[GM Arcadius Blue] On The Fourth Day, We Kill Them All (Inactive)

Game Master B S 207

Sounds good, thanks for the reminder.

I will try to get a gameplay oriented post up tonight. My band is working with a graphic designer to get some T-shirts ready for sale at our next gig in a couple weeks, and I am currently functioning as liaison between the designer and my other bandmates. Unfortunately, it's turned into a huge, disorganized mess and is sucking up a crazy amount of my time right now - I'm seeing them all Saturday, so I hope it is all resolved then. If I don't post tonight, I'll post tomorrow, but there's a chance that even then, I'll squeeze only one in. Sorry for the delay, everyone.

As they descend the staircase, sounds of battle enter the chamber. Moving quickly but cautiously, Fanna's retinue watch as the following transpires.

Two oarsmen enter the room, look around frantically, and shriek in terror as a third figure appears from the south wall. As they retreat, others enter with axes at the ready. The figure charges forth, and from here you can see one of the oarsmen fall, but it is uncertain who it is. The rest back the figure into a wall, and without any recourse, it soon succumbs to their hacking.

As the six reach the bottom, Odd reaches out to Tyv, gesturing towards the living man laying on the ground. "It's Ragnfast. His blood no longer flows freely, but you can use your magic, can you not? We may need him on his feet."

The other prone figure, Havark confirms, is one of the frights from the basement, now still. The form no longer ebbs that tangible terror, thankfully.

And suddenly, calmness in my life. At least for the time being. :-)

Of course, of course, Tyv responds. Gather round any who are wounded - Hvark, you too.

Tyv closes his eyes and pictures the little bright light of Ragnfast's soul - pinched and stunted as it might be - lodged firmly in his body.

Channel Energy: 2d6 ⇒ (3, 1) = 4
...then hit Ragnfast with invigorate again for 3 temp HP more

Azul looks at his feet as he follows the others by sound. His fur boots were relatively clean. "How am I supposed to fight like this?" he asks.

"I can't see a Hel cursed thing!"

Well, they did get a nice wash in the Fjord, didn't they, Azul?

Ragnfast's eyes flutter open, and he stands to his feet. He's still in a poor shape, but he's up. "There are more. Are we to just, wait?" Fanna wonders, directed at no one in particular.

If you guys just wanna fight them as they free themselves, which was Havark's plan, you can wait here. But where do we want to position the oarsmen, and your charges? As you decide that, move yourselves into position on Roll20.

Tyv pipes up in response to Fanna. Yes...and no. We make a stand here. His voice and manner takes on a harder edge as he issues orders to the oarsmen. Barricade the entrance - use the crates and extra gear. Chip more from the ice if you have to but be quick about it. We may only have minutes.

Saemund, tear up some of the wet cloths and soak them in lamp oil and stuff them into the oil flasks. Remember, don't look at them unless you have to. And you don't have to look at them to throw burning oil at the barricade when you hear them coming through.

Tyv positions himself in the centre of the room, with the ancient corpse they chipped from the ice earlier at his feet.

Goal is to build a barricade that will at least act as difficult terrain if not outright stop movement.

I forgot about the corpse... smarrrt.

The lot of them set to work on creating a barricade, and ready a couple of lamp oil flasks. "Will you... or him-" Saemund asks, indicating Glówen, "be lighting these when need be? Or should I stay near the fire and wait for a signal?" Okay, NOW position yourselves as need be - I'll put Tyv into place. Also, when the fighting starts, does someone in particular want to bot Havark? I have no objections to doing it myself.

"I can light them." Glowen then positions himself near the barricade such as to make hitting it foolproof. "So do I light it when they approach or when they are actively engaged into getting through the barricade?" Regardless, he sets his ears to listening so as not to be surprised by their arrival.

Future Action: After lighting the barricade, he will run up the stairs in this room, pull out his bow, and try to hide.

At a melee disadvantage in these closed spaces, Azul helps build the barricade rapidly with his great strength. When finished he moves away taking up a position where he has a good view of the obstacle. Unslinging his heavy crossbow, he checks the bolt and stands ready.

Those still living, gathered, all pitch in to create barricades on either side of the entrance. On the left flank, Tyv ensures that the corpse of the ancient man kept here is worked into the barricade near him. The construction is just finished as two frights glide into sight from below, falling off of a small cushion of air as they reach the level ground, and begin to move with uncanny speed...

As they move between the barricades, a fog fills the area, hiding the forms that most would be happier to not see. "This tower's curse binds all who enter in eternal terror and torment!" As the hideous corpse-spirit's voice echoes, one of them materializes right out of the wall behind the right barricade, turning it's rictus grin towards Ragnfast.

Round 1
Frights

Azul
Glówen :: Shaken (3 rds)
Havark
Tyv
Fanna
Oarsmen :: Sigbjorn-Shaken (3 rds) :: Hosvir-Frightened (2 rds) :: Odd-Frightened (2 rds)
Nord :: Shaken (4 rds)
Saemund

As usual, take your turns in any order, direct NPCs as you desire - as well as Havark.

Uh oh, says Tyv as the fog completely obscures his view.

Unable to asses the situation, he sticks with the plan as they had practiced it. He kneels down and places both hands on the barricade, willing the hewn boards to remember that they were once living things. first a timid twig sprouts from a broken table leg, then roots and branches spew forth in a torrent, disappearing into the fog.

Grow plants/entangle
Wild magic check: 1d100 ⇒ 66

Not sure if you'll allow that since technically Tyv no longer has line of sight to the target area, even though he could see it mere seconds ago. If not, then please use the spoiler action below

That's ridiculous, surely these creatures cannot teleport too!, thinks the little rat to himself. Out loud, he states mater-of-factly "I don't believe it.""

Glowen believes that the fright behind us is a distraction/illusion and that the real ones are in the fog. It is exactly what he'd do, given the chance. I'd say he disbelieves with all his might, except it is really kind of the opposite. Aside from being shaken, it makes no sense to him that our opponent would be able to so easily bypass our main defense. To him, that this is a diversion is as much a fact as knowing that if you drop a rock, it will hit the ground. Had the fright appeared among us and struck someone, he might have been inclined to believe. But instead the creature is far enough down the hall to make us leave the barricade to engage it. I know I'm being long winded, but I'm trying to convey the 'matter-of-fact-ness' of his disbelief. It cannot be any other way.

Actions:
1) Disbelieve in the fright
2) Look for frights in the fog, where they rightfully should be.

Tyv can drop the entangle, no worries.

Glówen, this mist obscures all vision past 5' . So while you can see on the tactics map what I'm talking about, to actually go see what Ragnfast describes (which would happen before your turn, and that's fine), you'll have to move out of the mist. Since it seem that your other action this turn would be to gaze the other way in the mist and not see anything, if you wish to move out of the mist to disbelieve, then...

I'll leave your turn open below until you decide.

Round 1
Frights

Azul
Glówen :: Shaken (3 rds)
Havark
Tyv
Fanna
Oarsmen :: Sigbjorn-Shaken (3 rds) :: Hosvir-Frightened (2 rds) :: Odd-Frightened (2 rds)
Nord :: Shaken (4 rds)
Saemund

-Posted with Wayfinder

You sure do have time to shout. As a side note, don't do what I did and forget to add your shaken-ness to your rolls. You still succeed to disbelieve and if you didn't, well I wouldn't retcon it now.
Tyv, can you post the DC for your sphere abilities in that section? By my calculation, DC 15 for everything, right?

Encouraged by Glówen's shouts that the visible fright is indeed an illusion, Odd makes a break for it in fear, and Hosvir does the same on the other side. Though Ærinmund and Ragnfast don't buy it, they'll keep their eyes on the barrier for now, but their attention seems split. The rest hold fast.

I'll bot Havark later tonight - and Azul tomorrow if he doesn't post in the morning.

Round 1
Frights

Azul
Glówen :: Shaken (3 rds)
Havark
Tyv
Fanna
Oarsmen :: Sigbjorn-Shaken (3 rds) :: Hosvir-Frightened (2 rds) :: Odd-Frightened (2 rds)
Nord :: Shaken (4 rds)
Sæmund

yep, DC 15 all round

Havark steps forward, grasping Fanna's wrist to mind her position, and forms a massive, blinding white blade before throwing it over the barricade.

5' Step
Move: Form Mind Blade
Standard: Throw Mind Blade

Random Killzone Square: 1d4 ⇒ 4
Mindblade: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13
Total Concelment: 1d100 ⇒ 47
Miss.

A slight rush of air accompanies the sound of the blade dissipating.

Round 1
Frights :: F2-Entangled

Azul
Glówen :: Shaken (3 rds)
Havark
Tyv
Fanna
Oarsmen :: Sigbjorn-Shaken (3 rds) :: Hosvir-Frightened (2 rds) :: Odd-Frightened (2 rds)
Nord :: Shaken (4 rds)
Sæmund

Cursing his positioning and the confined nature of this hallway, Azul fire a bolt from his crossbow.

1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18
Damage: 1d10 ⇒ 9

The bolt blasts into the ice being down the hall.

The ice-being down the hall was revealed to be an illusion, and you can't see it from where you are anyway, due to the mist cloud. Wanna do something else, Azul?

So I'm just going to do what I did with Havark, and have you target a random position.

Random Killzone Square: 1d4 ⇒ 1
Miss Chance: 1d100 ⇒ 20

Azul's bolt clatters useless across the frozen floor.

I'm going to a concert tonight - if I have time beforehand, I'll move us on to Round 2, but otherwise it will have to wait until tomorrow. If that's the case, I'll try to post earlier rather than later.

The figment of the fright blinks out of view, and just a moment later, horrified screams are heard from Odd & Hosvir. Hosvir runs straight back to the barricade. "No more, no more," he whimpers as he tries to push through.

Odd is nowhere to be seen.

Round 2

• Mist provides concealment (20% miss chance) to creatures within 5', and blocks sight, providing total concealment (50% miss chance) to creatures further than 5'.
• Unless you have darkvision, are near the campfire, or provide your own light, current light level is dim, meaning your enemies have concealment (20% miss chance).

Frights :: F2-Entangled(?)

Azul
Glówen :: Shaken (2 rds)
Havark
Tyv
Fanna
Oarsmen :: Sigbjorn-Shaken (2 rds) :: Hosvir-Panicked (1 rd) :: Odd-Stunned (5 rds)
Nord :: Shaken (3 rds)
Sæmund

Still unable to see more than a few inches in front of his face, Tyv screws his eyes shut and decides to make things as difficult as possible for anyone approaching his barricade.

Move action: concentrate to maintain Entangle
Std Action: cast thorns on plant growth.
Thorns: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4 DC15 ref save for half

Vines creak and shudder as they seek to grab and shred their foes.

Round 2

• Mist provides concealment (20% miss chance) to creatures within 5', and blocks sight, providing total concealment (50% miss chance) to creatures further than 5'.
• Unless you have darkvision, are near the campfire, or provide your own light, current light level is dim, meaning your enemies have concealment (20% miss chance).

Azul
Glówen :: Shaken (2 rds)
Havark
Tyv
Fanna
Oarsmen :: Sigbjorn-Shaken (2 rds) :: Hosvir-Panicked (1 rd) :: Odd-Stunned (5 rds)
Nord :: Shaken (3 rds)
Sæmund

Dammit, what scared him back and where is Odd? Next chance we get, I'm buying a damm scroll of Gust of Wind. Glowen is concerned that one of the fighters on his side is missing. "Odd, can you hear me? Where are you? Hosvir, what did you see?" he whispers.

He then moves down the hallway toward where they went, short bow at the ready.
Stealth: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (12) + 11 = 23
Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25

Hosvir mutters to himself in panic, ignoring the question. When Glówen moves down the hall, he finds Odd staring, in slack-jawed horror, at something further around the bend. Something is moving over there.

I'm assuming because you didn't take any extra penalty and had your bow ready, that the Stealth there was 1 move action taken at half speed, for a total of 10'. If you wanna take your standard action to move again, you're welcome to. Or is 'short bow at the ready' mean you've readied an action to fire at some foe up ahead with your shortbow? Try to remember to break your turn down into actions; or I might let my Deluxe Harrow cards decide for you. :-P

k

-Posted with Wayfinder

I'll bot Azul tomorrow sometime if we don't hear from him.

Havark Perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (2) + 10 = 12

"Sigbjorn, man the barricade. My eyes are better suited to the dark," Havark commands. Holding tight to Fanna's hand, he swaps places with the oarsman, standing now outside of the mist. He sees nothing, and reforms his mind blade. The others watch their backs and stay close.

NPCs take 5' steps as necessary, and use Total Defense.

Round 2

• Mist provides concealment (20% miss chance) to creatures within 5', and blocks sight, providing total concealment (50% miss chance) to creatures further than 5'.
• Unless you have darkvision, are near the campfire, or provide your own light, current light level is dim, meaning your enemies have concealment (20% miss chance).

Azul
Glówen :: Shaken (2 rds), Readied Action (shortbow)
Havark
Tyv
Fanna :: Total Defense
Oarsmen :: Ærinmund, Ragnfast-Total Defense :: Sigbjorn-Shaken (2 rds), Total Defense :: Hosvir-Panicked (1 rd) :: Odd-Stunned (5 rds)
Nord :: Shaken (3 rds), Total Defense
Sæmund :: Total Defense

AZUL
Full-Round Action: Reload heavy crossbow
Azul fishes out another bolt and loads it into his crossbow.

End Round 2

Glówen watches as Odd's face contorts to let a final gasp of terror escape his lungs. He then collapses, unmoving, and his neck rolls loosely, such that his horrified stare is now rests on Glówen. Those same two frights, the ones he KNEW to be caught between the barricade, are now wandering this hall. He releases the arrow from his bow before he can react.

Glówen Will to disbelieve: 1d20 + 3 - 2 ⇒ (10) + 3 - 2 = 11
Glówen Shortbow: 1d20 + 4 - 2 ⇒ (6) + 4 - 2 = 8

The arrow goes wide left, and Glówen can't tell if what he sees is true. But his pounding heart tells him, illusion or no, he must run. The images in the hall plunge into darkness, and the same voice as before calls out, "Boreas invites you to sleep beneath his howling blanket."

So you'll be running away, Glówen, but on the bright side, unless frights get in front of you again (or are still actually behind the barricade), you probably won't have to look at them for a while. Everyone, please specify if your eyes are opened or closed on your turn.

Round 3

• Mist provides concealment (20% miss chance) to creatures within 5', and blocks sight, providing total concealment (50% miss chance) to creatures further than 5'.
• Unless you have darkvision, are near the campfire, or provide your own light, current light level is dim, meaning your enemies have concealment (20% miss chance). Within 20' of the 'frights', it is dark, so only darkvision gets through.

Azul
Glówen :: Panicked (6 rds)
Havark
Tyv
Fanna :: Total Defense
Oarsmen :: Ærinmund, Ragnfast-Total Defense :: Sigbjorn-Shaken (1 rd), Total Defense :: Hosvir-Frightened (1 rd) :: Odd-DEAD
Nord :: Shaken (2 rds), Total Defense
Sæmund :: Total Defense

Azul readies an attack, they were out there in the dark. He would wait until he had a clear shot.

Readied attack on a fright becoming visible in the light.

Round 3

Havark listens trying to pinpoint the creature tearing at the barricade.

perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (13) + 10 = 23
DC 20 pinpoints so if it is within 30' he knows the square.

He closes his eyes a moment to focus as he ignores the screams or cries of the men he hears the creature. He lets his blade fly.

Swift: Inevitable Strike
Standard: Throw
Move: Form Blade

Mind blade Throw: 1d20 + 7 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 7 + 5 = 32 No miss chance do to inevitable strike.

Severity Check: 1d20 + 32 ⇒ (20) + 32 = 52
Wow I will assume AC is more then 12 so moderate critical. Drawing Card. Wide Open: No one threatens so DC 25 reflex to avoid bonus damage

Damage: 16 + Bonus Damage: 2d6 ⇒ (4, 5) = 9 Damage 16 or 25 depending on reflex save. DC 25

Hell of a way to come back into the fold.

Very nice Havark!

Tyv screws his eyes shut and and focuses every ounce of his being on keeping the frights tangled in their trap, imagining the thorny tendrils tearing them apart.

Move action to maintain concentration on entangle, Std action to maintain concentration on thorns.
Thorns Dmg ( Ref DC15 for half): 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

That was nuts Havark! Only problem is, there AREN'T any frights within 30' of you - they're gone from between the barricades. The only frights that anyone is aware of are on the right loop. I'll let you redo your turn and keep that result if you end in a position where you can make that attack happen.

Now that he's determined this and would have shared this knowledge, Tyv, you can also redo your turn.

No worries these kind of things happen when trying to keep the game moving forward. Havark will delay his turn until he hears activity in the mist. He will then do the above if that is cool with you.

Oops, meant to post again last night. My bad. Yeah Havark, that would be cool with me. :-P

End Round 3

As quickly as it goes dark, so too now do those frights boom with light - the source of the emanations seem to be war razors, as one alternates flourishing and obscuring two razors. Azul takes his shot...

Heavy Crossbow: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 161d10 ⇒ 5

...and hits the shining fright dead center. The bolt seems to have slowed it little, and now Azul feels his chest pounding, telling him to RUN.

Interacting with these now by power of CROSSBOW, you are quite convinced the frights are real.

Round 4

• Mist provides concealment (20% miss chance) to creatures within 5', and blocks sight, providing total concealment (50% miss chance) to creatures further than 5'.
• Unless you have darkvision, are near the campfire, or provide your own light, current light level is dim, meaning your enemies have concealment (20% miss chance). Within 20' of the 'frights', it is normal light, so no miss chance.

Frights

Azul :: Frightened (1 rd)
Glówen :: Panicked (5 rds)
Havark
Tyv
Fanna :: Total Defense
Oarsmen :: Ærinmund, Ragnfast-Total Defense :: Sigbjorn- Total Defense :: Odd-DEAD
Nord :: Total Defense
Sæmund :: Total Defense

Tyv sets his ioun torch spinning around his head as he waits for Hosvir to catch up, then the two of them set off at a jog around the tunnel. He briefly considers that Havark might be mad at him for "abandoning his post" but he hadn't said anything, so it must be okay.

double move down the hall.

Hosvir beats his pace behind Tyv - though they can see the fright's light emanating through the hall, their foes are yet out of sight.

Round 4

• Mist provides concealment (20% miss chance) to creatures within 5', and blocks sight, providing total concealment (50% miss chance) to creatures further than 5'.
• Unless you have darkvision, are near the campfire, or provide your own light, current light level is dim, meaning your enemies have concealment (20% miss chance). Within 20' of the 'frights' or Tyv, it is normal light, so no miss chance.

Azul :: Frightened (1 rd)
Glówen :: Panicked (5 rds)
Havark
Tyv
Fanna :: Total Defense
Oarsmen :: Ærinmund, Ragnfast, Sigbjorn-Total Defense :: Hosvir :: Odd-DEAD
Nord :: Total Defense
Sæmund :: Total Defense

Dancing around the edges of his panic are the ethereal seeds of resentment, envy, curiosity, and admiration. How did they do that? ...... Which is the illusion? .....Are they real at all? ..... We saw a body....... And I was right about one illusion... I think....... But how did they get past us? ......What are they doing? ..... No fair compounding their illusions with this impossible fear....... I've got to find a way to use this later.... Why am I looking up at the ceiling?

-Posted with Wayfinder

Havark continues to delay. Readying himself for when he sees or hears the enemy not wishing to endanger Fanna by searching them out.

Note to Havark: there is now nobody between Fanna and the barricade

Azul hastily backed away, he may be a giant, but he was also still a kid, and they didn't have ice ghost warriors in his village. Muttering under his breath as he walked and reloaded his crossbow. "nope,nope,nope."

Sigbjorn is there, Tyv, but that is one of two 5' squares adjacent to the barricade left open. Which Nord is going to take care of with his turn.

Nord shuffles his way up to the wood wall, gnarled dagger in hand, helping Sigbjorn watch the barricade. The zombie trapped within moans blankly. On the other side, Ragnfast pulls out a throwing axe, hurling it at a fright...

Ragnfast Throwing Axe: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

...which hits the ground flat, sliding along the slick floor, out of sight. Remembering what Havark ordered earlier, he closes his eyes and fingers his handaxe nervously.

End Round 4
As Azul was frightened, he certainly was looking the other way, and Ragnfast closed his eyes.
The frights hover up to just, and as the first skillfully swaps his two blades, they again are drowned into darkness. The gap in light then rushes down the hall, enveloping Azul and Ragnfast.

Round 5

• Mist provides concealment (20% miss chance) to creatures within 5', and blocks sight, providing total concealment (50% miss chance) to creatures further than 5'.
• Unless you have darkvision, are near the campfire, or provide your own light, current light level is dim, meaning your enemies have concealment (20% miss chance). Within 20' of the 'frights,' it is dark (darkvision penetrates). Within 20' of Tyv, it is normal light.

Azul
Glówen :: Panicked (4 rds)
Havark
Tyv
| | Matila (Zombie) :: Readied action - Attack dead or undead
Fanna :: Total Defense
Oarsmen :: Ærinmund, Sigbjorn-Total Defense :: Ragnfast-Blinded (eyes shut) :: Odd-DEAD
Nord
Sæmund :: Total Defense

"Don't let them get me! Don't let them get me! Don't let them get me!"

-Posted with Wayfinder

Tyv and Hosvir continue jogging around the maddeningly long hallway.

We should be drawing close now, Tyv says. Remember, don't look at them unless you have to. Tyv keeps his gaze confined to the floor ahead of him as much as he can. Maybe their feet aren't as scary as the rest of them he thinks to himself.

Double move

As Tyv continues around the bend with Hosvir in tow, they reach the edge of a dark shroud; the light from Tyv's ioun torch seems to overpower, though not entirely dismiss the effect.

Azul and Glówen, your commitment to being terrified is much appreciated. :-P

Round 5

• Mist provides concealment (20% miss chance) to creatures within 5', and blocks sight, providing total concealment (50% miss chance) to creatures further than 5'.
• Unless you have darkvision, are near the campfire, or provide your own light, current light level is dim, meaning your enemies have concealment (20% miss chance). Within 20' of the 'frights,' it is dark (darkvision penetrates). Within 20' of Tyv, it is normal light. Where these two radii overlap, it is back to dim light with concealment.

Azul
Glówen :: Panicked (4 rds)
Havark
Tyv
| | Matila (Zombie) :: Readied action - Attack dead or undead
Fanna :: Total Defense
Oarsmen :: Ærinmund, Sigbjorn-Total Defense :: Hosvir, Ragnfast-Blinded (eyes shut) :: Odd-DEAD
Nord
Sæmund :: Total Defense

Sorry all, got a bit caught up. I'll post tomorrow morning, moving us along to the next round where ever we're at, but after that you won't see me again until late Saturday evening.

cool no worries.

Havark continues to mind his charge, and Azul levels his crossbow as he collects himself. The others continue to stay on high alert.

End Round 5

The frights flash bright again, holding glowing razors stretched outward as they pace to and fro. One calls out, "Níđingrs! Welcome the eternal night, as this one has!" as it gestures towards Odd's twisted form on the ground.

Tyv, you no longer feel that ripping terror when you see the frights here. You no longer need to save against their appearance. Azul, this is true for you for the fright designated 'F1.'

Round 6

• Mist provides concealment (20% miss chance) to creatures within 5', and blocks sight, providing total concealment (50% miss chance) to creatures further than 5'.
• Unless you have darkvision, are near the campfire, or provide your own light, current light level is dim, meaning your enemies have concealment (20% miss chance). Within 20' of Tyv or the 'frights,' it is normal light.

Azul :: Shaken (4 rds)
Glówen :: Panicked (3 rds)
Havark :: Delaying Initiative
Tyv
| | Matila (Zombie) :: Readied action - Attack dead or undead
Fanna :: Total Defense
Oarsmen :: Ærinmund, Sigbjorn-Total Defense :: Hosvir, Ragnfast-Blinded (eyes shut) :: Odd-DEAD
Nord
Sæmund :: Total Defense

High alert is a bit of an understatement for Glowen. :)