Rise of a Regent Campaign Thread

Game Master Illydth

Mird: As the queen is already down and Blackmaer is helpless, I'm going to direct your attacks at Bernal

Stepping forward, Selena reaches down and grabs hold of the Queen's blade and seems to stare off into the distance.

Half turning, Bernal tries to rescue himself from Lash, only to catch himself at Thantos' approach and be sort of caught in the middle. Thantos' dagger and Lash's rapier pierce Bernal at almost the same time with him doing little to defend himself, and two incoming arrows from Mird finish the job, imbedding themselves in Bernal's chest, dropping him, twitching, to the floor.

Seeing Blackmaer recovering Dirk steps up and kicks Blackmaer's hand sending the large two handed sword skittering about 20' out of Blackmaer's reach. As Blackmaer stops uncontrollably laughing, the Point end of Dirk's two handed weapon touches Blackmaer's throat. Glancing over at his dead queen, he goes still awaiting Dirk's next move.

Within minutes the only sounds in the room are the 7 of you breathing and a dripping of some moisture in the dankness of this cavernous room.

Lash cleans her rapier on Brenal's clothing, sheathing the blade as she stands straight. Walking over to the doorway, where Dirk stands over the recovering Blackmaer, she looks over at Sarala.

"Of all of us, you are the one most fit to determine his fate"

Sorry. I've thought she was almost dead but not dead yet.

"Now we can control the Goblins with the Queen sword?"

"Is that right Armand? Can we send a message to our Allies so they can send some troops here to guarantee that this Keep will not follow on Orcs hands?"

"I agree Blackmaer's fate should be decided by Sarala."

As the rush of battle wears off, Dirk realizes that his armor is only hanging on by a couple of straps. A large rend in his banded chest-piece exposes a slicing wound across his chest as well as a puncture wound in his stomach - both bleeding freely.

Teeth gritted with a mix of pain and determination, Dirk keeps his sword pressed against Blackmear's throat as he quietly speaks, "Lash, Mird... would you please tie him up until his fate is decided? There is some rope in my pack if you need it."

"My pleasure"

"Come on Prince Charming, let's make a nice lace so you will look even more beautiful"

Selena regards the sword in her hand carefully, realizing that it is weakening her extensively. She clings to it prominently, however, and refuses to yield it to anyone.

"We will destroy this sword when we can, and free the goblins that are enslaved to its power."

Welcome back folks, sorry for the "extended" vacation on my part. Hope everyone's holiday was excellent, no one got too over stuffed, and everyone's in good health. Back to it.

Sarala's feline face, not yet transformed back to her human form, is still filled with rage, her hands and claws clench and unclench as she stares at the man on the floor below her who is looking up with a smirk on his face, unmoving under the tip of Dirk's sword, eyes locked on Sarala.

She starts pacing back and forth agitatedly glancing over and over again at Blackmaer muttering to herself. "He should die...things he did...months of abuse...death would be right...satisfaction..."

For long moments she continues pacing and muttering, anger apparent.

She then whirls and turns to Armand.

"Father, what should I do?"

Armand glances down at Blackmaer. "I cannot and will not advise you to let this man live as I have been subjected to his evils as well, yet I will not take my vengeance upon him. The divine I follow is a goddess of healing and of life, who would I be in her eyes otherwise? This burden falls to you, unfairly perhaps, but to you. The divine will bless you either way, but you must know what your soul can take. What decision can you live with Sarala."

For several moments the woman stands there, motionless, and then she seems to collapse back upon herself. Anger leaving her, she transforms back to the young woman she is. She steps forward and spits into Blackmaer's face and then steps back. "I am a simple shepherdess, I have ever cared for my sheep and that is all I care to do with my life. I am no warrior, and despite my curse and disease I do not kill in cold blood. Strip him and bring him, we may yet need him to be a shield for us from the goblin swords above."

Turning to Blackmaer she says "Hope a goblin sword takes you because the dungeons of Penhaligon are not kind to those who attempt to overthrow the government of the region. I will be smiling at your hanging...if you live that long."

You each see Armand smile and nod at Sarala as she turns away from Blackmaer to recover whatever scraps of her clothing are left.

Armand turns to Selena.

"You are not looking yourself, and you zoned out there for a moment after touching the sword my child. Tell us what has happened."

Looking concerned Armand detaches part of the dead priest's robe and lays it out. Making a strange motion with his hand he stars straight at Selena and says "Place the sword on the cloak and wrap it so you do not have direct contact with the blade."

Armand then steps back, staring at Selena in a very tense manor.

While waiting for Selena to perform as instructed he says "We are not out of this yet my friends. Above us is still the keep and with as much trouble as we had breaking in, we may still need to fight our way out. Let us scour these chambers for whatever we can find and figure out a plan for getting out of this evil castle."

"Besides", he says wryly, "I'm feeling a bit naked without my armor."

Concern and curiosity can be seen on Dirk's face as he regards Selena. His sword hangs comfortably in his right hand as he adjusts his armor with his left hand to stem the flow of blood.

LOOT POST

I'm making the assumption you are checking the bodies and the prisoner and relieving them all of items of interest.

This post is going to be a bit long as I'll be going through the connecting 3 rooms and it's treasure as well. I'll have a list of what you've found at the end. Note, I'm not identifying magical items till someone either decides to test them or you want to use identification abilities/spells. Note that for weapons and armor, hefting/wielding or wearing the items is enough to identify the item.

The woman formerly known as the "queen" is wearing a suit of fine plate mail that looks little scratched or dented despite the wear and tear of combat, it is exceptionally well made, obviously of the highest quality of craftsmanship. Her agile movements in combat belay a lightness of weight and a flexibility to this armor that is rarely seen in the realms.

Her shield, discarded near her now cooling body, is also of exceptional make and quality. It too is lighter than it looks and somehow seems just a little more solid than one would normally expect.

Armand's removal of a portion of Bernal's outer robe displays a suit of gleaming chain mail underneath, also of almost perfect craftsmanship, the suit chinks and almost rings as you roll Bernal over. A ring on his finger gleams with it's own internal light and an oaken polished wooden staff rests near his fingers on the floor, lovingly carved and obviously strong.

As you strip Blackmaer of his weapon and armor you find another suit of plate mail, as with Ilyana's, the suit is strong, well made and exceptionally light for it's type. A golden signet ring on his finger and gold bracelet around his wrist prove to be obviously worth something and you relieve him of those items. A now familiar potion vial is attached to his belt that looks identical to several others you have looted from around the complex, (a potion of healing) and a small unadorned sack is attached to his belt. Two keys are also attached to his belt.

While we're not quite done with this "section" I'm going to skip forward in time a few minutes and go through the rest of the loot.

The 7 of you proceed to start going through the attached chambers of the throne room to see what you can find.

Bernal's Room
-------------------------
The northern most room has a feeling of great evil to it, and once you open it it's obvious why. Implements and minor holy items dedicated to the God of death and destruction adorn the room and a small alter to the evil God is the room's centerpiece. Other than decorations to the evil divine, the room is pretty sparse, with a single chair and table, and a single bed being it's only furniture.

Careful not to touch any of the evil items, you do find several items of worth in the now dead Cleric's residence. Two silver candlestick holders are obviously worth taking, while a small trapdoor under Bernal's bed contains a wooden casket that holds Bernal's effects, including gems, coins, a potion of healing and a scroll of clerical magic.

Ilyana's Living Quarters
--------------------------
The room in the middle is large and sumptuous with a huge bed, wardrobe, dressing table, and a very large silver mirror bolted to the wall. It is obviously Ilyana's living quarters.

The bed is obviously king sized and is loaded with silken sheets and expensive furs. The wardrobe contains all sorts of silken and fine cotton robes, and the dressing table has various assortments of finery on it from expensive perfumes to silvered ornaments and knick knacks to tortoise shell brushes.

A small key is laying out on the dressing table.

Ilyana's Treasure Chambers
----------------------------
A locked door greets you in the southern portion of the room near the throne. After an unsuccessful search for traps, Lash tries the two keys from Blackmaer and the key from Ilyana's room, successful on the last the door lock snicks open and the door opens onto one of the most well made rooms in the complex.

The walls of this room are sculpted with bas reliefs and strange sigils and runes that make little sense to any of you. You do not recognize any of them, nor do they emanate the evil you are used to from, say, Bernal's room. Three chests stand against the far wall of the room and no other decoration or furniture stands within.

After searching each chest for traps and coming up empty, you open the three to find a staggering amount of treasure. Thousands of coins in various sacks of all different types (from copper, to silver, to gold and platinum).

The third chest contains all of Armand's armor, clothing and effects, as well as a few other random weapons and scrolls. A dagger, long sword and short sword lay together in the bottom of the chest. A scroll of spells also lays at the bottom tucked inside a pair of black leather bracers.

Note on the loot below, each piece will need identification, Not sure I want 16 rolls however. If you all want to come up with a good way to do ID on a mass of items like this, feel free to do so.

Loot List
Plate Mail (Ilyana's)
Plate Mail (Blackmaer's)
Heavy Steel Shield (Ilyana's)
Two Handed Sword (Blackmaer's)
A Small Sack (Blackmaer's)
Long Sword (Ilyana's)
Staff (Blackmaer's)
Chain Mail (Bernal's)
Gold Ring (Bernal's)
2 Potions of Healing
Dagger (Treasure)
Long Sword (Treasure)
Short Sword (Treasure)
Bracers (Treasure)
Scroll with: Magic Missile, Levitate, Web, Fireball
Gold Signet Ring (Blackmaer's)
Gold Bracelet (Blackmaer's)
2 Candlestick Holders (Bernal's)
200 GP (Gems)
1270 PP (Coin)
7000 GP (Coin)
2000 SP (Coin)
2000 CP (Coin)
Furs and Silken Sheets (Ilyana)
Silk and Cloth Robes (Ilyana)
Perfumes, Ornaments and Brushes (Ilyana)

Sorry for the confusion folks, the conversation with the party with Selena, Armand, Sarala, etc. is all happening prior to looting everything...the "loot post" I had to put up when I had time due to it's length and the length of time it took me to get it there, but Looting is all happening post anything having to do with story. Hopefully that clarifies...if not, let me know and I"ll try again.

As Sarala shifts to her human form Lash steps forward to drape her cloak around the shepardess' shoulders, glaring at Blackmaer.

Sense motive1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12

Hearing Armand's words and the edge in his voice, Lash's eyes dart from Dirk to Selena, to Armand, a slight frown of confusion crossing her features as she realizes something is happening but cannot quite fathom what.

"'Lena, are you ok?"

Selena nods grimly. "Well enough. The sword is evil, powerfully evil, and bears a malignant intelligence. It drains my life force when I hold it."

She does as Armand commands and places the sword on the cloak, wrapping it up.

"I assume I shall be restored soon."

Dirk is visibly relieved as Selena relinquishes the sword.

Then, with a weak smile, Dirk addresses Selena, "Selena, would you aid me in dressing these wounds? I'm afraid the damage is beyond my skills."

Dirk might get an upgrade?! But, it's only been two years!? Are you sure we shouldn't wait a few more years? :P Ha!

Dirk is interested mainly in Blackmear's equipment. Most importantly the Plate Mail and two-handed sword, but he's also curious about the properties of Blackmear's ring and bracelet.

Selena smiles at Dirk.

"We will need to rest somewhere if you need anything serious taken care of. I will have to wait until the sun's first rays to restore my healing fire."

Treating deadly wounds is an hour long task. If there's enough time to do it, I'll roll a heal check below.

1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25
for level +2 hp healed.

At this point, unless you fear that there are Orc/Goblinkin that will storm the dungeons down here, as far as you know or can guess you've cleaned out the entire place and are under no time pressures AT ALL.

On the other hand you have a keep full of enemies above you...whether the orcs have managed to hold off for the somewhere akin to 3 days you've been down here, or if they were overrun you have NO idea. How you're going to escape back out of the keep at this point is a task you've not yet considered.

But as to whether you have an hour or not? I figure it'd probably take you that long to clear out all the rooms of loot, haul it all to a central location, go through everything you've found, identify and appraise values, and determine who is going to take what...so yea, figure that's no issue.

Dirk, we'll consider you at 14 hp and any critical wounds you had will be properly patched and bandaged.

To keep this from getting bogged down, anyone who'd like to may roll an appraise roll off of the appraise skill to determine the value of the items in the loot cache. I'll take the highest appraise roll and value the items based off of that.

Please also let me know which of the items in the cache you would like to "test" or "identify" (and if identify please make rolls where appropriate) and I'll start plugging in properties on the items as appropriate.

Armand visibly relaxes as Selena relinquishes her hold on the sword.

"Glad to see all is well Selena." Armand's smile as he turns his gaze from Selena to look around the room is genuine.

"We have all made it through this with our lives intact and we've ridded this land of a huge evil. That sword you now carry Selena is a historical artifact of destruction to this land, a harbinger of evil and an item feared by those who understand it's significance. The sooner we can find some dark hole to drop that down the better we'll all be."

"I know not what happens from here, the brotherhood is obviously active and alive in this region, but I do not know that this is my focus. I would love nothing more than to obliterate the Brotherhood from these and all lands, but I do not know that we have the resources for that."

"I believe we should travel north from here to the Duke's lands, inform him of the Brotherhood's presence, and allow his troops to bring balance to the region while we proceed forward in pursuit of our goal of taking back Kethlenica. We'll let Commander Alalar know so he can keep Kiren's Keep on alert. Between him and Captain Garelson they'll hold the Brotherhood back till the Duke sends troops, I have the utmost faith in the two of them to weather any storm."

"But first, we need to figure out how we're going to escape this keep with our skins intact."

Selena smiles at Dirk.

"We will need to rest somewhere if you need anything serious taken care of. I will have to wait until the sun's first rays to restore my healing fire."
...

I think we still have healing charges on the staff Selena carries.

I was saving those for combat scenarios. Or for times when we cannot rest before a combat.

Appraise1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24

Lash's shrewd eyes pass over the items in the keep, her keen mins running calculations of market values in her head, her less than pristine background providing particular insight into the likley monetary value of the items.

Really fast, if I could get everyone to drop over to the Discussion Thread (linked at the top of the page) and read the most recent post I've put up regarding a beta opportunity for some new software by LoneWolf Development, I would appreciate it.

I was saving those for combat scenarios. Or for times when we cannot rest before a combat.

I was under the impression that we still had fighting to do (on our way out) and that we were not going to spend a night resting in the keep.

Thantos, although not practiced in trade and market dealings himself, has a detailed knowledge of the general worth of items from his extensive study of magic artifacts, history, and arcana. Once it's clear that the immediate threat is past he begins to survey the collected items.

Appraise 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (12) + 9 = 21

He is especially interested in Bernal's possessions, but Thantos cannot cast detect magic until he rests so he examines the ring and staff for any indication that they are evil or cursed objects.

Knowledge arcana 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (16) + 9 = 25

The rolls so far combined with Dirk/Armand's testing of various weapons/armor, and Thantos' examinations have provided the following information.

Half-Plate Mail (Ilyana's) - MAGICAL (+1)
Half-Plate Mail (Blackmaer's) - MAGICAL (+1)
Heavy Steel Shield (Ilyana's) - MAGICAL (+1)
Greatsword (Blackmaer's) - MAGICAL (+1, +2 vs. Lycanthropes)
A Small Sack (Blackmaer's) - MAGICAL
Long Sword (Ilyana's) - EVIL, MAGICAL, Carried by Selena
Staff (Blackmaer's) - MAGICAL (+2)
Chainmail (Bernal's) - MAGICAL
Gold Ring (Bernal's) - MAGICAL
2 Potions of Healing
Dagger (Treasure) - MAGICAL (+2)
Long Sword (Treasure) - MAGICAL (+2)
Short Sword (Treasure) - MAGICAL (+2)
Bracers (Treasure) - MAGICAL
Scroll with: Magic Missile, Levitate, Web, Fireball
Gold Signet Ring (Blackmaer's) - Not Magical - 20 Gold
Gold Bracelet (Blackmaer's) - Not Magical - 80 Gold
2 Candlestick Holders (Bernal's) - 20 Gold Each
200 GP (Gems)
1270 PP (Coin)
7000 GP (Coin)
2000 SP (Coin)
2000 CP (Coin)
Furs and Silken Sheets (Ilyana) - 480 Gold
Silk and Cloth Robes (Ilyana) - 240 Gold
Perfumes, Ornaments and Brushes (Ilyana) - 320 Gold

At this point you have identified all items but:

*** Long Sword (Ilyana's) - EVIL, MAGICAL, Carried by Selena

A Small Sack (Blackmaer's) - MAGICAL
Chainmail (Bernal's) - MAGICAL
Gold Ring (Bernal's) - MAGICAL
Bracers (Treasure) - MAGICAL

*** (I would suspect that Selena has warned everyone away from touching Ilyana's sword, so this doesn't need to be identified).

Would any of you like to Test/Verify any of the other items? Without Identify you'll need to slip them on to test them (or in the case of the sack, open and check it out).

--Illydth

*** UPDATE: I changed the names of a couple pieces to further identify them properly.

Armand will put his lot in for the Shield and a set of the Plate Armor assuming no party objections.

Dirk is obviously putting his lot in for the other set of Plate and the Greatsword (Two-Handed Sword)

Who else wants what? I don't want to spend too much more time on loot distribution.

I believe there's also the question present of Rest or Move On at this point. Feel free to throw your opinion in.

After cleaning and patching Dirk's wound, she grimaces and looks to the rest of the party.

"With the queen dead and her sword no longer in the hands of one who would willingly use it, I believe the goblins might be free now. I doubt that they would attack us, but we should make sure that the battle for the keep has ended before we exit it."

"Without a rest, I will have few powers at my disposal. And I am sure for Thantos, it is the same."

Selena pauses for a moment to catch her breath.

"We do have the staff of healing, but I am uncertain how many charges remain. I am reluctant to use it without a full certainty that we will need to use it."

Thantos puts his lot in for Bernal's staff, Bernal's ring and the magic scrolls.

"I do not relish the idea of spending more time than necessary here, but it seems a rest might do all of us some good. I would be able to regain many abilities and possibly have time to study these magic scrolls. I would think whatever danger lies above will be no worse tomorrow as they are today."

Thantos admits that his excitement over the idea of studying new spells influenced his opinion.

"I think that we're pretty secure down here, and in all honesty, I'd be lying if I said that I didn't really want to take the opportunity for aa bath and to sleep in a real bed after being chained to a wall."

Lash looks at the items, and with the look of someone about to take a dangerous leap, slips on the bracers.

Dirk stares down the hallway that leads, eventually, out of the keep. His mind automatically identifying and calculating the risk associated with all of the potential dangers that lie ahead. Though anxious to get underway, he finally nods his head in agreement, "We could all use some rest."

Moving off by himself, Dirk begins process of removing his armor. As he finishes he sits against the wall and runs his hands over the banded surface. So many battles wearing this armor. So many years. Turning the chest-piece over in his hands he looks one last time at the worn, barely distinguishable, emblem of Kathlentica emblazoned on the inside collar before he begins to scrape the emblem away completely with the tip of a crossbow bolt. Surprised by the sudden wave of emotions, Dirk finishes the task, sets the armor aside, then turns away from the group and tries to find some rest.

Adding Information for Ring, Staff and Bracers.

Bracers of Armor +1
Ring of Protection +1

That leaves the Chainmail and the Sack. Anyone want to brave their luck?

From the Magical Items department we have the following requests for items so far. The info below just identifies who's spoken up about what items so far, it does NOT indicate a preference for who gets what items, that's for you all to decide. I'm just trying to make sure we are keeping on top of who's requested what.

Half Plate + 1 - Armand
Large Steel Shield + 1 - Armand
Half Plate + 1 - Dirk
Greatsword +1, +2 vs Lancathropes (SP, sorry) - Dirk
Staff + 2 - Thantos, Selena(?)
Ring of Protection +1 - Thantos, Lash(?), Selena
Dagger +2 - No One
Long Sword +2 - No One
Short Sword +2 - Lash
Bracers of Armor +1 - Lash

Chainmail (Bernal's) - MAGICAL - No One (Mird?)
Bag - MAGICAL - No One

Scroll with: Magic Missile, Levitate, Web, Fireball - Thantos

I think that covers the posts in both the discussion and production threads re: equipment. As of tomorrow I"ll go ahead and start moving us forward after a "good night's sleep".

Keep going on who's looking to what / for what with the equipment.

I'll take a gander at the staff, but if the wizard really wants it, let him have it... :P

Taking off the bracers she looks at them introspectively, "They feel like there's a field of armor generated by them."

Going back to the other items, Lash studies the sack checking to see if appears to be trapped in any way, then opens it.

Perception1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24
Dsable device1d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 29

[ooc]I don't think bracers stack with actual armor, if not then the bracers should go to a caster, in which case Lash would really only benefit from the ring of protection.

What armor protective benefits stack with what is probably the single most changed rule in all of AD&D history. Every revision they seem to change SOMETHING about what magical items provide what bonuses when paired with what other magical items. I tried to look it up in the player's handbook, but for the life of me I cannot find any reference to what bonuses apply to what items

Bracers or Armor USED to be "Bracers of Armor AC [8|6|4|2|0]" which set the user's AC to that value based...in this way they worked as armor for casters...no, you couldn't wear a suit of plate mail, but you could wear bracers AC 0 for the same effect. Here, again, we have changed them now so they seem to function more like a ring of protection (Bracers of Armor +1, +2, +3, etc.) than like worn armor. In this way, I can't tell if this +1/etc. stacks with armor or not.

To further complicate things, back in 3rd edition (which carried forward to 3.5, which is what pathfinder was built off of) they made a major change such that you couldn't have multiple +X protective effects active at the same time...two rings of protection +1 would not provide you +2 AC, it would only provide +1 AC...and I forget whether a cloak of protection +1 would stack with the ring of protection +1 or if those two cancelled each other out also. It was a mess and there seems to be no layout in the Pathfinder PH identifying the rules surrounding this.

That said, I fully identify I am no Pathfinder rules expert...anyone know where the rules about what magical protection bonuses stack with what sits?

Seeing nothing on the sack that would indicate it was trapped, no needles sticking out with drops of poison on them, and no catches or latches, and no segils or glyphs, you decide the sack is likely safe enough.

Hefting the sack it feels heavy to you even though it also feels and looks empty. Wondering about this, you slowly open the sack to see what is inside and are utterly surprised when you look into a space MUCH larger than this small sack should be able to support.

Closing the sack and peeking at it confirms your suspicion...this black cloth sack would seem, on the outside, to be large enough to hold a small animal (small dog, chicken or bird, or maybe a small litter of rodents) inside without much room left over...yet, when you look back inside it, you see space enough for a small room...maybe 10x10x10 or so.

Curiosity peaked, you remove a handful of copper coins from your belt pouch and drop them into the sack. As you watch they fall into the sack and land in the bottom of it, obviously well within reach, yet they seem, somehow, farther away or smaller or something your eye cannot differentiate...the coins are no deeper than the bottom of the sack, yet are obviously in a space so much larger than the bag you are holding.

Deciding to risk it you reach your hand into the sack, half expecting it to shrink? Elongage? Pull you into another dimension? you're not sure which. Yet, easily enough, your hand closes over the copper pieces resting at the bottom of the bag and you are able to successfully draw them out without a problem.

It's only then that you realize one other fact...putting the coins into the bag made it no heavier, and drawing them back out made the bag no lighter.

Obviously there is something VERY different and obviously very magical about the bag you are holding.

What armor protective benefits stack with what is probably the single most changed rule in all of AD&D history. Every revision they seem to change SOMETHING about what magical items provide what bonuses when paired with what other magical items. I tried to look it up in the player's handbook, but for the life of me I cannot find any reference to what bonuses apply to what items

...

That said, I fully identify I am no Pathfinder rules expert...anyone know where the rules about what magical protection bonuses stack with what sits?

Found this description in the items DB for Bracers of Armor + 1: These items appear to be wrist or arm guards. They surround the wearer with an invisible but tangible field of force, granting him an armor bonus of +1 to +8, just as though he were wearing armor. Both bracers must be worn for the magic to be effective. Alternatively, bracers of armor can be enchanted with armor special abilities. See Table 15-4 for a list of abilities. Special abilities usually count as additional bonuses for determining the market value of an item, but do not improve AC. Bracers of armor cannot have a modified bonus (armor bonus plus armor special ability bonus equivalents) higher than +8. Bracers of armor must have at least a +1 armor bonus to grant an armor special ability. Bracers of armor cannot have any armor special abilities that add a flat gp amount to their cost. Bracers of armor and ordinary armor do not stack. If a creature receives a larger armor bonus from another source, the bracers of armor cease functioning and do not grant their armor bonus or their armor special abilities. If the bracers of armor grant a larger armor bonus, the other source of armor ceases functioning.

Half Plate + 1 - Armand
Large Steel Shield + 1 - Armand
Half Plate + 1 - Dirk
Greatsword +1, +2 vs Lancathropes (SP, sorry) - Dirk
Staff + 2 - Thantos, Selena
Ring of Protection +1 - Thantos, Lash, Selena
Dagger +2 - No One
Long Sword +2 - No One
Short Sword +2 - Lash
Bracers of Armor +1 - (Selena or Thantos)

Chainmail (Bernal's) - MAGICAL - No One (Mird?)
Bag of Holding (Type 1)

Scroll with: Magic Missile, Levitate, Web, Fireball - Thantos

* So without objections we'll give the two sets of half plate to Armand and Dirk, the Shield to Armand, the Greatsword to Dirk and the Short Sword +2 to Lash.

* We need an owner for the Staff +2 and Bracers of Armor +1 (Thantos and Selena, you are the two best suited).

* The Ring of Protection can be used by anyone who doesn't already have one but Lash and Mird would likely be the best candidates (lesser armor than the plate tanks since I think both Selena and Thantos already have a Prot Ring).

* The chainmail looks to be going to Mird? I don't think anyone else in the party can use it who's not already equipped with better.

* That leaves a longsword +2 and a dagger +2 up for grabs.

I'll move us forward in the story in another hour or so. We're coming down the home stretch now. :)

Selena, do you want to roll for the staff? If Thantos doesn't end up with the staff he would be perfectly happy taking the dagger instead.

Loot roll for staff: 1d100 ⇒ 5

Lash marvels at the bag, obvious magic allowing it to store far more that it would appear to hold. It woul be invaluable in transporting equipment easily.

Smiling she attached the pouch to her belt.

If there's anywhere to geet clean Lash will suggest doing so, then take advantage of the queen's luxurious bed for the night.

I was about to say the same thing. You go ahead and take the staff. I'm carrying around a staff of healing already, and a longsword on top of that. So it would look kind of silly if I had another staff. I'll take the dagger. We should probably roll for the bracers though.

1d100 ⇒ 22 for bracers

A sorceror dual weilding staffs? That's awesome lol.

So does that mean Selena could play "good witch/bad witch" all by herself? "I have a healing staff and a harming staff, which do you want...NOW TALK!"

As you begin to sort through the loot (a share of the financial treasure portion will need to go to Sarala, she'll be happy with some of the perfumes, brushes, trinkets and some of the coin) your conversation turns toward whether to stay the "night" down in the dungeons or whether to press on and try to find a way out of the keep.

Eventually the factions in the discussion seem to separate with Selena, Lash and Thantos on one side, insisting that rest and sleep are needed to rest and recover, while on the other side Sarala only wants to get out of this reminder of her abuse and get back to her flock in the mountains, away from all of this, and Dirk taking the side that the chambers are simply not defensible enough and arguing that all the strength and magic in the world won't help the party if the full power of the keep's inhabitants are arrayed against you above. Speed, Dirk argues, is the key to getting out alive.

The decision seems to be made for the group, however, when Armand all but collapses. With the rush of adrenaline of combat and torture having left, and the last of his energy expended, Armand slumps against a wall and sits hard. As you all turn at the noise, you see he's in bad shape. Welts, wheels, burn marks and bruises cover the exposed parts of his body and he seems all but incapable of getting to his feet.

Looking up at you, Armand says "We should continue as Dirk says, if the keep is fully powered, we will never find our way out, just give me a few moments and we will make our way."

Dirk shakes his head, mind made up. "Lash, you Sarala and Selena will take the Queen's room, Armand, Thantos, I and Mird will be in the treasure chamber. No one, and I mean NO ONE will enter Bernal's room. Once we bed down barracade your door from the inside, but make sure it's easy enough to remove. I want one person on guard at the doors to the chamber here at all points. We'll move the chairs and furniture on the stage to the doors and try to barricade them. If you can sleep in your armor do so...weapons at the ready. Mird, make sure the prisoner is well secured back on the stage, I don't want him going anywhere. Everyone takes their turn at the bath, go."

Dirk walks over to Armand and hoists him bodily to his feet. "No protesting old man, we can't make it if you can't walk."

The rest of the conversation is lost as Dirk hauls Armand into the treasure chamber...the rest of you go about your tasks to get ready to bed down for the night.

Will continue from here onto the next morning.

Everyone regains 1 HP from the night's rest. All Spells are reset.

The watch through the night goes better than expected, the only sounds coming from outside of the room are the rodentia that generally inhabit underground complexes like this.

Realizing that an inch is as good as a mile in this case, the party stays holed up for 6 full watch rotations of 2 hours each (Armand does not take watch). After which Mird builds a small cooking fire in the middle of the stone room and creates a fairly tasteless stew that, never the less, is better than what the 7 of you have had over the last few days. Fed and rested, the party starts contemplating the daunting task of fighting it's way out of the dungeons and the keep to freedom.

The largest concern on everyone's mind is Armand. While looking better since resting and obviously mobile, he is still in pain and his normal fluid movements and easy stride are stilted and stiff, and more than once each of you catches him grunt or wince in pain. It will obviously take more than a few hours of sleep to cure the abuse he's suffered over the last three days of captivity. With help (and an obvious great deal of discomfort) Armand manages to strap into the queen's magical half plate armor and help Dirk strap into Blackmaer's.

"Ok, lets move out."

I'm going pause with the story here and see if anyone wants to add anything related to a plan for exiting this complex. Without knowing much of what's going on above, obviously, it's tough to plan out what you'll be doing, so if no one has anything I can continue. Otherwise, throw out some generic concepts and ideas and I'll try to work them in.

Lash finishes buckling the new shortsword to her hip, feeling better thanshe had in well over a week. Looking at her friends she considered the magnitude of the task they had ahead of them, yet there was a hope unlike what she had felt previously, not simply a desire to make their enemies pay but a sense that througgh the dangers and near death experiences they'd suffered so far, sommething had been guiding them through the darkest moments.

Heh, Lena's rubbing off on me, she thought shaking her head wryly with a grin at the sorceress.

"The orc's respect strength over their enemies and the goblins follow whoever has the sword.If we walk out of here with her head there's a good chance we might have very limited resistance. Especially if we give them this piece of scum." she says guesturing towards Blackmaer.

"I get the feeling he didn't treat anybody in a way that inspires loyalty.

"I hope there are orcs left. They were being overwhelmed in the battle before we were captured. And that was some time ago."

Selena smiles back, but it is with no small amount of wistful sorrow.

"I do not think the goblins will just blindly follow the sword's bearer. It seems that there is magic at work here that must be used (or at least embraced), but it is so tainted by evil, I dare not do so. We may face the same problems."

"In either event, I will be able to use my powes again with a long enough rest."

DM, with a full night's rest, we should heal 1 hp per character level. Most of us would heal 3 hp. Of course, we could have been interrupted or fatigued or something.

That's another change within the pathfinder rules, keep me honest folks, 1 HP / Level it is.