The Reclamation of Zahvroma (Inactive)

Game Master Signore di Fortuna

Skaar's at the bottom of the init. You guys could finish it before he acts.

It's more fun to watch him snap the piggy! besides, stabbing into a grapple....bad idea.

I can respect the fun part. =P

But for future reference, grappled creatures have an AC penalty for easier stabbing. So when we come across something big and scary and Skaar starting wrestling with it, you're clear to hit it.

If we were fighting more than one thing I would, but I am pretty sure its dead and it will be harder to prepare if its littered with cuts and stab wounds.

E10 then. He is not firing a shot for worry of hitting Skaar.

That's it, mandatory wrestling lessons for everyone!

Funny you should mention that. I've been thinking the past couple of days to ask Skaar for a couple of lessons.

Everyone crowds around Skaar to watch him finish the boar and the orc does not disappoint. The boar's neck snaps quickly and not a squeal can be heard.

Combat over.

***
Your attack is the AoO provoked by the zombie for grappling, so you have another attack after the grapple before moving on to the next round.

The zombie, unresponsive to the dagger piercing her flesh, shudders as the electrical charge sets off deep into her side. "Don't...you...remember...this...Drago? Fair...is...fair..."

Still Round 3: Drago, Zombie

Skaar stands upright and tosses the boar's limp form onto the ground.

"One of you skill'd with dressin' kills?"

With the heat of battle passed, the extent of his wound hits him. The big orc tried his best to hide the discomfort as he glanced at the ragged gash between his ribs where the boar's tusks had impaled him. It wasn't the worst injury he'd suffered but it wasn't good either.

"'Dat was a good scrap. Nice whack with yur stick 'lil 'Nara."

The hell? Skaar, did you eat my post? Oh well, let's try again.

Seeing the strikes ineffectiveness, Drago attempted to break free.

Break Grapple: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 1 = 12

Unable to break free, Aliethia pulls Drago closer, her breath rancid as she opens her mouth.

Bite:1d20 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9; miss

Drago wriggles against the zombie, avoiding the disgusting fangs.

Round 4: Drago, Zombie

"We get this fella back and I'll have him over a fire in no time" Cyna responds "Should be enough for everyone"

Skaar nods and with a grunt of effort hefts the beast over one shoulder.

"Let's go. I'm hungry."

Narrowly avoiding her fangs, Drago tries again.

Break Grapple: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 1 = 16

Skaar's initial attempt to heft the two-hundred pound boar on one shoulder does not go well, but taking a more reasonable approach to carrying the beast, he is able to carry it back to the camp albeit more slowly than usual.

The boar is the maximum medium load for you by itself, so with your gear it's a heavy load.

Shortly, you five return to the camp and drop the boar in front of the crew. Rando looks at the orc's wound and, with genuine concern, begins casting a spell. "Lemme fix ye up."

cure light wounds:1d8 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6

You all notice that Drago is gone.

Drago breaks away and backs off from the zombie. In return, the zombie quickly charges the sorcerer.

Slam:1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10; miss

Aliethia stumbles over a root, causing her attack to miss Drago. "Don't...you...want...me? You...wanted...desired...me...before..."

Round 5: Drago, Zombie

Bah, I didn't know how much it weighed. Way to ruin my imagery! =P

Skaar watched with suspicion at first, and a moment later relief, as the captain cast a spell and mended his wound.

"Tanks. 'Dat's loads better", the big orc offers in gratitude as he rubs the still sore location.

"'Ey, wheres Drago?"

I am cruel. Just ask Drago.

"He took off sayin' somethin' 'bout a song," Rando says. "Left shortly after ye did."

I'll be forwarding you the bill for my hernia.

"So he'z been gone for awhile? Nobody's been to check on 'im?"

The pain from the greenskin's remaining wound was quickly forgotten.

"Which way did 'e go?"

"Been gone 'bout an hour, I reckon," Rando answers. "Seems like th' type who likes bein' alone, specially since we can't accommodate 'im. 'e went up behind the shelter."

"Think he went looking for something to...'eat'?" Aurelea asks the hulking orc. It was clear that he was feeling the responsibility of protecting the group.

Favored Enemy sense tingling

"Strange music coming from the woods... could go either way. With our luck so far someone should go check on him. I can track him or I can cook but I can't do both."

Skaar looks to Aurelea and then Cyna.

"I dunno but I don't like it", the big orc said with an anxious growl. "I'm gunna look fer 'im. The 'lil 'Nara can help track 'im while you prep da grub."

Others are welcome to come too. Skaar just wouldn't think to ask them to.

Who's a goin' and who's a stayin'?

Makin Bakin

At the very least, Skaar's dragging Harakhty along.

"I shall accompany you on this investigative mission re: that pale one. Perhaps I should bring whiskey, we gentlemen on our brave journey whilst the womenfolk prepare the food."

"Yah Doc, you shud come 'ncase he's hurt."

Where is our monkey man?

The Doctor is soo getting boar testical for dinner.

Oh, my. I didn't realize Cyna had a crush on him. Wow ...the most indulgent delicacy!

Skaar is 100% okay with all boar parts. Eating the testicles gives you their virility and he needs all the protein he can get.

A bit startled with the crack of the boar's neck, Harakhty was nonetheless relieved. Skaar's wound looked bad, but not fatal, and though he possessed the power to heal him, he thought it best to return to the captain first. Little did he know the captain would beat him to the punch, but he shouldn't have been surprised. Of course he would be a skilled mender - Sarenrae's faithful often are.

Missing Drago was not a good sign though. He didn't quite have a sixth sense about these things, but from Harakhty's experience, lack of a good explanation of a situation meant it was likely for the worse. Initially disliking Skaar's suggestion as he didn't want to be alone with him, the doctor's willingness to come along made going easy. "I shouldn't have too much trouble finding him." While not good at throwing spears, he was an excellent tracker - his eyes missed little.

Taking 10 on survival to track for 18 total.

Aurelea gives the Doctor a blistering glare at the comment of womenfolk cooking.

"Since the last time we left just one of us here turned out so well, I'll stay here. Besides, it means I get to eat first."

Sorry for the delay, RL issues.

Drago pulled away (30 ft), raised his left hand level with his head, "Shochraos", electrical sparks ignited and threw it at Aliethia's zombie.

Ranged Touch Attack: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

Just can't get a break.

EDIT - Added Verbal component

Don't worry the men are coming to save you.

Skaar grunts and nods at Harakhty's affirmation.

"Find 'im", the hulking orc says with urgency.

Skaar, Stephen and Harakhty head into the jungle to search for Drago. His trail isn't hard to find. The footsteps are irregular but deep enough for the vanara to follow.

***

The zombie once again charges after Drago, raising her arms to attack.

Slam:1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12; Damage:1d6 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

Her nails tear deeply into Drago's flesh. As the dhampir falls to the ground, the zombie mounts him, driving her fangs into his neck. Drago feels as if something is being sucked out of him, but not his lifeforce. The woods makes their strange transformation back to the steamy jungle of southern Jin Zhao. Drago looks to see Calistria and two other figures as his vision blurs.

"Enough, Aliethia! His death is not what we came for," the goddess admonishes.

The zombie wipes her lips. "I...have...done...your...bidding...Change...me...back..."

Calistria delivers a vicious backhand to the undead Aliethia. "You prayed for vengeance, to the point where you let your corpse become a vessel for me. I answered your prayer. I owe you nothing else!"

Tears of blood emerge from the zombie's eyes. "M-my...soul...you...can't...leave...it...trapped...in...this...shell..."

Calistria grips the zombie's head in one hand. "Revenge is always bittersweet. You should have thought of that before calling upon me. You wasted your prayers on him and you have reaped what you have sown."

She tosses the zombie away with a forceful shove. Drago hears her footsteps approach him. "I'm sorry you can't see what is about to be done. Perhaps it would break your mind if you could. You see, this wasn't just about Aliethia's revenge. No, I owed a favor to Urgathoa. Your mother was a favorite subject of hers. Perhaps she should explain."

Drago hears another set of footsteps pressing in the mud, light and determined. "Oh, poor thing. Too bad you're not one of mine. We could have avoided all of this. But..." Drago feels a thin finger pressing on his forehead. "I needed her out of there. I don't know how she got in there in the first place. But she wants to desperately meet you again and I hope it's worth all the work I've done."

Everything around Drago sinks into nothingness, no sights, no sounds. Not even the voice of his mother.

Go ahead and stabilize, Drago.

***

Skaar, Harakhty and Stephen find Drago's body lying by a brackish pool of water. They see nothing else, not even other tracks.

Ahahahaha! I knew it was gonna be a good one. Bravo.

"Drago!" Skaar bellowed as he darts across the distance in a few powerful strides.

The hulking Orc picked up the limp form as gingerly as he could.

Bitter thoughts ran through the greenskin's mind - frustration at his failure to protect the mage, fury at who or what had done this, and powerlessness at his inability to help him now. The big greenskin forced them all away to focus on the now.

"Is he alive? What got 'im?!"

I'll assume there is no trace of steps or scent, but the injury to Drago is real - meaning a bitemark.

Harakhty took a quick trot around the perimeter, but nothing seemed out of place to him other than Drago. If it were Stephan, Harakhty would blame the bottle. Drago?.. he couldn't be sure.

"Nothing on foot," said the inquisitor to the brawler. "And no birds I know of could do this."

Skaar seemed rather addled by this turn of events, as much anger as concern in his voice. There were many creatures which could've done this on which exacting vengeance would be impossible though - a snake or spider's poison might have done the man in, and they wouldn't be found with any ease. He nodded towards the body. "Where is he hurt?"

Harakhty notices scars running down the chest of the dhampir where his clothing had been torn, but they don't look recent. Likewise, a bite mark on his neck looks like it had been there for ages.

Would we have seen Drago in a less dressed state (say this morning) enough to notice the difference?

Probably not, but you notice the scars line up where his clothing has been torn, which looked fine when you last saw him.

DM, you wouldn't dare? Bringing back Aliethia was bad enough, you.....you wouldn't bring back, mother, would you?

On an unrelated note, I know Skaar, and possibly Harakhty, knows I'm a half-vampire, but do they know not to use Cure spells? We shall see.

Edit: I assume, I'm stable, correct?

Side note: I don't believe in killing players at first level. It's bad storytelling ;)
And yes...your mother shall serve a purpose in all this.

Edit: Sure, why not? :)

Skaar's brow bunched up as he struggled to make sense of the clues presented to him. The injuries matched the damage to his clothing but the wounds looked old. The Orc growled in puzzled frustration as he stood up.

"I'm takin' him back to the cap'n. He fixed me up and he'll fix Drago too."

Harakhty does not know you are, so you better hope you are stabilized...

He should know. He was there when Skaar confronted him on it. The question is if he'd know that dhampyr can't be healed by positive energy.

That's what I meant; he doesn't. The subject of vampires is not really something he's studied.

"HEY! HEY! HEY! WAKE UP YOU LAZY BASTARD! NO SLEEPING ON THE JOB! HEY! HEY!"