Chronicles of Arcania: B/X Homebrew game.

Game Master Peet

"Sorry, Ferrous. I did not mean to criticize, only to say that I hoped this gentler approach would work. We have not many options for breaking this spell and yours was not a bad idea."

Walia says We should open the sarcophagus because there may be an undead creature that might be haunting the area.

Excuse me did you say we SHOULD open the sarcophagus because of there MAY be an undead creature? Or we SHOULDN'T open it because there IS an undead creature?
The dwarf gives the cleric a puzzled look reluctant to fight the unnatural undead.

I agree with the good dwarf... if ain't awakened by now, just let it be. Shakes his head, No good comes from playing with the dead or undead.

Walia looks at the group up and down and says, "I don't play with undead my children but rather exorcise them. Part of the mission I am on from the gods it to do just that. Besides, as a general rules sarcophagi contain copious amounts of treasure." giving a nice friendly smile.

"Walia, are you actually suggesting we should be grave robbers?
If you think it truly necessary to open this sarcophagus to make sure the dead are resting peacefully, and bless the bodies or whatever, I will back you up. But I'm not taking anything from there. That's how you create vengeful ghosts and curses, everybody knows that."
Brathas is fine taking the silver raccoon mask from the long-dead guy on the floor, and he's even okay with having the mask of the parakeet from the other crypt (since the jester's spirit was appeased by getting to play his last joke). But as a general rule he's opposed to breaking open tombs to loot them, partly because it feels distasteful and partly because he's afraid of curses.

Walia is more about exorcising the undead than amything, he feels like it is his calling. He mentioned the treasure thinking it may be a motivator to some...

Walia says, "Once I exorcise the undead the goods inside the sarcophagus shall be safe, if there is something of use for one of you like a magic sword or something. Wanton robbery is somewhat frowned on by the gods."

Walia says We should open the sarcophagus because there may be an undead creature that might be haunting the area.

For the record, Wallia does not detect any evil presence coming from the sarcophagus.

On a side note, long ago a friend of mine suggested D&D be called "graverobbers." It's a question you guys need to decide on but you are well aware that treasure is often buried with the dead.

After a session where the party mostly got killed by monsters, I think it was kobolds and the kobolds where had lost a great deal too, the question was raised why didn't the kobolds run and I said, "You are invading their home" and the player said " that is stupid, the monsters are just there for us to kill." Walia who had some sort of dream is now on a mission,,,just saying.

Ignores the priest and heads to the door.

Walia does he open the sarcophagus or not 50/50 1d2... 1 =yes 2= no 1d2 ⇒ 2 no.

Walia shrugs and says, "Mayhap this isn't haunted. Some sort of enchantment and also an undead creature may be a bit too much for one tomb."

He follows Fistep out of the door.

post got eaten

"I will be able to teach Ana the spell if she wants. I do think we should open the sarcophagus. This spell was probably placed here to protect something valuable that we could use. Besides, the dead have no use for physical treasures," Zynazyr says, trying to convince the others to stay and help him.

"Unless you can develop a spell to let me examine the sarcophagus without being ensorcelled, I won't be of much help. It's clever; the magic keeps anybody from looking closely, so even a simple poison needle trap would go unnoticed.
You are right that there could be valuable items. A magic sword buried with a mighty warrior, as in the legends, could be useful in fighting this Zargon demon, even at the risk of a curse from the warrior's spirit. Still, I would like to know how old this is, if there is any clue as to who is buried here, and if it shows signs of being disturbed, before investigating further. But I can't look closely at it now, so maybe we can come back here later.
We do have this banner to examine. Any ideas what it does?"

"Unless you can develop a spell to let me examine the sarcophagus without being ensorcelled,..."

There is always your magic sack, combined with a beating from Ferrous! :)

1d20 + 18 ⇒ (11) + 18 = 29
1d20 + 17 ⇒ (4) + 17 = 21

It occurs to both Ana and Zynazyr that if the enchantment on the sarcophagus is based on charm person (and it seems to be) then the spell protection from evil should render a person immune. However, nobody in the party can cast that spell at the moment.

"We do have this banner to examine. Any ideas what it does?"

Since Ana fell under the spell with 10 minutes to go, I'll assume that after being woken up she spent the remaining 10 minutes examining the banner.

1d6 ⇒ 6

Ana examines the banner while Zynazyr finishes scribing the spell off the sarcophagus. However, it's enchantment remains a mystery.

What now?

Bah ye are a superstitious lot. I be with the wizard. The dead don't be needing anything anymore. And if they aren't quite dead yet then the Priest here says he feels a need to put them to final rest. I am with the two of them.
Ferrous says as he walks over to the sarcophagus. Deliberately avoiding the area where the inscription is he inspects the lid of the sarcophagus trying to decipher its construction and weight.

Walia hears the banter, mutters under his breath, when i make a suggestion... and then says, "I am ready for what may happen."

Having his holy phrases ready to go.

Ana, now awakened from her trance, nods her agreement with the dwarf. "What use have the dead for treasure? Better it should be claimed by the living who can make use of it. I have never understood this fascination with entombing the dead underground anyway."

It occurs to both Ana and Zynazyr that if the enchantment on the sarcophagus is based on charm person (and it seems to be) then the spell protection from evil should render a person immune. However, nobody in the party can cast that spell at the moment.

Ah, but I can with total concentration. Lol, I could have saved us some trouble with failed saves.

I'll take protection from evil and add binding to my spells list.

"Brathas, after studying the sarcophagus and the enchantment on it, I should be able to protect you from the spell. If you are willing, I will cast a spell on you to counter the charm so you can examine the sarcophagus for traps. Then we can open it to see if there is anything useful inside," Zynazyr says hoping that he will agree.

Will cast "Protection from evil" on Brathas if he is willing.

"If your magic can protect me, then I will do my part to the best of my ability."
Once Zynazyr casts the spell, Brathas will examine the sarcophagus closely.

9:50 AM, Day 5

Ah, but I can with total concentration.

Will cast "Protection from evil" on Brathas if he is willing.

Oops, my bad! Totally forgot you had that. Handy spell.

"If your magic can protect me, then I will do my part to the best of my ability."

Once Zynazyr casts the spell, Brathas will examine the sarcophagus closely.

Zynazyr casts the spell upon Brathas, who goes to work.

1d6 ⇒ 4

Brathas does not detect any traps on the lid of the sarcophagus - aside from the magical writing, of course.

With help from a blindfolded Ferrous they lever the lid up and push it aside.

Within is a withered but otherwise well-preserved corpse. It does not appear to have been disturbed. The corpse was wearing what were once fine clothes but are now brittle rags. However, there are three items of note on the corpse:

1. A well-made shield, showing the same charge as the banner - three silver eight-pointed stars on a blue background.

2. A delicate necklace with a gold amulet shaped like a sun with a smiling face.

3. A normal sword with a jeweled hilt sheathed in an old scabbard.

At first glance none of the items therein seem to be magical.

If you guys want Ana and Zynazyr can spend an extra turn examining the items you just found.

* Give the magicians another chance at examining stuff?
* Skip it and move to the next door?
* Explore the corridor without opening doors?
* Go back? (if so, where?)
* Something else?

"I'm in no rush. If the wizards would like to spend some more time examining these items, I am fine with that."
Brathas will spend the time looking around the room for anything else of interest.

Walia would like to look over the crest and banner for religious significance Considering old Coats of Arms always were somewhat religious it would make sense

10:20 AM, Day 5

Walia would like to look over the crest and banner for religious significance Considering old Coats of Arms always were somewhat religious it would make sense

Nothing in particular comes to mind, though Cynidicea has three principal deities (not counting Zargon of course), which might explain the trio of stars.

The others look at the flag as well. It seems fairly simple for a coat of arms, at least by modern standards. There are plenty of modern coats of arms that have stars on them, though this configuration is unusual (normally if you have three identical charges, two would be along the top and the third would be at the bottom, because shields tend to narrow at the bottom).

"I'm in no rush. If the wizards would like to spend some more time examining these items, I am fine with that."

Brathas will spend the time looking around the room for anything else of interest.

Brathas finds nothing he hasn't noticed already.

Zynazyr and Ana spend more time examining the newly found artifacts. They each spend 10 minutes on each item, but discover nothing.

A third attempt would take 1 hour per item. You may want to do that back at camp.

Everyone: does anyone wish to actually use any of the items you have found?

So what next?

* Move to the next door?
* Explore the corridor without opening doors?
* Go back? (if so, where?)
* Something else?

I think I would like to use the shield.

Walia says "We should explore the corridor."

Zynazyr shakes his head. "These could be useful but I can't tell if they have any special attributes or are magical. I can take a longer look when we get back to camp. Since we don't know if these do anything or what the meaning of the standard is, I think we should wait to use them. Perhaps on our way back to camp we can stop to ask the magi about the standard. Let's keep going down the hall."

"I agree with moving on. And although we have the Magi's directions, I'd prefer to explore along the way, checking the various rooms, instead of making a beeline for the city. I remain concerned about being cut off by foes on our return back to camp."

I am pretty sure that the shield is a bigger one than that that he has, so he would like to use it, especially if it seems a finer quality and such.

Walia says, "Brathas, I do say I agree with you. Having a better understanding of what is around could only be beneficial at this point."

I am pretty sure that the shield is a bigger one than that that he has, so he would like to use it, especially if it seems a finer quality and such.

The shield does seem to be of good quality. Of course, the cool dry conditions here are ideal for storing things.

The shield is a normal shield and is indeed larger than the buckler shield you currently have. That means your AC will improve by 1 if you use it, assuming it is nonmagical.

However, unlike a buckler shield, a normal shield does not leave a hand free. This means that if you have the shield in one hand and a mace or other weapon in the other, then you cannot cast a spell without dropping or sheathing your weapon. Likewise you will not be able to reload a sling while using a normal shield.

I will assume that you are using the new shield for now but please confirm that this is what you want to do.

10:30 AM, Day 5

1d6 ⇒ 1

Finished with the burial chamber, the party moves south along the hall to the next door. Beyond the door the hallway narrows to a 5' width for 10 feet and then widens again, though from here it is hard to see the configuration of the passage beyond.

Brathas examines the door. Like the other door, this one appears to be sealed with pitch but unlike the other chamber the seal here is unbroken. The door is locked, and the faceplate of the lock has a number of scratches that suggest others have tried to penetrate the lock and have failed. No-one in the party detects any traps or anything of interest around the door.

Brathas begins working on the lock, but before he can accomplish anything, Fistep hears a low moan coming from somewhere beyond the narrow passage. It is similar to the sound you heard from the hallway when you investigated the jester's burial chamber.

TIER 4 MAP UPDATED.

TACTICAL MAP updated.

So what now?

* Advance to the west and meet whatever is coming?
* Take positions to make some kind of ambush?
* Hide and let it pass? (Where? Possibly the room you just cleared?)
* Ignore them and open the locked door before it arrives?
* Something else?

What noise is that Fistep? It sounds unnatural. We may need to destroy some of those undead you seek Wallia.

My vote is to form up use the narrow passage and try to kill this wandering moaners and walking xp chunks.

Walia says, "I think that is a good idea."

Brathas will ready his bow, watching the hallway for the living dead.

Ferrous strides towards the opening of the passageway taking up a defensive stance.
Fistep maybe you can join me over here unless you want to fall asleep looking at swirly writings again?
The dwarf grunts as he readies his shield and axe.

Zynazyr nods in agreement to Ferrous' suggestion. "I agree. We don't want to be set upon while we work to open this door," he says as he lets the others form up at the narrowing passage. Continuing to stand near the door, he keeps lookout behind the group.

Ana prepares a sleep spell, just in case it isn't undead.

The party takes up positions to deal with whatever comes down the passage.

Guys: if you want to get into position before combat please move your icon on the TACTICAL MAP (Ferrous has already moved).

If that is not possible for you then you can give me the grid coordinates of where you are moving to and I (or another player) can move your icon for you.

Ferrous and Fistep: if you want to stand next to where the passage narrows it is possible for you to lean against the wall and be out of sight from whatever comes down the narrow passage. I have moved Ferrous' icon a bit to indicate this. You can do that if you want. However, a man-sized enemy trying to rush by might get past you.
Actually that won't matter for this fight. You have surprise.

Zynazyr: you are holding the light source, so if you move then you can move the light circle too (unless you indicate that you are leaving the light on the floor or giving it to someone else.

The moaning gets louder until some figures shamble into view.

They are dressed in shabby black hooded robes, and wear polished metal masks that look like a death's head. Their arms are outstretched as if they are forever reaching for something. They shuffle towards you, moaning. They seem to notice you only when they reach the mouth of the narrow passage, and they pause.

Two of the creatures are visible in the narrow passage but you think you can hear more behind them in the dark.

1d6 ⇒ 2

The creatures are surprised.

Round 0 (surprise round)
Block 1: The whole party!

Everyone is up.

Walia tries to turn undead.

Brathas has a thought.
"Ana, Sleep is a great idea! Will let us know if these are deluded living souls."

Steps up near Ferrous with his sword and shield at the ready. Stand down, and let us talk!. he says to the shambling creatures. Good idea about Ana's sleep Brathas!

Slaughtering humans that only think they are zombies would be a pretty nasty twist. Kind of want to avoid that even if it means sacrificing our surprise round.

That doesn't preclude my undead turn try. If they aren't undead, oh well, if they are cool. Also if they are possessed by the dead that may help too.. not sure. :)

Waiting to hear results of Wallia's turn undead attempt.

Before combat starts ...

"Can you see well enough? If not, I can move closer," Zynazyr says quietly to the fighters.

I'll move to 10-11 if needed. In any case, I will delay to see what happens with turn/sleep actions. I'll cast the bolt cantrip at an undead or awake enemy.

LCDM would undead be visible by Ferrous's Infravision? Did my infravision reveal any information about the people in the shadows?

As soon as Wallia has attempted to turn undead:

If the creatures are turned (or some are turned), she will not use her spell.

If none of them turn, she will try to sleep the lot.

Walia tries to turn undead.

Wallia: did you see my note about using the normal shield? Using it effectively prevents you from doing anything with your weapon hand unless you want to either A) waste a round putting your weapon away or B) drop the weapon on the floor.

Since as a rule I assume you have a weapon out unless you say otherwise, I must therefore assume that you have either dropped your weapon or are still using the buckler shield. Please let me know which as soon as you can.

Wallia presents his holy symbol, and shouts some words in the Holy Tongue.
success: 2d8 + 3 ⇒ (2, 6) + 3 = 11
total HD: 2d8 + 3 ⇒ (1, 4) + 3 = 8

There is no obvious reaction, though the lead figure seems to look Wallia's way.

If they are turned they will not get to flee until the surprise round is over. However, you would probably expect more of a reaction if they we going to flee. FYI This roll would turn an undead of up to 2 HD or a mindless undead of up to 3 HD.

LCDM would undead be visible by Ferrous's Infravision? Did my infravision reveal any information about the people in the shadows?

Ferrous: Most undead would be as cold as the environment and thus not be visible with infravision. However, you need to be in darkness you use your infravision. You could ask Zynazyr to cover up the light but that would screw the humans a bit.

Steps up near Ferrous with his sword and shield at the ready. Stand down, and let us talk!.

The creature's head turns Fistep's way slightly. "Oooooooooohhhhhhhhhhh..." it continues moaning.

As soon as Wallia has attempted to turn undead:

Ana: They don't look like they are reacting but you won't be sure until the undead actually get an action. Do you wish to delay until then or let fly now?

Zynazyr: I assume you are delaying until after Ana?

Brathas, Ferrous? Actions? Or delaying?

I figured I clipped my mace to my belt because I was preparing to turn undead.

Fistep readies to attack, but only if attacked.

Brathas will delay until the situation is clearer.