Masks of the Living God (sequel to Crypt of the Everflame) (Inactive)

Game Master Darius Silvermere

You assume we are all friends... We're not. He's got drow blood in'im. I HATE drow. Morg reloads.

So, let him go OR I'll put you all three down. Let him go AND I will help the priestess.

Morg steps slowly towards Kyra.

As Morg and Nivel start to move closer, the two standing hags scream. The one at the back says: "Everybody stay where you are! Only the cleric gets through!".

You feel the nauseating aura emanating from them and Merkava senses a strong pain in his stomach, weakening him. (Merkava is dealt 4 ability damage to strength; this is a free action for the hags, just like talking, but once affected or resisted, you don't risk being affected by it anymore)

To Morg she says: "Why should I let him go, if you hate him?"

I forgot to save for Kyra: Fortitude+4: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22 She's not affected by the scream.

Morg isn't bluffing, he hates drow. He even has the alt racial trait to prove it.

Let him go and you might live, that's why. Purely selfish reasons. They care for him, I don't. I don't really know any of them.

Three seconds, two... Morg takes aim.

Killing him only seals your... sisters' fates and yours.

Half drow! You hurts my feelings :(

Kyra turns her head to face Morg and says "Enough you stupid dwarf. Lower your weapon and let me do my job." Again she offers a slight wink.

Kyra walks slowly up to the downed sea hag. She looks at the other sea hag and say "Please bring him to me and your sister will be returning to you. Heal for a heal. I heal her and then I heal him. Bring him to me, please."

"Kyndra? I was the one who offered you kindness when others did not. What do you and your sisters want?"
Diplo: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (9) + 9 = 18

Think I'll go for her eye...

Maybe intimidate would have been more appropriate instead of bluff, but there are two other things to consider. The hags might not believe that Morg is strong enough to kill them, so they could consider his threat to put them all three down as a bluff, or they might not believe that he would really risk the anger of the others by attacking and thus indirectly being the cause of Firyin's death. In any case, the roll was important to me to know how much impression Morg makes on the hags. Intimidate would have the same result as bluff at -3.

The hag at the back says to Kyra: "Heal her first.. then I will let him go!"

Firyin and the unconscious hag are lying very close, so Kyra doesn't have to move in order to heal both of them, but it still requires two seperate actions obviously, unless it would be a group heal (channel positive energy).

'Kyndra' says: "Yes you are very kind. That's why we trust you. We just want to have some fun, especially with you.."

After Kyra talks to Morg, the hags still keep an eye on him but otherwise ignore his threats.

Map remains largely the same for now (see link). Kyra is not yet close to the downed hag, because I want Nivel and Merkava to have another chance at posting first.

Nivel will slowly circle around (to T2) so where he is behind Kyra, still aiming for the hag. I still will ready my attack and shoot if harm comes to anyone in the party. I hope you know what you are doing, Kyra.

Nivel then look at the dwarf. You might not care for us that much but if you don't watch your mouth, I'll shove this arrow in it. I swear, if your actions brings harm to 'the drow' you will suffer me. Clearly the other half-elf in the party is not pleased with the wizard's words.

"Whaaa??" I say as the axe suddenly... seems.. so.. heavy...

I take a step back and lower my axe

I got nothing..

Kyra impales the bolt imbued with the magical light onto the deck.

She moves closer to the downed sea hag, unsheathes her scimitar and grabs hold of her holy symbol of Saranrae. She places the tip of her sword on the hags chest and says "Boys, I smell a double cross. If they don't honor my request you let her have it." Kyra looks to the hag and says "Now bring him to me."

ROUND 6 - see map

Kyra moves closer to the bleeding hag, but as soon as she draws her scimitar, the other two hags scream and go into a frenzy, attacking her. This means also that they are no longer threatening Firyin.

Morg, Kyra, Nivel, Merkava and the hags all have a full round to act now.

Nivel and Morg have a readied attack. They can still roll for initiative as well (if the attack roll is too low), but in that case their attack will be in order of initiative.

Damn them to the hells!

Bow to hag that threated Fir: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (7) + 9 = 16 Arrow: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Init: 1d20 ⇒ 8

Kyra takes a 5 foot step back. She calls upon the Dawnflower for her Blessing. Casting Bless on allies.

Is Griswald still stunned?

Griswald is still in the same condition, lying down and moving uncontrollably. No sign yet that the effect will end soon.

atk, lt xbow: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23
dmg, lt xbow: 1d8 ⇒ 7

crit, lt xbow: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17
dmg, lt xbow: 1d8 ⇒ 6

I charge hag 3:

Init: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15
Attack with MW Battle Axe (strength down by 4 & +2 for charge cancel each other):1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21
Damage (two handed):1d8 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 2 + 1 = 5

I swap Init and attack: Init = 18. Attack = 19 (that should have been +8 to attack)

You shot at Hag 3, right, Morg? Right?

I will post today... I assume Morg and Nivel shoot hag3, since she's closer than hag2 and already wounded.

ROUND 7 - see map

As soon as the hags attack, Morg and Nivel fire their readied shots and the bolt of Morg looks like it pierced a vital organ, as the hag in front suddenly stops her movement.

Rushing in, Merkava grabs the occasion and hits her on the shoulder with his axe and she falls down, unconscious. (hag2 takes 5+13+5 dmg)

The other hag slashes through Kyra's shirt and her claw leaves a deep wound across the cleric's abdomen and chest. (Kyra loses 10 hp -> 14/24 hp)

Kyra steps back and casts bless. (Kyra and each ally within 50ft gain a +1 morale bonus on attack rolls and on saving throws against fear effects)

The last standing hag looks around in shock and instead of continuing the attack, she pushes the hag next to her, who's still bleeding, off the boat into the water.

She has an incredibly wild expression on her face and it looks like she's going to try defend the other downed hag.

Morg reloads his crossbow.

Nivel shifts down to the other side of the boat (T5) so he can get a clean shot at the remaining hag!

Bow: 1d20 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 9 + 1 = 26Arrow: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6
Init: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

I put my foot on the unconscious hag and lower my axe to her throat.

"Oh my, this axe is so heavy. Not sure I can hold it back much longer. Give me back my strength you sea witch or I'll end your sister right now."

Well, you never know...

Forgot init roll:
1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20

Kyra runs up to Firyin and touch his body. She calls upon her deity for his wounds to heal. Rebuke Death(sp): 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Morg fires again! Die, witch!

atk, lt xbow: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18
dmg, lt xbow: 1d8 ⇒ 8

hag2 will+5: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12

The hag who was still not wounded until now, for a moment hesitates about what to do. As two more arrows find their target and Merkava threatens to kill the downed hag, she utters a final horrible scream and then jumps into the water...

Congratulations! This basically ends the encounter. Everybody gets 600 xp.

You have an unconscious hag lying on deck and the two others have disappeared in the sea.

Griswald slowly regains consciousness and stands up.

Kyra can continue to heal everybody without problem. The first heal was not enough yet to wake up Firyin who was at -4 hp.

Ability damage will not heal so quickly of course.

Captain Walren and Ewem move closer and appear as if stunned by the event. They look at you and the unconscious hag without saying a word, but their expression is filled with shock and disbelief.

Tie her up before we bind her wounds. We need to see if we can't find out what the hell is going on from this one here, Nivel says regarding the hag once the party has healed themselves and recovered from the fight. We need to get off the water before those things decide to come back. Nivel will begin to restrain the hag and will listen to what the others want to do with her.

If you just want to kill her and toss her over the side that's fine with me also.

Kyra makes sure that the hag is tied up before she unleashes her channel positive energy onto the group

channel Pos. Energy, Burst #1: 2d6 ⇒ (3, 2) = 5
channel Pos. Energy, Burst #2: 2d6 ⇒ (3, 3) = 6

Total of 11 hp recovered for all.

Kyra will make her rounds to check on anyone who needs individual healing.

did Griswald get stunned before changing? Also did Griswald see Firyin change?

Griswald's and Firyin's 'transformation' started at the same time. They are free actions and you can assume that they started already before any attacks in that round. You didn't have much time to look at each other that moment, so Griswald could have seen in a glance that Firyin was changing as well, but without being able to focus and comment on that. Griswald has kept a vague memory of Firyin's transformation.

Griswald stands up and looks embarrassed with his secret revealed to the new members. The hulking half Orc keeps his heads down as he eyes the group.

Griswald moves to Firyin. "Could we speak a moment, alone?

If Firyin follows him away from the group so they can't overhear the conversation.

Who needs further healing after being restored 11 hp?

So far it seems you will leave the hag alive? Please specify where you will keep her and more or less how you will tie her up and if you want to interrogate her.

I will not use any SR for this hag. So she will automatically be healed and regain consciousness with the positive energy channeling.

I realize that a channel positive energy would heal the hag too. We never stated that the hag should be dragged and separated from the rest of the group for a group heal. Just thinking about the situation. The cleric sees one of her comrads downed in combat and immediately she will heal. As for the hag, I'll let the male members of the group worry about her. Maybe everyone should surround her and point their weapons at her, like in the scene in the Avengers movie where Earth's Mightiests surrounded Loki. ;-)

Well, as the one with the charisma I was hoping you might take the lead in any questioning. You weren't in on our first adventure but a running gag was our ineffectiveness when trying to use charisma-based skills.

Nivel will tie up the hag and stand behind it during questioning. Once the questioning is completed I'll simply throw her off the boat and into the ocean... still tied up. I'm sure she'll survive.

What do you want from us? I assume this treasure was simply a ruse to attack us when our guard was down? Answer me!

Intimidate, with bow and arrow ready, like Hawkeye in the Avengers reference: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (12) - 1 = 11

Eh, not bad for us.

The hag seems to be thinking for a moment and then says: "We.. didn't have any bad intentions.. it was you who attacked us first."

Captain Walren now looks like he caught up with the event.

He says: "I have heard.. stories.. fair maidens found on the ocean.. often they appear as victims of something.. they promise great wealth.. but it always ends bad for those who believe her... well... bard tales.. I don't know.. but.. it really seems familiar now, doesn't it, Ewem?"

Ewem nods: "Bad woman!"

The hag mumbles: "I.. don't know.. what you are talking about."

After the hag leaps overboard, Merkava just stumbles back from the remaining hag, not killing her. He lifts and lowers the axe.

"I feel, so, weak.. Kyra.. Can you do anything for me?"

Thanks for going with option "B" folks.. I'll do what I can!

Then, pray tell, what intentions did you actually have? No riddles, speak the truth and to the point!

Griswald looks over at Nivel and the hag. The half Orc storms over with his hand on his axe.

"I don't like when strange women cast spells on me... I really don't like spellcasters. My other side likes them less and it hungers for flesh. What do hags taste like? Tell us what you were planning before I let it ask you!"

Intimidate 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22

Kyra approaches Merkava and casts cure light wounds on him.
CLW, Domain: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

She then approaches and listens to what the hag has to say.
sense motives: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27

Kyra's healing unfortunately has no effect on Merkava's loss of strength.

Ability damage requires another type of healing spell. It will also heal naturally over time. With the assistance of a healer it will heal 2 points each day.

After Nivel's question, the hag starts mumbling: "I.. well.." and then when Griswald intimidates her, she suddenly seems to lose control: "Ok I will tell you.. I want to eat all of you!"

End her and over.... A head nod indicates the rail.

Speaking to the group, "I sense no deception from her. this one can not be redeemed. Left to her own accord she would kill us. Do with her as you please. I need to focus on one of our own."

Kyra moves away from the group, moving towards the lower deck and says to Merkava.
"The Bright Lady can offer me the means to help you with your strength but I need to meditate and pray for an hour or so. I will return to help you."

Kyra will head back to her bunk to spend the necessary time to add Lesser Restoration to her spell list.

Without another word Nivel fires his bow into the creature. Its tied up and on its knees I assume so I'm fairly sure I have an advantage.

Bow: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 = 11 for Damage: 3d6 + 1 ⇒ (6, 5, 2) + 1 = 14

WOW, I hope I still hit her, LOL.

Nivel's arrow hits but fails to penetrate the seaweed covering the hag's body.

In reply the hag only utters a slow maniacal laugh.

Unless you still want to interrogate her, you can just state that you kill her or throw her off board alive. No need to continue rolling for attacks. She can't escape the ropes on her own.

"I do not feel comfortable killing her... not in battle, but I do not feel comfortable letting her live..."

Nivel will do the deed then and throw her over the side. He sees her as a potential threat down the line, especially after what she had said.

Perhaps if you consider the countless unaware innocents they've preyed upon and slaughtered. Those fishermen, who's sister you wished to help. Well, their real sister, wives and children will mourn them.

Dozens, hundreds before those two and their loved ones' suffering? You are not considering an honorable foe... you are considering an evil creature, a malignancy. End it.

Until her last breath, the hag continues to laugh for some strange reason.

The dead body is thrown into the sea.

Captain Walren wants to leave the spot immediately and soon the anchor is lifted.

As the ship starts to make its way again to Tamran, you hear a scream and a voice coming from the sea: "CURSE YOU!!!"

Peering into the distance, you notice the two other hags near the spot where you dropped their 'sister'.

The next few days pass without events and it's now only 2 more days before reaching your destination.

Everybody is completely healed.

Please state anything you still want to do or talk about before arriving in Tamran and if you want to change your night watch schedule.

No change in the watch for me. Nivel is quite ready to get his feet onto solid ground.