Deussu |
Jayori detects no evil in the eggs, or the severed arm.
Bertha's extensive knowledge on these eggs suggests the creatures in these eggs are rather small when hatched, but can grow to the size of horses. Giant waterbugs, they call them. Judging by the nest's size it would be probable that the mother is nearby, or out scavenging for food.
I'm giving Jayori an untrained Sleigh of Hand (Dexterity) check to do this as delicately as possible.
Jayori's sleight of hand: 1d20 + 1 - 3 ⇒ (14) + 1 - 3 = 12
Unfortunately as he is trying to loop the rope, he accidentally prods an egg. Immediately the ground shakes a little, and underneath the muddy bottom of the pond a giant beetle emerges, obviously feeling her nest threatened. It clicks its powerful jaws as an attempt to intimidate its foes.
B.A.B.S: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
Jarlaxle: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13
Jayori: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 1 = 20
Caboose: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7
Riceak: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20
Sharien: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9
Giant Water Bug: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (1) - 1 = 0
ROUND 1
Riceak (0), Jayori (0), Jarlaxle (0), Sharien (0), Caboose (0), B.A.B.S. (0)
----
Giant Water Bug (0)
All of the pond's water is difficult terrain, so 5ft-steps in there. Also, this is a season 0 scenario and features creatures that do appear in Bestiaries but with a different CR, so I must use the old D&D 3.5 version taken from d20srd.org. And you got really lucky with the initiatives...
Oh, and the map's link is up there. Click it. I trust you are familiar with it already.
Jayori Bissumbhur |
Heh... yay for steady Paladin hands!
Jayori is surprised that a creature so large was able to hide so well. He quickly drops the rope, and takes up his trident, thrusting at the creature over the top of his shield, in attempts to drive it back from Bertha.
Melee Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22, for 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9 damage.
Hey, we need a token for Betsy!
Michael J. Caboose CORE |
Caboose looks at the humongous bug with more than just a hint of excitement.
"Oh look! A puppy! I name it Clicky. Clicky, the bug that loves! I'll go and pet it!"
Despite his words, Caboose incongruously strides forward and swings at "Clicky" with his scimitar.
attack roll: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18
damage roll: 1d6 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12
Sharien Oakfoot CORE |
Sharien steps forward, weaves some cheap magic, and casts a ray of frost at the beetle, hoping to chip away at it and allow her more melee-friendly allies to finish it off.
ranged touch: 1d20 + 2 - 4 ⇒ (9) + 2 - 4 = 7
Unfortunately her ray goes wide.
B.A.B.S. |
"I am sorry we disturbed your nest, but I also know you don't know what I am saying and now want to eat me. So again, I am sorry..."
Bertha then swings her falchion trying to crack the creatures exoskeleton.
Attack: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19
Damage: 2d4 + 3 ⇒ (2, 3) + 3 = 8
Riceak |
Riceak, having been lost in thought for the last conversation, sees that his friends are in trouble. He will draw his weapon as he wades forward into the murky water. Double move through Caboose's square and down the side of the creature hoping to get to a flank for the next round. I dont believe the monster has acted yet so it should not get an AOO
Know Nature to identify: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25
Deussu |
Quite a pointless fight... technically it's still alive, but I doubt you want to give it mouth to mouth.
It comes as no surprise how the waterbug first emerges, flamboyant and threatening, and is downed in an instant as blades upon blades whack its chitin carapace, shattering it into a million little pieces, turning the creature into more or less bloody pulp.
Just before the waterbug disappears under the muck, Riceak gets a glance at it. It is–or was–a giant waterbug, very similar to giant ant queens, but as a mutated offshoot accustomed to live in semi-aquatic terrains. Its fearsome jaws are as devastating as a barbarian's greatsword, and its grip is almost inescapable.
"You sure showed it who's boss!" Deris says, nodding in acceptance to Mrs. Heracks, "now how about that arm?"
Jayori Bissumbhur |
Jayori prods the giant insect, to make sure it is indeed not going to continue fighting, then pushes it aside, so its not impeding the handle below the surface.
He will continue attaching the rope.
He tosses an amused smile at the others. "Guess we all got to experience the grime of this pool after all."
"Best step out of the murk. No telling what will open up here."
He takes the rope back to drier land, and gets some help pulling on the handle.
Michael J. Caboose CORE |
"Clicky's not moving anymore. Aww...Clicky's gone to sleep. Isn't he cute?" Caboose asks as he 'pets' "Clicky" a few more times with the scimitar before leaving it behind. He has a silly grin on his face as he follows Jayori out of the water and grabs hold of the rope.
"Are we playing tug-of-war with that hand? I bet we're going to win. We have 7 and a half times more hands than he has!"
B.A.B.S. |
I am not really sure if a druid would consider these natural, or just monstrosities, but assuming the former...
Bertha moves the eggs aside before we start pulling up things.
Deussu |
Thoughtful as the druid is, she saves the nest of eggs from possible genocide.
And thoughtful as the paladin is, he waits for everyone else to get out of the pool before he or Caboose pulls the rope. It takes a few attempts, but eventually, like a plug, the arm pulls out of the pond, still firmly attached to the metal handle and the metal lid it was welded to. As the arm lands near Jayori's feet, the black water rushes through the new opening, draining underground, revealing a stormdrain-like passageway down. A crude, old ladder hewn in the drain's walls provides a way to safely traverse below.
"Most splendid!" Deris squees, "maybe I can come look for Cassiel too!"
Riceak |
Riceak with axe still drawn will go back over to where he left Bessy and make sure to tie her off to something. Then back to the hole.
He peers down it looking for any danger.
Michael J. Caboose CORE |
"Cassie? Is that your puppy? Did Cassie go chasing after this bone?" Caboose asks with genuine if completely-mistaken concern as he waves the bony arm about.
"Don't worry, we'll find Cassie. Here, you can hold her bone. Then maybe she will come running back to you!" He proffers the bony arm to Deris with a big grin on his face.
On a more serious note, what can we see from where we are? How deep does the ladder descend to and can we see the bottom?
Deussu |
There is no body where the arm might have come off. There's just the arm.
The hole is about 10 feet deep, after which is levels and begins a gentle slope downwards. You can still hear the water rushing, echoeing in the corridors below.
"Cassiel's my daughter!" Deris shouts in a sudden fit of irritation, calming down just as quickly, "but you're a good dog, hold on to that bone. You'll need it. Soon."
Riceak |
"Allright, Riceak will head down first"
No sooner than he finishes speaking, the half-orc straps his axe to his back and starts the climb down the ladder.
Jayori Bissumbhur |
"It would seem we need to go down indeed." Jayori says.
He bows slightly towards Sharien. "If you could spare some more of light it would be greatly appreciated."
Assuming the vision issues are ok, then he will follow Riceak down, pulling out a sunrod if more light is needed.... but hopefully not if the magical light covers them.
B.A.B.S. |
Bertha looks around for a way to lower Betsy into the hole.
"Does anyone have a rope? I can make a sling out of my armor, I think, but need a way to lower it."
Sharien Oakfoot CORE |
Sharien simply picks up the light-ed pebble she had tossed earlier and holds it (unless it fell into the hole, in which case she'll cast light again on her cloak).
Michael J. Caboose CORE |
"Ooooooh. Haha I thought it was your dog's name, not your daughter's name. So what was the dog's name again?"
Before he can pursue that line questioning any further, however, Caboose is distracted by Shadrien's light spell and quickly follows the rest of the party down the hole.
Jayori Bissumbhur |
Jayori looks at Bertha, then ponders Betsy for a moment.
"Perhaps you she should stay up here?" He offers. "If we have to move quickly and there are more ladders, it would not do to have to leave her."
He shrugs slightly, but will let Bertha use his rope if she insists.
Not sure if the boar will be much use here... it is unlikely there will be many enemies she will attack, as she doesn't have the trick for attacking anything, and doesn't seem the sort of place we're going to run into many of the things she will.
B.A.B.S. |
"Perhaps you are right. This is all supposed to have collapsed, so I expect climbing will be common."
She points Betsy to the puddle with eggs she set aside. "Betsy, please stay here and guard this while we are gone. We shouldn't be long, since we still have a dinner to attend."
Once satisfied, Bertha climbs down the hole.
Deussu |
Background music (Warning, it's creepy)
One at a time the pathfinders descend to down the slippery stone ladder to what appears to be an ancient corridor, one way blocked by an old landslide, the other sloping downwards. Throughout the corridors a distant echo of water dropping creates an eerie ambiance. Water seeps through the walls and collects in floor cracks and ankle-deep puddles.
Deris Marlinchen follows you down, and is taken aback a little by the place. "Ooh, Cassiel sure is brave..."
Mark your marching order in the map.
B.A.B.S. |
Betha has a +7 Perception, so she can lead if no one else wants to. I suggest maybe the two half-orcs up front.
Michael J. Caboose CORE |
Betha has a +7 Perception, so she can lead if no one else wants to. I suggest maybe the two half-orcs up front.
That's not a bad option. Caboose's body is as dense as his head, but he can't spot an enemy to save his life. I'll follow close behind.
Caboose tucks the bony arm into his belt and slings his shield, then pulls forth his guisarme. He calls out into the darkness at the top of his lungs.
"Hello? Hello! We are looking for Cassiel and her dog! Can anyone hear me!?"
Is there by any chance an echo in here?
Jarlaxle Baenre |
For the record, Deussu, I love the fact that you provide background music :-)
@B.A.B.S.: I have a +9 on Perception, so I am happy to go second in line.
Once someone else has descended the ladder, and isn't eaten by eldritch monstrosities, Jarlaxle happily descends the ladder.
"Charming decor they have around here..."
Riceak |
First down the hole, first in line... looks like Half-Orcs lead the way. Riceak keeps looking back to make sure all of the party made it down the ladder in one piece.
Jayori Bissumbhur |
Although not his preferred position, near the back, Jayori is content to let those who can see clearer lead the way. He is content to be closer to Sharien's light source, regardless.
"If this is indeed a lost necropolis as the Venture-Captain intimated, then the gods only know what manner of evil might lurk in these halls, even after all this time."
"Some times, the dead rest peaceful..." He looks at the eerie hallways with a frown. "But this dreadful place seems anything but."
He glances back at Deris again frowning, but says nothing more.
Deussu |
The corridor continues downwards, slowly succumbing underwater into murky, black dredge. Fortunately another path diverges to the right, leading to a door at a distance. Since the downwards corridor swirls beneath the water to unknown depths, the pathfinders decide to pick the long corridor with a door.
Opening the door leads to a chamber. Carved pillars in the corners of this chamber hold aloft a double-valted ceiling of cracked frescos. On either side of the chamber, a single step leads up into a deeply recessed area that forms an arched room of its own.
On the floor of the east recess, the perfectly preserved body of a young boy lies in a puddle and stares silently upward.
And for reasons untold, the room is lit with four everburning iron sconces.
B.A.B.S. |
"OK, this is weird - and a little creepy! Is that boy ok?"
Bertha looks around carefully, before approaching the boy.
Sharien Oakfoot CORE |
"Hard to tell from here, and I am not sure I trust it to be non-illusory. Can anyone tell anything useful from the surroundings?"
Sharien is naturally cautious of things that look horribly out of place, like a perfectly preserved child's body in a drowned crypt.
Jayori Bissumbhur |
Jayori will enter the room cautiously, examining it all with a thoughtful frown.
"I was not expecting to see the remains of a child here." He observes, to no one in particular. "This area was closed off from the school above, was it not? They did not learn of it until after the disaster."
"And the body is remarkably well preserved. If this is indeed an ancient burial site, there could very well be all manner of magics for preserving the remains of the departed." He says, somewhat hesitantly, before adding, "Though whether it does such for weal or woe, I can not say."
He will use detect evil on the preserved body, before anyone can get too close to it. And take a quick check around the room as well.
Jarlaxle Baenre |
1d100 ⇒ 48
Jarlaxle heeds Jayori's words, casts a spell (Detect Magic), and scans the area, paying particular attention to the corpse.
"You know," he says thoughtfully, "If the body really *is* perfectly preserved, and is from a bygone age, it could probably still be Raised - think of the knowledge that could be gained!"
Deussu |
The pathfinders get ready to investigate the well-preserved body, but before they get their late autopsy ongoing, an echoing splash stops them, soon noticing a moaning undead creature advancing towards the room from where the team came! Its ripped clothes are soaking wet, and it obviously has been in a dormant state, awakened by the pathfinders' arrival and the rush of water.
B.A.B.S: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
Jarlaxle: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7
Jayori: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
Caboose: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
Riceak: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11
Sharien: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15
Zombie: 1d20 ⇒ 18
Since everyone was preoccupied by whatever they were doing, the zombie of curious origin advances even closer, right next to Jayori and Sharien. Being so slow, however, it doesn't get to do much else than shamble about.
ROUND 1
Zombie
----
Sharien (0), Riceak (0), Jarlaxle (0), Jayori (0), B.A.B.S. (0), Caboose (0)
Michael J. Caboose CORE |
"Hello! Wow, there are so many people down here. It's like there's a party! Can we help you?" Caboose calls out cheerfully as he walks up to the zombie and hacks at it with his greatsword.
attack roll: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14
damage roll: 2d6 + 10 ⇒ (3, 2) + 10 = 15
Sharien Oakfoot CORE |
Sharien steps five feet back from the advancing zombie and casts disrupt undead at it, hoping to deal a bit of damage without wasting her spell slots.
ranged touch: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15
disrupt: 1d6 ⇒ 2
Jayori Bissumbhur |
As the moaning and shambling sounds echo up the corridor behind them, Jayori turns to face the new danger with the others.
Knowledge (religion) on Zombies: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18 (mostly to know the basic DR stuff)
Seeing the zombie, he switches strategies, dropping his trident, and drawing a wicked-looking curved knife from off of his belt. He shifts to his left slightly, to stand directly before the creature to attempt to draw its attention, holding his shield high to block its attacks.
Hmmm... only have one slashing weapon, and its a kukri... so will go defensive, and try to get it to attacks me, while the guys with the big weapons do the damage!
Melee attack, defensive: 1d20 + 4 - 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 - 4 = 15, for 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4 damage (slashing).
AC = 21 for the round
Riceak |
Startled by the zombies sudden approach from behind Riceak turns and charges towards it feeling his blood boil unexpectedly.
Activating Rage as a free action, charging 10 feet forward
As he nears the creature he swings the Axe with all of his force Power Attacl
Orc Double Axe: 1d20 + 4 + 2 + 2 - 1 ⇒ (15) + 4 + 2 + 2 - 1 = 22
Damage: 1d8 + 5 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 5 + 2 + 2 = 12
B.A.B.S. |
Bertha moves around the group to get an attack in at the zombie with her falchion.
Attack: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9
Damage: 2d4 + 3 ⇒ (3, 4) + 3 = 10
Deussu |
Forgot to mention this creature wields a morningstar and sports a light wooden shield.
Jayori is able to determine that this is indeed a zombie, but not a human zombie. Under its matted fur and large ears it seems to be a bugbear! What it is doing and has been doing in the necropolis is beyond you.
Despite many attempts, only Sharien and Riceak are able to wound the undead. Fiercely, yet mindlessly, it attacks anyone within its weapon's reach...
1 Riceak, 2 Jayori, 3 BABS, 4 Caboose: 1d4 ⇒ 3 who happens to be B.A.B.S.
Zombie attack @ B.A.B.S.: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21 for Damage (b&p): 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8 Brutal
The morningstar hits the half-orc woman in the shoulder, possibly dislodging it, sounding an unsettling crackle.
ROUND 2
Zombie (-14)
----
Sharien (0), Riceak (0), Jarlaxle (0), Jayori (0), B.A.B.S. (-8), Caboose (0)
Do remember to place yourselves on the map for purposes of flank and all that. Characters may stand on the spots with the light sources (they are sconces, after wall, mounted on the wall)