DM Wellards RotRL

Game Master Wellard

Upon reaching the area Muchorak will ready his weapons in hands and slowly approach the farm house, weary of the surroundings...

Perception D20 16+9= 25 (27 if Forest)

Upon reaching the farm, Romon strings his bow. "Where shall we leave the wagon and horse(s)?"

I assume we'll make the final approach on foot.

He relies on one of the wood-crafty types to pick a good spot and ties his horse to the wagon.

When the party starts its approach to the house, Romon takes up his customary position at the party's rear.

Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 15 +2 more v. traps --

Shouldn't we have circled the farmhouse before walking to it head-on? It's too late now. Hopefully the dead cannot conceive of ambushes.

As he walks forard Inikai draws some finely ground glass from his pouch into his hand and blows on it. The cloud of crystal dust sparkles for a moment and the coallesces into a small, rough sphere the size of a thumbnail. The tiny globe bobs in the air as if floaing on the surface of a pond. After the space of a breath it catches up to Inikai and bobs about in his wake.

I can't wait to see what the little floating ball does.

Marak's focus is disrupted by the sight of Inikai's new magical working. Is there nothing about his magic that is known to me?

He shakes his head and returns to looking around, keeping his hand close to his holy symbol and his shield readied.

I'm going to assume that the wagon and horses were left at the closest farmstead.

As Ali lands and begins her spell casting and Naria's form is enveloped in a momentary sheen which fades swiftly away, Inikai sunmmons up his tiny sattelite.

Muchorak scans the scene ahead and his keen eyes pick up movements within the corn that cannot be put down to a breeze.

Muchorak gives a low whistle while keeping his gaze on the movement, he nods in the direction he is viewing to his companions and begins his hunters steps moving towards it...

Stealth D20 11+11= 22, 24 if Forest

Protected and enhanched by her magic's, Ali and Lunas notice Big Bear's attention on the corn, but, because of their short stature, they are unable to see what he sees. So instead they turn to their other senses, putting their noses into the air and try to determine any presence of foes or danger by their keen sense of smell (using Scent)

Naria remains near the cart keeping an eye of the corn.

Also, forgot about Share Spells, so have a couple extra., If it's not too late...

Always most concerned for the four-legged members of her pack Ali also includes Little Bear in her casting, placing a Barkskin and Magic Fang on the ursine. 50 min & 5 min durations

Inikai turns toward Muchorak's whistle and heads in the direction of the wheat. He takes up a position to the side of Muchorak and then notes the position of all the others in the party. The little glass sphere drifts almost imperceptibly at the level of his shoulder. He holds his morningstar ready. I will not be taken by surprise like I was in the jail he thinks.

Naria remains near the cart keeping an eye of the corn.

"Come on, " Romon says. "You needn't be afraid. This bunch is death on the wing. Just keep to the center of the group and you'll be fine."

Romon brings up the rear, checking the party's back trail as usual. He walks with an arrow nocked to the string holding the bow and arrow in his left hand pointed downward.

"Who said anything about being afraid?" Naria responds however she does move herself towards the centre of the group.

You begin to push into the cornfield..gradually becoming aware of movements around you but with the thick, unharvested corn obscuring any decent view of the enemy. Ali and Lunas both catch a charnel whiff on the air.The path branches three ways..to the left and the right it curves round towards the south..whilst the path ahead is relatively straight..A scarecrow stands at the junction.(the house is to the right as you look at the scene although you can no longer see it.)

Muchorak spots another two scarecrows some 60 feet ahead along the straight path.

Moving ahead slightly (move action) Lunas puts his snout to the ground and then the air to try and determine exactly which direction the charnel smell is coming from. Whatever he finds he indicates to his pack sister in Animal Tongue and she then repeats in two-leg speak for the rest of the pack.

Naria eyes the scarecrow wearily "Did the guy not mention something about scarecrows?"

"Yeah. He said they even ate the dogs."

I'm supposing that Romon can't see them from his position at the back of the pack.

Wellard, how dry is this cornfield?

"So uh anyone want to try and give it a poke?"

"These stalks of corn make a perfect cover for attackers laying in wait. We should get out of here quickly."

"So uh anyone want to try and give it a poke?"

"Better done from a distance."

The small glass sphere darts to a position above Inikai's right shoulder and flashes brightly. Three sparks streak to the scarecrow and strike it.

Three magic missiles - Damage3d4 + 3 ⇒ (3, 2, 2) + 3 = 10

Romon looks curiously as the tiny sphere rises, flashes and fires. "That's handy," the rogue thinks.

Might have been better if we'd used arrows and saved the magic missile for guaranteed combat. This thing might just be a real scarecrow. And normal ranged shots through the corn are going to be at a big disadvantage.

Muchorak will approach the scarecrow directly infront of them, his weapons ready waiting for the thing to spring to life...

Inakai's magic tears the straw dummy apart.

The smell is a general one no specific direction available.

Marak moves to remain a pace of Muchorak, casting an incantation as he does.

Shield Other on Muchorak. +1 deflection to AC, +1 resistance to saves, and half the damage Muchorak takes will go to Marak instead, for the next 5 hours, or until Marak panics and cancels it early...

"Remain close, especially those who are, shall we say, easier to carry off..." Marak cautions. "We should remain within arm's length of each other at all times, lest someone be seized and dragged away by the undead."

Romon decides to stay with the bow for now. He's confident he'll hear anyone coming through the cornstalks. He half draws it and spins in a slow circle as he walks behind the party.

Maybe he's got a little case of the hide-behinds.

Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (15) + 9 = 24 +2 on traps

Expecting foes to attack any moment, Lunas stays up front, pacing Big Bear while Ali flows to wolf form and hangs back, pacing alongside Naria and Romon, to protect the 'weaker' members of the pack. With her speed she is confidant she can make it to the front or wherever she is needed.

With the scarecrow 'shattered' by Inikai's magic Muchorak turns taking the path to the right in hopes it will exit near the home...

What about the 2 scarecrows down the middle path?

The two scarecrows hang on thier mountings unmoving..

Muchorak pushes along the right hand track for about 180 feet before he spots the next junction some 60 feetahead..again a single scarecrow guards the way.

The corn here arches above your heads the paths are narrow and the entire place has a claustrophobic feel to it.Visibility into the corn is only about 10 feet on either side

With visibility hampered so, Ali and her animal companion rely on their other senses, stopping every few feet to scent the air, then using their speed to catch up, if necessary.

When he reaches the first intersection, Romon whips two arrows into the scarecrows down the middle path.

The closing stalks and fourth scarecrow start to work on his nerves. "Maybe we should just burn the whole field. "

Ali, what about some aerial recon?

Romon bow attack on scarecrow..1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24 damage including sneak attack on flatfooted target..3d6 ⇒ (4, 1, 1) = 6

Romon's first arrow flies true hitting the scarecrow....which utters an unearthly scream and pulls itself from the ties that bind it to the frame. Other more distant screams echo it as the figure rushes towards the Rogue.

The second scarecrow also wrests free of it's bonds.

Well done Tim

Init

1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17

seeing the thing's tear themselves free Eria launches a series of blue bolts at one of them (Magic Missile)

3d4 + 3 ⇒ (4, 3, 2) + 3 = 12

"Well I think we've got there attention"

Init 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 1 = 11

Marak's morningstar flies to engage the first 'scarecrow' that gets within 30 ft. of him.

Hand of the Acolyte-powered morningstar attack 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13
damage 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

Inikai shouts a curse and brings launches three bolts much like Naria's from his sattelite at the same scarecrow she attacked. Then he moves forward 10 paces to meet the scarecrows.

Magic Missiles
3d4 + 3 ⇒ (3, 3, 2) + 3 = 11

If Inikai can successfully move 10 feet in this round then he gains a +4 deflection bonus for the duration of the round.

Initiative: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20

Romon admires his shot until the scarecrow screams. He quickly pulls another arrow as he steps backward. As he draws he steps sideways trying to line up the two charging scarecrows to hit both with a single shot. When the lead scarecrow gets within 30' he looses.

Shortbow attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24 .. damage 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

• Wellard, I don't think I get your sneak attack at 60'. I thought the limit was 30'.
• Also, I've noticed you tell us 'well done' when we trigger the trap.
• I don't expect anything for that 2 for 1 shot, it's just Romon's fluff. Trying to show off even just for himself.
• Romon's 'step back' is a 10' retreat, so that the scarecrow won't reach him with a double move, then ready to fire when the scarecrow hits 30'. Depending on how you read the ready action.

With an enemy in sight both wolves race off to attack

Init:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 231d6d1d20 + 10 ⇒ (20) + 10 = 301d4 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8Ali's bite is considered magical
Lunas attack & damage:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 151d8 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7 (plus Lunas gets a free trip attempt)

Wellard can we get a break down of the party lay out? As i'm understanding it we were proceeding in a single file fashion, maybe with slight zig zag effects so as not to be directly behind one another. The pathway in the cornfield only allows such movement. We encounter the intersection, Inikai's magic, then Muchorak took the right path and at the 'end' of this line is Romon who then fires the arrows? Which places Muchorak and Ursus at the 'back' of the party? If this is correct how far is Muchorak from getting back to the 'front' of the party to assist with the conflict?

And in the meantime...

Hearing the screams from behind Muchorak looks initially then returns his focus to the front...
Perception D20 19+9= 28, 30 if Forest

His weapons at the ready for other assailants within the cornfield.

Initiative: 1d20+3

Romon admires his shot until the scarecrow screams. He quickly pulls another arrow as he steps backward. As he draws he steps sideways trying to line up the two charging scarecrows to hit both with a single shot. When the lead scarecrow gets within 30' he looses.

Shortbow attack: 1d20+7 .. damage 1d6+1

• Wellard, I don't think I get your sneak attack at 60'. I thought the limit was 30'.
• Also, I've noticed you tell us 'well done' when we trigger the trap.
• I don't expect anything for that 2 for 1 shot, it's just Romon's fluff. Trying to show off even just for himself.
• Romon's 'step back' is a 10' retreat, so that the scarecrow won't reach him with a double move, then ready to fire when the scarecrow hits 30'. Depending on how you read the ready action.

Murchorak You are 30 feet ahead of Romon so 25 feet would bring you to his side however the corn counts as difficult terrain so it would be a full move to get there

Party order as I see it

Muchorak with Ursus
Marak
Inikai
Ali with Lunas
Naria
Romon

With the curve in the path Inika'i wont see the approaching foes until they actually hit the intersection.Naria and Ali can see them as, off course, can Romon.
Initiative for Inakai1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20

Initiative for 'Scarecrows' 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18

So initiative order is
Lunas
Ali
Romon
Inakai
'Scarecrows'
Naria
Marak

Ali and Lunas charge down the path but Lunas refuses to close with the Scarecrows as their true nature becomes apparent(you need to spend 2 tricks on attack to have him attack unnatural creatures).Ali snaps at one of them and her teeth connect with pale dead flesh then Romons arrow takes it down.Inakai moves back to the intersection and sends his Magic Missiles screaming into the second Ghoul who staggers a bit and then leaps for Ali but it's depairing claw misses badly just before Naria's missiles blow it apart in a welter of necrotic flesh.

Muchorak listens,,the other yells and screams are quite a way distant yet(about 200 yards) but the Ranger holds himself ready for anything.

"So what's the plan?" Naria asks whilst watching the corn all around them.

I must trust in them Muchorak thinks to himself, so used to be at the front of the battle, but this time he must trust them to deal with the creatures. There are more out here, I must be ready for them. The Shoanti knows there must be more here and so he keeps his focus on his surroundings, the thick corn stalks could release a new foe at any moment.

"We need to regroup here. We need to know if any one of us is taken down. It will make us more of a target but it also affords attackers fewer chances to pick off straglers. It also denies us opportunity for stealth and surprise, though." At this Inikai looks at a Romon to convey disappointment that one of the young thief's great strenghts will be lost to the group."If anyone has other ideas I am all ears."

In Shoanti Inikai calls out to Muchorak that they will wait for him where they are. When he arrives he will repeat the above to him.

Maybe we should have burned down the corn he thinks to himself.

Wellard, how far into the field have we come and were there screams from behind us?

"Can we make it back to the wagon?" Romon asks. "Then we could pick them off as they come out of the corn."

Wellard, how far into the field have we come and were there screams from behind us?

"Can we make it back to the wagon?" Romon asks. "Then we could pick them off as they come out of the corn."

"I agree, that is probably our best option."

Metagaming here - we probably should continue. If we burn the corn down then whoever is waiting for us in the farmhouse will know that we are outside and will probably marshal all his forces together and overwhelm us out in the open.

Well if we burned the cornfields...that would hurt the production of the produce of these people, and if this farm family is still alive we would be destroying their income. Sure at first they would be glad to be rid of the plague of the undead, but alas how will they feed their families? Muchorak would understand that tactical feel of doing this, but he would be thinking of the food crop as well and the need to feed a tribe not just a family and would only agree to burning the fields as a last resort.

You are about 90 feet into the corn..no cries from behind you they seem to be coming from the direction of the farmhouse..and getting closer..then they suddenly stop.

Well lets get this battle solved first. :D

Muchorak will cautiously move back to the others.

Perhaps the fight shall be over by time I get there

"If we remain in the intersection we can have an escape route if we need to fall back."

"This situation was not done hastily; someone put thought and effort into hiding these ...screaming corpses into disguises. I only hope that innocents are not dressed and lashed to poles in order that would-be rescuers take them for ghouls and kill them."

"Ali, can you catch Muchorak's scent? Is he close by?"

Inikai speaks as Muchorak reaches the intersection..the fight is indeed over.

Walking into the conversation, "Let us get to the home quickly, we should leave these fields."