"Cracking" John's page

Emerging essentially unscathed from the collapsed manor, John's rage abates and begins breathing normally. He begins to brush off some debris and dirt.

A look of concern suddenly overcomes him. Reaching at his side, he comes to a terrible realization.

“I was worried when I saw the manor collapsing! I’m glad to see you all made it out.”

"I wish the same could be said for my mace," John mutters, realizing that he had failed to pick up the weapon in his rush to get outside.

"It was a close call. Only thanks to our teamwork did we make it out. It's a shame we weren't able to search the rest of the manor; perhaps another time."

John hestitates. He looks at the seemingly impenetrable cloud of dust and piles of debris before releasing a long sigh. "Yes, another time." The half-orc huffs.

No rush on a chronicle sheet here either. This was a lot of fun, all. Thanks in particular to GM Bret for offering the entire set adventures. Much appreciated and well run. Great descriptions and roleplaying!

"This way!" shouts John, as he scrambles up the stairs.

Climb: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (8) + 9 = 17

John takes a gulp of air and dives in.
Swim in armor: 1d20 + 4 - 1 ⇒ (13) + 4 - 1 = 16

Azalmak weaves through the mites, helping anyone else along who struggles.

I'll save the bonus for those untrained.

John tries to follow his fellow half-orc.

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15

As the cabinets fall, John reaches out to stop them from crushing his allies, who do scurry deftly so he doesn't need to hold them up long.

Strength w/help: 1d20 + 4 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 + 4 = 17

John presses his attack using brute force.
Melee (wooden stake), w/rage v merchant: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 7 + 2 = 15
Damage (P): 1d4 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 4 + 2 = 8

Will w/rage: 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 3 + 2 = 18

John's blood boils and he presses his attack with the now-bloodied, wooden stake.
5 ft. step
Melee (wooden stake), w/rage v merchant: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 7 + 2 = 12
Damage (P): 1d4 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 4 + 2 = 10

Still lost within a frenzied rage, John takes little heed of the discussion of demon traits and makes it a point to find a foe to stake.

He makes his way through the door. Spying the merchant, he lunges for him.
Melee (wooden stake), w/rage v merchant: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 7 + 2 = 18
Damage (P): 1d4 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 4 + 2 = 10

Feel free to point out other ways if you have one.

Here's how I propose John would crack this dilemma.

Bearing his fangs, he reaches for a wooden stake from his belt as he steps through the demon bile and makes his way through to the door.

Assuming the door was open...
Spying the merchant dretch at his feet, he lunges for him it.
Melee (wooden stake), w/rage v merchant dretch: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 7 + 2 = 28
Damage (P): 1d4 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 4 + 2 = 9

Token repositioned on map accordingly.

Reflex: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

"Ah, for cryin' out...!" John cries out, before adding a few curses as his mace slips out of his hand.

Bearing his fangs, he reaches for a wooden stake from his belt as he steps through the demon bile and makes his way through the door.

Assuming the door was open...
Spying the merchant, he lunges for him.
Melee (wooden stake), w/rage v merchant: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 7 + 2 = 28
Damage (P): 1d4 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 4 + 2 = 9

Getting angry at the bite taken from him, "Cracking" John swings again at the dretch.
Rage as free action
Melee (mwk cold iron heavy mace), w/rage v green: 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 8 + 2 = 12
Damage (B): 1d8 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 4 + 2 = 7

Reflex: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

The half-orc strikes the ground with a heavy *Crack*. Rubbing his back side, John mumbles obscenties under his breat and attempts to retake his footing.
Standing, which I believe provokes.
Reflex: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22

He then swings his mace at the nearest foe.
Melee (mwk cold iron heavy mace) v green: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21
Damage (B): 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

"Your last mistake," cracks Johns as he swings his mace his would-be attacker.
Melee (mwk cold iron heavy mace) v blue, AoO: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12
Damage (B): 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

"Cracking" John swings his mace at the nearest infected mite.
5 ft. step
Melee (mwk cold iron heavy mace) v light blue: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18
Damage (B): 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

"Cracking" John bursts into the room with mace in hand. He rushes past his allies and through the webbing, giving chase to the mite down the steps.
Double move

"Come back here!"

"Perhaps we should have Cara channel the power of Sarenrae and see what happens?"

"If successful, that would be quicker and less messy than wading in there with my cold iron mace," concedes John. Nevertheless, he tightens his grip on his mace prepared to wade into the goo.

Lest too many shoulders ruin the broth...

John lends a shoulder for "cracking".
Strength Aid: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

Standing his ground in the muck, "Cracking" John swings again at the submerged leech.
Melee (mwk cold iron heavy mace), w/rage & underwater penalty: 1d20 + 8 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (17) + 8 + 2 - 2 = 25
Damage (B): 1d8 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 4 + 2 = 14

Spying the slimy creature, John flies into a rage while allowing his feet to sink to the bottom. He grabs ahold of his mace and fiercely swings at the creature.
Melee (mwk cold iron heavy mace), w/rage & underwater penalty: 1d20 + 8 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (1) + 8 + 2 - 2 = 9
Damage (B): 1d8 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 4 + 2 = 7

Something is coming near me...

"I saw nothing," John mutters in response. "If you think you are in danger, then I suggest you head for dry ground. I'll head for the other set of steps and see if I can't lure it toward me--or at least get another look."

John makes a swim for the steps.
Swim, untrained, ACP: 1d20 + 4 - 1 ⇒ (6) + 4 - 1 = 9

Trying to push off from one of the mucky surfaces, John slips and makes no progress. He tries again.
Swim, untrained, ACP: 1d20 + 4 - 1 ⇒ (14) + 4 - 1 = 17

Move action = 1/4 speed to Swim

I will be traveling through the weekend. Likely won't post until sometime Monday. Feel free to bot me as necessary.

John gives the murky water a sniff. If it doesn't smell too foul, he plunges into the water.
Swim, untrained, ACP: 1d20 + 4 - 1 ⇒ (13) + 4 - 1 = 16

if you can't get the lock, I'm sure someone can crack it open...

John's tusks grow prominent as the half-orc widens his grin and palms the head of his mace.

John happily claims the second and tries to aid his fellow half-orc.
Aid to Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 13

John swings his mace at the mite!
Melee (mwk cold iron heavy mace) v TickLick: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17
Damage (B): 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12

John follows the sounds of battle, taking up a position with his mace at the ready.
Double move

"I am no holy man or diviner, but something does not seem right to me." John grunts aloud. "We did not come here expecting to find something good. And I doubt, if such were here, that we would encounter it so easily."

He picks up the instrument looted earlier and allutdes to the timing of Azalmak's unusual behavior. "Could this 'voice' be tied to this?"

"I'm relieved to hear that. I was beginning to fear maybe some enchantment had taken hold of you."

"My fears of such have yet to be abated," John mumbles to himself as he struggles to hear any other voices present.

Being a Pathfinder, John goes to collect the lute!

Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

Jack narrows his eyes and gazes at the door, pointing to particular areas that thinks may be suspect. "I don't like those hinges."
Perception to Aid: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9

"Portraits of the dead, it would seem." mutters John as he notes the chins. "Given the greetings we met outside these walls, I would have thought this place more dangerous upon entering."

Let's check the side door from the garden. I'll check for traps, and will try to jam the lock open if I don't find one.

John steps closer to Evelyn, mace at the ready and keeping an eye out in the event her efforts at the door arouse any trouble.

Struggling to ignore the itch and choke back a cough from the sickening scent, John moves forward with mace in hand, pushing away the branches and shrubs before him.

He readies his mace, preparing to strike when he spies something taking a hostile action toward him.

"We worry about the journal later. Are we ready to move into the house now?"

"I have little use for ancient scratches and markings." John replies. "But, before we head into the house, we should make sure that nothing follows us from behind."

"Cracking" John grips his mace. "Let's finish our sweep of the outside, before we dig into the residence."

"Come. This way," he says, striding toward the entrance.

Location updated on Map

"As long as the deceased stay deceased, I'm fine with it." Azalmak moves into the mausoleum with John. "Give me a hand with one of these lids, John."

"Certainly," replies John, taking up the position at one end of a lid. "Though, I am wondering just what it is that you expect to find?"

Hearing the slashing of the wings, John comes running through the bushes. He is relieved to see that it was simply a trap and that his ally is not too badly injured. Gripping his mace, he offers to lead the way into the mausoleum, stepping inside.

Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10

"Is the plan to search all of the outbuildings before we go to the manor? If so then we should continue with that small structure due east in the corner of the property. And scout the area perhaps? We'd do well to avoid more surprises."

"Seems as good a plan as any!" chimes John. "Are you volunteering to scout?"

John looks at his mace, realizing that he never had a chance to use it on the bugs. He shrugs and then takes up a postion of some cover while the others scout the outbuilding.

John looks at the offered flask, looks at his mace, then looks back at the flask. Finally, he looks up at Gaius. "You may wish to ask someone else to throw it, My Friend."

He waves the mace. "Once they do, though, I will be ready!"

"If the creatures or their young are already tainted by demon bile, then they should be dealt with sooner, rather than later." John speaks grimly. "Cold iron kills, but does not cure. And we know of no cure that exists. We would not want these young to hatch and escape while we are elsewhere in the estate."

"That which should be done, is best done quickly." The half-orc raises his mace.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 15

Upon hearing the sounds, John grips his mace and strides forward.

Jack insists he is just fine as he cleans the head of his mace.
But won't turn down any healing offered.

He tightens his grip on the cold iron weapon and again makes his way to the stable door, this time following his fellow half-orc.

John trudges through the bushes to deliver a final blow to the last mite.
Move
Melee (mwk cold iron heavy mace) v green: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22
Damage (B): 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

John whirls around at the sounds of battle, then rushes with mace in hand at the nearest mite.

Melee (mwk cold iron heavy mace) v yellow: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12
Damage (B): 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

John draws his cold iron mace and touches it to the demon bile.

"Be careful," he tells the others as he boldly strides toward the stable door.

"Do you know anything more of the manor you intended to loot?" asks John. "Or did you plan simply to venture in blindly like a fool?"

"You would have us believe you are a poor rancher." John snarls at Olaus. "But, I believe you are an even poorer liar. Speak the truth or more than a calf will be let loose!'

Intimidate: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8
Intimidate reroll w/2 stars: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 7 + 2 = 29

Though shaken, John is also stirred to put an end to the last mite.
5 ft step
Melee (mwk cold iron heavy mace) w/ shaken v yellow: 1d20 + 8 - 2 ⇒ (20) + 8 - 2 = 26
Damage (B): 1d8 + 4 - 2 ⇒ (7) + 4 - 2 = 9
Confirm?: 1d20 + 8 - 2 ⇒ (10) + 8 - 2 = 16
Add Damage (B): 1d8 + 4 - 2 ⇒ (1) + 4 - 2 = 3

Will: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

John turns to snap at the mite, but finds he is dreading it.

Fort: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19

John turns and snaps his teeth at the hungry centipede. "Fear not! You wil be next, My Many-Legged Friend!"