DM Fflash's Shackled City Campaign

Game Master DM Fflash

Epik will detect evil across the area in an attempt to determine if the mercenary is somehow hidden. He will then search all of the bodies and both rooms.

Perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (2) + 11 = 13

On the woman you find a +2 mithral breastplate, magical greatsword, magical heavy steel shield, a pink rhomboid ioun stone, magical belt, magical ring, 2 potions, a masterwork composite long bow (+5 Str), a laquered armband set with a diamond (2,000), and 120 platinum pieces.

Nowzai detects no other magic and Epik detects no other evil.

Nowzai picks up the ioun stone and appraises it closely. "This will enhance the bearer's health and stamina. I could certainly use it." He looks over the rest of the gathered treasure. He then casts detect magic to identify the other items.

Spellcraft (sword): 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (20) + 22 = 42
Spellcraft (shield): 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (20) + 22 = 42
Spellcraft (belt): 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (17) + 22 = 39
Spellcraft (ring): 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (5) + 22 = 27
Spellcraft (potion): 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (3) + 22 = 25
Spellcraft (potion): 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (12) + 22 = 34

When everyone is ready, he will cast sleep on the southern door.

Ma'puande whispers, I'm ready, I'd prefer to have more spells available to me, but we can continue.

Nowzai identifies a belt of giant strength +4, a +1 animated light fortification heavy steel shield, 2 potions of cure moderate wounds, Coldburn (+2 flaming frost greatsword), and a death touch ring (upon placing on a finger, the finger becomes skeletal, enabling the use of finger of death 1/day with a range of touch)

Also, the 4 nessian warhounds each wore a suit of +2 mithral chain shirt barding

Nowzai casts sleep on the southwestern door and finds an empty spherical chamber.

Epik looks over the magical loot, "I could make use of both the belt and the greatsword if no one is opposed."

He takes both items if there are no objections.

He then studies both the prone man and blood blade doors. "Nowzai, can you open either of these doors with your sorcery?"

Dalamus wants the death touch ring...The belt of giant strength would be handy, but it is probably best with Epik. If no one wants the longbow, Dalamus will take that.

Dalamus will just watch Nowzai work the doors

Actually, Epik already has a belt - go ahead and take it Dalamus.

I will take it only if no one else has a better use for it

Nowzai takes the ioun stone. He regards the ring with open disgust and refuses to claim it. "Sama'el, perhaps this would be better suited for you."

Finger of death as a touch attack, with Spellstrike? Regardless, we can use it now to open the eastern door and get to the exit shaft.

The sleep room is still blacked out on Roll20. Can we do a quick search of the room before we ignore it?

Forgot to open it up ... it's empty

Whomever wears and uses the ring (I'll rule it's useable with spellstrike, but not with spell combat) touches the door to the east and it rolls open, the individual's hand turning back to normal as it does so.

Actions? The shaft to the east that leads up to the secret room in the wine cellar is now open

Epik looks at the others. "Well, I say we rest the night in the throne room and then take another crack at the beholder. Maybe if we prepare better we can take him. What do you all think?"

"Yes, let us leave this accursed place and reassess our strategy. I for one am drained of both magic and motivation to meander here any further."

I can use levitate if needed to secure a rope for climbing.

Sorry all for slacking on my posting here

I would be interested in the ring as well, it could ad some interesting options with Spellstrike. The Mithril BP is also an upgrade for me as well.

It it possible to use this spell - Ward Spell on the animated shield?

Ring - 1d100 ⇒ 63
BP - 1d100 ⇒ 31

Sam nods at Nowzai, "Yes, lets leave this place for now and regroup"

Dalamus looks at Nowzai "Eh....I still think that ring will be a great asset to someone who can sneak up and strike someone flat footed, which is my area of speacialty"

"I agree, let's leave this place and get some much needed rest!"

Ring
1d100 ⇒ 18

"That is certainly an option. I'll leave it to you and Sama'el to hash out; I will not touch the thing."

Looks like Sam wins

Nowzai levitates up, helping other to the bottom of the already secured rope.

On the way up you note their (just for Kam) is a slightly larger than beholder-sized hole in the shaft just north of the flesh to stone door. It goes northwest into the darkness.

You are able to reach the top and find yourselves in the small secret room outside the wine cellar in the Vhanlantru estate.

How do you wish to exfiltrate. Manor map back on Roll 20

Epik looks around uneasily. "Dalamus, do you want to look around and scout the best way out?"

Dalamus nods to Epik and gets right to business.

He is looking for traps, listening for sounds and careful peering through the door if everything seems safe.

Perception
1d20 + 17 ⇒ (10) + 17 = 27

Disable Device
1d20 + 18 ⇒ (4) + 18 = 22

Stealth
1d20 + 21 ⇒ (20) + 21 = 41

Dalamus pushes his head through the illusionary wall and finds a surprising sight. The room is empty, as in completely cleared out. No wine barrels, no guards, just an empty, dusty wine chamber. He does note there are marks on the ground from where the wine racks and barrels were. They're just completely gone now. Moving forward through the house, he finds much the same everywhere. All items appear to have been removed and the half-orcs are no longer anywhere to be found on the first floor.

When Dalamus returns and tells the group that the half-orc guards are no longer there, Epik will lead the way through the house to the exit. "Let's get out of here while we can - they may return."

And does Sama'el tell us about the beholder-sized hole in the floor?

Nowzai nods wearily. "This bodes ill. I suspect this place was being used as a staging area for some dire purpose, one that is now being put into action." He sighs, frowning while rubbing his scalp. "I need rest to refresh my arcana, but I hope the delay is not too costly."

"Yes let's get out of here"

He draws his sword and follows Epiks lead.

@Nowzai, everyone sees the hole in the wall. The just for Kam bit was for the intentional mispelling of "there". Sorry for the confusion

The party is able to move easily out finding nothing of interest on the way out and most of the mansion trashed.

Nemoris and Tlanextic come forward to tell you that the half orcs left the building with Vhalantru trussed up and covered in filth and blood. He appeared unconscious. Tlanextic tried to get a hold of you telepsthically but you were out of range.

Where to? Oh, you guys finally level up. ;) post in discussion, please. Read campaign notes about hit points

Nemoris, where did they take Vhalantru? Did you have them followed?"

I think I missed the xp awards, not sure how close I am to leveling

"And no one saw the massive demon-beholder?" Nowzai asks Tlanextic and Nemoris.

Awaiting response above. For rest, Nowzai will go to the academy, and while there do his magic studies for the new spells and level.

Tlanextic and Nemoris look at you stupefied, "Uh, no. .. I wouldn't have failed to mention that." The ranger finally responds.

"Yes, Tlanextic shadowed them to the Rhiavadi estate."

"How long ago did they go to the estate? Let's get over the Rhivadi estate then."

Epik looks at the others. "We still need to finish the job and slay that beholder. I say we prepare the best we can today and return at first light tomorrow."

Yes, I require rest before we attempt another encounter with that abomination."

Nowzai is thoughtful before adding, "The beholder escaped the dungeon. It could have slipped past Tlanextic and Nemoris only if invisible. Or perhaps polymorphed to look like one of the half-orcs. Or... Vhalantru?" He winces, shaking his head and holding rubbing his temples.

Rest or Rhiavadi and if rest, where?

Rest - back at the inn.

"I think we are getting distracted. The stuff in the dungeon may lead us to the answers that we seek, but it seems less likely now that they are moving away from here. Epik you need to stay the course and not let your hatred distract us. If we go for one beholder now, and miss the opportunity to destroy a colony of beholders, evil wins. Let us go to estate Rhivaldi and find out what is going on."

Ma'puande politely interrupts "I get the sense that all is not as you expected upon our return. But my spirit energy is as low as its ever been, and I'm not sure how useful I would be in any more engagements until I can rest. Please, if you know of a secure location we can use for a few hours rest, I would appreciate it if we could adjourn there soon."

Nowzai sighs and takes Dalamus and Epik by the arm, demanding their attention. "I say again, the beholder has escaped. It is now free in the city, and off to put whatever malicious plans it has into action. If its henchmen went to the Rhivaldi estate, then we must follow."

"After we rest."

Epik sighs. "As you wish, Nowzai."

He leads the way back to the inn.

Dalamus nods...."Ok, then let's get some rest"

The party wearily returns to the inn to rest, avoiding the masses of refugees and the battle-wounded squads of Town Guardsmen returning from the siege. Jenya returns to the church and Magma leaves to check on his aunt.

Refuse is beginning to pile up in the city as many of the city's public servants have been pressed into service as well. Many cry out to the various noble Lords of the city as there seems to be quite the leadership vacuum at the moment.

You walk around the caldera, skirting the crater Lake to arrive at the Drunken Morkoth and into your room.

Ma'puande, the city of Cauldron is built in the caldera at the top of a mountain, a small lake in the middle of it. There are several images in the Roll20 Journal to give you an idea. The party walks into a single person, one bed bedroom that has a massive chest in the middle of it. Epik walks up to the chest and flips it open, then promptly steps over the edge of it and descends as if walking down stairs until he is completely out of view. The rest of the party does the same. When you finally lean over to look, you notice a staircase descending into what appears to be a stone basement, even though your room is on the second floor of a wooden structure.

You enter a basement below that has been set up as a small, nicely furnished camp. (The party hasn't gone into details as to how they use the space, maybe now would be a good time. The only thing that came with the location was a wooden desk and magical ledger of contents)

You will be able to rest without incident. A reminder that you essentially just free Ma'puande from stone about 2 hours ago and she has no idea who you really are and what you are doing

On the walk towards the Drunken Morkoth, Dalamus will take the time to formally introduce himself. "Whew....Thankfully we are finally out of that awful place! I am Dalamus, and we are helping to heal Cauldron of it's woes. I am sorry for your imprisonment, but we are seeking to liberate the forces that are responsible for this. Anyhow, I should tell you that my specialty is scouting and infiltration. I try to make sure that no one we travel with dies on a banana peel." Dalamus winks after that last part.

As for the haven, we should have some bunks down there. It has been a while, how do we ensure only we can get down there?

Epik will take the time to tell Ma'puande the group's story from the very beginning to current day. "I fear it all hinges around the machinations of Lord Vhalantru. I believe he is a mortal threat to Cauldron. It was Lord Vhalantru we were seeking in the manor when we found you. We must find and destroy him before it is too late. I pray to the Inheritor that you will assist us Ma'puande in our hour of need."

Epik will devote the remainder of the evening praying to Iomedae for guidance.

Nowzai looks about the sequestered area with a critical eye. "I usually stay in my dormitory at the Academy, so I have not been down here for some time. It is a bit spartan, but it will suffice." He puts out a bedroll and settles down. He is snoring within minutes.

After resting and studying his spellbook, Nowzai joins the others. "Dalamus, you scouted the Rivaldi estate before we broke into the mayor's mansion. What did you find there? I am having trouble puzzling together the disparate pieces of information we have." He shakes his head, sighing. "And do we have any other as-yet un-pulled threads?"

Any movement here?

I'm pretty unclear on the significance of the other estate and didn't pay attention to the other side of things when we split the party (Epik, Magma and I went through the portal). For what its worth, I still have barely a clue what the campaign plot is, which I realize is largely by design, but that makes it very unclear on how we should proceed. Seems like we're playing whack-a-mole vs random bad guys in/around the city... I know there's a connection but its well hidden. We could defeat the BBEG and have no idea.

Let's move on to the Rivaldi Estate.

Before you rush off, perhaps a gathering of allies and information would be in order. Mayhaps convene a consolidated strategy session? Call in all your chits, if you will? I can aid you in reaching out to those further away, like Madame Shensen, if you wish?

Nowzai nods to Tlanextic. "That is an excellent suggestion. It would certainly help to get more eyes on the problem and coordinate our efforts. The question is, though: who can we trust? We have already been stung by betrayal and trickery."

"Shensen, as you mentioned, for one. I believe Vortimax Weer to be trustworthy, also." He turns to the others, "Who else should we invite?"

I've made it through the first 4300 posts. Note this is a massive post ... gets you through the first 4 chapters. I shall keep working on the rest

Oh, 8000 posts! Woot!