Carrion Crown Blues: Broken Moon

Game Master Kartari

Aliseya moves out of the chapel and heads in the direction of the prison work shop (S11). As you get closer you hear the sound of a woman crying. Aliseya, as you push open the door, you see the ghostly image of Vesorianna kneeling among the mounds of moth-eaten fabric. She is holding her head and sobbing - blue tears roll down her translucent face. "They are free! I can no longer stop them. The Lopper, the Mosswater Maruader, Father Charlatan ... the Splatterman. The Whispering Way has freed them with their vile ritual."

She looks up at you with profound sorrow. "They are coming for you now."

Govannon starts and takes a step back at yet another ghost. When it is clear this one too is friendly, he takes a deep breath and tries to calm his nerves.

I’m no good to anyone like this. Buck up man!

He recasts his dancing lights and looks around for the coming army of who knows what. When it’s clear they’re not arrive this moment, he asks, ”So where are they and how soon will the get here?”

He turns to the others, ”Is there a good place around here to funnel the enemy so we can fight them more singly rather then getting swarmed? Sounds like a lot of hostiles!”

Sariana nods at Giovannon's questions. "Better yet, what can you tell us about these people and the Whispering Way. We are here to stop them but we need to know as much as possible about them if we are to do so."

As she says this Sariana stays on her toes, her eyes swinging around the room to keep a close eye on all the exits.

Vesorianna's ethereal visage begins to dissolve and dissipate. "The cultists now seek to imprison me as the spirits of the nefarious ones were imprisoned for all these years. Each of the five were sadistic murderers in life and will be even more so in undeath. I am powerless to stop them."

She suddenly looks up, "Hurry, they are here! Find the hidden vault at the back of the property room in the southeast corner of the prison complex. There you will find weapons that may be able to destroy them!"

A deep, low frequency tone now reverberates through the prison, as if a massive bell was wrung. Vesorianna is suddenly pulled into the floor. She claws rotting planks as an invisible force drags her down. Her fading visage begins flickering between that of a beautiful woman and a ghastly skeleton. Before disappearing she calls to Aliseya, "Save me from the darkness!"

Initiative rolls everyone. Please post your round 1 actions. I've positioned everyone in or near S11 - feel free to adjust your position.

Round: 1, Initiative: 12

Initiative: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 1 = 12
Perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 1 = 16

Govannon very nearly panics and casts his spells before their time, but he gathers himself a moment and concentrates.

”Southeast, OK. We'll be back!”

He double moves toward the southeast, gripping his scimitar and looking for trouble. His lights trail behind him.

I'm assuming each of the squares on the map are 10' based on our scale.

Initiative: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17
Zelda races to catch up to Govannon.

Round 1

Her full attention on Vesorianna, Aliseya hears her with grave concern on her face. As the blue woman begins to lose her ground to the malevolent forces of this prison, her eyes instinctively and rather suddenly roll up into her head. She mutters an esoteric prayer over and over again, with frantic frequency... her hands grip at the air before her, as if attempting to hold the ghost from being taken away...

Not sure if you'll allow this due to the time constraint, but Ali is attempting to use her Spirit ability to channel the spirit of Vesorianna into her body, anchoring and thereby saving her from being taken away (if not, I'll try Command Undead against whatever she can sense as the culprit trying to take Vesorianna.):
Init: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9
Concentration: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15
Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

Initiative: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15

Initiative: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7

Sariana heads south-east with Govannon, her large hammer not impeding her at all as she runs smoothly across the stone floor. As she runs she takes a deep breath in.

Init order: Naught, Zelda, Govannon, the Ghosts, Aliseya, Sariana, Grey.

Round 1

Aliseya, Naught and Grey stay in the workshop while Govannon, Zelda and Sarianna race towards the prison property room.

Aliseya focuses her mind and plunges into the darkness after Versorianna. At the last moment, before the ghost is pulled back into the Ethereal plane, Aliseya mentally grabs her hand and pulls her back to the Material Plane.

As Govannon leads the others down the hall, an incorporeal wraith weilding a massive battle axe steps shrieking through the wall next to the Magus and lunges at him with the over-sized axe, slamming him into the opposite wall (-3 HP, you are bleeding).

A picture of the ghost is in the Roll20 journal - the Lopper.

Govannon, Zelda, Naught may take their 2nd round actions. Sarianna may adjust her Round 1 action if desired since she is acting after the ghost manifests.

If he's there and in range Sariana will take a good swing at him!
Attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14
Damage: 1d12 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12

Round: 2, Initiative: 12

A picture of the ghost is in the Roll20 journal - the Lopper.

My are you unpleasant looking!

Am I correct that I’m under a bleed effect? Assuming so, I take 1hp bleed damage at the start of my round.

”Ow!”

Govannon steps up to join the creature in the hallway and give others room to join in. He swiftly ensorcels his blade (+1 magic) to give him an edge - and attacks!

Scimitar (magic): 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 4 + 1 = 11 (arcane)
damage: 1d6 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 3 + 1 = 6 (arcane)

Zelda steps us and attacks the creature

Rapier: 1d20 + 7 - 2 ⇒ (19) + 7 - 2 = 24
Damage: 1d6 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 2 + 1 = 4
Crit: 1d20 + 7 - 2 ⇒ (7) + 7 - 2 = 12
Damage: 1d6 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 2 + 1 = 5

Short Sword: 1d20 + 6 - 2 ⇒ (20) + 6 - 2 = 24
Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
Crit: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23
Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Can Naught charge the ghost?

Govannon will actually take 1d6 bleed damage per round until the bleeding is stopped either by a heal check or curing.

Naught can double move to the ghost, but cannot charge since she must turn several corners. I'm going to assume you want to do this - correct me otherwise.

Round 2

Sarianna slams the ghost with her hammer after it emerges from the wall, but her hammer deflects off of the ghost without effect. Zelda lunges with her magical rapier and skewers the ghost, but her short sword passes harmlessly through the incorporeal creature. Govannon enchants his blade and counter attacks the ghostly wraith, but the ghost easily deflects his scimitar. As Govannon attacks, his wounds continue to bleed (-6 HP bleed damage). The blood from his wound smokes upon hitting the ground - the smoke drifts to the wraith and heals the wounds inflicted by Zelda. Naught double moves to engage the ghost.

The wraith turns his attention to Zelda and wounds her with his axe (-2 HP damage and you are bleeding.)

Aliseya, Sariana and Grey may take their second round action. Naught, Zelda, Govannon may take their third round action.

Round: 3, Initiative: 12

Perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Govannon continues to bleed - and badly. ”Can anyone help me out here?” he asks out loud.

Meanwhile, he presses his attack the only way he knows how. With his blade!

Scimitar (magic): 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 4 + 1 = 8 (arcane)
damage: 1d6 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 3 + 1 = 8 (arcane)

His excellent luck continuing, he swings wide again. After his attack he steps back to try and avoid healing the ghostly figure again (5' step).

Round 2

Hearing her friends struggle, Aliseya rushes to their aid now. Turning around the corner, she halts behind the hammer-wielding chick with fangs and the tobacco-chewing swordsman. She begins to mutter some kind of chant...

Double move.

Round 3

With determination in her beautiful eyes, Aliseya reaches out to Govannon with an outstretched hand. Violet light emits from the palm of her hand as she prays in a dark tongue. As she touches Govannon's bleeding chest, the light dissolves into his being and he feels a pleasant tingling sensation. Life returns to him, and his wound magically closes up.

Ali then steps closer to Zelda and begins muttering again in that dark language...

Cast clw on Govannon, then 5 ft. step to be near Zel for another casting next round:
HP Govannon heals: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

Ghost Touched Axe: 1d20 + 3 + 5 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (6) + 3 + 5 + 1 - 1 = 14
Damage: 1d8 + 7 + 3 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 7 + 3 + 1 + 1 = 18

Sariana growls, a remarkably feral sound and brings her hammer looping around with remarkable speed to strike again at the surprisingly solid apparition.

Attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16
Damage: 1d12 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12

Zelda suddenly falls to the floor.

Round 2

Aliseya moves to assist her friends. Sarianna again attacks the wraith, but finds that her mundane hammer has no effect on the incorporeal undead.

Round 3

Govannon slices at the wraith with his scimitar, but the ghost nimbly dodges the blade. Govannon continues to bleed (-4 HP bleed damage). Zelda continues to bleed from her wound (-6 HP bleed damage) before collapsing to the ground - you note that she is deathly pale and her eyes stare out lifelessly, even as she continues to bleed out. Naught attacks the wraith with her ghost touched headman's axe, but the axe blade deflects off of the ghost.

The wraith nimbly dodges your blades and passes back through the wall. The wraith emerges screaming from the opposite wall in front of Grey, where the ghost hacks him with its over-sized axe (-2 HP and your are bleeding).

Aliseya rushes to Govannon where she heals the magus and stops his bleeding.

Sariana and Grey may take their third round action. Naught and Govannon may take their fourth round action.

Ghost Touched Axe: 1d20 + 3 + 5 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (1) + 3 + 5 + 1 - 1 = 9

Round: 4, Initiative: 12

”Aliseya, my dearest woman, thank you for that!” Govannon says as the worst of his wounds knit together and the bleeding stops.

He moves around the corner (single move) and readies an action should the creature (or anyone but the party really) get close enough to attack.

Scimitar (magic): 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 4 + 1 = 8 (arcane)
damage: 1d6 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 3 + 1 = 8 (arcane)

…alas, he is found wanting as Desna continues to shine her smiling face upon others, but not poor Govannon. He quickly makes the butterfly symbol over his breast, hoping to shake his bad run of luck.

Cursing with great fluency Sariana drops her hammer and in a smooth motion, scoops up Zeld'as rapier before attacking the ghost again.
Attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17
Damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

She wields the rapier in much the same way as her hammer, going in with a large overhead swing which achieves little, even with the enchanted blade.

Note that the wraith moved through the wall last round, so Sariana and Naught would have to spend their round double moving. I have moved your tokens on Roll20.

Round 3

Sariana races around the corner to assist Grey. Grey begins to bleed from his axe wound (-3HP bleed damage).

Round 4

Naught and Govannon both move to re-engage the wraith. Zelda continues to bleed (-4HP bleed damage).

The wraith turns from Grey and swings it's ghostly axe at Sariana and slices her grievously (-4HP and you are bleeding).

Sariana, Aliseya and Grey may take their fourth round action. Naught and Govannon may take their fifth round action.

Ghost Touched Axe: 1d20 + 3 + 5 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (10) + 3 + 5 + 1 - 1 = 18
Damage: 1d8 + 7 + 3 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 7 + 3 + 1 + 1 = 19

Round 4

Aliseya stares blankly at Govannon as he speaks, but she gives him a smile before rushing to Zelda's side. Kneeling down, she prays once more in that language of nightmares. Again, a violet light emits from the palm of her hand. Touching Zelda's grievous wound, the locksmith's flesh magically begins to mend. Life returns to the fallen swordswoman.

When her eyes blink open, Ali smiles down at her for a moment and offers her a hand up.

Kneel to touch Zel, cast clw on Zel, and help her to her feet:
HP Zelda heals: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

Round: 5, Initiative: 12

Unable to get in to attack the nasty battle-axe wielding man, Govannon hesitates.

Delay until there’s an opening, another opponent, or some other change.

The sight of her own blood actually gives Sariana a boost- its been so long since she was actually in danger that she is positively thrilled. Redoubling her attacks she continues to use her new weapon like the bludgeoning hammers she is used to.

Attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21
Damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

Round 4

Aliseya heals Zelda and stops the bleeding (Zelda, you should be down only six HP). Sariana pounds the wraith with Zelda's enchanted rapier and fragments a portion of its essence. Both Sariana and Grey take bleed damage (-6 and -5 HP) - your smoking blood drifts to the wraith were it partially heals the damaged caused by Sariana.

Grey, you may retcon actions for this round and previous rounds as appropriate.

Round 5

Naught slams the wraith with her great axe and dissipates a substantial portion of its ghostly form. The wraith attempts to retaliate against Naught but narrowly misses her. Govanon holds waiting for an opening to attack.

You all note that Zelda is now twitching while she lays unconscious and she has become wrapped in ghostly chains.

Aliseya, Sariana and Grey may take their fifth round action. Naught and Govannon may take their sixth round action.

Round: 6, Initiative: 12

Still unable to get in to join the fight, Govannon charges around the room to try and come in the other side (double move).

Ghost Touched Axe: 1d20 + 3 + 5 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (4) + 3 + 5 + 1 - 1 = 12

Sariana continues flailing (an accurate description) at the figure, heedless of her own wounds.

Attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24
Damage: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8

Round 5

Sariana wildly lashes out with the rapier and again strikes the wraith hard enough to disperse a portion of its essence. Sariana and Grey continue to bleed and to heal the wraith (-5 HP each)

Round 6

Naught swings at the wraith but misses. Govannon races around the corner to attack the ghost from the opposite direction.

The wraith howls and again swings its massive spectral axe at Naught, this time hitting the barbarian (-4 HP and you are bleeding).

Aliseya, Sariana and Grey may take their sixth round action. Naught and Govannon may take their seventh round action.

Round: 7, Initiative: 12

Govannon rounds the corner, his chest heaving from the effort of the run, though it is short. He comes around and rejoins the group ending just outside the fell creatures reach. (double move)

I need to get in shape! he thinks to himself, panting too much to really speak coherently.

Ghost Touched Axe: 1d20 + 3 + 5 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (17) + 3 + 5 + 1 - 1 = 25
Damage: 1d8 + 7 + 3 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 7 + 3 + 1 + 1 = 19

Round 6

Aliseya hesitates to leave Zelda's side as she sees the ethereal chains bind her. Looking back over her should however, she deduces that the only way to save her friend is to stop the one causing her suffering... to stop the Lopper.

Rounding the corner and spotting the axe-bearing insane man, Aliseya bears an uncharacteristic calm as she stares down the axeman. Catching eye contact, she raises her arm. With an open palm gesture, she gives him a short command in that most foul and dark speech she's used before...

Move, then use Command Undead ability on the Lopper. Will vs DC 15 or Aliseya commands him.

The sheer amount of blood in the room is driving Sariana crazy - the combination of her own wounds and the intoxicating scent of others blood is practically hazing her vision. She attacks without care for the consequences.

Attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10
Damage: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6

Unfortunately in her blood fueled rage she is unable to land a solid blow.

[spoiler]Is there a chance of Aliseya seeing I have gained new wounds since she is looking at me?

Zelda looks around for Bolo, noticing he is not among the so called priest she slowly stands up and leaves the coffin.
"So which prisoner are you. Did you think to fool me. You couldn't take the wardens wife so you took me is that it?"

Disbelieve: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 1 = 11
Zelda looks around for any kind of weapon to use.

Round 6

The blood loss seems to be taking its toll as Sariana ineffectively attacks the wraith. Aliseya begins chanting in aklo, but the ghost only laughs maniacally at her. Sariana and Grey continue to bleed and to heal the wraith (-1 and -5 HP damage respectively). Grey heals himself to stop the bleeding and then moves out of Govannon's way and races to assist Zelda.

Round 7

Naught swings at the wraith and crushes it with a massive hit. Naught continues to bleed and heal the wraith (-5 HP). Govannon moves up and prepares to melee with the ghost.

The wraith again shrieks as Naught slices through its essence with the ghost-touched axe, but reacts by turning around to attack Govannon - again cutting the magus (-2 HP and you are bleeding).

Aliseya, Sariana and Grey may take their seventh round action. Naught and Govannon may take their eighth round action.

Ghost Touched Axe: 1d20 + 3 + 5 + 1 - 1 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 3 + 5 + 1 - 1 + 2 = 11
Damage: 1d8 + 7 + 3 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 7 + 3 + 1 + 1 = 14

The wraith again shrieks as Naught slices through its essence with the ghost-touched axe, but reacts by turning around to attack Govannon - again cutting the magus (-2 HP and you are bleeding).

I was 5' away, so he'd have needed to 5' step to attack me. No big deal of course, but I need to know where he is on the map so I can shift into flank if I can. And depending on where he moves, Naught will have to move a bit too.

Sariana's blood lust is as strong as ever, but her blows are beginning to falter as her blood continues to drain away, staining her tunic black. She continues to attack though, pursuing the Lopper and striking as best she can.

Attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11
Damage: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8

Poor Sariana - I don't think I've ever rolled so badly before!

Oaken Spirit, Рsychopomp wrote:

The wraith again shrieks as Naught slices through its essence with the ghost-touched axe, but reacts by turning around to attack Govannon - again cutting the magus (-2 HP and you are bleeding).

I was 5' away, so he'd have needed to 5' step to attack me. No big deal of course, but I need to know where he is on the map so I can shift into flank if I can. And depending on where he moves, Naught will have to move a bit too.

I moved the Lopper and Sarianna's token 5'. Both Govannon and Naught may apply a flanking bonus.

Round: 8, Initiative: 12

Thanks Oaken Spirit!

Govannon frowns as the creature steps up to him and smacks him about. He tries to respond in kind…
Scimitar (magic): 1d20 + 4 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 4 + 3 = 21 (arcane, flank)
damage: 1d6 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 3 + 1 = 10 (arcane)

Round 7

Aliseya steps up a bit. Recalling to mind something she'd picked up earlier, she draws forth a carved wooden stick. Closing her eyes for a moment, she mutters something in the dark tongue and touches naught on her shoulder. Violet light emits from the wand, and effervescently permeates the storyteller's wounds, healing her and ceasing the bleeding.

Ali then looks to nearby Sariana...

5 ft. step up to Naught, draw wand, use wand of clw on Naught:
HP Naught heals: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4