Bloodsong of the Treeless Lands: Rune Stones Part IV (4e)

Game Master Rev Rosey

Part 4 of the Rune Stones saga.
Set in the wild land of Kargzant. Players went from level 9 to Paragon in this one. Vel retired and was replaced by Tutavak.


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Behind the globe, the wall gleams with ancient mosaic, crafted with fragments of glimmering stone.

North wall. Floor to ceiling. Roughly the width of the globe.


Male Eladrin Warlock (Feypact) 13 - Multiclass Bard - Hexer Paragon Path

Arianwyn sees if the pieces he has will fit the mosaic.

"Hmm, something useful at least." he murmurs to himself.


Arcana check please.


Female Eladrin Warlord/10

"Hmmm.. yes. Arianwyn, you need to repair the mosaic that you broke. I assume that's what those pieces are for."

"Then we can get on with saving people."


Male Eladrin Warlock (Feypact) 13 - Multiclass Bard - Hexer Paragon Path

Arianwyn waves a hand to shush Kia, "Not the malfunctioning one." he mutters to himself, "This one, which would seem to be in a circuit with the other..."

Arcana
1d20 + 14 ⇒ (20) + 14 = 34


Years of arcane training make it easy for Arianwyn to see exactly what he needs to do. Sublimely confident, he eases the relevant pieces from the wall and replaces them deftly with the fragments he holds. There is an almost audible sense of shifting as the powers encased within the wall realign themselves and the portal behind the party glows once more.

The globe resolves into the image of the triple-headed Moon Mare once more, all her aspects benign.

Spoiler:
Wow! That was a DC30 and you aced it :D


Male Eladrin Warlock (Feypact) 13 - Multiclass Bard - Hexer Paragon Path

Arianwyn smiles.

"My apologies for the destruction of the upper mosaic. Time was not kind to it." he says smoothly to the Moon Mare. "I trust future petitioners shall not be endangered."


My thanks. The restoration is well done.


Male Eladrin Warlock (Feypact) 13 - Multiclass Bard - Hexer Paragon Path

The warlock inclines his head in a slight bow.

"We must take our leave." he says simply.


Back through the fully-functional, health and safety approved portal?


Male Eladrin Warlock (Feypact) 13 - Multiclass Bard - Hexer Paragon Path

OUTSTANDING


Female Human Wizard 11 / Master of Flame

Out we go!


Female Eladrin Warlord/10

On to greater and more world-saving things.


The return journey through the portal speaks volumes for Arianwyn's arcane skills. In the space of a single breath you simply step from one room to the next and glimpse through the open door, the now quiescent figure of Zantka Oijampek.

"The goddess approves your passage. Leave and do her works."

The barnacled, tentacled head gazes at each of you, duly noting the marks of the Moon Mare's favour before sinking below the waters, leaving nothing but a faint ripple on the surface of the pool.

Anything else you want to do here before you move out?


Female Human Wizard 11 / Master of Flame

Vel grudgingly gives Arianwyn a nod as they make the smooth passage, but says nothing.

Ready to go.


Female Gnoll Warden 12 (Icewrought Sentinel)

Whiteclaw also seems ready to leave, though she mutters. "I wonder how we'll be tested next."


Male Eladrin Warlock (Feypact) 13 - Multiclass Bard - Hexer Paragon Path

Arianwyn returns Vel's nod.


After the shadowed light of the caves, the sunlight almost blinds you as you emerge into daylight. The Warleader and her archers are still in place, immobile as the rocks and nearly as invisible, but at your approach, she turns and rides towards you, leading the horses.

Dismounting, she looks at each of you in turn, nodding with approval until she comes to Vel. Her nod becomes a bow and then an embrace.

"Sister."

"The Moon Mare has favoured you all. The enaree has ordered that if you were favoured we should take you to Pashira's burial ground. Will you follow?"

Her tone is now positively conciliatory, even slightly awestruck.

How are you all fixed for surges and the like?


Female Gnoll Warden 12 (Icewrought Sentinel)

6 surges and otherwise ok.


Female Human Wizard 11 / Master of Flame

Vel looks slightly taken aback at the embrace then returns it somewhat awkwardly, murmuring, "Sister." After the warleader breaks away, Vel shoots a glare at Arianwyn, as if daring him to speak.

4 surges and at full


Male Eladrin Warlock (Feypact) 13 - Multiclass Bard - Hexer Paragon Path

Arianwyn blinks in a puzzled manner at Vel's glare. Nothing surprises him anymore in this land.


Female Eladrin Warlord/10

Kia tries to catch Arianwyn's eye in a 'What was all that about with Vel?' sort of way. But says nothing and goes along with the rest of the party.

6 surges and full health


"We will ride to the Bone Plains."

The Warleader's expression turns grim once more.

"Pashira the Iron Warrior lies in the middle of the Bone Plains. Our honoured dead are buried there. It is a battleground and they relive their exploits eternally. Not even the Bone Riders willingly disturb them."


Female Human Wizard 11 / Master of Flame

"So . . ." Vel says slowly, "Do we fight them?"


"They are Kargzant, in life or death. Fight them to honour their sacrifice. We of the Bone Riders do so every year. It is an honour to join their ranks, but better to live and take fresh heads. So says our enaree. If you fall, there is no shame in it."


Female Human Wizard 11 / Master of Flame

Vel nods, unsurprised.

Ride on?


Male Eladrin Warlock (Feypact) 13 - Multiclass Bard - Hexer Paragon Path

Arianwyn looks at Whiteclaw and shrugs with a "here we go again" expression.


Reason is offline due to computer issues at the moment, which explains his silence.

The group rides on, taking paths unknowable to any but the native-born People. At length, after about three hours, a plain opens up before you. The Warleader calls a halt and points north.

"Another half mile will take you to the burial grounds. We will wait here."

Ahead lie raised areas of ground dotted with skulls. The Warleader points to them.

"Those mark the tombs of the fallen. Pashira lies at the end of the valley."

MAP

As you may guess, the pinkish skull marks Pashira's tomb.


Female Eladrin Warlord/10

Kia dismounts, looking into the valley. She hands the horse over to the Kargzant askng them to look after her - please.

"Right, let's have another fight then..."

Kia will try to pick a path that avoids disturbing anything that looks like bones as she goes through with the others.


Female Human Wizard 11 / Master of Flame

Vel likewise dismounts and, as usual, brings up the rear on the walk.


Male Eladrin Warlock (Feypact) 13 - Multiclass Bard - Hexer Paragon Path

Arianwyn follows suit and advances cautiously.


Tell me where you are on the map please. You are arriving from the southern end. Paler areas are higher ground. Better roll init while you're about it.

MAP


Male Eladrin Warlock (Feypact) 13 - Multiclass Bard - Hexer Paragon Path

Ll 1.. Init (inc Kia bonus)
1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23


Female Human Wizard 11 / Master of Flame

U1 doesn't look particularly Southern . . . Specific location pending Kia, but somewhere in one of the corners -- KK4 or KK34 would be good, whichever is closer to Kia. Init: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 5 + 2 = 22


MAP

Init so far
Arianwyn - 23 (Arianwyn has confirmed that the intended location is Ll1, as he appears on the map.
Vel - 22 - placement provisional
Reason - 14


Female Eladrin Warlord/10

Kia is probably at Ii3 (that's aye-aye-three). Her intention being to skirt around the edge and then in to the tomb of Pashira - as if we would be lucky enough to avoid a fight...

Initiative: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27.


MAP

Init so far
Kia - 27
Arianwyn - 23 (Arianwyn has confirmed that the intended location is Ll1, as he appears on the map.
Vel - 22
Reason - 14


Female Human Wizard 11 / Master of Flame

Blasted bifocals, sorry. Placement confirmed.


Female Gnoll Warden 12 (Icewrought Sentinel)

Init: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23. Location: Ff3. One move from the edge for her.

Rather impatient at the idea of yet another test and still clearly bothered by whatever she saw in her vision, Whiteclaw strides across the fields.


As the companions approach, the ground ruptures, spewing forth the haunting dead. On all sides, skeletal horses and their fallen riders erupt seeking the intruders. Great piles of bones re-bond into humanoid shapes and the multitude is guided by a three headed figure pulsating with power.

MAP

Kia
Arianwyn
Whiteclaw
Vel
Skeletal horses (H1-5)
Shades of Fallen Heroes (S1-5)
Skull Lord (Ld)
Reason
Bonepile skeletons (B1-2)

I really wanted a large map for this fight, but it seems awfully hard to see. I'll have a play around and see if I can find a better background before we all go blind. Use this for now. You'll know fast enough if I find something better.


Male Eladrin Warlock (Feypact) 13 - Multiclass Bard - Hexer Paragon Path

I regret the use of my only radiant damage power now.

Arianwyn purses his lips with distaste.


Female Human Wizard 11 / Master of Flame
Rev DM wrote:

Bonepile skeletons (B1-2)

Are these swarms?


Vel wrote:
Rev DM wrote:

Bonepile skeletons (B1-2)

Are these swarms?

No.


Female Eladrin Warlord/10

Kia sighs resignedly.

Move to Dd2. What happens next depends on what the skull lord says.

To the Skull Lord: "We are not here to defile anything. Will you let us pass?"

Diplomacy check: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (18) + 11 = 29

As if it would do any good - in Kia's experience bones are generally beligerant by default. But one has to try.


The Skull Lord considers for a moment before coming to a decision.

He raises his staff in a salute. Around the battlefield there is a rustle of acknowledgment but no move to withdraw.

"Fell me and half our number and you may pass. If you fall, you may join us in our eternal battle."

MAP

Kia - still has a minor
Arianwyn
Whiteclaw
Vel
Skeletal horses (H1-5)
Shades of Fallen Heroes (S1-5)
Skull Lord (Ld)
Reason
Bonepile skeletons (B1-2)


Female Eladrin Warlord/10

"Thanks..."

End of turn


A battlecry rises from the long dead throats of your foes as they turn and prepare to attack.

MAP

Arianwyn
Whiteclaw
Vel
Skeletal horses (H1-5)
Shades of Fallen Heroes (S1-5)
Skull Lord (Ld)
Reason
Bonepile skeletons (B1-2)
Kia


Male Eladrin Warlock (Feypact) 13 - Multiclass Bard - Hexer Paragon Path

Arianwyn sneers, "Oh, how thoughtful."

He decides to target the Skull Lord.

Move to Ff1 (Concealment gained). I assume I can curse the SL as he is now the closest target I can see. (B1 being hidden behind a hill, I take it?).


Arianwyn - yes on all counts.

"What do feyspawn know of honour," sneers the Skull Lord in return as the warlock's curse settles inexorably on him.

MAP

Whiteclaw
Vel
Skeletal horses (H1-5)
Shades of Fallen Heroes (S1-5)
Skull Lord (Ld) - cursed by Arianwyn
Reason
Bonepile skeletons (B1-2)
Kia
Arianwyn - concealment


Male Eladrin Warlock (Feypact) 13 - Multiclass Bard - Hexer Paragon Path

Hold on thar. I ain't shot him yet...
Eyebite vs SL vs Will.
1d20 + 11 ⇒ (1) + 11 = 121d6 + 9 ⇒ (5) + 9 = 14

Arianwyn sighs, "Ugh, not this nonsense again." as he fires a silver bolt at the triple headed undead.

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