Chapter One: The Lost Tower of Balaz-kai

[9littlebees]

OOC: Errrrm, did anyone bring my stuff? I didn't see it written in a post.

[badams30]

OOC: Errrrm, did anyone bring my stuff? I didn't see it written in a post.

Don't be so hung up on earthly possessions.

Just kidding. Jasper will go back and retrieve Xantius' property and bring it to him.

[sonofotho]

Jayamanka

ooc: I have a couple of questions:

• Can Jayamanka tell where the stench is emanating from? i.e. Does it smell stronger over here by the opening to the south or, as I originally assumed, from the direction of the iron maiden?
• Does she recognise the smell? I was originally thinking it might be the smell of death but it occurs to me that bodies decompose within a month or so. Thus, if the smell was rotting flesh it would be significant, as it would mean the death was relatively recent (within a month) or something unnatural (that continues to reek of decay for longer).

ooc: The smell seems to be strong by the implements/iron maiden (east side of the cave, opposite the crack from the previous cave). Jayamanka also notices a similar smell (death, i.e. rotting flesh) coming from the new cave opening to the south, where the iron vats and cauldrons can be seen.

[sonofotho]

Haroun

OOC also: Haroun will examine the 'implements' in the room and if one presents itself as a potential weapon, he'll tuck it into his belt - not looking for anything large, just something not too heavy that could be swung/thrown/used to parry in a pinch

ooc: There are a couple wicked looking knives. If you take 1-2, just update your character sheet.

[Captain Kinkajou]

Jayamanka

"The stench of death is thick," Jayamanka says, still keeping her voice low. "I do not like it. From the smell, whatever died in here, it was in the last few weeks. A month ago at most. Less than the bodies upstairs."

From her position near the opening to the south, she peers into the gloom down the passageway and continues to listen for any sounds. For the moment, with Jasper off retrieving Xantius's staff and gear, both light sources, held by Haroun and Xantius, are up by the table to the north, so the illumination to the south is poor.

"The stink is strongest over near the iron coffin and here, towards the next room," she adds. "What now Xantius? Do we continue on when Jasper returns? If so, I will need some light."

[LtTibbles]

Skagvurd

The northman regards the iron maiden thoughtfully while scratching his beard, his nose wrinkles a little as he moves closer to the torture device to check and see if it is locked.

[9littlebees]

Xantius

OOC: Little awkward waiting for Jasper. I'll assume he's gone and retrieved my stuff and is back in the cave....

Taking his gear back from Jasper with a nod of his head, Xantius shrugs back into his robe and settles his possessions about his person. He then picks up his lantern from the table and walks over to Jayamanka, .

"By all means, Jayamanka, let us continue on."

Xantius appears to take no notice or discomfort from the stench.

[Captain Kinkajou]

Jayamanka

Jayamanka nods to Xantius and prepares herself to move into the southward passage. Then she waits while Skagvurd approaches the iron maiden. The huntress shifts her weight forward slightly and watches, ready to aid the Northman should anything happen.

[sonofotho]

Skagvurd approaches the iron maiden. The stench is quite unpleasant, but the northman fights it off. He sees the door is not locked and in fact appears to be slightly cracked. Does it move ever so slightly?

Suddenly the door swings open, narrowly missing Skagvurd who leans back involuntarily to avoid being struck. Rotting arms with blood-encrusted nails shoot out towards the northman. A horrible screech from what looks like an animated corpse fills the cave and the thing is upon Skagvurd, moving with blinding speed. Its nails sink deeply into the northman's neck and he lets out a roar of pain and anger.

To hit1: [1d20+1] = 16+1 = 17, To hit2: [1d20+1] = 13+1 = 14

damage1: [1d6] = 4, damage2: [1d6] = 5

ooc: So Skagvurd is down to 1hp. Can Skagvurd make a Physique check roll in addition to your other actions?

Position check: Skagvurd is face-to-face with the thing. Haroun and Jasper are closest to Skagvurd, standing somewhat behind. Xantius and Jayamanka are towards the opening to the new cave to the south. Fiddleback is somewhere in the middle of the chamber between the two 'groups'.

Actions everybody?

EDITED: Just realized that I forgot about Skagvurd’s shield. I assume he had that out with his war hammer? If so, I need to make a negative die roll for one of the attacks. On the way to the airport now so will have to edit later.

[9littlebees]

Xantius

Xantius hesitates for a moment with a grimace, realising none of his spells can help currently. Then he places his lantern calmly on the ground and stretches his free hand out towards the monster, palm facing outwards, awaiting his chance.

"Get that thing off of Skagvurd and give me clear line of sight to it - then stand back!"

[Longfingers]

Haroun

Haroun had been doing his best not to gag at the stench from the chamber while the group explored. He held the back of his sleeve over his mouth and nose in a, futile, effort to block it out. In fact, he was seriously debating whether to slip back towards the entrance when he heard Skavgurd's shout.

If bedding women across the 4 Kingdoms had taught Haroun anything, it was to be able to spring into action at a moment's notice - usually involving grabbing his clothes before diving for cover before the woman's husband caught the pair in the act. So it took only an instant for the swordsman to assess the situation and react. He sprang nimbly forward and thrust his lit torch into face of the creature which had burst from the darkened interior of the Maiden, while using his other hand to try and drag the Northman clear of the grasping talons which appeared intent on tearing his head off.

OOC: no idea what kind of roll you want and I haven't got the hang of the dice roller so feel free to roll on my behalf.

[LtTibbles]

Skagvurd the Pale

The northman screams in anger as the creature sinks it's rotting teeth into his flesh. Stupid! he thinks to himself. Suddenly his senses snap back to him, with a grunt he pushes the creature away from himself and strikes the monster trying to bring it low, if he is successful he will try to retreat back toward the group.

Physical Test [1d20] = 5

Attack [1d20] = 16

Positive Die [1d20] = 7

Damage [1d12] = 11

Hey just gonna break down all these rolls since it is our first combat!

Using Improved Maneuvers to try and drop the creature prone, rulebook says it can be used as part of a standard attack.

He also gets a positive attack die for using the warhammer and rolls a d12 instead of d8 because of improved damage.

Unfortunately his warhammer is two handed, at least that's how I imagined it based on the damage listing in the book. His armor does reduce the damage die 1 step though incase that was missed!

[Captain Kinkajou]

Jayamanka

With blinding speed, a foul undead creature bursts out of the iron maiden, clawing and biting Skagvurd as he tries to fight it off. Jayamanka does not hesitate. The huntress immediately springs to the Northman's aid but, to his credit, Haroun is there ahead of her, bravely thrusting a lit torch at the thing, endeavouring to drive it back. Jayamanka follows up, snarling and thrusting at it with her spear.

To hit with spear: [1d20] = 2, [1d20] = 19, damage: [1d8] = 3

ooc#1: To keep things moving along, I've gone ahead and rolled for Jayamanka in case the creature is still going after Skagvurd and Haroun's rolls. I've rolled with a positive dice due to Jayamanka's Weapon Specialization (Spear) and upped her damage from 1d6 to 1d8 due to her Improved Damage special ability. Assuming I've got that all right, that's a hit with a 2 (discarding the 19) for 3 damage.

I was also endeavouring to push the creature back but, with a 2 as my highest successful roll, it's not very likely I succeeded. It only needs a 3 or higher on a d20 for me to fail - plus Skagvurd may have already knocked it to the ground killed it anyway.

ooc#2: sonofotho - Like LtTibbles, I was going to ask if you'd downsized the creature's attack dice by one step (e.g. d6 to d4) due to Skagvurd's studded armour? He got there ahead of me, as I was writing this

Edit: Edited to remove that stuff which did not happen.

[9littlebees]

Xantius

OOC: I'm going to assume those series of good rolls were enough to thrust the zombie off of Skagvurd. If it's still alive, I will carry Ride Wind at it, as follows.

As soon as the creature is free of Skagvurd, Xantius barks it a short phrase in an arcane tongue, and wiggles his fingers in a blur of motion.

Attempt to cast "Ride Wind" at PL2: [1d20+2] = 3+2 = 5 vs Willpower 14

A sudden wind whips around the room, filling everyone's noses with a fresh bout of the foul stench, and suddenly the zombie rises clumsily a meter into the air, like a piñata waiting to be pummelled by a horde of bloodthirsty children.

"Now! Destroy it while I am holding it aloft!" Xantius cries out.

[badams30]

Jasper - Rogue

Jasper gasps as the creature attacks, and says "Whoa!" as he sees it floating aloft. He quickly jabs his spear at the thing, wide eyed in a combination of fear, revulsion, and amazement.

(I will edit this later, but would I roll on D20, then potential damage?... sorry, I'm so bad at deciphering rolls)

[sonofotho]

Skagvurd's roar of pain echoes through the chamber. Standing behind the northman, Haroun is quick to act and shoves his torch into the face of the animated corpse.

To hit1: [1d20] = 16, To hit2: [1d20] = 13

The thing ducks the flame and hisses through rotting teeth, its black eyes spitting hate. But Haroun's intervention gives Skagvurd time to recover. With a mighty shove the big man knocks his attacker to the ground, and with a great overhead swing brings his hammer crashing down on the skull of the corpse. A sickening crack his heard and then the thing is still.

ooc: Actions?

Note - the earlier actions of Xantius, Jayamanka and Jasper were disregarded since the action was resolved by the others who were closest.

Updated damage rolls for attack on Skagvurd show 4 hp of damage (so down to 6).

Damage roll1: [1d4] = 1, Damage roll2: [1d4] = 3

[badams30]

Jasper - Rogue

REVISED ACTION

Jasper rushes to Skagvurd's side and says "Wow, that thing was nasty... he tried to munch on you like a side of mutton! Are you okay?"

Jasper will help bear Skagvurd's gear if needed so he can compose himself or whatever.

[Captain Kinkajou]

Jayamanka

Quick as Jayamanka is, Skagvurd and Haroun deal with the creature before she covers the distance; the Northman pushes it off and smashes its skull with a mighty crack. Jayamanka is relieved to see the big man is only slightly injured. She shows her teeth at him and nods with an unspoken, Are you okay?

[LtTibbles]

Skagvurd's eyes still filled with anger and hate pushes Jasper away from his side, raising up his his hammer he brings it down on the creatures skull again and again and again screaming in a gravelly roar "Vile. Weak. Monster!"

With the final strike he spits on the corpse and begins to slow his breathing enough to calm down, with a roll of his injured shoulder to check for mobility the northman hefts his hammer again and turns back to the group. "I'm fine. Where to now?" his speech is short and curt.

[Captain Kinkajou]

Jayamanka

"The foul stench of this creature is strong to the south also. There may be more like it lurking there," Jayamanka warns the others as she moves back to the opening in the south wall and prepares to lead them onward.