GM Lari's Labyrinth of Hungry Ghosts (Core) (Inactive)

Game Master Dhenn

If that were the case, would that candle we found earlier do anything? Or the grave salt stuff Benarry gave us?

Doubtful's money is still on evil doppelganger!

Jaohd Fort Stun: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
Jaohd Fort Rayl: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 1 = 14

Doubtful lands two solid blows, and Jaohd's body goes limp. Once Imrana's ray hits, he seems to be heavily sagging under the weight of his armor.

Dunkel lands another serious blow, though Jaohd remains standing, armor clanking as he gently sways.

The party is up again.

30

Not being one to look a gift horse in the mouth, Wyatt fires a brace of arrows into Jaohd.

+1 Mighty[+2]Composite Longbow: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 5 + 1 = 18, for 1d8 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 3 + 1 = 6 damage.
+1 Mighty[+2]Composite Longbow: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 5 + 1 = 17, for 1d8 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 3 + 1 = 7 damage.

Sheesh, what kind of paladin has a +1 fort save? More proof he's a faker!

On the plus side, he should have dropped his sword... someone grab it before the stun wears off maybe?

Jair sheates back her wand and draw the one of cure light wounds

Keep him alive ! We don't know if he's controled or it's just not him at all !

Doubtful glowers in concentration, as he once more strikes out at a nerve center, and then follows the blow up with another kick to the soft bits.

non-lethal Flurry of blows once more, with stunning fist again on the first shot.
Stopping should he succumb to wounds of course.

Flurry1, flank, bless: 1d20 + 8 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 8 + 2 + 1 = 24, for1d8 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7 non-lethal plus stun (DC 16 Fort negates).
Flurry2, flank, bless: 1d20 + 8 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 8 + 2 + 1 = 21, for1d8 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6 non-lethal.

Ragnar again tries to touch the man with fatigue! Touch: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

Dunkel shifts his axe to one hand and picks up Jaohd's weapon.

"Ye'll not be needed this, lad!"

He then takes a couple steps back, allowing Doubtful to finish the job.

If someone could move Imrana two squares left of Jaohd(?), I would appreciate it

Imrana moves into the room, trying to find a clear shot.

Ray of Frost (point blank shot, bless): 1d20 + 4 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 4 + 1 + 1 = 8
Damage (point blank shot): 1d3 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

done :)

That doesn't look 2 squares left =)

depends where is left :P

and how many is 2 squares!

lol, fixed :)

I swear I posted here last night, but I have no idea where that post might have gone.

Wyatt's arrow hits Jaohd in the chest, and Doubtful's punches knock the man to the floor. As it falls, a shadowy humanoid figure pours out of his mouth, before quickly sinking into the ground.

Out of combat. There's an unconscious man here, and a door leading deeper into the maze.

wait... a shadow demon of some sort? I *hate* shadow demons!
Is the creature ID'able? (Knowledge (religion): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15 is all I've got =))

Make sure you're up on the rules for incorporeal things moving through solid objects... (ie: they can't unless its less then 5' thick). He can't really go anywhere unless the floor's pretty thin, so would normally have to pop back up again here.

Then again, the writers of these things might not be up on them either, so perhaps they wrote it like this =)

Doubtful jumps, as the strange shadowy creature flows out of Jaohd's mouth.

"What the..." He exclaims. "That's no doppelganger!"

His eyes start darting around frantically, expecting the thing to pop back up again and attack them at any moment.

"What was that?!"

"I said there was something seriously wrong!"

Wyatt dourly moves forward, and prods the unconscious man.

"Anyone want to wake him up, and see if we can get to the bottom of what is going on around here?"

Know. Religion: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 9 = 13

Remember ! We have a wand against incorporeal things like that !

don't remember who's have it !

I will Wyatt. Jair use her wand of cure light wounds on the unconscious paladin

CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

@Doubtufl : An incorporeal creature can enter or pass through solid objects, but must remain adjacent to the object's exterior, and so cannot pass entirely through an object whose space is larger than its own. It can sense the presence of creatures or objects within a square adjacent to its current location, but enemies have total concealment (50% miss chance) from an incorporeal creature that is inside an object. In order to see beyond the object it is in and attack normally, the incorporeal creature must emerge. An incorporeal creature inside an object has total cover, but when it attacks a creature outside the object it only has cover, so a creature outside with a readied action could strike at it as it attacks. An incorporeal creature cannot pass through a force effect.

@Jair that's what I mean. It can't move through more than 5' of solid... so unless there's a room less than 5' below us, its more-or-less, just stuck in the stone right where it entered.

"Wha?!" Doubtful says, "Do we really want to wake him up?" He adds, with a worried frown.

"That was probably some sorta a trick! He eyes the unconscious man just as suspiciously as before.

Can we tie him up first? =)

@Doubtful: Not quite true - as long as it stays *adjacent* to the surface, it can stay underground, and move laterally... It just can't go any deeper, unless the floor is less than 5' thick.

Wyatt waits patiently, to see what the 'Paladin' has to say for himself.

Ragnar harumphs. Knowledge Planes: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (19) + 12 = 31

"Well then. This place seems to get inside ye a bit too literally for my tastes. Get that? Inside ye, literally! Ha!" The loss of some of the stolid dwarf's wisdom seems to gave affected his sense of humor...

I will be traveling this weekend so I may not be able to post.

@Wyatt: that is not true. Whether you're going up/down or left/right, you're still trying to pass through a solid object. It can't do that. The wording is why it can't do it, not a way to bypass the rule.

Wyatt is correct

Imrana tilts her head and stares at Ragnar as he makes his joke. When he throws on the "Ha!" at the end, she finally appears to realize it was a joke.

"Hah! You are very funny. A joke around the use of the word 'literally.' Literally, a joke, so to speak."

There's an anxious expectance to her voice, as though she is subtly seeking confirmation that she understood the humor properly.

"So, which way were we going?"

Knowledge (planes or religion): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12

Dunkel has other Knowledges at +6 too if one of those wasn't the right one.

Dunkel stands, exasperated at the shadowy aberration leaving Jaohd's body.

"That was no ghost, now was it?"

"So, which way were we going?"

"Is home an option?" Doubtful mutters unhappily, only half joking.

I learned something new. In that case, the figure would have gone for the wall, into the maze. Some of you might get AOOs, but I'm pretty confident you won't drop it.

While most of you recognize the creature as some form of incorporeal undead, it doesn't seem to match any of the common types you've heard of. Ragnar is the exception using your Religion bonus for that roll. He recognizes that this creature seems to be formed from an incredibly old soul, likely some sort of magic user kept animate through some unknown process. Cold and electricity damage will almost certainly be useless, and spell resistance will be a problem in any case.

It can clearly possess the bodies of other creatures, and it likely retains at least some of the magical abilities it had in life.

It sounds like you're waking Jaohd up?

As he comes to consciousness, Jaohd looks around, and begins speaking, in Common.

"Thank you! I thought I'd never escape that foul creature's control. I am so sorry that it made me hurt you. Please, let me tend to your wounds.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (10) + 9 = 19

Jair stays alert for any new false claim Jaohd could have.

Happy to have you back Pathfinder ! She says before adding

I need to asks you some question, just to be sure.

once all the questions are answered she asks

Can you tell us what happend with your mission ?

Doubtful is just as wary of Jaohd now as he was before.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11

Though his attention seems divided between the paladin, and whatever the strange shadowy creature was, sure that its going to pop back out of a wall or floor at any moment to continue accosting them.

Leaving the chatting to the chatty types! =)

Dunkel crosses his arms and takes up a position between Doubtful and Ragnar, although he stands quite a bit closer to the suspicious dwarf, giving the necromancer several extra inches.

To Jair's question, he gives a nod and adds a dwarven, "Aye".

Go chatty types!

Ragnar shares his wisdom. "Probably an old soul, for one to linger that long it needs power. Cold and electricity won't work and it will resist most of our magics. Foul things that lurk so long."

Do you know how strong he is Ragnar ?

Did he have more than 4HD :P

suspect its a safe bet...

Ragnar shakes his head. "Probably stronger than my magics. We should be wary. Anything that can so completely dominate a person will be strong."

It seems likely it's more powerful than 4 HD. Moving on a bit. Is Jaohd staying here or coming along?

After another hour navigating the labyrinth, you arrive in the parlor of an upscale brothel, but it is covered in a thin layer of dust. Shelves holding various trinkets, ships in bottles, and decorative glassware line the walls. A table and three large chairs, all made of fine mahogany, sit in the southern end of the room. Garlands of dried flowers surround a fancy ceramic urn on the table. To the north, a short flight of stone steps extend to a raised area obscured by an emerald-colored lace curtain. Bronze statues of women in sailor’s garb with hollow eye sockets stand at the base of the dais. Each of the statues is covered in a green patina. Sad, brooding music fills the chamber, emanating from a quartet of ghostly musical instruments that float several feet off the floor.

Jaohd Assuming he's with you and in a condition to speak, stares at the statues in awe.

"These must be the work of some master craftsman. The attention to detail is astonishing.

Jaohd had nothing to say about his ordeal? How it got whammied? where his friends are? Etc... Figured he's have something useful to say...

Knowledge(Local): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24.

Wyatt frowns.

"That tune is a mournful one, which was popular amongst the sailors of Ilizmagorti about 300 years ago. I am familiar with the melody and lyrics; is anyone capable of carrying a tune?"

Knowledge(Religion): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11.

He then points at the statues.

"These portray Besmara, goddess of piracy and sea monsters."

...and since I beat the DC 11 Arcana check, which was accidentally folded into that spoiler...

Knowledge(Arcana): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14.

"These statues are actually constructs known as celedons, statues used as religious guardians."

Knowledge (local): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23
Knowledge (religion): 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (9) + 11 = 20
Knowledge (arcana): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14

Imrana nods as Wyatt gives his assessment of the situation. Remembering the melody and lyrics of the song, she begins copying it down into her notes.

Another hour in the maze? Jeeze, this place is the 1st level wand buff killer! =)
Can someone refresh Doubtful's mage armor with his wand?

"Oh no." Doubtful moans, a hint of panic in his voice, as they walk into another room with ghostly instruments playing equally ghostly music.

"I don't dance!" He barks in annoyance, at the room in general, stubbornly planting both feet on the ground and glaring around.

When Wyatt mentions knowing the song, he frowns.

"Probably pulling it direct out of your head." He guesses, as he pulls his cap a little tighter around his own as if to keep something out.

Knowledge (religion): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

"So we don't say the right prayer to the Sea Banshee and they start beating on us?"

He keeps a watchful eye on the statues that the elf claims to be constructs. Sighing mournfully, pretty sure they're going to get beat upon no matter what.

Imrana keeps her circumspect dwarf companion armored with his wand as the time passes.

"Why would they pull the song out of our heads? Do you have a theory?" She kneels down next to Doubtful, pen expectently in hand as she looks at him for an answer.

Know. Local: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9
Know. Religion DC10: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (6) + 11 = 17
Know. Arcana DC11: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15
Know. Arcana DC16: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8

Wyatt shrugs.

"Or we could try matching the tune... I could try, but I'm afraid that I am not really much of a performer."

I'm no musician.

Says Jair unable to recognize the song but able to know that the statues are construct.

Be warry of the statue, they could attack anyone not following Besmara.

Is there something behind the curtain ? She asks

Wyatt shrugs again.

"Well, I can give it a shot... I can't promise that the results will be pleasing the ear, though... I am not what you could call 'classically trained'..."

He then does his best to sing along.

Perform(Sing): 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (20) - 2 = 18.

Local: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (7) + 9 = 16
Religion: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (5) + 11 = 16
Religion: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (10) + 11 = 21

"Yer right. But these statues, these celedon, they're undergoin' a crisis o' faith. If we could convince them to abandon Besmara, they'd probably... cease to be."

Looks like folks made all the Knowledge checks!

Dunkel scratches his chin as he rests his axe on his shoulder.

"Cease t' be? In a good way? Th' music makes it sound like they've already done somethin' sad like abandon their faith... are ye sure we shouldn't do somethin' to rejoin them with their faith so they'd be... ye know, appreciative?"

Any Knowledge check to know what we'd need to do to the statues to either separate them from their faith or rejoin them?

"Oh no, now its got a hold of Wyatt!" Doubtful bemoans, as the elf starts singing along to the ghostly tune.

He moves over towards him, ready to grab him if he starts attacking them like Jaohd did earlier.

Heh, ya, I know he's doing it of his own free will, but still, it'd be in character for this place! =)

Jaohd on his friends: "The undead fog brough Zumek down, and it was shortly after that when the creature took hold of me. I was with the others for a long time, before they realized I wasn't myself. They fled, and I'm not sure what happened to them afterwards.

Diplomacy or Knowledge (Religion) would be the best ways to try and talk the statues into abandoning Besmara, especially if you explain an alternative.

Wyatt sings along to the spectral instruments, and as he finishes the second verse, faint applause can be heard from behind the curtain. A transluscent figure glides through, revealing herself to be a lithe, beautiful woman, in a revealing outfit. A jagged gash cuts across her throat. In a soft, sultry voice, she begins to speak, focusing solely on Wyatt.

"You're clearly a man of refined tastes. I am Lady Kaelitessa Aruvari Kaiiviri, and I'm pleased to make your acquaintance. I would like to propose an...exchange of services. I shall answer any three questions you may have. In return, all I ask is that you take the urn over there, and scatter its contents into the sea. I'm quite eager to move on to the Boneyard. One can only stare at these walls for so long.

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

Imrana jumps back at the sudden appearance of the incorporeal Lady.

"Ah, a ghost. How surprising!"

She caught herself and straightened her posture, giving a concilatory shrug as she returns her attention to her tome.

"Oh, well perhaps not surprising for a Labyrinth of Hungry Ghosts."

She tip-toes up to Wyatt and leans in for an aside.

"Ask her if she is hungry."

Imrana's stomach rumbles, the word reminding her of her own hunger.

Know. Religion: 1d20 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 9 + 2 = 27 I have a masterwork tool for religion hence the +2

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (12) + 9 = 21

Knowing that the creature is a ghost, and that ghost is one of the very few undead able to not be evil, she says.

I think we must listen to her and accept her proposition.

She steps forward and says after a short bow to the ghost

Lady Kaelitessa Aruvari Kaiiviri, I am Jair Whisper, It's an honor to meet you. I'm sure my friend here will be honored to accept your demand.
May he converse with us to know what secret to ask you my Lady ?

Knowledge(Religion): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26.

Wyatt doffs his hat, clicks his heels together, and does his best approximation of a courtly bow.

"Of course, dear lady! Never let it be said that Wyatt McDonald did not aid a damsel in distress. Did you have a particular stretch of sea in mind?"