With a mighty cleave, the final zombie explodes, covering Craggor and Droogmai with muck and ichor!
Craggor, DC 11 Fort save vs Disease. Droogami's already got it so no change.
OUT OF COMBAT
Although the zombies carry nothing of value, a recess in the southeast corner of the room contains one of their packs. Sitting atop a large bloodstain, this pack holds some rotten rations, a map (detailing the area and pointing out the entrance to the crypt), a potion of cure moderate wounds, a pouch with 13 gp, and a small handbill (of a type typically found posted in taverns). Although faded, the handbill clearly reads as a notice of employment, telling all those interested to meet at “The Ranger’s Lament.”
Knowledge Local DC 25:
this to be a popular bar in Tamran, the capital of Nirmathas. The handbill does not mention a time, date, or who the employer might be.
Heal DC 10:
Checking what remains of the zombies, you come to see these deaduns are probably only a few months old and their tattered clothing is similar to that worn by the man near Gray Lake and the body floating in the room with the azure fungus.
Tiefling Paladin 8 | HP 71 | AC 26 | T 12 | FF 25 | CMD 26 | Fort +13 | Ref +8 | Will +12 | Init +1 | Perc +3
Heal:1d20 - 1 ⇒ (12) - 1 = 11
After the last undead explosion, Ferabras checks what remains of the zombies and says, "These poor souls look like they've only been dead a few months. And their tattered clothing looks like what we found on the man near Gray Lake and the body floating in the room with the azure fungus."
As he says this, he draws a wand from his belt pouch and heals himself with it.
Soren places the arrow he had drawn into its quiver.
I've no knowledge of the place, though it sounds like somewhere I'd go, I suppose. Looks like the "job" they reported for had something to do with this crypt, but what would a band of men like that want with a place like this?
He shakes his head, almost mournfully.
This is why I like the woods. 'Tis complicated, but in a... better... way. Less mystery.
He pokes at a zombie and then shifts his pack.
Where to now?
Ferabras listens at the door and hears nothing. Tentatively, he opens the door.
A shallow reflecting pool divides this long chamber, running from one end to the other. The water looks cloudy and stagnant. What must have once been marvelous murals covering both walls are now scorched and ruined, the original subject lost in the destruction.
At the far end, a large portal stands open, its portcullis raised to allow entry.
Tiefling Paladin 8 | HP 71 | AC 26 | T 12 | FF 25 | CMD 26 | Fort +13 | Ref +8 | Will +12 | Init +1 | Perc +3
Seeing the scorched walls, Ferabras pauses before entering the chamber, saying, "Let's take a careful look at this place. I can't help but wonder if fire is going to shoot from the walls as soon as I step through the door. This place is sure making me untrusting..."
Perception:1d20 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 1 = 11
Anyone else want to take a peek or detect some magic before we enter?
Soran nocks his bow and keeps it ready, and then surveys the room intently while the others study the magical auras.
Perception:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12
Ferabras walks into the room, keeping an eye on the pool. Nothing happens.
GM:
1d20 ⇒ 13
Ferabras:
As you move through the room and keep an eye on the pool, you see... your reflection. At least it's not something sinister like you perhaps thought it would be. Your reflection then turns to you, your face rotting and melting from your skull even as you watch. It then turns towards your friends waiting in the doorway and moves to towards them, sword drawn and teeth bared! In short time, each of them lays dead in the door frame as your reflection returns. It glares at you from the surface of the water. Suddenly, the visage leaps from its place beneath the water and, with a violent splash lunges for you! But by its own actions in disrupting the water, it vanishes and leaves you with the smokey pool, your reflection back to normal. But something still seems off about it... Turning to your party, they have not reacted in any way to show they, too, saw that as well.
Tiefling Paladin 8 | HP 71 | AC 26 | T 12 | FF 25 | CMD 26 | Fort +13 | Ref +8 | Will +12 | Init +1 | Perc +3
Ferabras' eyes widen and he gasps in horror, turning to face the party! He seems to be frozen in place, watching some horrifying scene play out before him, until he leaps violently to one side as if dodging an onrushing foe!
"Did you not see?" he asks the others. "My own reflection, but rotted and half-melted, leapt from the water! I slew you all with teeth and blade! Then I - or it - came for me, but vanished! Oh, how glad I am to see you all still alive, not dead by my cursed hand!"
"I did nought see em take a blow to the head but, he be sounding a bit crazed. This place gets to ur head if your nought ready for it." Craggor tries to rationalize Ferabras's comment.
Tiefling Paladin 8 | HP 71 | AC 26 | T 12 | FF 25 | CMD 26 | Fort +13 | Ref +8 | Will +12 | Init +1 | Perc +3
When the party doesn't seem to respond to his frightening tale, Ferabras shrugs and continues across the room, this time looking carefully away from the pool of water.
Lini walks into the room as well and checks on Ferabras. He fully believes in what he thought happened and, aside from an elevated heartrate and the previous strength damage, is perfectly healthy.
GM:
1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18
Lini:
As you move into the room after Ferabras, you can't help but glance at the pool. There, you see... your reflection. At least it's not something sinister like you perhaps thought it would be. Your reflection then turns to you, your face rotting and melting from your skull even as you watch. It directs a rotting form of Droogami back towards your friends waiting in the doorway and watches as the cat moves towards them, teeth bared and eyes full of hatred! In short time, each of them lays dead in the door frame as Droogami returns to your reflection's side. Your reflection glares at you from the surface of the water, calmly slitting the throat of Droogami. Suddenly, the visage leaps from its place beneath the water and, with a violent splash lunges for you! But by its own actions in disrupting the water, it vanishes and leaves you with the smokey pool, your reflection back to normal. But something still seems off about it... Turning to your party, they have not reacted in any way to show they, too, saw that as well. Even Droogami watches you with curiosity.
Lini: HP 10/11 AC 16 T 12 FF 15 CMD 8 Fort+5 Ref+1 Will+6 Init+1 Perc+9 Droogami: HP 11/11 AC 17 T 16 FF 12 CMD 16 Fort+4 Ref+8 Will+1 Perc+5
Lini suddenly screams, NO DROOGAMI! STOP ATTACKING MY FRIENDS!
Moments later Lini's tear-streaked face returns to the group. He hands are trembling with fear.
That pond is filled with nightmares! I too saw the horrors Ferabras described in the pool, but this time Droogami and I were the murders. I'd rather not go back in there. Is there somewhere else we haven't explored?
Tiefling Paladin 8 | HP 71 | AC 26 | T 12 | FF 25 | CMD 26 | Fort +13 | Ref +8 | Will +12 | Init +1 | Perc +3
”I’m not great,” Ferabras responds to Taliesin, ”but I think we can get past this pool and through this room. Aside from scaring the hell out of me – which is something I’ve always wished for, being a tiefling – it hasn’t done any harm. Just be ready for a fright and keep moving!”
Human Bard 5 | HP 36/36 | AC 17; Tch 12; FF 15 | F +3; R +7; W +4 | CMB+3; CMD 15 | Speed 30 ft | Init +9 | MW Longspear: +4 (1d8/x3) | Perc +9
"Come here, Krestin," Taliesin says kindly. "You and I will pass through together...with our eyes shut!" she says with a brave smile, though she seems to be covering obvious fear.
If Krestin agrees, she holds both his paws, closes her eyes tight, and makes her way through the room.
Tiefling Paladin 8 | HP 71 | AC 26 | T 12 | FF 25 | CMD 26 | Fort +13 | Ref +8 | Will +12 | Init +1 | Perc +3
Standing at the far door, Ferabras looks over his shoulder as the party moves closer, saying, "Now I can't help but worry about the scorch marks on the walls. I wonder if you'd be safer sheltering in that awful water when I try to open the door, if this is some kind of fire trap. I hate to even suggest it, but..."
As you move into the room, even looking away from the pool, you can't help but glance at the waters. There, you see... your reflection. At least it's not something sinister like you perhaps thought it would be after how the other two reacted. Your reflection then turns to you, your face rotting and melting from your skull even as you watch. It casually draws your bow and launches an arsenal of sickly arrows at your party members throughout the room! In short time, each of them lays dead in the door frame, sick green smoke rising from the fatal wounds. Your reflection glares at you from the surface of the water. Suddenly, the visage leaps from its place beneath the water and, with a violent splash lunges for you! But by its own actions in disrupting the water, it vanishes and leaves you with the smokey pool, your reflection back to normal. But something still seems off about it... Turning to your party, they have not reacted in any way to show they, too, saw that as well.
Ferabras moves up to the archway. The portcullis hangs overhead leaving the portal open to the next room. The chamber beyond has a number of recesses carved into the walls and a fissure in the ceiling.
Slowly, Taliesin and Krestin join hands and blindly make their way through the room, Lini directing them as they go.
As you move into the room, and challenge the pool, you see... your reflection. At least it's not something sinister like you perhaps thought it would be after how the others reacted. Your reflection then turns to you, your face rotting and melting from your skull even as you watch. It maniacally hefts your warhammer and charges at your party members! It runs back and forth across the room bashing each skull in with brutal and cruel efficiency! In short time, each of them lays dead where they once stood, sick green smoke rising from the fatal wounds. Your reflection glares at you from the surface of the water. Suddenly, the visage leaps from its place beneath the water and, with a violent splash lunges for you! But by its own actions in disrupting the water, it vanishes and leaves you with the smokey pool, your reflection back to normal. But something still seems off about it... Turning to your party, they have not reacted in any way to show they, too, saw that as well.
Krestin and Taliesin's victory cheer seems to be a bit premature as a screeching sound comes from the next room. Quiet at first, it build and builds as if a horde of shrieks are coming from within! From the holes and cracks in the next room, two large groups of bats fly in and attack the party!
Order:
Taliesin, Lini, Soran
Red Swarm
Ferabras
Blue Swarm
Craggor, Krestin
A note about swarms, these swarms are made of diminutive bats. As such, they take no damage from weapons. Have fun! =)(I know, who puts swarms in a lvl 1 adventure???)
Human Bard 5 | HP 36/36 | AC 17; Tch 12; FF 15 | F +3; R +7; W +4 | CMB+3; CMD 15 | Speed 30 ft | Init +9 | MW Longspear: +4 (1d8/x3) | Perc +9
"Not more bats!" Taliesin yells. "I've fought these before! They are creepy and you'll die from death by a thousand cuts...unless you can burn them up!"
She draws a flask of acid from her bandolier and prepares to throw it at them when they come into view.
"I warned you creep pool. I will be coming back to relieve me self soon enough." Craggor looks towards the bats. "That be a problem. I fear I cannot hurt enough of those things."
The swarm of bats hurtles out of the room to cover Ferabras, Krestin, and Soran!
Damage:1d6 ⇒ 6and bleed 1, plus Fort save DC 11 or nauseated for a round What is with the dice roller?!?!
Tiefling Paladin 8 | HP 71 | AC 26 | T 12 | FF 25 | CMD 26 | Fort +13 | Ref +8 | Will +12 | Init +1 | Perc +3
Fort:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21
Ferabras grunts as the swarm roils over him, but he pays it little mind as he steps out of the swarm and draws a flask of acid and splashes it all over the creatures!
Human Bard 5 | HP 36/36 | AC 17; Tch 12; FF 15 | F +3; R +7; W +4 | CMB+3; CMD 15 | Speed 30 ft | Init +9 | MW Longspear: +4 (1d8/x3) | Perc +9
Not seeing my readied action resolved (to throw the vial of acid at the swarm. Also, it should do 1.5 dmg to a swarm.
Taliesin looks on with great concern as the bats swarm her companions. She draws another vial of acid from her bandolier and prepares to throw it once her companions have escaped.
As the swarm moved in, Taliesin threw her acid flask at it. It splashed among the critters, making them a little upset, but definitely proves to be effective against them.
Ferabras steps out and tosses his own flask. The bats shriek in pain as it covers most of them! The swarm dissipates!
The second swarm moves in and also bites around at Krestin, Ferabras, and Soran!
Damage:1d6 ⇒ 6still bleed 1 (does not stack), DC 11 Fort Save
Krestin yelps in pain as he tries to scramble away from the bats. Cutting his fur and cloak deeply, the kitsune tries to make his way out of the bats as they swoop at him, cutting with every pass! "They hurts! The flap rats hurts us!" he cries as he runs off, clutching the wounds, but not adding pressure to cuts.
