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[D&D 4E PbP] (IC) Keep on the Shadowfell+ - Chapter 1: The King's Road
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With that, the priestess starts to walk briskly towards the exit from the audience chamber.
"Well," Lord Markelhay then says. "The task at hand is set. Report to the stables in the morning, and you will be issued with steeds for the journey to Winterhaven, as well as supplies, and a map, should you need one. And, as payment from your previous assignment," The Lord Warden produces a pouch of coins from his belt, and offers it towards Godfrey. The hefty chink of coinage can be heard as the pouch drops into the Paladin's metal-clad palm. "Two hundred gold pieces. And I bid you goodnight."
Nimorazan dawdles down the steps as Faren speaks, and pauses between Ezekiel and Tara on the way. "I will meet you there tomorrow, before you leave," he says. "There is a ritual I would like to try out, to add speed to your travelling. Oh, and a little something to make the nights easier, should you need it. Do not forget, and leave without them!" The High Septarch then smiles absently, and follows after Sister Kingsblood, but at a much slower pace.
As things draw to a close, he nods an agreement to the aged wizard's suggestion on departure. On the way out, he remarks to Nolar on his prognosis of the trip.
"I give it two days before we have to club someone on the road."
...Three days."
"I swear on the credit of Waukeen that the archaeologist and rod alike shall be returned safe and sound!" he declares with his hand to his breast as he so swears. Thereafter he sets to the task of doling out the pouch of coins amongst the party evenly. Yes, legitimately evenly. He was a businessman and it would not do to have his reputation besmirched.
To Andrei's question, Godfrey merely laughs.
"My good man, I am a golem! I do not eat. Or sleep, ever. My zest for life is literally boundless!" he declares. To him, this is clearly the best thing in the world.
White FC: 0819 3350 1787
"Zeke is correct. Before the third sunrise, someone will be traveling unconscious."
The others become bewildered at the lucid comment to which the dragonborn simply shrugs before gesturing to Godfrey for the pouch. "F-frey, I believe we were shorted seven gold pieces, may I account and disperse the reward?"
Tokul makes no mention or awareness of the black knight or his extravagant entrance.
White FC: 0819 3350 1787
He smiled awkwardly before placing the small pouch with the warforged once again.
Waiting for them at the stables, is the Lord Warden's attendant, Thomas. The normally calm and placid man seems on edge at present, and he noticably avoids Andrei's eyes, while trying to be as far from the Vrancean nobleman as possible. Consequently, he holds the reins for three of Fallcrest's own steeds, while a stableboy holds two more, and a second, older lad tries to keep Master Tzvetanov's stallion under control. For the most part, he does quite well. The fiery-tempered animal settles for tossing its head about imperiously, and glaring at anyone that gets too close.
"Your steeds, ladies and gentlemen," Thomas says as the party approaches. "And a pack, containing maps of the northwesterly areas of the Vale, as well as three day's worth of trail rations for you all." One of the horses wears a pair of large saddlebags, which the servant gestures to.
As the company begin to mount up and prepare, the Vrancean nobleman's entourage arrive with their master, along with High Septarch Nimorazan. The old mage holds an embroidered bag in one hand, and a tankard of some steaming liquid in the other.
"Ho, Zeke lad!" Nimorazan calls as he approaches. "Some things for you, here. Allow me to explain." He halts beside Ezekiel's horse, and lets go of his tankard in mid-air, as if he was placing it on an unseen table. Of course, it rests solidly on the air, not moving while the arcanist searches his bag. "Ah, here we are," he says, pulling what appears to be a large snow-globe from the depths of the bag (and his hand went all the way in to the elbow - a minor enchantment that impresses the locals), to offer it to the scholarly scoundrel.
"Thanks, Nimo. What's this?"
...And of course, instinctively gives it a shake.
"Oh, just a little something I cooked up through the night," Nimorazan says, looking quite pleased with himself as he sips from his steaming tankard. "It's a reusable focus for a ritual I like to call 'Nimorazan's Nice Instant Campsite', which should replace the usual reagents, incenses and the like you'd need to power it. There's enough magic in that to last a week or so, and if it starts to flag, just wiggle your fingers at it and infuse it with a minor cantrip, and it should be good for another week's use," the High Septarch concludes, with a rather pleased smile. "Tea?" he then asks, offering the young man a sip from his cup.
Gratefully accepting the offered beverage, Zeke takes a draught to infuse himself with the indisputable supernatural powers of tea. Handing it back down afterward, he curves a smile at the globe before turning sincere.
"Thanks, Nimo. For everything. And don't worry; we'll find Douvren. I know you two have had your differences at times, but...well. Yeah."
After unloading the ritual instructions off onto Ezekiel, he pulls two rolled scrolls, tied with blue ribbon to the 'practical archaeologist', too. "Found these while I was rummaging around for some reagents, too. Couple of scrolls of Hand of Fate. You will probably get far more use out of them than I would. Just invoke the magic if you're having trouble making a decision, and the ritual will point out the best route for you to take. Single use, though. It's in my shorthand, you won't be able to copy them into your book and make them work, I'm afraid."
...Water."
"The only thing the camp site can't provide is heroism and VALOR! For that we shall have to be the sole font in a land of ice and woe! Let us be to it, our swords the quill of adventure!"
White FC: 0819 3350 1787
He turns to the High Septarch, admiring the detailed magical object as he listens to the conversation with Zeke. He unstrapped his quiver as he examined it quizzically, before abruptly shoving it in front of the brazen Nimorazan. "Can you detail this for me? I can't seem to quite understand its methods, but perhaps there is insight to be gained from one such as yourself."
The dragonborn crosses his arms, waiting for the wizard's response. He appears to be ignorant of Tara's advances and personal questioning of the High Septarch.
Nimorazan is interrupted mid-sigh by Tokul's intervention. "Beg pardon..?" he asks, as he takes the quiver. He hands the Dragonborn his still steaming mug of tea (and it smells so inviting, as if it begs to be drunk) while he scrutinises the leather arrow-holding-device.
The High Septarch seems confused at first, and then his eyebrows raise as his expression becomes one of near-childish delight. "Oh-ho!" he says, pulling an arrow free, and letting it fall to the ground. Then he pulls another, and another... and another. "Remarkable! It seems that with this quiver, you will always have an arrow available to fire! But wait," he says, reaching in to take another arrow, this one with a pale blue fletching that seems to glitter, unlike the plain black-and-white feathers used for the other shaft's flights. "What's this I see? It's rather cold... An embedded evocation? How interesting!" He drops the glittering blue arrow - and now Tara can easily recognise the sparkling as a light coating of ice-crystals along the whole shaft, head and feathers - and it strikes the ground pointed-tip first.
Instantly, a circle of mirror-like ice forms at the point of contact, expanding outwards to touch the footwear (or talons) of those clustered around it. Tara, Nimorazan, Tokul, and even Ezekiel's horse both find their feet, claws or hooves fastened to the ground for a moment, though they find they can free themselves with a sharp tug.
Ezekiel's horse dances away to the side, stomping its hooves and tossing its head rebelliously.
The High Septarch peers inside, and finds the quiver full once more, to his great delight. One by one, the spent arrows dissolve into golden residue, and meander through the air on unseen breezes before they settle on the surface of the large polished opal set into the leather of the quiver, only to be absorbed back into the gem.
Tokul stared absentmindedly as he watched the arrows pulled from the quiver, no surprise to him when the enchanted arrow is produced as well. "Four arrows before you got to the freezing one. Last time I tried it produced two-hundred forty seven before I received the ice one. Although, the temperature had risen significantly at that point, so it was quite refreshing."
Tokul nods several times, as if to being questioned by some unseen force. He steps forward and clutches the quiver from the High Septarch as he placed the strap over his shoulder, struggling to find a comfortable spot.
The dragonborn turns to Tara, somewhat glaring in response before continuing. "Did you perchance read about the innate skill contrasts within the human sexual determination by Douvren? He stated, 'there are growing concerns over arcana within the male/female dichotomy that favors the male organism'. I do say he would be interested in meeting you!"
He walks past the dumbstruck two as he nears Thomas, before deciding on a horse, quickly clambering on top of the cloven-hoofed beast. He gently squeezes the horse, so much as to not pierce its hide as it takes off from out the stable.
"I shall scout ahead, Godfrey!"
"One last thing before you start galivanting off, Winterhaven is a day and a half's ride from here. One day if you ride hard, do not stop, and most likely kill your horses. But I have a solution!"
The High Septarch clicks his fingers, mutters something under his breath with his eyes closed, then clicks his fingers again.
"There! Nimorazan's Most Excellent Ritual Preparation, something I must teach you in time, Zeke. Perform a ritual, hold it at the last section, and suspend the magic. Then you can finish it in an instant when needed. Just makes it a little hard to concentrate, don't you know. I've enchanted your steeds with increased stamina and athleticism. I also meddled with the flow of time in their general area, but the less said about that, the better. They will now make the journey in a day! You can thank me when you return, yes. Yes."
And with that, Nimorazan retrieves his tea mug with a wave of his hand, causing it to float from the barrel Tokul set it upon into his grasp, and then starts to head off the way he came.
Thomas continues to make sure everyone is set with their steeds and packs, then pats Tara's mount on the hindquarters. "All set, Champions of Fallcrest. Whichever Gods you may honor, may they watch over you, and keep you safe."
The gates are opened, and the company (plus one irritable Vrancean nobleman) set forth.
The King's Road is not in the best of repair. Still, it is much better than the animal trails and wagon ruts that lead through the forests and to the outlying farms, and is mostly straight and level. The journey is quiet, passing the outskirts of the Cloak Wood is quiet and uneventful, leaving plenty of time for argument, discussion, or gentle conversation. Here and there a ruined cobblestone - a holdover from the times of the Nerath Empire - can be seen protruding from the packed dirt. No news is good news however, and the horses make good time, especially aided by Nimorazan's ritual.
Ezekiel, Tokul, Tara
The King's Road was built during the halcyon days of the Nerath Empire (which eventually fell in the Bloodspear Wars, some ninety years ago), and was a major trade and travel route connecting the Nentir Vale, at the empire's borders, with the major settlements to the south. As there is not a great deal of either these days from south of Harkenwold, it is used mostly as a route between Harkenwold, Fallcrest and Winterhaven.
Gardbury Downs are bleak and bare. The group passes the rough trail that forks from the main road, leading up into the rolling hills that Gardmore Abbey calls home while still within sight of the Cloak Wood. Soon after, a man driving a mostly-empty wagon with a pair of donkeys passes the group - he keeps to himself, and only answers a greeting without offering more as he carries on - but other than that, the road is quiet.
Ezekiel, Tokul, Tara
The Gadbury Downs are the site of a major battle during the Bloodspear Wars. It was here that the forces of Fallcrest attempted to hold back the savage orcs, and it is said that the ghosts of Nentir's Finest still haunt the barren hills. Treasure hunters commonly scour the Downs for buried wealth amongst the shattered armor, broken swords and old bones. Stonemarch Orcs sometimes roam the Downs, but closer to Winterhaven kobolds are more common. The more civilised folk in Fallcrest scoff at the ideas of ghosts on the moors, but the frontiersmen of Winterhaven know better than to wander the Downs at night.
Afternoon starts to turn to dusk, still some way from Winterhaven, when the journey begins to get... interesting.
Godfrey, Ezekiel
You feel uneasy as the day's light fails, and yet you are still at least two hours from Winterhaven's safety. The birds have quietened, and there is a lack of animal activity that your ears (or ear-like arcano-mechanical constructs) can detect.
Roll Perception!
Perception: 1d20+7 22
White FC: 0819 3350 1787
The dragonborn stayed ahead of the group for the most part, galloping ahead for hours at a time. He would return with his horse in a simple trot, as he rode alongside the golden warforged, making reports about the locale and other random facts.
As the group forayed into the Gadbury Downs, Tokul made sure to stay within earshot of the travelers, in lieu of any roving bandits or hostile races.
Yet for all his irritation, Andrei is no fool. He knows (despite the previous evening's conversation and all appearances to the contrary) that the order of Bahamut is a strong and powerful group. Any force or persons who could disrupt their plans is by definition an enemy worthy of consideration... if only for the amount of time it takes to identify and destroy them.
Andrei could not sit by while a group of unknown strangers set out to recover the Rod. The Dark Lady would never forgive him; his only recourse was to travel with this group. If, in so doing, he must assist them in the trifling things they find important, then so be it. And if perchance he comes to know them better, to regard them in a different light, well... That might be a useful thing, too.
~~~
"Vrancean cuisine, Sir Goldfist? Well, to be perfectly honest, it involves a lot of meat, preferably red, preferably rare, and the generous application of spice and heat." Andrei grins at the golden giant, showing his pearlescent white teeth. "Our food is much more... energetic, one can say, than the fare down here in the Vale. You seem to grow an awful lot of grains, vegetables and the like; we're more of a livestock sort of country."
Godfrey mused with characteristic melodramatic gestures, for a moment indulging in a mimickry of licking his fingers as he discusses foodstuffs.
White FC: 0819 3350 1787
Perception: 1d20+8: 18 [1d20=10]
There are no threatening sounds in the air, no sounds at all, in fact. Just the sound of your horse's hooves on the trail, and the conversation on Vrancean cuisine compared to the more pastoral Nentir traditions.
As the lead horses passes between two large boulders - though not really large enough to shield any number of human-sized figures from view - a cacophony of shrill, piercing shouts resounds around the moors, seemingly from all sides. Then they attack, a myriad of rust-scaled creatures wearing a motley of light armor, carrying viciously barbed spears.
Godfrey
You catch a movement from the corner of your eye, behind a rock, moments before the battle cries sound. An ambush! You have time to shout a warning to your allies when making your initiative roll, so they will be aware of the situation and not grant combat advantage during the first round. You could also keep it to yourself if you wanted.
Could everyone pick a starting point in the shaded blue squares. I should have included H-J9 too, so if you want to be AS FAR FOWARD AS POSSIBLE, go there!
Remember that Ezekiel's magical lamp that he's keeping a secret from you gives everyone a +1 to Perception and Insight while within the light radius.
I'm going to assume that everyone uses a free action to dismount on rolling initiative - don't worry about the horses, they're trained to stick around and return after combats, and you know this.
Start in I12.
Initiative: 17
"Finally, something to do!" he exults before calling back over his shoulder. "Sir Goldfist, tend to your companions if you must; I can repel these rabble."
Initiative: 1d20+2 15
I'll start at I9; BOLD D&D.
Tokul began to analyze the sounds once more in his mind before he realized something oddly familiar.
--> Start G12.
"It would be horribly improper to let a foreign dignitary venture into such danger alone my good man! Perish the thought!"
I'll start at I10
Initiative: 1d20-1 18
White FC: 0819 3350 1787
Start in J11
"Damn it Goldfist, why do you have to be so bloody shiny!? You've attracted everything from miles around to take a piece of your hide, again!"
Initiative: 1d20+6: 12 [1d20=6]
Position: G14
A spear slips by the stalwart dwarf's Mordenkrad, striking him low in the torso, the impact blunted by his heavy scale armor. Tara manages to twist away at the last moment to avoid the spear jabbed at her chest, but the broad head of the weapon's business end catches her shoulder and slices the skin beneath it. Two flank Andrei, while another engages Godfrey, but none of them find no purchase on either Templar's platemail. Tokul manages to bat aside an attack at the last moment, thrust at him half-heartedly by a kobold that seems surprised to find him in the cover of the boulder.
The creatures move quickly, and the shouts and yells on all sides make it seem like more lie in wait, ready to strike at just the right moment. With tails lashing and rude spears waved around menacingly, this group of brigands seem to be showing no mercy, with every intent to kill each and every member of the party. However, the two that end up without a packmate by their side seem somewhat wary.
Actions:
--> If attacking from ambush, all members of the Horde can forgo their initiative rolls. Roll 2d20 and keep the highest, then add a single Kobold Minion's Initiative bonus. All members of the Kobold Horde act on this initiative.
--> Initiative: 2d20k1+5 22
Kobold Minion 1: Charge Godfrey
--> Charge Godfrey - AC20: 1d20+4+1 8
--> Miss!
Kobold Minion 2: Charge Tokul
--> Charge Tokul - AC16: 1d20+4+1 8
--> Miss!
Kobold Minion 3: Charge Nolar
--> Charge Nolar - AC17: 1d20+4+1 24
--> Hit!
--> Nolar takes 4 damage
Kobold Minion 4: Charge Andrei (With Combat Advantage)
--> Charge Andrei - AC20 (With CA): 1d20+4+1+2 12
--> Miss!
Kobold Minion 5: Charge Tara
--> Charge Tara - AC15: 1d20+4+1 16
--> Hit!
--> Tara takes 4 damage
Kobold Minion 6: Charge Andrei
--> Charge Andrei - AC20: 1d20+4+1 7
--> Miss!
Any creature not within the radius of Ezekiel's Lantern of Discernment has [Concealment].
Line of sight is active in this map, let's see how it works.
Tokul - HP 24/24; AC16, F15, R13, W13
@G12; Status: [Resourceful Presence]
Tara - HP 19/23; AC15, F12, R16, W14
@J11; Status: Normal
Godfrey - HP 29/29; AC20, F13, R14, W15
@I10; Status: Normal
?? @ ??
Nolar - HP 24/28; AC17, F14, R11, W14
@I12; Status: Normal
Andrei - HP 28/28; AC20, F15, R15, W14
@I9; Status: Normal
Ezekiel - HP 24/24; AC16, F12, R17, W13
@G14; Status: Normal
?? @ ??
?? @ ??
?? @ ??
These are kobolds, small and cowardly creatures that revere dragons as gods. Perhaps you can use that against them, with your dragonish form. They are best in packs, and do not fight well if they are alone. Stragglers are easy pickings. They usually employ specialists with slings using special ammunition - fire, glue, acid, but you don't see any of those around right now.
Cowardly Tactics: A Kobold Minion who is not adjacent to any other kobold suffers a -2 to all defenses.
"Strike that one, Tara! Focus on his torso with your magic!"
However, before the young woman could respond, the arrow plunged into the sniveling runt's gut, yelping loudly as it collapsed to the ground in a heap.
Standard Action: Paint the Bulls-Eye versus Kobold Minion 5 (AC 15, alone, -2 Defenses)
--> 1d20+7: 25 - Hit! [1d20=18]
--> 1d12+0: 11 damage! [1d12=11]
---> Effect: Allies gain Intmod (+3) to damage rolls against target until SoNT.
Tokul - HP 24/24; AC16, F15, R13, W13
@G13; Status: [Resourceful Presence]
Tara - HP 19/23; AC15, F12, R16, W14
@J11; Status: Normal
Godfrey - HP 29/29; AC20, F13, R14, W15
@I10; Status: Normal
?? @ ??
Nolar - HP 24/28; AC17, F14, R11, W14
@I12; Status: Normal
Andrei - HP 28/28; AC20, F15, R15, W14
@I9; Status: Normal
Ezekiel - HP 24/24; AC16, F12, R17, W13
@G14; Status: Normal
?? @ ??
?? @ ??
?? @ ??
Up Next: [Tara], [Godfrey] -- On Deck: [???]
Quickly surveying the area, she points her free hand at a darkened area and the grass there suddenly lights up.
[Draconic] "Why is it, exactly, that you think I..." [/Draconic]
Standard: Beguiling Strands vs Will (Blast 5, G8:K12): 1d20+8 16 Hit! 1d20+8 10 Miss! 1d20+8 26 Hit! 1d20+8 24 Hit! 1d20+8 19 Hit!
Status:
Tokul - HP 24/24; AC16, F15, R13, W13
@G13; Status: [Resourceful Presence]
Tara - HP 19/23; AC15, F12, R16, W14
@I13; Status: Normal
Godfrey - HP 29/29; AC20, F13, R14, W15
@I10; Status: Normal
?? @ ??
Nolar - HP 24/28; AC17, F14, R11, W14
@I12; Status: Normal
Andrei - HP 28/28; AC20, F15, R15, W14
@I9; Status: Normal
Ezekiel - HP 24/24; AC16, F12, R17, W13
@G14; Status: Normal
?? @ ??
?? @ ??
?? @ ??
Up Next: Godfrey] -- On Deck: [???]
"Let Waukeen's Golden Gaze illuminate a path for us my friends!" he bellowed as the symbol flared to life, a gentle whirring noise emanating from within Godfrey upon his transformation into a walking light show.
Standard Action: Virtuous Strike on Kobold Horde 2
Virtuous Strike vs AC: 1d20+7 19 1d8+3 10 heroic damage!
Free Action: Shed bright light at a radius of 20 squares from Waukeen's Coin
Status:
@G13; Status: [Resourceful Presence]
Tara - HP 19/23; AC15, F12, R16, W14
@I13; Status: Normal
Godfrey - HP 29/29; AC20, F13, R14, W15
@H10; Status: +2 bonus to saving throws until SONT
?? @ ??
Nolar - HP 24/28; AC17, F14, R11, W14
@I12; Status: Normal
Andrei - HP 28/28; AC20, F15, R15, W14
@I9; Status: Normal
Ezekiel - HP 24/24; AC16, F12, R17, W13
@G14; Status: Normal
?? @ ??
?? @ ??
?? @ ??
Up Next: On Deck: [???]
White FC: 0819 3350 1787
As the last falls to Godfrey's nonchalant shield-bash, the tone of the cries grows... shocked? As much as screaming dragonlings can sound shocked, at least.
A larger, bulkier dragonthing takes advantage of the apparant triumph however, skulking around one of the larger boulders to stab at the golden robot's unprotected side. The blade is deflected by metal, and the Dragonshield steps back, raising the large red dragon scale it uses as a shield in protection, whilst warding off those that may approach with a raised, serrated short-sword.
Actions:
Move: Move to G9
Standard: Attack Godfrey!
--> 1d20+7: 9
--> Miss!
Minor: Shifty
--> Shift to G8
Any creature not within the radius of any of the many light sources on the map has [Concealment].
Note: If anyone moves adjacent to the Dragonshield, post your move in the OOC thread. It has TRICKS.
Other Note: The thing you can barely see at N8 is hidden - Only Andrei has a chance to spot it in his position.
(Remember that you have a +1 Perception from Ezekiel's lantern.)
@G13; Status: [Resourceful Presence]
Tara - HP 19/23; AC15, F12, R16, W14
@I13; Status: Normal
Godfrey - HP 29/29; AC20, F13, R14, W15
@H10; Status: +2 bonus to saving throws until SONT
Kobold Dragonshield 2 - HP 36/36; AC18, F14, R13, W13
@G8; Status: Normal
:arrow:Nolar - HP 24/28; AC17, F14, R11, W14
@I12; Status: Normal
Andrei - HP 28/28; AC20, F15, R15, W14
@I9; Status: Normal
Ezekiel - HP 24/24; AC16, F12, R17, W13
@G14; Status: Normal
?? @ ??
?? @ ??
?? @ ??
Up Next: [Nolar], [Andrei], [Ezekiel] - On Deck: [???]