GM Blake's Gallows of Madness Part 3 (Inactive)

Game Master Blake's Tiger

Status

Abyssia (-0 hp: 13/13 [14]; -2 STR & CON)

With the horrible monster defeated Abyssia takes her time and explores the flooded room, glad to be in water for a bit.

One of the casks that Abyssia comes across in her swim appears to have weathered the age well. It feels full of liquid. The maker's mark on the barrel suggests a fairly valuable vintage.

Abyssia swims it back to stairs "This one looks still intact, likely a nice vintage too."

Lydia and Fomalhaut finally catch up once she's finished counting out the mustard seeds she accidentally spilled in the kitchen, and looks over Takumi's scroll.

"I *think* I can do this one...."

CL check to use a scroll above my level, DC ??: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9

ability damage healed on success: 1d4 ⇒ 2

Faust goes to the point in the room where the blueprints indicate there should be more of the room. Secret passages, a staple in any haunted house!
________
Perception?: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15

Maria also looks for the passage and any traps that should be associated with said passage.

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

And then follows Dumont through, oblivious as usual to any dangers.

Abyssia nods in thanks to Maria and Takumi.

You regroup on the damp landing on the other side of the cellar. There Lydia is able to invoke the magic within Takumi's scroll and restore some of the damage wrought by the fiendish leech.

Faust and Maria examine the hidden door in the corner. Finding no traps obvious to their senses, they open the door and order Dumont through. However, it quickly becomes apparent that Dumont may not want to go through--at least not immediately.

A web of thick, pulsating goo covers the walls and part of the floor of this room. Dozens of misshapen, puffy heads and arms stick out from throbbing sacs attached to the vile substance, their mouths wailing and moaning, and their twitching claws reaching out blindly. Spiraling stairs lead down to a central two-foot-deep recess decorated with diabolical symbols.

The webs on the map are thick strands of demon's bile.

Lydia: The DC was 5. 1 + Caster Level for the scroll (4th for Spiritualists).

Status

Abyssia (-2 STR)

I knew it was amazingly low - but that's even lower than I expected!

@To whom it may concern: Would you like me to try it again?

I'll just live with the -2 str damage, is not a big deal at all.

Abyssia looks to her companions, "Looks dangerous down there. Everybody ready?"

"That looks terribly dangerous." Shalendra cats Mage Armor on herself.

"I have an idea it may be a terrible one, but it's an idea. What if we threw oil in and caught the webs on fire. It might clear out the way for us a bit."

K: check for webs, will fire clear these?: 1d20 ⇒ 7 +10 History, +6 all others.

You know from your experience with demon bile that it is resistant to fire and acid but susceptible to cold iron and positive energy (and holy water).

"Despite his sudden appreciation for life, Dumont will brave the first entry. Unless anyone objects, I will follow after several paces," Faust says. This is likely to hurt...
________
Idea for a custom item: Decanter of Endless Holy Water! Does it look like we could cut through it with cold iron weapons and move through at a decent pace?

Maria shares her information and pulls out a holy water. ”If you’ll keep your uh... susceptible ally back we can try to weaken it before heading through.”

Anyone else interested in a bit of holy water dousing before going in?

If the skeleton and half-undead stay back, she tosses a holy water in at a strand covered body to see what happens.

Ranged Touch + PBS: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 3 + 1 = 19 for Holy Water + PBS: 2d4 + 1 ⇒ (3, 2) + 1 = 6 and splash of 1 to all around the target.

Faust: Yes.

Maria douses the landing with holy water. The purple slime sizzles and recoils away from the landing. A few if the unconscious mites entrapped in the bile that get splattered writhe in pain but do not wake.

The 10' x 10' floor of the entry is clear of bile.

Maria knocks a cold iron arrow into her bow, ”anyone have any more? I’m out of those.”

Abyssia responds "Just one, but it seems like an expensive way to clear down, and I'd hate to be without whenever the demonic spider or whatever it is laid this web wakes up. If you think it's best though..."

Maria moves into the landing and looks at the effect of her holy water with a small smile. Finally pulling my weight down here a bit.

She looks at Abyssia, "I can't advise your course of action, I can only vouch for the results of my own. I'll proceed either way. This area must be cleansed. Demonic influence cannot be allowed to persist."

Lydia peers into the room with her third eye....

You begin to make your way carefully through the strands of demon bile with Dumont in the lead. Inside the chamber, you can see that there is a door sealed shut with a heavy curtain of the purple ichor across from your entrance. Suddenly, several of the mites in the room begin to squirm and burst from their cocoons of bile.

The three elves simultaneously give shouts of warning.

I am now going to go add 8 mites to the map and hope nobody is color blind.

Combat! Round 1. Bold may act.
Abyssia (-2 STR)
Shalendra (mage armor)
Infected Mites
Faust
Maria
Takumi
Lydia
Secret A
Secret B

Shalendra gives the evil eye to the red mite next to Faust.

-2 to AC for 7 rounds unless a DC 15 will or it's one round.

Hoping Shalendra's distraction workds Abyssia stabs twice at the red mite with her cold iron gladiuses.

stabbity: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24
damage: 1d6 ⇒ 2

other stab: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25
damage: 1d6 ⇒ 3

confirm 1?: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11
extra crit damage 1: 1d6 ⇒ 3

confirm 2?: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21
extra crit damage 2: 1d6 ⇒ 5

If it drops Abyssia will 5ft steep into it's square.

Shaledra curses the mite near Faust with the evil eye. Abyssia takes advantage of the mite's torpor and stabs him through the chest, and then she decapitates him. The mite below Lydia stabs at her ankles, giving her a bruise. The two mites flanking Dumont try to take him down, but their tiny blades do nothing but scuff his bones.

The mites around the periphery of the room open their eyes wide.

Faust, Lydia, Shalendra, and Takumi, Will save please. DC 10 vs. doom.

Takumi, please give me a second will save.

Combat! Round 1. Bold may act.
Abyssia (-2 STR)
Shalendra (mage armor)
Infected Mites
Faust
Maria
Takumi
Lydia
Secret A
Secret B

Faust takes a step down the hallway and tries to hack the mite before him with his scimitar, but only manages to strike the wall. "UGH! Dumont, step behind it and rip it up!"

Dumont shambles over and does as instructed with his bony claws.
________
Faust
Will Save (Undead Resistance), DC 10: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 4 + 2 = 8
+1 Scimitar (Doom) vs Dotted Red: 1d20 + 6 - 2 ⇒ (2) + 6 - 2 = 61d6 + 12 ⇒ (2) + 12 = 14 How embarrassing!

Dumont
Claw (Flank) vs Dotted Red: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 4 + 2 = 201d4 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4
Claw (Flank) vs Dotted Red: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 4 + 2 = 251d4 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7 Shown up by his own minion!

Maria hops back and fires a cold iron arrow at the diseased mite in front of her. She hollers, "lot's of mites, get in here!"

Will save vs mind-affecting: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17

Lydia stares down in annoyance at the (quite literally) little prick - after what she's just seen, they've never looked so pathetic. She sweeps down with her scythe like a broom sweeping so much lint.

masterwork scythe vs dotted green: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22
damage: 2d4 + 4 ⇒ (2, 3) + 4 = 9

If that's not enough, Fomalhaut swoops in and tries to finish the job.

slam vs dotted green: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15
damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5 plus -2 Strength penalty for 1 round

slam vs dotted green: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20
damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Startled by the first mite's gory death, the second mite ducks under Faust's swing only to stand just in time to have the back of his skull ripped open by Dumont's fleshless fingers.

Maria pierces the third mite through the heart with a cold iron arrow.

Lydia decapitates her assailant. In a flare of whatever emotion binds the shadow to the dhampir, Fomalhaut pounds the remains into a puddle on the ground.

If I understand the room description correctly, the stairs are a negligible obstacle as the grand total descent to the center of the room is 2 feet.

Combat! Round 1. Bold may act.
Abyssia (-2 STR)
Shalendra (mage armor) (save vs. doom pending)
Infected Mites
Faust (doom 10)
Maria
Takumi (save vs. doom pending; save vs. unknown pending)
Lydia (1 NL)
Secret A
Secret B

EDIT: And for the second time, I forgot to note Lydia's non-lethal damage from the mite's dagger strike.

will vs doom: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5
will vs mystery...: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24 Additional +2 if enchantment

Alright, I'd rather be shaken then whatever mystery thing is happening... :P

Takumi's gradually increasing dread as he makes his way through the manor finally gets the better of him, as the small mite's mystical ability shakes his to his core. But perhaps being focused on that helped him ignore a secondary mental attack that came his way.

Any way for Takumi to know what was cast on him?

He tries to ignore his heavily pounding heart as he pulls out another sheet of paper from within his pouch. He quickly crushes it into a ball and tosses it towards the yellow garbed mite downstairs. The ball of paper fuses into the ground, but what arises instead is a small stony humanoid figure which rumbles to the mite and swings it rock fist at it.

Spend 2 arcane reservoir to cast summon monster II, for small earth elemental

slam vs yellow, earth mastery, power attack: 1d20 + 8 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (17) + 8 + 1 - 2 = 24 dmg: 1d6 + 7 + 1 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 7 + 1 + 3 = 14

Summoned Small EE: AC:17 T:10 FF:17 | HP: 17/17 | elemental traits

Will Save: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18

To get it out of the way.

Unfortunately, Takumi, I pre-rolled perception and Takumi is unaware of the source of the effect so cannot attempt to identify it (beyond that it was malicious).

Takumi summons an earth elemental, which rises from the ground and pounds one of the mites into a similar puddle as the one Fomalhaut made.

There is a sudden and palpable sense of malice in the room as the purple strands of slime begin to writhe. The curtain of bile that blocked to doorway parts and the door opens to reveal three squat, hunched, and slimy demons with large claws, large fangs, and tiny, dull eyes. The first two rush into the room. One bypasses the skeletal servant to reach Faust and tries to bite him on the leg. The second demon stops in front of Dumont and chews on his femur but fails to accomplish much.

Then there is a loud sound of flatulence and the room fills with a heavy fog the color of vomit. The smell within the cloud threatens to summon your breakfasts from your bowels.

Fortunate to be outside the edge of the cloud, the hair on the back of Takumi's neck stands on end as a malign energy attempts and fails to grab hold of his senses.

No vision past 5 ft within the green circle. 20% miss chance to all attacks within 5 ft.

Red demon does provoke vs. Dumont.

Combat! Round 2. Bold may act.
Abyssia (-2 STR) (DC 13 fort vs. nausea)
Shalendra (mage armor)
Infected Mites
Faust (doom 9) (DC 13 fort vs. nausea)
Maria (DC 13 fort vs. nausea)
Takumi (doom 9)
Lydia (1 NL) (DC 13 fort vs. nausea/Fomalhaut, too, unless immune to poison or the nauseated condition)
Secret B
Dretch (red, blue, yellow)
Secret A

The fortitude save is vs. a poison effect.

fort save: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18

Abyssia does her best to hold down her lunch as she backs out of the room and horrible cloud.

Double Move

Fort Save DC 13: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20

K: Religion: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14

Maria quickly tucks her nose into the crook of her arm to avoid the stench, she starts mumbling that the demons are 'dretches' and lists off a chunk of typical traits for that kind of creature.

Shalendra not sure what she can do with the stink in front of her, loads her crossbow and waits to see something.

The blue-garbed mites head into the cloud, heedless of its poisonous effects, and pay for their boldness. You can hear two tiny voices choking and retching. The remaining yellow garbed-garbed mite engages with the earth elemental but cannot manage to make contact.

Combat! Round 2. Bold may act.
Abyssia (-2 STR)
Shalendra (mage armor)
Infected Mites (blue 4; blue dot 2)
Faust (doom 9) (DC 13 fort vs. nausea)
Maria
Takumi (doom 9)
Lydia (1 NL) (DC 13 fort vs. nausea/Fomalhaut, too, unless immune to poison or the nauseated condition)
Secret B
Dretch (red, blue, yellow)
Secret A

Just to clarify, the blue mite is standing on the web, i.e. same level as us, or on the ground floor, i.e. same level as the elemental?

With the ill-looking cloud in the way, Takumi has no idea what is happening inside or how he could help those trapped within. Instead, he pulls out his magical wand and sends a bolt after the mite pestering his elemental.

wand of MM, yellow dot: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

If that kills the mite...
With that pestersome creature taken out of its path, the lumbering elemental makes it way up the stairs into the cloud.

If the mite is still alive...
With one taken done, the elemental swings its tough fist back as its new opponent.
slam vs yellow dot, earth mastery, power attack: 1d20 + 8 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (5) + 8 + 1 - 2 = 12 dmg: 1d6 + 7 + 1 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 7 + 1 + 3 = 16

Summoned Small EE: AC:17 T:10 FF:17 | HP: 17/17 | elemental traits

"This one here Dumont!" Faust snaps as the Dretch comes entirely too close to him. He takes a step back as he taps his sword against his boots and it glows an ominous purple. "Our new hosts won't last for long!"
________
Faust
Fort, DC 13: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20

Dumont
AoO vs Red: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 91d4 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5
Claw vs Red: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 151d4 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4
Claw vs Red: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 131d4 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5
Faust: standard for legacy weapon, 5ft back. Dumont 5ft step, full-attack.

Concerned about the cloud and any lasting effects, Maria falls back to get a view of the battlefield. Worried about running across something surprising, she moves with extreme caution.

Standard for Total Defense, Move 20 ft. Current AC 19, Touch 17.

The blue mite is on the 'lower' level, but that's only a 2 ft depth.

Takumi staggers the mite engaged with the earth elemental. The elemental then adds to the pool of gore surrounding it. Dumont manages to rake one of his claws across the dretch's back, but the rubbery hide resists any damage.

Combat! Round 2. Bold may act.
Abyssia (-2 STR)
Shalendra (mage armor)
Infected Mites (blue 4; blue dot 2)
Faust (doom 9)
Maria
Takumi (doom 9)
Lydia (1 NL) (DC 13 fort vs. nausea/Fomalhaut, too, unless immune to poison or the nauseated condition)
Secret B
Dretch (red, blue, yellow)
Secret A

Since the elemental finished the mite, would like it to take a move action up the stairs.

Knowledge (Planes): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

Lydia (1 NL) (DC 13 fort vs. nausea/Fomalhaut, too, unless immune to poison or the nauseated condition)

Stupidly enough, no....

Fortitude save: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

"Gaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhh, the stench of the living at its most telling...!" Rasps Fomalhaut as his eye takes on a sickly green tinge, and his otherwise-nebulous features start to run like an endless and beginningless cascade of drippy paint or oily tears. Nevertheless, he advances alongside Lydia.

Fortitude save: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 1 = 15

Lydia manages to hold her breath and squint her eyes on short notice, enabling her to withstand the odious cloud. She calls the many lost souls in this bloodstained place to congregate around her as a metaphysical shield, then advances....

A flushed man in gaudy merchant's clothes steps into the doorway. He twirls one end of his greasy mustache. "So I see the heroes have arrived. Try not to make a mess when you die--I have great plans for your bodies. Oh, and thank you for letting me into your minds."

One of the dretch moves deeper into the cloud and finds Lydia a tasty target. It sinks is fangs into her knee and tries to tear away a mouthful of flesh. Fortunately, her magics and armor protect her from its groping claws.

The other two dretch pace eagerly outside the limit of the fog.

Suddenly, Abyssia feels a pain in her flank. Looking down, she finds one blade of a pair of shears embedded through her scales. When she raises her eyes, she notices Anilda standing between the barrels.

"He wants me to kill you, but I don't want to," the fey rambles now that she is revealed. "He'll hurt my baby if I don't do what he says. Maybe if I fix you, he won't want me to kill you anymore."

You're not certain that being fixed is going to be any better than dead.

Combat! Round 3. Bold may act.
Abyssia (-3 hp, -2 STR)
Shalendra (mage armor)
Infected Mites (blue 3; blue dot 1)
Faust (doom 8)(fort save vs. poison DC 13 or be nauseated)
Maria
Takumi (doom 8)
Lydia (1 NL, -4 hp) (shield 10) (fort save vs. poison DC 13 or be nauseated)
Fomalhaut (nauseated 3 rounds)
Merchant
Dretch (red, blue, yellow)
Anilda

Abyssia snarls at the fey, "I've got no time or patience for your madness."

before making a pair of strikes at her.

stabbity: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12
damage: 1d6 ⇒ 6

stabbity 2: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20
damage 2: 1d6 ⇒ 4

Maria moves up behind her ally's elemental to get a view. Seeing a target, she takes a shot with her bow. She looks at the rocky creature in front of her and comments, "I hope you can handle them if they come this way."

Late Edit, Attacking Blue enemy outside fog.

*looks at greasy mustache-guy* Wooow, 'Ron Jeremy meets the antagonist from the Ted movies, with notes of Wario and just a hint of underappreciated Disney villain Stromboli'. The stuff of low-level villain greatness.

Fortitude save: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 1 = 12 >_<

Lydia's good job with holding her breath is foiled when the dretch bite causes her to shout "Ouch!"...and in go the bilious vapors, urging she and Fomalhaut to both beat a hasty retreat.

Full withdrawal for both of us (I think we can still do that).