Thron's Rise of the Runelords Campaign

Game Master Thron

"No you won't," Eugeni says calmly. He snaps his bow up, and despite the close range manages to rapid-fire three arrows into the deranged man. "I will give your flesh to the worms. They will see that you are yummy."

No AOOs from point blank master.
Spending a ki point for an extra attack. Perfect strike on first attack.
Attack (Flurry, Ki point, PBS, DA): 1d20 + 6 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (1) + 6 + 1 - 1 = 71d20 + 6 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (5) + 6 + 1 - 1 = 111d8 + 3 + 2 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 3 + 2 + 1 + 2 = 161d20 + 6 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (12) + 6 + 1 - 1 = 181d8 + 3 + 2 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 3 + 2 + 1 + 2 = 151d20 + 6 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (1) + 6 + 1 - 1 = 71d8 + 3 + 2 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 3 + 2 + 1 + 2 = 16

If 11 hits, 31 damage. If only 18 hits 15 damage. Two nat 1s grumble grumble.

As Eugeni lets fly, Destrina says "Ragathiel I need your sight." She quickly scans the crazed man to see if he is evil, steps forward, and then grabs him.

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Grapple: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 6 + 2 = 22 - +6 CMB +2 Flank

He gets an AoO

AoO: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9

Grayst flippantly flings an arm towards Destrina as she lunges forward and takes hold of the sick man, breaking away several of the arrow shafts as the man struggles in her grip. It is clear he is still trying to hit Eugeni, and seems to not care about the paladin holding him back for the moment.

"This man is not evil, just crazed! Help me subdue him, there is no need for his death!" Destrina says, perhaps more forcefully than intended due to her struggle to hold the man.

Zoli draws her scimitar when Grayst attacks, but hearing Destrina's words she swings at him with the flat of her blade, giving the madman a nasty whack alongside the head but not drawing any blood.

”Alright then, let’s just settle him down!”

Meanwhile, she wracks her brain for what on earth is going on with him. Is he possessed? Just mad? Who could this Lordship be?

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Stnd Non-lethal strike
.
Any relevant knowledge rolls to try here?

scimitar: 1d20 + 10 + 2 - 4 ⇒ (4) + 10 + 2 - 4 = 12 (3 BAB +5 DEX +1 size +1 enhance, flank, nonlethal)
Damage: 1d4 + 6 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 6 + 3 = 12 (+5 DEX +1 enhancement) +3 precise

Know local: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25

"No you won't," Eugeni says calmly. He snaps his bow up, and despite the close range manages to rapid-fire three arrows into the deranged man. "I will give your flesh to the worms. They will see that you are yummy."

As Eugeni lets fly, Destrina says "Ragathiel I need your sight." She quickly scans the crazed man to see if he is evil, steps forward, and then grabs him.

Grayst flippantly flings an arm towards Destrina as she lunges forward and takes hold of the sick man, breaking away several of the arrow shafts as the man struggles in her grip. It is clear he is still trying to hit Eugeni, and seems to not care about the paladin holding him back for the moment.

"This man is not evil, just crazed! Help me subdue him, there is no need for his death!" Destrina says, perhaps more forcefully than intended due to her struggle to hold the man.

Zoli draws her scimitar when Grayst attacks, but hearing Destrina's words she swings at him with the flat of her blade, giving the madman a nasty whack alongside the head but not drawing any blood.

”Alright then, let’s just settle him down!”

Meanwhile, she wracks her brain for what on earth is going on with him. Is he possessed? Just mad? Who could this Lordship be?

Morythine and Darius stand back, stunned expressions on their faces, obviously caught off guard by the sudden eruption of violence.

Grayst spins around in Destrina's grip, breaking off the remaining arrow in his chest without a care for the pain, and bites down at her neck, his jaw seemingly unhinging to unnatural extents. Though the others cannot tell it, she is saved by the neck guard of her armor from the man's vicious looking bite.
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Knowledge (Local) would apply.
Grayst Attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14

You guys are up!

Attack (Flurry, PBS, DA): 1d20 + 6 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (20) + 6 + 1 - 1 = 261d20 + 6 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (2) + 6 + 1 - 1 = 81d8 + 3 + 2 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 3 + 2 + 1 + 2 = 111d8 + 3 + 2 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 3 + 2 + 1 + 2 = 161d20 + 6 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (11) + 6 + 1 - 1 = 171d8 + 3 + 2 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 3 + 2 + 1 + 2 = 15 Crit, Confirmed, Hit
Soooo...that'd be 27+15=42 damage.

"Seems pretty evil to me," Eugeni says as the madman tries to eat the paladin. "Rabid, mad, evil, what's the difference?" he asks as he puts another two arrows into Grayst. This time the shafts bury themselves in his spine, and he dies instantly. Eugeni relaxes his bow. "Not evil anymore..."

The man becomes dead weight as Destrina strains to keep the body of Grayst from dragging her to the ground in his death throes.

"As much as I might hate to sound like my cousin, Eugeni, mad or insane doesn't necessarily equate to evil.. and if he is evil, he doesn't suddenly cease to be evil once you've killed him. Do you not know anything about the afterlife?"

Darius shrugs, not really caring about what happened to the man, instead simply choosing to correct Eugeni.

"Now, what is this about a 'Skinsaw Man'?"

Sorry about not posting last round, but all I would've done is Drench him with water to try and clean him up anyways XD

Is there any knowledge skill that would help identify what a skinsaw man is or what it might mean? I'm going to be asking that knowledge question alot ;P

Zoli sucks in her breath with surprise when Eugeni kills the man. He was violent, crazed...but was that right? Could he have been helped? We were trying to restrain him...

At Darius' question Zoli shakes her head. "I'm not sure what a Skinsaw Man is, but I did recognize one thing in his ravings: 'The Misgivings' is a local name for a rundown and abandoned estate further south. A place called Foxglove Manor.

"He was saying Eugeni should go visit his lordship there...which makes it seem to me like the next place for us all to pay a visit."

Destrina looks at Eugeni with some misgiving, shakes her head and says, "We did not have to kill the man, I had him under control." She lets his body slide to the floor, checking for signs of life, but unsure what to really do. "We must at least have the body interred. I will arrange to have him taken back to Sandpoint." As she walks away to find Master Habe the paladin says, "This 'Misgivings' place is a good choice to check next, well done Zoli."

Heal: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (6) - 1 = 5

"I'm sorry Destrina, but he was hell bent on killing us from where I was standing. He didn't look very under control when he was gnawing on your neck armor either. In the future if we come across antagonists who can be reasoned with I will, but if they are violently insane or unrepentantly evil they will meet my bow."

Eugeni shakes his head. "I don't like killing, but I've lost too much lately to be soft..."

"Well," Zoli says, "I appreciate that. In truth, this time he looked quite far gone to me as well. At any rate, if his ramblings have any meaning at all the mention of the Misgivings might well be the clue we were looking for."

She turns in the direction the orderlies had fled and hollers, "Habe? It's over now."

If Habe comes back down she'll take a minute to explain what happened.

Either way, she turns to her fellow Heroes of Sandpoint and says, "I'm inclined to set out for the Misgivings now. Agreed?"

Eugeni nods his agreement.

"Well it appears to be the only lead we have. Perhaps we'll find more crazy people for Eugeni to kill mercilessly."

Agreeing to go give Foxglove Manor a closer look, the group returns to the Lost Coast Road and begins heading south. Just as they cross the Soggy River, they are met with a man running frantically up the road, crying out "HELP! BY THE GODS' SAKE HELP ME!"

He runs straight up to Destrina and clutches at her armor desperately, wailing "The scarecrows! They're alive! ALIVE!"

"Well it appears to be the only lead we have. Perhaps we'll find more crazy people for Eugeni to kill mercilessly."

Eugeni chuckles darkly at Darius's sarcasm. "Perhaps we'll find someone who appreciates a smartass as well," he snarks back.

Agreeing to go give Foxglove Manor a closer look, the group returns to the Lost Coast Road and begins heading south. Just as they cross the Soggy River, they are met with a man running frantically up the road, crying out "HELP! BY THE GODS' SAKE HELP ME!"

He runs straight up to Destrina and clutches at her armor desperately, wailing "The scarecrows! They're alive! ALIVE!"

"Where? Calm down, sir. We'll help you out. Just tell us what's going on...slowly."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22

"Good sir, if it is as serious as you say," Destrina says, gently removing him from her armor, "by all means lead us to the problem, and as my companion here has requested, explain it calmly, as we walk, of course."

After a couple minutes, he finally calms down enough to tell his tale.

"The farms ta tha south, they been infested wit' walkin' scarecrows tha stalk the night! It all came from tha ol' Hambley place. Things just ain't been right there fer a few days now. But now tha crazy 'as done spilt over ta tha rest of our farms like a damned flood!"

He catches his breath, which is heavily scented with rotgut, and continues, "A group of us paid tha Hambley farm a visit yesterd'y evenin', an' we were attacked by folk that looked like corpses but fed like starvin' animals! They...they even ate the dogs!" he shrieks, having worked himself up once again.

At the request that the man lead them back to the scene, he vehemently shakes his head, "Hells naw! I ain' ever goin' back! Tha' place is cursed. Cursed, ya hear me!?!?"

"At least give us directions sir," the paladin says, adding "Does this happen to be near the Foxglove estate, sometimes know as "the Misgivings" or somesuch?"

"It's south o' 'ere, on tha western edge o' the Whisperwood!" the farmer spits on the ground as he says the name of the woods.

He turns and continues up the road, at a brisk pace but not running as before.

As it sounds like you are going to be heading to the farm...

The sun has set and the full moon shines through ominous looking clouds as the group arrives at the farmlands on the western edge of the woods. Large plots of corn mask much of the view of the farmlands, though a rather unremarkable looking farmhouse and barn can barely be seen in the darkness rising just slightly higher than the crops. The only other notable features in the darkness are the numerous scarecrows scattered throughout the crops, their heads just a foot higher than the stalks of the fields.

The path leading to the farm from the Lost Coast Road cuts through the corn and approaches the farm from the north. It eventually merges into a man made path through the fields.

This map is not to combat scale, and as such, I am going to request only one person use their token to signify where the group is moving through. I will let you guys decide whose token represents the party in this part.

Destrina, represent!

No clue where to go..so, through the field? There couldn't be anything scary in a cornfield at night could there..?

Ok, using Destrina's token on the map for movement. As you can see on the map key, every 1" (side of a square) is 320'.

At the end of the main path onto the farm stands a scarecrow. It's head is made of a stuffed burlap sack, and it is dressed in old, sun worn clothes that have become tattered from weather. It is held up to its post by hay bale twine. A path continues on into the darkness straight ahead, as well as a side path that goes off to the left as well as another to the right.

"If these scarecrows are 'alive' as the crazy man suggested, they might be some sort of golem or construct - although for them to have apparently only just begun animating is curious. And why would anyone waste animate scarecrows on these fools?"

Darius remains behind his cousin while simultaneously trying to ensure there are bodies on all sides of him 'just in case' while he speaks and the group travels onwards. In precaution, he casts Detect Magic and continuously scans the area - especially any Scarecrows they approach or pass - for magical auras.

With the farmer's panicked words still echoing in her mind, curiosity mixes with dread. Zoli casts light on a stick she holds in her off hand. Then (with scimitar in hand) she walks forward, looking for signs of animated scarecrows, or worse...

Taking 10 on Perception for 19

Which path you guys taking?

Left, I think. Whatever would take us to the house last is probably best.

The group travels down the path to their left, moving through the darkness with the light of the moon and Zoli's spell illuminating the area immediately around them to guide their path. As they move down the path to their left, they come across another scarecrow. This time, when they get close, the things head snaps up and begins sniffing around at the air, then lets out a scream that sends a deathly chill up your spines as it strains against it's bindings, it's joints bending in hideously unnatural ways as it does so.
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Strength Scarecrow: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
Initiative Eugeni: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7
Initiative Destrina: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18
Initiative Morythine: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23
Initiative Darius: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8
Initiative Zoli: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19
Initiative Scarecrow: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 13

Party Initiative: 15
Scarecrow Initiative: 13

Party is up!

"Anyone know if I should bother shooting this thing?"

Knowledge (Arcana) I presume?

Knowledge (Religion)

Know (religion): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

With a startled grimmace, Zoli says "I don't recall reading any plays about screaming scarecrows in the dead of night...but I can't imagine them ending well. Destrina, is this thing as evil as it sounds?"

Knowledge: Religion: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10

"I am uncertain of what they are, but to battle friends!" Destrina says as she moves toward the thing and unlimbers her greathammer, stopping just out of its reach. "Give me your sight, Ragathiel."

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Move: Move to 10' away from the scarecrow. Standard: Convert to Move: Move action version of detect evil on the scarecrow.

Hey team, per chat with Thron, yes we're in combat, let's take our round 1 actions!

Zoli advances on the scarecrow and swings at it with her scimitar attempting to slice the stuffing out of it. "Come on gang! What're we waiting for?!?"

Scimitar: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (8) + 10 = 18 damage: 1d4 + 6 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 6 + 3 = 11

The thing screams in pain as Zoli's blade slices it's abdomen open. But instead of stuffing, intestines fall free of the wound and spill to the ground around her.

oh dear! Did they detect to Destrina as evil?

Faint aura. Missed that she did that.

No combat map, so I'm just assuming I can see it and get a clear line of fire.

Eugeni sighs as yet another evil something or other attacks them. Sandpoint never used to be like this. It's got to all be connected somehow... he thinks as he draws two arrows from his quiver. The aasimar archer lines up his shot and says, "Hold still, Zoli," before firing the shots over her shoulders.

Attack (Flurry, PBS, DA): 1d20 + 6 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (19) + 6 + 1 - 1 = 251d8 + 3 + 2 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 3 + 2 + 1 + 2 = 141d20 + 6 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (20) + 6 + 1 - 1 = 261d20 + 6 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (4) + 6 + 1 - 1 = 101d8 + 3 + 2 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 3 + 2 + 1 + 2 = 152d8 + 6 + 4 + 1 + 4 ⇒ (1, 3) + 6 + 4 + 1 + 4 = 19 Hit, Crit, Confirmed?

If a 10 hits his FF AC, then 48 damage.

The masked figure stops struggling against its bonds. However, screams rise up from all around the fields, a harrowing chorus ringing out through the darkness.
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I will post a combat map as necessary, but for simple fights like this one wasn't worth the time.

"Well, I believe we've just announced our presence."

Darius reaches into one of his pouches and quickly pulls out a small piece of cured leather. With it, he waves his hand, formulating arcane runes with his gestures while simulaenously speaking words of magic, casting a spell on himself. For the briefest of moments, as the piece of leather vaporizes, a faint shimmer of force can be seen around his body like a suit of armor before disappearing.

Casting Mage Armor on myself. My AC is now 16. I have a bad feeling about whats going to happen next.

Evil grin. Which way are you all going?
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"Whatever it was, that thing had the taint of evil upon it," Destrina says. She hefts the hammer in her hands, a look of zealous fervor spreading across her face. "We must destroy every last one of them. Whether they are innocents converted into monsters, or just monsters, it must be done." The Galtan woman begins to walk to the east, head swiveling, looking for the next creature. She calls back to her companions, "I believe it would be best to skirt the edge of the field to take measure of this place and then strike into the heart."

As the group continues east along the path through the corn, they can barely make out an intersection ahead thanks to the moonlight. However, the light from Zoli's spell reflects off of the eyes of something making it's way around the bend southern branch of the path ahead. As it makes it's way into the light, you see what appears to be one of the scarecrows crawling towards you all menacingly on all fours. It cries out "FLESH! FRESH FLESH!" as it begins to rush forward.

Its pace quickens as it lets out a high pitched roar. It leaps up into the air, its body silhouetted against the full moon cutting a terrifying visage to the group of adventurers. The things lower jaw drops below the burlap sack that seems to be serving as some sort of mask, clearly unhinging far further than a normal humans jaw should, as it lands atop of Destrina. It manages to sink its teeth into her shoulder, penetrating even her steel armor. As it does so, she ceases to move all together.
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Initiatives:
Party: 15.8
SC: 20

Summary: Destrina takes 3 damage and is paralyzed for 4 rounds.

Party is up!

Ghouls!

Eugeni growls at the sight of another monster. "Hold still, Destrina," he says, attempting to shoot the thing off of her. He sends his customary double shot into the monster's back.

Attack (Flurry, PBS, DA): 1d20 + 6 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (8) + 6 + 1 - 1 = 141d8 + 3 + 2 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 3 + 2 + 1 + 2 = 91d20 + 6 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (13) + 6 + 1 - 1 = 191d8 + 3 + 2 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 3 + 2 + 1 + 2 = 13

Eugeni's precise shooting sends the creature flailing away from Destrina and onto the ground at her feet. The sounds of rustling corn seemingly from all around the, as well as more screams alerts the heroes that they are still in peril.
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Killed that one. Destrina is still paralyzed for three more rounds. Rest of you can still take this rounds actions before I advance.

"Hold still, as if I have a choice," Destrina thinks.

If this happens to be disease or fear, I am immune to those.

Nope to both!