Rannik's Carrion Crown

Game Master Patrick Levasseur

Heh. Maybe. In other news, ugh. I need to quit rolling dice and take 10!

Hearing the howling, Oathar will head back outside to keep watch.

Apologies for the short absence.
Danica's hit points is up at max.

Danica prepare for yet another encounter.

Anna slips out of the cloak and hands it back to Tolvan. "It's yours. And there's nothing for you to forgive," she says, sniffling. "I'll try to be stronger next time."

She gets up and retrieves her weapons from the other room. She glances at the lock box. "You want me to try to open that?"

Looking at his offered hand unhappily Tolvan responds Of course. I've learned not to open things with you around. He moves over to the jars and vials and begins to examine them.

Kimberly found the box and really did nothing with it. having passed it off to someone else (apparently Tolvan or Anna)

Danica starts looking around for anything useful.
Perception: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (18) + 18 = 36

Ever watchful, Danica and Oathar see nothing, but the feeling that things are happening around them is palpable.

Anna opens the iron box to find a wand and three scroll tubes. Each tube is decorated with fragile, colorful moth wings and is preserved with a unguent of timelessness.

Kimberly's examination of the beakers and jars finds nothing of value, unless...

Catching up with the other Tolvan reviews the items found.

Spellcraft, Wand: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (6) + 17 = 23

Knowledge (Religion): 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (12) + 11 = 23

Does he need a spellcraft for the scrolls? He can take 10 for a 27 if that is acceptable.

These beakers and jars are all filled with solutions related to healing and lycanthropy. With these jars, the silver tools and the manacles I think someone was trying to treat someone here with lycanthropy a long time ago.

Anna brightens a bit when Tolvan describes the contents. "That can make sure you don't become a werewolf, right, Tolvan?" She takes a step closer to the wizard, but stops short. Her eyes stay big and hopeful as she looks at him.

1d20 + 10 ⇒ (10) + 10 = 20

Kimberly was looking over the stuff found and as she started to piece it all together, Tolvan figured it out.

so she simply shrugged, and nodded in agreement.

Kimberly went back to keeping an eye out for trouble. waiting for the signal to move out.

The wand is one of Spider Climb (34 charges). Of the scrolls, only one is magical: Remove Disease. The other two are more interesting reading. The first scroll tells a harrowing tale:

For over 800 years, the temple administered to those of Desna’s faithful among the settlers of the Shudderwood, until the Whispering Tyrant came to Ustalav. At that time, the high priest of Desna at the temple had a single son whom he loved dearly. During the wars against the Whispering Tyrant, the priest’s son served as a missionary, but when he returned home some years later he had changed, for at some point he had contracted a particularly virulent strain of lycanthropy. The priest tried everything he could to save his son. He imprisoned his son in a secret chamber beneath the temple and conducted experiments upon him, desperate to reverse the curse. When his research failed to yield positive results, these experiments turned dark and terrible. The priest developed a serum from his son’s blood that he used to infect his congregation with lycanthropy in order to study the disease’s effects. Over the generations, these afflicted werewolves’ offspring became natural werewolves, and their descendents now hunt the Shudderwood as the Mordrinacht tribe. When the temple fell to the armies of the Whispering Tyrant, consumed in mysterious pillars of white fire, death transformed the cleric’s wretched son into the undead vilkacis.

The second scroll describes a sacred ritual, one that will activate the Dusk Moth, located at the top of the Stair.

Anna sits cross-legged on the floor while Tolvan studies the scrolls. After checking her gear and making sure silver bolts are loaded in her pair of crossbows, she rests her chin in her hand and watches the elven wizard. Her wide eyes well with tears as she studies him, absorbed as he is in the ancient writings.

She recovers and dries her eyes when he makes his report on the contents of the scrolls.

"Okay. I guess we go out and fight werewolves and reach the top of this tower and perform a mysterious Desnan ritual. Or, we go out and fight the werewolves trying to get out of the woods. Any preference?"

"I think we should head to the top of the tower."

"Agreed. The more we move forward, the more answers we get." Danica twirls her nunchaku, performing a maneuver that goes around her hips, then stops the twirling with both hands on each silver batton."The Bright Lady is still with us. We will no falter."

"Last I checked, none of us are Desna worshipers. You think that's going to make a difference if we try to mess with these old stones?" Anna asks warily.

Kimberly tries to maintain some semblance of hope, We can at least try. I am sure we will figure something out.

come on, we can't waste more time. Kimberly tries to get the group moving again.

"Last I checked, none of us are Desna worshipers. You think that's going to make a difference if we try to mess with these old stones?" Anna asks warily.

Anna, while I do not hold any deity in as high regard as a priest might, I do honor the dreamer and hold her above all others. So, perhaps I will serve.

Have had Desna listed as Tolvan's deity since day one. As a wizard he likely sees it more of a pact or business deal but he is a Desna follower.

Please see the 'Stairs of the Moon elevation' in the 'Maps and Stuff' spoiler at the top of the page. You are currently in the E1 area, which is under the structure. The steps are on the outside of the building, and lead up to E5. It is from E5 that you were fired upon by the weres when you approached the Stair. Also note: The current picture view is on the opposite side from where you approached. To sum up: to move upward, you have to climb that outer stair to E5.

Please give me your march order up the stairs, any special actions, Perception rolls, etc.

Shooters may be waiting for us at this point. It might be smart to armor up before going out. Tolvan will cast Shield before exiting for sure. So, here is a fun possible option. We just found a nearly full wand of Spider Climb. We could Exit E1 from that series of large "windows" between the wall sections to the north. and climb up to either E5 or all the way up to E6. I suspect that once we are on those stairs that circle the tower we might be glad to have a way to not easily be knocked off. The shooters on E5 did not come down for us. If we bypass them climbing up they may stay where they are and not come up after us. Thoughts? If we do this we need Oathar up front and Danica bringing up the rear. It might be better to take out the enemy on E5 even if we do spider climb up to avoid that first set of stairs.

I like the spider climb idea.

Anna stares at Tolvan wide-eyed at his statement about his religion. "Oh. I didn't know."

Scratching the back of her head where Oathar hit it, she nods to Kimberly and the others ready to go. She holds her finger up to her lips, then throws the hood of her cloak up, and the magical fabric begins blending in with the background.

She moves to the entrance of the hallway silently and looks and listens.

Stealth: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (15) + 19 = 34
Perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (16) + 11 = 27

Oathar is not so sure about the spider climb idea, but he will take the lead.

perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13

Kimberly has Levitate as one of her spells available if that would help

also Minor Image to create an illusion of the group approaching from a different direction

Danica is fine with bringing up the rear.

The spider climb sounds like a good idea. Maybe we can surprise those that are trying to ambush us. Hopefully we can get the surprise and let loose.

Sounds like the consensus is to cast some buffs, including Spider Climb from the wand on everyone (30 minutes duration - Climb Speed of 20 and +8 to climb. Note that in order to use the climb speed you need both hands free.) and then to quietly go out the opening in E1 to the north closest to the tower and proceed up to E6 (stairs above E5) With a climbe speed of 20 I think we can ascend 40' a round, right? If we want to we could climb around to the north side of the tower and never been seen from E5.

It's a long climb to E6, look at the trees for a reference: 100' feet at least. So what's the plan? I have Anna out by the entrance, and Oathar 'taking the lead'. So which is it, and are we climbing?

The howls continue through the Shudderwood outside of the Stair. First near, then far. The winds whip through the trees, obscuring the directions of the sound. There is no indication that the ones on the first floor roof have seen you or are watching the steps.

As far as you can tell...

While reaching the top the sneaky route would appeal to Anna, I'd rather clear out E-5 first. I think if we climb the narrow end of the platform, we might be able to catch them at their backs. Or, split it up, so the tanky members (Oathar, Danica and maybe Tolvan) go up the stairs while Anna and Kimberly (who can levitate) can flank them. The stairs to E-5 Will lead Oathar and co. right into the flank. Make sense?

We can do it that way. Anna and Kimberly up North side while the rest of us take the stairs. So, spider climb on Anna only. I'd rather also give it to Kimberly so she can save a second level slot.

Casting his buff spells Tolvan first uses his wand of Spider Climb on Anna and Kimberly (if she accepts). He then casts gravity bow, Abundant Ammunition (from a scroll) and shield on himself before the group goes out.

While reaching the top the sneaky route would appeal to Anna, I'd rather clear out E-5 first. I think if we climb the narrow end of the platform, we might be able to catch them at their backs. Or, split it up, so the tanky members (Oathar, Danica and maybe Tolvan) go up the stairs while Anna and Kimberly (who can levitate) can flank them. The stairs to E-5 Will lead Oathar and co. right into the flank. Make sense?

FYI, the steps are the only way up there. They know you are in the lower level, you figure they'll be watching the steps. The plan can work, but the steps group won't be flanking anyone.

Why not? If we come up the far west wall as the others climb the steps which rise east to west, we'll come up behind, or at least beside, the defenders. An I misreading the map that bad?

Look at the top-down map of the E5 area. The steps on the bottom of the picture are the steps from the ground up to E5. The steps on the top are from E5 to E6. It's a large area. If I knew you were in the building underneath me, and that the only way up was the steps, I'd stand back from the edge and watch the steps. Simple tactics.

Also, I did say very specifically 'the steps group'.

FYI, the steps are the only way up there. They know you are in the lower level, you figure they'll be watching the steps. The plan can work, but the steps group won't be flanking anyone.

You confused me too Old Guy. If Anna comes up from the North side as we engage from the south and stair side then we will be on one side and she on the other. So we will indeed be in a position to flank with Anna. That is all she is saying. Also, if we can spider climb then there appears to be another way up, right?

Fine. Let's get this moving. Tolvan has cast spells, Anna has listened, Oathar has listened. You heard what you heard, I've already posted that. Now what?

Oathar is moving up the stairs.

Anna will stealthily move outside and start climbing up the side of the wall.

Tolvan follows Oathar up the stairs looking around as he goes.

Perception: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (7) + 13 = 20

Kimberly will be with Anna, partly concerned that she may need some religious help and partly cause she isn't too keen on a direct attack on the stairs.

making use of the spider climb spell Kimberly lets Anna take the lead and hangs back just enough to ensure she has room to maneuver once she reaches the top.

she also keep her levitate spell at the ready in case she still has climbing issues.

Danica will cast Protection from Evil on herself and Flames of the Faithful on her silver nunchaku. She follows Oathar up the stairs.

Oathar, Tolvan, and Danica reach the top of the stairs, reaching the pronaos. Broken columns line the perimeter of the flat roof of the low, trapezoidal building adjoining the observatory tower. Exposed to the elements, the floor has suffered from years of weathering, and wide cracks now run across the surface, but a faded mosaic of a giant butterfly can still be made out in the shadow of the observatory tower.

The 'snap' of four crossbows is heard, and four bolts flash silver in the moonlight. The missiles clatter off the stone or bounce harmlessly from Oathar's armor. With a snarl, the four Dorzhanev werewolves drop their crossbows and draw their swords.

Get your combat on. Map will be up tonite. For now, ROUND ONE Init will be Anna, Kim, Danica, Oathar, weres, Tolvan. State your intents, please.

So much for the value of +10 initiative. lol. Oh well.

Oathar's intentions are somewhat dependant on Anna's and Danica's and he goes after them anyway.

NOTE: You can't coordinate with Anna or Kimberly. They are climbing the far side of the wall from you. All you have is that they are climbing so as to provide/gain flanks with your enemies. And all of the PC slots are together when grouped. I should have made it clearer, but that's the way we've done it before, so I wasn't specific. So to recap: Group A goes first, which is everyone except Tolvan. Group A is Anna, Oathar, Danica, Kimberly in any order.

Map is up under 'Pronaos'. And disregard the bit about not coordinating, I forgot Anna and Kim were on the west wall next to you.

I'll state my intentions when I get home as office has blocked the site with the map. Are all 4 werewolves visible to us?

Anna will climb to the north side of the platform wall to snipe from the upper staircase. Double moving if she has to in order to stay hidden and to be within 30'.

Stealth: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (9) + 19 = 28

Oathar charges the lead were with power attack.
silversheen greatsword: 1d20 + 11 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 11 + 2 = 22 damage: 2d6 + 13 ⇒ (5, 3) + 13 = 21

Kimberly is only a short pace behind Anna as they climb. before Anna gets to far, Kimberly stops climbing and says a short prayer.

Lady Pharasma, bless those that fight in your name, and I ask fair judgement on those that are slain for you.

The Holy symbol embroidered on her cassock glows as a wave of energy washes over the party.

cast bless hopefully before people leave the area of effect.

I'll state my intentions when I get home as office has blocked the site with the map. Are all 4 werewolves visible to us?

Once you reach the top of the stairs, yes.

Danica charges as well and attacks the same werewolf that Oathar attacked.
Attack, Nunchaku, Bless: 1d20 + 11 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 11 + 1 = 18 not sure if that hits
Damage, Nuchaku, Silver, Flames of the Faithful: 1d6 + 2 + 1d6 + 1d6 ⇒ (6) + 2 + (5) + (1) = 14

Oathar and Danica's rush catches the Dorzhanev's by surprise, and the first takes a vicious cut from Oathar's sword.

Werewolf AC 22/12/20 Saves FRW 6/2/2

One were each engages the two from the front, while another moves around to flank them. The werewolves attack with sword and fang. A flurry of attacks and parries, and the only result is a nasty sword gash on the arm for Danica. -10hp Danica

Tolvan. Will update map tonite, but Danica and Oathar have moved up to the line formed by the werewolves. The weres have engaged, and flanked those two.

Moving for a clear shot Tolvan fires a silver arrow , preferably at the wounded werewolf.

+1 Composite Longbow: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 202d6 + 3 ⇒ (6, 5) + 3 = 14

without a map I am unsure if I can get a clear shot. If I cannot he would instead use his wand of Acid Arrow for a touch attack. Damage would be 2d4.