Heralding the Coming of the Age of Worms (Inactive)

Game Master Fanguar

Camp. You'll want your spells.

The little wizard is also wounded. This place defendable. We could camp here for two nights.

"Aye, resting for a day or two might be a good idea. It'll give us time to look over the journal and notes and maybe figure out what is going on." Looking over one of the notes in his tired state, Pavo continues with, "Seems like this place be one of three...at the least. Unless we come across this Grallack guy hiding somewhere in this temple, we can only assume that he be in charge of some part of this place. And whoever the owner of this symbol is, seems to be in charge as well."

9 charges @ 5HP per charge will put Sverrir at full hits

The dwur is healed reluctantly as he still struggles with his hangover and exhaustion;

"Rest gets min vote... Read over the journal, perhaps raid their supplies? They must have some decent food and... drink down here?"

The double rest is fine, no murder in your sleep. Surprised that no one has commented on the implication that Smenk hired killers to eliminate the Koltǫnns. Of which, only the Kegsbane remains...

"I think ya have had enough drink for now there Sve, or do you recall tossing the little you had to eat near the end of that fight back there?" Then, pulling out some rations and a waterskin to slake his hunger and thirst, Pavo turns to everyone and says, "Not sure what the rest of you think, but I think we should take at least two days to sort out what we found and go over what was happening during that last fight. I nearly breathed my last and from the state of others after I woke, so did some of you. I ain't a master of strategy, but I think we are gonna have to play smarter heading forward."

The dwur shoots Pavo a cantankerous look;

"Feh... Min nausea had nothing to do with drink! I was sickened at the lack of challenge from min foes! Har!"

Am presuming that the journal is read out? If not Sverrir would take some time to read through it if anyone brought the Koltǫnns name up

Upon reading/discovering the murderous fate that befell his family Sverrir is first angered to the point of rage, then falls into a dark melancholy mood - muttering in a voice hoarse from his retching;

"Smenk is a dead man... tis a blud feud now... When we next return to town he dies... or I die trying..."

Senniki sleeps an extra long time the first day and spend much of the day searching the place carefully room by room, or resting some more. He is partially grateful for the warlike nature of the Hextorites as he is able to replenish his arrows supply. On the second day he feels like he is finally recovering physically from his ordeals he suffered over the last few days. Having explored the temple, he is itching to be moving on, "So where to next? Sounds like there are more cultists to root out around here."

Before bed, answering Ramos... Done dying for the day, brother. We'll see about tomorrow.

Lucid spends the two days productively crafting and/or scribing.

Do your CLW charge accounting and allocate your new treasure. Spellcasters, let me know what spells you have memorized. Let's get this show on the road.

Charges marked, hero's defiance prayed for.

Sverrir seems particularly cantankerous and shakes his head ruefully at his empty flask on numerous occasions.

With the rest Lucid needs only 1 charge from a wand, or one healing spell from our cleric, or one lay on hands fem Senniki.

His spells are Level 2: Create Pit (16) Flaming Sphere (DC 16), Glitterdust (16) X2. Level 1: Magic MissileX3, Mage Armor, Grease (DC 15). Level 0: (at will) Acid Splash, Detect Magic, Dancing Lights, and Message

Up and ready after two days of rest and recovery, Pavo looks to the others and says, "So where to now guys? Seems there are some other cultists roaming about in these caves. Not sure about you all, but if they worship anything like what these dead folks did, then I don't know if I can leave them be in good conscious. Not with them being so close to what has been home."

Lucid nods in agreement. We better complete our exploration of the entire place.

"let's see where this key works!"

The key was for a locked chest in the area you are in. Forgive a little railroading, but I'll get us moving along here.

Taking your hints from the notes you've found, you decide that the rough tunnels should be you next destination to search out this Grallak fellow. The tunnel that connects to the elevator chamber appears to be man made, but quickly connects with a natural stone passage heading deeper into the earth. There are no light sources and the endless dark extends seemingly forever before you.

After what seems like an eternity, the passage opens up into a larger cavern filled with stalactites and stalagmites. The rocky projections make it difficult to see very far ahead, as they choke most of the cave. A steady rhythmic splash of water dripping into some unseen pool echos unnervingly.

Light matters in this section and will be (loosely) enforced. Please let me know where and what the sources of light are.

Lucid conjures 4 globes of light and positions them 20' in front of the group moving them (swift action) as the group moves. The lights form a diamond 10' on a side illuminating like 4 bright torches dancing along as they move. When he hears or thinks he sees something the lights can dash ahead as much as 100' in an instant.

Sverrir plods forward taking point beyond the light globes where he can trust his superior darkvision (90ft.)as the group move through the gloom in his wake...

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19

Before Sverrir gets that far ahead Lucid will both pull the lights back to right in front of the party and cast his Message spell to include Sverrir, Pavo, Markus, and Senniki. Lucid plans to stick close to Ramos.

Taking up a spot behind Sverrir and the conjured lights, Pavo reminds himself to see about finding a way to see in the dark as he continues. Both blades out but resting behind his back, so as not to have the light reflect of the blades, Pavo keeps his eyes pen for anything that Sverrir might have misses.

Back soon, sorry folks.

So I was thinking.. Ramos begins, uttering a groan from the party. No.. no really.. The rough man chuckles. Seems to me, we cocked that last one up real good. Maybe this time, we send Pavo to scout ahead next. I don't want another fight like the last one we had. Gods know it almost killed us.

Using Pavo's skills to their fullest potential sounds great to me. But there was no getting into that place without the alarm getting sounded, unless… Ramos, can you cast a Silence spell?

Rubbing his chin thoughtfully, Ramos shrugs. I don't know. It's not like I ever thought about it, or have a full list ya know? Scratching his head, Ramos grins. Mostly I just ask for things to bring the pain. I guess I could ask for something to be.. Silent? Flipping a coin in the air, Ramos snatches it and winks. I'll see what Ralishaz can do. No promises though, eh?

Sverrir smiles grimly at the wisdom of the priest of misfortune;

"Heh. Send Pavo forward... my deep-eyes will watch him trigger traps and fall into pits... heh. But I will warn us of his fate!"

The dwur beckons the rogue forward;

"Be my guest brodir... though perhaps we should walk a while together... just until your sight adjusts eh?"

Still keeping his voice to a whisper, Pavo responds with "Sure thing. I can take up point, so long as Sve doesn't get angry about not seeing so well...I am only human after all." Pulling an everburning torch from his pack, he passes it to Sverrir and says, "Fact of the matter is my eyes are pretty good, but they still need light to see, hold on to this and provide me a little light to see by, I'll stick to the edge. With all your clanking about, not much use for you being in the dark anyway."

If Sverrir takes the offered torch, Pavo takes point, keeping an eye out for traps or surprises. Perception +9 +13 vs secret objects and conversations +15 vs traps.

Lucid will move his dancing lights to where they do Pave the most good as well.

Pavo does take more than a few steps into the cave before he sees several humanoid individuals lounging around on guard duty. Mostly naked, they have crude stone weapons near at hand and they quickly take them up. You notice with horror that they don't have any eyes and each creature has sharp stone sewn into its bare chest in an intricate pattern.

Combat Round 1
24 Senniki
21 Pavo
20 Lucid
20 Ramos
17 Sverrir
8 Baddies
4 Markus

Map updated. Everyone, but Markus can act

Round 1; Initiative: 17

HP: 51/51; AC: 20/12T/19FF; CMD: 18; SAVES: +9F/+3R/+3W

Sverrir's eyes narrows at the primitive cave-dwellers and he moves quickly forward to engage one of the freakish creatures with a curse on his lips and enchanted steel in his hand;

Melee: +1 Warhammer: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15
+1 Warhammer Damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12

knowledge Religion: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15

knowledge Dungeoneering or Nature?: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28

Lucid moves into the room where he can see the creatures and fans missiles out, striking the one Sverrir hit and two others.

Magic Missile: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Magic Missile: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Magic Missile: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Round 1; Initiative: 24

Senniki sends off an arrow to one of the creatures, hoping to catch it off guard.

Knowledge (religion): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11

mw Comp Longbow: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14 Hopefully enough for flat-footed
Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10

Status HP 34/34 AC 20 CMD 20

Forgive that I forgot the new protocol. Will get on board immediately.

For the above post…

Lucid Round 1, Init 20

Status: Hit Point: 26/26, AC 14, Spells used: 1 Magic Missile

I also note that Lucid is before Sverrir, but I still want of fan his missiles at the closest three targets.

AC:19 T:15 FF:14 / HP:29 / Init:+4 / F:+2 R:+8 W:+2 / CMD:20

Seeing the strange creatures, Pavo pauses for just a moment as he tried to located Sverrir in the dim light of the cave. Not spotting the dwarf, he moves forward anyway, jabbing out with his short sword and hopefully hitting the grimlock before it has time to react.

Attack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24
damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9
Sneak damage: 2d6 ⇒ (2, 5) = 7

Move action to advance, standard to attack Grimlock.

Kn Religion: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13

DC on the know check is 15

Three grimlocks fall death as your attacks scythe through them.

Combat Round 1/2
24 Senniki
21 Pavo
20 Lucid
20 Ramos
17 Sverrir
8 Baddies
4 Markus

The lone remaining guard lets out a gutteral shout of warning and steps up to attack Pavo.
Attack vs Pavo: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19
Attack: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

Everyone is up

Uh, guys? Those things are "wearing" the symbol of Erythnul, the god of hate, envy, malice, panic, ugliness, and slaughter. Someone has sown those symbols into the flesh of their chest.

Lucid moves closer for a clear shot and fires a splash of acid at the creature.

Touch Attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 131d3 ⇒ 2

Senniki fires a shot but it sails wide, distracted by what these creatures represent.

mw Comp Longbow: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10
damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

AC:19 T:15 FF:14 / HP:21/29 / Init:+4 / F:+2 R:+8 W:+2 / CMD:20

Grunting in pain at the hit, Pavo, not willing to back away, activates his spring loaded wrist band, and suddenly has a dagger in his left hand. Darting out with both weapons, he attempts to score telling blows on the remaining creature.

Attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26
Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20
Damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Crit confirm: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21
Crit damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

MA: Move to flank Pavo via a double move.

Pushing his way through the stone cavern, Ramos quickly throws himself towards the misshapen brute. From the edge of the tunnel, the priest had seen Pavo take a hit and the gruff man wanted to give his friend the edge he needed to finish his foe off.

Sorry didn't realize it had been so long since the last post...

Pavo is a whirlwind of death. A stab and a slice and a flash of blood later, the grimlock falls lifeless to the ground. (Combat is over. Nothing of interest is to be found on the dead)

Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 29

Uh, guy, snarls and growls… Lucid says pointing.

Sverrir scowls at the thought of more brutish foes;

"We should speakke to them..."

Then breaks into a dark grin:

"... with the words of steel and bellow of iron! Har!"

Bumpity, Bump, Bump. We moving on? Pre-buffing? Or?

Ready to roll - was waiting on the buffers and spell chuckers afre getting torn in...

Sword and dagger in hand, covered in blood from the short melee, he takes a moment to decide if his blades would actually be cleaner or dirtier after wiping them off on the naked creatures. Shrugging, he does it anyway before looking towards the exit to the room that they had not come from.

Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (14) + 9 = 23

Upon hearing the snarls and growls, Pavo tightens the grip on his weapons as he whispers, "Lucid's speaking tha truth of it. There is a beast down that way."

Lucid has been ready to move forward.

I am ready, not going to pre-buff on this.

Ready