Calling It A Night (DM SteveK) Sunday April 13th, 2014 10:43:28 PM
Sergeant Trimmack and Sergeant Helmbane watch the Honor Fist closely for signs of insubordination, and despite the shield companions' best efforts, the experienced non-coms are not fooled. But the tirade stops when Prudence talks about her 'other thing.' Helmbane gets red like he is about to explode but the cold and deadpan Trimmack is the one that talks. "Trooper Gundle! Everyone! Listen to me very closely. That. Is. Never. OK. Not in the Mailed Fist. Someone attacks a comrade like that, even verbally, the least that will happen is he is missing some teeth. A trooper is a trooper, not a trollop. You got that?"
Sergeant Trimmack pinches his nose as if trying to get rid of a bad headache. "At Ease, all of you. You are obviously all worked up, some hurt, some enchanted, and have had a very frustrating day. In order to salvage any experience from what happened today, and drive home the RIGHT lessons, we're going to go over this again. So we're staying here tonight." The grizzled human sergeant looks up again. But this time in the morning when you are healed, cleaned, fed, rested and everyone can be focused on looking for lessons and not trying to play the Blame Game."
"And in the morning, you better have thrown the 'we didn't do nuttin' attitude in the latrine, or I'll do it, and you with it!", growls Sergeant Helmbane. "Dismissed!"
Helmbane and Trimmack stand and move inside the Inn to a room they villagers gave the leaders of the Honor Fists. It doesn't take a perception check to see that Trimmack is limping. Linden may have arrived when the two leaders were eating, but it is obvious that while the team was away, there was more fighting around the Cheerful Stay Inn. Maybe that's why they were short-tempered?
Linden also thinks back and realizes that Trimmack and Helmsbane were VERY interested in what was happening to the Fists, but only didn't want to rush off blindly. Instead they were making plans and setting a strategy. Highlight to display spoiler: { See DM Ezra's post, last 4 lines, 8 April } And that Trimmack and Helmbane did in fact quick-march out towards the Church, meeting the two groups half-way back to Cheerful Stay.
Watch is set just like the night before, with a Fist mercenary and a Villager up together with all the other villagers huddled in the Inn compound for safety. And this night... there are no attacks.
.......................
AC 15 T13, F12, CMD 15(19 Bull Rush or Trip); HP 27/27 "Tinker" (SteveK)
Tinker stands his shift when he needs, and ensures he cleans off and sleeps like the dead. Again, the dwarf is quiet, introspective, his grim look demonstrating that he felt he let the team down when he got Charmed. Especially when Prudence needed him and he wasn't there.
AC 19 w/shield, TAC 11, FFAC 15, (CMD 15, CMB 2), HPS 22/33 Linden (Jay B) Sunday April 13th, 2014 11:06:20 PM
Linden included the sergeants in the channel healing for 11 hps which included the other Fist members.
Prudence Gundle (Kathy) Monday April 14th, 2014 2:06:37 AM
"Thank you, sergeant," Pru says quietly. It doesn't answer all her questions--not by a longshot--but it is nice to know that the others had read the same intentions she had, and that the Fist doesn't stand for that kind of threat.
She still doesn't know what she could have done differently. She hadn't "snuck" through the fog; the fog was there and she walked through it. She didn't consider herself to have had her weapon "drawn;" it's a polearm; it can't be sheathed. And she hadn't taken any hostile action until after she'd been held at knife-point, and surely that was waiting long enough? Maybe she should have stopped Bliss, but she had no idea how, when he could fly and she could not.
But she tries not to dwell on those thoughts, concentrating instead on caring for her weapons and gear, then helping out again in the inn's kitchen. The homey, routine tasks went a long way toward settling her jangled nerves.
That evening, she lights her candles and says extended prayers to each of the gods, thanking them for preserving her and her friends, and asking to be granted wisdom and insight into what had happened.
Bliss (Cayzle) (AC23, HP11/11 of 16) Monday April 14th, 2014 12:20:11 PM
Bliss takes the command seriously, and thinks about what he did and did not do.
Mookie caws, "Kid, what's troubling you. You're too quiet."
"Yeah, Mookie, I'm going over the last fight, and mistakes I made." Bliss is not shy, and unself-consciously blurts out his thoughts, not worried about who is listening.
"Heavy," says the bird, seriously. "Whatcha got?"
Bliss explains that he sees it like this:
1) His strength is in stealth, not talking. So hide out and shut up. So let the talkers do the talking.
2) Sure, Bliss casts his spells every minute or two, sometimes several a minute, even out of combat ... so it seems like no biggie to him. But other people may well think that casting is like taking a swing at someone. So watch it!
3) Dying does no one any good at all! If you can, don't get in a situation where stupid mistakes get you killed, or if you gotta be in such a situation, stop making stupid mistakes. So don't do foolish stuff.
That makes him think that he owes a thank you to Lord Gargul, who did not pull him out of the Wold ... this time! He says some prayers, and he asks Carver if he knows any good Gargulite thank you prayers. [OOC: Bliss is taking Gargul as his Allied Immortal Power (with the Travel domain).
=====
A good night's sleep and, more importantly, help from his pal Linden, get Bliss back into the pink of health. [OOC: Thanks Lindy!]
William the Courageous (Ken) AC 18 (Mage Armor) hp 17/17 Monday April 14th, 2014 3:02:54 PM
William says good night to the rest as they are dismissed. He's still convinced that they were in the right but he's tired of arguing with the sargeants and knows they all need a good night's sleep. His experience has helped him gain some more powerful spells and maybe he'll have a chance to use them soon.
He's curious about what happened to their leaders and why one is limping. But that line of inquiry can wait until tomorrow... Shower then prayers then sleep.
Nikolai (JonathanT) AC 16 Tch 16 Ffted 13 HP 28/28 CMD 19/21(Grapple) Monday April 14th, 2014 3:36:04 PM
OOC: header update. post coming later.
Nikolai (JonathanT) AC 16 Tch 16 Ffted 13 HP 28/28 CMD 19/21(Grapple) Monday April 14th, 2014 6:07:05 PM
Nikolai relaxes when the order is given to stand at ease. All he can do is give the report as he saw it. He wasn't on the church roof to see what happened to Bliss. He wasn't near enough to see through the fog at what was happening to Pru. All he had to go by was the sudden sounds of battle and he reacted as his trainning dictated. He actually tried, at first, to grapple and pin his opponent, who made it clear the fight was more than a bar brawl. His addrenaline was running so high it didn't occur to him to lay off his kick at the young mage so to knock him out instead of kill him. 'That was my only true mistake. I was trained to hit with deadly force or with subdual force. For a young mage, subdual force was more than adequate. I just hadn't seen him and didn't know how fragile he was until it was too late,' he muses.
He helps watch the barn as he had done for the previous two nights. Linden's healing was perfect. He sat in concentration as his mentor had taught him, meditating upon the lessons of the previous day. Much of that had to do with sneaking around outside, hidding, spying, and such. Much of what he had learned growing up about the outdoors came together. It was refreshing to finally be out of the confines of the Citadel and in the fresh open forests and fields. Once back at HQ, he would send home for a book on proper camping and woodsmanship. (OOC: taking a level in Ranger)
Next morning, he joins the others in the inn for a good hearty breakfast, ready for whatever the sergeants mean to dish out, even if it meant extra work detail back at HQ.
AC 19 w/shield, TAC 11, FFAC 15, (CMD 15, CMB 2), HPS 33/33 Linden (Jay B) Monday April 14th, 2014 7:00:35 PM
OOC. I should look at increasing AC at some point. Shield Focus seems keen!
The cleric asks the sergeant what happened to his leg. Where or when did he get wounded?
Carver AC 17, AC 19/ shield, CMB 6, CMD 16, HP 21/25 (10) (John C) Monday April 14th, 2014 9:08:03 PM
checking in
Ac 21,Touch 15,Flat 17(+1 to all acs vs larger creatures), (CMB 1 CMD 15) HP 22/22 Cameron Honeytamer Steelshaper ( David Feest) Monday April 14th, 2014 10:22:37 PM
Cameron gets some food and drink and then retires to bed. He will stand watch when he is awoken .
Morning Dawns, and an After Action Review (DM SteveK) Monday April 14th, 2014 11:10:47 PM
Linden ensures he includes the sergeants in Flower's healing, and Trimmack sends a nod of thanks at the centaur before lights out. He asks about the wound, and Helmsbane growls back. "More undead after you left, coming from the north". The dwarven sergeant doesn't need to tell Linden that 'north' is the direction of the Cursed Swamp, and only a mile or so from Cheerful Stay.
Prudence doesn't get all her answers, but it is nice to know that the Fist doesn't stand for that kind of threat. Her prayers that evening are about granted insight into what had happened.
Bliss takes the command seriously, and thinks about what he did and did not do, and comes up with three ideas that he is sure to share with the others come morning.
William is still convinced that they were in the right, but he's tired of arguing and knows they all need a good night's sleep. But a shower first!
Nikolai knows he wasn't near Bliss or Pru when they had problems, and all he can think of was his ability to hit for lethal force and nonlethal. The only thing he can think of is mages are squishy, and a good knockout blow would have done the same as to kick in the apprentice's chest.
.................
Morning dawns and the mountain of flesh that is Haggard the Innkeeper stokes the fire and soon has a hearty porridge with grains and dried fruit available for all. A couple of villagers come in from the stable with pitchers of fresh milk and cool well-water, and that is the extent of the meal. "Huh!, marvels Haggard, "That's been the first night in a week we haven't had undead prowling around."
After breaking fast and having a sketchy wash, Trimmack and Helmsbane pull the Mailed Fist group out to one of the crossroads in the village. Good fields of approach, mostly sunny day, and every mercenary loaded for bear, Trimmack announces that everyone should sit sideways, keeping an eye out as well as an ear inside the circle. "This way, no villager will overhear, but we are still close enough to the Inn to get back to help. Mutual Support", he explains.
Once again, the Sergeant settles, and with an air of reserving judgement, asks the Fist to go over what was Supposed to have happened, and then what Happened. Helmsbane soon gets irritated and begins walking the perimeter, mumbling about a 'waste of a morning's march', but Trimmack continues to patiently ask questions while using a stick and some pebbles to recreate the old church, road, cemetery, and positions of the Fist and Pantheonians.
Finally, he sits back, threading his hands together behind his neck, and closes his eyes. "So...", he begins, and then is silent for almost a full minute. ", sometimes the Fu-Bar starts slapping a mission up one side and down the other. And when Wardd has that bar in his hands, there ain't a lot you can do other than ride it through and save what you can for another day." Trimmack's eyes have a far away look, as if he's not even talking to the team. Helmbane has stopped his own pacing and is thinking his own dark thoughts. Trimmack comes back to the here-and-now first and lays out a couple questions.
"Put aside the shouts, ignoring shouts, and the bravado that pushed both sides to start fighting. Call that the Fu-Bar. Let's look at your information and approach."
"One. All your information from the villagers talked about the strange group that came through a month ago. And it took you three hours to walk to the old church. And there was an old cemetery that did not look disturbed. And there was no sign of undead from the moment you got out of Cheerful Stay. For a group on their toes and keeping their head on a swivel, you may have noticed these things instead of grabbing a conclusion and stopping to look around to see if events may not change what you think you know." Trimmack holds up a hand. "Not saying that that wouldn't stop you from getting into trouble. Fu-Bar, remember? But in the future, keeping your head on a swivel may not get you stuck in so deep that you can't get out." (ooc: Skill Checks for knowledge and information are never wasted)
"Two. On your approach, the Thumb broke into four groups; aerial scout, left of the cemetary, forward on the road, and back on the road. Even in bright daylight, only the two groups on the road were within mutual support of each other, and that wasn't even true when the fog was in the air. When you were spotted, there was no way to communicate and fall back for another plan. When one group, then another, got in trouble, another group wasn't around to help out. Only takes one second for the Fu-Bar to start beating on you, and there's no battlebuddy to pull your fat out of the fire."
"Now, most of you have thought of things you could do better as an individual, and a couple of you have even thought about the motivations of your opponents. Think also about what the group can do, and I think you are on the right track for some good take-aways."
Local Knowledge DC 10 Highlight to display spoiler: { The Troopers have heard some of the grizzled veterans talk about a Fu-Bar before, but the meaning was never conveyed.}
Local knowledge or Perform DC 15 Highlight to display spoiler: { In children's puppet shows and the popular Punch and Judy with the slapstick; sometimes the Punch character has been depicted as Wardd, and he slaps someone so they have no end of bad luck. Maybe the 'slapstick' is a 'fu-bar'?}
Local knowledge DC 20 Highlight to display spoiler: { The epitome of dark barracks humor, the Mailed Fist equate the Punch and Judy puppets to Wardd holding a 'Fu-Bar', which is short for "Fouled Up Beyond All Recognition", and equates to absolutely everything with a plan going wrong. }
There seems to be time enough for useful comments and thoughts, but the Sergeants aren't going to brook any words on "there was nothing I could do, I did everything right". That is obvious on their faces.
Bliss (Cayzle) (AC23, HP11/11 of 16) d20+1=9 ; d20+4=18 ; Monday April 14th, 2014 11:49:47 PM
Know Local DC10 (I think a DC10 Know check can be made untrained): 9 nope. Perform DC15 (Bliss is trained): 18 yup! Know DC 20 = auto nope.
Bliss looks very embarrassed, but pipes up first and fast to get it over with.
"Okay, what the heck was I doing out in front chatting up a storm? I gotta play to my strengths, and that means sneaking and sniping."
"Plus, I gotta keep my mouth shut and let them what's smooth talkers do the talking."
"Plus, I gotta have a healthier respect for death. And not, like, waste it. Especially my own!"
Prudence Gundle (Kathy) Tuesday April 15th, 2014 10:11:20 AM
[Pru isn't trained in any of those skills.]
"My stunt with the lights was really stupid," she says. "They'd already heard us approaching. The lights didn't disguise our position; they only made it look like there were more of us and that made the people in the church more defensive."
She frowns, and continues. "As a group, I don't think we're very good at lying. I mean, Cameron, and Linden, and I have all practiced how to be diplomatic, but I don't think any of us have practiced lying. When the group started to question us, our first instinct was to bluff them, and we're terrible at it. I don't think that's a good strategy for us."
"Also, I think Cameron should be the main person who speaks for us. Linden and I can help, but Cameron is the best and he should do the talking."
Nikolai (JonathanT) AC 16 Tch 16 Ffted 13 HP 28/28 CMD 19/21(Grapple) d20=14 ; Tuesday April 15th, 2014 11:57:06 AM
Perform DC20 = 14
Nikolai tries to explain his strategy, "We had the fog obscuring most of us and since we didn't know if they were going to be hostile, I thought it a good idea to keep our true numbers a secret just in case we needed an ace up our sleeve. So I hid behind a gravestone. You understand that, when we first arrived we could not see that the old graveyard was untouched, due to the fog. It was not until after the fog lifted, and by then Fur-Bar had already happened.
In retrospect, a good tactician would have waited until the fog lifted before approaching. It is never good to enter an unknown area with such hindrances as darkness and fog and such."
With respect to the undead he adds, "The townsfolk seemed rather fixated on the Pantheonites and neglected to mention anything about the north and what lies there. Shall we stil investigate this or head on back to HQ?"
Carver AC 17, AC 19/ shield, CMB 6, CMD 16, HP 21/25 (10) (John C) d20=12 ; d20=13 ; d20=3 ; Tuesday April 15th, 2014 2:40:16 PM
Having heard Fubar mentioned, Carver never truly has understood what it means. Ummm, Sargent, not to sound foolish, but what does FUBAR mean? I take it that it's bad, but I'm only getting it from second and third hand inferences. "
If no one else will ask, Carver will step up and take the heat to be sure that he understands just what the Sargents are explaining to the fist.
Ac 21,Touch 15,Flat 17(+1 to all acs vs larger creatures), (CMB 1 CMD 15) HP 22/22 Cameron Honeytamer Steelshaper ( David Feest) d20+1=15 ; Tuesday April 15th, 2014 3:01:06 PM
Local Knowledge 15 " So THAT's what the old timers mean when they talk in the barracks? Punch's stick, that's the 'fu-bar' you mean? Never heard it called that but it makes the rest of what you said more clear. Wardd must've had a jolly time slapping us around yesterday then. None of what we planned worked out. I was a second from tossing one of these babies through the window when I noticed my old pal inside. Couldn't roast her. From there it all just went downhill." As he talks Cameron displays the necklace of Fireballs he swiped from the table yesterday morning before they left to fight the undead. Clearly that would have made an impression on the Panthonites. " Guess it was a good thing I saw her. This surely would have ruined their day."
AC 19 w/shield, TAC 11, FFAC 15, (CMD 15, CMB 2), HPS 33/33 Linden (Jay B) Tuesday April 15th, 2014 7:49:35 PM
The centaur looks at Prudence. "But I like to talk. That's gonna harsh my mojo. But I'll try not to talk too much."
"Oooo... ooo... I know what F.u.b.a.r is! Um, it's a really BAD outcome. That's the kind way to break down the abbreviation." The cleric looks uncomfortable just thinking the words they REALLY mean.
He grins and looks at Cameron. "Knowing Warrd, that necklace would have been signicantly worse for us!"
He supports going north to investigate the goings on there, and agrees that Cameron would also be their best diplomat. William knows that a soft touch is not in his skill set and he tends to be gruff and matter-of-fact when he's angry or frustrated.
He adds, "Yes, I'll make sure in the future to stay near one of you so that we can watch each other's backs. We should definitely discuss tactics next time before charging into an encounter, including who's doing what and going where..."
Fu-Bar and a Plan of Action (DM SteveK) Tuesday April 15th, 2014 8:31:44 PM
Helmsbane grins. "The Fu-bar is Wardd's Bad Luck Stick. You often see puppets swinging it around at the shows on feast days. Fu-bar is short for 'Fouled Up Beyond All Recognition', and means absolutely everything with a plan going wrong." The dwarf chuckles and Trimmack grins, sharing some veteran humor with the team. "Sounds like Wardd royally Fu-Barred you yesterday!"
The story of Wardd's Fu-Bar seems to break the tension and get the team thinking positively again. Trimmack stands and stretches. "The Swamp is big and wide and impossible to track anything. No way you'll be able to find anything except by being a Alisidurian Trap Detector." (Behind Trimmack, Sergeant Helmbane mimes putting his hands over his eyes and tapping the ground with his feet in front of him.) "What we're going to do is get the horses and go back to that Church. If those Parnothians are still there, the Mailed Fist owes them a knuckle sandwich for harassing Prudence. And if they aren't there, maybe you can do a GOOD search of the place for loot."
"NOW you're talking!", hoots Helmbane. "Payment of a contract is strictly managed by the Quartermasters. Looting and burglary is prohibited, but abandoned property is fair game!" The sergeant's talk reminds the mercenaries that among their classes were included the rules and law of the Mailed Fist, and Helmbane is right. The Quartermasters operate under strict guidelines, and overpayment, underpayment, or any other misuse of funds will result in court martial. The penalty for rape or unauthorized looting and pillaging is death. But finding something in the wilderness isn't looting!
"Troopers! Sergeant Helmbane and I are going to set ourselves as a mobile reserve. You are going back to that Church, organize your plan, and execute so the place of your defeat becomes a place of victory. Use our time on the road to plan your strategy. Mount up!"
AC 19 w/shield, TAC 11, FFAC 15, (CMD 15, CMB 2), HPS 33/33 Linden (Jay B) Tuesday April 15th, 2014 9:36:45 PM
"Mount up?" Asks the centaur. "That'd be hard sir. But I'll give it a shot. Where's my steed!"
Prudence Gundle (Kathy) Wednesday April 16th, 2014 1:36:45 PM Back to the church. Pru has mixed feelings about that. She doesn't have good memories of the place. On the other hand, the sergeants are probably right; the way to deal with those memories is to replace them with better ones.
She goes to help get the horses ready. "Knuckle sandwich, hmm?" she asks with a small smile. "I may have to settle for singeing somebody's eyebrows off their face."
"When we get there," she says, "we should first check to make sure the place really is deserted, and then do our search for treasure and stuff."
Ac 21,Touch 15,Flat 17(+1 to all acs vs larger creatures), (CMB 1 CMD 15) HP 22/22 Cameron Honeytamer Steelshaper ( David Feest) Wednesday April 16th, 2014 2:27:42 PM
OOC Thanks Ezra. I was pretty sure he was dead, you saved me alot of back reading 8).
Carver AC 17, AC 19/ shield, CMB 6, CMD 16, HP 21/25 (10) (John C) Wednesday April 16th, 2014 2:51:39 PM
While the others are getting mounted up and such, "Sargents, the church was in itself not evil, but there was an underlying sense of evil associated with it. So even if it is empty, it might be dangerous still." Carver will travel with his lance and shield at the ready, it seems it's his best bet, and seems fitting for him to be ready for melee, while others worry about ranged attacks....
Bliss (Cayzle) (AC23, HP11/11 of 16) Wednesday April 16th, 2014 4:07:33 PM
This time, Mookie and Bliss fly low, looping in scouting circles over or behind the group. At the first sign of anything out of the ordinary, they are ready to land fast.
Bliss thinks about strategy. "We gotta know more before we go traipsing in there."
"When we arrive, I'll cast Reduce on Mookie so he'll seem to be a small blackbird, not the giant crow they saw the first time. Before combat starts, Mookie can fly on his own around the church for a couple minutes to see if he sees anything. After combat starts, if it does, he can hide out."
"That's for sure," says Mookie. "I have no desire to be a crossbow bolt pincushion!"
"Me neither," says Bliss. "That's why I'll land, cast my new Speedy Strider spell, and scout around under the cover of the trees!"
"So give us like five minutes of scouting while you all wait far back. We're best at being sneaky, so let me and Mookie sneak around and find out stuff."
"How's that sound?"
Nikolai (JonathanT) AC 16 Tch 16 Ffted 13 HP 28/28 CMD 19/21(Grapple) Wednesday April 16th, 2014 6:43:17 PM
Nikolai mumbles loud enough for those around him to hear, "Had you let us do that search I suggested, we'd be done with that already and on our way home by now."
But he mumbles so with a slight grin, with like a 'Aha! See!' kind of smug attitude.
He does pipe up about the swamp. "Sirs, we wouldn't need to search the whole swamp. The Undead tracks leaving the swamp should give us a good starting point and Bliss and Mookie can make short work of many miles of searching while flying. The question to answer is 'why now?' What is causing the undead to attack Cheerful Stay now and not yesteryear or next year? Something is there creating them. Our presence at the swamp border may bring such villain out."
Nikolai helps get the horses ready and brought to the clearing.
William the Courageous (Ken) AC 18 (Mage Armor) hp 17/17 Wednesday April 16th, 2014 7:39:33 PM
William agrees with the tentative plan, especially a quick and quiet search, and says, "I'll be the mobile reserve too, and will summon in some help wherever we run into problems... Until then, I'll fire off some bolts or acid darts at whomever is engaged by one of us... I'll be casting Mage Armor before the fun starts though..."
The Decrepit Church (DM SteveK) Wednesday April 16th, 2014 8:23:51 PM Linden asks how he can 'mount up', and looks for a steed. Helmbane grunts and ignores the humor, but Trimmack rejoins, "Keep it up Trooper, and next Family Day at the Citadel, I'll have Bliss shrink you to pony size for toddlers to get rides on all day."
Pru has mixed feelings about going back to the Church, but figures the way to deal with those memories is to replace them with better ones. She makes a suggestion about making sure the place is really deserted.
Carver cautions about the underlying sense of evil with the Church and saying it might be dangerous. Sergeant Helmbane growls back as he bounces along on his own horse. "Good thing we taught you how to use pointy things called weapons, eh? And yer a paladin too, so I think taking care of stuff like that is right down your tunnel."
Bliss and Mookie fly low, barely able to stay ahead of the group (ooc: B&M with a light load can fly 40' and the horses with a medium load have a 35' move.). At the first sign of trouble, Bliss is ready to land the Raven fast. Bliss also thinks a good scout would be good. He suggests a plan to let Bliss and Mookie scout on their own for about 5 minutes and then report back.
Nikolai feels smug that he suggested doing a search before the group left, and is bold enough to challenge the Sergeant's decision on searching the Swamp for undead. Trimmack responds. "Komonov, you are wrong on three counts. First, even if you searched the Church we'd be going back because the Main reason is to reinforce to you and them that nobody will mess with anyone in the Mailed Fist. Second, we are going because I am the leader and I'm taking the responsibility that one day to do said reinforcement is both important and not too risky. Third, looking through a Swamp half the size of Zarthmoor for undead and who knows what else is in there is both NOT important enough and IS too risky." Helmbane rolls his eyes and talks to William, Bliss, Carver, and Cameron. "WE are doing this because I said so!", and then looks at Trimmack with a smug grin. Trimmack darkens but doesn't say anything to Helmbane, instead turning to his own Fist. "I'm explaining this to you because one day you may be Sergeants and have to think about these priorities too."
William also says he will be in the mobile reserve, to which Helmbane snorts. "You are going to be with your Fist, Trooper, if I have to pitch you out there myself!"
Tinker is pretty quiet, his fingers itching for some lock to pick or mechanism to set. Or unset. He doesn't really care which!
.....................
Riding the horses, (or Raven, or own their own four hooves), the Honor Fist moves quickly through the morning sunlight (Survival DC 20 Highlight to display spoiler: { The firm road and travelling at speed, the hero has a hard time, but can notice there are no telltale undead tracks after a mile east of Cheerful Stay}). No monsters, weather, or anything out of the ordinary impedes the group's progress, and they are soon seeing the slight rise that hid the Church's view from the road. Moving off into a copse of broad-leafed trees, (Know Nature DC 10 Highlight to display spoiler: {Elm, Beech, and Sycamore}).
There, the two Sergeants and the six riders tie off their horses and move to the edge of the copse which is also on the edge of the rise to look at the road and cemetery and church without the fog. Sergeant Trimmack lays out his side of the plan, Trimmack strining a bow, and Helmbane holding a heavy crossbow. "OK, Sergeant Helmbane and I will stay here just in case for backup, but you won't need us. You make your own plan, check out the Church, assault through, and loot the place. You are on your copper piece."
And with that, both Sergeants have stopped talking and just watch the Fist Troopers to see how they handle this graduate-level practical exercise. ...............
AC 19 w/shield, TAC 11, FFAC 15, (CMD 15, CMB 2), HPS 33/33 Linden (Jay B) Wednesday April 16th, 2014 8:35:27 PM
"I scanned for evil when we were at the church and felt none."
OOC spell list being modded.
Carver AC 17, AC 19/ shield, CMB 6, CMD 16, HP 21/25 (10) (John C) d20+3=14 ; Wednesday April 16th, 2014 9:26:55 PM
To Carver, the road is just a road, it's nice and firm, there fore easy to travel on as it gives him a very sure footed base to turn upon if needed. (survival roll 14) Once they reach the trees, "Well, I'm not a stealthy scout, now if you want it re-conned in force, I'm your Centaur. Being large and in heavy armor removes any chance at my being quiet and sneaky. So..... We need to stay in mutual support of each other, that makes my suggestion simple. We all move forward in a group, all no further apart than 15' or so in a loose formation, like you would use when searching an area for anything."
Ac 21,Touch 15,Flat 17(+1 to all acs vs larger creatures), (CMB 1 CMD 15) HP 22/22 Cameron Honeytamer Steelshaper ( David Feest) Wednesday April 16th, 2014 11:28:59 PM " Sounds good to me. Ranged people in the middle with bow and crossbows out and melee guys up front. Try not to get separated." Once they are near, Cameron pulls out his bow and gets ready.
AC 19 w/shield, TAC 11, FFAC 15, (CMD 15, CMB 2), HPS 33/33 Linden (Jay B) Thursday April 17th, 2014 12:19:30 AM
"I'll be using a crossbow then. If we have to engage someone who is hostile, I'll cast Bless, if time permits. For future reference, I've been thinking about our lack of stealth skills. I have access, now, to Silence, (not currently prepared though), it lasts only a very short time, but if used on a stone or one of my Starknives, or even a bolt or arrow, to pinpoint a target, lodging it into door frame, wagon, etc. If planned and timed well, we can use it to great effect.... for breaching exterior doors, passing into an area or anything we can think of."
Bliss (Cayzle) (AC23, HP11/11 of 16) d20+2=8 ; d20+1=9 ; d20+32=49 ; d20+32=50 ; d20+32=35 ; d20+32=43 ; d20+12=18 ; d20+12=22 ; d20+12=32 ; d20+12=24 ; Thursday April 17th, 2014 11:24:11 AM
untrained survival at +2 wis -- 8
untrained know nature at +1 -- 9
Bliss is oblivious.
=====
Bliss lands, casts longstrider (no ley line check needed seeing as it is a divine spell), and asks one more time ... 'Does anyone want me to scout around the outside of the place first? Just to circle, look for people or stuff, like that?"
If others agree, great. He ends the Enlarge on Mookie, casts Reduce Person on Mookie, and asks him to circle around just for a look, and come back if there is any sign of any thing interesting. Be back in under two minutes!
"Sure, kid, sure, but I go to ground if anyone takes a shot at me," says Mookie.
While Mookie is out, Bliss asks a caster friend to read one of his Mage Armor scrolls for him.
After Mookie comes back with his report, Bliss drinks his Elixer of Hiding, renews his Reduce and then goes out scouting, always under the cover of trees or gravestones or other stuff; or in the concealment of any shadows or grasses. Bliss is traveling at full stealth at 70 ft per round, and he plans to be out and back before his spell expires.
Stealth checks as needed: 49, 50, 35, 43.
Perception checks as needed: 18, 22, 32, 24
DM Sanity Info:
Spells per day: domain: longstrider (cast), one open first level slot. Agile Feet used 0 of 5 / day used: elixer of hiding, mage armor scroll. current effects: reduce person, elixer of hiding, mage armor
Prudence Gundle (Kathy) Thursday April 17th, 2014 12:30:05 PM
"I'm not thrilled with a plan that involves one person--or one bird--going off by themselves to scout. I don't think we're sneaky enough to do that yet, and the rest of the group doesn't yet have a lot of tricks we can use to catch up in a hurry. I think safety in numbers is the way to go for now."
Bliss (Cayzle) (AC23, HP11/11 of 16) Thursday April 17th, 2014 12:48:49 PM
"OK, Miss Prudence."
Bliss gives up his scouting plan and sticks to the back of the group. He does not drink the elixer but does use the mage armor and the longstrider.
William agrees to read the scroll for his friend Bliss and says "I'll stick to the back of the group and either use ranged attacks or summon help when we get into a brawl. Also, I agree we need to stay close enough to each other for mutual support. "
AC 19 w/shield, TAC 11, FFAC 15, (CMD 15, CMB 2), HPS 33/33 Linden (Jay B) Thursday April 17th, 2014 6:25:51 PM
checking in...
Nikolai (JonathanT) AC 16 Tch 16 Ffted 13 HP 28/28 CMD 19/21(Grapple) d20+7=21 ; d20+8=9 ; Thursday April 17th, 2014 7:14:51 PM
Survival DC20 = 21 +1 (ranger lvl) = 22 Knowledge Nature = untrained.
Nikolai stares straight ahead when chewed out. "YES SIR!" he replies with strength to emphasize he got the message.
With that over, he remains quiet during the trip back to the church. He really hated to leave the area whith the undead mystery unsolved, but that is the way it is. He does notice the road and the tracks there and that answers some questions.
OOC: BTW, Nikolai took a Ranger levl and chose Undead as his 1st favored Enemy to follow the logical storyline progression. :)
At the church, Bliss wants to go scouting again. Although Nikolai things Mookie can probably handle himself as a normal bird, and Bliss wants to make up for the fiasco the day before, right now he agrees that staying in formation is the best. If the Pantheonites are still here, which he doubts, they can't complain about their approach this time.
Nikolai takes position up front. "Before we get too close, check for evil emanations. And Pru, can you spare another Mage Armor for me? he grins at Pru.
Nikolai scans the ground for fresh tracks as they approach on the odd chance there just might be something.
"Straight for the front door?"
Survival (Track) +8 = 9!
Approaching the Decrepit Church (DM SteveK) d20=19 Thursday April 17th, 2014 8:41:53 PM Linden informs everyone that he scanned for evil when we were at the church and felt none. Yet was that before or after the vision of the squid-headed monster? The Pantheonians clearly mentioned that after that vision, there was a tinge of evil about the church. Once the tactic is decided, he gets out his crossbow.
Carver admits that when it comes to skills, he is not a stealthy scout, and suggests a re-con in force to stay in mutual support of each other. Moving forward in loose formation group can make sure to get maximum dispersion and still be close enough to help out.
Cameron agrees, calling for the 'ranged people in the middle with bow and crossbows out and melee guys up front.' The halfling himself sets up as a missle combatant.
Bliss still calls for a scout, but is persuaded by Prudence, and sticks to the back of the group, bespelling himself with Mage Armor and Longstrider. (ooc: please annotate in your post 'below the line' and track duration) OOC: At the beginning of this post, Bliss has 19 rounds left on his Reduce Person. At Bliss' next post, he has 9 rounds remaining.
Prudence is not thrilled with a plan that involves one person--or one bird--going off by themselves to scout. She of course becomes a person in the middle.
William agrees to read the scroll for his friend Bliss and agrees to stick to the back of the group and either use ranged attacks or summon help when we get into a brawl.
Nikolai stares straight ahead when chewed out, giving an emphatic "YES SIR!" to show he got the message. The Monk/Ranger takes position up front. He asks for a check for evil and a Mage Armor spell. He scans the ground for fresh tracks as they approach, but the firm ground doesn't give up its secrets so easily. "Straight for the front door?"
Tinker visibly considers whether to be ready with a mechanical crossbow or a very non-mechanical but very functional Urgosh, and decides to do both. Crossbow ready and in hand, the dwarf still steps to the front of the formation, ready to shoot and drop his crossbow if the need arises. "My trigger finger is itchy", he grunts, idly scratching his right index finger for emphasis. "Let's go.
..................
With a formation and a plan, the Honor Fist steps out of the copse of trees and takes a deliberate and steady progression towards the Decrepit Church main entrance. With some seconds to get organized in the copse of trees before stepping out, and moving at a deliberate pace of the slowest mercenary (Tinker and Cameron), it takes a minute (ooc: 10 rounds) for the Troopers to cover 3/4 of the way to the doors of the Church. The cemetery is 20 feet to the west and the doors are 50 feet away to the north-west.
From the last time the Fist was at the Church, the spellcasters and paladins know that to detect evil, the hero first must choose a direction (cone shaped emanation), concentrate (standard action), and be within 60 feet. Any attempt from the copse is sure to reveal absolutely nothing.
...............
Please identify square hero is moving to. Failure means DM will do the best he can based on the PC post.
Perception Checks DC 10 -Highlight to display spoiler: { Neither Rufford nor any guard is at the old Steeple or at the Doors.} DC 15 -Highlight to display spoiler: { There are two graves and three new boards on the north side of the cemetery.} DC 20 -Highlight to display spoiler: { There is no sound or telltale traces of movement at the Church windows.}
AC 19 w/shield, TAC 11, FFAC 15, (CMD 15, CMB 2), HPS 33/33 Linden (Jay B) d20+3=13 ; d20+5=14 ; Thursday April 17th, 2014 9:38:01 PM
(Perception 13, Survival 14 to determine best direction for cover or 1/2 concealment)
Before letting him out of his sight, Linden grabs Bliss by the scruff of the neck. "By the way..." He casts Status on the halfling. "...your not leaving my sight EVER without allowing me to cast this on you."
The cleric hates weapons, but has gotten familiar with his crossbow and raises it to his eyes, both open, scanning the church on 100 degree arc and scans the steeple on every other pass. He steps up to AD19 just behind Nik, which allows him to get most of the church, steeple and cemetary in view and range of the crossbow.
Status on Bliss, 3 hours
(down 1 2nd level spell)
(OOC: Do hero point nominations go out AFTER modules or anytime?) DMSteveK Hero Point nominations at anytime. You can email me or do a Post Private to DM. Yeah, I know most of us have privledges, but it is also to keep the Board uncluttered for visitors who read the site.
He joins in scanning the area, and though he's further back in the group (Perc - 24), he sees several interesting things... Whispering to his friends, he says, "Pass this on to the others. I don't see anyone at the old Steeple or at the doors. However, do you see that freshly moved dirt? I think there are 2 graves and 3 new boards near that north side, do you see it, right over there. However, I don't hear anything or see any movement in the church windows so it may be unoccupied or they're sleeping..."
Re: where he moves, he'll stay roughly in the center of the party (wherever they end up moving) crouching low to get as much cover as he can from any possible ranged attack...
_____ 1. Mage Armor 3/3 hours
Carver AC 17, AC 19/ shield, CMB 6, CMD 16, HP 21/25 (10) (John C) d20+3=17 ; Thursday April 17th, 2014 11:27:45 PM
As they approach, Carver notices that no one seems to be on guard, an that there seems to be a couple fresh graves among the older ones in the graveyard. Quietly,""I see no guards, but if they're hiding, I wouldn't be seeing them so, expect guards. We need to move up a bit more, then I think we should assault through the door, our best bet for surprise."
AC 19 w/shield, TAC 11, FFAC 15, (CMD 15, CMB 2), HPS 33/33 Linden (Jay B) Friday April 18th, 2014 1:11:49 AM
"Yup, they wouldn't expect that."
(OOC: Carver/John, before Linden slept, he healed everyone. Your header should read at fully health.) (OOC: Should we NOT be using our 3rd level sheets yet? I just noticed John's header (10), thinking that's his NEXT level stats...)
DMSteveK: Use the 3rd level PC sheets.
Bliss (Cayzle) (AC23, HP20 of 20) d20+12=27 ; Friday April 18th, 2014 6:05:19 AM [OOC: I figure we advanced overnight. I'm using the 3rd level Bliss!]
When Linden casts his spell, Bliss says, "Thanks Lindy, for watching out for me!"
Perception check: 27
"Looks to me like those other guys buried their dead and moved on. There's a couple new graves, and no sign of anyone else anywhere."
Bliss moves 40 ft to U23, then renews his Reduce. Mookie stays close.
"Do we have to go to the boneyard, Kid? I've seen enough undead in my day."
"Mookie," answers Bliss, "I can snipe from behind a gravestone, maybe. And these dead did not get up yesterday, so why would they get up today?"
=====
DM Sanity Info:
Spells per day: domain: longstrider (cast), one open first level slot. Agile Feet used 0 of 5 / day used: mage armor scroll. current effects: reduce person, mage armor, status
Ac 21,Touch 15,Flat 17(+1 to all acs vs larger creatures), (CMB 2 CMD 16) HP 34/34 Cameron Honeytamer Steelshaper ( David Feest) d20+8=17 ; d20+1=12 ; d20+1=20 ; d20+8=25 ; d6=4 ; Friday April 18th, 2014 6:23:13 AM
OOC Swore I posted last night, oh well the roll is still here. IC Perception 17 Cameron sees the same stuff as most of his mates, but wonders about the graves. " Weren't they taking their dead to their families? I swear they mentioned that. If so why new graves? Watch those. I don't trust them. Not with the undead we have seen already." Knowledge Religion 12 ( is it a custom of Pantheon to bury the dead immediately?) Wisdom check 20 Didn't they mention delivering their dead home? ( If it should be an int check just subtract 1) Cameron moves to V/19 Cameron readies his bow. He will not shoot first, unless the target is clearly undead. Hit AC 25 (+1 if inside30') for 5 damage (+1 if inside30')
Prudence Gundle (Kathy) d20=19 ; Friday April 18th, 2014 2:25:20 PM
At his request, Pru casts Mage Armor on Nikolai.
If there is time, she also casts Bliss's Mage Armor from his scroll.
"I'm pretty sure if they were here they'd have a sentry posted," Pru says. She moves up if the group does, staying next to William in the center.
Mage Armor on Nikolai: 3 hours remaining
Nikolai (JonathanT) AC 20 Tch 20 Ffted 17 HP 28/28 CMD 19/21(Grapple) d20+11=22 ; d20+11=27 ; d20+8=13 ; Friday April 18th, 2014 8:22:52 PM
Perc +11 = 22
Spells in effect: Mage Armor
Nikolai thanks Pru for the magical protection. "That little spell, Pru, makes a world of difference between a scratch and bloody gash," and winks at Pru.
"Well," Nikolai states pesively, "if the Pantheonites are here, we don't need to go barging in. That's one of the things that caused the misunderstanding in the first place. But they would have sentries, even more so now. My wild guess is that those three boards are the makeshift headboards for their three deceased comrades. I bet a copper that the boards will have their names and date of death. Maybe some curse words against the Mailed Fist added out of spite."
My guess is that their trip back home would take far longer than they want to carry decomposing bodies, with their mage not around to keep them 'fresh', so to speak."
Nikolai movesto AC12 and looks around and at the front door. Is the front door open?
Perc +11 = 27
Nikolai also looks for tracks, specifically from the door and heading off towards the north or northeast.
Survival (Track) +8 = 13
Carver AC 17, AC 19/ shield, CMB 6, CMD 16, HP 21/25 (10) (John C) Saturday April 19th, 2014 12:01:59 AM
checkin in
AC 19 w/shield, TAC 11, FFAC 15, (CMD 15, CMB 2), HPS 33/33 Linden (Jay B) Saturday April 19th, 2014 4:36:58 AM
"Or they are are very recent undead caused deaths."
Approaching the Decrepit Church (DM SteveK) Saturday April 19th, 2014 12:28:26 PM Linden grabs Bliss by the scruff of the neck and casts Status on the halfling, explaining his real concern over the little guy. He raises his hated but familiar crossbow to scan the church, steeple and cemetery.
William, also with a crossbow, casts Mage Armor upon himself, and joins in scanning the area, whispering what his sharp eyes are able to pick out.
Carver confirms Williams' status of graveyard and guards, and suggests an assault right through the door.
Bliss thanks Lindy, and speculates on the new graves. The quick feet of Gargul's ally flit to the edge of the cemetery and renews his small spell (pun intended), speculating on the unlikeliness of undead.
Cameron sees the same stuff as most of his mates, but wonders about the graves, because the Panthenonians said they were taking the bodies and news home. Thinking of his religious training, the halfling recalls that 'Clerics of Pantheon are called Justices. Although they can be stern, these Justices are respected for their probity and integrity, as well as for their knowledge of laws.' Yelsid introduced himself as 'Justice Yelsid'. Cameron does not recall the more esoteric burial practices. Still, the bard wisely surmises that if the Panthenonians were going any distance and Yelsid were not willing to use two Gentle Repose spells this day in a well-deemed hostile area, the bodies would become stinky very fast. Perhaps they changed their minds and decided to bury their dead, perhaps they lied (ooc: easy to lie to Cameron, but would have been accomplished liars to get past Bliss), perhaps for some other reason. The one thing Cameron is sure of in this moment of wise clarity is that considering another's point of view makes life more complicated, and much less black-and-white. The curse and gift of wisdom. Shaking off the speculations, Cameron focuses on the here-and-now, ready to shoot any clearly identified undead.
Prudence casts Mage Armor on Nikolai. (William already cast Bliss' Mage Armor so there is no need). She is pretty sure that if the group were still here, they would have a sentry.
Nikolai thanks Pru for the magical protection. His speculation falls into place with the eyes of William, Carver, and Bliss and the wise musings of Cameron; yet there is only one way to know for sure... As Bliss goes to the left flank, Nikolai gains some separation on the right flank and looks at the front door. It is closed tightly. (Although the windows on the south side are still smashed in and not boarded up). Nickolai looks at the ground but the firm ground doesn't hold signs easily, and the monk can't tell. (ooc: Survival for Tracks on Firm Ground DC 15 + 5 [Nikolai at normal speed] -3 [group of 4 Medium creatures] +0 [no rain, less than 24 hours, no visibility impairment] = Nikolai needs a DC 17 to see anything.)
Tinker keeps his crossbow out, but veers a bit so he (and his lock picks) will be able to get to the front door quickly (move to V,16). The dwarf is getting excited about being able to play with a mechanical lock!
...............
The group continues in a general straight line to the front door of the Decrepit Church. There is still no movement. While there are speculations about the graves, the Panthenonian motivations and whereabouts... the Troopers know there is a big difference between 'likely' and 'certain'.
...............
Please identify square hero is moving to. Failure means DM will do the best he can based on the PC post.
Carver AC 17, AC 19/ shield, CMB 6, CMD 16, HP 21/25 (10) (John C) Saturday April 19th, 2014 1:16:10 PM
OOC: The map is extremely small, and even with my programs to enlarge it, it becomes too blurry to read very well. Also certain people are nearly blind in this group so if you can double the map size it'd be a great help.
DMSteveK: Added a second map. Does that help?
Ac 21,Touch 15,Flat 17(+1 to all acs vs larger creatures), (CMB 2 CMD 16) HP 34/34 Cameron Honeytamer Steelshaper ( David Feest) d20+8=12 ; d20+8=28 ; d20+8=14 ; d20+6=11 ; d20+8=14 ; Saturday April 19th, 2014 1:23:54 PM
Cameron is still hearing alarm bells in his little noggin. Something still isn't right. " Nikolai gains some separation on the right flank and looks at the front door. It is closed tightly." Why is that closed he Wonders. I didn't close it, Nobody did that he could remember. It is an abandoned building. Who closes the doors on an abandoned building? " Hold in place!" he calls out. " Carver, you can see better than half the church from where you are, scan it for evil please. Pru or William scan for magic too. Something isn't right here. Who remembers closing the door? Scan the woods to the sides too. Use your eyes folks. We are missing something and are in the open." Cameron starts following his own advice. He scans the steeple, windows, woods and graveyard for signs of trouble. He too follows Nickolai's example and looks for tracks as he stands stock still. At no time does he loosen his grip on his bowstring ( still holding a shot Use the above rolls?) Perception 12 (steeple) Perception 28 (windows) Perception 14 (woods) Perception 14 (graveyard) Tracking 11 Cameron readies his bow. He will not shoot first, unless the target is clearly undead. Hit AC 25 (+1 if inside30') for 5 damage (+1 if inside30') If surprised by a sudden attack the monocle pops from his widening eye as he shouts "Good Heavens!" and fires at the attacker
The Gentleman's Monocle! A monocle is a type of corrective lens used to correct or enhance the vision in only one eye. It consists of a circular lens, generally with a wire ring around the circumference that can be attached to a string or wire. As an immediate action at the beginning of combat, you can raise your eyebrows in alarm and cry out "Good Heavens!", popping the monocle from your eye. Your character can act during the surprise round of combat, regardless of the result of any skill checks or circumstances which would normally deny your character actions during the surprise round. from LnB 12/18/13
William the Courageous (Ken) AC 18 (Mage Armor) hp 17/17 Saturday April 19th, 2014 2:48:47 PM
WIlliam remains crouched and casts Detect Magic, checking the South side of the building and seeing if there's anything suspicious... ________ Cast 1. Mage Armor 2. Detect Magic 30/30 rounds
Nikolai (JonathanT) AC 20 Tch 20 Ffted 17 HP 28/28 CMD 19/21(Grapple) d20+7=23 ; d20+11=13 ; d20+8=28 ; Saturday April 19th, 2014 7:58:27 PM
OOC: I'm viewing the first map using Google Chrome, Comes up fine for me.
Nikolai did not really expect to see much tracks but it didn't hurt to look. It seemed clear to him that the Pantheonians returned here to gather up their stuff and their dead, decided not to carry them all the way home, and buried them here. From here, where they went, was only a guess. Once the church and surrounding area was secured, they could spend more time looking for those tracks. Righ now it was more important to determine if the church door was closed shut by the Pantheonians when they leff (why not?) or by some other entity.
He notices all the crossbows and makes a mental note to get one too. His Shuriken are good for close-ups, but for long range they are pathetic.
He moves to U8 and peeks around the corner. From here he can watch that side of the church and the front as well.
Stealth +7 (-5 full move) = 23 - 5 = 18 Perception (looking around the corner to north side of the church) +11 = 13 Survival (Tracks): 28! Survival for Tracks on Firm Ground DC 15 + 5 [Nikolai at normal speed] -3 [group of 4 Medium creatures] +0 [no rain, less than 24 hours, no visibility impairment] = Nikolai needs a DC 17 to see anything.)
Prudence Gundle [AC 18; HP 29/29] [Mage Armor] (Kathy) d20+3=4 ; Sunday April 20th, 2014 2:26:37 PM
Pru has no idea whether the Pantheonites would have shut up the church (Knowledge Religion 4!), but if any of them had had a mother like hers, it would have been second nature. (Close the door! Do you want to let every crawling creature into the house?)
She moves cautiously forward [to Y-15] and casts Mage Armor on herself.
Active spells: Mage Armor on Prudence and Nikolai, 3 hours remaining.
Carver AC 17, AC 19/ shield, CMB 6, CMD 16, HP 21/25 (10) (John C) d20+5=6 ; d20+3=14 ; Sunday April 20th, 2014 3:21:53 PM
Carver considers what he knows about their religion (know Religion 5) to determine if they'd be shut up tight inside the church or not. He then uses his detect evil ability and looks over the church. (perception 14)
AC 19 w/shield, TAC 11, FFAC 15, (CMD 15, CMB 2), HPS 33/33 Linden (Jay B) Sunday April 20th, 2014 7:04:16 PM
OOC: John, you're at full health.
Linden stays put, covering the door and cemetary.
Ac 21,Touch 15,Flat 17(+1 to all acs vs larger creatures), (CMB 2 CMD 16) HP 34/34 Cameron Honeytamer Steelshaper ( David Feest) Sunday April 20th, 2014 10:09:03 PM
OOC John, you're also 3rd level... update your header
Carver AC 17, AC 19/ shield, CMB 7, CMD 17, HP 35/35 (John C) Sunday April 20th, 2014 11:09:09 PM
updated header
Bliss (Cayzle) (AC23, HP20 of 20) d20+22=25 ; d20+12=30 ; d20+12=25 ; Monday April 21st, 2014 8:36:02 AM
Bliss creeps up to O20, sneaking among the headstones. (traveling up to 35 feet with no penalty to stealth)
Stealth 25
He keeps his eyes peeled in general (Perception 30) and he takes a close look at those new graves (Perception 25).
Ac 21,Touch 15,Flat 17(+1 to all acs vs larger creatures), (CMB 2 CMD 16) HP 34/34 Cameron Honeytamer Steelshaper ( David Feest) Monday April 21st, 2014 6:12:36 PM
checking in
Carver AC 17, AC 19/ shield, CMB 7, CMD 17, HP 35/35 (John C) Monday April 21st, 2014 6:41:02 PM
checkin in
AC 19 w/shield, TAC 11, FFAC 15, (CMD 15, CMB 2), HPS 33/33 Linden (Jay B) Monday April 21st, 2014 7:32:59 PM
Checking in. Hoping everyone had an enjoyable whatever holiday you celebrate.
Approaching the Decrepit Church (DM SteveK) d20+9=15 ; d20+7=17 ; Monday April 21st, 2014 9:52:20 PM
OOC: Couple of game-isms we're gonna do while I'm DM. Setting this out at the top of the page to ensure everyone can see it, and because we've all had questions in the past...
1- READY ACTIONS: Only roll once for a READY action. If the action is being held from round to round, we will go with the first rolled Ready action. Players do NOT have to re-roll every round. (This evens the playing field for Ready Actions.)
2- Skills that take more than one round to perform (ie Diplomacy) Only roll once for the Skill (unless specifically asked for another roll). This will make each roll meaningful; bad or good. :-) .............
Cameron is still hearing alarm bells in his little noggin, and calls out a hold while the Fist gets more information. He scans the steeple, windows, woods and graveyard for signs of trouble, looking for tracks and keeping his grip on his bowstring. The halfling still sees no target; living or dead (or undead!)
WIlliam remains crouched and casts Detect Magic, checking the South side of the building and seeing if there's anything suspicious... there is no magic detected.
Nikolai moves to the northeast corner of the decrepit church and peeks around. It looks like the north side of the Church, the ground gradually descends into a swampy pool about a 1/4 mile away, a storm door and an old pipe extending from the ground. The monk can also now clearly see four sets of fresh medium-sized footprints left the front doors of the decrepit church and went East, maybe only a couple hours ago.
Pru has no idea whether the Pantheonites would have shut up the church,but if any of them had had a mother like hers, it would have been second nature. She moves cautiously forward [to Y-15] and casts Mage Armor on herself.
Carver considers what he knows about their religion, and comes up with only the very basic understanding of Panthenon; certainly nothing that would indicate Yelsid and Company's likely courses of action. As a Paladin, however, he can feel the church has an evil presence! Carver would have to keep concentrating to know more.
Linden stays put, covering the door and cemetery.
Bliss creeps among the headstones, keeping his eyes peeled and he takes a close look at those new graves. The first says: "Grewb of Panthenon, Justice". The second reads: "Here lies Samsilk, Apprentice of Selyana, foully murdered by the Mailed Fist, Beware of Mercenaries". The third reads: Shegal, Paladin of Panthenon, body lost to an apparition most foul, life lost to the Cursed Fist." Bliss can see the first two stones have graves newly dug, but the third only has shallowly turned earth.
Tinker quietly sneaks up to the door and does a quick look over. Glancing at Cameron and the Fist, the dwarf dourly looks back, giving an "all clear" sign. There isn't a lock or trap here, nothing interesting for the young dwarf. (Stealth-15, Find Traps-17) ..............
The Church doors are closed, but not locked nor trapped according to Tinker. Carver feels the presence of evil, but William does not feel any magic within his area of concentration. Nickolai has definitively found both where the Panthenonians have gone and where a sub-level entrance is on the Church. Bliss has definitively found both the identity of the graves and the general feeling of the now-departed Panthenonians.
It looks like the Honor Fist has completed the first half of their assignment, ensuring the Panthenonians remember the Mailed Fist. Now they need to keep on and finish the second half of the mission; to loot whatever's left.
Know Religion Dc 5 Highlight to display spoiler: { Any of the Gods of the Wold, and even most of the Gods of Testing would take a dim view of anyone desecrating a grave placard.}
Carver AC 17, AC 19/ shield, CMB 7, CMD 17, HP 35/35 (John C) d20+3=14 ; d20+5=25 ; Monday April 21st, 2014 10:00:47 PM "Don't enter just yet, give me a minute or so....." Carver continues to scan the church, he'll walk closer if he spots any areas that require closer scrutiny under the Detect Evil he's using. (perc 14)
Assuming the gravestones are relayed to rest what is said, "Don't mess with them, It would bode poorly upon us to mess with their markers. That being said, I don't for see a problem if we should leave a marker in addition to theirs, leaving the truth as we see it though." (know Religion 25)
Nikolai (JonathanT) AC 20 Tch 20 Ffted 17 HP 28/28 CMD 19/21(Grapple) d20+11=28 ; d20+7=13 ; Monday April 21st, 2014 10:16:22 PM
Spells in effect: Mage Armor, 3 hrs
The swampy pool is of little concern to Nikolai. He deduces that if it held any dangers, they would have harrassed the Pantheonians during their stay of several months. On the other hand, he knows not to write it off entirely. The entrance to an underground area peaks his attention though.
Certainly not very secret, so it could be the meat cellar, or canning cellar, depending on where you grew up. The pipe would keep the area ventilated, but that was not all that common in those farming cellars he was used to.
OOC: I'm just going by my personal experience of my family's farming background. :)
He looks at Tinker and gives him the thumbs-up signal that it is clear from his side.
Perc +11 (continue scanning the northern area) = 28
Steal +7 (use corner of building as cover to hide) = 13
Prudence Gundle [AC 18; HP 29/29] [Mage Armor] (Kathy) Monday April 21st, 2014 10:22:22 PM
Pru moves to support Tinker [to Y-12] and readies her crossbow. If he opens the door, she'll be in a position to cover him. You know, if she could ever hit anything.
She shakes her head a little at Carver. "Could we maybe make sure there aren't any monsters in the church before we go messing with headstones?" she asks.
Carver AC 17, AC 19/ shield, CMB 7, CMD 17, HP 35/35 (John C) Monday April 21st, 2014 10:54:49 PM "Wasn't planning on doing anything until we were ready to head out, I have my priorities in the right order."
Bliss (Cayzle) (AC23, HP20 of 20) d20+12=17 ; Tuesday April 22nd, 2014 11:23:44 AM
Regardless of how it went down, and even though it was not Bliss that killed anybody this time, the little fellow still feels guilty when he sees the new graves and the hatred for the Fist.
He figures a prayer won't hurt anything.
"Dear Gargul, please bless these poor dead guys who we killed. It was a real mess, but it was still a shame that people had to die. Please guide them through the shadows. Amen."
Bliss looks around and up at the church. He sneaks over to R19 and hides behind whatever tombstone or wall or fence or whatever there is.
[OOC: Kindly DM Steve, how often do you want stealth checks?]
Perception 17
Ac 21,Touch 15,Flat 17(+1 to all acs vs larger creatures), (CMB 2 CMD 16) HP 34/34 Cameron Honeytamer Steelshaper ( David Feest) Tuesday April 22nd, 2014 5:38:44 PM
Cameron moves to v/15 preparing to support Tinker when he is ready to open the door.
Cameron readies his bow. He will not shoot first, unless the target is clearly undead. Hit AC 25 (+1 if inside30') for 5 damage (+1 if inside30') If surprised by a sudden attack the monocle pops from his widening eye as he shouts "Good Heavens!" and fires at the attacker
AC 19 w/shield, TAC 11, FFAC 15, (CMD 15, CMB 2), HPS 33/33 Linden (Jay B) d20+1=12 ; d20+3=21 ; d20+12=17 ; Tuesday April 22nd, 2014 8:49:55 PM
Linden moves to AB11 to be in view of the door, covering Tinker. He nods when ready. The cleric is prepared for if Tinker is wounded in the attempt, he will use a Sacrificial Bond to take the wounds for him. Not having the skill to avoid hitting his friends, he hopes they stay out of his line of fire.
Religion 12 Perception 21 Sense Motive 17 (to key onto the exact moment Tinker will open the door)
(OOC: I suppose this is a Ready Action)
William the Courageous (Ken) AC 18 (Mage Armor) hp 17/17 d20+5=20 ; Tuesday April 22nd, 2014 9:35:40 PM
William moves his detect evil radius to cover this new area they've discovered, especially the area around the entrances, etc. He stays in the middle of the group, watching the area closely around them... Perc 20
He'll also have an acid dart ready to shoot at anything that presents a threat...
Opening the Decrepit Church (DM SteveK) Tuesday April 22nd, 2014 9:40:36 PM Carver continues to scan the church with his Detect Evil, but within 60 feet, he only can see the church as a whole radiates a faint aura of evil. His great knowledge of religion allows the centaur to remember another bit of spirituality. "Sources of evil affect an area of nature quickly and powerfully, and likewise -- the effect diminishes just as quickly when it's source leaves or is extinguished. Evil magic spreads hard and fast, as a disease does. In contrast, good magic develops slowly, gradually - just as renewed health is a slow and deliberate thing to achieve." It could be that the apparition or the battle between two good groups that turned to evil has created an area of faint evil that quickly rushed upon the Wold, spreading hard and fast...
Nikolai makes several deductions, among them some canny ones about the storm doors and pipe. He sees nothing of interest beyond what he has already discovered from his vantage point. He looks at Tinker and gives him the thumbs-up signal that it is clear from his side.
Pru moves to support Tinker and readies her crossbow. If he opens the door, she'll be in a position to cover him.
Bliss still feels guilty when he sees the new graves and the hatred for the Fist. He figures a prayer won't hurt anything before looking around and gets into a good sniping position. (Bliss has hard cover to one direction, he picks, due to hiding behind a tombstone.)
(ooc: If moving, Stealth once per round. If not moving, one check.)
Cameron moves to support Tinker when he is ready to open the door, keeping his bow and monocle ready.
Linden moves to be in view of the door, covering Tinker. He nods when ready.
Tinker looks about and sees most of his shield-mates are ready. Giving a deep breath, the dwarf lifts a simple latch and swings the door outward... and is met by an empty hall.
William had cast Detect Magic, not Detect Evil, but in his scan of the front door, he can't detect any magic other than the faint glow of a potion upon Tinker. .....................
The pews and detrius of a long-term camp have not changed since yesterday. The high morning sun streams from the east, shafts of light spilling into the door and silhouetting Tinker in the doorway... Luckily, there is no enemy to shoot the dwarf full of holes. The inside appears as empty as the outside.
William the Courageous (Ken) AC 18 (Mage Armor) hp 17/17 Tuesday April 22nd, 2014 9:44:16 PM
William (assuming he didn't see any magic? Looks like Dm and I posted at same time...) will follow the others in, making sure he's in the middle, as melee combat is something he wants nothing to do with... He's still detecting magic as they travel down the hall...
Carver AC 17, AC 19/ shield, CMB 7, CMD 17, HP 35/35 (John C) d20+3=11 ; Tuesday April 22nd, 2014 10:16:11 PM
Carver, lets the others deal with the upstairs, someone mentioned a storm cellar, he'll circle around to there and use his detect evil down the opening.....(perc 11)
Prudence Gundle [AC 18; HP 29/29] [Mage Armor] (Kathy) Wednesday April 23rd, 2014 12:55:00 AM
Crossbow at the ready, Pru casts her own Detect Magic spell and moves cautiously into the church.
"You scan the left side; I scan the right?" she suggests to William.
Bliss (Cayzle) (AC23, HP20 of 20) Wednesday April 23rd, 2014 6:55:27 AM
Bliss leaves the comforting cover of the graveyard and follows his group into the church. He'll be toward the back, maybe at the very back. His homemade bah is at hand.
Ac 21,Touch 15,Flat 17(+1 to all acs vs larger creatures), (CMB 2 CMD 16) HP 34/34 Cameron Honeytamer Steelshaper ( David Feest) d20+9=28 ; Wednesday April 23rd, 2014 4:21:02 PM
Cameron will move into the church. He keeps his bow ready and searches around, looking both for any signs of trouble or for loot. Perception 28
Cameron readies his bow. He will not shoot first, unless the target is clearly undead. Hit AC 25 (+1 if inside30') for 5 damage (+1 if inside30') If surprised by a sudden attack the monocle pops from his widening eye as he shouts "Good Heavens!" and fires at the attacker
Nikolai (JonathanT) AC 20 Tch 20 Ffted 17 HP 28/28 CMD 19/21(Grapple) d20+11=30 ; Wednesday April 23rd, 2014 6:44:46 PM
Once the door is opened and nothing jumps out immediately, Nikolai tells the group what he sees on the other side of the church.
OOC: NOW someone mentions the outside cellar. :)
IC: While the main body of the Fists enter the church, Carver heads around to get a closer look at the cellar. Nikolai follows Carver as backup. He whispers to Carver, "I'm sure the Pantheonians would have checked this place out too, but we'd be stupid not to as well."
Nikolai stops at O7. How big is this pipe? How wide the hole? How far above the ground does it reach?
Perception +11 = 30
AC 19 w/shield, TAC 11, FFAC 15, (CMD 15, CMB 2), HPS 33/33 Linden (Jay B) Wednesday April 23rd, 2014 8:58:05 PM
Linden moves up to the door but remains outside it to cover the exterior. He makes sure he is able to see the pews as well.
AC 19 w/shield, TAC 11, FFAC 15, (CMD 15, CMB 2), HPS 33/33 Linden (Jay B) Wednesday April 23rd, 2014 8:58:46 PM
OOC. Additional, he makes sure not to block any Fist wanting to enter.
LOG ON