Chronicles of the Silver Rose Company

Game Master Patrick Curtin

Ishmael lights up one of his cigarillos as the party discuss their plans, and stands apart,

"Y'all want to leap outta the frying pan and into the fire? Man's saying that somethin's afoot on this fire fortress, and ye're gonna pack up and leave? Let's find Toranna, and get the dark o' the portal key. I still got some fight in me." he says, blowing a smoke ring.

Isaac nods at Karrin's words.

"Aye, I think we'd be a pack o' leatherheads to cool our heels for an hour. Don't know when the Dusties'll be back in force. Scrag her, give this place the laugh; that's my say."

Justin/Clawboy's eyes narrow pensively as he thinks. But he looks around the group and nods, albeit reluctantly, in agreement.

"Alright. Although I STILL think that letting her corner herself down here is going to be a whole lot easier than cornering her up in that room. It's huge." He pushes himself off of the sarcophagus he's leaning on, and bends over to draw a quick sketch in the thick dust of the floor. HE points out the stairway, and mutters again about he size of the place.

"When I left her, she was standing here." He makes a smudge in the dirt. "The portal of flame was here, and there were dozens of unopened portals ALL around the room. She could probably use any of them to escape. Are you SURE you wouldn't rather let her come to us?" He asks once more. Not, quite, whining, but sounding pensive, and doubtful. "I just don't want her getting away. Not after all of this."

"There are advantages to both plans. I doubt she's expecting company up there, so we'll have surprise, but only until she sees us. Still, it may be enough. Down here we can almost all gang up on her before she even realizes that she's got company. But the xaos gangers can't keep it up forever, and when they're done, the Dustbusters will start double-checking everything,... Dangit, I hate it when your right!" HE mock-snarls at Isaac.

"Alright, if Ekuur can take out the zombies in the first few seconds, there are more enough of us to tackle her outright either way. Oh, wait a second. Give me a hand here before we go." HE says to no one inparticular. He pushes the lid back on the sarcophagus, being careful to stay away from the opening at first, just in case there IS something in there. After being relatively assured that nothing is going to jump out and eat his brains, he searches for the bag that Parron mentioned, holding it up like a prize fish when he finds it.

"NOW I'm ready!" HE smirks, putting the bag into his belt pouch and patting it.

"Everythin' I can do. I can do anytime. We'll watch the backs o' those outta magical steam."

"Let's move then," Karrin says, "lead the way Justin, but loose the disguise, best let her think grate face was another person to keep her confused. Supposing she escapes we don't want her knowing all the answers."

Justin nods, grinning. His Clawface visage looking positively,... evil.

"Great minds think alike Karrin. I didn't just choose this face for it's good looks!" He sneers.

Justin/Clawface closes his eyes briefly. When he reopens them, there is a moment of concentration, then he seems to relax as if a weight has been released from his shoulders. The Clawface visage softens and blurs, the dirty leather armor lengthens back into a full length coat, and the squat muscular frame of the Xaos-ite stretches taller with a few distinct popping sounds. The blurry features become distinct, and Justin's familiar face grins back at the group.

Justin groans with pleasure, and rolls his shoulders and stretches his neck. "Blasted Xaos-ite carries all of his weight on his neck. And his shoulders are broader than mine. DO you have any idea how uncomfortable that is?" He complains with a grin. He pats himself down, making sure that everything came back where it was supposed to,and that the new bag of coins from the sarcophagus is still in his belt pouch where it belongs. HE draws his dark-iron longsword, and holds it close to his coat.

"Right, come along then. The party is upstairs." He says. Justin checks the hallway reflexively, then waves everyone out, and closes the door behind them. He starts to reach for the carved bit of bone he took from Parron, but thinks better of it. He replaces the bone back with all of the rest of the junk that Parron had in his pockets, and leaves the door unlocked.

"The kid was more nervous of the undead than I was. I'm not gonna lock him up with them." He mutters to the others.

"Come on." Justin pulls the hood of his Dustman outfit up, and cautiously but determinedly starts walking.

"Alright, if Ekuur can take out the zombies in the first few seconds, there are more enough of us to tackle her outright either way. Oh, wait a second. Give me a hand here before we go." HE says to no one inparticular. He pushes the lid back on the sarcophagus, being careful to stay away from the opening at first, just in case there IS something in there. After being relatively assured that nothing is going to jump out and eat his brains, he searches for the bag that Parron mentioned, holding it up like a prize fish when he finds it.

But wait, there's more!

Justin looks at the sarcophagus. It isn't secured, the skeles seem to have been the only line of defense he can note. He slides the heavy stone lid aside and observes the contents.

The sarcophagus looks as if it served as someone's hidey hole. There is a fat leather sack of coins 1,000 GP, a leather bandoleer with ten metal flasks nestled in carrying pouches, five hollow thighbone scroll tubes, a small leather beltpouch filled with red glass beads, and a small battered journal.

But wait, there's more!

Oh goody! Sorry, I was just typing along,... ;)

Justin looks at the sarcophagus. It isn't secured, the skeles seem to have been the only line of defense he can note. He slides the heavy stone lid aside and observes the contents.

The sarcophagus looks as if it served as someone's hidey hole. There is a fat leather sack of coins 1,000 GP, a leather bandoleer with ten metal flasks nestled in carrying pouches, five hollow thighbone scroll tubes, a small leather beltpouch filled with red glass beads, and a small battered journal.

"Hullo, what's this?!" Justin asks aloud as he sees the other contents of the Stone resting place. His hands change course of their own accord, tossing the bag of coins to Isaac instead of putting it in his pocket. HE draws out the other items one by one, examining them with a raised eyebrow.

"Hunh, Glass beads, all red. An unusual treasure stash. Portal keys? Someone plans on using THIS one a lot if so. I was under the impression that whatever keyed the portal stayed with you? DO some portals destroy the key to open it?" He asks others, glancing at Isaac as he stuffs the bag of beads into a coat pocket.

Justin pulls out the other items, aware of the impatience of some of the others. Drazek's inparticular seems to emanate from him as obviously as the shadows he wears like a cloak.

Justin looks at the bandolier of metal flasks with interest, but hands it off as he sees what it was lying on top of, and eagerly grabs the scroll tubes. He raises an eyebrow in distaste of the scroll tubes themselves, but grins as he hands them to the Feline. "See if we can use those will you? With MY luck they're probably DIvine magics." He smirks.

"And what have we here?" Justin murmurs as he withdraws the small, battered journal. "Hm. Now why lock this up with a bag of coins and other valuables? Might make for some interesting reading." HE smirks.

Justin closes his eyes and murmurs a brief, unintelligible, phrase. When he opens his eyes, they shine with a faint blue light. He holds up the book, looking at it intently, turning it over to examine both sides. Then turns his glowing gaze upon the flasks in the bandolier.

Detect Magic. I figure if the book radiates magic, it's probably spell-trapped. I didn't just want to open it willy-nilly and get zapped. Will check the flasks if time permits, making sure their magic potions and not poison before I go tasting them trying to ID them!

I posted earlier but it was eaten.

Ishmael looks at the red beads, and murmurs, "Come on, baby, light my fire, try to set the night on fire..."

He takes one and holds it to the light, "Kid said something about a portal to the Elemental Fire. What say we have a look?"

"If we are going to stay and fight, then I agree with Justin's first suggestion. I say we stay here and wait for her to come down and corner her. She won't be in a huge room full of escape routes and she probably won't have any means to call for help."
She turns to Isaac. "I don't think we'll have any trouble about being interrupted down here while we wait."

Justin closes his eyes and murmurs a brief, unintelligible, phrase. When he opens his eyes, they shine with a faint blue light. He holds up the book, looking at it intently, turning it over to examine both sides. Then turns his glowing gaze upon the flasks in the bandolier.

Justin:

Merle has a look over whatever is in the scroll tubes

Isaac stuffs the pouch of money into his pack and starts coiling up his rope with a frown.
"Add it up, cutters. When the Dead and the Xaosmen are through havin' it out, the Dead'll be back. When they find the berks we knocked out, they'll come lookin' for who peeled the uniforms. Hells, those berks were already lookin' for this one..."
He jerks a thumb at the unconscious Parron.
"... so he's gonna be missed. We cool our heels an hour, we're scragged. Simple as that. And I don't tumble to lettin' her carry on any more o' this while we're here. Run this through yer brainbox, besides: all of us in this little crypt, we get in each other's way. More space works in our favor, too: I reckon Toranna won't be flyin' anywhere like Bethany or stridin' up the walls like Drazek. And since half o' you cutters are spellslingers, it wouldn't do to have the rest of us in the way. So how 'bout Swire and me slip up there first, get into places to stop her up. Maybe Drazek walks in on the ceiling. Then the rest of you run in and we scrag her."
He looks to each party member in turn, running his thumb over a scar on his chin.

"Sounds like a plan. Karrin? Whaddaya think?"

Sorry Paizo wouldn't load for me. Something about the move and the web site's new IP not matching the Domain name or something. Anyways thing seem to have been finally cleared up :D

"Sounds good to me!" Karrin says, "Less yap more smack. Oh, and let's try to take her alive if we can."

"Book is safe, looks like potions in the flasks, and magical scrolls, can't tell more without more time,..." Justin mutters to Merle as the others talk.

"Hm? OH, alright, dangit, I hate when your right Isaac." Justin mutters, rejoining the conversation. "And while they don't know where we are now, I don't want to get cornered down here either!" He adds, conjuring a small, candle-sized ball of blue light from his amulet.He quickly flips through the book as Merle examines the scrolls he handed her.

"Give me just a sec, this might be important." He mumbles as he hastily flips through the book to the last pages written on, trying to see what it is about.

Trying to see what is recorded here, it's too much to hope that it's Toranna's diary saying, "I took all these people an set them as spies, and we are going to take over the multiverse", But we might get lucky?!? ;P

As soon as Justin reads the last couple of pages, return to the 'He lead them through the hallway' section above ;)

"Give me just a sec, this might be important." He mumbles as he hastily flips through the book to the last pages written on, trying to see what it is about.

Justin flips through the battered journal quickly. The front as he scans it looks to be a mish mash of devotinal writings to some Prime deity named Cyric. There is an abundance of flameskull doodles and a few disturbing rants about some goddess that Toranna names 'The Harlot'.

Towards the back of the journal the book changes into a bit of a 'to do' list. Mentions of the Illuminated: names like Shadowknave,Green Marvent, Imogen and Brandal start to appear, along with reminder notes attached to their names and usually what look to be either tavern or inn monikers. The Bottle and Jug is mentioned, as is The Butcher's Block. Doodles of a eye bounded by a triangle proliferate here.

A well-worn letter is used as a bookmark to the page that Toranna recently wrote on. Justin unfolds it gently and reads the following:

Toranna: Congratulations on you success in joining the Dustmen. You've made excellent progress. As we had discussed earlier, the Eternal Boundary plan is now engaged. The Citadel is almost refinished and our minions are setting up base there. Remember to look for marks behind the right ears of any unclaimed dead who come to your department. Make sure they are processed quickly through the portal we discussed. You only have a few hours before the feign death effect wears off, and delaying processing could lead to unfortunate questions among your superiors. I await news of your success.
Green Marvent.

Merle has a look over whatever is in the scroll tubes

Merle opens the hinged bone knob tops of the five scroll cases and pulls out five different scrolls. The scrolls seem to have two spells apiece written of the smooth vellum. The scrolls are rolled around narrow carved-bone dowels attached to either end of the parchment.

As soon as Justin reads the last couple of pages, return to the 'He lead them through the hallway' section above ;)

Your wish is my command O master ..

After flipping through the journal, Justin resumes walking out of the vaults. The hallway is quieter now, whatever was disturbed by Ekuur's channeled energy had resumed its unquiet slumber.

The area is still quiet, the Dead still off fending off a Xaosman riot. Occasionally there is a sound of footsteps, but no one appears. Justin sneaks them through the main chamber with its four massive bronze-shod giant skeletal guardians and over to the stairway Parron had brought him up. The black marble spiral staircase winds up towards the Overvault where (presumably) Toranna finishes her duties.

I'll give you a moment to plan actions here. If you wish to spend a little time IDing the scrolls and potions, then we can retcon that into the narrative.

Bethany looks up the staircase and waits for the others to begin ascending before making her way up. If it is open enough for her to fly, then she will and land above, otherwise she will go last as she moves the slowest and stairs aren't her strong suit
Once up there, she puls her large bow from her Quiver and plucks the string, listening to it's melodic hum with a smile.
"I assume we aren't going in there to parlay with this b i t c h." She hefts her bow. "I'll provide cover fire for you in your attack on her. Unless of course you wish me to help engage her in personal combat?"
She thinks for a moment. "Although I could go in first and attempt to Charm her with my Song. Her Will may be to strong for it to take effect, but if it does it will make this whole endeavour so much simpler. If it doesn't work straight away, I will of course cease singing and the rest of you can attack while she is focused upon me." The look on her face tells you all that having Toranna's attention on herself is not something Bethany particularly relishes.

The stairway spiralling up is actually encased in one of the Mortuary's dome pillar supports. It is fairly narrow, and Bethany will most likely want to be last. At the Overvault landing there is room for six to stand, and there is a door there at the top. It was unlocked when Justin/Clawboy and Parron went through it. Toranna was working just beyond it. There is another door pointing down that leads to another section of the Overvault. Entering the Overvault will be single file until you clear the door(s).

Overvault

I am reposting this assuming Justin was perceptive enough to note the room's details and communicate them to the rest of you. You will be coming out of the upper left stairwell, same as Justin and Parron did

Overvault

I am reposting this assuming Justin was perceptive enough to note the room's details and communicate them to the rest of you. You will be coming out of the upper left stairwell, same as Justin and Parron did

That's a lotta zombies. I get the feeling you like large, messy combats against hordes of undead, eh Patrick? :-)

Ekuur asks a quiet question as they walk to the vault. "I have a spell which may be able to hold this person in place. Should I try that before burning the walking dead? Or would you prefer I deal with them first?" he asks in the general direction of Isaac and Justin.

That's a lotta zombies. I get the feeling you like large, messy combats against hordes of undead, eh Patrick? :-)

I have no idea what would give you that impression. lol! ;)

That's a lotta zombies. I get the feeling you like large, messy combats against hordes of undead, eh Patrick? :-)

Actually these guys are the cleanest, well-tended zombies you will ever meet. Preserved with chemicals, blood drained, internal organs removed, depilated, mouth (and certain other orifices) sewn shut, freshly garbed and washed weekly.

Besides, you're in the Dustmen's faction headquarters, what did you expect, dire lawyer ponies?

Ekuur asks a quiet question as they walk to the vault. "I have a spell which may be able to hold this person in place. Should I try that before burning the walking dead? Or would you prefer I deal with them first?" he asks in the general direction of Isaac and Justin.

"Sounds like a fine idea, old son. Just let me see if I kin slip in first, just in case."

From the roof Drazek chuckles at Isaac's "discovery" and prepares to enter. Giving Bethany a wink he mutters, "I think cover fire's be fine doll, this 'un's got a beatdown comin' her way"

With no more noise than the shadows themselves Drazek slips into the room taking a perch along the ceiling. Stealth 1d20+4=23

He shrugs and continues up the stairs. When he reaches the doorway, he crouches and opens the door just enough to slip in. He darts in as silently as possible, flitting behind cover and takes a good look around the Overvault before working his way to the closest cover near Toranna.

Remember there are two doors. Both are solid, with no windows and a turn knob handle. Which do you open?

With no more noise than the shadows themselves Drazek slips into the room taking a perch along the ceiling.

You too Drazek, which door do you open?

"I'm going to jump the bítch," Karrin says, "we catch her by surprise and I can haul her down before she can cast any spells. The rest of you get ready to pound her into next week. I'll hold her you bash her . . . that spell sounds good Ekuur but I'm charging her just in case it doesn't work."

Karrin plans on using her belt of Enlarge person just before entering, using a swift expeditious retreat should Toranna be more then 35 feet away. Group initiative 1d20=15 (giving Karrin an 18) CMB: 1d20+9=29 . . . my first 20 . . . and it wasn't even an axe attack :(

Remember there are two doors. Both are solid, with no windows and a turn knob handle. Which do you open?

When Justin draws the room Karrin will ask which door they used. Karrin charges in through that door.

OK, we have initiative rolled. I'll let the others post up pre-combat actions until tomorrow, then we will get this rumble on..

Isaac will open the one leading down (is there, like, a step or something or is it in the floor?) and then work his way around so it's less likely she'll notice the door opening.

Isaac will open the one leading down (is there, like, a step or something or is it in the floor?) and then work his way around so it's less likely she'll notice the door opening.

No step. I'll write this in as I find out who's doing what. I need to know who the six on the top are then the line of folks on the stairs for movement. So far Karrin, Drazek and Issac have claimed top spots, three more to go. Bethany is at rear point.

OK, I'm assuming bull's strength (duration 4 minutes) is done, but what about shield of faith (duration 40 minutes)? Is that still going?

Ekuur will proceed next to last, just before Bethany. His intent will be to cast hold person as soon as he comes in, but it may depend on whether or not any zombies threaten him (and if anyone else can take 'em out first).

Nari is once more her usual quiet self. She goes pale when it becomes obvious that the group means to kill Toranna, but stays silent. She pulls out her bow and prepares for a fight, even if the thought does make her feel sick.

She'll try to stay toward the back.

I'll give you a moment to plan actions here. If you wish to spend a little time IDing the scrolls and potions, then we can retcon that into the narrative.

Merle was going to use read magic on the scrolls to find out what they are.

Dungeon Monkey wrote:

I'll give you a moment to plan actions here. If you wish to spend a little time IDing the scrolls and potions, then we can retcon that into the narrative.

Merle was going to use read magic on the scrolls to find out what they are.

Merle scans the scrolls before the party sets out

Start of combat positions:

Mr. Swire: [pending]
Merle: [pending]
Karrin: [first out east-facing door]
Justin: [pending]
Drazek: [climbing out door (unsure which)]
Ishmael: [pending]
Naridre: [third-to-last on stairwell]
Issac: [sneaking out south-facing door]
Bethany: [last spot on stairs]
Ekuur: [second-to-last on stairwell]

People on stairs will have to add +5 ft to their movement/per placement. Therefore, since four people will be on the stairs Bethany will have to travel a 20 ft equivalent to get out the door.

OK, I'm assuming bull's strength (duration 4 minutes) is done, but what about shield of faith (duration 40 minutes)? Is that still going?

I'll say you have shield of faith through this combat Ekuur. Also, the new PF rules state for your channel energy that you must specify either harm undead or heal friends with each usage. It no longer does both. Just wanted to make sure you saw that :)

Nari is once more her usual quiet self. She goes pale when it becomes obvious that the group means to kill Toranna, but stays silent. She pulls out her bow and prepares for a fight, even if the thought does make her feel sick.

Who's intending to kill? Karrin is going to grapple her so we don't need to kill her. Also Karrin said bash not kill.

Merle is going to hang round the back of the group and use the scroll of haste just before we all go barging in

Use magic device

1 d 20 + 9=27

So that is three of the group (Karrin, Mr swire, and Issac) Hasted for 3 rounds)

Sorry, would of posted earlier but wasn't able to get on the site.

Swire also attempts to sneak into the room.

Going the same route as Isaac. Perception, Stealth: 1d20+7=12, 1d20+11=19

Updated start of combat positions:

Mr. Swire: [going out south-facing door]
Merle: [First spot on stairs]
Karrin: [first out east-facing door]
Justin: [on landing]
Drazek: [climbing out door (unsure which-assuming south)]
Ishmael: [on landing]
Naridre: [second spot on stairwell]
Issac: [sneaking out south-facing door]
Bethany: [last spot on stairs]
Ekuur: [third spot on stairwell]

OK, one last question. Is Karrin letting the sneaks go out before she tries to tackle Toranna?. Also note that those on the stairs will have to hold their actions until the folks in front of them have done their moving.

OK, so Swire and Isaac are sneaking in ahead, (hopefully unnoticed) Karrin will charge Toranna while Ekuur toasts some Zombies, I presume Ishmael will be assiting KArrin?, and our ceiling walker will be hitting everything that moves that isn't us! Covering fire form Bethany, While Merle and I do what casters do best? (NAmely, stay out of the way and try NOT to get hit!) ;P Sounds good to me! I will move into the room and to the side so the others behind me can get in, once it is my turn.

Justin nervously checks to make sure his dark, cold-iron blade is clear of everyone's feet, and touches his amulet, now hanging openly on his shirt front. HE nods his readiness, raising an eyebrow as he sees Merle preparing her scroll.

Justin Nods to Swire and Isaac,...

It's SHOWTIME! :)

OK, one last question. Is Karrin letting the sneaks go out before she tries to tackle Toranna?. Also note that those on the stairs will have to hold their actions until the folks in front of them have done their moving.

Hmmmm, the problem is Karrin doesn't have improved grapple so an AoO would ruin her attempt, Karrin's best chance at grappling Toranna is to catch her flatfooted. If Isac and Swire somehow inadvertently alert Toranna Karrin might as well go in with her axe (which would be a waste of a 20). Also Merle cast haste which expires in 3 rounds. Stealth is good but I'm not sure this it fits in well with what Karrin was planing. However Karrin does need to activate her belt of enlarge person. She was planning on doing that outside of the doors to Toranna's office. That's a standard action (and she's unlikely to move any closer then the doors after doing that). So Karrin and Merle need a round to cast their spells. If Isac and Swire don't wait and move right in there's not much Karrin can do. Also, if Isac and Swire do alert Toranna, then Karrin will have to rethink her opening moves.

Merle is going to hang round the back of the group and use the scroll of haste just before we all go barging in

Use magic device

1 d 20 + 9=27

So that is three of the group (Karrin, Mr swire, and Issac) Hasted for 3 rounds)

Also I believe Merle can easily target the entire group as I don't think anyone is more then 30ft apart.

Merle Barer wrote:

Merle is going to hang round the back of the group and use the scroll of haste just before we all go barging in

Use magic device

1 d 20 + 9=27

So that is three of the group (Karrin, Mr swire, and Issac) Hasted for 3 rounds)

Also I believe Merle can easily target the entire group as I don't think anyone is more then 30ft apart.

haste only affects 1 person per lvl and Merle is a 3rd lvl sorceress

Karrin's probably the better person to tackle Toranna, so I think we can agree to have Isaac and Swire slip in and get into position to corner her/punch her a lot while she's down. Or draw off zombies as necessary.

haste only affects 1 person per lvl and Merle is a 3rd lvl sorceress

Yes, but remember, Merle isn;t actually casting the spell, she's reading (triggering) a spell that someone else cast onto the page. SInce the minimum caster Level for a 3rd level spell is 5th, it has to be at least a 5th level Wizard who wrote that scroll. So Merle affects 5 people when she reads it.

Karrin, I presumed that Karrin would let the sneaks enter first, then we charge. If they flub a roll and get spotted, we STILL charge! :) Also, I would run as far as you can first round, THEN trigger your 'belt of get-bigness'. (One move action, and one standard action), Less chance of us tripping on each other that way. Just my 2 C.P. :)

"Huh, Just. In. Case. Justin Case. Who knew wizards were funny?"

Justin looks at Isaac with a wry smirk.

"Yeh, But if you think that's funny, you should hear me at 'Open Stage Night' at the Bard's Club!"

IC is still down, & no dice at work. I'll get to that PER roll you asked me for (when reading the diary) asap.

Merle Barer wrote:

haste only affects 1 person per lvl and Merle is a 3rd lvl sorceress

Yes, but remember, Merle isn;t actually casting the spell, she's reading (triggering) a spell that someone else cast onto the page. SInce the minimum caster Level for a 3rd level spell is 5th, it has to be at least a 5th level Wizard who wrote that scroll. So Merle affects 5 people when she reads it.

Ah just seen that so the spell should last 5 rounds and Ill add Betheny and Ishamael to the ones affected