DM Puppet Master's Humble Bundle Welcome Campaign (Inactive)

Game Master Anon A Mouse

Does anyone else want to come with us?

I will move as close as I can to it and do a perception. I assume that my stone bonus does not apply.

perc: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24

How many can safely benefit from the shields' cover? Seems unlikely anything might sneak up on us, since it would also be a target

@Etam: One person per shield can gain full cover. The person behind the person with the shield will get a +4 to AC. Anybody else lined up in such a fashion will get a +2.

After the first arrow grazes him, Runvald quickly ducks behind his own shield to gain cover.

Etam sizes up the shields: "The shields will not offer full protection to anyone besides its wielder. My suggestion is that only masters Artair and Zandorias go to the pillar and try to disable the mechanism."

He takes his shield off his back and offers it to Jaed: "This might help deflect an arrow or two until you reach the pillar."

If I read it correctly, the +4AC bonus is due to concealment, not to the shield per se, so I guess it would stack and give Jaed a +6AC. I guess Jaed could wield the shield whilst moving and drop it once he starts disarming the trap? @DM: feel free to correct me if I understood something wrong!

Or he could use one of the shields from the monks.

It looks like we will have to give up our cover to dismantle this thing. Etam, he can use my other shield if he wants. Then you could have cover if something comes up.

Jaed you up for this?

DM - Is there a way to destroy this other than to dismantle? I assume we could get him up there and then just go uncovered for the turn(s) it is taking to dismantle?

Rogues are not proficient with shields but I suppose it should not be a problem to reach the pillar. If a fight comes up I can always drop it.

Jaed accepts the shield offered by Etam with resignation. "Ok Etam, I'll risk my neck again. Artair, come back and lead the way to that pillar. I'll see if I can disable it when we get closer. And keep that shield up!"

Jaed waits until the dwarf comes back and then he starts following him as close as he can while clumsily holding Etam's shield.

So if understood correctly the sequence of actions is: 1. Artair moves back to the door and takes cover behind the shield, 2. Jaed moves behind him. This should be one turn. Then they both move towards the pillar, Jaed staying behind the dwarf. @DM: if there is something wrong with our logic let us know.

Turning to the dwarf, Etam says: "Wouldn't it be a bit encumbering for him to carry this shield around? What do you say, master Zandorias? In any case, one of us should still go, so we can still offer protection whilst he fiddles with the mechanism."

After the rogue decides, Etam helps him wielding the shield correctly and gives a few pointers on how to use it to deflect the incoming arrows. "I am sorry you must put yourself in danger against your will, master Zandorias. I would gladly replace you, had I any chance of disabling that trap."

I would suggest both dwarves go out to the pillar, in case something comes up. Etam and Jaed can both come, one behind each dwarf, each with a small wooden shield (if Jaed can use one). And we move back to the pillar.

How many turns will that take for us to execute that?

I could carry one of the tower shields but that puts me on medium load. I think those penalties will stack with the ones from carrying a shield. If Etam's calculations are correct and the AC bonus from standing behind the tower shield plus the bonus from carrying his shield gives a total of +6 AC I think that is the best way of doing this. Atair's suggestion is also good, the two dwarves inspect the room first in case there are any additional traps and then they come back for Jaed and Etam. As they have cover from the tower shields they should not get hit by the arrows in their inspection round and we are not in a hurry so we can spare some time. I'm ok with any of those possibilities.

Finnrick moves back into the hallway as Runvald and Artair hide behind their shields. Artair calls out his findings just as two more arrows clack off of their shields.

@Artair: You could attempt to physically destroy the pillar, but that's likely to take a while.

Etam has a light wooden shield, right? That would give Jaed a +1 from the shield and then a +4 from standing behind the person carrying a tower shield, but he'd also get a -1 on any disable device check from the armor check penalty of the shield he's carrying. If it's a heavy shield, that's a +2 bonus with a -2 penalty.

So it sounds like the plan is for Artair to come back, Jaed to position himself behind him, and they both head towards the pillar. Possibly with Runvald and Etam doing something similar to back them up. Although only one person will be able to stand directly next to the pillar.

It would be one round for Artair to come back and people to start to move into position. Then another round for everybody to get to the pillar. Jaed could actually attempt to disable that second round, but he wouldn't have cover from the arrows (which is going to be true regardless of when he makes the attempt).

Just let me know if that's the plan, and I can go ahead an execute it.

I think that this is the plan:

Dwarves come back and get Jaed and Etam.
Jaed takes Artair's small wooden shield for added cover.
The four move back to near the pillar (not adjacent to).
Jaed drops the shield (or holds it and takes the -1 to the disable check) and attempts to disable the device. While the dwarves and Etam cover. The others staying in the hallway.

I would think that we would want to try as soon as possible to disable the pillar to avoid having the additional round of exposure. If this is the case, He will not need to hold the shield.

Yep, that looks good to me. Jaed would drop the shield before attempting to disable the trap to avoid the -1 penalty.

OK,I think we have figured the plan out, I am headed back now!

Do we need to roll anything before we try to de-activate the pillar-o-arrows?

Artair moves back to the entrance to the room as everybody quickly shuffles into position. Several more arrows fire out, many hitting wide or harmlessly bouncing off of the wooden shields. A couple manage to get through though, hitting both Etam and Jaed. You both take 3 NLD

Everybody then shuffles forward. With no one to hold it open, the door slams shut. Jaed dashes forward towards the pillars. Dropping his borrowed shield as he goes, he quickly attempts to disable the rotating pillar. His fingers move like lightning, using his tools to poke and prod into the arrow slits at the inner workings of the device. He can hear the mechanism starting to wind up, preparing to fire right into his exposed flesh. Luckily, with a soft click he manages to disable the trap, which slowly winds down to a stop.

Now that the pillar of arrows has been disabled, the four adventurers in the room have time to look around and immediately notice that the door they came through does not have a handle on this side.

Approaching the now closed door, I will pound on it and see if those on the other side will answer.

If they open it I will explain what happened and tell them to keep the door open.

Hearing a pounding coming from the other side of the closed door Finnrick approaches with Millsy close behind.

What's going on? Is it safe to open the door?

If he hears an all clear Finnrick will open the door.

It's a good thing that I was dawdling lest we would all be stuck on the other side.

"That was very good work, master Zandorias. I do wonder where can one find the resources to train disarming hulking pillars repeatedly firing arrows in Kassen."

Etam moves to the door from where they had entered. "Master Finnrick! Are you there? Please, open the door. It is safe now." Whilst waiting for a reply, he looks at the door on the other side, trying to spot a handle.

By the way, how come the arrows did non-lethal damage? Were they blunted?

Yup, they were blunted arrows.

The two doors that were not the ones you entered through do have handles. A closer inspection reveals that the door to the South is locked, but the door to the East is not.

do we want to pick the lock on the south or try a key, or go out the one on the east? It comes down to if we want to go into the room that is wailing.

"Thanks, Etam. Even though that arrow was blunted it did hurt", Jaed says as he scrubs the zone where the arrow hit him.

"Let me take a closer look at this pillar to make sure this thing won't activate again if we open the door."

I will take 20 on a perception check on the pillar and its surroundings.

@DM: How much time has passed since we fell in those pits with the pillows?

It's been around 40 minutes.

Does the door to the south open with a key?

I am going to go and check...

perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15

A second check of the door reveals that sometime during the two minutes Jaed spent looking over the pillar, the door to the South became unlocked.

Etam passes his hand over the bruise where the arrow had hit. "It sure did. Do you want to stop and rest for a bit?"

Once Finnrick opens the door, the warrior looks for a stone heavy enough to prevent the door from closing on its own again. 'I would rather not use the other door, lest this pillar starts shooting arrows again.'

"I wouldn't mind to take a short brake, all my body hurts. And I have a feeling we are approaching that freaking flame so I want to be ready for whatever is waiting behind that door."

"If we decide to rest here we don't have to worry about that pillar, it is not going to move unless someone else messes with it."

I can agree with that.

Sounds like if we take a 20 min that he will heal 1 NLD, do we want to do that? Though I think that 1:20 would heal two.

Finnrick stands hold the door open until Etam is able to find something to prop it open.

"Millsy and I sure could use a break."

After propping the door open, Etam thanks Finnrick.

"I could certainly do with a longer break. All the threats we encountered seemed to be fairly stationary, so we might be safe in this room. Do not let your guard down, however."

He moves to the centre of the room and looks at the pit, trying to make out anything in its bottom. "Master Finnrick, can we try throwing a lit stone in the bottom of this pit? Can you see anything down there?"

Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

Once Etam's convinced there is nothing of interest in the pit, he sits in the ground nearby the door, spear resting on his lap. He distractedly checks for any signs of wear, his mind divided between resting and hearing for any suspicious sounds.

The pit appears to be about 10 feet deep and doesn't seem to have anything in it other than a few broken arrows.

So how long were you resting? 20 minutes? 1 hour 20 minutes? 10 hours with everybody doing 2 hour watch shifts?

Another thing you may want to discuss is if you want to investigate the wailing room or head through the Southern door first.

For me 20 minutes is enough but I am open to rest longer if the rest of the group wants.

Jaed sits down and rests his back against the pillar. "I have been thinking about that room from where that wailing was coming. Crazy idea: what if we just knock at the door? There is someone inside because the noise stopped when Etam tried to open the door."

"I must admit I was tempted to do so, master Zandorias, but caution seemed more important than curiosity. Our mission here is to retrieve the flame, and it seems unlikely that we may find it there, thus I am not sure what would be gained from returning. What do the others think?" Etam looks at his other companions.

Lets rest for 1:20, which will heal enough of our NLD for some. I dont think that we want to do a full nights rest. I would think that we should check the door, there is some sort of creature wailing that stopped when we approached. It is something that the completionist in me is wondering what is on the other side. But then again, curiosity killed the cat. No offense Millsy...

Reading back, it seems that we did stop the wailing when we approached the door. There was also a missed perception check. All of this seems interesting. We can always use the tower shields if we are worried about something in the room. I say after we rest that we go for it.

@DM: The longer we rest, the higher chance of something happening to us, right?

If you want to rest 1 hour and 20 minutes that's ok with me. Either way, I don't think having 6 or 7 effective hit points is going to make much difference :)

"Oh Etam, what if there is a damsel in distress behind that door? Would you not help her? Where's your sense of chivalry?" Jaed says in a clear provoking tone and finishing with a roguish wink. I'm more curious about any possible treasure. This is a damn crypt, there has to be something valuable hidden somewhere like there is always in all the stories.

"Anyways, don't you worry Artair, I suppose we can always inspect that room later when we have finished with whatever is behind this door here", he says pointing at the southern door.

"While I am ready to be finished with this horrid crypt, I can't help but wonder what is behind that door. While i doubt it's a damsel from the sound of that wail it could still be someone or something that needs our help.

Finnrick puts down his pack and sits leaning up against it.

"I could use a rest though before we venture further."

Finnrick begins whistling a wispy tune and Millsy curls up next to him and begins to purr.

I'm cool with any amount of time

"Well, then she got there by herself and should be more than capable to get out by herself. I am fine with leaving a weapon outside, in case hers was sundered or anything of the sort. Perhaps your new short sword would be a gift worthy of a damsel?" Etam says in a rather deadpan manner.

Just clarifying: out-of-character me has no problems with investigating the wailing door, but in-character me sees little point since it's not part of the mission. If everyone wants to go there, Etam will follow without protesting.

I'm also cool with any amount of time. I am leaning towards 20 minutes, but would not complain if we went with one hour since I also have some NLD to heal

Well, ooc me would not get close to that door but Jaed is a rogue so he is intrigue about what he could find in that room. So I will be happy either if we go or not :)

Jaed- Indifferent
Etam - No
Axlem, Finn and Millsy - Yes
I assume that means we are exploring it? Or dowe just want to go on to check the south. Lets wait out the 2 hour mark, to be fair to the ones who need rest.

You wait around for somewhere between an hour and 20 minutes and 2 hours, keeping watch for anything untoward happening. Nothing does. After healing up a bit, you head to stand in front of the no longer wailing door. It's still quiet and the door is still locked with none of your keys seeming to work on it.

Well, at least the wailing has stopped...

I am assuming that our fumbling with keys would ruin any chance of surprise?

Knocking on the door, cautious as to what is behind, Anyone in there?

Feeling a mix of curiosity and fear Jaed stays behind the dwarf.

"Have your shield ready, Artair. Better safe than sorry." It would be nice if a cute lady is waiting for us behind that door but something tells me it's not going to be the case.

Etam readies his spear and stays silent, trying to hear any movement from the other side of the door.

'Let us hope this is just a scared villager who wandered here by accident. That sounds very likely.'

A cute lady villager?

Artair's call is met by silence. Nothing is heard from behind the door.

"Ok, I think we'll have to do it the hard way. Artair, let me pass."

I have already looked for traps around this door but it doesn't hurt checking again. Jaed carefully inspects the door and then he gets his tools and starts picking the lock.

I'll take 20 for the perception check to find traps and for the disable device check.

"HEY, WHOEVER IS AT THE OTHER SIDE OF THIS DOOR: WE DON'T MEAN ANY HARM! WE JUST HEARD YOUR WAILING AND WE WANT TO CHECK IF YOU ARE OK!"

The door seems to be unlocked. However, when you push on it, it still doesn't move. Your best guess is that there's something heavy on the other side blocking the door from opening.

It's going to require 3 successful DC10 Strength checks to shove the door open. Because the hallway is only 5 feet wide, it will be one person attempting to shove the door open.

"Etam, Artair, this door seems blocked. Could one of you try to knock it down? I'm still feeling weak since that ghost touched me."

"Sure, master Zandorias. Master Finnrick, may I ask for some guidance?" Etam positions himself, his muscles still a bit sore from the repeated beatings from the arrows and the statue, and pushes the door.

Str check: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 4 + 1 = 10

I am assuming Finnrick has no problems casting guidance on Etam and already adding the +1 (which conveniently allows the first check to pass). Feel free to deduct it and make me fail if Finnrick does not want to do it

I assume that the three strength checks need to be made all by Etam?

I was thinking Jaed would have to pick the lock and was planning on casting it on him but seeing as you will be ramming it, that's exactly what I would do

"Here Etam allow me to boost your strength, it may be small but it may prove useful.

Finnrick puts his hand on Etam's shoulder and casts guidance imbueing him with the power of Sarenrae.

If I can I would cast it for the 2 subsequent checks and once right before Etam enters the room.