The Harbingers

Game Master Nimon

I wake Belor and point the direction of the movement.

I just spotted something moving away from camp. It appeared to be dragging something. I am pretty sure that I am the least equipped to take this thing on without magic.

I pick my weapon begin pursuit I'll track it and if I can hold him off I can fight with or without weapons, I'm that good winking at Herani

I run after the creature and when I reach it I will attempt a trip attack if I don't recognize him/it

Perception to find the thing/person 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 29
Trip[ Attack 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23

I follow along behind. I will attempt to flank it if we catch it.

You round the bend where you last saw the creature and find it devouring a dwarven corpse just inside a small cave. It sees you, you were not quiet in your approach.

Roll Initative Herani, Jazsimus and Belros.

1d20 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 1 = 10 these things have no initative apparently.

Initiative 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22

Initiative: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18

Perception to hear whats going on and wake up: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11 I think that will wake me up since they aren't trying to conceal their presence around me?

I will also attempt that check to wake up: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (8) + 10 = 18

Perception: 1d20 ⇒ 6

"ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ"

I will let Akor and Xideus wake up, but you are not sure what is going on, you see Herani, Belros and Jazsimus(which is just an asumption since he was on watch also) go around an elevated patch of ground that curves with the creek.

Roll initative Akor and Xideus and you will get in that order after the first round.

First round is

Belros
Herani
Hag,Annis

Next round Akor and Xideus well get in.

Belros you can keep that trip attack or choose another action.

1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24 Initiative

Can I wake Xara this "round" or is my waking up my total amount of actions?

Initiative: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25

Akor You can wake Xara up, she will then roll intative and you will be what ever she rolled - since you are not going straight into the battle ok, maybe she will pop right up though.

Xara Roll initative as Akor is waking you up

Knowledge(Arcana): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (13) + 10 = 23
Knowledge(Nature): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20

What do I know about this hag?

I draw and load my crossbow while trying to figure if there is anything I know about this type of hag.

Xara looks up at Akor and doesn't waste time with pointless questions about what's going on. She grabs her fauchard and leaps to her feat, taking a 5-foot step towards wherever the others are directing their attentions.

Initiative: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15

I will hold the Trip attack I used to be fair, IF successful will make the AoO from my feat.

AoO attack1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22
Damage 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11

Belros No sorry you missed with that, CMD is 26 Guess that makes up for not having initative.

Herani You recongnize this as some sort of hag, but it is larger then most(8'). You know hags are vulnerable to blunt weapons.

1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17
1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21 Two Claw attacks against Belros w/natural reach. If hit make fort save+2 since 2 allies next to you.
1d8 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13
1d8 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10 Damage

1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18 Spit attack against Herani range touch, make Will save if hit
1d4 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6 if made will save, half damage and no further effect.

Jazsimus You get an attack in here too, just wanted to post befor I went to bed.

New Initative
Xideus-25
Belros-22
Herani-18
Xara-15
Akor-15-
Jazsimus?
Hag,Annis- 10

Will save: 1d20 + 10 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 10 + 2 = 20 --> not sure what the DC to beat is, let me know if I made it

I call back to the group. Could use some help here, got a hag, bring bludgeoning weapons if you have any.

I will 5' step back from the Hag and fire my crossbow.
Attack: 1d20 + 5 - 4 ⇒ (12) + 5 - 4 = 13
Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 3

Xideus charges in and lunges forward with his scimitar.

Scimitar Attack: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (14) + 9 = 23
Scimitar Damage: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8

Jazismus joins the others and as he does he brings an epic poem to mind to recall events of good overcoming evil. He bolsters those he can and emboldens them to heroic action.

So wait, I've effectively delayed my action(drop in Initiative) in order to wake up Xara? That's a little odd.

Are we out of the Manawastes? I thought the inspire courage wouldn't work here.

She is stronger than I tought panthing after getting scratched

1d20 + 10 ⇒ (7) + 10 = 17

UGH! Are we still in that god awful place????

Sorry I wasnt able to post earlier. Midterms for microbiology

Herani You beat the will save DC 15. You missed with crossbow
Akor Typically it takes a standard action to physically wake someone up that is sleeping that missed thier perception check. I thought it less of a burden to just lower your intiative and allow you an attack this round with Xideus, just at the lower intiative.
Jazsimus Yes still in the manawastes, you are almost out of the SpellScar Desert which is just a portion of the wastes. Soon you will be in Alkenstar, capital of the wastes. Once you get there you decide where you go, only the mana wastes and certain parts of the Azlanti old kingdom have this hampering effect on magic and su abilities.
Belros You missed.
Xideus You Hit.Your weapon does less damage then you'd expect.

1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28
1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15
1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18 Claw claw bit on Belros. You get one AoO as she closes in for a bite. So does Xideus since he closed in for Melee. If these hit make a fort save +3 now since more allies next to you.
1d8 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13
1d8 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9Claw damage
1d6 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8Bite Damage

Jazsimus, Xara and Akor can make attacks befor the start of new round.

Xideus-25
Belros-22
Herani-18
Xara-15
Akor-15-
Jazsimus?
Hag,Annis-

Xara moves in to help her friends. She tries to find some flanking, if possible.
Attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14
Damage: 1d10 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

Initiative = 6 or dead last

Jazismus takes a swing when the opportunity presents itself.

1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16

Xara and Jazsimus you can flank the Hag, but you will enter the cave to do so. If that is ok I will calculate your attacks with flank. You round the side of the Hag and you both hit, your weapons are not as effective as they should be, but you have wounded the large beast. This cave smells horrid.

Will make my AoO trip to avoid the bite..

Trip AoO1d20 + 9 ⇒ (19) + 9 = 28

Akor takes aim and lets loose an arrow at the Hag 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26 for 1d8 ⇒ 5 dmg

Going to roll fort just in case, but I think Belros' hit succeeds. Did you say that I get an AoO? Going to roll that as well.

Fort Save: 1d20 + 7 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 7 + 3 = 18
AoO: Scimitar Attack: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (5) + 9 = 14
Scimitar Damage: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11
Standard: Scimitar Attack: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (13) + 9 = 22
Scimitar Damage: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10

Belros trips the beast as it falls it lands on Xara's polearm and takes an Arrow from Akor to the Eye. It wails in pain, then wails no more. In side the cave you see a dead dwarven sentry. It appears this cave was hidden well by the Hag, who used several bits of rock to conceal it during the day. A further look into the cave reveals many half eatten corpses. The Hag had been at this a long time, there is a virtual gold mine in her cave.

Gold Point Value in Gold/Gems/Other forms of raw currency- 2,000g a piece.

Mwk Items{Possibly Magical, no telling here}
Mithril Full Plate
Dragon Hide Armor(Very Old)
Composite Bow(made for +3 str)
Silver Arrows x 30
Ring made from bone
Ring made from copper
Ring made from jade
Cold Iron Scimitar
Staff-Top of staff is Ram's Head, Shaft is Darkwood

Looking down at the hag with disgust. Damn she is ugly, I always wondered what happened to that really ugly girl from primary school.

Upon seeing the treasure trove.

Wow, some nice stuff here. As it is sitting in the cave of an annis hag, my guess is that some of it is magical, but there is no telling here. Also, some of it could be cursed, so my advice is to not start using it until we determine what it is. Why don't we split up carrying this until we are out of the mana wastes. Once there, I should be able to identify most of this to determine whether it is magical.

If nobody else wants it, someone should volunteer to keep track of unclaimed treasure. I can do it, but will not claim to be the best at this.

@ DM Nimon - I assume that you are saying we can just add 2k gold - and this amount does not include the masterwork/magical items in the list.

"That went well. We seem to be functioning more and more as a team." Akor says, then spots the bow and arrows. "Since I'm the only archer here, I claim the bow and quiver."

Head over to occ for my take on loot

Aye Herani, I agree with you as I wink at the armor Well before we take anything this dwarf needs a better resting place for starters as I hold him by his arms So what are you buffoon waiting for I can't do this my self as he looks at everyone waiting who will help Come on now we are still civilized people and we can divide and check the loot properly later on when we take it back to camp and further analysis at the place we are going as I then grumble and think out loud Any place is better than this barren god forsaken desert and woman so sour that she looks like date in the middle of nowhere

Yes the 2,000g each in gold,gems,semiprecious stones, raw materials ect.

Xideus picks up the cold iron scimitar and balances it in his hands, tossing it up and down a couple of times. "This looks like it could be useful." He slides it just in front of his other scimitar and underneath his belt. He also grabs whatever is left to help carry some of the load.

"Well, that was interesting. Back to bed for a couple hours." He heads back to camp.

Well I did have a post where Hana came and sent scouts to look for any more threats in the area, but it disappeared and don't feel like rewritting it

In the Morning Alkenstar greets you Thank you for spotting that Hag last night, no telling how many more she could have killed. My scouts found no evidence of others and her cave was small, she was probably solitary. The rest of the Journy will be more pleasant, in about eight hours we will be completly out of the desert and into the green pastures of my Dukedom. You have proven to be competant in dealing with problems, perhaps you would like to hear a buisness proposal once we arrive in Alkenstar? I will let you think about it, I will let my guards know to expect your arrival once we are within the castle. I must attend to my troops, good day.

That post is in the discussion board =)

Xideus consults the rest of the group about Alkenstar's proposal. "I'm not too sure I am apt to agree to this proposal if it requires us to stay longer in these wastes."

I'm a competent fighter anywere you put me in, wastes or his dukedom. I only hate it in this g%~ d!*n heat and probably in a g*+ d+$n harsh winter too as I grumble for a moment Well we have to hang out with him regardless as "guests" so make the best of it and we can figure out what to do once we are in his "duke-doom" or whatever he clled it

No other encounters will occur for the next two days. The weather gets cooler, and only slighlty more humid so fort checks are not required.

After three days in the Desert, you feel like you must be imagining things. Alkenstar is a huge compound dug into the ground, with a large fortress in the center. On the outskirts of the compound, on the higher ground, are several well fortified towers connected by a large wall with parapits. The compound has several large mines and factories that seem to be functioning non-stop.

The Duke has made arrangments for you to sleep in the fortress if you wish. Also a courier placed this in my hands for you when I arrived. Hana says handing you a letter.

The letter is from Arodeth, in Harbinger code. Meet me in the Temple of Torag. Flash the hand sign of the Harbingers to the monk with a scar on his lip, and he wil take you to me.

And no more manawastes right!?

Jazismus spent the last three days miserable do to the heat and spoke rarely. When he did he said that once they got out of the accursed manawastes he would start identifying the items they found in the hag's cave.

When Alkenstar mentions a proposition, Akor says "I will be much more inclined to accept such an offer if it got me out of this literal Godsforsaken pit."

When they arrive at the eponymous city, he sighs audibly "Civilization at last! I am going to go and enjoy a hot bath then go see if I can't find me a delicious meal"

Almost out of the Manawastes Jazimus. Thank you for your patience, I know that was a rough part of the campaign and you could not use your character to his full potential. Rewards for this should be coming soon.

I will go ahead and post what happens with Arodeth, if you want to do anything befor hand you can. I am going to study for a spanish test, then I will post one more time befor bed Alkenstar's proposal so you will all have plenty to discuss.

When you approach the Temple of Torag, on of the Largest to the Deity any of you have seen, the monk with the scar on his lip leads you around the main room to a guest room. Inside the room he goes to a bed and pulls a secret lever on the bed post and it slides to reveal a staircase down. This leads you into a well made stone room 50x80'.

Thank Aroden you made it She says with delight at seeing you all. Damm Elimon for his betrayal. He has hidden much from us. Unfortunatly we do not have time to deal with him yet. I went to Lastwall and did some research. Apparently the Dark Lord Geb visited Tar-Baphons resting site during the Geb/Nex wars. I suspect he released Tar-Baphon in order to aid in his war against Nex. The King of Lastwall denies this to be true, but he does attest to the shard being genuine. He has ordered the shield to be remade in the event Tar-Baphon is free and among us. I have some dealing to do with Alkenstar,then I must leave for the Mwagi exspanse to seek out some more information. I need you to travel north to Geb and see if you can pick up any information linking Geb to Tar-Baphon, and any evidence that might suggest Tar-Baphon's location.

North to Geb? I'm sure it was South...

"I was half hoping you would send us back to Nex to take care of Elimon. BUt I guess we must move on, can you tell us more about Tar-Baphon?

Knowledge-Arcana to know about Tar-Baphon: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10
Knowledge-religion for same purpose: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 27

Yes it is south to Geb, had my map upside down

A dwarven guard brings you in to see Alkenstar. Good day fellow adventurers! I am glad to see you. As you are probably aware, one of our biggest issues in the manawastes is lack of magic. Another problem not so well known is that this anti-magic field we have going on provides little to no crops. We are so poor on food production we have it imported from Geb. More and more the people are rejecting the idea of undead producing their food. I must say honestly I do not find it all that appealing either, but for now it is the only option my attempts to bargin with the tribes of Mwangi proved to be...non productive. He grabs a glass of dwarven ale from his servant who in turn offers some to you.

This stuff has a bite to it, if you are not familar with dwarven ale I would pass. It sure does help take the edge off though. He says with a devilish smile. Anyways, what I am getting at is that we could use an alternate form of food production. What I could use your help with is getting it, or rather convincing those that have it to trade for it. To the north is Nex, a land I know you are familar with. Technically this land belongs to them, but well mages do not enjoy it here,one of the reasons I do like it here, and they have not bothered to try and claim it. Also I have had my own issues with certain members of the Lords of Nex. So you see, you being a nuetral party make the perfect diplomats. He pauses to gauge your reactions.

What I purpose is that you travel north to Nex to a city called Ecanus, about a day from the border. Talk to Velznic Mor on my behalf. We have had cordial relations, but he could not be seen talking to me. I know he covets my weapon technology. I will trade with him arms for food to be delived by boat down the Elemion river. I have the papers already drawn up. All you need to do is deliver the papers and get an answer for me.

One additional point, agents from Geb would not appreciate me dealing with their old enemy, be ware of them and try not to reveal your purpose. Should you do this for me I will reward you with 10,000 gold and install a permanet base for the Harbingers here in Alkenstar.Also just for coming to see me I offer you this He holds a strange potion in his hand. This is a potion made from Calikang blood. When magic users spend more then a day in the Manawastes, they experiance a quickening upon returing to a land that supports magic. The longer you stay, the harsher the effects. Many do not survive a quickening after more then three days. You have been here almost a week by my count, possibly more since I do not know the approach you took to get here. Drink this potion, and you will survive the quickening, and those who survive the quickening become even more powerful. He hands each of you a potion.