The Carrion Crown (E7 goodness with House Rules frosting)

Game Master Helaman

Jaru sees nothing and his channeling does not seem to evoke a discernible response.

Nalun notes the response to Father Toth's prayer on his pad. He then walks into the area and nudges the corpse with his toe. Perhaps this isn't the Charlatan at all, maybe this is some other poor fool?

Simeon frowns then walks around the cell, jangling the symbols as he does, ending up standing over the body.

Crouching, he picks up the holy symbols on the body and compares them to those already in his hand.

"Careful..." grumbles Emmett as Simeon approaches the body. He draws his sword in apprehension.

There seems to be a rough equivalency of symbols, definitely all the major civilised faiths are recognised and represented on both. The tangle also has a few that are obscure minor dieties, such as Brigh and one to Urgathoa, who is not 'officially' worshipped but still holds a position of feared reverence among the people of Ustalav.

There is no reaction at all from the remains. Its disappointingly mundane.

Seems that everyone is rotating into the cell for a look - which isn't an issue, its a biggish cell, but just making sure that this is the case.

Perhaps this isn't the Charlatan at all, maybe this is some other poor fool?

Jaru forwns. "I am certain this is the body. He may have been a fake in life, but I don't think there would have been time to set up a decoy during the fire. I cannot think where his vile soul might be though."

"Sefick Corvin...Father Charlatan. Why the symbols on your chains? So you could think about the blasphemies you committed in the name of each of these faiths while you waited for execution? You had a great deal of nerve..." Elidal mutters as she squats down to further examine the body. Though she suspects the man likely died from the smoke of the fire, she attempts to ascertain if there are any other obvious injuries that might be present on the bones.

Looking up at Jaru and then to the side at Elial beside him, Simeon says "If this were The Charlatan, would it have in its possession a jangle of holy symbols? Why would the Warden permit the prisoner a new set, when the originals were confiscated and locked away. No, I do not believe this to be one of the Five..."

Elidal examines the body but it's semi mummified bones... Nothing is conclusive from the body but it's reasonable to assume the place filled with smoke and that the smoke likely killed anyone here.

The chains and holy symbols are heavy iron things. Elidal believes it would have made moving, even resting, uncomfortable at best. It would be a constant burden that even would have affected the wearer in sleep as the binding and symbols dug into their side or back.

"If this were The Charlatan, would it have in its possession a jangle of holy symbols?"

Jaru scoffs. "These are chains to bind him and the holy symbols meant as some ironic punishment, I assume. Not that he possessed any faith to make use of them anyway. As for where his soul resides now, I am uncertain. Perhaps the ritual has released the souls to roam freely severed from their remains. I guess we should continue until we know more."

As some approach the remains: "Looks to me that these chains should stay where they are..." Emmett cautions.

Everyone can hear a haunting, droning sad melody, a dirge played on a flute. It's there for a moment, just on the edge of your hearing before it builds and seems to echo softly around the prison.

Elidal starts at the noise, looking up from her inspection of the body. "The Piper? His spirit must be close...perhaps his body is, too." She stands up and looks at the others. "Father Toth has a point. We should continue our exploration of this floor for now; maybe we'll find something else that will shed some light on what we need to do here. As for the body...he's been here this long, I suppose a little bit longer won't make too much of a difference until we can decide what to do."

"At least there is one spirit that isn't hiding. Nalun, take the old flute from Simeon. Perhaps it will be of more use against the Piper than the Charlatan's relics were against that phantom"

following the pied piping.

Emmett's old bones seize as a chilling wave courses through them, carried by the haunting melody. He seems to diminish as he wraps his cloak around him and mutters a short prayer to Pharasma.

Exiting the cell, the sound bounces off the walls carrying its dread melody in an eery echo. You turn to the left and there is a row of cell blocks... some of the doors hang off their hinges. Time, the environment and previous damage has weakened them to the point they are now open... open enough to allow a number of skeletons to amble out.

Emmett 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14
Elidal 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24
Jaru 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3
Narun 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 1 = 13
Simeon 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

Haunt 10
Skeletons 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

So thats Elidal, Emmet, Narun, Baddies, Simeon and Jaru. The cells with a mark next to them hang open.

Emmett hears a soft crack and pivots on his heel immediately. He shrugs as the skeletons make their way out: "This I'm familiar with..." he offers, feeling almost satisfied at facing a concrete threat.

He drops in a low crouch and brings his sword in an upward arc as he steps forward to cut the first skeleton he sees.

2h-Sword, Favored Enemy: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 4 + 2 = 181d8 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 3 + 2 = 13

Place yourselves within 3 squares of the door on the map - I think Emmett has moved to engage? Anyone moving past a cell with a skeleton has the skeleton rake at them through the grated window on the cell doors - you get cover (+4 AC). Skeletons in the cells are unarmed, skeletons exiting cells have bits of wood that serve as clubs

Not sure if you're referring to me regarding the door? I moved Emmett 5 feet to engage the skeleton.

Yep. You're kosher

Nalun does indeed take the flute, it isn't his instrument of choice, but he could play it in a pinch he guessed. Uh, thanks. he says to the Pharasmin, pleased to be of use.

Combat Round 1
Nalun pulls out his Lyre and begins playing a tune on it The Harrowstone, oh the Harrowstone, strange but true, the haunting of the Harrowstone... Inspire Courage +1 to hit and damage

As Emmett moves to engage the skeletons that shamble down one corridor, Elidal steps past Simeon to intercept the skeleton that approaches down the other corridor. She raises her sword and shield, ready to strike once it moves close enough.

Readied action to attack the skeleton once it moves up.

Attack (Readied): 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 3 + 1 = 11
Damage: 1d8 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 3 + 1 = 9

Elidals attack misses but nothing stops the old watchmans strike and the skeleton disappears as a coherent shape, instead turning into a flying mass of broken and splintered bones.

Nalun inspires everyone with his music, driving them to heroic hieghts.

One of skeletons claws at Emmett through the bars of the door.
1d20 + 2 - 4 ⇒ (1) + 2 - 4 = -1
1d4 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

The one in front of him tries to hit him with his club.

1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12
1d6 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

Elidal is attacked in turn. The one in front of her swings with a broken spar (likely the end of a cot).

1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16
1d6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

She is clawed from both sides from skeletons in their cells.

1d20 + 2 + 2 - 4 ⇒ (16) + 2 + 2 - 4 = 16
1d4 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

And 1d20 + 2 + 2 - 4 ⇒ (11) + 2 + 2 - 4 = 11
1d4 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

The dreadful music continues to drive you all into a fearful state.

Elidal 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10
Narun 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17
Emmett 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9
Jaru 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12
Simeon 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

Everyone except Nalun is shaken. No stability loss, yet

1d6 ⇒ 2

Emmett's heart is gripped by an icy fear... 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 1 = 14 but the sensation passes.

Other skeletons pour out from the east.

Jaru and Simeon

Jaru lifts his bone holy symbol before his face and calls upon Pharasma's grace to destroy the abominations of undeath~!

channel (Will DC 13 for half): 1d6 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 2 + 1 = 5

Jaru's position will not allow him to hit the corridors themselves but will hit everywhere else.

Going around the room, left to right
Cells
1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11
1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18
1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16

Two of the skeletons in the cells burst into pale blue flames before collapsing inanimate.

Main Room
1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22
1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11
1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22

Another in the main room also is dispossessed of its animating spirit.

At first irritated by Nalun's plunking away at his lyre, Simeon then notices the eneergizing effect of his simple song.

However, the eerie fluting continues, causing Simeon to have visions of sharp probiscuses and leathery wings, shaking him to his core.

Taking a deep breath to attempt to calm himself, he hefts his staff and swings at one of the nearby skeletons.

Attack: 1d20 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (5) + 1 - 2 = 4
Damaga: 1d6 ⇒ 2

His swing fails to hit.

Back to Elidal, Emmett and Narun.

Despite the eerie song chilling his soul, Emmett flashes a rare smile as skeletons burst left and right.

Pharasma is with us!

He's about to rush forward to engage the next ones, when his old watchman's instincts prevail.

Let them come...

He steps back to prevent the jailed skeleton from reaching him, lets his sword drop to the floor and eases his ranseur from its leather sheath along his back, though not without a grunt of pain, as his shoulder joint complains.

And he waits for the skeleton to come.

Delayed Attack with Ranseur, Favored Enemy, Inspire Courage, Shaken: 1d20 + 4 + 2 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (9) + 4 + 2 + 1 - 2 = 142d4 + 3 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (2, 2) + 3 + 2 + 1 = 10

AoO Ranseur, Favored Enemy, Inspire Courage, Shaken: 1d20 + 4 + 2 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (20) + 4 + 2 + 1 - 2 = 252d4 + 3 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (2, 3) + 3 + 2 + 1 = 11

Confirm: 1d20 + 4 + 2 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (5) + 4 + 2 + 1 - 2 = 102d4 + 3 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (4, 2) + 3 + 2 + 1 = 12

Sensing the fell music causing his allies to falter slightly, Nalun begins countering the piper with his own music about bravery and the
Shining Crusade. Lastwall named, and Lastwall framed, the Tyrant destroyed... Dropping Inspire and doing a countersong Perform String: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17 If the effect is sound based, and I hope it is, then my allies within 30' can use my perform roll instead of their saving throw. Nalun also squeaks in fear at the skeletons coming from his right and he scurries away into the adjacent room.

Well played! :) You may be able to hear the gnashing of my teeth via the intertubes

Emmett I forgot to put in the shaken modifer for last round... PM on its way

Not seeing ELidal or Nalun, Jaru calls out. "Fall back toward me. Few skeletons can withstand more than a taste of Pharasma's wrath, but we need to draw them in for the greatest effect."

planning to move into west corridor with Emmett and channel again. and yes, the cha bonus is a great idea : )

After PMing with Emmett, I'll run things out in a particular way. No worries on forecasting your move Jaru, I can even bot you later if worse comes to worse.

Unsure if we're still shaken this round or not, so I'm assuming Nalun's Countersong worked and we aren't. If we are, I can adjust my rolls accordingly.

Though Elidal had felt her resolve beginning to falter in the face of the Piper's song as well as the skeleton hordes, the sounds of Nalun's singing stir courage in her heart once more. Hearing Father Toth's call to draw their foes in closer, she takes a step back towards the others, but not before attempting another strike at the skeleton in front of her.

Attack: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 3 + 1 = 8
Damage: 1d8 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 3 + 1 = 11

Five foot step back. Dangnabit, I seem to have drawn the ire of the dice roller this week...

Nalun and his music break the fluted dirges ability to shake your confidence.

The Skeleton closes on Elidal.

1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22
1d6 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

Confirming?

1d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 13
1d6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

At the blow Elidal falls to the floor, in a crumpled heap, lifeless.

---
The feeling of fear that had been held at bay last round takes full effect and Emmett freezes in terror, unable to move.

The skeleton approaches Emmett by passing the polearm set to receive it (but unable to move to react) and attacks him.

1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6
1d6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

Even though Emmett is frozen the attack misses.

---

The Skeleton that Simeon is engaged with attacks.

1d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 13
1d6 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

Not sure if you have mage armour up, otherwise that hits

Simeon is at least forming a choke point, holding the skeletons out of the center area.

---

Unable to see Elidal, Jaru does not notice her fall, and is forced to brave the skeletons attack to get behind the stiffened Emmett to get into position to channel energy down the corridor.

AoO 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7
1d6 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

Its attack misses.

Jaru again calls on the power of Pharasma to cleans the bones of the unclean power animating them.

1d6 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 2 + 1 = 7

---

Simeons staff play falters a moment, as he too feels a grip on his heart, a crushing fear.

1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12

It freezes his limbs and his staff stops as he gapes in horror.

Emmett and Simeon can make a DC10 will Save (Simeon adds 2) or lose 1 stability. Emmett 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 1 = 10 Simeon 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19. Both make it and their psyches remain intact

Corridor Skellie saves, bottom to up

1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18
1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10

Cell Skellie save

1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22

The skeleton facing Emmett is rocked but survives, the one behind it bursts apart as the necromantic energies fray. The one in the cell also survives.

Nalun watches in horror as Elidal has become wrapped in ghostly chains decorated with numerous holy symbols.

May as well bot Simeon... will: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

Simeon remains locked in place.

Back to top of list... Emmett and Nalun. Elidal is out

Will Save: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 1 = 19

Emmett curses as his teeth clench. For a long moment, he watches the skeleton's claw dance on the leather protecting him, failing to find flesh, until finally, he pushes off the claw that had gripped his heart.

Roaring with a coarse voice, he takes a step back to put his ranseur between him and the undead, then thrusts the tip forward as his back leg touches the stone floor.

Ranseur, Favored Enemy: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 4 + 2 = 252d4 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (1, 1) + 3 + 2 = 7

Save is a full round action. We DID however miss the re-roll you earned earlier. As a one off deal we can burn that re-roll to allow you to act this turn... A step backwards is impossible - Jaru is there. You could try punching it?

You could try punching it?

I believe it did take its AoO on me? Without the unarmed feat that would be nonlethal I think, no effect on undead. I believe you could try to whack it with the shaft at -4 hit penalty.

Yeah - either or... I thought breastplate came with guantlets but it turns out they don't so you are right on the Non-Lethal thing - a haft strike will work if he doesn't move (otherwise he's striking past a corner and that will give it cover too

I'll take the reroll. I moved Emmett sideways on the map. It's back only for Emmett. If he needs to move more than five feet to attack, he'll take his chance with the AoO.

Nalun continues his countersong 6/9 Rounds of bardic music remaining. and he moves forward to heal Elidal Lady of Graves, please stay your hand. We fight the abominations you so hate! CLW: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

I'll take the reroll. I moved Emmett sideways on the map. It's back only for Emmett. If he needs to move more than five feet to attack, he'll take his chance with the AoO.

Its more about the angle of the wall/corner. If you stay where you were and just haft it then you'll take it down

Elidals body writhes under the constriction of the chains. Naluns healing quietens the body.

Ill do baddies in 8 hrs

I didn't know you could do that. In any case, Emmett would probably put distance and use the full weapon.

Emmett, finding himself in close quarters smashes the skeleton with the half of his ranseur and steps into the corridor.

Nalum quietens the thrashing body of Elidal, enveloped with spectral chains, with a spell of healing.

---

One of the skeletons step over Elidals body, out of the corridor and past Nalun, while the other approaches the bard. Both attack him.

1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14
1d6 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15
1d6 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

---

The paralysed Simeon finds himself flanked by two skeletons. He is attacked by the one in front of him.

1d20 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 + 2 = 9
1d6 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

Its attack is ineffectual.

---

The haunting tune continues, the full force of it thwarted for the moment.

1d6 ⇒ 5

It is Jaru's turn to feel a paralysing irrational fear grip him.

1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

It seems for a moment that Pharasma has deserted him and he stands frozen in place.