Dungeon Master S's "Black Waters" [Core] (Inactive)

Game Master Chris Marsh

I took a stab at placing everyone to keep us humming along. Seiran (our melee paladin) in front. Peter (our top HP member, but also an archer) second. Renn and all the conjurers behind.

Renn quickly scans the door for any traps or hazards, although he assumes if there were any, the ghouls have long since triggered them.

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20

Renn glances nervously at Seiran.

"Your turn, good sir. I trust if there's any evil beyond, you'll make swift work of it!"

With the frequency of storm waves approaching the shore, salt water erupts from cracks in the floor of this large hexagonal room. Foamy, blinding spray jumps in every direction, then drains from calf-height to ankle-deep before the next wave hits. Occasionally a length of black-brown seaweed shoots in and adds one more strand to a room that already appears draped in long wet hair. In each of the chamber’s six corners, a fluted pillar rises to the fifty-foot ceiling. Between each pair of pillars, an open arch connects the chamber to an attached space. Beyond the northwest and southwest arches, three tiers of recessed spaces form three massive steps. A stone sarcophagus rests on each step.

The waves are an annoyance, but they only get in your eyes over once in a while. Feel free to explore.

Seiran seeing nothing in the other room joins the rest of the party in the water logged cavern.

Noding at the others, he uses his divine gift to look for any signs of lingering evil in this room.

"S!*@!", exclaimed Peter when the salt water hits him.

"Keep moving, Seiran", the ranger tells to the half-orc, while he looks for any hidden devices in the sarcophagus at the southwest room.

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19

If finds nothing, Peter will open it.

EDIT: he holds its longspear in hands for now.

1d20 ⇒ 2
1d20 ⇒ 4
1d20 ⇒ 10
1d20 ⇒ 20
It takes Seiran and Peter both a few tries to lift the heavy lid. The sarcophagus lid slides aside with the sound of a grinding millstone. The well-preserved body of a young girl lies inside, stringy black hair obscuring the face. Her atrophied limbs are drawn up like folded sticks against her torn school uniform.

As they check out the body a howl breaks the sound of the ocean waves. From the room to the west emerges a horrible creature. It bears much in common with the creatures from the last room, long, sharp teeth, and pallid flesh stretched tightly over its starved frame. This particular particular creature is dressed in rotting finery, wisps of fetid, expensive cloth still dangling from its limbs. Perched atop its head is a golden crown, resplendent with a dozen glittering gems, while its putrid fingers each bear extravagant rings made from a dozen different precious gems and metals. "Yes! I mussst feed!"

Baddies: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11
Nemrok: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (4) + 0 = 4
Helane: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9
Peter: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5
Silgil: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17
Seiran: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 1 = 15
Renn: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

Round 1:

Silgil: Go
Seiran: Go
Baddies: TBD
Helane: TBD
Renn: TBD
Peter: TBD
Nemrok: TBD

Silgil will begin a Summon Monster I spell.

"Oh my. He does not look good."

Silgil begins the words of a complex spell...

Round 1:

Silgil: SM I
Seiran: Go
Baddies: TBD
Helane: TBD
Renn: TBD
Peter: TBD
Nemrok: TBD

Perception 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (4) - 1 = 3
Heal 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (7) - 1 = 6
Attack with Smite Evil 1d20 + 4 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 4 + 3 = 231d8 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 3 + 2 = 11
Gains +3 deflection bonus for AC 21

Seiran is at first distressed to see the young girl looking so vulnerable and is convinced that nothing more can be done for her but to bear her to her final rest.

The appearance of the creature interrupts the words he was about to convey to his companions.

Drawing his balde, he channels his growing fustration and calls upon Iomedae to guide his sword arm as he advances with all the fury of the righteous crusader!
"Down with thee foul Fiend! Away from this delicate flower who rests in eternal peace!"

Seiran smites the ghoulish creature with faith, heart, and steel! He nearly ends the foe with a single swing of the blade.

But only nearly. Despite the wound it launches itself at the paladin, its diseased teeth going for the throat.

Bite: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11 MISS
Left Claw: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25 THREAT
Left Claw CONFIRM: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17 Normal DMG: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6
Right Claw: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24 Normal DMG: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

The claws find purchase in the half-orcs chest. Seiran, make 2 Fort saves DC 15. Failure of either means you are paralyzed for 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4 Rounds.

Round 1:

Silgil: SM I
Seiran: Smite
Baddies: ATK
Helane: Go
Renn: Go
Peter: Go
Nemrok: Go

This creature also stinks to the high heavens. It's unnaturally bad.

Make ANOTHER Fort, DC 15 or be sickened for the next 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9 Minutes.

Renn breaks into song once more, since a battle for life and death always means a bard starts to sing about random things in the world.

"Brave Brave, Sir Seiran..."

Inspire Courage up, +1/+1 to attack and damage.

Perception: 1d20 ⇒ 9
Heal: 1d20 ⇒ 13

Acid Bolt; Touch: 1d20 + 2 - 4 ⇒ (14) + 2 - 4 = 121d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Helane takes a step forward as Renn sings and fires off yet another acid bolt, trying to aim around the stalwart half-orc.

REDACTED: 1d20 ⇒ 20
Helane's blob of acid splatters on the wall, even with Renn's encouragement.

Round 1:

Silgil: SM I
Seiran: Smite
Baddies: ATK
Helane: Miss
Renn: Bardic Power!
Peter: Go
Nemrok: Go

3 Fort Saves? -_-". Seiran you're too brave lol.
Which save comes first? Claw or stink? I assume in order of what you requst which means I'm paraylse for 4 rounds.
Fort Save 1 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7
Fort Save 1 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15
Fort Save 1 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15

Fort vs Sickened: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9

Nemrok tries to moves toward the creature but the stench was too much for him. He decided to use magic against the creature, hoping to help with it.

MM: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Technically speaking it should have been stench, but thankfully it's a moot point.

After the paladin's massive hit Nemrok's missile is more than enough to topple the ghast!

Out of initiative!

A reminder to check the Perception and heal checks above.

Perception DC15: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (19) + 0 = 19
Heal Check DC15: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (13) + 0 = 13

Nemrok looks at the poor girl when... his eyes pop !

The ring ! She as it !

Know. Religion: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13

Isn't that strange that her corps is so well preserved ? he asks.

Heal being usable untrained...

Heal: 1d20 ⇒ 6

Renn smiles at the discovery of the ring, but frowns at the girl's corpse.

"Must be something in the air or water here that has that affect on the dead."

Renn keeps his eyes open.

"Best we be careful, lest she spring up like a ghast. I don't see any bites..."

"It's a dead girl, among other dead things that we've seen all day. Let's get the ring and be gone, we've a report to give."

Helane huffs and looks around, unsure what she's going to write other than Avoid the Necropolis and Get mental help for the grounds keeper.

Perception DC15: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 1 = 19
Heal Check DC15: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 1 = 19
"Hold on there. Try putting up a glass or mirror next to her mouth. I think I see movement"

And indeed Silgil is right! She's alive! Some how, she's alive!

-Posted with Wayfinder

Perception DC 15: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8
Heal DC 15: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22

"And I'm very thankful to the gods, that we found somebody alive in this place", Peter says while pulls off the girl's hair from her face to see it.

Seiran's eyes widen.
"By the merciful gods! She's alive? Quickly we must bring her back to the surface!" Seiran calls out once the effects of the creature's venom passes.

You gently lift the extremely frail girl from her tomb and start to head back.

The shattered groundskeeper is still simply kneeling and whispering softly to the spirit.

-Posted with Wayfinder

Seiran moves behind him and knocks him out once the rest of the party has moved on. Once knocked out he lifts the shattered man and carries him out as well.

Silgil got a Celestial Dog out of his summoning. For the remainder of the spell, he will attempt to direct it to explore the nooks and crannies of the various rooms in the area.

At some point he will case Detect Magic and use spellcraft on the ring

spellcraft: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18

Putting together Silgil's spell and knowledge with the venture captain's briefing, you think it's a ring of sustenance.

Seiran easily knocks the man out.

The party makes a rather somber back to the lodge.

awesome job guys! Great party and good work. I'll post the denouement when I'm at a keyboard. Chronicles tonight.

-Posted with Wayfinder

The dog works to cover every inch of the area and finds little else, though there is still the real body in the "classroom."

-Posted with Wayfinder

So glad someone passed that heal check, I was worried we'd end up just leaving her down here!

"Gods, that poor thing!" Helane actually seems to be concerned for the girl once they discover she's alive. "To have been down here this whole time! Could you imagine?" She shakes her head, visibly distressed.

"Let's get her the help she needs."

When they pass the groundskeeper and Seiran knocks him out, Helane nods approvingly.

Yeah, I've seen parties leave her here. Talk about a depressing ending.

Returning the barely living body of Junia to Lady Dacilane has several repercussions: she’s naturally overwhelmed with joy and sends for the best clerics of Asmodeus at once to see to her daughter’s recovery. Lady Dacilane alters her previous reward and promises to assist you in the future if you ever have any need of information about the aristocrats of Absalom—a small gesture, to be sure, but a very generous one in the mind of Lady Dacilane. The other parents, upon hearing that there was a miraculous survivor after all these years, mob the Tri-Towers Yard in an attempt to gain access to the necropolis. Absalom’s city watch is called in to quiet the disturbance and sends in a team to search for additional survivors. Of course, there are none.

The grounds keeper never really recovers. He ends up becoming a groundskeeper in various temples and cathedrals about the city, quietly living out his days until he's reunited with his daughter.

When the ruby ring of the salamander is returned to the Pathfinder Society, they are naturally pleased at acquiring such an important artifact and Venture- Captain Drenge personally thanks you for your service to the Society. Your reputation as agents begins to grow.

One more to L2

Seiran's return to the temple brings mixed feelings.
Looking at his hands he wonders if somehow he could have done more.

One more to L2

Seiran's return to the temple brings mixed feelings.
Looking at his hands he wonders if somehow he could have done more.

Then Seiran should sign up for a table of School of Spirits :-) I may be running one in a few weeks.

Renn looks slightly flushed when it's discovered that the girl is alive.

"Well, that would've been embarrassing..."

Thanks for the run!

Nemrok is glad to have return Lady Dacilane's child to her, in "good" health and to have found the Salamander's ring.

He's glad to be a faithful of Asmodeus as Lady Dacilane Faith have return her child to her.

Thank you for running DMS ! And thank you all for this great game :)

When they arrive with Junia, Peter tells to Lady Dacilane, "look, I told you that we would bring her back. One of these future days I'll pass here to drink a little more wine with you, milady", he says with a smirk on his face.

The ranger thanks Drandle Drenge and says to him that he is available for new tasks, as soon as he request.

Now, waiting for "School of Spirits"! =) Thank you all for the game, guys.