The_Ninja_DM |
Ivy and moss cling tenaciously to the looming, two-story building in the center of the grounds. Many of the old wooden shingles of the roof are missing entrely, exposing the wooden rafters of the upper structure to the sky. The windows in the building's facade are narrow and blocked by grills of rusty iron bars. Stone columns support a slumping wooden balcony over the building's wooden front dors, both of which hang askew, revealing dark glimpses of the chambers within.
Gkirkhan is the first to realize that the area around the perimeter of the building has been cleared recently. The straggling weeds, ivy, and moss are just starting to grow back and imperfecly conceal a series of sinuous runes etched into the foundation and still showing signs of having been smeared with blood.
Que Xuang |
Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13
Que still feels the faintly sensation of fire on her skin and is looking around seemingly just to asure herself, that she is not locked in a cell or such, as Gkirkhan shepherds her forward. She follows the other to the small building and slowly that strange senstation fades and as it fades, her self-conciousness returns.
Wood the Wizard |
Wood pulls his frog out of a large pocket to show everyone and places him back in.
"My frog, Deep one, could scout the water, but I fear leaving him out of my sight."
As they circle around Wood points to the path leading to the steps up to wing on the side away from the pond.
"I don't like taking the obvious entrance. How about going up those stairs to higher ground if the construction is stable?"
Vertielle Siepar |
Vertielle raises an eyebrow at Wood's suggestion, noting mentally to acquire more illusion and divination spells in the future. She quickly scans the pond for signs of life, sharing her thoughts in a muted whisper.
I doubt any ghost or spirit would think twice about your squally, Wood, but let's look for signs of animal habitation to confirm this before assuming it.
Vertielle is insistent the group make at least one full circle around the exterior of the building. The professors journal noted glyphs around harrowstone, and she isn't apt to be trapped inside by circle magic.
Gkirkhan |
Init: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16 Oh Yez, very nize.
Gkirkhan sees the skeletons. He reaches for his sword.
Gkirkhan remembers the last time he fought skeletons. He goes for the hammer instead.
"Dem, Hy guess ve iz just goink to have to settle for breakink dose nekky-manserz' toiz."
The_Ninja_DM |
OK, Initiative order:
Gkirkhan
Wood
skeletons
Vertielle
Evangline
Que
Targeting: Evangline=1, Gkirkhan=2, Que=3, Vertiell=4, Wood=5
Round 1:
Skeleton 1:
Target: 1d5 ⇒ 5 vs Wood
Attack_Claw_x_1: 1d20 - 3 ⇒ (14) - 3 = 11
Damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
Skeleton 2:
Target: 1d5 ⇒ 2 vs Gkirkhan
Attack_Claw_x_1: 1d20 - 3 ⇒ (2) - 3 = -1
Damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
Skeleton 3:
Target: 1d5 ⇒ 5 vs Wood
Attack_Claw_x_1: 1d20 - 3 ⇒ (1) - 3 = -2
Damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
Two of the skeletons move to attack Wood, while a third charges up to Gkirkan.
Since both of you move before them, you are at full AC. (Not that I think it matters.)
The_Ninja_DM |
skeleton 1:
Acrobatics: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21
Reflex: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
skeleton 2:
Acrobatics: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9
Reflex: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19
skeleton 3:
Acrobatics: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10
Reflex: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20
Skeleton 1 is unaffected.
Skeleton 2 cannot attack, but does not fall down.
Skeleton 3 is unaffected.
Wood these things seem to just want *you*.
Edited because I was apparently still asleep when I posted the first time.
Gkirkhan |
Gkirkhan takes his hammer in both hands as he walks up to skeleton 2 and brings it sweeping across to shatter the skeleton.
"Stay dead." he says as he points his hammer at it.
Power attack!
Attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17
Damage: 1d8 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 9 = 13
I think that kills it.
The_Ninja_DM |
And Gkirkhan pulverizes the skeleton that dared to approach him.
In the aftermath of the attack, the murky waters of the pool stir briefly, then slowly still again.
A cautious examination of the pools edges does not trigger any further attacks, for now.
I'd like (DC5) Perception checks for all but Gkirkhan (who made his) to spot the runes, then a (DC20) KN: Arcana or KN: Religion checks to study the runes.
The_Ninja_DM |
The runes, written in an old form of Varisian, no longer radiate magic. Among numerous magical incantations, one name appears over and over, dozens of times. The name: Lyvar Hawkran.
Those of you who have reviewed the maps Gibs gave Girkhan, give me an Int check.
The_Ninja_DM |
As you study the runes, Wood realizes that the name written there, the name of the spirit the Whispering Way was after, was not a spirit of one of the prisoners, but the spirit of the warden himself.
Looking at the remaining dried blood smeared into the runes, he rembers something else. On the gound floor map Gibs gave you, there is a mark, an X in red, beside the rear wall.
For game purposes, the X is at the R5 closest to the intact balcony.
Que Xuang |
Que is surprised to see the skeletons fall before she can even react.
"I hope the other inhabitants of the prison are as easy to put to rest as these guys here."
Que gives the nearest skeleton a slight kick into the ripcage, laughing nervously.
"Wood, you are right. Perhaps I should scout ahaead."
With these words Que sneaks forward to the balcony, melting with the shadows as soon as she is some yards away from you, intending to check the location where there was painted a X on the map.
Stealth: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20
perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14
Vertielle Siepar |
After amending the map to include the lake and danger warning about the shed's integrity, Vertielle steps forward, uncoiling rope from her pack.
Let me get a closer look at that...
Touch Attack for grapple, 1d20 + 2 - 4 - 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 - 4 - 2 = 4 taking 20: 20 + 2 - 4 - 2 = 16
and climb check 1d20 ⇒ 51d20 ⇒ 18
The_Ninja_DM |
@Evangline: as you turn to catch up to them, you spot a glint of something white partially concealed by some of the flowering vines that are covering the outer walls of the prison.
@Vertielle: you also note the flowering vines as you make your climb attempt.
15' for the balcony area, 20' to the roof where the gargoyles perch.
Vertielle Siepar |
To look at the gargoyles? I seriously doubt it. Besides, it would behoove us to understand fully the professor's death before facing the spirits that may have caused it, do you not agree?
Unsuccessful climb followed by successful climb. I don't fall anywhere because I'm on the ground when I fail, but, 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20 reflex I suppose.
Vertielle is just reaching the balcony level when she notices the white mark behind the vines. Intrigued, she points it out to the others and does her best to reach the spot.
1d20 ⇒ 10 climb
The_Ninja_DM |
@Vertielle: OK, no problem. However, the white object is over by the pool where I thought Eva still was. You, however, are not surpised when the vine-flowers turn their faces to you and lash out with stinging vine-tips. ie. you are not flat-footed.
attack: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (7) + 0 = 7
attack: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (3) + 0 = 3
Evangline, you also note the movement of the plants and are also at full ac.
attack: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (9) + 0 = 9
attack: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (1) + 0 = 1
Not that either of you needed it...
Gkirkhan |
Initiative: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15
Actions: Move up to closest vine/Draw greatsword/Drop hammer
Power attack!
Attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8
Damage: 2d6 + 9 ⇒ (5, 3) + 9 = 17
Vertielle Siepar |
I believe a passage from my handbook claims that many ambush predators lack intelligence, and certainly, this plant is no exception- it is likely using this normally sophisticated tactic out of instinct. In confronting such a menace, it’s best to avoid using spells that assault the mind. Furthermore, attacks that rely on poisons, paralysis, stunning, or sleep may prove futile.
Wood, perhaps you would be able to satiate the creature with a morsel of conjured meat? Or perhaps Gkirkhan has packed a steak or jerky in his rations?