The Scales of Blackened Souls (Inactive)

Game Master Lord Grey

Between the two of us, we're going to die from a surprise attack

No doubt...I already almost fell in a pit. This should not happen with a +4 to perception. I should stick with the passive result.

Lifting up the dirt covered tarp a bit to see into the pit, he spies a hole about six feet deep, and several sharpened stakes wedged into the mud at the bottom of the hole, pointing upward with clear intent. Leaving the pit, split, and cooking pot behind, he approaches the door with Varus.

The door doesn't appear to be locked, but barred/blocked from the inside. There's no key-mechanism to BE locked, and is probably a door made to be bolted from the inside. It doesn't appear to move with any ordinary amount of force one would expect it to if unlocked/unbolted.

Putting an ear against the door, Anders hears nothing of note.

Sharla peers about for a temple bell, but finds none in this part of the cemetery/building.

Galenus continues to hang back near the gate, and keeps an eye and an ear out for anything coming at the group from behind.

Anders, your perception is just +2 yes? I see proficiency but no wis mod. Your passive is 12, which implies a +2 as well. Where is the other +2 coming from?

Also as a reminder to everyone, I am treating your passive perceptions as your minimum possible on perceptions. This helps fix some issues I've had with moderating this in the past. If you roll below your passive, you will still get the information your passive would have given you. Or as seen from a different perspective, you will automatically gain information once you are in a position that your passive could supply, roll or not.

My mistake, it is a +2, only.

"Anders, can you break down the door?" Sharla says as she braces herself against it, ready to help. Help action to give advantage on check to break down the door.

I guess I can, but it would let everyone know we are here. Should we circle around back to see if there's another way in, quiet-like?

Varus nods. "Yeah, just do a quick perimeter of the building. Just get some data. If you see any orcs, just come back and we'll attack them as a group."

If Galenus is close enough to hear the conversation, he'll agree with Anders. Otherwise he'll wait for a signal.

Ok, I am off - waive over Galenus to this position.

Hack slinks to the back of the building an peers around the corner to see if there is another way in.

Stealth: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11
Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Ok, I'm off - wave over Galenus to this position.

Hack slinks to the back of the building an peers around the corner to see if there is another way in.

Stealth: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11
Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16

Galenus returns to the group.

anders, through the cemetery, or the other direction around the building past the front door again?

Through yhe cemetery.

Anders continues to creep along the building, looking for another way in, while the others hang back.

Are you three doing anything while waiting?

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Scene - Temple Cemetery, area 2
The temple wall continues a bit further before taking a left, demonstrating the edge of this structure. The fence opposite of the wall continues parallel on past where the wall ends, but also takes a turn back inward toward the building not far after.

A smaller stone building, an annex to the compound resumes just where the main temple structure ends creating a 10 foot wide alley-way like section of the graveyard. The fence ends at the end of this annex building.

The annex looks to be about 40 feet long, 40 feet wide (judging from a glance down this 'alley', and maybe a dozen feet high.

The graveyard itself carries on much in the way it has before.

Features
Though the cemetery has little change between this portion and the last, instead of a campfire/trap, there instead is a roughly dug hole in a large area of loose soil at the back corner of the graveyard, furthest away from the annex.

The alleyway continues on, until the annex ends, and about 25 feet high on the wall of the temple, you see tall and narrow stained glass windows. One appears to be broken out almost entirely.

The annex has a single solid, stone door (that stands partially opened) in it within sight.

Occupants
None in visible in the area. However, Anders can hear a slight, intermittent growling sound coming from the small hole in the large area of loosened soil.

Down the alleyway, Anders can the hear sounds of something moving slightly while generally relaxing.
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I'm hugging a wall and leering at Anders as he sneaks about.

Anders waves the others forward motioning for them to stay against the building and puts a finger to his lips indicating as silent as possible. He holds his position peering down the alleyway until the others arrive.

Since stealth is called for, Varus moves not a whit. The clanking of his armor would be spoil enough. If action is called for, or if the party moves around the corner, he'll burst into movement.

Sharla move to see whatever is down the alley, trying to stay hidden.
Stealth: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20

Galenus moves forward.

stealth: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

Galenus sneaks forward to Anders, as does Sharla. Varus hangs back for now.

These two also notice the same sounds as Anders did, and Sharla begins to creep down the alleyway.

Anders, any new declaration now that they've moved forward?
Sharla, just a moment to make sure no one interjects with you before you head down the alley.

None at all.

Anders hefts his axe and creeps down the alleyway after Sharla towards the stone door at the annex.

Stealth: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23

I'm planning on letting our more tactically-minded companions take the lead. If we find something magical or puzzling, I'll take a more active roll. Also, if we find something dangerous.

Sorry, one point of clarification I messed up on. The stone door for the annex isn't down the alley. It is on the same 'side' as the other doors you've seen. Here's a quick example (though the hole that appears to be inside the temple should be in the dirt patch in the lower right. I don't know what that misplaced.

Varus sneaks toward the cracked door of the annex (yes?), Sharla Sneaks down the alley way, Galenus hands around quietly until something else happens, and Varus hangs back further yet, just in case.

Nothing surprises the group as they spread out, not attacks from behind or strange happenings.

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Sharla.

Scene - Temple Cemetery, area 3
As you get closer to the end of this Alley (which is only 40 feet long), you can see that there is a large space created between two annexes (one further up still, it's shadow just visible in the fog) that run along side the larger temple structure. You can see that the "alley" opens up to allow you behind the annex, and the fence continues on as it had been, from this annex to the next, making the perimeter of the compound.

There are more graves in this area between the annex, the next, and the temple, all within the limits marked by the fence.

Features
Two doors rest, cracked open on the rear side of the annex, near the middle but separate from each other. The annex clearly is broken up into smaller areas within, and these three doors allow access to different parts of it.

Occupants
You see an orc pacing in the gloom. His axe is over his shoulder, and his face is painted with that same symbol you found on the others in a dark red.

He appears to be on watch, but not from the alleyway. His attention mostly directed toward the far annex which is still too far for you to see. The orc paces away from it as you watch, turning toward you and disappearing into one of the annex doors near you. You aren't sure how long he'll be in there, but if he is guarding something, you don't imagine he'll be gone for long.
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Anders approaches the annex door, and the sound of chewing and growling becomes slightly louder as he nears the hole. The area of loose dirt that contains the hole is still a couple dozen feet away, and whatever within the hole doesn't seem to notice Anders move about.

Anders reaches the stone door.

Galenus, you too hear these sounds coming from the hole, but less distinctly.

Anders peers inside the door to the stone annex.

Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12

Galenus moves forward to keep both Sharla and Anders in his sight and magical range, keeping close to the wall. If he has to make a choice to follow one or the other, he'll follow Sharla.

Sharla follows Anders to the door, ready to provide backup, and looks through the door from the other side.
Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16

Sharla makes notes of the orc, then creeps back to return to the others. She approaches Anders who is peaking quietly inside the room, with Galenus nearby, and the chewing growling sounds still coming from the dug hole not too far away.
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Scene - Crypt 1
The door appears to lead to a dark, and unlit room. The room is about 40 feet wide, and 20 feet deep, and made of the carved, grey stone blocks the same as the outside of the building.

Features
(I don't believe either of you have darkvision, so...)
The room inside is too dark to see from merely the thin light coming in through the fog from outside. Just near the door, you can see the stone floor is messy within the slight circle of light around the entrance. It appears somewhat graveled and dust covered, small stone-based debris scattered near the door.

The air is stale, and dry. On the wall near the door appears to be a standing sarcophagus of simple make, that has been partially destroyed. Damage has been done to the stone work, as if it had been broken into, or out of.

Occupants
You currently see or hear no one within in the room.
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I may need practice when revealing new scenes with improper lighting. You guys technically don't know how big the room is yet.

Galenus or Varus, we require light in here to investigate.

Do you have a torch? Or a candle? Or something to that effect? All I can do at the moment is briefly illuminate the area with a shower of sparks, but a longer lasting light will require different magic.

Wouldn't you want to do something about the orc first? I'll come if you want but he'll be alerted when I tromp forward.

I believe the Orc is at the other end of the annex bldg, correct?

Ah. Okay.

Varus marches forward. At seeing the gapping doorway yawn dark and foreboding, he bends knee and lights a torch. Holding it aloft, he heads in to the room.

Don't you have Light as a cantrip?

And by "lights a torch" Varus of course means "casts Light on his mace." ^_^

Ya ever notice just how few torches ever get lit? ^_^

LOL...love it!

Heh, the only person with torches also has a cantrip that makes them almost obsolete? Funny. D&D Clearly doesn't respect torches.
edit: Actually Anders does have some torches of his own, though maybe they make singing his axe more difficult.

Varus tromps forward and casts a spell near the door, which in turn isn't far from the hole in the messy loose-soil section of the graveyard. Light pours from the cleric's mace, making the weapon appear brilliant with his magics (want to describe the effect, or shall I?).

Light enters the opening of the annex room, clearly revealing it to be a desecrated crypt. From outside, most of the room still isn't visible, but no threats from within or calls of alarm emerge with the addition of light.

The chewing, growling sounds from the hole in the graveyard, however, goes suddenly and suspiciously quiet with the noise the cleric brings.

Go ahead and describe it. I have a hard time mustering the muse to RP utility spells. :p

"Careful guys. There seems to be an open grave or something right here. Probably a zombie or ghoul down in it. Anders? Care to join me in poking it to action?"

Varus backs up and casts Guidance on Anders, then readies his mace, ready to attack when the beast inevitably charges him.

Guidance (+d4 to any action) on Anders. Then Move+Readied Attack until something jump-scares him. =)

Anders moves to the edge of the hole, careful not to step on a collapsible portion like before, and readies to attack anything that may come out with his axe.

Correct on both counts, GM Grey: I have them, and I cannot swing the Axe while holding one.

Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

Readied Axe Att: 1d20 + 5 + 1d4 ⇒ (6) + 5 + (2) = 13
Axe Dam: 1d12 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12

You worship Amaunator or Lathander, right?

Sharla gets ready to insult whatever enemy appears.
Hmm, should I go with some goat face ones? Or maybe corpse breath? I'll decide when it happens.
Readied action to cast Vicious Mockery on an enemy who appears. DC 13 Wisdom saving throw, or take 1d4 ⇒ 2 psychic damage and have disadvantage on the next attack roll it makes before the end of its turn.

Wait, is the grumbling/growling thing in the pit inside or outside the building? If it's outside, we should ignore it because the guard will return soon.

I believe that it is just outside the alleyway where the door we just investigated is located to the annex bldg. The Orc that Sharla saw is down the other end of the hallway in a room facing the other direction. Please correct me if I am wrong, GM Grey.

Can we get a rough map of the things? I'm willing to accept Angband-esque graphics. Like, say:

.
.
.
.
X=pit
.

|___|____________
|___|____________
|__G___A____XX____
|___S__V____XX____
|___|_____________
|___|_____________
|___|_____________

Here is an updated map of things. The treeline closes in on the temple outside of the fence, please imagine trees.

Varus has readied an attack if something jumps out/charges him, Sharla has readied a spell for when an enemy appears, and Anders readies an attack at anything that appears from the hole as he approaches.
Are you guys investigating this outside hole (everything described so far, except for the crypt, has been outside)?

Thanks for the map!

Galenus peers over the edge along with the rest of the group, prepared to throw a blast of eldritch energy.

Sweet. That is...exactly the opposite of what I was imagining, so the map helps a lot! Also, it appears an adventurer is the orc! ;-)

With Anders Guided, Varus begins a slow creep toward the hole, waiting to be pounced upon by a grue.

Move, Ready. Move, Ready. Until he can see someone or hit something. Whichever comes first. =)

Insight: 1d20 ⇒ 17

The group cautiously approaches the dug out hole, weapons and spells at their finger tips.

Just as you near reach of the hole, a dog-like head in horrible condition slowly peaks, raising into view, and looks at you with one yellow, and one milky white eye.

You may roll your attacks.

I already rolled mine above.