Might and magic, Lords of the Contested Lands

Game Master Chyrone

I'll go check it out says Astella.

Stealth: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20

Astella quietly moves to near the bend of the path, sticking close to the wall, as it were, when carefully peeking around the corner.

She sees 4 zombies slowly moving into the direction the group is coming from.

They will come around the corner next turn. Everyone can take 1 round of actions before the zombies meet your group.

”A fool I am! I should have bought an axe when I had the chance.” Brunhild moaned. ”But if they are coming from where we are coming from, then let’s double time away. Zombies aren’t fast, aye? We can avoid this fight.”

Hearing Astella's warning, Estelle nods and casts Divine Favor on herself, then moves forward to per herself between the elf and the undead. "Got it. Keep an eye on the sky just in case!" she calls back, hoping the archers could handle the flying Wights they were warned about, should those appear.

Estelle equips the weapon the zombies are weak to. I believe they were weak against slashing, which would be the bardiche. I can't find the post.

what, no! What about the cliche trope of accidental tumble leads to improper/misleading situation just as one of the other members walks in!? Also, on a more serious note, sorry I missed a post yesterday, was exhausted and blacked out once I got back from work and after dealing with a couple of really annoying and time consuming home related issues.

1d20 ⇒ 18

for the night-
Daniel would have, after a bit of stuttering, offered to set up a sort of curtain if she wanted, using a rope and cloth. Assuming there were two beds otherwise he'd have been visibly perturbed and red and likely have slept on the floor if not declined the situation all together. Lets assume it was a little awkward at first, but they got to talking about other things, probably Daniel would end up talking about his hometown (possibly a poor topic, considering), but manages to recover in his usual "charming" way. I doubt that'll be the only chance for awkward rooming based shenanigans. Especially with the other two around. Estelle would likely easily tell he was mildly happy about the situation, all things considered.

The following day, Daniel would likely have been up and out before the others, and if possible, would have bought a morning star before leaving.

I'll not leave these abominations to wreak havoc on those that cannot flee from or fight them. We deal with them now. He seems resolute in his choice, and when Estelle seems to reinforce it he follows quickly after and would move to stand beside Estelle and ready his blade.

readied attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20
damage: 1d8 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 3 + 2 = 11

”A fool I am! I should have bought an axe when I had the chance.” Brunhild moaned.

"If it comes down to it, use one of the daggers to cut them! We have some pretty sharp ones in the packs!" Estelle calls back, then nods to Daniel at her side as they face the oncoming undead.

We have an unclaimed masterwork dagger with potential plot relevance and at least two normal daggers. Monks can use those, I think?

AoO#1 if relevant: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19
Damage, PA, slashing: 1d10 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 9 = 12

AoO#2 if relevant: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21
Damage, PA, slashing: 1d10 + 9 ⇒ (10) + 9 = 19

@Danial no problem. And yeah, I assume there was lots of potential for classical awkwardness like going to the bath one by one and returning in night clothes and such. Though, personally I'd have gone for something wholesome instead. Like, Daniel finding Estelle praying to the AvLee pantheon in gratitude for their recent fortune or such (partly to further twist the knife when, you know, the inevitable conflict between AvLee and Erathia comes to the contested lands and Estelle and Daniel probably lean towards their own home nations and their customs/dieties). Or perhaps helping eachother get out of or don their medium/heavy armors, talking about sustained battle damage, sharing amusing stories about training days and the like. Ah well, we'll get to that some day.

We have an unclaimed masterwork dagger with potential plot relevance and at least two normal daggers. Monks can use those, I think?

Monks are proficient with daggers. Some shady friars shank people you know.

The following day, Daniel would likely have been up and out before the others, and if possible, would have bought a morning star before leaving.

The inn sells only meals and rooms. You'd want to visit a military post for such an all-inclusive.

Battle map has positions of Daniel & Estelle's actions.

After informing the party of the oncoming undead, Astella is inclined to agree with Brunhild, and avoid the fight... making for the town and hopefully finding the source of the problem rather than having to fight the roving bands, but when the humans jump into the fray, she shrugs in Brunhild's direction and starts singing. Her arrows wouldn't do much good, but perhaps she could rally the others with her song.

Inspire Courage

Botting the dwarves.

Brunhild moves closer with her bow drawn, and gets guidance from Darius.

Ambush triggers.

Having braced themselves, the group awaits the approaching dead, whose attention have been firmly drawn by a sudden sound of singing.

The first zombie that showed its dead face, and close enough to get up close, is quickly cut down by Estelle.
----------------

=> Brunhild & Daniel
Darius will put guidance on Brunhild again on his turn.
Estelle
--------
Zombies
--------
Astella

Hit Guidance Green: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 3 + 1 = 16
Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

Hit: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11
Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

"Eugh." Brunhild moaned as she let her arrows fly. She promised herself that when she got the chance she would rectify her error in not being prepared when she had the chance.

Daniel again lashes out at the undead.

attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17
damage: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6

Darius' magic helps Brunhild hit the zombie, but the arrow seems to be ineffective. Daniel aids in the attack, stepping forward to slash a good solid wound on its flesh.

Darius refreshes guidance on Brunhild.
Estelle
----------
Zombies, (green -6)
----------
Astella

Similarly, Estelle fans out off the path a bit and attacks the same zombie just hit by Daniel.

attack, DF, IC, PA: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19
damage: 1d10 + 10 ⇒ (8) + 10 = 18

If I might make a suggestion vs low intelligence/melee enemies, we could have stayed in place with Daniel readying an attack instead of moving into them. That would have allowed Estelle to hit two of them with her reach AoO's as they moved in on us. It probably doesn't matter now, but it might some day.

I've moved you to next to Daniel. The dark brown squares are steep hills.

Where Daniel made the initial slice, Estelle finishes the job, slicing the remainder of the zombie apart.

The remaining two zombies stumble 5ft towards the duo, swinging their dead fists at them.

5ft shamble.

Red vs Estelle: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13Dmg: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4
Yellow vs Daniel: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9Dmg: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

Both zombies come nowhere near hitting them.

==> Astella
------------------------

Round 2

Brunhild & Daniel
Darius
Estelle
--------
Zombies??
--------
Astella

Hit Inspire Red: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 3 + 1 = 9
Damage: 1d8 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 3 + 1 = 5

Hit Inspire Yellow: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 3 + 1 = 17
Damage: 1d8 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 3 + 1 = 8

Slow and steady...even mountains will break..." Brunhild said to herself as she continued shooting.

Astella continues to sing, and tries shooting, hoping it will do some good.

Attack (Longbow): 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 3 + 1 = 11 (inspire courage)
Piercing Damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

Three arrows fly, when Brunhild and Astella fire at the zombies.
Brunhild hears a disgusting fleshy sound, as her arrow finds itself a spot in the throat of the zombie in front of Daniel.

=> Daniel
Darius will refresh guidance
Estelle
---------------
Zombies (yellow -3)
---------------
Astella

Daniel attempts to finish off the one with arrows sticking out of it.

attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15
damage: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11

Estelle falls back and attempts to strike the zombie right in front of her.

attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25
damage: 1d10 + 10 ⇒ (3) + 10 = 13

With two quick strikes, both remaining zombies are dispatched.

Darius faintly smiles.
"With such vigor, maybe you'd be great guardsmen for caravans."

The mid day through early afternoon passes by uneventful.
Darius points towards the mountain range.

"Over there, three days or so, it is said to be an old moyne that our brethren stopped using. Conditions became bad, is what they said was the cause."

Astella searches the zombies and finds 70 gold and a...

Appraise: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19 (fail)

well-crafted dagger.

When Darius points out the abandoned mine, Astella asks

Is that the one where some dwarves went missing? I know that's why we planned to come all the way out here. Or, could it be the source of all this undead corruption? Maybe we should check it out?

Estelle looks to Brunhild and Darius for confirmation as this specific mine as their target. When the possibility of it being the source comes up, however, she looks doubtful. "I think it's best to be realistic about this," She reasons. "This undead menace has been plagueing the dwarves for generations, I believe. That also means entire generations of dwarves would have tried seeking out the source of it and failing. It doesn't seem to make much sense for an easily accessible mine to be it and not have them know. Even if it were, I don't believe we're strong enough to do something about some kind of country-spanning corruption source as we are now."

Is that the one where some dwarves went missing? I know that's why we planned to come all the way out here. Or, could it be the source of all this undead corruption? Maybe we should check it out?

"Missing there? They didn't say. Though, given the land's influence, one could speculate someone could have gone, some point in time."

He looks back on the road.
"The last stop is just a few hours away."

Astella nods to Darius.

Okay, lead on then, I suppose.

appraise: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22

Hey, thats a master's make. Daniel says having spied the dagger.

I'm not terribly schooled in such things, but my dad did manage to hammer in some of his knowledge. Heh. He pauses a moment and responds to Estelle.

Well, who knows. We can't be for sure until we try.

Brunhild nodded, feeling that words were not necessary. She followed along, giving Daniel a small smile in acknowledgement for his keen eyes.

Well, who knows. We can't be for sure until we try.

Following Daniel's expert appraisal, the healer raises her arms in questioning manner at this statement. "Sure, that's true. If we don't look for the source of undeath, we'll never find it. But we also can't exactly start heading into every mine we come across on the off chance no dwarf's ever done that before. Something of a clue would be nice, to at least narrow it down. And I believe we don't have any at present. To say nothing of how it's likely there'd be much stronger undead defending it."

She slows her pace for a moment, lost in thought. "Say, Darius? We know there are wights accompanying the zombies and skeletons down south. Are there any other areas in the region where the dwarves also tend to find stronger undead? If so, where would that be?"

K Religion: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

Brunhild, wanting to be useful, thought carefully about what answers she might have. Sadly, the mysteries that had eluded far wiser than her were just that. Mysteries.

"Say, Darius? We know there are wights accompanying the zombies and skeletons down south. Are there any other areas in the region where the dwarves also tend to find stronger undead? If so, where would that be?"

"Oy suppose the central area, where the city stands, could be counted as south. Oy've not ventured further south or far west towards the mountain range. Now this is hearsay, but the barrows in the south, and to the west, attract stronger ones. Oy've spoken to a patrol who came back, they spoke of putting down a couple of 'risen'."

+1 bit of information for every +5 you beat the DC.

knowledge: Religion: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

Knowledge Religion: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

K Religion: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

Brunhild scratched her head, deep in thought. Truly, nothing came to mind. "Risen? It sounds familiar, but I don't know much about it. What makes them so different?" She asked.

In response to Brunhild's question;

"Apparently, they aere intelligent, and thus more unpredictable and cunning. Perhaps even retaining learned skills, who knows. Oy reckon you'll get a better picture aesking a member of the church."

"Probably best to ask in the city then, aye. Er, I mean, 'yes'," Estelle agrees. "If we're heading into the Barrows and these more powerful undead are around there, we should be properly prepared."

Late afternoon, the sight of a pallisade comes into view in the distance, as you leave the hills behind you. Light has become dim, as the sun lowers itself in the sky behind natural elevation.

1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11

If someone passes the check, they can warn the rest. Everyone can take 1 action if warned.

Well, can't roll since I don't have a special vision. If warned, her response would be to cast Divine Favor. If the light ever grows Dim, Estelle would always cast light on something comvenient nearby. Like her weapon or Daniel's armor or such. But that doesn't help if they are more than 40 ft away.

I was already assuming you'd have that up. More or less standard procedure for adventurers.

am hooman, and I didn't swap skilled for darkvision. Though I do have blindfight, if you'd like to make an exception? haha

[Insert fight from the movie Blind Fury with Rutger Hauer, a blind swordsman.]

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22

HEY! Look alive we have incoming flying creatures!

Astella warns the group that some weird flying things with ragged clothing are headed for them.

She draws her bow, ready to defend.

Peefect Strike: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11
Pick Highest: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19
Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

With a sigh Brunhild took her bow and lined up a shot. ”Hope this drives them off…” She muttered as she let an arrow fly.

"Is it the wights!?" Estelle asks, quickly casting a divine spell in case the flyers continued to attack. Divine Favor as mentioned before.

As the team responds to the warning, Brunhild lets an arrow go at cyan.
It deals 4 damage, passing trough the ragged clothing and a ribcage.

Wights, round 1

Cyan and orange both glide forth to the right and left of the group. The sight of sinister looking skeletons in tatter rags and clothing, claws raised.

Both are about 20ft above the ground.

The cracks in cyan's frame slightly repair itself.

Cyan (-3)

Daniel & Estelle
Astella, Brunhild, Darius

Estelle holds her weapon at the ready. "Stay close together if you can help it! I can try striking as they fly in!"

Estelle Readies an attack with her reach weapon. Below assumes no other buffs from others.

attack, DF, PA: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26
damage: 1d10 + 9 ⇒ (9) + 9 = 18

AoO#1?, DF, PA: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15
damage: 1d10 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 15

AoO#2? DF, PA: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26
damage: 1d10 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10

O_O

Crit confirm readied attack? DF, PA: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9
extra crit damage: 1d10 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 15

Crit confirm AoO#2? DF, PA: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18
extra crit damage: 1d10 + 9 ⇒ (7) + 9 = 16

Estelle preps a solid swing, counting on an attack coming close.

Daniel braces a swing too.

Astella & Brunhikd
Darius holds his staff, Aid Brunhild AC: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12

will wait and ready an action to 5ft and swing should a wight get within reach of Estelle.

readied: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18
damage: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7

Hit: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19
Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

Hit: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13
Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

"Of bloody course." Brunhild muttered as she let her arrows fly. "Let's hope that these actually stick."

Longbow

Attack (Longbow): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20
Damage (Piercing): 1d8 ⇒ 4

More arrows fly upwards, two hitting the wights, but only Brunhild's arrow deals any sort of damage to the creature.

===========================

Wights, round 2

Cyan's damage slightly repairs. Cyan now at -6.

Darius, Brunhild, Daniel: 1d3 ⇒ 2
Astella, Estelle: 1d2 ⇒ 1

Intimidate: 2d20 + 8 ⇒ (7, 18) + 8 = 33

Both creatures lower slightly, and let out a hollow shriek, faint green dots in their empty eye sockets. Brunhild feels slightly unsettled, but will soon shrug it off.
Astella's seemingly more nervous by the display.

Brunhild is shaken for 1 round, Astella is shaken for 3 rounds.

==> Estelle & Daniel
Darius aid Brunhild AC: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15

Astella & Brunhild