Black Tom's Serpent Skull

Game Master Black Tom

"She does not have the evil taint of the living dead but she attacks anyway, time to let her rest eternal."

Initiative: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12

1d20 - 6 ⇒ (20) - 6 = 14

"Uh oh, I don't think she's coming to give us a big hug."

Initiative: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20

Did I get any healing?

Hrakar channeled for 4 points after the battle. The woman goes on 18, so Torch first, then the zombie. And I don't think you'll need a battle map.

Hrakar channeled for 4 points after the battle.

Was just wondering whether I'd gotten any more after that specifically. I'm still at 7/12.

Torch rushes forward to meet the zombie head-on, a certain amount of reckless fury seeming to drive his actions. Activating ranger's focus on the zombie. Will move up to it and attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16, damage 1d6 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9.

Consider the following as Hrakar's actions when his turn starts, I don't know if I'll be able to write in the next few hours

With the Zombie coming at them Hrakar concentrates and uses another Chennel Energy healing his friends and hopefuly wounding the monster at the same time.

Channel Energy: 1d6 ⇒ 5

Torch: Going back it looks like Hrakar channeled twice, once in the first round of combat after Torch was attacked and once at the end of the combat. Total healing was 8 points (Torch took 9 so he would be down 1 point total).
Hrakar: Channel Positive energy has one of two effects, heal living or harm undead. It does not do both at the same time so you have to choose as you use the ability. As I have noted above Torch should be almost at max so you may not want to use that channel.

Torch: Going back it looks like Hrakar channeled twice, once in the first round of combat after Torch was attacked and once at the end of the combat. Total healing was 8 points (Torch took 9 so he would be down 1 point total).

So he did. Missed that the first time. Never mind, we're good!

My mistake. If the GM will allow me I will keep the channel attempt against the zombie, Hrakar wanted to wound it with positive energy more than he wanted to heal people. Besides that I already declared my action, so changing it wouldn't be fair.

Sorry guys, I've been a bit out of it ever since I got back. This is embarrassing, but it seems my dice still hate Torch. Sorry about that too.

Torch rushes at the woman and stabs her with his scimitar, causing her to leak a sickly yellow fluid. With preterhuman resilience she stands and gives Torch a swipe over the side of his head for a whopping 13 points of damage, sending him sprawling.

You are up, and Hrakar can reconsider his channeling if he likes.

Seeing the zombie deal such an heavy blow to Torch Hrakar redirects his attempt at damaging the undead creature towards healing his camrade instead.

I'd like to keep my previous roll if it was possible

Ralf tries his healing charm on "Torch" to boot.

1d6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Surkoff cringes as he sees the blow that sends Torch sprawling. "Come at me, I dare you!" he yells at the woman as he steps towards her and tries to cleave her in two with a mighty swing.
Greatsword Power Attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10, Damage: 2d6 + 9 ⇒ (1, 2) + 9 = 12

*sigh* Seems as of late my combat is pathetic all over these forums.

Torch is healed 6 points and blinks back into consciousness with the frond-encrusted dead woman standing over him.]

And again, this dice roller seems to be cursed or something.

The woman steps over the fallen Torch and aims another mighty blow, at Surkoff this time, who is hit for 12 points of damage.

You are up.

Surkoff overextends himself as his mighty swing misses the target and takes a mighty blow to the side of the head sending him reeling.
Still standing but staggered at 0 hp.

Wow. She hits like you do, Surkoff.

Torch's vision swims as he regains consciousness, but he recovers quickly (some part of him notes with grim amusement he's getting all too used to this sort of thing recently). Snatching up his scimitar again, he readies it to block the zombie's next blow and gets unsteadily to his feet. Full defense for +4 AC, then move action to stand. Unless Surkoff's further away from me than I think he is, that's likely to provoke an AoO from the "zombie."

Ralf yelps, "Stars above! Watch your tails, boys!" and directs a healing charm at Surkhoff this time.

1d6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Whoa! This thing is rather dangerous!!!

channel energy:1d6 ⇒ 2

Surkoff's wounds close a little as both Ralf and Hrakar send some positive energy his way. He shakes his head a little to clear it and then swings hard at this tortured and dangerous soul.
Greatsword Power Attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22, Damage: 2d6 + 9 ⇒ (3, 1) + 9 = 13

Ralf's and Hrakar's healing gives Surkoff strength enough for one decisive blow. As the woman falls you can see that something is budding inside her.

And you get 50 xp each for the battle.

Torch staggers to his feet. The signs of battle seem to be at least weeks old, but the rain hasn't washed them away entirely, so probably not much older than that.

What now?

Torch eyes the zombie's plant-filled body warily, the buds in particular. "I'd stay away from her," he warns the others, making sure to give her a wide berth himself. "Something's not right there."

To clarify - have we actually reached the island at this point? I assume if we have it's the southernmost one, yes?

"Hold still people..."

Channel Energy: 1d6 ⇒ 1

I won't be able to post for 3 days, please run Hrakar as you see fit (and don't kill him!!! :D)

I'm afraid you're not quite halfway to the island yet. On the bright side, moving along the trail is a lot faster. The question is, do you want to continue to follow the beach west or take the trail south?

I think the goal was to make it to the islands to the west so I suggest that be the way we go.

I got the map link up under campaign info. To be precise you are southeast of the compass rose, and you can see the trail on your map. It would probably be faster (but not necessarily safer) to follow the trail westward.

Will we be able to reach the island today, wandering monsters notwithstanding, if we keep to the beach?

"Hrakar will no doubt prefer that we stay close to the water," Torch comments as the group ponders the trails' southward turn, "and predators normally stay closer to trails like this since they're obvious places to find or track prey. On the other hand, speed would be valuable, since we are going to be away from at least one night as it is."

No, you will need to take the trail to reach the island before nightfall. Unless you look forward to a forced march in the rain.

Surkoff surveys the situation, still bleeding quite well from the wound on his head. (6/12 hp)
"I think that we should make a try for the island along the beach, if we don't make it, we don't make it. We can camp along the way if necessary. We are going to need a good portion of day to explore the islands anyway so we may be out here for 2 nights anyway. What think you Torch?"

"Works for me. The trail feels like it has 'ambush us here!' written all over it."

You continue laboriously across the rocky beach, only interrupted by the midday heat, when you make some makeshift shelter and take a rest.

Survival 20:

Later in the day, after being surprised by a squall and pretty well soaked, you reach another abandoned camp-site. It looks almost like
a series of partially ruined nests made out of palm fronds and driftwood. A large number of broken sawtooth sabres and daggers lie scattered about here.

Perception 20:

Another trail stretches to the south, toward the interior of the island.

"It looks as though no place on this island is a safe haven. We should continue with all due haste, I hate the thought of leaving the rest of the group exposed to the dangers that live here."

Survival: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21

Torch fishes a dagger out from beneath a pile of wood, turning it over thoughtfully in his hands. After a moment, he slips it into his belt. "Present for Sasha," he says cryptically. "You're right - we should keep moving."

You persist on following the beach and are slowly getting nearer the islands, even if a persistent squall has you running for cover. You have to spend an hour or so waiting for it to ease up but you're still soaked and miserable.

As you press on, climbing over rocks and hacking through undergrowth you're relieved to find a narrow beach of white sand. But in the middle of it there is something disconcerting: an immense red and orange crab the size of a small house that crouches on spiny legs.

Although the crab has the same coloration as those you fought before it certainly dwarfs them. As you cautiously approach it starts moving its claws threateningly and emit strange sounds, not unlike the moans of a dying man.

Knowledge (nature) 15:

You are about 50 feet away from the crab. What now?

Ralf gives the wounded Surkhoff another healing charm. 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

Survival check: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23

Ralf looks at the enormous crab and whistles, clearly impressed. "Well, that might explain the crab lair we saw a while back, I reckon!"

Earlier: "Many thanks Ralf for your gifts." Surkoff yells at Ralf while mouthing the words slowly so the old guy can hopefully read his lips.

Present: "This one seems to be a bigger than the rest, and what is wrong with it? The others never made noises like that. Do we fight or leave it in peace, we certainly don't need that much food?"
Surkoff draws his blade and takes a defensive stance, not sure what the rest want to do. (Full Defense, +4 AC)

Brief update on my situation: I won't be able to post untill sunday due to a work event I'm planning that's taking a lot of energy and time. I'm deeply sorry for that, I'll ask you to keep on playing Hrakar for me till that date. Thanks again and apologies

"I somehow doubt we're going to get that lucky..." Torch murmurs, also drawing his weapon and readying himself against the probable attack.

The crab continues to wave its claws and make noises for a while, but it doesn't seem to be approaching.

"Something doesn't seem to be right about this. Why does it not defend it's territory?" Surkoff slowly starts to approach the crab, still anticipating an attack. (Full Defense, +4 AC)
Perception: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (16) - 1 = 15

"I have no idea..." Torch replies, obviously confused as well. "Maybe it's just a threat display, and we should go around?"

Although the crab gets more frantic waving its claws, it doesn't move from the spot as Surkoff approaches.

"Maybe it's trying to say something. Does anyone speak Crabanese?"

"Do you think we should leave him be or just make other crab soup?"

And I'm BACK! Sorry for the long wait people. Thanks for waiting!

Surkoff, sensing the trepidation of his companions starts to pull back. "No good comes of this, let us go around. It does not seem to want to attack us, just keep us away from it's territory."

Torch nods agreement. "Not looking for any fights we can avoid..." he murmurs.

Ralf looks at the crab to see if it's wounded or something.

Heal: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8

Perception 15:

Perception: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (17) - 1 = 16

"What.. The.. Hells?" Surkoff looks a little closer at the monstrous crab then turns to his companions. "Am I just seeing things due to being on this island so long or does that crab have ropes coming out of it?"

Are you sure? Strange... strange indeed... let's see what this thing is really made of, people... Hrakar urges his companions to get near the strange creature

Perception 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27

Torch steps closer, his blade still at the ready, and calls out, "Who's in there? What do you want?"