Around town Wednesday September 18th, 2019 12:07:28 PM
Tempers start to flare as the Agents of the Fist try and deal with the massive evil in the area. Perhaps the continuous overwhelming aura of evil is starting to wear down the paladin in the group. Everywhere he looks feels like a very strong, overwhelming aura of evil. Certainly it is stronger towards the castle on the hill, but this is unlike anything Sigvar has experienced: the entire area just has a lingering evil aura on it. The people he’s encountered don’t emit evil, but they’re almost covered in it like a tiny drop of NOT evil in an evil area. Clearly there is a source of evil here that is really overwhelming the area.
Some of the group walk and talk outside. Perception, DC 25: Highlight to display spoiler: {You spot the head of a small child peek out of a doorway down the street, looking at you.} Nikolai heads back around the building and inside. He finds the barkeep huddled behind the counter. He jumps when Nikolai stomps into the room. He relaxes when he sees it is Nikolai. After talking with the man, he finds a similar story to that of the woman: the orcs just appeared and starting destroying and torturing. In days before, there were rumors of dark flying things up near and away from the castle. When asked about the castle, he says that it has been there longer than anyone in town can remember. He’s pretty sure that an old man lives there – at least that’s what the stories his father and grandfather had told him. He’s never seen the old man, but there’s no reason to not believe that someone lives there. In fact, he’s never seen anyone go in or out of the place in his lifetime. The castle has just always been there and no one in town has bothered it before – and it’s never bothered the town, it just is.
Sigvar checks out the orc, then heads back inside to check out the other orcs. The room in back is a mess. When he searches for keys or devices, he does find a shiny silver key on one of the orcs. When he works and searches the others, he notices many of their spears have broken in the combat, but the shields did not. The shields are large wooden shields with a metal strap around the edge. Each has a large white eye painted on the shield. When checked, all of the shields radiate magic. In the back corner of the room he also spots a solid wooden chest that has golden straps holding it together (Appraise, DC 20: Highlight to display spoiler: {The chest with the golden straps looks to be worth 5,000 gold!}) The chest is locked.
Meanwhile, Michael heads over towards the castle. The castle is on the east side of town on slightly higher ground than the town. Between the town and the castle, not visible until Michael headed out that direction, there is a small river passing down from an even higher rocky rise to the north. The river and the banks are quite rocky and steep. It is down in a bit of a gully as well, making passing through the river quite difficult. There are holes and large, pointy rocks scattered about. The river flow is strong and steady down the hills and towards the plains. Fortunately a bridge has been built that leads over the river. The bridge is made of white stone. It is about 15 feet wide and arcs up slightly for about 25 feet, then arcs slightly down 25 feet to the other bank.
OOC: Hope that’s a good enough explanation in-character for the detect evil. Sure, the orcs were evil. But in game terms, they would only have a moderate aura power – and the entire area has a lingering aura that is overwhelming. Because of that overwhelming aura, I would think that it would mess up some of the other detecting abilities, almost like there are two sources, but one is so much stronger than the other that the second, weaker one, just isn’t as clear. Sorry for any confusion on that one, and let me know if that’s not a good enough explanation (or drop me e-mail if you think the power should work in a completely different way!)
P.S. I just noticed the scene and module didn’t get updated, so I’ll update those now.
Michael Wittman AC:28, T:25, FF:24 (ucdodge) HP 103/103 Me+18(13)18 F+8, R+18,W+9, CMB+16, CMD+31 d20+25=34 ; d20+19=33 ; Wednesday September 18th, 2019 8:58:54 PM
Michael notices that he has to cross a bridge to get to the castle. as in in the open, that is not an optimum outcome. he heads back to the party to try and convince them of the 2nd option recon in force.
walking back he notices the kid peeking out from the door, he stops, waves to the kid then speaks. Hello child, I'm with the Mailed Fist, we are here to save this town, can I speak to your parents?
Prudence Gundle [AC 23; HP 104/104] Wednesday September 18th, 2019 10:12:37 PM
Pru looks toward the castle. She's not sure what to do next.
Anna Morphling (Hugh C) -- HP 96/112[0 temp hp]-- 33/15/29 CMD : 30 d20+14=18 ; d20+2=8 ; Wednesday September 18th, 2019 10:33:14 PM
(Perception: 18) (Appraise: 8)
Anna-dragon remains in dragon form for as long as her 11 min Form of Dragon spell lasts. She says to her friends, "I'm not opposed to scouting things out as a bird using my Queen's shape ability. But I would like to remain a formidable dragon for the duration of the spell. If it is okay with you I'm going to get as high as I can and scout from the air as a dragon first, then I'll land let the spell expire and revert to bird form."
Nikolai (JonathanT) AC 28 Tch 27 Ffted 20 HP 94/96 CMD 33/35(Grapple/Trip) Thursday September 19th, 2019 1:09:31 AM
Nikolai lets Sigvar vent. They were all frustrated that the orc-thing would not or could not communicate what they wanted. "Sigvar, I apologize for calling for its execution before you could glean anything else from it. Albeit, we tried numerous techniques that all failed. Other than Mind Reading, which might just get garbled messages anyway, it was clear it wasn't going to tell us anything. It did say it wanted to kill and eat. Oh well. It might have been saying his orc tribe was all killed and... but probably not, just that he was brain washed to kill all and eat."
Michael returns and reports. "Anna, you can stay as a dragon as long as you like."
With everyone now gathered and all information shared, Nikolai has to decide the course of action.
"It might be a wild guess that the creature in the castle is tampering with orcs and creating this demonic version, but it fits. Either way, the evil is clearly coming from the castle. Do we waste time still trying to contact the town leadership, which might be in just as bad a shape as the barkeep, or just go to where the evil is emanating? A million gold coin question. However marching up to the door an knocking is not a good idea. If the occupant is indeed just a elderly old man, we can apologize for the intrusion. I suggest the stealthy approach. Most of these castles have an emergency exit, we'll look for that first. Do you want to do this while dark or start right now? If none is found, we go over the wall with flight and climb."
"Hummm.... maybe somebody should stash those magic shields and check the chest for loot? Maybe check the chest for traps first? I'm no expert but it looks expensive so maybe there's expensive or helpful magic stuff in it? Maybe? "
" I can keep an eye out here here. "
--------------------------
Perception: 31 generic keeping an eye for trouble.
Around town Thursday September 19th, 2019 2:07:53 PM
The Agents check the town and castle out and start to organize. Michael reports back about the bridge and the castle. When he passes the child, he speaks to the kid. The kid quickly disappears into the doorway, but a moment later a woman in an old, worn dress covered in what looks like flour appears in the doorway, looking up and down the street. As Michael watches her, a couple other people appear in doorways, looking around.
Dragon-Anna takes to the skies, and quickly people step back into their doorways watching her fly up above the town. She looks around the town and sees just the few buildings and little to no activity at all. She spots a cow or two behind one of the houses in a pen. A small child runs across an enclosed area and back inside. She sees no sign of anything dark or other orc-like creatures.
As Pompous points out the loot the Agents, Nikolai discusses options. Do the Agents just want to walk up to the door of the castle? Do they want to hang around town? Do they want to sneak in? Should they move during the afternoon light or wait until dark?
Trayvin AC 30/15 touch Hp 127/138(BrianZ) Thursday September 19th, 2019 9:35:04 PM Maybe the locals know of a secret entrance to the castle. Just because they never bothered with it, doesn't mean none of them have taken a curious look around.
Used: Spells: prayer, death ward, calm emotions
OOC- the detect evil situation may make for a good discussion on the rules board.
Sigvar Ironhorn (David F) AC 34 (T 13, FF 32) CMD 33 HP 146/146 Character Sheet Thursday September 19th, 2019 10:01:32 PM
OOC The detect evil explanation is fine. I didn't get it before. So long as I can tell good people apart from bad people I am fine with it. Thanks for the clarification. IC Sigvar notes the chest and uses the key on it, figuring that the key will disarm any traps it may have.
Prudence Gundle [AC 23; HP 104/104] d20+18=20 ; Thursday September 19th, 2019 10:48:11 PM
Eager to be of use, Pru casts Detect Magic and tries to figure out what the shields are.
[Spellcraft 20]
Anna Morphling (Hugh C) -- HP 96/112[0 temp hp]-- 33/15/29 CMD : 30 d20+14=28 ; d20+8=25 ; d20+34=47 ; Thursday September 19th, 2019 11:08:33 PM
(Perception: 28) (Stealth: 25) (Disguise: 47 to act the part of an actual eagle)
Anna-Dragon takes one final look before landing near where her friends are gathered. She dismisses the spell returning to her green humanoid shape for 6 minutes before Anna-eagle is back.
Anna-eagle then flies around in a way that is safer considering birds are natural occurrences.
Nikolai (JonathanT) AC 28 Tch 27 Ffted 20 HP 94/96 CMD 33/35(Grapple/Trip) d20+3=4 ; Friday September 20th, 2019 1:15:26 AM
OOC: Good Luck Rugby Fans! This is your day!
OOC: In most cases, in my opinion, we should still be able to see an aura around each person regardless of the background 'aura'. If two evil beings are next to each other, their auras mix and it might be difficult to know which is more powerful. Here's the thing, if this is a 'feeling' of evil, even if it is overwhelming, then we should still see auras just as normal, since auras don't have a 'feeling' component. Auras are a 'visual' component. As 'auras' have to be surrounding something (like the dust around Pig Pen of Charlie Brown fame), a generic aura that permeates a very large area has to be of such magnitude as to equal a god or object with powers = to a god. But, a Module says what it says and DMs play it as it says to play it.
The Fear aura of a dragon is not the same. The Dragon can turn on or off the Fear Aura so it is a mental ability. An evil or good or neutral person has no control over his/her/its aura, it's just always there and this can't be 'felt', just 'seen' and only with magic. Now, if you KNOW a creature is pure evil, you might think you feel its evil aura but reality it's just your brain warning you to beware. Sometimes a Sixth-sense just tells you someone is evil, but those are different things. And this is a game of fantasy, so anything can happen, even outside the norm.
IC: With the villagers gaining a little more courage, Nikolai tries to talk with them again. "People, hear us out, please! We are the Mailed Fist, asked to come and liberate your town from this evil that is consuming you. We just dispatched a group of un-holly orcs that were torturing some of you. We'll keep wiping this scourge out of your town until there are no more. However, if this evil comes from the castle, we need to know everything you can tell us about its history and its occupant. This is to save your own lives that you are willing to come and talk to us. So please, gain courage and come and talk to us!"
Diplomacy +2 +1(luckstone) = 4 well, that went well. Feel free to Aid Another or trump my roll!
Pompous Devilbane AC 27(28) CMD 30, HP 117/117 d20+16=25 ; Friday September 20th, 2019 5:45:14 AM
Aaaaaaaand Pompous stands watch while the others talk loudly, question villagers out in the open, fly around in dragon form and open up chests. Stealthy and suttle, the Fists are not. May as well just walk up to the front door of the ennemi's home and knock on the door.
--------------- Perception check 25
Around town Friday September 20th, 2019 12:43:12 PM
The Agents continue checking out the town. Trayvin suggests that the group check with the villagers. Anna flies back down and flits about, then switches into an eagle and flies back up. Nikolai yells at the villagers, spitting while he does so, hoping that his challenge will be accepted. He pauses a moment and wonders if that was the best way to attract the villagers while Pompous stands back and shakes his head.
Finally, a couple more villagers do appear in doorways. They look very wary. A couple men step out of a doorway carrying hammers that don’t look like they’re supposed to be weapons, but they’re making do. As those two step into the street, a couple others step up behind them. One is carrying what looks like a makeshift chair leg as a club. Another has what looks like is a bow made for a child. They stop more than a few paces from Nikolai. One of the ones in the rear nudges one of the men with the hammers. He looks back and then says, “I believe we owe you our thanks for destroying those orcs.”
Meanwhile, Sigvar and Pru work in the back room and check out the chest and the shields. Pru looks over the shields and finds out that there is quite a haul there. There are eight shields that are +2 shields, two that are +3 and the leader had an even more powerful one, a +4 shield! Sigvar takes the key and finds that it does indeed open the chest and there were no traps on the chest at all. Inside the chest does not have a huge pile of coins in it, but what catches his eye first is that there is a golden crown on top of the pile of coins with bright red rubies on it. It is very, very shiny (but Pru does not detect any magic on the crown). Checking back to the small pile of coins, there are about 500 coins, but once Sigvar starts digging in them, he realizes they are platinum pieces.
OOC: Feel free to add more diplomacy rolls to help Nikolai!
Anna Morphling (Hugh C) -- HP 96/112[0 temp hp]-- 33/15/29 CMD : 30 d20+9=18 ; Friday September 20th, 2019 10:47:21 PM
Anna not really seeing anything interesting apparently flies back down and turns back into her normal form before walking over to where Nikolai is.
(Diplomacy: 18)
"Good people of the city. We need to know anything you've might have seen or heard concerning the castle. We have recent to believe a specific threat has taken residence there but we'd like to potentially verify through your own first hand accounts."
Prudence Gundle [AC 23; HP 104/104] d20+20=33 ; Saturday September 21st, 2019 3:20:06 PM
Pro comes out of the inn, intending to tell her companions about the shields, and sees the townsfolk beginning to gather. "Oh, hello!" she says with a welcoming smile. "You're all so brave to come out and talk to us! We've come to help. What can you tell us about the castle?"
[Diplomacy 33]
Nikolai (JonathanT) AC 28 Tch 27 Ffted 20 HP 94/96 CMD 33/35(Grapple/Trip) Saturday September 21st, 2019 8:04:09 PM
Nikolai worries about the reception they are getting but realizes that these people have been through a lot and have every reason to distrust everyone. Townspeople tend to distrust strangers anyway. But when Pru emerges he has a quiet sigh of relief.
"Be assured that our intent is to fight the evil here and remove it for good. Any information about the castle and its occupant, and everything odd that has happened and when they started, is all we ask. We are the Mailed Fist, this is our job, to remove any evil that plagues you."
Sigvar Ironhorn (David F) AC 34 (T 13, FF 32) CMD 33 HP 146/146 Character Sheet d20+8=25 ; Sunday September 22nd, 2019 12:37:00 PM
Sigvar snags the +4 shield when Prudence mentions it, a gleam in his eyes. After that he piles the orc bodies on the canvas in his pack and drags tham out of the tavern, into a town meeting. Lovely. Tring to make the best of what is going on he hears Prudence praise the townsfolk for being brave. Trying to use his size and the, um, pile of evidence that they are competent soldiers he looks to the nearest importantish looking townsperson and says, " This filth should be burned lest it attract flies, or stink more than it already does. Where would be best to do that to keep the stench out of the town?" Aid another on diplomacy (aiding Pru) 25
Michael Wittman AC:28, T:25, FF:24 (ucdodge) HP 103/103 Me+18(13)18 F+8, R+18,W+9, CMB+16, CMD+31 d20+4=23 ; d20+11=26 ; Sunday September 22nd, 2019 11:15:50 PM
Michael stands at parade rest, eyes to the middle distance, head erect and bearing proper. he doesn't say anything, but his proud erect military bearing should reinforce what Pru has to say.
diplomacy 23 Profession soldier. 26
Pompous Devilbane AC 27(28) CMD 30, HP 117/117 Monday September 23rd, 2019 6:42:44 AM
Pompous' golden armor shines as he stands in the sun light. He doesn't have much to say but makes a presence amongs the agents.
Town Monday September 23rd, 2019 10:38:21 AM
Anna addresses the people with Nikolai as Michael and Pompous stand at the ready, but not aggressively. It is when Pru comes outside, looking small and not nearly as armed or dangerous, that the villagers visibly relax. A small girl with long blonde hair, looking a little dirty, runs up to Pru and buries her face in Pru’s side as she hugs her. Sigvar walks out of the tavern with a rather disgusting pile (and a new shield), but fortunately most of the village appears to ignore him. Two rather rough looking fellows, perhaps from the tannery, move to him and help him drag the pile downhill towards the outskirts of town. People relax and more people appear in the town, realizing they’re not still under attack.
The mood of the villagers starts to lift a bit more as they talk with the heroes. They find more people who just say that there’s an old man who lives in the castle, and he’s always lived there. A couple people claim that the old man founded the village here, but there are people who have lived here there whole life, so they’re not sure that’s possible. Some claim to have maybe seen the old man, but when pressed for details, it is revealed that no one has actually ever seen the man. He is just known to be there and to be a kindly old man. No one even knows his name or anything else about him. As for the orcs, for a couple weeks there have been “dark things” appearing from the castle. There are rumors of shadowy things in the night, both flying and crawling. People haven’t gone outside at night for at least week now, so no one can identify for sure what’s been out there. A few livestock have gone missing. The orcs just appeared a day ago, violently attacking the town. The few guards the town had were killed up front, so the town really couldn’t defend itself after that, so everyone tried to hide as best they could. No one has even been to the castle. No one has ever had a need to cross the white bridge, as all the fields and trading is all in the other direction. Since the old man had never invited anyone to visit, no one in the town has been there. The castle has just sort of always been there, but that’s it.
OOC: 27,100 XP each for the orc battle
Sigvar Ironhorn (David F) AC 34 (T 13, FF 32) CMD 33 HP 146/146 Character Sheet Monday September 23rd, 2019 6:24:43 PM
Sigvar follows the townsfolk and helps dispose of the bodies.
Michael Wittman AC:28, T:25, FF:24 (ucdodge) HP 103/103 Me+18(13)18 F+8, R+18,W+9, CMB+16, CMD+31 Monday September 23rd, 2019 9:47:56 PM Wait a minute, most of you have lived here all your life and not a one of you has ever went to the castle? not even as kids daring each other to do it? thats...well...I don't know what to think of that...but something is screwy if you ask me.. Michael looks at his team mates. guys, I really think we need to pay this old man a visit. Strange things are afoot at White bridge, and all evidence points to the castle. .
Trayvin AC 30/15 touch Hp 127/138(BrianZ) Monday September 23rd, 2019 10:06:52 PM I agree with Michael, this whole situation seems very strange. If he had a group of armed orc warriors, why is this the first time they have attacked something? It's not like you can keep a group of orcs busy for years with mundane tasks.
Used: Spells: prayer, death ward, calm emotions
Prudence Gundle [AC 23; HP 104/104] Monday September 23rd, 2019 10:19:12 PM
"Maybe he...magicked up the orcs somehow," Pru says. "Regardless, we need to go see what's going on. But, I don't understand. Somebody from this town sent for the Mailed Fist. Who was it?"
Nikolai (JonathanT) AC 28 Tch 27 Ffted 20 HP 94/96 CMD 33/35(Grapple/Trip) Monday September 23rd, 2019 10:24:19 PM
Nikolai listens and nods now and then. When they have told them all they know, and Sigvar returns, he calls the team over for a meeting out of hearing of the townsfolk.
"It's almost like the old man was a recluse and nothing to worry about until recently. Did he accidentally open up a portal that let some evil thing in that now has taken over, and thus the sudden change? Or had he been working on being a lich all that time and finally reached that goal and the time to come out and test his powers? We definitely need to solve this mystery. A covert entry into the castle is my choice, by some other means than the bridge. Let us prepare for an entry by flight, and rope if need be. Anna can circle around as a crow, maybe, and look for a rooftop we can land on and work our way down. I'd rather not start in the courtyard. It might take too long to search for a secret entrance. Unless we have a spell that can locate secret or hidden doors. Ideas?"
Anna Morphling (Hugh C) -- HP 96/112[0 temp hp]-- 33/15/29 CMD : 30 Monday September 23rd, 2019 11:47:24 PM
Anna says, "The list of forms I can remain in indefinitely is limited to small and medium animals. I could be a dire rat which would allow me to swim and climb the area. I could also be an eagle or an owl depending on the time of day or a dog."
"If you wanted me to scout as a hawk or a raven I could give you a little over a half hour investigation time but I wouldn't be able to use any of my better animal or magical beast forms in combat if needed and I'm all dragonned out for the day so I'd either have to grow large or become a plant creature. I honestly think dire rat or owl after dark would be better bets as far as scouting out the castle. Rats are pretty much everywhere and owls hunt by night"
Nikolai (JonathanT) AC 28 Tch 27 Ffted 20 HP 94/96 CMD 33/35(Grapple/Trip) Tuesday September 24th, 2019 12:28:05 AM "Well, that would be funny that if in rat form you met a castle rat that could show us a secret passage big enough for us to get in," Nikolai chuckles.
Pompous Devilbane AC 27(28) CMD 30, HP 117/117 Tuesday September 24th, 2019 6:34:47 AM
" With the amount of noise we've been making down here, he likely knows we're here. I wouldn't worry to much about how much stealth we use. Just my two coppers. "
Town Tuesday September 24th, 2019 12:32:37 PM
Sigvar goes with the two men. They head away from town and down towards a small pit area. There is evidence that things have been burnt here before, but it looks like perhaps mainly a trash pit. Sigvar and the two go to work without saying a word, taking care of their grisly task. The men nod to Sigvar when they are done, but still remain silent as they head back to town.
Michael and Trayvin ponder about what is wrong with this picture. They know something is strange, but they’re not sure what. Pru ponders with them and asks about the requested aid. At this point, the townspeople are starting to warm to the Agents. A couple have thanked them and quickly walked away. One of the men with the hammers finally introduces himself as Tom Smith. He has a smithy down the main street a little ways. He says that the town had a leader and a couple guards, but they weren’t really all that needed. Their leader, Nob, was more of a figurehead and the townspeople thought he felt useful if they called him the mayor. But mostly the town just got along with everyone fine. Nob had two brothers, Arnie and Malorn, that were what passed for a town guard. But of course, they weren’t really needed before now, either. Nob says that all three were killed immediately when the orcs came to town. He thinks that perhaps Nob had sent for help before he was killed, but Nob isn’t completely sure who sent for help, but he’s glad that the Agents have arrived to help.
Nikolai and Anna start making plans for scouting out the castle. Pompous thinks that the idea of being stealthy is long since passed now. As they plot, Anna recalls a little of the castle layout. She didn’t get a complete, low-level view, but the castle was less of a typical castle layout: it was really more of a giant box. There were no rounded towers with crenulations. There were no defensive arrow slits or areas for guards to patrol. It really looked almost entirely like a giant box made of stone.
Trayvin AC 30/15 touch Hp 127/138(BrianZ) Tuesday September 24th, 2019 9:05:43 PM I think we need another look at that castle. It looks like a giant box? Maybe it is not really a castle at all but artificially made with magic.
Used: Spells: prayer, death ward, calm emotions
Prudence Gundle [AC 23; HP 104/104] Tuesday September 24th, 2019 9:31:40 PM
Pru is a little confused about which one is Tom and which one is Nob, but in the end she decides it doesn't really matter. "We are here to help," she confirms.
"The castle is definitely our next step," she tells her companions. "How much scouting do we want to do? And if we're going to send people on recon, let me cast a Telepathic Bond first so we'll know if something goes wrong."
Michael Wittman AC:28, T:25, FF:24 (ucdodge) HP 103/103 Me+18(13)18 F+8, R+18,W+9, CMB+16, CMD+31 Tuesday September 24th, 2019 9:41:51 PM You know we might not be able to sneak up on the castle. but we can be sneaky with the castle. Pru cast invisibilty on me and Nikolai, Anna become a rat. the rest of you walk up to the castle and gain entrance. the rest follow along unnoticed. when the hammer falls suddenly what they thought was 4 now turns into 7. that will put a fly in their soup.
Anna Morphling (Hugh C) -- HP 83/99-- 32/16/27 CMD : 27 d20+14=25 ; d20+8=13 ; d20+35=54 ; Tuesday September 24th, 2019 9:54:09 PM
Anna becomes Anna-Rat and starts scouting around after allowing time for Pru to cast telepathic bond.
(Perception: 25) (Stealth: 13) (Disguise: 54)
Spells in effect: Barkskin: 110 min - time elapsed Beast Shape 1 - at will form of small rat: +2 dex, +1 natural armor, +1 AC, +1 Attack, +4 stealth, +2 fly, -1 CMB/CMD 40 foot base speed, 20 foot climb speed, 20 foot swim speed, low light vision, scent, bite +14 (1d4+4), +4 CMD vs trip
Nikolai (JonathanT) AC 28 Tch 27 Ffted 20 HP 94/96 CMD 33/35(Grapple/Trip) Wednesday September 25th, 2019 1:02:21 AM
Having a better description of the castle doesn't change much.
"I wonder who and how this castle was built?" Nikolai muses out loud. "I don't want to just cross the bridge and knock on the door. We can land on top and find a way down. If the top has no entry, we use ropes to get to a window. If there is no window, we pick the lock on the door. Best way to make a decision is to get there and see what there is. Pru can cast Fly on one of us to get to the top and see what's up there. Let's go."
Nikolai waves at any people who are left hanging around then heads to the castle.
Pompous Devilbane AC 27(28) CMD 30, HP 117/117 Wednesday September 25th, 2019 6:39:34 AM
Pompous taps his armor. " I have a dimension door trick up my sleeve now. Just saying. " " I'll volunteer for the top recon. My bow is best from up there anyway."
Town Wednesday September 25th, 2019 11:03:03 AM
The Agents continue to discuss their options. Some of the townspeople have gone off to take care of their business, but a number are hanging around, still watching and clearly trying to listen in to the group that has come to save their town.
Trayvin suggests they really need to look at the castle more. Pru agrees and suggests using a spell to keep in touch. Michael has an idea to ambush whoever answers the door. Anna turns into a rat and a few of the townspeople gasp when that happens so suddenly and without warning. Nikolai really doesn’t want to walk on the door but wants to create death from above. He starts to head towards the castle as Pompous volunteers to be the one to recon from the top of the castle.
The castle is on the east side of town on slightly higher ground than the town. Between the town and the castle, there is a small river passing down from an even higher rocky rise to the north. The river and the banks are quite rocky and steep. It is down in a bit of a gully as well, making passing through the river quite difficult. There are holes and large, pointy rocks scattered about. The river flow is strong and steady down the hills and towards the plains. Fortunately a bridge has been built that leads over the river. The bridge is made of white stone. It is about 15 feet wide and arcs up slightly for about 25 feet, then arcs slightly down 25 feet to the other bank.
Trayvin AC 30/15 touch Hp 127/138(BrianZ) Wednesday September 25th, 2019 8:04:11 PM Looks like it is time for some scouting. Trayvin trails the group at a distance as the scouts head towards the castle in their various forms of sleuthing. He hangs back with the rest of the group that has little skill with this part of the job, and waits for the report, and Nikolia's orders.
As the Agents get into motion, Trayvin encourages the villagers to return to their shelters and wait till it is over. He offers one last chance for getting some healing or bandages until the Agents return from the castle.
Used: Spells: prayer, death ward, calm emotions
Prudence Gundle [AC 23; HP 104/104] Wednesday September 25th, 2019 9:54:32 PM
Pru casts Telepathic Bond to include herself, Anna, Michael, Pompous, and Nikolai.
"So, what that means is that Sigvar and Trayvin can't go running off on their own," she says. "Or, I mean, they can if they want to, but they won't be able to communicate with the group.
Michael Wittman AC:28, T:25, FF:24 (ucdodge) HP 103/103 Me+18(13)18 F+8, R+18,W+9, CMB+16, CMD+31 d20+19=34 ; Wednesday September 25th, 2019 10:04:24 PM
Still not invisible Michael concludes that his plan was not accepted. he sighs and takes off to scout. mumbling to himself about those with mage armor and field plate sure having a cavalier attitude about fair play.
Perception 34.
Anna Morphling (Hugh C) -- HP 83/99-- 32/16/27 CMD : 27 d20+14=33 ; d20+8=26 ; d20+25=28 ; Wednesday September 25th, 2019 10:40:59 PM
Anna-Rat says to the Townsfolk, "Don't be alarmed. It is still I Anna Morphling. My lady Queen Ma'ab has gifted me with this ability."
After trying to alleviate the townsfolk's concern she heads off as part of the scouting party.
(Perception: 33) (Stealth: 26) (Disguise: 28)
She keeps in telepathic contact with her FistMates while checking out places she can go as a rat for potential ways to learn more about the castle.
Spells in effect: Barkskin: 110 min - time elapsed Beast Shape 1 - at will form of small rat: +2 dex, +1 natural armor, +1 AC, +1 Attack, +4 stealth, +2 fly, -1 CMB/CMD 40 foot base speed, 20 foot climb speed, 20 foot swim speed, low light vision, scent, bite +14 (1d4+4), +4 CMD vs trip
Nikolai (JonathanT) AC 28 Tch 27 Ffted 20 HP 94/96 CMD 33/35(Grapple/Trip) d20+21=23 ; Thursday September 26th, 2019 12:38:15 AM
Getting across the river seems just as obvious as getting into the castle. Cross the bridge and knocking on the door. You never know.
"It could be that the people just think these bad things are coming from the castle. People tend to be very superstitious and suspicious of things they don't know or understand. I still favor an infiltration from the top but we can decide that once we get to the other side of the bridge and face the castle doors."
Nikolai leads the way across the bridge.
Perception + 21 = 23
Pompous Devilbane AC 27(28) CMD 30, HP 117/117 d20+20=31 ; Thursday September 26th, 2019 6:36:56 AM
Pompous takes position to the side of the group allowing his bow to provide the best possible coverage. He strides back, side and ahead of the group in a pattern to provide additional scouting. Looking for signs of movement, tracks and anything els of interest along the way.
----------------- Perception check 31
Town Thursday September 26th, 2019 1:45:54 PM
OOC: I'm not sure who is going where and how. Is everyone just going over the bridge? Are the scouts going first? Michael and Trayvin? Where is Anna Rat going? Sorry I just don't want to send you somewhere you didn't intend your character to go!
Prudence Gundle [AC 23; HP 104/104] Thursday September 26th, 2019 10:22:15 PM
"I can still make you invisible, Michael," Pru says. "I just wanted to connect everybody before people took off. Here you go."
She casts Invisibility on Michael.
[I think Anna, Michael, and Pompous are scouting, each in their own way. That leaves Pru, Nikolai, Trayvin, and Sigvar to wait at the bridge. Is that about right?]
Trayvin AC 30/15 touch Hp 127/138(BrianZ) Thursday September 26th, 2019 10:23:54 PM
Trayvin is hanging back while the scouts do their thing. After the scouting report is complete, the plan will be worked out and orders given.
Used: Spells: prayer, death ward, calm emotions
Anna Morphling (Hugh C) -- HP 83/99-- 32/16/27 CMD : 27 d20+14=23 ; d20+8=13 ; d20+25=32 ; Thursday September 26th, 2019 10:31:21 PM
(Perception: 23) (Stealth: 13) (Disguise: 32)
Anna-rat goes exploring. Ideally she would want to stay semi-close to the other scouts but if there are places she can access that the others can't considering she can swim and climb.
Spells in effect: Barkskin: 110 min - time elapsed Beast Shape 1 - at will form of small rat: +2 dex, +1 natural armor, +1 AC, +1 Attack, +4 stealth, +2 fly, -1 CMB/CMD 40 foot base speed, 20 foot climb speed, 20 foot swim speed, low light vision, scent, bite +14 (1d4+4), +4 CMD vs trip
Michael Wittman AC:28, T:25, FF:24 (ucdodge) HP 103/103 Me+18(13)18 F+8, R+18,W+9, CMB+16, CMD+31 d6=5 ; d6=3 ; d6=5 ; d6=2 ; Thursday September 26th, 2019 11:29:19 PM
Michael gives Pru a thumbs up, then remembers he is invisible...so he just says Thanks Pru!. Michael now invisible crosses the bridge to the other side, but waits for the rest of the crew to join him before he closes on the castle.
Nikolai (JonathanT) AC 28 Tch 27 Ffted 20 HP 94/96 CMD 33/35(Grapple/Trip) Friday September 27th, 2019 12:29:31 AM
OOC: Looks like Anna will scamper over the bridge or climb down, swim the river, climb up. I think by the description, it would take too long to climb down/up the cliffs and river seems too swift for adequate swimming by a rat, so scamper across the bridge is the best bet. Michael also crosses the bridge invisible.
IC: Nikolai counts to 20 or so before starting across the bridge with Pru, Trayvin, Pompous, and Sigvar. Once on the other side he goes straight for the door and looks for some means of getting the occupant's attention. While going there, he mumbles to Michael to check for traps on the door and assess if he can pick the lock.
Sigvar Ironhorn (David F) AC 35 (T 13, FF 33) CMD 33 HP 146/146 Character Sheet Friday September 27th, 2019 9:57:26 AM
Sigvar, categorically bored up to this point, falls in wherever Nikolai puts him in the formation. He suggests that the group walking in overtly stay close to him. " Lord Gargul protects me from many things, fear, possession and the like. Many of those protections extend a small distance from me and can benefit you as well if you are close." It all boils down to this for the paladin. Unless facing a huge threat that can pierce his armor pin him in place,or get around his god given immunities the paladin feels invincible. Being a large strong minotaur only adds to that feeling. The tedium of getting the less protected of his Fist into the castle holds little interest for him other than he does not wish to see them hurt. He stride confidently in the group. His sword is sheathed as he always has his trusty horns available to defend himself.
Sigvar's Dashboard 4 LoH used
Pompous Devilbane AC 27(28) CMD 30, HP 117/117 Friday September 27th, 2019 4:30:13 PM
Pompous pulls out a bottle from his pack. " I have these potions of protection againt evil... They are new to me... not really sure when I should use them... "
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