BK
01
CH
02
SC
02

An Odd Couple
Cartwheels

…continues from Book #01, Chapter #02, Scene #01

Synopsis

The 12th Day of Ches in the Year of the Sudden Journey

While Kireth studies, Celestia looks for enlightenment at the temple, and Zero entrenches himself in the inn, Khalin and Tradden have agreed to assist one of the villagers, the elf smith Caldring, in looking for iron ore in the swamps to the southeast beyond the lake.

The group have headed into the marshes where Caldring has spotted an iron cartwheel. As she tries to pull it out she falls into the swamp with a splash, but resurfaces with skeletons not far behind!

Cast List

Scene Length

This scene started on Saturday 20th November 2010 and is expected to be completed by the end of Sunday 28th November 2010.

Players are expected to be able to post at least once a day.

MAY
17

Combat
Initiative Block

I
Round #07
Combat Encounter Completed

01) [25] Tradden - 1d20+3+2: 25 - HP 18/32

04) [20] Khalin - 1d20+2+2: 20 - HP 21/31

06) [18] Caldring - 1d20+4+2: 18 - HP 36/36


Removed from Play:

02) [23] Decrepit Skeletons (Batch 1) - 1d20+3: 23

Decrepit Skeleton #01 (Dmg: 9)

Decrepit Skeleton #02 (Dmg: 15)

Decrepit Skeleton #03 (Dmg: 15)

Decrepit Skeleton #04 (Dmg: 11)

03) [21] Skeleton - 1d20+6: 21 Dmg: 16+23+7=46

05) [19] Decrepit Skeletons (Batch 2) - 1d20+3: 19

Decrepit Skeleton #05 (Dmg: 12)

Decrepit Skeleton #06 (Dmg: 8)

Decrepit Skeleton #07 (Dmg: 12)

Decrepit Skeleton #08 (Dmg: 12)

07) [16] Decrepit Skeletons (Batch 3) - 1d20+3: 16

Decrepit Skeleton #09 (Dmg: 6)

Decrepit Skeleton #10 (Dmg: 12)

Decrepit Skeleton #11 (Dmg: 13)

Decrepit Skeleton #12 (Dmg: 6)

MAY
17

Combat
Battlemap

BM
Battlemap
MAY
17

Combat
Features of the Area

AF

All squares that contain a small triangle in the bottom right hand corner are marked as difficult terrain and cost two squares worth of movement to enter.

Illumination: Dim light through the swamp’ fetid shroud, with light provided by torchlight. Visibility shown on map.

SEP
09

Article Notice
Originally in Google Wave

!

This scene was originally written within Google Wave. The scene has been transcribed here for completeness, and has been edited where required.

The original Wave is now lost with the demise of Google Wave, but the PDF extract of that original scene is provided here.

NOV
19

Combat
Tradden Aversward

01

‘Figures,‘ thought Tradden to himself as he shook some of the excess water off and watched the dead rise en-masse from the swamp. One after another each would start with a milk white hand appearing like the moon over the horizon, quickly followed by the rest of the arm, the head and so on, until the full skeleton was stood, baleful black sockets very much giving the impression of malevolent intent.

With a coolness belying his young age (and which he hoped would also impress his companions), he stepped forward.

Mindful that they could get flanked by the now numerous skeletons he positioned himself so as to be in a line with the others — they would have to get around the three of them first!

[Move: ?, ?, ?]

Hoping to take advantage of a quick strike, he lashed out with both weapons at what appeared to be the biggest one. He didnt have enough room to charge it properly, but he gave it his all nonetheless.

[Surprising Stab]

[Primary Attack vs Skeleton’s Reflex: 1d20+9: 16] - hits!

[Damage: 4] and [Marked] and [Grants Combat Advantage]

[Secondary Attack vs Skeleton: 1d20+9+2: 19] - hits!

[Damage: 2d6+7: 12]

He had the thing’s attention now anyway.

NOV
19

Combat
Decrepit Skeletons

02

The first wave of skeletons to arise out of the squelching bog lumbered around the cartwheel and towards Tradden and Khalin, their tattered cloaks swaying limply.

[Decrepit Skeleton #01 Move: ?, ?, ?]

[Decrepit Skeleton #01: Melee Basic Attack - Longsword]

[Primary Attack: 1d20+6: 23 vs Tradden’s AC (18)] - hits!

[Damage: 4]

[Decrepit Skeleton #02 Move: ?, ?, ?]

[Decrepit Skeleton #02: Melee Basic Attack - Longsword]

[Primary Attack: 1d20+6: 15 vs Tradden’s AC (18)] - misses!

[Decrepit Skeleton #03 Move: ?, ?, ?]

[Decrepit Skeleton #03: Melee Basic Attack - Longsword]

[Primary Attack: 1d20+6: 15 vs Tradden’s AC (18)] - misses!

[Decrepit Skeleton #04 Move: ?, ?, ?]

[Decrepit Skeleton #04: Melee Basic Attack - Longsword]

[Primary Attack: 1d20+6: 24 vs Tradden’s AC (18)] - hits!

[Damage: 4]

Sharp edges swirled around the heroes, some slashing across their legs.

NOV
19

Combat
Skeleton

03

The skeleton that had risen first turned its malevolent eye sockets towards Tradden and slashed with its longsword.

[Skeleton: Melee Basic Attack - Longsword]

[Primary Attack: 1d20+10: 25 vs Tradden’s AC (18)] - hits!

[Damage: 1d8+2: 9] and [Marked]

The blade caught Tradden across the arm and an eldritch hiss emanated from the skull.

NOV
19

Combat
Khalin Grundokri

04

Khalin raised an eyebrow as the skeletons advanced. ‘More skeletons? By the lord of the twin axes, is this forsaken land purely the realm of the dead?’

The warlord resolved himself to press the elf smith further on what was really going on with goblinoids, kobolds and now minions of the undead. As he’d suspected during the battle in the gorge days before, the threat was surely greater than the locals were prepared to admit. But he wouldn’t get the chance if they didn’t dispatch these monsters back to whatever hell they’d sprung from.

His battlefield instincts kicking in, Khalin appraised the situation in a heartbeat. If he could get between Caldring and Tradden he could protect both with his shield, but for now two of the decrepit skeletons were bearing down on him, and would have to be dealt with first.

With a snarl Khalin swung his hammer at the skeleton before him…

[Melee Basic Attack - Warhammer]

[Primary Attack vs Decrepit Skeleton #03: 1d20+6: 8] - misses!

…but he slipped a little on the sodden earth and missed his target by some distance.

NOV
19

Combat
Decrepit Skeletons

05

The second wave of skeletons to arise out of the squelching bog did not advance immediately. Instead they drew back rotted bows and let fly green shafted arrows at the heroes.

[Decrepit Skeleton #05: Ranged Basic Attack - Shortbow]

[Primary Attack: 1d20+6: 14 vs Tradden’s AC (18)] - misses!

[Decrepit Skeleton #05: Ranged Basic Attack - Shortbow]

[Primary Attack: 1d20+6: 12 vs Tradden’s AC (18)] - misses!

[Decrepit Skeleton #05: Ranged Basic Attack - Shortbow]

[Primary Attack: 1d20+6: 15 vs Khalin’s AC (18)] - misses!

[Decrepit Skeleton #05: Ranged Basic Attack - Shortbow]

[Primary Attack: 1d20+6: 12 vs Khalin’s AC (18)] - misses!

The skeletons aim was well off the mark, however, and all of the arrows flew wide of their mark.

NOV
19

Combat
Caldring Andrezar

06

Caldring dropped into a defensive stance, her footing unsteady in the bog. With grace belying her precarious position she drew out a razor-sharp scimitar hidden behind the pack on her back.

The blade was dull but along the flat were runes that began to shine as Caldring wielded it before her.

‘Stay close,’ she barked at Tradden and Khalin, and took a swing at the skeleton, one of the runes shining brighter as the blade cut through the air.

[Word of Shielding]

[Primary Attack vs Skeleton: 1d20+6: 11] - misses!

The blade whistled pass the skeleton, only cutting a slice off its tattered cloak.

NOV
19

Combat
Decrepit Skeletons

07

The final wave of skeletons splashed through the bog, seemingly unhindered. With unnerving speed they joined their fellows at hacking at the young fighter and the dwarf.

[Decrepit Skeleton #09 Move: ?, ?, ?]

[Decrepit Skeleton #09: Melee Basic Attack - Longsword]

[Primary Attack: 1d20+6: 26 vs Tradden’s AC (18)] - critical hit!

[Damage: 4]

[Decrepit Skeleton #10 Move: ?, ?, ?]

[Decrepit Skeleton #10: Melee Basic Attack - Longsword]

[Primary Attack: 1d20+6: 26 vs Khalin’s AC (18)] - critical hit!

[Damage: 4]

[Decrepit Skeleton #11 Move: ?, ?, ?]

[Decrepit Skeleton #11: Melee Basic Attack - Longsword]

[Primary Attack: 1d20+6: 12 vs Tradden’s AC (18)] - misses!

[Decrepit Skeleton #12 Move: ?, ?, ?]

[Decrepit Skeleton #12: Melee Basic Attack - Longsword]

[Primary Attack: 1d20+6: 25 vs Khalin’s AC (18)] - hits!

[Damage: 4]

Blades whirled all around the heroes, cutting and slicing into them.

NOV
19

Combat
Tradden Aversward

08

Without warning Tradden’s worst fears were fulfilled — they were surrounded!

Tradden’s confidence in his own abilities was also lower than normal — the boggy ground clawed and sucked at his feet, making his trademark fancy footwork even more difficult than normal. Why had Caldring brought them here? What was so important that it risked coming into such a death trap with so few people?

Trying to stay light on his feet, the young fighter hoped that the swamp would allow him to at least try and even the numbers…

[Tempest Dance]

[Primary Attack vs Skeleton: 1d20+9+2: 31] - critical hit!

[Damage: 1d8+7+2: 17] plus [1d6: 3 critical cold damage] and [Marked]

[Secondary Attack vs Decrepit Skeleton #09: 1d20+9-2: 12] - misses!

[Marked]

[Tertiary Attack vs Decrepit Skeleton #02: 1d20+9-2: 25] - hits!

[Damage: 1d8+7: 15] and [Destroyed]

[Frost Longsword]

[Primary Target: Skeleton]

[Damage: 1d8: 6] and [Slowed]

Somehow the young fighter’s feet managed to find purchase, and for the first time Caldring was witness to his trademark explosion of spinning blades. By the time he stopped to compose himself, there were frosty, shattered bones all around…

[Action Point]

[Tradden gains a Standard Action]

[Second Wind]

[Tradden spends a Healing Surge and regains 8 hit points]

Turning back to the main skeleton, Tradden pointed his icy sword right at it.

‘You’re next…’

NOV
19

Combat
Decrepit Skeletons

09

Although bones lay splintered and frozen across the surface of the bog, the skeletons kept on coming.

[Decrepit Skeleton #01: Melee Basic Attack - Longsword]

[Primary Attack: 1d20+6: 26 vs Tradden’s AC (18+2)] - critical hit!

[Damage: 4]

[Decrepit Skeleton #03: Melee Basic Attack - Longsword]

[Primary Attack: 1d20+6: 17 vs Khalin’s AC (18)] - misses!

[Decrepit Skeleton #04: Melee Basic Attack - Longsword]

[Primary Attack: 1d20+6: 26 vs Khalin’s AC (18)] - critical hit!

[Damage: 4]

Sharp edges swirled around the heroes, some slashing across their legs.

NOV
19

Combat
Skeleton

10

The main skeleton, now glittering with a rime of frost, continued to press its assault against Tradden.

[Skeleton: Melee Basic Attack - Longsword]

[Primary Attack: 1d20+10: 28 vs Tradden’s AC (18+2)] - hits!

[Damage: 1d8+2: 9] and [Marked]

The skeleton swiped across Tradden’s midriff, drawing a line of blood.

NOV
19

Combat
Khalin Grundokri

11

Khalin gritted his teeth against the tide of blows from the undead minions bearing down on the party.

[Dwarven Resilience]

[Khalin spends a Healing Surge and regains 7 hit points]

[Khalin gains +2 to defences until start of next turn]

The battle was not going well. The sheer weight of numbers was starting to take its toll. Khalin looked for a position to assist both his comrades, but the sheer amount of skeletons in the way and the tricky conditions underfoot prevented him from moving.

A wry smile crossed his bearded lips. ‘Take heart, my friend,’ he bellowed across to Tradden. ‘There’ll be broken bones before we’re finished, and they won’t be ours!’

[Inspiring Word]

[Tradden spends a Healing Surge and regains 1d6+8: 14 hp]

The dwarf then lashed out at the lead skeleton.

[Melee Basic Attack - Warhammer]

[Primary Attack vs Skeleton: 1d20+5: 11] - misses!

The dwarf’s quick strike failed to hit its intended target.

NOV
19

Combat
Decrepit Skeletons

12

The second wave of skeletons drew back their bows once more and let fly at the heroes.

[Decrepit Skeleton #05: Ranged Basic Attack - Shortbow]

[Primary Attack: 1d20+6: 21 vs Tradden’s AC (18+2)] - hits!

[Damage: 3]

[Decrepit Skeleton #05: Ranged Basic Attack - Shortbow]

[Primary Attack: 1d20+6: 21 vs Tradden’s AC (18+2)] - hits!

[Damage: 3]

[Decrepit Skeleton #05: Ranged Basic Attack - Shortbow]

[Primary Attack: 1d20+6: 9 vs Khalin’s AC (18)] - misses!

[Decrepit Skeleton #05: Ranged Basic Attack - Shortbow]

[Primary Attack: 1d20+6: 7 vs Khalin’s AC (18)] - misses!

Two of the arrows thudded into Tradden.

NOV
19

Combat
Caldring Andrezar

13

Caldring looked around her at the skeletons attacking Tradden and Kireth. The boy and the dwarf were faring badly — although the lead skeleton looked to be on its last legs, the rest of the skeletons were starting to swarm over them. If she didn’t act appropriately, another wave might consume them.

The smith held her blade above her head, runes flaring out brightly, and crashed it down into the water at her feet. As the waves cascaded outwards from the shock a shimmering rune, a baleful yellow fire, settled for an instant, and then grew with a crescendo to cover the skeletons with divine fire.

[Flames of Purity]

[Close Blast 3 top-left at XX] with [Damage: 1d8+5: 10]

[Blast Attack vs Skeleton: 1d20+6: 18] - hits!

[Damage: 10]

[Blast Attack vs Decrepit Skeleton #03: 1d20+6: 11] - misses!

[Blast Attack vs Decrepit Skeleton #04: 1d20+6: 20] - hits!

[Damage: 10] and [Destroyed]

[Blast Attack vs Decrepit Skeleton #05: 1d20+6: 23] - hits!

[Damage: 10] and [Destroyed]

[Blast Attack vs Decrepit Skeleton #06: 1d20+6: 23] - hits!

[Damage: 10] and [Destroyed]

[Blast Attack vs Decrepit Skeleton #07: 1d20+6: 19] - hits!

[Damage: 10] and [Destroyed]

[Blast Attack vs Decrepit Skeleton #08: 1d20+6: 24] - hits!

[Damage: 10] and [Destroyed]

[Blast Attack vs Decrepit Skeleton #09: 1d20+6: 13] - misses!

[Blast Attack vs Decrepit Skeleton #10: 1d20+6: 21] - hits!

[Damage: 10] and [Destroyed]

[Blast Attack vs Decrepit Skeleton #11: 1d20+6: 19] - hits!

[Damage: 10] and [Destroyed]

[Blast Attack vs Decrepit Skeleton #12: 1d20+6: 24] - hits!

[Damage: 10] and [Destroyed]

[Tradden and Khalin regain 3 hit points]

Vast clouds of steam leapt up from the marsh water as the firestorm hit, obscuring any view that Khalin or Tradden had. All they heard was the cracking and splintering of bones.

NOV
19

Combat
Decrepit Skeletons

14

Khalin had lost his comrades in the mist that swirled around, and turned a couple of time before he was confronted with a blade swiping in at him unexpectedly.

[Decrepit Skeleton #09: Melee Basic Attack - Longsword]

[Primary Attack: 1d20+6: 15 vs Khalin’s AC (18+2)] - misses!

Khalin raised his shield up against the swipe and deflected it to the side. At least the dwarf could see something now!

NOV
19

Combat
Tradden Aversward

15

The swamp was suddenly very, very quiet. Tradden couldn’t hear either of his two companions, which he thought was odd until he realised he was hardly making a sound either…

What was that? There was a slight sound… could it be the bone-on-bone sound of a skeletal warrior moving?

[Perception Check: 1d20+3: 12] - success!

The splash was coming from behind Tradden’s ear, but he wasn’t sure if it was friend or foe.

It had to the the skeleton — that weird sound coming from the exact place he had last seen it. Using the same technique he had used a few days earlier when in the middle of a magical goblin inspired fog, Tradden looked to trade some power for more accuracy, knowing that it would still be tough given he could hardly see his own hand…

[Sure Strike]

[Primary Attack vs Decrepit Skeleton #09: 1d20+11-5: 26] - hits!

[Damage: 1d8+3: 6] and [Destroyed]

Tradden was greeted by the clash of steel on bone and the muffled sound of bones splintering and falling onto sodden earth.

‘Hmm, one down, but how many more to go?’ he thought to himself, moving forward slightly, and following the slightly sturdier ground around in a little curve in what he thought was a southwesterley direction, and which ‘should’ put him between Caldring and Khalin.

[Move: ?, ?, ?]

‘Hello?’ he said aloud. ‘Khalin? Let me know if you are there, Master dwarf…’

NOV
19

Combat
Decrepit Skeletons

16

Khalin heard a splash behind him and whirled around just in time to see a blade slice through the mist and spear towards his head.

[Decrepit Skeleton #03: Melee Basic Attack - Longsword]

[Primary Attack: 1d20+6: 20 vs Khalin’s AC (18+2)] - hits!

[Damage: 4]

Khalin ducked, but not in time and the blade cut across his cheek.

NOV
19

Combat
Khalin Grundokri

17

Khalin was confident his dwarvish senses and battle savvy would guide his hammer to the foe…

[Perception Check: 1d20+1: 18] - success!

…but a wise warrior tempered confidence with guile, and the dwarf stayed his hammer and jabbed hard with his shield — a skeleton would surely splinter and fall, but if his instinct failed him an armoured comrade could still ride the blow…

[Furious Smash]

[Primary Attack vs Decrepit Skeleton #03: 1d20+6-5: 2] - critical miss!

[Attack hits Tradden]

[Damage: 3]

The dwarf bumped into Tradden, smashing him with his shield, just as he cried ‘Over here!’ to his companion.

NOV
19

Combat
Caldring Andrezar

18

The shouts ‘hello’ and ‘over Here’ echoed around the mists, muffled reflections of their own voices taunting the comrades. Somewhere out there was a least one more skeleton, but there didn’t seem to be any sound from Caldring.

NOV
19

Combat
Tradden Aversward

19

Tradden moved slowly towards his friend, or at least towards where he thought Khalin was. The shield had bashed him on the back of his shoulder, but the shield and dwarf had disappeared back into the mist. He kept on solid ground, slowly edging towards the muffled sounds of bones clacking.

[Perception Check: 1d20+3: 10] - success!

Tradden thought he could sense the dwarf near him, but also the splashing of a skeleton in water. Blind, but careful, he struck out.

[Sure Strike]

[Primary Attack vs Decrepit Skeleton #03: 1d20+11-5: 26] - critical hit!

[Damage: 1d8+3: 11] plus [1d6: 4 critical cold damage] and [Destroyed]

With a crash Tradden slammed his blade into the skeleton, and it splintered into pieces, dropping into the water below.

NOV
19

Combat
Completed

20

[…Combat Encounter Completed…]

NOV
19

Combat
Short Rest

21

[Healing Surges]

[Tradden...]

[Tradden...]

[Encounter Powers]

[All encounter powers are recharged]

[Milestones]

[No Milestones achieved]

[Experience]

[Khalin gains ? xp to reach ? xp]

[Tradden gains ? xp to reach ? xp]

[Levelling]

[No characters ready to level up]

NOV
19

Storyline
The Gloom Marshes

22

‘Is that them all,’ shouted Tradden, hoping his friend was nearby.

‘No need to shout, young ’un,’ piped up Khalin, stood behind the young warrior. ‘Don’t want to bring any more up out of the swamp. Now, where’s that elf?’

The two friends stood back to back for a while trying to gain their bearings. Slowly the mists caused by Caldring’s fire dissipated and the marsh began to take shape again. They were still near the cartwheel, jutting up out of the water, but there was no sign of Caldring.

NOV
19

Storyline
The Gloom Marshes

23

Khalin looked over towards the cartwheel and moved cautiously into the water, prodding and poking the ground before him with his warhammer. When he was thigh deep he started swirling his arms around in the cloudy water trying to find any sign or clue for where Caldring had gone.

As if on cue, to further dampen their mood, thunder pealed across the heavens, and great globs of rain began to fall.

‘She’ll be round here somewhere, Master Tradden,’ said the dwarf, eyeing the fighter warily. ‘She’ll be alright, don’t you worry!’

Just as Khalin finished his words there was a loud scream from nearby, behind where the party stood. A female scream.

Tradden whirled round trying to peer through the murk, but couldn’t see anything. Khalin piped up, ‘There!’ He pointed off to the northeast — two hunched figures standing over a prone body. A lightning bolt struck a nearby tree, sending flames shooting up into the air, and Tradden could see more clearly.

The figures were a ghastly pale colour with lonk lank hair and long extended fingers ending in vicious claws.

‘Hey, there!’ shouted Tradden at the top of his lungs, ‘you leave her alone!’ And he charged off towards them, weapons drawn.

NOV
20

End of Scene