The new forums will be named Coin Return (based on the most recent vote)! You can check on the status and timeline of the transition to the new forums here.
The Guiding Principles and New Rules document is now in effect.

4e/FR: The Adventures Of The Forward Guard IC: The Purple Dragon's Shadow

1356716

Posts

  • AriviaArivia I Like A Challenge Earth-1Registered User regular
    edited July 2009
    Jack, Rhogar, Lethe:
    There is another goblin in the north corridor, leaning against the wall and trying to remain out of sight. Despite its stealth, it still seems to be active, making frantic hand gestures here and there.

    The goblins respond to Jack's rallying cry with a noise of their own. With the horrific, screaming sound of tearing steel, the other corridors are open, and the rat-things are upon you. Seeing the melee at the front, they circle around, looking for the advantage.

    Yanthil slashes at one of them as it goes by, his strike going wild. The rat-thing takes this opportunity to lunge at Lethe, its own momentum and scrabbling claws missing the warlock. The other rat makes much the same lunging movement, but Jack's strike is true, his blade sinking deep into flesh burnt by the firepits.
    Yanthil: 4+3 to hit is a miss.
    Jack: 18+3=21, and hits for 6 damage.

    Despite the sudden pressure at the back, there is a good turn of fate at the front. The lingering rat-thing steps forward, slowed and weakened by Kisha's assault. The Forward Guard's wall of blades is strong, Rhogar's blade going especially deep. Without the merest chance to strike, the rat-thing falls over in the firepit, the sweet sickly scent of blood mixing with the ashes to create acrid black smoke that fills your lungs and makes you choke.
    Rhogar got a natural 20 on the opportunity attack, it's all dead like.

    There is little time for celebration, however, as the spear-wielders are upon you. Their own strikes are good, forcing metal into Yanthil and Jack.
    GB1: 25 to hit Yanthil, 5 damage.
    GB2: 24 to hit Jack, 6 damage.

    Whatever the goblin in the corridor is muttering and gesturing, it has some affect, as a stinking green cloud fills the area around Lethe and the rat-things.
    Anyone entering any of the green area takes a -2 penalty to attacks; the rat-men inside have concealment.

    Another goblin slips in the side passageway, heading towards the back of the room.

    As Lethe sees the doors burst down and the surge of new enemies flow forth, she can't help but be pessimistic about the adventurers' current predicament. She takes a step to the side and looses a dark bolt of energy from her fingertips."THIS ENDS NOW!" She was correct, the dark bolt immediately stops after it leaves her fingers, leaving the goblin snarling at her.

    She then focuses her energy at the two close ratmen, chanting words in deep speech. As she focuses, blue flames begin to erupt around her body. As the blue flames work up, her chanting becomes noticeably deeper in tone. She points one finger at the large rodent and he bursts into flames.
    Move: Shift to G8
    Minor: Curse Rat thing
    Standard: Eldritch Blast GB2.....miss....don't even worry about the roll...it was a nat 2

    ACTION POINT

    Hellish Rebuke RM1.
    15 vs REF HIT!!!!
    Damage = 7
    And if I take damage before EONT he'll take another 10 damage

    Initiative:
    Goblins: 25
    Lethe: 13
    Beltenebros: 12
    Rhogar: 12
    Yanthil: 11
    Kisha: 3
    Jack: 3

    Status:
    Castle2Round3.jpg

    GB2: 3/29 | AC 17, F 13, R 15, W 12 | bloodied
    GB3: 29/29 | AC 17, F 13, R 15, W 12 |
    RM1: 34/53 | AC 16, F 15, R 14, W 12 | concealed
    RM2: 47/53 | AC 16, F 15, R 14, W 12 | concealed
    GS1: 46/46 | AC 17, F 14, R 15, W 16 | concealed?

    Arivia on
    huntresssig.jpg
  • feeddannowfeeddannow Registered User regular
    edited July 2009
    Covered in his own blood and grinning with false bravado, Jack weathers the flurry of blades that wracked his flesh. More scars to cover the old, he thinks, as he tries to remain brave in the face of the pain. Never let them smell your fear, never let them know how close battles really are... "Forward Guard! Rally! Leave this one to me..." He says, singling out the goblin menacing him to the south, "The rest of you, pick a target and bring it down!"

    Spit and blood fly as he shouts his commands across the small room, trying to keep his company together.

    Now is our time to shine...
    Jack's Updated HP: 12/24 HP Remaining, Bloodied. 8 surges remaining.

    feeddannow on
  • PygmalionPygmalion Registered User regular
    edited July 2009
    Beltenebros, who always shines, hears Jack cry out, and sees a magical effect occur. "I'm on it, Jack! Protect Lethe!" he says as he spots the source down the corridor.
    Diving over the smoldering ratman corpse, he boldly runs down the hallway toward the cowardly goblin. "Bahamut, match my scorn for this coward, and preserve my fellows in my absence!" he shouts as he brings his gleaming longsword down on the villain's spindly arm.
    As the blow connects, Jack feels the light touch of Bahamut, and has a new found reserve of energy to face the fight.
    "A solid blow, but not enough," shouts the bold Paladin, and he raises his sword, which glows unnaturally with the force of his will, and strikes home once more!
    Standing over the wounded goblin, he raises his sword, now with dark goblin blood dripping through the groove, and roars: "By the gods, you shall not escape the wrath of Beltenebros!"
    Move from D8 to A8 - adjacent to GS1
    Minor - Divine Challenge GS1
    Standard: DAILY Paladin's Judgement
    Attack: +7 vs AC: 1d20+7=22 HIT!
    Damage: 3d8+4 3d8+4=16
    Hit/Effect: One Ally within 5 squares can spend a healing surge (JACK!)
    ACTION POINT (gains 2hp)
    Standard: AT-WILL Holy Strike
    Attack: +7 vs AC: 1d20+7=19 HIT!
    Damage: 1d8+4+2: 1d8+4+2=13
    Special: If you have marked the target, add Wis mod (+2) to damage
    Total Damage to GS1 - 29 + Divine Challenged
    Beltenebros' status : 24/27 HP (- any fire damage); 9/11 HS
    RHOGAR!

    Pygmalion on
  • AriviaArivia I Like A Challenge Earth-1Registered User regular
    edited July 2009
    As Beltenebros runs towards the hidden goblin, the two spearmen take advantage and sink their spears into the paladin's back. Their points drive great rents in his back, the spilling surge of crimson a pair of wet gushes, almost imperceptible over the low roar of the fire. The smoke, fueled by yet more blood, is still acrid and clings, a mixture of horrific essences, to the roof of your mouth.
    GB1's opportunity attack: 17+7 = 24, 8 damage.
    GB2's opportunity attack: 18+7 = 25, 8 damage.
    You also take 2 damage from the fire.

    Rhogar sees an opportunity where Beltenebros has left, and runs forward, his blades flashing past the sling to open goblin neck. While his right hand's cut is sharp and clean, the left blade is caught up in the sling, rasping against the coarse, stained linen.
    Shift to D8 from C9, twin strike on GB1 and GB2.
    10+7 = 17 - hit! 11 damage downs GB1 (called Lazarus by friends and lovers.)
    7+7 = 14, miss.

    Updated map and status:
    Castle2Round3update.jpg

    Jack is at 12/24 and bloodied.
    Beltenebros is at 6/27 and bloodied.

    GB2: 3/29 | AC 17, F 13, R 15, W 12 | bloodied
    GB3: 29/29 | AC 17, F 13, R 15, W 12 |
    RM1: 34/53 | AC 16, F 15, R 14, W 12 | concealed
    RM2: 47/53 | AC 16, F 15, R 14, W 12 | concealed
    GS1: 17/46 | AC 17, F 14, R 15, W 16 |

    Yanthil's action.

    Arivia on
    huntresssig.jpg
  • kuhlmeyekuhlmeye Registered User regular
    edited July 2009
    Seeing an opportunity, Yanthil moves into open ground in the small room. Checking his surroundings, he spins his sword in an arc at the two rat creatures, then over to the goblin in the back corner. Flame erupts from his sword, racing towards the monsters. He shouts a curse in Primordial as the fire just misses all his targets.
    Will edit in the IC stuff.
    Move to F6
    Flame cyclone against RM1, RM2, GB3 (1d20+7=9, 1d20+7=12, 1d20+7=13, 1d8+7=13)

    MISS MISS AND MISS

    kuhlmeye on
    PSN: the-K-flash
  • RainfallRainfall Registered User regular
    edited July 2009
    Kisha frowned as the rat-creatures swarmed Lethe, murmuring the quiet incantations that would evoke yet another powerful spell. The air in front of her glowed, a Thayan conjuration circle flashing briefly before an arrow of hissing green acid flew at the rat-thing in the center of the cloud.
    It let loose a horrible cry as the acid melted its skin, and then the arrow exploded, showering the monsters nearby with acid. The goblin screamed as the acid liquefied it, and the other rat-thing roared in pain, hissing smoke rising from the acid scars.
    Acid Arrow vs. RM 1 (1d20+4=18, hit vs. Reflex!) Damage is (2d8+5=17) acid, it is bloodied, and it takes ongoing 5 damage(Save ends.)
    Secondary attack vs. all adjacent targets!
    RM 2 (1d20+4=20, hit!) It takes (1d8+5) 12 acid damage, and ongoing 4!(Save ends.)
    GB 2 (1d20+4=22, hit!) Takes 11 acid damage and dies.
    Lethe (1d20+4=15, that's a hit if concealment doesn't apply to the secondary attack, which I don't think it does... or a miss if the concealment DOES apply.) (1d8+5=6) acid damage and ongoing 5.(Save ends)
    RM1 17/53 and taking ongoing 5(Save ends)
    RM2 35/53 and taking ongoing 5(Save ends)

    Rainfall on
  • feeddannowfeeddannow Registered User regular
    edited July 2009
    "By the light, I thank Bahamut for such devoted servants!" Jack gives praise to the god that Beltenebros reveres so highly for the healing that was given unto him.
    Free Action: Spend a surge from Beltenebros' healing. +6 HP.
    JACKS HP: 18 HP of 24. No longer bloodied.
    Minor Action: Inspiring word on Beltenebros. He may spend a healing surge + HP (1d6=6)

    As the goblin menacing him dies horrifically from the magical spray of acid, Jack wastes no time in getting into a better position. Hustling past Rhogar and Yanthil and takes up a cautious position to attack the ratman still posing a dire threat to his friend, Yethe. Silently he gestures for her to take a position opposite of him, and shortly they have the ratter trapped between them. "Now, Ratter, you'll see why they called me the Wolf of Wheloon!"

    Jack's longsword feints and then slices hard into the Ratman, driving home. Ahh yes... the tides of battle do change... As the sword bites the flesh of the Ratter, he twists it with a burst of renewed battle fervor, creating an opportunity for Lethe to press her own attack against the evil thing.
    Move Action: Move to F7
    Standard Action: Wolf Pack Tactics vs. AC, Damage (1d20+7+2=17, 1d8+4=7) HIT!!
    Effect: Before the Attack, Jack suggests she shift to give combat advantage to him. Putting Lethe in H9.

    Action Point: Gain 2 HP in healing.
    JACKS HP: 20/24.
    Extra Standard Action: Furious Smash vs. Fort (+CA from Lethe) (1d20+7+2=16) a HIT.
    Effect: 4 damage to RM2, and Lethe is given a +2 to attack and damage vs. RM2 on her next attack vs. RM2.

    Update: RM2 24/53 (Still taking ongoing 5) (Save ends)

    feeddannow on
  • AriviaArivia I Like A Challenge Earth-1Registered User regular
    edited July 2009
    As a response to the blows unleashed upon them, the rat men turn on Yanthil, moving to surround the swordmage. The genasi defends himself ably, but one claw does get through, raking at his back.
    RM1 shifts to E8, free attack on Yanthil. 5+9 (14) is a miss against 19.
    RM2 strikes true, 13+9 = 22. It deals 13 damage to him.

    As Kisha's magic splits and burns their skin, they straighten their poses, muscles rippling. Both rat-things give out a terrible, chittering wail, curtains of blood making their deadly movements the dance of a veiled sprite. Again, the one behind strikes at Yanthil, and its terrible blow is a hammer, driving the genasi down to the floor and bleeding.
    RM2 attacks Yanthil, hitting on a 25 and dealing 20 damage.

    The other one is no less savage, catching its claws in Rhogar's scales and tearing them open.
    RM1 hits Rhogar on a 16, dealing 11 damage.

    In the blood-soaked and corpse-walled corridor to the north, Beltenebros faces off against a desperate goblin. Unsteady on its feet, slipping in the gore, the goblin wrenches a rod in its hand, rotating it in a circle and echoing some unholy purple pattern. A malaise sets itself upon the noble knight, a purple fog that clouds his vision and sears at the edges of his mind.
    GS1 casts a hex upon Beltenebros; 20+7 (27) beats his Fort of 16 and is a critical. Beltenbros negates it, but he still takes 13 damage and is blinded.

    While the knight staggers in pain, reaching out for the wall in reflex, the goblin makes a pulling motion in the air, and the green fog moves to enshroud the rat men yet again. Beltenebros falls to the floor, his breath becoming ever more shallow.

    Finally, the other goblin that rushed into the back of the room moves further, throwing a javelin at the dragonborn all the way across the room. The near-impossible shot crosses the distance, the pointed wood driving itself into Rhogar's neck.
    19+6 is a 25, hitting Rhogar's AC. He takes 5 damage.

    Initiative:
    Goblins: 25
    Lethe: 13
    Beltenebros: 12
    Rhogar: 12
    Yanthil: 11
    Kisha: 3
    Jack: 3

    Status:
    Castle2Round4.jpg

    Players:
    Beltenebros: Take 13 damage. You are bloodied and dying.
    Yanthil: Take 33 damage. You are bloodied and dying.
    Rhogar: Take 16 damage. You are likely bloodied.

    GB3: 29/29 | AC 17, F 13, R 15, W 12 |
    RM1: 12/53 | AC 16, F 15, R 14, W 12 | concealed, ongoing 5
    RM2: 19/53 | AC 16, F 15, R 14, W 12 | concealed, ongoing 5
    GS1: 17/46 | AC 17, F 14, R 15, W 16 |

    Arivia on
    huntresssig.jpg
  • feeddannowfeeddannow Registered User regular
    edited July 2009
    "Hold strong Guard! Hold Strong!" Jack frantically gestures for Lethe to keep in flank with his opponent. "Be strong girl, Jack's got something up his sleeve, yet!"
    Please please please give flank vs. RM2 for Jack, I am setting up to do his daily attack and do some mass healing and defense buffs for everyone, and I'll need all the to-hit bonuses I can get.

    feeddannow on
  • SuperRuperSuperRuper Registered User regular
    edited July 2009
    Lethe runs out of the perilous situation she was nearly in, a wonder that she came out unscathed. She moves out of harms way, but stupidly allows the rat monster to take a swipe at her. She utters a curse against the rat monster that swiped at her, vowing to bring it to a fiery end. She then begins saying an incantation, as a silvery ray leaks out of her hand and heads for the heart of the offending monster, somehow the strand manages to connect, despite the green clouds. The rat begins to rot from the inside out.
    MOVE: to D11, provoke opportunity attack.
    MINOR: Curse RM2
    STANDARD : Vampiric Embrace RM2 13-2(conceal)+2(from Jack) vs WILL HIT!!!

    19 Damage! DEAD!!! and I gain 5+3 temp hp

    As the rat begins to disintegrate on the spot it once stood, pulsing with necrotic energy, a mischievous smile forms across Lethe's face as she knows that they do have a chance...."Just give it time Jack" Her eyes glow a neon blue...

    SuperRuper on
    steam_sig.png
    PSN: ChemENGR
  • AriviaArivia I Like A Challenge Earth-1Registered User regular
    edited July 2009
    Beltenebros hovers at death's door, his breathing shallow, his head lolling to the side. While he shows no sign of regaining consciousness, he has not taken a turn for the worse, either.
    13 on the death saving throw, no change.

    Edit: Rhogar's turn.

    Arivia on
    huntresssig.jpg
  • PygmalionPygmalion Registered User regular
    edited July 2009
    As Beltenebros waits for death, his combat intent focuses on the goblin.
    You think I am so easy to kill? Better goblins than you have tried to kill me!

    Pygmalion on
  • PowerpuppiesPowerpuppies drinking coffee in the mountain cabinRegistered User regular
    edited July 2009
    The dragonborn's wounds fill him with fury, and he lashes out with blinding speed. He cuts the wretched rodent across the face. It reels back as his sword whirs before its face. Roaring, Rhogar abandons subtlety and throws himself forward with a massive thrust, burying his weapon to the hilt in the thing's chest. It gurgles and dies, and the ranger is covered in the foul stench of its last breath. Exhausted, Rhogar staggers through the reeking cloud to engage his next opponent, the loathsome coward that had hurled its weapon at his back from behind.
    Minor: Hunter's Quarry against RM1.
    Twin strike vs RM1: rolls are 13+8-2=19, 6+8-2=11 - 1 hit. 1d10+1d6= 6 damage.
    Action Point! Twin Strike against RM1: rolls are 15+8-2=21. 2+8-2=8 - 1 hit. 1d10= 10 damage.
    RM1 is dead.
    Move: I8

    Powerpuppies on
    sig.gif
  • kuhlmeyekuhlmeye Registered User regular
    edited July 2009
    Yanthil lays on the ground, struggling to recover from the multiple wounds he received.

    kuhlmeye on
    PSN: the-K-flash
  • RainfallRainfall Registered User regular
    edited July 2009
    Kisha stepped forwards over the bodies of rat-things and allies alike , using the cloud of noxious gas as cover against her foes. A bolt of ice launched from the tip of her staff, striking the goblin shaman in the corridor as she continued her unrelenting assault on her foes.
    Move: 6 squares to E8
    Standard: Ray of Frost vs. GS1 (1d20+4-2=16) Hit! (1d6+5=11) cold damage, and GS1 is slowed
    Minor: Nothing
    GS1: 6/46 HP and slowed until End of Next Turn.
    Provided I can hit it on my next action, it's dead. Let's get some damage done to GB1.

    Rainfall on
  • PygmalionPygmalion Registered User regular
    edited July 2009
    "You're going to make it, Beltenebros!" Jack yells as he kneels to tend to the fallen Yanthil. Having stabilized Yanthil to the best of his ability, he prepares to go after the remaining goblin!
    Shift to F8
    Heal Check on Yanthil...SUCCESS! Heal! (1d20+5=23)
    Inspiring Word! HS+2 on Beltenebros HS+ (1d6=2)
    GOBLINS!

    Beltenebros is at 8/27 Bloodied, prone, blinded(?)

    Pygmalion on
  • PygmalionPygmalion Registered User regular
    edited July 2009
    "I can't see," says Beltenebros as he regains consciousness. "Is this...permanent?" he says, in the deliberately nonchalant way he suspects should be characteristic of the divine warrior.
    He'd better hope he hasn't scuffed my armor.

    Pygmalion on
  • AriviaArivia I Like A Challenge Earth-1Registered User regular
    edited July 2009
    The two remaining goblins, seeing their allies and friends fallen and hacked to pieces, make breaks for escape routes.

    In the northern corridor, Beltenebros feels his consciousness return. Despite the thick purple haze still covering his vision, the knight can hear his foe slipping in the ichor as it retreats. He fumbles around for his sword in the blood and gore, making a quick slash to the source of the sounds. Unbelievably, the blow is clean, slicing the goblin's foot clear off and dropping it to the floor, where it stills.
    17+7-7=17, which hits for 10 damage, dropping GS1.

    The sole remaining goblin fares little better, cutting around Rhogar to make its retreat. The dragonborn presses the opportunity, dealing a vicious slash to its side. Its movement draws it too close to Jack, and he is not without mercy either. Just as the last foe reaches the door, Lethe fires a screaming dark bolt at the goblin, spinning it over a crate and crashing it into the wall.

    While Yanthil and Beltenebros stir, regaining their feet, there is a notable quiet in the room. Excepting the slow crackling of the fires, there is silence for what must be the first time since highsun. You are all too worn out to speak, some of you too exhausted to lift a weapon in your own defense. Here, amongst the slippery, sticky blood, the piles of corpses, and the aches and shivers that you are sure will never go away, you have won survival by wit and will. You have remained true through your crucible, and made the first of many marks to come in the annals of Cormyr's history, if not Abeir-Toril's. In future there will be dragons, and devils, knights and crowns, all the things heroes are made of, but this one - this is the spark to ignite the flame of confidence and hope. Whatever the future may bring, this is the victory that perhaps matters most.

    Arivia on
    huntresssig.jpg
  • PygmalionPygmalion Registered User regular
    edited July 2009
    Beltenebros strikes, physically blind, but mentally able by martial training and spiritually guided by martial faith, and his sword bites into the goblin. "Blind and on my back is better than goblin cowardice. A Sword of Cormyr cannot be so easily defeated!"

    As his vision returns, he gets to his feet and checks that the shaman is dead. "That one is dead," he says, as he walks back to the group. "We have fought well this day, but we must needs recuperate before we ensure this ruin be cleared," he says as he looks around at his brave fellows, flush with the excitement of battle.

    He looks over Lethe to make sure she is uninjured and reassures himself that her spellscar has not spread.
    Lethe the Scarred, this is a better life for her than orphan on the street. When we return a successful company, we shall see who dares mock her.
    He walks over to Jack and pats his shoulder in thanks. "You have once again restored my life," he says warmly.
    Jack Harloun, I am glad I trusted him. He was surely falsely accused, and he is the best squire any knight could ask.
    He nods to Rhogar, whose skill matched his blocking the doors.
    Rhogar the Dragonborn is as strong as he was on the road. I can count on him to protect Lethe if I am felled.
    He kneels and checks the binding on Yanthil's wounds, and calls down the strength of Bahamut. He watches as the Geonasi glow of health returns, then stands.
    Yanthil the Geonasi, tough but agile. A good warrior, and he and the Refugee are a good team.
    He looks down at Kisha as she stands quietly to the side.
    Kisha the Refugee is fragile, but I can see her coming out of her defensive shell as she breathes the free air of Cormyr.

    While his comrades bustle to prepare a camp for the night, he removes his armor one piece at a time and polishes it to the customary high sheen.
    The blood washes away easy enough...
    Then he splashes some water over his long hair, matted with blood, and shakes it out vigorously. Pausing to check his newly refreshed visage in the mirror that his breastplate has reverted to, he smiles, his preposterously perfect teeth catching a glint of the setting sun.
    A Knight of Cormyr, yes.
    Outside of the encumbrance of his armor, he cleans and sharpens his longsword. He practices some thrust and parry moves and is pleased with his ability to adapt to an unarmored stance. His heart rate, unnoticed in the thick of combat, starts to decrease to reflect his relaxed state.

    "Let us sleep for now, and continue the fight tomorrow," he says, as he strikes the air with the brilliant sword. "I will take first watch."
    Life is good!

    Pygmalion on
  • feeddannowfeeddannow Registered User regular
    edited July 2009
    Jack stands, helping his prone friend to his feet along with him, dragging him upwards with a helpful hand. His dark hair stained darker with the still-warm blood of his fallen foes, his wiry frame heaving with the effort of the combat, and his heart pounding still with the adrenaline of a racing stallion - he smiles.

    We did it. By Torm, we Did It.

    "Aye, Beltenebros! But what dreams may come to us? Surely the gods will deposit only the finest illusions for their bravest heros! Rest now, you glorious few, chosen by the very weavers of fate - champions all - cowards none. Though we suffered many blows, our foes have suffered two-score worse - and none live to tell a tale besides our own! The bards will hear of our bravery today - and others will be inspired by our example. Let none say that the Forward Guard are anything but as brave as they are strong! Three cheers before we lay down our heads! One for the Guard, One for our gods, and one for our gold!"

    He laughs raucously, perhaps with a mixture of the adrenaline and delirium of battle still hanging on, Jack is positively glowing. His pride seems to fill the room and leave no space for negative thoughts amongst his friends.

    feeddannow on
  • SuperRuperSuperRuper Registered User regular
    edited July 2009
    Lethe lowered her hand and stands beside the flames and the fallen body. The fire next to her seemed oddly comforting. As the blue flames subsided around her, Lethe returned to the bubbly nature she usually inhabited."I was worried for you Brosy," she said as she ran to the night and helped him polish his armor back to the customary glint a knight of Cormyr is accustomed to having.

    Wow. I'm glad someone cared enough to-- She stopped, turned, and whispered,"Yeah, Styx. I like him too."

    She then looked at the mass of scales, cleaning his blade, and the fireball to her right. So they proved useful after all. I was beginning to wonder when they joined us...

    As she turned to follow Beltenebros and Jack out of the damp hole they had waltzed into, she passed Kisha. Perhaps not everything from Thay is bad. But I could be wrong.

    As Kisha glanced at the two men in front, Lethe ran to Jack's side and took his arm as they walked out. and began talking,"So that was pretty exciting...we should do it again some time. Let's make a habit of it."

    Perhaps this grizzled man didn't do whatever it was. But, the danger kinda made him attractive. Plus, I like a man that goes one day without meals, two without sleep, and three without a shave.

    Beltenebros walked into the light, the sun reflecting off of his armor, almost producing a nimbus around him.
    As the adventurers one by one walked into the sun, a day was ending; both in the world, and in Lethe's life. Tomorrow a new day would bring a new life into her. A promising one at that...

    SuperRuper on
    steam_sig.png
    PSN: ChemENGR
  • kuhlmeyekuhlmeye Registered User regular
    edited July 2009
    Trying desperately to shake off the feeling of the moments before, Yanthil finally recovers his feet. Standing from the stone floor, he takes a quick survey of what he only remembers as the battlefield. Seeing nothing but good company, he lets a smile come across his face.

    "Well, nice to know I was of so much help!" he exclaims, his enthusiasm for the battle won showing through his sarcasm. "Even if it was from the floor."

    The fire in his eyes diminish, and the streaks of flame that make his hair seem to shorten some. The battle won, his adrenaline was starting to seep out of him. Seeing Beltenebros standing next to him, Yan lets loose another quick smile.

    "Nice to see you made it back on your feet as well, Belt! No goblin can keep you down I imagine? Well then, I assume camp is in order? I could use a good rest."
    What should I call Beltenebros for short, since that is something Yan will do very often. He might just make something up.

    Also, what's the protocol for searching bodies, I notice that no one has brought this up.

    kuhlmeye on
    PSN: the-K-flash
  • RainfallRainfall Registered User regular
    edited July 2009
    Kisha allowed a small smile to touch her face as the others celebrated. "Yes, victory."
    Not as impressive as they make it sound. A few goblins and mutations. Still, they proved their worth. Perhaps these others will help me create a name for myself.

    As the others dragged themselves out of the entrance to the ruins, she busied herself with the corpse of the dead shaman, searching for the source of its arcane power.
    Perception to see if he's got anything hidden on him - (d20+2=17)
    Arcana to sense the presence of any magical items on him - (d20+9=22)

    Rainfall on
  • AriviaArivia I Like A Challenge Earth-1Registered User regular
    edited July 2009
    Kisha:
    You whisper the words your masters in Thay taught you, the incantations of a simple spell to see and read magic. As it finishes, the room seemingly melts away, solid walls turning into whirling mists, the colours draining out of the world. You gaze around the room, seeing nothing magical on most bodies. The rat-things are washed in a deep, pervasive bile yellow, however, indicating fundamental and permanent magic that changed their form. Off in the distance, down a corridor, there is a whirl of colours - red and blue and all things between - but you're hopeless to stop the spell focusing in on something beyond it. There's a sudden burst of silver light, a silver flame that fills your vision, something you cannot see or get away from, and then your magical sight shuts down, unusually early and quickly. Colour fills the room and walls become solid once more, and you are back in yourself.

    Arivia on
    huntresssig.jpg
  • PowerpuppiesPowerpuppies drinking coffee in the mountain cabinRegistered User regular
    edited July 2009
    Rhogar lets loose a muted snort as the warlord waxes eloquent. Gods and weavers of fate... we slew goblins and rodents, nothing more.He notices Kisha is unmoved by Jack's words as well.

    When the chatter has diminished, Rhogar carefully remarks, "A good fight... much closer than it needed to be. That was a grand wild strike at the end, Beltenebros. Retaining your prowess after being punished so is admirable indeed."

    As the group makes camp, Rhogar finds time to acknowledge Kisha's skills, whispering, "Your magic was crucial to our victory, and less frenzied and random than the efforts of the rest of us. I will be glad to have you at my back when we find ourselves in real danger."

    The little tiefling seems to avoid him as camp is made, and he saves his words to her for another time.

    Powerpuppies on
    sig.gif
  • kuhlmeyekuhlmeye Registered User regular
    edited July 2009
    Seeing no one else besides Kisha take the opportunity to do so, Yan starts looking at the deceased, searching for anything of value.

    kuhlmeye on
    PSN: the-K-flash
  • AriviaArivia I Like A Challenge Earth-1Registered User regular
    edited July 2009
    There's little of value on the corpses. The goblins wear an assortment of cracked and worn leathers, their weapons stone and flint tied to poles with lengths of twine. You do find two corpses that didn't die at your hand, but by other goblins - deserters from Jack's intimidating assault, assuredly.

    Arivia on
    huntresssig.jpg
  • PygmalionPygmalion Registered User regular
    edited July 2009
    Finishing his evening ablution, he distributes the watch carefully, drawing from his military experience:

    "I shall take the first watch with Lethe, as I can hold out longer with her support if there be a night attack. The second watch will be Rhogar and Kisha, for the same reasons. Yanthil alone shall take the third watch, this being the least likely time for an attack, and he being the most suited to independent action. Jack shall take the dawn watch while I prepare my arms and chivalry for the day's trials. Sleep well, comrades, for tomorrow we shall have victory!"

    With the assumption of acceptance bred in his nobility, he turns to stand guard near the entrance, actively watchful for any peril.

    Pygmalion on
  • AriviaArivia I Like A Challenge Earth-1Registered User regular
    edited July 2009
    Flamerule 2

    The sun dawns over Castle Kilgrave in cacophony. You are awakened not by its first rays, but the sudden burst of birds in flight and their song. Under the morning sun, you have a quick breakfast of traveling essentials like cured boar and hard tack. The meal is stale and salty in your mouth, but it and a waterskin of thirstslake give you needed energy. Once camp is struck, you head down the uneven stairs and back into the underground passageways of Castle Kilgrave.

    Whereas yesterday's ruin-scent was musty, today it is pungent, the stench of drying blood and charcoal. You pick your way through the mess carefully, ichor rubbing off in great sheets on your traveling boots, and try not to look to hard at the corpses swarming with vermin. That could have been you, a little voice says, and you force it out of your mind, rushing for the opposite door, clearer air, peace.

    It turns out that the hallway beyond encircles the chamber where so many goblins died, three different doorways piercing a single corridor. Other passages snake off here and there, but many of them end in dead ends or are blocked by ceilings that fell in long ago. A cursory examination turns up only a single, ancient bed, covered in carvings like "Alusair + Caladnei Slept Here." Eventually, you find a hallway with some more promise, wider, with thick stone pillars buttressing the ceiling above. The slow drip of water echoes at the far end, but the floor is dry and flat, smooth underfoot.

    The passage opens up into a small room, triangular in aspect, with a slanted wall rushing towards you and up to make a point above the door. There are two corpses here, and the mats and refuse suggest this is where the goblins lived.

    The first corpse is the most unusual. It is slumped on its side, half of its face shown to the air, the other half submerged in a pool of water. The dry half is unmistakably goblin, despite being picked at by vermin. However, the underwater face is that of a rat's, a short tail uncoiling from its submerged hindquarter, a drowned, clenched hand furred and clawed. Above the pool, you see a long, elegant eye carved into the wall. It seems to wink, shimmering silver, then disappears. Simultaneously, the spellscar on Lethe's forehead comes out, an aurora of silver fire (not the usual blue), flowing and ebbing in the air. A moment later, it fades away.

    Lethe:
    You don't feel any pain from its appearance or the fire, if anything you feel a cooling calm.

    The goblin-rat thing does not stir.

    The other body is less horrific. The man is obviously human, some six feet tall and thin at the shoulder. He's dressed in good riding leathers, well-worn from the road, but they did not protect him from the gash that opened up much of his side. On his corpse you find a letter, rolled up and sealed with a plug of green wax (no mark) and a locket:

    The Locket:
    Inside is a simple engraving: "To our boy, Arnael Jundarson, on his sixteenth birthday. May you always remember us, Jundar and Jheira."

    Behind the corpse is a small raised platform, crowded with small clay figurines of Maglubiyet and a handful of burning candles. Among these is a thin, slender potion, filled with blue liquid and marked with the crest of the Wyvernspur family, a pair of clawed wings crossing over a length of silver chain. Similarly arranged is a fingernail-sized blue and purple gem, with echoes of green, a long, steel staff, and a small box, made of Calishite sandalwood inlaid with ivory. On top of the box, painted by a thin beam of sunlight coming through a crack in the ceiling, is a large, glassy, imperfect ruby.

    Next to the makeshift altar and pile of goblin clan treasures is a stack of castle flagstones. A moment with the items and some quick dweomer-work from Kisha reveals the following:

    The potion:
    The Wyvernspur noble family, famed as much for its arcane knowledge as its oddities (one of its members is rumored to be an exarch of Silvanus), has crafted many common magical items for the use of Cormyr's military, its adventurers, or for mercantile purposes. This is one of them, a simple potion of healing.

    The gem:
    fl_cab.jpg
    It's a small fluorspar, a soft, river-born gem that comes in many colours and is suitable for many cuts, like the one above. It's worth 20 lions.

    The staff:
    Perhaps the most feared aspect of Cormyr's royal army, the Purple Dragons, are its War Wizards. Many know that the War Wizards are masters and mistresses of battle-magic, full of tricks to make this spell larger or that fireball set its victims alight, but few know that what the War Wizards do during times of peace is just as important, if not more so. Much of their energy is spent on creating magic items with an eye towards the future, from hidden fortresses and delves across the Forest Kingdom. Principally, these items are kept in secure armories in places of royal strength, like the fortresses of Castle Crag or High Horn, or the royal palace in Suzail. In 1370, however, Myrmeen Lhal, Lady of Arabel, left the palace armory in Arabel unguarded so as to ensure the successful evacuation of civilians to Suzail in the face of the Devil Dragon's orc and goblin hordes. Over the last hundred years, then, weaponry and armor from Arabel's armory have been found in many places across northern Cormyr, often wielded by this or that descendant of that foul army.

    Staffs like these are common amongst apprentices, with the War Wizards themselves preferring blades patterned after Cormyr's famed Swords of State. The staff itself is clean and without ornament, capped smoothly on both ends and scored three times around its circumference.

    It is a staff of the war mage +1.

    The box:
    Upon opening the box, you are confronted with neat wheels of creamy white Chessentan cheese mixed with lotus petals, and a tall wooden jug filled with clear, refreshing water - a rarity in many places in the Realms. Tucked behind them is a neat, alabaster-white, piece of paper.

    Turning it over, it reads, in Common:

    "Welcome to your Box of Plenty! This box, brought to you by Aurora's Emporium (main offices in Waterdeep, Baldur's Gate, and Two Stars, Thesk; mail services available anywhere; catalogue counters in many major cities), provides provender for up to six individuals every eight bells. It determines appropriate fare by measuring the amount of sunlight that meets the gem on its lid, making it suitable for use at dawn, highsun, dusk, and even in the darkest of dungeons. Not recommended for use with parties of seven or more, or in areas of faerzress."

    It is a box of everlasting provisions.

    Glossary:
    Alusair: Alusair Nacacia Obarskyr, the Steel Regent, ruled Cormyr from the time of the death of her father, Azoun IV, in 1370, until the nobles made her give up power to the Young Dragon, Azoun V, in 1385. Caladnei was a mysterious woman, who served as Royal Magician until her disappearance in the early 1400s, including during the Steel Regency.
    Bells: A previous glossary entry mentioned that many in the Realms have little way to tell time by the hour. Some, especially in larger cities, refer to hours as bells, for the chiming of church bells that accompanies the passage of time.
    Devil Dragon: In 1370, Cormyr was beset by armies of orcs and goblins lead by winged creatures called ghazneths. At the height of this war, the Devil Dragon, Nalavarauthatoryl, also beseiged the Forest Kingdom. The Obarskyrs (and by extension, the War Wizards) are quite quiet about the exact events of the war, but it is publicly known that Cormyr's military force was diminished for a generation, that Arabel was sacked and burned, that shortly after Royal Magician Vangerdahast disappeared, and that the Devil Dragon and Azoun IV died in a duel to the death.
    Faerzress: Make a Dungeoneering or Arcana check for this definition.
    Thirstslake: Bitter or distasteful ale or other alcohol, used to slake thirst and nothing else.

    Arivia on
    huntresssig.jpg
  • kuhlmeyekuhlmeye Registered User regular
    edited July 2009
    Arcana for Faerzress (1d20+9=19)
    I'll have a whole IC post up later.

    kuhlmeye on
    PSN: the-K-flash
  • PygmalionPygmalion Registered User regular
    edited July 2009
    "Lethe!" shouts Beltenebros as the spellscar manifests, but when it seems to leave the tiefling lady unaffected, he picks up the letter and the locket, one in each hand, weighing them unconsciously as he considers the man's corpse before him. He pauses, decides that it is necessary, and opens the locket.
    Arnael Jundarsen. Have you been avenged?

    He looks the letter over for marks of destination or origin, then stows the letter away, the seal unbroken.
    I must get this letter to where it belongs. It is the honorable thing.

    He strides over to the pile of flagstones and picks up a larger one and holds it up for all to see. "Fellows, we have succeeded! The goblin menace has been defeated, and we have determined that there were no reinforcements by camping here for the night. With this flagstone, our glory is assured."

    He looks to The Refugee. "Do you think any of these are useful?" he says, indicating the pile of items.

    "When we get back to the Fort, we will inquire after Arnael Jundarsen. If we can find his family, we can ask after delivering this letter," he says solemnly.

    Pygmalion on
  • AriviaArivia I Like A Challenge Earth-1Registered User regular
    edited July 2009
    Glossary:
    Faerzress: A kind of magical radiation that permeates the Underdark. A reflection of long-ago magic, it twists spells in unusual ways and disrupts teleportation and divinations.
    The Underdark: A collective term for the tunnels, caverns, sunless seas and other spaces that run underground across Faerun. Many of these connect to each other, creating another world under the surface.

    Arivia on
    huntresssig.jpg
  • SuperRuperSuperRuper Registered User regular
    edited July 2009
    "Woah!" Lethe says as the silver flames erupt around her. Strangely enough, they felt cool...actually quite soothing! She stares in disgust at the grotesque figure lying in the pool. Sucks for him... She reaches the altar first and finds the items sitting in wait. "Well, we can't just let these sit here..." She looks at the staff and tosses it at Kisha. "Seems like you're kind of weapon. Hey who wants this other stuff? I assume Brosy wants this potion...he seems to be on his back a lot," she jokes. "The box sounds like the deal! But, wait what is a 'faerzress'"
    23 Arcana to find out abour Faerzress and what the fuck just happened to me...anything about that silver stuff

    14 Dungeoneering for the faerzress

    SuperRuper on
    steam_sig.png
    PSN: ChemENGR
  • feeddannowfeeddannow Registered User regular
    edited July 2009
    Jack eyes the box of provisions as a jackal might watch an unattended kill. An army marches on its stomach... And what are we but a small army?

    "I know men who would have traded in vast fortunes for such a device, during their darker hours. I know at some of my lower moments, surviving on the bloated rats that rule Wheloon more than any gang might claim to do so... I would have sold my name for a decent meal. Consider ourselves blessed. Torm provides for the Just and the Strong. We'll need spend less of our fortunes on filling our bellies, besides."

    Jack looks over the box one or two more times before securing it to his belongings. He's had experience as a quartermaster before, and he wouldn't burden any of the others with carrying such an item. As he did so, he watched the shining paladin regard the locket and letter with curiousity.

    Beltenebros, an honorable man indeed. More than even some that would follow the same path. Look at him, curious he takes the locket not out of greed or want, but out of some sense of duty. He would rather search out the intended recipient of the letter - trekking halfways round this world of ours - than to brutishly rend the letter's seal and steal its secrets. Were it me to have found that letter, perhaps it would be different - but the gods have done many things for us - and perhaps this is just another sign. Wait and watch, Jack. Wait and watch.

    feeddannow on
  • AriviaArivia I Like A Challenge Earth-1Registered User regular
    edited July 2009
    Lethe:
    You get the same results with regards to faerzress. As for the silver fire, you have no idea. Spellscars commonly flare with blue fire near an area of Spellplague, but silver? That's something you've never heard of before.

    Arivia on
    huntresssig.jpg
  • RainfallRainfall Registered User regular
    edited July 2009
    Kisha strode across to the pool, brow furrowed as she considered what she had seen. First that burst of arcane power when she tried to sense the local magic, and then that eye? Something wasn't right here.

    "What happened?" She gently prodded the rat-corpse with the Cormyr-made metal staff, then looked deep into the pool, pondering the events that had transpired.
    Perception, looking into the pool to see if there's anything at the bottom or any kind of submerged passage. d20+2=22

    Rainfall on
  • AriviaArivia I Like A Challenge Earth-1Registered User regular
    edited July 2009
    The pool is very shallow, perhaps a foot or two deep at most, its bed made of rubble. While it seeps out from under the wall, there is no passage or space to allow movement.

    Arivia on
    huntresssig.jpg
  • PygmalionPygmalion Registered User regular
    edited July 2009
    "I know that Thay is rumored to engage in dark experiments," says Beltenebros as he watches Kisha's experiments. "Could this be of the same ilk, Wizard Kisha?"
    Disgusting and unnatural. But: these two bodies together, what could they mean?
    He casts a glance at Lethe to make sure there are no lingering effects. Except for what the Priest of Bahamut in Marsember could tell him, he is not familiar with the effects of the spellscar.
    This cannot go on. She'll either have to learn how to control it, or we'll have to find a way to remove it. If that's even possible.

    Pygmalion on
  • feeddannowfeeddannow Registered User regular
    edited July 2009
    "Unnatural isn't the word for it, Beltenebros. It's an aberration." The grizzled warlord sneers at the mixed-up dead thing. "And whatever they are - we'll see them burned with cleansing fire. I might not know a conjuration from a fireball... and I might not know a fraction of the secrets of Mystra... but I do know goblins. And when they start mucking around in things that they can't possibly understand, it means only one thing. Trouble."

    Goblins. That's always trouble. But I doubt that any of their Magubliyet worshipping stick-shakers would have the wherewithall to accomplish anything of the sort on their own. They're getting direction from someone or something... that's what we'll have to find.

    feeddannow on
  • PygmalionPygmalion Registered User regular
    edited July 2009
    Beltenebros waits, holding the flagstone, until the rest of the party is finished searching the room.
    "We have succeeded in our first quest! We should return to Castle Crag and report our glorious victory. Then we can ask after this unfortunate, and determine where to take his letter. Let us away, fellows!"
    He turns and begins to make his way out of the ruins.

    Pygmalion on
Sign In or Register to comment.