Menu
News
All News
Dungeons & Dragons
Level Up: Advanced 5th Edition
Pathfinder
Starfinder
Warhammer
2d20 System
Year Zero Engine
Industry News
Reviews
Dragon Reflections
Columns
Weekly Digests
Weekly News Digest
Freebies, Sales & Bundles
RPG Print News
RPG Crowdfunding News
Game Content
ENterplanetary DimENsions
Mythological Figures
Opinion
Worlds of Design
Peregrine's Next
RPG Evolution
Other Columns
From the Freelancing Frontline
Monster ENcyclopedia
WotC/TSR Alumni Look Back
4 Hours w/RSD (Ryan Dancey)
The Road to 3E (Jonathan Tweet)
Greenwood's Realms (Ed Greenwood)
Drawmij's TSR (Jim Ward)
Community
Forums & Topics
Forum List
Latest Posts
Forum list
*Dungeons & Dragons
Level Up: Advanced 5th Edition
D&D Older Editions
*TTRPGs General
*Pathfinder & Starfinder
EN Publishing
*Geek Talk & Media
Search forums
Chat/Discord
Resources
Wiki
Pages
Latest activity
Media
New media
New comments
Search media
Downloads
Latest reviews
Search resources
EN Publishing
Store
EN5ider
Adventures in ZEITGEIST
Awfully Cheerful Engine
What's OLD is NEW
Judge Dredd & The Worlds Of 2000AD
War of the Burning Sky
Level Up: Advanced 5E
Events & Releases
Upcoming Events
Private Events
Featured Events
Socials!
Twitch
YouTube
Facebook (EN Publishing)
Facebook (EN World)
Twitter
Instagram
TikTok
Podcast
Features
Top 5 RPGs Compiled Charts 2004-Present
Adventure Game Industry Market Research Summary (RPGs) V1.0
Ryan Dancey: Acquiring TSR
Q&A With Gary Gygax
D&D Rules FAQs
TSR, WotC, & Paizo: A Comparative History
D&D Pronunciation Guide
Million Dollar TTRPG Kickstarters
Tabletop RPG Podcast Hall of Fame
Eric Noah's Unofficial D&D 3rd Edition News
D&D in the Mainstream
D&D & RPG History
About Morrus
Log in
Register
What's new
Search
Search
Search titles only
By:
Forums & Topics
Forum List
Latest Posts
Forum list
*Dungeons & Dragons
Level Up: Advanced 5th Edition
D&D Older Editions
*TTRPGs General
*Pathfinder & Starfinder
EN Publishing
*Geek Talk & Media
Search forums
Chat/Discord
Menu
Log in
Register
Install the app
Install
Community
Playing the Game
Story Hour
Hard Core Adventurers- KOTS 20.06 The Cathedral of Shadows
JavaScript is disabled. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding.
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an
alternative browser
.
Reply to thread
Message
<blockquote data-quote="Goonalan" data-source="post: 6145804" data-attributes="member: 16069"><p style="text-align: center"><span style="font-size: 18px">KOTS Part 14: The Skeleton Lord.</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 2</span></p> <p style="text-align: center"></p> <p style="text-align: center"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/8489125293/" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8513/8489125293_6178a97e2d_c.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></a></p><p></p><p>[/sblock]</p><p></p><p>[sblock=Picture- The Skeleton Knight enters]</p><p></p><p style="text-align: center"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/8715024425/" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7349/8715024425_64e988a106_z.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></a></p><p></p><p>[/sblock]</p><p></p><p>And yet somehow Gokan is there, before Tonka, battleaxe raised to meet the skeleton knight’s sword- the half-orc’s face barely registers the effort - that is until the barbarian’s axes begin to sing- Gokan grins as he whirls, and cuts, and slashes.</p><p></p><p>The skeleton knight is hit three times in quick succession, the first a hefty blow almost turns it around; the second dents its helm and rattles its skull, the last sweeps a leg and sends the formidable fiend down to the floor.</p><p></p><p>“But…” It begins, the rattler rattled.</p><p></p><p>[sblock=Info]</p><p></p><p>Gokan has a way with his axes, a Charge followed by Furious Assault and Takedown Strike- it’s a shame his Action Point Howling Strike missed the spot- and with Combat Advantage (he rolled a ‘2’), still that’s 36 points of damage, not too shabby.</p><p></p><p>[/sblock]</p><p></p><p>Jimmy scurries in to the action, dodging and manoeuvring, the halfling rogue stabs not once but twice, both times finding weak spots or else joins in the skeleton’s heavy armour. </p><p></p><p>“It can’t be…” The skeleton whispers, clearly out of sorts.</p><p></p><p>[sblock=Info]</p><p></p><p>Jimmy’s Sly Flourish, Action Point and the same again- both hits, delivers another 34 points of damage to the prone skeleton knight- blimey, what an opening salvo.</p><p></p><p>[/sblock]</p><p></p><p>“CEASE!” The skeleton screams… and everything does, sort of.</p><p></p><p>A circle of force shoots out from the undead creature as it leaps back to its feet- pushing all of the adventurers away, no exceptions- even Sigur, the dwarf, gives ground. The air around the adventurers seems to thicken, to take on a semi-solid state; their movements are ponderous, in slow motion.</p><p></p><p>[sblock=Picture- Time stop]</p><p></p><p style="text-align: center"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/8716142824/" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7356/8716142824_c5dd925c5b_z.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></a></p><p></p><p>[/sblock]</p><p></p><p>“I am Sir Keegan, Lord of the Shadow Keep. I am sworn to defend this place against the foul interlopers that even in death haunt me still. Know this, foul miscreants, my sword is true. Who are you?”</p><p></p><p>[sblock=Info]</p><p></p><p>This encounter combines combat and a skill challenge in to one; every time the PCs reduce Sir Keegan’s (the Skeleton Lord) hit points by 25% the fighting stops- all effects and conditions on Sir Keegan end (including Marks/Oaths et al), he stands as a Free Action (if Prone), and time stops for a moment.</p><p></p><p>Obviously I didn’t tell the PCs what was going on- just made it clear that this guy was talking to them, and giving them a moment to answer- they figured it out pretty quick, and loved the idea- at least some of them, Ramm and Gokan are not that sociable.</p><p></p><p>Regardless, they’re each going to get the chance to make a little speech, or two.</p><p></p><p>[/sblock]</p><p></p><p>Tonka, as always, is inclined to speech-making.</p><p></p><p>“I am Tantalus Orontor Ne-an Koriolis Arbon, second lieutenant of the holy order of the Knights of the Bahamut. I have sworn an oath to serve my master in all things- I have been sent here to put an end to the abominations which dwell within this place, to destroy the evil cult that broods here within the shadows. Do not test me foul knight for I will end thee!”</p><p></p><p>Tonka attempts to perform a flourish with his sword, alas the air is too thick; he almost spills his blade in the attempt.</p><p></p><p>The skeleton staggers as if struck by a great blow; it looks around itself, as if unsure of what should follow next.</p><p></p><p>Jimmy steps in, or rather shouts out.</p><p></p><p>“I don’t care who you are you stinking undead fiend, I’m here to take you down- and any others that get in my way. My brother was killed here, in this filthy hole full of stinking goblins and diseased rats. His death will be avenged.”</p><p></p><p>By the time Jimmy finishes his speech he’s spitting and screaming, clearly upset and angry.</p><p></p><p>The skeleton knight is sent staggering back; it crashes hard in to one of the doors behind it.</p><p></p><p>“This cannot…” The skeleton stutters, “I too…” Alas the rest of the undead creature’s speech is curtailed as the time-stop suddenly ends; the action goes back to full-pace. A glowing radiant hand rushes forward and slaps the fiend.</p><p></p><p>Sigur steps forward, his magical rod before him- the surly dwarf mutters and grins- a beam of radiant light arcs out and slams in to the skeleton knight, sending it shooting back through the open doors and in to the chamber beyond.</p><p></p><p>Instinctively the adventurers scurry forward, following on through the doors, the skeleton sprawls against the side of an ornate sarcophagus- the newly revealed chamber is a well-constructed tomb, clearly belonging to someone important.</p><p></p><p>The skeleton knight staggers to its feet, dazed and disorientated.</p><p></p><p>“I… that is…” It begins, but again it doesn’t get to finish its sentence- Tonka and Ramm charge in to the undead fiend- cutting and slicing as they go- both connect, Ramm with a hefty blow with his battleaxe and a follow up smash to the face with his shield. The skeleton knight is sent sprawling on to the floor, yet again.</p><p></p><p>It’s on its feet and back at its attackers in the blink of an eye.</p><p></p><p>[sblock=Info]</p><p></p><p>Oh yeah, and Sir Keegan the Skeleton Lord at the start of its round ends all effects and conditions (as previous) and gets back to its feet as a Free Action.</p><p></p><p>I added this bit on the fly in game because the PCs had my guy just short of bloodied and we were only in the first round- Sir Keegan hadn’t even hit yet.</p><p></p><p>[/sblock]</p><p></p><p>The skeleton cuts at Ramm, the minotaur bellows and dodges back- too late, its longsword opens up a deep wound in Ramm’s chest, a curtain of blood slicks from it; to make matters worse the blade’s bite leaves him numb- necrotic energy turns the wound in to a virulent ragged furrow.</p><p></p><p>[sblock=Info]</p><p></p><p>Ramm is bloodied in an instant- I rolled maximum damage, that’s 25 hit points in total.</p><p></p><p>[/sblock]</p><p></p><p>“Fight me!” The skeleton roars at Ramm.</p><p></p><p>“Kill me!” It roars again at all of the adventurers.</p><p></p><p>“End this charade.” It mutters to itself.</p><p></p><p>But Tonka and Jimmy hear- the dragonborn warlord looks confused, and then moments later enlightened.</p><p></p><p>[sblock=Picture- Kill me!]</p><p></p><p style="text-align: center"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/8715024013/" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7283/8715024013_1b28df9b0a_z.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 little chatter around the table after the Skeleton Knight’s speech- the fact that this was Sir Keegan, however the PCs have Sir Keegan pegged as the bad guy, the contents of the speech seemed to slip past some of them.</p><p></p><p>Stu, who plays Tonka, figured it out however- this guy might not be the bad guy, he voiced his concerns- which got the adventurers thinking, not necessarily a bad thing.</p><p></p><p>[/sblock]</p><p></p><p>Gokan charges in to the skeleton knight, his axes whirl and smash- and again he manages to connect, the undead fiend is knocked back once more.</p><p></p><p>“STOP!”</p><p></p><p>The fiend shouts and raises its hand again- a circle of force shoots out knocking the adventurers back, the skeleton knight recovers quickly- time slows as previously.</p><p></p><p>[sblock=Picture- Bloodied]</p><p></p><p style="text-align: center"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/8716177758/" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7294/8716177758_fa69fcaf6e_z.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></a></p><p></p><p>[/sblock]</p><p></p><p>“Why are you here? Answer me quickly or pay with your blood?” The skeleton knight points its blade at Ramm.</p><p></p><p>The minotaur shrugs, looks confused for a moment, straightens and then speaks.</p><p></p><p>“Sgt. Ramm, Winterhaven Guard. My job is to protect the little one.” Ramm nods towards Jimmy, the halfling looks pleased and a little surprised. Ramm continues, “There are bad things here- I’m here to put an end to them, it’s what I do- it’s my duty.” Ramm nods once; the skeleton knight straightens its back and nods back- a salute of sorts.</p><p></p><p>“And you, offspring of a dark union?” Sir Keegan points at Gokan.</p><p></p><p>Gokan looks suitably put out, while Jimmy grimaces- his eyes flash anger.</p><p></p><p>“You’re in no position to judge me- look at you.” Gokan points with his battleaxe at the skeleton knight’s lower limbs, the only part of the creature not encased in heavy armour.</p><p></p><p>“An undead fiend. I had no say in my ancestry- and yet I am proud of both of my parents, but I did not choose them. What path did you choose? Why were you punished so when you came to your end?”</p><p></p><p>The skeleton knight adopts a thoughtful pose; clearly the confrontation has taken an unexpected route.</p><p></p><p>“Answer my brother.” Jimmy snaps, still in a fury, the halfling rogue tumbles forward as time suddenly runs true once more; the skeleton knight’s sword flashes out, but too high for the tumbling rogue.</p><p></p><p>Suddenly a thunderclap rings out, centred above the undead fiend, the creature staggers back dazed and disorientated, sword flailing wildly- Jimmy’s already behind the creature, his vicious dagger scores a hit, smashing bones.</p><p></p><p>“Fiend!” The skeleton knight screams in agony, half-turns to get at Jimmy but has to suddenly turn back again- Tonka screams, “for the platinum dragon!” He and Ramm, the minotaur’s wounds now mostly healed, charge forward and smash in to the skeleton.</p><p></p><p>[sblock=Info]</p><p></p><p>And already Sir Keegan is down to 67 hit points (from 268), that’s less than 25% left, and we’re only in the second round of combat.</p><p></p><p>[/sblock]</p><p></p><p>[sblock=Picture- Almost...]</p><p></p><p style="text-align: center"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/8716177524/" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7450/8716177524_5608ac23e0_z.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></a></p><p></p><p>[/sblock]</p><p></p><p>Again the adventurers are pushed back, with the same slowing of time as before, although the skeleton knight is now looking battered and bruised- bones scored and in places shattered or missing.</p><p></p><p>“Traitors! There were traitors in my keep- they wanted power, they were tempted by the dark side, my lieutenant, my second- Kalarel, he led the rebellion, he opened the gate and in the darkness poured.” The skeleton knight sags, then looks up, and goes on.</p><p></p><p>“This is all that is left, they sealed the catacombs and left us to die, me and what was left of my men, those that remained loyal at the end. I am fated to remain, until… until…”</p><p></p><p>The skeleton knight stands tall again, looks at the assembled adventurers and asks.</p><p></p><p>“I paid with my life, what would you give? How far will you go to prevent the darkness spreading? You.” Sir Keegan points at Sigur. “You have not spoken.” Sigur grins.</p><p> Tonka looks at the dwarf, hisses- Sigur looks over, still grinning, Tonka shakes his head, mouths “No…”, and “Don’t”, all the while shaking his head. Sigur continues to grin, he even chuckles a little.</p><p></p><p>“I don’t give a goblin’s arse about you and yours, or even what happened here- you’re dead son, D-E-A-D.” Sigur spells it out.</p><p>“And in a moment you’re going to join the other shattered bones on the floor of this tomb- your tomb if I’m not mistaken. I heard you killed your wife and kids you stupid homicidal bastard. Now shut up, and put up your sword!” Sigur screams the last sentence.</p><p></p><p>Tonka continues to shake his head- time returns in a rush, the skeleton warrior is a blur- his blade lashes out in a series of complex arcs, in the process slicing through Ramm’s and Tonka’s armour, the pair are left bleeding and bloodied in an instant.</p><p></p><p>“For that… you will die!” Sir Keegan hisses at Sigur.</p><p></p><p>A sudden burst of freezing inky black energy shoots from Sir Keegan’s off-hand, engulfs all of the adventurers and yet only Ramm emerges from the shadow numb and bellowing in pain, the others somehow escape all hurt.</p><p></p><p>The minotaur fighter however is left staggering, barely able to keep its feet.</p><p></p><p>[sblock=Info]</p><p></p><p>Ramm’s down to 5 hit points only.</p><p></p><p>[/sblock]</p><p></p><p>“To the last then!” The skeleton knight confirms, and rushes to attack again.</p><p></p><p>[sblock=Picture- To The Last]</p><p></p><p style="text-align: center"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/8716177286/" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7419/8716177286_1b256b5415_z.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></a></p><p></p><p>[/sblock]</p><p></p><p>Gokan intercedes once again, gets between the skeleton knight and Sigur, who seems to have tipped the creature over the edge; the half-orc defends stoically and keeps the undead fiend at bay.</p><p></p><p>“D-E-A-D!” Sigur spells it out again, with volume, as one of his favourite radiant hands slaps the skeleton around the face once more, which does nothing for Sir Keegan’s mood.</p><p></p><p>Tonka is quickly forward, the dragonborn warlord sings-</p><p></p><p>“Onward Bahamut’s soldiers…” Ramm suddenly stirs, drags himself up and makes ready to attack, Tonka breathes out a fan of lightning- between verses, alas the skeleton knight is much too quick, and it barely notices the lightning’s burn.</p><p></p><p>The creature however is forced to move swiftly- ducking and dodging Tonka and Gokan’s attacks, which leaves it once again susceptible to Jimmy’s deft strike- delivered at the same time as Tonka’s formidable attack.</p><p></p><p>The warlord abruptly stops singing.</p><p></p><p>“Destroy it!” The dragonborn screeches and points the way.</p><p></p><p>The staggering skeleton steps aside, trying to extricate itself from the melee, alas it merely steps in to Ramm’s charge; the bellowing minotaur smashes the creature down, one last time.</p><p></p><p>The skeleton knight does not stir.</p><p></p><p>Sigur grumbles, Tonka bristles- the latter heads for the former at speed.</p><p></p><p>“You stupid old dwarf!” Tonka screams in Sigur’s face.</p><p>Sigur puffs out his chest and spits on the floor, then grins.</p><p>“Do you have to upset and insult everyone?” Tonka asks.</p><p>“You want me to play nice with the undead, now?” Sigur leers back.</p><p></p><p>Ramm nudges Tonka.</p><p></p><p>“I think he was going to tell us what went on here- it could have been important…” Tonka continues; Ramm nudges the dragonborn again- the minotaur is duly ignored.</p><p></p><p>“Look, if you don’t have anything reasonable to say then try just shutting up.” Tonka plainly states.</p><p>And then is nudged again by Ramm.</p><p>“What?” Tonka turns to see - Sir Keegan is of course back on his feet, this time with his helm removed.</p><p></p><p>[sblock=Picture- Sir Keegan]</p><p></p><p style="text-align: center"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/8707856407/" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8133/8707856407_97b8eaf9c2_o.png" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></a></p><p></p><p>[/sblock]</p><p></p><p>Tonka swallows hard.</p><p></p><p>“I thought you were dead… again.” Tonka states.</p><p>“That’s what I’ve been saying.” Sigur adds.</p><p></p><p>“The man you seek is Kalarel, my lieutenant- the traitor, he works his magic for his dark lord, he lairs below in the shadow- go to him, end him.” </p><p></p><p>The skeleton knight turns and pointedly stares at Gokan, and then for the longest time at Jimmy.</p><p></p><p>“He killed my family, he left me here to die, he made me what I am!” The skeleton knight indicates his present, unflattering, form.</p><p></p><p>“Save me! Save us!”</p><p></p><p>The skeleton knight begins to fade from existence.</p><p></p><p>“Wait!” Tonka cries.</p><p></p><p>“You have one… memory left to collect- find it… the portal… please!”</p><p></p><p>And Sir Keegan is gone.</p><p></p><p>Just his armour and sword left on the floor where he stood.</p><p></p><p>[sblock=Encounter #14 Synopsis, PC XP & DM’s thoughts]</p><p></p><p style="text-align: center"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/8712484700/" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8543/8712484700_78285b45f7_o.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></a></p><p></p><p><span style="font-size: 15px">Encounter #14 Sir Keegan, starring-</span></p><p></p><p>Skeleton Lord- Sir Keegan (Solo Brute 4) x1</p><p>Combined with a Skill Challenge (of sorts)</p><p></p><p>875 XP Level 4 Encounter.</p><p></p><p><span style="font-size: 15px">PC XP</span></p><p></p><p>175 XP each for a total of 2358 XP in total (PCs Level 2), that is however enough XP for level 3, already.</p><p></p><p><span style="font-size: 15px">DM Thoughts-</span></p><p></p><p>In game this encounter played really well, and proved the prototype for two or three similar encounters in later campaigns- the combination of combat and skill challenge, with the players being drafted in to make one cool speech each. It has proved to be an excellent tactic- particularly effective to outline a twist in the plot.</p><p></p><p>I used a very similar encounter with a Solo Lich Necromancer, in a higher level game of course, the Lich got to deliver some excellent speeches in between the bouts of combat- it transpired, as in this encounter, that the Lich was actually a good guy- or at least he wasn’t the adventurer’s true enemy.</p><p></p><p>As dumb as it sounds having the bad guy ask a question and then point to a random PC works, I know- I said it sounded dumb. </p><p></p><p>The encounter aside the players are about to take another extended rest, the reason for this is twofold-</p><p></p><p>1) They all have enough XP for level three, I realise there have only been a few encounters at this level but the guys were on a roll on level 1 and put off levelling up.</p><p>2) Tonka has not got any healing surges left, again- a recurring theme.</p><p></p><p>And so next time, an extended rest is in order, and a little catch-up, which is pretty much how it went in game; I make it rule to give the players half-an-hour during extended rests (if needed) to chat about what they know so far.</p><p></p><p>[/sblock]</p><p></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: 6145804, member: 16069"] [CENTER][SIZE="5"]KOTS Part 14: The Skeleton Lord.[/SIZE][/CENTER] [sblock=Party Line Up] [CENTER][SIZE="6"]The Hard Core Adventurers Level 2[/SIZE] [url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/8489125293/][img]http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8513/8489125293_6178a97e2d_c.jpg[/img][/url][/CENTER] [/sblock] [sblock=Picture- The Skeleton Knight enters] [CENTER][url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/8715024425/][img]http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7349/8715024425_64e988a106_z.jpg[/img][/url][/CENTER] [/sblock] And yet somehow Gokan is there, before Tonka, battleaxe raised to meet the skeleton knight’s sword- the half-orc’s face barely registers the effort - that is until the barbarian’s axes begin to sing- Gokan grins as he whirls, and cuts, and slashes. The skeleton knight is hit three times in quick succession, the first a hefty blow almost turns it around; the second dents its helm and rattles its skull, the last sweeps a leg and sends the formidable fiend down to the floor. “But…” It begins, the rattler rattled. [sblock=Info] Gokan has a way with his axes, a Charge followed by Furious Assault and Takedown Strike- it’s a shame his Action Point Howling Strike missed the spot- and with Combat Advantage (he rolled a ‘2’), still that’s 36 points of damage, not too shabby. [/sblock] Jimmy scurries in to the action, dodging and manoeuvring, the halfling rogue stabs not once but twice, both times finding weak spots or else joins in the skeleton’s heavy armour. “It can’t be…” The skeleton whispers, clearly out of sorts. [sblock=Info] Jimmy’s Sly Flourish, Action Point and the same again- both hits, delivers another 34 points of damage to the prone skeleton knight- blimey, what an opening salvo. [/sblock] “CEASE!” The skeleton screams… and everything does, sort of. A circle of force shoots out from the undead creature as it leaps back to its feet- pushing all of the adventurers away, no exceptions- even Sigur, the dwarf, gives ground. The air around the adventurers seems to thicken, to take on a semi-solid state; their movements are ponderous, in slow motion. [sblock=Picture- Time stop] [CENTER][url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/8716142824/][img]http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7356/8716142824_c5dd925c5b_z.jpg[/img][/url][/CENTER] [/sblock] “I am Sir Keegan, Lord of the Shadow Keep. I am sworn to defend this place against the foul interlopers that even in death haunt me still. Know this, foul miscreants, my sword is true. Who are you?” [sblock=Info] This encounter combines combat and a skill challenge in to one; every time the PCs reduce Sir Keegan’s (the Skeleton Lord) hit points by 25% the fighting stops- all effects and conditions on Sir Keegan end (including Marks/Oaths et al), he stands as a Free Action (if Prone), and time stops for a moment. Obviously I didn’t tell the PCs what was going on- just made it clear that this guy was talking to them, and giving them a moment to answer- they figured it out pretty quick, and loved the idea- at least some of them, Ramm and Gokan are not that sociable. Regardless, they’re each going to get the chance to make a little speech, or two. [/sblock] Tonka, as always, is inclined to speech-making. “I am Tantalus Orontor Ne-an Koriolis Arbon, second lieutenant of the holy order of the Knights of the Bahamut. I have sworn an oath to serve my master in all things- I have been sent here to put an end to the abominations which dwell within this place, to destroy the evil cult that broods here within the shadows. Do not test me foul knight for I will end thee!” Tonka attempts to perform a flourish with his sword, alas the air is too thick; he almost spills his blade in the attempt. The skeleton staggers as if struck by a great blow; it looks around itself, as if unsure of what should follow next. Jimmy steps in, or rather shouts out. “I don’t care who you are you stinking undead fiend, I’m here to take you down- and any others that get in my way. My brother was killed here, in this filthy hole full of stinking goblins and diseased rats. His death will be avenged.” By the time Jimmy finishes his speech he’s spitting and screaming, clearly upset and angry. The skeleton knight is sent staggering back; it crashes hard in to one of the doors behind it. “This cannot…” The skeleton stutters, “I too…” Alas the rest of the undead creature’s speech is curtailed as the time-stop suddenly ends; the action goes back to full-pace. A glowing radiant hand rushes forward and slaps the fiend. Sigur steps forward, his magical rod before him- the surly dwarf mutters and grins- a beam of radiant light arcs out and slams in to the skeleton knight, sending it shooting back through the open doors and in to the chamber beyond. Instinctively the adventurers scurry forward, following on through the doors, the skeleton sprawls against the side of an ornate sarcophagus- the newly revealed chamber is a well-constructed tomb, clearly belonging to someone important. The skeleton knight staggers to its feet, dazed and disorientated. “I… that is…” It begins, but again it doesn’t get to finish its sentence- Tonka and Ramm charge in to the undead fiend- cutting and slicing as they go- both connect, Ramm with a hefty blow with his battleaxe and a follow up smash to the face with his shield. The skeleton knight is sent sprawling on to the floor, yet again. It’s on its feet and back at its attackers in the blink of an eye. [sblock=Info] Oh yeah, and Sir Keegan the Skeleton Lord at the start of its round ends all effects and conditions (as previous) and gets back to its feet as a Free Action. I added this bit on the fly in game because the PCs had my guy just short of bloodied and we were only in the first round- Sir Keegan hadn’t even hit yet. [/sblock] The skeleton cuts at Ramm, the minotaur bellows and dodges back- too late, its longsword opens up a deep wound in Ramm’s chest, a curtain of blood slicks from it; to make matters worse the blade’s bite leaves him numb- necrotic energy turns the wound in to a virulent ragged furrow. [sblock=Info] Ramm is bloodied in an instant- I rolled maximum damage, that’s 25 hit points in total. [/sblock] “Fight me!” The skeleton roars at Ramm. “Kill me!” It roars again at all of the adventurers. “End this charade.” It mutters to itself. But Tonka and Jimmy hear- the dragonborn warlord looks confused, and then moments later enlightened. [sblock=Picture- Kill me!] [CENTER][url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/8715024013/][img]http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7283/8715024013_1b28df9b0a_z.jpg[/img][/url][/CENTER] [/sblock] [sblock=Info] There was a little chatter around the table after the Skeleton Knight’s speech- the fact that this was Sir Keegan, however the PCs have Sir Keegan pegged as the bad guy, the contents of the speech seemed to slip past some of them. Stu, who plays Tonka, figured it out however- this guy might not be the bad guy, he voiced his concerns- which got the adventurers thinking, not necessarily a bad thing. [/sblock] Gokan charges in to the skeleton knight, his axes whirl and smash- and again he manages to connect, the undead fiend is knocked back once more. “STOP!” The fiend shouts and raises its hand again- a circle of force shoots out knocking the adventurers back, the skeleton knight recovers quickly- time slows as previously. [sblock=Picture- Bloodied] [CENTER][url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/8716177758/][img]http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7294/8716177758_fa69fcaf6e_z.jpg[/img][/url][/CENTER] [/sblock] “Why are you here? Answer me quickly or pay with your blood?” The skeleton knight points its blade at Ramm. The minotaur shrugs, looks confused for a moment, straightens and then speaks. “Sgt. Ramm, Winterhaven Guard. My job is to protect the little one.” Ramm nods towards Jimmy, the halfling looks pleased and a little surprised. Ramm continues, “There are bad things here- I’m here to put an end to them, it’s what I do- it’s my duty.” Ramm nods once; the skeleton knight straightens its back and nods back- a salute of sorts. “And you, offspring of a dark union?” Sir Keegan points at Gokan. Gokan looks suitably put out, while Jimmy grimaces- his eyes flash anger. “You’re in no position to judge me- look at you.” Gokan points with his battleaxe at the skeleton knight’s lower limbs, the only part of the creature not encased in heavy armour. “An undead fiend. I had no say in my ancestry- and yet I am proud of both of my parents, but I did not choose them. What path did you choose? Why were you punished so when you came to your end?” The skeleton knight adopts a thoughtful pose; clearly the confrontation has taken an unexpected route. “Answer my brother.” Jimmy snaps, still in a fury, the halfling rogue tumbles forward as time suddenly runs true once more; the skeleton knight’s sword flashes out, but too high for the tumbling rogue. Suddenly a thunderclap rings out, centred above the undead fiend, the creature staggers back dazed and disorientated, sword flailing wildly- Jimmy’s already behind the creature, his vicious dagger scores a hit, smashing bones. “Fiend!” The skeleton knight screams in agony, half-turns to get at Jimmy but has to suddenly turn back again- Tonka screams, “for the platinum dragon!” He and Ramm, the minotaur’s wounds now mostly healed, charge forward and smash in to the skeleton. [sblock=Info] And already Sir Keegan is down to 67 hit points (from 268), that’s less than 25% left, and we’re only in the second round of combat. [/sblock] [sblock=Picture- Almost...] [CENTER][url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/8716177524/][img]http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7450/8716177524_5608ac23e0_z.jpg[/img][/url][/CENTER] [/sblock] Again the adventurers are pushed back, with the same slowing of time as before, although the skeleton knight is now looking battered and bruised- bones scored and in places shattered or missing. “Traitors! There were traitors in my keep- they wanted power, they were tempted by the dark side, my lieutenant, my second- Kalarel, he led the rebellion, he opened the gate and in the darkness poured.” The skeleton knight sags, then looks up, and goes on. “This is all that is left, they sealed the catacombs and left us to die, me and what was left of my men, those that remained loyal at the end. I am fated to remain, until… until…” The skeleton knight stands tall again, looks at the assembled adventurers and asks. “I paid with my life, what would you give? How far will you go to prevent the darkness spreading? You.” Sir Keegan points at Sigur. “You have not spoken.” Sigur grins. Tonka looks at the dwarf, hisses- Sigur looks over, still grinning, Tonka shakes his head, mouths “No…”, and “Don’t”, all the while shaking his head. Sigur continues to grin, he even chuckles a little. “I don’t give a goblin’s arse about you and yours, or even what happened here- you’re dead son, D-E-A-D.” Sigur spells it out. “And in a moment you’re going to join the other shattered bones on the floor of this tomb- your tomb if I’m not mistaken. I heard you killed your wife and kids you stupid homicidal bastard. Now shut up, and put up your sword!” Sigur screams the last sentence. Tonka continues to shake his head- time returns in a rush, the skeleton warrior is a blur- his blade lashes out in a series of complex arcs, in the process slicing through Ramm’s and Tonka’s armour, the pair are left bleeding and bloodied in an instant. “For that… you will die!” Sir Keegan hisses at Sigur. A sudden burst of freezing inky black energy shoots from Sir Keegan’s off-hand, engulfs all of the adventurers and yet only Ramm emerges from the shadow numb and bellowing in pain, the others somehow escape all hurt. The minotaur fighter however is left staggering, barely able to keep its feet. [sblock=Info] Ramm’s down to 5 hit points only. [/sblock] “To the last then!” The skeleton knight confirms, and rushes to attack again. [sblock=Picture- To The Last] [CENTER][url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/8716177286/][img]http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7419/8716177286_1b256b5415_z.jpg[/img][/url][/CENTER] [/sblock] Gokan intercedes once again, gets between the skeleton knight and Sigur, who seems to have tipped the creature over the edge; the half-orc defends stoically and keeps the undead fiend at bay. “D-E-A-D!” Sigur spells it out again, with volume, as one of his favourite radiant hands slaps the skeleton around the face once more, which does nothing for Sir Keegan’s mood. Tonka is quickly forward, the dragonborn warlord sings- “Onward Bahamut’s soldiers…” Ramm suddenly stirs, drags himself up and makes ready to attack, Tonka breathes out a fan of lightning- between verses, alas the skeleton knight is much too quick, and it barely notices the lightning’s burn. The creature however is forced to move swiftly- ducking and dodging Tonka and Gokan’s attacks, which leaves it once again susceptible to Jimmy’s deft strike- delivered at the same time as Tonka’s formidable attack. The warlord abruptly stops singing. “Destroy it!” The dragonborn screeches and points the way. The staggering skeleton steps aside, trying to extricate itself from the melee, alas it merely steps in to Ramm’s charge; the bellowing minotaur smashes the creature down, one last time. The skeleton knight does not stir. Sigur grumbles, Tonka bristles- the latter heads for the former at speed. “You stupid old dwarf!” Tonka screams in Sigur’s face. Sigur puffs out his chest and spits on the floor, then grins. “Do you have to upset and insult everyone?” Tonka asks. “You want me to play nice with the undead, now?” Sigur leers back. Ramm nudges Tonka. “I think he was going to tell us what went on here- it could have been important…” Tonka continues; Ramm nudges the dragonborn again- the minotaur is duly ignored. “Look, if you don’t have anything reasonable to say then try just shutting up.” Tonka plainly states. And then is nudged again by Ramm. “What?” Tonka turns to see - Sir Keegan is of course back on his feet, this time with his helm removed. [sblock=Picture- Sir Keegan] [CENTER][url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/8707856407/][img]http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8133/8707856407_97b8eaf9c2_o.png[/img][/url][/CENTER] [/sblock] Tonka swallows hard. “I thought you were dead… again.” Tonka states. “That’s what I’ve been saying.” Sigur adds. “The man you seek is Kalarel, my lieutenant- the traitor, he works his magic for his dark lord, he lairs below in the shadow- go to him, end him.” The skeleton knight turns and pointedly stares at Gokan, and then for the longest time at Jimmy. “He killed my family, he left me here to die, he made me what I am!” The skeleton knight indicates his present, unflattering, form. “Save me! Save us!” The skeleton knight begins to fade from existence. “Wait!” Tonka cries. “You have one… memory left to collect- find it… the portal… please!” And Sir Keegan is gone. Just his armour and sword left on the floor where he stood. [sblock=Encounter #14 Synopsis, PC XP & DM’s thoughts] [CENTER][url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/8712484700/][img]http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8543/8712484700_78285b45f7_o.jpg[/img][/url][/CENTER] [SIZE="4"]Encounter #14 Sir Keegan, starring-[/SIZE] Skeleton Lord- Sir Keegan (Solo Brute 4) x1 Combined with a Skill Challenge (of sorts) 875 XP Level 4 Encounter. [SIZE="4"]PC XP[/SIZE] 175 XP each for a total of 2358 XP in total (PCs Level 2), that is however enough XP for level 3, already. [SIZE="4"]DM Thoughts-[/SIZE] In game this encounter played really well, and proved the prototype for two or three similar encounters in later campaigns- the combination of combat and skill challenge, with the players being drafted in to make one cool speech each. It has proved to be an excellent tactic- particularly effective to outline a twist in the plot. I used a very similar encounter with a Solo Lich Necromancer, in a higher level game of course, the Lich got to deliver some excellent speeches in between the bouts of combat- it transpired, as in this encounter, that the Lich was actually a good guy- or at least he wasn’t the adventurer’s true enemy. As dumb as it sounds having the bad guy ask a question and then point to a random PC works, I know- I said it sounded dumb. The encounter aside the players are about to take another extended rest, the reason for this is twofold- 1) They all have enough XP for level three, I realise there have only been a few encounters at this level but the guys were on a roll on level 1 and put off levelling up. 2) Tonka has not got any healing surges left, again- a recurring theme. And so next time, an extended rest is in order, and a little catch-up, which is pretty much how it went in game; I make it rule to give the players half-an-hour during extended rests (if needed) to chat about what they know so far. [/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]
Insert quotes…
Verification
Post reply
Community
Playing the Game
Story Hour
Hard Core Adventurers- KOTS 20.06 The Cathedral of Shadows
Top