DM Rich's Carrion Crown

Game Master Briccone

The archons are here for another seven or so rounds (summoner's charm ability adds 4 rounds to the duration of her summoning spells). If we haven't checked out area F13 yet, Pontia will send them to scout it. Since they can teleport at will, they can do so pretty quickly.

Doro will turn when he heres the sounds of victory at the tower and sees the Archons streaking towards another location. He enters the room where he felled the wights again and carefully moves among the various objects within doing a fairly thorough search

@Poetia - how much can the archons relate back to you?

@Doro - The crates contain assorted weaponry and armor for equipping the undead troops being raised in the town square. Most of the equipment is junk—broken, chipped, bent, and rusted from years of neglect and misuse.

The stone vase holds the last remaining portions of Kvalca Sain’s heart, floating in a vile-smelling fluid. Part of it seems to be missing.

They can't convey information remotely, but they can teleport at will, and they also have truespeech and speak Celestial (which Pontia understands).

Doro puts the stone vase in his backpack determined to find the rest of his heart, and perhaps that will redeem the lost spirit.

Sophie joins the others in trying to search the tower.

Niculaie joins the search of the tower.

As you all head into the tower, the archons quickly recon the area Pontia sent them to. Apparently it is a mass grave, plenty of skeletons moving about, and apparently a couple of clerics who are creating said undead.

@Sophie - the skeletons are really more of an annoyance, and the archons can completely ignore them. So if you want them to join in battle, let me know.

G2. In relatively good shape, the walls of the entrance hallway
display several stone sundials. A doorway to the southwest
opens to a small, rubble-strewn antechamber, while a
makeshift curtain of woolen blankets blocks another doorway
to the northeast.

G3. Most of the floor above this central tower room has collapsed,
leaving the room exposed to the sky. Two doorways, both with
missing doors, lead to flanking antechambers, while a rickety
set of stone stairs coils around the outer wall up to the second
floor. Rubble and other debris clutter the floor.

G5. Nothing interesting now that the skeletons are destroyed.

Only G4 remains to be explored here.

When one of the archons returns to report, Pontia addresses it in the ringing tones of the Celestial language.

As the party searches through the tower ruins, the wizard keeps to the rear and checks frequently for magical auras.

Vivian does her part, looking around for traps and ambushes (hopefully before it's too late)

Perception: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (7) + 13 = 20 +2 vs Traps

Nothing looks trapped here. Obviously, the threat was the skeletons from above, but you have neutralized that threat.

seeing the threat of the skeletons neutralized Doro points to the opening to the courtyard outside the tower and says Has anyone searched that area yet?He moves towards the opening waiting for the others to catch up.

Doro, are you talking about area G5? I think it's inside the tower.

So there are clerics in this tower actively creating more skeletons, but they haven't detected us yet?

The clerics and skellies are one area over from the tower in the map of the town.

Pharasma wants us to show these necromancer there are grave consequences to play with Death. Are you all ready?

"First, let's explore the last room in the tower."

Niculaie nods in agreement and puts another blunt silver arrow on his bowstring. "Once we are confident no other abominations will follow behind us, Vivian, I agree. The work of these necromancers is a stain on the fabric of the living world. I am sure the Lady of Graves is ready to judge them as they deserve; we should not keep her waiting any longer than necessary. Will you scout the final room? I can turn you invisible before you enter - albeit briefly - if you would like me to."

"Yes child, once we clear this tower out we can take care of the necromancers."

This long chamber runs from the foyer to the rear of the tower, ending in a mountain of collapsed rubble. At the far end of the room stands a large pavilion.

If Vivian is invisible and exploring, a stealth check would be good here. Otherwise, just tell me who is going where.

Stealth: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (16) + 12 = 28

Vivian does her best to go unnoticed, getting closer to the larger pavillon at the end of the room, hoping to spy on their foes

Perception: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (3) + 13 = 16

Vivian sneaks up on a dark figure, muttering to himself in the corner.

After a few moments of indecision, Vivian comes back quickly to her companions and explains what she saw and where the mutterer should be

Stealth: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (18) + 12 = 30

Pontia shudders at the description, then pulls herself together and murmurs a quiet reply. "Doro, are we close enough that you can sense if the mutterer has an evil aura?"

The “dark figure” that Vivian describes is the terrifying hooded figure on slide 1, right?

"If this is the master of the wights and all of those skeletons, we are going to be in for a fight."

Niculaie starts to peer into the chamber to get a look for himself, then thinks better of it. Instead, he stuffs some herbs into a vial of faintly glowing liquid and, once Doro confirms the mutterer's evil intent - which seems clear from Vivian's description, though he agrees it's best to be sure - he gives the concoction a quick shake and drinks it down.

He drinks an extract of shield (CL2, 2 minutes). Niculaie will also cast vanish again on Vivian immediately before we go in to attack, to give her the best chance for a sneak attack on round 1.

Doro certainly senses a strong aura of evil.

Should I go and try to get him quick?

Do you mean Doro? I assume he joined you... Or do you mean you want to go get the bad guy?

Sorry: does Niculae want that I attack our evil foe right now, by surprise?

Sorry: does Niculae want that I attack our evil foe right now, by surprise?

Only when we are all ready to go in. I wasn't suggesting you go in by yourself, just that when we do go in, you might like to be invisible for your first attack.

So, are you going in?

(Assuming the rest of the group is done buffing & is ready to go in) Niculaie casts vanish on Vivian, nocks a cold iron arrow, and nods to the others. He moves in to the room when the others do, but keeps his distance from the enemy for the moment.

As soon as he can see the evil mutterer, Niculaie tries to figure out what kind of creature it could be.

Knowledge (religion), inspiration, +3 to identify undead creatures and their abilities: 1d20 + 13 + 3 + 1d6 ⇒ (15) + 13 + 3 + (3) = 34
(If Knowledge (religion) is the wrong one, Niculaie’s other knowledges include arcana {+16}, dungeoneering {+10}, and planes {+9}.)

Token moved on the map on the assumption that the rest of the group is ready to go in as well.

Vivian knows she can't be seen-at least not without magic-but she can be heard, and she moves quickly but cautiously to their target side to set an ambush

Stealth: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (16) + 12 = 28

Getting in position for Sneak attack

Pontia casts a spell to speed the party's reflexes and actions right before everyone goes in.

Casting haste.

Sophie casts protection from evil, communal on the group, then casts shield of faith and then divine favor on herself, before stepping out to see the presumed necromancer and using her monstrous insight on him[/i].

I didn't validate all the specifics, but between Sophie and Nic, you can easily confirm that this man is a necromancer of no small skill.

Doro moves slow, but everyone else gets a drop on the evil dude. Go ahead and take an extra half action for the "surprise" round.

Sneak attack, Keen Longsword: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25 Crits on 17-20
Dmg, SA: 1d8 + 2 + 2d6 ⇒ (4) + 2 + (2, 3) = 11

Sneak attack, Keen Longsword, Crit?: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15
Dmg, SA: 1d8 + 2 + 2d6 ⇒ (3) + 2 + (3, 1) = 9

Vivian stikes as soon as possible, hoping to deliver a solid (and unexpected) attack

Vivian strikes (but crit is not confirmed). He growls in response.

Sophie says a prayer to her ancestors, and her grandfather appears, a being of pure force wielding a nodachi, and strikes at the necromancer

spiritual ally

spiritual ally, heroism, divine favor, monstrous insight: 1d20 + 9 + 2 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 9 + 2 + 2 + 2 = 29 for force: 1d10 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 + 2 = 10

Pontia begins a summoning spell during the surprise round, calling upon the power stored in her amulet to recast her most potent summoning spell.

Using her bonded item to cast summon monster iv again.

Niculaie lets go of the bow with one hand and cautiously reaches into his pouch, pulling out another square of butter-smeared paper. He squeezes the butter between his fingers and calls out words of arcane power. With a final wave of his hand (before he wipes the leftover butter from his fingers onto his pants and takes hold of his bow), an oleaginous sheen covers the necromancer's staff.

Niculaie casts grease on the staff, the necromancer must make a DC 17 Reflex save this round (and every round he attempts to pick it back up or use it for the next 8 minutes) to avoid dropping it. Hoping to cost him his arcane bond (if that's what it is) for at least a round or two.

Reflex save: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15

The necromancer casts a spell defensively.
Concentration: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (17) + 15 = 32
He then flies past Vivian, out of the tent, and up almost 20 feet in the air.

Doro is up, and Vivian does get an AoO for movement from flying.

Round 1: (Bold may act)
Doro

Active: inspire courage, +2 attack/+2 damage)
Round 2: (Bold may act)
Niculaie
Sophie
Pontia
Vivian
Vrood (21 dmg, 20 feet in air)

AoO: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10
Dmg: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

Caught by surprise, the redhead's sword totally miss.

I didn't expect that!

If Doro doesn't take the necromancer down:

Pontia completes her usual summoning spell, calling up celestial reinforcements for the party.

Lantern archons summoned: 1d3 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

As the globes of light appear over the battlefield, she shouts to them and points at Vrood.

A fusillade of light rays converge on the enemy.

RTAs, add +3 to each: 8d20 ⇒ (13, 9, 1, 12, 5, 4, 6, 4) = 54

That doesn't look too good...I assume the 12 and 13 hit, but am not optimistic.

Light ray damage, if applicable: 2d6 ⇒ (1, 2) = 3

Then she casts another spell, fingers dancing through intricate gestures as she attempts to negate Vrood's advantage in mobility.

Casting dispel magic and targeting his fly spell.

Dispel magic caster level check: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18

Looks like he dropped his staff and flew away from it - hopefully it was the wizard's bonded item and he'll have to make concentration checks for every spell he casts.

Niculaie runs forward, under the tent (does that provide cover to/from the necromancer?), and begins to sing a Varisian lament for the unquiet dead.

Bardic performance: inspire courage, +2 attack/weapon damage, round 5/20.

Doro and Sophie will go while the necromancer is still in the air, but the dispel magic worked, so he will be floating down to the ground . It isn't clear on timing, but I will say the movement happens on Pontia's initiative. And yes, the staff is on the ground where he started.

Only two of the lantern archons managed to hit the flying man, and he only shows the slightest hint of pain.

Round 1: (Bold may act)
Doro

Active: inspire courage, +2 attack/+2 damage)
Round 2: (Bold may act)
Niculaie
**
Sophie
Pontia
-- Vrood drifts to the ground where he is located
Vivian
Vrood (24 dmg)

**Active: inspire courage, +2 attack/+2 damage)

That was a good call! Flying, this guys would have been fierce!

Doro and Sophie will go while the necromancer is still in the air, but the dispel magic worked, so he will be floating down to the ground . It isn't clear on timing, but I will say the movement happens on Pontia's initiative. And yes, the staff is on the ground where he started.

Only two of the lantern archons managed to hit the flying man, and he only shows the slightest hint of pain.

Round 1: (Bold may act)
Doro

Active: inspire courage, +2 attack/+2 damage)
Round 2: (Bold may act)
Niculaie
**
Sophie
Pontia
Vivian
Vrood (24 dmg)

**Active: inspire courage, +2 attack/+2 damage)

Sophie moves closer, and then directs her grandfather's spirit to follow the necromancer into the air.
Spiritual ally, heroism, divine favor, monstrous insight, inspired: 1d20 + 9 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 9 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 = 23 for force: 1d10 + 2 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 + 2 + 2 = 8

I am not going to adjust it, but I just realized Vivan's first attack should only have done 1 pt of damage instead of 11. So factor that into your planning...and Viv - you are up!

Round 1: (Bold may act)
Doro

Active: inspire courage, +2 attack/+2 damage)
Round 2: (Bold may act)
Niculaie
Sophie
Pontia
Vivian
Vrood (32 dmg)

**Active: inspire courage, +2 attack/+2 damage)