Karieth lets the others search through the building, keeping an ear open for distress calls as he stay outside with Conri. Once he learns the place is empty of anything living, the wild elf begins to search for tracks of whatever force assaulted the Wartower Wardens.
Survival roll includes being level 8, which i dont think my sheet reflects, as well as +2 for being in an above ground natural environment, but not the +3 for being in woodlands.
Glorb inspects at the carnage and feels sorrow for the poor dwarves. Setting up such a risky business, trying to skim the riches of other people’s work, was never a good idea from the beginning. But their demise had been gruesome. He half-heartedly looks around for any tracks or other information that is not obvious.
Tracking was not Glorb’s skill, so as Morrow asks for this, he just shrugs.
Godsday (Vernal Equinox), 4th day of , 594 C.Y.
Weather is cold with brisk winds out of the north in the morning, but warming up a bit in the afternoon, sky is clear with a few clouds.
Current time is about noon.
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Karieth is able to utilize his extensive training as a ranger to track the villains that did this, despite the coating of snow on the ground that covers the prints initially. The tracker estimates about a dozen creatures present in the party, most of them roughly average humanoid and booted. The one that is much larger is quite evident, and that one's feet were unshod.
The tracks lead right up to the war tower, as expected. But the way forward is barred by the heavy door and the pit that must be circumnavigated first. The dead can easily be disposed of in the same pit, should the heroes take the time to do so - a grisly task that will likely take less than an hour to accomplish, though considerably longer (more like three hours) if they want to toss down rocks in order to form a makeshift cairn to cover the bodies completely.
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"How odd that they were able to get around the pit so easily."
Verdan looks around the pit to see if there is a way around it.
There is no obvious way around the pit, though using boards or the like could allow one to simply walk across it, with the broad ledge on the far side. Unfortunately, most of the wood in the ruins is either going to be rotted or badly warped. A bridge could be crafted from the nearby trees using some rope and a lot of hard work, but it would take hours to do so.
Those that infiltrated the tower a few days ago remark that they simply climbed down into the pit using rope, then used a grappling hook to do the same on the far side.
Reonnyn leans back against the wall of the Warden building squinting his eyes against the bright sun. Running his hands through his hair he scowls, "Going through those front doors sounds like a quick and painful death to me. There has to be another way inside...and I think we can get in there, if you are not afraid of heights."
Reonnyn does see other routes into the tower, accessible only by climbing. Some of the others relate that though the large room beyond the door was completely enclosed (and guarded by undead and a great war wagon that they destroyed), the chamber that they investigated beside that room was a very old stable, and it had no roof! Though the steps that led downward into the ruins was in the chamber just beyond the door, they indeed can circumnavigate this outer door by climbing over the wall, into the stable, and then through the side door.
But the climb is about 30' going over the wall. Not easy by any means, especially compared to the ten-foot deep pit...
"We should try the easy route first, and see if the door has been bared. If it is, we can climb over the wall and not take time on the door."
Looking for guidance form those that have been here before.
Morrow walks up to the wall, reaching to his pack and pulling out his rope of climbing. "The pit could be trapped. We went over the wall last time. I'm an expert climber so I'll lead, unless anyone objects?"
OOC: Use Rope of Climbing. Have it 'snake' up and over the wall and secure in place. Use Leaping Climber and Speedy Ascent skill tricks, and accelerated climb to reach the top of the wall. (20/4= 5' jump) and Accelerated Climb
IC: "I'll stay up here and pull anyone up that is weak at climbing."
Verdan watching Morrow go up the walk like he was on flat ground.
Under his breath "Show off"
Glorb readily follows the lead and instructions from Morrow.
Once the others have climbed up the rope Reonnyn shimmies up it fairly easily.
After removing his armor and using his climbing kit, he makes his way up the wall.
On the other side he dons his armor back on.
Joryn seems ill-prepared to climb things.
Godsday (Vernal Equinox), 4th day of , 594 C.Y.
Weather is cold with brisk winds out of the north in the morning, but warming up a bit in the afternoon, sky is clear with a few clouds.
Current time is about noon.
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Morrow scampers up the wall with ease, thanks to the magical rope finding a good hold that might have been difficult with a grappling hook. The duskblade notes that indeed finding a solid grip could have been very difficult indeed, given the loose rock at the top of the wall. He finds himself on a solid ledge of stone that juts out over the interior of the tower shell about ten feet deep and more than twice again as wide, giving the others plenty of room to climb up and find a place to sit or stand while the others make their way up as well – with varying degrees of ease depending on how much weight they are carrying.
The ruined ledge appears to be the roof of the stable, as the hay-strewn floor can be seen thirty feet below, and a wide platform twenty feet down on the far side can be glimpsed, though most of the balcony is concealed by large mounds of rotting hay and whatever else might have been stored up there in centuries past. After hauling up Verdan’s armor and then finally Karieth’s faithful wolf companion in a makeshift sling fashioned by the elf, followed by the ranger himself, Morrow drops the rope over the edge and climbs down. He is followed by the others who can make the climb easily, Wakandah, Reonnyn and then Glorb. However, just as the gnome sets foot on the ground there are hungry shrieks as the very earth explodes upward within the stalls! Foul undead creatures that had lay concealed beneath the detritus of the ruined stables are revealed, their mottled decaying flesh drawn tight across their bones and their eyes glowing like hot coals as their worm-like tongues lick hungrily at sharp, blackened teeth.
Joryn is certain they are undead, maybe zombies or the like, though they are moving unnaturally fast for such creatures. Morrow and Wakandah recognize them as ghouls and both of them realize that the undead creatures can paralyze their victims with their filthy claws and teeth, as well as the fact that they can transmit a disease that turns their victims into ghouls. Verdan is very familiar with these undead, knowing in addition that they are resistant to divine magic that would otherwise turn them. He also notes that two of them (the furthest away to the ‘south’ on the map) are actually ghasts based upon their size and quickness compared to the other ghouls. He knows further that these powerful ghouls exude a disgusting stench that can cause those that battle them in close quarters to become weakened and distracted by stomach cramps and vomiting.
Though most of the adventurers react swiftly to the threat, Verdan and Morrow are surprised by the sudden violence and hesitate a moment too long…
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Round 8
Bolded players below please post!
Note that some of the ghouls have total cover from some of you, depending on where you are (on the roof, or down on the ground), and the others probably have partial cover – though some have no cover at all (those on the roof can look down on the nearest ones with nothing blocking your view, for instance). I’ll determine cover when I figure out your attacks, so don’t worry about trying to modify your attack rolls or anything. Just try your best to pick targets that you can at lease see clearly (or partially see) based on your positions on the map (I have a couple notes about the map
Karieth - 44/44
Joryn - 69/69
Glorb - 41/41
Wakandah - 32/32
Reonnyn - 54/54
Ghouls #1-#11 - All are unwounded
Verdan - 50/50
Conri - 44/44
Ghouls #12-#13 - Both are unwounded
Morrow - 61/61
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OOC: Since I'm last.... If I'm still capable of fighting:
IC: Morrow mentally commands his sword to flame and swings at the closest of the monsters. Full Attack ,
OOC: Note: If there are no ghouls near me I'll just target the closest group that I see with a Fiery Burst, 10' diameter ball, 2d6 fire damage, Reflex Save 14 for half damage.
Did I have time to ready my shield? Yes=AC19, No=AC17 and add +1 to damage for using the sword 2-handed.
Reonnyn utters a vile curse as the ghouls spring to life, quickly seeing the group was not well situated for a defensive stand. Quickly waving the Touv wizardess aside he steps between her and the ghoul nearby.
"I have your back Wakandah!" he yells as he draws his rapier, sending a purplish blast seemingly emanating from the blade at the ghoul!
The flavor text of the eldritch blast coming from his blade is something he has practiced frequently, as it is safer for Reonnyn to make someone believe the eldritch blasts are due to his magical blade, rather from himself. Let me know if I need to make a Bluff check here, otherwise he will take 10 for total of 19.
Joryn will draw out his holy symbol and bring the power of Celestian's disdain for undeath into the area.
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Wakandah is of little use during the track finding perusing and the pit evaluation, usually just leaning against a party member or following one around that is doing something and trying to learn what it is and why they would go about it that way
when the ghouls jump them and the Reonnyn yells she has her back, Wakandah is startled to say the least, watching purple blasts eminate and fire past her.
she ponders quickly what she should do, and decides light and easy first is best, until things go south, conservation of her abilities and repetoire for a bigger batter perhaps.
light crossbow to any that are already damaged, if none, then the closest to her, then pull her quarterstaff to offer flank because melee battle is imminent it appears.
does verdan truly not have armor? if so perhaps instead, cast mage armor on verdan for the battle
she will ask this out loud and if confirmed do that, if he says no need, then shoot as before.
Oh, no!, Glorb thinks. This was not a fight for him! In this crampled corridor, not knowing what was in the next stall. He decides that the best he can do is to aid them all as best as he can, making them quicker and more agile.
He lifts his voice, and chooses a encouraging song as he weaves the mistrel magic.
Godsday (Vernal Equinox), 4th day of , 594 C.Y.
Weather is cold with brisk winds out of the north in the morning, but warming up a bit in the afternoon, sky is clear with a few clouds.
Current time is about noon.
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Karieth moves to the edge of the roof and readies his bow while nocking two arrows, taking aim at the nearest ghoul threatening his friends down below and lets fly both at the same time. Both arrows pierce its head (15 damage), pinning it against the stable wall where it slumps motionlessly, supported by the two projectiles.
vs Ghoul #2
piercing
Joryn summons Celestian’s holy might to smite the undead and his holy symbol glows with the power of The Far Wanderer! The three nearest ghouls raise their arms to shield their eyes, snarling in fear and loathing. Glorb casts a spell to grant himself and his allies great speed, though unfortunately those on the roof cannot be seen and are thus unaffected by the spell. Wakandah realizes that Verdan had removed his armor and she looks around for the cleric, but realizes he must still be above them on the roof and so instead reaches for her crossbow, loading a bolt into the groove. Reonnyn bravely steps in front of the wizardess and sends a bolt of dark energy toward the ghoul before her (8 damage), watching with some satisfaction as it screeches and staggers back a half-step as she draws her rapier. But then the ghoul fixes the halfling with its hateful gaze as it scuttles forward to attack along with the others – except for the three that were turned by Joryn. The two nearest leap upon Reonnyn and the other at Morrow, though neither one is able to claw or bite their way through their protective armor. The others close in as well, one of them scrabbling crab-like over the stable wall to get at the tasty-looking gnome.
vs Reonnyn’s AC
vs Morrow’s Flat-Footed AC
vs DC 10
Morrow raises his shield and slashes at the nearest ghoul with his fiery blade! His first stroke only grazes the ghoul (5 damage), and though it easily evades the follow-up stroke, his blazingly fast recovery allows him to sweep the ghoul's head from its shoulders (19 damage)!
= Possible Crit!
= Confirmed Crit!
slashing / fire
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Round 2
Party is up!
Verdan - 50/50
Karieth - 44/44
Conri - 44/44
Joryn - 69/69
Glorb - 41/41
Wakandah - 32/32
Reonnyn - 54/54
Ghouls #1-#11 - #1 is badly wounded, #2 and #6 are dead, the rest are unwounded
Ghouls #12-#13 - Both are unwounded
Morrow - 61/61
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Feeling his movements enhanced by the magic of the haste spell, and being surrounded by the enemy, Morrow attacks with vigor.
OOC: Attack any of the ones that are still standing in range. Priority order: D2, F1, any. (Protect the mages) With Haste bonus:
That's a lot of ghouls!
Seeing undead rise up, anger rises up inside of him. Dalron runs across the roof top and drops down (F1) using his ring of feather fall.
On his way down.
"Foul creatures of darkness, by the power of Pelor I banish thee back to the hell pit that you spawned from!"
Joryn will step off the ledge and brace himself for the damage to come. After crashing to the ground, he will stand back up.
Glorb continues to sing an old Battle hymn to inspire and strenghten his Companions. He eyes the approaching horrors carefully, ready to avoid any attack.
Reonnyn concentrates his attacks upon the ghouls around him with his rapier, hoping to bring down the undead threatening the wizardess.
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my mistake then, i thought we had weapons readied because of where we were.
then cast defensively, burning hands at the 3 in front of me
if i can step back into the half square and shoot one, then do that.
i have rapid reload, free action for light crossbow, if i do have to ready it though, reacy as move action, rapid reload free, shoot standard, if i have to do that, but if i cant do it safely, with my back against the half square wall, then instead burning hands.
Godsday (Vernal Equinox), 4th day of , 594 C.Y.
Weather is cold with brisk winds out of the north in the morning, but warming up a bit in the afternoon, sky is clear with a few clouds.
Current time is about noon.
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Utilizing the magical ring and armored only with his shield, Verdan steps off the edge of the roof in dramatic fashion, invoking the holy power of Pelor as he floats gently to the ground. His holy symbol glows with light and the nearest four ghouls are turned to ash as the cleric’s feet touches the ground!
Karieth continues to fire a barrage of arrows at the ghouls, shifting his aim to one of the nasty-looking ones closing in quickly, but he frowns as all three arrows fail to find the mark.
vs Ghoul #13
piercing
vs Ghoul #13
piercing
vs Ghoul #13
piercing
Joryn leaps off the roof, likely giving himself a minor fracture as he lands hard (11 damage) and collapses to the ground, though he picks himself up quickly, hobbling a bit.
vs DC 15 = Failure! and Joryn is prone (then stands as a move action).
Glorb sings and lifts the spirits and fighting prowess of his companions as the gnome tries his best to protect himself from the ravening undead monster in front of him. Wakandah finds herself with some room now, fires a bolt at one of the big ghouls moving toward her, quickly reloading and firing another and then one more! Two of them sink into the rotting flesh of the undead (9 damage), and one misses.
vs Ghoul #13
piercing
vs Ghoul #13
piercing
vs Ghoul #13
piercing
Reonnyn battles the one before him with his trusty shortsword and takes it down with a couple of well-placed thrusts! (13 damage)
The remaining ghouls fall upon the party, their mindless hunger overriding any sense of self-preservation! The ones attacking Morrow and Joryn fail to cause any harm, but Glorb takes a couple of nasty, deep scratches from the ghoul's claws (3 damage) and the unarmored Verdan is nearly overwhelmed by the big ghast that leaps upon him, the undead creature catching hold of the cleric with one claw before sinking its blackened teeth into his shoulder (18 damage)! All of those on the ground are subjected to a horrible stench of death and decay that threatens to overwhelm them.
vs Morrow’s AC = Miss, Miss, Miss
vs Glorb’s AC; = Miss, Hit (No Crit!) for 1 damage, Hit for 3 damage
vs Joryn’s AC = Miss, Miss, Miss
vs Verdan’s AC; = Critical Hit for 15 damage, Hit for 3 damage, Miss
Morrow’s senses are assaulted by the stench of the ghasts ( = Failure) and gags reflexively, his nausea affecting his battle prowess. Nevertheless, he manages to bring down the ghoul attacking him with two solid blows (27 damage).
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Round 3
Party is up, and all of you need to make some saving throws as noted in the spoiler below!
Verdan - 32/50 4 Fort saves! (vs Ghast stench, 2 vs ghast bite, 1 vs ghast claw)
Karieth - 44/44
Conri - 44/44
Joryn - 58/69 Fort save vs Ghast stench
Glorb - 37/41 3 Fort saves! (vs Ghast stench, 2 vs ghoul claws)
Wakandah - 32/32 Fort save vs Ghast stench
Reonnyn - 54/54 Fort save vs Ghast stench
Ghouls #3, 4 & 5 – Turned for 8 rounds, all are unwounded
Ghouls #10 - Unwounded
Ghouls #12 – Unwounded
Ghoul #13 – Moderately Wounded
Morrow - 61/61 Fort save vs Ghast stench
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Feeling the bite of the undead in his shoulder, thru gritted teeth he yells.
Foul beast of undead, I command you to return to the pit that you spawned from!"
Verdan, I believe you need to make a Fort save for each of the effects. You easily saved against the Ghast stench, but you need three more Fort saves (two vs the bite for the Ghoul Fever and the paralyze, and then another one against the claw paralyze).
If you manage to avoid being paralyzed though, the battle will be over!
I have Divine Health. Divine Health(Ex): You are immune to all diseases; including magical diseases such as mummy rot and lycanthropy
But in case we still need it.
OOC: If there are any targets left....
IC: Morrow tries to keep from vomiting all over as the stench overwhelms him. He swings at the remaining ghouls, determined to finish the melee so he can get away from the odor!
To hit: BAB:8,STR+2,Sword+1,Haste+1,Inspired+1,Sickened-2
Dmg:STR+2,Sword+1,Inspired+1,Sickened-2
Glorb feels the Sharp claws of the undead ripping his skin. To his outmost horror, he feels his muscles are stiffening, and the terrible stench make him sick.
"Hang on Glorb!" Reonnyn sees his good friend under attack by the ghoul and quickly sends another eldritch bolt into it.
Drawing his blade, Joryn calls upon the power of Celestian and Smites the Ghast that attacked him.
Godsday (Vernal Equinox), 4th day of , 594 C.Y.
Weather is cold with brisk winds out of the north in the morning, but warming up a bit in the afternoon, sky is clear with a few clouds.
Current time is about noon.
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Despite the nearly overwhelming stench of death and decay, Morrow is able to get in a solid blow with his flaming sword, but in the next moment the trio of undead are turned to ash by the powerful blast of positive energy that wipes the world clean of their unholy existence.
The three cowering ghouls are easily disposed of in the next handful of moments and Glorb's paralysis fades after a short time, and Verdan carefully looks over the gnome's injury, trying to determine if it might be infected. (See OOC below!) Afterward, the cleric gets his armor down from the roof of the stable with Karieth's help, and dons it as the ranger also descends, again taking some small amount of time in assisting his faithful animal companion down as well.
A brief search of the ghouls' lair does provide a few valuables. One of the bigger ghasts was using a very finely made rug to sleep on - definitely worth some gold (50gp value, 10 lb.) if it weren't a disgusting, stench-ridden mess. The other one was using a deceaying backpack as a makeshift pillow, and within is found a fair bit of rotten equipment and some that is still salvageable, including 50' of silk rope, a tanglefoot bag and a small coin pouch containing an aquamarine gem (150gp value), a silver ring (20gp value), and loose coins (32gp, 17sp, 8cp).
The door leading into the wartower appears to be unlocked and unbarred. Though the adventurers recall that the undead they battled there were quite dangerous. Hopefully they still remain destroyed after their previous battle some three days past.
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Verdan - 32/50
Karieth - 44/44
Conri - 44/44
Joryn - 58/69
Glorb - 37/41 Needs 2 Fort Saves!
Wakandah - 32/32
Reonnyn - 54/54
Morrow - 61/61
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Morrow dismisses the flames from his sword to be sure he doesn't accidentally burn anyone that he doesn't want to. "Clean and heal any wounds from those disgusting creatures. There may be more, stronger undead behind the door and we need to be ready."
OOC: Waiting for the others to ready themselves. Can anyone check the doors for traps? I don't remember there being any but things might've changed....
Once we're ready I'll be in the front rank.
Reonnyn glances at the warrior with a brief look of disgust at the lack of compassion shown before turning his attention to the stricken gnome. "Are you doing OK? We do need to get moving though."
While Verdan is checking on Glorb, he casts Resistance on him to help stave off the ghoul fever.
"That should help a little my friend."
As he gets touched by the wand, he smiles at Reonnyn
"It's not often that someone heal me."
So long as you confirm you are taking items with you, I will track them on the same thread as the Combat Table. I figure coins and gems will always be taken, so long as someone can carry them and they aren't too heavy. But bulkier items like the pricey rug should be specified (and specifically who is carrying it and where), and equipment like the tanglefoot bag and rope needs to be claimed by someone and I'll mark it on their Official Character sheets.
Reonnyn gives the priest a rueful grin, "Yeah I never thought I would become a healer but when I was exiled...I had to do what I could to survive. Thankfully one of my...fellows did have a healing wand with her...not that it helped... his voice trails off.
As the paralyzis wears off, Glorb jumps a little up and down to loosen the muscels. He looks with worry at the wounds, but as Reonnyn tends to them With Magic, he gives a warm smile to the halfling. "Thank you so much, my friend!", he assures.
As the priest warn him of a possible disease, he becomes worried again, but tries to shrug it off as he quickly quickly moves toward the door to check for traps.
No traps are found on the door, and the party makes its way into the tower. The two-level, roughly circular chamber appears much as they left it a few days ago, the battered bones of the undead guardians strewn about, along with the remains of the war wagon. Karieth does find fresh tracks that seem to be left within the past day or so, exiting through the main door and returning the same way. The door is barred from this side, though it can easily be removed, if anyone desires to do so. The elven ranger confirms that the prints match those found outside the tower near the building where the Wardens were slaughtered, and they both originate and end at the stairwell leading down into the ruins beneath the Castle Greyhawk.
The steps leading down appear to be empty and dark. Light will be needed from here on in...
"Thank you for getting my armor down. Climbing up is difficult for me, getting down is simple." Giving a smile
Pulling out his Everburning torch and hanging it on his shield. He then takes his place near the front of the line.
After carefully stowing the coil of rope in his pack Reonnyn takes a position at the rear of the party. "I will guard our backs, make sure we don't walk into an ambush." Curiously he does not take out a light source.
"Are any of the things that we just picked up magic?"
Reonnyn can confirm with a moment's concentration that nothing in the rotting stable is magical, neither the loot pilfered from the ghouls nor anything else for that matter. The the halfling does spot several interesting looking magic items held by his companions!