Jade Regent, presented by DM Hamied - Campaign Thread

Game Master Hamied

A beautiful purpose? Lisabett wonders. She does not believe that Sorin jests with her, but she cannot understand his words, and she is not certain that the language barrier is all that confuses the expression of their ideas.

...

Lisabett kneels beside the greatest concentration of tracks, and looks between the two cardinal directions. They came from the south, moving... north, along this trail?

Lisabett's cool blue eyes narrow, studying the way.

"They came from the south, the 'dead men.' One patrol has moved north, here to this village, and were checked by the goblins..." Lisabett pauses and rises. "Further north lies the road, and more travelers.

"If we meet any patrol along the way, they must be warned."

I think we have better not to brave the waters with our prisoner with us... is there anything we can use to secure him? Anyway I think Lisbet's march order will do

"I suggest we move out of here and I don't think we should go back the way we came from... we didn't have a fat, ugly homicidal goblin with us, then"

We'll go with the marching order Lisabett proposed. Are you taking the unconscious female? If so, who is carrying her?

Alazandaru (scouting ahead)
Lisabett
Raziel
Almar
Gutwad
Sorin

Do I have that right?

If the female golbin is to come with us, and no one objects, Raziel will use another Channel to heal her and the party, to get her up and moving (Chief still gets excluded).
Channel: 1d6 ⇒ 4

"I feel that the undead came to these goblins, because of something they took," Raziel replies to Lisabett as he falls into place on the trail behind Lisabett. "There is more than just goblin raiding afoot. Whatever it is, I, for one, intend to find it and end this threat to Sandpoint. Who would be with me in this?"

'Bold words, but this is an adventure, and what adventurers do, right?' Raziel thinks to himself. 'I wanted to have an adventure, didn't I?'

"The chief mentioned that he found those things with a fire," Lisabett observes. "You are a local, Brother Holheim. Was there any sign of fire observed here recently? We have been informed that the goblins only came by the fireworks, or employed them in recent weeks, so the fire must have been recent. There may still be sign... wherever it burned."

Lisabett presses her lips together at the suggestion that the undead were looking for something in the goblin's possession. "Brother, if that were true, are we making the best choice in returning these items to Sandpoint? If they wish for some item among these we have taken, are we not putting the people of Sandpoint, not to mention the travelers upon these roads in further danger if whomever desires them resumes their search?"

"Judging from the poor use of our language, I would say the goblins took these things from the same place they took the fireworks," Raziel replies. "And I would guess that if the undead had wanted these items we now have, they would have taken them. No, it was something else the goblins took that roused the undead."

"But once woken, the dead do not rest as easy as they once did. While I do not feel that they will follow these items, they still might wander onto the road as you fear, and so must be dealt with." Raziel sighs.
"Just not today. We can gather more information about what these goblins know, and what they may have disturbed, and be better prepared to deal with it."

"Why would you burden us with that she-goblin? These are NOT people, these are not even pets... these are human killing monsters. Bringing back their chief to answer for the killings he ordered is one thing, but that one is just another goblin. She'll slow us down at best or try to kill us while we sleep at worst. Leave her here or kill her, but bringing her back is not kind nor useful for anyone, herself included".
Almar says as he realizes his companions want to bring the small female goblin back with them

Sorry all, was out almost all day.

Retcon-

To Raziel-

I am with you, Raziel.

----------------------------------

In response to Almar-

I took her alive because I don't kill women, Almar. If you want that on your conscience and you are truly so bloodthirsty, do it yourself. Whatever Goblins are, I do not believe that evil is innate in them. I believe, like any sentient being of intelligence, they can change. If Raziel heals her she'll be able to walk, and they are quick creatures. We can make it back to Sandpoint by evening, and I have rope to keep both of them bound. Your fears are inconsistent with the situation at hand.

Now-

Alazandaru returns to the group, reporting in.

Fork in the trail ahead, ladies and gentlemen. And a mangled body on the stream bank- come back me up while I take a closer look. It might be a trap so keep your weapons ready and your eyes peeled.

Assuming the group follows, Alazandaru will investigate the glint of metal- carefully.

1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16 Swim (if needed)

1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24 Perception (+1 if trap)

Lisabett growls at the argument between Alazandaru and Alamar. "Are southern women so unappealing that men cannot tell the difference between them and monsters?" she wonders. "For that is what that creature is, Alazandaru, a monster. If given the chance, she would have murdered each and every one of us.

"What end do you suspect that they will face in Sandpoint?" Lisabett inquires. "The sheriff put bounties upon the goblins, caring not what manner of men came to collect. I am certain he did not intend that we should return with these monsters in tow. Do you intend that they should continue to live side by side with their victims? That Sheriff Balor and the whole of Sandpoint should gather to your cause of rehabilitating these creatures at the cost of their security?"

Lisabett shakes her head. "A quick death is the right and obligation of the victor in battle. Our cause was just, eliminating a threat upon travelers and the city, and you have negated our honor in completing it with your suggestion that we are simply murders without opportunity. You bind these creatures and march them towards a certain death, and prolong their misery. Which is more cold blooded?"

Lisabett's cool blue eyes narrow and she waits on Alazandaru's answer.

Edit: Sorry if I've messed up the timeline, but this is not an argument that Lisabett would have simply ignored, and she was wondering why all of a sudden we have not one but two goblins traveling with us as well.

...

Though she does not agree with the man's intents, Lisabett follows Alazandaru forward, at a distance, however, keeping an eye for any sign of track that might have been left behind.

Lisabett Survival 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16

Don't apologize! Unless there is a pressing story point that might validly interrupt it, roleplaying always trumps progression. I'm intrigued by your interaction, as long as it doesn't come to blows...

"What end do you suspect that they will face in Sandpoint?" Lisabett inquires. "The sheriff put bounties upon the goblins, caring not what manner of men came to collect. I am certain he did not intend that we should return with these monsters in tow. Do you intend that they should continue to live side by side with their victims? That Sheriff Balor and the whole of Sandpoint should gather to your cause of rehabilitating these creatures at the cost of their security?"

Lisabett's cool blue eyes narrow and she waits on Alazandaru's answer.

You place words in my mouth that were never mine. Alazandaru declares hotly. I have said over and over again that if your so keen to slay sentient, thinking creatures that are in no position to defend themselves, do it yourself and on your conscience be it, northerner! he says with an angry wave of his hand towards them.

They may both have information that could be critical for Sandpoint's safety- a safety you may be jeopardizing by your insistence on what I personally see as murder.

Stop trying to make me change my own morals and principles to match your own- you may be right that Sandpoint will chose to simply slay them on sight, but they are the legitimate authority here. I am not qualified to pass judgement on them and as a stranger to these lands I question that you are as well. You speak of honor? There is no honor in slaying prisoners of war or those who surrender. And damn it all, I won't kill a woman, regardless. You do what you will and I won't stop you, both of you- but pray your deeds no not haunt you later in life. I intend to keep us safe from any other dangers, and I am losing my taste for conversation with you right now.

Alazandaru storms off in a fury, keeping his distance from the group until he reaches the fork.

Sorry, he likes storming off in a fury lol.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

I am sorry, Eugeni. I should have known better than to bring you... Alazandaru whispers, almost in tears at the spectacle. Wiping his eyes, he turns back to the group, attempting to master his emotions.

Nothing much left of his armour. Lets move on...

1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22

Sorin approaches the water with his glaive ready but does not go in. He's focusing mostly on making sure that nothing unexpected happens to Alazandaru.

Speaking to no one in particular, "I believe these goblins may have been used as a cat's-paw in this whole affair. While that certainly does not excuse the actions they have taken, the bounty was decreed without having information we now possess and based on the assumption that the goblins were the cause of the problem; something that is beginning to appear unlikely."

"We do not know what the presence of the undead signifies, whether the witch, whoever she is, has anything to do with them, nor why a shapeshifting monster tried to impersonate the Warden. It makes me more than a little uneasy that all this comes up at the same time. The authorities must be made aware of these things and have a chance to question the goblins themselves."

"While goblins do not live as we do, they can still think and reason. No creature capable of that is beyond redemption."

Editing for Alazandaru's post.

Sense Motive 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13

Sorin glances at the body in the water but does not recognize him nor does he hear Alazandaru's whisper. When Alazandaru storms off it looks briefly as if Sorin will say something but he just rubs his eyes and sighs and moves on.

"I feel that I must agree with Sorin, Lisabett. Sarenrae offers redemption to all."

Raziel's face get a bit harder.
"But those who spurn her redemption are dealt with as an enemy."

"They can think and reason, and they chose to raid, murder..." Lisabett's retort appears to die on her lips.

And I also chose that path.

Lisabett looks to Brother Holheim. "Words hold no power to cleanse blood, or the memory of men and women slain, and worse," she says softly, shakes her head and continues forward.

None of you see or hear the splash until it has happened. The hairless creature surges out of the water and in two bounds of its dog-like legs, it is upon your prisoner, opening its hideous, fingered mouth and biting down. Knowledge (Dungeoneering) to identify the monster.

I can't believe its Stealth check beat everybody's Perception, but it did!

Surprise Round:
The creature charges Chief Gutwad and attacks with its bite - 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23
If it hits, it deals 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4 points of damage, and the target needs to make a Will Save:

Gutwad's Will Save - 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

Initiative:
Alazandaru - 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13
Almar - 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20
Lisabett - 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
Raziel - 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9
Sorin - 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

Wrathspawn - 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14

Gutwad falls to the ground and begins convulsing. The creature turns to the rest of you, its strangely hinged mouth clapping and twisting.

Round 1:
Almar
Wrathspawn
Alazandaru
Raziel
Sorin
Lisabett

Battle Map

Almar is up first.

Almar draws and fires in one fluid motion:

Ranged attack (Touch AC for enemy): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16

Damage (if it hits): 1d8 ⇒ 6

Normally, I won't intervene like this; I will let players make tactical decisions and simply tell them the result. Because it's the first time in this game that we're dealing with a PC shooting into melee at an enemy with cover, however, I wanted to post a quick reminder of the rules. Because Raziel is between the monster and Almar, the monster has cover (+4 to its AC). Additionally, the monster is adjacent to Lisabett and threatens her, so it is considered in melee (-4 penalty to ranged attacks against it). The feat, Precise Shot negates the latter, but I don't believe Almar has it.

That really stacks the odds against you hitting, and indeed, you would miss in this case. Since it is the first time we're dealing with this (I think), I'll let you dictate a move (during which you can draw because of your +1 BAB) to a square from which your attack doesn't have to contend with cover, thus improving your chances to hit substantially. Remember that at the time of your turn, the monster was in J13. We can also just call it a miss. Let me know.

At the risk of needing retcon later, I'm going to move forward with the combat. We'll hopefully resolve things with Almar shortly.

The creature takes a 5-Foot Step forward to I13 and makes a full attack.

It swipes with both clawed hands at Lisabett.
1st Attack (Claw) - 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20, if it hits, it deals 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4 points of damage.
2nd Attack (Claw) - 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8, if it hits, it deals 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2 points of damage.

With a perverse muscular twist against its own momentum, the creature's head lunges at Raziel.
Attack (Bite) - 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17, if it hits, it deals 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4 points of damage, and Raziel needs to make a Will save.

Battle Map

Alazandaru is up next.

I assume everyone has a weapon drawn as Alazandaru gave a warning and suspected a trap.

Alazandaru races to J13 and as soon as Raziel reacts to the creature, he will stab it in the back.

Readied action to stab it after Raziel's action.

I also assume that everyone readied weapons after the warning from Alazandaru.
Round 1

Raziel start with surprise as the creature seems to leap into their midst, a whirlwind of claws and teeth. He grunts in pain as the beast bites him, and concentrates o the task at hand.
Will Save: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22
He swings his blade at the creature, hoping to drive it upon Alazandaru's blade.

AC 16, HP 6/10
Attack with flank bonus: 1d20 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 + 2 = 14
Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

1d20 ⇒ 7 (Knowledge: Local in case i've heard or seen of such a creature, 10 max)

1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19

1d4 + 3 + 1d8 ⇒ (4) + 3 + (7) = 14

I guessed he was under cover but I didn't think he was in melee too. Well then Almar will draw his rapier and attack the creature flanking it moving to H14 (diagonally). I should have flanking thanks to Lisbett, as I can trace a line passing through the wrathspawn to her

Melee attack:1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 5 + 2 = 22

Damage roll (if it hits):1d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

The quick fury of the monster's attack startles Sorin. He steps to K11 and slashes down with his glaive.

Attack 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10
Damage 1d10 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

Lisabett hisses in pain when the creature rips into her flesh, and howls in rage when it bites her companion. Having seen Gutwad's reaction to the attack, her concern for Brother Holheim's health is paramount. She snarls what sounds to be a curse in Skald.

Lisabett longspear Attack 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4 if it hits, she will do 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7 damage.

A creature is considered to be in melee if it's adjacent to an enemy and at least one of the combatants threatens the other. Even though Lisabett hadn't acted, the creature threatened her from J13.

One of the bummers about PbP, you can't address things like that as easily mid combat. In any case...

Almar's rapier finds its target. The creature grunts, but does not pause in its assault.

Under the clenching jaws of the monster, sinful thoughts nag at Raziel's mind, but he pushes them aside, sliding his scimitar across his foe's chest. It twitches and flexes, bouncing back on its haunches to ready another attack.

The attack never comes, thanks to Alazandaru's dagger. The beast falls and writhes on the ground as the strength leaves its body. Sorin's glaive ends its dying throes.

Congratulations on Level 2, everybody! Let's go ahead and handle it in the discussion thread.

Lisabett slowly lowers her spear, having watched her companions slaughter the creature that attacked her, and clutches the still bleeding wounds. She leans down beside the creature, bending her long legs and ceases it by the shoulders before dragging it towards the water.

The other melted, she recalls, melted when it touched the water. If this creature is hers as well...

Edit

Before it melts, or... just in general

Lisabett Knowledge Arcana (Creature) 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23

The creature's body remains intact; it does not begin to dissolve, even when touched by water.

Gutwad continues to convulse on the ground. He will need immediate attention if he is to be saved.

Retconning back to an earlier conversation.

** spoiler omitted **

"It's all very interesting but I suggest you to check the little abomination we captured... it doesn't seem too well, and since you don't want it to die..." says Almar pointing at the convulsing Gutwad with just an hint of sarcasm in his voice.

Wiping his dagger clean with a piece of cloth, Alazandaru keeps a look out for any secondary predators that might attack.

Raziel again channels the healing power of Sarenrae, this time allowing her healing touch to grace the goblin chief also.

Channel, excluding the creature that attacked us: 1d6 ⇒ 1

I read that Sorin's glaive delivered a coup de grace on the creature and it was beyond CON dead.

Lisabett Perception at the Pool (using 1st level values)1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18 essentially looking for whatever it was that interested Alazandaru in the first place.

Lisabett kneels beside the creature, her blood mingling with its in the pool.

It attacked Gutwad, then myself, she muses, but not the female goblin. Neither of us wear armor, but... Why attack a well armed party at all? Lisabett looks up when Brother Holheim's warm light effect washes over her, and looks between him and Sorin. Heavily armored and armed besides. What manner of creature...

Lisabett frowns and continues studying the creature.

Alazandaru killed the creature, but I was late posting the results, so I figured I'd work Sorin's attack in since it would have hit a helpless creature (unlike Lisabett's roll of 4). The monster was very dead, but it's always good to make sure, especially if you took the Selective Channeling feat!

In general, if a monster gets to 0 HP, it's dead. The only reason I applied an exception to the two goblins is because members of the party had planned to keep them alive and should have the chance to save them.

Gutwad's wounds stop bleeding, but he does not regain consciousness.

There is no other movement in the water, or anywhere around the swamp. The creature appears to have been solitary. Lisabett looks carefully at the creature. Its pale body is humanoid, but the tightly muscled frame is hunched and twisted. Its mouth is truly disturbing: composed of three parts that end in three-fingered hands. They still twitch, seeming to reach up towards Lisabett's face.

The body that Alazandaru was investigating sways in the current. It looks to be the remains of a human.

Lisabett rises stiffly, clutching her still bleeding wounds, grateful that she did not have this creature's horrid mouth touch her flesh.

"Sirs?" she calls to the others. "I believe I have bled enough into this pool. Might one of you who is still hale retrieve this poor fellow from the water? I... I will carry him back if I must, but I will not leave him to rot in this foul mire."

Almar looks quizzically at Lisabett for a moment then just nods and enters the water retriving the body.

I hope there's no need for a swim check, but I'll add it anyway

Swim check: 1d20 ⇒ 4

Raziel checks over the goblin chief.

Use my Heal check: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13
And if he's still negative, I'll use a Rebuke Death on him: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

No need for a swim check. The body is against the bank.

Almar pulls what remains of the body from the water. The arms and head are missing, and much of the torso is gone. Based on the tooth-like lacerations, it appears that this man was half-eaten. All blood has been drained from the corpse.

Gutwad's condition is stable (his HP are still negative though). With Raziel's touch, he becomes conscious again. That is about as much as can be said for him, for as you help him to his feet, he staggers; he will not be able to move quickly with him in tow. Then again, you're also carrying a body and a heavy chest.

Almar drops the body down and speaks softly: "We should bury what's left of this poor fellow. It's the decent thing to do, I don't think that carrying him to Sandpoint will make any difference, we don't even know if he's from there"

Lisabett shakes her head. "No," she says softly, and swallows hard. She continues with more volume to her voice, and a certain amount of strength, though her features display she is in quite a bit of pain. "I refuse to believe that this man had no one that would mourn him. None should be forgot in this place for the sake of convenience. He deserves proper rights, and to be buried beside other men, not beside a trail traversed by monsters. I will carry him."

Edited to reflect that Alamar has stopped her.

Almar consider Lisabett for a moment then shooks his head:"There's a difference between decent and foolish, we have an heavy chest, two goblins and now a corpse to bring back to Sandpoint passing through a swamp filled with dangers. You are half dead due to that creature attack yet you want to put yourself and us with you in even more danger for someone who's largely unrecognizable. Under different circumstances I might commend your decency, but right now what you want to do is just foolish and it puts the whole party in jeopardy... nearly as much as carrying back 2 living goblins who tried to kill us not so long ago."

Lisabett inhales and holds her breath for several moments before nodding. "Thank you," she says.

Lisabett rises stiffly, wincing at the pain radiating from the scratches Alamar mentioned, and worse. "Hver heygja vér sjá mannligr? Where?" she corrects herself, accent heavy and Taldane slightly broken with grief. "Where do we bury him?"

If we do not have a shovel, Lisabett will use her javelins to cut vegetation and earth back and use her hands to move it if it is necessary.

Almar points at the trees where they fought the creature"There. Between the road and the trees. That way if we put some sort of mark and warn the people of Sandpoint someone with a missing person may know where to come and if they want they can bring the body back to the village"

That said Almar starts helping Lisabett although with no shovel this looks like hours of hard work

Sorin glances again at the body but if it were ever someone recognizable, it isn't now. He wonders how many other unfortunate souls lie in the swamp.

He sets his glaive against the tree, removes his shield and uses it to shovel away the dirt for a grave.

Sorin's shield helps the process along greatly. The three of you dig a suitable grave, though the man's resting place will not be dry; water pools at the bottom.

You slide the body in and begin replacing the muddy earth.

Raziel will say a prayer over the body as it is placed in the ground.

Still keeping an eye out on the goblins and the swamp in case anything happens the rest of the time though.

Based on an earlier Survival roll, Lisabett suspects the northern fork of the path will most likely be the safest way to Sandpoint.

Lisabett's Will ST to Maintain Composure 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15

He will rot, Lisabett recognizes when they lay the remains to rest. All this moisture, the water... he will sink and he will rot.

Lisabett's eyes film over with frost and her breath can be seen to mist on the humid air as though she were exerting herself extraordinarily when she assists to cover the man, on her hands and knees literally shoving the earth into the grave with her bare hands, and it is not far from the truth. Half dead Alamar assessed her condition, and true enough he was, but mud was far easier to clean from the hands than blood, though Lisabett was sure that her traveling clothes are now ruined. she stands quiet during Brother Holheim's blessing, the words scarcely registering.

"Vér andvardha sjá karl til graven," she says, her voice tremulous.

Lisabett pulls her spear around her body and breaks the point off between her boot and the ground, then approaches the head of the grave and marks it by driving the haft into the soggy earth displaced there. She kneels beside it and whispers softly.

"It is there, the road," Lisabett says, the prolonged use of Skald influencing her Taldane. She looks to Gutwad with narrowed eyes, a chilling effect considering that the frost of her innate magics is still obscuring them. "I will not carry that," she states, and tucks the spearhead into her belt.

Lisabett will gesture for Alazandaru to lead the way up the fork and fall back into place behind him aways and pray that they meet with no further incident.

"Let's move people, I hope we can be in Sandpoint by sunset. I'd like to avoid passing the night in this swamp if possible, and we still have quite a bit of load slowing us down" as he speaks the gunslinger nods at the goblins.

"I still think bringing them with us is a bad idea. The chief deserves to pay for his crimes, the female probably so, but alone she won't be a threat. Make the fat goblin march and leave the female here, I say"