Palace of the Vampire Queen, the 5e version (Inactive)

Game Master Terquem

"What birds? What are you talking about Morgrym?"

Myna stops and listens to see if he can hear what the dwarf has heard.

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7

Mina does not hear anything

The party stands by the opening to the next room, waiting to hear a noise.

Gwendolyn taps her foot, and then finally exclaims

Oh this is nonsense, I'm going in there.

She barges her way past Morgrym, Myna and Amon, and as soon as she enters the room a screech is heard

Shut up you stupid bird!

Myna sheepishly follows the female dwarf into the room.

"Well..it sounded much bigger in the tunnel.....", he grumbles to himself.

What are you talking about knife ears, you didn't even hear anything. Why are your ears so big if you can't hear?

Day 3, Monday Evening, after Sunset, approximately 7:20 pm (turn 117, turn 5 of 6)The Dungeon is in Dim Light due to a Light Spell cast by Amon, in turn 115. Today there is heavy fog: Room 13

When Myna enters the room he sees…

Myna, an Morgrym have Inspiration that has not been used

Myna moves over to the cage and examines the owl.

Would that be perception, or investigation?

Perception, which would take no time at all, might clue you in to aspects of the bird or its cage, that you didn't notice at first, while Investigation will probably take longer and tell you more details.

Moving in to cover myna's back.

It sounds like it's just the two of us. Can we get another player or two please?

ok then, will start with perception, and if I notice anything, will then move to investigate.

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12

Dot

Day 3, Monday Evening, after Sunset, approximately 7:20 pm (turn 117, turn 5 of 6)
The Dungeon is in Dim Light due to a Light Spell cast by Amon, in turn 115. Today there is heavy fog: Room 13

The owl continues to hoot loudly, until finally, a secret door in the west wall suddebly opens and a burly, rough looking dwarf pokes his head out of the door and begins to shout

Ah you stupid bird, shut yer…

He sees Myna, Morgrym and Gwen, and then his eyes go wide, and he shouts even louder

We got company boys, looks like another group of lost do gooders!

Neither group is surprised. The party is attacked by Bandits, let’s see who has the initiative this round, remember, low die wins

Party Initiative: 1d10 ⇒ 1
Bandit Initiative: 1d10 ⇒ 9

Looks like the party has the jump on these bandits. The bandits are dwarves, there are 6 of them! and they come flooding out of the secret door into the room you are in

Myna, an Morgrym have Inspiration that has not been used

I may be miss reading your rolls but it looks like the bandits have the jump on us.

Old School Initiative. Lowest die roll goes first. On Tick #1, as it happens. The bandits will go on tick #9.

Myna quickly incants a spell and sends a bolt of fire towards the dwarf.

Attack-ranged: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17
Damage: 1d10 ⇒ 7

Day 3, Monday Evening, after Sunset, approximately 7:20 pm (turn 117, turn 5 of 6)
The Dungeon is in Dim Light due to a Light Spell cast by Amon, in turn 115. Today there is heavy fog: Room 13

As one dwarf after another comes stumbling through the secret door, they draw long knives, light flails, or short swords. They wear no armor, but one of them carries a buckler. They seem disorganized, unsure of themselves, almost as if they had just been woken.

With quick thinking and even quicker reflexes, Myna launches a swift magical attack on one of the bandits. The missile strikes the dwarf in the chest, and he goes down, clutching at his wound, and then he is still.

Myna, an Morgrym have Inspiration that has not been used

Ugh, sodding low lifes.

Morgrym will stride forward and slam his warhammer into one of the bandits chest.
1d20 + 5 - 1 ⇒ (2) + 5 - 1 = 61d10 + 3 - 1 ⇒ (1) + 3 - 1 = 3

Amon, having stayed back and refreshed his Light spell, hears a rather loud commotion coming from inside the room. Poking his head in, he watches as a small group of rugged-looking Dwarves attempt to squeeze through a hidden doorway and storm into the room. Keeping himself safely behind the wall, and readying a spell to help with the rest of the group.

Readied action. Ray of Frost to go off once he had a clear shot with a target. Doesn't wanna hit Morgrym.

What? I've seen you before! Gwen cries, and rushes at the Bandits

Melee Scimitar: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7

But the crafty bandit side steps her at the last minute.

Amon - don't worry too much about placement of the figures on the map, everyone is moving, and you will have a clear shot at a Bandit in round 1

3d6 ⇒ (3, 3, 4) = 10 x 10 = 100

With his captors distracted by the goings on outside the room... Namfoodle turns his attention once more to the ropes restraining him.

He attempts to slip free of the cords.

Dexterity Check
1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

And only succeeds in tightening the cords around his wrists...

Day 3, Monday Evening, after Sunset, approximately 7:20 pm (turn 117, turn 5 of 6)The Dungeon is in Dim Light due to a Light Spell cast by Amon. Today there is heavy fog. Current location - Room 13

Round 1…

Morgrym and Gwen soon find themselves attacked by bandits.

There are four characters, one of you will be attacked by a Special enemy
1=Morgrym, 2=Myna, 3=Amon, 4+Gwen

Who is the lucky Character?: 1d4 ⇒ 2

And there is a one in four chance that the character will be attacked by another bandit, which will be a Help maneuver if it occurs Help=1
Is there help in the attack?: 1d4 ⇒ 2

Special Attack on Myna: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23
Attack on Morgrym: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23
Attack on Amon: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8
Attack on Gwen: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17

Myna is stabbed by a short sword
Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
But Morgrym is walloped by a club right in the face
Critical Hit: 2d6 + 2 ⇒ (2, 3) + 2 = 7

Amon jumps back at the last moment, but gwen is sliced by a long knife
Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

Myna, an Morgrym have Inspiration that has not been used

Who will have the initiative in round 2?

bandit Initiative: 1d10 ⇒ 9
party initiative: 1d10 ⇒ 4

After taking some damage the party pushes back, while in the other room, a helpless prisoner struggles in his bonds.

The party has the initiative for round 2

After attempting (unsuccessfully) to struggle out of his bonds, Namfoodle decides to try getting out the druidic way.

He calls to the owl he heard earlier for help.

Namfoodle asks the owl to help him escape, and will promise to help the owl hunt if it wishes or give it some water in payment.

Current HP: 6/10

Drawing his rapier, Myna stabs at the bandit who just struck him.

Attack-melee: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24
Damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

If anyone of our group is within 5' of this bandit, I get an extra 1d6 damage for sneak attack

Sneak Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 6

Taking a blow from a flail to her shoulder, Gwen lets out a yell, then sidesteps through the Bandits until she is right behind what must be the groups “leader.”

She smashes her shield with her scimitar as a distraction, and Myna runs the villain through.
The bandit collapses in a pool of blood.

Then Gwen attacks another bandit, who is running for the door.
Melee Scimitar: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13

She catches the bandit with a deep slice of the weapon

Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

Current HP 5/12

Ye blasted, low-life. That's not a proper dwarven weapon. This be a proper dwarven weaepon. Morgrym heaves is hammer up and looks to land a proper strike on the bandit's chest.

1d20 + 5 - 1 ⇒ (3) + 5 - 1 = 71d10 + 3 - 1 ⇒ (3) + 3 - 1 = 5

If I am flanking with the knife-ears.
1d20 + 5 - 1 ⇒ (8) + 5 - 1 = 121d10 + 3 - 1 ⇒ (2) + 3 - 1 = 4

EDIT: Using War Priest for a bonus action attack. Included are two rolls in the case of advantage.

1d20 + 5 - 1 ⇒ (6) + 5 - 1 = 101d10 + 3 - 1 ⇒ (8) + 3 - 1 = 10
1d20 + 5 - 1 ⇒ (15) + 5 - 1 = 191d10 + 3 - 1 ⇒ (4) + 3 - 1 = 6

The room is literally crowded with individuals jumping left, looking right, and getting caught in a bad spot.

Morgrym swings with wild abandon, knocking first one bandit, and then a second off their feet.

Only one Bandit remains, and he runs to a corner, drops his weapon, and puts his hands up and shouts

I give up

Morgrym hurries over to him, Ye got ten words to explain yourself. Before I smash your skull in and leave it to feed the goblins. I got no problem killing you were you stand. You are no people of mine who would raise weapons against brothers. He holds up one finger ready to count the first word.

intimidate: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (14) - 1 = 13
perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16

What's the xp count. And what do the bodies have on them?

Seeing the fight end rather quickly, and Mogrgrym capture one alive, Amon decided to aid in the interrogation. Taking his second dagger, he runs his finger over the blade to cast an illusion over it, and then drew his ray frosted finger across the steel as well, chilling it. Stepping out from the semi-darkness, he tapped the Dwarf's shoulder and said, "Perhaps a more subtle threat is in order."

Kneeling down, he held the dagger, disguised as a jagged shard of ice, and spoke. "This, is a shard of True Ice. A substance that has said to freeze the souls of the dead solid." He touched the bandit's cheek with him, letting him feel the frozen edge. "So, tell us what you know, or you'll be finding out how true this claim is when I drive it into your chest."

Deception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25

Day 3, Monday Evening, after Sunset, approximately 7:20 pm (turn 117, turn 5 of 6)
The Dungeon is in Dim Light due to a Light Spell cast by Amon, in turn 115. Today there is heavy fog: Room 13

Buh, what, ten, ahg, wait. We’re just common thieves.

The last bandit stammers at Morgrym, obviously frightened.

When Amon threatens the Bandit, the poor fellow faints.

Myna, an Morgrym have Inspiration that has not been used

One more word before your days end, make it count. Why?

Namfoodle attempts to cry out if he hears the voices.

I think he fainted,Gwen says to Morgrym who is still holding the bandit by the scruff of his shirt.

Did you hear that? Sounds like someone calling for help.

Myna searches the area to see if he can locate the muffled voice.

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22

Day 3, Monday Evening, after Sunset, approximately 7:20 pm (turn 117, turn 5 of 6)The Dungeon is in Dim Light due to a Light Spell cast by Amon, in turn 115. Today there is heavy fog: Room 13/53

Following the sound, Myna pokes his head through the door between the two rooms, and sees…

"Hello there, Master Elf. If you might find it in your heart, could you untie me? I'm afraid my own attempts have only met with further resistance."

Namfoodle attempts to sound calm in the face of dire circumstances.

Myna give a wave and moves over towards the gnome.

"Well hello there! Who are you and what are you doing here? I am Myna. "

"My name's Namfoodle. I was captured by Dwarf ruffians who thought I might be worth something to someone." He attempts to shrug.

Aye gnome, ye might be worth something, ta me! Says the noble dwarf stepping through the door. Warhammer laid across his shoulders.

Before introducing himself Morgrym will cast Cure Wounds on himself.
1d8 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

"Hmmmm, truly? I didn't think I was worth much to anyone really. But either way, a little help with these ropes would be appreciated."

There is a subtle hint of sarcasm in his voice.

Myna goes over and unties the gnome.

"There you go. That should be better."

"My thanks."

Namfoodle goes over to retrieve his things, looking askance at the remaining iron box.

"There's something else over here, if you want to see what it is. I'm freeing the owl."

Myna moves over to the box and examines it.

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8
or
Investigation: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13

Note- I recently discovered that I was miscounting the days of this adventure, which began on a Friday evening. I actually forgot to advance the day, on Sunday, from Day 2 to Day 3 – So, that means it is actually Day 4 and further posts will reflect this – Thanks!

Day 4, Monday Evening, after Sunset, approximately 7:20 pm (turn 117, turn 5 of 6)
The Dungeon is in Dim Light due to a Light Spell cast by Amon. Today there is heavy fog: Room 13/53

The fog of the dungeon slowly creeps into the room through the open doors left by the group as they have made their way here.

While Morgrym is attending to his wounds, and introducing himself to the gnome, Gwen begins searching the bodies of the fallen bandits and collects six small belt pouches from them. The girl then finds a stash of rope in the bandit’s sleeping room and binds the unconscious dwarven bandit’s hands and feet. She then delivers the belt pouches to Morgrym

meanwhile…

Myna glances at the small chest in the corner, and his first impression is that it is not trapped, and the pad lock on it is simple.

Carefully investigating the chest closer, he assures himself it is safe, and then he wonders if one of the bandits may have been carrying a key to the lock.

And, in the corner, Amon chuckles to himself every now and then when he remembers how convincing he was in his threats.

Please allow the Players, Kayne and Jade, to engage in a bit of role play to get to know each other. They will post in this thread, and are currently in the Black Village, getting ready to set out for the Palace. For them, it is

Day 4, Monday Afternoon, approximately 2:30 pm (turn 75) It is daytime, late in the winter season, almost the first day of Spring. The sky is blue, partly cloudy, and it is cool and dry

Jade and Kayne may post a brief exchange between them to get to know each other and establish a plan for going up the trail that leads to the Palace of the Vampire Queen – when they arrive, I will do what I can to try and get the two groups to accidentally run into each other, perhaps the other group will have a reason for retracing their steps back to the entrance

what's in the pouches.

could i spend sometime fixing my weapon? that would give the other group time to find us.

I have smith's tools
1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16 +3 if strength or wisdom, +0 if intelligence.

Taking the key found on the bandit, Myna opens the chest.

Day 4, Monday Evening, after Sunset, approximately 7:20 pm (turn 117, turn 5 of 6)
The Dungeon is in Dim Light due to a Light Spell cast by Amon. Today there is heavy fog: Room 13/53

Myna, Morgrym, Amon, Namfoodle, and Gwen

The chest contains a pile of gold and silver coins, and on top of the pile is a small bag,

Opening the bag you discover three small gems, one is dark green while the other two are blood red, all are cut, and perhaps were mounted in jewelry at one time.

Day 4, Monday Afternoon, approximately 2:30 pm (turn 75) It is daytime, late in the winter season, almost the first day of Spring. The sky is blue, partly cloudy, and it is cool and dry

Jade and Kayne meet a young halfling fighter in Loamstone Hovel

All three of these characters can post in game to get to know each other, and when they are ready they can head up the mountain.

Flint's original expression of child-like wonder at the sight of the Loamstone Hovel and the strange, draconic creatures that run it fades as he sits and nurses his brandy. Thoughts of the ruined village above comes through his mind again, along with the sight of the foreboding mountain road up to... To danger? Surely... To wonder? Well, there better well f!!%ing be!

"So, just up the road then?" Flint asks the kobolds for probably the dozenth time, not liking how straight forward that is. Flint was never much of a planner, but he always had others he could rely on to do the planning for him. Without a cautious word to hold back his usual reckless behavior, he found himself in a strange state of spinning his wheels caused by his eager-wanderlust held back by well-earned caution.

He missed Grispolv, his dwarvern friend who taught him everything he knew about the sea, and his stern warnings that half a million things would drown him, crush him, poison him, or attract pirates who would then stab him, shoot him, or drown him. He missed the other wandering soldiers and sellswords he had met on the road over the past two years of land-based adventuring, and knew that he wasn't ready to deal with all of the new mysteries and threats that existed so far from the sea on his own.

"Fine. Here I go!" Flint declares to the room before hiking out of the door, only to return once more an hour later, ordering another brandy and taking a surly seat. He sighs, another morning wasted in indecision. He grabs the attention of a kobold. "Are you absolutely, positively, swear on yer f#$@ing mum sure, SURE, that there isn't anything else I should know? Nuthin' of note? Not a gods damned thing?!"

His brows knit together, he wastes time in the hovel until he finally gives in to his inner-recklessness, or something happens to show him what to do.