Siriel

Reminder: Italics are post-session commentary, Parentheses are OOC chat.

Party (Level 1):
Bhakti, Half-Giant Barbarian:

Eirene, Half-Elf noble:

Laindir, Elven Magus:


(GM : Alright so last I checked you three were gathered in front of the inn.
Eirene : Think I was waiting on Steiner to do something.
Bhakti : I think it was laindir exiting it and eirine waiting for le guardsman.
Eirene: As in, me the player since I dunno how to progress from here.
Laindir: Yeah I left to meet Bhakti outside the inn and Eirene stayed.)

GM: 1d100 = 17

(Eirene : What does the roll mean?
WHAT COULD IT MEAN?)

Bhakti : Standing around in what was effectively the town square wasn't necessarily that bad a thing, but the brooding stares of at least a handful of passerbys going about their daily lives still stung a bit. I don't think that I'll ever quite get used to it, but such is it to be an outsider.
When I spotted Laindir passing through the doors of the inn I nearly let out a breath of relief. Time to hit the road again.
Laindir: Laindir exited the inn with all his stuff, it was already getting late, he looked around for Bhakti. I noticed him close near the town square. I raised my arm to wave to him. When I got to reasonably speaking range I asked "How did it go with the guards?"
Bhakti: Waving back with an optimistic smile, I answer "Better than expected, honestly. The guards were the people who never really minded that I was around, so seeing one of them seemingly being sad because of my departure was, uhm, gratifying isn't the right word, but I felt a bit appreciated. It was a good feeling."
"And what of you? Any final things to take care of?"

(GM : Everyone roll perception please.)

Laindir: "I don't really have any business left here."

Bhakti: 1d20 = 14
Laindir: 8+2 = 10
Eirene: 11+12 = 23

(GM: Alright, Eirene you hear strange noises coming from the west, though you aren't sure what.
In-game time is around sunset, for the record.
Eirene: The west is where the barbarians are right?
Bhakti : Yes.)

Laindir: Laindir paused mid-sentence as if he had heard something, but then decided it must have been nothing
"Anyway, should we get a moving?"
Bhakti : "Let us be off. I'm sure the villagers wouldn't want to see our ugly mugs for another second, ha!"
Eirene: Now alone in the common room, Eirene paused as she thought she heard a peculiar noise coming from the border.
(GM, is there anyone else in the common room? Or is the guardsman back yet?)

GM : He's not back yet. You do see Bhakti outside.

(Laindir: I suppose me and Bhakti are heading towards the west.)

Eirene: Remembering that the giant she'd met earlier had mentioned he was heading to the west with the elf, Eirene briefly wondered if she should make mention of the noise. Normally she wouldn't have hesitated, but with the elf's presence...
(Are there any more details on the noise, GM? How weird/loud is it?)
GM : It's hard to tell, but since you're hearing it from far away it must be very loud at the point of origin.
You probably woudln't be hearing it if you weren't higher up than most houses, allowing it to reach you more easily.
It seems to have a certain cadence to it.
(Eirene: Like chanting or something?)
GM : No, more like rhythmic thunder.
Try a Performance check.

Eirene: 1d20+6=11

(Eirene: Pfffft.
Bhakti : ayy lmao)

GM : Some kind of percussive instrument, maybe.
Either a huge one or more than one from the distance.

(Eirene: Can I roll history? To see if I remember anything about barbarians and percussive instruments.
Bhakti : war drums desu
GM : No because all armies in the history of the world have used them.
Eirene: All right. Guess I'll let the dice decide whether to notify Bhakti and co. about it
50+ is yes, 50- is no
1d100 = 81
Awwwww.
Bhakti : Yay for saving.
GM : You can't oppose the will of the party.)

Eirene: Finally making up her mind, Eirene stepped out and looked around for Bhakti's giant figure.
(Do the other two see me?)
Bhakti : (We're kind of walking away into the sunset so probably not.)
GM : They're not looking in your direction so on.
You find Bhakti pretty easily though.
Laindir: (I doubt were moving that fast, you could probably catch up to us tho and get our attention)
Eirene: Spotting the giant and the elf heading out, Eirene half-ran to them, almost tripping over the rough road and her long skirt. Though it was just a short distance, she already felt somewhat out of breath. But she composed herself and called the giant's name. "Bhakti, wait."
Eirene: (Get out of my way Laindir)
Bhakti : "Little... lady? What's the matter? Come to say goodbye?" I blurted out, turning about to see a half-exhausted Eirene calling for me.
Eirene: "Did you hear that just now? Something strange seems to be going on in the west."
Bhakti : (Should I be able to notice this by now? My roll was pretty decent)
GM : (It's not constant.)
Eirene: Eirene pointedly averted her gaze away from the elf, who was lingering in Bhakti's shadow.
Laindir: "Hello again lady." Laindir moved out of Bhakti's shadow. In a slightly smug voice "I assure you, there is nothing going on at the western border"
Eirene: (Can I punch Laindir?)
Bhakti : "I'm not hearing anything, sorry. Should I be?"
Laindir: With a grin "Perhaps you wanted to see us off?"
Bhakti : (The ol' "why wont no-one believe me?", so sorry)
Eirene: Doing her best to ignore the elf's snide remarks, Eirene thought back to the sounds she heard. "I thought I heard some kind of...drums? Perhaps it was my imagination, it's been an eventful day." The blank looks the two were giving her were beginning to make her feel slightly embarrassed, and a little downcast.
Laindir: Noticing Eirene looking a little downcast. "You're welcome to see us off if that eases your mind"
GM : (Roll again.)
Bhakti : "You don't seem like the lying time, little lady, but I really didn't hear it."

(1d20 = 1
Bhakti: LOL
Laindir: 1d20+2= 21
Eirene: I'm starting to wonder what would've happened if all of us had failed the initial perception check
Bhakti : We would get ISIS'd, desu.
GM : Eirene, reroll please.
Eirene: oh whoops
1d20+12 = 18
hahahahahaha
Bhakti : I see Q-tips dont exist in DnD
'Cause my ears are full of shit
Eirene: Lower than Laindir
fml)

GM : This time both Eirene and Laindir heard the mysterious sound coming from the west.
Eirene: "There, again." Caught off-guard by the reoccurence of the sound, Eirene looked at both Bhakti and the elf for confirmation.
(I swear I will kill you Laindir if you lie and pretend not to hear anything)
Laindir: "Huh, I guess you were right I heard it as well. That was definitely coming from the west."
I take a bow "It seems I owe you an apology, my lady"
Bhakti : "I must have terrible hearing, because I doubt you two are doing this as a prank."

(Laindir: I was consiering lying to save face, but decided it wasn't really something I'd do considering this might be something serious.)

Bhakti : "Should we go check it out?"
Eirene: Eirene brushed aside the elf's apology. She was used to hearing such empty pleasantries, mea culpas that meant nothing. "I don't know if that's possible. It sounds...distant."
GM : (One last time perception.)
Bhakti: 1d20 = 18
(FINALLY)
Laindir: "Well, we were heading west anyway, how about it Bhakti, let's see what we can see"
1d20+2 = 22
(Bhakti : JESUS
Eirene: 1d20+12 = 25
Bhakti : WHAT DO YOUR ELVEN EARS HEAR LEGOLAS?
Eirene: stop eating all of my dice luck Laindir
Laindir: #nopointsinperception
I don't even have elvish keen senses.)

GM : Now that they were more alert to it, the three heard another sound, much closer but also less powerful than the first, also from the West.
Judging by the sound, Eirene and Laindir figured that it was perhaps a few minutes' walk from the town.
Laindir: "That sounded very close..."
Bhakti : "That sounds like bad news. Eirene, go alert the guardsmen!" I spin around reflexively at the loud noise, drawing my sword and walking towards the edge of the town.
Laindir: I say "Oh I am sure it's just nothing" while drawing my own blade and slowly walking after Bhakti, making sure to have the opportunity to duck behind him if I have to
Eirene: Eirene nodded, secretly breathing a sigh of relief. Though she had followed Steiner to this god forsaken town without a second thought, that was because she had known the guardsman for years. Her noble upbringing and her natural curiosity had been in a tug-of-war as she pondered whether to follow the two, but Bhakti's voice reminded her of the logical course of action for her to take.

(All this running today, I must be dead tired already.
Bhakti : Inform them Helm's Deep has fallen.
GM : So Eirene is running to the guards, Bhakti and Laindir are...?)
Bhakti : I advance towards the town border
Laindir: slowly approaching towards the west
Eirene: Oh wait, wouldn't Steiner think it weird that Eirene would know where the barracks are?
Oh welp.
Bhakti : Just shout for help in the girliest voice you can pull off.
Eirene: tasukete desu.)

At this point Eirene effectively leaves the scene.

GM : Alright, Laindir and Bhakti perception please.
Bhakti: 1d20 = 11
Laindir: 1d20+2 =3
GM : 1d20+4 = 20
Bhakti : (AYY OH SHIT)
GM : The two of you fail to detect the invaders in time, and before you know it a party of goblin is upon you!

(Bhakti : Roll initiative?
GM : They get a surprise round first.)
1d100x4 = 81, 8, 53, 8
GM: Two of the goblins are hesitant to charge Bhakti.
The two goblins with bows line up their arrows on the flat-footed Bhakti!

(Bhakti : Remind me how much - my AC is on flat-footed
GM : (Flat-footed = AC-DEX modifier.)
Bhakti : Okay AC is 16.)

GM: 1d20+3x2 = 19, 4
Bhakti: (First Hits)
1d4 = 1
GM: Bhakti takes 1 damage
Growling at the intimidated goblins, the gnoll throws one of his two spears at Bhakti.
1d20+1 = 8
Bhakti : An arrow plinks off my left shoulder, sending pain through it that I bite through. But a scratch.
GM : And misses like a chump.

(Bhakti : Uh the nat 1 guy didnt shoot his buddy through the head or anything?
'Cause thats what usually happens
GM : No.
They're goblins they fail at failing.
Laindir: It really isn't, well maybe if one of them was in melee with us.)

GM: Roll ini.
Bhakti: 1d20+1=10
Laindir:1d20+2=5
GM: 1d20+1x2=4, 15

The gnoll steps toward the two of you, menacingly holding up his lance.
Your turn bhakti.
Laindir: (Go kill them all in 1 hit.)
Bhakti : I let out a battle roar and charge forward, ready to complete the natural cycle of the strong defeating the weak once again. (Rage activated.)
I swing at the Gnoll.

(Bhakti : STR 25 LETS SEE SOME MAGIC HERE.
1d20+8 = 28
OH SHIT
Laindir: kill kill kill kill kill kill kill kill kill kill kill
Eirene: The dice gods are messing with us.
Bhakti : LetsKillEachOtherYouMonster.gif
Roll again to confirm?
Laindir: Also you should roll again to confirm.
1d20+8 = 16
GN: Confirmed.
Bhakti: (2d6+7)x2=32
32 DAMAGE. ANNIHILATED.
Laindir: He disappeared.
32 is honestly enough to insta stuff like 3 levels above you.
GM : Bhakti smites the gnoll for infinite justice.)

Bhakti : ROAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAR. With another battle cry, I shatter the Gnoll's entire upper body in a single blow, sending guts and blood showering into the faces of the goblin behind him.

(Eirene: Deaf and blind giant annihilates for great justice, min-maxing conquers the day.)

GM : Hearing Bhakti's war cry, the guards make haste toward the site of the battle while Steiner attempts to drag Eirene to the inn.

(Bhakti : Can I do an Intimidate roll for style points?)
GM: Iguess though technically that requires a feat.
Bhakti : ya but nat20 + spooky scary giant?
Wow I checked that feat and its not only for Humans only, but it also only works on one target that you threaten.)

At this point we get distracted by issues with the client.

Laindir: I run up next to Bhakti wielding my long sword in my right hand and then spray the remaining 4 goblins with color spray
GM: 1d20+1x4=6. 16, 8, 7
Laindir: (I took out the mook spray)
GM : In their incapacitated states, three of the goblins are left helpless before you.
However the fourth runs away.

(Bhakti : These poor guys didnt know what was coming for them yo
Laindir: end turn)

Bhakti : "Good showing, Laindir. Now let us indulge in the joys of the natural cycle!" I attack the closest goblin.
rolling 1d20+8= 19

(Bhakti : Fucking destroyed lol
GM : RIP gobli
Eirene: I missed all the action
Bhakti: By the way my Rage is actually absurd, I literally have 25 STR right now.)

Laindir: "Bhakti wait, we should tie them up and drag them back into town for the town guard to interrogate, there might be more coming and the town would probably want to know what's up."

(Bhakti : uhm sorry bub I'm gonna kill this guy
Laindir: I say that after you destroy the first guy. since I probably can't stop you before that anyway.)
GM : You two roll perception...again.
Bhakti : rolling 2d6+8= 11
Laindir: rolling 1d20+2= 11

(Bhakti : Wait I can’t roll Perception, I'm raging
And I’m not cancelling that shit because I’ll get Fatigue)

Bhakti : "You speak wise words Laindir, but I hardly think this is all there is to them." I say while trying to wipe my face of blood.
(GM :Bhakti you can't chat while raging either.
Bhakti : wow.
Ok I end Rage this is evil desu.
Laindir: Ok never mind then.
Bhakti : Assume I said what I said.
Laindir: In that case I replied)

Laindir: "Ay, that's why we should take these prisoners while we can"
Bhakti : "I don’t have any rope though. Perhaps wait for the guards?"

(Laindir: I am going to guess that there are more enemies coming
Eirene: Oooh, ooh, can I torture a goblin?
Bhakti : I can’t rage again already uguu
Wow Eirine are you already going into that territory damn what happened to the graceful lady act desu)

Laindir: "Don't worry I have that covered" I take out a coil of rope from one of the bags I had dropped nearby and tie up the unconscious goblins to each other
Eirene: (Time for the carrot and stick method, hit the torturee with color spray and 17 CHA)
GM : At that time, the five town guards that were approaching the battle site, as well as Bhakti and Laindir felt a chill run down their spine.

This is when I place about a dozen skeleton models on the map.


(Bhakti : SPOOKY SCARY SKELETONS
Eirene: Man, if only Moony was around, at least I'd have someone to talk to.
Besides Steiner.
Laindir: These were the town's super friend goblins we murderized.
Bhakti : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PBHvJrVma8Y GM soundtrack please
Laindir: It's good I used the color spray while it was still useful.
Bhakti : Spooky scary skeletons coming for your booty.
Eirene: Jesus, is a TV show starting?
Were we on candid camera all this time????)

GM : Suddenly from the nearby graveyard a group of skeletal beings walked out.
Laindir: (Skellingtons)
Bhakti : "Look alive, Laindir! The dead walk among us."
Laindir: I sheath my sword and take out my light mace instead
Bhakti : I sheathe my bloodied greatsword and unfasten my Earth Shaker
GM : The leader of the guards turned the corner first, followed by his fellows.
"Bhakti, report!"
Bhakti : "Sir! We've annihilated most of a Goblin raiding party, but the dead are exiting the graveyard as we speak!"
(They’re 20 feet away anyone can identify them)
GM : "By the gods, a necromancer must have infiltrated the graveyard while you were distracted!
Men, on me! We have to push through them! James, alert the others!"
Laindir: (wow, blaming the giant)
Bhakti : "Follow me to battle, men of Barovia!" I yell, ignoring the jab from the guard leader.
(fighting on fatigue uguu)
Laindir: "One of the guards should keep watch over these goblins we captured"
I say to the captain dude
GM : "We don't have enough men! There are too many of those things!
And look, more are rising as we speak!

(Laindir: If they all charge into battle I stay behind to watch the goblins with a sigh.
Bhakti : Don't you have like Ray of Frost? you should be in range for at least that.)

GM : The guards massed before the gates of the cemetary as the skeletons attempted to pour out.

(Laindir: I don't have ray of frost as one of the spells of the day
Bhakti : Unless you're rolling Init on the skellies can I like hit at them?
GM : The guards are in the way.
I would suggest climbing over the wall and finding the necromancer instead of joining the mook war.)

Laindir: While the guards and Bhakti hold off the skeletons, I drag the two goblins to a nearby rock or post or something and tie them there.
Bhakti : "There's no use in standing around. Let’s go in there Laindir!"
(Good thing I have Climb desu)
Laindir: Once the goblins are dealt with I go after Bhakti
Bhakti : rolling 1d20+9= 18
Bhakti : (Do I make that?)
GM: Yes. DC 12.
Laindir: rolling 1d20+2= 21
I climb over the wall after Bhakti
Bhakti : Climbing onto the sturdy graveyard wall, I force myself over, astounding that the thing actually supports my weight as I land firmly on my feet, mace at the ready.
GM : As Bhakti and Laindir walk through the cemetery, avoiding the grand battle between the town guards and an increasing number of skeletons, they found themselves chilled to the bone as a feeling of immense cold filled the area.
(Roll Fort.)
Bhakti : rolling 1d20+4= 16
Laindir: rolling 1d20+4= 9
GM : Though Bhakti's great mass made him almost impervious to the cold, it was still painful, but that was nothing compared to what Laindir faced.
(-1 to attack rolls for you Laindir.)
The cold appeared to be spreading from deeper into the graveyard. Would they proceed further?
Laindir: as I got over the graveyard wall I was immediatly hit with the realization that it's freezing here
Bhakti : "Let us keep moving. The dead should remain dead, so let us end their plight."
Laindir: I follow Bhakti, while shaking from the cold
GM : As the two stepped further into the freezing cold, they found their way to a crypt that appeared to be the source of the feeling, but before them stood a rotting corpse.
Dead, yet moving, and somehow more menacing than the skeletons at the entrance.
Bhakti : I cringe for a moment, before steeling myself. "Mistreated soul, I will release you from your torment. Be laid to rest once again!"
(Roll init?)
GM : Yes.
Bhakti : rolling 1d20+1= 17
GM : rolling 1d20 + 2= 3
Bhakti : (Dead Man Walking)
Laindir: rolling 1d20+2= 14
GM : Bhakti turn 1.
Bhakti : (Anyway while we demolish this foul beast you should probably make Eirene less neglected)
rolling 1d20+6= 9
(NVM)

Bhakti refers to the fact that while I initially ran Eirene's scene simultaneously, I focused on theirs since the guards arrived.

GM : The beast avoided Bhakti's charge with a casual hop.
Eirene: (Jaws theme has been playing this whole time)
(I don't mind waiting though)
GM : (Eirene will have solo attention afterward.)
Bhakti : "Blast!" I said, having swung my earthshaker and missed as I aimed too low.
Laindir: I let Bhakti take the lead and cast shield on myself and switch my weapon back to the sword (that would probably take my whole turn)
GM : Grinning madly through rotting lips, the beast lunged at the half-giant.
rolling 1d20 + 3= 6
Bhakti : (ayy lmao)
GM : Though he deflected it with ease, it continued undettered.
rolling 1d20 + 3= 22
rolling 1d20 + 3= 16
Bhakti : (YO WHAT)
GM : (Miss, hit, right?)
Bhakti : (Yeah, latter misses
What kind of epic shitter has 3 attacks this early?)
GM : After he narrowly avoided its teeth, the creature clawed at him while he thought he was safe.
rolling 1d6 + 1= 2
(roll fort.)
Bhakti : My shield arm is struck as I extend it too far to block his clawing strike
rolling 1d20+4= 13
(Also shit yo 1d6 this nigga tough)
GM : You resist.
Your turn.
Bhakti : rolling 1d20+1+5= 15
GM : (And to answer your question, monsters with multiple natural weapons can use them as a full round action.)
Hit.
Bhakti : rolling 1d10+6= 14
(YEAH EAT SHIT
No wait thats 2d6 I looked at the wrong thing.)
rolling 2d6+5= 11
(ok there we go.)
GM : The creature rears back in pain, Bhakti's blow splattering flesh and bone, however the darkness of the night closes around it, holding its crumbling body together.
Bhakti : (bash em in da fokin gabber)
"Yeah, have it, you unnatural monster!"
Laindir: As a quick action I use my arcane pool to give my sword a +1 enhancement bonus, then I charge at the creature
rolling 1d20+4= 16
GM : Hit.
Laindir: rolling 1d8+3= 11
GM : Laindir's blow strikes true, piercing flesh and bone, but the curtain of night gathers closer still to it, stopping it from dying outright from his blow.
(Will save both of you.)
Bhakti : rolling 1d20= 7
(SHIT MY ONE WEAKNESS)
Laindir: rolling 1d20+4= 16
GM : (Bhakti, please note "Veil - 1" on your character sheet.)
Bhakti : (Noted)
GM : Enraged by the two strikes despite its mindlessness, the beast lashed out at the half-giant once more.
rolling 1d20 + 3= 7
rolling 1d20 + 3= 17
rolling 1d20 + 3= 11
Eirene: (Bhakti has the willpower of a tofu?)
Bhakti : (all miss)
GM : (Your turn.)
Bhakti : rolling 1d20+1+5= 11
(PFFF)
GM : Miss
Laindir: I take a swing at the creature with my longsword again
rolling 1d20+2= 20
rolling 1d8+3= 6
Bhakti : (Yeah Will is not something thats high on melee classes, Eirine.
So while my heart is of steel I get shit on by mind control.
GM : As Laindir's second blow found home, the beast collapsd into dust at heir feet with one last tormented scream.
Bhakti : "Poor bastard... Let us not dwell on his memory for too long. Onwards to the source!"

GM : Alas it was there that Bhakti met his greatest enemy - a man-sized crypt.
Bhakti : (CURSES)
Laindir: I let out a sigh of relief and followed Bhakti.

(Bhakti : (Can I like STR to bash my way in with the Earthshaker?
GM : It's underground, you'd risk collapsing it. But I guess you can.
Bhakti : ugh
Dex to try and squeeze through?
GM : If you want to be basically screwed by meeting any enemy.
Bhakti : You motherfucker.
GM : I warned you.
Eirene: If only we had a shrinking spell.)

Bhakti : "Blast, I can't pass through any longer. Laindir, you'll have to go on without me. I'll have your back."

(Eirene: mini-Bhakti
Laindir: I don't have reduce person, so yeah.
Bhakti : Please get reduce person onegai.
Laindir: How large does the crypt look?
GM : Large as in deep? Not very. Stairway and tomb pretty much.
Eirene: I actually thought about getting reduce person
GM : It's not a dungeon.
Bhakti : I was gonna actually take you up on busting it but I’m pretty sure we're already inside so that'd be bad.
GM : No, you're in front.
No risk to you by bashing it.
Bhakti : Still this is a plot point so Ill just go help with the spooky skellies
GM : Please never worry about breaking 'plot points'.
My campaigns are flexible.
Laindir: Yeah, way to have my back
Bhakti : Ok fuck it I bust the crypt's ass.