GM Kyshkumen's Carrion Hill

Game Master Kyshkumen

After Vincent casts his spell, Vyk steps boldly toward the noise and into An immense cavern, its floor an uneven jumble of loose stone and fungus, its ceiling rising like a church cathedral to a height of nearly a hundred feet above. Glowing fungus grows thick on the walls, bathing the cavern in ugly hues of purple and pale blue. Toppled pillars and mounds of rubble dot the western half of the cave, while to the east a mound of fungus, bones, and rubble rises. At the mound’s apex squats a flat-topped altar stone, with towering barren trees rising on three sides, their leafless branches twisted and groping toward the ceiling above as if in search for a sun’s warmth they shall
never feel. A trickle of what appears to be sludge runs thickly
and slowly from a hollow under the altar stone to gather to
the northwest of the hill in a swampy pool. Four cave passages branch off from the cavern, but only the one to the southeast has not been blocked by a series of relatively new-looking iron bars. A swath of black slime and round footprints winds from the wide passageway to the southwest up to the southern bank of the pool of sludge.

Vyk Tyr looks around in an attempt to find what he thought he heard, but only Vincent is able to noise the movement from behind the closet tree. Unfortunately he is not quick enough to shout out a warning before the creature charges out of the darkness at Vyk.

Surprise round

Charge vs Vyk +2 to attack vs FF AC

Bite: 1d20 + 10 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 10 + 2 = 27
Damage: 4d6 + 3 ⇒ (1, 3, 1, 3) + 3 = 11

Need a DC 13 fort save or paralyzed for 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4 rounds. Also need an additional fort save against something for later. Vincent is up in the surprise round.

You got it, chief. HP 27/38

Fort. Save 1: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19

Vyk grunts in pain and growls, "You're gonna regret that."

Fort. Save 2: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16

As I understand, I can't charge through allies, so a partial charge in the surprise round is out since there's a fighter in the way.

"Hang on, Vyk!" Vincent rushes forward to face the creature, planting his boots solidly among the loose stones of the cavern in a fighting stance.

"Leave him alone!" Tuich coldly commands as her chilling weapon flies at the attacker.

Holy Ice Weapon (bladed scarf): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24
Damage (standard: 1d8 ⇒ 7
Damage (holy water): 1d4 ⇒ 4
Damage (cold): 5

-Posted with Wayfinder

Looks like my turn's before the monster's, so I'll go ahead and post:

Jeffrey takes a 5-foot step toward the creature and cuts into it with his longsword. "Shouldn't have come here, ugly!"

Cold Iron Longsword, Tower Shield Penalty: 1d20 + 9 - 2 ⇒ (19) + 9 - 2 = 26 Damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5
Confirm Crit: 1d20 + 9 - 2 ⇒ (9) + 9 - 2 = 16 Damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11

Round 1

Vyk
Tuich
Khismia
Miko
Jefferey
Monster (-34)
Vincent

Tuich strikes the creature with her holy ice weapon causing it to shriek in pain. Miko begins her performance to inspire her allies before Jeffrey manages a heavy blow to the creature.

Vyk and Khismia are up. Keep in mind you are technically going before Miko so you don't get the inspire bonus this round.

There is a single +1 Guidance to attack for each of you when you care to use it, though.

-Posted with Wayfinder

Cast Defensively DC 17: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (20) + 14 = 34

Vyk snarls and casts a spell to weave lightning into his scimitar.

Spellstrike: 1d20 + 9 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 9 - 2 + 1 = 9

His first strike is awkward and misses, so he deftly spins his blade and tries again.

Spellstrike: 1d20 + 9 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 9 - 2 + 1 = 22
Damage: 1d6 + 5 + 5d6 ⇒ (1) + 5 + (2, 2, 1, 1, 2) = 14

Meanwhile, Khismia walked forward and touched Vyk's back:
- Go for it, Vyk! We are nearby to help you!
She switched to Qadiran, chanting some words of prayer and her hand glow with warm red light.

Move, CLW: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7
2GM, Khismia has Eerie Sense feat, so please inform me if I sense something

Thanks, Khismia. HP 34/38.

The creature cries out in pain as he is struck multiple times causing it to flee through the northeast passage were it manages to squeeze through some bent bars. Full withdraw so no AoOs.

Round 1

Vyk
Tuich
Khismia
Miko
Jefferey
Monster (-34)
Vincent

Vincent is up. Khismia I will make sure to add in that ability in future encounters. I also added a picture of what the sunless grove would have looked like had you snuck up on this guy.

Vincent moves closer, switching his sword to one hand and firing off and beam of Disrupt Undead at the fleeing enemy.

Disrupt Undead: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 5 + 1 = 13 touch
1d6 ⇒ 6

The creature easy dodges the attack from Vincent.

Round 2

Vyk
Tuich
Khismia
Miko
Jefferey
Monster (-34)
Vincent

Bold are up and everyone has +2 to hit and weapon damage rolls.

"Oh no you don't!" Tuich cries out as she tears off after the thing.

That stream or whatever it is shows as no more than two feet across in spots, so I presume it's easily step-over-able (versus Difficult Terrain). Tuich will MA along a path that uses one of those narrow crossings.

"ఆధ్యాత్మికం వెపన్!" she shouts as she throws her arms high and wide. Immediately adjacent to the creature, another bladed scarf materialzes out of thin air, attacking immediately.

Spiritual Weapon: 1d20 + 3 - 1 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 3 - 1 + 2 = 9 Bah.

Unfortunately, Spiritual Weapon only attacks from the direction of the invoker, so I can't put it on the far side and herd the thing back to us.

Jeffrey wades through the shallow water in his pursuit of the creature.

"Come back, coward!"

Double move after it.

Knowledge: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12 Plus another 4 for most knowledge skills, except for nature

Miko tries to figure out what the creature is, probing the depths of her memory, while keeping up her song.

Ghoul! Miko gasps, they're dangerous, their touch can paralyze!

Round 2

Vyk
Tuich
Khismia
Miko
Jefferey
Monster (-34)
Vincent

Bold still have actions.

- Undead scums! - Khismia walked forward.
- Let me get them! - Ayu immidiatelly appeared as she sense the undead nearby, - I'll get them!
Words of player in Qadiran were complemented by presenting a silver spiral - holy symbol of Pharasma.

Control undead, Will DC19

Tuich's spiritual weapon appears and takes a clumsy swing at the undead as Jeffery struggles to keep up. Khismia stretches out her will to take control of the creature only to have it snapped back at her, this undead is to strong for her to control.

Vyk is still up.

Sorry for the delay. Not sure there's much I can do this round except move into position.

Vyk moves to stand near Tuich, all the while cursing the awkward terrain in Infernal.

If someone could move my token, I'd appreciate it.

The creature bolts down the tunnel and out of sight down in the labyrinth of tunnels under the city.

End of combat.

While a bit annoyed that the creature escaped the Pathfinders attention is brought back to the carnage that surrounds them. Two corpses are here, one slumped up against one of the trees, the other floats lifelessly in the sludge pool.

Heal: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Jeffrey shakes his head while looking at the corpses. "I have no idea how those died. They look perfectly fine!"

K(nature: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14

Died of old age, it seems. Strange.

Another day, another botched K(nature) check.

Those are two separate checks, feel free to roll on both.

Heal: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (11) + 11 = 22

Vincent bends down to investigate the bodies. "They're both drained of blood and twisted like rags. And these deep circular cuts are probably bites. Likely from the ghoul."

He checks the bodies and surrounding area for any valuables while he's at it.
Perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (17) + 11 = 28

You're right. Looks like a big snake bit them. Monstrous, truly monstrous.

Miko waits for Vincent to finish, then suggest the group moves deeper into the tunnel.

Jeffrey cuts the heads off the corpses.

"I've been told they're less likely to rise this way," he tells his comrades.

"I know they're already twisted and broken, but you can never be too sure with undead..."

Once the others are ready to move where Miko suggests they go, Jeffrey moves up and takes the lead.

Vincent finds a wand on the ground near the trees and while wading out in to the sludge finds a scimitar at the bottom, just beneath where the corpse was floating. There is also the strange book that was left on the altar.

"Oooh, pretty."

Vyk checks the wand, the scimitar and then the book for magical signatures.

Detect magic.

Spellcraft (wand): 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (3) + 11 = 14

Spellcraft (scimitar): 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (18) + 11 = 29

Spellcraft (book): 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (4) + 11 = 15

That should be enough for the scimitar, which is great because Vyk wants a new toy. Gonna need some help with the wand and the book though.

K(rel): 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (4) + 12 = 16

It doesn't look like the ghoul make these bite marks. That chewing on the arm was his, but those bites... looks like it was another creature altogether. It might still be around, better beware...

- Trying to command this creature made my mind overwhelmed with its filthy presence. Sorry, I couldn't help you much. Let me take a look at the wand

Spellcraft (wand): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16

Recovering from virus

Vyk knows at +1 scimitar when he sees one, though the wand seems to unfamiliar to him. He does notice a few other items on the corpses light up as magical after casting his detect magic spell.

Khismia is able to identify the wand as a wand of chill touch.

The book is magical, but is written in a strange language. The cover bears a large inset crystal and has a series of metal insect like clasps along the edges. There are a few things you can read that are not in the strange language. Like the inscription on the inside cover which reads "May we, the Keepers of the Oldest, prevail over the scourge of simplistic though and lesser men." Beneath that are five signatures.

Keeper Baskerwhel
Keeper Crove
Keeper Hyve
Keeper Marshan
Keeper Myre

Vincent shrugs. "While Gorum does grant me some spellcasting ability, I'm not well versed in the breadth of spells available to others. Nor can I really help identify the magical properties of items. But I have a spell that may help a bit." He squints at the book and casts Read Magic to understand the runes within more easily.

"The pages within contain a number of spells. Useful to a wizard, I'm sure. Mostly complex teleportation and binding spells, if you're into that sort of thing."

Tuich tries to read over Vincent's shoulder. "Do we recognize any of these names?"

Sorry for going quiet, I was thrown a curve but I'm back now.

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19
Spellcraft: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17
Spellcraft: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18
Lin: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (3) + 11 = 14
K(arc): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14

That's a ring that will help you swim, a cloak of resistance and some armor bracelets. Miko points out the item.[/b]

Yes, you're right Vincent. This entire book seems to focus on magical portals, teleportation, conjuration stuff. Our magical monster may well be one that is controlled by someone with ulterior motives. Miko adds.

Sorry website was down this morning. I'll will try and get a post out tonight if possible.

"This world would be better off without magic," Jeffrey comments as he sits down against the nearest wall and closes his eyes.

"Call me when you're done doing your hocus pocus..."

"That's... not true," Tuich protests weakly.

It would be better off without bad smells too, Miko blurts out, that's higher on my list.

...they say there's always magic in the air...

Vyk smirks as he changes the foul odor in the air around Miko into a much more pleasant scent of lavender.

I had major problems with the site yesterday, too. No idea why.

Let me know what loot you are taking and who will be carrying the book if you choose to take it.

Miko goes back to exploring the rest of the cavern, it seems that most of the passages were blocked off with iron bars. However Miko finds the passage to the southeast leads to a small cavern with what looks to have been a campsite for five, judging by the number of empty bedrolls along the walls. A few shelves with scattered books on them, a fire pit, and even a crude wooden table provide the furnishings for the site.

Ah, lavender, that's much better. You're too kind, Vyk. Now, look at this here. Campsite for five. Seems our conjurer isn't working alone, and it looks like they spent some more time here - not just the night - seeing as how they've taken the time to drag a small library here. Miko says, inspecting the books for their topics.

The notes and books are mostly about ancient and blasphemous religions, the Dark Tapestry, the Great Old Ones, monsters from other dimensions, and magical portals. They are written in Anko, but even knowing the language doesn't fully help to make sense of the notes. It's going to take some time to put everything together.

Going to take several hours and a DC linguistics check to know more. I recommend using the aid another on this check. Just let me know if you want to do that down here or somewhere else.

I don't have Linguistics trained, so I can't aid in it :(

Jeffrey calls out from where he's sitting: "Found more books?! They about the same as upstairs?!"

Feel free to correct me on this but you can get a max of 10 on any untrained skill and the min requirement to aid another is 10.

-Posted with Wayfinder

The linguistics skill is trained only. I suppose you could treat it like a knowledge, but even then you couldn't even attempt a skill check unless the DC was 10 or less.

Miko nods to Jeff I suppose they are. They open on the same side.

Opening some covers and browsing through them, Miko makes a face that seem as if Vyk's lavender spell has worn off. This is...

Take 10 for 22 (I'll need some aids, probably)

...I'm not even sure I want to understand this.

----
Perhaps we were lucky that day that we didn't piece together all the content, that the information was incomplete. The books described ancient horrors, vistas so terrifying that understanding the full extent would surely have come at the cost of one's sanity.
--- Miko Teppen, personal notes

Knowledge skills have a max of 10 when untrained. Most skills can be used without any ranks (untrained) except those specifically marked as trained-only. Linguistics is trained-only and doesn't have anything in it specifically allowing characters to get a 10 on it. Note the difference:

Trained: You cannot make an untrained Knowledge check with a DC higher than 10.

Trained: You must be trained to use this skill, but you can always attempt to read archaic and strange forms of your own racial bonus languages. In addition, you can also always attempt to detect a forgery.

Since Aklo isn't a racial language for any of us, we need ranks in order to decipher hidden meanings in the texts. We could all attempt to tell if it's a forgery, I guess... but it's probably not."