GM PDK's PFS RPG Crypt of the Everflame (Inactive)

Game Master Purple Dragon Knight

What's that paper say, Bram? Ooh, is it a treasure map? Konner says with mock excitement

Bram shares the coins with the party and shows the scrap of paper to Konner.

"Some kind of riddle, Master Konner. It sounds like it has to do with that door we're trying to open."

Alezandaru nurses his sprained elbow from the fall, and comes over to look at the paper as well.

Alezandaru Reflex Save: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23

Heading over to Konner and Bram's, Alezandaru barely escapes another pit trap!

Spark gives the signal to the heroes, and Findlefarb, Aroden and Konner pull the three switches found in this room. With three loud "CLUNK!" noises, the door bolts retract into the steel frame, and Spark gives a gentle push to the door, which opens inwards effortlessly due to its flawless design. Immediately upon opening the door the wailing sounds are now very loud.

Spark sees two passages, one to the west and one to the southeast. The wailing is clearly coming from the southeast.

What do you do?

Aroden moves to join Spark.
"I think we should help that poor soul. Although... It could actually be a soul, a spirit of some sort, and if so I think I have the best chance of facing such a foe."o
Would a Knowledge (Religion) check be able to determine by sound if the wailing is a living being or a ghost or haunt? Or would that be Perception?

@Aroden: roll your Knowledge Religion; @everyone: please indicate order of march from 1 to 7 for rest of dungeon assuming 5-foot wide corridor

Knowledge (Religion): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13
Will take third position in marching order.

Brother Antonidas moves cautiously into a rear guard position (7).

"Is everyone ok?

Spark isn't the brightest bulb in the pack and takes front position lol, she's a bit impulsive anyway

"Before we move on, I could use a little healing if you're offering"

Bram looks over the group and volunteers to stay near the front.

Will go second, unless Alezandru would be better served near the front.

Aroden can move back to 4 or 5; we have a lot of melee types.

reckon im 6 then...always thought i was at least an 8...lol

I'll take 4th.

Spark, Bran, The Greenblade, Findlefarb, Aroden, Konner, Brother Antonidas.
Aroden will offer his wand for Findlefarb or Brother Antonidas to use on Spark.
"I am still rediscovering my abilities and for now do not have the power of healing.
Reincarnation as a mortal entails a lengthy learning process, you know."

Assuming someone will use it on her, Spark's healing is:

clw: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

perfection!

Other than Spark, are those who suffered nonlethal damage soldiering on without healing?

Aroden is.

Yes, I'll keep going without additional healing for now.

Spark
Bram 3ndmg
Alezandaru 5ndmg
Findlefarb
Aroden 3ndmg
Konner 4dmg
Antonidas

The battered group carries on...

The mournful wailing grows louder with each step toward the door at the end of this musty hallway. There are a host of bones strewn on the floor here, many of which are cracked and broken.

Spark and Bram arrive at an intersection and see two doors: one to the south and one to the east. The wailing is from the south door.

Spark looks to the south, and turns to head that direction... and cautiously proceeds, weapon ready just in case.

Spark is at the door. The wailing is sound appears to be from a humanoid male.

Spark tries to determine if opening the door might be safe.

perc: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

Absolutely sure the door isn't trapped, she brashly attempts to open it.

Door is stuck. Not locked, but barred or barricaded from the other side. This would require brawn over brains.

str to open door: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12

Spark brashly attempts to open the door and it doesn't budge... "A.. Little.. help... here... guys.."

"Lemme give it a try."

Bram moves closer and gives the door a shove.

Str: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20

Spark tries to assist Bram

aid str dc 10: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15

Someone fires a crossbow as soon as you crack the door slightly ajar!

mwk light crossbow including cover: 1d20 + 6 - 4 ⇒ (6) + 6 - 4 = 8 for 1d8 ⇒ 2 damage. [MISS!]

"Angry bones! mwaaaa!! go away... go awayyyyyy!" wails a sad, panicked male voice on the other side.

The mad humanoid creature shoots twice more at each of Bram and Spark as they each try to shoulder the door once more!

mwk light crossbow including partial cover vs. Bram - the door opening is getting bigger!: 1d20 + 6 - 2 ⇒ (14) + 6 - 2 = 18 for 1d8 ⇒ 8 damage. [HIT!]

mwk light crossbow vs. Spark - the door is wide opened now!: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11 for 1d8 ⇒ 4 damage. [MISS!]

"I believe we can help this scared man with our words rather than our swords. Greenblade, I know you are trusted by many, I would be honored to assist you."
I think Aroden's +3 Diplomacy is second-best behind Alezandaru's +6.
But Aroden is willing to make the attempt to calm down the person if the Greenblade wishes to hang back.

The humanoid, who appears to be a frightened human, reloads his crossbow, "...a trick of the dead one, the dead one who speaks!!!"

What do you do?

"Peace. I come before you unarmed. My sword is sheathed. Were I an Angry Bones, a crossbow wouldn't be the best choice anyway. This vial of holy water at my belt might be better -- blessed by priests of Iomedae, praise her name. Would you like it?"
I know Diplomacy takes at least a minute, which makes it not the right skill to use for a scene like this, but I think you can envision it. Walking forward, hands out, trying to talk down the scared guy with the crossbow. Let me know what you want me to roll - though he'd gladly be the assist to another PC's attempt.

We aren't bones, for the love of the gods. Put your crossbow down! aiddiplomacy: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17

Aroden and Konner's words seem to tone down the man for a few seconds... but he remains behind his bunker of crates anyhow, and keeps reloading his crossbow in silence...

Think, man...if I was a skeleton, would I bother talking to you? Could I even talk? Use your head....

Aroden will calmly sit down in front of the bunker of crates and continue talking.
"Also, I travel with a gnome jester. Does the dead one have one of those? A most remarkable fellow. And of course, the famous Greenblade is with us. We are here to help.
Would you shoot an unarmed man sitting in front of you just for talking? I think not."

As Bram takes an arrow in his ... thigh, he roars with pain. His eyes seem to get a reddish cast to them, but he holds himself in check for now, knuckles going white as he grips his waraxe.

"Brother Antonidas, please use that wand on Bram. In fact, hold onto it for now if you would and use it as needed."
To the man behind the barricade.
"See, my friend bleeds where you shot him. Living, flesh and blood, angry, dwarf."

Greenblade does finally step forward to talk to the man. "Just who is the dead one who speaks? What is it that happened down here?"

diplomacy: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20

For all that Aroden has said and done up to this point:
Diplomacy-Aid Another: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15

"A fine idea... Aroden" He might not be all there, but he's been most generous with his magic. Antonidas steps towards Bram slowly, so as not to further startle the cowering man. "Hold still Bram, this won't hurt a bit."

Wand or cure light wounds: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
Wand or cure light wounds: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

Guys check the diplomacy DC against hostile creatures in the Core Rulebook... Alezandaru is close if I include Konner's aid but more people need to assist with this otherwise I'll have to count this as a fail.

BOTTING Findlefarb:
diplomacy: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23

Findlefarb strolls in and smiles disarmingly at the man, thus assisting Greenblade and Konner's attempts. He fearlessly advances within inches of the man and extends a small hand to shake his!

The man lowers his crossbow... and shakes Findlefarb's briefly... as if unsure he would get hurt by doing so... the crisis seems averted as Findlefarb finally breaks the ice... but the man is still suspicious... "Walking bones... tricks... tricks I say! but the dwarf bleeds... and gnomish hands are warm... still..." says the man, mumbling some more unintelligibly afterwards...

More talk and diplomacy required, but now you can take 10 to things... also, here's a hint: where do you all think these men are from?

Aroden is grateful that patience paid off.
Praise Aroden for that. It would have been a shame to have to hurt that man.
"Did you come here with Gerol and Vark? From Kassen?
I am sad to report that whatever has awakened here has slain them. We said prayers, and will give them a proper burial when we have addressed the immediate crisis. What can you tell us?"

Every time you talk to that man roll diplomacy please. Aroden, add +4 to your roll...

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 3 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 3 + 4 = 11
oops... hopefully didn't fail by enough to make things worse.

We have come for the lantern lighting ceremony...look, I have the lantern right here...see? Konner approaches carefully, weapon sheathed and holds up the lantern.

diplo: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

"Konner speaks the truth... the lantern he bears is proof of our quest."

diplo: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16

"We're the people you were sent ahead for. Your ordeals are complete. It is our task now."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15

You all add +4 to your checks now. With that, and considering you're all assisting each other, he calms down, and collapses from exhaustion, taking a sitting position against the wall in the corner of the room.

"AM ROLDARE!! ...arrived here 3 days ago... attacked 2 days ago... we were six from the village... only me and sis are still alive. After setting up the traps... we were attacked by the walking bones... in the middle of the night... their leader is one with the voice of death... he stalks these halls in ancient mail... you will need the shields and the keys... you will need to go for a swim... my sis is called Dimira... she's still alive... the skeletons pulled her down... but the voice took her..."

"SHields and keys? Do you have these things? or know where we can find them?"