The 5th Mendevian Crusade (Inactive)

Game Master Brian Minhinnick

If you do decide to explore, here's a map. It was easier than I thought.

Map

The three smaller buildings are the collapsed ruins, even though they don't look like it on the map. They're basically piles of broken bleached wood inside short stone foundations. A few skeletal bits of the building's frames still stand. The large building is the barn. Bushy squares are difficult terrain. The wood colored line surrounding everything is a fence. It takes 10' of movement to cross it. (This is added in between squares. So L31->L30 is 15' of movement.)

Rosa looks around, well
]"nait Do a real 160 this time tell us whats on the other side, and look up as well"

Nathaniel blinks slowly at Rosa. "Look 'up'...? Why...? Well, if it will make you happy..." Nathaniel heads off, circling the barn at a distance of 100ft, and also soars over it at a height of 60ft, scanning the sky above, before returning to Rosa.

It's a barn. There is no door in the rear. The walls are made of thick sturdy timber, and are over 95% intact. The roof is in worse shape maybe 80% intact but the damage is spread out evenly over the whole roof. Again you see a brief flicker of movement inside, but when you do a double take it's gone.

Nathaniel hovers atop the barn, thinking hard. Finally, he sighs and glides over to one of the holes in the roof. He spins around upside down and pokes his head through the hole in the roof, ready to take off like a Magic Missile if something goes for him.

Rosa shakes her head.

"bet its blasted goblins, its always goblins."

"I expect that whoever is in there, goblins or not, may have already seen us. They are either hiding and hoping we don't notice them, or are preparing some kind of ambush. Let's hope Nathaniel doesn't get into too much trouble up there."

"I could assume the form of a small, mundane creature, such as a rat, and take a look inside? Not likely to raise alarm."

Nathaniel flips upside down and lowers his head into a hole in the barn. It takes a split second for his darkvision to kick in, but the smell assaults his nostrils instantly. The smell of death. The barn is full of shambling corpses in heavy armor. They are wearing the distinctive black plate armor of hellknights. Some have horned devil helmets on, while others are missing their helmets. The breastplates of their armor are forged to look like a howling devil's face.

Knowledge (Nobility) to determine more about them.

They appear to be oblivious to Nathaniel. Most of them are just standing there. Some are walking around. They lack the shuffling gait associated with normal zombies, their movements are as fluid in death as they would have been in life. The stalls where the animals would have been kept are all full of bones and other waste. Due to the heat, the stench is really quite horrible.

Map

Gagging on the stench, Nathaniel swivels his head, memorizing the layout of the barn, before flying out of the hole back to his comrades, landing with a broad grin.

"Excellent news! It's only undead. About two dozen; former Hellknights, to judge from their armour. Can't image why the're shambling around a barn, but they are. It stinks to high heaven and its black as pitch in there, so maybe they feel at home."

"Oh, and they seem to move a bit more gracefully than your usual stumbling corpse- might post more of a challenge. Any suggestions? I say we fight- leave them here and the next traveller to run across them will be skeleton-food. I'd say our battle-plan is to set alight the barn, wait outside the main door and engage them as they enter; we don't want to try and take them in their domain. And there's a chance they might be too stupid to notice the barn falling down around them."

Rosa seems some what peeved.

"Grums rusty balls thats all I *&&*^% need, well now I know what happened to the stupid &%%#&#, Ok buff up and I say we torch the place then true death any thing that comes out, Nathaniel I will need you to pour what ever we have that can start a fire over the outside of that barn, we also need to black the door out. It looks sturdy so should hold them for a wile, who's got a fire ball, once they get to hell it wall be more fire for them, any one have any other plan, because that all I can thing of, lock em in a back them, chap down any thing that makes it out, we need to do this with stealth and use the day light."

Rosa pulls out from her haversack five oil flaks and hands them to Nait.

I have a good fire ball 3ed level that should light them up sent in the front door, try and get the oil on all of them Nait from the top. Any others got stuff we can use?"

Nathaniel nods, and points towards the door- "With the dryness of the wood it should go up like firepowder once I spray the oil. I say we go over there (Y12) and cast our spells and when we're ready, you hit it with a fireball. Anyone else have any suggestions?"

While he waits for a response, Nathaniel taps himself on the chest and grows larger.

Cast Enlarge Person on self, 6 minutes duration.

Okay everyone please describe exactly what you're doing in what order. You're not going to be able to soak the whole barn with 5 oil flasks. More like 5 squares. Also, the door is closed, but not barred or chained or anything. A fireball would likely ignite the barn (especially the oil soaked parts), but not all at once.

My desired order:
1. Discuss battle plans
2. Soak the roof of the barn near the door with oil
3. Everyone goes to Y12
4. Everyone buffs
5. Rosa lets off her fireball and sets the barn roof on fire
6. We wait for the corpses to break through the door, wait until they get close enough that we won't suffer fire damage then start taking them out.

GM 1: is there a bar to the door 2:The idea to get the the barn going and let it brun, so guys if you have any thing that can get it going please now is the time. Once we have it locked (hope Nath can do this) we can get in place, So is the front the only way out, or is there a big hole in the side GM? need to know if there is any big problems in the plan that would could see, Like the oil getting things started, when Nath looked in was there straw inside, that will go up fast etc.

"Oil will do some of it but we need more to get the building going what has every one got that will help, The idea is to keep them in there as long as we can, fighting 12 undead hell knights is not a good idea and there may be more in the other biudling we do not know about so keeping them unaware of us until its to late is key."

It's a barn. There is no door in the rear. The walls are made of thick sturdy timber, and are over 95% intact. The roof is in worse shape maybe 80% intact but the damage is spread out evenly over the whole roof....The stalls where the animals would have been kept are all full of bones and other waste.

No holes in the walls, except for small vents under the eaves of the roof. Also no bar on the door.

I haven't got any equipment to lock the doors. Do we block them ourselves? Also, its TWO dozen not a dozen.

"Well if we are going to torch that place down, might as well do it properly. I have a hammer and some iron spikes so someone should hammer the door shut. I also have five vials of alchemists fire, I would like to keep one because of it's applications with magic. My suggestion would be to first cast any spells to help us with the fight in case they get out, after that Nathaniel flies above the roof and pours the oil. Then someone hammers the door shut, while others arange some way from the door to wait any strugrells that manage to brake trough. This is followed by Rosa casting the fireball, then Nathaniel starts throwing the alchemists fire to start fires in different places preferably trough the holes in the roof. If people have torches those could also be used."The prospect of a grand fire seems to please the man, judging by the grin on his face.

Suggested plan of action:
1. Buff spells.
2. Nathaniel goes above the roof and pours the oil.
3. X Hammers the door shut, While others set up positions.
4. Rosa fireball.
5. Nathaniel starts additional fires with Alchemists fire.
6. Something comes out hit it until it's dead...again.

"Viorel that will do the job nice, lets hope the doors open out and most do on a barn. Master Dwarf how are you with closing door shut and keeping undead at bay, the lady of the drawn I am told has hate in her heart for the undead. How about you show us some of that. Nath Vioels right you will have to do a lot of work, and casting spells to help you would I think be the right thing. so if you would like hells shield of faith then its yours. If we do this right we will have the place going fine, just keep an eye open for the others in the other building.

Rosa gets herself ready

Waiting for others to post

"Sounds like a plan. I may have missed a part of it though. The fireball is being sent into the barn rather than against the front door, correct? Is there a hole to send it through, or will the doors be closed afterwards?".

"Plan sounds workable.

Torin casts longstrider on himself(5hrs) and bless on everybody.(+1atk, +1dmg and +1 to fear saves for 5mins)

Nathaniel pauses for a moment, staring at Barek, before a wide smile takes ahold of his face and he turns to Rosa.

"Thanks to our comrade, an idea has occurred to me. How would you like me to lift you up so you can rain fiery death down on those undead through the holes in the roof? I should have the strength to hold you by the back of your armour."

With Enlarge Person I have a medium-load carrying capacity of 1066lbs. Awhile back I did some calculations and Rosa should have a weight of 831.5 lbs. This can be done.

Edited

"All right Nathaniel time to head up there and start pouring lets get that door spiked, we will all go if they push we can hold it wile its spiked, Spells good lets go."

Casting Shield of faith on myself and Barek +2ac then on me Bull's Strength +4STR Align Weapon (law) Protection from Chaos all 6mins, will walk to the door looping down not up on the map to give Nath time got get started. Once he starts we will spike the door at the same time.

Viorel starts rumming trough his belongings handing a hammer and some iron spikes to Torin and offers the mentioned alchemists fire to Nathaniel. After he creates a magical armor for himself, Cinderfang and Sun-eater. "I am ready to move in to position."

Mage armor duration 6h. Spells 1st: 5, others full.
So we move to somewhere around the front door?.

That's what I suggest. We move to Y12, buff, I fly and drop the canisters, return and we wait for the fireworks.

GM whats the hold up old chap, you in Nam now?

Thailand, but yeah. Still waiting on a final plan. Are you letting Nathaniel carry you and fly over the barn to throw your fireball through one of the holes in the roof Rosa? Or are you just gonna throw it at the door? Who's spiking the door? Nathaniel, are you spreading the oil, then coming back and picking up Rosa?

Map

Is that positioning fine? I assume you guys are being quiet as the door is unlocked. Whoever is spiking the door needs to give me a stealth check.

EDIT:Also, make sure you guys post what buffs you have running with your combat posts. Otherwise I'm not gonna remember them.

don't think it will take my wight not going to risk it, plan is hes going up pour oil wile we spike the door, then ill fly up with him if they do not spot what we are doing, if they do he will drop alco-fire in there and get the whole thing going. wile we do our best to keep them penned in

Rosa moves into place with the other to spike the door wile Nath goos top side to oil the place.

As I understand it we're going with basically Viorel's plan, as Rosa doesn't wish to go airborne. She just fireballs the roof.

Nathaniel braces himself to take off.

If you get the oil on them and we get the Door fixed then I would like you to take me up and fire ball them to get the fire going. But need to get the door spiked 1st. Or they will just run out.

I'll just chuck Alchemist's Fires. It'll get the fire going, though if you still want to fireball, no problem.

Okay Viorel's plan it is.

Suggested plan of action:
1. Buff spells.
2. Nathaniel goes above the roof and pours the oil.
3. X Hammers the door shut, While others set up positions.
4. Rosa fireball.
5. Nathaniel starts additional fires with Alchemists fire.
6. Something comes out hit it until it's dead...again.

1:Everyone casts their spells before moving over to the barn doors.

2:Nathaniel flew up over the door area of the barn, and emptied the oil flasks out over the door area.

3:Nominating Cinderfang for this as he's got the highest dex. Cinderfang quietly approaches the doors and placing his cloak over the spikes, slowly pounds them into the ground in front of the door.

Cinderfang stealth 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 1 = 17
Undead perception 1d20 ⇒ 18 Oh snap!

As he is finishing the sixth and final spike Sun-Eater coos, just enough to make him turn his head mid-swing. The hammer misses the spike, striking against the rocky ground with a crack. From inside the doors a moan can be heard. It's quickly followed by several more and the sounds of rushing footsteps.

Initiative:
Nathaniel 22
Cinderfang 14
Barek/Torin 11+ (Whoever posts first goes first)
Viorel 11-
Rosa 9
Monsters 4

Begin Round 1

Everyone can act. Doors are successfully spiked.

Map

Initiative: 22
Buffing actions: Cast Haste on everyone except Viorel before I took off. 6-round duration.

Nathaniel finishes dripping the last oil and winces as he hears the sound of the strike against the rocky ground. Quickly, he pulls out a jar(some jars) of Alchemist's fire and lobs it on the oily patches of the roof.

Actions this round:
Not sure how many I can pull out and drop.
If 1: Drop it on the roof (T13)
If 2: Try to drop the second one through one of the holes so it falls down and sets a fire going within the actual barn.

Pre Combat: The mentioned mage armor on self, Cinderfang and Sun-Eater.
Round 1 Init 11-
Move: Take Alchemists fire
Standard: Ready Action to cast Scorching ray

Viorel takes the remaining alchemists fire in to his hand and locks his eyes on the door ready to cast a spell if the enemy bursts trough the door. I hope this works, worst case scenario when the building collapses we get buried, better glance it once in a while.

Sorry, don't think I ever posted my Memorized Spells for the day. Same as normal.

Pre-combat spells cast - Aspect of the Bear, Wand of Magic Fang on Sun-Eater, Longstrider on himself and Sun-Eater

Before hammering in the spikes, Cinderfang also casts Warp Wood on the door from 40 ft away. The door warps and bulges in it's frame. It is now stuck. I imagine this is probably the same effect as the spikes, so the spikes would just make the DC higher.

He gingerly sneaks up to the building and start tapping in the spikes to further reinforce the door. He knew as soon as he gaffed, and quickly ran retreated to side of the door and with ripple of flesh and a roar, he assumed his Dire Tiger form.

Round 1 Init 14
Move to W18, Sun-Eater to W6
Wild Shape to Dire Tiger

Round 1: Init 11

Torin will ready an attack incase any of the undead break the door down.

Round 1: Init 09

Rosa rune to the door to hold it closed.

"Every one push and hold this door!, Nath get it started then come get me fast I need to be there"

Barek, his large blade in hand, leans against the door to help brace it, but is ready to leap back should blades begin to penetrate it.

Round 1
Initiative 22

Move action to draw a flask. Standard to throw it.

Nathaniel draws a flask of alchemist's fire and chucks it up onto the roof. The sound of whooshing flames igniting can be heard and the roof begins to burn.

Initiative 14

There's a hitching post in W18.

Cinderfang moves and transforms. Sun-Eater moves to the other side of the barn, ready to deal with any opposition.

Initiative 11+

Torin squares his legs and stands ready with his fauchard. Barek steps forward to lean his weight against the door.

Barek str check 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8

Initiative 11-

Viorel readies himself to cast a spell should any undead escape.

Initiative 9

Rosa moves forward and leans her own weight against the door.

Rosa str check 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14

Initiative 4

The moaning grows much louder, and the group can hear multiple somethings slamming into the other side of the door.

Aid Another 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11
Aid Another 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22
Aid Another 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17
Aid Another 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21
Aid Another 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17
Aid Another 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9
Aid Another 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18
Aid Another 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12
Aid Another 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20
Aid Another 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10
Strength Check 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21

Total of 39 vs DC 27.

The door splinters and bursts outward under the combined weight of almost a dozen zombies smashing into it. Rosa and Barek are able to deflect the splinters away from themselves. Torin, ready for this eventuality lashes out with his fauchard.

Attack (PA)1d20 + 10 ⇒ (5) + 10 = 15 Miss

Viorel your spell goes off too. I'll post the results at the beginning of next round before anything else happens.

End of Round 1
---------------------------
Begin Round 2

Nathaniel 22
Cinderfang 14
Barek/Torin 11+ (Whoever posts first goes first)
Viorel 11-
Rosa 9
Monsters 4

Orange squares are the roof on fire.

Most of you did, but remember if you have buffs running on you, post them with your actions. Otherwise I will forget them.

Don't have time to # the zombies right now, if you attack one just say which square it's in. I'll number them as soon as I can.

Map

Round 2. Initiative 11+.

Barek steps to the side, in front of Torin, opening up a gauntlet for the zombies trying to escape and then, enraged, lashes out with his blade.

5-foot step west to column 11, then attacking the zombie to the north in the same column. Should it go down on 1st attack, 2nd attack on zombie in column 12.

Attack 1 w/ Power Attack: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (11) + 11 = 22, Damage: 2d8 + 16 ⇒ (7, 4) + 16 = 27
Attack 2 w/ Power Attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17, Damage: 2d8 + 16 ⇒ (7, 3) + 16 = 26

Rage: 1 of 19

Readied action:
Ray 1: Ranged touch attack1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16 Target V10
Ray 2: Ranged touch attack1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15 Target V11
Ray 1 damage 4d6 + 8 ⇒ (6, 2, 6, 3) + 8 = 25
Ray 1 damage 4d6 + 8 ⇒ (6, 6, 3, 3) + 8 = 26

Round 2 Init 11-

The Varisian shoots two flaming rays from his hand towards the undead. After that Viorel decides to wait for a moment longer to choose his action. "ROSA! Blast them!"

Delay Action to init 8
Buffs: Mage armor +4AC
Spells: 1st: 5 2nd: 6 3rd: 4

Round 2: Init 11

Longstrider and Bless (on everyone) running

Attack(V12): 1d20 + 10 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 10 + 1 = 26
Damage: 2d4 + 13 ⇒ (2, 2) + 13 = 17

Please note, all of you except Viorel have haste from me.
Buffs: Haste, Enlarge Person.
Round 2 Init 22

Nathaniel lands back and curses loudly. "Stand back from the doors! Give us all room to fight them! Form a half-circle; Viorel at the back, casting!"

Land at XY 15-16, ready an action to attack any enemies who come within my 10ft reach.

Round 2 Init 14
Seeing the weak spot in their group formation, Cinderfang runs around to the other side.

Cinderfang moves his upper-right corner to W10, ready to attack if something comes out.
Sun-Eater moves to Y10 - Ready to attack if something comes out.

Active effects:
Aspect of the Bear
Longstrider
Bless
Haste

Round 2 Init 9

5' step back to row X, casting Fire ball S13, on the undead to get as meany as Rosa can

6d6 ⇒ (5, 3, 1, 4, 5, 3) = 21

can I duble move, hasted as in 5' step cast then move with out AOOs GM

Round 1 Leftover

Viorel fires two feiry rays exploding two of the zombies.

Switched targets so that Barek and Torin don't have to redo their actions.

Round 2
Initiative 22

Nathaniel steps forward and readies himself to attack any zombies that make it past his friends.

Initiative 14

Cinderfang and Sun-Eater move into position and ready themselves to attack.

Initiative 11+

Barek swings his greatsword three times.

+2 to hit for bless and haste
Haste Attack 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (10) + 13 = 23
Damage 2d6 + 16 ⇒ (5, 3) + 16 = 24

He cleaves two zombies clean in half, with his third blow clanging harmlessly off one of their heavy armor.

Torin steps into the hole Barek left and lands a solid blow on one of the zombies, nearly decapitating it. It doesn't go down.

Initiative 9

No you can't. Haste just adds 30 foot to your movement speed. 5'ing is a move and casting is a standard. That's your whole turn.

Rosa steps back and throws a fireball into the zombies.

Reflex Save 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3
Reflex Save 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7
Reflex Save 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18
Reflex Save 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3
Reflex Save 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6
Reflex Save 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12
Reflex Save 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12

Initiative 8

Viorel, you're up.

Map

The roof is still burning, a lot more in fact. The flames are spreading rapidly, only aided by Rosa's fireball. It's just not directly relevant to the combat at the moment.

Wait- only 3 zombies are still alive? (yes yes I know they're the undead. But only 3 are moving and pose a threat?)

Yup. -evil grin-