DM Jelani's Carrion Crown

Game Master Brian Minhinnick

"I don't drink." He says sourly.

sense motive: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21

Well then I'm sorry to have wasted your time.

By the end of the conversation Antons hands have curled into tight fists and he begins to walk away, deliberately not meeting B'yelkas gaze

Janos gives the man a mocking bow and turns to follow Anton. When they're back with the others at the statue he says, "Well as unpleasant as that was, he truly seems unaware of anything about the vandalism. "

Tibideau shrugs at Anton as he and Janos return to the group. "Some people are just so... uncooperative!"

He turns to face the whole group. "Should we head to the Restlands, then?"

"Unless there is some other fruitless distraction we can be delayed by, then yes, let us depart at last for the Restlands." Dantrian's tone is quite dry. If he's trying to hide his disapproval for visiting the statue first, he's doing a poor job of it.

Janos smiles at Dantrian's impatience. "Yes, yes, the Restlands. Let's go." He sets off in that direction.

The party makes it to the gravesite without interruption this time. They find it as they last saw it, with the exception that there is a hole in the ground and coffin underneath where the Professor's zombie apparently fought its way forth. Two of the other graves nearby have similar holes.

Drosil examines the area around the gravesite to see if there are any clues as to who might have performed the necromancy.

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15

There are no fresh tracks, or anything else that would indicate someone was here since the funeral.

Janos takes note of the other graves, the men's names, and when they died. At the least, we can report this to Father Grimburrow. Whoever they were, they deserved a better fate than being used after death.

Perception, Take 20: 20 + 8 = 28

Assuming nothing else is found
Janos kneels down to try and determine the tracks the zombies made from the others the day before. "Let's see if these zombies went straight to Kendra's or if they visited anyone else before."
Survival (Tracking), Take 20: 20 + 6 + 2 + 1 = 29

You take note of their names.

With Janos' skill at tracking he is able to see that they came out of the graves, wandered around for a few steps and then headed off in the direction of town. He'd have to follow them the whole way to be sure, but the direction is right for Kendra's place.

"They lead back towards town like expected. I suggest we follow them, just to be sure. Unless anyone has anything else to do."

Well this is defintitely exciting. Lead on, Janos.

Barring any objections the group begins to walk back towards town as Janos follows the trail of the zombies. They make it back to the part of the cemetery where they were attacked by the mob during the funeral before they hear a strange scraping sound coming from off amongst the gravestones.

Map

The scratching noise is coming from near the yellow circle.

Drosil will sneak over to the area and take a quick look.

Stealth: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (11) + 9 = 20

Janos circles around and crouches near the tree, looking toward the sounds.

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22

"What is that noise? Do you all hear it?"
Dantrian walks gingerly over toward the source of the scratching, his eyes narrowed in focus. Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25

Anton slowly takes his bow off his back and nicks an arrow.

I've got you covered Drosil. he whispers as he also creeps toward the noise, 20 feet to his friends left.

Stealth: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11

…!

He winches as he hears the loud crunch of a twig beneath his boot.

Tibideau hangs back and watches the others, nearly leaping in his purple boots with excitement. He rouses his sleepy turtle in case more monsters emerge from the grave. This is JUST like one of those scary novels that Monique likes to read!

The sounds seem to be coming from the ground itself. As Drosil crouches to pinpoint the location a bloody skeletal hand bursts from the soil to grab at his ankle. Several more come erupting out of other graves nearby.

Initiative
Skeletons 26
B'Yelka 23
Drosil 22
Janos 17
Anton 12
Dantrian 10
Tibideau 6

Begin Round 1
Initiative 26

Several bloody skeletons rips themselves from the soil, their eyes burning with glowing red hatred of the living. The grave under Drosil surges as the claws grab for his ankles.

Grapple 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10

Normally you would get an AOO Drosil, but you're flat footed. Also I don't think you've got a weapon out.

Everyone can act. Knowledge (Religion) to know about these things.

Map

Round 1

Again?!? Are we cursed?! Drosil draws his mace and attempts to break the skeletons' bones.

Move action: draw weapon
Standard action: attack
5' move to D16

Attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9
Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Not sure whether the skeletons count as being prone, or whether B'yelka is going to launch into song, so I posted damage anyway.

Round 1

"More undead monstrosities!"
Dantrian draws a morningstar from his side, sidles up next to Drosil, and takes a swing at Skeleton4.

Move Action: Draw Weapon
Free Action: 5ft step to D15
Standard Action: Swing Weapon

Morningstar (2-handed) vs Skeleton4: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12for: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

Round 1, Initiative 17

Janos curses as the bones crawl out of their graves. He grips his long axe and steps into the fray.

Move to E-13
Attack: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 4 + 2 = 15
Damage: 1d12 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 4 + 2 = 14

Almost expecting the scraping to be bad news, B'yelka begins singing immediately, her voice ringing out and providing vigor to her allies attacks.

Standard action to being Inspire Courage; Move action to draw her scourge

Round 1

Knowledge Religion: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 29

Tibideau sees the skeleton attempt to grab Drosil. How rude! As the other skeletons pop out of the ground, he scoots closer to the fray to square E19 and bellows a command in a terrifying arcane tongue.

Standard action cast Misfortune hex on the skeleton in square C15 to Drosil's left. DC 16 Will save or suffer grave misfortune for 1 round! For any attack roll, ability check, saving throw, or skill check, roll twice and take the worse result.

Tibideau - These are bloody skeletons. They can be best damaged with blunt weapons, and slowly regenerate. The only way to permanently kill them is to use positive energy, kill them inside a bless spell or sprinkle their remains with holy water.

Just a thought- do hexes work on mindless targets?

Hmmm... we can add +1 to hit and damage to Dantrian's actions thanks to B'yelka's lovely voice! =)

Non mind-effecting hexes work. So slumber no, misfortune yes.

Curse these foul creatures!.

Anton falls back to F9 and casts Disrupt Undead on the skeleton nearest him and Janos.

Activate Judgement of Destruction

DU: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21
Damage: 1d6 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 + 1 = 7

Round 1
Initiative 23

B'Yelka draws her whip and begins to sing.

Initiative 22

Drosil swings his mace and misses the skeleton that moments earlier was grabbing at him from halfway out of the ground.

Initiative 17

Janos moves over and deals a crushing axe blow, dropping one of the skeletons.

Initiative 12

Anton drops one of the skeletons with a burst of holy fire.

Initiative 10

Dantrian draws his morningstar and moves over to a skeleton.

Initiative 6

Will save 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14

Tibideau curses the skeleton next to Dantrian with misfortune.

End of Round 1
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Begin Round 2

Initiative
Skeletons 26
B'Yelka 23
Drosil 22
Janos 17
Anton 12
Dantrian 10
Tibideau 6

Initiative 26

The skeletons move foreword and attack.

#1 on Janos 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9

#2 on Dantrian 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

#3 on Dantrian 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 171d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15
Damage 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
#3 on Dantrian 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 151d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12

Everyone can act again.

Map

Round 2

Drosil flanks one of the skeletons attacking Dantrian and attacks.

5' move to C16 again

Attack (Bard song, flanking): 1d20 + 3 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 3 + 1 + 2 = 16
Damage (Bard song): 1d6 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 + 1 = 3

Maintaining his position, Anton levels his hand at the skeleton in D12.

Desna, send this thing on its way!

Disrupt Unread: 1d20 + 4 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 4 + 1 + 1 = 8
Damage: 1d6 + 1 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 + 1 + 1 = 9

Janos turns to see another skeleton swipe lazily at him. He easily avoids it and brings his axe around again.

Attack #1
Attack, Favored Enemy: 1d20 + 4 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 4 + 2 + 1 = 9
Damage: 1d12 + 4 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 4 + 2 + 1 = 19

Cackling madly, Tibideau moves a little closer to D19 and attempts to spread the grave misfortune to the skeleton in B15.

Another DC 16 Will save, please!

Correction: I had forgotten in my previous post that I was still bearing some wounds from the fracas with the zombies - so at the start of the fight I was at 8/10 hp rather than 10/10.

Observation: Assuming Skeleton 3's four attack rolls are from Tibideau's misfortune hex, I think the purple fop just saved my life! =P

Round 2

Dantrian grunts in pain as skeletal claws shred his left shoulder. Eyes narrowing dangerously, he lashes out at the same skeleton in retaliation. After hopefully landing a blow, he then takes a 5 foot step to D15.

Morningstar (2-handed) vs Skeleton 3: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17for: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

B'yelka sees her former tutor get struck again and in a mix of irritation and worry she steps forward, still singing and her scourge lashes out at one of the skeleton's legs.

Free Action maintain bardsong; Move action to D17, Standard action Trip the skellie in B15

1d20 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 1 + 2 = 16

He thinks your gray hair is a really good look, so he wants to keep you around :)

Round 2
Initiative 23

B'Yelka continues to sing, walking over and tripping one of the skeletons next to Dantrian.

Initiative 22

You need to move to A16 to get flanking, but you have enough movement.

Drosil moves to a flanking position on the tripped skeleton and smashes it with his mace.

Forgot sneak attack 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4 Wow. Combined we rolled minimum damage.

Initiative 17

Janos misses the skeleton.

Initiative 12

Anton fires another burst of undead-killing from his finger, but also misses.

Initiative 10

Dantrian finishes what Drosil started and drops another of the skeletons.

Initiative 6

Will save 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

Tibideau curses another skeleton with misfortune.

End of Round 2
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Begin Round 3

Initiative
Skeletons 26
B'Yelka 23
Drosil 22
Janos 17
Anton 12
Dantrian 10
Tibideau 6

Initiative 26

The two remaining skeletons attack the targets closest to them with their claws.

#1 on Janos 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22
Crit confirm 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
Damage 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5
#1 on Janos 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9

#2 on Dantrian 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 181d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8
#2 on Dantrian 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 161d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21
Damage 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Okay, everyone can act again.

Map

The skeleton's claw slips over Janos' defenses and only a slight turn movement back keeps it from cutting his throat clean open. Still, the Ranger's starts flowing freely. He tries to get in a counter-strike, but the pain of the skeleton's attack slows his blow enough to make it easily blocked.

Attack (FA, Bard): 1d20 + 4 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 4 + 2 + 1 = 11
Damage (FA, Bard): 1d12 + 4 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 4 + 2 + 1 = 12
Really?! Stupid Dice

B'yelka moves to help Janos, as Dantrian and Drosil obviously have their side of the stage under control. Lashing out again with her scourge, she tries to tangle the skeleton's legs.

Move to F13. Standard Action Trip #1. Free Action to continue Bard Song (3 rounds used)

1d20 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 2 + 1 = 5

Hopefully there are no critics in the audience...

Anton levels his finger once more, this time concentrating on his target and ignoring the chaos around him.

DU: 1d20 + 4 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 4 + 1 + 1 = 15
damage: 1d6 + 1 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 + 1 + 1 = 7

I can't access the map at work for some reason but I will be aiming at a skeleton within 30 feet to get benefits of PBS

Round 3
Images waver before him as this second blow lands on the same shoulder, the pain making Dantrian obviously dizzy. He staggers back a few steps and fishes a shiny silver flask from his belt.

5-ft step to E16
move action: draw extract (cure light wounds)

Tibideau scowls as he sees Dantrian and Janos take heavy blows. Those two are always getting injured in some way or another! He surveys the graveyard and sees Anton deal a crushing blow to the other remaining skeleton. He seems to handle these foul creatures with relative ease!

Readied action: if Drosil doesn't manage to drop the last skeleton, Tibideau will move within range and cast Ear-Piercing Scream on the skeleton near Dantrian. DC 16 Will save, or take 1d6 ⇒ 3 damage and be dazed for one round. Successful save takes half damage.

Round 3

Re: sneak attack damage - undead, so no, right?

Drosil flanks the remaining skeleton attacking Dantrian and attacks.

Move action (assuming that the skeleton in B15 is down): A16 -> A15 -> A14 -> B13

Attack (Bard song, flanking): 1d20 + 3 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 3 + 1 + 2 = 7
Damage (Bard song): 1d6 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 + 1 = 7

...aaaaaand the dice hate me.

Back in my day sonny, them undeads were immune to sneak attacks. But this aint no 3.5! That new fangled Pathfinder's got it so that only oozes, swarms and a couple other freaky things are immune to sneak attack. Roll them dices!

Old-timey digression aside, I'll have time to update this in a few hours.

Oops, that's a Fortitude save on Ear-Piercing Scream, not a will save.

Round 3
Initiative 23

B'Yelka moves and tries to trip another skeleton, but fails.

Initiative 22

Drosil moves to attack, but stumbles over a stone just as he swings his mace.

Initiative 17

Janos swings his axe and misses the skellie in front of him.

Initiative 12

Anton, seeing Janos in trouble drops the skeleton on him with a well placed bolt of energy.

Initiative 10

Dantrian steps back and draws a potion.

Initiative 6

Fort save 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19

Tibideau makes his silent scream at the remaining skeleton, and a few hairline cracks appear in its skull.

End of Round 3
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Begin Round 4

Initiative
Skeletons 26
B'Yelka 23
Drosil 22
Janos 17
Anton 12
Dantrian 10
Tibideau 6

Initiative 26

The last skeleton swings his claws at Drosil.

Attack 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18
Damage 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5
Attack 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19
Damage 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Everyone can act.

Map

Drosil cries out in pain as the skeleton rips through his armor. With his earlier wounds still unhealed, he falls to the ground and lies still.

So looking back, it seems Drosil was only at 3 HP going into the fight (9 - 7 - 7 + 8), and so is at -6 now. Ow.

Stabilize (Con, DC 10): 1d20 + 1 - 6 ⇒ (1) + 1 - 6 = -4

....and that's not gonna help

Anton moves to beside Janos and tries to put an end to the threat.

DU: 1d20 + 4 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 4 + 1 + 1 = 11
damage: 1d6 + 1 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 + 1 + 1 = 9

Janos nods at Anton in thanks of killing the skeleton harrying him. He steps up to the last one and swings his axe in a long, lazy arc that puts him well off-balance and nearly causes him to drop it.

Move to D-14
Attack (FE, Bard): 1d20 + 4 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 4 + 2 + 1 = 8
Damage (FE, Bard): 1d12 + 4 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 4 + 2 + 1 = 19