PrP: Goblin Massacre Mystery

 Summary: Adventurers set out to find out why undead wiped out a band of goblin 
researchers.

Type of PrP: Standard

ACTORS:

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
|   Name   |  Race  |    Class    | E Lev| 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
|Vennan    |DAWN_ELF|Ftr/Rog      |  5   | 
|Kravar    |HUMAN   |Ftr          |  4   |
|Chloe     |HALFLING|Clr          |  3   | 
|Nadara    |GOBLIN  |Clr          |  5   | 
 

 ACTORS 

 Nadara          Gobber Girl with a gun and an eyepatch.
 Vennan          Short, lean Dawn Elf in dark leather armor.
 Kravar          Brawny Aesir Fighter                       
 Chloe           Raven haired female halfling w/bright clothes        




**INITIATE ADVENTURE**



A number of weeks ago a small research group consisting mostly of Gobber 
artificers and their ranger escort returned to Alexandria with a tale of terror. 
They had been researching a ruin in what had been previously charted as a 
purified section of forestland only to be set upon by undead. They lost a half 
dozen of their group before the rest escaped and fled straight back to the city.

It was noted that the undead which attacked consisted mostly of zombified and 
skeletal animals and, as such, a group of low level undead-maulers has been 
contracted and given a map sufficient for even the dullest amongst them to read.

==FADE IN==

The four adventurers have hiked quite a way from the nearest roadway and deep 
into the woods. The mid-day sun is overhead and shining brightly through the 
canopy of trees which provides adequate shade for the hike. For the ten or so 
miles it literally seems to be a walk in the park...

..however some would notice that the temperature has fallen enough that there's 
a mild chill to the air.

It is also apparent, to at least Chloe, that the season seems to be changing. 
The green canopy has begun to turn varying shades of yellow and orange. This in 
and of itself is non-threatening except for the fact that it's out of season. 
Also, the ambient sounds of the forest have lessened considerably. It's nearly 
quiet..

If the legend on the map is right you are about five miles from the site in 
question.

Vennan is no fan of the undead. He is also no fan of long hikes. And yet, here 
he is. The job has done nothing to make his disposition any sunnier than usual, 
a grim frown etched on his face as he marches on towards the site. "How is it 
Alexandria seems to attract so many of these sorts of problems?"
Looking around as they wander, Chloe makes a bit of a face. "Man it's colder 
than frost giant's backside out here." She says lightly as she trots her way, 
almost keeping up with everyone else. "And the cold isn't in season either. it's 
supposed to be warming up, not nearing sledding season."

<OOC> Grub says, "Roll perception as you pose."

GAME: Chloe rolls perception: (20)+5: 25

Kravar is laboring under the weight of his heavy armor. But with a Northerner's 
superstitious dread of the unliving, he choose maximum protection over comfort. 
"Is it cold?" He shrugs. "I suppose so."

GAME: Nadara rolls Perception: (13)+5: 18

Nadara, of course, heard about the problems through the floppy-eared-goblin 
grapevine. She sounded relatively displeased about it and she's, on top of that, 
quite ready. With her dragonspitter in her hand, she's right here with Vennan 
and Chloe and Kravar. "Rada's blessin' on this trip. WE'll get to the bottom of 
this, yes we will."

GAME: Kravar rolls perception: (4)+5: 9

GAME: Vennan rolls perception: (19)+11: 30

***PEMIT TO ALL ABOVE 12: In the near distance you hear what sounds like a baby 
crying.


Vennan frowns deeply, raising a hand to his ear. "... Someone in distress. 
Possibly. Or also possibly a trap. Be swift, but alert." He draws his weapons 
and dashes forth.
Perking her ear, Chloe nudges Kravar whom she's standing near. "This way. I can 
hear a kid that is screaming in terror." She then runs in the direction of the 
scream.

Kravar fixes a shield over one arm, loosens his sword in it's scabbard and 
hurries after the best he can.
With her ears twitching, Nadara perks up and says, "No, I hear that, yeah. COme 
on. Let's go!" The shrill-voiced goblin girl is already running about as fast as 
she can in that direction, along with the others.

As the group rushes ahead the travel over the wooded expanses without incident. 
As they approach the sound it becomes evident that the sound isn't a baby, 
exactly, but definitely something which sounds terrified.

Mounting a rise they crest a small hill and see the following...

Forty feet forward three smallish green figures, no larger than a child, flail 
brainlessly at a tall tree as if believing that their scrabbling attacks will 
someday split the trunk and bring their quarry down.

High up in the tree is a young bear which hugs tightly around its trunk. It is 
clear that the creature is screaming for aid, however, those that have already 
come have failed to rescue it. Not far from the tree there are a number of 
dismembered small green corpses along with a juvenile bear and a much larger 
adult whose thick hides who are riddled with the dozens of tiny slashes that 
finally brought them down.

<OOC> Grub says, "Go ahead and roll initiatives. If anyone chooses to not attack 
just do so at your turn."

GAME: Vennan rolls initiative: Roll: 12 + Bonus: 4 = Total: 16

GAME: Chloe rolls initiative: Roll: 6 + Bonus: 2 = Total: 8

GAME: Kravar rolls initiative: Roll: 12 + Bonus: 2 = Total: 14

===== Current Initiative Order =========
----------------------------------------                        
 16                  Vennan
----------------------------------------  
 14                  Kravar
----------------------------------------      
 8                   Chloe
----------------------------------------                  
========================================

<OOC> Grub says, "Vennan go ahead and declare your action. We'll throw Nadara in 
after she inits."

GAME: Nadara rolls initiative: Roll: 16 + Bonus: 3 = Total: 19

<OOC> Nadara says, "Yeah, sorry."

<OOC> Nadara had a bit of staff in his face. :)

<OOC> Grub says, "Nadara may declare as well. :)"

<OOC> Nadara says, "Nadara'll be running down towards the tree, yelling to draw 
attention to herself!"

<OOC> Vennan says, "How far away is the group from all this, by the way?"

<OOC> Grub says, "No worries. If I press y'all too fast just page me to slow 
down."

<OOC> Grub says, "About forty feet."

<OOC> Grub says, "How far is Nadara running?"

<OOC> Grub says, "What is Vennan doing?"

<OOC> Vennan likes Nadara's idea. Run 30' closer, shout things, draw weapons.

<OOC> Grub says, "Okay. Pose as you can. :)"

<OOC> Grub says, "Kravar?"

"HEY! HEY YOU! STOP THAT RIGHT NOW!" 
 
 THat's not likely to work, but it IS what Nadara is doing. She's even waving 
her gun over her head. Really.
Vennan was expecting undead. He was not expecting goblins and bears. This throws 
him for a moment. Still, one has to roll with situations as they arise. He draws 
his sword and mace, charging closer and shouting. "Stop! You're going to get 
yourselves killed!"

<OOC> Grub says, "We'll give Kravar a couple of more minutes. Chloe it'll be to 
you then."

<OOC> Chloe says, "I'll run a bit closer, but not the same distance as everyone 
else. Hanging back, as it were."

Kravar closes in after the others, although he moves noticeably slower - or more 
cautiously. He only covers half the distance to the tree, but peers closely at 
the green figures as he approaches. "Careful," he cautions the others. "They 
aren't moving like Gobbers. At least none that I've seen before."

<OOC> Kravar covers a measly 20' ;)

<OOC> Grub says, "Sure, pose it Chloe."

<OOC> Nadara also covers a measly 20'!

<OOC> Grub says, "Okay. That'll put Vennan at the front of things."

Chloe is.....surprisingly fast for one so small. However, as they come close to 
the tree, Chloe hangs back purposefully to make sure things are.....as they seem.

<OOC> Chloe says, "can I use knowledge-religion to see if they're the 
droi.....er....undead we're looking for?"

<OOC> Grub says, "Yes."

GAME: Chloe rolls knowledge/religion: (12)+8: 20

PEMIT FOR CHLOE: Zombies. Only less stiff than the norm. Your lore has reference 
to such abominations. Such 'Fast Zombies'.

Tiny claws make slow progress through dying wood.

Above, the young bear shrieks and the appearance of the adventurers surging down 
the hill do not seem to improve its disposition any.

However, the Goblins on the other hand stop immediately as things are yelled at 
them. The trio spin rapidly in unison and affix their dead eyes upon those 
rushing at them cocking their heads to one side, "Aiiie!" One shouts, 
"Braaainz!" A second says in a pitched nasally voice, "Git Braainz!"

At once they break into a sprint. There is no lumbering rotting gait. They're 
like undead jack rabbits.

GAME: You roll initiative for Gobber_1: Roll: 1 + Bonus: 7 = Total: 8

GAME: You roll initiative for Gobber_2: Roll: 15 + Bonus: 7 = Total: 22

GAME: You roll initiative for Gobber_3: Roll: 17 + Bonus: 7 = Total: 24

===== Current Initiative Order =========
----------------------------------------                
 24                  Gobber_3
----------------------------------------  
 22                  Gobber_2
----------------------------------------   
 19                  Nadara
----------------------------------------   
 16                  Vennan
----------------------------------------  
 14                  Kravar
----------------------------------------      
 8                   Gobber_1
---------------------------------------- 
 8                   Chloe
----------------------------------------                  
========================================

GAME: Grub rolls 1d20+3: (18)+3: 21
GAME: Grub rolls 1d20+3: (1)+3: 4
GAME: Grub rolls 1d6+1: (4)+1: 5

The first two rush what is now the closest living thing: Vennan.

The first one closes the distance in record time and attacks Vennan. It opens 
its wide maw with its decaying razor-like teeth and clamps viciously down on the 
meaty part of his thigh.

The second one hurls himself forward and actually leaping at the man's 
midsection but so gracelessly is the maneuver that misses completely and 
actually sails past and lands roughly on the ground, momentarily prone, and 
gibbering loudly in anger for having not gotten a taste.

GAME: Grub damaged Vennan for 5 points. 25 remaining.

<OOC> Grub says, "Nadara."

<OOC> Nadara says, "How many are there?"

<OOC> Grub says, "Three. One slightly behind Vennan. One biting Vennan. The 
other still in transit between the tree an Vennan."

<OOC> Grub says, "The one behind Vennan is prone. The furthest one out is 20 
feet from your position."

<OOC> Nadara says, "I'ma move to Vennan and yell at them sternly."

<OOC> Grub says, "Okay. :)"

<OOC> Grub says, "Vennan you just got bitted. Your turn."

"Hey! You styop that! Elves are not for biting! We stopped that ages ago." 
NAdara finally catches up to where Vennan is at and then points a finger at them 
and says, "Don't MAKE me brandish the holy symbol of Rada!"

<OOC> Vennan unleashes full attack on the one that bit him. Can I flank with 
Nadara? Or is Nadara just armed with stern words at this point?

<OOC> Grub says, "I think she's got a gun?"

<OOC> Vennan says, "So that's a yes to flanking?"

<OOC> Grub says, "It is a yes."

GAME: Vennan rolls melee + 6: (14)+6+6: 26
GAME: Vennan rolls melee + 5: (20)+6+5: 31
GAME: Vennan rolls melee + 5: (1)+6+5: 12

<OOC> Grub says, "The first two hit."

<OOC> Vennan says, "And do these things take sneak attack damage?"

<OOC> Grub says, "Yes."

GAME: Vennan rolls 6d6 + 5: (17)+5: 22

<OOC> Vennan says, "Then that's damage."

<OOC> Grub says, "He's dead."

<OOC> Grub says, "Kravar. Your move."

<OOC> Kravar says, "How far away from me is the one that missed Vennan and fell 
prone? (I think I was 10 feet behind Vennan?). Can I do a 5-foot step and then 
full attack against it?"

<OOC> Nadara nods. No big. Lots of little rules changes in PF. xD

<OOC> Grub says, "Yes. He fell into the square behind Vennan."

<OOC> Kravar says, "Cool...ok here goes, with sword and shield bash, and Power 
Attack ;)"

Now, while Vennan /was/ expecting undead, he was not expecting bouncing, agile 
undead. Being bitten places him in an extremely poor mood. "Stop yelling at them! 
They are abominations! Start... smiting, or something!" Taking his own advice, 
he runs the biter through with his blade, then follows it up with a swift mace 
blow to the skull. That'll stop that one cold.

GAME: Kravar rolls weapon1-2-4: (19)+9+-2+-4: 22

<OOC> Grub says, "Hit."

GAME: Kravar rolls weapon1-2-4: (16)+9+-2+-4: 19

<OOC> Grub says, "Crit."

GAME: Kravar rolls melee-2-4: (2)+8+-2+-4: 4

<OOC> Grub says, "Miss."

<OOC> Kravar says, "OK here is my damage roll"
GAME: Kravar rolls 2d8+16: (4)+16: 20

<OOC> Grub says, "Dead."

GAME: Grub rolls 1d20+3: (5)+3: 8

Kravar edges closer to assist Vennan. When one of the attackers leaps past the 
Elf and falls to the ground, Kravar pounces on it while it's still sprawled. The 
edge of his shield is brought crashing down, not connecting solidly enough to 
injure it but serving to pin it, and hold it still for Kravar to reverse his 
grip on the longsword and drive it like a spike through the thing's head.

The third got off to a slightly slower start. The fact that two of its allies 
were just killed does little to dissuade its attack. However, when Nadara starts 
yelling it seemingly takes and interest in her. "Git hur!" It says as self-
encouragement and flails its tiny claws helplessly at her agile form.

<OOC> Grub says, "Chloe."

<OOC> Chloe says, "can I get close enough to get both of the remaining undead in 
30?"

<OOC> Grub says, "Yes but there's only one left. Next to Nadara."

<OOC> Chloe says, "Guess kravar smashed it. Channel energy."

<OOC> Chloe says, "save is 14 for half."

GAME: Chloe rolls 2d6: (11): 11

<OOC> Grub says, "Okay. Are you moving or staying where you are? You can hit it 
from where you are."

<OOC> Chloe says, "staying where I am then."

GAME: Grub rolls 1d20+1: (11)+1: 12

<OOC> Grub says, "You sizzle it heavily with your positive energy."

Chloe, seeing that they are definitely the living dead and not the figment of 
someone's imagination, sighs a bit. Her voice then takes a much calmer quality 
behind it. "The Coyote decrees......that undead are not funny." The blue pulse 
of light blasts forth to really really cook the undead goblin that's near Nadara.

Nearby, there is are grotesque moans. The shape of the mother and juvenile bears 
shift upon the ground and begin to stand despite what are obviously lethal 
wounds.

The crying of the bear in the tree grows markedly louder as if bolstered by the 
sight of its mother moving again.

If it only knew...

GAME: 'Gobber_3' removed from initiative list.
GAME: 'Gobber_2' removed from initiative list.
GAME: You roll initiative for Juvie_Bear: Roll: 17 + Bonus: 2 = Total: 19
GAME: You roll initiative for Mama_Bear: Roll: 6 + Bonus: 0 = Total: 6
===== Current Initiative Order =========
----------------------------------------                     
 19                  Nadara
---------------------------------------- 
 19                  Juvie_Bear
----------------------------------------   
 16                  Vennan
----------------------------------------  
 14                  Kravar
----------------------------------------      
 8                   Gobber_1
---------------------------------------- 
 8                   Chloe
----------------------------------------  
 6                   Mama_Bear
----------------------------------------                
========================================

<OOC> Grub says, "Nadara you are up."

<OOC> Nadara says, "One last zombie at the moment?"

<OOC> Chloe says, "Until the next round."

<OOC> Nadara says, "I'ma shoot it in the head!"

GAME: Nadara rolls 1d20+7: (14)+7: 21
<OOC> Grub says, "Okay."
<OOC> Grub says, "Hit."
GAME: Nadara rolls 1d6+1: (6)+1: 7
<OOC> Grub says, "DEAD"

The Juvenile Bear stands up and gives a dead growl before moving towards the 
group. It lumbers forwards towards the bite-sized Nadara.

<OOC> Grub says, "Vennan"
<OOC> Vennan will move to stabbify the undead bear. How far away is it? Also, is 
it close enough to Nadara for flanking?
<OOC> Grub says, "Yes. You could circle around it."
<OOC> Vennan says, "Okay! Doing that, then."
<OOC> Grub says, "Okay."

GAME: Vennan rolls melee + 8: (7)+6+8: 21
<OOC> Grub says, "Hit."
GAME: Vennan rolls 3d6 + 3: (10)+3: 13

<OOC> Grub says, "You injure the bear."
<OOC> Grub says, "KRavar."

<OOC> Grub says, "You are up, Kravar."
GAME: 'Gobber_1' removed from initiative list.

Vennan takes a few deep breaths when the last horrible undead goblin is felled. 
"Well, that wasn't as bad as I f..." Then there's a dead bear. Oh dear. Without 
bothering to finish his thought he maeuvers around behind the beast, driving his 
blade through the hide.

So Nadara, of course, stops dead right next to the goblin and puts her 
dragonspitter to its head. She pulls the trigger. The mana-lock triggers and the 
bullet speed sout of the chamber, powered by the artifice behind the technology. 
BLAM. Goblin brains right out the back of the head. "Well," she says, "that 
worked."
<OOC> Kravar says, "Are the bears next to each other (adjacent)? Can I use 
cleave on them?"

<OOC> Grub says, "Not at the moment. Mama is still standing up. Juvie Bear moved 
ten feet forward."

<OOC> Kravar will move to stand between Nadara and the juvie bear and power 
attack it

<OOC> Grub says, "It's technically 'at Nadara' it just didn't have enough 
actions to get there and attack. Then Vennan did a circle around it. Are you 
wanting to interpose yourself directly between her and the bear? That'd probably 
be an AoO since there's some complication in doing that."

<OOC> Grub says, "Alternatively you can get next to the bear and attack. Just 
not between it and Nadara."
<OOC> Kravar nods, ok i'll still try it
<OOC> Grub says, "To shield Nadara?"
<OOC> Kravar says, "yes"

GAME: Grub rolls 1d20+9: (18)+9: 27
GAME: Grub rolls 1d4+7: (1)+7: 8
GAME: Grub damaged Kravar for 8 points. 33 remaining.

<OOC> Grub says, "Your attack."

GAME: Kravar rolls weapon1: (20)+9: 29
<OOC> Grub says, "And, confirm again. :)"
GAME: Kravar rolls weapon1: (18)+9: 27
<OOC> Grub says, "Crit."
GAME: Kravar rolls 2d8+8: (13)+8: 21
<OOC> Grub says, "Dead."

<OOC> Grub says, "Chloe."

<OOC> Chloe says, "which is dead?"

<OOC> Grub says, "The Juvie Bear."

<OOC> Chloe says, "channel energy on the mama bear."

<OOC> Chloe says, "same DC."

GAME: Chloe rolls 2d6: (5): 5

<OOC> Grub says, "Mama is a bit past Vennan."
<OOC> Chloe says, "so I move up a little bit to get it in the circle."

GAME: Grub rolls 1d20+3: (15)+3: 18

<OOC> Grub says, "Okay. You lightly wound it."

Taking a deep breath, Chloe makes a bit of a face. "Raising more dead from the 
recently dead isn't funny either....."

Whether its undead resilience or motherly instinct, the Mama Bear stands and 
seems resistant to the holy tirade which is set loose upon it. Opening its 
slobbering maw it slowly lumbers towards Vennan getting into position to attack 
though it cannot do so yet.

GAME: 'Juvie_Bear' removed from initiative list.

===== Current Initiative Order =========
----------------------------------------                     
 19                  Nadara
----------------------------------------   
 16                  Vennan
----------------------------------------  
 14                  Kravar
----------------------------------------      
 8                   Chloe
----------------------------------------  
 6                   Mama_Bear
----------------------------------------                
========================================

<OOC> Grub says, "Nadara. The Mama Bear is at Vennan who is quite close to you 
but Kravar is directly in front of you over the Juvenile Corpse."

<OOC> Grub says, "Your action."

<OOC> Nadara says, "All right. I'll readload, then shoot momma bear. :)"

<OOC> Nadara says, "I'm pretty sure I can shoot through Kravar without hitting 
him, though it'll give the bad guy 'soft cover', right?"

<OOC> Grub says, "Do you have Precise Shot?"

<OOC> Grub says, "If so you can. If not you can but at -4 penalty."

Kravar tries to interpose himself between Nadara and the smaller of the undead 
beasts, takes a stinging swat for his troubles, but gives as good as he gets in 
the form of a decapitating swing of his longsword. Voice tinged with smug self-
satisfaction, he drawls out "There you go, Lord Vennan." Completely unaware that 
there is another, larger zombear approaching Vennan. And that he is blocking 
Nadara's shot.

<OOC> Nadara says, "Okay."
<OOC> Nadara says, "I do have precise."
GAME: Nadara rolls 1d20+8: (8)+8: 16
<OOC> Grub says, "Hit."
GAME: Nadara rolls 1d6+1: (2)+1: 3
<OOC> Nadara ping!
<OOC> Grub says, "Exactly. :)"
<OOC> Grub says, "Vennan."

<OOC> Vennan says, "Is mama bear flankable/full attackable from where I'm 
standing?"

<OOC> Grub says, "Its full attackable but there's no one else adjacent to it at 
the moment."

<OOC> Vennan goes for it anyways. Full attack!
GAME: Vennan rolls melee + 4: (1)+6+4: 11
GAME: Vennan rolls melee + 3: (17)+6+3: 26
<OOC> Grub says, "Miss. Hit."
GAME: Vennan rolls 1d6 + 2: (1)+2: 3
<OOC> Vennan flexes.

<OOC> Grub says, "Okay."
<OOC> Grub says, "Kravar."

Still wincing from the undead goblin bite, Vennan swerves towards the remaining 
bear. He lunges with his rapier, but trips and ends up stabbing the air. He 
tries to capitalize on his momentum by bringing around the mace in his off-hand, 
but ends up just grazing the beast.

"Bloody bears," is what Nadara says. She leans around Kravar's form, looking for 
an opening. When she finally finds one, she pops another shot off with her gun 
at the undead bear. "Why did it have to be a bear?" she comaplains, making the 
move to begin reloading her dragonspitter once more.

<OOC> Grub says, "What is Chloe doing?"
<OOC> Chloe says, "channel energy...."
GAME: Chloe rolls 2d6: (5): 5
<OOC> Chloe is seeing a pattern.
GAME: Grub rolls 1d20+3: (3)+3: 6

<OOC> Grub says, "I'll give Kravar another minute before running the bear. 
Y'know, he might Crit again and kill her outright. :)"

Chloe simply keeps the pressure on with her channeling positive energy. However, 
she keeps an eye on her fellows with her to make sure they're not hurt too badly.

GAME: Grub rolls 1d20+10: (19)+10: 29
GAME: Grub rolls 1d6+9: (5)+9: 14

Kravar has partially disconnected.
Kravar has reconnected.

<OOC> Grub says, "You back, Kravar?"
<OOC> Kravar nods...sorry about that strange things happening tonight
<OOC> Grub says, "No worries. You are up. Vennan knicked it. Chloe channeled at 
it."

<OOC> Kravar says, "Is it within full attack range?"

<OOC> Kravar (of me ;)

<OOC> Grub says, "If you 5-foot-step you'd be next to Vennan."

<OOC> Grub says, "So yes."

<OOC> Kravar hmms instead can I take a regular move action to get around it so 
that we can flank it?

<OOC> Grub says, "Your move is 20?"

<OOC> Kravar nods

<OOC> Grub says, "Not quite."
<OOC> Kravar dohs...ok well I'll go as far as I can get. Maybe V can do a 5-foot 
step and still flank it next time. So one power attack with longsword. Rolling...
GAME: Kravar rolls weapon1-2: (7)+9+-2: 14

<OOC> Grub says, "Hit."

GAME: Kravar rolls 1d8+8: (7)+8: 15
<OOC> Grub says, "Moderate Damage."

Kravar moves up to assist Vennan, then begins circling around the bear - partly 
looking for a possible weakness, partly trying to position himself so that 
Vennan can do the same. Along the way Kravar sees a chance to slash at an 
exposed haunch, barking a quick "Hah!" when he connects.

<OOC> Grub says, "Prior to your return I had rolled a 29 to-hit and a 14 damage 
from the bear."

<OOC> Kravar oops...against me? Should I add it to my pose or just let it go?

<OOC> Grub says, "Just let it go. Technically it will occur now (and not 
then). :)"

The Mama bear's thick rotting hide shrugs off the incoming blows. The blood 
which was beginning to thicken in her veins begins oozing out of the largest 
wounds she was dealt earlier in her fight with the gobbers.

Raising a three-towed paw she seems about to powerfully swat Vennan but the 
ferocity of Kravar's attack causes her to turn on him. She swats mightily Kravar 
catching him with both paw and fetid claws.

GAME: Grub damaged Kravar for 14 points. 19 remaining.

<OOC> Grub says, "Nadara"
<OOC> Nadara says, "Channel energy."
<OOC> Nadara says, "For heals. :)"
<OOC> Nadara says, "Wanna heal up Kravar and Vennan. :)"
GAME: Nadara rolls 3d6: (7): 7
<OOC> Grub says, "Okay."

<OOC> Grub says, "Vennan?"

GAME: Grub damaged Vennan for -5 points. 30 remaining.
GAME: Grub damaged Kravar for -7 points. 26 remaining.

<OOC> Vennan says, "Can I flank/full attack with Kravar now?"

<OOC> Grub says, "You'll have to move a bit but yes."
<OOC> Vennan shall!
GAME: Vennan rolls melee + 6: (9)+6+6: 21
GAME: Vennan rolls melee + 5: (8)+6+5: 19
<OOC> Grub says, "Hit hit"
GAME: Vennan rolls 6d6 + 6: (15)+6: 21
<OOC> Grub says, "Dead."
<OOC> Kravar cheers

"Back, you horrible undead monstrosity!" Vennan scowls and dives forward with 
both weapons raised, driving the blade in and following up by whacking the 
creature repeatedly with his mace. It finally stops moving.

GAME: You clear initiatives.
GAME: Grub has cleared initiatives.

With the final zombie bear dead the cries of the treed bear resonate again.

Having watched its mother die for a second time this day it is attempting to 
climb higher in the tree and screaming even louder for aid.

With the sea-breeze sensation still soothing the wounds of the other, Naadara 
lets out a breath and looks up towards the trapped bear. "So, ah...how's about 
we try to get that thing down, eh?" She says, somewhat sympathetically. Poor 
thing.

Chloe sighs and looks up to the bear cub. "if only there was someone from the 
forest to coax it down. Unfortunately, I'm not." She says with a kick to the 
ground.

Vennan crosses his arms and frowns. "... It just witnessed us commit violence 
against its family. Likely, if we got it down, it might attack us out of fear, 
then we would have no choice but to harm it. It may sound cruel, but I believe 
the best course of action is to leave it be. It will make its way down in time."
"What if it falls down?" says Nadara to Vennan, immediately, "It's pretty high 
up and there's nothing here to catch it. It's small enough that a fall like that 
will kil lit. No, I think with the right spells, I can get it down -- and it's 
young enough it may not survive without its mother. That siad, we need to figure 
out what caused all of this and we can maybe get a Green Wordy type down here to 
help it out."

Chloe says, "it looks like, whatever was causing this, was bringing them back on 
this spot." She says softly looking around to see if there's some sort of 
conduit."

Vennan looks back to Nadara. "... It's a bear. Don't they climb trees all to 
time to bat down beehives and such?" It's possible Vennan is getting his 
wilderness knowledge from children's stories of questionable veracity.

<OOC> Grub says, "In an effort to tie things up in the promised four hours I'll 
note that the map has a little way to go before the ruin site."

"Uh," says Nadara to Vennan, "it's a *small* bear. A small, terrified young bear 
that there's very little we can do for at the moment. Let's get a move on, take 
care of business, and if it's still in the tree, we can get it some help."

Kravar tilts his head back to look up at the bear, features dark. Then he turns 
and nods at Nadara. "Agreed." He looks around to try and get his bearings, then 
points. "That way?"

"Sensible. I suppose if it hasn't made its way down by then, it may be in need 
of some help." Vennan agrees with a nod. "... Let's proceed to the ruin."
Chloe trots towards the ruin....

And to the ruins they go! Nadara clearly doesn't like leaving the bear behind, 
but there's really bothing she can do for the cub right now and ending the 
undead threat is more an immediate thing.

Having decided to leave the bear where it has tree'd itself the party continues 
through the woods.

Whereas the change in the plant-life was subtle before each passing mile shows 
drastic change. The temperature drops drastically The trees quickly lose their 
leaves and seem to dry up and then finally die. The corpses of animals litter 
the ground most look to have been brutalized either by each other or by some 
force that is yet unknown.

The corpses become more and more numerous: Birds, bears, bees, goblins, worgs, 
wolves.

Some of these seem partially animated - writhing around barely able to snap 
vainly at the party with their twisted forms. Eventually they come upon the 
heart of all this..

The forest floor is black brown dirt that is unable to nourish the surrounding 
plantlife. Once mighty trees are bent and twisted such that they seem as if they 
might spring to life at any moment.

At the heart of all this is a small ruin. Rocks etched in sylvan markings rise 
from the dead earth like tomb stones and more corpses litter the ground. In this 
place it is mostly lifeless mutilated goblin researchers that look to have been 
picked apart over the last few weeks.

At the center of the ruin is a tall stone structure which looks to have been 
expertly carved in the shape of a verdant tree and yet, in contrast to the 
newfound chill of the woods, it seems to radiate a nauseating heat.

<OOC> Grub says, "Anyone read sylvan? You may also make a knowledge/artiface 
check or general int check."

GAME: Chloe rolls intelligence: (13)+2: 15

<OOC> Chloe would've done better with Ferawyn. XD

GAME: Vennan rolls intelligence: (14)+3: 17
GAME: Nadara rolls Intelligence: (1)+2: 3
GAME: Kravar rolls intelligence: (2)+1: 3

PEMIT TO CHLOE/VENNAN: The stones are arranged in an ordered about the three-
shaped structure in the center. You recall this was supposed to be a Kulthian 
ruin though this looks druidic.

Chloe makes a bit of a face. "Well I certainly don't recognize any of this 
here." She says quietly. "If we had a druid with us, however, it probably 
would've recognized this stuff.

Vennan narrows his eyes as he surveys the ruin. He looks deeply troubled, and 
not just by the horrible undead crawling about. "... It looks Kulthian, but also 
druidic. This is deeply disturbing. Is this... the source of the problem?"

<OOC> Grub says, "I sense some distraction. Is it preferred we stride to the 
conlusion?"

<OOC> Chloe says, "it's a good idea. It's getting kinda late here, Grub.."

<OOC> Grub says, "No problem at all. :)"

After a thorough search of the ruins everyone would eventually congregate 
towards the stone tree and the sickly heat it emanates. With potentially 
unlimited time to explore someone would note that the structure is movable and 
with the effort of a couple of people it can be twisted like a screw such that 
it actually turns out of the ground atop concealed supports.

As it rises it begins to reveal an artiface machine and the nauseating feeling 
only deepens. Pressing forward you can raise the tree no further once it hits 
about six feet in height.

The humming contraption is likely beyond the expertise of anyone present with 
tubes churning a sickly green-and-white fluid into a black core. The machine it 
very hot to the touch and anyone who tries to do so will immediately begin to 
feel arthritic.

It's clearly bad news but there is also a lever near its base. When you flip it 
(what's the worst that could happen) the humming dies off and the sickly feeling 
begins to slowly abate.

Although its reason for being is still a mystery you get the sense that you have, 
at least, temporarily remedied the problem. Pushing the tree in the opposite 
direction you can conceal the machine again.

Now you have something to report. The Artificers will doubtlessly be pleased, or 
horrified, depending upon how bad of an idea the existence of a machine which 
generates unlife is.

This is all wise. And Nadara is really, really, -really- tempted to destroy the 
machine. She'll reccomend they do so. You know, quick-like. Also, she's SO 
spending some time to get the bear down from tha tree!

**END ADVENTURE**