Courts of the Shadow Fey (Rune Stones Part V - 4e)

Game Master Rev Rosey

Startide trots frowards even as Tutavak looses two more arrows at the next giant. "So you mean we will get to kill you again on the way back? Excellent."

Minor: Quarry M4, just barely closest. Move: Ne corner to W14. Standard: Twin Strike twice vs M4 AC, quarry damage once 1d20 + 14 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 14 + 1 = 171d10 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 31d20 + 14 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 14 + 1 = 301d10 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 42d6 ⇒ (5, 6) = 11 Aw, no crit. 15 damage.

M4 looks at the arrow Tutavak has just delivered into his torso.

"It is possible. If you return."

MAP

To end encounter, Reason's healing powers restore and additional 5hp.

Shadow Haunts: Shadow Fingers Aura 2. Living creatures that start their turn in the aura take 1 necrotic damage for each square of movement (including forced movement) until the start of their next turn. Shadow creatures are immune.

Pits: Creatures in the pits take 4d10 falling damage and are immoblised and taking 5 ongoing (se). Climbing out is a DC20 Athletics. Movement is half speed.

Reason - BLOODIED?; used AP; in pit and needs to climb out.
Shadow Haunt 3 - cursed by Arianwyn; -2 ranged and area to end Kia's next turn; cover; marked by Whiteclaw
Arianwyn - used AP
Whiteclaw - all squares within 2 difficult terrain for enemies, +1AC and resist cold 10;
Marauder 1 - cursed by Arianwyn
Marauder 4 - cursed by Arianwyn; weakened to end its next turn; taking 11 ongoing radiant (se); Tutatvak's Quarry
Ixu - used 2nd wind
Kia
Tutavak (mounted) - +2 speed/Ref and +3 fire damage to end next turn

Reason heals himself, then attempts to escape the spikes.

Cure Serious: 2 surges + 5.

Save: 1d20 ⇒ 5

Hp: 56/74

You still have a move, Reason. Are you climbing out? DC15 Athletics to get half way up.

You still have a move, Reason. Are you climbing out? DC15 Athletics to get half way up.

Was I not immobilised until the save at end of turn?

Yes. Yes, you were. I can't even read my own instruction. Headdesk.

Reason struggles at the bottom of the pit, while the shadow haunt stretches its fingers around Whiteclaw's body before moving away from her.

Shade Touch (Ref)
1d20+16=28. Hits. 2d8+7=21
21 damage to Whiteclaw

Whiteclaw gets an OA on the shadow haunt as it moves away.

MAP

To end encounter, Reason's healing powers restore and additional 5hp.

Shadow Haunts: Shadow Fingers Aura 2. Living creatures that start their turn in the aura take 1 necrotic damage for each square of movement (including forced movement) until the start of their next turn. Shadow creatures are immune.

Pits: Creatures in the pits take 4d10 falling damage and are immoblised and taking 5 ongoing (se). Climbing out is a DC20 Athletics. Movement is half speed.

Arianwyn - used AP
Whiteclaw - all squares within 2 difficult terrain for enemies, +1AC and resist cold 10;
Marauder 1 - cursed by Arianwyn
Marauder 4 - cursed by Arianwyn; weakened to end its next turn; taking 11 ongoing radiant (se); Tutatvak's Quarry
Ixu - used 2nd wind
Kia
Tutavak (mounted) - +2 speed/Ref and +3 fire damage to end next turnReason - used AP; in pit and needs to climb out. Immobilised and taking 5 ongoing (se both)
Shadow Haunt 3 - cursed by Arianwyn; -2 ranged and area to end Kia's next turn; cover; marked by Whiteclaw

OA:1d20 + 14 ⇒ (19) + 14 = 33, on hit: 1d10 + 9 ⇒ (8) + 9 = 17

HP: 39/116, temp 0 (Ixu: 53/79)
Surges: 12/13 (Ixu: 11/12)
AP: 1/1
Enc. Used: Grasping Winds, Rime Shackles, Second Wind
Daily Used:
Ixu Used: Second Wind, Breath Weapon
Status: +1 AC, Bloodied(Ixu: None)

Whiteclaw clouts the shadow haunt as it darts away.

Are the woods difficult terrain?

They are for you and the giants. The Shadow haunt can phase through them.

Double Move to P18. Crown of Stars vs M1's Will
1d20 + 12 ⇒ (9) + 12 = 21

If that hits, 4 radiant and -
2d8 ⇒ (1, 4) = 5 normal

Stars flare on Arianwyn's brow as he pursues M1. The giant's will is not enough to oppose him.

MAP

To end encounter, Reason's healing powers restore and additional 5hp.

Shadow Haunts: Shadow Fingers Aura 2. Living creatures that start their turn in the aura take 1 necrotic damage for each square of movement (including forced movement) until the start of their next turn. Shadow creatures are immune.

Pits: Creatures in the pits take 4d10 falling damage and are immoblised and taking 5 ongoing (se). Climbing out is a DC20 Athletics. Movement is half speed.

Whiteclaw - BLOODIED; all squares within 2 difficult terrain for enemies, +1AC and resist cold 10;
Marauder 1 - BLOODIED; cursed by Arianwyn
Marauder 4 - cursed by Arianwyn; weakened to end its next turn; taking 11 ongoing radiant (se); Tutatvak's Quarry
Ixu - used 2nd wind
Kia
Tutavak (mounted) - +2 speed/Ref and +3 fire damage to end next turnReason - used AP; in pit and needs to climb out. Immobilised and taking 5 ongoing (se both)
Shadow Haunt 3 - cursed by Arianwyn; -2 ranged and area to end Kia's next turn; cover; marked by Whiteclaw
Arianwyn - used AP

In advance, on her action, Ixu will keep holding the rope for Reason, she'll land, as well, to better brace the rope.

Whiteclaw moves through the woods with the confidence of a predator, hunting down the Haunt.

Move to J9, mark Haunt, Strength of Stone against it. 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (3) + 14 = 17, on hit: 1d10 + 9 ⇒ (10) + 9 = 19 cold damage and I gain 4 temp hp.

HP: 39/116, temp 0 (Ixu: 53/79)
Surges: 12/13 (Ixu: 11/12)
AP: 1/1
Enc. Used: Grasping Winds, Rime Shackles, Second Wind
Daily Used:
Ixu Used: Second Wind, Breath Weapon
Status: +1 AC, Bloodied(Ixu: None)

Whiteclaw thuds after her prey, but the tangled branches snag her axe and the blow never lands.

Ixu lands solidly and shakes her end of the rope invitingly at Reason.

Still roaring with incongruous laughter, the marauders turn their attentions to Arianwyn. The warlock is pushed closer to another pit, but as is often the way with these giants, they do cause less havoc than they hoped for.

Spear (AC). On hit target is pushed 2 squares.
1d20+15=26. M1 v Arianwyn. Hits. 1d12+12=21
1d20+15=19. M4 v Arianwyn. Miss.
21 damage to Arianwyn.

M4 save v ongoing radiant: 1d20=18

MAP

To end encounter, Reason's healing powers restore and additional 5hp.

Shadow Haunts: Shadow Fingers Aura 2. Living creatures that start their turn in the aura take 1 necrotic damage for each square of movement (including forced movement) until the start of their next turn. Shadow creatures are immune.

Pits: Creatures in the pits take 4d10 falling damage and are immoblised and taking 5 ongoing (se). Climbing out is a DC20 Athletics. Movement is half speed.

Kia
Tutavak (mounted) - +2 speed/Ref and +3 fire damage to end next turnReason - used AP; in pit and needs to climb out. Immobilised and taking 5 ongoing (se both)
Shadow Haunt 3 - cursed by Arianwyn; -2 ranged and area to end Kia's next turn; cover; marked by Whiteclaw
Arianwyn - BLOODIED?; used AP
Whiteclaw - BLOODIED; all squares within 2 difficult terrain for enemies, +1AC and resist cold 10;
Marauder 1 - BLOODIED; cursed by Arianwyn
Marauder 4 - cursed by Arianwyn; Tutatvak's Quarry
Ixu - used 2nd wind

Immediate Interrupt vs M1 - Darkspiral Aura.
2d8 ⇒ (7, 5) = 12 necrotic and psychic
What larks, Pip! His attack is weakened as I rolled 12 or more. I take 10 damage instead. :D My DSA resets to 1.

Coils of dark energy rise from the earth to partially shield the warlock from the attack, sapping the strength of the giant.

He raises an eyebrow.

"That almost hurt." he says casually.

Kia waits a moment to see how the battle unfolds.

MAP

To end encounter, Reason's healing powers restore and additional 5hp.

Shadow Haunts: Shadow Fingers Aura 2. Living creatures that start their turn in the aura take 1 necrotic damage for each square of movement (including forced movement) until the start of their next turn. Shadow creatures are immune.

Pits: Creatures in the pits take 4d10 falling damage and are immoblised and taking 5 ongoing (se). Climbing out is a DC20 Athletics. Movement is half speed.

Tutavak (mounted) - +2 speed/Ref and +3 fire damage to end next turn
Reason - used AP; in pit and needs to climb out. Immobilised and taking 5 ongoing (se both)
Kia - delayed
Shadow Haunt 3 - cursed by Arianwyn; -2 ranged and area to end Kia's next turn; cover; marked by Whiteclaw
Arianwyn - BLOODIED?; used AP
Whiteclaw - BLOODIED; all squares within 2 difficult terrain for enemies, +1AC and resist cold 10;
Marauder 1 - BLOODIED; cursed by Arianwyn
Marauder 4 - cursed by Arianwyn; Tutatvak's Quarry
Ixu - used 2nd wind

Tutavak spurs Suntide up the road, squeezing between the trees and the pit, before whirling on the bloody giant and charging with lance once more.

Nearly certain I can get to NE-corner-to-Q18 after brushing through the trees on the right with Suntide's 8 move, then charging M1. Basic attack. Fighter mark. 1d20 + 15 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 15 + 1 = 241d10 + 7 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 7 + 5 = 15

Tutavak heads towards M1, but an errant branch smacks his face as he passes, making him mis-judge his attack. The giant simply ducks.

Tutavak - can you confirm you're in the right place for me please?

MAP

To end encounter, Reason's healing powers restore and additional 5hp.

Shadow Haunts: Shadow Fingers Aura 2. Living creatures that start their turn in the aura take 1 necrotic damage for each square of movement (including forced movement) until the start of their next turn. Shadow creatures are immune.

Pits: Creatures in the pits take 4d10 falling damage and are immoblised and taking 5 ongoing (se). Climbing out is a DC20 Athletics. Movement is half speed.

Reason - used AP; in pit and needs to climb out. Immobilised and taking 5 ongoing (se both)
Kia - delayed
Shadow Haunt 3 - cursed by Arianwyn; -2 ranged and area to end Kia's next turn; cover; marked by Whiteclaw
Arianwyn - BLOODIED?; used AP
Whiteclaw - BLOODIED; all squares within 2 difficult terrain for enemies, +1AC and resist cold 10;
Marauder 1 - BLOODIED; cursed by Arianwyn; marked by Tutavak
Marauder 4 - cursed by Arianwyn; Tutatvak's Quarry
Ixu - used 2nd wind
Tutavak (mounted)

Should be 1 square lower. And M1 is marked. Also, the crit goodies expired a bit ago.

All done.

Reason calls on Ioun to help him extract himself from the spikes.

Divine Aid. Save: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22

I think that succeeds. HP 51/74

Reason manages to dis-impale himself at last and prepares to clamber up the rope so helpfully held by Ixu.

Not entirely sure dis-impale is a word, but it does the job I need it to do.

MAP

To end encounter, Reason's healing powers restore and additional 5hp.

Shadow Haunts: Shadow Fingers Aura 2. Living creatures that start their turn in the aura take 1 necrotic damage for each square of movement (including forced movement) until the start of their next turn. Shadow creatures are immune.

Pits: Creatures in the pits take 4d10 falling damage and are immoblised and taking 5 ongoing (se). Climbing out is a DC20 Athletics. Movement is half speed.

Kia - delayed
Shadow Haunt 3 - cursed by Arianwyn; -2 ranged and area to end Kia's next turn; cover; marked by Whiteclaw
Arianwyn - BLOODIED?; used AP
Whiteclaw - BLOODIED; all squares within 2 difficult terrain for enemies, +1AC and resist cold 10;
Marauder 1 - BLOODIED; cursed by Arianwyn; marked by Tutavak
Marauder 4 - cursed by Arianwyn; Tutatvak's Quarry
Ixu - used 2nd wind
Tutavak (mounted)
Reason - used AP; in pit and needs to climb out.

Not entirely sure dis-impale is a word, but it does the job I need it to do.

Outpale? Expale?

Expale has a good ring to it.

Reason heals himself, then attempts to escape the spikes.

Cure Serious: 2 surges + 5.

Save: 1d20

Hp: 56/74

Er.. does that include the healing Kia gave you? because, if you are not going top use it, Kia will keep it for later.

Kia firs off another arrow and then grimly stows her bow ready to take out her sword so she can be more healtastic. She moves a bit closer to the action, while carefully positioning herself to avoid being pushed into any pits.

Move - S19 - Paint the bullseye vs M1 (AC) 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (20) + 14 = 341d10 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7 She stows her bow.

Oooh! a crit! Kia finally joins the crit club. So she deals 13 + 3d6 ⇒ 13 + (4, 5, 3) = 25 damage to M1

ALSO... M1 is at -2 to all ranged and area attacks to end of Kia's next turn. AND... everyone attacking M1 gains a +4 power bonus to their damage rolls to the start of Kia's next turn.

Kia's arrow lands with a satisfying thud, firmly suggesting where the next attacks should go. Dusting off her hands, the warlord takes refuge alongside the comforting bulk of Suntide and Tutavak. Her weapons glow with the light of the Kargzant sun as his power washes over her in response to her attack.

The shadow haunt continues to claw at Whiteclaw and risks her wrath by darting once more through the trees.

Shade Touch (Ref).
1d20+16=27. Hits. 2d8+7=20
20 damage to Whiteclaw

MAP

To end encounter, Reason's healing powers restore and additional 5hp.

Shadow Haunts: Shadow Fingers Aura 2. Living creatures that start their turn in the aura take 1 necrotic damage for each square of movement (including forced movement) until the start of their next turn. Shadow creatures are immune.

Pits: Creatures in the pits take 4d10 falling damage and are immoblised and taking 5 ongoing (se). Climbing out is a DC20 Athletics. Movement is half speed.

Arianwyn - BLOODIED?; used AP
Whiteclaw - BLOODIED; all squares within 2 difficult terrain for enemies, +1AC and resist cold 10;
Marauder 1 - BLOODIED; cursed by Arianwyn; marked by Tutavak; -2 ranged and area attacks to start Kia's next turn; taking +4 damage to start Kia's next turn
Marauder 4 - cursed by Arianwyn; Tutatvak's Quarry
Ixu - used 2nd wind
Tutavak (mounted)
Reason - used AP; in pit and needs to climb out.
Kia - +2 speed/Ref and +3 extra fire damage to end her next turn (Tutavak's effect)
Shadow Haunt 3 - cursed by Arianwyn; -2 ranged and area to end Kia's next turn; cover; marked by Whiteclaw

Whiteclaw swings her axe as the creature slips away.

OA: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (12) + 14 = 26, on hit:1d10 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 15

HP: 19/116, temp 0 (Ixu: 53/79)
Surges: 12/13 (Ixu: 11/12)
AP: 1/1
Enc. Used: Grasping Winds, Rime Shackles, Second Wind
Daily Used:
Ixu Used: Second Wind, Breath Weapon
Status: +1 AC, Bloodied(Ixu: None)

Er.. does that include the healing Kia gave you? because, if you are not going top use it, Kia will keep it for later.

oops... 69/74 hp, 1 surge spent

Whiteclaw's axe catches the shadow haunt as it drifts through the trees away from her.

Reason abruptly remembers Kia's early helpful aphorism.

Move to K18 (concealament gained). ELdritch Blast vs M1's Ref

1d20 + 12 ⇒ (13) + 12 = 251d10 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 = 112d8 ⇒ (8, 4) = 12

Crown of Stars - vs M1 if still standing. If not, M4.
1d20 + 11 ⇒ (6) + 11 = 17
If that hits 4 radiant damage

Arianwyn dives and rolls between the two giants, releasing a burst of silver light at one of the oafish bandits.

MAP
Arianwyn wipes out one of his chuckling foes with a blast of eldritch power.

Cursed enemy dropped.

To end encounter, Reason's healing powers restore and additional 5hp.

Shadow Haunts: Shadow Fingers Aura 2. Living creatures that start their turn in the aura take 1 necrotic damage for each square of movement (including forced movement) until the start of their next turn. Shadow creatures are immune.

Pits: Creatures in the pits take 4d10 falling damage and are immoblised and taking 5 ongoing (se). Climbing out is a DC20 Athletics. Movement is half speed.

Whiteclaw - BLOODIED; all squares within 2 difficult terrain for enemies, +1AC and resist cold 10;
Marauder 4 - cursed by Arianwyn; Tutatvak's Quarry
Ixu - used 2nd wind
Tutavak (mounted)
Reason - used AP; in pit and needs to climb out.
Kia - +2 speed/Ref and +3 extra fire damage to end her next turn (Tutavak's effect)
Shadow Haunt 3 - cursed by Arianwyn; -2 ranged and area to end Kia's next turn; cover; marked by Whiteclaw
Arianwyn - BLOODIED?; used AP; concealment

DSA 2. Not Bloodied.

"Make that 3 of your fellows." he says to the last giant, "Care to surrender?"

Whiteclaw emerges from the woods, assumes the form of a wolf, then charges the last giant.

Move to N14, wild shift, charge to N21 using Pounce, targets reflex. 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (9) + 9 = 18. On hit: 1d8 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10 cold damage and the target grants CA to the first person who attack it before EOMNT.

HP: 19/116, temp 0 (Ixu: 53/79)
Surges: 12/13 (Ixu: 11/12)
AP: 1/1
Enc. Used: Grasping Winds, Rime Shackles, Second Wind, Pounce
Daily Used:
Ixu Used: Second Wind, Breath Weapon
Status: +1 AC, Bloodied(Ixu: None)

Whiteclaw's wolf form hurtles across the ground and bloodies the giant and it bows to Arianwyn, still bellowing with laughter

"You gave me and my brothers a lot of fun and we will talk about you over the long years ahead."

He drops his spear and calls to the shadow haunt.

"Let them pass the gates!"

A slightly insane laugh answers him, but the haunt seems to agree.

The marauder gestures clumsily at the white gateway and backs away into the woods, apparantly no longer interested in attacking the party.

OUT OF COMBAT if you so desire.

MAP
Arianwyn wipes out one of his chuckling foes with a blast of eldritch power.

Cursed enemy dropped.

To end encounter, Reason's healing powers restore and additional 5hp.

Shadow Haunts: Shadow Fingers Aura 2. Living creatures that start their turn in the aura take 1 necrotic damage for each square of movement (including forced movement) until the start of their next turn. Shadow creatures are immune.

Pits: Creatures in the pits take 4d10 falling damage and are immoblised and taking 5 ongoing (se). Climbing out is a DC20 Athletics. Movement is half speed.

Ixu - used 2nd wind
Tutavak (mounted)
Reason - used AP; in pit and needs to climb out.
Kia - +2 speed/Ref and +3 extra fire damage to end her next turn (Tutavak's effect)
Shadow Haunt 3 - cursed by Arianwyn; -2 ranged and area to end Kia's next turn; cover; marked by Whiteclaw
Arianwyn - used AP; concealment
Whiteclaw - BLOODIED; all squares within 2 difficult terrain for enemies, +1AC and resist cold 10;
Marauder 4 - cursed by Arianwyn; Tutatvak's Quarry

I think we're done.

"Almost like being back home." Arianwyn remarks.

While it likely won't drop him, if I bloodied the giant, he gets another 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8 damage from quick bite.

"I hope that we don't have to go through this for every door we come to." Whiteclaw dryly remarks.

It doesn't drop him, but does amuse him. These are fey giants - their notions of entertainment are a little strange.

With the aid of his friends, Reason makes his way out of the pit.

Short rest and through the gate?

1000XP each. Running total 27,000.

Yes. Whiteclaw needs that rest.

Post rest:
HP: 115/116, temp 0 (Ixu: 79/79)
Surges: 9/13 (Ixu: 9/12)
AP: 1/1
Enc. Used:
Daily Used:Form of Winter Herald
Ixu Used:
Status: +1 AC, Bloodied(Ixu: None)

Good to go. 7 surges remaining, used no dailies, at full hp. Suntide is down 1hp.

Post rest:
HP: 67/76, temp 0
Surges: 5/8
AP: 0
Daily Used: Crown of Stars

Beyond the white stone gates, mist swirls gently around a long flight of stone steps. As you pass through, the Shadow Road vanishes behind you, leaving you in a silvery landscape of disturbing beauty. The light here belongs to that curious moment between late night and early dawn or the point that day finally tips into evening. One can see some distance, but the constantly shifting colours of the sky make judgement difficult.

Everything seems more intense here. The air is almost heady to breathe with a scent that lures, the colours reach to areas of the spectrum you had never previously seen, the everyday sounds of the woodlands and the mountains have greater clarity and layers of meaning. Time is hard to judge and you might have been walking for minutes or hours.

For Arianwyn and Kia, this is the scent of home. Even for them, there are differences. Unlike the familiar courts of the Feywild, the lands of the Shadow Fey are elusive, even for them. The scents, sights and sounds all have a very slightly different flavour. Enough to just notice, but impossible to decide what is really different.

For newcomers to the worlds of the fey, the experience is almost too great to absorb at once. Of all the party, Ixu alone seems unaffected. She flies joyfully ahead, twisting in the air, breathing deeply and for once seeming to forget that she has no hoard to guard.

The stairway ends at last at the bottom of a hillside. The last tendrils of mist lift away long enough for you to see towers and walls on two hills to the right and left. Between them, the path leads to a well lit set of gates. Twelve lanterns hang around the doorway and a large armoured figure is holding the doors open for you.

I need to know who among you has a title or status (guild membership, secret society, family ties - that sort of stuff) of any kind. Tutavak probably counts as a prince, but if any of you have any hidden status symbols, now is the time to let me know.

You and I have discussed this back and forth, and I have been thinking it up some more but have not put anything down. Until now! Arianwyn, Prince in Exile of the Summer Court (he is distantly related to Queen Tiandra but is so far down the list of succession that it doesn't count - his title was stripped from him), Vassal to the Duke of Rime - revoked (his time in the Winter Court as minstrel and factotum), Alumnus of the University of Astrazalian (expelled). He has a habit of breaking the rules, as you can probably see...

Unless you count Chosen, Whiteclaw doesn't have anything like that.

Chosen does count to some extent. You may be petty humanoids, but you have gained credit in your own small way.

Nothing else that I know of.

Member of the Parthenon?

Post-Rest Status: 69/74 hp, 1 surge used, AP used, used Cure Serious and Beacon of Hope.

Member of the Parthenon?

Yes. They have a reciprocal arrangement across planes.