"Tis odd they follow Cayd, a god of goodly drink and deed. What use have orcs for such as he?" Fondo nods at Briar's suggestion and begins gathering together bodies. "I speak with Deyanira upon the sun's demise. What wards have we to guard this dreary post as we move on? Have you a sense of whether other orcs brute feet have tread these grounds in recent past?"
He tries to pull on one of the bows' strings and quickly gives up. Soon enough, he's ready to cross the bridge, Deyanira's locket open as if to ward against the dark foreboding of the place.
"The castle reeks of death, the crypt of Laori's hero true. We'll need to move as one and find solace among our fellows' radiance. Let comfort from a friend lead we heroes to the end."
Barael listens to Fondo and his spirits are raised slightly. "Staying tight together is probably a good idea. I'd rather you not talk about 'end's, Fondo." Barael rubs his scruff.
"So maybe the shrine here is a sign. If we can stay here for a talk, I'd appreciate it. As I head in, the only thing I'll have is armor against spectres, blade to injure them back, and roughly eight times to Vanish. I'm starting to understand that if I wink out, enemy eyes turn to others for punishment. I'll try to not do that at the wrong moments." Barael looks a little apologetically in Charlie's direction.
"Are there other steps to take here that will prepare us for what is certain to turn its attentions on us? What Nik described, that alone is enough to give me a healthy respect for what's to come. I would like to remain myself from entrance to exit. Nik, is your blade as vulnerable to ghost attacks as we are? I didn't know you could shield us from orc arrows, Long-Lived. What else can you shield us from? Charlie, can your elementals damage ghosts? Can you summon something that can? How many graces can that wand of Fervor bestow? I'd have us ready all to benefit from each and every use of it. Dandi, you always seem to have something new at your fingertips. Do we need to stay out of the way first, to let your webs go forth first?"
"Fondo. Your voice alone brings resolve, and it looks like we're going to need all of ours. Do you suggest any specific formation, and do we have quick commands we can follow? I'm assuming that we face several skirmishs that will get more severe the closer we get to the sword. What did Zellara say again?" Barael strains to recall.
Fondo smiles. At last the Rat cooperation seeks. A year of questions to his mates rolled into one most lengthy breath. He waits for his other companions to respond.
Barael listens to Fondo and his spirits are raised slightly. "Staying tight together is probably a good idea. I'd rather you not talk about 'end's, Fondo."
Briar starts out listening politely to the chittering Rat.
"So maybe chitter...chatter...chitter..chatter...wrong moments."
Briar's eyes defocus as he listens to the Rat.
"Are...chitter...chatter...chitter...chatter...chitter...chatter...chitter. .chatter...chitter...chatter...chitter...chatter...chitter...chatter...chit ter..chatter...chitter...chatter...chitter..chatter... to let your webs go forth first?"
Briar eyes glaze over and his head slowly bends forward before he snaps himself awake at the mention of his name.
"Fondo...chitter...chatter...chitter..chatter...chitter...chatter...chitter ..chatter...chitter...chatter...chitter..chatter...chitter...chatter...chit ter..chatter...Zellara say again?"
Briar begs his polite dismissal so he can do something else...like to go move bloody orc bodies around.
Phew! This is much better.
* * *
Much after the initial chitterstorm is over, Briar will approach Barael.
"What was your question again? I got lost in the 5th or 6th run on question it seemed." Briar looks like he wants to help.
"Well the webs work well against living things; so long as they're not feeling too threatened to enjoy their dance. I'm not so certain the rainbows will hold sway against things that should have died long ago, however." Though she pays more attention than Briar, she never stays far from the view of the castle, almost huddling inside herself as she thinks of the steps that need come next.
Fondo nods at Dandi's words. Brother Rat, your vanishing's impressive, sure, but just as dears's your cutting skill. You'll save the former if you learn to trust in friends like me to set you up." He looks around at the party. "It matters not what miracles we can devise alone. Our true power lies in sharing trust. Not rushing off alone. Stand together strong, and next to none can break our wills or strike us down."
"I just got a new spell that might be useful as we walk across the bridge. It will protect us from magics from the castle, but will put the kibosh on ours, too. I can dispell it once we get close. What do you guys think?"
"No Halfblood, save your magics...and your anti magics. Best save that for when we face magics we cannot overcome," Briar opines. "Speaking of overcoming, let's say we overcome more than the Orc-filled castle outhouse today?"
Briar unlimbers his bow. He will climb to 10' up and move 1/3 the way down the walkway(bridge?) and take a look around.
Take 10 Perception = 32.
Before leaving, Charlie will grab one of the orc +1 mithral shirts for later.
Charlie will grab at Briar as he starts to float away and say,
"We're loosened up. Now, who will join me in a shot and a march?"
Briar stops his climb to accept (but also 'enjoy') a long belt of Charlie's hooch.
"Thank you, Halfblood."
Dandi turns, smiling dreamily at Charlie's offer. "Thank you, Charlie. It may be just the thing to steady the nerves and free the mind, hmm? " A sip or two, then she'll follow Briar. "Come on, Fondo, let's go see what we can see before night claims both the light, and the Will to continue."
A battle herald uses her keen tactical acumen and decisive judgment to lead others to victory, as well as her mastery of command to assist herself and her allies in battle.
All battle heralds may use inspiring command to inspire courage (as the bardic performance ability); bard and battle herald levels stack to determine the bonuses provided by inspire courage.
"Brother Rose, your elfwalk is a marvel true. Pray go not far, that we might ward you with our care."
Wasted words.
Words of care are never truly wasted.
Fondo waits for Barael to join him and takes heed of the Rat's senses as they cross the bridge.
Briar unlimbers his bow. He will climb to 10' up and move 1/3 the way down the walkway(bridge?) and take a look around.
With each 'step' down the bridge, Briar feels the cold seep deeper into his bones. Every portal and portcullis seems to have eyes watching you - but some of it at least is just the flickering light of some inner torch still burning.
You think you see shadows moving in several of the arrow slits and tiny windows, but it's hard to tell. Certainly nothing seems ready to jump out at you - though Nikolay's previous searches revealed that not to be a safe bet.
- - -
Oh, and I'm assuming the party made a pile of the orc gear and will haul it out later. You have a few extra dimensional spaces between you I think, but hauling loot may become a problem if much of it is in armor form...
Briar moves closer, another 20', and takes 10 again. (32 Perception).
"The castle is alerted to our presence. I would prefer that we left sooner while some our magics are still working. I'm not sure how much the 'cover' of darkness or another day will assist us. We might find ourselves repelling an attack tonight while we rest and end up weaker in the morning than we are now."
Nikolay looks toward the castle, grumpily aware that his human eyes will reveal little of what lurks over there.
Briar moves closer, another 20', and takes 10 again. (32 Perception).
The bridge is 250' long.
While it is early to mid afternoon, and the sun is shining, the shadows cast by the party go toward the castle and seem longer than they should. There are some clouds in the sky, but there is a darkness too that seems to suck the very light from the air.
You're about 150' from the castle proper and see nothing new.
Dandi turns once to make sure the others are following. Her hair curls up upon itself, almost beckoning. "Barrie, are you coming?"
"Yes. Right behind you. For a moment there, I felt something dark. A dread feeling, that." Barael's whole body shakes.
He moves forward down the bridge, but only after he's pawed Charlie's whiskey. He watches Briar, like a miner watches a canary.
Briar waits for the others to catch up before moving on. He will be airwalking 10' above the lead yahoo, bow drawn and expectant of danger.
Briar moves another 50' and looks again, assuming the Harrowcast follow.
Fondo takes the lead if no one else will, foolhardy to the last.
After some healing, Nikolay will take the lead with his sword out. He will cast shield right before they begin across the bridge.
Charlie bips himself the rest of the way to full health before he offers his booze. Once everyone has had enough he smiles and says, "Well, it's been nice working with you," and casts bless if the other one has run its course.
AC 14 mithral shirt w/ ghost touch
CMD 14
HP = 87/87
Harrow Points: 6
Elemental HP 68/68
Holy Water Vials: 10
If anyone is poisoned or diseased Charlie will attempt a heal check (15)
The spells/day listed will include the casting (if any) that I made this round
Orisons DC:16 (Create Water, Guidance, Mending, Purify Food and Drink, Stabilize, Mage Hand, Read Magic, Ghost Sound)
First Level: DC:17 (7/8 per day) (Bless, Bless Water, Doom, Ray of Enfeeblement, Remove Fear, Cure Light, Protection from Evil)
Second Level: DC:18 (7/8 per day) (Admonishing Ray,Communal Prot. from Evil, Hold Person, Lesser Restoration, Sound Burst, Cure Moderate)
Third Level: DC:19 (7/7 per day) (Create Food and Water, Prayer, Remove Disease, Searing Light, Cure Serious, Dispel Magic)
Fourth Level: DC:20 (6/7 per day)(Minor Globe of Invulnerability, Holy Smite, Neutralize Poison, Restoration, Cure Critical Wounds)
Fifth Level: DC:21 (5/5 per day)(Constricting Coils, Scry) (Mass Cure Light Wounds)
Sixth Level: DC:22 (3/4 per day)(Anti-magic Field, Heal) (Mass Cure Moderate Wounds)
Oracle Revelation: Eldritch Bolt 9/9 times per day. 1d8+5 dam
summon elemental: Twice per day 6/6, 6/6 rounds per day + ring: 6/6 rnds
Sociable Trait6/6 rounds per day
wand CSW 30/37 (+5)
wand CLW 13/50 (+1)
wand CLW 50/50
wand blessings of fervor 33/50
Rod of Reach 3/3 per day
wrist sheath: breath of life scroll (+3 backup)
Weapon equipped = Biting wit (and a MW dagger)
Shield equipped =OMG please don't hurt me
Life Bubble lasts 20 hours. Envelopes you in clean air that protects v. gases, water, etc.
Endure Elements lasts 24 hours
Ablative Barrier, Extended lasts 20 hours. Turns up to 50 HP of damage to nonlethal, 5 HP per attack. Also applies to energy damage, like fireball.
Briar waits for the others to catch up before moving on. He will be airwalking 10' above the lead yahoo, bow drawn and expectant of danger.
Briar moves another 50' and looks again, assuming the Harrowcast follow.
OK, so you're now at 150' away creeping forward very slowly... nothing happens.
Fondo keeps walking with some stealth all the way across the bridge.
Barael treks across the bridge, clinging to the bridge's sides, hoping to dart from cover spot to cover spot. He keeps pace with the others. "When we find that the doors won't open to our approach, how are we gaining entrance? Breaking down ancient doors? Turning mist, and finding a window without an archer?" Barael hopes to hear a good plan before arrows begin to rain down upon them. He also hopes the defenders are kind enough to begin the rain as quickly as possible, so the party can retreat easily if necessary.
"Rat, you worry too much. Calm yourself and let us see what waits." Despite his dismissive response, Fondo looks trepidatiously at the murder holes and keeps his step light.
Nikolay walks down the center of the bridge with his sword out.
"I'd wait at the gatehouse, but I don't think you want me that far away when things go bad."
Dandi, seeing Charlie heal up, is reminded of her own wounds. "Charlie, might I borrow the the wand for a moment?"
Healed and blessed, she continues with the others.
Briar, still trying to ignore the creeping demons of fear and cowardice in his mind, paces along with the Rat. He will keep 10' up and 5' to the right side as they cross the bridge.
I don't feel so good. The magic that keeps this place is one of fell magics...I neither love nor hate it, but it causes discomfort.
As the group crosses, Fondo attempts to gather his friends about him. Well, behind him if not in front of him. He readily makes way for Nikolay to make good use of his belt.
Another 50'?
The high bridge crosses the vast expanse of black water between the barbican gate and the entrance to Castle Scarwall. The bridge is ornate and in excellent condition, with only a few tenacious patches of moss and lichen clinging to it here and there. High arching columns reaching from the waters below support the broad span, each of which is marked by a pair of sinister gargoyles that stare out over the dark lake.
Barael rushes from side to side as the castle looms over the party, but he finds NO cover (unless he can fly/jump and hide behind the gargoyles). Clearly the fortress was designed for the defenders not a band of adventurers attacking it.
Still, if anyone in the fortress knows you're coming, they're biding their time and waiting for you to come closer...
Then, very suddenly a noticeable breeze rises into a gale around the party! The fliers are buffeted but not quite downed in the high winds (though Majenko is clinging onto Briar to the tune of 2 hp damage).
In this wind can be seen vague shapes - faces and humanoid forms, the spirits of Scarwall’s restless dead. Their appearance forces the materialization of Zellara’s ghost from Fondo's pack! As you watch, she is assaulted from all sides by these ravenous souls, and while she tries to hold them back, the assault is obviously overwhelming.
It is also brutally swift!
vs DC 25
As you watch, her soul is ripped from the very air around you and the spirits calm as quickly as they riled, melting back into the evil that is Castle Scarwall. Fondo takes out the Harrow Deck and finds it is now merely a normal, albeit beautiful, non magical deck. Zellara's soul is trapped somewhere within Scarwall.
Dandi flies at the storm, only to tumble as it dissipates in front of her. Slowly, she floats back down to the bridge. She lands next to Fondo, still trying to comb the resulting tangle from her hair.
"Is it...is she...?" say no... say it was another dream, another trick of the wind...say it isn't so, Fondo.
Nikoaly moves to swing at the spirits, too late. He shudders to think that even their souls are not safe here.
You still there sword?
He then returns to his march toward the gate.
Briar watches as the winds rend at Zellara's soul, her presence stolen from the deck before their very eyes.
I felt like that when I entered Korvosa, Briar recollects before moving on.
"That was unexpected. It might be that all our souls are in the same danger. However, we will never know because I don't expect any of us to fail. Let's go."
Briar moves up another 50'.
Fondo swats at the ghosts with his rapier. "Let Desna's daughter be, you cursed ghosts!" With her disappearance, he slumps. "Sweet companion of these months, we'll find and free you. This I swear." He trumps on toward the castle more quickly, not wavering until he's at it's gates.
Aroden, this seems like a pretty good time to ask you to watch over us. Perhaps you have a more direct line on the undead spirits due to proximity. However we parse prayer, its your protections I'd welcome about 5 minutes ago.
"Do you think she can... reason with them? Is she amongst them as prisoner, or compatriot?" Barael continues pacing the others.
"Yes, Jel'inedra. 'Twas she. Our North Star. No, Brother Rat, her heart is bound to Korvosa, not this place of evil. She'll have no friends here. Let us hurry."
Barael continues to mutter to himself, but not quietly enough that the others cannot hear.
"Four undead, all chained up.
The first one spits red,
Stands at his post, all undead.
The second one is up in a tower
A demon with cold power.
The third one waits in dog dirt,
His breath is sure to hurt.
The fourth one's a smart undead,
and hopes to finally rest his head."
Barael repeats this over and over, his intent clear- get in, dodge four, and get out, hopefully one sword heavier.
"Just remember, Fondo. The sword is our goal, above all else. Without it, Zellara's second death will be all for naught."
So small of mind.
His skull has shrunk.
Two goods we'll find:
The sage to free and
Sword to take in hand.
"Your fears are bunk.
We'll victory on all fields win.
Tis who we are: Desna's blessed Harrowcast."
"Bunk, you say?
Well, I say nay!
Look up at that castle,
that's more than just hassle.
You drop your guard once,
and I'll call you dunce."
"No matter what these walls do hold,
Makes no difference to the Harrowed bold.
We are not mice, our fears to squeak.
We're heroes set to find our peak.
Doubt yourself—doubt your friends,
and yes, you and I shall meet our end."
He pauses and hums a few arcane lyrics. He continues, his words amplified by the magics of his shield and a rising clarioin call resonate throughout the dread place.
Barael listens to Fondo and his trade on words, and struggles to find the rhymes.
He does, however, flinch greatly as Fondo brings on the clarion call, his eyes darting to the skies, which will inevitably produce invisible stalkers to apparate to both sides of himself. "Gah!! If you're interested in both assault from the skies, and on the bridge, keep that up!! And when I say that, I mean quite the opposite!!"
As you close the last few dozen feet, the fortress positively looms over you. While your shadows seem to lengthen and reach out to the castle, the castles shadows seem to reach out to you and the two join in a muddle. As you near it, the portcullis raises quickly and nearly silently before you! As if that weren’t unnerving enough, the doors beyond open - and a skeletal hoard charges into the group.
From above archers begin raining arrows down on the party.
Barael
Briar
Charlie
Dandilion
Fondo
Laori
Nikolay
Majenko
Good Guys
OK then, looks like I got the initiative. Just a moment while I prepare the first round.
A few archers in the upper floors take pot shots at the obvious fliers (Laori and Briar). They seem to be shooting crossbows.
Meanwhile the mounted skeleton (did I mention one was mounted?) attacks Fondo in a charge. As he closes, his trusty steed bellows forth a cone of smoke and ash effecting the front row (Fondo & Nikolay). Those characters can make a DC 18 fortitude save or be sickened. Further, the front row is fighting in the cloud which acts as an obscuring mist (20% miss chance). It does not seem to be effecting the skeletons at all though they are also in the cloud.
And a few of the skeletal warriors fill in the front line to attack.
Round 1, Init 20
AC 30, touch 14, flat-footed 28 (+10 armor, +2 Dex, +2 natural, +2 deflection) +4 shield
hp 123
Fort +13, Ref +7, Will +9
--------------------
Magus (Bladebound) Spells Prepared (CL 12):
4 (4/day) [x]Stoneskin, []Invisibility, Greater, []Dimension Door, []Infernal Healing, Greater
3 (5/day) [x]Haste, []Vampiric Touch, []Vampiric Touch, []Fly, []Burst of Speed
2 (6/day) []Frigid Touch, [x]Effortless Armor, []Spider Climb, []Glitterdust (DC 16), []Mirror Image, []Invisibility
1 (6/day) []Shocking Grasp, []Vanish, []True Strike, [x]Shield, []Burning Hands (DC 15), []Chill Touch (DC 15)
0 (at will) Detect Magic, Light, Read Magic, Prestidigitation (DC 14), Disrupt Undead
--------------------
Skills Acrobatics -1 (-5 jump), Climb +5, Escape Artist -1, Fly +14, Intimidate +8, Knowledge (arcana) +18, Knowledge (dungeoneering) +8, Knowledge (local) +20, Knowledge (planes) +19, Linguistics +5, Perception +2, Ride -1, Sense Motive +2, Spellcraft +16, Stealth -1, Swim +5, Use Magic Device +10
Languages Common, Draconic, Osiriani, Varisian
--------------------
Arcane Edge 4 (Su) 1 Arcane Pool: Add 4 Bleed damage to an attack.
Arcane Pool (+3) (10/day) (Su) Infuse own power into a held weapon, granting enhancement bonus or selected item powers.
Black Blade (Ex) You gain an intelligent bonded weapon whose power grows with your own.
Black Blade: Arcane Pool (3/day) (Su) The Black Blade has an Arcane Pool used to fuel its own abilities.
Black Blade: Energy Attunement (Su) Replace weapon dam with fire/cold/elec for 1 point, or sonic/force for 2 points.
Black Blade: Strike +3 (Sp) The Black Blade can grant itself a damage bonus for 1 min.
Black Blade: Telepathy (Su) The magus can telepathically communicate with his black blade if it is worn or held.
Black Blade: Teleport Blade (Sp) Spend 1 point from own or blades pool to teleport it into hand.
Black Blade: Unbreakable (Ex) The Black Blade is immune to the broken condition while the arcane pool is not empty.
Combat Casting +4 to Concentration checks to cast while on the defensive.
Empowered Magic (1/day) (Su) 1/day, cast a spell as if Empowered without altering the casting time or level.
Focused Mind +2 to Concentration checks
Ghost Blade (Su) Add brilliant energy and ghost touch special ability to arcane pool options.
Improved Spell Combat (Ex) Use a weapon with one hand at -2 and cast a spell with the other.
Improved Spell Recall (Su) Spend your Arcane Pool to recall spells you have already cast.
Knowledge Pool (Su) Spend Arcane Pool points to prepare a magus spell that is not in your spellbook for 1 day.
Lunge Can increase reach by 5 ft, but take -2 to AC for 1 rd.
Maximized Magic (1/day) (Su) 1/day, cast a spell as if Maximized without altering the casting time or level.
Power Attack -3/+6 You can subtract from your attack roll to add to your damage.
--------------------
Arcane Pool (+3 per point spent, 10/day) 9/10 remaining
OR 6 REMAINING IF SWORD NEEDED TO BE ENHANCED AGAIN AND EFFORTLESS ARMOR RECALLED.
Empowered Magic (1/day) 1/1 remaining
Black blade's arcane pool 3/3 remaining
Wand of Magic missiles 1st level (23 charges remaining)
Pearl of Power (1st) - Not used today
Mithral Plate haste - 10/10 rounds left
BLARGH!
Nikolay retches as he tries to chop down the skeleton in front of him (S3). It takes him a moment to recover though and his first swing has the power of wet noodle.
(BAB +9, STR +4, Black blade +3, Weapon Focus +1, -3 Power Attack)
(+6 STR, +3 Magic, +9 Power Attack, +2 Weapon specialization)
-
Oops! You're absolutely right Nikolay, I did not hit you. Also it's been maybe 20 minutes since the first fight I think. (the party took time sorting through the building, discussing what's next, and then carefully walking down the bridge).
Round 1, Init 19+
Dandi reaches into her pack for something she hasn't used in awhile; pulling out the reagents for a bomb. It comes back to her quickly, the resultant bomb flying past Fondo's head and into the group ahead.
Barael tenses for a moment as the projectile sails overhead. Feels just like old times... those times when we got hit every so often... well, let's hope her aim's improved since Lamm and his fishhouse.
Yes I hit Briar twice - and for the record S3 is downed by Nikolay's second swing. Also, Dandilion hits S4 (though it doesn't drop) and splashes S1, S2, S3 and S7.