Chapter 2.1b: Search Party (Hochoch)

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Mar 21, 2025 8:31 pm
@WanderOne - For further flavor, what type of large beast did Manthis help train for the circus? They could be real-world beasts, or fantasy ones from D&D.

Manthis was a performer and not an animal trainer. Note he has nothing about animals in his skills.

Dancer +3 (Dex)
Fire-Eater +2 (Int)
Tumbler +3 (Dex)

Sorry, that isn't very clear on the character sheet unless you look at the last of skills listing to note them and realize that is his circus skills. Those would be his entertainment for circus.

LOL. No. The whip wasn't learned for snapping at lions and such. :) Just an odd skill he learned and used it a bit in performance, but no animals and instead other participating players in performance it was used against.
Last edited March 21, 2025 8:34 pm
Mar 21, 2025 8:41 pm
I'm guessing since Rosemary moved up and attacked Karsh that he is NOT going to advance probably till he has elimiated the pesky Rosemary which isn't something that Manthis is in favor of. So Manthis will put away the whip and close to attack two handed with his great sword.
OOC:
Move and attack for a 12 if it hits with 12 damage. Free action to put away the whip. AC 11.
Last edited March 21, 2025 8:45 pm

Rolls

Great Sword Attack, Damage - (1d20+4+1d4, 2d6+2)

1d20+4+1d4 : (5) + (3) + 4 = 12

2d6+2 : (16) + 2 = 9

reroll the 1 on damage dice. - (1d6)

(4) = 4

Mar 21, 2025 10:02 pm
"Well, that seemed to work well enough" he says to himself. He clears his mind for another use of Ray of Frost.

Rolls

Ray attack - (1d20+5)

(17) + 5 = 22

Ray damage - (1d8)

(7) = 7

Mar 22, 2025 12:11 am
The futility of words dawned on Arya with brutal clarity. Violence was the only language Karsh understood. A high elegant grunt of frustration escaped her lips as she abandoned diplomacy and plunged into the fray. Her warhammer, a brutal instrument in her hands, slammed into the giant's shoulder. The impact a sickening crunch of shattered bones and torn muscles.

Damage: 8
Last edited March 22, 2025 3:56 am

Rolls

Hammer - (1d20+5, 1d8+3)

1d20+5 : (20) + 5 = 25

1d8+3 : (1) + 3 = 4

Critical - (1d8+3)

(4) + 3 = 7

Mar 23, 2025 4:13 pm
round two, completed

Arya grunts in frustration, runs up, and pounds Karsh with her warhammer.
Karsh takes 11 bludgeoning damage! His lascivious smile drops into a snarl.
Still crouched in the bushes at a safe distance, ::Well, that seemed to work well enough,:: Jonel muses to himself as he pulls on the reservoir of power boiling in his blood. The resulting Ray of Frost beams from his outstretched hand, hitting Karsh again.
Karsh takes 7 cold damage; ice forms on his lips and eyelashes.
Manthis steps up alongside Rosemary and hacks at Karsh with his greatsword. The blade bites deep.
Karsh takes 12 damage; he falls dead, collapsing with a heavy thud and crunch of a shrub underneath.

The heroes look at each other with the adrenalin pumping in their blood still; there is a shared moment of visceral, primal triumph. Any reflection on the fragility of life and the danger of the adventuring profession would come later. For now, they are all together and alive.

Each of the four PCs gain 50 XP: Arya, Jonel, Manthis, and Rosemary.
Mar 23, 2025 4:25 pm
https://gamersplane.com/characters/avatars/31873.jpg?1739084733 "Let us loot the body and toss it aside so we can get a bit more rest." Unarmed Manthis gives his thoughts as he cleans off his great sword.
Last edited March 23, 2025 4:25 pm
Mar 23, 2025 8:22 pm
Jonel walks out of the bushes."Hopefully, this one has no fellows close by." Addressing Arya, "Not sure if you would want to say a few words. The brute was at least intelligent enough to speak." Turning to address the rest of the party as well, "If none are opposed, I would say that we should burn the corpse to deter any wild beasts that might pick at this, and perchance pick up our scents and follow us."
Last edited March 23, 2025 8:25 pm
Mar 24, 2025 4:05 am
"That's considerate, Jonel," Arya replied, her voice tinged with a strange mix of pity and kindness. Without hesitation, she knelt beside the fallen ogre, searching for any flicker of life. Though Karsh had been the aggressor, she couldn't deny a pang of sympathy. He was, after all, a creature of the natural world, unlike the abominable undeads.

If a pulse remained, she would tend to his wounds with her healing kit, granting him a second chance. However, she still intended to disarm and disarmour him; fate would decide his ultimate destiny after they leave. Whether he lived or died was in Pelor's hands. If he was indeed deceased, she would offer a prayer for the repose of his soul kneeling in solemn respect.
Mar 24, 2025 4:23 am
Jonel bows his head reverently. The affairs of gods are a bit above his pay grade, but you never know. Raising his head once the words are spoken, he looks to Manthis."You are pretty handy with that sword, friend. I haven't had a chance to apologize for dragging a horde of undead into your camp last night. I have no doubt that if I hadn't, someone would be performing rites for me."
Mar 24, 2025 4:45 am
Examining the person of the dead ogrillon Karsh, the party finds that he is wearing a locket on a gold chain and crudely-stiched hides (including footwraps) and little else, and he had a large single-bladed battleaxe and the single javelin he'd thrown at Rosemary. The locket was probably worn around the neck of one of his previous victims sometime in the past, but Karsh was so large that it would never have fit around his neck; he wore it as a bracelet.
Mar 24, 2025 5:51 am
OOC:
Rosemary +5 HP.
Last edited March 24, 2025 5:51 am

Rolls

Heal rosemary - (1d8+3)

(2) + 3 = 5

Mar 24, 2025 10:58 am
https://gamersplane.com/characters/avatars/31873.jpg?1739084733 After brave Manthis dons his armor, "Why don't one of you two lades wear that nice locket on a gold chain. I can carry that battle axe & javelin, so they don't go to waste out here."

Manthis says to Jonel about the undead attraction, "When your wizardry improves, it will make up for it."

After Arya is done with her prays on the body, Manthis will move the body aside with some local rubbish on it. That is as far as he goes. He doesn't want to spend the time to clear an area and burn it.

"We are good now. Let us get that gear back."

GM: Was that locket the type that has a picture inside of it?
Last edited March 24, 2025 10:59 am
Mar 24, 2025 12:47 pm
"You can keep the locket if you'd like, Rosemary," Arya said softly, a serene expression settling on her face after her prayer.
Last edited March 24, 2025 12:47 pm
Mar 24, 2025 1:34 pm
Rosemary points in the direction their original campsite was. "In the off chance it's still burning, or even still there, we could just use the campfire we built."

She turns to her cleric friend. "Arya, I'm sorry. I haven't had a chance to thank you. The past few hours have been so hectic. I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you. You have my deepest gratitude." She kneels before her.
Mar 24, 2025 4:34 pm
OOC:
Another vote for closer examination of the locket.
"My guess would be that locket is from an earlier victim of the wild one. Is there any inscription? I'm guessing by its appearance and hygiene, whatever hole it crawled out of has little of value."
Last edited March 24, 2025 4:39 pm
Mar 24, 2025 11:14 pm
The pendant hanging from the gold chain does indeed have a little hinge and clasp, revealing its interior when you open it. It contains a lock of blonde hair.
The battleaxe is a little large, but can be wielded normally. The javelin is a normal short throwing spear. Who is taking which of these items?

You were already packed up camp from the previous night. Building a fire big enough to burn Karsh and then burning his body to do more than cook it will take a few hours.

What do you want to do next?
Mar 24, 2025 11:32 pm
OOC:
What time of day is it?
Jonel makes note of the contents of the locket. "I think a little rest wouldn't hurt."
Mar 25, 2025 2:48 am
OOC:
Weren't we resting till the morning and then we were going to return for the gear but the Ogrillion attacked before we finished rest. Question is it best to get more rest or to head out to get the gear? I have no concept with time it is or how much rest we got or need?
Mar 25, 2025 3:48 am
"The pleasure is all mine, Rosemary," Arya replied warmly. "Your bravery and reliability have been a true comfort. But please offer your deepest thanks to Pelor through your prayers. His blessings are abundant, and gratitude is the truest acknowledgment of His grace." She smiled peacefully, hoping to plant a seed of reverence for the divine in the halfling's heart.

"We must cleanse this place. The ogre's body should be burned, and let us also purify the remains of the undead at our camp. They were once people after all, and deserve a final peace."
Last edited March 25, 2025 6:14 am
Mar 25, 2025 4:08 am
https://gamersplane.com/characters/avatars/31873.jpg?1739084733 Wondering Manthis mentions, "The whole point of the cold camp was not to attract attention to us. Besides the hours it would take to burn the body, we would put a bullseye on us for all around. Best not to be doing such till we are in better shape. The body will lie well where it is. And it is looted."

He adds on, "Arya. You given him prayer. More than he would have given us. We need to get our lost gear and be on our way."
Last edited March 25, 2025 4:12 am
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