JCServant's Council of Thieves (Inactive)

Game Master JCServant

You move on to the room of snakes. Two flights of stairs allow access to this cylindrical, thirty-foot high room, one leading up and the other down. The walls of this room are studded with narrow holes and hundreds of short wooden pegs.

After you enter the room, hissing vipers slither shoot out of six of the holes lining this room and attack a character each before you quickly stomp and snuff the life out of them.

1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11
1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11
1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19
1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9
1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8
1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11

Only Beppo was bit.

Beppo, please make fort saves until you beat a (wait...wait for it....) whopping DC 9 !!!!

As soon as the last snake dies, it shrivels up and transforms into a grape-sized piece of green jade worth 100 gp.

You return back to the room with the signs.

You have done well! Your fears are going away! But do not delay. Three more remain!

Kyle casts Guidance on everyone before walking into the next room.

"Let's see what the room labeled blood does. Aah, which door was that again?"

You got to the room of blood. Two flights of stairs allow access to this cylindrical, thirty-foot-high room, one leading up and the other down. What appear to be dozens of wicker bird cages hang by thick ropes from the ceiling, each dangling at a different height above the floor.

Suddenly, all of the doors open up and stirges swoop down!

1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 131d100 ⇒ 92 Aemon: 1 Con dmg, Fort Save
1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 231d100 ⇒ 75 BD: 1 Con dmg
1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 111d100 ⇒ 53 Beppo: 1 Con Dmg
1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 251d100 ⇒ 9 Brandon: 1 Con Dmg
1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 81d100 ⇒ 87 Corellon: Miss
1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 221d100 ⇒ 75 Kyle: 1 Con Dmg
1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 131d100 ⇒ 64 Tessai: 1 Con Dmg

You all immediately attack back and kill all of the stirges, resulting in a lot of blood all over you and the room.

You return back to the main room.

{Beppo and Aemon have pending saves. I'll wait for those to resolve)

Keep in mind that 1 con damage by itself has no impact on your character whatsoever.

5' Kyle (18/18 5 CON dmg (-8mhps,-2fort)), Aemon (36/36 1 Con Dmg), Corellon (21/21 1 Con Dmg, 1 WIS Dmg), Tessai (33/33 1 Con Dmg),
PFL Beppo (40/40 3 Str Dmg, 1 Con Dmg), Brandon (38/39 1 Con Dmg), B Devil (30/32 1 Con Dmg, 1 WIS Dmg, Cursed, 3pts STR dmg),

"That one", Devil indicates. "Perhaps | should go first?", he suggests, preparing himself.

If it makes you feel any better...not to retcon or anything...and you may not have known...but these things didn't happen when the first person walked in. It happened a few seconds after everyone walked in.

Oh, here's some retcon: As soon as the last stirge dies, it shrivels up
and transforms into a grape-sized piece of purple amethyst worth 100 gp.

Beppo yells Blargh! Snakes! as he hacks through them with his blades fort save against snake: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10 that didn't take too long

...

Beppo yells, Bl- what the? Kill them all! at the stirges. No fort save against them, I presume (except for Aemon) He picks up the amethyst, wipes a smear of blood of of his face with the back of a hand that is almost as bloody, and asks, What's next? Spiders?

"Yes. And then the room of gnomish bawds.", Devil teases Beppo.

Two flights of stairs allow access to this cylindrical room, one
leading up and the other down. Above, the ceiling is obscured by thick tangles of drooping cobwebs. the cobwebs above shake and rustle as a rain of spiders tumbles down into the room’s center. These hundreds of fist-sized hairy spiders immediately attack as a spider swarm.

Everyone in the room is bitten by hundreds of spiders. Damage is automatic. Everyone makes two fort saves. The first is for poison and the other is for distraction. If you are distracted, you are basically nauseated. Nauseated creatures are unable to attack, cast spells, concentrate on spells, or do anything else requiring attention. The only action such a character can take is a single move action per turn. The DC for each is 11 Fort. A swarm of creatures this size is immune to all weapon damage and direct single target spells.

1d6 ⇒ 4
Everyone takes 4 damage. Saving throws and Combat actions.

5' Kyle (22/26 1 CON dmg), Aemon (32/36 1 Con Dmg), Corellon (17/21 1 Con Dmg, 1 WIS Dmg), Tessai (29/33 1 Con Dmg),
PFL Beppo (36/40 3 Str Dmg(-1hit/dmg), 1 Con Dmg), Brandon (34/39 1 Con Dmg), B Devil (26/32 1 Con Dmg, 1 WIS Dmg, Cursed, 3pts STR dmg (-1hit/dmg)),

2x Spider Swarms

Fort: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18
Fort: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22

Kyle calls on Shelyn to give him the strength to cast another spell.

Use hero point to recall a memorized spell; Wind Wall.

Strong winds envelops the party and blows the swarm away.

Tiny swarms are open to damage from strong winds. Roll 2d6

Swarm Damage: 2d6 ⇒ (5, 1) = 6

Fort Save: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15
Fort Save: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21

poison fort save: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14
distraction/nausea fort save: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7

Beppo drops his sword, yelling AAAAGGHH!! SPIDERS!! EVERYWHERE!!! GET THEM OFF MEEEeeeee!! He spins in a frantic circle, swatting and smacking arachnids in every direction. He digs in his collar, sleeves, and pant legs, desperately hoping to smash or brush off anything with more legs than he.

Poison fort: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 6 + 2 = 9
Nausea: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15

They're in my hair! Brandon swings his Morningstar uselessly.

Fort save 1: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12
Fort save 2: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18
Fort save 3: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7

Sorry about to start home game of dnd i'll rp some later

Aemon moves out of the swarm and that's all he can do.

The spiders are blown into the wall, and splatter. As soon as the last spider dies, it shrivels up and transforms into a grape-sized red garnet worth 100 gp.

Let's resolve the poison...

Aemon OK now
B Devil - missing
Beppo OK
Brandon 2 pts STR from the first failed save (made 2nd below)
Corellon - missing
Kyle OK
Tessai OK

Brandon 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 6 + 2 = 141d2 ⇒ 2

The last room is the fire room.

Two flights of stairs allow access to this cylindrical, thirty-foothigh
room, one leading up and the other down. Hundreds of flickering candles burn in narrow niches lining the walls of the room all the way up to the ceiling.

A few moments after you enters this room, the candles flash with fire and light. Your eyes find it hard to adjust for a moment, and then you see, three Small fire elementals burst out of the ground to attack you— but you dispatch them quickly.

As soon as the last elemental dies, it bursts into smoke, leaving behind a fiery orange, grape-sized pearl worth 100 gp.

You return back to the observation room.
Did you conquer your fears? If you did, show me!!

Beppo picks up the garnet and the pearl if no one else does.

Once back in the observation room...

Yes! We conquered your absurd "tests" and have the baubles to prove it. What manner of "help" do you offer us?

A someone immodestly dressed imp appears where you have laid out the 'baubles.' She eyes them his a huge grin. Well done! Isn’t it better to be sane? Now, I understand you might have forgotten some important things while you were crazy. I can help! I can help six times, in fact! Ask me six questions! I can get the answers!” (See drop box for livia.jpg) She takes the gems you have laid out. Yes, with these I can answer your questions! Ask away!

Playing catch-up:
Fort vs poison +6: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10
Fort vs distraction +8: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20
Kyle had passed out Guidance, yes? If so, both succeed.

"No one say anything.", Devil commands. To the imp, he says, "We'll return. With questions."

Kn:Arcane +7: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14
Kn:History +7: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26
Kn:Religion +7: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15
Kn:Planes +7: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19
Spellcraft +7: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18

What do we know about this critter and her offer?

She looks like a normal imp. The typical imp doesn't have special powers to answer questions, but she may not be normal. Imps are also occasionally used as familiars for casters. Knowledge of imps in general does not tell you anything about her offer or its validity.

Beppo is not one to lay gems out for voices, imps, etc., and I had not intended to do so - at the same time, I'm happy to gloss over that minor detail to keep the story moving.

Indeed. As you see, I've taken more liberties than usual in this are to push things along once you all decided you were going to do the trials. Done by the book, this section could take nearly a week on its own. :) I hope that meets with most of y'alls overall approval.

It's fine by me, especially if we run through encounters that are not as likely to pose as much of a challenge as a bunch of shadows or a pack of ghouls (the latter of which probably only looks easy because the ghouls missed and we hit).

Definitely. I feel like it would have been very frustrating.

Brandon drinks his potion of lesser restoration.

1d4 ⇒ 4

Back now ...

Fort Save vs. Poison w. Guidance: 1d20 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 1 + 1 = 15
Fort Save vs. Distraction: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Corellon manages to avoid succumbing to the poisonous bite of the swarm but the flurry of activity leaves him distracted.

All good on the fast forward.

Corellon looks at Devil and nods - his eyes widening as if to say - 'Where to now?'.

I would say that was a good call GM-JC.

I am at an all day PFS event today. However please continue to discuss what you are going to do. I would like to move this forward on Monday morning at the latest.

Having discussed it at length, Brandon steps toward the imp.

We have our questions and would be grateful if you could provide the answers. Devil, would you be so kind?

As he steps to one side he removes his mutagen from his belt and holds it ready.

Corellon steps back and lets Devil step forward to address the imp. He keeps an eye on his surroundings as Devil begins, hpong to ensure that the party is not caught off guard.

Perception: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (9) + 12 = 21

Devil had the list in hand. It was scribbled through, made in four hands, passed about on one of the emptied scrolls (not one with the RuneCurse wrapped in)... But complete. Or at least, agreed on.

Devil faced the imp, and asked, "Does the devil in the prison know or possess anything useful to our purpose here?"

The imp draws a rune symbol on the ground using powder in a small bag. Then she pricks her finger and allows a drop of blood to land in the center. Her eyes turn black as she murmurs arcane words beyond comprehension, though a few words of infernal are used... "Great One", "Plea" "Answer."

After a few minutes of silence that follow, her eyes return to their normal hue.

He possesses a magic weapon, of evil power that may be useful, or be a hendrence to your purposes, my liege..

"What path should we follow to find the Chelish Crux herein?", Devil asked, carefully ignoring the hanging bait he heard in her answer.

He possesses a magic weapon, of evil power that may be useful, or be a hendrence to your purposes, my liege..

When Devil looked through the door (And then when Tess did...), did we see a weapon?

Aemon strokes his chin, in deep thought at what the Imp is saying.

By this time, the moment to moment situations that the Shades of Grey have found themselves in has so fundamentally transcended his original life in terms of awe, danger and even meaning that seeing things such as the imp's display do not unnerve him. Whereas before he would have quickly found any means of escape simply to put space behind him and the thing, now he is more fascinated, even a bit intense in wanting to pull more out of the creature. But he bites his tongue as Devil follows the plan.

You did not. However, there was enough debris and large objects in the room (such as a matted bed) to hide any variety of things, including a weapon.

You did not. However, there was enough debris and large objects in the room (such as a matted bed) to hide any variety of things, including a weapon.

Given the creature's apparent rage... and applying Devil's Sense Motive, was the rage false? Or if true, sufficient to have him charge us and leave the weapon behind? SM+10: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (10) + 10 = 20

"What path should we follow to find the Chelish Crux herein?", Devil asked, carefully ignoring the hanging bait he heard in her answer.

She goes through the ritual again before answering. I cannot answer that question with exact detail as the paths in the knot change like the winds on the Inner Sea. You must proceed through the Heart of the Knot, who's doors open and close to confuse those who seek to go through it. The easiest path to the heart lies past the dark pit of chains. Once you have found a way through the heart, follow the hallway south. When you see a staircase, decend through it to reach the Sanctum of the Crux.

She pauses for a moment and adds, You could also proceed to the south. While the way is longer, and more dangerous, there is an intelligence there that may guide you through the Heart.

GM-JCServant wrote:

You did not. However, there was enough debris and large objects in the room (such as a matted bed) to hide any variety of things, including a weapon.

Given the creature's apparent rage... and applying Devil's Sense Motive, was the rage false? Or if true, sufficient to have him charge us and leave the weapon behind? [dice=SM+10]d20+10

Unknown.

"How many of the Shades of Grey are known by proper name to governmental agents of Westcrown?

She performs her ritual again.

Four, she says. I can assist you three more times.

"A stupid question...", Devil mutters, wheels turning in his head. He consults the list.

"What equipments do we lack for success in our purpose here?", he asks the imp.

it might be best to know who those four are, Devil.

Brandon says nervously.

'Four of us, who .. we should have asked who among us is known ... oh the paranoia and the anxiety ... great. At least now we know we need to be extra vigilent in keeping to the shadows.'

'Four? Strange that they should not have come for us yet. I wonder what game they are playing.'

it might be best to know who those four are, Devil.

Brandon says nervously.

Devil turns to Brandon, "A name on a scrap of paper somewhere might count. I have a birth registry. The question was poorly formed; the answer is no cause for panic."

She consults her magics again. Then she starts laughing. Hard. Wit! The spirits are certainly jovial today!, she says in between giggles. She tears up even before finally calming down.

She sees the look on your faces, and looks Black Devil in the eye. Well, it is true! Unless you are well equipped, YOU will not leave the Knot alive! And perhaps your friends won't as well.

"We're not getting a lot out of these questions.."

Aemon shakes his head.

Devil presses on.

"Can we the party together defeat the being contracted by the RuneCurse we encountered?"