Watchfort Reclamation Continued, Spring 669.

[Leitz]

Was Barnaby's Battle Chant active last round, since he was not belching flame? What was the effect roll?

[CarrieVS]

If the thunderers were deafening, the explosion of a full keg of firesand is like nothing Earnan had imagined. It is more like an impact than a sound, and it is an instant before he understands that he has not been hit. But, blinking the afterimages of the flames away, he sees the savage impact of the surviving wights upon their front line, the dwarves falling back, and even the indomitable Ji-Ho falters, yet stands fast and continues to shield Earnan and the other weaker folk.

He hurls his second and final vial over the heads of Ji-Ho and Dramm, at the dead Thane and his corrupted Champion, with a cry that he himself is unsure whether it is a scream of terror or a shout of defiance - nor does it matter for none of them can hear it.

Earnan holy water [_2d6]=(6+6)=12
Earnan holy water direct hit? (Haste) [_4d6]=(6+5+3+5)=19
That better do something!

[Leitz]

Okay, I think that's the lead entry for "Best Player Post of the Fight"...

[tibbius]

Was Barnaby's Battle Chant active last round, since he was not belching flame? What was the effect roll?

I'm not totally sure what the effect roll would be ... I think the Spell Die? Barnaby Spell Die [1d6]=5

[Leitz]

Was Barnaby's Battle Chant active last round, since he was not belching flame? What was the effect roll?

I'm not totally sure what the effect roll would be ... I think the Spell Die? Barnaby Spell Die [1d6]=5

I think one more die for a 2d6 roll, plus mods. I am out on errands, but theres a chart in the rules. I can look it up in a bit.

[Leitz]

Was Barnaby's Battle Chant active last round, since he was not belching flame? What was the effect roll?

I'm not totally sure what the effect roll would be ... I think the Spell Die? Barnaby Spell Die [1d6]=5

I think one more die for a 2d6 roll, plus mods. I am out on errands, but theres a chart in the rules. I can look it up in a bit.

Yup, 2d6+CHA modifier. Since you rolled a 5, +1 for his CHA, the least effect you can have is +1 to Morale and Saving Throws. If your second die is a 4+ then the group also gets +1 on Attacks. If you roll a 6 then they also get a Defense modifier, my guess is -1 from the enemy rolls. Rolling a 4+ would be a game changer, I think.

[scarik]

I believe it’s moot if you get the save from Barnaby as it won’t push you up to the next level.

Jiho suffers permanent level loss. It can be cured by the Restore Life and Limb spell.

Dramm suffers level loss as well but his can heal on its own after a long time or with the Restoration spell.

You have to go to Springkeep for either.

Level loss means you lose 1HD, including 1hp. You also lose a feat. That all happens immediately. Both are also affected by negative energy so if you die you will become a Wight yourself. Protection from Evil prevents you from transforming as long as your body stays in the effect.

[scarik]

Earnan missile into melee. [1d6]=2 No luck direct hit is an ally.

But splash damage does 2 to both Thane and Champion.
The Thane is destroyed. Champion has 2hp.
Morten can spend the last charge in her wand to kill the Champ and the most injured regular Wight.

Barnaby has his flame back.
Anyone else with holy water ought to use it.

[Leitz]

Hemia's attack is above. With the Thane and Champion dead then JJh and Si-woo will move to engage other wights. Rolls as above.

[scarik]

Hemia's attack is above. With the Thane and Champion dead then JJh and Si-woo will move to engage other wights. Rolls as above.

Thanks. I’m on my tablet so I missed it in the scroll.

She does 2 direct hits. Roll 2d6 splash damage. It’s got 1hp left.

[Leitz]

Hemia's attack is above. With the Thane and Champion dead then JJh and Si-woo will move to engage other wights. Rolls as above.

Thanks. I’m on my tablet so I missed it in the scroll.

She does 2 direct hits. Roll 2d6 splash damage. It’s got 1hp left.

Tablet? I have an extra wide monitor and I still have to double check seeing things...
Hemia Splash Damage [_2d6]=(2+6)=8

[scarik]

That one is done.
Korev Melee [_4d6]=(1+1+5+6)=13 With the Jings' results that's enough.

The Wights get one last round. Who wants to take the hits?

[roobeastie]

Earnan missile into melee. [1d6]=2 No luck direct hit is an ally.

Morwen can spend the last charge in her wand to kill the Champ and the most injured regular Wight.

Morwen will use that last charge, and if Macnav still has any holy water then he can let loose.

[Leitz]

That one is done.
Korev Melee [_4d6]=(1+1+5+6)=13 With the Jings' results that's enough.

The Wights get one last round. Who wants to take the hits?

Here's a list of who has how many HP, if my numbers are correct:
6 HP: ['Dramm', 'Si-woo']
5 HP: ['Macnav', 'Korev']
4 HP: ['Hodlar', 'Hemia']
3 HP: ['Barnaby', 'Earnan', 'Morwen', 'Borav']
2 HP: ['Gurav', 'JJh']

Si-woo and JJh will stay in the fray, they are also both Hasted. Hemia will help guard Gurav, hopefully Korev moves forward. Lighter armored (Macnav, Barnaby, Earnan, Morwen) should probably get in the center and stay protected. Are any of the skeletons still arond to take hits?

[tibbius]

Here's a list of who has how many HP, if my numbers are correct:
6 HP: ['Dramm', 'Si-woo']
5 HP: ['Macnav', 'Korev']
4 HP: ['Hodlar', 'Hemia']
3 HP: ['Barnaby', 'Earnan', 'Morwen', 'Borav']
2 HP: ['Gurav', 'JJh']

Si-woo and JJh will stay in the fray, they are also both Hasted. Hemia will help guard Gurav, hopefully Korev moves forward. Lighter armored (Macnav, Barnaby, Earnan, Morwen) should probably get in the center and stay protected. Are any of the skeletons still arond to take hits?

Barnaby had nary a scratch so far, he's still at 3. Dramm is down by at least 2, I think he's at 6.

Dramm, a chill in his marrow, fights like he'd like to slay death itself. At least partly he fights to convince himself that he's alive. The touches of the Wights were foul beyond comprehension, a sensation he'd never forget. Perhaps smiting them … smiting them all … might help him shake the chill for this moment. Dramm Hit Dice [_4d6]=(3+6+3+1)=13

Barnaby belches flame again, angling for the best attack, a little careless of his own safety, perhaps enraged by the horror he just watched enacted on his companion.

[scarik]

By an uncommon confluence of pyromancy, necromancy, holy power and sheer fortitude the conflict in the dark rages until one by one the Wights succumb to the onslaught and with them defeated the enemy skeletons are no match for the party. Even with the life-leeching chill of death coursing through them both Ji-ho and Dramm are still impervious to normal steel and Hemia's powers blast swarths of the enemy into dust leaving their empty armor to crash to the ancient stones and foul the footing of those around them.

Soon the clash of old steel, splintering wood and crunching bones fades and by the end the living can actually hear those sounds once more accompanied by the otherworldly drone of ghostly chants. The ghostly avengers are outnumbered and it quickly begins to take its toll on them. But as each one falls its as if a warm breeze kicks up and the oppressive aura of the haunted fort shimmers.

In the end only one undead Dawi remains; the ghost of a young Dwarf. His unbraided beard barely reaches his chest and contains no ornaments. His eyes glow white with rage and the rune painted on his forehead glimmers even through his ghostly flesh. He turns to the group and raises his axe in salute. As he does his lifeless bones collapse along with his mortal armor and weapons leaving only his spirit, clad in ethereal maille and bearing a transparent broken shield.

"Karag a Grak akarak.", Grak is eternal he says with a voice that seems to be drifting away on the wind. His light dims and a moment later he is gone.

The horrible power of the place hasn't faded but with victory morale lifts and with shame in their eyes at how the power of the enemy had broken their will Gurav and Borav return to normal. The Dawi quartet then goes over to where the Wight Thane lies defeated and confirm their worst fears. With the stoicism of the clergy Borav manages to speak.

"So passes Gorav, son of Gorrek, Thane of Grak and his companions. Let their deeds be sung in the Maker's Halls."

But this is no time for a funeral when the fort remains cursed. Somewhere close is the source of the foul miasma...

When Barnaby uses his breath there's no one currently engaged with those so I will let him hit both and then take out some skeletons as well.
Barnaby breath weapon damage [_2d6]=(2+4)=6
Wight save vs Fire [2d6]=4 [2d6]=6 1 more hit to each.
Wight melee Dramm [_4d6]=(2+1+4+4)=11, Siwoo[_4d6]=(6+6+4+5)=21 Nothing vs Dramm, 2 vs Siwoo.
Leitz has encouraged me to work on some defensive fighting rules and while I am not nearly doen with them I doe believe in allowing overwhelming attacks to negate retaliation. You have 4 more hits on them than they return and so you defeat the Wights without further injury.

I'm not going to roll for the Skeletons vs Ghosts because once you join its a foregone conclusion. If the ghosts surviving mattered I'd roll but the goal is all the undead destroyed and that's a certainty.
Plus there are no other monsters in this dungeon.

[roobeastie]

Morwen

Scholar [2d6]=12

Thinking back over the fight they just finished, Morwen spoke confidently. "We have slain all of the undead I saw earlier while scrying, of that I am certain. And if this watchfort is anything like the last one we ventured into, the focus of the miasma is more than close... I feel it. Move the throne, and it will be revealed."

Morwen then moved slightly closer to Ji-ho, her voice pitched for him alone. "Whatever the source is, it will be brimming with necromantic energy, and quite valuable. It can either be destroyed, or it can be harvested." She would leave it to Ji-ho to decide.

[Leitz]

Jiho

The human reaction to anything Ravenkin say is often increased distance, and any conversation about their necromantic arts generally inspires distaste. Even dislike or hatred, depending. Jiho's reaction was simply...calculating. He glanced at Hemia the Priestess and Gurav, son of the recently re-slain Thrane, and thought. After a moment he shrugged and smiled. The growing black in his veins mocked the humor he sought.

"You are going to get me excommunicated and destroy my marriage options one of these days, Friend Morwen," Jiho whispered. "But whatever happened here needs to be understood. There is a pall over this land and creatures sprout up in places leagues distant from each other. I won't gainsay your life choices, but the rest of us prefer our dead staying that way. Take it and learn what you can. If someone gives you grief about it, send them to me. If you feel it wise, Kornel is a mage and may be able to help. He has a wide range of learning and an open mind."

Nodding, he turned and walked to the group. "Friend Morwen feels the source of the evil here is under the throne. I have asked her, if possible, to take it for study. Our Dawi brothers have lost greatly today and I do not want it to happen again. If the evil here is a shadow of what claimed Thane Graka's homeland then we need to understand it fully to conquer it fully. Let us deal with it now, and then Borav will lead the spirits of the fallen to the Maker's Hall. Hemia, please discuss a proper Blessing with Borav."

Walking painfully, Jiho went to Gurav and Borav in turn and whispered words of encouragement. Nothing was said of their retreat, no recriminations were offered.

[CarrieVS]

Earnan clenches his fists to try and still the shaking that comes with the release of tension. He is unscathed, and others have bled to keep him so: he has no business being overcome. And, a part of him is not too shaken to think, he would not show weakness before Gurav Graka and his kin.

He cannot be out of this place soon enough, but even after that mighty struggle, it seems their task is not done. So he looks to Jiho and Morwen, and waits for instructions - he well remembers the result of the last time he hurried into action after a fight was over in this place.

[scarik]

With many hands and great effort the massive, granite throneIs muscled back onto the track it had slipped from over the years and the mechanism that reveals the secret chamber behind it engages as if never abandoned. It reveals a square room no more than ten feet across and likewise deep. Another door, likely with a similar mechanism to open it sits in the northern wall and leads to the Chamber 6. But it is the enormous, horrid altar on the east wall that dominates the room.

Carved from stone by skilled hands, the monstrosity is eight feet tall and set will black stones that absorb all light, drawing it in like mist. The floor of the chamber is slick with rime and those nearby can see their breath in the stagnant air. The structure of the altar is similar to a proper one with a raised stone and offering bowl. Within it are gold coins and gems weighing about two pounds; the last treasures carried out of Kraka Grak when it fell.

But behind it is a blasphemous symbol wrought into the rock. It looks like a Dawi with a great beard and wide features, but its lower canine teeth are jutting tusks and bull-like horns curl from the crown of its skull. It is framed in carved flames, intricately woven to make it seem as if they are dancing when light strikes them. It is clearly the focus of the dark magic that curses the fort and while both the cold air and the unholy sight send chills through observers there is an unmistakable heat radiating from it as well.

Curious, but unabashed Morwen hops into the chamber and with the deft hand of one who has pried a gem from a false idol before she pops the rubies from the eye sockets and extracts the black crystal at the heart of the spell with her ritual knife. And with that action the air warms noticeably in the small room.

The shadow it its influence still lingers of course and though it will gradually weaken with its focusing spell removed it will remain shadowed unless the altar is destroyed. This is hardly a difficult sell and Borav is ready to give a Dawi prayer for just his occasion.

"Dammaz!" he shouts and strikes the foul icon with the hammer in both hands before passing it to Gurav repeats the ritual followed by Korev who then offers the hammer to Ji-ho.

Any other PC who wants to may join in and strike the icon. After that the NPCs may also join if they would like to bond with the Dawi. The Ravenfolk all politely decline.


Once the ritual strokes are complete Borav entreats Hemia "I have not your skill, the Maker's Will burns strong in you. Only you have the might to banish this evil."