Way of the Wicked - The fall of Andoran, Chapter II (Inactive)

Game Master increddibelly

group, yes.
bees, not so much.

You've been grappled by some sort of webbing.

What sort of check is to cast a spell?

if you need to move to cast it, you're probably not going to.
Concentration DC 10 + 15 + spell level.

Well, there is ONE other way to deal with this situation

Talon musters up his energy and attempts to rip himself out of the webbing

Strength Check: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19

Just some rp discussion while Talon plays with the wildlife. :)

When Aerent is able to speak with the rest of his Knot alone, he reveals his thoughts.

"I have several concerns I wish to share. The first is the Baron. He agreed to help us, but Cardinal Thorn warned us about him. I will take whatever aid he wants to provide, but I will not trust him. Remember, we are visitors to his city, and he has already betrayed our Lord once before. His pitiful whining about the inquisitors was pathetic - he made a deal to save his own skin, and a man like that is only loyal to one thing... himself."

"Second, the Seventh Knot. Despite their current allegiance, I would not put it past them to try and claim our glory for themselves if the opportunity presents itself. If they do betray us, I will see them dead, one way or another."

Leaning back in her seat, Caladwhen plays with a strand of hair as she listens to Aerent. After a moment, she draws her eyes on him and nods "Agreed. Truthfully, I don't trust most anyone... the Baron and the 7th Knot the least of which."

Taking a sip of wine, Caladwhen holds the glass in front of herself and rocks the glass gently to stir the contents "Deception is our best defense against the Baron. He is vainglorious and lascivious, weaknesses easily employed against him." Glancing at the door, Caladwhen produces an ever so slightly wicked smile "As for Elise, we'll keep an eye on that ambitious one for the time being. I suspect her fealty to the Cardinal will keep her in check, at least for the time being. Having said that, I'd be just as happy to dispose of her and her cretins once they've served their purpose."

Suddenly turning towards the window, Caladwhen scowls slighly "On another topic, Talon has been gone for some time now... which is," Cala pauses a moment as she appears to search for the appropriate synonym, before adding "disconcerting."

That would be Cala's way of saying she is somewhat worried. Oh yeah IB, did my research on previous attempts to bind Daemon's turn up anything useful... I'd hate to burn a roll of 33 on nothing!

And cut to Talon struggling in a web...lol. DM, is there any sort of knowledge I can make for this? I do have dungeoneering trained

Aerent catches the pause, and responds in a subdued tone, "Do we have any way to contact him?"

You could always just roll, I'll ignore the Rolls that don't apply.

Knowledge Dungeoneering: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (19) + 13 = 32

"They will serve out their roles as long as they are given reason to," Sindran says, confidence in his tone. "And we will not give them reason not to. However, I do agree that it is always wise not to become dependent on their aid."

On the topic of Talon, Sindran muses some more. "I'm sure he'll return soon. Whatever felled Aiden Kael will not have an easy as time with him, but if he delays any longer we may have to go out ourselves."

He turns to look at Oret. "You would, of course, be the best choice to look for him. Your opinion?"

Strength Check: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19

It takes every last ounce of strength (break dc=15; 19 if grappled) but eventually, the strand around your neck *does* break.

You head down, to catch your breath; but the moment your feet catch the ground, the forest floor caves in - revealing a nasty 30 ft drop with a bunch of spears at the bottom; and there's some green stuff smeared over the spear tips; probably poison.
With a few flaps of your wings, you manage to stay out of the pit. Looking around, you see a series of hangman's nooses hanging from the branches at various heights...

Knowledge Dungeoneering: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (19) + 13 = 32

You've heard of creatures who like to catch their prey with nooses and pit traps; generally, they have a bunch of spider followers. This is probably not a good time or place to hang around..

4. Old One-Eye? Who's that? Sounds like an interesting person.

Quite interesting. Locals will tell you that old One-Eye has been hunting the northern reaches of the Caer Bryr for decades. Those who have faced the beast, and lived, suspect that the creature must be more than a simple dire tiger. It is claimed to be a vicious demon of the forest that can breath fire and kill a horse with a swipe from its tail.

This One Eye is probably a more intelligent creature than a typical dire tiger - but some of the locals' stories seem far-fetched.

"How exactly would you propose we track someone that never touched the ground, never broke a branch...never left a trail? No, if he is foolish enough to lose himself in the Caer Bryr, then we would be equal fools to try and find him there." He pauses to let his words sink in, then continues. "No, we will continue as before. If he returns or not, our task has not changed. If we find him, or his corpse, in the pursuit of that task, then so be it, but I, at least, will not go searching for him."

I don't think Oret has ever spoken that many words in one go yet.

Aerent gives Oret an appraising look, surprised at his verbose response, "That's... a good point. Be a shame if he dies, I was just starting to like him."

Looking back to Sindran, Aerent says, "Just so everyone knows where I stand, I do not share your faith in the Seventh. They have already been given a reason to hate us - they have been placed in a subservient position in this endeavor. I believe they hold faith with the mission until they believe they have an opportunity to usurp us, at which time they try to destroy us."

"But your counsel is sound, we should not provoke our allies while they prove useful."

Hrm, yeah. Momentary bout of not-so-horrible Charisma. Sorry, won't happen again.

hehehe. Actually, you did well to help the mission by acting as the party conscience. Besides - who better to tell people to stay focused, than a monk?

Indeed. I happen to think Oret is very talkative . . . with his fists! On a similar note, has anyone ever heard the joke about the weapon named Diplomacy? One of Oret's fists might be named that.

"Fair enough," Sindran concedes.

"Well, aside from that, I've been investigating the forest and it is filled with hostile creatures. Even assuming we can handle them all ourselves, it will drain our strength. Sending supplies to the Horn will be difficult if they impede the path. I'd propose we persuade some of the forest beings to aid us, or that it is in their best interest not to stand against us. Of course, we can depend on the Baron's men or have mercenaries to clear the way."

Sindran laces his fingers together and hunches forward. "But I'd rather not depend on them. Unfortunately, there is little concrete information about Caer Bryr's inhabitants. I'd like to go out myself to the forest and see if any of those who live there might cooperate."

IB, what side of the Bryr is closest to the town? That is to say, from which side do we enter. Sindran's objective for now is the Karst, those haunted hills, and what treasure might lie there. A bargaining chip might be useful before looking for potential forest allies.

Talon, breathing heavily from breaking out of the web, swears loudly at the pitfall "You're lucky I'm on a schedule" he cries out to whoever is nearby. He promptly takes off, trying to find where the town is

Do you want another survival check?

Nah, I think you've got the message :p

I'll post in detail this evening.

With a slight roll of her eyes, Caladwhen quips blithely "You're right of course, but why don't you tell us how you really feel Oret."

Leaning back with arms crossed, Cala considers how best to scope out the Caer Bryr "T'larryo might be useful for the type of reconnaissance you are suggesting Sindran. He would be far less likely to draw attention to himself than any of us."

"caw?!"
Lars suddenly wakes from his lazy daydream, clearly not looking forward to the prospect of having tot find and fetch the arrogant magus in the teeming wild of the caer bryr...
"er, no...?"

Sindran raises a skeptical eyebrow. "I'm afraid I'll have to agree with T'larryo. Don't you remember how we first met him...?" He's clearly referring to when Caladwhen's familiar found himself webbed by a giant spider. In a forest.

"No offense to your capabilities, of course," he adds to the bird. "I'm sure you've healed and much improved, but I'd rather not risk it until we're sure there's a safe enough path."

"Yes! Send the green man instead of me! He even blends in nicely with the trees! Besides, it won't be a big loss if he doesn't return."

Remembering the status they founds Lars in originally, Caladwhen sighs and is forced to admit "You're probably right Sindran." Looking crossly over at Lars, Caladwhen shakes her head and sends him an empathic message "For the record T'Larryo, a raven that cannot or will not do reconnaissance in the wild is much like a square wheel... utterly useless. Go."

Waving her hand with mild disgust towards the window, Cala dismisses T'larryo and mutters "This is why I prefer undead servants... they don't have the audacity to talk back."

":-X !!!"
After a stunned, disgruntled, baffled silence...T'larryo walks over to the window, and leaves. But not before obnoxiouly and noisily leaving droppings all over the window sill.

Talon, not sure if I was clear earlier - you'll arrive in town well past midnight without further trouble. At that time, it'll be around 3:30 in the morning.
Not a decent night's rest today - that probably affects tomorrow's spells?

Talon, not sure if I was clear earlier - you'll arrive in town well past midnight without further trouble. At that time, it'll be around 3:30 in the morning.

Not a decent night's rest today - that probably affects tomorrow's spells?

Nope, he's just gonna stay up the rest of the night and sleep through the day. He'll enjoy a nocturnal day. Everyone will have to wait to hear his report. Muahahaha :P

I'm sure a bunch of powerful villains will be that patient and not ventilate their opinions of your irresponsible actions. They probably won't even stand screaming at tour bedside, eh, cala?

Eager to regain favor with his mistress, Lars hangs around Talon's inn. As soon as he spots Talon coming back, he flies back to the baron's mansion where our villains are resting. He urgently taps Caladwhen's window: " misstress Aldimae? I have news."

I'm sure a bunch of powerful villains will be that patient and not ventilate their opinions of your irresponsible actions. They probably won't even stand screaming at tour bedside, eh, cala?

** spoiler omitted ** ...And since we're on a mission for Asmodeus, don't expect any patience.

After hearing Lars' report, Caladwhen gathers Aerent, Sindran and Oret (probably by tell Elise to do so). Lars tells his story again, and you all learn that Talon came back late last night, looking harassed but healthy, and that he has gone to an inn instead of coming straight to your group.

So we're being gathered at, like, 4 AM?

"Mrmhmhmm," Sindran says after realizing there's no emergency. There's some strange watery gunk on his charred arms. Possibly might have been caught off-guard during one of the rare times he's moisturizing.

So we're being gathered at, like, 4 AM?

yeah - the possibility of having found the horn seemed important, somehow (!)

Wisdom Check: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21

There is some talk going on about invading the monastery, to gather information about the seal.

Intelligence Check: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17

Why not simply go to the horn, and take a look? First hand information and experimentation could be more valuable than a dozen religious ravings.

Sindran's initial scouting reveals a million mosquitos per square foot, and a rainforest too wet for his purposes -err comforts. If you dare go deeper into the forest, please roll survival and a d100.

Yeah, there's a reason no-one comes back. It's raw nature, and lots of it, that's trying to fight any visitors out.

You are absolutely sure it is doable, but it will take some considerable effort to clear a path to the horn.

Ehh, sure. Why not! Anyone with me?

Sindran growls in irritation at the mosquitoes. He considers alternative methods of combustion before deciding to head some distance into the forest.

Survival: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (8) - 1 = 7
1d100 ⇒ 94

Ehehe.

even if someone aids you and adds +2 to your survival score, that's not ...very high. This calls for an accident of sorts.

Sindran decides to take a closer look at the jungle. After an hour of being slapped in the face by branches, strangled by other branches, poked by more branches and having his path blocked by -you guessed it- trees, you finally find a fallen log to sit down on and catch yoru breath.

Then, the log opens an eye...!

Assuming that Caladwhen stopped Oret from entering the monastery, he'll be eager to get out of town as well, and will join Sindran.

Survival: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14

Aerent definitely goes along to see the rainforest, silently praying that they encounter something that can be hit with a trident.

Looks like you might get your wish.

Extremely close to just turning all the branches to ash, Sindran peers down at the log he's sitting on. "...Hello."

Upon -careful- inspection, the 'fallen log' turns out to be a giant reptilian creature, with thick bony plates on its skin which do indeed give the illusion of a rough bark. The illusion is further heightened because the rounded, muscled body narrows towards its tail - where an enormous deposit of body fat forms a terrible, terrrible natural weapon.

"...Hello."

The creature's eye narrows. Several things happen all at once. It stands on its four feet at surprising speed, throwing Sindran off its back(*), and it swings the hammer at the tip of its tail at the nearest villain.

atk: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (15) + 14 = 29
dmg: 3d6 + 12 ⇒ (1, 6, 5) + 12 = 24

that looks like a hit.
The tail delivers a powerful blow, resounding through Oret's skull. Oret, please roll a Fort save DC23 or be dazed for 1 round.

(*) I like a spectacle more than rules. If Sindran manages a DC15 ride check, you've got a prehistoric pony - well, to be exact, you can remain on its back until you decide otherwise. If you fail or choose not to roll the ride check, you land 10 ft away, are prone, and you should roll 1d6 damage, from being thrown into the forest at random and getting hurt by a dozen brances and sticks.

Oh...ummm..ouch.

Fort Save vs. Stun: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21 So close to saving, yet so far...

Oret is dazed for several seconds, recovering from the massive blow.

Assuming that Caladwhen stopped Oret from entering the monastery, he'll be eager to get out of town as well, and will join Sindran.

Caladwhen will definitely advise against the monastery mission, as the thought of dealing with religious fanatics seems abhorrent at this time.

After meeting with Talon, Caladwhen appears resolved though unhappy at the prospect of moving about the Caer Bryr. "We'll need to find the Horn. Unfortunately, I've learned all I can from the Baron's library if you can call it that. The best thing to do is see it for ourselves at this point.

I had a thought about supplies, it may sound a little crazy, but here me out. Zombies repel living creatures, and they're tireless at their tasks... so I'm thinking Caladwhen could animate a few corpses of some beasts of burden and a few human riders, and we could send them about moving supplies from the base camp to wherever we are. Unless carnivores are desperate and willing to eat rotting flesh, they'll likely be unhampered in their quest to supply us, and they won't betray us like the Baron's men might. We would just need somebody we trust to man the base camp. Make any sense? If we kill this thing, it could make a good candidate.

Taking a step back, Caladwhen calmly eyes the beast and moves her hand towards her spell components pouch.

That makes a lot of sense, Caladwhen, though it means we'll have to use up some of your meatshields for supplies.

Ride: 1d20 + 3 - 2 ⇒ (4) + 3 - 2 = 5 1d20 + Dex Bonus - Armor Check Penalty
Knowledge (nature): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15

Sindran is summarily thrown onto the forest floor. He grunts upon landing, taking a moment to stare at the forest canopy before giving a put-upon sigh. Whatever he's lying down in is uncomfortable and he stands.

Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 5
Current HP: 17/22

"You couldn't have just been a log?" Sindran complains even as he takes a single step back and brings both hands in front of him. "Svihda."

Current HP: 19/22

That makes a lot of sense, Caladwhen, though it means we'll have to use up some of your meatshields for supplies.

It is a risk, but then again... as far as Cala is concerned, Oret, Aerent and Talon are all kinda her meatshields! I kid, I kid... or do I? XD