[PbP Gameday VII] GM Mjolbeard's 9-11 The Jarlsblood Witch Saga (Inactive)

Game Master Mjolbeard89

You have been so awesome and helpful. You have our extreme thanks and gratitude. And thanks for the gift. I am sure one of us will be able to put it to good use...at this tomb or catacomb you mentioned.

Omar will bow as they depart.

***

Next morning, he will recover any lost spells if he has the chance.

Do you two want to try to get the curse removed now?

"Well now, sounds like we're about ta be steppin' inta 'r away from trouble. In either case, trouble seems ta be lurking near. Maybe it's time ta let ye know jest what might happen ifin we run inta it face ta face..."

When we run into a serious looking fight, I will drop Obscuring Mist as soon as possible (usually Round 1), and follow it up with Song of the Fiery Gaze. (see below). This will actually work out rather well due to Omar's presence as I won't be able to buff up with Inspire Courage at the same time as allowing us to see through the smoke. If this will be too disruptive for anyone, please let me know and I will do something else. It usually works out for us as we have total concealment within the cloud (in most cases).

Song of the Fiery Gaze (Su): At 3rd level, a fire dancer can allow allies to see through flames without any distortion. Any ally within 30 feet of the bard who can hear the performance can see through fire, fog, and smoke without penalty as long as the light is sufficient to allow him to see normally, as with the base effect of the gaze of flames oracle revelation. Song of the fiery gaze relies on audible components.

The trek from the Snow Elk Wilds to the catacombs takes several hours at a steady pace and is uneventful. As you approach an inconspicuous hill, the fey antler token begins to glow with faint red light. The closer you bring the token to the hill, the brighter it glows. Once within about 50 feet, the token melts the illusion veiling the hill, revealing a long, rocky outcropping with several smaller stone mounds inscribed with weathered petroglyphs. Worked stones partly seal a cave along the outcropping’s southern side, creating a formal entrance into the caverns beyond. All along the rock face jut pieces of bone or fossilized remains of some immense fanged creature, as though it were clinging to the cave.

At the entrance, the faint scent of decay mixes with the fresh air outside. Frozen grime covers much of this area. Two sets of rough-hewn stairs lead downward to the northeast and northwest, and the large central column bears a large inscription written in weathered Skald script.

"Hey what dis? Sum kinda necklace ting?" Luurg picks up the talisman and lets it swing side to side so the others can see it. No magical ID abilities for this half orc!

Afterwards Luurg waves the others along through the snow, his pace is brisk and never waning as he goes. Like a draft horse pulling a sleigh of lumber, Luurg breaks trail happily. "Dis snow kinda like mud, but nice wid solid ground under. Good ting we gut dez fur suits!"

Once they arrive his eyes light up as he sees the giant set of bones "Dang. Dats big!" He starts to look and sniff around the area.

Perception DC25: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (6) + 10 = 16

Once everyone is ready, Luurg will draw his leafy spear and lead the way down the... NE stairs in full defense mode. 23AC, 16 Touch

Sheela grins as Olissara rebuffs them. I like this lady. At least she's keeping the other one at bay.

As Luurg holds up the talisman, Sheela takes a curious look. "If you wear this around your neck, it will crumble to dust and save you if you are dying." She looks at it. "Then again, with the curse you and I carry it may not be as useful."

K Arcana: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16

Sheela knows something is magical in here, but she can't make sense of it. She pulls out her mace and casts light upon it. "Onward."

Know, Arcana: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21
Linguistics: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15
Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8

"Aw! Empty kegs 'n shattered tankards! What the blazes is all this about?" The bard draws two wands before joining behind Luurg.

Obscuring Mist and Silent Image

Did we rest or is this the same day as the curse/fight?

Once they arrive, Omar will cast an extended Heroism on himself.

Is Skald a language? If so, Omar is a Skald, but doesn't speak it.

bardic kn:arcana: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12

Glorious! Although, not the type of place I was expecting this morning. Not sure what this all means.

He looks around for more clues.

perception: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 6 + 2 = 23

I am right with you guys! Glory awaits!

@Omar: It's the day after the curse. The timeline for today was basically as follows:
Got and went to the temple of Gorum to get the curse removed
Valosi cast remove curse on both Luurg and Sheela, but failed the CL check to actually do the job
You guys left town and traveled to the Snow Elk Wilds where you met the fey critters
The fey critters decided you're cool and decided not to kill you, but to show you the catacombs where they moved Kolvi's effigy and King Alvard's headless corpse
You guys just walked up into the catacombs

Skald is a language spoken by the people of the Land of the Linnorm Kings. Unfortunately, the language isn't granted freely with the class of the same name.

This cave contains the skeletal remains of two ancient warriors, both lying still on the cave floor. One surface of the cave bears a clumsy inscription in Common apparently carved with a discarded spear tip you see lying nearby:

“Alvard knew the woods well. It’s where he hunted his linnorm, he said. We laid our ambush, but fey attacked. They shouted he betrayed them. Could see in his face he knew and was afraid. A screaming elk, ice for eyes. Kolvi. She was best with an axe, took away the king’s head. Can’t find our way back. Armor belongs in the family... and... dying...AAAAAaaaggghhhh...” The writing becomes increasingly unsteady and illegible before trailing off midthought, and one of the two skeletons lies facedown underneath the inscription, still wearing a suit of chainmail that strangely shows rust in only a few places.

The other skeleton still cradles a well-constructed and richly decorated horn into which he has carved a last message with a discarded arrowhead.

“This horn was from a linnorm Alvard killed. He was a good warrior but fearful—always talked of the linnorm coming back. Jumped every time I blew the horn. Did he fear Kolvi being a king? Or did he fear the linnorm being back? He never was right after the hunt.”

"Well, that's odd. Sheela begins to detect magic, especially around the suit of armor."

K Arcana: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12

"I can tell if it's magical or not, but... we should return that to his family, if they still live here."

"C-c-creepy..." Tiffany steps carefully around the skeletal remains. "The horn. You mean return the horn, right? Not return the remains, right? Cuz there's no way I'm hauling bones out of here."

"Well, we should return the armor, it may have familial significance. I mean, the inscription could be used as evidence. To bad we can't... record the message on the cave or something."

"Ah've heard o' magis thet can do just that, but Ah'm not fer knowin' 'em."

Know, Arcana: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11

Luurg looks around the room, cautiously at first, then curiously "Dis must be his second mang? We gotta bring back stuff, den dey see our side eh?" He starts to remove the items of significance from the corpses and grab up the horn.

As Sheela picks up the horn and examines it she can sense the presence of magic on it. Though his knowledge of magic is different from Sheela's, Luurg is also able to sense some degree of magic in the armor on the other skeleton. After spending some time examining the enchanted objects, you determine that the armor is a set of +1 wrathful chainmail, and the horn is a horn of the huntmaster.

Where to next?
Please move the tokens on the map on slide 1 to show where you would like to go.

Once they're ready, Luurg cautiously makes his way to the West, continuing their exploration, spear in hand. I'll just have him take 10 on perception as he moves along to keep things moving easier. Also trying to keep relatively quiet, also taking 10. 20 and 12.

"I'm coming. Wait up Luurg!" Sheela starts to hustle over until she realizes Luurg is trying to keep quiet. In which case, she keeps her distance. Subtlety isn't one of her strong points.

Omar whistles at the cool armor and horn. He snaps back to attention.

”Hey wait for me!!! .”

"Well now, that is a bit impressive." Seeing the others head deeper into the cave, tiny gnome legs patter on the rocks to catch up. Ya think these tall folks would know ta pace themselves with some o' the staturely challenged around!

"That horn's pretty cool, but finding it and retrieving it from some dusty old bones... Not so cool," Tiffany treads lightly ahead with the others, glancing over the cavern.

Perception: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (4) + 13 = 17

SURPRISE!

Just as Omar is leading the group on to the next section of the catacombs, two creatures emerge out of the darkness to the north and south and rush toward him!

Both creatures move toward Omar!

INITIATIVE
The Frozen Raiders - Round 1
Bold may post
Tiffany
Omar
Sheela
Luurg
Red Raider
Sparkle
Green Raider

DC15 Knowledge (religion) to identify

"Oh look, undead. Probably. I'm not going to act surprised, here. I'm just going to call a friend."

Sheela begins casting Summon Monster 2 to summon Queen Rainbowprances, the Celestial Horse!

Luurg frowns as Omar rushes ahead of him "Luurg first, he way tougher... doh." He manages to spit out before the inevitable happens.

"I'mma comin'. Lez go leafy, time ta warm up!" Luurg lunges forward and tries to impale the green raider. "We just leafin' so MOVE!"

MW Spear, PA: 1d20 + 9 - 2 ⇒ (16) + 9 - 2 = 231d8 + 6 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 + 6 = 14

Omar smiles as Luurg joins the fray.

”I was just flushing them out for you, big guy! “

Bard kn:rel : 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11

”Whatever they are!“

He steps back 5’ and swings

+1 Bec de Corbin, heroism: 1d20 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 9 + 2 = 23
for dmg : 1d10 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 8 + 1 = 10

cant update map on phone

Actually,checked my math - damage is 2 less since he is not raging. Position on map is correct. Thanks whomever moved me!

Omar, are you also attacking the green raider, or were you attacking the red raider?

Sheela begins calling a heavenly equine friend, while both Luurg and Omar attack the creatures that emerged from the dark. Now that you've had a chance to get a better view of the enemies, you see that they are arrayed in traditional Ulfen clothes and armor, but that both their garments and their flesh are tattered and limned with frost.

INITIATIVE
The Frozen Raiders - Round 1
Bold may post
Tiffany
Omar
Sheela
Luurg
Red Raider
Sparkle
Green Raider (-14hp)

Not sure if Tiffany croaked or something, but here's a bot for her...

"EW! Those guys are totally guh-ross! Not that I want to shine more light on their hideousness, but..." She waggles her webbed fingers at the creatures a flash of light explodes in the green raider's face.

Casting Flare
Fortitude: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16

Unfortunately, the spell has no effect, as the raider has some loose skin hanging down over its eyes.

The red raider groans as it reaches up with two mangled, papery-skinned arms, then slams them down toward Luurg.

Slam: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20 Damage; Cold damage: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 61d6 ⇒ 4

The icy cold of the creature's attack seems to seem into Luurg's bones, even through his recently purchased extra layers.

Luurg, please make a Fortitude save.

INITIATIVE
The Frozen Raiders - Round 1
Bold may post
Tiffany
Omar
Sheela
Luurg (-10hp)
Red Raider
Spackle
Green Raider (-14hp)

"Like, I don't know what just came over me, but I suddenly felt like I had a beard and then casted a spell! O-M-G, this place gives me the CREEPS!"

Seriously though - thanks for the bot! I was tied up with work most of today.

Fort: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (1) + 10 = 11 This just isn't Luurg's day(s).

"BRRR! Dis ting real cold. Cold like... real cold!" Luurg shivers uncontrollably.

Yes, targetted green. Sorry.

Luurg, you don't need to hug them back, dude!

"Well, me smoke 'n song ain't fer workin' on the dead. Looks like we'll hafta be more traditional." The bard proceeds to bolster his allies with words of allies and ale.

Standard action to begin Inspire Courage. +2 to hit, damage and saves versus fear.

Oh shoot! Totally missed that Spackle had taken his turn! My bad folks!

While Spackle gives his companions encouragement and reminds them of the warmth and comfort of sharing ales around the table with friends, the green raider moves forward to strike at Omar.

5ft step toward Omar and attack

Slam: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22 Damage; Cold damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 71d6 ⇒ 5

The raider's chilling attack sends an ache of cold through Omar as well, and he feels his strength itself being assaulted.

Omar, make a Fortitude save.

Luurg staggers from the blow of the undead's attack, and he feels some of his life energy being drained away.

Luurg is affected by Energy Drain and takes 1 negative level!

INITIATIVE
The Frozen Raiders - Round 2
Bold may post
Tiffany
Omar (-12hp)
Sheela
Luurg (-10hp, 1 neg level)
Red Raider
Spackle
Green Raider (-14hp)

Luurg steps between the two foes to get behind and flank with Omar, thrusting 'leafy' into the green frosty bugger once Omar steps back with his polearm. "Deez tings not gud, kill dem faster so we can get back n have fruity drinks!"

MW Spear, PA, Inspire, Flank, Neg lvl: 1d20 + 9 - 2 + 2 + 2 - 1 ⇒ (6) + 9 - 2 + 2 + 2 - 1 = 161d8 + 6 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 6 + 6 + 2 = 20

Edit: Added in the -1 for the negative level. Damn Luurg's dice are cold on this mission.

Sheela completes her incantation, and a sweet breeze briefly flows near Omar as a Celestial Horse appears next to him.

"Queen Rainbowprances! Undead... things! And listen to his music, it's quite good." The Queen snorts and begins clobbering the green creature.

Smite Hoof vs Green: 1d20 - 2 + 2 ⇒ (1) - 2 + 2 = 1
Smite Evil Damage: 1d4 + 1 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 1 + 2 + 2 = 7

Smite Hoof vs Green: 1d20 - 2 + 2 ⇒ (20) - 2 + 2 = 20
Smite Evil Damage: 1d4 + 1 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 1 + 2 + 2 = 9

Crit?: 1d20 - 2 + 2 ⇒ (6) - 2 + 2 = 6
Crit Smite Evil Damage: 1d4 + 1 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 1 + 2 + 2 = 8

With that done, Sheela pulls out a wand and conjures an Unseen Servant next to her. "Hold onto this wand."

Sheela draws her wand of Burning Hands and the Unseen Servant grabs it.

Tiffany approaches. "It's actually been a while since I've used this trick, but it's really one of my favorites!" She begins to wind up a net over her head, much like a lasso. "I'm about to trap this big jerk in my net! Watch this!"

Net, Net Adept, Melee Reach vs Touch: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17

Failure means green is entangled. Tiffany does not provoke due to Net Adept.

Omar gasps as the same cold claw grasps his life force.

fort, hero: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 5 + 2 = 11

Calling out to any gods he can think Oh no! Spare me!

fort, hero, 2 stars: 1d20 + 5 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 5 + 2 + 2 = 17 Portfolio reroll?

Their touch is horrid! We must drop these quickly!

He steps back and starts a rallying ragesong for any who accept it.

♪♫♪♫ Fight the good fight every moment
Every minute of this day
Fight the good fight every moment
Make it worth the price we pay
♪♫

Luurg's leafy spear bounces harmlessly off of the remnants of the undead warrior's armor. Queen Rainbowprances, however, shows the half-orc how to clobber undead as she strikes true with one of her hooves.

Tiffany follows up her fellow royalty's performance by snaring the undead creature in a net.

Omar provides a song to send himself and his allies into a state of rage against these abominations, as he is just able to resist the life-depleting effect of the blow he suffered.

Omar, your second save was successful!
Also, I just realized I used too big a die in my attack against you for the slam, so I'll give you back 1hp!

With a moan of hatred for all things good, the red undead strikes at Queen Rainbowprances!

Slam: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22 Damage; Cold damage: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 71d6 ⇒ 3
Queen Rainbowprances takes 10hp of damage and needs to make a Fortitude save!

INITIATIVE
The Frozen Raiders - Round 2
Bold may post
Tiffany
Omar (-11hp, 1 neg level)
Sheela
Queen Rainbowprances (-10hp Fort save)
Luurg (-10hp, 1 neg level)
Red Raider
Spackle
Green Raider (-23hp)

Fort Save: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12

Sheela watches Queen Rainbowprances shudder and wither as the undead slams into her! Sheela fights the urge to shriek.

Better my summon takes the Negative Level than you guys.

Spackle stops talking of alehouses, but the memories still linger in the minds of his allies. The lava gnome summons up a ball of fire and hurls it at the green skinned undead. No sooner does he release the sphere then another appears in its place.

Produce Flame (Ranged vs GREEN TOUCH AC) {IC/PBS}: 1d20 + 6 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 6 + 2 + 1 = 161d6 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6

Lingering Performance=Inspire Courage will last for the remainder of this round and all of the next.

Spackle lobs a ball of flame at the undead warrior, and the fire splashes against its papery flesh and dry rags.

The warrior reacts by thrashing madly at the net in which it is caught.

Escape Artist, entangled: 1d20 + 3 - 2 ⇒ (3) + 3 - 2 = 4

INITIATIVE
The Frozen Raiders - Round 3
Bold may post
Tiffany
Omar (-11hp, 1 neg level)
Sheela
Queen Rainbowprances (-10hp, 1 neg level)
Luurg (-10hp, 1 neg level)
Red Raider
Spackle
Green Raider (-29hp, entangled)

Omar continues his singing ragesong while he regrips his hammer and strikes.

♪♫♪♫ My mind raced
And I thought what could I do
And I knew
There was no help, no help from you
Sound of the drums
Beating in my heart
The thunder of guns
Tore me apart
You've been
Thunderstruck
♪♫

Take this, undead thing! (on greenie in net)

+1 Bec de Corbin, ragesong, flank, hero, bard: 1d20 + 9 + 2 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 9 + 2 + 2 + 2 = 31
for dmg,rage, bard: 1d10 + 8 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 8 + 1 + 2 = 17

In addition to his extra rage vitality, some of his wounds begin to close.
10 temp hp and fast healing +2 while raging.

As Omar continues to sing, he raises his weapon and strikes true with the hammer of his bec de corbin, crushing the skull of the green raider. The creature collapses into a mass of bones and rotten cloth. Now only its red-mantled mate remains!

INITIATIVE
The Frozen Raiders - Round 3
Bold may post
Tiffany
Omar (-9hp, 1 neg level)
Sheela
Queen Rainbowprances (-10hp, 1 neg level)
Luurg (-10hp, 1 neg level)
Red Raider
Spackle

"Oy now. Things 'r startin' ta fall inta place!"

Luurg nods along with Omar and Spackle as both their songs get him more and motivated.. even a little angry. Luurg doesn't usually get angry, but he's had a pretty bad trip so far. "Gah you frozed dedies go back to bein just ded!"

He steps back to flank red and tries to shove his spear where the sun ain't shinin'.

MW Spear, PA, Flank, Inspire, Rage, Neg Level: 1d20 + 9 - 2 + 2 + 2 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (17) + 9 - 2 + 2 + 2 + 1 - 1 = 281d8 + 6 + 6 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 6 + 6 + 2 + 1 = 23

Queen Rainbowprances snorts and tries to kick the remaining undeath. Spackle and Omar's duet inspire her into a courageous rage!

Hoof vs Red: 1d20 - 2 + 2 + 1 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (8) - 2 + 2 + 1 + 1 - 1 = 9
Damage: 1d4 + 1 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 + 1 + 1 = 7

Hoof vs Red: 1d20 - 2 + 2 + 1 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (16) - 2 + 2 + 1 + 1 - 1 = 17
Damage: 1d4 + 1 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 + 1 + 1 = 5

Sheela walks up to Queen Rainbowprance and pulls out another wand. of Cure Light Wounds

Tiffany turns and smiles at Omar. "Nice job with the pole blade! I totally could get behind your song, by the way. It makes me want to, like, throw my head back and forth!"

The grippli steps up and tries a similar trick on the remaining foe. She throws her net!

Net Adept: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20

With music all around her and inspiring her to action, Tiffany throws another net and snares the remaining undead raider. This leaves the warrior open to attack from Luurg and Queen Rainbowprances, who stab and stomp it viciously.

Despite the concerted attack, however, the raider still stands, and lashes out yet again at the celestial summoned steed. The net hinders his attack, though, and the Queen prances out of the way.

Slam, entangled: 1d20 + 6 - 2 ⇒ (6) + 6 - 2 = 10 Damage; Cold damage: 1d4 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 101d6 ⇒ 1

INITIATIVE
The Frozen Raiders - Round 4
Bold may post
Red Raider (-28hp, entangled)
Spackle
Tiffany
Omar (-7hp, 1 neg level)
Sheela
Queen Rainbowprances (-10hp, 1 neg level)
Luurg (-10hp, 1 neg level)

Luurg, still quite angry, gives the deddie another stab with leafy. "Its yer fault Luurg don't wanna eat tasty fruits!"

MW Spear, PA, Flank, Inspire, Rage, Neg Level: 1d20 + 9 - 2 + 2 + 2 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (8) + 9 - 2 + 2 + 2 + 1 - 1 = 191d8 + 6 + 6 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 6 + 6 + 2 + 1 = 16

With a final furious strike, Luurg pins the undead raider to the floor of the catacombs, and the warrior collapses. The spirit binding its bones together disappears, and the corpse falls to dust.

COMBAT OVER!

Where to next?

Luurg grunts with satisfaction as the creature falls over "Gud!" He kicks at the pile of bones in anger, poking through it with his spear tip for a for seconds as he calms down.

"Luurg go first, stay back behind n be little sneaky k?" The portly orc having a really bad trip creeps along in front trying to be quiet and keeping his eyes peeled for things of interest.

Put up the blue line for his route, taking ten on perception and stealth. 22 and 12

"Wow. Good job, everyone." Sheela cheers. "Queen Rainbowprances, are you alright?" Sheela stares at her favorite horse, worried. The Queen sniffs her and is repulsed, snorting to show her disapproval. "Well, it's not my fault, it's the damn curse- oh no, I'm sorry, I didn't to curse in your presence, it just made- don't leave!" Queen Rainbowprances returns to her celestial plane, and Sheela grumbles.

Eventually she regains her composure. "Omar, you can use this to heal your wounds."

She hesitates as she moves up to Luurg. "Luurg, you should get that bruise healed. Maybe the curse doesn't work on healing magic?" She seems very unsure.