DM RobC - "That does sound sensible." Wednesday June 23rd, 2021 3:51:28 AM "I didn't ask them but they didn't mention anything about being attacked or seeing elementals about" Ceres responds to Sigvar.
Hemera answers Anna's question "It will take closer to 30 minutes flight to get to the aeries. At our speed that is." Anna is able to extrapolate that out to somewhere in the 3 mile ballpark.
Trayvin sets to patching up wounds while the others start thinking of what the next day might hold. Most focus on one thing: griffon rides!
It does leave one question though... what about the big guy? What about Sigvar?
The party have all evening in the mansion to figure that out. For now there is rest and probably some planning for tomorrow. Food will no doubt be served as well to fill some empty bellies.
------------------------- Everyone receives 80,000xp for completion of the previous scene... and surviving!
If the party want to do any planning, prep certain spells, etc, now's the time
Knight Commander Sigvar Ironhorn (David F) AC 42 (T 16, FF 38) CMD 41 HP 216 / 216 Character Sheet Wednesday June 23rd, 2021 8:43:11 AM
Sigvar isn't worried. He can fly there on his own although it will take him, longer. If one of the griffons is willing to guide him that would work out fine. Otherwise the resourceful asters could find a way to reduce him for the time it takes, he has 2 rods of lesser extend that will allow them to double the duration of a reduce spell which should cover the flight time.
AC 32+4 v AOO T22 F25 CMD 39 HP 159/ 159 Tinker (SteveK) Wednesday June 23rd, 2021 1:38:49 PM
Tinker has no personal preparations to make, but he does have some questions. Over a slab of roast and a mug of ale, the dwarf cocks an eye. “So, get to the top and start asking around to see if there are something besides speculation and accusations?”
He’s willing to listen to any other reasonable plan.
Prudence Gundle Wednesday June 23rd, 2021 3:14:40 PM
"If we're only talking about 30 minutes' flight, I can just cast Fly on Sigvar," Pru says. "Even if it's a longer flight, I can cast it several times."
Trayvin AC 39/14 touch Hp 122/199(BrianZ) Wednesday June 23rd, 2021 6:29:27 PM
Looks like the flying was covered. Trayvin settles in for some food and mentally prepares for the next day.
Active effects: greater magic weapon(on Morningstar)(21/16/11) 1d8+9
Michael Wittman AC:32, T:21, FF:25(ucdodge) HP 141/141 F+14, R+23,W+15, CMB+22, CMD+31 Wednesday June 23rd, 2021 9:36:02 PM
Michael follows Hemear's instructions to the letter. but he cannot help but be excited to fly on the back of one of these noble creatures.
he bows once introduced to the one he is to fly upon.
Pompous (Yves_B) AC 36/38 evil SR 20 CMD 32/30, HP 170 /170 Wednesday June 23rd, 2021 9:58:12 PM
Pompous checks his gear and is ready to take flight.
Anna Morphling (Hugh C) -- HP 123/123 - 42/18/39 + 4 AOO due to movement CMD 36 Thursday June 24th, 2021 12:14:46 AM
Anna says, "I can turn into several huge animals but only for a limited time and sadly none of them fly. I might opt to use my Queen's minions for beast shape I again, turn into an eagle and ride on a griffon as an eagle so that I could fly on my own and investigate things if we need it."
Nikolai (JonathanT) AC 34 Tch 32 Ffted 30 HP 110/120 CMD 39/45(Grapple/Trip/Disarm) Thursday June 24th, 2021 12:33:11 AM
Nikolai sits back, belly full, and wonders about the situation. Once they get to the aeries, then what? Alright, so they ask a few questions. Then what? Ultimately, they need to get back down and start the search on the ground, by climbing as far to the top of the mountain as they can, by investigating the East side, and so forth.
To the others he mentions, {At least the others will know we are here and get to meet them. That should give them some hope and bolster their morale. But ultimately, it's on the mountain we'll need to be. It's all on the mountain.}
DM RobC - "It's all on the mountain" Thursday June 24th, 2021 3:59:17 AM
In the morning, true to the plan, four griffons can be seen perched on the rocky slope above you. Who knows how long they've been waiting but they've obviously been waiting for you to emerge from the mansion. On spotting Ceres and Hemera they leap down and form a very loose line.
"Aphrilles. Nereus. Shasta. Arkell." Ceres walks along and greets them all in turn before introducing you "These are the leaders of the Mailed Fist. They are here to help us and they are our guests."
There are a few grunts from the griffons and they don't look especially happy to see you.
Aphrilles is clearly the smallest - though still large. He's probably also the youngest. His plumage is a chestnut brown colour and every feather in perfect position as you would expect from someone who hasn’t seen much adventuring.
Nereus is much the same in appearance though perhaps a little larger. They are more than likely brothers or perhaps related in some other way. He is clawing at the ground, ready to get moving and into the safety of the air.
Shasta is larger than those two and has dark black feathers that match against his dark fur. He is very thin for his size and you can see some of his ribs through his fur. You notice that he is watching Michael very closely.
You'd pick Arkell as being the strongest and you'd be right. He clearly has the biggest wingspan and his tan fur covers some obvious muscle. Anything that gets stuck in his claw would snap pretty easily. He's not as large as Ceres though.
Hemera - being the only female - is larger than all of them.
"You'll ride with me" Ceres approaches Michael. He looks squarely at Shasta as he does so.
------------- Choose your mounts!
Knight Commander Sigvar Ironhorn (David F) AC 42 (T 16, FF 38) CMD 41 HP 216 / 216 Character Sheet Thursday June 24th, 2021 4:11:00 AM
Sigvar shrugs his shoulders, opening his wings." I'll follow at my best speed, but I know can't fly as fast or as gracefully as you ."
AC 32+4 v AOO T22 F25 CMD 39 HP 159/ 159 Tinker (SteveK) Thursday June 24th, 2021 4:20:08 AM
Tinker bows to the group of griffons. “ Daemar Torvalsson, called Tinker, one of the Knights Commander of the Mailed Fist at your service”, rumbles the bass voice.
As Ceres has already chosen Michael, the dwarf considers further pairings. Despite his size, Tinker and his gear surely outweighs everyone except Trayvin and Sigvar. With the Minotaur not riding anyone and leaving the Half-Orc to Arkell, the dwarf approaches Shasta. “You look like a warrior, noble sir. We should get along then.”
Flecks of dark brown streak the dwarf’s rust-colored hair and full beard, framing a chiseled bronze face set in a permanent frown of concentration. Heavy leather-and-canvas boots, trousers, tunic, vest, and cloak with lots of pockets clothes the dwarf revealing very little skin. Weapons, tools, and a large backpack stuffed with more implements completes the image of an adventurer expecting the worst and ready for anything.
Prudence Gundle Thursday June 24th, 2021 2:11:51 PM
Pru approaches the group. "Hello," she says. "My name is Prudence Gundle, but people call me Pru. Aphrilles, will you please give me a ride?"
Apart from Michael, Pru is probably the lightest in the group, especially since she doesn't wear armor.
Trayvin AC 39/14 touch Hp 199/199(BrianZ) Thursday June 24th, 2021 8:07:18 PM
Trayvin introduces himself to all the griffons, and Arkell in particular. I offer my thanks for this help you provide us. It will speed us on our journey to help your people.
Active effects: greater magic weapon(on Morningstar)(21/16/11) 1d8+9
OOC- hola, dropping a notice here, I will be at Scout camp next week and unable to post. Would someone mind dropping some placeholder posts? I'd like to see our good posting streak continue.
Michael Wittman AC:32, T:21, FF:25(ucdodge) HP 141/141 F+14, R+23,W+15, CMB+22, CMD+31 Thursday June 24th, 2021 10:49:40 PM
Michael winks at Shasta as he takes Ceres's offer. Michael is light, but he takes care in mounting, ensuring that his scabbards don't poke his client.
he whispers to Ceres after they take off. Shasta looks a bit thin, was he looking at me as a meal, or did I offend him some way? if he is sick or something our Cleric Trayvin can probably set him right once we land. .
Anna Morphling (Hugh C) -- HP 123/123 - 40/20/36 + 4 AOO due to movement CMD 32 Thursday June 24th, 2021 11:12:05 PM
Anna activates Queen's Minions to turn into an eagle and lands on Nikolai's shoulder, "Pick your griffon and I'll ride with you. If you need to send out a scout to get a closer look at anything I'll fly out and see what we can see."
Nikolai (JonathanT) AC 34 Tch 32 Ffted 30 HP 110/120 CMD 39/45(Grapple/Trip/Disarm) Friday June 25th, 2021 12:27:24 AM
Nikolai approaches Nereus and bows, asking Hemera to tell the griffons that the Mailed Fist is honored for being allowed to ride with them.
AC 32+4 v AOO T22 F25 CMD 39 HP 159/ 159 Tinker (SteveK) Friday June 25th, 2021 5:54:50 PM
Tinker patiently waits, feeling that any intelligent person who is militaristic and touchy will not take silence well. Shasta is sure to do something if given the opportunity. And the dwarf feels sure that he can out-wait the Griffon.
Pompous (Yves_B) AC 36/38 evil SR 20 CMD 32/30, HP 170 /170 Friday June 25th, 2021 10:07:53 PM
Pompous is ready and waits to be assigned a Griffon. To bad Steffon the Griffon wasn't here.
Knight Commander Sigvar Ironhorn (David F) AC 42 (T 16, FF 38) CMD 41 HP 216 / 216 Character Sheet Saturday June 26th, 2021 1:03:47 PM
Sigvar waits for the pride to take off.
Anna Morphling (Hugh C) -- HP 123/123 - 40/20/36 + 4 AOO due to movement CMD 32 Sunday June 27th, 2021 11:40:14 PM
Anna rides Nereus on Nikolai's shoulder if Nereus allows, "Thank you noble Nereus." She says.
AC 32+4 v AOO T22 F25 CMD 39 HP 159/ 159 Tinker (SteveK) Monday June 28th, 2021 6:43:25 AM
Tinker thinks about what they will need to do up at the Griffon aeries. He thinks Nikolai has a good plan.
Prudence Gundle Monday June 28th, 2021 10:48:28 AM
As the group gets ready to fly on griffons, Pru makes sure she has a Feather Fall ready to go. Just in case.
CDM Jerry [OOC post] Monday June 28th, 2021 4:30:33 PM
Greetings Woldians!
We have TWO games that have achieved Level 20 and just retired over the weekend! So in our usual tradition, we're holding a celebration for the next few days on the Giggling Ghost board!
Folks are already beginning to gather. We expect everyone to join in and post daily on the GG board, but all are excused from posting in their "regular career game" through Wednesday at least. :) It doesn't mean you can't post, just that you don't have to.
DMs if you're in combat, feel free to just post a "pause until after Wednesday" if you'd like, or you can do that anyway. These celebrations are important as both of these games have players who have been working for at least 9 years to achieve this retirement for their PCs.
--DMs may take the role of an NPC or 2 if they wish and hand out dishes, create action, help out, etc. --Anyone may take the stage and tell a story or sing a song. --Post as many times a day as you'd like on the Giggling Ghost board.
Entertain yourselves and enjoy!
Yes you may go there now and post. Yes you should go there now and post. What are you waiting for? Yes, now is fine. Are you still reading this? Why?
Michael Wittman AC:32, T:21, FF:25(ucdodge) HP 141/141 F+14, R+23,W+15, CMB+22, CMD+31 Monday June 28th, 2021 10:00:52 PM
Time stops, space warps, and the Agents are gone, but the wold is frozen in this moment of time and will be until the ultimate powers deem it to continue.
Anna Morphling (Hugh C) -- HP 123/123 - 40/20/36 + 4 AOO due to movement CMD 32 Tuesday June 29th, 2021 2:20:16 AM
Anna waits on Nikolai's shoulder
DM RobC - "Thank you noble Nereus." 4d6=16 ; 4d6=16 ; Tuesday June 29th, 2021 4:07:58 AM
Hemera whispers to Nikolai "They can understand you. It's just that you can't understand them" she explains.
Despite the thanks many of the group give and their gratitude for the ride, none of the other griffons look particularly happier about the situation. Still, they aren't going to argue with Ceres and Hemera and so reluctantly take on the role of mounts. Aphrilles and Nereus trot about a bit to see how they manage with the weight. Shasta may as well have been made from stone. He doesn't budge under the weight of Tinker.
"Yes, you might want to keep your distance for the time being" Ceres explains to Michael "You probably look like a good meal. I wouldn't expect him to try anything, but it doesn't hurt for me to make a show just to remind him"
The griffons start the slow ascent with Ceres taking the lead. The north face is very rocky with occasional patches of snow that turned into vast snow covered areas the higher you go. "It's not normally snowy at this altitude" Ceres explains. The flight is slow. The griffons aren't used to carrying this sort of weight nor having riders on their backs. They are obviously trying to keep things stable but this a first for them and they all struggle at times.
Michael, Tinker, Trayvin and Pompous to make a DC10 ride check to stay on the back of their griffons. Failure = a 40ft fall and 16pts damage. Pru and Nikolai to make 2 x DC10 ride checks to stay on the back of the griffons. Failure = a 40ft fall and 16pts damage.
The winds are picking up and the sky is almost completely overcast. The temperature is steadily dropping too. 40’f drops to 30’f drops to 20’f. The party are about 3miles high by now. The summit is still nowhere to be seen and the air is starting to become thin.
"Things are much worse than only a few days ago" Hemera tells Pompous "We're almost there now"
------------- Ceres: Michael Shasta: Tinker Aphrilles: Pru Arkell: Trayvin Nerues: Nikolai & Anna Hemera: Pompous Sigvar
Knight Commander Sigvar Ironhorn (David F) AC 42 (T 16, FF 38) CMD 41 HP 216 / 216 Character Sheet Tuesday June 29th, 2021 5:40:38 AM
Sigvar had not counted on the difficulty that the Griffons might encountertrying to balance people on their backs for the first timehe tries to stay alert in case he can catch someone that falls but it seems once the griffons try it out for a bit at low altitude they mastert the skill and begin to climb. As the temperature drops, Sigvar touches himself and prays to Gargul to be able to withstand the cold. (Cast endure elements on himself)
AC 32+4 v AOO T22 F25 CMD 39 HP 159/ 159 Tinker (SteveK) d20+7=17 ; Tuesday June 29th, 2021 4:28:17 PM
Tinker knows a lot of skills, but riding isn’t one of them. He knows he has the grace of a sack of potatoes trying to hold on, but at least his natural agility comes in handy and he keeps his balance!
The dwarf is going to be happy when this is over!
Nikolai (JonathanT) AC 34 Tch 32 Ffted 30 HP 110/120 CMD 39/45(Grapple/Trip/Disarm) d20+9=11 ; Tuesday June 29th, 2021 7:56:40 PM
Spells in effect: Mage Armor
Nikolai has ridden horses plenty of times but these griffons aren't horses. And horses don't fly. And griffons don't have saddles and stirrups. The wind and the body movements due to the flapping of the wings puts Nikolai to task to stay on.
Ride check 1 D20 + 7 + 2 (Luckstone and Ioun stone) vs DC10 = 11
He hopes Anna does not poop on his shoulder as they laboriously climb upwards.
Nikolai (JonathanT) AC 34 Tch 32 Ffted 30 HP 110/120 CMD 39/45(Grapple/Trip/Disarm) d20=9 ; d20+27=44 ; Tuesday June 29th, 2021 8:06:49 PM
Oops here's more:
Ride check 2 D20 + 7 + 2 (Luckstone and Ioun stone) vs DC10 = 9
Nikolai finally looses his grip as a gust of wind catches him sideways and off he goes. Unable to use a 'wall' to slow his fall, and not sure how far he is to go before he splats, he instinctively activates his Abundant Step to plop right back on Nerues' back.
Ki 11/13
Don't know if the Abundant Step won't work, since Teleport won't, but Abundant Step works like Dimension Door. If not, he hits the rocky cliff side. Acrobatics to Soften Fall d20+25 +2 (Luckstone, Ioun stone) = 44, ignore 1st 10' of fall.
DM, let me know what the adjusted damage is if any damage is taken.
Anna Morphling (Hugh C) -- HP 123/123 - 40/20/36 + 4 AOO due to movement CMD 32 Tuesday June 29th, 2021 9:35:06 PM
If Nikolai can abundant step back Anna who started flyinh when nikolai fell uses her brownie magic sla to get back.
(OOC: lost power; short post)
Michael Wittman AC:32, T:21, FF:25(ucdodge) HP 141/141 F+14, R+23,W+15, CMB+22, CMD+31 d20+14=20 ; Tuesday June 29th, 2021 10:34:50 PM
ride = 20
Michael lays along Ceres back, he adjusts his position, feeling the changes in the gryphons movement and tension to try and find the best way of riding, in this case that means making his mounts job easier.
DM RobC - "Thank you noble Nereus." Wednesday June 30th, 2021 3:46:12 AM
The party have mixed results staying aboard the griffons. Michael and Tinker are naturals, though riding on Ceres and Shasta probably means there's more for them to hold.
Nikolai has a little more trouble with things. Nerues falters against the weight of the half-elf and it's enough for Nikolai to be thrown free. He loses his grip and falls gracelessly to the rocks below. It all happens so fast that he didn't have time to even think of his Abundant Step ability. Now on the rocks he can see it wouldn't have made much difference anyway. Try as he might he just isn't able to magically transport himself back on Nereus. The griffon circles back around to allow Nikolai to jump back aboard.
The party finally arrive at the aeries on the northern slope, some 10 miles from the eastern slopes - the lands of the giants. You can count some 50 nests in the immediate area though only a little more than a dozen griffons are currently home. "This is just one of many of our sites" Hemera advises.
The griffons don’t seem tired from the flight, but they occasionally use their wings to protect themselves from the high winds.
The weather is particularly bad now. You can see why the griffons are in trouble. The wind is strong, and the air is so thin that you may even start to feel light-headed.
---------------- Current conditions.. Strong Winds: Tiny sized 'checked' (unable to move forward against the force of the wind unless they succeed at a DC 10 Strength check (on the ground) or a DC 20 Fly check if airborne.) -2 to Fly checks and ranged attacks. High Altitude Fatigue / Thin Air: All non-acclimated creatures labor to breathe in the thin air at this altitude. Characters must succeed on a Fortitude save each hour (DC 15, +1 per hour) or be fatigued.
AC 32+4 v AOO T22 F25 CMD 39 HP 159/ 159 Tinker (SteveK) d20+2=22 ; d20+24=27 ; Wednesday June 30th, 2021 5:44:02 AM
Tinker dismounts as soon as feasible from Shasta. Breathing hard, he is glad of his Boots of the Winterlands keeping him warm. “Is it always like this? What has changed?” And he also looks to see what direction the wind is coming from. “Is this wind always from the same direction? Is it only where the nests are?”
He also checks the stonework up here on the side of the mountain to compare what he saw at its base.
Knight Commander Sigvar Ironhorn (David F) AC 42 (T 16, FF 38) CMD 41 HP 216 / 216 Character Sheet Wednesday June 30th, 2021 6:20:36 AM
Sigvar lands. The winds were a bit problematic while he was flying but now that he is landed he does not feel their force as acutely.
Pompous (Yves_B) AC 36/38 evil SR 20 CMD 32/30, HP 170 /170 d20+8=16 ; d20+8=11 ; d20+16=35 ; d20+16=25 ; Wednesday June 30th, 2021 6:51:12 AM
ooc> Sorry folks. It was my youngest's high school grad last evening. Totally forgot about the game,
Ride check from last round 16 and 11
Fort checks- 35 and 26
----------------------------------------
Pompous, on Hemera's back, lands. The wind is strong but not problematic for the ranger.. so far...
He descends from the griffon's back, wraps his cloak rightly about himself and tips his head in a nod of thanks.
" My thanks for the ride good Hemera. "
He then slings his bow. Shooting in this wind would be a problem. Best let his blade do his talking if things go bad.
Prudence Gundle d20+6=9 ; d20+6=17 ; d20+12=27 ; Wednesday June 30th, 2021 12:18:59 PM
[OOC: Well, I didn't actually die from the heat, but I did get pretty sick. I'm better now.]
When Pru realizes that Aphrilles is having trouble carrying her, she activates her Boots of Levitation and basically gets towed through the air. [Ride checks 9 and 17, but I'm hoping that there's a little bonus for the levitating.]
Pru isn't yet troubled by the thin air [Fort save 27], but it's not exactly comfortable up here.
Anna Morphling (Hugh C) -- HP 123/123 - 40/20/36 + 4 AOO due to movement CMD 32 d20+10=24 ; d20+20=33 ; Wednesday June 30th, 2021 11:42:57 PM
Fort Save: 24
Anna flies down from Nikolai and takes in her surroundings. (Perception: 33)
Nikolai (JonathanT) AC 34 Tch 32 Ffted 30 HP 108/120 CMD 39/45(Grapple/Trip/Disarm) d20+20=22 ; Thursday July 1st, 2021 12:10:22 AM
Nikolai manages to soften his fall some but still suffers some bruises on the rocky slop. He shrugs it off and climbs back on.
At the griffon aerie, he takes in the defenses of the nest. The main defense is the altitude. Not many could wage a flying battle with the wind, thin air, and the griffons used to both.
Fortitude save d20 + 20 = 22
For now, he is managing.
DM RobC - "Is it always like this?" Thursday July 1st, 2021 3:48:18 AM
Tinker tries to take stock of the current landscape. The stone here looks much the same as it did at the base level. All the same mineral (whatever it is). The wind is currently blowing from the west to the east.
"No. It wasn't this bad when we left, and that was only a few days ago. Things have deteriorated fast" Ceres shakes his head to Tinker. "We've reports of high winds and storms all across the mountain. It's not just here."
Hemera adds her view. "The numbers remaining here are few now. Those that remain don’t want to leave their homes and they can't be forced. If they don’t leave though, they will die."
Nikolai has the right of it. The height of the aeries is most certainly a key factor when it comes to defense. Based on what you've observed, adversaries without a means of flight would have difficulty just getting here.
Ceres and Hemera flank the party and escort you around the nests. Michael continues to garner the attention of many of the hungrier griffons. They watch the party carefully but keep their distance.
You observe that most of the griffons that are still nesting here are female, likely unwilling to leave their nests until their broods hatch.
AC 32+4 v AOO T22 F25 CMD 39 HP 159/ 159 Tinker (SteveK) d20+14=32 ; d20+10=27 ; d20-1=3 ; Thursday July 1st, 2021 4:13:11 AM
Tinker grunts. From the west means the most likely origin of nefarious intent is from the west.
While waiting for group consensus on moving west, the dwarf pulls a small hammer from his masterwork engineering set and looks to see if he can erect windbreaks around some of the nests to help the clutching mothers and elderly. “Michael! Need your expertise here!”, he calls, doing a poor job of bluffing the griffons to make them think the Halfling is more useful when not eaten.
Knight Commander Sigvar Ironhorn (David F) AC 42 (T 16, FF 38) CMD 41 HP 216 / 216 Character Sheet d20+22=25 ; Thursday July 1st, 2021 6:56:08 AM " I'll assist you too Tinker, a little bulk and strength might make it a bit easier." over the badges Sigvar mentions to Prudence. " Do you think you could make a mansion so that the griffons up here can fill their bellies and not look at Michael like he was an appetizer?" To everyone he asks, "Who was it that lived to the west? Like Tinker said, if the wind i blowing from that way makers sense to head that way first." Fort save 25 for the first hour
Prudence Gundle Thursday July 1st, 2021 12:12:15 PM
"Do they know that?" Pru asked Hemera. "I mean, do they know that if they don't leave here, they will die? Is there anything that would help them be able to move? For example, if we could help move any eggs safely?"
To Sigvar, she replies, "That's a possibility, but let's wait a bit and see what the overall plan is."
Michael Wittman AC:32, T:21, FF:25(ucdodge) HP 141/141 F+14, R+23,W+15, CMB+22, CMD+31 Thursday July 1st, 2021 7:43:05 PM What you need brother? The question is only for form's sake, he lends a hand with a will to help Tinker. privately over the link, he talks to the rest of the Knights.
These guys are starving, we are going to have problems with them shortly if they don't get something to eat, can any of you magic guys conjure up some good red meat for them, something to hold them till the Fist gets here with the livestock? .
Pompous (Yves_B) AC 36/38 evil SR 20 CMD 32/30, HP 170 /170 Thursday July 1st, 2021 8:15:39 PM
{ Send: No magic but if there's any game nearby I can go hunt.... They are welcomed to my field rations for as long as they last... }
Anna Morphling (Hugh C) -- HP 123/123 - 40/20/36 + 4 AOO due to movement CMD 32 Thursday July 1st, 2021 10:36:40 PM
Anna sends over the link I have no magical ability to effect things other than myself, although I do have the ability to use regeneration. Do you think I could turn into a large enough animal, hack off limbs then use regeneration to regrow, course if I revert to my normal form do my larger animal limbs become human limbs again? If so we would only have like 18 minutes to feed the animals, Ana-animal limbs. Alternatively I could join Pompous in the hunt.
Nikolai (JonathanT) AC 34 Tch 32 Ffted 30 HP 108/120 CMD 39/45(Grapple/Trip/Disarm) Friday July 2nd, 2021 12:38:39 AM
Nikolai points out that Pru's Mansions are the most logical. They last a long time, protection from the wind and cold, and plenty of food. It is temporary, but the best option. It will be up to them to take advantage of it.
Having seen the plight of the aerie, and assuming these weather conditions are not the normal storms that occur high up in mountaintops, he suggests heading west as soon as the griffons have had a good night's rest in one of Pru's Mansions. Staying up here won't be of much help.
DM RobC - " Do you think I could turn into a large enough animal, hack off limbs then use regeneration to regrow..." Friday July 2nd, 2021 4:31:20 AM
Tinker grunts, and with Michael's help the pair start setting up some windbreaks. It's a small thing but makes a noticeable difference to the nests that they are able to provide shelter to. It's enough for some of the griffons to reconsider Michael as more than just a meal.
There is some talk of a couple of mansions to provide some magical shelter for the griffons. It would require care to move the griffons inside but could potentially be a good temporary shelter for them. Pru wants to understand what the overall plan is first though.
Anna has the disturbing idea to turn into some sort of regenerating creature and just start hacking off limbs. Desperate times call for gruesome actions?
There is a consensus that whatever is causing the poor weather must be coming from the west and that exploration in that direction is warranted.
At the same time, Ceres and Hemera both look up and to the east. It takes a moment but you work out that they have spotted a griffon flying in from the east. It's flying low and against the wind but doing it's best. When it gets to the group it lands and barks to Ceres. It's grunts and cries are loud, and though the party can't understand what's being said it is obvious that something is up. Ceres grunts and cries back and the two have some sort of conversation.
Anna... Highlight to display spoiler: {"Attack! To the east! Need reinforcements!" "What? Where's Tempus?" "Don't know. Sent me to get you. Quick. They need help!" "Is it the giants?" "D... Don't know!" "What do you mean you don't know?" "Too fast. Couldn't see."}
When it looks done Ceres gives a very loud roar. The griffons in the immediate area - the ones you rode on - approach Ceres.
Ceres explains. "One of our scouting groups to the east has come under attack. Moradin came back here to call for aid". He doesn’t sound happy. "If this is the work of the giants then it is inexcusable. We will retaliate with all that we have. Their deaths will be swift". The nearby griffons start screeching and clawing at the ground. They are ready to fight.
Anna Morphling (Hugh C) -- HP 123/123 - 40/20/36 + 4 AOO due to movement CMD 32 d20+13=25 ; Friday July 2nd, 2021 8:19:52 AM
Diplomacy : 25 (OOC: get +2 when dealing with magical beasts)
Anna addresses Ceres and the rest of the assembled griffons as well as her compatriots, "My Lady Queen Ma'ab has blessed me with the ability to understand and be understood by magical beasts. From what I understand based on your scout's report he couldn't tell if the attack was the giants or not because whoever made the attack was too fast. Forgive me but I don't remember giants being known for their stealth or speed abilities but for their strength and size. Furthermore if you remember we were attacked by a combination of elementals and invisible assailants on our way here. It is entirely possible that the attack your scout reported was made by the same things that attacked us as they came in fast and we couldn't see them. Before we launch a retalatory sortie against the giants I think we, meaning the Mailed Fist, need to back up your forces to the east, take care of whatever is threatening them currently and then investigate to figure out if we can determine the source of the attacks. While I do not doubt there is enmity between the yourselves and the giants and the hawkmen it seems like what is going on here is impacting everyone so the possibility exists of a fourth faction we don't know much about. Please let my team do what they do in combat and investigation before taking any action against the giants. If this fourth unknown faction does exist conflict between others on the mountain may be exactly what it wants. "
Knight Commander Sigvar Ironhorn (David F) AC 42 (T 16, FF 38) CMD 41 HP 216 / 216 Character Sheet Friday July 2nd, 2021 10:41:01 AM
Sigvar attempts to Aid Anna's diplomacy check ( +10 diplomacy, auto success) " A third party using invisible attackers could easily rile up all three of your factions and get you at each others throats while just sitting back and watching. Listen to Anna. Allow us to go and aid your scouts."
To the other KC's " this could also be an elaborate distraction to get us away from here so that the aerie can be attacked. We need to be mindful of that too."
Knight Commander Sigvar Ironhorn (David F) AC 42 (T 16, FF 38) CMD 41 HP 216 / 216 Character Sheet Friday July 2nd, 2021 10:42:43 AM
also to Anna " Do you still have your magic bag? how much meat is 300 gold worth of say horse. The bag could produce that daily, couldn't it? "
Prudence Gundle Friday July 2nd, 2021 12:00:20 PM
Pru is happy to cast as many Mansions as the griffons need, but it will take a little time. Not too much time (1 round per Mansion), but if the group wants to leave right away it could cause a delay.
She is happy to do whatever the group decides.
AC 32+4 v AOO T22 F25 CMD 39 HP 159/ 159 Tinker (SteveK) Friday July 2nd, 2021 12:43:55 PM
Tinker frowns. Stay here, go East, go West. The KC can’t split up, they proved they need everyone to defeat an invisible elemental attack. No other Mailed Fist group could defeat the same. And where ever they go, the other two places would be vulnerable.
But the dwarf is a man of action. Act! And if it turns out wrong, act again to correct it!
“OK, let’s go East.”
Michael Wittman AC:32, T:21, FF:25(ucdodge) HP 141/141 F+14, R+23,W+15, CMB+22, CMD+31 Friday July 2nd, 2021 9:06:24 PM
A thought occurs to Michael.
he asks Ceres and Hemera is it customary for the entire arie to go on reinforce when something like this occurs? or do some of the pack stay behind? this could be a ruse to lead us away so that they can attack the Aire.
to the rest of the agents. Let's get the ones who are staying behind and starving into the mansion so that they can eat and be safe. The ones in good shape can get us to the East faster than we can ourselves. unless Pru can teleport us there? The thing is if it is the elementals they have been tasked to kill Griffons. taking the griffons to the battle will be putting them in danger. maybe put could put a mansion up when we get there for them to get in and be safe.
Anna Morphling (Hugh C) -- HP 123/123 - 40/20/36 + 4 AOO due to movement CMD 32 Sunday July 4th, 2021 11:13:02 PM
Anna says to Sigvar over the mental link for the group to hear, I forgot about my magic bag. I can change back to human and pull animals or meat from it yes.
(OOC: I think 300 gold gives me 15000 chickens, 300 goats, 150 sheep 100 pigs, 30 cows, 20 oxen using the bag of tricks at these prices in the PHB: 2 cp One pound of flour, or one chicken 1 gp One pound of cinnamon, or one goat 2 gp One pound of ginger or pepper, or one sheep 3 gp One pig 10 gp One square yard of silk, or one cow 15 gp One pound of saffron or cloves, or one ox )
Nikolai (JonathanT) AC 34 Tch 32 Ffted 30 HP 108/120 CMD 39/45(Grapple/Trip/Disarm) Monday July 5th, 2021 12:30:10 AM
Nikolai figures they can spare 5 minutes to set up a magical mansion and get everyone in that wants in.
He suggests that Hemera stay and show them how it works. Then gets ready for another ride and starts brainstorming a way to stay on more securely.
DM RobC - "OK, let’s go East" Monday July 5th, 2021 3:04:36 AM
Anna has doubts that it's actually the giants and it's a theory that Sigvar agrees with. Ceres is unmoved. "Whatever it is, we need to go now and provide support before it's too late"
Tinker isn't happy as it opens up another choice. East, west or stay put? It's clear that the griffons won't be standing idle he agrees it's best to support them.
Michael is a little concerned though about leaving things unguarded. "If any call for aid we go and help." Ceres explains "We can't leave them".
Anna has plans for retrieving things from her satchel. There are lots of things she could do, however it will take a lot of time to pull them out one by one and you get the feeling the griffons aren't keen to wait for that to happen. Not with a patrol under attack.
Ceres looks to the group and the assembled griffons. "We're heading out. It's up to you if you join us or not. Obviously we'd stand a better chance with you but we can't stand by and wait. Not with our people already under attack."
Assuming she is in agreement with the plan, Pru casts her first Mansion spell. The magical portal appears but for some reason none of the griffons can pass through into the mansion. None of the KCs can either! The spell was cast however no-one can get into the magical mansion. This might be a problem.
Knight Commander Sigvar Ironhorn (David F) AC 42 (T 16, FF 38) CMD 41 HP 216 / 216 Character Sheet Monday July 5th, 2021 7:36:40 AM " Want a ride Tinker?": Sigvar flaps his wings and takes off with the griffons to go support their pride. If tyhe dwarf needs a lift he can provide it.
AC 32+4 v AOO T22 F25 CMD 39 HP 159/ 159 Tinker (SteveK) Monday July 5th, 2021 11:35:55 AM
Tinker frowns. “Teleportation-type magic isn’t working”. Just to prove his worst fears, he tries to retrieve an Anything Potion from his Handy Haversack. If it works, great, and he puts it back. If not… great.
The dwarf isn’t sticking around the nesting with maybe danger when there is a fight with definite danger. ” I’m coming, but will fly on Shasta again if you will allow. Not disrespecting a true warrior.”.
Tinker is a horrible diplomat, but hopes sincerity can help without honeyed words.
Prudence Gundle Monday July 5th, 2021 1:18:43 PM
Pru frowns a little when the Mansion doesn't work, but, "It's probably the same effect that's blocking teleportation," she says. "Sorry I can't be of more help."
She casts Fly on herself so she doesn't actually have to ride a griffon, but she asks permission to hold onto one so it can help guide her through the wind.
Trayvin AC 39/14 touch Hp 199/199(BrianZ) Monday July 5th, 2021 9:19:58 PM Let's go, they need our help. We'll worry about the mansions later.
Active effects: greater magic weapon(on Morningstar)(21/16/11) 1d8+9
Pompous (Yves_B) AC 36/38 evil SR 20 CMD 32/30, HP 170 /170 Monday July 5th, 2021 10:08:18 PM
Pompous approaches Hemera and asks...
" May I ride on you again great Hemera? "
If the answer is positive, he mounts the griffon.
" Mountain archery ready for battle. Let's ride ! "
Anna Morphling (Hugh C) -- HP 123/123 - 40/20/36 + 4 AOO due to movement CMD 32 Monday July 5th, 2021 11:20:35 PM
Anna either takes to the air herself or hops on Nikolai's shoulder again if he's riding on the griffon again to give backup.
(OOC: Did we get a rest between the battle we had and this one or are we still penalized whatever resources we used in that last battle)
Nikolai (JonathanT) AC 34 Tch 32 Ffted 30 HP 108/120 CMD 39/45(Grapple/Trip/Disarm) Tuesday July 6th, 2021 12:07:20 AM "Well, it's good to find these things out now rather than later. Ok, mount up, let's go."
DM RobC - "Ok, mount up, let's go." Tuesday July 6th, 2021 3:34:18 AM
Tinker is a bit alarmed at the revelation of the blocked mansion. He does a quick check of his haversack and is no doubt relieved to find he has full access to the contents. Pompous will also be relieved to know that his quiver is likewise unaffected. Nikolai looks at it as glass half full - much better to find out about these things now!
Shasta doesn't complain when Tinker declares he'd like a ride once more. None of the griffons complain as far as you can tell. Hemera lowers herself down to make it easier for Pompous to climb aboard. "You should hold on tight. The conditions are not good for flying right now."
Ceres looks to Sigvar. He knows how fast the taur travelled via flight to get up the mountain. "We're not going to be going slow. They need us and we must make haste. If you can't keep up we'll meet you there." Ceres indicates that they'll be flying approximately 10miles east.
Pru is ready to be towed by Aphrilles
Anna still feels quite fresh from the rest the party had at the base of the mountain. She is a little undecided about taking to the air herself or riding on Nikolai's shoulder. Given the wind conditions she might find the latter a bit easier.
Do the party stay with the same mounts? Are there any other actions the party take before departing?
-------------------- Ceres: Michael Shasta: Tinker Aphrilles: Pru Arkell: Trayvin Nerues: Nikolai & Anna Hemera: Pompous Sigvar
Current conditions... Strong Winds: Tiny sized 'checked' (unable to move forward against the force of the wind unless they succeed at a DC 10 Strength check (on the ground) or a DC 20 Fly check if airborne.) -2 to Fly checks and ranged attacks. High Altitude Fatigue / Thin Air: All non-acclimated creatures labor to breathe in the thin air at this altitude. Characters must succeed on a Fortitude save each hour (DC 15, +1 per hour) or be fatigued.
Knight Commander Sigvar Ironhorn (David F) AC 42 (T 16, FF 38) CMD 41 HP 216 / 216 Character Sheet Tuesday July 6th, 2021 7:17:53 AM
Sigvar makes his best speed at 120' per round ( 60' move) toqrds where the fight is. They will outpace him some, but not by alot
AC 32+4 v AOO T22 F25 CMD 39 HP 159/ 159 Tinker (SteveK) Tuesday July 6th, 2021 12:51:36 PM
Tinker nods and gets a firm grip on Shasta. There is nothing else for him to do until they get there.
Prudence Gundle d20+6=9 ; Tuesday July 6th, 2021 2:17:54 PM
Pru lets Aphrilles tow her. Hopefully, his greater size and familiarity with flight will help her manage in the wind. [Fly 9]
Trayvin AC 39/14 touch Hp 199/199(BrianZ) Tuesday July 6th, 2021 8:49:28 PM
Trayvin will ride with the same griffon as earlier as long as he is accepted. Let's get going, and hopefully start getting a few answers as well.
Active effects: greater magic weapon(on Morningstar)(21/16/11) 1d8+9
Pompous (Yves_B) AC 36 SR 20 CMD 30/30, HP 170 /170 Tuesday July 6th, 2021 9:22:33 PM
Pompous readies some buff type spells but waits until they get closer to the frey before casting. A barkskin spell will be first cast.
Michael Wittman AC:32, T:21, FF:25(ucdodge) HP 141/141 F+14, R+23,W+15, CMB+22, CMD+31 Wednesday July 7th, 2021 12:05:20 AM
OOC: Sorry guys, my wife's dog just got diagnosed with cancer, she is bringing him home to be with family before he passes on.
Michael mounts up on Ceres. while there he practices holding on with his knees, but does not draw his blades until he is sure that he can do so without falling off. if it's possible, or perhaps possible for Ceres to overfly the battle and drop him above an enemy that needs some attention....ideas fill his head and he speaks of them to Ceres. I am trying to feel you as you fly, it would be good if we could work as a team. with my hands full of blades I cannot use my hands to tell you things. and I don't know you well enough to know what you are going to do. if you can fly low over the battle and drop me behind an enemy engaged in battle I can do the most good, but my primary goal is to protect your pride, so if you have a better Idea that will allow me to do that better I will listen. . since this is probably going to be a tough battle Michael starts downing potions 3 rounds before they enter battle.
Nikolai (JonathanT) AC 34 Tch 32 Ffted 30 HP 108/120 CMD 39/45(Grapple/Trip/Disarm) Wednesday July 7th, 2021 12:15:05 AM
Nikolai thinks about tying a rope around the belly of Nerues, loosely, to give him something to hang on but decides that they aren't on such good terms to do that.
He'll just have to hang on somehow.
Anna Morphling (Hugh C) -- HP 123/123 [141/141 w/ con bonus] - 41/16/35 + 4 AOO due to movement CMD 35 d20+20=37 ; Wednesday July 7th, 2021 12:17:30 AM
Anna takes time to go Dragon Horse giving her 120 feet of flight speed and good manueverability using her beast shape IV morphamancy.
Fly: 37
Active Effects: Beast Shape IV : Form of Dragon Horse - 18 minutes +6 size bonus to your Strength, -2 penalty on your Dexterity, +2 size bonus to your Constitution, +6 natural armor bonus, -1 AC, -1 Atk, -4 stealth , -2 fly, +1 CMB/CMD darkvision 90 ft, low-light vision; Speed 60 ft., fly 120 ft. (good) 2 hooves +16 (2d6+6 plus 1d6 electricity) Space 10 ft.; Reach 10 ft. +4 CMD vs trip Breath Weapons (Su) As a standard action, a dragon horse can breathe out a 30-foot cone of mist. This mist either deals 10d6 points of cold damage (DC 23 Reflex half), creates a region of fog in the area that lasts for 1 minute (similar to that created by a fog cloud spell), or creates a blast of severe wind (see the wind effects table) in the area. The dragon horse may use this breath weapon once every 1d4 rounds. Current Fly Check is made at (20 base - 2 size +4 manueverability -2 wind) = 20
Michael Wittman AC:39, T:28, FF:30(ucdodge) HP 141/141 F+16, R+25,W+16, CMB+21, CMD+36 Wednesday July 7th, 2021 12:21:56 AM
update header to reflect changes
DM RobC - "Let's get going, and hopefully start getting a few answers as well." 2d6=11 ; Wednesday July 7th, 2021 3:59:03 AM
Sigvar is happy to go slow-and-steady (if you can count 60ft speed as slow!) and catchup to the griffons at their destination.
Anna decides to take on the form of a dragon horse and fly like that. The griffons nearby recoil from her as she makes the unexpected change. Aphrilles and Nereus growl and snap at the air and start to move to flank her. Shasta eyeballs her but doesn't move. Arkell takes a step backwards. Hemera places herself between Anna and the other griffons which serves to calm them down. "You're all still very much outsiders here" she explains quietly to Anna "They still don't know if they can trust you and will be jumpy at surprises."
"This will be only the second time I've allowed someone to ride me." Ceres responds back to Michael. "Earlier today you were the first. I can't promise that I won't drop you sooner but I'll do my best to get us there safely."
Nikolai decides that he and Nereus just aren't at that point in their relationship where a rope can be introduced. He wisely decides to just hang on as best he can.
Pompous prepares to cast some spells when a fight looks imminent. Michael also plans to drink some potions but isn't exactly sure when is the right time to drink the first one. He decides he'll just have to make the call when the time comes.
Pru is ready to be towed.
The time comes. Ceres gives a loud roar into the sky which the other griffons copy. With that they start flapping their wings and spring into the air.
The griffons take on a classic 'V' formation with Ceres (Michael) at the front. Behind them are Aphrilles (Pru) and Arkell (Trayvin), with Hemera (Pompous) and Shasta (Tinker) behind them. Nereus (Nikolai) and Moradin are at the rear. Sigvar flies along separately behind the pack. Anna may choose in which position she flies.
The wind is at their backs and that makes the flight all the more exciting. The griffons are flying nap of the earth to avoid the dangers and even stronger winds of flying high. They are barely a couple of feet off the ground and if you were to lean down you are sure you'd be able to touch the rocks below. Normally a griffon flies at a top speed of around 35mph. Right now you'd guess you were flying closer to 70mph with the strong winds doubling their fly speed and the griffons using every bit of strength they can muster to fly as fast as possible. They may be exhausted when they arrive but they're going to arrive as quick as they can.
If the party were trying to fly and navigate this way on their own it would be extremely difficult. Fortunately the griffons are very familiar with this area and know the lay of the land and natural hazards. They zip around trees and rocks that appear so quickly you barely saw them coming in these conditions.
The weather is getting worse. The wind has gathered even more strength and dark clouds cover the sky. It might be early afternoon but you could be forgiven for thinking it was dusk.
The journey so far has covered close to 3miles. Sigvar has covered 2.25miles. The griffons are showing no signs of slowing down.
Sigvar, Anna and Pru to make 3 x DC20 Ride checks. Each fail results in 11pts damage as you crash into a rock or tree at high speed. (Note that you have a -2 penalty to Fly checks in these winds)
Knight Commander Sigvar Ironhorn (David F) AC 42 (T 16, FF 38) CMD 41 HP 204 / 216 Character Sheet d20+14=19 ; d20+14=25 ; d20+14=16 ; Wednesday July 7th, 2021 7:54:26 AM
Sigvar bounces off of a few trees and rock outcroppings as he flies after the griffons. None of the damage is serious but his ego takes a fair amount of damage too. ( for damage from sources like the ground do I count my DR? The ground isn't going to beat DR5/evil and it is up so long as I am conscious.
Knight Commander Sigvar Ironhorn (David F) AC 42 (T 16, FF 38) CMD 41 HP 204 / 216 Character Sheet Wednesday July 7th, 2021 7:55:16 AM
also I assumed you meant fly checks since none of us are riding
AC 32+4 v AOO T22 F25 CMD 39 HP 159/ 159 Tinker (SteveK) Wednesday July 7th, 2021 8:06:59 AM
Tinker holds on as best he can and buries himself as close as he can into the feathers of Shasta. Flying on a Griffon! He doesn’t get a chance to look at Michael, but he thinks to the group. ”Michael, is Griffon flying everything you wanted?”. Daemar’ inner voice is obvious he is not enjoying the sensation, only enduring.
Prudence Gundle [HP 97/130] d20+6=12 ; d20+6=13 ; d20+6=9 ; Wednesday July 7th, 2021 12:05:10 PM
[I don't have ranks in Ride, either, so it doesn't make much difference.]
Pru is unable to keep from smashing into rocks. She has a bruised shoulder and a bloody nose, but she hangs grimly on.
Michael Wittman AC:39, T:28, FF:30(ucdodge) HP 141/141 F+16, R+25,W+16, CMB+21, CMD+36 d20+25=37 ; d20+28=29 ; d20+17=19 ; d20+15=26 ; d20+8=28 ; Wednesday July 7th, 2021 5:43:57 PM Ceres, I do not view what we are doing as me "riding" you. I see it as you giving me the honor of accompanying you into battle. Ever since I saw some of your people starving on the plain, and attacking my group in hopes of getting some food to fill their bellies I've hoped for nothing more than for your folk and my folk to form an alliance and fight as one in battle. Don't worry about dropping me, I've got some tricks that will keep me from coming to harm, you fly as you would in any battle, I will adapt to what you do.
Reflex save 37 (Just in case we hit a bump or something) Acrobatics 29 natch 1 ride 19 Fly 26 Dex check 28 natch 20!
to Tinker; Brother if I die today, I will have no regrets and I'll bore every soul in the lands of rest with the retelling of this ride and these creatures. .
Pompous (Yves_B) AC 36 SR 20 CMD 30/30, HP 170 /170 Wednesday July 7th, 2021 8:02:28 PM
Pompous continues flying on/with Hemera. Between his boots of levitation and his celestial, he's not overly scared of falling off. He is however wondering how he's going to be shooting volleys of arrows from the back of the V.
Trayvin AC 39/14 touch Hp 199/199(BrianZ) Wednesday July 7th, 2021 9:44:48 PM
Trayvin approves of the strategy, the griffons will get them there, and the Commanders will hopefully handle the danger.
Active effects: greater magic weapon(on Morningstar)(21/16/11) 1d8+9
Anna Morphling (Hugh C) -- HP 123/123 [141/141 w/ con bonus] - 41/16/35 + 4 AOO due to movement CMD 35 d3=3 ; d20+20=23 ; d20+20=37 ; d20+20=27 ; Wednesday July 7th, 2021 11:51:58 PM
Anna says to the griffons, "Next time I change form I'm going to let you guys know ahead of time so you don't get suprised."
Fly : 23, Fly: 37, Fly 27
Anna as a graceful dragon horse is able to easily avoid the obstacles the mountain throws at her. She takes point in the flying formation with the griffons being faster.
(OOC: 3 miles = 3 x 5280 = 15840 / 240 = 66 rounds; 66 x 6 = 396 seconds / 60 = 6.6 minutes elapsed
"How much further is it? Anna asks the griffons. If she is going to run out of flight time before she gets to their destination she will land and change into a dragon, giving the griffons a heads up first.
Active Effects: Beast Shape IV : Form of Dragon Horse - 11.4 minutes left +6 size bonus to your Strength, -2 penalty on your Dexterity, +2 size bonus to your Constitution, +6 natural armor bonus, -1 AC, -1 Atk, -4 stealth , -2 fly, +1 CMB/CMD darkvision 90 ft, low-light vision; Speed 60 ft., fly 120 ft. (good) 2 hooves +16 (2d6+6 plus 1d6 electricity) Space 10 ft.; Reach 10 ft. +4 CMD vs trip Breath Weapons (Su) As a standard action, a dragon horse can breathe out a 30-foot cone of mist. This mist either deals 10d6 points of cold damage (DC 23 Reflex half), creates a region of fog in the area that lasts for 1 minute (similar to that created by a fog cloud spell), or creates a blast of severe wind (see the wind effects table) in the area. The dragon horse may use this breath weapon once every 1d4 rounds. Current Fly Check is made at (20 base - 2 size +4 manueverability -2 wind) = 20
Nikolai (JonathanT) AC 34 Tch 32 Ffted 30 HP 108/120 CMD 39/45(Grapple/Trip/Disarm) Thursday July 8th, 2021 12:23:29 AM
Apparently Nikolai has managed to learn a bit of Griffon Riding having taken the Griffon Riding 101 course just hours before and so far is hanging on.
Now, how this will turn out once they get to where they are going and get into combat, well....
DM RobC - "Brother if I die today, I will have no regrets" 2d6=11 ; 2d6=8 ; Thursday July 8th, 2021 4:09:35 AM
Michael's time has come. The moment that he plans to tell his future grandkids and anyone who will listen: the time he not only rode a griffon, but rode the lead griffon in a pack going really really fast and really really low. It's exhilarating.
Anna apologies for startling any of the griffons and explains it wasn't her intention. She considers taking point, but without knowing the destination it's hard to lead. She settles in directly behind Ceres, to at least remain prominently at the front.
Pru and Sigvar take a few knocks along the way but it's nothing that a couple of healing spells won't take care of when they reach their destination. (Highlight to display spoiler: {}DR only applies against attacksHighlight to display spoiler: {}). How far off are they going anyway?
"Not too far" Ceres advises Anna through gritted teeth/beak. It does distract him from the task at hand though. "Patrol was on the border. Need ... to concentrate". Ceres gets a little too close to one of the trees and Michael can see the branch approaching at his eye level. (Michael to make a DC20 ride check to stay aboard Ceres and avoid the branch! Fail=11pts damage.)
Aphrilles and Arkell quickly bank either side of the tree, leaving Pru and Trayvin momentarily hanging on sideways. The other griffons dart over it. The leaves brush the underside of Tinker's boots as Shasta gets uncomfortably close to it. If the griffon was worried you wouldn't know it.
You can really feel the wind chill now (those of you not protected from such things). The weather has gotten so cold that it has even started to snow. It's only light but it is a clear sign of how cold things are getting.
Another 7 (?) minutes pass as the griffons cover another 4 miles. Fortunately they are more or less heading due east so when they eventually stop it will be easy for Sigvar to find them.
If the scouts were in combat before then it is highly likely that the fight will be over by now. What will the party find though?
The griffons show no sign of slowing down, though they are starting to show signs of exhaustion. All are panting heavily with the exception of Shasta and Arkell.
(Sigvar, Anna and Pru to make 3 x DC20 Fly checks. Each fail results in 8pts damage as you crash into a rock or tree at high speed. Note that you have a -2 penalty to Fly checks in these winds)
'V' formation with Ceres (Michael) at the front. Behind them are Anna, Aphrilles (Pru) and Arkell (Trayvin), with Hemera (Pompous) and Shasta (Tinker) behind them. Nereus (Nikolai) and Moradin are at the rear. Sigvar flies along separately behind the pack.
Knight Commander Sigvar Ironhorn (David F) AC 42 (T 16, FF 38) CMD 41 HP 215 / 216 Character Sheet d20+14=21 ; d20+14=16 ; d20+14=21 ; d6=3 ; d6=6 ; d6=5 ; d6=4 ; d6=3 ; d6=3 ; d6=2 ; d6=6 ; Thursday July 8th, 2021 6:21:24 AM
Sigvar again bounces off of a rock, but flies on undaunted. He does touch himself and heal the damage though
AC 32+4 v AOO T22 F25 CMD 39 HP 159/ 159 Tinker (SteveK) d20+7=24 ; d20+7=8 ; Thursday July 8th, 2021 9:22:14 AM
Tinker calls for Shasta to stop the next, first time Prudence is thrown. ”More important for the mage to get there in one piece than for a tough dwarf that can take some licks. Please have us switch mounts.
Ride 24, 8 on Aphrilles.
Michael Wittman AC:39, T:28, FF:30(ucdodge) HP 141/141 F+16, R+25,W+16, CMB+21, CMD+36 d20+17=18 ; Thursday July 8th, 2021 2:06:15 PM
ride 18 natch 1 adding a hero point to make it pass. +4 to roll = 22.
Michael sees the branch coming, time slows, it's too close to bend forward, and if he misses the timing the branch will break his neck. The Machine takes over.
His legs rise and his hips scoot forward, his big halfling feet lock around the gryphons feathered neck as he lays his head and torso back along its lion body. even so the branch scrapes against his chest and he gets a leaf or two up his nose.
WAAAAHOOO! he yells, popping back up and wrapping his arms around his battlemates neck, streatching out to make himself a part of the magnificent creature and to cut down on wind resistance.
Trayvin AC 39/14 touch Hp 199/199(BrianZ) Thursday July 8th, 2021 8:38:20 PM
It is taking longer to get there than Trayvin expected. He is hopeful that the griffon patrol withdrew if they were outmatched. He makes a mental note to discuss with Pru regarding protecting the group with some spells from the weather when they get the chance. It may be needed if they are going to spend some time in the area.
Active effects: greater magic weapon(on Morningstar)(21/16/11) 1d8+9
Pompous (Yves_B) AC 36 SR 20 CMD 30/30, HP 170 /170 Thursday July 8th, 2021 9:16:25 PM
Pompoux and Hemera the wonder Griffon continue on...
{ Snow??? Fun.... }
Prudence Gundle [HP 73/130] d20+4=11 ; d20+4=10 ; d20+4=17 ; Thursday July 8th, 2021 9:40:01 PM
Pru is bumped, bashed and dragged. Her arm is bleeding, and her hair is coming unbraided.
Nikolai (JonathanT) AC 34 Tch 32 Ffted 30 HP 108/120 CMD 39/45(Grapple/Trip/Disarm) Friday July 9th, 2021 12:04:51 AM
Nikolai can only hang on and hope Pru can get some healing.
Anna Morphling (Hugh C) -- HP 123/123 [141/141 w/ con bonus] - 41/16/35 + 4 AOO due to movement CMD 35 d20+20=35 ; d20+20=40 ; d20+20=24 ; Friday July 9th, 2021 12:24:19 AM
Anna asks the Griffons, "I know you are concentrating but is our destination greater or less than 2 miles away? If it is greater then I'll need to land and take a new form at some point and I don't want to startle you because that next form is going to be a dragon as that is the only thing that can keep up with your speed."
Fly: 35, 40, 24
Active Effects: Beast Shape IV : Form of Dragon Horse - 4.4 minutes left +6 size bonus to your Strength, -2 penalty on your Dexterity, +2 size bonus to your Constitution, +6 natural armor bonus, -1 AC, -1 Atk, -4 stealth , -2 fly, +1 CMB/CMD darkvision 90 ft, low-light vision; Speed 60 ft., fly 120 ft. (good) 2 hooves +16 (2d6+6 plus 1d6 electricity) Space 10 ft.; Reach 10 ft. +4 CMD vs trip Breath Weapons (Su) As a standard action, a dragon horse can breathe out a 30-foot cone of mist. This mist either deals 10d6 points of cold damage (DC 23 Reflex half), creates a region of fog in the area that lasts for 1 minute (similar to that created by a fog cloud spell), or creates a blast of severe wind (see the wind effects table) in the area. The dragon horse may use this breath weapon once every 1d4 rounds. Current Fly Check is made at (20 base - 2 size +4 manueverability -2 wind) = 20
Knight Commander Sigvar Ironhorn (David F) AC 42 (T 16, FF 38) CMD 41 HP 215 / 216 Character Sheet d20+14=18 ; d20+14=25 ; d20+14=17 ; Friday July 9th, 2021 6:27:12 AM
Sigvar continues to not roll a 6 or higher twice n a round, so he bounces off more terrain. (glad this isn't the combat i'm rolling for)
DM RobC - "WAAAAHOOO!" Friday July 9th, 2021 10:10:50 PM
Sigvar takes a few hits but relieves the pain with some healing touches.
Anna wants to know how much further. Are we there yet? Are we there yet? Ceres doesn't answer, but after 2 more miles it becomes clear that it is further. She gives a headsup to Ceres that she will be changing form. He doesn't acknowledge it but she has done her part.
Michael ducks down in time for the branch to pass harmlessly overhead.
The others hang on for dear life through the dangerous ride.
The snow continues to fall lightly however the area you have flown into is already snow covered. The trees and rocks are topped with snow and you can no longer see any grass.
It takes another 2 miles after that before you can see the signs of a battle and the sight is not a good one. The bodies of 4 griffons lay in the snow. Another stands and is slowly walking in the snow around the bodies.
Ceres and your mounts land, making deep tracks in the snow as they skid to a halt. Ceres and Hemera raise their wings slightly as they land to protect Michael and Pompous from the snow that is thrown up. The rest of the party get a dusting. The snow is about a foot deep here, the wind is stronger than earlier and the sky is completely overcast. Given the current conditions it is going to be difficult to move about unhindered.
Ceres loudly - and angrily - barks some orders to the griffons "Stay alert for giants. Attack any on sight!"
The griffons that flew in with the party start circling the immediate area. It looks like they’re setting up some sort of perimeter.
Sigvar is about 2.7miles behind the group (about 6mins), though with telepathy he has a sense of what the group are seeing and can provide his input.
Based on how far you've travelled, you're pretty sure you've crossed the border and are on the eastern slope.
-------------- Relevant environment rules right now: Snowy ground: Entering a snow-filled square requires an extra square of movement. Light Snow: Light snow reduces visibility to three-quarters of the normal range, resulting in a –2 penalty on Perception checks. High Winds: Small sized 'checked' (unable to move forward against the force of the wind unless they succeed at a DC 10 Strength check (on the ground) or a DC 20 Fly check (if airborne) and tiny sized 'blown away')
Prudence Gundle [HP 73/130] Friday July 9th, 2021 11:40:42 PM
Pru casts a Wall of Ice, creating a wall that is 30 feet high and 60 feet long. She places it to block some of the wind, creating a lee. She tries to incorporate it into the perimeter the griffons are establishing.
AC 32+4 v AOO T22 F25 CMD 39 HP 159/ 159 Tinker (SteveK) Saturday July 10th, 2021 2:57:03 AM
Tinker, for all his bulk, lightly hops to the ground, and finds his Boots of the Winterlands not only keep him warm but enable him to move up impeded over the snow. He gives a professional nod to Shasta, warrior to warrior: the Griffon did his job and it’s time Daemar did his.
The Rogue begins his own perimeter sweep, counting on Nikolai or Anna or others to get the intel briefing from the lone Griffon. He looks for signs and tracks, mentally calling them out to Pompous and the tanner’s tracking and know nature abilities.
He makes a deliberate and slow circle within sight of Prudence and Trayvin, lightly moving on let the snow, and keeping his eyes peeled.
….. Boots of the Winterlands. Stay warm and not impeded by snow or ice.
Perception. (Take 10 around the circle). 32
Anna Morphling (Hugh C) -- HP 123/123 [177/177 w/ con bonus] - 43/16/20 + 4 AOO due to movement CMD 39 d20+20=21 ; Sunday July 11th, 2021 10:29:14 PM
Anna swaps her dragon horse form for that of a Huge Silver Dragon as she warned the griffons she was going to do.
She keeps her eyes peeled (Perception: 21; or 23 vs elementals, fey, and magical beasts)
Form of Dragon III - 13.6 minutes +10 size bonus to strength, + 8 size bonus to Con, +8 natural armor, speed 40, fly 120 feet (poor), blindsense 60 feet, darkvision 120 feet, breathe weapon (50 foot cone of cold, 12d8 points of damage, reflex DC 25 for half, use it as often as like but must wait 1d4 rounds between uses), DR 10/magic, frightful presence (DC 23), immunity cold, vulnerability to fire, 1 bite +17 (2d8+8), 2 claws +17 (2d6+8), 2 wings +15 (1d8+4), one tail slap + 15 (2d6+4)
Nikolai (JonathanT) AC 34 Tch 32 Ffted 30 HP 108/120 CMD 39/45(Grapple/Trip/Disarm) Monday July 12th, 2021 12:27:40 AM
Note to DM: see PC sheet for description of Light Steps (Ex)
Nikolai notices the deep snow and concentrates for a moment before hopping off the griffon. Then, rather than sink into the snow, he walks along the surface, making the slightest tracks.
He asks Ceres, "We need a full report of what happened here and who were the opponents as quick as possible. Every detail is important."
Michael Wittman AC:39, T:28, FF:30(ucdodge) HP 141/141 F+16, R+25,W+16, CMB+21, CMD+36 d20+26=41 ; Monday July 12th, 2021 3:07:21 AM
Michael steps off his companion and feels the cold air before he was a bit too excited to notice it. He wonders why his Necklace of Adaptation does not affect it, but then remembers it's only useful against gas attacks. Still, his cloak should keep the worst of the wind from getting to him, he starts to observe the area. looking for signs of the battle, footprints, and such.
Perception 41.
DM RobC - "Every detail is important" Monday July 12th, 2021 4:02:00 AM
Pru sets up a wall of ice to act as a break. Not only does it provide some relief from the wind but it helps preserve the scene a litle.
Tinker circles the aea looking for tracks. There are footprints still in the snow, though they are rapidly disappearing in the weather. He's able to recognise some as coming from griffons. There are no large giant-ish footprints though. What is interesting is that there are medium sized humanoid footprints all about the place. There's no sign of how they got here - no trail leading in any direction. They are located around this immediate area and the griffon bodies.
Anna keeps her eyes open, ready for something to jump out and attack the party. Fortunately nothing does.
Ceres and Moradin approach the injured griffon. "Tempus! What happened here?" There is some barking and cries as they communicate. Ceres and Hemera act as translators for anything the party wish to know (with Anna able to verify that it is accurate).
The one called Tempus is equal in size to Ceres. Has scars on his beak and legs, though the wounds aren't fresh. This is a griffon who has seen action in the past. This griffon is a warrior. Right now he is lying in the snow, panting, shivering and unable to stand.
"Shadows. Shadows of the mountain. They caught us by surprise. About a dozen of them. We tried to fly but they were too fast and the wind was too strong." Tempus is laboring to 'speak', no doubt hurt in some way.
"We were just out scouting and hunting for food. Nothing out of the ordinary. With the weather getting worse we flew low. I didn't even see where they came from. Before I knew what was happening Tyr and Akadi were down." He looks in the direction of the two griffons bodies on the western edge of the circle.
Michael notices that there are no signs of injuries on the dead griffons. None at all. No blood, no open wounds. They're just... dead.
Sigvar continues his flight. It's going to take some time for him to reach the party but at least with the telepathy he knows what is going on and can direct his questions/thoughts through the others.
AC 32v AOO T22 F25 CMD 39 HP 159/ 159 Tinker (SteveK) d20+22=30 ; Monday July 12th, 2021 4:34:09 AM
Tinker makes his report aloud so Griffons as well as Knights Commander can hear. ”No Giant footprints. Many medium-sized humanoids around the Griffon bodies. Strange. Incorporeal Shadows wouldn’t leave prints. Something strange going on here.”
Tinker readies his urgrosh. If the unseen enemy is looking to kill more Griffons, they just brought another band in striking distance… …..
Perception. 30. For hidden or invisible opponents.
Prudence Gundle [HP 73/130] d20+17=27 ; Monday July 12th, 2021 3:06:52 PM
Pru realizes that the dead griffons are unmarked, and that Tempus, though acting wounded, does not have a visible wound on him. She tries to think of spells that might injure and/or kill without leaving marks.
[Knowledge: Arcana 27]
Trayvin AC 39/14 touch Hp 199/199(BrianZ) Monday July 12th, 2021 7:25:06 PM
Trayvin makes sure to stabilize Tempus. How long have they been dead? I may be able to save one of them if it hasn't been too long.
Active effects: greater magic weapon(on Morningstar)(21/16/11) 1d8+9
Knight Commander Sigvar Ironhorn (David F) AC 42 (T 16, FF 38) CMD 41 HP 215 / 216 Character Sheet Monday July 12th, 2021 7:41:13 PM
Sigvar flies on. He thinks to the other KC's, Find out what is wrong with Tempus. It sounds as if he were level drained or strength drained, neither of which would leave wounds.I do agree with Tinker though, the things that would do that kind of harm, undead, would be incorporeal and not leave tracks.
Pompous (Yves_B) AC 36 SR 20 CMD 30/30, HP 170 /170 d20+15=21 ; d20+15=34 ; Monday July 12th, 2021 7:53:47 PM
Pompous doesn't like what he's hearing.
He tries to figure out what the creatures could be... ( Knowledge Arcana check 34)
He readies his arrows but also readies to activate one of his Brahma's tattoos (protrection from evil) at the first sign of the shadown creatures.
------------------------
Anna Morphling (Hugh C) -- HP 123/123 [177/177 w/ con bonus] - 43/16/20 + 4 AOO due to movement CMD 39 d20+20=31 ; d20+24=44 ; Tuesday July 13th, 2021 12:10:19 AM
Anna asks, "Can anyone cast detect evil? I wonder if whatever got them left some sort of aura"
Anna investigates the fallen griffons for any more clues about what could have done this as in smells or noticeable changes to their anatomy by whatever attacks.
Nikolai (JonathanT) AC 34 Tch 32 Ffted 30 HP 108/120 CMD 39/45(Grapple/Trip/Disarm) d20+20=29 ; d20+17=32 ; Tuesday July 13th, 2021 12:25:21 AM
Spells in Effect: Mage Armor Light Steps
Nikolai finds that each time he moves, he walks on TOP of the snow, not even leaving a mark, but when he stops, he sinks into the drift. It makes for very interesting marks in the snow.
He makes his way over to the dead griffons and studies their corpses.
Heal Check + 20 = 29
He looks for the tell-tale signs of undead damage he has learned form his training to learn what type of undead attacked, if they were undead. Favored Enemy (Undead) +2 Knowledge checks: d20 + 17 = 32
DM RobC - "Something strange going on here" Tuesday July 13th, 2021 4:12:00 AM
The party are faced with a bit of a conundrum. If the attackers were shadows - or some other type of ethereal critter - why are there humanoid footprints around? Tinker isn't quite sure but readies to pound on something should it dare make itself known.
Pru, Anna and Nikolai look over the griffon corpses. As they had had already noticed, there are no obvious signs of trauma. No cuts, bruises, blood, etc. They do look a little pale, but it's hard to tell whether that is the result of some sort of life-draining attack or just a result of being dead and in the cold. Anna is quite sure that there are a number of spells that could kill them in this way. That would explain the lack of visible wounds on the corpses. They simply had their strength and life sapped from them.
It's Nikolai who draws on his religious knowledge. There are a plethora of undead creatures who could have done this. Based on what the griffon said, sure, a shadow does sound plausible. Although if Tempus hasn't seen a shadow before it's possible that what attacked them was "shadow like".
Between the dead griffons and the condition of Tempus, the trio feel quite confident that the griffons were the target of a life-draining attack.
Pompous nocks an arrow. If something attacked the griffons it could still be lurking about.
Sigvar flies on. It's a long, lonely flight.
Trayvin asks about the dead griffons to see how long they've been down, just in case there is something that he could do to help. Tempus replies "I.. I'm not sure. It's been a while though". Based on the amount of snow that lies atop them, you'd guess the griffons have been dead for several minutes.
Ceres still wants answers. "Where did they go? How did you survive?"
Tempus is still drained. He coughs/barks before answering. "I'm asking that too. The others had fallen and I was surrounded. I knew it was the end. Then, it was the strangest thing, Ceres. I saw a light in the sky and it was getting closer. I thought it was Maab calling me home, you know? That one of the shadows had killed me. Anyway, the light got closer and closer, and you know what, you might not believe me but it looked like, well, a dragon. It's wings were spread open and it's claws were stretched out towards me. It had this white glow or aura around it. I can't describe it. Maybe I was still a little dazed. It was either Maab come to take me or a dragon come to eat me. Either way I was sure my time was up."
"The dragon dove down, and when just above the surface it... it transformed into a man, Ceres. He landed in the snow and I don't know how he did it but he drew two glowing swords as he tumbled towards the nearest shadows. He hit each one and they just, you know, disappeared. He was a blur. Spinning, tumbling. It was like a dance. They couldn't touch him, Ceres. It was only when one of them got too close to me that he got hurt. He leapt in and shoved me aside. He took the hit for me. He saved me Ceres."
With that bit of information, Tinker looks back at the tracks. There is an order to them. It isn't multiple tracks - they were all made by the same person! With his expertise as a soldier Tinker is are able to recognize them now as the footwork of someone highly proficient with a blade. He is able to follow them around the site. There are no stumbles and each step looks deliberate and made with fluid motions. Whoever it was moved about with an expert level of skill unlike any he has seen before - and he's seen a lot! It may even rival that of any of the party.
Knight Commander Sigvar Ironhorn (David F) AC 42 (T 16, FF 38) CMD 41 HP 215 / 216 Character Sheet Tuesday July 13th, 2021 9:48:17 AM
Sigvar was about to turn around and head back to the aerie, convinced they had been drawn out when Tempus tells his tale. Sigvar is at a loss as to what entity might have saved the griffon, but he knows that the KC's very much need to seek out and speak to this entity. Had it struck open handed or with magic he would have thought it an avatar of Alemi but as he thinks there is no reason it can not be very much like Anna. A very skilled warrior of Maab able to assume her divine form and here to aid the Magical beasts that this cold and elemental scourge is attacking. Interesting. He flies on.
AC 32v AOO T22 F25 CMD 39 HP 159/ 159 Tinker (SteveK) d20+22=25 ; Tuesday July 13th, 2021 12:58:51 PM
Tinker states in wonder at the footprints that confirm what Tempus says. Then the dwarf shakes himself: Anna, Trayvin, and Sigvar were best to know if it was an avatar. Trayvin can also heal the Griffon of ability draining… probably. The rogue thinks Sigvar is right, they should try and find this being to ask him.
”pompous! You’re a Ranger! Can you follow these tracks to the direction he was last going?”. Not. Ranger, Tinker tries to assist
…
Aid Another 25 for Pompous to track
Michael Wittman AC:39, T:28, FF:30(ucdodge) HP 141/141 F+16, R+25,W+16, CMB+21, CMD+36 Tuesday July 13th, 2021 1:52:53 PM
Michael studies the scene in front of him. He asks Tempus. Did the man say anything to you before he left?
Through the link. . Now that is interesting. This Dragon/Human is now a person of interest to this investigation. it's interesting to me that it would turn into a man to fight. I would think a Dragon would offer far more combat utility than a man's body would. so what can we glean from that?
1. either the person was a man who could transform into a dragon, so he turned into the form he was most comfortable with to engage in combat.
2. or he was an entity of power and wanted us to know that he was here. a dragon flying through and incinerating the shadows would have sent one message, and a man jumping in and dispatching the shadows would have sent another message. Leaving Tempus alive was also important. because the message needed to be sent. What I don't get this; if he was a being of power, why didn't he come sooner and save the rest of the griffons? it's bit of a stretch that a god-like being just happened to be in the neighborhood at just the right time to save Tempus? I'm not saying it's impossible, but we need to keep in mind that this could all be a setup. if he was controlling the shadows, then all this fancy footwork and awesome swordplay would have been very easy to set up. also can't dieties destroy undead with a thought?
Prudence Gundle [HP 73/130] Tuesday July 13th, 2021 3:10:36 PM It's possible the dragon form was an illusion, Pru sends through the link. I agree with Michael. This seems suspicious.
This does not seem like a time for arcane casting, so Pru retreats to the lee of the ice wall and tries to remain alert.
Pompous (Yves_B) AC 36 SR 20 CMD 30/30, HP 170 /170 d20+23=26 ; d20+23=38 ; Tuesday July 13th, 2021 8:40:07 PM
Pompous bends down and looks at the tracks...
" I'll do my best Tinker"
---------------- Swift Tracker 26, re roll (uses Hero Point) - 38 Plus Tinker's aid of 25
Trayvin AC 39/14 touch Hp 199/199(BrianZ) d20+17=29 ; d20+15=34 ; Tuesday July 13th, 2021 9:29:18 PM
Trayvin continues to look at Tempus while the others figure out the tracks. I may be able to restore the damage, let me take a closer look. It may be too late for the others but surely Trayvin could help restore Tempus.
heal check = 29(trying to figure out what type of damage was caused so Trayvin can heal it)
religion check = 34
Trayvin tries to recall if what Tempus saw could have been an avatar
Active effects: greater magic weapon(on Morningstar)(21/16/11) 1d8+9
Nikolai (JonathanT) AC 34 Tch 32 Ffted 30 HP 108/120 CMD 39/45(Grapple/Trip/Disarm) Wednesday July 14th, 2021 12:09:31 AM
Nikolai ponders the story. "Which deity do we know of that manifests himself as a silver dragon? As for the human form, it was easier for him to attack the shadow things while in human form rather than a dragon's, as the size could pose danger to the griffons too. Although all that could be an illusion, the residual magic might reveal what school of magic has been used here. Pru, cast Detect Magic and see if you can detect any residual magic. It's a long shot but worth a try."
He asks Ceres if Tempus was able to notice how the human/dragon left. Did it return to dragon shape and fly away?
Nikolai is convinced that the mysterious unknown side of the mountain will hold a vital clue, possibly where this being came from.
Anna Morphling (Hugh C) -- HP 123/123 [177/177 w/ con bonus] - 43/16/20 + 4 AOO due to movement CMD 39 Wednesday July 14th, 2021 2:17:37 AM
Anna says to the griffon, "You said the dragon man glowed? Do you remember what color were his scales? Were they Silver, Gold, Bronze, Copper or Brass? Also how big was this dragon was it smaller than you, roughly the same size as you or larger than you?"
Anna sends to Michael over the link, It would depend I suppose on what exactly the man was. If the man was a true dragon with the ability to take mortal form then yes remaining as a dragon would probably be the better option considering the limitation of spells and effects that change one's shape. If the man was a morphling or maybe an eldritch knight then I guess it would depend on what their particular background was whether it make sense to fight as a dragon or man. Just because I've specialized in fighting in a transformed state does not mean another morphling would.
DM RobC - "This seems suspicious" Wednesday July 14th, 2021 3:42:23 AM "He took the hit that was meant for me, Ceres. It looked like it hurt him too so I can only guess what would have happened had it hit me. It didn't stop him from fighting though because he took care of the rest of them quickly."
"I was still sure I was a goner, but he knelt next to me and placed his hands on me. I think he cast a spell or something because I felt a bit better from it, though I'm still hurting."
Trayvin examines Tempus and agrees with the assessment. There are no visible wounds but he is weakened. Trayvin is quite sure Tempus has taken some sort of negative energy damage and probably some sort of energy/ability drain too.
There are some theories being thrown around. Could an illusion have been in play here? Was it a god-like being? Was it a man who could transform into a dragon?
Michael wants to know what else this dragon-man said.
"He said he was the Spirit of Shadow Mountain and he'd only recently awakened due to the imminent threat. I was still a little out of it, but I asked him what he meant."
"He said it's Frethja and that she's trying to grow in power. He said she's trying to expand her domain down the slopes of Shadow Mountain and that's why the weather on the mountain has been getting colder. Do you think that's true, Ceres?" Tempus looks to Ceres for an answer. Ceres doesn't have one. He looks to Hemera however she is lost as well.
Pru takes some shelter by the ice wall, not entirely sure that casting any spells would be wise. Nikolai urges her to cast a Detect Magic spell though.
Anna wants a little more information on the dragon part of the story. "It looked white to me but it had that pale glow to it too. I didn't get a good look at it like that, but it was easily twice my size" Highlight to display spoiler: {Gargantuan}
"I had a better look at him as a man. He had long, white, shaggy hair. His face was thin and pale and he had blue eyes. He was wearing a red dragon scale for his armor too."
Tinker and Pompous try following the tracks. They end as abruptly as they started. You can follow the trail up to Tempus and then it goes no further. (Pompous keeps his hero point). Tempus provides an explanation.
"He said he was injured and didn't have any more magic left to heal himself. He said by staying here he'd be vulnerable so he turned back into the glowing dragon and flew up. That was only a couple of minutes ago."
Sigvar is still flying along and hasn't seen any signs of trouble (or glowing dragons).
AC 32v AOO T22 F25 CMD 39 HP 159/ 159 Tinker (SteveK) Wednesday July 14th, 2021 12:06:49 PM
Spirit of Shadow Mountain? Frethja? Tinker doesn’t know who they are, but since the Sarr, it appears more and more Immortals are returning to have interest in the Wold. His suspicious nature thinks the dragon-man could have been an act, that the guy was on the same side as the shadows, but no, it was hurt. It story makes sense.
”so, it looks like the Griffons have an Immortal supporting them but said Immortal needs support to. Let’s head upwards!”
Prudence Gundle [HP 73/130] Wednesday July 14th, 2021 1:27:12 PM
Pru casts Detect Magic and walks around the area, looking for residual auras.
Michael Wittman AC:39, T:28, FF:30(ucdodge) HP 141/141 F+16, R+25,W+16, CMB+21, CMD+36 Wednesday July 14th, 2021 3:37:06 PM
Michael does not know a lot about immortal powers. could the blow of a shadow drain one enough to make a difference? could turning into a mortal form weaken him in some way?
Well, whoever he is we need to find him and get some more information. He is the First lead we've had in this fiasco and we need to follow up on it. The question is though, where would a sprit of a mountain go? do any of you guys know of a path to the heart of a the mountain or anything like that?
Knight Commander Sigvar Ironhorn (David F) AC 42 (T 16, FF 38) CMD 41 HP 215 / 216 Character Sheet Wednesday July 14th, 2021 7:36:44 PM
Sigvar flies onard " Wasn't frethjya the spirit that the Giants worshiped? Keep that on the down low tho, The griffons want blood and we can't keep reacting to them and hope to get to the bottom of this."
Trayvin AC 39/14 touch Hp 199/199(BrianZ) d20+15=19 ; Wednesday July 14th, 2021 7:43:54 PM
Trayvin casts restoration on Tempus. There, let's see if that helps.
[b]I agree with Michael, we should follow the lead we have. And this dragon/man would seem to be a friend to the griffons, he may be agreeable to giving us some information.[b]
Trayvin considers the extra information that Tempus has provided about the glowing man, and if he can recall anything useful about him. kn religion = 19
Active effects: greater magic weapon(on Morningstar)(21/16/11) 1d8+9
used: Spells: greater magic weapon, restoration
Pompous (Yves_B) AC 36 SR 20 CMD 30/30, HP 170 /170 d20+25=34 ; Wednesday July 14th, 2021 8:12:12 PM
Pompous stands guard and walks the parameter looking for trouble.
---------------------- Perception 34
Nikolai (JonathanT) AC 34 Tch 32 Ffted 30 HP 108/120 CMD 39/45(Grapple/Trip/Disarm) d20+19=21 ; Thursday July 15th, 2021 12:18:19 AM
{'Well, just because this deity is gaining in power doesn't mean it is due to any Frost Giant doing. Remember, their are other giants on that side of the mountain that will suffer. Of course, the Frost Giants will benefit, but I'll not accuse them of collaboration yet."}
Gathering all the new information on the creatures that attacked, negative energy drain, ability drain, shadowy form, etc. he sits down to search his memory of his Undead Studies to try to come up with a match.
Knowledge Undead + 19 = 21 The cold must be getting to his head as he has trouble concentrating.
"Ok, can this Frethja summon undead? Or is this the work of some high powered evil priest? Hmm... just wondering."
Anna Morphling (Hugh C) -- HP 123/123 [177/177 w/ con bonus] - 43/16/20 + 4 AOO due to movement CMD 39 Thursday July 15th, 2021 3:10:39 AM
Anna says, "The dragon was gargantuan. That was no spellcaster or morphling. That was something supernatural."
DM RobC - "Ok, can this Frethja summon undead?" Thursday July 15th, 2021 3:37:00 AM "He said he's only just awakened and isn’t strong enough to challenge her outright just yet, and for now he can only fight her minions and try and protect those he can. Like us. He said he will try and protect the griffons." Tempus advises Tinker. "He said he will fight her as best he can."
Pru casts a Detect Magic spell and looks around. She is nearly blinded! There are overwhelming functional auras everywhere she looks. Not just in the immediate area, but as far as the Detect Magic spell extends. She identifies one as Transmutation and another as Abjuration. Any lingering auras would be masked behind these.
Sigvar recalls that the Frost Giants mentioned Frethja earlier. A coincidence? Nikolai warns about jumping to conclusions about the Frost Giants.
Nikolai wonders whether an Immortal Power could summon undead. With Immortal Powers being one step below actual Gods it seems well within their power. Could Frethja in particular do it? He can't be sure. Gargul might not be too pleased if that's what she was up to, but most of the Gods of the Wold don't interfere with Immortal Powers - provided they don't present too great a threat to the Wold.
Trayvin casts a restoration spell on Tempus and and see that it provides immediate relief. He tries to recall what he can about undead things but think of anything in particular.
Pompous walks the perimeter. The griffons are holding their positions, widely circled around Tempus and the rest of the party.
Ceres shakes his head to Michael. "A path to the heart of the mountain? No, I've never heard of anything like that."
Hemera looks to Tinker "You should know that 'up' will lead you to Frethja". As Sigvar told the party only a couple of days earlier, the vast glacier covering parts high up the North and East slopes of Shadow Mountain has been called Frethja.
Anna deduces that if the dragon was that big then there's no way it could have been a simple caster. This was something much bigger and likely powerful.
AC 32v AOO T22 F25 CMD 39 HP 159/ 159 Tinker (SteveK) Thursday July 15th, 2021 4:11:00 AM
Tinker returns a grim smile to Hemera and hefts his Urgrosh. “I won’t mind talking to Frethja either.”
The dwarf moves out to support Pompous. His manner is obvious: the Knights Commander can do no more work here. It’s time to travel up to see either the Shining Dragon or Frethja. And to the red-bearded dwarf, it doesn’t really matter which.
…..
Ready to travel Boots of the Winterlands
Prudence Gundle [HP 73/130] d20=14 ; Thursday July 15th, 2021 4:29:52 PM
Pru squeezes her eyes shut. "GHAAA!" she cries. Then in a more normal tone, she continues. "Sorry. I think I found the cause of the cold. There is some very powerful magic at work, through the entire area." She blinks a couple of times, then continues. "There's an Abjuration of some kind, which is probably what's blocking teleportation. And there's a Transmutation, which I have to think has something to do with the cold."
[OOC: I never know whether to roll Spellcraft or Knowledge Arcana. So, with a 36 Spellcraft or a 31 Knowledge Arcana, can Pru tell how powerful the caster is in relation to herself?]
Knight Commander Sigvar Ironhorn (David F) AC 42 (T 16, FF 38) CMD 41 HP 215 / 216 Character Sheet Thursday July 15th, 2021 6:24:58 PM " Ask if there are pathways INTU Mount Shadow. If this shining fragon is the spirit of the mountain I would expect him inside rather than up. Also ask if there are any stories, old, old stories of a dragon that perhaps laired here ." Sigvar flies on.
Michael Wittman AC:39, T:28, FF:30(ucdodge) HP 141/141 F+16, R+25,W+16, CMB+21, CMD+36 Thursday July 15th, 2021 8:48:00 PM Well what do we know about immortal powers? I know that the Sargrass "awoke" a while back, I know it has 3 aspects to it as well, I never learned which aspect was dominant. I don't think I've ever heard of this Frethja character, is there a new God in the Wold? or is it an immortal power?
when we fought during the red grass stuff, we had to face intermediaries, I wonder if that's going to be the case here as well. could this cold be the outward expression of the immortal power like the red grass was for the Sargrass?
Trayvin AC 39/14 touch Hp 199/199(BrianZ) Thursday July 15th, 2021 9:45:18 PM I don't think we're going to get any more answers here. Do we have some endure elements spells? If not I think it will be rough going for most of us.
Active effects: greater magic weapon(on Morningstar)(21/16/11) 1d8+9
used: Spells: greater magic weapon, restoration
OOC- Trayvin does not have any endure elements memorized.
Nikolai (JonathanT) AC 34 Tch 32 Ffted 30 HP 108/120 CMD 39/45(Grapple/Trip/Disarm) Thursday July 15th, 2021 11:35:24 PM
Nikolai asks Ceres if the griffons know of any way into the mountain. Via the link, he suggests that the giants probably know of caves and such that might lead them to the heart, or upward, as some giants like delving into the depths of mountains. At least he thinks some do.
Anna Morphling (Hugh C) -- HP 123/123 [177/177 w/ con bonus] - 43/16/20 + 4 AOO due to movement CMD 39 Thursday July 15th, 2021 11:38:46 PM
Anna says, "If memory serves I think the 3 aspects of the Sarr kind of resolved their differences and entered into a kind of truce. I don't think any of them are dominant per se and they strive to keep each other in balance."
Anna continues, "Here though it sounds like we have 2 powers; assuming they are actual powers and not someone pretending they are something they aren't like our venture in Wedding City though given the fact that Pru is being blinded by detect magic I think we are safe to assume that we are dealing with actual powers and not just a cult in a grift. I guess the question is are the mountain dragon guy and the glacier the only to immortal powers at play here or are there other factions and how do we make contact with either of them?"
DM RobC - "Well what do we know about immortal powers?" d10=5 ; Friday July 16th, 2021 4:13:05 AM
Tinker is ready for the climb and isn't to fusssed who it is he meets. Dragon man? He meets the group. Fethja? She meets his urgosh.
Pru has to blink a number of times to get her eyes back in focus. She's unable to specifically identify the power of the caster however she does know that a functioning spell with an overwhelming aura is the equivalent of a 10th level spell, and almost certainly beyond the power of mortal beings.
A few of you ask the griffons about a way into the mountain. Ceres shakes his head. "No, it's not something I've ever seen before". Nikolai suspects the giants might know a way in, but that's just a thought.
There is also some talk about Immortal Powers and Shadow Mountain, with Anna wondering how many might be at play. Hemera gives the party the run down on the key four: Mighty Granite, Grandfather Wind, The Storm-Horse, and of course Frethja. Trayvin knows enough about religion to know that there are literally dozens of Immortal Powers revered by the denizens of Shadow Mountain. It's like an immortal power hot spot.
Sigvar wants to know if there are any old, old stories of dragons that lived here long ago. Hemera recalls one. "There was a dragon long ago who started on the western slope. Flamelich. He was beaten by the Gold Dragons. They were some tough adventurers so I was told.". (Highlight to display spoiler: {Sorry, I'm not sure on the timelines and where the Gold Dragons fit in. I searched but I'm not sure how 'old' it might be compared to this games timeline. They were in the Platinum Dragons game that can be found on the game archives if anyone wants to read about them though and were one of the first DC groups I think})
Michael has an interesting thought. The bloodgrass spread with the coming of the Sarr. Could the cold weather be the start of something even bigger to do with Frethja?
Trayvin is starting to feel the cold. Of all the days not to prepare an Endure Elements spell!
-------------------- OOC: Guess what time it is?
Please position yourselves on this map but do not take any action (other than speaking to each other). The enemy have the initiative and will be acting first, but I want to give you the chance to position yourselves on the map where you think you would be rather than where I think you would be.
Assuming Sigvar starts to run when the trouble starts he will be on the map in d10=5 rounds
AC 32v AOO T22 F25 CMD 39 HP 159/ 159 Tinker (SteveK) Friday July 16th, 2021 5:01:45 AM
The grizzled veteran thanks his ancestors he thought to purchase the Boots of the Winterlands. He hefts his urgrosh and is ready to meet some Immortals.
…… Ooc: Tinker is at I21, on the side of the Ice Wall, facing the cold wind, and ready to start walking to the left of the map
Improved Uncanny Dodge: not flat-footed vs invis opp; can’t be flanked
Pompous (Yves_B) AC 36 SR 20 CMD 30/30, HP 170 /170 Friday July 16th, 2021 6:39:13 AM
ooc> Yesterday's post....
Pompous continues his patrol of the paramter....
Location: Z13
Knight Commander Sigvar Ironhorn (David F) AC 42 (T 16, FF 38) CMD 41 HP 215 / 216 Character Sheet Friday July 16th, 2021 10:42:28 AM
OOC Sigvar has endure elements up already. He cast it as the group ascended the mountains this morning. What Time is it in Game? Why hasn't Sigvar been making his best speed to the location until now? Whatever, 5 rounds of running. If when I start casting spells to survive arriving late to a major fight you'll need to let me know how that affects my timing. Sigvar flys on.
Michael Wittman AC:39, T:28, FF:30(ucdodge) HP 141/141 F+16, R+25,W+16, CMB+21, CMD+36 Friday July 16th, 2021 3:45:06 PM
Michael was talking to the group at large and also taking some shelter from the wind behind the ice wall. as such he wasn't off by much from where he was placed initially.
Michael was talking and thinking, but he does have uncanny dodge and evasion, so keep that in mind before the fireball hits.
Prudence Gundle [HP 73/130] Friday July 16th, 2021 4:47:46 PM
"I've got you, Trayvin," Pru says. She casts Endure Elements on Trayvin.
[OOC: Okay, I know you said no spells, but that's a routine out-of-combat spell so I hope it's allowed.]
Nikolai (JonathanT) AC 34 Tch 32 Ffted 30 HP 108/120 CMD 39/45(Grapple/Trip/Disarm) Friday July 16th, 2021 10:26:39 PM
OOC: Nikolai would be near Tempus, if he's griffon 1, then where he's at is just fine.
Trayvin AC 39/14 touch Hp 199/199(BrianZ) Saturday July 17th, 2021 12:52:05 AM Immortal Powers? This could get interesting.
Active effects: greater magic weapon(on Morningstar)(21/16/11) 1d8+9
used: Spells: greater magic weapon, restoration
OOC- Trayvin was treating Tempus, and should be positioned near him.
Anna Morphling (Hugh C) -- HP 123/123 [177/177 w/ con bonus] - 43/16/20 + 4 AOO due to movement CMD 39 Monday July 19th, 2021 12:10:57 AM
(OOC: If we took less than 13.6 minutes investigating the griffon presumably Anna never left dragon form; this has nothing to do with your post and everything to do with not wanting to waste a powerful spell so she would have remained in dragon form till it expired;to that end please give me a new time limit; oh kindly DM)
Anna says, "Apparently this mountain has many immortal powers on it. This could get interesting."
Form of Dragon III - 13.6 minutes +10 size bonus to strength, + 8 size bonus to Con, +8 natural armor, speed 40, fly 120 feet (poor), blindsense 60 feet, darkvision 120 feet, breathe weapon (50 foot cone of cold, 12d8 points of damage, reflex DC 25 for half, use it as often as like but must wait 1d4 rounds between uses), DR 10/magic, frightful presence (DC 23), immunity cold, vulnerability to fire, 1 bite +17 (2d8+8), 2 claws +17 (2d6+8), 2 wings +15 (1d8+4), one tail slap + 15 (2d6+4)
DM RobC - "This could get interesting" - Map 2d6=8 ; 2d6=7 ; 2d6=5 ; 2d6=5 ; d20+20=38 ; d20+20=24 ; 3d6=5 ; 3d6=8 ; d8=5 ; d8=6 ; 2d6=4 ; d20+20=36 ; d8=5 ; Monday July 19th, 2021 4:26:06 AM
It has taken the party around 21mins to arrive at the scene and they have spent another 5 minutes investigating the surrounds and speaking with the griffons. Anna has another 5 to 6 minutes before her dragon form expires.
Tinker is kept warm by his boots and Pru helps Trayvin with a little protection from the cold. The party consider the options of the immortal powers. There are a lot of them. As Anna and Trayvin agree: this could get interesting.
Could Frethja create undead? Possibly. Whatever the case, the party have discussed the topic so long that they may have drawn the attention of the 'shadows'.
Five dark, ghostly creatures spring from the ground surrounding the group - griffons and all. The translucent figures are little more than dark shapes with flickering pinpoints of red light where their eyes should be. The air surrounding them is very cold, even in these already frigid area. Unnaturally cold. The temperature and mere presence of these terrors is enough to leave the most seasoned of adventurers shaken.
Michael takes 8pts cold damage and is shaken for 1 minute. Michael to make a Fort Save vs DC23 or be paralysed Pompous takes 7pts cold damage and is shaken for 1 minute. Pompous to make a Fort Save vs DC23 or be paralysed Nikolai takes 5pts cold damage and is shaken for 1 minute. Nikolai to make a Fort Save vs DC23 or be paralysed Tinker takes 5pts cold damage and is shaken for 1 minute. Tinker to make a Fort Save vs DC23 or be paralysed Anna to make 2 x Fort Saves vs DC23 or be paralysed
"Shadows!" Ceres barks loudly - although perhaps stating the obvious.
They act quickly and in a coordinated manner to attack the group from all sides.
Moradin and Aprilles are attacked before they realise what has happened. The griffons each take a hit.
The one to the east ignores the two griffons to instead attack Pompous! (Hit TouchAC38. Pompous takes 5pts negative energy plus 5pts Con drain. Fort Save vs DC23 negates the Con drain)
The one to the south attacks Anna! (Hit TouchAC24. Anna takes 8pts negative energy plus 6pts Con drain. Fort Save vs DC23 negates the Con drain)
The one to the southwest attacks Tinker! (Hit TouchAC36. Tinker takes 4pts negative energy plus 5pts Con drain. Fort Save vs DC23 negates the Con drain)
The griffons fight back however they've no way of touching these incorporeal creatures, even with their best attacks.
------------------- Notes: - Map - Snowy ground: Entering a snow-filled square requires an extra square of movement. - High Winds: -4 penalty on ranged attacks, -4 penalty on Fly and Acrobatics checks, small sized 'checked' (unable to move forward against the force of the wind unless they succeed at a DC 10 Strength check (on the ground) or a DC 20 Fly check (if airborne)) and tiny sized 'blown away' (Link to Fly skill) - Con Drain: Damage to your Constitution score causes you to take penalties on your Fortitude saving throws. In addition, multiply your total Hit Dice by this penalty and subtract that amount from your current and total hit points. - Shaken: A shaken character takes a –2 penalty on attack rolls, saving throws, skill checks, and ability checks.
Sigvar will be on the map in 5 rounds
AC 32v AOO T22 F25 CMD 39 HP 155/ 159 Tinker (SteveK) d20+19=20 ; d20+19=28 ; d20+19=39 ; d20+24=31 ; d20+19=26 ; d20+14=31 ; d20+16=36 ; d20+16=36 ; d20+16=36 ; d8+16=21 ; d8+16=19 ; d8+16=19 ; Monday July 19th, 2021 8:06:28 AM
Tinker sees the shadows rise and he is more than shaken, he is paralyzed! It takes a heroic effort to throw off the sheer terror, but the dwarf is both stubborn and experienced: he overcomes the worst effects.
And then it touches him, a coldness like a tomb! He shakes it off again.
“More than Shadows! Trayvin, what does your knowledge tell you of these King Shadows!?”. If nothing else, he is sure they are immune to critical hits and sneak attacks!
Daemar Torvalsson doesn’t wait for the answer, but concentrates only using the axe blade of his Urgrosh. The blade specially magicked to affect incorporal beings!
………
Fort. Nat 1! Hero Point re-roll. 28. Success! Fort. 39. Save vs CON damage
She moves a little closer to the ice wall to get a better angle, then aims a Scorching Ray at Shadow #2. Then she aims a Quickened Scorching Ray at the same target.
[First spell: SR check 37. First ray hits Touch AC 19 for 17 damage. Second ray hits Touch AC 19 for 17 damage. Third ray hits Touch AC 21 for 17 damage. Second spell: SR check 38. First ray hits Touch AC 21 for 20 damage. Second ray hits Touch AC 24 for 15 damage. Third ray misses with a natural 1.]
Michael Wittman AC:39, T:28, FF:30(ucdodge) HP 133/141 F+16, R+25,W+16, CMB+21, CMD+36 d20+16=21 ; Monday July 19th, 2021 6:43:47 PM
Fort save 21 + hero point = 25
The shadows come forth, evil, and so cold it hurts. the horror threatens to freeze him up, but The Machine kicks in and he finds himself in motion toward shadow 2, hoping for a flank against Aphrillies, He spends this round getting in position, he'll attack next round.
Knight Commander Sigvar Ironhorn (David F) AC 42 (T 16, FF 38) CMD 41 HP 215 / 216 Character Sheet d20+10=28 ; Monday July 19th, 2021 7:08:05 PM
Sigvar flies on, too far away to help his companions in any way other than to moves faster. Knowledge religion 28 Does Sigvar know what they are?
Pompous (Yves_B) AC 36 SR 20 CMD 30/30, HP 158 /170 d20+16=22 ; d20+16=24 ; d20+16=31 ; d20+26=44 ; d20+26=43 ; d20+26=34 ; d6+14=15 ; d6=4 ; d6=5 ; d6+14=17 ; d6=3 ; d6=6 ; d6+14=16 ; d6=4 ; d6=2 ; d20+21=22 ; d20+16=33 ; d6+14=19 ; d6=6 ; d6=3 ; d20+11=25 ; d6+14=15 ; d6=1 ; d6=5 ; Monday July 19th, 2021 7:24:10 PM
Pompous' great resolve avoids him being paralyzed by the undead ( ooc> used a hero point to reroll the 22 and got a 24).
Pompous also avoids the constitution damage from the second attack.
Pompous then unleashes a volley of arrows at the shadow attacking him (S3).
" OH NO YOU DID NOT JUST DO THAT! "
---------------------------- Dash Board
Scarab of protection (12 charges) The scarab’s possessor gains spell resistance 20. The scarab can also absorb energy-draining attacks, death effects, and negative energy effects. Upon absorbing 12 such attacks, the scarab turns to powder and is destroyed.
Favored Ennemi Undead +4
Point Blank Many shots Precise shot
Shaken -2 to hit High winds -4 to hit
Attack 1 AC 44 Physical 15 shock 4 fire 5 Attack 1a AC 43 Physical 17 shock 3 fire 6 Attack 1b AC 34 Physical 16 shock 4 fire 2 Attack 2 AC 22 miss nat 1 Attack 3 AC 33 Physical 19 shock 6 fire 3 Attack 4 AC 25 Physical 15 shock 1 fire 5
Trayvin AC 39/14 touch Hp 199/199(BrianZ) d20+15=17 ; Monday July 19th, 2021 8:52:27 PM Pru has it, focus fire and burn them down. Ceres, Tempus, get your people back from them, your claws won't hurt them without magic. Trayvin tries to recall some useful information about the creatures, other than that they look like shadows. kn religion check = 17(doh) I'm not sure Tinker, but whatever works on a shadow should be effective.
Trayvin switches weapons, going for the silver mace.
Active effects: greater magic weapon(on Morningstar)(21/16/11) 1d8+9 endure elements
used: Spells: greater magic weapon, restoration
Anna Morphling (Hugh C) -- HP 66/72 [118/126 w/ con bonus] - 40/13/17 + 4 AOO due to movement CMD 39 d20+14=34 ; d20+14=32 ; d20+10=14 ; Monday July 19th, 2021 11:19:21 PM
(Fort Save paralysis - 34; 32)
(Fort Save con drain 14; failure)
Anna manages to avoid getting paralyzed but still takes the con drain.
She says, "They are sapping our vitality. If this keeps up we are done for."
She then takes a 5 foot step away from the shadow and activates her Iron Body SLA, eliminating the risk of her taking further con drain.
Active Effects Form of Dragon III - 5.5 minutes +10 size bonus to strength, + 8 size bonus to Con, +8 natural armor, speed 40, fly 120 feet (poor), blindsense 60 feet, darkvision 120 feet, breathe weapon (50 foot cone of cold, 12d8 points of damage, reflex DC 25 for half, use it as often as like but must wait 1d4 rounds between uses), DR 10/magic, frightful presence (DC 23), immunity cold, vulnerability to fire, 1 bite +20 (2d8+11), 2 claws +20 (2d6+11), 2 wings +18 (1d8+5), one tail slap + 18 (2d6+5)
Iron Body - 17 minutes gain DR 15 / adamantine, immune to blindness, critical hits, ability score damage, deafness, disease, drowning, electricity, poison, stunning, and all spells or attacks that affect your physiology or respiration, because you have no physiology or respiration while this spell is in effect. You take only half damage from acid and fire. However, you also become vulnerable to all special attacks that affect iron golems. You gain a +6 enhancement bonus to your Strength score, but you take a -6 penalty to Dexterity as well (to a minimum Dexterity score of 1), and your speed is reduced to half normal. You have an arcane spell failure chance of 35% and a -6 armor check penalty, just as if you were clad in full plate armor. You cannot drink (and thus can’t use potions) or play wind instruments. Your unarmed attack deals damage equal to a club sized for you (1d4 for Small characters or 1d6 for Medium characters), and you are considered armed when making unarmed attacks.Your weight increases by a factor of 10, causing you to sink in water like a stone. However, you could survive the lack of air at the bottom of the ocean–at least until the spell duration expires.
Nikolai (JonathanT) AC 34 Tch 32 Ffted 30 HP 103/120 CMD 39/45(Grapple/Trip/Disarm) d20+21=22 ; d20+21=27 ; 2d8+7=20 ; Tuesday July 20th, 2021 12:07:36 AM
Spells in Effect: mage armor Other effects: Shaken (–2 penalty on attack rolls, saving throws, skill checks, and ability checks)
DM Note_ Nikolai wears a Ring of Freedom of Movement (negates paralysis). Also being grappled, by the way.
The sudden appearance of the shadows throw's Nikolai off guard for a moment and the extra cold from the touch of the creature saps his energy some. He is unaware of the paralysis power as his ring negates it. However as he retaliates, he studies his foe to figure out what they are.
Treat unarmed attacks as Magic for DR purposes Attack the shadow that attacked him: Att1 w/ Improved Vital Strike d20 + 23 - 2(shaken) = 22 N1 Att2 d20 + 23 - 2(shaken) = 27 dmg = 2d8 + 6 (+1 Mighty Fists) = 20
Michael Wittman AC:39, T:28, FF:30(ucdodge) HP 133/141 F+16, R+25,W+16, CMB+21, CMD+36 Tuesday July 20th, 2021 3:06:50 AM
Michael yells to Ceres and Hamera. Have your guys distract the shadows, but don't let them touch you, we can take them, but we can't do it and protect your people as well.
DM RobC - "More than Shadows!" - Map d20+20=35 ; 3d6=8 ; d8=4 ; d20+20=29 ; 3d6+8=21 ; 3d6+8=15 ; d8=7 ; d20+20=32 ; d20+20=35 ; d20+20=22 ; 3d6=10 ; 3d6=10 ; d20+20=27 ; 3d6=7 ; d8=5 ; 2d6=7 ; d20+20=23 ; d20+20=29 ; 3d6=13 ; 3d6=7 ; d20+20=25 ; d20+20=29 ; 3d6=9 ; 3d6=8 ; d8=7 ; Tuesday July 20th, 2021 4:05:06 AM
Tinker knows a Shadow when he sees one and these are no Shadows. He doesn't have a chance to work out what they are suffice to say he knows they're undead. That's enough for him. He hacks away with his ghost touch weapon
Pru sends six scorching rays at the nearest not-Shadow. Despite the number of rays she casts she somehow misses on each one!
Michael moves in to position ready to flank with Aphrillies. (Highlight to display spoiler: {Please see the email from Steven}).
Sigvar and Trayvin try to work out what these things are as they are certainly not the lowly Shadows the party have heard of. No. These things are more like Wraiths of some kind, though it's no kind either of them are familiar with. For starters, even though they are incorporeal the party have no trouble seeing them (ie: they're not invisible, which is a good thing for this party!). Secondly, even though the sun is pretty much hidden, it's still there and they don't seem weakened by it. They also have that weird aura to them that freezes and paralyzes things. Trayvin works out that the aura radiates out 30ft from each wraith.
Pompous is greatly saved by his Scarab of Protection. He unloads on the nearest shadow as best he can.
Trayvin brings out a silver mace. That oughta work. He calls for the griffons to flee. There's nothing they can do to assist in this fight.
Anna uses an SLA to add a little iron to her form. Activating her ability however provokes an attack from the long arms of the wraith before she can complete the transformation. (Hit TouchAC27. Anna takes 7pts negative energy plus 5pts Con drain. Fort Save vs DC23 negates the Con drain)
Nikolai wants to strike back against the wraith that hit him, only to find that none of them actually did. He simply stands within the aura of one.
The griffons scatter north and south as fast as they can.
The enemy act...
Wraith 1 closes in on Pru! She feels it's icy presence and it shadowy touch.(Pru takes 7pts cold damage and is shaken for 1 minute. Pru to make a Fort Save vs DC23 or be paralysed. Hit TouchAC35. Pru takes 8pts negative energy plus 4pts Con drain. Fort Save vs DC23 negates the Con drain))
Trayvin is close enough to it that he too feels its aura. (Trayvin takes 7pts cold damage and is shaken for 1 minute. Trayvin to make a Fort Save vs DC23 or be paralysed.)
Wraith 2 attacks Michael with both claws outstretched! (Hit TouchAC29 and 32. Michael takes 13pts + 7pts negative energy plus 7pts Con drain. Fort Save vs DC23 negates the Con drain)
Wraith 3 attacks Pompous again, but this time with two claws rather than just one! (Hit TouchAC35 and 22. Pompous takes 10pts + 10pts negative energy plus 7pts Con drain. Fort Save vs DC23 negates the Con drain. This is all unless he expends 2 charges from his Scarab)
Wraith 4 pursues Anna! (Hit TouchAC23 and 39. Anna takes 13pts + 7pts negative energy)
Wraith 5 returns Tinkers attacks with some of its own! (Hit TouchAC25 and 29. Tinker takes 9pts + 8pts negative energy plus 7pts Con drain. Fort Save vs DC23 negates the Con drain)
------------------- Notes: - Map - Snowy ground: Entering a snow-filled square requires an extra square of movement. - High Winds: -4 penalty on ranged attacks, -4 penalty on Fly and Acrobatics checks, small sized 'checked' (unable to move forward against the force of the wind unless they succeed at a DC 10 Strength check (on the ground) or a DC 20 Fly check (if airborne)) and tiny sized 'blown away' (Link to Fly skill) - Con Drain: Damage to your Constitution score causes you to take penalties on your Fortitude saving throws. In addition, multiply your total Hit Dice by this penalty and subtract that amount from your current and total hit points. - Shaken: A shaken character takes a –2 penalty on attack rolls, saving throws, skill checks, and ability checks.
Knight Commander Sigvar Ironhorn (David F) AC 42 (T 16, FF 38) CMD 41 HP 215 / 216 Character Sheet Tuesday July 20th, 2021 7:33:02 AM
Sigvar continues to close at his best speed.
OOC that con drain.....In addition, multiply your total Hit Dice by this penalty and subtract that amount from your current and total hit points. That amounts to each point of con losing us 17 hp. That is as much as I get per level IF I roll a 10 on my 10 sided die. Are you sure that's right? It seems kinda steep
AC 32v AOO T22 F25 CMD 39 HP 138/ 159 Tinker (SteveK) d20+19=28 ; d20+19=31 ; d20+24=39 ; d20+19=31 ; d20+14=29 ; d8+16=20 ; d8+16=23 ; d8+16=20 ; Tuesday July 20th, 2021 10:57:48 AM
Tinker thanks the toughness of both dwarfs and his warrior training, the undead horror is hurting him, but not the soul-sucking death that overcame the griffons.
This is a tough opponent, and he keeps hitting as he can with his Ghost Touch urgrosh axe blade. "Pompous, you have the reach and they don't hurt you. Let's concentrate on one at a time to whittle them down!'
The urgrosh swings three times and bites hard. .............
Fort 27 and 29; save both overcome the CON drain. (Shaken removed after rolls)
Urgrosh Axe Head (Ghost Touch) AC 39, 31, 29 Damage: 20, 23, 20 (63 total)
Prudence Gundle [HP -9/62] [Con drain 4] d20+10=11 ; d20+10=12 ; Tuesday July 20th, 2021 12:21:27 PM
Pru is paralyzed and unconscious.
Pompous (Yves_B) AC 36 SR 20 CMD 30/30, HP 158 /170 d20+26=46 ; d20+26=36 ; d6+14=20 ; d6+14=19 ; d6+14=16 ; d6=5 ; d6=4 ; d20+26=33 ; d6+14=18 ; d6=2 ; d6=2 ; d20+26=36 ; d6+14=15 ; d6=5 ; d6=4 ; d20+21=27 ; d6+14=19 ; d6+14=17 ; d6=3 ; d6=1 ; d20+16=24 ; d20+16=36 ; d20+11=21 ; Tuesday July 20th, 2021 7:44:38 PM
That scarab was the best thing Pompous bought... ever!
Pompous hears Tinker and nods before continuing his attack and unleashing another attack
-------------------------------------------------
Dash Board
Scarab of protection (10 charges) The scarab’s possessor gains spell resistance 20. The scarab can also absorb energy-draining attacks, death effects, and negative energy effects. Upon absorbing 12 such attacks, the scarab turns to powder and is destroyed.
Favored Ennemi Undead +4
Point Blank Many shots Precise shot
Shaken -2 to hit 2/10 High winds -4 to hit
Attack W3
Attack 1 AC 46 (crit roll confirmed with a 36) Physical 55 shock 5 fire 4 Attack 1a AC 33 Physical 18 shock 2 fire 2 Attack 1b AC 36 Physical 15 shock 5 fire 4 Attack 2 AC 27 Physical 19 shock 3 fire 1 Attack 3 AC 24 Physical 0 shock 0 fire 0 Attack 4 AC 21 Physical 0 shock 0 fire 0
Trayvin AC 39/14 touch Hp 192/199(BrianZ) d20+20=29 ; Tuesday July 20th, 2021 9:38:49 PM
save vs paralysis = 27(forgot to subtract the -2 from the roll)
Trayvin sees Pru is down. He moves to protect her from any further hits from the creature, casting a spell as he goes. The Commanders are too spread out, this is going to be a tough fight.
Actions: move, cast divine power
Active effects: greater magic weapon(on Morningstar)(21/16/11) 1d8+9 endure elements shaken –2 penalty on attack rolls, saving throws, skill checks, and ability checks divine power
used: Spells: greater magic weapon, restoration, divine power
Anna Morphling (Hugh C) -- HP 39/72 [125/160 w/ con bonus] - 40/13/17 + 4 AOO due to movement CMD 39 d20+11=31 ; Tuesday July 20th, 2021 11:41:13 PM
Fort Save: 31
Anna resists the constituition drain.
She then takes a 5 foot step away from the wraith again and tries to use her bear's endurance SLA,
Next round she will be fortified enough to start going on the offensive.
Active Effects Form of Dragon III - 5.4 minutes +10 size bonus to strength, + 8 size bonus to Con, +8 natural armor, speed 40, fly 120 feet (poor), blindsense 60 feet, darkvision 120 feet, breathe weapon (50 foot cone of cold, 12d8 points of damage, reflex DC 25 for half, use it as often as like but must wait 1d4 rounds between uses), DR 10/magic, frightful presence (DC 23), immunity cold, vulnerability to fire, 1 bite +20 (2d8+11), 2 claws +20 (2d6+11), 2 wings +18 (1d8+5), one tail slap + 18 (2d6+5)
Iron Body - 16.9 minutes gain DR 15 / adamantine, immune to blindness, critical hits, ability score damage, deafness, disease, drowning, electricity, poison, stunning, and all spells or attacks that affect your physiology or respiration, because you have no physiology or respiration while this spell is in effect. You take only half damage from acid and fire. However, you also become vulnerable to all special attacks that affect iron golems. You gain a +6 enhancement bonus to your Strength score, but you take a -6 penalty to Dexterity as well (to a minimum Dexterity score of 1), and your speed is reduced to half normal. You have an arcane spell failure chance of 35% and a -6 armor check penalty, just as if you were clad in full plate armor. You cannot drink (and thus can’t use potions) or play wind instruments. Your unarmed attack deals damage equal to a club sized for you (1d4 for Small characters or 1d6 for Medium characters), and you are considered armed when making unarmed attacks.Your weight increases by a factor of 10, causing you to sink in water like a stone. However, you could survive the lack of air at the bottom of the ocean–at least until the spell duration expires.
Nikolai (JonathanT) AC 34 Tch 32 Ffted 30 HP 103/120 CMD 39/45(Grapple/Trip/Disarm) d20+23=38 ; 6d8+7=27 ; 2d6-1=7 ; 2d6=10 ; Wednesday July 21st, 2021 12:01:07 AM
Spells in Effect: mage armor Other effects: Shaken 1 min (9/10 rds) (–2 penalty on attack rolls, saving throws, skill checks, and ability checks) Eberon's Tear (Ghost Touch, Undead Bane, Holy).
DM Note_ Nikolai wears a Ring of Freedom of Movement (negates paralysis). Also being grappled, by the way.
Nikolai also puts himself between the Super Shadow and Pru, than takes a swing at it.
Attack #4: Nikolai feels the power of his Eberon's Tear tingle as he chops at #4 Att w/Improved Vital Strike d20 + 23 + 2 (Undead Bane) - 2 (Shaken) = 38 The power of his Ghost Touch and Holy Hand Chop reverberates through his body
Damage w/Improved Vital Strike 6d8 +7 = 27 Add: Undead Bane 2d6 = 8 (see Die Rolls, error 2d6-1, should be just 2d6) Add: Holy 2d6 = 10
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