Lunar Sloth's Second Darkness

Game Master Slothsy

This large chamber rises to a height of roughly thirty feet near the center, where a very small hole acts as a natural skylight. Relatively quiet, with the constant crash of the ocean muffled by solid stone, this cave seems an ideal lair. Moisture-slicked mildewing tapestries and bookshelves cover nearly every inch of the walls, indicating that at one time this chamber did serve as home to some kind of creature.

Sitting in the center of the floor is a ghostly bird-like creature with the head of a beautiful woman. She smiles serenely as the barricade falls and rises. Her hands fold outward in a gesture of peace and welcome.

"Welcome, saviors of my beloved's soul. I can feel the warmth of Yaris within you."

"You are Yaris's lover. You are Virashi and this-- this is your beautiful library."

knowledge (religion): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19

knowledge (arcana): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17

"You are correct. I am Virashi and this is - well, was - my home. I am no longer bound to this world by grief and anger, thanks to your work. You have set my beloved's spirit free, free from the angry wraith that consumed it. It soothes me to know that both of us can move on." She smiles again, and then says. "But, before I leave, please. I have a blessing for you, if you will accept it."

Knowledge Religion: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

Unsure what he faces as he strains to look through the door, he fingers a ghost-touched bolt, but does not load it, waiting to see how things play out.

They freed her huh? Very nice!

Worried a little about the rear, he takes a moment to watch their backs.

Perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (3) + 10 = 13

His luck holds however, and he sees nothing in front or in back.

knowledge (religion) = 19

knowledge (arcana) = 17

These are to determine anything about her type(s) post- and pre-mortem (ghost, spectre, wraith, etc..., harpy, siren, furry conventioneer, etc....)

His luck holds however, and he sees nothing in front or in back.

Perhaps Aishe is not looking at the right back? ;)

Taking a defensive posture at first, on guard, Tamiro hears Rilia mention that this is Yaris' lover. After a few moments, he relaxes as the spirit continues to talk, and explains that it is now freed. Lowering his weapons, the tien says, "Kami, you waited here for us this whole time?"

Nel grins and follows Tamiro over the barricade. As she takes in the chamber, the cavalier releases a gasp of awe. "You're a librarian. I have so many questions." As Nel speaks, she takes off her gauntlets and pulls on a pair of silken gloves. Digging out her journal and an ink pen, Nel prepares to take down anything that Virashi wishes to say. "Please, you must tell me, how is this collection sorted? Is it by author, genre, personal tastes? Are there any stories you know that are not written here?" Pausing for a moment to breathe, Nel furrows her brow. "What sort of gift do you offer?" Tilting her head to the side, Nel watches with anticipation to see what the spirit has to say.

The spectral siren laughs and says, "Of course, I waited. I must see the ones that saved my beloved from a fate worse than death. Knight, I am not a librarian, but a personal collector. Yaris would bring me tales from around the world to help ease my loneliness on this island." She casts a long look over the bookshelves, "But I must say that I have not taken care of them in recent years, so I cannot tell you how they remain ordered. I've been rather preoccupied. Now, dears."

She wraps a wing around Nel's shoulder, though it passes right through the half-elf. "There is much to learn in this this world, and I feel as though you are a tenacious crew that will excel through the end. Remember, knowledge comes in all sorts of vessels."

A faint light glows around each of the party members before absorbing into your skin, leaving a sun-kissed look on you, even in the dark cavern. While on the Devil's Elbow, you receive a +4 bonus on save vs. mind affecting effects, as well as a +2 morale bonus to attack and damage rolls.

"Amazing..." Gillian murmurs in awe, staring at her hands as the glow surrounding each of them seems to sink into the the skin. "Virashi - has anyone else come this way recently?"

Aishe flinches at first as the light glows about his body. He looks at his hands in wonder as it fades, his normally pasty whiteness giving off a slight golden tan. Wow. he mouthes.

He tries to pay attention to the continuing conversation.

She looks sadly at Gillian and sighs, "Yes, there have. Several elves with skin like deep bruises came by several weeks ago. They intruded on me while I still raged, and they erected that barrier that you destroyed. They had with them a creature made of pure shadow - a truly malevolent beast - and were lead by a man with one of the white geckos you see only in the deepest caves. They spoke of another - referred to that person only as Shindiira. I can tell you no more, sadly."

She closes her eyes and another pulse of light comes from her.

"I am fading, saviors. The rage that tethered me here fades. May my gift help you in the future."

The siren's ghost fades, leading the group of five standing amongst tattered tapestries and moldering books.

As it is, these items are not worth much. It will take some sort of substantial restoration project to restore any value. However, the books do provide enough information to provide a +2 on any knowledge checks regarding the Devil's Elbow or sirens.

What would you like to do next?

A look of longing passes across Nel's face as Virashi fades into nothing. "I had so many more questions to ask her." she bemoans, quietly putting her writing supplies away. Her eyes linger over the work to be done in the library. "Once we have the island secured, I'll send word to my order to get this trove of knowledge properly documented and preserved."

Nel tears her attention away from the books, and back to her allies. "So, a shadow like creature, a white gecko rider and a Shindiira. Which one do you think has Zincher captivated?"

Aishe looks at all the tomes and other artifacts that he's sure Nel is going to want carted out of here. I need a bigger pack. That magical one for sure. he thinks to himself.

He chuckles at Nel's suggestion, "A pompous man like that might just think a gecko rider is special, but I'd have my money on the shadow. That just sounds bad."

He checks his gear once again, and lines up at the entry to the inner chamber, light blazing around his head.

Gillian's mind races as she tries to put identifiers to the creatures that Virashi described but sighs as answers elude her. "Apparently I need to broaden my knowledge..." she mutters to herself.

"The shadow sounds bad," Gillian agrees, "but I think it's more likely that this Shindiira is responsible for whatever Zincher has been up to. But the real question is what now?"

There is a passage that leads to the east. Let me know when you're ready to head that way.

The passage to the east is inky black in its darkness. Aishe's light seems to struggle to cut through the light and illuminate the walls of the passage.

Aishe lines up behind the leaders, crossbow in hand, ready to proceed into the inky darkness.

I hope my light holds.

Something occurs to Gillian and she speaks in an uncharacteristically hushed tone. "It could have been a shadow demon that was with them," she whispers. "They're able to go so far as to possess their enemies and cause all manner of havoc. Killing one wouldn't be easy..."

"Well then how are we fixed for light? I'm no Dawnflower disciple. I'm best experienced by candle light you know." Rilia almost purrs the last part.

Gillian resists the urge to facepalm at Rilia's last sentence. "I can channel some of my magic towards destructive forces - flame or cold, namely. It'll help, but it would also help if everyone were outfitted with enchanted weaponry too. But conjuring the sun is a little beyond me...at least for now," she responds, apparently quite serious.

Tamiro holds up his blade, a normal, albeit well crafted, katana, and in a thoughtful, melancholic voice says, "My fathers sword, passed down for generations. It is crafted using ancient methods and magics to fight the Oni and Kami of my native lands. It can cut spirits apart like it does normal flesh, and will rend a demon in two. Thus it was named, Akuma - sureiyā, the Demon Slayer."

Nel pats her newly claimed longsword in response to Rilia's question. As Tamiro mentions the sentimental value of his sword, Nel offers a crooked smile. "I am not afraid of anything that uses darkness to hide itself." As she listens to Gillian, Nel nods in understanding. "Understandable, the original drow had small little demons with her, so a more powerful one would not be too out of the ordinary. I'll do my best not to become possessed." Winking at the others, Nel points her torch back to the entrance and waits for the others. "Is everyone ready to move out? I'm anxious to get this done before night falls. I don't want to have to deal with Zincher on top of this mess."

Rilia contemplates the idea of the short, scruffy man naming his two-handed weapon and for a moment looks amused.

Tamiro holds up his blade, a normal, albeit well crafted, katana, and in a thoughtful, melancholic voice says, "My fathers sword, passed down for generations. It is crafted using ancient methods and magics to fight the Oni and Kami of my native lands. It can cut spirits apart like it does normal flesh, and will rend a demon in two. Thus it was named, Akuma - sureiyā, the Demon Slayer."

"That doesn't sound pretentious at all." Rilia says so flatly it sounds like a compliment.

bluff: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (10) + 9 = 19

sense motive v Nel: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (3) + 14 = 17

Rilia frowns at Nel for no reason she can put her finger on. Rilia unconsciously believes that she is supposed to be the inscrutable one.

She summons up dancing lights with a word, demonstrating to anyone interested in that sort of thing that she was correct about her earlier assertion regarding her visual ascetic qualities when viewed under the proper lighting. Which is to say that the lighting was probably not proper at all given the current situation.

"Shall we?" She says in a sultry boudoir voice.

The lights still perform normally for now, so your torches and dancing lights are raising the light level to normal.

Tamiro shoulders through the checkpoint, his armor scraping slightly against the damp cave walls. As he looks up, he comes face-to-face with bright white teeth that stand out against a mass of shadow. The shadow's claws and wings are the only other substantial part of its forms.

"Who dares intrude on the lair of Chmetugo?" it rumbles in common as it spreads out the mass of its shadow to tower over Tamiro.

The Murder Hallway - Round 1
Aishe, Nel, Rilia - You're Up!
Shadow
Gillian, Tamiro

Gillian: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (6) - 1 = 5
Aishe: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17
Nel: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17
Tamiro: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4
Rilia: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16
Shadowy Creature: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15

Welcome to Second Darkness, the game of MURDER HALLWAYS.

Tamiro shrugs and grins at Rilia, "Eh. That was all a lie. I bought this sword from a traveling merchant down by the Riddleport docks for a lot of coin. My old mans sword is this other one."

He taps the sword on his waist. "Good but no strong magics. I was told this one is at least enchanted somewhat. Now we find out if that was a lie as well."

Later...
Coming up to the shadow, his eyes widen, and then he grins, taking his sword in both hands and readying himself, he yells, "Merchant! If you were lying I will haunt you when I die!"

Round: 1, Initiative: 17

Knowledge Religion: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Would I know from my prior roll that shadows are incorporeal? If so, I use my ghost salted bolt, if not, it’s a regular silver/cold iron bolt. Just let me know for tracking. Thanks!

Aishe uses a bit of grit* to avoid all the cover in his way as he takes a shot at the shadowy form.
Crossbow (ghost salt, cold iron, magic): 1d20 + 10 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 10 + 3 = 16 (point blank, morale blessing)
damage: 1d8 + 11 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 11 + 3 = 16 (point blank, morale blessing)

If the Bless is still going from the last fight, please add +1 to my attack.

”You’ll not drain us of our lives you foul beast!”

The Murder Hallway - Round 1
Aishe, Nel, Rilia - You're Up!
Shadow
Gillian, Tamiro

The bolt rips through the shadow, catching it unaware. The prepared bolt catches more of its essence than normally, leaving behind a ragged hole.

Yep, you would know that. It is also obviously incorporeal. Ghost salt it is. I'll adjust the notes I've been copying/pasting from. Everything else looks good.

knowledge (religion): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23

knowledge (planes): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13

"Well it is definitely not undead! Still, it can't be all that tough, skulking about like it is in a scruffy little cave like a now tattered bit of soiled sail cloth."

sense motive: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (15) + 14 = 29

[dice=diplomacy (antagonize, insight bonus)]1d20+14+2[/dice]

"Go get it Nel!" She says and moves off to the side to let Nel and the others do their thing.

"What? So if it's not undead then it's a demon?" Slightly confused, Nel advances forward with her torch shining the way. As she comes into range of the creature, she strikes out at it, however she is distracted by her question and is unable to connect to any of its ethereal essence.

Attack: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (3) + 11 = 14

Nel hits; it's still flat-footed. Damage please :)

The Murder Hallway - Round 1
Aishe, Nel, Rilia
Shadow
Gillian, Tamiro - You're Up!

Okay, rolling damage for Nel
1d8 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14

The creature screams in anger under the attacks before turning its gaze on Rilia.

1d20 + 14 ⇒ (9) + 14 = 23

Its eyes glow red for a moment as it attempts weave magic on Rilia, but Nel's constant barrage with her sword makes him lose the magic.

:( That magic jar never had a chance.

"Hah! I can take it!" says the owner of the +11 (+13 v enchantment) Will save. "Willful. That's me."

Tamiro brings his blades up and waits.

"Nel! Move to the side so I can get in!" he yells.

"I will flay you demon!"

Hold turn till after Nel goes, then 5 foot in and strike with both blades, challenging the target. Both blades are magical.

Attack Primary Hand: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24Damage: 1d8 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9
Attack Secondary Hand: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15Damage: 1d8 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14

Gillian's Round 1

As Rilia falls back, Gillian steps between Tamiro and Aishe in order to have a better look at their foe.

Kn. Planes: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (19) + 10 = 29

"Remember what I said earlier about shadow demons? I'm sorry to say that I was right!" she yells as she reaches out and weaves a spell of protection over Tamiro.

Gillian moves to the indicated space (can't move myself on mobile atm) and hits Tamiro with Protection from Evil.

Moved you!

The Murder Hallway - Round 1
Aishe, Nel, Rilia, Tamiro [delayed] - You're Up!
Shadow
Gillian

Side stepping the ethereal creature to allow Tamiro access, Nel quips "What is with these drow and demons? Seesh, I'd rather deal with devils. They at least follow some sort of logic." Striking out at the creature, Nel is unable to connect with it, much to her growing frustration.

Attack: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (4) + 11 = 15 I really hate this dice roller

Round: 2, Initiative: 17

He hears Gillian and spurts out, ”Demon?!”

spellcraft: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9

Aishe does his best to weave a bolt through cover at his target. He doesn’t have high hopes without his edge, but he tries.
Crossbow (ghost salt, cold iron, magic): 1d20 + 10 - 1 ⇒ (8) + 10 - 1 = 17 (point blank, ghost blessing, -4 cover)
damage: 1d8 + 11 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 11 + 3 = 16 (point blank, ghost blessing)

All my rolls should be in my previous post.

"Shadow demon or not, it doesn't hold a candle to us!"

Inspire courage alies receive a +1 morale bonus on saving throws against charm and fear effects and a +1 competence bonus on attack and weapon damage rolls.

Also the demon is antagonize by yours truly for a full minute minus last round.

The Murder Hallway - Round 3
Aishe, Nel, Rilia, Tamiro, Gillian - You're Up!
Shadow

Please remember your ghost bonus! Nel and Tamiro, this means you ;) It's a +2 morale bonus to attack and damage. With Rilia's inspire courage, you're at a +3 to attack and damage overall.

The creature hisses in pain before melding into the shadows. Out of the corner of your eyes, you see the shadows begin to move. The steady glow of Aishe's light seems to flicker slightly as the shadows move. The creature could be anywhere.

The Murder Hallway - Round 3

Aishe, Nel, Rilia, Tamiro, Gillian - You're Up!
Shadow

Please remember your ghost bonus! Nel and Tamiro, this means you ;) It's a +2 morale bonus to attack and damage. With Rilia's inspire courage, you're at a +3 to attack and damage overall.

What happened to round 2? It is only important for me for performance keeping track of rounds.

sense motive (immediate): 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (2) + 14 = 16

Rilia continues taunting the demon and encouraging her allies. "So are we, all shadow and no substance?"

intimidate (antagonize): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 = 11

Inspire courage allies receive a +1 morale bonus on saving throws against charm and fear effects and a +1 competence bonus on attack and weapon damage rolls.

Also the demon is probably still antagonized (diplomacy version) by yours truly for the total of a minute.

Gillian's Round 2

Gillian hustles through the narrow gap and steps up against the far wall of the cavern. Reaching out, she places the same spell of protection on Nel as she did on Tamiro. "Hopefully you won't actually need this, but better safe than sorry..."

Gillian moves to her current position and hits Nel with Protection from Evil!

I messed up; if you look ahead, we have two round 1s. Should have noted this. Rilia's performance started on round 2.

As a note, the shadow demon went invisible on its turn; I don't believe that anyone has see invisibility or a similar effect up?.

See Invisible is not part of my skill set unfortunately.

Nodding to Gilian, he gives a curt thanks as he keeps his eyes on the room, looking for the shadow. He takes another step inside, next to Nel. Looking back and forth he growls, "Show yourself, you shadowy piece of dung!"

5 foot step to the square just above Nel.

Round: 3, Initiative: 17

Aishe tries to pinpoint the demon’s location, if he can manage it.
Perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (18) + 10 = 28

If the demon is within range, he’ll follow it up with a shot in the dark as he steps closer to the hallway.
Crossbow (ghost salt, cold iron, magic): 1d20 + 10 + 0 ⇒ (11) + 10 + 0 = 21 (point blank, ghost blessing, inspire, -4 cover)
damage: 1d8 + 11 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 11 + 4 = 20 (point blank, ghost blessing, inspire)
Miss Chance: 1d100 ⇒ 98 (high is always good for me)

The Murder Hallway - Round 4
Aishe, Nel, Rilia, Tamiro, Gillian - You're Up!
Shadow

Aishe is unable to pinpoint the demon's location, as it moved stealthily after turning invisible. For transparency's sake, he moved at half speed through the wall last turn to end next to Rilia.

I'm going to go ahead and have the demon act, as I don't know if Nel has anything to do in this situation and it's been 24 hours.

The demon reappears with a dark grin next to Rilia and draws its claws through her. The claws rip her flesh and chill her to the bone dealing 8 points of physical damage and 7 points of cold damage.

All of his attacks resolve versus touch.

Claw 1 v flat-footed: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (17) + 11 = 28
Claw 2: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (7) + 11 = 18
Bite: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (1) + 11 = 12

Two hits

Physical Claw 1: 1d6 ⇒ 4
Cold Claw 1: 1d6 ⇒ 2
Physical Claw 2: 1d6 ⇒ 4
Cold Claw 2: 1d6 ⇒ 5

The Murder Hallway - Round 4

Aishe is unable to pinpoint the demon's location, as it moved stealthily after turning invisible. For transparency's sake, he moved at half speed through the wall last turn to end next to Rilia.

;) I see what you did there. 'Transparency's sake'. Ha.

"And another thing-! ... What!? ... It's right behind me isn't it--YEE-EE-OWCH!! BRRRrrr. Cold. So cold...."

Rilia reflexively steps 5-feet back and triggers her mirror image copycat while trying to maintain her bardic composure in the face of great pain.

Inspire courage allies receive a +1 morale bonus on saving throws against charm and fear effects and a +1 competence bonus on attack and weapon damage rolls.

And the demon is still antagonized (You fluster your enemy. For the next minute, the target takes a –2 penalty on all attacks rolls made against creatures other than you and has a 10% spell failure chance on all spells that do not target you or that have you within their area of effect.)

Both copies of Rilia draws their swords up in front of themselves and go full defensive.

Round: 4, Initiative: 17

Damn incorporeals shifting through walls!

Aishe freaks out as the creature appears next to him. He recoils a few feet (5’ step) and shoots in a frenzy!

"Ahhhh! It's in here, it's in here!"

Crossbow (ghost salt, cold iron, magic): 1d20 + 10 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 10 + 4 = 25 (point blank, ghost blessing, inspire)
damage: 1d8 + 11 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 11 + 4 = 21 (point blank, ghost blessing, inspire)

The demon dissolves under bolt, its essence fading into nothingness. The light around brightens a little, as though throwing off an oppressive yoke.

Congrats, you defeated the monster! Good job, good job. Feel free to do any healing you want before you decide where to go next.

suggestive wand of clw: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

suggestive wand of clw: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

suggestive wand of clw: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

Aishe calms himself, a little, when the thing disappears from view. (regain one point of grit for ‘killing blow’)

”What was that? I went through the wall - or through us!” he checks himself, but for what he does not know exactly.

He pulls his pack, and refreshes the bolts in his quivers. That was an expensive fight, he thinks to himself.

He walks over to where the demon thing died, and checks for any possible loot, though he does not expect any…

Perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (6) + 10 = 16

Nope, no loot.