The Carrion Crown (E7 goodness with House Rules frosting)

Game Master Helaman

Elidal glances worriedly from Simeon to the opening and back again. Clearly the spell had gotten the tunnel-dweller's attention, but Simeon's demeanor made it clear that this exchange wasn't working quite as well as he'd hoped.

Wait...if sunlight renders them powerless, then...

Hoping that she wasn't about to make a terrible error in judgement, she softly adds, "That's right. It's a beautiful, cloudy day...one of those days where it seems as if anything can happen. And it's so dreadfully dull having the same playmates all the time; won't you come join us? Or...do you have more fun playing in the moonlight?"

Diplomacy (Aid Another): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24

Just the one attempt Simeon

Elidals entreaties draw a sininister laugh.

Oh, by moonlight young one but not young enough by half.

Jaru just shakes his head and nudges Emmett blessing his axe with the ability to slice through shadow as flesh.

in we go.

Emmett enters the tunnel, his ability to use his great axe restricted, when a spirit, the figure a distorted corruption of a man, flies at him.

Init

Emmett 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7
Wraith 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19

The ghostly figure attacks Emmett.

Attack 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7 for 1d6 ⇒ 3 for 1d6 ⇒ 3 Con drain.

Emmett, truly blessed by Pharasma, is missed by the attack.

Emmett, while fighting in the tunnel will take a -2 to attack. The position favours the wraith meaning that the others will not get an attack.

Nalun inspires his allies!

The blessings of the Lady are upon us! We cannot fail!

Nalun just hopes what he is saying is actually true...

+2 attack/damage and saves versus fear

Emmett curses the confined space and does his best against the ghostly horror buoyed by the priest at his back and Nalun's rousing song that pushes hm above and beyond.

BFA: 1d20 + 9 - 2 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 9 - 2 + 2 + 2 = 15
damage: 1d12 + 5 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 5 + 2 + 2 = 15

Jaru shouts at the abomination. "You can run, but you cannot hide from your judgement. It has come this day!" He channels a wave of spiral of ghostly bones behind him which pass through the living and tears at the dead.

channel: 2d6 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (5, 4) + 2 + 1 = 12 will DC 14

Elidal's face contorts with fury and disgust at the sinister voice's response to her, but then shifts to one of determination as Emmett presses forward into the tunnel.

Realizing that there's little else she can do from outside, she attempts to bolster her companion's battle prowess. "We're with you Emmett, as is the Inheritor!"

If Elidal can reach into the tunnel enough to actually touch Emmett, she'll use her Touch of Good domain ability to grant him a +2 sacred bonus on attack rolls, skill checks, ability checks, and saving throws.

Sure I'll allow it - that way everyone can be involved... so Emmett has another + 4 to his attack... and turns that miss into a hit. I was gonna say -4 initially but thought that may be a bit too harsh. I didn't count of excellent team synergy :)

Emmetts axe bites deep into the shade, which screams.

Will 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22

Pharasma's judgement washes over it and it flinches.

Snarling it attacks Emmett again.

1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16 vs Touch AC for 1d6 ⇒ 4 damage and 1d6 ⇒ 6 con damage

Don't forget the Aid Another action targeting AC...which I believe adds to Touch AC!

From his studies Nalun recognizes the threat of the Wraith's touch...

Nalun will force a potion down Emmett's throat (If he can do that)

Lesser Restoration: 1d4 ⇒ 2 Con damage healed.

If Nalun cannot use the potion, he will instead cast SCARE on the Wraith. He can use mind effecting magic on undead normally from his Dirge Bard ability. The save is a Will DC17

Be strong Emmett!

Nalun also continues inspiring as a free action

Will wait for the others but there is no way to get to Emmett

Simeon crouches by the opening, peering inside, his shoulders clenching and unclenching at the sounds of the struggle inside.

Elidal winces at Emmett's cry of pain; the wraith having obviously struck a blow even though she cannot see the battle playing out. "Be strong, but don't be afraid to withdraw if you must! There's no need to take any further risk!" she calls as she attempts to reach inside and grant Emmett another small blessing of power.

Doing another Touch of Good if possible; 3/5 uses remaining for the day.

we up again? i'll handle the restoration. Nalun can handle the scaring.

Emmett suddenly looks to have gained another 20 years as the wraith steals his vitality with a touch. The veteran fights on.
PA, FE, inspire: 1d20 + 7 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 7 + 2 + 2 = 19
damage: 1d12 + 11 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 11 + 2 + 2 = 21

Jaru draws his wand and attempts to heal the vile damage done by the spirit.

restoration: 1d4 ⇒ 3

The blow hits but the spirit is still there - with a dreadful howl it withdraws sinking through the rock of the cave tunnel.

Jaru yells back to the others, "It has retreated. Quickly, Emmett. Does the cave open up ahead? Let us get everyone inside to fight the haunt when it returns."

The cave tunnel indeed opens up ahead and drops down into a depression about 20 feet wide with enough room for you to stand in.

There are 4 small skeletons on the floor, the remains of children.

Jaru's face twists in anger at the sight of the children's remains. "Quickly all, circle around the children and be prepared to strike when you see the shadowy monster!" Jaru summons a ghostly glowing athame that hovers near his head.

Nalun grabs his wand of Cat's Grace as he moves into the cave. He casts Cat's Grace on Emmett...so be might better dodge the wraith's deadly claws.

I'm with you Father!

Nalun continues his inspiration and draws the Wand as he moves into the cave. I guess the Wraith withdrawing was an effect of the Scare spell? So I should mark off one of my second level spells for the day? Also, everone is inspired so +2 attack/damage and vs fear. Emmett has +4 Dex so +2AC

Vs Scare 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25 - missed that. Sorry.

Simeon has to huff and puff a few times, mustering the courage to dive down into that dank cave.

Srunching his neck down, he easily navigates the narrow opening, coming out into the wider area, eye darting about crazily.

At the sight of the children's skeletons, he gapes, then his eye narrow, their purpose made clear.

He brings to mind his incantation to harm undead and waits for the wraith to make its appearance....

Perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

As they all quickly scramble into the small cavern, Elidal's expression of drive and purpose mirrors that of her companions. "Why don't you come out so we can finish our game, fiend?" she calls as she draws her sword and utters words of divine power.

Casting Divine Favor; +1 luck bonus on Elidal's attack and weapon damage rolls.

There is a deep silence.

Jaru just shakes his head in disgust. "I would expect nothing more from a coward that preys upon children. Let us gather their remains and see them properly buried in the Lepidstadt."

Jaru and the others set to gathering up the bones with reverence. You remain undisturbed by the wraith though his cold presence remains within the cave.

As you exit the cave and into the sunlight above you can hear an unearthly howl of rage and hunger echo out of the tunnel.

Elidal starts at the inhuman howl that comes from the tunnel behind them and her hand reflexively grips her sword, ready to draw it at a moment's notice. When it appears that the wraith is not inclined to pursue them - at least for now - she shudders and turns to the others. "I'm loathe to just leave this creature to his own devices; even if there's no one living here anymore, there's still the possibility of travelers and thrill-seekers venturing out here. At the same time, I know that time is of the essence if we're to succeed at freeing the B-Vengeance," she frowns. "It may have to wait, but at some point I would like to try speaking to those women about this, provided they'll humor us."

Stretching his arms up high, delighted to be free of the benighted cave, Simeon answers, "Indeed, but evidence suggests it's 'range' is limited to the environs of this town. At the very least, we have some thing to show the judge." he deadpans.

And with that? Welcome to level 5! Lets fast forward

You rush back to Lepidstadt and find yourself within the city environs a few hours after nightfall.

Though tired from the rapid journey back to Lepidstadt, Elidal is well aware that they still have much to do. "I suppose we should go ahead and bring these bones to the local temple of Pharasma; perhaps they would also be willing to send word to the families? I'm sure they'd appreciate knowing that their children have been found so they will be able to move on."

She frowns as she tries to clear her mind and make sure that they aren't forgetting anything. "And now we have...one day until the trial? Or wait, is it tomorrow?"

And actual refresher of how much time we have left actually *would* be nice, hehe.

Emmett's legs move stiffly as he finishes the walk, a low grunt escaping his lips every time some kind of obstacle forced him to move his legs in a way other than just walking.

"We should perhaps get in touch with that barrister? He's the one who sent us to that dreadful village, no? He might know whether that Beast holds any chance." and his gaze wonders over to the great bonfire statue.

The trial is indeed tomorrow but you have chased down what leads you could in the three days before hand.

Jaru moves off to store the bones temporarily at the temple of Pharasma pending burial - they are given storage until this is complete.

The barrister Gustav Keppel stutters and starts at the news. A wr... wra... wraith? I... I... I... never w... w... would have guessed. I w... w... wonder wh...at the story is the... there.

He goes through his evidence that you have collected.

The swampers of Morast: The "Beast" was bitten by a Blood Caiman but there is no evidence of such a bite on the beast. There was evidence of someone disturbing the graveyard - tools, including a shovel were found as well as a mask of flesh. An empty potion bottle smelling faintly of carrots and leaving an orange residue was found.

The Sanctuary at Lepidstadt: You were able to recover a metal box which was warped by heat and could not be opened. The lawyer was able to source someone to open the box. Doctor Brada evidently stored papers within it but unfortunately the heat of the fire was enough to char most of the papers beyond recognition. However, he was able to decipher the words “Vorkstag and Grine’s Chymic works" throughout most of the documents. A bottle of their Chymic Bleach was found on site.

Additionally Simeon and Nalun were able to confirm that there were rumours that Vorkstag and Grine were common vendors of cadavers for medical experiments and that until the fire that destroyed the Sanctuary, unusual specimens were appearing in the University of Lepidstadts dissecting labs. The Sanctuary patients were generally the misshapen, the mentally retarded and physically handicapped.

At Vorkstag and Grines Chymic works there was found a cabinet of Skins - mostly human but there was one large monsterous skin of a mongrelman that bears the marks of a large alligator or Caiman bite. There was also a repository of cadavers found, confirming that they were in the business of the sale of dead bodies (some of which Keppel tells you are missing persons).

At the village of Herstag you have recovered the remains of four children and confirmed that it was a wraith, not the Beast that was reponsibly for their deaths, though how the wraith came to be there is a mystery the three ex residents of Herstag did not have solid proof that the Beast was responsible. They only had the story of how the beast bore Karrin's body back to the towns folk, seemingly laughing. The Beast makes a wierd sound that sounds like laughing when it seems to be grieving - possibly a substitute for crying.

The barrister will need you all to be there at the trial to give evidence and help him make the case of the Beasts innocence.

All this is laid out to be reviewed and before you know it time has past to near midnight. You return to your inn, exhausted.

The morning dawns and you are left to discuss the case so far and do any preparations as needed.

"Testify... I don't like it... If we're lucky, we'll be the ones the townsfolk will lock in and burn!" proffers Emmett.

Where are we when discussing?

But, but we have to do something! We know too much to let Venegance suffer this fate! Nalun pleads with Emmett.

"Nalun is right, justice must be served," Elidal agrees when they convene the next morning. "Though if we were elsewhere, I'd feel more secure in that being the outcome of all this. Even though I believe we've found enough evidence to show that Vengeance isn't responsible for these events, we've not found enough evidence to name the true guilty party."

She sighs, shaking her head. "And the people will want someone to pay for these crimes. If we can't provide them with the real culprit, I'm afraid that all this evidence and work will be for nothing..."

"That Gnome... If only..." mutters Emmett, agreeing with his companions.

Jaru listens to the discussion frowning. "The mob will want a simple answer, but it is not so simple. Herstag was the work of the wraith. I will testify to that and if need be, we can query the dead through the remains of the children if need be."

"The other sites are all connected to Vorkstag and Grines though rather weakly. Only the bitten skin is solid evidence though why they would dress in that is a mystery to me. Perhaps to intentionally put blame on the defendant?"

"Possibly..." Elidal murmurs, her brow furrowed in thought. "Wait a moment...Vorkstag and Grine were likely receiving cadavers from the Sanctuary, correct? But apparently the University was too - so Dr. Brada had to have a contact within the University that he dealt with, someone that took the cadavers and kept it secret about where the unusual bodies came from."

"Well, you said it like it is, and I'd prefer that would be that... But I'm certain there're more answer in that cave, past those... Well, whatever they are. We need to go there tonight and find the motive..." offers Emmett with a sour voice.

Simeon chew his cheek as he ruminates on the other's comments.

"Seeking the truth in this country usually requires fortitude in the face of public scorn and physical violence. Both of which we face when we testify." he says, his tone indicating that there was no thought in his mind that they wouldn't testify.

He turn to Elidal, "You are probably right. That I had heard about it was remarkable. Our scholars are very tight lipped."

Raising an eyebrow at Emmett, "What cave do you mean, Emmett? The one under the chymistry, or the one at the Sanctuary?"

"I mean the one where that damned Gnome escaped us... There were some... creatures down there. Not alive, but not undead either... We never went past them."

"Well...I suppose we could try that tonight, depending on how today goes," Elidal nods, still frowning. Though she was no intellectual and neither was she a member of the watch, she couldn't help but feel that they were missing some other piece of the puzzle - which frustrated her greatly.

Did we miss something? Was there someone else we should have spoken to? Or do we have the pieces with no understanding of how to put them together properly?

Simeon nods, "Ah, yes that is a deep mystery. The living, made to appear like the undead, curious what the chemists were trying to achieve there, and what those lost souls were guarding."

We h... h... have enough to create d... d... doubt in the minds of the magistrates b... bu... but check out your lead if you w... want. I w... w... will write you a writ.

You are able to head back to the Chymic works and find guards positioned on its doors. Gustav Keppels writ is enough to get you in and you investigate the basement further. Beyond the end of the basement lies a door that leads into Lepidstadts sewer system. This could be used to transport bodies to many places within the city.

What about that door where we locked the "zombies" in?

What about that door where we locked the "zombies" in?

I'm pretty sure that was a 'dead' end otherwise there wouldn't be any locking in. it was cadaver storage.

The good father has it right on his count. I don't have it in me to kick off the writing for the trial at the moment but I want you guys to brace yourself for it. Its going to be a long scene and I really want to RP through it and participate in multiple levels and ways, including calling or questioning special witnesses etc. Be creative.

"There's gotta be something! Something we missed! I say we go through the place once more." offers Emmett.

Jaru is unconvinced. "We went over the place quite well and I believe there has further investigation since, but there is a chance they may be lurking in their old haunts in the sewers. THat might be worth a look."

"The sewers... Let's have a look then. Might be some hint as to where they would go with it. Give me some light!" replies Emmett as he reaches the sewer and, with efforts and a grunt of pain, kneels to looks for signs of passage.

Taking 20 on Perception if possible, for 29.

Jaru says a short prayer and conjures a light for the old watchman to use.