Labyrinth Souls (Inactive)

Game Master Mighty Glacier

"A dream of being examined... I cannot say I know what that means. Dreams aren't my area. Excuse me."

The merchant makes no gesture for you to leave, so it seems it's okay to carry on the conversation.

Ulrich crosses his arms.
"Would you remember anything about an asylum for the Hungry? A Miracle or Miraclemaker?"

"You'll have to remember that most of my clients are much like me, people with-- very limited desire to wander in places. Though the term 'roamer' is used to refer to anyone in this dungeon, very few actually roam. Your group would be a rare exception, apparently. Have you considered finding a secret, safe place and stay there?"

"No, I think the closest I know of an asylum for the Hungry would be a prison of sorts. Are you certain the red militants know nothing of that?" She might have confused something, but it seems the Undead Sanatorium rings no bells for her.

"Miracles? It is strange, that sounds familiar. Important, even..." Felisse looks distant for a moment, but then shakes it off. "In any case, I can guarantee myself it is not as important as my work. Excuse me."

Ulrich's single eye rolls.
"Yes. Your work. Very important, now that you've given up on escape. Goodbye."

He trudges outside of the shop, picking up his weapons from where they were left and waits for the others.

Tannan, listens to the conversation between the strange shopkeep and the others.

Safe place...HA! Like that would even exist in a place like this. Am I really an experiment?! I will gut the rotten bastard that uses me as an experiment. But how do we get past the dragon or the damned demon lady? Think Tannan, think. How do we get to where we need to be?

Tannan looks to Ulrich, So, where to now? It seems we are at an impasse

"Indeed. We must rely on ourselves for direction, henceforth. There's that door across the hall here-", he says, gesturing to the door opposite Felisse's lab. "... or we can return to the Sanitarium and face the fog wall. Or barrel through the imps the keep us from Hellfire's abandoned halls."

"Do you have an opinion?"

"If we are to pursue Hellfire then I doubt there are other routes besides the imps."

Araden moves back outside the shop with the others, silent in thought as they discuss plans to venture forth. "Methinks our options are much the same as before; while mistress Felisse is a fine merchant, it seems she knows little more than we do of these accursed halls."

It seems the knight is pondersome for a moment, struggling to find words, and then he continues. "...However, one question of hers intrigues me. Forgive my asking, as it may be personal, but, why is it that you roam these halls?" He turns his helmeted head to regard each of the others in turn, then adds, "What I mean is, what is it drives us forth, in search of an exit from this place? In all the excitement of joining together, I can't recall having discussed such thoughts."

"This is our punishment, for whatever our transgressions in our lives. We may either accept our roles in the Labyrinth and struggle forward or we may stagnate and go Hungry until our starved forms are slain to sustain another. I will accept what comes my way, since I have earned this- whether oblivion or escape await me, I will face it. But I will not lose more of my mind nor will I allow myself to be paralyzed and distracted into inaction."

Ulrich crosses his arms.
"No matter our route, I will go forward. And I expect the same from the rest of you."

"You must be great at parties..."

Kekkle scratches his head "Y'know, I honestly haven't much thought to why. What I mean is, if the only alternative is to do nothing, then why not sally forth into the great unknown?"

I tried to have fun once, it was awful.

Pahleg tries the door opposite to Felisse's lab. It's locked. But as Tannan showed with the large door in Undead Sanatorium, that isn't necessarily as big a problem as it could...

"Out is the only way I want to go, but it looks like that is a more complex matter than simply walking out the front door. I mean if we even knew where that would be, so we keep going I suppose." Elyna shrugs.

"We should at least see where this door leads, before we attempt anything drastic with the imps... Tannan, you seem to have a facility with locks; would you take a look?"

Tannan looks at thee door, sizing it up the way a boxer sizes up his opponent. he grabs his tools, and looks for any other hazards before he attempts to open it.

perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8

DD: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (16) + 9 = 25

After a quick glance that tells him there shouldn't be anything to worry about, Tannan gets to work. He effortlessly unlocks the lock.

The door opens, and reveals a room approximately the same size as Felisse's laboratory. Only, instead of being a habitable workplace-slash-home, the room is full of strange mushrooms. These dog-sized fungi cover the room from floor to ceiling, leaving only a little room to navigate around them. The smell is indescribably bizarre and exotic, but not nauseous.

Because of all this it is hard to tell if there is treasure or exits in the room. Further examination may require labor...

Pahleg chuckles at Ulrich's pessimism. "Oh you're the clouds to my sky, Ulrich. Never change." As Tannan unlocks the door Pahleg nods appreciatively. "Well done. I'm glad you decided to come with us." As the mushrooms are revealed Pahleg gives a bemused look. "Hmm. I wonder what these are..."

Any sort of knowledge check?

Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

Elyna pushes past the others to take a look inside: "Do we have an empty bottle or something? Maybe we can take a sample back to the resident Alchemist. Though I wouldn't be surprised if Felisse or someone else cultivated these here. I mean what else would you grow underground?"

"Pfh. They likely have nothing to do with her "research", so she doesn't know anything about them..."

Ulrich tries to remember what the smell, size and shape of the mushrooms might mean...
Knowledge: Dungeoneering: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25

Tannan, dagger at the ready just in case, goes to inspect the room, only if Ulrich doesn't come up with useful information.

Hmmm, strange things indeed.

perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16

Tannan has trouble seeing into the room, and decides to wait for Ulrich's all-clear before walking amidst the shrooms.

"Angolian blastcaps. Just what this damned place needed... Alchemists use them for their craft but they go off if you jostle them, spreading sickness. Hmph. I imagine Tannan, Kekkle and Elyna would be able to pick their way through- but the rest of us in our heavy armor would certainly set them off."

"Maybe they are Felisse's after all."

Elyna rubs her chin "I don't know if there is anything worth the risk of popping them in there."

"Agreed. Perhaps we had best make our way elsewhere. It seems there's naught in this region of the dungeon for us to seek further."

Hmm?

"Let's go back to the asylum: perhaps beyond that fog wall will be a clearer path forward... or a revelation about our condition."

Confronting the imps is also a good idea, but Ulrich is pretty lawful and doesn't want to challenge anyone that might have authority in his covenant. If I'm outvoted, though, he'll probably go along.

Naw, I wanna fight more fog walls.

"Sounds reasonable to me."

Yeah lets whap another boss

"It seems felling the great monsters behind their fog is the best course," Araden agrees. "Although, perhaps, sometimes detrimental to one's health."
My vote goes to another boss fight.

The party grabs their weapons and once more sets out to roam. Down the stairs, and moving the way to the Sanatorium of undead. While they march in the maze that connects the Dragon Cathedral entrance to the mysterious forest, something feels amiss. An uncomfortable feeling sends a shiver down the roamer's spine.

Invaded by shadow spirit Cate the Meek!
Invaded by shadow spirit The Unstoppable!

There is no sight of these foes in the vicinity, but that may soon change.

Round 1 (Init doesnt matter, you win the init. Roll if you want.)

(You're currently in a 5ft. wide maze tunnel; what's your formation? There's no map available for this encounter while in the maze. Since you have cleared the maze, you need not make Survival checks to advance.)

(You may now advance as a group (full-round action, does not provoke) to eventually exit the narrow maze, or take individual actions. Roll Perception.)

Elyna stops and begins conjuring a flame: "Something's not right!"

She scans her surroundings ready to unleash flame.

Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (17) + 9 = 26

Readied action to fire at the first thing that comes into sight
Ranged Touch Attack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9
Damage: 2d6 + 3 ⇒ (4, 4) + 3 = 11 + Burning infusion Ref DC 16
Well nevermind then, dicebot.

Araden takes up a position at the rear of the group, ready to defend any attackers from that direction. Upon sensing the change in the air, the echoes of the spirits, and overall just feeling the invasion, the wanderer brings up his great axe and readies to defend.

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22

Readied action to attack the first perceived threat that comes in reach.
Attack: 1d20 + 7 - 1 ⇒ (18) + 7 - 1 = 24
Damage: 1d10 + 8 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 8 + 3 = 18

I would say the order is: Ulrich, Pahleg, Kekkle, Elyna, Tannan, Araden?

Perception: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (14) - 1 = 13

Ulrich starts banging his sword against his shield.
"COME ON THEN! WE'RE READY FOR YOU FOOLS!"
Intimidate: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (15) + 9 = 24

(Go ahead with the others' actions, James.)

Sorry if I'm being too liberal with your resources, guys.

Pahleg calls upon the divine power of the sun to cast shield of faith on himself and readies his longspear.
Pahleg's AC is now 17 for 30 rounds.

Kekkle manifests a glowing short sword in his off-hand.
Using one point of psychic pool to make a +1 shortsword for his off-hand.

Tannan readies one of his many knives, hoping to send it into an invader's eye.
Readied dagger throw: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 171d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Perception P: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21
Perception K: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26
Perception T: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8

Bah, wasn't getting updates. Sorry, I'm here now. That action is fine.

"You know, if we were to be attacked here we would surely at a disadvantage. No doubt they choose now to appear for a reason. Perhaps we should consider an attempt to find better ground?"

(entrance <-) UPKETA (-> exit)

Round 1

Elyna and Araden ready themselves, observing their surroundings keenly. Elyna hears whispers of two people, most definitely belonging to the two invaders. The echoing voices bounce within the maze walls, making it hard to tell where they originated. One thing is certain: they are nearby. "Give me that. There. Now hurry." "Yes."

Ulrich starts drumming his shield with his sword, while shouting a threat. It's a demoralizing act for sure, and even though he cannot see the reactions of the invaders, Ulrich estimates he made a good first impression on them.

Pahleg calls upon the divine power of the sun, casting shield of faith on himself, and readies his longspear.

Kekkle manifests a glowing short sword in his off-hand.

Tannan takes out one of his many knives, ready to send it flying.

...

Everyone hears a ferocious warcry echo in the maze. Then, loud noises of heavy footsteps and clanking metal plates alert that someone in heavy armor is approaching. They seem to come from behind (towards Ulrich). There is still no line of sight to the enemy, but the armored foe should be close.

(There's a bit of fog of war going on; you may move and hope that you get a line of sight to the enemy. You might, or you might not.)

(If you want to stay like this and use readied attacks, we're using the readied attacks you've rolled now. This might get a little metagame-able for Elyna who knows she'll likely miss, but that's how it is. Maybe in the future, when readying attacks, you'll just give the attack and damage modifiers and let the GM roll them.)

I like the idea with the readied attacks. We should stick with that.

In this case I will keep the readied attack but also do something else on my turn.

Elyna concentrates on her inner fire and aemits a brief burst of heat. A torrent of flame begins swilring around her form and she gathers more fire between her palms.

I use my searing flesh (no action) to take 1 point of burn, to activate elemental overflow, then I gather power with my move action so my readied attack does not cost burn. The blast would have +1 to hit and +2 damage weren't it a natural 1

Ulrich steps toward the sound of the approaching armored enemy- though he stays within visual range of the rest of the party. Shield raised, he awaits contact. "If you want to fall back toward the exit, I'll hold them back if they approach."

I will ready an attack with my longsword- attack +6/1d8+2 damage

Araden shifts his weight and ensure he is still furthest from the center of the party in his direction, but otherwise remains at the ready to attack the nearest foe to approach.

Keeping my readied action; also realized whoever he attacks will likely provoke an AoO as they close, what with reach, so if you want to roll that it's fine. The modifiers will be the same as the last attack, total of +6 to hit and 1d10+11 damage.

Tannan readies to throw one of his daggers should an enemy approach.

ranged is +5, melee is +3. Damage is 1d4+1

"Splitting up would be more dangerous then staying put."

I don't have any decent attacks to ready since I'm in the middle so I'll Total Defense

(Pahleg's action, if you would, James.)

Pahleg advances behind Ulrich, readied with his spear to attack anyone approaching.
He'll be behind me, where he can attack my attacker. Longspear attack +4/1d8+3 damage.

(entrance <-) XUPKETA (-> exit)

Round 2

Elyna causes a torrent of flame to swirl around her as she prepares to blast any enemies.

Araden, Pahleg, and Tannan remain at the ready to attack the nearest foe to approach. Kekkle stands by cautiously.

...

The sounds of the loud footsteps close in. Suddenly a towering man in full plate appears from behind a corner, swinging a great labrys. His raging emergence would be an intimidating sight for the unprepared, but the party has been waiting for a foe.

Elyna's Readied Attack: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (9) + 9 = 18 Damage: 2d6 + 5 ⇒ (5, 4) + 5 = 14 Ref: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10
Tannan's Readied Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15 Damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4 (miss)

The barrage of fire hits the armored foe, but that does not stop him. He closes the distance to Ulrich.

Pahleg's Readied Attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15 Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9 (miss)
Ulrich's Readied Attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23 Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

Ulrich gets a clean hit in on the armored man. A few drops of dark red blood spray out.

(While you're at it, make another Perception check.)

Perception: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (15) - 2 = 13
Perception 2: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (20) - 2 = 18
Not reading the spoiler then.

Ulrich presses the attack on the plate armor clad figure.
longsword: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 121d8 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22
Perception 2: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7

Araden turns slightly to view the combat at his rear, then returns his focus before him, having caught sight of the dark blood. "Beware the foe, Ulrich--he is an orc, a powerful enemy."

Araden's remaining readied to attack.

Perception (for the spoiler): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (8) + 9 = 17
Perception (the other one): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (17) + 9 = 26

"But they're stupid, so there's that!" Elyna comments the group as she steps back and blasts the attacker again.

Move to exactly 30 ft. away from the attacker, if possible. I don't know which floor we're on right now.
Ranged Touch Attack (Elemental Overflow): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (9) + 9 = 18
Damage (Elemental Overflow): 2d6 + 5 ⇒ (3, 2) + 5 = 10

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24

Casting Daze DC 12 on the attacker

"Perhaps he is another friend of the liar and the prince?"