[ACG Playtest] The Sarkorian Prophecy (Inactive)

Game Master RainyDayNinja

"Toss me the end of the rope and we can all pull together." The big man says, acting like the proverbial anchor. He does his best to assist the others if they link up with him. The trouble to link up slowed him down in the storm, and it was a bit more weight than he was used to. His blood began to boil a bit with the lady's encouragement, but he didn't feel overwhelmed by any bloodlust as of now.

Strength Check to move 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9
Strength Check to assist 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24

Still no sign of Arae in here. Moving on.

The wind continues to howl as the ash swirls around you, and the tornado lumbers closer.

1d3 ⇒ 2

Everyone takes 2 nonlethal damage and 1 fire damage.

Alcibie peers grimly across the ground separating the group from the barrow's shelter, trying again to spot a safe path across the intervening ground. Survival check: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (19) - 1 = 18 Strength check: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21

I'm not sure that's good enough to spot quicksand. If not, Alcibie will try to find another way by walking along the side of the barrow everyone's currently gathered beside. The entrance may have collapsed, but if the whole thing hasn't subsided that looks like a good sign. I'll wait the results of my Survival check before moving my token on Roll20, though.

Oh, and a belated happy Thanksgiving to those celebrating it this weekend!

You can see that the quicksand reaches almost to the first barrow on your left; anyone could get by hugging the edge. Map updated to show the edge of the quicksand. Once you point it out, the others will be able to see the difference. Also, that Strength check is good enough to pull you up and out of the quicksand.

Strength check: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19 Kasei continues towards the open barrow, hugging the others to avoid the quicksand. "Come on!" he shouts.

"Walk along the edge of the barrow, the ground's still solid there!" Alcibie shouts, pointing out the path she's taking.

Okay sorry if I caused any confusion, my question still hasn't been answered about my last turn so I do not know what I will do this turn. To save on further confusion, are these barrows in the sense of ancient tombs or are they a pile of rocks? As my actions are currently assuming the former and I didn't get any answer about if I reached the entrance or if I need to move further to get there.

I hope I'm not being too officious, GM, but I think I can answer this one.
They are burial mounds, but the entrances to most of them have collapsed - only the one with the visible doorway on the map is accessible, and at the moment Kasei and I are nearest to it. It's about 6 squares up and 3 to the left from our current positions; I put a green cross in the entrance.

Lorkov moves toward the barrow at a good speed, taking not to keep out of the quicksand, or anything else that might look like it.

Strength Check: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14

Alcibie has it right

-Posted with Wayfinder

Looking at the map, now I see why I was confused, I was assuming we had only seen what was in our field of vision. I thought the mound next to us was a big hill we couldn't see past. Got it.

str check: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (19) + 0 = 19

Chara continues onwards through the storm following the rest of the group to the barrow. Going as fast as her legs will take her.

Barlo feels another blast of stinging winds halt his progress.
"Alright.. alright.."
He takes a vial from his belt, and chugs it.
"I'll meet you there!"

Str: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8
move action:failed movement, std action: drink Burrow extract.

Strength check: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10 Even as her rush of adrenaline from her exertions starts running down, Alcibie still manages to press ahead into the wind toward the barrow. She reaches the threshold and checks for any unpleasant surprises while waiting for the others. Perception: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (3) + 14 = 17

That was close! Her lingering ragesong ends this round, so she, and anyone who accepted it, will be fatigued next round.

I'm going to go ahead and call this encounter. Everyone's out of the quicksand, and there's 4 turns left for you to get into the barrow before the tornado hits. Moving on.

This long-emptied barrow seems strangely devoid of the Abyssal taint that was so potent beyond the cave’s entrance. A dim lamp illuminates a small chamber at the end of the narrow tunnel, exposing a meager bedroll, scraps of devoured carrion, and a bucket of fetid water.

A malnourished and injured woman in battered and tarnished gold and blue armor leans against a wall inside.

"Who goes there?"

Map on the second page of the campaign.

"Chara Ring that's who!" Chara says proudly oblivious to how stupid the statement sounds at this point. "Oh .. and friends!"

She eyes the battered woman up and down. "Who stays here?" Asking the question somewhat brashly with a quirk of inflexion like the question is a joke.

Chara tries to wring out all the sand and bits of dirt from her hair.

Damn, I really should have tied this up. Stupid sandstorm, if you solid and not made of wind I'd slap you. Grrr

Noticing the woman's injuries, Kasei draws his katana and salutes her, saying, "Kuwabara Kasei, samurai of Lady Shizuru. Allow me to grant you healing? "

Assuming she agrees, Cmw: 2d8 + 10 ⇒ (2, 8) + 10 = 20

-Posted with Wayfinder

She waves him away. "Don't trouble yourself, Mr. Kasei. It's just scrapes and bruises. I'm exhausted, but nothing a good night's rest won't fix."

-Posted with Wayfinder

Chara shrugs seeing that the woman was just worried as to if they were enemies or something. "Looks like you were part of some knightly order by the looks of that set of armour? What you still doing out here, you guys usually work in groups don't you? You trying to whether the storm?" Chara asks.

"Seems like you are hungry too, want a bite of some bland trail rations?"

"I am Illayna Kradow, an Eagle Knight who answered the call to the Mendevian Crusades. However my unit came under attack, and I was then lost in the wilds of the Worldwound. I took shelter here a few days ago, and was still debating whether to brave the way home by myself, or to just accept a peaceful death of thirst here."

"We have water that we can share, and can help you. However, just for safety, I must insist on spending at least one cure spell on you."

Kasei will cast CLW instead, but will not take no for an answer. I want to make sure she's not, say, some sort of undead, he thinks.

touch attack in case she tries to avoid it: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (17) + 9 = 26
damage healed (Or caused if she's undead): 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9

Giving up Divine Favor to cast CLW

Barlo extricates himself from the earth after tunneling his way to the barrow... He casually eyes the woman as Kasei approaches her with a healing touch.

"You have been here a few days?
How long ago were you separated from your unit?"

sense motive (better of 2d20 + better of 2d6 + 12): 2d20 ⇒ (2, 7) = 9
2d6 ⇒ (4, 6) = 10
7+6+12=25

At Kasei's insistence, she accepts the healing magic and perks up a bit, but shows no adverse reaction.

"I found this refuge not long after being separated; perhaps a few hours. I had hoped they would find me, but I fear they're all lost by now. That's what happens out here in the Worldwound. People just... go away.

But your finding me was fortuitous indeed. Perhaps after a good night's rest, we can set out together. Where we go matters little; you rescued me, so I am at your disposal wherever your mission takes you."

As Alcibie catches her breath, she feels sympathy for the woman facing a barrage of questions from a group of suspicious strangers in a tomb in the Worldwound, and she's just got here. All the same, she's not about to deny her curiosity, morbid as it might be, though she tries to be gentle and friendly, under the circumstances.

"Well, Illayna, we're not too far from safety, though I can't say I blame you for worrying, especially once you were alone. Is the weather always this foul? I'm not sure what can be done about your mission, but ours, I'm afraid, will be taking us a bit deeper in, once the storm lets up."

Lorkov eyes the seemingly abandoned lady. He didn't trust her, and he couldn't tell if it wasn't a trick. Better to be prepared until she had proven herself. He knew his companions, at least by reputation, but he didn't know her and he didn't make friends easily. If anything, his past had told him that things weren't always what they seemed.

He spoke up. "I doubt any of us will get a good night's rest in this place, but we've nothing else to do until this storm lets up."

Soon after Lorkov speaks, the howling wind picks up, along with the scrape of sand against the outer walls. However, after a few minutes, it all dies down, and the wind seems to cease.

Remember, you can make a Survival check to predict the weather if you want.

Chara plonks herself down near the lamp. "So shall we light a fire? We don't want to get cold now do we?" She seems content enough to stay here a night, she is a little disappointed that they only just got to the worldwound and they already have to rest a night.

I would roll survival but low wis and no skill ranks in it.

The storm lets up though Chara doesn't seem convinced. "So that storm just suddenly vanished? I am not one for understanding much of nature but doesn't that just mean we've hit the eye of a storm? Won't it come back soon after?"

The half orc sniffs the air and peeks his head out of the hole to take a look at the clouds.

Survival to predict weather: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (3) + 13 = 16

FYI, it's early-mid afternoon now.

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After getting a read on the weather, Lorkov sticks his head back into the shelter. "Unless someone is messing with the clouds, we should be clear for at least a day. Since our mission must be done quickly, I say that we travel at least three more hours before resting."

To their host he spoke next. "I can give you directions to the nearest city, but we cannot spare the time or the man power to take you there. I also do not wish to take you on our mission because I don't trust you. No offense, but I wouldn't trust any surprises in this land, especially if they come easy or look too good."

Unless anyone has any other questions or checks they want to make, go ahead and vote for what you want to do.

"Mhmm... terribly sorry, but he is right.
I hope you understand as a soldier... caution is not an accusation, and ..
the mission comes first."

diplo!: 1d20 + 1d6 + 12 ⇒ (2) + (6) + 12 = 20 using soldiery pragmatism so as not to upset her

Sounds good to me. She dusts off her hands and agrees with the other two on haste while we have the opportunity. Assiting in convincing the woman.

diplo assist: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (13) + 16 = 29

Alcibie winces at her travelling companions' blunt pragmatism, and does her best to take the sting out of it. Aiding another at diplomacy: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (4) + 12 = 16 "Please forgive our partner's brusqueness," she says, "you would know yourself how jumpy this place might make people. I'm afraid we can't stay, or spare an escort back, but if you would rather the safety in numbers, we would hardly force you to brave the wastes on your own."

That's Alcibie's vote at least. I trust we're not going to throw rocks if she decides she'd rather come with? Let's not force her either way?

"Now, wait a minute," says Kasei. "There are other assurances we can make."

Kasei sits in meditation for a while, and then casts two spells he didn't have available before. Preparing two unprepared slots to cast Detect Evil and Detect Good, one after the other, in the woman's direction. This will take a while but we're waiting for the storm to die down anyway right?

As Kasei begins casting his divination, Kradow recognizes it and springs into action, dropping her disguise and revealing her fiendish nature, along with claws and fangs.

Surprise round! Only Barlo made the Sense Motive to catch that she was going to attack (Kasei spent his surprise round casting the Detect spell), so only he gets to act in the surprise round.

Barlo draws the blade from his cane, steps back and studies the changes the creatures form takes.
"Well that certainly isn't going to change my mind. I'm afraid you are still not invited."

Know(arcane, local, nature, or planes): 1d20 + 1d6 + 10 ⇒ (8) + (2) + 10 = 20 (15 if another knowledge is needed instead.)
5' step + draw weapon, swift begin Kirin Style

Hmm, must have not actually posted what I thought I posted. Who is she attacking, Kasei?

Knowledge(planes) to identify: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15

Even when it was somewhat expected, watching the demonic transformation right before his eyes was surprising. When it came time to strike he hesitated. The voice of his beloved seemed to echo in his ears. Was she really all bad, or misunderstood? Did she feel that there would be no more talk and decided to try to inflict as much damage on her hated enemy? Was there reason at all in her head, or just fury in her heart that made her like this? He shook his head. This kind of conflict did not have time for such contemplation.

Will post after the demon's turn as I presume she has a surprise round?

The demon took her surprise round already. Chara's up next, then Kradow again.

No one recognizes the creature, but it seems to be some sort of evil Outsider.

Kasei has his katana out (never put it away). Posting my turn in advance, since I go right after the demon and I'm antsy:

Kasei's faith empowers his armor as he clasps his katana with both hands, crying, "Shizuru no hikari wa, kono akuma o hakai suru!! HYAAAAAAAA!!" as he draws positive energy to him to channel it through the weapon and devastate the fiend before him. Swift action to activate sacred armor, boosting armor by +2, which offsets loss of the shield bonus from using his buckler hand, and using channel smite with alignment channel to do more damage.

Attack, Power attack, no penalty for first two-handed attack, buckler penalty, evil-outsider bane: 1d20 + 14 - 1 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 14 - 1 + 2 = 30

Damage including bane and channel smite: 1d8 + 6 + 6 + 2d6 + 3d6 ⇒ (4) + 6 + 6 + (1, 6) + (2, 4, 5) = 34

I'm antsy too. We got a week until this playtest is over and the developers would like some feedback.

Lorkov shakes his head and calls upon his inner power. It was because of changelings like this he suffered from his curse. But it would come back to bite them. He suddenly grows to twice his height, his skin darkens to black and his eyes start glowing red. Spittle flings from his mouth as he brings his Bardiche to bear upon the demon.

"Fool!" he bellowed. "I gave you a chance to escape, now you will suffer the fate you longed for us to have."

Enlarge while raging, Full Power Attack.
I have a 20 foot reach with the +1 Furious Bardiche, I can take a 5 foot step to maneuver the demon into range.
Attack: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (10) + 18 = 28
Damage: 2d8 + 25 ⇒ (4, 3) + 25 = 32
Attack: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (18) + 13 = 31
Damage: 2d8 + 25 ⇒ (5, 6) + 25 = 36

Forgot that Kasei would also have an iterative attack, unless she moves.

Attack 2: 1d20 + 9 - 2 - 1 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 9 - 2 - 1 + 2 = 24
Damage if that hits: 1d8 + 6 + 6 + 2d6 ⇒ (7) + 6 + 6 + (5, 4) = 28

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I'll go ahead and skip Chara since she's MIA for now. She can catch up later.

The thing calling itself Kradow steps forward and lashes out at Alcibie in a flurry of fang and claw.

Bite: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (8) + 16 = 24
Damage: 2d6 + 7 ⇒ (6, 4) + 7 = 17
Claw 1: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (11) + 16 = 27
Damage: 1d4 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10
Claw 2: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (4) + 16 = 20
Damage: 1d4 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8
Fort save: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (12) + 9 = 21

Alcibie takes 27 damage, and is now diseased.

After her attack, Lorkov and Kasei lashed back for a series of savage blows. Kasei strikes true, but falters on the follow-through, while Lorkov struggles to reach past Kasei to the enemy.

Kasei, since you're not in reach and Alcibie is blocking your path, I'll assume that you delay until she can step aside, which I'll go ahead and do for her. Sadly, the cover from Kasei caused Lorkov to miss with that second attack. 24 damage to Kradow.

I believe people in the way only provide soft cover to ranged attacks. Let me check for a reference. Creatures, including enemies, provide soft cover against ranged attacks only.

Reach attacks use the same cover rules as ranged attacks. I don't see any rule in that chapter that contradicts that for this situation.

Right you are, I've been playing wrong for a long time then. Thanks! Is there room for Kasei to step to one side, avoiding giving cover to the creature?

You already had to 5-foot step to get in reach, so afraid not.

If I had known that I would have probably used the Lunge feat, but it's too late now.

As the demonic thing sheds its disguise and rips into her, Alcibie notices Lorkov and Kasei coming in swinging and does her best to get out of the way. Getting out of reach for now, but hopefully leaving a path clear to get stuck in later. Mind racing, she tries to figure out what the thing is before she starts hurling spells or defending herself with steel. Knowledge (planes) check: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (10) + 15 = 25
Instead, she channels the pain of her own wound into an unnerving wail that echoes around the barrow. Using a round of ragesong to activate Dirge of Doom, and make this Kradow creature shaken.