Omrax the Bold |
Omrax will sigh at the loss of life.
"Why would they attack us? Madness caused by evil can be the only explanation ."
Omrax will detect evil and rotate to ensure no more are hiding.
can we tell if they were charmed or just bad on their own? The ones knocked out, maybe we can question one .
EndlessForms |
You have seen all of them either at the feast or around the village; in fact, it seems that most of the villagers were in on it. Even Shreya the leader was in the group that assaulted you. Only a few villagers are left who apparently did not support the cult, like the couple who tried to warn you not to sleep tonight.
It seems none of them were charmed but were just dangerously devoted to Dhalavei. There are several who are only unconscious and can be woken and questioned. It takes some time to convince them to talk, but eventually you learn that none of the villagers know where the temple is, but they all know the location of the forbidden path leading there. Bands of monks come and go through the village, sometimes with prisoners, and live in the steep, mountainous hills to the east, less than a day's travel from the village. About once a month a group of six monks comes down to collect supplies. The last collection was about ten days ago. There are three masters of the Ebon Destroyers at the temple, though none of the villagers have met them or know what they look like.
Omrax the Bold |
"We have our destination at least. We should make for this forbidden path in the morning."
EndlessForms |
Finding the trail takes some time, as the cultists took great care to cover their tracks and hide it with vegetation, but you eventually locate it and follow through the jungle.
As the narrow path descends into a steep valley, the sickly smell of carrion overwhelms the stagnant air. A hauntingly dense ground mist floats over the thick undergrowth. In the dim light, through shadows cast by the high peaks surrounding the ravine and copious tree cover, the grisly form of a mass grave comes into view.
Many bodies are piled among the trees. As you move closer, it becomes ever apparent-as if you would expect anything less-that some of these bodies are actually restless undead!
gh: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15
Omrax: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17
Mordrak: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (15) + 9 = 24
Kaab: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (3) + 12 = 15
Arnoth: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12
Initiative:
1. Mordrak, Omrax, and Kaab
2. Undead
3. Arnoth
Mordrak, Omrax, and Kaab are up!
Omrax the Bold |
kn:rel: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12
Looks like run of the mill zombies. But who created them? That is the real source of evil we must find.
Some crazed necromancer most likely. When will they ever learn?"
Kaâb Al-Burda |
@EF smelling carrion could I have cast magic circle against evil before going further ?
Know. Religion: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7
Again, Kaâb seeing a lot of creature decided to give them Sarenrae's Kiss.
She cast a fireball trying to catch as much undead creature as possible.
Fireball (Ref DC20): 8d6 ⇒ (3, 2, 5, 4, 2, 6, 6, 3) = 31
She also call for Sarenrae's power to fly and two beautiful wings of fire appeared in Kaâb's back.
She turned to J'ngo
EndlessForms |
@Kaab: sure!
Kaab quickly takes down most of the corpses with another blast of fire. One corpse, however, burns away only to reveal a lingering spirit beneath!
Initiative:
1. Mordrak, Omrax, and Kaab
2. Undead
3. Arnoth
Mordrak and Omrax are up!
J'ngo Mordrak |
Mordrak smiles at Kaâb's question.
We appear to have a legitimate zombie jamboree on our hands! The paladin has raised a good question about who is behind the raising of these dead, however.
Upon seeing the lingering spirit behind the zombies, however, Mordrak's smile begins to fade. This is unexpected.
He knows nothing about undead in specific, but has encountered the incorporeal before and knows they are susceptible to force effects. He immediately casts magic missile at the creature!
4 missiles, one target: 4d4 + 4 ⇒ (1, 4, 4, 1) + 4 = 14
Incidentally, we must have healed up after the encounter with the naga, but I never did here. Well, poop.
Omrax the Bold |
Omrax, seeing the ghost exposed, will charge and smite the undead.
"You shall be struck down by the might of the Inheritor!"
Omrax +1 longsword, charge, pa,smite: 1d20 + 14 + 2 - 3 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 14 + 2 - 3 + 5 = 28
for smitex2, pa: 1d8 + 5 + 6 + 18 ⇒ (7) + 5 + 6 + 18 = 36
EndlessForms |
Mordrak and Omrax chip away at the unresting spirit! It reaches its cold hands out towards Omrax's heart....
touch: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11
damage: 8d6 ⇒ (6, 6, 2, 3, 2, 6, 4, 6) = 35
DC 19 Fort for half
Initiative:
1. Mordrak, Omrax, and Kaab
2. Undead (32 dmg)
3. Arnoth
You guys are up!
Arnthoth Koortuskson |
Arnthoth orders Volfie to stay back as he moves up to swing his hammer at the spirit.
Ragin' Furiosly Focused Power Attack: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (1) + 18 = 19
Vital Strike: 2d12 + 13 + 9 ⇒ (9, 8) + 13 + 9 = 39
Stumbling, he hammer swing flies wildy wide.
Omrax the Bold |
Omrax, deftly dodging the errant strike by the nether spirit, takes a couple more swings at it.
"Back to the grave!"
Omrax +1 EO, longsword, smite, pa: 1d20 + 14 + 5 - 3 ⇒ (18) + 14 + 5 - 3 = 34
for smite: 1d8 + 5 + 9 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 5 + 9 + 6 = 27 ignore DR, AC+
Omrax +1 EO, longsword, smite, pa: 1d20 + 9 + 5 - 3 ⇒ (17) + 9 + 5 - 3 = 28
for smite: 1d8 + 5 + 9 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 5 + 9 + 6 = 28 ignore DR, AC+
Kaâb Al-Burda |
Kaâb like an angel of Fire fly towards the creature of unlife to protect her friends with her circle.
She called for Sarenrae's judgement and her scimitar take the light of life swift action : bane undead 1/5 then strike the creature flying above it.
+1 keen silversheen undead bane scimitar: 1d20 + 12 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 12 + 2 + 1 = 23
damages: 1d6 + 6 + 2 + 2d6 ⇒ (4) + 6 + 2 + (3, 5) = 20
EndlessForms |
Arnoth stumbles and misses but the combination of magical force, smiting power, and baned weapons is enough to disperse the ghostly spirit!
Out of combat!
Searching the body the ghost came from, you find a circular wooden holy symbol of an open palm, quite recognizable as the symbol of Irori.
Kaâb Al-Burda |
Know. Religion DC20: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11
Poor Spirit. I hope it find redemption in the true Death. Said Kaâb seeing the creature dissolving in the ether.
Omrax the Bold |
kn:rel: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22
Omrax says a quick prayer to Iomedae and then pauses.
"I think there are words of Irori that will help here...."
He recalls the chant and tries to put the spirits to permanent rest.
We best keep moving, not much more we can do here.
He will do a quick search for any other holy symbols or clues of the motives of the undead.
perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21
Crud - using up all my good rolls. The dicebot is going make me pay later, I know it.
EndlessForms |
You find nothing else of interest or use here and continue following the secret path, which leads to a steeply sloping cliff face on the western side of one of the tall mountains. The cliff face is 900 feet high, with the entrance to the shrine just over halfway up. Luckily the climbing is easy, as the cultists have done it for many years apparently and have picked out a thoughtful route, and there are several ledges upon which to rest along the way.
Finally you get to a barren ledge that provides a magnificent view out across the rocky foothills. At the rear of the cavity, two basalt pillars guard the entrance to a dark, narrow opening that leads inward into the depths of the mountain. The pillars and the lintel of the entrance both have twisted runes carved into them.
Kaâb Al-Burda |
Kaâb help Omrax in his prayers.
=========
Know. Religion: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6
Kaâb looked around for any sign of traps, magical or not, taking her time.
Perception (trapfinding) - take 20: 20 + 10 + 4 = 34
J'ngo Mordrak |
Mordrak, untrained in religion or linguistics, looks out over the view afforded by the ledge. He thinks of the day to come in his future when he will be able to sprout wings and soar with the birds above. Soon.
With a smile he closes his eyes and revels in the moment.
It is only a moment, then gone. Remembering the burning ache on his skin, he hands Kaâb his wand of cure light wounds. I forgot to inquirify about this earlier, he says to the ifrit, but would you be so kind...?
Kaâb Al-Burda |
Kaâb smiled warmly at J'ngo and said
Oh yes of course ! I'm sorry to have forgotten to ask you for your health my dear J'ngo. and she used the wand until her friend was fully healed.
@J'ngo fell free to use roll the dice ;-)
Omrax the Bold |
If anyone needs additional healing, let Omrax know.
Omrax will close his eyes after the steep climb, thanking Iomedae before entering the depths of the mountain.
"Strong work, team. We have arrived. Now, by the Inheritor, justice will be served."
He draws his longsword and re-equips his shield before advancing.
EndlessForms |
Before anyone can approach too closely, Kaab notes that two of the runes are actually trapped: a glyph of warding and a symbol of pain!
Kaâb Al-Burda |
Before trying to disable the traps, Kaâb cast magic circle against evil on her and guidance then she began her work.
Please, step back until my work is done my friends.
Disable Device (take 10): 10 + 23 + 1 = 34
EndlessForms |
Kaab takes care of the traps preventing your entry and you head into the narrow cave.
Bright orange flames illuminate a sharp turn in the passage. The flames issue from the upraised claws of a carved, two-headed gargoyle statue that squats in the corner. Each head stares down a different passage.
Omrax the Bold |
Kn:rel: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16 not this time.
"I suspect they are only normal statutes but I have seen some like this that were not normal ."
Omrax will detect evil in the area with the statues.
Kaâb Al-Burda |
Look ! This two-headed statue depicts a mythical Vudrani creature. They are usually called a sharaberunda, as you can see it has both feline and avian features.
Vudrani deities occasionally manifest as this bizarre creature.
Said Kaâb who looked for other traps, taking her time, and spoke to the statue after it.
Perception (traps) take 20: 20 + 10 + 4 = 34
Hi, I'm Silver Crusader Kaâb al-Burda, Lance Caporal of the Eagle Knight. can you help us fought evil men ?
Kaâb Al-Burda |
I have no idea ! But it's worth the try... I think
Said Kaâb with a wide smile.
EndlessForms |
The statue doesn't respond and after a moment you get the idea that it is not animate and you can move past it.
Beyond there is a soft veil covering the entrance to a room. A pale, magical light, radiating from the air itself, shines throughout this pillared hall. A balustraded walkway surrounds the upper floor of the two-story area. Passages lead from either side on both the upper and lower levels, as well as from entrance-ways at each end of the hall.
There would be more monks here with the same stats of the guys you fought earlier but you mopped the floor with them so I'm fine with narrating past it.
After taking out some of the lesser acolytes who had taken up residence in this room, you can now move into one of the various corridors leading off.
J'ngo Mordrak |
Mordrak appears as surprised as Arnthoth at Kaâb addressing the statue, but pats the Kellid on the back. While her methodizements may be less than conventional, the Mwangi says with a smile of his own, the Lady Kaâb has shown that she sees many things we do not. I would never have noticed those runes, for instance, on our way in, but she saw them immediately. I do not doubt that she may be right about this statue.
Looking about the chamber, Mordrak asks, Does anyone have a preferentialment for which way to start?
Omrax the Bold |
"We shall utilize an orderly approach. I recommend starting with each side hallway, alternating until cleared. We do not want to be cut off from our only known exit or worse, allow any of the rabble to escape justice ."
Omrax will head towards the southern most hall on the east. .
Kaâb Al-Burda |
Why don't try separately to explore it ? asked Kaâb
But once Omrax explained to her how it was a very bad idea, she followed his lead.
EndlessForms |
To the southeast you find austere rooms each containing a sleeping mat and a small trunk. The trunks contain spare clothes and personal belongings, no doubt belonging to the numerous acolytes you have come across here and at the village.
Arnthoth Koortuskson |
Arnthoth looks around the room, while ordering Volfie to have sniff around the room. After checking, he turns to Omrax. "Where to now?"
Perception: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (19) + 12 = 31
Volfie Sniff!: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14
Omrax the Bold |
Omrax will quickly scan for evil, to make sure none hiding.
"We shall check the small hallway to the north. If that is also empty, we can cross the large room and check the hallway to the west.."
EndlessForms |
To the north is a small refectory. The refectory contains mundane goods and equipment to maintain the complex, including cooking tools and cleaning gear. A 6-inch-wide crack above the cooking fire serves as a chimney, leading up to the outside, 550 feet farther up the mountain.
Behind this room is another small room used as a larder. This room stores food and other basic supplies. Dried meat, grains, spices, and large quantities of rice are stored here, as well as firewood and fresh water. There are enough supplies to feed a dozen people for about 2 months.
You then cross back over to the west:
This shadowy chamber has a large, square shrine recessed into the wall opposite the entrance. From the center of the shrine, a dark, multi-armed stone idol seems to watch over the room. Deep-etched abstract designs fill the walls and ceiling. Offerings of dried flowers sit around the shrine, and the cloying scent of bitter incense hangs in the air.
Inside is a living representation of Dhalavei! This tall, feminine figure has golden tanned skin and well-formed curves, suggesting years of activity and work toward physical perfection. Beneath her diaphanous robes, the creature’s legs cross over one another, while six arms—two facing toward her back— wave in a continuous dance. Three fanged heads sit atop a sturdy neck, studying every direction.
DR/good; Immune disease, poison; Resist acid 10, electricity 10; SR
bo: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22
Omrax: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12
Mordrak: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 29
Kaab: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (16) + 12 = 28
Arnoth: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16
Initiative:
1. Mordrak and Kaab
2. Sulukta
3. Arnoth and Omrax
Mordrak and Kaab are up!
J'ngo Mordrak |
No Kn (planes). If you want (arcana), though...
Mordrak is mystified by the creature and taken aback. It's not often the Mwangi Pathfinder is at a loss for words, so it's particularly notable when he is.
If the thing makes a hostile gesture of any kind (hopefully including casting a spell), Mordrak will cast haste on the party.
Omrax the Bold |
no kn:planes here either, but she does not look friendly
Omrax watches as his friends react to the new menace.
Kaâb Al-Burda |
Know. Planes: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20
Then she turned to the creature and said
Then she draw her weapon, call Sarenrae to fly as fiery wings appeared behind her and cast Divine Favor
EndlessForms |
Kaab draws her weapon and a blessing from Sarenrae. As the creature moves in Mordrak hastens everyone's movements. The Beatific One moves forward with astounding grace, one of her hands reaching out to knock Omrax's sword from his hands.
disarm: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (5) + 19 = 24
Initiative:
1. Mordrak and Kaab
2. Sulukta
3. Arnoth and Omrax
You guys are up!
Arnthoth Koortuskson |
Arnthoth whistles for Volfie to enter the room, and motions to the wolf to flank.
Volfie Full Speed Acro to avoid AoO: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25
Arn then steps west and swings his hammer twice!
Ragin' Power Attack, FF, Flank: 1d20 + 18 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 18 + 4 = 40
Damage: 1d12 + 13 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 13 + 9 = 25
Iterative Ragin' Power Attack, FF, Flank: 1d20 + 13 + 4 - 3 ⇒ (3) + 13 + 4 - 3 = 17
Damage: 1d12 + 13 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 13 + 9 = 24
Arnthoth Koortuskson |
Forgot Arn's Elemental Rage.
Elemental Rage (fire): 1d6 ⇒ 4
Lesser Elemental Rage (cold): 1d6 ⇒ 4
And forgot Haste!, please add +1 to the above attack rolls.
Hasted Attack: 1d20 + 18 + 4 + 1 - 3 ⇒ (8) + 18 + 4 + 1 - 3 = 28
Damage: 1d12 + 13 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 13 + 9 = 26
ER (fire): 1d6 ⇒ 1
Omrax the Bold |
Omrax will pick up his sword and swing at the creature.
provoking aoo if it still stands ac 27.
Omrax +1 EO bane longsword, haste, pa: 1d20 + 14 - 3 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 14 - 3 + 2 + 1 = 27
for Bane, pa: 1d8 + 5 + 6 + 2d6 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 5 + 6 + (1, 2) + 2 = 17
Omrax the Bold |
Forgot to add in flank, if it matters. Although with min damage, it hardly matters. :(
"You shall feel the bite of the blade of the Inheritor, vile creature!"
EndlessForms |
The Beatific One slaps at Volfie as he runs past:
unarmed strike: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (13) + 18 = 31
damage: 1d10 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15
Arnoth then twice hits the asura but without a good-aligned weapon the hit is less effective. Omrax uses the moment to reach down and retrieve his sword (how could they not give this thing Combat Reflexes? Dex 24 and a million attacks), stabbing up into the many-armed guardian. Again, his weapon only scratches the evil creature.
Initiative:
1. Mordrak and Kaab
2. Sulukta (42 dmg)
3. Arnoth and Omrax
Mordrak and Kaab are up!
Kaâb Al-Burda |
Kaâb call Sarenrae for help
Then she began to dance move action : battle dance
EndlessForms |
Kaab begins a dance blessed by her goddess!
Initiative:
1. Mordrak and Kaab
2. Sulukta (42 dmg)
3. Arnoth and Omrax
Mordrak is up!