Tanrov will follow Talis down the rough hewn stairs with scimitar and shield out

Cat hands out 2 pebbles to those who want them, readying an energy blast for herself as she heads onwards. Gods, she hates ghouls.

"Cat, may I have two as well," asks Tanrov

   The group starts down the spiral stairs, with the (by now) familiar ghoul stench getting stronger and the noise of combat getting louder.  Iesha has ruined any chance of surprise, but if probably making inroads on the ghoul population.  The stairs end (facing east)in a limestone cavern. The walls drip with moisture, and swaths of black and dark blue mold grow in spiraling, tangled patterns on the floor, ceiling, and walls. Bits of rubble and broken bones clutter the floor, and a rhythmic sound—as of the breathing of some immense creature—echoes through the cave from three tunnels, one to the north and two to the west. Of the two western tunnels, the southernmost one seems to be a relatively new creation.  The sounds of battle come from the northern tunnel, but a much more ominous sound comes from the west tunnel, >caw, caw< as thousands of crows come flapping in from that tunnel.  But these aren't ordinary crows, they are some hideous undead murder/swarm.  There is also a >snuffling< sound from the south as an undead dire badger also attacks...

I am currently at Dragonflight in Seattle, WA...and will provide a map soon...

Zer, Talis and Glum have initiative on the undead, the badger is right next to the stairs, but is currently flat-footed and a swarm of undead crows is just entering the room, 20' away.
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:29, Mon 16 Aug 2010.

Glum cast a new spell, sending a bright blue ray of light from the palms of his hand toward the undead crows.

OOC the spell is searing light... Glum needs to make a ranged touch attack on the swarm and if he makes it, the swarm takes 5d6 damage (or 5d8 if they are particularly susceptible to light.  There is no saving throw.
22:35, Today: Glum rolled 15 using 5d6. searing light damage.
22:35, Today: Glum rolled 16 using 1d20+4. ranged attack (touch).

Talis whirls and throws a stone at the badger, before making drawing his sword and activating his shield.

23 to hit
11 dam

Zer-wedula takes a step back and casts Fireball upon the swarming crows.

"Talis, strength, size, or skill?" he asks.

Cat just shakes her head, Ghoul animals? What's next? She sends an energy burst towards to badger. "I  can strengthen people too."

17:41, Today: Catessa Fallowfield rolled 24,4 using d20+9,3d6. attack, damage.

Tanrov will swing at the sniffing undead badger.

Rolling a 19 to hit (1d20 +7)
Rolling a 8 to dmg. (1d6 +2)
This message was last edited by the player at 23:54, Sat 14 Aug 2010.

Round 1
Glum casts a spell and a beam of light shots through the Murder (of Crows), vaporizing any it touches.
[Private to Glum: This is a Carrionstorm;
Where the dead walk, the carrion birds follow. In most cases,
birds that feast on the remains of the undead simply grow diseased
and die. Yet the flesh of some ghouls has an altogether different
effect upon such scavengers, for when they die of the poisoned
repast, they do not stay dead for long. Alone, the isolated
undead crow or vulture is little more than a hideous mockery,
but in rare cases where ghoulish activity is thick, entire flocks
of carrion birds can succumb to undeath, retaining their flock
mentality yet no longer seeking the flesh of the freshly dead
to sate their hunger. Carrionstorms, as these flocks of undead
birds are known, find brief respite from their morbid hunger
only when their meals are warm and screaming.]

Talis hit's the badger, but it is a tough undead and keeps coming forward as he draws his sword and shield to face the birds.

Zer-wedula unleashes a small bead of fire that shoots into the flapping birds and detonates with a >whoosh<, and the mass of birds fall from the air.  For a brief instant, you hope that ends the threat.  Alas, you hear more birds behind and after a second, the cavern is filled with undead crows.

UndeadBadger unleashes his fury on Glum, but seems to withdraw from the holy energy of the Searing Light, and misses all 3 attacks.

Crows 3, 4, 5 fly forward, looking for flesh to sate their undead hunger, but they are clumsy fliers (their undead wings don't hold the air well) and do not make it to the group this round.

Tanrov/Garth deals 8 damage to the undead Badger.

Catessa Fallowfield  & Garious  attacks the undead Badger, easily hitting, but not doing much damage.  Her energy is weak.


Tactical Situation
see map
badger is damaged (about 1/2)
there are still 3 swarms left

            dam      status
Badger     - 23
Crows 1    - lots    destroyed
Crows 2    - lots    destroyed
Crows 3    - 0
Crows 4    - 0
Crows 5    - 0



Glum, Zer and Talis post...
<AND DON'T FORGET TO INCLUDE AC AND HP(CURRENT/TOTAL)>
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:23, Mon 16 Aug 2010.

Talis starts to say, "Cat a Flaming...", but then sees she has already shot, "...never mind.  Strength Zer, thanks and impressive fireball." so Talis drops the sword, and delays until Zer can cast his spell.  Then he deactivate the shield and move forward tumbling past the swarm(20 tumble), pulling out his flail in a 2handed grip.  Moves over next to where all the birds are entering the cavern and starts swinging

(assuming I get a bull str spell);

hit 16
dam 9



[Private to GM: aoo 14, 10, 15]

Glum spread silver dust around himself and made motions in the air, sending a circle of force around the whole party to protect them from the carrionstorm.

[ooc Magic Circle Against Evil]

DM;
Those within 10' of Glum get the following vs evil - please check your bonus types to see if these benefits apply;
note- Undead are not summoned - but are evil

+2 deflection bonus to AC
+2 resistance bonus on saves
the barrier blocks any attempt to possess the warded creature
or to exercise mental control over the creature
prevents bodily contact by summoned creatures

This message was last edited by the GM at 16:32, Mon 16 Aug 2010.

Since Zer-wedula offered to cast a spell, I am assuming that is what he will do this round...

Round 2
Glum casts a spell on himself and now has a 10'r aura of protection.

Talis waits....

Zer-wedula steps forward and casts his spell on Talis before drawing a weapon or item (pick one).

Talis moves and attacks, knocking many birds out of the air with each swing.

UndeadBadger turns his attention to Tanrov, who can't use his shield properly whil he is also holding the torch.  Tanrov gets hit twice with 1 claw and 1 bite (crit on the bite), for 27 damage and Tanrov stops moving as he is paralyzed from the bite.
[Private to GM: 5 rounds]

Crows 3, 4, 5 fly forward, looking for flesh to sate their undead hunger, Talis gets Aoo on all of them - Glum, Zer-wedula, Cat and Garious also get 1 Aoo each.
3 moves forward, but between Talis and Glum (the rest miss) the majority of birds are destroyed and the remnants join 4;
4 attacks Glum, Cat, Garious, Tanrov and Zer-wedula doing 3 damage to everyone;
5 attacks Talis doing 5 damage;
Everyone needs to make a DC 13 Fortitude save or be nauseated(unable to attack, cast spells, concentrate on spells, or do anything else requiring attention. The only action such a character can take is a single move action per turn.) for 1 round.



Tactical Situation
see map (will be posted tuesday)
Tanrov is paralyzed
Everyone is in a swarm of undead crows
badger is damaged (about 1/2)
there are still 2 swarms left

            dam      status
Badger     - 23
Crows 1    - lots    destroyed
Crows 2    - lots    destroyed
Crows 3    - 15      "destroyed"=dispersed
Crows 4    - 6
Crows 5    - 5



Everyone post...
<AND DON'T FORGET TO INCLUDE AC AND HP(CURRENT/TOTAL)>
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:44, Mon 16 Aug 2010.

Glum shrugged off the effects of being in a carrionstorm and stepped outside of it to cast the searing light spell against the badger.

23:21, Today: Glum rolled 15 using 5d6. searing light damage.
23:20, Today: Glum rolled 24 using 1d20+7. ranged attack (touch).
23:19, Today: Glum rolled 27 using 1d20+8. Fort save (incl +1 for protection).

OOC edited to change smell to spell

[Private to Glum: I forgot to mention this before, the Searing Light spell didn't really do all that much last time.  It just doesn't have a big effect on swarms who are pretty immune to rays.  Since it is an anti-undead spell, I let it do some damage, but not full damage.  The Badger on the other hand would be a better target.  Also, you are within reach of the badger, so unless you move away you will take an Aoo.  Also, casting in the swarm would incur a concentration check to cast a spell, over and above the successful For save.

Your best bet is to 5' step out of the swarm and cast the spell on the badger.  Please feel free to edit your action.]
This message was last edited by the player at 00:39, Wed 18 Aug 2010.

AC 13, hp 42/50


21:28, Today: Zer-wedula rolled 17 using 1d20+6. Fort save.



After casting Bull's Stength on Talis, Zer-wedula moves to pull Tanrov out of Harm's way.

Cat: AC 18 HP 26/31
Gar: AC 20 HP 30/30


Cat tries to stay on the stairs, for now. As the crows fly near, she swings with her spear at the crows and then tries a blast at the badger.

15:25, Today: Catessa Fallowfield rolled 12 using 1d20. crit?.
15:19, Today: Catessa Fallowfield rolled 28,8 using d20+9,3d6. attack, damage.
15:19, Today: Catessa Fallowfield rolled 14,spear dam using d20+4,spear dam. attack, damage AOO on crows.
15:18, Today: Catessa Fallowfield rolled 25 using 1d20+5. for save.
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:38, Wed 18 Aug 2010.

Covered in undead crow gore, Talis almost looses his lunch, "Zer, thanks fo...oh, oh...".  He can only move out of the swarm, but his tactical subconscious directs him to move toward the badger and he moves around the south side of the stair column to 10' away, staying out of melee range for now.


For save 12

This message was last edited by the GM at 19:24, Wed 18 Aug 2010.

Round 2
Tanrov/Garth remains paralyzed by the ghoulish fear...

Catessa Fallowfield  & Garious finds that Garious doesn't like this and wants to run, but Cat controls him and moves out of the swarm to shoot around the "corner" of the stairs, and attacks the undead Badger, easily hitting and damaging the thing.  Garious snaps at the birds, biting one.  Then he starts opening and closing his mouth (like a dog eating peanut butter) trying to clear the taste out.
1)Don't forget to roll a For save for Garious,
2)as a free action, roll a dc13 Handle Animal check to control Garious each round, otherwise he moves up the stairs 1 movement, then stops.
[Private to GM: Undead are immune to crits.  Also, Aoo are taken with whatever melee weapon you have in hand.  Your EB may not be used to Aoo.]

Round 3
Glum casts a spell and a beam of light shots through the Murder (of Crows) and hits the undead badger vaporizing a large hole through it, but being undead, the badger wasn't using his liver (or stomach, or intestines...) anyway.

Talis moves away from the birds.

Zer-wedula moves and drags Tanrov out of the swarm and places him on the floor.  There isn't really a safe place to go, surrounded by Carrionstorms and a undead badger, with sounds of combat coming from the other tunnels...so he stands over his paralyzed comrade, ready to defend him.

So many choices...
UndeadBadger has definitely seen better days and is on his last legs, but the necromantic energies flowing through it are powerful and he lurches after his chosen target, Tanrov.  The badger finds Zer-wedula in his way and attacks him instead, doing 12 damage. Zer-wedula makes his save and manages to overcome the fear that paralyzed Tanrov.

Crows 4, 5
5 follows Talis and does 5 damage to him.
Talis is unable to attack due to nausea
4 follows Garious and Cat, doing 4 damage to them.
Cat takes an Aoo, but misses
Talis, Cat and Garious need to make a DC 13 Fortitude save or be nauseated(unable to attack, cast spells, concentrate on spells, or do anything else requiring attention. The only action such a character can take is a single move action per turn.) for 1 round.


Tactical Situation
see map
badger is heavily damaged
there are still 2 swarms left, both damaged

            dam      status
Badger     - 46
Crows 1    - lots    destroyed
Crows 2    - lots    destroyed
Crows 3    - 15      "destroyed"=dispersed
Crows 4    - 6
Crows 5    - 5



Everyone Post...
<AND DON'T FORGET TO INCLUDE AC AND HP(CURRENT/TOTAL)>

Talis finishes his nausea and is able to act (for save=24).  Sweeping the air with his flail, not so much "attacking" as harvesting the gory "crop".  As he stumbles out of "his" swarm, covered in gore, he notices feathers in Garious' mouth and his mouthing motion, "I know how you feel boy" and swallows.  Talis moves around the other swarm, and next to the undead badger(so if Zer moves 5', we will flank), "Thanks for the strength".

To hit 16
dam 15
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:25, Fri 20 Aug 2010.

"My spell Selection is of little use," Zer-wedula apologises. "We can fall back or I can go berserk.....poor choices both."

Glum casts Hide from Undead and, when the spell has worked, moves to Tanrov's side ready to remove his paralysis.

"Hack that critter to bits..." after we flank it.

Cat: AC 18 HP 26/31
Gar: AC 20 HP 30/30

Not sure anything she does is helping, Cat casts a Flaming Sphere at the nearest murder, holding Gar tight. "Falling back gains us naught."

15:48, Today: Catessa Fallowfield rolled 8 using 2d6. damage - flaming sphere.
15:45, Today: Catessa Fallowfield rolled 13 using 1d20+6. handle animal.
15:44, Today: Catessa Fallowfield rolled 25 using 1d20+5. for save (Gar).
15:44, Today: Catessa Fallowfield rolled 23 using 1d20+5. for save.

Round 3
Tanrov/Garth remains paralyzed by the ghoulish fear...but will recover his senses at the end of the round.

Catessa Fallowfield  & Garious has Garious step out of the swarm so she can cast her spell, which sits on the stairs, and then starts rolling down them.  A few of the crows manage to evade the flame, but the swarm itself is dispersed.  The sphere bounces down to the bottom of the stairs and Cat/Garious follow it.

Round 4
Glum casts a spell and moves, the badger and crows do not appear to notice him as he slips right by them.

Talis "harvests many of the birds and the swarm is looking pretty ragged, then he moves away from the birds to deal with the badger.

Zer-wedula adjusts and hacks away with the magical bastard sword he got from Nualia.  Hitting for 6 damage.

UndeadBadger is almost destroyed, but has just enough energy to focus attacks on Zer-wedula, doing 14 damage. Zer-wedula is almost paralyzed, almost.

Crows 5
follows the the food, and get dispersed by several Aoo and such.

   The remaining crows and badger are easily destroyed next round.  As you take stock of the situation, and without the loud noises from the crows, you realize it is quiet...too quiet.  You no longer hear Iesha or the ghouls.
   The stairs end (facing east)in a limestone cavern. The walls drip with moisture, and swaths of black and dark blue mold grow in spiraling, tangled patterns on the floor, ceiling, and walls. Bits of rubble and broken bones clutter the floor, and a rhythmic sound—as of the breathing of some immense creature—echoes through the cave.  There are three tunnels, one to the north and two to the west. Of the two western tunnels, the southernmost one seems to be a relatively new creation.  The sounds of battle came from the northern tunnels and the crows came from the southwest tunnel.
What do you want to do now?

Glum examines Tanrov and, realising that he will soon recover his senses, holds back from removing the paralysis.