DM Cuc's Strange Aeon (Inactive)

Game Master moafnsteel

Since Dervak has decided he doesn't want to walk on the dead bodies, he begins moving the corpses into the furnace (which, yes, is cold right now, but at least it's a place to put the bodies).
Fortitude save: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18

Vlad looks at Dervak with some confusion. Taking the bones is a right. It is part of an honor to Pharasma. I lay the bones out in an order showing the length of one's life, a circle to be exact..I then lay a scroll at each end, one with the name of a recently born, the other a recently dead. I then chant some hymns, but I can't recall from where... I know I've done this before, but how is why is beyond me. As for walking on the dead, you may do so if you pay respects before and after. Treat the dead with respect, and the living with the same... in simpler terms, treat the dead as respectfully as the living. And treat those who taint both with the punishment they deserve.

Theo looks at the 1/2 orc, as he begins moving bodies into the furnace.
He stares at the ceiling for a moment, before wandering back to his cell.

He sits down and begins shuffling his cards.

After a few minutes, he returns to the room, views the 1/2 orc still working, and researches the area where they found their possessions.

Perhaps, I forgotten something else?

A delighted chuckles comes from the gentleman, as he returns shouldering a satchel filled with various items.

His witch's kit...lol.

Good thing we have tarried. I nearly forgotten my things.

He approaches Kenderella.

If we have 10 minutes, I am able to mend your clothing if you would like, my dear?

Dervak doesn't need to move all the bodies. Just enough to clear a path to the chute so he can lift people up to it. Of course, if they want to walk up the pile of corpses they can, but he is not entirely reassured by Vlad's words.
Treat the dead as well as the living? It is rude to step on the faces of the living.
As he moves each corpse, he is heard to mutter Sorry.

Vlad also needs a fortitude check to collect fingerbones right?

::Ah, this is more like it!:: The demon in Kendrella's mind thinks and her demonic lips curl into a grin. Kendrella doesn't agree though. "This is horrible. Would this have been our fate if we hadn't dealt with that thing back there?" She says with a strange mix of her own revulsion and the demon's delight.

"I doubt you can lift me Dervak, at least not in this form. Also, how are you getting up there if you lift us? Let's just climb the bodies." Kendrella says after she manages to wretch full control of herself again.

To Theophilus' suggestion she answers. "Thanks, but it won't be of much help in this form."

If Dervak or anyone else have a suggestion for how they should all get up there without stepping on the corpses she'll help out moving the bodies, if not she'll walk on them to climb up.

Fortitude: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

At 300 lbs and 7 feet Dervak might actually be able to lift Kendrella though.

Dervak reaches up. He touches the lip of the chute.
Vertical reach for a Medium creature is 8 feet, and he could easily do a standing high jump for a bit more if needed.
I can pull myself up.

"Fine, let's try that then. Though I can probably pull myself up too. That way you don't have to lift me." Kendrella says as she moves the bodies. She feels herself twitching to rip them apart, but somehow it's easier for her to control herself with these than with the nurse. ::It's not as much fun when they are not alive.::

Couldn't knowledge nature or heal be used to figure out that these might be disease-ridden?

Theo bows his head at Kenderella.

Perhaps, moving the table under the chute?

Jayson rolled a heal high enough that he was able to figure out they were carrying filth fever, however it was only after he touched them. Jayson you realize that the bodies have died mostly from bites, claws, and various weapons. Also you feel fairly confident that the marks seem similar to the "nurse" you fought earlier.

Dervak it will take you 1-2 hours to move the bodies over, at least enough to reach the chute.

To quote Penny on BBT...crap on a cracker...I just noticed that when I rolled that fort save last night I rolled a d2 instead of a d20. That's what I get for posting when I'm laying down to sleep. If you want it to stand since that was my error, I understand, but just in case you want me to re-roll it, DM Cuc, I'm gonna go ahead and roll it correctly.

Fort Save: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15

EDIT: Thanks very much, DM! I appreciate that!

Jayson looks over the bodies with concern, noticing some telltale signs of disease among the corpses. "I would advise against touching the bodies, everyone, if you haven't already. There's no way to know until the disease's incubation period has passed, but I'm almost positive they are showing signs of filth fever. If you've already touched them, there's no point being worried about it now, you've already been exposed, but if you haven't...well, don't touch them directly. No skin-to-skin contact. Keep a barrier of some kind between."

Fever comes in through the skin? Fever is a curse of the gods... Kenderella, you can either send the demon go away or climb up on your own. I will not touch the demon. I do not want your curse.
Dervak continues moving the bodies as respectfully as he can.
He'll stick to his plan unless anybody is getting really frustrated ooc here. My goal is not to portray Dervak as inherently stupid (8 is not that low), but as uneducated and superstitious. He doesn't know the germ theory of disease, he regards ghosts and curses as pervasive and ever-present, and he doesn't know how game mechanics work. He can make logical connections that make sense giving his starting points.

"Well so long as you gu- Idiots are sure we don't want to just cross..."

Rinn says nonchalantly leaning herself and her pole arm against the wall. used to dealing with superstitious folk... She thinks. Dervak doesn't bother her.

Theo pointedly steps toward the busy-looking 1/2 orc.
He gently taps him on the shoulder.

He-hem. My good sir, if it wouldn't be much of an imposition; I would ask that we not tarry, as I have a time limited spell cast currently.

He bows.

Thank you.

He nods toward the table.

Ah. Okay. With Kenderella and Dervak both moving corpses, and with the use of the table to bridge over many of the bodies, how long will it take?
Dervak is not bothered by being called an idiot by Rinn. Orcs are known to be stupid and he is cursed with orc blood. He thinks he had heard this often.

I did not realize it would take an hour. No way I'm throwing away 1/3 of my daily spells on that and half of Theophilus' spells

"This is stupid! Comes the brutal voice of the demon and steps onto the pile of corpses. "For once he's actually right." Comes the much milder voice of Kendrella. "Respect for the dead is one thing, but it's not worth dying for. If we dawdle here we'll lose all our magical protection which me might need ahead. Just be careful to step on them with your boots. Hopefully the demon form will protect me."

Kendrella will proceed to the chute and climb in. Hopefully people follow or I'm going alone.

"Sorry buddy, she's probably right don't want to let the spells wear off."

Rinn follows right behind Kenderella, paying attention to not step on the body's in an especially disrespectful manner.

Snapping his fingers and pronouncing a simple arcane word, the gentleman prepares to make his way up the chute also.
guidance

Theo shrugs his shoulders and follows Rinn up the chute.

Vlad does his best to avoid the disease. 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 3 + 2 = 12that other +2 is for the resistance to disease

Unfortunately he doesn't seem to be doing too well of a job...

He clambers up the chute, behind the others. Vlad makes sure to step on the greatest mass as he climbs the bodies, the torso mostly. He then makes sure he's prepared to attack anything on the other side...

The DC was 12 I believe, so I think you made it.

"Thank you for following me." Kendrella says with what she hopes is a smile, but it just looks a snarl on her demonic face. ::Fools! They had no reason to tarry.:: Comes the voice from within.

Jayson gets to the back of the line, following the others as they clamber up the chute one after the other.

Dervak looks at the pile of rotting corpses. Their faces glare at him accusingly. One on the bottom rolls its eyes towards him, or so he thinks.
We are your victims. We are every soul you have ever murdered, monster.
No! I slew in battle, but I am no murderer. And I am not a monster.
Then he hears a familiar voice...

True, you are not a mere monster. You are something much greater. This pile is just meat. It is nothing. Follow the demon! Climb! It is just meat! Embrace your greater self. Your destiny lies that way!
No! This is... This is wrong. I will not succumb to this horror. I will fight.

"I will follow shortly. There is something I have to deal with here. Go explore before your spells run out."
Seriously, go ahead. Splitting the party works logistically in PbP much better than in face-to-face. And it's entirely thematic.

"Don't!" Kendralla's voice starts, but she's quickly interrupted by the demon and she continues in it's brutal voice. "Be stupid!" Kendrella wretches back control and continues in a milder tone. "Sorry, I'll try to control it better. Please come with us. We really could use your help. We all stand a much greater chance of survival if we go together. Please reconsider and come now."

"Kendrella has the right of it, my friend. Splitting our forces now is only going to split our chances of survival, too. It would be much better for us to stay together."

"I... I cannot. And I cannot explain. But I will catch up. If you run into trouble you can come back and find me, but you have that demon now. It will keep you safe.
The others' spells are running out and you should not delay them on my behalf."

Vlad sighs and looks down at the orc. If it is such an issue I can stay as well, at least I can fight at a distance, and heal a little if needed. I'll just get in the way of a bunch of sword swingers... or more accurately, you'd get in my way.

Vlad looks to the orc for approval, but then again, it's not like there is much of a choice on the orc's part...

Dervak shrugs.
"Stay if you like. But there seem to be no other ways in or out of here. I should be safe. The others may need your magic. I will follow soon."

Theo smiles as the others disagree.

It's them! We must continue; ever upwards...

As the group travels up the shoot they make their way to a small dark room. The cold concrete floors give way to dark stone walls. The only light that is coming into this room is from underneath the door.

I was not sure what you were doing Vlad so I did not move your character. MAP has been updated.

Vlad sighs and goes with the others Well, anyone is going to get in my way, I'll leave you to your self, no matter to me.

When they reach the door, Vlad pulls out his mace and aims his crossbow at the door. Make it quick, whatever lies beyond won't be nice I assume

Jayson moves to the door again, looking to the others. Once they all show they are ready to proceed, he tightens his grip on his scimitar, then pushes the door open.

Casting another guidance, Theo waits until the frontliners move ahead before following.

Trampled flowerbeds lie smeared and squashed across this
muddy courtyard. On all sides, stark gray walls climb toward
a narrow gap of sunless sky.

The courtyard is eerily silent and there is no movement or sound to be heard.

Theo looks around from the entrance.

perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12

Rinn levels her weapon to Jaysons side ready to assist him should things go awry.

"Let's not tary... Horrid things are bound to happen and I just want to get them over with."

"Hmm. I am somehow reminded of the calm before the storm..." the redhead muses aloud, looking back to the others. "It seems we are fortunate to have avoided the storm...for now, at least."

He looks carefully around the courtyard, determined not to move until he is sure that advancing is safe.

Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15

Seeing Theo casts his spell Kendrella takes after him and casts guidance with a quick chant of guttural words. "We should be prepared for whatever comes. I'll stay up front to protect you."

I can't edit the map.

Theo stays back from the lead by 20'.

The map should be updated and everybody should be able to edit the map now.

The air is silent as you look around the courtyard. An eerie, unearhtly scream can be heard from the room that you were just in, followed by an unmistakable roar from a Half-Orc.

Anybody who turns around can see a otherworldly light flashing from the chute.

"Well, not much out here in the courtyard, let's see what's through this door." Kendrella says and proceeds to the door right outside the door they exit from, looking to the others for confirmation before opening.

Theo grins.

Perhaps, if someone here is talented in things unknown, they should proceed us?

"I'll give it a listen, but I'm not as good at listening as some of you probably are."

Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13

"Good idea." Kendrella says and listens to the door before standing up and recasting the cantrip from before. If she hears nothing, she'll open the door.

Perception with guidance: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27

Theo tips his hat, as he steps to the back of the group.

Stepping backward after he had his listen, Jayson allows Kenderella forward. Even in her transformed state and in the deplorable conditions they awoke on, he is struck by the fact that he can still recognize the faintly-lingering smell of her hair.

As Kendellea opens the door she sees, Broken lanterns and several battered doors line this cold,rubble-strewn hall. To the south, a pair of swinging doors lies shattered upon a 4-foot-high heap of wrecked furniture clogging a broad doorframe.

Whoa, there! We got more here! yells a man behind a 3ft high barricade. Three men train their crossbows on the group. (area B4)

Where did you all come from?

How have they attired themselves, my dear?, Theo whispers.

Vlad presents his holy symbol to the men. Hold your fire! We are sevants of the gods, holy and pure. We know not how we got here, but have slain a creature who held us captive. Who might I be speaking with?

Rinn allows Vlad to take this one, she knows something she doesn't mean to say will slip if she tries.

Ha, it thinks we will listen to it, laughs one of the men standing behind the barracks.

How do we know you are actually really the people you say you are and not a group of those doppelgangers?