Motteditor's Strange Aeons PBP

Game Master motteditor

"Elder Thyrr?" Tristain queries. "Who is that? Some sort of Elder?"

1d20 + 22 ⇒ (7) + 22 = 29 Know (Local)

"She is the acting leader of our order, the Stewards of the Vault, since Elder Lythiin entered and hasn't come out since," the guard replies.

"Thank you for your help, those apartments right there?" Directions confirmed, Al strides over to the apartments to find Elder Thyrr. "Good sir, my team of highly trained professionals excel at resolving disastrous situations, slaying evil monsters, dream traveling, and pest control. Perhaps we could be of service with your current situation?"

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (2) + 19 = 21

Starflit, sensing the fear and worry the guardians are feeling about whatever's going on inside the Mysterium, accompanies Al to speak with the acting leader. She tries to back up Al's assertion of the group being expert troubleshooters, hoping that she appears to Thyrr more like a champion of the Black Butterfly than Goth Moth Girl.

Starflit Sense Motive Check: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (16) + 18 = 34

Starflit Diplomacy Check (Aid Another--Al): 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (3) + 13 = 16

It probably didn't help that Al addressed a female as "sir," but that gave me an excuse to view the classic Pronoun Trouble clip (and, of course, the "Look--I'm a fiddler crab! Why don't you shoot me??!! It's fiddler crab season!" bit). That poor, foolish duck.

1d20 + 22 ⇒ (7) + 22 = 29 Know (Local) - Stewards of the Vault, anything related?

Tristain bonks while others talk. He’s better at bonking, and others are better at talking.

Kyffin nods along with Al, "We are terribly good at killing monsters. Really."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (10) + 0 = 10 vs DC 10 to aid.

Great clip Starflit!

That will take several hours, Tris.

A simply dressed woman who walks with the aid of a stick introduces herself as Elder Thyrr. As you make your case, she looks you over and seems to ponder for a few minutes. Finally, she nods -- perhaps to herself -- and asks you in an incredibly soft voice to come in.

"You say you want to help me? Help us? Why? Are you simply seeking money?"

Tristain wasn't trying to gather information, he'd be terrible at that, but wondered if studied or learnt something about the Stewards in his education.

Tristain stops bonking for a moment so that those who can utter words can utter them freely.

"Well, we'll take any money you care to give us, for this is sort of what we do for a living these days. But it's not about the money. We'll go without any financial reward on this mission."

He leans in, "We're trying to stop a madman. He's seeking Neruzavin, a mythical place. If it exists, we aim to beat him there. If it doesn't, we will have found him by following the same trail."

"For you see, we seek the Necronomicon, a book in your library. It is the next link in the chain. So you see, your difficulties are our difficultlies. Allow us to peruse it, once we have slayed the what-have-you. Please."

"We'll do our best to be discreet," Starflit tries to assure the woman. "And, of course, we'll try to avoid any collateral damage in the process. Can you tell us what we might be up against inside? The more we know what to expect, the better we can plan a neat solution to your problem."

Starflit Sense Motive Check: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (17) + 18 = 35

Starflit Diplomacy Check (change starting attitude): 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (7) + 13 = 20

Albert nods at Starflit's wisdom. "It is not money we seek, though that does finance our adventures, but a quest that we are upon that must be completed for the good of all. As my companions have said, we seek evil men intent on stealing a dangerous book, and we'll be discreet in our efforts. May we have your permission and blessing?"

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (8) + 19 = 27

Oh, hey, there's a Sense Motive in there which I missed, sorry. And I should've made a Diplomacy to aid...

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8 vs DC 20

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (17) + 0 = 17 vs DC 10 to aid

Tristain, with strong will, does not start bonking yet. Not when the words of Al still echo in the air.

Because I've been slow and may disappear again for a few days, going to handwave a little bit here.

Elder Thyrr listens to you. Finally, she says if you promise to return the Necronomicon if you find it, she will let you enter the library. She also warns you a little bit of what you might find in there.

"The entry level of the Mysterium has an enchanted mirror that was supposed to summon axiomites to defend the library should its protections be breached, but something went terribly wrong, and hounds of Tindalos instead appeared in the halls. Thankfully, it seems the hounds have remained within the Mysterium and haven’t ventured into the city to terrorize the locals," she explains.

She also tells you that there is a spherical chamber in the ceiling of the Mysterium’s first level, built into the body of the pyramid. This chamber is used by priests who meditate in complete darkness while levitating, but Elder Thyrr believes that the chamber might provide protection from the hounds of Tindalos if you need a place where they can rest or retreat to. That could be important because once you are let in, the guards will seal the outer door, and you will be allowed out only after the bell tolls, signaling that the Mysterium is once again safe.

She further instructs you that in order to make the Mysterium safe, you must venture to the depths of the building, to the level that contains the Soul -- a chamber at the very core of the library -- to find an angel statue without eyes, and insert your fingers into the eye sockets. A tolling bell will signify the wards have been reset.

"On each level of the Mysterium, you will need to find four different angelic statues with heads that swivel. These heads must be turned to face the walls they stand before, and once they are all properly manipulated, the gateways between the different levels of the library can be opened."

Thyrr warns you of some lingering dangers in the lower levels of the Mysterium: She says that the last time the Mysterium’s wards were triggered (nearly a hundred years ago), many Nethysians and other scholars were killed; their lasting psychic impressions have been known to rear up at times in bizarre and dangerous manifestations when people are studying in the lower levels of the Mysterium. Those who venture to the lower levels frequently know to look out for these manifestations, and some even study accompanied by a priest so that they have a greater chance at combating them. Many of these manifestations were purged, but there are still numerous haunts that the clergy hasn’t been able to figure out how to permanently get rid of. She also warns that some of these existing haunts might have warped and changed like the guardian mirror.

"Finally, if I allow you to enter, you must swear on whatever you hold dear to find and secure the body of Elder Lythiin. I will provide you funerary cloths to wrap his body in, and will ask you to say a prayer over it. If you do this, and make the place safe, I promise you will have unfettered access to the library for a week."

Tristain stops his threats to bonk as long as the Elder is explaining things, and then he just listens quite completely.

”Hounds of what?” Tristain asks. ”Are those the ones with the problems with obeying the laws of 3 dimensions?”

1d20 + 22 ⇒ (15) + 22 = 37 Know (Planes) - Hounds of Tindalos. DRs? Special attacks? Defenses?

”What other protections are there ouside of the Hounds? There must be more to warrant all this.”

When Elder Thyrr mentions that the group will be locked inside the Mysterium until they succeed or die, a couple of thoughts dance through Starflit's mind.

The first is the group's retreat when faced with the hellwasp swarms in the old asylum-turned-construct-workshop. She'll need to stock up on alchemist's fire...which sort of goes against her promise that the group would try to minimize collateral damage.

The second is that the group will need to bring a decent supply of food and drink with them into the building, something that's against the rules in nearly every other library she's ever visited.

Lastly, she (like Tristain) tries to recall everything she's ever heard about hounds of Tindalos.

Starflit Knowledge (planes) Check (Monster Lore): 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (6) + 14 = 20

”Our reward for cleansing this Mysterium is to be put in a library? For a week?!” The little gnome looks askance at her companions, incredulity plain on her face. ”That’s the opposite of a reward!” As her friends shush her, Tenebrynn deflates with a tortured sigh and huffs to herself, ”This will leave me bleached for certain.”

Kyffin makes a mental note of all the unusual instructions. Why is it never simple? he wonders. Magic is always so complicated. Must be how wizards think. In complicated ways.

Still, he chafes at a week for risking his friends lives, and says so, "Look, if our research takes longer than a week, I hope you'll allow us the extra days. We're going to do right by you, please do right by us."

He smiles at Tenebrynn's concern and hopes for the opposite, "We'll make it as entertaining as we can Tenebrynn. I know you don't like libraries. Hopefully it'll just take Tristain a few days to piece the clues together. He's ever so bright you know."

"You got yourself a deal!" Al proclaims. "We need to get a few supplies before we enter, we'll be quick about it."

we should get some Holy Weapon Balm along with the other supplies, assuming we can find it, that will help with incorporeal creatures

With that roll, you know everything about hounds of Tindalos, Tristain. Everyone can look 'em up.

"The usual protection is our guards, but as you've seen, we're a bit outmatched. Usually the mirrors are sufficient, but ... as I've said, this time they're not working right," she says. "And as I mentioned, there are the haunts, though those aren't intended as protection, per se."

She frowns at Tenebrynn, misunderstanding. "I'm sure I can come up with some gold as a reward, as well. Or if you do need more time, we can negotiate that."

After doing some preparation you can retcon in any purchases you'd like in your next post, you return with a signed form of permission from Elder Thyrr. The guards look at nervously, and then back at you as if you're crazy. Clearly increasingly nervous, they all ready their weapons. Once the door is open, they practically push you in and withdraw the key -- the doorway closes behind you and you can hear them starting to replace the bars.

The doors open in a hallway directly ahead of you and splitting off to your left and right, with numerous doors visible.

Well before going in…

”Their eyes really hurt. They have hurty gazes,” Tristain explains about the Hounds. ”We should be careful about that.”

Tristain will consider what to buy to deal with that.

Kyffin's ears prick up when a financial reward is dangled as well. He needs new armor. He's still crawling around in the first suit he ever bought, and there's only so much cleaning he can do at this point. There's a mustiness to it that just won't go away.

But that’s not going to happen now. He considers Al’s suggestion, but that seems l like a lot hassle for one good swing. He’ll just have to hope for corporeality and do his best when there isn’t any.

He listens to Tristain’s concerns, ”Yeah, those eyes are gonna suck. Best not to get looked at.” he chuckles.

He doesn’t cast his preparation spells before entering. For one thing, he doesn’t want to look weak before the guards (he’s so vain), but for another he doesn’t know what to expect quite yet.

Then the visions come, and he recoils at the grossness of it all! ”Gurk!” he shouts as the voice begins and he gets a hold of himself. I wish he wouldn’t do that! he says to himself as he begins to recover.

With all the doors and hallways to consider, he begins his preparation. He’ll start by casting Air Walk, and then he follows it up with Bull's Strength.

”Let’s go. Spells are cooking.” When the others have prepared themselves, he’ll open the first door on his left.

Tristain casts Life Bubble (about 2 hours each to everyone, read up, Heroism, False Life for 1d10 + 10 ⇒ (6) + 10 = 16 temp hp, and See Invisibility on himself.

Tristain chooses not to buy anything at this time, mostly because he has no money and is a chump.

Tristain smiles and doesn't yet bonk his head. He will others decide what doors are best opened.

Kyffin realizes he won't be able to walk that high -- the ceilings within are 15 feet high. The walls are made of finely polished sandstone. The hefty wooden doors exude the scent of passing time and are carved with dozens of faces depicting a wide range of moods. Throughout the Mysterium, angelic figures grace the building; they hold aloft keystones, dance as sconces, and lurk in corners. The angels are made of white marble but have grown a skin of pollution from the city’s smoke and dust, giving them a sickly honeyed hue.

Looking through the first set of doors to your left, you find the large chamber has a raised lectern that stands some 3 feet above the flagged floor. Several rungs sit on the floor. The smaller rooms look like study cubicles. Each has a sturdy but worn desk and a small chair. The desks contain quills, ink, and a number of sheets of paper for taking notes. One door leads into what appears to be a storage closet.

As you go back into the halls, you can see an ange statue off to the left. At the "crossroads" in the center of the building, a ladder leans against one wall.

Could post again, but we need Tenebrynn and Starflit back and pushing too.

Tristain bonks while he waits for something.

Sorry for drifting off. For shopping, let's assume she picked up 5 jars of alchemist's fire, 4 days of rations for everyone, and two applications of holy weapon balm. Maybe someone stronger can help carry the stuff; not sure of Starflit's carrying capacity.

Starflit casts a light spell on her magic starknife and enters the Mysterium, eyes wide as she takes in the majesty of the place.

No other prep other than the light spell. She'll pick up the rungs (in case they're needed for the ladder)...unless that was a typo for 'rugs,' in which case she'll leave them alone. :)

Al can carry the party rations in his haversack

Albert moves to inspect the angel statue off to the left. "Old building like this probably has a few mysteries within it."

Perception: 1d20 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 1 + 2 = 23

Tenebrynn pulls a face and shakes her head at Al’s comment. ”This place is already too much like a library. If there are mysteries, they’re probably just boring ones.” She then absently hands him a quill from one of the study areas as if it had been his all along. ”Is this one of the statues with the heads we have to turn?”

Ha. That was definitely rugs.

As Al and Tenebrynn get a closer look at the angel statue, you hear an eerie howling that sends shivers up your spine. You realize you only have a few seconds before some of the promised hounds of Tindalos are upon you!

Everyone but Al is up. Remember you know what these are from an earlier check/discussion, including about their ripping gaze and other abilities.

Precasting before entering: 1d10 + 10 ⇒ (7) + 10 = 17 False Life temp hp, See Invisibility, & Heroism (himself and Al).

Tristain takes the time to put his back up against a wall and draws his wand of Magic Missile. He averts his eyes as best he can.

”They are coming!”

Round 1

”Here we go!” Kyffin cries by way of warning. He’ll cast Sound Burst (damage: 1d8 ⇒ 1 and Fort DC 14 or stunned one round) to perhaps slow a few of them and do a little damage. Sigh... very little. I think he can affect all of them.

Remember he’s 5’ up, so someone can stand under him to hold the line.

Tenebrynn spins around at the predatory howls and relief washes over her face. ”Oh thank goodness! Those dogs certainly aren’t boring!” She steps in front of their resident head-bonker then blue sparks dance across her shoulders before leaping to the rest of the group.

haste for 9 rounds

Starflit casts communal protection from evil on her allies, touching Kyffin on the boot as she moves into position beneath the airborne half-orc. She also invokes a pair of judgments: protection and purity.

Al's init bonus is +5, so it looks like he would go before the hounds as well

Al strides to the front of the party and yells at the hounds. "Come on you mangy mutts, your evil eyes don't scare me!"

ready action to slash a hound

Al has a +15 on Fortitude with heroism and can heal quickly, so he can sponge up the gaze attacks if possible

10-4, Al. I updated my macro. Sorry about that!

Tristain draws his wands and keeps his eyes firmly looking for a place to bonk as Tenebrynn speeds the group, sending a surge of lightning through them. Al and Starflit move to the front of the line as Kyffin casts, the boom echoing through the halls, though none of the hounds seem that bothered by the noise. Clearly, they're not afraid of thunder!

A moment later, they're on you, seeming to disappear and materialize out of the walls next to you! Al manages to avoid a bite, but Tenebrynn, Tristain and Starflit aren't so lucky 7 hp to Tenny, 12 to Tris, 13 to Star.

Party is up; everyone must attempt a DC 18 Fort save vs. its gaze (Tris has a 50% chance to not need to) or take 5d6 ⇒ (1, 6, 3, 1, 1) = 12 slashing damage as their gazes rip your flesh apart.

Round 2

Fort: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (7) + 12 = 19 vs DC 18 (+2 more if evil)

Kyffin swiftly casts Divine Favor (+4 attacks/damage (luck)) and slashes at either orange or yellow - which ever one Al and Starflit are concentrating on so they bring one down… hopefully!

Scimitar: 1d20 + 13 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 13 + 7 = 29 (bull, favor, higher) damage: 1d10 + 14 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 14 + 6 = 24 (bull, favor)
Scimitar: 1d20 + 8 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 8 + 7 = 23 (bull, favor, higher) damage: 1d10 + 14 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 14 + 6 = 29 (bull, favor)

He’ll then 5’ step back so as to be a threat to the teal one.

He’s 5’ up.

Even means Tristain looks: 1d20 ⇒ 18

Tristain fails to avert his eyes.

1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18 Fort - no damage

Round 1

"I told you they would come! I told you!" Tristain will cast Bless and keep averting his eyes, his beautiful eyes. He draws his wand of Magic Missile.

Round 1 of 110: +1 to hit, +1 morale vs. fear.

Starflit feel confident in her abilities against the hounds...until one of the beasts bites her leg and she meets its gaze. The leg wound rips open further and other cuts open elsewhere as the inquisitor gasps in agony.

Agony turns to anger as Starflit sweeps out her magical starknife at her foe.

Starflit Fortitude Save (purity judgment): 1d20 + 11 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 11 + 3 = 17

Starflit +1 returning starknife +13: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (17) + 13 = 30 for magical, piercing damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

Starflit +1 returning starknife +8 (iterative): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11 for magical, piercing damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

Fort Save (DC 18): 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (2) + 14 = 16

Reeling from a pair of hounds suddenly appearing beside her, and in a manner that left her with a moment of vertigo, Tenebrynn tries to shake off the alien weirdness of it all and lashes out with a flurry of strikes as blades of wind form around her hands.
Air Blast Blade: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (3) + 16 = 19for: 5d6 + 15 ⇒ (2, 5, 4, 4, 1) + 15 = 31

Air Blast Blade, iterative: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (15) + 11 = 26for: 5d6 + 15 ⇒ (4, 6, 4, 2, 2) + 15 = 33

Air Blast Blade, haste: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (7) + 16 = 23for: 5d6 + 15 ⇒ (6, 2, 1, 5, 1) + 15 = 30

Air Blast Blade, ki: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (15) + 16 = 31for: 5d6 + 15 ⇒ (3, 1, 4, 2, 2) + 15 = 27

I’ll target the one beside Starflit/Kyffin and Tristain first.

Starflit's arm flashes out yet again at the hound before her!

Starflit +1 returning starknife (haste bonus attack): 1d20 + 13 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 13 + 1 = 15 for magical, piercing damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

Forgot about Tenebrynn's haste spell. Doesn't matter--Snake Eyes!

DC 18 Fort save: 1d20 + 15 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 15 + 2 = 36

Albert's blade dances through the air as magic hastens the swings. concentrate attacks with Kyffin and Starflit against orange, then yellow when orange drops

curve blade, heroism, bless, haste, power attack, furious focus: 1d20 + 17 + 2 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 17 + 2 + 1 + 1 = 36
damage: 1d10 + 3 + 9 ⇒ (5) + 3 + 9 = 17

curve blade, heroism, bless, haste, power attack: 1d20 + 17 + 2 + 1 + 1 - 3 ⇒ (19) + 17 + 2 + 1 + 1 - 3 = 37
damage: 1d10 + 3 + 9 ⇒ (5) + 3 + 9 = 17

curve blade, heroism, bless, haste, power attack: 1d20 + 12 + 2 + 1 + 1 - 3 ⇒ (19) + 12 + 2 + 1 + 1 - 3 = 32
damage: 1d10 + 3 + 9 ⇒ (8) + 3 + 9 = 20

curve blade, heroism, bless, haste, power attack: 1d20 + 7 + 2 + 1 + 1 - 3 ⇒ (16) + 7 + 2 + 1 + 1 - 3 = 24
damage: 1d10 + 3 + 9 ⇒ (8) + 3 + 9 = 20

holy dice bot!!! 4 crit confirms!

curve blade, heroism, bless, haste, power attack, furious focus: 1d20 + 17 + 2 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 17 + 2 + 1 + 1 = 35
damage: 1d10 + 3 + 9 ⇒ (10) + 3 + 9 = 22

curve blade, heroism, bless, haste, power attack: 1d20 + 17 + 2 + 1 + 1 - 3 ⇒ (8) + 17 + 2 + 1 + 1 - 3 = 26
damage: 1d10 + 3 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 3 + 9 = 16

curve blade, heroism, bless, haste, power attack: 1d20 + 12 + 2 + 1 + 1 - 3 ⇒ (4) + 12 + 2 + 1 + 1 - 3 = 17
damage: 1d10 + 3 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 3 + 9 = 14

curve blade, heroism, bless, haste, power attack: 1d20 + 7 + 2 + 1 + 1 - 3 ⇒ (4) + 7 + 2 + 1 + 1 - 3 = 12
damage: 1d10 + 3 + 9 ⇒ (10) + 3 + 9 = 22

And lo, so it was that in the halls of twisted dimensional madness the blessed one did appear. In his left hand he bore holy dirt and in his right he wielded Improbability like a blade. Great and many were his deeds.

Tenebrynn, I think your blade is considered magical for purposes of DR, right?

Tristain brings down a blessing on his companions as the hounds do everything they can to disrupt it. Starflit manages to cut one slightly, but then Tenebrynn and Al move into action, cutting down two of the monsters. Kyffin cuts into a third, injuring it badly.

Still, the two remain, and their gazes cut into you again as they attack. The first focuses on Al, clawing him painfully 11 hp total before seeming to bend into the wall and reappearing further away, while the second mauls Tenebrynn 28 hp total before disappearing.

Yes, my kinetic blade counts as magical for DR bypass purposes

+2 dodge bonus vs aberrations turns that 18 into a miss, so slightly less damage to me, at least

do the hounds provoke AoO’s when they fold into the walls or whatever?

It's a supernatural ability, so I think not.

Round 2

Tristain shoots a magic missile at the hound he can see (yellow).

"zee-NOO!”

Wand of Magic Missile (lvl9): 47/50 left
5d4 + 4 ⇒ (3, 2, 1, 2, 4) + 4 = 16 force damage.

Round 2 of 110: +1 to hit, +1 morale vs. fear.

Albert charges down the hall and closes with the injured hound. attack yellow

+1 curve blade, heroism, bless, haste, power attack, furious focus, charge: 1d20 + 17 + 2 + 1 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 17 + 2 + 1 + 1 + 2 = 38
damage: 1d10 + 3 + 9 ⇒ (10) + 3 + 9 = 22

crit confirm, +1 curve blade, heroism, bless, haste, power attack, furious focus, charge: 1d20 + 17 + 2 + 1 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 17 + 2 + 1 + 1 + 2 = 43
damage: 1d10 + 3 + 9 ⇒ (7) + 3 + 9 = 19

AC 22 until next round

Starflit follows up Tristain's attack by sticking out her buckler arm, presenting her open palm, and sending a ray of intense light toward the wounded hound.

Starflit searing light ranged touch: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (11) + 11 = 22 for magic damage: 5d8 ⇒ (4, 5, 3, 4, 4) = 20

Starflit Fortitude Save (purity judgment; vs. gaze attack): 1d20 + 11 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 11 + 3 = 31

Forgot to make a save vs. the hound's gaze attack last round. Also forgot to adjust Starflit's shield bonus to AC down after casting a spell in a previous round (just learned that rule recently--might forget it again!).

Round 2

Kyffin moves to the corner to protect Tenebrynn when he sees the red one down the hall. Thanks to haste, he has enough movement to close and get a single swing in!

Scimitar: 1d20 + 13 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 13 + 9 = 25 (bull, favor, higher, bless, haste) damage: 1d10 + 14 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 14 + 6 = 30 (bull, favor)

He’s 5’ up.

Though hasted, Kyffin seems to hang from a string in mid-air, slowly spinning around and around as he waits for something to happen.