DM Corerue's Carrion Crown

Game Master DM Corerue

Storycrafter, his description doesn’t fit Andrew, does it?

Sense Motive to determine if Lazne is just making this story up: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24

Sour Heck nods. “I’m sure these heroes can cover ten gold for the boats. Talia, why don’t you jump in a boat with Peredur--he can keep the caimans off you if anyone can. I’ll go with Eloise.” He hands the whiskey bottle to Iesha. “And I know Iesha will be very interested to hear all your stories about swamp life, Lazne.”

Lazne's description of what he saw seems quite sincere, and indeed, it seems to differ from what you saw of Andrew. While the pallor of the skin and his height seem to match, Andrew had little to no fur or scales, and no real boils oozing puss that you saw.

Lazne turns to Sour Heck. "Suits me."

He'll begin leading the group a few hundred yards away to a smaller hut which sits next to a small inlet of shallow standing water. Tied to a small dock on the side of the hut are several boats. Lazne will knock at the door and announce himself. After a brief moment, a rather tall, young man will answer, stooping somewhat as he stands in the doorway. Lazne will quickly tell him that he will be using his own boat and the group will need to rent 2 more. The young man, whom Lazne addresses as Lagren, will accept your coin and nod to Lazne, "I trust'n you know where yer goin'"

Lazne will nod back and climb into one of the boats, offering his outstretched hand.

On the way to the boats, Eloise briefly tugs on Iesha's sleeve and whispers in her ear: "You sure you want to be alone with that guy? I can take your place, if you like."

Iesha looks -briefly- as if she's contemplating giving Heck back the bottle, blunt end first, but instead shrugs, smiles and follows Lazne, duly noting the differences in his description and actuality.

Peredur stifles a small smile as he offers to assist Talia into the boat, then boards himself.

Talia accepts the offer with a smile, stumbling slightly on entering the rocking craft, then finding her balance.

Kieli follows at a distance, keeping a watch on the craft and surrounding waters.

After the other boats are loaded, Lazne shoves off and begins to lead the party through fetid, swampy waters. The air is chill and a fog begins to rise off the water, reducing visibility to a few feet. Lazne rows ahead with a steady ease. The night is eerily silent -- the only sounds coming from the party's breath and the occasional slapping of oars.

After about a mile of rowing north through the thickening fog, a tiny, miserable island rises from the swap. A tangle of trees covers its dour, reed-choked surface. Hundreds of fetishes hang from the trees--simple, roughly humanoid figures made of sticks and bound with twine. Larger fetishes are planed in the ground on various parts of the island, leaning drunkenly in the soft mud. A large nest built of sodden swamp wood sits high in the boughs of a trio of tangled trees on the northwest side of the isle.

Lazne beaches his boat, hops out, and hauls the boat ashore. He helps guide the other two boats onto shore as well. He asks for the whiskey and takes a long pull before recorking and handing it back. He reaches into his pouch and grabs a fresh wad of something black, stinky, and vaguely resembling ground leaves -- this he stuffs between his cheek and gums. "Best be careful 'round here. No tellin' what may be out huntin' at night." He heads southward, along the shore. "This is where we chased him to."

Sour Heck pauses in the middle of unfurling the banner of the Hawthorn Society and points at the nest. "What's that?"

Eloise mutters a brief cantrip - Detect Magic, which she keeps active - and draws her black longsword. "Whate'er it is, it's big," she says. "Peredur, you're our best archer. Bow out?"

Peredur nods and steps ashore, bow in hand. The ranger scans the ground for tracks and other signs of passage.

Survival check to track (add +2 if undead involved): 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (15) + 11 = 26

Perception check: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (19) + 14 = 33

Peredur being out in front, Talia Wards him in case of an ambuscade, then readies her sling in her hand.

Lazne stops at Sour Heck's inquiry, and turns to the north. "Hrrrm" he says, unloading a large wad of weed juice to the ground. "Didn't see that when we landed. Gettin' too damn old. Don't you tell no one I missed that."

He begins walking toward the nest, "That's pretty new, looks like. Don't reckon' I've seen that here a few weeks ago.". After a moment, he stops, and mumbles, "don't much like the look of that.". A large wad of weed juice flies from the corner of his mouth.

Lazne is approximately 30 feet from the nest now, and looking at Sour Heck.

"Get back!" Eloise shouts at Lazne. "Get back here! [i]There is illusion magic about![i]" The Chelishwoman brandishes her sword...

Did Peredur notice anything out of the ordinary?

Apologies, Peredur, I neglected to respond to your check!

Peredur notices a faint rustling sound (perhaps of large wings) quite some distance away to the north (perhaps a 100 paces or so). He also notices 2 mice nibbling on something squishy in the nearby brush along with a couple of bats chasing something hundreds of paces off to the south. He smells what Lazne had for breakfast, as well as today's dinner and lunch. The smell of swamp water and fish masks most everything else, except for a faint odor of decay apparently coming from the nest.

The ranger points north. "Make ready! Something flying there, and coming this way!"

Only a few brief moment pass after Peredur's warning shout before the shadow of a large beast with wings looms out of the fog and through the mooonlight.

The creature is roughly 50ft away and 15 feet up at this instant. It appears to be flying straight toward the group -- the fog quickly parting in front of it as it flies in a lopsided fashion.

Round 1 initiative:
Sour Heck
Eloise
Peredur
Talia
Iesha
Lazne
Large, winged creature

Perception 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17

"What is it? Do I blast it or what?" Eloise asks.

Not knowing what it is, Peredur tries to treat it like a normal animal, producing a small bit of food and holding it up so the creature can see it. "Hey! Is it a treat you're wanting?" Too bad I rolled so low; crushing the Wild Empathy check might have been amusing.

Perception check: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (10) + 14 = 24

Wild Empathy check: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12

“Relax, it’s probably just mosquitos. Horrible, disease-laden, blood-draining mosquitos. The size of rats. Actually, better get your blades out.”

Sour Heck begins to Inspire Courage.

Party buffs: +2 to attack rolls and weapon damage (+1 competence from Inspire Courage, +1 morale from Flagbearer); +1 to saves versus fear and charm effects (from both).

Perception: 1d20 ⇒ 3

Kieli lets out a small screech and ducks out of sight while Talia sighs. "Whatever it is, I can guess its direction," she says. "Maybe it won't be hostile? But just in case..." Talia closes her eyes for a moment, channeling energy from somewhere while making arcane gestures with her hands. A slight shimmering envelopes her briefly before fading.

Casting Mage Armor on herself.

"What if I only have one blade, Sour? Should I still get it out?" asks Talia, smirking.

Peredur, I can dig it -- I welcome improv -- too bad you missed that check

Lazne yelps and starts backing up, southward, toward a large gravestone, apparently seeking cover.

The fog swirls and finally parts as the wings of the large creature beat choppily in the cold night. The mist finally parts revealing the creature in more definition -- a lion's body with a humanoid head, dragon-like wings, and a tail ending in long sharp spikes.

As it wings into clear view, a low growl can be heard, sounding vaguely like a word -- "flessshhh". The creature flies within 20 feet of the group, swinging its tail in a wide arc, flinging 4 large spikes toward the group.

2 of the spikes miss Peredur and Talia by a wide margin. 2 of the spikes strike Sour Heck and Talia, dealing 8 and 9 points of damage, respectively.

At this moment, the creature is in mid-flight, about 20 feet from the group and 15 feet up.

All PC's may act

KN Arcana: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10

Iesha pulls out her crossbow and fires at the unknown but obviously hostile creature.

attack lt crossbow: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17
damage lt crossbow: 1d8 ⇒ 4

Knowledge (arcana) 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (18) + 11 = 29

"The only meat on the menu this night is your own, beast! Tempestas ex sectura!" Eloise thunders, one hand raised before her like a claw. A cone of dirt, gravel and pebbles fills the area where the manticore is clumsily flapping around.

"This beast is a manticore!" she shouts to the others. "Its claws are the most dangerous! Try to kill it from a distance if at all possible! It can claw and beat at the same time, but it can only shoot its spikes six times a day!"

Eloise casts Stone Call on the manticore's area for 2d6 ⇒ (2, 4) = 6 bludgeoning damage. Guaranteed hit, no save, spell resistance does not apply.

Peredur returns fire, his arrow sticking shallowly in the creature's flesh.

Arrow to manticore: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22
Arrow damage, if applicable: 1d8 ⇒ 1

Sour Heck’s buffs make Iesha’s attack roll 19 and her damage roll 6. They make Peredur’s attack roll 24 and his damage roll 3.

Sour Heck winces as he pulls the manticore’s spike out of his thigh. “So I can expect five more of those? Fantastic.”

Sour Heck maintains his bardic performance.

The bard pulls a whetted dagger from his belt and hurls it at the hovering beast, then steps towards the nearest cover.

Thrown dagger attack: 1d20 + 2 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 2 + 1 + 1 = 17
Thrown dagger damage: 1d4 + 2 + 1 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 2 + 1 + 1 + 1 = 7

Party buffs: +2 to attack rolls and weapon damage (+1 competence from Inspire Courage, +1 morale from Flagbearer); +1 to saves versus fear and charm effects (from both).

Talia grabs at her arm where the spike from the creature's tail clearly protrudes. Her face a mask of pain, her fingers flash in the air then cup her mouth as though she were shouting at the beast.

Talia casts "Ear-Piercing Scream" - Dazed for 1 round; 2d6 damage. Fort DC 14 negates Dazed and halves damage - 2d6 ⇒ (3, 2) = 5

Talia then dashes out of the way, scrambling for cover and swearing under her breath, holding her arm to staunch the bleeding.

The manticore winces in pain as each blow lands. Between the falling rocks and shattering scream, it tumbles and falls 10 feet, barely crashing into the ground. It moans as it tries to avoid each attack only to be struck again and again.

"Intruders. Suffer!"

It's wing beat ferociously as it struggles to fly near enough one of you to attack.

It swings nearest to Eloise and reaches out with both of its claws, striking her solidly with each. It continues it's loppy flight but only manages to get about 15 feet beyond Eloise before turning to the left in an obvious attempt to circle back around. It is dangerously close to Lazne, who is panicking behind a gravestone.

No one is more than 30 feet from the beast at this point. It is 5 feet off the ground and circling left.

Eloise is struck for 7 and 10 points of raking claw damage.

All PC's may act

Peredur drops his bow and closes with the manticore, but coordinating drawing his sword and seating his shield leaves him with a lamentable lack of accuracy on his swing.

Sword to creature, incl. bardic bonus: 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 8 + 2 = 15

Perform (sing) 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 13

A vaguely discordant noise fills the air; it's Eloise, singing an Azlant battle-hymn at the top of her voice as she charges after the creature that just clawed her so keenly. At the end of her charge, the Chelishwoman lashes out with her sword, magic glimmering around its black blade as it bites into the monster's flesh.

Swift action to use a pool point for +1 enhancement to my sword. Attack roll 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (16) + 11 = 27; damage roll 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12

I'm at 17 hp, so I wouldn't mind a bit of healing if anyone can get it to me. ^^;

Eloise, did you remember the bardic bonus? +2 to hit and to damage?

No, but I do recall that between us, we probably have this manticore flanked, so you hit the sucker as well... ^^ I'll edit mine in now.

Peredur, I hope it’s OK if I do a few things that might make you want to revise your turn--you’ll probably need to roll damage on the beast.

Watching the beast struggle to stay in the air, Sour Heck arches an eyebrow critically. “I believe that creature might be drunker than we are, Lazne.”

Sour Heck maintains Inspire Courage as a free action.

Anger clouds his face as the creature slashes at Eloise. “Peredur, it’s hurting her!” He throws back his head and sounds a Kellid war cry, full of berzerk energy.

Sour Heck casts Rage on Peredur.

He then moves to put cover between him and the beast again, shouting encouragement as the others engage the creature.

Sour Heck casts Gallant Inspiration as an immediate action on another player's turn if an attack roll misses.

Gallant Inspiration--add this competence bonus to the first of our attack rolls that miss this round, possibly making it a hit. I factored in a -1 because it doesn’t stack with Inspire Courage: 2d4 - 1 ⇒ (4, 2) - 1 = 5

Party buffs: +2 to attack rolls and weapon damage (+1 competence from Inspire Courage, +1 morale from Flagbearer); +1 morale to saves versus fear and charm effects (from both).

Peredur buffs: +2 morale to strength and constitution, +1 morale to will saves, and -2 AC from Rage.

Damage, if flanking and it hits, incl. bardic bonus and rage: 1d8 + 3 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 3 + 2 + 1 = 11

Seeing the beast's claws tear into Eloise, Talia dashes forward, her arm outstretched in aid and watching the creature warily.

Healing Hex on Eloise: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

Thanks, Talia! Now at 25 of 34. That Hex sure hit the spot! ^^

Iesha nods as Talia heals Eloise. "Anyone else need healed? Or should I just keep shooting?"

The manticore screams in rage as Peredur and Eloise slice at it with their weapons. It continues banking to the left and begins to circle around now. It gains a little altitude as it flies, beating its wings furiously as it attempts to fly out of reach of the biting swords. Large swirls appear in the fog at each wing beat.

The creature manages to fly up to 15 feet of the ground, but is only about 20 feet from Eloise and Peredur at this point. It is 30 feet from everyone else.

Gobs of blood fall from the manticore's back and are buffeted by the massively beating wings, creating a small rain of blood in the area. The manticore glances backwards towards its wounded flank and emits a blood curdling scream, "Lucky tonight, but I'll hunt you all". It whips its tail in a circular motion over its back, and with a flick, launches a volley of spikes towards Eloise and Peredur. It turns its head northward.

Two of the spikes strike Peredur (for 18 total damage), while another two slam solidly into Eloise (for 14 damage).

All PC's may act

Eloise grunts with pain, but keeps moving as best she can. The instant she is within sufficient distance, she raises a hand towards the Manticore and chants a brief spell. Flames burst from her fingertips, enveloping the flesh-eating creature!

Eloise moves up to distance (15 ft.) and casts Burning Hands. DC15 Reflex save for the Manticore to halve 4d4 ⇒ (4, 3, 2, 1) = 10 fire damage.

Eloise is at 11 hp.

"Hey you jamoke!" Talia yells at the flying beast. "I just healed her!" Her left eye flashes green as she points at the fleeing creature.

Evil Eye Hex - Will Save DC 15 - -2 on Attack Rolls for 6 rounds (1 round w/ save)

Peredur retreats back to where he dropped his bow, scooping it up off the ground and preparing to fire.

Sour Heck looks downcast. “You could have just left without making threats, and I wouldn’t have to...” His voice deepens and his face darkens as he groans the words of a ghastly joke in the speech of the dead.

"کتے نے میری کوئی ناک ہے. ناسیکا نہیں ہے وہ بھانپنا کیسے بہت بر ہے!"

Sour Heck casts Hideous Laughter at the manticore (DC 15, +4 to the beast’s saving throws since it’s a different type).

Party buffs: +2 to attack rolls and weapon damage (+1 competence from Inspire Courage, +1 morale from Flagbearer); +1 morale to saves versus fear and charm effects (from both);

Peredur buffs: +2 morale to strength and constitution, +1 morale to will saves, and -2 AC from Rage.

Iesha rushes over and heals Eloise as well.

Spontaneous cast cure moderate 2d8 + 4 ⇒ (1, 6) + 4 = 11

As the manticore is attempting to leave, it is struck by Eloise's fire, which it manages to miss much of. As Talia casts her hex, a strange look overcomes the Manticore. Finally, Sour Heck's joke causes the manticore to double over in mad fits of laughter. It plummets 20 feet to the ground with a large thud, falling prone.

Its laughter quickly turns to sporadic chuckles as it lay there on the ground, quickly regaining its senses.

At this point, the manticore is about 20 feet away from the group, on the ground. It seems to be regaining its composure, but is still prone.

It appears too busy this round to utter anything meaningful.

All PC's may act

Eloise raises her blade and simply charges the Manticore, roaring at the top of her lungs. An odd shimmer of power surrounds the steel as the Chelishwoman rushes forward, and delivers the most powerful blow she can.

Eloise uses a swift action to burn a power pool point and add a +1 enhancement to her sword. She then runs up to the manticore and attacking: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 27 for damage 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12

Peredur shrugs and goes for the fallen manticore with his sword, trying to flank with Eloise.

Attempt to carve creature, incl. bardic bonus, flank, and prone target: 1d20 + 8 + 2 + 2 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 8 + 2 + 2 + 4 = 30
Damage, incl. bardic bonus: 1d8 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 3 + 2 = 7

Iesha casts shield, then moves to the combat, waiting for a chance to heal Peredur as well.

The manticore screams in blind fury as it is hacked from cold steel from both Eloise and Peredur. The light in its eyes fades slowly, turning from fiery red to dull, dark grey.

It has died.

There are no more apparent threats for the moment. Lazne calls out after a moment, "Is it dead? Are ya sure?"

Eloise, her body covered with blood and sweat, casts a dull-eyed glance at Lazne and then looks back at the manticore. Slowly, she takes her blade in a two-handed grip and raises it above her head.

"NnnrrrRRRRAAAAAGGGHH!"

The blade flashes down, and the manticore's head parts ways with the stump of its neck.

"Yes," the Chelishwoman says, as she glares daggers at Lazne. "I am."