Without another word, Arnest walks away from the tower, two of his guards in the lead, and the third several paces behind him, careful to make sure no one can approach Arnest from behind unseen.
The march to the north side of town, above whose cliffs the Whiteside Barrows are located, is tense but uneventful. Arnest's bodyguards clear a path through the morning crowds with practiced, impersonal brutality, so progress is quick. At one point there are a number of faint screams far to the west. Arnest ignores them.
Soon you pass beyond the town's limits into the hills at the base of the cliffs. The area is lightly forested and the paths leading north to the cliffs are winding things of packed earth and occasional patches of gravel, signifying at least token attempts at maintenance.
Not far into the forested paths, you a trio of screams rips the wooded quiet somewhere ahead of you.
"Aaaaiiiiieeeeee!!"
"Aaaahhh Help! Help! Augh!!"
"Aaaaaaah! What is... Run, boy! Run and don't look ba-aaaaargh!"
"Ow! Ow, leggo, ahhhhhh!"
Around a bend in the path come running a trio of humans, a man, a woman, and a small boy. The boy pelts ahead, fleeing in terror, while the adults, perhaps his parents, lag behind. They are closely pursued by a half dozen floating, insubstantial figures with long, flickering, many-fingered arms. When touched by the wraiths, the man and woman slow to a crawl, ugly black lesions breaking out on their bodies. They fall, and quickly the wraiths are on them. Then another ghostly figure appears, directly in the boy's path, and exudes a spectral miasma, catching the boy squarely. His face pales, and his legs keep pumping a few moments more before collapsing onto his face only a few paces in front of Arnest's guards.
When the adult humans stop twitching, the wispy figures turn towards you, tendril-arms flicking outward once again.
map
ooc: initiative, please! I'd normally do it for you, but I'm going out of town for the weekend in a few hours, so I wouldn't be able to update anyway. We'll pick this up when I get back on Sunday.
"Wraiths," Tander whispers. "I've heard of them, although I've been fortunate enough to avoid encountering them until now. I've read that they often arise from the bodies of those who died or were killed suddenly. Pray they do not kill us or we may join their number."
Tander Oaksmith, Human Cleric 2
Passive Perception 15, Passive Insight 20
AC 17, Fort 14, Reflex 15, Will 19
Resist 5 poison
HP 29/29, Bloodied 14, Surge Value 7, Surges 8/8
Speed 5, Initiative +7
Action Points: 1
Current Effects none
Encounter Resources
Spiteful Glamor
Divine Glow
Healing Word One
Healing Word Two
Channel Divinity (Turn Undead or Divine Fortune)
Second Wind
Use Action Point
Daily Resources
Beacon of Hope
Cure Light Wounds
Last edited by nerdytenor; 18th July 2009 at 06:48 AM..
Reason: added stat block
[color=DimGray]"Wraiths," Tander whispers. "I've heard of them, although I've been fortunate enough to avoid encountering them until now. I've read that they often arise from the bodies of those who died or were killed suddenly."
“Good,” Woe grins. “Then they know the drill.”
The warrior brandishes his spear, ready to jump into the fray at a moment's notice.
“That means it will come as less of a shock to them when they die suddenly – again.”
Everyone: You can clearly see that these beings are not quite fully present in the physical world. They are translucent like smoke or fog, and hover above the ground without apparent effort.
ooc: they're all insubstantial and hovering.
Tander
Your training identifies three types of undead.
The wraiths are weak spirits, whose touch slows the limbs. Like most undead, they fear divine radiance, but resist decay.
The specter is also weak against radiant damage and strong against necrotic, but can become invisible when it chooses.
The griefmote is rare among undead in neither fearing divine light nor resisting necrotic decay. It resists cold, and can emit waves of chilling frost that freeze the bones of the living.
The shadows react slowly, perhaps cowed by the daylight. Whatever the reason, you easily get time to strike first. Arnest reacts quickly too, but coolly waits until his bodyguards are ready, to act as a unit.
“ Great “ Atreus says sarcastically. He heroically dashes behind Arnest’s meatshield and shoots with his trusty sling at the closest undead.
Actions
Move Action – Pulls forth his sling and moves to r5
Standard Action – Uses sly flourish specter 1, hits AC 19 and does 20 damage
Minor – Action – Nothing…
Atreus Stats
Atreus D’torian - Human Rogue 2
Passive Perception 16, Passive Insight 17
AC 17, Fort 13, Reflex 18, Will 15
HP 29/29, Bloodied 14, Surge Value 7, Surges 7/7
Speed 6, Initiative +7
Action Points: 1 Second Wind: Not Used Yet
Powers: Deft Strike, Piercing Strike, Sly Flourish, Fleeting Ghost Positioning Strike, Blinding Barrage, Deathstalker Dagger
The Terrain
Is it possible to hide in the bushes indicated on the map?
To Covaithe
I completely forgot to buy some healing potions in town, is it possible that we could have had the chance to buy a couple of them when we were on our way to here?
ooc: quick results: Atreus hits. It's insubstantial, so it takes 10 damage. Waiting for Tander. Regarding terrain, the leafy squares are low vegetation that is difficult terrain but does not provide cover or concealment. So no hiding.
Atreus strikes true with a sling bullet. The stone goes clean through the shadowy being, leaving a vaporous hole that quickly fills in. (ooc: hit, 10 damage (insubstantial))
Woe, Tander and Palindrome pause, waiting for Arnest and his bodyguards to act.
Arnest's face flushes with suspicion. "Why are you waiting? We're under attack! Do something! Unless... Did you do this? Are these creatures your doing?" His hands crackle with magical energy, but he holds it back, awaiting your actions.
His guards follow his lead, waiting to see what Arnest does. (ooc: all delay 'til after you guys go. )
The nearest specter disappears. A moment later it reappears next to Arnest. It sighs with an evil hiss, and exhales a cloud of sickly white mist engulfing Arnest, Woe, and one of the bodyguards. Atreus crouches and lets the half-orc's bulk take the worst of the blast. (ooc: goes invisible, then reappears, using spectral breath. Atreus is missed due to cover from the orc, but Woe, Arnest, and the orc are hit. They take 6 psychic damage and fall prone.)
The mote disappears.
The wraiths glide silently forward, passing through branches and leaves without a stir. One goes for Woe; it's chill touch does little damage, but makes Woe's legs weak and sluggish. Another goes for Arnest, missing. The remainder go for the bodyguard farthest forward, swarming around him. (ooc: rolls. Woe takes 4 necrotic and is slowed TENT (wraith 1). Orc 1 takes 12 necrotic and is slowed TENT (wraith 6).)
OOC: Going to have Tander go before Atreus so he can get a buff from his power. Assuming this is ok with you guys.
"Fools! Have you never seen battle before? Have you never formed a line?" Tander, angry at his so-called allies hesitation, steps forward (OOC: move 2 squares East) and raises both hands. A wash of power flows forth, suffusing Atreus, Arnest, and the nearest half-orc with power while draining the life force from the nearest wraiths (OOC: Divine glow - Atreus, Arnest, and Half-orc 3 get +2 power bonus to attack rolls until end of Tander's next turn. Glow hits nw wraith reflex 24, ne wraith reflex 18 for 6 radiant damage).
Tander shouts out as power continues to spew from his body. "Arnest - save your darkest powers for another fight - these beasts are partially immune" (OOC: Let Arnest know he shouldn't use necrotic )
OOC Tactics: Tander is hoping to get as many undead near him on the next turn as possible so he can drop Turn Undead
Tander Stat Block
Tander Oaksmith, Human Cleric 2
Passive Perception 15, Passive Insight 20
AC 17, Fort 14, Reflex 15, Will 19
Resist 5 poison
HP 29/29, Bloodied 14, Surge Value 7, Surges 8/8
Speed 5, Initiative +7
Action Points: 1
Current Effects none
Encounter Resources
Spiteful Glamor
USED Divine Glow
Healing Word One
Healing Word Two
Channel Divinity (Turn Undead or Divine Fortune)
Second Wind
Use Action Point
Arnest's face flushes with suspicion. "Why are you waiting? We're under attack! Do something! Unless... Did you do this? Are these creatures your doing?" His hands crackle with magical energy, but he holds it back, awaiting your actions.
"You damned bunch of pansies," yells Palindrome, "What's the matter? Do you squat when you pee? I was trying to make sure that you and your pig-faced girlfriends weren't in the line of fire, but since you and the retard squad decided to make a mess of everything, I've got no choice but to do this, but let me put a ***** defensive spell on you first. Hell, you should be able to tackle the undead with this one."
Bluff Check -- about 'Defensive Spell' and that it's all Arnest's fault -- 1d20+9=28
Minor: Palindrome casts Light on Arnest's head -- a brilliant, flashing, multi-colored, 'please attack me' sort of light.
Move: Palindrome moves from R1 to T3. (Hopefully the difficult terrain will slow down the specters.)
Standard: Palindrome casts Grasping Shadows, centered on Q9.
“Screw ladies first policy!” Woe grunts, with only partial intention behind the pun.
He stumbles to his feet by pushing off the nearby bodyguard’s face, seeking to test the corporeality of their spectral assailants.
“Just like old times, Arnest,” he pesters the noble while sizing up the situation. “Once more we have to clean up your mess, with your orc goons kissing the dirt, and your failure on display at any semblance of control over the undead.”
Woe lashes out at a nearby apparition, doing his best to shake off the drain on his body.
“Don’t get no ectoplasmic goo on the New and Improved Punani Penetrator, spirit!”
Was the spectre left off the map by mistake? Or did it both go invisible, attack, then go invisible again in the same turn? If it’s visible in range Woe uses Cleave, dealing 6 damage to it and 4 damage to wraith 1. If the spectre isn’t in range, Woe uses Crushing Surge on wraith 1 instead, dealing 6 damage and gaining 2 temp hp on a hit.
Woe Chinua - Human Fighter 2
Passive Perception 12, Passive Insight 12
AC 20, Fort 19, Reflex 17, Will 14
HP 30/40, Bloodied 20, Surge Value 10, Surges 11/11
Speed 5, Initiative +3
Action Points: 1, Second Wind
Powers: Cleave, Crushing Surge, Tide of Iron; Pass Forward; Spear of Myrdroon's Shard; Steel Serpent Strike; Comeback Strike, Inspiring Word; Spear of Myrdroon's Shard
Atreus looks at Arnest with contempt as he suggests that they have something to do with this darkness. " Fool, start casting spells before I change my mind about this arrangement! " and the rogue thanks Tander with a quick acknowledging nod for the buff.
To Covaithe
I know you have a lot to manage, but you didn't answer my question about buying healing potions before getting here. So is it okay if I bought some or is it far too late .
Last edited by Atriden; 24th July 2009 at 12:19 PM..
Reason: Change due to a misunderstanding
Dunamin: Yes, the specter should be visible, just north of Arnest in P6. I just forgot to make him visible to players again. Still, he's out of range for Woe's cleave. Also, Tander kills Wraith 1 before Woe's turn; can you restate your action in light of that?
Atriden, and others if you're so inclined: Sure, we can say that you passed through the market on your way out of town and can buy potions if you like; but if you want to do that, do it now please (and not, say, when your character is unconscious. )
Atriden, can you restate your action, since the specter is in P6? I'm not sure your action works from where you are. Also, and this is a minor point: the Quick draw feat lets you draw a weapon as part of the attack action, not the move action. Normally (without the feat) it's a minor action to draw the weapon, so you wouldn't be able to it as part of a move action. That's a 3.5 thing.
Palindrome, would you like to change anything, since your action as stated will provoke an OA from specter 2 that has appeared in Q2?
Round 2
Tander strides east, but just as he does so, a previously-invisible specter touches him with an icy claw, becoming visible just to the north. Tander's divine radiance blasts one of the wraiths, dissipating its wispy structure to nothing. (ooc: specter 2 appears in Q2 and makes an OA on Tander, which hits for 4 necrotic. Tander's divine glow hits wraith 1 and 2 and kills them. He needs another attack roll for specter 1. And, there might be another invisible creature in the blast; I need to check when I get home. I was dumb and forgot to save the files appropriately so that I can update from work. In any case, +2 to damage attack rolls all around.)
Yes, the specter should be visible, just north of Arnest in P6. I just forgot to make him visible to players again. Still, he's out of range for Woe's cleave. Also, Tander kills Wraith 1 before Woe's turn; can you restate your action in light of that?
Sure thing, we could say Woe used the At-Will power of his spear instead to hit Spectre 1 with lightning reach.
Two things I think you may have missed, though: Tander's Divine Glow should give +2 to attacks not damage, and I don't think Woe was included in it (so no bonus for him).
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