For Queen And Country - Heroes of Cheliax

Game Master Tourach

Phaedra is able to finish off the human while Amideo tends to Andre's bleeding.

Assuming that you search the bodies, you find the following:

Masterwork Longsword
Masterwork Studded Leather
Heavy Steel Shield
Masterwork Halberd
2 potions
300 gp in gems
103 gp
2 sets of ivory dice (30gp each)

After her opponent drops, Phaedra will heal Andre.

CLW: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

Ihon looks over the equipment with detect magic.

Spellcraft (potion): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (2) + 10 = 12
Perception (potion): 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (11) + 11 = 22
Spellcraft (potion): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (13) + 10 = 23

Loot updated.

Phaedra's healing stabilizes Andre, but he's still at -2 hit points. So, not quite conscious!

The worst of Andre's wounds begin to close, and he stops bleeding, but he still lies utterly still...

Sazu will take a look at the potions as well, seeing if his knowledge is applicable.

Knowledge Arcana: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9
Knowledge Arcana: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13

Seeing Andre still unconscious, Phaedra casts her last spell of the day on him.

clw: 1d28 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

"I think that we should make camp for the night and rest and regain our spells and healing abilities."

The first potion is a potion of Blur. The second potion is a potion of Cure Moderate Wounds.

The shield and the studded leather are also magical. Both are simple +1 versions.

Andre groans and stirs feebly as Phaedra heals him. Finally, his eyes open. "Is this...is this Heaven?" Stirring, he sees Ihon and Sazu, and pulls one of his still-tender wounds. "UGH. Clearly not..."

He clambers to his knees, moving slowly. "Thank you, Phaedra. And thanks be to Erastil. Old Deadeye, as the wise farmer stores preserves and meats for the long winter ahead, you have allowed me to endure on this earth past my time to do your bidding." He clasps his hands as he prays, and golden light washes out from him, bathing the whole party in healing energy.

Channel 1: 2d6 ⇒ (3, 3) = 6
Channel 2: 2d6 ⇒ (1, 2) = 3

He gets to his feet, moving slightly better now. "I heard something about 'camp' as Phaedra yanked me back from the Boneyard...if that's what people want, I certainly support the idea. I'll ask Erastil for a last bit of healing if we do decide to rest."

Ihon nods in agreement but stays silent.

"Do we plan to leave the tainted forest's vicinity when we camp? I've already gone through my spells for today unfortunately, and my bardly magic has only enough power for a short time.."

Amideo nods, "I certainly wouldn't mind resting a bit. Mahouf would appreciate it as well, charging about can wear a horse out." He pats his horses muzzle and says affectionately, "You want a bit of a rest? That's what I thought," before turning to the group and noting, "Mahouf agrees."

"Well, we've just cleaned out this little area, why not just stay right here? We could run the risk of running into more things the more we move."

How long would it take to get back out of the forest?

Andre looks around, frowning. "I mislike it, personally, but it may be worth the risk..."

Probably is, if it takes a long time to get out.

It would take the rest of the day to get out of the forest. It would only take an hour or so to get out of the "warning" area.

Well in that case...

"A good compromise is always wise," Andre says with a wry smile. "Why don't we remain in the forest, but leave the area marked off by the demonic taint? It seems we'd be tempting fate to remain, at least to me."

"That sounds reasonable to me."

"Agreed."

They needed to keep progressing, if only by a little at a time.

The trip back out of the tainted area is refreshingly quiet. The sight of living trees and underbrush is definitely a stark contrast to the location of the battle and finding a clearing isn't overly difficult.

Please give me Perception checks assuming you are stopping to make camp.

Andre sighs as the group makes camp. "I must admit, I'm damned glad to be out of that demonic blight. I'll sleep easier knowing the fingers of the Abyss aren't about."

Just before going to sleep, he prays to Erastil one more time.

Channel: 2d6 ⇒ (2, 2) = 4

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17

This looks like a good spot."

Phaedra shrugs. "Anywhere not tainted looks like a good spot to me."

perception: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (15) - 1 = 14

Perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (20) + 11 = 31
Perception (familiar): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19 low-light, scent

Ihon sits quietly, his small companion popping its head out to chirp and then disappear again under his cloak.

Amideo looks around the camp, nods slightly, and begins unpacking his saddle bags.

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23

Derp, forgot my Perception check.

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

The night passes relatively quietly. Ihon and Amideo however get the sense that someone might be watching you from inward toward the tainted area. You don't see anything, but you hear rustling and movement from farther in. Still, nothing comes to disturb your makeshift camp.

Andre sighs as he gets up, stretching and working out stiff joints. "Too old for this...does anyone have special requests from Old Deadeye today?"

Ihon closes his book and carefully places it back in his backpack. We have been watched. Prepare yourselves when we re-enter the blight.

"Does he have anything special for demon fighting?"

Pheadra packs up her gear and makes ready to head back into the tainted area.

Sazu asks for some assistance putting on his armor, feeling the sores of the first day of wear settling in.

"I have an invisibilty spell that could help get people in position, or help make a quick escape. But seeing our lack of magic weapons, perhaps I should research something to fix that if able..."

Andre frowns. "There...may be something..." He turns to Ihon. "Ihon, demons are generally able to ignore some of the blows of earthly weapons, correct?"

Not sure if we need to make a Knowledge check or not for this, but...what I'm wondering is, how many demons have DR over 5? Because if it's not too many (or not too many that we've seen), I'll prep weapons against evil to give us a hand. Also prepping Protection from Evil (single and communal), Magic Weapon, Bull's Strength.

It is unlikely that, at this level, you'll face many (if any) demons with a DR over 5. They exist, but you won't be running into them at this level.

Also, if you DO want cold iron weapons, you can purchase them in the town for listed (with cold iron price increase) cost.

Ihon frowns and tilts his head, Cold iron. Magic. These will be useful. Demons come in many forms. Some more resistant than others. The elements are rarely dangerous to them, whether fire, ice, acid, or else. The man looks out into the forest, Phaedra's weapon is magical. I can enchant Sir Amideo's sword for a short amount of time. This will be enough.

Ihon regularly prepares magic weapon. Between the two of us, we should have that covered for a good amount of time. In fact, if Andre wants to swap it out, one cast of it should be good enough for the day. (Though having a second of it around isn't going to hurt!)

Sounds good. I'll prep the WAE just in case we run into a lot of demons (it can affect multiple weapons) but I might swap out the Magic Weapon when I have a thought of what would be useful in its place.

Andre smiles. "Yes, I think I know what Erastil would be willing to do to see these fiends put down..."

At the moment, the forest around you is quiet. Those that noticed observation previously don't notice being watched currently.

We are not being watched now. Shall we continue on? Ihon speaks as he stands, pulling his hood over his head. His small companion chirps from the depths of the man's cloak, but does not appear.

Guess I'll stick to utility and all around buffs then. Good to know we're covered on the magic weapon front.

Sazu nods,taking care to make sure his equipment is where he kept it, and his crossbow is loaded and ready.

"Perhaps a silent approach would be more tactful, as we are starting from a closer distance."

"Yes, let's get going and see what else is roaming that tainted land."

Are you guys seeking to go back to where you just fought the demon and human and keep pushing from there or is there another destination?

If you DO try to travel stealthily, please give me Stealth checks. And either way, please give me Perception.

I vote to go back and keep pushing from that point so we can clear it in an orderly fashion. I would also be curious if anything has popped up in its place.

Ihon appears ready to follow wherever the group decides to go.

What's the plan, folks?

I'm still up for backtracking to where we were and pushing on from there.

perception: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (6) - 1 = 5

Peception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (20) + 11 = 31
Stealth: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21

Ihon nods and follows.

I'm in agreement with that plan.

"May as well start from where we know," Andre mutters. "Hopefully we find something more...significant soon."

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24
Stealth: 1d20 + 6 - 2 ⇒ (12) + 6 - 2 = 16

Sazu nods, and keeps a keen look out.

Getting back to where you were is relatively easy and when you arrive, you find that the bodies of the fallen are now gone. You don't notice anyone observing you at the moment, but it is clear that the bodies were dragged off further into the decayed area from the drag marks on the ground.

Since only some of you have rolled stealth, let me know if the plan is to split up into a scouting group and a hanging back group.

"Hmm, shall we follow the drag marks and see where they lead us?"

Amideo nods, "That sounds like an excellent plan."

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

Apologies for not posting quite as much recently, hectic school conditions and a nasty cold put me out of commision for a bit. I'm feeling a bit better so my posts should be more frequent.

"Something had to drag them off, good idea Phaedra."

I vote for sticking toegether rather than separating.

"Indeed. Nobody get too far ahead, now!"

Seconding/thirding all of the above.