DM Fang Dragon’s Ruins of Adventure (Inactive)

Game Master FangDragon

Please let me know if you are taking the picture.

Yes, we definitely take the picture. And just in general, we always take loot when we find it.

Honestly 36 on Perception and a dud on detect magic (for some reason casting it sent me into a "trance") so, not sure what else we can do ... if there is something here, it seems we aren't going to find it. Guess we should move on unless anyone has other ideas. I guess we could burn some of these pamphlets and see if someone gets mad about it... but really, how far do we want to go?

As her friends seem to have a hunch about something being hidden here, Ishta starts chanting and invokes her mystical energies to check it.

Casting Detect Secret Doors

Ishta uncovers no hidden doors. There are of course a great deal of religious pamphlets ranging from disgusting to the obscene via just plain weird. As curious as the rantings of Banites and Moanderians are they're just bits of paper in the end.

Zane shrugged as they stood at or near the doorway. While things seemed tense, the group had found nothing and nothing violent had befallen them. He turned to his companions, "Anything else on this level? Or continue to rise?" The tone in his voice clearly indicated he was ready to ascend if everyone else was.

We should report our findings soon...ish.

Yeah, okay with leaving. Place is sorta disappointing at this point. I don't think that we ever got an answer on the sword and books we picked up, so we need valuation on those if they expect us to split loot. Also, since we're done... time to let that angel free? Want to smash the gem?

No rooms still to check? In that case, Ishta will take a small stroll around the place while her spell still lasts, just in case.

We should do that. I honestly think we found and figured out most of the stuff we came here for and we ought to take great care in what we do (and don't) with the painting.

"If we come across a box big enough for the painting we've found, we should bring it along. Something tells me it won't hurt to put this thing behind a lock ... for now."

To Kardas Delenn remarks, "I doubt much can befall that painting if rolled up." . To everyone she asks, "There where a number of rooms we didn't check on the level above, do you intend to do so now?"

As eager as he was to be above ground, Zane sighed and spoke, "We might as well check the rooms out that we missed on the way. Perhaps there are items that could help us or you, Delenn. And I don't think we'll get a second chance before the City comes to plunder the rest."

Ishta nods. "Yes, and more than stuff that's useful to us, I fear there's stuff that's useful to Cadorna and his people."

Ser Armithia takes the lead.

Azarra nods, rolling up the painting, and going along with the others to check the other rooms.

I'll update the map later but while I remember...

You climb up over the carved angels to the level above and mercifully find the angelic gate open. You find yourself back in the room where you'd fought the undead menagerie, surrounded by remnants of bent, broken, and gnawed cages, along with mounds of books and papers.

Map updated, where to?

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (7) + 9 = 16 (fail)
Appraise: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (19) + 9 = 28 (success. worth 1500 gold)
Knowledge Arcana: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26 (fail)
Appraise: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 = 11 (fail)
Appraise: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (14) + 9 = 23 (success. worth 500 in Phlan, "considerably more" in Suzail.)
Appraise: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (5) + 9 = 14 (fail)

____

South first?

Azarra double moves out of the room to take a look around, remembering the battle that took place here.

Perception: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (12) + 14 = 26

Uff I wish I could go back and edit older posts. Doesn't help that the kids are often kicking off when I try to write a quick update :(

You can just tell us what you are changing and let us redo anything it affects if you want. I mean, you're the DM.

Ser Armithia nods in agreement....

"South sounds as good as any other" Ishta agrees, "and good enough to me."

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (17) + 13 = 30

Kn Arcana: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (3) + 14 = 17

Appraise DC 18: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (13) + 9 = 22

Appraise DC 15: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (8) + 9 = 17

"South seems agreeable enough." Zane winked at the half-elven woman, then fell into step alongside the others. The going had been relatively easy on the way out, but the priest felt a sense of foreboding...maybe not because of the Library, but by the presence of Cadorna's man down below and what it might entail. He whispered a quick prayer to Lathander to guide him and give him strength to endure the trials ahead, then continued.

The party travel south and quickly spot knocked-over shelves which are stacked upon one another as a makeshift barricade preventing entrance to the room beyond.The barricade stands 8 feet high and blocks the doorway. You might be able to climb over the barricade but it looks somewhat precariously stacked. You could also smash your way through or attempt to drag the individual bits away...

Ser Armithia scans through the junk pile into any breaks and into the room.

Looks like Ishta got all but the Knowledge Arcana roll on Fyerdetha’s Discourses On Power, so we can read all of the spoilers except that one. We should probably keep that book and try again later, and also not sell The Grand Historian's Records of the Arts of War unless we can find someone from Suzail, or go there ourselves (not sure if this adventure goes anywhere but Phlan though) (?)

Perception: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (15) + 14 = 29

There is something in there. Many things, perhaps, so we might want to be ready to fight when the barrier comes down.

Azarra suggests that everyone stand back in case the pile collapses (farther than it could fall on them), then casts Unseen Servant to start dismantling the pile for them.

As the Unseen Servant starts to do that, Azarra stands back, watching with Detect Magic up, taking her time to see if there is anything magical in the pile as it slowly comes down. (Or quickly, if the Unseen Servant triggers something.)

Zane sighed in exasperation. "Of course there's something in there. The Library from the Abyss." A light-hearted smile returned to his face soon enough, though. With the group's resources replenished and daylight closer than ever, he felt invigorated and ready for whatever might be in the room as he grasped his mace and waited for the invisible thing to slowly and safely dismantle the barrier.

Kardas clutches his blade and readies himself to imbue it with fiend-slaying magics. No matter how wicked the creatures of the Abyss might be, few can withstand an edge sharpened by honed mortal hatred and the Raumathar have hated their ilk for centuries. "Stay grouped, don't let them get in between us."

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8

Ishta doesn't see shit, but believes Azarra when she tells her about something moving. Knowing a spell that can only hurt evil people, she fears not of friendly-firing a possible ally.

Prepared action: Cast Burst of Radiance if we're about to go in or they're about to come out.

Burst of Radiance: 5d6 + 5 ⇒ (4, 5, 2, 4, 2) + 5 = 22 Only eveil creatures damaged. Ref save DC 18 or blinded for 1d4 ⇒ 4 rounds, dazzled if successful.

Evil there be; not a living soul therein.

Knowledge (religion) (Int): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16

Perception: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (14) + 14 = 28
Knowledge: Religion: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13

Looking at the spoiler requires *both* rolls, right, not just one or the other?

Azarra continues to concentrate on detecting magic while she waits for the pile to be dismantled. Her bow is in her hand.

Zane peered into the room patiently as the unseen servant did its work, mace in one hand, holy symbol in his shield hand. He turned to regard Ser Armithia as he spoke of what lay beyond, frowning at the paladin's words. If it was undead, hopefully it would go better for them than the last time.

Azarra currently you can't see what's beyond the barricade except in a few funny angles where a little bit of the other side can be seen. You know you've seen three figures round a statue but you're not sure of the significance. You can describe what you saw and somebody else can attempt a roll but with a -2 circumstance penalty. Of course if the barrier comes down it will be a simple DC 16 roll to identify them.

Zane's unseen servant manages to noisily drag move away many smaller bits of the barricade but the central core is simply too heavy for it to manage. Of course this does clear up room which makes it safer to try and dismantle it now.

Some of the bits piled up are fairly heavy, including what looks to be a wrought iron bookcase. To get past your options include manhandling bits away or attempting to smash your way through. Some of the bits towards the top of the barricade look to be a bit precarious mind.

Azarra describes what she can see to the others.

When her unseen servant can't do any more, and she isn't seeing anything magical in the pile, she says

This is an awful lot of work just to have another battle. Should we continue and come back to this?

Zane looked at the heavy items still in the way and the lack of effort of whatever might be on the other side of removing the barrier, then nodded at the half-elven woman's suggestion. If there was something trapped in there, better to clear everything else out and then come back to it if they felt it was needed.

Ready to move on to the next door if everyone else is.

Ser Armithia nods in agreement.

"Well, have they noticed us?" Ishta asks. "If they have, it would be unwise to leave a threat behind our backs."

OK so ignoring the tasty loot here ;) Where to?

Not so fast, I'm not willing to go that easy and leave these guys here. Apart from the apparent danger to us, they could also be found by anyone once we announce our cleaning of the library.

You had to go and say tasty loot... :)

I can't tell if they have noticed us or not... but they can't get past the barrier either without taking it down, I assume, and if they do... then that saves us time. I don't mean to leave them there for an innocent person to stumble upon. I only mean that we should explore the rest of this floor and come back... but honestly, I am fine with doing it now. I'm just worried we'll bring down the whole pile on our heads and then something will attack us from elsewhere on this floor. Do you have a spell that could help take down the barrier?

Ishta smiles. "Of course, I can..." She stops there, thinking maybe a fire spell is not the best idea. "Or... na, not a good plan either..." Acid? Water?

Something suddenly comes to mind, though. "Oh, yes! Just give me a second..."

She produces her spellbook and starts to read some lines, concentrating. When she's ready, she announces she's going to remove the barrier away, waiting for the rest to be prepared.

Ishta will spend a reservoir point to change a prepared spell: Create Pit to Gust of Wind. When everyone is ready, she will try to blow away the book barrier.

The gold elf Paladin grins.

Going with rule 0 here.
Ishta summons the north wind which blasts into the barrier and toppling it with a great crash. The wind then throws the detritus into the corners of the room! The undead freed turn as one to face you! But not before Delenn could act. She'd seen what Ishta was doing and had a spell on the tip of her tongue. As the wind struck she completed the last syllable of her spell and a great energy gripped you, filing you with pure speed!

She cast Haste.

Delenn

Zane Levallis <----- WE ARE HERE
Ser Armithia-Seendren
Ishta Khosiv
Kardas Rasalas
Statue
Azarra
Cloaked undead

Buffs and Debuffs wrote:

Spoiler:

---- Surprise round ----

Delenn Haste (7 rounds)
Zane Levallis Haste (7 rounds)
Ser Armithia-Seendren Haste (7 rounds)
Ishta Khosiv Haste (7 rounds)
Kardas Rasalas Haste (7 rounds)
Statue
Azarra Haste (7 rounds)
Cloaked undead
---- Round 1 ----
Delenn Haste (6 rounds)
Zane Levallis Haste (6 rounds)
Ser Armithia-Seendren Haste (6 rounds)
Ishta Khosiv Haste (6 rounds)
Kardas Rasalas Haste (6 rounds)
Statue
Azarra Haste (6 rounds)
Cloaked undead

Zane Levallis, Ser Armithia-Seendren, Ishta Khosiv and Kardas Rasalas are up. Map updated.

Ser Armithia salutes the Statue.
Move Action: Detect Evil?

Just after having blown away the wall of books, and rushing to act before the undead can present a further threat, Ishta grabs other components and her trusted rod, then cast a crippling spell.

Ishta will cast Burst of Radiance, using her rod to prevent up to three companions to be affected by the area, if need be. Epicentre at red dot.

Burst of Radiance: 5d6 + 5 ⇒ (2, 5, 1, 1, 2) + 5 = 16 Only evil creatures damaged. Ref save DC 18 or blinded for 1d4 ⇒ 3 rounds, dazzled if successful.

Not wishing to burst in and get overwhelmed as he had before, Zane thought it wisest to let the creatures come to them in the hallway and bottleneck them. The priest called upon Lathander to guide the party's weapons and hinder their opponents, hoping the divine edge would be enough.

Casting Prayer. +1 luck bonus on attacks, damage, saves, and skills, and -1 for our opponents for 5 rounds.

Kardas readies his blade by enchanting it with dripping acids. With none of his companions rushing in, he too waits for the undead to come to them. Surely these bloodthirsty abominations would rush them?

Std action: ready attack (swift action: arcane strike)
Move action: arcane enchantment (+1d6 acid damage)
Readied Attack: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (19) + 10 = 29
Damage: 1d8 + 10 + 1d6 ⇒ (3) + 10 + (1) = 14
Crit?: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (16) + 10 = 26
Damage: 1d8 + 10 + 1d6 ⇒ (1) + 10 + (6) = 17

Zane invoked the name of The Morning Lord asking for his blessing in the coming fight, and a ripple of pinkish energy pulsed out. This seemed to touch everyone except for the statue around which the radiance simply vanished.
Zane vs Statue SR: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12 <--- FAIL

Ser Armithia opens his senses and he is assailed by the stench of evil in the room! The Statue is evil, as are the three cloaked figures.

Ishta completes her spell and an actinic light suddenly flashes into being among the quartet of monsters and it sears them, blinding the closest cloaked figure!
Ishta vs Statue SR: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16 <--- FAIL
Red Reflex DC 18: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20 <--- PASS
Green Reflex DC 18: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21 <--- PASS
Blue Reflex DC 18: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7 <--- FAIL

The one blinded by Ishta's spell retreats inwards with a hiss! The other two merely dazzled and burned rush in to attack! But not before Kardas's blade flicked out, biting deeply into the lead one. Leaking blood-red smoke, it counter attacks with it's claws!

Green: Claws, dazzled, prayer: 1d20 + 10 - 1 - 1 ⇒ (12) + 10 - 1 - 1 = 20Damage: 1d4 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10 <--- HIT

The one behind it tries to attack Kardas round the corner, but this proves difficult and the Rashmiri easily dodges it's claws.
Red: Claws, dazzled, prayer, partial cover: 1d20 + 10 - 1 - 1 - 2 ⇒ (5) + 10 - 1 - 1 - 2 = 11Damage: 1d4 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10 <--- MISS

The stone statue takes a step closer but find the path choked and stands there waiting, wickedly sharp scimitar at the ready!

Delenn

Zane Levallis
Ser Armithia-Seendren
Ishta Khosiv
Kardas Rasalas
Statue
Cloaked undead <----- WE ARE HERE
Azarra

Buffs and Debuffs wrote:

Spoiler:

---- Round 1 ----

Delenn Haste (6 rounds)
Zane Levallis Haste (6 rounds)
Ser Armithia-Seendren Haste (6 rounds)
Ishta Khosiv Haste (6 rounds)
Kardas Rasalas Haste (6 rounds), Bleed (1),-1 (6 rounds)
Statue Blind (blue) (3 rounds)
Cloaked undead
Azarra Haste (6 rounds)
---- Round 2 ----
Delenn Haste (5 rounds)
Zane Levallis Haste (5 rounds)
Ser Armithia-Seendren Haste (5 rounds)
Ishta Khosiv Haste (5 rounds)
Kardas Rasalas Haste (5 rounds), Bleed (1),-1 (5 rounds)
Statue Blind (blue) (2 rounds)
Cloaked undead
Azarra Haste (5 rounds)

Azarra, Delenn, Zane Levallis, Ser Armithia-Seendren, Ishta Khosiv and Kardas Rasalas are up.

Azarra starts singing to inspire courage in her team.

+2 to saving throws against charm and fear effects and +2 on attack and weapon damage rolls.

The Paladin grins at the Statue, while striking Blue.
Melee +1 bastard sword: 1d20 + 10 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 10 + 1 + 2 = 141d10 + 4 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 4 + 1 + 2 = 14