Bookrat's Demon Lord Game 2 (Inactive)

Game Master bookrat

Charles turned to the two boys, he nodded to each of them.

"I'm impressed. The two of you have shown remarkable levels of bravery and have acted well in the short time we've been traveling together. Pellius, you had some good forethought about being well prepared ahead of time... Billy, you showed remarkable levels of strength and stamina for one who is not yet trained. That and when the time came, both of you were able to put aside who you were and work together. Tripping that troll, that was good teamwork."

But he frowned after a moment, his gaze becoming harder. "Although you went a good deal out of your bounds when you decided to try and tackle that troll.
Pellius you nearly got killed when you underestimated your opponent and tried to grab at it before it grabbed at you. Surprise works but only for a moment and then if you're not careful, your opponent can quickly turn the tables on you.

Neither of you know how to gauge a tense situation properly. You either overestimated your strength or underestimated your opponent. Both of these are costly mistakes and could have proven fatal. Your equipment is okay for a simple trek but you'll need better if you want to come out here." he paused for a moment.

"We've found this ward and that means this hag is real. Billy, this was a rather potent taste of what the defenders of Bleake's Faste have to deal with sometimes. Do you still have the resolve to make this your life's work? What about you, Pellius? "

Adding to the boys' grade.

"I know this might be something you don't want to hear, but this is a prime example of why your education is so important. Learning how and why the world works is crucial in making split second decisions in battle, just keep in mind that you're never guaranteed a perfect outcome.
I'm about 21 hands in height and 23 and a half stone, that's more then the both of you and then some plus Tesswyn combine. Did you see me out there trying to wrestle those trolls? Certainly not, those trolls were twice my weight and 3 more hands which equates to a lot of "leverage"..."

Drot take about 5-10 minutes to explain what leverage is and how it is effective against opponents of equal or greater strength using Charles as in a quick demonstration.... As it dragged on and Tesswyn inevitably scolded him for taking so long about something stupid, he wrapped up and headed out.

Int: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

"Oh yeah, okay, that could make sense... I'm afraid I haven't seen this particular formation of energy, very interesting indeed..."

Will: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (11) - 1 = 10

Billy stands tall and says, Yes, Sir Gärwin, Sir Charles. Will do. Come on, Pellius, let's go.

Will: 1d20 ⇒ 5

What? No? No f&$~ing way! I'm fine now. It barely hurts anymore. I set out to see this through. I'm not abandoning the kids just because of a little set back! What if you all die? Someone will have to report it back!

Just let us hang back and stay out of sight; we'll be your lookouts and if anything bad happens we'll head straight back and report to the Sheriff.

Tesswyn fixes Pellius with a stern gaze. "Pellius, you're nearly and adult now, right? Part of what separates the adults from the children is having the wisdom to know when to make a tactical withdrawal. Our healing resources are limited. We might not be able to save you the next time you or Billy gets hurt. You are the only ones who know where the hag lives. If we do die, you need to be able to guide more heroes out here to stop her. It's a very important task, and we need you to do it. Can we rely on you?"

Persuade: 1d20 - 1 + 1d6 ⇒ (16) - 1 + (5) = 20

What? No! Don't ruin my chances, Pell. They told us to go, and we're going, whether you like it or not.

Grab: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19

Billy grabs Pellius by the arm and starts to walk him back.

Escape: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Pellius tries to break away from Billy's grasp, but is unable to. Finally, he relents.

Fine; let's just go.

Drot shakes his head on the boys as they venture back, bickering.

"Ckhuh... When I was their age, I was in the underbelly of a row ship chained to my best friend, rowing at least 16 hours a day, had robbed caravans for a living... Killed men... I didn't have the energy to complain and fight like they do. Danger's just a part of life, can't protect them too much longer."

Drot grasps at the empty air and energy manifests into his grip. It spreads around him and solidifies into a layer of translucent armor. He's prepared to continue.

You follow a trail of marked trees that leads to a clearing where a mosscovered hovel sits on a slight rise at the heart of the swamp. Pale smoke rises from a squat chimney, and the outside walls are covered in more bizarre sigils. Rabbits, giant frogs, leeches, and crows hang skinned or gutted on leather straps from racks around the hut. Skulls and tiny animal bones lie everywhere. Clearly, this is the lair of a witch.

The hag stands at the door of her house, staff in hand. She’s an ugly woman with green-blue skin, dressed in brown rags. She leans on a hardwood staff covered in strange runes and eldritch signs and decorated with tiny animal skulls hanging on leather straps. She screams, What are you doing here? Get out of my swamp!

Tesswyn raises her bow. "You cursed the children of the village with a pox. Remove the curse and we will suffer you to live! Refuse and die!"

Charles was surprised and then uncertain for the moment about how to start the conversation. He had been so worried with just getting here that he hadn't considered what he'd do if this thing wasn't just a monster.

But he couldn't, he wouldn't just leave. Not without a way to deal with the plague.

Charles looked at Tesswyn but did not try to stop her or get in her way.
"We've traveled through your swamp and come here because our village is currently suffering from a plague. A plague that seems to be unable to be removed through any sort of healing magic. Is it true that you cursed us?"

I don't have to answer to you! adds, “I warned you! This is my home! MY HOME!

With that, she runs back into her hovel, screaming what can be taken only as incantations of foul black sorcery.

A heartbeat later, the shallow pools around the house begin to spout forth brown newts with soft, white bellies. Each one expands and rises, its torso curling upward to stand on two bent legs, becoming a grotesque combination of man and amphibian.

Everyone up! Declare fast or slow init and state your actions!

I'll make a map soon. For now, the witch is in her Hovel, and there are a total of 8 Newtlings surrounding the hut. They're about 15 yards away.

Slow initiative]Charles moves ahead 5 spaces of the others to where the land shrinks down and takes a defend action. All attacks vs. Charles gain 1 bane and he makes all challenge saves with a boon. As a triggered action he will use prayer to give Tesswyn a boon.

"Well that's not what I was hoping for. Drot, take this!" Charles said, as he threw his halberd to the Orc and then drew his sword and readied his shield. "Astrid, see to it that her aim is true."

Drot grabs the weapon as it arcs towards him, he hefts it in his hands then positions himself between the Paladin and the Knight.

"Organic shields, I could get used to this!"

Prepare an action to strike as soon as a Newt comes into range.

Slow

Tesswyn follows Charles and shoots the nearest foe, but even the priest's blessing can't save her poor aim. She curses and nocks another arrow.

Attack: 1d20 + 4 + 1d6 ⇒ (2) + 4 + (6) = 12

Move up behind Charles.

Slow
Gärwin takes up position next to Charles, readying to strike anything that comes to close.

"I don't like giving 'er breathin' room. We shouldn't wait too long... Wait a minute. I got an idea."

He reaches into his pack and pulls out three flasks of oil and a torch.

"I bet she'll stop whatever ritual she's castin' once we set 'er home ablaze."

"Well if this whole thing happened because some teenagers decided to throw rocks at her house, then I can only imagine what she'll do by threatening to burn it."

Gärwin rolls his eyes. "Die, hopefully. I doubt there's much she can do that she isn't tryin' already. Heavily armed folks show'n up at your doorstep isn't exactly the most invitin' thing."

Fast PCs
None.

Fast Enemies
None.

Slow PCs
The group advanced to a defensible position. Tesswyn misses an arrow. Gärwin prepares hit firebomb.

Slow Enemies
The newts all move in. The come swarming around from every direction, but fortunately the waters seem to slow them down as much as they have for you.

Newtlings:
Warped by strange magic, newtlings are ordinary amphibians that have been transformed into horrid, twisted humanoids, with slimy skin and thin arms that end in needle-like claws. Their teeth are blunt and drip with black swamp mud. Most notable are their distended bellies, transparent ernough for a viewer to just make out a mass of squirming guts beneath the pallid white flesh.

One of them makes it to Charles.
Boon: Newt. Bane: Charles Defense Stance.
Attack: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

The sharp claws dance off Charles' shield.

Everyone up! Declare fast or slow init and state your actions!

Fast

Tesswyn shoots at the monsters trying to sneak around the flank.

Attack: 1d20 + 4 + 1d6 ⇒ (17) + 4 + (1) = 22
Damage: 2d6 ⇒ (5, 6) = 11
Attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 2

One to the left first, switch to one in the water to the right if it falls.

Slow
Attack: 1d20 + 1d6 ⇒ (4) + (6) = 10
Gärwin tries to swing at the creature nearby, but can't quite reach past Charles to land a meaningful hit. He decides to retreat into the relative safety of the group and focus on his plan. After taking a moment to prepare another improvised firebomb, he hands the first to Tesswyn.
" 'Ere, you're probably the best for this kind of thing. Flush the 'ag out!"

Fast initiative, Attacking SW Newt, if it is killed before that, it will be the one in front of Charles.

"Don't let them swarm us! Drive them back!"

Attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16

Drot uses Charles' polearm to thrust into a Newt, running it through then using his foot to pull the weapon back out of its midsection and preparing to chop the Newt top to bottom!

Dmg: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

Fast initiative, bull rush. Prayer to give drot a boon to kicking open the door.

Charles was focused on the Newt creature in front of him and with the group moving before he finally seemed to contemplate what they were planning to do. Using fire. It was effective, it had been effective, but it had also killed people they hadn't meant to.

Garwin wasn't there. He doesn't know. Tesswyn won't care, she never does. And Drot'ook... he honestly didn't know if the Orc did care or not.

But the echoing screams came back to haunt him. His months of isolated work, trying to move past it but being completely unable to do so except by circumstances had been soul crushing.

The Newtlings began to spread out before them.

No, no we can't use fire. Not without knowing. and that's when Drot'ook gave him the opening he needed.

"Tesswyn, hold off on that fire. I'm gonna clear a path! Drot'ook, you break open that door. Use the fire to threaten her when you break down the door. We'll deal with these things from the doorway."

Charles set his shield low and began to push forward against the Newtlings that were still directly in their path.

"If you're with me, Astrid, I could use some help here." Charles imagined the field he had seen before. The newtlings became hounds in his mind and he pushed forward.

Bull rush: 1d20 + 3 + 1d6 ⇒ (10) + 3 + (2) = 15

"Now go!"

Actions of some PCs have changed based on Discord discussion.

Fast PCs
Charles rushes forward and slams into the leading newtling, shoving it back several yards. This created an opening in their front lines, allowing Drot and Tesswyn to rush through.

Change of Action for Tesswyn.
Tesswyn fires her bow at a flanking newtling, killing it instantly. It falls into the waters, fouling the pleasant swamp with blood and guts. She then charges forward and breaks through the front line to assault the hut.

Free Attacks?: 1d3 - 1 ⇒ (1) - 1 = 0

Change of Action for Drot.
Drot takes the opening as well, rushing through to make hos way to the hut.

Free Attacks?: 1d3 - 1 ⇒ (2) - 1 = 1

A newtling strikes out at Drot as he rushes past.

Attack: 1d20 + 2 + 1d6 ⇒ (16) + 2 + (3) = 21
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 3
Drot, make a Strength Challenge Roll or take 1d6 ⇒ 6 damage and be poisoned for 1 Round.

Gärwin steps up to help hold back the tide and create a better opening.

Fast Enemies
None.

Slow PCs
None.

Slow Enemies
Two newtlings moves through the waters to flank Charles. One required movement and action to get there, and does not get an attack. The other attacks.

Attack vs Charles: 1d20 + 2 + 1d6 ⇒ (4) + 2 + (4) = 10
Miss

Three Newtlings close in ranks around Charles and Gärwin, but holding the choke point only allows two to attack.

CG: 1d2 ⇒ 2

Attack vs Gärwin: 1d20 + 2 + 1d6 ⇒ (13) + 2 + (3) = 18
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 5
Gärwin, make a Strength Challenge Roll or take 1d6 ⇒ 4 poison damage and gain the Poisoned condition for 1 Round. Don't forget about your dwarven bonuses vs poison.

Attack vs Gärwin: 1d20 + 2 + 1d6 ⇒ (1) + 2 + (5) = 8
Miss

The last two newtlings chase after Drot and Tesswyn, catching up to them and attacking.

Attack vs Drot: 1d20 + 2 + 1d6 ⇒ (13) + 2 + (5) = 20
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 4
Drot, make a Strength Challenge Roll or take 1d6 ⇒ 1 damage and be poisoned for 1 Round.

Attack vs Tesswyn: 1d20 + 2 + 1d6 ⇒ (4) + 2 + (5) = 11
Miss.

The witch sticks her staff out the window, and a large green flame engulfs DT: 1d2 ⇒ 2 Tesswyn.
Attack vs Tesswyn: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20
Fire Damage: 3d6 ⇒ (4, 6, 4) = 14
Tesswyn, make an Agility Challenge Roll or be on fire, taking 1d6 damage each round, until someone uses an Action to put the fire out.

Everyone up! Declare fast or slow init and state your actions!

Fast
Strength: 1d20 + 2 + 1d6 ⇒ (18) + 2 + (4) = 24
Attack: 1d20 + 2 + 1d6 ⇒ (10) + 2 + (4) = 16
Damage: 2d6 + 2 ⇒ (3, 2) + 2 = 7

Wincing from the bite wound, Gärwin pipes up,"Can one of you tell me what our plan was? It seems to me, we just threw away every advantage we had!"

Holding one of the slimy creatures off with his shield, the dwarf lands a quick jab to the one who bit him. The puncture smells awful and leaves a black smear on his blade. Gotta remember to wash this thing when I get back.

Unless an opportunity for a Free Attack presents itself, Gärwin will use his shield to cover Charles, inflicting one bane on the next creature to attack him.

Agility: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23
Read the Signs: 1d20 + 3 - 1d6 ⇒ (13) + 3 - (3) = 13
Boons: 2d6 ⇒ (1, 6) = 7
Attack: 1d20 + 4 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 4 + 6 = 27
Damage: 2d6 + 1 ⇒ (2, 6) + 1 = 9

Fast

Tesswyn cries out in pain as the flames scorch her. "Ow! You b+**!!" She twists aside, avoiding catching ablaze. Her mind's eye opens to the signs of the swamp as she drops her bow, draws her staff, and smashes the newtling beside her.

Exploit Opportunity

As the thing falls, she shakes off her pain and darts past the other newtling towards the hag's hut.

Use nimble recovery, move 5 closer to the hut. Movement does not provoke free attacks.

Enemies take 1 bane on attacks against Tesswyn for 6 rounds.

Drot runs just behind Tesswyn, his mind was racing with how the next 30 seconds of his life was going to go.

Str vs Free Atk: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10
Phew!

Drot doesn't have time turn and defend himself against the newt running after him.

Str vs 2nd Atk: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13

"I'm gonna go for it Tess! I Promise I won't die if you don't! Subire Discrimina!"

He barks a couple arcane words and his body becomes blurry and hard to focus on, he dashes to the door and tries to run through it!
Casting Celerity and rushing the door with Charles' boon.

Str?: 1d20 + 3 + 1d6 ⇒ (3) + 3 + (5) = 11

Fast initiative, driving attack against the Newtling on Garwin's left and diagonally up and to the left of Charles to try and knock it 3 diagonal squares back.

"Garwin, what are you still doing here?! Getting the rest of you to the hut was the plan!" Charles said as he ignored the two that had come to flank him on the far side and smashed his icy blade into the newtling immediately in front of him and Garwin out and away from him and the dwarf.

"We've got to stop her. Go, I'll catch up!"

Driving attack: 1d20 + 3 - 1d6 ⇒ (14) + 3 - (3) = 14
damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

Will use my prayer ability if Garwin tries to use a shifting or driving attack of his own, or really anything in order to clear more space for himself.

Fast PCs
Drot becomes a blur of motion as he charges the hut, slamming against the door. The door bursts open, splintering off the hinges. God, this is like a horror movie from her perspective.

Charles and Gärwin kill two more. Their guts pop open and spill out everywhere.

Tesswyn kills another, and its guts burst out as well.

Gärwin and Tesswyn, make an Agility Roll; failure means you're Impaired for one round as you become covered in the guts of the creatures you just killed.

Tesswyn then darts forward.

Fast Enemies
Two newts next to Charles attack.

One Banes. One boon.
Attack vs Charles: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 1

One boon.
Attack vs Charles: 1d20 + 2 + 1d6 ⇒ (17) + 2 + (2) = 21
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 2

Charles, make two strength challenge rolls. First roll: Failure means you take 1d6 ⇒ 4 poison damage and become poisoned for one round. Second means you take 1d6 ⇒ 6 poison damage and become poisoned for one additional round.

Slow PCs
None.

Slow Enemies
Two newtlings move up to attack. One to Gärwin and one to Tesswyn.

One boon.
Attack vs Gärwin: 1d20 + 2 + 1d6 ⇒ (11) + 2 + (5) = 18
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 4
Gärwin, make a Strength Challenge roll or take 1d6 ⇒ 1 poison damage and become poisoned for one round.

One boon, one bane.
Attack vs Tesswyn: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 1
Tesswyn, make a Strength Challenge roll or take 1d6 ⇒ 4 poison damage and become poisoned for one round.

Ah! What are you doing! Get out! Get out! Get out! How dare.you enter my home! she cries. She casts a spell (this time you can definitely hear it's dark speach).

Intellect Attack vs Drot Will: 1d20 ⇒ 20

A wave of fear washes of Drot. Drot, you are Frightened and Impaired for 1 minute. You make use an Action to make a Will Challenge Roll to remove these afflictions.

Frightened: +1 Bane to all, can only take Slow Init. Impaired: +1 Bane to all.

Everyone up! Declare fast or slow and states your actions!

Agility: 1d20 + 4 + 1d6 ⇒ (14) + 4 + (3) = 21
Strength: 1d20 + 1d6 ⇒ (7) + (3) = 10

Fast

Dodging putrid guts and fighting off poison, Tesswyn bashes the newtling that bit her.

Boons: 2d6 ⇒ (1, 6) = 7
Attack: 1d20 + 4 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 4 + 6 = 22
Damage: 2d6 + 1 ⇒ (2, 2) + 1 = 5

Exploit Opportunity

The rogue rushes into the house to attack the hag!

Attack: 1d20 + 4 + 1d6 ⇒ (15) + 4 + (6) = 25
Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

Move and attack, assuming I can reach the hag.

Enemies take 1 bane on attacks against Tesswyn for 5 rounds.

Will: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (20) - 1 = 19

She can see the orc succumbing to her spell but, as quickly as it arrive, his face becomes stern and he stands stoic.

"Digon o wrach! Nid oeddem yn disgwyl i chi fod mor hawdd i'w dychryn. Nid oes angen i chi farw, mae angen i ni wybod am y felltith! Ni fyddaf yn oedi cyn tynnu'ch neges allan gydag un gair tywyll os nad ydych yn gorffen eich ymosodiad mân ac yn cydweithio!"

Persuasion(Int): 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 1 = 11

Prepare an action to cast Hateful Deification, triggered by attacking myself or Tesswyn.

Fast
Strength: 1d20 + 2 + 1d6 ⇒ (12) + 2 + (3) = 17
Agility: 1d20 ⇒ 17

"I'm not leaving you to get yourself killed! ...I can't run fast enough."

Move 6 + Difficult Terrain ;p

Attack: 1d20 + 2 + 1d6 ⇒ (19) + 2 + (1) = 22
Damage: 3d6 + 2 ⇒ (1, 5, 3) + 2 = 11

Gärwin slams his sword down on the remaining creature in the way, splitting its ugly head in two.

"If you're so eager, why don't you run for it! I can handle these little buggers."
Retroactive Perception: 1d20 ⇒ 11
"I'm sure girly there'd like to see you come to her rescue more than some sweaty dwarf."

slow initiative, attack and then move towards the hut.

Strength vs. poison1: 1d20 + 3 + 1d6 ⇒ (17) + 3 + (4) = 24
Strength vs. poison2: 1d20 + 3 + 1d6 ⇒ (14) + 3 + (6) = 23

Charles readily resists the poison from the Newts, though perhaps the antitoxin was helping. He was surprised the small creatures had hit him, though they were glancing blows.

He glanced back at Garwin as the dwarf smashed the head of one of the newtlings in, he hadn't realized how easy it would be to take these things down. But what Garwin said caused him to falter.

Attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

"What? Tesswyn doesn't need-" he noticed the explosion of green fire. "Fine, you've got this then."

Trusting the Dwarf Charles turned and began running toward the hut.

Fast PCs

Gärwin yells at Charles to advance while slaughtering another newtling. The creatures belly splits open and guts spill everywhere. Another agility check or be Impaired.

Drot shrugs off the curse and tries to reason with her, by trying to convince her that it's her assaulting them while he kicks in her door. She doesn't seem persuaded.

Tesswyn kills the newtling next to her (another agility challenge roll or be Impaired for 1 Round), and then rushes in to assault the hag, cracking her over her head with her staff.

Fast Enemies
The hag screams at Tesswyn, Get out of my house! and blasts her with fire from her staff.

1 Bane.
Intellect vs Agility: 1d20 + 2 - 1d6 ⇒ (2) + 2 - (4) = 0

Tesswyn easily sidesteps the blast, and the flames hit the wall instead, lighting a shelf on fire and knocking off several jars and bottles.

One of the bottles explodes, sending fire and debris outwards, completely destroying the hut. Fire and hut shrapnel are sent out in every direction, going as far as 20 yards away.

Everyone takes 4d6 ⇒ (6, 3, 4, 6) = 19 damage.

The shrapnel and fire consume the remaining newtlings, killing them all.

Combat over.

Agility: 1d20 + 4 + 1d6 ⇒ (17) + 4 + (1) = 22

Tesswyn easily avoids the newtling guts, but nothing can prepare her for the hag's stupidity. The rogue senses the explosion coming a fraction of a second too late, and all she can do is scream as the flames engulf her. She is thrown from the hut and lands in the muck, smoke rising from her charred body.

Fate: 1d6 ⇒ 2

Agility: 1d20 ⇒ 4
The explosion and the gore-slicked surroundings knocked Gärwin on over. He struggles to his feet coughing and spluttering. Catching his breath, he looks up to see the witch's hut ablaze.

Catch your breath: recovering healing rate

"What in blazes happened!?" He yells before making his way to the wreckage.

When the explosion occurred Charles had been moving toward the hut and was hit by the fiery shrapnel. It cut through him his armor somewhat protecting him. The pain he felt caused him to stop momentarily but Tesswyn's scream forced him to move past the pain.

"Drot'ook! Tesswyn!" he yelled, running to the wreckage of the hut where he found Tesswyn and Drto'ook laying.

"Come on, come on, don't die on me! By the divine light of the New God, heal them!" A surge of healing light flowed from Charles and reached out to for his friends.

Casting Vitality Burst to heal himself, Tesswyn, and hopefully Drot'ook equal to their healing rate.

Healing energy soothes Tesswyn's burns and restores her to consciousness. She coughs and sits up, groaning in pain. "F$#@... The dumb b#+** blew herself up..."

Charles rushes up and revives Drot and Tesswyn, saving them from the hands of Fate.

Looking around, there is mess everywhere. Wood and clay fragments and papers and more are littered throughout the grounds around the hut. You see the Hag's dead body bend over backwards on a log not 5 yards from the hut.

For each person searching the debris, give me two perception checks. The second one is done with two Banes.

After some time, you hear a voice call out.

Heelllloooooooooo! the voice calls out from behind several layers of foliage and trees.

Pellius is still some distance off, but you can hear him call out to see what happened.

Banes: 2d6 ⇒ (2, 4) = 6
Perception 1: 1d20 ⇒ 10
Perception 2: 1d20 - 4 ⇒ (11) - 4 = 7

"What are you doing here, boy! It's not safe!" Gärwin's face moves through a variety of emotions all at once. Confusion, Relief, Anger and Worry all flicker over the stout figure's countenance before settling on just being tired.

Charles reaches out and grabs Tesswyn in a hug.

"Oh thank the Gods, Tesswyn, you're still alive!" as he did Charles glowed with a soft warm light that healed both of them. " I didn't know what happened but I'm so glad."

Charles is using Shared Recovery with Tesswyn. Both of us heal our healing rate again. Assuming she doesn't immediately punch him away, he will continue to heal her more with his cure spells and faith healing. Then he'll see to the others.

It's a good thing Tesswyn is covered with muck and soot, so the others can't see her blush as Charles embraces her. "Hey! C-cut it out!" she stammers, wriggling in his grip. "I'm fine!" She extracts herself and looks away, absentmindedly brushing back her sodden hair from her face.

The priest's healing quickly ameliorates her injuries, and she begins picking through the rubble.

Perception, Trickery: 1d20 + 3 + 1d6 ⇒ (3) + 3 + (3) = 9
Epiphany: 1d20 ⇒ 21d20 ⇒ 15
Perception, Two Banes, Trickery: 15 + 3 - 1d6 ⇒ 15 + 3 - (3) = 15

Gärwin leans over the partially conscious Orc, shrugs and offers him a cigar.

"Sorry you big lug, I'm not hugging you. But 'ere, this might help a bit, I know I need one." The dwarf light his own cigar while he talks.

Gärwin shouts to Pellius (and presumably Billy),"Alright boys, I think we're in the clear, come over here so we can talk." His voice takes a stern tone, but he doesn't look too angry.

"Uh, s-sorry Tesswyn" Charles says feeling a small rise of embarrassment himself but somewhat confusedly.

He mostly resolved himself to go help Drot'ook.

"Hey Drot'ook. You still alive? Look at that! You're fine after an explosion." Charles laughed a little forced to the Orc. But then began to throw some magics his way. "But maybe we'll patch you up a little more just in case we run into any admirers out here."

Almost forgot I can't use Faith Healing on Drot'ook or myself right now. Has to be done with cure spells.

Perception 1: 1d20 ⇒ 11

Banes 2: 2d6 ⇒ (4, 2) = 6

Perception2: 1d20 - 4 ⇒ (3) - 4 = -1

The boys come out of the foliage and into the destroyed clearing. Pellius pokes at a fragment of lumber embedded sideways in a tree.

Woah. You guys did a number on that hag, didn't you? he asks.

Hey Sir Gärwin. Sir Charles. Are you all ok? We heard the explosion and turned back to make sure you were alive. Pell called out after it was quiet for some time. Figured we were still far enough away that if it wasn't you, we could escape.

Charles could only grin and look down at his feet. He felt like he should be mad but things went their way in the end.

"Yes. We're okay. Things definitely got out of hand and I'm glad we didn't have you two with us in the end. Smart thinking on coming back the way you did. But since you're here... help us search through this pile of wreckage. We're still looking for some things that got scattered in the explosion and probably buried under the rubble."

"I told you both to run. But on the other hand, you're still protecting Pellius here, so Billy, you're doing fine." Gärwin sighs, a long day's travel and fighting took it out of him.

"There's one last thing we need to do and I don't want you watchin' this." Not bothering to wait on a reply, Gärwin moves to the hag's body. In one clean motion he lops off the crone's head and stuffs it into a sack.
If he didn't find a spare, he'll empty his coin pouch into his pack and use that.

"Hopefully this is the end of it."

Gärwin, yes you found something that could be used as a bag.

Billy seems to show some pride in the compliments given to him, and stands a little straighter. Upon request to help he says, Yes, sir! and joins in.

Perception: 1d20 ⇒ 10

Banes: 2d6 ⇒ (6, 2) = 8
Perception: 1d20 - 6 ⇒ (1) - 6 = -5

One additional item found.