Adele Dujardin's page

Adele would be very pleased for Feek to have her boots and gives them to him with love. ;)

Oooh, now our ghosts can talk to each other. Isn't the afterlife grand! A coup de grace is a full round action, though.

Pretty sure he had a full-round action to use; I don't think he moved. Even if he didn't coup de grace, she's still at -25 and dead anyway. Hope we don't run into anyone we recently killed while waiting in line in the Boneyard. That would be awkward.

I was hoping 40 damage in the back would make him take notice of me. Is Adele still standing?

Lizardman 3 does 40 points of damage, leaving her with 6. Lizardman 2 does 22 points of damage, which would drop her into the negatives, so her hero's defiance kicks in as an immediate action. Lay on Hands 3d6 ⇒ (3, 6, 2) = 11 Leaves her at -5. That leaves her helpless, making lizardman 4's attack a coup de grace. So, no, she's not still standing. Dragox's channel doesn't come until after all the lizardmen act. Initiative order does matter. :)

To be fair, Adele, its not like I designed Shalani to be a weak, dependent magic user. I intended her as an independent, forceful damage dealer to fit in with Narses and Maysalkirii's (and even Dragox's) playing style. She actually has done quite well for herself so far, and I imagine if some other caster had been here in her stead, they would have died sooner. This particular attack (the poison gas bombs) did manage to strike a weakness (her Fortitude save, which would normally be +5, but because of alchemical training, is raised to +9 against poisons)

Yeah, but with a 17 AC, her damage-dealing depends on her not getting surrounded by 3 of the 4 enemies in a fight. Tanner's playing the bad guys smart: Why walk into Feek's cuisinart of death or go on land to fight the melee guys when they can use their swimming/breath-holding abilities to pick off the weakest links first? The melee guys have got to stop running into battle and assuming the caster will be okay somehow.

Tanner, I presume the ninjas are taking half-damage on their katanas? Or do they have freedom of movement?

Swim 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (16) - 1 = 15

Assuming a 15 succeeds... Still holding her breath, Adele brushes her fingers over her birthmark Swift action: Lay on Hands 3d6 ⇒ (1, 5, 3) = 9 and strikes out with her rapier. Attack on ninja #2 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (6) + 12 = 18 Damage 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2 2nd attack 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10 Damage 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

I think the main problem is that we never make a plan to protect the arcane caster; we just rush in, and the squishy people get caught right on the front lines.

Seeing Shalani seem to fight out of her dazed condition and swim toward the shore, Adele sends up a quick prayer of gratitude to Shelyn and attempts to follow. Swim 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (7) - 1 = 6

Yeah, I knew that Swim check was coming after a couple of good rolls. :P Does she just fail to make progress or start to sink?

Waiting to see if Shalani saves.

Okay. Adele made the Knowledge roll to identify the gas, so I was getting a bit confused about what was happening with the failed saving throws. If Shalani doesn't make her saving throw, Adele will stay where she is to defend her; if she saves, Adele will try to swim to shore (E7). Swim check 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (15) - 1 = 14

If Shalani doesn't make her saving throw and is attacked, here's a readied attack 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (2) + 12 = 14 Damage 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

DM, am I correct in assuming that this confusion is like the spell, where the affected have a percentage chance of acting normally, doing nothing, attacking others or hurting themselves? If so, Dragox will automatically attack his attacker and Adele can try to help Shalani. Or is this a disoriented condition rather than confused?

Correction: Actually, if she gets a full-round action to swim, she can make it all the way to C9 if Dragox and Shalani make it out of the boat. Also, for future reference, she's going to try to hold her breath until she makes it out of the poison gas cloud. Just warming up for when she gets pulled underwater again. ;)

Does Adele have to make another Fort save since she made her initial one? If so, Fortitude 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (15) + 10 = 25

Seeing Narses come to himself and dive into the water, Adele takes the plunge herself. If Dragox or Shalani remain confused in the other boat, she will swim to them at E13. If they make it out of the boat, she will swim toward the sound of Feek's battle; I think she can make it to C12. Can I use the Swim check of 17 I didn't use last round?

Not really sure what she can do. If any of them remain in the boats due to not being able to act normally, she'll draw her rapier and ready an attack against the first thing that comes out of the water that she can reach so she can stay and defend them. Attack 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (14) + 12 = 26 Damage 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3 If they're able to get out of the boat, then she'll try to swim for solid land. Swim 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (18) - 1 = 17

Perhaps I wasn't clear. While I needed Fortitude saves for the surprise round, it is now Round 1 and your actions are up. The map shows your current positions after the lizardfolk ninja have taken their actions. You cannot see out of the smoke. I have stated actions from Maysalkirii and Narses, but everyone else needs to say what they are doing for Round 1.

The Fortitude DC is 20.

There are no lizardfolk within visual range, Narses. Would you like to move out of the smoke rather than randomly swing your blades? ;)

If the Fort save is 20, don't you have to roll to tell Shalani, Dragox & Narses if they can act normally while confused? I thought I'd wait to see if they're affected by the poison before figuring out what Adele does at the end of the round.

See the surprise round map, and the land nearby (assuming that IS some kind of boggy land).

Ah, okay. Since I couldn't act in the surprise round, I didn't even look at that map. Was just going off the description.

You take to the canoes, paddling your way swiftly toward the center of the vast, shallow lake. The fog and steam of the Blackfens roils along the surface of the mud and bulrush. After perhaps half a mile of travel, you find yourself moving through a particularly deep section of water.

We're a half-mile from shore. Just how good is that potion of jump? ;)

Using Lore Master to take 10 on Knowledge (nature) = 23

Fortitude 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (18) + 10 = 28

Fair enough- when you make a character with 5 charisma you don't expect to get your way on much ;). Onwards!

Unless the DM votes with you. ;) Are we heading toward the center of the lake rather than around the edge?

Perception 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (17) + 14 = 31

Before leaving the camp

Adele is struck with dismay and sadness upon finding the cache of eggs. She replaces their mossy cover carefully. "Shelyn, protect these young; our battle is not with them. Surely someone will be coming before long to investigate the concussions and will be able to get the eggs to safety."

Instead of making a straight dash toward the buildings, we could work our way up around the edge of the lake to the east and have a shorter jaunt across open water toward building 2. Of course, that means passing by some more lizardfolk encampments, but I'm leery of getting caught in boats in open water with a dragon in the air.

"No, you're right, Feek; their help will be invaluable," Adele admits with a tired smile. "It's just one more place of beauty to be desecrated, one more collection of goodly folk's homes to be attacked and violated. Everything I fight to avert. It grows wearying."

Adele sighs deeply at Feek's response. "Then despite the fact that there is not an elf among us since Findor left us, the Tiri Kotor will still bear the brunt of any response the Red Hand may make to our incursion. I had hoped to spare their village, if we had been recognized as only the Silversong Champions of Elsir Vale. Still, perhaps it will weaken Azarr Kul's forces, if he splits them against two targets."

What time of day is it, DM? Also, just for clarification, we're at the southernmost (1) on the map, correct? And the two buildings we saw in the ruins are (2) and (3)?

Adele is visibly pained by the last lizardfolk's dying contortions; when Maysalkirii steps forward to quickly end his agony, she gives him a grateful -- and approving -- nod. "He's right, Narses; we have to assume that the concussion of the thunderstone conveyed an alarm to the rest of the Red Hand's forces here. We have no time for interrogation now; we have to hope that the information provided by the elves will prove sufficient."

When I attacked, the lizardfolk said- "They come! They come! The Teer Kytor are here! Protect the hatchlings! Summon the Hunter!". We can assume they fought for their families, hence the reference to hatchlings. I wonder how they summon this 'Hunter'- I assume they mean the Dragon...

"'Teer Kytor?' What does that mean, Feek?"

Adele hopes that the thunderstone's concussion will fail to carry over the bog to the other camps; when it is followed by Shalani's grenade, she shakes her head and dances forward quickly to ensure the battle's end comes quickly. Double move to B23; Inspire Courage +2

Fortitude 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (13) + 10 = 23

The steps of Adele's dance bring her nearer the fight. Double move to F13; maintain Inspire Courage +2

Cognizant of Narses' magically-induced sphere of silence, Adele stands with her rapier and begins to perform a dance both graceful and deadly. Inspire Courage +2; effective as long as you have line of sight to Adele

"Wait, Feek," Adele says. "If the rest of us stay at range, what if we did use Dragox's silence? Not because I doubt your talents," she assures him, "but if we can silence the lizardfolk, it will hinder them raising an alarm to the other camps -- or to the Wyrmlord. Not to mention that should any of them be spellcasters, it will cripple their abilities. The rest of us could stand ready to strike down any that get past your blades and Narses's axes."

Are we in difficult terrain?

If the tower is the #3 on the map, that's a lot of open water to cross with an alarm sounding the whole way and swimming enemies to contend with. Not to mention that we know there's a dragon here as well, for whom we'll be sitting ducks rowing boats across open water. Adele has already been almost drowned once in this adventure; she's in no hurry to repeat the experience. I say we take out the sentries at the edge of the lake and then at least stop to cast spells and be ready for the dragon's attack this time. It would be better to find a stealthy way across, but unless we go all the way around the edge of the lake and neutralize all the sentries, that might not be possible.

Stealth 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15
Survival 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

Using Lore Master to take 10 on Knowledge (history) = 23

Adele seems overwhelmed with a sense of the past as the party floats toward the abandoned buildings. "The people of this city faced a threat not unlike the one their descendents in the Vale now face. When they could not defend their city, they broke the levees and drowned the goblin horde that had overrun them, abandoning their homes and beginning again in places like Brindol. Small as it is, Drellin's Ferry is a true offshoot of once-mighty Rhest: a people willing to leave everything they have built and earned behind in the hopes of starting again."

As strategy begins to be discussed, Adele reminds the others, "Remember, the elves told us there are lizardfolk sentries all along the edge of the lake. We must be close to approaching some now. Ought we not to land first and silence these sentries before they can sound a general alarm?"

DM, are the 2 buildings you mentioned the ones marked 2 and 3 on the map, or are those something else?

EDIT: Reminder, since it's been a while:

She points at various spots on the map. "These are known concentrations of lizardmen (#1s). You could avoid them by entering at the west and east ends, but they may be able to provide you with some intelligence if you were to capture one. Avoiding the lizardmen would also necessitate landing your boats early to travel on foot around them. The terrain is very swampy and likely to slow you down considerably. The Red Hand forces are located here, at the ruined belltower (#2) and town hall (#3)."

Although at a loss for a complete explanation herself, Adele quickly turns to assuage the concerns of their hosts. "Our companion's powers require much wrestling to contain. Rather than give in to their destructive nature, she disciplines herself to channel them only against evil-doers. What you see is her struggle to master the fiery elements within her. She would never allow the mighty forces within her do any injury to allies or the innocent." ...I hope, Adele adds in her thoughts alone, casting a look of concern on their newest traveling companion. Diplomacy 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (16) + 14 = 30

Adele reaches for the rapier's hilt almost reluctantly, even as she holds it up and slowly turns her wrist to admire the blade's excellent balance. "But this is too much!" she protests. "These gifts represent a small fortune. What we have done was a mere trifle; she ought not to feel so greatly in our debt."

"As long as any one of us remains alive," Adele promises, "none of us shall go unavenged. If we should all fall in the battle...." Her voice trails off. "Well, we must not allow that to happen, or the world will have greater sorrows than the deaths of a handful of heroes."

Versatile Performance: Peform (sing) for Sense Motive 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (15) + 14 = 29

"I'm sure you will do all you can to protect us," Adele says to Shalani soothingly. "Battles do not always turn out as we might hope, but I know we will all do our best. Dragox meant no slight to your abilities. I'm afraid we are all just used to traveling with our dear departed friend Findor, whose particular abilities we all knew so well. It occurs to me that we have been so busy since we met under such unfortunate circumstances, we have never inquired about your story. Is there anything about your travels and travails up to this point that you would like to share?" Diplomacy 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (16) + 14 = 30

Adele nods. "I believe Shelyn has graced me with the ability to resist some of these wyrms' damaging breaths as well, although I have only enough power to ward one. I've also mastered a trick which will allow us to move on marshy ground as easily as on solid, which will at least put us on a level playing field with whatever we may meet there, but we must be together when I cast it." She shakes her head and sighs. "We must make every effort to take the initiative this time rather than allow ourselves to be ambushed. Had we not been taken by surprise last time, dear Findor might well still be alive."

Assuming that we will be given a private area in which to rest tonight, Adele will wait until the elves have left the group alone to talk strategy.

"We have to assume we will be facing another Wyrmlord, along with the dragon. Let us not allow this one to escape," she says grimly. "The dragon will breathe acid, like its spawn which we felled; we must all be prepared to resist its effects."

Assuming a Knowledge (arcana) 23 is enough to know about a black dragon's breath weapon; if not, she can use Lore Master to take 20. I think we're waiting on AK to add up our loot still. We're all avoiding the math. ;)

Can I humbly suggest we give a potion of CLW each to everyone and Narses takes two, and that me and Narses take the Heroism potions?

Added to her inventory.

Have we picked up much gear since we left Drellin's Ferry? We might at least be able to sell or trade it.

We'd be approaching from the southwest on that map, correct?

"We would never ask you to endanger your owl friends," Adele assures the Elder. "Your offer of boats will be gratefully received, however; time is of the essence, and we don't yet know how quickly the hobgoblin army may be advancing in the Vale. If we can deny them the service of another dragon, however, it is sure to be a help to the human settlements, as well as to your own tribe. If you can provide us with shelters in which to rest, we may plan to set out for the ruins of Rhest in the morning."

Don't know if Feek is still dragging around sacks full of gold to spend. Adele doesn't have the funds for shopping at the moment.

"How long a journey is it from here to these ruins? Are the paths into the marsh dangerous for those who don't know them?" Adele asks. "Are there any hazards we should know about before going in?"

Sellyria is somewhat taken aback. "Why yes, it is. We have seen the beast in the skies. It has not attacked any of our encampments, yet I fear it is simply biding its time. The dragon is black as night, and not quite as large as one of our giant owls. We believe it to be the source of the dragonspawn we have seen wandering from the ruins in the past few weeks."

Sorry; off-camera assumption that a 23 Knowledge (arcana) was enough to tell her what color evil dragons live in marshland. Plus, you know, the color of the dragon-thing we killed. :)

Adele exchanges glances with the rest of the party. "If this dragon is a servant of the Red Hand, then it is our enemy as well," she tells Sellyria. "As such, we would be willing to take on the task of attempting to slay it; however, as you fear, such an action is likely to attract the hostile attentions of the Red Hand, which your tribe has thus far managed to avoid. Such a course of action is not without risk to your people. If you wish us to aid you in this matter, I am afraid you would be wise to prepare for war."

"The Red Hand," Adele sighs. "Then they are the cause of your suffering as well as our own. We had thought your kinsman's misfortune an unrelated tragedy. This dragon, may I assume that it is black?"

Diplomacy 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (16) + 14 = 30
Honeyed Tongue bonus roll 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (2) + 14 = 16

Definitely taking the first one. :)

"It was quite invigorating," Adele replies with a smile, her cheeks prettily flushed from the breezy ride. "You had best hope to repeat the experience, as owlback will be our quickest route back toward Brindol and our duties. I do hope that we are able to establish some sort of alliance with these elves against Azarr Kul and his People of the Dragon; their assistance harrying ground troops from the air would be invaluable, although I would be loath to see them meet up with a Wyrmlord." She shudders, the horrible sight of the torn bodies of the elf and his feathered companion still too fresh in her memory.

Adele exchanges a swift glance with her colleagues. "We are, as I said, in service to the Lord of Brindol, whose people are in great distress at the moment. However, as we were unfortunate to fail to be timely enough to aid your friend, I cannot refuse the opportunity to speak to his next of kin and give him what comfort may be in our power. I remind you only that time is of the essence for the human settlements; we mean no disrespect, but we must return to our battle as swiftly as possible."

Adele inclines her head respectfully, as she steps forward to speak. "What my companion says is true. The civilized peoples of Elsir Vale are under attack by forces led by Azarr Kul, a hobgoblin from the Wyrmsmoke Mountains who has consolidated his power over the evil creatures there and now sets his sights on ruling over the vale as well. The villagers are fleeing east ahead of a large invasion force travelling through the Witchwood. In service to the Lord of Brindol, we came north, having heard of rumors of a roadblock waylaying innocent travellers. We defeated the hobgoblins and ogres manning it last evening and used the structure as a temporary shelter in which to rest before we turned back toward the human towns. Sadly, we were awakened this morning by something which I fear will bring sorrow to you." She steps forward and holds out the jade ring to the elves. "Overhearing sounds of battle from the forest, we arrived too late to save a noble elf and his winged companion from a strange dragon-like creature. Although we succeeded in felling the beast, we could think of nothing to do for the elf and his friend other than to lay them to rest with honor in the manner you see here, on a pyre, knowing no way to contact his people. I hope that this manner of funeral is acceptable; we meant only respect."

Diplomacy 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (19) + 15 = 34

Adele kneels beside the torn body, shaking her head. "The senselessness of it all.... There is so much ugliness unleashed in this world. If only I had been swifter...." She gets back to her feet with determination. "We will construct a pyre for this elf and his friend. I suggest we use the roadblock, now that it is no longer needed." She slips the jade band off the owl's leg. "If we find any elves in this forest, perhaps they can identify him from this and return it to his family to remember him by." She spares a smile for Feek. "Perhaps we will train a pair of owls, and I can join you in the air. That is a task for a happier time, though; it seems we can barely keep up with the challenges facing us at present. I still don't know what kind of creature that was, but it seems this is no more than an unpleasant accident. The dragon-creature would appear to have no more connection to the Red Hand than this elf does to the settlements of the Vale."

Reflex 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (18) + 13 = 31
Fortitude 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (2) + 10 = 12
Using Lore Master to take 10 on Knowledge (arcana) or (nature) to identify the dragon-thing = 23 - 2 for sickened = 21

Adele manages to dodge out of the way of most of the creature's sour spittle, but the acrid smell turns her stomach. Despite her sickened condition, she manages to force to her lips an elven melody of peace and safety in the forest to inspire her friends, even as she holds her crossbow ready. Inspire Courage +2; back up 30 feet for a total of 45 feet away from the creature

Perception 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (6) + 13 = 19

"No!" Adele protests in anger and dismay, tears coming to her eyes as she sees that they are too late. "I should have been swifter; this elf deserved more than merely avenging his death." She readies a bolt in her crossbow and points it in the direction of the glowing green eyes.

...assuming she has time to do that before we're attacked, of course. I think we're really about to regret that Dragox didn't have a chance to cast make whole yet.

Um, that way! ;)

Adele points in the direction she heard the sounds in the forest. "Be wary," she warns the group. "It could be our enemies trying to draw us into danger. I don't know how they could know we have taken their roadblock, but I have learned not to underestimate them."