Ruin’s Price of Immortality

Game Master Ruin Explorer

Seffie is happy to indulge Aeric, although she's quite confident that this is a fun adventure during which there will be no mortal danger. "I can walk up front with you and keep an eye out!" she offers cheerfully.

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21 Seffie claims to be looking for trouble, but really she's looking for any cool birds.

I will stay in the back Mizuchi floats just behind everyone

The path through the forest is modestly cleared, especially close to town, but narrows as it leads away. The sky cleared up as soon as the group left town, as if the sky was participating in the mournful ceremony.

After walking about two hours, the narrow path winds through the raking claws of the trees, now bereft of their leaves, which crunch loudly underfoot. Up ahead, a fallen tree trunk blocks the path. Suddenly a trio of snarling humanoids leaps up from behind the log, all greenish skin and fearsome tusks, bellowing vulgar challenges.

I saw another GM use this for combat, and I though it worked well. The combat summary above includes the PCs’ relevant stats as well as the opponents’. The idea isn’t to metagame your attacks, but to allow you to see if your attack is effective. So, if you hit (or miss) you can describe it, plus you don’t have to wait for a response from me. Hopefully, it also helps speed combat up, since it can kill games when it drags on.

I still need stat blocks for Jubo and Mizuchi. Check out the template on the discussion tab.

Orcish? I am fairly multilingual, but bugger me if I picked up this language. Lets show them how its done!

Aeric steps in front of the party, his Bardiche in a readied position.

Allright your screaming retarded green colored f*~+faces, you are higher then the whore-mothers pride if you think you can take us, lets be real here, some wizard created you 4, partly to troll mindflayers, and cunningly replaced your brains with s#$+, but other then involuntarily s%#~-eating mindflayers nobody ever recogniced a difference. You stupid little s@**nuggets cant even slay a hedgehog with your own naked asses! COME And charge me!

He enters his Urban Bloodrage, distributing 2 points to Strength and 2 points to Dexterity.
Init: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 13

readied attack, bracing: 1d20 + 1 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 1 + 5 = 11 would hit if they charge, I only get this readied attack if I beat them in init
damage: 1d10 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8 if they do charge, the damage is doubled because brace, to 16 in his case

It all happens so fast. First they are ambushed and in a blink Aeric is bellowing and braced to fight.

Maybe he's scared, scared that something will happen to us. Maybe he was sent with us because the town didn't think we we good enough.

She steps forward, her makeshift spear in hand but lowered, she steps between Aeric and the unknown newcomers.

"Who are you and what do you want? If you are here to rob us you'll find poor pickings. If you're looking for a fight then you best look elsewhere. We are just passing through."

Lore(Fang Wood): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25 Does Somonti know anything about Orcs in the forest? Well known groups? Tactics?

In Orcish Sumak snarls out,

Intimidate: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (10) + 9 = 19

Seffie jumps back, frightened. She moves to hide behind Aeric and waits to see if dialoguing works.
Briefly, she considers trying to add more of a "we come in peace" to deescalate the situation, but concludes it might be too late for that.

I am not one to attack unprovoked

So, I probably should have just rolled initiative for everyone the other day. I see now that I wasn’t clear that we are entering combat. Lesson learned.

Initiative Tracker Bold may go (Round 1)
17 - Mizuchi
13 - Aeric
9 - Sumak
8 - Seffie
7 - Somanti
3 - Jobu
1 - Orcs

Wow, the orcs were totally slow to get moving, so it doesn’t really matter the order that you all go in. Just based of the posts so far, it look like Aeric will brace, Somanti will move out in front, Seffie will stand behind Aeric, and Sumak will yell out a threat in Orcish. (I’ll be a little more elaborate when I next post.) Jobu and Mizuchi, I’ll give you two until this evening to post any actions before I resolve the first round of combat. (Whether they will actually attack or not remains to be seen, but they do seem threatening.)

Mizuchi observes and looks around at the orcs and the surroundings to get a feel for if the orcs and if they have reinforcements hiding anywhere. He snaps his fingers, with his usual creepy smirk and a purple and blue light bursts from him Mizuchi casts Bless everyone gets a plus 1 to attack and saves against fear

perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17
sense motive: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 1 = 17

The heroes jump into action at the sight of the snarling orcs. Aeric screams profanities as he braces for a charge, but his insults don’t seem to phase the orcs. Unfortunately, neither do Sumak’s orcish snarls.

Mizuchi casts bless while surveying the scene. He counts the four orcs on the other side of the fallen tree, but see no others. It’s fortunate, since these four look about ready to attack. They wield greataxes and carry javelins on their backs.

Somanti boldly moves in front of of Aeric and the rest of the group. Her words fall flat as well. Staring down these orcs, she recalls that orcs have been marauding in these woods since before Kassen’s founding. Though the wood are much safer than then, raiding parties of orcs are not uncommon. They kill and take what the can; no mercy is shown nor received.

Diplomacy (to turn them away): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17

Among the commotion, Seffie and Jobu stay quiet and wait, with Seffie moving behind Aeric. They don’t have to wait long.

The orcs roar as they advance on the party. All four orcs move forward. Unfortunately, for Aeric, they do not charge (needing to step onto and over the fallen tree).

The first orc makes it over the fallen tree and swings his greataxe at Somanti, the blade ripping through her, taking a huge gouge out of her chest. (11 damage)

The other three orcs stop short, throwing javelins at other members of the party. These all miss, with one grazing harmlessly off Aeric’s armor.

For future rounds, you can move yourself on the map. I’m just guessing otherwise.

Initiative Tracker Bold may go (Round 2)
17 - Mizuchi
13 - Aeric
9 - Sumak
8 - Seffie
7 - Somanti
3 - Jobu
1 - Orcs

I dont see a map, only the general area

I said stay behind me!
Aeric, who is currently behind Somonti moves 20 feet to be

Orc
Som
Aer

to

Orc 5 foot Aer
Som

Giving him a clear shot on the Orc without Somonti in the way.

Bardiche: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22
damage: 1d10 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13

Aeric has no idea about Somontis capabilities, currently regarding her as an edgy kid who just nearly got herself killed. She apparently knows how to take a punch though

The blow is like nothing Somonti has felt in a long time, it brings flashes of memory; lightening, Burning timber. The pain almost brings her to her knees and she staggers back desperately holding herself together.

move to hide behind Aeric, helping him set up as above

But, though she feels weak to the point of collapse, the pain fades quickly and she realises her armour and over-jacket are unmarred. Now she looks at the Orcs she sees that they are not Orcs at all.

"They're not real!" she gasps through teeth gritted with fury "it's just some kind of horrible trick!" Looking into the forest she screams "Who is out there!? Why are you f**king messing with us?! You think this is funny?!

I dont see a map, only the general area

Ohh, now it all makes sense! I should have that remedied now.

Jobu is flat stunned, seeing an actual orc in what seems to be the flesh for the first time ever. The gout of blood spurting from Somonti quickly snaps him back to reality.

"Not real? They're real enough to hurt, it seems! Let's see if they're real enough to be hurt." Moving around for a better angle, he holds up a hand, furrows his brow in concentration, and a lance of chilly energy lashes out towards the nearest orc, leaving a trail of condensation in the humid air.

cold blast vs touch AC: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 151d6 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

Seffie freezes in place. She's never been in a fight before and has no idea how to respond or help. Her hand itches hesitantly towards her dagger, but then she sees one of the orcs clobber Somonti. Something clicks at that moment, and she sprints forwards while summoning her magic. She thrusts her hand onto Somonti's back, and Somonti feels an intoxicating rush of positive energy, feeling almost like a warm hug.

She reals a little bit at Somonti's wild yelling. "Huh? What do you mean?"

Advancing to right behind Somonti and then casting cure light wounds on her
Healing: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

Sumak moves forward and sends a blast of energy at the middle orc. As he does his powers flare up enhancing the bolt.

Move 25 ft E. Use Surge to gain the free PP and use Energy Ray. If they are in metal armor I would use Electricty for +2 to hit. If they are not in metal armor I use Fire and gain +2 damage. Are they in metal armor?

Psychic Enervation?: 1d100 ⇒ 38 Nope.

Ranged Touch w/PBS: 1d20 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 2 + 1 = 17

Fire Damage w/PBS: 2d6 + 1 ⇒ (2, 5) + 1 = 8

So if they are in metal armor I Touch AC 19 for 8 electrical damage. If not I touch AC 17 for 10 Fire damage.

Can Mizuchi do a sense motive to see if Somonti is telling the truth? If so he'll do that and then if he believes her he'll cast detect magic to try to confirm

I’ll resolve combat this evening.

Sure? He'll still give it a shot, Even if he cant get a sense of she is, the orcs are a bit odd acting as a common sense thing so he'll scan to see

Aeric’s weapon slams into the orc, it’s blade carving a deep gouge into its shoulder. The orc roars in anger.

Somanti stagers backward; Seffie rushes up to heal her.

Jobu moves for cover and fires of an icy blast that causes the wounded orc to gasp and collapse.

Sumak sends a fiery ray at another orc, singeing its leather armor and its face.

Mizuchi’s not sure why Somanti is acting like she is and casts detect magic towards the orcs.

Two ugly orcs move forward and engage with Aeric. Both swing their greataxes at him. One axe is blocked by his armor while the other one goes wide.

The other orc stands a little wobbly on the fallen tree and pulls out a javelin.

Initiative Tracker Bold may go (Round 3)
17 - Mizuchi
13 - Aeric
9 - Sumak
8 - Seffie
7 - Somanti
3 - Jobu
1 - Orcs

Seffie takes stock and decides that if her companions can fight, she can too. She pulls out her crossbow and takes aim at the orc on the log, with slightly shaking hands. Her bolt lands a glancing blow on it's shoulder, and she winces both at causing harm to another creature and at her inability to meaninfully contribute.

Shooting the one on the log, which according to the map should have no melee penalty.
Crossbow Attack: 1d20 ⇒ 13
Crossbow Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 1

@GM - Should knock me down a first level spell on the summary for the cure light wounds

@DM seems like 2 orcs would have provoked? Second AoO would have hit for 16 damage, likely killing it.

@DM seems like 2 orcs would have provoked? Second AoO would have hit for 16 damage, likely killing it.

You’re right - one AoO would have hit orc 3. He’s still standing, but wobbly, and probably wouldn’t have attacked. (Though that part doesn’t make a difference.)

Time to steal your hearts, I am sure you are just really attracted to me roight?

Aeric drops his Bardiche, and applies his claws to the 2 wobly and wounded looking orcs he had hit before.
Power attack left claw: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15
damage: 1d6 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11
Power attack right claw: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25
damage: 1d6 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10

ALRIGHT YOU WANT MORE?
He shouts
Then come!

As he 5 foot steps backwards, giving his comrades much cleaner shots.

Does Mizuchi see anything with detect magic?

Does Mizuchi see anything with detect magic?

Weird, I thought I put that in. Mizuchi detects the presence of magical aura(s).

"Look at me?! I'm fine. Someones just toying with your minds, snap out of it. Look."

Somonti steps forward and swings her spear at the nearest Orc, not violently, but as if to waft it away.

"There's nothing there"

Waft: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13

I... Think she's right. There's a magical aura present, several. Also they haven't spoken a single word, which strikes me as odd for Orcs. Not even a battle cry Mizuchi will walk up somewhat fearlessly and test to see if the orcs are real.

Mizuchi moves up and touches the staggering orc near Aeric. Somanti then moves up to the to the orc and gently waves her spear at the him. The spear strikes the orc’s arm and it collapses (to her surprise and probably consternation).

With a second orc dropped, Aeric turns on the other orc near him, striking out with his claws in a rage. His claws rip through the orc’s skin, blood pouring out, as it collapses. Three down; one to go.

Seffie and Jobu attack the remaining orc. Both attacks hit, and the final orc falls.

A moment later, the orcs fade away as do their inflicted wounds. Everyone realizes that these orcs were just an illusion, a very elaborate one, but not actually dangerous in any way.

End of combat

BLYAD what? Aeric asks, still speaking partly in Abyssal on account of his rage.
Черт возьми, какой-то волшебник прячет мою добычу.
:Abyssal ***** **** Some **** Wizard is disappearing my ***** loot!
Bluff: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10

Aeric is fatigued for 6 turns.

As expected. An illusion, not quite as good as my own but adequate. Whoever cast it clearly lacks an understanding of people however

Sumak looks around and says, "Interesting. I wonder if this is set up to test those sent on this without any true harm."

Somonti is clearly a little exasperated "You're welcome." maybe next time you'll listen. "Someone is out there messing with us, we need to find them."

She clambers on to the log and looks around for any sign of the illusionist or on which side of the path they may be/have been.

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14

Other than the party, Somanti doesn’t find any other signs of anyone in the woods.

Aeric looks around for "loot" that could, myseriously enough, be close by!
perception for loots: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14

Other then that he is quite ready to proceed further, once he is no longer fatigued, chuckling inwardly and regarding the thing as a pretty good lark.

"We should expect more of this. Although that seems to increase our danger if we have illusionary attackers intersperced with will attackers." Sumak says as he watches the others head off before following after them.

The party moves on after its mysterious encounter, on alert for more danger. None comes. The group travels the rest of the, following the map with no setback, as far as they can tell.

As the sun sets, a cold wind begins to blow through the leaf trees. With increasing darkness and no sign of civilization, the party must decide to rest or continue on for the night.

Do you want to set up camp, or move on through the night? You can easily tell that you’re about halfway, leaving about a half day’s journey.

Traveling in the dead of night is unsafe, we should make camp and set watches Mizuchi brings up around dusk nearing sundown.

With the sun setting, the group sets up camp in the deep, dark woods. There’s plenty of dry wood to make a fire, and the rations can be combined to make a decent soup. It’s the closest thing to home out here.

While eating, the group hears a far away howl. Over the next hour, the howling continues, seeming to come closer. Then, it stops, and all is eerily quiet.

Does anyone want to do anything?

Aeric steps up, and start using a rope to create a basic perimeter, in the direction from which he is hearing the howling, attaching his food cans to it to make some noise if someone would touch it.

Ok friends, Wolfs are nasty, post guards, dont be stupid, and ideally pose 2 guards. Sleep with your weapons close by.

Who can see in the dark? I cant. I do volunteer for the middle shift because I dont need to cast spells. Ideally someone with some night or at least low light vision with me.

craft traps untrained: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (18) + 0 = 18

Set little fires around the perimeter, that should deter them

It seems forever ago that she had slunk out of her window, but it had only been a day. Somonti is not used to trekking, between that and feeling like she nearly died it had been a long day. Her legs ache, her back aches, her whole body aches.

She barely hears Aeric's words as she sets out her own bedroll to one side, her meal still warm in her mouth. "Watches sound good. Wake me." She slips off to sleep to the sound of wolves howling. It gave her dark dreams indeed. Dark but not unfamiliar.

Set little fires around the perimeter, that should deter them

Aeric nods approvingly.

"I need uninterrupted sleep. I can take the last watch as I see in the dark." Sumak offers.

The party hears clicking cans just before bedding down. Those with lowlight vision can make out a wolf in the light of one of the perimeter fires. It’s eyes burn with the reflection of the flames.

Aeric jumps up, Bardiche in hand, the cans being quite sufficient to alert him.
Spotters, whats going on?

Aeric's words wake Somonti with a start she sits up suddenly, eyes wide.

"Wha? Who? What's happening?"

After what feels like an eternity, the wolf turns and leaves. With adrenaline pumping, everyone can hear the wolf getting further away.

With the woods once again falling quiet, Jobu and Seffie take first watch. The fires around the edge of the camp fade, and the edges of the camp once again go dark. A chilly breeze blows through as the other fall asleep.

Those sleeping are startled away by a agonizing scream that is cut short by a gurgling. There is a pack of three wolves surrounding Jobu who is bloody and unconscious on the ground. Seffie is standing with a look of surprise, panic, and horror, having just seen the wolves charge in and down Jobu.

Round 1 (Bold may go)
Sumak 16
Wolves 16
Jobu 15
Aeric 14
Mizuchi 12
Somanti 11
Seffie 6

I haven’t had time to update the map tonight, but I wanted to get a post up. I will tomorrow, but until then: theater of the mind! I mean, three wolves around a dude; it can’t be that complicated.