[PFS - CORE] 0-06 Black Waters by GM Upaynao (Inactive)

Game Master Upaynao

Howirk is unsure whether he is more disturbed by the faint sounds of doubtlessly long-dead children or the silence. To him, neither is pleasant. In an effort to avoid having to think about either, Howirk tries to make light. "You know, I hear plenty of parents telling their children to 'stay in school'; I bet that they'd change their tune if they saw that classroom back there! Am I right? And what did you think of that strange groundskeeper or whatever he was? Quite the unusual chap, don't you think?"

Howirk struggles to hear a response, a laugh, a groan, anything, from his companions or beyond.

Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17

”Abnormal does not begin to describe what we’ve seen this far. And I do not have high hopes of that improving, I’m afraid.”

Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

"We won't hear anything coming if you keep yapping," grumps Yangrit.

"Who's yapping? I'm not yapping. Are you yapping? How about you? Whoever it is should probably stop yapping, if he can. Do you think he can? How about you?"

Kirrote, leading the front of the line heading down the corridor, growls in warning. "Keep it down." He looks carefully, warily, from side to side. The general atmosphere doesn't bother him but he does recognize impending danger. The low ceiling forcees him into a hunched posture but he keeps his axe at the ready.

Straining to look ahead past his taller companions and into the darkness, Howirk spies what he believes to be a branching off from the corridor. "Any ideas which way we should head?" he asks.

"Before heading any deeper, why don't we investigate the door on the right?" Wizbang suggests.

"I'll go peek around that corner up ahead so we know what's there. You all stay here." I am master of my fear!

Yangrit stealthily sneaks past the first turning to the end of the straight hallway. She slowly slides only her face around the corner to look down the last corridor on the right.

Stealth: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19

Once she has seen all she can, she heads back to her companions and tells them what she saw.

If she sees something that gives her reason to keep being sneaky, here's her stealth check for the way back:

Stealth: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14

As the Pathfinders make their way in deeper and deeper still they come to an intersection, one leading on straight from their current location, the other seemingly coming to an end some thirty or more feet from where they stand, a thick coarse stone door sculpted in the shape of a screaming skull barring the way forward insofar as Kirrote and Yangrit can see in the oppressive darkness.

Wizbang will pull out and light a torch. "Perhaps I should've prepared a different cantrip today..."

Thaddaeus pulls out a sling bullet and casts Light. ”Like this one?” he says as he winks at Wizbang.

Wizbang rolls his eyes and mutters to himself, "Clerics never seem to understand the difference between a cantrip and an orison..." before clearing his throat and speaking aloud, "Yes, yes, though I usually prepare the dancing kind. When I heard we were headed for a Necropolis, I prepared Disrupt Undead, but when I dabble with necromantic spells, it takes up more of my attention than most other spells..."

I originally had prepared Dancing Lights, but then remembered Disrupt Undead is from one of Wizbang's opposition schools, so had to give up something...

As long everyone gets to see in the dark its all good!

"You magic users, always good for some light conversation." Howirk interjects with a chuckle, nearly as glad to see as he is to hear others filling the deafening silence around him.

Now getting a full view of the door, the Halfling notes,"I've heard that treasures are more likely to be found behind closed doors rather than dark hallways. I suggest we try the door. Though, in light of its stone composition, I suspect that the dwarf and half-orc would have an easier time getting it open than either I or..." He points to the two magic users, "our illuminating company."

Kirrote grows impatient with the others fussing about lights. He strides up to the door and tries to open it.

"Come on, you comedians. Focus and keep up." Slipping quietly along behind the half-orc--but not too closely--Yangrit lets out a huffing sigh. Puns. It had to be puns.

The door opens ponderously, revealing carved pillars in the corners of this chamber which hold aloft a double-vaulted ceiling of cracked frescoes. On either side of the chamber, a single step leads up into a deeply recessed recessed area that forms an arched "room" of it's own. On the floor of the eastern recess, the perfectly preserved body of a young boy lies in a puddle and stares silently upward.

Of more immediate concern is the imposing body of an undead creature wielding a rusted but vicious-looking axe as it slowly turns towards Kirrote and growls, milky eyes staring blindly beyond the half-orc.

Round 1

Wizbang
Kirrote
Yangrit
Bugbear
Howirk
Thaddaeus

You are up!

Gulp. Torag bolster me.

Yangrit clenches her jaw and strides into the room, glancing quickly to either side. She sees the perfect body of the boy lying in the alcove to her left, so steps a bit to her right as she approaches the undead brute in the middle of the room. (She certainly doesn't want that little boy to rise up and attack her from behind!) Swinging with a swift right hook, Yangrit pivots to put more force into it.

Unarmed Strike: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 191d6 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

Kn-Religion Bugbear: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 27
Knowledge-Any on boy: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10
Questions, in order: DR, Special Attacks, Resistances, Special
Qualities

Wizbang unleashes a magic missile at the undead Bugbear, while droning on in great detail all he knows about such creatures, starting with any damage resistance and other useful tactical info before droning on and on about it's favorite prey, locations where they're typically encountered, favorite colors, etc.

Force dmg: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

If the orange circle would prevent Wizbang from moving through its square, then Wizbang will settle in behind Kirrote in the hallway instead.

Kirrote strides boldly forth, straight at the undead creature. He slings his axe free and brings it down in a smooth arc, aiming for the creature's head.

greataxe@bugbear: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13
damage: 1d12 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18

Round 1

Bugbear - 5 Dmg
Howirk
Thaddaeus

Round 2

Wizbang
Kirrote
Yangrit

Wizbang recognises what this is: a bugbear, an undead one to boot; no doubt reanimated by the fel magic present within this place. AS he struggles to pass by the unlit brazier, finally abandoning the notion and staying firmly behind Kirrote, he recalls that zombies generally resist all damage that isn't slashing. Undead have their own traits, but otherwise this shouldn't prove to be too deadly a fight. Hopefully.

Arcane missiles wiz through the air as Yangrit's blow connects with the creature's hide, but unlike the living who bruise and hurt, this creature will require her to deal enough damage to break the bones underneath. Or use a slashing weapon, like Kirrote, albeit in a manner that would hit the creature, as it deflects the half-orc's blow to retaliate in kind.

Morningstar vs Kirrote: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7

Of course, perhaps it would benefit from lifting the weapon first.

Party up!

Growling in irritation, Yangrit uses Acrobatics to move around the zombie to flank it, and so her other comrades can filter into the room. She then draws her dagger and slashes at the zombie.

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8

Dagger: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 211d4 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Howirk rushes forward and casts protection from evil on Kirrote. "Some added protection, big guy." he adds.

Primary benefit, Kirrote gains a +2 deflection bonus to AC and a +2 resistance bonus on saves. Both these bonuses apply against attacks made or effects created by evil creatures/

Thaddaeus moves adjacent to Wizbang and attempts to distract the undead beast with the point of his spear.

Aid Another (Kirrote’s Attack): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12

Kirrote grunts his appreciation towards Howirk then winds up for another swing at the undead. This time, with Yangrit and Thaddaeus distracting the creature, Kirrote gets a much more solid shot at it.

greataxe@bugbear,flanking,aid: 1d20 + 5 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 5 + 2 + 2 = 22
damage: 1d12 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13

Wizbang nods approvingly as his fellow agents array themselves around him in a protective wedge. He readies his wand to deal the coup de grace if the barbarian's mighty stroke does not fell the foul unliving creature.
force dmg from magic missile, if necessary: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

c'mon, kill-stealing wand of mm lvl 1 ftw!

Round 2

Bugbear - 25 Dmg
Howirk
Thaddaeus

Round 3

Wizbang
Kirrote - 9 Dmg
Yangrit

While clumsy, the bugbear isn't helpless, a fact it proves as it tries to slam it's morningstar into Yangrit!

Morningstar vs Kirrote: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18

The weapon bounces off of the dwarf's conjured armor as she cuts deep into the creature, but not nearly as deeply as Kirrote's axe which lodges itself deep into the creature's sternum. Damaged, but not defeated, it strikes at Kirrote!

Morningstar vs Kirrote: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20
Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

The morningstar slams the half-orc across the face, dealing a grievous wound.

Realizing that he cannot easily get to Yangrit to offer her the protection of one of is spells, he draws one of his daggers and throws it at the bugbear.

Ranged Attack (Dagger): 1d20 + 3 - 4 ⇒ (5) + 3 - 4 = 4
Damage (dagger)(P): 1d4 ⇒ 1

But, he misses his mark. I guess I'll have to ask Yangrit to retrieve that dagger for me, too. But I suppose I will wait as she seems pretty preoccupied at the moment.

Sneering at its missed attempt to smash her, Yangrit slices at the bugbear zombie's backside.

Dagger: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 151d4 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

Kirrote winces as the bugbear slams down on his shoulder. He shrugs off the pain and swings again at the creature.

greataxe@bugbear,flanking: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 5 + 2 = 19
damage: 1d12 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12

Thadd channels the power of Desna.

Channel Positive: 1d6 ⇒ 3

Wizbang uncorks yet another magic missile from his wand.
force dmg: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Round 3

Bugbear - 42 Dmg
Howirk
Thaddaeus

Round 4

Wizbang
Kirrote - 17 Dmg
Yangrit

The Pathfinders keep inflicting grievous wounds that would have felled a mortal man upon the creature. But the dead have little need for livers, hearts or lungs.

Morningstar vs Kirrote: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23
Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11

And with a backhanded swing of the morningstar, the revenant bugbear inflicts a gruesome wound upon Kirrote! It is a miracle he still stands!

Or orc ferocity. Party up!

"Someone heal that half orc before he dies, or we may end up fighting his undead corpse soon enough!" Yangrit shouts to her team. Then she slashes again at the zombie's backside. This thing has to be near the end. Any year now...

Dagger: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 161d4 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

Howirk draws his remaining dagger and moves well away from the undead bugbear, looking for an opportunity to strike.

Kirrote staggers as the undead bugbear lands another smashing hit with the morningstar. He feels his life force slipping away and an intense surge of rage flows through his body. He leans forward into the face of the undead creature and roars, spittle showering the bugbear's face. With a last surge Kirrote swings his axe again. As the axe swings through the air Kirrote collapses.

greataxe@bugbear,flanking,rage: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 5 + 2 = 13
damage,rage: 1d12 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 6 + 2 = 19

Rage adds 2 HP which brings me to 0 before the attack action. Then the attack brings me back to 0. That is disables so my attack action brings me back to -1 but I already used my orc ferocity to activate rage and I can only use it once per day. And since I raged 1 round, I'll be fatigued 2 rounds. Do I have that all correct?

Wizbang retreats down the hallway and continues his barrage of puny little magic missiles.
force dmg: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Thaddaeus channels positive energy.

1d6 ⇒ 5

Wizbang's final blast of magic missiles finally downs the creature, leaving it still as death upon the stone floor.

Combat Over

Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17

"Hrm. What have we here?". Howirk says picking up a bring he discovered near the body of the boy.
On phone. Could someone move my token to the boy if necessary?
Howirk examines it more closely to determine it's value as well as whether it matches the description given to them earlier.

Appraise: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 1 = 16

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16

"Huh. The meat shield has fallen. Thaddeus, I assume you've got this?"

Yangrit stares down at Kirrote's inert form. She is conflicted. On the one hand, he's a half orc, so she takes some of pleasure in seeing him down. On the other hand, he's a member of her party. She does feel a certain amount of responsibility for and commitment to her group, which must necessarily come with a bit of loyalty. He's not just a downed half orc; he's also a downed comrade.

Also, he's a good meat shield.

Howirk, I moved your token to the boy.

I think I did all the math correctly and I'm at 2hp now.

Kirrote slowly wakes back up. His whole body hurts but he ignores that for the most part. As soon as he's aware of his surroundings he starts and looks around for the bugbear. Seeing it dead on the ground, he relaxes. He slowly stands up. His bones, especially around his shoulders, don't look quite right.

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15

"I can never seem to get this thing to work right. Why don't you use it to patch up our friend and hang onto it until we finish cataloging this place," Wizbang says as he offers the cleric his wand of Cure Light Wounds.

Then he moves over to the dead boy and examines the ring that the halfling holds. Would it be a "a two-finger ring topped with a ruby salamander," by any chance?
Regardless, Wizbang casts detect magic and checks out the ring, then scans the rest of the room.
Spellcraft to ID ring, if needed: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10

Much obliged Wiz...I fear Desna may consider me a pest before this day is done!

CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6
CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

The ring's purpose remains a mystery to Wizbang as Thaddaeus heals his companion. However, it does not match the description given at all; although old, this ring isn't nearly old enough.

Looking about, apart from the boy and a few books on him, there is nothing else in the room. At least, nothing that you perceive.

Remember to move yourselves to where you want to go if you decide to move on. If there are any particular features, as mentioned in my descriptions, that interest you, feel free to act upon them.

"I suppose we are not in a rush." notes Howirk as he begins to look around the chamber, starting with the carvings on the pillars, then stopping to take in the ceiling frescos. Finally, he examines the body of the bugbear for any items of potential value.

Unless objection, taking 20 to search the room and then again to search the body=Perception 23.

Before moving on, Howirk suggests to Wizbang, "If you think that the ring may be magic, I could attempt to activate it blindly." The Halfling then turns to the cleric, "But, if so, you had best prepared to use that wand, Thaddeus. Just in case."

Did it detect as magic? That much, at least, should have been revealed, even if Wiz doesn't have the faintest clue what kind of magic...lol.
Wizbang begins to record details about the carvings and frescoes, and even tries to draw some of the more interesting images.