Gents, I am going away for the weekend. I should be back Monday evening! Peace out!
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The undead standing before Ifrit is drawn to Hennon as the great half-orc swung and missed with his axe. The skeleton takes a swipe at him with its scimitar: Skeleton 5 vs. Hennon: ; The skeleton completely misses as Hennon barely has to lean back to dodge the attack. Skeleton 4 attacks skeleton 2 after its failed swing: Skeleton 4 vs. Skeleton 2: Skeleton 2 returns it scimitar to clash once again with the other skeleton as the two remain locked in swordplay. Skeleton 6 attacks Skeleton 1 with a thrust of its blade: Skeleton 6 vs. Skeleton 1:
The blade glances off the skeleton's ribcage, sending a bone shard against the wall behind it.
The skeletons engaging Abbrathil and Raven both relax suddenly. Their heads snap towards the gnome's direction. Abbrathil focuses in on them and commands them to attack the two skeletons towards the back of the room, directing them to guard Raven. The two undead quickly comply and then turn to engage the two at the back of the room. The one next to Raven spins around and then moves across the steps to attack the nearest enemy skeleton. Skeleton 1 attacks Skeleton 4 The blade clangs off the enemy skeleton's weapon as the undead senses something amiss and keeps his guard up. The skeleton across from Abbrathil likewise moves in to attack as well. Skeleton 2 attacks Skeleton 4 The skeleton is also on guard against another attack, and so it deflects the second blade away with a return swing from the first.
Abbrathil sidesteps to the left, putting a pillar in between himself and the skeleton which was in front of him. He then raises his hand into the air and speaks several arcane words as a slightly visible pulse fires out from his hand. Skeleton 1 will save:
Hennon swings his axe mightily at the skeleton to the left of Abbrathil, and as he does so, the axe slices into the skeletons head sending shards of bone across the room. The skeleton however returns its head forward and readies another attack. On his second attack, Hennon swings awkwardly at the skeleton in front of Ifrit, however in making sure he does not accidentally hit his companions, he is unable to strike true.
Abbrathil takes advantage of the pillar adjacent to him and dodges behind it as one of the scimitars come crashing down to where his head formerly was. As the other skeleton directly in front of him approaches, thrusting the scimitar at his gut, the gnome completely ducks as it bareky passes overhead, grazing his hair. Another skeleton lumbers straight toward Ifrit, and the creature attempts to dodge the sideways swipe, however the blade creates a gash in the eidolon's shoulder. Three undead engage Raven, one of them swinging sideways at his gut, however he jumps back causing the swing to go wide. The other two, however step up and simultaneously swing their scimitars downward catching the ranger in between his studded leather and slicing down his torso.
Three of the skeleton's attentions are averted to the human man standing part of the way up the stairs to their left, while the other three quickly move in to engage the gnome and the eidolon. Each of them thrust or slash their aged scimitars at their foe. Skeleton 2 (attacking Abbrathil):
Skeleton 5 (attacking Ifrit):
Skeleton 1 (attacking Raven):
Suddenly, from amid the carnage, six skeletons rise up, each wielding a rusted or broken scimitar. Their heads snap forward as they supernaturally sense that there are intruders to the crypt. They rise up their weapons and ready their attack.
Abbrathil:
You do not detect any undead auras outside. As you continue your detection, you quickly narrow down that the six auras are directly in front of you... just as the six begin to rise... Hennon: Hennon, you recognize the two human corpses to be Gerol and Vark, two residents of Kassen and friends of the Mayor.
Abbrathil speaks a few arcane words as he waves his right hand around as he stares straight ahead into the room, and then slowly begins to look around. His right hand outstretched slightly, he looks down to the mixture of skeletal and human remains in the center of the room. Abbrathil:
You first detect the presence of undead auras as you are facing into the room. You pause and concentrate for a few more moments until you detect six auras. As you look at the ground where the skeletal remains lie, you see eight skeletons and two human corpses. Everyone can make a Knowledge (Local) check even if you don't have the skill. If you don't have it, just roll a d20 with no modifiers.
As the heavy door swings open, the faint light from outside reveals a long chamber with risen platforms on either side. A faded painting of Kassen is on the far wall. The room appears to be the site of a gruesome battle, with two bodies piled in the center and a number of skeletons scattered around. An echoing wail can be heard somewhere in the distance, beyond this foul chamber.
Abbrathil:
You spot what appears to be the scattered bones of human remains lying underneath one of the horses. Hennon - unfortunately yes, you still have a sprained ankle.
Make a Perception check.
After sufficient rest, the five of you head around the rocky wall ahead where the arched doorway lies. As you pass the wall, you are able to fully see the scene before you. An archway of stone is set into the side of a small hill at the bottom of the valley. Moss has overgrown many of the details, but one is still quite clear. The keystone of the arch is carved with a flame symbol with a stylized rune in the middle. Beyond the archway is a darkened tunnel that leads to a pair of massive wooden doors, one of which is slightly ajar. A pair of horses and a trio of ponies lie slaughtered next to the archway, each corpse still tied to a post set into the ground nearby. A swarm of flies hangs lazily in the air above them.
The five companions sit down to rest. Easily, an hour passes by as you feed upon trail rations and some trail mix which Raven fishes out of his pack. You regain much of your strength and recover sufficiently from your wounds to press on.
Sarenae pulls herself up with the help of her eidolon and then begins slowly descending the few feet left before reaching the bottom of the ravine. She grabs her left elbow and then releases only to find her right hand slightly covered in blood. Raven does a half pushup and then stands up the rest of the way groaning as he reaches for his right shoulder. He then steps down to the base of the ravine where he sees Sarenae leaning upon Ifrit. As he approaches them he pulls a set of bandages from his pack and then begins bandaging the woman's wounds. Raven sees Hennon approach looking to offer whatever help he can provide. That was quite the trip down, eh Hennon? The man laughs and then squints finding that his ribcage is a bit bruised as well. As he cringes and turns his head to the left, he stops and stares for a moment. Well, it looks like we're here, friends. Look over there. Raven nods towards a rounded path to the south deeper into the ravine. As you look, you can just make out an arched doorway where a single wooden door blocks entrance. Perhaps we should stop and rest before we head into the Crypt. What say you? Raven finishes bandaging Sarenae's arm as she thanks him with a slight smile and then, leaning up against Ifrit, slides down to her backside and exhales with a twinge of pain in her breath.
Hennon exhales as he places one foot forward in his quest to descend the great muddy slope before him. Just as he does so, he quickly loses his balance and tosses his arms up into the air and slips backwards. His right foot acts as a plow for the muddy surface which slows him down slightly at first, and then he sticks his left leg straight out as he turns to his side to try and grab an upcoming tree branch. Continuing to slide, he misses the branch and continues to gain speed. He hits a slick patch of watery mud and then turns completely sideways, barreling towards the short hill which Abbrathil tumbled over. Reaching the hill, his right ankle smashes into a rock and he tumbles over the edge, hitting the ground right next to Abbrathil. Damage:
Raven moves to the side to allow Abbrathil to pass. As the gnome begins slowly and deliberately making his way down the hill, he begins to lose his footing as his left foot slides creating a mound of sludge, however he quickly grabs a nearby root to stabilize himself. Once stable, he lets go and then begins making his way down a short hill a few feet away. Unfortunately he loses his balance and slides rapidly down the hill and slams into a gnarled tree trunk.
Slightly dazed, Abbrathil pushes off from the stump and then starts to slowly move down the slope once again. As he does so, his right foot shoots straight ahead as he slips on a slick patch of sod and then falls to his rear as he begins rapidly sliding down the hill. Suddenly he comes up to a cliff and, unable to brace himself, slips off and falls to the ground below.
Raven's eyes go wide as he watches Abbrathil tumble over the edge of a cliff below and then quickly begins his attempt at scaling the slope. Are you alright gnome?! The man yells down the hill as he continues his careful steps down the hill, slowly shuffling around a large rock. Acrobatics 1 = 12
Soon after manuevering around the rock, Raven begins sliding down the hill himself, unable to slow himself as he gains speed. He sticks his left leg out in order to try and catch it on a nearby tree but misses it entirely and heads straight for a pair of thickets. He raises his arms to guard his face as he passes through, and then falls from a short hill and onto some rocks below. Damage: 2 Sarenae looks at Hennon and then back down the hill. Well, here goes nothing. I suppose this is the only way down. Come, Ifrit... be careful. The two begin making their way down the slope, choosing to stay to the right. Sarenae
Ifrit
Ifrit's weight keeps him steady as he lays low to the ground and practically begins crawling down the slope. Sarenae grabs hold of him and keeps in pace with the creature, until she loses her footing and lets go of the eidolon. She begins sliding and as she does so, she runs into a patch of trees and tumbles out the other side, falling down into a ditch near the bottom. She takes 2 damage. Ifrit nearly panics as he watches his companion stumble down the hill and he nearly begins bounding down the hill in response. As the animal nears the bottom, it slips briefly and hits a tree taking 2 nonlethal damage. Recovering from this minor setback, the creature continues down the hill at a near run before he reaches the ditch and comes to a stop, nearly tumbling over Sarenae in the process. He moves up to the woman and licks her face as she cringes from the pain of her fall. Hennon is left standing at the top of the slope, looking down at the carnage which has just taken place, perhaps thinking second thoughts about making the trip himself.
You begin following Raven down the well trodden path, noticing a few patches of mud here and there with shoe and boot tracks, however most of the path is free from any visible disturbance. About two hours later, you move into a deep wood. Densely populated trees gnarled with age coupled with thorny bushes and protruding roots keep your on your toes as you push into this area. The rocks become increasingly uneven, and Sarenae nearly tumbles down a hill before Ifrit quickly moves under her to break her fall. Welcome to the Fangwood. Raven says as maneuvers around a large rock hanging over a dip in the path. The valley is straight ahead. We are almost there. The trail leads ever deeper into the Fangwood, through a twisting maze of trees and confusing ravines. As it tops a small rise, a broad valley spreads out before it, the opposite side of which looks like a writhing serpent. Yet between the two lies a steep hill sloping down into the valley. A cold rain starts to fall, making the ground slick and treacherous. Raven slips and catches himself with his right hand. He slowly stands back up and wipes the mud from his palm on a nearby tree trunk.
Abbrathil - Knowledge (Local):
Your Knowledge (Local) check reveals that this man is not from Kassen—--his clothing is in poor condition from exposure, but it is obviously of a kind purchased in larger cities. Abbrathil - Perception:
Your Perception check uncovers a masterwork short sword near the body and a coin pouch with 87 gp inside. The coins look newly minted from the capital city of Tamran; they bear the likeness of Forest Marshal Gavirk, nominal leader of Nirmathas. Abbrathil - Profession (Taxidermist): Finally, your Taxidermist check finds that the body is way beyond any decent means of preservation. At best, you could alchemically burn the rotten flesh from the remains and clean the bones to create an interesting-looking skeleton display.
As you bed down for the evening, the crackling fire is a welcome warmth in the generally cool night. Before you know it, you slowly begin to awaken to the sound of just a few birds chirping in the trees. The morning suns rays shine down through the mostly barren trees and you awaken before a smoldering fire. After everyone rises, you gather your possessions to set off. Raven once again takes point using his bow as a walking stick, walking at a steady pace down the mostly trodden path. At midmorning, the trees begin to thin, revealing a field of short, green grass that leads to the shores of a wide, calm lake reflecting the
Raven nods at Hennon's suggestion and then follows him over to the still unconscious wolves. He watches as the burly half-orc scoops up the animals, one in each arm, and then walks in step with him into the forest. As Hennon lies the two animals down, he makes eye contact with Hennon and nods towards the creature to the left as he nocks an arrow and aims it at the right-most wolf's chest right above his heart. Simultaneously the two strike the creatures, Hennon with Chopper, and Raven with a loosed arrow through the chest. Without a sound or so much as a whimper, the two animals expire.
Raven watches as Hennon stomps towards the wolf cowering after being slashed in the ribcage by Ifrit's powerful claws. His eyes open wide as Hennon's arms bulge, revealing thick corded muscles and the veins to fuel them. He plainly ignores the unconscious wolves at his feet and then squints as Hennon roars at the already intimidated left over wolf. His head flinches slightly to the right and then he opens his eyes to look back at the remains of the wolf... and finds, surprisingly, that it's not a pile of gore. Sarenae likewise squints as she turns her head away from the spectacle, expecting Hennon to swiftly remove the wolf's head from it's emaciated body. The wolf dives it's head to the ground and whines loudly as it anticipates the last thing it will ever see---the largest half-orc it has ever seen and the axe which terminated its miserable life. When it suddenly realizes that it's still standing, it immediately darts off limping into the woods as fast as it's skin-and-bone revealed legs will allow it to, the remnants of Hennon's spittle still remaining on its snout. The two wolves mesmerized by Abbrathil's spell still lie unconscious at Raven's feet---Raven himself mesmerized by Hennon's raw ferociousness.
Abbrathil speedily maneuvers around the fire and waves his hands sending a blinding array of colors in a blast of light towards the two wolves attacking Raven. Wolf Will Saves: ; The two wolves eyes shoot wide and then squint closed as the light seems to absorb straight into their eye sockets. Immediately after, they slump over on the ground, breathing heavily but unconscious. Blinded, unconscious, and stunned for: rounds
Raven strings an arrow to his bow from his loose-hanging quiver and looses it at the wolf directly to his left. Attack roll: Damage: Unfortunately Raven stumbles a bit after having pulled his arm away from the leaping wolf and his shot lands in the dirt. He steps back a few feet from the wolves and prepares to shoot again. Raven shouts at the wolves, I understand you are hungry, friends, but you will not find a meal here! Sarenae is able to reach out for her quarterstaff as she continues to lie on the ground right below the snapping jaws of the wolf. Attack roll: Sarenae weakly and awkwardly swings her quarterstaff at the wolf, but the animal steps back far from the wooden staff. Ifrit! Help! Sarenae yells to the eidolon standing nearby poised to strike. The creature quickly maneuvers next to Sarenae and swipes it's two claws directly at the wolf's body. Attack roll: ;
Ifrit takes two viscious swipes at the wolf attacking Sarenae and digs the claws of both paws into the animal's bony torso. The wolf yelps in agony as blood spills out onto its fur. It weakly backs off and immediately ceases growling.
Combat Order
The wolves paw closer to the party as they continue to growl and bear their yellow and black stained teeth which stretch out from their gums.
One of the wolves charges straight towards Raven, it's jaws open wide as it springs up to attack. Attack roll: Raven spins around as the wolf juts its head forward and attempts to close down on his thigh. He quickly dodges to his right as the wolf looks up at him and then poises to strike once again. Another wolf charges up next to his attacking pack mate and hops up to try and grab Raven's arm. Attack roll: Raven deftly pulls his arm out of the way just as the wolf springs up on it's hind legs and snaps its mouth shut. The third wolf charges towards Sarenae and leaps out at her with open jaws. Attack roll: The wolf successfully grabs hold of her cloak and bites down on it as it hits the ground and then begins pulling it. A small chunk of the material rips off from her cloak and hangs out of the wolf's mouth which it quickly lets drop to the dirt below.
Raven initiative:
A half hour passes as Raven finishes dressing the animal and preparing to cook it on a spit he has set up above the fire. After he sets up the meat, he begins fiddling with his bedroll and sets his bow up against a nearby log. Sarenae sets out her bedroll as well, as Ifrit moves up close to her and immediately begins to breathe heavily. Flinging her cloak aside, she looks down at her studded leather armor and then flings the cloak back, apparently deciding to keep it on while she sleeps. She lays down and wraps one arm around the creature as she closes her eyes. Just as soon as Sarenae shuts her eyelids, a series of growls penetrate the campside from the west. Sarenae's eyes both shoot open and she sits up and looks around. We're being attacked by the wolves! Ifrit leaps up and growls as his elongated neck twists about allowing him to search the immediate area to the west. Raven grabs hold of his bow and then picks up his quiver as he draws an arrow while simultaneously slinging it around his back. Just as he does this, three wolves emerge from the trees to the west, their eyes glowing from the light of the fire. They bear their vicious-looking teeth and as they step into the light, their bodies reveal that they are emaciated. Initiative!
All four of you hear what sounds like howling off in the distance. It sounds to be coming from a small pack of wolves as you can hear more than one howling in unison.
Make Perception checks. Raven:
If you do not protest Raven's suggestion, you travel three more hours or so before the sky begins to darken once again, this time signaling the close of the day.
Abbrathil, you are unable to determine what the exact spell was that was creating the Orc figments, and your careful scanning of the immediate area is unable to turn anything up as far as a source. Hennon quickly fells the final Orc to the left of the log with a great chop of his axe. Hennon:
Make a Will save. 135 XP
Abbrathil: You watch Sarenae as she fires the bolt at the Orc's head, and immediately you notice something amiss. The bolt flies right through it's head and continues on into the woods. As soon as you realize this, you recognize that the Orc is no Orc at all, but a mere illusion.
The ray of cold energy blasts forth from Abbrathil's hand, and as it strikes the Orc raises his arm defensively as he grunts angrily. Abbrathil:
Make a Will save. Sarenae Initiative 1d20 + 2 (17) + 2 = 19
Next, Raven pulls out his longbow and stings an arrow as he moves up near Ifrit. He mutters something to himself and then lets out a sarcastic, "ha." He looses an arrow at the same Orc. Longbow Attack: The Orc grabs at the arrow as it strikes and then collapses to the ground. Sarenae Initiative 1d20 + 2 (17) + 2 = 19
The Orc on the far right takes his greataxe and maneuvers around the log raising it above his head and he heads towards Ifrit. Attack The cut swipes down and into the beast's furry flesh. The creature yelps and collapses to the ground. The other Orc moves around the log and prepares to engage Hennon. Round 2! Seeing her companion fall, Sarenae cries out as she pulls out her crossbow and moves in between Abbrathil and Raven in order to fire a bolt at the Orc responsible. Attack The Orc drops his greataxe after the bolt strikes him directly in the head. He falls straight forward right next to Ifrit. Sarenae Initiative 1d20 + 2 (17) + 2 = 19
Sarenae Initiative 1d20 + 2 (17) + 2 = 19
Sarenae Initiative 1d20 + 2 (17) + 2 = 19
Raven Initiative
You continue traveling south of Kassen for two hours. The clouds in the sky begin to darken as they accumulate and block out the dull sun's rays. A brisk chill fills the air as the wind howls through the thickening wood. Fortunately there is only a light rain, and even that is mostly blocked out by the trees which still have some of their leaves left clinging to the branches. As morning gives way to afternoon, the clouds open up and reveal the dull sun once again. The windchill eases up and leaves for a soggy yet warmer afternoon. You continue following a narrow path which zig-zags through the crowded wood for another hour or so. 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. ...Initiative!
The four of you begin to head off towards the town gate as the large crowd follows close behind. You recall that while there is a great celebration to follow the return from the Crypt, the opening celebration is one of traditional somber reflection. The crowd is mostly silent as you approach the gates, and then the Mayor again takes a prominent place at the center of the road. The four of you stand in front of him as he address the crowd behind. |