Crypt of the Everflame (Inactive)

Game Master Nathan Hartshorn

Vivian moves her Light spell back to her mace so she can hold it high over people's heads.
"It seems to be coming from this southern door." She then glances down the path to her right.

Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

Brilliant!

Allister's fears subside for a moment as he begins to wonder if there is someone in need of help in the room that waits before them. "Let's get in there and see what we can do to help - someone could be lost or hurt."

The paladin wipes perspiration from his forehead then draws his greatsword in preparation. "We'll be right behind you, Brezik."

Map Updated. Again I have moved everybody up. Let me know if I was wrong. Vivian I figured you entered the hall to
look down it a little. GM Fez? Let us have it... What's behind door #2?

Squad looks good to me.

Looks good to me

"I dream of the final moment of a war Qina, my men lie dead and dying all around me and I am victorious, alone and dying"

"Sometimes I have a dream that this little horse with a raccoon head says "come run with me, Allister" and he gallops off over a hill. I try to chase him but he's much faster so I yell "wait, I'm slow!" When I get to the top of the hill he's always gone, and the church is on fire again and my arm is burned black and smoldering like a pork chop."

"Sometimes I have a dream that this little horse with a raccoon head says "come run with me, Allister" and he gallops off over a hill. I try to chase him but he's much faster so I yell "wait, I'm slow!" When I get to the top of the hill he's always gone, and the church is on fire again and my arm is burned black and smoldering like a pork chop."

MMMMMmmmm... Porkchops...

Upon trying to open the door to the south you find it is locked. As you jiggle the handle the wailing from behind the door goes silent.

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12

Standing patiently, Gad'larr speaks to Brezik.

"So is the door locked?"

Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14 HA!

"What? Locked? More levers? On it!"

perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10

You know Allister porkchops sound amazing right now... Qina did you pack pork chops?

"I don't think I brought any porkchops. Momma doesn't normally let me bring those. Hey! Did you hear that? Someone's in there! They might be in trouble!"

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23

Brezik tries the door....

Hello!!!... anyone in there?

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10

"What are you all talking about? Brezik, can you get the door open? Or do you need help?"

perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25

Turning to his friends...
Your right Qina... someone is in there I heard them.

Then turning back to the door...
Hello... It's Brezik... are you from Kessen?

Vivian catches on, trying to be helpful she adds "And Vivian Ferris! Qina Coldfire, Gad'larr Fireblood, Belathorian from the Temple, and even Allister Sunscale. We saw what happened to Gerol and Vark and killed the skeletons. It's safe now. Can you tell us what happened?"

"Old bones? You think he means the skeletons? I think he's in trouble, in one way or another. Hey you in there. We're not old bones. We're people. I'm a halfling. Please open the door so we can help you" she shouts.

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23

The voice comes back, loud enough that everyone can hear it now, "A trick, trick of heroes. Trick of the dead one, the dead one who speaks. They can't really be there...If they're really there..." The voice trails off, though some faint mumbling can be heard from the other side of the door.

One Diplomacy roll won't be enough, but that's a good start.

"This is no trick, we are here to retrieve the Everflame. You do not have to fear us, we will make sure you are kept safe."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13

Allister realizes he is mumbling, all the talk of pork has him hungry and drooling. I wonder where pork comes from...

If someone aids that it'll be enough to push him towards reality again...

"He's of the Dawnguard, and speaks truly!"
aid: 1d20 ⇒ 9

"Come on, open the door. We got food!"

Diplomacy Aid Another, supportive: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 4 + 1 = 12

+4 bonus from Aid Another

bluff: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16

... And when we got here and saw everything wrong we went and found help. Got a whole camp of lumber jacks to help us clear out the skeletons. It's totally safe now...

Brezik looks back at his friends...and whispers:

what? It's worth a try...!

Gad'larr, at a loss for words for once, stands for while only now starting to hear the voice before it
cuts off behind the door.

"Everyone quiet! I can't hear myself think! Sir? Open the door, I am Gad'larr fireblood. My adopted parents are
Hank and Jessa. Do you know me and my friends? Were you sent here to prepare the way for our group? Can you
let us in? I will come in unarmed and alone if it helps you to trust us...?"

Diplomacy(Unskilled): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17

Belathorian thinks he might recognize the voice...

Know: Local: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14

but other than confirm his presence...

"They speak true. I am Belathorian twice born"
Diplomacy (Aid another): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9

...keeps quiet, knowing others are more suited to diplomacy.

Qina and Allister's words

"Maybe not a trick. Maybe the heroes are real...But...I don't want them to be real!"

Gad's words
There is the sound of heavy crates being moved about from behind the door. After about a minute the lock clicks back in its housing and the door opens. Beyond you see Roldare, wide-eyed, dirty, bloody, and with tears streaming down his face.

He whispers, "You are real"

He raises his hand to his head and wipes some of the old blood there. He stares at the congealed mess between his fingers. "Then that means this is real. It isn't a dream, a horrible never-ending nightmare."

He drops to his knees before you, sobs wracking his chest, and covers his face in his hands as he cries.

Moving into the room, Vivian looks to bolster moral. She begins inspecting the mans wounds and performs first aid on them.

heal: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14

She tries to ease him as he shakes, "Shh, you'll be okay now. You must have given them quite the fight!"

Moved by the man's situation and his actions, Gad'larr kneels next to the man and carefully takes his hand slowly.

"Sir! Please! I assure you, we are real. Tell us what happened. We are ignorant in this. We cannot truly help
unless we know what is going on. You came with the others? Brought the pillows for the pits...?"

Gad'larr speaks as calmly as possible to relax the man and goad him to talk more as soon is possible.

"What was that howling noise?"

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20

Diplomacy(Untrained): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21

Sense Motive(Untrained): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19

Belathorian drops to his knees beside Vivian and, letting her do the talking, sets about aiding her healing

Heal (aid): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10

"M-me. T-there were s-six of us, now only t-two. Dinira, my s-sister came w-with us. The old bones took her! Only after killing everyone two days ago. Dinira is still alive, I know it, wouldn't come three days ago otherwise. Then the bones attacked, probably listening to the voice, it must have taken her. The leader of the bones was the o-one that dragged her away, i-it speaks with death and stalks the halls in ancient m-mail."

"Fear not, ser. The worst is over. We will find your sister and get you both to safety. You are welcome to join us, or stay here until we return. I would only ask that you grant us those two potions to keep us safe."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12

Allister then kneels down and sees if there is anything he can do to help heal the man.

Heal (Assist): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12

Leaving the wounded and grieving man to the hands of the healers, Gad scratches his head.

"It sounds like the ancient warriors that were laid to rest here have been animated somehow.
But by whom? Why? Why did they take his sister? This is getting more complicated by the minute."

Looking up Gad speaks to the ceiling.

"I know my pride drove me here Irori, but do I truly need this kind of lesson for it? Oh well...Challenge Accepted.
May I find enlightenment in my endeavors."

Looking at each of his new friends in the eye, Gad grinds his sharp teeth together in frustration.

"Let us focus on the fact that SOMETHING is going on here my friends. Whatever it is we need
to finish it. We need to push on I think, especially for his sister's sake, but do we want to rest first?
Allister, how is your ankle doing? Going on exhausted won't help things if were too depleted to continue
safely, and this is a good place to rest for now."

Turning to Vivan.

"Captain, what are your orders?"

Did somebody want the MW Crossbow? I can't really use it as a monk myself...Oh...BTW GM, did it come
with any bolts?

What time of day is it Fez?

"Resting may be a good idea, but perhaps we should check the area first, make sure death isn't just around the corner... so to speak."

Belathorian looks around at how easily the rest of the group are conversing and bonding even with Roldare.

"I'll go, I'm not needed here. I'll call if I find anything..."

with that he makes to leave the room.

Vivian pats the man on the back, then stands and scratches her head, "It can't be too complicated Gad, they must be after the Everflame too. Trying to steal it or snuff if out!" Vivian gets herself railed up. "They can't! Sir, how large is the crypt? We can't waste anytime! We mist protect Kassen from his eternal nemesis beyond the grave!!" She is quite over taken by her imagination.

"Oh, rest. If there is much further to go, then.. I guess.. but the flame.." she says quite conflicted.

le 10 bolts, approximately noon, though telling time down here will start to become more difficult.

"Th-these items are all m-meant for you. Wh-while the town wants you to ach-achieve, w-we don't want you to d-die."

Roldare mumbles to himself a bit, "Find the room, place the shields, pillows, keys to go...I, I think there are f-five or s-six more r-rooms in the upper l-level. And more below us, b-but I've ne-never been d-d-down there."

Okay... so unless any of you spell casters absolutely need to rest we push on...if any of you need to come back and rest up then speak up and we'll come back here...

Roldare the pass phrase we'll use with you is... "Militia Captain Earl Barthalemew always tries to use his position to under pay for bolts."

Brezik grabs the healing potions hands one to Gad'Lar and one to Qina...

It's a good idea I think for people who can't normally heal to be able to heal themselves or others in a pinch. Next two will go to Al and myself.

hope no one minds me trying to push the story forward a bit. Iv'e gone ahead and positioned us for the next room... although I would be surprised if there wasn't one or two more questions people had for Roldare

"We can't rest, his sister is in danger. We have to hurry up and find her. My magical shields should last another hour easy and I still have a trick or two up my sleeves. And Brezik, you should keep this potion. I have lots of people surrounding me where you're normally out front in the middle of danger. Please, you keep it. I'm never very far from Bela or Viv."

Qina's Mage Armor spells last 2 hours.

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13

Vivian snickers at the pass phrase. "I believe it's settled, let's continue on. Roldare, the next time you see us we should have word on your sister." She then grabs two flasks of oil and leaves the room.

Moving on then

The door to this chamber opens easily. Your lights shine into the room showing this small chamber is mostly empty, save for the body of a
villager sprawled in the center. Beside the villager, attempting to roll the body into a garbage strewn corridor is a man sized brown and yellow beetle. It hisses and clacks its exoskeleton against the floor in challenge.

Initiative rolls
Beetle Init: 1d20 ⇒ 2
Vivian Init: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7
Qina Init: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24
Brezik Init: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 1 = 16
Belathorian Init: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 1 = 19
Gad'larr Init: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17
Allister Init: 1d20 - 3 ⇒ (12) - 3 = 9

Order:
Everyone
Beetle

"Who are you calling depleted?"Allister responds to Gad'larr, thinking the word is some nasty insult he's never heard before. "The Dawnguard never rests!" It may have been Lightbringer Naabi who told him that, he could not remember. It was not true, he rested all the time.

Once it is Allister's turn, if the beetle survives that long:

This thing better not survive to see Vivian's mace! I believe the +1 moral bonus to attacks is still active as well.

I mean...I don't actually care who goes first in the order when that particular order is it...

OK, I went ahead and moved everybody further into the room with your assumed moves. Brezik and myself (and maybe Qina if she wishes to use her longspear or a spell) can attack this round. NOTE: Those in back with speed 20 will have to double move to get into MELEE range (I assumed no ranged attacks from you guys this round). Allister there will be no way to get into melee from the rear-guard position you were in without pushing someone out of the way. Even then it would take a double move to get there so no attack this round.

Rushing towards the giant insect with Brezik, Gad attempts to bash the creature with a snap-kick directly to the creature's thorax hoping to stagger the creature.

"Heeee-YAA!"

Attack(Unarmed Strike): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

Damage(Unarmed Strike): 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

+ Stunning Fist use for the day if it hits: DC 13

And Gad's foot bounces off the hard carapace.

Which wastes my one ability use for the day since I missed. Dang I hate 1st level sometimes!

Oh, Allister will absolutely attack this round if the bug still lives. Whether he has to push someone out of the way, charge and take a AoO (not sure if it's possible with your current arrangement), or throw a javelin into melee, an attack will be made. ;)

You were last in line so your options are very limited. You have only 5 feet left of movement from the current position, so even if Vivian moves another 5 feet (and provokes an AoO from the bug) You are at the end of your movement and still cannot do anything because you have to move in a straight line to charge (Not possible here.) Throwing a javelin won't work, because you would not be able to see the creature with just one movement of 20 feet. Due to your starting position and your limited speed the best you can do this round is enter the room with everybody else. I'm sorry. Unless the GM or somebody else can offer something I missed?

Edit: OK, I reset everything and will let everybody do their own movement. But it will have to be in LINE order otherwise people will be running all over each other. Brezik is first.

I love how chaotic the posts are... it mirrors the chaos the character would have had in the situation. Keep in mind... moving through allies spaces is allowed in pathfinder... GM can outlaw it in certain stuiations such as when people are squeezing... but it's not a limitation unless the GM says so. Also first round of combat before the opponent acts he doesn't threaten swuares so no aoo's yet.

As the door opened Brezik saw a giant beetle of some kind... IT'S A GIANT BUG KILL IT!!! And all chaos broke loose as the young adventurers jockeyed for position to get at the creature.

Warhammer: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20
Warhammer: 1d8 + 6 + 1d6 ⇒ (1) + 6 + (4) = 11

ok, I'm really quite confused now... Is the current set up on the map where things are as the round starts?...I'll assume so...

Belathorian, somewhat disgusted by the bugs disregard for the dead, steps in scythe swinging

Attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17
Damage: 2d4 + 4 ⇒ (1, 4) + 4 = 9

I think Qina can get an attack off if she wants with Gad and Brezik. Using my imaginary lines Al will be able to throw a javelin, but it will only be able to hit on a 20 with all of the current negatives stacked against you (melee, cover, dex penalties, etc.). The rest will have to wait until round 2 unless they want to move and use a different standard instead of an additional move. Bel, your rolls will still count, either for next round or the next fight.

All I need now is to hear from Qina then the beetle will go and we're on to round 2 after that.

I'm phone-bound and the map loads with our avitars missing for some reason, I trust the party centric placement for this beetle.