Rise of the Runelords by DM Doctor Evil (again)

Game Master DM DoctorEvil

Any of these are available.

It appears that Cadas has about 768 gp left to spend after buying the magical shield. The total of the scrolls on the above list is about 1150, with the 10% discount 1035. How do you want to spend the money you have on the above list?

I know you work hard to keep up with PC wealth. But I try to keep up with my own wealth as well and its always on my character sheet. By my count Cadas had, after the most recent split 2569. The shield Upgrade Shield upgrade was a net cost of 866. This left her 1703.3 gold by my math.

"Vhat about a vand of magic veapon. I vould happily pay some gold for that and it vould help all of us, save teh vizard."

DM DoctorEvil wrote:

Any of these are available.

It appears that Cadas has about 768 gp left to spend after buying the magical shield. The total of the scrolls on the above list is about 1150, with the 10% discount 1035. How do you want to spend the money you have on the above list?

I know you work hard to keep up with PC wealth. But I try to keep up with my own wealth as well and its always on my character sheet. By my count Cadas had, after the most recent split 2569. The shield Upgrade Shield upgrade was a net cost of 866. This left her 1703.3 gold by my math.

I keep the tracker so we don't have disputes over gold recorded. I list each and every transaction and add the post number so you can go back and review, making it as easy to review and as transparent as possible. I am happy for you to audit my result and show me where I've made a mistake in calculating or by omission (it happens), but until you can prove it, we will stick with the Loot Tracker number.

The delta is not with the paperwork as it would require going back to the beginning of play. But knowing that I will check to make sure things are recorded. I know you would not miss something often, but it might have happened.

Cadas buys the following scrolls for herself. She is spending her own money to get three scrolls of Magic Weapon. I hope that is enough as both she and Robin can cast the spell and we should soon have magic weapons I hope. Others could also buy scrolls for the casters to cast...

Frist Level - 250 gold
Comprehend Language
Divine Favor
Infernal Healing
Magic Weapon X3
Obscuring Mist
Protection from Evil
Remove Fear
Sanctify Corpse

Second Level: = 300 gold each
Delay Poison
Remove Paralysis

Leaving 218 gold

Marcel, sadly, only has 38 gp at the moment. :P

The dark-haired wizard watches Cadas's purchases with greedy eyes. "Lady Cadas, I'd be more than happy to assist you with the casting of those that you desire..." his words falter. "Unless--oh dear--are those all spells powered by deific energy? If so, I uh..." he coughs slightly. "Well, I admire the All-Seeing Eye as much as the next conjurer, but my faith was never...that strong." He smiles weakly at her, then glances around, looking impatient. Or perhaps flustered.

"Shall we be off, then?"

Cadas smiles at the scholar. I spend my gold to be a more prepared caster for your sake Mrcellano. And I fear I would not know what to do with an arcane scroll so all I have bought are indeed divine. But if you faith is not so strong, well with that I can help you. Shall I rouse you at dawn so that you may pray with me? After my deviation I shall be ready to depart.

Cadas' scroll purchases are recorded on the tracker and I concur on the remaining gold.

After the priestess readies herself with scrolls and the like the group is at last ready to set out for Thistletop. Using ponies provided by Daviren Hosk, the party gets a quick start out of Sandpoint, on the way northeast towards the Nettlewood and Thistletop.

As the group starts to turn off the main road and into the briar-filled forest, they say good-bye to the road, and have to go the rest of the way on small tracks.

Need Survival checks from the party, in order to not get lost in the dense undergrowth of Nettlewood, which is filled with stinging nettles, briars, thorns, and other fun woodland obstacles.

Map is attached. Not sure if you can tell from the description but these creatures act/look like swarms.

Birds in the Woods - Round 1

21 Robin
21 Carrionstorm 1
20 Carrionstorm 2
19 Kizzy
17 Carrionstorm 3
15 Rogar
7 Marcellano
6 Cadas

Let's assume for simplicity's sake, that you are walking your horses through an especially overgrown section of the woods. You may place your tokens inside the starting box on the map anywhere you wish. Brave Sir Robin has the first action in this combat round.

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17

"There are so many blackbirds, I could make a pie," says Robin, before he realizes that they are descending upon them. "Look out, they're coming at us! Get them close together and I'll blind them with glitterdust!" Robin draws his whip and readies an action to cast glitterdust if there's an opportunity to hit the crows and not his allies. If that's too vague for a readied action, Robin will just pass.

Since he has a spare move action, Brave Sir Robin also moves forward!

Perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (11) + 10 = 21

Knowledge Religion: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11

Those birds are not living birds at all. Many are skeletal or partially skeletal showing bits of rotting feathers and flesh. They are swarms of tiny undead carrion birds, sometimes called carrion storms.

I made an earlier perception check, I don't suppose I could use that?

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9
Knowledge(Religion:Untrained): 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6
Survival: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20

Qetsiyah was no tracker, but she had a good sense of direction and helped make sure the party did not stray too far from their intended path.

The swarms of birds might be problem enough, but undead birds sounded really worrisome. "Hmmm... those things don't create themselves, do they? Do ya think they serve as sentries or guards for someone, or something?"

If the forest is dry and seems liable to catch fire, Kizzy draws an acid flask and prepares to lob it at a swarm when they draw close. If the woods are wet enough that isn't a risk, she'll use alchemist's fire.

Throw flask: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25 Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 4

Birds in the Woods - Round 1 - continued

Robin advances towards the swarms of undead blackbirds, brandishing his whip and sprinkling golden glitter all over the middle swarm. The reflective dust seems to blind the swarm. Which will now move in a random direction, instead directly towards food. Blinded for 4 rounds.

The farthest right carrion storm flies at the nearest source of food, which appears to be Robin. Engulfed in the swarm of pecking beaks and ripping claws, the bard is hit several times, and becomes disoriented.

Need DC 11 Fort Save or be distracted (same as nauseated) for 1 round, plus 1 damage.

Carrionstorm 2, blinded, moves in random pattern, actually getting a bit farther away from the heroes.

Since the autumn has been damp, Kizzy feels its safe to throw her alchemist's fire which she draws forth reading to throw if the swarm comes closer. The last swarm does just that headed for the Varisian fighter, who tosses her bomb, which ignites the swarm for 4 hp dmg.

The swarm then envelops Kizzy, causing her damage and disorienting her as well.

Needs the same DC 11 Fort save or be nauseated for one round. Rest of the party -- Rogar, Cadas, and Marcellano, up now!

Carrionstorm 2 Will DC 16: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14
Swarm 1 dmg, Robin: 1d6 ⇒ 1
Swarm 3 dmg, Kizzy: 1d6 ⇒ 5

Knowledge (Religion): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9

Marcel starts back as the undead birds descend. "Carrionstorms?! I've never even heard of such a thing!" Nacizia flutters nervously on his shoulder as he dashes away from the swarm descending on Kizzy. From the cover of the trees, he mutters a word and launches an orb of acid at the swarm!

Ranged Touch Attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5
Damage: 1d3 ⇒ 1 acid damage

Most useless wizard ever...

Unfortunately, the orb doesn't even make it to the swarm itself, Marcel is so startled by the birds' descent. "I hope your god is opposed to these vile creations, Lady Cadas!" he calls nervously.

"*Crawk!* Stop messing about and destroy them!"

"Working on it, Narcizia!"

Realizing the birds are undead Cadas calls upon the gift of her deity and channels positive energy. Gozreh smite you! She does not feel the need to advance.

Channel +: 2d6 ⇒ (1, 6) = 7

Fort Save: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15

Kizzy is determined to keep her wits about her as she is engulfed in the mass of undead birds, scrabbling with their skeletal claws and bony beaks.

Also, splash weapons deal 50% more damage to swarms, so a roll of 4 should do 6 damage.

A swarm takes half again as much damage (+50%) from spells or effects that affect an area, such as splash weapons and many evocation spells.

Birds in the Woods - Round 1 - continued

Marcellano evokes a glob of acid then launces it at the swarm of carrion birds, but the acid fails to hit a single bird.

Cadas, understanding these creatures are undead, calls on the positive power of Gozreh, to end their unnatural existence. In response, a gust of wind shakes the trees, and blasts through the swarms of birds, damaging all those within 30'.

The swarm around Kizzy, which had already taken burn damage, disintegrates as Gozreh's wind blasts through it.

Waiting till tonight for an action from Rogar before I DM-bot him. I was tracking the 150% damage from the alchemist fire, but thanks for the reminder. You'll find that I sometimes fail to remember little rules like that...

Seeing the swarm go down Cadas 5' adjust to the left.

My apologies, I posted and the stupid tunnel must have eaten it.

Rogar rushes forward to knock Robin away from the swarm.

Bull Rush, provokes from Robin lol: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23 If that beats his CMD he's moved 5 feet for every 5 points I beat his CMD by in a direction that makes sense. So 5 feet for a simple confirm, 10 feet for 5 or more, etc.

Ha! That's an interesting tactic. I wonder if like with casting spells on allies, could the ally choose to not resist?

That is AWESOME

Fort vs Nauseated: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12

Robin is busily swatting away at carrion birds, barely holding it together, when he sees Rogar charging to his rescue. "My hero!" Except that Rogar is barreling right at him. "Wait, Rogar, what are you--*POW*--Aieee!" The little hafling is sent flying! Robin's CMD is 15, so he moves 10 feet.

As he recovers, he realizes he's no longer surrounded by birds!

Birds in the Woods - Round 1 - concluded

Seeing his halfling friend surrounded by the swarm of birds, Rogar bull rushes the little bard. Smacking into him like a cue ball in billiards, the dwarf sends the little halfling flying 10' away, and effectively out of the swarm.

End Round 1

Birds in the Woods - Round 2

21 Robin (prone)
21 Carrionstorm 1 (10 dng)
20 Carrionstorm 2 (blinded 3 rounds)
19 Kizzy
15 Rogar
7 Marcellano
6 Cadas

Robin, who is now prone thanks to a good smashing tackle by Rogar, is up for the good guys.

I don't think Robin is prone - bull rush just shoves him back. Though the visual is pretty sweet.

Not sure what else to do, Robin picks himself up on his feet and steps a little farther away from the swarm.

Birds in the Woods - Round 2 - continued

Dusting himself off after being knocked head over heels by Rogar, Robin just stands back trying to put distance between himself and the swarm of not quite dead blackbirds.

The swarm of undead birds moves towards the nearest living thing, in this case, the dwarf ranger. Rogar gets bruised and battered by the swarm, and he is also subject to the disorientation felt in midst of all those swirling bodies.

Needs DC 11 Fort save or be nauseated for one round as well.

The other swarm, still fighitng the blinding effects of the glitterdust, moves in random direction, still remaining a threat on the fringe of the battlefield.

Carrionstorm 1 dmg, Rogar: 1d6 ⇒ 6

Rest of the heroes, besides Robin, are up. Robin will be up to start the next round, if necessary.

Unwilling to channel to hit one of the swarms, Cadas double moves.

Generally a swarm provokes an attack of opportunity as it moves into a creature's square. Unless these are different?

Qetsiyah laughs aloud at Rogar's move. "Nice bump, Rogar! Do ya toss hin where you come from too?" She draws another flask, this one acid and prepares to toss it as soon as Rogar is free from the swarm.

I've never thought of a swarm provoking an AoO. They can't be damaged with most melee weapons, and you can't take an AoO with a ranged or thrown weapon or spell. I suppose it technically provokes, but hitting it with a single weapon has no effect...If you have some great AoE melee weapon, I am ready to research whether they provoke an AoO.

Need posts from Marcellano and Rogar to get the round closed. Will run them tomorrow if no post appears.

That depends on what kind of swarm it is:
A swarm made up of Tiny creatures takes half damage from slashing and piercing weapons. A swarm composed of Fine or Diminutive creatures is immune to all weapon damage.
I thought birds sounded likely to be tiny? Something like a shield bash would do blunt, and thus full damage to a swarm of tiny creatures, but not Fine or Diminutive.

Go figure, I had no idea you could actually hit some swarms with weapons!

Fort: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 9 = 13 Rogar's AOK

"Blasted beasts."

He swings his shield at the swarm trying to distract them, so Q has an easier time hitting them.

Attack to assist: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19

"*Crawk!* Use your f@++ing magic! *Crawk!*"

"Can't," Marcellano grunts through gritted teeth as he dashes away from the swarm and the wildly shield-swinging dwarf. "Too many...of this lot...in the way. Gonna have to...help in other ways." He skids out of the trees to the other side of the swarming birds from the dwarf, and yells, "Hey! Look over here! Hey birds!" while waving his shining silver dagger around.

Attack to aid Kitty: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9

Unfortunately, the birds don't seem to be taking much notice of the shouting man...

By golly, I learned somethin' new today. I suppose you may make the AoO vs the carrionstorm swarm when it leaves a threatened square.

Birds in the Woods - Round 2 - concluded

Kizzy draws a flask of acid and readies to throw if Rogar ever moves out of the center of the storm of undead crows. The dwarf stands in the swarm ready to aid the fighter, but since he never clears the swarm she never throws.

Marcellano attempts to lure the birds attention away from Rogar and Kizzy, but they pay the magic-user no heed.

Cadas moves forward, centering herself between the two remaining swarms of birds.

End of Round 2

Sorry, the trigger for readied action never went off near as I can tell. On to Round 3.

Birds in the Woods - Round 3

21 Robin
21 Carrionstorm 1 (10 dng)
20 Carrionstorm 2 (blinded 2 rounds)
19 Kizzy
15 Rogar
7 Marcellano
6 Cadas

Robin is up first in the new round.

Feeling emboldened by a better understanding of the rules!, Robin draws his longsword and tries to slash at the birds!

Attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8; Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 2. He slashes left, he slashes right. He slashes at air!

Birds in the Woods - Round 3

Robin begins swinging his sword in wild arcs around his head, and while he manages to not skewer an ally, he doesn't hit any birds either.

The swarm moves towards the motion of his blade, and surrounds the halfling and mage, hitting them relentlessly.

Both Robin and Marcellano may take AoO's vs the swarm if they have weapons ready. Failing to defeat it, both will need DC 11 Fort saves or be nauseated. Both will also take the damage noted below

Swarm Dmg: 1d6 ⇒ 5

Still blinded by glitterdust, the other swarm continues just to circle harmlessly.

Rest of the party is up.

"Oh no, not again!" As the birds head toward him, Robin slashes some more, trying not to get surrounded!

Attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19; Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 2 Halved, I think that's 1 damage!

Cadas channels to harm undead, trying to end the bird swarms.

Channel: 2d6 ⇒ (5, 1) = 6

"Eeeaaaggggh!" Marcellano screams--and Narcizia squawks--in terror as the carrionstorm descends on them. He flails around with his dagger, barely able to see for the birds.

Attack of Opp: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17
Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 2 Halved, of course. One more damage!

Somewhat to his surprise, it feels like he actually connected with one of them for a second there...Carefully shifting away, he yells, "Throw your acid, Kizzy! I'm clear!"

If you hit a square next to them, do they only take the minimal splash damage? Or would that be a viable strategy?

Aid Another Attack: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17

Birds in the Woods - Round 3 - continued

The positive energy from Cadas, and perhaps some of the flailing about by Robin and Marcellano, seem to drive off the second swarm of undead birds, leaving only a few stragglers which scatter to the four winds. ONly the blinded swarm remains in the clearing.

Kizzy, Rogar, and Marcellano have actions to take to end the round. Robin and Marcellano still took damage from the swarm, their AoO's aren't what finished them.

Sorry for my delay! Ice storms have been playing keep away with my connection. >_<
Since I ended up not using my round 2 standard action, could I exchange it for a move or at least take a 5 ft step?

Worried over hitting her new friends, Qetsiyah hesitates, trying to get to a better position. But once the swarm nearby is gone, she tucks the flask away and reached for her leafy longbow, needing the range and hoping she can damage enough of them to disperse the swarm.
"Alright Rainbow, your turn."
Fire Rainbow!: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27 Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10

Birds in the Woods - Round 3 - continued

Kizzy fires her bow into the remaining swarm, and some damage is done, as a bird or two fall out of the pack.

Still waiting for Rogar. I will run him tomorrow if we don;t see any action soon.

No Rogar today, so I will run him. I know Sundays are busy for him.

Birds in the Woods - Round 3 - concluded

Seeing the remaining swarm flying around blindly, but still some distance away, Rogar double moves towards the flock of undead birds, ready to swing his shield into action against them.

End of Round 3

Birds in the Woods - Round 4

21 Robin
20 Carrionstorm 2 (blinded 1 round, 11 hp dmg)
19 Kizzy
15 Rogar
7 Marcellano
6 Cadas

Robin is up first against the remaining swarm, which is still blinded by his Glitterdust for this round only.

Dropping his short sword and drawing his bow, Robin will try skewering some birds!

Attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26; Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 1
Crit?: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9; Damage: 2d4 ⇒ (4, 3) = 7 So sad.

Thanks Doc, you can NPC Rogar on Sunday's any time you want.

Cadas watches the blind swarm fly randomly. She hopes she does not have to use an third channel on them.

Birds in the Woods - Round 4 - concluded

Robin's pot shots along with Kizzy's well aimed missiles from Rainbow, serve to unhinge the remaining swarm which was already blinded and bewildered. The hundreds of undead carrion birds scatter in a hundred different directions, individually, the birds are no threat, and the combat ends.

End of Combat

Driving off three swarms of carrionstorms is worth 300 xp per player. This should raise the total XP for each to 8479/10000 or about 62% to level 5. I am starting Kizzy and Marcellano even with the rest of the group on XP's.

"Nothing like watching a flock of birds on a summer day, eh?" says Robin as he watches the birds disperse. Tucking away his bow and dropped sword, Robin quickly heals up the party with his wand.

Robin: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7
Kizzy: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9
Marcellano: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
Rogar: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9

33 charges remaining

I don't think Cadas got hit, but if so, I can roll one for her too.

"So, let's keep going!"

Marcel, looking slightly shaken, emerges from the woods. "Thank you, Robin," he murmurs as the halfling applies his wand to the worst of the party's wounds. Raising his voice, he adds, "I apologize that I was...not the most use in that unfortunate encounter. I did not sufficiently anticipate the possibility of swarms of enemies...what I had prepared today would have done little other than set a single bird on fire, and left us still vulnerable. Well. As you saw..." He pinches the bridge of his nose, looking thoughtful. "I wonder what on earth could have animated these things...?"

With a shrug, he turns back to the party. "Indeed. Onward, to these ruins, eh?"