GM SpiderBeard's Carrion Crown (Inactive)

Game Master motteditor

The group keeps up their attacks, but the thing seems to be adapting. Wren's and Elena's magics have no effect on it, and Bronin's only able to land one small slash.

Need Whiskey and Adder's attacks still, then I can do its turn before the entire party is up again.

Whiskeyjack continued the attack, swinging his hammer around in a powerful blow.

attack!, greater heroism, bane, pa, good: 1d20 + 16 + 2 + 4 + 3 - 3 ⇒ (6) + 16 + 2 + 4 + 3 - 3 = 28
damage, gh, bane, pa: 1d10 + 7 + 3 + 2d6 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 7 + 3 + (6, 5) + 6 = 30

Adder moves to flank with Whiskey if he can.

Attack: 1d20 + 24 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 24 + 2 = 36
Damage: 2d4 + 22 ⇒ (3, 4) + 22 = 29
Sneak: 4d6 ⇒ (6, 4, 3, 6) = 19

Bronin's disappointed in the small slash given to the creature. He looks for opportunity to get in a good stroke of his blade. He tries his best to find an opening in the creatures defenses, but also distract it so Whiskey and Adder can be more effective in their attacks.

The creature blocks Whiskey's attack. It slashes at Adder as he moves in 20 hp plus 18 coldto Adder -- unable to find a way around unless he's willing to go all the way around the huge column in the center of the tower -- but lands a blow of his own as he closes in.

It steps back again, and channels, negative energy coming off it in waves. 34 hp to everyone but Wren, DC 29 Will for half

Party is up. Also, I forgot last round, but everyone must again make a DC 25 Will save at the start of their turn or cower in fear for 1 round (unless you're more than 30 feet away or immune to fear).

Will DC 25: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (2) + 14 = 16

Elena feels a sudden chill fall over her as she begins to shake and cower in fear.

Damn spook

will: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (8) + 18 = 26

Gritting her teeth, Lena slips over behind Bronin and casts greater heroism on him, slapping him on the backside to deliver it.

details above, basically +4 to a lot and immune to fear

Round 4

Wren delays, thinking the brute squad should have finished with this creature by now.

"I remember when we couldn't finish this particularly big holiday ham...blahblahblah...biggest bone I'd ever seen...blahblahblah...wanted to bury it right in my...blahblahblah...next to the flowerpot, of course, and that's where the two greased quicklings would come in...blahblahblah...tough to catch, but you use them as...blahblahblah...lots of vibrations in weird places, you know?...blahblahblah...adding thyme with the time, if you would...blahblahblah..."MORE SPONGES" was yelled, repeatedly, as we were making quite a mess. And that's how you know true eggcake from fake."

will save: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 9 = 12 DC 29.

Thank you FieryLena! I feel like I can carve this thing into pieces!

Bronin 5 foot flies and attacks with a vengence!

Possible Crit on the Long Sword:
LS2: 1d20 + 13 + 6 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 13 + 6 + 4 = 42 damage: 2d6 + 16 + 6 ⇒ (2, 6) + 16 + 6 = 30
fire damage: 1d6 ⇒ 2

HP: 127+15/194 +15. The +15 are Temp HP's from Greater Heroism

"Hold still an' be whalloped ye overgrown bi' of shadow! Dinnae ye know ye're supposed t' be fallin' down quickly when th' hereoes go a' ye?"

Whiskeyjack wound up in another heavy blow, trying not to overbalance this time. Flight made some thigns easy, all right, but it made getting a firm foundation for fighting kind of difficult.

attack!, greater heroism, bane, pa, good: 1d20 + 16 + 2 + 4 + 3 - 3 ⇒ (12) + 16 + 2 + 4 + 3 - 3 = 34
damage, gh, bane, pa: 1d10 + 7 + 3 + 2d6 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 7 + 3 + (4, 1) + 6 = 23

Will DC 29: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26
Will DC 25: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23

Remember adder, you are immune to fear right now

I did not remember that, but I am also hurting very badly. No way to withdraw so Adder will go on the offensive.

Attack #1: 1d20 + 24 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 24 + 2 = 46
Damage: 2d4 + 22 ⇒ (4, 3) + 22 = 29
Sneak: 4d6 ⇒ (4, 5, 2, 6) = 17

Attack #2: 1d20 + 15 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 15 + 2 = 23
Damage: 2d4 + 22 ⇒ (2, 4) + 22 = 28
Sneak: 4d6 ⇒ (1, 4, 3, 6) = 14

Attack #3: 1d20 + 10 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 10 + 2 = 31
Damage: 2d4 + 22 ⇒ (2, 3) + 22 = 27
Sneak: 4d6 ⇒ (5, 3, 3, 5) = 16

Attack #1 Confirm: 1d20 + 24 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 24 + 2 = 37
Damage: 2d4 + 22 ⇒ (1, 4) + 22 = 27

Attack #3 Confirm: 1d20 + 10 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 10 + 2 = 21
Damage: 2d4 + 22 ⇒ (4, 4) + 22 = 30

did you include the +4 to hit

Seeing the hurt inflicted on the party, Lena says

did you include the +4 to hit

I checked the button but it didn't take, so my attacks are all +4 to hit above.

Bronin yells above the din of combat.
I think we are making progress!

Wren waits to see if the creature is down or must expend more of her dwindling magics to help.

Sorry, for some reason I thought I was waiting on someone!

Pressed to the limit, but bolstered by Lena's magic, Bronin, Adder and Whiskey press the attack. Despite the thing's speed, their weapons hit home! Whiskey's blow seems to almost stun it for a moment, allowed Bronin and Adder to drive their blades right into the giant creature's guts. It seems astonished for a moment as it looks down, and then dissipates into black wisps of shadow. The fear recedes as it fades away.

Combat over. As a reminder, here's the room description:
The bleeding corpses of angelic beings drip fresh celestial blood on the dusty floor of this courtyard, their bodies impaled on the iron-hooked walls of Gallowspire. Signs of destruction are evident among the fallen blocks and rusted weaponry here, and the black core of the tower looms cold and imposing in the structure’s center. A staircase of entwined skeletons winds upward around the inner spire’s windowless and doorless exterior.

Also, Bronin earlier noted a +1 flaming greatsword earlier.

Bronin slightly bites his lip and gives a fist pump as the thing dissipates into black wisps.

I feel great FieryLena! How long is this feeling going to last? Do we advance further while I feel as if I'm invincible? Or do we see if we can release the angels from their terrible tortures? This place looks like it gets laughs from putting happy holy beings into unending torture.
Like, am I right? Or am I right?

Bronin, rarely being right, likes to hear when he is right. It's an desperation "ego" thing.

”Like, am I right? Or am I right?”

Wren preens a bit, having forgotten her earlier uselessness because of the scare, then refocuses as the beast is finally slain.

”Well, it’s about time,” Wren notes. ”And slow down there, Bronin. Poor dearie Adder looks like what the cat dragged in. We need to get him some aid.”

Suggest we go back and heal up for a night in Wren’s Nest of Dreams. We may be spent and probably should be careful.

Yeah, my high-level spells are low

Some rest could be nice. Maybe a snack

Lena looks somewhat hurt

Whiskeyjack got out one of his sticks of healing and began whacking anyone with a visible injury. It was a good thing they had tons of these things, because they had been going through them like crazy.

"Th' elf may be righ'! I be down t' me last few spells, an' most o' them ain't th' good ones. Think we be havin' time t' be takin' a break fer th' night? Hate th' thought o' gettin' here an' backin' away, bu' hate th' thought o' dying needlessly cause we be too tired t' dodge."

I'm all for resting...unless we hear chanting or something indicating the end of the world is at hand

As long as the GM doesn’t remind us of something that makes this seem like a very bad idea…

As it seems that we have agreement, Wren will memorize and study an area nearby to where the party currently is. And then, she will teleport the party 10 or so miles distant, and follow that up with a Wren’s Resplendent Roost spell, allowing the party to enter and sleep and sup splendidly with the bounds of her magics.

In the morning, with location memorized, she will teleport us back after everyone has had a chance to magic up.

CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9

CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9

Once Lena awakes she casts Mage armour, False Life on herself.

false life: 1d10 + 10 ⇒ (9) + 10 = 19

There is no reason you cannot retreat for the night -- but you do know that there are effects that prevent teleporting directly to Gallowspire, so you may not want to teleport away.

Bronin also uses a lot of the wand.
clw: 8d8 + 8 ⇒ (3, 8, 2, 1, 5, 6, 6, 8) + 8 = 47

He brings his horse with him this time, knowing the way may be safer.
It's okay Patience, we will get throuigh the acid rain and then I have a spot for you to hunker down.

He casts Greater Fang on Patience. Freedom of Movement, Longstrider, and endure elements on himself. back to full

Wren will lead the party away to a safe spot, cast her nesting spell, and be ready to return in the morning. She will cast her usual magics and be ready to return.

Will let others push and lead a bit.

Bronin walks around the courtyard of the tower. He spies the impales angels.
Patience, let's use your strength to get some of these iron hooks out of the walls. Also, anyone have any ideas on how to help these angels? I'm not very good understanding the Celestial aspects. I also don't think a cooking recipe, or story about how Wren once baked a cake with angels will help. Wren might have two stories. Given the situation, Wren might have gone to the lower Hells to get "just the right amount of heat" - so who knows, that story might mean the angels were bits and pieces IN the cake.

Not knowing solutions, Bronin will wrap rope around the iron hooks attached to the walls (or the speared angels) to pull the horrible things out of the Wall. Using Patience's strength, combined with any adamantine weapons we might have to loosen the mortar or break the hooks.

Whiskeyjack was weary. Not tired, but weary. He needed rest and he needed spritual cleansing. This place was...well, if he had to put words to it he would probably say that this area was like emotional and spiritual chains that wrapped themselves around him and fell into an abyss of despair and futility. The dead angels, the skeletal tower, and the necromantic energies that permeated the entire place...it was draining. Of course, he wouldn't put words to it. That was not his way.

Whiskeyjack pulled his hip flask out, murmured a few words under his breath and passed his hand over it. When he tipped the canister to his mouth, it was brimming with the finest aged dwarven whiskey. Without a word, he passed it over to Lena, stolidly following Wren to their nighttime hideaway.

This place was...well, if he had to put words to it he would probably say that this area was like emotional and spiritual chains that wrapped themselves around him and fell into an abyss of despair and futility. The dead angels, the skeletal tower, and the necromantic energies that permeated the entire place...it was draining. Of course, he wouldn't put words to it. That was not his way.

Wow, pretty harsh take on Wren’s Resplendent Roost. It’s lovely inside. I promise.

* * *

Wren examines the iron impalings and tries to decide what she might employ to help loosen the angels.

I assume this is after we’ve rested and returned. Is there a knowledge check to help Bronin?

Lena has a swig

Smooth! she gasps. Then she has another nip and passes it back

Even with a bit of rest Elena still had a pretty unrestful night considering where they slept in the World. "Leave the angels be Bronin. It is too late for them. Even if they live the negative energy in the area would have corrupted them long ago." She instead points towards the staircase of skeletal bones heading up.

"Leave the angels be Bronin. It is too late for them. Even if they live the negative energy in the area would have corrupted them long ago

Bronin looks toward Elena Nethermore with sad eyes. His hands clutching a rope he had prepared to tie and knot around the iron hooks.

So, you are saying that once someone's been corrupted by dark magics.... there's no redemption. No cure for the negative energies?

I hope you are wrong Elena. For many reasons besides here and now, I hope you are wrong and that the glorious light can return to the innocent even after their corruption.

Bronin is obviously talking about more than these angels. He's talking about ugly events in his past and he's talking about the barmaid turned exceedingly powerful witch.

If you tell me to step down from this horse's stirrup, and lead the way upstairs - I will. If you tell me there's still hope for these angels, I'll continue my work.
I believe you when you say that you know what's best.

Lena Laughs.

Redemption? Here? Except maybe for that demon place to the north, this is the worse place in the world. This is where the Whispering Tyrant is buried, in his tower. And he sleeps lightly.

You should study your history Bronin. Remember the vampires? Even those bloodsuckers are scared of the whispering tyrant. It needed a god to put him in the ground, and it isn't permanent.

She looks to the east.

You know all this started at a funeral. Not that far from here, really.

She shrugs.

We stop the whispering way. Worry about glorious light after that. Sometimes what is marred cannot be righted

The angels's corpses are impaled along the walls, but you think you can actually remove them fairly easily if you simply fly up to them. It is a quick matter, and if not redeeming them, at least lets them rest in some greater semblance of peace. Perhaps slaying the creature responsible for their deaths -- Adivion Adrissant -- will give some greater meaning to your actions.

With that accomplished, the stairs await, with the ceiling 60 feet above.[/ooc]

The Bone Stair is very steep (treat as difficult terrain). It's only 5 feet wide, so you'll have to go in order, so please let me know marching order as you climb.

Wren will again offer delight and joy to the party, casting Mass Fly, which gives each party member the exact mass/weight as a fly, so that they may propel themselves easily in the air via the strength of their own farts and flapping arms.

"There you go, my dearies. You can fly like me, like a beautiful feathered bird," Wren smiles with her yellow cracked teeth.

1d20 + 26 ⇒ (13) + 26 = 39 Know (Religion)

Wren seems speechless when examining the stairs, which is very odd. If pressed, she will explain, but also completely avoid the stairs. See spoiler. It's damn cool.

She will follow the party up.

"That is interesting indeed, if not a bit macabre." Elena floats just above the stairs as she flits up near the back of the group.

As usual, Lena will fly on her broom instead

Bronin flies. He also does his best to calm Patience as the horse is not used to not being on the ground. He goes to the "door" at the top of the tower.

Calm there Patience. Calm, you don't have to work your hooves in order to fly. You just will yourself to where you want to go.
The horse bounces off of walls and turns sideways as it over corrects. Making for a rather funny scene if the surroundings were not so evil and deadly.

Going to assume Bronin is in the lead.
Moving up alongside the stair, you move through the ceiling of the chamber. Bright purple flashes of lightning from the raging storm outside flicker through the gaping holes left by old siege damage, diffusing among the stirred dust of this chamber. Stacks of sundered black stone litter this room, a testament to damage wrought on the tower in ancient days. Little else remains. The ceiling rises 90 more feet, the Bone Stair continuing its way upward.

Please let me know how you proceed into the room.

Bronin walks in and lays his hand on one of the black stones. Trying to get a feel for the situation.
This stone is made of the blackest of nights.

Patience clip/clops in behind him (15 feet).
perception: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (1) + 19 = 20 +4 or +6 if favored enemies are involved. +6 is undead.

Wren does not yet proceed into the room, letting her little chickadees go in first.

”Now be careful Bronin. I wouldn’t want you to end up like those nubile…blahblahblah…carted off before …blahblahblah…absolutely cleaned up nicely …blahblahblah…one was very eager for…blahblahblah…sucking the life out of…blahblahblah…needed to be warmed up, by gently patting…blahblahblah…the underside usually works better…blahblahblah…and that’s a good stone soup recipe,” Wren warns.

She will cast Detect Magic and keep her eyes open for danger.

1d20 + 17 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 17 + 2 = 35 Perception

"That and those stones may seep and radiate negative energy, being this close to the source." Elena explains as she stays near the rear, watching out for anything harmful.

As a near afterthought, Lena pulls out a wand and uses it on herself

Protection from evil. It May not be of much use, but hey

Then she casts an extended Greater heroism on herself, and Whiskeyjack (plus a protection from evil spell), if he wants

Whiskeyjack nodded at Lena and readied his hammer and shield before moving into the room with Bronin. He was getting the hang of this whole flying thing, though it was as unnatural to him as Wren was.

1d20 ⇒ 12

Wren definitely detects illusion magic in the room as Bronin and Whiskey begin to move in, with Adder close behind.

"Woah! WOAH! That's the same I said to the burly human who wanted to enter..." Wren stops Bronin and W'Jack. "Something ain't right here. This is somewhat illusiony. Take a step back as your feathered betters figure things out," Wren offers helpfully, because she is so helpful. "Adder! Cool your balzac."

Wren pauses how to pierce the veil, and then easily comes up with a solution: she casts True Seeing on herself, which is completely the obvious move, even to the most featherbrained.

Elena halts. "How much of it is an illusion Wren? How can you tell?"