Baldwin the Merciful's - CoT Campaign (Inactive)

Game Master baldwin the merciful

"I saw him leaving when I entered. I'm sure he is fine. What information has every one else uncovered?"

"I saw him leaving when I entered. I'm sure he is fine. What information has every one else uncovered?"

Andrea speaks as she heads to the window. Perhaps the most important information is that the men we met in the sewers are involved in a bandit group called the Red Knives. Their leader, Henk was seen in the company of a noble of the Drovenge house, a high ranking house from what I have been told. Shinon's rings are also important, one belongs to Jospuph Grulios of the noble house of the same name. Jospuph has been missing for over a month and may very well be a captive of Henk and his men.

Andrea sighs and presses her eye to a crack. As Janiven can also tell you, the son of the Missepe House was found dead in an alley, with his body damaged so it looked like a shadow beast attack but the morgue worker noticed a wound that came from a dagger or other thin weapon. So it may very well be that the heirs to the various houses are being targeted.

Shinon strokes his chin and ponders everything he has heard up until this point. "I spoke with Lady Marion Grulios's personal assistant, and was given this token." He holds it up for the group to see. "Whoever bears this token shall be granted an immediate audience with the assistant, without question or inspection. To grant a common half-elf with no noble blood such hospitality and trust tells me one thing: House Grulios is getting desperate."

Frowning, he pockets the token and crosses his arms. "And who wouldn't be? The Missepe boy is dead, but he wasn't missing for very long, and his body was left in the street. Jospuph, on the other hand, has just vanished from the manor, and as far as I was told, no one has attempted to contact the manor asking for a ransom or anything. Eliminating the heir doesn't seem to be their objective either, after all, if they wanted to eliminate the heir, why hide the body?"

Shinon slowly thinks about his own words, and then draws a hesitant conclusion. "You know, now that all this has come out, it occurs to me that the only real effect we've seen from Jospuph's disappearance is the complete abandonment of intrigue and protocol in House Grulios. The Lord of the House personally going to visit a beholden family based on the death of someone not that important? The assistant of the Lady not only agreeing to meet a mysterious stranger without questioning his motives, but taking everything that stranger says at face value and giving him full access to her and the manor? It appears that pure chaos has all but overtaken that house. Could that be what this is all about? Throwing the Grulios family into disarray?"

Shinon slams his fist on the table. "Damnit! Guesswork and theorizing isn't going to get us anywhere. We need answers. Andrea, will you come with Duncan and I to see Henk? John, what about you? Will you help us?"

Andrea bumps her head on the window as Shinon thumps his fist. Turning, she nods. I agree we need answers and Henk is an obvious lead due to his meeting with that noble. So yes, I will accompany you into the sewers. Andrea retrives the set of lockpicks she purchased. I believe this will prove useful to you. She also points to the small pile of equipment she purchased.

Kenji provide me the map cooridinates so there is no confusion. Are you hiding or walking around?

Are you around R6 or K19 or W21?

Just got home from game night. Awesome session but man I am wasted tired. I rolled for where I'm at. I have no idea what the map is picturing or where the temple is in retrospect, I'm too tired to figure it out but I don't want to hold folks up. So my result came up K19. So put me there or around there. Kenji's not stupid but I am too tired to be smart so he would be somewhere tactical around that number. GM has permission to put me wherever in that area. G'night, see you at two in the afternoon when I finally decide to wake. Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

As Kenji creeps around the cobbled alley. The pitched roofs casting long shadows with the quarter moon. An occassional building has a torch outlining a doorway or window. Presumably, these torches are to dissuade the shadowbeast. Loose crates, wood piles, laundry lines and trash piles liter the way. You have some limited dim light, 15ft similar to a common lattern, with areas of darkness.

KENJI INITIAL POSITION IN THE ALLEY

Make a perception roll. Any additional lightsource? Also, advise are you if you are attempting to hide in shadows. How long will you wait - 30 minutes, an hour, 2 or more hours?

In regards to the offer John received, I do think it is soemthing we can look into. It gives us an oppurtunity to gain extra funds. I wonder if we should try to achieve it before the guards John meet attempt it since I doubt they would want all of us joining them.

Andrea shivers, a feeling of trepadition washing over her. Or perhaps John and one other can go.

I will have bought and brought a hooded lantern. I am keeping it covered until I hear something that I would be sure it was a shadow beast. I will set up as long as I have time. I will be hiding till sunrise if I must. So I guess with that much time I will take 20 on stealth.

"Actually they requested me to bring more people with me."

Dunno how useful it be for me t' come. Or If I do, I'll hafta be going Axe instead a me prefferred Bastard Sword. Be stupid t'be fightin dottari one day an workin wit em the next

Dunno how useful it be for me t' come. Or If I do, I'll hafta be going Axe instead a me prefferred Bastard Sword. Be stupid t'be fightin dottari one day an workin wit em the next

duncan the Dottari and the Hellknights are not the same group. The dottari are like the police and they don't necessarily agree with the Hellknights ways. There is some toes that are stepped on too.

Can I take 20 on my perception? I have time to adjust to light and atune my senses to react to anything unusual. My result would be a 28 but if not them the role bellow

1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20

"Actually they requested me to bring more people with me."

Well I think that this would be a good offer if we all can go. Just when will they be leaving? We can go into the sewer to deal with Henk and then go goblin hunting.

Can I take 20 on my perception? I have time to adjust to light and atune my senses to react to anything unusual. My result would be a 28 but if not them the role bellow

1d20+8

No on the taking 20 on the perception. You can see based on the the limited moon light and occasional torched near a doorway or window. Theses torches are not that frequent. You think you see shadows flickering in the torch light ahead at distance down the alley, beyond your limited sight. It takes less than an hour for you to hear a sound of scratching behind.

DM rolls by the hour: 20% chance for encounter, increasing by 5% each hour until an encounter than it resets.

Shortly after you settle down in the darkened alley behind a few crates and near a rubbish pile, you hear a second sound, the most terrifying howl that echoes throughout the alley and the adjoining alleyway. The shingles on the roof overhead rattle, and the pine shutters tremble. A single, cacophonous howl is enough to make your spine tingle and teeth chatter.

Kenji can you make a Will Save DC 16 is required.

XP for everyones investigative and rp.

I hold my breathe and grasp my determination. There is clearly something behind these fears the people have. I focus in looking for the source.

Will: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16
Perception:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22

Initiative:
kenji: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19
Rat Swarm: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22

Initiative Order:

Rats
Kenji.

the scratching you heard behind you is swarm of rats moving towards the rubbish pile you are near. Hundreds of little feet, whiskers and hungary mouths attack. swarm: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10.

I withdraw to a new location. S17 is where I'm at now. I cannot fight a swarm of rats. Hopefully they with the rubbish. I drop a ration for them as I move away. Hopefully they don't follow.

If I can stealth again then:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12

I withdraw to a new location. S17 is where I'm at now. I cannot fight a swarm of rats. Hopefully they with the rubbish. I drop a ration for them as I move away. Hopefully they don't follow.

If I can stealth again then:1d20+8

You were at K19 on the map and you are moving to S17. Technically, I'm suppose role those stealth checks but usually have my table top players roll them unless I have something in mind. You can roll the check for this encounter. With all the squeaking and rustling the stealth is hard to do. Moving to S17 is 50ft move as you had to side step to get around an obstacle in O19 and P19

At the conclusion of your move you feel three claw swipe at you near you legs and waist as you took refuge in the shadows.

Claw: 1d1 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 51d4 ⇒ 2
Claw: 1d1 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 51d4 ⇒ 2
Claw: 1d1 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 51d4 ⇒ 2

Updated map of Alley.

Updated map

I lift the hood of my lantern at the attacker and take a defensive stance.

make a perception roll

initiative:

Kenji: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8
Unknown Shadow Beast: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8

The unknown shadow beast has a higher total initiative modifier so it goes first.

Unknown Shadow Beast
Kenji

Okay what does the thing do?
On my turn I will have 20feet of light.

The creature appears to be midnight black and its body blends into the surrounding shadows. Its body vaguely resemembles a combination of snake and insect and its flesh is slick. It makes no sound as it swipes with three claws.

Claw: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 131d4 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3
Claw: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 81d4 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
Claw: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 241d4 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

You are still flatfooted for this encounter and two of claws connect for 8 total points of damage BUT you also have a think black oily slime on your wounds. Make two fortitude saves. FYI, I screwed up the last surprise round dice roll. I keyed it in a 1d1 rather than 1d20, and forgot the damage bonus.

When you attack also roll a percentile dice (100) for me.

Fort 1:1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20
Fort 2:1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21

I move away from the monster. 30 feet opposite of him. I will pull a potion as part of the move. Then as a standard I down it.

Clw:1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

I am ready for its attack, no longer flat-footed

It makes a 30 move, shadow fluff wisping around its body.

Claw: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 171d4 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

As its slimy clawrips at your flesh. Roll another Fort Save. you made last two.

The creature doesn't seem to have any issue with the common lattern light.

Fort Save:1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23

I am looking for an easy escape route: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11
Fail.

I am going to take a shot at it. Stunning fist DC 14
Attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24 For:1d6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Oh! Confirm:1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15 For:1d6 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

Fort Save:1d20+4

I am looking for an easy escape route: 1d20+8
Fail.

I am going to take a shot at it. Stunning fist DC 14
Attack: 1d20+4 For:1d6+2

I will give you the escape route. I assumed that you walked around the entire area looking for a place to hide but also to understand the route of exit.

Make percentage roll to see if you miss.

Miss chance:1d100 ⇒ 66

You hand hits the spongy body and it sinks in, the shadow fluff wisps around your forearm as you draw your hand back.

The creature swipe one , two, three more times at Kenji.

Claw: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 221d4 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3
Claw: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 231d4 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3
Claw: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 201d4 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

Slicing Kenji's body over and over and over again.

12 points of damage and three fortitude saves

Time to run
1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8
1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12
1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

Full withdraw. 60 foot move to my nearest escape route. I will stagger my movement to avoid being easily charged.

I'm surprised the light from my lantern isn't affecting so it must be some kind of special light that does it.

Yup I'm gonna die. Was fun y'all. I should have just ran.

John Deos wrote:

"Actually they requested me to bring more people with me."

Well I think that this would be a good offer if we all can go. Just when will they be leaving? We can go into the sewer to deal with Henk and then go goblin hunting.

"They plan on doing this on Fireday, they thinkit will take them about two days to complete the task."

Well you take -6 on your dex.

It will move towards its prey 60 feet.

Continue to move 60feet until I am safe......if possible.

It will follow 60 feet and take one swipe at you. The shadows bend around hits claw. I assume you are trying to taking actions to avoid a charge.

Claw: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 51d4 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5 - a short respite for you.

You have made it onto the main street. The are a few torches lighting the doorways, but this not one of the streets that contains the large lights that the dottari.

Yes I am taking actions to avoid a charge and to keep it double moving so it can't attack. I make a full withdraw every time it gets into base contact with me so I do not provoke.

So in theory, if it's move is under 60 feet it should not be able to attack me at all.

You can see the safety of the temple roughly 200 ft away from your current locataion. It pursues you at 60 feet.

The creature break off pursuant from its prey. and slips back into the shadows of the night.

When Kenji stumbles back into the safehouse he is in bad shape, his multiple claw marks are covered with an oil black slime. He appears to be slowed considerably.

Andrea bolts upwards as Kenji staggers in. Kenji! Just what happened to you? Andrea hurries over and looks at his wounds, casting a spell.

CLW: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

Checking Kenji over, Andrea is suddenly struck by the realization about what happened. Kenji, why did you go looking for the Shadow Beasts alone?

I stagger into the temple and just plop into a chair. I breathe heavily and wince every few seconds.

When Andrea approaches and asks. "Why I go out arone? No one forrow me. Simpu as dat." I wince. "Best it onry me. I move fast an not encumbered. Onry badry hurt cause I foorishry attack my attacker instead of run rike I had puranned. Damn rats aso ruined my position an made me easy target. On good side. Fate stiru saw me tru dis charenge. Now I am wiser an stronger. I know my enemy. I now know what I must do."
_
I sit up and attempt to move. "For now, I need rest. Ask me bout monsters in morning. I hab much to share." I begin to make my way to my quarters where I attempt to get some sleep. Unless someone stops me.

"You went after the shadow beast on your own?! That is foolish, you could have died."

I smile at the knight. "I know. But I was neber known to pray things safe on my own. Onry when odders rives on da rine. Neber my own. I needed knowredge and I was rirring to risk my rife for it. Noting bentured, noting gained. I am grad I did what I did an am eben more grad I subibed to taku bout it. Good night Jon." Again if no one else has anything to say, I hit the hay for ALL day tomorrow. Gotta get as much of my dex back as I can for the third day.

Andrea watches him go and twiddles her thumbs as she once again takes on that rather shame-faced expression when she comes up short in action or information.

Kenji is right, I was rather lack luster in trying to dissuade him from going out side. I did not think he was serious about trying to encounter one and was just trying to seek out other people for information.

Andrea sits down at the table and reaches for the wine, pouring herself a full mugs while pulling over a bowl of cheese and fruit and procedes to gulp down the wine and stuff cheese in her mouth. A bit odd, since she doesn't seem to do it out of hunger and it seems to be connected to her failure to talk Kenji out of leaving.

Shinon gasps in shock as Kenji staggers in. "What in blazes- What happened to you, man?" He rushes to Kenji's side and examines the claw marks. "This isn't good...I don't think that's blood in those wounds. Arael!" Shinon looks to the half-elf pleadingly. "You are a servant of Iomedae, are you not? Isn't there anything you can do for him?"

Bah, stupid lad and well done! I didn't think monks were so rash. Kid must be tougher than e.looks too..

Duncan begins to pat Kenji on the back as he passes but stops so as to avoid knocking him over.

I look at Shinnon. "No worry. I rive. Tankfully I won't need to do dat again."

At Duncan pat me on the back I wince but manage a chuckle. "I not monk. No monastic training. I martia artist. We tend to be more reckress."

Before bed I will make a point to collect some of the black stuff in a cup and put some kind of cover on it. Then I will peoceed the cleaning room to clean my woulds. Not likely doing a good job of it though

Arael gets up and follows Kenji up to his room. He chants a prayer to Iomedae and a warm healing feeling enters Kenji's body.

Cure Light: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

He assists in cleaning the oily slimy goo off of Kenji. Taking a sample to study. "You met a shadow beast, do be a bit more careful next time you decide to go out investigating. Chances are this was a mild encounter."

Afterwards he will go back to the main group with the sample of the oily substance. "Does anyone wnat to venture a guess as to the orgin and nature of this creature?

Feel free to post what knowldge checks you want to try.