DougFungus' Crypt of the Everflame
Game Master DougFungus

Kerret triumphantly returns to the safe room. I did it! I banished the shadow man!

When Kerret sees the shape his friends are in, he quickly becomes somber.

How are we going to get you guys fixed up? Will any of the potions help?

I sigh deeply, I just need to rest and pray, and think a little.

I shake my head thoughtfully, It's been a strange day.

"I wish there was something I could do to help, but it doesn't look like I have anything to heal....anyone care for one more pull from the brandy I brought along?" Pip says all this while rummaging through his pack, triumphantly pulling the half bottle of brandy out. He uses his teeth to pull the cork, takes a long swig and hands it over to Vastar.

Pip has leveled up! Can we level up during the adventure or wait till the end?

There must be some confusion here Pip. You need 5000xp to reach level 3. I don't have a very precise estimate because I'm posting from my smartphone, but I believe you should be a couple thousand off from next level.

I don't think Pip ever leveled up to 2.

No he didn't. He's only at level 2 now. I updated my player profile with the info I have from HeroLab.

Lorant returns to the room with Kerret. He drops his pack and slides along the wall to sit on the floor. Sighing, he says, "That was tougher than I thought it would be. I feel like sleeping for days. Is there any way we can heal what that shadow did to us?"

HP wise, I think we're fine, but that Str damage is going to take it's toll.

I don't know, Lorant. Healing is not really my forte. Kaylee? Vastar? Do either of you have any suggestions?

8 hours of rest will heal 1 point of ability score damage. 24 hours of bed rest will heal 2 points. My understanding is that every two points of ability score damage = a -1 modifier to any related rolls. So there isn't really a difference between 3 str damage and 2 str damage. We're low on spells though, so we should rest of at least 8 hours, but Roldare might freak out if we hole up for a full 24.

Pip, I'll leave these here for reference.

• Link 1
  
• link2

I'll remind everybody that your on a time limit. The Everflame must be returned to Kassen within the week for the Festival. You may rest for as long as you choose but be prepared to deal with the disappointment if you don't return in time.

Another Link

I can't heal the damage that the shadow man did, but I can still heal any minor wounds any of us take. I'm willing to push on to save Dimeria if everyone else agrees. Looking to Pip she adds Except for you Pip, I can only use this gift once a day per person. So please be careful not to get hurt again.

"I suppose that's fair. We need to find her quickly." Lorant picks up his shield again with a little more effort. "Ok, is everyone ready? Where should we go next? Now that the shadow is gone, we can go look at that room again. Or there were the stairs or the corridor back there" He points back towards the entrance.

I searched that room as best I could after the shadow man was gone. I don't think there's anything else in there. I'll press on with the rest of you, but I only have one more gout of fire left in me. After that I'll be down to crossbow bolts and harsh language.

Kerret gives a wry grin, then refreshes the light spell on his spear before lashing it to his back. As he checks to make sure the crossbow is loaded he says, I'm for the corridor. Let's see what else is on this level before we venture deeper.

Pip checks that his crossbow is loaded as well. "Ok, I'm ready when everyone else is."

Listening intently to the options listed, Roldare suddenly has a single moment of clarity as Lorant mentions the entrance and shouts: "THE KEY! The Key is in the room beside the entrance!"

Lorant looks at the man as if he's even more crazy than they all suspect. He pulls out the blackened key from the fire. "The key? You mean this one here? This wasn't near the entrance. Or do you mean a different key?"

He looks at the others. "I say it's at least worth checking out. If we can put some of this together, then maybe what happened will start to make some sense."

Lorant is fine with pushing on. The Strength penalty will be a factor, but nothing we can't overcome. We still have a few spells left before we're dry. I say let's check out this key thing at least.

"The key? You mean this one here? This wasn't near the entrance. Or do you mean a different key?"

Roldare's face gains the look of mass confusion. He does not answer the question and instead paces about muttering "The Key, the key, the key..."

The key is near the entrance? That pit room was near the entrance, wasn't it? Or was there another door in the first room? I think there was... Maybe we should go back there.

Kerret would offer to identify the dagger, except that he doesn't know that you guys found it. We still have some healing left for the day. I say we press on as much as we can, although we will probably need to rest before we try level 2.

Lorant sighs at the man goes back to his ranting. "Yeah, I say let's go check it out. Maybe there's another key or a place where this one fits."

"Say, Vastar, did you find out anything with that dagger? Is it magic?"

I agree with Kerret. I am fairly certain there was another door back in the entry room, we should try that way next.

I produce the dagger, "It resisited the fire, so must have some enchantment laid upon it."

I hand the dagger to Kerret, "It's still too easy to forget you have magic in you, Kerret. See what you can do."

I am low on spells and have used all of my channel energy but I am healthy and can still fire a bow.

"Once everyone has rested, I say we go on. How can we trust Roldare here? He seems a few cards short of a full deck."

Kerret casts detect magic and examines the dagger to see if he can piece together any information about it.

Knowledge(arcana): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12
Spellcraft: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13

Well, that probably won't do much.

Kerret hands the dagger to Kaylee. Care to have a look, Kaylee? You might be better at this sort of thing than I am.

In response to Pip he says, I think we should press on and see if we can find Roldare's sister before we rest.

Its a +1 Dagger. Nothing too special.

"I'd be more than happy to use that!" Pip has a brief vision of using it in a sneak attack on some monster or baddie.

Lorant chuckles. "Go ahead. If you can catch someone unaware with it, all the better for us."

"So we're decided? We go back to the entrance to look for this key?" Lorant opens the door again and begins leading the group back to the entrance.

Pip gladly takes the dagger from Kaylee and swiftly hides it on his person in an easy to reach location.

I'm ready. Lead the way.

Kerret falls in behind Lorant and Pip.

I splash some water over my face, shake the tiredness out of my head and join the group. After a moment I test the string on my bow and carefully select an arrow.

We have a duty to the living, let's go looking for Dimeria.

Just for fun, let's all re-roll Initiative.

Maps have been updated! I have moved everybody right up to the door for convenience.

Round C-1 Begins Now

Initiative: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22

Kerret waits for Lorant to open the door.

Delay

Initiative: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Kaylee stands behind Lorant as she preps her sling. I'm ready when you are.She tells him.

Kaylee will follow directly behind Lorant as he moves.

Initiative: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 13

Lorant nods at the others as he draws his sword. He tries to open the door with his shield hand.

initiative: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17

The door swings open with ease. In the center of this room is a large pool of clear water, fed by a fountain on the wall above it. The fountain has a stone statue of a weeping maiden holding the slain body of Kassen, but his head has been broken off and is nowhere to be seen. A voice booms out from the darkness, saying, “Magic is the key.” The voice slowly fades, leaving a dreadful silence.

Maps have been updated

Round C-2 Begins Now

Everyone stay back Kerret whispers as he moves to the doorway and gazes inside with arcane sight.

There might be some sort of magical trap like the pits in the other room.

Move to E9 and cast detect magic, looking West into the new room.

There is some magic in the pool, but it's deep, I can barely see it, Kerret whispers. Pip, will you help me look for any pits or traps?

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13

Kerret also attempts to glean a bit more information regarding the magic aura.

Knowledge(arcana): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17

Sorry, was busy in my woodshop all day today.

Initiative: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

Check for traps 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (9) + 9 = 18

Sorry, was busy in my woodshop all day today.

Initiative: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15

Check for traps 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 9 = 13

"If magic is the key, then maybe you guys should take the lead. Lorant looks at them ready to follow them.

Kaylee moves up beside Kerret to assist with the magic detection.
Move to F9 and cast detect magic as well.

Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Pip, do you see anything?

Looking into the fountain reveals a pool of water 40 feet deep. The bottom is dark but you can just barley make out a pile consisting of hundreds of keys.

PM's have been sent out to those who have taken actions this round.

Maps have been updated
Round C-3 begins now

"It's safe to come in..as far as traps go I don't see any." Pip moves around to F3 and takes a look at what he can see of the keys trying to determine if any look valuable.

appraise: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22

according to HeroLab:determine the most valuable item in a treasure hoard takes 1 full-round action

Lorant follows the others into the room, trying to look around for anything obviously magical.

Move to E-7 or E-6 if Pip moves forward.

Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22

I can't find my map...

Kerret focuses on the key, hoping to garner some insight as to the nature of its magic.

Knowledge(arcana): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16
Spellcraft: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10

Kerret, what do you see? Kaylee asks as she approaches the pool, studying its features intently and observing the keys below. Do you think the water is safe?

Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15

It looks like a pile of keys. I think one of them is magical. I'm not sure about the water though, I've never been a strong swimmer, although... I don't mind a skinny dip now and then.
Kerret grins at Kaylee, then seems to remember where he is before stammering, Not that we should, I mean not that we shouldn't some time, but probably not here...

Lorant snickers at Kerret's stammering. That's the midwife, he was talking to, not some schoolgirl!

I can swim, but I can't see which key you're talking about.

• Kerret, See spoiler.

• Lorant moves into the room. Your perception check reveals nothing.

• Pip, the keys look completely average. They're probably not worth the weight to carry around with you.

• Kaylee, see spoiler.

Maps have been updated, any luck with this one Lorant?

Round C-4 begins now