[DnD 4e PBP] God is dead. (Lorrum (un)Death March!)

Kay · April 2012

Lyssa steps in front of her star-sister, gestures to the heavens, and causes divine light to rain down upon the lead monstrosity.

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hippofant · April 2012

With a putrid sizzle, the zombie's flesh burrrrrrrns.

Map

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Stats

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Companions

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Caravan Status

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Azael, the civvies are yours this combat. Remember, they each get 1 action per turn.

The trees grant cover against ranged attacks. The trunks of the trees (middle square of 3x3 trees, or just the middle corner of 2x2 trees) grant cover against melee, blast, or burst attacks.

The weird yellowish grass is the slope of the hill. When moving left to right onto the hill slope, it is difficult terrain. When moving right to left on the hill slope, you get an extra square of movement per action (including while shifting) as well as an extra 1d6 damage if charging.

While moving right to left or getting hit on the slope, you must make an DC 5 Acrobatics check to keep from falling prone. These rolls are cumulative: if you get hit and forced to move down the slope, that's two DC 5 checks to stop falling prone, or if you move and charge on the slope, that's also two checks.

ROLL INITIATIVE!!!

Also, I don't think anybody surged, so do that if you want. Or not

deadonthestreet · April 2012

Iados spends two surges and rolls a Initiative: 1d20+1 2.

Kay · April 2012

Lyssa's confidence remains unshaken - her starlight may not have struck true, but the sound of Azael's acid orb burning the closest zombie's flesh is certainly satisfying.

Initiative! 1d20+0 18

Grog · April 2012

Fosphil awaits the undead counter attack with the patience of an oak.

Initiative: 1d20+1 2

ironzerg · April 2012

The Warlord secures his shield and readies his longsword.

Initiative: 1d20+1 18

Battlefront Shift: Ashley will shift 3 squares to S16.

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adventfalls · April 2012

Azael stared up at the zombies, unimpressed.

Initiative: 1d20+2 5

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hippofant · April 2012

As fast as an acid orb, the zombies begin barreling down the hillside, some taking flight halfway down to launch wildly out-of-control attacks on the women at the front of the caravan. The remainder continue to prowl the top of the hillside, looming down over the beginning skirmish below.

Actions

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Map

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Stats

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Companions

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Caravan Status

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Azael, the civvies are yours this combat. Remember, they each get 1 action per turn.

The trees grant cover against ranged attacks. The trunks of the trees (middle square of 3x3 trees, or just the middle corner of 2x2 trees) grant cover against melee, blast, or burst attacks.

The weird yellowish grass is the slope of the hill. When moving left to right onto the hill slope, it is difficult terrain. When moving right to left on the hill slope, you get an extra square of movement per action (including while shifting) as well as an extra 1d6 damage if charging.

While moving right to left or getting hit on the slope, you must make an DC 5 Acrobatics check to keep from falling prone. These rolls are cumulative: if you get hit and forced to move down the slope, that's two DC 5 checks to stop falling prone, or if you move and charge on the slope, that's also two checks.

Caleb then Lyssa!

ironzerg · April 2012

Caleb quickly charges towards Lyssa as the undead fall in around her. He defiantly drives the Battle Standard of Lorrum down in the middle of the battlefield, hoping to inspire all his allies. He calls out to Lyssa, "Hold the line! The people of Lorrum stand with you!". Everyone near the standard feels their blood rush just a little faster as the standard flies in the crisp wind.

Ashley, however, is too busy flailing at the undead in front of her to notice, and instead opts to skip back a step after unleashing a seemingly ineffective attack.

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Lyssa! I hope you hid a little extra righteouness in that bodice!

Kay · April 2012

Lyssa grits her teeth against the pain of the flying zombie's charge, but steels herself in the face of the enemy, knowing that the Lorrumites need her strength.

The Star-Paladin throws everything she can against the undead creature, assailing it with the divine fury of the stars, goading it to stay and fight. Then the stars seek weak points to take advantage of, setting her up for a stronger attack somewhere down the line. For now, subtlety is forgotten, and she merely slashes viciously at her opponent with her sword, wreathed in the cold fire of her patrons. Ichor spurts, and dead flesh blackens.

"FOR LORRUM!" she yells, preparing to press her advantage.

Meanwhile, Eiji runs for the treeline, then selects an alchemical concoction. He pulls back his arm, and lets it fly.

The jar strikes one of the hovering zombies in the knees, spattering it and the other undead near it with caustic, sticky glue, hindering their movements. The little gnome fistpumps, and grins at the success of his 'invention'.

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Stats

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The March of the Dead continues...

hippofant · April 2012

Sticky glue, searing light, flappy pieces of cloth be damned, the zombies continue barreling down the hill, with Lyssa being the unfortunate recipient of their attentions, being closest to the base of the hill.

Actions

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Map

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Stats

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Companions

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Caravan Status

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Azael, the civvies are yours this combat. Remember, they each get 1 action per turn.

The trees grant cover against ranged attacks. The trunks of the trees (middle square of 3x3 trees, or just the middle corner of 2x2 trees) grant cover against melee, blast, or burst attacks.

The weird yellowish grass is the slope of the hill. When moving left to right onto the hill slope, it is difficult terrain. When moving right to left on the hill slope, you get an extra square of movement per action (including while shifting) as well as an extra 1d6 damage if charging.

While moving right to left or getting hit on the slope, you must make an DC 5 Acrobatics check to keep from falling prone. These rolls are cumulative: if you get hit and forced to move down the slope, that's two DC 5 checks to stop falling prone, or if you move and charge on the slope, that's also two checks.

Azael, Iados (who is now visible on the map, oops), and Fosphil!

Grog · May 2012

While Dundalinane lays down covering fire, the elder wilden dashes towards where the beasts have gathered. Spear spinning and stabbing, he creates a few holes in decomposing wings. Enough to get their attention at least.

Actions

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Stats

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Azael, Iados (who is now visible on the map, oops)

adventfalls · May 2012

With a silent, careful motion that seemed unlike him, Wenceslas went towards one of the undead and tried to poke it with his spear. Tried, because he failed so horribly that under a less forgiving DM his spear might have stabbed him instead.

Azael meanwhile, was working crowd control as the refugees moved back. Two zombies fell within the wrath of her arcane might, but only one seemed to flinch at the spell.

Spoiler:

Iados!

deadonthestreet · May 2012

Iados moves forward a bit and tries like heck to make the zombies very very sad. One of them has so much joy in its undead, unbeating heart that it escapes the assault. However, the other is plunged into a deep depression.

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hippofant · May 2012

Sticky glue, searing light, flappy pieces of cloth be damned, the zombies continue barreling down the hill, with Lyssa being the unfortunate recipient of their attentions, being closest to the base of the hill.

Actions

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Map

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Stats

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Companions

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Caravan Status

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Azael, the civvies are yours this combat. Remember, they each get 1 action per turn.

The trees grant cover against ranged attacks. The trunks of the trees (middle square of 3x3 trees, or just the middle corner of 2x2 trees) grant cover against melee, blast, or burst attacks.

The weird yellowish grass is the slope of the hill. When moving left to right onto the hill slope, it is difficult terrain. When moving right to left on the hill slope, you get an extra square of movement per action (including while shifting) as well as an extra 1d6 damage if charging.

While moving right to left or getting hit on the slope, you must make an DC 5 Acrobatics check to keep from falling prone. These rolls are cumulative: if you get hit and forced to move down the slope, that's two DC 5 checks to stop falling prone, or if you move and charge on the slope, that's also two checks.

The Glass Warlord!

Grog · May 2012

Fosphil manages to blunt the first strike with his shield, but the force of the blow still sends him flying.

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Stats

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The Classy Warlord!

Kay · May 2012

The onslaught of the flying undead is fast and fierce, and the blow to Lyssa's shoulder causes her to flash out of existence briefly, reappearing in the midst of her companions. She turns her wrathful gaze on the nearest zombie, marking it for later, then unleashes a devastating burst of radiant light directly at her attacker, burning it with the pure energy of the stars.

And this is where the melee gets confusing.

"FOR LORRUM!" the petite half-elven woman yells, before diving back into the fray. She clasps her sword in both hands as it starts to shine with a piercing, burning light, causing the living to look away for fear of losing their sight. The crunch of the blow she strikes makes the outcome of her charge all too apparent, and a zombie lies broken and burned at her feet while another of the group charred and corroded by the Paladin's power.

"For Lorrum!" comes another cry, this time from the mostly hidden Alchemist in the bushes. He launches another of his firey inventions, burning the zombie previously harassing Fosphil to a crisp, while setting another alight. He cackles madly, then scurries deeper into the foliage, disappearing from the undead's senses almost entirely.

Actions:

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Stats

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The Classy Warlord! (He gets his bonus next turn, unless he wants to delay effectively.)

ironzerg · May 2012

Caleb's eyes are dazzled as the holy fire emenates from Lyssa! He has to avert his eyes from the spectacle, thus charging towards Ashley to help with the zombie floating above her. He lashes out with his sword, hoping to create an opening for Ashley. Seizing her chance, she makes a leaping strike, connecting with a solid crack to the undead's skull! The undead's head bobbles back and forth as he seeks his senses...

Caleb then calls out to Fosphil, "Stay stalwart, my friend. These beasts will have no more victims today!". Everyone near the standard continues to feel a burst of energy rush across their skin, as the battle standard continues to fly.

Spoiler:

Boo! Hiss! Team Ugly Zombie!

hippofant · May 2012

As the warlord rushes into the fray, he himself almost becomes another victim, having opened himself to attack. Though the zombie flails wildly in its attack, Caleb remains pressed between two mindless flesh hulks.

Actions

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Map

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Stats

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Companions

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Caravan Status

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Azael, the civvies are yours this combat. Remember, they each get 1 action per turn.

The trees grant cover against ranged attacks. The trunks of the trees (middle square of 3x3 trees, or just the middle corner of 2x2 trees) grant cover against melee, blast, or burst attacks.

The weird yellowish grass is the slope of the hill. When moving left to right onto the hill slope, it is difficult terrain. When moving right to left on the hill slope, you get an extra square of movement per action (including while shifting) as well as an extra 1d6 damage if charging.

While moving right to left or getting hit on the slope, you must make an DC 5 Acrobatics check to keep from falling prone. These rolls are cumulative: if you get hit and forced to move down the slope, that's two DC 5 checks to stop falling prone, or if you move and charge on the slope, that's also two checks.

Azael!

Grog · May 2012

Seeing the warlord surrounded, Fosphil moves with a deceptive agility for his age. Before the foul undead can so much as bare their fangs, a blow from his shield sends one of them flying back toward the flock, while a backhanded blow stuns the other (admittedly already concussed) zombie.

Distracted by this feat of strength Dundalinane let's out a shout of surprise, giving away her position and causing her shot to go wide.

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Stats

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Azael!

adventfalls · May 2012

Azael grinned as Fosphil pushed a zombie right into the perfect spot. Just the beauty of the move! It was an intoxicating opportunity, one that she couldn't pass up. With a mighty spell, four zombies were trapped and three had their skin burned from their walking corpses.

Wenceslas was not so fortunate in opportunities, instead trying to poke a skeleton that was annoying Fosphil.

Spoiler:

Iados!

deadonthestreet · May 2012

"They aren't very smart, are they?" Iados asks as he moves up the line, firing blasts at the flying zombies. As the powerful blast strikes them, they seem mostly unphased. "Er, they are pretty tough, though."

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hippofant · May 2012

Though our heroes seem to have the situation well in hand, having obliterated half of the undead blocking their path and the remainder largely constrained by magics and glue, the imminent threat of zombificiation is not quite passed. One zombie manages to sneak through their front-line, dealing a heavy blow to the powerful but fragile sorceress, while another lands a mighty blow against Lyssa's temple, leaving the star-paladin seeing stars herself. Perhaps there is something to be said for mindless toughness over clever overconfidence!

Actions

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Map

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Stats

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Companions

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Caravan Status

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Azael, the civvies are yours this combat. Remember, they each get 1 action per turn.

The trees grant cover against ranged attacks. The trunks of the trees (middle square of 3x3 trees, or just the middle corner of 2x2 trees) grant cover against melee, blast, or burst attacks.

The weird yellowish grass is the slope of the hill. When moving left to right onto the hill slope, it is difficult terrain. When moving right to left on the hill slope, you get an extra square of movement per action (including while shifting) as well as an extra 1d6 damage if charging.

While moving right to left or getting hit on the slope, you must make an DC 5 Acrobatics check to keep from falling prone. These rolls are cumulative: if you get hit and forced to move down the slope, that's two DC 5 checks to stop falling prone, or if you move and charge on the slope, that's also two checks.

Lyssa et al.!

Grog · May 2012

Fosphil curses his carelessness when the calloused corpses send Lyssa careening. Slapping Wenceslas on the back, confident in the quiet fellow's ability to finish their foe, the wilden dashes in front of the advancing zombies and fells one with a mighty thrust of his spear.

Dundalinane does a tree dance.

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Stats

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Lyssa et al. the rest!

Kay · May 2012

As the flying zombies close in, Lyssa looks around at her allies, blood on her lips thanks to the battering she is enduring. Fosphil's charge, and subsequent kill, emboldens her. She levels her sword at the one flapping near the Wilden fighter, and screams a challenge. A pale halo shimmers around the undead abomination's head, spurring it to attack her.

She then gestures to the monster advancing on Azael and Iados, and her star symbol flashes in response. For a moment, nothing happens, then an almighty surge of cold, pure light lances down from the heavens, pinning the creature in place while it flays the decaying flesh from its ensorcelled bones. Again, she turns, this time directing a beam of intense, divine energy from her star symbol, just daring the thing to move towards her and attack.

The slight half-elven woman coughs, and her stance wavers as she channels her powers.

"Lyssa!" Eiji cries, bursting from the undergrowth to throw a potion towards her. "You cannot fall!"

The Star Paladin is bolstered by the healing brew, and her sword glows with that now-familiar light again. Though nothing is in reach of her instinctive swing.

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Stats

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No trees, no starshards.

ironzerg · May 2012

As holy light and arcane fire sear the air around him, Caleb turns his fury on the zombie in front of him. Forgoing any sort of skill and finesse, Caleb braces his shoulder against his shield and barrels into the rotting hulk. The forces of his charge causes the zombie to crumble, leaving Caleb standing in a pile of fetid gore. Looking for greener pastures, the Warlord begins to flank the remaining zombies, hopping to cut off any chance at escape.

Ashley, inspired by the Warlord's grit decides to take a more tactful approach. She quickly darts forward, bringing her mace down on the skull of another zombie, crushing it like a rotten melon. As the guts and goo shower down around the body, she's able to deftly roll back away from the mess.

Spoiler:

Finish them!!

hippofant · May 2012

Map

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Stats

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Companions

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Caravan Status

Spoiler:

Azael, the civvies are yours this combat. Remember, they each get 1 action per turn.

The trees grant cover against ranged attacks. The trunks of the trees (middle square of 3x3 trees, or just the middle corner of 2x2 trees) grant cover against melee, blast, or burst attacks.

The weird yellowish grass is the slope of the hill. When moving left to right onto the hill slope, it is difficult terrain. When moving right to left on the hill slope, you get an extra square of movement per action (including while shifting) as well as an extra 1d6 damage if charging.

While moving right to left or getting hit on the slope, you must make an DC 5 Acrobatics check to keep from falling prone. These rolls are cumulative: if you get hit and forced to move down the slope, that's two DC 5 checks to stop falling prone, or if you move and charge on the slope, that's also two checks.

Azael et Iados!

deadonthestreet · June 2012

Iados looks at the remaining thingey and stares hard. Real hard. And the thingey in the air squawks a terrible noise as it recoils in pain. And then falls to the earth, dead again.

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Grog · June 2012

A little surprised at the creature's seemingly spontaneous death, Fosphil signals the all clear to the cowering Lorrumites.
"Come, we will be exposed climbing the hill. Gather what you can from the carts and ready some rop-" The wilden stops when he sees the others pausing for breath or tending to wounds.
"Ah, yes. A rest first perhaps."

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ironzerg · June 2012

Surverying the battle field, the Warlord takes solace in the fact that they won't have to put another body on a cart this time. As the others are bandaging wounds and take a short rest, Caleb looks towards the sun, trying to guess how many hours of daylight they have left.

deadonthestreet · June 2012

"That was...not so bad? Now I'm nervous..."

Kay · June 2012

Lyssa takes a few moments to recover, then cleans her sword. "We should move on from here a ways, and make camp," she suggests. "And it is not only the Lorrumites who are exhausted."

adventfalls · June 2012

Azael grunted, limping quite a bit from that last blow. "Tell me about it. I never thought a bag of bones could hit that hard."

hippofant · June 2012

Taking heed of Lyssa's suggestion, after struggling up the hill, the caravan pushes on but a while until it arrives at a forest clearing in the late afternoon. There they come to a stop for the night to rest and recover. As they set up camp for the night, Mathilda pulls Caleb aside. "Sir Caleb, I'm afraid we're running low on supplies. I think we may have lost some in the attacks, and now we don't have enough to go around tonight...."

It is time... to split the party! Some of you will need to forage for food, while others stay behind to organize/defend/rally the Lorrumites. Your companions will not be directly involved, but their skills and expertise may be utilised juts as any other Lorrumite's. I will not lay out mechanically how to win or what you get for winning this challenge, since I think it's actually imbalanced due to my splitting the party up, but there will be good things or bad things resulting!

So. Decide how you want to split yourselves up, and !ready when you're in your teams.

Stats

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ironzerg · June 2012

"I appreciate the respect, but I'm no 'sir'. But it is grim news that of all things that stop us from reaching Dalequan. I will speak with the others. In the meantime, please prepare what meals you can for the women and children, the ill or elderly. And please have any abled bodied man...or woman, report to me as quickly as they can, regardless of their fighting experience.".

With that, Caleb rounds up the rest of his comrades and explains the situation.

"So those are the details. What do you guys think? We'll definitely need to split up. Some into the woods, some here at camp. Any volunteers?" says the Warlord, looking towards the darkening woods, a scold on his face.

deadonthestreet · June 2012

"I'm probably the best there is here at finding things, seeing as how that's kind of what I do. I've never tried to find food though, so this will be a new one for me. Anyone else feel like coming along and helping me not get killed? Maybe someone that can tell me if the mushrooms I find are poison and will kill us all?"

Kay · June 2012

Lyssa considers this, then nods towards the train of wagons.

"I think I would be best here," the girl says. "My armour, I would be more of a hinderance than a help while hunting. I could help calm the Lorrumites, keep things together at base camp. I am also well-suited to protecting them, I feel."

Grog · June 2012

"My eyes are keen as the horned man and I've knowledge of poisons, though I know little of what could be nourishing to your kind."

adventfalls · June 2012

"I've got the gift of gab.... and I know a thing or two about magic."

ironzerg · June 2012

As the heroes strategize back and forth about the various combinations, who may be better at what, and whose armor makes the least noise, the Warlord puts his hand up, bringing the discussion to a stop.

"That settles it. Fosphil and myself will venture into the woods to see what we can find. The rest of you, stay near the caravan. Try to set up some sort of defensive perimeter, and if you have time perhaps you can look around the outskirts to see if there's anything useful."

With that, Caleb slings his shield across his back, tightens his sword belt and motions to Fosphil to follow.

"And if by chance we aren't back by first light, continue to Dalequan. We'll meet you on the road."

Penny Arcade

[DnD 4e PBP] God is dead. (Lorrum (un)Death March!)

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