Iacobus the Bastard |
Iacobus runs one final check on his gear before heading down the stairs. He makes sure his rapier and sickle are readily accessed as well as the three extracts he had made up that morning. He then replaces his self-bound notes on what ingredients cause certain effects in his backpack.
He is still distracted about all of the brewing he still needed to finish while most of his compatriots start examining the room. With Ember's comments about devices in the floor he finally takes a good look at the room.
Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10 11 for other traps
He then heads to the trap that had been pointed out, takes a minute to remove his chain shirt and starts to work on disabling it.
Taking ten and then adding an inspiration as well for a grand total of Disable device: 10 + 9 + 1d6 ⇒ 10 + 9 + (4) = 23
"Solving this place will hopefully not be too problematic. This room seems tame but..."
Lucetta De Leon |
Iacobus, where there is one trap there may be another behind that door, shall we see if either of the hidden portals our friend Ember cleverly found shed any more light on things before we try the more obvious exit?
Lucetta nods at Ember for pointing out the trick to opening the northern door, then depresses the hidden catch, allowing it to swing open. She steps back, ready for anything.
Iacobus the Bastard |
"Still would be agood idea to remove this trap before we start into other rooms... and let me get my armor back on." Iacobus replies. He starts whistling while working on the trap. "Been a long time since I had to disable a trap..." When he finishes he pulls his chain shirt back on. "Ready"
GM Fanguar |
Lucetta opens the northern secret door. A section of the wall opens to reveal a small cubby holding a pedestal. Resting upon the pedestal is a jewel that glows with pale blue light. Above it on the wall, there is another inscription: Thou hast seen through deception to uncover a useful tool.
For traps, I'm never going to tell you if you are successful. The PCs will always think the did, but you wont know until you try it.
Iacobus the Bastard |
Iacobus peers at the jewel... Craft (alchemy) Take ten: 10 + 9 = 19... and immediately recognizes it as a cleverly disguised weapon. "It's an alchemist's ice, but well disguised. I hope we don't have to use this down here because it would work well with Ember's disguise."
The item sounds useful is there anyway Iacobus could learn to make one? And no problem on the traps, but after nearly killing himself in a fire a few days ago Iacobus is going to be very cautious.
Iacobus then leaves the other door to Lucetta's care and sees Artur about borrowing his heavy shield... "Arthur mind if I borrow your sheild for a moment? I want to make sure the trap I was working on is disabled before we go walking across it. Any one have some rope we can borrow? "
Arthur, WotW |
Arthur's face reveals his conflicted thoughts. Finally deciding he loosens the newly acquired shield and hands it to Iacobus, "Sure, but be careful," he says. His interest is sparked by the hidden door and the jewel. "It is a good find you did," he adds.
The new one is a mastercrafted light shield, I left the heavy shield above in the mansion.
Lucetta De Leon |
What a pretty bauble, and a weapon you say Iacobus? Very nice indeed!
she stares at the gem with an appraising eye, and passes it to Ember.
If we can save it then all the better, if not then I trust you to make good use of it! Now...
she strides to the southern door
Let us hope this is either an exit or another reward...
she twists the stone that activates the door and steps back.
GM Fanguar |
Iacobus pokes and prods at the false floor and satisfied with his handy work, steps on it to investigate the door. Up close, it becomes obvious that the door is a decoy and is simply built against the stone wall.
Over at the other side of the room, Lucetta fiddles with the wall and a large doorway slides open. Beyond it a short hallway ends in another wooden door. Above is inscribed the following, “Following the herd is for fools. Fear not their icy derision. Instead, fear only thy Infernal Lord.”.
Iacobus takes a minute to make sure the door is safe and then you open it. Inside is another square room, lit by a flickering oil lap hanging from the ceiling. A door is set in each of the other walls and the floor is covered in dirt and dust.
The room is filled with an unnatural chill that seems to be originating from a fuzzy mould that covers most of the western door. You numb and feel weak before you get within five feet of the stuff.
Lucetta De Leon |
perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5
Feeling the chill of the mold, Lucetta shivers
Well that's unpleasant, I've never seen its like before!
She considers the room and thinks on the words from outside.
Anyone any ideas?
Ember Thorn |
Perception: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (20) + 12 = 32
"The air is cold here, and there's a lot of tracks, but none leads to the door with the mold." she stops a bit, thinking and then says "Following the herd is for fools. Fear not their icy derision." as she steps in the door with the mold, trying to open it.
It seems pretty obvious that we should go into the door with the mold, Ember is just not bright enough to consider what the mold may be, the warning said not to be afraid of the ice, so she will not be afraid of it.
Iacobus the Bastard |
Iacobus quickly moves up behind Ember and grabs the back of her collar. When he realizes she can just drag him along, he grabs Arthur's hand and uses the larger man's bulk to try holding her in place.
"Hold it. Just because we don't have to fear something doesn't mean it can't still kill us. Like a caged wolf, we shouldn't fear it but we should still be careful. Let's see what happens to say some food before we go walking through the cold mold.
With this he pulls out a small part of his trail ration and lobs it near the mold, watching the effects.
No one has Dungeoneering and Iacobus can't yet make Knowledge checks untrained... Could we possibly work it out by testing. (i.e. watching it freeze some bread; trying to light a small portion on fire; and then deciding cold might work, especially since we were given an alchemist's fire ice?
Iacobus the Bastard |
"Sorry miss princess but not all of us are immune to wolf bites..." Iacobus retorts, clearly not happy about the 'cute' comment. "I'll just be a bit."
GM Fanguar |
It's a tough situation. Living creatures within 5 feet of it take 3d6 points of nonlethal cold damage. Fire brought within 5 feet of brown mold causes the mold to instantly double in size. I will hand wave the experimentation process and just say you figure it out, but anyone involved in the experimentation process takes cold!!: 3d6 ⇒ (2, 2, 5) = 9 nonlethal damage.
The alchemical ice causes the mold to whither away, revealing the western door upon which is the inscription: “Thou hast made thy own path.”
Lucetta De Leon |
A shame we had to use such an elegant and beautiful item , but I suppose like many things we might find down here, it was appropriate to use then to solve this part of the room and be able to move on.
she considers the slowly withering mold with barely-concealed distaste
Disgusting...
she steps past it quickly to open the door to the west, proceeding through it and on to the next area.
Ember Thorn |
"Should we check the other doors?" asks Ember "There may be anything of value or interest for us." then she walks near Iacobus, clearly knowing he did not enjoyed her last commentary. Let’s add a bit more of fire… she thinks as she passes her arms around his neck, whispering into his ear ”Dear, can you check it for us?”
Lucetta De Leon |
Lucetta rolls her eyes at Ember's antics.
Iacobus dear if you must investigate then do be aware the last 'wrong' door to pick was trapped, it would be a shame to have you injured when we seem to be doing well...
She looks around admiringly before turning her gaze on Ember
I like your father's design thus far, testing us to make sure we have the right attitude with a punishment for choosing wrong, definiteyl the right idea with an undertaking like this!
Ember Thorn |
Still holding Iacobus she turns to Lucetta, conveniently pressing more of her body against his ”Everything he does has a reason. Each lesson has to have a meaning and a due punishment for those that can’t comprehend its significance. Else, why put us through all of this?”
Iacobus the Bastard |
Iacobus glowers at the far wall for a second or two before rolling his eyes and responding in a sickly sweet voice. "Why certainly, Darling, but you have such sharp eyes, why not make certain I won't hurt myself over there?" With this he pouts slightly, "I'd hate to leave you alone."
Bluff, take ten: 10 + 6 = 16
Iacobus will probably start taking ten on things regularly (he originally rolled a 14, but 20 seemed high and I am trying to get into the habit) as investigators work well with 10's.
Ember Thorn |
SM: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (20) + 10 = 30
Looking directly in his eyes and smiling warmly the Aasimar says ”Of course I’ll dear.”
After saying that, on her tiptoes she kisses him in the cheek, before moving out searching for anything dangerous in the other doors.
Take 20 in perception, for a total of 32.
Perception: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (7) + 12 = 19
Iacobus the Bastard |
Iacobus' eye starts to twitch slightly in response to Ember's kiss, but otherwise keeps a mask of loving concern. "Thank-you, darling, you're always too sweet on me."
GM Fanguar |
As for take 10/20. Anytime you are out of combat taking 10 is fine. As for taking 20, for anything where there is no penalty for failure it's fine, so knowledge, searching for treasure, unlocking doors, etc, not so much for finding/disarming traps, stealth and so on. But consider taking 10, your base line.
Ember finds that the other two doors are false and loaded with traps. Opening the door beyond the mold reveals a long curving corridor that leads to another unlocked and untrapped door. Above it is inscribed “Know your enemy. Shatter all that blinds you and then burn thy adversary to ashes.”
Cautiously opening the door, you see that beyond it is impregnable darkness.
The room beyond is of a similar size as those previous and There are two doors in this room – one leading north and one leading east. They are both barred with complex locking mechanisms. In the centre of the room is a short pillar supporting a dark globe. The stone around the pillar is puncture by a number of small holes.
Lucetta De Leon |
For those of you not blessed with the ability to see in shadow, this is a room the same size as the previous ones, two doors north and east with complex looking locks. There is also a short pillar in the centre supporting a dark globe, around that there are some small holes in the floor.
she muses
"shatter all that blinds you", the only thing in here breakable seems to be that globe, but I'm wary of those holes...
she unclips her crossbow from her belt and aims at the globe
crossbow: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10
Ember Thorn |
Seeing the woman effort, and noticing that she is not used to this kind of action, Ember offer to help.
"I've a bit of practice with the bow, let me try too."
Atk: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 4 + 1 = 24
Dmg: 1d8 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 + 1 = 8
Arthur, WotW |
Sorry I have been away.
Having kept silent when the Ember and Iacobus had their little spat Arthur just followed when the path was revealed. Once the dark room was opened he kept back allowing those who had vision to work. "Is it that obvious? I mean the other rooms has had some hidden meaning to the words," he asks continuing offering: "You could guide me to the globe if the arrows doesn't work"
Lucetta De Leon |
One hates to be churlish, but Iacobus or Arthur would you be so kind as to examine the central pedestal please? I fear you will be more resilient should the worst happen...
Lucetta purses her lips, still scanning the room for anything lse that might have happened now the globe and darkness have gone.
Iacobus the Bastard |
Iacobus smiles some as he reads the last bit of the note; arson had been one of the few crimes he truly enjoyed committing. After taking a moment to light a torch and testing moving it in and out of the near wall of inky blackness he decides the girls had this in hand.
"I'd gladly take a look at those holes and the pedestal." Iacobus comments already part way to the holes.
He studies them from a distance before slowly coming in on them, supposedly there was an 'enemy' in the room.
Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9 Woot, a whooping ten for traps. He's to having a better reflex roll :P
on a different note, we did not have enough time with supplies to craft anything did we? I'm assuming not.
Arthur, WotW |
Lucetta's remark calls briefly a smile to Arthur's lips. "I think you might be right," he replies in a more sombre tone. He waits when Iacobus approach the pedestal to see if anything happens. Out of instinct he takes a single step infront of Lucetta and Ember before Iacobus reach the centre.
Ember Thorn |
DM, if I've gone too far, please tell me and do not consider the action bellow.
From her place at the door, Ember frowns as Iacobus enter the room, this was not right, why should they risk themselves over this, when things could be done in a safer way? She tries to hold him from entering the place, holding his hand. ”Wait, wait dear.” she looks around and says to everyone ”There’s no need for us to risk like this, I don’t like those holes in the ground.” with that she asks the others to move a bit far from the door as she says ”I’ll be right back.”
Without further explanation Ember turns around and jogs back to the stairs to the manor. Daddy never told us what we cannot do!
Ember heads upstairs, and assuming no one tries to stop her, she grabs the first slave he sees by the arm. ”You, come with me.” She says sweetly, to other she says ”Find the ogre, tell him to come and meet us at the basement.” she was used to those slaves; they always did what was told for them to do. She leads her back down the basement, and to the others.
The three other look at Ember and the new addition to their party with curiosity. She walks the female slave to the door, hugging her gently and giving and passionate kiss, and them she says to the others ”This” she says as she kicks the girl bodily into the room, ”is bait.”
GM Fanguar |
Perfectly acceptable and reasonable. FYI Grumblejack will not be 'allowed' to help (and you really shouldn't need him). He will be available as a cohort later if you take leadership.
When the slave stumbles into the room a thick red tinged mist begins to billow out of the holes in the floor and envelop the poor girl. Pin pricks of blood appear on her exposed skin and soon tiny rivulets of blood begin to run.
1d3 ⇒ 2
1d6 ⇒ 6
Her scream of agony is brief and she soon collapses to the floor.
We can consider ourselves in combat, for the sake of keeping track of time. You can all act if you wish.
Iacobus the Bastard |
Iacobus, held back before he got too close to the obvious trap, decides to let Ember try her plan, he was willing to give her a chance to prove herself.
After giving the serving maid a look of curiosity he guesses what she might be there for, Ember's words confirm it. "Darling, won't Tiadora get angry if you start breaking her toys?" Iacobus comments as the numb girly moves into the room. "Oh, too late."
After a momentary cringe over what might have been him had Ember not stepped in, Iacobus cautiously approaches the mist and the girl before he tries to stick the torch into the mist and light her clothes on fire. She would make a good source of flames to hopefully burn off the mist.
"I hope Tiadora doesn't mind a slightly singed puppet. Thanks for getting someone expendable, darling, it makes work so much easier."
Attack roll(?) if needed: 1d20 - 5 ⇒ (2) - 5 = -3 Bloody "one-handed" weapon... edit:Wow! Negative roll! I really hope he doesn't need an attack roll... but if it hits doesn't need one he deals 1 point of fire and 1d3 - 1 ⇒ (2) - 1 = 1 bludgeoning damage.
Just in case:
Combat stats:Hp 15/15; AC (19)18/14T/14FF; CMD 14
+0F/+6R/+3W
Buffs: Improvised Defense
Ember Thorn |
Tia? Care about slaves? If I tell him what she does to have fun... still, she did not wanted to kill the slave if that could be helped, breaking toys was not a good practice.
With that in mind, she picks her bow and shoot at the mist, if that was a creature, she would discover it now.
Atk: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 5 + 1 = 13
Dmg: 1d8 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 + 1 = 3
Lucetta De Leon |
Lucetta considers the scene with a cocked head, entranced as she watches the blood emerge from the slave girl.
Fascinating... she whispers, before shaking her head and recalling they were here to solve this place, not to enjoy the scenery.
We have 'shattered that which blinded us', the rest of the room's motto is to 'burn our adversary'. Iacobus I believe the torch might be a good idea if we have no other means to make fire. And if we do not then shame upon us for being unprepared!
Conjuring a handful of acid, she casts it forwards at the holes in the floor, hoping to catch the mist.
acid splash: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19
acid: 1d3 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
Lucetta De Leon |
Yes indeed Arthur, if you have some then oil would be ideal to use right now. If we pour some down those holes then whatever it is can't escape!
she smiles at Arthur encouragingly for his good suggestion.
Iacobus the Bastard |
"Oil would be a bit easier and safer to use... Good idea Arthur. We could even set it up to explode like a small alchemist's fire. However, I do not have any right now; I do have the ingredients to an Alchemist's fire though it would take too long to make."
Iacobus remarks as he tries stabbing the red mist.
GM Fanguar |
DC13 Know(dungeoneering). Sorry, should have posted that initially.
Ember and Iacobus' attack go wide, but Lucetta's magic strikes it soundly with a sizzle.
It floats over to Iacobus (you're the only one in melee)
Touch: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27 Luckily its attacks don't crit..
Con Drain: 1d3 ⇒ 2
Bleed: 1d6 ⇒ 4
Everyone is up again
AC 14, touch 14, flat-footed 10 (+4 Dex)
hp 27/30
Fort +4, Ref +5, Will +5
Defensive Abilities amorphous; DR 5/magic
Weaknesses vulnerable to fire
OFFENSE
Speed fly 50 ft. (perfect)
Melee touch +7 (bleed and blood siphon)
Special Attacks bleed (1d6)
Arthur, WotW |
"Sorry, I haven't planned for this and brought some. I thought our torches would provide enough light," Arthur applogises. Seeing the swarm move to Iacobus Arthur looks perflexed to Lucetta and Ember. "I need a weapon to help Iacobus, my sword isn't enough," he states hoping for guidance.
Iacobus the Bastard |
After his fantastic job in hitting the wall the opposite direction from the mist and the mist's retaliation, Iacobus decides he should not be near the combat at all. Instead he retreats and holds out his torch for Arthur.
"You can use this... "
Ahhh yes another knowledge skill I don't have... Investigator level 3 you will be soooo useful.
Lucetta De Leon |
The script mentioned fire but it doesn't appear to like acid either, though I'm not sure we have much of that either...
Lucetta goes through the motions of her spell again
acid splash: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11
acid: 1d3 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
This may take a while, perhaps someone could go and fetch some oil whilst I keep the mist busy? Preferably before it runs out of slave girl to feed on?
GM Fanguar |
Iacobus flees the room and the creature does not follow. Lucetta's spell misses, but Ember's arrow flies true, apparently causing the creature some pain.
With no one in the room, the mist sinks back down in to the holes in the floor and the room stands empty once more.
Iacobus' wounds continue to bleeding Bleed: 1d6 ⇒ 4 (DC15 heal check, or magical healing to stop the bleed affect.)
Combat is effectively over for the moment.
AC 14, touch 14, flat-footed 10 (+4 Dex)
hp 24/30
Fort +4, Ref +5, Will +5
Defensive Abilities amorphous; DR 5/magic
Weaknesses vulnerable to fire
OFFENSE
Speed fly 50 ft. (perfect)
Melee touch +7 (bleed and blood siphon)
Special Attacks bleed (1d6)
Ember Thorn |
Heal: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17
Noticing that the wound did not stopped bleeding, Ember walks over to Iacobous and with fast mostly uncaring hands, patch it up, preventing it from continuous harming her ally.
However, he looks worse for the wear, as she decides to do more than simply stop his bleeding.
Chanting a small prayer to the dark father, her hands glowing, she touches the wounded area, trying to seal it off for good.
CLW: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6
Considering this: total hp:15, he lost 8 to bleed, and 2 due CON damage. After healing, if I'm not mistake he should have: 11/13
Lucetta De Leon |
This is boring me, hurrumph. frowns Lucetta.
Wait here Arthur, go no further! she instructs the hulking man. Taking his flask of oil she quickly uncorks it and tosses it on to the central area where the holes are, covering the floor with viscous, flammable liquid.
Moving briskly back upstairs she finds the nearest slave and corrals them with a murmured
Come with me dear before pushing them two steps in front of her all the way back down to the room where everyone awaits. Lighting a second torch she hands it to the slave and instructs them
Go and stand in the middle of the floor by that plinth, and mind out it is slippery you do not want to fall over and risk my wrath! Once there hold the torch as high as you can
She watches as the slave performs their task, turning to the group
You each had elements of the solution, it just needed putting together. Hopefully this tasty snack will draw our our friend, and feeding will cause the slave to drop the torch on the oil... she grins mischievously
Shall we move back slightly?
Arthur, WotW |
While not admitting it he is relieved when Lucetta stops him. He waits ever watchful as she leaves and raises a brow when she returns, but when her intentions become clear, he nods. "That is the clever thing to do," he says acknowledging her plan.