"The Folding Boat may be of use to us first. I've read things in the Chronicles about creative uses for such things, mainly as battlefield control..."
To Ilzinian, "Indeed. I think that we're resting now. I'm already low on arcane might and we didn't get far in there. Tomorrow lend us your ability and we'll see this mission through sir."
Yeah, this map is pretty strange to represent the Labyrinth aspect. I put a red arrow for the entrance to the Labyrinth from the current room.
After resting for a day, you venture back down. The stonework changes dramatically here, as large blocks of dull gray stone abruptly give way to smooth, highly polished black marble. Though the marble is seamless and unadorned, shadows skitter across its surface—moving faster when viewed out of the corner of the eye. These ephemeral shapes and spectral wisps occasionally take on vague humanoid forms with horror-stricken faces. Somewhere in the distance, a low growling sound echoes from deeper within the tomb.
You can roll either a Survival check or a Knowledge (dungeoneering) check to navigate. You cannot take 10 or 20 on this check, but you can use the aid another action to assist the one rolling the skill check.
Additionally each person who succeeds at a DC 21 Knowledge (planes) or Knowledge (arcana) check provides a +2 bonus on the skill check to navigate the labyrinth.
"this architecture is fascinating! I could study this for years and never fully appreciate it." Druthane is completely absorbed by his writing, not really looking up to help navigate. Arcana:1d20 + 15 ⇒ (3) + 15 = 18
Miner HP: 2/17 (20 Max) | AC 22 | T 12 | FF 20 | Fort +4 | Ref +5 | Will +2 | CMD 20 | Init +3 | Perception +2 | Sense Motive +2 | Climb +9 | Swim +9
Active Buffs:
1 Negative Level
Resources:
Rage: 1/2
Sam is absolutely no help for this! :(
Sam wanders around with the group as they try to deduce the labyrinth, but the ex-miner just feels lost in this area. "Do *cough* we know where we *cough* are?" he asks.
Luckily Druthane has a particular knack at navigating the shifting corridors and you only spend two frustrating hours stumbling about until you find another room.
This chamber resembles a lord’s banquet hall, complete with a fireplace and a long oak dining table. Dozens of ghostly entities fill the chamber. A score of lords and ladies are seated at the table enjoying a feast, a group of minstrels play lively music in one corner, and more revelers dance and cavort in an open area to the south. Eventually one of them moves over to introduce himself.
DC 13 Knowledge (religion):
These mostly seem like harmless spirits, but something tells you this ghostly reveler approaching you is only the start to a really haunting experience....
You recognize it as a haunt. If you beat a 10 in initiative, you can take a surprise round action (move or standard).
Apologies for my absence. What was supposed to be a three-day weekend for me turned into a one-day weekend (tomorrow).
Knowledge (Religion):1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6
"Now this is more like it! If we weren't on a mission, this would be a fine time for meat and drink!" Sündr's grin slides a bit as her brow furrow. "That is, if the food wasn't ghostly too... ah, yes, hello there! I am Sündr-dögünn the Spinner, and these are my traveling companions." Sündr bows to the ghost.
"Why do you-" Ilzinian starts to answer Druthane but he is cut off by the revelers suddenly seeking all of you out to join the dance.
Everyone: DC 17 Will save or you are immediately caught up in a whirling dance as your ghostly partner spins you wildly about the chamber for 1 minute.
The dance forces affected victims to use a move action to move their full speed each round, but they can select their paths and take standard, swift, immediate, and free actions as normal.
Male Human (Taldan) Fighter (Archer) [8.1] | HP 60/60 | AC 24 T 17 FF 18 | CMB +10 CMD 27 | F+8 R+10 W+4 | Perc +3 | Init +8 | Acro/Climb/Swim/Escape +11 | SM +5 | Survival +4 | Ling +8 **Arrows : Durable Adamantine unless otherwise stated**
Will:1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23That's a surprise.
What is this nonsense? Get back! Jaysin elects to fire off his ghost-salted arrows once more! He chooses the one closest to himself first. Depending on where people move there might be cover.
"Hmm, I don't think I know this one..." Sündr begins to watch the dance steps with care. She stops quite suddenly. "Hey!"
Do they look fleshy (corporeal)? I'm guessing not. But:
If Not:
Sündr quickly draws her greataxe and applies another oil to it.
If Yes:
Sündr draws her greataxe and steps forward in one fluid motion, the heavy steel head arcing gracefully toward one of the unexpected attackers. Greataxe @ South:1d20 + 8 - 1 ⇒ (16) + 8 - 1 = 23 for Damage:1d12 + 6 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 6 + 3 + 1 = 20
Miner HP: 2/17 (20 Max) | AC 22 | T 12 | FF 20 | Fort +4 | Ref +5 | Will +2 | CMD 20 | Init +3 | Perception +2 | Sense Motive +2 | Climb +9 | Swim +9
Active Buffs:
1 Negative Level
Resources:
Rage: 1/2
Will Save:1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16
Sam begins to spin around the room, holding up his shield in a defensive stance as he is pushed around, aided by the Crane Style that he picked up in training at a monastery in the River Kingdoms.
Will haunt:1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21 Will v. Fear:1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10
Druthane's will resists the danse macabre, but the hit chills him to the bone. Nevertheless he brings blade to bear.
Swift action to enter Kirin Style
Religion to ID:1d20 + 12 ⇒ (8) + 12 = 20
Once in the erudite stance, he puts some of his arcane power in the blade...
Downward slice:1d20 + 9 - 2 - 2 ⇒ (15) + 9 - 2 - 2 = 20 for DMG:1d8 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5Adding element based on ID:2d6 ⇒ (1, 4) = 5
As he swings his blade, he finishes the words of magic to make him harder to hit.
Concentration:1d20 + 6 + 4 - 2 ⇒ (9) + 6 + 4 - 2 = 17 and instantly he breaks into Mirror Images:1d4 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3
Adishrii is not able to prevent the manifestation of the haunt.
Despite his arrows not being fully effect, Jaysin easily takes down one of the undead. Sundr and Druthane then quickly take care of the other before anything gets out of hand. As the undead fall, they coalesce into a glowing orb of green fluid.
DC 19 Knowledge (arcana):
This fluid, if refined, could be used to fight against incorporeal creatures. However, the refinement requires reagents and tools that no one is currently carrying.
Out of combat! Wow, that was fast and easy compared to the first two encounters. I had to triple-check that I wasn't missing anything but I guess they were assuming a couple people would fail against the haunt and not be able to participate so they made the encounter easier.
Mounted over the fireplace is a +2 ghost touch longsword.
Male Human (Taldan) Fighter (Archer) [8.1] | HP 60/60 | AC 24 T 17 FF 18 | CMB +10 CMD 27 | F+8 R+10 W+4 | Perc +3 | Init +8 | Acro/Climb/Swim/Escape +11 | SM +5 | Survival +4 | Ling +8 **Arrows : Durable Adamantine unless otherwise stated**
Nice sword. Any of you able to make use of it? Jaysin does carry a sword but it might as well be for ceremonial use at best. And what of this glowing orb of goo? Jaysin then goes to collect his arrows.
Arcana:1d20 + 15 ⇒ (1) + 15 = 16 Druthane eyes the goops without giving it proper due.
"That is a very nice sword, and considering the denizens within, I HIGHLY suggest we use it. Who is best with a longsword? I can, but I'm more comfortable with Naishinto."
@Jaysin: I think it's that piercing doesn't beat DR.
"Neat!" Sündr studies the goop with intense curiosity. "I think I might of heard about this stuff! If processed correctly by an alchemist, it has uses in dealing with ghosts." She procures an acid flask, dumps it out in a corner, and scoops up the muck as best she can. She turns her attention to the longsword.
"And this is a beauty! I am fond of spinning my axe, but maybe this a better tool for this job. Unless you want to trade out that wicked sabre?" The Ulfen smiles at Adishrii and proffers the sword.
I will happily use it unless Adishrii would like to claim it.
Out from this room you just reenter the Labyrinth...
You can roll either a Survival check or a Knowledge (dungeoneering) check to navigate. You cannot take 10 or 20 on this check, but you can use the aid another action to assist the one rolling the skill check. Additionally each person who succeeds at a DC 21 Knowledge (planes) or Knowledge (arcana) check provides a +2 bonus on the skill check to navigate the labyrinth.
Also, you might want to review the briefing quickly. Nothing major, just a curiosity.
Miner HP: 2/17 (20 Max) | AC 22 | T 12 | FF 20 | Fort +4 | Ref +5 | Will +2 | CMD 20 | Init +3 | Perception +2 | Sense Motive +2 | Climb +9 | Swim +9
Active Buffs:
1 Negative Level
Resources:
Rage: 1/2
"No one *cough* said that it came from ghosts!" Sam says, shying away from the orb. "At least, *cough* we have Venture-Captain Bennary's folding boat." he remarks.
Sam keeps his distance from the front, wary of drawing the first attack again, but he easily keeps up with the group.
"I'll treat it with honor!" the Ulfen grins, white teeth shining in the dim light. She stows the sword for now. "Say, Ilzinian, you know anything about this orb goop?"
Agent of the God (4) AC20(T14,FF18) CMD21| HP 27/35| F +9 R +6W +8 | Init +2, Perc +9, Sense Motive +7 |
Dungeoneering (aid DD10):1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22
Adishrii tries to help Druthane navigating the maze.
Is somebody able to make a map of this maze ? I would prefer to not be lost again once we return to the top.
And remember, we need to find the Orb of the Stars within one day we can't delay more. Once we get it, we will have two weeks.
"I'll treat it with honor!" the Ulfen grins, white teeth shining in the dim light. She stows the sword for now. "Say, Ilzinian, you know anything about this orb goop?"
Ilzinian shakes his head and shrugs.
Luckily with Druthane in the lead and input from everyone else, it again only takes another two hours to find the next room. Really, that's pretty good. If you get 10 or less you are lost for a whole day.
This chamber is furnished to resemble the parlor of an upscale brothel, but it is covered in a thin layer of dust. Shelves holding various trinkets, ships in bottles, and decorative glassware line the walls. A table and three large chairs, all made of fine mahogany, sit in the southern end of the room. Garlands of dried flowers surround a fancy ceramic urn on the table. To the north, a short flight of stone steps extend to a raised area obscured by an emerald-colored lace curtain. Bronze statues of women in sailor’s garb with hollow eye sockets stand at the base of the dais. Each of the statues is covered in a green patina. Sad, brooding music fills the chamber, emanating from a quartet of ghostly musical instruments that float several feet off the floor.
DC 20 Perform (musical instrument or singing) Knowledge (local):
You recognize the melancholic old tune being played by the
ghostly instruments.
DC 16 Knowledge (arcana) or Knowledge (religion):
The statues in this room are actually constructs known as celedons, these ones serving the goddess Besmara. You also recognize that the hollow eye sockets are a sign that something is severely wrong with these celedons and suspects that they may be nearing a crisis of faith. You recall that celedons explode if they abandon their faith, leaving behind a mindless husk. Currently they are not moving or showing any signs of hostility though.
"Ilzinian how far did you get in this maze anyway?"
Local:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11 and I can't fail the Arcana check.
"The music is macabre. Be ware though. Those are celedons, serving the goddess Besmara. The hollow eye sockets are a sign that something is severely wrong with these, and they may be nearing a crisis of faith. I once read that celedons explode if they abandon their faith, leaving behind a mindless husk. Not sure if these have come so far though."
"Normally I'd be tempted to push their faith, but this place has been hard on us, and haunted as all get out. I suggest we play nice here, though by all means we should explore."
Sam listens to the instruments, but his time in the mines and the over-protectiveness of his father leave him a bit unsure of their purpose.
As Druthane explains the sadness of the celedons, Sam feels bad. He approaches the statues and bows to them. "You should *cough* not lose faith. *cough*" he implores them.
"I'm sure that *cough* Besmara has a purpose for you and that you will fulfill it with glory!" he says.
