DM Jelani's Carrion Crown

Game Master Brian Minhinnick

I just realized everyone needs to give me a DC 14 Will save or be frightened for 1d4 ⇒ 1 rounds.

Tibideau recognizes this as a poltergeist, a naturally invisible incorporeal undead.

Round 1:

Will save: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12

"AHHHH!!! IT'S A POLTERGEIST!" Utterly terrified, Tibideau turns on his heel and hightails it into the next room.

Double move to S2.

Will Save: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (6) + 0 = 6

Seeing the apparition float up from below, Drosil backs away quickly out of the room, then turns and runs.

Drosil will join Tibideau in S2, apparently..

Will Save: 1d20 ⇒ 19
Tch. Cowards. Dantrian draws a flask of holy water and throws it at the apparition.
Holy Water (rngd tch): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22for: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

Will Save: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

Seeing the skeleton shamble up from it's rest, B'yelka's mind simply snaps under the weight of horrors that she has seen today. Without rational thought she flees following on Tibideau's heels.

RUN!!! behind Tibi to S2

Will Save: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
Hmm, are we third level now? Because Anton's Aura of Courage ability would be key here. Janos, however, would still fail, but he can't move yet, right?

Janos takes one look at the skeletal face and is frozen with fear.

Hmm, are we third level now? Because Anton's Aura of Courage ability would be key here. Janos, however, would still fail, but he can't move yet, right?

Correct on both counts.

Hey guys, you're right about aura of courage. Not sure if everyone is within ten feet but those who are get a plus 4 to their save.

Stand fast!the Paladin roars. If we stay together we have nothing to fear from this wretched spirit!

With nothing other than the skeleton to target, Anton fires two blunt arrows at it in quick succession.

l.bow, blunt 1: 1d20 + 6 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (4) + 6 + 1 - 2 = 9
damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8
l.bow, blunt 2: 1d20 + 6 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (20) + 6 + 1 - 2 = 25
damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8
l.bow crit confirm: 1d20 + 6 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (9) + 6 + 1 - 2 = 14
damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

Round 1
Initiative 17

Seeing the skeleton shamble up from it's rest, B'yelka's mind simply snaps under the weight of horrors that she has seen today. Without rational thought she flees.

Initiative 15

"Stand fast!" the paladin roars. "If we stay together we have nothing to fear from this wretched spirit!"

With nothing other than the skeleton to target, Anton fires two blunt arrows at it in quick succession. They pass straight through the spectre, doing nothing but shattering against the far wall.

Initiative 13

Seeing the apparition float up from below, Drosil backs away quickly out of the room, then turns and runs.

Initiative 11

"AHHHH!!! IT'S A POLTERGEIST!" Utterly terrified, Tibideau turns on his heel and hightails it into the next room.

Initiative 10+

Tch. Cowards. Dantrian draws a flask of holy water and throws it at the apparition.

First of all missed your -2 for being 20' feet away from it. Holy water has 10' range increments.

Secondly:

Holy water damages undead creatures and evil outsiders almost as if it were acid. A flask of holy water can be thrown as a splash weapon.

Treat this attack as a ranged touch attack with a range increment of 10 feet. A flask breaks if thrown against the body of a corporeal creature, but to use it against an incorporeal creature, you must open the flask and pour the holy water out onto the target. Thus, you can douse an incorporeal creature with holy water only if you are adjacent to it. Doing so is a ranged touch attack that does not provoke attacks of opportunity.

A direct hit by a flask of holy water deals 2d4 points of damage to an undead creature or an evil outsider. Each such creature within 5 feet of the point where the flask hits takes 1 point of damage from the splash.

The bottle flies straight through the apparition, to shatter against the floor. The precious holy liquid leaks onto the floor like piss from a drunk.

Initiative 10-

The poltergeist disappears. A split second later a scalpel flies off a nearby tray with deadly intent, streaking towards Janos's neck.

Ranged touch: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12
Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 2

He ducks out of the way, but the small blade buries itself in his shoulder.

Initiative 4

Janos takes one look at the skeletal face and is frozen with fear. The pain of the scalpel imbedded in his shoulder causes him to snap back to reality, and flee with the others. He can hear the spirits in his head, No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no...."

End of Round 1
---------------------
Begin Round 2

Initiative
B'Yelka 17
Anton 15
Drosil 13
Tibideau 11
Dantrian 10+
Monster 10-
Janos 4

B'Yelka, Anton, Drosil, Tibideau, and Dantrian.

Map

[b]Round 2[b]

Tibideau regains his composure. [i]Wait a minute... I'm not afraid of silly GHOSTS! What foolishness has this poltergeist cast on me?[i] He storms back into the next room, ashamed at his childish reaction.

Double move back to the room. Near Anton.

Another thing: I'm not usually one to suggest this, but what say we get the heck out of here, for now? We can rest, then I can prepare Glitterdust for tomorrow so we can see this thing. We could also pick up some more holy water so that we're better prepared. There's no guarantee that the poltergeist will be in the same room when we return, but at least we'll be prepared for it instead of what we'll be doing now, which is slowly taking damage and guessing which spot in the room should have holy water thrown at it. What do you all think?

Round 2
Dantrian growls in frustration, "Show yourself, spirit!" He advances further into the room (H24) and draws another holy water.

B'yelka takes a moment to straighten herself up, and carefully walks back to the rest of the party. That was an unpleasant experience!

Drosil, realizing that he's just left his newfound friends to face the spirit alone, turns and runs back to the room.

Seeing his arrows pass harmlessly through the spectre, Anton growls in frustration.

Ok, spirit. You have your tricks but I have mine.

He takes one of the ghost touch arrows from his quiver and knocks it to his bowstring.

Ready action to fire if it manifests again.

I don't mind leaving for now either Tibideau. Perhaps we can grab some of the paperwork we found earlier and go through it tonight so we are being productive in that way too.

Just realized this was waiting on me. Sorry guys.

Round 2
Initiative 17

B'yelka takes a moment to straighten herself up, and carefully walks back to the rest of the party. That was an unpleasant experience!

Initiative 15

Seeing his arrows pass harmlessly through the spectre, Anton growls in frustration.

Ok, spirit. You have your tricks but I have mine.

He takes one of the ghost touch arrows from his quiver and knocks it to his bowstring.

Initiative 13

Drosil, realizing that he's just left his newfound friends to face the spirit alone, turns and runs back to the room.

Initiative 11

Tibideau regains his composure. Wait a minute... I'm not afraid of silly GHOSTS! What foolishness has this poltergeist cast on me? He storms back into the next room, ashamed at his childish reaction.

Initiative 10+

Dantrian growls in frustration, "Show yourself, spirit!" He advances further into the room and draws another holy water.

Initiative 10-

Dantrian's cry is answered by a large metal bedpan flying out from under one of the rotting cots directly at his head.

Touch attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20
Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 2

Initiative 4

Janos moves back to the room as well. (I presume, let me know if I'm wrong)

End of Round 2
---------------------
Begin Round 3

B'Yelka 17
Anton 15
Drosil 13
Tibideau 11
Dantrian 10+
Monster 10-
Janos 4

B'Yelka, Anton, Drosil, Tibideau and Dantrian are up.

Map

Drosil goes to the doors on the western wall and throws them open, in the hopes that there might be something there to aid them against the spirit, or to put the haunt to rest. Better than doing nothing, after all..

Sure, Janos will return.

"Tibideau, how do you fight this thing?"

As long as it's invisible you have to make perception DCs that you guys auto-fail. You need a way to make it visible.

Can I concentrate on detect evil and pinpoint it that way over several rounds?

"Maybe we just get back out and close the door!" Janos stands by the door ready to close it if everyone can get out.

You can certainly try detect evil, at best it would tell you what square it's in after three rounds of concentration. At worst, you'd be in the same boat you're in now.

"I know a way to make it visible, but I need to rest outside of this ghastly place. I seriously suggest we retreat for now."

Scowling at the room, Dantrian grunts the pain away and nods at Tibideau's advice. He hurries past Janos, "Now we learn if that spirit is confined to this particular room or if it can still pursue us." He eyes the door and wall warily, a flask of holy water still ready in his hand.

Double Move: K20

We'll assume the dialogue took place at the beginning of the round. Everyone please give me actions so we can get this rolling. I would advise listening to Tibideau, being fully third level and having glitterdust would make this a much more manageable encounter.

Drosil, already feeling less than useful against a number of the dangers the group has faced, agrees with Tibideau and withdraws.

As soon as everyone is out of the room, Janos slams the door shut.

Round 3
Initiative 17

"Tibideau, how do you fight this thing?" B'Yelka asks.

"I know a way to make it visible, but I need to rest outside of this ghastly place. I seriously suggest we retreat for now." Tibideau responds.

B'Yelka begins a stately retreat.

Initiative 15

Anton says, "You guys back out, I'll cover the rear."

Initiative 13

Drosil, already feeling less than useful against a number of the dangers the group has faced, agrees with Tibideau and withdraws.

Initiative 11

Tibideau retreats.

Initiative 10+

Scowling at the room, Dantrian grunts the pain away and nods at Tibideau's advice. He hurries past Janos, "Now we learn if that spirit is confined to this particular room or if it can still pursue us." He eyes the door and wall warily, a flask of holy water still ready in his hand.

Initiative 10-

A stethescope wraps itself around Anton's neck and chokes him for a few seconds.

Touch attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19
Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 4

Initiative 4

As soon as everyone is out of the room, Janos slams the door shut.

End of Round 3
---------------------
Begin Round 4

B'Yelka 17
Anton 15
Drosil 13
Tibideau 11
Dantrian 10+
Monster 10-
Janos 4

Map

Everyone except Janos please act again.

Anton rips the stethoscope away and keeps backing up, gradually getting closer to the entrance.

Come Janos, well be back soon enough

Sense? Are we being sensible? B'yelka's strides take her back to ward the rear of the prison where the party entered from. We are all alive, so we did well, but with no audience except the dead, how did we really do?

Once outside, B'yelka lets out a sigh of relief. She tries to lighten the mood by adding, "Back to Kendra's for refreshments"

"If the poltergeist is locked away, we could continue to explore this floor. I think there are few rooms still to go. But if it's been too much for everyone right now, I understand."

Are we leaving?

Edited to Janos is just talking rather than acting.

Everyone except Janos please act again.

This gives me the impression the poltergeist isn't quite done with bothering us yet. On an unrelated note, I seem to have moved a great deal further than I intended (at S21 instead of K20)

Round 4, Init 10+
As the group spills into the hall and begins to seemingly scatter, Dantrian suggests, "We do not know if the spirit is confined to this room or not. If we are to depart, I suggest we do so as a group." He waits for Anton and Janos then, the holy water still at the ready.

If I'm at S21, I'll just delay until Janos and Anton have caught up, then I'll move to the front door.

@B'yelka - any reason you're headed for the rear wall of the building when we're a few steps from the front door?

Sorry, I assumed the K20 must have been a typo since you said double move, and it was only three squares from you. I can put you there if you want.

We are still on combat rounds people. If you want to leave the prison, all of you except Anton, Janos and possibly Dantrian can do it in a single move.

The basic instability of the front protico comes to mind. I do not feel like replacing Drosil as our #1 Home Wrecker ;) Of course if I see folks exiting safely, I will follow that way :p

Oui! K20! I'm ready to splash this stupid ghost if it chases us and manifests by the door!

Tibideau scoots out the front door in a single move and waits for the others. His pantspocket starts wriggling. "About time for a break, I see! Bonbon is starving. I'm sorry, I have no fish with me, little nugget."

Hearing Janos's suggestion from down the hall, Tibideau responds, "A sound plan! If this nasty doesn't follow us, then we may as well secure the rest of the floor if we can before resting. What do the rest of you think?"

He pats his hungry turtle. "You'll live if you stay hungry a bit longer, my darling."

Drosil follows the others out the door. We were, I think, unprepared for what we'd find here. That said, is there any way to prepare?

Round 4
Initiative 17

Sense? Are we being sensible? B'yelka's strides take her out the front of the prison. We are all alive, so we did well, but with no audience except the dead, how did we really do?

Once outside, B'yelka lets out a sigh of relief. She tries to lighten the mood by adding, "Back to Kendra's for refreshments?"

"If the poltergeist is locked away, we could continue to explore this floor. I think there are few rooms still to go. But if it's been too much for everyone right now, I understand." Janos says.

Initiative 15

Anton rips the stethoscope away and keeps backing up, gradually getting closer to the entrance.

"Come Janos, we'll be back soon enough."

Initiative 13

Drosil follows B'Yelka out the door. We were, I think, unprepared for what we'd find here. That said, is there any way to prepare?

Initiative 11

Tibideau scoots out the front door and waits for the others. His pantspocket starts wriggling. "About time for a break, I see! Bonbon is starving. I'm sorry, I have no fish with me, little nugget."

Hearing Janos's suggestion from down the hall, Tibideau responds, "A sound plan! If this nasty doesn't follow us, then we may as well secure the rest of the floor if we can before resting. What do the rest of you think?"

He pats his hungry turtle. "You'll live if you stay hungry a bit longer, my darling."

Initiative 10+

As the group spills into the hall and begins to seemingly scatter, Dantrian suggests, "We do not know if the spirit is confined to this room or not. If we are to depart, I suggest we do so as a group." He waits for Janos then, the holy water still at the ready.

Initiative 10-

Dantrian feels a sudden jerk on the bottle in his hand.

Touch attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18

His own hand, the bottle with it rushes up to slam hard into his chin.

Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 4

A ghostly laugh fills the air along with the words, "Stop hitting yourself dummy!"

Janos, you're up.

Map

"I guess it's not confined to the room." Janos shakes his head and steps forward to follow the others, but the half-elf stops and turns to glance back at the closed door. He yells out, "Try to keep it there, Dantrian!"

Then Janos opens the door and rushes inside to check the room for any clues.

If he doesn't see anything immediately, he will go and open the first door on the left.

Perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (20) + 10 = 30

Round 5, Initiative 10+

Dantrian casts Janos an incredulous look as the half-elf dashes back into the room the poltergeist was awakened within, "Keep it where, you fool? I cannot see it any better than you can! I suggest you stop dithering about and flee for the time being, Janos!" Without waiting for Janos any longer, Dantrian turns and hurries to the front entrance.

Double Move: V23

Round 4 Recap

Sense? Are we being sensible? B'yelka's strides take her out the front of the prison. We are all alive, so we did well, but with no audience except the dead, how did we really do?

Once outside, B'yelka lets out a sigh of relief. She tries to lighten the mood by adding, "Back to Kendra's for refreshments?"

"If the poltergeist is locked away, we could continue to explore this floor. I think there are few rooms still to go. But if it's been too much for everyone right now, I understand." Janos says.

Anton rips the stethoscope away and keeps backing up, gradually getting closer to the entrance. "Come Janos, we'll be back soon enough."

Drosil follows B'Yelka out the door. We were, I think, unprepared for what we'd find here. That said, is there any way to prepare?

Tibideau scoots out the front door and waits for the others. His pantspocket starts wriggling. "About time for a break, I see! Bonbon is starving. I'm sorry, I have no fish with me, little nugget."

Hearing Janos's suggestion from down the hall, Tibideau responds, "A sound plan! If this nasty doesn't follow us, then we may as well secure the rest of the floor if we can before resting. What do the rest of you think?" He pats his hungry turtle. "You'll live if you stay hungry a bit longer, my darling."

As the group spills into the hall and begins to seemingly scatter, Dantrian suggests, "We do not know if the spirit is confined to this room or not. If we are to depart, I suggest we do so as a group." He waits for Janos then, the holy water still at the ready.

Dantrian feels a sudden jerk on the bottle in his hand. Then his own hand, the bottle with it rushes up to slam hard into his chin. A ghostly laugh fills the air along with the words, "Stop hitting yourself dummy!"

"I guess it's not confined to the room." Janos shakes his head and steps forward to follow the others, but the half-elf stops and turns to glance back at the closed door. He yells out, "Try to keep it there, Dantrian!" Then Janos opens the door and rushes inside to check the room for any clues.

Move action to open the door, move action to move into the room. You're done. You don't see anything other than what you saw before. "Several moldy cots lay strewn around this room, while doors to smaller, more private sleeping cells hang askew to the west."

End of Round 4
---------------------
Begin Round 5

Initiative
B'Yelka 17
Anton 15
Drosil 13
Tibideau 11
Dantrian 10+
Monster 10-
Janos 4

Everyone can act. Those of you outside the prison are essentially out of the fight unless you go back inside.

Map

Having moved far enough away to feel moderately safe B'yelka turns to watch as others leave the prison.

Waiting for Janos to break contact

Anton, continuing out? Drosil, Tib. staying where you are?

I'm waiting for the poltergeist to react, but Janos will probably begin opening doors.

Tibideau begins to ponder Janos's motives for continuing to search the building, but decides to think about lunch instead.

Janos, Dantrian! Are you alright in there? What are they doing? he says to Tibideau. I thought we were leaving.

Anton holds his ground at the doorway.

Dantrian casts Janos an incredulous look as the half-elf dashes back into the room the poltergeist was awakened within, "Keep it where, you fool? I cannot see it any better than you can! I suggest you stop dithering about and flee for the time being, Janos!" Without waiting for Janos any longer, Dantrian turns and hurries to the front entrance.

The door Janos is going for slams rapidly open in his face.

Touch attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19
Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 3

It cracks him across the jaw, splitting open his lip and flooding his mouth with blood and his vision with stars.

Janos, you're up. You can see that the only thing in the room is a small wooden stool.

Map

Janos yells back, "A few more seconds. There might be something here that shows up how to defeat it!" He takes a step over and opens the second door, looking out for anything flying towards him.

5' step to H-21, Open the door, and go Total Defense (+4 Dodge Bonus)

Damn his stubbornness! He's going to get himself killed!

You might not have a few more seconds!

Same as the other side room. There's a small wooden stool.

Anton and Dantrian, are you going the rest of the way out?

Janos, are you going out on your initiative?