Book 1 The Dead Roads (Inactive)

Game Master Seldlon the Swift

Let us scout ahead then Mr. Farod?

Mrs. Morana, can you cast your light cantrip at will? If yes, can you cast it on a small pebble?

Assuming she does so, Ardran casts Mage hand, and waves with the pebble.

I can signal you silently with this, at a distance, vertikal movement means come to us, horizontal movement means come and expect a fight.If it drops, I ceased to concentrate on it, voluntarily or not, and there is definitly a fight or trap.

perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18 +2 if under concealment due to darkness or dim light
stealth: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21 +2 if under concealment due to darkness or dim light

Ardran moves ahead, slowly and carefully, presumably with Farrod as well, the mage handed light at a distance behind, so it does not hinder him and Farods stealth.
Concentrating takes my standard action

Morana casts light on the nearest pebble and the light on her armor goes out immediately. As she hands it to Ardran she says "Here. It should last about ten minutes. I can cast it as needed so we shouldn't run out."

"Yeah, no, I can stay near you, but as I said, I can't see in the dark. Not all of my kind can. My eyes are adapted to twilight. Give me some moonlight and I'm happy. But pure dark? Nah."
He takes a look at the pebble:"Convenient, though, those tricks. Keep the hands free."
Fishing in his pack, he retrieves a piece of chalk, and hands it to Morana:"No idea where we are, but just in case, would you mark where we came from and where we head on any diverging paths we come towards?"

Interesting, I am frequently surprised how much I get wrong. It is never wrong to be thought. My thanks for this knowledge. I shall protect it appropriately.

Is he just speaking, or are his customes similar to ours? To admit a weakness to a stranger is either folly, or a show of good faith, and this man is clearly no fool, none who could sneak up on me are.

Watch my back then

A phrase with far more significance in his society

As Ardran uses his ability to detect magic, Wulfgar does as asked and watches for anything unusual. Seeing the drop cloths covering the square object, Wulfgar moves towards the box as Ardran says something about scouting ahead. 'Scout ahead? We've so few already.' As he remove the drop cloths to see what is below, Wulfgar calls to Ardran. "Ardran, hold, there is no reason to split up. We are four, not a large enough group needing scouts, vanguard, skirmisher or rear guard. Let us all proceed together."

Edit: once we learn what's under the tarp Wulfgar will catch up with Ardran. I'd much rather not split the party, I see no benefit for it RP wise or tactically.

Two dusty crates are on the floor under the drop cloth. One stores a crowbar, flint and steel, three common lamps, two hammers, one hooded lantern, eight pints of oil, and a dented pewter mug.

Not a full split, Ardran is sneaking 15-30 feet ahead, at most, with the glowing pebble flowing 10-15 feet behind him. He would not venture out of double move range. He got a +5 stealth in low light or darkness conditions, and a reasonable +4 perception.The benefit is that he could pinpoint targets.

Well, that complicates matters. Because light cantrip gives light as a torch, which means 20 feet of normal light, and another 20 feet of increased illumination. And Mage hand has close range, or 25 usually at first level and ends if you move out of range. So you'll 5-foot step out of the normal light, then pull the pebble close so you are in normal light again(as a move action, spending the standard on concentration), then 5-foot step out. Maybe just scout ahead those 20 feet, and we follow with the pebble? :D

Hearing the dicusstion about light Morana pipes up and says "I can also bring forth the light of day out to sixty feet for ten minutes if needed. It might help." With that said she shuffles toward the back of the group and adds "If we are taking any of that gear with us someone else should carry it. I'm pretty heavily loaded."

Having opened the crates Wulfgar quickly unshouldered his pack placing the items in the pack or tying them to outside of his pack on the tie strings there. Shifting his pack back to his shoulders, he smiles "Not a problem Morana, I've got plenty of room to spare in my rucksack."

Nodding as he moves past Morana on his way to catching up with Ardran, he calls out; "Hold a moment Ardran, My glaive has a long enough reach to protect you, but not if I'm twenty feet behind."

Once Wulfgar catches up with Ardran, he keeps his glaive at the ready and his halo illuminated, keeping a keen eye out as they go.

Wulfgar will stay beside or behind Ardran, taking 10(14) on perception

With the prospect of having some light, and people with melee weapons on his side, Farod sheaths his rapier and attaches the string of his shortbow, keeping an arrow nocked and ready to be drawn as he follows behind Wulfgar. "So, some ancient burial place we got ourselves stuck in. Any of you remember something like this near Roslars Coffer?"

Knowledge Local or History: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20 Is this tomb known or regional? Would we find our way back home if we manage to exit it?

Roslar's Tomb is located in Roslar's Coffer.

perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5 +2 from dimdweller
Ardran moves to the door, puts his ear to it and seeks to make out noises. seeking to make out sounds from it and moving, likely hearing nothing.
stealth: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13 +2 from dimdweller
He is however reasonably stealthy about this, as he opens he door.

What light sources do you and where are they?

Ardran has none, as he has darkvision. Wulfgar directly behind Ardran has his Halo on. I think we abandoned the telekinetically moved light pebble idea.

'Maybe Ardran isn't the only one with memory loss.' Chuckling at Farod's question Wulfgar turns and smiles at his friend. "Um, the tomb is near to town. The folks practically built the town around it."

Glaive at the ready Wulfgar stays close behind Ardran hoping his halo helps keep things well lit. While Ardran inspects the door, Wulfgar also leans in, looking for anything out of the ordinary.

perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24

Farod shrugs. "Never been inside. Makes sense if you put it that way, though."
Aye, I admit I did not check the village out in detail, apologies.

This room contains several low shelves covered with rags and loose bones. A hallway extends to the southeast, while a stone door to the east is carved with the image of several heroic figures standing solemnly together. A skeleton stands in the middle of this room.

Round 1
Current Effects -Wulfgar, halo
Wulfgar 13/13, Morana 10/10, Ardran 10/10, Farod 10/10

Morana <=====
Skeleton
Ardran, Farod, Wulfgar

Morana holds her action until the end of initiative.

Ardran being able to see the skeleton clearly notices that something is wrong with it. It looks like something a child unfamiliar with anatomy would make.

The skeleton takes a five foot step and attacks Ardran.
claw v FFAC 15: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18
damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
claw v FFAC 15: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16
damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

Ardran takes 7 hp of damage.

Morana (Holding)
Skeleton
Ardran, Farod, Wulfgar <=====

That puts me to 3/10 hp, ouch, and I cant attack it, and I cant 5 foot step backwards because I am pretty sure the coffin would count as difficult terrain. I think least bad option is:

Blyad Ardran snarls in Abyssal as both claws rake him nearly slaying him outright.

Aid another: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11

relevant Kn?: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19 +4 on top if Kn. Planes
What is this thing?

He moves into Wulfgars space, happy that they did have some training together, and the Aasimar quickly moved to take up his position, Ardran managing shift his weapon into a suprisingly effect stumble attempt on the skeleton, it did not trip, but was hindered considerably.

Wufgar's only knowledge is in history and I doubt if it would help, so an untrained knowledge check for whatever.
knowledge untrained: 1d20 ⇒ 4

His glaive held at the ready Wulfgar watches as Ardran opens the door. 'An undead skeleton here on hallowed ground?' Surprised by the skeleton Wulfgar watched in horror as the creature stepped forward and slashed at Ardran. "Blast!" Cursing, as his companion is wounded, Wulfgar reacts, "Ardran switch with me!"

Dropping his polearm, Wulfgar begins to rage as he draws the wooden club with bands of metal spikes. As he begins to rage his halo seems to brighten, his skin takes on a metalic sheen like cold iron and it seems his shadow has wings.

Stepping into Ardrans place, he lifts the simple morning star. "Be gone you foul undead!" Swinging the morning star two handed at the skeleton.

Rage 1/9 HP 15, AC 15 W 4, Free action drops the glaive, move action draws the morningstar, 5 ft step, Attack: morningstar, power attack, bloodline power Angelic attack: weapon is good aligned
attack: 1d20 + 7 - 1 ⇒ (14) + 7 - 1 = 20 for damage: 1d8 + 9 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 9 + 3 = 19

Wulfgar shatters the bone chariot. A tiny creature can be seen in the pile of bones. I looks like an insect made of fish bones.

If I can see it I want to try identifying it.

Knowledge (Religion)1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22

Knowledge (Planes) to identify this one.

Seeing the insect like creature, Wulfgar blurts out pointing the wood and steel morningstar at it. "There is some kind of boney insect ridding inside the skeleton!"

Smash the insect specifically if you can.Says Ardran, as he seeks to clean his wounds.

Ardran knows this tiny magical extraplanar to be an ostovite. They are immune to cold and produce acid. Their tiny bites deliver acid to their victims. They use this acid to break down and reform a skeletal corpse into a deformed skeletal version of its former self which they can ride in and control.

Morana (Holding)
Bone Chariot/Ostovite
Ardran, Wulfgar
Farod <=====

Feeling that it is dangerous to get boxed in in a deadend, Farod weaves forward, attempting to use the creatures momentary distraction from losing it's ride to pass by it and towards the other side of the room.
Acrobatics: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23

Unfortunately that is half speed, so I need both moves to get there. Which, due to no +1 bab yet, means I can't draw a melee weapon at this time, so can't provide flank.

Farod gracefully leaps past the ostovite.

Morana, I assume you will take your turn at this point.

I move 5ft. to close the gap That's t all I can do from back here.

Round 2
Current Effects -Ardran Halo
Wulfgar 13/13, Morana 10/10, Ardran 03/10, Farod 10/10

The ostovite skitters into Wulfar's space attempting to avoid an AoO.
dex v cmd 16 : 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19

It bites.
bite v AC 17: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16

Ostovite
Ardran, Farod, Wulfgar, Morana <======

Ducking to the side as Farod squeezes past, Wulfgar watches the creature skitter towards him. "What is it?" The bug was too quick to follow, Positive it would bite him, Wulfgar was surprised when the thing latched hold of his armored kilts edge. Twisting his hips to jerk away from the beast, he lifts his morningstar high. "Get away from me!" As he swings the morningstar down towards the beast.

Rage 2/9 HP 15, AC 15 W 4, Full Attack: morningstar, power attack, bloodline power Angelic attack: weapon is good aligned
attack: 1d20 + 7 - 1 ⇒ (7) + 7 - 1 = 13 for damage: 1d8 + 9 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 9 + 3 = 20

Wulfgar misses the tiny bug like creature. That damage. Whew.

Ostovite
Wulfgar
Ardran, Farod, Morana <======

For a moment, Farod attempts to draw a bead on the creature, but realizes he would inevitably shoot Wulfgar.
Not noticing any other creatures in the immediate vicinity, he drops his bow, draws his rapier and gets close.
I can at least provide flanking to Ardran.

This will get complex due to a possible retcon

Reflexivly, Ardran attempts to use his bodyguard ability to aid Wulfgar defensively.
In case of a retcon for the Ostovite failing his Acrobatics check, this is his AoO on it
Bodyguard: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4 likely misses
damage: 1d10 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4 Damage in case this was an AoO

On his turn, he strikes the ostovite, 5 foot stepping back if neccessary to hit it, to allow wulfgar to do the same.
Bec de Corbin: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20 +2 flank if the ostovite moved and farod provides flanking
damage: 1d10 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8 Cold Iron, piercing, bludgeoning, this is his standard action either case

The only thing that changes, possible retcon wise, is that Ardran moves 5 foot back in case of he Ostovite being in wulfgars square.

Morana Stands ready to charge forth and heal her new found friends at the first opportunity.

You cannot make an aoo when your target has cover. To use bodyguard feat you must be adjacent to your ally and threaten the enemy. Yeah, I hate that but it is in the faq.

Despite the cover Wulfgar is providing to the ostovite. Ardran manages to connect with the bug.

Round 3
Current Effects - Wulgard Halo, Rage
Wulfgar 13/13, Morana 10/10, Ardran 03/10, Farod 10/10

It bites.
bite v AC 15: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20
damage: 1d2 + 1d6 ⇒ (1) + (4) = 5 (bite plus acid)

Ostovite
Ardran, Farod, Wulfgar, Morana <=====

I can at least provide flanking to Ardran.

Even though Farod did not move himself on the map I am assuming he is providing a flank.

"Blast! The stupid bug has some kind of acidic saliva!" Jerking his foot back from where the bug has bitten him, he realizes the bite is minor but the burning saliva must be acidic. Lifting his wooden metal spiked morningstar he growls "We need to end this." Swinging the weapon down at the bug trying to climb his leg.

Rage 3/9 HP 15, AC 15 W 4, Full Attack: morningstar, power attack, flank, bloodline power Angelic attack: weapon is good aligned
attack: 1d20 + 7 - 1 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 7 - 1 + 2 = 16 for damage: 1d8 + 9 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 9 + 3 = 18

Wulfgar kills the bug.

End initiative.

Striking the creature soundly, Wulfgar, feels it squish beneath his morningstar. Looking down at the creature, realizing it was dead, he releases his rage. Tucking the weapons handle back in his belt he bends over and wipes the gory mess off of his boots. Asking, "Does anyone know what that was?"

Looking back at his companion, Wufgar realizes Ardran is wounded worse than he realized. Knowing Morana was a midwife he asks her, as he picks up his glaive, "Morana is there anything you can do for the wounds?"

Retrieving his bow, Farod nervously peers into the Darkness:"While Morana tends to Ardran - Wulfgar, could you step outside for some illumination? The room extends to the south, and I'd like to make certain there's not a couple more of these things - whatever they are - around waiting to assail us."

If there is no immediate danger, Farod takes to searching the shelves in the room for anything useful, or something that could be used as a blunt weapon, not expecting his bow to be of much help against skeletons.
Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15

I only listed Arrows on the purchase list. I usually split between blunt arrows and regular ones(for the option to deal nonlethal) but forgot here. I'll run with it but that means I may be better off with an improvised weapon for the time being.

It was an Ostovite, weird creatures. They are actually neither undead nor demons, nor Qlippoths, but Abyssal vermin, in part forced out from there by greater predators. They hate anything bigger then them, and prey on everything smaller then them. They rearrange bones into warped skeletons, which they use as "bone chariots". They are immune to cold, deal acid damage, and are relatively hard to hit. Ardran explains what he knows, presumably while Morana channels or tends to his wounds.

They can understand Abyssal, but not speak it. I could in theory talk to one, but in 99 out of 100 cases violence will be the more appropriate language to speak to them. They also cant answer, meaning there is no information to be gained here by interrogation, unless any of you is a telepath.

Looking from Morana to Farod, Wulfgar pauses, as if not sure he wants to say something. Stepping closer to Farod, he holds his leg out, where the punctures in his pants had become small coin-sized bloody holes caused by the acid. Looking sheepish, he whispers, "I was also hoping she could help me with my leg."

He smiles slightly "I'll step out the door so we can see the room with the shelves. But if one of these did this kind of injury to Ardran and I, I'm concerned what they would do to you by yourself, especially if there are a couple of them."

As Ardran explained what the fish-bone bugs were Wulfgar nodded, understanding most of what the skald explained. As Ardran finished Wulfgar smiled. "I can tell a path."

He points with the glaive, "There's a path." He smiles, pointing another direction, "And there's a path." His smile widens, "and there's a path." His smile widens into a wide grin, obviously pleased with himself that he can joke in such dire straits.

Among the rags and bones, the shelves contain a single masterwork heavy mace. The rags also hide three pearls.

Ardran. Yes, please swap out feats. That one was a game stopper if I had to wait on you every time an NPC took a swing.

Oh...sweet!

"Oh, sweet!", Farod gives a whistle of appreciation as he dusts off the mace he found. "That IS welcome."

He also pockets the pearls, hoping to appraise them later, when they had more time.

When Wulfgar stars joking, he joins, correcting his companion in a voice that makes clear he is not serious: "No..no...not tell-a-path - he means tele-path. That's remote-, or far-path. So like a teleporter. Because then we could take the bug and tele-path to a mind-reader who could talk to it."

He appreciated the attempt to lighten the mood, but 2 of them were quite injured, after running into only one of those creatures. That did NOT bode well.
Retrieving and storing his bow, and sheating his Rapier, Farod decides to wield the Heavy Mace for the time being:"I'll keep watch and will warn you if something approaches. You guys tend to the wounds."

Swapped, now, lets go for combat patrol and overwatch vortex! jk

Genuinely appreciative of some mood lightening, and quite used to being misunderstood, Ardran intones:

Once there was a Paladin
weapons blessed with silversheen
when he faced a fiend quite keen
worried he was his thought were seen

But to take us back to fiendish battle
immediatly, the foe did prattle
"Knight you have a mind quite s+%!ty
Can you come up with something witty?"

He pauses,

You will hear the rest of the saga once we are out of here
He speaks, utterly deadpan.

Morana rushes forward to Ardran saying in a soothing voice "Poor dear. Lets see what I can do for you. Wulfgar I'll be with you in a minute." she checks Ardrans wounds and says "This will require more than a simple bandage" She holds forth her holy symbol and whispers a prayer to Phrasama, she then channels energy

Channel 1d6 ⇒ 3

Seeing this did little to Ardran she channels again.

Channel 1d6 ⇒ 6

Morana brings the party up to full health.

There is but one direction to go. A hallway to the south.

A small alcove on the east wall of this hallway contains a few stone shelves.