PbP Gameday #3: GM Silbeg's Thornkeep: The Accursed Halls (Inactive)

Game Master Silbeg

Arturo moves up to the orange gems, knife in hand as if to dare his companions to stop him.

" hey, that spot on the statue looks like a great spot for a foot hold so you can have both hands free whill you pry those loose." Jaender offers as assistance to the rogue as he climbs to the gems. He keeps his eyes peeled in the room around them should anything try to sneak up while he is working.

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Of course, once Arturo rushes into the room, everything becomes completely quiet to him, and he doesn't hear a word anyone says. He does, however, easily pry the two orange eyes out of their sockets. He believes that they would be worth about 100gp each.

Next?

"...." Arturo exclaims in excitement, before saying, "...." and moving into position behind Strong Brute.

The man's brow furrows as he becomes aware of the deafening silence. Uneasy, he continues walking towards the next entrance, the gemstones not catching his interest. He does check out the room as he goes, however.

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

The Strong Brute, now sometimes known as "Sven", does not notice anything else of note in the room (because there isn't anything).

If you are moving forward, I'll need to change maps again!

"..."

Jaender moves about the room looking for clues on the magical silence. Once he is satisfied, he gets ready to move forward with the group.

Cast Detect Magic. It might not matter, but I have spellcraft +6, unfortunately no knowledge arcana...

Totally moving on. :)

Roudantaimi Detects Evil on the gemstones Arturo "acquired".

If nothing on those, ready to move on

The youth stands nearby, awkwardly thinking, I really should learn how to contribute more to investigating and searching for danger, before the others realize I'm not pulling my weight...

Ready to move on :)

No magic. Just gemstones.

Moving on.

So far into the next room, you don't really see anything. You do come out of the silence (and the desecrate), but that is about it... so far.

Actions?

Assuming the lighting is normal(ish)

Jaender follows behind his companions as they enter the new room, and out of the magical silence. His mage armor still active, his hands hold his crossbow as he gets ready for something to jump out at them.

Lights are normal.

FYI - the barricades you see on the map are full floor-to-ceiling barriers.

"Ooh, interesting!" exclaims Arturo, "Let's split up and walk very deliberately and symmetrically forwards. Strong brute, Roudantaimi, Vox and Einhardt can go right (west) and Ophiuchus, Jaender and I can go left (east). Just make sure we walk exactly symmetrically. This will be fun!"

The brute, used to following orders, sees nothing inherently wrong with Arturo's suggestion, besides the obvious fact that the swashbuckler is enjoying himself a bit too much. He shrugs, shouldering his scythe and leading the right-hand pack down the corridor.

"Oh, wait, let's get some resistance going first! Spell-wielders?" Arturo remembers at the very last minute that it is best to exercise at least some caution.

**EDIT** Whoops! GM Mode. Arturo is back.

Arturo! Zip that up, your Damo is showing!

Jaender nods with a smile and works with the Nagaji to give everyone their inoculation.

resistance chain... :)

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"Symmetry is fine. But take small steps, gentlemen; some of us don't have such long legs. " Roudantaimi says, and steps into the line with Sven and Vox.

After competing his resistance spells he turns to his companions, "Symmetry? Mr. Trask didn't use such big words. He would say things like, 'Poochie, kill that thing that dead.' No matter, I will follow my twin's directions."

The nagaji immediately turns the wrong direction walking directly into Brute's chest. "I though you were supposed to walk ... symmetrically, big man that sings? Go the other way. Oh, I am supposed to go the other way. I'm sorry. I will walk the other way now. Why can't I go with the pretty wolf? Is it because we are being symmetrical? Ok, come on little man that burps fire."

Ophiuchus walks the correct way, trying to imitate Arturo's swishing gait.

Why am I following this one? I could swear I was following the Strong Brute in the previous marching order. Lucky little gnome... Arturo gripes to himself.

"Careful you don't walk too fast, we have a gnome in the party!" cautions Arturo as Ophiuchus swishes off.

OMG - I cannot help but laugh about how Poochie refers to Trask. So true, but so funny!

As you turn around the first switchback, you all notice a quartet of skeletal archers, patiently waiting to fire upon people that come up from the lower levels, positioned strategically on the upper side of a balcony.

I guess I was confused again... but we'll leave it as is. The upper wall is solid, the lower is just a balcony.

A pool of luminous blue water lies in the center of this grand chamber. A spectacular fountain pours into the pool from the image of a winged beast, perhaps a sphinx, low on the north wall. From there, a pair of steep stone stairs ascend in switchbacks to the north, flanked by ornamental pillars and terminating at a stone doorway.

Each side sees each other at the same time.

Arturo is up, then skellies, then party.

"Wow, there sure are a lot of undead things in these halls!" exclaims Arturo as he swishes like a nagaji over to on of the skeletons, "I thought lots of people went in here on treasure hunts. Why haven't they cleared out these dead things while they... oh." Reality finally dawns on the swashbuckler. He looks at his buckler as though considering using it against the skeleton, remembering something about slashing and piercing weapons being less useful against such bony targets. Shrugging, Arturo continues with his scimitar anyway, I'm just going to have to hit harder, that's all!

Scimitar attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19
Scimitar damage w/sneak attack: 1d6 + 4 + 1d6 ⇒ (3) + 4 + (2) = 9 -- Assuming it's flat-footed since it hasn't acted. Obviously just take off 2 damage if not.

Arturo attacks the skellie, and hits... while his scimitar slips through the rib cage, he gets just enough of the spine to shatter it, and it falls.
Perhaps unfortunately for the young adventurer, he has presented himself as the prime target. They start moving to get clear shots on Arturo, though in a rather non-clever way.

skelly bow #2: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21 arrow damage: 1d6 ⇒ 4
skelly bow #3: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10
skelly bow #4: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12

Luckily for Arturo, only one of the undead creatures scores a hit.

Party is up.

Jaender shuffles forward again with his tiny legs, just making it to the top of the stairs. He giggles a little at the paltry challenge before them, compared to the wight they just eradicated.

Ranged Touch Attack vs #1 (Disrupt Undead) w/ PBR: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 4 + 1 = 13 for Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

No map at work, so please move me to the further archer I can reach. Speed 40 ft.

The brute rages inside as he sees his companion shot with an arrow, advancing and whipping his scythe at one of the skeleton archer pretty boys.

scythe: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (4) + 10 = 14
Damage: 2d4 + 9 ⇒ (1, 4) + 9 = 14

Knowing Strong Brute, I moved him so that he is in contact with all three, if that is ok.

Jaender blasts Skeleton #1 (he knows this, because someone painted a great big #1 on its head?) with Disrupt Undead, but doesn't quite destroy it. Sven, however, swings his big scythe at #3 (again, who paints numbers on Skeleton's skulls? Downright disrespectful, I tell you). Evidently he was going for a gut shot, because the big weapon passes right through where its belly used to be.

Poochie, Roudi, Vox, Einhardt (and Arturo following).

Sure thing.

With the Strong Brute swinging wildly, Arturo decides to join in the fun, "Keep it symmetrical, everyone! It definitely seems to be doing the trick!"

Scimitar attack vs skeleton #2, flank: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 5 + 2 = 16
Scimitar damage vs skeleton #2 (if successful), sneak attack: 1d6 + 4 + 1d6 ⇒ (3) + 4 + (5) = 12

Knowing he is a 50% nagaji, and cannot kill dead things dead like he used to, knowing that his friends are doing well, he tries his best to enter melee. moved to attack 3, do I flank with brute? if so add 2 to my attack roll.

Flail: 1d20 + 4 - 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 - 4 = 9
Flail Damage: 1d8 + 3 - 4 ⇒ (4) + 3 - 4 = 3

The youth runs in, following the group and stops paces before the skeleton (#1), but has run too far and cannot muster a swing at the creature.

Vox double moves into position

Paces behind Vox, Einhardt sprints around the same skeleton (#1), running wildly beside it, and ending up opposite the youth.

Einhardt provokes AoO from Skeleton #1, her AC for this AoO is 21.

Einhardt's attack
attack(bite): 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 3 + 2 = 16
damage(bite): 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
CMB(free trip attempt): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

"Hey, hey, what did I say about remembering the short-legged ones? Now I'm left behind. Ah, but wait, I do have the musket. Guns, the great equalizers! Brining everyone to equal heights! Here, mr. skeleton, have some leaden bullet!"

MW Musket: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19 At #1, if he's still up, otherwise any other skellie
Damage, PBS, FA: 1d10 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8

When Einhardt bites #1, he(?) comes back with the thigh bone in his(?) mouth. The trip fails, but the skeleton collapses anyway.

Poochie, who is not flanking (sorry, I'm more strict when it comes to this probably than Damo), misses And would have missed anyway. Roudi then takes aim at #3, since with Arturo flanking, #2 is probably dead anyway. He hits it right between the eyes, and it falls, inert.

Arturo then swings at the one he is flanking with Strong Brute, and drops it.

COMBAT OVER.

You all notice, in the pool basin below, what looks to be some shiny shards of something at the bottom.

Arturo gracefully brushes chunks of bone from his tunic before pulling the arrow out of his shoulder with a grimace.

"Well, that was a blast! Great work, Roudantaimi. Remind me not to stand so close next time, eh?" Aturo favors the gnome with a knowing smile, "We didn't keep it entirely symmetrical, but you can't argue with success. I don't suppose anyone would care to seal this puncture wound over with a wave of their wand? It would be much appreciated."

Once healed, Arturo takes dives into the pool to grab the shiny shards. Unless someone else wants to go first? Arturo has a +4 swim check, even with armor (gotta love mithral chain shirts!).

The brute most assuredly does not jump into the pool. He's read Voyage of the Dawn Treader.

"Oh my, Mr. Hairylip. Does it hurt a lot? Can you move your arm gracefully to order a drink at a bar? No matter, I can heal you."

CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Ophiuchus remembers the last time he went down a well. He uncharacteristically remains silent not wanting to relive that horror of being in the dark.

"Thank you for the healing, Ophiuchus," Arturo says as his wound closes up, "You are indeed a kindly nagaji. Though I think I might have been able to order a drink (they'd need to beat me unconscious before I'd need help with that) it is always good to be at one's best when facing a dungeon - or so I've heard! Sorry that you're still feeling weakened from that shadow creature."

"WHAT DID YOU SAY!?", Roudantaimi shouts, rubbing his ear. After a moment, the whining noise fades away, and the gnome's hearing starts to return to normal. "Ah, apologies... Sometimes my ears go bad after the bang... Don't worry, Artie. I'm pretty good shot with this thing, I would never hit you. Or if I would, I'll shout a warning. Like, 'DUCK!' And I don't mean the bird, unless there was actually a duck that needs your attention. But In that case, I would rather shout 'Look, a duck!', and it wouldn't be followed by the sound of gunfire. Buuut, if there was a duck coming at us aggressively, I might be actually shouting 'DUCK!' while shooting. So there is a chance for misunderstanding, I'm afraid..."

Roudantaimi gives the crumbled bones a few kicks, to see if they really stay down, and then starts cleaning and reloading his weapon. Swimming, to the gnome, is an activity suitable in a nice forest pond on a nice summer day (with a couple water nymphs joining in), and not for dungeons. So all he does not volunteer for this venture.

Oh, no. Poochie has infected Roudi with his babbling. Now what are we going to do.

It takes Artie about 10 minutes, and he finds 1d10 + 10 ⇒ (9) + 10 = 19 shards of blue ceramic. He thinks, while pretty, they will only fetch about 1sp each.

Next room?

Can I get the ceramic reformed into an "I came to the Accursed Halls and all I got was this crappy shattered vase" vase?

"Well chaps, standard marching order, symmetry wherever possible... let's venture into the next room!" Arturo is beginning to like this, even if the water wasn't as fresh as he would have liked.

Probably can be done!

I have exposed the next room... go ahead and configure yourself there, and I will give the box text.

"Mr. Hairylip, I am not sure how to venture. Can I just walk?"

Turing to Roudantaimi, "He is so weird. He called me a chap when I am clearly a nagaji. What would you say if you were shooting a duck for dinner? Would you say 'Duck I am going to shoot the duck for dinner', or 'dinner duck'? I like duck, wish I could eat duck instead of these bad rations. Well you know what they say if it tastes good, it must be a duck that quacks while it walks. I feel like I could talk to you all day little man that speaks many languages. Do you speak duck? They are probably very boring. Delicious, but boring."

The two quietly converse on the correct way to give a proper warning.

Resistance chain if we need it

The man does his best to ignore the chattering of the gnome and nagaji, proceeding forward and hoping they are following. He does not look back, afraid that eye contact will provoke a barrage of questions or conversation from Ophiuchus.

At work, please move me in as discussed.

I hope I haven't been too presumptuous, but I have a laptop and I've configured the party according to marching order and symmetry! ;-)

You've already fully investigated this room... on to the next!

The narrow passage widens out into a room here before continuing. Piles of sand and rubble fill the corners of the room, and the sound of splashing water can be heard from the east.

Trying to Cyrus Arturo...

I forgot what our official marching order was, and couldn't find it in our discussion thread, so I put us up next to the next room... Hopefully I did it right. Probably screwed Vox out of a deft flanking maneuver... Sorry!

"Water? More pools? Perhaps a fountain? Interesting..."

Jaender takes a few minutes to search the room before moving on with the party to the next.

There is bound to be a secret door around here somewhere...

Take 20 on perception: 20 + 7 = 27

You see what is described...

What do you want to do next?

I've tweaked the marching order, slightly, as Vox was in the back rank.

Jaender moves through the corridor with his companions, an unnatural sensation of foreboding, expecting something to jump out of a hidden nook, or out of the wall itself at any moment...

If there is nothing to see here, might as well keep moving!

I never said there was nothing to see!

Backing up a bit...

As Poochie and Sven step to the center of the room, they, Arturo, and Roudi notice a lurch in the floor.

Arturo: Ref: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21
Roudantaimi: Ref: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23
Sven: Ref: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18
Ophiuchus: Ref: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19

Amazingly, all four adventurers are able to get clear of the trap before the floor opens up, revealing a 10' deep pit below them. At the bottom of the pit, the team notice a long-dead skeleton, dressed in rusted mail.