Barrowmoor: Exploration and Ecdysis.

[sastaz]

Gerdal cries out in pain together with her pet chameleon who seems to feel it as much as his mistress does.

Gerdal lunges with the khopesh at the naga before retreating back well behind Raust and Isvand.

Kali khopesh attack THACO 20: [1d20+1]=20+1=21 dmg: [1d6+1]=1+1=2 unbelievable... And she manages to catch the naga queen off guard as she withdraws her fangs and in a fatal moment focuses on Dale instead.

(I have been looking at Gerdal's inventory over and over again, but nothing usable.)

[Marullus]

"Isvand! Bind her with the webbing!"

[redwarrior]

Isvand Looks at Raust in total confusion, then scabbards his sword, before tearing open his pouch, and attempting to spray the naga with with the webbing nodules that he was recently given!

And which haven't made it to the character sheet yet!!! I was totally lost there for a bit. hoping that it's a dex roll...


dex roll target 16 [4d6]=14

[Spearmint]

Isvand could you do a range attack macro as I will use that to determine if the web or how much of it webs the Naga or anyone else up.

[redwarrior]

Isvand could you do a range attack macro as I will use that to determine if the web or how much of it webs the Naga or anyone else up.

Sling Attack [1d20+1]=6+1=7 Damage [1d6+1]=3+1=4

Oof. The gods of the dice are giving me no love lately!

[Spearmint]

The Ritual Cave of the Mistress

Raust lunges with her spear and parries away flashing jaws and a sweep of the Naga's tail. The dark confines within the sanctum make manoeuvres and dodging difficult. Dale expends his energies to wrestle free of the constricting crush but cannot swipe a telling blow upon the scaly beast.

Gerdal is favoured once by the her patron it seems, perhaps the Mistress has fallen into disfavour? A second critical slash cleaves open more of her slithery torso, blood gushing from sliced arteries to splatter upon those in melee and the boulder altar the acolytes worshipped before. -9hp.

Urged on by the druid, Isvand fiddles with the harvested spider glands and tries to entangle the Mistress in a sudden explosion of sticky webs. Splattered, the gland ruptures sending a mass of ejected threads which coat the long body of the snake-woman and unfortunately tether Gerdal to her side. In her rage the Naga tries to kill the sorceress but once more providence and unseen shield protect Gerdal from harm.

Then in a flash, the Naga Mistress invokes another incantation which causes her to levitate slightly above the floor and then with a lunge, the fiend zooms towards the exterior caverns.

She has cast Fly and to all intents, is fleeing the sanctum.

Gerdal you are webbed to her ...Gerdal Dex check [4d6]=11 vs 12.

(rather than picture you like Capt Ahab tied in ropes around Moby Dick and waving folk to follow and continue the hunt, the webbing secures you to her back and twisting dextrously, you mount her waist as one might ride a horse. I would duck before you get clanged in the head by the roof, but if she flies away, then you will fly away riding her).

Initiative critters [1d6]=5 group [1d6]=5 Dale Birgensen: strength 17+ vs Naga constriction. [4d6]=14 Dale Birgensen: melee longsword : [1d20+1]=14+1=15[1d12+1]=2+1=3Mistress: Bite attack [1d20+1]=3+1=4 [1d3+2]=2+2=4Gerdal Dex check [4d6]=11

Ricardo [1d20]=18[1d6]=5 [1d20]=11[1d6]=4 Pasquel [1d20]=8[1d6]=5[1d20]=7[1d6]=3Venwynn looses arrows: [1d20]=17 [1d6]=2[1d20]=8[1d6]=3Traeliorn looses arrows: [1d20+2]=3+2=5 [1d6]=4[1d20+2]=16+2=18[1d6]=1Orphidian's [1d20]=19[1d20]=2[1d20]=5 [1d20]=6[1d20]=10[1d20]=6Orphidian's [1d20]=1[1d20]=7[1d20]=10 [1d20]=6[1d20]=2[1d20]=19Javelin damage vs Traeliorn, [1d6]=6 vs Ven [1d6]=2

The Orphidian Warcamp slither ever closer. A volley of arrows are traded for multiple javelins that clatter about the defenders. Another Snake-man falls, pierced by numerous arrows. Hidden behind the ritual cave mouth or cavern boulders they have a little cover to protect them though next round, it looks as though the combat will move to 'up close and personal'. Traeliorn staggers as one thrown shaft impales him, Venwynn taking another in the leg as she pulls him to safety. The quartet of archers brace themselves, ready to face the incoming wave of aggressors, a thin red line of bleeding humanity, standing poised with a last shafts nocked and taking aim to make every missile count.

Inside the ritual sanctum and outside in the cavern, the melees look to reach a bloody and final conclusion.

Naga Mistress -28hp

Raust: 6/8
Gerdal: 1/5
Isvand: 13/13
Dale: 3/11
Traeliorn: 2/10
Venwynn: 8/17
Ricardo: 6/8
Pasquel: 2/6
Marcel: deceased

next actions please.

[sastaz]

Gerdal, already clinging to the naga, invokes her newfound necrotic powers and starts leeching life from the queen.

Vampiric touch damage: [1d4]=1

1 temp hp gained, now up to 2, plus the 3 from Harkazz

Retain lv 1 spell vs 15 [4d6+1]=19+1=20

ok I was bound to run out of luck at some point... Raust & Isvand, your streaks of luck are up

Gerdal has no other choice than to hope the queen is defeated before she ascends high enough for the fall to prove fatal to them both.

[Marullus]

Hey, you still rolled a Nat20! The rules changed, not your luck. Silly 1st edition.

"No you don't..." snarls the feral druid, showing her teeth. She lunges (or throws) the spear to try and skewer the Naga and prevent her escape....
Raust - Spear v Large [1d20]=18 [1d8]=8

Which way is the naga fleeing? Are there any discernable exits besides the way we came in? For non-discernable exits, I will roll...
Passive concealed exit detection (1 in 6) [1d6]=5
Next turn, if the naga is dead or gone...
Active search for exits (2in6 Secret, 3in6 Concealed) [1d6]=6

[redwarrior]

Isvand almost despairing that he hasn't been more valuable in this fight, seeing the Naga start to rise with his party member attack lets loose once more with his boomerang, finally managing to at least hit the creature!



Boomerang attack [1d20+2]=18+2=20 Damage [1d4+1]=1+1=2
Bommerang recovery target 16 [3d6]=13

[Spearmint]

The Waterfall Cavern, Orphidian Caves.

Initiative critters [1d6]=6 group [1d6]=4 Naga casts CLW [1d8]=5 save vs Entangle 11+ [1d20]=15

Winning initiative the Naga takes to magical flight, lunging like an Eel or Conga through water, a rapid swish of her tail and sidewinding around the large rock pillar, head first past through the entangling curtain of vines. She utters a prayer to Kali, a petition, a plea. Wounds which ran freely with blood begin to heal up as torn scales regenerate to cover the grievous wounds.

Super strong from her enhanced physique, the Naga Mistress makes light of the grasping vines which fail to restrain her escape. Slowed momentarily, Isvand hooks a curved blade to to scythe into her neck -2hp but undaunted by her need, the Naga passes with sorceress Gerdal clinging in for dear life.

Raust, ever the hunter scents blood and runs on to follow, exiting the sanctum and into the now brightly torch light greater cavern. She throws her spear, an obsidian knapped head and feathered with Herne tokens. The aim is blessed even at this long range and skewers the Naga Mistress in mid-flight -8hp. The beast bucks like a rodeo bronco in her death throes, and Gerdal can leech her final breath and energy, -1hp Naga, +1hp Gerdal.

Naga and rider plummet to land with a heavy splash in the rock pool. In the churning maelstrom of crimson turning waters, neither Mistress or Mage are seen ...

Until Gerdal emerges, weakened and sodden but unscathed. In her right hand she clutches her Khopesh blade; in her left, a spear still skewering the severed head and neck of the Mistress. Wordless quivering still fill her lips, her eyes dull, a last hiss.

You plant it firmly on the shore of the cavern.

The NPC's and Isvand gather, blades drawn, a shout of victory and a challenge to take on the war-party if they date

Orphidian's: reaction to Naga Death vs 55% [1d100]=99 in terms of morale that is as close you get to a full blown surrender!

The Orphidian horde, closing to melee range as suddenly halted by the emergence of the Naga Mistress and her nemesis. They watch in awe as she is brutally slain and beheaded. Losing all thought of retribution and with a number of dead to add to the acolytes dangling from the vines, some Snake-men literally turn tail, down weapons and flee the cavern. Others bend in worshipful supplication. They seem to think one of the ladies, druid or mage will become the next Mistress.

Mistress [9d8]=29 29hp.

combat ended! well done and you all survived, (bar Marcel) more than I thought!

next actions please.

[Marullus]

Raust acts reflexively in the moment, pulling her spear from the severed head and raising it triumphantly over her head. She faces the crowds, straightening upright, antlers erect, and accepts the veneration of the kowtowing supplicants.

"Herne claims you!" she calls out in a booming voice. "This one is cast down, abandoned by her faith. She has displeased the Gods. There is a new way, now. Herne!"

Raust Charisma Check (v17) [1d20]=11
....or you want 4d6?
Raust Charisma Check (v17) [4d6]=11

Mystery Roll [1d20]=20[1d20]=1

[sastaz]

Gerdal puts the queen's body down and then watches, wide eyed, as Raust makes her small performance.

She sits down to catch her breath. Finally, it's over? She's very cold and tired.

Before we leave the cave, we'll look for any belongings that the queen might have, of course.

Loot so far:

• veneered walnut vanity box that contains six Sardonyx and Agate rocks
• scaly parchment tied with a ribbon of fur (Slow Poison & Resist Fire)
• splinters of crystal shards worth a few gold each
• obsidian knife fitted into a hilt of softer green malachite stone, carved into a squat priestly figure
• large skull with lid filled with fungal gen (healing potion?)
• two Flagelliform glands that produce spider web

[redwarrior]

isvand conducts a detailed search of the naga’s lair, both for loot and secret passages.

[Spearmint]

The Orphidian Caves

The combat may have concluded but danger is ever present and the expedition is not yet over. The Naga Mistress is dead, that much is certain, her decapitated neck and head casually tossed upon the floor while her bodie pollutes the interior pool.

Though you are outnumbered it has been the Orphidian tribe that has been out matched. The former humanoid Orphidians have slithered back into the depths of their cave recesses, some of the 'war-party' have fled too, others lie dead slain by the team archers. A few, either too afraid to flee or in awe of the loss of the Naga Mistress, supplicate to the victors.

I will take stock of some actions.

The dead acolytes are cut free of the entangling vines and piled together with the body of the Naga. More bodies can be added to any pyre with the Orphidian priest and the two chefs. Other bodies were cast into the chasm off the pathway.

The war-party is disarmed temporarily and Raust pitches her desire to have the Orphidians acknowledge an even higher 'Master', and adopting a faith in Herne and she commits to working vocationally with them using her druidic skills to temper their unorthodox ways and bring some measure of 'civilization' for want of a better word.

Gerdal of course could interject but she has already set her mind not to become any kind of Kali priestess or shaman, rather to keep development of her craft as a personal vocation and not under any specific religious patronage. She fears the demon goddess might ultimately lure her towards 'a darker' side. Transitioning the Orphidians from a Kali cult and stopping them raiding settlements a much preferred outcome.

Isvand vocationally has a calling to find treasure. He searches the ritual cave.

at this point I will make a number of rolls and resolutions. My feeling from chats in private forums are Isvand, Gerdal and NPC's will try and trek back to Helix.

Raust will gather her wolves and move in to the Orphidian Caves if the Orphidians are first willing for that to happen, honouring her as the next Mistress and work towards converting the tribe to Herne and civilizing their culture and actions. (Like no more biting people).

If that is the general accepted next steps I will tally xp and rewards here so that Raust at least can receive them and then roll the random to see how the others trek back. The Barrow Moor is a dangerous place still.

post any actions or comments relating to your preferred next steps. I will update the found treasures and XP stuff shortly.

[sastaz]

Correct! Gerdal wishes to travel back to Helix at first available oportunity, hoping Isvand will join. If I'm not mistaken, there's a pile of coins from a certain tapestry sale waiting for them both back there. Along with some pearls for Identify, etcetera. Will have to do some serious forum archaeology to find the tracks of the stuff I gave Sven to fix in Ironmotte.

[Spearmint]

Treasure horde from Naga sanctum:

A mass of assorted coins; coppers, silvers and gold. It comes to a combined value of +73gp per full share player character.

There are also ten assorted gems which on first glance would appraise between 50-80gp as semi precious uncut stones (citrines, jaspers, onyx, moonstones), there are three specific items of jewellery; a fancy gold Amphisbaena shaped set of earrings (torn from the Naga's earlobes), a necklace of different precious gemstones, coloured as a rainbow with from fiery orange opal to violet oriental amethyst. (with the precious stones circa 100gp each and the chain, it is probably worth up to a four figure sum?)

Lastly the Naga had a nose ring, which is made of gold and probably more suited to a finger than a septum.

She had four scrolls. Checking them, they are as follows:
A) a map of a Barrow interior, labelled Cruxus, 'the giant slayer' The map suggests a location in the foothills of the Moon Peaks.

B) a scroll of Protection from Demons, (as scripted by the Naga Mistress herself).

C) a scroll of mage spells: Water Breathing, Magic Mouth and Darkness 15'ft radius.

D) a scroll of cleric/druid spells: Cure Disease, Detect Charm, Cure Light Wounds and Fire Trap.

One of the acolytes bore a nice, ivory hilted curved scimitar blade. He died before he could cut himself free. It looks quite sharp and is etched in ancient Mercian runes, the language of the Barbarian people's who lived upon the Moor centuries ago.

You also find two potions, one looks a typical Healing potion, the other is unidentified.

Naga Horde: T type. [1d4]=4 vs 50%+ [1d100]=2

Naga Horde: X type. vs 60%+ [1d100]=41

Obviously some items have a worth or value greater than others and some might be class restrictive; the spell scrolls. Anyone class can cast from a protection scroll. Of course you could administer the healing provision now rather than include it in treasure.

Add these to your haul and discuss any treasure division.

I will calculate some XP next.

[Marullus]

Assuming we can rest before they depart, Raust will cast Detect Magic again to ensure we know if any of the items listed have an aura, and whatever we an learn from it. (What's the process to identify?)

Raust's expressed interest is in the Druidic scroll, the scimitar (preferred by druids), the Amphisbaena earrings (to keep the snake-themed accoutrements to her new role) and nose ring... perhaps the protection scroll, as the previous Mistress may have known something I don't...

[Spearmint]

Subject to arriving in civilization safely ...

Experience Awards:

Encounters and Creatures defeated:

Kang and carnivorous apes: 148xp
Zombie Mammoth: 2400xp
Adherers: 720xp
Giant Python: 116xp
Darkmantles: 780xp
Orphidians: tribes-folk, Orphidian priest, acolytes: 2975xp
Naga Mistress: 3320xp

Locations and Exploration:
Herne Shrine: 50xp
Runic menhir: 50xp
Hurtloam Cave: 50xp
Orphidian Cavern: 100xp

Total xp: 10,709xp divided by three full character shares and five half-shares to surviving npcs.
(10,709/16) Equates to +1339xp per character share.

Players may receive any prime requisite bonus in top of this amount if applicable.

Bonus Awards

Each player receives a +100xp participation award.

Resolutions:

Raust: receives 1572xp taking her to 1872/2001xp. (I am sure via any tributes, bard songs and class investment that we can cover enough xp to get you to level up too)


Gerdal: receives 1439xp 5379/8001 levels up to S3. (Sorceress level 3).

Isvand: receives 1572xp. You are already dual classed and these all go on your newly adopted thief class. It actually advanced you over the threshold so you can roll up for being a fighter/thief, level 2 in both classes. Your XP should look like this: fighter 2745/4001 no prb, thief 2190/4001 +10% prb. From now in any earned XP is split evenly between both classes but you only get the +10% bonus for the rogue class.

The NPC's each get +669xp

Traeliorn: +669xp
Dale Birgensen: +669xp
Venwynn: +669xp
Ricardo: +669xp
Pasquel: +669xp

Marcel: deceased.

Congratulations on levelling up. Please adjust your sheets for any upgrades and newly acquired class skills and roll for new hp using the re-roll 1's house rule.

any questions or comments?

[Spearmint]

I will answer those questions from Raust shortly

[redwarrior]

Isvand is mainly interested in getting the rest of his gear back and back to town…and a share of the loot, of course!