GM Doug's Tireless Path (Inactive)

Game Master Doug Hahn

Aeslynn, Zalmora, and Karianamu fashion a makeshift bridge. Caprico and Kito try to help, and even though they have a difficult time of it the party makes the way across. You reach camp only slightly behind schedule. The only noise that night is the snoring of the farmer and the professor.

☀☀☀

As dawn breaks over the trees, deep fog covers the camp. The caravan members are uneasy as they pack up the campsite, urging each other to hurry. Arek remarks that such fog is common in Ustalav, but Andri adds, that doesn’t mean we’re safe.

☀☀☀

The horses whinny. Several of you hear groaning and rattling bones in the trees nearby. Just as everyone feared, you;re under attack!

The severe fog completely impedes vision beyond 20 feet. It also partially impedes vision between 10 and 20 feet, imposing a –2 circumstance penalty to visual Perception checks and causing creatures to be concealed when viewed within that distance.

To Pre-Batle!

You have 1 round (3 actions) to prepare. You can place yourself anywhere in the box on the map. Arrows on the map represent the direction you heard the noises coming from. You will not be able to spot them till they get closer.

Aeslynn
Capricio
Karianamu
Kito
Zalmora

Action 1: Interact
Action 2: Stride
Action 3:

Cursing the fog, the archer draws a shortsword from its sheath. "Let's do this. Come, Baxter."

The two move up to be closer to the danger,

Map in link. Posted on the wrong alias.

Karianamu hisses at his companions.

"I will try to distract them to buy you some time. Do not believe what you hear!"

He casts Ventriloquism (Will DC 17) and his voice seems to leave him, travelling toward the location where he saw the river before the fog set in.

"This way everyone. Escape into the river! The dead can not follow us here! It gets deeper, but never fear! It is the safest way to escape them!"

Deception to Create a Diversion: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22

I realize this is not the technical use of Create a Diversion but it seemed fitting as a way to describe what I was trying to do to draw them away momentarily.

"Song of the Spheres, led us your might."

Capricio steps forward and casts Magic Weapon on Zalmora's short sword.

Kito drinks a quicksilve mutagen and draws his crossbow, already loaded with a poisoned bolt.

Among other things quicksilver provides +1 item bonus to stealth, increasing Kito's initiative.

Just in case, Aeslynn takes out her sling, and loads it. She doesn't expect to use it, as she has magic, but just in case. She then casts shield

AC16

Andri & Arek fall back, draw their swords, and guard the caravan. We're the last line of defense. It's time to earn your keep. Xanthus and Eigil leap into the wagon and hug each other for comfort. Kisaya mutters a stream of prayers to Desna.

Two skeletons coalesce from the fog; they wield scimitars and bear shields painted with the symbol of The Inheritor. A large-sized being made of rotting flesh shambles behind! Cool new art on slide 1.

Karianamu is satisfied to see one of the skeletons stumbling around near the river, looking for whatever made the noise. I will start the creature on the right farther back thanks to Karianamu's deception check — great plan!

☀☀☀

Into the Mist!

FOG: Creatures between 10 and 20 feet are Concealed (DC 5 flat check to target; this includes allies). Greater that that they are Hidden (DC 11 flat check to target).

Zalmora, Mag. Weap.
Capricio
--
Zombie
--
Aeslynn, Shield
--
Skelly 1
Skelly 2
--
Karianamu, Hidden
Kito, Quick. Muta.

Action 1: Interact
Action 2: Stride
Action 3: Strike

Seeing the undead emerge, Zalmora quickly retrieves the vial Kito has given her earlier. "Damnable fog," she says, moving closer to get a clear view. "Take this!"

She then hurls the vial and the skeleton.
Ghost salt vial vs 1: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21
Damage (Positive): 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2 plus Enfeebled until the start of my next turn. Also 1 positive splash on the zombie.

Capricio moves near Zalmora and throws at divine lance at skeleton 1.

Divine Lance: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13
Damage: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8 Good

Zalmora hits the skeleton guard — it doesn’t seem much affected by the damage, but the splash burns away much of the zombie’s flesh! It groans in frustration, louder than Kisaya’s Varisian prayers.

Caprico’s lance ricochets off the shield and into the fog. Miss

☀☀☀

MWRRRAGH! The zombie moves in and swings at Zalmora, the one who burned it, with a meaty fist… it connects, narrowly missing her head and hitting her shoulder instead. AC 27 for 9 B It tries to push her back too but she just jostles against Caprico. Imp. Push

☀☀☀

Into the Mist!

FOG: Creatures between 10 and 20 feet are Concealed (DC 5 flat check to target; this includes allies). Greater that that they are Hidden (DC 11 flat check to target).

Zalmora, Mag. Weap., 11/20 HP
Capricio
--
Zombie, -11 hp
--
Aeslynn, Shield
Kito, Quick. Muta.
--
Skelly 1, -2 hp, enf. 1
Skelly 2
--
Karianamu, Hidden

Kito takes a moment to examine both targets before firing at the larger target.

Lore Undead Skeleton: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14
Lore Undead Zombie: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11

flat 5 vs zombie: 1d20 ⇒ 3
quicksilver crossbow vs zombie: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 6 + 1 = 12
piercing: 1d8 ⇒ 7

But can't make out a solid target through the fog.

Kito knows these skeletons are are Skeleton Guards, mindless NE Undead. They resist cold, electricity, fire, piercing, and slashing 5.

Aeslynn is up!

"Oh, my word, Sebastian!"
Aeslynn moves until she can see the skeleton and casts telekinetic projectile at skeleton #2.
DC5 concealment: 1d20 ⇒ 1

Spell Attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22 bludgeoning: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

Unfortunately, she is not able to see the skeleton well enough to actually target it with her spell.

The fog proves difficult to overcome for your companions.

The skeletons move in. The Enfeebled one attacks the cleric, slashing Caprico! AC 20 for 6. The second looks around and finds nothing. It then moves toward Aeslynn and slashes at her, also drawing blood. AC 16 for 7 damage

The skeleton-teeth chatter with excitement at hurting the living!

☀☀☀

Undead Jerks are Picking on the Level 1s

FOG: Creatures between 10 and 20 feet are Concealed (DC 5 flat check to target; this includes allies). Greater that that they are Hidden (DC 11 flat check to target).

Zalmora, Mag. Weap., 11/20 HP
Capricio, 10/16 hp
--
Zombie, -11 hp
--
Aeslynn, 8/15 hp
Kito, Quick. Muta.
--
Skelly 1, -2 hp
Skelly 2
--
Karianamu, Hidden

Karianamu casts Shield on himself, and advances through the fog (taking a wide route around the boulder next to him), and attacks the flanked skeleton with his staff gripped in both hands.

Swish!: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

"Hang in there, friends!"

Capricio sends out a burst of positive energy to heal his friends, and harm his undead foes!

Healing Burst: 1d8 ⇒ 4

Action 1: Command an Animal
Action 2: Step
Action 3: Strike

Zalmora winces from the zombie's strike. That's at least one cracked rib, I'm sure

"Baxter, flank!" she says, commanding her loyal canine friend in a well-practiced tactic.

The mutt rushes past Kito, barking at the undead monstrosity as it gets to the opposite side. He then tries to sink teeth into flesh.
Jaws vs Zombie: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23
Damage (P): 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

Knowing that Baxter alone won't keep the zombie away from the others, she steps in closer and swings her magically enhanced blade.
Strike vs Zombie: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22
Damage (S): 2d6 + 2 ⇒ (2, 1) + 2 = 5

Both skeletons wither to ash under a wave of positive energy as Caprico's allies are healed. The zombie — somehow — flexes its swole muscles and powers through it altogether! Fail, fail, crit success :(

Its triumphant roar echoes through the trees. RWAAARGH!

Baxter flanks the zombie and takes a bit out of undead crime. When Zalmora slashes at it — landing a critical hit thanks to her ally — ribbons of flesh fall away from the creature. crit for 10+weak 10 = 20

It roars again… in pain! RWAAARGH!

☀☀☀

However, the zombie still stands… and it's angry (insofar as a mindless creature can be)…

It flails at Zalmora, somehow missing twice.

As the meaty hunks of flesh whoosh by — once, twice — the ranger hears an almost-ponderous RWAAARGH.

☀☀☀

The Power of Teamwork

FOG: Creatures between 10 and 20 feet are Concealed (DC 5 flat check to target; this includes allies). Greater that that they are Hidden (DC 11 flat check to target).

Zalmora, Mag. Weap., 19/20 HP
Capricio,
--
Zombie, -34 hp
--
Aeslynnhp
Kito, Quick. Muta.
[b]Karianamu

Action 1: Hunt Prey
Action 2: Strike
Action 3: Strike

"Good boy, Baxter!" Zalmora calls out. She uses the momentary distraction from her companion to study the zombie. You will not get away from me.

She then lashes out with her blades in a pair of crosscuts.
Strike vs Zombie (Flat-footed): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19
Damage (S): 2d6 + 2 ⇒ (2, 6) + 2 = 10
Strike vs Zombie (Flat-footed): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19
Damage (S): 2d6 + 2 ⇒ (3, 4) + 2 = 9

concealment: 1d20 ⇒ 18

Aeslynn moves to get a better vantage point, and again casts her telekinetic projectile! She throws the claws of one of the skeletons at the zombie, hoping to take advantage of their slashing attack!

spell attack vs Zombie: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (7) + 9 = 16 (slashing?): 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

Kito reloads and then ducks down behind the rock before firing from the fog.

fog flat: 1d20 ⇒ 20
poisoned bolt vs zombie, maybe FF: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 6 + 1 = 16
piercing: 1d8 ⇒ 3

"Do not be alarmed my friends!"

As he emerges out of the fog his voice is no longer coming from the man you have travelled with, but from a giant spider the height of a man, with enormous long and spindly legs.

He is sure to take a wide path to remain concealed by the fog from the caravan guards and passengers.

His freakishly long legs bound across the ground as he positions himself to deliver a terrible bite to the zombie with his enormous fangs.

"I will assist."

Eigil whistles and elbows his companion. Wouldja look at that there 'lusion, Xanny? Professor Xanthus adjusts his glasses. Indeed, Eiggie. What an astounding illusion! Why if I didn't know any better, I would say Karianamu is an Anadi in disguise. I would love to dissect one someday — what amazing anatony! Alas, it's all an illusion.

Yeah Xanny, dem fangs're long.

Wish a final RWAAARGH the zombie falls. Karianamu never gets a chance to put his illusory fangs to the test.

After you defeat the undead, the caravan finishes packing for the final day of travel. You accompany grateful travelers to Caliphas.

Though the fog hangs thick for the entirety of the day, and there are many questions about the amazing Karianamu, the journey is otherwise uneventful.

Once in Caliphas, you collect your reward and ride (or spider climb) your way off into the sunset, another job well done!

Here Ends the Tireless Path!