 lizardmen warriors and a shaman engage you!

"Defilers! You have killed our plant god!"

Initiative:
Lizardmen: 1d20 ⇒ 2
Shaman: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 1 = 20
Baolo: 2d20 + 6 ⇒ (7, 1) + 6 = 14
Bel: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7
Ialda: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Round 1:
He blesses himself and his lizardfolk warriors!
Party is up! Map upcoming but the warriors are 20' away and the shaman is 20' behind them.

A Heal check is necessary or Gruug will die.

We'll leave Gruug "dead" for now then and if he comes back, he'll catch up.

With the Shambling Mound destroyed, the party collects the arcophage you came looking for. In the back of the cave, you find a little hoard that consists of a masterwork longbow, three small gold nuggets worth 20 gp each, and a jade lip disk worth 50 gp.