[PbP Gameday IV] Doyle's CORE 3-21 The Temple of Empyeral Enlightenment (Inactive)

Game Master Slothsy

"Okay Giovanni di Pietro di Bernadone."

STR check: 1d20 ⇒ 3

Faeria flings herself at the door and deflects harmlessly (for the door anyways) off.

Picking herself up off the ground she says "Not as fun as I thought."

Merisiel winces as Faeria throws herself at the door, with minimal effect.

"Ah, no my dear - perhaps someone a little stronger? Anyone? No? Well then, I guess the poor little Elf will have to show you how it is done!"

With a shrug, Merisiel throws herself at the door.

Strength: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22.

Faeria claps.

"Well done!"

Does it look like it would block the door if it fell? I have a rope and grappling hook. We could just drag the statue out of the way.

The rest of the party decided to try the other door in the garden.

As Merisiel's shoulder bursts through the door with a loud snap, profane groans answer. Three skeletons - two wielding short swords and one carrying a longsword - shamble toward the party. Waves of malevolence come from the undead creatures in the crypt.

The vaulted mausoleum holds six large sarcophagi, each bearing the carved image of an aasimar dressed in ornate robes and holding glass spheres in one hand and a bell, a book, or a lotus flower in the other. Innumerable runes crowd the top edges and sides of each sarcophagus. A solid wooden door stands near the now-broken door.

It's a Fight! Go!

Round 1
Tomren, Willful Murder
Skeletons
Faeria, Merisiel, Drostan, Spencer
Skeleton Crew 2

Tomren and Willful Murder are Up!

Initiative Rolls
Willful Murder: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18
Faeria: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15
Merisiel: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14
Drostan: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
Spencer: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10
Tomren: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19

As a note for how I run combat:

I except you to post at least once per day while in combat. Not posting quickly can hold the entire game up. If you do not post within a reasonable period of time (to me, that means a day or two), then I will delay your character. I don't want to be punitive, but I also do not wish to have the entire game lose momentum.

"Ah! Skeletons!"

Knowledge (Religion): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27

Tomren draws his wand of Magic Missile and shoots the baddy closest to the open door.

Damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Knowledge (religion - ID): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16

"Oh! Hello."

Willful Murder was studying the trapped statue and trying to figure out how he could help disarm it when the others popped open the door behind him. He spun, and the first sight was that of a skeleton moving towards the door. "Nuts to this!" he said as he put arrow to bowstring. The weapon sang, but his snapped shot around Jethryk wasn't as well-aimed as it could have been.

attack, cover: 1d20 + 5 - 4 ⇒ (14) + 5 - 4 = 15
1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Willful Murder's shot shoots through the skeleton's body. The arrow lodges on its ribs but does not seem to injure it.

It lurches forward, bright blue flames shining from its eye sockets. Shuddering to a halt before Merisiel, it slashes its blade at her left side. However, its blow is easily foreseen and she dodges out of its way.

Round 1
Tomren, Willful Murder
Skeletons
Faeria, Merisiel, Drostan, Spencer
Skeleton Crew 2

Faeria, Merisiel, Drostan, and Spencer are up!

"Tsk, tsk."

Merisiel takes a stab at the skeleton...

Rapier: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9, for 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4 damage.

...before stepping back to allow a heavy-hitter easier access to the skeleton.

Spencer is surprised by the sudden attack and takes a step back as he thrusts his holy symbol in front of him then begins chanting a prayer. As he completes it a wave of holy light washes over his companions.

Cast Bless: Each ally gains a +1 morale bonus on attack rolls and on saving throws against fear effects.

Drostan moves to the other side of the door and swings his waraxe at the skeleton.
Waraxe: 1d20 + 4 - 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 - 4 = 10 Cover around the corner?
Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

"Oh? hello." Faeria squints at the dwarf. "Do I know you?"

Faeria moves back this round. She's nuts but she's not crazy.

Surprised by the occupants, none of the adventurer's blows strike true. The two skeletons in the back of the crypt rush forward, trying to reach the warm living bodies on the other side of the door. However, with no room to move, they push against the better-outfitted one.

Round 1
Tomren, Willful Murder
Skeletons
Faeria, Merisiel, Drostan, Spencer
Skeleton Crew 2

Tomren and Willful Murder are up!

"That's it. Give me a nice clean shot. Man, I need to get me some of those blunt arrows. Make a shopping list for next time..."

Will stepped back and as soon as he had an open shot, let fly.

attack. bless: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 5 + 1 = 12
damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

After identifying the skeletal champion as the biggest threat, Tomren steps behind Will for cover and lets another arcane bolt fly from his wand.

Magic Missile on the champion: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Buffeted by the magic missiles, parts of the skeleton's bones begin to chip and powder. It steps out of the room 5-foot step... into flanking. It swings it greatsword down on Drostan with a heaving blow that cleaves through his armor for six points of damage.

Round 2
Tomren, Willful Murder
Skeletons
Faeria, Merisiel, Drostan 6/12, Spencer
Skeleton Crew 2

Faeria, Merisiel, Drostan and Spencer are up!

Spencer lays a hand on the dwarf and says a prayer while gripping his holy symbol tight. "Erastil heal the wounds of my companion so that he my protect us."

CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2 Converted Obscuring Mist to Cure Light Wounds

Then slides next to the warrior while drawing his club with his free hand. AC 16 I am not using my shield

"Don't mind if I do..."

Not one to look a gift horse in the mouth, Merisiel stabs at the skeleton.

Rapier, Flank, Bless: 1d20 + 4 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 4 + 2 + 1 = 20, for 1d6 + 2 + 1d6 ⇒ (4) + 2 + (5) = 11 damage.

Waiting on Faeria and Drostan. Will put you on delay tomorrow.

Faeria speaks the syllables of magic and from a pouch on her motley produces a pat of butter. She hurls the butter into the fray creating a wide damp-looking spot upon the floor behind the lead skeleton.

Putting Drostan on delay; feel free to post as soon as you want.

The skeleton slides down in the greased area, his bones disconnecting for a moment with the uncertain floor.

Faeria, I'm assuming your grease save is the same as your other 1st level spells minus spell focus + greater spell focus (15)? There's a skeleton in your AoE.

The skeleton on the slippery floor carefully stands up, its bones shaking.

The other skeleton steps into the greased area and will be considered flat-footed this round as it tries to keep its balance. It attempts to slash at Merisiel from around the corner giving Merisiel cover. However, its attack is awkward from around the corner and its scimitar barely scratches her armor.

Round 2
Tomren, Willful Murder
Skeletons
Faeria, Merisiel, Drostan [8/12], Spencer
Skeleton Crew 2

Tomren and Willful Murder are up!

Faeria, I'm assuming your grease save is the same as your other 1st level spells minus spell focus + greater spell focus (15)? There's a skeleton in your AoE.

Correct. Sorry, I normally try to list those.

attack,pbs,bless: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 5 + 1 = 16
damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Will sent another arrow into the skeletal champion, cursing himself again for not thinking about bringing some blunt arrows with them.

Wanting to conserve charges on his wand and eyeing an opening, Tomren steps up and launches a telekinetic fist against the champion.

Ranged touch attack, Point blank shot, Precise shot: 1d20 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 2 + 1 = 20
Damage, Bludgeoning: 1d4 ⇒ 1

Willful Murder's shot pings ineffectually off of the skeletal champion's bones. Tomren's fist connects with one of its vertebrae and crushes it, causing the skeletal champion's head to wobble on its shoulder.

The skeletal champion returns the favor by lumbering foward provoking AOOs from Drostan and Merisiel and attempting to cleave its longsword down on Tomren.

Attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18
Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

Damage only applies if Merisiel and Drostan can't down him on the AOO. Merisiel, the AOO happens in such a way that you'll still receive your flanking bonus.

Round 3
Tomren, Willful Murder
Skeletons
Faeria, Merisiel, Drostan [8/12], Spencer
Skeleton Crew 2

Tomren and Willful Murder are up!

Drostan attacks the skeleton once more.
Waraxe: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11

AoO: 1d20 + 4 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 4 + 2 + 1 = 9, for 1d6 + 2 + 1d6 ⇒ (1) + 2 + (6) = 9 damage.

Rapier: 1d20 + 4 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 4 + 2 + 1 = 13, for 1d6 + 2 + 1d6 ⇒ (1) + 2 + (3) = 6 damage.

Spencer strides into the middle of the undead and presents his holy symbol. "Rest now and bother the living no more!"

Channel Positive Energy Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 4 DC 10 for half dam

Spencer's holy light ripples through the room, disrupting their connection to the negative energy plane. They fall back into piles of bone and gear, not to stir again in their undeath.

Fight's Over! Good job, Spencer!

The skeletons each carried a broken scimitar and wear a broken chain shirt. The skeletal champion had a breastplate, a heavy steel shield, and a masterwork longsword.

Inside the room:

The vaulted mausoleum holds six large sarcophagi, each bearing the carved image of an aasimar dressed in ornate robes and holding glass spheres in one hand and a bell, a book, or a lotus flower in the other. Innumerable runes crowd the top edges and sides of each sarcophagus. A solid wooden door stands near the now-broken door.

The six elaborate sarcophagi that stand in this room contain nothing but bones and rags of their occupants. Taking a complete set of rubbings is time-consuming, as the sarcophagi are elaborately ornamented. This task requires 12 person-hours of labor.

Spencer looks at the sarcophagi. "This is going to take a while and if we are not suppose to be here we will be discovered sooner or later. What should we do?"

Spencer pulls out his supplies and begins to get the rubbings.

Will looked over the gear and held up the breastplate. "I could use this, if no one else wants it. "

"While we make the rubbings, we should take turns with at least one person on watch at all times. If you get tired, just switch out with the person on watch." Willful Murder shouldered his bow and grabbed some paper and charcoal and moved to one of the sarcophagi.

"Mind the floor."

"The bastard cut me! It cut me!" Luckily I have come prepared. Can any of you gentlemen, or ladies, use this on me?" Tomren holds out his wand of Cure Light Wounds

Spencer stops his work and walks over to Tomren. "I can heal you if need be." Spencer inspects the stick in Tomren's hand a minute. "What is this stick suppose to do?" Spencer has never seen a wand before. He is from the country and has never need them.

So, right now, I'm seeing two people who are opting to assist in the rubbings of the sarcophagi. That will take them 6 hours, or 12 hours if they switch off watch. If all six PCs assist, even with having a person on watch, the time will go down to a little over 2 hours. Please let me know what your character is doing and if they are participating in the task at hand.

As soon as Spencer is done waving the wand in his general direction, Tomren will help with the rubbings.

Cure Light Wounds: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
Cure Light Wounds: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

Damn my rolls...

Merisiel will also assist.

Sorry for the late update today, guys!

About an hour into taking notes and rubbings of the sarcophagus, a trio of Aasimars carrying spears stomp through the garden. Stopping at the broken open door, one of them announces, "Dakang has declared this area off-limits as it contains secret knowledge only those most dedicated to Korada can understand. Please cease your activities and leave the compound immediately."

"Would you care to explain why there were undead in here, then? As far as I can fathom, undead should be anathema to Korada...", Merisiel says, pointing to the shattered skeletons as proof of her words.

Another of the aasimars, a woman with startling bright gold eyes, blinks and says, "Undead? This is quite odd. I am sure Dakang can explain."

"Actually... I think that there might be something a bit... off... with Dakang. Here is what we have discovered so far..."

Merisiel begins to run through the 'unusual' things that the party has come across to date.

1) The other entrance to the crypts is trapped.
2) In his sermon, Dakang mentioned Korada's home to be the city of Vantian, which is actually located in the Abyss, and is the home of the Demon Lord Sifkesh.
3) Sifkesh seeks not only the destruction of the body, but the very spirit. She leads her flock astray and then when they see how far they've fallen she tempts them to end it all.
4) In the library, many books are missing, and others have been altered - None of the rites or symbols described are actually connected with Korada. There is no such “symbol of celestial silence and contemplation.”
5) The double-arrow symbol is sacred to Sifkesh, demon lord of heresy and suicide. Drawing this symbol over and across the mouth and eyes would resemble stitching, and Sifkesh is depicted with eyes and mouth stitched shut. Dakang wore a holy symbol depicting this, and the worshippers in the chapel drew it on their faces.
6) The gnome Gastidem (who apparently enjoys the hallucinogenic flayleaf, and grows it in the sacred garden) is responsible for the 'Kiss of Korada' which is actually a trap he uses to torment the other residents, with the full knowledge and support of Dakang.

"Basically, we think he might *not* have your best interests at heart, and has probably sent you after us, fearing that we might have uncovered his ruse."

The aasimars look at each other, sharing a long glance that seems to say as much as a whole conversation. One of the them says with deep pauses between each word, "I find this hard to believe, but you have so much evidence. Please help us remove this deceiver from our mists. We can bring help out. The chapel has a fountain that flows with blessed waters that will imbue your weapons with holy energy. It can aid you in your confrontation with the deceiver."

Once you complete your rubbings of the sarcophagi, the aasimars will attempt to take you to the chapel. There, they will activate the fountain, which blooms with flowers over it and will give weapons placed into the water the effects of bless weapon for 10 minutes.

Please let me know if you're going to assist the aasimars in removing Dakang from the temple. If you wish to confront him, you may also apply any buffs that you wish (except for round/level spells).

Spencer nods as Merisiel explains what the group has found within the temple. "We will be more the willing to help you remove Dakang from the temple. Thank you for believing us and helping."

Spencer will use the fountain on 10 of his arrows and his sickle.

Merisiel is perfectly happy to help them. Unfortunately, I don't think that we have much in the way of buffs to apply...

Merisiel eagerly applies the waters to her rapier, and her daggers.

Tomren shrugs and follows the others. "If you guys think we should confront Dakang, then I'll tag along."

Tomren will dip his quarterstaff in the fountain for good measure, and then casts Mage Armor.

"Oh yeah, this ends here. "

Willful isn't shy about his distaste for Dakang, and his desire to end the man's sadistic practices. Him and that damn gnome. One sheaf of arrows goes into the fountain, giving the archer a decent supply of both "blessed" arrows and ones free from any taint, should the aasimars be playing them false.

Okay! If anyone who hasn't posted yet is going to buff/dip weapons in the holy water, let me know with your first posts.

The aasimars lead you to the private residences of the temple. Stopping before a sturdy wooden door, the dark-skinned male aasimar with strangely glowing skin nods and says, "Dakang's chambers are through here. Kill the deceiver. We will handle the rest of temple and ensure the peace." The aasimars bow and depart.

The spacious chamber past the door contains a simple bed, a writing desk, and an enormous armoire. A Spiral of Korada is drawn along
the north wall, but the drawing is made up of several small marks resembling double-headed arrows. A short stairway leads up to an archway blocked with a heavy curtain.

The obese cleric sits at his desk, pen in hand and book open on the table next to him. Turning his head as the door open, he says "Ah, yes. I've been waiting for you. I've been wondering which one of you I should wear next."

His head explodes as a five-jawed worm's mouth bursts from it.

Initiatives!

Willful Murder, Tomren, Merisiel, Spencer, Faeria, Drostan
Dakang

Party won initiative, everyone is up!

Willful Murder: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17
Tomren Tellius: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
Merisiel: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22
Spencer Sparrowsong: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3
Faeria: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5
Drostan: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

Knowledge (Planes): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13

Preferring to stay away from danger, Tomren hangs back and casts a spell on Will's bow. Casting Magic Weapon