The party makes it way back to the lone tree circled by a well-tended path. The locket continues to dangle from the tree and the bodies of the guards continue to rot and decay.

Amara is more careful now as she searches the bodies and the amulet, light steps and searching for any and all traps. Her eyes almost shimmering with an otherworldly hue from her innate abilities as she picks through the clearing for signs of nasty surprises.

Active: Detect Magic
18:11, Today: Amara rolled 11 using 1d20+9 with rolls of 2.  Perception (+1 on Trapfinding).

Cathran and Gavel hang back while Amara checks out the bodies and the amulet. It seems to easy and obvious to not be a trap.

"Don't remove the locket.  it may be an offering or ward.  we may be wise to leave something as well."

“Seems more like bait on the end of a hook.”

As soon as Amara cross the threshold a flurry of dirt starts erupting from the base of the old tree. Out from the roots claws an undead corpse, clawing up through the earth with frightening speed. The undead creature's movements are jerky and twisted but quick as if a puppet with a magically sped up operator. It charges forward and swipes at Amara with filthy claws and Amara just barely jumps back in time to avoid having her chest opened up.


Round 1

“Called it...”She points a finger at the zombie sending an orb of acid at the creature, but it’s jerky movements send the acid going wide. Steam erupted from Gavel’s mouth and joints as he rushed ahead to slam its fist down on the undead’s head.

08:15, Today: Cathran Synthiel rolled 6 using 1d20+3 with rolls of 3.  Acid Splash on zombie.
08:14, Today: Cathran Synthiel rolled 9 using 1d8+6 with rolls of 3.  Slam damage.
08:10, Today: Cathran Synthiel rolled 21 using 1d20+6 with rolls of 15.  Slam on zombie .

Cathran:
Standard: acid splash
Move: none

Gavel:
Standard: slam attack on zombie
Move: move into melee with zombie

"We were fortunate to have avoided this while we chased the bandits earlier." Kamea dismounted and rushed forward. She circled the undead and came at the creature from an angle. She avoided getting too close to the dead bodies just in case there was more undead creatures.


Move: L34 (25' movement)
Standard: Attack with Glaive (reach)
rolled 10,11 using 1d20+6,1d10+3 with rolls of 4,8.  ATK/DAM

Stone faced, Caydel stands up straight.  Grabbing the flagon tide to his wasted, he holds it low, while putting his hand on his rapier.  "YOU who is bereft of light and song, may Cailean's light burn you like spirits aflame!"

OOC:  This would be my third channel today, depending on how you handle the timing.  In PF, I don't think I roll against undead...let me know.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:07, Thu 17 Oct 2019.

"Nope, fucking nope."

Amara backs the hell up and lets the others go all kinds of hero on the Zombie. She? Whispering, shaking, and obviously repulsed by the unnatural being before her backs the hell up and lets the others have at it. Grateful for the bodies between them.


08:48, Today: Amara rolled 8 using 1d20+2 with rolls of 6.  Will Save DC15.
Turn: 5ft Step away from the Zombie out of melee then back up 20 ft keeping the others between her and the Zombie

Amara nopes back behind Cathran and Caydel.

Kamea runs up and slashes with her glaive but the creature stumbles forward and her strike misses.

Caydel releases a burst of positive energy but feels like the creature's eternal hatred helped it weather that storm. Caydel did damage but the thing seems resistant to holy energies.
OOC: I assumed you did the healing last night so you're at full channels again

Gavel ran up and slammed into the zombie. Cathran's glob of acid missed as it lurched around.

---

Round 2

The zombie creature seemed uninterested in fighting a lifeless golem and turned to attack Kamea. It sinks two claws into her and tries to pull her in for a bite but she gets the hilt of her glaive up and in the way sparing her the attack.
OOC: Kamea takes 9 pts of damage and must make a DC 15 will save vs Fear (or be Shaken) as well as a DC 16 Fortitude save or be Staggered from pain.




Round 2

Shaken: -2 to attack rolls and most other d20 check rolls

Kamea brought down the glaive on the undead creature as it stepped closer. But the creature moved faster than Kamea anticipated as the glaive slashed down. She instinctively stepped back as the creature attacked. She changed tactics and fought defensively. Kamea shorten her grip on the shaft and struck the creature in the face.


rolled 15 using 1d20 with rolls of 15.  Will SAVE DC15
rolled 5 using 1d20+3 with rolls of 2.  FORT save DC16

Will Kamea get an AoO when the undead moved closer to attack? She was 10' using her reach weapon

---

Fight Defensively as Standard Action: take a –4 penalty on all attacks in a round to gain a +2 to AC until the start of your next turn.

Whoot! Natural 20!
rolled 22,6 using 1d20+2,1d10+3 with rolls of 20,3.  ATK/DAM

Total Damage: 9 damage
AC: 20 until next turn

This message was last edited by the player at 18:35, Fri 25 Oct 2019.

"Damn it. Damn it. DAMN IT! Stay dead!"

Amara moved even with her body shivering, skirting around the undead while drawing her swords even as she approached it from the opposite side of Kamea. Careful not to give it a free attack, she attempted to carve open its back with both her swords lest her new companion find herself dead.

OOC:
Move; Get around to flank Zombie while drawing Shortswords
Standard: Attempt to open up the creatures back with her main hand. Hits AC 16 (or higher if flanking applies) for 7 Damage + 1 Sneak Attack (if applicable)

21:47, Today: Amara rolled 1 using 1d6 with rolls of 1.  Sneak Attack if Applicable .
21:47, Today: Amara rolled 7 using 1d6+1 with rolls of 6.  Short Sword Damage (-2 Shaken).
21:46, Today: Amara rolled 16 using 1d20+2 with rolls of 14.  Short Sword vs Undead (-2), Flanking (Bonus not included).

“Everyone retreat to outside the circle! It may be bound to stay within it.”Cathran backed up out of the circle while firing another orb of acid at the thing. Gavel attempted to slam it again to no effect for either.

07:12, Today: Cathran Synthiel rolled 12 using 1d20+6 with rolls of 6.  Slam.
07:12, Today: Cathran Synthiel rolled 6 using 1d20+3 with rolls of 3.  Acid splash.

Cathran:
Standard: acid orb Miss
Move: move to outside the circle

Gavel:
Standard: slam Miss
Move: none

[OOC] Caydel moves to outside the circle and holds a second cast for IF the creature steps outside the circle.

Amara moves around the zombie and stabs it in the back. She finds that the creature's rotten flesh is surprisingly resistant to her blade, seemingly being more bone than flesh.

Kamea flips her glaive around fighting through the pain and cutting the zombie deep, slicing off part of the ribcage and seemingly inflicting severe damage.

Caydel and Cathran step out of the circle, holding or flinging spells but the zombie doesn't seem to notice. It is focused on Kamea almost single mindedly at attacking her, pushing past her defenses with brute force and clawing at her throat and face.

OOC: Kamea takes 4 pts of damage. Again DC 15 fort save or be staggered

Meanwhile Kamea and Amara must both make DC 15 will saves to avoid being shaken (or extending the shaken)





Round 3

Shaken: -2 to attack rolls and most other d20 check rolls

Even as Amara overcomes her fear, it doesn't seem like it helps her as she struggles to dig her blades into the zombie as her swords glance off the boney protrusions. A growl sounds as she tries to draw the damned thing off of Kamea lest her companion die.

Full Attack.

16:54, Today: Amara rolled 10 using 1d20+3 with rolls of 7.  Shortsword Full Attack, OH.
16:54, Today: Amara rolled 12 using 1d20+3 with rolls of 9.  Shortsword Full Attack, MH.
16:53, Today: Amara rolled 21 using 1d20+2 with rolls of 19.  Will Save DC15.

Watching Kamea take another hit, Caydel looks shaken.  He shakes his head and closes his eyes and starts to mumble, as he clutches his tankard to his chest and moves closer to Kamea.

"May the blessing of light be on you— light without and light within. May the blessed sunlight shine on you and warm your heart till we site beside a great inn hearth."

[OOC] Channel - heal the living - 6
If posting out of order is an issue for this, sorry.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:17, Thu 31 Oct 2019.

Kamea was able to regain her footing and use her glaive with full effect. However she was still in a dangerous position. She continued to fight defensively and keep up her guard. The undead creature's continued assault pressed through her defenses. Kamea seemed to focus solely on defense as her glaive became ineffective.




CURRENTLY SHAKEN (takes a –2 penalty on attack rolls, saving throws, skill checks, and ability checks)
rolled 18 using 1d20+3 with rolls of 15.  FORT DC 15 or be Staggered
rolled 7 using 1d20 with rolls of 7.  Will SAVE DC 15 or be Shaken

Standard: Fight defensively, -4 ATK (Total -6 w/Shaken) for a +2 AC bonus
Flanking w/ally +2 ATK. Total ATK modifier -4

rolled 9,10 using 1d20+2,1d10+3 with rolls of 7,7.  ATK/DAM

Amara slashes and hacked at the zombie but its wild flailing kept her from landing a solid strike for now.

Kamea continues to focus on her defense and draw the attention of the creature.

Caydel lets loose a blast of light healing energy that nits wounds and dulls pain.

Cathran lands some acid from her spell on the creature, drops of it sizzling and boiling away patches of rotting skin. Gavel slams the creature into the ground but it rolls with the attack seemingly unaffected as it tries to attack Kamea again.

---

The creature abandons all attempts at cautious attack and throws itself at Kamea with wild abandon, jumping onto her chest and biting her shoulder and clawing at the gaps in her armor. Kamea finds herself overwhelmed and drops to the ground bleeding profusely from several grievous wounds.

OOC: Kamea takes 10 damage from the attack

Round 4

Shaken: -2 to attack rolls and most other d20 check rolls

Amara almost notably cringed at Kamea hitting the ground, takes a deep breath and attempts to bury both of her blades in the creatures lower back aimed towards its spine. Hoping she could do some serious damage to the slender column of bone. While her right hand doesn't impact well, her left keeps the course and hopefully manages to draw its attention.

Full Action: Full Attack. Main hand hits AC 12 (14-2), Off Hand hits AC 15 (17 - 2) for 4 Piercing Damage (+1 if SA is available since its back is turned to me)
-Forgot to Add Shaken so -2-

22:58, Today: Amara rolled 1 using 1d6 with rolls of 1.  Sneak Attack if Applicable.
22:58, Today: Amara rolled 4 using 1d6+3 with rolls of 1.  Shortsword Damage.
22:58, Today: Amara rolled 17 using 1d20+3 with rolls of 14.  Shortsword Full Attack, OH.
22:58, Today: Amara rolled 14 using 1d20+3 with rolls of 11.  Shortsword Full Attack, MH.

Cathran yells. “Everyone out of the circle now!”She stays back and Gavel tries to drag both the unconscious warrior and Amara out of the circle to supposed safety.

Caydel moves with Kamea.  His voice has taken on a louder tone and his confidence seems to swell as her makes his plea.  "May you be wrapped in Cailean's love, Found deep in his everlasting Inn, cared for and kept safe.  May his healing power breathe across you being now."

[OOC] To Heal The Fallen - 3

Kamea may have been healed after Caydel's action. But for this round she would still be unconscious...

Amara keeps hacking at the undead thing but her blades don't seem to be doing much damage to it. Gavel comes in and scoops her and Kamea up and makes a retreat, taking a few hits that bounce off its iron hide on its way out but it manages to rescue everyone.

The undead creature runs after them but stops and hisses at the edge of the road, seemingly unwilling to step onto the dirt path.

OOC: Caydel, make your healing check or decide what spell you want to use.


Round 5

Shaken: -2 to attack rolls and most other d20 check rolls

Cathran stares down the undead at the edge of the circle. Her hunch had been right thankfully. Otherwise some of them would be dead by now. Without looking away she speaks to Caydel. “Can you bring our fallen comrade back to consciousness? I think we are safe for now.”She had another hunch that she wanted to try.

“Gavel sweetie, can you go around the circle over there and stick your arm in? I want to see what it does. If it comes after you, pull your arm back.”Her servant did as he was told and stuck its arm past the threshold to see what the creature would do. Would it come after him or was it only interested in those of flesh and blood?

Caydel nods and starts to look over Kamea's wounds.  "We'll need to dress these up.  Ouch...that one is nasty.  Did I ever tell you the one about the drunk and the ox...?"  He starts to ramble while he looks over the cuts and starts to dress them, watching for anything that could cause infection.

[OOC]:
Heal Check - 9.  yep...9.  <sigh>
I did cast for a 3, so she should be at 1.  This post was mostly color.

Kamea coughed and was roused to consciousness with a start. She looked at her companions around her. Her hand clutched her chest. A look of disappointment crossed her face as her hand left her chest. "How is everyone?"

"We are all still here thankfully."  Caydel smiles..."You are the one that took the worst of it."
This message was last edited by the player at 02:30, Sat 09 Nov 2019.

Gavel goes around to the other side and crosses the circle but the undead zombie doesn't take any notice. It passes back and forth along the invisible barrier of the trail, staring at the party just on the other side.

Cathran smirks. “Just as I suspected. Everyone stay here. My servant will retrieve the bodies and the trinkets that lured them to their death, so nobody else will fall for this trap.”

She mentally sent a command to Gavel to get the bodies of the guards first out of the circle of death. Then he needs to go back and get the trinkets dangling from the tree.

"Alright, but be careful. We don't know if changing anything will expand its range."

Amara was a little miffed at being drug out, but Kamea had been saved and so she was fine with not taking the next few shots. She considered the undead staring blankly at them limited by the circle and hummed.

"Can we use a bow and arrows and just kill it from here?"

Caydel nods to Cathran.  He then puts himself between Kamea and the undead, with his rapier at the ready.  He starts to sing quietly, just trying to keep their spirits up.
"Well it's all for me grog, me jolly jolly grog,
It's all for me beer and tobacco.
For I spent all me tin on the lassies drinking gin,
Far across the western ocean I must wander."

Kamea stood up. She used her glaive to support herself. She remained behind Caydel. She breathed heavily as she watched.

"Just stay behind me.  I don't know what we will need next, so IF it is possible to save a little more of my healing, I need to.  I hope we don't need it."  His last words a little more happy and said with a weak smile over his shoulder.  "I don't know the undead.  But right now, I think burning this things is a real good idea...maybe ask somebody who knows more about these creatures."

Amara gave a little shrug and dug a torch as well as flint and steel out of her pack. If they wanted fire, she was more then happy to shove a lit torch into the Zombie. Albeit she wasn't so sure it was a good idea in the forest. Absently she glanced around to see how 'dry' the woods where and if a fire would spread.

01:13, Today: Amara rolled 15 using 1d20 with rolls of 15.  K: Nature +7 or Survival +8.

The undead creature wasn't completely ignorant to Gavel's movements but given its focus or hatred towards living life it was . very easy to keep its attention focused on the party. The few times it would turn and start to move aggressively towards Gavel someone just had to step over and draw its attention and it would rush back giving Gavel time to carry the bodies and pendant out of the circle.

An examination of the bodies shows bites and claws marks and chunks of missing flesh most likely the result of the undead attack. The guard fought bravely but seem to have been overwhelmed before they could escape.

The charm hanging on the tree is magical but nobody in the party has the skills needed to identify its specific properties. A trip to town would take care of that.

Meanwhile Amara would view the surrounding forest as healthy and green so a fire wouldn't spread too badly however inside the circle besides the tree there isn't much to burn so it would be difficult to create an inferno inside the circle.

“Good job Gavel. Well done.”She pats her servant on the shoulder. “Thank you master. It was easier than expected.”

She turns to the rest of the group. “So shall we return the bodies to their families now?”

"We should return the bodies and attend to our wounds.  Once I know we are safe, it will be easy."He looks back and smiles at Kamea, "And I'm sure a drink I will do you good."

"Y-Yes, a drink would be good." Kamea gingerly got to her feet. "The last time I died... but this was different." She looked down at her body, "It is very different."

Caydel helps Kamea up and move.  "Do you need a litter?  We may be wise to move further away from here before we make anything to do the carrying."  As an after thought to Kamea, "Did you see anything?"

Cathran made a motion with her head towards Gavel, and he promptly carried the bodies away from the area in the direction the others were going. “If there is a way to keep the bodies from decaying any further we should. Wrapping the bodies with some sort of cloth should also be in order. Once we return to town, the appearance of us carrying bodies will alarm the people of the town which can be spun against us through rumors and gossip. Before going into town, the majority of us should wait on the outskirts while someone fetches the town guard to bring a wagon and alert them of the situation. It will look better on us and cause less concern.”

"That is a good idea.  I don't know what that thing can do, but we may be wise to not bring them into the town.  They may need their final rights and be burned."  Caydel seems sad.