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11:50, 29th March 2024 (GMT+0)

Scales of War: EPIC!

Posted by MittensFor group 0
Timothius
GM, 931 posts
Sun 26 Mar 2017
at 07:17
  • msg #630

Re: Scales of War: EPIC!

Timothius says in elven, "Doesn't look that way at all from where we're standing. You will soon be fertilizer yourself... and thus help new life to sprout."

The treant then has visions of its remains being the cradle of a new life!


Break the Spirit v Treant. Hits(36)!
 dmg: 45


Treant HP: 139 - 45 = 94

Mittens
GM, 2180 posts
Sun 26 Mar 2017
at 07:27
  • msg #631

Re: Scales of War: EPIC!

The treant lumbers closer then attacks May!

<E>"Undead make for terrible fertilizer!"</E>

It's unable to do anything to May.  Mits woots!  "Epic punch!"

She swings at the tree and a laser fist punches the tree!
May
player, 727 posts
Sun 26 Mar 2017
at 07:34
  • msg #632

Re: Scales of War: EPIC!

May says, "Woo! Atta boy, Kyle!"

Raichel says, "You say you aren't much, Kyle, but try telling that to people next time when I tell them you shattered an undead rockman's head with your fist."

May then whacks the treant, slaying it. "Looks like you BARKED up the wrong TREE!"


Appalling Crunch v Treant. Hits(41)!
 dmg: 40


Treant HP: 37 - 40 = done

Kyle
player, 1456 posts
Crossbow of SCIENCE...
Or MAGIC? I always forget
Sun 26 Mar 2017
at 07:41
  • msg #633

Re: Scales of War: EPIC!

  "The 'by comparison' gives, and the 'by comparison' takes.  Still, most are not lucky enough to be compared to any of you in the first place in any positive light."  Wow, I heard Kyle punches as hard as a Kobold girl!... Wait, am I praising him or mocking him?
Mittens
GM, 2181 posts
Sun 26 Mar 2017
at 07:53
  • msg #634

Re: Scales of War: EPIC!

"We're all becoming more amazing.  At everything.  But I'll occasionally blank on a good jab.  Thanks for the save, sis!"

Oops!  The GM missed that there was supposed to be a trap in this encounter.

Venomous Tree Level 24 Blaster
Trap XP 6,050
The branches of the twisted trees writhe menacingly in the still
air. A cloud of green and white energy forms above the trees
before hurtling downward.

Trap: One or more living creatures beyond the bounds of
the teleportation circle on the knoll awaken the twisted
spirit of the trees. Fell energies coil about the trees. When
the trees awake, each contributes a strand of energy to a
writhing mass of green and white energy forming above
the trees which then lances downward to strike the visible
character farthest away from the teleportation circle.
Perception
DC 28: The character notices the tree branches stir slightly
although the air is still.
DC 32: The character spots motes of green and white energy
coiling around the trees’ branches.
Initiative +8
Trigger
When a living creature exits the teleportation circle or
otherwise reaches the top of the knoll.
Attack
Standard Action Ranged 8
Targets: One creature
Attack: +27 vs. Will
Hit: 4d6 + 8 poison damage and target weakened (save ends).
Countermeasures
The trap is disabled when all the trees are destroyed or their
connection to the energy cloud is severed. An adjacent
character can sever a tree’s connection to the cloud with a
DC 35 Thievery check or a DC 32 Arcana check. A character
can attack a tree (AC 32, other defenses 28; hp 90)

"Boy.  This is one Angry Orchard.  Alakazam."

Mits wiggles her fingers at the magical cloud.

Mits arcana: 28.  Just need two aid-others.
Raichel
player, 694 posts
Lightning Reflexes
50,000 volts worth
Sun 26 Mar 2017
at 18:00
  • msg #635

Re: Scales of War: EPIC!

"It's a trap!" says Admiral Ackbar. Whether that was one of Mitts' crazy illusions or a helpful angel trying to warn the heroes, we may never know.

Raichel gives Kyle an "I suppose" smile, shrugs, and hugs him. "It doesn't matter to me how powerful any one of us are... well... except that it matters we have the capacity to stop evil and survive. I just don't want anyone in our group feeling left out or like a 5th wheel."

May says, "Ooo... magic! Wasn't there some wooji-wooji thingy you did that one time that would help now? Was it back in the shadofell or..." May gets lost in thought.

Timothius looks at the trees like what May is talking about is at the very tip of his tongue.

Raichel says, "I remember! There was a sigil that looked like a fist!" and points out where Mittens should put the fist-sigil.


May arcana: 13 (Rolled a 1)
Tim arcana: 14 (Rolled a 2)
Rai arcana: 19 (Rolled a 9! Wooo!)

Kyle
player, 1457 posts
Crossbow of SCIENCE...
Or MAGIC? I always forget
Thu 30 Mar 2017
at 04:24
  • msg #636

Re: Scales of War: EPIC!

  It was the actual Ackbar, duh.

  As for the ancient mysteries of arcane secrets?  Kyle hands Mittens a cheat sheet.

  Though, the notes on how to perform arcane gestures with puppets over your hands seem more recent.

  "While I'm aware I'm keeping things moving more smoothly than they would without me, I'd gladly take feeling like a 5th wheel over those first few days." nonstop barely healing people enough so they don't die while people think you are a grumpy pants for not wanting them to die.  Yeah, Module one was rough.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:45, Thu 30 Mar 2017.
Mittens
GM, 2182 posts
Thu 30 Mar 2017
at 04:31
  • msg #637

Re: Scales of War: EPIC!

"Thanks!"

A strange looking puppet slurps up the thundercloud then vanishes, the threat averted.  (( http://i.ebayimg.com/images/i/...8063-0-1/s-l1000.jpg ))

"Now maybe we can take a breather."

Mits sits and has a snack, offering some noms to the others..
Timothius
GM, 932 posts
Thu 30 Mar 2017
at 04:57
  • msg #638

Re: Scales of War: EPIC!

Rai isn't satisfied with that answer, but figures it will have to do for now.

Timothius responds to Kyle's statement with, "Experience can be a harsh teacher, yes. Mittens, I want that puppet." Timothius than noms a snack while it is in Mitts' hand. "Fankf"

Raichel bumps shoulders with Mittens and takes a biiiiig, deep breath before smiling, accepting a snack from Mitts, and nomming.

May examines her shoulder crossbow to see what Kyle did to it, if anything, but then gets distracted with admiring all of her weapons. <3

May stabs a snack with her rapier in order to use said weapon as her utensil. "Thanks!"
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:15, Thu 30 Mar 2017.
Kyle
player, 1458 posts
Crossbow of SCIENCE...
Or MAGIC? I always forget
Thu 30 Mar 2017
at 05:12
  • msg #639

Re: Scales of War: EPIC!

  May checks her crossbow and knows Kyle checked her crossbow, through the common bond of checking crossbows.

  "Not harsh enough to stop any of us just yet though, fortunately."

  He nods to Mittens's offer, "Thank you."  Manners come and go for Kyle.
Mittens
GM, 2183 posts
Thu 30 Mar 2017
at 05:36
  • msg #640

Re: Scales of War: EPIC!

"You're welcome!"  =^.^=

Mittens side-glomps Rai, tosses Timo the asked-for plushie, ponders her astral seed, and grins.

"In Mittens' Land, there will be a carnival where you can go and re-live the experiences of the Heroes of the World.  We'll be able to re-live those first few days with the luxuries of candied apples and overwhelming power to make those reincarnated baddies regret ever giving us the experience we needed to become what we are today."


But the kidnapping victim who died before the heroes arrived will still be dead.  Maybe.  Or there'll be a system where you get to build your own custom missions...  And thus began the train of thoughts that led to Mittens Prime to create the City of Heroes world.

"But that'll have to wait for another day.  Let's see what we can learn about this place..."

Clearly
visible in the distance is another rocky knoll. Atop
that knoll, a huge outcropping of black rock rises
up almost to the low, dark clouds. Between the two
knolls stands the warped, skeletal boughs of the
Forest of Twisted Souls.

If the heroes wish, they can take an extended rest
atop this knoll without fear of wandering monsters.

rituaL fraGMentS
Several ritual fragments borne on the wind swirl
through the area where this encounter takes place.

Wisps of smoke coil about the tree and the stench of
burning hangs thickly in the air.


A swirling cloud of small
sticks, bits of moss, and so on tumbles across the ground.


("use the rules presented in Ritual Fragments
on page 57."  *Looks at page 57.*  Not there.  *Uses ctrl-F*
"...on page 67."  Not there.
"...page 57"  "58"  "12" ...)

Ritual Fragments (Page 53)
The Forest of Twisted Souls is literally brimming
with magical energy created as a byproduct of Irfelujhar’s work on creating Tiamat’s ritual. Fragments of
rituals—appearing as wisps of smoke and sparkling
motes of iridescent light—swirl through the forest
containing miniscule amounts of power, which those
encountering them can utilize.
Most inhabitants of the forest are aware of the
ritual fragments and make use of them in battle if
appropriate. Wild animals, unthinking brutes, and
constructs do not attempt to activate ritual fragments.

Identifying a Fragment: A character with line
of sight to a ritual fragment can spend a free action
to make a DC 24 skill check of the appropriate type.
A character identifying a fragment knows the likely
result of its activation and can attempt to activate it. A
character who knows the ritual from which the fragment derives automatically identifies the fragment.

Ritual fragments are not shown on the tactical
maps for the forest. Anyone who can see at least six
squares in any direction has line of sight to any given
fragment.

Activating a Fragment: A character with line
of sight to an identified ritual fragment can spend a
minor action to attempt a DC 29 skill check of the
appropriate type.

A character who knows the ritual from which the
fragment derives gains a +2 bonus to activate it.

The Forest of
Twisted Souls Lore
A character knows the following information about
the Forest of Twisted Souls with a successful Nature
check. Additionally, any character that draws upon
the primal power source feels a great sense of loneliness and sorrow while in the forest.
DC 24: The Twisted Forest is the warped remnant of a forest that stood about the Mantled Citadel
before Irfelujhar moved his lair to Vaerothim. The
many spirits of nature that should dwell in the forest
have disappeared. It is unclear whether they were
destroyed or are imprisoned elsewhere. In their place,
haunted spirits of sentient creatures inhabit the trees.
The strongest of these spirits bestow strange powers
to the trees they possess.
DC 29: Fragments of rituals—power discarded by
Irfelujhar in his work—swirl through the forest. Characters encountering them can gain access to various
minor effects if a fragment is successfully activated.

SettinG
This adventure takes place in Vaerothim, a demiplane linked to the Shadowfell through a portal deep
within Monadhan, the Domain of Betrayal. When
the PCs first enter Vaerothim, they must traverse the
benighted Forest of Twisted Souls before reaching
the Mantled Citadel.

adventurinG  
in the ShadowfeLL  
and vaerothiM
The Shadowfell is a reflection of the natural world,
darkly cast and twisted. It is also the initial destination
of souls just loosed from their bodies. The following
are the planar traits for the Shadowfell and Vaerothim,
a demiplane linked to the Shadowfell through Monadhan. More information on the plane can be found in
the Manual of the Planes supplement.
Shadowfell Traits
Type: Parallel plane.
Size and Shape: The shadowfell is a parallel plane
with dimensions and topography similar to the mortal
world.
Gravity: Normal.
Mutability: Normal.
Gloom: The Shadowfell mutes light sources,
reducing the radius of illumination by 50 percent. For
example, a torch illuminates 2 squares instead of 5; a
lantern illuminates 5 squares instead of 10. Magical
light sources are unaffected.
Vaerothim’s Traits
Type: Demiplane.
Size and Shape: Vaerothim is a demiplane linked
to the Shadowfell. It is roughly 20 miles in diameter.
Gravity: Normal.
Mutability: Normal.
Gloom: Heavy, gray cloud and the vast canopy of
skeletal trees in the Forest of Twisted Souls reduce
the light reaching ground level. Additionally, because
it is linked to the Shadowfell, Vaerothim mutes light
sources, reducing the radius illuminated by 50 percent.


The Mantled Citadel Lore
A character knows the following information about
the Mantled Citadel with a successful Arcana check.
DC 24: the Mantled Citadel is Irfelujhar’s lair.
It is hidden within the hollowed-out interior of a
huge spire of black rock. Such was the magnitude of
Irfelujhar’s betrayal of Vecna that its consequences
reverberate through the complex.
DC 29: The consequences of Irfelujhar’s betrayal
of Vecna manifest themselves in several ways. Powers
with the Fear or Psychic keywords are harder to resist
in the citadel while powers with the charm keyword
are easier to resist.
Vaerothim Lore
A character knows the following information about
Vaerothim with a successful Arcana check.
DC 24: Vaerothim is a small demiplane that can
be accessed from Monadhan in the Shadowfell. It
shares many of the Shadowfell’s characteristics but is
much smaller, being barely 20 miles in diameter.
DC 29: Vaerothim is the product of a unique and
extremely powerful ritual created by Irfelujhar.


perSonaGeS of note
The two main opponents in this adventure—Mornujhar
(Tiamat’s Black Exarch) and Irfelujhar (Tiamat’s peerless ritual worker)—are so infamous that the heroes
may know something about them.
Irfelujhar Lore
A character knows the following information about
Irfelujhar with a successful Arcana check.
DC 24: Irfelujhar is an extremely powerful and
ancient lich famed for his ability to craft rituals of
incredible power. He is served by Mornujhar, one of
Tiamat’s most trusted and powerful servants.
DC 29: Irfelujhar originally worshipped Vecna,
but Tiamat seduced him away from the Lord of the
Spider Throne. Shortly afterward, Irfelujhar’s lair
disappeared along with much of the surrounding
woodland.
Mornujhar Lore
A character knows the following information about
Mornujhar with a successful Religion check.
DC 24: Tiamat has five exarchs; one for each of
her heads. Mornujhar is her Black Exarch and emulates many of the abilities of that species.
DC 29: Mornujhar is a bloodthirsty sadist who
delights in capturing enemies so that he can torture
them. He doesn’t especially care whether the unfortunate in question knows anything important.
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:40, Thu 30 Mar 2017.
May
player, 728 posts
Thu 30 Mar 2017
at 05:59
  • msg #641

Re: Scales of War: EPIC!

Timothius adds, "Irfelujhar is likely going to be a recurring enemy seeing as he's a lich. Unless we are the luckiest heroes in all history and Irfelujhar conveniently has his phylactery in an easy-to-find location."

After discussing the place and the personages in said place, May says, "So in summary: Little magical things can be useful, we have TWO baddies to fight, and we can prep for that fight by resting up high above the clouds?"
Kyle
player, 1459 posts
Crossbow of SCIENCE...
Or MAGIC? I always forget
Thu 30 Mar 2017
at 06:07
  • msg #642

Re: Scales of War: EPIC!

  "While normally I'd expect it to be in some outlandish outside location, we are also dealing with more 'made their dark god mad so got banished' circumstances.  So raw spite could mean their phylactery is at least within this realm."
Mittens
GM, 2184 posts
Thu 30 Mar 2017
at 06:34
  • msg #643

Re: Scales of War: EPIC!

Plenty of mention of phylactery placement for other lich beings in module...  none found for main lich.  u.u

"Mmm... Maybe.  As the god of undeath, Vecna might be able to deny this traitor that benefit of being a lich.  Wishful thinking, but still.  So shall we spend the night, then?  Make a temporary cabin and such?  Or we could access that demi-plane of time-slowing if we're feeling especially pushed for time.  ...or go there just 'cause it's neat."
This message was last edited by the GM at 06:35, Thu 30 Mar 2017.
May
player, 729 posts
Thu 30 Mar 2017
at 06:37
  • msg #644

Re: Scales of War: EPIC!

May says decisively, "Demiplane. We don't know how close Irfelujhar is to completing the ritual.""

The kitty twins nod in agreement.
Kyle
player, 1460 posts
Crossbow of SCIENCE...
Or MAGIC? I always forget
Thu 30 Mar 2017
at 06:42
  • msg #645

Re: Scales of War: EPIC!

  "Breaking their plans can be done without breaking them, and knowing our busy schedule we may end up having to leave them behind crying while we move on to more important matters."  Though the bad guys probably would not be so lucky.
Mittens
GM, 2185 posts
Thu 30 Mar 2017
at 06:45
  • msg #646

Re: Scales of War: EPIC!

Mits snickers at the mental image of a cry-baby lich.

"Alrighty then!"

Extended rest is had!
Timothius
GM, 933 posts
Sat 8 Apr 2017
at 05:42
  • msg #647

Re: Scales of War: EPIC!

May and the kitty twins enjoy a meal with Mitts and Kyle. May jokes around and makes fun of some of the enemies they have met. Raichel tries to loosen up a little, but is definitely one to help the team keep things in perspective. Timothius, of course, just smiles and enjoys the company.

May, of course, enjoys the pile of treasure she stowed in this demiplane as her bed.

The twins doze off near the fireplace, cuddled to each other.
Kyle
player, 1461 posts
Crossbow of SCIENCE...
Or MAGIC? I always forget
Sat 8 Apr 2017
at 05:49
  • msg #648

Re: Scales of War: EPIC!

  A Residuum stuffed pillow is still on Kyle's to-do list for May, but given the financial value of such a thing that is definitely not happening any time soon while adventuring still has expenses.

  Still, Kyle is glad to see all the kitty cats settling into the business.  Instead of just Mitten's constant enthusiasm for disaster that comes with the job.
Mittens
GM, 2186 posts
Sat 8 Apr 2017
at 05:54
  • msg #649

Re: Scales of War: EPIC!

Mittens is happy for the respite from the Shadowfell and devours anything colorful and cheery.  She's quick to laugh hysterically at May's jeers and savors even the simplest of travel food.  When sleep time comes, Mits rolls herself in her flying carpet to enjoy an "air mattress" style sleep.

http://4hdwallpapers.com/wp-co...e-Carpet-728x455.jpg

The time passes uneventfully.  The group returns to the gloom of the forest and little time has passed there at all.
May
player, 730 posts
Sat 8 Apr 2017
at 05:57
  • msg #650

Re: Scales of War: EPIC!

May pulls out a sword to point it towards the direction the group needs to go and says, "Onward! To victory!" before marching off in that direction. Sword still out and pointed.

Timothius chuckles and follows. Raichel smiles and also follows. "Hope you all slept well... I slept like a baby."

Timothius says, "Mittens slept like a burrito."
This message was last edited by the player at 05:58, Sat 08 Apr 2017.
Kyle
player, 1462 posts
Crossbow of SCIENCE...
Or MAGIC? I always forget
Sat 8 Apr 2017
at 06:05
  • msg #651

Re: Scales of War: EPIC!

  Kyle is pretty sure Raichel is wrong, because she didn't constantly wake up crying the entire night-oh wait, metaphorical.  You're usually better at telling the difference Kyle.  Other characters must be rubbing off on you.

  "Well rested enough to be fully awake to appreciate the inevitable explosions caused by us all."
Mittens
GM, 2187 posts
Sat 8 Apr 2017
at 06:10
  • msg #652

Re: Scales of War: EPIC!

Mits chuckles.  "Was going to say I slept like a log...  Burrito works."

Leaving the knoll, you descend into the gloom of the forest
where skeletal trees cluster thickly together.


When the PCs descend the knoll in encounter F1,
they enter the gloomy world of the Forest of Twisted
Souls.

Nothing natural dwells within the pervasive
gloom. If the characters bring light here, the trees
seem to recoil from it as if in fear. Wind from some
unknowable source rattles the trees, which shudder
at its fell caress. Perceptive characters hear words
upon the breeze—snatches of arcane power which are
fragments of rituals cast away by Irefelujhar

Entering the Forest of Twisted Souls Level 20
Skill Challenge 5,600 XP
This bleak, depressing woodland is strangely monochromatic,
as if the color was drained from it. Its skeletal, leafless
trees are misshapen and twisted, and gnarled roots rear
from the ground like great, petrified serpents. Shrouded
in damp, noisome moss the trees’ gaunt, rotten boughs
twist skyward to form a dense canopy of decaying branches
through which only dim light seeps.

Complexity
2 (6 successes before 3 failures)
Primary Skills
Arcana, Athletics, Nature, Religion.
Secondary Skills
Perception, Stealth.
Victory
If the heroes achieve 6 successes before 3 failures, they
become attuned to the forest and gain a +2 bonus to
identify or activate any ritual fragments they encounter in
the forest.
Defeat
If the characters achieve 3 failures before 6 successes, the
strange aspect of the forest unnerves them. They suffer a
-2 penalty to identify or activate any ritual fragments they
encounter in the forest.
Arcana DC 22 (1 success, maximum 2 successes)
The character attunes himself to the flow of energy within
the forest. Necrotic energy flows out of the Mantled Citadel;
a success enables the character to track the flow toward its
source.
Athletics DC 22 (1 success, maximum 2 successes)
The character climbs a tree or other feature to view the
surrounding area.
Nature DC 22 (1 success, maximum 2 successes)
The trees are horribly twisted and warped by the necrotic
energy flowing through the forest. The trees abhorred
these foul energies and as a result tried to twist away from
the citadel in a vain attempt to escape their influences. A
successful check enables the PC to identify the direction of
the citadel by examining the twisted trees.
Religion DC 14 (1 success, maximum 2 successes)
The character uses this skill to sense the greatest concentration of evil in the forest. As the most powerful creature
in the domain, Irfelujhar’s aura acts as a beacon of sorts.
Perception DC 22 (no successes, maximum 2 attempts)
A character making a Perception check notices an
important feature. This could be a thinning in the trees
where the characters can get their bearings, a tree much
taller than its fellows that could be climbed for an allaround view, and so on. The next primary skill check made
to exploit this discovery gains a +2 bonus.
Stealth DC 14 (no successes, maximum 2 attempts)
Characters moving stealthily through the forest may
surprise the next group of monsters they come across. If a
PC scouting ahead of his companions makes a successful
Stealth check, all characters gain +2 bonuses on their next
initiative checks in the forest.
Timothius
GM, 934 posts
Sat 8 Apr 2017
at 06:46
  • msg #653

Re: Scales of War: EPIC!

Timothius closes his eyes. Then opens them, looks a direction and points. "That way."

May frequently scouts ahead and sneaks about. At one point, she does climb a tree to get a better view, then notices a pattern. So she heads to the group and says, "The trees mostly seem to be leaning in a direction."

Timothius examines the trees and nods. "From what I can tell... the forest itself is recoiling from the horrible energies coming from the citadel. The trees themselves are pointing out which way to go."

Raichel occasionally sneaks ahead with May, the two of them trying to get two points of view on their destination.


May: Auto-succeeds Athletics and Stealth. Rolled 30 for Perception.
Rai: Auto-succeeds Stealth.
Tim: Auto-succeeds Religion. Rolls 24 for Nature.

4 successes.
3 Benefits:
 -May's Perception gave Tim a +2 on Nature.
 -May's stealth gave the team +2 to initiative for next encounter.
 -Rai's stealth gave the team +2 to initiative for next encounter.

This message was last edited by the GM at 06:54, Sat 08 Apr 2017.
Kyle
player, 1463 posts
Crossbow of SCIENCE...
Or MAGIC? I always forget
Sat 8 Apr 2017
at 06:51
  • msg #654

Re: Scales of War: EPIC!

  Kyle is able to sense the safety violations necrotic energy of the dark mcspookypants citadel.  Though he's able to admit that is not quite as useful as a practical way THROUGH the forest, like the girls are dealing with.
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