Rise of the Runelords

Game Master Upaynao

Korghym rushes forward, but seems distracted with protecting Andrezi. "Get behind me! You risk all our lives with your own!"

Kiera sends another ray into the fight, but this one misses the mark.
Meanwhile, Korghym rushes into the battle, calling for Andrezi to fall back behind protection. Korghym swings his hammer, but is unable to connect even with a restrained foe!

R: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 1 = 20
G: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
The two remaining scarecrows struggle against their bonds, with the nearer one giving another scream as it rips free! It steps closer to the clustered living meat moaning with an incomprehensible hunger and thirst!

Bite vs A: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11
Claw 1 vs K: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10
Claw 2 vs V: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19

Dmg: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
Plus DC 13 for save or be Paralyzed: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3 rounds
The creature wades in, biting at Andrezi and swiping its deadly claws at Korghym and Volkar. Volkar unfortunately is the only one to get nailed though.

The three watchmen rush forward to help. Unable to get close enough for swords, their bows sing as they raise and fire! The first two arrows go wide with the heavy press around the ghoul, but the third one sinks home!
R: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10
G: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3
Y: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19
Dmg: 1d8 ⇒ 3

Bold May Post
Andrezi
Volkar- 3 dmg, DC 13 Fort
Kiera
Korghym
Ghouls
~Red- 7 dmg
~Green- 4 dmg
Watchmen

Kiera does her best to blast the one on the loose, though with all the scrambling and fighting it's hard for her to aim.

Ranged touch attack, past cover, into melee: 1d20 + 4 - 4 - 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 - 4 - 4 = 12
Disrupt undead damage: 1d6 ⇒ 4

Kiera takes out the attacking Ghoul, despite the furious melee in front of her!

Bold May Post
Andrezi
Volkar- 3 dmg, DC 13 Fort
Kiera
Korghym
Ghouls
~Green- 4 dmg
Watchmen

Andrezi pulls his starknife from his hip, ready to strike should the creature break free of its bonds.

Readied Starknife: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15
Damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Korghym moves between the ghoul and his new allies, then rolls forward on the balls of his feet, perfectly balanced. "This one is mine. Just make sure you all stay safe."

Andrezi readies his star knife while Korghym marches over to the restrained ghoul and readies himself for a whopper of a smack!

Str: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9
The creature continues to struggle against its bonds!!

R: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14
Y: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16
G: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11

Dmg: 2d8 ⇒ (8, 8) = 16
The watchmen continue to pour arrows over your heads, the whistling death arcing down and two of the arrows thudding into the creature still tied to the crossbar. With a final squeal, the ghoul falls silent and still.

Volkar- 3 dmg, DC 13 Fort

"I am hating those things more and more," Volkar said as he looked down at where he was bleeding from the last thing's attack. He looked about at the pathway, shook his head, and then asked. "Didn't we need to find a house or farmstead? Are we even going the right direction?"

===

"Yeah... not sure how much further to go."

"First things first. Let's make sure Volkar isn't one of them now." Korghym grabs a handful of the other dwarf's beard and pulls his mouth open. "Say, ahh"

Heal: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

"What -- ahhhh," Volkar started to protest as Korghym grabbed his beard and pulled on it. At the same time, he felt a flush of warmth pulse through his body and bind close the slashed skin. He managed to get out an oddly sounding "Thanks, I think."

Concerned for his new companions wellbeing, Korghym yanks Volkars beard down to open his mouth and examine him. Yup, thats a mouth. With some teeth.. and perhaps a tongue.. who knows what that thing is..

Meanwhile, the stinging burn of Volkars wounds slowly fades away.

The tunnel through the fields winds its way around the property line and back north towards where you entered the field. Ahead, near the next junction, you once again see more scarecrows standing guard over an intersection of the tunnel.

"More damned scarecrows?" Andrezi rhetorically asks in disgust. "Kiera, care to test the subjects with your cantrip again?"

"Yes, of course," says Kiera. She motions for the dwarves to accompany her as she gets close enough to fire her cantrip at the various bodies - or people - on the scarecrow posts.

"Let's do this right for a change." Korghym walks a few feet in front of his companions, then strings his bow and notches an arrow. "You all stand behind me and shoot or throw stuff. You'd be surprised how quickly all those nicks and scratches add up, if you keep taking them."

"Agreed," Volkar added and the asked, so we went in a giant circle? Might we try a different direction to find this farm?"

1d3 ⇒ 2
The team sorts themselves out across the trail and Kiera fires her litmus test at the green cloaked scarecrow.
Disrupt Undead: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7
Disrupt Undead: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23
Dmg: 1d6 ⇒ 3

The first ray goes wide, but the second one strikes the scarecrow right in the middle of the chest, eliciting a roar of rage that also sets the creature to the far left roaring and struggling!

Red: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
Green: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8
Two of the three scarecrows struggle madly against their bindings, while the third hangs still.

"Bold May Post"
Ghouls
~Red
~Green- 3 dmg
~Blue
Kiera
Volkar
Korghym
Andrezi
Watchmen
~G
~Y
~R

Kiera fires again at the green-cloaked monster with a singular syllable and an accusatory pointing finger.

Disrupt undead ranged touch: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

"So, can you kill these are do we need to get a bit closer," Volkar said to Korghymn and the guards. "I really don't want to use another of the bombs, if we can make them into pin cushions."

"Make the ghouls come to us. They can't attack as well while running."

Korghym takes a deep breath, and the veins in his forearms suddenly pop out. He pulls back the taut bowstring and punches an arrowhead several inches deep into the green-shirted ghoul's torso.

"Guards, Fire! Starting with the injured one."

Andrezi takes aim at the green clad ghoul with his crossbow.

Crossbow: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8
Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 4

Kiera sends another bolt of energy off, but it goes wide around the struggling ghoul.

Volkar seeks advice from the others, and Korghym advises him to stand by and wait as he launches an arrow that sinks deep into the farthest ghoul eliciting another scream from the creature.

Andrezi picks his crossbow and sends a quarrel away, but this too zips past its target.

The watchmen stand to, taking Korghyms and Volkars advice and sending a stream of arrows at the wounded ghoul.
G: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11
Y: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21
R: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

Y: 1d8 ⇒ 4

Even though only one arrow lands on its mark, the second arrow is enough to leave the ghoul hanging limply.

The blue cloaked scarecrow still does not move, while the other continues to struggle futilely against its bindings.
Strength: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

"Bold May Post"
Ghouls
~Red
~Blue
Kiera
Volkar
Korghym
Andrezi
Watchmen
~G
~Y
~R

Now that's more like it. Nobody's getting bitten by those rotten teeth this time.

"Keep at it! Aim for the one with the red scarf!"

Fully into his rage now, Korghym almost bends the bow in two and sends a powerful shot streaking toward the other ghoul.

Andrezi re-loads and fires at the scarecrow in red.

Crossbow: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14
Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 6

Kiera squint with one eye and focuses as she takes aim with another ray of positive energy at the ghoul with the red scarf.

Ranged touch attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18
Disrupt undead damage: 1d6 ⇒ 5

Volkar watched the bolts and arrows fly first into the one scarecrow that went limp, then into the other that was still fighting at its bonds. He moved forward following after the attacks and had his ax at the ready. "Well, you pinned that one, but what about this one in the blue?"

"Kiera. Andrezi. Is the third one a ghoul or just a scarecrow?"

"Don't know. Could just be playing possum, but if I blast it several times with positive energy and it doesn't turn to dust, odds are good it's not undead."

Andrezi reloads his crossbow.

"After you, Miss Kiera." the priest says, awaiting the results of Kiera's cantrip.

"Hit it Miss Kiera," Volkar said over his shoulder. "If it doesn't whither about, then I can pull off the hood and take a peak."

We don't know if Red is down yet! Waiting for the DM.

Gaining recompense for all of the missed shots thus far, the screaming scarecrow is feathered and spelled into redeath and oblivion by the determined young warriors.

Turning your attentions to the final figure, Kiera continues the pattern, sending another blast of energy at it as it stands still.
Disrupt Undead: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22
Dmg: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11

Despite the wash of energy striking it square in the chest, it does not react.

The watchmen stand to, watching their leaders for further instruction.

"Bold May Post"
Ghouls
~Blue
Kiera
Volkar
Korghym
Andrezi
Watchmen
~G
~Y
~R

"Either it's alive and unaware, or dead, or undead and really good at faking it," says Kiera. "Let's get it down."

"Archers be at the ready then. One of you be ready to catch that when it falls," Volkar closed the distance and moved turrets the back of the scarecrow. He took his time and then with his ax cut loose the bonds while looking at the guard to catch the body on the pole.

"A moment first, till the shakes pass. Those few seconds of battle can be tougher than they look."

Korghym walks up to the last scarecrow slowly, then works both feet back and forth in the dust and readies his longhammer.

Mechanically, asking Volkar to wait until my post-rage fatigue passes (4 rounds).

"What? What? Fine we can wait a bit if needed," Volkar answered after hearing Korghym pause. He continued to step from side to side, getting his strokes ready in his mind to make sure the scare crow would be released when he struck with his axe. "Still would like to know where this farmhouse lies."

"It feels like we may have just scouted the perimeter. I'm expecting the farmhouse to be somewhere in the middle."

Andrezi nods. "That's a fair assumption. Do we want to head straight for the middle or do we want to make another, albeit tighter, perimeter ring?"

The priest pauses for a moment before adding, "For what it's worth, my vote is to head for the middle."

"My mother would say to clear an inner circle first, but my good old father would charge right in."

"Let's just get this one down, and then find the farmhouse," Volkar said as he looked at Korghym then motioned to the guard to be ready to catch the scarecrow. He swung his ax at the bonds that held the scarecrow to the post and recovered ready for another swing if necessary.

"These ghouls feel a lot like guards, which makes me think we should discuss a few things before searching for their master."

Real life seems to be getting the best of our GM again, so what say our characters get to know each other a little?

Kiera is looking suspiciously across the fields of grain when Korghym speaks up. She turns her attention to the dwarf warrior. Thus far, their adventure has been more harrowing than exertion, so her expression is one of curiosity.

"What did you have in mind, Korghym?" says Kiera politely. She takes the opportunity to adjust the kerchief that tries valiantly (but fails) to keep her unruly dark hair in place.

It has been a rough couple of weeks as I take on a new journey in life. During the transition, I am working 6-7 days a week and going back and forth between days and nights between two jobs. The pay checks are amazing, but it is taking a toll on me annd everything I do.. Thank you for your patience with me!!

The crew waits as Korghym's rage passes, leaving him wilting in the sun for a few moments. As the crew hefts their weapons once more, they stare warily at the remaining scarecrow where it hangs unmoving.

Volkar cautiously moves in with the guardsmen flanking him, and tentatively reaches forward with his ax. Noticing a few stay wisps of straw poking out here and there bolsters his courage as he steps up and cuts the restraining wires. As he does, the straw filled clothes sink to the ground.. a mundane scarecrow in a field of horrors.

Resolutely, you move forward, circling around the field and back up towards where you started. Ahead the path splits once more, and as usual another scarecrow sits near the junction. Following what has become standard protocol, Kiera moves forward and once more casts the litmus test of a spell.

Disrupt Undead: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17
Dmg: 1d6 ⇒ 2

With a Squeal, this newest scarecrow screams out its rage as it begins struggling against its bindings.

The ghoul fights and struggles, but remains tied to the post.
Str: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Bold May Post
Ghoul- 2 dmg
[/b]Kiera[/b]
Watchmen
~Red
~Yellow
~Green
Korghym
Volkar
Andrezi

Disrupt undead: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22
Disrupt damage: 1d6 ⇒ 3

Kiera blasts it once more as the dwarves and guards ready their fusillade of arrows.

The watchmen come forward and lose a flight of arrows into the air at the ghoul-on-a-stick!

R: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5
G: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15
Y: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

G: 1d8 ⇒ 8

One out of three hit, but it is the one that counts. The arrow falls out of the air and strikes like an avenging angel, tearing through the animated corpses head.

Continuing around the field and through the tunnels, the way once more opens up ahead, this time with two of the scarecrow figures before you.

Korghym looks at the scarecrows, then the wizard. "Kiera?"

"I truly grow tired of this," Volkar looked at the two scare crows and then back at the rest of the group. "It's getting later, and we may find ourselves in a bad place come night time."

Kiera taps her lips a few times at Volkar's comment. "Yeah. We don't want to be stuck out here at night. If we don't find the house soon we may have no choice but to head back."

She does the obligatory business of casting her cantrip repeatedly at the scarecrows until she hits and finds out which might be undead.

Kiera sends off two bolts of energy, and eventually manages to hit both scarecrows.. but neither one of them respond to her magic.

"Hmmph, amazingly enough it would seem those two are actual scarecrows." Andrezi comments. "Shall we continue on?"