Dm Kumo's Crypt of the Everflame

Game Master Logan Holt

The bolts of force strike the wounded beast as it struggles to stand, whimpering in pain.

Elvar's turn
Seeing the beast is hurt, Evlar flails his blade in it's direction trying to scare it off.

[dice-Elvar's intimidate check]1d20[/dice]

Round 4
Ashlyn's turn

Ashlyn dives back in striking at the beast, but is unable to connect this time.

Ashlyn's rapier attack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15

Owlbear's turn
The owlbear turns to flee deeper into the cave, whimpering as it escapes your torchlight.

Withdraw action

You're turn for round 4 unless you do not wish to pursue.

Sa'sori holds no malice for a beast that was just as likely 'as it saw it', defending its home, but.. there was magic at the entrance to the cave.. not something the Owlbear could do.

Sa'sori stows her bow and picks up her curve blade... moving to her friends... concern in her voice, "Were either of you injured.. even a scratch? Owlbears are not clean creatures, slashes from their claws can cause nasty infections...!"

Elvar pulls you in close giving you a soft kiss. "No love, the armor you bought me was perfect."

Ashlyn with a bit of annoyance is cleaning her rapier, chiming in, "A good thing too, since you wouldn't swing you're sword even once."

Elvar blushes a little at the chiding, but offers no excuse.

Sa'sori smiles, at them both...

"That Owlbear might be someone's animal companion.. someone put that magic at the entrance to this cave... a druid maybe? Not sure... but Owlbears are of the hide an pounce quality so we need to stay on our toes. I'm trying to conserve my magic... sorry for the sucky arrow shot... still getting use to this crummy bow... my bow was stolen from me by those damned Razmirans! Let's continue... left again!"

Sa'sori will recover her arrow if possible, she will sketch out the new corridors of the cave system in her map-making kit to plot their travel thus far.

Then she will cast Detect Magic and continue concentrating on the spell as they continue forward... trusting the Red Wing on her shoulder to warn of danger. If she detects magic she will calla hold to try to examine it before the party walks into it.

Moving forward it isn't long before you come across the owlbear again, shivering and cowering, licking it's wounds. When it spots you it tries to scamper further into the cave, but it is just too large to fit any further. There are a few other paths besides the one it is blocking.

Sa'sori turns to look at the side passage to their left and behind them gesturing to Ashelyn to indicate they should search that as well.

"Evlar don't approach it.. keep your distance from the Owlbear but watch our back while we check out this side passage real quick."

Since she has already called up her dancing lights.. they have a duration.. she will send two of the globes into the side passage behind them... concentrating on her detect magic spell all the while moving to get a closer look into now illuminated area...

She will gesture Ashlyn to take point...

The snakelike grubs that were taking refuge from your light on this side of the cavern are now scattering from the new light to the south side of the passage.

Sa'sori ponders if this room contains dangerous swarm? she has no mundane means of dealing with a swarm... she is not as prepared as she had hoped.. even though a relatively short while ago.. she had been~ truly the Razmiran's had MUCH to repay her for stifling her adventuring career.

She scans the chamber seeing nothing of value or magic she turns back to Ashlyn and asks, "Do you have any alchemists fire or even a simple flask of lamp oil?"

"I have a single vial of Alchemist's ice, but I'm trying to save it for an emergency." Ashlyn replies honestly.

"No problem.. save it. Let's go."

Sa'sori turns to leave the side chamber alone.. returning to Evlar...

"Ok.. slowly now ..let's skirt the Owlbear's corner of the room to the northeast portion of the cavern.."

You skirt the room, the owlbear watching your cautiously, Ashlyn doing the same to it as she brings up the rear.

Sa'sori sends her floating motes of dancing light, three of them forward to illuminate more of the rooms.. the fourth... she moves to take a position 15 feet in front of the Owlbear to distract it and keep it 'hopefully' where it is either fearful or curious~ as they continue to search the chamber...

The owlbear seems to have little interest in continuing to harass you, the passages before you split off in several directions.

Sa'sori being of a prudent nature decides that a dogmatic adherence to a left only path is too close to the wounded Owlbear for comfort and decides to take the central passage leaving the room.

Pausing there to update her cavern map.. before nodding to Evlar to continue..

Sa'sori Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (13) + 9 = 22
Red Wing Perception: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (19) + 14 = 33

You can hear the sound of multiple voices speaking in a foreign tongue in the chamber to your right. Elvar whispers quietly, "Do you have any idea what language that is?" Which garners a confused look from Ashlyn who does not hear a thing.

Ashlyn's perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12
Elvar's perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 1 = 15

Sa'sori listens.. she speaks Elven, Common, Varisian and Draconic.. if it one of them.. though doubtful...

She will whisper to Evlar, "Plant you torch in the ground in the central passageway...", and she moves all her motes in there as well...gesturing for all to move to the right passage in hopes whoever is there has a light source that way the party's approach won't draw their attention by drawing attention with their light sources.

Elvar nods, laying the torch against the wall, careful to not let it go out.

Approaching, you do not see any lights coming form the chamber beyond.

Sa'sori mutters 'Damn! Darkland's creatures..., or dwarves...'

Pulling her friends close together she whispers, 'I think if there is a source to the children disappearing we have found a good lead... but we have limited options.. we cannot sneak in.. they can see we can't if we go in.. it should be with all our light and fast to disorient them with our sudden appearance. Any suggestions are alternate views on how we should do this?'

Elvar chimes in with his usuall innocence, "We could talk to them." Which is met quickly with an eye roll from Ashlyn who offers instead, "The passage is narrow, so it will be hard to get a flank, just like before. Maybe fire a few arrows and lead them back to somewhere we could flank them?"

Sa'sori smiles at Evlar and tenderly caresses his cheek in affection...

Turning to Ashlyn she says, "I like that! I'll, in darkness step to the edge then move a mote down into the room... take a shot at whoever is there..make sure they see me. Then I'll flee back down this narrow passage with you and Evlar hiding around the corners for them to come after me then we face them down with blades! You like?"

Ashlyn nods, and readies her weapon. Elvar reluctantly agrees adjusting his shield before taking his sword up again.

Sa'sori cast her shield spell.. leaning her elven curve blade against the wall where she will come back by easy to grab on her return.

Hefting her bow she will sneak down the passage in darkness...feeling the wall as she goes.. when she feels the area open up.. she will {move action} call one of her mote to come full speed into the room and she will shoot {Standard Action} the nearest target with her longbow...

Attack Longbow: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 4 + 1 = 10 {PB-Shot}

Damage Longbow: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3 {PB-Shot}

Entering the chamber, you see two sleek canines with coarse, tawny coats, pointed ears, and pale eyes. A faint blue nimbus seems to dance on its fur.

Ashlyn's initiative: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8
Dog's initiative: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17
Elvar's initiative: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (10) + 0 = 10
Sa'sori's initiative: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21

Surprise Round Order
Sa'sori

Round 1 Turn Order
Sa'sori, Dog, Elvar, Ashlyn.

Take your surprise round, then round 1 actions please.

Sa'sori having gotten their attention falls back down her corridor to Ashlyn's position dropping her bow and picking up her elven curve blade to await the dogs/gnolls{?} arrival... Blade readied to strike the first one that comes into reach...

Readied Action -Curve Blade: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18
Damage Curve Blade: 1d10 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

Dogs' turns
The dog you can still see suddenly teleports inches from your face, you bring your blade down hard, slashing the creature open. It continues it's assault biting at you.

The second dog suddenly appears behind Ashlyn, not seeing a route to Sa'sori, it seems content to nip at her instead, biting a huge chunk

1d2 ⇒ 1
Dog 1 bite vs Sa'sori: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17
dog 2 bite vs Ashlyn FF: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18
Ashlyn damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Elvar's turn
Elvar steps forward flanking with Ashlyn, swinging his cold iron longsword at the dog, though you notice he is holding back a lethal blow, which causes him to be unable to strike the creature.

Elvar's attack roll: 1d20 + 5 - 4 ⇒ (7) + 5 - 4 = 8

Ashlyn's turn
Taking advantage of her newly acquired flank, Ashlyn trusts her blade into the dog in front of her, hoping to focus fire and quickly turn her attention to the one gnawing at her leg. Her impressive blow shaking the creature.

Ashlyn's attack roll: 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 8 + 2 = 21
damage: 1d6 + 3 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 + 3 = 11
Ashlyn's intimidate: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24

Round 2 Order
Sa'sori, Dogs, Elvar, Ashlyn.

Your turn for a round 2 post.

Sa'sori is SHOCKED and exclaims, "What? They teleport!?!? Whao, Whao, Whao..Whao... stop fighting! Evlar, Ashlyn go total Defense... something's off here!"

Sa'sori shifts her stance to go total defense as well, moving to cover Ashlyn's flank regardless of any AoO she might provoke... and addresses the "dogs{?}"

"Whao, hang on there... YOU were the ones talking? I thought you were just guard dogs... from whoever was speaking and fled before I saw them.. I can't see in the dark. But YOU were talking weren't you? We were expecting some darklands brigands.. like orcs, hobgoblins, or darkstalkers. They ALL have darkvison.. but dogs do not! And your magical.. you teleport which says to me your some kind of outsider likely~ all outsiders have darkvison... what are you? You don't smell of brimstone and normal blade cuts you easily enough.. I don't think your hellhounds. Can you understand Common? Let's not have anymore bloodshed.. I don't want anybody dying on a mistake...! We're looking for mortal children who have gone missing... we think their in these caves... speak to me!"

Sa'sori's turn
Both dogs snap at you as you move past them to take your new position, but neither one can get through your defense. Neither dog seems to lift their aggression.

Dog 1's attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6
Dog 2's attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

Ashlyn's sense motives: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18
Elvar's sense motives: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (1) - 1 = 0

Dog's turn
The dog next to Sa'sori and Ashlyn suddenly vanishes and reappears in a flash behind Elvar in a flank biting at the boy, but is unable to pierce his armor. It does however provide enough of a distraction, for the other dog to nearly bite into him. Once it fails to hit him, the dog is quick to flash away and out of the flank, vanishing from sight.

Dog 2's attack w/flank: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 4 + 2 = 7
Dog 1's attack w/flank - shaken: 1d20 + 4 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (14) + 4 + 2 - 2 = 18

Elvar's turn
Elvar turns to face the beast behind him, lifting his shield defensively.

Ashlyn's turn
Ashlyn is quick to call out, "They don't understand us, and that bite hurt. I'm not just going to stand around!" She closes the distance between her and the dog facing Elvar and drives her rapier in, drawing blood from the uninjured dog.

Ashlyn's attack roll: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26
Critical confirmation: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9
damage: 1d6 + 3 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 + 3 = 10
free intimidate: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13

Round 3 Turn Order
Sa'sori, Dogs, Elvar, Ashlyn.

You're turn for round 3.

Sa'sori's Sense Motive: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14

Sa'sori grimaces, "They may not understand words but I'm sure they understand NOT stabbing at them anymore.. Evlar follow me.. they may not be our enemy... let's not be theirs. I'm sure our blades hurt them as well 'Ashe' and WE attacked first... without provocation! Just because a fight breaks out.. does not mean we HAVE to finish it. Fall back~ total defense."

Sa'sori disengages, moving into the room looking for another means of exit from the room... she moved her dancing lights in to illuminte the entire room and search for possible exits...

Sa'sori has watched the dogs vanish several times and ponders how it is being magically done...

Kno {Arcana}: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6

... and comes up completely blank on the matter.

Dog's turn
The dog in front of Ashlyn and Elvar takes a nip at her arm, as she grimaces in pain. Then the dog vanishes from view.

Dog 2's attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20
damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Elvar and Ashlyn's turns
Both Ashlyn and Elvar fall back to you taking total defense as none of the dogs remain in sight.

Round 4 Turn Order
Sa'sori, Dogs, Elvar, Ashlyn.

Sa'sori is definitely concerned about Ashlyn... and coming out of total defense pulls out her healer's kit and begins tending to her wounds...

"I'm SO sorry Ashlyn.. I should have listened to you Evlar.. I should have been more prepared too.. I could.. Should have purchased a scroll of Infernal Healing in their Druma market... then we at least would have had Some form of healing. My Bad...!"

Healing: 'Treat Injury' 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19

While she works she continues to ponder the magical dogs.. was it truly a teleport, or a dimension door effect... perhaps blinking?

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10

Dog's turn
One of the dogs teleport back into view where Ashlyn and Elvar were standing earlier, then rushes down the hall towards Ashlyn biting at her again, but she is easily able to dodge it.

Dog 2's attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

A second dog appears around the corner and speaks to the first in the language you guys do not speak.

Elvar's turn
Elvar steps forward but keeps his stance defensive.

Ashlyn's turn
Ashlyn appears very frustrated, and she really does want to strike, but she instead takes a defensive step away and guards herself.

Round 5 Turn Order
Sa'sori, Dogs, Elvar, Ashlyn.

Sa'sori smiles at Ashlyn, "Thank you, 'Ashe'!"

Then she holds her elven curve blade... and gentle moving Ashlyn and Evlar aside steps toward the dog and sets the weapon down at her feet, extending her hands open palm-up without weapon exposing her forearms and knells her eyes frightened expecting to get bit...

And she says one word clearly, "Sorry..." in elven...

Diplomcay: 'body language - surrender' 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27

Both dogs vanish from sight. Elvar speaks in a hopeful voice, "That seems like a good sign right?" He will keep total defense. Ashlyn does the same.

Round 6 Turn Order
Sa'sori, Dogs, Elvar, Ashlyn.

Without delay Sa'sori replies, "Good enough for our needs. Let's move... I don't want to waste any of the duration of my shield spell!"

Sa'sori picks up her elven curve blade...

"We'll come back and I'll scan all these caverns latter for magic but right now.. let's move out..."

She stands {Move action-Draw weapon as part of move action, she just picks it back up} cast's detect magic {Standard Action} and gives the room a cursory sweep of the detection cone and looking north to make sure there are no more exits from the chamber to the north.

Sa'sori's turn
You do not sense any magic to the north of your current location.

Dog's turn
One of the dog appears in the air next to Sa'sori, quickly taking a bite, but is unable to break her protection. A second dog attempts to appear suddenly yelping out as it's etherial form attempts to appear where Ashlyn is now, as he is shunted near Elvar. The dog quickly regains his footing and attempts to bite Elvar, but his attempt is equally easy to dismiss.

dog 1's attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6
random direction: 1d8 ⇒ 6
shunting damage: 1d6 ⇒ 3
dog 2's attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

A third dog, new to the group suddenly appears, a grey dog with a thick wirey beard of fur appears, and speaking in the common tongue calls out, "Enough! Leave my pack be or I shall bring down the full fury of my arcane skill against you!"

Elvar and Ashlyn's turns
Seeing the chance at diplomacy, Elvar will take total defense.
Ashlyn on the other hand sees a new threat, keeping her blade ready, she inches back ready to strike the nearest dog should it make a threatening move.

Ready action to strike if any enemy acts aggressively.

Round 7 Turn Order
Sa'sori, Dogs, Elvar, Ashlyn.

Sa'sori, stops.. Dropping the her Elven curve blade again, she speaks the the larger dog, "Oh.. Sorry please for give us! I am Sa'sori, We ..no.. I was foolish! We came into these cave seeking abducted human cubs.. but we ourselves are not much older than cubs ourselves... this cave is feared. We cannot see int he dark.. and when we heard your two pack members speaking we did not understand their words. I ...foolishly figured they were darkland's creatures.. like orcs or darkstalkers speaking hence.. no need for light. We sought to surprise them and when the we did found only..what we thought were common guard dogs... it never occurred to us they were the ones speaking.. and {sigh} .. I attacked~ thinking their masters had somehow saw my approach and fled. When your pack teleported.. I knew immediately I have attacked in error. I'm sorry. I am a Sorceress.. and I failed to identify what manner of creature you pack members were.. we have no desire to fight or kill anyone.. you can see we even spared the Owlbear in the southern room!"

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26

"A mistake! You see my pack as dogs, good for nothing but guarding your two legged kind? You are no simple fool Sorceress, you are evil! My pack bleeds because of you!" the Alpha's voice rings with fury, his every word enunciated. The pack behind him snapping jabs in their own foreign tongue, likely feeding off his rage.

Sa'sori continues, "We have never seen your kind before... I have never even own a pet dog... I though perhaps they might have been trained goblins dogs! I am only 22 winters old.. I'm not a very knowledgeable of the arcane yet, and if I were evil why does the Owlbear still live... we walked past him and let it live even after it attacked us without provocation.. it was just hungry or protecting its lair to be sure. It was I who told my companions to stop attacking! We are sorry about the harm inflicted upon your pack ...we have no healer or cleric to cure injuries or we would redress it!"

I honestly don't think Sa'sori can roll higher that I have on a diplomacy roll... DC25 IS Hostile... so it must have a serious charisma modifier.

The alpha lets a toothy grin take his face as he speaks the foreign tongue to his pack seeming to calm them down some. "You claim this is all a misunderstanding, that you would repay the blood of my tribe were you able. Then I would put that claim to the test. Come follow me." Both of the injured pack dogs teleport away, as the Alpha motions the path to his right and beings to walk, leading you away.

Elvar sheathes his blade content to follow the Alpha, Ashlyn on the other hand gives you a worried look. "Are you sure about this?"

Sa'sori pauses for a moment... her expression one of determination...

"The Alpha has 'questioned' MY Honor and MY Courage... I don't take that lightly! I'll follow... and besides... those children NEED us... a little risk is worth their lives and safety right?!"

Sa'sori picks up her curve blade slowly and sheaths it across her back... she will gesture to Evlar to retrieve her dropped longbow in the passage of the fight as they move along... following the Alpha.

Elvar sheathes his sword and takes up your longbow handing it back to you, following after the Alpha.

The Alpha leads you down into a larger open cavern at the end of the path. Arcane runes stretch in a single line between two large chests. Each chest bears similar arcane writing on it's lid. The chests do not appear to be locked. There are a few bones of multiple types of creatures littering this room, and the stench of dried blood.

The alpha will turn to face you, "Choose, but be warned, the choice is not as simple as it appears."

Sa'sori will move forward and cast detect magic... examining both boxes from a distance first. Then she looks at the line of arcane script on the floor and on the chests...

Is the script Draconic.. as that is usually the language of magic...?

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16
Kno {Arcana}: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11

She then eyes the 'Dogs'.. trying to figure out what kind of creature they are...

Kno {Planes} 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23

Finally she looks at the bones on the floor... trying to determine what manner of creature have been killed in here... {hoping they are not human bones}...

Survival: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16

Speaking, "May I open the chests?"

The arcane script and both chests detect as magic.

Elvar and Ashlyn both keep their distance, recognizing magic when they see it and deferring to your expertise.

The Alpha nods at your question, "That is how you make your choice. Ask any questions you like. Take your time. This choice is more important than you imagine."

Sa'sori ponders the talking dog...

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20

"So... I can ask questions. Fine."

"If I choose either box.. will lives other than my own be at risk of being lost?"

"If I choose the wrong box.. will the lives of the children I'm seeking to rescue here be at risk of being lost?"

"If I choose one of the boxes will the lives of the children be saved?"

"Which box would you choose?"

"Which box would your pack choose?"

"Does either box contain something evil?"

"Which box should I choose to avoid the death of any living being as a result of my choice?"

"Is choosing to NOT choose a box a valid choice?"

Turning to Ashlyn and Evlar... "Do you have any questions you might like to have asked?"

Elvar will ask, "What is written on the floor?"

The dog pauses before answering, "This cave was home to an old and powerful wizard. He experimented on many animals here, and did horrible things to those of us that lived. As his fur grew white, he began to lose his control on us. He made a barrier of magic to trap what remained of his creations. One of these chests is suppose to contain the key. I have spent my many years trying to open them, without success. From my own study, I believe the key moves when the wrong box is chosen. Much pain is given to those that choose wrong. If the wrong box is chosen, you may close the box, the spell will reset and you may choose again. I have chosen many boxes, always unsuccessfully."

The alpha crosses the line of writing, his eyes illuminating red as he casts Read magic upon himself. "The floor reads:
'Your cage is locked eternal. All are born with the key, yet only a child keeps them. Few keep their key until their end of days.'"

Does that answer your questions to your satisfaction?

Sa'sori listens and nods, "Yes all but one.. what manner of beings are you and your pack?"

She turns to Evlar and Ashlyn... "Good question Evlar! Sound like a riddle to you? I'd off the top of my head say the answer was innocence... or~ virginity and we all know.. mine's been gone a looong time now. But I don't see how that matters to effectively a left or right choice? There something about 'looked eternal'... I'm sure I'm missing. Maybe potential or lifespan?"

"I do not know, the wizard only called us 'mutts'" The alpha answers.

The Alpha's eyes go wide, "A riddle! You do not believe it means an actual child? That explains..."

Sa'sori snaps her head to look at the Alpha, "...there is some connection, I'll bet, to the missing children... what does that explain to you? Do you know of the children we are seeking?"

"I took them, to free my pack. They have all failed." the Alpha answers flatly.

Sa'sori looks at the scattered bones and her eyes go wide in horror...

"..a-and it ... killed them all?"