Sheik Voodoo's Katapesh Nights (Inactive)

Game Master voodoo chili

Clenching his staff in one hand, Karethas raises the other hand and with a shout clenches it. All members in the party find everything around them moving somewhat slower. The vampires blurred slashes slow to something more comprehensible, the glittering motes of dust fall more slowly to the ground.

Hit Points 37 of 37
AC 18 Touch AC 18 (Mage Armor, Protection from Evil, and Haste)
F/R/W 6/8/10 (Protection from Evil, Haste, and Prayer)
Conditions: -2 Chr & Dex
Haste 6/6 rounds
Glitterdust 5/6 rounds

I can't get anything right. I did not realize that we had any buffs up.

With prayer and rapid shot, all attacks should be 1 less than rolled and the damage should be +5 total. Although since I took the bad guy down, none of this really matters.

So perplexed...

Round 1:

Amir slashes at a vampire {c7} with his swords.

Simin: 1d20 + 11 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 11 - 2 + 1 = 30
Simin confirm?: 1d20 + 11 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 11 - 2 + 1 = 21
Simin Damage: 1d6 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 3 + 1 = 9
Simin Confirm Dam: 1d6 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 3 + 1 = 9

Sholeh: 1d20 + 11 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 11 - 2 + 1 = 13 Anndd no.

Simin slashes open the black robes of the abomination and cuts deep into pale bloodless flesh. A swarm of silver arrows drive down another vampire and it disperses into a vile looking cloud that drifts back toward the oasis though the night air is still.

The unholy imam directly in front of her suffers the most from Varkata's channeled rotgut. Karethas casts a spell and suddenly the mortals are moving as quickly as the glittering vampires. getting waay too Anne Rice for me ; )

Boosted by arcane swiftness, Amir parries a dark scimitar. Motes still glitter in the moonlight and blind the other two, but they are far from incapacitated. In fact, they seem to sense the priestess' defensive gesture and one blade jabs in to wound the half-orc. It is not a deep cut, but it seems to draw off her essence as surely as the undead's touch. Varkata- 4 slash, 1 neg level. Another ray of holy light streaks from the rock behind you and burns the offending vampire destroying it. A cloud of unwholesome mist retreats.

map- C8 dispersed

Round 2
Amir
R3
Kzrira
Varkata
Karethas
Unholy Imams/Lammasu

Well that's hardly sporting. We need an enchanted bellows or something to capture them. Guess some of my level 2s will be lesser restoration tomorrow.

Varkata winces and says, "What's the matter? Don't like the good stuff?", taking a careful step back and then unleashing another blast of burning energy at the undead.

Channel: 3d6 ⇒ (1, 2, 1) = 4 DC 14 *grumble*

Well that's hardly sporting. Guess some of my level 2s will be lesser restoration tomorrow.

you guys have really had your bacon saved by the array of defensive spells. that was almost a crit and Amir barely missed a neg level as well :(

Well, that's why we cast the defensive spells, to be fair. :) They're just lucky that my other level 3 default is Dispel Magic and not Summon III -- lantern archons would be very useful right now.

My next move actually. Too bad I cant cast IV yet.

So perplexed...

same here! Simin is an actual silver short sword, right?

Round 3
Gritting her teeth as she sees her companion being shredded by the malevolent creatures, she redoubles her efforts to take down the former warriors focusing first on the one that just hit Varkata

Attack-rapid shot-silver@D9: 1d20 + 13 + 1 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 13 + 1 - 2 + 1 = 18 <-- +1 haste, +1 prayer, -2 rapid shot
Damage: 1d8 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 6 + 1 = 11

Attack-rapid shot-silver@D9: 1d20 + 13 + 1 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 13 + 1 - 2 + 1 = 32
Damage: 1d8 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 6 + 1 = 11

Attack-rapid shot-silver@D9: 1d20 + 8 + 1 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 8 + 1 - 2 + 1 = 22
Damage: 1d8 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 6 + 1 = 11

Attack-rapid shot-silver@D9: 1d20 + 13 + 1 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 13 + 1 - 2 + 1 = 24
Damage: 1d8 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 6 + 1 = 10

Several of the silver arrows once more strike home (hopefully).

KArethas notices how close the vampire is and gets uncomfortable. He pulls out a wing feather and blows it into the air. His shoes lift off the ground and he flies himself behind the Lammasu.

I8 10' up.

and where's Amir?

I'm here, lost a post.will redo in the morning.

-Posted with Wayfinder

Yeh, the site went all wonky last night. I lost one before I gave up.

Yes Simin is silver, which I realize is noted in my now missing description of the swords but not mechanically in my combat line...which I will change.

Amir will continue to attack the one in front of him:

Simin!: 1d20 + 11 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 11 - 2 + 1 = 16 Simin is Silver and +1
Damge?: 1d6 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 3 + 1 = 9

And either on that one or the next...

Sholeh: 1d20 + 11 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 11 - 2 + 1 = 20
Damage: 1d6 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 3 + 1 = 8 Sholeh is not silver but is +1

hasted Simin!: 1d20 + 11 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 11 - 2 + 1 = 17 Simin is Silver and +1
Damage?: 1d6 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 3 + 1 = 9

Even with the boost of Karethas' spell, Amir has a hard time hitting the dark form. Sholeh hits, but it is just a grazing blow off the unnatural flesh of the undead. Kzrira sends a volley into the far vampire leaving it staggering. Varkata cannot follow up her boast and the second blast of divine energy does little harm. They draw upon some blasphemous vitality that slowly mends their wounds. Karethas floats upward beyond reach as the unholy imams strike back.

Again, the blinded vampire finds its target leaving a slight cut across Varkata's cheek. The dark scimitar siphons off some of her vital energy as it tastes her blood. Amir fares better dodging a wild arc of tarnished steel. The lammasu crouches upon its rock, ready to pounce should any of the companions fall.
Varkata- 4 slash, + 1 neg level

Round 3
Amir
R3
Kzrira
Varkata
Karethas
Unholy Imams/Lammasu

Karethas begins the incantations of a summoning spell, rings of arcane symbols circling him in three dimensions.

Are these permanent negative levels or temporary?

Just die again stupid things.

Kzrira continues to launch silvery shots at the undead Imams hoping to take them down before they have the chance to cause any more problems.

Attack: 1d20 + 13 + 1 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 13 + 1 - 2 + 1 = 27 <-- +1 haste, +1 prayer, -2 rapid shot
Damage: 1d8 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 6 + 1 = 15

Attack: 1d20 + 13 + 1 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 13 + 1 - 2 + 1 = 21 <-- +1 haste, +1 prayer, -2 rapid shot
Damage: 1d8 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 6 + 1 = 12

Attack-haste: 1d20 + 13 + 1 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 13 + 1 - 2 + 1 = 21 <-- +1 haste, +1 prayer, -2 rapid shot
Damage: 1d8 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 6 + 1 = 15

Attack-iterative: 1d20 + 8 + 1 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 8 + 1 - 2 + 1 = 19 <-- +1 haste, +1 prayer, -2 rapid shot
Damage: 1d8 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 6 + 1 = 9

Again several arrows strike the undead.

Hit the most injured first, then the other one with any remaining shots.

Amir lets out a yell of frustration as he continues his assault.

Simin: 1d20 + 11 - 2 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 11 - 2 + 1 + 1 = 24
Damage: 1d6 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 3 + 1 = 9

Sholeh: 1d20 + 11 - 2 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 11 - 2 + 1 + 1 = 20
Damage?: 1d6 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 3 + 1 = 6

Simin Haste: 1d20 + 11 - 2 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 11 - 2 + 1 + 1 = 12Garbage.

Simin pierces the black robes, but Sholeh barely breaks the hard pale flesh. In yet another flurry, silver arrows puncture the remaining vampires and another pair of suspect clouds meander away back to the oasis. Asim-Ashraf roars at the retreating vapors, but lies down again upon his rock instead of engaging in futile pursuit.

Neg levels require a DC 16 fort save in 24 hrs or they become permanent.

Kzrira looks to the others:
Should we follow them? I don't think that we killed them, aren't there special ways to kill vampires?

The lammasu raises his head only to chuckle with little humor. "This is a scene played over many, many times since first I arrived. The only way to destroy them is to uncover their hidden crypt somewhere in the depths of the oasis. Many have tried and many have failed. Believe me that they will be far more difficult to destroy in the cursed jungles within which they lurk."

Kzrira glances back to her companions.
Any thoughts? We can head back and make sure that all our weapons have a silver sheen. That at least hurts them. We also need to make sure that Varkata is back together again. We can't head in if the drunk lord's servant is under the weather.

Varkata shakes her head, "I'll be fine. I didn't want to use my most powerful magics in case their master came."

She turns to the leonine creature and says, "You were wise to warn us, even if you went about it somewhat badly. Still, this is nothing we can't handle with a bit of preparation."

She nods at Kzrira's suggestion, "That might be wise, now that we know what we're facing.. as sharp as my blade is, it isn't silver... And it wouldn't hurt to have some holy water...or research any other weaknesses vampires may have..."

She sighs, " Assuming our new friend would let us return without needing to prove ourselves and use up our magic and strength."

The lammasu peers down at you and sighs. "You have shown that you have some ability. I will no longer hinder you."

Unless someone wants to attack immediately, I think that we should head back to the nearest town where Varkara can get some silversheen or something similar, same for Amir's offhand weapon. And, where I can buy a hundred or more silver tipped arrows. This will also allow Varkata to heal.

Except for random encounters, or Voodoo encounters, we can probably just hand waive this shopping trip. It is a shopping trip right? Girls always like shopping for pretty silver trinkets.

Karethas sighs, "It's so much time to go back and forth....I suppose it is the prudent thing to do though. Some scrolls or potions to counteract their draining ability should be on our list too."

I agree

Funny enough Simin IS usually my off hand sword. Not that it matters since they are the same except for material.

Unless someone wants to attack immediately, I think that we should head back to the nearest town where Varkara can get some silversheen or something similar, same for Amir's offhand weapon. And, where I can buy a hundred or more silver tipped arrows. This will also allow Varkata to heal.

Mind you that you are in an extremely remote part of the western wastes that hasn't even had a trade route for decades. The closest city that would have such supplies would be either Katapesh or Solku.

How many days travel? This cursed place has been here for years, I doubt that leaving for a few days is likely to change it much. I am good going forward. I just think that we are not really well prepared for this fight at present.

------

Would I be able to recover any of the arrows that hit the vampires? When they turned into clouds of smoke, I would think that the arrows would have dropped to the ground mostly undamaged.

Would I be able to recover any of the arrows that hit the vampires?

No. Ammunition that hits is not recoverable.

Back to Katapesh? There are a few salt villages in the region, but the capital is your best bet. I'd have to check, but less than a week away- 5 days maybe?

1d20 + 7 - 2 ⇒ (12) + 7 - 2 = 17

To be fair, I could have used a lesser restoration to get rid of them, but Varkata's loading up with combat spells... Also, I suddenly miss the paladin.

Up to you all. Karethas can memorize several Mount spells tomorrow and we can ride hard. I have a good ride skill, so I might be able to ride ahead, or alone, and get there faster.

5 days is a while, but if it means being prepared for what looks to be a tough undead section of the campaign, I think the extra time is worth it.

Kzrira is not really up for dying again - or becoming undead.

IT seems to me worth it to go back, buy some supplies, maybe some scrolls. I actually have UMD so if there are wands or scrolls worth having me try to use we can look at that too? Nothing about this situation screams STAY HERE< DO IT NOW! So I think we should take the time we need.

The remainder of the night passes without disturbance other than the occasional weird howl from the cursed oasis. In the morning the Heroes continue their discussion on whether to return for equipment or stay and make the best of what they have.

I'll take that as a decision to return to Katapesh.

Sadly finding themselves ill prepared by the rumors about the oasis that they heard back in the city, it is decided to return to remedy this. Ashraf-Asim wishes the Heroes well and hopes they live long lives by not returning to the accursed place.

The journey back through the hottest part of the year is tiring, but finally you once again approach the great walls that encircle the capital perched between desert and sea on the first day of Sarenith.

no problem with purchases if you've got the money. Any other business, check-ins, etc? Where will you be staying?

Would it be possible for Karethas and Varkata to scribe a few scrolls on the road (well, during camping.. using the rules for such)

How much do silver tip arrows cost? Normal is 1gp/20. Alchemical Silver adds 2gp to ammunition. Is it 3gp/20 arrows or 41gp/20 arrows? I plan on buying 100 silver arrows.

I think it's the latter, actually.

Ok, will deduct 205 gold. Have some to spare if anyone wants to drop 750gp to silversheen their weapons

Wouldn't it be cheaper to buy Weapon Blanch (silver) for arrows? 5gp covers 10 arrows -- and lasts until they strike something. (Since ammo's not reusable..)

But, yes, I'd need to borrow money for silversheen.

Yup, weapon blanch is much cheaper. Will buy 100 arrows and 10 uses, saves me 150gp.

If someone needs it, I have about 1200 gold at this point.

guys, if all your conversation is ooc, put it in the discussion thread please. sigh. again, where will you be staying? you'll need at least one night in town. are you checking in with anyone?

The Heroes of Kelmerane stop outside the city to rest and await night time when they are less likely to be spotted by the trio of rapacious that have been inquiring about the Scroll of Kakishon. One could only hope that the clamor has died down over the week that the group has been in the Western Wastes, but Marzuk, Badra, and Tamir are not likely to have forgotten. Karethas puts some finishing touches on a newly scribed scroll and the adventurers pass through the gates just after dusk. They quickly make their way to the Lower City making their purchases and checking into a nondescript and forgettable inn for the night.

"rapacious merchants", that would be inquiring there.

"I would like to meet up with Dean Xobhadi to see if he has dug up any more information about the scroll. Also, if you are going to the Immaculate Vault Varkata, then I hope you were planning to ask for any information you can get on the powers and weaknesses of vampires."

Kzrira nods to Karethas' response.
Powers, weaknesses, and any magic that they might have to stop the damned creatures before they harm anyone else.

The next morning, Karathas decides to swing by his Mentor's villa while the others visit the Abadarians. The young conjurer reaches the gates when he realizes that something is wrong. A patrol of the Zephyr Guard, the highly trained mercenary guards of Katapesh intercept him and ask to speak with him inside...

*******

At the Temple, there is little time for talk of vampires. As soon as the Heroes appear, the Vudrani priestess, Kazim, is summoned to hurriedly lead them to the private chapel once again where they can talk...