DM Elanmorin's The Jarlsblood Witch Saga (Inactive)

Game Master Rogar Valertis

kn arcana : 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (7) + 15 = 22

”I was a little afraid first but ... but yes I are really powerful everybody!!“ Enora says.

I will follow you in the middle of the group please.

I cannot move on the map. ;-)

Well done all! This beheaded warrior was quite a fighter!
Don't you think its the beheaded corpse of the king? He talks about a dragon, why?

Asks the Count to his comrades.

Wolfgar uses his wand on himself.

Clw: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9

Clw: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Clw: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Clw: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

Clw: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Clw: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Clw: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Clw: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

Clw: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

"Nice work Pathfinders!"

He follows the party.

Enora thinks there's something definitely wrong with the way the beheaded corpse acted but can't point out the exact meaning behind it.

After checking and appropriating the undead's gear you decide to move northward. And the next chamber you meet holds the source of the battle noise reverberating throughout the tomb...

An ethereal woman and a serpentine dragon are locked in combat here, each countering the other’s strikes. The beast briefly looks toward the chamber’s entrance with curiosity, and the woman takes advantage of its distraction to tear its throat open with her axe. The dragon rears back in pain and sinks into the floor, but the warrior’s apparition remains.

With the linnorm temporarily defeated, the ghostly leans on her axe as if to rest. Then she notices you.

"At last! Are you here to help me vanquish the Linnorm's spirit once and for all? I've defeated it countless times, yet it keeps coming back and Halvard won't join me... I've tried to ask for help... but you are the first to answer my call! Together I'm sure we can get rid of the worm once and for all! We have to: the alternative is too terrible to be contemplated!" the ghost states.

"Was Halvard that headless guy we just killed... again?" Truk asks.

"Of course we'll help! I've never fought a ghost-dragon before!" he adds cheerfully.

Enora immediately casts ‘haste’ on the party!

”Fast my companions!! Let us end this wyrm’s existence!!“ Enora shouts.

What a story! Will you be "The Witch"?
Can you tell us more about you?

Ask the Count.

"Kolvi? You battle the wyrm-spirit for eternity?" The dwarf grunts. "That's either eternal torment or eternal glory. Only Torag knows the difference."

He holds up the axe. "Would this help?"

GM, what's the stats on the axe?

@Torean: It's an exotic 2 handed melee weapon (3d6 damage/x3, slashing) with special rules: Butchering Axe the one you hold is a +1 dragonbane weapon, so if you can wield it effectively it could be of help in defeating the dragon.

The ghost that was Kolvi sighs:"Yes. Those were Halvard remains, twisted by the linnorm's curse. And yes, I'm Kolvi. I'm battling the dragon's spirit since the day I was killed. At first I just wanted a chance to prove my worth as I was killed before I could face a Linnorm myself. Now I fear something terrible will happen if I lose against it and it can rejoin its phisical form... the bones you saw outside this tomb. Halvard killed it in life but such beast is dangerous even in death. You know about their kind's death curse, yes? Well I believe this particular linnorm cursed Halvard when it died and its spirit is trying to come back to life. Such beasts are known to be able to do that after all. Perhaps there's a way to weaken the linnorm by breaking its hold on Halvard remains... I imagine it's possible but I'm just a warrior, I don't know much about such things... I've stopped the creature's spirit until now, but I just need to lose once and the dragon will be free, and then no one will be safe. At this point I know I'm nearing my limit while the linnorm is as strong as ever. With your help I'm willing to try something different. Let the linnorm return to its corporeal body and defeat it there before it reforms completely, that should be enough to break the curse and disperse its spirit once and for all. If you need time to prepare, I can continue suppressing the dragon until you’ve had a chance to rest or finish exploring these catacombs. However, as I said, my will to maintain an eternal struggle is nearly at its end. This struggle needs to be decided soon or disaster will strike"

The ghost brightens as Torean shows her the axe:"That's a formidable weapon indeed. One enchanted to bring ruin to dragonkind. It will be of great help in your struggle... as long as you can wield it properly"

She then gives the Comte a frosty look:"I was NEVER a witch. Keep that well in mind"

"What else is here, Kolvi? Is there anything else that might help us kill the linnorm?"

It's an exotic weapon, so chances are anyone would take a -4 to attacks to use it.

Sounds like a plan to explore the rest of the place first

Enora immediately casts ‘haste’ on the party!

”Fast my companions!! Let us end this wyrm’s existence!!“ Enora shouts.

Ok forget haste! ;-)

”Kolvi, Thank you very much for all this information and I hope that your eternal fight will be successful with our support! We will start to think about a ritual to release your companion’s soul so we can defeat the dragon! And when we have finished exploring the cavern we will return to combat the physical form of the dragon!“ Enora shouts.

kn arcana again with new information to understand if a ritual might work on the headless undead : 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (20) + 15 = 35

"Oh! If we kill this dragon again, does that make us Kings?!"

That was never my intention to call you Witch, Kolvi, but that's how the inhabitant of your hometown know you since your death.
May be if you tell us your complete story we could change the way the people see you?

Wolfgar holds out this hand. "Torean I would be proud to yield the axe instead of my own. My grandfather would be proud if I help say this beast. If all of us band together and this axe sinks deep in the dragon's neck, then surely the beast will die for GOOD! And Kolvi will rest!"

Torean nods and hands the axe over to Wolfgar. "Maybe that axe will end the linnorm for good."

"Now, let's make sure there's nothing else here to surprise us."

Is there any more to the north?

@Torean: You still need to finish exploring the tomb, and before enacting Kolvi's plan you may want to try dispelling the curse on King Halvard's corpse as it may help weaken the Linnorm

"I hope it does" Kolvi answers Truk "But in any case is something that needs to be done. I won't be able to stop the creature being reborn forever and I'm nearing my limit"

"As for my story... I'm sure you've pieced together most of it. In life I was a renowned warrior who wished to prove herself against a linnorm and earn the title of King. King Halvard of Frostreach did not share my enthusiasm though. Being the short sighted little man that he was he followed me into the wilderness with 3 of his blood-companions. Halvard, you see was craven in life... and is now quick to abandon his unfinished business in death. Anyway, they ambushed me. I would have succumbed if not for the intervention of a strange elk man who summoned a blizzard, dispersing Havard's riders and allowing me to face him in single combat. I bested him and took his head. Then went back home to explain what happened to my people... yet one of Halvard companions preceded me and poisoned the people against me claiming I had used ice magic to defeat the king. The people believed him... and hacked me to pieces. I died accused of a crime I didn't commit but for some reason my spirit was pulled here where I could finally do what I was not allowed to do in life... face the linnorm and prevent it from wreaking havok on Frostreach and beyond!"

As you agree to help her, Kolvi thanks you and thanks offers to lend you some of her ghostly equipment for the battle ahead. She hands you a well made waraxe (a masterwork cold iron battleaxe), boots lined with thick white fur (boots of the winterland) and a gold ring sporting a blood red ruby (a ring of minor fire resistance). Each time she hands over an item, it becomes corporeal as it leaves her hands

Enora is sad and happy when hearing the story.

”I will try to dispel the effect on the headless undead!“

Hello GM, so did my kn arcana of 35 tell me that I need to cast ‘dispel magic’? If yes then Enora spends an arcane reservoir point to change her ‘fly’ spell to ‘dispel magic’ via ‘quick study’. She then consumes a first level spell to restore her arcane reservoir to 6.

Enora concentrates and channels her inner magic. Then she begins casting ‘dispel magic’.

Dispel Magic CL check: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21

Thanks for sharing your Story with us Kolvi. With all the proof we now have, I think it will be easier to convince your people that they killed you for the wrong reason.

Turning to his comrades he says.

I'm ready to fight a Dragon!
I can casts fly on several of you as my fireballd will not be as good as usual against that kind of creature.

He stows his axe in his backpack. Thanks friend dwarf. I will use the weapon to the best of my strength." He turns to Enora. "I hope your spell puts an end to the curse"

@Enora: You know the corpse that used to be King Halvard the Wolf is cursed. You also know that you need a spell like remove curse in order to get rid of the effect (DC19, just in case). You can save your dispell attempt, Enora knows it would just be a waste of magical power

@Everyone: Do you want to check the rest of the tomb? There's only one place you haven't visited yet. Otherwise we can move to the dragon fight...

Explore!

Torean leads the group to the area where they haven't explored before. "Kolvi says to check the rest of the tomb, we check the rest of the tomb. A brave warrior like her should be respected." The dwarf grunts.

Let's check out that last area.

But, I'm hungry!

Despite his words, the Count is ready to follow Torean in exploring the rest of the tombs.

You decide to complete your exploration of the tomb, hoping to find something useful against the linnorm waiting for you outside of the cavern...

The rest of the northern chambers prove uninteresting. Not so the one situated immediately on the entrance's right. There you notice 2 very dead skeletons still wearing Ulfen armor with some kind inscription carved into the wall next to them. It reads:

“Alvard knew the woods well. It’s where he hunted his linnorm, he said. We laid our ambush, but fey attacked. They shouted he betrayed them. Could see in his face he knew and was afraid. A screaming elk, ice for eyes. Kolvi. She was best with an axe, took away the king’s head. Can’t find our way back. Armor belongs in the family and dying”

The writing becomes increasingly unsteady and illegible before trailing off midthought, and one of the two skeletons lies facedown underneath the inscription, still wearing a suit of chainmail that shows rust in only a few places. The other skeleton still cradles a horn into which he has carved a last message with a discarded arrowhead.

“This horn was from a linnorm Alvard killed. He was a good warrior but fearful—always talked of the linnorm coming back. Jumped every time I blew the horn. Did he fear Kolvi being a king? Or did he fear the linnorm being back? He never was right after the hunt.”

Does any of you have the means to speak with the dead? Also, keep in mind Kolvi is willing to allow you a full night of rest before releasing the linnorm's spirit

Kn arcana : 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (11) + 15 = 26

Spellcraft to identify armor : 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (3) + 15 = 18

Enora makes copies of the inscriptions on the walls.

”This will be very useful to prove Kolvi’s innocence and that she was not seen as a witch by the king’s own soldiers. And that the fey were battling the king and the king knew very well why ... and due to the testament of the fey we also know that without their help the king would never have been able to kill the linnorm and that he betrayed the fey!“ Enora contemplates.

"That'll help alright", Truk adds in agreement. "But we've got a dragon to wrangle first."

nothing to talk to the dead

I agree, plenty of proof here! Lets rest and eat and we will destroy the linnorm once and for all!

Torean grunts, reading the inscription. "Yeah, that might be enough to clear Kolvi's name." He examines the armor and the horn. "Not bad, but probably not helpful for us."

He walks back to Kolvi. "Ok, Kolvi, we might have a way to clear your family's name after all this. But what do we need to know about this linnorm? Does it breath fire? How big is it?"

"If you saw its bones outside this tomb you also know how big the dragon was and will be once released. And I didn't get a chance to fight it in life but as far as I remember Halvard claimed the wormd did spit fire, yes." Kolvi answers Torean's questions and then adds,"Despite my current condition I would lie if I told you I don't care about my people finally accepting the truth about my battle with Halvard. If you restore it I would be in your debt" she claims solemnly.

Are you ready to face the dragon? What preparations, if any, do you think of making?

Just before starting the battle:

Enora casts ‘false life’ on herself.
False life : 1d10 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14

She uses her wand of mage armor on herself.

She casts ‘fly’ on herself.

She then spends 1 Arcane Reservoir and ‘quick study’ to change ‘fly’ to ‘dispel magic’ as her memorised spell.

She casts ‘enlarge person’ on anyone who want to be enlarged. WHO WANTS ENLARGE?

She uses her scroll of ‘shield’ on herself.

She casts expeditious retreat.

She casts protection from evil.

She activates ‘Arcane Barrier’ for 10 temp. HP and spends 1 Arcane Reservoir point.

She casts ‘Mirror Image’ on herself.
mirrror image # : 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

The second before they go in she casts ‘haste’ and extends the duration with her rod of extend. 14 rounds duration.

Truk doesn't have much in the way of prebuffing but he'll happily accept any spellcasting sent his way.

Truk, Torean, and Wolfgar are enlarged.

Enora consumes a second level spell to regain two arcane reservoir.

The count, uses his power to help his comrades fight the dragon.

He casts fly on each of his comrades that is not able to fly, use his wands to cast on himself mage armor and shield.

He also casts mirror image #: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4.

I'm hungry, but ready!

Spell used:
Level 3: 4/6
Level 2: 1/8
Truk, Torean, and Wolfgar have fly

Torean casts See Invisibility.

Torean casts Resist Energy (Fire)

Torean casts Shield of Faith

Torean casts Divine Favor right before the Dragon is to appear.

Torean will cast Resist Energy (Fire) on Truk and Wolfgar.

Torean still has Heroism up.

Torean's Sky Sentinel ability will give him bonuses vs. flying creatures

Wolfgar casts lead blades on the axe right before the fight.

"Are you ready my friends? Thanks Comte for the spell. Now I can meet the dragon in the air!"

Did you take and use any of the items Kolvi gave you?

As soon as you are ready to face the dragon you signal Kolvi who just nods to you, a mask of grim determination painted on her ghostly features. After a few short minutes the linnorm's spirit manifests again roaring in anger but this time instead of meeting it head on the Ulfen warrioress steps aside, leaving the exit open. It hesitates, narrows its eyes with suspicious, then flies out of the cave. The entire catacomb rumbles softly as the linnorm’s bones reassemble outside, regrowing portions of its skin and scales in moments and you know you have a serious battle ahead of you!

As you prepare to fight a lightning streaks across the sky, perhaps heralding the coming of a storm, and up into the clouds you can clearly see the image of Kolvi readying herself for one last battle against the reptilian monster's spirit!

Round 01 - Bold may act

Wolfgar

Linnorm's Vestige

Torean
Enora
Zaroslav
Truk

Map updated

Does anyone else want the ring of fire resistance (10 points) or the boots of the winterland? Torean already gave Turk, Wolfgar, and himself fire resist 20. Somebody might want the ring though in case they get caught in his breath.

Enora takes the ring of fire resistance.

the Count will take the boots, they look nice on him!

What a creature!

Wolfgar grows angry then charges the creature. "Die worm!"

attack rage, bane dragons and charge exotic penalty: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (8) + 14 = 22

damage rage bane enlarged lead blades: 6d6 + 10 + 2d6 ⇒ (4, 5, 1, 2, 6, 2) + 10 + (6, 1) = 37

enlarge is un-typed and lead blades doesn't state what bonus it is? So I had them stack. That's why the damage is crazy? and bane is +2 to the type of creature. Let me know if that works?

@Wolfgar: yes lead blades and enlarge stack

Wolfgar rushes the dragon but his swing misses but before that the Linnorm uses its superior size to slash at the barbarian with its huge claws...

AoO Linnorm vs Wolfgar: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (20) + 20 = 40 → Damage roll: 1d6 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10

Crit confirmation: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (2) + 20 = 22 → Damage roll: 1d6 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12

Then, aware as it is of your superior numbers it takes flight and shoots fire from its maw engulfing both Wolfgar and Truk...

Fire breath: 8d6 ⇒ (3, 2, 3, 3, 5, 4, 2, 6) = 28 @Wolfgar and Truk: DC22 Reflex Save for half → Shhots agan in 1d4 ⇒ 3 rounds

The Linnorm is flying 20 feet into the air

Round 01 - Bold may act

Wolfgar -22hp, Reflex Save?

Linnorm's Vestige

Torean
Enora
Zaroslav
Truk Reflex Save?

Torean jumps and takes to the air. He twirls his hammer like he was taught Torag does. "We're coming for you, wyrm!" His hammer glows briefly as Torag blesses his warrior with might. The dwarf flies over, trying to cut off the linnorm's escape routes.

Activate Justice/Destruction Judgements
Attack (PA, FF, judgement, DF, haste, heroism, SS): 1d20 + 12 + 3 + 2 + 1 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 12 + 3 + 2 + 1 + 2 + 1 = 32
Damage (enlarged, PA, judgement, DF): 2d6 + 16 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (6, 1) + 16 + 3 + 2 = 28

Torean's AC is 24 vs. a flying creature

Enora casts glitterdust on the dragon.

Cannot go invisible and DC 17 DC will save or blinded.

Enora then takes to the air so she is not in danger to be attacked with others by the breath weapon.

Reflex: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (10) + 10 = 20

"Hot hot hot!" Truk howls as the flames pierce the magical protection granted him by Torean.

Can Truk reach the dragon as a large creature with 10 foot reach? If not he'll use his polearm.

Reflex: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27

@Truk: Of course he can, but the movement will provoke. Using the bardiche won't provoke though

Enora casts a spell to blind the wyrm!

Spell vs Resistance: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19 → Will Save: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (1) + 13 = 14

She suceedes and the beast roars, enraged!

Torean advances on the Linnorm and smashes it with his hammer, but not before the creature has a chance to retaliate!

AoO vs Torean: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (8) + 20 = 28 → Damage roll: 1d6 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10 → Concealment (low is good): 1d100 ⇒ 98

The Linnorm attacks wildly but thanks to Enora's spell it misses Torean of a fraction of inch!

Meanwhile, Truk is badly singed by the dragon's fire while Wolfgar manages to avoid the worst of it.

Round 01/02 - Bold may act

Wolfgar -36hp, Reflex Save?

Linnorm's Vestige

Torean
Enora
Zaroslav
Truk -28hp

Truk has fire resist 20 from Torean's Resist Energy spell.

Truk prefers his fists whenever he can use them. He'll risk the AoO.

Eager to join in the scrap, mega-Truk lumbers into the fray. He takes a bit whistling haymaker at the raging wyrm.

Punch: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (1) + 19 = 20
Damage: 2d8 + 9 ⇒ (6, 1) + 9 = 16

Wow! Great that the blinding worked in this round. Thanks GM!! ;-) The linnorm gets a new DC 17 will save vs the blindness each round on my turn.

Seeing that the Linnorm is blinded, the Count flies toward the mighty creature and touch it with his spell.

Hungry!

Touch Attack (Vampiric Touch): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9
SR: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (3) + 10 = 13
Damages: 4d6 ⇒ (4, 6, 2, 2) = 14

But too eager to eat, he completely miss his attack!