Hungry Voodoo's Mines of Zolurket
Game Master voodoo chili

Once clear of the gatehouse, Lockjaw surveys the outer keep. Two towers bracket the passage you just left. The one on the right is mostly collapsed, but the other appears intact with stairs leading to the entrance at the battlement level.

Beyond the ruined tower on the right, are gardened terraces that are fenced and well maintained. Directly ahead are the stairs to climb the steeply rising motte to the inner keep above and Zolurket's entrance. Currently four humanoids laden with large baskets and bags near the top of the stairs to the inner gate.

Who or what might those be? Doesn't seem like a place that should have people wondering around so casually.

Mankato is trying to not be so loud and obvious as Lockjaw.

Thanks Voodoo but not complaining. Just so tired of it being this way. I am blessed in many ways and know I just have to let this work itself through.

Mankato, I hope things turn around!

Karrak dons his hood and begins to climb the stairs, trying to act natural but get a glimpse of the people on top of the stairs.

Stealth: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (4) + 0 = 4
Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13

Despite the conspicuous dwarves at the foot of the stairs, the burdened figures do not appear to hear or see them and disappear into the shadowed inner keep.

What would be our current action? I would scout out the keep and find out the inhabitants. In the process a safe refuge for the night should be located.

Daeron keeps an eye on the inner keep, ready for any sudden reappearance.

"We'll need ta go in. No time ta make it back. Course ain't no festrog up either."

I agree. I am curious on who they might be as it seemed as if they were had no worries.

Mankato is curious on if they saw ghosts instead of real figures.

"From afar this place seems abandoned but now we see well-kept gardens and people going in. Could be haunted."

Knowledge: Religion 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21 (+2 more if it pertains to dwarves) to see if he knows a likely explanation.

"I propose we investigate the towers and the gardens while we are here, and then venture into the entrance."

Daeron nods, agreeing. He rechecks his bow, nocking an arrow in before waiting to proceed.

The figures were far too substantial to be ghosts and judging by the disturbed soil in the garden and the sacks and baskets they carried, you surmise that they were gathering food.

Investigating the nearby fortifications, you find that the ruined tower near the garden has lost its top floors and only the ground floor looks intact though barred by a stout trapdoor in the floor of the mid-level room. The other tower seems mostly intact. Entering at the mid-level, you find half the ceiling missing and the chamber below filled with rubble. The room seems somewhat secure if a little open to the elements.

Time passes and the sky continues to darken. A couple bats, loathed by followers' of Torag, detach from the partial ceiling of the better preserved tower and flitter off.

"Damned bats. Let's check that tower."

Lockjaw stumps to the door of the tower the bats have so recently vacated.

The West (bat) Tower is the one that's inhabitable though the roof needs repair. The East Tower is the partially collapsed one though the foundations look solid.

We need to secure a refuge for tonight. The tower with the bats looks a worthier gamble on our restricted time.

Did you mean habitable for the West tower?

Same thing. Uninhabitable is the opposite of inhabitable/habitable as far as I know. There may be the same confusion as flammable/inflammable= same thing.
What's the consensus- holding up or pushing on?

No one else has chimed in to stop him so Lockjaw is going to head into the bat tower.

Lockjaw- I just fast forward through a quick investigation of the lower fortifications. You are assumed to have checked out everything already. The west (bat) tower is empty and provides some shelter. The east tower is mostly collapsed except the lowest level which lies unexplored below a half buried trapdoor.

Yeah, quite confused with the in/unin thing. Double negatives and all that. Thanks.

Daeron looks on to the darkening sky and airs his concerns.
Our current situation would be in favour to halt and prepare for the darkness. Tempting fate to push on would invite calamity should we be unprepared.

Daeron airs out his bat familiar, in the approaching dusk. He tosses Ghema, allowing for the bat to seek his daily diet of insects.

Karrak shies away as Ghema flies free but he tries not to show distaste.

"I hope these folk don't mind us camping in their tower. They sure don't seem to use it, though." Karrak prepares to make camp.

You'd think dwarves would be used to bats!

Daeron- yeah, English is a mutt language so don't expect consistency ;) Do we have a quorum for camping?

I think so.

Lockjaw prepares the camp and sets up a guard station. Depending on location he will set up barricades to defend behind, much like the festrog tunnel.

The tower is perhaps more easily defended and certainly more hospitable than the death tainted festrog warren. The door is recoverable and the boulder strewn stairs would make an assault more difficult. Although on the threshold of the potentially haunted and likely gnoll infested mine, you feel somewhat secure as you settle in for the night.

The night would draw out the perils of this place. Though my familiar informs that we may find the local bat swarms especially unwelcoming.

Daeron finds a sheltered spot and begins to prepare for the night.

After making another poor meal of trail rations, you settle in for the night with Chitleen taking the first watch. Karrak relieves him as a lean moon begins its descent.

perception1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14
Karrak doesn't notice anything unusual.

As the long hours stretch through the dark and quiet night, Karrak keeps a wary watch on his sleeping companions. About halfway through his watch, he rises to stretch his legs and sharpen his attention. At this moment, a silent noose falls from the hole in the ceiling and settles around his neck.

Karrak- give me a DC 15 reflex save to get out a strangled call before your breath is cut off, entangled.

1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11

Mmmph!

Assuming I would be sitting on watch with my crossbow.

Karrak fires straight up in the air.

1d20 + 3 - 2 ⇒ (20) + 3 - 2 = 21 the -2 is for entangled

crit confirmation? 1d20 + 3 - 2 ⇒ (20) + 3 - 2 = 21

nice. that'll do so give me some damage.

Booyah! Double 20

um, still no damage roll?

got it. 2d10 ⇒ (1, 1) = 2 wow. you really should have rolled that :P

As the rope yanks upward digging into Karrak's throat, he raises his crossbow and fires straight up miraculously hitting one of his hidden assailants which gives a soft grunt.

Round 1
Night raiders
Karrak
Mankato
Lockjaw
Chitleen
Daeron

As Karrak is hauled choking upward through the roof, a gray beam of light strikes him from above. Karrak- 3 hp damage and 4 strength damage, fort save DC 15 for half. Despite the frantic action of Karrak kicking and struggling as he is drawn through the hole, little sound is actually made to awaken his companions.

Fort save1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16

OK, let me straighten out the action.
Surprise- Karrak noosed.
Round 1- Karrak lifted to ceiling. fires bolt, crits kinda.
Everyone else give me a DC 20 perception (listen) check to be awakened by the struggle.

Round 1

Lockjaw snores in his sleep, no doubt dreaming of finding magical armor he can sleep in.

Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12

He wakes briefly before breaking wind and returning to his slumber.

Perception: 1d20 + 9 - 10 ⇒ (2) + 9 - 10 = 1

Mankato does not hear anything other than the snoring.

Waiting on Daeron's check. Chitleen should be back pretty soon, but I'll roll for him once Daeron goes.

Daeron 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25
Ghema 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19
Chitleen 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (9) + 10 = 19

Fortunately, Daeron rouses from his trance state at the sound of the crossbow firing and sees Karrak dragged through the hole. He gives a shout of alarm.

Round 2
Night raiders
Karrak
Mankato
Lockjaw
Chitleen
Daeron

Perception DC 10 to awaken this round.

Round 2

Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9

"snerk"

STR: 12/14
HP: 4/21 (4 points non-lethal)

Knowledge check to identify: 1d20 ⇒ 11 +? (religion is +5) In particular, are they undead?

If I can: channel energy, healing: 2d6 ⇒ (1, 1) = 2, unless I have identified any of them as undead, in which case I will channel using the Turn Undead ability to cause them to flee (Will DC 12).

Do I have my dorn-dergar on my belt where I can get to it?

Round 2:

Perception: auto-success DC 10 with a +9 mod

Awakening to find Karrak vanished and Daeron gesticulating above to a hole in the ceiling Chitleen rolls to his feet muttering dark words in his ancestral tongue.

Standard action still to spend - from the description it would appear Karrak has been noosed onto the roof of the tower we are in... is there any internal way aloft to where he is?

Acting quickly, Chitleen looks for a way up and sees only the ruined stairs which deteriorate steadily until they crumble away to nothing just before the gaping hole. DC 15 Climb to pull yourself up onto the roof.

Let's say Daeron got off a dancing lights spell.
Karrak- they are not undead. you have your dergar, but won't be able to use a two handed weapon while grappled.

Round 2 Continued:

Eyeing the stairs with deep suspicion, Chitleen sees little alternative and commits himself to the endeavor...

Climb: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 1 = 12

...making an elf-ful effort, but still lacking in sufficient athletic conduct to reach the roof. He yells "Up Lockjaw and Mankato... lest Karrak be lost to us!"

Having trouble with my ISP, need to bot Daeron as currently I'm getting to the net at my campus. I'll work things out and resume asap.

STR: 12/14
HP: 10/21 (plus 2 pts nonlethal)
Channel Energy 3/4

Mankato jerks awake at the yell. He climbs to his feet and What is going on? Where is he lost to?

Mankato succeeds with a min of 10 percep.

Mankato leaps to his feet at Daeron's shout though the foul smelling dwarf continues snoring loudly until Daeron kicks him. Chitleen rushes up the falling stairs and grabs the edge of the roof though it proves more difficult than he imagined to pull himself over.

Round 3
Night raiders
Karrak
Mankato
Lockjaw
Chitleen
Daeron

Round 3:

Judging his own inadequate climbing technique, and the fact that Mankato would be of more use above - Chitleen elaborates "Above, on the roof... Hurry and I will try and help you." setting himself up to give Mankato assistance in forging upwards.

Aid Another (Climb): 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 1 = 19

STR: 12/14
HP: 10/21 (plus 2 pts nonlethal)
Channel Energy 3/4

Karrak flails at his captor with the crossbow in an attempt to make him release the rope.

Combat maneuver to escape a grapple
1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7 subtracting 1 from my normal CMB for STR damage

I believe we're waiting on Mankato. up and over.

Round 3

"Eh, what? Where's Karrak?"

Lockjaw rolls to his feet, grabbing his axe and shield as he does so.

I'll move it ahead. Daeron- unsure which are your prepared spells. the * marks? please clarify and list near the top of your alias.
Mankato climb 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 7 + 2 = 21

Mankato grabs Chitleen's proffered hand and vaults onto the roof to find Karrak hard pressed by two horrible bat-faced men whose wings hang like a leather cloak about their chain shirt clad forms. The priest is restricted by a noose around his neck kept tight by a gray robed man as his companions attempt to beat the cleric unconscious.

Daeron climbs the stairs to a better vantage point and empowers his bow for maximum damage. The man on the noose attempts to rein in the dwarf as one of the thugs lands a powerful blow on Karrak. Karrak- 10 non-lethal

Round 4
Night raiders
Karrak
Mankato
Lockjaw
Chitleen
Daeron

map.