DM CH-P's CoT: The Bastards of Erebus
Game Master Are

Maddok grunts as the zombie's clubbing blow connects.

Whirling his hammer in hand, the big Shoanti returns the favor.

Rage 2/18, Power attack

1d20 + 16 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 16 + 1 = 36
1d6 + 21 ⇒ (3) + 21 = 24

1d20 + 11 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 11 + 1 = 32
1d6 + 21 ⇒ (3) + 21 = 24

The archon snarls and snaps at another zombie.

1d20 + 8 - 2 ⇒ (4) + 8 - 2 = 10
1d8 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 = 11

Unnecessary Confirmation Roll

1d20 + 11 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 11 + 1 = 28
1d6 + 21 ⇒ (1) + 21 = 22

Maddok's hammer pulverizes another two zombies, while the archon this time finds its bite clanging against the tattered armor of its chosen target (striking one of the two that saved against the aura).

Greatsword attack: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (13) + 10 = 23
Greatsword damage: 2d6 + 16 ⇒ (2, 1) + 16 = 19

Rizzardo's attack, while slower than Maddok's whirling fury, destroys a third zombie, leaving only two.

Slam attack #1 (vs Maddok): 1d20 + 4 - 2 ⇒ (4) + 4 - 2 = 6
Slam attack #2 (vs Rizzardo): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18

Slam damage #1: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10
Slam damage #2: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

Rizzardo is once again struck, while Maddok easily evades the slow-moving zombie.

***

Up next: Maddok. Only two zombies remain.

Caked with gore but undeterred, Maddok turns on the remaining undead.

Rage 3/18, Power attack

The smith's first blow lashes out to crush one zombie.

1d20 + 16 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 16 + 1 = 20
1d6 + 21 ⇒ (4) + 21 = 25

And on the backswing, hooks under the legs of the final one to flip it on its back.

Trip attempt, this will provoke.

1d20 + 10 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 10 + 1 = 15

Maddok nods for the mastiff to hold off its attack leaving the last blow for Rizzardo.

Slam AoO: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5
Slam damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

Greatsword attack: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (18) + 10 = 28
Greatsword damage: 2d6 + 16 ⇒ (6, 2) + 16 = 24

Maddok crushes one zombie, easily flips the second onto its back while its slam flies wild, and Rizzardo moves in for the final strike.

While cleaning his blade and returning the sword to its sheath, the youth smiles, despite his wounds. "These didn't seem too clever; I doubt they would have led us anywhere had we continued following." Respect shines in his eyes as he regards his mentor. "You strike far quicker than I do. I'll have to train harder if I am to match your speed."

***

Nothing further happens on the return journey to the city proper.

Maddok looks the remains over for any clues as to their origins or identities, "You speak the truth but their presence is still alarming. A month ago no undead haunted these ruins."

"My prowess is just the experience that comes with age. I've been taught to fight since I was a babe at the teet. You'll match me in time, maybe even surpass me", the big Shoanti answers.

"Let's get back to the safehouse. The others need to know about what we've learned from the Sisters and what we have seen today."

Maddok thanks the canine spirit for its aid and dismisses it.

End of Day 3: Returning to the Safe House

Once all the senior Gardeners have reported in Maddok gathers them together.

Once the group is assembled, the Shoanti explains in detail his visit with the Sisters three days prior, their arrangement, and the information they gave him.

His retelling of the Sister's information complete, Maddok continues, "Also, something has brought the walking dead into the Westcrown ruins. Rizzardo and I dispatched a small group of them but one of the sisters warned me that their numbers have increased over the past few weeks."

"It seems that with each passing day we have more questions and less answers. Have any of you learned anything about the Council, their assassin, or Chammady's bastard half-brother?"

Maddok glances at Xerath briefly.

"It may be that the only place we are going to learn what we need is from the belly of the beast, Walcourt."

In the interest of focusing us on group activities, the Ciucci Butler side-quest will be in a separate post.

Day 3-ish: Returning to the Safehouse

The three days of hunting, negotiation, and crafting are tiring, but ultimately Yahirma feels content with her labors. With a glance about her gradually expanding laboratory at Delvehaven, she takes a quick inventory.

Khazrae seems to be developing well, she thinks as her hand idly brushes against a headband of woven leather. This too is nearly complete, and I suspect that Derek will find it to his liking. I just cannot place a finger on why he has taken a turn for the...serious. Yahirma bids a pleasant good afternoon to Tarvi, reminding her, "Remember not to grant vampires permission to enter the compound, Tarvi. Shadowhounds may prowl more quietly for your vigilance, but there are other spectres of the night that haunt the streets."

She is doing well, I should think. Let's hope that the patrols do not become too ambitious too quickly.

Yahirma heads for the headquarters with the nearly completed headband stowed for a few finishing touches. There she listens with interest to Maddok's report from the Sisters and his account of striking down the walking dead. "A surge in the zombie population," she muses aloud before noticing that some might be perturbed enough by the casual use of the phrase "zombie population." "That may tie into some of the information that Derek, Appario and I heard from the Mhartis family not too long ago, for they have been displaced by a series of hauntings. We have promised them our aid in the matter, but I would be willing to investigate Walcourt first."

"To think that the suspicions of an archdevil were well-founded! You are a font of insight, Xerath."

Maddok nods to Yahirma's insight, "The Mhartis family's troubles may be linked just as all of Westcrowns other troubles have been. If the Gardener's aid has been promised I would not see our name tarnished. Walcourt can wait another day or two."

"Should we start with searching their abandoned home?"

Yahirma - Delvehaven:

Khazrae is indeed developing well; her neck has already formed completely, and the concoction has begun creating shoulders. Her ever-watchful eyes keep close tabs on the goings-on within the secluded library.

Despite her aid for Yahirma's projects keeping her busy, Tarvi has also begun tinkering with projects of her own. Those sections she has already assembled bring the mind towards crude mechanical dolls.

Looking up from her work, Tarvi adjusts her glasses. "I'll keep that in mind. Vampires will not be granted access by me."

Appario's ears pick up as the Mharti's manor is mentioned.

"That sounds like fun."

Appario puts away the gold he was polishing and prepares to make leave.

Vampires? Bah. Werewolves. It's obvious.

Maddok

"I would rather head straight to Walcourt. But, I see you have your mind made up. It would just make things take longer if I tried to argue."

Yahirma

"Well, it's a family trait I am not ashamed of." Xerath smirks at Appario.

Appario grabs his gear and goes to the Mhartis residence, unsure who is with him.

I'll handle this myself if I have to.

Maddok follows.

"Worry not. Little brother will catch up once he's had time to think on it."

Xerath will follow the Shoanti and the delusionally wrong Taldan while being quietly smug.

In the interest of keeping this moving, and under the assumption that Derek and Yahirma will follow along:

***

The morning sun shines bright on the polished domes of the noble estates on the central island, while on the mainland only the silver eye of Aroden on the chest of the 90 ft tall statue of its namesake reflects the dawn rays.

The statue is only about a half-mile from the Mhartis mansion, which lies at the foot of the hill rising up towards the Mayor's own estate. A low stone wall surrounds the manor and its guardhouse, although the foundations of the two buildings make up a large part of this wall. An iron gate, the crests of both the Mhartis and Arvanxi families upon it, prevents entry to the small grounds. The main entrance to the mansion is on the other side of the grounds, while the guardhouse stands directly to the left of the gate.

Both buildings appear deserted.

Maddok examines the entrance carefully.

Perception - 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16

"Were you given a key to open this gate?", Maddok asks the Gardeners that had spoken to the family.

Excellent, glad to be pushing foward.

Appario nods to Maddok. "Either I have the key, or I'll unlock them the other way. It shouldn't be a problem."

Appario will unlock the gate, not expecting any fell traps, but giving a look to Xerath to see any look of surprise (or not) should anything explode.

"Seems deserted. Let's move on in."

Appario, re-armored in Indemnity and with Extortion on his back, will re-equip his shield has he moves onto the grounds.

"No sense being careless."

Appario will walk to the guard house and give it a good lookover.

1d20 + 16 ⇒ (6) + 16 = 22 Perception w/Lens

Maddok has his standard longish-term spells up: Mage Armor and Greater Magic Fang.

Is there at least animal/insect life around?

"Did the family mention any details beyond seeing a bat outside their window?"

Appario relates what he remembers of the discussion with the family.

"...so yeah, their one clue was a bat. I'm not sure it's really a clue or just a random happenstance."

Maddok considers what he's just been told.

"If this place is being stalked by vampires, we will not find anything now. Their kind is inactive during the day."

"If our search yields nothing, we should return again today after the sun has gone down."

Appario nods and looks at Xerath.

Maybe we should come during the full moon.

"Yeah, let's keep looking."

Xerath will also keep his standard spells up. Mage Armor and Empowered False Life

1d10 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17 So 25

"We may be able to find some clues even in the day. If this is a lair for them, there will be signs of it."

"Signs aye, but well hidden lest they were discovered accidentally.
And this MAY not be their primary lair.
Still, any clue can be vital."

It's one of the nicer parts of mainland Westcrown (right below the Mayoral mansion), so you wouldn't expect to see too many vermin or stray animals here; the insect population is normal.

***

Maddok doesn't notice anything out of the ordinary, except an unusually high amount of bat guano on top of and near the stone wall surrounding the mansion. One of the guardhouse windows close to the largest pile of guano stands open, while all other visible windows are covered with wooden shutters.

The gate opens easily when the key is turned, making relatively little noise. Still, the noise it does make reveals that some time has passed since it was last oiled.

Soon after beginning to search the outside of the guardhouse, Appario notices something he wouldn't expect to find within the grounds of a noble estate; a reeking waste pile by one of the building's corners, as if someone relieves themselves here on a regular basis. He also finds signs of footsteps between the guardhouse and the waste pile, as well as between the guardhouse and the main building.

Maddok looks on in confusion at Appario's discovery.

"Perhaps we should see who has been using these grounds as their private privy", the Shoani suggests as he leads the way towards the guardhouse.

Bat guano...?
"Well, if Vampires gather here, maybe regular bats come as well? I'm not sure vampires need to...relieve themselves in any form."

Looking at the pile of waste Derek shrugs.
"Animals tend to find one spot for such things, cats and dogs, but I can't tell what this is from... it's not my area of expertise."

"Well, someone's been here at least. Not the evidence I'd be hoping to find, but better than nothing."

"It is a start I agree, even an epic starts with but a single word. Now, what shall we do with our lead?"

"We see who's been staying here", Maddok says indicating the guardhouse that the tracks Appario had noticed lead to.

"My thoughts exactly."

"Fine by me, gentlemen, let us proceed to the guardhouse."

I'm not sure if I was unclear before; the gatehouse is right next to the entry gate. I didn't specify how near earlier, but if you stand adjacent to the gate, you also stand adjacent to the gatehouse. So there's no need to lead the way to it, since you're already there :)

The door is not locked.

Ah, I misunderstood. I thought it was a separate structure.

Maddok opens the door into the guardhouse.

The guardhouse is a separate structure, which is right next to the gate. The main building is further away, along a short path leading from the gate, past the guardhouse. Both buildings are inside the walls of the estate.

***

The door opens easily, revealing a short entrance hall leading to a slightly larger hall featuring weapon stands and armor stands (all currently standing empty). Three doors lead from this hall; one in the eastern wall, while the two doors at its western end lead north and south.

The entrance door is on the south side of the building.

***

I'll have a map for you in the morning; by then hopefully Yahirma has posted too :)

Maddoks asks the spirits for aid before stepping forward.

Two orbs of brilliant light appear and circle the Gardeners blessing each member.

Aid

Maddok 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6
Livia 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6
Xerath 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10
Appario 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9
Yahirma 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6
Derek 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

As the pair of celestials move about the party, Maddok searches the area for more signs of who (or what) has been inhabiting the place.

Perception 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9

"I imagine that the best time to have a guard posted would be at night, as I suspect any self-respecting thief would wait for cover of darkness to engage in larceny in so elite a neighborhood," Yahirma speculates aloud. "That whichever guard does his duty both here," she says, waving towards the pile of purportedly human waste, "And there suggests the Mhartis have not been in the habit of directly checking up on the state of their own estate." With that observation, Yahirma falls silent for a moment. Estate and state...Taldane is such a clever tongue, she speculates while mentally contemplating her recent polyptoton.

"Just remember that whoever uses this structure may not be in the direct employ of the Mhartis but could as well be the lackey of the newer residents."

The elder Mhartis said they had released the guards and servants still remaining in their employ when they fled their home (link).

***

Maddok doesn't discover any signs on his cursory look around the hall.

"Whoever it is, let us work to capture it alive."

Content that there's nothing of interest, Maddok heads towards the eastern doorway.

The spirits chime in understanding and scan the room.

The lantern archons will use Detect Evil to sweep each room as we explore.

Appario keeps alert, not yet drawing Extortion, but keeping his shield ready.

1d20 + 11 ⇒ (3) + 11 = 14 General Perception w/no lens

"Capture it alive, Maddok? Really? I'll try, but promise nothing. Some things are evil beyond redemption."

"We need information and the dead do not speak-"

Maddok stops and reflects on the events of the past few months.

"The dead speak very little."

"Bloodthirsty as well as delusional? If you have the urge to murder so badly, you can wait until we get information from it. Until then, control yourself."

Appario notes a few things; there's a musty smell seeming to come from the south-western room, while a faint reek of oil comes from the eastern room.

The archons report no evil auras, but following your non-stealthy approach, by now each of you hear sounds of boots moving and metal scraping against metal behind the door.

***

Going to bed now; map coming tomorrow :)

Xerath sensing incoming violence, calls upon the infernal magic in his blood to shield him.

Casts Shield

Maddok looks to his companions with a glance warning them to prepare and then closes the distance and opens the door.

Appario follows Maddok.

"This is pretty strange. Not sure what to make of that pile of poop." Appario glances at Xerath.

"What is that sound?"

Does Derek or Yahirma do anything prior to the door-opening?

***

Maps, as promised:

>>>Mhartis estate<<<

>>>Mhartis estate; Internal guardhouse<<<

Huh, forewarned is forearmed, but they won't slip by us easily!

Rather than follow the others inside, Derek begins to swiftly move around the outside of the guardhouse, looking for a window or hole in the wall where someone might try to slip by the rest of the party.

The only open window Derek sees is above the wall by the largest amounts of bat guano (at the intersection of G1/G2). All other visible windows (intersections G7/H7 and E9/E10) are covered with wooden shutters.

Possible to climb up to it? If so, that is what Derek will do.

Climb: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20

Wary of haunts, Yahirma stays close to Maddok and Appario. Without knowing to which dark energies she should invoke resistances, she refrains from invoking any protective magic. Instead, she simply speaks a one-line prayer to bless the group's efforts.

Guidance on herself