Day 3, Night

The adventure thus far has been full of twists and wrong turns, but now Strekela, the object of the party's quest, was standing right in front them. She gazed at them calmly for a bit, lingering in the doorway of Adwonus and Pyrra's cabin; she then glanced over her shoulder and called toward yet another hidden person.

"Nurick, can you come here, too?"

She was joined by a human whose features were largely hidden by a hood; like Pyrra, he also had a bow strapped on his back.

"Who's this?" asked Johannes.

"Protection," Streleka replied succinctly.

The tension between the two groups jumped up a few notches.

Cabrakan then issued a deliberate cough, awkwardly claiming the attention of the party. "Ahem. I know this might be a bad time, but I need to take Crispin (er, Crispina?) back to Fort Zombiehead. . . like, right now; it seems that there's another complication to his curse that I didn't notice the first time, where time might be a pressing factor. It would be best if I take him (her?) straight to an expert as soon as possible."

Ziv examined the sky above, which was now dark and adorned with stars; the last band of light had become nothing but a faint glimmer on the horizon. "Can't it wait 'til morning? It's dangerous to travel at night, especially here of all places."


"I don't think so," said Cabrakan. "If we wait that long, Crispin might just end up being a woman forever. . . . Not that there's anything wrong with that!" he hastily added in reply to Ziv's piercing look. "Besides," he continued, "I think we can make it if it's just Crispin and myself. We have a better chance of getting through the wilderness unnoticed with a small group. And if the rest of your were to leave now, you might never find Streleka again."

"I can't say I approve," said Johannes worriedly. "But if Crispin's manhood in on the line, then I understand if he's willing to take the risk. Go now; travel swiftly and safely!"

"Thanks guys," said Crispina, beginning to tear up. "You're willing to risk so much for me; I don't know what to say. . ."

"Look! He's already becoming over-emotional!" cried Lerdeth. "Go my friend! Make haste!"

Stricken by alarm, Cabrakan and Crispin quickly proceeded to leave and plunged eastward into the woods; the sight of them was soon swallowed by the darkness.

"Alright, now that that's been taken care of, we can get back to the matter at hand," said Johannes, turning to face the curious gaze of Streleka. "Please be at ease, Lady Streleka." Johannes relaxed his muscles and disarmed any hardness in his expression. "We just want to talk. . ."

---A Chatroom has been opened---

This message was last edited by the GM at 01:50, Sun 14 Jan 2018.

Streleka: *cough. This is the part where I tell you you're all fools.

Ziv: I'm not surprised, to be honest. You might want to check that out though. Everyone we come across has had these small little coughs.

Alacor: But why would you say that? I'll admit you don't seem to be lost as we were led to believe.

Ziv: Anything to throw off our scent to give her more time? That seems more likely.

Streleka: Tell me, what exactly did my brother say to you? What's the reason you're here?

Alacor: He told us you were here looking for surviving Estraens. He said you would be in danger, but that does not appear to be the case.

Ziv: To be rather frank, he wants you escorted back home, dead or alive, and seeks out this ring that you wear. Personally, I would just follow you for as long as you needed to make that happen. If you want to spend more time here, I'm all for it. He didn't seem to give a time restraint.

Johannes: Madam, Miss Streleka, let me clarify that last statement.  Your brother wanted the ring yes, but expressed great concern over something he valued much more greatly.  He wanted you back home, safe and sound, he was genuinely concerned for your safety and was greatly concerned he would lose his dear sister, and what little family you have left, to a rumor he feared is false or worse a Galian trap. This is not to say your quest is in fact chasing after a false rumor, or needless, he just did not want to see your people dwindled even further and him lose a dear sister.

Streleka: My brother? Concerned for my safety? That's the funniest thing I've heard in weeks. Have you figured it out yet? The truth is staring you right in the face. My brother doesn't care an inkling about me. What he really wants {she holds up her finger adorned with an ornate ring with a red diamond} is his ring back! Technically it's half mine, so I guess you can't call it stealing; but I basically did. Whether I died or not would hardly bother him, as long as he got his ring back. I going to go out on a limb and say that he said he would pay you even if you 'failed' to bring me back alive, as long as you brought the ring. Am I right? Of course I am. I can already see it in your faces.

Alacor: You are right on that account. That doesn't look like a common Ring, but is it truly worth this kind of terrible to get?

Ziv: I knew this was finicky, since he said the, well I paraphrased: 'dead or alive' thing.

Streleka: It is. This ring is family heirloom almost a thousand years old and has enchantments that only work when worn by a member of our family - meaning just my brother or me. My brother used the ring to acquire all the 'success' he has today. Do you even know who my brother is?

Ziv: Pray, do tell.

Streleka: He's the Pirate Lord of Deon's Rise, the strongest of them all. That's my brother, and YOUR employer.

Ziv: Hmm... Now I REALLY want to take my time. And that would explain the immediate access to a ship. ...Err, wait; that's  Johannes's.

Alacor: Well that is not the turn I was expecting. So then what ARE you don't here?

Ziv: Streleka, what kind of politics are between you and your brother?

Andriel: Is that really a red diamond? Not a ruby?

Streleka: The relationship between me and my brother is. . . I'll just say complicated. But he told the truth, for once, about why I'm here. Like many, I'm here to rescue my people in the center of the isle; and I don't plan to leave until it's done. As for what the gemstone is on my ring, that's no business of yours.

Ziv: Fine, fine... Do you have any idea what these flowers are?

Alacor: And who is this you have for protection? But perhaps the better question is protection from what?

Streleka: Ask him {Glances over at the human}. As for those flowers, yes, I know what they are. They're cursed flowers left by The Hunter.

Nurick: Yes hello. I'm Nurick, it's a pleasure to meet you all.

Alacor: The hunter?... Pleasure to meet you Nurick, I am Alacor.

Ziv: What is its function?

Streleka: The Hunter used to be a guardian spirit of the forest, but now it is a dead and corrupted thing. Once it selects its prey, it will stalk it for several days, fulfilling some sort of sadistic desire to hunt - and only once it's satisfied will it finally seize its prey, and kill it. If you've encountered the Hunter, then you're cursed to die as long as you remain in these woods. Consider yourself lucky you only found its flowers.

Ziv: I'm concerned for Crispina...

Alacor: So if this is hunting us or one us, any chance of killing it?

Streleka: {She shrugs} No one's done it yet, so who knows.

Ziv: Well neat. We'll find out.

Alacor: We're probably all wondering at this point, but do you have any involvement in the pirate business? It sounds like you're fairly separated from your brother and I for one don't wish to assist the pirates.

Johannes: Do you have any sort of proof your brother is who you claim he is? And, where do you stand on all of that? Are you also involved with the pirates in some way?

Streleka: I take no part in my brother's affairs, and I don't want to. Our parents didn't sacrifice themselves, just so we could kill and steal from others to gain a luxurious life; they gave us the chance to do something meaningful. Personally I don't care if you believe me about all this or not, but if you want proof, just go and ask him. He'll probably tell you straight to your face.

Ziv: We didn't travel all the way here just to be sent back. To be honest, I'm kind of curious about these lost elves. The situation kind of reminds me of home... But enough about me.

Streleka: If you're sincere about that, then why don't you come with me? I intend to help my people in their plight, and I'm not picky who helps - as long as I don't think they plan to stab me in the back while I sleep.

Ziv: (Folds arms.) Johannes? What do you think?

Alacor: If there's survivors here I'm not about to let them fend for themselves like that. And after the stories Johannes told about a pirate lord he had met I'm not about to further their cause. {10:04, Today: Alacor rolled 11 using 1d20.  Sense motive check; Streleka not being associated with the pirates.}

DM Ryan: Alacor's Sense Motive Check ~ Alacor could not discern if she was telling the truth or not.

---End of Chatroom---

Post:
...In response to Cabrakan's explanation about Crispina:
"Crispin!  Cabrakan!  before you return, I need to know what magical gear you have from the party and we will need that ring of lesser invisibility back, and any other gear not essential to your journey.  Else we are without a scout and our primary healer, -only 1 of you can use it so that does not help you both return as much."

After they return the magic items of the party I bid them farewell
"God Speed Cabrakan and Crispin, keep a look out for that hunter."

...After our conversation with Streleka
Streleka's news was not what I expected.  I expected she would give us some sort of ultimatum, like 'I will only come back with you if you help me free my people...' leaving us to decide whether to try to convince her it is a Galian trick or to just go with her and assist her in her noble, if perhaps misguided, quest.  That the biggest concern would be that the quest is merely chasing a false image, a wish that is only that, a wish, or worse, a nefarious trap for someone naive enough to believe it.  A trap seeking to complete the actions the Galian's cataclysm failed to complete in the past.

This also causes a serious issue for us in the way of funding- how do we pay for the expenses of this expedition and recoup the projected profits that made this journey worth it.

This was, however, not our only problem.  Reports of this hunter from Streleka were not good, and the seriousness of Cripin's, or rather Crispina's, condition was not helpful.  Our company that had begun at 9 strong was now reduced to a mere 5.  Having members leave in large part due to them lose their stomach for combat.  Some had legitimate reasons, like unfinished debts and threatening medical conditions, but at the current rate, without reinforcements, the party would have little option but to return to the fort.  Streleka's offer may be a viable solution for this, combining our group with theirs... but for now, we must prepare for another night on the Dead Isle.

Actions:
See Chat addendum, set up camp
Sense motive and Knowledge Checks

Rolls:
{23:47, Today: Herr Johannes rolled 3 using 1d20+1.  Knowledge (History), on Streleka's family; tDI.
23:46, Today: Herr Johannes rolled 2 using 1d20+1.  Knowledge (Nobility & Royalty), on Streleka's family; tDI.
23:45, Today: Herr Johannes rolled 12 using 1d20+1.  Lore, on Streleka's Brother; tDI.
23:41, Today: Herr Johannes rolled 6 using 1d20+1.  Sense Motive, is Streleka trying to deceive us; tDI.}
This message was last edited by the player at 04:48, Sun 21 Jan 2018.

In Character Chat Addendum:
Johannes: I need time to think this over.  This is really quite unsettling news to me.  It is too late in the day for us to go elsewhere, we need to set up camp here tonight.  We need space for this Pyrra, Streleka.

I need time to think this over.
Alacor, we absolutely need to make sure to have the house set up securely with the reports of this 'hunter.'  We need a secure shelter, and we might need to keep watch from inside tonight.

Alacor: Yes I agree

Johannes: After we cook over a fire outside to cook, we need to move to within the shelter, as well as cast any remaining enchantments that would help protect us over the night, like perhaps the spell alarm around the perimeter.  Make sure to check with Pyrra about where those traps are before we set up camp, would not want to step in one accidentally.

Post:
"Well, this sure changes things."  Andriel stated outloud for herself, hoping it would help her adjust to this new information better, though she was not sure it helped.

She was similarly concerned like Johannes, for she knew this played a large part in their original salary, and the news of the hunter was unsettling at best, especially with 2 more of their party leaving so suddenly.  She prayed they would find some reinforcements soon, and that their expedition would not have to be scrapped for such news.

She tried to speak positively anyways in the face of these concerns, continuing "Well, on the bright side, Streleka could tell us quite a bit about the history of this Isle and how it came to be as it is now.  That mystery could be solved at least."  Even with all the new concerns, they at least had the opportunity for great learning.  And adding also, "Also, we should now have plenty of space in the cottage!  I do hope that Cabrakan and Crispin make it back alright, traveling at night like this..."

She also wondered, perhaps Streleka was just exceptionally clever trying to ward off a possible threat and gain the trust of new would be possible enemies.  Instead of us thwarting her expedition, she could convince us to help her, what a ruse that would be... she considered Streleka's facial expression, body language, and possible motives on this.  Did she really have such intimate knowledge of their party to deceive them so well though?


Andriel asks Streleka about 'the Hunter.'  "So Streleka, do you have any other suggestions for us concerning this hunter or any other information you can give us?  I mean, sounds like it might threaten us all.  Also, do those flowers have anything to do with the rain here?"

Actions:
see Rolls,
Sense Streleka's motive, see if Andriel remembers anything about Estraen morals.
She helps the party set up camp and cook dinner as well.

Rolls:
blue text added to explain what I was looking for with each roll better, it was too long to put in the dice roller...
{00:19, Today: Andriel rolled 15 using 1d20+1.  Knowledge (History Religion), on Estraen moral codes; tDI. - specifically, do Estraens think lying is wrong.
00:18, Today: Andriel rolled 10 using 1d20+3.  Knowledge (Religion), on Estaen ; tDI. - Accidental roll, both the wrong bonus and wrong description was entered.
00:16, Today: Andriel rolled 8 using 1d20+3.  Sense Motive, is Streleka trying to deceive us; tDI.}
This message was last edited by the player at 05:31, Sun 21 Jan 2018.

Ziv pursed her lips and didn't really give an answer. In response to Johannes wanting to set up camp for the night, she started to collect dry wooden sticks and contribute to helping start a fire.

The wizard went on to speak with Pyrra and Streleka to make sure they approved of them setting up camp and to make sure Alacor thoroughly missed any traps. He began to make preparations for conjuring the cottage. The white haired wizard gripped Steve in both hands. "Ready Steve? It's probably been a while since you took part in some magic."

Alacor started by pacing around the perimeter of where the cottage will be while dragging the end of the staff, Steve, in the dirt. Steve made some remark about getting dirty and how he didn't spend all those years in a dusty box to be dragged through the dirt. The wizard almost didn't hear him through his concentration, but he did show a slight smirk at the comment. He took his place in the center and grabbed some chips of stone, sand, and splinters of wood from the ground. Last he grabbed a crushed lime and some water from his bag. Spreading the mixture of materials around the area he grabbed his staff in both hands and began to raise it slowly into the air. As he did the walls began to rise out of the ground and finally closed together with the roof and chimney. With the cottage built the wizard pulled out a bell that was tied onto a silver wire. He proceeded to ring the bell while walking about the cottage to create a magical alarm.

The white haired man walked out of the shelter to inspect the work. He looked to Steve in his hands, "Not a bad job! Ever thought about being an architect?"

Alacor cats secure shelter with the alarm benefit.
This message was last edited by the player at 06:11, Sun 21 Jan 2018.

Nurick, a well-built ranger with long dark hair and a scruffy face went and took a seat, checking over his equipment and thinking about the strangers he just encountered. The wizard seems nice, they all seem like good people. Once he's finished checking his gear he gets up and to do a perimeter check.

Johannes dragged a whetstone down the edge of his sword, brooding over his thoughts. He had never heard of the Aegypethilius family before meeting Dnaeon, Streleka's brother, and who (according to Streleka) was one of the infamous Pirate Lords of the isle of Perdane. His knowledge of the Pirate Lords was limited to his experience in the city of Herrod on Perdane, where he and a band of other adventures fought against the machinations of the Pirate Lord Alldyde, and ultimately slayed him. The other seven Pirate Lords of Perdane, who together form the shadow government that rules the country, had always remained a mystery to him. Johannes felt perturbed by his lack of knowledge in this field, as well as his inability to read Streleka's intentions. He resolved to ask many questions on his return visit to the isle {Knowledge, Sense Motive, & Lore Checks}.

The paladin leaned his back against the decrepit cabin of Adwonus and Pyrra, watching Alacor magically raise a separate cabin for their party from the earth. The mage's workspace was illuminated by a crackling fire nearby and the stars above; Ziv and Lerdeth worked tirelessly to keep the fire ablaze and were busily cooking the party's dinner for the night. Johannes smirked when he heard Ziv scolding Lerdeth, saying that a pound of pork was not a balanced meal. He then gazed over at the pond which bordered their campsite; the water was silent and black, blacker than the night sky had ever been. It offered nothing to look at, nothing to distract – only a void for thought.

"We've lost two of our valued members," said Johannes to himself. His hand holding the whetstone unconsciously fell to his side while his thoughts drifted to the future. "Are we going to be okay?"

"Johannes?"

Johannes was startled out of his contemplation and turned to see Andriel rounding the corner of the cabin; her lengthy brown hair glowed orange on one side from the fire's radiance. On seeing him, she paused.

"Do you wish to be alone?" she asked.

"No, it's alright," said Johannes, his composure quickly returning. "I was just thinking. . . Did you remember anything from your studies?"

She shrugged, "I tried to remember what you asked. I believe the Estraens had a normal moral code, disapproving of murder and theft and the like, but it's difficult to get details on a dead civilization without access to a good library. I presume these morals were extended to lying but, like with humans, I bet it depended a lot on the individual. If you're trying to make sense of Streleka, it's also important to remember that she grew up on Perdane, despite being born here. I wonder if an elf raised with humans would even fit in an elven culture if they had the chance to go back to it {Knowledge & Sense Motive Checks}."

"That's a good point," said Johannes. "Perhaps, soon, we'll get to find out."


"We're out of bacon," said Lerdeth over by fire.

"Of course we're out of bacon!" shouted Ziv. "You've been eating a tiger's worth almost every day!"

The last quarter-pound of bacon sizzled on a cast-iron pan propped over the fire.

"I need the protein," Lerdeth replied, as if that reasonably excused everything.

Ziv slapped a palm to her forehead. "Could you just get some more wood for the fire right now? We can't let this go out before we're done."

Lerdeth grunted, and then entrusting her with managing the bacon, he walked over to the edge of the woods. A cool breeze drifted from the woods, but his face was kept warm by his scraggly beard, which was getting a bit long these days for his tastes. He made a mental note to cut it later. He reached down and picked up a few of the dead branches that littered the forest floor.

"Ouch!" he spat, dropping a couple of the sticks. He had pricked his finger. Holding up his index finger, he frowned at the little droplet of blood forming at the tip. Then he carefully picked the sticks back up and examined them: Most were fine, but one was covered with thorns. "I swear everything on this isle is trying to kill me," he groaned bitterly.

At that, he returned back to the fire.

The smell of bacon was getting strong now as grease filled the bottom of the pan.

"Is it done?" asked Lerdeth as he added the sticks to a humble woodpile.

"Not yet," said Ziv. "Unless you like parts of it raw."

"Kay."

Without another word, Lerdeth collapsed into unconsciousness, landing face-down on the dead grass.

"Lerdeth!" cried Ziv, who leapt to her feet and jumped toward him. On hearing Ziv's cry, Johannes, Andriel, and the others came running.

"What's going on!?" yelled Johannes.

"I don't know!" Ziv answered as she fell onto her knees next to Lerdeth. Using all her strength, she rolled the barbarian onto his back. His face was pale and his eyes were shut, as though he were fast asleep. "Someone help!"

Adwonus, the half-orc ranger, came as well, and together with Johannes and Alacor carried Lerdeth onto a bed in the party's cabin. They stripped off Lerdeth's armor and saw that all his skin had become very white. He had also begun to sweat, stricken with a sudden fever.

"Adwonus, do you know what's wrong with him?" asked Johannes frantically. Worry crept into his face.

Adwonus' eyes swept over Lerdeth. "The symptoms are familiar to me. He's obviously been poisoned."

"Poisoned! How!?"

Adwonus narrowed his gaze on Lerdeth's hand and turned it over for the others to see; unnatural black veins crept over it.

"If it's a poison, that means we can simply cure it, right?" said Alacor.

"Perhaps not," inserted Pyrra, who had just appeared in the doorway and began to approach the bed.

"Is this your doing?" asked Ziv suspiciously. She set a hand on hilt of her dagger.

"You misunderstand me," Pyrra replied. "Not all poisons are so simple. For instance, if your barbarian here was to be touched by any poison in my own possession, in all likelihood he would resist it due to the strength of his physique. I have a hard time believing that a man of this size could be taken down by a common poison so quickly. No. More likely it was a supernatural poison."

"Supernatural poison?" said Alacor.

"Yes." Pyrra examined Lerdeth closely. "This poison bears all the signs of an AFK-poison, one that only occurs under certain 'conditions'. The good news is that it's non-lethal and that your friend should recover in a few days or so without any ill-effects. The bad news is. . . it cannot be cured before then, unless your friend were to overcome it on his own."

The party exchanged glances with each other, both relieved and concerned at the same time.

A half-hour later they were having dinner around the campfire; Adwonus alone was absent, tending to Lerdeth's fever in the cabin. The bacon had been slightly burnt.

"This day was so eventful," said Ziv. "I can't help but miss the quiet village life every now and then."

"I feel you there," replied Alacor, who sat on one of the stumps they were using for chairs eating his dinner. "But good things have happened as well – like finding Steve here."

Alacor gestured to the staff leaning on his shoulder, whose gem in the headpiece glistened in a lively way.

"I'm happy to be out of that god-forsaken tomb, if that's what you mean," said the staff. "Though I thought the surface would be a little more, ah, what's the word? Scenic. We'll go with that." The staff seemed to lean a little in Pyrra's direction. "Though I guess not everything looks so bad. Hubba, hubba."

"I'm taken," Pyrra replied sternly.

"Damn. Shot down instantly," said Steve. "I gotta work on my lines. . ."

The party chuckled, feeling their mood elevated a bit.

But then suddenly a cold wind wafted over the party, a very cold wind. Within seconds the party could see their breath as an icy fog. A large branch cracked in the forest.

Johannes' eyes widened as he fought back a rush of light-headedness. "Oh no."

"Weapons!" cried Streleka, taking command with a surprising boldness. The party knew what this meant.

The group leapt to their feet and drew their weapons; Johannes sprinted to his horse Fury and threw himself into the saddle; the archers primed their bows; and everyone assembled into formation. Another branch cracked in the forest and everyone aimed themselves at the black edge of the wilderness.

"Get ready!" cried Johannes, clutching his lance so tight that his knuckles were certainly white.

A figure then emerged from the forest, but it was not the figure they were expecting.

Crispina walked out from between two trees and stopped, staring at them, her black hair messily hanging down her shoulders. Her expression was ghost-like and frozen in a look of horror.

"Help me."

Suddenly a massive, black hand stretched out from the forest, wrapped its fingers around Crispina's body, and pulled her off her feet into the woods, disappearing into the abyssal darkness in an instant.

The cold chill faded away within moments, but a trail of red flowers remained where Crispina had disappeared. It lead into the woods. . .


This message was last edited by the GM at 00:45, Mon 22 Jan 2018.

In Character Chat:

Alacor
We can't just let that Hunter take Crispin like that, er Crispina. Should we wait until morning? It might be too dangerous to go out in the night like this and from what Pyrra said it sounds like we have some time.
Ranger... uhh... Nurick! You look like you've been around these woods a bit. Happen to know anything more about this hunter?

Nurick
17:29, Today: Nurick rolled 19 Knowledge 20+12.  Knowledge check Nature.
Hmm, well now that you say it I believe I have heard of this hunter.

DM Ryan
Nurick's Knowledge Nature Check ~ Nurick knew that what Streleka had said about the Hunter was true, but he also remembered something she'd left out - that the Hunter, or at least the forest spirit that existed before it became the Hunter, was associated with sacred tree located in the center of the forest. Though it was probably no-so sacred anymore...

Streleka: By dawn, your friend will probably be dead. It's obvious what it's doing, isn't it? It's using your friend as bait, luring you into a trap.

Alacor
Shoot... We can't just leave her to die like that though, even if it is a trap.

Ziv
Guys... Please remember: she's still a rogue. She could probably hide really well. Plus, she's not alone. Cabrakan is with her. No better comp party of two than those two.

Alacor
You're probably right. They're not pushovers either.
Johannes what do you think?

Ziv
(Motions Streleka aside.)

DM Ryan: {Streleka raises an eyebrow and, curious, walks with Ziv away from the party. They leave the chatroom}.

Johannes
Wait, what do you mean Pyrra said we have some time?  I thought she meant before catching a subject?  I would assume there is little time at this point.

Well, my question is, where is Cabrakan!  His absence does not strike me as him being safe!  It might be luring us to a trap, but knowing that may also provide us an edge to deal with it.

I would assume we need to either cleanse the tree it is a spirit of, which may be akin to cleansing the whole isle, (not sure if we would be able to do that?!)  Or destroy the tree, and I would recommend destroying it with Holy Fire,  perhaps it and this whole forsaken forest!

{Johannes replies to the question, seriously at first, yet drifting to a sort of exasperated suggestion in destroying the forest.}

Johannes
Also, we cannot just leave Crispin to die.

Andriel: It does make me ask if this is a trap, would he really be killed?  Like if we did not chase him down, would the creature keep him as bait?  I mean, I don't know if we want to take that chance, but that really would not help the creature bring us to him if it just killed him or her or whatever.

Johannes
Unless the creature decided that it wanted to lure us or kill him to make us want revenge.
I think either way, we need to do something to rescue him.  We need experts on this to help us, Mr. Nurrick, is there other things you know about fighting this creature?  Or about its habits?

I think the issue is not whether or not we are going to go after Crispin, but rather, how we plan to do it.  Alacor {@Michael Postma}, is there any possibility in scrying on Crispin or teleporting in and teleporting him out?  I know you mentioned something to me about some of those spells being considered in your research?

Alacor
Unfortunately I can't without knowing where he's at

Johannes
Could you Scry on her if we found a piece of her clothing or hair left behind?

Post:
"If I have not made it clear already, I am going to say it again, if we do not do anything Crispin will likely be dead by morning.  Doing nothing, is, therefore, not an option.  We are going to go after Crispin, now it is just to decide how to do so."  I say firmly to my fellow party members after returning from thinking to myself.

I am going to talk further with Streleka about this matter, join me if you wish, then we shall plan what to do to get back Crispin.

I approach the elven group, Streleka, and Pyrra.  "Streleka, I am going to be honest with you.  Your brother offered us a sizable sum to save your life, and return you or that ring.  This journey was funded by him, the expedition was not cheap, but I am not about to aide the pirates further.  They nearly destroyed Herrod and many of my friends, as I am sure Pyrra and Adwonus can tell you.  They are deceitful and power hungry.  They have taken me, prisoner, double-crossed me, and tried to murder or torture me many times.  I am not sure how we are going to fund this journey at this time, but regardless I am still a man of principle, this party is still one that stands for the cause of good.
     I believe what you are telling us is the truth.  I believe your cause is a noble one, seeking to rescue your people.  I believe you are a better person than the pirates.  I would consider even helping you in your quest, especially if there was a way to fund our journey home better, in view of the loss of your brother's payment, which is a serious setback.  Beyond that setback, can you give us a reason to help you?
     I want to also make sure you are aware, we just got you a rod that was worth far more than what we were paid.  It has some of the most powerful spells known to this world, and we were just shown your location, even the sum your brother would pay us does not compare with that rods value.  Your people had been unable to get it for you, but we got it for you.
     On account of that, I want to extend a hand in friendship and ask for something in return.  I want you and your party's help to get back Crispin (and Cabrakan if need be).  You surely have more knowledge of the Hunter than we do.  I have sympathy for the wickedness that has befallen your Island, but I need your help in this.  We need your help, Crispin needs your help.  I would like to see your people liberated, but I have nothing more to keep me here at this time but Crispin.  Show me that we have a reason to help you.  Show me that you are someone worth helping, who is not like the pirates, who does not deceive and lie and manipulate.  Help us rescue our friend."

Actions:
I make a diplomacy Check on Streleka

Rolls:
{I use my natural 20 as a diplomacy check on Streleka to make her Helpful to us (the highest level of friendship possible on Diplomacy) [thus making her willing to help us get Crispin back].}
This message was last edited by the player at 00:17, Sun 28 Jan 2018.

Post:
Andriel considers her available spells, concerned greatly by the events that befell Lerdeth.  Perhaps she has a cure poison spell?  She opens her spellbook to check... nothing she has prepared for today can help it looks like.  Frustrated she keeps searching, perhaps tomorrow, not willing to just listen to Pyrra's words.  There! she finds the spell Neutralize Poison, 4th level for her, just in reach by tomorrow. Looks like it is 3rd level for a Druid or Ranger, however, could Adwonus get it?  She wishes the Druid they met long ago were here to help.  With nothing else she can find to help now, she kneels by Lerdeth's bed, praying she might be able to hear his thoughts in his tortured state.  Fits of nightmares seem to be befalling him.  She concentrates hard.  She seems to see images of a strange room.  4 other children are there.  They sit around a table in a room she has never seen the likes of before.  There is laughing, next to her she sees 3 children, young boys, and a 4th sits across from her.  There are large windows in the room, outside is green trees, and trimmed grass.
 A pond is in the distance.  Behind them is another room, with some sort of fountain or bath, it does not look familiar to her either.  Something else, on the bar table in front of them, are some sort of small objects and many papers.  Strange multicolored objects and papers and writing utensils.  Some sort of grid with small figurines on this.  Then the weather suddenly changes, rain begins to fall, thunder, lightning.  The wind blows, and vision begins to blur, the image fades.  Andriel finds herself once more in the cottage, next to Lerdeth, still mumbling, covered in a cold sweat, appearing tormented.  She considers what those images must have been?  What happened?  Those must have been memories from long ago, perhaps Lerdeth as a boy, playing with his friends?  But in such strange dwellings?  Surely not the home of a barbarian.  Still greatly concerned at the state of Lerdeth, she continues to pray for him and their party, pray that Crispin will be alright and that Cabrakan made it.

Actions:
Prays

Rolls:
none at this time

Ziv shrugged, looking at Streleka carefully. She examined her to see if she was lying about something. (Use my natural 20 to see if she's being truthful about everything she's been saying.)
This message was last edited by the player at 05:10, Mon 29 Jan 2018.

Day 3, Night

Johannes poured his heart out to Streleka, his words radiant with conviction. Streleka looked genuinely stunned by the passion and force with which Johannes made his plea. A gentle tear formed at the corner of her eye {Diplomacy Check ~ Natural 21}.

"I think, Paladin, that we have more in common than I thought," she said. "Yes, I will help you get your friend back." She wiped away the tear. "And if afterwards you still want to come with me, one thing I should say is that I can't promise you great wealth like my brother can. But this isle is full of wonders, even if it doesn't look like it on the surface. Maybe – just maybe – I can find some way to repay you."

Johannes nodded sincerely, conveying more gratitude in that simple gesture than most could do in an entire poem. "Thank you."

Ziv, watching the new bonds of friendship form, also felt a new admiration for Streleka, for she could not find even a hint of deceit in Streleka's words nor in anything she had said up to this point. She was genuine, and that alone was a rare thing {Sense Motive Check ~ Natural 20}.

"I'll help you free your friends from the Hunter," Streleka repeated. "Nurick will come, too. . . Pyrra, what do you plan to do?"

"Adwonus and I will stay here," said Pyrra. "We'll watch over your poisoned friend as well as our possessions. I can't say I agree with what you're doing, fighting something like the Hunter – I don't intend to risk Adwonus nor myself – but I know that you don't see it as a choice either. I understand that as well. Goodluck, is what I'm trying to say I guess."

"Thank you, Pyrra," replied Johannes, who then swung his attention to the party. "We have no time to lose everyone. Let's go."

They gathered up into a party of six – Johannes, Andriel, Ziv, Alacor, Nurick, & Streleka – and plunged into the woods. A few crimson flowers grew at the point where Crispina was taken, and a few more grew some meters away from that and so on and so forth, forming a loose trail that headed south. It uncannily resembled a blood trail. Burying their fear, they followed it.

The forest at night was especially eerie. There were no insects to make a sound, no animals, no drops of rain – simply a silent blackness, as though they were walking through the depths of space itself. The small flowers patches provided the only color in this dark world, aside from the adventurers themselves. Johannes led the group atop his horse, guiding them through the dead trees.

"Don't touch the flowers," warned Streleka as they walked past a slightly larger patch than normal.

"What happens if you do?" asked Ziv.

"I'm not sure," she admitted. "But I know it's not pleasant."


The trail continued for a long time. Easily two or three hours passed, though it was difficult to tell in the darkness. And then finally, the trail came to an end.

The party stopped at the outside edge of a clearing, which contained a sight that gave them chills. In the center of the clearing was an exceedingly large, dead tree with giant gnarled branches – it stood in the exact center of the small field – and the clearing itself was surrounded by an impassably thick barrier of trees. It was almost as if every other tree was trying to get away from the one in center. . .

And the party couldn't blame them. At first they thought their eyes were deceiving them, but as they adjusted to the starlight, they began to understand that wasn't the case. The tree was completely covered with skeletons, lashed and bound to the trunk and branches of the tree by countless vines, entangling the bones likes cobwebs; from the vines grew crimson-red flowers which spilled out onto the field. Many of the skeletons had partially melded into the tree itself, indicating that they had been there for a very long time, and some were completely obscured behind patches of red petals. The image was both horrifying and, in a way, beautiful.

"I think I see your friends," said Streleka, peering into the dark. "Crispina and Cabrakan, if I remember right. They're bound to the branches of the tree, twenty feet up."

Ziv's eyes widened. "Are they alive?"

Streleka strained to see more closely. "I don't know. They're not moving."

"There's no sign of the Hunter anywhere," said Alacor, glancing around the empty clearing.

Johannes gazed out into the field. The tree, the victims, the clearing – the trap was all too obvious. "Cast every buff and spell you have and prepare yourself for battle," he said quietly to the party. "I have a feeling about what's going to come next. . ."


This message was last edited by the GM at 18:07, Mon 29 Jan 2018.

Ziv carefully replaced her armor with the +3 leather armor, pulling the dagger of returning out in exchange for one of her daggers. She even put down her shield on the donkey, pretty much fairly ready for what was to come. She looked to Johannes for the next instruction.

00:48, Today: Nurick rolled 15 using 1d20+12.  Knowledge check Nature for identifying the tree.

I see the tree and try to figure out what it is. Carefully scanning the area and positioning myself at C20. I draw my bow and ready an arrow for the hunter.

The white haired wizard takes the opportunity to try to determine what the strange tree is that his companions are hanging from. {Knowledge Nature, knowledge arcana}. After stroking his beard in thought he turned to his bag and pulled out his spell book. Resting Steve against his shoulder he open the book as he said to the staff, "So are you ready for a fight?"

Before any one has a chance to move away he quickly begins to cast a spell. The wizard pulled out a licorice root and began cutting off small shavings of it, giving a shaving to everyone in the party. To the confused faces of those around him, Alacor began to make a sign with his hand as he spoke what none of the others could understand, "Go forth with great speed and take down all in your path." The shavings began to dissolve in their hands as they felt energy flow through them. {Casts Haste on all party members.}

"Nurick come here for a moment." The wizard motioned to the archer. "This will probably feel a little weird at first." Before the archer could protest, Alacor started casting the spell anyways. He pulled out a pinch cat fur a threw it into Nurick's face. As he tried to spit out some of the fur that made its way into his mouth, the wizard took Steve in his hand and pressed the top of the staff into the archer's torso. Making a sign with his free hand he said, "Become as nimble as a cat and let nothing strike you." He pulled Steve back upright into his hand. "And there we go." He said as he turned away. {Casts Cat's Grace on Nurick}

Quickly he turned to Johannes and his steed. As he's walking he pulls out a very large feather from his bag and grips it in hand. The wizard comes up the horse and starts speaking, "You will fly as if you had the wings of a great eagle." Alacor then took the feather and began to push it into the neck of the horse, but as the feather made contact it appeared to melt into the horse. {Casts Fly on Johannes's mount}

"You're turn friend." The wizard looked to Johannes. He already had the hairs of a bull in his hand as laid it on paladin. "Take the strength of a heard of bulls and run down all that seek to oppose us." The wizard quickly made a sign using both of his hands, somehow making them resemble a bull. Strength coursed through the paladin as he absorbed the spell. {Casts bull's strength on Johannes}

The white haired wizard quickly gathered Steve and got into position. {Move to P21} Jasper was perched atop Steve as Alacor looked to him. "Let's go buddy. We need to get them out of there and you can get one of them." He took Jasper in hand to impart the a spell on him to deliver to Crispina in the tree. He whispered, "Disappear as a shadow in the night." Releasing Jasper from his hand the bat flew to Crispina to deliver the spell to her and come back. {Casts Dimension hop on Crispina, delivered by Jasper. Attempt to teleport her as close to Alacor as possible.}

00:48, Today: Alacor rolled 28 using 1d20+20.  Knowledge (Arcana); Identify the tree .
00:48, Today: Alacor rolled 20 using 1d20+11.  Knowledge (Nature); Identify the tree .
This message was last edited by the player at 06:30, Sun 11 Feb 2018.

In Character Chat:
[WILL HAVE TO COLOR IT LATER]

JAN 30TH, 10:19AM
Michael Postma
Alacor
Nurick, do you happen to know what's the deal with these strange flowers?

Nurick
10:30, Today: Nurick rolled 29 using 1d20+12.  Knowledge check Nature for identifying flowers.
👍

Phra Ryan Ṭhiṭisampanno Persha
DM Ryan
Knowledge Check Nature ~ Nurick, in his traveling time with Streleka on the Dead Isle, has become familiar with these cursed flowers in the forest and knows well enough to keep his distance from them. Called the Rubaelum, they will ensnare any creature that touches them and even drain that creature of its strength, leaving them paralyzed and helpless. It is rumored that they are grown by a legendary creature in the woods.

Ziv
(Throws away her flower.)
😆

Johannes
We must be able to get our friends without touching the flowers then.  Do they affect you if they touch your armor?
Streleka? Nurick? {@Nick Mann @Phra Ryan Ṭhiṭisampanno Persha }
Now, tell me what buff spells you all have available, we need them cast now.

Andriel: Let's see, I just learned the spell recitation.  Let me take a look breifly...
Andriel: Also, bears endurance, bless, sanctuary, hide from undead, and some cantrips.
Andriel: Alacore? What do you have?
Johannes
After we save our freinds, and any others who are alive (do any others appear alive?) We will be burning that tree... it could be the only way to stop the creature.

Andriel: {whispers to self} I just realized that my undead servants might be unaffected by the rubaelum flowers.

Alacor
Jasper can fly in and teleport one of them out.

Andriel: Oh that would be useful...  could he do both at once?  Is it only 1 target or multiple?
Michael Postma
Alacor
only 1 target

Johannes
Would dimension hop work as well?

Alacor
That's spell I'm talking about. I can have Jasper here cast it for me

Johannes
Can any of you see if there is anyone else who looks alive in that tree?

I would be aware that it is possible the skeletons part of the tree could awaken and attack additionally.
...
I need options for buffs people!  What do we have!?

Alacor
Let's I have Haste, bulls strength, cat's grace, enlarge person, and fly

Ziv
I don't know spells. That's incredibly foreign to me.

...weirdos.

Johannes
@Alacor, what do you have for fire spells?  I have the feeling we will need to burn that tree?

Alacor
I have Kelgore's firebolt and lesser orb of fire

Johannes
Haste would benefit us all, and especially those whose frequency of blows make a difference, like archers and infantry.  I know bulls strength and enlarge person would benefit me.  Fly could be extremely useful as well, since I must work hard to avoid charging through allies.  How does the fly spell work?

If anyone thinks those spells would benefit them speak up, I can speak for myself, but each of you are supposed to be experts on your own abilities.

Alacor
fly will make flying as easy as walking
I simply have to touch you with the spell and it will last for 9 minutes

Johannes
It is just a single target, correct?
It should be cast on my mount.

Alacor
just a single creature
I can do that

Johannes
Can anyone see if there are others living on that tree still?  I want to pull off all the living before we cleanse it with fire.  I would guess the skeletons will come to life, and the tree may attack, as if it were living, perhaps with those poisonous flowers, so be wary of it!
Did everyone exchange the equipment they wanted already from the donkey?

Alacor
I got what I needed.

Johannes
Andriel: I saw Ziv also donned some of the more useful items I thought she could use already also.

Post:
"We need to be ready for this combat.  We will likely have to kill this creature, not just rescue our people.
Any other knowledge you all have about it or this tree would be very helpful.  Nurrick was it?  Streleka?  Alacor?  Ziv?  Andriel?  Anything else you all know about this?

My best guess at this point is that the tree and creature are somehow connected.  We will likely need to destroy the tree.  If we can get our people out, then that task could be much easier.

I would rather not burn this forest to utter ash, but it would be better cleansed than forever a den of evil.  However, a full restoration would be truly what is desired, for now, that may just mean removing that tree.

---

Next, everyone equip yourself with the best of what we have.  You might need to give it back later, but for now, it will do more on our bodies than in a museum or behind glass, as beautiful as it is, it cannot be admired if you do not live to the next day.

---

Andriel, deploy your undead forces to protect Alacor as well as positioned to be prepared to use them to extract our friends.  Like you suspected, they may be immune to the red flowers.

Alacor and Andriel, you may cast your spells and enchant us, it is time.

Guide us, preserve us, and protect us, Lord.  You are our help in times of trouble.  We remember your faithfulness.  The same faithfulness that brought us the armor and equipment I and we now wear.  You hear our prayers.  We ask for your help in rescuing our friends,
 and we know that Christ makes intercession on our behalf.  We thank you that you have heard us, and we thank you for your overwhelming power and love which preserves us from all unrighteousness.  You are our covenant-keeping God, I look to you Lord.  As David slew Goliath through Your virtue, so do we, so do I ready my hands to do your work and even greater work than that.  In Jesus Name, our God's name, we pray, Amen. "  {I cast true strike on myself}

Actions:
I remove my full plate and offer it to Andriel to wear.
I deposit my previous shield on the donkey.
I withdraw from the donkey and don:
Amulet of Natural Armor +2
Full Plate +3
Shield of Ashara (Heavy Steel Shield +3, gives the wearer Spell Resistance 13)
I mount fury, draw my lance and shield, and prepare my heart and mind for battle.
With my mounts new ability to fly I move him to fly upward 15 ft above the ground from where I am now.
I also withdraw 2 alchemist fire from my pack and put them on my belt (if not already there)
Cast True Strike on myself

Rolls:
{02:53, Today: Herr Johannes rolled 18 using 1d20+6.  Spot Check, for other living beings trapped on the tree; tDI.
03:02, Today: Herr Johannes rolled 24 using 1d20+7.  Knowledge (Religion), can the skeletons be harmed by the red flowers?; tDI.}
This message was last edited by the player at 09:05, Sun 11 Feb 2018.

Post:
Though very tired, Andriel prepares herself once more for battle.  It is a time that cannot wait.  Her friends are in trouble, and she is determined to stand by their side.  She is determined to do something good this day.

She prepares her mind for another battery of spells, strengthened by Alacor's spell cast already on her.

She draws her holy symbol out and raises it to eye level in front of her.  She then looks through it at Herr Johannes, as she puts her other hand up as if she was about to blow something from her hand through the symbol.  She then speaks in a strange tongue as it appears hair begins to blow from her hand through the ring onto Herr Johannes.  The language is unintelligible, but the now swollen muscles of Johannes are complemented by a durable endoskeleton as his frame and stature increases slightly, appearing full of vitality.   {She casts bears endurance, guidance, and resistance on Herr Johannes}

She then raises her holy symbol and speaks a blessing on the whole party.  "May you all be blessed and take heart that the holy deities that be, the God of Johannes, and the good in this universe see you, and favor you.  You are pleasing in their sight.  Let us continue now on our quest for good!  May they watch over us and shield us from all harm.  Let us be held within their sanctuary.  May we be shielded from the wicked who seek to do us harm, hidden from view.  May they be blinded."  She then lowers her holy symbol to her own heart and bows. {Andriel casts bless on the entire party, hide from undead on all 7 living in the party that are present, and sanctuary on herself.}

Now, my minions, you must protect myself and Alacor.  Go in front of us and protect us from harm.

Actions:
Casts bears endurance, guidance, and resistance on Herr Johannes
Casts bless on the entire party, hide from undead on all 7 living in the party that are present
Casts sanctuary on herself

Removes her:
 half-plate
 heavy mace
and deposits it on the donkey

Withdraws:
 Ashara's Wrath (Keen Mace +1 of Icy Burst)
 Johannes' Fullplate
and dons them

Moves to 021, next to Alacor
Deploys her undead to form a wall in front of her and Alacor:
3HD - {O20, P20, Q20, Q21}
Ashe - {N20}

Rolls:

The party equipped themselves with magical weapons and armor, cast a multitude of enchantments, and finally stepped into the ominous clearing. The singular tree in the center, draped with skeletons and flowers, stood like some unholy monument.



Johannes snapped the reigns of his horse and, mounted atop it, it flew straight up, as though it were endowed with invisible wings; he brought it to a hover above the party. On the ground below, Alacor whispered instructions to Jasper, his bat familiar, who up to this point had been hanging upside down from the head of the wizard's staff. Having finished his magical whisperings, Alacor then lifted his staff into the air, and Jasper took off in flight. The small bat soared through the space of the clearing and up to the lower branches, where Crispina was bound by numerous flowering vines. Jasper tapped its nose on Crispina's forehead, and she instantly vanished from the branches and reappeared at the base of the tree, lying in stillness in a patch of flowers among the roots.

"She's free!" Ziv gasped. "But is she alive?"

Crispina didn't move.

The party heard a sudden rustling like the sound of dead branches in a breeze, which put them even more on edge than they were before. They quickly turned and looked behind them, only to find that the path that brought them here was gone, as though the trees and brush had moved together while they weren't looking; there was no escape. Clouds shifted in the night sky, and stars began to blink out of existence one-by-one.

I see you.

The clearing had become as quiet as death, and the party clutched their weapons until their knuckles grew white.

One of Andriel's minions, a skeleton, began to shriek. The party spun on their heels toward it, weapons at the fore, but the noise quickly faded to nothingness. The skeleton appeared to have died, and yet its body didn't fall, instead slouching in a strange and unnatural way. It took the party a few moments to realize that the skeleton had been impaled with a large black spear and was now being propped up by it {The Hunter deals 42 damage to Skeleton 3; Skeleton 3 was destroyed}.

A dark gnarled hand grabbed the end of the spear and pulled it out of the ground, out through the skeleton, and allowed its bones to fall in a heap. And only then did the party finally see it, standing right in front of them, as though they had been blind and deaf. A chill swept through their hearts.


Nurick swiftly and reflexively shot an arrow toward the Hunter's black form, whose surface resembled bark more than skin. The arrow stuck into the creature's shoulder {Nurick deals 11 damage to the Hunter}, but the Hunter did not seem to notice.

Struggle. Fight. Beg.

"And so it begins," whispered Streleka, pulling back the string on her bow.

---Combat Rounds have Begun---

Notes: Johannes is 15 ft up; Jasper is 20 ft up.
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:08, Sun 11 Feb 2018.

In Character Chat:
Ziv
I have the new armor and dagger of returning.

Johannes
Good to hear @Ziv.

Excellent shot Nurrick!  You arrow struck true, even if it appeared not to notice.  Afterall, if it bleeds, we can kill it.

Alacor
There's something going on with that tree. It has some magical power to it and it looks like it could be affecting the entire isle!
It also seems to attract strange creatures to it, most likely it's the cause of the hunter.
And I bet we could make some pretty interesting items out of some of that wood.

Johannes
Is the creature tied to it in some way?  Are we able to destroy the creature without destroying the tree?

Alacor
I haven't seen anything like it before, so I'm unsure. It just seems to be tied to it in some way.

Johannes
If we destroy the tree will it cleanse the Island?

Alacor
I think it might, but I suppose it's possible that this tree is not the only thing affecting the island.
But it definitely is having a large effect.

Johannes
Hmm, what can you tell about the creature?  Everyone! do you see any weaknesses on this creature? {Roll your knowledge checks on the creature before Wednesday!}

Alacor
11:42, Today: Alacor rolled 24 using 1d20+11.  Knowledge Adventure; hunter.

Johannes
I was able to discern that the Cabrakan is on the tree still, but I cannot make out much else.  I need elven eyes to see that!  Streleka!  Do you see any other living on that tree!?  I don't want to set them on fire if we have to destroy it to cleanse your isle!

Johannes
{Examine check on the creature, equipment, armor, and weapons.
Examine check on the tree.}

Andriel:  I am not sure but I think the skeletons are immune or at least more resistant to those red flowers!
Yes!  I believe with all their respective resistances they would be the best choice to retrieve @Cabrakan, trapped in or near the flowers as he is!

Ziv
...Didn't we note not to touch the flowers? What if he's poisoned?

Johannes
Him and @Crispina probably are, must be why they are unconscious!  What did the flowers do again?  Sap strength or have a lasting poison?

Alacor
Nurick said that the flowers  drain their strength and render them paralyzed. I don't think they're in danger of dying.

Johannes
Did he say it wears off?

Alacor
He didn't say

Alacor
10:18, Today: Alacor rolled 17 using 1d20+11.  Knowledge (Nature); hunter.

Nurick
16:10, Today: Nurick rolled 30 using 1d20+12.  Knowledge check Nature; hunter.

Johannes
14:36, Today: Andriel rolled 4 using 1d20+1.  Knowledge (Religion), the Hunter; tDI.

14:36, Today: Herr Johannes rolled 9 using 1d20+7.  Knowledge (Religion), the Hunter; tDI.

14:35, Today: Herr Johannes rolled 14 using 1d20+5.  Knowledge (Adventure), the Hunter; tDI.

DM Ryan
Knowledge Nature (Alacor & Nurick) ~ You are certain this is not a creature of nature, though it evidently seems connected to it.

Knowledge Adventure (Johannes) ~ You are certain this creature is not an adventurer.

Knowledge Religion (Andriel & Johannes) ~ You can tell that this creature is some sort of corrupted spirit, albeit a very corporeal spirit. However, the extent of its powers are unknown to you. You might have to learn the hard way.

Johannes
Examine ~ The tree is about 50 feet tall with numerous thick branches. The lowest branches appear about 15 feet off the the ground, as well as the skeletons and forms draped around it with flowering vines. The Hunter appears about 10-11 feet tall and carries a spear about his own height. He seems to have an attack range of about 15 ft. and can possibly even attack enemies within this distance. His head is that of a horned skull and has a strange, pitch-black body.

Alacor
The hunter looks like it's some kind of spirit. Not like a ghost, it's solid. But it has some kind of energy emanating from it that I haven't encountered before.

Alacor
It looks like moves without making a sound and is extremely good at hiding. We need to watch out.

Post:
Andriel witnesses the hunter appear as if from the darkness itself, to retrieve its spear from one of her creations.  She draws her breath in as she looks up at it but quickly draws her focus to the task at hand.  "That was what they were made for, to protect and serve us, lest the living lose their life.  They are fighting, after all, to cleanse their own Isle, fighting to regain their freedom.  I just gave them the opportunity to be able to fight from beyond the veil...  Time for the dance to begin."  She takes a deep breath as she speaks quietly to her servants, coaxing them to act.  Without thinking, they obey, seeking to do their spirit's bidding.

Ashe begins to walk south, still with his guard up, moving toward the tree. Andriel then follows after him, moving under the cover of her skeletons, opening the way for others.  4 then withdraws following Alacor.  Next the skeleton first, among the weaker ones {1} moves back.  Finally, 2 raises his guard and steps back, forming a new battle line.

Andriel, the choreographer of this dance, moves into place and begins her melody setting the tune for which the others dance.  "And now, a piece from my Knight's text, 'Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit says the Lord.'  You here who worship the living God, all you who serve the divine!  Hear my words!  And you who defy what is just and right in this universe, breaking the law that governs the world, twisting your Isle to evil {the hunter etc.}, hear my words!  These here are those who work the works of GOD.  You cannot stand against the armies of the living God!"  As Andriel's rebuke rings out from her voice, the words begin to reverberate, echoing quieter and quieter, as if swirling into her mouth taking the sound with them, until suddenly they are burst forward in a flash of light and wave of sound.  "YOU CANNOT STAND!" {Andriel casts recitation}.

Actions:
Undead:
  *skeletons had weapons drawn from before as prep
  Ashe moves: M19-M20-...-M14 (6 squares) and readies an action to fight defensively if the enemy comes in range
  4 withdraws, then moves under the cover of the other skeletons (after Alacor) straight
   west to M18 via Q21-P21-O21-N21-M19-M18 (6 squares)
  1 take a single move (because of haste) to M16 via N20-M19-M18-M17-M16 (5 squares) (avoiding AOO via cover from 2) and readies an action to fight defensively if the enemy comes in range
  2 take total defense and 5ft step to O20

Andriel:
  moves to K22, via N21-M21-L21-K22 and casts recitation (affecting everyone because of the 60ft range).

Instead of us arguing or having issues, I thought I would just cite the stuff that might seem iffy:
Notes:
1. Movement through allied squares is legal and does not cost extra, PHB p147. (charging through a friendly square [without appropriate feat] is illegal, however.
2. Movement through spaces occupied by allies diagonally is legal. PHB p147
3. Cover prevents attacks of opportunity, even that provided by other creatures (soft cover). PHB p151
4. Reach weapons are treated as ranged weapons when determining cover relative to the creature. PHB p150-151
5. Since haste can affect 9 creatures, we had it affect all the living in the party, plus Ashe and skeleton 1.

Rolls:
This message was last edited by the player at 05:37, Sun 18 Feb 2018.

Nurick raises his bow and releases an arrow. Quickly racking another two and sending towards the Hunter!
[Doing a full round attack with rapid shot. Shooting all 3 arrows at the Hunter.]
This message was last edited by the player at 05:43, Sun 18 Feb 2018.

Before any one moves the wizard quickly regains his composure after seeing the hunter before them. Sweat was already starting to bead at his forehead, which the wizard conveniently wiped with his hand and gripped his staff, Steve, with the sweaty hand. Steve made an off handed comment about the wizard's mother, but he couldn't recall what he said in the midst of the spell. Alacor quickly made a sign with his hand kept it twisted in a shape while the pointed the staff at the hunter. "You will kneel before us! All your energy drained!". As the words finished an impossibly black ray projected out of the end of the staff and towards the hunter. {Alacor casts Ray of Exhaustion on the hunter}

Alacor gave Steve a quick wipe from his robe in an attempt to get some of the sweat off. He then moved towards the archer in an attempt to get away from the hunter. {Alacor moves to J21}

After observing the foreign party from his hiding place, Gorthunder decided now was his opportune moment to strike. With as much speed as the dwarf could muster, he emerged from the bushes. With a solid step, he leaps towards the hunter and swings his waraxe.

Leap attack on the Hunter from hiding, running 10 feet from W18 to V18 and Leaping to and ending on T18 in an attempt to catch him off guard.
This message was last edited by the player at 06:24, Sun 18 Feb 2018.

Ziv narrowed her eyes, white knuckles gripping her daggers. Full force, she threw the dagger of returning at the beastly figure. And then, threw the other. With haste, she grabbed another dagger and threw it with full force.

(I'm forgetting how to compute the attack. X_x)
This message was last edited by the player at 07:16, Sun 18 Feb 2018.

Post:
As I witness the hunter before me, a holy anger rises in my heart.  Memories of God's help in the past come to mind, the fire in the inn, I was only a step away... The battle within the old city... the fight to save the counselor... the fight victory against the 3 lords against all odds... the parry against Rysan...  I was concerned I had cast my spell too early, but I see that concern was unneeded.  Like many times in the past, God had already set it up.  "You do not come against us alone spirit of the forest, but by threaten us, you come against our God.  He is not a God to remain silent.  This forest has been a den of evil for too long.  Today that will end.  Today you will be released from your infernal bounds and no longer serve the demands of the wicked.  You will return to your former duty of guarding that which was holy, the cathedrals of the forest. You will come to fight with us against this corruption.  I declare you loosed from your unholy bindings and God has sent us as his instrument, but I tell you, he will in no wise let us come to harm.  In the name of JESUS, LET IT BE SO!"

At the conclusion of my speech, my body erupts in flames and my weapons burn with holy fire.  I lower my lance in preparation as a verse is rhythmically recited to myself.  "Teach my hands to war, Lord."



"...and WE SHALL KNOW NO FEAR!"

Actions:
Enable my fire devotion (swift action)
Charge the hunter via (17 squares), to UV-12,11. (full round action)
Use paladin smite evil (part of attack) and full power attack

AR: +1 haste, +1 bless, +2 recitation, +2 bulls str, +1 weapon, +2 str, +1 high ground, +1 weapon focus lance, +20 true strike, +9 BA, +2 charge, +3 smite evil = + 45 CORRECTION -9 for power attack!
DMG: x3(9 PWR ATK + 1d8 lance + 1 bonus on lance + 4 str + 4 fire + 5 smite evil) = 3d8+57+12 fire
DC 18 ref or catch on fire, taking more damage

Rolls:
{01:25, Today: Herr Johannes rolled 54 CORRECTION = 48 using 1d20+42.  AR, on the hunter, with all buffs listed; tDI.
01:32, Today: Herr Johannes rolled 69 using 3d8+57. +12 fire damage  DMG, for charge against hunter; tDI
TOTAL: 81 damage}

note: if I am attacked I use my mount to take cover (DC 15 ride)
This message was last edited by the player at 07:21, Sun 18 Feb 2018.

Day 3, Night

Andriel's skeletal minions formed a line across the field, as if they were acting as a wall between the Hunter and their living masters. Andriel retreated behind them and performed a spell, and a wave of purple light rippled from her through much of the clearing. The light seemed to sink into her allies and speed up their movements while having the opposite effect on the Hunter, slowing it down.



Alacor shot a ray from the end of his staff and managed to hit the Hunter, slowing its movement down even more. "Now that's what I'm talking about!" cried Steve, Alacor's intelligent staff. "Suck on that you scary-looking bastard."



"Good work," said Alacor. "Now let's put some distance between that thing and us." He too retreated behind the line of skeletons, staying close to Andriel.

Ziv, Nurick, and Streleka then delivered a rain of arrows and daggers. With impressive speed, Ziv flung out several daggers from her belt, drawing and throwing them in single fluid motions, while Nurick did the same with arrows from his quiver. Streleka dashed across the field and fired an arrow of her own. They were uncannily accurate; all but one shot between them found their target, their ammunition sticking into the Hunter's bark-like skin.



Up in the air, Johannes cited a powerful prayer, and his whole body was suddenly wreathed in fire. He then aimed his lance down at the Hunter and descended in a dive, much like an eagle descends upon its dinner. Within the flames his lance glowed, and, for a moment, Johannes resembled a meteor more than a person. He struck the Hunter square in the chest.

The Hunter did not utter a cry at the fiery blow, but based on the way it recoiled, it had clearly felt something.

Pain? Impossible.



"Yes!" cried Johannes triumphantly as he brought his horse to a yield.

But just as the party thought their offensive wave was at an end, the unexpected happened. A dwarf crawled out of the bushes at the edge of the clearing and, roaring a battlecry, charged the Hunter while its back was turned! Wielding an axe and shield, the armored dwarf leapt into the air, primed to deliver a powerful strike. Or at least, that's what the party suspected his plan was. Instead he stumbled during the jump, nearly tripping in the process, and the axe blade thudded into the soil at the Hunter's feet. The creature turned its chilling gaze over to the dwarf. The short stranger plucked his axe out of the ground and then craned his neck up to meet the Hunter's gaze, quickly realizing that things had not gone as he had planned.

"Oh shit."




The Hunter swung out its twisted hand, and its sharp black fingers rent through the dwarf's armor, leaving several parallel tears across his chest. The dwarf winced heavily.



The towering creature then stepped away, moving soundlessly. It moved with unnerving speed, though it was evidently slowed by Alacor's curse, and it was only for this reason that Johannes was not completely taken by surprise. The paladin lifted his shield in time to cover his head, and the tip off the Hunter's spear glanced off of it.



The paladin lowered his shield to prepare for the Hunter's next strike, but the creature was already gone, having changed targets once again. From Johannes, it stepped toward the row of skeletons and brought down the spear from above like a scorpion's tail. It fully impaled the gray skeleton, who was nicknamed Ashe, and it uttered a hollow gasping sound, though it was not yet destroyed.



The Hunter removed its spear from the skeleton and gazed over the assembly.

Fight. Struggle. I crave it.

Johannes steeled himself for the next round of battle to come, but as he did, he noticed something occurring on the ground. Crimson red flowers began to grow, their stems rising and blossoming with petals before his very eyes, growing wherever the Hunter had stepped. . .




Map Note: The shaded red areas indicate the squares affected by flowers.
DM Note: The Hunter did not trigger any Attack of Opportunities during its movement.
DM Note 2: Some shown dice rolls are not the same as their counterpart in the dice logs. This is usually because I left out a modifier and added it to the roll afterwards.
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:45, Mon 19 Feb 2018.

Ziv narrowed her eyes, grabbing yet another dagger from what looked like her ankle. Had that always been there? As fluidly as she gripped it, it found itself flinging through the air towards the Hunter. Ziv took quick aim and rethrew the dagger of returning, and another dagger from whoknowswhere.

Character Chat:
Johannes:
The creature seems to have been more injured from the fire from my attack!  It may have a weakness to flame!
Everyone, if your able to use fire, do it!  Did you hear the creature say it felt pain?!  Only after hit with the fire damage!
It could have been from the smite as well, but I think it was the fire!  We must use fire!

Alacor
How much did smite do?

Johannes
It seemed to react to the fire more!

Johannes
Also, watch out, the creature can seem to avoid our attacks as it moves past.  He seems to move like the wind!  Or perhaps some sort of dimension hop, yet his feet touched the ground as he walked, you can see by the flowers!

Alacor
We'll have to burn it to the ground! I'll try to weaken him even more!

Johannes
You there!  Stranger!  I am not sure your quarrel with the beast, but we welcome your aid if that is your enemy!  Don't touch the flowers lest they sap your strength!  They have some sort of poison or evil in them!
{@Andrew Bear ^}

Stranger
Well met strangers! Thanks for the warning! Let us work together to slay the beast!

Post:
After my lance hits its mark, I hear the creature mention it felt pain... pain?  The other attacks?  Have they been doing nothing?  It then dawns on me, what was different about my attack: flame.  "We must hit the creature with fire!" I shout to the group.  "It seems to have a weakness to fire!  If any of you have any magic of flame or burning oil, throw it on the creature now!  Set it ablaze!  It might be tied to the tree, so we must retrieve Cabrakan and burn perhaps both the tree and the creature!"

I then rear my horse around, preparing for another attack.  I now call on my God again, always faithful, always stable, never changing, ever sufficient.  His love never fails, his truth never fails.  Like a strong tower, he is there around me.  Verses of His supreme order and perfection, His absolute oath to us, come to mind...



It dawned on me again, He will never let me down.  Even the spear of this enemy could not hit its mark.

Now an even greater fervor arose in my bones, and the words spoke forth from my mouth as if someone else was speaking though me.
at first muttering the words from memory, until they began to resound from my lungs, from my heart!

"Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied.

This day will the Lord deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.

And all this assembly shall know that the Lord saveth not with sword and spear: FOR THE BATTLE IS THE LORD'S, AND HE WILL GIVE YOU INTO OUR HANDS!"

I then lowered my lance again, and shouted to my mount, "YA!" and we rode forth again.

Actions:
(swift action) Activate my LAW DEVOTION ability, +5 to AR.
(full round action) I lower my lance and Charge once more, via 14/13-S/T, and travelling to 22/21-K/L.
Use paladin smite evil (part of attack) and use 9 power attack

AR: +1 haste, +1 bless, +2 recitation, +2 bulls str, +1 weapon, +2 str, +1 high ground, +1 weapon focus lance, +9 BA, +2 charge, +5 law devotion, +3 smite evil = +30 -9 for power attack = +21
DMG: x3(8 PWR ATK + 1d8 lance + 1 bonus on lance + 4 str + 4 fire + 5 smite evil) = 3d8+57+12 fire
DC 18 ref or catch on fire, taking more damage (1d4 fire until put out)
note: if I am attacked I use my mount to take cover (DC 15 ride)

Rolls:
01:58, Today: Herr Johannes rolled 22 using 1d20+21.  AR, on the hunter, with all buffs listed (9 PWR_ATK); tDI. nat 1?
This message was last edited by the player at 08:08, Sun 04 Mar 2018.

I hear Johannes yell that it has a weakness to fire. So I know I should use by flame arrows, but I don't want the beast to do any more damage with that spear! [I move to L18] Before getting my flame arrows ready I quickly take aim at the spear and release an arrow to disarm the creature!
This message was last edited by the player at 05:27, Sun 04 Mar 2018.

I grimace after being struck by the hunter and falter for only a moment. Slightly dismayed by my miscalculation, I look at my feet after heeding the word of warning from the others and notice the flowers sprouting before me.

I look to the team assembled. “Let me know how I can assist you. I am strong and can take a hit if need be. Lets work together to take this thing down.”

Reaching in my belt I pull out a potion of cure lesser wounds and drink it. After the slight relief in pain I move to a defensive position near my new allies. move to t19 then to q19 avoiding the flowers.
This message was last edited by the player at 07:30, Sun 04 Mar 2018.

The wizard eyed the hunter. He saw that the creature was feeling the effects from the last spell, but it wasn't enough! He knew he had to do more as he watched the hunter furiously attack at his companions. Quickly, the white haired wizard flipped his spell book to a different page while moving into position closer to the tree {G15}. Alacor waited for the skeleton Ashe to move out of the way before he started.

The white haired man took Steve in the hand and planted the bottom of the staff in the ground pointed slightly towards the hunter. He put away the spell book and with his other hand made a sign with it. The top of the staff began to spark and arc small jolts of electricity between the points of the staff. The wizard wore a dark expression on his face as he began to speak. The other could feel the weight of the phrase and the very words felt like they would drain the strength out of you. Suddenly a streak of black lighting flew threw the and toward the hunter.

Alacor then eyes Jasper over by the tree and has the bat return to his side.

{Alacor moves to G15 and casts Ray of Enfeeblement on the hunter after Ashe moves out of the way, but before any one else acts.}

01:53, Today: Alacor rolled 13 using 1d20+9.  Ranged touch attack on Hunter (Ray of Enfeeblement).
01:57, Today: Alacor rolled 6 using 1d6+4.  Strength damage if hit.
Take 10 on any caster level check

This message was last edited by the player at 06:59, Sun 04 Mar 2018.

Post:
Andriel witnesses the battle before her and realizes a few things quickly.  First, she needs to get her skeletons' better equipment, like simple shields, and quality weapons for a start.  Next, that she needs to get the skeletons ranged weapons because they could all be raining arrows on the enemy, or stones from slings, or alchemist fire since that is easier to hit with for the weak skeletons.  Second, she see's the keen advantage Herr Johaness has via flying and sees that other than the dwarf nearby, the whole battlefield terrain the other side of the skeletons is available to mess up with all sorts of nasty spells, like flame wall, ice wall, spiked earth, entangle etc. and entrap the creature, yet leave us free.

This later one she decides to pass on to others.  "Streleka! Nurrick! uh... Stranger dwarf! Everybody else!  If we can use magic to mess up the creature's ability to move, we can hold it at bay and pelt it with arrows to death!  Do any of you have such ability?  Magic or otherwise?!  Use it if you can!"

She then follows Alacor, to do something similar.  As she runs her skeletons all act in concert as she directed them.  Ashe steps closer to Cabrakan to help him, and she sees her opportunity, casting a spell at the creature.  "Perhaps, if this creature has a weakness to fire, it has a weakness to light? Time to find out!"

She lifts her right hand up after she nears Alacor, and aims it at the creature, hoping to blind it, permanently.  With her left hand, she directs the rest of her undead to hold a moment. "I come at you in the name of justice, on behalf of these good people, you will stop this wickedness, creature!  May the light blind you! erit lux!" {casts Searing Light}

The then waves her hand for the undead to continue their choreography.

Actions:
Ashe
- 5ft steps to L13
- does whatever is needed to get Cabrakan
-(I assumed an attack on the tree, then a move to pick up Cabrakan?)
1:
- 5ft step to M15
- take total defense
4: after the listed actions below
***either
a. if the weapon of creature is not disarmed
- 5ft step to O19
- take total defense
b. if the weapon of creature is disarmed
- move to weapon dropped
- pick it up
2: also conditional based on 4's action
***either
a. if the weapon of creature is not disarmed (and 4 does not move)
- 5ft step to N17
- take total defense
b. if the weapon of creature is disarmed
- move to O17
- fight defensively

Andriel moves to G16 via K21-J20-I19-H18-G17-G16 (40ft speed with haste)
Casts Searing Light on the hunter

*note on order of events:
suggested:
Ashe moves
Alacor moves and attacks
Andriel moves and attacks
1 moves south
Nurrick moves and attacks
Ziv attacks
the rest can occur before or after I believe/not as dependant on order.
this should provide that Ziv, Nurrick, Alacor, and Andriel all have no issues with soft cover from friendlies in the way.  If not, please contact me about how this is not the case.

Rolls:
I will let you roll them since you are more familiar with the modifiers applicable to this.

Johannes could feel his blood burning. He stared aghast at the monster before him, which looked like something straight from one of his nightmares. “That creature just took every one of our attacks and is still standing,” he murmured to himself. His skin felt cold in its presence, but a bead of sweat trailed down his forehead nonetheless. “Have we ever fought something so powerful?” Steeling his nerve, he raised his voice to that of a battlecry.

“SHOW NO MERCY!”

The party sprang into action.

Ashe, the most powerful of Andriel's skeleton minions, moved toward the base of the accursed tree. Amid the flowers at its feet laid Crispina, unconscious and unmoving, like a sleeping princess from an old bedtime story. Her dark skin was adorned with crimson flowers that grew around her limbs and neck; even now they continued to grow, steadily curling and ensnaring her like a thousand tiny snakes. Following its master's command, Ashe bent over and cut the vines away with its battleaxe; it then dropped the axe and picked up Crispina, in the princess-carrying style and all. The party members cast worried glances her way, hoping that her physical state was not as bad as it looked. They also reserved some of their worry for their other teammate, Cabrakan, who was still ensnared in the branches high above. . .

Alacor dashed across the field, moving at incredible speed thanks to his earlier spell of Haste, and stopped beside Streleka. “I have a clear shot from here,” he muttered. “Are you ready Steve?”

“Ready when you are,” his staff replied.

Alacor moved his staff through the air and shouted an incantation. Then from the tip of his staff came a dark ray that shot across the field. But to his woe, it missed the beast {Alacor missed the Hunter}. He cursed under his breath.

Andriel appeared beside him. “My turn.” She quickly cast a spell and shot a beam of blinding light at the Hunter; the glowing yellow beam seared its skin, causing a plume of smoke to rise from where it struck. The Hunter did not react much to the spell, but there was no doubt it received damage {Andriel dealt 20 damage to the Hunter}.

Nurick sprinted to near the fore of the group, taking cover behind one of Andriel's skeletons. “All together now!” he shouted, as Streleka drew back the string on her bow and Ziv snatched a dagger from her boot. “Fire!” Nurick let loose his arrow, cleverly aiming at the monster's spear – or at least, he thought it was clever.

With a terrifyingly swift motion, the Hunter swatted Nurick's arrow out of the air with the tip of its spear, deflecting it into the darkness. And as if that wasn't enough, it continued to knock aside nearly every other projectile that came its way {Nurick's disarm attempt failed. Ziv missed her first, second, and third attacks. Streleka missed her first attack}.

Streleka notched a second arrow in her bow, feeling the pressure of their situation grow. “Please strike true,” she begged of it. She released.

The arrow shot straight into the creature's heart, if it had one, dealing a critical blow {Streleka dealt 20 damage to the Hunter. Critical Hit!}.

“Thank you. . .”


The Hunter recoiled from Streleka's arrow. Seeing the beast momentarily distracted, Gorthunder hastily drew a potion from his belt and downed it, recovering from his wounds. Taking advantage of the same opening, Andriel's minions repositioned themselves slightly.

“The Lord is with me,” declared Johannes, almost subconsciously. Lowering his glowing lance, his body still ablaze with holy fire, he charged. “YAAAAH!”

The Hunter glanced his way, and for a brief moment, they made eye contact – an empty blackness meeting his living blue. Johannes felt a horrible chill course through him, as though he had just been submerged in an icy lake. For an instant, he could imagine himself in the depths of an abyss, darkness all around him for the space of an eternity, nothing but despair to fill the void. . .

“No,” he said, denying the false reality. He snapped back to his charge, but the harm was already done, his concentration shattered.

He missed {Johannes missed the Hunter. Natural One!}.

Johannes flew past the beast, coming to a halt at the edge of the clearing. The Hunter lifted its spear as though it were mocking them.

Behold true power.

The Hunter thrust out its spear at Ashe. The blade pierced straight through the skeleton's rib cage, and it wobbled dangerously with Crispina in its arms, almost dropping her {The Hunter dealt 34 damage to Ashe}.

But the Hunter didn't stop there.

The spear was drawn from Ashe, and like a whirlwind, it struck one skeleton after the other. One was badly damaged, numerous broken bones scattering to the ground, and the other – the other was completely obliterated {The Hunter dealt 33 damage to Skeleton One and 79 damage to Skeleton Four. Critical Hit! Skeleton Four was destroyed}. More crimson flowers grew where the beast had stood, rising from the ground before their very eyes.

Seeing the bones of the skeletons crumble beneath the spear sent waves of nervousness throughout the party, who knew that just as easily could have been them. . .

The battle was far from over.




This message was last edited by the GM at 01:38, Mon 05 Mar 2018.

I observe the incredible reach of the Hunter`s violent attacks. Closing the gap between us could prove difficult. If I can strike his weapon it could give us an opening. Or perhaps if someone is able to disarm the beast... I ready myself to grab the spear if the hunter drops it. Should the disarm fail I will ready an attack to strike the Hunter’s weapon should he use it against me. I wait for the next move with anticipation.

Actions:
If the Hunter drops the spear I move to spear and pick it up.
If the disarms fail I ready an Improved Sunder action to attempt to destroy the Hunter’s weapon instead and 5ft step to P19

This message was last edited by the player at 05:38, Sun 11 Mar 2018.

In Character Chat:
Johannes:
We have got to get that weapon out of his hands!  His claws cannot reach like his spear does.  Or even destroy the thing, can you do that newcomer?

Andriel:
Or better yet, is there any way we could get him trapped and unable to move?

Wait! Alacor!  Do you still have that web spell you used on the skeletal priest in the first tower we saw the creature?!

Alacor
Yes, I do! We might be able to trap him, but we need to clear the area!

Gorthunder
I can strike his weapon!

Johannes
I am concerned with how the enemy has avoided our attacks so far, that he could avoid being entangled, with a freedom of movement spell.

Alacor
Ziv! I have another dagger for you!

**note, aid adds one to AR and 1d8 + caster level(3) as temp hp
and it takes total cover behind Gorthunder
This message was last edited by the player at 07:24, Sun 11 Mar 2018.

Post:
Andriel witnessed as her ray of light seared the enemy's flesh, once again, piercing through its spell resistance.  "Yes!  Got through again!"  She exclaims,  as her concentration once more prevailed, or perhaps the concentration of the enemy lapsed... either way, willing to take the progress.  "I could discern it hurt the enemy, but not like fire did previously.  I was able to sense by the spell, in the moment of illumination, that it was not extra susceptible to sunlight as a fungus is, but it was affected like an undead creature!  Its skin appears to be as wood, it is, or rather was, a tree spirit after all, so it must especially fear fire."  She considered aloud.  "I wonder what the spell warp wood do to it?"  She continued to mutter to herself before stopping suddenly as she saw the creature swing its spear around and strike 3 of her skeletons in quick succession, one of them being crushed.  "He fell in service to his isle, in duty again. 2 down."  She said solemnly to herself.
     More concerningly was the threat this now posed to the living.  The shield wall was taking heavy damage and appeared to be weakening.  "I don't know how much more of this they can take.  We must find a way to reinforce the shield wall or reposition them.  Or slow down this enemy!  Wait, that could be it!"  Suddenly realizing another hopeful option to herself, "Alacor, I know you can summon creatures, would you be able to summon any to be between us and the enemy.  Wait, even better, what about that spell you used on the skeletal priest, web!?"  She whispered to Alacor next to her.  "I am about out of spells other than curing spells.  I am going to have to switch to something ranged, I was going to throw an alchemist I fortuitously grabbed before this, but web would mean I should wait."

Actions:
Draw an alchemist fire from belt
while moving to I15, via H16-H15-I15.
Throw alchemist fire at creature, top left square for cover check, from top right corner of her square.
AR: +1 haste, +1 bless, +2 recitation, +1 dex, +5 BA = +10

Skeletons:
Ashe-
-5ft step to K13
-take total defense, don't forget bonus to ac from haste
1-
-remain in place
-take total defense, don't forget bonus to ac from haste
2-
-5ft step to N20
-take total defense

Rolls:
{01:43, Today: Andriel rolled 27 using 1d20+10 (nat 17).  AR, ranged touch on the hunter, for alchemist fire; tDI.
01:46, Today: Andriel rolled 4 using 1d6.  DMG, for FIRE from Alchemist fire; tDI.}
This message was last edited by the player at 06:58, Sun 11 Mar 2018.

Post:
"How did I miss?"  I whispered to myself.  "This was the time that counted!  Gahh, I must shrug it off, perhaps I must remember again, it is not blind range that wins a battle, it is the Lord, and I may have peace in that."  I took a deep breath and began to think in the brief moments I had while turning around in the air.

I consider to myself the comments of my apprentice.  If we could control the battlefield we would put this creature at a serious disadvantage, especially on the side that we have many archers and Alacor enabled us to fly.
     "What a wonder it was to fly, so free, and so easy to get around so many of the problems of the terrain on the ground.  How did I not think of this earlier", I pondered to myself.  "Well, probably because it was magic, magic that I never knew existed only months ago hehe."
     Back to the problem at hand though.  I saw 2 options before us, sunder or disarm that spear, seriously weakening the enemy's attack, or trap him in place.  Trapping him would be superior, but is there a way we can actually do it.  Then it hit me, "Web" the same spell that trapped the skeletal priest the first time we saw the creature.  Another spell I never knew existed until recently.  I remembered, the spell was very difficult to escape from and could be quite large, especially with the new trick Alacor had been practicing, but could it hold him well enough?  And, more relevant to me, how can we do it if I set him on fire?
     Either way, I know what I must do.  The spell to be cast could be decided after I attack and after we see if the enemy is caught a-flame by my attack.  It is time to act.

-comments for player actions-
Likely order of action:
Summon Archon, archon effects ensue
I attack
Nurrick attacks
Ziv attacks
Andriel attacks
Skeletons move as needed throughout
Gorthunder takes spear.

Actions:
(swift action) Ordained Champion smite, +3 AR and +5 DMG
(full round action) Charge the hunter, from 19/18-P/Q(I believe), and travelling to straight to 15/16-V/W (or 1 square west if that is in the trees, I did not think so but hard to tell).  Charge in a straight line so I do not enter his square, but get close enough to hit.
(part of attack) use 9 power attack

AR: +1 haste, +1 bless, +2 recitation, +2 bulls str, +1 weapon, +2 str, +1 high ground, +1 weapon focus lance, +9 BA, +2 charge, +5 law devotion, +3 smite evil = +30 -9 for power attack = +21
DMG: x3(9 PWR ATK + 1d8 lance + 1 bonus on lance + 4 str + 4 fire + 5 smite evil) = 3d8+57+12 fire
DC 18 ref or catch on fire, taking more damage (1d4 fire until put out)
note: if I am attacked I use my mount to take cover (DC 15 ride)

Rolls:
{01:29, Today: Herr Johannes rolled 38 using 1d20+21 (nat 17).  AR, on the hunter, with all buffs listed (9 PWR_ATK); tDI.
01:33, Today: Herr Johannes rolled 71 using 3d8+57 (7, 6, 1).  DMG, for charge against hunter; tDI.
PLUS 12 fire damage, and chance to catch on fire.}
This message was last edited by the player at 07:15, Sun 11 Mar 2018.

Ziv effortlessly grabbed another-- her last spare dagger-- and had caught the dagger of returning and took a quick breath before stepping forward (to L19) to throw her daggers full force. The first being the dagger of returning and the second her spare dagger.

The wizard watches as the hunter destroys another skeleton to a bile of bones. "This isn't looking too good." He says to Steve as he take a step back away from the Hunter.{5ft step to F15} Looking over to the dwarf, he started a spell to bring another creature onto the field. Without taking his eyes off the hunter, Alacor reached into his bag and pulled out a candle and a tiny bag. He very quickly made a sweeping motion with the staff, making a sign in the air. Concentrating on the items in his hands, he used his power to bring forth a creature. A portal opened up in the air and what looked like several balls of light emerged from the opening. {Summon Lantern Archon at P20, 5ft in the air}

The Lantern Archon touches the dwarf and as soon as it does a soft glow washes over him. He looks rejuvenated and his face completely devoid of any fear. {Casts Aid and grants 2 temporary hit points}. It quickly took aim at the hunter and two rays of light shot out towards the beast. {Full attack with light rays}. The rays shoot wide and the archon then descends to the ground behind the dwarf. {5ft step straight down}

{00:19, Today: Alacor rolled 8 using 1d20+2.  Lantern Archon, light Ray @ Hunter.
00:19, Today: Alacor rolled 6 using 1d20+2.  Lantern Archon, light way @ Hunter.
00:24, Today: Alacor rolled 2 using 1d8.  Lantern Archon, Aid Hit Points.}
This message was last edited by the player at 05:47, Sun 11 Mar 2018.

Nurick repositions himself (to L17) and takes another three shots at the spear to disarm the Hunter!

04:17, Today: Nurick rolled 26 using 1d20+22.  To disarm the Hunter.
04:18, Today: Nurick rolled 32 using 1d20+22.  To disarm the Hunter.
04:19, Today: Nurick rolled 19 using 1d20+17.  To disarm the Hunter.

If a disarm succeeds, the following shots are standard attacks.

Day 3, Night

A flower petal danced in the air, circling around the unseen and winding currents. Like a butterfly with a torn wing, it fluttered chaotically to and fro, pushed by the wind of a blade here, pulled by a gasp of breath there. It floated past the gaze of Alacor, whose attention was stolen by it. As if the entire world had froze for him, he stopped and observed the petal's esoteric dance, until it finally began to slow and sink and come to a gentle rest on the dead grass near his feet.

“Beautiful,” he murmured.

The world resumed, and with it Alacor snapped his attention back to the battle. He whirled the staff in his hands and brought forth a litany of color, a dance of reds and greens, and finally a burst of yellow afar. From the burst, shining above the head of Gorthunder like a delicate halo, came a ball of light, a sun small enough to hold. The Lantern Archon, for that was its name, glowed brightly as it blessed Gorthunder with a spell of its own, and then sank to an early dusk behind the dwarf, sheltering the warrior within its humble radiance. {Alacor summoned a Lantern Archon; Lantern Archon cast Aid on Gorthunder}

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
Error Note: Lantern Archon was unable to use a Full Attack. For details, see below.

---

At the edge of the clearing, Johannes rose above the horizon and soared forth like a shooting star. Leaving a streak of fire behind him, he crossed above the heads of his allies, and delivered the tip of his lance unto the Hunter, unleashing a mighty blow. The Hunter recoiled at the fiery strike, embers and ashes rising up from the wound; even expressionless, the beast could not mask its pain. {Johannes hit the Hunter and dealt 95 damage; the Hunter avoided catching on fire}

While the Hunter was weak, Nurick primed his bow, and he let forth a series of arrows one after the other. He aimed at the beast's weapon, desperate to dislodge the deadly spear from its hands. But though each arrow found its target, they bounced from the shaft of the spear all the same, unable to find to the needed force to tear it from the Hunter's grip. {Nurick failed to disarm the Hunter with his first, second, and third arrows}

Streleka and Ziv followed together, sending a flurry of daggers and arrows. And where Streleka's arrows missed, Ziv's daggers proved true, planting both of her thrown blades into the hard flesh of their enemy. The damage upon its body was growing. {Streleka missed with her first and second arrows; Ziv hit the Hunter with both daggers and dealt 11 and 9 damage}

“Are we winning?” Andriel dared to ask her heart. And then she rebuked herself, for such questions were dangerous in the midst of combat. “It does not matter,” she muttered. “Nothing will matter, until this creature is naught but ash.”


The priestess grabbed a dark vial within her cloak and raised it out and threw it forward, where it spun rapidly through air in a thousand cycles. It shattered on the Hunter's body and exploded, lighting a portion of the Hunter ablaze, a torch to weaken the night. The flames seemed effective in their purpose. {Andriel hit the Hunter and dealt 8 damage}

And finally Gorthunder, as well as the skeleton minions of Andriel, shifted about the battlefield and readied their arms, preparing for what was to come. Their offensive wave had come to an end, and they watched the Hunter in expectance, and anxiety. But their expectance was broken and cast aside, bent like the grass they stood upon.

The Hunter did what they did not expect; it stood straight and tall and crossed its arms, laying its spear diagonal from foot to shoulder, like a corpse awaiting the sarcophagus. And then it sank. As though the ground beneath it had turned to water, it plummeted straight down, until its horns were swallowed by the earth, vanishing.

For a moment the creature was gone.

And then it wasn't.

The horns reappeared, but it was Streleka who was the first to see them, for they rose right before her. They rapidly ascended from the ground, as quickly as they had first vanished, and the Hunter rose as silently as the moon amid the adventuring party. Arms still crossed but the flames that assailed it gone, it came to a halt, and the moment it did so, a surge of crimson flowers bloomed forth. Like a nova, they emanated from the creature and sprouted with unnatural speed, spawning a pool of blood red petals, all in seconds.

The stems curled up the feet and legs of Streleka, Andriel, Nurick, and Ziv, all whom swiftly avoided being bound and captured by them, but this did not stop them from being slowed by it nor protect them from the curse that seeped into their souls. Streleka, Andriel, and Nurick all felt a terrible weakness take over them, as though a piece of their life had been taken away. Only Ziv, through sheer strength of body, fought the poisonous sensation away. {Streleka, Andriel, and Nurick succeeded their Reflex Saves but failed their Fortitude Saves; Ziv succeeded both her Reflex and Fortitude Save.}

Streleka takes 4 Strength damage.
Andriel takes 3 Strength damage.
Nurick takes 4 Strength damage.

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
Note: Movement in the flowers is half speed; Note that this does not allow for five-foot steps for those affected.

---

Alacor stood at the outside edge of the field of flowers, watching the Hunter unfold its arms in the very center, spear in hand, as though proud to display the brilliant garden it had created. The wizard watched as his friends fought off the plants that maliciously sought to overtake them. He watched the petals twirl and twist and dance as they grew, like living things, as hungry and vicious as any predator.

“Beautiful.”

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
Note in regard to the Lantern Archon: Very understandably, it was likely that the term 'At will' in the description of its Spell-like Abilities was taken to mean they could be used as a Free Action, but this is not the case. 'At will' is a technical term for abilities in D&D, meaning that there is no limit to the number of times it can be cast, in contrast to '3 times per day' or 'once per day'. However, using the spell-like ability is still a Standard Action unless stated otherwise spell description.

---

This message was last edited by the GM at 10:54, Tue 13 Mar 2018.

IN Character Chat:
Johannes: "Streleka! Are you able to tumble away?!  Can you get out of reach or do you need our help?!"

notes:  Had to leave a few things I noticed here, things we were not sure on or that I noticed after people went to bed etc.
1. Ziv I believe threatened to critical, Ryan?
2. remember that Gorthunder got 3 more temp HP from last aid spell
3. did the splash weapon damage kill some of the flowers?  (Last round, Andriel's alchemist fire).
4. Does Ziv need to roll a new tumble check for the second threatened square she left?
5. I just noticed a typo in Alacor's post, the Archon was supposed to go to M19, not M18, since that would be right in the way of Gorthunder and provoke and AOO by casting a spell there.  He and I talked about it and it somehow made it in there wrong, I would hope the obvious AOO and being in Gorthunder's way would make that clear. Like being in his same space, so pushing the Archon north will take care of that error.
6. Remember that if the centipedes hit they deal poison
This message was last edited by the player at 23:41, Fri 06 Apr 2018.

Ziv thought quick on her feet--or as fast as she could-- and tumbled none too gracefully backwards towards the second skeleton, but with keener sighs for something further back (to T19). When she turned for a moment to look back as she was running, she threw the dagger of returning again for that small chunk of damage.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:50, Sun 25 Mar 2018.

Post:
I witness as the creature descended into the earth after being struck again, seeking to rise again avoiding the flames of death.  Whatever it did, for now, I knew it was only a matter of time before it was indeed, ash.

It rose again and spewed forth more of those poisonous flowers, seeking to entrap my friends but giving up any other attack in the process.  For that, I was grateful.  I called to my friends to check on them.  "Andriel, Streleka, Ziv, Nurrick, are you alright?  Get out of there, the disarms seem too difficult, use fire!  Alacor, can you do anything to help them?"

I wanted to rush to help them, however, I knew the best way to do that was to keep striking this creature with more and more punishment.  That was my role, we all had ours, and mine was to strike.  It might seem like the creature felt no pain, but I saw how the fire affected it.  The best I could do was continue to direct the battlefield from the air, while I kept striking the creature, again and again, and it was time for more again.

As I reeled my mount about in the air, to seek the enemy's new location I called to my friends to communicate the vision I had for them from the heavens.

"Gorthunder, move toward the creature and try what you just did again!"

-comments for player actions-
moved to Andriel's post

Actions:
(swift action) Ordained Champion smite, +3 AR and +5 DMG
(full round action) Charge the hunter, from 15/14-L/M(I believe), and traveling to straight to 13/14-V/W (or 1 square east if that is in the trees, I did not think so but hard to tell).  Charge in a straight line so I do not enter his square, but get close enough to hit.
(part of attack) use 9 power attack

AR: +1 haste, +1 bless, +2 recitation, +2 bulls str, +1 weapon, +2 str, +1 high ground, +1 weapon focus lance, +9 BA, +2 charge, +5 law devotion, +3 smite evil = +30 -9 for power attack = +21
DMG: x3(9 PWR ATK + 1d8 lance + 1 bonus on lance + 4 str + 4 fire + 5 smite evil) = 3d8+57+12 fire
DC 18 ref or catch on fire, taking more damage (1d4 fire until put out)
note: if I am attacked I use my mount to take cover (DC 15 ride)

Rolls:
{02:12, Today: Herr Johannes rolled 40 using 1d20+21 (nat 19).  AR, on the hunter, with all buffs listed (9 PWR_ATK); tDI.
02:18, Today: Herr Johannes rolled 68 using 3d8+57 (3, 2, 6).  DMG, for charge against hunter; tDI.
PLUS 12 fire damage, and chance to catch on fire.}
This message was last edited by the player at 23:41, Fri 06 Apr 2018.

I am completely taken aback by the hunter's ghostly movements. I continue to pursue the beast. Trying To corner it while staying out of range of his massive range of attack.

Move action: P19-M18
Standard action: Ready sunder against hunter's weapon should he attack me or move within range
This message was last edited by the player at 04:58, Sun 08 Apr 2018.

Post:
With serious concern Andriel looks ahead of her, seeing the figure raise from the ground.  Not only was closer than she wanted now, but it was no longer on fire!  "Well, that is frustrating."  She complains to herself.  "Uh, Alacor, got anything good up your sleeve?!  I could definitely use it right now."  As she says this the burning in her skin brought her attention back to the red flowers surrounding her.  "I got to get out of these wretched flowers."

She saw it was no use to have her skeletons try to protect her here, she was too exposed, and they would just get tangled in the weeds she had only narrowly missed.

She hoped a large (or rather medium sized) centipede appeared before her (unlike basically every other time in her life), she decided that was the best time to leave.  While the centipede distracted her enemy she would make her get away.  Unfortunately, they showed up in front of Streleka and Nurick, so she decided she would wait until Ziv left to hopefully escape before the enemy noticed her while it was focused on Ziv.  "Please God, help me escape this one."  She prays under her breath as she backpedals with her shield up after Ziv begins to move.

She did her best to help Alacor as she moved to escape super fast affected by haste as she was, "Thanks for the distraction, Alacor, here is what I can do for you, Ashe! get over there and protect Alacor, put down Crispina for now, there is nowhere we can take her for now."

Actions:
With her speed boosted by haste,
she takes a withdraw action on this path:
path:     I14-I13-J13-K13-L13-M13-N13-N14-N15-O16-O17-P18-Q18-Q19-R19-S19-T19-U19
ft moved:  10- 15- 20- 25- 30- 35- 40- 45- 50- 55- 60- 70- 75- 80- 85- 90- 95- 100
Draws her dagger, and a second if she has it to offer to Ziv. (if she is able to while withdrawing)
Also, does Andriel have any ranged weapons?

She orders her skeletons to move as follows:
Ashe-
-drop (set down if possible lol) Cripina in L13 (if he can choose adjacent squares)
-move to E15 via east, J13 to E13, then north to E15, and east to F15 (9 squares, within 1 move for haste), could and a diagonal to make it 8 if needed, unless that provokes an AOO
-ready action to step into the path of the weapon in the event Alacor is attacked
1-
-5ft step to N16
-take total defense, don't forget bonus to ac from haste
2-
-stay in place
-take total defense

note: moving through a freindly square carries no addtional penalty to ft cost pg147 PHB
Rolls:
N/A

-comments for player actions-
Likely order of action:
Alacor 5ft steps and summons creatures, the creatures attack.
Archon moves, archon effects ensue (magic circle against evil)
I attack
Ziv moves and attacks (from lower corner of her square to upper right of enemy, avoiding friendly cover)
Gorthunder moves
Nurrick and Andriel move
Skeletons move as needed throughout
This message was last edited by the player at 23:41, Fri 06 Apr 2018.

Nurick quickly falls back near the tree (I12) and activates his fire bow. Now looking for the next opportunity to fire upon the creature!

The wizard watched as the creature rose out of the ground and quickly took a step back to try to put some distance between him and it. He sprung into action to try to give the hunter more to deal with and take the focus off of the party. "Let's see how he likes a couple centipedes."

Alacor took out a candle from his bag that was mysteriously already lit when it was taken out. He traced out a circle in the air. As it completed the circle the candle completely melted down. Then the wizard produced a small bag in his hand and throw it on the ground at his feet. He gazed at the ground near the hunter as he started speaking a his summoning a blackness formed similar to what the hunter appeared in, but instead two centipedes ascended and attacked it. {Centipede 1 at k17, Centipede 2 at H17}

The archon moves towards Ziv {M18} and makes contact with her. As it did Ziv had a soft glow wash over her just like Gorthunder had. She seemed even more energized than before. {+1 morale bonus, +1 attack bonus, +10 temporary hit points}

{5ft Step to E14}
{Casts Summon Monster 3: Summon 1d4+1 Fiendish monstrous centipede, Medium}
{22:05, Yesterday: Alacor rolled 2 using 1d4+1.  Number of Creatures Summoned.}
{02:15, Today: Alacor rolled 23 using 1d20+4.  Centipede 2 Attack Roll.
02:15, Today: Alacor rolled 22 using 1d20+4.  Centipede 1 Attack Roll. (Flanking bonus was not included in the dude roller)
02:18, Today: Alacor rolled 4 using 1d6-1.  Centipede 2 Damage Roll.
02:18, Today: Alacor rolled 2 using 1d6-1.  Centipede 1 Damage Roll.
02:29, Today: Alacor rolled 10 using 1d8+3.  Aid Temporary HP.}
This message was last edited by the player at 06:52, Sun 25 Mar 2018.

Day 3, Night

Clouds in the dark sky cracked open, and a sliver of moonlight shone down from behind the Hunter, casting a horned silhouette across the ground. And around that silhouette were the shadows of adventurers, writhing, desperately trying to fight of the flowers and vines that threatened to strangle them alive.

Using his bow, Nurick swacked away a clump of flowers that shot up and tried to entangle his arm. “Get us out of here!” he cried.

“On it!” Alacor answered, his anxiety blatent. He performed a quick summoning spell {Alacor cast Summon Monster III}.

A pair of centipedes the size of hounds sprang up from the ground, as if they had been burrowed beneath the vegetation all this time. With large and unsettling pincers, they snapped at the Hunter; one missed, but the other clamped down tightly on the beast's leg {Centipede 1 missed the Hunter. Centipede 2 dealt 4 damage to the Hunter; its venom appeared to have no effect}. Meanwhile, the Lantern Archon floated over to the trapped adventurers and cast a radiant light on Ziv {Lantern Archon cast Aid on Ziv}.

Johannes snapped the reigns of his horse and quickly flew toward the battle. Wasting no time, he rammed his lance into Hunter and hit once again. Fire and light rose with such intensity that it was almost blinding, and the beast staggered in place, creaking like an old and dying tree in a windstorm {Johannes dealt 92 damage to the Hunter}.

“Now!” shouted Nurick. “Escape!”

Ziv dove out from the garden of horrors, but as she so, her foot was snagged by one of the flowers. Her dive became a fall. And the Hunter did not fail to notice {Ziv failed her Tumble Check}. The Hunter swung out his spear like the talons of an owl in the night.

Ziv felt strange but ignored it. In spite the fall, she rolled on the ground and managed to transition to her feet; she continued to run across the field, putting as much distance between her and the Hunter as possible, even throwing a dagger out behind her. The blade hit spectacularly across the creature's skull head, leaving a visible scar on the bone {Ziv dealt 23 damage to the Hunter ~ CRITICAL HIT!}.

“Yes!” exclaimed Ziv as she settled to a stop near Gorthunder.

Gorthunder looked back at her, his eyes widened. “You're bleeding!”

“What?” asked Ziv. She could barely hear him, for she had felt a sudden rush of light-headedness. Slowly, she touched her back and then examined her fingers; they were wet with blood. “Oh. I see” {AoO: The Hunter dealt 37 damage to Ziv}. The pain came, but she didn't let it show.

“Are you alright?” Gorthunder demanded.

“I'm fine,” Ziv lied, her voice well-controlled. “Go kill that thing.”

The dwarf nodded, turned, and moved forward, stopping just outside the garden as Nurick, Andriel, and Streleka made their escape.

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
--

---

Pulling free from the flowers, Nurick dashed to a spot near the tree of skeletons. “So it's weak to fire, huh,” he murmured to himself as he turned and faced the Hunter; he looked down at his bow. “I'll show you fire. . . Kahallah!” As though it had been soaked in oil and touched by a red ember, his bow was suddenly wreathed in flame. Tongues of yellow flickered from the string and yew body, though they didn't seem to harm his hands at all. Nurick smirked and reached for an arrow from his quiver.


Andriel sprinted across the battlefield, also trying to get as far from the Hunter as she could, though not as far as she would've liked. She drew a dagger as she did so, hoping to get it to Ziv soon. At the same time, her skeletons shifted about the field.

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
Error Note: Andriel lacked the movespeed to reach U19 and traveled as far as she could on her desired path. Very understandably, this is likely because it was perceived that Haste added 30 ft. of movespeed when this was not the case. More accurately, Haste adds up to 30 ft. of movespeed, to a maximum of twice the creature's current speed. The term current speed can easily be mistaken to mean base movespeed, but this is actually the speed after modifiers, such as those from armor. Andriel's current speed in heavy armor is 20 ft., and Haste increases her speed to an effective 40 ft., allowing up to move up to 80 ft. with a double move-action.

---

Streleka re-positioned herself in the opposite direction, stopping near the treeline, and fired off another arrow at the beast, but this one missed by a wide margin. She cursed under her breath {Streleka missed the Hunter}.

The silhouette on the ground shifted.

The Hunter glanced down at the two centipedes. There was a trace of annoyance in its hollow, black eyes. It grabbed the one biting its leg with a large claw-like hand – and crushed it with a squeeze – and the other it stomped on its head with a hoof, squishing it flat {The Hunter dealt 26 damage to Centipede 1 and 22 damage to Centipede 2; both were killed}. The Hunter then looked at Gorthunder, and the dwarf felt a terrible chill down his spine.

It's looking at me the same way it looked at those bugs. . .

The Hunter lifted its spear and brought it in a downward stab upon the dwarf. Gorthunder steeled his nerves, for this was his moment of truth. He lifted his waraxe and roared a thunderous battlecry. “HYAAAA!”

He swung out his axe, and the edge met the tip of the Hunter's spear – and hit it. A crack was sent down the shaft of the spear, but it was not nearly enough to rend it asunder. And the spear came down anyway {Gorthunder successfully hit the Hunter's spear and dealt 7 damage to it}.

Gorthunder looked at the shaft sticking out of his shoulder and knew at a glance that it pierced all the way through, possibly even touching the ground. But it didn't seem real. It seemed like the shoulder of a stranger, and he only winced a little when the Hunter pulled it out {The Hunter dealt 32 damage to Gorthunder}.

I am ancient. Eternal. Before men. There is no escape.

The Hunter then moved like the shadow of a deer, away from Gorthunder. It passed by several of the party members, it's body blurred with the night, almost surreal. At first, they couldn't tell where the Hunter was going, but then that became obvious. It wasn't really going anywhere. It was making sure that they weren't going anywhere either.

In its wake, a sea of flowers grew. . .

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
DM Notes: To answer some of Cody's notes-
(1) Indeed Ziv threatened to critical! Thank you for pointing this out, and her confirmation was subsequently rolled.
(3) At the time the alchemist fire was thrown, there weren't any flowers in range of the splash damage with the square of origin being P16. That is, the flowers in P15, Q15, and Q16 did not arise until the Hunter had left the square.
(4) She did not need a second Tumble Check.
(5) Thank you for pointing that out!

---

This message was last edited by the GM at 14:34, Mon 26 Mar 2018.

IN Character Chat:
Ziv: "The dagger might have to wait!  We've gotta get away, and protect our elven friends as much as possible.  He'll likely strike at them first!"  She said as she lept away from the beast

notes:
1. According to what I found, in the case of a large, it is suggested to treat it as 4 mediums and choose one square for the splash weapon.  In this case, it was P16, thus the squares 9 squares surrounding it, none of which had flowers in them unfortunately lol.
2. Reminder, the Archon has magic circle against evil around him, benefiting all in a 10 ft radius with protection from evil (+2 deflection AC among other things).  Thought I would remind you of all the spells to keep track of.  Also, not sure if that made a difference for Ziv or Gorthunder last round?

This message was last edited by the player at 06:40, Sun 08 Apr 2018.

Post:
As I witnessed the battle below me, I saw my need to keep the party together.  I knew from experience that too often the enemy is underestimated, opening yourself up for an attack in the final blow.  I shouted from atop my steed as I circled around for another pass.  The creature will fall, but we must not lose discipline in the final moments.  Rallying the party I shouted directions from above.

"Stay with it everyone!  What we are doing appears to be working, but do not lose focus!  Our enemy may yet have something prepared in its death!  I have heard tales of hellspawn like Balors striking in their death!  Do not underestimate our enemy, keep it trapped, and keep fighting!

Streleka!  Nurrick!  Ziv!  Ready your bows and attack!  Do not stop shooting until it lies dead!  Fire as much as you can!  Send your flaming arrows into its heart!
Stranger! {Gorthunder} Now is your chance!  Strike the enemy with all you have!
Alacor, keep the enemy busy with another creature, we must keep him confined until we know he is finished,  fire may be needed to kill him if this is just a shell we see, like stone skin!  Command your archon to watch over the stranger and those up front!
Andriel, heal Ziv and take cover!  Keep him hemmed in with skeletons!"

{Sit Rep:
REMEMBER HASTE GIVES YOU AN EXTRA ATTACK AT FULL BASE ATTACK!  DO NOT FORGET THIS!
Current Bonus is at least: +1 bless, +2 recitation, +1 haste... plus cats grace? your BA, other modifiers, like +1 AR (morale bonus) from AID! (Ziv and Gorthunder!)...
The Enemy's AC appears to be 23 std and 21 for touch.  Likely between 350 and 240 hp remaining
Nurrick, full attack the creature with your fiery bow!  Make sure no living ally is between you and L20, the square of creature to aim for (you need to pick one on large creatures to determine cover) - Alacor can answer further questions on this.  Maybe 5ft closer for point-blank shot bonus later.

Ziv, take the dagger from Andriel, (free action), 5ft to S20 (Andriel need to go behind you) and throw both daggers (at full BA! from your NE corner (avoiding cover from allies) too bad you don't have a 3rd...  Don't forget point-blank shot bonus.
-do not forget your temp hp took some of the damage of the last hit (10)

Gorthunder, 5ft to M19 and Full Attack!  Need to check your bonus to see how much BA you want to add, it will apply to all 3 attacks remember (the bonus and the minus).
-do not forget your temp hp took some of the damage of the last hit (5)

Alacor,
- 5ft archon to N19 for cover and cast Aid on Gorthunder.
- summon a creature, I recommend a dire wolf, since the trip could help Gorthunder and myself, and might take up an action for the enemy?  or a group of spiders, since it is in the flowers.  I would say in 21/20-J/K.  It will be in flowers, but will both flank and keep enemy trapped.  Or summon spiders or centipedes all around for flank and because they are in flowers.
- might want your bat to fly back to you as well, now that he is unthreatened.
}

Actions:
(swift action) Ordained Champion smite, +3 AR and +5 DMG
(full round action) Charge the hunter, from 17/18-L/M(I believe, after the Archon 5ft steps (so no cover between us, but he would below my feet so I do not think it would take effect against me anyway)), and travelling straight to 19/20-S/T (or 1 square away if that is in the trees, I did not think so but can be hard to tell).  Charge in a straight line so I do not enter his square, but get close enough to hit.
(part of the attack) use 9 power attack

AR: +1 haste, +1 bless, +2 recitation, +2 bulls str, +1 weapon, +2 str, +1 high ground, +1 weapon focus lance, +9 BA, +2 charge, +5 law devotion, +3 smite evil = +30 -9 for power attack = +21
DMG: x3(9 PWR ATK + 1d8 lance + 1 bonus on lance + 4 str + 4 fire + 5 smite evil) = 3d8+57+12 fire
DC 18 ref or catch on fire, taking more damage (1d4 fire until put out)
note: if I am attacked I use my mount to take cover (DC 15 ride)

Rolls:
{01:30, Today: Herr Johannes rolled 40 using 1d20+21 (19).  AR, on the hunter, with all buffs listed (9 PWR_ATK); tDI. +2 for flanking! lol = 42
01:38, Today: Herr Johannes rolled 73 using 3d8+57 ((7,1,8)).  DMG, for charge against hunter; tDI.}
This message was last edited by the player at 05:48, Sun 08 Apr 2018.

Post:
As Andriel moves up to Ziv, she sees her presence on this side of the battlefield was providential, her healing skills were once again needed.  She was both glad that it was later in this battle than she would have expected but also glad she could be useful even if it meant someone was hurt because of it.  It was a strange dichotomy, like one of her most sacred duties was centered around her friends having been hurt, not that she wanted that, but that it was part of her purpose to correct it, implying that her purpose was, in part, useless if they never slipped and were hurt.  Perhaps some sort of manifestation of yin and yang?  She was not an expert on that though, and she pulled her philosophy-ing mind back to the immediate task.

"Ziv!  Take my dagger!  You can throw it a lot better than I could, let me heal your wounds as I am behind you!  We will take this beast down yet!"  She spoke as she moved unnaturally fast toward her, benefited from Alacor's haste spell, reaching her hand forward for the exchange.

Andriel then moved around her friend and lifted her hand to be a conduit for a new miracle.  She always wished she could see the wounds she heals better, but her hands had to be placed as such in her discipline that she was rarely able to witness the torn muscle reknit or the skin sow itself together.  She lifted her hand to cover the side of Ziv, where blood was still dripping from.  As she did she saw the muscle fibres and connective tissue move out of unison of the subcutaneous adipose tissue as was sometimes typical with this sort of wound.  Better correct it.  The blood felt warm and sticky as she put her hand on her side.

"May the weave of time once again be stretched and moved over this weave of flesh.  May the fibres knit together and skin join, such as to put right what was in disarray.  Heal the side of this warrior of light.  Curabitur!"  {casts cure serious wounds}

Actions:
(move action) Moves to T20
(free action) Hands Ziv her drawn dagger
(std action) Casts Cure Serious Wounds on Ziv (26)!


She orders her skeletons to move as follows:
Ashe-
-stays with Alacor, 5ft stepping to provide cover, but not getting in his way.

1-
-move to Q10
-and pick up the dagger from P10, don't forget bonus to ac from haste

2-
-holds position, providing Archon with cover
-(full) attacks hunter! with the flank
+2 from flank, +1 from bless, +3 from recitation, +2/-2 for sword and claw = +8/+4

Rolls:
{01:12, Today: Andriel rolled 26 using 3d8+8.  Cure Serious Wounds, HP; tDI.
Skeleton 2:
01:46, Today: Andriel rolled 13 using 1d20+8 ((5)).  AR, Skeleton 2 Longsword vs Hunter; tDI.
01:48, Today: Andriel rolled 12 using 1d20+4 ((8)).  AR, Skeleton 2 Claw vs Hunter; tDI.}

Comments on likely order of player actions:
Nurrick Full attacks
Streleka Full attacks
Ziv 5ft steps, takes dagger ...
Andriel moves, heals Ziv, gives dagger
...Ziv Full attacks
Alacor 5ft Archon, Summons Creature, Creature attacks, tripping hunter?
I attack
Skeleton 2 attacks
Gorthunder 5fts and Full Attacks
Archon casts Aid on Gorthunder
This message was last edited by the player at 05:49, Sun 08 Apr 2018.

A curl curved the corner of Ziv's lip. She stepped (into s20) and glanced at the warrior approaching her quickly. Taking the dagger from Andriel's palm, she flung with all her strength the two daggers at the hunter. First the dagger of returning, and then Andriel's dagger. "Thank you for the heal," she said quickly between her throws. (Note: I'm choosing my NW corner to the enemy's square of 21M for determining cover.)
This message was last edited by the player at 04:50, Sun 08 Apr 2018.

Adrenaline pulses through my body as the warm blood seeps from my wound. Tossing aside the notion of striking his weapon, only one thought enters my mind, to strike the foe with all my might. Encouraged by the calls of my new allies, I move to strike!

Actions:
5 ft Step to M19

Full attack on hunter.
Attack Bonus with Dwarven Waraxe: +7/+2, +3 Str, +2 Recitation, +1 Weapon, +1 Attack Bonus (from Alacor), -1 for power attack to add +2 to damage roll = +13 first attack, +8 second attack


Rolls
00:48, Today: Gorthunder rolled 22 using 1d20+13.  First Attack against Hunter.
00:50, Today: Gorthunder rolled 17 using 1d20+8.  Second Attack against hunter.

(Are there any other bonuses to attack roll that I may be missing?)
This message was last edited by the player at 04:57, Sun 08 Apr 2018.

The wizard watched as the hunter cut down both of the centipedes and planted his feet firmly in the ground to get ready to summon another creature. He gripped Steve in his hand and pulled out yet another candle from his bag. Mysteriously the wax of the candle began to melt while in the wizard's hand. The wick suddenly lit and Alacor threw it into the air and it landed next to the hunter with a splash black smoke that obscured the ground. He then muttered some words to himself and retrieved a tiny bag. Alacor stuck his hand into the tiny bag and looked to be grabbing a hold of something inside. He slowly pulled his hand out and as he did a dire wolf began to rise out of the smoke next to the hunter. {Alacor casts Summon Monster IV; summoning a fiendish dire wolf at J20, J21, K20, K21} Biting at the air and growling, the dire wold immediately goes into action and attacks the hunter, biting and trying to trip the hunter off of its feet. {Dire wolf attacks and attempts to trip the hunter}


01:02, Today: Alacor rolled 28 using 1d20+11.  Dire wolf bite attack.
01:02, Today: Alacor rolled 25 using 1d20+11.  Dire wolf; attempt to trip.
01:02, Today: Alacor rolled 11 using 1d8+10.  Dire wolf bite attack damage.

The white haired man then looked towards the dwarf and commanded the archon to fly in the space behind him and continue to aid him. {Archon moves to M18 and casts aid}.

01:11, Today: Alacor rolled 9 using 1d8+3.  Archon temp hit points.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:21, Sun 08 Apr 2018.

Nurick quickly moves to H13, hears Johannes and aims for center mass and shoots at the Hunter 4 times using rapid shot! Trying to do as much damage as possible!


01:22, Today: Nurick rolled 21 using 1d20+13.  Shoot the hunter.
01:46, Today: Nurick rolled 14 using 1d8+8.  Damage to hunter.
01:48, Today: Nurick rolled 2 using 1d6.  Fire Damage to Hunter.

01:21, Today: Nurick rolled 26 using 1d20+18.  Shoot the hunter.
01:46, Today: Nurick rolled 10 using 1d8+8.  Damage to hunter.
01:48, Today: Nurick rolled 2 using 1d6.  Fire Damage to Hunter.

01:20, Today: Nurick rolled 27 using 1d20+18.  Shoot the hunter.
01:46, Today: Nurick rolled 9 using 1d8+8.  Damage to hunter.
01:48, Today: Nurick rolled 1 using 1d6.  Fire Damage to Hunter.

01:20, Today: Nurick rolled 23 using 1d20+18.  Shoot the hunter.
01:46, Today: Nurick rolled 15 using 1d8+8.  Damage to hunter.
01:48, Today: Nurick rolled 6 using 1d6.  Fire Damage to Hunter.
This message was last edited by the player at 06:35, Sun 08 Apr 2018.

A drop of perspiration traveled down the edge of Nurick's brow, carving a pathway through the dirt that had accumulated there. Slowly, he raised his flaming bow. The lit string did not burn his fingers as he pulled it back to his cheek, though he felt a simmering heat on his face. The arrow cradled in the bow caught aflame, and his fingers began to tremble.

He released.

One after the other, he fired four shots at the Hunter, reloading before the string had ceased to vibrate from the last. Most hit their target, the burning arrows protruding from the Hunter like lanterns in the dark {Nurick dealt 27, 11, and 14 damage to the Hunter; his fourth arrow missed}.

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Streleka doing the same, shooting with the same determination and fear. Her pale eyes were a reminder that nobody went home if they were not victorious, assuming victory was possible. Both of Streleka's arrows thudded into the Hunter {Streleka dealt 10 and 6 damage to the Hunter}.

Ziv caught her magical dagger of returning, flying back to her hand like a boomerang. But she hardly held it for a second before she stepped forward and threw it once again. Ziv took yet another dagger from Andriel as the young priestess took shelter behind her, and threw that blade as well. She grinned as both blades found their mark {Ziv dealt 12 and 8 damage to the Hunter}.

“Yes!” she exclaimed, pumping her fist. “Ouch.” She winced, the movement having triggered a deadly pain.

Andriel gasped as she saw Ziv's back, not realizing the extent of the warrior's injury until now. The open wound spanned nearly from her heart to her waist. “Oh my god,” exclaimed the priestess. “How do you still stand?” Quickly, she began to cast a healing spell.

Ziv straightened up, suppressing her weakness with a fierce inner strength. “Now's not the time to lie down and die. I still have things to do, something I need to understand. . . And someone I need to meet.”

Andriel finished her incantation, and the wound nearly vanished. “Please, don't push yourself too hard.”

Ziv glanced back at her and smirked. “The horizon moves only for those willing to go forward.”

On the other side of the battlefield, Alacor cast a spell of his own, and a massive wolf appeared from a cloud of black smoke beside the Hunter. Almost immediately, flowers curled up the legs of the dire wolf and ensnared it in place. But following the wishes of its master, the wolf ignored the vegetation and snapped at the Hunter's thigh. Its teeth scraped away some of the bark-like skin, but it lacked the force to do anything further {Dire Wolf dealt 11 damage to the Hunter; the Hunter resisted its trip attempt. Dire Wolf failed its Reflex Save but succeeded its Fortitude Save; it is now entangled}.

Johannes saw his opportunity. Reering his horse in the air, he charged for another jousting attack and struck the Hunter again with his radiantly blazing lance; the creature staggered in place {Johannes dealt 97 damage to the Hunter; the Hunter resisted catching on fire}.

Around the battlefield, Andriel's skeletal minions began to act, one going to the eastern edge of the battlefield to pick up a dagger from the dead grass, and another swinging with axe and claw at the Hunter's body, though the latter was almost a fruitless gesture as the blows bounced harmlessly off it {S2 missed with both attacks}.

Gorthunder stepped forward to try and make more headway. “Like chopping down a tree,” muttered the dwarf as he swung his waraxe. But like the skeleton, his axe also bounced off the creature's skin. Gorthunder cursed heavily under his breath. “That's one tough tree.” But rather than be discouraged, he felt his resolve increase dramatically, for there was nothing more dangerous nor persistent than a dwarf with grudge {Gorthunder missed with both attacks}.

The Hunter lifted its left hand and stared at the forearm, where several burning arrows and a couple daggers stuck into it. Suddenly, pieces began to fall off, large black flakes in the shape of leaves peeling and falling to the ground. More began to follow, peeling from all over its body.

No.


The beast's eyes flared a blinding bright red, as though a raging fire had been kindled within them. The air around the Hunter became electric, raw power tearing through the void. Gorthunder felt every hair on his body stand on end.

The Hunter hunched and shivered violently, endlessly. More black flakes began to fall like rain. For the first time, its energy felt tangible. And then they realized that the Hunter was floating nearly a foot off the ground.

The end hath come. Grow. Rise. CONSUME. Like all life before thee, thou shalt become soil.

It raised its arms, and everything – absolutely everything – began to writhe. The plants, the trees, even the sky.

Panicked, all those around the Hunter struck at it with everything they had. The dire wolf clamped onto its leg trying to pull it back to the ground, but the Hunter didn't even budge, as though it was suspended in the air by a limitless power {AoO: Dire Wolf dealt 11 damage to the Hunter: the Hunter now immune to Trip}; Andriel's skeleton chopped into its leg, breaking through for the first time {S2 dealt 5 damage to the Hunter}; and Gorthunder delivered a mighty blow, one of the most powerful in his whole life, obliterating a chuck of leg which combusted into black flakes {Gorthunder dealt 34 damage to the Hunter ~CRITICAL HIT}.

The Hunter appeared to be in a devastated state, but it was still alive. And the magic did not stop.

The blood-red flowers everywhere began to grow in all directions, coming in like a flood from the field and trees, growing even beneath the feet of many adventurers. Flowers coiled around the legs of Andriel, Ziv, and Gorthunder, binding them in place; they also grew beneath the feet of Nurick, but the dextrous archer avoided their grasp. All resisted the plant's enervating curse {Andriel, Ziv, and Gothunder failed their Reflex Saves, but Nurick succeeded. All succeeded their Fortitude Saves}.

Even the branches of the trees began to writhe and move on their own; they were coming to life! A dense mass of branches swung out and caught Johannes by surprise, the wood closing around him and his horse in the air like a great hand. The branches tightened their grasp, entwining around each of Johannes' limbs and neck, beginning to crush him alive well above the ground {Johannes takes 8 damage, and Fury takes 5 damage; Johannes and Fury failed their Grapple Checks and are in a Grapple}.

But the worst had yet to come. Upon the great tree in the center of the clearing, the vines shifted, and the skeletons that adorned the tree began to fall to the ground. However, they did not fall into piles of loose bones. They fell upon their feet, and stood. And en masse, they began to march out from the base of the tree, moving through the flowers unimpeded.

Indeed, the end had come.

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
If you are entangled, you may escape by using a Standard Action to make a DC 20 Strength or Escape Artist Check. You may move through flowers at Half-speed.

---

This message was last edited by the GM at 13:56, Mon 09 Apr 2018.

Ziv glanced up at the tangled mess on the flying horse above her, to Andriel, and back to the Hunter within a few seconds. Tossing her first dagger, she fumbled for a moment. But being handed a second dagger from a skeleton, she fiercely tossed it, hoping to land her mark.
This message was last edited by the player at 13:26, Sun 22 Apr 2018.

Action:
Full Attack on Hunter with Dwarven Waraxe
+12 first attack
+7 Second attack
(If I am still getting the +1 bonus from Alacor.)

Rolls:
First attack: 19+12=31
Second attack: Natural 1 (RIP)

Damage Roll
5+(1.5 x 3 str)+1 weapon = 10 dmg from dwarven waraxe
 (am I doing this right?)
This message was last edited by the player at 03:32, Sun 29 Apr 2018.

In Character Chat:
NONE

Notes:
1. Andriel did cast Hide from undead on the party, however, I realized that if the hunter is considered undead that spell could be broken from attacking him, however, if he is not undead like he is an outsider, then the spell would still be in effect on the party.
2. A reminder that the Archon provides protection from evil to all within a 10ft radius of him, thus Gorthunder and S2.
3. For the players: Entangled means -4 Dex and -2 AR, so be aware.  However, if you succeeded your reflex save, you are not entangled, just move at half speed.
4. If you failed your save, remember, you would have to use up a std action to escape, so no attack, often that is not worth it. 

Post Conflict Corrections or Clarifications:
5. Assumably, Alacor centered the web (std web, no sudden widen) at the tree in the way that would best catch all the skeletons there, but not Nurrick (in case that was not obvious).  This is likely L-M/10-9...
6. Alacor forgot to mention this, but the Archon readies an action to cast aid on Gorthunder if he is hit (so cast it after when it will apply again but before any other hit)...
7. This goes the same for the Wolf, the dire wolf also full attacks the hunter.
8. Also the spellcraft for the hunter's spell last round.
I mention these because he and I discussed that, but I noticed he forgot to add it.
9. I believe Ziv did not realize she could not move without a std action, but she defaults to the attack over the movement.
This message was last edited by the player at 06:55, Sun 22 Apr 2018.

"I've got a bad feeling about this." He said upon seeing all the flowers grow out of the ground, a bead of sweat rolls down the wizard's forehead. Alacor looked at Steve and saw a drop of sweat on the staff. How in Tel'Gia does a staff sweat. Then a second dropped splashed onto Steve as he realized it was his own, of course it was his own.

"Would you stop leaning over me like that. You're getting sweat on me!" Steve growled, rather he did the closest thing a magical talking staff could to a growl. Without giving Steve the satisfaction of a response, Alacor simply wiped the head of the staff clean as he took a step farther away from the hunter {5Ft step to D13}.

"You're not scared of spiders are you?" He asked the Staff, but continued before getting a response. "What am I thinking, there must have been hundreds around you in that tomb"

"Well actually..." Steve began to protest before he was cutoff.

"Yeah that's what I thought." The white haired man said to himself. He then fixed his gaze to the tree with an intensity growing in his eyes. "We need to end this now!" He shouted to no one in particular. "I'll try to hold back these creatures!" The wizard then reached into his bag and when he pulled his hand back out it was covered in spider web. He thought he felt Steve shudder for a moment... no couldn't be. The wizard then made a sign with his hands, somehow contorting his fingers into the shape of a web as he spoke "Come forth my creatures of shadows and imprison my enemies.". A tiny spider scurried across his and down Steve. It reached the ground and disappeared in the cracks of the earth. The bark near the base of the tree splintered and burst apart! Thousands of spiders no bigger than the size of a copper piece poured out of the tree and covered the ground around it, leaving trails of webs over the ground. The spiders crawled over the creatures in the area covering them in webs as well, trying to imprison them in place. {Alacor casts Web, centered at the tree as a spread.}
This message was last edited by the player at 05:36, Sun 22 Apr 2018.

Nurick sees the Hunter is badly wounded. He doesn't hesitate and racks another arrow, and begins to shoot it again with rapid shot! With each shot hoping to see the creature collapse to the ground!!!


00:57, Today: Nurick rolled 20 using 1d20+13.  Shoot the Hunter.
01:01, Today: Nurick rolled 14 using 1d8+8.  Damage to Hunter.
01:04, Today: Nurick rolled 6 using 1d6.  Fire Damage to Hunter.

00:59, Today: Nurick rolled 27 using 1d20+18.  Shoot the Hunter.
01:01, Today: Nurick rolled 15 using 1d8+8.  Damage to Hunter.
01:04, Today: Nurick rolled 5 using 1d6.  Fire Damage to Hunter.

00:59, Today: Nurick rolled 24 using 1d20+18.  Shoot the Hunter.
01:01, Today: Nurick rolled 12 using 1d8+8.  Damage to Hunter.
01:04, Today: Nurick rolled 1 using 1d6.  Fire Damage to Hunter.

00:59, Today: Nurick rolled 24 using 1d20+18.  Shoot the Hunter.
01:01, Today: Nurick rolled 11 using 1d8+8.  Damage to Hunter.
01:04, Today: Nurick rolled 5 using 1d6.  Fire Damage to Hunter.

Post:
Andriel looks above her to see Herr Johannes trapped, and Ziv entangled as well.  It seemed she was able to resist the poison this time, but got tangled in the process, what a bother.  She looks over to see the tree now shedding skeletons like leaves.  "I thought those would probably try to attack us," she says to herself, "hmph, well, I have something for them."  However, as she goes to reach for her holy symbol, she almost immediately (affected by haste as she was) sees her own skeleton running toward her with the dagger she had asked for, for Ziv.  "Oh no... "How would this affect them?  She wonders to herself.  She looks at her holy symbol a moment, wondering what this means now... she never considered there would be a conflict like this?  With no more time to think about it, she drops the holy symbol to hang back around her neck again.

"What else do I have left?  Just healing spells?  Hmm..."  She then sees the scrap of leather on her belt, she decides to draw the weapon she thought she would never have to use... her sling.  "I always thought Herr Johannes was way over the top asking me to bring this scrap of leather and twine with me." she complains to herself as she slings her shield. "'But Herr, with spells as we have, why would we ever need this?'" She replies out loud, as she begins to draw her sling, reciting the words of her master in an overblown Vaterlandic accent "'Yove got to be prepared, a good soldier trains with the weapons of his trade.  There are times when even your spells will be exhausted and you will have to find something else.  You do not want to be caught on the field without it...' and here I am, pulling this thing out.  Well, time to use that mandatory training.
Wait, on second thought, you do the throwing Ziv, take this dagger!"

Actions:
(move action) Slings shield
(move action) Draws sling or takes dagger from skeleton and hands to Ziv.
5ft steps if possible, but I assume it is not...

She orders her skeletons to move as follows:
Ashe-
-stays with Alacor, to provide cover, but not getting in his way.
-(moves to E13, while drawing his crude greatclub, ready's an action to attack any enemy that gets in range)

1-
-withdraw action (allowing a double move)
-double move: East to V10 (7 squares), North to V19 (16 squares)
-hands dagger to Ziv, if possible, or gets closer if possible...
-if not possible, hands to Andriel, then Andriel to Ziv.
-don't forget bonus to ac and move from haste

2-
-holds position, providing Dire Wolf with flank
-(full) attacks hunter! with the flank
+2 from flank, +1 from bless, +3 from recitation, +2/-2 for sword and claw = +8/+4. -1 from crude sword = +7/+4

Rolls:
{02:20, Today: Andriel rolled 13 using 1d20+8.  Spellcraft, on the hunter's spell last round; tDI.
02:52, Today: Andriel rolled 10 using 1d20+4.  AR, Skeleton 2 Claw vs Hunter; tDI.
02:52, Today: Andriel rolled 16 using 1d20+7.  AR, Skeleton 2 Longsword vs Hunter; tDI.}
This message was last edited by the player at 07:59, Sun 22 Apr 2018.

Post:
The branches took me by complete surprise, I could barely believe it.  I am engulfed in flame, like a human torch, yet now being entangled by a group of branches wrapped around my waist.  "UG, AWAY FROM ME YOU SNAKES!"  It was hard to tell at first what they were that was grabbing me, they were around my chest, trying to squeeze the life out of me.  I then remembered my grappling training.  When you are getting choked, you begin to feel frantic.  Few other times in the martial arts match it.  A great concern floods your mind, pressing you to panic.  I knew I had to focus and do what I was taught, as well as I could with the opponent just being vines.  I turned my head to the side and tried to fit my hand in around my throat.  'First thing is always get air!' I heard my instructor telling the class.  I then threw my arm back, elbowing the vines away as I bent over to draw the vines over my head.  This was a bit different on the back of a horse, but still similar with only minor adjustment.  Most did not realize how much you really stand in the saddle of a horse.  They seem to think you just sit there, not the case at all.
I goaded fury with my heels, "come on boy, we got this" I squeezed out as I lead him to move away after he resisted.

Actions:
I attempt to escape the grapple, I use all attacks I have available to me, and the same for Fury.  How this works for Fury I am not sure completely, since his full attack is 3 attacks, 2 hooves, and a bite. I would assume that means 3 attacks, plus 1 from haste.
I have 2 at max and a 3rd 5pts lower, however, this is only assuming we did not succeed on the first roll.

My AR: +1 haste, +1 bless, +2 recitation, +2 bulls str, +2 str, +9 BA, +5 law devotion = +22
Fury AR: +1 haste, +1 bless, +2 recitation, +4 str, +4 BA, +4 size = +16
does +2 bulls str apply from share spells?

Fire Domain Question: Does my grapple check to escape count as an attack, thus catching the vines on fire?
Law Domain Question: Does it apply to my mount also?

note: if I am attacked, if possible, I use my mount to take cover (DC 15 ride)
from the PHB "If you escapev[the grapple], you finish the action by moving into any space adjacent to your opponent(s)."

After I escape the grapple, I move out of reach of the branches to R-S/18-17 and sling my shield as I move.

Rolls:
{03:37, Today: Herr Johannes rolled 39 using 1d20+22.  Grapple, to escape the grapple; tDI.
03:38, Today: Herr Johannes rolled 33 using 1d20+16.  Grapple, to escape the grapple (Fury); tDI .
hmm, natural 17 on both, the number of victory in Hebrew}

notes: Just to be sure, Fury did not already escape last round, after the bonus 4, because he would not have to take the minus 9 like I did?  Also, is there any provision for ride taking the place of grapple for a mount?

The dwarf Gorthunder could feel his heart pounding, like a drum in the depths of a mountain. The Hunter, the most powerful creature he had ever faced, loomed above him suspended in the air, its black bark-skin raining down like the ashes of a raging volcano. He felt as though the creature's power itself was pushing him back, he was convinced that if it weren't for the accursed flowers that curled around his legs and ensnared him in place, that he would have already been swept away. He gazed up at the Hunter and mustered whatever courage and strength he had left, and he lifted his axe and swung. His first strike hit true, biting away at the hard flesh, but he could not rouse the strength in his arms to hit with another {Gorthunder dealt 9 damage to the Hunter; his second attack missed}.

From afar, a dagger flew across the field and cut through the Hunter, leaving a deep scar in its wake. Gorthunder looked over his shoulder and saw Ziv, still fighting on even as the situation grew dire; she then struggled to move and escape from the flowers that grew rapidly about her, but the grip they had on her was fierce, and she was forcefully rooted in place {Ziv dealt 11 damage to the Hunter}.

The power emanating from the Hunter intensified and could be felt at every corner of the field; the plants and trees kept on growing, and the branches arched over the field, soon to encase this entire place in a prison of natural design. And all while skeletons dropped from the corrupted tree in the field's center and began to form an undefeatable horde.

The wizard Alacor saw all this and was forced into a difficult choice. He shouted to across the field, hoping his voice would reached the priestess Andriel. “Andriel! Get your skeleton away from the tree!”

To his relief, she seemed to hear him, as well as comprehension his intention; her servant ran from the tree and took a place at her side. Alacor spared no time.

He raised his staff, and something began to happen. Small spiders poured forth from the tree, everywhere, crawling across the ground, falling from the branches, all leaving webs in their wake, until the entire lower part of the tree and all the area around it was shrouded in an immense cobweb. The small spiders then crawled back into the crevices of the tree and beneath the roots and returned to whatever domain they were summoned from.

And thus the skeleton horde was trapped, their boney arms and legs caught in the countless webs like flies. They flailed their arms and clawed forward, still relentlessly trying to reach the living beyond their grasp; but they were utterly imprisoned, and their movements resembled nothing more than puppets on strings.

Johannes watched this transpire beneath him. “I cannot leave my friends to face the perils below alone. I must escape this vile tree! AARGH!”

He struggled against the branches, and with the pure vigor of his will, broke through a branch as thick as his own arm. With the main stem shattered he found the other branches weak, and he could move once again. But below him, Fury, his steed, remained ensnared.
“Come on, Fury, my loyal friend. We must break free. Fight!”

Fury pushed and pushed, and after perilous effort the horse burst through the branches and flew freely into the air, Johannes with it. Johannes shouted in triumph and brought horse to a hover, where he loosened the straps on his shield {Johannes succeeded his grapple check; Fury failed his first grapple check but succeeded on his second}.

And finally there was Nurick, who stood mere feet from the great tree. He looked over his right shoulder at the skeleton mob, and they in turn were looking at him, reaching out toward him ravenously with bony claws. But their reach was held back by the webs that Alacor had summoned, and their fingers but only grazed the surface of Nurick shoulder. Still, the archer felt a terrible chill at their touch, the touch of those who are dead.

With willpower beyond reckoning, he faced away from the skeletal mob and pushed them from his concentration; he faced the Hunter. “This will all end with him. And it must end now. Or we shall die here.”

He raised his fiery bow and shot an arrow at the Hunter, and it pierced the beast in the chest; a massive black fragment felt away and disintegrated into a thousand flakes before ever touching the ground. He fired again at the same spot, and the Hunter began to quake more violently than he had. The plants everywhere writhed vigorously and tightened and crushed those who were in their grasp, and all could feel their fury.

Nurick rallied himself, for he knew he could not stop. He fired again, and again shot into the same spot; the sky darkened. And finally he fired his fourth shot, splitting the previous arrow as it flew into the chest of the Hunter {Nurick dealt 26, 25, 14, and 21 damage to the Hunter!}.

The Hunter roared, a blood curdling roar that seemed to reach over the whole forest and, gently, it floated back down to the ground. There, it uncurled its previously hunched back and stood up perfectly straight, and it planted the end of its spear into the earth. The furious red glow in its eyes receded and vanished as it gazed over the clearing, seeming to see all of the adventurers in turn, though not with hate. The black flakes ceased falling, and the Hunter looked much the same as it once did but perhaps more wane.

It spoke; not with a voice as most creatures do, but with words that arose in the mind of the adventurers like thoughts that were not their own.

A princess made,
A sin thus cast,
A king must fall,
Or all shall last.

The words brought a powerful sense of melancholy, a deep sadness in the minds of the adventurers, and then a sensation of calm.

Suddenly, color itself drained away from the Hunter: The whiteness of its skull, the crimson of its leafy hair, and even the blackness of its skin, all seemed to drain and fade and leave all parts of it the color of charcoal gray. And the Hunter ceased to move.


A similar fate fell upon the flowers and trees around the field, for they also ceased to move, settling down to calm and quiet stillness. The crimson color of the flowers drained away and left their petals, not gray, but a pure and delicate white, making them appear all at once different than they had before.

Of the adventurers who were ensnared, the vines and flowers fell to their feet, leaving them completely free; and the horde of skeletons hung limp and still among the webs. Alacor dismissed the magic responsible for the webs and caused them to disappear, and the skeletons collapsed into heaps and piles of loose bones, most of which were hidden beneath the flowers of the field.

But most surprising of all, there appeared sprouts of grass – true, green grass – which rose from the soil at the Hunter's feet and climbed up its legs and spread a little ways from it, before coming to a quiet stop. The adventurers marveled at the grass, for it was the first truly green plant that the party had yet seen on the island, and it seemed to shine like something holy among the bleak and gray world they had come to know.

Then, the sun broke over the horizon, being the hour of dawn, and poured through the trees of the forest. A golden light washed over them, bringing with it a sense of renewal and warmth. And all was peaceful.

The battle was over.


Gorthunder peered at the now still Hunter standing before him, which looked as though it were made of stone and no longer showed any sign of life. “It's looks like the beast's become a statue or something.”

The other adventurers walked over to the dwarven stranger, and all stood in the light of dawn. Johannes guided his horse onto the ground and joined them, trotting up to their side. They, too, observed the Hunter.

“So, um, what should we do next?” asked Ziv, whose sight at the statue-like Hunter made her meaning obvious.

“We should destroy it,” declared Johannes. “Make way.” He backed up and lifted his lance.

“Wait!” cried Streleka, stepping in between Johannes and the Hunter.

Johannes lowered his weapon. “Streleka, why do you stop me? We don't want this creature rising up again to plague us. We should use this opportunity to destroy it while we can, once and for all.”

“I understand why you think this, for I feared and fought it just the same as you did,” said Streleka. “But all the same, I ask you not to destroy it.” She turned and gazed upon the statue, and then her eyes wandered into things once remembered, and once forgotten. “This spirit is called the Hunter in the common tongue, but in the Estraen-elvish, it is called Isiltyr, which means both Hunter and Protector. Before the fall of Estraeus, before the great corruption, this spirit and its grove was held sacred and revered by my people. It was a benevolent spirit. Fierce to those whose threatened the wood, and helper to those who showed it respect. But like everything else, it was corrupted by the evil that came to this land and was bound by it. Right now, I believe the spirit has been, in a sense, slain. But hopefully. . .” She looked into the empty eyes of the still and silent Hunter. “But maybe, someday, it will return when the evil has passed, return to serve this place once more. And for this reason, I don't want to see it banished forever.”

Johannes did not respond right away, but he entered a deep contemplation on the matter. While he did so, Andriel called out from near the center tree. “Hey everyone, there's loot all over the place here! These skeletons must have been the remains of past adventurers, for they are all covered with items. Also, Crispina and Cabrakan are waking up!”

The party then hastened over to Andriel, at whose feet was Crispina. Crispina turned and shifted, struggling out from a deep sleep, and her eyes slowly pried open. “Hm? What happened?” she said dreamily, seeing her companions standing over her, though they were still blurry to her eyes.

“Welcome back,” said Nurick.

The party felt a surge of joy at seeing her alive and, by all appearances, okay. But then they were startled out of their wits by a sudden shout that nearly split their ears.

“AAAGH, GET ME DOWN! GET ME DOWN!”

The adventurers swiftly looked up and saw Cabrakan, their priest, who at that moment was caught in a clump of vines twenty-feet up in the tree, dangling upside-down by his right foot. Alacor started laughing, for the large priest looked ridiculous in his predicament. Seeing this put the adventurers at ease, for, even though he was in a bit of a situation, he also seemed okay. And the party laughed together.

The nightmare had ended.





This message was last edited by the GM at 11:54, Mon 23 Apr 2018.

The wizard and staff both let out a very large sigh of relief. His shoulders relax after such a long night and the man runs his fingers through his messy hair, moving it out of his face. "That was... AMAZING!" Steve shouted. "You have no idea what it's been like stuck in that box for so long. And then YOU all come along and the first night out THIS all happens?! Yeah I think I'll stick with you guys for a while." Alacor looked down at Steve for a long moment with a serious face, then bellowed out a laugh in response. "Hah, oh that was quite something." Out of habit he started to try to give Steve a high-five, but half way through remember he was just a staff. He awkwardly turned his open hand into a fist and sort of bumped Steve with it *knock* "Um.." Steven murmured. "Shut up."

He returned a few items back to his pack and walked over to the tree. The wizard looked around for a stick roughly in the shape of a staff. There is was, laying on the ground near the base of the tree, hidden under a patch of flowers. He picked it up and secured it to his back.

Alacor then joined the others in searching through the enemies looking for anything useful. They could use anything to help them in a place like this. "AHH" Steve cried. Looking down the wizard almost barreled straight into a dwarf, and he surely would have if Steve didn't cry out. A dwarf? He tried to sort out the last few minutes, everything happened so quickly, but there was no dwarf when they set out. He turned to him, "Ah pardon me, but I don't believe we've had an introduction. I suppose we were a tad bit preoccupied." Grinning as he spoke and reaching out a hand, "Thank you for the assistance. My name is Alacor and this here is Steve. He's a staff, long story."

{23:23, Today: Alacor rolled 10 using 1d20+6. Search check.}
This message was last edited by the player at 03:23, Sun 29 Apr 2018.

Gorthunder let out a deep sigh. He felt heavy breathing within his lungs. As his breathing calmed and his heart settled a feeling of triumph swelled within him. He looked at the now motionless Hunter and then to the rest of the party. After a moment a broad smile broke out from within his tangled beard and he let out a boisterous laugh. He looked to the wizard with his outstretched hand "Well met Alacor and erm..." he gave the staff a quizzical look "Steve?". He nodded and graciously shook Alacor's hand. "The name is Gorthunder!" He addressed the entire gathering. "That was a powerful display of teamwork and courage! For a moment or two I thought I was in a bit of trouble, and I probably was!" He let out another booming laugh. He let his axe and shield rest against a near stump and sat on a downed log. Putting one hand on his knee and stroking his long braided beard with the other the dwarf leaned forward."What brings you to these parts travelers? There is an outpost not two hours from here. If you are willing, it would provide food, drink, and a place of rest. Any help for you fine folk, I will happily provide." He nodded happily. Looking enthusiastically to each of the party members.

Ziv searched about the area for items and gold alike. It seemed get teammates found value in the things they found. Since no one took a huge interest at first in their findings, she simply took duty of what to look for.

She nodded at the newcomer, but shrugged at introductions. They'll get to introducing--there's quite a few people. Might as well let everyone else go first.

In Character Chat:
Alacor:
21:08, Mon 23 Apr: Alacor rolled 23 using 1d20+21.  Spellcraft check; Hunter's spell when summoning the flowers.

Andriel
Can you tell anything about the spell the hunter cast Alacor?

Alacor
No I can't. I've never seen this kind of magic before.

Johannes:
(to Streleka @Phra Ryan Ṭhiṭisampanno Persha) Is this actually the hunter?  This stone statue?  Is it finished?  Or does it only sleep until the night falls again, like some kind of Gargoyle?

Andriel:
Hmm, I could tell little about it as well.  Being this is a sacred grove, or was, perhaps could now be again... I would think that druid we met could be of help.  I would think it is some sort of druidic natural magic.

Alacor
You're guess is as good as mine, but that would make sense to me.

Johannes
Have you taken a look at the items on that tree @Alacor?  Sounds like there is a lot of gear up there?

Soldier Dwarf!  My name is Herr Johannes and this is my party.  What brought you to fight by our side?

And this is my apprentice, Andriel, worker of the divine, she can assist with your wounds.  I noticed you took a few hits while fighting on our side.

Gorthunder
My name is Gorthunder! I came looking for some allies of mine and nearly was discovered by this beast.
Luckily you all arrived or I might have been in a spot.
I have a hunch they met an ill fate to his hands...
Healing would be much appreciated. It is a pleasure to meet all of you!

Johannes:
Well met!

Hopefully not, but perhaps some of this equipment here could tell you?  We're they dwarves like yourself?

Ziv
@Cabrakan would you mind healing me up a bit? This kinda stings.

Johannes:
What brought you this far out into the zone Gorthunder?

Also, could someone explain to @Crispina and Cabrakan what happened?

Gorthunder
They were two humans. We just established an outpost about 2 hours west-southwest from here in an old fortress. The two had left ahead to scout the area and after not returning by the agreed time I came out here to search for them.

Johannes:
Hmm, did you know them from before, or met on the Isle?

For that matter, I would like to hear what happened to Crispina and Cabrakan to end them up like this?

Gorthunder
We travelled together for a short while looking for work and took this job escorting a group out here. We weren't necessarily close but it disheartens me to think what might have become of them. Back at the outpost are merchants and mercenaries who might have information. Most are from Fort Zombiehead.

Johannes:
You mean further information on your companions?
What brought you to the Isle?

Gorthunder
Me personally? That is a question indeed... work perhaps. I have worked as a mercenary for most of my young life and it is all I know. The group I took part in escorting is attempting to set up shop closer to the center of the isle. Their coin is good and so here I am. What about yourselves?

{Andriel answered, see her post}
This message was last edited by the player at 04:29, Sun 29 Apr 2018.

Post:
As I see the hunter recede, I cannot help but give a shout!  "HUZZZAHHH!  WE DID IT!  We made it guys!  Victory is ours!  Hear that Fury?!  We did it, boy!  We did it!"  I elatedly pat my stallion with the realization of what happened now set in!  I observe at the Hunter a moment with respect to Streleka's words.  As opposed to other times, I do not look at him with aggression or hatred, but a tinge of sadness.  Somehow I knew, I knew before the end, that the hunter was not evil, not innately, but trapped in the shackles of evil.  Like its body was not under its control, that it could do nothing after the taint had taken hold of it.  This was perhaps the first of the creatures of the Isle to be released from the taint, even if only moved to a sort of dormant state, in the interim of its salvation.  I just pray it is in this state or a better one, rather than its past state until the taint is lifted, as opposed to just at night.  A tear comes to my eye, of joy for the battle, and for the state of this creature, forced against its will to terrorized what it loved.  At first glance though, the tear would be hard to

I was still left with many questions, but at least for the time being, I was so elated, I knew we needed a moment to rest, and the question and tasks did not have to be handled immediately.  A moment to enjoy our victory before another quest, another mission.  We needed the rest.

"Streleka, do you know, or at least have a supposition as to whether this stone appearance is just showing the hunter sleeps during the day, or until the isle is lifted from this curse?  I can respect your wishes about leaving it be, I feel I somehow know that you are right, that this creature was never one of evil.  I know a druid, an Estraean one at that, who could likely tell us more, especially if this was one of your sacred groves at one time.  She is back at the Fort, which we all severely need to go to before pressing further.  We need to resupply and recover.  In order to help you, we must resupply, but make no mistake, we will honor our agreement, which is why we all must return because I want your- our mission, to be a success.  Doubly, Crispina needs the escort to the tower, as I can tell by this battle heh, and her condition is urgent.

Excuse me a moment to help Cabrakan."

At this I fly my mount up to Cabrakan to help him down, allowing him to grab onto my mount firmly before cutting him free.

"What happened to you guy out there Cabrakan?!  How did this happen!  Tell me the story friend."

Actions:
Fly up to Cabrakan and help him down
Search the tree while I can fly for any loot hidden higher up in the tree
Examine the Skeletons that were in the hunter's control

Rolls:
{23:47, Today: Herr Johannes rolled 20 using 1d20.  Search, for items high in the tree; tDI. NATURAL 20 on SEARCH!

23:47, Today: Herr Johannes rolled 17 using 1d20+7.  Knowledge (Religion), Hunter's skeletons; tDI.}

Post:
"We made it... Phew!" She thought to herself.  "That was serious, but we made it."  She still felt weakened by the flowers from earlier, and slightly trepidatious, but overwhelmed with pride, they did it.  They made it through the night.

As she walked up to the tree to check on Crispina, she noticed it was full of loot!  Which she excitedly communicated to the party and began to search after checking on Crispina.  "There is not much I can do to restore your strength at this time Crispina, only your wounds.  I know that might not seem to make sense, but it is all I have left after that battle." She began to feel the great weariness from the battle and being up all night set in.  She needed a rest so badly now.

She realized then also, what became of the spear the hunter was using?  Was it still in its hand, now made of stone?  She went over to check.

Around the time she finished examining the... statue?  Herr Johannes called her over.  "Ah yes, nice to meet you Mr. Dwarf!  You really helped us here on the ground, thank you!  Let me take a look at those wounds.  I am Andriel, Herr Johannes' apprentice."

She then concentrated hard to remember what she still had left in her.  Not much...

She reached out her hand and touched the dwarf, near his bleeding chest.  She prayed with both hands on his wounds, seeking the divine for aid once more.
"Once again we entreat the powers that bind the universe together, the forces of good in this and other planes.  Cure this soldier's wounds, he served for the sake of good, so let his actions be blessed, let his wounds that he sustained for the salvation of others not be overlooked.  Let the fabric of time acknowledge this." {Casts Cure light wounds 2x, total 26 HP restored}

Afterward, Andriel spoke to the Dwarf, "Does that help?  Are your wounds still in need of more?
I think we would be interested to take you up on your offer for the outpost Master Dwarf, but after we go back to our camp to check on our wounded, if it can wait to return to your camp I mean, like unless you think your friends might be there?  We all really need to rest, especially the spell casters here.  You see, in order to cast more spells, we spellcasters must be able to rest and pray, and we have been up all night seeking to find our friends.  These 2 in the tree are ours and were taken by this creature, baiting us to follow.  We knew it was a trap, but what else could we do for our friends?  So we came to fight for them.

OH! and I should mention, these skeletons are under my control, and provided rather effective shields for you all this battle, don't you think?"

Actions:
Searches the tree for loot.
Examine check on the Hunters's skeletons (remains).
Examine check on the tree, obvious loot.
Examine check on the Hunter now.
Casts cure light wounds, for detect undead, and for cure light wounds in her spell list; on Gorthunder.

Rolls:
{00:15, Today: Andriel rolled 11 using 1d8+9.  Cure Light Wounds, on Gorthunder; tDI.
00:15, Today: Andriel rolled 15 using 1d8+9.  Cure Light Wounds, on Gorthunder; tDI.
00:14, Today: Andriel rolled 20 using 1d20+1.  Knowledge (Religion), Hunter's skeletons; tDI.
00:14, Today: Andriel rolled 16 using 1d20-1.  Search, for items on the ground and low in the tree; tDI.}
This message was last edited by the player at 04:24, Sun 29 Apr 2018.

He graciously accepted the healing. "Thank you, and a pleasure to meet you. I already feel much better. At this point I am not sure where I might find my companions. I believe heading back to my outpost would prove futile on that end. How far is your camp? Perhaps the group I came with might have a way to help your wounded."

He stood up and groaned as stretched and rubbed his now healed wounds. Then giving his belly a big pat he said, "Good as new!" He thought that perhaps Johannes was right about finding clues to the whereabouts of his friends. He looked towards the skeletons, "They certainly played a critical role in the battle. Should one of those attacks landed on one of us instead of the skeletons I feel one of us would have been in quite the danger." He nodded again and smiled brightly at Andriel "Thank you again for the healing!"

He walked to the tree and began examining the corpses and remains lying beneath the tree, searching for any signs that might give him clues to the fate of his friends.

Rolls:


Gorthunder rolled 16 using 1d20+1.  Searching useful items and signs of my lost allies.

Streleka gazed up at the statue of the Hunter and gently laid her finger-tips on its arm. It was warm to the touch but only slightly, like a tree that had long basked in the autumn sun.

"I don't know," she murmured, more to herself than anyone in particular. "There's nothing more I could tell you about the Hunter, nor of the mysteries he keeps." She looked over at Johannes, finally making it clear who she was talking to. "After growing up on the isle of Perdane in the shelter of cities and mansions, and away from all the horrors of my lost home, I'm beginning to realize. . ." She smiled, her emotion inscrutable. "In truth, I don't know anything at all."

Andriel walked beside her and touched the long spear which the Hunter held, apprehensive at first as though it would somehow react to her mortal fingers; but the spear remained silent. Her eyes scaled to the weapon to its peak, being nearly twice her height and aimed perfectly at the zenith of the sky. The spear was held with its end firmly planted in the ground, and after pushing for a few moments against it she knew that not even ten men could remove it from the Hunter's grip. Shaking her head she let it be and left to search the field of flowers with the others. . .




This message was last edited by the GM at 23:56, Thu 03 May 2018.

Nurick sees the Hunter fall and is immediately filled with relief. Finally, he gets to fix his hair which has been annoying him since the fight started. Puts his bow away and gets control of his hair and clean himself up. Then begins to make his way to the Hunter and starts looking for any salvageable arrows and anything of value.

22:05, Today: Nurick rolled 9 using 1d20+1.  Search check.

The wizard pulls out his notebook from his bag and flips to a section of blank pages and begins writing quickly. He records everything he just saw. "This was unlike anything I've ever seen before." He smirks while he continues to write. "This'll show all those professors. Trying to waste my time with books and studying, it's nothing like the real world. This is exactly what I need to get into The Order." Alacor speaks with his companions and tells them he must go for a short time. He reassures them it will only be for a hours and he will return very soon. Teleportation has its advantages. The wizard gathers his belongings and with Steve in hand, he's ready to leave. The wizard grips his staff in both hands out in front of him and speaks in draconic to cast the spell. "Bring us to the doors of black and white and leave the place of death and darkness behind." The others watched as Alacor almost instantly shrank into a single point and was gone.

Alacor appears in Herrod and arrives at the larger eastern island of the city. The small island is dominated by a tall square building. It is almost featureless with a few windows. The only thing that stands out is the double doors at the entrance; one is white and the other black. The wizard has Steve in hand and says to himself and Steve, "The House of Black and White, the home of the Arcane Order." "That's not very original" Steve murmurs. Alacor shoots him a sharp look, "When we're in there can you please keep your thoughts to yourself? They may want to keep you for study. I know you're the only talking staff I have come across." "Fine." The staff says reluctantly.

The wizard made his way down the stone path up to the double doors. He lifted his hand and grabbed the knocker on one of the doors. *THUD THUD THUD* Almost instantly there were sounds of latches and locks being released from the inside. Then the door slowly opened and a man stepped out. The cloak he was wearing looked as though it might have been white at one point but is now a mix between gray and brown. He wore his hood, shadowing most of his face. In a rough voice, the man spoke, "Who are you and what do you want?" The wizard straightened up and promptly replied, "I am Alacor. I'm a wizard and I would like to join the Order." The old man waited a long time before speaking. "We don't let just anyone in who claims to be a wizard. We don't even let any wizard in. Have a good day." He turns to go back inside. Alarmed, Alacor quickly replies, "I have some research that could be of use! I have been to the dead isle." The man stopped and turned back to face Alacor. "Now that is interesting. We haven't had someone of the order return from there. I will invite you inside and see what you have to offer our ranks but first, there is a test you must pass." He reached into one of his pockets and pulls out two cards. He places one in each face down with the symbol of the Arcane Order on the backs. The man holds them out to Alacor and says, "One of these cards has a sweet roll on its face. On the other is a scythe. Choose the sweet roll and you may come inside." Alacor looked at the cards in slight surprise. "I was expecting some kind of test, but not something as simple or random like this." He whispered to himself and Steve. "Don't be mistaken, we never leave something to mere chance." The man replied. Alacor was taken aback, not expecting to be heard. The wizard poured over the cards and thought about which one to choose. He thought about what the man said that it wasn't chance. Then he got it! Doing his best to not smile in realization, he reached for one of the cards. Alacor was very careful to pick it up so that the man could not see what was on it. He turned its face to himself. It was the scythe. Alacor moved his gaze from the card up to meet the man's eyes. "I have won, it is the sweet roll." Without expression, the man replied, "Give it here and let me see." Without a word, the wizard crushed the card in his hand, stuck it in his mouth, and ate it. After swallowing he said, "Sorry, the sweet roll just looked so good I couldn't help myself." Alacor then flipped over the other card in the man's hand, "Here is the scythe though." The man put the card back into his pocket and simply said, "Follow me."

The wizard shook his white hair out of his face and looked over to Steve and gave a wink before following the man inside. They went into a study and sat a desk. The place had books everywhere that a place could be found. Scrolls and other papers littered the desk they sat at, but the man made no move to clear the space. He looked to Alacor and said, "You have proven your cleverness to make it here. To join the arcane order we require two offerings. One of knowledge and the other to be a more personal gift or sacrifice. You said you recently traveled to the dead isle. If you have any research from your journey it would be most valuable." Alacor quickly reached into his bag and pulled out a handful of loose pages. "I took some notes on what we saw and encountered there. I've already made copies that you are welcome to keep here." He set down the pages in front of the man and waited while he skimmed through them. "This is good, very good. The dead isle has been a mystery ever since the war ended." "And I have this." Alacor took a deep breath and pulled his old staff off of his back. He gripped the ebony wood and laid it on the table in front of him. "This was my first staff. It was given to me by a teacher when I first started learning. It is time for it to serve another." The man clapped his hands together as he smiled and said, "This is perfect! Welcome to the Arcane Order Alacor. You are permitted to use the library and walk about as you please. I would suggest meeting some of the others of our order who are currently here. I am Thoros, one of the senior wizards here. The first order of business is for you to choose a focus. This will allow you to channel magic from the spell pool here. You may choose anything from the shelf over there." He pointed to the shelf on the wall behind himself. Alacor walked over and before he was all the way to the shelf he could already see the one that would be his. It was a silver medallion in the shape of a wolf's head. After picking it up Thoros continues, "Now let me tell you about our benefits package."

The two spent some time talking together. Thoros went over all of the details about the Arcane Order and everything that came with it. They talked about Alacor's findings on the dead isle. Alacor then spent some time walking around the building and introducing himself to some of those who were around. The wizard decided it was time to get back to his companions on the dead isle. Securing his new medallion around his neck he walked out of the house with Steve in hand and began to teleport to where he left the others. He spoke again to cast the spell. In an instant, the wizard completely disappeared. He only left behind a small disturbance in the dust and dirt from where he was standing. While the other party members are standing about, the suddenly appears next to them, startling those that were close by. "Hey guys, I'm back."
This message was last edited by the player at 16:11, Sat 24 Nov 2018.