Heralding the Coming of the Age of Worms (Inactive)

Game Master Fanguar

Skelly AOO: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (8) + 0 = 8
Zombie AOO: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25 All that fanageling and you still take a pipe to the face...

Pipe to the face: 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (6, 5) + 4 = 15 Smoked!!

Round 2
22 Markus
21 Sverrir
18 Zombies
11 Lucid
9 Khyrn
7 Filge
6 Pavo
3 Ramos

Zombies:
The two zombies continue to attack Sverrir, but neither connect with the dwarf. A third moves to join the press.
Attack Vs Sverrir: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12
Attack Vs Sverrir: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17

Markus' zombie tags along after him, provoking an AOO and he connects solidly:

Markus AOO: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (14) + 9 = 23
Damage: 1d10 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 6 + 1 = 15

Lucid and Khyrn are up.

I think I get an AoO against that one that "joined the press".

Sure do..

AOO: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (19) + 9 = 28
AOO confirm: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 9 = 13
Damage: 1d10 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11

Khyrn steps up and attacks the zombie flanked between Sverrir and Markus, but the uneven steps cause his swing to miss his target.

Attack, battleaxe: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

Lucid, finish Pavo's off... Need room.

Lucid is torn as he wants to focus on the enemy wizard and knows he could disrupt a spell if he can save his last magic missile but after seeing Markus take the hit he decides to blast Pavo's zombie, then move to a safer place.

Magic Missile: 2d4 + 2 ⇒ (4, 4) + 2 = 10

Lost the map link.

Should be under the campaign info tab, but you're pretty safe where you are.

Lucid summons forth magic bolts that shatter the spells holding the foul abomination together and crumples to the ground.

Filge lets out a gasp of horror when the zombie falls,

"Ahh!! Do you know how one of those bugbears costs?! You'll ruin me!!"

Filge pulls out a long syring containing a thick yellow liquid and injects it into his thigh. Heal: 2d8 + 2 ⇒ (2, 4) + 2 = 8

The small skeleton heads over to its master.

Round 2
22 Markus
21 Sverrir
18 Zombies
11 Lucid
9 Khyrn
7 Filge
6 Pavo
3 Ramos

Pavo and Ramos are up.

Raising his mace, Ramos charges at the closest bugbear zombie.
SA: Charge: 1d20 + 2 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 2 + 4 = 18
Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

Sorry can't see the map, you will have to adjust me to make it work =/

Blade gripped in hand, Pavo moves around the column and attempts to tumble past the zombie. Once in a flanking position with Markus, Pavo strikes out with his blade.

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (10) + 9 = 19
attack: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 29
Piercing damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
precision damage: 1d6 ⇒ 5

Confirm crit: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (17) + 9 = 26
crit damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Bonus for flanking already included in roll

Ramos takes aim at one of the zombies pestering Sverrir and strikes a mighty blow, but the undead flesh withstands most of the abuse. Pavo maneuvers himself into a prime position and strikes viciously, nearly toppling the foul creature.

Round 3
22 Markus
21 Sverrir
18 Zombies
11 Lucid
9 Khyrn
7 Filge
6 Pavo
3 Ramos

Markus and Sverrir may act.

Pavo, you inspire!. Finding the zombie's proximity suddenly disconcerting, Markus steps back to bring the business end of his weapon into play.

Attack: 1d20 + 7 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 7 + 1 + 1 = 18
Damage: 1d10 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 6 + 1 = 16

Round 3

Smiling as another of the lumbering dead joins the press, Sverrir aims a heavy backswing at the jaw of a zombear

+1 Warhammer: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25
Damage to the Dead: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

The zombies strike out, Sverrir manages to avoid the blow, but Ramos is not so lucky and takes a painful blow:

Attack vs Sverrir: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17
Attack vs Ramos: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22

Pipe: 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (3, 3) + 4 = 10

Lucid and Khyrn are up.

Lucid, now totally out of spells except his level zeros, will move for a clear shot and acid splash the most wounded zombie.

At low level it sucks to fight a major encounter without resting. Now you see why I wanted to change out a wand for something that would have some combat use.

Acid Splash Touch Attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 181d3 ⇒ 3

That's what the meat-shields are for!

Fear my d3. At least its a touch attack. :)

DMPC Khyrn Attack zombie: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19
Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10

Lucid and Khyrn go to work on one of the remaining zombies causing significant damage.

Filge practically pulls his hair out in frustration as another one of his zombies falls.

"Stop, just stop. You're cutting them to pieces. I'll call them off if you just leave them alone."

Filge is delaying his action until after Pavo and Ramos, who are now up.

Show me, don't tell me...

Ok Filge! Ramos shouts stepping away from the Zombie. Call them off and we can talk. Try to cast one spell or command them to attack and we burn this whole place to the ground.

I'd answer quickly, that particular priest isn't stable. Markus tries to offer Ramos a wink, while keeping eyes on the zombies.

Lucid readies an action to burn a zombie if they continue hostilities.

"Finally someone speaks some sense."

Filge calls off the zombies summoning them over to stand as a barrier between himself and the party.

"I thought Diamond Lake had at least the semblance of civility. You break into my house. You cause who knows how much damage to my experiments and probably looted your way through my stuff. Any particular reason for that, or is this just a service you provide for all new residents?"

Sverrir scowls at the necromancer;

"Grave robbin' has ne'er been civil... reason enough I reckon..."

Lucid is unable to restrain a scowl as he adds Necromancy is never civil. Its immoral and illegal in civilized society.

Now, now... Let's have an open mind. He is all the way out here, away from the people. And it seems his most recent subjects were more monstrous than civilized.

Perhaps his research could bear beneficial results. Markus seems genuinely intrigued.

Khyrn growls at Markus' words, "Has some spell taken your wits? There is nothing beneficial to be gained from creating undead monstrosities. Nothing!"

Looking at Filge, "The reason we're here is to reclaim the bodies of the family that the half-orc and his band stole for your experiments. And you dare to accuse us of crimes while you practice your dark arts!?"

Back to the rest of the group, "Fah, he's a worthless swine. He can't even give us a good reason for keeping him breathing, like why he's even here in Diamond Lake. Let's just destroy these monsters and take him in, or kill him if he resists. Then we can return the family to their graves."

No magic has me, but you nearly make his case. His "victims" from the Land place we're dead years if not decades ago.

Necromany is the study of death, but per force life as well. He may even be able to heal.

Sverrir nods at Khyrn's words;

"Axe O'Heironeous speaks true... Need a hell of a reason to keep this evil basterd from being buried hisself..."

Khyrn glares at Markus, "Do not twist my words. He had men tear that family from the ground to use in his experiments. Would you feel the same if it was your loved ones he had stolen, and not some poor family of farmers?"

"And no, necromancy isn't the study of life force, Markus. It is the study of how to steal it, destroy it, and twist it into a parody of itself. He has chosen to use his talents to create undead abominations, so whether or not he can heal is a moot point. But maybe we will find out - if we don't like what he has to say, we can let Sverrir hit him a few times and see if he heals himself."

"Bah, of course it would have to be a priest of Heironeous. Pompous, self righteous meddlers, poking their noses where they're not welcome. You've no right to shove your ideology down anyone else's throats. I'm completely within my rights to worship Wee Jas in my own home. Necromancy is as valid a school of magic as any other and how are supposed to learn anything if we don't practice. It's not like I'm stupid enough to create intelligent undead."

He thumps one of the zombies with a fist.

"Completely mindless, safe and useful. Much better than feeding worms in the ground don't you think?"

Filge looks at Kkyrn with confusion,

"You want the skeletons? You destroyed years of work for some worthless bones? What did those idiots do, dig up the graveyard? I specifically asked for unclaimed bones, so as to avoid this type of unpleasantness. If you'll just leave you can take the stupid things if they're so important to you, I'm sure I can get some others that no one is so emotionally invested in."

Knowledge (religion): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8
Nice.

Khyrn stares at the man, "Necromancy can be studied without animating dead bodies. You choose to practice it this way, but that's your decision, it's not the only way you could learn more about your craft."

"And just so you know, your associates are the ones that gave you up. Not sure what kind of deal you had with them, but they're obviously not interested in protecting you or your experiments. How did you find them, anyway? Funny finding Smenk's men freelancing as grave robbers."

Forgive me, Filge... But this looks more than a hobby. Might you be on someone's payroll?

Markus motions gently for Khyrn to calm down, relax.

Khyrn, weren't you the one... Wee Jas is a goddess of magic and death. Her church does promote the study of all forms of magic, including necromancy.

Within the church, though, there is some disagreement whether that study should include the creation of undead. I've come across her a few times in my readings.

Kn Religion: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20

Sverrir looks less than convinced by any logic or argument presented by Markus or Filge;

"Reckon if we dropped he'd have us shuffling around, serving his drinks and wiping his arse, afore we were kald..."

The dwur spits in disgust and reaches for his flask...

"All this parley is dryin' my throat..."

Filge, got anything to drink... Real beverage mind you, not poison. Spirits, pardon the term.

Filge gives Markus a disgusted look.

"Possibly dwarf. If after I had alerted the authorities about your robber and attempt on my life, if no one claimed your corpses, I'm sure I could have found use for some of them. As for Balabar's boys helping me out, there is no mystery there. He and I go way back and he asked me to come stay here fo a while to look into a problem he's got. When I arrived, he sent some of his men help me get settled."

Filge, I'm not here to discuss semantics, but even if I was, I would know that a load of horse dung. Its only certain sects within the church of Wee Jas that approve of raising undead. Oh and knock it off with the threats against us. You engaged a local gang in grave robbery. Until a few seconds ago, you were on the ropes, and it could still turn out that way. Start talking or I'm going to start busting up some more of these zombies.

Knowledge (religion): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23

Everyone take a deep breath.... Remembering the various undead, Markus adds... ...well, everyone who can.

Lads, will you trust me and abide by word?

It would probably be less stressful if he could trust in one person's word. And please, no more threats from any party... Open mind, even keel.

Can Filge trust you keep my word? I think what we have here is a misunderstanding, and I'd like to clear it up.

"I'd have to hear you out before I agree to anything. But I'll give you a chance to speak your mind. It would also be interesting to learn about Smenk's problem, especially if it requires a necromancer to handle."

Markus looks around. Just asking to lower weapons, for now. So he's not hiding behind... them, and everyone isn't so agitated. We'll not get anywhere with all the posturing.

Please, all of you.

Markus, are you forgetting those undead below at the dinner party. Didn't most of them come to their end with the help of Filge? I'd hear his explanation for those souls as well.

Sverrir nods and takes a draught from his brandy flask;

"Feh. I agree wi' our little mage. He has blodd on his hands... one way... or another... And as for lowering weapons... I'll do so only in the company o' allies and frien... he is neither..."

The dwur spits in distaste and keeps his enchanted hammer readied.

I agree with Sverrir. Ramos said nodding in agreement. I know a thing or two about take chances. You couldn't pay me enough to take a bet on Filge here.

Markus seems distracted, as if remembering something... Filge. Is that one of the Land kin?

The librarian uses his finger to indicate the small skeleton with Filge, behind the zombies.

"Balabar's problem is Balabar's business, so take it up with him if you're so inclined. As for where I get my corpses, I buy them, from the city morgue, like any other serious academic. That's a thing you can do in a civilized city and I have the documents to prove it. The only criminals here are you lot."

He looks quizzically at Markus,

"The who what now? It's a skeleton not a Landkin."

Dammit Filge! I'm getting tired of you throwing the word criminal around. I have a word, it's called lowlife, necromancer scum! Now let me ask you some questions. Why did The Guild of Wizardry was kick you out? And who was that young woman who rejected you that you reanimated? Don't think I can't see through your prissy logic!

I was waiting for someone else to bring up the zombies, not no one ever did. Too much?

Sverrir chuckles menacingly at Filge's words, taking another swig of his flask before answering;

"Find it ironic like, that ye mention Smenk and criminal in the same breath necromancer..."

The dwur shakes his head and continues in a bitter tone;

"Law!?"... in this place? Means ye have deep pockets that's all..."

Markus isn't used to pig-headed side of his comrades. Is that one of the skeletons Smenk's boys brought to you? They got them from a family grave-site at the old Land farm.

He does have a point, lads. What he's doing is distasteful and for many, immoral. But killing him and taking his property? What have you become then? I'll have no part of it, excepting in self-defense. He's just a pawn, being used. I almost feel sorry for him.

Markus reaches for the potion Lucid had given him a short while ago. He places it on the operating table. He's obviously not pleased with the cadaver there. This is Filge's. I've never been a thief, and I'm not starting now. We need the last set of remains, we need to go.

I think it's fine Ramos. Khyrn wants to hear Filge's responses. :)

"Wha.. How..? The guild?"

Comprehension slowly dawns on Filge's face and his face quickly flushes a deep crimson.

"Well the diner guests are a bit of private entertainment, if you must know. The corpses came from strangers, but I may have set them to play the part of certain former acquaintances of mine. As for the guild, well there were certain allegations towards me about ahh.." He coughs into a fist before finishing in a rush, "about certain indiscretions with the teaching cadavers. Never proved I'll have you know, but the guild was afraid that such scandalous rumour might discourage further corpse donations, so the close-minded fools kicked me out."

His embarrassment holds for a moment and then his indignation at your presence flare up again,

"And yes criminals, off the top of my head I count breaking and entering, theft, destruction of property and attempted murder. Even with your paltry moral justification, who appointed you judge, jury and executioner?"

@Markus: "Oh the skeleton, I see. He turns to the little skeleton, "You go over to the mean man with the big stick who tried to kill daddy. He wants to put you back in the ground."

The skeleton starts to walk over to Markus, if unimpeded it will stop at his side and look expectantly at him.

Markus is curious, if not fascinated... He does however keep his wits about him. His naturally inquisitive mind wanting to know more, categorize , define.

Filge. She's not intelligent as you said. And, her soul or spirit has long since gone to her maker. What drives her then, the need to destroy the living... is she, are they... Evil?

And, she seems to hear and see... can she speak and retain memories since she's been... animated? Does she know who she was?

Full Defense, guard is not down.