Treasurefox's Rise of the Runelords (Inactive)

Game Master TreasureFox

Azeri, Ali's Guardian in more ways than one, stopped in his tracks to face the impossible hoard of goblins. Each goblin wore sheer glee on their face, a hunger for human flesh. Ali, Maria, everyone was in danger, but today Azeri decided: No. He would not bear to see his companions killed and eaten at the hands of these creatures. So the great Eidolon stopped in his tracks, turned around, and faced the hoard. With a quick gesture he motioned Maria passed him, then hunkered down. Ready to withstand a thousand blows in mere seconds. His goal: Hold them off for as long as possible and go down swinging. First the small goblins came, but he withstood their stabs and rocks, waiting for a rider that he could strike. Two such riders came within fractions of a second. With two mighty swipes, Azeri attacks each of them with all his might in hopes of buying his companions more time. Another rider charges, then another goblin, then another, and for what seemed ages but were mere seconds Azeri was stabbed again and again. He falls unconscious on the dirt, bleeding out, but is not sent back to his home plane.

Azeri is at -10hp and bleeding out. It is unlikely that he will get healing, but Ali can either dismiss him with a standard action, or just keep running and have the distance of his life link take him out. Also, before Azeri goes under, he's attacked two goblin riders (once each) so feel free to roll those attacks.

Current Standings:
Ali
Helgarr
Furnok
Cleo, Vandra
Jeaux
Maria
Goblins

+1 DM Intervention for Azeri bravely sacrificing himself. +1 DM Intervention for swearing on Gorum's hairy balls.

From this day forward: Azeri gains a +1 on Will Saves vs. Fear (as the Fighter's Bravery feature). This bonus is also included in the DC to intimidate him.

All goblins who attacked Azeri automatically fail their next Dex Roll.

awesome!

running is hard: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 1 = 11

Ali glanced back over his shoulder, cursing and running as hard as he could, staring back at Azeri for a moment.

"Stupid old bear!" He turned and growled a sharp growl as he dashed through the trees.

Dex-1d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

Azeri waited patiently, rolling with the blows from the Goblins, till his targets came in to range. As they made to ride past him he lashed out with both his arms, driving them deep in to the flanks of the goblin dogs and using their own momentum, more than his strength, to slice them open as best he could.

Wolverine 1-1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 221d6 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9
Wolverine 2-1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 221d6 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

As more blades found chinks in the magical armor he bore, and sunk deep in to his body, he could feel his life slip away, before, with a flash, he blinked out of existence, leaving behind some very confused and very hungry greenskins.

Called em Orcs for a second. PTSD from this game, where I play Varin al'Thine. So many greenskin...

EDIT: Potential Giantslayers spoilers within that link. Though it is an altered version of the game.

Ali bit back a scream as he felt the multitude of wounds Azeri bore. He had been too deeply connected with the Eidolon, during those attacks and though they were only shadows of the wounds Azeri actually bore, he could feel the cuts and punctures upon his own body, though he did not bleed. He shut down his link fast and hard, cutting off all of his power and just focusing on running.

"Just. Run."

dex: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21

Just before Azeri blinks out of existence, his first claw cleaves right across a goblin dog's face, killing it in the process.

Dex: 1d20 ⇒ 13

Despite being out of the forest, the runners really aren't out of the woods yet. Looking down the road to Sandpoint, the group realizes that they are still 2 miles away from their safe haven. The chase slows down slightly as human, halfling, mother-in-wallaby, and goblinoid need to catch their breath. Now the chase goes from who can sprint the fastest to who can hustle the longest. Fortunately Azeri's sacrifice has drastically turned the chase in the party's favor. Maria is catching up quickly, while the goblins seem to be falling behind. (And Cleo's still holding up with the bigguns!)

Movement speed no longer gives bonuses or penalties. Each character please make 2 Constitution Rolls (DC 10, DC 11).

Furnok huffs and puffs, head set and arms and legs shifting into a more distance running gait.
Con: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8
Con2: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

HURGH! HURGH! WHEEZE!

Oooh, I'm in trouble.

Maria pants as she continues to run and really wishes she'd taken Azeri's distraction of the horde as an opportunity to hide.

Con: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 1 = 19 Con: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 1 = 15 Maria starts to breathe a little easier as she catches a second wind.

Aplogies for the absence guys. Busy couple of days...

Helgarr would most likely have stayed behind with Azeri, but oh well...

"Brave bear" - Helgarr stares back for a split second, before the Eidolon is ran over.

Con: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 13
Con: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

con: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 1 = 14
con: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 1 = 15

Helgarr dies though, Azeri just pops out of being and reforms in the morning.

Con-1d20 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
Con-1d20 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 1 = 14

Ali keeps breathing deeply and steadily.

Sorry I didn't post yesterday, was putting the kid to sleep and ended up falling asleep as well.

Vandra wipes his eyes, moved by Azeri's sacrifice. It's was the second time someone sacrificed themselves for him, and he swore it would be the last. 'I won't let anybody do that again!' he thought to himself, sparing a glance at his mother.

Con Roll 1: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (9) - 1 = 8
Con Roll 2: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (11) - 1 = 10

Jeaux hopped along with the others, putting her powerful leg muscles to good use. She understood the meaning behind sacrifice, and swore that she wouldn't let the bear-man down.

Con Roll 1: 1d20 ⇒ 19
Con Roll 2: 1d20 ⇒ 15

No worries Vandra and Helgarr. Welcome back!

It was a frightfully long chase along the road to Sandpoint. The sun had set and darkness took the stage. The rain battered you and soaked you to the bone. Thunder and lightning could be heard in the distance and the cold swept in. All along the way you could hear the determination of the Seven Tooth tribe goblins running after you. Failure meant certain death when faced with the overpowering force of these creatures. There would be no mercy.

But there will be no goblin victory tonight! With sheer force of will, each and every one of you have reached the Sandpoint gates safely. The goblins cry out in frustration and march back to their home forest. Seems it will be a hungry night for them.

The guards have opened the gates for you and are truly shocked by the event. They send word to Hemlock that you've arrived, and suggest you rest up. You've earned it.

Rewards:
- Ali and Cleo gain the bonus feat ENDURANCE, however it only affects forced marches or runs that require a Constitution check. This feat will still count as a prerequisite for Die Hard and similar feats.
- Maria gains the bonus feat RUN. This feat grants a +6 on Dexterity based chases.

Ali collapses to his knees, his chin resting on his chest, his long hair hanging down over his face. He unloads his crossbow with numb hands, returning the bolt to his quiver and dropping the crossbow on the ground, before sitting back on his heels.

He reached deep down inside and, with a fight, kindled his power to life. He stoked that fire deep in his chest and felt the wounds anew, but dull and faded now. He drew a few runes from within, those of loyalty, summoning and protection, letting them well up in his palm, before he lay it lightly on the ground where they burst with a flash of light. Resting under his hand, after the light had receded, was a dog, its tongue lolling and its tail wagging. Ali smiled, rubbing the dog between the ears, before finally taking a shuddering breath.

"Silly old bear..."

The dog tilted his head and woofed lightly, before licking Ali on the cheek. and rubbing his head over his face.

"I'll see you tomorrow old friend..."

Sidenote: Gorum heard something about hairy balls and a sacrifice of chickens, he expects great things.

Oh don't worry... I priced them. 1gp per Chicken. I think two should probably do. If not, slaughtering more than that is a chore so I might upgrade to a Goat and just pay the 6gp.

Jetro toppled to the ground inside the gate, his ribs ached along with his legs. Uhhh..Water.. He gasped. I..Ithink we won't find out anything more from those gobboes. He mumbled as he just lay there, a bundle of pain.

Maria collapses next to Furnok. Why did I even agree to that? I came here for the quiet life,

Vandra and Jeaux collapsed against each other, panting heavily. "I don't...think...that went well," he muttered, closing his eyes and trying catch his breath. "Remind me...to...exercise more."

Is there anything you would like to do before going to bed? Hemlock will speak with you in the morning. Probably late morning if he's considerate.

Hemlock Wisdom: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 1 = 12

Meh, mid-late morning

Furnok crawls off to bed.

Maria gives Vandra a scathing look then in as deadpan a voice as she can says to him. Exercise more

Cleo, once her heart stops threatening to burst, goes to Ali and gives him as fierce a hug the wee little one can "Tell him 'thank you'" she whispers, face buried in the young man's belly, tears threatening.

Looking up into his unexpected smile, she realizes it isn't what she thinks, that he will be okay. Both of them. The sudden pain in her eases, and she is able to smile back.

She needs something, warm food, listening to others chat about the mundane, spiced wine. Something. Before crashing hard. She'll head to Ameiko's once she sees that everyone is alright.

Ali blinks for a second before hugging Cleo back just as tightly. "We can tell him together, tomorrow. And thank you for the hug Cleo, I needed it!" He smiled down at her and gave her a second lighter squeeze before bending down to pick up his crossbow.

"Well... that was interesting. I think we have a serious problem brewing but for now... I owe someone a flock of chickens, or a goat. I think goat..."

Ali tapped his lip in thought, before saying goodbye and taking his leave.

I could write it out in graphic detail, how Ali goes to buy the goat and some candles, takes it out in to the forest beside where his Caravan is parked, at the opposite end of town, and to a clearing that he and Azeri had made. How he would tie up the goat (making it helpless and giving Ali a coup de grace, totally doing enough damage to kill the Goat) and how he would go about slaughtering it, while thanking Gorum for his assistance and praying to both Gorum and Shelyn to help him some more, but that would be too much. So instead...

Survival-1d20 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 1 = 19

How about we just say that Ali makes his sacrifice and harvests some pretty top notch Goats meat afterwards? ;) Hahaha Seem fair? Oh and Ali would buy a Battleaxe, to do the dirty deed with. He wants something suitably war like and also something that would take the goat in one shot.

Ali shut the door of the Caravan and dried his hands and face on the fresh piece of toweling he had left drying in the sun earlier. He locked up tightly, the caravan was just inside the walls, so he was safe, but was far enough away from everyone that he wouldn't be bothered more than likely. He sat at the table for a long time, mulling over the events of the day, and considering what had transpired with Azeri. He needed to be better at his job, better at what he did, he knew that. He needed to protect Azeri more, it was a give and take relationship and at the moment... he was a drain on that relationship.

"I'll be better big guy, I promise..."

Vandra gave a deadpan glare at Maria before throwing a rock in her direction, watching as it sailed by her head and hit the wall behind her. "You know what I meant, little girl," he told her before standing up and walking with his mother-in-wallaby to the inn. "I really need a nap," he muttered to his mom.

Jeaux just nodded beside him, her tail dragging on the ground behind her.

Unless you want to keep the battleaxe, I'm sure that you're on good enough terms with Savah to just borrow it for the day. And yeah by all means use the meat.

When Ali makes the sacrifice, a soft glow emanates from his glaive. When the glow fades away, Ali can see that the blade has been sharpened considerably, a clear sign of the Lord in Iron's acceptance.

For the next 24 hours, Ali can treat his glaive as a masterwork weapon.

Some of you might have a bite to eat before the night, but most likely everyone is ready for as much sleep as possible. The storm rages on for most of the night, but dawn is met with fairly clear skies and the singing of song birds. The early morning passes by uneventfully, but Sheriff Hemlock enters the Rusty Dragon Inn a few hours before noon. He greets anyone who is up with a genuine "good morning", and asks Ameiko or any of the Corwins to wake up the remaining sleepers.

Today's breakfast is porridge topped with banana or wild strawberries, along with a sausage or egg and a choice of mead/tea/or water.

This is a good time for spell preparation, if our casters wouldn't mind writing that in a spoiler please.

Vandra yawned and stretched as he woke up, before reaching over and shaking his mother-in-wallaby. She was always so difficult to wake in the mornings...

After getting ready for the day, spending an hour meditating upon his magic while his mother did a few stretches, they wandered down to the eating area of the inn, giving greetings to the patrons already enjoying their food. Vandra ordered a bowl of porridge and a small plate of sausages, while his mother-in-wallaby enjoyed a nice helping of strawberries.

Vandra looked up as the sheriff walked in, waving him over as he finished his food. "Greetings, sheriff," he said, giving a small smile at the man.

Ali and Azeri stroll in to the Rusty Dragon about midday, around the time of the Sheriff, and take a seat at a table, refusing food but happily accepting some water.

Ali ate some trail rations while he was collecting wood earlier in the day.

It only takes a few minutes for Ameiko to realize that Ali is only drinking water. Without warning, she moves up behind the young man and smacks him (gently... well relatively...) with a ladle. "Oh you're gonna eat, and I'll force feed you myself if I have to!" She spends the next ten minutes berating Ali about eating healthy, that he's a fighter now, and about a million other things that have almost nothing to do with anything.

Meanwhile, Sheriff Hemlock takes a seat at Vandra and Jeaux's table. "Good morning Vandra, Jeaux." He said politely, nodding to each of them. "I heard you had quite the adventure last night, how is everyone?" He also asks one of the halflings for some mead.

Furnok manages to roll out of bed and grunts while scratching himself. After splashing his face in the washbowl, Furnok wanders down to the main room. Mornin, I'll have some eggs, sausage and coffee. Plopping down on a stool, he nods to Hemlock. Mornin Sherrif, Seven Tooth Goblins seem to be pretty active.

Cleo will happily take some porridge and tea, after spending time in the morning, communing outside, seeing Erastil's touch everywhere she looks. Seeing Azeri she practically jumps at him with a hug and a smile, "We might not have made it without you."

Ali rubs the back of his head and takes his berating with a small smile and some good nature back and forth argument, before finally throwing his hands up in the air and sighing. "Fine. I'll eat some of your delicious food and I'll like it. Does that make you happy?" He laughed softly, getting to his feet and moving over to the food, grabbing some slightly cold sausage and some bread and cheese, before returning to his table and beginning to eat.

"Cayden save me from bossy women with ladels!"

Azeri laughs and catches the Halfling woman in a hug, smiling down at her. "Don't be silly, you all would have been fine. I just did what I thought was best..." He bent down and whispered quietly for only Cleo to hear. "The kid isn't too happy with me right now. Thinks I was hasty and stupid, he might be right."

He straightened and smiled, turning to watch Amieko berate Ali with a fond look.

"Oh you were!" she laughs brightly "But that what makes the best heroes, right?"

To hit or not to hit: 1d2 ⇒ 1

*BONK* "It's for your own good you know!" Ameiko retorts. She then stows her ladle and walks back to the kitchen, ignoring further comments from Ali now that her job is done.

"Good morning, Furnok. So it seems, I've heard that the Seven Tooth are raiding Junker's Edge on a daily basis now. I'm considering posting a bowman at the top of the cliff just to make things difficult for them. But enough of that, how is everyone doing? Did you find any success on your trip before attracting the attention of the Seven Tooth?"

Maria wakes up slowly and stretches before blurrily looking around. Judging by the fact she was in a corner of the Rusty Dragon she obviously hadn't made it to bed. She looked at the blanket covering her before looking at the gathered group and slowly making her way towards the table and sitting down.

"Well, we know that whoever it was went in the direction of the woods, and we found a group of goblins dragging something through there," Vandra informed. "Not sure if it's who we were looking for, but it was mighty suspicious."

We jumped a bunch of goblins dragging something on a sled but the goblin dogs ran off with it. We gave chase but were ambushed in return by the Seven Tooths. A couple dozen of them.

And it looks like they were waiting on us too. Maria says as she takes some of the porridge from Ameiko and thanks her for the blanket.

"Don't forget they weren't the original goblins we were tracking... right? Were they even the same type that attacked the city? I didn't notice."

Ali groans and rubs his head again as he continues to eat. When the talk turns to the day before, Ali nods in thought. "Before we came across the Goblins we got lost in the woods for a bit and I noted some twisted looking trees, magically twisted as well. Something strange and weird is going on out there."

Maria looks at Cleo and laughs awkwardly. Uh, I was in a bit too much of a hurry to turn around and run to notice. She smiles sheepishly.

The only Seven Tooth goblin that you saw during the raid of Sandpoint was riding a goblin dog. Maria made it explode with a magic arrow.

Birdcrunchers are mottled gray with very large ears.
Mosswoods are green with giant heads.
Seven Tooths are dark purple with no physical adaptations.

Sheriff Hemlock considers everything the party says with a serious look on his face. "Are you able to tell me which forest you tracked the corpse thieves to? We could pinpoint which tribe it was, and I could also spread word to the merchants passing through to be wary."

Lesse, we followed the trail into Nettlewood and then into Shankwood.

"Nettlewood huh? Hmm which tribe was there again... darn and of course the arse Grunyar has already left, so he can't tell me. Well, at least I can tell travelers and caravans that there's trouble afoot there. Thank you again for your help, and I'll try to keep you updated should anything happen. Oh! Before I forget, Mayor Deverin would like to talk with you sometime today or tomorrow. You can find her in the town hall most days, or at her manor to the south during the evening. Also, Furnok, I've added new jobs on the bounty board outside the garrison, should you or anyone else be interested."

With that, he'll pause for a moment in case anyone wants to ask him something. If not, he'll stand up and excuse himself, taking the mead he ordered and speaking with other people at the inn.