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

Game Master Chris Marsh

"With pleasure!" Xavien cries. He takes a step towards the north shore, then pauses and half-turns to ask, "What know you of it?"

Dungeoneering from Description: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (17) + 11 = 28

Local: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16

I suspect our new friend is not as she appears. Can I recognize any signs of shapeshifting or illusion?

"It is an ochre jelly. Ochre jellies are animate masses of protoplasm with a sickly combination of yellow, orange, and brown hues. Their acidic bodies dissolve flesh but leave other materials, including a victim’s gear and bones, intact. Some ancient cultures would entomb bodies in stone sarcophaguses with ochre jellies to allow the ooze to break down the flesh and clean and polish the bones."

Xavien knows that Slashing weapons, piercing weapons, and electricity attacks deal no damage to an ochre jelly.... AND causes it to split into two equally dangerous jellies.

Corran's intuition serves him well... but he's at a loss for what's actually going on.

Xavien bows again. "My thanks, Lady. Stow your blades and arrows, friends!" He looks about for a bit of driftwood to use as a club. "Buying" a club for 0 gp.

Kenton wordlessly joins Xavien in his search, hoping to find one of his own. Although he does possess a light mace, so perhaps less of an issue for Kenton.

Corran tunes his lute.

No Falcata just means it's time to get down.

Let's grab a club anyway.

Walking to a song by Corran, the party heads around to the northernmost reach of the lake. After a few minutes of nothing.... the water starts to bubble....

INITIATIVE:
Enemy: 1d20 - 3 ⇒ (10) - 3 = 7
Aurelia: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (20) + 0 = 20
Corran: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7
Ianthe: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9
Kenton: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21
Xavien: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21

Round 1:
Kenton: Go
Xavien: Go
Aurelia: Go
Ianthe: Go
Corran: Go
???: TBD

"Remember! No blades! No arrows! No lightning!" Xavien moves 'round to stand in front of the ladies and starts up with a shanty of his own.

Xavien's current AC is 14, Touch 10, FF 13.

The Diamond is a ship, my lads, for the Hesp'reth Strait she's bound,
And the quay it is all garnished with bonny lasses 'round.
Captain Montlaur gives the order to sail the ocean wide,
Where the sun it never sets, my lads, no darkness dims the sky.

And it's cheer up my lads, let your hearts never fail,
For the bonny ship, the Diamond, goes a-fishing for a tale!

Xavien gets the party ready for the creature's approach!

Round 1:
Kenton: Go
Xavien: Skald-fu
Aurelia: Go
Ianthe: Go
Corran: Go
???: TBD

Kenton strides forward, his masterwork mace already in hand at the first sign of trouble, getting in a front line with Xavien, and prepares for the assault.

"If it's all the same to you, I'd like to keep it from getting close," Aurelia says before hurling three magic force bolts at the thing.
Magic Missile: 3d4 + 3 ⇒ (1, 2, 1) + 3 = 7

Corran tunes his instrument and begins a low rhythmic chant to Inspire Courage and searches for a sign of the creature in the water.

Move action to spot... Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14 The Headers in my posts say +7 but for the life of me I don't know why. Maybe I'm missing something.

Kenton and Corran both prepare. Lady Aurelia readies to cast a spell when the target presents itself...

Corran can't see under the surface of the water to see it...

Round 1:
Kenton: Ready
Xavien: Skald-fu
Aurelia: Ready
Ianthe: Go
Corran: Bard
???: TBD

Ianthe follows her friend's example, ready to loose missiles of magic at whatever may arise.

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

Ianthe opens with a sure thing. The missiles connect, and it's obvious that this is a particularly nasty jelly. When it emerges from the water, it's also MUCH bigger! It slides up to the shore...

Round 2:
Kenton: Go
Xavien: Go
Aurelia: Go
Ianthe: Go
Corran: Go
???: TBD

Xavien cuts southwest to the lake's edge, then approaches the jelly from the west. He belts out the next verse all the while.

Along the quays of Westport's edge, the lasses they stand around,
Their shawls all pulled about them and the salt tears running down.
Now don't you weep, my bonny lass, though you be left behind,
For the rose will bloom on Whitethrone's ice before we change our mind.

And it's cheer up my lads, let your hearts never fail,
For the bonny ship, the Diamond, goes a-fishing for a tale!

He cracks the club down on the jelly as a percussive accompaniment to tale!

Club @ Jelly: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 7 + 2 = 17
Bludgeoning: 1d6 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 6 + 2 = 13

Kenton lets Xavien's poetry move through him as he charges forth.

light mace w/charge, inspire courage, raging song, Reckless Abandon: 1d20 + 6 + 2 + 1 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 6 + 2 + 1 + 1 + 1 = 21
bludgeoning: 1d6 + 2 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 2 + 1 + 1 = 9

Effective AC is 18, effective Will save +5, 4 "temp" hp.

EDIT: as anal as I am about Raging Song, I neglected to include Inspire Courage in my rolls. GM willing, please add +1 to ATK (18) and DMG (14).

Xavien and Kenton both find that the jelly is extremely easy to hit, only dumb luck would prevent them from connecting. They also find out it's really tough though!

Round 2:
Kenton: Hit
Xavien: Hit
Aurelia: Go
Ianthe: Go
Corran: Go
???: TBD

Aurelia repeats her gestures from moments before, conjuring a trio of missiles and releasing them to strike the ooze.
Magic Missile w/Arcane Reservoir vs Ooze: 3d4 + 3 ⇒ (3, 4, 1) + 3 = 11

She also takes a moment to try and identify the creature.
Knowledge (Dungeoneering - Untrained): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19

Aurelia's missiles strike true. Any normal jelly of this kind would be dead by now, but she doesn't learn anything that Xavien and the swan lady already shared.

"It is an ochre jelly. Ochre jellies are animate masses of protoplasm with a sickly combination of yellow, orange, and brown hues. Their acidic bodies dissolve flesh but leave other materials, including a victim’s gear and bones, intact. Some ancient cultures would entomb bodies in stone sarcophaguses with ochre jellies to allow the ooze to break down the flesh and clean and polish the bones."

Xavien knows that Slashing weapons, piercing weapons, and electricity attacks deal no damage to an ochre jelly.... AND causes it to split into two equally dangerous jellies.

Corran's intuition serves him well... but he's at a loss for what's actually going on.

Round 2:

Corran continues his song and rips out a particularly nasty riff and he silently screams at the ooze!

Ear-Piercing Scream at The Ooze. The sound waves can still get ya, even if you have no ears.

Fort Save for Half, Fail and full Damage and DAZED.

Sonic Damage: 2d6 ⇒ (3, 6) = 9, DC 15

He throws up the horns for good measure.

FORT: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (3) + 10 = 13 Corran's spell completely stops the jelly for a few moments!

Round 2:

Kenton: Hit
Xavien: Hit
Aurelia: MM
Ianthe: Go
Corran: The Weirding Way
???: TBD

Not otherwise prepared for such a foe, Ianthe calls on the chains of sorcery binding her to her tome and launches another round of missiles at the blob.

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

Ianthe's missiles slam into the blob. It takes a moment to recover from the silent scream, giving the agents an opening!

Round 3:

Kenton: Go
Xavien: Go
Aurelia: Go
Ianthe: Go
Corran: Go
???: TBD

Not one to waste an opening, Xavien *thwacks* the blob once more!

Club @ Jelly: 1d20 + 7 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 7 + 2 + 1 = 23
Bludgeoning: 1d6 + 6 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 6 + 2 + 1 = 15

Here's health to the Resolution, likewise the Rising Swan,
Here's a health to the Battler of Star Bay and the Diamond, ship of fame.
We wear the trousers of the green, the jackets of the blue,
When we return to Westport, lads, we'll have sweethearts anew.

And it's cheer up my lads, let your hearts never fail,
For the bonny ship, the Diamond, goes a-fishing for a tale!

Kenton doesnt hesitate, striking at the ooze again.

light mace w/inspire courage, raging song, Reckless Abandon: 1d20 + 6 + 1 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 6 + 1 + 1 + 1 = 22
bludgeoning: 1d6 + 2 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 2 + 1 + 1 = 7

Effective AC is 20, effective Will save +5, 4 "temp" hp.

Aurelia waits until the last possible moment before once more hurling magic missiles at the jelly.
Magic Missile vs Ochre Jelly: 3d4 + 3 ⇒ (4, 1, 1) + 3 = 9

The jelly never stood a chance. Xavien's smack is more than enough. Kenton hits the goop for good measure, but Aurelia stops before committing her spell.

Each agent earns 480 XP.

"Well done, well done all!" Xavien cheers. He pokes gingerly around in the goop, in case any valuables have survived its acidic touch. Tauntaun chest!

Once it dies, it completely falls apart. There's nothing within

"Let us give the Lady the good news." If he can, Xavien scoops a bit of jelly into a jar as proof.

You've got a jar on your character sheet? ;-) Xavien grabs proof before returning to Swan Maiden....

Upon returning to her part of the lake, the maiden rises without being called. She knows when someone approaches.

"The lake is healing, I feel it. I thank you. My name is Atratus. Tell me of your story." Sigh, language nerd in me: Atratus means "he who is dressed in black for mourning.

You've got a jar on your character sheet? ;-) Xavien grabs proof before returning to Swan Maiden....

I have a canteen, a mug, and several filled flasks (acid, alchemist's fire, bladeguard, marker dye) that I would happily empty if necessary.

"Well met again, Lady Atratusa," Xavien smiles and bows. He pauses before beginning the tale, to give Aurelia or Corran the opportunity to take up that mantle first...

Corran accompanies Xavien.

"Maiden of The Wilds, we are children of this land. Children of the Nation of Taldor. And we serve the dream of a new Taldor."

He holds a hand up. "The People."

He holds up his other. "The Land."

"And for many an age, the People have neglected their duties. We labor, together, to make amends if we can. I am Corran, Family Clement. My sister, Ianthe. My Friends Xavien, Kenton and Aurelia. We are... Well, we're becoming something like family. We serve the rightful Grand Princess of Taldor. I will save you the petty details of succession and politics. What is important is that we have come to these parts to care for the people and the land here, to make good on the responsibility we hold as Wardens and Protectors. We will tell you our tale. And though Xavien and I can sing you many songs and spin you even more yarns--as we will do now--I beseech thee: Let our deeds speak for us. We are the people. (holds up his hand again) This is the land. (holds up the other). And this (clasps his hands together) Is The Bargain."

Xavien and Corran, together, start recounting the Ball and the days that follow. Corran smiles as he answers any questions, and he watches Atratusa for signs of what she's enjoying, and he'll steer the performance towards what gets the strongest emotional response.

Performance/Diplomacy: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (16) + 13 = 29 If needed.

Aurelia listens to Corran's words and, when he finishes, gives the man an approving nod. Well said, Corran. Wow. Well said.

Xavien, too, nods along at Corran's words. When he finishes, Xavien follows up with a bit of the nitty-gritty. "Well said indeed, Corran! If I may add: like you, we know that Bartleby is not fit to govern---he serves neither the People nor the Land, only himself. Though we fight only a shadow-war with him as of yet, laying the groundwork, it is our aim to remove him from his seat, such that the People and the Land may enjoy a new era of peace and prosperity."

Aid Another: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20 or more if Performance

Atratusa listens silently.... then vanishes below the water....

The water begins to bubble and roil. Moments later a waterlogged chest emerges. The lid flies open, spraying lake water. Inside is a curious assortment of gears, mechanisms, oils, and tools.

Atratus emerges, standing comfortably on the surface of the lake, "I have seized these things from poachers over the years. Take it and make good on your hopeful words." You can sell this directly for 1,000 GP, or use it towards 3,000 GP worth of upgrades.

She then draws forth a delicate-looking porcelain mask and offers to you. "I know not what this does, but I know that it is important... I offer it to you as my personal thanks. I know only that it was once worn by a singer whose voice left kings weeping and mountains low."

This achievement earns you 1 Loyalty Point and 480 XP each.

"Go now agents of change. I must see to the lake, but know that you are a friend to me, and therefore safe here."

Kenton does not applaud, nor does he clap Corran on the back, but he voices his approval. Excellently stated, Lord Clement, he says warmly, and an honest assessment of our intentions, I believe.

He looks over the contents of the chest, impressed but largely at a loss to know what is what. This appears...useful.

Xavien takes the porcelain with a deep bow. "Our thanks, Lady!" He sees Aurelia's hungry eyes feasting on the mask's beauty, and hands it to her with a laugh. "More your style and taste than mine, I think. You shall wear it well."

To Kenton, he offers an enthusiastic "Aye! I have no doubt these implements can facilitate some improvements to the local farms, or the pump house perhaps."

Speaking of the Pump House: GM, are the Advanced Pump House repairs still "locked"? If not, is the 4,500 price still correct given Xavien's previous nat-20 Knowledge check of Engineering 31? If not, what is the new correct price?

"Let us make for Sotto. The moon will be full soon. Unless anyone would care to stop in Lotheedar en route?"

The party heads to Sotto in time or the next full moon. The welcome is much, much warmer this time. After a shared feast, the town elders present the party with a cloak fashioned from Halmash’s pelt and teeth.

"We call this, the Lycanbane's Cloak."

Xavien takes the cloak in his hands, feeling the richness of the fur and admiring the quality of the craftsmanship. "A gift fit for a king!" he smiles, and offers a low bow. "A true kindness, indeed, for which we are grateful. May Erastil bless your hunts for many years to come!"

Remembering something, the young lord reaches into a pocket and draws out a silver necklace with a hawk pendant. "In return, we offer you this heirloom, which we recovered from Halmash's den. I believe it belongs to one of your kin, Amallah, whom Halmash wronged to set you on this path."

They look over the pendant, "This is not one of our kin's. We suggest you keep it and fund yourselves with it."

Xavien frowns, somewhat confused. "Very well," he says hesitantly, and puts the pendant away. "In any case, we are grateful for your hospitality and your gift."

To Lotheedar.

Situated on the banks of Lake Stavian and named for the Lotheed family, Lotheedar is the largest town in the county of Meratt and supports a variety of industries, from timber and brewing to trade and smithing.

Before you have a chance to go anywhere, a messenger approaches, "Excuse me. I am here to formally invite you to a meeting with Archbanker Lady Paril at your earliest convenience."

What now agents?