GM_Curvey |
Chapter 1: A Visit to the Witch's Cottage
Whatever your story, circumstances find you in the Village of Canmillion, a population of just under 1,000 nestled on 16 acres in a heavily forested valley.
Zydia Meljnid, the Headmaster of the Consolidated Assembly of Carpenters, a local guild, has called a town meeting. It seems several prominent members of the community have suddenly fallen drastically ill. Zydia wishes to hire a group to find the witch that lives in the forest outside of town to either find the cause of the sudden illness, or, more importantly, a cure before the illness spreads.
As most of the villagers leave the town hall, mumbling about curses and worse things to come, six intrepid adventurers stay behind to speak further with Zydia.
Zydia Meljnid appears to be of the wealthier of the citizens of Canmillion. She is a middle-aged human and has a round face with greying brown hair pinned up in a bun. Her eyes are a slate grey color. She wears fine raiment of green and blue and silver bracelets on her wrists.
Make your introductions to Zydia and each other. You've got the gist of the situation, but ask further questions of Zydia if you must.
Yarin |
Yarin is one such would-be adventurer who lingers after most of the townsfolk refuse and filter outside. His skin is the color of dwarven ale, and he wears comfortable traveling clothes, lightly armored in a shirt made of interwoven plates of boiled leather. At his hip are two starknives, and he proudly sports a Desnan holy symbol around his neck.
"I'd be happy to offer my services," he says to Zydia in a rich voice made for laughter. "The name's Yarin, apprentice healer and servant of the Song of Spheres!"
Unk the Conjurer |
Unk is another standing nearby.
He is wearing black boots, wool breeches, a sturdy belt complete with two differently sized pouches, a white shirt, a bandolier with a small bottle in one loop and a dagger in another, a backpack, and an ample brown cloak with the hood down.
Unk looks around before announcing. "I am Unk the Conjurer, and I can see the future. The future where you hire me to help is the best one."
He looks around at the others before adding. "I foresee success!"
Fred Junior |
2 people marked this as a favorite. |
A half-ork in a purple wide brimmed fedora, an ivory shirt under a purple vest with gold trim, and glossy black breeches remains. A shortsword is sheathed on his right and a longspear is strapped to his back. A well used set of drums pokes out of his backpack. He bows with a flourish, "Junior, at your service."
After a dramatic moment Junior says while pulling a gold coin out of a small pouch on his belt, "Ah.. just a minute." He holds the coin to his head, "What?!" He pauses, "No, I was in the middle of a thing and you ruined it!" Another pause, "Alright I'll ask!"
Junior clears his throat, "Fred wants to know how much the pay for this job is."
Sindare |
Sindare shakes his head as the large number of people leaves. He stands at the back, tattoos covering his face and hands. He wears lose clothing that covers arms and legs, but walks around with bare feet. Various strange weapons hang attached to his belt and backpack, one looks almost like an arrow while another send to be a spike at the end of a rope.
Sindare finally steps forward as the crowd leaves and attempts a bow, though it is obvious that the actions are unfamiliar to him. "I am Sindare Redtears, of the Ts'eenntelh clan in the Ch'eesvn mountains." He stops looking around then adds, "Umm, at your service . . ." he trails off, unsure at the end.
When Junior pulls out there coin, Sindare leans close as well, trying to hear the strange coin. "This . . . Fred? He speaks to you?"
Ranger Wizzer |
2 people marked this as a favorite. |
Wizzer watches the people leave, Less people, good. he mutters to himself. Moving forward he hears some people talking and his attention peeks up when he hears the mention of pay. He moves to them and joins in on their conversation.
"Hello, I'm Wizzer." He watches as Fred Junior talks to his coin. "So, it's true. Money does talk."
Uric Halvard |
As the meeting is adjourned and the townsfolk trickle out Uric stares absentmindedly after them, a twinge of guilt and loneliness behind his plesent smile. He starts after them and then, noticing the motley crew, realization dawns on his face and he walks over.
He is wearing a well polished (but obviously well used) scale mail tunic and carries a dwarven helm under his arm. On his back he has a large backpack. Slung over it like a shell is a sheild, emblazoned with the holy symbol of Torag. Protruding from under the sheild is the shaft of a dwarven greataxe. His face is angular, with a nicely braided mess of red hair. He is burly, even for a Dwarf, and his beard is interwoven with beads of precious metals and gems.
"Uric Halvard, at your service. I am a Holy Knight of Torag hailing from the Sky City of Janderhoff" he says.
Fred Junior |
Replying to Sindare Junior rolls his eyes "Yes and he's very annoying sometimes." Moving to put "Fred" back in his pouch, "No, you know what happened last time you negotiated."
GM_Curvey |
Zydia looks amongst the group and let’s out a heavy sigh.
“The village has already sent out three of our own to find the witch, my own son among them. That was over a week ago. I ask that you find them and return them safely, along with a cure. My guild has raised amongst them 100 gold to pay you on your return. I offer 100 more of my own if you return my son home alive and well.”
“The witch lives a days journey north of town, in the woods, past Silver Creek. It’s been some time since anyone has heard from her. Please, do hurry. I fear lives are at stake.”
Uric Halvard |
1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Uric stares into space above Junior's head (which is rather difficult) with a face that obviously reads "Ingnore it and it will go away."
that happened before the GM's post
Unk the Conjurer |
"North it is!" Unk turns and begins heading North, before remembering that he must exit the building first.
"Let's go together. I foresee safety in numbers!"
As he approaches the door, a small cat hops down off of the door frame and follows him out, pouncing on his right boot to stop him when he turns South.
"Thanks, Snowball." he says as he turns around and waits for the others.
Sindare |
1 person marked this as a favorite. |
"If we can bring them back, we will." Sindare bows his head gravely, then steps out behind his new, somewhat oblivious companion. "I knew some people like you back home. They were good, I liked them. I will try to keep you from joining them in the world beyond," he smiles at Unk, as if this was reassuring, then Sindare pulls out a blade, almost like a short sickle, and tests the edge before nodding, satisfied, and putting it back in his belt.
Yarin |
"Well I'm a foreigner here, so no great risk on your part." He looks over his new companions. "And it seems I'm not the only one, so I think we're just the ones for the job. Mighty brave thing your son did; I just hope he hasn't gotten over his head."
Yarin breathes deep as they set out; having the road under his feet again is a comforting feeling. "You seem to know a great deal about the future, conjurer," he says sidelong to Unk, with the hint of a smile in his voice.
Unk the Conjurer |
"It so happens that I do indeed! I'll demonstrate! I foresee that we shall travel North into the woods!" Unk points North confidently, pleased at his "demonstration" for no good reason.
A meow that could possibly be confused with an audible sigh emanates from Snowball.
Fred Junior |
1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Junior follows the group, ”While we’re searching I will help pass the time,” and he smiles wickedly, ”with some rhymes. All original I assure you.”
He begins:
"There once was a lady Zydia,
Who sent us out I don’t kid-ya,
To sleuth this illness away,
But after searching all day,
The illness was just chlamydia."
GM_Curvey |
You make your way out of town, taking the northern gate under Wizzer's guidance. You march through a few farmsteads and pastures, passing the time with banter and limericks. The last sign of civilization is a lumberjack's hut, just at the edge of the wood.
Entering the forest, things stake to take on an eerie note. The chatter of birds in the trees, and signs of squirrels and other small animals, the things you'd expect in a dense forest such as this, all are conspicuously absent.
Fred: 3d6 + 3 ⇒ (3, 3, 2) + 3 = 11
Sindare: 3d6 + 7 ⇒ (5, 3, 6) + 7 = 21
Unk: 3d6 - 2 ⇒ (2, 3, 3) - 2 = 6
Uric: 3d6 ⇒ (2, 2, 1) = 5
Wizzer: 3d6 + 6 ⇒ (1, 5, 4) + 6 = 16
Yarin: 3d6 + 4 ⇒ (2, 1, 5) + 4 = 12
3d6 + 11 ⇒ (2, 4, 1) + 11 = 18
It is Sindare who realizes why. The trees, he notes are heavy with webs. After about 15 minutes trekking through the woods, the Elven Monk spots a large web crossing the path ahead of you. Two man sized spiders are hanging out in the upper reaches of the web.
Map is up. How do you wish to proceed?
Unk the Conjurer |
Sindare noticed, and Unk is the most oblivious; did you want to write about stopping Unk from walking into the webbing, Sindare? If so, feel free xD
Either way, I'll post something Monday if no one else pipes up :P
Fred Junior |
That's kind of where I'm at too.
Sindare |
Sorry about that.
Sindare stops grabbing hold of Wizzer as he does, "Look there, spiders ahead." He looks around at the surrounding forest, "I wonder if we could find a way around them," he suggests.
GM_Curvey |
Looking about, this part of the forest seems to be choked with spider webs. You could try moving around these two, but you'd be struggling against more webs, more spiders (albeit perhaps smaller ones), and dealing with the underbrush.
The road beyond this web appears to be relatively clear.
Fred Junior |
Does Junior know anything useful about giant spiders? Specifically looking to see if he knows if he can fascinate them.
Relevant Knowledge: 3d6 + 3 ⇒ (5, 4, 5) + 3 = 17
GM_Curvey |
Junior scratches his head and remembers that his fascinating performance is useless against such mindless vermin.
He also remembers hearing tales of giant spiders being able to shoot their webs at prey from a distance.
Unk the Conjurer |
Unk raises his hand and touches his forehead to activate Diviner's Fortune
With his eyes closed, he says "I foresee no better path than the road before us! I see... hmmm..."
Knowledge (nature): 3d6 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (1, 2, 4) + 9 + 1 = 17
I was hoping for other weaknesses... maybe I'll get lucky? xD
Any effective/useless methods to fight them? Especially, can they be knocked prone?
Also, I think maybe someone wants Enlarge Person? Or maybe we can simply take 'em, they're just two spiders...
GM_Curvey |
1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Unk conjures up the knowledge that Giant Spiders have a poisonous bite that saps the strength from its victims. He also conjures up the knowledge that spiders, being eight-legged creatures, tend to be difficult to trip.
The two spiders the group now faces are currently in the uppermost reaches of their web. There are some bundles of webbing up there too. The spiders seem to be feeding on one of the vaguely person-shaped bundles. Ranged attacks might be fruitful from this distance, or an enlarged person should be able to reach them at that height.
Unk the Conjurer |
"They are difficult to trip, and their bite saps strength! I foresee that attacking from afar shall prove fruitful!"
Unk moves up to the front of the group's column, and gets ready to use his Ray of Frost.
hopefully someone else has a ranged attack that they can use to get the spiders' attention, otherwise Unk will go up after he stands around for a round or two confused as to why the spiders aren't attacking xD
Attack (ranged touch): 3d6 + 2 ⇒ (4, 3, 6) + 2 = 15
Damage (cold): 1d3 ⇒ 1
GM_Curvey |
Yep. You guys have a Surprise round to take a Standard or Move action, then I'll roll initiative.
Fred Junior |
"You are most wise Unk!" Junior draws his sling, and moves ever so slightly towards the spiders and webbing.
5ft step
Unk the Conjurer |
Unk would need to get within 25' to zap 'em (which would mean 20' along the ground and 15' vertically; hooray for 3-4-5 right triangles?), so maybe someone that has a range of over 45' can fire the first shot?
Also, if we're already in the surprise round, then my surprise round action might've been for the Diviner's Fortune (a standard action) or moving up.
If so, ignore the readied action (and maybe move Unk back on the battle map)
Unk the Conjurer |
yay xD
Sindare |
Sindare steps up next to Wizzer and pulls out the rope with a long spike attached at the end. He starts spinning the end of it, off to the side, in slow arcs as if preparing to throw.
Uric Halvard |
Is there any way I could over ride my previously stated surprise round action and instead draw my shield AND move 5 squares (my base speed is 4) to I-16? If not that's fine.
GM_Curvey |
As everyone prepares for battle, your movements seem to catch the spiders' numerous eyes. They turn from their silk-bundled feast and hiss in your direction. The liquified innards of their latest victim drip from exposed fangs.
Fred: 3d6 + 2 ⇒ (4, 6, 4) + 2 = 16
Sindare: 3d6 + 8 ⇒ (3, 1, 5) + 8 = 17
Unk: 3d6 + 9 ⇒ (5, 1, 6) + 9 = 21
Uric: 3d6 + 3 ⇒ (6, 1, 1) + 3 = 11
Wizzer: 3d6 + 2 ⇒ (5, 5, 3) + 2 = 15
Yarin: 3d6 + 1 ⇒ (6, 1, 1) + 1 = 9
Spiders: 3d6 + 3 ⇒ (5, 2, 6) + 3 = 16
Round 1: Bold May Act
Unk (Readied Action)
Sindare
Spiders (Red, Blue)
Fred
Wizzer
Uric
Yarin
Unk the Conjurer |
Unk will do something besides attempt to do 1d3 damage after all xD
Watching the spiders hiss unnerves Unk; he reaches out towards Wizzer, his nearest ally, and taps him on the shoulder with a glowing hand.
"I gift you with the gift of prophecy for a precious few moments!"
Unk then steps behind Wizzer.
@Ranger Wizzer: You get a +1 insight bonus on all of your attack rolls, skill checks, ability checks, and saving throws for 1 round. So don't forget your +1 to hit and +1 to saves on your turn xD
@Sindare: it's all you!
Sindare |
Ready an action to get them with my rope dart should they come within 20 ft.
Sindare continues staring at the foul creatures, watching and waiting for them to come.
GM_Curvey |
The spiders climb down their web at alarming celerity and move towards the group. When they get into range, Sindare lets his rope dart fly.
Sindare Rope Dart: 3d6 + 5 ⇒ (4, 3, 3) + 5 = 15
dmg: 1d4 ⇒ 3
He hits one in the carapace, and pierces through the black exoskeleton.
The spiders retaliate, in their way, by arching their abdomens and shooting sticky webbing at Sindare and Wizzer.
Web vs Touch: 3d6 + 5 ⇒ (6, 2, 3) + 5 = 16
Web vs Touch: 3d6 + 5 ⇒ (6, 1, 4) + 5 = 16
Sindare quickly dodges out of the way, but the second hits Wizzer. Wizzer is entangled until he can make a Escape Artist or Strength Check, both DC12, although he takes -4 penalty to make a Str check.
Round 1: Bold May Act
Unk
Sindare
Spiders (Red 3dmg, Blue)
Fred
Wizzer (DF, entangled)
Uric
Yarin
Fred Junior |
Junior loads the sling and tries to fling a bullet at the same spider Yarin was aiming for.
Sling vs Red: 3d6 + 2 ⇒ (5, 3, 3) + 2 = 13
Damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5
Regardless of the result Junior drops the sling and steps forward. To I-17
Ranger Wizzer |
Covered in webbing, Wizzer isn't too happy. I have found myself in a sticky situation.
CMB: 3d6 + 4 - 4 + 1 ⇒ (2, 2, 4) + 4 - 4 + 1 = 9
Unk the Conjurer |
So +3 -4 (Str) or +2 -4 (Escape artist) huh? Welp, maybe another hit of DF?
Uric Halvard |
1 person marked this as a favorite. |
@Fred Junior: I was planning on charging the red spider and was wondering if you can move to H-17 or H-18 instead of I-17?
If so I take the following action: Charge: Uric moves 40 ft. (base speed 40 ft.), drawing his greataxe as he goes, and attacks the red spider.He gets a +2 on the attack roll and a -2 to AC until the start of his next turn.
Greataxe vs Red:: 3d6 + 4 + 2532 + 4 + 216 ⇒ (1, 4, 1) + 4 + 2532 + 4 + 216 = 2762
Crit. Confirmation:: 3d6 + 4 + 2542 + 4 + 217 ⇒ (3, 5, 6) + 4 + 2542 + 4 + 217 = 2781
Damage:: 1d10 + 39 + 312 ⇒ (1) + 39 + 312 = 352