DM Alexander Kilcoynes Serpents Skull PbP- Chapter 1, Souls for the Smugglers Shiv (Inactive)

Game Master Alexander Kilcoyne

Let me take a look, Gelik - don't worry, I'm sure you'll be fine...

What's Gelik got?

Heal: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22

How long has this been here? Just today?

How long has this been here? Just today?

It was there when I woke up this morning. I scraped my arm on a branch yesterday and thought nothing of it...

Gwen will spend the appropriate amount of time treating Gelik for Disease. She will administer a handful of the berries as well (James, please note for inventory purposes).

Next time, if you even so much as scratch yourself, please tell Jask or I right away. Take a break tomorrow - I think everyone's morale is sufficiently high that they'll be able to survive a day without your fine Chelaxian comedy.

Heal (to treat disease): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25

Come see me tomorrow morning and let me know if you feel any better at all. You won't get completely better immediately - it'll take a little time - but with rest and plenty of water you'll be alright.

Thanks Gwen... the Gnome says nodding, then moving off to get some rest, clearly sulking from his affliction.

"Gwen, what was that? Do you know how he got it? asks Chi pulling a face.

They're called "Pulsing Puffs" - I remember reading about them back during my apprenticeship. If they're prevalent on this island, it's going to prove very important to treat all injuries as quickly as possible, even the most benign. He should be OK - if he worsens, we can always use this. She pulls the potion of Cure Disease out of her pack and swills it around gently. It'd be nice to have about 5 more of these, honestly, given what I've seen of this place so far.

"Well I suppose, we're going to need to know how to brew up potions like that then. Do we have some equipment anywhere that can be used to brew up potions or other things. I was reading 'Yautea's Potaene et Naturale Paulticenea' (Yautea's potions and natural poultices) before I left, I'm sure I can remember how to make simple remedies and things. I'm sure it won't be long until I can make more potent potions if we can identify and collect the right ingredients. But first we are going to have to find some equipment to allow me to make them."

Chi wanders over to find her tools from her backpack, before she and cat search the near vicinity for wood, stone, metal and feathers that could be made into arrows. Seeing Ishorou on the way around, she asks him, if he will teach her how to make traps too and continue with her special training that he has been giving her. She apologises and says tonight she will spend some time making arrows, as she wants to make sure she won't want for arrows in an extreme situation.

Fluff-wise you are gathering the materials etc. for fletching arrows, mechanics wise your spending the GP for them as usual as per the craft rules. Your easily able to get in half a days crafting each day between the midday break and the evening watch.

Time passes, as the castaways hone their skills and learn from Aerys, Sasha and Jask. The last six days have tested them in many ways, but so far they have taken everything Smugglers Shiv has thrown at them and survive- unlike many unfortunate souls they have already seen the remains of.

The night passes peacefully, and the morning of the seventh day on the island is also peaceful. As you are resting for when the midday sun abates and planning your afternoon, you spot a familir looking figure moving towards the camp in the harsh sunlight. Hes a little far away but slowly moving towards you, clearly struggling and lurching in the heat and hunched over, perhaps from exhaustion- Flute appears to be returning to the camp...

Midday, Day 7

James leaps to his feet as he spots his friend, jogging to meet him and help him in to the camp.

"Flute! Thank the gods, we thought the cannibals had got you."

Chi wakes as usual, with cat she climbs a tree nearby, where she surveys the close surroundings. Feeling happy with herself she doesn''t really make much effort to look around, until cat claws her leg, which brings her out of her reverie. She looks down to see James moving towards a figure, it takes a moment to recognise him as Flute. Almost falling from the bough in shock of seeing him back so soon, Chi quickly climbs down, almost jumping all the way, [i]Cat looks on knowing he has taught her well.
"Wake up everyone, look....its Flute...he's back!!"

Chi moves to Flute throwing her arms around him.

James and Chi move to greet the Dwarf, but they falter. Something is wrong with him. He doesnt appear to be carrying any equipment, and his eyes are completely glazed over. As you approach, you can smell something rotting- it is Flute. The undead Dwarf takes no notice of either of you, and continues to slowly walk towards the camp. There are a few large, horrific claw wounds all over his bare chest.

"Oh gods no..." James trails off quietly, stopping dead in his tracks (no pun intended) and simply staring. "Flute... oh Flute..." [i]The big man hesitates where he stands, totally at a loss at what to do. "Gwen... Gwen, can you save him?" he begs, turning back to the young girl upon whom so many hopes rest.

Chi, panics running back to the camp "Nooo....Flute has been defiled, he's come back as an undead." As the shock wears off, Chi sobs uncontrollably. She takes out her sickle, wanting to take out her grief on someone or something, maybe even the undead Flute.

The undead moves slowly and inexorably towards the camp, showing no sign of slowing in its lurching, gaited step. Aerys Gelik and Sasha are crying out in horror, while Jask shakes his head sadly and Ishorou resolutely stands and draws his Katana. The flesh that was Flute moves into the camp, making a beeline for Savarend's tent- the tent that Flute once inhabited.

Oooh, ooh! Wait, Wait! Even though you've, like, already told us...

Til að varpa þessum álögum, þá verð ég að vera leiðinleg í höfuðið, en er vinur Flute mína raunverulega Undead?

Standard Action: Cast Detect Undead. Begin concentrating.

I'm only describing your perceptions, I told my Kingmaker group there were two giant worms flanking Grabbles and his mites, and they were actually illusions. However, your spell confirms Flute's deathly nature.

Flute's undead aura is the only one you detect, and the aura is Faint.

Your friend Flute appears to have died and been animated somehow. Ishorou states flatly, as Flute continues walking towards his old tent. There is little we can do for him now- I should put his body out of its torment yes? he asks.

Yes, absolutely, Ishorou. Gwen moves to support the older man, and actually assists with a channel energy used to harm Undead, glancing aside at Jask for him to do the same.

Channel: 1d6 ⇒ 3

The body that was once Flute reels in pain from the positive energy, and then Ishorou swiftly beheads him. The undead creature offered no resistance.

Still waiting on a plan for your evening sojourn btw.

Staggering over to the rotting corpse of Flute as the undead energy flees his body, James falls to his knees besides the Dwarf's corpse, throwing back his head and letting out a bestial howl of sorrow before pushing himself feet and plodding off to his tent alone. He had taken Flute's initial disappearance rather well, perhaps deluding himself into thinking that their friend would return in one piece, but now that the Dwarf's true fate has become apparent he is obviously distraught.

Um, what are our most recent sightings?

Check my post and map link from after you beat the spider, you haven't found anything new since (although the camp is now explored). You haven't gone along the west coast, although you've seen some things there. You may need to consider moving the camp in a day or two, or using the campsite you were attacked in as a stop-gap in exploration.

I vote we head around the south east coast, investigate the wrecks and find Ishorou's hilltop.

I agree.

Chi is too shocked to do anything but agree with James.

Am out for the evening, will try and squeeze an update in when I get back, ETA 3 + 1/2 hours.

Ambroze jumps up from his shaded reading spot, book in hand, when James and Chi announce Flute's return. His joy turns to horror when he sees the druid's appearance and Ishorou and Gwen confirm the dwarf's undead state. Ambroze's book falls unheeded from his grasp as Ishorou and Gwen dispatch their former friend.

Ambroze takes an audible gulp as he steels his resolve and approaches the remains. "Gwen and Jask, can you help me here? We should take a closer look at Flute's body, to see if we can determine what happened to him."

The gnome scholar pauses before he reaches the body, a horrified look on his face as he considers a new possibility. "Unless you think whatever happened to Flute could be contagious?!?" he says fearfully.

Savarend steps out of the tent, yawning and stretching his limbs. He looks at the dwarven corpse on the ground and does a dramatic double-take before reeling back, "Ah! What is going on around here!? Swob me bob! First he gets a bloody fungus growing in his arm, and now there's a sodding corpse outside my tent. Who in the name of Torag's beard is this?!"

Allow me some elasticity with time, here, eh AK?

This, Savarend, is Flute - the dwarf we've mentioned to you before. The one who disappeared.

Gwen shakes her head sadly, wanders over to where the camp keeps their supplies, finds a shovel, and wanders off not far from camp. She digs throughout the cool part of the morning, and is rewarded with a fairly deep Dwarf-sized hole when she is finished. She comes back to the camp and begins to drag Flute's body to the hole. Once there, she will arrange his body in as dignified a position as possible for a headless corpse, and return to the camp.

Everyone, I think we should have a small service for Flute. I think he'd appreciate it. Anyone who would like to come, I'm going to start in a few minutes.

Gwen returns to the gravesite and waits a few minutes, then clears her throat and begins to speak.

We're gathered here today in rememberence of Flute, a good Dwarf. Flute was the funniest person I've ever known. He was always ready with a song, or a witty remark. He even offered to draw a picture of me once - I'm sad that he never got the chance to. He didn't deserve what happened to him. He was with us side-by-side right up until he just...disappeared, without a word. Good-bye, Flute - we'll miss you, and we'll find whoever was responsible for this atrocity and make them pay.

With that, she shovels the first load of loose earth onto the grave, and walks away.

James joins Gwen gladly, standing solemnly through the small service before returning to his tent to think on the loss of his friend.

As Gwen starts to place earth on Flute's body, Chi takes some dried fragrant herbs from her pouch. Uttering words in a strange language she sprinkles the herbs over the body and quietly returns to a tree and sit with cat.

Sorry, crazy couple of days. I'm going to assume you examined the body somewhat. I'm always fine with retcon as long as its clear J.

The other castaways stand solemnly, and even Gelik manages to be respectful. Ishorou takes on the duty of fully burying the Dwarf.

Flute appeared at midday, you have the afternoon. I believe you planned to explore the shipwrecks, but all of them are based on small islands and won't be accessible except in the morning low tide. Care to make an alternative plan?

3:30PM, Day 7.

Pulling the group together, Gwen mentions something that's been on her mind.

I think we should move the camp again. Although I don't believe that Flute's undeath is contagious, Ambroze - one must become dead before one can become undead - I'm not sure whether or not whatever or whoever animated his corpse has a way of tracking its location, and thus, our location. The camp where we fought the Savages would be a good spot, except the Savages found us there. So, we can't use it. If they attacked while we were gone, and we lost noble Ishorou, I'd die from grief. No, I think we should keep the camp on the Eastern Coast, to whatever extent possible, at least for now. Also, I think we should ask Jask to change to hunting duty, at least for now, and move Sasha to guard duty with Ishorou. Gelik can serve as the healer, and I don't think we have any need of Chelaxian comedy right now - everyone seems to be in fairly good spirits. We can let Gelik get better from his illness, and then move our people around a bit, to serve the group's needs - which right now means Defence. As for tonight, I'm game for anything...anyone have any ideas? Does my plan sound OK?

Do I have that right, AK? Jask is able to hunt, and Sasha able to defend?

...I don't believe that Flute's undeath is contagious, Ambroze - one must become dead before one can become undead - I'm not sure whether or not whatever or whoever animated his corpse has a way of tracking its location, and thus, our location...

"Hmmm. Yes," Ambroze agrees, a distant, thoughtful expression on his face. "I just wonder who - or what - would have animated his corpse, and why it would come back here. Or can undead like poor Flute became spontaneously rise from the dead?"

Before interring Flute's remains, Ambroze would have studied them carefully - although he would have very carefully avoided touching the body. I'm just going to make a bunch of rolls to see if anything gets a hit.

Heal check (untrained): 1d20 ⇒ 7
Knowledge (arcana): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14
Knowledge (nature): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (5) + 10 = 15
Knowledge (religion): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23
Spellcraft: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10

Do I have that right, AK? Jask is able to hunt, and Sasha able to defend?

Almost- Sasha can serve as a Defender or a Hunter (Defender sets traps to deal damage to attackers in camp encounters- but the dice love you so far.) Jask can serve as a hunter as you suggested. For the setup your going for, a quick discussion would have you put the NPC's on the following duties.

Aerys- Guard
Ishorou- Guard
Sasha- Defender
Jask- Hunter
Gelik- Medic

This means the chance of an attack on the camp is reduced to 5%. If I may be so bold, the hilltop you spotted that may match Ishorou's description would be an ideal camp location- high ground and defensible.

Also Gwyneth, you may want to roll a heal check per my last post.

Sorry, boss.

Heal: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13

I have no idea about whatever it was you disclosed, there :-)

Can we move the camp to the hilltop where we left the rope, then? Anyone object to that plan?

Can we move the camp to the hilltop where we left the rope, then? Anyone object to that plan?

I meant the hilltop to the south-east of that- you haven't been there yet but it would make an ideal campsite. The middle ridge would involve you having to climb up and down the ridge each day...

James supports relocating the camp site to Ishorou's hilltop.

Chi and cat lounge around the camp, sometimes sitting up trees to take in the surrounding countryside. Sometimes she is seen trying to talk to the savage that they caught, offering the man fresh juice from the Jobo berries collected from nearby bushes. She will try her best to befriend the savage.
She has is happy to move to a new camp and thinks they should look at any ship wrecks nearby.

Anyone any idea what we do with the savage. Anyone good at diplomacy?Any idea how long we need to make him friendly?

I suspect nothing short of Charm Person is going to help his attitude toward us.

As far as the site, I meant the one you meant, AK - sorry, just getting mixed up. I'm a busy boy today.

I'm fine with moving the campsite.

Following the right hand river fork towards the south-east area after packing up camp, the group end up once more upon the game trail that leads to the campsite you explored. The savage has resisted all efforts to communicate with him, merely snarling about eating your flesh in Pidgin Infernal. He is also refusing to eat, although when food is extended to him he tries to bite the hand that feeds him.

The NPC castaways are carrying the bulk of the gear and are hanging back a bit behind your group in case of trouble. You make it past the campsite with the strange pentagram safely, and venture into the jungle terrain that stands before the hill as the sun goes down.

There is little surprise when Tun'ada makes out the signs of another predator- a dead goat here, a picked clean rat skeleton there. It seems that something else has decided this area is a good spot and your about to enter its territory. Tun'ada predicts that you won't be able to walk around it to get to the hill due to the narrowness of this strip of land.

7PM, Day 7 (I am assuming judicious use of the light cantrip.)

Any indication of what sort of predator we are dealing with?

Survival:1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8
Knowledge(Nature):1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8

EDIT: Obviously not with those rolls ;)

Chi and cat take a look at the corpses for clues as to the predator that might have done it. Then Chi moves into the shadows of the foliage around the camp, keeping up with the group's progress.

Knowledge (Nature)1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13
Stealth 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (18) + 12 = 30

Gwen gulps nervously.

Um blessun guðanna vera á okkur öllum, she whispers.

Gwen casts Bless prior to entering the creature's territory.

Savarend follows along, waiting for an opportunity where his skills would be useful.

James searches the area for tracks and other evidence, while exchanging ideas with Chi.

Take ten on survival for 17 and to assist Chi's knowledge nature.

You don't manage to determine which creature is the predator here, but its clear that whatever it is, it poisonous.