Calex burns through another scroll, frantically launching more bolts of force at the skeletal horror. Pieces of old bone crack and fall as the shards of power impact the center mass of the monster.
Cal watches his magic strike true, his expression a picture of frustration. The magic worked, but despite his best efforts the monster still stood. He clenches his fist and the remains of his last Magic Missile scroll crumbles to ash.
Female Human Oracle of life (Divine herbalist) 1 +6 init +perc, to hit, F+, R + , W +, Max HP , AC
As a move action she grants all allies within 30 ft (+1 to hit and +1 to damage) and she tries one more time to bring down the foe from range before charging come on ya scurvy bones is that all ye got, me and me friends are gonna dash ya to dust!
After the village of Woodbridge survived an attack by a small force of Tafganor warriors, Calex and Robert enlist the aid of two Alodoans as well as Darlene of the Maetaur people, and Stolos of the Gymnaga folk to journey north into the wilderness in search of the village’s two prominent healers, Auria of the one hand and Cicily Fautinbino who had left in order to warn other communities of the impending danger of the Tafganor horde.
Finding Auria in the small hamlet of Gowan’s Crossing, which lies south of the largest Maetaur community in the county, Otter’s lake, the group learned that Auria and Cicily had been attacked by a Tafganor force in the company of two river trolls and in command of a captive hill giant youth.
The group also learned that long ago the Maetaur, Human, and Gymnaga people of this land united against an uprising of tafganor and malicious giants from the mountains to the east and when the struggle was finally won, many heroes and enemies of the war were secretly buried in underground chambers below sacred hills across Orimar (Urandoma) in some unknown mystery that was used to seal a great underground fortress of the tafganor behind walls of solid rock where it was lost to the passing of time.
It is now believed that a new tafganor warlord has come to power uniting the small dispersed tribes of tafganor clinging to a harsh existence high in the mountains east of Woodbridge and that this warlord has learned of a ritual that may unlock the hidden fortress.
This ritual involves the capture and sacrifice of a number of Maetaur, Human, and Gymnaga priestesses which must be performed in the various secret tombs scattered across the countryside.
Calex and Robert of Woodbridge, Marwan and Ravena of Alodoa, Stolos of MacNorra House, and Darlene of Mingary Bend have tracked the tafganor and trolls to the hill known as Rowan Hill, northeast of Gowan’s Crossing where they believe Cicily has been taken to be used in this ritual sacrifice. They only hope they are not too late as a battle in the caves below the hill between them and an animated skeleton of an ancient giant rages.
Robert is revived by the magic of Stolos, and as soon as he is aware of the situation he is in he tries to reach out with his scythe and trip the skeletal giant, but his weapon is knocked aside.
Marwan fans his fingers out again and sends forth a sheet of flams aimed at the skeleton’s head.
Reflex Save:1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13
And unrolling his last scroll, Calex sends another magic missile attack at the giant skeleton. Then he sees Aniktah move closer to the melee in her attempt to shield Stolos from harm and he shouts a warning.
The Skeleton moves at Marwan with a fierce intention to destroy the source of the magic flames
Spear Attack vs Marwan:1d20 + 12 ⇒ (1) + 12 = 13
The blackened bones pop, crack, and begin to disintegrate from the damage and the spear strikes the ground just as Ravena hurls another acid attack at the monster which strikes the charred bones and with a loud
*SNAP*
The head of the skeleton pitches forward and crashes to the ground
The hulking remains crumble, falling apart and crash to the ground in a pile behind the head.
The battle is over. Darlene is unconscious, but stable at -4 hp, Robert has 2 hp,
Giant Skeleton (1) AC 17, t 9, ff 17 | hp 45 (10d8) f =3, r +3, w +7 | DR 5/B, immune to Cold, Undead | sp 30, Melee (Spear) +12/+7 (2d6+9), or 2 claws, +13 (d6+7) | reach 10 ft | CMB +15, CMD 25
Stolos begins checking Robert over, examining and bandaging wounds as he finds them.
"You're a powerful warrior to cause so much harm with a farming implement," he says, applying pressure to the man's arm. "And I'd wager that's the biggest stalk of wheat you've felled yet."
Female Human Oracle of life (Divine herbalist) 1 +6 init +perc, to hit, F+, R + , W +, Max HP , AC
I shoulda remembered to give encouragin words earlier. I am glad we all made it! Ravena says blushing a bit, but then straightening herself out and looking around.
Calex crouched down and rests Darlene's head on his lap as Marwan works. "So brave. I thank the gods you can save her, Marwan. Both of them." Cal looks over at Ravena and gives a her a smile. "Why is it you small races all seem to have the greatest courage?"
"What we lack in size, we make up for in spirit, Sir Calex," Stolos says cheerfully. "Just a way of balancing things out, you see. We are further from the stars, and so must try harder to elevate ourselves to them."
Female Human Oracle of life (Divine herbalist) 1 +6 init +perc, to hit, F+, R + , W +, Max HP , AC
bein brave an fightin against those who would do wrong is more easy then sitting and watchin yer friends and family dying when ya could'a done somethin. Ravena says with a vehement conviction. come on we got friends rescue and times a burnin
"Your energy is admirable, but Darlene has not yet regained consciousness, and Rob is still gravely wounded. Give some time for us to at least catch our breath!" Calex rises after gently laying Darlene's head down. He walks over to the skeletal remains of their attacker. "Let's take a look at what we we're dealing with." he says as he examines the bones.
Marwan attends to Robert’s wounds, and offers the young man a few words of humor as a form of encouragement, but then when he moves to see to Darlene’s condition his face shows thoughts of concern. He speaks a spell of healing and Darlene’s breathing is somewhat eased, however her eyes do not open and her heartbeat remains faint and quick.
Ravena begins to feel the pressing weight of time and her feet tap with uncontrolled energy. Calex tries what he can to make Darlene comfortable, wondering if time is at all on their side. When he realizes that Marwan has done all he can, he gently lays Darlene’s head down on the ground, and moves to examine the remains of the giant skeleton.
Calex:
You have a sense that the armor, a chain mail shirt, that lies among the fallen bones is magic, for it shows no signs of decay or rust, even though it does not appear, at first, to be well made, it begins to seem like the haphazard way in which the links are connected in lose, large patches, was originally intentional. The spear lying off to the side also appears unnaturally preserved, given your belief that this cave under the hill has been unseen for almost four hundred years (You can cast Detect magic, which will reveal the spear and armor are magic items.)
Your eyes are drawn to the figures embedded in the walls of this chamber. Skeletal figures buried, it seems, from the waist down, their arms pinned to the walls in iron bands, their backs mortared into the cave wall itself. When you approach them a shimmer of magic flickers, and the glamour of an ancient protective illusion fades away to reveal several items of great value hidden among the rib cages of the giants.
You discover four, Medium, Masterwork long swords, with their decorative scabbards among the bones on the wall, placed across the ribs of the various skeletons, as well as one Small, Masterwork, composite short bow +1, a small Masterwork Scimitar, a Medium Masterwork dagger, a peculiar looking, black wooden rod capped in ivory, two slim wands, one of unfinished wood wrapped in fine silver wire, the other a polished oak stick fitted with a red garnet stone at one end, and a pair of copper bracers
As one by one these unusual treasures are found, the sound of droplets falling into a pool of water echoes from far away to the northeast.
Perception, DC 16:
The sound of dripping water seems constant and uninterrupted, but then almost as if it happens so fast you might think you imagined it, you hear a clattering sound as if a pile of firewood, or perhaps small bones, had been disturbed
Male Human Fighter 1| AC 18 T 12 FF 16 CMD 16 (18 v Trip and disarm)|12/12 HP | F +4 R +2 W +3 | Init +2 | Perc +6
Robert sighs and stretches as he says, "I'm still beat up from that fight. I'm lucky to be alive I think. If we can recover more... Did you hear that? Some sort of pile of things was disturbed. We may not have time to recover more." Robert then takes a few steps in the direction of the sound to put himself between it and the rest of the party.
"Perhaps you should rest, Sir Robert, or assist in acquiring our newfound treasures," Stolos says. [b]"Zelotes and myself can keep an eye on whatever may come.
A low whistle escapes Stolos' lips and the large otter moves to his side, standing alert.
Calex piles the items together so everyone can examine them. "They were hidden by magic. I wonder if that means they are magical themselves. Let me see..." Cal invokes his mage sight to detect magic on the items before them. His eyes take on an eerie kaleidoscope of colors as his gaze passes over the assemblage.
Spellcraft(id magic items):1d20 + 10 ⇒ (1) + 10 = 11 perception:1d20 + 9 ⇒ (7) + 9 = 16
Maybe it’s the stress of the recent battle, the near death of people close to him, or maybe it’s the dark, moist, cold cavern under the sacred hill of Rowan trees, but for some reason Calex cannot seem to focus his concentration.
Or maybe it is something else entirely.
Calex can see that all of these items have an aura of magic surrounding them, but the auras are strange, almost, old. The patterns and colors that he has learned to recognize that clue one in to exactly what type of magic might be at work, here are blended, folded, and merged into images and senses he cannot separate.
There is old magic at work here, very old.
All of the items described are magical, in one way or another, but Calex is unable to identify the properties of any of the items
When members of the group hear a sound in the distance, muffled by the cavern walls, they turn their heads trying to pin down just where it came from. Robert looks to the right, and sees an opening in the cavern wall. Darkness stretches out from what appears to be a low tunnel heading away from this room.
Stolos is sure the sound came from the direction Robert is looking and slowly moves in that direction, calling his otter companion to his side.
Over in the corner of the room, Aniktah remains close to Darlene, and speaks another phrase in her native tongue while extending her hand to touch the young Maetaur girl’s chest.
With a loud gasp of breath, Darlene regains consciousness. Before she can rise, Aniktah restrains her, and speaks soothing words encouraging the girl to rest a bit longer.
Male Human Fighter 1| AC 18 T 12 FF 16 CMD 16 (18 v Trip and disarm)|12/12 HP | F +4 R +2 W +3 | Init +2 | Perc +6
Staring down the corridor Robert says, "If anyone has any healing magic available, now might be a good time to use it on me. If not I have one potion on me but that is all."
Aniktah takes a position on her knees, and holds her arms out wide. She mutters a few words in the tafganor language, and a wave of energy pulses out from her healing all of the companions.
Channel, x2:2d6 ⇒ (4, 6) = 10
She then stands and moves over to the items that Calex tried to identify, and Darlene, anxious to be off the ground stands and follows close behind her.
NPC: F half-orc Cleric/2 | AC 12, t 12, ff 10 | hp 17/17 | f +4, r +2, w +5 | Init +2 |
The magic that was used to create these items was old, and very powerful. My mother taught me how to read the auras of spells and magic items, but this is nothing I can understand, but wait, I think there are magic runes written on the swords and the wands.
Aniktah casts another spell, and then reads the magic on the items
These long swords have names, this one is called ‘Imolain’, and this one, ‘Argorath’, this one, ‘Zinpharemes’, and the last one is named ‘Surelenos’. These are strange words in a tongue I do not know. The scimitar is also named, but the rune is a sort of combination of a pictograph and the first letter of a word. The pictograph is a crescent moon, and the letter is ‘M’. There are words on the wands, and I think they might be what triggers the spells that they can summon. Here, this one with the silver wire, has the word, ‘holnamod’ written on it, and the other has the word, ‘fithnaol’
NPC: F Maetaur Bard/1 | AC 14 , t 13 , ff 11 |HP: 19/ (18) | f +2, r +6, w +3| Init +3, P +2 |CMD
I know those words. They are in an old druidic language of my people. Holnamod, is a blessing, it means, ‘be well’ and fithnoal is an onomatopoeia, it is a word that a druid would say when summoning a small spark to start a fire. Let me see that scimitar.
Darlene examines the scimitar and her face brightens with glee
I am sure this is Mynoralunor, the Moon Striker, a magic weapon that once belonged to a Maetaur druid who lived hundreds of years ago. Her name was Saintharwan.
She holds the scimitar reverently and then says in a quiet voice, I would be honored of you would take this Stolos, it might bring you luck
"I would be honored to wield such a magnificent weapon," Stolos says, bowing his head as he takes the weapon. "Perhaps I'll be able to provide some assistance to Sir Robert the next time we should be in battle."
Backing up, Stolos gives the blade a few cautious swings. "It's balance is amazing and the weight is barely noticeable," he remarks. "It feels more as though it's an extension of my arm than a separate piece."
Sheathing the blade, Stolos again bows to Darlene. "My thanks, great lady, for your kindness. I hope I may repay it tenfold in protection of you and yours."
"I hope you have better success than me, Marwan. The magic auras were rather confusing, but maybe you can make out better detail." Calex explains what his own efforts showed, so Marwan can compare the two.
Marwan examines the items as well, taking note of the peculiar magic auras of each item, but he can learn little about these devices even if he concentrates on a single item for several seconds.
Darlene, now standing and seemingly healed of her near fatal injuries, is quiet, her eyes looking off into a distance no one else can see.
The group hesitates, but only for a moment, as those with certain skills and talents examine the treasures that have been found, and then the party heads toward the dark tunnel to the east.
The ground drops slightly where the tunnel begins and immediately turns to the right going southward for a dozen feet or more before turning again to the east and suddenly opening up upon another large chamber.
Before you can take in the layout of the large chamber you have entered your eyes fall upon a scene as it is unfolding.
A tall but frail tafganor stands next to what appears to be a large, open topped sarcophagus. He is struggling to hold, with one hand, the bound with rope hands of Cicily (the Maetaur matron of Mingary Bend) while a large green skinned creature (Knowledge Nature or Dungeoneering, DC 16) struggles to hold the maetaur woman’s back legs in place.
With his other hand, the tafganor is holding a dark in color, falchion which drips with a greenish ichor.
Cicily appears weak, but struggles against her captors. Her dark red hair is wild, unkempt, and matted with a small amount of blood that seems to have come from a cut above her left ear.
Two ancient braziers stand at the ends of the sarcophagus. A small fire has been lit in each, and the room has light.
Perception Skill Check, DC 20:
This chamber has four elevated areas, each one located in one of the corners of the roughly rectangular shaped room. Each platform rises above the chamber floor by about ten feet, and is reached by a barely noticeable stair carved into the rock itself. On each raised area there is a small stone sarcophagus.
Perception:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22 Initiative:1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12
Cal picks up the silver-wrapped wand and thoughtfully twirls it in his hand. Then with a decisive motion, fastens his staff to his back, still holding the wand, and follows the others into the tunnel. He pauses by Aniktah and quietly thanks her for her healing of his friends, saying
"You saved 2 lives today, maybe more if we succeed in our rescue. The trafganor have no idea of the treasure they threw away by treating you as they did, but rest assured we know how to honor those who act for the gods of light. Thank you."
When he catches up to the others, he quickly takes in the scene before him, and realizes the time for action is again upon them.
I got Grease memorized, Marwan, what was your plan? You've got Init ahead of me so if you want to give Cal some ideas you should be able to.
You recognize this large monstrous creature. It is similar to Lake Trolls known to inhabit the cold alpine lake regions of Barakovia, though this one seems larger and tougher. They are known to be omnivorous, rapacious, and foul tempered. You know that, like many trolls of tales and stories, these creatures can regenerate from even the most horrible injuries, but that acid and fire can stop their regeneration for a short time, allowing them to be killed. You have heard that the lake trolls affinity for cold, clean water is critical to its regenerative nature.
Stolos:
Your kind has many stories of River Trolls, though you and your immediate family have never had any encounters with such creatures. This monster looks to be exactly as the stories say they are, green, rubbery, brutish, slimy, and foul tempered. They are said to live high in the cold rivers of the mountains south of Woodbridge. You know they can regenerate, and you know that fire and acid can stop this regeneration for a short time.
Round 1…
As soon as the first of the companions rounds the corner entering this chamber, and sees what is about to take place, the troll drops Cicily’s legs, and roars a challenge, turning and rushing at the first one she can get at attacking with her claws
Robert avoids the charging monster while Marwan shouts out that it is a Troll, and that killing it will require special attacks. Then the Alodoan tries a simple, but effective, usually, hex on the beast.
Will Save:1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18
The monster seems unaffected by the enchantment
At the large sarcophagus in center of the cave, Cicily struggles free of the tafganor who holds her and staggers away from him.
The thin enemy lets Cicily escape him and swings his head to the side with a jerk, spots the heroes and reaching behind him, into a sack that hangs by a strap over his shoulder, he pulls out a small bottle, throws back his head, and downs a potion before stepping around the sarcophagus and reaching with both hands into the open top.
The enemy tafganor has Cover, +4 to AC from ranged attacks, the sarcophagus reaches to almost the middle of his chest
Calex and Aniktah are up
DM Notes:
Skreed AC 16, t 13, ff 13 (+3 dex, +3 armor) | hp 29 (4d8+4) f +5, r +7, W =1 | Melee +5 (2d4+1/ 18-20 + poison, ranged (bombs/9) 20’ +6, 2d6+3 fire | extracts, Cat’s Grace (4 minutes), Protection from arrows (4 rounds), Bomber’s eye (4 rounds), tanglefoot bag | CMD +4, CMD 17
Other DM Notes:
River Troll (modified Troll) AC 15, t 11, ff 13 (dex +2, +4 nat, -1 size) | hp 44 (4d8+24) f +9, r +3, w +2 | melee bite or two claws +6, d6+4 (BAB +3, Str +4, Size -1) | s 19, d 14, con 22, I 7, w 10, chr 9 | CMB +8, CMD 20
Seeing that Rob is handling the troll, Cal picks the trafganor for his first target. Experimentally, he points the newly acquired wand and says "Fithnoal!"
Not sure what the wand is so I don't know what roll I need to go with it- Ranged attack? Ranged (touch)? none at all?
Calex takes one of the mysterious wands and as he points it at the tafganor moving behind the sarcophagus he speaks the strange word told to him by Aniktah.
A flame appears floating just an inch from the end of the wand. Calex recognizes this magic as a simple spell, but then he remembers something
Calex:
Flames as bright as a torch appear in your open hand at the end of the wand. The flames harm neither you nor your equipment.
In addition to providing illumination, the flames can be hurled or used to touch enemies. You can strike an opponent with a melee touch attack, dealing fire damage equal to 1d6 + 1 point per caster level (maximum +5). Alternatively, you can hurl the flames up to 120 feet as a thrown weapon. When doing so, you attack with a ranged touch attack (with no range penalty) and deal the same damage as with the melee attack. No sooner do you hurl the flames than a new set appears in your hand. Each attack you make reduces the remaining duration by 1 minute. If an attack reduces the remaining duration to 0 minutes or less, the spell ends after the attack resolves.
This spell does not function underwater.
Robert swings the scythe at the troll cutting it across the thigh
Aniktah says nothing but moves away from the group, heading to the right and toward the sarcophagus.
Ravena, Darlene and Stolos are now up
Damage Tracker:
Round 1
Troll – takes 10 damage (34)
DM Notes:
Skreed AC 16, t 13, ff 13 (+3 dex, +3 armor) | hp 29 (4d8+4) f +5, r +7, W =1 | Melee +5 (2d4+1/ 18-20 + poison, ranged (bombs/9) 20’ +6, 2d6+3 fire | extracts, Cat’s Grace (4 minutes), Protection from arrows (4 rounds), Bomber’s eye (4 rounds), tanglefoot bag | CMD +4, CMD 17
Other DM Notes:
River Troll (modified Troll) AC 15, t 11, ff 13 (dex +2, +4 nat, -1 size) | hp 44 (4d8+24) f +9, r +3, w +2 | melee bite or two claws +6, d6+4 (BAB +3, Str +4, Size -1) | s 19, d 14, con 22, I 7, w 10, chr 9 | CMB +8, CMD 20
Stolos mutters an incantation under his breath as a handful of fire appears in his hand. He throws it at the troll, and moves behind Robert, ready to jump into the fray and assist.
Calex spends precious seconds puzzling over the flame flickering at the wand's tip,initially thinking to target the trafganor rather than the troll in fear that he might hit Robert in some fiery blast. Then with a flick of his wrist sends the fire flying towards the Troll instead.
As the people in front of her disperse, Ravena draws an arrow from her quiver and raises the strange composite short bow she just found. In her hand the bow seems to change size, adapting to her grip.
She fires one, and then another arrow at the tafganor as he flees to the cover of the large sarcophagus.
The first arrow ricochets off the stone of the sarcophagus, but the second strikes the enemy in the shoulder.
Ravena – when the second arrow strikes you get an idea of how powerful the magic is that guides the attack of this bow, you now know it is a +1 magical (Strength 12) composite short bow. However, it automatically adjust to fit you, and you are small, remember, so only does 4d damage in your hands
Stolos summons a small flame in his hand and casts it at the troll, but concerned he might hit Robert, his aim is off.
When Calex recognizes the spell created by the wand he flings the flame at the tafganor, but the fire strikes the sarcophagus in a burst of bright flame before it can reach its target. Immediately another flame appears on the end of the wand
Calex – the caster level associated with this wand is high. It will continue to produce a flame every round until it reaches its maximum. The damage bonus is +5
Darlene takes a wide run around the troll, staying out if its reach and heads toward Cicily.
Round 2…
Injured by the human the troll snarls and attacks with both claws.
Skreed AC 16, t 13, ff 13 (+3 dex, +3 armor) | hp 29 (4d8+4) f +5, r +7, W =1 | Melee +5 (2d4+1/ 18-20 + poison, ranged (bombs/9) 20’ +6, 2d6+3 fire | extracts, Cat’s Grace (4 minutes), Protection from arrows (4 rounds), Bomber’s eye (4 rounds), tanglefoot bag | CMD +4, CMD 17
Other DM Notes:
River Troll (modified Troll) AC 15, t 11, ff 13 (dex +2, +4 nat, -1 size) | hp 44 (4d8+24) f +9, r +3, w +2 | melee bite or two claws +6, d6+4 (BAB +3, Str +4, Size -1) | s 19, d 14, con 22, I 7, w 10, chr 9 | CMB +8, CMD 20
Male Human Fighter 1| AC 18 T 12 FF 16 CMD 16 (18 v Trip and disarm)|12/12 HP | F +4 R +2 W +3 | Init +2 | Perc +6
Staggering under the attack, Robert goes to one knee and screams "Help!. As you think he is about to fall over he stands and attack but much more timidly, with a mind to defense and misses the troll
Cal feels a jolt of fear as he sees Rob stagger under the troll's attack. He mentally pitches ideas about, feverishly trying to think of a way to stop, even if only momentarily, the giant beast. He latches onto the hope that he can cause it to fall using his Grease spell. He reaches into his component pouch & pulls out a small dollop of butter encased in a thin wax marble. He throws it towards the troll, targeting his magic at the stone beneath its feet. The glob of butter flares up in a bright flame as the magic consumes it, while Calex call out the power words to bring his will to bear upon the ripple in reality he caused.
"Saffola parkay becel!"
Reality ripples beneath the creature as a sheen of slippery fluid spreads across the ground. A sudden "snap!" is heard as reality is reassurted, leaving things changed by Calex's magic behind.
