ProfPotts' Serpent's Skull PBP

Game Master Alexander Scott

Shisa finishes stowing her gear, slipping the dagger back into her pack where it can be easily retrieved. She let's Aerodus know to wake her for the mid watch knowing her eyesight is better suited than that of her human companions.

After grabbing a bite to eat, she settles down to get some rest.

perception 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (2) + 11 = 13

The beating her body suffered throughout the day pulls her into a deep sleep..

Ugh, just like the rolls I was getting earlier tonight in tabletop..

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13

ZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzz

Obviously it was a long day, as the group sleep on... (Shisa in particular dreaming of the day she'll learn to 'take 10'... ;) )

(Shisa in particular dreaming of the day she'll learn to 'take 10'... ;) )

Hrm, didn't realize you can take 10 while asleep. Or maybe she was having a really good dream about stealing jewelry or something..;)

The rest of the night passes without incident (unless one of you lot wants to stir something..?), and the group rise early in the morning, Taki spending a little time communing with her pet snake before preparing breakfast, and Gelik looking back over his notes, making corrections or additions in the margins here and there...

It looks like it'll be the usual jungle slog to cross the island the group is on, in their quest for the Nightvoice...

So... what now?

Aerodus wakes with the rising of the sun; packs his gear and don's his armoUr, before giving a prayer. "I thank you Inheritor, for allowing me to see another day, I seek to cleanse all evil that stands before me."

As the consumption of breakfast begins, Aerodus will break the morning silence "The Ghost Captain returned last night during the early watch, seeking once more to view the trinket. I granted his wish and sent his spirit back to wherever it came from, he should trouble us no more" with a smile on his face. "We should get an early start on our trek, no telling what we may find on our way to the Nightvoice."

Since Aerodus/Blinky duo'd the encounter they gets all the XP right ;)?? Press on!!

Since Aerodus/Blinky duo'd the encounter they gets all the XP right ;)?? Press on!!

Blinky did most of the work, so he gets the lion's share... Aerodus is his cohort at best... ;)

Blinky did most of the work, so he gets the lion's share... Aerodus is his cohort at best... ;)

And Aero gets Rogue xps for pilfering the professional pilferer's personal pack right? :)

At the mention of the locket, Shisa raises her eyebrow at Aerodus. "I must have slept well if you rummaged through my gear without my awakening.. either that, or you've had some training. There may be hope for you yet," she quips in mock seriousness. She grabs her pack and begins to check it to ensure everything is placed where she needs it.

When she is done, she excuses herself to step off into the nearby jungle for her morning stretch. Shisa returns a while later, a thin sheen of sweat on her face. Grabbing her gear, she looks at the others. "Ready when you are."

With a nod towards Shisa's gear "I used the utmost care, I assure you I would wake you if I felt the danger dire enough. I'm glad that the Scholar's theory was right, ghost-fighting is not my forte." Before digging into breakfast.

While Shisa is out 'stretching' Aerodus will double check that his own gear has not been 'tampered' with, as he moves about removing traces of the campsite.

"Ready when you are."

"Let us carry on!"

As Aerodus takes the lead (unless one of the others wants to)!

Perception: Taking 10... so 10

Jungle Slog?!?!?! Sorry just reread that part, Aerodus will not be using his armoUr if that is alright with you prof. No need to slow down the party to a crawl.

As Aerodus takes the lead..

Shisa shakes her head in amazement then steps out to overtake the clanking tin man. "No offense Aerodus, but given your track record of observation, I'll take point again, if you don't mind. You don't? Good."

With a huge grin, she pats the paladin on the back as she passes, then hurries to get a few paces in front before slowing her pace to a walk.

perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (2) + 11 = 13

ugh.. ok.. Shisa.. take 10 you silly half-elf!

It's well into mid-morning, the trek through the small sub-island's jungle going well, when...

... A humanoid creature, with long, sharp, teeth and pallid flesh stretched tightly over its starved frame drops from the trees onto Tony as he passes under them, sinking its teeth deep into the swashbuckler's shoulder! Tony takes 5 Hit Points of damage, and has the fun of attempting a DC 12 Fortitude save Vs disease, and a DC 13 Fortitude save Vs paralysis! Yes, the 'buy one get one free' Fortitude save ghoul special offer is back, by popular demand! ;)

Marik gets his usual action in the surprise round, then everyone gets to roll Initiative and declare actions.

Init: 1d20 ⇒ 19

Tony will exercise various fencing techiniques in the morning before breakfast and listen with some disbelief as Aerodus recounts what happed while they slept. Only his belief in the knights code of honor prevents him publicly scoffing at the tale.

Following behind Shisa, something drops down on him from above.

Fort save vs. Disease DC12: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5 Fail!
Fort save vs. Paralysis DC13: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 1 = 17 Save!

So the good news is he's not paralysed, the bad news is he gets to experience another disease...

Current HP: 11 (68%)
CONDITION: Diseased (?)

Initiative: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22

Hearing a sudden commotion behind her, Shisa wheels about in time to catch a glimpse of a humanoid figure sinking its teeth into Tony's shoulder.

She moves to the left, hoping to get to the flank of the vile thing. Dropping her bow in favor of her short sword, she unsheathes the weapon as she moves to attack.

Attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5
Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

If flanked: Add'l Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

Someone sacrifice Aerys to the dicebot..

Forewarned
Reacting with uncanny swiftness, Marik reaches out to touch the unarmoured Aerodus as he becomes encased in a glowing field of force.
Mage Armour

Initiative: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13

Your right, Prof. I do feel special adding the "u"

Current HP: 11 (68%)
CONDITION: Diseased (?)

Initiative: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19

Tony hisses in pain at the rake of filthy claws, will shift back five feet while drawing his sword, then lunge in to attack the... whatever it was that gashed him.

ALDORI DEULLING SWORD Attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9 for a possible 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9 impaling damage.

If he can manage to flank, add +2 to the attack and +1d6 ⇒ 6 to the damage.

My apologies. Saving shield only works if I have a shield out, and charge would be the full round action.. ZZZ.. posting while running out of the office makes for fun times. Move would still be to flank or just adjacent to the creature this round, and attack is still missing

Marik lashes out at the creature with an orb of conjured acid.
Ranged (touch) Attack: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18
Acid Spash: 1d3 ⇒ 2

Your right, Prof. I do feel special adding the "u"

Not so much 'adding' - that implies it's extra; but rather 'including' - which confirms it should have been there all along... ;)

Reacting with uncanny swiftness, Marik reaches out to touch the unarmoured Aerodus as he becomes encased in a glowing field of force.

Actually Aerodus did don his armour again... which Marik can obviously see, so shall we say he cast it on himself instead?

Shisa, Tony, and Aerodus all draw swords, moving in to swing at the ghoul... only for the (ninja-like) creature to duck, bob, and weave, effortlessly avoiding the attacks. It cackles maniacally as it dances its wild jig, hopping from one foot to the other as sharp steel swings and misses all around... a performance made all the more disturbing by the thing's long, ragged, thinning hair and beard... and the fact that he's completely naked...(look - the last chicken in the shop! ;) )

The sword-weilding trio manage, in turn, to avoid the maniac ghoul hermit's sharp teeth and swipes with his claws...

Hurling a mystically conjured orb of acid at the creature Marik scores a hit... right on the thing's left buttock! Leaping high, jig even more exaggerated, the ghoul clutches his scorched and steaming bottom, eyes wide, and he lets slip a loud yelp of pain!

Master Gelik takes a defensive stance in front of young Taki... and by pure coincidence way away from the actual fighting...

Shisa stiffles a laugh as she watches the creature grab it's buttocks and start bouncing around. "That's getting to the seat of the problem Marik," she quips as she draws one of her recently aquired daggers from her belt. With a weapon in each hand, she sidesteps and attacks, rapier going high, while the dagger goes in low for the vitals.

Two Weapon attack (untrained / light weapons)

Sort sword: 1d20 - 6 + 2 + 3 ⇒ (5) - 6 + 2 + 3 = 4
Dagger: 1d20 - 10 + 2 + 3 ⇒ (15) - 10 + 2 + 3 = 10

Damage

Sort sword: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6
Dagger: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

If flanked:

Sort sword: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6
Dagger: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

Since she's been practicing with Sasha and wants to pick up the feat later.. may as well practice to maintain story continuity :)

Watching both of her attacks fail to connect, she mutters, "Gah! Sasha makes this look so easy and graceful."

Oops - looks like Aero did remove his armour, for jungle slog related purposes... my bad... In my defence, the idea that the paladin is actually learning from his experiences is both scary and wrong on many levels... ;)

Sooo many levels. Shisha maybe that could be because you are using a Sort Sword?

Sooo many levels. Shisha maybe that could be because you are using a Sort Sword?

Um.. It's so 'sort' that I had to drop the 'h'? I knew there was a reason it felt different in my hand ;) That's what I get for inadvertently typing rapier first then going back to edit.. Have a rapier, but it's still in its scabbard.. I blame Blinky the bouncy blinking undead beacon..

You drive home from work, and what happens.. Targeted on all sides!

Amazed at the ghoul's agility, Aerodus shouts "Stand still you fiend!" As he draws his shield and swings his sword once more!

Move: Draw Shield (move to flank if available)
Standard: Attack with LongSword

Attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20 (+2 with flank)
Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

The paladin is learning... *ominous thunder*

Round #2
Marik launches another Acid Dart at the ghoul.
Attack (touch) roll: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Nimbly avoiding Shisa's Flurry of Misses, even whilst still clutching his corroded buttocks, the ghoul cackles once more... only to be cut short by the tip of Aerodus's longsword slicing through the dead flesh of his face...

Screeching in anger, the ghoul forgets his bum for the moment, and instead launches his naked self at the paladin with wild ferocity! Thanks to a combination of Marik's spell, and his own skill with a shield, Aerodus manages to fend off the thing's claws... but its teeth sink painfully into the bicep of the paladin's sword-arm as it rips out a chunk of flesh and starts chewing... Aerodus takes 3 Hit Points damage... so okay, it's a small chunk of flesh... and gets to attempt a DC 12 Fortitude Save Vs disease (no Divine Health yet, right..?) and a DC 13 Fortitude Save Vs paralysis - let the good times roll! ;)

Marik's next shot with his acid-chucking powers flies wild of the mark, splashing against a nearby tree and hissing away, causing Yipper to yelp and take to the air as he's narrowly missed...

Fort save DC12 (Disease): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22
Fort Save DC13 (Paralysis): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24

With a grunt of pain, Aerodus tries to take another slash at the ghoul, while maintaining (flank?).

Move: (5 foot step to keep the rogues flank, or attack and move 5feet out to let the rogues flank for each other).
Standard -
Attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7 (+2 if flank)
Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11

Immediate: Saving Shield (if available, should I be designating it each round??, I only have one Immediate action anyway)
But missing, obviously the damage having caused his arm to spasm.

ZZZZZZ, least I made my fort saves

Wincing at the sight of the creature taking a bite out of the paladin, Shisa sidesteps to keep the vile thing's back to her. "That's it Aero, keep it distracted," she says with a grin as she launches another flurry of attacks.

Two Weapon attack (untrained / light weapons / flank)

Short sword: 1d20 - 6 + 2 + 2 + 3 ⇒ (2) - 6 + 2 + 2 + 3 = 3
Dagger: 1d20 - 10 + 2 + 2 + 3 ⇒ (4) - 10 + 2 + 2 + 3 = 1

Damage

Short sword: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6
Dagger: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

If flanked:

Short sword: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
Dagger: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Current HP: 11 (68%)
CONDITION: Diseased (?)
-------------------------------

Round 2

Despite his off timed attack missing wide, Tony manages to defend himself fairly well; dodging and parrying the creatures slashing attacks.

Circling his foe, he shifts to flank and attack.

ALDORI DEULLING SWORD Attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24 for a possible 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7 impaling damage.
If he can manage to flank, add +2 to the attack and +1d6 ⇒ 3 to the damage.

...Crit confirm? 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15 (+2 if flanked)

What the heck's 'impaling damage'? Has someone been reading too many vampire books..? ;)

Delaying until the ideal time to strike, Tony thrust forwards with his trusty blade, neatly impaling the ghoul... which twitches a bit, before slumping, (un-)lifeless and sliding from Tony's sword...

Yup, that'd be a critcal... and far too much damage anyway... ;)

... Which proves handy, as Shisa seems determined to slice off her own feet or something (it's hard to say for sure) with her duel-wielding antics... More practice required! :)

Stepping over, Gelik glances at the ghoul and sniffs,

'Is it dead?' he asks, adding, 'You know... again..?'

Aerodus will poke the corpse a few times with his sword, before wiping his blade on some leaves. "Indeed so, sir Scribe."

He then peers into his wound looking for decay. Heal: Take 10 =14

His face turns dour "Blasted thing bit me!"

"Blasted thing bit me!"

Sheathing her weapons, she reaches up to brush the hair back from her face and mumbles "See what you get to look forward to later?" With a grin, she retrieves her bow and sets out down the trail once again.

Perception: (take 10?) 10 + 11 = 21

If Aerodus takes 10 on Tony's disease, beating the Ghoul Fever DC.. Can he attempt to give Tony a bonus? Materials = Hot Metal Poker to Cauterize/cleanse the wound, and maybe someone can do create water on it? The book doesnt Neccesarily mention needing a healer kit, but we have rudimenterary/primal/very painful solutions.

Maybe Taki has more of that Island poo goo. *evil grin*

Tony pulls his sword out, cleans it and sheathes it with a flourish; then he hisses a little as he inspects the wound.
"I feel a little feverish; that thing must have been infected. Does anyone have..." His eyes widen as he sees Aerodus approach with a red hot poker...

I'm all for PCs assaulting each other with hot pokers... brings back fond memories of eagerly applied 'insanity cures' back in the original Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay game many moons ago... ;)

Assuming Tony let's Aerodus have his wicked way with him, he can have another Fortitude Save at +4 for the paladin's 'help'...

As Aerodus 'tends' to Tony, Taki steps over to touch each of the wounded men, suffusing them with a healing warmth... Tony heals 8 Hit Points (up to max. of course), Aerodus heals 2 Hit Points.

Whilst the 'hot poker special' is judiciously applied, Shisa scouts ahead...

Tony nods and bites down on his baldric as Aerodus plies his hot poker solution to the wound.

Fort save: 1d20 + 1 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 1 + 4 = 15

Ah good old Insanity points (I am currently playing in a dark Heresy game... ya.. Daemon host just obliterated half the party... fun) But the emperor protects!

As Aerodus is doing his "WORK" will comment, "I'm no cleric, but I should be able to treat this..."

Taking 10 + 4 = 14

Satisfied with the work, he wipes his brow with his arm "Not too bad, if I say so myself. Now that is taken care of... let us continue on after our 'scout'"

"I'm no cleric, but..."

Why does this strike me as a catch-phrase in the making..? 'I'm no cleric, but... HOT POKER TO THE WOUND!' ;)

As Aerodus singes Tony, Taki giggles,

'Aerodus take far too long to cook Tony that way!' she declares... (Okay... she has an... unconventional... sense of humour... I blame the parents...)

It takes a good four hours to cross the entirity of the small sub-island... during which the heat of the day starts to take its toll...

DC 15 Fortitude saves all round, -4 penalty for wearing armour of any kind or heavy clothing. Failure = 1d4 points of non-lethal damage. Taki's Survival Skill (plus any you guys have) is enough to grant a +2 bonus on the Save all round.

Emerging from the jungle on the northerly tip of the small sub-island the group come across another causeway... this one only two-hundred or so feet across... leading to the 'wrong' island...

... This close it's unmistakable what makes the island seem so 'wrong' - whearas the rest of the Shiv is a luscious green and a riot of jungle sounds, the small island ahead is a silent grey scar. What could have been mistaken as trees from further away reveal themselves to be foul grey stalks of fibrous fungus, growing up into the air alomost like stalagmites in a cave. Between these weird stalks, the 'undergrowth' consists of thick wiry tangles of lichens and grey fungus, all growing on a foul-smelling muddy surface. With the exception of the waves crashing along the beaches, the island is eerie silent...

Yipper lands in the branches of a tree and seems to be eyeing the island ahead with suspicion...

Hiding a little behind Aerodus, Taki peeks out nervously at the silent grey island, shudders... but then takes a deep breath and points towards the western side of the place,

'Big boat there...' she says, a slight tremor in her voice as she adds, '... Little men not like us going there...'

Fortitude save: 1d20 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 1 + 2 = 12
Damage (non-lethal): 1d4 ⇒ 4
Wow, four days in a row and not a single roll out of single digits. I know the Dicebot can be a fickle mistress, but this is down right cruel.

Marik gives Yipper a mental image of him staying put in a tree near the island, but on this side of the causeway. "Stay here, my friend. It'll be safer for you." Marik will study the lichen covering the island to see if he can identify it. After all it will probably try to kill us
Knowledge (nature): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 27
She loves me again

Fort: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 7 + 2 = 22

Looking across the causeway Non-Fungus Covered Super High Acrobatics DC I hope? "What in the world would cause 'that?'" He asks out loud.

Waiting for the Radioactive Fungal Goblin Raiders to attack..

"Priestess, can you describe these 'little men?'"

Fort save (using Taki's save assist / leather armor): 1d20 + 2 - 4 ⇒ (11) + 2 - 4 = 9
NL Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 3

As the party stops to gaze at the other island, Shisa reaches up to push the sweat matted hair back behind her ears. "Ugh, that doesn't look too inviting," she says quietly. "What's so special about this ship that we're risking all this for again? And, not to sound alarmed or anything, but what's that burnt smell?"

Setting down her pack, she pulls her waterskin out and takes a deep drink before offering it around to the others.

Fort save vs. DC15: 1d20 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 1 + 2 = 4 Still feeling the effects of his infection and "Cure", Tony takes 1d4 ⇒ 3 nonlethal.

Tony sits when there is a break, head hung down and clearly not feeling well.

Waving the offered drink aside "There is a chance that something on the ship may help us." Before patting Tony on the back, "No one said the path to salvation was easy! Here's hoping we find some magical scroll or some artifact on the ship."

The causeway seems fungus-free...

"Priestess, can you describe these 'little men?'"

Taki shrugs,

'Little,' she replies, holding her hand to about Gelik's height, 'grey - like their island... twisted and hunched... use long spears...' her brow furrows in concentration for a few moments, then she adds, '... and sneaky... very sneaky...'

"What's so special about this ship that we're risking all this for again? And, not to sound alarmed or anything, but what's that burnt smell?"

"There is a chance that something on the ship may help us... No one said the path to salvation was easy! Here's hoping we find some magical scroll or some artifact on the ship."

'Plus,' Master Gelik pipes up, 'the Pathfinders will be very interested in finding out the fate of the Nightvoice...' he sniffs the air, then adds, '... the smell, on the other hand, is Iomedae's sacred healing in action...' he glances towards Aerodus...

'Plus,' the Pathfinders will be very interested in finding out the fate of the Nightvoice...' he sniffs the air, then adds, '... the smell, on the other hand, is Iomedae's sacred healing in action...' he glances towards Aerodus...

Shisa quirks an eyebrow at Aerodus. "Ok, that sounds like there's a story there I must have missed when I scouted the path earlier. Someone will have to fill me in later." she says with a grin.

Looking over at Master Gelik, she says, "Well, we mustn't keep the Pathfinders in suspense then I suppose. Shall we continue?"

once we start moving:
perception: take 10 + 11 = 21

"Small, sneaky, grey men with spears.. were they part of its cargo??"

To put the Songstress's curiosity at ease:
"Indeed, a tale for another time Songstress."
Evil Cackle here!

Aerodus will follow along (any order is fine) the rest of the to cross the causeway to the fungal island of doom!

Guessing we all take 10 across the causeway?

"Indeed, a tale for another time Songstress."

Stepping past the paladin, she looks over at him with a grin. "I'll hold you to that," she says as she takes the point once again. "Smells like a branded cow. Haven't smelled that since.." she mutters quietly as her eyes scan her surroundings.

"Looks like you'll have a dashing scar to show the ladies, Tony"
Once across the causeway (taking 10) Marik will bend down and examine the fungus at closer range.