Adventure: Delivery of Death (DM: Luinnar, Judge: renau1g)

Dekana

Explorer
Jax raises his hands in front of his face in an effort to avoid some of the blood splatter from the mutilation Sir Exsixten is dishing out.

"EEW!"

OOC: I'm fine with letting Sir Exsixten get the killing blow.
 

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Luinnar

First Post
As Sir ExSixTen raises his axe to deliver the final blow, Marcel rasps out a final warning. You shall curse the day you ever entered the Demiplane of Dread! he says, almost smiling as the Warforged lobs his head off.

The rain soon begins to subside and you can see the red moon start to return in the sky through the destroyed dome. There is a groan in the back of the room and a thud as Luc collapses to the ground.

The party rushes over over to investigate. As you lean over the boy, you see his eyes open. You are not met with the glassy, soulless stare that once occupied Luc's gaze, but one of intelligence and awareness.

My friends... he says in a quiet voice. It is good to see you have prevailed; I thank you from the bottom of my heart. My family had done so much wrong to this town that we help built, I am sorry you had to be dragged into this.

But come, let us not stay here. We should make haste back to town to see if there are any of my brother's creatures left. I suspect that with his destruction they should no longer be a problem... but come, let us go. With that Luc raises up and runs with surprising speed out of the mausoleum, befitting the energy of his youth. The party follows at a distance and even Brenn has a hard time keeping up with him.

The sight that greets you is dismaying, but you remind yourself that it could be much worse. Bodies of both the death and undead are scattered about and many buildings are damaged from the undead's assault.

The light of the coming dawn illuminate two figures heading your way, that of Gremin and Brucian. Both looking bloodied and bruised, but at least alive and fairly unharmed. They greet you and inform you that midway through the battle with the zombies, they started to wander off into the swamp. After informing them of the events in the old cemetery, you come to the conclusion that this must of occurred right after the destruction of Marcel.

The party heads back to the inn, and is greeted by many shaken but very grateful townspeople. Upon sitting down at a table with Luc, Gremen and Brucian, the three piece together the full, sad tale of what happened with Luc's family from the beginning.

Until three weeks ago, the Tarascon plantation was administered by Marcel and Jean Tarascon, twin brothers and the direct descendants of Pierre Tarascon, the town's founder. Both brothers were formally in charge, but it was Jean who spent his days running the family business. Marcel was too intrigued with his family’s past to offer much help to Jean. Years ago, Marcel found Pierre Tarascon’s tattered journal locked in an old trunk. After reading the journal, Marcel could not stop thinking of the details within.

Pierre’s words painted a picture of the early days in Marais d’Tarascon. Moreover, they told of a strange visitor named Hyskosa, whom Pierre had befriended. According to Pierre, Hyskosa was a famous Vistani seer whose visions of the future were remarkably accurate, especially since most gypsy seers were then (as now) women. The last entry to mention Hyskosa told of his most powerful revelation, a prescience called the Six Signs. The journal did not describe the vision in detail, but Marcel’s forefather did record a tantalizing notation: that the Vistani had left behind a scroll on which the vision was recorded. Pierre hid the scroll, but the journal did not say where.

As years passed, Marcel became increasingly obsessed with finding that scroll. He was sure it contained the secrets of power and immortality. Marcel became obsessed with this idea, filling his dreams with visions of the power he craved, night after night. A few months ago, Luc joined Marcel in his quest to find the scroll of Hyskosa. Luc cared nothing for power or visions of the future, but he idolized Marcel and wanted to help his brother in any way he could. Jean attempted to sway them both. He warned Marcel that his obsession would lead to nothing but despair and death. Jean did not, however, foresee how truly horrid the future would become.

Three weeks ago, Luc saw a Vistani wagon parked on a road just outside the village, and he paid a young gypsy named Valana (whom the PCs met in the swamp a couple days ago) to tell his future. She recited a cryptic verse which guided Luc to a hidden passage at the edge of the village. The passage led into the old cemetery. Together Luc and Marcel followed the tunnel into the ancient burial grounds. There, hidden within an aboveground crypt, the two brothers found the scroll of Hyskosa.

Luc was reading the verses aloud when the Ju-ju zombie emerged from the shadows between the overgrown burial chambers. As the young boy watched in horror, the foul undead struck down his older brother. Luc was shattered. The dreadful scene, combined with the knowledge that he had led his brother to his death, drove Luc into a trancelike state. He became what many people call a “lost one” Brucian explains. As Luc stood helpless in the old cemetery, Jean Tarascon arrived, saving young Luc from the zombie.

What happened after seemes like a dream the boy explains. After driving off the Ju-ju zombie, Jean lifted Marcel’s mangled form and carried it through the cemetery’s secret passage. Luc followed, but his vacant stare never altered, and he never let go of the scroll. Jean took Marcel straight to the Brucian, who attempted to raise Marcel, but failed. Jean cried out in pain and left with his brother’s body. Brucian did not understand the true outcome of his failure, but Jean did, for his bond with his twin was strong. Instead of regaining life, Marcel had become an undead creature of the foulest sort. Marcel Tarascon had become a zombie lord!

Jean blamed himself for the fate which had befallen Marcel and Luc. He became mad—not in the mindless fashion of his younger brother, but in the way of intelligent fiends who carefully hide their insanity from others. In his twisted mind, Jean felt he still needed to “protect” his twin from the obsession which led to this terrible event. (Though Jean knew Marcel was a zombie lord, in his madness he still felt the scroll would bring Marcel further misery.) First, Jean took the scroll from Luc and hid it. Then, when he noticed that the only words Luc spoke were twisted versions of the Hyskosa scroll, he sent the youth into the swamp. Jean promised to locate the scroll for Marcel, swearing to search for it as long as he drew breath. Never did he reveal to Marcel that he had hidden it, nor did he reveal
to anyone what his brother Marcel had become.

For three weeks Marcel had used his powers to kill villagers; when they rise, they become zombies under his control. Though Marcel did not have the scroll, he believed that an army of undead would help him take over the island for his own. The village had to contend with more than just Marcel, however. Jean had became a murderer as well as a madman. He took his victims to the zombie lord as both an offering and a sign of his growing affection for the undead and also turned the family servants into ghouls as well.

When questioned by the party about the man that sent them on the journey, the three say that they have never heard of him. They also find it equally strange that the person would know of the the goings on of their town.

When finished, Luc invites the party to his house in town to rest. Sitting in the Parlor (which was cleared by Gremin of zombies the previous day) Luc provides everyone with refreshments. He also gives the party some very expensive looking jewelry, which belonged to his late mother as a reward for their services to the town, and persuades the group to keep the scroll, it has too many foul memories attached to it.

The group is visited by a steady stream of villagers, both curious onlookers and those wishing to extend their gratitude. The people steadily also bring supplies for the party for their journey back home. Though they are grateful for what they have done, the group are too much a reminder of the dark times behind them.

With the warmth of the welcoming sun shining down upon them, the party leaves the village escorted by Luc. He stops at the swamp, at the place where the raft was left.

I cannot thank you enough for what you have done for me and the whole village. he says with a smile. My family has a lot to atone for, perhaps I can help make things right by helping with the rebuilding of what we have lost. I hope I can make the place prosperous once more, like my forefathers once did. If you ever come by this way, please don't be a stranger. You are always welcome in Marais d’Tarascon.

He waves goodbye as the party sets off on the raft, back to the shore where their boat is waiting. The trip on the raft is uneventful. The warm and muggy calmness of the swamp very different in contrast to the dark and eerie atmosphere that you experienced when you first arrivedt.

The group finds the boat where they left it. They push it off the shore and hopping on find that the current has shifted, now taking them away from the island.

As Sojourn starts to shrink the boat is once again surrounded by mist. No large waves and blowing winds greet them this time, but everyone can feel the dark and ominous power surrounding them.

Soon the mist is gone, and Sojourn is but a small speck in the distance. Much to small for the speed they were traveling at. Soon the party finds themselves at the dock near the Hanged Man and proceed inside the tavern.

He said you would be back. says Bob the barman, looking up from the bar at the party as they enter. That funny man in the cloak, he said that you would be coming in soon.

Here he gave me this to give to you. Bob says, walking over and putting a very large package on the table. Said you'd been promised it, and a little extra with it to boot. With that Bob nods and goes back to cleaning his glass behind the counter.

Upon opening the package you find five pieces of equipment, one for each of you and each magical in nature. Also enclosed is a bag of gold, the money promised at the start of the journey, as well as a letter which reads:

Mr friends,

I have enclosed in this package the payment as promised, as well as some extra gifts, a reward for a job well done. I hope this reaches you. The barman does not seem like the most reliable sort, but at least he seems honest enough.

I apologize to have deceived you. As you are no doubt are already aware, it was my intentions all along to have you investigate the goings on at the town of Marais d’Tarascon. My contacts, the gypsies you met in the swamp your first night, told me of the strange happenings going on. After my escape from the Bleak House I found myself unable to go back to the island you know as Sojourn, and because I am not young as I used to be; I decided to send you in my stead.
I feared that if I told you my suspicions, and they were just that at the time, you would refuse me. Now however, I am glad to see that you have lived up to my expectations. Not only you have saved the town, if not the entire island, you have also recovered the valuable scroll in the process.

That being said, I believe I have found the beginnings of the event that is mentioned in the second verse of the scroll now in your possession. I realize that you have just come back from an arduous journey; but I ask you to once again meet me here in a weeks time and to bring that scroll. Then I can confirm my findings. If my hunches are correct, I fear that another domain will soon be in peril.

-Dr. Rudolph van Richten


p.s.

I realize it is a bit too late to mention, as you have just come from that place...But welcome to Ravenloft, Demiplane of Dread.


With that the party takes out the ancient scroll once again and reads the second verse:

The night of evil shall descend on the land
When this hexad of signs is near at hand.


GM: Thanks everyone for joining the adventure! Everyone did a great job! :)

As you can tell from the ending, I plan on doing a followup called A Tale of Two Domains. It will be of similar length to this one and take the party back to Ravenloft, but to another domain (land). You will investigate the second verse on the Hexad scroll the party found in Jean's house, and try to discover what events will lead to that prophecy coming true.

The adventure will be of different structure, not confined to one town like in Delivery of Death, and will be better paced . It also does not really have a theme monster wise like Delivery of Death did.

Oh and it won't have any ghouls or zombies in it, I promise ;)

I have not heard from the judges yet, so I'm not sure when we would start. I want to give everyone enough time to level up as well. But I am hoping to start by the beginning of May if everyone is ready by that time.

Also, I welcome any suggestions to make the next game better :)

pathfinderq1 has already expressed interest in joining with Brenn, and covaithe (who was a judge and saw that I was submitting an adventure, but did not read it) with Quagmire, a level 7 warlord. He is a melee Warlord, so he should not step on Andras's toes power wise, and should be able to help protect the front lines better. Also more healing is never a bad thing ;) I also would not mind taking another player, level 5-7ish if anyone knows of any suitable candidates.

Anyway please let me know if you are interested in joining the next adventure and thanks for joining Delivery of Death! :)


GM: Treasure:
Andras: Boar Tusk Helm (wishlist), jewelry worth 820gp, 180 gp in gold coins
Sir ExSixTen: Iron Armbands of Power (wishlist), jewelry worth 820gp, 180 gp in gold coins
Brenn: +2 Duellist's longbow (wishlist), jewelry worth 820gp, 180 gp in gold coins
Dorn: Luckblade Dagger +2 (+3 was wishlist, but I could not give you the +3 version yet sorry ;)), jewelry worth 820gp, 180 gp in gold coins
Jax: Iron Armbands of Power (wishlist), jewelry worth 820gp, 180 gp in gold coins

Xp:
Final Encounter: (700+700+700+63*12+300*2)=3456*2 =6912/5=1383 (rounded up).

Major Xp Award for Quest Completion: 2000*2=4000/5=800.

Total: 1383 + 800= 2183 xp

Xp+Time XP+Gold +Time Gold (since last approval):
Sir ExSixTen/Brenn/Andras: 2183 xp +697 time xp = 2880 total xp
1000 gp (various forms) + 978 time gold = 1978 total gp.

Jax/Dorn
: 2183 xp + 1050 time xp= 3233 total xp.
1000 gp (various forms) + 1877 = 2877 total gp.

DM Credits: Last given out on 1/23/2011 and link
 

renau1g

First Post
GM: Treasure:
Andras: Boar Tusk Helm (wishlist), jewelry worth 820gp, 180 gp in gold coins
Sir ExSixTen: Iron Armbands of Power (wishlist), jewelry worth 820gp, 180 gp in gold coins
Brenn: +2 Duellist's longbow (wishlist), jewelry worth 820gp, 180 gp in gold coins
Dorn: Luckblade Dagger +2 (+3 was wishlist, but I could not give you the +3 version yet sorry ;)), jewelry worth 820gp, 180 gp in gold coins
Jax: Iron Armbands of Power (wishlist), jewelry worth 820gp, 180 gp in gold coins

Xp:
Final Encounter: (700+700+700+63*12+300*2)=3456*2 =6912/5=1383 (rounded up).

Major Xp Award for Quest Completion: 2000*2=4000/5=800.

Total: 1383 + 800= 2183 xp

Xp+Time XP+Gold +Time Gold (since last approval):
Sir ExSixTen/Brenn/Andras: 2183 xp +697 time xp = 2880 total xp
1000 gp (various forms) + 978 time gold = 1978 total gp.

Jax/Dorn
: 2183 xp + 1050 time xp= 3233 total xp.
1000 gp (various forms) + 1877 = 2877 total gp.

DM Credits: Last given out on 1/23/2011 and link

OOC: I approve these rewards + 6 DM credits for Luinnar
 

nerdytenor

First Post
Upon arriving at the docks, Dorn does a little happy dance.

"We did it! We did it! I'm so glad to be finally rid of that place." The young half-orc shakes the hands of each of his colleagues in turn and heads directly to the hanged man. "I think I may need something more than my usual tea today..."

OOC:
Thanks all, especially Luinnar, for the highly enjoyable adventure. Thanks for being patient with me when I didn't have time to post. And thanks (to the gods?) we made it out alive... I'm definitely not done with Dorn yet. :)



[sblock=Dorn Stat Block]
Dorn, Half-Orc Sorcerer 8
Passive Perception 13, Passive Insight 13
AC 23, Fort 16, Reflex 20, Will 22 (base defenses)
HP 62/62 Bloodied 31 Surge Value 15, Surges 7/7
Speed 6, Initiative +12
Action Points: 1

Current Effects
Wild Soul: poison (Resist 5 poison and ignore first 5 poison resistance)
one dagger in each hand

Encounter Resources
Bedeviling Burst
Ice Dragon's Teeth
Spark Form
Furious Assault
Stoneskin Armor
Half-Orc Resilience
Goblin Stompers
Second Wind
Use Action Point

Daily Resources
Ice Javelins
Moon and the Stars
Deep Shroud
Chaotic Defense
Luckblade Dagger
Deathstalker Dagger

2x potion of healing
[/sblock]
 
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Dekana

Explorer
Jax joins Dorn in his little bout of dancing. "Alright! Now that's the spirit. Let's get so drunk we can't even remember the zombies." Jax's tongue darts out of his mouth as he imagines all of the delicious human spirits that can be ordered at the tavern. He hurries to meet everyone else there (and to claim his reward of course).

OOC: Very fun adventure Luinnar! Jax will be happy to join in on the follow-up game. I hope to see everyone else there - we make a great team! And we'll make a better team with another melee character to give Jax flanking, mwahaha.

And wow, that was a nice level up for Jax. +3 to attack rolls and +5 to damage rolls.

[sblock=Jax stat block]http://l4w.wikia.com/wiki/PC:Jax_(Dekana)- Male Kobold Rogue 8
Passive Perception: 21, Passive Insight: 20
AC:24, Fort:20, Reflex:24, Will:17, Resist 5 cold, 5 necrotic, Speed:6, 7 while not bloodied
HP:63/63, Bloodied:31, Surge Value:15, Surges left:9/9
Initiative +9
Action Points: 1 (encounter)

Conditions

Powers
Shifty, Clever Strike, Piercing Strike
Imperiling Strike, Low Slash, Perfect Feint, Second Wind, Sly Lunge, Sneak in the Attack
Rat Form, Raven Cloak, Mocking Strike, Press the Advantage

Combat notes: +1 damage with CA; +2 damage vs bloodied targets
[/sblock]
 
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Iron Sky

Procedurally Generated
<DATA OVERLOAD, APPLY SITUATIONAL RELEVANCE FILTER>

<IRRELEVANT DATA> Sir Exsixten! <IRRELEVANT DATA> lobs his head off! <IRRELEVANT DATA> undead assault! <IRRELEVANT DATA> zombies! <IRRELEVANT DATA> destruction of Marcel! <IRRELEVANT DATA> grateful townspeople! <IRRELEVANT DATA> power and immortality! <IRRELEVANT DATA> Ju-ju zombie! <IRRELEVANT DATA> zombie lord! <IRRELEVANT DATA> He became maaaad! <IRRELEVANT DATA> zombie lord! <IRRELEVANT DATA> madness! <IRRELEVANT DATA> kill villagers; when they rise, they become zombies! <IRRELEVANT DATA> army of undead! <IRRELEVANT DATA> murderer as well as a madman. He took his victims to the zombie lord as both an offering! <IRRELEVANT DATA> ghouls! <IRRELEVANT DATA> zombies!

THINGS ARE BLEAK IN THIS AREA, THE DEAD ARE EVERYWHERE, THERE MUST BE SOMETHING WE CAN DO! OH... WAIT... WE JUST DID, DIDN'T WE?

very expensive looking jewelry! <IRRELEVANT DATA> reward! <IRRELEVANT DATA> villagers wishing to extend their gratitude! <IRRELEVANT DATA> I cannot thank you enough for what you have done for me and the whole village! <IRRELEVANT DATA> dark and ominous power! <IRRELEVANT DATA> a very large package! <PREVIOUS ELEMENT DISTURBING AND POSSIBLY INCORRECTLY PARSED DATA> five pieces of equipment, ... for ... you and each magical in nature. Also enclosed is a bag of gold! <IRRELEVANT DATA> extra gifts, a reward for a job well done! <IRRELEVANT DATA> you have saved the town, if not the entire island! <IRRELEVANT DATA> I fear that another domain will soon be in peril! <IRRELEVANT DATA>

PLEASE, EVERYONE, STAY CALM, THERE'S PLENTY OF SIR EXSIXTEN TO GO AROUND. THERE'S ALSO NO LIMIT TO THE QUANTITY OF BLING HE CAN PIMP, SO LOAD A BROTHER UP, HOME SLICE <EBONICS INJECTION ERROR, IGNORE?>

Ravenloft, Demiplane of Dread!

RAVENLOFT? SIR EXSIXTEN LIVED IN ONE OVER A BAGEL SHOP WITH HIS COLLEGE ROOMMATE IN COLLEGE! THE COEDS WHO CAME OVER CALLED IT THE SAME THING! OR WAS THAT SOMETHING ELSE?

NEVER FEAR CITIZENS, YOUR AMAZING, STUPENDOUS, WONDROUS, FANTASTIC, SPECTACULAR, IMMEASURABLE, INSATIABLE, INFESTED, INCONCEIVABLE <ERROR; NOT SURE IF THAT WORD MEANS WHAT SIR EXSIXTEN THINKS IT MEANS> INSPIRED, INSIPID, INCORPOREAL, INTRUSIVE, IMPARTIAL, IMPLAUSIBLE, IMPERIOUS CHAMPION WILL LEAD YOU ONWARD TO MORE FUTURE EXPLOITS OF UNIMAGINABLE EPICITUDE!

STAY BY HIS SIDE <WELL, SLIGHTLY BEHIND SO YOU DON'T INTERFERE WITH HIS ADULATION INTAKE RECEPTACLES> AND HE WILL LEAD YOU TO MORE HORRIBLE SITUATIONS, MORE HOPELESS BATTLES WHERE HOPE SEEMS A DISTANT MEMORY, A CHANCE TO MAKE A HEROIC STAND BEFORE YOU ARE PULLED APART BY BLOOD-THIRSTY MONSTROSITIES FROM YOUR WORST NIGHTMARES. ALL THIS AND MORE CAN BE YOURS IF YOU BUT SWEAR UNENDING FEALTY TO SIR EXSIXTEN AND GROVELING SUBSERVIENCE TO THE LORDS OF AWESOME (AND, BY PROXY, THEIR CHAMPION SIR EXSIXTEN)!


OOC: Thanks for the game! I'm good to go another adventure, this group is great!

Sir Exsixten is now even more tanky!
 
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TwoHeadsBarking

First Post
"I don't think I'd buy food from a place called 'The Demiplane of Dread'," Andras comments wryly to Exsixten.

ooc: I too would be delighted to continue adventuring with you all.
 


pathfinderq1

First Post
[sblock= OOC] I am back, but still getting caught up with things. I got a big work project dumped on me when I came back, so I will be slow posting for a while, and I will be taking some time with Brenn's updates. I would be up for continuing with this group, as long as I am not delayed too long. for what it is worth, expect a significant break from any posting on my part in mid/late July. [/sblock]
 

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