GM ZD In Wrath's Shadow: Core (Inactive)

Game Master Z...D...

”Ooo, that metal is magical. It looks like it would snap right onto that face guard we found earlier.”. She tries to snap it onto the head Armor to see if anything interesting happened.

"Ah, this takes me back to the old days. Fetch quests, killing rats in the basement of the local tavern, good times." Gwen says regarding the head piece. "I'm sure we'll come upon the third and final piece, and that once together they unlock some secret treasure trove in the dungeon. It shouldn't be much longer. It's not like this is a rod after all."

Stormy is relieved that anyone has survived and will help heal them with her wand. What do you know of this place? She asks.

Seeing that everyone seem to be taking care of those still living, Iago goes up to the statue, and as he begins to try and pry the expensive gemstones out comments "Someone should check the dead guy" before softly clicking his tongue as he scoops out the contents of the statue's eye-socket.

"Those things are the ones that attacked us. They brought us down here for torture, they ended up killing Riemme out right, he tried to fight them. But was no match, being outnumbered like that." Riemme's body lays motionless, tunic blood soaked, his leather armor laid to the side, obviously beyond use at this point.

Looking towards Stormy,"Not too much, we just started the excavation on the outside. We heard a crash, and then these creatures came rushing out the once barricaded entrance. Then we were dragged to this place."

They appreciate any healing offered. They were both at 1 HP apparently. "Want, I don't think they wanted anything, if they did it is not like they told us."

Doodle snaps the piece together and the evocation magic spreads from the cheek guard to the nose and brow guard.

Nothing else in this room, the two humans will find there way out and may be persuaded to take the body of Riemme with them back to camp.

Heading back out, will you take the western corridor or bust through the barricaded door to the south

When we leave we should take Riemme with us. Stormy says firmly as she readies to continue exploring.

Darksid'Ious heals the poor workers, and even if his spell are a little tingling, it's nothing to compare to what they endure.
How many charges?

He asks them to take Riemme's corpse to the main camp.
I'm sure they will be able to do that. They own that to Riemme. he says.

Once alone and facing the barricaded door Darksid'Ious asks.

What now?

Iago puts a hand out. "Hold up. Lets at least escort them out of this place. I trust these wall as much as I trust a Callistrian not to... Well. You know."

Once they are out safe, the Chel, following the group, spins the greatsword's pommel and motions at the door. "Ready?"

"Whoo?"

”So Iago, you want to bust through that door that’s blocked off with junk. It’ll take some time, but if the rest of you agree, I’m in as well!”

Also forgot,you could also take the tunnel to the North as well. As soon as two people agree we will go ahead and move on. Right now it sounds you all want to bust down the barricaded door though.

Ill agree with Iago. Let’s do it.

Sure, let's do it.

"Alright. Let's get this door opened." And with a grin and a wink, Iago begins by sliding the blade into the hidden doorjamb then starts working the blade into the lock, half-humming, half singing a baudy song about a maiden from Taldor and her ribald adventures with three Corenthynian guardsmen.

It takes a few moments to bust through the door, but Iago eventually muscles it open, revealing a narrow corridor and leads to another open room.

The stench of death is strong in this ornate shrine. Another mosaic like that found in the grand temple above lies on the floor immediately North of the entryway. Two rows of slender columns carved with dizzying designs support the ceiling twenty feet overhead and every inch of the chamber’s walls is covered with intricate sigils and pictograms. A fat pillar stands in the center of the chamber. Six corpses lie on the floor near the base of this central pillar. An altar of red marble stands near the western wall, and it has iron manacles attached to its surface. The air is charged with palpable malevolence.

Two ghouls stand in front of the corpses and turn to look at the PC's and growl as they get ready for a fight.

Round 1-Bold May Act
Doodle
Stormy and Shade
Red
Black
Blue
Kavor
Darksidious
Iago
Gwen

While healing is passed out Stormy uses a wand on Shad exactly closing the cat's wound.

Cure Light: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Just before the door is opened Stormy renews shillelagh from a wand. Seeing the undead Stormy calls for shade to circle and attack while carefully advances so to not get mobbed and swings her club at the creature.

Bite: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 111d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Shillelagh: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 222d6 + 5 ⇒ (3, 5) + 5 = 13

Note: Current AC for Stormy is 24. 19 for Shade.

Doodle takes a 5’ step north and then a 5’ step to the left. She sees a clear path to the red undead, and fires a Scorching Ray at it.

RTA 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23

Damage 4d6 ⇒ (2, 3, 2, 5) = 12

Would someone be so kind as to move me? Thanks.

Shade misses with its bite attack, but Stormy connects with the ghoul,knocking it senseless.

Doodle launches a firey ray at the other, landing solidly.

Red gets into the face of Doodle, bringing down its clawed hand across her chest. It connects with the invisible barrier.

A third creature walks from behind the altar and cast a spell towards stormy. Need a DC 17 will save or you are frightened for 1d4 ⇒ 3 rounds. On a save you a are instead shaken for 1

Blue turns around and attempts to bite stormy. Her thickened skin prevents the bite.

After the bite, its eyes roll back, and it sinks to the floor.

Round 1-Bold May Act
Kavor
Darksidious
Iago
Gwen

Round 2-Bold May Act
Doodle
Stormy and Shade
Red
Black

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15 so close.

Will Save: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17

Shaken but not frightened Stormy first directs Shade to circle and attack the new enemy and then she charges the spell casting foe.

Bite:: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 101d6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Shillelagh: 1d20 + 8 + 2 - 1 ⇒ (18) + 8 + 2 - 1 = 272d6 + 5 ⇒ (4, 4) + 5 = 13

"Hello, I'm your third floor neighbor and I have a complaint about the smell!" quips Iago as he steps on in and attempts to lop off the creature in red rags.

Ghouls... I hate ghouls... Unless they are Thassilonian cannibals. Which I hate even more."

Greatsword, Power Attack: 1d20 + 10 - 2 ⇒ (10) + 10 - 2 = 18
Damage: 2d6 + 8 + 6 ⇒ (6, 4) + 8 + 6 = 24

Diving behind a pillar for cover, her hands laced like one of those new-fangled pistol-things, Gwen aims at the nearest still active ghoul and says the magic words: "Pew pew pew!"

disrupt undead (range touch, cover, into melee): 1d20 + 3 - 4 - 4 ⇒ (10) + 3 - 4 - 4 = 5 positive energy damage: 1d6 ⇒ 2

Her a attempts to hang on to her partner's shoulder, causing a bit of drag.

I'm getting too old for this, thinks the bird.

Assuming red ghoul falls, Doodle pulls her magic missile wand and fires a missile at black.

Damage 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Kavor Doan moves up and uses Shield from his wand again (now at 38).
Probably don't need the Shield, but there's no other viable use for his standard action or a second move.

Iago moves up and completely obliterates the remaining ghoul.

Gwendolyn moves and attempts to disrupts the undead, but is off on her aim.

Doodle pills her trusty wand and fires a missile of force, striking the creature true.

Kavor moves up and cast a defensive spell.

Black being surrounded by enemies, switches to melee combat. The ghast misses with the bite and one of the claws. The other catches stormy across the face. [ooc]Stormy takes 12 points of damage and needs a DC 15 fort or paralyzed for 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4 rounds.

Pathfinders are up.
Dark can take two rounds of actions.

Fort Save: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26

Shade, trained in the tactic, steps into the flank and full kitty attacks.

Bite: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 6 + 2 = 211d6 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8
Claw: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 5 + 2 = 161d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
Claw: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 5 + 2 = 251d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

And Stormy swings a practiced club at the thing.

Shillelagh: 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 8 + 2 = 222d6 + 5 ⇒ (3, 4) + 5 = 12

Kavor Doan moves up and stows his wand.
"Come on ugly, let's see what you've got."

"Pew pew pew!"

disrupt undead v closest undead (range touch, cover, into melee): 1d20 + 3 - 4 - 4 ⇒ (7) + 3 - 4 - 4 = 2 positive energy damage: 1d6 ⇒ 5

Shade manages to land a single claw.

While stormy over swings, not connecting at all.

Kavor moves up, and Gwen fires off another ray. Impacting the wall.

Doodle, Iago and Dark may act.

Doodle keeps firing her magical wand of missiles.

Damage 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

"Gwen, has anyone told you maybe you should see a healer? I don't think you've recovered from that time as a child dear. Precious. Love of my life. My only reason for being" deadpans Iago as he steps up to join the fun and hit the nasty looking fellow.

Attack!!!!!: 1d20 + 10 - 2 ⇒ (20) + 10 - 2 = 28
Damage: 2d6 + 8 + 6 ⇒ (1, 1) + 8 + 6 = 16
Confirm!!!!: 1d20 + 10 - 2 ⇒ (19) + 10 - 2 = 27
Extra Damage: 2d6 + 8 + 6 ⇒ (6, 5) + 8 + 6 = 25

That's what I'm taking about! :)

Sorry! Was away flying to Chicago.

Darksid'Ious, gets back from his dark revery and starts to support his doomed comrades.

Thy soul shall find itself alone
'Mid dark thoughts of the grey tomb-stone;
Not one, of all the crowd, to pry
Into thine hour of secrecy.

Inspire Courage: +1 competence bonus to attack and damages, +1 moral bonus to will save against fear and charm.

Between the volley of missiles and Iago's charge. The ghastly cleric falls.

Upon closer inspection of his body. You notice his jaw is actually made of metal. It has etchings that match the other pieces of the metal from the cheek and brow guard. And when tried does snap into place. The only thing that seems to be missing is the right cheek guard to this device.

Behind the alter, you find instruments of torture. A kit with obsidian scalpels, platinum needles and other strange flesh carving instruments inside of a porcelain case.

So, there is little left to explore. You want to head north or check out what left in the southern half

Appraise: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (4) + 0 = 4

Well done comrades! I think the one responsible for the abduction is dead, for good.

Darskid'Ious looks for any clue of what the creature worshiped while looking at the beautiful instrument.

I think a lot of cleric at home will be interested by these tools!

Blasted thing got me good with one of its filthy claws. Lets search this room and then finish exploring. Stormy says as she pulls a wand and begins to heal herself.

Cure Light: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8
Cure Light: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
Cure Light: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

"Well done, Iago! That was a mighty blow."
Appraise, Greed (contains platinum): 1d20 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 + 2 = 20
"Hmmm, Darksid'Ious, do you think your fellow Kuthites would be interested to the tune of 2,000 gold? That's what I think this ghastly (hah!) collection would fetch in a museum.
Let's go check out the east wall of this room, then explore the other branch."

Doodle nods at Kavor’s suggestion. ”East Wall is fine. We need to finish the place once and for all. Too many undead roaming around here.”

Before leaving this place Stormy will search the undead bodies for anything useful and cast Detect Magic to scan the entire room.

Nothing in these two rooms detect as magic

Moving around the corridor, the group comes face to face with another wall. Upon closer inspection, it is actually just another barricaded section with irregular shapes of stone and clay.

To the north, on a raised platform, stand leathery brown statues of withered and emaciated humans poised as though attentively observing passersby. The statues have a grim, realistic appearance, and each one is flayed and modified in a unique way.

Next room

The wall decorations of cultists engaged in horrific rituals continue into this large chamber. Ages-old blood stains the floor and walls in dusty flakes. A mosaic similar to the one in the temple above covers the floor, partially obscured by dozens of naked corpses scattered across the floor.

With that, I will let you read through and will post again later. possibly tomorrow

Heal: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24

Stormy explains that these dead are actually petrified corpses of sacrificial victims and shakes her head at the depravity.

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25

And she casually points out the secret door. They do not hide them well in here do they?

"Gwen, has anyone told you maybe you should see a healer? I don't think you've recovered from that time as a child dear. Precious. Love of my life. My only reason for being" deadpans Iago as he steps up to join the fun and hit the nasty looking fellow.

Gwen looks at Iago as if there was something wrong with him. "Uh, you don't know me."

She blows off the excess positive energy from the tip of her finger, and holsters it.

appraise: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20

"We should take these. They might com in handy."

She fetches up one of the instruments, and looks over to Iago. "When am I on watch again?"

perception (alertness): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19

Gwen keeps anything she learns (and her lunch) to herself.

perception (alertness): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16

"I don't think hiding things was really their forte."

Sure, I know one or two friends in Pangolai that could be very interested by these! Says happily Darksid'Ious to Kavor.

Seeing the statues, he starts to sketch them. What a wonder, my friends in Pangolai will be jealous of me when I will describe these!

When Stormy explains the nature of the "statues" Darksid'Ious' smile broaden ! What a genuine addition! My friends will be thrilled to try it themselves.

Looking at the "wall" he says We are still looking for some comrade right? May be better to look behind this wall after having looking the all complex?

”If we don’t go through it now, we need to mark that fake door. That would be a nice place to hide valuables,” Doodle notes, not wanting to even discuss the graphic scene that was laid out in front of them in the sacrificial rooms.

The Kuthite is loving this... different god, but similar predilections.
Perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
Perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
Kavor Doan fails to notice anything on his own, but upon Stormy's remark he says "Hmmm, perhaps some curse or creature that petrified these poor souls? Be on guard. If a creature, it may be long dead, but then again perhaps not. Could be an undead or a fiend.
As to that secret door, I believe we must investigate the last section of this foul place."
He'll use another Shield charge and stow the wand (37) before going through the secret door in the sacrificial room.

Actually, have to break the door down, but I am going to assume you all will be able to. So moving on.

Behind the broken-down wall, a cave is revealed. Suspended upside down from above—thin, spiked wire cruelly wrapped around them from ankle to neck—are many brutalized corpses similar to those in the previous chambers. As air eddies out from the cave, carrying with it an unsettling odor of ancient decay, the dangling mummified faces, three feet off the floor, stare back.

The wire-bound corpses hang by chains suspended on hooks fixed in the cave ceiling 40 feet overhead. When they reach southeast wall of the cave, the PCs find a ladder made up of iron runs affixed to the rocky face. It descends 15 feet to the platform and ledge below.

Further east, the platform narrows to a rocky ledge, and the floor drops off and is replaced by a 30-footdeep pit with a floor covered in sharp and jagged rocks. Winding around the lip of the pit is a precarious looking edge. That will need a acrobatics check to negotiate

”This area will open up a whole new can of worms. Do we want to finish the first building up before we explore this treacherous looking cave? I’m thinking that last room back there might let us finish the helmet facegaurd apparatus, and that might be helpful down here,” Doodle suggests.

The people here had a familiar artistic sense than my friends in Pangolais. Must take note, I could design their next interior or gave them new ideas

Going through the forest of hanged corpses, Darksid'Ious says to Doodle.

We've open this room, lets finish to explore it. What is trapped cannot hurt us.

He casts detect magic in the area to find any trace of magic.

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25

Stormy nods but then notes I will need to lower Shade as he cannot climb ladders.

"That's going to be a balancing act getting around on that ledge, and I'm not much of an acrobat in plate. If I fall I've got a spell to catch myself, but getting up out of the pit I'd need a rope.
I have a silk rope and grapple I can give to whoever is least likely to fall off the ledge."

Stormy nods but then notes I will need to lower Shade as he cannot climb ladders.

"Why not? It's not like he's a camel. He's a cat. Can't he jump?"

She gives the place the once over with detect magic.