Iron Road (Inactive)

Game Master Pirate Rob

On your way back to the town center a heavily armed skeleton steps out into the path, it's red glowing eyes watching your every move.

Before any of you can react it charges forward at Uthkosh

longsword: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (17) + 10 = 27
slashing damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

Uthkosh can shield block if desired

The skeleton's eyes light up further as it raises its shield in defense while weaving a dangerous pattern with its sword, looking for any opening to get another blow in.

Several more shockingly poorly concealed skeletons approach from the brush to your right.

Initiative

Black Skeleton
Uthkosh (34/34) (- skele hit)
Obad (18/18)
Tamo (22/22)
Kashkura (17/17)
Isikhulu (15/15)
Red Skeleton
Blue Skeleton
Green Skeleton.

Y'all are up, forestry bits are difficult terrain and provide cover.

"Eww! Undead!" Obad'of strides up next to Uthkosh and swings his club for all he's worth before raising his shield:

Whavk'em: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23 for DMG: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

The skeleton catches Obad'of's blow with his shield which absorbs most of the blow.

Having no knowledge of undead creatures, Isikhulu decides to conduct an experiment. He stares menacingly at the nearest creature (red), seeing if his fearsome gaze has any effect, he then casts a defensive ward and grips his walking stick in a more weapon-like fashion. ◆Cast my hex cantrip evil eye (which has the mental trait), ◆cast shield, ◆grip walking stick/staff as a two-handed weapon (I assume I don't normally walk around with it held in both hands).

Empty eye sockets stare back at Isikhulu, his evil eye having no effect.

Recall Knowledge (Religion): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15
GM's choice. Anything Tamo learns he will share.

Tamo lets fly with an ice ray at Black.
spell attack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22
cold: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

Recall Knowledge ◈, verbal & somatic components for ray of frost.

Kashkura backs away and tries to figure out what these things are.

Recall Knowledge (Religion): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24

She casts guidance on Uthkosh.

Uthkosh's shield wards off the worst of the skeletal strike, though he does get cut by the dead warrior.
4 damage to Uthkosh and the shield

Action 1: Raise Shield
Action 2: Stride
Action 3: Strike

The warrior lifts his shield and takes a chance to move into a flanking position with Obad'of. He then takes a stab at the skeleton with his trident, looking to break off a limb.
Strike vs Black (Flat-footed): 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (6) + 11 = 17
Damage (P): 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11

Those are skeletons, the big black one is clearly more powerful and its red seeking eyes betray an intelligence that the others lack.

Also a basic training rhyme comes to mind If the flesh moans and groans cut it to the bone. If the bones rattle and clank club it in its flank.

Tamo's ray isn't entirely effective

Kashkura also knows that in addition to cold skeletons are resistant to electricity and fire, making them a quite frusturating foe for many magic users.

Despite his clever circling Utkosh can't quite connect with the heavily armored and defensive skeleton.

With that the skeletons charge from their "hiding" spots attacking with scimitars and claws.

Imagine I've rolled dice where it's mildly inconvenient to read them. You're welcome to peek if you want, especially if you're worried about math errors, but it's also easy to avoid seeing the numbers if you don't want to. And the thread is less cluttered

Charging Isikhulu the red skeleton connects with its scimitar but it can't get its claw to connect.3 slashing damage

The blue skeleton gets up to Uthkosh but can't connect with the Iruxi fighter.

Finally the green skeleton gets to Tamo and hits with a claw.
4 slashing damage

The heavily armed skeleton with the red fury burning in its eyes ducks out from between it's two attackers as it makes a twirling blow against Ukthosh, that's narrowly deflected by his shield, turning what could have been a nasty wound into a glancing blow.
8 slashing damage

(29 vs FF is 1 short of a crit with the shield raised)

The larger black skeleton once again raises its shield, still having said nothing.

Black Skeleton (-9/S-1)
Uthkosh (30/34) (-8, block?)
Obad (18/18)
Tamo (18/22)
Kashkura (17/17)
Isikhulu (15/15) (-3, block?)
Red Skeleton
Blue Skeleton
Green Skeleton

Did Obad'of connect with his first attack? The aspirant takes a step to the side, swings his club, then raises his shield for the retort:

Club: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10 but misses

Uthkosh's shield does the work to protect him, thoroughly minimizing the attack from the skeleton.
Will use Shield Block. He and the shield take 3 damage.

Action 1: Step
Action 2: Strike
Action 3: Raise a Shield

The warrior once more steps to provide an opening for Obad'of, lashing out with his trident before raising his shield once more.
Strike vs Black (Flat-footed): 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (2) + 11 = 13
Damage (P): 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

Kashkura casts guidance on both Tamo and Isikhulu, and draws her club.

Isikhulu curses the stars as his curséd gaze has no effect. He mutters and taps the creature, spreading a pale dark energy onto the bones before swinging his staff as hard as he can! ◆◆Cast chill touch (DC 17 Fort save), ◆Strike

Staff (2-handed), guidance: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 4 + 1 = 9
Bludgeoning damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Obad'of's very first attack hit, but 5/6 damage was absorbed by the shield block.

Obad'of's newest attack isn't very productive and neither is Uthkosh's.

Kashkura continues to bless her allies while Isikhulu tries a different approach.

fort save: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7
which leads to the red skeleton turning its back and attempting to flee!

Black Skeleton (-9/S-1)
Uthkosh (27/34)
Obad'of (18/18)
Tamo (18/22)
Kashkura (17/17)
Isikhulu (12/15)
Red Skeleton (FF, fleeing)
Blue Skeleton
Green Skeleton

Tamo is still up!

Tamo is frustrated by how his spell worked out, and against his better judgment he opts for a more physical approach, taking a pair of steps to get to the opposite side of Green and whipping up a disk of force for protection when he arrives at his preferred spot.

Step x2, verbal component for shield.

I'm going to assume blocking, please feel free to correct as needed, or if really on top of things note if you're planning to block when you raise shield (won't hold it to you if you want to change your mind due to the changing tides of battle, but makes my posts easier)

Tamo circles and protects himself as the red skeleton turns tail and flees into the woods.

Meanwhile the blue skeleton steps up and makes a pair of almostly shocking inept swings at Uthkosh with scimitar and claw.

The green skeleton spins to follow Tamo's movement, striking repeatedly with scimitar and claw in a much more accurate fashion, Tamo's magic shield does a good job of deflecting the scimitar attack, but it then provides little help against the claw.

Hitting AC 21 and 19 for 6 +3 =11 total damage, shield blocks 5 and poofs.

With a deadly hunger for the death of the living the black skeleton once again steps to Uthkosh's flank before overpowering Uthkosh's block with a powerful overhead blow from its longsword.

Nat 20 crit for 10 damage. After blocking that's 5 to Utkhosh and 5 to the shield.

The skeleton then hides behind it's metal shield once again.

Black Skeleton (-9/S-1)
Uthkosh (22/34)
Obad'of (18/18)
Tamo (12/22)
Kashkura (17/17)
Isikhulu (12/15)
Red Skeleton
Blue Skeleton
Green Skeleton

Party is up!

"Could use some help over here!" Not liking his odds against the big bad, Obad'of steps in to smash the regular skeleton before raising his shield (ready to block.)

Club: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15 for DMG: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

Hearing Obad'of's cry, Isikhulu gulps, then steps into a flanking position and strikes with his stick at the blue skeleton. All the while, he glares at the more intelligent skeleton commander, hoping to have greater effect.

◆Stride, ◆Strike vs. blue, ◆Cast evil eye on shieldy-bones (DC 17 Will save).

Staff vs. flanked blue: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23
2-handed B damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Obad'of has no better luck against the blue skeleton.

Isikhulu manages to land a blow against the blue skeleton and it crumbles though

willsave: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9

And the heavily armored skeleton hesitates and becomes frightened as well!

Black Skeleton (-9/S-1) Frightened 1
Uthkosh (22/34)
Obad'of (18/18)
Tamo (12/22)
Kashkura (17/17)
Isikhulu (12/15)
Red
Green Skeleton

Uthkosh, Tamo and Kashkura are still up!

Kashkura, nervous, moves in to flank with Tamo.

club, vs flat-footed: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20
ouch!: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

club, vs flat-footed: 1d20 + 4 - 5 ⇒ (9) + 4 - 5 = 8
ouch!: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Kashkura clubs the skeleton into a pile of useless bones.
And has her 3rd action available.

Tamo gives a grateful smile to Kashkura, making a mental note to offer her a big hug later — but only if she is receptive — as he launches a trio of force bolts at the shielded skeleton.

3d4 + 3 ⇒ (4, 2, 2) + 3 = 11

Cast magic missile ◈◈◈.

Kashkura moves toward the group for her last action.

pew pew pew! Tamo's magic missiles slam into the heavily armed skeleton, not enough to take down the profane creature however.

Not using Shield Block as that would break it. Extra 5 damage to Uthkosh

Action 1: Strike
Action 2: Strike
Action 3: Raise Shield

Uthkosh stabs at the armored skeleton, twirling his trident to draw out an opening.
Strike vs Black: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (11) + 11 = 22
Damage (P): 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9
Strike vs Black: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19
Damage (P): 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

He then lifts his shield up, ready for the retaliation.

Adjusted Uthkosh's hp

The skeleton blocks Uthkosh's first attack and manages to just barely avoid the second despite being frightened.

Shield blocks 5 damage, remaining 4 to shield/ absorbed by skeleton DR.

The red skeleton is lost in the woods, never to be seen again.

The heavily armored black skeleton hesitates a moment with the evile eye upon it but keeps its shield raised as it hacks at the club wielding iruxi.

Fortunately for Obad'of it can't connect with either swing.

Black Skeleton (-20/S-5) Frightened 1 (EE)
Uthkosh (17/34)
Obad'of (18/18)
Tamo (12/22)
Kashkura (17/17)
Isikhulu (12/15)

Everybody is up!

Frustrated at his inability to hit the creature, Obad'of focuses on his connection to nature, and he releases a 30' burst of energy: 1d8 ⇒ 7 7 HP to the living. Undead get basic FORT DC 17

Action 1: Raise Shield
Action 2: Shield Bash
Action 3: Shield Bash

Frustrated that his trident seems less effective on the skeleton, Uthkosh lifts his shield and rams his it at his foe hoping to crush bones.

Shield Bash vs Black: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (8) + 10 = 18
Damage (B): 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8
Shield Bash vs Black: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22
Damage (B): 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

fort: 1d20 + 7 - 1 ⇒ (18) + 7 - 1 = 24

The skeleton avoids some of the divine energy but most of Uthkosh's allies are healed.

The sle;etpm meets the oncoming shield with his own.
[ooc]Blocking reduces the damage to 1

Black Skeleton (-24/S-6) Frightened 1 (EE)
Uthkosh (24/34)
Obad'of (18/18)
Tamo (12/22)
Kashkura (17/17)
Isikhulu (16/15)

Tamo, Kashkura and Isikhulu are up!

Seeing his evil eye have the intended effect on this intelligent skeleton, Isikhulu sustains the effect, then attempts to bore into the creature's undead mind. ◆Sustain evil eye, ◆◆ cast daze. 4 damage, basic Will save, stunned 1 on a crit fail.

save vs daze: 1d20 + 6 - 1 ⇒ (1) + 6 - 1 = 6

Splat, the skeletal champion collapses.

Out of Combat

Tamo spits on the ground in disgust. Vile creatures! I despise the living dead, he says, with a nod to Kashkura. [b]I owe you one, Moonchild,[/ooc] he says solemnly.

"Indeed, they are perversions of nature." Obad'of looks around the battlefield for hints about previous battles, our missing persons, and the like.

The two weaker skeletons each have a scimitar, a shortbow and 20 arrows, while the bigger one has a (now dented) steel shield along with a longsword, chainmail and a lance.

No useful or meaningful markings on the skeletons etc.

Despite no direct clues you do feel a sense of relief, likely from the local spirits. It's almost as though you can feel their presence joyously flitting around you now.

You all have a 5-foot bonus to Speed for the remainder of the scenario.

"I feel lighter on my feet, but those items stink like all processed metal. Come, let us be off if all are well."

Kashkura waves down a townsperson. "Excuse me! Do the dead often rise again around here? What has the spirits so unsettled?"

Getting back towards town proper you get a worried response "Whispers from the dread spirits outside of town have grown more disquieted of late, but no foul undead have risen from their graves that we know of."

"From a particular place or direction.... or in general?" Obad'of's tone is curiosity and resolve, not fear.

Uthkosh nods, grateful for the help from his tribe. He takes a moment to examine his shield, thankful that it is at least still serviceable.

He then places a hand on the open wound on his face and whispers, "Gozreh, salt my wound. I do it in your honour." When he pulls his hand away, the wound is replaced by puckered scar.
Cast Lay on Hands, healing for 6hp. If folks are fine with it, I'd like to take 10 minutes to Refocus.

I don't object to refocusing. Tamo wouldn't say no to a Treat Wounds, too. He has a healer's kit but is not (yet) trained in Medicine.

We're in no particular rush, your companions have been missing for nearly 2 months now and are assumed dead.

Responding to Obad'of "In general."

You do have enough information to head off in the direction that your companions previously took. The road will clearly be less well kept, so there's the question of do you want to bring your wagon or leave it here in town.

Good enough for me

Uthkosh sits down, his gaze a far away stare. He doesn't say a word for nearly ten minutes.

Finally, he stands and walks over to Tamo. Placing a hand on his injury, he once again whispers, "Gozreh, salt his wound. I do it in your honour."
Lay on Hands for Tamo, gaining +6hp. I am happy to repeat the process for others as needed

Happy to assume you all get back up to full here, we're in a town, we don't have time pressure, we have lay on hands and medicine.

Poke

Having healed both himself and the others, Uthkosh cinches his gear and makes ready to leave. "We have a path. Let's follow it."

Tamo is grateful to his companions for their medicinal ministrations.

As they make ready to depart deeper into the Forest of Spirits, he regards the party's wagon. I feel we maybe should leave this here, as it can only bog us down, and I've not the ability to help un-bog it, as it were. What do the rest of you think?

"I worry that, should we find the worst has occurred, we may need it to retrieve the remains of our allies."

Any further thoughts from others regarding the wagon question?

"Let's bring the wagon. Worst case, if we need to abandon it, we do."

"Yes, this sounds like a wise plan."