Rappan Athuk set in Nirmathas, Golarion

Game Master baldwin the merciful

"If reason you know not, you still know death. " Kalim casts Phantasmal Killer. DC 21 will and Fort.

Updated RD Map

*Kalim I'm holding off on the Fort save until the people ahead of you get some time to post.

RD 13

shaken/panic condition: 10/12

RD 13

Des
Grung - 8 HP damage
OOZE -
Feli - panicked
Karnog - bulls str./ kitty did 27 HP
Meath'd - panicked
Malcolm
Kalim

Desmond groans at the ooze. No weak point, this is going to be ugly. He hacks at the edges of it.

Attack: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (15) + 14 = 29
Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

Attack: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (6) + 13 = 19
Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Attack: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (7) + 9 = 16
Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Attack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25
Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

Before Kalim has a chance to utter his spell the rogue's blades flash and hack the cube to pieces. It is dead.

"A shame. To study a sentient ooze ...far better to survive though.".

Oh dang. I thought they had like, uber massive DR or something.

Round 13, AC from POF, Barkskin, Smite and Barkskin (31), Resistance to Fire 20, Smite Evil, Potion of Bulls Strength (+2 to Hit and Dam), Power Att

Malcolm slides forward to S18 and smites the hand.

BS Att: 1d20 + 17 + 2 - 3 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 17 + 2 - 3 + 2 = 36
BS Dam: 1d10 + 7 + 8 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 7 + 8 + 9 + 2 = 30

BS Confirm Att: 1d20 + 17 + 2 - 3 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 17 + 2 - 3 + 2 = 23
BS Add'l Dam: 1d10 + 7 + 8 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 7 + 8 + 9 + 2 = 32

Meathead and Felicitas eventually calm their nerves

Piled about the cave are 7,000 gp, 800 pp, various gems and trinkets worth 12,000 gp, a +1 grounding greataxe, +2 warhammer, +2 morning star, +1 frost short sword, tome of understanding +2, tome of enhanced charisma +2, book of greater intelligence +2, and a wand of haste (CL 5th, 8 charges).

"Are there any recognizable hydra bits? I'd rather not have to explain this to idiot goblins. Meath'd, are you ok? You were controlled by evil magics."

DO WANT

OH... the 2 books sound awesome!

Upgraded hammer & +2 Wis??? Oohhhhh....

Yeah I mixed up some of the treasure to fit the party better and I threw the books is for those of you who could read.

yeah there is plenty of chucks to make out hydra.

That was bytch for you Felicitas failing that save, basically watching for a few days.

Meath'd grunts a bit and looks down ant the large puddle of liquid by his feet, he sheepishly wanders away form it and takes a look in the treasure cavern. He finds a few pieces of larger chucks of hydra and scoops them up before he plops down on the ground to start eating. His sharp teeth sink in the charred meat. He smiles as Kalim comes up to see him, juicy dripping form his chin. "Tasti like chickun."

I think Grung should get the CHA books as he works toward those sorcerer levels

Hmm Never fought goo before.

Grung kicks a puddle of it.

You all have plenty of time to sort through things and look around the two caves. You don't find any exits but see some fissures. Once feeling of overwhelming fear and doom has now subsided within the caves. You figure that the pyrohydra was just able to squeeze its frame through those double doors between caves. Other than that there doesn't seem like there is much left in these room to explore and Karnog will eventually be able to get the door that you entered in opened again. He figures the creature must have stone shaped that opening while you were fighting the hydra.

After consuming ample quantities of roasted pyrohydra Meath'd will go about gathering more chucks for his future meals, plus a few distinguishable parts for Kalim. "If gobos don't eat, me eat these parts...ok?" He hands over several very large fangs from the 12 heads, after he has sucked the bone marrow out of the them. Occasionally, using his thick tongue or one of his stubbing fingers to dig out the tasty treat.

Finally free of the fear effect Elektra whistles with a smirking Dragon on her shoulder."That was quite a challenge. An ooze able to cast spells... unusual.. very anusual! You know, this means we have maybe just made an the blacklist of some angry god!"
Well I knew something like this was about to happen. Tooo many good rolls for skillchecks lately, Payback is a b. But that does not matter. I was traveling with my wive, so it was actually for the best.

Normally reading tomes take a week of study how do you all want to handle this. i can make this time shorter to move the game along. For that matter you all can stay in this two cavern complex for a couple days and rest up and study. It's not like the goblins are coming in to search for the foolish adventurers.

What is you next course of action?

Did we search the entire room? We could stay here for free, as opposed to town.

yes...i've given you all the loot and there are no other ways in or out. some fissures/cracks but nothing to explore

I don't see a particular compelling reason not to stay for the week. Food & water is a non issue, and having a safe place to rest and recuperate is hardly a bad thing."

I'll even cut the study time down to three days to sort of expedite it, at that I'll make two random monster checks to see if any of the hobgoblin or goblin guard is brave enough to enter or if they sent any other foolish adventurers in.

EDIT: The only other thing would be if you want tackle the goblin lookout post and try to get out of the dungeon itself and back to Fentonville and/or your orc tribe, so you could resupply/equip.

Can't speak for everyone but that works for me.

yep

Ditto

Three days to rest. Potential group trying to get into the cavern on are you doing anything to the doorway?

Day 1: No attempts

Day 2: 20% group: 1d100 ⇒ 26

Day 3: 30% group: 1d100 ⇒ 86

The next three days go by without anyone trying to get into the cavern, it is as if they forgot about you. Grung and those not studying would have had time to inventory the coin and treasure.

What are you plans when you emerge? what is the order out fo the cave?

What are you plans/intentions when you emerge from the Hydra cavern?

go back and get our reward, then kill the priest.

Grung strolls out as the first in line, behind his shield.

Karnog takes his usual spot near the middle, shield readied but hammer sheathed for now.

Malcolm is ready to end this evil priest, but he keeps his thoughts to himself as he files in with the others.

Ready to rolling!

The party opens the door and proceeds to file out of the room, Felicitas standing near the front of the line to ease the diplomatic tension. The hobgolbins and goblins scramble at the sound fo the door opening, quite unsure of what emerging, they breathe a sigh of relief to see the party that went in four days earlier emerge. there eyes focusing on the the large ogre who is dragging part of head and tail of the pyrohydra. At this sight a few of the hobgoblins actually smile and clap.

Map

Purbok and his captains have you escorted back into the the small side chamber, "Took you long 'nuf. Another group was about to enter." he seems somewhat pleased that the task was completed. "Orcus pleased with these events." You do did see his band of patriots lining the pillar hallway and the within the staging cavern. (15 foot soldiers, 10, sergeants/elite, 5 lieutenants, 2 captains, and Purbok who you figure is a fighter/priest) There is also an underpriest there to receive you as a representative of Tribitz.

"Our esteem leader, Lord Tribitz, is pleased with your work."

Karnog remains quiet and waits for Felicitas or one of the better public speakers to take point in their conversatuon.

He does motion for Meathead to step forward and present the hydra pieces he's carrying (and/or eating).

Meath'd does as directed by Karnog. He tenderly looks at the choice tail and head his mouth watering slightly before he plops them down in front of the hobgolbins. Breaking the diplomatic quiet he offers, "Tasti but gassi." As his flatulence persists.

is anyone doing or saying or asking anything?

"We are pleased to hear it. How does that being pleased translate? Does he grant us an audience?"

"An audience is that what you think your actions garner? An audience with Lord Tribitz? Yes, yes...he would like such a meeting."

"And gold."

I didn't have any notes on the agreed price to kill the Hydra, so I went back and looked a the thread. You all never asked for anything.

discussion with goblins

discussion continued

Is anyone else going to interact/converse with the hobgolbins/goblins?

not Grung. He interacts w croaker

"Well we killed the hydra, and I think it is not unfair to demand a reward. And before you answer, just think for a moment. Those guys went in, and came out, all still alive, no one really injured. Are those people you do want as a friend?"

"The hydra was the least of your worries in there. If we only dispatched it, we would have been here sooner but it would still claim the life of any of your men that came."

You are eventually lead back out to the docks where you first crossed over to this side of the city. "You wait...we see if the almighty Tribitz wants to meet you." The cleric steps away while Purdol leads you to the docks. While at the docks you wait and wait and wait...all day and into the night...six long hours. Two shifts of guards rotate out during your wait.

You do notice a couple potential scape routes if the meeting goes south on you. YOu have the water and one boat there, you have the stepping stones that you used to cross over initially, then there are three separate tunnels to east (marked 22 and 23 on the map.) The guards for the most part simply watch the area, they don't engage you, but they are also not unfriendly from what you can determine. You do note there are some guards higher than you right now in ledges. (this was described when you first arrived on this side of the docks).

Updated Map

Are you going to do anything while you wait?

Meath'd uses his time to to eat his last stirge and some hydra jerky. He seems to be debating in his head if he should open his last jar of pickled beetles, a bit of drool runs down his chin, as his stomach rumbles loudly. With much will power he decides not to have that treat but instead pulls out his rubber ball and jax, which he starts to play.

Grung fills his mug, polished his shield and croaker then sits down and plays jacks to fill te time

Kalim will have cast Tongues, just in case, before leaving the cave.

Welcome to the RA game. Several of you appear to be relatively new to PbP games, don't worry I was too about 10 months ago. It was tough decision on which characters to choose, and I'm going with a slightly larger party. Why? The decision was hard; the campaign is a tough; and I've run 7 and 8 people in my COT game, so it's nothing new to me. We will at least give it try to see how everyone gets along and the posting tendencies.

Hope everyone has fun, this is one bear of dungeon.

Take some time and review the campaign information tab, I have useful information there and I do update it with semi-important information.

I use maptools and post frequent maps. I try to be attentive to the game and I post both consistently and frequently. Although this is a massive surrounding area and dungeon crawl, that would drive me nuts to run straight, so I'm bound to break it up with some side tracks and RP when I can.

Here are a few DM boons to add to your sheets:

RA Bonus

Stat Bonuses

One (1) bonus ability point that must be used in either your current 4th or 5th lowest ability scores. No adjusting other scores to account for this bonus.

2/2 Skill points* bonuses to be used in one of the following pairs of skills (this does not make it a class skill):

A. profession –cartographer/Know – geography; or
B. profession – guide/Know-nature.

*This means you get 2 skill pts in cartography and 2 skill pts in geography: or 2 skill pts in guide and 2 skill pts in nature.

Gear bonus

(3 )CLW potions each (1d8+3)
(2) CMW potion (2d8+6)
potion of magic weapon (1)
vial anti-toxin (1)
Haversack
Everfull Mug (3/day 12 ounces of fine beer or wine)
Compass
Blank Map book (roll d2, 1 =waterproof, 2=non-waterproof)
Scrivener’s kit
silk 50 ft.(1)
Grapple hook or grapple arrow/bolt (1)
bandolier (1)
Candles (5)

Thanks for the opportunity, GM!

Looking forward to this game!

Ill flesh out Karnog's profile page when I'm not on my phone, it already ate one such submission...

1d2 ⇒ 2

No problem Karnog and welcome.

The above gear will be given to you by your employer but go ahead and put the items on your list.

This is great. Thanks for the selection and opportunity. I'm looking forward to gaming with you guys.

One question: is that "Haversack" a Handy Haversack?
That. Would. Be. Awesome.

waterproofness of Blank Map book: 1d2 ⇒ 1

EDIT for selections
+1 Str to 15
guide/nature
grapple arrow

LAST EDIT
Avatar updated

Yes, its a handy haversack.

I'm going to let everyone check in, once that happens I'll open the game thread.

Thanks for the invite Baldwin, I'll add the stuff to my inventory.

Waterproofness of Blank Map Book: 1d2 ⇒ 1

For my profession, I think I will select A. profession –cartographer/Know – geography

For my bonus stat point, I have a question. I have two stats tied for 5th (Wis/Dex 12) and one at 4th (Int 13). Do I have to choose between Wis/Dex or could I take Int if I wanted?

Anyway, thanks for the invite and I will add the gear, skills and equipment to my sheet.

Varl choose between Wis and Dex.

Everyone can let me know which skill set your taking too.

Thank you, I appreciate the invite.

I'll take the +2 profession (guide) and kn(nature). Adding 1 pt to Str (13 to 14).

1d2 ⇒ 1 ... waterproof

Welcome Vatilda.

---
Vatilda -guide/nature
Varl - guide/nature
Argrim -guid/nature
Karnog -
Rammellorn,
Nibbfir Grumepgarth,
Kalim

Karnog is taking the ability increase in Charisma.

He is a Geographer/Cartographer as well.

Sweet on the handy haversack...makes ant haul all that much better.

Also: how do the other dwarves feel about starting knowing/related to one another.

haven't seen so many in one party in like forever

I opened the game thread, you can check in a post an introduction. Take a look a the map on the Camp Info tab. Sort of provides a feel for what home base looks like. I, also, provided a few merchants and NPC's that you may encounter. This will be a growing list obviously.

I don't mind if people know each other, or if the dwarves are from the same clan.

Fantastic! Thank you so much. I can't wait to play this guy.
Waterproofness of map1d2 ⇒ 1

We have to add the state bonus to our fifth lowest score, correct?

Will be making the upgrades shortly, thank you

Waterproof. I'd choose cartography, but I don't think it fits my build, flavor -wise. Any suggestions?

Rammellorn -

The ability stat bonus can be added to your 4th or 5th lowest score.

As far as the skill bonus it's a mechanism to get the group together and employed to guard, explore and map some areas of interest - the surrounding area near RA and the then the dungeon. It, also, provides the characters a reason to come back, especially in early levels, to town and resupply.

Perhaps Rammellorn has developed an interest in maps revealing strange lands of evil unrest.

Vatilda -guide/nature
Varl - Cartography/geography
Argrim -guid/nature
Karnog - Cartography/geography
Rammellorn- cartography/geography
Nibbfir Grumepgarth -
Kalim -

Correction Baldwin: A. profession –cartographer/Know – geography

I will also choose Dex (12 -> 13)

Correction Baldwin: A. profession –cartographer/Know – geography

I will also choose Dex (12 -> 13)

Ok.

Here's a quick overview on how I plan to run the early stages of the campaign. I'll track XP and advise when its time to level this makes it easier on me. I plan on leveling characters up to 3rd very quickly. Then everyone will spend a little time exploring the surrounding area, again leveling pretty quickly through 4th and 5th level, this will let everyone get an idea of the group's abilities and perhaps, there can be some small character adjustments. After that it's into the dungeon.

I like the idea of the dwarves being in the same clan. That might make some of the introductions easy.

It's almost like the hobbit with all the dwarves in one spot.

I like it. Rogue, fighter, paladin, and cleric seems like a good dungeon cracking team.

Toss in a bard, some spell slinging potential and boom, team!

Since there are no drow in the group, I will permit racial feats if there is one you want to swap out.

You have two divine spell casters.

Argrim's clan is special. I don't know if the other dwarves would fit.

A reminder to put your vital stats: AC, saves, Init., Perception, Current HP/Total HP, CMB/CMD next to your avatar. This, generally, makes my job easier.

Has anyone ever played any of the RA editions? It doesn't really matter, I'll switch it up a bit.

Rammellorn -

The ability stat bonus can be added to your 4th or 5th lowest score.

As far as the skill bonus it's a mechanism to get the group together and employed to guard, explore and map some areas of interest - the surrounding area near RA and the then the dungeon. It, also, provides the characters a reason to come back, especially in early levels, to town and resupply.

Perhaps Rammellorn has developed an interest in maps revealing strange lands of evil unrest.

I put my stat bonus in WIS. Sheet updated.

Young Rammellorn's clan was displaced by a traitorous act of his jealous brother. I would be happy to link up with anyone before I enter into the gameplay thread.

Since Racial Feats are allowed I am going to change out Iron Will with Steel Soul. Everything else is updated and I am ready to start. This will also be my first time trying RA. I have heard its deadly. I don’t know anything else, but I did play through a Tomb of Horrors during 2nd ed that was rough. If it’s anything like that I’m cringing already *grins*

I have played none of Rappan Athuk.

One of the things that attracted me to this game, actually.

Bonus stat to Dex. Cartographer/Geography taken. Map book: 1d2 ⇒ 2

This should be fun.

We will begin in earnest tomorrow, I want the remaining person to check in.

I could make an entire campaign just with surrounding area events in the book. The dungeon itself can be brutal. I took my gaming group down 1 level for once shot game, they did fine until the last encounter.

A druid applying would have been beneficial with the reincarnate spell.

Vatilda -guide/nature
Varl - Cartography/geography
Argrim -guid/nature
Karnog - Cartography/geography
Rammellorn- cartography/geography
Nibbfir Grumepgarth -
Kalim - cartographer/geography.

Edited post to reflect Kalim checking in.

A gnome, a bunch of dwarves, and two effed-up human mages. Heh.

I'll wait a bit longer for the gnome archeologist to check into the discussion thread and the game play. If he doesn't check today, I may invite one of the others.

Varl you've checked into the discussion thread go ahead and post in the game thread.

Reporting for Duty!

My archaeologist is eager to explore those ancient ruins...

"So these guys (the party's crew) are my new team of meatshi... ejemph, bodyguards?"

Ok Nibbfir select an avatar, put your vital stats: AC, saves, Init., Perception, Current HP/Total HP, CMB/CMD next to your avatar. This, generally, makes my job easier. Add the equipment and stat bonuses provided above and post in the game thread.

Make sure you look at my comments to you on the recruitment page, there is some tidying up needed.

1d2 ⇒ 1

That was for the waterproof book.

Added new gear and bonus skill points...

Can you change your avatar that one of the main NPC's

Edit:
Actually I'll go change the Avatar for the NPC, you can keep it for you character. The male gnome avatar's are lacking on the site.

Nibblir go to edit my profile. Then on the left hand side of the page where it says "Class/Levels" Type all the info on that line.

Which stat are you adding the +1 too (it needs to be your 4th or 5th lowest score) and which skill set are you choosing?

Nibblir go to edit my profile. Then on the left hand side of the page where it says "Class/Levels" Type all the info on that line.

Which stat are you adding the +1 too (it needs to be your 4th or 5th lowest score) and which skill set are you choosing?

I choose the Profession (cartographer) and Knowledge (geography) set.

Done the avatar stuff...

Thanks Nibbfir can you add your touch and FF AC?

Thanks Nibbfir can you add your touch and FF AC?

Done.

@Varl

Since we've both been on the caravan from Lastwall, let's say that we both know each other's background. OK?

cheers

@Argrim: Sounds good.

Well, at least we are all in the same boat...

Also, the Short Swords still sounds a good name to me :)

Is everyone fine with the beginning pace and the flow so far. figure tomorrow can be spent around town picking up some rumors, then you'll be on your way.