Where It All Began: Dragoncat's Rise of the Runelords (Inactive)

Game Master Dragoncat

Current Date: Starday, 4th of Neth, 4710 AR

Current Chapter: The Skinsaw Murders

Current Map

Foxglove Manor


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Female Dwarf Transmuter 5/Cyphermage 1 | HP 44/44 | Physical Enhancement +2 Str; Telekinetic Fist 7/7
Stats:
AC 12, T 12, FF 10; Fort +3, Ref +3, Will +6; Init +7; Perception +9

"Shut up!" Eostre snaps.


"Uh..." Orik awkwardly clears his throat. "...I wouldn't use *that* bed if I were you. That belongs to Nualia."

"You have NO IDEA what's been in it."


Male Human Monk-6 (HP: 49/56; AC 19, 18t, 16ff; F+7,R+7,W+8)

"Evidence is good," The monk says, blushing slightly at the 'bed talk' going on even though it doesn't involve him, or perhaps because it really shouldn't involve anyone.


M Halfling Bard 6 | HP 50 | AC 22 | T 16 | FF 17 | CMD 19 | Fort +4 | Ref +11 | Will +6 (+2 vs fear) | Init +5 | Perc +12

"You still haven't asked him about the tentacle monster..." Nicat nags Eostre. Rolling his eyes, he steps past Conner into the bedroom/study and begins to root through the drawers, waving to Conner to take a look under the mattress.


Female Dwarf Transmuter 5/Cyphermage 1 | HP 44/44 | Physical Enhancement +2 Str; Telekinetic Fist 7/7
Stats:
AC 12, T 12, FF 10; Fort +3, Ref +3, Will +6; Init +7; Perception +9

Eostre glares at Nicat.

"I already told you. It's called a tentamort."


"Oh, that thing?" Orik scratches his chin. "Apparently, that weird thing was always there. When the goblins first showed up here, a few of them made the mistake of wandering into its territory. It ate quite a few of them before they wised up and left the damn thing alone."

"Some of those goblins had some interesting loot, too..."


Female Dwarf Transmuter 5/Cyphermage 1 | HP 44/44 | Physical Enhancement +2 Str; Telekinetic Fist 7/7
Stats:
AC 12, T 12, FF 10; Fort +3, Ref +3, Will +6; Init +7; Perception +9

"Interesting...in what way?" Eostre asks, her curiosity piqued.


"Well, one of the goblins had a really nice shortbow and suit of hide armour--even I could tell the armour was somewhat magical in nature." Orik shrugs. "It was the cleanest-looking suit of hide armour made from dogs that I've ever seen."

"...which isn't really saying much, come to think of it."


M Halfling Bard 6 | HP 50 | AC 22 | T 16 | FF 17 | CMD 19 | Fort +4 | Ref +11 | Will +6 (+2 vs fear) | Init +5 | Perc +12

Having finished his exploration of the room at the end of the hall, Nicat returns to the conversation between Eostre and her new beau. He notes the gleam in the dwarf's eye, and decides it's not all due to Orik's bulging muscles. "Looks like we're going to visit the tentacle monster, eh, gang?"

Ninja DM!


Female Dwarf Transmuter 5/Cyphermage 1 | HP 44/44 | Physical Enhancement +2 Str; Telekinetic Fist 7/7
Stats:
AC 12, T 12, FF 10; Fort +3, Ref +3, Will +6; Init +7; Perception +9

"Finally!"


HP: 23/23 AC 17, Fort +5, Ref +0, Will +4; Init +3; Perception +7; CMD 14 Human Magus 2

Conner is at the end of the hall and can't hear any of this bad decision making going on.


F Human Oracle/6 (HP 63/63 | AC:20 [+2 Buckler] | T:14 | FF:16 [+2 Buckler] | CMB:3 | CMD:16 | Fort:+6 | Ref:+6 | Will:+8 | Init:+3 | Perc:+5 | Speed:20)
Spells/Abilities:
Channel: 5/5 | Lv1: 6/7 | Lv2: 6/6 | Lv3: 4/4

"Don't we have anything else left to explore?"

Evelyn turns to Orik. "How to get to Nualia, do we have to pass the tentacle thing?"


Evelyn wrote:
"How to get to Nualia, do we have to pass the tentacle thing?"

Orik shakes his head. "Eh, no. There's a hidden door somewhere that'll take you down to the depths of Thistletop--it's not in the tentamort's lair. If I recall correctly, it should be back in the war room..."


F Human Oracle/6 (HP 63/63 | AC:20 [+2 Buckler] | T:14 | FF:16 [+2 Buckler] | CMB:3 | CMD:16 | Fort:+6 | Ref:+6 | Will:+8 | Init:+3 | Perc:+5 | Speed:20)
Spells/Abilities:
Channel: 5/5 | Lv1: 6/7 | Lv2: 6/6 | Lv3: 4/4

"That sounds better. I say we use that door."


Male Human Monk-6 (HP: 49/56; AC 19, 18t, 16ff; F+7,R+7,W+8)

"As long as we us a door. I feel like indecision is immobilizing us a bit."


Female Dwarf Transmuter 5/Cyphermage 1 | HP 44/44 | Physical Enhancement +2 Str; Telekinetic Fist 7/7
Stats:
AC 12, T 12, FF 10; Fort +3, Ref +3, Will +6; Init +7; Perception +9

"Is there anything else on this floor to search?" Eostre says, clearly itching to deal with the tentamort.


"Nothin' off the top of my head, aside from the tentacle monster."


Female Dwarf Transmuter 5/Cyphermage 1 | HP 44/44 | Physical Enhancement +2 Str; Telekinetic Fist 7/7
Stats:
AC 12, T 12, FF 10; Fort +3, Ref +3, Will +6; Init +7; Perception +9

"Does it open doors? Conner shut the door right after seeing it, but does it ever follow things out of its lair?"


M Halfling Bard 6 | HP 50 | AC 22 | T 16 | FF 17 | CMD 19 | Fort +4 | Ref +11 | Will +6 (+2 vs fear) | Init +5 | Perc +12

"Remember, guys " Nicat asks the group, "I found that door after we took down Tsuto and his girlfriend. How about we go take a look down those stairs, then we'll deal with the tentacle monster later?"


Female Dwarf Transmuter 5/Cyphermage 1 | HP 44/44 | Physical Enhancement +2 Str; Telekinetic Fist 7/7
Stats:
AC 12, T 12, FF 10; Fort +3, Ref +3, Will +6; Init +7; Perception +9

"Very well. We'll deal with Nualia and then finish cleaning house," Eostre grouses.


F Human Oracle/6 (HP 63/63 | AC:20 [+2 Buckler] | T:14 | FF:16 [+2 Buckler] | CMB:3 | CMD:16 | Fort:+6 | Ref:+6 | Will:+8 | Init:+3 | Perc:+5 | Speed:20)
Spells/Abilities:
Channel: 5/5 | Lv1: 6/7 | Lv2: 6/6 | Lv3: 4/4

Evelyn follows Orik as he guides the party to the war room. (I don't know where that is on the map.)

"So where's the secret door, Orik?" she asks while she decides to not spend time waiting for an answer, and starts looking for it.

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20


Female Dwarf Transmuter 5/Cyphermage 1 | HP 44/44 | Physical Enhancement +2 Str; Telekinetic Fist 7/7
Stats:
AC 12, T 12, FF 10; Fort +3, Ref +3, Will +6; Init +7; Perception +9

"I just hope the rest of you lot can pull your weight this time. I've used up my best spells already," Eostre says, clearly not enthused.


HP: 23/23 AC 17, Fort +5, Ref +0, Will +4; Init +3; Perception +7; CMD 14 Human Magus 2

Conner, still at the far end of the hall, cannot hear this blatant lie.


I'm back! :)

Evelyn: the war room is Area D14 on the Level One map.

"The secret door should be to the north, off to the west of the war room." Orik says as the party leaves.

As it turns out, the secret door Nicat found earlier must have been the one Orik was talking about: the stairway beyond leads down into the darkness.


M Halfling Bard 6 | HP 50 | AC 22 | T 16 | FF 17 | CMD 19 | Fort +4 | Ref +11 | Will +6 (+2 vs fear) | Init +5 | Perc +12

Nicat peers down the dark stairs a moment, then remarks, "Well, I'd offer to sneak down and take a look, but I'd have to make light to do that, which kind of ruins sneaking. How about Conner leads the way, and we bravely come behind him?"

Raising a hand into the air, the mischievous halfling conjures up a trio of glowing spheres of light and sends them down the stairs to light the way.


HP: 23/23 AC 17, Fort +5, Ref +0, Will +4; Init +3; Perception +7; CMD 14 Human Magus 2

"Wait, why do we never send anyone first who's good at sneaking around so we know what's coming before we fight it?"


M Halfling Bard 6 | HP 50 | AC 22 | T 16 | FF 17 | CMD 19 | Fort +4 | Ref +11 | Will +6 (+2 vs fear) | Init +5 | Perc +12

"We do, when it's not dark," Nicat replies dismissively, "but I can't sneak when I can't see, and if I've got a bright light with me, I'll be pretty easy to spot. So unless we've got a way for me to see in the dark, sneaking won't work here."


F Human Oracle/6 (HP 63/63 | AC:20 [+2 Buckler] | T:14 | FF:16 [+2 Buckler] | CMB:3 | CMD:16 | Fort:+6 | Ref:+6 | Will:+8 | Init:+3 | Perc:+5 | Speed:20)
Spells/Abilities:
Channel: 5/5 | Lv1: 6/7 | Lv2: 6/6 | Lv3: 4/4

"Hush hush, boys. Let us go."

Evelyn motions for Conner to go first. while waiting for the others to go before her as well, Evelyn casts light on her buckler.

"I feel more comfortable when I've also got a light," she explains.


Female Dwarf Transmuter 5/Cyphermage 1 | HP 44/44 | Physical Enhancement +2 Str; Telekinetic Fist 7/7
Stats:
AC 12, T 12, FF 10; Fort +3, Ref +3, Will +6; Init +7; Perception +9

"I'll make learning a spell to replicate dwarven darkvision for you a priority, Nicat. And maybe invisibility. Come to think of it, can't you learn spells like that yourself?"


HP: 23/23 AC 17, Fort +5, Ref +0, Will +4; Init +3; Perception +7; CMD 14 Human Magus 2

Conner hurries to the front, he didn't want to be around when Nicat inevitably infuriated Eostre yet again with how easily he grasped magic.


M Halfling Bard 6 | HP 50 | AC 22 | T 16 | FF 17 | CMD 19 | Fort +4 | Ref +11 | Will +6 (+2 vs fear) | Init +5 | Perc +12

"Yeah, turning invisible would probably be easy enough to learn," Nicat replies breezily, "especially if I saw someone do it. Well, you know, saw them just before they did it. Because I couldn't see them after, right? Are you following what I'm saying, Eostre?"

After a very brief moment of thought, he adds, "Though I can't even begin to guess how I'd make my eyes see differently. You might have to take care of that bit."

Turns out darkvision isn't on the bard list. But it might be useful for our sneaking.


The way down appears to be free of enemies as the party makes their way down the hewn stone stairs.

The stairs eventually come to a stone door, just around the corner from the steps. It hangs slightly ajar, the detailed carvings that once covered its surface defaced by chisel marks and hammer blows to the extent that only a few remnants of images (mostly of gemstones and crowns) remain. The floor here is slanted downward toward the west.

A little push opens the door more fully to reveal a larger hall beyond. Two pillars support the ceiling in here. In many places the stone walls, floor, and ceiling are caked with ancient grime and soot. Alcoves in the north and south walls contain partially damaged statues of a man in robes clutching a book and a glaive. The entire room is canted toward the west, and whatever ancient upheaval caused the complex to tilt knocked the statues from their bases so that now they lean against the western walls of their alcoves.

Another door sits on the far eastern wall.

Please refer to the Level Two map.


M Halfling Bard 6 | HP 50 | AC 22 | T 16 | FF 17 | CMD 19 | Fort +4 | Ref +11 | Will +6 (+2 vs fear) | Init +5 | Perc +12

Nicat gives Conner a tug on his sleeve and the two companions do an awkward dance in the narrow hallway, eventually switching places so that the halfling can take a look around the room. Still standing in the doorway, he sends his dancing globes of light around the room, looking closely at the floor, the statues, the door at the far end, and anything else that might catch his eye.

He calls quietly over his shoulder to Eostre, "Hey, sis! These statues have a sword on a stick like you! Come take a look and help me figure out what they are."

Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (15) + 9 = 24

Knowledge (religion?): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23


HP: 23/23 AC 17, Fort +5, Ref +0, Will +4; Init +3; Perception +7; CMD 14 Human Magus 2

Conner crosses the room and stands by the opposite door, in case anything comes in while the party is investigating.


Female Dwarf Transmuter 5/Cyphermage 1 | HP 44/44 | Physical Enhancement +2 Str; Telekinetic Fist 7/7
Stats:
AC 12, T 12, FF 10; Fort +3, Ref +3, Will +6; Init +7; Perception +9

"Stop calling me that! I've got enough ACTUAL siblings back in Riddleport, I don't need another bratty little brother! And the proper word for this polearm is "glaive!" I thought you were at least bright enough to understand the different types of polearm, Nicat."

Eostre looks up at the statues Nicat is pointing at, trying to recall if monuments such as these had been depicted in the Lodge's archives...

Knowledge (arcana): 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (19) + 11 = 30
Knowledge (engineering): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10
Knowledge (history): 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (6) + 11 = 17
Knowledge (planes): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11
Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10


Eostre's Knowledge (Arcana) Roll:
The statues in this room are battered and weathered, but you recognize the man depicted by them... the Runelord of Greed, Karzoug.

Nicat's Perception Roll:
As you walk near the door to the east, you feel the hairs on the back of your neck stand up... something magical is beyond the door.


M Halfling Bard 6 | HP 50 | AC 22 | T 16 | FF 17 | CMD 19 | Fort +4 | Ref +11 | Will +6 (+2 vs fear) | Init +5 | Perc +12

Paying no mind to Eostre's gentle request to call her by her name, Nicat pauses near the eastern door, then announces in a dramatic, stage whisper sort of voice, "Behind this door, I sense the presence of...magic!"

He focuses on the door more closely, attempting to learn more about it.

Cast detect magic and concentrate on it for 3 rounds, if I can do that through a door.


Nicat's Detect Magic:
Though the aura is muted somewhat by the stone door before you, you determine that the aura is one of transmutation magic.


Female Dwarf Transmuter 5/Cyphermage 1 | HP 44/44 | Physical Enhancement +2 Str; Telekinetic Fist 7/7
Stats:
AC 12, T 12, FF 10; Fort +3, Ref +3, Will +6; Init +7; Perception +9

Eostre's eyes widen.

"That...those statues are of Runelord Karzoug, one of the greatest transmuters of all time! Do you realize what this means?! Thistletop is a Thassilonian ruin!"

Academic excitement seems to have trumped annoyance at Nicat for the moment.


M Halfling Bard 6 | HP 50 | AC 22 | T 16 | FF 17 | CMD 19 | Fort +4 | Ref +11 | Will +6 (+2 vs fear) | Init +5 | Perc +12

Nicat turns to Eostre, clearly quite unimpressed by this revelation. "Well, of course, Sis," he says, pointing at the door, "that's why there's transmutation magic on the other side of the door! It's obviously Thassilonian."

After a pause, he adds, "Conner should go first."


Female Dwarf Transmuter 5/Cyphermage 1 | HP 44/44 | Physical Enhancement +2 Str; Telekinetic Fist 7/7
Stats:
AC 12, T 12, FF 10; Fort +3, Ref +3, Will +6; Init +7; Perception +9

Eostre glares at Nicat's flippant disregard for history.

"Nicat, you're clearly ignorant as to what significance the different schools of magic had in Thassilonian culture. Transmutation magic was merely the purview of the Runelord of Greed, of whom Karzoug was the last. Other Runelords mastered different schools."


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HP: 23/23 AC 17, Fort +5, Ref +0, Will +4; Init +3; Perception +7; CMD 14 Human Magus 2

Conner shifts his weight. "Eostre, I would appreciate it if you could pause in your lecture long enough to tell me if transpotato magic is dangerous and if I should back away from the door."


Male Human Monk-6 (HP: 49/56; AC 19, 18t, 16ff; F+7,R+7,W+8)

"In this case, I have to agree with Conner's pragmatic take on matters," The monk chimes in


F Human Oracle/6 (HP 63/63 | AC:20 [+2 Buckler] | T:14 | FF:16 [+2 Buckler] | CMB:3 | CMD:16 | Fort:+6 | Ref:+6 | Will:+8 | Init:+3 | Perc:+5 | Speed:20)
Spells/Abilities:
Channel: 5/5 | Lv1: 6/7 | Lv2: 6/6 | Lv3: 4/4

Evelyn joins the others inside the room. "That'd be useful to know, yes."


Female Dwarf Transmuter 5/Cyphermage 1 | HP 44/44 | Physical Enhancement +2 Str; Telekinetic Fist 7/7
Stats:
AC 12, T 12, FF 10; Fort +3, Ref +3, Will +6; Init +7; Perception +9

Eostre rolls her eyes.

"Probably. When a wizard says they're gonna turn you into a newt, transmutation's usually the magic they're using to do it. I'll take a look at it, ya big babies."

She trundles over to the door and casts her detection spell, looking to see if there's anything about the magic that an AMATEUR like Nicat would have missed.

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (14) + 10 = 24


Eostre's Spellcraft Roll:
The auras of magic that you detect with your magic-enhanced senses seem to be centred in two places beyond the door--likely to animate something immediately beyond.


Female Dwarf Transmuter 5/Cyphermage 1 | HP 44/44 | Physical Enhancement +2 Str; Telekinetic Fist 7/7
Stats:
AC 12, T 12, FF 10; Fort +3, Ref +3, Will +6; Init +7; Perception +9

Eostre presses her bulbous nose against the door.

"Aura's concentrated on two points in the next room. Looks like animation spells, likely a sentinel or booby trap. Whatever it is, it's probably gonna look innocuous until it gets up and moves."

She backs away.

"Given how the Thassilonians built things to last, and from similar dwarven-made stuff I saw in Janderhoff as a kid, my money's on walking statues."


Male Human Monk-6 (HP: 49/56; AC 19, 18t, 16ff; F+7,R+7,W+8)

"Wonderful, I wonder if there's a turn off command or the like?" The monk inquires, "Were such things typical?"


Female Dwarf Transmuter 5/Cyphermage 1 | HP 44/44 | Physical Enhancement +2 Str; Telekinetic Fist 7/7
Stats:
AC 12, T 12, FF 10; Fort +3, Ref +3, Will +6; Init +7; Perception +9

"Thassilon was an empire built upon magic, and wouldn't you prefer a perfectly loyal, immortal and obedient guard to a potentially bribe-able or lazy mortal? As far as "off-commands" go, there might be, but anyone who'd know such a command is either long-dead or on the opposite side of what those things are guarding, and thus isn't likely to share it with us. They may have a device that controls them or something, but again, we have no clue where such a device might be. So we may have to just do things the old-fashioned way and reduce them to rubble."

Eostre gets a very depressed look on her face.

"What a tragedy. To stand guard for thousands of years only to be smashed by the few people who understand their value."


Female Dwarf Transmuter 5/Cyphermage 1 | HP 44/44 | Physical Enhancement +2 Str; Telekinetic Fist 7/7
Stats:
AC 12, T 12, FF 10; Fort +3, Ref +3, Will +6; Init +7; Perception +9

Eostre harumphs at the silence of the others.

"No one on this frontier respects history anymore!" she grouses.

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