Sfounder's Curse of the Crimson Throne PbP
Game Master Chris Marsh

It's a disgusting room to search through, and you find plenty of.... things... mostly severed limbs and other offal. Sadly, you discover nothing of value with your search.

Wait--here

Morkeleb uses his staff as a divining rod, which points to an area of mud and goop, covered by skeletal remains. He gingerly pushes these aside with his already soiled boot, and comes up with a bottle.

He looks carefully at the bottle, doing his best to clean off the stopper and mouth so as to not sully the contents. Between carefully studying the aura and giving a small taste (going by scent is a lost cause in this room) . . .

Hmm, this appears to be . . .

Knowledge (arcana): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (19) + 10 = 29

So... Back to D5 and head east?

Gaius goes to the east passage and peers down.

This is an Elixer of Vision. It enhances the drinker's sensory perceptions, and it lasts 1 hour.
.
My guess is that this is best suited for either Gaius, or Grym.

+10 to Perception for 1 hour

Odric follows Gaius with a brown Eagle shining anemic light through the film of filth.

New map here.

The walls and ceiling of this tall hallway are encrusted with dozens of yawning skulls, their mouths open into dark holes in the walls.

Grym and Bucho also follow Gaius eager to continue the exploration of the tunnels.

The ranger searches the southern wall of the skull encrusted chamber. Grym feels there should be a secret door or something there.

Perception 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18

This looks like an excellent place to hide a trap. The skulls give me the creeps.

Gaius skulks north along the western wall in hallway D6, moving slowly and checking each space in front of him for traps and hidden surprises, not forgetting the skulls above him. He'll make his way to the alcove on the western wall opposite the door and search the alcove before crossing to the door and listening at the door. He'll gently test the lock and then check the door for traps and alarms.

Perception Mod: +9
Stealth:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11

Damn. Looks like I'm not quite used to searching and sneaking at the same time.

Gaius, how sure are you? Because . . .

Morkeleb holds out the elixer just won from the sh1t demon, giving it a slight shake.

Gaius stops in mid-stride and reverses direction, stopping next to Morkeleb. He is visibly disgusted as he takes the elixir from Morkeleb, handling the bottle with two fingers. Gaius' face twists as his nose smells the... Residuals... From the bottle's exterior.

Morkeleb, I'm a whore. And this is the most disgusting thing I've ever put to my lips.

Gaius shuts his eyes, and quaffs the elixir in one pull. He gags a little and wretches, but keeps the elixir down. As he straightens up, his eyes are wide as saucers.

Unquenchable Fire!

Gaius then goes back to what he was doing above, this time with a +19 Modifier to Search checks. :)

Odric sniggers at Gaius' new brown mustachios.

I don't even need super powers of magical perception to see that "flavor saver"!

Odric makes quotation marks with his fingers as he continues to giggle. He is seemingly totally unaware of the fifteen pounds of sh!t coating his own face, hair, weapon, equipment and clothes.

Gaius, when you turn around and look back down the hall, everything becomes clearer than ever With an effect not unlike a dolly zoom This time, things are different:

ugh I thought I posted this earlier, but I guess I didn't submit from my phone yesterday

I agree with Grym I will check the hallway between D1 and D5 for a passageway. Especially the little cutoff that heads west. If I don't find anything I will go ask our prisoner if there are any hidden or obscure passages.

now in response to recent happenings

At the sight of Gaius doing his 1 1/2 Elf 1 Bottle rendition and Odric giggling like a school girl. Sandor finally feels his stomach twist. He quickly takes his helm off and heads to a corner to launch a most impressive grocery shout. After he is done he looks at Odric and Gaius with a gaze that says ok lads you won this round, and pulls out his store of dwarven ale takes a swig.

The ranger waits until our rogue finishes his thing checking D5 for traps and such.
But does discuss with Sandor how there should be a door or something down at the southern end of the corridor.

What is the word Gaius? Can you make the corridor safe?

It's a tricky trap. I could disable it with enough time and a little luck, but I'd also risk setting it off. In this case, I think it's better to just avoid it. It looks like it won't trigger unless more than one of us heads down the passage. I have another concern, however.

Before Sandor can object, Gaius picks up Sandor's helm and heads back to the mud room. He scoops up a helm full of mud and returns to the skull corridor.

From a distance, Gaius slings mud at each of the three suspicious skulls until they are gooped up.

He then tosses the helm to Morkeleb.

Morkeleb, please be so good as to magically clean Sandor's helm and my glove. Thank you.

I'm going down to the doorway alone. When I give the signal, come down to me one at a time.

Gaius walks down the corridor slowly, looking for surprises. He goes to the door and listens carefully at it, before checking to see if it's locked or trapped.

Hmmmm, a vomit, feces, and mud poultice. I must confess that I've seen worse--but not by much. The good news is, yes this can be cleaned. The bad news is, I'm not prepared to do such at this time. I typically do not prepare Prestidigidation--the most useful cleaning spell--when adventuring. Other more specialized dweomers are what I concentrate on. I'm afraid your clothing will have to wait until tomorrow!

If locked, I'll unlock.

Open Locks:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20

If that one didn't do it, I'll slow down and take 20.

If trapped:

Find Traps:1d20 + 19 ⇒ (6) + 19 = 25
Disable Device (Traps):1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14

I'll pull and load my hand crossbow and then open the door, slowly and quietly.

Stealth:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12

Grym nods in agreement w/ the rogue. If he thinks its not worth disabling the trap, he will trust his judgement. He is also glad it wasn't his helmet that was used as a crap pail slinger.
As the rogue pulls his loaded crossbow and creeps forward. The ranger pulls his blades and creeps after him. Ready to provide backup.

Stealth 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23

Odric is not sure what he is supposed to do... He looks quizzically at those standing near him, hoping for someone to give him some clear instructions. In any case he is ready for action with The Eagle out.

He begins some warm-up excercises which have the unfortunate effect of splattering semi liquid refuse around with the vigor and intensity of his gyrations.

Actions are taken. Just waiting on The Dungeon Master to tell me what goes down.

With an indignant look Sandor takes his helm back and while he cleans it by taking mouthfuls of dwarven stout and spraying out the inside.

Gaius, I do have an awesome set of tools and some minor skill in removing them if you would want me to assist

Morkeleb wipes a bit of sludge off his cheek which was flung about by an errant swing of Odric's arm.

Odric, you've cooled down from that battle already? You really need to splatter so??

we're waiting for Gaius to give the go-ahead to cross the hallway, one at a time so as not to trigger the trap

Sandor, you find nothing in the area that could be a secret door in that hallway.

Gaius opens the door slowly, unfortunately, it squeaks just as it opens wide enough to catch a glimpse inside.

Wooden tables here are stacked with vials, beakers, and other alchemical gear, although the southern one is heaped with broken vials and leans awkwardly on a hastily repaired leg. Three large cauldrons sit against the east wall, one of them upended. Its foul, rancid contents of rendered fats have spilled over the floor. A lone specimen of the albino creatures looks up from cleaning up the mess. He stares at you in shock. Uncertain of what he should do next...

The map is here.

What's going on up there? Can I come forward without triggering a trap?. Odric whispers, depending on the spell the wizard cast to carry his voice to his companions.

are we waiting for initiative rolls?

That depends..... its currently a stand off. You want to make this a combat? Post an action amd we'll roll.

Gaius shoots the creature and moves into the room to take cover behind the nearest table.

Hand Crossbow:1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

Whispered:Dammit! Everyone move up, no more than two in the skull corridor at a time!

Morkeleb quickly tries to take control of the situation on our end of the corridor.

Odric, Sandor, go! Ferox and I will be behind you once you're in the room.

As they go, I'll turn to face where we came, staff in one hand, Magic Missile wand in the other, looking for pursuit.

Perception: 1d20 ⇒ 4 <--hey, look! My staff has a purdy green gem on it!!!

Bow at the ready, Ferox takes up position next to Mork and scans for any approaching threats.

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9

Odric charges down the corridor, with Sandor at his heels. The two burst into the room ready for anything.

If he can, Odric attacks - but I think if this is a suprise action he can only move? If he can get off an attack feel free to roll with a +3 and no power attack.

Hello! Okay, no one is surprised, so there is no surprise round. Given the situation, let's begin with straight initiative and the positions listed in the last map update:

Ferox: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27
Odric: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24
Grym: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3
Gaius: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13
Morkeleb: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 1 = 16
Sandor: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11
Baddie: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11

Given the results of initiative, we can redo any of the actions since seeing the baddie. Initiative repost:

Ferox: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27
Odric: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24
Morkeleb: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 1 = 16
Gaius: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13
Baddie: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11
Sandor: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11
Grym: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

RETCON

Ferox! Odric! Go!! Sandor and I will join you once you clear the corridor!

Well, in that case, Ferox sprints into the room and takes cover between the two northern cauldrons.

Round 1

Ferox bursts past everyone, aided by the divine. As he blows past the skulls in the corridor, the trap goes off. Grym and Ferox are still in range of the effect. Each is in the path of orbs of acid:

Touch attack v. Grym: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12 Nice dodge!
Touch attack v. Ferox: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17 it hits for 1d3 ⇒ 2 damage.

The acid trap sputters out, but the three refuse marked skulls turn and begin to snake out of the wall. The spinal columns are still attached, giving them the appearance of snakes...

Dammit guys. If we're entering Initiative, Grym and Gaius are still in the skull corridor.

Erp. Sorry, guys. I thought that Gaius was in the doorway and thus out of the corridor.

Yeah, me sorry too. I thought they were "out" of the corridor. Guess it's Delay time .. .

Maybe not, Mike. Because now we have three skeletal snake things to fight.

are the skull/spine things adjascent? Can I attack and cleave them? If so I'll post ASAP.

The baddies are now on the map, though they haven't gone yet.

MAP!

Odric sprints forward, intent upon reaching the source of the commotion in time to smite something. When he rounds the corner and spots the eerie skulls floating in the air, he makes a snap decision to destory them. As he advances, he winds up with The Eagle for a mighty swing.

1d20 + 3 - 1 ⇒ (1) + 3 - 1 = 3

Odric was so intent on practicing his new theoretical cleavage technique that he completely whiffed the all-important first swing. The stregth of his massive and powerful attack was so incredible that it took him completely around in a circle, ending with a disoriented and suprised Odric standing flat-footed in front of three horrible grinning skulls.

Cold sweat breaks out along the fighter's brow, his arm and neck hairs bristle as the apparitions float before him silently.

that sucked. Odric moved Right 4 and up 1. He should be standing next to the southernmost skull.

ROUND 1
As Odric spins like a . . . spinny thing, Morkeleb steps forward into the doorway (forward 15') and fires off another eldritch bolt. It swerves around Odric's twirling skull and into the skull facing the warrior.

Magic MIssile: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

What are these strange monstrosities? Knowledge (Arcana): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (12) + 10 = 22

Morkeleb, you know one other key piece of information, your magic missile blasts it backwards. It doesn't destroy it, but it's clearly damaged.

Gaius!

Have a care!! These creatures can paralyze with the bite, and daze with their stare!

Gaius spins as the Retcon claims him in it's claws!

Gaius shoots the albino gnome and moves to take cover behind the table, moving East 2.

Hand Crossbow:1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20
Damage:1d4 + 1d6 ⇒ (1) + (2) = 3

Is that a poisoned bolt?