Kingmaker

Game Master Galahad0430

Linzi looks behind her. Noticing the frog bodies just "poof" and disappear.

Well Dang! That made my question moot. But, does *anyone* know a good fishing hole in The Riverlands?

The fact that they did just vanish is a bit of a relief. It means they were likely summoned for a task and can't be swayed from that task for long. Also means that killing them releases them from his servitude." Faerin says thoughtfully.

"We can worry about fishing once we're no longer in danger of being attacked by whatever's next." she replies, striding toward the next arch.

This would mean also something, or someone summoned them here. Such individual could even be invisible now - watching us. - she says in her usual paranoid way, and almost immediately starts detecting magic and turning her head around to try to cover a full 360.

Pyros heads for the next arch as well, getting in front of Faerin in the process.

Ekun continues to lead the way through the arches, his sword at the ready, looking for more oversized swamp toads. "Do summons usually stay around for long?"

"Usually depends on the power and skill of the one doing the summoning, though there are likely rituals that could extend it or maybe make them permanent....I'm not sure." Faerin answers looking over at Shayn.

Knowledge (Arcana): 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (17) + 11 = 28

There are certainly rituals and magical objects and artifacts that could make summons last for a very long time... Even permanently holding such creatures against their will tethered to some place they need to defend. - says the winter witch - Regardless, let's press on.

"I was going to have you fight each set of creatures, but that might be tedious (more wolves). Instead I will get you to the real fight instead.

As your group looks to the South (left) the hint of movement resolves itself into four shaggy shapes. Four wolves burst from the undergrowth and attack your party. The fight is short and sharp, but you prevail. Harrim channels a couple of times to heal everyone's wounds before you press on to the West. There you encounter a large dire Boar, however, the single animal is no match for the six of you. Though the boar gets in one good shot, your combined assault kills it before it can further savage your party. Again, Harrim heals the wounded person. You notice the mist to the North clear from the broad stone stairs.

What confronts you is truly monstrous. You see a huge bear, its pelt covered with barklike protrusions and even tiny branches with leaves on them. It is currently fighting a lone figure. The man is backed against the ancient temple and seems to be in dire straights.

As you move to help you see the beast swipe the man with one large paw and smash him into the temple where he falls limp to the ground.

Ekun: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7
Linzi: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21
Pyros: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17
Faerin: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6
Shayn: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22
Harrim: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (4) + 0 = 4
Bear: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 13

So, Linzi, Pyros, and Shayn can go. Then the bear, then everyone else.

Knowledge: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 29 For nature or planes - Arcana would be an extra +2. These are my only trained ones

Shayn sees the creature, but positions herself to be 30 feet away from it, hopefully with some of her colleagues in between. The elf does a little dance with her hands while chanting a lullaby in an abyssal language - and finally seems to blow a little bit of cold wind.

You know I gotta try it... Slumber Will DC 16. Unless my knowledge rolls above reveal me something else, like it's an undead or something immune to sleep effects.

1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23

The bear shrugs off the hex by Shayn.

It is a large Grizzly bear that appears to have Barkskin on it. It is probably summoned and from the First World.

Pyros offers a quick prayer to Milani, then runs up to the bear to attack it, as he does so feeling the power coursing into his sword.

Attack, Charge: 1d20 + 10 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 10 + 2 = 31
Damage, Magical Slashing: 1d8 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13

Crit?
Attack, Charge: 1d20 + 10 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 10 + 2 = 17
Damage, Magical Slashing: 1d8 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15

Linzi begins her song. Looking to inspire her friends to great acts of valor.

Everyone. You are Inspired! +1 on attack rolls and +1 to damage each weapon.1/12 rounds of Courage.

Remember Pyros, you feel extra couragous. That's why you ran in there all super crazy. Your sword looks sharper even!

Come-on Ekun! Go! Go! Go! into the fray. Like they say, T-Rex don't wanna get fed. T-Rex wants TO HUNT!

Hmmm.... she might have found the perfect nickname for Ekun. T-Rex. Hmm.. let's see if he fits a T-Rex moniker.

The bear's toughened hide just barely prevents Pyros's strike from hitting a critical area. Still he lands a powerful blow.

The bear, presented with a new target, attacks.

bite: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14
claw: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11
claw: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15

Very fortunately for Pyros, despite his aggressive charge, the bear just misses him with each of its attacks.

OK, everyone else can go.

Oh... But SO unlucky you are, my furry friend... - says the witch, then laughing loudly.

Misfortune, Will DC 16

Planting her feet firmly on the ground, Faerin roots herself, reaching down into the earth, drawing on the combined elements of earth and fire. the ground beneath her feet rumbles slightly as globs of hot bubbling tar float up to form a roiling ball, spinning between her hands as she chants in druidic. As she completes her spell, the druidess makes a throwing gesture, sending the burning tarball hurtling toward the bear, striking it with a sputtering sizzle.

Tar ball (ranged touch): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17
Fire damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
deals 1d4 points of fire damage each round on the creature’s turn for the next 1d4 ⇒ 1 rounds and gives the target a –2 penalty to Dexterity for that duration.

If desired, the target can use a full-round action to attempt to extinguish or cool the tar before taking this additional damage. Extinguishing or cooling the tar requires a DC 15 Reflex save or at least 1 gallon of nonflammable liquid. Rolling on the ground provides the target a +2 bonus on the save. Leaping into a lake or magically cooling the target automatically ends the effect.

Ekun drives his sword in at the bear, causing it to jerk back before landing a powerful blow on Pyros. "This one is fast!" The T-Rex tries to do what he can as he lunges from 10 feet away.

Adaptation (Lunge) 10 minutes

+1 Keen Longsword; Inspire; PA: 1d20 + 8 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (11) + 8 + 1 - 1 = 19
Damage: 1d8 + 4 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 4 + 1 + 2 = 15

Harrim casts Bless, everyone gets an extra +1 to hit.

1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8
Shayn's Misfortune works (when casting spells, please tell what it does).

Ekun, like Pyros, lands a solid blow, and Faerin successfully sets the creature on fire.

Pyros and Linzi can go.

My apologies - I was referring to the Misfortune hex. I will start adding more details when I announce it next time.

Pyros slashes at the bear again, then begins weaving a defensive pattern with his blade.
Attack: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (17) + 10 = 27
Damage, Magical Slashing: 1d8 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11

Defensive Parry (Ex): At 3rd level, when an Aldori defender makes a full attack with an Aldori dueling sword, he gains a +1 shield bonus to his AC against melee attacks until the beginning of his next turn.

Pyros, you need to get in the habit of putting a stats box at the end of your combat posts like Ekun does. Especially since your AC changes a lot.

Just waiting on Linzi...

Linzi stops her inspirational playing , but the notes seem to linger on.

Linzi tries to move into position so that she can blast the big bear without hurting her friends. She strums her Samisen and an array of colors spring forth from the guitar strings.

Linzi moves to get the back side of the large bear where the cone of magic can get the most amount of animal fur.
Casts color spray. DC 15.

Inspire courage: 1/2 rounds remaining

1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

Unbelievable

A cone of scintillating colors spray out from Linzi's hands. The Bear is caught and stunned by the spell.

Btw, I forgot that the bear was flat footed when you charged it Pyros, so your attack did crit. So that means, even with the DR, you have done 43 pts to the bear, Faerin turned off its regeneration for a round because she hit it with fire damage, and now it is stunned...

Linzi's spell stuns the bear for a few seconds, but those seconds are enough for everyone to slay the beast. Like the other guardian animals, this one also disappears.

Faerin breathes a sigh of relief, as the bear's carcass vanishes, glad that they were able to take it down before it did serious damage. She quickly moves to check the condition of the fallen man.

Take 10 on Heal for 21

Things look clear. But looks can be deceiving. Like who'da thunk Pyros here'd be a stone cold executioner.

Linzi looks around to see if the chapel is better and the mists are disappearing.

perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22

"Excellent job little one!" Ekun gives a smile. One that has not been seen on his face for many days now/ he looks around to see if there are any more cursed animals lying in wait. "Is this place cleansed yet?" He looks for Linzi's bar of soap.

The man on the ground is still conscious. He is wounded, but gets to his feet. At first, you think he is human, but his silver hair and golden eyes reveal at least a good portion of Celestial in him.

"I swear, never before have I been so glad to meet a stranger. Even with the power granted me by Sarenrae, I almost lost. Please, allow me to introduce myself, I am Tristian."

Pyros cleans and sheathes his blade, looks at Linzi and shrugs, then goes to check on the man.

Pyros smiles at the man and extends a hand. "Pyros Aldori. My companions are Linzi of the Velvet Voice, Ekundayo Vursi, Faerin Cordova, and Shayn Veilsong. We" he says, with a momentary pause and almost imperceptible glance toward Shayn Well, most of us "were sent by the Aldori Swordlords to purge the bandits from this land and make it safe for settlemnt. What brings you to these wild lands?"

Shayn waits for Tristian to reply to Pyros, then asks a question herself.

What else do you know of this place, Tristian?

She pronounces magic words and starts detecting magic, moving her cone of view from Tristian and around, in a circle movement.

Can I help heal you? That bear claw swipe looks to have done a number on you.

Linzi applies a cure light wounds.
CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Hmmm. maybe you'll want to take one of these "Bokken's Originals" potions. They should have more umph in healing that what I just did. And, is there a shrine around here? I heard one needs some elbow grease and and an ammonia potion cleaning.

she pats around her items looking for that bar of soap - to use to clean some alter that should be here.

Faerin hands him a potion. "Yes, this should help."

CLW Potion

Faerin hands him a potion. "Yes, this should help."

As Faerin hands Tristian a bottle of CLW, Linzi is standing on her tip toes handing him a bar of soap.

After getting an affirmative that he'll be a good and helpful cleric/celestial, she moves over to Pyros. whispering.
Don't think I didn't notice you put my name first in your team rolecall. That got you points leader-cutie. Keep that up.
and she winks at him.

"How did you find this temple Tristian?" Ekun looks around. "It looks to have become quite corrupt and overgrown."

At the offers of healing, Tristian replies, "You are vey kind." He looks at you thoughtfully.
"Kindness is in short supply these days. But fear not, the priests of Sarenrae are skilled in the healing arts, save your supplies."

To Ekun he says, "Hmm, I was directed here by my search for curses, but why were you searching here?"

"We came to cleanse this temple and hopefully the cursed fog surrounding the area." Ekun explains their plight.

"You said that you have some experience with curses?" Faerin asks Tristian, curious about his expertise.

Pyros give Linzi a somewhat uncertain smile, then turns his attention to Faerin and the ongoing conversation about curses.

Linzi listens in. Intent to hear about story worthy information. She even takes out a parchment and inked quill. Leaving some trash from her overflowing backpack on the ground, quickly forgotten as there's "curse talk" about to happen.

Sorry, rough week, will have something up tomorrow

"Yes," Tristian replies to Faerin, "I could feel the curses emanating from this land. After I arrived, the fog sprang into being and I could tell it was not natural. I followed the signs to this place."

"Looks like your instincts were very accurate." Faerin says, looking around. " it seems the curse was placed here by a powerful druid, part of the process of breaking it is slaying the guardian creatures bound to this place"

She looks around for signs of either more creatures, or any changes in the fog

"Yes, I can feel the effects of the ritual fading already. With some time, this fog should finally dissipate."

"Then we should check the area for any further signs of this dark druid or the Stag King, and explore the rest of this place. There's still the stone stairway." Faerin says with a nod, looking to Pyros.

The stone stairway is a broad and short stairway to the platform where the old temple used to stand, it is also where you had the fight against the bear. You search the area, but find nothing of real interest. Perhaps Jhod Khavken will be of help as it was his dream that first directed you to search for this place.

Pyros checks the area for more threats, or anything else unusual.

If we've got the time, I'll take 20 for a 28.

What about that guy you mentioned before, Ekun? Jhod, I believe it was his name. He was by Oleg's when we first met. - says the witch, without really knowing much more of the background details.

Yeah, what about this Jhod character? Does anyone know him?
Well, this foggy bottom temple appears to be conquered.

Linzi climbs to the top of the stairs, the altar area is now cleaned/destroyed. the ruins exposing the open air. Being on a rise/platform, she begins checking to see if she can create an echo with her voice. She also gives a try to vodelling.

YOOODEEELLLAAAYYY--- HEEE-HUU!!

Ekun runs his hands through his hair. "'Fraid I just ended up at Oleg's not long ago myself. We can head on back and let Jhod know we found the area. Maybe he wants to check it out himself."