GM Rednal's Rise of the Runelords: AE (Inactive)

Game Master Rednal

This whole place will burn easily enough. What is amazing is the Goblins haven't done it themselves already. Something is keeping them in line very well which is unnerving. Tyranius says as he follows Shalluk.

The walls of this room are lined with small wooden cages. Inside each cage is a dirty mound of straw. It looks like a nursery of some kind - though it's blessedly empty at the moment.

Disturbed by the idea of Goblins keeping there children in cages, Shalluk checked the next room to see if it was more of the same (the middle of the three southern doors).

"Great, more fuel for the fire." Tanwen notes. Tyranius was correct, this place would burn quite easily.

Maybe the goblins eat their young? Tyranius says. It seems this level is empty for whatever reason.

Seeing Shalluk open the center door Tyranius opens the SW door of the room.

The middle door led to a long hallway that took a right at the end. The left door of those three was... a little less pleasant.

Dozens of ratty cushions, lumpy pillows, and rumpled dogskin furs lie heaped in the south half of this chamber, which smells of a nauseating mixture of vinegar and rotten flowers. There was only a moment to take that in, however, because as Tyranius opened the door, a massive bugbear whipped a flail around in an ambush blow.

Melee vs FF (Tyranius): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13

Maybe it was fortune, maybe it was fate, but the warpriest was able to avoid the blow. The four goblins (all female) behind the bugbear looked more terrified than anything else.

Init (Enemy): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7
Init (Shalluk): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18
Init (Tanwen): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18
Init (Tyranius): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14

The Bugbear is just south of the door - note that this means he effectively has cover from attacks made from the left or the right of the square just north of him, since the walls are in the way.

Tyranius vanishes and pushes right past the bugbear, ending up right behind him.

Vanishing Trick

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (19) + 9 = 28

Using his shortsword he slashes at the bugbears exposed back.

MWK Shortsword: 1d20 + 6 - 1 ⇒ (10) + 6 - 1 = 15
Damage: 1d6 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 + 2 = 9
Sneak Attack Damage: 2d6 ⇒ (5, 6) = 11

Masterwork Falcata: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 91d6 + 3 + 1d6 ⇒ (1) + 3 + (4) = 8

Tanwen steps up to the door, swinging her sword at the bugbear, but her swing goes wide.

Attempting to fire past his companions, Shalluk carefully aligned his shot...and fired.

Attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11
Damage: 1d10 ⇒ 5

Somewhat impressively - and despite everything - Tyranius was able to tumble straight through the bugbear's space and nimbly appear behind him. The unfortunate part? Even with the added bonus from striking invisibly, Tyranius wasn't actually able to land a blow on him - nor was Tanwen, nor Shalluk. Seeing this, the bugbear actually started laughing - and smashed out at Tyranius with his flail.

Melee (Tyranius): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12

...His laughter stopped a moment later as his attack proved just as inaccurate as everyone else's.

Muttering under his breath, Shaluk cranked a fresh bolt into the crossbow and fired again.

Attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17
Damage: 1d10 ⇒ 4

Tyranius once again vanishes as he releases his grip on his Tekko-Kagi.

Drop AC down to 17

He stabs the Tekko-Kago at the Bugbears side as he bends down slashing at the back of his legs.

MWK Shortsword: 1d20 + 4 - 1 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 4 - 1 + 2 = 10
Damage: 1d6 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 + 2 = 7
Sneak Attack Damage: 2d6 ⇒ (3, 4) = 7

MWK Tekko-Kagi: 1d20 + 5 - 1 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 5 - 1 + 2 = 21
Damage: 1d6 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 1 + 2 = 6
Sneak Attack Damage: 2d6 ⇒ (3, 6) = 9

Weapon Focus on Tekko-Kagi; Power Attack

Masterwork Falcata: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 221d6 + 3 + 1d6 ⇒ (5) + 3 + (3) = 11

Tanwen swings at the creature again, her accuracy significantly better this time around.

Tyranius' second attack managed to smack into the brute, as did Tanwen's blow - together, they did quite a lot of damage to him, although it wasn't quite enough to drop him. Roaring angrily, he stepped to the side - out of range for anyone beyond the doorway - then slammed his flail at Tyranius again.

Melee (Tyranius): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25 for Damage: 1d10 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11

That was all he had time for, though, as he was too weak to withstand another blow from your group - and you were able to tidy things up and finish him off. That left the big threat out of the way... but the goblin women were still there, looking absolutely terrified.

Cranking a final shot into the bow, Shalluk attempted to drop the monster.
Attack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22
Damage: 1d10 ⇒ 9

"What should we do with these goblins then?" Tanwen was a bit confused that there were goblins here who wouldn't simply attack her and the others on sight. Women or not, these were goblins, evil creatures, worse yet if let go they could make more evil goblins and this entire event could repeat itself once more, but Tanwen could find little reason to justify their execution when they simply stood there, seemingly posing no threat.

Shalluk looked the terrified women over. They didn't seem to be combatants. Would they be able to survive on there own? Shalluk wasn't sure, but at the end of the day, it wasn't in him to kill unarmed people. "Let them flee? I don't see any reason to kill them. They aren't much of a threat."

Tyranius waves his shortsword at the door. Flee or be killed here...

As the goblins flee Tyranius searches through the bugbears belongings before following the middle passageway around the corner.

Tanwen didn't like the way Tyranius put it, but she moved out of the way of the door and put away her weapons. "I'm not sure if you can understand us, but you're free to go, get out of here."

The goblins wasted no time in scampering out, clearly terrified of losing their lives and not at all hesitant to run. Cowardly or smart? Well, that was for philosophers to decide... but it did mean the rest of the room was now clear.

Shalluk couldn't help but feel that it would cost them, but couldn't bring himself to hurt the pathetic creatures. Instead, after watching them go, he checked the room and the bodies.

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26

Tyranius helps Shalluk look all about the room. You finding anything in this dump? How can anything even live like this...

Perception Aid Another: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14

"They are prolific and robust," Shalluk replied in distaste. It was about all they did excel at, that and setting things on fire, but...it meant they survived.

The room itself didn't seem to have treasures, but the bugbear's corpse did. Notably, he had a suit of studded leather, a heavy flail, a masterwork composite longbow with 20 arrows, and 4 pp in coinage.

Relieving the monster of his items, Shalluk asked, "Do either of you wish for either?" As he did, he headed for the central of the three doors, the one with a corridor leading towards the south.

Heading for the one that seems to lead to D4.

I have little need for it. Tyranius says as he crinkles his nose. And it smells like bugbear s##+. He grabs the masterwork bow. Though this may sell for some coin. He attaches the bow to his bag and tosses the coins from the bugbear into a pouch.

"The only thing I could get any use out of is the bow, as all I have for hitting something I can't reach is these fireworks." Tanwen said, indicating her 3 fireworks. "However, unless we find a flying goblin I doubt it'll make much difference."

"Given all else we have seen...I would suggest taking the bow." Shalluk had never heard of flying Goblins. He doubted that it would be enough to stop the little monsters from trying, however, and given enough time and Goblins they might work something out. Besides, other monsters did fly.

The central corridor took a sharp right at the end, ending in a corridor with five similar-looking doors - two on the left, two on the right, and one straight ahead.

Tyranius hands the bow to Tanwen. We may need it before this day is over. There may be worse than flying goblins though it is hard to imagine such.

Door#: 1d5 ⇒ 3

Tyranius follows the corridor around and opens the first door on the right.

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22
Disable device: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 29

Tanwen accepts the bow graciously, but silently hopes she doesn't need to use it or the 20 arrows.

Shalluk moved to cover Tyanius and Tanwen as they entered the new room.

This one-person bedroom shows many signs of having been lived in. The bed itself is rumpled and unmade, and a half-eaten meal of bread and smoked salmon sits on the nightstand. A few articles of dirty clothing sit at the foot of the bed. It's unoccupied, however - but there is an everburning torch in the corner, as well as a suit of +1 banded mail (of medium size).

"This doesn't look like a goblin bedroom to me..." Tanwen utters, though she also noticed it didn't seem much like the person who occupied this room was a prisoner as well.

Perception: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (12) - 1 = 11

Shalluk held up the armour, sensing the magic as he looked at it. "Too heavy for my tastes, but it might be useful." He glanced at the everburning torch. "Tyrannius, would that be of use to you?"

It is a bit too heavy for even myself. I need to be able to stay as mobile as possible and it is restricting my movements. Tyranius says as he attempts to try on the armor before donning his Mithral chain shirt.

Grabbing the armor he shoves it in his bag. It will always sell though.

Tanwen grabs the everburning torch, "This may be worth something as well. "

When in doubt, grab everything of value. XD Where to next?

"It isn't too useful for me," nodding to the torch, "As I can see in the darkness." It was a common trait for his kind. Shalluk had no idea why, but most of the Tieflings he'd encounter could do the same. He assumed it was a common trait of there infernal blood.

Shalluk headed for the door across the hall and tried the handle.

First door on the left as we entered.

We are just glorified home invaders after all, might as well be robbers while we are at it.

"I can see in the dark as well, but it's bound to sell for something, and carrying it around can't hurt...much." Tanwen says with a shrug, keeping the everburning torch in her free hand.

Well, that's your choice. XD

This bedroom has a faint musty odor. The bed is covered with matted gray and black hair, and bloodstains mar the stone floor, while a morbid stack of birds' feet lies heaped on the floor by the side of the bed. There's nothing of other interest or any value here.

Well that's just disturbing.... Tyranius says as he shuts the door.

You are more than welcome to dig through that mess.

Tyranius moves to the next door over and opens it.

I am kind of lost where we are at on the map? Is there any way we could get something like a you are here 'x' or something on it by any chance? Something that we could move near whatever door we are going to open next.

"No, thank you." Shalluk wasn't especially disturbed by the things - he'd seen, and eaten, worse. It just didn't seem like there was anything in the room of any use, so he moved to the room next to this one and pushed the door open.

You're way down south, and have explored D4b and D4d. To move along, let's just check the other rooms real quick... XD

While this next bedroom is clean and brightly lit by an everburning torch lying on the nightstand, its spartan decor makes it unclear whether it's actually lived in. That's presumably something you acquire before heading across the hall...

This room is clean and well organized. A low dresser to the southwest has a stack of papers sitting atop it, weighted down by a large chunk of obsidian, while to the northwest sits a well-made bed. The papers are mostly rough drafts of a plan to invade the Glassworks and explore the catacombs beneath them, clearly written by Tsuto.

The last room is the one at the far end of the hall. This large chamber seems to serve a dual purpose. To the north is a fine bed with silk sheets, while to the south, a desk and chair under a hanging lantern make a comfortable-looking study. There doesn't seem to be anything particularly valuable here, either.

Last room is D5, by the way.

Taking the Obsidian and the plans, Shalluk gave both rooms a look over with his unusual vision before continuing.

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11

As he looks, he mentions, "I believe we are about done with this floor. Do we wish to head down to the next or rest before doing so?"

Yup, Leave no stone unturned! Tyranius exclaims holding a finger in the air as he walks towards the stairs. That way noone may stab you in the back...

"I do not need to rest, unless either of you do, I suggest we continue onward."

For what it's worth, the two 'yellow' stairs on your map go up. XD Lemme know where you wanna go next.

Shalluk returned to D14, given the door there was the only one they hadn't accessed yet, and listened at the door.

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11

What did we need to do to open the door?

Seeing Shalluk return to the north Tyranius shrugs and also begins to look around, with both his eyes and by magical means.

Detect Magic

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7