Labyrinth Souls (Inactive)

Game Master Mighty Glacier

Pahleg gives the all clear, calling the others up. "I found a dagger and a necklace. Who do we think should have the weapon? I'm fairly strong but not a fighter."

Pahleg scans the room, including the corpses and daggers, for magic.

With a 14 strength I'd be decent with the dagger, and I think our pure martial types are all already armed.

Pahleg will always scan new places and items for magic as long as there's no immediate danger.

Kekkle is the third up the level. He makes an odd chirping sound when faced with the grisly scene but quickly puts it out of mind. "Well done you two! You've scared it off!" he says cheerfully.

"I'm already armed myself," he replies to Pahleg "And I have a few spells at my disposal as well."

Ushio begins pondering again...

"Where is it... Why didn't it come down... Maybe its not that it can't come down, but ladders aren't really it's forte..."

Ushio silently taps his lip with the tip of his pointer finger in a rather thoughtful pose.

"There could be a staircase or slope/incline; Something easier for it to stumble down. Then it would come here... It hasn't been too long to worry where else it could be." Ushio looks back up towards everyone still down on this landing or lurking around the ladder-tops. He begins to speak.

"It could be looking for another way down or have fled because of the on rush of people. Did you find any stairs or other passages back that way perhaps? If it is smarter than it seems it could prove fortuitous to it to drag off stragglers from behind, atleast that's how it was back on the streets with the urchins and poor. If that is the case, anyone good with a weapon, Especially those who have them, should back the group at the front and back, giving the others time to prepare... That's what I think would be better for us anyway." Ushio puts his hands on the sides of his neck and scuffs at the floor with one of his shoes. He will be the fourth to climb the ladder...

"What? You found something?", Ulrich says, surprised.
He turns to the severed heads.
"Sneaky! Very sneaky, you two!"

Ushio begins pondering again...

"Where is it... Why didn't it come down... Maybe its not that it can't come down, but ladders aren't really it's forte..."

Ushio silently taps his lip with the tip of his pointer finger in a rather thoughtful pose.

"There could be a staircase or slope/incline; Something easier for it to stumble down. Then it would come here... It hasn't been too long to worry where else it could be." Ushio looks back up towards everyone still down on this landing or lurking around the ladder-tops. He begins to speak.

"It could be looking for another way down or have fled because of the on rush of people. Did you find any stairs or other passages back that way perhaps? If it is smarter than it seems it could prove fortuitous to it to drag off stragglers from behind, atleast that's how it was back on the streets with the urchins and poor. If that is the case, anyone good with a weapon, Especially those who have them, should back the group at the front and back, giving the others time to prepare... That's what I think would be better for us anyway." Ushio puts his hands on the sides of his neck and scuffs at the floor with one of his shoes. He will be the fourth to climb the ladder...

"I've been too busy to look", Ulrich replies, motioning to his gore-smeared sword. "But that's a sensible marching order."

"Yes, very sneaky of them." Pahleg says with a light chuckle. He nods at the marching order suggestion. "I could cover the back." He takes a few experimental swings with the dagger before attempting to put it in his belt. When it drops to the ground Pahleg bursts out laughing. "Right, no belt. I suppose I'll just carry it. Probably best to keep it out anyways." Still chuckling he picks the dagger back up.

Woah, 22 new posts!

"If no one needs the dagger, I'll take it. The grip looks a little knobby and unhandy, but it's always good having a knife handy.", Elyna offers.
To Ushio's suggested marching order she replies: "I'm happy with anyone willing to stand between me and any angry corpses hiding in the darkness."

"I will be up front. Easier for me to get to my kills, " Goramar says as he inches closer to the group. "Keep moving. Staying in one spot too long is certain death. "

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Rilian nervously climbs the ladder, finally reaching the top she scrambles off the ladder, pulling herself onto the ground. She stands, brushing herself off.

Seeing the proffered dagger she shakes her head, "I wouldn't know what to do with it even if I had it."

Rilian moves towards one of the exits to the chamber, holding her small light aloft to see if she can spy the end of the tunnels.

I'm looking down the tunnel to the Forward of the ladder

Rilian peeks at the tunnel leading forward of the ladder. The tunnel stretches about 50 feet forward before making a turn to left and right, forming a "T".

Perception, look at forward tunnel: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21

Standing from the entrance, the shining pebble in Rilian's hand only makes the first 20 feet clearly visible and the following 20 feet a bit less dark. She sees no movement nor any other threats in the tunnel, but for some reason can't shake off the feeling that something is off about the passageway.

Moritat climbs up the ladder. All eight of the group have gathered in the corpse chamber.

To keep things moving more fluidly:

Ulrich, with the torch in one hand and the longsword in the other, looks at the passage on the right-hand side.

Perception, look at right-hand passage: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (12) - 2 = 10

The passage goes 20 feet before taking a turn to the right. Ulrich sees some cobwebs in the ceiling, but he shrugs them as harmless.

Here's a mini-map to help visualize the scene.

Pahleg scans the area with detect magic as he inspects it.

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16

Nothing detects as magic in the area.

Pahleg sees some cobwebs in the right-hand side passage, but does not think of them as dangerous. Any specific area you're inspecting?

Well my metagame senses tell me that as soon as the DM specifically pronounces something not dangerous, it's probably dangerous. But no, nothing specific.

"What do you see girl?" Goramar says to Rilian. Goramar moves up next to her preparing to move down the passageway.

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Moritat simply would watch and wait as the others continued, simply falling into the back of the group. It seemed the best place for her to take. However, her curiosity and impatience would win out after a moment, and she would step forward next to Rilian. Most of the others may have had issues with the darkness, but Moritat did not.

Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

And doesn't see a thing!

Kekkle will head down the Southern passage and peaks around the corner. He had been of little help up to know and was eager to make up for it!

Perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 1 = 21

Darkvision 60 ft; so I shouldn't need a torch

Moritat walks next to Rilian and gazes to the dark, long tunnel. Nothing catches her eye.

Kekkle eagerly walks to the right-hand side passage and peeks around the corner. The passage goes on and on, well over 60 feet. More cobwebs cover the ceiling along the way. There are a handful of wooden barrels lying on the ground along the passage. The scarecrow notices something small sparkling in the distance, about 50 feet away on top of one of the barrels. Kekkle sees no movement in the passage.

I think it's about time you guys decide which way you want to go...

"See anything promising? It's a bit grisly, but we could throw these heads down a passage and see if we get a reaction... I don't think these poor sods will miss them."

"If we're putting this to a vote, I would say we head this way.", Ulrich says, pointing toward the southern passage where Kekkle is investigating.

Kekkle's interest is grabbed by the strange bauble. What could it be! The voices of his companions are distant and he calls out down the hall. "There's something down this way! Besides a hallway and cobwebs, I mean."

Pahleg also wants to go investigate the loot item.

I'll assume I get the dagger then

"Let me take a look, gnomish eyes are a little better in dim light, you know.", Elyna moves to peer down the tunnel Rilian is illuminating as well.

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17 With low light vision i should see well for 40 ft. and dimly for up to 80.

Actually I was going to hold onto it. I'm better with it, plus it's not the right size for you.

I wasn't going to use it for fighting. Just as a sharp instrument if one is necessary, but if you can make use of it, go ahead. I just didn't see a response before.

Curious about the sparkling object, Kekkle, Ulrich and Pahleg venture to the passage as quietly as they can. Weapons drawn, one step at a time, they approach the barrel in the distance and the sparkling something on top of it. Unfortunately, their travel is cut short, as something attacks them!

Round 0 (Surprise)

Melee attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21 vs Pahleg's flat
Melee damage plus sneak attack: 1d6 + 3 + 1d6 ⇒ (2) + 3 + (6) = 11
Pahleg is at 0 hp.

A blade flashes in the hallway and dips into Pahleg's chest. He screams in pain, having been completely unaware of any attacker in the passage. It turns out that someone, or something, was hiding behind one of the barrels. Ulrich gets a good look at the attacker: it looks like a human dressed in rags similar to those Ulrich had stripped earlier. Pahleg's angelic blood stains Ulrich's clothes and the stone floor. But that's not enough for the attacker...

Round 1
Kekkle yelps and quickly reacts to the danger. He steps back, draws his deck of cards and sends a card flying towards the assailant. The card barely misses the man in rags.

The sneaky attacker then quickly thrusts his weapon once more at Pahleg's chest.

Melee attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24 vs Pahleg's flat
Crit confirm: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9 lucky!
Melee damage plus sneak attack: 1d6 + 3 + 1d6 ⇒ (2) + 3 + (2) = 7
Pahleg is at -7 hp, falls unconscious and is dying.

Blood spatters as the attack connects. The aasimar's wounds have grown too great, and thus he falls to the ground. The attacker seems pleased, flashing a malevolent grin.

Battle Map Yeah, I know I said I wouldn't provide battle maps. Consider this a special occasion.

Elyna fixes her gaze on something down the tunnel but as she hears Pahleg's agonized scream she turns around: "Saw something, remind me to get back to that!"
She hurries over to the other tunnel to see what happened.

Double move to get into the southmost corner on the minimap

Assuming the other seven characters ahead of me don't somehow obliterate this creep:

Ulrich steps further into the corridor five foot step, leaving a space for someone else to enter melee and chops at the villain with his sword.

Longsword vs. knave: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 211d8 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

"KNAVE! BLACKGUARD!", he bellows.
That may not sound bad to our present-day sensibilities, but I imagine that would be pretty insulting back in the day!

I do have one question before I make my round. Do I still have my Arcane Pool from whatever previous day? Or am I completely dry until I prepare again?

You had full pool at the beginning of the game and still have.

Round 1

Kekkle yelps in surprise, the sticks that make up his skeletal system clattering wildly. Who was this (rather violent) man just now? Blood flies as the knife cuts into Pahleg. Kekkle shakes out of his shock and pulls a small pack of cards out of the brim of his hat.

Time to go!

With a flick of his wrist he sends a card from the top of the deck and cruelly towards the assailant.

Ranged Attack: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 1 = 15
Damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Kekkle: 5' step west, Move Action to draw Harrow Deck, Swift Action to enhance Harrow Deck (AP 2/3), Standard Action to attack.

Edited my post above. Kekkle missed.

Round 1
Elyna dashes to the other tunnel, towards the sound of screaming.

Ulrich's longsword swings in a large arc, slashing the villain's flesh. The grin on his face turns much more malicious. I don't think others can attack the enemy in any meaningful way, so they can post their rounds later.

It's now round 2. Kekkle, you're up.

Hrm. It appeared there was nothing of interest down that hallway. Oh well, no skin off of Moritat's nose. However, judging from the sound of that scream, it was skin off of someone else's nose. Moritat would instantly begin to hustle towards the racket, a part of her grateful that she had never put away her scythe while another part of her cursing the others for wandering off alone. Obviously they had learned nothing from the other man falling down from the ladder. Thanks to her exemplary speed, the Half-Orc would soon arrive to where the combat was, and wasted no time in closing into combat distance of the man. Of course, there was the small matter of the cleric being underfoot now, but she still had plenty of room to maneuver. Besides, a few bruises from being stepped on probably wouldn't make his situation worse.

Double Move to get to the square that the now unconscious Pahleg is occupying. A half-orc with a scythe ought to give him pause for thought, or at least re-prioritize his target. :P

Goramar takes off sprinting after Moritat. Not going to let someone else get a kill that should be mine the half-orc thinks to himself.

Double move brings me to the vacant spot next to Kekkle.

Round 2

Kekkle winces as the card barely misses. He had only so many, he couldn't afford to be wasting them. He flicks another card at the man.

Attack: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 1 = 19
Damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

Kekkle: Swift Action to activate Arcane Strike, Standard Action to the Harrow Card.

Round 1
The two half-orcs rush to kill the ever-living blood out of the attacker. They arrive just in time to witness Kekkle deal the finishing blow.

Round 2
Frustrated that he had wasted a card, Kekkle flicks another card at the man. The card lands straight to his forehead, sticking to it while the man collapses to his wounds, unconscious. He no longer poses a threat.

It strikes you odd that he hasn't yet faded to ashes and dust, so perhaps the attacker is still alive. A single coup de grace kills, or you can attempt to revive him if you want.

Combat over.

You get a good look at the man. He's a human male, with southern ethnicity traits. His face is thin and he has noticeable bags under eyes.

You frisk the man's body, looking for any belongings. He was holding a rapier, wearing leather armor, and had corpse rags like those you found earlier.

Leather Armor

Armor, made up of pieces of hard boiled leather carefully sewn together.

Standard leather armor. Worth 1 soul.

Typical hide used is that of cattle's. Seeing as there is very few animals in the Labyrinth... what manner of creature's hide is this made from?

The sparkling object in the distance that attracted you is not far away... but before that, your attention turns to your unconscious cleric.

Pahleg: make some Constitution checks. Others: who wants to roll Heal?

Stabilize: 1d20 + 2 - 7 ⇒ (4) + 2 - 7 = -1

*bleeds*

Seeing that the enemy is down Elyna turns back, "Someone good with healing? Pahleg doesn't look too god. I... I'll get back to what I saw..."

she walks back to the other tunnel and carefully sneaks up to the crack in the wall she spotted earlier to see what lies beyond it.

Stealth: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24

Others: Is anyone else coming with Elyna? Or are you tending Pahleg? Or perhaps going to grab the sparkly thing not far from here?

Goramar is going to go retrieve the shiny object while the others tend to the cleric. "He should be glad we are not on the streets" Goramar mumbles mostly to himself. "We'd just let him die," the half-orc continues while on his way to the object. I need to get that armor as well, Goramar thinks.

Goramar is going to find out what the shiny object is

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Ulrich tries, with what little know-how he has, to staunch the flow of blood from Pahleg's wounds...

Heal: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (6) - 2 = 4

"Well we aren't on "the streets" you grumbling psychopath. He dies, we're all as good as dead... again. So you might as well lend a hand- or expect to receive the same indifference to your health."

"Do any of you know how to tend wounds?!", Ulrich calls over his shoulder to the rest of the group. "Our friendly priest isn't looking so good!"

Bah! That damn scarecrow had gotten the honor of killing this ingrate, whoever he was. Wait, scratch that. He had gotten the honor of defeating him. It seemed he was still clinging to life. A faint ghost of a smile would come to the half-orcs face. She may not have been a healer, but she could at least help wounds in another way. After all, revenge was its own reward, and would at least go part of the way towards easing the pain of the clerics loss for the others should he die.

"Moritat lacks talent in tending wounds," the Half-Orc would say as she walked up next to the unconscious man, lining up her scythe with his neck. However, before she could swing, she saw Elyna begin to move away out of the corner of her eye. "Do none of you people learn?! Stay together!"

Whether or not Elyna followed that sage advice, Moritat would swing he scythe down in a style reminiscent of a executioner swinging an axe.

Coup-de-grace with Power Attack and a scythe. I really don't need to roll damage, but I will anyways.

Scythe Coup-de-grace: 8d4 + 28 ⇒ (2, 2, 2, 1, 4, 3, 2, 2) + 28 = 46

Yep, he dead.

"Huhuhuuu..." moans Kekkle sadly. Pahleg was bleeding to death right in front of him and, unfortunately, was probably the only person who actually knew how to save himself.

Even worse, the half-orc was making off with the loot - and he hadn't even helped. Auorink would be most saddened!

Torn between helping Pahleg and staving off the scavengers from the prize he had worked so hard for, Kekkle decides to take the nobler of the two paths.

He tears away some of the rags from the assailants corpse and presses them over the clerics corpse. He takes a few quick glances at the already-mauled Ulrich for some insight into anatomy and how dressings should be prepared.

Heal: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (18) + 0 = 18

Rilian and Ushio are afk, but 6/8 is good enough, let's progress

Like the Grim Reaper Himself, Moritat swings her scythe and reaps the life out of the unknown attacker. His body instantly fades to ashes and dust, leaving behind only his rapier and pieces of leather armor. Everyone nearby feels a flow of nutrition flow through.

Obtained 8 souls.

*bleeds less*

I didn't realize I was the only person even remotely capable of keeping people alive. I'll be more careful in the future.

Moritat gave a grunt of approval as the life flowed from their assailant, her hunger lessening slightly. She would pick up the Rapier and armor, awkwardly juggling them between her scythe as she moved towards Kekkle and Ulrich.

"You two got the honor of injuring him," the half-orc said. She set down her scythe to have a better grip on the loot. "Moritat will honor your abilities."

Moritat would look at Keckle, and offered the rapier hilt-first to him. If he accepted, she would then give the armor to Ulrich. If nothing else, having these two have some better equipment would be helpful in the long term for keeping her alive.

Kekkle coos gently as he continues to pat down the blood of his wounded companion. He wouldn't be moving on his own anytime soon but he would live.

With a labored grunt the scarecrow tries to pull Pahleg onto his shoulders and shift him into a comfortable position (for both of them hopefully). He staggers to his feet, clearly labored under the wait but still able to move.

"I'll carry him for now, I'm less of a fighter anyways. We should try and find a healer quickly, though." he says to Ulrich.

He is also pleasantly surprised when Moritat approaches them with the loot from the body. He didn't really have any capacity whatsoever to use the rapier but he accepted it nonetheless, if at least to show his appreciation. "Thank you Lady Moritat!" he says cheerfully "I'll cherish it always!"

Lacking a belt he tucks the scabbard into his shirt where it pokes out awkwardly. Normally it would probably be in the way, but with Pahleg on his back it was hardly a concern.

"Ready to move!"

Talk first Elyna staggers back in surprise "Who are you?"

The one-eyed knight clasps Kekkle's shoulder.
"A lucky thing you were here, sir. I am certain Pahleg will be grateful for your intervention."

Ulrich nods when Moritat offers him the leather armor.
"It will serve, until we find something heavier. I remember... do I remember? I hear his voice now... No, no. Memory. It's a memory."

He trails off for a moment, then abruptly regains focus.
"The man Goramar killed- he said he had a friend, an alchemist, on... B14F a few floors above. Perhaps we can prevail upon her to help us patch up Pahleg. Let us keep an eye out for a route up."

I will pull on the leather armor, time permitting.

No surprise because Elyna saw the man.
Round 1
The tall man hiding in the crack on the wall quickly raises his arms and them points at Elyna. A sudden burst of heat flickers from the man's hands, immediately becoming searing flames.

Elyna's Reflex: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15 success!
burning hands: 3d4 + 4 ⇒ (4, 1, 1) + 4 = 10
Elyna takes 5 damage.

Elyna deftly dodges to side, avoiding most of the blast. It's clear that whoever is hiding there is not reluctant to fight.

Battle Map

"Ninja'd!"-edit Ulrich: You have time to put the armor on before the combat starts.

On my turn of course

Goramar hears some commotion off in the distance, what he thinks is in the general direction the girl went. Not wanting to miss out on another chance to use his blade, the half-orc sprints down the passageway.

Double move 60'

"Moritat would prefer that you cherish it until you find something better," the half-orc would say to Kekkle, a slight hint of a wry smile coming to her face as she picked up her scythe again. "But yes, it would be good to move up, and find this friend. If nothing else, it will be a brief respite."

However, it didn't take long for her smile to fade as the sound of the rush of flames echoed down the hall. The annoyance on Moritat's face was clearly visible as she began to rush towards the sound of combat. Again.

Double Move to get one square in front of Rilian.