Megan's Carrion Crown

Game Master Megan Robertson

Merian also looks like she's expecting something to happen around the pit, but without any idea what, she just grips her shield and maintains her guard.

Barret stands around, hoping that something will happen. He hadn't had a good scrap in a while.

As Dillan approaches the grating, there is a VERY LOUD screech from below!

Ask and you shall receive, Barret...

"Move back, I'm not sure what we could be facing." Sorin retrieves the Lopper's axe and Marauder's hammer. "We don't have the spellbook, but we'd better have these handy. Do any of you want to take one of them?"

Sweet

"No, I got the weapons I need." Barret says cracking his knuckles.

Dillan freezes in place, then slowly steps backwards, "I'm not exactly handy with either of those."

A hideous incorporeal creature floats up from the oubliette, roughly human-shaped but with a massive grimace of a grin and elongated arms which are holding a large axe - the very image of the axe Sorin is holding.

With another ear-splitting shriek, this apparition launches itself at Dillan.

Surprise Round

Attack on Dillon: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14, damage 1d6 ⇒ 5 negative energy plus 1d6 ⇒ 3 damage.

And we'd better have initiatives, actions & rolls, please.

Apparition's initiative: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16

The rogue dodges the blow from the apparition, "Anyone else recognize the axe?" He asks as he draws his sword to retaliate...

Initiative 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19

Shortsword 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17 to hit;1d6 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6 damage

Initiative 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20
Knowledge (religion) 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25
"I sure do! Merian, take the axe, I'm going to call on the forces of life, distant as they may be in this place, to harm it." Sorin drops the hammer and passes the axe to Merian. He'll keep holding it if she won't take it.

Channel positive energy to harm undead 2d6 ⇒ (4, 3) = 7 DC 14 Will save for half damage

Init: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

Barret walks up to punch the spirit.

1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26

1d3 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

Merian grasps the axe, raising it in a threatening fashion. "Here is your end, spirit!" she cries.

We'll try an attack. Let's see how this goes...

Assuming no other modifiers, Merian attacks with the axe: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21, damage 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6, I think?

Sorin thinks about what he is looking at and realises that it is a variety of wraith!

"It's some form of wraith! A shaman once told me about them. They have no physical substance and can only be harmed by magic or life force like that which I can draw on!"
Hopefully not taking too much liberty with that knowledge roll. If I would know less (or more) let us know.

"Great." Is all the rogue says as he watches his blade pass through the creature.

"If that axe doesn't do anything, the rest of you may need to run. I can channel and then transform briefly into life energy where he shouldn't be able to harm me."

"Not running, not leaving you behind."

Round 1

Sorin passes the axe to Merian as he contemplates wraith vulnerabilities and sends some positive energy in its direction. As he does so, he recalls that the really nasty thing about wraiths over other undead is their ability to deal out negative energy...

Wraith-thing save: 120 + 7 = 127

Dillon takes a swing with his sword, realising even as he does so the futility of taking a blade to an incorporeal entity!

The hideous wraith lashes out with its axe at Sorin.

Wraith attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24, damage 1d6 ⇒ 2 negative energy and 1d6 ⇒ 5 actual damage.

Barret steps up with his usual response of a flurry of fists, discovering like Dillon how futile a physical attack is on an incorporeal foe.

Merian I need an initiative roll from you, for now you are going last! takes the ace from Sorin and swings it at the apparition... it proves remarkably effective - against this particular foe you have an additional 1d6 damage and find that it acts as a +1 ghost touch handaxe!

The thing wails and shies away from the axe-blade!

Next round's actions and rolls, please.

Oh, whoops! Not sure how I missed that. Okay, initiative: better of 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3 or 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14.

Do you need the extra damage for the handaxe rolled as well? If so, there's another 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3 damage...

Only one weapon that can hurt it... Merian thinks furiously. Need to maximize our efforts!

"Barret, catch!" she cries, tossing the axe to him before starting to murmur another prayer.

If tossing the axe is a move action, Merian will also cast bless this round.

Sorin cries out with pain as he feels the lash of the death magic. All around him, he feels the life spirits pull back in terror. He pulls them back together and forces them through the wraith's body. Channel positive energy to harm undead 2d6 ⇒ (6, 3) = 9 DC 14 Will save for half damage and no rolling d120s for max results this time :)

DC 14 Will save for half damage and no rolling d120s for max results this time :)

Nicely stated, made me laugh.

Barret has this look of confusion as Merian tosses this weapon to him. He hadn't used a weapon in so long, but this spirit was immune to his fists.

He awkwardly swings at the spirit.

Power Attack: 1d20 + 7 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (18) + 7 + 1 - 1 = 25

2d6 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (1, 1) + 5 + 2 = 9

Sorry, made a mess of typing the die roll command, 'tis all!

Wraith will save #1 done right: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19

And the save for the next round: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13

May I have everyone's actions for Round #2, please?

Realizing anything he does is futile the rogue does his best 'two step' to stay out of harms way...Full Defensive

Barret swings again at the apparition.

1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23

2d6 + 7 ⇒ (3, 3) + 7 = 13

Merian's action will depend on what the spirit does now.

You've got mine. Channels both rounds. Wraith made save in round 1 and missed it in round 2.

Round #2

Both Barret (with the axe) and Sorin (with his channelling) are obviously causing the wraith-thing distress - it twists and howls at the impacts, being so distracted that it does no more than take another chop with its spectral axe at Barret...

Wraith attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14, damage 1d6 ⇒ 4 negative energy and 1d6 ⇒ 5 actual damage.

Any wounds inflicted by this spectral axe are disturbingly real, deep gashes that gush blood.

Next round's actions & rolls please.

"We're affecting it! Nice work Barret, even if its not with your bare hands! Merian, I don't know if a curing spell will affect it while its incorporeal, but it might be worth trying. You can always use it on one of us, if you can't affect the spirit." Sorin reaches deeper still. The life force is so hard to tap this deep in the prison, but the spit it's distress brings renewed optimism and vigor and he finds a little more to draw upon. Channel positive energy to harm undead 2d6 ⇒ (1, 3) = 4 DC 14 Will save for half

Merian murmurs another prayer, this one of healing, as she touches Barret's shoulder.

1d8+3 damage, halved for it being incorporeal, and then halved again with a DC 13 Will save, doesn't seem like a worthwhile choice. So casting cure light wounds on Barret instead - he heals 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11 hit points.

"This feels wrong." Barret swings again.

1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27

Confirming: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18

2d6 + 7 ⇒ (3, 2) + 7 = 12

Crit Damage: 4d6 + 14 ⇒ (4, 6, 6, 6) + 14 = 36

Wowza! That was a shot if it lands!

"This feels wrong."

Man, if that's wrong, I don't wanna be right.

Also, handaxes are x3 weapons - your dice are right, but it should have been 4d6 + 21...

I know, that crit damage is the extra damage. I may be incorrectly assuming that the extra damage is multiplied as well.

Round #3

Indeed that was one heck of a shot, Barret! Especially with an unfamiliar weapon.

With an ear-splitting screech the wraith dissapates...

Combat over

"Can we not fight another one of those?" The rogue sighs.

"If you want, you can get the next one." Barret tosses the weapon to Dillan and wipes his hand on his breeches.

"Nicely done Barret. Shall we see if the Lopper has left anything for us in his lair?" Sorin peers down, half expecting another haunt to emerge.
Dillan, want to check this thing for traps, etc. again? I think we're going to want to go down.

The rogue fumbles around with the weapon, "I did say not." Dillan moves over to the wraiths lair, "Let's hope." He says to Sorin and begins his task...

Traps 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (8) + 17 = 25
Perception 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (10) + 12 = 22 +4= 26 vs hearing conversations, finding traps, concealed or secret objects

The oubliette does not appear to be trapped.

"All clear? Barret or Dillan, I think the two of you are our best climbers. I don't think I would trust that rope for any aid, but we can secure our own and then pull you up."

"Appears so," Dillan grabs the rope and tests its' security. Once satisfied he pulls his last sunrod from his pack then securing it on his body to provide enough illumination to not allow him to slip into the dark and begins his decent...

Climb 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26
If it's possible to take ten Dillan will do that. Also I didn't add in anything for using the rope.

The grating in the middle of the room was once kept locked with lengths of chain, but now the grating is unlocked with the chains lying nearby. The pit below drops 30 feet into a deep oubliette — a cell from which its occupant's release was never intended. The walls of the oubliette are polished smooth with very few handholds. The rope hanging into the pit is only a few feet long, terminating at a frayed end — the remainder of the rope lies at the bottom of the pit, coiled around the mortal remains of the oubliette's final prisoner.

Sure you want to trust yourself to that rope, Dillan?

Nope! Dillan will pull his silk rope from his back handing one end off to Sorin and Barrett, "Care to hold on to this?" He'll then tie the other end around him; just in case they need to yank him up.

Merian, looking slightly concerned, offers a protective blessing over Dillan before he descends. Protection from evil... just in case.

Barret nods and holds on tight to the other end of the rope, wrapping it around one of his meaty fists.

Sorin grabs on too, hoping Barret has things well in hand.

With a sound rope it is a lot easier to get down there in one piece!

At the bottom you find the bones of the last occupant. Examining them, you note that both legs were broken but have healed unset. The remains lie along with about 30 feet of old rope. In addition, a fair amount of gear and other treasures looted from murdered guards or stolen from guard rooms lies among the bones (and a decapitated skull). These objects consist of 120 gp, a broken masterwork heavy crossbow, a masterwork longsword, a +1 heavy mace, a stone of alarm, and a ring of keys.

Given the apparition you just battled, maybe this is the last resting place of the Lopper himself.

"Well at least there was some worth down here and I think his tomb." Dillan secures up the valuables: coin Masterwork Longsword, Magical Mace, Stone of Alarm, and the Ring of Keys, then proceeds up the rope.

Out of curiosity how is it a Masterwork Crossbow if it's broken?