DM Jelani's Carrion Crown

Game Master Brian Minhinnick

Presenting a copper coin, B'yelka whistles two-note salute. The coin begins glowing a cool white light flowing from it to the give enough ilumination for Janos to work effectively.

Is the order Janos, Anton, Me and...?

Tibideau curls his upper lip and scrunches his nose in distaste as they follow Janos into the frigid swamp. "I suppose we're all going to get trenchfoot and die now or something," he grumbles. "We'll probably need more than new shoes, B'yelka."

"Tibideau may not be far from the mark; these conditions are extremely harsh. If the wildlife of the bog has not already slain the child, the cold may have easily done so by now instead. We should still continue our search for the girl, naturally, but I suspect we are searching for a corpse."

"Mr Almaeus! While you may be right, you of all people should know what it's like to survive and thrive against impossible odds!" B'yelka turns away from Dantrian in a huff, Needle! and says to Anton, "I am sure he didn't mean the girl is already dead, just that we should hurry. Janos, can we go any faster?" Her thoughts keep running, And Mr Almaeus, you will see what we can and can't do!

He's probably only voicing what we're all thinking.... he says, turning back to B'yelka.

But whilst there is the slimmest hope we should keep looking.

"I most certainly did mean that the child is probably already dead, B'yelka. Though you find the thought unpalatable, that does not change its likelihood of being true. And as I said, the likelihood of the girl's death should not deter us from searching for her. Though remote, it remains within the realm of plausability that the child was able to find shelter of some sort. That is reason enough to press on."

Janos glares back at the conversation. "It's true, Dantrian, but not pleasant. We still have some hope." He turns back to study the trail the child had left.

"I can go faster, but we risk losing the trail if I miss something. She could take a turn quickly and we'd go several yards before realizing it."

In game terms, taking a -5 to track allows you to move at full speed. It would mean Janos would need to roll for the success instead of taking 10.

Unless I'm misunderstanding things, with every square costing 4 squares of movement, we'll be going at a rate of 2 squares per round regardless of whether you track at full speed or 1/2 speed, Janos. Might as well take your time and ensure we stay on the trail.

As long as we're moving half speed anyway...

Drosil slinks along in the marsh, keeping an eye out for any lurking danger and attempting to keep himself hidden as much as possible.

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8
Stealth: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (11) + 13 = 24

For the next part I need to make a map from scratch so it might take me a couple days.

<< Cold Fen, Lozeri, Ustalav | 18:10, DIM LIGHT | Cold, 37° F | Sunday, Kuthona 8th, 4713 AR >>

Janos and the rest follow the tracks forward through the reeds and freezing water for another hundred yards or so, before they lead him into a cramped clearing filled with dismal-looking grey flowers.

At 15'/round that's about two minutes, so everyone take 2d6 ⇒ (3, 2) = 5 nonlethal cold damage.

As the party begins to shuffle into the clearing, a small girl's screams erupt from further into the marsh, past the far side of the clearing.

Begin Round 1

The cries quickly fade, and the marsh returns to quiet, except for the occasional whistle of the cold wind.

============================================

Initiative
Monster 20
Party 19

Party is up. The red burst is approximately where the cries came from.

Squares without grass only suffer from shallow bog penalties, everywhere else is like I described here.

Map

Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (15) + 9 = 24

"Strange. I do not believe that is Aleece crying out; the intonation and timbre are," Dantrian pauses for a moment, searching for the right word, "... oddly inhuman. Ready yourselves and be cautious. If the source of that cry wishes us to believe it is Aleece, then this is a trap."

The alchemist moves forward (to AA47) and looks out over the bog, searching for a less exposed position in case this turns out to be a trap.

Perception (Favored Terrain): 1d20 + 11 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 11 + 2 = 15 +2 if it's undead-related

Janos takes a step towards the cry, and then pauses. He looks at Dantrian and nods. "You're right. It sounds like a girl's scream, but...something not right about it." He slowly moves toward the sound, drawing his sword.

"Stay alert, and don't get too separated."

Double Move to W-44, drawing sword on the way.
Wow, Negative numbers and negative letters. Big map.

Yeah, just in case. I didn't want it to be constrained. I also messed up B'yelka's light radius, it's 2.5' too big in all directions, but I don't feel like fixing it right now, I'll draw another one later.

Drosil must be hiding really well - I can't even find him on the map!

B'yelka's light is like that 'cause she is Awesome and you know it! :p

Perception!: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21

"Of course we will be careful! Do you see how horrid this place is?" B'yelka unlimbers her whip and moves forward, staying close to Dantrian.

I am not sure what's going on with the map :) I trust you can put me somewhere not totally retarded! :D

And Drosil, clearly you were carrying me to save the cost of new boots ;) As soon as I move, you will be revealed! lol

You're sure that isn't her? It sounded convincing to me, but perhaps that was the point...

Anton pulls an arrow from his quiver and continues to trudge forward, more warily this time.

I can't see a damn thing outside this circle of light. Drosil, what about you buddy?

Dros - Sorry, I was copy pasting avatars from the thread onto the map and you hadn't posted recently. I just kinda scrolled up the page and copied everyone I saw without really thinking about it. Fixed now.

This is combat, I'd prefer specific movements please.

I think B'yelka has the movement to be adjacent to Dantrian, either in the square south or southwest of him?

AE47, keep Dantrian between me and the source; angle away from the noise

I'll stay two squares behind and one to the left of Janos

Does Drosil's cold resistance 5 help vs. the nonlethal damage?

Also, if possible, Drosil would have been up with Janos, helping with darkvision and stealth, currently at Z49.

Drosil keeps slightly east of Janos, hoping to stay out of the light and not be in Anton's way if anything approaches. He keeps his eyes peeled for anything out of the ordinary.

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24

Yes, Drosil, your cold resistance works against the nonlethal.

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10

Tibideau shrugs his shoulders as the others discuss the scream. "I don't know what you all are talking about, it's obviously her. But if you insist we use caution, then who am I to argue?" He claps his hands and rubs them together. He chants a verse from a truly scandalous poem about two soldiers and their amorous adventures. The verse recounts the details of their elegant chain mail armor. As he chants, his clothes glow faintly with ivory light. The light dissipates as quickly as it appeared. He then moves slowly with the others, stopping behind Anton.

Cast Mage Armor. Then move to AC45.

Round 1

"Strange. I do not believe that is Aleece crying out; the intonation and timbre are," Dantrian pauses for a moment, searching for the right word, "... oddly inhuman. Ready yourselves and be cautious. If the source of that cry wishes us to believe it is Aleece, then this is a trap." The alchemist moves forward and looks out over the bog, searching for a less exposed position in case this turns out to be a trap.

Janos takes a step towards the cry, and then pauses. He looks at Dantrian and nods. "You're right. It sounds like a girl's scream, but...something not right about it." He slowly moves toward the sound, drawing his sword. "Stay alert, and don't get too separated."

"Of course we will be careful! Do you see how horrid this place is?" B'yelka unlimbers her whip and moves forward, staying close to Dantrian.

"You're sure that isn't her? It sounded convincing to me, but perhaps that was the point..." Anton pulls an arrow from his quiver and continues to trudge forward, more warily this time. "I can't see a damn thing outside this circle of light. Drosil, what about you buddy?"

Drosil keeps slightly east of Janos, hoping to stay out of the light and not be in Anton's way if anything approaches. He keeps his eyes peeled for anything out of the ordinary. He fails to respond to Anton, not wanting to give away his position unnecessarily.

Tibideau shrugs his shoulders as the others discuss the scream. "I don't know what you all are talking about, it's obviously her. But if you insist we use caution, then who am I to argue?" He claps his hands and rubs them together. He chants a verse from a truly scandalous poem about two soldiers and their amorous adventures. The verse recounts the details of their elegant chain mail armor. As he chants, his clothes glow faintly with ivory light. The light dissipates as quickly as it appeared. He then moves slowly with the others, stopping behind Anton.

The swamp remains eerily silent after the initial scream. Only the breeze whistling through the reeds breaks up the group's chatter.

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

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I just moved B'Yelka straight forward three squares since that's 60' of movement in the grass.

Drosil, out of the cover of the grass anything with low-light or better vision will automatically spot you.

Tibideau, you can only move up one square due to the movement penalties.

Sorry for the delay guys, I'm much more busy now with schoolwork on my plate. Updates will probably be slower for the foreseeable future.

Map

That noise. It came from over there come on.

Anton pushes onward, ever mindful to tread where Janos treads but keeping his bow ready.

It's going to take forever through this muck. But if we rush this we could be just as lost as poor Aleece.

B'yelka keeps slogging through the muck, staying on Dantrian's shoulder as best she can. "Tibi? Can you give us more light?"

Janos continues in the general direction of the previous sound. Even if it wasn't the girl, something made that noise. He keeps a sharp lookout.

Perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (17) + 11 = 28

Double move in the general direction of the sound.

-Posted with Wayfinder

Dantrian leaves the grass behind and takes a few steps into the watery morass ahead, angling behind Janos and the others. He can feel the hairs on the back of his neck as they tingle and stand on end. He pauses in his stride for a moment as he tries to reign in his nervousness, but the thought of being stalked, hunted, and trapped by a creature or creatures in a fetid bog brings up a rush of unbidden memories of when he was attacked on the shores of Lake Encarthan. He shudders, then forces the emotions back down and presses onward, relying more on his ears than his eyes.

Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 27

Move up 4 squares, left 2 squares

"Tibi? Can you give us more light?"

Tibideau salutes B'yelka agreeably. "Right away!" He reaches behind his head and touches his hair tie. The little piece of cloth instantly bursts into a pleasant glow that illuminates the witch and his immediate surroundings. Looking extremely satisfied with himself, he takes another step forward through the morass.

Cast Light. Move north one square to AD45.

I'll DMPC Drosil once I get enough time for an update.

Just realized I have too many second level spells prepared. I'll take Glitterdust off the list.

Hold Glitterdust. Remember I have CLW, too and can help healing :D Besides, Tibi without glitter is just blah. :p

Drosil skirts the edge of the clearing, keeping to the eastern edge, and moves with the rest of the party.

Move straight north, trying to get back to cover ASAP.

Round 2

"That noise. It came from over there come on," Anton pushes onward, ever mindful to tread where Janos treads but keeping his bow ready. It's going to take forever through this muck. But if we rush this we could be just as lost as poor Aleece.

B'yelka keeps slogging through the muck, staying on Dantrian's shoulder as best she can. "Tibi? Can you give us more light?"

Janos continues in the general direction of the previous sound. Even if it wasn't the girl, something made that noise. He keeps a sharp lookout.

Dantrian leaves the grass behind and takes a few steps into the watery morass ahead, angling behind Janos and the others. He can feel the hairs on the back of his neck as they tingle and stand on end. He pauses in his stride for a moment as he tries to reign in his nervousness, but the thought of being stalked, hunted, and trapped by a creature or creatures in a fetid bog brings up a rush of unbidden memories of when he was attacked on the shores of Lake Encarthan. He shudders, then forces the emotions back down and presses onward, relying more on his ears than his eyes. He can't hear anything other than his companions and the breeze.

Tibideau salutes B'yelka agreeably. "Right away!" He reaches behind his head and touches his hair tie. The little piece of cloth instantly bursts into a pleasant glow that illuminates the witch and his immediate surroundings. Looking extremely satisfied with himself, he takes another step forward through the morass.

Drosil skirts the edge of the clearing, keeping to the eastern edge, and moves with the rest of the party.

There are no further sounds from the reeds, and no visible danger as of yet.
_________________________________________

Round 3, go!

Map

Mucking through the marsh B'yelka finally comes onto drier land. Grinning at her own cleverness, B'yelka draws back her arm and then throws her glowing coin as far as she can towards where the sound had come from. Now, floor lights on the villain!

Moving to Y45. Not sure what AC to hit! but, here goes: Noodle Arms: 1d20 + 5 - 10 ⇒ (6) + 5 - 10 = 1 (I am assuming -10 for range!) aiming at H33, 24 squares away

At least I didn't *roll* a one! *grin*

Janos stares out into the to darkness and shakes his head. He yells out. "Aleece!" He looks back to his companions and shakes his head again. He looks down to spot any tracks the girl might have made.

Track, take 10: 10 + 7 + 2 + 2 = 21

If needed, he'll return towards the initial point to try and pick up the trail again.

Drosil continues on in the general direction of the sounds.

Stealth: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (13) + 13 = 26
Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20

Moving NW, to try and parallel Janos' progress.

As a reminder, I'll be leaving on vacation here in about 12 hours, feel free to bot Drosil as needed.

Dantrian glances back over his shoulder. "B'yelka! Tibideau! Do not lag too far behind. If this is a trap, it would only serve our ambusher's purpose to have either of you too far away to reach should you be targeted." The alchemist then holds his position, waiting for the rearward pair to catch up. He offers as a whispered aside to Anton, "I fear we are being hunted, Anton, and we are at a disadvantage in this morass. I can innure myself to a significant amount of harm; perhaps it would be best if we discreetly called Janos and Drosil back. I could then attempt to lure whatever hunts us into revealing itself. Or we can simply allow Janos to continue on his way and thus likely do the same, though perhaps unwittingly." As if to punctuate his suggestion, Dantrian draws a silvered flask from the inside of his coat and quaffs it. A moment later, magical energies swirl around him, solidify, then vanish.

Standard Action: drink ablative barrier

"The further we progress the more I feel like flies in a spider's web. I agree with you."

He turns to Tibideau and B'yelka;

"Stay close everyone. Dantrian fears this is a trap and I think he might be right - searching for Aleece may be a fruitless task."

Up front he sees Drosil and Janos heading further into the swamp.

"This is your terrain, Janos and I trust your judgement. But I feel like we are being lured into something. If the two of you are going to stay ahead, keep your eyes peeled and call out targets, I'll try to keep a clear field of fire. Let's hope for the best here, but be ready for the worst."

-Posted with Wayfinder

Tibideau creeps forward, nodding in agreement with the others' long-winded comments about safety and traps.

Double move, which I believe only gets me two squares to AB45, correct?

Round 3

Mucking through the marsh B'yelka finally comes onto less reed filled lan. Grinning at her own cleverness, B'yelka draws back her arm and then throws her glowing coin as far as she can towards where the sound had come from. Now, floor lights on the villain! The coin arcs through the air, and plops down amongst the tall reeds on the far side of the clearing. The light from the coin is extinguished to a barely visible glow as it sinks into the murky water.

Janos stares out into the to darkness and shakes his head. He yells out. "Aleece!" He looks back to his companions and shakes his head again. He looks down to spot any tracks the girl might have made. It seems the far side of the clearing is indeed the direction she was heading.

Drosil continues on in the general direction of the sounds, when he reaches the far side of the clearing he crouches amongst the reeds there disappearing from sight.

Dantrian glances back over his shoulder. "B'yelka! Tibideau! Do not lag too far behind. If this is a trap, it would only serve our ambusher's purpose to have either of you too far away to reach should you be targeted." The alchemist then holds his position, waiting for the rearward pair to catch up. He offers as a whispered aside to Anton, "I fear we are being hunted, Anton, and we are at a disadvantage in this morass. I can innure myself to a significant amount of harm; perhaps it would be best if we discreetly called Janos and Drosil back. I could then attempt to lure whatever hunts us into revealing itself. Or we can simply allow Janos to continue on his way and thus likely do the same, though perhaps unwittingly." As if to punctuate his suggestion, Dantrian draws a silvered flask from the inside of his coat and quaffs it. A moment later, magical energies swirl around him, solidify, then vanish.

"The further we progress the more I feel like flies in a spider's web. I agree with you," Anton says, turning to Tibideau and B'yelka; "Stay close everyone. Dantrian fears this is a trap and I think he might be right - searching for Aleece may be a fruitless task."

Up front he sees Drosil and Janos heading further into the swamp. "This is your terrain, Janos and I trust your judgement. But I feel like we are being lured into something. If the two of you are going to stay ahead, keep your eyes peeled and call out targets, I'll try to keep a clear field of fire. Let's hope for the best here, but be ready for the worst."

Tibideau creeps forward, nodding in agreement with the others' long-winded comments about safety and traps.

Out of nowhere a massive, horse-sized spider with a woman's humanoid face instead of an arachnid one appears next to Tibideau. Silent as the night, she lunges forward to plunge her fangs into his neck. Tibideau can feel hot liquid dripping down his neck, shoulders and chest; his own blood. Inside his veins there is a strong burning sensation, spreading throughout his body and weakening him; poison. Her multiple glittering eyes stare into his face from mere inches away as she watches him bleed.
_________________________

missed throw: 1d8 ⇒ 8

Attack on TT (flat footed, invisible): 1d20 + 10 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 10 + 2 = 26 Hit
Damage: 2d6 + 7 ⇒ (6, 6) + 7 = 19
Tibideau's fort save vs Poison: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10 Fail
Constitution damage: 1d2 ⇒ 2
Make a save 1/round for the next seven rounds against DC 18, two consecutive successes cure the poison. Otherwise take 1d2 con per round.

Round 4, go!

Map

Oh seriously, what the hell. That thing is f*cking gross :(

Anton spins around at the sound of Tibideau squeal of pain. And he is not prepared for the sight that greets him.

The masisve, bloated spider is bad enough but it's face of a scowling woman makes it truly nightmarish, the image of Tibideau dangling in it's arms like a fish on a hook will stay with him for many sleepless nights.

But unconsciously he shuts off the portion of his being that accepts this thing as a figure of fear. His will is set and his friend in trouble.

Desna, guide my shots... he whispers under his breath. I am your sword and shield, the instrument of your will.. And the finder of lost children I hope.... although with this thing in the swamp I can't imagine how Aleece could live.

Smite Evil - worth a try

Muscle memory takes over as instinctively he fires his arrow at the thing's exposed abdomen and quickly nocks another arrow, aiming at the same spot.

L.bow, PBS, RS: 1d20 + 4 + 3 + 1 + 3 - 2 ⇒ (9) + 4 + 3 + 1 + 3 - 2 = 18
Damage: 1d8 + 2 + 1 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 2 + 1 + 4 = 10
L.bow, PBS, RS: 1d20 + 4 + 3 + 1 + 3 - 2 ⇒ (18) + 4 + 3 + 1 + 3 - 2 = 27
Damage: 1d8 + 2 + 1 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 2 + 1 + 4 = 13

If it isn't evil those shots would be 15 and 24 and 6 and 9 damage respectively.

She's not evil unfortunately. Just very hungry.

I'm not one to judge a book by its cover but how can something that looks like that not be evil? :p

Janos turns and sees the horrifying spider-thing biting Tibi.

Knowledge, Arcana: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9

The Ranger sprints toward the beast, but he knows he won't make it in time. He grabs the throwing axe from his belt and hurls it at the beast.

Attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22
Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

-Posted with Wayfinder

Know-Arcana!: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7 Reading? Memorization? *pshaw!*

Hearing Tibi scream causes B'yelka to turn. Now facing the monster, she is not sure what it is, other than terrifying. Not to be out done in that department, the Diva backs up and summons her will. She lashes out verbally, her voice a rising wave of anger and reproach. "Leave off monster! Your feedings do not deserve such fine flesh! You are beneath the worms that feed on the carrion that will soon be your corpse!" With her words there is a rush of air, and then...nothing.

Blistering Invective Intim!: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (1) + 12 = 13 against DC 17 (10+target HD+WIS mod)... and is completely ineffective. I love dice. This one gets the hammer tonight. a two and a one. I needed a five. :(

Knowledge (arcana): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (15) + 10 = 25

Dantrian wheels around, grimmacing as his suspicions reveal themselves in the presence of the lady-faced spider. "Ah, a phase spider. Gather together, quickly! They have the ability to shift to and from the ethereal plane at will; this bog will not hamper her movements like it will ours. Tibideau will be suffering from the effects of a rather dibilitating poison in very short order. If any of you have the means to slow or cure such toxins, he will need your aid immediately." As he speaks, he fishes a flask from an inner vest pocket and begins to apply a bright green, viscous liquid to his heavy mace. He adds softly to Anton, "Phase spiders prefer to let their venom do their work for them. She will likely retreat and strike at someone else caught out of position. Should she vanish, ready yourself to shoot upon her reappearing."

Move Action: draw giant centipede poison
Standard Action: apply poison to +1 heavy mace

Forgot to state my move! 5'step to Y46 :-)

Knowledge: Arcana: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (6) + 10 = 16

Fortitude Save: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 1 = 18 *whew*

This swamp smells dreadful. I can't believe Janos grew up in a swamp. I wonder if he even notices the smell. Tibideau trudges along thoughtfully, his ponytail holder beaming in the dark. He glimpses something out of the corner of his eye, but can do nothing to react until he feels a dreadfully sharp piercing sensation in his neck. "Is it a vampire?? GET IT AWAY!" he chokes out, before he can turn his eyes far enough to see what's there. "HO! NOT GOOD!" He ekes out a small scream, but the spreading poison already reduces the power of his voice. "Eight-legged old b**ch, you're hairier than my great-great-aunt Marcelle," he squeaks. Then, a glaze of calm spreads over Tibideau's face, but his eyes become bright and very creepy. He stares down the spider fiercely, his eyes glowing brighter and brighter. "Go to bed, my dear. It's late."

Cast Slumber Hex on the ol' gal. DC 19 Will save or fall asleep for four rounds. I suppose I can't 5-foot in this terrain so I'll just stay put. My kingdom for that Flight Hex!!