[PbP Gameday XI] GM Chadius 1-03: Escaping the Grave (Gameplay) (Inactive)

Game Master chadius

Naple will take the opportunity to use her ↺ Glimpse of Redemption for Gregor on Round 3 against Gray: either he is unharmed, or he gains Resistance 3 vs triggering damage and the enemy becomes Enfeebled 2 until the end of its next turn.

If Gray chooses to be Enfeebled 2... Naple infuses her hand with positive energy, healing Gregor with some 6 HP.

If Gray chooses to let Gregor be unharmed... Naple hesitates to lay her hand on Gray because the undead holds back to attack Gregor, but she still does because Pharasma wants the undead to be dead. She also bashes the skeleton creature with her shield.
Shield Bash vs Gray: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10
Shield Bash Damage: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6 Bludgeoning Damage

She then raises her shield.

◆ Lay on Hands on Gregor (restore 6 HP and +2 status bonus to AC for 1 round) or Gray (DC 13 basic Fortitude save or take 1d6 ⇒ 3 positive damage and -2 status penalty to AC for 1 round)
◆ Shield Bash
◆ Raise a Shield
↺ Glimpse of Redemption (if triggered)

Seeing Gregor fall Topias swings his blade with even more passion. He raises shield after attacks.
+1 scimitar: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20
slashing: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5
+1 scimitar: 1d20 + 8 - 5 ⇒ (9) + 8 - 5 = 12

↺ Shield block, hardness 7, hp 30

Ranzak moves down, then diagonal down left, then diagonal up left and attacks the gray skeleton with her rapier.
Attack: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (10) + 9 = 19 Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4 Sneak Attack: 1d6 ⇒ 3

"Darn thing.."

Harsk strikes three times at the skeleton near him still swinging with 2 hands. But one strikes goes over it's head. But another catches it on the fleshless spine.

attack waraxe: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (8) + 9 = 17

damage: 2d12 + 3 ⇒ (12, 9) + 3 = 24

attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

damage: 2d12 + 3 ⇒ (12, 6) + 3 = 21

attack: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (20) - 1 = 19

damage: 2d12 + 3 ⇒ (12, 6) + 3 = 21

crit?: 2d12 + 3 ⇒ (6, 4) + 3 = 13

The skeleton's hatred guides its sword arm into Gregor, but Naple offers it a chance to be at peace. To rise above petty feelings of anger. To loosen the Tyrant's grip on its purpose and being.

But undeath pushes it ahead to kill the holy priest, so Naple weakens it and heals Gregor with a touch of her hand.

Gregor is now at 7 damage incoming. Gray is Enfeebled 2. Naple spent a Focus Point to heal Gregor with Lay on Hands.

Ranzak decides to flank the Gray skeleton with Gregor, and jabs with her rapier. The skeleton's bony structure resists most of her strike but a bit does get through.

Topias is thankful Harsk is flanking, as his first strike hits true. Unfortunately the bones are too strong and he is unable to leave any lasting damage.

Resistance 5 against slashing and piercing damage.

Gray skeleton is at 7 damage total and Enfeebled 2.

Harsk tires of this stalemate, and he doesn't care how little the skeleton can resist. His first swing misses by a hair and his second swing is reckless.

But his third swing cracks the skeleton's spine. It releases a scream of torment as its ashes are scattered across the wall. Harsk takes a moment to pull his axe out of its remains and then focuses on the other skeleton, all alone.

Nal and Gregor can finish the round.

Gregor stays to provide a flank with Ranzak. He Strikes at the skeleton with his shield twice ◆◆ then Raises it ◆. He calls out, "If your swords aren't damaging it then don't keep using them! Punch, kick, pick up a rock or piece of wood and bash it!

Shield Bash #1: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10 Flank penalty not included in strike.
Shield B Dmg #1: 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5
Shield Bash #2: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (8) - 1 = 7 Flank penalty not included in strike.
Shield B Dmg #2: 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

Thanks, Naple!

Nal tries to slip into an opening to knock the remaining skeleton out of its senses.

Light Mace (B): 1d20 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 9 + 1 = 241d4 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7
Light Mace (B), MAP: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 5 + 1 = 201d4 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

"Glad you're still with the living, Gregor."

◆ Stride, ◆ Strike, ◆ Strike

Nal can cast Stabilize in a pinch.

Gregor distracts the skeleton while Nal swings her mace, bludgeoning the bony skeleton twice. The mace has no problem shattering bones.

Larraz mounts Desert Wind and heals Gregor. "Focus on taking that thing down. I'll keep you alive for as long as I can."
Heal: 1d8 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14

Gray vs Gregor: 1d20 + 11 - 2 ⇒ (7) + 11 - 2 = 16
Gray vs Gregor: 1d20 + 11 - 5 - 2 ⇒ (12) + 11 - 5 - 2 = 16
Gregor sees Naple's deity holding the skeleton's swings back. Just enough to keep him unharmed.

The skeleton glares at him behind and raises its shield.

Round 5
Harsk (Enfeebled 1)
Gregor (Bless 15 ft)
Naple
Topias (6 damage)
Ranzak
Nal
Larraz
Gray Skeleton Warrior (22 damage, shield took 9 damage, shield raised, Enfeebled 1)
Skeletons have resistance against slashing and piercing damage. But none against bludgeoning.

>Battle Map<

Ranzak drops her rapier and tries an unarmed attack on the skeleton.
Attack: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 = 11 Damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Naple bashes the skeleton with her shield, followed by a punch.
Shield Bash vs Gray Skeleton Soldier, Bless: 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 7 + 1 = 13
Fist Damage: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6 Bludgeoning Damage

Fist Attack vs Gray Skeleton Soldier, MAP, Agile: 1d20 + 7 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (4) + 7 + 1 - 4 = 8
Fist Damage: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8 Bludgeoning Damage

She is not sure what is bothering her but she keeps missing her attacks. She then raises her shield.

◆ Shield bash
◆ Strike
◆ Raise a Shield
↺ Glimpse of Redemption

Gregor bashes twice ◆◆ at the skeleton with his shield then raises it ◆.

Shield Bash with Bless #1: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 3 + 1 = 5
Shield B Dmg #1: 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5
Shield Bash with Bless #2: 1d20 - 1 + 1 ⇒ (8) - 1 + 1 = 8
Shield B Dmg #2: 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

Looks like the random dice roller turned cold on all of us.

Topias runs to engage remaining enemy and decides to use his shield for attack instead of inefficient scimitar.

Shield bash, bless: 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 7 + 1 = 25
shield dmg: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
Shield bash, bless: 1d20 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 2 + 1 = 10
shield dmg: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

"Thanks for the flank!" Nal grunts at Topias as she swings and jabs her light mace at the remaining skeleton.

Light Mace (B): 1d20 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 9 + 1 = 161d4 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8
Sneak Attack: 1d6 ⇒ 5
Light Mace (B), MAP: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 5 + 1 = 71d4 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6
Sneak Attack: 1d6 ⇒ 1
Light Mace (B), MAP: 1d20 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 1 + 1 = 121d4 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7
Sneak Attack: 1d6 ⇒ 4
All strikes include Bless

Unfortunately, it's gotten a wee bit crowded around this lone skeleton, and she has to pull some of her swings back to avoid hitting her allies.

◆ Strike, ◆ Strike, ◆ Strike

With the flurry of incoming strikes, only one attack sneaks past the skeleton's defenses: Topias's shield bash. The skeleton raises its shield and absorbs the damage harmlessly.

Can Harsk destroy the skeleton before it gets a chance to act?

Harsk runs in and is a bit too eager to destroy the remaining skeleton. He almost digs his axe into a nearby stone pillar.

attack waraxe: 1d20 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 9 + 1 = 12
damage: 2d12 + 3 ⇒ (2, 2) + 3 = 7

attack waraxe: 1d20 + 9 + 1 - 5 ⇒ (6) + 9 + 1 - 5 = 11
damage: 2d12 + 3 ⇒ (11, 9) + 3 = 23

Larraz and Desert Wind run around the room to get a better shot. His bolt of energy forces the skeleton to brace itself.
Spell Attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25
Disrupt Undead: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4
Fort Save: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23

The skeleton raises its shield, holds its ground, and swings wildly with its longsword.

1 Gregor, 2 Nal, 3 Naple, 4 Harsk, 5 Ranzak, 6 Topias: 2d6 ⇒ (4, 3) = 7
Longsword: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (18) + 10 = 28
Slashing: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5 Naple's Glimpse of Redemption gives DR 3, reducing damage to 2

Longsword: 1d20 + 10 - 5 ⇒ (8) + 10 - 5 = 13

The skeleton counterattacks Harsk. Its mind briefly drifts to the days not too long ago. The skeleton remembers a name, a purpose. It swung its sword against the hordes of the undead. Maybe. The memories are hazy, blurry. Naple's voice rings in its mind.

Its aim is off, and it nicks Harsk.

Round 6
Harsk (2 damage, Enfeebled 2)
Gregor (Bless 15 ft)
Naple
Topias (6 damage)
Ranzak
Nal
Larraz
Gray Skeleton Warrior (24 damage, shield took 9 damage, shield raised, Enfeebled 1)
Skeletons have resistance against slashing and piercing damage. But none against bludgeoning.

>Battle Map<

Naple gives the last skeleton a punch followed by another punch before she raises her shield.

Fist Attack vs Gray Skeleton Warrior, Bless: 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 7 + 1 = 25
1d4 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6 Bludgeoning Damage

Fist Attack vs Gray Skeleton Warrior, Bless MAP, Agile: 1d20 + 7 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (4) + 7 + 1 - 4 = 8
1d4 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7 Bludgeoning Damage

◆ Strike
◆ Strike
◆ Raise a Shield
↺ Glimpse of Redemption (if triggered)

The paladin bashes twice with shield and then raises it.

Shield bash, bless: 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 7 + 1 = 9 Hero point to that
Shield bash, bless: 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 7 + 1 = 25
shield dmg: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5
Shield bash, bless: 1d20 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 2 + 1 = 15
shield dmg: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

Ranzak punches the skeleton.
Attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15 Damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Gregor takes a Guarded Step to allow Larraz in with his horse◆ then bashes ◆ at the skeleton with his shield then raises it ◆.

Shield Bash with Bless #1: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 3 + 1 = 24
Shield B Dmg #1: 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

Naple tries to punch the skeleton, and it raises its shield to absorb the blow. Topias sees its guard is down and quickly bashes it with his shield.

Gregor takes an opportunity to study the skeleton. Its movements and and vulnerabilities. He hears a voice whisper in his ear, "now."

He's not sure of the source, but something guides his mace into the skeleton's rib cage. The skeleton turns to him, eyes full of hatred, yet it shifts its body into the mace, to make sure it critically impacts.

More memories return. The skeleton was once a full-blooded elf, their longsword raised high against the Whispering Tyrant. Defending Goldenflame to their last breath. An ogre, dead for decades, landed the killing blow with its greatclub. Darkness descended with the undead upon the elf. The next memory was Rathliss, bidding them to rise and follow his every command.

But Naple and Gregor provided the skeleton an escape. A way to be free. The skeleton locks its gaze for a bit longer with Gregor. And the warpriest could swear the skeleton was... content.

As Gregor pulls his mace free, the skeleton crumbles to ash. Its duty complete. The boneyard as its reward.

Combat Over. Harsk took 2 damage, Topias took 6.

"The rest of the horde is on its way. They will bring me back. They will bring you back!" Rathliss's final words echo through your mind.

You hear some noises in the distance. Lightning strikes and you look outside the window as Goldenflame's skyline turns irregular. You already hear the groaning of the undead. The shuffling of flesh across dirt, walls and rubble. They are coming.

Larraz immediately Desert Wind turns towards the outside. "I'll hitch the wagon so we can get that statue out of here. Don't know what you want to do, but make it quick!"

The undead are coming! You have time for 1 more 10 minute activity before the undead army arrives. What will you do?

Grimly, Nal strides over to Rathliss's corpse. "He doesn't deserve a second chance to kill people. Let's take his body so we can cremate him later." She searches it quickly before hauling it to the wagon.

Perception +8

Nal rifles through Rathliss. She finds a morningstar, hand crossbow with 10 bolts, religious symbol of Urgathoa, and his studded leather armor. She picks him up and hurls his body on the wagon to get it far from here.

thanks for botting me

Harsk helps tie the horse to the wagon.

"Good work Pathfinders!" He turns to Tobias. "Good swings!"

"Yay, we killed it." Ranzak says cheerfully. Then hearing Rathliss' army approaching, "Um, maybe we better leave quick."

Ranzak helps load the wagon.

Gregor looks down at the remains of the skeleton wondering who it was and says, "We should take all of them with us if we can. They deserve some peace." He scoops up the ashy remains of the skeleton in a bag or bucket and hauls it over to the cart. "Let us be quickly off!"

"There is nothing more we could do here, we should leave quickly." Topias remarks grimly

Naple, feel free to retcon another activity if you wanted to do something else.

The Gravelands are on high alert. Undead giants tear through trees, ghouls sniff the ground for the scent of life, and zombies run through every wall that dares to resist. Larraz and Desert Wind waste no time helping you on the wagon, and you all ride out of Goldenflame. Even as is squeaks, the undead pay no attention to you, consuming what was left of the town.

"Come on, come on!" The border patrol guards wave you in. "Something's got them upset more than usual. This gate's staying locked up tight for a week." You hear the gates clang and several locks and barricades reinforce the door.

Back at Vodavani Lodge, Venture-Captain Evni Zongnoss directs clerics to help and heal your wounds. "You're back. What happened? Did you find the other Pathfinders? Or their remains? Their wayfinders, if you have them."

Ranzak helps hand over the items they found. Then pointing at Rathliss' body, "That's a necromancer we killed. He said the undead obey him. Make sure he stay dead." Ranzak says, her voice somewhere between worried and excited.

"Greetings, Venture-Captain Zongnoss. As you can see Larraz Virtanne and his horse, Desert Wind, are alive and have returned. We encountered some undead within the town and dispatched them. As we searched through the town, we recovered a Wayfinder inscribed with the name Clement Marten but did not find his body. The Wayfinder was in the throat of an undead horse, so we do not know if it ate him. We recovered a Wayfinder engraved with the phrase "Gibb Potsmasher, sun lady lets me spit fire!" with the charred body of whom may be the goblin. We recovered an unidentified small humanoid Gnome or Halfling corpse with a broken piece of plate armor bearing iconography of a flame which identifies it as a portion of the religious symbol of Iomedae and was worn by the Knights of Ozem. Another small Gnome or Halfling humanoid body was clad in dirtied Iomedaen white-and-red robes with gold trim. They had a notebook which we could not decipher. Perhaps an Iomedaen clergy member would be able to comprehend it and identify the being. We recovered a Wayfinder with the inscription "Bryrigar Hassen - fists of fury, heart of helper" along with his half-orc remains. As we were leaving the college we encountered a necromancer who referred to himself as Ralthiss the Genius who graffitied the town and allegedly raised some of the town occupants as undead. We have his body as well as the ashy remains of an unidentified undead skeleton he controlled.

I do believe we need a much-needed rest."

Naple just quickly picks up her dagger and warhammer she left on the ground while in combat before he quickly gets up into the wagon. She even helps the other take those they need to bring and arrange them accordingly so that they have enough space for everyone. They hastily leaves the place while they see the undead horde gathering around that same place they just left...

---

At the Vodavani Lodge... she helps Gregor present the things they recovered as the cleric enumerates them one by one.

"Yup, I'm still standing." Larraz moves up to the Venture-Captain as Gregor motions towards him. "If they didn't help me, I wouldn't be here now." He pauses and checks himself. "I need to... need to take a break. I want to return to Katapesh and see my family. I thought I was ready for adventures, but." He shakes his head. "I just want to tend to Desert Wind."

Venture-Captain Zongnoss stays quiet. "I understand. Of course we will pay for your passage. We are glad to see you alive and well. Take the time you need to recover." Larraz manages a smile before stepping outside to tend to Desert Wind and get out of the spotlight. He can finally grieve.

Gregor hands the wayfinder and the bodily remains of the fallen Pathfinders. "Thank you for this." She takes the bags with care. "Envoy's Alliance have offered to bring them back home, to their families. Thank you for identifying them. While we cannot bring them back, we can offer their loved ones closure."

Looking at the bodies and the ashy skeleton, she sighs. "We will do all that we can to identify these people. I suspect their relatives live nearby, but we will preserve them until we can confirm."

She looks at Rathliss's body and fights a frown. "We will ensure he cannot turn to undeath." She carefully picks up the symbol of the diseased fly. "Urgathoans have a nasty habit of not staying down."

Her deep contemplation breaks as the party hauls up the statue. "Wait- How did you recover this statue?" Venture-Captain Zongnoss glares at the statue before picking up her mouth.

Thunder crackles across the sky to herald the rain. "I think that's your queue to take a rest. You've earned it." Venture-Captain Zongnoss offers some rooms for you to eat, rest and sleep.

Thunder cracks throughout the night. Or perhaps those are groans of unlife. You did not end the war against the Whispering Tyrant, but your reconnaissance may provide closure.

The End

While I prepare the chronicles, what will your characters do afterward?

"Nice work Pathfinders! Drinks are on me!"

- - -

Afterwards, Harsk will go hunting and tan any deer hides he gets.

Tanning Lore: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22

thanks for running!

Naple stays to help the venture-captain deal with Rathliss's body, with the help of Pharasma. No one for sure must be turned undead.

After Gregor's lengthy report Topias nods and says "That includes every single detail of our trip, I have nothing else to add."

Afterward Topias examines battle reports from Worldwound to identify demonic combatants.

Despite her fatigue, Nal is restless. Instead of heading to bed, she skulks about in the stormy darkness, brooding on the Pathfinders they didn't locate.

@GM chadius: Just out of curiosity, were any of the missing Pathfinders among Rathliss's undead minions? If not, where could we have found the rest of them?

Gregor heads to the infirmary to see if he can lend a hand with healing any of the wounded who may be within.

I'm curious to see what we missed as well. There were several names on the list we did not recover their Wayfinders or remains. Did we get all of the relics as well?

Ranzak will take a rest and later will help with whatever chores she gets assigned. And in a free moment will wonder what her next Pathfinder assignment will be. And will buy a mace first chance she gets.