Black Waters Gestalt (Inactive)

Game Master Just a Mort

We're still good-not paralyzed

Unbalanced by the sudden pain from your calves, you stumble, your sword hitting the stone floor.

The creature continues to seek to rip you apart.

BITE: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18
Claw: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11
claw: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20

The other makes no move to leap at you again.

'Blast, that was close, I need to end this.' Almost loosing her footing as her calf gushes blood, Valda swings wildly at the undead creature.

dodge, 7th. Rd. AC 24, Attack: +1 ULFBERHT, one handed, power attack, elevation
attack: 1d20 + 10 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 10 - 2 + 1 = 13 for damage: 1d8 + 4 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 + 4 = 12

The creature gives a growl of frustration as its strikes seem to be landing on your armour rather then you.

bite: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23
claw: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19
claw: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22

The one at the bottom snarls and bares its fangs at you.

intimidate: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10

You don't find it particularly scary.

'Really? You can't scare me I had four sisters.' Valda shifts her shield and overhand chops at the nearest undead, then she looks at the one at the bottom of the steps and roars back. "Aaaarrrggghhh"

dodge, 8th. Rd. AC 24, Attack: +1 ULFBERHT, one handed, power attack, elevation
attack: 1d20 + 10 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 10 - 2 + 1 = 25 for damage: 1d8 + 4 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 + 4 = 10

You deal it a heavy blow. Stumbling badly now, it attempts to end you.

bite: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6
claw: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23
claw confirm: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21
dmg: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
claw: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14

The one at the bottom of the stairs has the grace to look slightly nervous about your roar.

Mechanically, nothing, since undead are immune to mind affecting. DC 15 fort save or paralyze: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5 rounds

fort: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27 whew

Blast! Reeling from the rake on the shoulder, Valda struggles to lift her shield, thrusting at the creatures chest.

dodge, 9th. Rd. AC 24, Attack: +1 ULFBERHT, one handed, power attack, elevation
attack: 1d20 + 10 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 10 - 2 + 1 = 26 for damage: 1d8 + 4 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 + 4 = 13

You run it through and it collapses. The remaining charger moves up to face you.

bite: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11
claw: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19
claw: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18

None of the strikes get close.

'here come the intimidator, keep focused it would be a shame to die now. Absorbing the charge, Valda parries and blocks the multiple attacks, trying to keep her shield at eye level, she slashes at the beast right shoulder.

dodge, 10th. Rd. AC 24, Attack: +1 ULFBERHT, one handed, power attack, elevation
attack: 1d20 + 10 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 10 - 2 + 1 = 14 for damage: 1d8 + 4 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 + 4 = 10

It ducks under your swing and continues the assault.

bite: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8
claw: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9
claw: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

'I need to hit it while its ducked' Dropping her shield to protect her lower extremities using her warsight again to dodge, Valda chops down at the creature.

dodge, 1st. Rd. AC 24, Attack: +1 ULFBERHT, one handed, power attack, elevation
attack: 1d20 + 10 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 10 - 2 + 1 = 10 for damage: 1d8 + 4 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 + 4 = 12 swing and a miss

This time it leaps over your low swing and continues to bite and claw at you.

bite: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18
Claw: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19
claw: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21

One claw gets a little too close for comfort as both of you continue your deadly duel.

'Crap, I need to be careful' After the close claw swiping at her, Valda slides back a half step. Resetting her feet she lifts her shield as high as her wounded shoulder would comfortably allow and thrusts at the beast.

dodge, 2nd. Rd. AC 24, Attack: +1 ULFBERHT, one handed, power attack, elevation
attack: 1d20 + 10 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 10 - 2 + 1 = 28 for damage: 1d8 + 4 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 + 4 = 10
confirm crit.: 1d20 + 10 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 10 - 2 + 1 = 10 for damage: 2d8 + 8 + 8 ⇒ (8, 2) + 8 + 8 = 26 crud, I was hoping I had it!

Limping badly, it continues to snap at you.

bite: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22
Claw: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22
Claw: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22

All its strikes come a little too close, as you barely manage to get out of the way in time.

die, you stupid monster' Jerking her head back as one claw then the other scrape inside the top of her shield, Valda, noticing the creature is favoring its left leg, chops at it's left side.

dodge, 3nd. Rd. AC 24, Attack: +1 ULFBERHT, one handed, power attack, elevation
attack: 1d20 + 10 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 10 - 2 + 1 = 13 for damage: 1d8 + 4 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 + 4 = 11

It snarls as you as it continues to try to rend your flesh.

bite: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14
claw: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4
claw: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20

None of its attempts come close.

'Don't these things tire out?' Keeping her calm and pacing herself, Valda eases forward slightly and slashes at the creatures leg again.

dodge, 4th. Rd. AC 24, Attack: +1 ULFBERHT, one handed, power attack, elevation
attack: 1d20 + 10 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 10 - 2 + 1 = 11 for damage: 1d8 + 4 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 + 4 = 14

No, they don't. They're undead.

Despite all the black ichor oozing out of it, it does not seem to slow and continues attacking you.

bite: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11
claw: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6
claw: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21

No, they don't. They're undead.

that's what she gets for having no monster knowledge skills and an intel of 8.

'On we go..' Ducking and dodging, Valda slashes at the creatures leg again.

dodge, 5th. Rd. AC 24, Attack: +1 ULFBERHT, one handed, power attack, elevation
attack: 1d20 + 10 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 10 - 2 + 1 = 27 for damage: 1d8 + 4 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 + 4 = 16

And you finally cut it down.

You hear the sound of footsteps coming down, then hear Deris's voice."Valda, Cassiel said you were in trouble. Are you all right?" He shouts frantically.

Talk about too little too late... did he say Cassiel told him? Wiping the gore off of her blade, Valda looks at Deris in disbelief. "I thought you had enough of this place," Remebering her manners she continues; "but thank you for askingI'm all right for now." sheathing her sword and pulling out her wand, her curiosity getting the better of her she asks. "And what do you mean Cassiel told you I was in trouble? Has she started to speak now?' Waiting for an answer she uses the wand.

clw: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9
clw: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7
clw: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

You realise that Deris is still in his pajamas. "Are you really ok? You look rather bloodied." He sighs."I overslept. Meant to be here early, but spent most of last night packing my gear. Then Cassiel was yelling in my ear that you were in trouble and I came here as quickly as I could." As he approaches, he winces at the stench."Another 3 more? How many of these things are there?"

Cassiel is burying her face in her hands as if she is ashamed of her father's behaviour.

'Bloodied? yeah I guess I am.' As she finishes healing herself Valda looks at herself, realizing she is covered in her own blood and the gore of the undead. Shrugging her shoulders she looks at Deris, trying not to seem suspicious. 'I don't know how many more there are, I opened that door down there and sea water started to fill the room and these things charged me, so I made my stand here. There may be more, there may not be." Looking at his pajamas she continued; "And your certainly in no shape to fight them." Remembering his other comment she asks. "Why were you packing and did you really hear Cassiel yelling? Or did you just dream it?" Waiting as she wonders 'Why didn't we hear her before"

"Yeah, I agree. I'll go back now, I need to bring my wheelburrow, shovel, pulley system and all the stuff I packed up last night to clean up this place." He looks down at himself in pajamas."Yes, she was yelling in my ear."He looks at the bodies in distate."And no, I'm not letting any of these things foul up my daughters grave."

"Would you be free to help me clean the place up later? And do you want me to bring you anything?"He asks.

Then he turns to Cassiel."Sorry Cassiel. I did try to get here as fast as I could." Cassiel now has her hands on her hips and seems to be berating her father, from the irritated expression on her face.

'clean this place up? I thought the tide flooded...oh never mind.' smiling at the man Valda answers honestly. "I need to finish cleaning the place out for the pathfinders. Then I will report to them. I will stay in town for a couple more days at least after I am done." Her smile broadening to a grin. "I have arranged to see the sites of Absalom with one Alamo Richardson from the wise district. But I shall come back and help clean." Waving her hand at the undead corpses, "Do you think we should re-intern these to their crypts also?" Looking from Cassiel to Deris, she asks; "What was he going to do once he got here Cassiel? I'm just glad he's still safe." Turning back to Deris she encourages him. "Go get your gear Deris, I will wait here until you return and then I shall report to the Pathfinders and I shall come back to assist you. Make sure you bring an extra shovel, yes?"

"If it were up to me, I'd burn them. Nasty things. There's no telling if they'll rise again and attack others. Remind me to get firewood. That's one thing I didn't think about. And one more shovel. One set of work gloves, and several sacks." He glares at the corpses as if they're a personal affront."How long will you take? There are...I counted..6 bodies to deal with. The faster we get started, the sooner we'll be done."

Cassiel gestures at with her fingers waving arcane-looking gestures.

'I thought four yesterday and so far three today, and we don't know that were done.' shrugging her shoulders, "Its six or seven, but your assuming were done, I have no idea what's beyond that door, speaking of which, I would rather clear it out before it fills with salt water." Turning to return down the stairs to the lower level she notices Cassiel. "What's she saying?"

"You'll need to tell me where the last body is. Must've missed it out."He grumbles."Shes saying that I should have been here and zapped up those whatever they are. To be honest, I'm not entirely sure I can..." He looks at his hands uncertainly."She says I have the power to, though."He looks a bit dubious at the prospect."I guess that's one more thing to look into once we're done cleaning up."

He turns to face Cassiel,"Now Valda's all right, I'll come and clean up the place, ok? And I've got a suprise for you." At the word surprise, Cassiel's face lights up and she claps her spectral hands, soundlessly.

With that, Deris takes his leave, and you're alone with Cassiel in the room once more.

The three today, the three at the door yesterday and the one I killed using the spear, or was it two at the door yesterday, it doesn't matter, lets clear this crypt out and find the ring." Valda shrugs her shoulder at Cassiel, "May as well get back to work, right."Turning she inspects the corpses and then goes down the stairs to see how deep the water is.
take 20 (27) on perception to check the corpses

if the water is shallow enough to walk
Seeing the water is still shallow, sword and shield in hand, she wades in and looks around carefully.

to deep to walk
using the scroll of water breathing she draws her mothers spear and slowly moves into the water, looking around carefully.

exploring the rest of the crypt she will take 20[27] on perception if possible, or at least until she finds the ring, then she will take 10.

You look around the whole place but do not find the ring. You start shoving open the sarcophagi. They contain only burial goods, with no inhabitants within, except for one which contains the well-preserved body of a young girl, with stringy black hair obscuring the face. Her atrophied limbs are drawn up like folded sticks against her torn school uniform.There is a ruby salamander ring on her finger. You recognize this as Junia, from the portrait at Lady Dacilane's banquet hall.

Not really much water, just occasional spurts out of the floor

heal: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (10) - 1 = 9
Seeing the ring and the girl, 'The ring and Lady Dacilane's daughter I shall be able to take her daughters remains to her. Reaching into the sarcophagus Valda removes the ring from the body, then she lifts the body out of the sarcophagous.

Carrying the body through the crypt she tells Cassiel "Tell your father I'm going to take this child's remains to her parents, he will understand that. then I will report to the pathfinder and then come back."

he take the childs remains to Lady Dacilane and then goes to the pathfinders office to report.

When you take Junia to Lady Dacilane, she happens to be having a meeting with an Asmodean priest. Lady Dacilane thanks you gravely for bringing her body back, when the Asmodean priest looks at Junia curiously, checks her vitals, and exclaims,"She's alive!"

Lady Dacilane weeps with joy at having her daughter back, and thanks you profusely. She sends for the best clerics of Asmodeus to see to her daughter's recovery and promises a return of the favour in the future for you to call upon.

The other parents, upon hearing that there was a miraculous survivor after all these years, mob to the Tri-Towers Yard in an attempt to gain access to the necropolis. Deris enlists them as his cleaning crew before the Absalom city watch is called in to quiet the disturbance and boots them all out. They send a team to search additional survivors, but find none, only a curious momento of a stuffed teddybear in one of the rooms.

Drandle Dreng thanks you for your assistance to the society, pleased to acquire such an important artifact back. You spend a few days with Alamo Richardson, touring the wonders of Absalom. You hear that Deris has started a new business venture - manufacture of adventuring goods. He provides the City Watch with "rescue kits" which contain supplies that could be useful for rescue operations.