GM supervillan's Jarlsblood Witch Saga [Outpost IV] (Inactive)

Game Master supervillan

Myth will fire at the remaining one, if it’s still standing...

To Hit: Base/Dex, Magic, Weapon Focus, Precise Shot, Deadeye Bowman, Favored Enemy, Rapid Shot
Damage: Magic, Strength, Favored Enemy

Magic Longbow: 1d20 + 10 + 1 + 1 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (10) + 10 + 1 + 1 + 2 - 2 = 22
Magic/Cold Iron Damage: 1d8 + 1 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 1 + 2 + 2 = 7

Magic Longbow: 1d20 + 10 + 1 + 1 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (12) + 10 + 1 + 1 + 2 - 2 = 24
Magic/Cold Iron Damage: 1d8 + 1 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 1 + 2 + 2 = 9

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The pathfinders surround the frozen undead...

Grunjar bestows Desna's grace upon Minata-san and limbers up his hammer.

Ryu crit confirm, bit of luck: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 = 11
Ryu iterative attack, bit of luck: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

The yojimbo's blade strikes cleanly, but his follow up is wild and misses.

Klaus goes through Grunjar to make a ferocious attack on the undead. But he, too, sacrifices too much control and fails to land a blow.

Myth maintains his average, a single arrow crunching into the enemy.

Lucifer aims a low stab - and at least, with the undead's attention on ducking deadly blades and ectoplasmic fists, he makes a telling blow.

sneak attack: 4d6 ⇒ (5, 4, 3, 1) = 13

Inga aims a deadly crossbow bolt, but finds that she can see too little of the enemy past her heavily-armoured allies. Cover.

Rallas fails to repeat his earlier feat of swordsmanship.

The undead moans again, and swipes its frozen fists at Ryu again...

slam vs Ryu: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (1) + 11 = 12damage: 1d4 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8cold damage: 1d6 ⇒ 2

The monster is overbalanced, trying to reach too many opponents. Groaning hatefully, it backs away, but it remains in the melee.

Combat round 4 / 5

Myth
Lucifer
Inga
Rallas
blue, -53hp
Grunjar
Minata Ryu, -14hp, 1 negative level
Klaus

The bold may act!

Rallas slides over behind the undead and lashes out with his blade.

attack1: 1d20 + 15 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 15 + 2 = 242d8 + 7 ⇒ (7, 6) + 7 = 204d6 ⇒ (1, 1, 1, 5) = 8
attack2: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (12) + 10 = 222d8 + 7 ⇒ (5, 3) + 7 = 154d6 ⇒ (6, 3, 3, 5) = 17
if either hit, add +1 damage per hit because of studied target as an immediate

Ryuunosuke was happy that he was not hit by the foe as he continued to attack it.

Nodachi: 1d20 + 11 - 2 ⇒ (17) + 11 - 2 = 261d10 + 14 ⇒ (7) + 14 = 21
Nodachi: 1d20 + 6 - 2 ⇒ (16) + 6 - 2 = 201d10 + 14 ⇒ (9) + 14 = 23
Nodachi rerolls: 1d20 + 11 - 2 ⇒ (17) + 11 - 2 = 261d10 + 14 ⇒ (8) + 14 = 22
Nodachi rerolls: 1d20 + 6 - 2 ⇒ (11) + 6 - 2 = 151d10 + 14 ⇒ (7) + 14 = 21
Guessing swing and a miss.

Snarling with anger, Klaus pummels the skeletal warrior.
Ectoplasmic Slam & Power Atk & Vital Strike & Flank: 1d20 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 9 + 2 = 21
Bludgeon & PA: 4d8 + 10 ⇒ (2, 4, 8, 8) + 10 = 32

Ectoplasmic Slam & Power Atk & Flank: 1d20 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 9 + 2 = 30
Bludgeon & PA: 2d8 + 10 ⇒ (6, 6) + 10 = 22

Grunjar provides another bit of luck to Minata.

"Finish it! Whatever it is..."

@Rallas: I think you might have forgotten to add the flanking bonus for your second attack roll. Can you check? It could be the difference between hit and miss...

Inga moves to a spot past Lucifer where she has a better view of the creature. She quickly loads another bolt (rapid reload) and aims for the sternum again.
+2 Lt. X-bow & Deadly Aim & PBS: 1d20 + 12 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 12 - 2 + 1 = 26
piercing & DA & PBS: 1d8 + 2 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 2 + 4 + 1 = 9

i did...good catch, man...24 total then

In a storm of blades and bolts, the pathfinders cut down the undead! It falls, and the cold blue light goes out from its eyes. It is once more nothing but broken bones and frozen flesh.

Combat over!

I'll post again later today.

Rallas kicks the weapons away from the creatures...on the off chance they come back to unlife. He looks around for anything they had that is useful.

Myth, you all right? Look kind of pale there...

Myth nods. "Never touched me...I'm good..."

The rogue looks around, checking the area for anything significant...

Perception: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (13) + 13 = 26

"I felt cold, excused me "chilled" to the bone when it touched me." Ryuuosuke said as the creature laid at his feet.

"Minasa, you look like you could use some healing... here, take this!"

Grunjar hands the samurai(?) a wand of infernal healing.

"Unfortunately, I cannot use this kind of magic at all - but you do not have this restriction, do you?"

I cannot do anything on my own about the negative level as I do not have access to restoration, it's above my CL. But I could use a scroll of restoration if Minata buys one. Or I use Rallas' scroll right now and Minata buys another when we are back in town...

Accepting the wand, Ryuunosuke looked it over to get an idea of its power. "The Marquis has a bit of a problem with spells of that nature but I do not. Thank you Grunjar." he said, giving it a few tests before the wand triggers.

UMD: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (9) + 13 = 22

I guess hold off on restoration until I have to make the save since I have +10 on the save before any other additions to it. If needed, I still have my reroll at +1.

derp...i meant Ryu not myth...brainfart

We'll have to throw some Guidance, luck, and whatever else we can on that Fort save. Luckily, Ryu does have a re-roll. If that fails, it's only 4 Prestige to remove a negative level.

Retrieving his xbow, he sighs as he looks down on the frozen undead remains. "Nasty creatures. Not the worse I've come across, but still nasty."

I wondered why Grunjar was carrying an evil-stick ;)

In Ryu's hands the devil-wand slowly mends as much of his wound as is possible, but a lingering weakness remains. A negative level reduces your Max HP by 5, so you're at 58/62hp now Ryuunosuke.

These halls contain numerous alcoves that hold ancient human remains. In many cases, the only remnants are the skulls carefully arranged on shelves. Several dozen other bodies were interred whole, and the perpetually chilly catacombs have dramatically slowed decomposition such that many of the bodies still have some skin and hair remaining.

The destroyed undead have no gear other than rusty, but functional, chain shirts.

Earlier...

Inga gives a side glance at the mention of the infernal healing wand. She scoffs in disapproval when Ryu studies it.

Be careful, Ryu. Klaus gets quite angry around evil creatures and people.
She give a reassuring nod towards Klaus, giving him the sense that everything is alright. She then gives Ryu a little smirk.

With a look of concern, she addresses Grunjar.
Why carry such a diabolical piece of magic? It doesn't seem right for a worshipper of Desna. You do know you can get celestial healing, right?

We should be very careful as we move further in.

Rallas fusses about with his gear.

The noise from further in is still going on...we should make haste..

Inga pauses for a moment and turns an ear towards the passage where the sounds are coming from.
Yes. I hear it too. I had assumed earlier it were those two undead we just destroyed. I thought maybe they were sparring in mock combat.

As she begins to move down the cavern, Junia tugs on Inga's sleeve.
Yes, dear? Are you alright?
She looks down and Junia stares back up at her then points at Rallas.
Inga furrows her brow as she notices Rallas attempting to hide a wand up his sleeve.
Oh, Rallas. Not you, too. Is that a wand of infernal healing?
With a frown, she shakes her head in disappointment.
I can sense... someone, or... something, that is all-powerful and possibly controlling what we see and do here also disapproves. I'm sensing the words "evil-stick". Yes. That's what I am sensing. "Evil-stick". And... "Devil-wand".

Well, enough from me. Just do be careful with those wands. And, let's all be careful for whatever is down that passage.

I read a big thread here, about celestial & infernal healing. It's pretty funny how bad celestial healing is compared to infernal healing.

I got it at a discount? I was a struggling agent at the time... the elf shrugs.

He sneaks down the hallway, blade ready.

stealth: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (4) + 17 = 21
perception: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (7) + 19 = 26

i have my ioun torch out too btw...

Earlier...

With a look of concern, she addresses Grunjar.
Why carry such a diabolical piece of magic? It doesn't seem right for a worshipper of Desna. You do know you can get celestial healing, right?

"Well, I came upon it after my first adventure. I was really struggling to maintain the health of three to five nigh-suicidal tomb robbers fellow agents determined to deplete it at all costs.* Naturally, I looked for anything that could help with that. A wand can always be given to an agent who is trained in the use of magic devices. Out of combat this spell is far more efficient than CLW. So I thought: Even if I cannot use this magic, it still can be used for good.

*quoted freely from The Order of the Stick :-D

Well, in any case, I wonder what kind of undead these are, or were? A touch that corrupts the living and claws of ice. Interesting...

We should be very careful as we move further in.

"I agree, countess. It really bugs me that I still do not know what these creatures are..."

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11

As Grunjar follows Inga he does not notice Rallas' struggle. Only after seeing Junia pointing and hearing the elf also getting "the talk" from Inga, he realizes that Rallas seems to have a similar wand.

Oh, so the little one is a tattletale - good to know...

I got it at a discount? I was a struggling agent at the time... the elf shrugs.

Grunjar turns to Inga again and adds with a defensive smile: "Eh, and what Rally said, of course."

Lucifer joins the others, making haste, to the sounds of battle in the northeast.

Don't be too hasty, Luci. There's a passage over that way that doesn't appear to head deeper.
She takes a step forward and points to the passage directly east.
Oh! There's a small opening over here, too.
She says as she points to an opening in the cavern wall directly south that appears to open into a small chamber.
Shall we investigate these areas before heading deeper?

Shall we investigate these areas before heading deeper?

"Yes, countess, I think we should do that. Would not want to be surprised by another one - or more! - of these creatures. And who knows what else is hiding there..."

"We will not know until we find out Grunjar." Runnosuke said as he handed back the wand. "Let us check the areas near here before we walk into another ambush."

Myth nods, draws his bow and moves to check out the eastern passage...

Stealth: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (4) + 21 = 25
Perception: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (17) + 13 = 30

Inga takes a few steps back so her light isn't illuminating the eastern passage as Myth slinks into the darkness.
Klaus, keep an eye on him in case he runs into trouble.
She whispers.

Myth, I noticed you didn't move your token so I went ahead and moved it since I had to move mine, also.

Klaus nods at Inga's suggestion.
He crouches as he moves quietly down the eastern passage several paces behind Myth.
Stealth: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (5) + 11 = 16
He stops as he gets just beyond the magical light of Inga's wayfinder. As his vision adjusts to the darkness, he peers ahead, keeping an eye on Myth and for any creatures that may lurk ahead in the darkness.

Grunjar moves a bit east and peers into the southern small chamber.

Perception with darkvision: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26 (+2 for stonecunning if applicable)

Stealth - ACP: 1d20 + 0 - 5 ⇒ (2) + 0 - 5 = -3 (if necessary)

Inga chuckles at the sound Grunjar's clanky armor makes as he walks towards the entry to the small chamber.
Are you banging on a kettle with a metal spoon while you try to be sneaky? I think you just increased our chances for a wandering monster by fifty percent.
She says with a mirthful grin.

Inga chuckles at the sound Grunjar's clanky armor makes as he walks towards the entry to the small chamber.

Are you banging on a kettle with a metal spoon while you try to be sneaky? I think you just increased our chances for a wandering monster by fifty percent.
She says with a mirthful grin.

LOL! Reminds me of this...

"Who says I was trying to be sneaky? That's not my job here..."
Grunjar looks puzzled.
"And if a wandering monster comes along, well, I think we are capable to deal with it."

It's almost quoted from KotDT Maybe Nodwick?, i think. I'll see if I can did it up. I was a lifetime subscriber to Dragon mag & Dungeon mag back in the day.

Inga and Grunjar find nothing in the small cavern, but Myth spies two skeletons on the floor to the east. He considers opening fire, but the skeletons are not moving and one of them lies face down - it seems they are merely human remains, not undead.

Investigating further, Myth finds an inscription scratched roughly into the wall above the face-down skeleton. Written in Common, it says: “Alvard knew the woods well. It’s where he hunted his linnorm, he said. We laid our ambush, but fey attacked. They shouted he betrayed them. Could see in his face he knew and was afraid. A screaming elk, ice for eyes. Kolvi. She was best with an axe, took away the king’s head. Can’t find our way back. Armour belongs in the family....dying...” There are illegible scrawlings at the end of the message, as though the author wanted to say more but was unable. The skeleton below wears surprisingly clean, untarnished chainmail.

The second skeleton clutches a horn in his bony hand. It too bears an inscription: “This horn was from a linnorm Alvard killed. He was a good warrior but fearful—always talked of the linnorm coming back. Jumped every time I blew the horn. Did he fear Kolvi being a king? Or did he fear the linnorm being back? He never was right after the hunt.”

Everytime Grunjar checks an item, he casts guidance on himself before he casts detect magic.

Knowledge: Arcana t+guidance: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 4 + 1 = 20
Spellcraft+guidance: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 5 + 1 = 18
Spellcraft+guidance: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 5 + 1 = 10

"I cannot make sense of these items, but I think you all should have a look - they seem important. Countess, if you please..."

Everytime anyone else wants to check an item, he casts guidance on her/him. This might be important and if somebody else stands a good chance (Inga?), Grunjar can also give them two bits of luck.

This is all very interesting. The inscription. It seems King Alvard very much did encroach on Olissara's domain. The fey tried to drive him out. They didn't want their land despoiled by humans. Makes sense. It's such a beautiful land. The linnorm he hunted was a native of this land. Basically, Alvard was poaching and Kolvi was protecting the land.

I'll copy these inscriptions. In fact, a rubbing of the original script might be a good idea. Looks like a good job for you, Junia. Just take some charcoal and parchment and make a rubbing of the inscription.

Inga goes over to inspect the armor and the horn, and tries to make sense of things with her knowledge of the arcane.
These items are beautiful. Very well crafted and obviously magical. Let's see what I can discern from these.

Guidance included in each roll. Let me know which rolls to use Bit of Luck on.
Know: Arcana : 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 7 + 1 = 27
Using Grave Treader's Inspiration (from chronicle #16) on Knowledge: Arcana.
Grave Treader's Inspiration: 1d6 ⇒ 4

Spellcraft (horn): 1d20 + 10 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 10 + 1 = 27
Spellcraft (armor): 1d20 + 10 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 10 + 1 = 20

Holy Cow! I used Grave Treader's Inspiration before even seeing my roll! Lucky.

Ahh. This a Horn of the Huntmaster. (See spoiler above). From the horn's inscription, it appears the king might have suffered from the linnorm’s death curse, though the haunting nature of the curse seems atypical for most linnorms.

Of course. King Alvard was cursed.

K:Nobility: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12
P:Soldier: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12
Looking over the armor, Ryunnosuke tried to see if there was any markings at that might help identify the remains that was wearing it.

Ryuunosuke can only tell that the enchanted mail is of an Ulfen design. He does notice a few Coalbraid arrowheads, and a rusted Coalbraid spearhead, closeby.

"Looks like they are related to the Coalbraids, can someone wrap the bodies so we can have them properly buried?" Ryuunosuke said, not wanting to touch them himself.

Inga turns to Ryu.
Once we're finished exploring these caverns, we should then take the bodies outside and have a funerary pyre. Grunjar can guide us in the rites and prayers for the departed so that they may find their way safely to the afterlife.
She turns towards Klaus and solemnly lowers her head for a moment.

Turning to Ryu and the others, she continues.
I'm sure these poor souls will not mind if we borrow their items while we are here. Afterwards, however, I do wish to return the items to the families.

That;s the right thing to do. If the families take them, that is. There might be a stigma attached to them if they have been tainted by the evil spirits. Likely a superstition on their part...but they are a superstitious folk...

Gathering up the magical items, and intent on giving a proper funerary service to the fallen later on, you head deeper into the catacombs towards the sounds of fighting.

Any 1-minute duration wand buffs have expired, but you may refresh them before continuing.

The three light-footed pathfinders go a little ahead.

They go quietly, and as they descend the short stairway their vision picks out a horrifying figure - a headless warrior, clad in heavy armour and wielding an oversized axe with wicked spikes, paces the chamber. It turns towards you and raises its axe...

Combat round 1

Myth
Grunjar
Klaus
Inga
Headless King
Lucifer
Ryu

The bold may act!

What is the Headless King?

assuming that Myth will warn us

Grunjar moves through Rallas' square to get a look at the creature and ends his movement behind Lucifer.

Knowledge: Religion t: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (10) + 9 = 19
D'oh! This is probably important, so I'm using the boon Heavenly Scholar (usable after the roll) to add 1D6 to the roll:
Heavenly Scholar: 1d6 ⇒ 2 Phew! At least Grunjar knows something about it...

One glance is more than enough for Grunjar to recognise the type of the creature immediately. ;-)
He quickly tells the others what he knows: "This is an undead draugr captain! They are powerful fighters with an affinity to water, so be very careful!" You may read the DC 21 spoiler above.

Afterwards he casts bless on the party. Duration is 6 minutes.

I feel left out....*sniff*...forgotten...*whaaaaa*

I feel left out....*sniff*...forgotten...*whaaaaa*

There, there...*pats Rallas' head* I'm sure our GM supervillan :-o did not mean to exclude you on purpose. I mean, names are just words, right? Anyhow, if it's that important to you, I think you may act right after Klaus and before Inga. ;-)

yeah...i was just messing...lol

before they head further, Rallas tries to top up his buffs.

shield umd: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (17) + 13 = 30
leadblades umd: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (13) + 13 = 26
sweet...ac is 27 again...

Hearing Grunjar's words and sensing the taint of undeath, Klaus emits a low and soft howl much like a wolf alerting his pack.

Haa-woooooo.

He then begins to pant heavily as he bulges out his chest, readying for battle.
After a brief pause, he turns to Inga with an expectant stare.

Inga shakes her head with that "No, not yet" look. Klaus gives Rallas a hard pat on the back, slightly thrusting the elf forward.
You're up.
He growls.

Klaus will delay until after Rallas.

I feel left out....*sniff*...forgotten...*whaaaaa*

Hearing the elf sob behind her, Inga cocks an eye at Rallas and is all, like...

Now go knock him dead. Err, Dead-er.

Inga moves to the edge of the cavern steps leading down into darkness. Shining the light from her wayfinder ahead, she doesn't see anything in the inky blackness.