DM Puppet Master's Humble Bundle Welcome Campaign (Inactive)

Game Master Anon A Mouse

Lily moves outside where she can see what's happening and realizes that matters have taken a bleak turn.

Climb: 1d20 ⇒ 10

She clambers up on one of the trees in the orchard to get just enough height and reaches up toward the garuda.

I just need 5' of elevation and I can get this spell out to 180 feet.

Casting blindness.

Caster level vs. spell resistance: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17

But of course it fails uselessly.

I think I fall over dead again now?

@Lily: I would have to go back and double check the duration/how many rounds it's been. But those are actually mulberry bushes, not trees, so you couldn't have climbed them anyway. If you want, you can re-do your last action.

Edit: Though it occurs to me if I say that, I should probably first check if the naga is still alive.

With his first blow, Carrakas manages to finish off the naga, who dies with a smile on his face. The garuda merely laughs, saying something that sounds scornful.

Millsy and Jaed still have reflex saves as well as their actions. Lily can redo her last action since there aren't trees to climb. If Marzela sees this, she also has her action (otherwise I'm probably going to have her heal Jaed). Naga is dead. Garuda is 185ft above where he is on the map.

I will climb up the side of the wall if I have to. It's the one thing I have that has enough range to hit the garuda. Too bad it can't beat his SR...

Looks like Lily would have actually died before taking her action this round, so perhaps it's a good thing the blindness failed.

Since 2/3 of the remaining people said they might need to be botted, I'm just going to bot the remaining of the people. Unfortunately, I'm not really sure if his spells are up to date. Jk, I think I just figured his spells out. He actually casts flaming sphere and then goes inside.

DC 16
Jaed Reflex: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (9) + 12 = 21 Evasion, so no damage
Millsy Reflex: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (3) + 10 = 13 20 damage

Due to not having any enemies in sight, all the animals retreat inside. The rather gravely injured but still up Jaed quickly runs to take cover inside where Marzela heals him.

Cure serious wounds: 3d8 + 8 ⇒ (3, 8, 5) + 8 = 24 I think this puts Jaed at 35 HP

As everybody retreats inside the building, the garuda cackles before shifting his position slightly and aiming his sights on Carrakas.

vs AC 25, last d6 is still eletricity
Attack 1: 1d20 + 19 - 2 - 3 ⇒ (18) + 19 - 2 - 3 = 32
Manyshot damage 1: 1d8 + 4 + 6 + 1d6 ⇒ (8) + 4 + 6 + (5) = 23
Manyshot damage 2: 1d8 + 4 + 6 + 1d6 ⇒ (7) + 4 + 6 + (4) = 21
Attack 2: 1d20 + 14 - 2 - 3 ⇒ (4) + 14 - 2 - 3 = 13
Attack 3: 1d20 + 9 - 2 - 3 ⇒ (15) + 9 - 2 - 3 = 19

Putting Finnrick's rolls down here
SR: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14 Fails, but the sphere can try again next round

Round 16
- Carraks, Finnrick
Round 17
- Marzela, Jaed
- Enemies

Party is up

That seems like a fine move, and sorry. As all of the animals are inside Finnrick begins casting a spell.

Despite his ability to soak up damage, enough gets through to leave Carrakas barely on his feet. He moves quickly inside the building to take cover from the Garuda. (23 damage after various reductions leaves me at 26hp, with 24NL, so I'm only barely conscious. Double-moving to inside the building.)

Lily starts to clamber up the wall, then she loses her grip. "Oh... oh! I'm going! I... Finnrick, I..."

And she dies once again.

I think I overestimated the amount of free time I would have. Thanks for taking care of Jaed.

"No, Lily, hold on." As the fight is not looking good for the group, Jaed decides to step forward and then closes the door. "We need to rethink out strategy."

If someone does not want the door to be closed just say so and Jaed won't close it. Instead he will ready an attack in case an enemy gets in range.

Seeing the badly hurt state of her group, Marzela channels healing energy.

Channel: 6d6 ⇒ (5, 4, 3, 6, 4, 2) = 24

Meanwhile, with the building blocking line of sight between the garuda and the party, the bird-man is able to do who knows what without anyone seeing.

Round 17
- Carraks, Finnrick
Round 18
- Marzela, Jaed
- Enemies

Party is up. Though you should also decide what you intend to do in the longer term (namely do you plan to go outside/try to engage the garuda) because depending on you want to do, it might make more sense to drop out of combat rounds.

"Does anyone have a way of bringing that filthy bird to the ground? Or to make us fly. We need to find a way to get close to him."

I don't have any spells left that will do anything to him, or get us up there. I could probably hit him with my bow, but not easily, since he is beyond the normal range of the weapon, so it would be a lot tougher.

At least he wasn't here to harm us while we were fighting the rest of our foes. I suggest we see if there are any clues in here as to what is going on, and what this place is a front for. If the Garuda comes back in, it will be easier to fight in here where it can't get as far away.

My primary concern is Lily's body. We can't bring her back unless we have it, and she is out there where he can attack us.

She channels to heal the group again.

Channel: 6d6 ⇒ (5, 4, 4, 3, 1, 6) = 23

"I'll get her" Finnrick thinks as a medium air elemtal appears outside. The windy creature appears over Lilly and shoots up at the Guarda, closing the gap in a blink. Pythagoras says he can do it in a double move

Hoping that the flying elemental can discourage the Guarda from attacking him Finnrick flutters out and lands next to Lilly's body he casts a spell on himself. Alternatively can Finnrick put his little wings under her back so if he wildshapes out of being a tiny bird he will pick her up without needing to use a standard action next round?

It's a 3rd level spell. Not sure what the check is.

His other summoned creatures come out and stand in front of Lilly.

found my laptop charger so I should be able to update map when I get to a place with Wi-Fi

"Finnrick, wait! I won't let you go alone." Jaed opens the door (because I don't think Finnrick has enough actions to do so) and walks outside along the druid.

I'm gonna wait until Finnrick moves all his troupe (it has only passed a couple hours from his message) before moving Jaed. Or if you see this message, Finnrick, please move Jaed next to wherever the druid is.

Will do, and thanks, I didn't realize that the door was closed, and seeing as he is a diminutive bird, I doubt I could have opened it on my own. I just got to location, so I'll move in 20 minutes or so.

Since it sounds like we're staying in combat and people went outside, I went ahead and moved the garuda where he moved last round (he's still about 185 feet up). He also immediately fires an arrow at the air elemental from his readied action.

To hit vs elemental (including air mastery penalties): 1d20 + 19 - 3 - 2 - 1 ⇒ (14) + 19 - 3 - 2 - 1 = 27
Damage: 1d8 + 4 + 6 + 1d6 - 1 ⇒ (2) + 4 + 6 + (4) - 1 = 15

You can pick Lily up as a move action. Or you can drag her along and move at half speed.

Carrakas still has his action

Then as much as I don't want to for story purposes I guess scratch the spell Finnrick will just unwildshape

Looking at his sheet, it does not appear that Carrakas has a bow or any other ranged weapon that would reach the garuda. So I guess for this round he asks if anybody has one he can borrow?

Cackling, the garuda flies backwards slightly and begins firing at the air elemental, only letting up when it falls.
I believe after the readied action it has 23/38 HP

Attack 1 vs Air elemental: 1d20 + 19 - 3 - 1 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 19 - 3 - 1 + 1 = 30
Manyshot damage 1: 1d8 + 4 + 6 + 1d6 - 1 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 4 + 6 + (4) - 1 + 1 = 18
Manyshot damage 2: 1d8 + 4 + 6 + 1d6 - 1 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 4 + 6 + (5) - 1 + 1 = 21
At this point, I think the air elemental is dead, so the garuda will switch to firing at Finnrick. If I've miscalculated, he continues to fire at the air elemental until dead
Attack 2 vs Finnrick: 1d20 + 14 - 3 - 2 ⇒ (13) + 14 - 3 - 2 = 22
Damage 2: 1d8 + 4 + 6 + 1d6 ⇒ (3) + 4 + 6 + (6) = 19
Attack 3 vs Finnrick: 1d20 + 9 - 3 - 2 ⇒ (15) + 9 - 3 - 2 = 19

Round 18
- Carraks, Finnrick
Round 18
- Marzela, Jaed
- Enemies

Party is up. Also remember that the greater flaming sphere is still around, though it can only move 30 feet and takes a move action to direct.

Lily is carrying a longbow quite obviously slung across her dead body. Carrakas could easily take it.

An arrow buries itself into Finnricks shoulder as another arrow sticks into the ground near him. He picks up Lilly's lifeless body and runs back to safety.

"I've got her and here, she has a bow"

Carrakas shakes his head at the offered bow. "He has the advantage out there, I think we should stay in here and find our answers. He'll need to come in after us. We are after info, not bodies."

Are the walls/floor of this building stone? I'm thinking about using my Earthmeld utility talent to merge Lily's body with stone, so we don't have to carry her around nor protect her body while we are in here. It lasts for 80 minutes, or until I use Earthmeld again. When we are ready to leave, I can use Earthmeld on myself to have the effect end on Lily.

The walls are stone, but dead bodies are no longer creatures. But if it helps, I'm not planning on having the garuda try to steal the body because that would make things overly complex/probably just delay raising her, which isn't something I want.

"We need to search this place quickly, find what we need, and get out. Jaed, get back in here and shut the door!" Carrakas takes his own advice, and moves north to try to open the nearby door.

Everybody rushes inside as the garuda continues firing arrows on anybody left in sight. Carrakas opens one of the thus far untouched doors to reveal what appears to be a storage area. Bolts of silk cloth and spools of silken thread fill much of this storeroom. A set of steps with wooden railings in the southeast corner leads down below ground level.

Jaed quickly retreats inside the building. "Ok, we'll deal with that bird later." When he sees the stairs, he shares his thoughts aloud. "If they are hiding something it'll probably be underground."

Jaed will inspect the stairs and adventure underground if nobody objects.

Perception: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (5) + 13 = 18 +4 to find concealed or secret objects and additional +4 for traps.

Marzela locks the door if there is a way to do so from inside, then looks through the stuff upstairs quickly to see if there is anything that looks important and not just supplies.

Perception: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (19) + 21 = 40

If she finds nothing, she will proceed downstairs.

Marzela finds a trap door in the northwest corner of the ceiling, about 15 feet up, though there doesn't appear to be any stairs or ladder to reach it. In the northeast corner, she finds what appears to be a nest made out of silk cloth, including a golden tiara set with blood rubies worth 1,400 gp and several sets of jeweled earrings worth a total of 450 gp.

Jaed carefully searches the stairs down and after determining that they don't seem to be trapped, heads down. Beams and floorboards form the low roof of this dank basement. There are crates and boxes piled against the walls and a desk and several sturdy chairs in the middle of the earthen floor. Gagged, blindfolded, and tied to one of the chairs is a familiar figure: the rumormonger Mahindra, who looks rather the worse for wear.

Marzela tells the group about the trap door and takes everything of value that she finds, since they need to be able to come up with enough to get Lily raised.

"Guys, I think I found something down here."

Jaed approaches the man and checks if he is still alive. If he is not he will inspect the room while the others come.

Perception: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (6) + 13 = 19+4 to find concealed or secret objects and additional +4 for traps.

Marzela hears Jaed calling and goes to join him.

Not sure how much what I was doing overlaps with what Jaed was doing, but when I have caught up, if Mahindra isn't untied or healed yet, Marzela will help him.

Mahindra jerks violently with a muffled scream of terror as Jaed goes to check his pulse, making it very clear it's very much alive. When his gag and blindfold are removed, he visibly sags in relief before tensing up and frantically babbling in Vudrani.

"My friends, you must beware! There's a dark naga monstrosity lurking about. If you are not careful, she will capture you like she did me. Quickly, you must untie me, so we can flee before she finds us. I do not wish to die before I have the chance to see my beautiful daughters and their grandchildren once more. Please, release me, and I will find you all magnificent husbands or wives, free of charge I assure you."

Jaed finds broken pieces of weaving equipment as well as tools for repairing and maintaining the mill's looms in the boxes, but nothing else of particular interest.

Jaed watches while Marzela unties Mahindra and hopefully translates his words. "Don't worry, we can protect you from the naga. But you have to tell us why did this people kidnap you and what information they were after."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24

Jaed will try to sense if his response is hiding something.

Sense motive: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (17) + 9 = 26

Marzela casts Cure Light Wounds on him:

CLW: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10

Mahindra looks slightly better after some healing, but still looks around nervously, as if expecting the naga to appear from the shadows as he continues to babble slightly "I was asking around to see if I could gather any more information for you, as I said I would. But I fear I was not careful enough; normally what I investigate is not nearly this touchy and would at least given a warning to back off, but often even that isn't even warranted. I'm not even sure how my questions were linked to these people, but they must have taken some offense and kidnapped me. I am certain they mean to kill me! Something about making an example of me, but to whom or why I do not know. But if we leave before they return, we can surely escape such a fate."

The language barrier makes it hard for Jaed to tell anything about Mahindra's words except that he's still very scared.

The older man begins stiffly sneaking towards the door, though any "stealth" he had is quickly ruined by his hastily cut off scream upon seeing Lily's dead body. His eyes wide in terror, he stares at the arrows sticking out of her body. "This woman! She was with you. They have killed her. They must be nearby, so we must flee before they come and kill the rest of us! The big burly fellow can carry her, less she be turned into the example I was meant to be."

They aren't nearby. Only one that we know of is still alive, and he is outside. You're going to be okay.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (12) + 21 = 33

We need to get all the information that we can to figure out what they are up to. Let us do a quick search for paperwork or whatever other clues we might be able to find, and then we will escort you home. Would that be okay?

Mahindra seems comforted by Marzela's assurances that you've killed nearly everybody, though he makes sure to stay away from any windows and lurks near the large and heavily armored Carrakas. "Yes, do what you need to and then we can leave to safer and more welcoming environs."

Where is it you would like to search? You've thus far checked the basement and the storage area that leads down to the basement.

Oh, sorry... I didn't realize we checked the whole basement. I thought it was bigger, and maybe would lead somewhere (too much Rappan Athuk, probably). I guess just the trap door, if we can get up to it, but not sure we can. Does everyone else want to go back now? I can't think of a way to get the Garuda outdoors, and we do need to see if we can get Lily back.

(I'm totally not taking it for granted, but *if* that's what everyone wants to do, then Marzela will Stone Shape the front door back the way it was, and they should probably go home quickly so the Garuda doesn't fry them on the way.)

on the map, it looks like there is a room in the rafters, presumably the garuda's room, that could be searched still.

Yeah, I was thinking that was where the trap door went, but it might also be accessible from the rafters (?)

Through use of more blade rushing, Carrakas gets up in the rafters and over to what does indeed appear to be the garuda's nest. This room is set in the cramped, slanted space between the roof and the rafters of the room below. A large, nestlike structure made from silk cloth and pieces of wood occupies the center of the room. Other furnishings include a desk and trunk against the inner wall and a barrel in the corner. Underneath the barrel is a trap door leading back to the storage room.

Scattered about are what look to be the raw ingredients used for making arrows as well as masterwork artisan's tools for fletching. The desk contains a variety of writing tools and ink as well as a shallow bowl full of ashes with a candle and tinderbox nearby. The trunk seems to contain mostly trade goods.

In the bowl of ashes are a few scraps of unburned paper with notes written in Vudrani. One seems to be a list of new regulations: no more sacrifices without permission; report those who openly express support for the new law banning "our most holy dark mother"; pass on any information, no matter how minor, about the thakur’s palace. A footnote here reads, “Extract all we can from Raheem.” Another seems to be notes on each of you including descriptions of all your appearances, where you're staying, and which possessions of yours detect as magical. Finally, there's a note with some scribbled calculations on it. Added to the second slide of the maps slideshow

Okay, so we should probably take that evidence back and report in, eh? Maybe our royal benefactor... oh, wait, that is Raheem isn't it? If they are saying to extract things from Raheem, do they already have him? I was hoping he would help us get Lily raised, but if he is dead or kidnapped, we're screwed, and without a reward on top of it. We should probably go check. And then (maybe?) off to Niswan? Other thoughts?

When Carrakas returns with what he found and everyone is ready, Marzela stone shapes the front door back to the way it was and they leave.

Destination TBD, but maybe back to see Raheem?

Note also that one of the guys in the rafters I just knocked out with NL, didn't kill. Could potentially get info out of him, either here or by dragging him back to Raheem.

I don't think we searched all the bodies, did we?

While they discuss options for getting away, Marzela will search the bodies to see if there is anything valuable/useful.

Oops, missed this.

Searching all the dead bodies inside, Marzela manages to find
- 16 masterwork punching daggers
- 8 masterwork componsite shortbows (+1 str)
- 1 dose of Dhat gunchi paste (Poison: DC 14; 1/rd for 4 rds; 1 Con and 1d2 Wis, 1 save)
- 4 potions of CMW
- 1 potion of invisibility
- 8 masterwork studded leather armor
- 8 masterwork thieves tools
- 2 ritual daggers
- 2 potions of CLW

After some careful planning, it's decided that Jaed, Marzela, and Mahindra will take the potions and make a run for it with Lily's body stuffed into the bag of holding. Carrakas will serve as a distraction and try to lead the garuda away by hopping from one building to the next. Finnrick informs the group that he will wildshape and guide Millsy to run in the opposite direction before meeting back up with you at the inn.

Marzela finishes healing Carrakas back up to full before unblocking the front door. Carrakas makes a dash for it, soon hearing the screech of the garuda as it swoops to this side of the building. Marzela and company see it begin firing arrows at the jogging warrior, some of which bounce off his armor but others hitting as he exits the wall to continue onwards. When he's out of sight, the three of them drink their potions and make a run for it, hoping the garuda won't bring down their companion before giving up.

In the interest of speeding things up, I'm going to make some assumptions about your actions to move things along more.

You all stand, reunited once more in the lobby of the inn, battered, bruised, and exhausted. Mahindra suggests you all head to the palace--the nice, safe, heavily guarded palace-- immediately to update Raheem.

"Finally big guy. I was starting to think that the bird got you," Jaed says visibly relieved when Carrakas makes his entrance in the inn.

When Mahindra's suggests heading to the palace the rogue seems more concerned about their fallen friend. "Before informing anyone we have to find a way to bring Lily back to life."

If Raheem isn't dead or kidnapped, he might be able to help with that. I am just worried about that note that said "Extract all we can from Raheem." We should at least try and check in and make sure he is okay.

Either way we come back here and get some sleep before even thinking about another battle... does that work?

"Surely those in the palace would know of a good temple to help with your friend. Though perhaps you are right and we should freshen up first." Mahindra picks self-consciously at his grimy and, in a few place, blood-stained clothing.

So, one vote for looking for someone to raise Lily. Another vote for food and bath and then seeing if Raheem can help with Lily.

Also, forgot to mention, but Carrakas is currently at 31 HP.

Marzela channels twice to heal everyone in the area.

Channel to heal: 6d6 ⇒ (5, 6, 2, 5, 4, 2) = 24
Channel to heal: 6d6 ⇒ (3, 6, 5, 6, 4, 3) = 27

She saves the last two channels for later, in case things go poorly and the Garuda gang has taken over the palace. (Hopefully doubtful, but she doesn't want to be without anything at all until they are actually going to rest.)

Food and bath so that we don't seem like easy meat to the Garuda gang, who like to take potshots at us already, but also okay with going now if you guys prefer.

"I have no idea about raising the dead magic so if you are sure that there is no rush I can also get a bath and something to eat."

Jaed is ready to depart whenever everyone is ready.

Also remember that the party used some healing resources to get Carrakas from 73 HP to 93 before he ran out to distract the garuda. I'll move things forward tonight, so if there's anything anyone else wants to do something before going to the palace, you should go ahead and post it.