Megan Robertson |
All right, with varying levels of assistance from your winged companions, you search the chamber thoroughly with eyeball and magic alike.
Bones.
Lots of bones, fortunately the regular dead sort, no more of the leaping up to attack sort.
No treasure, though. Perhaps they were put here rather than settled here of their own accord?
Then Chatterbeak gets very excited. He's poking around in the east bone pit, and through the racket Varrel finally discerns that he's found a 'hidden hole' in the south wall... this turns out to be a secret door opening on to a very narrow passage.
Peering along it, you can make out narrow steps going up...
The other exit to the room (apart from the steps back up to the mauseoleum) is an opening to the south.
It's dark, apart from the glowing paladin.
Chatterbeak |
Chatter beak is quite pleased with himself, flying about the groups heads.
Chatterbeak is VERY useful, Roofrunner. Chatterbeak can see and hear and smell lots better than Masters friends. Also good at getting things and finding things, like that spider on Roofrunner's shoulder.
The bird quickly dive bombs Una's shoulder and Snatches the spider.and swiftly eats it. Pecking at it on the floor until it stops moving, then downs it.
See? Chatterbeak is Very useful, like Crackerman, who is good at carrying biscuts and showing Chatterbeal how to 'Skoll, Skoll, Skoll, Skoll! from Ale glass. Chatterbeak is NOT good at that, falls over he does...
Recieving a disapproving look from Varrel, Chatterbeal falls quiet and Returns to his perch on Master's shoulder.
Asherick Whiteplume |
Ashe ponders the secret passage in the bone room on his side.
"Hmmm... perhaps. But most skeletal undead sense more motion than sound. A secret passage usually is a way around guardians or traps set for those who would enter through the main entrance... at least that is Pathfinder doctrine on the matter. I think we should look into the secret passage first..."
Majenko flutters down to the entrance of the passage and tentatively sniffs the entrance...
Ashe casts his gaze about at the pile of bones at his feet and glances at the defeated skeletons in the main room he comments, "Its looking more and more like these were not lairing undead but guardian specifically put here to stop intruders..."
Asherick Whiteplume |
Ashe steps over to the Secret Door entrance noting its narrow enough for only single file movement.
"Do you want to take point Varrel or should I?"
He readies his shield, re-slings his Cold Iron Warhammer... and draws 'Dauntless Heart', ready for action again..
Noting the cramped height of the passage Majenko lands perching upon Ashe's armored shoulder.
His thought ominously chiming for all to hear, {'Smells dead...'}
Varrel |
So far we've only seen undead, which you are better equipped to handle. I will go second and remain right behind you. If we encounter anything living I'll try to put it to sleep which won't hit you. Lead on. Varrel keeps his Heavy Mace in hand for now. He makes way for Ashe to lead off.
Asherick Whiteplume |
Ashe nods in approval, "Very well."
Stepping up to the passage entrance Ashe first Detects Evil panning the 60'ft cone around down the passage pausing before entering.
He moves cautiously shield held high for maximum defense.
Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9
[Move Action: Move 20'ft]
[Standard Action: Total Defense]
Next round ...
[Move Action: Detect Evil - 60'ft Cone]
[Move Action: Move 20'ft]
{Repeat alternating}
----------
Majenko: Use senses - Senses : Blindsense 60’ft, Darkvision 60’ft, Low-light Vision, Scent
* Looking for threats.
Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13
[OOC: Wow ...Really!?! I can't roll crap for perception checks! Not ONE!]
Varrel |
Chatterbeak, once more on his Master's shoulder remains quiet and sarches along with Varrel right behind Ashe. Blade in a lowguard, defensive stance.
Varrel Perception (low light vision)1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15
Keep a sharp eye, Chatterbeak. We will likely see something before our Human friend.
Chatterbeak Perception1d20 + 10 ⇒ (1) + 10 = 11
Varrel will Move 20ft per round, taking Standard Actions for Total Defence. He will periodically renew Ashes' light on his Armor. Both Varrel and Chatterbeak will keep thier eyes peeled, repeating spot checks as they go.
Una Therlmagne |
Una follows along in the darkness, trying to brush spiderwebs and cobwebs away from her face before she walks into them.
"I have to say that I will be happier when we are back to normal lit conditions."
Perception (normal vision)
1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10
Megan Robertson |
It is about 10 feet to the steps going up, then the passage continues for another 10 feet or so before splitting - one branch (to your right) going west then curving north, the other going south-west with an almost immediate branch off to the south-south-east.
It's very narrow. Ashe's shoulders brush both walls, and Majenko has to keep shifting his tail to avoid getting it crushed between Ashe and the wall!
At least, there isn't anybody - or anything - wishing to give you battle at the moment!
As for the detect evil scans, there is quite a lot south and west of your position.
Shakhan |
Shakhan grumbles a little at the use of the secret passage, "Ashe, isn't it like, required of you paladins to rid this place of dangers? We're maybe leaving behind evil undead and traps for ordinary folk to walk into. I wouldn't want that on my conscience." The way he holds his axe suggests that the enjoyment of slashing things with his weapon is primarily on his conscience.
Perception 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8
Una Therlmagne |
"We can always go back the other way. Whatever put those undead and traps there likely used this secret passage to avoid them. We'll have the tactical advantage if he doesn't realize we're coming this way."
She pauses to smile at Shakhan, a rare event.
"I'd much rather face the necromancer first, when I'm fresh and alert, than after going through his undead army."
Asherick Whiteplume |
Ashe replies, "Una is thinking EXACTLY what I had in mind. Rest assured, friend Shakhan... we will scourge this place until no evil finds refuge here!"
Ashe comes the the intersection and pulls from his belt-pouch a piece of white chalk and marks the passage they have just come down. He scrawls an odd marker on the wall - "The Sigil of the Open Road" upon the stony wall. He takes the South-West passage heading directly toward the evil he senses.
He reports, "There is evil up ahead down this Southwest passage... be prepared."
[OOC: Ninja'd by Varrel! :)]
Varrel |
Chatterbeak, once more on his Master's shoulder remains quiet and sarches along with Varrel right behind Ashe. Blade in a lowguard, defensive stance.
Varrel Perception (low light vision)1d20+8
Keep a sharp eye, Chatterbeak. We will likely see something before our Human friend.
Chatterbeak Perception1d20+10Varrel will Move 20ft per round, taking Standard Actions for Total Defence. He will periodically renew Ashes' light on his Armor. Both Varrel and Chatterbeak will keep thier eyes peeled, repeating spot checks as they go.
This again.
Megan Robertson |
After another ten feet you come to steps leading down... which end in a blank wall.
Majenko chirps in Ashe's ear, pointing out a spyhole.
It looks out onto a corridor, empty and dark.
A map update seems appropriate, she says, hastily doing one!
Asherick Whiteplume |
Ashe moves up to the peepholes and searches the wall before him for some catch or evidence of a secret door that might exit to the hallway on the other side.
[Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12
Majenko looks as well...
[Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16
Varrel |
It appears to be just a Spy hole, looking into the main tunnel perhaps? Maybe we'll have better luck the other way?
Asherick Whiteplume |
Ashe grimaces, "It would seem so."
Turning away from the observation blind end.
"Let's backtrack to the nearest turn off and try that way..."
Megan Robertson |
Would Chatterbeak care to make a roll to see if he gets a beakfull?
You follow the other passage (roughly south-east and if anything even narrower!) and find that it too ends in a deadend... only no spyhole this time. Do you wish to search?
Varrel |
Let us look
Varrel Peception1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13
Chatterbeak Perception1d20 + 10 ⇒ (9) + 10 = 19
Asherick Whiteplume |
Ashe chuckles to himself and moves over to the secret door revealed by Chatterbox.
Ashe detects evil scanning the area beyond the door.
"I'm trying to sense for evil here. I'll go through and step to the side if possible. Majenko sneak in and take to the roof, Varrel you scan for magic."
Raising his shield to high guard Ashe hefts 'Dauntless Heart', "Any other suggestions or Ready?"
Asherick Whiteplume |
"Be Warned there is evil in the chamber beyond... 15ft due south from this secret door."
Ashe nods in agreement with all present and opens the door. Looking in first left right up and down first. Then he steps into the room looking closely in the direction he detected evil...
Varrel |
Just before Ashe opens the door, Varrel nods to his Familiar, Warn if you see anything, Chatterbeak. I will try to Slumber any living foe I spot. Be ready, if it works it will only last 30 seconds and they CAN be woken by thier allies, so slay evil quickly
Varrel calls his patron to mind and feels his power well up inside, Ready action to Use SLEEP Hex DC16 on any Living enemy, should he spot a overt threat, and Follows Ashe in, going to the opposite side of the doorframe to Ashe to give Una a line to shoot. He and Chatterbeak use the light from Ashe's torch and Armor to Scan.
Varrel Perception1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26
Chatterbeak Perception1d20 + 10 ⇒ (2) + 10 = 12
Megan Robertson |
Ashe opens the door, Varrel and Una (plus Majenko and Chatterbeak) hovering behind...
Three wooden tables stand in the middle of the room (D5 on the map), their surfaces stained red with old bloodshed. To the east stands a ten-foot-wide hutch with wicker doors opening into a strawlined cage.
A lone short pale blue humanoid with bulging white eyes, wild hair, and four-fingered hands is crouched over the middle table, on which is sprawled the corpse of what - judging by the tattered and dirty clothing - was probably some luckless vagrant. You've caught him in the act of placing something... alive... on the body, and he looks around with a shriek as you burst in.
Ashe, this pale blue humanoid appears to be the evil you detected.
Varrel and Una: Do you wish to launch your readied attacks (hex and crossbow bolt)?
Chatterbeak doesn't appear to like the hutch/cage to the east near where you have burst out.
Hytogg and Shakhan: what are you two doing?
Shakhan |
If Shakhan reacts before the creature (or its still there when he acts), then:
Shakhan's inner rage floods through him, he launches himself at the short weirdo and tries to force him to the ground.
Initiative 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15
Trip, while raging 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15
Rage rounds spent: 1 of 14
Varrel |
Upon spying the vile little creature, Varrel barks a word unlike any they have heard before and unleashes the Power inside. Readied Action-Slumber Hex, Will save vs DC16. Fail and sleep for 4 rds
Hytogg |
Hytogg is letting those best suited at rooting out, and detecting do the grunt work. His time is more valuable spent reflecting on his many virtues, and mentally composing chapters in his autobiography. He plods along self absorbed until his immense talents are required.
1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17 Initiative
Megan Robertson |
Creature's Will save vs. Slumber hex: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7 - ZZZZzzzzzz!!!
OK. Corpse on table. Something alive trapped under the snoozing creature, struggling to get out. Chatterbeak going nuts over that crate. He's incoherent - rage & fear mixed - so hasn't yet managed to tell you what he's found there.
Sorry, Shakhan - with Ashe & Varrel crowding through ahead of you, you didn't get a chance for that magnificent charge. Never mind, I'll round up some opposition for you.... DM scampers through the Dead Warrens looking for more creatures... :)
Asherick Whiteplume |
Ashe moves into the room. Making his way over to the 'slumbered' blue-skinned humanoid. Leaning his sword against the table well within easy reach, Ashe takes out a pair of manacles and some cloth for binding wounds... but also useful as a gag or blindfold. As yet, Ashe has not touched the humanoid... uncertain about the creature trapped under it. Ashe waits for assistance before he 'secures' the blue humanoid.
"Majenko, find out whats got Chatterbox so upset about the cage over there... whats in it? Don't open it!"
"Shakhan will you cover me while I manacle, gag and blindfold this... creature... he is the source of evil. Don't want him yelling for help and it may have some spell-like abilities hence the blindfold. Not taking any chances."
"Master Hytogg? Do you know if this is some kind of magical beast? Or Una do you know what kind of monstrous humanoid this is?"
{I believe its Knowledge: Arcana to ID Magical beast and Knowledge: Local to ID monstrous humanoids}
Varrel |
Varrel, into the room after Ashe but before Shaktan siezes the initiative.
Chatterbeak, come HERE!
He moves to the NW corner of the room to cover the tunnel that leads in that direction, giving the room a scan as he moves, should his spell or steel be needed.
Perception1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23
Having seen the blue tinged creature fall over Varrel tries to think if he's seen or read about it.
Knowledge:Arcana1d20 + 9 ⇒ (14) + 9 = 23
Knowledge:Dungeoneering1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27
WOW! Hope I'm not blowing all my good rolls...