Savage Kirthfinder

Game Master Kirth Gersen

Gwl chases after the scoundrel, intent on catching him alive.

"If I have to chase you, I'll kill you," he calls after the fleeing thug. "Stop now and answer my questions and I'll let you live."

The thug sprints for it. Looks like he's headed for Dead Dog Alley, maybe?

Opposed Streetwise
1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

Streetwise: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (13) - 1 = 12

"Well, I gave you a chance."

You grab him as he enters Dead Dog Plaza -- it seemed like he was about to jump into the well there, for all the good that would do him.

Gwl is as good as his word and attacks the thug as soon as he is catches up to him.

Claw: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 101d4 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6
Claw: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 261d4 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8 Crit: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 241d4 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5
Bite: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 201d4 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

Ripping into flesh with bloodthirsty abandon, he soon slaughters the man. Surprised and definitely horrified at his own bloodlust, he tries to calm down as he returns to the pair he left behind. Once there, he looks them over. If either (or both) still lives, he attempts to revive them.

Take a Breather. HP 19/23 (4 non-lethal)
Heal: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15 Heal: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18

"Now, you came to give me a message. I'm all ears. Start talking."

Korynne makes it clear to her religious contacts that she appreciates the offer of an expedition, but she'll hold off for now. Mostly she's interested in whether anyone can identify the huecuva's golden holy symbol.

Jym Withawye wrote:

"So, if this Penkus was in good standing with the Lotus Dragons, that's something we could use to make Vanthus a common enemy."

" Hmm, so back to Parrot Island then? Maybe we can find some clues or proof to present to these Lotus Dragons that Vanthus has betrayed them."

Uro hefts his axe over his shoulder. " I also wouldn't mind another crack at those zombies. I think I missed a few with the boulders I rained down on them from the trap door."

"I think it's definitely worth a shot. I don't particularly want to, you know, ever go back there, but I think it's our best option to find some clues to point to Vanthus. By the way, have either of you seen Wil? Jym, I assume you helped him procure a suitable new outfit?"

Going back to the original ambush site, you see that one guy staggered 30 feet and then collapsed, exhausted; he'll be fine in a bit, albeit still wounded. The other bled out -- and this being Shadowshore, nobody bothered to assist him.

The first guy gasps, "What the hell are you, anyway?!"

Re-reading back a couple pages, I'm not sure if Gwl's battle is occurring at the same time as our conversation. Plus, I can only assume that Jym and Gwl found some sort of appropriate clothing for Gwl, but I'll leave it up to heliopolix to describe the new attire -- although Jym Withawye Fashion Services are, of course, available.

Jym excitedly answers Korynne's questions and then shows her and Uro the new derby hat he bought.

Yes, indeed! This NEEDS to be an in-person game, as soon as everyone comes to Houston. Drinks are on me!

Gwl's new attire consists primarily of a simple long, hooded black robe. For times when the robe would be conspicuous, he wears a loose-fitting shirt and trousers, with rope sandals. Without the hood, he wears a length of black silk wrapped around his head, covering everything but his eyes.

If this sounds like a traditional ninja uniform, well ... that's exactly what it is. Jym is perfectly welcome to suggest any appropriate embellishments he feels like.

"I'm the guy that's looking for Vanthus. He tried to kill me. Now, tell me where I can find him."

"Try the well over there."

"That's it? Down the well? Then what? Tell me about any traps, or watchwords."

Dissatisfied with how his interrogation is going, but not eloquent enough to finesse answers out, and unwilling to unleash the monster again, Gwl gives up and leaves in frustration. He returns to the inn and shares what he's learned with the others.

"The Lotus Dragon's hideout is down the well in Dead Dog Alley. In Shadowshore. Some thugs told me. We should go check it out."

Responding to the discussion on Penkus, he replies, "we can go back to Parrot Island, too. One of the thugs that ambushed me didn't die, so they could be willing to talk, next time."

Sorry, DM up against brutal work deadline and making negative progress towards goal. Will be able to focus more by next week.

It's all good! Real life happens.

No worries, I've been in a similar, if less brutal position.

Your interrogation of the thug indicates that the well leads down to "the crucible." It can be gradually flooded with water, generally faster than a person can climb out. There's no password -- it's all done by recognition.

Welcome back!

Gwl passes on the information from the thug to the rest of the group at the inn.

"I want to hit Vanthus before he knows we're coming. But, that 'crucible' sounds dangerous for the rest of you. No way they are mistaking me for one of their own, so we had probably better head back to Parrot Island to try and get more information from that Penkus fellow - or rather, his body. Leave at first light?"

Welcome back!

Thanks! Good to be back!

"We didn't come up with any other leads, so I'm for it!"

"I suppose it's better than drowning. Time for some payback against those shambling corpses.

"...Nice new outfit, by the way, Gil. It certainly looks comfortable, anyway. I'll prepare to leave in the morning."

The group heads back to Parrot Island ASAP. They are looking for Vanthus. They are looking for him using the leads that they probably found upthread.

Ummm, yeah, can you give me more to go on? ;P

Upon returning to Parrot Island, the group descends into the tunnels again. They are looking for Penkus, former associate of Vanthus, presumed dead, possibly undead, potentially already dead-undead from Uro's axe. Presuming Korynne shares rumors about the hidden treasure there, they will also be looking for that.

Almost immediately, you happen upon a trio of the remaining zombies!
Initiative: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (14) + 0 = 14

Round 1

Initiative: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24

Having tapped her hat and activated its reading light, Korynne stands behind the beefy Uro and the newly sharp toothed Wil, her knife in one hand and her new golden holy symbol in the other. "Time for a little clean up and revenge, wouldn't you say, friends?" With that, she raises her symbol in the air, casting a spell to invigorate her companions.
Casting bless!

Round 1 HP 23/23

Init: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 1 = 13

"Yes, time for revenge. Let's rip them to shreds!"

Initiative: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21

"I'm really excited to be back here!" Jym lies as he climbs down the presumable rope and pulls out Banjo.

Inspire courage at +1

Initiative: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (2) - 1 = 1
Uro nods to Korynne and growls in anger as he awaits sinking his axe into a mushy zombie head.
Rage!!
Power Attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22
Damage: 2d8 + 10 ⇒ (1, 2) + 10 = 13
2d8+10 gets me a 13, ha ha.

Count: Event
24: Korynne hears the zombies approaching, blesses the party (+1 morale to attacks).
21: Jym whips out his... fiddle and inspires courage (another +1 competence to attacks, damage).
14: Zombies close to melee range, cannot attack this round.
13: Gwl - ?
1: Uro swings, whallops one zombie (1d10+7+2=24), but it doesn't quite go down (2d8+10+1=14).

Bah, Uro think math overrated.

Gwl attacks the zombie that closed to him. Striking with his new claws, he rips into rotten flesh with determination. He hesitates to bite the putriud pirate, but when it doesn't fall, he grimaces and goes in for the kill.

Claws: 1d20 + 6 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 6 + 1 + 1 = 271d4 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 4 + 1 = 71d20 + 6 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 6 + 1 + 1 = 211d4 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 4 + 1 = 6
Bite: 1d20 + 1 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 1 + 1 + 1 = 201d4 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 2 + 1 = 4

Will use immediate action to Aid Another on Uro, adding +2 AC against the next attack he suffers from a foe within my reach.

Gwl's new claws prove far more effective against zombies than was his spear; unfortunately, his bite seems ineffective -- although his teeth pierce the undead flesh, they leave him nothing but the salt taste of sea water and the nauseating, putrid flavor of rotting flesh, and do apparently no damage to the monster. The claws alone nearly destroyed the zombie, but the bite is unable to finish the job.

Korynne, then Jym.

Bite attack does B,P, and S, right?

Bite attack does B,P, and S, right?

All the ones that come up in a quick PRD search look like piercing only -- if there's a general rule, I wish I could find it. Natural attacks are something that probably need to be spelled out in the forthcoming KF combat chapter, in fact.

Just as he thinks his bite is having no effect, Gwl chomps down harder and jerks back his head, shearing off the undead flesh. The zombie reels, then falls to the floor, finished.

Round 2

At the smell of the rot and salt spray as Wil bites into a zombie, the fine hairs on the back of Korynne's neck stand out as she flashes back to the last time they were all here. She starts to panic, but manages to calm herself down with a deep (but a little ragged) breath. She holds her knife at the ready as she stands behind Wil, ready to fend off undead limbs as they swing in.

I'll ready to attack if one gets in my range, but otherwise I'm just going to use my immediate action to aid Wil and give him +2 to AC.

Round 2

Uro's rage intensifies at the zombies stubbornness. "Fall you abomination." he growls lowly.

Power Attack: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 7 + 2 = 23

Damage: 2d8 + 10 + 1 ⇒ (1, 5) + 10 + 1 = 17

I can use my move action to help Gwl flank, right?

Round 2

Jym turns three of his sling stones into magic stones.

I can use my move action to help Gwl flank, right?

Better yet, just use your immediate action for this round. No need to maneuver; if you're both fighting the same target in melee, you just spend the action and get the benefit. In this case, you're giving Wil a +2 Aid Another bonus to attack ("flanking"), and he's giving you a +2 Aid Another bonus to AC vs. one attack, and Korynne is in turn giving him a +2 Aid Another bonus to AC vs. one attack.

I'll ready to attack if one gets in my range, but otherwise I'm just going to use my immediate action to aid Wil and give him +2 to AC.

Unfortunately, until you hit BAB +6 you have only one immediate action per round, so you can either do the Aid Another thing with it, or use it to trigger a held action, but not both.

Count: Event
24: Korynne moves adjacent to Wil.
21: Jym casts magic stone.
14: Zombies attack!

vs. Wil: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 221d6 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7
vs. Uro: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 111d6 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

Even with Korynne trying to ward off its attack, one zombie manages to bite Wil. 7 damage
Grapple: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25
It latches hold with its teeth, not letting go. Grappled condition

The other attacks Uro and misses.

Gwl, then Uro demolishes his zombie.

Round 2 HP 16/23, grappled: AC 14, CMD 19

Gwl spits out the rotten, salty chuck of flesh and screams in pain. His claws tear into the pirate's stomach, while he tries to sever the miserable creature's head with a vicious bite.

Claws: 1d20 + 6 + 1 + 1 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (12) + 6 + 1 + 1 + 2 - 2 = 201d4 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 4 + 1 = 61d20 + 6 + 1 + 1 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (14) + 6 + 1 + 1 + 2 - 2 = 221d4 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 4 + 1 = 9
Bite: 1d20 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (3) + 1 + 1 + 1 + 2 - 2 = 61d4 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 2 + 1 = 4

He comes away with nothing but a briny mouthful of hair, but his claws disembowel the foul creature.

I'm going to assume you clear out any remaining zombies with equal dispatch. Onward!

I can't find the link for the map you linked to a while back for this dungeon, Kirth. Do you still have it?

Map on page 5:

P1 = Entry room
P2 = Pool room w/closets & crabs
P3 - P5 = You don't know what's there.

"We don't know what this Penkus fellow looks like. Let's check the bodies again and see if you can recognize him."

Going to the rooms with the dead bodies and checking them over.

"We know he was a pirate. Maybe look for a skeletal parrot?" Uro walks with Gwl, looking over the bodies of the fallen zombies for any clues.

Perception if needed: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18

"We know he was a pirate. Maybe look for a skeletal parrot?"

"Is that racist? That seems racist, somehow. Nobody in Greenfields is a racist! Except for ol' Claraline Nubtutts. She's a great racist! She could race around town faster than anybody!"

"I'll apologize to the next parrot that I meet." The orc remarks casually as he digs through a dead persons pockets.