DM Rah's Thornkeep (II) - "Part 1 - The Accursed Halls" (Inactive)

Game Master Kobash

Must you? Darvik comments as the sorcerer poses the deceased. Don't answer that.

Darvik heads over to the door with Ali. And what have you discovered? Just stick to the useful stuff about the door, please. Darvik will look at the door as if he thought he could actually discover something. He'll also take a look at the pillars to see if anything might be unusual about them.

Perception: 1d20 ⇒ 13

Hmm, healing. I could use a little of that as well when you can spare it.

Darvik is at 12/18 HP.

"Lets take out time. No reason to get in a hurry," Hagrym says as he takes his time and carefully studies the door.

Take 20 on Perception for a 28.

Seven thumb-sized sockets are embedded in the door, arranged in a ring around a starburst design.

Darvik notices that the door does not have any obvious handle, nor any hinges to indicate how it opens. Hagrym gives it a closer examination and is fairly certain there is nothing concealed in its construction.

"Interesting set up, I must admit. Anyone make heads or tails out of this contraption?"

"You stick it in the holes! The Great Swarmholio doesn't know what it is, but we have plenty of goblin fingers and toes to use! Try this one first!"

Swarmholio's digit sticks in the hole for about a half-second before slipping out and bouncing on the floor at your feet. Apparently, goblin fingers are not the key to the door.

Maybe it still has to be attached. Darvik presses one of the holes with his thumb.

"Abjuration and evocation magic cover this door." Ali says pompously, as if expecting everyone to understand this. After a moment of blank looks he explains, "Abjuration is generally protective; evocation is generally painful."

"Painful magic? I'd advise against sticking any parts into one of those holes," Hagrym laughs, as Darvik investigates.

Well, do you have any better ideas? We were sent here because of mysteries like this door. I thought one of our magical friends here might be able to figure it out. Darvik sighs. Did any of the goblins have a key or something? I see no keyhole in this door, however.

If nothing can be done with the door, Darvik will suggest heading toward the stairs to the southeast.

Rhoswen mutters to herself, "Why are men so willing to stick things into whatever hole presents itself?"

She gives a sigh, "Well, if the Great Ali cannot solve this door's magics, I suggest we look to find a way around." She then notes the loot she gathered from the goblins.

"So, I found this curative potion - do you need it Darvik? Also they had some gold and this ring." She hands the ring to Ali. "Any chance this ring will activate the door?"

Kudor nods at the suggestion of delving deeper.

Yes, I could use the use of the potion. Thank you. Darvik will drink the potion and regain 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7 hit points.

Darvik will then look at Ali to see if he can use the ring to open the door before starting toward the stairs.

Rhoswen takes another look at the door and the ring. "Well, I'm no expert, but I doubt a simple ring could open that. The only other way out of this chamber seems to be the opening over there."

Rhoswen agrees with Darvik and Kudor to move forward.

She draws her blade again, keeping it at the ready for any more trouble.

Oh, I just checked the map, and spotted the other doors on the upper level - didn't see those before.

Before the group heads down that way Rhoswen pipes up, "Actually, I did spot a couple of doors on the walkway up there, but trying out this path here is just fine by me."

There is also another set of stairs up in the gallery.

Then its decided. To the stairs. Darvik will head to the stairway to the southeast portion of the map.

Seems as good as any other direction.

Hagrym assumes his position in the group, carefully examining the scenery as they go.

Perception 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19

"Yes! To the stairs!" There is a puff of smoke* where Ali is standing and you clearly see him running after the party, pretending to have disappeared.

The southeastern stairs twist downwards, changing directions twice before coming to a straight passage which widens out into a room. Piles of sand and rubble fill the corners of the room, and the sound of splashing water can be heard from the east where the passage continues on the far side.

Map updated.

Hagrym keeps slowly walking through the room, inspecting the closest pile of sand as he does so.

Perception 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24

Rhoswen throws caution to the wind and scouts ahead into the widened chamber. As she steps in, she keeps a keen eye out for anything that may try to attack.

Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 13

Displaced flagstones, missing mortar, and a slightly hollow sound like the crashing of waves on the beach alert Hagrym to the the tell-tale signs of a trap in the middle of the room. Very likely a pit lies beneath the floor.

Red outline added to map to indicate trap location.

"Whoa everyone! Lookit...a pit is definitely over there in the midst of the room," he gestures as he holds the group back. "Be careful trying to find a way around that thing."

A keen eye you have there, sir dwarf. Well done. Darvik will go around the trap as advised and proceed to the other room.

Kudor will continue to follow along.

Ali uses his favorite spell to splash a red paint outline around the pit so that they don't accidentally step on it on the way back and follow his companions further on.

The gnome throws sand over the pit. "Sandtrap!"

Sorry, been a long day at work. Stupid can make me feel better, so you get stupid.

Skirting the trap, your group enters the far passage. After another 20 feet it opens to the left into a larger corridor that opens into a much larger chamber beyond. A pool of luminous blue water lies in the center and a spectacular fountain pours into the pool from the image of a winged beast, perhaps a sphinx, low on the north wall. From there, a pair of steep stone stairs ascend in switchbacks to the north, flanked by ornamental pillars and terminating at a stone doorway.

Four skeletons guard this chamber—two on the middle landing and two on the highest landing—and each is armed with a shortbow that they instantly raise and aim your direction.

INITIATIVE
Rhoswen <=UP
Darvik <=UP
Ali <=UP
Hagrym <=UP
Skeletons
Kudor
Swarmholio

Hagrym takes cover moving 10' backwards. He pulls his light crossbow, and loads a bolt. "Anyone have any ranged weapons? Now' be the time to use'em!"

Once it gets to his turn Kudor will activate his wand of bless and will move forward if his companions have advanced or will back up if they do not.

Rhoswen, wielding her elven curved blade, dashes into the room. She rushes without thinking as much as she should have, and finds herself next to a pool of water at the center of the room.

Double movement.

Ali moves around the corner to see into the room. "Never fear friends, for I brought along. . . a secret weapon!" second move action to draw my wand of magic missile.

Darvik says, Wait! I said... ugh, never mind... charge! Darvik will run toward the skeletons, hoping he doesn't get filled with too many arrows on the way.

I was going to use a full round action to run, which if I recall correctly is 4x my movement of 20', but I just read it has to be a straight line and the pool gets in the way, so I'll just double move. I will draw my bow so I might use it next round.

The skeletons loose arrows. One whizzes very close to Rhoswen, but none find targets.

Skeleton 1 at Rhoswen: 1d20 ⇒ 8
Skeleton 2 at Rhoswen: 1d20 ⇒ 17
Skeleton 3 at Darvik: 1d20 - 4 ⇒ (1) - 4 = -3
Skeleton 4 at Ali: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (6) - 2 = 4

PARTY UP! (Except Kudor, who casts a bless spell from his wand)

The Great Swarmholio begins moving forward (double move), mumbling to himself. "Dead . . . don't listen . . . can't make a good drink . . . ing to eat . . .."

Darvik will now run 80', switching back to his longsword.

"Never fear, friends! I have this covered!"

Magic Missile on one of the front skeletons!

force damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Rhoswen cries out, "Hey, wait for me!" as she sees Darvik run by. She keeps pace with her fellow fighter, running and ending up right behind him.

Run action.

Hagrym double moves forward, which should put him 70' from the skeletons.

Ali's magic missile takes down one skeleton. The others loose more arrows. One finds Rhoswen, another Ali.

Due to running Rhoswen and Darvik lose their dex bonus to AC.

Skeleton 2 at Rhoswen: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 6
Skeleton 3 at Darvik: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 5
Skeleton 4 at Ali: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (19) - 2 = 17
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 4

PARTY UP!

Hagrym moves 20' forward (putting him 60' back) and fires his crossbow at the closest skeleton.

Attack: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 13

Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 5

As the arrow grazes Ali's arm, he calls out, "Ow! Oh, no! The Amazing Ali bleeds! Like a pitiful mortal! No!"

With on hand he draws out a healing wand while the other continues to fire magic missiles at the skeleton who hit him.

force damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Kudor will take the run action sprinting across the open ground.

Be careful, Rhos! Darvik snarls as he sees the elf-woman get stung by an arrow. Grabbing his bow again since the one he planned on attacking first was destroyed, Darvik double moves again. I'll take this fiend! Take out the ones up top!

EDIT : Knowledge Untrained: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (10) + 0 = 10

Regarding skeletons and blunt weapons. The DC to know that is 10, which can be attempted untrained.

Continuing to move forward, the gnome has stopped mumbling. Not sure if that's an improvement. "Burn baby! Burn! BUURN!" Two streaks of fire zip across the room from the gnomes pointing hand and into the skeletal forms.

Move
Cast Magic Missile converted to fire, Missile One at rear on the left (3) and Missile Two at forward on the right (2) (or both to rear left if forward right is down).

Fiery Magic Missile One: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
Fiery Magic Missile Two: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Seems some posts were lost over the weekened. Here is what I recall.

Hagrym fires a bolt, but misses.

Darvik and Rhoswen close distance, climbing the stairs.

Kudor runs across the chamber, nearing the bottom of the stairs.

Swarmholio and Ali send magic missiles at the skeletons, destroying one and damaging the last two.

The two remaining skeletons fire more arrows, but none hit.

MAP IS UPDATED! Party UP!

With bow in hand, Darvik finally reaches the top of the stairs where the two remaining undead are position. Pausing briefly and realizing that he can not close and engage the enemy effectively, he draws and fires one of his blunt arrows at the nearest skeleton!

Bow: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22Arrow: 1d6 ⇒ 1
Confirm?: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21Arrow: 2d6 ⇒ (4, 6) = 10

Did I get the +1 for Bless? I wasn't sure so I didn't add it in, though on this one it seems it won't matter.

Darvik's arrow plants solidly into the forehead of the skeleton, knocking the skull clean off its shoulders. The bones spin around and flail for a split-second before toppling to the floor.

1 skeleton left!