[PFS_Aerondor] 00-07 Among the Living (Inactive)

Game Master Aerondor

You spend a couple of minutes searching the people and the room. There are vast amounts of costumes, props, and posters. Several bodies and the three extra folk who came it. They wore armour, which while helpful isn't magical.

Fung heads into the next room. More bodies.

Various parts of a dozen corpses lie strewn about the floor. Blood and gore stain everything, making the floor slick and filling the room with a metallic aroma. bodies lie askew, mouths hanging open in silent screams, faces contorted in fear..

"Oh my goodness. Pass me a hankie.. The smell" comes the sign of dismay from your noble follower.

Status,
Theadus 6 damage
Naomi
Aarion (Shield of Faith 10/30); .
Grimaldus
Xuan Fung
Tirrem

"Show some fortitude. You are acting like a peasent with delusions of grandeur, which is a disgrace to the very notion of nobility." Naomi says in a harsh tone, hoping he would rather like to avoid being seen as a disgrace and possibly pretend to have a backbone for a while.

After discovering the letter, Aarion revels its contents to the rest of the group. After realizing the information is incomplete, the inquisitor quickly checks to see if any of the three adversaries ares till alive.

If any of the three combatants are still breathing, Aarion will stabilize them for future questioning. In addition to that, I am assuming that some knowledge checks are in order. Seeing i'm not entirely sure what knowledge will be of use here, I will include some that I think apply.
.

Knowledge (Religion): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25
Knowledge (Planes): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11
Knowledge (Local): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21

Both of the men are still alive, but quite badly wounded.

The nobleman ignores Naomi, sticking his nose in the air.

Nothing in particular from the knowledge checks, unless there was something specific you wanted to know?

Fung perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16

Fung notices the bodies in front of him start to move...
init zombie: 1d20 ⇒ 2
init Fung: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11

Status, bold may post:
<surprise round>
Fung
Zombies (prone)
<normal round>
Theadus 6 damage
Naomi
Aarion (Shield of Faith 10/30); .
Grimaldus
Xuan Fung
Tirrem
Zombies

Looking to ascertain more information about the Loyalists of the Grim Harvest. Knowledge (Local) or maybe (Religion)? I am also interested in gaining more information about Zyphus. Knowledge (Religion) or possibly (Planes)?

Anyway, Aarion will stabilize and bind the two men, seeing he is currently unaware of the combat that is about to take place.

Zyphus is a minor evil godling of accidental death. His followers tend to keep to themselves, guarding forgotten graveyards and abandoned barrows.

"Woah! More of the walking dead!" Fung shouts as warning as he retreats back to the previous room.

Standard action to withdraw. Sorry bringing them into the room. If I lead them out, those dumb nobles would get it. :)

The zombies climb slowly to their feet.

"Oi there young man, what are you...oh my god...there are more of them? arrghhhhh"

Status, bold may post:
Theadus 6 damage
Naomi
Aarion (Shield of Faith 10/30); .
Grimaldus
Xuan Fung
Tirrem
Zombies

He was about to assist Aarion when the sound of more zombies could be heard. Reaching up he gave Aarion another nod and a light touch on the shoulder. "Go brother, be Sarenrae's chosen warrior this night, strike true and strike fear in the hearts of those who dare to opose you!"

You can guess it! Guidance

Now that he was in the safer company of the party, Fung turns around, looks for an opening, and sends a bolt of lightning back the doorway he came from.

Electric Blast, point blank: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 3 + 1 = 16 vs red zombie's touch AC, likely with cover
damage, point blank: 1d6 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 2 + 1 = 4
Who's that between Tirrem and Aarion?

Having been distracted with the process of binding the two surviving men, Aarion is caught a little off guard when Fung comes charging into the room shouting words of warning. Swiftly the inquisitor regains his focus and moves into the adjoining room. Surrounded by the shambling dead, Aarion brings his scimitar into sidelong arc in an attempt to gut one of the abominations.

(Move action) Move into the room while drawing his scimitar, (Standard action) Attack the green zombie. (Note) I don’t think Grimaldus’s blessing would have happened until after I moved into the room. If delaying until after Grimaldus’s blessing is acceptable, then I would act just after him.

(Attack) MW cold-iron Scimitar: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 6 + 1 = 18
(Damage) MW Cold-iron Scimitar: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

Pre-Combat Post:
Once combat is over, theadus pulls forth his wand of infernal healing and gives himself a tap.
Infernal Healing: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
Infernal Healing: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8
His wounds being fully healed, the teifling walks over to one of of fallen enemies and retrieves the pick from his body, giving it a few hefty swings for measure. "Not my primary choice, but it should suffice for now."

Combat Post:
The sound of renewed combat draws the teifling's attention back to the other room. Seeing that the doorway is a bit congested, Theadus moves out the double doors and around to the room's second doorway. He then shots a ray of disrupt undead at the nearest enemy while he readies his pick.
Ranged Touch Attack: 1d20 + 4 - 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 - 4 = 7
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 4

wand of infernal healing ticks for 1hp every round. it is basically a fast healing 1 (so no 2 charges) but might want to check with GM to see how many rounds between using the wand and combat so you know the count. It will keep ticking till 10 rounds are over

wand of infernal healing ticks for 1hp every round. it is basically a fast healing 1 (so no 2 charges) but might want to check with GM to see how many rounds between using the wand and combat so you know the count. It will keep ticking till 10 rounds are over

Ahh, I missed that part! That's what I get for skimming. Thanks for the input.

After hearing the sounds of battle again, Tirrem looks frustrated.

Will this ever end?

He moves past Aarion and slashes the green zombie.

I'm assuming the zombies can't make attacks of opportunity as they haven't acted in combat yet.

Power Attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15
dmg: 1d8 + 9 ⇒ (7) + 9 = 16

Fung blasts the red zombie, but it really doesn't seem to care.

Aarion moves into the room, slashing at the green zombie. Ichor spills out.

The zombies can make AOOs, their first move was to stand up. Fung was lucky he won initiative over them, and make his perception check. I assume Tirrem went though the door and attractedAOOs from green. Red wouldn't get one because of the cover provided by the door.
AOO on Tirrem: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17
damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

The green zombie bashes Tirrem badly, he responds by cutting it in two.

The nobles cluster around the door, trying to see.

"My goodness.. was that Lady Thondor! It was!"./

From the sounds of it, some of the crowd has reentered the main hall. there are cries from them as a couple of bodies in that area stand up and start to lay into the crowd there too.

Status, bold may post:
Naomi
Zombies
red - 4 damage
blue
Grimaldus
Xuan Fung
Theadus
Aarion (Shield of Faith 10/30); guidance
Tirrem 10 damage

Theadus, infernal healing gives you fast healing 1 for a ten rounds. You have had a couple of minutes searching so no issues with being on full hp

Ouch

Naomi considers her options.

The red and blue zombies don't bother. They have fresh brains right in front of them. Luckily for everyone else they belong to Aarion.

attacks@+4: 2d20 ⇒ (5, 16) = 21
He nimbly avoids their blows.

Status, bold may post:
Naomi
Grimaldus
Xuan Fung
Theadus
Aarion (Shield of Faith 9/30);
Tirrem 10 damage
Zombies
red - 4 damage
blue

Tirrem moves up besides Aarion and slashes the blue zombie in front of him.

Power Attk: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7
dmg: 1d8 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 15

Over the head of Aarion, Fung releases another bolt of electricity at the same zombie.

Electric Blast, point blank: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 3 + 1 = 7 vs red zombie's touch AC, likely with cover
damage, point blank: 1d6 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 2 + 1 = 6

Naomi rolls her eyes at the situation as she heads out on stage to see if she needs to step in on the purple zombie, which she will move towards if she needs to.

"Anyone not able to fight needs to hogtie any dead bodies. And be careful about it. I expect any dead bodies will possibly rise again until we find the source."

Curtains and floor boards are mercilessly dispatched by Fung and Tirrem. The zombies remain unmoved.

Naomi starts to provide direction to the crowds in the hall.

Status, bold may post:
Grimaldus
Theadus
Aarion (Shield of Faith 9/30);
Zombies
red - 4 damage
blue
Naomi
Xuan Fung
Tirrem 10 damage

Making his way up and seeing how Tirrem is currently doing he takes out the wand again and taps Tirrem on his shoulder, hoping it would be enough for the time being to keep the man alive

Wand of CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9

While doing his best to avoid the onslaught of attacks from the zombies, Aarion carefully watches the shambling movements of the red zombie. After determining a pattern in the abomination's movement, the inquisitor brings his scimitar into a side-long cleave towards the zombie's mid section.

(Move equivalent action) Study target on the red zombie, (Standard action) Attack the red zombie.
.

(Attack) MW Cold-iron Scimitar: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 6 + 1 = 24
(Damage) MW Cold-iron Scimitar: 1d6 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 3 + 1 = 9

Grim heals the valiant Tirrem, while Aarion delivers a brutal, but not final, blow to the red zombie.

Status, bold may post:
Theadus
Zombies
red - 13 damage
blue
Naomi
Xuan Fung
Tirrem 1 damage
Grimaldus
Aarion (Shield of Faith 9/30);

Seeing the undead rise up once more behind them, Theadus backtracks and fires off another ray of disrupt undead at the (purple) zombie.
Ranged Touch Attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 3

Theadus sends a bolt of positive energy into the zombie in the crowd. Between that and the crowd it goes down and stays down.

"Nice shot" acknowledges the noble. "Reminds me of the time I took out an ogre with my crossbow with one shot."

The red zombie turns to Tirrem and slams into him attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10 but the hunter avoids it.

The blue zombie continues its futile assault on Aarion. attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16

Status, bold may post:
Theadus
Naomi
Xuan Fung
Tirrem 1 damage
Grimaldus
Aarion (Shield of Faith 8/30);
Zombies
red - 13 damage
blue

Turning to Theadus, "Since you have a ranged option, why don't you help the others. I'd just get in the way trying to get close in those tight confines."

With that, Naomi makes sure no dead bodies get missed. Checking all the rooms, starting with the main center room, then behind the stage and working counter-clockwise from there.

Tirrem gives Grim a thankful look and carries on slashing at the blue zombie.

Power Attk: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23
dmg: 1d8 + 9 ⇒ (7) + 9 = 16

Fung grunts in frustration as his bolt goes wild, but that does not stop him from firing another one at the same red zombie.

Electric Blast, point blank: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 3 + 1 = 16 vs red zombie's touch AC, likely with cover
damage, point blank: 1d6 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 2 + 1 = 6

Theadus nearly bites his tongue off attempting to keep in the multiple snide comments that come to mind at the noble's remark. He merely turns around and moves 10 ft. back toward the door to fire off yet another ray of disrupt undead at the red zombie.
Ranged Touch Attack: 1d20 + 4 - 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 - 4 = 16
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 2

Continuing with his assault on the red zombie, Aarion bring his scimitar into an offhand downward cut across the undead's midsection.

(Standard action) Attack the red zombie.

(Attack) MW cold-iron Scimitar: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 6 + 1 = 24
(Damage) MW Cold-iron Scimitar: 1d6 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 3 + 1 = 6

Under the assault of pathfinders both zombies go down quickly.

"You are getting better at this." admits the nobleman.

"Of course you set the bar low to start with."

"At least they have a higher bar than squealing in the corner begging to be saved like a poor crippled begger child. At least the child would have a legitimate excuse for needing saving."

Fung sniggers under his breath, although it was still clearly audible. On a serious note, though, he states, "Let's continue to clear out the rest of the theatre, so that we can proceed below ground and hopefully eradicate the source."

Fung would check the 6 doors that branch off from room 8.
stealth: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7
perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16

You search the rest of the theater and put down a couple more nobles who are recently risen as zombies... it would seen to those who know a bit about the undead that a number of these zombies are not quite normal.

Still, no more cultists are found, just two lets of steps leading downwards...

So downwards you go. The chorus of nobles follows to "Direct the mission" - at a safe distance.

Main Storage: Used primarily to store larger set pieces no longer used, this musty basement is now the home to a dig project that extends into the bedrock east of the room. This room is well lit by standing lamps.

Status:
Theadus
Naomi
Xuan Fung
Tirrem 1 damage
Grimaldus
Aarion ;

Before heading down into the lower rooms, Aarion takes quick moment to consider the rate that the zombies are rising.

Knowledge (Religion): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22

"I am a little concerned about leaving the dead laying about the area. At the rate that they seem to be animating, they could pose a continued threat to the people up here. Maybe we should take the time to secure the dead in a lockable room."

Fung attempts to creep to the entrance of the passage that leads east, hoping to be able to what might be at the other end.

stealth: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13
perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6

"I've already had all the dead tied up. But if you want to take further precautions..." she says shrugging at the end. She doesn't seem to care either way.

"I'm OK with moving forward if the dead are secured. I just don't want any more animations coming from behind."

As Fung begins to scout, Aarion whispers to him in passing. "Let us know what's a head if you can."

Aarion things that some, but not all of the zombies, when they kill someone, cause that person to rise as a (regular) zombie a few minutes later.

Fung spies a wide tunnel that has been chiseled slowly out of bedrock... The ground in the tunnels is very slippery.

Aarion moves up to get a better look down the tunnel.

Tirrem seems worried about the dealings with the undead. It's not his area of expertise and he doesn't seem comfortable exploring a tight space. Taking advantage that the nobles decided to stay further back, he addresses the group of pathfinders in a low tone so as to not be heard by the nobles. He seems to address Aarion a tiny bit more directly.

Let us be careful of those nobles to be sure that they aren't involved in this cult. I've heard of stories of cultists who disguise themselves as nobles or just people of wealthy birth who convert to various cults. Also, someone could have taken the time to look like a noble to get in, just like we did. It just strikes dangerous to me that they would want to follow us down.

In a more practical remark, Tirrem judges the lighting in the basement and if it will be bright enough for him to fight effectively.

Sorry for delay of posting, work was a bit more hectic then expected today

Regarding the mass slaughter of the zombies and the revival he frowned. It seemed like an omnious thing to happen. The friendly follower aka the noble was less then entertaining as well but you have to do what was needed for the greater good. "Make sure to keep an eye out on what is in front of us and behind us. No idea what we can expect down here..."

The tunnels are lit, but curve away out of sight.

Well, unfortunately Aarion is less than poor in the ways of stealth. I am inclined to just move down the hall, but I am going to give it enough time before doing so to allow anyone who wants to perform some recon time to do so.

Fung sneaks up to the turn of the tunnel and looks further down.

1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11
perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13

Sorry the first roll was for stealth. Only just realised I missed it, and now I can't go back to edit. It was a terrible roll anyway... Sigh...

The tunnel splits in two... Fung finds it very hard to stay on his feet in this slippery area.
DC 10 acrobatics to move at half speed, very hard to be stealthy, I'll assume Fung is taking ten at the moment
random: 2d20 ⇒ (5, 7) = 12

At the entrance Naomi speaks to any nobles that followed this far, "We will scout out below and see what can be found. Several of you should stay here and keep watch in case anymore zombies come up from below. This is a good choke point, if you don't let them past here you won't have to deal very many at once. If anyone outside sees the signal and is able to break open the doors, be sure to let them know we went below." Then Naomi walks rather carefully through the tunnel, taking the left branch.