[D&D 5e] Princes of the Apocalypse DM Asmodeus (Inactive)

Game Master bwatford

Location: Tomb of Moving Stones
Map of Current Area

As the group all gets back into formation,, Molok opens the next eastern door.

A passage—ten feet wide, ten feet high, and hewn out of the rock—runs forty feet ahead. A small lantern hangs from a hook in the wall next to the door at the east end of the passage. Sitting on a wooden stool by the lantern is a balding, beardless old male human in patched and faded work trousers and a matching tunic. He is idly whittling a stick. Besides his pocket knife he is unarmed. He does not notice you opening the door.

Ember, if you would be so kind as to provide a blessing of healing, then I could run down the hallway and subdue our whittler.

Normally I would advocate for that old bastard, going on a rant about how old he was, and how horrible it would be to harm someone like that, or how soulless you would be for even thinking about punching that geriatric gentleman. But quite honestly, right now I want you to skitter down that hallway and make all his frail brittle bones break, while Molok adds to his collection of severed heads in his sack.

Keaton looks down the hall at the elderly fiend.

I bet he is whittling something horrible. Not horrible in the sense of lack of talent, because old fellas usually can whittle exceptionally well. Horrible in the sense of evil; like dead puppies or... or dead people. Evil.

Ember answers Narnel but keeps her eyes on the old man, with the odd glance at Keaton.

" I'm sorry Narnel but I only have a small measure of power left for the day and I fear that there are more trials ahead than this man. Perhaps we could try talking first, take him into custody and let the constable deal with him. "

" I've got your back though, if things turn nasty. " She says, flames leaping into her hand.

I fret words are of no use with these people.

Location: Tomb of Moving Stones
Map of Current Area

As the grop discusses their next action, the old man hears the chatter and looks up from his whittling to see the group standing there with the door open. He immediately drops to his knees and begins to beg for your mercy. He wrings his hands and begs for you to not provoke “the wrath of the Delvers” by disturbing the stones of the tomb.

Let's not fall for the niceties again, all. Be on your guard.Come Molok.

Narnel waves Molok forward and starts down the hall, looking for any traps as he proceeds.

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11[/spoiler]

As Ember asks her about her transformation, Kenna turns to her with what looks like an excited smile, she collects herself for a brief moment
"I was completely lucid and had full control. The circle taught me how to harness this ability. And I finally managed to focus it!" she says gradually becoming more excited again, before once again she composes herself, looking around the room self-consciously.

When the group opens the eastern corridor Kenna follows behind Narnel and Molok, with a Javelin in one hand and a scimitar in the other.

How about we deal with him in a fashion he knows. We can pile those stones on him in the other room. He may need an extra rock because he is bigger than the kid.

" Well done! " Ember replies to Kenna. " It certainly is effective. "

Ember follows Molok and Narnel down the hall. Holding the fire in her palm aloft.

She replies to the mans begging. " I'm afraid that just won't do. People have been killed, a young boy tortured! We will get to the bottom of this and I'm afraid that means seeing these stones. We've taken down your thugs back there, I suggest you come quietly and face a trial in the town. "

Location: Tomb of Moving Stones
Map of Current Area

As the group approaches the pleading man that is begging for mercy and Ember gives him the parties demands.

"I am Baragustas Harbuckler, retired carpenter and an elder of Red Larch. Please have mercy. From time to time, the great stones change position when no one is watching. That is how they talk to us. They show us signs of coming danger and warn us when we make bad choices. Such as you are about to do now." he pleads.

"I have no knowledge of any thugs, murders or any other foul play being perpetrated here. I am simply keeping watch over the entrance to the chamber. I am not armed and in no condition to fight. Our recent involvement with “the earth priests” have helped us to understand the moving stones much better. Please do not disturb the stones. I beg of you. I will return with you. Just don't go in there. You will make the Delvers angry."

Ok, I have had just about enough of these riddles, town elder. What do the stones do, exactly? Who are the delvers?

Earth Priests? Explain that one too. Do not leave out any details either, you are balancing on a thin shred of my patience carrying a heavy load. Make your words count or we ARE going to do something very horrible to you, those stones, delvers, this place, and anything we encounter until we calm down; it will be a hurricane of chaos to everything you know. Talk.

Location: Tomb of Moving Stones
Map of Current Area

"Well, lets see." says Baragustas "Where do I begin, I guess it is best from the start."

A dozen of the Red Larch town elders, myself included belong to a secret society that calls itself “the Believers.” It isn’t quite a cult, although we have special ceremonies and rites passed down for generations. It isn’t quite a civic organization, despite the fact that some of the wealthiest and most powerful people in Red Larch are members. The members of the Believers use our secret association to guide town affairs when it becomes clear that “something must be done” for the good of the town.

The Believers formed years ago when local miners discovered a secret underground chamber beneath the town. Strange things happened in the chamber, such as heavy stones levitating and moving about when no one was around. The miners began using the chamber to honor those who died in quarry accidents and to appease Beshaba, goddess of misfortune and accidents. The miners entombed in the chamber are who we call the Delvers. The Believers gather secretly at the tomb once every nine nights to see if any stones have moved—and if any have, we covertly meet the next night to discuss what the movements mean, and what is to be done. We keep the tomb and its strange secret to ourselves.

Several months ago, agents of the Cult of the Black Earth stumbled across the Tomb of Moving Stones, and an ambitious cult priest named Larrakh came to Red Larch to help us understand the stones movements. Larrakh now interprets the stones for us Believers.

Where can we find Larrakh? And, have the Delvers maintained their rest in their tombs?

" And now there are dead bodies in your halls being eaten by rats. " Ember says, shaking her head. " This may have started as some benign secret order for you town elders, but now it has turned to evil and it sounds like this Earth priest Larrakh is to blame. You must see this Baragustus. "

Shaking his head in disappointment like a parent catching their child sneaking back into the house in the early morning.

Well, we only have three options that we can really follow through with him at this point. We could break some of his bones so he cannot run away, maybe just bend his legs back at the knees so we are stomping on him too much. Or we could end his sorry life now and put his head in the sack. Or we tie his hands together and gag him and he walks with us. Who knows he may be able to provide more answers to things we encounter. Besides the other options can always be acted on later if he acts up. Sadly I feel kinda bad about having to hurt an old person, I really do. I think against better judgement I will request we keep him alive as long as he cooperates, I can hold him on a leash.

He waits for the groups decision. If they agree he will take out his rope. Then he will gag the guy with it and tie his hands with the same length leaving space so his hands can be comfortably kept in front of him. Keaton will also add the old guys knife and thing he was carving to his bag.

He will be ready to move forward with whatever decision the group decided on.

Hold up on the gag, at least until he answers our follow-up questions.

Location: Tomb of Moving Stones
Map of Current Area

Baragustus answers Narnel "Larrakh is currently inside the chamber, interpreting the latest movements of the stones that happened a couple of days ago. The delvers are at rest inside the chamber. They are NOT to be disturbed. It would be a bad omen."

Turning to Ember "I know of no dead bodies, especially ones that have been eaten by rats. There is no evil in what we do. We only wish to protect and guide the town. That is what the stones do. They help us. Larrakh has been a blessing to our cause. We understand things that we never have in the past. He offers clarity."

Responding to Keaton "By the sound of your tone and your words.... I would say that the evil lies within you. Heads in a bag? Breaking bones? Maybe it is you who caused the dead bodies that the fire woman speaks of. Maybe the latest movement of the stones are warning us about you."

"Open the entrance to the chamber for us. We would speak with Larrakh."

Keaton flares out his lower lip and ruffles his brow in an 'you may be right sir' facial expression while nodding his head in an approving manner.

I know right. Heads in a bag, that is pretty vile, hear that Molok?

I'd say I am more practical, I mean I DON'T want to kill you, but who knows what craziness you could unleash if we let you out of our sight. You are in league with a secret cult that had dead bodies down here BEFORE we arrived.

Cough cough

Plus old timer we are just meeting you, maybe you played a role in the killing of those bodies. So you see from our point of view this is not really evil, it is practical not to let the geezer go that may gorotte us from behind. So do us a favor and don't fight us tying you up and walking with us or we ARE going to have to break your legs. I like old people, I really do, but you sir a really creeping me out.

After he answers all the questions Keaton will tie him up in the leash.

Location: Tomb of Moving Stones
Map of Current Area

Baragustus responds to Narnel while Keaton is tying him up, offering no resistance to the effort. "The door to the chamber is right before you but I will not anger the Delvers by being the one to open the portal, I am no fool to anger that which I can not control. I offer no resistance but I ask... no I beg of thee, do not make me go in there with you."

I can respect that offer, we can wait in the doorway until it is safe. As long as you continue to be civil I will return as such.

He said as he put the gag in the old man's mouth.

Keaton will keep the old guy in front of him, not as a human shield but to make sure he will not do anything nefarious.

Molok goes and opens the door to the "moving stones"

Location: Tomb of Moving Stones
Map of Current Area

Tomb of Moving Stones Image

While searching through Baragustus's pockets Keaton finds 25 cp and 19 sp on him. He also has a simple silver wedding band worth 10 gp.

Molok moves up and opens the chamber door, it is much larger than he anticipated....

An enormous chamber with a twenty-foot ceiling has been carved out of the rock here. A lighted lantern rests on the floor near the center of the room. An odd array of stone monoliths—some upright standing stones, and others arranged in three-stone arches—stand around the chamber. Six low stone slabs are set against the walls around the perimeter of the room. Each holds humanoid bones, dressed in scraps of tattered cloth and rusted iron. You see no movement in the room.

Narnel steps up next to Molok and peers into the room, searching for Larrakh.

Ember moves up behind Narnel, looking into the room, straining her ears to listen for movement.

Molok takes a few steps into the room, allowing more space for others to enter.

Keaton and the old man move up to the doorway staying in the hall.

Location: Tomb of Moving Stones
Map of Current Area

As the group begins to move to the doorway and beyond and look for the priest, they spy him taking cover behind one of the stones in the northern part of the chamber.

Round 1 Initiative
Molok
Keaton
Ember
Narnel
Larrakh
Kenna

* Names in shadded text have already went this round.

Narnel dashes quickly into the room behind one of the the stones.

Molok readies his greatsword as he moves behind one of the stones for cover.

We are going to try and talk to this guy first right?

He said to Narnel and Molok as they made their way into the room.

Ready an action to cast magic missile at the cleric if he makes a hostile action to the group.

Kenna takes cover behind a large stone and calls out to the man:

"We are not here to fight you! We would speak with you about what it is you are doing down here."

Ember dashes into the room, shield in front of her, her right hand still ablaze. She looks over her right shoulder at Kenna and nods.

" Come out quietly... " She adds.

Location: Tomb of Moving Stones
Map of Current Area

Molok dashes for cover behind one of the larger stones in the chamber.

Keaton readied a spell if it was needed as he warned the others that the group should try to talk to the man first.

Ember dashed out next to one of the medium sized stones keeping another in between herself and the man in the chamber.

Narnel dashed out with amazing speed behind one of the large stones way out in the chamber, south of Larrakh.

Larrakh walks south "yes, yes.. talk we must, listen to the earth we shall." as he moves into position out of sight of the group except for Narnel, the priest then removes a chip of mica from his pouch and says some divine words and then adds "Earth's power I call upon you to serve justice on this interloper that has chosen to defile your temple." A sudden loud ringing noise, painfully intense, erupts from the point where Narnel is standing. Nanrel grabs his ears as the piercing sound caused blood to flow from them and caused his bones to actually hurt as if they would shatter at any moment.

Kenna dashes out and takes cover behind one of the stones as she calls out for a peaceful solution. Larrahk replies "One second dear, I am having a conversation with your friend here at the moment, and he doesn't seem to like what I have to say."

Round 2 Initiative
Molok
Keaton
Ember
Narnel
Larrakh
Kenna

* Names in shadded text have already went this round.

Narnel blocks out the ringing in his ears long enough to to slip in for an inspired swing of his Staff, and roundhouse kick as he uses the power of his Ki to disengage.

Ember, I need healing!

"If this is the language you choose, then fine." Kenna says quietly circling around the stones sticking to cover and hurls her javelin at the priest.

Molok dashes forward and strikes to disable the priest when he reaches him.

Old timer do not make me regret letting go of this rope. Stay! The last bit is how one gives a command to a bad dog.

Keaton then runs into the room wand in hand.

Move, dash to J11, next to Molok

Ember gives a little eye roll and dashes up to Narnel, " Hang on. " she says and begins to focus on Lathander's power.

Had to dash to get to you Narnel. I'll get you next round ;)

Location: Tomb of Moving Stones
Map of Current Area

Molok dashes forward and strikes to disable the priest when he reaches him, striking with the flat of his blade. Molok would have struck the priest squarely in his chest except for a magical barrier appeared between him and the priest and his blow glanced off the barrier of force.

Keaton then runs into the room wand in hand.

Ember gives a little eye roll and dashes further into the chamber.

Narnel blocks out the ringing in his ears long enough to to slip in for an inspired swing of his Staff, and roundhouse kick. His staff penetrated the magical barrier and hit the man in the chest. But his round house kick missed the man entirely. He then withdrew from the man.

Larrakh begins another incantation which seems to help him move at an incredible speed, he then disengages from Molok and heads south, taking cover again behind one of the stones.

Kenna moved up with a javelin in hand, but not having a clear shot any longer she held her throw.

Round 3 Initiative
Molok
Keaton
Ember
Narnel
Larrakh
Kenna

* Names in shadded text have already went this round.

Molok dashes south towards the priestly human, hoping that his charge will distract him from his spell casting.

Ember focuses and places a hand on one of Narnel's ears.

" Sana vulnera Domino mane! " She says channeling healing energy into him.

Then she hurries to chase the Earth Priest.

Narnel gains 6 Hp back

Keaton watches the man run from stone to stone with amazing speed, thinking about how he is far too lazy to play this game. He reaches into his spell component Pouch and pulls out a little lard.
Slippery Sloppity Goop
He casts the grease spell where the man just darted to.

It is a 60 ft range, do diagonals cost extra movement? If so he will move up a little to put the man in range. It is a 13 Dex save.

Narnel nods to Ember, and he moves carefully to the edge of the grease placed on the ground by Keaton as he dodges defensively.

Location: Tomb of Moving Stones
Map of Current Area

Molok dashes south towards the priestly human, hoping that his charge will distract him from his spell casting.

Keaton watches the man run from stone to stone with amazing speed, thinking about how he is far too lazy to play this game. He reaches into his spell component Pouch and pulls out a little lard. He casts the grease spell where the man just darted to. Grease covered the ground in a ten foot spread beneath the man and Molok. Both men held on and did not fall.

Ember focuses and places a hand on one of Narnel's ears. Channeling healing energy into him and then she hurries to chase the Earth Priest.

Narnel nods to Ember, and he moves carefully to the edge of the grease placed on the ground by Keaton as he dodges defensively.

The Earth Priest moves out of the grease and around Molok to the north side where he spies Ember and Narnel approaching. Calling on his divine powers once again the ear piercing sound originates from between the two approaching adversaries ringing painfully in their ears. The second wave of the piercing damage is too much for Narnel as he crumbles to the ground with blood pouring from his ears. Ember somehow managed to stay upright but her ears were bleeding bad as well.

Round 3 Initiative
Molok
Keaton
Ember
Narnel
Larrakh
Kenna

* Names in shadded text have already went this round.

Keaton squints his eyes with spite at the dodgy cleric. He fires off the wand sending three missiles to strike and runs for cover behind some rocks to break the line of sight. Looking back at the old timer in the hallway he points a jagged finger miming a "stay" motion.