PbP Gameday V #6-10 The Wounded Wisp (Inactive)

Game Master Aosrax

Lusha nods at Bukkah and follows his lead, moving quickly and silently to a window in the opposite direction. He makes a gesture to communicate, apparently in a type of sign language only known to pirates and madmen.

Bukkah and Lusha are able to look through the windows. They see a pink haired gnome in the window, however they are unsure of why the gnome didn't answer the door when knocked.

"Gnome in there, ignoring group. Anyone good at pick locks? Group could go introduce ourselves..."

"I sadly am not skilled at picking locks just yet. If no one can pick the lock or has a skeleton key then i suppose i could burn the door down but id rather not do that unless its a last resort."

"I suggest that we not give a wizard cause for alarm at our presence unless we have to." Aklitas thinks for a moment. "Are we sure he's ignoring us? He could be deaf - if that's really Fimbrik, he's over 400 years old."

"Makes no sense standing out here. Need gnome's help. Gnome ignoring Bukkah."

"Let me try to get his attention." Volyana walks up to the window and raps on it firmly.

"It'll be no prah, Bukkah. I'm sure this deaf gnome guy has a key under the doormat or something," Lusha says as he makes his way to the door.

"Normal folks hate getting locked out of their places. Just hate it, you know?" Lusha continues as he searches under the doormat, ornaments, and the door itself. "Mages can't be too different, you know? Probably left a key for the milkman or something. Unless he summons it, I guess. Guess he could summon his milk."

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23

Assuming that he still doesn't respond to Volyana's attempts to communicate and Lusha is unable to find a key, Aklitas says "Well, if we really can't get his attention, I suppose I'm okay with breaking in. We should be careful, though - if we get on his bad side we could find ourselves on the receiving end of a fireball. Did anyone prepare the Mending spell today?"

Okay, in the interest of time, if we don't have anyone who can pick locks, I think we'll need to either break the lock or break a window. I'd suggest the lock, but Aklitas' 8 Str isn't going to do it.

Either one would probably be fine

Just to make it clear: We're casting flashy spells to get his attention (Prestidigitation, Dancing Lights, Light, whatever). We're looking around the house for open/unlocked windows or doors or any other alternate entrance. Then, we check to make sure that the door isn't unlocked before we kick it in.

Failing that, it looks like Voly is the strongest, then Thrugg.

"Well, I thought I would never have to use this" Thrugg chuckles to himself as he puts his tower shield on the ground and removes his bag. He unstraps the portable ram from his bag and walks it up the steps, and readies to slam the door.

"Voly, will you give me a hand with this."

str check vs door: 1d20 + 2 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 2 + 4 = 23

Thanks for the update Lusha, but it doesn't seem to get the attention of the gnome.

Thrugg smashes with all of his might, and knocks the door off the hinges.

A large sofa sits awkwardly near the entrance, facing toward the center of the room. Sets of chairs and tables are arranged throughout, and statues of grandiose gnomes occupy the corners of the room. A set of stairs at the northern edge of the chamber leads to an unused basement filled with stacked newspapers. A second set of stairs leads up to an unfinished second floor. The carpet and sofa show virtually no wear.

In the interest of time there is nothing in the basement or upstairs so I included that in the description.

Thrugg straps the ram back onto his bag and leaves it just inside the door. Thrugg slings his towershield back on. Thrugg walks up to the gnome and places a hand on his shoulder.
"Sorry about the door old chap. But we could not get you attention. So we need some help if you are willing."

Thrugg, please give me a will save

After knocking the door down, Thrugg moves in to talk to the gnome. In doing so, he steps across the carpet, and immediately realizes his mistake. A summoning circle is just beneath the sofa,
and it activates.

Round 1

Aja
Bukkah
Green
Lusha
Volyana
Thrugg
Aklitas
Red
Blue

In bold may act

Bukkah can't see what is going on, so he delays until his friends fill him in on the situation.

"I guess he didn't want any visitors." Volyana pulls out her whip and gracefully moves up and strikes one of the beetles.

Move 15' and draw weapon
Swift action to enter Crane Style
Defensive attack on red beetle
Nine-section whip: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12
Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

Aklitas peers around the doorway and tries to determine what sort of creatures have just appeared.

Knowledge (arcana/dungeoneering/planes/religion): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26

If he knows anything about them, his first question will be whether they would be susceptible to Color Spray, followed by DR and special attacks. The answer will determine his next action.

will: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9+2 vs spells

Thrugg will move up drawing his hammer along the way. He then attempts to smash the bug.

hammer: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10
damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10

Yay I can edit the map on my tablet
Sarcastic yay for crossbows requiring a M-E to load
Move 20' drawing light hammer while moving. Throw it at the unengaged blue one.

Lusha bounds forward, drawing and throwing a small stone hammer in one fluid motion. "Got a bug problem up in this house? Just call us 'The Exterminators!' Yeah!"

1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 151d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

I think that should leave you room, Aklitas

Don't worry Lusha, there's enough room. In fact, if Color Spray is a valid option, I could stand two squares below the blue one and hit all three without hitting Volyana or someone else standing directly in front of Green.

I guess there's no reason not to list out my actions conditionally.

If I think they are vulnerable to Color Spray, I'll move to the square 2 spaces south of blue (right beside Lusha) and aim a Color Spray straight north, spending a point from my arcanist reservoir to increase the save DC to 16 as a free action.

If Color Spray doesn't seem to be an option, I'll stay where I am, pull out my Wand of Magic Missile, and shoot at whichever one seems to be the most injured, favoring Green in the event of a tie.

Magic Missile: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Whatever else he does (depending on the results of the Knowledge check), Aklitas gives a quick description of what he sees so that Bukkah and Aja know what's going on.

Bukkah waits while the Mage decides what particular magic he is prepared to use.

Bukkah seems startled my the incident and does not immediately move. The green monster readies an attack for when Thrugg move in range. When he does, it attacks.

Green Attack vs AC 19: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Volyana swings her whip, and easily dispatches the red monster. Thrugg swings but misses, and Lusha connects with the blue one. Meanwhile, Aklitas stares at the creatures unsure of what they are, but he has the feeling that they were part of a trap Knowledge nature required

Seeing that a single swing from Volyana was enough to finish one of the creatures, Aklitas decides to use his Wand of Magic Missile on the blue one that Lusha has already hit.

Magic Missile: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Aja moves forward at the sign of fighting.

"Ah bugs, let me tell you the time when i witnessed the great bug burning tournament of...."

move action to move to location on map, standard action to inspire courage (+1 to hit/ + 1 to damage with weapons.)

Aklitas finishes off the blue creature as the missile finds it's mark.

Round 2

Aja
Bukkah
Green
Lusha
Volyana
Thrugg
Aklitas

In bold may act

Move to (potentially) set up a flank with Volyana, drawing kukri
Ready an action to attack when Volyana gets into flanking position

Lusha skitters around to the side of the insect opposite of Volyana, drawing a curved black knife as he does so. He stands ready to strike at any opening. "Yeah, Voly, let's squash this bug! The power of teamwork's going to bring you down, cockroach!"

Kukri (flank): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 121d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Bukkah moves forward and pecks at the remaining bug with his sharp bill.

Attack 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 1 = 18
Damage 1d3 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Both Lusha and Bukkah hit the monster, but it is still standing. It attacks Thrugg...

1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22
1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7
Dmg: 1d4 ⇒ 4

Aklitas takes another shot at the remaining creature with his wand.

Magic Missile: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Volyana steps up and delivers a pair of blows from her whip.

5' step
Flurry of Blows defensively
Nine-section whip: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14
Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5
Nine-section whip: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

I believe the bug is dead now.

I think Volyana is correct, assuming that the last bug is the same as the others. Assuming that they are dead and that no other threats become apparent immediately...

"Glad that's over with. Everyone hold still - I'll check for any other magic that we don't want to set off." Aklitas proceeds to cast Detect Magic, take a tentative step inside, and scan the room.

Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 13

If he spots anything, here are some rolls for identifying the associated school of magic (to be used in whatever order you think he would spot things).

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23
Spellcraft: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17
Spellcraft: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13

By casting detect magic, Aklitas realizes that there is magic emanating from the gnome that has been seen through the window. He uses his knowledge of the arcane to realize that what Thrugg thought was the gnome is actually an illusion spell. Going through the rest of the manor yields little in the way of information until the group reaches the mage's office. There upon inspection, they find a note:

Along with the note, the group finds a potion of cure moderate wounds and potion of lesser restoration.

"Back to Wall of Names? And group must say 'wiffle! Gnome is weird."

Aosrax, you forgot to post the name from Fimbrik's note.

Thanks for the catch

The name on the note is Karina Clamp.

"Weird? You got that right, Bu. Should we go back to the wall, or should we go see the dead guy in case it turns out that he isn't really dead and we have to say shnozzle?"

"I think the grave is the better lead at the moment. The letter suggests that we may not figure out where the password is needed, so I don't think the Wall of Names can be the right spot. Maybe we can learn more at the gravesite."

"Then to the gravesite. Bukkah need see to this strange mystery."

Details left by Selmius Foster indicate the location of Arkath’s burial site: a plot of land in Eastgate operated by the faith of Pharasma, the Lady of Graves. A fence surrounds the graveyard, and the party enters via the wide open gates to the east. A number of stone mausoleums border the necropolis, while countless graves dot the grounds. You can tell that the graveyard was once well-maintained but in recent years, the mausoleums and graveyards are starting to become dilapidated.

Looking at the gravestones, you notice that most, if not all, of the deceased were interred a few hundred years ago. That the grounds are largely deserted is not surprising – the friends and relatives of those buried here are likely themselves long deceased. The only person present is a dark-haired lady dressed in fine black robes slowly pacing the grounds. She does not appear to be paying respects to the deceased, and instead appear to be on patrol. She glances at the party as you enter, but she does not immediately approach you.

After a quick tour round the necropolis, you find the northernmost mausoleum belonging to Arkath. By then, the attendant see your interest and paces over to you. She speaks politely in a slow measured fashion with a tinge of disinterest in her voice. “Good day, ladies and gentlemen. I am Hadriana, priestess of Pharasma, attendant of this necropolis. Do you require any resistance?”

Before responding, Aklitas searches his memory of Pharasman tenets, trying to recall if the Lady of Graves has a problem with exhumations.

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

Ill wait for a response before possibly picking a fight, lol.

I hadn't intended for Aklitas to handle this, to be honest - talking to people isn't really his thing - but no one else was speaking up so I decided to do something to keep things moving. In other words, if you have something you'd like to do, don't worry about messing up my plans - I'm just doing this because nothing else was happening.

Id talk but im not sure if we are here looking for the grave site of Karina clamp from the note or if im totally lost (which is why i haven't started talking yet...)

We're looking for the grave of Arkath, the friend of Eylysia who pledged to take his secrets to the grave. A note we found in the Wounded Wisp indicated that he was literally buried with a clue, so we'll need to open his coffin to get it; hence my Knowledge check.

Social rolls please. Others may aid, or make their separate checks

Aklitas, you believe that a full exhumation would be offensive to the priest, but that bodies are usually buried in mausoleums, and you would be able to look at the body without desecrating it. Now you just have to convince the priest of that, or perhaps distract her?