Rising Shadows: Moonshae Isles (5e)

Game Master Donnell "The Fox"

The bunny will scamper back to the inn and ask if they have pie and punch.

Braith touches Jaylen's arm and quietly says, Keep an eye on our follower and let us know if we need to act.

She casts Guidance on Jaylen (roll a d4 and add the number rolled to one ability check of choice).

With Jaylen keeping one ear out for whoever is following, you continue following the map into the dense pine forest. Before too long, you reach a large open area with several large mounds. A stone marks the existence of a smaller mound off to the side. The top of the stone reads simply "Witwulf and friends."

Toki takes out his mead horn and pours a little out on what he assumes is Witwulf's grave, Where is your 'spellbook', friend?

The warrior looks from mound to mound...

How big are the large mounds and how big is the smaller one? Are we talking man-sized or tomb-sized?

1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21 Investigation

Gideon begins searching the area for an opening.

Staring at the stone and the smaller mound, Braith asks aghast Are we supposed to dig up someone's grave? Why would the gods ask us to do such a thing?!

Was he able to get punch and pie?

@Jacka-Lope: Sure - I assume people waited the ten minutes or so for you to get back. Just a reminder that this is a pretty meat-based culture, though. You can find some apple pies and juice, though.

Sorry, this wasn't very clear -- the book refers to this as a "tomb" but in fact it's just these mounds. So, more like a cairn or a barrow than a place with an opening. The larger mounds are probably communal, while the smaller one likely is a single body (you assume Witwulf).

As you poke around, paying your respects and looking for the spellbook, you hear someone shout: "LOOK OUT!"

Three yellow bolts of light fly from the edge of the forest toward Gideon's face! At the last moment, they zip around behind him, slamming into the shambling, rotting corpse behind him.

You suddenly realize that several zombies have risen from the mounds, led by a somewhat better preserved corpse with glowing eyes. From the chainmail and the large warhammer on which is inscribed "My Spellbook" you assume that this is none other than the reanimated Bronal Witwulf!

Round 1
Jacka-Lope
Braith

Black Zombie
Blue Zombie
Orange Zombie -9
Yellow Zombie
Witwulf

Toki
Gideon
Jaylen

Jacka-Lope and Braith are up!

The bunny folk takes a look at the zombies and focusing on the one that got magic to the face focuses on that. He raises his hands as a baseball bat emerges and he tosses something in the air, a baseball, that launches at the one that is already hurt

Batter up! he announces.

1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23 eldritch blast
1d10 ⇒ 8 force damage

Oh! Forgot to mention that there's an updated map

Ooooh nice hit there wabbit

Braith's eyes go large, and she automatically grabs her mace. Pointing it at a zombie leftmost and a little down from her, the witish one on the map she...
Guiding Bolt: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12
damage: 4d6 ⇒ (5, 5, 6, 1) = 17
...possibly sends a divine flash of light its way. If it's still up, she will take a step in its direction.

Gideon moves to take any available cover, and still get a bead on the closest Zombie (Diagonal to him).

1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25 Shortbow
1d6 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8 Arrow (x3 CRIT if confirmed?)
1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20 Crit Confirm

@Braith: I'm calling that one 'black' for the simple reason that it's the one whose colour I didn't change :)

By the way, you all should be able to manipulate your avatars on the map -- let me know if that's not working for you!

Between the mysterious Magic Missiles and Jacka-Lope's crackling baseball of energy, the orange zombie staggers but is still on its feet. Braith calls on the Earthmother, searing the zombie nearest her and covering it in a faint glow, but it too is still moving.

All of the undead move in to attack...

These zombies have been dead for a long time, so there's a lot of flailing about to no effect. Jaylen is smacked by an elbow, almost by accident; while Toki, facing off against Witwulf and his spellbook, takes a glancing blow on his hip.

Round 1, cont'd
Jacka-Lope
Braith

Black Zombie -17
Blue Zombie
Orange Zombie -17
Yellow Zombie
Witwulf

Toki -3
Gideon
Jaylen -4

EDIT: @Gideon: You ninja'd me! The zombies are ahead of you in turn order, so they will be in melee range and you'll take a disadvantage on your shortbow. You can retake your action if you like, but since you already rolled twice and will hit with the disadvantage, you can let this stand.
By the way, there's no crit confirm in D&D 5e (I only know of it from PF1) -- if you roll a 20 in D&D, you automatically crit. Normally, on a crit, you roll the damage dice twice and add the bonuses once. The way I'm used to playing, however, we max the damage on one of the damage dice and then roll the second (that way you aren't incredibly disappointed if you roll two 1s on your crit!).

Everyone is up!

Gideon would prefer to back up a bit (And take the AoO) then use the critical.

Then damage would be 6+3+5 for a total of 14 Piercing?

And take 5 points of damage from the Zombie attack?

Sorry. Too many game systems floating around in my head.

No worries! I'm also in a DCC and a PF2 game right now -- the only thing saving me in D&D is that I've been playing it for a few years

Orange v Gideon: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 121d6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

As the zombie approaches, Gideon quickly backs away, claws skittering across his leather armour but not piercing it. With a bit of distance between them, Gideon looses an arrow with such force that the zombies head is carried to the nearby burial mound; the rest of its body collapses in a heap.

Toki grins as he draws his axe, Witty-wulf, I'm here ta take your 'spellbook'!

Handaxe v. Witwulf: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22
Damage: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7

I am so spoiled by PF2e, we would be critting like crazy! >.<

Hooray for PF2E

oof, my post from the weekend got ate. Sorry bout that.
Stealth: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15 Jaylen had slipped away quietly to observe who was following them. So he was just as surprised to find out the undead had sprung up, two of them specifically and very close.

oof, sorry about that Jaylen -- I think it might be too late to retcon this now, so go ahead and post your Round 1 actions. I can say (since you're about to find out at the start of Round 2 anyway) that the people who have been following you are Gulli and Yrsa.

Actually, Jacka-Lope and Braith can post their Round 2 actions now, if they want and I'll adjudicate them once Jaylen posts.

yeah was working on the first round actions post. taken back slightly at the iundead appearance, Jaylen steps to the west (left) (AoO from blue) then, hands raised in a pushing motion, a thunderous wave of force erupts from the Druid attempting the push the zombies away.

dc 13 Con save or be pushed 10ft and Thunder Damage: 2d8 ⇒ (8, 2) = 10

This is Thunderwave, right? I'm going to say you cast it before moving, otherwise you'll catch Toki in the spell (also, if you successfully push them, you don't need to take the AoO).

Yellow CON save: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10
Blue CON save: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

Toki's taunts cause Witwulf (or what's left of him, anyway), to rush toward the fighter, and his waiting axe.

Meanwhile, an earth-shattering KABOOM fills the clearing, pushing the zombies nearest Jaylen away and causing the trees surrounding the tomb to shed leaves and twigs.

Round 2
Jacka-Lope
Braith

Black Zombie -17
Blue Zombie -10
Orange Zombie
Yellow Zombie -10
Witwulf -7

Toki -3
Gideon
Jaylen -4

Jaylen: The zombies are pushed out of your way without any AoO. Let me know if you still want to move.

Jacka-Lope and Braith are up!

Im fine with the way that it worked out. Better for me but I think we just had a different idea of how the spell area released from the caster.

Yeah, I thought that might be the case. I've always read Thunderwave as a 15' cube, centred on self (Target and Range are both Self?), but I just checked a bit and it looks like most people posting in message boards are saying "cubes are adjacent, spheres are centred." Seems weird to me when a 15' cube is so easy to calculate when you're on a grid, but I'll try to remember that in future. Sorry for the confusion!

I just wasn't sure if you wanted to move further away, so that the zombies don't just walk back up to you next round.

Mace to the face: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12
Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

Right after the flash of light, Braith follows up with a deft hit to the zombie's icky face. If it's still up, she'll stick around for another lesson in Cleric might, otherwise she'll move on to the closest one (green).

@Braith: Because of last round's Guiding Bolt, you have advantage on this attack

The bunny folk looks around and twitches his nose and whiskers as he looks for another foe. Seeing a zombie attacking Braith a boxing glove emerges from his outstretched paw hand and attempts to punch the zombie, IN THE FACE!
1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21
1d10 ⇒ 10 Force

um yeah Jaylen would move away from the zombies to keep out of reach.

um yeah Jaylen would move away from the zombies to keep out of reach.

Okay, I've moved you 25', between Gideon and Jacka-Lope

Just gonna roll that for Braith: Mace Adv: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22

Gulli and Yrsa come rushing out of the trees, looking terrified but determined to help. They stagger up behind Gideon and Jaylen, jabbering at each other and pointing wildly: "Try it!" "I don't know how! You?" I don't know!!"

Somewhere in all the yelling, something manages to happen, and three glowing darts again fly out:

Magic Missile v Yellow: 3d4 + 3 ⇒ (1, 3, 3) + 3 = 10

@Jacka-Lope: The zombie attacking Braith goes down from the Mace attack, So redirect if you wish. Is this Eldritch Blast again?

Sorry, missed checking yesterday! Besides your roll was waaaay better lol.

Braith hears familiar young voices, and while surprised she remains focused on taking out the zombie in front of her.

Just gonna roll that for Braith: [dice=Mace Adv]1d20 + 4

Gulli and Yrsa come rushing out of the trees, looking terrified but determined to help. They stagger up behind Gideon and Jaylen, jabbering at each other and pointing wildly: "Try it!" "I don't know how! You?" I don't know!!"

Somewhere in all the yelling, something manages to happen, and three glowing darts again fly out:

[dice=Magic Missile v Yellow]3d4 + 3

** spoiler omitted **

@Jacka-Lope: The zombie attacking Braith goes down from the Mace attack, So redirect if you wish. Is this Eldritch Blast again?

Yes! He will attack the zomie furthest away from him

Sorry -- I meant to post last night but I got tied up

Braith crushes zombie skull with her mace, and it collapses in a heap.
Meanwhile, a bunny-fist and some magic missiles strike the Yellow zombie, tearing it apart.

The Blue zombie shambles its way up to Gideon and Jaylen, while Witwulf continues to attack Toki.

Witwulf1: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 241d10 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
Crit = 14 damage!

Witwulf's Spellbook slams the Northlander to the ground, then marches past him to engage with the cleric.

Round 2
Jacka-Lope
Braith

Black Zombie
Blue Zombie -10
Orange Zombie
Yellow Zombie
Witwulf -7

Toki -12
Gideon
Jaylen -4

Toki is unconscious, but everyone may post their actions

Gideon retreats from the slow-moving Zombie and tries to shoot his bow again.

- 5' Step
- 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8 Shortbow
- 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5 Arrow

But finds the proximity of the creature and it's terrible rotting odor spoils his aim.

AoO: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 61d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

As Gideon steps back, the zombie takes a swipe at him, but the rogue is too agile!

@Gideon: I moved you off to the side, since you were standing on top of Yrsa :)
That's my fault for not taking the time to find appropriate images for them, and just using the letters Y and G

Death Save 1: 1d20 ⇒ 3 1 fail, 0 success

That's weird. The Y and G weren't there when I moved Gideon on the map. Must have been ninja'd.

The bunny folk is having a glorious time ad seeing a zombie close to him, manifests his eldritch blast into a bow and arrow

1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13
1d10 ⇒ 2 force

Braith moves up to the nearest (blue) zombie...
Mace: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18
Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5
...and cracks him in the ribs. She takes a moment to holler Get down! to the kids. She then mutters a prayer and points towards Toki.

Healing Word to Toki: 1d4 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7

Toki's eyes flutter open, That is a mighty... spellbook...

Primal Fury: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15
Acid Damage: 1d10 ⇒ 7

Jaylens features change and become animalistic. Eyes of the wolf, teeth of a tiger, and savage claws of a bear. The druid lashes out at the zombie nearby.

Afterward, the features recede and Jaylen takes a breath, returning to normal.

@Gideon: Actually, an 8 is enough to hit with that arrow -- their AC is terrible.

Gideon's arrow strikes a glancing blow, and even though Jaylen's claws cause the zombie's bones to hiss and dissolve, it still advances its attack. Neither is Jacka-Lope's magic sufficient to bring down the creature. Gulli and Yrsa work out how to cast another spell, but it appears to have no effect on the zombie.

Witwulf AoO vs Braith: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 111d10 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

Finally, it is Braith, stepping away from Witwulf's swinging warhammer to help her friends, who lays low the last of Witwulf's zombie friends.

Witwulf, for his part, does not notice that Toki has returned to consciousness (likely because he's still prone), and instead follows Braith to have another go:

Witwulf vs Braith 1: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 111d10 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3
Witwulf vs Briath 2: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 61d10 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

but continues to miss the cleric.

Round 3
Jacka-Lope
Braith -5

Black Zombie
Blue Zombie
Orange Zombie
Yellow Zombie
Witwulf -7

Toki -5
Gideon
Jaylen -4

Everyone is up!

Not being too impressed with the bow and arrow form of his spell, the little rabbit thinks about what shape might be helpful and since zombies are dirty and rotten and disgusting and have flies, his magic takes the form of a huge flyswatter.

Shoo fly, don't bother me! he sings as the flyswatter comes down
1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20
1d10 ⇒ 4 force

Looks like Gideon still has a line of sight to Witwulf...

1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6 Shortbow
1d6 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6 Arrow.

Move to stand beside Braith.

[ooc]I'm convinced if I keep rolling lower I'll find a way to miss.

you found it! lol Witwulf is actually wearing armour, so he'll be a bit tougher to take down than the regular zombies (which you chopped through SO much faster than I expected!)

@Jacka-Lope: I'm loving the Eldritch Blast flavour!

Oooooo lucky also first level suuuuuucks lol. HP: 5/10!

Oh! Sorry, Braith, that's my bad -- I rolled up 5 damage for you, but in the end Witwulf missed you (three times!). You're still at full health.

Hate to be that guy, but were you remembering to roll Undead Fortitude on those zombies? >.<

Toki sits up and rubs his cheek! Snatching up his axe, the warrior bounds to his feet and charges at Witwulf!

Handaxe: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25 Damage: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11 Crit: 1d6 ⇒ 3

Isn't it a b&$*% when the Norns revisit you?

lol oh yeah, I've been rolling them -- I've just been rolling terribly!

Yeah, I feel that. Well, I didn't want to continue posting reactions until I saw how it affected Witwulf... If he doesn't drop, then Toki will burn his Second Wind for a Bonus Action.

Oh yes, sorry -- your crit is going to be 17 damage, actually, but that's not enough to bring him down, so go ahead and complete your turn with Second Wind (or w/e).