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Story Hour
Hard Core Adventurers- KOTS 20.06 The Cathedral of Shadows
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<blockquote data-quote="Goonalan" data-source="post: 6185722" data-attributes="member: 16069"><p style="text-align: center"><span style="font-size: 18px">KOTS Part 18: Guardians of the Portal.</span></p><p></p><p>[sblock=Party Line Up]</p><p></p><p style="text-align: center"><span style="font-size: 22px">The Hard Core Adventurers Level 3</span></p> <p style="text-align: center"></p> <p style="text-align: center"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/8987740272/" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7347/8987740272_a3c1540aa7_c.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></a></p><p></p><p>[/sblock]</p><p></p><p>The first two decrepit skeletons smash in to Sigur, who is the closest to the portal, one of them lands a blow and cuts the dwarf who grimaces in pain.</p><p></p><p>[sblock=Skeleton Decrepit]</p><p></p><p style="text-align: center"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/8692626081/" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8121/8692626081_718c1f0c04.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></a></p> <p style="text-align: center">Skeleton Decrepit </p> <p style="text-align: center">Minion Skirmisher Level 1</p> <p style="text-align: center"></p> <p style="text-align: center"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/8682039926/" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8126/8682039926_cae74eaba2.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></a></p><p></p><p>[/sblock]</p><p></p><p>At the same moment the first of the zombie gravehounds leaps high in to the back of Ramm, the minotaur is flattened by the beast, smashed in to the cold stone floor of the chamber. The undead hound bites and claws at the fighter, opening up several great wounds on Ramm’s back.</p><p></p><p>Gokan reacts, the only one of the adventurers that can; he charges screaming at the gravehound, smashes the beast back and away with his axe- cutting and slashing, the snarling zombie hound retreats, clear of the fallen Ramm. </p><p></p><p>[sblock=Zombie Gravehound]</p><p></p><p style="text-align: center"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/9056798191/" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3741/9056798191_98201a6071.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></a></p> <p style="text-align: center">Zombie Gravehound </p> <p style="text-align: center">Brute Level 3</p> <p style="text-align: center"></p> <p style="text-align: center"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/8682037780/" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8265/8682037780_0f46ce2272.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></a></p><p></p><p>[/sblock]</p><p></p><p>A second zombie dog dashes out to join its companion and menace the half-orc, but Gokan is up to the job, he keeps both hounds at bay.</p><p></p><p>[sblock=Picture- Undead ambush!]</p><p></p><p style="text-align: center"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/9114065737/" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7286/9114065737_57269eb5d4_c.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></a></p><p></p><p>[/sblock]</p><p></p><p>At which point the remainder of the skeleton horde from the portal, a tide of undead, smash in to the assorted adventurers.</p><p></p><p>Sigur and Tonka are quickly surrounded, the dwarf is slashed and cut- three more times. The invoker is left flailing, staggering, bloodied and battered- and still surprised, unable to make words or do anything but moan in pain. Tonka is better able to defend himself with his longsword and shield, although one blade gets through the dragonborn’s defences and slashes at his side.</p><p></p><p>The adventurers are on the back foot, the undead have caught them off their guard.</p><p></p><p>[sblock=Picture- Sigur gets swamped]</p><p></p><p style="text-align: center"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/9114065059/" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7393/9114065059_6b5449041f_c.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></a></p><p></p><p>[/sblock]</p><p></p><p>Stepping from shadows, behind the adventurers, comes a well-dressed female elf, “Ninaran”- Gokan whispers the woman’s name- the ranger from Fallcrest.</p><p></p><p>“Ninaran, help us!” Gokan shouts, smiling, glad to see Ninaran’s arrival.</p><p>“Oh I’ll help you. I’ll help you to your death…” The elf grins at Gokan, and then continues- “You filthy half-orc scum!”</p><p></p><p>Gokan screams, the elf is suddenly gone from his vision- she’s disappeared, at the same time his mind reels and lurches- he feels nauseous, almost unable to stand.</p><p></p><p>[sblock=Elf Archer- Ninaran]</p><p></p><p style="text-align: center"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/9059018828/" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7338/9059018828_5d7916bc0d.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></a></p> <p style="text-align: center">Elf Archer- Ninaran </p> <p style="text-align: center">Elite Artillery Level 6</p> <p style="text-align: center"></p> <p style="text-align: center"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/8682046950/" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8402/8682046950_fd3b1d37eb_b.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></a></p><p></p><p>[/sblock]</p><p></p><p>“Where is she?” Gokan stutters.</p><p></p><p>[sblock=Info]</p><p></p><p>Gokan is hit by Ninaran’s Eyebite power for 25 points of psychic damage, Ninaran is also invisible to the half-orc. Gokan is bloodied in an instant. </p><p></p><p>[/sblock]</p><p></p><p>[sblock=Picture- The Traitor revealed]</p><p></p><p style="text-align: center"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/9116294038/" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7322/9116294038_ef8e01fa28_c.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></a></p><p></p><p>[/sblock]</p><p></p><p>“Damn undead!” Sigur cries as he’s struck again, the dwarf is unable to extricate himself from the decrepit skeletons which surround him; behind him Ramm finally gets to his feet, the minotaur is still being menaced by one of the gravehounds.</p><p></p><p>Gokan dodges between the two undead hounds and flashes his axes around in a great arc, his first whirling frenzy leaves the already wounded beast on its side, bloodied and badly wounded.</p><p></p><p>“Aaaaaarrrgghh!” Gokan screams as his rage erupts, he whirls and slashes, and slashes and whirls- his axes bite deep, the prone beast is almost decapitated, and yet still it attempts one last time to snap and bite at the half-orc, Gokan is too quick however. The second gravehound is left staggering- a new great rent in its already scarred flesh.</p><p></p><p>Meanwhile, in the thick of the action, Sigur and Tonka defend stoutly, keeping the myriad skeletons at bay for a while longer- the dwarf has a gleam in his eye. </p><p></p><p>[sblock=Picture- Gokan versus the hounds] </p><p></p><p style="text-align: center"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/9114332485/" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3761/9114332485_ccd18843e4_c.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></a></p><p></p><p>[/sblock]</p><p></p><p>Sigur raises his magical rod and shouts out incoherent phrases, a radiant light engulfs a section of the fracas- two of the decrepit skeletons instantly explode sending shattered bone flying in all directions. The remaining gravehound is caught in the blast- the radiant energy burns the flesh from its bones, leaves the undead beast ravaged, barely able to keep its feet.</p><p></p><p>Sigur growls, turns towards the undead hound and points with his hand.</p><p></p><p>“FLAME ON!” The dwarf growls as the bracers on his arms ignite and burn- as does the already battered gravehound; the creature yelps and tears again at Gokan, ripping a massive chunk of flesh from the half-orc’s leg. Gokan lurches and staggers- then falls, the wound is numb- necrosis already setting in.</p><p></p><p>[sblock=Info]</p><p></p><p>Gokan is reduced to 7 hit points only, with five ongoing Necrotic damage- and also knocked Prone- this from the Gravehound’s Death Jaws attack triggered when it is reduced to 0 hit points or less. </p><p></p><p>[/sblock]</p><p></p><p>Moments later the singed undead hound flops to the floor, unmoving, although it continues to smoulder and burn. </p><p></p><p>[sblock=Picture- Sigur in action]</p><p></p><p style="text-align: center"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/9116560270/" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5539/9116560270_892d360456_c.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></a></p><p></p><p>[/sblock]</p><p></p><p>Sigur has not finished however, the dwarf invokes- arms raised high in the air again, this time a glowing radiant cloud settles over the remaining skeletons, the fog obscures vision for the blink of an eye, when it lifts five of the seven remaining decrepit skeletons are gone. There’s no trace of the minion undead, not even a sliver of bone.</p><p></p><p>Sigur grins and folds his arms across his chest, admires the view, and his power- he gets his second wind.</p><p></p><p>[sblock=Picture- Sigur the destroyer]</p><p></p><p style="text-align: center"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/9116559298/" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2825/9116559298_92409bfd4e_c.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></a></p><p></p><p>[/sblock]</p><p></p><p>Ninaran sees her troops destroyed, the elf ranger screams her defiance, and then screams again- this time in pain; Jimmy suddenly dodges out from behind the elf, grinning, and with blood on his blade.</p><p></p><p>The elven traitor is clearly unimpressed, she dodges back and away, her bow seems to appear in her hands- such is the speed of her movement, she fires- and pins Jimmy, her arrow piercing the halfling’s flesh between the shoulder and the throat. An inch to the right and Jimmy would be really struggling.</p><p></p><p>As it is Jimmy staggers backwards, grabbing for the wall of the chamber, leaving bloody hand prints on the stone- he gawps as blood spurts from the wound, describing a three foot arc before him. The halfling blinks and tries desperately hard to swallow. It hurts- a lot.</p><p></p><p>[sblock=Info]</p><p></p><p>Even with Jimmy’s Second Chance- that was Ninaran’s Daily Hunter’s Bear Trap hitting for 21 points of damage. The halfling is also Slowed and taking ongoing 5 damage- not good.</p><p></p><p>[/sblock]</p><p></p><p>Ninaran grins as she sights the halfling again.</p><p></p><p>“Say goodbye to your brother!” She shouts in an almost pleasant sing-song voice at Gokan, and then giggles, coquettishly.</p><p></p><p>She fires.</p><p></p><p>Her second arrow hits the spot, an inch to the right of her first arrow.</p><p></p><p>Jimmy stops struggling, collapses, with no effort to break his fall.</p><p></p><p>The arrow protrudes from the centre of the halfling’s throat.</p><p></p><p>Blood fountains.</p><p></p><p>Jimmy’s dying, and by the look of things, quickly.</p><p></p><p>[sblock=Picture- Jimmy’s down]</p><p></p><p style="text-align: center"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/9114329919/" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3832/9114329919_411e96c0b9_c.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></a></p><p></p><p>[/sblock]</p><p></p><p>[sblock=Info]</p><p></p><p>Jimmy’s hit again, after an Action Point from Ninaran, and her Shadow Wasp attack which hits for another 26 points of damage- that’s 47 damage to the little feller this turn, its fortunate he was on full hit points- 42, I think.</p><p></p><p>Jimmy almost never experiences negative hit points, he’s never usually close enough to the action, the players are stunned- particularly because I rolled three ten sided dice for damage for both attacks. </p><p></p><p>Apparently this makes me a very bad man.</p><p></p><p>[/sblock]</p><p></p><p>Ramm bellows, unstoppable, the minotaur fighter puts his head down and charges- smashes in to Ninaran and slams the elf hard in to the wall behind. The elven archer spills her bow and thumps in to the floor as the lowing Ramm takes a step back to admire his work.</p><p></p><p>Tonka moves quickly towards Jimmy, shrugging off a decrepit skeleton’s attack, he’s almost to the halfling when…</p><p> </p><p>“No!” Sigur screams, and then points, “Gokan!” the dwarf adds.</p><p>Tonka stares hard for a moment at Sigur, the invoker’s face is set- the dwarf nods once.</p><p></p><p>Tonka nods back, almost imperceptibly. Moments later many of the half-orc’s wounds instantly heal over as the dragonborn warlord chants and offers inspirational words.</p><p></p><p>“Take her down- DESTROY THE TRAITOR!” Tonka screams.</p><p>“KILL THE ELF BITCH!” Sigur adds with a growl.</p><p></p><p>Tonka follows his own advice; the warlord moves forward at a rush and cuts and slashes Ninaran, although only a minor wound.</p><p></p><p>“Get up Gokan!” Sigur screams at the half-orc.</p><p></p><p>[sblock=Picture- Kill the elf traitor]</p><p></p><p style="text-align: center"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/9114329325/" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5541/9114329325_333cc47321_c.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></a></p><p></p><p>[/sblock]</p><p></p><p>The two remaining skeletons left standing slash hard at Sigur, the dwarf still has not extricated himself from the fracas; a longsword cuts a furrow above the dwarf’s right eye, the wound is not deep but it bleeds profusely.</p><p></p><p>Sigur looks deeply upset, and more than a little worse for wear.</p><p></p><p>[sblock=Info]</p><p></p><p>Sigur is down to 7 hit points.</p><p></p><p>[/sblock]</p><p></p><p>The dwarf invoker mutters and curses, his mace turns to stone in his hand, he spins like some great demented top- and smashes the skulls of both of his bony enemies. The skeletons are no more- just Ninaran to finish off.</p><p></p><p>“Destroy the ELF!” Sigur screams, and then scurries over to slap a meaty hand on the spurting hole in Jimmy’s throat.</p><p></p><p>[sblock=Info]</p><p></p><p>Jimmy gets down to -10 hit points before Sigur’s ministrations curtail the halfling’s decline.</p><p></p><p>[/sblock]</p><p></p><p>Gokan obeys Sigur, or at least tries to, the half-orc is quickly to his feet, and quicker still he’s charging at the elf traitor- Ninaran is trying to pick herself up when he hits.</p><p></p><p>“Aaaaarrrgghhh!” The elf ranger screams as Gokan’s magical battleaxe bites deep, his blade cuts through Ninaran’s left forearm, severing the limb completely. The half-orc’s hand axe bites too, it slams in to the elf’s opposite shoulder, at this point a lesser mortal would have died or else been reduced to begging for surrender.</p><p></p><p>[sblock=Picture- Destroy the elf] </p><p></p><p style="text-align: center"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/9117233235/" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5453/9117233235_3bff0fc112_c.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></a> </p><p></p><p>[/sblock]</p><p></p><p>Not Ninaran; the elf somehow uses Gokan’s impetus, as he tries to lever free his hand axe, to spring back to her feet and in to the action.</p><p></p><p>Ninaran’s longsword is somehow now in hand, although she’s being faced down by Tonka, Ramm and Gokan- the elf lashes out, her blade flashes, and Ramm is skewered, but not before a glowing shield dedicated to the platinum dragon suddenly appears and deflects a little of the blow.</p><p></p><p>The minotaur retaliates immediately.</p><p></p><p>CLANK</p><p></p><p>Smashing his shield in to the elf’s face, Ninaran crumples and hits the deck again; surely she can’t take much more of this abuse, particularly as Tonka is quickly in to the action, the dragonborn stabs hard and opens another wound on the squirming elf.</p><p></p><p>She gasps, bites off curses and, against the odds, rises.</p><p></p><p>“You’ll have to do better than that.” Ninaran spits and slashes hard, keeping all three of the adventurers at bay.</p><p></p><p>[sblock=Picture-Ninaran is being worn down] </p><p></p><p style="text-align: center"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/9117232301/" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7457/9117232301_6b100d81f3_c.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></a></p><p></p><p>[/sblock]</p><p></p><p>“Take her alive!” Sigur and Tonka scream in unison, and then take a moment to stare at each other.</p><p></p><p>Alas the words of wisdom come too late, the hissing, spitting, snarling Gokan unleashes a thundering smash, both axes brought down- at much speed, in to the elf’s skull. Ninaran fails to defend the attack, the result is…</p><p></p><p>Devastating, and messy.</p><p></p><p>The elf traitor is dead- beyond dead, much of the elf’s skull is shattered.</p><p></p><p>[sblock=Info]</p><p></p><p>Gokan manages to score a critical hit with his Thundering Strike, which hits for 32 points of damage.</p><p></p><p>[/sblock]</p><p></p><p>The fight is over- victory is won.</p><p></p><p>[sblock=Encounter #18 Synopsis, PC XP & DM’s thoughts]</p><p></p><p style="text-align: center"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/9117432347/" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2874/9117432347_d2c074244e_c.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></a></p><p></p><p><span style="font-size: 15px">Encounter #18 Guardians of the Portal, starring-</span></p><p></p><p>Skeleton Decrepit (Minion Skirmisher 1) x9</p><p>Zombie Gravehound (Brute 3) x2</p><p>Elf Ranger- Ninaran (Elite Artillery 6) x1</p><p></p><p>1025 XP Level 5 Encounter.</p><p></p><p><span style="font-size: 15px">PC XP</span></p><p></p><p>205 XP each for a total of 3041 XP in total (PCs Level 3).</p><p></p><p><span style="font-size: 15px">DM Thoughts-</span></p><p></p><p>I managed to catch the guys on the back foot with this one, the combat was short- the PCs got in to their stride very quickly but for a while, things were pretty frantic around the table. The wave of decrepit skeletons were unfortunate not to take Sigur down, the dwarf was down to something like 7 hit points- I figured afterwards I should have had all of the undead come through the portal, and then attack from the rear with just Ninaran in the next round- when the PCs were already locked in combat.</p><p></p><p>As it was…</p><p></p><p>Not bad though, a little bit more to the story and the guys are wary again, having felt much more secure in the past few encounters. </p><p></p><p>[/sblock]</p><p></p><p style="text-align: center"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/8045385824/" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8459/8045385824_b9d8e34957_o.png" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></a></p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Goonalan, post: 6185722, member: 16069"] [CENTER][SIZE="5"]KOTS Part 18: Guardians of the Portal.[/SIZE][/CENTER] [sblock=Party Line Up] [CENTER][SIZE="6"]The Hard Core Adventurers Level 3[/SIZE] [url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/8987740272/][img]http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7347/8987740272_a3c1540aa7_c.jpg[/img][/url][/CENTER] [/sblock] The first two decrepit skeletons smash in to Sigur, who is the closest to the portal, one of them lands a blow and cuts the dwarf who grimaces in pain. [sblock=Skeleton Decrepit] [CENTER][url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/8692626081/][img]http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8121/8692626081_718c1f0c04.jpg[/img][/url] Skeleton Decrepit Minion Skirmisher Level 1 [url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/8682039926/][img]http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8126/8682039926_cae74eaba2.jpg[/img][/url][/CENTER] [/sblock] At the same moment the first of the zombie gravehounds leaps high in to the back of Ramm, the minotaur is flattened by the beast, smashed in to the cold stone floor of the chamber. The undead hound bites and claws at the fighter, opening up several great wounds on Ramm’s back. Gokan reacts, the only one of the adventurers that can; he charges screaming at the gravehound, smashes the beast back and away with his axe- cutting and slashing, the snarling zombie hound retreats, clear of the fallen Ramm. [sblock=Zombie Gravehound] [CENTER][url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/9056798191/][img]http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3741/9056798191_98201a6071.jpg[/img][/url] Zombie Gravehound Brute Level 3 [url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/8682037780/][img]http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8265/8682037780_0f46ce2272.jpg[/img][/url][/CENTER] [/sblock] A second zombie dog dashes out to join its companion and menace the half-orc, but Gokan is up to the job, he keeps both hounds at bay. [sblock=Picture- Undead ambush!] [CENTER][url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/9114065737/][img]http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7286/9114065737_57269eb5d4_c.jpg[/img][/url][/CENTER] [/sblock] At which point the remainder of the skeleton horde from the portal, a tide of undead, smash in to the assorted adventurers. Sigur and Tonka are quickly surrounded, the dwarf is slashed and cut- three more times. The invoker is left flailing, staggering, bloodied and battered- and still surprised, unable to make words or do anything but moan in pain. Tonka is better able to defend himself with his longsword and shield, although one blade gets through the dragonborn’s defences and slashes at his side. The adventurers are on the back foot, the undead have caught them off their guard. [sblock=Picture- Sigur gets swamped] [CENTER][url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/9114065059/][img]http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7393/9114065059_6b5449041f_c.jpg[/img][/url][/CENTER] [/sblock] Stepping from shadows, behind the adventurers, comes a well-dressed female elf, “Ninaran”- Gokan whispers the woman’s name- the ranger from Fallcrest. “Ninaran, help us!” Gokan shouts, smiling, glad to see Ninaran’s arrival. “Oh I’ll help you. I’ll help you to your death…” The elf grins at Gokan, and then continues- “You filthy half-orc scum!” Gokan screams, the elf is suddenly gone from his vision- she’s disappeared, at the same time his mind reels and lurches- he feels nauseous, almost unable to stand. [sblock=Elf Archer- Ninaran] [CENTER][url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/9059018828/][img]http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7338/9059018828_5d7916bc0d.jpg[/img][/url] Elf Archer- Ninaran Elite Artillery Level 6 [url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/8682046950/][img]http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8402/8682046950_fd3b1d37eb_b.jpg[/img][/url][/CENTER] [/sblock] “Where is she?” Gokan stutters. [sblock=Info] Gokan is hit by Ninaran’s Eyebite power for 25 points of psychic damage, Ninaran is also invisible to the half-orc. Gokan is bloodied in an instant. [/sblock] [sblock=Picture- The Traitor revealed] [CENTER][url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/9116294038/][img]http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7322/9116294038_ef8e01fa28_c.jpg[/img][/url][/CENTER] [/sblock] “Damn undead!” Sigur cries as he’s struck again, the dwarf is unable to extricate himself from the decrepit skeletons which surround him; behind him Ramm finally gets to his feet, the minotaur is still being menaced by one of the gravehounds. Gokan dodges between the two undead hounds and flashes his axes around in a great arc, his first whirling frenzy leaves the already wounded beast on its side, bloodied and badly wounded. “Aaaaaarrrgghh!” Gokan screams as his rage erupts, he whirls and slashes, and slashes and whirls- his axes bite deep, the prone beast is almost decapitated, and yet still it attempts one last time to snap and bite at the half-orc, Gokan is too quick however. The second gravehound is left staggering- a new great rent in its already scarred flesh. Meanwhile, in the thick of the action, Sigur and Tonka defend stoutly, keeping the myriad skeletons at bay for a while longer- the dwarf has a gleam in his eye. [sblock=Picture- Gokan versus the hounds] [CENTER][url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/9114332485/][img]http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3761/9114332485_ccd18843e4_c.jpg[/img][/url][/CENTER] [/sblock] Sigur raises his magical rod and shouts out incoherent phrases, a radiant light engulfs a section of the fracas- two of the decrepit skeletons instantly explode sending shattered bone flying in all directions. The remaining gravehound is caught in the blast- the radiant energy burns the flesh from its bones, leaves the undead beast ravaged, barely able to keep its feet. Sigur growls, turns towards the undead hound and points with his hand. “FLAME ON!” The dwarf growls as the bracers on his arms ignite and burn- as does the already battered gravehound; the creature yelps and tears again at Gokan, ripping a massive chunk of flesh from the half-orc’s leg. Gokan lurches and staggers- then falls, the wound is numb- necrosis already setting in. [sblock=Info] Gokan is reduced to 7 hit points only, with five ongoing Necrotic damage- and also knocked Prone- this from the Gravehound’s Death Jaws attack triggered when it is reduced to 0 hit points or less. [/sblock] Moments later the singed undead hound flops to the floor, unmoving, although it continues to smoulder and burn. [sblock=Picture- Sigur in action] [CENTER][url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/9116560270/][img]http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5539/9116560270_892d360456_c.jpg[/img][/url][/CENTER] [/sblock] Sigur has not finished however, the dwarf invokes- arms raised high in the air again, this time a glowing radiant cloud settles over the remaining skeletons, the fog obscures vision for the blink of an eye, when it lifts five of the seven remaining decrepit skeletons are gone. There’s no trace of the minion undead, not even a sliver of bone. Sigur grins and folds his arms across his chest, admires the view, and his power- he gets his second wind. [sblock=Picture- Sigur the destroyer] [CENTER][url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/9116559298/][img]http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2825/9116559298_92409bfd4e_c.jpg[/img][/url][/CENTER] [/sblock] Ninaran sees her troops destroyed, the elf ranger screams her defiance, and then screams again- this time in pain; Jimmy suddenly dodges out from behind the elf, grinning, and with blood on his blade. The elven traitor is clearly unimpressed, she dodges back and away, her bow seems to appear in her hands- such is the speed of her movement, she fires- and pins Jimmy, her arrow piercing the halfling’s flesh between the shoulder and the throat. An inch to the right and Jimmy would be really struggling. As it is Jimmy staggers backwards, grabbing for the wall of the chamber, leaving bloody hand prints on the stone- he gawps as blood spurts from the wound, describing a three foot arc before him. The halfling blinks and tries desperately hard to swallow. It hurts- a lot. [sblock=Info] Even with Jimmy’s Second Chance- that was Ninaran’s Daily Hunter’s Bear Trap hitting for 21 points of damage. The halfling is also Slowed and taking ongoing 5 damage- not good. [/sblock] Ninaran grins as she sights the halfling again. “Say goodbye to your brother!” She shouts in an almost pleasant sing-song voice at Gokan, and then giggles, coquettishly. She fires. Her second arrow hits the spot, an inch to the right of her first arrow. Jimmy stops struggling, collapses, with no effort to break his fall. The arrow protrudes from the centre of the halfling’s throat. Blood fountains. Jimmy’s dying, and by the look of things, quickly. [sblock=Picture- Jimmy’s down] [CENTER][url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/9114329919/][img]http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3832/9114329919_411e96c0b9_c.jpg[/img][/url][/CENTER] [/sblock] [sblock=Info] Jimmy’s hit again, after an Action Point from Ninaran, and her Shadow Wasp attack which hits for another 26 points of damage- that’s 47 damage to the little feller this turn, its fortunate he was on full hit points- 42, I think. Jimmy almost never experiences negative hit points, he’s never usually close enough to the action, the players are stunned- particularly because I rolled three ten sided dice for damage for both attacks. Apparently this makes me a very bad man. [/sblock] Ramm bellows, unstoppable, the minotaur fighter puts his head down and charges- smashes in to Ninaran and slams the elf hard in to the wall behind. The elven archer spills her bow and thumps in to the floor as the lowing Ramm takes a step back to admire his work. Tonka moves quickly towards Jimmy, shrugging off a decrepit skeleton’s attack, he’s almost to the halfling when… “No!” Sigur screams, and then points, “Gokan!” the dwarf adds. Tonka stares hard for a moment at Sigur, the invoker’s face is set- the dwarf nods once. Tonka nods back, almost imperceptibly. Moments later many of the half-orc’s wounds instantly heal over as the dragonborn warlord chants and offers inspirational words. “Take her down- DESTROY THE TRAITOR!” Tonka screams. “KILL THE ELF BITCH!” Sigur adds with a growl. Tonka follows his own advice; the warlord moves forward at a rush and cuts and slashes Ninaran, although only a minor wound. “Get up Gokan!” Sigur screams at the half-orc. [sblock=Picture- Kill the elf traitor] [CENTER][url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/9114329325/][img]http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5541/9114329325_333cc47321_c.jpg[/img][/url][/CENTER] [/sblock] The two remaining skeletons left standing slash hard at Sigur, the dwarf still has not extricated himself from the fracas; a longsword cuts a furrow above the dwarf’s right eye, the wound is not deep but it bleeds profusely. Sigur looks deeply upset, and more than a little worse for wear. [sblock=Info] Sigur is down to 7 hit points. [/sblock] The dwarf invoker mutters and curses, his mace turns to stone in his hand, he spins like some great demented top- and smashes the skulls of both of his bony enemies. The skeletons are no more- just Ninaran to finish off. “Destroy the ELF!” Sigur screams, and then scurries over to slap a meaty hand on the spurting hole in Jimmy’s throat. [sblock=Info] Jimmy gets down to -10 hit points before Sigur’s ministrations curtail the halfling’s decline. [/sblock] Gokan obeys Sigur, or at least tries to, the half-orc is quickly to his feet, and quicker still he’s charging at the elf traitor- Ninaran is trying to pick herself up when he hits. “Aaaaarrrgghhh!” The elf ranger screams as Gokan’s magical battleaxe bites deep, his blade cuts through Ninaran’s left forearm, severing the limb completely. The half-orc’s hand axe bites too, it slams in to the elf’s opposite shoulder, at this point a lesser mortal would have died or else been reduced to begging for surrender. [sblock=Picture- Destroy the elf] [CENTER][url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/9117233235/][img]http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5453/9117233235_3bff0fc112_c.jpg[/img][/url] [/CENTER] [/sblock] Not Ninaran; the elf somehow uses Gokan’s impetus, as he tries to lever free his hand axe, to spring back to her feet and in to the action. Ninaran’s longsword is somehow now in hand, although she’s being faced down by Tonka, Ramm and Gokan- the elf lashes out, her blade flashes, and Ramm is skewered, but not before a glowing shield dedicated to the platinum dragon suddenly appears and deflects a little of the blow. The minotaur retaliates immediately. CLANK Smashing his shield in to the elf’s face, Ninaran crumples and hits the deck again; surely she can’t take much more of this abuse, particularly as Tonka is quickly in to the action, the dragonborn stabs hard and opens another wound on the squirming elf. She gasps, bites off curses and, against the odds, rises. “You’ll have to do better than that.” Ninaran spits and slashes hard, keeping all three of the adventurers at bay. [sblock=Picture-Ninaran is being worn down] [CENTER][url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/9117232301/][img]http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7457/9117232301_6b100d81f3_c.jpg[/img][/url][/CENTER] [/sblock] “Take her alive!” Sigur and Tonka scream in unison, and then take a moment to stare at each other. Alas the words of wisdom come too late, the hissing, spitting, snarling Gokan unleashes a thundering smash, both axes brought down- at much speed, in to the elf’s skull. Ninaran fails to defend the attack, the result is… Devastating, and messy. The elf traitor is dead- beyond dead, much of the elf’s skull is shattered. [sblock=Info] Gokan manages to score a critical hit with his Thundering Strike, which hits for 32 points of damage. [/sblock] The fight is over- victory is won. [sblock=Encounter #18 Synopsis, PC XP & DM’s thoughts] [CENTER][url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/9117432347/][img]http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2874/9117432347_d2c074244e_c.jpg[/img][/url][/CENTER] [SIZE="4"]Encounter #18 Guardians of the Portal, starring-[/SIZE] Skeleton Decrepit (Minion Skirmisher 1) x9 Zombie Gravehound (Brute 3) x2 Elf Ranger- Ninaran (Elite Artillery 6) x1 1025 XP Level 5 Encounter. [SIZE="4"]PC XP[/SIZE] 205 XP each for a total of 3041 XP in total (PCs Level 3). [SIZE="4"]DM Thoughts-[/SIZE] I managed to catch the guys on the back foot with this one, the combat was short- the PCs got in to their stride very quickly but for a while, things were pretty frantic around the table. The wave of decrepit skeletons were unfortunate not to take Sigur down, the dwarf was down to something like 7 hit points- I figured afterwards I should have had all of the undead come through the portal, and then attack from the rear with just Ninaran in the next round- when the PCs were already locked in combat. As it was… Not bad though, a little bit more to the story and the guys are wary again, having felt much more secure in the past few encounters. [/sblock] [CENTER][url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/8045385824/][img]http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8459/8045385824_b9d8e34957_o.png[/img][/url][/CENTER] [/QUOTE]
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