And Then a Skeleton Popped Out: subSPUF Carrion Crown

Game Master Rynjin

Rhakis looked prepared to regale you with (likely false) tales of his bravery and prowess, but Adimarus' sword takes the wind out of his sails.

"Bugger. I suppose YOU have an interesting tale to tell, eh?"

Darius holds back a smirk, " Interesting is relative. But it seemed to entertain me for the moment. I would guess your reaction solidifies our success. Did you know this Adimarus well? He died much the same way as Mathus.. from pride. His body slumped to the ground after our combined efforts.. especially with copious teachings from Grimoire."

"Adimarus was a zealot. His worship of Jezelda was pretty much the defining factor of everything he did, and the source of much of his power. True faith, powerful enough to get a goddess to notice him directly and transform him from one of the afflicted to a natural, demonic werewolf. He was...not someone anyone COULD know well without sharing his faith. I don't think even the rest of the Jezeldans were as zealous, merely following Adimarus because he was strong."

Darius felt a small pang of pity and relation to the Jezeldan. The similarities were definitely there though the result and drive.. were different. Was he growing soft? No, likely not, but since meeting these particular Werewolves he had noticed clues and thoughts that were connected.

" Ah.. It must be my profession, such that I am beginning to show signs of my prey in myself. His devotion was not unlike myself. Nor did it seem he was particularly person able beyond his devotion and strength. Much like I and Sarenrae. But he is no more and thus that path has ended. Two of your clans have lost reputable leaders. The heart is needed more than ever. Or the power vacuum would be devastating. Now tell me.. of your ACTUAL conquests. What did you meet on our hunt? " Darius' eye sharp as his tongue.

Rhakis makes a face.

"I had assumed there would be more Jezeldans here, but it seems they only brought half the clan, probably eschewing the more newly turned. I only found a group of three, and they were easily dispatched. The rest will probably die or be absorbed into the other clans now that Adimarus is dead."

" I see... They will accept the newly turned. I must think back that.. as I fought Adimarus he had tried to turn me once more. It was as though he was compelled to do so. I rather not go through such again. " Darius sighed greatly

" I assume you will want to assist us on the assault? perhaps run as a distraction so we may strike Vrood direct/y on the morrow? As for watches, I can take them with you all.. to ensure safety. "

"Vrood is the one with the heart? Then yes."

" Yes, Vrood has been confirmed to claim the heart. "

"Excellent. No doubt with an army of undead between us and him, no?"

I literally got zero notification for all this. Weird.

"Probably. Any way we could go around?"

Darius nods once more, " Yes I made that quite clear as well"

His look went to Sledge, " Invisibility might work but with undead and thier senses it is possible for them to be alerted regardless, not to mention the casters who summoned them. There is also the chance they may well have to be dealt with AFTER we somehow sneak past them, which could close off a possible retreat. "

"I can make a total of six Invisibility extracts per day. Perhaps two of us could scout the place and then take a second extract to retreat."

Darius furrowed his brow, " I believe I just noted why that very well would not work. You remember that spirit correct? In the tower.. I saw it BEFORE it could sneak up... the same can be said of many wielders of magic. They could see us invisibly and then we would be separated from the rest. A smart enemy would allow us to reach the point of no return.. then spring the trap. "

Jones rubs his temple, looking embarrassed.

"Right, sorry...I must be more tired than I thought. I don't like our chances in a head-on assault, but it might be our only choice."

"Well, let's rest up. Jones, an enlarge extract would be handy tomorrow."

You rest tonight without incident. Most of the patrols have been killed, and the Whispering Way seems to be staying holed up near the tower to protect it.

Jones gives Sledge an Enlarge infusion, then drinks his mutagen, Barkskin, and Heroism.

GM are you currently indicating we are staking out the Tower? Or that to our knowledge nothing has happened?

To your knowledge nothing has happened. The Princes Wolves, who DID keep an eye on the tower overnight, can corroborate this story. The Whispering Way are concentrated in and around the tower, with a large group of undead staked out on the town square.

How big is the tower?

Just so you are aware... Darius didnt sleep either..

Then you could have been with them.

@Sledge: Two floors...sort of. The top floor of the tower is destroyed, so floor 2 is kinda open to the sky.

Darius prepares himself as normal his Feral nature starting to become.. normal.. much to his own disgust.

" A direct confrontation seems the best here.. but unlike them we have one major advantage.. We have a Zin... there is little reason to approach close until after their forces are split and bombarded by her magicks. Afterward, in the disarray we cant pick off the weaker separated group with our forces. Then in the shock of the fight.. storm the tower before Vrood get's chance to react. "

"Aye Capitan." Rhakis remarks.

Darius smirks, not sure if that were honest or sarcastic with this wolf, " Since when were we on a ship and I were captain? I simply noted our advantages. "

"Whatever you say boss." he smirks back.

" Fine, is the rest of your pack fully able and ready for the assault? I know that for now we have.. similar goals but I am curious.. You have no need for the heart but what of the other clans? The Vollensag are weak and the Mordinacht are shamed.. "

"I wouldn't say we had no need for the heart. The Shudderwood under our control would probably be preferable to anyone else'. The Dorzhanevs, however, will do if necessary."

"My men are ready. What part do we have in this plan of yours?"

" Much like us, quick and deadly mop up after they enemy has been softened. We'll do this at around the same time, give them no rest. Our group will then rush the tower while the remainder is handled by your warriors. This seems the most effective method. You Prince Wolves are curable but not to the possible effects Vrood may cast and I rather not subject you to that. "

"Sounds like a plan. Zin, you ready to bring the heat?"

"You all know how to make a girl feel needed." Z says with a smile.

"Your beloved Mistress of Flames is ready to go to work!"

-Posted with Wayfinder

" Yes, we do need you for this job as no one can quite do it. Just dont go overboard with it.. and get careless. This enemy is more dangerous than Adimarus, Vrood likely will be using more foul attacks as a necromancer. " Darius would sigh before smirking and heading off.

"I'm not worried about it. He burns doesn't he? Then he is of no consequence to me. I'm the most dangerous woman to tread in Ustalov since Iomedae."

-Posted with Wayfinder

Darius turned his head as he walked, " He might, he might not.. never underestimate an enemy that can prepare themselves for your arrival. As to your statement.. that is true in alot of ways, yes. You are dangerous.. within reason.But we both know you have.. weaknesses. Now dont get distracted.. prepare for combat. "

Fire erupts from Z and coalesce at her back, manifesting her wings which she uses to hover behind Darius as they go.

"You're such a pessimist, confidence is power, that's why I'm so much better at spells; that, and being cursed with eternal consuming fire, but mostly it's the confidence."

-Posted with Wayfinder

" Zin'Retatarianna, there is confidence.. and then there is arrogance. I have survived this long due to Luck, Skill and Careful consideration. Confidence isnt a problem. I did not focus on spells but I become more specialized and capable. Im not saying you arent.. but have that in mind. "

He casts See Invisibility

Jones rolls his eyes.

"Yes, your bravado is quite inspiring. Now please, fire at will."

Sledge will quaff the enlarge extract before the group attacks.

Are there any other spare buffs - especially AC and attack - that ya'll can drop on Sledge?

Jones gives Sledge a Shield extract, and drinks one himself.

I like this description so I'll use it unaltered for once:

In the shadow of a crumbing tower lies a barren swath of muddy red earth that likely once served as the town square. A large trench has been excavated in the center of the square, and a confusing jumble of half-unearthed bones jut from its churned earth.

Arrayed around the square are a total of two dozen skeletons, and two Curates watching over them. They mill about a bit, alert for threats. The curates attempt to hide amidst the skeletons, but you are all too perceptive for this ruse to work.

Z snaps her fingers at Jones' words, "My god... Jones! Someone has set your hat on fire! You should attend to that."

Z smirks and looks to the tower, she clasps her hands together and when they separate, a long string of fiercely glowing orange beads float between them.

"I'm ready."

-Posted with Wayfinder

" Right, Zin.. Play nice. And enhance us and Rhakis and three of his men as you did before.. then unleash Holy Prominence on them while we rush in. "

Darius enhances his defensive capabilities with an extract of shield and shield of faith.

We have some Shield of faiths but thats about it, cant buff attack really for you all. As for the Plan, Blessing of Fervor + Lots o Fire balls

Standard buffs applied before engaging. Lay another Curse onto Darius' weapon.

Z begins to rise into the air on her wings, as she does so she flaps them hard, sending a gout of flames over the gathered group below her.

"Bathe in my fire and grow mighty."

So onto Jones, Sledge, Darius, and then the remainder on our Princes Wolves companions.

I assume this turn goes by with no problem.

Z continues to rise into the sky before igniting one of her beads and sending it hurling into the mass of undead and curate.

Fireball DC22 Reflex: 10d6 ⇒ (4, 2, 1, 4, 3, 1, 5, 3, 6, 5) = 34

Oh God it burns!: 1d4 ⇒ 4

-Posted with Wayfinder

2d20 ⇒ (4, 6) = 10

Zin's fireball crashes through the ranks, sending charred bones flying everywhere. When the smoke clears only two very surprised Curates and three skeletons are left standing.

4d20 ⇒ (10, 19, 6, 5) = 40

5d20 ⇒ (20, 3, 18, 1, 15) = 57

The Princes' Wolves circle around the square, spotting another group to the east of the tower.

Jones!

Oh also, Rynjin I wanted to trade out my defunct divine protection for another extra revelation, to take my elemental form.

-Posted with Wayfinder

You didn't like the houseruled version? Cha to Will or Fort is still pretty solid. But if not, then sure.

Jones studies and strikes one of the Curates.

1d20 + 20 ⇒ (9) + 20 = 29
1d6 + 11 ⇒ (3) + 11 = 14

Oh I guess I either missed that or forgot due to the time I was away from the game, yeah I'll take that version for sure lol thanks.

I might just survive this book after all!

-Posted with Wayfinder

Which did you pick? Fort, Ref, or Will?

Jones moves in and stabs one of the off-balance Curates, stabbing him through the shoulder.

The Curate steps back and forks his fingers at you.

"Live in darkness."

Jones, make a DC 19 Fort save or be stricken blind.

Then a skeleton moves in and tries to claw Jones.

1d20 ⇒ 9

And fails.

Darius!

1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11

"No, no!" Jones cries as his vision goes dark.