M Human (Keleshite) Inquisitor 12 (Sanctified Slayer) [ HP 87/87 | AC 23(26)/FF16(19)/T17(20) | Fort +11(13), Ref +13(15), Will +14(16) | Init +13 | Perception +18(+45)
Considering that this is a deity of lies and deceit, Faeros will make a quick attempt to disable the altar and say a brief prayer to abadar before suggesting that the party continue through the door ahead.
M Human (Keleshite) Inquisitor 12 (Sanctified Slayer) [ HP 87/87 | AC 23(26)/FF16(19)/T17(20) | Fort +11(13), Ref +13(15), Will +14(16) | Init +13 | Perception +18(+45)
With that, Faeros cautiously moves to the door and inspects it. He is especially mindful of potential traps, based on the deceptive nature of Kro'akoth.
Faeros moves closer; he realizes as he approaches that the door out of this room open, showing a short hallway that leads to another door that also has bars coming across it.
However, as he moves through the room, the candles next to him glow brighter in illumination and begin to emit the odor of sulfur.
M Human (Keleshite) Inquisitor 12 (Sanctified Slayer) [ HP 87/87 | AC 23(26)/FF16(19)/T17(20) | Fort +11(13), Ref +13(15), Will +14(16) | Init +13 | Perception +18(+45)
Faeros detects alignments, and asks his allies Can someone detect magic? I think this may be a trap of some sort.
Yes... yes it is; unfortunately, it is now too late.
Faeros tries to detect for any evil auras... then asks his allies to aid. Artemus finds that the candles have a moderately powerful aura on them. At that point, though, the candles now glow brighter, then flare up into sheets of flame that sweep all across the room.
The tolling of a bell can be heard over the din of the exploding flame!
Artemus and Faeros, expecting something, both protect themselves, shielding their vitals from the worst of the blast. Nilfyr and Thunderstealer are not so lucky. Meanwhile, Belcher manages to avoid any ill effect from the intense heat!
10 damage to Faeros/Artemus; 21 to Thunderstealer and Nilfyr
The open door is unscathed by the flames.
Artemus can tell that the magic aura is dimmed, but still there.
3 rounds study, DC 28 Spellcraft:
The trap is obviously fire-based, using the candles. There seems to be a passkey to disable the trap, although you can tell that the alarm trigger can be stealthily bypassed, too, with some care. The trap will reset, but you are unsure of the duration.
Male Half-Elf Warpriest of Desna 12 [ HP 87/87 | AC 25/FF23/T14 | Fort +12, Ref +9, Will +15 (+2 vs. ench, immune to sleep) | Init +3 | Perception +22 ]
Nilfyr nods and casts a quick orison to detect any magical auras.
Male Half-Elf Warpriest of Desna 12 [ HP 87/87 | AC 25/FF23/T14 | Fort +12, Ref +9, Will +15 (+2 vs. ench, immune to sleep) | Init +3 | Perception +22 ]
Spellcraft:1d20 + 10 ⇒ (9) + 10 = 19
Nilfyr peers around the room as he pulls out a wand and taps himself with it as well.
M Human (Keleshite) Inquisitor 12 (Sanctified Slayer) [ HP 87/87 | AC 23(26)/FF16(19)/T17(20) | Fort +11(13), Ref +13(15), Will +14(16) | Init +13 | Perception +18(+45)
Faeros also uses his wand.
wand:2d8 + 2 ⇒ (1, 4) + 2 = 7 I suspect a prayer to that foul serpent trickster was the key to entering unharmed. Maybe this will matter if we have to leave and re-enter
Faeros moves into the hallway as he checks the area, including the next door.
perception:1d20 + 20 ⇒ (10) + 20 = 30
If it seems safe he will advise Thunderstealer and Nilfyr so that we may have an advantageous order when we open it.
Male Half-Elf Warpriest of Desna 12 [ HP 87/87 | AC 25/FF23/T14 | Fort +12, Ref +9, Will +15 (+2 vs. ench, immune to sleep) | Init +3 | Perception +22 ]
Nilfyr moves forward and attempts to budge the door.
Nilfyr realizes that he doesn't have the strength to break down whatever is on the other side!
Thunderstealer can do it; although he'd need a Nat 20. I'd allow a Take 20 on this if you want to do so. Otherwise, he can roll... or a brilliant new idea could be struck up!
Between Thunderstealer and Belcher, they break down the door, shattering bars that were placed behind it.
As soon as the door opens, a rank odor, like a burned corpse was left out in the sun for a week, rushes out. The room is an irregular octagon, and stone and wood barricades have been built in front of the doors on the south and west walls. It appears the walls were once covered with
frescoes, but these have all been smashed, leaving rough walls and jagged debris.
Six troglodytes lurk behind barricades, javelins armed! Seeing Belcher, they hurl their weapons at him without any warning or other provocation!
These troglodytes aren't like the others you have come across. These ones seem to have been corrupted, taking on fiendish properties including resistances, minor spell resistance, and the ability to smite evil. Oddly, they don't seem to smell as bad as the others.
The barricade provides cover from not adjacent to the barricade, or partial cover to something that is adjacent.
M Human (Keleshite) Inquisitor 12 (Sanctified Slayer) [ HP 87/87 | AC 23(26)/FF16(19)/T17(20) | Fort +11(13), Ref +13(15), Will +14(16) | Init +13 | Perception +18(+45)
Faeros casts Divine Favor, Studies yellow, and moves into the room.
Male Half-Elf Warpriest of Desna 12 [ HP 87/87 | AC 25/FF23/T14 | Fort +12, Ref +9, Will +15 (+2 vs. ench, immune to sleep) | Init +3 | Perception +22 ]
Nilfyr moves into the room as well, standing on guard with his fauchard and casting a quickened spell on himself.
Full-round action: Double move, as indicated on map Swift action: Cast divine favor (Fervor, 1/3 used)
As Nilfyr waits in the center for the troglodytes to swarm him as Faeros prepares for a devastating attack next round.
Two of the troglodytes point at Nilfyr and instead of charging, he almost feels like they just brought the wrath of their demon god upon him as javelins are hurled once more!
Male Human Arcanist (Occult) 12 [ HP 89/79 | AC 17/21/FF14/T14/18 | Fort +10, Ref +11, Will +12 | Init +5 | Perception +25
Art moves in and hastes the party. These troglodytes aren't like the others we have come across. These seem to have been corrupted, taking on fiendish properties including resistances, minor spell resistance, and the ability to smite evil. Oddly, they don't seem to smell as bad as the others. Oh and they are trying to smite Nilfyr.
Thunderstealer is given a severe would that cuts from his shoulder into his chest!
I assumed you at least barkskinned yourself and Belcher, and possibly the others as well. Please let me know who you barkskinned!
The blue-scaled trog points at Nilfyr and hurls a javelin at him!
I assumed you at least barkskinned yourself and Belcher, and possibly the others as well. Please let me know who you barkskinned!
Barkskin on Nylfir, Belcher and Thunderstealer. Need a 2nd level slot for Reduce Animal. Lasts 10 minutes per level, so 70 minutes. We've not been here that long have we?
Male Half-Elf Warpriest of Desna 12 [ HP 87/87 | AC 25/FF23/T14 | Fort +12, Ref +9, Will +15 (+2 vs. ench, immune to sleep) | Init +3 | Perception +22 ]
Nilfyr sighs and steps forward to work his way through the fiendish troglodytes.
Not an action: 5' step, as indicated on map Standard action: Trip orange trog Trip (+1 Adamantine Fauchard (2H), Greater Trip, Gauntlets of the Skilled Maneuver (Trip), Divine Favor):1d20 + 11 + 4 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 11 + 4 + 2 + 2 = 26
M Human (Keleshite) Inquisitor 12 (Sanctified Slayer) [ HP 87/87 | AC 23(26)/FF16(19)/T17(20) | Fort +11(13), Ref +13(15), Will +14(16) | Init +13 | Perception +18(+45)
Faeros calls down a bane upon the troglodytes and unleashes a stream of arrows, starting on yellow and continues onto blue if yellow falls with remaining attacks to be made.
If yellow falls, the remaining attacks will lose 2 to hit and damage.
Nilfyr fells two trogs, while Faeros gets the hat trick, ending three of the beastmen. The last one doesn't stand up to Artemus, Belcher, and Thunderstealer.
Calling combat since the last trog can't eat 8+ attacks
While the trogs do not carry any coins, each one has an exceptionally made, masterwork quality falchion 6 of those for loot purposes :). Each also has an amulet with the head of a flaming serpent on it.
DC 20 Kn: Religion:
The flaming serpent head is the unholy symbol of Kro'akoth.
M Human (Keleshite) Inquisitor 12 (Sanctified Slayer) [ HP 87/87 | AC 23(26)/FF16(19)/T17(20) | Fort +11(13), Ref +13(15), Will +14(16) | Init +13 | Perception +18(+45)
Very well
Faeros quickly scans for signs of danger/traps as he moves through the door.
We'll say 4 more rounds of haste after the quick analysis and Kn: Religion
In the center of the room is a fire pit with a sizable blaze crackling away. On either side are two tables with four chairs each. The remains of several small subterranean creatures—mostly rats and lizards—cover the tables. It seems they were being eaten raw. Along the walls are several barrels, one of which is full of javelins. There are doors to the east,
west, and north.
Everyone in the party notices a smouldering skull in the firepit. However, Nilfyr and Faeros also spot that it's connected to more bones with a strange 'rattle' made of several iron rings.
DC 22 Kn: Arcana:
The thing in the center is a necrophidius, a construct made up of human bones. It can do a dance that can daze targets and its bite is paralytic.
SURPRISE ROUND (1 standard action only without a class ability/item to fix that)
Init Order (bold = up)
Necrophidius
Nilfyr
Faeros
Artemus
Thunderstealer/Belcher
I know that's not the icon for a necrophidius, but on a time crunch. Will fix later.
M Human (Keleshite) Inquisitor 12 (Sanctified Slayer) [ HP 87/87 | AC 23(26)/FF16(19)/T17(20) | Fort +11(13), Ref +13(15), Will +14(16) | Init +13 | Perception +18(+45)
Faeros studies the creature before firing a single arrow.
arcana:1d20 + 5 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 5 + 3 + 2 = 15 I'm not sure what strengths and weaknesses this creature has.
(same modifiers as before minus bane and rapid shot)
attack:1d20 + 16 ⇒ (1) + 16 = 171d8 + 13 ⇒ (4) + 13 = 17
Even with the firepit in the way, Thunderstealer smashes down his blade upon the necrophidius, which almost hisses as its damaged bones begin to rattle.
Faeros returns fire, but the arrow clangs off of the damaged firepit edge.
SURPRISE ROUND (1 standard action only without a class ability/item to fix that)
Init Order (bold = up)
Necrophidius
Nilfyr
Faeros
Artemus
Thunderstealer/Belcher
I'll give Nilfyr/Art until the end of my work day, then botting and continuing.
Male Half-Elf Warpriest of Desna 12 [ HP 87/87 | AC 25/FF23/T14 | Fort +12, Ref +9, Will +15 (+2 vs. ench, immune to sleep) | Init +3 | Perception +22 ]
Sorry all for being absent this week; work has been...interesting.
Nilfyr steps into the doorway and swings his fauchard at the construct.
Not an action: 5' step, as indicated on map Standard action: Attack necrophidius Attack (+1 Adamantine Fauchard (2H), Power Attack (Furious Focus), Divine Favor, Haste):1d20 + 11 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 11 + 2 + 1 = 32 Damage (+1 Adamantine Fauchard (2H), Power Attack, Divine Favor):1d10 + 7 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 7 + 6 + 2 = 22
Male Human Arcanist (Occult) 12 [ HP 89/79 | AC 17/21/FF14/T14/18 | Fort +10, Ref +11, Will +12 | Init +5 | Perception +25
Nicely handled. I am back from my con weekend. We were at a 4H center south of Birmingham AL. No cell signal and no wifi. Strange these days to go 4 days cut off from the world.
Seeing the creature go down Art casts Detect Magic and steps forward to survey the room.
Welcome back! And any battle is a good battle when the wizard doesn't have to do anything :)
@Artemus: There is a single magical aura resonating from the tail of the necrophidius. Upon closer inspection, you can tell that its 'rattle' is made up of several iron links, but one of them is actually a bronze ring!
DC 17 Spellcraft w/ Detect Magic:
It's a ring of fire resistance (10)
Taking the time to identify the ring will basically negate there rest of the haste. This is ok though, given the below text :)
Thunderstealer opens the next door, and the stink of troglodyte is prevalent. The chamber is devoid of furniture other than makeshift bedding of straw, broken leather sacks, and rotten wood. The room looks like it would sleep twelve.
There is a dark opening on the south wall. Not seeing anything of danger, the party looks into the opening and quickly turn their heads as the ungodly scent of troglodyte waste overpowers the senses. A quick scan with a nose closed tightly confirms that there is nothing of value in the chamber.
Returning back to the necrophidius room, the party gathers its bearings and opens the next door; a hallway turns to the right and closer inspection reveals two doors against the eastern upper wall before turning a corner.
