You stand on the shoreline, the rocky coast rough under your feet. You hear a hollow rush of water, like a drain in a tub being pulled, and see the black and white chimeras rise from the waters just west of your position. They flap their wings out of the whirling vortex, soaked and angry, their eyes glinting like pearls and obsidian. They let out a screech in Draconic and charge at you four, their reptilian bodies cutting through the fog as they near.
Round 1
The chimeras fly toward you, ending their moves with a dual breath weapon attack. The black chimera lets out a jet of black acid, spraying the noxious liquid from its black dragon head and aiming at Thurl and Arbaro. The white chimera moves closer and sprays at all four of you, the white dragon head unleashing a cone of icy cold frost.
Acid
Cold
Party is up. AC 19, HP 85/85. Battle map updated.
Round 1 | HP 28/52 | AC 22 (SE) | Lay on Hands 7/7 | Smite Evil 3/3 | Arrows 40 | Spells: 1st - 2/2; 2nd - 2/2
Brag laughs at the cold attack and calls on Iomedae. "Smite the evil white chimera. Rid this island of its evil presence with my arrows."
Brag feels Thurl's gift of Ki enhance his attack as he release three arrows in quick succession at the white flying chimera.
Adamantine +3 Longbow Rapid-Shot (-2), Point-Blank (+1), Smite-Evil (+3), Thurl-enhanced (+2) Attack
Damage + Point-Blank + SE + Thurl
All three arrows pierce the side of the chimera as it flies too close to Brag. Brag steps to his right one step.
Round next | HP: 33/71 | Judgements 2/2 | Spells 1: 6/6 2: 3/3 | Perfect Strike 1/4 | Gravity Bow Wand charges 21 | True Strike 1/1 | Blood Scarab 1/1
"Did they say something? I hope it wasn't important."
Having no protection against Cold or Acid, Arbaro takes full damage from both breath weapons.
"Agkh, that was unpleasant!"
Arbaro fires at the same chimera Brag shot at, but only one hitting.
Perfect Strike
Thurl's Ki wells up in him as the Chimeras attack and he opens his palm toward Arbaro and he gets a flash of insight about the Cold Cone coming from the White Chimera.
Round | HP 24/48 | Advice 11/18 | Awaken Divinity 5/7 | Ki Pool 4/10 | Bardic Performance 7/9
AC: 28 FF: 25 T: 20 CMD: 25 Barkskin and Mage armor active
Thurl shouts, "Everyone, spread out so they cant get all of us again!"
Thurl moves to the rocks nearby, then pulls out his Crossbow and fires at the black Chimera.
Round 1 | Rage -1, HP, -28
Lem takes a 5 ft step to the near chimera and takes a few swings.
21/85 hp
The black chimera howls, hisses, and bleats in pain. With its three heads and two claws, the chimera lashes out at the only creature in range: Lem.
Round 2, AC 19, HP 21/85
Party is up.
Round 2| HP: 33/71 | Judgements 2/2 | Spells 1: 6/6 2: 3/3 | Perfect Strike 1/4 | Gravity Bow Wand charges 21 | True Strike 1/1 | Blood Scarab 1/1
"Nice job everyone! We'll see if we can finish this guy off he's almost dead!"
Round 2 | HP 38/52 | AC 19 | Lay on Hands 7/7 | Smite Evil 2/3 | Arrows 37/40 | Spells: 1st - 2/2; 2nd - 2/2
Brag sees the black chimera stagger in the air and seeks to finish it off and remove it's evil stench.
Adamantine +3 Longbow, Point-Blank (+1), Thurl-enhanced (+2) Attack
Satisfied with the demise of the chimeras, Brag nods his head at the others and reaches for his wand of healing.
Brag heals himself as he checks out the others for cold and acid injuries.
Brag waves the CMW Wand (28 charges) at Arbaro:
He moves to Lem:
And, finally, Thurl:
Invigorated by the fight and the healing, Brag says, "Let's return to Umbracopy and head to the next island."
Brag sees Lem's acid and cold damage vanish away. Then realizes that the black chimera had also clawed and gored Lem. More healing ensues.
In halfling, "There my friend you are whole again."
Brag scans the area for what he can see in the aftermath of the quick battle.
"Thanks Brag!"
Arbaro also searches the area and the bodies.
Waving his hand to indicate the ring Arbaro says
"I've got my comm ring if I run into trouble, I'll let Lem know"
as he heads to the flooded cave.
The chimeras hold no value of their own, save as proof that you have slain the threat to the fishing community and fulfilled the job the dragon slayers were paid to do.
The cave has quickly filled with water, and Arbaro can still see the ocean pouring in as he wades into the cave. Unfortunately there is only mud and seawater visible.
There are still 2 islands left as well, should you wish to investigate the Goat and/or the Lion, though you are certain the main threat (chimeras) has been dealt with.
Lem pauses after the brief fight, and says, "Whew, well that feels better. Thanks Brag." Lem looks around, "should we take something of the Chimeras? I don't know what kind of carrion are around here that might have been feeding off of their hunts."
After that is resolved, Lem will suggest going to the Goat island.
"I'm for heading to Goat island, if Umbracopy will take us. Let's go find out."
"So, Lem? Do you what a goat is? Well, I'll tell you. It's you! The Greatest Of All Time with that earth-breaker hammer in your hands. Isn't that funny? You're a GOAT and we're headed to Goat island."
You four mount onto Umbracopy, your oversized, six-legged, black pegasus, and fly across the fog-shrouded cove to Goat Island. You hear bleating through the clouds before you can even see the island, and soon the hilly Goat comes into view. Hundreds of goats are scattered across the hillside, all their slant-pupiled eyes turning to stare at you, seagrass hanging from their mouths.
As Umbracopy makes a thunderous landing at the rocky shoreline, you see a small boat wrecked onto the rocks, an impromptu lean-to constructed out of the upside-down hull. From out of the boat a tengu with some kind of dual swords steps out upon hearing your landing...
In transit, Lem replies to Brag with a hearty laugh and says, "I don't know about all that but I do carry a fine hammer! It was my mom's you know!"
Upon landing, Lem steps off Umbracopy with a pat and soothing words. Lem turns to the Tengu saying, "Greetings, what brings you here? There is talk in the town of dangers about." Lem says as he gestures across the water.
Brag detects evil by reflex on the goat-eating Tengu.
With a smile Brag steps toward the Tengu with open and empty hands, "We can help you off the island, Tengu. Our friend the pegasus will be able to carry you with ease."
Trusting to his luck, Bragoleb continues, "My name is Bragoleb, but my friends call be Brag. We are a party of adventurers that is helping the local town get rid of a surprisingly large amount of evil in and around the area. We just killed two chimera on Dragon island," point in the direction from which they just came. "What brings you to this part of the world by yourself on your small boat, friend? It's hardly a ship though, not big enough."
" Gruck is my name. I'm 'fraid my skivvy is useless now. So your help is much appreciated. But I'm flat broke, so don't go asking for payment as soon as we land. But I'm sure to make it up to you
"Gruck, it is our pleasure to meet you." Brag gives the standard greeting hand gesture for the area, hand up with an open palm.
"You may be broke, but your swords are impressive. I'm an archer myself." Showing his bow to Gruck. "Tell us about your swords. Are you a master of dual sword fighting? We could use a blade master to help us remove the evil from these lands, if you're interested."
Goat island is, aside from the goats, uninhabited.
There is a caved-in hole in a rocky outcropping along a line of rocks (separate from where the goats are) that reeks. You can guess that this was the exit from the tunnel the two chimeras lived in from the stench and the direction of the tunnel.
----------------
If you fly to Lion island, you see the large boulders littering the shoreline are Sea Cats, large but unintelligent magical beasts, similar to walruses but with thinner whiskers and a mouth full of fangs.
"Gruck Duguk, let me introduce myself. I am Arbaro Stuatravelli, an Oread and a Bow Inquisitor of Erastil, the hunting God. My companions and I have been sent on a quest to attempt to clear out a temple of Theseus which is currently being lightly haunted, we needed four items to do so: Golden Thread, Mirror Shield, Lion-Cloak, and this Pegasus. We now have all but the Cloak and we believe it to be in the planes surrounding the local town. I don't know why, but I feel we should trust you and ask you to join in our quest for as long as you are willing. If not, we will still take you back to the mainland."
"There are so many goats here. So many. Did they come with you Gruck or were they here before?"
A slight hairless dwarf in monks robes speaks up. ”The goats are free range. I heard some locals mention them while we were talking to the cobblers. Raised for festival feasts and the like.
Hello, my name is Thurl Wisdombringer, Monk of Irori, god if self perfection, discipline and enlightenment. We are here on a larger quest to determine what happened to a band of adventurers who worshiped Theseus and traveled the oceans on a ship named The Venerable Theseus. It appears that all 4 of them have been separated into two creatures in death. A restless spirit intent unfinished with their noble quest, and a horrid undead abomination bent on overturning their own successes. We have already settled one and are close to settling the resident spirit here, named Kalamani.”
Brag continues when there is an opening in the dialogue, "Lem and I are followers of Iomedae, the goddess of valor, justice and honor. She sees Erastil as a strong ally, but Irori as a bit of a rivalry. It has not been an issue with the four of us. I am also a Paladin, but an archer, as I mentioned, and not a sword welder like yourself. In my recent past I was a human but was brought back to life as a halfling by my friends here. As I was previously a good friend of Lem, so this change to halfling has worked out well. I also have an animal companion. It is a gray owl named, Shadow. I trust frequently to luck and being very stealthy. You are welcome to aid us in our quest for as long as you will."
"Oh right, speaking of animal companions, I have my good friend Dewane is around here somewhere. He is a 6 or 7 foot tall Roc. He flies around and does his own thing most of the time."
"Oh right, speaking of animal companions, I have my good friend Dewane is around here somewhere. He is a 6 or 7 foot tall Roc. He flies around and does his own thing most of the time."
Gruck attempts to retain all this information, and smiles and nods several times throughout. Promptly forgetting most of it.
"You are all well met! And I promise to remember your names in time.
I admit your quest intrigues me and you seem like a worthy group. I have trained with my Double Chicken Sabers my whole life, I will put them to good use again and assist you on your quest."
Gruck attempts to retain all this information, and smiles and nods several times throughout. Promptly forgetting most of it.
"You are all well met! And I promise to remember your names in time.
I admit your quest intrigues me and you seem like a worthy group. I have trained with my Double Chicken Sabers my whole life, I will put them to good use again and assist you on your quest."
Having made your introductions, you mount up on Umbracopy and fly back to the mainland, leaving the islands of the Goat, the Lion, and the Dragon behind you. The foggy air is cool and wet, and you see the small town of Chimera Cove whisk by underneath Umbracopy's black wings, peaceful and quiet.
The plains behind the town stretch before you, rolling grasses on low hills that head northwards further inland. A small river flows down not far from Chimera Cove headed inland. You recall that an acolyte at the temple you were staying at offered to guide you through the plains, though this was before you gained a flying mount. You are looking for the lion-cloak, but know not how to get started. You see the temple directly beneath you, the river winding away, the many hills, and a few birds flying south for the winter.
Umbracopy hovers in place, snorting impatiently.
" 'Brah, my good pegasus, we need to check in with the temple to gather some information. If you would be so kind as to land near there, it would be most helpful."
The haughty parson, the old prioress, the dim-witted sexton, and the unmet postulant are all at the temple as you left them. As the pegasus lands they are overjoyed at the arrival of their long-lost steed.
But the pegasus' feathers and fur molt off unusually in your hands upon landing. This has not happened since riding her, and the pegasus smells foul. The golden thread you have just procured from the islands shines with a sickly yellow glow from your backpack. And the mirror shield burns hot, scalding the hands of whoever tries to touch it.
But the soil in the nearby cemetery shudders and quakes at your arrival. The artifacts return has awakened more undead...
Surprise Round
Brag detects evil and considers these strange events.
As usual, Bragoleb knows nothing about things.
"Arm up friends there is more evil coming our way and they're not happy that we're back. Thurl, do your Ki thing while I help Gruck here with some protection against this evil blight."
Brag grabs his bow and casts Protection from Evil on their new companion, Gruck Duguk.
{edited}
Sensing the ground tremoring coming from the graveyard, Brag speaks to the pegasus, "Umbracopy, are you okay? Do you need to depart? Can you help us fight the flood of evil about to break out of the graves in front of us?"
"Horns and Hooves of Erastil! How many are there?! Gruck, show us what you got. We have just met but your first test is coming sooner than expected."
Arbaro draws his bow and wand, casting Gravity Bow while preparing a bludgeoning arrow to fire at the second row, leaving the first row to Lem.
Thurl looks at the recovered items, notices the reaction and says, "They are just reacting to the negative energy of this place and the spirit of Kalamani. The only thing we can to do is purge this place as we had planned. They shouldn't harm you."
At the quaking of the ground, Thurl pulls out another wand and casts Shield on himself in preparation for the coming fight and says, "Prepare yourselves, more dead arise to greet the return of these items!"
Three half-decayed corpses rise from the graveyard, each wielding a greatsword wreathed in necromantic energy. They wear rusting armor and carry themselves with a warrior's stance.
Round 1, AC 21, HP 60/60
Round 1| HP: 71/71 | Judgements 2/2 | Spells 1: 6/6 2: 3/3 | Perfect Strike 1/4 | Gravity Bow Wand charges 20 | True Strike 1/1 | Blood Scarab 1/1
Arbaro takes a 5 foot step forward then fires at the red undead.
"Brag and I will take out the back ones first, though it looks like these bludgeoning arrows might be wasted on them. They have more flesh than I expected."
Round 1
Gruck rushes forward 30ft to the nearest undead.
"I'll show you all what my chicken sabers can do!"
Round 1.5 | HP 50/50 | AC 13
+3 Double Chicken Saber Attack
+3 Double Chicken Saber Off-hand Attack
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Round 1.75
Gruck puts in a great deal of effort, but can't seal the deal.
Arbaro's arrow punctures the sword wight, its flesh as yielding as a normal, lifeless corpse. Gruck, eager to show his new companions what he is capable of, hooks his dual swords around the waist of the closest wight and rips them apart, splattering the ground with entrails. T wight's thin spine is all that is keeping the wight's torso upright.
Round 1
The wights know that a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush, and focus their attacks on Gruck.
The red wight's greatsword hits the black feathered tengu, sucking some of the rogue's lifeforce back into the wight.
Round 2, AC 21
Round 2 | HP 52/52 | AC 19 | Lay on Hands 7/7 | Smite Evil 2/3 | Arrows 36 | Spells: 1st - 1/2; 2nd - 2/2
Brag fires one arrow at each of the wights. "Way to go, Gruck, but next time duck."
Adamantine +3 Longbow Point-Blank (+1), Thurl Enhanced (+2), Rapid-Shot (-2) Attack
Only the first two arrows strike home. Red survives for the others to finish it off.
Round 2| HP: 68/71 | Judgements 2/2 | Spells 1: 6/6 2: 3/3 | Perfect Strike 1/4 | Gravity Bow Wand charges 20 | True Strike 1/1 | Blood Scarab 0/1
Arbaro attempts to take out the green one with his first arrow then the red with his second.
Arbaro lets out a cry of pain as his Blood Scarab confirms his critical hit.
Round 2 | HP 45/50 | AC 19
Gruck flinches from his wound. Then turns to face the remaining two wights. Aiming his first attack at the Red the second at the Green.
+3 Double Chicken Saber Attack
+3 Double Chicken Saber Off-hand Attack
Gruck screams and flails wildly missing everything.