Labyrinth Souls (Inactive)

Game Master Mighty Glacier

Round 2

Elyna sends another ball of flame at the crowned adversary. The force of the blast makes the prince to lose his balance, and causes the robes to catch on fire.

GMPC Having run out of spells, Kekkle hurls a card at the dueler. Ranged attack, penalty: 1d20 + 4 - 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 - 4 = 17 The card is accurately thrown, but the shadowy swordsman slices it mid-air.

GMPC The unrelenting half-orc keeps attacking at the crown-carrying shadow. Melee attack: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 3 + 1 = 17 Damage: 1d6 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 2 + 1 = 7 He thrusts his rapier deep into him, impaling his left leg.

Ulrich furiously swings his longsword at the prince, chopping him right on his face, causing his crown to fall off. The prince collapses, whispering something under his breath while he hits the floor. "All.. wro..." His figure, enveloped in red shadows, begins to vanish, disappearing to the darkness.

Pahleg stabes fiercely at the final remaining invader, with such passion that it catches the swordsman off guard. Pahleg's spear goes past the man's defese and penetrates his armor. If he was not so enveloped in red shadows one could see his armor suffered minor burns. "You are very good!" the man compliments Pahleg.

You see that the corpses of Rilian and Moritat have almost fully faded to ashes and dust now.

Round 3

The final remaining invader leaps backwards, out of Pahleg's spear's reach and raises his arm. "Parley! You fight really well. But two of yours are dead and one more about to join them. So I offer: let me leave in peace and there won't be any more blood shed today. What say you?"

Battle map

Isn't his name literally the liar? Ya I'll pass on that offer.

Pahleg growls. "We will not fall for your tricks nor let a mad murderer escape! Have at thee!" He cries, lunging forward.

Attack: 1d20 + 4 - 1 ⇒ (2) + 4 - 1 = 5 Sorry my three key is messed up
Damage: 1d8 + 4 - 1 + 1d4 ⇒ (4) + 4 - 1 + (2) = 9

Sure, he may be "a liar" but what of the jolly cooperation?

Jolly cooperation ends at indiscriminate killing.

Ulrich pushes through his comrades to reach a position where he might deal with this "Liar".
Double move to G8.

Elyna steps past Ushio to protect him.

"You should have asked for parlay before you murdered our companions, we might have indulged you..."

A wave of flame rolls up her body and discharges at the shadowclad figure.

Ranged Touch Attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14
Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

Round 3

Despite the enemy's willingness to cease-fire, Elyna keeps blasting waves of flames at her enemy, this time hitting the dueler while he's distracted talking. The man is caught in flames, and is clearly exhausted.

GMPC Kekkle throws a card at the invader. Ranged attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15 Once again the card is deftly sliced mid-air.

GMPC Goramar moves closer to the remaining enemy.

Ulrich dashes towards the enemy.

Pahleg growls and lunges forward, but his attack is dodged.

The corpses of Rilian and Moritat are now gone.

Round 4

The dueler assumes a fighting position. "Oh no, this is risky of me," he sighs as he takes a stab at Ulrich. Melee attack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20 Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4 His rapier is swifter than eye, and hits Ulrich in the arm.

Battle map

Pahleg's weapon stops shining, but it doesn't stop the cleric from trying to stab the lying murderer with it.

Attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21
Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

Barely clinging to consciousness, Ulrich chops at the Liar seeking to end the battle here.
Longsword: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 241d8 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6
Crit confirm!: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14

Dying: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (10) - 2 = 8
Dying: 1d20 - 3 ⇒ (16) - 3 = 13
Stabled

Round 4

GMPC Elyna hurls yet another blast of fire at the invader. Ranged touch attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24 conf: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8 Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6 The blast knocks the weapon out of the duelists's hand, and the force of flames causes the shadowy figure to collapse. "This is my end! Haw haw... haa..." the duelists laughs as he vanishes to the shadows.

Combat over.

Shadow spirit Dark Prince Bargoth has been vanquished.
Shadow spirit Reanimate Liar has been vanquished.

Obtained 19 souls.
Obtained 9 souls.
Obtained 23 souls.

With all three red shadows now gone, you have time to take a breath. The victory is Pyrrhic, as Rilian and Moritat are now gone without a trace. Ushio, still lying unconscious on the cold stone floor, needs medical attention. Yet the soothing and nourishing flow of souls invigorates you.

As you begin to gather your thoughts, a palmful of silver coins rains down from the ceiling of the chamber. You count five of these coins.

Token of Valiance

A coin that shines bright silver light.

Token recognizing that the owner has withstood the invasion of the wicked without aid of others. Acts as currency for some groups. Cannot be sold.

Simply carrying these tokens shows the depth of the holder's determination.

You also notice that the invaders had left something behind: a magical crown and a rapier.

Dark Prince Crown

A blood-stained golden crown. The jewelry seems fake.

Use detect magic spell and Spellcraft skill to determine the effects of this item. Use Appraise skill to determine the value of this item.

Bastard son of a nobleman only ever wanted to live in a castle, but his dream was ruined when he became possessed by shadows of despair. Wearing a crown and being a ruler are two very different things.

Liar's Mail Breaker

The rapier wielded by Eliyah the Liar, a former Raetian knight.

Masterwork rapier. Grants its wielder a +4 luck bonus on Bluff checks made to tell a lie. Worth 35 souls.

Unbefitting a knight of Raetas, Eliyah was a pathological liar. Did the lies eventually lead to his disappearance from the imperial palace, or was it something else? It remains a mystery.

Looking at the spots where Rilian and Moritat's corpses once were: "At least they are out of this labyrinth now..."

After a few moments Elyna goes and picks up the curious crown. "Any idea what this might have been good for, other than a morbid accessory?"

Ulrich checks Ushio's pulse.
"At least Master Takei isn't liable to disappear yet. Shall it be Aurink's blessing that revives him or our estus flask?"

"I knew neither of them well, but it is a shame for both to meet an end at the hands of such honorless curs. What disturbs me are these coins falling from the ceiling- and our ambushers' sudden appearance. Like the Labyrinth itself watches, punishing and rewarding.... a true purgatory, though I know not by what God's design.", he continues, tucking one of the tokens into his satchel.

Ulrich revives Ushio with the estus flask.
Estus: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

Ushio's wounds close as the contents of the estus flask warm his body. He awakens.

Investigating around a little reveals that the tunnel opposite to the ladders seems to lead to a large chamber. But that is not where the knight's directions lead: the ladders here should be the ones you were told of.

Anything you want to do with the souls, or do you wish to move on?

Before moving on, the party notices how exhausted and tired everyone are. It has been a long, eventful day without much rest. Everyone agrees to find a safe place to rest at, and the nearby skeleton merchant's shop sounds promising.

The skeleton welcomes the party to rest at his warehouse ("But no steal my own!"). Each member of the party finds a comfortable place to lie down, and one at a time they fall asleep.

Once they wake up, they are greeted by the jolly skeleton. You had hoped you would wake up home, away from this nightmare, but reality is cruel for you.

Now is a good time to prepare spells.

Before the party falls asleep, Pahleg uses the last of his healing.

Channel: 2d6 + 2 ⇒ (2, 4) + 2 = 8
CLW: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

I imagine that brings everybody to full. Correct me if I'm wrong.

You are correct: only Ulrich and Ushio had 4 damage and 3 damage, respectively. Everyone are at full hp at the start of the day.

As everyone settles for rest Elyna gets curious about the blood-stained crown and experimentally puts it on her head, to see if she can feel anything particular.

With the crown on her head, Elyna feels a slight sense of general superiority and an itching need to command others. These effects are likely not caused just by the psychological effects of wearing a mundane crown, but part of the magic of the dark prince crown.

The crown is a wee bit too big for Elyna's head, clearly intended for taller races: the sight of Elyna wearing the crown is both amusing and adorable.

Kekkle bumps in for a second as Elyna is accessorising. "Let me get that for you!" he says cheerfully.

Casting prestidigitation to clean the crown up

"There! All better!"

Ulrich awakens, moody after realizing he is still in this damned place. He dons his armor once more in silence.

"Well. Let us see what this Ring of Greed does and we can discuss the apportioning of souls.", he says gloomily.

"Just the two items then? Let's get this show on the road."

casting detect magic

Spellcraft Ring: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14
Spellcraft Crown: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18

Kekkle scans the items and does his best interpreting the flow of magic to identify the properties of the magic items.

The ring remains a mystery, but Kekkle discovers the following about the grim crown.

Dark Prince Crown

A blood-stained golden crown. The jewelry seems fake.

Aura ?; CL 2nd; Slot head; Weight 1 lb.; Price ? souls

Once per day as a full-round action the wielder of this crown can give a royal command to his subjects. This works as per command spell, except it can affect up to two creatures. Will DC 11 + wielder's Charisma modifier negates the effect.

Bastard son of a nobleman only ever wanted to live in a castle, but his dream was ruined when he became possessed by shadows of despair. Wearing a crown and being a ruler are two very different things.

"That crown may come in useful- I should think Pahleg would have the more commanding presence to wield it? Unless it's too gaudy for you."

"Well, we have our souls. Do we gamble on the ring or fortify some of us for the trials ahead? Much as the trinket is tempting, I should think enhancing our own prowess may be the better strategy for now- there's also that estus shard Felisse had, but perhaps we wait on that as well."

"Ahaha, gaudy it may be, but I've worn worse before. I say we empower ourselves."

"If i'm going to give Pahleg the crown, I want some of the souls instead. So far we have found nothing of use to me.", there is a hint of childish demand in Elyna's voice, but she is clearly quite serious.

"The rapier may do me well. Though, silver and steel daggers are already befitting for someone like me. It may be better to give it along for what it is worth." Ushio rests his hands on the dagger hilts that are strapped sideways on the back of his belt. He turns his head sideways while he speaks. "Thank you for the previous help, without it, I'd surely be dead and left only a memory in the wind. I haven't contributed much in the way of services while I've been here but, because of your help, anything you require of stealthy approach or the skills of a thief or killer, I am here to abide until I find my way out. Simply name your task and I shall see about its completion." If anyone needs something THAT SECOND, go ahead and make Ushio do it. I will have no qualms about it... Until it starts getting out of hand, in such case I'll later retract this. But it's good for now :). Gm, your ok to begin with. I understand gmpcing.

Focusing on the souls she deems rightfully hers, Elyna pictures a flame. The flame is small, only a tiny ember, but as Elyna focuses more and more intensely the flame grows larger, until the image of fire sears her thoughts. Something essential flows from the party's collective anima, gathering around Elyna.

Elyna attains 2nd level!
Lost 20 souls.

Kekkle's belly growls. He's hungry for souls. He burps, and accidentally absorbs something essential from the party's collective anima.

Kekkle attains 2nd level!
Lost 20 souls.

Sensing that the group has decided to fortify themselves, Ulrich kneels. His mind wanders a bit, and his thoughts eventually lead him back to his times of knighthood. A memory of a person, perhaps someone important, flashes briefly in his mind. This memory causes a vacuum, and something essential flows from the party's collective anima right into this memory inside Ulrich.

Ulrich attains 2nd level!
Lost 20 souls.

Satisfied, Ulrich rises and fixes the strap on his buckler into a more advantageous position.

"I shall take your offer to heart, Master Takei, but on my part I would hate to see any more of our sorry band meet an unfortunate end. Think nothing of my assistance, at least, for I am pleased to render it."

"That mail breaker is far too delicate a tool for my hands; if Goramar or Kekkle or Elyna do not wish to employ it, feel free to make use of it. Though, if you preferred to sell it off to our friend the merchant, I would not oppose you."

"Well, I mean, I could use it. Not with any competence, mind you."

"Fair enough. What say you all- shall we continue down to meet with Hellfire and discover what this organization is all about?"

"That felt good. Should do it again some time.", for a moment an intense heat radiates from Elyna's body.

"I have no idea how to handle a rapier. Much less one that big. I think it would be more up Ushio's alley, or maybe Goramar's. Just give me a Knife or a stick, that I can properly put my fingers around and I'm good. Until then I will settle for burning our enemies. What I would really need is some protection."

"Hmmm. There is that leather which Moritat isn't using any longer; perhaps we could modify it to fit you?"
I don't think anyone has Craft-armorer, but maybe we could give it a try?

After the well-earned rest the party continues the way, finally descending the ladders (remember the other tunnel in the ladder room, if you want to return there some time). The ladders are in the same condition as the ones the group ascended earlier: rusty and a bit creaking. They go down about 20 feet.

Arriving in a new floor, the party finds itself in a small room with two exits: one going forward, and the other to the left. The knight of Hellfire instructed to go forward, and when you gaze there you see it is a long tunnel. A barrier of white fog can be seen at the end of the tunnel on the right-side wall. At the end of the tunnel are some shining emblems on the floor.

The path to left seems to lead to a small room. A rotting corpse rests against a wall, and does not seem to carry anything at all.

Map of the area

BTW, do you want a new marching formation, now that you're two members short?

Pahleg suggests the door arbitrarily.

Pahleg will want to be in the middle.

The door meaning the fog wall?

Ulrich looks over at the decaying corpse against the wall.
"That looks awfully suspicious. Bodies tend not to remain here... Ushio, sir, would you perhaps be willing to scout that chamber? We should not like to have anything at our back while we head through that tunnel."

I would suggest maybe Ulrich, Elyna, Pahleg, Ushio and Goramar as the new order?

Order sounds good.

"If that is where these Hellfire people are, then I suppose that is where we go. I do feel it's about time we found out what is up with these fog walls everywhere too." Elyna responds to Pahleg's suggestion.

"I could burn it from afar, to make sure it doesn't get up." she offers Ulrich.

"You there! Quit playing and get up, we've no time for your games!", Ulrich yells at the slumped form.
Intimidate: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13

If it doesn't get up, he nods to Elyna to give it some heat.

I've had a busy day so I'll keep this brief.

Ulrich yells at the corpse in the distance to no effect, thus giving Elyna the permission to fire. Elyna shoots a blast of flame at the corpse. Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6 The blast hits the corpse. Ulrich's suspicions (or paranoia, to better describe it) are confirmed as the corpse reacts to the hit by standing up, surprising everyone else.

The corpse begins slowly marching towards you, and as it draws closer you notice it is a mindless undead: a zombie. It won't take many attacks from the party to bring down the threat. (It was a CR 1/2 basic zombie, meant more as a trap than a battle encounter, so going for initiative would be dull.)

Obtained 7 souls.

The room where the zombie rested in had a small shard of a mirror.

Seer's Mirror (1)

A small shard of a mirror. It's a bit dusty, but still reflects your image.

Unknown effect(s). Worth 10 souls.

It is said that the more shards one collects, the clearer things become. Graughop the Seer crafted the mirror, but it shattered the moment he was slain.

Updated map of the area coming later

"Ah, yes. Suspicion is our friend here, best to remain on our guard... the Labyrinth watches...punishes... rewards...", Ulrich trails off, a light sheen of sweat on his forehead.

Elyna picks up the mirror shard, oriducing the piece she already has to see if they match.

Ushio spies the carvings down the hallway and, seeing that they are right by a foggy wall, begins to suspect what they are. Though, The labyrinth shall it be unforgiving to all its denizens, will sneak there. Stealth: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 9 = 13 ...Shoddily, i might add. That ever growing mold at one point looked like a very stale mead and ushio just couldn't resist! XD

"You're starting to sound like a real native, Ulrich. Now, shall we continue the exploration or follow Master Ushio towards the fog gate?"

"I say fog gate. Best to confront whatever is on the far side when we are at full strength."

"Yes. I should think the fog door is our logical next step. Let us walk this road until death sets us free."

Elyna picks up the shard and remembers the shard she had when she woke up is very similar. She searches her pockets and examines the two. As she brings the two shards closer they merge into one. Kekkle and Pahleg scan the combined mirror, and see it is magical unlike before.

Seer's Mirror (2)

A small shard of a mirror. It's a bit dusty, but still reflects your image.

Use detect magic spell and Spellcraft skill to determine the effects of this item. Worth 20 souls.

It is said that the more shards one collects, the clearer things become. Graughop the Seer crafted the mirror, but it shattered the moment he was slain.

While the others are wondering about the mirror, Ushio sneaks ahead into the tunnel, soon after followed by the rest. The emblems on the floor shine brighter as the group draws closer.

There are two distinct emblems. The first emblem shines in bright green light. The emblem remotely resembles a sheep, surrounded by strange runes in a language that Pahleg recognizes as Celestial. The runes read "order of sheep", "sheep protects" and "altruistic Phila". The other emblem shines in white light, and does not look like any image, rather being a labyrinthine pattern. The other emblem is also surrounded by strange runes, this time Abyssal as Kekkle interprets it, saying "Cutthroat Alec" and "unallied" or "unaligned".

As the group examines the runes, two humanoid shapes appear out of nowhere. The visions are transparent and incorporeal, yet block light from Ulrich's torch, causing shades. The other phantom is a female gnome in simple robes, and the other is a male dwarf who possesses numerous weapons.

Surprised as you are by the appearance of these shady phantoms, you are even further confused when you hear words. "Sheep bless you, o roamers. Beyond that fog awaits a terrifying threat - do not enter lightheartedly." You hear a female voice speaking, but the shade in front of you does not move her lips. It's as if the voice is resonating in your head. "But fear not, for the sheep protect you. Accept the call of the sheep, and no harm can befall you. Join the herd, o roamers, and the sheep will heal all wounds."

Shade contract of Altruistic Phila: At least one party member joins the covenant "Order of Sheep". No other shade rewards asked.

Order of Sheep

Sheep seek strength in numbers. We are guided by an unseen shepherd who grants us the strength the survive the Labyrinth.

We must give something in order to get something in return; that is the way goodness works. The shepherd only asks for a small, daily donation.

As sheep, it is our duty to provide that and be good sheep. No price is too hefty for eternal bliss in life forever, and the comfort of never having to be alone.

"Oi ya big idiot," says another voice in your head. "Wat are ya doin' in a place like this? Bloody fool like ol' Alec, I reckon. Hurry up and an summon me a'ready so we can get this o'er wit'. But don't think it'll be cheap! HA!"

Shade contract of Cutthroat Alec: 25% of the souls rewarded.

The shades stand still, possibly waiting for something.

casting detect magic for the mirror
Spellcraft: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17

"Sheep, huh? I must admit, I have some fondness for such animals. Reminds me of home in a way." says the Scarecrow. "I certainly wouldn't mind some added sanctuary, as well."

The mirror remains a mystery for today.