Oxnard's Jade Regent

Game Master Nathanael Love

"Hello Spivey, I am a follower of Erastil named Talios. Thank you for tending to the graveyard. I share the same concerns of my companions. If there is a way I can assist you in exchange for help I would be willing." offers the Samsaran as they talk to the creature.

Diplomacy (Aid): 1d20 ⇒ 9
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16

Rin smiled behind her mask, happy to find such a cute creature to be the one trailing them. "Thank you for tending to the graveyard, those resting here were lucking to have such a caretaker."

Diplomacy(Aid): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12

Kage Kurai remains silent, knowing he is no diplomat.

Spivey explains that "big mean birds" are in the castle. Knowledge Nature to identify; you've convinced her to aid you how she can, but she won't enter the palace herself.

Mitsuru returns, bearing three vials of holy water. "What's this about mean birds?" she asks, keeping one vial for herself and handing the other two off to whoever asks.

Knowledge (Nature): 1d20 + 4 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 4 + 3 = 21

"It could mean any manner of creatures. Let me think...are there any more details than that Spivey?" he asks while trying to figure out what awaits.

Talios, you believe she is describing Dire Corbies- a type of usually evil flightless birdlike monstrous humanoids. You would have 2 questions (CR 1)

Resistances/Immunities and Special Attacks.

Talios knows that Dire Corbies fight with great Ferocity and that they can leap into combat from a great distance (works like Pounce on a successful Acrobatics check), where they can then use their two claws to rend foes apart for increased damage.

Rin crossed her arms in concern at the information Spivy and Talios hared. "These corbies sound like dangerous foes, but not the type to conjure curses. Something else must be effecting Ameiko."

"It's something to watch out for all the same," Mitsuru says. "Shall we continue, with one eye on the skies?"

Sorry- to clarify they are flightless birds

You continue to the area M

naturally deep harbor has formed where the waters of the Steam River f low into Bunyip Bay to the west. Two ruined piers extend into the only relatively shallow portion of the harbor here, and once served all of Brinewall as moorings for visiting ships. While both piers are now mostly collapsed, the westernmost one has what appears to be a relatively recent visitor: a Linnorm Kingdoms longship is tied to the pier. The longship seems relatively new, but the vessel is partially destroyed and half-sunken. A search of the ship reveals significant damage to the ship in the form of tremendous claw marks and what appear to be scorch marks from a powerful electrical attack.

Nothing else of note is to be found at the harbor, making your way around the lagoon two hungry looking creatures surge out of the water!

Round 1

1-3. Emili, Kage, Talios
4. Rin
5. Jiro
6. Reefclaws
7. Mitsuru

Expanded the map on slide 13; everyone but Mitsuru will go before the creatures- knowledge Nature to identify

”Get away from the water!” Emili bellows, whip falling to his hand with subconscious grace. ”Make them come to us!” He cracks the braided leather as a warning to the closest creature.

Whip: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10
Slashing damage: 1d3 ⇒ 1

Knowledge (Nature): 1d20 + 4 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 4 + 3 = 17

"They seek to ambush us. Do not be dragged in." Talios adds to the warning as he eyes the creature for any hints at their attacks and defenses.

He steps back and winds around Emili before firing at the southern creature.

Composite Bow: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10
Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

"You don't have to tell me twice!" Rin replied as she backed away from the water. Drawing her shortbow, she aimed and took fire at the nearest monster.

Move action, draw bow as part of movement, standard action attack orange.

Short Bow: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24
Piecing: 1d6 ⇒ 1
Hidden Strike: 1d4 ⇒ 1
Crit threat: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15
Crit Dmg: 2d6 ⇒ (2, 3) = 5

Too bad we don't have time for a reefclaw boil. Etouffee for days.

Round 1
Emili strikes with his whip, but misses.

Talios misses with an arrow, but remembers that these are Reefclaws which have a grab and constrict with their pinchers, a strength sapping poison, and that they spasm as they die lashing out at nearby creatures, and that they fight until fully slain and resist cold damage.

Rin hits with her bow, damaging one of the reefclaws!

1-3. Emili, Kage, Talios
4. Rin
5. Jiro
6. Reefclaws
7. Mitsuru

Status:

Orange: -7

Pending Kage and Talios before the reefclaws.

Kage fires a blob of acid at the nearest creature.

Attack, Ranged Touch: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10
Damage, Acid: 1d3 ⇒ 3

Stepping back to put some distance between himself and the water, Jiro draws his katana and levels it as the bizarre aquatic menaces. "Into the fray, brave ones, the castle awaits!"

Draw Weapon, then Inspire Courage

Round 1
Kage misses with his spell, and Jiro begins inspiring courage.

One reefclaws waddles over to Jiro and attacks:
Claw: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21 hit!
Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 2
Grapple: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10 no grab

The other crawls up to Mitsuru:
Claw: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9
Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 2

1-3. Emili, Kage, Talios
4. Rin
5. Jiro
6. Reefclaws
7. Mitsuru

Status:

Jiro: 13/15, pending DC 13 Fort save vs. poison

Orange: -7

That brings up everyone again; Mitsuru to close round 1/everyone else at the start of round two. Pending fort save vs. poison by Jiro- actually two, if you fail the first you get the follow on save vs that round

"It's just a big crab!" Mitsuru says, stepping behind the nearest reefclaw and slipping her rapier's blade into a gap in its hard carapace.

Rapier vs Orange, flanked: 1d20 + 5 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 5 + 2 + 1 = 18
Damage: 1d6 + 1d6 ⇒ (4) + (3) = 7

"Reefclaws are a but more dangerous than a crab. Careful when it falls...it may attempt to take you with it." Talios quips while firing off more shots at the one engaged by Mitsuru.

Flurry Composite Bow (PBS/IC): 1d20 + 2 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 2 + 1 + 1 = 19
Damage: 1d8 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 3 + 1 = 8

Flurry Composite Bow (PBS/IC): 1d20 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 2 + 1 = 12
Damage: 1d8 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 3 + 1 = 9

"Too big to fight alone!" Rin chastised as she dropped her bow and moved to flank the Reefclaw with Mitsuru.

Free action drop bow, move action draw wakizashis as part of movement, standard action attack Orange.

Wakizashi; Flanking: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 5 + 2 = 21
Slashing: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7
Hidden Strike: 1d4 ⇒ 4

Emili takes a moment to study the crab-like fish. No legs - no way to trip that. Shaking his head, he turns his attention to the northern one. "Oi, leave him alone and pay attention to me instead!" he bellows, winking at the tengu cheerfully.

Whip, IC: 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 7 + 1 = 11
Slashing damage, IC: 1d3 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Round 1
Mitsuru stabs the reefclaw deep and some of its gooey insides leak out. You cannot help thinking that, properly seasoned and boiled they would be delicious.

Round 2
Emili whips, but misses.

Talios launches two arrows with his flurry, hitting once.

Rin rushes over and stabs her blade into the reefclaw, and as it dies it spasms.

Attack at Random 1 Mitsuru 2 Rin: 1d2 ⇒ 2
Claw: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7
Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 3

Attack at Random 1 Mitsuru 2 Rin: 1d2 ⇒ 2
Claw: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5
Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 2

but both claws miss wildly!

1-3. Emili, Kage, Talios
4. Rin
5. Jiro
6. Reefclaws
7. Mitsuru

Status:

Jiro: 13/15, pending DC 13 Fort save vs. poison

Pending Jiro and Kage before the remaining reefclaw

Fort: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14

"A poor choice of prey, lobster-thing, as I've a claw of my own!" Jiro cries, raising his katana above his head and stabbing down at the reefclaw.

Attack: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 4 + 1 = 22 Damage: 1d8 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 3 + 1 = 11

Changing tactics, Kage runs in behind the creature facing Jiro and tries to stab it from behind.

Attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23
Damage, Slashing: 1d3 + 1d6 ⇒ (2) + (5) = 7

Crit?
Attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23
Damage, Slashing: 1d3 + 1d6 ⇒ (1) + (5) = 6

Round 2
Jiro easily resists the poison, then

Kage rushes forward and with a nasty stab, crunches off a big section of carapice! Crit confirmed!

Now, clearly fighting on its last legs it tries to swipe at Kage!
Claw: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18 hit!
Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 4

That done, it keels over! Dies from the -1 while using ferocity; end of combat

Status:

Jiro: 13/15
Kage: 10/14, pending DC 13 vs. poison

That evening around the campfire, the tiny Azata sits near the warm glow and enjoys being in the company of other good folks for the first time in a long time.

“Beware the birds who wish to fly but cannot...” Ameiko continues murmuring in her coma, “A key you seek lies in the grip of the ten-handed one—his fear is your greatest ally...”

The night is cool, but the fire keeps you warm, the shadow of Brinewall Castle looming in the background and the worries of what exactly you will meet there.

Rin wiped at Ameiko's brow with a damp cloth. "How would she know about the dire corbies? Do magical coma's usually come with divinity abilities?" Rin asked, her voice quite serious. "And what about this key and ten-handed one? What has ten hands?"

"Nothing that's going to be very happy to see us, I expect," Mitsuru says, her voice glum. "Jiro, you've traveled a lot. Have you ever heard of anything like that?"

Jiro is silent for a time, considering the question. "Divinatory powers are strange even by the usual standards of magic--the forms it takes and the costs it extracts vary from person to person." Shaking his head at the poverty of information available to him, the tengu priest continues.

"I do not get the impression that Lady Kaijitsu has ever displayed oracular powers before, but it is not impossible that this bout of sleeping prophecy is an inborn power, not an effect of the castle. That would at least explain why only she--and not her siblings--was affected."

As you eat the delicious meat of the reefclaws, she murmers again . ..

“Beware the cuckolded cuckoo—it is in his shattered silent love
you should seek aid...”

“Grandfather waits in the dark, but he knows not who he was...”

I'll kick off the castle when I update tomorrow AM

"Riddles are certainly not my area of expertise." Talios looks on worried as Ameiko murmurs in her sleep.

"At least we know of the corbies that await us but the unknown is what worries me the most." he continues to think on what may be awaiting them.

Fortitude: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4 Welp.

Ok, so you are affected by the poison- then it's 1/round for 4 rounds or until you save

Wouldn't have helped but he would have tried.

Talios sees the poison begin to work and helps Kage with poultices and elevation to stop the flow.

Heal (Treat Poison): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (6) + 10 = 16 +4 to save if I beat the Poison.

Can apply the +4 to his next roll.

Strength Damage: 1d2 ⇒ 1

Fortitude: 1d20 + 1 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 1 + 4 = 13

As the poison courses through his body, Kage feels weak, his limbs slightly heavier than usual. ”I can go on, but I’m going to need a good rest later. Thank you for the assistance, Talios.”

Since there's a night rest between the reefclaw's and the castle you're back to full STR the next morning ready to go

You arise the next morning, ready to search the imposing castle. . .

Let me know how you plan to approach the castle- it's "ruined" but you know it is also occupied.

Mitsuru gives the decaying castle an appraising look. "What do you think? Front door, or try and scale the walls? I can make a quick circuit around, look for any other ways in, too."

Give me TWO Perception checks as you are searching the exterior

If I'm scouting around, I'll be doing it in my fox shape, so here's a few rolls.

Stealth: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (20) + 19 = 39
Disguise, pretending to be a normal fox and NOT a spy: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (11) + 16 = 27
Perception #1: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26
Perception #2: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23

Wow! An extra +1 to the Perception checks against any magical traps I might encounter.

At the areas marked S1 and S2 you find secret entrances into tunnels that look like they lead into the castle, so you now have four possible ways in-- Tunnel S1, Tunnel S2, going to the gate, or climbing the wall at some point of the perimeter.

My vote is for S2. It looks like that is in a wooded area so more coverage for a stealthy entrance/exit.

"Sounds good to me," Emili answers Rin with a smile. "Sandru, you good to hold down the fort here for another day?"

Hah! Now he gets to feel what it's like to be left behind while other people have adventures!

"yes, yes- this mystery is why Ameiko organized this expedition in the first place. We can guard the caravan well enough."

Mitsuru, clearly feeling very self-satisfied with her scouting work, nods enthusiastically to Rin's suggestion. "Let's get going!"

"Yes, please stay safe while we handle whatever lies within! We will make haste back with answers." Talios says bowing to those remaining behind.

S2 is fine.

The tunnel leads you down into a cave. . .

A tangle of stalactites and stalagmites fills this low-ceilinged cavern, with only a five-foot-wide path running along the southern wall being clear of obstruction.

You are in V6 on slide 15 if you want to place figures into marcihing order before dealing with the locked door in front of you.

Perception; LL vision: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17
Disable Device, Aid Another: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

"Locked. Care to work your magic Mitsuru?" Rin stepped aside after inspecting the door for danger