Niculaie Pavlencas |
They think that just because they didn't personally murder anyone and take their stuff, they've got the moral high ground for some reason. Pfft!
Niculaie Pavlencas |
"We will, of course, be ready to pay for our lodging, with whatever advance deposit you require," Niculaie adds quietly.
GM Fuzzfoot |
You seem to have convinced him.
"Very well, then. Come inside and we will get you checked in."
As he leads you through the gate and up to the house, something catches your eye.
A rough-and-tumble-looking woodsman heads for the gate, followed by a young noble dressed in finely tailored, studded hunting leathers. Despite the commotion, the two men push through the crowd, oblivious to anyone else’s concerns. Several scruffy-looking hirelings follow behind them leading a pair of horses and carrying wooden crates marked with heraldic symbols. As they shuffle past, the woodsman calls back to the noble, “For the last time Duristan! I’ll take you there, but I ain’t bringing my dogs!”
Pontia Canario |
Knowledge (Nobility): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (12) + 10 = 22
Pontia murmurs to the others, "Those are the arms of Ariesir of Ardeal. If I remember my history, Ardeal used to be the capital of Ustalav long ago."
Niculaie Pavlencas |
Knowledge (nobility) + inspiration: 1d20 + 9 + 1d6 ⇒ (10) + 9 + (3) = 22
Interesting. I wonder how this young scion of Ardeal feels about staying under the same roof as a Barstoi butcher like Graydon? Niculaie makes a mental note to tell the others of the crest on the crates when they have a moment of privacy. Oops, ninja'd by Pontia!
To the innkeeper, he waves in the general direction of the woodsman and asks, "Are guests able to schedule guided hunts through the lodge? Or did this gentleman arrange to hire this fellow's services privately?"
GM Fuzzfoot |
"Well, that is Delgros Kroitzcer, Ascanor Lodge’s huntsmaster. He had a bad hunt earlier today... terrified some of the guests. The nobleman is Duristan Silvio Ariesir - fancies himself a werewolf hunter."
Sunddenly, the nobleman catches sight of you. "You there! Fall in with me, I need more able sword-arms for the hunt!"
GM Fuzzfoot |
The look on the noble's face changes quickly to confusion, and then to adoration. "Why of course! You be true adventurers! I mistook you at first, but I see now what you are. I am hunting a werewolf! Surely, this is the exact sort of quest that gets your blood pumping. Upon return, I will treat you to dinner and cover your lodgings here at Ascanor."
He looks at you eagerly and hopeful.
Vivian Deberth |
Why not, if everyone is healthy?
Know Arcana about Werewolves, Monster lore: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 7 + 2 = 24
Turning to the noble
What do you know about the werewolf, and its whereabouts? Do you have silver weapons to fight it?
Not sure if it's Arcana or another kind of Know, but nearly all are at +7 modifier, and only Dungeonering is at +6
Niculaie Pavlencas |
1 person marked this as a favorite. |
"Adventurers?" Niculaie chuckles and shakes his head. "We are simply a group of ..."
The bard pauses, continuing his sentence in his head. ...strangers, called together by a mysterious scholar's deathbed request, tasked with a simple errand that has expanded to become a nation-spanning investigation into a secret society tampering with the dark forces of unlife. He glances down at the dings on his armor, and winces at the memory of the crossbow trap guarding the corpse in the forest, and sighs. "I suppose we are adventurers at that. We may as well live up to the part, and at least it may provide an opportunity to learn more of the dangers the Shudderwood harbors. I will accompany you as well, sir."
Pontia Canario |
The wizard glances around at her companions of the road. Niculaie makes an excellent point. And there are others who have seen us, and we are not easy prey ourselves if this noble turns on us. She smiles slightly and nods. "I shall join you, as well. If only to keep you two out of trouble!" She looks to Silas, Tara, and Sophie. "Come, this is not so easy a task. I'll need your help."
Sophie Kundegard |
"What gets my blood pumping is none of your business, moneybags! But your terms are agreeable."
"Like the girl says, someone has to keep these kids in line..."
GM Fuzzfoot |
"Excellent! I wish I had weapons available for you, but you look well armed already. Let's be off!"
Delgros shrugs and leads the way. Just outside the gates of the lodge, Duristan and Delgros mount up and begin to trot in a westerly direction. After a few miles, they reach the spot where the dead stag was found.
The trail leads to a small clearing, where the trampled ground and snapped brush show signs of a great struggle. The soil is soaked with blood, and more has splashed upon the tree trunks and leaves. Despite the telltale evidence, Delgros’s jaw drops and his eyes dart wildly with shock at the situation. “It’s gone!” he cries.
Niculaie Pavlencas |
"Calm yourself, Mr. Kroitczer," Niculaie says soothingly. "What is gone?"
GM Fuzzfoot |
"The stag! I know it was here."
The missing carcass spurs Delgros to organize a frantic search of the immediate area.
If you are reading this, you can also make a DC 13 Knowledge (nature) check against the wolf prints to open the following spoiler.
The other set of prints can be identifies with a DC 14 Knowledge (nature) check.
Silas Womarsh |
"If you left a stag carcass in the middle of the forest, what did you think was going to happen to it?" Silas asks in annoyance.
Nevertheless, the large man begins searching the nearby undergrowth for signs of the remains.
Perception vs DC 15: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 = 11
Survival vs DC 15: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8
Vivian Deberth |
Perception DC15: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (1) + 13 = 14 Lol..Help me Silas, I'm blind!
Survival DC: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19
Vivian finds something and motions the group to follow her, quietly if possible
Stealth: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (2) + 11 = 13
Of course, that doesn't matter much, as the usual discreet redhead bumps her foot on a partially buried tree root and falls on all fours, right in front on Mister Womarsh.
Tara Eliade |
"Oh, that's strange. I've never seen wolf prints this large before." gesturing to the ground, Tara points out two sets of prints. "But it looks like the stag was taken that way." pointing to some crushed scrub, Tara secures her gear and gestures for Silas to follow her. "It can't have gotten far. It's a stag for goodness sake."
Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26
survival: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20
Tara Eliade |
Offering Silas a sly grin, Tara nods. "Yes I believe so, come along!" as she leads Silas and the others through the underbrush, she pauses about 50 feet in their pursuit. "There is something up ahead. Be ready." pulling her dagger from it sheathe, Tara creeps forward towards a rustling bush.
Niculaie Pavlencas |
Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14
Survival: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (15) + 0 = 15
Niculaie slides off of his horse to help the group search the brush. When Tara announces her discovery of the large wolf prints and Silas suggests they may have been made by an actual werewolf, he thinks over what he knows of the shapeshifting creatures.
Knowledge (local) + inspiration: 1d20 + 10 + 1d6 ⇒ (12) + 10 + (2) = 24
He nocks a silver arrow on his bowstring and peers into the trees ahead, looking for a wolf - or any creature - big enough to pull a stag through the woods.
Sophie Kundegard |
As the consternation grows around the underbrush, Sophie casts a spell heroism
She follows closely behind Tara. At her warning, she prepares for a likely fight with a werewolf by summoning a weapon used by one of her ancestors; her great grandmother's silvered Lucerne hammer.
Vivian Deberth |
Vivian takes out her own bow and readies a silvered arrow too. She tries to concentrate on her immediate surroundings to avoid a potential ambush, or a trap.
Werevolves are cunnier than an usual wolf, and won't be below using an hunter's trap against another, luring people to their doom.
Perception: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (10) + 13 = 23
GM Fuzzfoot |
Following the path, as you prepare for battle, you find the carcass and the theives.
Three wild dire boars discovered the carcass and have dragged it off to feed on it. As soon as they spot you, they raise their gore-soaked heads from their feast and attack.
Duristan immediately attacks the boars, while both Delgros and Duristan’s men hold back, waiting for a clear shot.
Niculaie: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12
Pontia: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8
Silas: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5
Sophie: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 13
Tara: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13
Vivian: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10
Boars: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21
Duristan: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16
The boars charge as Duristan rushes to meet them.
Green Charge, gore: 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 8 + 2 = 15
Red Charge, gore: 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 8 + 2 = 17
Duristan flashes his very fancy silver sword, and slashes at one of the beasts.
Longsword: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (4) + 11 = 15
Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10
While not the werewolves you were expecting, you do know that boars have ferocity (A creature with ferocity remains conscious and can continue fighting even if its hit point total is below 0. The creature is still staggered and loses 1 hit point each round. A creature with ferocity still dies when its hit point total reaches a negative amount equal to its Constitution score.)
Also the saves, best to worst are: Fort, Ref, Will
Round 1: (Bold may act)
Green Boar (10 dmg)
Red Boar
Purple Boar
Duristan
Sophie
Tara
Niculaie
Vivian
Pontia
Silas
Niculaie Pavlencas |
Niculaie moves off to one side of the clearing, hoping to get a clear shot at one of the boars without presenting an attractive target for a charge.
"These beasts are particularly ferocious, my friends, and will keep fighting long after most creatures would collapse from their injuries! They are also hearty creatures, but not the most agile or strong-willed. Fight with caution!"
The dhampir begins to sing an elven lament for the wildlands of Kyonin lost to the demon lord Treerazer, now an Abyss-tainted swamp known as the Tanglebriar.
Inspire Courage +2, round 1
Silas Womarsh |
Silas gives a war cry and charges in himself to strike at the injured board (green).
Longsword Power Attack: 1d20 + 15 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 15 + 2 = 19
Longsword Damage: 1d8 + 14 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 14 + 2 = 23
Longsword Power Attack: 1d20 + 10 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 10 + 2 = 21
Longsword Damage: 1d8 + 14 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 14 + 2 = 23
Vivian Deberth |
How could we get so wrong with these tracks? We were following a wolf, and now we meet boars?
The redhead sends a regular arrow toward one of the farthest boars aiming at purple boar, keeping her silver tipped arrows for later
She waits a few seconds to see if the spellcaster can enhance her shooting skills Delays until Tara/Sophie cast spells for more bonuses
Delayed Inspired Comp short Bow: 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 8 + 2 = 15
Inspired Dmg: 1d6 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 1 + 2 = 5
GM Fuzzfoot |
Two strong slices, and the green boar is clearly injured beyond its ability to survive, yet somehow it keeps fighting.
Vivian's arrow does just manage to pierce the hid of the farthest boar, but it seems to be only a minor injury.
Round 1: (Bold may act)
Green Boar (56 dmg, at -14 hp)
Red Boar
Purple Boar (5 dmg)
Duristan
Sophie
Tara
Niculaie
Vivian
Pontia
Silas
Inspiration +2 is in effect
Tara Eliade |
Tara's eyes widen as the boars appear, "Oh, um... well," she sputters, momentarily thrown off, "I was raised in a city?" she offers as a weak excuse, while Silas rushes forward. "But Our Lady will bless us in this fight, none-the-less!" she pipes up, interweaving her words with magical abilities.
Tara is casting Bless.
GM Fuzzfoot |
Pontia's missile finally drops the wounded boar, and Tara boosts the party's chances.
Round 1: (Bold may act)
Red Boar
Purple Boar (5 dmg)
Duristan
Sophie (heroism)
Tara
Niculaie
Vivian
Pontia
Silas
Bless and Inspiration +2 is in effect
Sophie Kundegard |
Sophie charges into the fray, striking at the nearest boar with her long-handled spiked hammer.
grandmother's lucerne hammer, charge, heroism, inspired, bless, power attack: 1d20 + 12 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (19) + 12 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 1 - 2 = 36
Silvered, bludgeoning, MAGIC: 1d12 + 9 + 2 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 9 + 2 + 6 = 22
GM Fuzzfoot |
Purple moves up and tries to gore Duristan.
Attack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28
Damage: 2d6 + 9 ⇒ (2, 2) + 9 = 13
Red attempts to strike back at Sophie.
Attack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24
Damage: 2d6 + 9 ⇒ (5, 4) + 9 = 18
Duristan responds with a flash of his sword, cutting the boar twice.
Attack 1: 1d20 + 11 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 11 + 2 + 1 = 18
Damage: 1d8 + 3 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 3 + 2 + 1 = 13
Attack 1: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24
Damage: 1d8 + 3 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 3 + 2 + 1 = 14
Round 2: (Bold may act)
Red Boar (22 dmg)
Purple Boar (32 dmg)
Duristan (13 dmg)
Sophie (heroism, 18 dmg)
Tara
Niculaie
Vivian
Pontia
Silas
Bless and Inspiration +2 is in effect
Silas Womarsh |
Shhh!!! ;)
Silas continues to lay into the aggressive, bacon-bearing beasts with his sword.
Longsword Power Attack: 1d20 + 15 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 15 + 2 = 26
Longsword Damage: 1d8 + 14 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 14 + 2 = 23
Longsword Power Attack: 1d20 + 10 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 10 + 2 = 28
Longsword Damage: 1d8 + 14 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 14 + 2 = 19
Sophie Kundegard |
Sophie strikes twice at the boar this time.
grandmother's lucerne hammer, charge, heroism, inspired, bless, power attack: 1d20 + 12 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (12) + 12 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 1 - 2 = 29
Silvered, bludgeoning, MAGIC: 1d12 + 9 + 2 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 9 + 2 + 6 = 22
grandmother's lucerne hammer, charge, heroism, inspired, bless, power attack: 1d20 + 7 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (10) + 7 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 1 - 2 = 22
Silvered, bludgeoning, MAGIC: 1d12 + 9 + 2 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 9 + 2 + 6 = 18
Niculaie Pavlencas |
Niculaie continues his lament and takes a step into the clearing for a better angle. He drops his silver arrow to avoid wasting it, then quickly draws and fires an ordinary arrow.
Aiming at purple if it is still alive, otherwise at red.
+1 darkwd comp shortbow, firing into melee, Insp Courage, Bless, PBS: 1d20 + 8 - 4 + 2 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 8 - 4 + 2 + 1 + 1 = 231d6 + 2 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 2 + 2 + 1 = 8
Inspire Courage +2, round 2
Tara Eliade |
Tara winches as the boar digs its tusks into Silas and Duristan. Clutching tightly to her holy symbol and raising it above her head, she floods the clearing with healing energy, selecting out the animals as wounds stitch themselves closed. "Pharasma, please show us your mercy!
Channel Positive Energy: 4d6 ⇒ (1, 3, 4, 6) = 14 Exactly average healing...
GM Fuzzfoot |
Crit Confirm?: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21
Added damage: 2d6 + 9 ⇒ (5, 5) + 9 = 19
Yes, yes it is...
Sophie puts down the red, and Pontia can finish off the purple after Niculae's strong attack.
The boars fall.
Silas Womarsh |
Silas catches his breath and cleans his sword on the body of one of the fallen boars. "Is everyone ok?" he asks, as his eyes search out Vivian.
Once he's satisfied that no one is in danger of immediate death, he begins dragging the stag back to the clearing.
"So what's so important about this bloody stage?" he asks as he wipes his bloody hands on some nearby greenery.
Vivian Deberth |
Don't let your guard down yet, Silas. remember we have found wolf's tracks, that could be a werewolf's. It might still be around.
Perception: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (3) + 13 = 16