City of Strangers (Inactive)
Game Master Nebten

[B]"Agreed. By the way, am I also reversed? I feel no different than before."[b]

To the north!

"That hardly seems like a sane way to utilize teleportation magic. The potential side effects and problems could prove disastrous. These Pharasmins should stick to healing, praying, and burying the dead. The true arcane arts seemingly lie beyond their ken entirely."

Would Knowledge(Arcana) be applicable. Any chance Aldous would have heard/read about such an effect, whether intended or not?

"since I don't know much about magic or history, but It could have been an earlier method, maybe even an experimental version."

Elizabeth gets a hold of herself and moves to the front of the group for more exploration

Aldous, you've never heard of such magic before.

Moving past the set of doubles doors, the group moves north down the hallway. Again, they come to a fork in the path. To the left, lies a door emblazoned with a strange seven-pointed star. To the right, a single door.

Updated Map

Andrea examines the door to the left. Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18

We should have someone up there to spot the traps for Andrea since her PER is so low. :)

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20

Psst, Andrea. Your name is Elizabeth. ;)

I don't have a preference for which direction. But as always, I will cast Guidance and Virtue on everybody before opening the door.

It takes Gunder a moment to realize that even his lame leg is on the wrong side now. Apparently this wasn't a problem at first. But once he becomes consciously aware of it, he has some trouble not tripping over his own feet.

After getting his feet sorted out, he notices the door with the seven pointed star on it that Elizabeth and that Tina are already inspecting it.
"That symbol there ... looks familiar. But I don't quite remember where I've seen it before."
I think I know what it is. But I don't think my character would - given that he has zero knowledge skills. I wish Gunder had spent more time reading books and less time snooping around the city when he was a kid.

Perception (to help Elizabeth spotting traps): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16

Those rolls oughta do it. My PER is +8 if we need to peer at something. Huh, why did I think that trapfinding involved extra skillz?

"Seven points. Well, again, I am lost with these Avistani religions," says Garuneh with a smile. "We seem to have survived so far with our blundering."

There's Trapfinding (Rogue class feature), but thats only strictly required for magical traps.

"Yes we have.", Gunder smiles back at Garuneh.

"We'll have the bards and storytellers edit it later to make us look better," returns Garuneh, grinning.

"Like when we slew that darkmantle with one strike. Or was it seven darkmantles with one strike?"

Elizabeth is so rattled that she is forgetting her own name now.

"Lads, there never was a good story told that couldn't use a bit of creative embellishment. I spent some time in Almas once and while I was there I managed to weave a tale so fine that the citizens all tried to elect me to office! That was a right joke there, I say. Goes to shows what a good story can do for you though."

waiting on perception check results

Sense Motive +Guidance (on Durnfolf's yarn): 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 1 = 12

nothing to see here folks.: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11
"Don't look so incredulous, boy. Town drunk is a legitimate public office."

"One would most likely be "appointed" to such an illustrious position, no, Ser Banderswel? It does seem an office which would suit you quite well." Aldous gives the Wolf-Knight a sly wink. "Perhaps you would care to return, after our foray through this place, to wage a campaign again? I daresay we could find some sot to "run" 'gainst you."

Perception check: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20

"Aye, Aldous, looks like you've volunteered yourself, lad! But I'd daresay I'll win; you might want some backup."

"Would be quite the opportunity, no? And yet another reason to acquire so dwarf friends. Perhaps a dwarf lass or two..." Aldous raises an eyebrow at the thought. "That would assist with seeing in the dark, as well."

Elizabeth decides to see if she can open the doors if no traps are located. To save time, she pulls out her picks and takes 10 if it is locked. If that doesn't work, she takes 20.

Garuneh is amused and confused by Aldous and Durnolf's banter. "I feel like such an aesthete compared to you rollicking Avistanis. Do you really elect town drunkards? I fear many abstain from alcohol in the area where I was raised, although we have a drink known as bhang which is quite potent. And dwarven lasses? Do they not have beards? I say this not out of prejudice. After all, I did meet a half-orc dancer in the Empire of Kelesh..." Garuneh remembers where he is and stops, somewhat embarrassed.

Oh come on now, we are all friends here. Plus this is Kaer Maga, we have soothsaying trolls, zombie hookers, a family of crooks who make golems and dozens of others all running around. Having a Lord Town Drunk is small beans.

Gunder raises an eyebrow on Elizabeth badmouthing her own family.

Neither door appears to be trapped, though the seven-pointed-star door is clearly locked and is beyond the means of Elizabeth to pick. It would also take an incredible amount of time to knock down or open.

The other door, however, isn't locked or trapped and opens with a push.

A thirty-foot-diameter pit fills this circular room, its bottom lost in darkness. The ceiling arches twenty feet above the pit, which is encircled by a narrow, five-foot-wide walkway. A door stands in the opposite wall of the room, across the pit.

Random Check: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Updated Map

"Just a bit of friendly banter, Garuneh. Ser Banderswel would make a splendid Lord Besotted, would you not say?" Aldous keeps his eyes peeled for danger as he teases the Vudrani. "And dwarves not only see in the dark, they possess a natural proclivity towards both enjoying a good drink as well as resistance against its damaging effects. Besides, true beauty comes from within, no?"

After spotting the pit and secret door to the north, "Perhaps this is the pit that snake-person spoke of before? Which leads to the necromancer and his undead minions?" Aldous casts dancing lights at the "surface level" of the pit and cautiously peers down below. "Did anyone else spot that hidden door in the wall to the north? Perhaps we should investigate that way first."

To Elizabeth, in a whisper: "Crooks? Did you have a falling out with your kin, perhaps? Is there something I could do to assist you with that?"

"I see it," Garuneh says quietly. "We should investigate."

He casts Light on his scythe and makes ready to move.

"And yes, Banderswel, you have my vote," he says with a wink. "Indeed, beauty is within, although best complimented from without."

Someone should put on ye olde cloak!

"This fictitious dwarven lady, they ought to be a cleric, in order to aid us with the undead hordes we are to face..."

"Horde?" Aldous pales slightly at the idea of thousands upon thousands of skeletal warriors, led by a cloaked master. "I don't recall anything being said about hordes. Perhaps we should remain very very stealthy from here on out..."

Aye, and she should enjoy long walks on the beach, sunsets, and a good romp in the hay, right?"

"Let's focus on the task at hand. please."

"Banter takes the edge off, lass. Builds cameraderie. And it's more fun if you join in."

All the cool kids are doing it :p

Elizabeth leans over to AldousThere are numerous problems I have with them. Although you risk having your head pressed under a golem's foot or all your fingers removed if you cross them, those are two of the problems I have with them. As well as having to be a woman in a chauvanistic crime gang who won't let me practice the family trade.

Elizabeth points at the door. I do agree with Tina, let us get back to buisness. I will check out the door ELizabeth with sneak over and examine the hidden door.

How much time has elapsed? When do we happy few return to base camp to recharge? Just wondering.

"You would hate Vudra, Elizabeth," says Garuneh in all seriousness.

Just one more roooommm! ;)

You've been down for about an hour. If you want to go recharge, you're more than welcome.

famous last words, Elizabeth...

I am full on spells, only have expended arrows & cantrips thus far.

I've wasted a few spells in le darkness...I'll just use scythe and Surge and we're good. Don't want to wimp out!

Looks like three of us are all ready to go.

The door is locked and will require a lockpicking check.

Gunder is looking down the pit sceptically. "I really hope that when Yrex said 'beyond the pit' that she meant 'beyond the door behind the pit' - and not 'down through the pit'. We didn't bring rope, did we?"

I only spent 2 first level spells so far. Still 3 left. So I'm good to go on. (Although my halfling self wouldn't mind to go back to the base camp for a snack)

Time for elevensies?

Elizabeth gets to work

Disable Device: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17

So 18 with the guidance

Yeah. But then again, its always time for a meal. Oh, and before I forget: Guidance and Virtue before opening the door.

Darkmantle, I hear you have to just lightly sauté it with butter.

I don't think I'm going to run out of hammer swings anytime soon, but I'm always up for elevensies.

Que?

Careful, too much talk in a foreign language will get the thread shut down. ;)

Yummy. Darkmantle sounds delicious. Do we have butter and a frying pan in the base camp?

We can saute it in crushed spider juice.

Elizabeth tinkers with the lock and hears the tumblers click open. It's an old lock, but its design - like much of the Ossuary - is quite advanced and pushes her skill to pick it. Once the door is open, you see a small closet, only about 5-feet square.

As you shine your lights in the room, there is a glint of reflection and a blur of metal.

1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21 for 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

The blow lands on the unsuspecting Elizabeth (take 7 damage). In addition to the pain from the attack, she feels the slow burn of poison moving through her body.

Elizabeth Fort Save: 1d20 ⇒ 10

Take 1 Constitution damage.

You see what bit you - a creature resembling a small, metallic cobra. Its body is made of overlapping iron plates, and its eyes are pinpoints of red light.

Round 1
Init: Snake, Tina, Aldous, Garuneh, Elizabeth, Durnolf, Gunder.

The snake, seeing its prey bleeding and hurt, lashes out again.

1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13 for 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

The blow lands true and Elizabeth falls to the ground. The snake coils and prepares for the next foe to get close enough to attack.

Elizabeth is at -5 HP. Please make a Con check on your turn to stabilize.

Updated Map

Quick note about the map - you'll notice that you're all spread out in a line. The ledge around the pit is 5' wide, only allowing for a single-file formation.