Rise of the Runelords by DM Doctor Evil (again)

Game Master DM DoctorEvil

Before recent acquisitions Cadas has about 60 gold. She wants to upgrade her armor. But she needs 250 for masterwork Lamellar steel or 300 for a breastplate. She can do the armor upgrade now and do a Masterwork Transformation later though.

Can you guys see the loot tracker in the top margin. It has 2 tabs, coins on hand, and loot picked up. You have several items you haven't valued and may be able to get something for. It may not stretch to enough for the better armor unless the group is willing to give you a larger share, but you'll have to Appraise or sell to verify.

Once the party arrives at the garrison, Robin will share the key contents of the journal to the guards. "I'd keep the tunnels well guarded - we don't know how soon they'll strike again. Make sure someone tells the Mayor."

Robin will then go to the store and purchase a couple extra days' provisions (deducting 1gp).

Any objections to continuing on our quest while we deal with accounting and supplies?

It is perfectly fine with me to move the story along and re-create your shopping/selling. Your 1gp purchase is noted, big spender.

The Garrison agrees to keep guards posted at the tunnel mouth until you return to explore them. They will not do any exploring further than can be seen from the tunnel opening.

"Vell ve should get moving, I vouldn't vant Tsuto's lover to get bored."

I am with you Rogar. Cadas has a look of steady determination on her face.

"Wait for me!" Robin stuffs some extra rations into the bag and trots alongside Rogar.

Tinuviel wanted to hold on to the golden sack, but realized that sprinkling it all over herself, however much fun that would be, is probably a bad idea. Women who do such things are generally not held in the highest regard. It is all so unfair, she thought.

I do not need a Bad Reputation, not at all, she decided conclusively.

Smoke pounds a fist into his palm. "Let's do it, then. I'm anxious to see what the hell's down there."

And on top of that, seeing Ameiko that way twisted him up inside. Easiest way to deal with that? Finding something and smashing it. Like Rogar said: he was about to act the bull in a Tien glassworks on whatever they found down there.

Not letting any grass grow under your feet, you decide to explore the tunnels under the Glassworks right after clearing goblins, and their mysterious leader, from the Glassworks themselves.

Not knowing exactly what you'll find and expecting trouble at every turn, you make your way into the cold dark tunnel, thoughts of leaping goblins and demonic creatures fill your imaginations. However, the tunnel seems pretty mundane, and for a good long walk it twists and meanders steadily to the northeast, maybe 1000 ft, before you come to a place where the ceiling drops low and bending double (or crawling) for men and elves will be required. The height is probably about 3.5-4 ft, perhaps enough for the dwarf alone to walk comfortably

What do you do here?

Cadas bends low, crouching, and walks on.

"You bigguns let me and Rogar lead the way," suggests Robin. He casts message on the party to ease communication.

<<By all means Robin, take point.>> Cadas whispers, testing the spell.

Rogar nods and takes point using his darkvision to scout ahead.

I'll move in 20 foot increments making perception checks. each 20 feet.

Perception 1 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23

Smoke takes up the near-rear, scuffling around in the dirt to make his way through the narrow opening. For him? A bit eye-opening. One of the first times in his life that being a big guy was a big detriment instead of a boon.

Tinuviel takes up her position behind Cadas.

Sounds like the order is Rogar, Cadas, Tinuviel, Smoke, and Robin, is that right?

While uncomfortable for the humans and a little cramped for the dwarf, the narrowed tunnel ends after about 30' and the passage resumes it's normal size. After about 40' additional feet, a side tunnel appears (the first you've seen). This tunnel is on your right side and seems to veer off to the southeast.

Which way do you choose to advance? Or do you split your forces in a Custer-like display of strategy?

Rogar stops, leans back to the Bard and whispers.

"Let's try this way?"

As he begins moving to the side tunnel.

I like Custer. Banana custer, especially. We had its dessert cousin, bananas Foster on the first night of our honeymoon.

Tinuviel follows Cadas. We have a good thing going with this conga line of heroism, be a shame to break it up. she thinks, heroically.

After leaving the main tunnel and following the side passage, you are surprised when after about 50' this tunnel has another side passage coming off it to the left. The passage you followed continues to the southeast, while this new branch appears to run straight east.

As you look around, you see more evidence of a bricked-up wall that once closed off this second side passage. The bricks have been knocked inwards and the passage is clear enough for a man to pass through easily. It appears the wall was torn up some years ago, as there is dust on the rubble (maybe not as much as the rest of the tunnels though)

Do you take this mysterious branch or stay on the southeast course?

"Let's see why this wall got knocked in, and what's behind it," suggests Robin.

Cadas is content to follow Rogar, trusting his sense about these underground tunnels and suspecting they will have to explore all of them anyway.

Moving to a new map for this section of the tunnels. Link and at top of page.

As you follow the once bricked up smaller side passage, you notice the are is noticeably "older" here. (More dank and musty, I guess). The passage is rough hewn stone, with jagged and bumpy edges and it runs east for about 100 ft before gradually turning north. Not far after the turn towards the north, another passage branches off the path.

"Which way, Rogar? Do you see anything?"

Can Rogar see further out into the fog of war? He should be able to see 60 feet.

I'm just trying to get a sense of where you're looking. I only stuck the icons at that edge for as an approximation. I will expand the area a bit, but need to hear from you about what you're looking at. Also, what are the rest of you doing for light down here again?

As Rogar scans ahead with his darkvision, he can see the path on the right opens into a small cavern. Ahead, the tunnel continue northerly, and another small passage opens on the right, about 10' past the first.

Rogar peers to the north and then to the east. He takes a moment to see if he notices any tracks.

Survival/Tracking 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12

Perception 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21

Cadas grows board with stifled anticipation. I say we keep moving until we find something. Some clue or threat..

I know you are allowing us to choose our own fate, but I would be good with you advancing us to some place where we have a chance of making a less than random choice. Cadas really does plan to explore as much of this place as possible so it does not matter to her which area we cover first. :)

"Let's stick to the left until we explored everything", Tinuviel suggests diffidently.

As Rogar studies the dusty cavern-like tunnel floor for tracks, he actually hears a low moan coming from the chamber to the right. Shushing the party, he can hear the sound coming over and over again, its words are unintelligible but it doesn't sound human.

Slowly, rounding the corner of the cavern and coming into view is a strange sight: A horribly deformed humanoid, hairless and emaciated, lurches out of the shadows. Its unnaturally long arms end in three-fi ngered talons, and its legs bend like those of a dog. A writhing network of bulging veins form dark blue patterns across its pallid skin. But worst of all is its face—its nose is little more than a pair of slits, and its eyes are bulging and red. The lower jaw splits in half at the chin into two wretched arms that end in tiny three-fingered hands to either side an open gullet with a lolling tongue.

You guys will have surprise round advantage. Means move or standard action only in Surprise Round, which is coming up now.

First Cavern - Surprise Round

The ugly thing is surprised by your presence, and emits a strange peep.

25 Creature
18 Robin
14 Rogar
14 Smoke
13 Cadas
9 Tinuviel

Ok Robin and Rogar, get things started.

I can get off a partial charge, I think. If not stop me a step back from where I am now.

Rogar lowers his shoulder and charges, his shield leading the way.

Attack 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24

Damage Bludge 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

"What's that peeping sound?" Robin moves closer, uncertain about the threat.

Cadas blasts the creature with Gozreh's power of storms in reaction to its lumbering presence.

Storm Burst - Touch Attack: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 211d6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7 Damage is nonlethal. If it hits, creature is -2 to attacks, no save.

What is that thing? Cadas wonders. Is if of the natural world?

knowledge Religion?: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14

knowledge Nature?: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13

Tinuviel reacts without thinking and hurls an acid dart

1d20 ⇒ 18 for 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7 damage

First Cavern - Surprise Round - continued

As he sees the heinous thing round the corner, Rogar charges in the name of all that is good. His short charge strikes the creature shield first and deals it a stunning blow before the thing can even react.

The noise emitted from the surprised monster causes Robin to go investigate, but he can't make it around the corner to see the aberration in this short time.

Waiting on Smoke before posting Cadas' thunderstorm narrative and knowledge queries. Tinuviel do you have line-of-sight to the monster for your acid dart? It doesn't look that way to me.

I forgot. Sorry. Full move to get line o' sight.

Surprise Round. Only a move OR a standard.

First Cavern - Surprise round - concluded

I will go ahead with the rest of the round, and hold Smoke's spot if he turns up.

Cadas unleashes the power of Gozreh on the thing, and it is bufetted by winds and hailstones in an amazing microburst. Starting from behind the others, Tinuviel has to rush ahead to get prepared to fight the monstrous creature, her mind already creating the spell necessary to throw globules of acid around.

HOlding on Smoke until tomorrow after lunch, then I'll move him and we'll slide forward a little.

First Cavern - Surprise Round - concluded

Smoke runs up to stand shoulder to shoulder with Rogar but cannot release an attack.

End of Surprise Round

Wonder where our Smoke has gotten to. I DM'ed him but figured he'd do something similar, perhaps with a little more flair. On to round 1.

First Cavern - 1st Round

After unleashing her natural fury, Cadas searches her memory for any knowledge of this creature, but she has never seen or heard of anything like this monstrosity before.

25 Creature (wounded)
18 Robin
14 Rogar
14 Smoke
13 Cadas
9 Tinuviel

After being surprised by your presence, and then wounded by the storm and shield, the creature releases a howl of anger from it's horrible mouth and moves to slash and bite at Smoke, stepping away from the dwarf in the process. Smoke is at 13/27 hp, unless he got some healing along the way, after the Tsuto fight that I failed to record. The heroes are now up, starting with Robin and Rogar

Bite: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8
Claw: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13
Claw: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19
Claw Damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Knowledge (local): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11

Robin isn't particularly convinced that this creature is humanoid, but he decides it's worth trying to Daze. Will DC 13.

Rogar continues to swing away.

Attack 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15

Damage if that hits 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

"Oh-- ow! Ow ow ow!" calls out Smoke as his new friend opens a few wounds along his arms. "Why?" he shouts. "Why me? Seriously! What did I ever do to your ugly, ugly people?!" he continues, brandishing the greatsword.

Good DMPC. :P

First Cavern - round 1 -continued

Seeing the creature maul at his companions, Robin decides to try to Daze the thing until his heavy hitters can finish it off. He pulls out his little pinch of wool and fluffs some at the monstrous thing which shrugs the effect of with ease. It does not appear to be humanoid but Robin has never seen or heard of this type of creature.

The creature cannot shrug off another ringing shield slam from Rogar which rocks it backwards on it's haunches as Smoke steps into the fray.

Glad you're back Smoke, time for you to shut this thing down. Cadas is next if needed.

First Cavern - round 1 -continued

Swinging his sword back, he tries to plant it in the creature's head.

Attack!: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18
Damage!: 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (3, 1) + 4 = 8

First Cavern - Round 1 - concluded

Smoke's sword slashes through the creature's defenses and into it's head and neck, severing key parts of the anatomy. The blow is all the creature can take and it collapses into a fecund pile on the floor, ichor flowing from it's many wounds.

End of Combat

Killed it in the first round. It did get one shot in against you first wounding Smoke. You each earned 120xp for this fight, which brings your total to 1959 or about 1/3rd of the way to Level 3.

Robin takes a close look at the creature on the ground, trying to satisfy his curiosity about why such a strange creature is here in these tunnels.

Afterwards, Robin endorses the "Go Left" strategy suggested by Boo to explore the tunnels.

Robin's examination of the body shows it is skin and bones (and blood) but not of any type or kind of creature he has ever seen or heard of before.

If I understand the "Go Left" plan, you will stay with the main tunnel, not look at the branch on the right? Correct? Is that the group's decision? You might elect someone as your "caller" for purposes of exploration, then if you want to stop and look or go back, then you can just call that out individually...Dungeon crawls are difficult in PbP.

Tinuviel watches the combat rather bemusedly until the creature dies. She then follows Cadas.

Rogar steps up and continues down the path that had been set before him.

First Cavern - 1st Round

After unleashing her natural fury, Cadas searches her memory for any knowledge of this creature, but she has never seen or heard of anything like this monstrosity before.

25 Creature (wounded)
18 Robin
14 Rogar
14 Smoke
13 Cadas
9 Tinuviel

After being surprised by your presence, and then wounded by the storm and shield, the creature releases a howl of anger from it's horrible mouth and moves to slash and bite at Smoke, stepping away from the dwarf in the process. Smoke is at 13/27 hp, unless he got some healing along the way, after the Tsuto fight that I failed to record. The heroes are now up, starting with Robin and Rogar

[dice=Bite]1d20+3
[dice=Claw]1d20+3
[dice=Claw]1d20+3
[dice=Claw Damage]1d4+1

Please do make sure you take in to account the to hit penalty of -2 from the Storm Blast. Oops, creature is dead anyway so no big deal and I bet a 17 hits Smoke anyway. :)