The Missing

Game Master ShallowHammer

[i]Yiniv thinks for a moment and carries the goat outside, giving it a few seconds to stretch its legs. He gives Ford a very doubtful look, but submits[i]
[b]"I vill try but iv you haven't noticed, I very big man zneaking in a tiny voom?[b]

Karim smirks at Ford's suggestion. He gives Yiniv a light jab with his elbow. "Don't worry about the sneakin', big man. Leave that to me- it's sort of my bread n' butter."

I like this plan. And good call, Krom.

As he starts to back away, Karim asks: "Hey Ford, which one did you want me to grab for you? The pink one, or the green one?"

Father Porbos looks at the group separating nervously. I-I-I really think its that simple. Time is urgent! You MUST leave NOW! He stammers urgently. The goat makes a noise as it starts going out the door. Suddenly, the door flies open and a large figure stands there, sword drawn!

Everyone roll initiative.

initiative: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12

You might want to roll initiative for everyone. From my other PBP games it speeds things up alot.

Agree with Krom. It speeds up the process greatly.

Ford blinks, hands instinctively flying for the scythe on his back. "What the-!?"

Initiative: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16

If you would GM I third Kromlite, it does speed things up

Init: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Growling at the sudden interruption, his great axe seems to leap from his back to his hands

I will do that going forward. I'm not using battlemaps because I'm having difficulties uploading files to my website, so the short of it is that everyone can close to melee with one move action, or remain at range for 1 round

Shadow Warrior initiative: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7
Karim initiative: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

Battle order:

1. Ford
2. Kromlite
3. Shadow Figure (AC 17)
4. Karim
5. Yiniv

Father Porbos scurries to a corner and cowers...The shadow figure loudly whispers, Nammuz wants blood!

Ford smirks as he steps up, scythe flying off his back and going low to knock the shadowy figure off his feet. "Then he'll have to look elsewhere! We're fresh out of donations here!" he quipped back.

Improved Trip: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16

Kromlite starts singing and inspiring song to help his friends in battle as he pulls his bow out.

Move action to ready bow. stanard action to start inspire courage. (+1 competence bonus on attack and weapon damage rolls, and saves vs. charm and fear)

Yiniv roars in bestial fury and attempt to tackle the figure

Can I charge and grapple? I am not exactly sure how it works but I believe it is a attack roll and an opposed strength test?

Attack Roll: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22

Opposed Strength Test: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17

The shadow strikes with his dark sword at Ford....
attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10
and cuts through the air, brushing Ford's cheek with foul-smelling air.

strength: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 13

Yiniv manages to gain a hold on the creature, and feels sapping cold against his body [ooc]Yiniv receives 1d4 ⇒ 2 dmg from the creatures touch.

A grapple is 1d20+CMB versus the opponents CMD. See Grapple

If this is actually and incorporeal shadow than that a whole different can of worms.

Yiniv wrestling the creature continues attempting to break it into submission, and grunts under the pain. His armor spikes in his armor cut deep into the creature in return

" IV VREZTLED BEARZ ZTRONGER ZEN YOU!"

Armor Spike: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19

DMG: 1d4 ⇒ 1

Karim draws his shortbow (move action) and nocks an arrow. "Who the heck is this?! Just my luck..." he shouts as he fires off a shot.

Bet I'm getting a penalty for shooting into melee, though.
Shortbow!: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20
Damage!: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

"Not sure, but let's see if we can't find out!" Ford replied, dropping his scythe and pulling out a torch, along with his flint and steel. Cracking out some sparks, Ford lit the torch before raising it up to see just who they were dealing with.

The creature shrieks with pain, attempting to free itself from the grapple.

combat maneuver check: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (3) - 2 = 1

While it struggles to free itself, it impales it's body on the armor spikes, taking an additional dmg: 1d4 ⇒ 1 dmg. It releases another shriek and calls out Nammuz el bak tub. A black slime oozes out of it and onto Yiniv's armor, sizzling as it makes contact, but causes no obvious damage.

Meanwhile, father Porbos calls out from his corner, it's kept me prisoner all night waiting for you! I have something that might help. With that, he crawls towards the podium at the front of the room, and starts fumbling for something.

"Hey, whatever you've got up your sleeve, Father, just make it quick!" Karim shouts over his shoulder. "Keep a hold on 'im, Yiniv! Your spikes are working!"

I've returned from DragonCon!

Here's the current init order based on who's next and when:

Yiniv
Ford
Kromlite
Father Porbos
Shadow Creature
Karim

Yiniv continues to hold on to the creature his bearlike arms wrapped around it

Opposed Strength: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20

Can I somehow do nonlethal dmg versus lethal? I'd rather knock it unconcious than kill seeing as we know little about it

Armor Spikes: 1d4 ⇒ 2

Yiniv you forgot the inspire courage plus of +1 to hit and damage.

Kromlite walks up and hits the creature with the flat of his blade.

"I don't know if I'm going to be much use doing this but I'll try and help."

Longsword: 1d20 + 1 - 4 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 1 - 4 + 1 = 12 Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

I'm probably wasting my time but I must do something to help or I'm hardly being heroic.

Father Porbos finds a vial of clear liquid. Holding it up, he calls out to Kromlite, Catch this and splash it on the creature! He throws it perfectly to Kromlite. You now have a vial of holy water

Yiniv, yes you can choose non-lethal damage

Meanwhile, the shadow creature bites at Yiniv, baring blazingly white teeth in a dark mouth bite attack: 1d20 + 3 - 1 ⇒ (1) + 3 - 1 = 3 and impales his face on another of Yiniv's spikes, doing dmg: 1d4 ⇒ 1 damage. He shrieks out Goat bak yum ordin tur!

If anyone wants to do a knowledge dungeoneering or knowledge religion check, you might learn a bit about this creature

Kn: Dungeoneering: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6
Kn: Religion: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

"Thanks for I'll put it to good use! Hold him still Yiniv while I give him a bath!"

This is more like it! A fight to the death with water!

Kromlite will bath the "shadow" on his next turn.

Holy Water: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 1 = 16

And until then, Karim will take another shot!

"Let's hope that stuff does the trick," Karim says through gritted teeth as he nocks another arrow and moves into position behind a church pew.

Fire!: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 2

Next Turn

Yiniv holds the creature, driving his spikes in even farther

CM: Grapple: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7

DMG: 1d4 ⇒ 1

Waiting on Ford and Kromlite

Posted already.

Kromlite will bath the "shadow" on his next turn.

Holy Water: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 1 = 16

my bad

The shadow beast's skin bubbles and broths at the touch of the holy water, it cries out, et yur ben hallk! and collapses on the ground.

Father Porbos stands wobbley on his legs, the color missing from his face. By Erastil! You killed it! Thank you. I was certain that it would kill you and I wanted you out of here as fast as possible! It arrived during the storm last night, and kept saying "Nammuz et al." When you came, it pushed me out the door and made a hushing sign with his finger. I was terrified! I'm no match for such a beast! I couldn't even leave the room for the holy water! Please, can you help me burn this monstrosity before I tell you what we need done?

While cleaning up the mess, Father Porbos heals all of you back to full hp. He also hands you two vials of Potions of Cure Light Wounds. On the creature's body, you find:

gold: 2d20 ⇒ (15, 11) = 26
A glowing red gem
an amulet with an infinity sign

While the pyre is burning outside, Father Porbos tells you about the beast.
The last few years I've been studying with Fogg about Nammuz and his servants. This foul creature is known as a Lesser Shadow. When a servant of Nammuz gains enough power, he or she can create this to do errands. Someone took my statements seriously and didn't want you helping us. Unfortunately, I don't know the language used by Nammuz's servants, so I have no information other than this: Erastil gave me a vision, telling me that I should send you to the Lost Temple, and that a path would be opened for you. I think Erastil has heard our prayers and is helping us. But you must have millions of questions! Please, ask what you will.

"A fight fit for a song. I'll have to work on that. Do you recognize this symbol on the amulet? What other servants of Nammuz are we likely to encounter?"

Kromlite casts detect magic on the objects to see if they are magical.

Well fought, fellas! Those armor spikes worked out nicely.

"Man," Karim says, prodding the lifeless shadow-thing with his boot, "If your rigamarole had Nammuz- or his servants- spooked enough to send this creep after you, maybe there's something to your fancy prophecy after all."

Kromlite's questions have basically covered his own thoughts regarding the shadow's belongings. "So I take it we'll be off to the Lost Temple tomorrow, huh? Other than Nammuz's other henchfolk, what other kinds of critters do you guys get around here?" Quietly, he adds an aside: "Hope it's not ogres. I hate ogres."

Father Porbos responds, the path to the Lost Temple is ancient, and is now more of a broken road. Hundreds of years ago, a highway let to it as it was a popular center for worship. Today, a goblin tribe hackles travelers. As for additional servants, I don't know. Nammuz is a god who was slighted by the other gods early in creation. According to legends, he vowed to interfere with the other gods' creations whenever possible.

He next looks at the amulet, tracing the infinity sign with his index finger, this looks familiar, but I can't place it. It's ancient, I know that.

"Both items seem to have some magic on them. Let me see if I can identify their abilities."

Spellcraft Gem: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9
Spellcraft Amulet: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18

"Goblins, huh? Swell. Love those guys. Thanks for the info, Father. We don't really need the goat anymore, do we?"

Anything else we need to know?

Father Porbos answers, no, you don't need the goat anymore. Please leave him here.

I want to give Yiniv and Ford a little time to post again before the next scene.

" Vi uzed to ztrangle wittle gobinz for funz when Vi waz a wittle giant"

Yiniv states this with a smile on his face feeling quite proud of his achievements as a small child.

Yiniv's lip quivers as he pets the small goat. He holds his hands in a begging manner in front of the priest and to the rest of the party

"Pleaze! Pleaze can I keep wictor?"

"You want the goat?" Karim asks, incredulous. "What, do you have some great attachment to this little guy? Or is this some sort of secret barbarian fighting technique utilizing the goat as a club, or something?"

For what it's worth, I support taking "Wictor" along. Never know when you might need a goat.

Father Porbos, surprised at this turn of events, replies, very well, you may keep Victor. Consider it another way for me to help you on your journey, I guess...

The next day, after some rest, you set out to find the temple. Walking the broken road, you notice that the farther you go, the more overgrown the path becomes. The sky soon gets filled with the branches and leaves of the trees as you move deeper into the forest. After several hours of walking, you hear the rustling of water in the distance.

Ford Perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 1 = 13
Yiniv Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17
Karim Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16
Kromlite Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17

Decide how you want to move forward

Karim holds up a hand and whispers: "Yo, fellas. Green guys up ahead. Let's keep it down. Yiniv, keep an eye on, uh, Wictor."

Time to get stealthy. I'll try to scout ahead a bit and see exactly what's going on and how many of them there are. Drawing my rapier to boot.

Stealth: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12 boo
Aaaand Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24 yay

Kromlite tries to meld into the shadows of the forest while waiting for Karim, in case the goblins get past him and try and sneak up on the group.

Stealth: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26

Goblin Perception: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (12) - 1 = 11

As Karim sneaks up in the underbrush, he sneezes as he goes by some flowers. Fortunately, the Goblins don't notice as they're too busy talking among themselves.

You continue to hear the noises up ahead. They don't even pause for the sneeze.

Not terribly astute, those gobbos, Karim thinks. My luck's holding true.

Karim considers for a moment drawing his shortbow and taking a shot at the distracted goblins, but thinks better of it. Part of a team now. Better see what the rest of the gang wants to do first. Karim retreats back through the brush as quietly as possible to inform the others of what he's seen.

Not sure if I need to roll for Stealth again. What say you, ShallowHammer?

Watching the other members slowly make their way towards the goblins, Yiniv watches silently. His great axe drawn and ready to bull rush into the enemy

No need to roll stealth again, and you are all together in the brush, far enough away that if you talk in low voices, they won't hear you...except.....

you all suddenly hear a goat make a loud "ba-a-a-a-a-a-a-!"

Suddenly, you hear in the distance, Sheep sound yummy! and the sounds of little footsteps approaching fast.

You're all concealed and so I'm rolling to see if you have a surprise round in your favor

Karim stealth: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15
Yiniv Stealth: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
Ford Stealth: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (11) + 0 = 11
Kromlite Stealth: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (11) + 0 = 11
Goblins Perc: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (15) - 1 = 14 They're distracted by the thought of dinner

Yiniv rustles the nearby brush as he tries desperately to silence Viktor. The goblins, moving fast, slow down at the noise...
Is someone there? one asks the other...toll! Pay the toll! Come out and pay the toll! No fight unless you want one

Hearing no answer, the goblins draw their swords, We know you there! You want to play? they call out menacingly.

Here goes nothin'...!

Karim, seeing the goblins draw their blades, leaps out of the brush, rapier in hand, and attempts to stab the closer of the two before it can react.

Attack!: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24 :O
Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7 :O :O
Sneak Attack (if applicable): 1d6 ⇒ 4

Crit. Confirmation: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23 Whaaaat!?

Karim's blade runs true, decapitating the closest goblin. The other, shocked by the suddenness of the attack, attempts to strike back

attack: 1d20 ⇒ 6 lost bonuses due to severity of Karim's attack

and hits nothing but air, letting out a mouthful of goblin curses longshanks tricksy and mean! Goblins only want toll! Now longshanks die!

Initiative rolls

Goblin: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
Karim: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21
Yiniv: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 1 = 17
Kromlite: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12
Ford: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15

First full round starts now: here's the order...

1. Karim
2. Yiniv
3. Ford
4. Kromlite
5. Goblin
6. Viktor

Since Viktor's untrained, he gets a -3 attack bonus for purposes of this combat and has hp: 1d6 ⇒ 1 hp. Yiniv, would you like to roll up some official stats for Viktor or would you prefer if I do it after this combat?

Hoping to all hell that his success at taking down the first goblin wasn't a fluke, Karim thrusts his blade forth at the other, hoping to take it down fast.

Stab!: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18
Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

You get sneak attack damage too since the goblin hasn't acted yet, Karim.

Sneak Attack FTW: 1d6 ⇒ 3