The_Ninja_DM's Carrion Crown

Game Master Spiral_Ninja

Your observations are astute. What is human, humanity has come to mean so many things?

Nobody is helping anybody. By that I mean, I assume we're all acquaintances of the professor and are here to pay our respects, no matter how long the pilgrimage. And so, we're all equals in this endeavor. I was detained at Lastwall, until I'd returned from mission and received the missive. Apologies.

Andjela pauses.

You've been here longer, take tactical lead. Let's find the Beast, Caromarc and the Judge's brother. This situation is wrong, something is rank.

Off. Let's return balance.

OK, quick update: currently, you're in H2, having crossed a stone bridge from the main schloss. This large workshop seems to have been an alchemy lab, but an explosion ripped away the weatern wall, leaving a large gap in the floor and the wall. There seems to have been an effort to repair the damage, as there is scaffolding wreathing the area. There is now a rope bridge leading from the western wall to a two-story building across the ravine, connected to remnants of a stone bridge, presumably destroyed in the same event.

Also, just to confirm; Count Caromac IS Judge Diarmid's brother-in-law. (At lest in my version.)

The rope bridge hangs 150' above the rushing river below.

DC 15 Acrobatics to cross, see the map above.

"That... plan makes sense, yes. Although I only know the Professor from... umm... lectures, yes."

Craft (alchemy) to identify if the explosion was alchemical or magical: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9

Gerbault auto-succeeds the Perception and Acrobatics checks.

"There's a spell-stick in the rubble," he points out, and grabs the wand.
Knowledge (arcana) to identify: 1d20 + 7 + 1d6 ⇒ (2) + 7 + (4) = 13

"West, then? Should I tie a rope somewhere?"

And, of course, after teasing Gerbault about his typos, I promptly make a few doozies myself (weaten?) (lest?)...GM facepalm...

Meanwhile...Vertielle and Gkirkhan are in a quiet (for Gkirkhan) conversation in one of the remaining corners.

Vertielle steps forward and says "In a way, I'm glad you people showed up. I have some things I need to do, but I didn't want to leave the group in the lurch. Now that you're here, I'll head back to Lepidstadt, fill in the Judge on what we've found so far, then head back home to complete my business there." She hands Wood a folded sheet of paper and concludes "Here, keep this, it's my address. Let me know what happens here and how it all works out. I'll keep in tough if I learn anything relevant to the Professor's death."

Gkirkhan speaks up as well "Hy will go with her, hy want to be sure she gets back safe. Hy can also ask my mother to seek information has well."

With that, and some goodbyes, they both head back across the stone bridge.

Wood clarifies:
"I suspect the Beast has been duped by his adoptive father. Although found innocent, I think his father has unhealthy influence on this creature with no evil intent. I would like see him under my care, my magic can protect him from evil."

He declares in a flat voice. "No one will be judging the creature, no one will call him the beast in his presence, and no one will treat him as anything less than human. Is that clear?"

"So you think the beast was created to do evil, but failed to do what his 'father' wanted? That's a troubling... accusation, but it gives us good reason to find the thing."

And, more quietly, Gerbault adds, "What if he has a smell? Can I comment on the smell?"

Hm, well that will be up to this, Beast, to decide. Sir wood.

I've had dreams or visions. They only started recently, jumbled, confused... timeline out of sequence. They felt alarmingly real.

In one, I was with a group and we defended the Beast. Though I've actually never met him, my... sense of him was innocence, nobility. A noble savage.

"I's spen' a goo' bit o' time wid da Beast durin' da trial. Get da feel 'e ain't evil, hates it, bu' 'e likes folks 'is level, 'oo don' judge 'em by 'is looks. Kids, open-mind' folk. Only t'in' I saw rile 'em was w'en dem kids got killed, bu' 'e can't fight no wraith, an' no one believed 'em. They blamed 'im."

Ok, so...who's crossing the bridge first?

Gerbault, assuming nothing stops him, has already crossed. Since the lowest acrobatics check he can get is a 20, I didn't roll it.

The mage answers:
"The Beast was somewhat childlike, but capable of injuring others. I will not allow the Beast to align himself with evil. I do not know if I like a bunch of newcomers challenging every assertion I make about things I witnessed firsthand, especially without any prior knowledge on the subject."

I did not hear nor speak any challenge. Merely, individuals speaking their mind.

Shall we continue?

Actually, Gerbault....

Gerbault stars across the rope & wooden-planked bridge. He seems to have no trouble at all, until he gets half-way across.

When he reaches that point, a scarlet glow appears on the underside of the bridge and a form emerges...a form at first appearing angelic, until you realize her wings are black and tattered, her flowing hair black and her disturbingly sensual gown stained with blood. She clutches a wicked-looking bow in her hands, drawing, nocking, and firing a flame-tipped arrow at Gerbault as she calls out "Finally someone dares to cross. Die then, all who would try, so that I may be free of this binding"

attack: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (17) + 14 = 31 for piercing: 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12 and fire: 1d6 ⇒ 2

kn religion, what is it?: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26

An Erinyes, a type of devil also known as the Fallen, the Ash Wings, and the Furies. She can use longswords, longbows, and a magical entangling rope that woks only for the particular Erinyes who made it. While not a spell-caster per se, she does have some special abilities, including the ability to summon lesser devils.

Erinyes, Ash Wing, Fallen! To arms!. Raising her crossbow, Andjela becomes her own Fury.

atk1, hvy xbow, large, precise, pbs, bracers, smite: 1d20 + 11 - 2 + 1 + 1 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 11 - 2 + 1 + 1 + 3 = 20
dmg1, hvy xbow, large, pbs, smite: 2d8 + 1 + 12 ⇒ (2, 3) + 1 + 12 = 18

atk2, hvy xbow, large, precise, pbs, bracers, smite: 1d20 + 6 - 2 + 1 + 1 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 6 - 2 + 1 + 1 + 3 = 29
dmg2, hvy xbow, large, pbs, smite: 2d8 + 1 + 12 ⇒ (7, 2) + 1 + 12 = 22

crit, hvy xbow, large, precise, pbs, bracers, smite: 1d20 + 6 - 2 + 1 + 1 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 6 - 2 + 1 + 1 + 3 = 11
dmg2, hvy xbow, large, pbs, smite: 4d8 + 2 + 24 ⇒ (8, 8, 6, 5) + 2 + 24 = 53

Initiative?

Initiatives after surprise attack:

Andjela Initiative: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16
Darien Initiative: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7
Evangline Initiative: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20
Gerbault Initiative: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26
Rova Initiative: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22
Wood Initiative: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7
monster of the day Initiative: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25

Round 1:
Gerbault [can also act in surprise round]
Erinyes
Rova
Eva
Andjela
Darien
Wood

Well, that's quite... troubling.

"Ack!" Gerbault shouts in surprise. Since she's too high for him to hit with a melee attack, he uses the surprise round to quaff a potion (Shield), and the air around him shimmers. AC now 26

On his initiative, he runs down the bridge, attempting to jump high enough to get a single stab in against the creature.

To hit: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (15) + 13 = 28
Damage: 1d4 + 12 ⇒ (3) + 12 = 15

Attacks are now 23 and 30. With no penalty for "large" and forgotten weapon focus. Rerolling damage. Not sure is first roll hit. Put smite x2 on the one that more likely did.

dmg1, hvy xbow, pbs, smite: 1d10 + 1 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 1 + 6 = 15
dmg2, hvy xbow, pbs, smite x2: 1d10 + 1 + 12 ⇒ (10) + 1 + 12 = 23

If AC 23, then two hits for 38 total from Andjela, please.

Sorry, but I see the first shot as a total of 20, is that after re-totaling your ads? I mean, I'm fine with your taking her down more quickly, I don't want to fish anyone out of the river after a 150'fall.

Sorry, but I see the first shot as a total of 20, is that after re-totaling your ads? I mean, I'm fine with your taking her down more quickly, I don't want to fish anyone out of the river after a 150'fall.

20 was incorrect bonuses. Had -2 for large (no longer applies), and neglected +1 weapon focus.

No problem, I just needed to see where the hit came from.

Eva casts Bull's strength on Rova.

Wood steps behind Andjela and tap her with his wand when able to act.
Protection from evil 10 rounds

"If I were here, you would be the one I'd target.

Interesting typo there Wood...at least I hope it's a typo. ;P

Rova will try out his new bow - normal ammo, since no said differently..

Attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10
Damage: 2d6 + 7 ⇒ (3, 4) + 7 = 14 <-- Bull's strength (adaptive)

Rova's continuously hideous die rolls continue..

Oh wait, I'M the skill monkey who's supposed to identify things!

Knowledge (planes): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12 Or not...

Oops, slight add-on to the last post..

Swift action: Enter Snake style..

Wood checks his Necronomicon for a possible picture of the creature.
Kn Planes: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (7) + 16 = 23

As it's a devil, Andjela tossed Kn Religion 26. And called out it's name. What it is.

Erinyes, Ash Wing, Fallen! To arms!. Raising her crossbow, Andjela becomes her own Fury.

Round 1: The erinyes uses her fear attack on Darien

Surprise Round results:
Erinyes: attacks/hits Gerbault
Gerbault: quaffs potion of shield

Round 1 results:
Gerbault: attacks/hits Erinyes
Erinyes: attacks Gerbault
Rova: attacks/misses Erinyes
Eva: casts Bulls' Strength on Rova
Andjela: attacks/hits Erinyes
Darien: fails (GM fiat)/flees
Wood: casts Protection from Evil on Andjela

Round 2:
Gerbault
Erinyes
Rova
Eva
Andjela
Wood

Erinyes returns to her assault on Gerbault.
attack: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (8) + 14 = 22 for piercing: 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13 and fire: 1d6 ⇒ 6

Not sure if Gerbault's up again, but I think he is.

Assuming that the devil is now in melee range, Gerbault pops a spring-loaded dagger into his left hand and makes a full attack.

Rapier: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (13) + 11 = 24
Damage: 1d4 + 12 ⇒ (4) + 12 = 16
Dagger: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (10) + 11 = 21
Damage: 1d3 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9

(Note: weapons are masterwork, not magic, if it affects DR)

Gerbalt, she's not a fool. She's saying ranged.

Can I jump and hit her with that first attack, or is she no longer next to the bridge?

OK, go for it, just be very careful...you need to roll your acrobatics. You ARE on a bridge ofer a 150' drop, after all.

Luckily, goblins are real good at one thing...

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (5) + 19 = 24

Gerbault leaps up into the air, trying to jump high enough to hit the devil.

Eva has nothing for range, so I'm thinking about what I can do.

You could always ask the others to move back inside so it has to land...

Wood shelters behind the paladin after protecting her with magic, and begins to summon some eagles.
=monster summoning I

Save your magic, Wizard.. This shouldn't last long.

"Ehh, gotta fin' th' range.."

Firing again..

Attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16
Damage: 2d6 + 7 ⇒ (3, 4) + 7 = 14

Better, but not a hit..

Wood thinks better of casting. He waits patiently.

It's me you want, not the Halfling! Taking aim once more, Andjela shoots twice.

atk1, hvy xbow, precise, pbs, bracers, smite: 1d20 + 11 + 1 + 1 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 11 + 1 + 1 + 3 = 26
dmg1, hvy xbow, pbs, smite: 1d10 + 1 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 1 + 6 = 14

atk2, hvy xbow, precise, pbs, bracers, smite: 1d20 + 6 + 1 + 1 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 6 + 1 + 1 + 3 = 17
dmg2, hvy xbow, pbs, smite: 1d10 + 1 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 1 + 6 = 13

Round 2 Results:
Gerbault: Jumps, one attack hits
Erinyes: fires at Gerbault
Rova: miss
Eva: holds
Andjela: fires, one attack hits
Wood: holds

Erinyes flies to the south so any further leaps will result in a long splashdown then fires at Gerbault once more.

attack: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (4) + 14 = 18 for damage-piercing: 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12 and damage-fire: 1d6 ⇒ 6

The creature laughs "Come out and face me, Paladin...if you dare."

Gerbault runs for the safety of the doorway.