Dungeon Master S's "War for the Crown" AP

Game Master Chris Marsh

Bluff: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15

Corran thinks this is stupid, but knows that he's on the job here, and isn't outright horrified because nobody will be hurt--this is all a child's game really. He does his best to hide his loathing.

Kenton is aghast at the spectacle, but does his best to hide it.

Bluff: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (12) + 9 = 21

Xavien busies himself with the brandy and the eating, which he very much enjoys. He offers no explicit complaint about the "sport" at hand, though he does make a few off-hand comments (particularly near Baroness Voinam) expressing nostalgia and admiration for the "olden days" when the nobility would hunt boars on horseback, with spears and arrows, the risks be damned.

Bluff: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (7) + 10 = 17

Clarification question: Bartleby has promised to "absolve" the peasants... of what exactly? Or is this just a hope of money for them?

Every once in a while, Xavien gazes into a fire and tries to remember any songs about manticores. Kn Arcana: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4 But he does not.

Seems like hope of money. Will update tomorrow. Need to do some stuff first.

The Brashen Deeps are about an hour from the palace on foot. It’s a hilly pine forest run through with rocky creeks and shallow caves, and covered in low-lying ferns, chicory, and wild asparagus—a challenging environment in which to ride, let alone hunt.

Some 30 minutes after you enter this area, you hear a deafening roar, followed immediately by a scream for help. It's been a while since we used the map, and your characters are not currently accurate for HP (or likely marching order.) Check in and update. I'll move the scene when I get a chance today.

"How predictable," Xavien mutters darkly. "Looks like Lash the Manticore has not moved on, and our man is in trouble! Come on!" Xavien hurries forward towards the screaming, blade drawn.

Map updated, and HP updated for everybody.

Corran rides to the rescue!

The party rushes forth towards danger. After a few strides, the path widens, and there stands the source of the roar. This creature has a vaguely humanoid head, the body of a lion, and the wings of a dragon. Its tail ends in long, sharp spikes. It is covered in brutal scars; this beast has seen plenty of combat before!

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Round 1:
Party Conditions: None
Terrain: Areas with trees are considered Difficult Terrain
Battlemap

Leo: Go
Aurelia: Go
Ianthe: Go
The Iron Lash of Meratt: TBD
Xavien: TBD
Corran: TBD
Kenton: TBD

Aurelia quickly weaves a summoning spell, conjuring a wispy planar creature: an Air Elemental. Though small in size, Aurelia knows that it does not lack for mobility. With the elemental's attention she points at the manticore, then makes a half circle gesture as if to say, go behind it.

The elemental complies, swooping around behind the beast before striking with a cloud-like fist.
Slam vs Manticore: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26
Confirm Crit: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11
Damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
Crit Damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

She then moves to take cover behind the nearby shrubbery.

Surprisingly, Aurelia's summoned eagle draws a little blood!

The party rushes forth towards danger. After a few strides, the path widens, and there stands the source of the roar. This creature has a vaguely humanoid head, the body of a lion, and the wings of a dragon. Its tail ends in long, sharp spikes. It is covered in brutal scars; this beast has seen plenty of combat before!

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Round 1:
Party Conditions: None
Terrain: Areas with trees are considered Difficult Terrain
Battlemap

Leo: Go
Aurelia: Eagle
Ianthe: Go
The Iron Lash of Meratt: TBD
Xavien: TBD
Corran: TBD
Kenton: TBD

Ianthe calls on the winds of fate to guide her hands.

Portent: 1d20 ⇒ 4

Ianthe chants arcane words and pantomimes drawing a bow. As she does, a ghostly green great bow materializes in her hands, arrow knocked and ready. She takes aim and looses the arrow at the manticore.

Acid Arrow, ranged tough: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18
Damage: 2d4 ⇒ (3, 1) = 4

BOT LEO

Leo hustles forward, ready to take the first blow. Double move.

Leo closes as a dweomer-arrow flies forth from Ianthe. The acid clearly and persistently burns!

The creature takes to the sky, flying overhead and out of reach of Leo. It lands and snaps a tail spike out towards Ianthe:
ATK: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (3) + 10 = 13, but his foiled by her arcane defense!

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Round 1:
Party Conditions: None
Terrain: Areas with trees are considered Difficult Terrain
Battlemap

Leo: Close
Aurelia: Eagle
Ianthe: Bargle-spell
The Iron Lash of Meratt: ATK!
Xavien: Go
Corran: Go
Kenton: Go

The air elemental lashes out as the manticore takes to the air.
AoO: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10

Alas, the attack flies wide of the mark.

Xavien takes a deep breath, filling his lungs with the fresh forest air. The song he began at the joust was never finished, so he picks it up again, lacing a potent magic into his words.

"The signal made for fighting,
Fireballs began to roar,
Our champions numbered twenty-seven;
We shook that foreign shore!

"Arnisant on his horse so high
Aloud unto his men did cry,
'We'll vanquish them, my lads, or die!'
Oh brave Arnisant!"

The rhythm makes your heart beat faster, and you feel capable of anything. Well, except spellcasting. : )

Xavien moves in, sword at the ready, cutting through the brush as he needs to. Standard to begin Raging Song, move action to move.

Xavien looks around for their unfortunate "prey", but sees nothing. He then gives a raging song to strengthen the party.

Leo closes as a dweomer-arrow flies forth from Ianthe. The acid clearly and persistently burns!

The creature takes to the sky, flying overhead and out of reach of Leo. It lands and snaps a tail spike out towards Ianthe:
ATK: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (13) + 10 = 23, but his foiled by her arcane defense!

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Round 1:
Party Conditions: None
Terrain: Areas with trees are considered Difficult Terrain
Battlemap

Leo: Close
Aurelia: Eagle
Ianthe: Bargle-spell
The Iron Lash of Meratt: ATK!
Xavien: Skalding
Corran: Go
Kenton: Go

Corran steps in front of Ianthe and begins the Love Song of The Mantigre, weaving magic into it to Inspire Courage.

Kenton cautiously maneuvers in, drawing his rapier along the way (can't recall off the top of my head if manticores have reach, but if so Kenton will provoke on his last square of movement) and strikes!

MW rapier: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20
piercing: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

Reminded about buffs because I haz the dumb.

Kenton is inspired by both Corran's ode and by Xavien's jousting tune! And adds a +2 to that roll to hit (so 22, not 20), and +2 to the damage if it does in fact hit (so 9, not 7).

Corran brings forth some bardic inspiration, woven with the olde magick.

It is by that boon alone that Kenton connects with the Iron Lash!

Then, out of the bush runs your assigned "prey". He stupidly runs, AWAY, drawing the attention of the iron Lash.

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Round 2:
Party Conditions: None
Terrain: Areas with trees are considered Difficult Terrain
Battlemap

Leo: Go
Aurelia: go
Ianthe: Go
The Iron Lash of Meratt: TBD
Xavien: TBD
Corran: TBD
Kenton: TBD
Poor Sod: TBD

"Nine hells! Don't make it chase you!"

Aurelia maintains concentration on her summoned ally, who pursues the manticore and positions itself to flank with Kenton before attacking. It soaks up all the magical boons provided by Corran and Xavien.
Slam vs Manticore: 1d20 + 6 + 2 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 6 + 2 + 1 + 1 = 23
Damage: 1d4 + 1 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 + 1 + 1 = 7

The arcanist then makes a series of sweeping gestures as she draws upon the stored magical energy with her. Funneling it into her spell, a particularly slippery bit of grease appears beneath the Iron Lash of Meratt.
Cast Grease, DC 16 Reflex. She isusing a point from her Arcane Reservoir to bump the DC by 2.

This time the elemental connects, battering the beast with concentrated wind.

REF: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (8) + 9 = 17 It flaps its wings quickly enough to keep its feet as Aurelia greases the ground.

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Round 2:
Party Conditions: None
Terrain: Areas with trees are considered Difficult Terrain
Battlemap

Leo: Go
Aurelia: Magic
Ianthe: Go
The Iron Lash of Meratt: TBD
Xavien: TBD
Corran: TBD
Kenton: TBD
Poor Sod: TBD

Ianthe calls on the energy of the weave I know; wrong setting and conjures forth two spectral bowmen in Clement livery. She points at the manticore and the bowmen take aim. With vim, she clenches her hand into a fist, signaling the bowmen to loose their spectral arrows.

Magic Missile: 2d4 + 2 ⇒ (1, 1) + 2 = 4

Minor, but consistent. Ianthe sinks a pair of magical missiles into the beast's flank.

This time the elemental connects, battering the beast with concentrated wind.

REF: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (12) + 9 = 21 It flaps its wings quickly enough to keep its feet as Aurelia greases the ground.

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Round 2:
Party Conditions: None
Terrain: Areas with trees are considered Difficult Terrain
Battlemap

Leo: Go
Aurelia: Magic
Ianthe: MM
The Iron Lash of Meratt: TBD
Xavien: TBD
Corran: TBD
Kenton: TBD
Poor Sod: TBD

BOT LEO

With a furious yell (and hopefully drawing the Lash's attention back to closer prey), Leo charges back into the fight.

Short Sword @ Lash: 1d20 + 7 + 1 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 7 + 1 + 1 + 2 = 16
Damage + Sneak: 1d6 + 3 + 1 + 1 + 1d6 ⇒ (1) + 3 + 1 + 1 + (4) = 10

Leo's thrust isn't hard enough to get through the scarred hide of the Iron Lash!

It isn't enough to even draw the beast's attention. It takes off after the "prey" heedless of the opening it leaves....

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Round 2:
Party Conditions: None
Terrain: Areas with trees are considered Difficult Terrain
Battlemap
Leo: Miss AoO
Aurelia: Magic AoO from Elemental
Ianthe: MM
The Iron Lash of Meratt: Standard Action remaining
Xavien: TBD AoO
Corran: TBD
Kenton: TBD AoO
Poor Sod: TBD

Kenton AoO: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13
piercing: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

Energized by his own tale and Corran's harmonic melody, Xavien seizes the opportunity with both hands.

AoO @ Iron Lash: 1d20 + 7 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 7 + 1 + 2 = 28
Damage: 1d8 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 6 + 1 = 14

Kenton hits only air, but Xavien connects. The wound is light, but it's enough to ensnare the manticore's ire. The Iron Lash forgets about the easy prey and turns on Xavien.

Leo's thrust isn't hard enough to get through the scarred hide of the Iron Lash!

It isn't enough to even draw the beast's attention. It takes off after the "prey" heedless of the opening it leaves....

Biting Xavien: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (7) + 12 = 19 for DMG: 1d8 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13
REF: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (11) + 9 = 20

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Round 2:
Party Conditions: None
Terrain: Areas with trees are considered Difficult Terrain
Battlemap
Leo: Miss AoO
Aurelia: Magic AoO from Elemental
Ianthe: MM
The Iron Lash of Meratt: ATK
Xavien: Go
Corran: Go
Kenton: Go
Poor Sod: TBD

Corran moves up and casts an Ear-Piercing Scream at the creature!

DC14 Fort Save. Failure and it's Dazed and takes Sonic: 2d6 ⇒ (4, 6) = 10. Success means no daze and half damage.

Bardic Performance: 9/11

FORT: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (3) + 11 = 14 It's a long shot, and it almost works. Still Corran sees the beast's head shake as it tries to clear its ears.

Kenton hits only air, but Xavien connects. The wound is light, but it's enough to ensnare the manticore's ire. The Iron Lash forgets about the easy prey and turns on Xavien.

Leo's thrust isn't hard enough to get through the scarred hide of the Iron Lash!

It isn't enough to even draw the beast's attention. It takes off after the "prey" heedless of the opening it leaves....

Biting Xavien: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (14) + 12 = 26 for DMG: 1d8 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13

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Round 2:
Party Conditions: None
Terrain: Areas with trees are considered Difficult Terrain
Battlemap
Leo: Miss AoO
Aurelia: Magic AoO from Elemental
Ianthe: MM
The Iron Lash of Meratt: ATK
Xavien: Go
Corran: EPS
Kenton: Go
Poor Sod: TBD

Aurelia's elemental takes the opportunity it's been given...
Attack of Opportunity: 1d20 + 6 + 2 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 6 + 2 + 1 + 1 = 12

But it's more a flailing attempt than anything.

Xavien takes the blow in stride and rolls to his left. His song never slows down, and already his wounds are healing. Fast Healing 2 as per Skald's Vigor.

"He broke their line of battle,
And struck the fatal blow,
He threw some up into the air,
And some he crushed below.

"But when with victory on his side,
A dreadful spell his life destroyed,
He in the midst of glory died.
Oh brave Arnisant!"

He punctuates the last line with another thrust at the manticore, this time near the beast's scarred neck.

Longsword @ Iron Lash: 1d20 + 7 + 1 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 7 + 1 + 1 + 2 = 30 THREAT
Confirm?: 1d20 + 7 + 1 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 7 + 1 + 1 + 2 = 18 probably not
Damage: 1d8 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 6 + 1 = 10
If confirmed: 1d8 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 6 + 1 = 11

Xavien makes a solid hit, just a few inches shy of being able to sink the blade.

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Round 2:
Party Conditions: None
Terrain: Areas with trees are considered Difficult Terrain
Battlemap
Leo: Miss AoO
Aurelia: Magic
Ianthe: MM
The Iron Lash of Meratt: ATK
Xavien: Hit
Corran: EPS
Kenton: Go
Poor Sod: TBD

Leo takes a swing himself as a manticore moves...
Attack of Opportunity: 1d20 + 7 + 1 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 7 + 1 + 1 + 2 = 29
Damage (P + Sneak): 1d6 + 3 + 1 + 1 + 1d6 ⇒ (4) + 3 + 1 + 1 + (5) = 14

Leo also connects as the terrible beast shows its wounds. The party's hearts swell, there's a chance to fell this beast!

Xavien makes a solid hit, just a few inches shy of being able to sink the blade.

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Round 2:
Party Conditions: None
Terrain: Areas with trees are considered Difficult Terrain
Battlemap
Leo: Miss
Aurelia: Magic
Ianthe: MM
The Iron Lash of Meratt: ATK
Xavien: Hit
Corran: EPS
Kenton: Go
Poor Sod: TBD

Kenton maneuvers about, taking advantage of the friendly air elemental to avoid repercussions from his movement (only will provoke if the manticore has reach) and lashing out at The Iron Lash of Meratt.

MW rapier vs. flat-footed AC: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27 THREAT
confirm vs. flat-footed AC: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8 nyet
piercing: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Kenton risks the reposition. The risk pays off, even if the wound is extremely slight.

Panicking, the "prey" cuts back the other way instead of getting even more distance!

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Round 3:
Party Conditions: None
Terrain: Areas with trees are considered Difficult Terrain
Battlemap

Leo: Go
Aurelia: Go
Ianthe: Go
The Iron Lash of Meratt: TBD
Xavien: TBD
Corran: TBD
Kenton: TBD
Poor Sod: TBD

The air elemental continues to lash out at the manticore, looking to put the beast down.
Slam vs Manticore: 1d20 + 6 + 2 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 6 + 2 + 1 + 1 = 18
Damage: 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

Aurelia conjures another set of force darts, drawing stored magical energy to heighten their power. Using my Arcane Reservoir to bump caster level by 2
Magic Missile vs Manticore: 3d4 + 3 ⇒ (2, 4, 2) + 3 = 11

With her spectral Clement archers at the ready, Ianthe calls on her arcane reserves (using arcane bond) and launches another volley at the beast.

Magic Missile: 2d4 + 2 ⇒ (3, 1) + 2 = 6

The elemental has little luck, but Aurelia's missiles add up. The monster wobbles, and nearly falls

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Round 2:
Party Conditions: None
Terrain: Areas with trees are considered Difficult Terrain
Battlemap

Leo: Go
Aurelia: MM
Ianthe: Go
The Iron Lash of Meratt: TBD
Xavien: TBD
Corran: TBD
Kenton: TBD
Poor Sod: TBD

Ianthe's missiles finish the job! The Iron Lash falls to the ground with a crash and a death knell!

For your victory, each agent earns 400 XP.

Corran announces out to no one in particular.

Egads! 'Tis a shame we were sooooo occupied with this Manticore that we failed to notice anyone or anything else! Yes. 'Tis a real shame that anyone nearby escaped completely unnoticed by myself or my company!

He tosses his waterskin into the bushes.

OOPS I DROPPED MY WATERSKIN AND NOW IT'S GONE FOREVER!

"I have an alternative proposal," Xavien replies more quietly, dusting himself off. "We offer this gent 60 gold crowns to come along back to the castle. He is already caught, but can still get the income he needs, and we can stay in the older generation's good graces."

"For now, at least," he adds with a smirk.

We're coming back with a dead and infamous Manticore. Wouldn't it just be embarrassing to the Old Guard if we came back with a trussed-up-peasant as well? I'm skeptical of this plan.

"I have to agree with Lord Clement," Aurelia says, gesturing at the dead manticore. "I am certain this beast will overshadow the other hunters. If the goal is to show that we can acquit ourselves, we have ample proof right here."

"If anyone is asking me. The best plan is to gimme the 60 AND let me run!"

Aurelia chuckles. "We hadn't, but I suppose we should have. To that end, do you have a name?"

"I am Moffis of Cascina. And thank you for my life. Gods be praised."

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (5) + 10 = 15 Do I think Corran/Aurelia are guessing right about the older nobles' reactions?

"Well, whatever we decide, we have time to talk. You may come out of the bushes, Moffis of Cascina. What brings you to this mode of employment?"