GM ZD Doom of Cassomir (Inactive)

Game Master Z...D...

"Where is Blackwood swamp?" asks Ulvard, giving the priest a poke.

"If you really want to meet Groetus, then jump into the sea with weights on legs. You see him real soon. Otherwise stop encouraging silly people to do bad things." snarls the northman.

”And where is this manor of this Ahksiva? Who is Ahksiva?” Henri adds.

"Blackwood Swamp is the swampy area around Cassomir. Damn tourist." He says spitting at your feet.

"Who is Ahksiva? She is the Prophet of Groetus. The one who will call down the end times. Even if you are to defeat me, you will never get one over her."

If pressed he will tell you the direction to Toad Manor. Other than that he continues to be disrespectful.

When you decide to head out, will need a survival check to keep from getting yourselves lost.

Once the group has finished interrogating the cleric, Mindartis and Mialee provide guidance in directing the group through Blackwood Swamp towards Toad Manor.

Survival: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8 Oof! Let's reroll that one
Survival: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18

So what you're saying is, this Ahksiva will actually be interesting? Very good...

Voron smirks before he turns to take off with the group.

Survival, aid: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19

Mindartis is easily able to lead the group through the swamp, following the directions left in the prayer book, and they arrive at Toad Manor.

A sinking manor looms over the surrounding trees. The building’s walls sag and bend, small animals have clearly penetrated its upper reaches. The swamp itself appears to be strangling the waterlogged structure.

The doors into the building were broken off long ago. The two sets of stairs ascend from muck to a covered porch. Thick globs of green slime cover the stairs and adjacent areas.

As the agents approach the front porch. Something catches Mindartis' eye. The thick green slime has been imbued with foul hag magic, making it cling to and grow over living creatures that touch it.

To disable the hazard, you will need to make a trained thievery to carefully push the slime away without causing it to grow, Crafting to neutralize it with alchemical reagents, or dispel magic to counteract the magic animating it. Casting a 1st-level or higher spell with the water trait washes away the slime.

"Ugh" states Urlvard. "Such things do not last long in the cold of the north, but in these lands, everything grows so fast. Even slime."

Voron searches around in his back for random odds and ends, and retrieves some leftover reagents.

I might be able to render it inert. Otherwise it will envelop anyone who touches it. Give me but a moment... the wizard grumbles before approaching the slime.

Neutralize it with alchemical reagents (Crafting): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20

"Ulvard, I think you would find the jungles of my childhood a very alien place."

Ehlanna watches Voron and his reagents with a keen interest. She will then turn her attention to the manor house to see what secrets it might have to offer.

Henri looks in awe as Voron neutralizes the slime.

Voron is able to find some neutralizing agents and clears the party a path through the slime.

Hero Point to Mindartis for both locating Toad Manor and the Slime trap.

Only a few decades old, the wide hall already leans substantially. The corners are crocked and covered in thick patches of dark mold. Several globs of slime coat the floor and mildew spread over the walls. The room reeks of fouled water.

Several muddy nests lined with bones and plants line the sides of the hall. In places where the slime has managed to dry, it’s grown crusted and flaky. A putrid, and sickly sweet stench fills the air. Strung up around the room are dozens of hideous effigies created from sticks and what appears to be sinew. The waterlogged floorboards squeak and squeal when stepped on.

Hung near on the wall near the door, a large silver religious symbol of Groetus grins over the room.

A dark-haired, fair-skinned woman in a long dark green dress stands by the staircase, reading a tome when the PCs enter. She gives a crooked smile as she closes the book. In a sardonic tone, she calls out,

“Oh no, looks like you found me. Yes, it is I, the great prophet Ahksiva. Well done. I’d been expecting someone like you for a while now.” She reaches for a chalice and takes a large gulp of black, syrupy wine. She pushes a small spider back into her mouth as it attempts to escape. “What have you done for the people of Admiral’s Fen? I’ve given them hope, a belief they can hold onto. Would you take that away from those poor people? I see a better future than that. A future where Admiral’s Fen is a memory, Cassomir is a ruin, and Taldor is plunged into chaos. The people here want to worship Groetus, let them! The God of the End Times has some excellent ideas about pain and destruction.”

She looks over the party as her eyes land on Ulvard, she points a clawed finger at him. "I could use more followers. How about you follow me upstairs and we can discuss your future and how it aligns with Groetus?"

"I think you misunderstand our purpose. We are investigating a series of murders and other violent attacks, seeking to find the culprits and stop them committing more crimes against the people of Admiral's Fen. Your cult only bothers us if it is responsible for these acts of terror. Can you help us with our investigation? I would prefer a conversation with you rather than unpleasantness." Ehlanna says calmly. "And although it's his choice, I suspect Ulvard would prefer to remain with the rest of us and fully clothed."

Ulvard looks around the room, disgust evident in his eyes.

"Given the house you keep, I expect that upstairs is even worse than here. "

He does wince a little as she pushes the spider back into her mouth. "I care not for bandying words with a woman who hosts spiders within her mouth. My people have an expression about wyrm with forked tongues, and I think they would apply to spider-tongues as well."

Hui Kong similarly grimaces in disgust at the sight of the spider re-entering the priestesses mouth.

"Sure, ruin will come eventually, but think we'll all appreciate it if you don't try to expedite it, you know? And certainly, I hope not by murdering innocent townsfolk?"

The female smiles, "Why else would you be here if you did not see us as the guilty party?" She then sighs, "Of course we are. What other way to get new followers and the town to believe it is end time, than to make it so?"

Being turned down by Ulvard, she shrugs. "Your loss. I would have enjoyed your company"

"Murder. You mean a blessing in disguise. Once the soul is released, it suffers no more"

Can I make a religion roll to know that's not true?

Voron scowls at the woman's brazenness and grips his staff tightly.

Yes, and I suppose you feel the same way if your soul were to be "freed"? It's awfully convenient to say that on behalf of others...

Ulvard sighs. "If I go up stairs with you, are you going to kill me too? Ulvard not ready for end times yet. Ulvard enjoys living."

Ehlanna recalls that once the Soul enters the Boneyard, Pharasma's Court judges them and sent on once judged. By no means does it guarantee their souls are free.

She gasps at Voron accusation. "If i were to die, and if that was Groetus' will, so be it. But, no, I serve a greater purpose here"

Looking over to Ulvard, "No, no. My plans with you does not involve your death. Possibly the death of you allies though" She ends with a a shrug.

Voron's expression quickly shifts from sharp sternness to confusion.

Our allies...? Who do you mean, and why wouldn't we stop you?

Sense Motive

She gasps at Voron accusation. "If i were to die, and if that was Groetus' will, so be it. But, no, I serve a greater purpose here"

"How convenient," Hui Kong mutters in an audible whisper. "Rules for thee but not for me."

"I think he could take care of you and whoever hired you to poke around"

To clear up any confusion, she wants Ulvard to join her and use him to take the rest of the party out. Then take care of the VC who assigned the mission to you.

Henri has been quiet for some time since they reached the place. He just listens to the conversation and ponders something.

Why is she interested only to Ulvard to join her? Why not recruit us all for her cause? he thinks to himself.

Henri moves forward and speaks to Ahksiva.

”Having heard your purpose with Groteus in freeing souls piqued my interest. Maybe your calling has been the one I am looking for. I cannot find those answers from Nethys, on how to make one free from suffering, on how to remove ourselves from pain. It seems I could find the answer with Groteus.

”I would like to know how to join your cause. But it seems you are only interested for Ulvard to join. I hope you can consider me joining you instead,” Henri tells the prophet.

Deception: 1d20 ⇒ 19

"Ah, the follower of the two-faced god...you would like to join the those who follow Groetus?" She laughs, "Now this is precious. I guess you follow the sect that wish to destroy the world."

"So tell me, are you willing to put those suffering out of their misery. Are you ready to destory those who have outlived their usefulness?"

If so, join me by my side and help me put an end to Admiral's fen."

Henri stays focused to deceive the prophet, but...

Does she means literally by her side, or as a figure of speech? he asks himself. He then decides on what to do.

Without showing hesitation to anyone and holding tightly on his staff, Henri walks toward the prophet of Groetus to join her literally on her side, not even looking back to his companions.

Ulvard has had enough of the banter.

"You are Crazy Woman. You kill, kill, kill. Struggle makes you Strong. Like Ulvard!"

He draws his sword. "Let me show you how strong."

She watches cautiously as Henri approaches, "Very smart. Now, your friends," she places a hand on his shoulder and says with a sneer, "have outlasted their usefulness. Send them to the Boneyard."

Her eyebrows perk up as Ulvard shouts and draws his weapon, "Ah, pity, we could have used your passion."

So, Henri, you will begin adjacent to her.

Round 1-Bold May Act
Henri Hart
Yellow
Ahksiva
Ehlanna
Mindartis
Red
Kong
Ulvard
Voron
Green

Henri changes his mind, not wanting to kill his companions.

”Send to Boneyard, you say?” He turns around, facing the prophet, and hits her with his staff. He goes back to his where his companions are and raises his shield.

Staff Attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23
Staff Damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2 bludgeoning damage

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22

◆ Strike
◆ Stride
◆ Cast a Spell, Shield spell

The staff attack catches off guard. Hit

"That will be the last mistake you ever made" She screams as he retreats. "Kill him"

On command, the yellow tusked-frog, moves towards Henri and catches up to him, before attempting to bite.

tusks: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10 Miss

"Guess I will do it myself"

Ahksiva moves up and attempts to strike Henri with her claws.

claws: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (15) + 12 = 27 Critical hit
magical, slashing damage: 1d10 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10 x2=20
Henry will also need to make a DC 19 fort or be enfeebled 1 for a day. Critical fail, is enfeebled 2 for a day

Round 1-Bold May Act
Henri Hart
Yellow
Ahksiva
Ehlanna
Mindartis
Red
Kong
Ulvard
Voron
Green

Fortitude save: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23

Holy cow, with that amount of damage, am I dead already?

Sorry for the lack of post lately. Had to take care of the fam for the week. Experienced flu the whole week.

Mindartis sets his sights on Ahksiva and quickly fires two arrows at her.

Longbow: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (4) + 10 = 14
Piercing+Precision: 2d8 ⇒ (7, 8) = 15

Longbow, MAP: 1d20 + 10 - 5 ⇒ (13) + 10 - 5 = 18
Piercing+Precision: 2d8 ⇒ (6, 1) = 7

Hunt Prey, Quick Draw, Strike. The precision damage only applies once on the first successful hit.

Holy cow, with that amount of damage, am I dead already?

You could shield block it with the shield spell, but once that is done, no more shield spell. It would keep you conscious after the hit and save you from going to dying 2.

If you did shield block, the second strike would drop you, but only to dying 1.

Your choice.

I will use ↺ Shield Block then, on her first attack.

Henri's shield explodes as Ahksiva's claws slam into it, absorbing some of the damage. Her second strike drops the cleric.

She stands over his body, "Pity."

Mindartis fires off two arrows, both go wide.

Round 1-Bold May Act
Henri Hart-Dying 1
Yellow
Ahksiva
Ehlanna
Mindartis
Red
Kong
Ulvard
Voron
Green

Ehlanna takes a close look at Ahksiva

◆ Devise a Strategem: 1d20 ⇒ 12

Seeing what she thinks is an opening, she ◆ draws her starknife and hurls it at the 'prophet'.

◆ Starknife at Ahksive: 12 + 7 = 191d4 + 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + (1) + 1 = 3

Ehlanna's strategy pays off as the knife connects. Ahksive lets out a hiss of pain.

slime squirt vs Ehlanna flat-footed: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18

Ehlanna is hit with a bolt of slime, more like a loogie, and is coated in the stuff. The source is another tusked-frog creature that was not there before. Ehlanna you become clumsy 1 and take a –5-foot penalty to Speed for 1 hour or until the slime is removed. The slime can be removed with a total of three Interact actions by the entangled creature or creatures adjacent to the creature. These actions don’t need to be consecutive or made by the same creature.

slime squirt: 1d20 + 7 - 5 ⇒ (2) + 7 - 5 = 4
It then launches another snot rocket at Ulvard. It splatters on the pillar next to him.

Round 1-Bold May Act
Henri Hart-Dying 1
Yellow
Ahksiva
Ehlanna
Mindartis
Red
Kong
Ulvard
Voron
Green

Ulvard is Not Happy

With a raw he runs forward and swings at Ahksiva.

"RRRROOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAWWWWWWWWWWWWWW" he froths.

strike: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10
But his strike is well off balance. Was he even really striking at the priestess, or just pretending to?

"RRRRRRRRRRRRROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR"

* Rage
* Stride
* Strike

Voron glides to the right where he can better get a shot of Ahksiva around Ulvard, drawing his dagger as he does so.

Holding it upright, he closes one eye to get a good aim on her, and suddenly flicks it forward! It speeds toward its target, and afterward jumps across the room and back into the elf's grasp.

◆ Stride: 10'
◆ Interact: draw dagger
◆ Cast (somatic) hand of the apprentice vs Ahksiva

Spell attack vs Ahksiva, P damage: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 221d4 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

Hui Kong glances briefly at at the fallen Henri but there is little he can do for him, except to take down the enemies as quickly as he can.

Almost routine now, he sets his staff spinning as he starts chanting, culminating in two bolts of lighting thrown forth from his staff, one at the priestess, and one at the frog creature on the far left.

vs Ahksiva, Yellow: electric arc: 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6 Basic Ref DC16

And again as before, as the spell ends, he captures a wisp of energy to embolden his staff.

arcane cascade

Ulvard's strike misses.

Voron's dagger finds its mark.

Akhsive: 1d20 ⇒ 20
yellow: 1d20 ⇒ 11

Ahsiva dodges out of the way of the spell. The frog thing dodges some of it.

The green frog hops in front of ehlanna and attacks with its tusk.

tusk: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 291d6 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3 Critical Hit.
deadly: 1d10 ⇒ 9

3*2=6+9=15 piercing damage. Dying 2 due to critical hit

The tusks go through Ehlanna's leg and rips a huge chunk. She falls to the floor, bleeding out.

************************************************************************

Yellow hops over Henri and goes after Kong.

tusk: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (15) + 9 = 241d6 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6 Hit for 6 damage
tusk + map: 1d20 + 9 - 5 ⇒ (5) + 9 - 5 = 91d6 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6 Miss

************************************************************************

Ahksiva begins her assault on Ulvard.

claw: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (9) + 12 = 211d10 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12 Hit for 12
claw - MAP: 1d20 + 12 - 4 ⇒ (14) + 12 - 4 = 221d10 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5 Hit for 5
claw - MAPx2: 1d20 + 12 - 8 ⇒ (7) + 12 - 8 = 111d10 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12 Miss

Will need Henry to make a DC 11 flat check to stabilize

Round 2-Bold May Act
Henri Hart-Dying 1
Yellow
Ahksiva
Mindartis
Red
Kong
Ulvard
Voron
Ehlanna-Dying 2
Green

Flat Check: 1d20 ⇒ 11

Mindartis commands Mialee to assist Ulvard as the elf fires two more arrows from his bow towards Ahksiva. "Go for the eyes, Mialee!". The bird flies up and flies towards the back of the Ahksiva as it tries to peck her eyes.

Mialee Jaw vs Flanked?: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (12) + 9 = 21
Piercing+Precision: 1d6 + 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (5) + (1) + 2 = 8

Longbow: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (12) + 10 = 22
Piercing+Precision: 2d8 ⇒ (5, 6) = 11

Longbow: 1d20 + 10 - 5 ⇒ (8) + 10 - 5 = 13
Piercing+Precision: 2d8 ⇒ (3, 2) = 5

Henri stabilizes. Success, goes from dying 1 to wounded 1. Still unconscious

Mailee and Mindartis tag team Ahksiva, each landing a successful strike.

"Stop spitting at them and help me" Ahksiva yells at the red frog creature.

Red moves over to the flank and attempts to tusk Mailee.

tusk: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (11) + 9 = 201d6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7 Hit
tusk + MAP: 1d20 + 9 - 5 ⇒ (12) + 9 - 5 = 161d6 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6 Hit

Total 13 for Mailee

Ehlanna will need to make a DC 12 flat check.

Round 2-Bold May Act
Henri Hart-Wounded 1, Unconscious
Yellow
Ahksiva
Mindartis
Red
Kong
Ulvard
Voron
Ehlanna-Dying 2
Green

Seeing Mialee behind Ahksiva really doesn't change his tactics at all. He continues to roar and spray foam around as he attacks again and again and again.

As he swings, twists of strange energy seem to spill out from the blade, small motes of light that burn horribly in the wounds the sword inflicts.

I've not added anything for flanking, but hopefully she is FF due to the flank, which might even give me a critical.

attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25
positive energy damage: 1d12 + 4 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 4 + 3 = 19
second attack: 1d20 + 7 - 5 ⇒ (19) + 7 - 5 = 21
positive energy damage: 1d12 + 4 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 4 + 3 = 11
third attack: 1d20 + 7 - 5 ⇒ (11) + 7 - 5 = 13

"TTTTTTTTTTHHHHHHHHHHHHHEEEEEEEEEEEERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE AAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRREEEEEEEEEEEEEEE EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEENNNNNNNNNNNNOOOOOOOOUUUUUUUUUUUUUGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHH H DDDDDDDDDDDEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAADDDDDDDDDDDDDDD AAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLLRRRRRRRRRRRRRRREEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAADDDDDDDDDDDY YYYYYYYYY" he screams in her face.

Ulvard delivers two hard shots, dropping Ahksiva. He turns to yellow for the final swing and misses.

Round 2-Bold May Act
Henri Hart-Wounded 1, Unconscious
Yellow
Ahksiva
Mindartis
Red
Kong
Ulvard
Voron
Ehlanna-Dying 2
Green

"EEEEEEEEEEENNNNNNNNNJJJJJJJJJJJJOOOOOYYYYYYYYYY YYYYYYYYYYYYYOOOOOOOOOOUUUUUUUUUUUURRRRRRRRRRR TTTTTTTTTTTTIIIIIIIIIIIIMMMMMMMMMMMMMEEEEEEEEEEEEEE WWWWWWWWWWWIIIIIIIIIIIITTTTTTTTTTTHHHHHHHHH GGGGGGGGGRRRRRRRRRRRROOOOOOOOTTTTTTTTTUUUUUUUUSSSSSSSSSS" foams the raging barbarian.

Hmm, she didn't last long! But her frogs are very loyal, they could have just as well scattered by now.

Voron scans the remaining battlefield and then commands a chunk of debris to speed towards the furthest frog.

◆◆ Cast (somatic, verbal) telekinetic projectile vs. RED
Spell attack WHITE, B damage: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 121d6 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10
◆ Cast Shield. He will shield-block if it comes up.

Does Ehlanna die?: 1d20 ⇒ 10

Seemingly caught in a trance. Hui Kong seems to barely be looking at anything around him, yet seems to know exactly what is happening. Without even a glance at the fallen Ahksiva, he steps closer to the two frog creatures even though there's no need.

He continues his chant and again, his staff sprouts fierce-looking spikes which he brings it down upon the injured one (yellow).

Step, Spellstrike (2)

vs yellow: staff 2(H), Flatfooted: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15 bludgeoning: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8 +
SpellStrike: Gouging Claw, piercing: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8
+1 force (Arcane Cascade)

Voron misses with his spell.

Kong delivers a massive hit on yellow.

Ehlanna slips a little bit close to the boneyard.

Green and Yellow disengage and go to hide.

Green and Yellow are still on the map, but they are now running and hiding

Only kept you initiative because you have a dying ally

Round 3-Bold May Act
Henri Hart-Wounded 1, Unconscious
Mindartis
Red
Kong
Ulvard
Voron
Ehlanna-Dying 3