WhtKnt |
Forgive the delay. It was a long weekend with a lot on the honeydo list.
Nothing radiates magic and nothing moves within the hall. Grumthar can see only more bodies. The corpses include orcs, kobolds, a strange hyena-like creature which looks as though it has had its face and muzzle peeled back, rats, strange insect-like birds, and flat, octopus-like creatures.
Grumthar |
Grumthar whispers in deep tone, "I can see only more bodies further out in the darkness. It looks like a large battle happened here, possibly among various factions, or possibly between the bipedal creatures and the more animal-like ones. Nothing moves about that I can see; it could be safe..."
WhtKnt |
Jamadar creeps slowly through the hall, careful not to step on wayward corpses and alert for possible ambushes or traps. After a time, he reaches the end of the hall. Along the way, he discovers that there are eight exits from the hall; two on the north, two directly opposite them on the south, two further east on the south wall, and one on the east wall, and one on the west wall. Through the open east door, he can see a large room, filled with debris.
Shae Oakenshield |
Shae listens to Jamadar's report on the layout of the room. "I'd rather not have these doors at my back. Let's at least check them first before moving on to the others," he whispers. "Does anyone recognize any of these odd creatures?" he adds.
Before moving on, Shae inspects some of the bodies nearest him, trying to determine if this was one big battle and these creatures killed each other, or if this was a series of smaller battles and these creatures were killed by something else which may still be out there.
Heal: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25
WhtKnt |
As best Shae can tell, several smaller battles were fought here over a period of several weeks or months.
Grumthar |
"Just in case someone else isn't already thinking it; this may not be the best place to hang out," Grumthar whispers worriedly.
Grumthar proceeds, ever so carefully expecting trouble...
Shae Oakenshield |
Shae nods his head in agreement. "Yes, it appears that this was several battles, so something could still be out there. Do you recognize any of these creatures?" he says pointing to the strange hyena-like creature, the strange insect-like birds, and the flat, octopus-like creatures specifically.
Once he gets his answer, he points to the door to the north. "Let's start with the door next to the one we came through. Jamadar, can you do the honors?"
WhtKnt |
My error, the faceless hyena-like critters are more like earless panthers, though the part about their face being peeled away is accurate.
Note that all of the doors leading from the room are open.
Grumthar |
K(arcana): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8
K(arcana): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16
K(arcana): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20
---
WhtKnt |
Assuming that you choose to share, everyone can read the results above for themselves.
Grumthar |
Ooh, my bad. I thought someone else rolled also and I didn't want to steal their thunder.
Will skip the stirge response since I believe we have already encountered them before now...
As Shae asks about the dead things laying all about, Grumthar inspects the various monstrous corpses.
After giving the octopus thing some thought he casually remarks, "Ahh, bloody darkmantles. Little bastards like to drop down from the ceiling and choke the life out of their prey.' He wanders over to the panther looking beast and nudges it around as well, "Never fought one before, but it seems to match the description of a krenshar. Mostly an ordinary cat until it peels its face back and screeches at you. The grotesqueness of its faceless head and the horrific sound is enough to panic even the most tested orc." Grumthar shrugs, "I've heard a caver's tale about wax in the ear helping with the sound, though that wouldn't work well for a spell-slinger like me."
"Hopefully, they have all managed to run their own numbers low. Looks like there's some good meat still left around though. Hrumph!"
Klevum Athknees |
The door is unremarkable and non-magical.
Note that all of the doors leading from the room are open.
It's not just the door... unless its a 1' stone door then the detect magic goes through it for 60' feet.
WhtKnt |
Ah, too true.
WhtKnt |
All the doors to this room are open.
Bollux sees nothing in the corridors beyond the doors.
Shae Oakenshield |
"There is a door down the hall here. Maybe that's where the magic aura you are sensing, Klevum, is coming from. I think we should at least do a cursory look at the rest of the doors in this room first though." He then crosses the room to the door the south and looks around.
perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16
WhtKnt |
Looking south, you see only an empty corridor going south, seemingly with no end. The tug of the magical emanations is definitely coming from the NE. One of the auras is enchantment and the other is abjuration.
Shae Oakenshield |
Shae looks at Klevum and Bollux. "Hold on. Let me check this door here first. You know, Jamadar said there were doors at both ends of this room, but we can go see what Klevum is detecting and come back." He then moves over to the other door in the south wall and looks out.
Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15
WhtKnt |
Also only a featureless corridor that extends to the limit of your vision.
Shae Oakenshield |
"Alright, we can search those hallways later," Shea says as he follows the others into the hallway, stopping outside the doorway to the north to let Jamadar search for traps.
Jamadar |
Jamadar looks around twice, not wanting another shock.
Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23
Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11
If clear he leads the way in. (Watching the roof for darkmantles)
WhtKnt |
Following Jamadar, who is in turn guided by Klevum, the group makes their way through the maze of corridors, on the elusive trail of the magic that Klevum sensed earlier. Stymied by a corridor that only leads further away, they return to the long hall and go back the way they had come, eventually working their way to the source of the magic.
Their way is blocked by a stout wooden door. Klevum affirms that the source of the magic is just beyond the door.
Grumthar |
"Hmmm, this doesn't quite feel so right. I think it would be wise for the rest of us to back up a bit while one tries out the door," Grumthar mentions as he moves back.
WhtKnt |
Jamadar kneels and carefully checks the door for traps. Taking 10 on Perception and Disable Device (if necessary).
Finding nothing of interest and the door being unlocked, he opens it and peers inside. A couple of broken crates are all that remain of interest in this otherwise empty room.
Klevum still feels the tug of magic from the room; more specifically, the door frame.
Grumthar |
Grumthar also casts Detect Magic and studies the door frame for a bit, hopefully to help out with the assessment.
K(Arcana): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22 to discern aura
"We may be able to tell its complete properties, but we would have to likely interact with it in study", the curious half-orc adds.
WhtKnt |
There are two auras present, both faint. One is enchantment, and the other is abjuration.
Grumthar |
"I sense faint auras of enchantment and abjuration on the door. Since touching and opening the door didn't trigger anything, it could be a lot of things. If it is a trap, perhaps something has to step through the door to trigger it. If it isn't meant to be a trap, then ... hmmm ... who knows ...", after pausing for a second he adds, "try throwing something into the room".
WhtKnt |
As the axe whirls through the portal, there is a blast of scintillating lights that appear suddenly in the space between the door frame. The closest four characters looking in that direction (which should be at the very least Bollux and Grumthar) need to make a Will save (DC 13) or be fascinated for 2d4 ⇒ (2, 4) = 6 rounds. At the same time, a piercing klaxon emits from the doorway, sounding for a full 6 seconds before fading, leaving your ears ringing.
Affected: 2d4 ⇒ (3, 1) = 4 HD
Grumthar |
Will: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21 Not fascinated
"WELL I THINK WE FIGURED IT OUT", Grumthar speaks quite loudly, as if his ability to control his speech volume is shot.
"DEFEND the HALLWAY or defend INSIDE THE room??", he continues while also casting Mage Armor. "OH BLAST, something's wrong with BOLLUX!"
AC=15, Mage Armor
WhtKnt |
No sooner has the alarm subsided before a group of something approaches from the east. Grumthar can see an orc in the lead, but they are moving cautiously.
Shae Oakenshield |
When Grumthar points to the door to the left, Shae readies his battleaxe to attack whatever comes through if they make a hostile move.
Readied attack: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14
Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6
WhtKnt |
As the first orc comes around the corner and sees Grumthar and Shae, it suddenly stops. "Orklar kurash istayman, lekin himoya qiladi, balki."
Grumthar |
Grumthar speaks up with one empty palms up, "orada saxlayın. Bu gün mübarizə üçün heç bir ehtiyac yoxdur."
Seeing them respond likewise, Grumthar speaks to the group, "Well, now what? They may not fight us ..."
WhtKnt |
"Raghar e outros procuram lugar para descansar. Raghar não se importa com a luta."
Grumthar |
Grumthar nods, "Ragahr says they are just looking for a place to rest. They don't want to fight. Perhaps we should entreat them to tell us about what they know. I'll ask about the alarm trap first."
He turns back to the lead orc, "Ragahr, qrup qapısını bu səs-küy tələ qurmaq idi? Əgər başqa bir şey gələn ola bilər düşünürsünüz?"
-------------
Sorry guys, I am usually better at checking my games than I was this week. Bollux, Shae, Klevum, or Jam, feel free to continue Grumthar's conversing for me if I don't chime in within a day or two. (I've been using Azerbaijani for Orc if you want full consistency.)