Hollow's Last Hope (Inactive)

Game Master nilesr

Gilmork shrugss as the others are talking fair wages with their former enemy as he sees Jaxom looking at him.

When the group is done discussing he tells Silas. "Vade's tower is also a staging area in some way for Kreed, I'd suggest we waste as little time as possible to clear the current residents out and see if Vade's still there to help us. Otherwise we might find useful things there to help us in the fight against Kreed himself."

"Also would it be wise for us to burn down the building? If Kreed doesn't already know of our return and our goals here, would we want him to know by building a signal fire? It could increase the amount of opposition we face when attempting to clear Vade's tower or approach Kreed's mansion."

Silas considers for a moment, "Perhaps you are right. Maybe we should just throw Bloodeye's corpse in the river. Poetic justice if you like."

"I agree with Gilmork. We should take the tower."

Ok. Waiting on Hecktor who may have missed my own post liked I missed Silas' ;)

"If the tower is what you folks want next, so be it. And let's spare this building but burn Bloodeye's body. I don't want that ugly monster coming back as undead."

Is there a fireplace in here to throw him in? It'll stink, but other than that

Erm, you were taken aside by Silas. Later you were suggesting a new job for the merc. Niles spoilered in a post way back i could do downtime work for 40gp a/week. So that'd be 5,7gp per day.

"Fair rate? Last time i worked i got 40gp for a week."

Hecktor looks at the other merc.
"That included some action. I reckon Bloodeye underpaid that and claimed his own rate to be fair, didn't he?"

Silas isn't too interested in the merc, his mind is on other things. Anyway when the others express an interest in clearing Vade's tower he sighs, "Might be sensible. I know some of the layout, I was given a key, but there where rooms I was made to promise I'd never enter. Oh and things may have changed in there for the worst. It used to be very clean but I doubt that's still the case. When are you planning on doing this?"

"I guess as soon as all of us are fit to. Kreed will no doubt hear of Bloodeye's end if we wait till tomorrow. Time is of the essence now, we can't linger. If we clear Vade's tower now, we could perhaps join up with Michael and his band of brothers tomorrow, join hands to beat those trolls, harpies and that giant. Speaking of trolls, we'd probably need something to counter their self-healing abilities. You think Vade would have had any counter-measures for them?"

"He wouldn't be much of a wizard if he wasn't prepared for monsters as well as men."

Ok so, whats next chaps? Resting? Going to the tower? Something else?

It's currently about 10PM.

I propose a rest, get your spells back.
The harpies are more likely to come back if we head for the tower now, than later when we inspect the tower when they leave.

"I don't know that he prepared for whatever caused the hole in in his tower, but the wards on his door still stand strong. I can burn the trolls."

Silas adds a little uncertinly, "I believe I can counteract their song, by well heckling. Maybe we should try to eliminate the threat they pose tonight. I fear what might happen to tge townsfolk if we take on The Gavel if they are still there..."

Ideally we'd take them on rested, but I suspect we'll run out of time.

My thoughts exactly. Better take care of those harpies now that they're not at a defensive spot. Or take the defensive spot from them.

"I'd agree with Silas's assessment. We should minmize the town's casualties and destruction. Enough have suffered already, except for the ones that deserved it."

"Tell you what," He says to the merc, "You help us out, and I'll pay you 8 gold a day. Bonus is possible depending on how much you impressed. You tried to kill me, but you can fight, and this might even do your soul some good in the long run. Interested?"

The man accepts the offer without hesitation Sure. and he scoops up his weapon and cleans it.

Heading to the tower, I'll get my map ready. Describe how you get there..its across town from the Rouge Lady

Silas ponders, "If we're going to do this tonight, I suggest we skirt around town, perhaps a mile away from the Gavel's residence and enter from the south. The reason being our actions will have brought a lot of attention to the northern end of town. I'd prefer not not meet the patrons again tonight."

He grimaces, "Unless that is you want me to spread some dissent. I imagine they'll be rather annoyed and we may be able to channel that anger..."

"Let's go quickly and quietly. We should avoid any obvious resistance, but the tower is not far from us."

Silas nods, "Which is why I think we should circle round to the south. Anyway sooner we get going the sooner we're there" and with that he starts making his way there.

Lucanor nods, "Sorry for my part in the delay." He looks at the man he just hired and hands him three gold, "Up front to encourage. What's your name?"

Rithelm Waltin. the man says in a tone suggesting he doesn't really want to get to know you.

I'm camping this weekend with the family, so no map update until Sunday afternoon at the earliest....sorry.

The party moves into the outskirts of town. The night is dark, and full of terrors...

I'll need perception/survival (whichever is higher) and what light sources do you have if any.

Perception:1d20 + 15 ⇒ (3) + 15 = 18

Not sure how much light the group wants to risk

As they travel, Silas keeps a muted dancing lights spell active once they're away from town. Aware this might garner unwanted attention, he keeps it low to the ground and some distance in front. The idea being to give just enough light to guide his way, but no more.

As best he can, Silas keeps on his guard. Weapons loose in their sheathes.
Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (11) + 9 = 20

Hecktor isn't much of the perception in nighttime situations.
Instead, he keeps his eyes on the road.

Survival: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (16) + 9 = 25

Gilmork will use one of his moonrods if Silas doesn't want to cast Dancing Lights for fear of attraction/discovery.

"I think this might be less conspicuous Silas. Though I might be the only one to properly see in these sort of conditions."

Gilmork keeps an eye out for any signs of trouble, but keeps a close look at the ground as well for signs of tracks.

Survival: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (15) + 10 = 25

The party manages its way through the forest and circles the town. How does it propose to get into Falcons Hollow, go over the wall near to Vade's Tower or through the southern Gate?

Niles how high are the walls? Hecktor seems to be our best climber, by far.

Silas considers the task and then in a whisper he asks, "What do you reckon Hecktor. Those walls don't look too difficult, but will you be noisy going over? I usually sweet talk my way past the gate, but I have my doubts that will work tonight."

Me? In my full plate...? ^^

"Well, it'll be tricky, plus i reckon the sound of metal on stone would be a give away."

For fun sake, let's see.
Climb: 1d20 + 9 - 3 ⇒ (12) + 9 - 3 = 18

Gilmork looks at Hecktor's probable futile attempt and whispers: "Allow me Hecktor, I've got my fair share of experience climbing trees."

Climb check: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24

If he gets atop the wall, he'll throw down a piece of rope so the other can climb up.

As he goes Silas stops him saying, "Wait up Hecktor!" With a grin he adds, "Pretty sure you had a rope, you might want to use that. Oh, and what where you saying? I can't hear you..."

Silas uses Whisper to cast Silence over Hecktor, so he doesn't make a racket as he climbs.

Fortunately for the party, the "guards" are really bad at their job and with the rope they are able to climb unopposed over the wall. The crooked shape of Sharvaros Vade's tower looms ahead of you. The doors closed.

Seeing the door, Silas shivers knowing that what's inside is likely changed and very dangerous. Gingerly he produces a key and whispers, "I was given this, but there where strings attached. Vade said, 'I will give you a key, but you must never proceed into any other of my experimental rooms. Give me your word.' I kept my word, until now. We must clear the tower, but I don't suppose we'll be thanked for it. Try not to touch things in here, they could be dangerous although if you find any Black Onyx I'd be curious to know what he was doing with it."

With his heart in his mouth, he puts the key in the lock and turns it...
perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 15

The door opens without a sound and swings in as if well greased. No doubt some magic ensorcells the door.

The interior of the tower is pitch black. Silas knows that the first floor is the storage area for Vade. The second story is where the lab was...Silas was not allowed entry into the third and upper floors. He knows them to be Vade's quarters and private areas. Hecktor and Jaxom know that the gash in the building was in the upper floors, probably the fourth and fifth floors if they had to guess.

Map updated

"Maybe you should let the rest of us check those rooms instead, Silas. Not sure how you feel about loopholes and all, or how Vade would, but it's an option," Lucanor says

"The ruckuss earlier came from up higher.
4th, 5th floor maybe? Whatever measures Vade's taken, those freaks got through them."

Gilmork's moonrod at least provides some light for the ones better able to see in dim light.

"I think Vade would mind if he was here. I don't think he would mind us clearing his tower, though he always seemed a little testy to me."

Gilmork moves inside 5 feet and looks around carefully before moving in any further.
"Sweep the ground floor first I'd reckon? Make as little noise as possible."

Perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (7) + 10 = 17

"Thanks Luc, I don't think Vade had anticipated this. Or if he had, I badly misjudged him... Unless I'm mistaken, the sanctity of his home is already well and truly defiled. I doubt it'll make any difference to him if I go up there or not."

Of course saying that did't change the fact that walking about uninvited in a mage's tower was dangerous.

Somewhat nervously Silas warned the others, "Better be on your guard. The lower levels were always very tidy, but there could be anything up there. I'd like to believe what we will find is not of Vade's doing, but we can't be sure. I'd suggest we touch nothing and take nothing. And we probably want to check for enchantments before entering any room. Speaking of which Jaxom and I'd better see if there's anything here. If there's nothing we'll do as Gilmork says and head up, checking for enchantments as we go."

Silas casts detect magic, and look for anything unusual, who knows maybe Vade left a note somewhere. He will repeat this on the floor above
Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (19) + 9 = 28

I'm going to assume that the party doesn't dig into things but instead is just looking for threats and the like. Let me know if you do decide to search more thoroughly. Also, it takes 3 rounds and a Kn:Arcana check to identify auras. So, it would take a while to get through rooms...since Vade has a bunch of different spells/items that might give off auras. Keep that in mind when calculating timing for buffs and other spells.

At the bottom level there are at least four auras.
Faint Transmutation DC 16
Faint Evocation DC 17
Faint Necromancy DC 18
Faint Transmutation DC 16

The bottom level of the tower looks undamaged and seems in decent order. Boxes labeled as foodstuffs and other mundane items along with some simply labeled "Ingredients" or "Components"

One room has a grate that overlooks an Oubliette, which is thankfully empty.

The kitchen area looks like it hasn't been used and the hearth is cold.

The laboratory (2nd Floor) has at least a dozen auras three that stand out are
Moderate Evocation DC 19
Moderate Necromancy DC 20
Faint Illusion DC 16

The laboratory is quiet, but sounds come from above...I'll need stealth checks and who is carrying lights?

Gilmork would be carrying a moonrod unless Silas casts Light on something or somebody ignites a torch.

Stealth: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (17) + 19 = 36

Silas whispers to Lucanor and Gilmork, "Maybe you and or Gilmork should scout ahead, but don't go too far. I'll try and determine what these auras are."

Silas thinks, 'I hope we don't need to take anything, but knowledge is power. Knowing what there is here may save our lives.'

Lower floor.
Spellcraft: Faint Transmutation: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (13) + 11 = 24

Spellcraft: Faint Evocation: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (4) + 11 = 15

Spellcraft: Faint Necromancy: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (7) + 11 = 18

Spellcraft: Faint Transmutation: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (15) + 11 = 26

Second floor
Spellcraft: Moderate Evocation: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (12) + 11 = 23

Spellcraft: Moderate Necromancy: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (1) + 11 = 12

Spellcraft: Faint Illusion: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (6) + 11 = 17

Stealth: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14
Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10
Silas finds himself engrossed in the task of cataloging the magical auras. Still he has to ask Jaxom in a whisper, "What do you make of this necromantic aura?"

It's knowledge arcana to identify magic auras...not spellcraft so I treated your rolls as if they were 3 lower...
Lower
Faint Trans. A spell to cause food to spoil less quickly on a box (Prestidigitation basically)
Faint Trans. A spell to cause food to spoil less quickly on a box (Prestidigitation basically)

Upper
Mod. Evoc Fire Trap on a book

Would be 1 higher then, due to the seal stone

"I wish I could help you decipher these auras, noble Silas. But I'm am not well schooled in such things."

Jaxom will help point out the active auras to the rest of the party so that they do not accidentally stumble into a trap.

The Sealstone gives a +4 on Knowledges? I don't remember and its not on your sheet.

Lower:
Faint Necromancy: Cause Fear on a box unlabeled

Upper:
Faint Illusion: Magic Mouth on a set of alchemical supplies

It's on the loot spreadsheet, and has been for ages. I never got around to putting it on the character sheet :/

Silas replies, "The only enchantments so far are nothing to worry about unless you have prying hands. I'd expect stronger and stranger things upstairs. Still I think we'd better wait for Gilmork before heading up."

Silas then awaits Gilmork's return, although he keeps an ear open for any signs of trouble...
Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (13) + 9 = 22

"I'll keep my mitts to myself."

Jaxom is also careful to not touch anything that glows. "Perhaps we can take find something that can aid us."

Silas smiles sadly, "In truth I doubt you'll find anything particularly valuable or useful down here. After all Vade let ME have access into these chambers..."

"All we can do is stay on our toes.
We can't be ready for everything, but we can sure damn try."

Lucanor keeps a look out Perception:1d20 + 15 ⇒ (2) + 15 = 17

Guess we're waiting to find out the results of Gilmorks's scouting.