Eberron - Echoes of the Past (Inactive)

Game Master Dennis Harry

Taryn grits his teeth and tightens his grip on his large hammer.

it's so dark down here... what I wouldn't give for a starry night's sky right now, at least then I'd be able to see these blasted things... it was never this dark in Stormhome...

readying an action to attack the first enemy I see

Suppose it's better to hit 'em while they're on a ladder than on the ground. Carduus yanks his cloak away from his shield, bathing the passage ahead of him in white light.

Sharn - City of Towers - 998 YK - Fifteenth Day of Dravago - The Dig Site

The two Goblins shriek and both fall off of the ladder though they manage to roll with the impact, both are prone.

Surprise Round - Viorr, Carduus (acted), Taryn, Dev, Beylinda, Kaine, Jirrik, Double E - GO! ONLY Taryn and Viorr are in melee range ATM.

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10

CAn see no gobbos on the combat map, so not sure where to go.

Double E grabs his sword tight. "Please enter data about the situation. Location of the enemy required." Not knowing what really happened, he justs stays alert as m uch as he can.

The one who designed Warforged (in game, I mean, the NPC who invented them) sucks for not adding any special vision :P

Perception 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23

"Watch out above - something's stirring!"

As soon as the goblin falls into reach Taryn brings his heavy hammer around in an attempt to squash the creature before it can cause any trouble...
power attack vs prone: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12, for: 2d6 + 9 ⇒ (1, 3) + 9 = 13

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15

Following Taryn's lead, Kaine fires his bow at the other goblin.

Bow attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20
Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

Viorr follows Taryn's lead and stabs.
1d20 + 5 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 5 + 4 = 15
1d8 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10

I didn’t add +4 for it being prone, assuming the GM would handle that, but just to clarify: my attack roll was effectively 16 against its normal AC (or flat-footed AC I suppose since this is a surprise round).

Not liking his odds at fitting a ray between the others without hitting them AND managing to land the shot on the Goblin, Dev instead links his mind to the the closest Goblin's and finds it with fright.

Unearthly Terror. DC 14 or shaken for 2 rds.

Sharn - City of Towers - 998 YK - Fifteenth Day of Dravago - The Dig Site

Yes, the map would be confusing for this part of the scene so we're doing theater of the mind sorry, should have mentioned that.

Surprise Round

Jiri alerts the group to trouble from above. However, Taryn, Viorr, and Kaine have already reacted and attack the descending Goblins. One swing of the hammer and sword lay both Goblins low as their corpses fall to the floor dead before they even hit it.

Beylinda is about to charge for the ladder but pauses at Jiri's warning, "What exactly did you hear?"

Dev can change his action, EE and Carduus can go if they choose to. The only action at the moment seems to be to climb the ladder the Goblins fell from. Consider these surprise round actions still. It would be a double move to get up the ladder from any of your current positions.

Dev, you get your PP back, these bastards killed your target!

In a fraction of a second, two shapes fall to the ground. Double E doesn't see well in the darkness, but he suposes they're goblins. He looks carefully and notices a ladder. Well, he was told to stay at the rear, so that he will do. He waits for the rest to climb the ladder first.

Dev breaks the connection between his and the goblin's mind just before Taryn ends it, not wanting any of the feelings to make it into his own head.

"Well, damn! Up then! In case there's more getting away!" he says, impressed with the efficiency, but as ever thinking already about the next step.

"Well, damn! Up then! In case there's more getting away!"

Carduus angles his shield to shine light up the ladder with a grunt. "You first."

"Don't have to tell me twice, Rags!" Dev responds excitedly, stepping around the goblins moving towards the ladder.

Sharn - City of Towers - 998 YK - Fifteenth Day of Dravago - The Dig Site

Dev climbs the rungs. As he gets to the top, the light from below illuminates some of the room but the rest of the complex is pitch black. Rubble chokes the floor of this wide chamber, or at least it appears to be based on the high ceiling.

You are unable to determine anything more about it as a muscular, gray, smelly creature charges at you from the darkness swinging a battle axe at your head!

Surprise Round

As the creature charges into the light, all of you get a good look at it.

Initiative Round 1:
Dev & Kaine - GO!
The Foe
Viorr, Carduus, Beylinda, Taryn, Electric Eye, Kaine, and Jirrik

Note that only Dev is up the rungs. The rest of you may take a move action to get up there BUT you'll be subject to AoO's from the foe if you do so. If you have ranged weapons, you can strike at it from below but with the bad angle and high ground, he'll have a bit of cover.

A quite significant post #666, SS :P

Perception DC 15: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20
"Hey, get back here, whoever you are! And you, that's so rude...whatever YOU are!" Dev exclaims. He rolls to the side to make way for the others and give himself range to aim his shot, and then opens his mind fully, allowing all the built up power to manifest as a bolt of electricity!

Chaotic Surge: 1d4 ⇒ 4
expanding focus to pay for wild surge, +2 ML, chance of enervation doubles.
Enervation on a 1 (50% chance): 1d2 ⇒ 2Not Enervated.

Ranged Touch, Energy Bolt: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9+3 to hit if it's wearing metal
Damage: 4d6 ⇒ (5, 5, 4, 1) = 15

Sharn - City of Towers - 998 YK - Fifteenth Day of Dravago - The Dig Site

Kaine fires at the one threatening Dev.

Longbow Attack 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23
Longbow Damage 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

The arrow hits but the creature does not go down.

Dev's arc of energy just misses the figure!

The creature continues to run to and through the northeast passage. The one threatening him meanwhile, swings again.

This time the axe digs into Dev's right thigh. Take 4 damage!

Round 1 - Viorr, Carduus, Beylinda, Taryn, Electric Eye, Kaine, and Jirrik - GO!

Round 2
Dev & Kaine - GO!
The Foe
Viorr, Carduus, Beylinda, Taryn, Electric Eye, Kaine, and Jirrik

Resigning himself to being vulnerable as he climbs, Viorr scurries up the ladder as quickly as he can, then draw his double-blade.

Round 1

"Up ya go, you two!" Carduus barks, waving his shield at Taryn and Beylinda's backsides. C'mon - can't let these newcomers think we're lackin' in grit!

Once the way is clear, the medic advances and hauls himself up the rungs into the room, moving to keep his allies between himself and the enemy.

Carduus will wait his turn and move up after the two aforementioned party members. If any of them indicate they're not going up, he'll squeeze by them rather than wait for the rear to advance.

Taryn gives Carduus a nod then heads quickly up the ladder to face whatever lies beyond...

Jirrik hangs back, letting the heroes up the ladder first.

Delay until after everyone who's actually going up, then he will go up himself.

Double E is the last in line, so there's not much he can do until everyone else is up.

Sorry about vanishing, but I'm back!

Kaine takes another shot up at the creature if he can get enough of an angle to not strike his companions and then hurries up the ladder.

Longbow Attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15
Longbow Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

"Well that won't DO!" Dev retorts, hurling another bolt of lightning towards their foe, and standing up.

Chaotic Surge: 1d4 ⇒ 4 ML 4, paying 2 pp, getting 2 for free from surge:
Enervation, on a 1: 1d2 ⇒ 2 Not Enervated.

Attack, Ranged Touch: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21+2 if it's in metal armor
Damage, Electricity: 4d6 ⇒ (2, 5, 4, 6) = 17

Sharn - City of Towers - 998 YK - Fifteenth Day of Dravago - The Dig Site

Kaine fires up at the opponent hacking away at Dev, he strikes it on the thigh and it howls in pain but remains standing.

The party members begin streaming up the stairs like rats from a sewer, before the creature can play piñata with anyone's head, lightning lances out from Dev and cooks the creature where it stands.

Combat Over!

The creature is muscular, gray, smelly, and was wielding a well made axe.

With your torchlights giving illumination to the room, it seems to be an old level of ruins from who knows when. Rubble chokes the floor of this wide chamber and the mouths of the six tunnels leading off from it. Two hideous statues face you from opposite ends of the room, each representing emaciated humanoids with whiplike tentacles extending from their shoulders.

From this room, there are several ways to go, due north where the creature just fled. Two passages are open to the east and two to the west as well as one to the South.

Beylinda looks to Dev, "Was he the only guardian?"

Kn/Dng1: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16
Kn/Dng2: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12

"He sure was not," Dev replies, pointing to the north-eastern passage. "Tough to say, but I'd guess it, they, whatever it might have been, went that way. Shall we follow? Maybe we can find more of whatever they are!"

Dev's already transitioned back into excitement-mode.

Lost my edit, apparently...

Viorr nudges the corpse with the toe of his riding boot. "This is a Grimlock. Normally a dweller deep below. How close to Khyber has we descended?"

He glances about, abruptly feeling vulnerable with so many entrances.

Kn Dungeoneering 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14
Kn History 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21

"Estimated age of decoration: 5k years. Useful info: The creatures here represented are called Dolgaunts, a species synthesized from hobgoblin stock by a parent species called Daelkyr. Would you like to know more?"

Once the rest of the group has decided on an exit to use, Double E examines it to check for anything strange.

Perception 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6

Knowledge Dungeon: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25

Kaine stares in amazement at the statues, more impressed with their age than their bizarre forms. "Aye, these statues have stood here since the last days of the Dhakaani empire. Ages before the city that we know was born. I guess you could say it's parent city lived and died in the time of these statues. Remarkable!"

He reluctantly pulls himself away from the statues. "I agree, we should follow."

Kaine listens intently near the north passage.

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20

Dev tosses a glance at the statues, appreciating their quality and longevity, even if he can't say he prefers the medium.
"Lovely statues, indeed," he says, before quickly moving his attention to the passage.

"But it sounds like we're agreed. Shall we go before we're even more outpaced?"

Taryn nods unhappily. "I wish we had a little more certainty about which we they went," he answers, "I was kind of hoping one of you might spot some recent tracks while checking out the room. But, if this door is our best guess then let's make haste."

Without awaiting any affirmation, the muscular half-elf readies his large hammer and heads off, looking for signs of recent passage (or hiding threats) as he goes. "Carduus, stay close and keep me in the light."
perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23

The bandaged man hunches over and produces a chunky gurgling noise before spitting a foul glob of something onto the floor next to the grimlock's corpse. "Hold up, Elf-hammer - let me take a look." Tilting his shield downwards, Carduus quickly scans the stone floor around the party for any signs of recent egress.

Survival / Tracks: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22

Kn Dungeoneering 1d20+8

Kn History 1d20+8

" Would you like to know more?"

"That name...daelkyr...yes, Electric Eye, I would like to know more, while friend Carduus is searching."

Kn History to retrieve data about Daelkyr (because I as a player have zero knowledge) 1d20 + 8 + 1d6 ⇒ (15) + 8 + (3) = 26

On last post I forgot Inspiration is free for Knowledges!

Sharn - City of Towers - 998 YK - Fifteenth Day of Dravago - The Dig Site

Carduus is able to see several tracks in the dirt and dust of this chamber. Goblin and Grimlock tracks for sure and Kobolds likely. A few paw prints as well so the Goblins may have some wolves. The tracks show that this area is heavily trafficked and inhabited!

---

Electric Eye in the meantime espouses some of the History of Daelkyr, "The daelkyr are extraplanar creatures that are native to the realm of Xoriat. Daelkyr are said to look like extremely beautiful and shapely humans, but with a hint of madness in their eyes and chitinous armor covering their bodies.

The daelkyr attempted a planar invasion during the time of the Dhaakhani empire, releasing hordes of their aberrant creations into the material plane. It took an alliance between the goblinoids of the Dhaakhani empire and the orc druids of the Gatekeepers to repel the invading daelkyr, cutting off the plane of Xoriat from Eberron and sealing the remaining daelkyr and their servants within Khyber. Or so the Histories tell".

---

Dev heads to the area where the Grimlock fled and hovers, waiting for the others as does Beylnda, impatiently. The passage is 20' wide and runs at least 30' more but they see nothing else at the edge of their lights.

Double E will follow whoever enters the passage, since the directions of staying on the rear are still valid for him.

"This way, then?" Viorr poses to the rest as he heads toward the passage Dev and Beylinda are near.

"One way looks as bad as another. There's been so much foot traffic through here it's impossible to pick out which way the other one ran. We've got goblins, these 'grimlocks', some wolves, 'n most likely kobolds to boot.

"Whichever way we go looks like we're gonna find trouble sooner rather 'n later."

"Now THAT'S what I'm talking about!" Dev says, happy to hear Carduus' expectations that they'll soon be coming up to more action.

"We are trouble. They are gonna find us."

"Them finding us isn't a good thing..." Taryn points out while following close behind Dev, "we want to find them so that we can choose when and how to engage them, or at least have some element of surprise."

"Yes, yes, of course. Tactics, and all that. Very important. Shall we?" Dev replies, ready to depart.

Kaine has his bow at the ready. "Works for me, let's go."

Carduus trudges behind the quartet of Beylinda, Dev, Taryn, and Viorr as they advance along the passage, doing his best not to block the line of sight of the archers behind him.

Sharn - City of Towers - 998 YK - Fifteenth Day of Dravago - The Dig Site

The group heads up the hallway cautiously. It is rubble strewn and footing is a bit tricky, without light, this walk would be a sure fire way to sprain an ankle.

Kaine and Taryn notice something the others missed, there appears to be some sort of secret door in the corner of the hall to the right. The light source held by Beylinda reveals a part of the room due north, the irregular chamber is filled with dust and bones...

"Dum dum dum...now WHAT have we here?" Dev sings along to himself, looking into the room at the bones.
"SOMEBODY liked it so much down here, they stayed!"

BUMP!