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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: 6213743" data-attributes="member: 16069"><p style="text-align: center"><span style="font-size: 18px">KOTS Part 19: The Dead have Dominion.</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@N08/10100597554/" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7331/10100597554_3d60d19425_c.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></a></p><p></p><p>[/sblock]</p><p></p><p>19.01</p><p></p><p>The chamber comes alive, or else… nearly a dozen of the bodies rise up- the closest pair lurch towards the astonished adventurers, the rest are far more dextrous and agile- they snarl and leap into the fray.</p><p></p><p>Miraculously the adventurers are on their mettle, even Gokan reacts in time, and they’re far too experienced to allow themselves to be taken by surprise.</p><p></p><p>[sblock=Picture- Undead ambush!]</p><p></p><p style="text-align: center"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/10295617205/" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5538/10295617205_4cd462c1bd_o.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></a></p><p></p><p>[/sblock]</p><p></p><p>Two of the deathly pale humanoids leap in to action, Tonka gibbers and then screams-</p><p></p><p>“GHOULS!”</p><p></p><p>The first clutches and grabs at Gokan, clawing the half-orc and grabbing at the barbarian’s arm- it hangs on tight; the other fails to connect with Ramm- the minotaur dodges just in time.</p><p></p><p>[sblock=Mob Ghoul]</p><p></p><p style="text-align: center"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/10300805953/" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5531/10300805953_301a8da6d6_o.png" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></a></p> <p style="text-align: center">Mob Ghoul</p> <p style="text-align: center">Minion Soldier Level 7</p> <p style="text-align: center"></p> <p style="text-align: center"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/8680934649/" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8538/8680934649_7b9141c7fd_o.png" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></a></p><p></p><p>[/sblock]</p><p></p><p>Gokan is all action, he wrenches his arm free and in the same motion spins like a top, his axes a blur, the half-orc moves forward with his whirling frenzy, he cuts two of the mob ghouls dead.</p><p></p><p>The half-orc hollers and screams in exultation- the barbarian is out for blood, he spies a stumbling, shambling zombie- its hands before it, set to choke him; he grins and launches himself in a headlong charge, smashing in to the now forlorn grasping zombie.</p><p></p><p>[sblock=Picture- Gokan in action]</p><p></p><p style="text-align: center"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/10316621626/" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3753/10316621626_c61099866e_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>There was a lot of fretting going on at the table until Gokan cut down two of the Mob Ghouls in his Whirling Frenzy, the players hoped the creatures were Minions but didn’t know for sure they were. </p><p></p><p>[/sblock]</p><p></p><p>[sblock=Grasping Zombie]</p><p></p><p style="text-align: center"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/8892304969/" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3741/8892304969_0ddcbcf290_o.png" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></a></p> <p style="text-align: center">Grasping Zombie </p> <p style="text-align: center">Brute Level 2</p> <p style="text-align: center"></p> <p style="text-align: center"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/8680926225/" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8256/8680926225_672d813786_o.png" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></a></p><p></p><p>[/sblock]</p><p></p><p>Gokan screams again, a barbaric yawp, clearly happy to be in the thick of the action; unseen by the half-orc barbarian a strange amorphous creature seemingly made entirely of shadow closes in…</p><p></p><p>All the way in until the shadowy stalker blends seamlessly with Gokan’s own shadow, it hides there ready to pounce.</p><p></p><p>[sblock=Picture- Gokan’s evil shadow]</p><p></p><p style="text-align: center"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/10317075786/" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7383/10317075786_73873709e8_c.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></a></p><p></p><p>[/sblock]</p><p></p><p>[sblock= Shadow Stalker]</p><p></p><p style="text-align: center"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/10300594364/" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7403/10300594364_b3760c92ca_o.png" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></a></p> <p style="text-align: center">Shadow Stalker</p> <p style="text-align: center">Lurker Level 3</p> <p style="text-align: center"></p> <p style="text-align: center"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/8682040202/" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8540/8682040202_6fe09e7ece_o.png" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></a></p><p></p><p>[/sblock]</p><p></p><p>The frenzy in the rest of the chamber continues unabated, more ghouls close in on the warriors leading the group- Gokan’s enthusiasm is quickly put to the test. He and Ramm are clawed and grabbed; Tonka briefly manifests a Bahamut emblazoned shield to parry one of the ghoul’s attacks.</p><p></p><p>The jeopardy increases when the grasping zombie Gokan struck retaliates, and punches the half-orc in the face.</p><p></p><p>Worse still, a ghoul wearing the rags of a watch commander - certainly a leader of some sort - leaps at Ramm, the minotaur evades the creature’s claws more by luck than judgement.</p><p></p><p>[sblock=Field Ghoul]</p><p></p><p style="text-align: center"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/10300590644/" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5524/10300590644_ae63e2e964_o.png" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></a></p> <p style="text-align: center">Field Ghoul</p> <p style="text-align: center">Lurker Level 8</p> <p style="text-align: center"></p> <p style="text-align: center"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/8682046730/" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8528/8682046730_d537742a7c_o.png" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></a></p><p></p><p>[/sblock]</p><p></p><p>The warriors are being hard pressed by the ghouls’ attacks, and yet another gets through Gokan’s defences, the half-orc staggers and yelps.</p><p></p><p>“SIGUR! TONKA!” Gokan screams, desperate for the pair’s radiant attacks.</p><p></p><p>[sblock=Picture- The warriors are surrounded]</p><p></p><p style="text-align: center"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/10317027714/" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5533/10317027714_a68534daba_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>Gokan is quickly bloodied, and grabbed again. </p><p></p><p>[/sblock]</p><p></p><p>Jimmy however is the first to answer the call; the halfling forgets his fear, tumbles under another of the mob ghoul’s attacks and cuts the creature down. His blade completes its arc, Gokan’s eyes go wide- Jimmy’s dagger misses the half-orc by inches and instead cuts a swathe through… Gokan’s shadow.</p><p></p><p>[sblock=Picture- Gokan’s Evil Shadow!]</p><p></p><p style="text-align: center"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/10300679176/" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5524/10300679176_b6b4955e63_o.png" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></a></p><p></p><p>[/sblock]</p><p></p><p>Jimmy stabs the shadowy creature that haunts his brother again and in the same moment, and motion, tumbles back out of the action and clear.</p><p></p><p>Gokan is left gawping at his evil grinning shadow.</p><p></p><p>Ramm shrugs off the ghoul holding him, spins his axe and fails spectacularly to connect with any of the foul undead still surrounding him. One of the mob ghouls grins at the minotaur, lances out its tongue as if to mock Ramm.</p><p></p><p>BONG!</p><p></p><p>And has its neck snapped like a twig by Ramm’s shield bash.</p><p></p><p>[sblock=Picture- HARD CORE fight back]</p><p></p><p style="text-align: center"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/10317210543/" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7449/10317210543_5aa6aa0bfa_c.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></a></p><p></p><p>[/sblock]</p><p></p><p>“MoraDIN DESTROY!” Sigur starts low and growling and quickly escalates to bellowing at the top of his voice, his shout signals a trio of spectral hands which rush forth- another of the mob ghouls falls and suddenly Gokan’s shadow goes from sporting an evil grin to looking like it regrets getting in to this fight.</p><p></p><p>The dwarf chuckles and grins as a swirling swarm of shimmering radiant metal-coloured leaves suddenly appear, and then descend upon the enemies surrounding Ramm and Gokan.</p><p></p><p>The half-orc’s evil shadow ‘POPs’ out of existence- destroyed completely, yet another of the mob ghouls is caught in the holy rain- it too is spent. The grasping zombie menacing Gokan is left staggering and suffering, only just still standing.</p><p></p><p>“For BAHAMUT!” Tonka grins, salutes and then rushes in to the centre of the action en route delivering a short blessing to Gokan, the half-orc’s wounds all but disappear- the dragonborn priest smashes his longsword in to the leader ghoul, the foul creature screams in agony.</p><p></p><p>[sblock=Info]</p><p></p><p>Tonka crits the Field Ghoul for 24 points of damage with his Warlord’s Strike. </p><p></p><p>[/sblock]</p><p></p><p>The remaining grasping zombie staggers after the dragonborn, trying and failing repeatedly to get its hands around Tonka’s neck- he’s always just a step ahead of the slow moving monster.</p><p></p><p>[sblock=Picture- HARD CORE!]</p><p></p><p style="text-align: center"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/10317208353/" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5530/10317208353_fe692eeff1_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>Hard Core are kicking ass and taking names. </p><p></p><p>[/sblock]</p><p></p><p>19.02</p><p></p><p>Gokan, now almost entirely free of enemies, slashes hard at the grasping zombie, he opens a great rent in the humanoid’s chest, and yet somehow it survives the attack- and grins at the half-orc. Gokan grins back- his hand axe follows his vanguard battleaxe, and removes the top four-or-so inches of the zombie’s skull.</p><p></p><p>The undead gingerly reaches up to feel the spot, looks confused for a moment and then collapses.</p><p></p><p>Gokan shifts and feints to join Ramm in the fight - too late - the leader ghoul tears at the minotaur’s flesh with its great claws- Ramm staggers, and is grabbed by the creature.</p><p></p><p>[sblock=Info]</p><p></p><p>Ramm is bloodied, and grabbed.</p><p></p><p>[/sblock]</p><p></p><p>Jimmy quickly switches direction, skitters to his right, ducks and dodges and comes up behind the remaining zombie- which is still trying to choke Tonka, the halfling rogue’s dagger stabs again and again at the zombie’s back, the foul undead stumbles but manages to stay on its feet, just.</p><p></p><p>Ramm struggles with the ghoul that has latched on to his arm, eventually prizing the creature free, but not before having to dodge another wild claw attack from the creature. The minotaur fighter slams his magical battleaxe in to the creature, the ghoul dodges back- badly wounded.</p><p></p><p>[sblock=Picture- In the mix]</p><p></p><p style="text-align: center"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/10317338986/" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7319/10317338986_ef8539fca6_c.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></a></p><p></p><p>[/sblock]</p><p></p><p>“MORADIN’S HAMMER FALLS!” Sigur rebukes- the ghoul and the remaining zombie stagger some more, there’s nowhere for them to run however, the pair fight to the death.</p><p></p><p>Tonka mutters more inspiring words and Ramm’s wounds instantly heal over, the minotaur grunts his thanks. The dragonborn’s vengeful longsword is a lot less effective- he lashes out at the ghoul but is much too slow.</p><p></p><p>For good measure the warlord unleashes a fan of lightning, the grasping zombie facing him is scorched- if only a little. Tonka’s breath weapon however is enough to cause the zombie to stagger and miss its attack yet again.</p><p></p><p>[sblock=Picture- Close to the end]</p><p></p><p style="text-align: center"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/10317310295/" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3665/10317310295_80552815a4_c.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></a></p><p></p><p>[/sblock]</p><p></p><p>19.03</p><p></p><p>Gokan grins, spits on his hands- wipes them on his new leather armour, juggling his axes all the while, and then charges and buries both of his blades in to the back of the last ghoul standing- and then wrenches both free.</p><p></p><p>[sblock=Info]</p><p></p><p>Gokan’s damage is 1d10+1d6+6+1d8, the Field Ghoul takes 30 points of damage- you do the maths. </p><p></p><p>[/sblock]</p><p></p><p>The ghoul falls to his knees, as if adoring Ramm, seconds later it sags, tips and crunches in to the cold stone floor- dead.</p><p></p><p>[sblock=Picture- Last Ghoul down]</p><p></p><p style="text-align: center"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/10318590106/" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3807/10318590106_af35191727_c.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></a></p><p></p><p>[/sblock]</p><p></p><p>Jimmy slashes hard again, cuts completely through one of the remaining grasping zombie’s legs, the appendage is joined by a thread of flesh only, and yet still the creature remains upright- just.</p><p></p><p>Ramm mooches closer- swings and…</p><p></p><p>The zombie’s head careens off two walls and the ceiling of the barracks before coming to rest back in the doorway of the chamber.</p><p></p><p>[sblock=Picture- Last Zombie down]</p><p></p><p style="text-align: center"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/10318549234/" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5547/10318549234_6453d60de1_c.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></a></p><p></p><p>[/sblock]</p><p></p><p>The fight is over.</p><p></p><p>The adventurers breathe hard and grin at each other - save Sigur, of course, who just looks slightly less grumpy than usual; the spell is broken- the gloom is not so terrifying.</p><p></p><p>[sblock=Encounter #19 Synopsis, PC XP & DM’s thoughts]</p><p></p><p style="text-align: center"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/10319000623/" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2859/10319000623_230bf7d35b_c.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></a></p><p></p><p><span style="font-size: 15px">Encounter #19 The Dead have Dominion, starring-</span></p><p></p><p>Mob Ghoul (Minion Soldier 7) x6</p><p>Grasping Zombie (Brute 1) x2</p><p>Shadow Stalker (Lurker 3) x1</p><p>Field Ghoul (Lurker 8) x1</p><p></p><p>1200 XP Level 5 Encounter.</p><p></p><p><span style="font-size: 15px">PC XP</span></p><p></p><p>240 XP each for a total of 3281 XP in total (PCs Level 3).</p><p></p><p><span style="font-size: 15px">DM Thoughts-</span></p><p></p><p>I tried desperately to get a surprise round but the players were certain from the very beginning that the dead were going to come back to life- it didn’t seem fair to just ‘rule’ the PCs ‘are surprised’, that would be counterproductive.</p><p></p><p>The guys barely missed a beat, whereas the bad guys only landed two or three (heavy) hits in total, still I didn’t feel too bad- I knew what was coming next.</p><p></p><p>Good luck to them- that’s what I say, they’re going to need it.</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: 6213743, member: 16069"] [CENTER][SIZE="5"]KOTS Part 19: The Dead have Dominion.[/SIZE][/CENTER] [sblock=Party Line Up] [CENTER][SIZE="6"]The Hard Core Adventurers Level 3[/SIZE] [url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/10100597554/][img]http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7331/10100597554_3d60d19425_c.jpg[/img][/url][/CENTER] [/sblock] 19.01 The chamber comes alive, or else… nearly a dozen of the bodies rise up- the closest pair lurch towards the astonished adventurers, the rest are far more dextrous and agile- they snarl and leap into the fray. Miraculously the adventurers are on their mettle, even Gokan reacts in time, and they’re far too experienced to allow themselves to be taken by surprise. [sblock=Picture- Undead ambush!] [CENTER][url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/10295617205/][img]http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5538/10295617205_4cd462c1bd_o.jpg[/img][/url][/CENTER] [/sblock] Two of the deathly pale humanoids leap in to action, Tonka gibbers and then screams- “GHOULS!” The first clutches and grabs at Gokan, clawing the half-orc and grabbing at the barbarian’s arm- it hangs on tight; the other fails to connect with Ramm- the minotaur dodges just in time. [sblock=Mob Ghoul] [CENTER][url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/10300805953/][img]http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5531/10300805953_301a8da6d6_o.png[/img][/url] Mob Ghoul Minion Soldier Level 7 [url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/8680934649/][img]http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8538/8680934649_7b9141c7fd_o.png[/img][/url][/CENTER] [/sblock] Gokan is all action, he wrenches his arm free and in the same motion spins like a top, his axes a blur, the half-orc moves forward with his whirling frenzy, he cuts two of the mob ghouls dead. The half-orc hollers and screams in exultation- the barbarian is out for blood, he spies a stumbling, shambling zombie- its hands before it, set to choke him; he grins and launches himself in a headlong charge, smashing in to the now forlorn grasping zombie. [sblock=Picture- Gokan in action] [CENTER][url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/10316621626/][img]http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3753/10316621626_c61099866e_c.jpg[/img][/url][/CENTER] [/sblock] [sblock=Info] There was a lot of fretting going on at the table until Gokan cut down two of the Mob Ghouls in his Whirling Frenzy, the players hoped the creatures were Minions but didn’t know for sure they were. [/sblock] [sblock=Grasping Zombie] [CENTER][url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/8892304969/][img]http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3741/8892304969_0ddcbcf290_o.png[/img][/url] Grasping Zombie Brute Level 2 [url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/8680926225/][img]http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8256/8680926225_672d813786_o.png[/img][/url][/CENTER] [/sblock] Gokan screams again, a barbaric yawp, clearly happy to be in the thick of the action; unseen by the half-orc barbarian a strange amorphous creature seemingly made entirely of shadow closes in… All the way in until the shadowy stalker blends seamlessly with Gokan’s own shadow, it hides there ready to pounce. [sblock=Picture- Gokan’s evil shadow] [CENTER][url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/10317075786/][img]http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7383/10317075786_73873709e8_c.jpg[/img][/url][/CENTER] [/sblock] [sblock= Shadow Stalker] [CENTER][url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/10300594364/][img]http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7403/10300594364_b3760c92ca_o.png[/img][/url] Shadow Stalker Lurker Level 3 [url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/8682040202/][img]http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8540/8682040202_6fe09e7ece_o.png[/img][/url][/CENTER] [/sblock] The frenzy in the rest of the chamber continues unabated, more ghouls close in on the warriors leading the group- Gokan’s enthusiasm is quickly put to the test. He and Ramm are clawed and grabbed; Tonka briefly manifests a Bahamut emblazoned shield to parry one of the ghoul’s attacks. The jeopardy increases when the grasping zombie Gokan struck retaliates, and punches the half-orc in the face. Worse still, a ghoul wearing the rags of a watch commander - certainly a leader of some sort - leaps at Ramm, the minotaur evades the creature’s claws more by luck than judgement. [sblock=Field Ghoul] [CENTER][url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/10300590644/][img]http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5524/10300590644_ae63e2e964_o.png[/img][/url] Field Ghoul Lurker Level 8 [url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/8682046730/][img]http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8528/8682046730_d537742a7c_o.png[/img][/url][/CENTER] [/sblock] The warriors are being hard pressed by the ghouls’ attacks, and yet another gets through Gokan’s defences, the half-orc staggers and yelps. “SIGUR! TONKA!” Gokan screams, desperate for the pair’s radiant attacks. [sblock=Picture- The warriors are surrounded] [CENTER][url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/10317027714/][img]http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5533/10317027714_a68534daba_c.jpg[/img][/url][/CENTER] [/sblock] [sblock=Info] Gokan is quickly bloodied, and grabbed again. [/sblock] Jimmy however is the first to answer the call; the halfling forgets his fear, tumbles under another of the mob ghoul’s attacks and cuts the creature down. His blade completes its arc, Gokan’s eyes go wide- Jimmy’s dagger misses the half-orc by inches and instead cuts a swathe through… Gokan’s shadow. [sblock=Picture- Gokan’s Evil Shadow!] [CENTER][url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/10300679176/][img]http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5524/10300679176_b6b4955e63_o.png[/img][/url][/CENTER] [/sblock] Jimmy stabs the shadowy creature that haunts his brother again and in the same moment, and motion, tumbles back out of the action and clear. Gokan is left gawping at his evil grinning shadow. Ramm shrugs off the ghoul holding him, spins his axe and fails spectacularly to connect with any of the foul undead still surrounding him. One of the mob ghouls grins at the minotaur, lances out its tongue as if to mock Ramm. BONG! And has its neck snapped like a twig by Ramm’s shield bash. [sblock=Picture- HARD CORE fight back] [CENTER][url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/10317210543/][img]http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7449/10317210543_5aa6aa0bfa_c.jpg[/img][/url][/CENTER] [/sblock] “MoraDIN DESTROY!” Sigur starts low and growling and quickly escalates to bellowing at the top of his voice, his shout signals a trio of spectral hands which rush forth- another of the mob ghouls falls and suddenly Gokan’s shadow goes from sporting an evil grin to looking like it regrets getting in to this fight. The dwarf chuckles and grins as a swirling swarm of shimmering radiant metal-coloured leaves suddenly appear, and then descend upon the enemies surrounding Ramm and Gokan. The half-orc’s evil shadow ‘POPs’ out of existence- destroyed completely, yet another of the mob ghouls is caught in the holy rain- it too is spent. The grasping zombie menacing Gokan is left staggering and suffering, only just still standing. “For BAHAMUT!” Tonka grins, salutes and then rushes in to the centre of the action en route delivering a short blessing to Gokan, the half-orc’s wounds all but disappear- the dragonborn priest smashes his longsword in to the leader ghoul, the foul creature screams in agony. [sblock=Info] Tonka crits the Field Ghoul for 24 points of damage with his Warlord’s Strike. [/sblock] The remaining grasping zombie staggers after the dragonborn, trying and failing repeatedly to get its hands around Tonka’s neck- he’s always just a step ahead of the slow moving monster. [sblock=Picture- HARD CORE!] [CENTER][url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/10317208353/][img]http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5530/10317208353_fe692eeff1_c.jpg[/img][/url][/CENTER] [/sblock] [sblock=Info] Hard Core are kicking ass and taking names. [/sblock] 19.02 Gokan, now almost entirely free of enemies, slashes hard at the grasping zombie, he opens a great rent in the humanoid’s chest, and yet somehow it survives the attack- and grins at the half-orc. Gokan grins back- his hand axe follows his vanguard battleaxe, and removes the top four-or-so inches of the zombie’s skull. The undead gingerly reaches up to feel the spot, looks confused for a moment and then collapses. Gokan shifts and feints to join Ramm in the fight - too late - the leader ghoul tears at the minotaur’s flesh with its great claws- Ramm staggers, and is grabbed by the creature. [sblock=Info] Ramm is bloodied, and grabbed. [/sblock] Jimmy quickly switches direction, skitters to his right, ducks and dodges and comes up behind the remaining zombie- which is still trying to choke Tonka, the halfling rogue’s dagger stabs again and again at the zombie’s back, the foul undead stumbles but manages to stay on its feet, just. Ramm struggles with the ghoul that has latched on to his arm, eventually prizing the creature free, but not before having to dodge another wild claw attack from the creature. The minotaur fighter slams his magical battleaxe in to the creature, the ghoul dodges back- badly wounded. [sblock=Picture- In the mix] [CENTER][url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/10317338986/][img]http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7319/10317338986_ef8539fca6_c.jpg[/img][/url][/CENTER] [/sblock] “MORADIN’S HAMMER FALLS!” Sigur rebukes- the ghoul and the remaining zombie stagger some more, there’s nowhere for them to run however, the pair fight to the death. Tonka mutters more inspiring words and Ramm’s wounds instantly heal over, the minotaur grunts his thanks. The dragonborn’s vengeful longsword is a lot less effective- he lashes out at the ghoul but is much too slow. For good measure the warlord unleashes a fan of lightning, the grasping zombie facing him is scorched- if only a little. Tonka’s breath weapon however is enough to cause the zombie to stagger and miss its attack yet again. [sblock=Picture- Close to the end] [CENTER][url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/10317310295/][img]http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3665/10317310295_80552815a4_c.jpg[/img][/url][/CENTER] [/sblock] 19.03 Gokan grins, spits on his hands- wipes them on his new leather armour, juggling his axes all the while, and then charges and buries both of his blades in to the back of the last ghoul standing- and then wrenches both free. [sblock=Info] Gokan’s damage is 1d10+1d6+6+1d8, the Field Ghoul takes 30 points of damage- you do the maths. [/sblock] The ghoul falls to his knees, as if adoring Ramm, seconds later it sags, tips and crunches in to the cold stone floor- dead. [sblock=Picture- Last Ghoul down] [CENTER][url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/10318590106/][img]http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3807/10318590106_af35191727_c.jpg[/img][/url][/CENTER] [/sblock] Jimmy slashes hard again, cuts completely through one of the remaining grasping zombie’s legs, the appendage is joined by a thread of flesh only, and yet still the creature remains upright- just. Ramm mooches closer- swings and… The zombie’s head careens off two walls and the ceiling of the barracks before coming to rest back in the doorway of the chamber. [sblock=Picture- Last Zombie down] [CENTER][url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/10318549234/][img]http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5547/10318549234_6453d60de1_c.jpg[/img][/url][/CENTER] [/sblock] The fight is over. The adventurers breathe hard and grin at each other - save Sigur, of course, who just looks slightly less grumpy than usual; the spell is broken- the gloom is not so terrifying. [sblock=Encounter #19 Synopsis, PC XP & DM’s thoughts] [CENTER][url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/10319000623/][img]http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2859/10319000623_230bf7d35b_c.jpg[/img][/url][/CENTER] [SIZE="4"]Encounter #19 The Dead have Dominion, starring-[/SIZE] Mob Ghoul (Minion Soldier 7) x6 Grasping Zombie (Brute 1) x2 Shadow Stalker (Lurker 3) x1 Field Ghoul (Lurker 8) x1 1200 XP Level 5 Encounter. [SIZE="4"]PC XP[/SIZE] 240 XP each for a total of 3281 XP in total (PCs Level 3). [SIZE="4"]DM Thoughts-[/SIZE] I tried desperately to get a surprise round but the players were certain from the very beginning that the dead were going to come back to life- it didn’t seem fair to just ‘rule’ the PCs ‘are surprised’, that would be counterproductive. The guys barely missed a beat, whereas the bad guys only landed two or three (heavy) hits in total, still I didn’t feel too bad- I knew what was coming next. Good luck to them- that’s what I say, they’re going to need it. [/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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Hard Core Adventurers- KOTS 20.06 The Cathedral of Shadows
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