Trans-Atlantic Rise of the Runelords

[JWallyR]

Round 3

Spoiler: Character Status

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Branden Tychus
M Lawful Good Human Paladin, Level 1, Init +0, HP 8/13, Speed 30
AC 16, Touch 10, Flat-footed 16, CMD 14, Fort +4, Ref +0, Will +2, CMB +4, Base Attack Bonus 1
Scimitar +5 (1d6 +3 (str), 18-20/x2)
Chain Shirt, Heavy Steel Shield (+4 Armor, +2 Shield)
Abilities Str 16, Dex 10, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 10, Cha 18
Condition None

Branden swings again at the abomination facing him, determined to return it to dust!

Spoiler: Combat Mechanics

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Attack: (1d20+5)[7]
Damage: (1d6+3)[9]

[Farmerbink]

I'm not so great at clubbing things, someone else make it happen!

Spoiler

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same full-round attack action: (1d20+4)[15] to hit, (1d3-1)[0]+(1d8)[3] damage.

(1d20)[16] to hit, (1d3-1)[1]+(1d8)[3] damage.

[WayfaringGypsy]

As the madness continues, Steven cheers the team on as they continue to make an effort to destroy the skeletons. Hopton's blade connects, but only niches at the bones of the skeleton. Leoneiros grabs the club and swings at the skeletons, but the long arch of the swing causes him to swing wild. Skeleton 2 gets his claws into the side of Jephath and rips at his flesh. (-3hp) Ark steps back and retrieves the bow from Steven, who is still enjoying the show of his companions.

Spoiler: Mechanics

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Skeleton 1 Attack on Branden(1d20+2)[5]
Skeleton 1 Damage (1d4)[4]
Skeleton 2 Attack on Jephath(1d20+2)[22]
Skeleton 2 Damage (1d4)[3]
Skeleton 2 Aoo on Leoneiros(1d20+2)[15]
Skeleton 2 Damage [roll]1d4[/roll

[DarkOne-Rob]

Round 4

Spoiler: Character status

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Jephath Gandethus
Male Lawful Neutral Human Oracle, Level 1, Init -1, HP 7/10, Speed 30
AC 20, Touch 15, Flat-footed 15, CMD 15, Fort +2, Ref +5, Will +2, CMB +0, Base Attack Bonus 0
Morningstar (-) +0 (1d8, x2)
Dagger (1) +0/-1 (1d4, 19-20/x2)
Light Crossbow (10) -1 (1d8, 19-20/x2)
Studded Leather Armor, Heavy Wooden Shield (+3 Armor, +2 Shield, +5 Dex)
Abilities Str 10, Dex 8, Con 14, Int 14, Wis 10, Cha 20
Condition None

"Once more, with feeling!" the oracle yells, wincing at the cuts dealt him by the skeleton as he smashes down again with his morningstar.

Spoiler: Combat actions

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Attack with the morningstar once more ((1d20)[13] to hit, (1d20)[2] to confirm crit on a natural 20) for (1d8)[6] damage (x2 on a crit)

[JWallyR]

Round 4

Branden grimly slashes at the mindless undead once more.

Spoiler: Combat Mechanics

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Attack: (1d20+5)[24]
Damage: (1d6+3)[4]

[Farmerbink]

Spoiler: stat block

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Hopton Watchburrough
M CG Halfling Rogue - Knife Master, Level 1, Init +7, HP 10/10, Speed 20
AC 19, Touch 16, Flat-footed 14, CMD 13, Fort +3, Ref +8, Will +2, CMB -2, Base Attack Bonus 0
Weapon Finesse Dagger x6 (+2 &1/2*level to SoH to conceal) +6 or (1d3-1, 19-20/x2)
Short Bow (20x arrows) +6 (1d4-1, x3)
Dagger (thrown) +6 (1d3-1, 19-20/x2)
Studded Leather (+3 Armor, +5 Dex, +1 Size)
Abilities Str 8, Dex 20, Con 14, Int 14, Wis 12, Cha 9
Condition fighting defensively: -4 AR, +2 AC

Ugh! Why won't you die?!

Hopton continues pressing his flanking position.

Spoiler: combat mechanics

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single attack - fighting defensively.
(1d20+4)[15] for (1d3-1)[2]+(1d8)[7] damage

[Untarr]

Spoiler: Character Status

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Ark
Male Neutral Good Elf Wizard, Level 1, Init +8, HP 8/8, Speed 30
AC 14, Touch 14, Flat-footed 10, CMD 13, Fort +1, Ref +4, Will +0, CMB -1, Base Attack Bonus 0
Dagger -1 (1d4-1, 19-20/x2)
Spell Like Ability Acid Dart (8/day) +4 (1d6, -)
(+4 Dex)
Abilities Str 8, Dex 18, Con 12, Int 20, Wis 7, Cha 9
Condition None

Maybe if I just stable my aim with this...

Ark lifts up the bow, draws the string, and lets loose a bolt of green acid.

Spoiler: Combat

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Acid Dart to one of the skeletons. I'm assuming there is no way to avoid the -4 for firing into melee. If there is a square I could more to do so, do it and add 4 to the attack roll. (I'm currently taking a -4 which offsets my +4 from dex)
(1d20)[13] vs Touch
(1d6)[3] Acid DMG


Edit: He is using the bow for RP purposes. The attack should be treated as a normal Acid Dart.

[MuffinMan]

Round 4

Spoiler: Character Status

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Leoneiros Moonshadow
M CG Elf Ranger, Level 1, Init +4, HP 10/11, Speed 30ft
AC 16, Touch 14, Flat-footed 12, CMD 17, Fort +4, Ref +6, Will +2, CMB +3, Base Attack Bonus 1
Sling (8) +5 (1d4 + 2, x3)
Shortspear (2) +3 / +5 thrown (1d6 + 2, x2)
Dagger (1) +3 / +5 thrown (1d4 + 2, 19-29/x2)
Leather Armor, Buckler (+2 Armor, +4 Dex)
Abilities Str 14, Dex 18, Con 13, Int 12, Wis 14, Cha 8
Condition Wielding the sheriff's club. No buckler
vs Animals +2 atk/dmg
-2 atk per range increment (50 ft for sling)
Point Blank Shot: +1/+1 within 30 ft

Leoneiros grimly redoubles his attacks on the nearest skeleton.

Spoiler: Combat Actions

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Two-handed attack at (1d20+3)[10] for (1d6+3)[7]dmg

[12StoryCondo]

Round 4

Spoiler: Character Status

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Steven
Male Neutral Human Barbarian, Level 1, Init +4, HP 13(15)/13, Speed 40 ft
AC 11, Touch 8, Flat-footed 9, CMD 14, Fort +7, Ref +2, Will +1, CMB +6, Base Attack Bonus +1
Scimitar +4 (1d6+3 (+4 2H), 18-20/x2)
Dagger (1) +4 (+3 when thrown) (1d4+3, 19-20/x2)
Studded Leather (+3 Armor, +2 Dex, -4 Misc)
Abilities Str 20, Dex 15, Con 17, Int 18, Wis 9, Cha 7
Condition -Power Attacking unless specifying otherwise (+3 2h dmg or +2 1h dmg | -1 hit for subsequent attacks in round i.e. attacks of opportunity)
-Rage | +4Str/Con / -2 AC / +2 WILL
-Charged this round | +2 hit | -2 AC
Rage: 4/5 rounds left today

"You can take down a Skeleton with a blade, you just have to put your back into it. After me." Steven inhales deeply, drawing his sword, and pounces into a full sprint toward the nearest Abomination.

(1d20+8)[11] to hit | 18-20 x2.
(1d6+10)[12] slashing damage.

[WayfaringGypsy]

As Ark fires his arrow at the wounded skeleton, the dart of acid splashes upon his bones and melts his skull as he falls to the ground. This opening invigorates the rest of the group. Hopton lands a hit in the knee and pops the joint, crippling the skeleton. Branden steps through and finishes the skeleton off with a upward slash, shattering it to pieces.

Sheriff Hemlock cheers as the creatures fall. "I knew you could do it!" He looks into the tomb and says, "But I don't understand why they were here..."

[Untarr]

Ark's eyes open wide as his attack burned a hole in the skeleton's skull.

I did it! It actually worked! HAHAHAHA

Ark starts dancing around joyfully, hoisting the bow over his head in excitement. He turns to Leo.

Did you see that brother? I did it! It was just like you, but with magic! It was like all that 'be one with the bow' prattle I used to hear the instructors say made sense. Awesome.

[DarkOne-Rob]

"Whew... That hurt a bit," Jephath mutters, mostly to himself. "Branden, stand still a moment, I can mend those wounds."

Jephath walks over to the paladin and casts a healing spell, gently touching the man as he does so. (Healing for 5 points.)

Then, turning to the rest of the party he says, "Goblins don't seem like the type to stage a raid on the town and deposit two skeletons in the tomb of a beloved priest... They would have expected to win if they were going to be so bold in the first place, so why place a trap like this? Sheriff, what do you think?"

Spoiler: Cure Light Wounds

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Cure Light Wounds (1d8+1)[5] Points of damage healed

[12StoryCondo]

Halfway through his demonstration to the group, Steven finds himself lacking a target. His heightened, and now also confused state, distracts him for an instant in which he trips and tumbles head over heels into a pile of loose dirt. He coughs a small dust cloud into the air and lies still, panting.

"See? I *cough* I knew you could do it. *pant*"

[MuffinMan]

Leoneiros hastily hands the club back to the sheriff and retrieves his bow from Ark's excited flailing. Easy there, Ark! Well, it's a little... unorthodox, but there's no denying results. Nice shooting!

Turning back to the others, he sighs exasperatedly. Does it really matter why they were here? They're toast, we're not, and the area is secure, or whatever. Let's just board it back up and be on our way!

[Farmerbink]

Let's just board it back up and be on our way!

Casting a skewed look at the elf, Hopton comments: Somehow, I don't expect it to be that easy.

Hopton dusts himself off, and begins looking through the area, quietly searching for anything unusual or threatening.

Spoiler: Hoptons shenanigans

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(1d20+12)[19] to be stealthy (1d20+7)[14] to be perceptive and find stuffs

[JWallyR]

After a silent bow of thanks to Jephath, Branden nods toward Hopton, saying:

Indeed, it is most unusual to find the restless dead laying wait in a desecrated, but otherwise unremarkable tomb, and were this the main thrust of an attack, surely we would find a small army waiting for us instead of a mere two. Suspicious indeed.

Branden narrows his eyes and examines the graveyard for anything else suspicious..

Spoiler: Perception Check

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Perception check: (1d20)[15]
Aid another if appropriate.

[WayfaringGypsy]

"I don't know what they could have been after in this place. Father Tobyn died years ago."

Spoiler: Branden

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Your searching comes up with a robe. The robe has several places on it where stitch holes can be seen, as though patches of some kind had been removed.

Spoiler: Hopton

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You find the resting place of the late father, only to find the sarcophagus is open but no body is present.

[DarkOne-Rob]

Frustrated, Japheth turns and walks into the tomb behind Hopton and sees the empty sarcophagus. "What is this!? The body is not here! Who would do this?"

Spoiler: Knowledge checks

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(1d20+9)[25] Knowledge (Religion) to identify any significance to a fallen priest's body regarding either doctrine or the creation of undead
(1d20+7)[15] Knowledge (History) to remember more details regarding the circumstances of Father Tobyn and his death

"Whoever took the father's body cannot have had good in mind..."

[Untarr]

Here, let me take a look at those...

Ark begins to inspect the various parts of the tomb. After a while he sits down and begins to read from his spell book. Shortly thereafter, he stands back up and mutters something under his breath. He then begins to inspect the tomb again. When he looks at you, its as if he doesn't actually see you, but its as if he was looking through you.

Spoiler: DM and DC 15 Spellcraft Check Characters

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Cast Detect Magic Spend enough time that the cone hits everything in the tomb.

Spoiler: Knowledge Rolls

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Knowledge Arcana Concerning the Use of the Body In Magical endeavors
(1d20+9)[29]

Knowledge History About the Priest's Death
(1d20+9)[21]

Knowledge Arcana concerning the significance of holes in the robe
(1d20+9)[17]

Knowledge Dungeoneering or Engineering to note anything unusual with the construction of the tomb.
(1d20+9)[25]

Spellcraft Check to discern properties of any magical items/auras detected
(1d20+9)[27]

[JWallyR]

Branden holds up a robe, which has several places on it where stitch holes can be seen, as though patches of some kind had been removed.

Of what significance is the design of this robe, Sheriff? And it seems to be missing some patches or emblems, though I know not what or why.

[MuffinMan]

It sure is a mystery... Leoneiros says absentmindedly, fiddling with the fletchings on an arrow. But we have a smelly cloak and no dead guy, so I'd say the trail's gone cold.

Hey, he looks up suddenly, should we go tell that priest about this? He seemed pretty worked up over the whole thing.

[WayfaringGypsy]

Spoiler: History Buffs

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Father Tobyn died in the fire that burned down the old church. His daughter was in the church as well.

Spoiler: Arcana Buffs

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The body wouldn't have any special purpose beyond bones for a skeleton for the use of making undead. The body would have to have some sort of significants to an individual for purposes beyond undead.

Spoiler: Ark

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The robe has residual magic on it. Upon further investigation, Ark identifies it as a robe of bones. The robes patches can be removed to summon skeletons.

"This is madness. Why would someone want the bones of our old priest? It would appear that this was their goal all along, but why?" Sheriff Hemlock puzzled over the idea for a moment. "Nevertheless, if you wish to speak to Father Zantus, by all means. I will ask that you don't tell anyone else in town though. The town has been through enough lately and there are still people here who remember Father Tobyn foundly.

[Untarr]

May I see that please?

Ark dons the robe whilst explaining.

I read about this in Clothes Make the Wizard, Never Leave Home without your Robe and Wizard Hat. Fascinating book really. Anyways, it is a Robe of Bones. You work it by removing patched on figures of undead. Those patches become the undead. May explain our friends here. I think this particular robe is out of figures.

Ark checks the robes for patches.

Spoiler: Clarifications

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So, the body is meaningful to someone, just not for arcane/divine purposes? I am confused by the sentence.

Edit: Would Ark have any idea what happened to daughter's body?

I can't think of any use of a body besides creating undead. It has to have some form of significance beyond the magical to whomever took it. If they wanted bodies, there are plenty of others to be had.

[12StoryCondo]

Steven approaches the party as he dusts himself off. "if their purposes are as nefarious as you all say, creating undead or using it for blood magic, then we should be planning a counter raid on the goblins. It would be best to disrupt these things before they happen. It we set out today, we could catch them in two days maximum."

[JWallyR]

Branden nods in agreement with Steven.

It would appear that we may be hunting more dire game than simple boar today. More to my liking, in any case.

[DarkOne-Rob]

"Leoneiros, you said you found both goblin tracks and those of another, larger set of tracks. Can you tell what kind of tracks those second set were? I am all for fighting goblins, but there are dozens of tribes with hundreds, if not thousands, of individual goblins. Trying to nail down a non-goblin amongst goblins will be easier..." Jephath says. "I knew Father Tobyn, and it pains me to see his tomb defiled. We should be smart about this, however."

[MuffinMan]

Simple boar? Simple boar?! When was the last time you faced down a 30 stone avatar of violence and fury, with nothing but your wits and a few wooden tools about you? Once on a hunt we had tracked one four miles back to its lair, prepared a clever snare at the entrance, only to have it circle around through a hidden back trail and ambush us from the rear! Bugger nearly gored my best trap-maker to death before the boys and I could stick him! Have you ever even seen a charging boar!? SIMPLE!? Of all the outrageous...

Panting a bit, Leoneiros pauses for breath, and finally Jephath's question registers.

Oh, that? Yeah, there was one other set of prints. Bigger. Looked about the size of one of ours, though if it's an elf it's a fatter one than I've ever known. He pauses for a moment, ... although after yesterday, maybe that wouldn't surprise me.

Spoiler: Survival

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[Roll]1d20+6[/Roll] to search for any other clues about the larger prints or where they went

[JWallyR]

Branden raises an eyebrow at Leoneiros' description of his interesting hunt...

Perhaps you mistook my meaning. Cunning as a boar of the wilds can be, his motives remain simple: survival. One can scarcely blame a creature for defending his life and home against predation. These goblins, on the other hand, are creatures of malice, who delight in strewing pain and wreaking havoc, and while only marginally dangerous that some woodland creatures, deserve no pity, and their motives earn them no sympathy.

[Farmerbink]

Hopton sighs deeply from the back of the group. Good grief, you people talk a lot. So, we are hunting these not-goblins instead of going on a boar rodeo? I suppose it needs doing, but more walkin' whilst we're talkin'!

He idly picks dirt from beneath his nails with a dagger while the rest of the group discusses tracks and woodland beasties.

With a slightly disappointed look, he mutters to himself, I really was looking forward to that boar hunt, too.

[WayfaringGypsy]

"Gentlemen, please" Sheriff Hemlock speaks in a loud his as to get everyone's attention and not be too loud. "We have little go on other than a defiled grave and a goblin raid. I will reach out to some of my contacts and see what we can find. As for counter raiding the goblins, I do not believe we have the man power for such an endevour." Hemlock pats Steven on the back. "Justice will be served, but not at the risk of leaving the town unprepared to start a fight we don't know about."

Spoiler: Survival

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You find a few goblin, and again, the one medium humanoid.