The Haunting of Brute Squad (Inactive)

Game Master ThorGN

"Devil babies?" He asks as he rejoins the group in his proper place, the back.

Erin shrugs at Ashur and states.
"Guess you really were possessed, or messed your head up when you took that swan dive off the balcony. Some ghost woman was floating around and you were professing your love for her and talking about devil spawn. It was kind of creepy."

She turns back to the door and says.
"Oh well, the quicker we explore this whole place, the faster we get out of here."

She then enters the room at the top of the stairs.

A silent participant in the audience of Ashur's brief stage-dive, Arkwright smiles a little and follows Erin onwards. "Agreed. The amusement of watching Ashur caper around aside, I greatly wish to get this over with."

Closed sliding doors are set in all four walls of this stark room. The wood paneled floor is bare, but on the walls hang paintings depicting life and romance in the court of some great empire. As Erin takes a few steps into the room followed by Ashur, you hear the distinct sound of chirping and warbling birdsong, as if the your very steps are singing. It is quite beautiful, and loud. The doors on either side of the room slide quickly open to reveal two men, skeletons of their former selves, with shield and katana raised high, they rush in with surprising quickness.

Attack vs Erin: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (10) + 12 = 22 deals 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7 damage.
Attack vs Ashur: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (6) + 12 = 18 deals 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6 damage.

Round 1

Initiative:
Arkwright 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9
Ashur 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10
Charlotte 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21
Erin 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19
Tanrov 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18
Yandu 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12
Skeleton 1 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10
Skeleton 2 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20

Combat Map

"Fight time!" Arkwright calls as he looks through the doorway and sees the two skeletons attack Ashur and Erin.

He draws his sword and waves a hand through the air, causing a dull radiance to manifest itself around each party member's legs before dissipating.

Haste on everyone.

Skeletons rise up and hits Erin and Ashur. Oh snap. Guess it's time to do some more work!

Charlote moves into position and channels the heck out of these skeletons.

It does provoke GM, so go ahead since I've got no Acrobatics

Channel Positive Energy to harm undead and I selectively channel to prevent hitting Ashur and Erin..

Channel: 3d6 ⇒ (1, 1, 2) = 4
Will Save DC: 16 for half. >.<

But... you're channeling POSITIVE energy. Why would you want to NOT hit Ashur and Erin?

Erin clutches at her arm where the katana cut just below the chain shirt.
"We have some live... err... dead ones up here. They are not ghosts though."

Hearing the tell-tale sound of blades on armor, Tanrov almost shouts with glee. I can fight things with swords!

Erin can I get that space in the middle? You're before me.

I will most likely be vacating that spot, depends on what that skeleton before me does.

Skeletons = undead.. But next round I will make a channel to heal.. Pending of course that the dice roller will roll something more than minimum damage..

I know a skeleton goes before me, but rolling into bed now and do not want to hold things up if brute gets on shortly.

Erin draws her short swords and steps 5 feet to the north east, turning and swinging a sword at her foe.

Attack 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19 (One Attack, Flank)
Damage 1d6 + 3 + 3d6 ⇒ (6) + 3 + (6, 1, 3) = 19 (Offensive Defense, +3 AC if attack connects.)

Yandu looks in panic

"Stay with me Anya"

He then takes out his new crossbow and lets off a shot

1d20 + 7 - 4 - 4 ⇒ (13) + 7 - 4 - 4 = 12 including cover and into melee
damage 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

I'm pretty much aware the action is useless. But I didn't want to be in the way of others. Keeps me in character and I can use my new crossbow for the first time.

Will save 1: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26
Will save 1: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15

The skeleton in front of Ashur continues to press forward with deliberate strokes of his curved blade.
Power Attack 1: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (8) + 10 = 18, Ashur takes 1d8 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15 damage.
Power Attack 1: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17, Ashur takes 1d8 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11 damage.

Erin strikes, but where she thought was her target, she finds only air.

Tanrov!

"These things are fast, be careful!"
Erin shouts above the sounds of combat.

Tanrov rushes into the room and charges into the middle of the fray.

Provoking from both.

He swings his maul in a mighty arc, smashing it into one of the offending skeletons.

1d20 + 11 - 1 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (20) + 11 - 1 + 1 - 2 = 29
2d6 + 7 + 6 ⇒ (2, 5) + 7 + 6 = 20

Confirming.

1d20 + 11 - 1 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (12) + 11 - 1 + 1 - 2 = 21
4d6 + 14 + 12 ⇒ (6, 1, 2, 4) + 14 + 12 = 39 additional damage

AoO 1: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (19) + 12 = 31, Confirm: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (8) + 12 = 20, Tanrov takes 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11 damage.
AoO 2: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (11) + 10 = 21, Tanrov takes 1d8 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13 damage.

Oh and Charlotte, Channel Energy does not provoke AoOs.

Tanrov rushes in, the two skeletons catch him as he passes, but he lands a solid blow on Seleton 1d2 ⇒ 2. Crit did not confirm.

Yandu’s bolt ricochets off the door frame, narrowly missing Erin as it passes through the room.

The north skeleton takes a new interest in the holy warrior in front of him.
Power Attack 1: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (4) + 10 = 14, miss
Power Attack 2: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24, Confirm: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9, Charlotte takes 1d8 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9 damage.

Ashur!

21 does not confirm!?

Tanrov grunts in pain as the two skeletons carve him up but he puts on brave front for his hero.

Oh sorry, I was looking at a different number. In that case...

The south skeleton crumbles into a pile of bones under Tanrov’s mighty strike.

Whew, I was worried we were looking at Revenge of the Juju Zombies.

Ashur, despite being hurt from the multiple cuts on his body, the pain fuels his rage as he full attacks the skeleton.

Power Attack, Rage + Haste

Claw
1d20 + 14 ⇒ (7) + 14 = 21

1d4 + 13 ⇒ (1) + 13 = 14

Claw
1d20 + 14 ⇒ (13) + 14 = 27

1d4 + 13 ⇒ (2) + 13 = 15

Bite
1d20 + 14 ⇒ (10) + 14 = 24

1d4 + 13 ⇒ (4) + 13 = 17

Gore
1d20 + 14 ⇒ (18) + 14 = 32

1d8 + 13 ⇒ (1) + 13 = 14

Hasted Gore
1d20 + 14 ⇒ (4) + 14 = 18

1d8 + 13 ⇒ (4) + 13 = 17

Ashur tears the last Skeleton asunder. Arkwright halts the spell he was about to cast, seeing that it’s not needed.

Combat End

Ashur comes down from his rage and starts to heal himself.

1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

1d8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

"I could use a cast or two from this if you would Ashur."
Erin states, while sheathing her weapons and producing a wand.

Erin will wait until everyone has healed then check/enter the door to the north.

Tanrov plays down the severity of his injuries in hopes of impressing his hero.

Bluff - 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 1 = 12

Sense Motive

1d20 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 1 = 17

Ashur notices Tanrov's injuries while tending to Erin's wounds.

1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9

"You're hurt, let me heal you too." He uses his own wand to heal Tanrov.

1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

1d8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

"Thank you Ashur."

Tanrov nods in thanks as he's healed.

Ashur just shrugs like it was no big deal.

The two rooms the skeletons came from were once small bedrooms, probably for guests. The furniture was once of fine quality but has been neglected for quite some time. Both bedrooms are decorated with ancient ceremonial war masks inlaid with gold and other precious metals.

Your footsteps still chirp and sing as you move about the room.

Ashur looks around the room for anything interesting and not obvious.

Perception
1d20 + 10 ⇒ (11) + 10 = 21

Arkwright scans one of the masks for magic and, if he finds none, picks it up and examines it.

Erin attempts to discern what is causing the chirping noises within the room.
Perception 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (13) + 9 = 22 +2 Traps

The masks are well made, non-magical, but probably worth something to the right collector.

The noises are coming from the floor itself. The way the boards were constructed produces the noises. It’s a rather fascinating feat of engineering, if you know anything about that sort of thing.

Unable to discern the purpose of the chirping floor, Erin checks the eastern room. If no dangers are apparent, she continues into the room.

Perception 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (14) + 9 = 23 +2 Traps

Bookshelves line the walls of this room, packed with any number of volumes, scrolls, and folios. In the center of the room and resting on a large colorful rug is a table covered with maps, papers, and writing implements. This room seems to have been used on a regular basis recently. There are doors in the north and east walls.

Erin takes a quick look at the stacks of items piled up on the table.
"Seems like this place is currently still in use. We may as well take all these items back with us when we go."
She says to no one in particular.

She then checks the door to the east.
Perception 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (5) + 9 = 14 +2 Traps

This spacious room beyond appears to be almost too large for its occupant. A small and rumpled futon sits in the corner, next to a low table covered in dirty cups and plates. Books are casually strewn about the floor, and the entire room reeks of incense.

Yandu sniffs the air "better as the decay downstairs. Do we think this was the sorcerer who lived here - or someone whom we haven't met yet,"

"Hopefully the sorcerer, I would much rather not meet anyone else here."
Erin replies to Yandu as she heads to take a look at the lump under the futon. She then examines it closer.

Perception 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10 +2 Traps
If there is nothing obviously fishy about it she pokes the lump with one of her swords.

Erin pulls from underneath the futon a well used spellbook.

"It appears our wayang friend was more likely a wizard than a sorcerer."
Erin states as she flips through the book.

"Anyone have a use for this?"
As she holds the book out, clearly disinterested.

Arkwright nods and retrieves the book from Erin. "Collecting new spells is always interesting... let's see what we have here..."

It’s a spellbook, with spells, that you can’t read at the moment. ’cause you don’t have Read Magic prepared today.

"Spellbooks: A magus must study his spellbook each day to prepare his spells. He cannot prepare any spell not recorded in his spellbook except for read magic, which all magi can prepare from memory"
Damn, I had misread that and assumed all maguses had it prepared automatically.

Yandu and Anya scout the room of the wizard - looking if Erin missed anything - for example some paperwork or letter.

Perception Yandu 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6
Perception Anya 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16

Not a clue anything even exists - letter are a best guess - but who knows. My mission makes no sense so far, but maybe if I find something discriminating it might start to make sense.

Yandu still seems to be shaken by the events - turning around often and watching if anything approaches from behind isn't helping his search.

"Can anyone make any sense of this stuff?"
Erin asks, gesturing to the random papers and books in the past couple of rooms.

She then continues on.
"If not it seems like we only have one room left to check."

Ashur shakes his head no. "Well then let's get to it."

Arkwright nods. "Agreed."

The last room is a spacious bedroom and finely appointed, with a luxurious futon in the southeastern corner. Alongside it sits a writing desk with several ledgers and record books on top of it. To the northwest sits an enormous bathtub, almost the size of a vat. The furnishings in the room are intact and of good quality, but the scent of vinegar is almost overpowering.

As you open the door, a Tian woman with an ageless face greets you, standing near the desk. Why have your come here strangers from afar? To learn my secrets perhaps? Such foolish young things...

She looks familiar to you, and then you realize that you have seen her before. She is the woman in each of the disturbing visions you have seen throughout the house.

You watch in horror for as she speaks to you, her neck stretches and separates from her shoulders. Her lungs and heart also squeeze disturbingly out of the top of her body, soon followed by her stomach and entrails. The body falls the ground, and she floats there, a mass of organs and tentacles.

She taunts you with a seductively calm tone. Don’t presume to judge me. Countless others have done worse to secure their immortality. How many murders buy a single vial of sun orchid elixir? Or do you seek the Way of the Kirin? She chuckles throatily as she looks pointedly at the ledgers on the desk. You’ll never find it! It’s deader than I am!