Villains! You've committed acts of great and terrible evil. But now comes your greatest challenge yet. You must find and take control of the Dark Tower, and unleash horror upon the Kingdom of Talingarde.
Really, the monk would be nothing more than an awkward female zombie. Probably 12 hp and not much AC. If you want a more powerful undead, there is the spell Create Undead. However, it specifically says that the undead created are not under the command of the creator unless some ability to command undead such as negative energy channeling with related feats. Also, the spell is a 6th level spell.
If you want a companion/familiar/eidolon or something similar, then you need levels in that class. DMDM would have to decide if you could attract an undead follower with the Leadership feat, but it would still be a max of your CR-2 (i.e. 2 levels below for living followers), which would not make it a very powerful, or durable undead.
Well, Enver's staff -- sorry, Raisa's staff -- is a pretty powerful item. And I'm willing to award good RPing, which this certainly is. Still thinking about how to play this.
Female Aasimar Wizard 6 (HP 53/53; AC 18/18/15; CMD 16 Fort +5; Ref +7 Will +8; Init +3; Perception +11; Darkvision 60 ft)
Remember this post from long ago December 3, 2012?
Cуровую зиму wrote:
Dren of the Dark Tapestry wrote:
Do the two of you always interact in this manner?
What is it's purpose?
Do you seek dominance over each other?
Do you wish to destroy each other?
From a game standpoint, if say, at level 8 or so, were Cуровую to have my hands wrapped around Elise's neck and her hands around mine as we plummet down a waterfall, I would be quite content with this campaign.
I was about to read the posts about meeting the Eighth but if I do that will most likely rile me up and I wont get sleep.
I will power nap (going on 42 hours no sleep), go to school then resume back here before going to work.
Female Aasimar Wizard 6 (HP 53/53; AC 18/18/15; CMD 16 Fort +5; Ref +7 Will +8; Init +3; Perception +11; Darkvision 60 ft)
Douglas Muir 406 wrote:
Well, Enver's staff -- sorry, Raisa's staff -- is a pretty powerful item. And I'm willing to award good RPing, which this certainly is. Still thinking about how to play this.
I have been thinking of this as the 'reward' for that troublesome monk even BEFORE the staff switched hands, I was thinking Cуровую would owe Enver a favor and would have requested a copy of a spell to create undead. Who knew Enver was not a Necromancer, or that he was a traitor or that he would wind up as one of his cherished creations.
Now Cуровую owes one to Raisa. And Jax's booty.
DM can this more for story and plot elements, although I have some fun ideas as well, I need to look up Necromancy spells. I have a few fun ideas and will read up on Necromancy later.
Okay, here she is. The staff could create more powerful and intelligent undead, but that thing is a PITA to recharge, so you're getting something simple, basically for lulz. She's bound to the staff, but Raisa has ordered her to obey Zimu's instructions, so she'll do that. She's a zombie with no Int score, so simple instructions only, and she only obeys Zimu. Note that she is obviously dead, so you can't walk around town with her. I'll assume that you kept her down in the bilges on the barge, then stashed her in a shallow grave while you went into town.
She's CR 1, so unlikely to last very long with this group, but you can have fun using her to search for traps or whatever.
Advanced Fast Brain-eating Zombie (CR 1):
NE Medium undead
Init +2; Senses darkvision 60 ft.; Perception +2
DEFENSE
AC 16, touch 10, flat-footed 14 (+4 Dex, +2 natural)
hp 16 (2d8+3+4)
Fort +0, Ref +4, Will +5
Immune undead traits
OFFENSE
Spd 40 ft.
Melee 2 slams +6 (1d6+5) or one bite (1d3+2)
Special Attacks quick strikes
STATISTICS
Str 21, Dex 18, Con —, Int —, Wis 14, Cha 14
Base Atk +1; CMB +6; CMD 20
Feats Toughness
SPECIAL ABILITIES
Quick Strikes (Ex): Whenever a fast zombie takes a full-attack action, it can make one additional slam attack at its highest base attack bonus.
Brain Consumption (Ex): When the zombie makes a successful grapple check to deal damage with its bite attack against a pinned or helpless living foe, the latter must succeed on a DC 15 Fortitude save or die as the zombie consumes its brain. Creatures immune to critical hits and those with multiple heads are not killed by this attack. Upon consuming a fresh (dead less than 1 minute) brain, the zombie gets d8+1 temporary hp and a +1 unholy bonus to attack rolls and saves for the next hour.
"I think there's a setting to make her infectious, like? So she turns people she bites into more zombies? But I haven't got all the fine points of this thing figured out yet. Enver," she wrinkles her nose, "liked making a big mystery of things. What a jerk he was! I'm so glad we killed him!"
Opps forgot, please add +4 to that intimidate for a total score of 29.
The Baron flinches away from the aura of dark fire that seems to crackle around Sir Edmin.
Sense Motive DC 18:
He is shocked and shaken. Nobody has dared talk to him like this in a long, long time. He's not even sure what a Champion of Asmodeus is, but he's definitely not used to people being completely unafraid of him.
The choice is yours. Support the side that will win and sit atop this land. Or support the side that will lose, even it it remains in power, and spend the rest of your life watching behind you for the next Inquisitor.
Diplomacy: 1d20+15 <-- -4 if small is applicable
Why would small be... oh, right, /smell/. It is.
That said, you've caught his attention. "High in the First's ranks, you say." Glancing sidelong at Sir Edmin, the Baron walks across the room to where his family's coat of arms is hanging on the wall. He speaks softly. "I was too young to fight when my father and his cousin, King Jaraad of Barca, were both slain at the Battle of Tamberlyn. When the Victor came to power, he allowed us to keep our holdings... if we would only pay a fine, renounce the worship of Asmodeus and swear fealty to the new king and his House." The Baron's handsome face suddenly writhes with anger, decades of frustration and humiliation. "We, the noblest blood of the realm, graciously allowed by the upstart to keep most of what was rightfully ours! Too young to fight, but not too young to bend the knee!"
The Baron turns back towards you. "But I also lived through the Asmodean purges of Markadian IV, called the Zealous. I saw many of my fellows stripped of title and fortune and burned at the stake. Of course, I was clever enough to avoid their fate and keep my fortune, my station and my life. And for fifty years, I have been the secret master of this town." The Baron falls silent for a moment, brooding.
DC 16 Sense Motive:
The Baron's wounded pride and vanity are very near the surface. He fears the inquisitors and the stake, and the upset of his comfortable and safe life here. But on the other hand, his hatred for the House of Darius is a mile wide.
DC 21 Sense Motive:
You're close. But it's not ambition that drives the Baron so much as jealousy, envy, and the injured pride of a noble house that has been knocked down a peg or two from the very top. Of course, most of the loss is intangible. He's still rich and powerful; he's just no longer the second most important noble house. The Baron is the sort of person for whom that just makes it all worse. Really, mercy was a mistake in this case. The Victor should have just killed him.
He'd like to be even more rich and powerful, of course. But most of all, he wants to see the current rulers of Talingarde -- especially the Mitran Church, and most especially House Darius -- brought low and crushed.
HP 169/169; AC:37/21/29; Saves: +22/+23/+20; Init +10; Per +28(See Invisibility), CMD 42
Misc:
Effects: Resist Cold 30, Fly 30', Telepathic Bond
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21 and again 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21
While seeming uninterested in the conversation until now, Jax will speak up. "While our dear silver-tongued Judge touches on what I feel are the most important points..there is another in helping us. You say you have been a secret master of the town? And yet who sits on the throne in Talingarde still, hm? The Victor's line still rules and the Church of Mitra's fires still burn brightly. You should know that Asmodeus grants not just riches, but revenge to those who desire it."
He pauses, his smile an attempt at being friendly. "Did you know our Champion was once a soldier in the army? He stood at the Wall to the north. I'm sure you've heard the news of what happened there. Once, the foolish, fat priests and idiotic captain ruled Balentyne. Well, our friend here has had his revenge. Their corpses lay split and decaying across bloodied stones. Ash and the weeping of babes covers their corpses. Crows pick at their eyes."
"Do you not wish the same reward, Baron?"
Rolling diplomacy v DC 10 to assist the Judge. 1d20 ⇒ 10
HP 169/169; AC:37/21/29; Saves: +22/+23/+20; Init +10; Per +28(See Invisibility), CMD 42
Misc:
Effects: Resist Cold 30, Fly 30', Telepathic Bond
Xenfal's Burial:
Jax may be easily distracted by rich portraits and piles of gold but he wouldn't miss Cymu's simple burial. He'd likely wait a ways away, perched atop a rock, bearing Xen's hat upon his head and twirling a dagger between his fingers. He makes no offerings of words or gifts to the dead, merely the respect of his presence. When the witch is done, he'll walk up to the rapidly filling grave and simply nod his head toward her, taking the hat off with a flourish and bowing toward the grave. Himself, as silent as Xenfal's fallen corpse.
The Judge reaches into his pouch and takes out a small piece of chalk, he holds it up and looks at it, slowly turning it in his fingers. He then looks back at the Baron:
This is so like those who rule this land. White, pristine, and capable of leaving their mark. The Judge pauses and draws a line on his hand with the chalk.
But, do you know what else this chalk, the ruling family, and the useless Mitrans have in common? The Judge begins to crush the end of the chalk causing small pieces and chalk dust to fall to the floor. They can both be crushed. The Judge then puts the chalk back in his pocked and rubs his hands together dislodging the white line he had drawn there. They can both be erased. He then blows the remaining dust clinging to his withered hand away. They can both be blown away so that they are nothing more than a bad memory.
Tohram then returns his hands to his pockets.
The question is not which side will win. The question is which side will give you what you want most?
"Pretty words and speeches Baron, but need to decide right now if you are a true follower and believer in the Dark Prince or if you are going to sit on the fence with a foot on each side hoping no one dislodges you? If so do you think either side will reward you?
You know that The Dark Prince does not reward the weak, and the followers of Mitra will burn you if they find you. Why are you not jumping at the chance to help us? Show the Dark Prince that you are strong! Show him that you are worthy of his blessing Baron!
Or just sit here and hide. You said your are this towns secret master, do you like it? Do you not chafe at having to remain in secret? Join us Baron! Get off your arse and show what you are made of! Be a true nobile of the new Talengarde!
Or die, here in this comfortable home, hiding from everything and never risking anything.
An army marches from the North Baron! An army blessed by the Dark Prince! When did this last happen? When? When has this cursed land been rocked to it's foundation like this? I will tell you when!"
Edmin storms forward and points his axe at the Baron's Coat of Arms as he continues. "You saw it! You where there for it! Your family paid for it!
Make them pay Baron! Make them pay for what they did to your family! Make them burn for what they did to you!"
The Baron stands for a long moment, his handsome face twisted in an agony of indecision. Then he suddenly turns to you.
"Very well! It is true -- an opportunity like this comes only once in a lifetime. I shall support you." He raises his glass. "To the greater glory of the Dark Lord -- and the destruction of House Darius! To a new Talingarde!"
The centerpiece is an entire giant crayfish, big as a man, boiled in savory spices and served with tubs of melted butter. A dozen delightful side dishes complement it, along with hundred year old brandy ("laid down by my father") and bottle after bottle of fine wine.
(At a guess, the Judge picks at his food while Dren and Edmin eat stolidly, refueling rather than enjoying. Only the two epicures, Jax and Zimu, really get the full benefit of the magnificent meal.)
The Baron has to be discreet once servants begin coming in and out with food and drink. Still, he has a few things to tell you.
"There's a... private entrance, to my mansion. A tunnel that leads from my cellars to an absolutely unassuming little hovel on the edge of town. I'll give you a key, Judge, and you can come and go.
"The Caer Bryr, eh? Yes, there's something bad out there for sure. There were always stories about the Victor's mysterious expedition. I was little more than a child, but I know that most of them didn't come back. Those that did had haunted eyes and never spoke of what they found.
"Yes, I knew of the Cardinal's first expedition. He told me, but did not ask my help. I'm not surprised they went astray! It's an old story here in Farholde. Every few years, a new generation gets the brilliant idea - let’s explore the Bryr! The results are usually much the same: few survivors. Those that do come back spin tales of an endless wilderness of monsters and barbarians.
"No, I can't tell you much about them. I had them watched, of course. There were four of them. They stayed at the Wandering Friar for five days -- that's an inn just across the square from the cathedral. One of them was impersonating a novice of the Order. Plausible enough; many older women join the Order after their children have grown and moved on. She spent two days each at the convent and then at the cathedral... looking in their records for details of the Victor's expedition, I should guess. Likely she found something, for they departed quietly before dawn the next day."
The centerpiece is an entire giant crayfish, big as a man, boiled in savory spices and served with tubs of melted butter. A dozen delightful side dishes complement it, along with hundred year old brandy ("laid down by my father") and bottle after bottle of fine wine.
(At a guess, the Judge picks at his food while Dren and Edmin eat stolidly, refueling rather than enjoying. Only the two epicures, Jax and Zimu, really get the full benefit of the magnificent meal.)
The Judge does pick at this food and politely drinks some red wine. However the lack of very rare red meat makes the meal less enjoyable.
Male Human Oracle (FC) 15 Init: +8 Perc: +0 AC:24/14/20 F:+13 R:+14 W:+15 HP:124/124 Freedom of movement, Resist Cold/30, Air Walk 30'
Dren actually enjoys his meal more than normal, although he is careful not to wash it down with too much wine.
The exotic crab inspires him to eat his fill and he has to exert his will too often to stop the dark tentacles of force from appearing around him to lift the food off his plate and place it in his mouth. He sighs at the farce he must continue until the day he can surround himself with their essence when he wishes.
Their lure grows stonger...yet he knows he can master them. He focus' back on the dinner conversation.
So there is little else you can tell us about the route to this Bryr or what is there?
Male Human Oracle (FC) 15 Init: +8 Perc: +0 AC:24/14/20 F:+13 R:+14 W:+15 HP:124/124 Freedom of movement, Resist Cold/30, Air Walk 30'
After the dinner, Do you wish me to go to the Cathedral and see what I can find out? I can easily pose as a traveling Acolyte or holy person and see what I can find out. Perhaps I should take Jax with me as an assistant?
Judge, your smell is starting eminate to far to be wandering around the such places.
Doug, our amulets are still covering our alignment correct?
After the dinner, Do you wish me to go to the Cathedral and see what I can find out? I can easily pose as a traveling Acolyte or holy person and see what I can find out. Perhaps I should take Jax with me as an assistant?
Judge, your smell is starting eminate to far to be wandering around the such places.
That's up to the party. The Baron isn't going to give you advice -- he's neither a minion or a boss, but an ally. If you need a secure base of operations in town, he can provide it.
Quote:
Doug, our amulets are still covering our alignment correct?
Correct. Mind, they haven't been tested against a serious high-level cleric or paladin yet. OTOH, they did get past the late Commander Havelyn.
Ulp eats with reckless abandon, he cares little for table manners or the like. He makes a point to try all the different wines, more in a researching way, rather.
He observes the debate/discussion with the Baron with amusement
Stupid humans and elves. Posturing all the time. I would love to poison this one.
[ooc] That is just Ulps face. not particularly sad, but that is why he has such a low CHA, he is just pathetic looking[/oo]
M DEAD KILLED BY DMDM Lore Warden 2/Arcane Duelist 3
Stats:
HP 4/45; AC 20(25 w def/CE)/16(21)/14; CMD 19; Init +5; Perception +4; Fort +7 (8 vs Poison), Ref +9, Will +3; Fire Res 1; BP 10/12; Spells Lvl 1 3/4 Initiative +5
Xen watches the funeral with fascination. Didn't know anyone really cared. Shame I had to go and get killed. Oh that wine is delicious...I miss that most of all! Well at least they didn't turn me into a shambling corpse...ugh the smell. Xen's ghostly form shudders.
Perhaps it is their imagination but Jax is sure he feels a pat on the shoulder and Zimu is sure she felt a swat on the bum
During dinner, Do you have any contacts at the Cathedral who are...allied with your cause that can help us to get information?
"As far as I know, I am the last disciple of the Dark Faith left in Farholde. The Inquisition rooted out all the others. In a few cases, I helped them!" The Baron smirks, remembering. "Always a good way to distract the hounds' attention: give them some fresh meat... still, even with my resources, it was a close-run thing." The Baron shakes his head solemnly.
Okay, then: you get a pleasant evening's rest at the Baron's, as honored guests.
Judge:
The Judge is restless at night. You find you're sleeping less and less -- and when you do, it just makes more sense to do it during the day, sheltered from the painful glare of the burning sun.
If this goes on, you may start having to make saves to avoid being Fatigued during the day. (Of course, eventually it won't be an issue...)
Jax:
Jax is very comfortable here. Silk sheets, thick carpets, fine art on the walls... Horn House was more than comfortable, but this is rich. This is the life you've always deserved.
Dren:
Dren sleeps well through the first part of the night. After the moon sets, though, there is nothing but dark skies dotted with stars. You push open the window, stare up hungrily at the darkness for a long time. The voices mutter senselessly, comfortingly. It's still a long way off, but something wonderful will come.
Zimu:
Zimu sleeps badly; her dreams are uneasy, and she tosses and turns. Then suddenly she falls into a dream that seems all too real: a great hideous face is leering in the window at her. She wakes just in time to stifle a shriek. There is nothing at the window but the waning moon, its pale light making a white puddle at the foot of the bed.
SHE had left The Dark Prince's Triple Realm via a Wish and arrived in one of HER own favored palace fortresses. The arch daemons in attendance at HER court, among the mightiest of their kind, who were squabbling and posturing amongst themselves in HER court took immediate notice as SHE, their Fell Lord and Mistress, graced them with HER presence, and as a unified group took a knee and bowed low.
Each daemon of at court was mighty in its own right. Some held key portions of infinite nether world as their own fiefs, others had seduced great mortal kings to their wills, and yet others were desperately sought as councilors by other powers on the lower planes.
With a single, near unseen gesture from a small finger SHE dismissed them all, not unlike how a great hunting cat would scatter the meekest of herd animals.
SHE still derived a small pleasure from that.
While the pleasures of the Dark Prince's company were legendary, SHE could only neglect HER 'duties' for so long.
It was time to check on HER charges, after all, one must leave one eye watching their family, lest one of their family leave you with one less eye.
SHE gestured into the now empty great hall of HER court, slowly, then begun to build upon them. More gestures, with increasing tempo, each intricate pattern more inhuman than the last, arcane movements that would dumfound the greatest wizards who foolishly called themselves archmages, but SHE knew all of these motions and was well practiced in them. SHE was well taught by MOTHER.
Many windows to other planes and worlds began to open, and SHE could view them all at once if SHE wished or focus on one if SHE took that fancy.
Now SHE just had to pick witch sibling to look upon.
Many thanks to the research of one of our lurkers it was a help for me writing this.
Female Aasimar Wizard 6 (HP 53/53; AC 18/18/15; CMD 16 Fort +5; Ref +7 Will +8; Init +3; Perception +11; Darkvision 60 ft)
Family
Don't play games, Win them.
- - - -
Cуровую and Elise are Dancing at the ball. But, oh no! Each are wearing the same dress, all white and ivory. Best change color.
They both change at the same instant. Cуровую now wears an obsidian black dress. Elise's new dress is jet black.
No time to change again!
Because now they are Dancing, at a very quick step and they know, if either ever makes a wrong step, well that one dies.
Cуровую and Elise are dancing, step to step, step and step. Cуровую hopes Elise will stumble but she doesn't.
"I strike," says Cуровую, "and you parry."
"I strike," Elise replies, "and you parry."
The Dance is faster now, to music only they can hear. A whirlwind would have trouble keeping up.
"I still have better style" Cуровую tries to sound certain.
She is ignored.
"I prefer the bowling metaphor anyways" says Elise dreamily, turning to the music in a perfect pirouette. "I strike, and they scatter."
"But then you're not a queen," Cуровую replies nastily, "you're just a Queen pin, too many desserts!"
"Jealous!" It's a statement not a question. Elise smiles, perfect teeth and perfect confidence. "This Queen will have no King, little cousin, but an Ace of hearts and another Ace in the hole, always. Black is the new black, little cousin, and clubs are trumps. Your Joker was wild, little cousin, but you lost him. What's left in your hand?"
"I have... jacks?" Cуровую is sadly and terribly unsure, and it's terrible to be unsure at the ball. Cуровую can't run away, because you can't get out of the dance. In a moment they'll all see and start laughing. Elise smiles, and her eyes are full of hateful triumph.
They continue Dancing, to music only they can hear, at a very quick step, for if either ever makes a wrong step, that one dies.
Okay, next day: after a lovely big breakfast, you're on the loose on an absolutely beautiful spring day in Farholde. The sun is shining, the birds are singing, and the Ninth Knot is ready to start ripping a hole in reality to call up a monstrously powerful death fiend to unleash a nightmare plague upon the innocent and unsuspecting people of Talingarde! But where to begin?
A) The convent of St. Celeste, let's. Nuns militant... sounds interesting. The Baron said one of the Seventh was disguised as an aspirant of the Order.
B) The Cathedral, of course. The Baron says that was the last place the Seventh visited,. They must have found something important there.
C) The Wandering Friar, naturally. That's where they were staying, so logically that's where you'd look for clues as to where they went.
D) SCOOBY DOO! The clock is ticking. Let's split up and check them all.
"Hello, little cousin! It's a very particular pleasure." She leans forward a little, smiling. "I feel we're getting closer, you know? Closer every day."
Female Aasimar Wizard 6 (HP 53/53; AC 18/18/15; CMD 16 Fort +5; Ref +7 Will +8; Init +3; Perception +11; Darkvision 60 ft)
Judge Tohram Quasangi wrote:
The Judge turns and stares at Elise. That is a new in your hair isn't it? After knowing your cousin for these months, I would have expected something with more class from someone in your family.
The Judge turns and looks back to Cy:
It will be wonderful in the history books that the Ninth and the Fourth will be front and center as those who destroyed the impenetrable wall. The Eighth on the other hand, will probably be a footnote about the social conventions of the day.
Up until this point Cуровую had not noticed what beautiful blood shot and throbbing red eyes the Judge had.
Female Aasimar Wizard 6 (HP 53/53; AC 18/18/15; CMD 16 Fort +5; Ref +7 Will +8; Init +3; Perception +11; Darkvision 60 ft)
Douglas Muir 406 wrote:
"Hello, little cousin! It's a very particular pleasure." She leans forward a little, smiling. "I feel we're getting closer, you know? Closer every day."
If you click on the "time/date" on the right hand side of the post, it will take you to a sub-page with the exact post. Then just cut and paste that link into your new post using the [url=xxx] method.
Chance of finding someone to craft: 1d100 ⇒ 9 <-- <50 = yes
The Judge, on the first day in Farholde, will search out an arcanist capable of crafting a Bag of Holding II and will hire him to make one for the Judge.
Cost: 5000
While with the Baron, the Judge will inquire about skilled craftsmen who are capable of building a quality, but not excessive, coffin.
Let me know what a coffin costs, I am not looking for anything fancy.
Bag of Hold II - 5000 - ready in 10 days - can I have ordered this on the day we arrived to save a day of crafting?
Feather Step Slippers - 2000
Armor +1 - 1000 - ready in 2 days
Coffin - 5
-------
And, now I am broke.
Sense Motive 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26
- -
Looking for anything of key interest at the Baron's, be it the Baron, his staff or residence
Perception 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (20) + 11 = 31
Edit DM rolled a Nat 20 for Perception under spoiler.
Also with Knowledge Nobility 21, Cуровую would have remembered Sir Dale, a Barca, Cousin twice removed to the last Barcan king, son of the second most noble house in the kingdom, died in an expedition with Sir Nonus. Maybe not the best time to tell Edmin this though.
HP 169/169; AC:37/21/29; Saves: +22/+23/+20; Init +10; Per +28(See Invisibility), CMD 42
Misc:
Effects: Resist Cold 30, Fly 30', Telepathic Bond
Before leaving the Baron's Mansion
"Baron, if I may, I have a few questions for you. I dearly hope you can assist us in our endeavors. I do not know much about the Order and hope you can share some information with us. If we are to investigate in the Seventh's wake, it would do to know what ploy they used to ask about the expedition.
Who typically joins the Order? And what sort of pilgrimage would bring someone here to them?"
"Additionally, Baron, using your illustrious connections would it be possible to secure a pair of potential merchants and their young scribe a place of appropriate lodging in the city?"
