Dandi schools her expression into something placid and benign, even managing a light smile as Fondo winks, though it never touches her eyes. Instead, she focuses for a moment, whispering a call for her spider friends to come help her out. .
Nikolay quaffs one his potions of lesser restoration and offers one out if needed.
@Barael: You used the final 2 charges on the second CLW wand and you are still 50 hps down. Here are some CSW's from Charlie
@Nik: I cast a full restoration on you so no need to use any potions. Also, they wouldn't work anyway as you were hit with full-on Con drain.
The prying eyes settle around the party, flitting here and there and watching everyone's movements as the party searches through the other rooms in this wing.
As expected, nothing much is found but a few bones, and one quick combat with some skeletal 'guests' for this was surely the guest wing. Lots of guest quarters, some with their own manacles secured in the walls for special friends who just don't want to stay.
The shadows lie normally in this wing now that the Danse Macabre is dispersed though the whole wing is largely deserted. You don't see the Dread Wraith again during these searches.
Seeing no further avenues to explore in the wing, Fondo leads the way back to the first wing and listens at an unexplored door .
Briar hesitates as Fondo prepares to open the P09 door.
"Uh...Varisian, the Rat said there was naught in there but ovens, ash, and char. But...I'll watch your back from here if you want to go in."
Briar will keep arrow trained over Fondo's shoulder from the outside.
"We know not what form our quarries take, save that one a devil's mask does wear. What better place than ovens for the progeny of hell to make their lair?"
Assuming he saw no traps, Toffitt opens the door and peers in, letting Deyanira's locket light the way.
Fondo does indeed find nary a trap as he opens the door into the large chamber.
Rickety tables, butcher’s blocks, and collapsed shelves clutter this room which appears to have once served as the castle kitchen. The walls and ceiling are covered in soot, particularly to the west where three huge ovens loom. Each is completely covered in a layer of char and soot, inside and out, with bits of charred bone and charcoal caked on the iron grills and in the ash pits beneath.
Worse, however, are the three outlines burned into the brick of the oven walls - humanoid images splayed in positions of agony and death. Despite the ancient look of the layers of grime, the ovens radiate slight warmth and the faint odor of burning meat, as if they have been used recently.
Fondo scans the room for mystic energies and signs of the restless dead .
Fondo peers into the room - you'll need to step in (M9) to see the whole space, but nothing happens when you do. However the ovens themselves seem to be undead - as do the walls, the floors and the ceilings, but mostly the ovens.
The entire castle is, technically, an undead creature and so there is always a background of undeath where ever you look. It takes a moment (an extra round) and a perception check (usually easy) to perceive undeath beyond that background.
Within this room, there is something about the ovens that stands out beyond the background (based on your prior perception check). What it is you do not know, but they have more life in them then you'd expect for being just ovens. Or rather more unlife.
"There's something odd—undead—about the ovens. No doubt the fires of hell await within." Fondo waits for the party to gather before stepping in further.
Barael waits at Briar's side, refusing to enter the room.
Dandi waits behind the others, only belated realizing no one is going in.
"Are we not going this way, then?"
Once everyone is outside the room, Fondo enters.
Fondo moves into the room (I put you at N10) and Laori follows (moving to M11). The room is certainly warmer than the rest of the castle so far, but otherwise nothing happens in the first round as the rest of the party crowds the door looking in through the door at M9. All other doors into the room are closed.
The smell of burnt flesh and hair is a little disconcerting.
"Uh, hello? We're here to send you back to Hell. No doubt you'll be less bored in hellfire's heat." Fondo steps in a bit further.
"Are we not going this way, then?"
"Looks like Fondo is intent on doing so. I don't need to touch a red iron to know it's hot, just like I don't need to burn from fire myself to understand what burnt flesh and hair smell like." Barael snorts a bit as he tries to rid himself of the atmosphere.
"Brov, there's a second floor worth investigating. You've had your look, now let's find ourselves some stairs."
He takes another look about the room from the safety of the outside of the doorframe.
Briar looks in the ovens and char and declines to enter.
"I'll wait here for a bit. I trust the Rat's first instincts...and we can find other stairs upwards. Like the ones near that delightful hag," Briar offers, trying to remember the location of the nearest next set of stairs.
"There appears to be a door past the ovens, but there are other steps upwards. If we really need to explore here later we can. I don't think the ovens will follow us, but I doubt they will let us pass."
Nikolay stands in the hallway hoping the others will return.
What cowards stand behind me? Fear's got their pantaloons wet.
"We've to find the four, yes? And we've neither map nor bestiary to guide our way. Have you good cause to think none of them reside in this fiery hell of a room?" Fondo holds his buckler out towards the door in hopes that its properties will instill courage in his companions.
"We've got the dragon down, in a courtyard and rundown kennel. We dealt with that dancing death, but I don't feel like it's one of the four, do you? Cold demon, Red Spitter, smart undead... Maybe it was smart, but didn't show that off much..." Barael waits.
"Do you think the Red Spitter is some kind of coal monster behind the oven doors? If so, bring it on, and try the latch. You can even wear Glorio's ring, in case you need to duck. Otherwise, there are hallways that skirt this stench."
Briar watches the Varisian dance in the obvious fire trap of pit of doomy fire and smirks.
Bravery or stupidity? Is there is a difference in Varisian culture?
Briar tires of the Varisian's posturing as wood to be charcoal'd and slowly moves to look for an alternate way up.
Briar nods to the 'Sward.
"Nikolay, there were stairs this way?" Briar asks in movement to H10.
"'And on a stone ’mid ash and bone, The final dreams of death.' Tis possible Zellara meant the stone and ash of an oven. Or not. Shall we flee every well marked danger?"
"Shall we make a decision or should I lay down and sleep right here?"
Briar looks at Charlie.
"You wish to make your bed in the oven?" Briar quips. "I had thought to go a bit further, even examine the upstairs, before retiring. However, if we want to return and collect ourselves from seeing the Rat's gyrative movements, I would not argue."
"Well, I wouldn't argue about a rest either, save I have called my friends to help us. It would be a shame to have them make the trip for nothing."
Barael nods his head as the elf talks. "Aside from a slightly naked feeling I've got now, that I hadn't felt before, I'd be willing to use what remaining daylight we have to ascend to the second floor."
He sniffs at the doorway to confirm his decision. "The 'final' is not likely buried in an oven. Fleeing sounds so... craven. If you'd like, I can chalk the doorway, and we can return here when all other grand rooms have been rooted out. Unless you want to touch the red iron."
"I still have 5 glove peeks left for today, I'd like to use them. And Dandi has her eyes..." Barael waits for the others, before returning to the staircase he'd previously investigated.
Fondo shrugs. "Very well. Lead the way, He Who Quivers." He exits the kitchen. A bunch of mewling kittens, all.
Fondo and Laori join the others in the hall and the party moves to the second floor.
The party is streaming behind Barael down the stairs to his left. The hall is dark - excepting a little light from the western arrow slits so Barael is likely using Deyanira's locket to see (yes I know he has darkvision, but others do not).
The other two staircases you can see (well the far one you'd have to move down the hall to see, but I'm letting it go for now) both go up though the map is unclear (all stairways look alike).
Further, Barael can just barely make out some shadows coming under the double doors at I10. The shadow drifts out under the door and then up the door almost like a mist, but instead it's a flickering shadow playing in your bright light...
Barael moves to the first door on the right, around the corner.
Nikolay takes in the cramped hallways and is thankful for his ability to lunge past others.
"Anything interesting behind door number one Barael?"
Barael crouches down next to the door as the other party members file in and surround him by the door... just in case.
Strangely, on the far side of the room by the arrow slits is a large tub currently filled to the brim with hot soapy water.
"Looks like we've got a room for bathing. More interesting still, there's one prepared already, steam rising off the water's surface."
Barael cracks the door open, to show the rest. If nothing too startling happens, he proceeds to look through the next single door, before building up his guts to try the shadow-shrouded door.
If the single door proves as mundane as the bathing room, Barael turns to the shadowy door, and places his hands upon them.
The first door (likely revealed to the party) is another servants quarters. The servants during Kazavon’s reign were little more than slaves. Their chambers served them as barracks, kitchens, and latrines. Dusty, sagging bunks and broken furniture are all that remains in these chambers as a rule.
This particular one has a half dozen skeletal servants huddled against the north wall in the northwest corner. One is even shaking, and you imagine you hear his bones rattling through the door as you look.
None the less, you line up against the southern double doors and Barael peers through.
However, in the middle of the room, as if he was striding for the door as you placed your hands upon it, is a ghastly figure.
Its eyes blazing in deathless rage, a phantom floats unfettered by the bonds of the living world. The ghostly horror possesses its own ethereal bonds, though, its semi-transparent, vaguely humanoid figure clenched in the hold of countless crisscrossing chains - writhing and tightening over its vaporous form in unending torture. Several of these chains extend from the ghost’s body, some dangling through the floor or reaching seemingly through the ceiling above, while others pool in spectral lengths upon the ground like solid things. (image)
As you see the creature, so to does it appear to see you! It lashes out with one of it’s chains… which reaches through the door and into your very soul…
There maybe more in the room, but that’s all you glimpse before you're attacked (surprise round).
A chain rips through the door incorporeally blending with the shadows flickering on the door. The chain, seemingly with a life of its own, lashes out at Barael as he peers through his hands into the room.
and unless DC 25 will save is made.
The chain flails a little as it reaches for Barael and misses.
Barael
Briar
Charlie
Dandilion
Fondo
Laori
Nikolay
Majenko
Good Guys
In round one, Majenko - seeing the chain travel through the door and attack Barael, immediately begins to dance to inspire the party and flies off Briar's shoulder to hover in the air.
The chained figure stands his ground, but Barael sees him 'throw' his chains out in his direction. The party then sees four chains attack through the door.
and unless DC 25 will save is made.
and unless DC 25 will save is made.
and unless DC 25 will save is made.
and unless DC 25 will save is made.
Barael slumps back against Nik as he falls to the ground, unconscious.
"These chains: are they what binds the four we seek?" Fondo lays down a defensive cover for Barael and Nikolay. "Get him out! Poor toothless mouse."
Active effects Mage armor
HP = 92 / 99
AC 30 (20 touch, 22 flat, 24 incorporeal) (10 +5 dex +6 mithral shirt +2 ring +2 nat armor +2 buckler +3 combat expertise; +4 armor v. incorpoeal)
CMB = +16 (+20 disarm & reposition, +19 dirty trick, +17 steal)
CMD = 30 (34 reposition, 33 dirty trick & disarm, 31 steal)
Weapon equipped Rapier
Shield equipped Buckler
Bardic performance used 0 of 11 rounds
Inspired command used 10 of 19 rounds
Spells used 1st: 0 of 4
Challenge READY
Tactician (3/day; 6 rounds) 2 of 3 used
Wand of CLW 1
Glibness from bracers READY
Jaunt boots 0 of 3 used
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Briar bites his lip out of concern as Barael crumples to the ground.
Usually he waits until the 2nd attack to do that.
Everybody got tense all of a sudden. Better say a prayer while I have a chance.
Charlie anxiously adjusts his booze levels.
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Hold still. We don't want to puncture anything, do we?
The pain comes in teases. Dull at first, it pulls him into awareness. His cheeks feel wet, as tears stream down his face. No, not tears.
One down, three to go. He loves me, he loves me not, he loves me...
The light starts to make its way in, past the swelling. The pain sears sharp, arrives quickly. It's so close. It doesn't need to travel.
Ahhh, there we are. You can still see the green and grey, Barrie.
His eyes try to focus, try to see the face, but it grows more and more difficult as they dry. She is there, and there is no comfort here. The hair moves, adrift, kelp in watery depths.
Now, let's see. How can we make them really stand out? Ah, yes...
He watches her hand languidly reach for her hair. He sees her draw something slender. Then another. As she moves closer, he can see them. Needles as long as her palm, except that her nails are much longer.
Look at me, Barrie. Keep looking at me.
The pain is otherworldly. She brings the needle from the side, then thrusts it through. It emerges from the other side only after she leverages it, bringing the eye from its socket. He can feel the needle rest across the bridge of his nose. As she plays with her work, he feels the nausea, as the world shifts violently from side-to-side.
I count two, you. Don't think I would leave it, unfinished.
Her eyes are black, like those of a shark. Her teeth are long, and many. Her smile drives him to instinct. His heart beats like a rat in an iron hot cage. There is flesh on her lower lip.
There. Now, you only have eyes for me. They were mine to begin with. Always mine.
Round 1, Init 15
Nikolay casts haste, takes a 5' step over Barael's body, and opens the door to face whatever lies beyond.
I sure hope this works out.
Round 1, Init 14
Briar attacks from where he is, taking careful aim at the thing.
Wait. What is that thing?
Know (Religion)
to hit; (rapid, PBS, Bard, Bane, Haste)
ghost damage. (PBS, Bard, Bane)
to hit; (rapid, PBS, Bard, Bane, Haste)
ghost damage. (PBS, Bard, Bane)
Haste:
to hit; (rapid, PBS, Bard, Bane, Haste)
ghost damage. (PBS, Bard, Bane)
Iterative:
to hit; (rapid, PBS, Bard, Bane, Haste)
ghost damage. (PBS, Bard, Bane)
"Out, friend Nik, not in!"
Round 1, Init 7 {I13}
Charlie will try the mind link thingy or use his voice to say the following.
"Hey, what's going on up there?"
Not knowing what else to do, and hearing the sounds of combat, he'll use the wand to cast Blessings of Fervor. I think everyone is within 30'.
BOF +2 AC etc.
AC 23 Magic Plate Armor w/ fly
CMD 14
Harrow Points: 3
Elemental HP 68/68
Defensive casting = 23 (@12th)
Holy Water Vials: 10
potion(s) of lesser restoration:3
[b]diamond dust: 8900gps
If anyone is poisoned or diseased Charlie will attempt a heal check (15)
The spells/day listed will include the casting (if any) that I made this round
Orisons DC:16 (Create Water, Guidance, Mending, Purify Food and Drink, Stabilize, Mage Hand, Read Magic, Ghost Sound)
First Level: DC:17 (7/8 per day) (Bless, Bless Water, Doom, Ray of Enfeeblement, Remove Fear, Cure Light, Protection from Evil)
Second Level: DC:18 (4/8 per day) (Admonishing Ray,Communal Prot. from Evil, Hold Person, Lesser Restoration, Sound Burst, Cure Moderate)
Third Level: DC:19 4/7 per day) (Create Food and Water, Prayer, Remove Disease, Searing Light, Cure Serious, Dispel Magic)
Fourth Level: DC:20 (0/7 per day)(Minor Globe of Invulnerability, Holy Smite, Neutralize Poison, Restoration, Cure Critical Wounds)
Fifth Level: DC:21 (5/5 per day)(Constricting Coils, Scry) (Mass Cure Light Wounds)
Sixth Level: DC:22 (4/4 per day)(Anti-magic Field, Heal) (Mass Cure Moderate Wounds)
Oracle Revelation: Eldritch Bolt 9/9 times per day. 1d8+6 dam
summon elemental: Twice per day 6/6, 6/6 rounds per day + ring: 6/6 rnds
Sociable Trait6/6 rounds per day
wand CSW 16/37 (+5)
wand CLW 0/50
wand blessings of fervor 30/50
Rod of Reach 3/3 per day
wrist sheath: breath of life scroll (+3 backup)
Weapon equipped = Biting wit (and a MW dagger)
Shield equipped =OMG please don't hurt me
As Nikolay opens the door, the party can see what was unseen by any but the comatose Barael.
Thick wooden columns, their sides caked with dust, support the ceiling above this large hall. Between them, in the center of the room, sits a large fire pit, its ashes long cold. Many old stains mar the floor, some surely of spilled food and ale, though several darker ones appear more grisly in origin. At the western end of the hall, a wide dais rises where the lord’s table could be set to oversee affairs in the hall. In the center of the dais is a great chair carved of oak and studded with iron rivets. Down one step and to the left of it is a smaller chair of oak, less elaborate.
However in the middle of the room is a ghastly figure.
Its eyes blazing in deathless rage, a phantom floats unfettered by the bonds of the living world. The ghostly horror possesses its own ethereal bonds, though, its semi-transparent, vaguely humanoid figure clenched in the hold of countless crisscrossing chains - writhing and tightening over its vaporous form in unending torture. Several of these chains extend from the ghost’s body, some dangling through the floor or reaching seemingly through the ceiling above, while others pool in spectral lengths upon the ground like solid things. (image)
"Barrie!!!!" Dandi rushes forward as soon as she can find a place to stand. She grabs him up and pushes him to the side, to safety.
"shssshhh, it's ok. I've got you. You're safer now. I've got you."
Round 1, Init 12
Fondo reaches and closes the doors just as Nikolay opens them. "First we kill the four and save Barael. Pull back. Pull back!" He goes on total defense while waving the others back.
Majenko begins to dance and flies with Briar. Nikolay casts haste and steps up opening the doors. Dandilion moves Barael’s body to a safer location. Fondo reaches out and closes the door on the scene and admonishes Nikolay. Briar opens fire on the creature hitting three times! Barael dreams on in a quiet coma… Charlie casts blessings of fervor to further give everyone an edge.
Majenko continues to dance, and 5’ flaps over to join Dandilion. Unsure what else to do, he readies an attack on the creature if it shows itself (which it does).
Laori will cast Spell Resistance (might help, who knows?) and prepares herself for combat, or flight, depending on the parties wishes.
The apparition appears through the wall in front of Nikolay but above him (flying 5’ up) and starts to reach out to him, but hesitates. He sees Barael, and instead reaches out to him (through cover from Dandilion). He seems to reach into him as if searching for something. He tries very hard, digging around frantically, but apparently without success. After his attempt, he looks deeply and sadly into Barael’s eyes and vanishes completely.
unless DC 25 will save is made
Please make this save.
Red tinges bleed from his closed eyes. Where once the eyes tended to push forward, they now sink deeply into the sockets.
Barael's body goes limp and cold in Dandilion's arms as he passes away dead at the hands of the spirit.
As he dies, his shadowy form leaves his body, visible to all...
Barael, please make a 23 will save. Everyone else may make a knowledge arcana check unless you have detect magic going in which case you may also make a spellcraft (arcana is easier).
Round 2, Init 12
Fondo drops to his knees next to Barael and begins to pound on his chest. "Brov, come back. Let not this gaol of shadow take you. The fear that lives within your heart may pass. Where pain has lived can hope again reside!" He looks to the others. "Friends, let your hearts call out to him. Clap and let your love be heard, if need be."
As it becomes increasingly evident that his encouraging words may not work, Fondo begins to tremble. Tears fall on Barael's now furless form.