CARRION CROWN CAMPAIGN (CLOSED) - GAMEPLAY (Inactive)

Game Master Daniel Penfold 351

Jenn finishes her drink. She buys a round for the folks she'd been chatting with, says her goodbyes, and leaves. She heads back to meet up with the others and share what she learned about the man in black.

Ortensia and Zephra, the description of the man in black sounds very much like the cultists responsible for killing the professor in Harrowstone

Zephra gasps. "Do you think the Whispering Way has something to do with this? What could they want with the Beast?"

Lore (Whispering Way) check: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12

Zephra, you do not discover any more about the Whispering Way than you knew from Harrowstone

Creeden is surprised by the mention of cultists. "Have you run into these characters before? What would they want in a university"

Zephra looks a bit surprised and embarrassed. "Oh, uh, that is, we... we found evidence of some cloaked figures who had killed a friend of ours in some gruesome ceremony outside the haunted prison. When we read the good professor's journal, he said he suspected that a group called The Whispering Way was involved, and that he might have to oppose them. I... I think he also said that they want to bring about the rise of undead creatures in Golarion, and many of them want to become undead themselves." She shudders and bites her lip as if there is more she is not saying.

She frowns, going over the account in her head with considerable effort. "This seastone effigy thing wasn't recovered? The Beast didn't have it when they captured him? Hmm, maybe that means the real thief got away with it, and used The Beast as a distraction to cover their escape!"

Upon hearing all of this, Jenn unconsciously drops a hand to the hilt of her dagger. "Sounds like this is all even more dangerous than I'd thought."

She looks thoughtful for a moment, then says, "Well, like my old sergeant used to say... kill the other prick first." She shrugs.

"I am in this for as long as you need me."

"Interesting saying." Timona strums her banjo trying to find a good note to go with that but shakes her head nope. "Welcome aboard then, our new friend will see it's freedom. Vrood huh?"

I don't recall the name Vrood. If we know who he is disregard this, but Timona wants to think hard on it and see if she knows where he might reside.

Knowledge (local): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (13) + 9 = 22

Timona, you have heard the name before but you don't know who he is. Asking around it seems to be a name that comes u occasionally but he is not a native to Lepidstadt and seems to travel around a lot.

It is still only about 10am so you have time to go to Sanctuary should you want to.

Sounds good to me!

"The fact that the item was never recovered certainly suggests, at least, that someone else was involved. Hopefully that is enough to sow doubt on these accusations, particularly when all of the other accusations have been proved false.

Let's explore Santuary while we can."

"Agreed, let's do that."

2nd map from the top

The sad remains of a broken building lie on a spur of land jutting into the river. The burnt timbers of a large house sag into the undergrowth of nettles and thistles. Nature is taking back this charred ruin, as if trying to erase dark memories. Nearby a small cluster of gravestones juts from the weeds

As the group approaches, Creeden questions his companions about the Beast's involvement here.

"What is your friend accused of here? Burning down the structure?"

Vrood was connected to that awful pair of corpse thieves we delivered to Phasmara. He was listed as one of their frequent customers. It makes sense they would do business with necromancers. I have a feeling that this Vrood could very well be one of the Whispering Way!

Ortensia had been lost in thought,consulting her extensive notes and narrative of the journey thus far. She may as well chronicle her career as an adventurer.

Perhaps get them published like Pathfinder Tales. Mayhap pursue gaining entrance into the Society.

Wouldn't her mother be so proud? A blush warmed her throat. It was high time she sent a letter to her...For a dwarf to take in a racial foe's misbegotten runt and raise her, she needed to begin acting like a better child.

When her companions chattered away about suspects and the stolen item, she nodded along.

Zephra takes the initiative to begin searching the ruins, beginning with the gravestones. "Burning down the structure, yes. Someone must have seen The Beast here, or a creature that looked like The Beast."

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17

Zephra in the southeast corner you see a shaft leading down which has been partially covered with weeds.

In addition there is a charred metal lockbox

What do you want to do?

"I'm willing to venture down the shaft, if someone could provide a little light. Jenn, might you take a look at this lockbox?"

"Sure thing." She squats in front of the box, checking it from all sides.

Perception: 1d20 + 9 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 9 + 4 = 33

Jenn, you find within the lockbox that the majority of the papers have been charred or burnt by the heat of the fire. On the fragments that remain the name "Vorgstag and Grine's Chymic Works" appears again and again

"Huh... Vorgstag and Grine... they don't sound like a comedy duo." she murmurs as she ruffles through what's left of the papers. Shrugging, she hands them to Ortensia.

"They were the men you found us fighting when we met," Zephra explains. "One of them had a sort of costume that allowed him to... I guess impersonate? Is that the right word? Impersonate The Beast. Maybe that's what happened here?"

"It certainly seems like those villains were involved somehow." Creeden looks for a place to anchor his grappling hook and prepares to descend into the overgrown shaft.

You can all hear a low growling sound coming from the shaft

After shuffling through the charred papers,further confirming her suspicions.As I thought. Everything is connected.

Ortensia snatched at the back of Creeden's shirt in alarm at the sound.Hold!

She rummaged about in the satchel at her hip.Ah!

She tossed a bottle of acid down the shaft and listened for a reaction.

acid damage: 1d6 ⇒ 6

There is a shriek of pain, some growling and the sounds of several things trying to claw their way up the shaft

Zephra draws her daggers and readies an action to attack anything that comes up the shaft. As a swift action, she casts divine favor on herself.

Jenn slips Zacharias into hand, and looks for a place to hide, ready to ambush whatever came up out of the hole.

Stealth: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (7) + 12 = 19
If there's no good place or easy way for her to hide here, no worries. It would still be her inclination to act that way.

Timona takes a total defensive stance as she watches carefully for anything to happen.

Jenn you can hide behind some of the brush should you want.

As you back away 4 ghoul like creatures burst out of the shaft.

[ooc]You can all have 1 surprise round action and then we will go to initiative

Creeden will attack (defensively) the closest enemy to him.

Unarmed Strike (defensively): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10 for bludgeoning: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6.

AC 27. Are we on a map? (It's fine if not, but I was thinking of shoving ghouls back down that hole.)

Map now updated, Creeden, your blow misses

Zephra strikes the nearest ghoul-like creature with her readied action.

dagger attack: 1d20 + 10 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 10 + 1 = 20
slashing damage: 1d8 + 2 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 2 + 1 + 1 = 6

Does she recognize these creatures?
Knowledge (Religion): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

Zephra's dagger attack hits the ghast and it howls in pain. Creeden misses

Zephra, you don't know anything more about the creatures other than they are ghasts.

Anyone else taking an action?

Jenn will move up to flank Creeden's opponent, if possible. If not, she will just attack the nearest foe.

Jenn slides forward dagger, flashing as she lunges.

Dagger: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (15) + 9 = 24
dmg: 1d4 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8
SA: 3d8 ⇒ (5, 3, 8) = 16

I've moved Creeden and Jenn accordingly

Jenn's dagger slices into the ghast, killing it

Think that just leaves Ortensia to take an action?

Ortensia tapped her fingers to her brow to trigger her casting of Lead Blades,hefting the heavy masterwork mace from her hip. Which proved as effective in dealing with undead that she could beat into oblivion. Her mace had a flicking of metallic blade aura.

1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9Heavy mace
2d8 + 2 ⇒ (8, 2) + 2 = 12Dmg

Ortensia, your blow misses as the ghast dodges out of the way

ghast initiative: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11

Timona initiative: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

Creeden initiative: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24

Zephra initiative: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20

Jenn initiative: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13

Ortensia initiative: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14

So initiative order is

Block 1: Creeden, Zephra, Ortensia + Jenn

Block 2: Ghasts

Block 3: Timona

Block 1 over to you.

Tsking as the undead ducked under her blow, the reedy halfork pumped her arms to reverse her swing to try again.

1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26Mace
2d8 + 2 ⇒ (5, 2) + 2 = 9Dmg

This time she struck true. The flanged head of the mace pulverized stinking,flaying flesh and brittle bone with a satisfying crunch.

Ortensia wouldn't say she truly had a zest for battle. But she realized she was rather suited to it.

And she did take pride in her work.

Creeden grimaces at the hissing undead, then lashes out at the creatures.

Brawler's Flurry (defensive) 1: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12 for Bludeoning: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5.
Brawler's Flurry (defensive) 2: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26 for Bludeoning: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7.

AC 27

Zephra murmurs an invocation to Pharasma and enchants her blades before slashing with them at the nearest ghoul-like creature.

(Sacred weapon as swift action, both become +1 magic weapons.)

Primary dagger attack: 1d20 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 8 + 1 = 19
Primary dagger damage: 1d8 + 2 + 1 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 2 + 1 + 1 + 1 = 13

Secondary dagger attack: 1d20 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 8 + 1 = 11
Secondary dagger damage: 1d8 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 = 6

Assuming there are any left... :) she will move to flank if possible. If not, ignore SA.

Jenn lunges at a ghoul, blade darting.

Dagger: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (5) + 9 = 14
dmg: 1d4 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7
SA: 3d8 ⇒ (4, 3, 2) = 9

Ortensia smashes her mace into the ghast, it is still there.

One of the ghasts attacks Creeden

Bite on Creeden: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14

damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

claw on Creeden: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13

damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

claw on Creeden: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24

damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

If the claw attacks hit make a Fort 15 save.

[i]The remaining ghast moves and attacks Jenn

bite: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19

damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

And over to Timona

Timona starts up a performance to inspire allies +1 atk, dmg & vs fear.

If you're low on health let her know!

Back to block 1

Creeden dodges the ghast's attacks and strikes back at it, inspired by Timona's song.

Brawler's Flurry 1 (defensive, inspired): 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 7 + 1 = 18 for Bludeoning: 1d6 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 4 + 1 = 8
Brawler's Flurry 2 (defensive, inspired): 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 7 + 1 = 26 for Bludeoning: 1d6 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 4 + 1 = 9

AC 27

1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9Mace
2d8 + 3 ⇒ (6, 2) + 3 = 11Dmg

Ortensia wound up and swung at the remaining ghast. It ducked and scuttled away from her mace as it smashed through the air and cracked a section of floor.