JZ's Carrion Crown - (Wake of the Watcher) (Inactive)

Game Master JamZilla

Undead, here in town? Zed frowns as the blood rushes through him. It will regret ever stepping foot in this building. He runs out and kicks open his door, rounding the corner and jumping down the staircase to land on the first part of the landing. Then he freezes and the jaded dhampir looks openly shocked. "P-Professor?" His shock turns to outrage quickly. Whoever did this will pay, they will pay dearly. Zed's eyes narrow and an angry sneer forms as he raises a hand glowing with divine energy.

Knowledge (religion): 1d20 + 4 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 4 + 2 + 1 = 14

Double move to Q2. Swift action to activate Judgement: Slayer's Brand (no effect right now).

Ugh, the dead professor showed up right when I went to bed!

Constantin races toward the ground floor, then pauses on the stairs as he sees the undead professor. "By... the... Gods!" he hisses as he grips the banister rail. "Professor! How could this happen?"

He looks wildly about to see where everyone else is, wondering if this is a prelude to some terrible attack, or perhaps if the professor himself has wreaked havoc on other members of the group.

Vala moves to the top of the stairs and calls out, "What's going on down there?" As she descends and the grisly scene comes into view, all color leaves her face as she gasps in horror. "Good heavens! P-Petros?!"

Move: move to Q1
Standard: Monstrous Insight: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21 it's a knowledge check to ID the monster that also grants Vala bonuses even should it fail

Kazamir tears across his borrowed room, nightshirt flapping about him wildly, and rips open his door.

Move action to open a door? If move to E5 and open the door, if not, start down the stairs (assuming the stairs are difficult terrain) to G4.

Petros? The Professor? What...?!

Yeah, I'm going to just quit posting when I'm tired rather than trying to get a jump on things because apparently I make too many mistakes for combat posts. Assuming I'm looking at the map right, *now* Hazel will double-move to G2.

"Undead? What? What's going on!?" Hazel calls as she dashes towards the stairs behind the others.

Zed fort: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14 success
Vala fort: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15 success
Kaz fort: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (15) + 0 = 15 Success

Round 3 - Enemy

The guts that wrap themselves around Rajuna's throat suddenly release but then whip out at him like a storm.

Intestine, Raj: 1d20 ⇒ 4 Miss
Intestine, Raj: 1d20 ⇒ 17 Hit
Damage: 1d3 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
Intestine, Raj: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7 Miss

They spray their filth everywhere as it oozes out of the bloated corpse even as it tries to move past Rajuna and further into the Lorrimor Place.

Aothercrtue, this one like a waking corpse blunders into the porch behind.

Zombie on the doorstep as well now

Round 3 - Heroes

Latest Map

A divine fury lights up the dhampir's eyes like nothing his new allies have seen before. He steps down the stairs with a decisive finality to his gait, eyes bored hard on the undead that used to be his closest friend in the world. His voice is low but carries far and is full of unbreakable resolve. "You have made a grave mistake in coming here. Come, face the might of the Boneyard." With a sharp word and a gesture a ray of bright energy shoots out to strike at the unholy abomination.

Ranged Touch: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21
Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

Moving down to N2 and using my disrupt undead SLA.

As Zed closes in on the abomination, one of the intestines lashes out as if it had a mind of it's own. The whole thing is a writhing mass now - a true horror to behold.

AOO, Zed, cover: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23 Hit
Damage: 1d3 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3
Grab: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21 Success

Even as he raises his pale hand, the thing strikes out and wraps itself around his arm, the putrid flesh coming off in swathes as it tightens its grip around the Inquisitor.

Zed, I'm pretty sure using an SLA provokes an attack of opportunity since this thing has a ten foot reach. You'd also provoke one from the zombie but I'll skip that for now. You can continue to cast it but I believe it now requires a concentration check of 10 + Damage + Spell level (which is 0) for a total of DC 13

Kendra finally finds her feet and shouts:

There's another one here... a zombie! she cries. But she turns back to look at the Professor-thing, forcing herself to look at it.

You are not my father, you are not my father. she says, over and again, like some kind of mantra. She then levels her hand toward it and mutters a word of power Magicae telum!

Two orbs of pale blue light streak out from her hand and blast a pair of smoking holes in the bloated gut of the thing.

Magic Missile: 2d4 + 2 ⇒ (4, 3) + 2 = 9

Okay, almost time for bed as I have work in the morning. Since it's quite likely that I'll not be able to check in/post again until well into the day or possibly not even until tomorrow evening, I'll try and cover a couple of possibilities now.

As she hurries down the stairs, Hazel's chest tightens as she hears Kendra's words echo from below.

Zombie!? Not her father??

Rounding the corner Q2?, she's treated to a horrific sight playing out below - a rotting mass that looks half-man, half-abomination menacing Rajuna and Kendra, Zed held fast by its writhing tentacles as well as the aforementioned zombie that has just shambled into the house behind it.

Thanks Hazel. Given the time difference perhaps this format of optional actions might work well. I will almost always try and get a post up around 6-7am GMT. I know that is the middle of the night for most of you but if you have the time to check in the morning or lunchtime you will usually find new posts :)

Hazel fort save: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18 success

Kazamir continues to work his way down the crowded stair.

double move to O1

From her place at the top of the stairs, Vala trembles as she realizes what has become of Petros. Finally though, something hardens within the woman and she invokes the first spell that comes to mind.

Waste the move action for being so stricken, then cast bless

It sounds like Kendra is talking about a third undead or am I misreading that? Since it seems that I'm no longer grappled...

It's a cold calculation for Raj. His vision is already greying at the periphery. He won't last long against whatever Doc has become, let alone the other undead. The goal is simple - slow them down until help can arrive and Miss Lorrimor can escape.

He attempts to tumble clear of the undead and take a defensive stance in front of Doc's daughter again. He growls, "Miss Lorr'mor, you need to get out of here. Get to a window or a bolthole. Keep three paces between yourself and that thing."

~ Round 3 ~
MOVE: Acro to M7
READY: Attack any monster or tentacle (if possible) that comes into range

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21

Constantin to act in Round 3

I'll not hide or stand idly by while this abomination defiles my father's memory! Kendra replies to Rajuna, just as fiercely. How dare it! How dare whoever is responsible! her pale skin flushes and blood drips from her injured hand but her eyes are like chips of flint and whether foolish or not, the display is inspirational.

Now concentrate, Rajuna, or else this will be the last night for all of us! she shouts, sounding so much like her father used to goosebumps break out on the Slayer's arms.

Throat bruised from the hangman's welt around his neck and blood flowing from the bash to his ribs, Raj may be barely standing... But he can't miss the slight implicit in Kendra's words. A insult made more acute by the ingratitude of a woman he was spending his life to protect her.

He throws a hard, murderous look at Kendra then braces himself for what comes next when the undead sweep forward.

No insult intended in that but of course Raj takes it how he takes it :) she's deeply offended by the principle of this thing and was trying to spur you on not beat you down

Oh, I figured that was intended to be inspirational, since you pretty much stated that in your post. :) But from Raj's perspective, he's being a punching bag to keep her safe and she's questioning his dedication. And since it appears to him that Doc-Zombie, at least, is trying to get her... the smart move is to get her away until the team can hammer this threat flat. Mind you, she's got a whole different view on the matter and that's totally fine. She's like Doc in that regard and my notion is that Raj and Doc often butted heads on methods and tactics. So Raj and Kendra not agreeing on the tactics here is kind of a flashback for him.

EDIT - Just want to say I love the disgusting, tentacly Doc-Zombie... very Lovecraftian! (Or John Carpenter's The Thing)

I love both Lovecraft and The Thing - this is like my nightmare child of those messed up parents lol

Will need to post to move it on in the next hour before bed to give you guys the chance to act overnight.

Round 4 - Enemy

Constantin, feel free to take your R3 action as well

Zombie, slam, Zed: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23 Hit
Damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

Intestine 1, Raj: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8 Miss

The zombie shambles through the doorway and on instinct turns toward the nearest living thing. It's heavy hands fall on Zed's shoulder, pounding down on him with the strength of the unliving.

The intestines of the professor-thing reach around the doorframes of the dining room and haul it forward. Rajuna's blade slices out and traces a deep gash along the thing's neck but it barely slows down even a moment - but at least his strike throws the thing off balance enough that it's whip-like intestine lashes over his head.

As he retreats Raj sees another zombie clawing its way through the dining room window. Glass lies everywhere and it peels great lengths of skin from its body on the fragments as it hauls itself mindlessly into the house and toward the living things.

Kendra's hand falls on Rajuna's shoulder.

This way, come on! We can double back through the kitchen to the dining room! she pushes the door open so hard it bounces back from against the counter behind it.

Round 4 - Heroes

Latest Map

Zed grimaces and steps back up the stairs. I'm out of practice. With another sharp gesture, a ray of energy shoots into the undead that attacked him.

Ranged Touch: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17
Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

5 foot step to O2.

Constantin rushes to grab his longspear.

Since I wasn't carrying it with me, I presume that takes R3.

I'm not sure if Kendra has move left, I'm hoping I can carry/drag her into the kitchen if she doesn't.

Raj nods curtly, "Good plan. I'm right behind you." He takes a moment to shout to the folks on the stairs, "There's three of them now!" before dancing out of range of the writhing intestines. He mutters an apology before inappropriately hustling Kendra into the kitchen and slamming the door shut.

He glances around the kitchen, wishing it was suddenly brimming with holy water and a couple paladins. "That was handy spell-slinging, Miss Lorr'mor. I hope you've got more of the same. We're gonna need it."

~ Round 4 ~
MOVE: Acro to avoid AoO to get to L8 and then move into the kitchen.
Best guess on final positions - Kendra (O9), Raj (N9).
MOVE: Close door.

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22

Not much. She says, searching around for something. She snatches up a kitchen knife. I thought I might need to do some translating or something today, I wasn't prepared for This!. Pharasma's Scale it's awful, I - I could barely look at it.

Meanwhile, on the stairs Zed steps back from the hungry dead and calls Upon Pharasma's judgement to smite the thing. A streak of burning white light shoots from his hand and blows half the creature's head away, leaving a mucky, mess of splintered bone and black, coagulated blood. It's jaw still works and it looks as if it is about to lunge once more

know/rel: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24

I'm going to assume that's enough to know that slashies are best for zombies...

Of all the times to grab my cane instead of my knife! Kaz silently curses at himself. He steps up anyway, bringing the heavy stick around in a two-handed swing at the walking corpse's knee...

Trip attempt, for which i will eat the AoO

trip attempt: 1d20 ⇒ 3

...and nearly cracking Zed as it whistles past ineffectively.

Move up to N1

Zed (and everyone else for that matter), don't forget your bonus to hit from bless! =)

Shock and disgust having given way to steely resolve, Vala intones another spell as a pulsing orb of fire springs to life in the palm of her hand. Just as soon as the fire leaps to light, she begins to descend the stairs, intent on putting these foul beasts to the proverbial torch.

cast produce flame
move to O1 after Constantin vacates it in search of a spear

As Zed manages to pull back from the zombie, Hazel slips past him to meet the shambling corpse and slashes at its torso with her now-glowing starknife. "Raaaaah! Back! Stay back!"

Attack (Starknife; Bless): 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 3 + 1 = 14
Damage (Holy Strike): 1d6 + 2 + 1d6 ⇒ (5) + 2 + (3) = 10

Move action to N2, standard action to attack; will eat whatever AoO might come my way.

Hazel slashes into the zombie before her, the starknife glowing in her hand. She opens a tremendous rent in the thing's torso, the would glowing in the radiance of her strike and slowly, but inexorably, it collapses to the ground.

Attack of opportunity, Kaz: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23 Hit
Damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

Kazamir brings his cane down with a slicing motion and the heavy wood cracks against the knee of the zombie. He sees the partially exposed kneecap split instantly but the zombie seems to barely notice and crashes it's bony hand down on the side of the investigator's head before Hazel finally cuts it down.

Round 5 - Enemy

The tentacle horror hauls itself further down the corridor, its intestines leaving tracks of filthy congealed blood over the walls, books and floor as it does so. It stops outside the kitchen door and bangs harmlessly against it.

The zombie meanwhile lumbers forward toward the heroes on the stairs, a low moan emanating from somewhere deep in its gut.

Round 5 - Heroes

Latest Map

Do the stairs count as difficult terrain? Need to know for movement.

You can't run or charge but other than that no, they aren't difficult.

Zed silently watches the undead fall, suppressing his stomach at the gore. There's no getting used to that. He steps forward onto the body and shoots another ray at the next undead.

Ranged Touch: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12
Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

Move to M2. 2/5 uses left.

Zed! Did you forget bless again? Cheese and crackers, lad, I'm tryin' ta help you smite these chuckers!

Vala hurls the orb from her hand as the other zombie approaches, the flames crash heavily into its chest and lick hungrily around its form for a few moments before they fade. Even as they do though, another tongue of fire springs to life in Vala's trembling palm. "Pharasma take you, vile creature!"

Produce Flame: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 1 = 20for: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

If the zombie falls, Vala will spend a move action to descend the stairs and get as near to the kitchen as she might. If it doesn't fall, she'll simply move 5 feet further down.

Constantin grabs his spear but gets logjammed on the stairwell (probably around P1).

Cheese and crackers, Vala?! Let's have no more of that potty-mouth talk! :D I wish I could take advantage of that Bless but I'm pretty sure I wasn't in sight when you cast it.

~ Round 5 ~

Rajuna is oddly gratified to hear the intestines scrabbling for purchase on the other side of the door. It meant the creature had only a shadow of Doc's intellect. More music to his ears are the all-too-human footfalls of the rest of Doc's friends on the ground floor and the heartening thud of one, possibly two, zombies collapsing.

He continues to bar the door with his body, saying quietly to Kendra, "Sounds like the others may've kil't a couple of those creatures - leavin' just the one. So, we've a choice. Play Hide & Seek a bit more... or attack. Lady's choice."

Yes, it is an NPC Choose Your Own Adventure!

If Kendra wants to get some immediate payback I'll 5' step to the corner (N8), let the door open a crack, then DELAY on delivering a FULL Attack as soon as Doc-Zombie comes through the door - assuming it takes that bait.

If Kendra wants to retreat to the dining room, I'll wait for her to open the door and check for baddies before I follow and hustle her into the dining room before closing and blocking that door.

As the first of the zombies finally falls, Hazel gags at the horrific smell that assaults her nostrils but doesn't lose her dinner. Seeing the second one shambling their way, she groans. "Oh what in the world is going on!?"

Kaz to act. The second zombie is dead (again) and description to follow. Super busy morning :/

As the second zombie falls, Kaz, tight lipped, strides into the hallway, eyes darting around. He jaw spasms as he sees the ruin of the Professor, and he stops. He gestures at a heavy candlestick on a shelf on the wall, and sweeps his hand to point at the creature that was his mentor.

Move to L5, cast Telekinetic Projectile at the gutdragger, ranged (NOT TOUCH) attack.

1d20 ⇒ 4
Bludgeoning damage: 1d6 ⇒ 3

Sigh. Kaz has yet to break a 5 on any attack roll yet...

The candlestick goes wide, crashing into the partition between the hall and the dining room.

Round 6 - Enemy

No, we should find the others, we don't know what's happening out there. Kendra says. Oh God, I hope that thing hasn't hurt any of them!

She pushes open the door to the dining/slash living room, being careful to avoid the smashed glass from the zombie's entrance with her bare feet.

The horrific undead turns as the candelabra thumps harmlessly against the wall beside its head. With a low, inhuman moan it shambles along the corridor and lashes out with its filthy intestines at Kazamir this time.

Intestine, Kaz: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9 Miss

The detective, ducks instinctively and the whipping appendage leaves nothing but a greasy stain on the wall instead.

Round 6 - Heroes

Latest Map

JZ - I think the map may be off slightly. Kendra and Raj should be in the dining room now, I believe, so maybe Kendra @ P7 and Raj @ O7?

Raj slinks cautiously along the northern wall of the dining room. Seeing Kaz in the hallway, Raj silently signals him to fall back a bit so the abomination will need to step into the open doorway to attack. Then he waits to pounce, long curving blade at the ready.

~ Round 6 ~
MOVE: Slink to N/0 6
READY: Attack

Stealth: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22

Zed wipes a chunk of flesh and blood from his face, flicking it to the ground. He grits his teeth and steels himself. I will stand between the legions of undead and those they seek to destroy. It is my duty. He cloaks himself in divine protect and walks forward to Petros. "Do you forget me so easily, coward? Come, fight me evil being!"

Standard action to cast protection from evil on myself, move action to M5.

Vala shuffles around the corner and, seeing the rotting horror that used to Petros once more causes the color to drain from her face again, but the old woman doesn't back down. Brandishing the flame in her palm, she hurls the fire at the creature. "Unholy thing!"

Produce Flame: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15for: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

Move action: Move to L3
Standard action: Throw another ball of produce flame

Da@#$it! Lost a post! Kaz will 5' back to L4, cast Telekinetic Projectile again. Of course, the first time I did this was a lot more colorful...

1d20 ⇒ 15
bludgeon: 1d6 ⇒ 2

As the undead abomination turns and lashes out at Kazamir, Hazel readies herself to advance forward and face the creature head-on...and then notices that Kazamir has fallen back.

Okay, maybe if we can lure it forward just a little more...

Hazel sidesteps into the doorway leading from the hall to the dining room, hoping that by drawing the creature forward it would allow them to possibly surround it and bring it down that way. As Zed moves ahead of her, she reaches out and places a hand on the inquisitor's shoulder. "Fortune favorizează aldine."

Move to N4, casting Guidance on Zed.

JZ - I think the map may be off slightly. Kendra and Raj should be in the dining room now, I believe, so maybe Kendra @ P7 and Raj @ O7?

Sorry Raj, that could well be the case. The Rugby World Cup started on Friday and has pretty much sucked up every day since :/

Vala, with Kaz and Zed in front of you the Professor-thing gets the benefit of soft cover causing your Produce Flame to miss.

Round 7 - Enemy

The party hears a heavy thumping on the stairs and Hazel risks a glance back and is relieved to see it is just Constantin charging back down the stairs, spear in hand.

Vala's little ball of flame hurtles through the air, leaving a haze of shimmering air behind it but she inwardly curses as it flies wide and bursts on one of the bookshelves that line the walls, smouldering some of the tomes there.

The undead horror turns and whips out at Zed, not in response to his challenge he feels, but simply because he is there.

Intestine 1, Zed: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21 Hit
Damage: 1d3 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
Intestine 2, Zed: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11 Miss
Intestine 3, Zed: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22 Hit
Damage: 1d3 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
Grab: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9 Fail

The thing slams the inquisitor but fortunately fails to grasp him.

Round 7 - Heroes

Latest Map

Sorry, JZ - was that last Tk a hit or a miss?

Grimly, KAzamir continues his poltergiest-like assault, using his mind to fling one of the heavy books scorched in Vala's attack at the thing.

1d20 ⇒ 7
1d6 ⇒ 2

Welp, Vala's spent. And if you guys don't add the bonus from bless to your flippin' attack rolls, then I really can't help now! (Though, if Kaz keeps rolling sub-10's it wouldn't be any help any way =P)

Vala stamps her foot and clenches her fists as the last of her precious flame falls short of the mark. She calls out to no one in particular, "Strike it down already!"

total defense + 5ft step to L2