Might and magic, Lords of the Contested Lands

Game Master Chyrone

Estelle grits her teeth and tries not to be too affected by the shrieks of the undead. She grits her teeth and holds formation as Brunhild and Astella keep firing. Or so she hopes.

attack, DF, PA: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10
damage: 1d10 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 9 = 12

AoO#1?, DF, PA: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13
damage: 1d10 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 9 = 12

AoO#2? DF, PA: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24
damage: 1d10 + 9 ⇒ (7) + 9 = 16

Hit: 1d20 + 3 - 2 ⇒ (12) + 3 - 2 = 13
Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

Hit: 1d20 + 3 - 2 ⇒ (12) + 3 - 2 = 13
Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

Note to self: clustered shots is a necessity

Two more arrows went out, but her hands wavered as the creatures shrieked. She steeled herself as best she could, unwilling to shame herself by fleeing. Still, given how little her arrows did, she did not expect to come out of this unscathed…if at all.

Daniel braces another swing of his sword, as does Estelle with her weapon.

While Darius braces himself to put his staff in harm's way, Brunhild lets another couple of arrows fly. They miss, but she herself regains composure.

Astella Shaken 3 turns.

"Okay, let's keep going like this and hold formation! They look and sound scary, but they havent actually injured us yet, while we have hurt them."

Estelle keeps repeating this tactic. Until the wights show they have a ranged attack of sorts, she tries to keep defending Astella and Brunhild with her polearm, trusting them to finish them.

Astella feels some fear, and starts singing to try to counteract it.

Inspire Courage (+1 morale bonus on saving throws against charm and fear effects and a +1 competence bonus on attack and weapon damage rolls.)

Drawing inspiration from childhood stories of Tularean elves overcoming Deyjan rogue elements, her nerves are somewhat bolstered, while the rest of the group gets the full effect of this song.
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Wights, round 3

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

The wight near Brunhild glides across her flank, with Darius putting his staff in front of Brunhild.

Fly by claw vs Brunhild, height advantage: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 5 + 1 = 8 Scrape: 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4
Aoo Darius, inspire: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 5 + 1 = 14 Blunt, inspire: 1d6 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 + 1 = 3
Fly by claw vs Astella, height advantage: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 5 + 1 = 14 Scrape: 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

The wights glide through the air, lashing out with their claws as they pass by.
Darius makes another swing as the one missing Brunhild passes by, but it is too late.

The wight flying past Astella scrapes her arm.
Cyan at -5 after repairs.

Estelle & Daniel
Darius touches Astella's arm, whose skin takes on a light brown shade, as it becomes tougher and rough. +3 nat AC.

Astella & Brunhild

As they had to descend to do their fly by attacks, both wights are currently at 10ft altitude.

Seems like they have DR 5, so there isn't much I can do here, but I guess I'll keep shooting.

Astella continues to sing, still a little shaken, and tries shooting again.

Attack (Longbow): 1d20 + 3 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (9) + 3 + 1 - 2 = 11 (inspire, shaken)
Damage (Piercing): 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5 (inspire)

Probably a miss, but doesn't really matter either way since the damage isn't over the DR. Exercise in futility.

I recall you have a morningstar..... :)

Estelle's readied attack didn't trigger on flyby; as in they were able to stay out of her range during the flyby? Just in case:

Readied attack last turn, inspire: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14
damage, PA, DF, Inspire: 1d10 + 10 ⇒ (6) + 10 = 16

Estelle stands still, ready to try and strike as they moved in again. "If they're too hard to hit, we could run. No sense wasting a lot of good arrows if we can't damage them. Perhaps they don't chase us?" she suggests.

Attack now, inspire: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13
damage: 1d10 + 10 ⇒ (3) + 10 = 13

AoO#1 just in case, inspire: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19
damage: 1d10 + 10 ⇒ (1) + 10 = 11

AoO#2 just in case, inspire: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16
damage: 1d10 + 10 ⇒ (2) + 10 = 12

Hit: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 3 + 1 = 22
Damage: 1d8 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 3 + 1 = 5

Hit: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 3 + 1 = 24
Damage: 1d8 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 3 + 1 = 8

Confirm: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 3 + 1 = 20
Crit: 2d8 + 8 ⇒ (5, 5) + 8 = 18

Total damage if 20 confirms and DR 5: 8 + 18 - 5 = 21

Brunhild was starting to get frustrated. It seemed like ever since she had returned home, her arrows had been ineffective against everything they faced. Even worse, she knew it was her fault, as she had the chance to buy more versatile equipment and had failed to do so. Taken together and it was almost enough to make her grind her teeth. But then she heard Astella sing. It calmed her nerves. Taking a deep breath, she thought back to what her master used to say. It was a poor craftsman who blamed his tools. Taking this to heart, she took another deep breath and then took careful aim. Her first shot hit one of the creatures in the head, with the arrow bouncing off and doing no damage. The second? The second hit it in the eye. It was what she was aiming for, and it was a minor miracle that she had landed a hit against such a small, and moving, target. She allowed herself to smile at her fortune.

Question for future reference. Is this fear effect an SLA? If so, Brunhild would get +2 for hardy and +2 for death's end. Probably doesn't apply, but just wanted to check

I recall you have a morningstar..... :)

A morningstar to hit flying creatures? Plus, the damage is similar... 1d8 rolls. What I *should* do is cast gravity bow. I should have done that this turn, but I still have one round of shaken anyway, so I'll do it next round.

Question for future reference. Is this fear effect an SLA? If so, Brunhild would get +2 for hardy and +2 for death's end. Probably doesn't apply, but just wanted to check

Merely intimidation against the living.

Daniel and Estelle both keep swings ready, while the duo behind them keep shooting arrows. Daniel steps 5ft nw, in attempts to swing at the wght when it comes back.

As one of the wights holds, then makes motion to glide back towards the party, Brunhild lands a dead-on shot, splintering the skull and part of the spine. The creature falls to the ground with the sound of near shattered bones.

I take it you took aim at cyan, it being damaged already.

Wights, round 4

Darius, Daniel, Brunhild: 1d3 ⇒ 1

Fly by attack, height advantage: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 5 + 1 = 11 Claw: 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6
The elderly dwarf ducks away, dodging the claw extended to attack him.

I've added the light spell radius to Daniel's weapon.

==> Estelle & Daniel
Darius Aid Brunhild AC: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 5 + 1 = 14
Astella & Brunhild

Still singing, Astella mixes a spell into the melody, casting gravity bow on her weapon, hoping to be able to do enough damage to scratch the beast.

Very much impressed by Brunhild's awesome shots and seeing her own strategy wasn't working: they were too mobile and the pathway too narrow, Estelle instead touches the Dwarf's shoulder. "Let the lady's luck guide you. Your weapon is her breath."

Brunhild has bit of luck and she rolls attack rolls and other d20's twice this round. BOL: #1 of 5 today.

Hit 1: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 3 + 1 = 8
Reroll: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 3 + 1 = 10
Damage 1: 1d8 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 3 + 1 = 5

Hit 2: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 3 + 1 = 19
Reroll: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 3 + 1 = 22
Damage 2: 1d8 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 3 + 1 = 12

Good timing on that ability!

Blessed by Estelle's divinely channeled power, Brunhild let two arrows fly. The first went wide, but the second was a direct hit, straight in the middle of the creature's chest.

they were too mobile and the pathway too narrow

You have left hills by now. The dark is the ground.

The arrow breaks 2 ribs in the flying menace's boney torso.
Daniel quietly wishes he had a sling to fling stones at the thing.

Meanwhile a magic vibe imbues Astella's bow with more power.
---------

Wights, round 5

The wight repairs 1 dmg. Now at -6.
Making a come back, it flies by Brunhild.

Fly by claw, height advantage: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 5 + 1 = 7Dmg: 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5
Even without Darius' aid to her defense, the attack goes horribly wrong, but fortunate for the living.

Everyone

Since that seemed to work, Estelle repeats the prayer!

BoL on Brunhild again :)

Hit: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8
Second roll: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17
Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

Hit: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19
Second roll: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10
Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11

Feeling Estelle's power infuse her, Brunhild let two more arrows fly. The first would have been wide, but the unseen forces guided her hand, bringing the arrow back in line so that it would hit home.

Astella keeps singing, and then she shoots, feeling a lot more confident.

Attack (Longbow): 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 3 + 1 = 13 (inspire)
Damage (Piercing): 2d6 + 1 ⇒ (5, 4) + 1 = 10 (inspire)

Oh well, at least the damage was in a usable range. Just can't hit. :)

Daniel by now starts leaning on his sword as the ladies fire away at the wight, Brunhild hitting mark again.

Astella's arrow are getting there, but not enough to hit the agile enemy for now.

Darius casts guidance on Astella
====================================

Wights, round 6

The wight repairs some damage. Now at -11.

Fly by vs flak cannon, height advantage: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 5 + 1 = 9 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

The wight misses again, almost giving the group a leisurely target practice.

Everyone

Astella continues to sing, and shoots again.

Attack (Longbow): 1d20 + 3 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 3 + 1 + 1 = 22 (inspire, guidance)
Damage (Piercing): 2d6 + 1 ⇒ (6, 1) + 1 = 8 (inspire)

Estelle shrugs. "Well, never change a winning play, captain Thunderhoof used to say!"

Bit of Luck om Brunhild again.

Hit: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10
Second roll: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5
Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

Hit: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19
Second roll: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11
Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10

Brunhild’s first arrow missed the quickly moving target, and the second would have as well. That is, if it were not for Estelle. Her divine touch caused Brunhild’s arm to move back to where it should be, making the second arrow hit home.

Arrows and skeletons fly, oh my....

Both Astella and Brunhild hit the wight, splintering bone in its rib cage.
Daniel steps 5ft west to strike when the creature comes close.

Wights, round 7

The wight repairs. Currently at -18.

Astella, Brunhild, Darius: 1d3 ⇒ 2
The creature makes another swoop forward,

Daniel readied attack, inspire, PA: 1d20 + 5 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (8) + 5 + 1 - 1 = 13Dmg, inspire, PA: 1d8 + 3 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 3 + 1 + 2 = 7

Claw, height advantage: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 5 + 1 = 13Dmg: 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

The judges are reading the newspaper until something actually injures the party.

Both Daniel and the wight miss their attacks, leaving it open for more arrows.

Everyone

Astella keeps singing and shooting, but she sure hoped they didn't have to fight a lot more of these on the way.

Attack (Longbow): 1d20 + 3 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 3 + 1 + 1 = 25 (inspire, guidance)
Damage (Piercing): 2d6 + 1 ⇒ (5, 1) + 1 = 7 (inspire)

Edit... oh, crit.

Attack (Crit Confirm?): 1d20 + 3 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 3 + 1 + 1 = 20
Additional Crit Damage (longbow crit is x3): 4d6 + 2 ⇒ (5, 6, 6, 2) + 2 = 21

Estelle is about to bless Bunhild again when Astella scores what looks like a viscious hit on the weight, what with her magically enhanced arrow almost taking of its head entirely. At least, that was what I looked like from her angle. "Wow. That was an amazing shot, Astella! And right in the middle of its movement too!"

I assume with a 20 confirm it confirms as 19 was a hit prior, but wrote it slightly vaguely just in case.

She waits to see if it dissolves or falls before doing anything else.

Like with Brunhild, but even more forceful now, Astella's shot splinters skull and part spine, as the wight lowered its head for another attack.

Its remains fall to the ground....all is silent again.

”Praise the Stone that there weren’t more.” Brunhild said. ”And nice shot. Was inspiring to see.” She finished with sincerity in her voice.

You know, I had had the idea to buy myself a bow... but, I wonder if that's needed with you two around. He says in a half chuckle. In actuality he had completely forgotten and had been focused on his armor.

Estelle in turn, sighs in relief. "They were really difficult to kill. I mean... kill again, that is? Still, when we get to the Dwarven Citadel, perhaps we could ask the Dwarves how they fight them, and with which weapons. Perhaps we should buy ourselves a set for future encounters."

One of the wights seems to have been wealthy in life, it has 4 solid gold teeth.

The state of their tattered clothing suggests they had been dead for a fair amount of years.

Feeling you'd rather not stay around at the current time of day, you quickly make way towards the pallissade.

Like with the one before, Darius is a known face, and you are let in.
A slight difference, is that there is an additional guardsman outside.

Inside:

The interior, like the previous one, is fairly mundane. But there is some basic padding on the seats of the chairs, and a small painting of a group of dwarven warriors standing victorious over a decent number of common undead. This is hung above a humble but comfy fireplace.

Estelle rests her weary feet near the fireplace and orders a water along with the goat stew. "I wonder how everyone's doing back home - the town, I mean."

She's silent for a moment as she stares into the flames, then she chuckles. "Strange, I do feel like Harrowdale is home now, even though it's only been like that for a week or so, and this foray has been almost as long. Am I homesick? Maybe I should buy Robert, Brady and Lilly a few souvenirs from the dwarves for when we get back. And something for Nan Hamilton, too. Maybe Sally, even... well, if she'd accept one from me."

Astella just hopes the goblins haven't taken over the castle again, but she doesn't say so, not wanting to have another argument about what they should be doing. She sure hoped that this trip brought them some resources they could use to fix things up.

She gets something to eat and then asks about rooms for the night, not feeling especially talkative.

"Hmm." Brunhild responded to Estelle. The entire notion of 'home' wasn't something she had felt for a very long time. She excused herself, and went off to see if she could find someone willing to part with an axe...

Looking to buy a battleaxe (slashing damage) and a cestus (unarmed can be bludgeoning or piercing). Could she buy those here?

This time, there are some more people still downstairs. Granted, this building has bit more space in its layout.

2 silver for bed & breakfast and current dinner.

"Welcome to the Miner's Only tavern. A meal and rooms? We certainly have both still."

Between those of you who want to have a meal, and would like stew, you get the last goat stew left, goat meat turns out an import product for the dwarves.

There is one particular table, watched by a few onlookers, where two people sit playing cards and, by the occassional 'nice move' and 'ow, that's a lot', it sounds like some competitive game.

Astella hands over her silver, then sits close to the card players to eat. While she slowly eats the barely palatable goat, she tries to figure out what game they are playing, and if it is a fair game or one person taking advantage of the other.

Peeking in on the cards, despite the short distance, Astella sees a variety of unique pictured cards come by. On another side of that table, are wooden coins stacked into a small pillar. Wooden flat sticks are likewise stacked. A set for each player, and as cards are played, either stack loses or gains an amount, until at some point one of the coin towers reaches 15 high, and cheering ensues.

Astella recognizes the game, it is called Arcomage. A game with 3 resource pools from which cards can be played to reduce the 'wall' and 'tower' of the opponent. Destroying the tower, or getting your own tower to a certain height, wins the game.

It is a popular game in many taverns. Some play professionally for money, but most just for the fun or wager paying for a drink. One does need their own deck to play, and are sold in cities, or on rare occasion, an oddities shop.

A deck of Arcomage cards goes for 25 gold.

Brunhild inquires if the tavernkeep sells weapons, but he does not.
He tells you the only places, aside from Stone City, that could sell mundane weapons to traveling folk, would be a watchpost. Only one is located to the far southwest.

Astella is fascinated by the game, and disappointed that she would have to invest 25 gold into learning to play.

... Might be worth it though, she thinks, to have something to do during the in between parts of her life, so she doesn't go crazy worrying about her current origin or destination. Maybe it would help her to feel more like an elf and less like a human, letting temporary things pull her away from the bigger picture.

Seeing Brunhild and Astella in a not very talkative mood, Estelle stays behind with Daniel to chat a bit over dinner. Afterwards, she approaches the innkeeper and pays for her lodgings for the night. She also asks him about anything noteworthy in the area, such as any nice spots to visits for travelers our tourists in the region. Hey, if they were passing through anyway, might as well make the most of it!

Once she's learned anything she can, she checks out the card game and mingles a bit with the other travelers to share stories.

Afterwards, she heads to her room to prepare for a bath, should there be one, and then to sleep thereafter.

Looks like an interesting card game :)

At the question about hot spots for viewing the scenery, the tavern keep both snorts amused.

"Lass, outside of the achievement that is Stone City, there's not much to see. There are the barrows further to the south. They would be noteworthy, were it not for the roaming dead. Stay away from the far south, it has The Mansion and its surrounding grounds."

"It's been there forever, and yet has hardly deteriorated over time. Even the soldiers prefer to stay clear of it. They claim it to be haunted."

The other present patrons confirm the reputation of the mansion, claiming treasure seekers going missing in the past.

World map update:
Zones with Barrows have been circled with white border.
The mansion grounds have been circled with yellow border.

Having found nobody willing to sell any weapons, Brunhild sulked her way back over to the group. Sitting down at a chair, she reasoned that she could at least enjoy something to drink while the others played cards.

The arcomage players go at it for a couple of matches, wrecking and rebuilding the towers and walls, one winning via a 3rd optional victory, a big amount of resources.

Any other plans for the night? Otherwise the final day of travel to Stone City.

perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13

Already on the way back to her room, she catches a glimpse of the message being delivered from the corner of her eye, and the Barkeep laughing upon reading it. Curious, and since he appeared to be in a good mood, she asked "Good news for the inn or the region?"

"Hmm?", he looks up, "Family matter, i just won a bet."

"Oh? Good on you! Anything worth celebrating?"

The dwarf chuckles.

"Aye. Me nephew's wedding. Distance communication is great, when being out here."

”A wedding? So, drinks on the house to celebrate it?” Brunhild asked, deadpan, but with a wry smile on her face.

"I see. Congratulations! Does he live in a far off place, then?" Estelle asks the dwarf, deciding to return for to the bar for now and join Brunhild.

In response to Brunhild's bold assumption,

With a raised brow and an equally wry grin.... "Sure....."
He pours you a big mug of water.

To Estelle,
"No, in Stone City. Luckily my shift ends before the wedding date, let some other dwarf take over for a time."