DM Wellards Hook Mountain Massacre

Game Master Wellard

"STOP!" Romon can't believe Esteriande would do such a stupid, stupid thing. Momentarily transfixed in disbelief, he's too slow to grab her before she steps into the circle. He crouches to gather himself, then dashes three steps and tackles Esteriande, his legs pumping furiously to carry them both through the circle.

That stupid, stupid bit is his opinion.

"What? No!" is all that a stunned Inikai can spout as he joins Romon in trying to restrain Esteriende.

I have no idea where everyone is in relation to each other.

"...........Well thats one way of doing it."

With his knowledge of architecture and engineering, Marak attempts to determine if the shudderings of the dam are of the sluice gates opening and relieving pressure, or the structure failing catastrophically. Given the reliability of information gleaned from fiends, he fears the latter, with it's fiendish energies no longer available to sustain the ancient structure...

Knowledge (architecture / engineering) 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22

Marak breathes a sigh of relief as he realises it is the normal operation of the dam..

"There...life force, it must have powered ze dam mechanisms. Ze ozzer devil was drained completely by eet. Zen it would not work because zere were not two."

Esteriande smiles crookedly. "'Ave no fear, mon amor, I would not 'ave done anyzing I thought would kill me so recklessly."

Marak shakes his head, "And if the fiend had been lying, as they are sometimes known to do? You might have doomed every living soul downriver from us by causing this dam to collapse. Please don't put so many lives into your faith in a devil's word..."

Marak has restoration prepared and the cash to cast it.

Heal check to determine the effects of the life-energy drain, so he'll know that she needs restoration and didn't just take ability damage or something. Take 10 for a 20, if possible, otherwise... 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (14) + 10 = 24

This whole thing makes no sense. It takes two bound things to power the dam, and one just vanished, so the criteria still hasn't been met? And when Esteriande leaves the circle, the situation is *worse* than it was when there was only one creature bound. Eh. Whatever.

Esteriande does indeed require the Restoration of her life force

Marak, having apparently completely gotten over whatever he was talking about mere moments before, examines Esteriande closely (as much as he can without Romon getting in his way) and announces, "Your life potential has been drained by this infernal device. Not merely your health and vitality, but a part of the sum total of your being, all that you have been and could be, such as from the touch of some of the most feared undead. I have magic to restore such a loss, but it will take a minute. Please hold still."

If the negative energy level is permanent, it will cost 1000 gp. worth of diamond dust. If temporary, only 100 gp. worth of diamond dust. Marak only has 1000 gp. worth, so it will either use all of it, or just some.

"It would seem the larger issue is how to maintain this?"

There would be a saving throw against the lost level next time you rest so for the moment it's temporary.

The Magically competent members of the Party would reckon that it would take more life force to close the sluices but it's probably safer to leave them open.

I believe the negative level is temporary unless Esteriande fails a save after 24 hours? In which case it's temporary right now.

"It would seem the larger issue is how to maintain this?"

"Well now that Ester has proven that a regular humanoid can provide power to the place and survive it technicly if push came to shove we could just have volunteers provide the power to open and close them.Then again we do now have time to think of better long term solutions."

"Why not just leave it the way it is? We could get back to the castle, dry off, warm up, and get a bite to eat?"

"Will the town be safe or is there still danger from this place and flooding?"

"Well not in the short or probably medium term."

"Zat depends upon zis weather....but oui, in ze short term, we are safe," Esteriande concurs.

"There does not seem to be anything left for us to do here. Were there other chambers that we did not explore? I think we bypassed some, but I cannot say for certain."

4 more doors leading off the pool chamber.

Did marak cast the Restoration in the end?

Sure, since it's a temporary negative level, it's only 100 gp. worth of stuff. He won't be able to remove any permanent negative levels now, having 900 gp. left, but could still remove up to nine temporary levels. :)

Marak removes a small measure of coal black powder, and releases it in the air above Esteriande's head, far enough back that none falls in her eyes, and then gently places a hand on her throat as he closes his eyes and his lips move in a quiet supplication to his patron, as his other hand grips his holy symbol.

A minute passes and the black dust rises into the air and begins to sparkle, swirling around the two of them like a dust devil of shimmering snowflakes before transforming into light and sweeping into her body, passing through her armor as if it wasn't even there. A glow shines from her eyes and mouth, and there is a rush of warmth, as she feels her life energies rush forth like a coals springing into flame.

Marak gasps and steps back, looking unsteady as he blinks at Esteriande. "Well. That seems to have worked. First time I've performed that rite..."

"And very well too, I must add," Esteriende declares, feeling very much re-invigorated. "Let's search the rest of this place - but do not split up too much."

Growling at the space where the devil had been, DireAliWolf pads over to Esteriande, licks her hand a few times, and then moves out ahead of the group, sniffing the way ahead towards the areas yet to be explored.

Romon hangs in his customary position towards the back of the pack.

My laptop has crashed badly. It may be next week before I can post regularly. I will post as opportunity arises, but may be slower than usual.

4 doors people..make a choice..

None of the doors display anything to suggest and advantage or appeal over the others. After several fruitless moments trying to choose a reason for one over the others, Inikai randomly points to the southeast door.

"As good a choice as any" Romon quips and moves over to the door

Perception(Listen)1d20 + 13 ⇒ (19) + 13 = 32

Perception (detect trap)1d20 + 18 ⇒ (20) + 18 = 38

"Well no traps thankfully..but..there's something in there I heard a clank..not like armour or a weapon against a shield..just a clank"

Moving to the door, DireAliWolf stands ready to rush in and take any foes that may be hidden within.

Esteriande nods to Romon, taking position near the door with her blade held ready.

Silently, Inikai mouths the word "clank" in an obviously questioning manner. None the less, he readies himself for carnage once the door is open.

"Yor wish is my command M'lady" the Rogue whispers as he tugs the door open following his usual move in and to the side.

he looks to his left goes a deathly white and bolts back out off the room at top speed a look of utter horror on his face.."The skulls the skulls" he shouts as he barges past Esteriande

Romon Will save1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15

Map...after Romon stepped in..he is now in 09.09

Esteriande 27
Ali 23+
Naria 23
Romon 20 (frightened this round)
Marak 16
????? 13+
Muchorak 13
Inakai 7

Marak calls upon the favor of Nethys to bless his allies.

bless spell, +1 morale bonus to attacks rolls and saves vs. fear.

".............Thats not a good sign is it?" Naria as she casts Haste on the group

Esteriande darts forward to see what frightened Romon...

I think a 5' step will enable her to see the room, then she can opt to move on or draw back.

Actually a 5'step will not give you line of sight on the creature

Esteriande moves into the room and spots the cause of Romons fear..a scorpion like creature that seems to be made of a concretion of skulls..it oozes menace..sending gibbering thoughts into the Paladins mind.

If you start your turn in sight of this creature save vs fear or be frightened for 1 round

Aura of Courage: paladins are immune to fear, and any within 10' of Esteriande gain a +4 bonus to their saves vs fear.

"It would seem zat our fears of ze skulls forming some abomination are not as unfounded as I 'ad thought."

Esteriande assumes a defensive stance and readies a strike if the creature attacks, while she probes to see if it is malignant or a mere construct (detect evil, and readied attack).

You sense no evil in the creature it would appear to be a mindless construct guardian.

FYI; i'm here just waiting for others that go before Mucho to post so I know what spaces will be open.

Looks like ALi's up. Lucky Romon was first through the door, if there's one guy we want running away from a fight, it's Romon. Wellard, thanks for not having Romon scream like a little girl while he ran. And -- could thief-boy have seen enough and figured out that he can go in through the other door?

I'll allow that Romon..Yes guys we are indeed waiting on Ali..I'll give it until later today and if I dont get a post by themjn I'll have to DMPC her

Stepping right into the room behind Esteriande, DireAliWolf...

That's Will, right? Will save vs Fear: 1d20 + 5 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 5 + 9 = 18.

Just saying Wellard, letting us know the save ahead of time can significantly speed things up in terms of being able to post before having to wait to hear back from you whether we passed of not. It's how it's done in many games I'm in. And after seeing a few people pass or fail, we get a pretty good idea of what the save is anyway, sooooo....

FYI; i'm here just waiting for others that go before Mucho to post so I know what spaces will be open.

Same here

If no one else moves forward, Marak casts a second spell, before advancing into the room to get a look at this new threat.

Remove fear, three targets within 45 ft. of him gain a +4 bonus to saves vs. fear for 10 minutes, and any pre-existing fear effect is suppressed. Targetting Muchorak, Alisebett and Romon, if he remains within range, and Inikai, if Romon has already left a 45 ft. range.

He then steps into the room, remaining against the back wall to stay out of the way of the more martial minded among our group.

His own Will save vs. fear, which he arrogantly didn't buff, but gets a +1 from bless 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (9) + 15 = 24

knowledge - arcana, if this is a construct, to determine what he knows about it 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (18) + 14 = 32

Ok lets be clear..at the moment for this round no-one coming into view of the creature will need to make a will save...it's at the start of the NEXT round..a round that you start with the construct in view that sparks the save. I'll apply the saves already rolled for that round.

Marak thinks this might be the Skull Ripper a construct known only in legend but said to be used by the Thassilonians to guard important places.It is rumoured to delight..if a construct can delight in anything...in beheading it's opponents.It is also judged a very deadly fighter its claws being razor sharp and agile.

Marak attempts to quickly convey the important bits of what he's divined, "Skull Ripper, a deadly unliving Thassilonian construct that specializes in beheading it's foes."

Love how spellcheck always changes 'unliving' to 'unloving.' well, yes, it's also unloving, but that's not what I meant...

Muchorak will move to 17.05 (this will use his full 35' movement), and swing on the beast...

Will Save 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15

+1 Adamantite Longsword 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (9) + 15 = 24 to hit; 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13 damage

Now I just hope a 15 is enough. :(

Now I just hope a 15 is enough. :(

Should be a 20, with the +4 from remove fear, and +1 from shield other. If the remove fear doesn't take effect before the save, the fear is still suppressed once the spell takes hold anyway.

Inikai moves to 15.08. If someone is already in that space he goes to 16.09. He is immune to fear as long as he has a vestige bound so no save is required.

As soon as the doorway is clear, Inikai rushes after Muchorak but is unable to keep pace with the swift ranger. Rather than run headlong toward the unknown, he stays close to the left wall and uses it for cover. When he sees the skelpion creature he feels a sense of fright but it passes when he considers it against the entities that reside in his mind right now.

He spits out a word in an unintelligible language and calls forth a giant, wet, rubbery tentacle from the ground beside the skull-beast. The hideous limb thrashes about, attempting to grab the ossuarial-arachnid*.

Grapple Attack
1d20 + 15 ⇒ (17) + 15 = 32

Damage if it hits
1d6 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

*As I expected, the spell-check suggested "actuarial-arachnid"

Esteriande moves in and holds her position waiting for the chilling construct to approach.Ali-wolf stands beside the Paladin Growling and Naria casts haste.Then the thing skitters over towards the waiting females.

Esteriande and Ali get readied attacks ..

No-one else to post until they are resolved and the beast has had it's turn please