Crypt of the Everflame (Inactive)

Game Master Nathan Hartshorn

Belathorian slips out of his armour and follows brezik down

Climb: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15
Climb: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19
Climb: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16

Taking a moment to replace his armour at the bottom of the slope but before he can get it on, his eye is suddenly drawn to the human cartwheel coming towards him.

He lunges forwards, trying to help the paladin...

Reflexes: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 1 = 20

Vivian is all smiles as the tree crashes down. She catches her breath with her hands on her hips, all warmmed up now for any activity. With the greatsword stowed in a heap of gear with her armor removed, she decends the magnificent new bridge

Acrobatics: 1d20 - 2 + 2 + 4 ⇒ (11) - 2 + 2 + 4 = 15
Acrobatics: 1d20 - 2 + 2 + 4 ⇒ (15) - 2 + 2 + 4 = 19
Acrobatics: 1d20 - 2 + 2 + 4 ⇒ (3) - 2 + 2 + 4 = 7

It starts off fine but she slips where Allister tumbled recklessly and joins him in a nasty fall of her own! 2d6 damage, sounds like I landed on your swprd Allister!

Damage, Allister, mitigated by Bel: 1d6 ⇒ 31d6 ⇒ 31d4 ⇒ 4

Damage, Vivian, mitigated by pile of friends: 1d6 ⇒ 61d6 ⇒ 1

During Allister's horrible tumble down the cliff Bel manages to rush forward and catch some of his weight so he does not land on a dangerous outcrop of rocks at the bottom. The landing is still awkward and everyone can see Allister's ankle swell through his pants. 3 lethal, 3 nonlethal, 4 Dex damage

Vivian's followup seems a bit more dangerous as she hits multiple rocks and thorny bushes on the way down to be stopped abruptly by the pile of friends at the bottom. 6 lethal, 1 nonlethal

Didn't seem right to count the last leg of the journey down as that treacherous, and with friends helping it shouldn't hurt as much.

My Dex score is currently at 4!

"WhoooOOOooaaa..." Allister wipes the mud from his eyes, blows it from his nose, and shakes the cobwebs out of his head. He is covered head-to-toe in brown muck, bruises and cuts. His ankle throbs. He looks down and sees it at an odd outward angle.

"Hey, Bel. Did you see that? I was like 'Douuuff, GrrUUsshh, Craaaww," he demonstrates the fall while wheeling his index fingers over one another. "I'm okay, though, just need to walk it off." He takes a step away from Belathorian onto his bad leg-

Fortitude (Tough Guy Act): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

-and lets out a tea-kettle scream as he falls over, tears making rivulets in the mud as they stream down his face. "aaaAAAAAhhhh, I'm gonna die! Just put me out of my misery. He begins to sob and heave cry in the fetal position on the ground. "I...just...wanted...to...make...the...Dawn...guard...proud...of...meeeeee. "

"My friend, you must calm yourself and let Bel examine your ankle!"

Diplomacy (Untrained): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10

Belathorian dusts himself off and watches as Allister tries to walk away, he is suddenly reminded of the animals he learned to heal with...

Grapple: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14

Grabbing the shell-less paladin and pinning him down to stop him moving, Belathorian takes a look at the ankle...

Healing: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20

"Looks bad, but I can splint it, that might help. Someone grab me a sturdy stick or something."

Waste not-Want not!"

Gad'larr runs to the tree felled recently and cuts several sturdy branches with his dagger and brings them back to Bel.

Brezik looks down at Allister and shakes his head... he pulls out the bottle of brandy that the dwarf had taken from the supplies given to the adventurers in Kessen and gives Allister a swig straight from the Bottle.

Your tougher stuff than that...Here... This will heal you right up. It's moms special healing potion. Makes all the bad boo boo's go away. Just takes a little bit to make everything right again.

bluff: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26 wow I think even Brezik believes that

Brezik is a miracle healer! Oh and by the way, as a Brit, the concept of knowing he's hurt his ankle because of a swelling in his pants is... Brilliant!

Vivian sits up and starts to crawl while others attend to Allister.

Fort: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

"Oh god, Oh god." and dry heaves.

She rolls back onto her side in the mud. "Is my armor ok?"

Hmm...I should put random hills in the crypt, probably lay everyone low quicker than the actual encounters.

As he sits up in the mud and accepts Brezik's offering, Allister's chest still spasms. "Thanks...Bre...Zik..." After a long swill the sobs disappear. "Wow, your potion works! Just like those sweet tasting medicine cubes my mom used to give me when I was little that always fixed me up. 'Cure-alls,' she called them."

Strengthened by the brandy, Allister crawls gingerly over to Vivian with his bum leg dragging behind him. "Don't worry, Viv. Brezik will hammer out the dents and Bel will fix us right up. You should try Brezik's magic potion, it's great, and it tastes just like alcohol too."

Allister stops for a moment, his head cocked to the side in thought. "We should really put a sign or rope up there so no animals get hurt."

Hmm...I should put random hills in the crypt, probably lay everyone low quicker than the actual encounters.

Oh God NO! Anything but that.

"Since there were no heaps of dead animals down here to greet us I think they'll be ok. Now keep still"

Belathorian finishes tying a crude splint for Allister's ankle and stands up, allowing Allister to move

"If everyone's finished lying around, shall we get on?"

The attempt at a joke is confused by the serious look on his face and falls flat.

Vivian sits back up and takes a swig of the "potion." "Ugh, I can see why you have so much hair Brezik! That makes my skin crawl!" She then stands and walks over to her gear pile, shuffling through it.

"Ok, good, everyone's alright... I mean.. ahem yeah you look a lot better already Allister.." She says straightening out with her gear cradled in her arms. "Let's get into the crypt where it's dry."

Vivian sits back up and takes a swig of the "potion." "Ugh, I can see why you have so much hair Brezik! That makes my skin crawl!" She then stands and walks over to her gear pile, shuffling through it.

Brezik took the bottle of brandy back and put the stopper back on. Yeah it serves it's purpose.

"Let's get into the crypt where it's dry."

Brezik remembered why they were here and a chill ran up his back.

I forgot about the crypt... With all those dead people in there... Be brave Brezik. Be brave. Don't let the others know you've never been deeper than a root cellar. And don't think about the dead bodies.

Brezik took the stopper back off the brandy and took a swig for himself. Then he safely stowed it and pulls out his war-hammer. Taking a deep breath and assuming a confident demeanor he addressed his companions.

bluff: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26. This should be easy stuff. It will be nice and warm and cozy and comfy in there. I love the underground. We have each other and we got this!

wow!! Brezik is a bluffing machine today. I wonder what it says about him that he is so good at lying to his friends.

Straightening his pack, Gad'larr starts moving towards the crypt.

"I'll move ahead and check the entrance to see if it is clear. You guys move at your own pace and catch up when you can. I won't enter until the rest of you get there. I promise."

Once Gad get's close enough to investigate the entrance:

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12
Stealth: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24

Qina had spent the better part of the last few minutes trying to clean herself off, including her stuff. She watched as friend after friend came tumbling down the hill. "Oh my gosh. Are you guys okay? That looked like it hurt. I don't think you're supposed to run into the rocks like that." Qina turned to look at the crypt entrance and whistled for Crow once more. When the bird landed on her shoulder, she slipped the collar of her shirt down and he slowly picked his way underneath until he was out of sight. She then fished out a firefly from her pack and smushed it in between her thumb and finger. She rubbed the remains on her spear and chanted a few words summoning light and tying it to her weapon. She clutched her spear tightly in both hands and took a few steps towards the crypt entrance. She didn't want to get too close to Gad and ruin his hiding spot.

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19

Vivian dons her armor while the more dexterous group members scout ahead. If Allister starts to put his on she will help him with his as well. Once that is done, Vivian will pull out her shield and mace, crouching into a defensive position.

"Ready yourselves until we've been given the clear." she tells the other three softly so her voice won't carry ahead of the sneaking members.

Perception on the Crypt: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

Though she is distracted by her excitement. Seeing Brezik armed and ready as well makes her pleased, she gives him a battle zealous smile as she took his bluff as brutal honesty. 'Now they're finally waking up to the taste for adventure.. glory.. honor.. iron..'

It only takes a few minutes of walking to reach the entrance to the crypt itself a bit further east in the gorge. Everyone can just make out the entrance from where they stand.

The Entrance

An archway of stone is set into the side of a small hill at the bottom of the valley. Moss has overgrown many of the details, but one is still quite clear. The keystone of the arch is carved with a flame symbol with a stylized rune in the middle. Beyond the archway is a darkened tunnel that leads to a pair of massive wooden doors, one of which is slightly ajar.

A pair of horses and a trio of ponies lie slaughtered next to the archway, each corpse still tied to a post set into the ground nearby. A swarm of flies hangs lazily in the air above them.

Gad will head back to the group immediately following the discovery and search.

"The animals have been slaughtered where they stood, but not eaten except by flies from what I can tell. None of the useful stuff has been taken from their saddlebags and packs."

Looking ominously around the group Gad mutters quietly.

"The entrance door is a ajar as well. I have a suspicion we have found the remainder of the campsite party."

"Why would Capital men be interested in this crypt? I mean, we all saw our sendoff, the majority of our town doesn't even take our quest seriously. Let alone traveling THAT far for it.."

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9

"I can't make any sense of it...why would they kill their own horses before going in? Not for food, not for supplies.."

Vivian's head appears to hurt, then. "Oh, duh, they're settlers looking to enhabit this gorge!.. wait..hmm.. no, they'd need horses to farm.."

Profession(Soldier) Tracks: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15
Vivian then inspects the scene, looking for tracks to help her piece together what is going on.

I've always felt like skills are what you make them. That said Profession soldier could give people basic training and leadership skills, if you disagree GM Fez or if you feel I'm being too liberal with the usage feel free to knock Viv on the back of the head. No offense will be taken.

"Wait Vivian! Some-THING killed those horses! Not people. Be careful."

Gad wades through the mud carefully to follow and support the cleric as best he can, drawing his 9-ring broadsword with only a minor clinking sound into his right hand.

Perception (Paranoia?): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25

Gad's meaning washes over Vivian and releases her from the mental anguish. She spins to Gad.

"Gad! We must deduce if it was a wild creature or a coordinated move by yet a third party. To run into travelers, looters, or archaeologists is one thing; but to stumble upon two foes entrenched in battle within the tomb would be quite another!" Vivian returns wide-eyed and smiling to the surroundings, now searching with the wild thoughts of grand adventures spinning through her head. 'The hero's that may lie ahead! This is my opportunity to impress them, or save them. To join them! This could begin my tale of Glory!!'

Belathorian walks into the midst of the slaughter, unphased. He crouched next to each pony in turn tracing their wounds with his forefingers and examining the ground around them

"if not who Gad, then what?..."

Survival: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19

Looking for signs as to what killed the steeds, deep slashes or bite marks etc, as well as tracks

"Awe, that's so sad. Those poor animals. It doesn't make any sense, right? If another animal or beast killed them, it probably have eaten them, right?" Qina stood behind Belathorian watching him work. It was rather disgusting to Qina, but her curiosity seemed to overwhelm her revulsion. When she noticed the packs, she began to open them and go through them.

Looking at the horses and the site more closely the group notices that the animals were slain roughly 2 days ago, by either very ragged blades or claws. Very old tracks lead inside the crypt, while slightly fresher tracks lead outside and to the animals before heading back inside.

The packs of most of the saddlebags are empty the last one has the gear in the spoiler above.

Using her experience as a soldier Vivian is able to determine that the horses and ponies were attacked quickly and viciously before whatever attacked retreated into the crypt. Searching around the animals themselves reveals the scattered bones of a human underneath one such animal. Unlike everything else on the scene these bones look particularly ancient and decrepit.

Allister dons his muddy armor with Vivian's help. 'Vivian is strong, a natural leader. She would make a great Dawnguard.' The splint Belathorian made helps to hold his ankle in place, but does little for the pain. He whimpers a little with each step "ow...ow...ow...ow..."

Outside the crypt a stab of anxiety runs cold through his veins and he shudders when he thinks of the darkness that awaits them. However, Brezik's reassurance calms his nerves and he prepares himself to enter - that is, until he sees the horses. Salty tears well in his eyes as he kneels down next to the animals. "What monster would do this to a good horse? Somebody's going to pay for this violence." He pets their manes with his muddy hands and whispers "may you gallop forever in the warm grasses in the sky."

I still need to update my character data with the -4 Dex after my fall, will do that tonight.

"Bel, you can heal? My leg is killing me, and I would hate to enter the crypt like this."

Looking at the ancient bones he missed earlier, his fear growing fast, Gad looks at Vivian and points to her many bruises from her fall.

"Vivian, Maybe you should heal yourself before we have to fight something today.
You are still hurt! Bel? Allister? Can you help Vivian if she isn't willing to help herself?
We can not afford to lose our leader to a random or lucky hit so soon in our quest."

No Lay on Hands until 2nd level :(

"Oh, yeah thanks Gad." Vivian says as she shakes her head and clears her mind from the investigation at hand. "I must have been focused on something else.."

Vivian steps away and uses some of her water to clean her face and wounds. Her hands then glow softly and her wounds recede.

CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

Wiping the water off her hands she returns to the party and equips her shield and mace. In a stern voice, "Let's enter the crypt 2x2x2 if possible, spreading out once inside. Multiple sources of light. Heavy armor leads. What do you guys think?" she looks around as everyone else finishes what they're doing.

"Roger Captain Ferris. Brezik, you have the lantern correct?
Can you carry it safely while it is lit?"

Gad easily moves into the role of follower to Vivan's obvious leadership potential.

"Brezik and I can see in the dark if we need to do so, but most of you need the light at least.
Anybody want to carry a torch too?"

GM Fez, what are your thoughts on positioning my everburning torch in my backpack so that the light source sticks out and above the pack? If no, I will just carry it in hand and drop it if a fight breaks out.

"I have a light we can use. A member of the Dawnguard is always prepared," Allister parrots the last bit as he pulls an everburning torch from his pack.

Allister limps into the crypt beside Vivian. He is slow to enter, his eyes darting frantically about the shadows.

Vivian looks to Gad, "I have the lantern, and I forgot you two have darkvision. In that case, you and Brezik could sneak in first and stay out of our torch light. Say 30ft a head of us 4. Some surprise always helps." She says cheerfully, enjoying the opportunity to discuss tactics.

"did any of you bring pillows?"

Belathorian asks as he moves over to Allister's limping form

"here Alister..."
CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9
A grey light emanates from his hand as he places it upon the Paladin's shoulder.
'cos those packs had pillows, no-one travels with pillows right?!"

He still seems deep in thought as he joins the back of the procession entering the crypt.

"I doubt Brezik or I have a problem being in front, especially since I do not have much for ranged attacks, but should we not stick together for now? Let's keep the 2x2x2 formation and move together. Keep the light to our backs for now, and we can tell you to douse the lights if it is necessary. Although I doubt it will be."

I vote for the Agility front if Brezik doesn't mind. I work better in combat when I have some freedom to move about.

I would have Gad and Brezik up front (as eyes), then Qina and probably Viv in the middle (squishie and healer) then me and Alli as a rearguard.

Brezik has all but ignored the horses and been staring at the entrance to the crypt this whole time. His name being mentioned brings him back to reality.

I like the idea of us being ahead of the group Gad... It gives anything that notices our light a little less time to get the drop on us and it gives me a little more time to search for secret doors and traps... Something is in there that killed the owners of these horses then came out and killed them and went back in. Either someone well enough provisioned to not need any of the supplies off of these horses... or something that doesn't need to eat. Who knows what kind of creature is in there.

"I didn't bring any pillows, although I'm starting to think that maybe I should have. Maybe we should put them at the bottom of the ravine in case anyone else slips down the trail. Then they wouldn't get hurt. Oh, and my magical light will last a little bit, maybe 20 minutes or so. I can renew it every time we enter a new room, if you don't want to carry your torches."

"Wait, before we go in. You really think whatever killed those animals went in there? Okay..." Qina pulled a piece of cured leather out of her pouch and began rubbing it on Gad's leg, and then on Brezik's back, all the while while quietly chanting. Once finished she slips the leather back into her pouch and nods. "Okay, let's go. Lead on boys."

Casting Mage Armor on both Gad and Brezik before going in. +4 force Armor bonus to AC for 2 hours.

Just for ongoing info, Bel's not much of a healer. I don't channel 'til level 3, I can cure light pretty well before then and im good with the heal skil but in combat I think Viv's the one to watch.

I like the plan. Viv is cool being in the middle or rear, whatever makes best use of Bela's scythe. Healing wise I don't feel amazing at it either.. Shield of Faith will buff AC but otherwise only 2 CLW/day if I don't use the other spells.

"I don't think we'll need to use torches Allister, I'll cast Light on my mace much like Qina and her spear."

I'm the same on Cure Light. Can you not Channel?

Once Allister gains his healing abilities then we should be OK as far as that goes. Especially if we keep finding
potions of healing or eventually buy a group wand for everybody to use. I should be able to heal myself at higher levels as well.

"Agreed. Let us move in then. Brezik if you will check the door for any traps we can continue in quickly from here."

Allister nods, "back is best. I'm slow. If a fight breaks out in front, clear a path. Don't want to run someone over."

He tries to tuck his torch into his backpack with the light source end protruding over his shoulder, then draws his greatsword and prepares to delve deeper into the crypt.

Brezik cautiously moves upto the door looking for traps or surprises.

stealth: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27

Detect traps: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23

okay 3 roles in row nat 20? Law of averages is going to kick my but later.

Thunder rumbles in the distance...

Searching every inch of the door in a quick and efficient manner Brezik detects no traps, but a whiff of decay comes from the door.

Whenever you guys are ready to move inside let me know. Map is up at the top and hopefully you guys can edit it from the get-go. Door is heavy and will require a DC 15 Str check to push open. Then on to box text!

>< cleric noob, yes I could have channeled there and healed everyone instead of us both using a spell. (sighs) You just can't find smart people online can you?

Vivian moves to the back of the column as well, embarrassed that she is already forgetting all of her studies. She casts light onto her morning stars head, hoping that Brezik will see the humor in it.

Ready

I can see the map but not edit it.