GM Tyranius Tyrant's Grasp (Inactive)

Game Master Tyranius

Aishe dives into the pond of water as everyone else flies right overhead. He nearly drowns as e begins to choke on the rancid water. -2 Pursuit Points.

Aishe is quickly pulled down beneath the surface of the water as he feels strong hands pulling at his legs. Looking down for a moment he spots a pair of female figures that are partly obscured by long flowing hair that dances and flows around them. He hears a giggle as they let go of him near the edges of the pool as they play with their new toy momentarily.

The terrain slopes steeply upward, no doubt toward a peak that could provide a good view of what lies ahead.

Pursuit Points + 5
Primary Checks: (Climb)
Secondary Checks: (Knowledge (Geography), Perception)
Bypass: Spells and abilities that overcome climbing

Also choose if you head to the Gullies or Tangle next.

1d20 + 28 ⇒ (20) + 28 = 48 Perception

Vanyan flies down to help the sputtering Aishe, and swipe up the Pearl of Power as he does.

"C'mon, Aishe. Let's get going. You can't drink all the water, save some for the fish," he quips as he helps move things along.

Flying along, Vanyan sees no need for a climb check, but does offer to keep an eye out for threats as he flies along.

1d20 + 28 ⇒ (1) + 28 = 29 Perception (secondary)

Vanyan would choose the gullies if given the notion.

"Ever hear of gully dwarves? Strange creatures. Really really pathetic in their own way."

Gully Dwarves.

To which Atium replies, We did not have Gully dwarves as far North. Frivilous creatures do not survive in our lands. That is why I constantly tell *you* to never visit!

Atium lands, as his winged boots power starts to ebb. They are only short term fixes for flight.
Let me start up this land. I'll tie a rope to myself to help others get up. I have the perfect animal to tap into their shakra.

climb: 1d20 + 15 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 15 + 5 = 35 I'll burn 5-8 rounds of rage to get past the hard parts. +12 w/o Rage. +15 climb with rage. An additional +5 due to the Monkey Belt.
Shakra Yeti! He also activates his monkey belt for the help in climbing.

Half drowned, but pleased to see Atium scramble up like a monkey, Aishe whips out his Rope of Knots, and uses it to scale the obstacle as well.

He keeps his eyes out for danger!

Perception: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (6) + 23 = 29

He suggests they head out to the Gullies with Vanyan.

"Gully dwarves? Sounds like something from another world...."

Perception: 1d20 + 24 ⇒ (15) + 24 = 39 Aghar it is!

Using his monkey belt Atium forges a path up the hill for the rest of the group to follow slowly behind. Once at the top the only one who can see through the dense fog below seems to be Vinas as he motions the group through the gullies as it will also hopefully slow down the fey hunters. +1 Pursuit Point.

The region’s rocky arroyos create a labyrinth of undulating ditches that are hard to navigate yet provide lots of cover.

Pursuit Points + 6

Primary Checks: (Climb or Survival)
Secondary Checks: (Stealth)
Bypass: Powerful navigation spells, such as find the path, bypass the Survival check.

Also posting the Thicket.

The Gullies end up leading right deep into a Thicket. Trees and brush grow especially thick here, making it difficult to walk and harder to find the path.

Primary Checks: (Knowledge (Nature), Survival)
Secondary Checks: (Climb, Escape Artist)
Bypass: Powerful navigation spells, such as find the path, bypass the Survival check.

Also choose if you head to the Forest or Ravine next

Vanyan, annoyed at the slow people using their legs and shakras to climb, finds a chance to help. When faced with the labyrinthine labyrinth, he will cast Find the Path so his shakra brothers do not get shakra lost.

"C'mon, follow me," Vanyan exhorts in a rare moment of leadership.

As the spell lasts 2+ hours, can the spell cover both checks?

Presuming the primary is covered...

Aishe takes a shot at the stealth checks to beat the secondary trials!

Stealth: 1d20 + 26 ⇒ (10) + 26 = 36
Stealth: 1d20 + 26 ⇒ (6) + 26 = 32

He suggests the ravine next, hoping it's not too far a gap for if it's less than 25' across he can make a rope bridge for the party.

Feeling slightly fatigued the few moments after the Yeti's influence leaves his body, Atium is relieved to hear Tiwnkletoes call out with assurance.
I'm glad to hear you taking the lead on this gametrail.
He follows as it allows him to re-catch his breath.

He looks behind him. Checking for hunter-killer fairies.

I'll let another make a secondary check for the Thicket terrain.

I think we've maintained out lead on the psychos. Lets get to the ravine.

Sure thing Vanyan. It can cover both.

@!#$%@W$%#$@#@

Vinas tries to bushwhack his way across the arroyo Survival: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (19) + 13 = 32

Feeling good he continues on through the thicket:
Survival: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (15) + 13 = 28

Tessenarin follows along with the group.

Atium climbs through the gullies as Vinas finds a suitable path for the monkey-like barbarian as Aishe is able to keep an eye out for threats from the sides of their path. All throughout the hour strange howls and the sound of creatures bounding through the trees echo around Aishe. +1 Pursuit Points.

The gullies lead right into a deep thicket as the group nears the end of the trail. The thicket seemingly grows all around you as Vinas gets lost. Both primaries failed for -5 pursuit points. Though this does let Aishe continue to stay hidden.

Pursuit Points + 3.

Aishe notices discarded mithral links leading a trail a bit off of the path. Do you follow?

OK - I clearly don’t understand how this works. I thought Vanyan’s spell got us past this test? That’s why Aishe did the secondary stuff. Water under the bridge, just confused.

Aishe eyes the mithral chains. He'll follow them a short distance before doubling back.

OK - I clearly don’t understand how this works. I thought Vanyan’s spell got us past this test? That’s why Aishe did the secondary stuff. Water under the bridge, just confused.

I am likewise confused. I would have laid out a nice +19 Know (nature), if needed, and I'm sure others would have contributed differently as well.

Vanyan pauses, waiting for others to catch their breaths.

Apologies, rereading through the bypass rules they count as Primary successes so no -5 penalty.

+8 Pursuit Points.

Cool!

Aishe, with a little more room between the party and the pursuers, will follow the mithral chains a little ways to learn what he can. He does so quietly and with eyes open in case it's a trap.

Stealth: 1d20 + 26 ⇒ (11) + 26 = 37
Perception: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (19) + 23 = 42 (+8 if scent applies)
Survival, tracking: 1d20 + 28 - 5 ⇒ (12) + 28 - 5 = 35 (speed, +4 if scent applies, also aerially out to 200')

With greater longstrider active, his land move is 50' - so even moving at half to stealth, he's at a 25' move.

Aishe follows the mithral links. The forest blight conceals Garumel Falhon’s corpse in a tree about 150 feet from your trail. The blight crushed Garumel’s shield into useless scrap, but he still wears his celestial armor and a torn and partly emptied backpack that contains 50 feet of spider silk rope, a shaving kitUE, two flasks of holy water, and a small bag that contains a host of oils, cloths, and whetstones for the immaculate care of one’s arms and armor. Garumel’s +1 holy bastard sword is embedded in the tree near his body.

Forest or Ravine when you continue back onto the trail?

Holy sweets!

Vanyan keeps an eye on this while Aishe is looting, thinking about the trail to come.

"Let's stay with the ravines. It's easier, I should think," Vanyan offers.

Aishe strips the corpse and positions the body peacefully. He places a couple ceremonial stones on his forehead and chest by way of a quick burial before rejoining the others.

"I found Garumel. If we can, we should return and bury him properly or a funeral pyre."

He nods with Vanyan and heads toward the Ravine with the group.

That's two of the Vigil people that have died.
He shrugs. Knowing that he's not in any real danger of ending up like them.
He thinks they have a great lead on the hunting fairies. He races towards the Ravine, looking to be in front to make certain to scope the area out. .

"That armor is a true boon. It could get Tess into the air when needed.""

Vinas prepares to head down into the ravine.

I think my armor offers more protection, but if we have a way to carry it, that would probably be worth keeping indeed."

Centuries of erosion have worn away a steep-sided ravine that zigzags through the forest, its depths potentially hiding a convenient passage or a long-forgotten treasure.

Primary Checks: (Climb or Acrobatics)
Secondary Checks: (Perception or Stealth)
Bypass: Spells and abilities that overcome climbing challenges, such as spider climb or overland flight, bypass the Climb check.
Special: Give me a Perception Check (Everyone)

The end is in sight, these trees form a trackless expanse with relatively few obstacles, allowing those with enough endurance to gain ground rapidly.

Primary Checks: (Perception or Survival)
Secondary Checks: (Fortitude)
Bypass: None

Vanyan will let the walkers dance and tumble over the zigzaggy ravines while he keeps an eye out for dangers and things of interest.

1d20 + 28 ⇒ (1) + 28 = 29 Perception (secondary)
1d20 + 28 ⇒ (4) + 28 = 32 Perception (special)

* * *

"Oh! I think we're in the home stretch! Let's go!" Vanyan scouts for the best path forward.

1d20 + 28 ⇒ (18) + 28 = 46 Perception (Primary)

Atium will take on the ravine. He activates his rage and rage powers once more to tap into the beastial side.
Shakra Yeti! and he activates the monkey belt to give him better stability while climbing a route for others to follow through the ravine.

climb: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (8) + 20 = 28 Climb. Rage 8 rounds? (Primary check)
***********
After getting through the ravine, Atium takes a few seconds to recover, but gets his butt a moving across the last stage.
fortitude: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (2) + 16 = 18 fort save. (Secondary check) Note, might be minus 2 due to fatigue- post rage.

rage 15/35. No more monkey tail ability.

Spurred by Vanyan, he goes as fast as he can.
I'm gonna get there first! I'm gonna put my hands on that safe zone first.

Vinas, sensing the end, gives all his focus to the land about him. He pays extra close attention as Atium tries to climb:

Secondary Perception: 1d20 + 24 ⇒ (5) + 24 = 29

Perception, Special: 1d20 + 24 ⇒ (7) + 24 = 31

"WEll lead on.

perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (3) + 11 = 14

Secondary check
perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (20) + 11 = 31

Aishe uses his rope of knots to help with the climbing (in case it offers assistance).

Secondary Check
Stealth: 1d20 + 26 ⇒ (12) + 26 = 38

Perception Check
Perception: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (9) + 23 = 32 (+8 if scent applies)

Secondary Check
Fort: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (20) + 20 = 40

”Making good headway.” Aishe murmurs as they leave the ravines to open ground.

Atium fails to find suitable climbing advantages as the group traverses the ravine, though Aishe is able to use the low area to stay out of sight as he hears the fey drawing nearer and nearer. -5 for failing primaries and +1 for success on 1 secondary for -4 total.

The forest begins to thin out as the end is in sight. Vanyan is able to keep the edges of the forest in sight so that the group isn't running around in circles. -2 for 1 failed primary and +1 for a passed secondary success.

Total Pursuit Points = 3

An 8-foot-tall monument consisting of three long stones leaned against one another marks the end of the race. They fey are right on your trail as it takes them another three minutes to catch up to you, ragged and out of breath. They arrive in good spirits after enjoying the recent sport.

"That was a most joyous hunt. The light will be pleased this cycle." The fey smile. "This cycle you have won the fruits of the endeavor." The fey toss their weapons to the ground in defeat. "As promised. you shall live this day and accept this as our token of faith."

The treasures include 3 +4 greater designating arrows and a sylvan scimitar that also has the ghost touch weapon special ability.

"Might we talk you into another hunt?" They seem to grow quite excited at the prospect.

Though they made good time, Aishe is glad the hunt is over - and he's not eager for another. He eyes the incredibly powerful arrows and blade and is glad they were not used against the group.

He looks about to determine which way the group should go from here to reach their destination.

Perception: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (12) + 23 = 35 (+8 if scent applies)
Survival, tracking: 1d20 + 28 ⇒ (15) + 28 = 43 (+4 if scent applies, also aerially out to 200')

"Might we talk you into another hunt?"

"Oh by the gods...no," Vanyan answers with relief. He isn't sure what a certain person was thinking in agreeing to this, nor what drugs that person was on, nor what delusions that person was acting under, but wasn't about to do it again. "We're good, thanks. We have other matters to attend to."

When Aishe leads the way, Vanyan follows.

"C'mon, *WANK!*, let's get out of here."

Atium listens to Vanyan and moves towards the goal.
That was a lot of land we crossed. I am not certain any of the other group survived to make it this far.

Atium moves forward, looking at Aishe to see which direction he points his thin hair-trigger finger.

"We must decline the offer of a hunt for now. We have pressing business to which we must attend."

Tessenarin grabs the arrows and sword before continuing on.

You bid the fey farewell as they seemingly uphold their end of the bargain.

The waste that lies between Keirodera and Hammer Rock consists of rolling hills blasted clean of vegetation and scoured by the Radiant Fire. Wind kicks up choking dust clouds, and footfalls send up plumes of ash. This terrain stretches in about a 1-mile radius around Hammer Rock.

Aishe and Vanyan hear cries of alarm and a flash of light come from Hammer Rock. Wispy disembodied voices whisper out "Stay away..."

"This neither looks nor sounds promising," Vanyan pauses to look for dangers within the desolation. "There are voices telling us to stay away, but when have we been smart about that?"

He waits for others to lead, and he's ready to follow.

Wispy disembodied voices whisper out "Stay away..."

"Ah oh."

Aishe, I expect, follows Atium toward the cries of alarm with all haste. He circles slightly to one side so as to keep a shooting lane open. Though he's faster (50'move), he holds back so as not to outstrip his companions.

Perception: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (15) + 23 = 38 (+8 if scent applies)

Atium senses that this is a trap. Something in the back of his mind rings a memory of being told that we need to find someone to turn *off* some defenses at Hammer Rock.

But then there's all the things that motivate Atium countering his caution.
There's the fact that when someone says, " don't do it, or Stay away" - Atium generally has to do it. Then there's Aishe - who is pointing his ultra crossbow finger straight ahead for Atium to lead. But, the one thing that makes Atium throw caution to the wind is the fact that Aishe has been giving some clap back about how fast *HE* is. Well, this is the opportunity to have a foot race to Hammer Rock.
Let's race Ulfen brother! I think I can outpace you and settle the title of windrunner once and for all!

Atium digs in and flat out runs towards Hammer Rock. I think Atium's got 40 foot movement (x4 for running). Slower than Aishe, but Atium doesn't see that Aishe is clipping his own speed.

Digging in you make your way towards Hammer Rock. A wave of bright energy erupts outward from the fortress. The light bursts out so quickly it has little time to react as you feel it pushing against your obols.

Everyone needs a DC 25 Fort Save vs Weird.

You each see see portions of the spectral Radiant Fire appear to rebound from your bodies. The blast hurls you 50' back as it slams you each into the ground, looking on in wonder.

Damage: 5d6 ⇒ (3, 3, 3, 2, 5) = 16 Fort DC 25 negates the movement and damage.

Fort: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (4) + 20 = 24 vs DC 25

Aishe is battered and flies back as the wave hits him. He looks up at the fortress, ”I think that’s where we aim to be, though it may slay us all if that happens again.”

save: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (2) + 16 = 18 Fort DC 25. I think my Fort save seems low. I'll double-check it on herolab tonight. But my roll was very low anyway.

Atium gets blown back by the blast.
Maybe I should have listened to that small bit of my mind that told me to be cautious.

1d20 + 10 ⇒ (8) + 10 = 18 Fort

Vanyan ends up on his rump next to Aishe, a dazed look on his face.

”I haven’t felt that in a while, not since the first time I died,” Vanyan recalls, shaking his head to stop the ringing. ”Wow. Sure glad I wasn’t closer to that.”

He will help heal people up, including himself.

1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2 CLW
1d8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3 CLW
1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7 CLW
1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8 CLW
1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6 CLW

Will update charges tonight, lemme know how many.

Aishe will ply the wand (just took 16hp, right?)

CLW: 3d8 + 3 ⇒ (4, 5, 7) + 3 = 19

fort save: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (5) + 17 = 22

You would think we would have learned by now....."

Vinas worries not about fears. The magically induced terrors of the effect fall like waves against an impregnable wall.

Weird is a fear effect, so if you were within 10' when it hit, that's +4.
If for some reason Aura of Courage doesn't apply: FORT: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (9) + 21 = 30

When the blast hits, FORT: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (20) + 21 = 41 Vinas raises his shield cum fide and lets the energy wash over him, and past him. When the blast is gone only he remains.

Fort: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (15) + 20 = 35 vs DC 25 (Weird)

Yeah, sorry, I misread all that.

1d20 + 10 ⇒ (16) + 10 = 26 Fort vs. DC 25 Weird

fort: 1d20 + 16 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 16 + 4 = 25 DC vs Weird.

All of you are tossed to the grund with minor scrapes. Dusting yourself off you rush towards the fort before that burst can happen again. Built atop the unfinished ruins of a dwarven fortress, the castle of Hammer Rock was one of the more formidable fortifications guarding Lastwall’s northeast border, built both to stand against undead threats from Ustalav and to guard the Path River, a key lifeline to the nation’s interior. The castle stands atop one of the Sandcarver Hills’ highest rises, giving it a commanding view over its surroundings, although Keirodera’s sudden growth has blocked much of that vista with a perimeter of towering trees. In general, Hammer Rock’s walls rise to a height of 30 feet, and its towers stand 40 feet tall.

As you approach Vanyan, Vinas, and Aishe all notice one of Hammer Rock's emergency traps has been activated. In the event that it was overrun, Hammer Rock featured three powerful traps intended to repel attackers and provide the rest of Lastwall time to mount a counterattack. Two of the wards has been destroyed but the third remains active. Five magical flames quickly ignite as you all skid to a halt. The flames hove in the air well above the keep and you get the feeling they will fire their rays down upon you if you coe any closer.

Magical trap.

Aishe holds the others back a moment, "Ah. Oh. Magic trap. Can't disarm that." he looks to the spellcasters, wondering if they can dispel it or if they just need to take the hit.