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Fantasy Grounds Theme Extension - Conan 2d20 Theme V3.6 by Jolly. More great resources at (LINK)
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CoreRPG ruleset v3.3.8 for Fantasy Grounds Copyright 2015 Smiteworks USA, LLC
Extension (Conan 2D20 V3.6 09302018) loaded.
Feneril (Slumbara): AFK one sec, wife needs help
There are no horses visible in the immediate area.
Feneril (Slumbara): back
Slumbara laments the lack of horses in the immediate area
Meltam Perandus: Maybe we don't need to look like a horse, if we sound like a horse?
Meltam Perandus: It's blind?
Slumbara: Perhaps we must smell like a horse
Delia: Maybe it would notice because it uses some sort of exceptionally high quality ears?
Meltam Perandus: Delia, do you have anything that could help here?
Delia: Sorry, my makeup kit is empty. But I do have a sewing kit for clothing repairs.
Volmalric: It's a bat demon
Volmalric: You have to sound like a horse
Volmalric: What kind of bats operate by smell?
Slumbara: Slumbara has much experience with horses, but not with bats
Slumbara attempts to sound like a horse
Slumbara: Animal Handling 4EXP/4FOC Successes = 3 Complications = 0 [2d20 = 15]
Tack (Meltam Perandus): It's a horseplay roll.
Slumbara would convince all creatures who base their world on auditory senses that he is a horse.
Slumbara heads north making noises, using the bell of his tuba to amplify their volume
Volmalric: Observation Successes = 1 Complications = 1 [2d20 = 28]
Volmalric keeps an eye out for signs of the bat demon or its lair
Slumbara looks for bat tracks
Slumbara: Survival 1EXP/1FOC Successes = 2 Complications = 0 [2d20 = 11]
As you leave Edgarth's place and head north, Volmalric notices a large volcano to the north, belching white smoke.
Volmalric: Do volcanoes normally belch white smoke?
Volmalric also takes several steps while staring at the volcano with his mouth open ahd swallows a bug that happens to fly into it. I'm sure nothing bad will happen.
Meltam Perandus: I do not believe so, but this place probably doesn't obey natural laws.
Volmalric coughs and chokes on the bug
Slumbara: Well, maybe if you throw white people into them
Slumbara: What color smoke comes out when white people burn up?
Slumbaara fails to find any bat tracks, as he would need many more successes to track a flying creature.
Meltam Perandus: You've probablyburned picts by the dozens, you tell me ?
Volmalric: I've seen people burnt alive, the answer is black
Delia: Ewww...
Meltam Perandus: Observation 3EXP/3FOC Successes = 1 Complications = 0 [2d20 = 23]
Meltam Perandus: Observation 3EXP/3FOC Successes = 1 Complications = 0 [23]
Meltam Perandus: [1d20 = 1]
After several minutes of walking north, Meltam notices a dip in the land ahead that appears to be a downward slope, which makes sense given Edgarth's explanation of the northern geography. You surmise it leads down to an as-yet unseen river. On the far side of that you see somewhat steep (as in, climbable, but a challenge) cliffs cutting to the north.
Meltam Perandus: Hrm. That'd make a convenient place for the Alligator King to ambush us.
Volmalric: For the alligator king to ambush us, or for us to ambush the alligator king?
Volmalric: Also, it's a crocodile king we're after
Off to your left (west of your line of march, perhaps thirty minutes walk away) Meltam spots what looks like the remains of a large tubular stone structure that stretches to the north/south as far as you can see, it looks like there are people wearing white garments attempting to repair it.
Volmalric: Animal Handling 2EXP/2FOC Successes = 0 Complications = 0 [2d20 = 31]
GM: For mental image, think something along the lines of a Roman aqueduct.
Slumbara: Hmm, Edloo said that the bat lived near some ruins
Volmalric: You can tell the difference by the temperment. Crocodiles are pack animals, while alligators hunt lone
Slumbara: Animal Handling 4EXP/4FOC Successes = 3 Complications = 0 [2d20 = 15]
Slumbara: Actually the main difference is the shape of their snout and how their bite is aligned
Meltam Perandus: Let's go talk to those people over yonder, eh?
Volmalric: I'm pretty sure the pack hunting is a far more noticeable difference to their victims
Volmalric makes note of the kind workers so they can go back for directions if their wanderings don't produce a bat
Slumbara: Slumbara has a plan
Volmalric: We haven't even gotten lost yet, is it really the time to ask for directions?
Slumbara: We should follow the river towards those ruins
Slumbara: Slumbara will walk near the water
Slumbara: You should all stand back
Meltam Perandus: Well no, it's not that we NEED directions, but aren't you curious about what other sorts of people are trapped here with us?
Delia: I'm fine with talking to those people, they are not likely to be hostile if they are working. Unless they are enslaved and their masters try to "recruit" us.
Slumbara: Slumbara likes to talk
Slumbara walks over towards the people and shouts
Volmalric: That's...actually a really reasonable idea, Meltam
Meltam Perandus: Slumbara, that's an excellent plan, can we lasso to pull you back to us if you should, fall into the river or something?
Volmalric: Observation Successes = 0 Complications = 0 [2d20 = 25]
Volmalric: Alchemy 2EXP/2FOC Successes = 2 Complications = 0 [2d20 = 12]
The group heads over the rocky, broken ground marked with occasional tufts of scrub grass and small cactus-like plants. You get within a few hundred yards of the workers, you would estimate there are thirty, when Slumbara gives a shout.
Slumbara: Hello friends! It is I, Slumbara, famed slayer of men and player of tuba!
Meltam Perandus: Observation 3EXP/3FOC Successes = 2 Complications = 0 [2d20 = 17]
Meltam Perandus: Lore 1EXP/1FOC Successes = 1 Complications = 0 [2d20 = 20]
Volmalric: Woah, hold up one moment. I need a bit of this
Volmalric pulls out a pair of gloves from his pack, opening the pack up to reveal a kit and a variety of containers, bags, bottles, etc. He begins gathering up some of one of the plants on the side of the road, adding it to his supplies
Volmalric: Oh, hey, and some lavender. I need a bit of that, too.
Volmalric continues to pick up bits and pieces as they travel, pausing to quickly grab a sample and then jogging to catch up with the group as they travel through the area
Slumbara: Can you use those to make more drugs for Slumbara?
Volmalric: Yes
Slumbara: Slumbara approves
Volmalric: This in particular helps with burning
Delia: Wait, is that saffron? Holy Mitra! That sells for so much, even dried!
Volmalric: But not that kind of burning
Delia collects some herbs.
Meltam Perandus: Lore 1EXP/1FOC Successes = 1 Complications = 0 [2d20 = 16]
Meltam Perandus waits for Slumbara to stand up and perform a Kushite nanori ritual.
Slumbara continues waving to the figures in white
Meltam Perandus: Slumbara, aren't you going to say hello?
Slumbara: I did, perhaps they don't understand
The figures ahead do not respond in any way to Slumbara's friendly response or his awesome tuba playing.
Slumbara shouts in Kushite
In either language Slumbara has tried.
Volmalric narrows his eyes
Volmalric: They're not ghosts, are they?
Volmalric: Or skeletons?
Volmalric: Insight Successes = 1 Complications = 0 [2d20 = 21]
Volmalric: I mean, hopefully they have skeletons still. I haven't met many things without skeletons that I like
Meltam Perandus: I surmise our attempts at communication will be just as Sisyphean as their labors.
Slumbara: Is Sisyhpus the one that fucked his mom and killed his dad?
Slumbara: Why would you think they would do that?
Meltam Perandus: I'm suprised those argossian tales made it that far south, and that you remembered them.
Delia: Wow, I didn't think you was that well versed in Argossian literature. I'm impressed Slumbara.
Volmalric: It seems like the type of tale that Slumbara would know
Slumbara: I heard the story from a mercenary around the campfire
Slumbara: Slumbara does not approve of inscest, even with cows you have to be careful about that
Slumbara: Eventually they are born all deformed and not at all delicious-looking
Delia turns a little greenish at Slumbara's comment.
Meltam Perandus: I think you might benefit from further studying the story.
Volmalric: So, does anyone want to climb up there and see whether they respond to us at all?
Slumbara: Slumbara does not study
Slumbara: Slumbara is strong
Slumbara: Slumbara will go
Slumbara: Slumbara will bring one back
They are all working around the base of a pillar that goes up about 20' to a stone aqueduct.
Slumbara goes over to the workers and attempts to engage them in social interaction
Slumbara: Hello, my name is Slumbara! Here is my business card
Slumbara gives them a business card
Tack (Meltam Perandus): ponders what Slumbara's card says.
Kazemi (Volmalric): It's a brothel card
Kazemi (Volmalric): From the other side of the world, which makes it even more puzzling
Tack (Meltam Perandus): Adult Entertainment. Controled and Uncontrolled Violence. Tuba Player.
Slumbara notices the people he is attempting to speak with are a bit translucent and seem to be doing the same things over and over again. They do not respond to him.
Delia: Hmm...
Slumbara tries to pick one of them up to carry it over to Volmalric to get his opinion
Slumbara: Athletics 3EXP/3FOC Successes = 2 Complications = 0 [2d20 = 19]
Volmalric: They ARE ghosts!
Volmalric: I called it!
Meltam Perandus: ponders this metaphor or punishment, and wether this is a particular people Scholar King found deserving of it, or an allegory of the entire history of the Hyborian Age.
You ferociously and effectively grapple the ghost, who passes right through Slumbara's mighty arms. Clearly they are incredibly tricky creatures!
Slumbara: Hmm, Slumbara does not think we will learn anything by talking to them
Their labors are making no impact on the aqueduct, it looks as though they are trying to repair parts that do not exist.
Meltam Perandus: Please cover your ears for about 10 seconds folks.
Volmalric covers his ears
Slumbara covers his ears
Meltam Perandus Appears to be grinding a small dagger against the head of his mace.\
However, as Slumbara determines they may not be the most communicative folks, and Meltam begins scraping his dagger and making a high pitched noise, you all hear a rumbling noise from above you, as if there is a sudden deluge coming down the broken aqueduct. The ghosts look up, their faces wide in shock and terror. They bring their arms up as if they are shielding themselves from unseen falling debris, and disappear from view.
No actual falling water or debris (spectral or not) is visible to any of you.
Delia: Hmm...
Volmalric: Well
Meltam Perandus: It worked!
Volmalric: You killed some ghosts
Volmalric: You've killed more ghosts than Slumbara
Meltam Perandus assumes a defensive posture.
Meltam Perandus: I think we may have a friend here soon.
Volmalric: Your words and actions suggest opposite things
Slumbara: Slumbara always has friends
Volmalric: And what did you just do?
Meltam Perandus: Sorcery 1EXP/1FOC Successes = 3 Complications = 0 [2d20 = 4]
Slumbara: Sorcery 1EXP/1FOC Successes = 0 Complications = 0 [2d20 = 30]
Volmalric is using a Hero Point
Volmalric: Sorcery Successes = 2 Complications = 0 [2d20 = 13]
Tack (Meltam Perandus): Wimp.
A creature that looks like the Scholar-King appears, leading a troop of warriors in resplendant red armor with helmets carved to look like the heads of fantastic creatures you have never seen. (Possibly heard of, but definitely extinct). Behind them appears long rows of translucent humans chained together by the neck. the green skinned Scholar-King looking creature looks at the chained humans and tells them, "You will work here until the aqueduct is repaired or the Serpent of Set your kind unleashed is destroyed." The Scholar-King creature and the troop of red-warriors vanish from view as suddenly as they appeared, they do not seem to notice or acknowledge your presence.
The spirits you had been observing reappear and begin their never ending work to repair the aqueduct.
Delia: I'm getting a deja vu feeling here. And it is freaky.
Slumbara: Hmm, so if we want to help these ghosts, we can either kill this serpent of set, or finish repairing the aqueduct
Volmalric: Is it me, or are those serpant creatures maintaining this region?
Meltam Perandus: So, no bat, and the idea that, well, this is in fact multiple when, not a single removed cleft of time.
Slumbara: Slumbara knows most of those words, but the combination of them....
Slumbara: Are you also on drugs?
Meltam Perandus: Nope.
Meltam Perandus: ...unless you count magic.
Meltam Perandus: And that's a helluva drug.
Volmalric: What do you mean by "multiple when"?
Meltam Perandus: Anyway this is confusing and It'd probably be easier if we just let you bungie jump into the river and fish us out a Crocodile.
Slumbara: Slumbara understands that
Slumbara ties a rope into a harness around his waste and between his legs
Meltam Perandus: In ye go!
Slumbara hands Meltam the other end of the rope and walks down towards the river
Volmalric: Uh
Slumbara: Wait a minute, are you trying to trick Slumbara?
Volmalric: You might want to attach that to something
Volmalric: Before he jumps
Meltam Perandus: Volmalric - either the dreamer who maintains this realm was momentarily stired by the metallic noise, or those people are continally resummoned here to continually rebuild a thing that can never be completed.
Meltam Perandus: Not at all!. AS long as you have a rope attached we can get the crocodile out of the river...and you to safety!
Meltam Perandus: Great plan eh?
Slumbara: Discipline 2EXP/2FOC Successes = 2 Complications = 0 [2d20 = 13]
Meltam Perandus: Persuade 3EXP/3FOC Successes = 1 Complications = 0 [2d20 = 23]
Slumbara: Slumbara thinks Meltam is not strong enough to lift the crocodile out of the river
Meltam Perandus: What about all three of us?
Slumbara: Slumbara thinks it would work better to dangle Meltam by the rope
Slumbara: Like bait
Slumbara: That way, when the crocodile eats Meltam, Slumbara can reel it in. Like fishing
Slumbara: Persuade 1EXP/1FOC Successes = 1 Complications = 0 [2d20 = 22]
Meltam Perandus: Discipline Successes = 1 Complications = 0 [2d20 = 19]
Slumbara: Slumbara is strong enough to lift the crocodile
Volmalric: That he is
Volmalric: Though I could also give Meltam a draught that boosts his strength
Volmalric: Guaranteed to have fewer than 5* side effects
You reach the river without further incident (well, aside from passing the stream of ghosts working around the aqueduct, which you can choose not to ignore, but they are ignoring you). The land becomes covered with a springy green grass and the downslope to the river had hidden from view a nice grassland replete with a variety of plants.
Then you spot some giant snapping turtles and a few large lizards sitting around by the water. The lizards are NOT crocodiles or alligators in Slumbara's experienced opinion. You do seem some obviously large nests.
Delia: Is it weird those two groups are cohabiting nicely together within easy striking distance? Or should we call that normal for here?
Volmalric: Alchemy 2EXP/2FOC Successes = 0 Complications = 1 [2d20 = 35]
Kazemi (Volmalric): Any other good plants?
Slumbara: Animal Handling 4EXP/4FOC Successes = 1 Complications = 0 [2d20 = 24]
Meltam Perandus: Interesting.
Slumbara: In Slumbara's experience, turtles are often not fearful of predators. They are difficult to hunt because of their thick shells
Volmalric gathers a few more plants on the side, making sure to use gloves again and maintain distance from the reptiles
Slumbara: But Slumbara can hunt anything. Who wants turtle soup?
Meltam Perandus: If these were good eating, don't you think Edgarth would have said so?
Across the river, you see a small settlement of 10 or so buildings nestled in the shade of the aqueduct, which appears much more intact from about halfway across the river and further north. A steady stream of water (imagine a meter wide constant waterfall) pours out of it into the river.
Slumbara: I am pretty sure his name was Emlard
Slumbara: And there is only one way to find out
Meltam Perandus: This whole area is just too bizare for me.
Slumbara takes out his broadsword and begins to stalk the turtle from downwind
Slumbara: Survival 1EXP/1FOC Successes = 1 Complications = 0 [2d20 = 18]
Slumbara: Stealth 1EXP/1FOC Successes = 2 Complications = 0 [2d20 = 13]
Slumbara sneaks up on the nearest one and it makes no response. He is within striking distance and there has been no response from it. However, Slumbara is certain it is a live creature and not a ghost.
Slumbara leaps from the tall reeds to strike at the turtle's vulnerable neck hole
Slumbara: Melee 3EXP/2FOC Successes = 1 Complications = 0 [2d20 = 21]
GM: Turtle successfully dodges...lol
The turtle retracts its head at the last second, then leaps into action and snaps at Slumbara, moving with surprising speed for such a large.... turtle?
Turtle: Melee 2EXP/2FOC Successes = 2 Complications = 0 [2d20 = 20]
Kazemi (Volmalric): Are you turtly enough for the turtle club?
Meltam Perandus: I don't get this place Volmalric. It's some bizzare combination of either Scholar Kings memories, or a menagerie of mythical beasts...
GM: It hits with 2 successes, you may try to dodge or parry. Dodge is easier.
Volmalric: Animal Handling 2EXP/2FOC Successes = 2 Complications = 0 [2d20 = 13]
Volmalric observes the Turtle as it spars with Slumbara
Slumbara: Parry 1EXP/1FOC Successes = 1 Complications = 0 [2d20 = 24]
Slumbara: [1d20 = 1]
Slumbara deftly blocks the attack with his dagger and causes the creature to retreat somewhat in surprise.
Slumbara: Aw Crikey!
Slumbara: Melee 3EXP/2FOC Successes = 1 Complications = 1 [2d20 = 25]
Slumbara: Melee 3EXP/2FOC Successes = 2 Complications = 0 [2d20 = 17]
Volmalric calls down to his companion/meat-shield
Volmalric: Slumbara! You might want to slowly back out of there before it stops being a 1:1 fight?
Volmalric gestures at the fact that all the lizards and turtles are now watching him with interest
Slumbara lunges at the turtle with his blade
Turtle: Parry, Ranged Weapons 2EXP/2FOC Successes = 1 Complications = 0 [2d20 = 24]
Volmalric: Meltam, do you have any way of telling if people have been reincarnated here as animals?
Meltam Perandus: Once Slumbara defeats the turtle, the rest of the reptiles will respect his authority, and back off immediately. He will be accepted into their river culture.
Meltam Perandus: I can try to, but it's not worth the risk.
Slumbara: Broadsword: (Reach 2-Parry 1-UNB-5D): [7d6 = 29]
Slumbara: [2d6 = 10]
Slumbara stabs the turtle, finding a weak point and stabbing his blade in. The creature howls in pain and rips away from him, moving quickly backwards after yanking Slumbara's sword out of the burly warrior's grip.
It seems really pissed off, but not nearly as close to a "dying" state, as Slumbara would have expected from the blow.
Meltam Perandus is using a Hero Point
Meltam Perandus: Ranged Weapons 1EXP/1FOC Successes = 2 Complications = 0 [2d20 = 9]
Volmalric finishes packing up from collecting herbs, preparing a concoction and keeping na eye on the other animals. Especially the lizards, which are probably much faster than the turtles
Meltam Perandus: Throw Rock: (Reach 2-Improvised-Stun-Thrown-2D): [2d6 = 7]
Meltam Perandus: [1d6 = 5]
Volmalric: Going for something that's going to smell and taste very badly, to keep the animals away if need be. Keeping it mostly sealed
Volmalric: Alchemy 2EXP/2FOC Successes = 2 Complications = 0 [2d20 = 14]
There is now an arrow stuck in the creature's eye. It is now thrashing around and blinded in one eye.
Meltam Perandus: Are you suggesting we are journeying through Chikushudo Volmalric ?
Several other turtles rush over to block Slumbara from getting to the injured and angry one. They advance towards Slumbara in a line.
Meltam Perandus: for some reason I am filled with a terrible sense of familiarity and the vaguest notion of looking like an animal.
Volmalric gestures at the literal ranks of turtles
Meanwhile, three of the lizards rush up behind Slumbara and their throats expand like they are preparing to spray a whole lot of unpleasantness in his direction.
Slumbara: Animal Handling 4EXP/4FOC Successes = 0 Complications = 1 [2d20 = 38]
Volmalric: Slumbara! See if you can collect some of their projectile acid venom for me!
Meltam Perandus: Society 4EXP/4FOC Successes = 1 Complications = 0 [2d20 = 26]
Meltam Perandus: Volmalric, you were correct.
Volmalric: I reserve the right to be smug about this later
Meltam Perandus: There's nothing wild about these creatures, they are as regimented as any army!
Slumbara: Observation 1EXP/1FOC Successes = 1 Complications = 0 [2d20 = 20]
Volmalric: Observation Successes = 0 Complications = 0 [2d20 = 31]
Meltam Perandus: Observation 3EXP/3FOC Successes = 0 Complications = 0 [2d20 = 31]
Meltam Perandus: [1d20 = 3]
Slumbara: [1d20 = 2]
Both Slumbara and Meltalm notice that what looks like several large birds that had been resting on top fo the aqueduct take flight. They grab debris in their claws as if they are preparing to bomb "something" as they sail overhead. Meanwhile, in the distance, Slumbara is relatively certain he heard an elephant trumpeting.
Campaign saved.