City of Ashes (Inactive)

Game Master Grimmy

Lilia Ronen gave both the quiver (10 bolts) and his crossbow to you.

As the abomination crumbles to mud and dirt Ronen struggles but is able to free himself from the mud that had encased him. Taxed by the effort and the blow that the creature hit him with. He takes his symbol in his free hand and speaks the prayer to the Lady.

Standard action: Use channel energy to heal everyone in 30 ft radius. Exclude any elementals that
Channel Energy: 1d6 ⇒ 6

Argh double post

Ah, I didn't notice the quiver part too.

Round 7 (alternate action)

Lilia pulls and loads another crossbow bolt.

I will roll Ares fort saves.

Ares Fort Save: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14
Ares Fort Save: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8

Ares is helpless after failing two fort saves against the mud guardians entrap ability.

I think Ares was at 11 hp before Ronen's channel. So 17 hp now?

Round 7 - Mudmen

With Ares encased in mud, the two guardians are poised to snap his helpless neck.

Blue guardian attack Priss or coup de grace Ares?: 1d100 ⇒ 40

The constant patter of Priscilla's sling bullets gets the attention of one, and it turns to move to the halfling, leaving Ares for it's companion to deal with.

The mud guardian slides towards Priscilla and heaves a blow towards the halfling slinger.

Slam vs Priscilla: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25
Damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8
Priscilla Fort Save: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6
Priscilla takes 8 damage and gains the entangled condition.

Yellow guardian coup de grace Ares or attack Ronen?: 1d100 ⇒ 85

The other guardian turns from the mud encased Ares to attack Ronen, who has just burst free of his own bonds.

Slam vs Ronen: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16
Damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6
Ronen Fort: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8
Ronen takes 6 damage and gains the entangled condition.

Round 7 - Skeletal Ancients

The skeletal mage sees Ronen's healing positive energy flash over the party.

"Interloper! You do not serve Prince Orcus!"

The robed skeleton steps forward and lays a hand upon Ronen glowing with pale necromantic light.

Melee Touch: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23
Ghoul Touch (DC 17 Fort)
Ronen Fort: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16
Duration: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4 Paralyzed 4 Rounds

Ronen feels his flesh rotting and a hideous stench exudes from his body.

Ares, Lilia and Lueck need to make a DC 17 Fort save or become sickened. This is a poison effect.

Round 8 Go

Fort 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

Round 8

Coughing and sputtering, so that she couldn't hold the crossbow steady, Lilia realized the situation was getting really dire. So she did something rash, pulling the awful evil necklace of Orcus she had claimed from the graveyard earlier. She waves this necklace in front of the skeleton. "See, we are icky too! Please stop attacking us!"

Im probably wasting an action, but I'm afraid we are teetering on a TPK right here.

Nice ploy!

Lilia Bluff: 1d20 + 8 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 8 + 4 = 19 +4 for necklace
Skeletal Mage Sense Motive: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 9 = 12

The skeletal mage bows when he sees the necklace.

With a wave of his hand, the spell is dismissed. Ronen feels the paralysis gripping him subside, and with it the stench sickening the others dissipates as well.

I guess the remark made by the skeletal mage should have been in necril and only intelligible to Cairenn, but Lilia could still infer what was happening, so the whole thing still works.

Round 7

Ares calls upon the strength of Muir to aid him in this time of trouble, as he tries to free himself from the mudmen's grip.

Strength Check:1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18
Fort Check:1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11

Round 8

"Well done," Cairenn calls out in relief at Lilia's trick, relaxing fractionally.

From the map it doesn't look like there's room for me to get into melee with the blue mudman while also leaving room for Urrnir. So, instead:

Cairen backs a few feet back to where he'd dropped his bow, snatching it up while dropping his morningstar. He attempts another arrow at the nearest mudman.

Bow shot vs blue: 1d20 - 4 ⇒ (20) - 4 = 16
Confirm?: 1d20 - 4 ⇒ (14) - 4 = 10
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 1

The shot hits by pure luck, but doesn't do much damage.

Don't forget the long-spear from Lueck as well, that will let you attack from behind Uurnir if you want.

The strength DC for Ares to escape the helpless condition from the entrap ability is 19! Missed by one.

Round 8

Damn so Close!

Hearing the clash of battle, the aasimar tries to fight on to help his comrades.

Strength Check:1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19

Hey there it is!

Ares bursts free of the crust.

Round 8

Not letting up for even a moment, Urrnir seeks to maintain the momentum they've gotten so far. With a quick step she closes the gap between her and the next golem, following with a hurried strike to the chest.

Urrnir: Move Action to map point, Standard Action to attack Blue Mudman.

Attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21
Damage: 1d6 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9

"Um...daggers away?"Pris says as she draws and stabs the nearby mudman.

attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18
damage: 1d3 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

recorded uurnir and priscilla's damage

The guardian groans, nearly destroyed by the attacks of Priscilla and Uurnir.

Round 8 - Lueck

Lueck continues to fire at the guardians from inside the tomb.

Longbow: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14
Longbow: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18
Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 7

Round 8 - Skeletal Mage

The skeletal figure gestures and eldritch energy arcs forth from it's hand blasting the guardians.

Damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
Damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

The guardian facing Uurnir and Priscilla is blown to bits and the one facing Ronen teeters on the edge of destruction.

His body wracking with pain from the casual touch Prince of Death's minion he thanks the blessing of the Lady for Lady Lilia's quick decision. His focus momentarily diverted he slices down and across with his blade at the abomination.

Full action: Flurry with temple sword

Flurry T Sword#1: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12
Dmg: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

Flurry T Sword#2: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14
Dmg: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9

Round 8 - Elemental

Fighting to the death, the last guardian returns Ronen's blows.

Slam: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19
Damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5
5 damage and DC 14 fort vs entrapment.

Round 9 Go

Round 9

Lilia wants to keep the skeleton on the group's side for the time being, so she continues to hold out the Orcus pendant. "Finish that last one off, and we can decide what to do after. I think the skeleton is captivated by this necklace!"

Round9

Cairenn drops his all-but-useless bow, again, and draws the silvered spear as he dashes forward...

Spear attack: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 3 + 1 = 20 I seem to recall the spear was magical. Ignore the +1 if not.
Damage: 1d8 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 + 1 = 10

*eyes dice. Suuure, now you cooperate*

The last of the guardians disintegrates when Cairenn pierces it with the spear.

end initiative

From the halls you hear the footsteps of the two skeletal champions approaching. As they arrive they lower their weapons as the skeletal mage speaks to them in the whispering language of the dead.

Cairenn has told me it is ok to assume he will translate to the party.

"One of their number used the healing life force, so I attacked him, thinking him an imposter... but this one holds an amulet... so their allegiance is confirmed... the elemental guardians disturbed my tomb... but they have fallen... you may return to your tombs..."

What do you guys do next? I think Ronen is pretty messed up.

"As much as I hate to say it, after we heal Ronen, we might need to rest for a bit. My spells are just about gone for the day. And this chamber might be the safest spot we've encountered so far."

"Agreed, all wounded come with me away from this chamber so I may heal you without any troubles." Ares stares daggers at the skeleton.

Ares leads the group away from the vile robed creature, and once they are out of sight of him then he prays for the spirit of Muir to grant his comrades her mercy.

2 positive energy channels:4d6 ⇒ (1, 5, 2, 2) = 10
Everybody heals 10 hp and let me know if you need more healing.

Cairenn looks briefly shocked that he hit with the spear, but shakes it off in the interests of looking like he knows what he's doing. Like a cat, he meant to do that.

After translating the skeleton's speech, Cairenn hurries to Ronen's side. "We must get him out of this mess first. Water might wash away the mud, or we can probably chisel it off.... hang on, Ronen..."

Cairenn draws one of the bottles he keeps at his belt, angling his body so that the skeleton cannot see what he does. He puts the flask to Ronen's lips, assuming he can get a clear path with all the mud.

Potion of cure light wounds: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

"Those of you with some muscle on your side! Wrench him out of this."

Priscilla looks about to recover her ammo. Once done with that she looks at the ancients and the others and follows suit to get healed.

Slowly downing the vial at his lips he rises with Cairenn's aid. "My thanks to you." He stares at the skeletal priest and the other two guardians. "It would seem they are all linked. Knowing when one is in danger. Something to remember for later."

After moving away from the vicinity of the skeletal guardians he feels the pain in his body alleviate as Brother Valorn calls upon the Lady to heal the group."We live so that is a blessing. It seems that the guardians are not demons but rather creatures of another plane. Should we encounter similar what do we know of these creatures?"

Cairenn scratches his head at Ronen's question.

"An astute observation, and a practical line of inquiry. These ancients were no necromancers in their time. They trafficked with demons, but not the likes of orcus. It seems they have warded their barrow tunnels with guardians from the elemental planes. These creatures we have just defeated were from a border realm between the planes of water and earth... thus the mud..."

At this, Cairenn chips away a piece of the dry crust encasing Ronen.

"Lueck, why don't you and Priscilla fetch some water to wash this away. If we are to rest I believe we should do it with the plant pygmies, if they will have it. They know how to exist in these tunnels without inviting the wrath of the elemental guardians. Lilia and I should approach them and see if they will give us safe haven while we catch out wind. Just try not to set off anymore traps or alarms, Lueck." He softens his chastising remark with a smile as he hands back the magical spear to his friend.

Knowledge Planes: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15

"We have seen water, and mud so far. Mud is earth and water. Going forward there could be more of the same, or other elements. Fire, magma, lava. There is no way to know for certain."

"No need to go fetch water, since our Mother of paladins provides enough for us all." Ares informs Cairenn of his simple orison. "Glad to see your back with us, let me give you one more boost." With that he gives a soft prayer as a finer concentrate of positives energy.

Can cast Create Water
Cast Cure light wounds on Ronen:1d8 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

"Hey Ares, you might want to not mention the Ladyeh of paladinsbe, Our 'allies' seem not to like it" Pris says as she pointed to the skeletons.

"Also as for the mud guys, I once heard that mud was good for your skin, also they are a bit human looking, maybe some sorcerer or wizard could maybe figure out how to summon those guys to do like mud bathes and massages at the same time. I could see a future in the higher end beauty salons."She says as she taps her chin in deep thought. She than shrugged.

"Cool we get to rest with those Pant Guys that's great!Do you think they have food? or maybe some tea? Anyways sign me up!" she says with a broad smile full of curiosity and wonder.

"If we are to stay the night, then I will begin scouting for a proper camp sight. Preferably one away from prying eyes, I assume."

While the others tend to their wounds and clean themselves up from the skirmish, Urrnir searches the immediate area for a potential rest area.

Survival: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20
Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12

"There is one thing though: what of T'salix? He is under the assumption that we will reemerge before nightfall and though I suspect his cowardice will win out in the face of danger, I do not wish to stake a life on a mere suspicion."

I have rations for the evening as well, if necessary.

"I'm sure he will retreat once the howling of the wolves draw closer. Heck, I'd be surprised if he didn't run as soon as we all headed down here and left him alone. I do think staying down here, as yucky as it seems is our best plan. Heal up a bit, regain some powers, and find those crystals."

"I will go and check on the gravedigger," Lueck insists. He departs with spear in hand towards the blood-mist falls where T'Saalix was last seen. He will broker no objections to this undertaking.

Urrnir's scouting reveals the general layout of the tunnels. most of what's visible on the map in terms of connections, with 5a and 6a being unexplored areas.

She identifies two paths to the cave where the pygmies reside, to the south; a chamber with a sunken altar in a pool of blood red water from which the mud elementals emerged, to the east; and a stepped termination point of the paved road opening into a glowing chamber to the north-west. The hall leading to the glowing chamber is warm, almost hot, mores the closer she gets to the end of the paved road.

The water created by Ares softens a small patch of the crust encasing Ronen, but it is nowhere near enough to remove it altogether. Cairenn estimates that the monk would have to be immersed in water for nearly an hour to remove the shell so that Ronen can move freely and rest comfortably.

Of course, being a cantrip, Ares can continue to create water until the same result is achieved but he will have to minister to Ronen for an extended period to do so which is fine since the group is resting.

Where do you intend to rest?

"I say we try the path to the south. If luck is with us, then we have cleared out all the mudmen for the time being, and their might be a clear shot back to safety. If we are unlucky, we are probably going to die no matter what."

Lueck returns after a while, panting and wide-eyed.

"A storm is brewing up there... a storm of shadows! The shadow wolves are encroaching on the cemetery grounds. There is little light left to keep them in the cliffs. The other caretakers have left. T'Salixx wants to go back to Bard's Gate. Cairenn.. I think we should go. I know you have always wanted to stay the night here, but this is not the night. This holy mission has invited the wrath of forces beyond our understanding."

Cairenn is silent for a long time.

"I don't want to abandon our new friends. But maybe we could get word to the temple to send help."

Cairenn looks to the others with a furrowed brow.

"Cairenn, do you want to take the Orc back to safety and report to the temple for us? Bring help if you can. Tell them what we've seen, and what it looks like we will be up against.

Cairenn seems a little relieved, like Lilia's invitation for him to go spared him from admitting he was getting a little afraid.

"Very well! I will notify the temple at once and come back with help. Stay safe while I'm gone!" Cairenn says with a bow.

The two companions, Cairenn and Lueck, depart taking the southerly tunnel.

Can we assume Ronen is freed of his muddied cage? If so:

Ronen watches as the two companions leave. He feels relief knowing that should they fail the temple will at least be alerted. Should the temple send any aid it would come well after the original expedition had climbed down and who knew how far the group would have reached by then.

"With Cairenn and Lueck gone we must be more cautious of our actions. And any conversation with the guardians will be useless."

Turning to Brother Valorn, "We should determine what divine blessings might be best for us to complete this gauntlet and find where the abominations came from to see if we can find these stones that were spoken about."

"Remember, I'm not sure how many times it will work, but if those skeletons get crazy again, I can show them that Orcus necklace. It calmed him right down last time. I'm just afraid that only will work a time or two."

Can we assume Ronen is freed of his muddied cage? If so:

It can be washed off by Ares while resting, or you can make the strength checks, or others can. So yeah I guess we can just say it's gone come to think of it, so many ways to get it done now that theirs ample time. Did you guys ever tell me where you want to rest? I need to know so I can run what happens in the night.

I like the chamber with the sunken alter, though Im under the assumption that there will be no more mud elementals.

"Blunt Blades! Your right my wise friend." Ares replies to Ms. Springheel. The Aasimar looks on to Cairenn and Lueck, "Travel with Honor and Haste my friends, may your path be safe. With that he puts his hand to his chest in a salute.

Ares looks around making sure him and Ronen are out of sight of any guardians as he whispers a more powerful prayer of his goddess. A stronger energy washes over Ronen as his wounds heal further. "I know what to use against the undead ,but these mud and water creatures are a new foe to me. Miss Stinisen do you have any ideas? I agree we should be cautious in our movements and we do need to rest since I am low on my divine blessings. The sunken alter does seem like a fitting spot and easier to spot these guardians, as long as were out of sight of the skeletons when I do my morning prayer."

Cure Moderate Wounds on Ronen:2d8 + 3 ⇒ (2, 5) + 3 = 10

Uurnir leads the group to the cavern with the sunken altar, and sets watches to guard through the night. Thankfully the waters remain quiet. No more guardians emerge to disturb the rest.

Whatever nightmarish apocalypse is happening in the cemetery above, the party remains blissfully unaware of it down in the barrow tomb.

When everyone has rested enough to recover magical energy and pray to Muir for spells, the party rises to face another day.

What do you do next?

"We need to get in gear. We have to find and collect all those crystals, and then get out of here as quickly as we can. They have reinforcements coming and it'd be great if we could beat them out of here."

"Those elemental guardians are another matter entirely. I am thinking there might be other combination guardians, like fire and air making smoke or earth and fire making lava. We probably need to be prepared to face all types of elementals."

Urrnir pokes at a smoldering fire wearily. The night had not passed well for the maiden, she had hardly been able to sleep at all really. Perhaps she was simply on edge; they were practically beset on all sides by dark forces, after all. Perhaps she just didn't want to, instead choosing to be resolute in her watch over her slumbering companions.

She does her best to stretch her stiffening limbs while Lilia spurs the others to awake. She does not dwell on the woman's words though. After all, she may as well prepare to brawl with the air itself. In the end, she could only hope that they would not have to face such preposterous creatures.

"Let us make haste then, we do not have long before the archaeologists arrive."

Priss went to sleep fast after the whole ordeal. She slept hair and while asleep gave a simple snoring whimper. As the others stirred she remained asleep. She was not a light sleeper.

After the others where basically gathering thier things she arose and rubbed her eyes."Breakfast?"

Urrnir scowls slightly and says nothing, instead reaching into one of her hip pouches and drawing forth one of her trail rations: a small package of butcher's paper containing a hard biscuit, honey preserve, and smoked fish.

She hands it of too Priscilla, saying "Eat this, but be quick. We have lingered too long already and we will need you to scout the tunnels ahead."

Given the gravity of what lies ahead of them Ronen falls into a deep sleep and is awakened by the sound of dying fire. He watches as the warrior of Freya tends to the flame standing watch over it like it is their lifeline. Her body language speaks louder than any words could and he shares the feeling that what lies before them could ultimately end in their deaths.

At the thought of that he is comforted knowing that Lueck and Cairenn should by now have reached Bard's Gate and would have informed the Lord Marshall.

Turning his attention back to the warrior of Freya he watches the exchange between the halfling and her. Standing up he gathers his blade and quietly moves off to begin his morning kata and prayers, "I must speak to the Lady and ask her to bestow us with grace and determination this day. Then I shall be ready to leave."