DM Dan E’s Legacy of Fire (Inactive)

Game Master Dan E

"If it is a prison, it may hold friend or foe. It should definitely be investigated, unless there is a reason for us to return to the Carrion throne room so soon...

Zeladiel sniffs the air, then makes his way down the stairs into the darkness.

Zeladiel let's anyone else go first except Linah. :-)

Khalid casts a light spell on Tempest's blade and leads the way down the stairs.

Nuveril watches them go, running her fingers around the edge of her bronze disk distractedly, but as her only other option seems to be to remain in the enchanted garden, she sets her hand on her hammer and follows, muttering, "'Look, it's a lever; let's pull it. It's a staircase into the depths of the earth; let's descend it. It's marked "Pit of Screaming Ghosts," but I'm sure they mean "Exit."'"

Maybe I should lead the way Khalid and be just ahead of the grrroup wherrre I can see?
I did take one point in stealth so now I am an expert! And plus I have 88HP with which to absorb traps... :]

"Very well, Grall. If that is what you wish."

Linah tries and fails to strifle a giggle at Nuveril. "I am glad you are here to guide us, should we ever go astray", she tells the halfing with a warm smile.

The spiral steps go down a good fifty feet before the encircling stone gives way to open air, the steps continuing down. You are in a large natural chamber, the walls and ceiling too far to see (at least for regular vision). Sajan's lantern soon has it illuminated though, the narrow beam glittering and shining from what appears to be a king’s ransom.

The steps go down another odd forty feet before ending at a stone platform. More steps wind a half-circle from the platform to the chamber floor. And the floor is a sea of gold coins, lush carpets and tapestries, statues, weapons, armor, immense gemstones and glittering artifacts. It goes on and on, covering the entire floor of the cavern and heaped up against the walls.

Starting near the stairs down, a series of flat-topped, cylindrical stone posts poke out several feet above the top of the horde. Roughly five feet spaced, these work their way more or less west across the room. At the far side it looks like there is a small opening, perhaps an exit but at this angle it is hard to tell and it could simply be an alcove.

You cautiously make your way to the platform. Carved onto the bottom step is a short phrase.

MAP scale is 5'

"It's a trap," Nuveril mutters flatly, looking around at the piles of valuables suspiciously. "The sooner we leave this place behind, the better."

Is it an illusion? Sajan asks, glancing at the wealth.

"I believe you are right, Nuveril." the inquisitor says, as a matter-of-fact. "No one touches the treasure. Keep to the stone posts."

Just before proceeding on, Khalid asks, "Did any of the rest of you feel almost an electrical build up in your bodies as we were descending the stairs?"

Zeladiel reads the flowing script, muttering, " 'So Shall You Be Devoured!' How very Rovagug. I felt nothing."

Without touching anything, Zeladiel peers intently at the hoard, as if trying to see through it.

detect magic

Attempt to disbelive 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20 (+2 vs enchantments)

I have seen the mirrrage of the deserrrrt, this could be something similarrr. We should be surrre that the stone posts are rrreal as well. One of us should shoot the stone posts with an arrow to make surrre they are safe to step on...

Concentrating on both his spell and the overtly suspicious treasure hoard the elven mage quickly relays that it is indeed a strong illusion, a permanent one unless there is a patient spell caster nearby. In reality the bottom of the chamber seems to be a pool of green coated water, the surface well below the posts, its gentle sloshing cloaked from the senses by the same enchantment. Its depth is impossible to determine without testing.

The posts appear real at least, the bulk radiate medium strength abjuration magic while a few do not radiate magic at all. Zeladiel quickly verifies the first one's solidity with an arrow which bounces off into the hoard / pool with a spark.

Zeladiel's disbelief provides the rest of you with a bonus although you still have to interact with the thing somehow (easy enough to toss a rock at it or wave your hand through from the bottom step). Your currently on the platform.

Sajan reaches out to touch the nearest gold object, disappointed as he finds that as Zeladiel says, it is merely an illusion.

1d20 + 15 ⇒ (11) + 15 = 26 Will with +4 bonus

"No, i did not feel a thing. What did you feel, Khalid?" Linah asks the inquisitor.

Will save: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (19) + 9 = 28 (+ Zeladiel's bonus)

Following Zeladiel's example Linah is also able to see through the powerful illusion. The sea of gold dissolves before her eyes into water as she runs her scimitar carefully through the treasure.

Also detecting magic

"It is a balancing act forward. What enchantment lies on those pillars?" she asks Zeladiel.

Linah, direct me to those without magic. Sajan implores. Assuming Linah is willing, he will try and leap from non-magical pillar to pillar.

Take 10 on acrobatics for the jumps, bear in mind Sajans always treated as having a running start. Sajan's take 10 gives a total of 35 when jumping. Thus Sajan can jump 35 feet at a time and will make as few leaps as possible to reach the alcove.

Edit: I'm unsure of the distance needed to be covered via the pillars but it seems to me its quite possible that Sajan could just leap to the alcove and bypass them entirely- if the distance to the alcove is 35 feet or less he will do that.

The inquisitor reaches into his belt pouch and removes a copper piece that is tossed into the "pile of gold"...

Will Save:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8 + Zeladiel's bonus

"As we were walking down the steps to this chamber, I felt a tingly feeling and then something akin to a static charge. For a moment my legs felt very heavy. But then it passed and I was able to continue on unimpeded. Very strange."

and once again the dice betray me...so apparently Khalid still believes its a bunch of gold....what a crock of @$&*!

All should check the map if they haven't seen it. Its a good 55 or so feet from the closest point on the round steps to the alcove (at this point the steps are about 10 feet higher than the top of the line of posts).

You have 20 steps in total each about 5' apart. It will be a DC 10 acrobatics check to hop from step to step (except for Sajan who doesn't need a running start he is DC 5 for a single jump). No distraction so taking ten is fine. Multiple post jumps will add 5 to the DC to reflect the fact you've got a relatively small landing point. So Sajan could make the 14th (or 13th if he wants to hit a non-magic one) post with his DC 35 and bound from there to the alcove.

In terms of magic, non-magic the posts go M,M,M,M,M,M,N,M,N,M,M,M, N,M (Sajan can reach here),M,M,N,M,M,M.

Will let Sajan confirm, others make saves and confirm whether they will watch to see what happens or proceed as well.

Grall attempts to use an arrow to move some of the gold around...
Willpower Save 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 5 + 2 = 17
Can we just fly overrr this?, he looks to Zeladiel

The easiest way to get through this is for Sajan and Grall to just carry everyone over. We can tap the DC's so we should probably not spend a ton of time on it...as long as there are no traps on the steps...Sajan should probably check every step just to be sure.

Grall attempts to use an arrow to move some of the gold around...

Willpower Save 1d20+5+2
Can we just fly overrr this?, he looks to Zeladiel

Still looks real to you.

Hey! Nuveril's got a +14 to Acrobatics herself, and the only way she's getting carried anywhere is if she's unconscious and can't object strenuously! :P

She won't be any help with carrying anyone, however. :)

Nuveril takes the elf's word that the treasure is an illusion, disinclined to interfere with it even had it not been.

Sajan decides to test to see if the non-magical pillars are the safe ones. He leaps to the 13th post and assuming he lands and all is well, he leaps to the alcove.

Khalid casts a detect magic spell and begins to study the enchantment on the posts...

Spellcraft to ID:1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11

Psst, its knowledge (arcana).

Gathering himself Sajan makes a mighty leap from the steps more than half way to the far alcove. The rest of you see the monk hit his target neatly, broad legs bent to take the impact.

Khalid casts a detect magic spell and begins to study the enchantment on the posts...

Spellcraft to ID:1d20 + 6

Zeladiel identified it as abjuration see post above.

Using his forward momentum, Sajan leaps to the far alcove a split second before a pair of flickering ghostly hands reaching up out of the post can claw at his legs.

From each of the non-magical posts, a form emerges. A hunched skeletal frame soaring upon a front of roiling storm clouds, its torso cloaked in tattered wrappings. Flying, medium size.

Powerful winds seem to lash about the spectres and malevolent embers flare within their eye sockets as claw-like fingerbones reach toward you.

They moan, a frighful sound even at a distance, the furthrest one turning to face the monk while the others look to the rest of the group.

Initiative to follow.

Oh Nuveril is going to have a rant about the flying, I can't wait :D.

ID Critter in Question:1d20 + 11 ⇒ (7) + 11 = 18

All of my knowledges for IDing creatures have the same bonus

Oh Nuveril is going to have a rant about the flying, I can't wait :D.

** spoiler omitted **

"The creature is an edimmus. It will be difficult to deal with, given that it is an incorporal, undead genie. If you have any defenses against cold attack, now would be a good time to use them."

Undead? Wiiii! \o/ This is where i make up for not having consecrate memorized at the shrine encounter in the previous module!

Linah gasps as the shadows come to life and reaches for Sajan. "No, Sajan! Come back! Use the enchanted pillars!" she calls out (abjuration magic is protection magic, right?).

Abjuration is generally protective yes. The timing is amusing given Nuveril going back and forth on ghost rager but I was trying to avoid hints. Probably going to be until tomorrow til I get this up so feel to roll your initiative in the interim.

1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19 Init

Probably gonna end up kicking myself for this, but here it goes anyway.

Initiative:1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26

Figures...there goes a 20...won't see another one of those for 50 rolls or so....

Abjuration is generally protective yes. The timing is amusing given Nuveril going back and forth on ghost rager but I was trying to avoid hints. Probably going to be until tomorrow til I get this up so feel to roll your initiative in the interim.

Generally? I don't like the sound of that....

Probably gonna end up kicking myself for this, but here it goes anyway.

Initiative:1d20 + 6

Figures...there goes a 20...won't see another one of those for 50 rolls or so....

Haha!

Init 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16

The timing is amusing given Nuveril going back and forth on ghost rager but I was trying to avoid hints.

Not to worry. The combination of flying creatures over hidden watery depths will be sure to keep her from doing any significant damage.* :P

Initiative 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25

You and me both, Khalid! There goes a critical threat ... or a guaranteed save. (Personally, I think Dan is making us roll our own initiatives as a ploy to get our good rolls out of the way outside of combat.)

Honestly, I go to sleep, the posts start and I wake up to 25 of them.
And was that a deliberate trigger? Not only are the magic ones the majority and therefore almost certainly the safe ones or it's impossible to avoid the trigger, but they're abjuration, which is protective and everything to magic that necromancy is not.

On the bright side, my spells are all over cold and incorporeal. On the downside, they just fly over everyone and beat me to death... again. Stick with me Nuveril, that's where the tough melee fighting tends to be. :-p

Initiative 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11

Not deliberate, just playing my character. Sajan doesn't understand much about magic, having no ranks in Spellcraft or Knowledge (Arcana) and 7 intelligence. He naturally assumes any magical pillar is a trap from what he has seen of static magic so far. Besides, one of you was bound to tank your acrobatics roll and fall on a non-magical one anyway somehow :P. OOC I suspect the Abjuration pillars are still 'safe zones' from these creatures so we can still probably make use of them.

Sorry. Sajan was being in character. I just didn't get my chance to be a know it all again. Comes from being an Aussie. :-)

The Pit of Screaming Ghosts

Round 1

Initiative

Edimmu 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (12) + 9 = 21
Khalid 26
Nuveril 25
Sajan 19
Grall 16
Linah 12
Zeladiel 11

Ordered Initiative

Khalid 26
Nuveril 25
Edimmu 21
Sajan 19
Grall 16
Linah 12
Zeladiel 11

Effects

- Mage Armour (Zeladiel, Sajan)
- Zeladiel (concentrating on detect magic)

Khalid and Linah have light auras as normal. Sajan has taken his lantern over to the end of the room and will need an action to reposition.

Recall the posts are 5' apart, a few feet above the water level and ten feet below the platform most of you are currently standing on. It is a DC 10 acrobatics check to post jump, combat now denies taking 10. They go [M,M,M,M,M,M,N,M,N,M,M,M,N,M,M,M,N,M,M,M) from the starting point near the platform.

The ghostly undead move fast, very fast, screaming in rage at the violation of your entry and floating fully out of their respective posts. Khalid and Nuveril move faster though..

M,27 is 10' above the post line, the steps scaling down to L,31. That will put the creature in L,26 out of melee range but K,27 will be in range from L,28 (only). The two closest are currently illuminated, the further two in the dark except for Grall.

MAP

Khalid targets one of the edimmus with fire bolt, hoping that the fire will be more potent against the cold using creatures.

Target (K,27)

Fire Bolt:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18 vs. touch AC
Damage:1d6 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

Nuveril remembers her dream and knows what is at stake. She has no fire, but she will fight nonetheless. She runs down the steps, taking up a stance above the floating ghosts, and clashes her hammer against her shield in challenge. "Come and fight, spirits!"

Rage (1/16); Move to M 27, drawing hammer; Ready an attack at the first edimmu that comes in range 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (18) + 10 = 28 damage 1d6 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 9 + 2 = 12

Round 1, Init 25
Power Attack, Ghost Rager, Witch Hunter, Superstition
AC 19, Touch AC 17
Fort 12, Ref 7, Will 6 (7 vs. spells & supernatural & SLAs)

Khalid's fire clips his ghostly target's side before it is able to dodge. The spirit is clearly affected, although it seems to avoid the full effect.

Nuveril moves fearlessly above the closer two, hammer ready.

The spirits move seemingly with clear purpose and a worrying intelligence.

The one closest to Sajan flies quickly to block his way back to the rest of the group (L,17 post level) and lashes out with a ghastly hand. Off-balance the monk throws out a desperate block but the spirit reaches straight through it, grasping him briefly around the neck. Killing cold comes with the attack. A normal man would have been frozen outright but the monk fights on.

Frigid Touch vs Sajan 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28 hit possible crit
1d6 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3 cold

Confirm?1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23 confirmed
1d6 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8 cold

The other three edimmu focus their attention on the balance of the group, the one closest to Nuveril flying back, up and around to attack her. Still in L,26 but level with the platform.

Feet firmly planted, the barbarian strikes first, her hammer hitting the howling spirit squarely in the side with none of the resistance Khalid experienced. None seem more surprised than the spirit itself. Knocked sidewise, its reaches with grasping hands toward the halfling who dodges adroitly.

Frigid Touch vs Nuveril 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10 miss
1d6 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8 cold

Its partner (K,27), tattered rags flapping, flies around the stairs taking up position over the water (I,30) at the level of the platform (10' high). Opening its mouth it issues a sorrowful moan full of despair and hatred. The ghastly sound washes over the group on the platform..

A DC 18 Will save.

Khalid Will 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14 fail, shaken
Grall Will 1d20 + 5 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 5 + 3 = 18 pass
Linah Will 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (16) + 9 = 25 pass
Nuveril Will 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24 pass
Zeladiel Will 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11 fail, shaken

The last (L,22) moves to split you, easily making the difference over to the platform and taking up the space Nuveril vacated (O,30) in the middle of Zeladiel, Linah, Khalid and Grall. Grall flatfooted so no AOO.

The spirit reaches for Linah, its hand passing right through her armour to grasp at her chest, the icy touch freezing and burning her skin.

Frigid Touch vs Linah 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17 hit
1d6 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5 cold

Sajan up, map update to follow.

Note shaken is -2 to attack rolls, saves and skill checks.