Quest #21 "Island Hopping"

[Rex]

She will wait to make sure we are not attacked and then cast speak with animals.

[Jernau35]

Maag

As the group moves on, Maag stays near the rear, at the edge of the torchlight. When they enter the room, he stops at the curve in the hallway just before the threshold. Mirror in one hand, sword in the other, he stands next to the left hand wall where he would be out of sight of anybody in the room.

He listens to what is transpiring in the room as he uses his mirror to watch the hallway behind him.

[OGRE MAGE]

Back In The Cave
Moonday, 15th of Goodmonth
Mid Morning, Damp, Dim, Humid

Andronichishche stows his map and reminds the leaders to be careful as he watches the entry transpire from the back of the group. Maag stays in the passageway as well, watching and listening with his mirror from around the bend.

Sir Crestbrook moves inside the room with Gramble at his heels. Lerrick and Tlachtga enter with the torches next, lighting up the entirety of the chamber. The druid suggests that she could speak to the snakes if necessary, heading in that direction to get closer and optimize the light around the chamber.

Alordan and Saracen enter next, the priest of Pholtus moving to one side of poor Cora while Crestbrook closes in on the other side of her clearly dead body. There is a still significant stink emanating from her, but the cleric sees something strange right away. Her shriveled body seems to have rotted in an accelerated fashion, and is in a much more advanced state of decay than the still squishy Jeevus out in the hallway. Her dried skin hangs from her bones as if she has been dead for much longer and the expression of pure hatred adorning her sunken skull sends a shiver down the normally stoic priests spine.

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Without warning, as soon as Sir Crestbrook gets within arms reach, she immediately animates and thrusts forward towards the paladin with unnatural quickness, grabbing the startled cavalier around his neck with her boney hands and squeezing tightly. The corpse tries to speak, but the words are only garbled noise to everyone in the room. Everyone but Cresty that is, who can still hear Cora speaking to him perfectly in his mind. "Now you can ssssssstay with me forever, Cresssssssty!" Her boney fingers and nails dig into the neck of the paladin as a trickle of blood begins to drip from the wounds. 4 dam

Actions?

Crestbrook can still attack, but only with a small piercing or thrusting weapon since he cant swing fully with a sword at the moment. An escape attempt can be made with a successful Nearly Impossible Strength check. [6d6] Everyone else can go nuts on it as they please if they so chose.

map:

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Sir Crestbrook 7/11 LoH
Gramble 13/16
Lerrick 11/11 2/4 1st (torch: 40'r/3.9T)
Tlachtga 8/8 1/4 1st (torch: 40'r/4.7T)
Cu AC:3 13/13
Saracen 28/33 4/5 1st 2/2 2nd
Alordan 15/18
Andron 6/6 1/3 1st CL, DM, RM / 1/1 1st
Maag 12/12

[wolfpack]

I told you the bitch was evil all along!


gramble tries to chop the undead down but misses trying not to hit crestwood

[1d20+3] = 5+3 = 8

[Storm11]

Saracen leaps back startled before grabbing his holy medallion and thrusting it towards the desiccated dead woman. Back, foul creature, away, flee before the blinding light of Pholtus! he cries, trying to turn the monster attacking the paladin.

[1d20] = 9 : [1d12] = 10 : [3d4] = 7

[ravenn4544]

Alordan gasps at the creature suddenly springing to unlife. He lunges with his blade trying to not hit Crestbrook but has a hard time connecting.

Long Sword Attack [1d20+1] = 10+1 = 11 (THACO=18)
Long Sword Damage(+1 str/+1 weapon) = S/M: [1d8+2] = 6+2 = 8 / L: [1d12+2] = 11+2 = 13

[Rex]

Tlachtga

Tlachtga casts Faerie Fire on the undead Cora.

To Cu, "Fuirich". She keeps Cu at her side to cover in case of an attack from something else.

Stay

Everyone gets +2 to hit Cora.

[Jernau35]

Maag

As the battle erupts inside the room, Maag rolls his eyes. "Didn't even need a mirror to see that one comin' " he mutters to Andronichishche.

He continues to keep a watchful eye on the hallway.

[Quonundrum]

Andronichishche watches on as the others enter the room and tenses involuntarily as Sir Crestbrook leans in close to examine the body. He jolts in surprise as he sees the corpse's arms reach out with lightning speed and grasp the paladin firmly around the neck. All he can hear from the tunnel is a faint …

"Gnagh uuogh gah kaaah igh eee orghegherrr, khaaaaaaiiii!"

Andronichishche freezes momentarily, uncertain exactly what is happening until …

I told you the bitch was evil all along!

Back, foul creature, away, flee before the blinding light of Pholtus!

"Didn't even need a mirror to see that one comin' "

The deadpan sincerity of Maag's comment was enough to cause Andron to turn towards the half-orc in confusion, the dry wit of the words against the severity of the situation causing his mind to refocus enough on the danger before him to formulate a plan of action. He quickly grasps the wooden holy symbol of Rao from around his neck and strides forth to the entrance of the cave, calling out in a deep commanding voice unlike his usual demeanor, "Cora! If any part of you still clings to your mortal shell … fight! Fight now against this evil! In the name of Rao, let peace claim the memory of this priestess of Athena!"

Turn undead: [1d20] = 19, [1d12] = 9, [3d4] = 10

[kruk]

Sir Crestbrook the Mighty

By the..accchccc...ccac...accccckkksss...mcccckkc...aaackkkaa...ccccaccckkkaaaa...kacc...!!! Words can't come out of the started paladin's as the CORA's grip tightens around the his next. He immediately drops his shield and sword and tries with all of his might to undo the grip of the fiend.

strength check: [6d6] = 28

I told you the bitch was evil all along!

The paladin tries to respond...aacckkkc..akkkcaacuwwww...ackskaakkkk


Lerrick

Let's see what this mace can do. She swings the weapon with all of her might.

attack and damage rolls [1d20+bonus if any], [1d8+bonus if any from the weapon and +2 for fairy fire not included in the roll] [1d20] = 18 [1d8] = 3

[OGRE MAGE]

Back In The Cave
Moonday, 15th of Goodmonth
Mid Morning, Damp, Dim, Humid

Sir Crestbrook of the Several Silver Circles gasps and chokes as he fights against undead Cora's boney but powerful grip to no avail. Her clawed fingers dig deeper into the paladins neck as she continues to gargle sweet nothings to him. "Why would you fight me Cresssssty? Don't you want to ssssssstay in here with me forever? I can sssssshow you ssssssso many new thingssssssss." 3 dam

Almost as if they knew it was coming, the others leap into action against this frightful enemy trying to seduce their paladin. Saracen holds up his holy symbol, wishing to simply chase off the undead monster. His attempt has no effect on the horrid thing that was once Cora. Tlachtga begins casting her final spell which creates a soft violet glow around the enemy, making it easier to see for those in combat. She keeps a lookout around the rest of the chamber with her trusty hound Cu at her side. Gramble and Alordan are glad they are no longer in the confines of the tight passages where they can now swing their weapons fully. However, in their attempt to not hit Crestbrook, both of their blows fail to damage the monster.

With Maag still out in the hall, unable to get close to the action, he keeps a watchful eye out for anything coming up the passage behind them. Andron rushes past to see if his divine ability has any better luck against this monster. He shouts out a powerful statement towards the monster that he is sure should do the trick, but alas, it does nothing to stop the intensity of the creatures desire to kill anything living.

Lerrick wonders what her new owl headed mace can do against such a foe, so she steps up and swings with all her might. Her blow lands hard against the boney figure, staggering it slightly and obviously hurting it. The hatred showing from the monster's eyes appears to recognize the weapon used against it. Cora turns her attention from the paladin and looks directly into the eyes of Lerrick. "Thievsesssss!" It gargles as it removes one hand from Crestbrooks neck and tries to grab Lerrick as well. The priestess of Pelor is just able to duck the grab.

Actions?

Crestbrooks Strength check is reduced to Very Hard [5d6] with only one hand on his throat now.

map:

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Sir Crestbrook 4/11 LoH
Gramble 13/16
Lerrick 11/11 2/4 1st (torch: 40'r/3.8T)
Tlachtga 8/8 0/4 1st (torch: 40'r/4.6T) FF:4
Cu AC:3 13/13
Saracen 28/33 4/5 1st 2/2 2nd
Alordan 15/18
Andron 6/6 1/3 1st CL, DM, RM / 1/1 1st
Maag 12/12

[Rex]

Tlachtga

Tlachtga maintains her watch as she suspects she can't harm the creature without magic.

[Storm11]

Saracen, seeing neither his nor the priest of magic’s holy power have any effect upon dessicated Cora, let’s his medallion fall back to his chest upon its chain and stabs out at the glowing undead creature with his enchanted sword.

[1d20+3] = 16+3 = 19 : [1d8+4] = 1+4 = 5 : [1d12+4] = 9+4 = 13 (Not including the +2 to hit from the Faerie Fire spell.

[wolfpack]

This time I burn your body and blow away the ashes poisonous harlot

[1d20+3] = 13+3 = 16
[1d10+4] = 10+4 = 14

If she is undead it is 17 to hit and 15 damage

[ravenn4544]

Alordan thinkimg the claw of the dead Cora thing was reaching for him stumbles back and his sword attack goes wide.

Long Sword Attack [1d20+1] = 2+1 = 3 (THACO=18)

[Quonundrum]

Andronichishche recoils in shock when his plea to Rao has absolutely no effect. What manner of evil is this? Never before have I felt the power of Rao surge through me ... yet, to no effect! Did that amulet claim her in entirety? Body, mind, and soul? Quickly recovering from this second shock, Andron notes with alarm Sir Crestbrook struggling to breath, grasping at the bony hands choking the life from the young paladin. He darts into the room and lays a hand upon the holy warrior, grasping the symbol of Rao in the other and chants an orison to heal Sir Crestbrook, hoping to give him more time to free himself.

Cure light wounds: [1d8] = 8

"Thievsesssss!"

Andronichishche glances to his left to see Lerick leaping away from a skeletal hand raking the air where only a moment before was her bare throat. Realizing "Cora" recognizes the owl headed mace Lerrick is wielding, Andron calls out again in the same commanding voice, eager to contact what remains of Cora's sentience. "Cora! Priestess of Athena! You were wrongly slain in life ... yet you can still fight the amulet ... fight the true source of this evil! Let us help you find peace now in death!"

[Jernau35]

Maag

Watching from the doorway, Maag realizes that Crestbrook needs help. The burly half-orc pushes into the room and skirts around the whirling melee until he reaches the paladin. Grabbing him around the waist, he grunts "Leave 'im alone yer filthy 'arlot! 'e's not dat kinda boy!", and hauls away.

[kruk]

Sir Crestbrook the Mighty

The paladin, revitalized by the surge of healing flowing throughout his body tries again to dislodge the bony hand around his neck. Grrrackkkkaallallack aaaackkk

[5d6] strength check = [5d6] = 26

No luck


Lerrick

The cleric moves away from the skeleton figure just in the nick of time. That was close. Trying to decide if she should attack or move away she makes her decision quickly. You only live once. Again, she swings her mace at the undead creature. Be gone! You are not Cora. May the weapon she once carried end your evil wicked existence!

to hit and attack rolls respectively: to hit roll and damage roll don't show the magic powers of the mace: [1d20+2] = 18+2 = 20 [1d8] = 7

[OGRE MAGE]

Back In The Cave
Moonday, 15th of Goodmonth
Mid Morning, Damp, Dim, Humid

Crestbrook continues to flail and fight against the strength of the undead Cora, though he finds himself still unable to break away from her unnaturally powerful grip. She squeezes again, causing the choking human to fall unconscious from his worsening neck wounds. 6 dam Maag sees his fresh smelling buddy go limp, so he rushes into the room, passing the melee uncomfortably close to the swinging blades of the others. When he gets around to the paladin, he begins pulling him by his waist with his immense strength, trying to pry him away from the grip of the monster. It seems to be working.

Saracen and Gramble rip into the creature with their magical blades, cutting up more of her already tattered frame. Lerrick thinks about getting away from the action, but decides to get in another swing for good measure. Her ornate mace smashes into the rotting corpse of Cora herd, crushing more bones in the process. The monster definitely doesn't like what the priest of Rao is saying, eventually relinquishing its grip around Cresty as Andron rushes up to administer a prayer of healing upon the downed human. The spell brings the paladin back to the land of the living again.

Cora turns towards Lerrick next, both hands now reaching straight for her neck aggressively. Andron cant tell if his words are having any effect on the undead monster, but it remains clear that it recognizes its past possession, the one currently held in the hand of the half-elven priestess. "Miiiiiine!" It growls as it reaches in for another choke hold.

Actions?

Undead Cora is looking badly damaged at the moment.

map:

8B204710-C48E-4A95-B5C8-7405B3A78024.jpeg (876.6 KiB) Viewed 411 times

Sir Crestbrook 6/11 LoH
Gramble 13/16
Lerrick 11/11 2/4 1st (torch: 40'r/3.7T)
Tlachtga 8/8 0/4 1st (torch: 40'r/4.5T) FF:3
Cu AC:3 13/13
Saracen 28/33 4/5 1st 2/2 2nd
Alordan 15/18
Andron 6/6 1/3 1st CL, DM, RM / 1/1 1st
Maag 12/12

[Rex]

Tlachtga

Tlachtga maintains her watch.