Masks of the Living God (sequel to Crypt of the Everflame) (Inactive)

Game Master Darius Silvermere

Sorry, could get back to the computer until now, though I was under the assumption that I'd just take 10 and see if that worked.

Hmm, silver and copper. Where's the gold?

You two going to check the rest of this... Bigger chest, bags and book?

Of course... I'm hoping that's where the gold is!

I think that means he's checking, opening, etc...

Of the three bags lying on the table, the first is filled with four complete sets of city guard uniforms, matching those worn by the local watch exactly; the second contains 23 silver holy symbols, representing nearly every good and neutral deity, and the final bag contains the pieces of a broken, gold chain that looks to be about 100 years old. You recognize the links of this chain as being similar to the fragments you saw hanging from Asar’s and Kassen’s necks in the crypt of the Everflame.

The book contains an accounting of all of the items in the room. The tome merely shows the items being checked in. It does not mention from where they came.

The large chest is locked. Nivel doesn't see any traps but as soon as he attempts to pick the lock, a cleverly hidden needle shoots out from it. It only causes minor damage, but Nivel soon realizes it contains a quite powerful poison as he experiences an increasing paralyzing effect. (Nivel takes 1 damage to HP from the needle but from the poison he takes 8 ability damage to dexterity which falls to 10! I don't think you have a way of immediately curing poison, so I went ahead and rolled for saves each round.)

needle+10: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (13) + 10 = 23
dmg: 1d3 ⇒ 1
fort+2 DC18: 1d20 ⇒ 51d20 ⇒ 121d20 ⇒ 31d20 ⇒ 151d20 ⇒ 18
dex dmg: 1d2 ⇒ 21d2 ⇒ 21d2 ⇒ 21d2 ⇒ 2

Before the poison takes its full effect, Nivel still manages to unlock the chest. It contains:

4 bags of gold (each holds 200 gp)
5 moonstones (200 gp each)
three empty vials
a set of horseshoes of speed
a single dose of sovereign glue
a +1 cold iron heavy mace
a potion of cure moderate wounds
a potion of gaseous form
a single application of oil of invisibility

While you are sorting through the items, Evlar has moved closer and tries to get your attention: "Um.. guys.. um.. I think there's a cultist.. he was looking in this direction." He points towards the large hallway in the west.

Everybody gets 100 xp from discovering the trap.

Nivel, rest... The rest, ambush. Evlar, you're the bait. Move... Do not block my shot.

I can't just sit here and do nothing. I'll... manage. He'll look to Kyra in hopes that she might know more about this poison.

Heal Check,Discover the type of poison used and duration: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17

Get behind a pillar, then. Snipe from there.. Across from the western entrance, more lays prone with loaded crossbow ready.

Kyra identifies the poison as from a giant wasp. It acts quickly for less than a minute and after that the damage will have to heal as normal. (Giant wasp poison: injury; save Fort DC 18; frequency 1/round for 6 rounds; effect 1d2 Dex damage; cure 1 save.)

Evlar says: "I only saw one cultist. He was looking around the corner. I don't know where he is now."

Yell for help... say "elementals and poison got most of 'em"...hold this. Morg tosses Evlar a dagger.

Nivel will prepare for the ambush by hiding behind a pillar, as suggested.

So I'm at a 10 dex until we get it cured or does it wear off?

Yeah, you got slammed, good... max damage 4 rounds. It's alright, you'll get through. Lesser Restoration and/or a lot of rest.

"Nivel, looks like the poison is from a giant wasp. I can heal it and restore you back to normal but I will need to rest. The Bright Lady will bestow her power on me to restore you back to normal."

Kyra finds tilts one of the tables on its side and hides behind it.

Evlar seems reluctant to call for help as instructed. He looks into the hallway and seeing nobody he says: "Maybe.. maybe there's nobody there anymore."

Go find out.

Griswald moves next to Evlar and sniffs through the doorway.

Perception 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12

Griswald will have to move at least as far as the pivoting wall to be able to smell anything around K5-8 (30ft scent limit without wind). The smell of the dead bodies lying there will also interfere with the potential presence of other cultists.

Evlar looks at Griswald as he sniffs, then decides to cautiously move forward and passes the pivoting wall. There he stops, hides behind a wall and looks at Griswald in a way expressing that he hears nothing.

So far Griswald smells nothing aside from the dead bodies.

Can you specify who wears/takes/uses which items from the large chest?

I'd like the oil of invisibility. I can carry the gemstones also.

Kyra takes the cure moderate wounds potion and hands it over to Griswald. "You're going to need this."

Morg takes nothing.

Morg moans loudly. Unnnngh...

Evlar waits for Griswald to decide about what to do. He will make a sign towards the group that he thinks there's nobody in the vicinity.

Griswald nods, "I think it is clear, let's go" Griswald nudges the elf forward and follows behind.

Evlar refuses at first, but finally decides to slowly move forward. He continues until the corner (l6), looks to the left and right and then whispers. "There's nobody. Ok." He then tries to squeeze past Griswald to move back towards the group.

OK, Gris, now what? You want to try and find this cultist? Assuming that there really was one. Nivel looks at their tag-along and wonders if he really saw anything.

"We move on. There is nothing else to do in that room rather than rest. Let's see what other troubles we can get into." Kyra offers a chuckle.

I will assume Merkava carries all treasure not explicitly taken by someone else.

In reaction to Nivel, Evlar says: "I am sure there was a cultist. I just don't know where he's now. I mean.. he pulled back when I saw him."

Fantastic. Well, they know we're here now. Let's get out of here and make it a little harder on them to find us.

South stairs at L10?

Morg walks down the hall.

Of the three bags lying on the table, the first is filled with four complete sets of city guard uniforms, matching those worn by the local watch exactly; the second contains 23 silver holy symbols, representing nearly every good and neutral deity, and the final bag contains the pieces of a broken, gold chain that looks to be about 100 years old. You recognize the links of this chain as being similar to the fragments you saw hanging from Asar’s and Kassen’s necks in the crypt of the Everflame.

"Look like these cultists were planning on infiltrating the city guards. Look at the city guard uniforms. I think this is proof the Marshal needed. I wonder if the infiltration happen. Also, what were these cultists going to do with all of these holy symbols? Probably infiltrate the various religions and impose their religious ideology is small amounts. Sort of brain washing."

Kyra takes the gold chain and cast Detect Magic on it. "This looks to be of some significance. Why would a necklace of Kassen origin be here?"

Kyra detects no magic on the gold chain.

Is everybody wearing a disguise as a cultist? Do you give a robe and mask to Evlar as well?

On Sept 29 - Oct 2 there was a conversation on using cultist robes. Kyra is wearing one. Gris is wearing the gray robe that Krant (one with the club) was wearing. Nivel is wearing one as well. Morgs wanted to act as prisoner. Some of the robes have not been cleaned up. Evlar did not have a uniform.

Ok so your plan will be to pretend having Morg as a prisoner and all others will wear robes and masks? I guess because of his size, Morg can not convincingly disguise as a cultist.

Evlar looks a bit uneasy but agrees to wear a robe and mask and pretend to be a cultist, if asked to. Firyin and Merkava obviously will also agree with the others.

I really need more feedback before I am going to let you go up any stairs. Nivel suggested taking south stairs l10, but there has been little to no reaction about this and I would like a confirmation about your plan to have Morg pretend being a prisoner and all others disguised as cultists. Your decision about this plan is crucial for any further development, so that's why I would like a clear agreement from everybody.

You have my take on it. By the way, Evlar should be wearing cultist robes as well.

Oh I read that as a confirmation, not a question. I say yes, lets move on that plan and see how it goes. If we find cleaner robes in the room we were just in we should use them.

The story is, so we are on the same page, we are the survivors of the attack with the intruders and we defeated them. We took their bodies and put it in the snake pit, in essence feeding the snake.

Ok, tomorrow I will update and let you proceed with this plan, going up the south stairs. If there's anything you still want to discuss or do before that, make sure you post that soon. So far Morg is not being tied up.

One more thing I like to know is which robes you put on. I understand Griswald will put on the gray robe from Krant, the largest cultist. For the others, you can choose from one black robe, 4 gray robes and 8 white robes.

With all except Morg disguised as cultists, you climb the south stairs and arrive in a well-appointed room.

Plush, gilded chairs, a fine table made from highly polished Andoren darkwood, and a painting on each wall—each depicting the Living God as he battles all manner of foul beasts and bends them to his will—adorn this chamber.

The staircase is separated from the room by a simple silk curtain.

A torch with green flame is set behind iron masks mounted on the wall close to the northwest corner. There's a strong wooden door on the north reinforced with iron bars.

As you look around, you suddenly hear footsteps north, just outside the room. A voice speaks: "Ok people. You three go with Karla and take the north stairs. The rest follows me, we will go down the south stairs. These thugs are dangerous and well armed, so be careful!"

(see map)

Please specify which type of robe you are wearing. Black, grey or white. Also, I am assuming that you left your backpacks behind, because obviously the cultists don't walk around with backpacks. You can hide a few one handed weapons under the robe, but a two-handed weapon like a greataxe or bow would be too big. You can visibly carry a crossbow, shield and rapier, to improve your disguise, as these are the weapons used by the cultists. An exception is Krant, who had only a two-handed greatclub. If Griswald wants to impersonate Krant, he could wield that, but remember that some of the fleeing cultists saw Krant being taken down!

I would wear a white robe. I would still take my shortbow out of being stubborn and I can carry my rapier with no trouble.

Morg steps closer to the table, between his new friends. Let me go, you filthy dog-worshippers!

Griswald is hunched and staggered with the great club in his hands while standing in the back.

Kyra is using the gray robe.

Unless you say otherwise, I will assume Firyin, Merkava and Evlar take gray and white robes as well, bringing the total to 3 gray and 3 white robes.

The north door swings open and an armored man appears, backed by several others wearing the uniforms of city guards.

Seeing you, he looks surprised, but then asks: "What's the situation down there?" (pointing to Morg) "Is this one of the thugs?"

(see map)

Morg brings his hand to his face... and "coughs".

Color Spray, 15ft cone, DC 14... Nivel and 6 common dudes.

Morg, sorry but the common soldiers are behind the solid wall of the room. So far, you only see the leader when he opened the door and the one with sword and shield behind him.

OK, then... Binding Darkness. Ranged Touch Attack.

binding darkness, rta: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20

Shadow School

Binding Darkness (Sp): As a standard action, you cast a weave of shadows at any foe within 30 feet as a ranged touch attack. The shadows entangle your foe for 1 round plus 1 additional round for every five wizard levels you possess. In conditions of bright light, this duration is halved (minimum 1 round). A creature entangled by your shadows has concealment from those without darkvision or the ability to see in darkness, and other creatures likewise have concealment relative to it. You can use this ability a number of times per day equal to 3 + your Intelligence modifier.

As Morg starts casting his shadow weave, the armored man shouts: "Careful!" and he's going to try and step back.

I will wait to complete the combat round so everybody can still post an action.

Morg initiated the action, without anyone knowing... it wasn't a coordinated plan. Is this a surprise round of some sort? With Morg first?

If you are not aware of your opponents and they are aware of you, you're surprised. Here obviously all PC's and at least two NPC's are aware of Morg. Not being aware of someone's plan and intentions doesn't by itself count as not being able to act during a surprise round. So I don't think ruleswise you can say that this is a surprise round. Although PC's will be surprised by Morg's unexpected agression, they could still act for example as if they are trying to prevent Morg from casting. Instead of a surprise round, I could give a penalty to initiative to the other PC's. -4 seems ok I think. The guards are already expecting Morg to be an enemy, so they will in fact be less surprised than the PC's.