Palace of the Silver Princess (OSE)

Game Master Branding Opportunity

At the mention of predators Dolion draws his sword and walks with it in hand.

The group moves ahead down the trail, traveling in relative silence through the dripping and mist-shrouded forest.

Around midnight (although time is hard to pin down exactly when you can't see the movement of the stars overhead), Aiden speaks up in a quiet voice as he points to a nearby tree whose trunk looks as if it had been split in two by a lightning strike.

"I think I remember passing that tree soon after we saw the body. It can't be far now."

Both Aiden and Barnabas clutch their weapons tightly in their hands as they gaze out through the mist into the woods around you.

Sure enough, a few minutes later you turn a corner in the trail and see a body lying in the middle of the trail about 40 feet (13 meters) ahead of you (the max visibility with the lantern and the fog is about at 60 feet (18 meters). Juding from how it is dressed it appears to be a woman in peasant dress with long brown hair tucked into a headcloth. She is not moving and according to Kymil's elven eyes, appears to be cold.

Felder pauses when he spots the body, then cranes his head about to look for any signs of other people or creatures in the area. With only the lantern light, of course, it's impossible to spot anyone who isn't practically on top of the group already, but caution forms habits.

Confident there’s no immediate threat from predators, Osseus moves forward to examine the body. Tapping a simple rhythm on the fossilized bone of his holy symbol, he searches the body for any visible wounds in its current position before lifting the head and looking at the face before rolling it over and continuing his inspection.

Looking for wounds, and attempting to gauge time of death based on state of decay, regardless of the corpse’s identity. Maybe an advantage on the latter due to his funerary experience?

Wis 16: 1d20 ⇒ 7
Int 13 / Searching body: 1d20 ⇒ 15
If advantage granted
Int 13 / Time of Death, advantage roll: 1d20 ⇒ 9

The Merc didn't move to the body but readied his weapon and moved to cover Felders back, peering outwards.

Osseus kneels down next to the body and carefully inspects her back before turning her over. Judging by the lack of stiffness in the limbs combined with her cold temperature, she's been dead for at least 48 hours (as rigor mortis tends to begin to wear off after 12 hours and is generally completely absent within 48). As for wounds, Osseus sees several on her back and side, most likely made by small claws, but none seem life threatening. Once he has finished examaning her back, he carefully turns her over and discovers that ...

Although the body's condition makes it difficult to identify her, Osseus is fairly certain that this is NOT Bernadette, as the body has the skin of an older woman.

I put the content warning spoiler tag on because not everyone has "signed-off" in our "Lines & Veils" spreadsheet letting us know what you are and are not comfortable with in the game. Once everyone has checked out the categories and added their names to the "Romance Option" box I won't hide those topics any more. I've also added a link to the L&V doc in our Campaign Info tab.

KI keeps watching as the others examine the body. His elven eyes will be able to pick up any heat signatures in the dark. His bow is held at the ready.

Wis 7: 1d20 ⇒ 13

Unsure if the area is safe the thief stands watch as his comrades examine the mangled corpse. With a nervous stutter he asked, ”Is it h..hherrr?”

"I don't believe so, Dolion. While the face has been mauled by animals, it appears this woman was many years the senior of Bernadette." The priest stands. "We should bring the body back to Velders. Someone there may be able to identify who it was. At the very least proper last rites may be performed."

Osseus will wrap the body in his cloak and assist in carrying it if needed. He's unconcerned with leaving inside bits of it behind; it's the bones that matter to him.

Okay you two. You have my apologies. I may have misjudged you both. If we make it back you'll find me in better humour and a more charitable mood come morning. Who knows? There may even be beer.

After the body is wrapped, he drapes it easily over one shoulder, weapon still in hand, starts marching back.

Felder sets down his lantern and rummages through his things, then motions for the two guides to join him.

"You made good on what you said, so I'll do the same. Here's a little money for your trouble," he says as he hands the boys a few gold coins.

Relieved at the cleric’s assurance that the corpse is not Bernadette Dolion wonders, where is the lass? That mystery will have to wait until morning, he concluded as he follows knuckles.

You carefully wrap the body and just as you are about to head back to Velders, Kymil spots movement in the forest at the edge of his elven vision.

Kymil, you see at least four or five quadrapedal shapes moving at high speeds through your field of vision from left to right about 60 feet distant. They're the size of large dogs, and could be the caelyxes you identified from their spoors earlier.

Just loud enough for all to hear, the elf calls out.

"Head's up!! We have 4 or 5 creatures moving in on us."

F%%+! Circle up! Newbies? Get in the middle! If you run, they'll tear you apart! Start lighting torches!, and with that he shrugs off his pack and the corpse.

Felder shuffles into position behind Emmett and lifts his lantern to better illuminate the area as the creatures close in.

Neither Aiden or Barnabas have torches, but the former hefts a javelin and looks about nervously and the latter pulls a sword and a hand axe from their holsters.

Those of you close enough to Aiden hear him muttering to Barnabas: "Oh Gods have mercy! Barnie, you bastard, you told me that I wouldn't die in this forest!" Barnabas does not reply but keeps his eyes focused on the forest.

You can all now hear the rustle of leaves and the snapping of branches off in the woods and realize with a sinking feeling that they are coming from all around you.

Hide in Shadows 15%: 1d100 ⇒ 70

At the elf’s warning Dolion tried to retreat into the shadows.

Osseus unships his shield from his pack and straps it to his left arm, then draws his mace. He positions himself on the far side of Felder from Emmett, facing away from them both.

”We can try shouting to keep them at bay - unless anyone happens to have a hunting horn?”

Can Ky take a shot at the creatures before they strike?

Can Ky take a shot at the creatures before they strike?

Yes, once formal combat begins. In OSE missle attacks go in a part of the round that precedes all melee attacks. I just wanted to give everyone a chance to post an action before we got started.

OK, here's the combat sequence for OSE:

Combat Sequence Per Round
1. Declare spells and retreats
2. Initiative: Each side rolls 1d6.
3. Winning side acts:
a. Monster morale b. Movement
c. Missile attacks d. Spell casting
e. Melee attacks
4. Other sides act: In initiative order.

So first, does anyone want to move or cast spells in this round? The caelyxes will be moving toward you but not casting spells.

Depends on whether any of the caelyxes are grouped up or not. If they're moving into a position where I can target at least two with a sleep spell, then that happens.

Sleep hit dice: 2d8 ⇒ (6, 7) = 13

I have torches in my pack you stupid bastards, Knuckles growls.

Dolion holds his ground waiting for the creatures to attack.

Osseus will be neither spellcasting nor retreating.

I'll roll Initiative: PC Initiative: 1d6 ⇒ 6, Caelyx initiative: 1d6 ⇒ 1

You win, so feel free to make your attack rolls, as they will all "go off" before the caelyxs'. The AC you are trying to hit is 13. Remember that we're using ascending AC, so you roll your 1d20 and add Str/Dex. I don't believe any of you have a level-dependent attack bonus yet, correct?

You win, so feel free to make your attack rolls, as they will all "go off" before the caelyxs'. The AC you are trying to hit is 13. Remember that we're using ascending AC, so you roll your 1d20 and add Str/Dex. I don't believe any of you have a level-dependent attack bonus yet, correct?

Sorry, the AC is 11.

Taking careful aim, Ky raises his bow and targets one of the caelyxs.

Attack: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 3

Dolion crouched low, waiting for the creatures to approach. The young thief sprung forward, timing his attack perfectly, his sword hummed as it sliced through the air and plunged deep into the unfortunate caelyx with a resounding thunk.

Attack Sword: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 1 = 19
Damage, Sword: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

The Mercenary carefully waits for one of the hyper violent house cats to move into range... both hands on the hilt as he's still waiting for those newbie morons to start lighting torches and wants a hand free.

1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21 for 1d8 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 3 + 1 = 6

Awwwww... crap damage. Incidentally I've always thought OSE fighters should get a +1 to hit and damage. Elves get see in dark and magic, sure xp is a drag but a 2nd level elf is the equal of a 2nd level fighter in straight combat minus an average of a hit point or two. A dwarf gets a swag of other benefits and is the literal equal. A rogue can do rogue stuff. A cleric can do cleric stuff etc. All a fighter gets is lower xp to their next d8 hps. Stuff starts to even out around levels 9, 10 etc even so the OSE fighter has literally no special abilities until post 'expert' levels. I've also seen the cleave option where they get a bonus attack on dropping foes to 0

ROUND 1 - Taking Our Caelyx

As one of the beasts charges forward, Osseus gives a wild shout to go with his equally wild swing.

”HOOOAIIIIIE!”

Attack with mace: 1d20 ⇒ 6

Round 1

As the creatures come charging out of the underbrush all around you, you finally get a good look at them. They look like a strange cross between a lynx or other medium-sized cat and a ... a vegetable perhaps? Their bodies are made up of ropes of interwoven brownish and greenish vines, although they have all the other physical attributes or a large cat such as eyes, ears, claws, whiskers and fearsome green teeth.

Kymil's arrow strikes true, striking one of the creatures in the midsection, causing it to stumble in its run and crash into a small bush, howling in frustration (It's still alive.). Dollion takes down another with his sword. As he draws it out of the creature, he finds that it is covered in a greenish blood-like fluid that smells of freshly mown grass with an earthy undertone.

Standing next to Dollion, Aiden and Barnabas look significantly less confident, striking at one of the caelyx's as it charges at them. Barnabas trips over a rock or stone, his sword nearly flying out of his hands as he struggles for control of it, while Aiden has more luck as he buries it almost up to the hilt in the creatures mouth.

Aiden attack: 1d20 ⇒ 14;Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 6
Barnabas attack: 1d20 ⇒ 2Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 3

Osseus does his best to keep the beast charging him at bay, but it dances out of reach of his weapon.

Morale check: 2d6 ⇒ (1, 5) = 6

The three remaining caelyxes see their fallen brethren and quickly turn their copper-colored tails and flee into the bushes. As they tear off out of sight, the few dying ones make pitiful mewling noises as the green liquid flows out of them.

Combat is over.

Intelligence(14): 1d20 ⇒ 9

I think I succeeded??

Intelligence check (<= 16): 1d20 ⇒ 14

DM, not clear whether "at -1" means "with a -1 penalty to your score, making it harder" or "with a -1 modifier to the die, making it easier."

Int 9-1: 1d20 ⇒ 1
I believe it is a minus 1 penalty to your score making it harder.

”That’s strange I’ve never heard of caelyxes attacking a group this large,” Dolion commented to the others. ”We best make tracks before they come back.”

Felder lets out a breath and brings down his hand, which was twisted into the beginnings of an arcane gesture.

"Let's get the body so that she can be buried properly in the graveyard, and maybe if she has any family in the town or nearby they can be notified," he suggests.

Int 8: 1d20 ⇒ 10

Weeeell, we're well rid of them. I'll light a torch and let's head back

"I still have my lantern," says Felder. "No need for the torch."

DM, not clear whether "at -1" means "with a -1 penalty to your score, making it harder" or "with a -1 modifier to the die, making it easier."

Sorry for the confusion. Any modifier is always to the number you are trying to roll UNDER, so a -1 is a penalty, while a +1 is positive.

FYI: Since the woman was disemboweled and has other major injuries, carrying her will be a bloody affair unless other precautions are taken. How would you like to solve this, or does someone not mind getting covered in blood during the return trip to Velders?

As you gather the body of the human woman who met her grizzly end here, you see the light of multiple lanterns several hundred feet away coming down the trail from Gulluvia. It seems that there are other travelers, quite unusual for so late at night!

At the moment you are too far away to make out any details other than there is another light source approaching. You are not sure if they know you are here, but since you have not been taking precautions to hide yourself, it is possible. What would you like to do?

Osseus will wrap the body in his cloak and assist in carrying it if needed. He's unconcerned with leaving inside bits of it behind; it's the bones that matter to him.

Its his cloak and I've been doing the heavy lifting. It's been out for hours so while their might be some oozing through a wooden travellers cloak, it would be minimal... getting it cleaned out of the cloak on the other hand?...

Osseus will wrap the body in his cloak and assist in carrying it if needed. He's unconcerned with leaving inside bits of it behind; it's the bones that matter to him.

Oops, I had forgotten about that post. Thanks for reminding me.

”Night travelers through Abaddon? They’re either foolish, dangerous, or desperate. Or all three.”

Osseus looks to Emmett first, then the others. ”Do we head back, hide, or stay here and meet them?”

Head back... they're scared but if we stay here, they may be bold enough to return. Let's get out of their hunting range.

"I think Osseus was referring to the other lights on the road there, Knuckles," says Felder.

"Most travelers at night aren't about with good intentions... we being one of the exceptions, of course... but if they wanted to sneak up on us, they'd douse their lights."

Kymil keeps an eye out into the dark woods with his "elven" eyes.

"I can follow a bit behind and watch our back. If I see anything, I will call out to let you know."

Sounds like a plan Kymil