Revival of the Runelords (Inactive)

Game Master Cellion

"The best way would be to fool them into thinking we are still progressing down the hallway until the trap is sprung, then we can attack them from here as they reel in confusion having struck out at our decoy," whispers Guiness in response to Astrid, "Perhaps an illusion?"

"Assuming of course the holes don't fire poison darts triggered by weight on the floor.... Perhaps, we need a deeper look. I could scout ahead invisibly." suggest the gaggle of floating Kelleks in unison.

Shrugging and looking at both Colvyn and the Kelleks, Guiness whispers, ”Either would be fine with me,” tightening his grip as he waits for those skilled in magic and stealth to suss out the challenge before them.

Helps if I read this bit first:

You listen carefully, trying to be as silent as you can. As Colvyn approaches, he hears the faint sounds of breathing coming from both sides of the corridor. Looking ahead, he can see some larger openings hidden behind hanging furs right before the tunnel begins to narrow. Colvyn concludes that those larger openings must lead to caverns that flank the tunnel and which contain at least one foe inside on either side. (Red arrows now on the map pointing out those larger openings that you could walk through.)

"Fine. I'll take the east side of the hall."

Overland flying, greater invisibility, lots of fireballs repeat as needed. That's my plan anyhow.

Before Kellek goes ahead, Colvyn asks the wizard. "What about some stinking clouds?" He then moves silently toward the other entrace.

Stealth: 1d20 + 20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 20 + 2 = 29

Happy New Year all! I'll roll with Kellek's plan and Colvyn's move up, since I don't see any disagreement.

Colvyn and Kellek, you've got yourselves a surprise round! Foes will be going first in round 1.

|||| INIT ||||
Colvyn (surprise round)
Kellek (surprise round)

Kellek casts greater invisibility on himself from farther around the corner at CL 13 with Arcane Reservoir so it lasts 13 rounds. Probably takes 3 rounds to float there and set up position before what happens next.

Before Kellek goes ahead, Colvyn asks the wizard. "What about some stinking clouds?" He then moves silently toward the other entrace.

"Thought about it, then discounted it. The 'cloud' only covers an area 40' in diameter; not nearly big enough to cover even one one of what one one would expect to be a long hall of some sort behind these walls. Plus they are giants; it might only annoy them."

Though that brings up a good point. GM, How high up are the murder holes?

** spoiler omitted **Colvyn takes the entrance on the west side of the hall as an invisible Kellek floats to the eastern entrance. You both peek on in and see one hulking, grey-skinned troll on each side with a ranseur, ready and waiting for the party to approach so they can poke through the holes in the wall. Neither giant seems to have noticed that two of the party are missing.

Kellek sighs inwardly to himself. Just one? He produces an expensive, seemingly decorative garden trowel from his box which vanishes from his view, and the views of any who could see the invisible, as he casts his spell at the giant's feet.

Five-foot move/float forward. He casts create pit targeting the space beneath the giant (Arcane Res.-boosted Reflex DC 19).

Grey-skinned troll. Is it acid or fire for them? Can't remember. Oh well. Colvyn's bow gets engulf in flame just before he fire the arrow. Let's hope fire work. The arrow flies toward the troll as Colvyn takes a step back.

Longbow: 1d20 + 16 - 3 ⇒ (18) + 16 - 3 = 31
Damage: 1d6 + 5 + 6 + 1d6 ⇒ (4) + 5 + 6 + (6) = 21

Sacred weapon as free action to gain flaming.

Colvyn will use stone shield if the troll get into reach and attack.

@Kellek: Lets say the murder holes extend from a few feet off the ground to ten feet high - high enough for murder-poking fellow giants if need be. They are otherwise quite narrow.

Colvyn sinks a burning arrow into the second troll, who yelps in pain. "Hurek! Hurek! We gots a ratty over here!" From across the hall, the other troll rumbles "Durek, you should ignore rats and come help me post-haste." The blue troll, Durek, leaps forward and thrusts his ranseur at Colvyn, who responds by instantaneously raising a thin wall of stone. The massive polearm smashes right into the barrier, cracking the stone, but leaving Colvyn unscathed.

Normal rounds!

|||| INIT ||||
Colvyn
Guiness
Kellek
Astrid
Ziva
Red Hurek
Blue Durek (21 dmg)

Look, I can't kill a troll who uses the word 'posthaste', that's the law!

"I suppose that's our cue," Ziva observes wryly, invoking her sword's glow while she advances. Catching a glimpse of movement through one of the slits in the rock, she narrows her eyes in calculation.

Big and heavy--a giant of some sort. Strong, great reach especially with the spear. Get into its reach and get to work.

Move, then Study Red!

Look, I can't kill a troll who uses the word 'posthaste', that's the law!

"I suppose that's our cue," Ziva observes wryly, invoking her sword's glow while she advances. Catching a glimpse of movement through one of the slits in the rock, she narrows her eyes in calculation. Big and heavy--a giant of some sort. Strong, great reach especially with the spear. Get into its reach and get to work.

Move, then Study Red!

Still invisible Kellek flies around the lummox and loudly casts another spell from the opposite side of the pit while tossing an handful of glittering mica into the air. "Konphehte!"

Kellek casts glitterdust (Arcane res. DC 19) over the troll.

With the element of surprise depleted, Gunnar starts moving down the hallway. He pauses at the opening to the unexplored passage, ready for any trouble from that direction as the others attack foes within the walls.

Hesitantly, Astrid advances behind Guinness with her longspear, inexpertly held at the ready.

Colvyn increase his agility with a spell, then, looking at the giant, sticks his tongue out and move back toward the group along the wall.

Casting Cat's grace as a free action with fervor then double move back toward Ziva

To the south, Colvyn tries to slip away, but incurs an attack of opportunity on the way. He ducks nimbly under the stab of a ranseur and gets back up the hall. Durek angrily follows after, bellowing "No rats in the base! No rats in the base!", this partner's predicament temporarily forgotten.

|||| INIT ||||
Colvyn
Guiness
Kellek
Astrid
Ziva
Red Hurek
Blue Durek (21 dmg)

Kellek floats silently forward so that he can look through an arrow slit and into the hall. He readies a spell waiting for the troll to exit and join his partner.

As the troll follows Colvyn down the hall, Ziva rushes forward to support her companion, sliding over the stone to come up behind it. "Guiness, together!" she shouts.

Move (doubtless provoking an AoO) then Readying a Vital Strike via flank. I'd like to apply my Crane Wing stance before moving, if allowable.
Vital Strike: 1d20 + 19 + 2 + 2 - 1 - 3 ⇒ (16) + 19 + 2 + 2 - 1 - 3 = 35 Damage: 2d10 + 15 + 2d6 + 3d6 ⇒ (6, 9) + 15 + (5, 1) + (5, 1, 3) = 45

AC33 with Crane Wing, whenever it applies

Colvyn takes a step back again and lifts his bow. Red flames surround it as he sends a few more arrows flying.

Longbow: 1d20 + 16 + 2 + 2 + 1 - 2 - 3 ⇒ (7) + 16 + 2 + 2 + 1 - 2 - 3 = 23
Damage: 1d6 + 4 + 6 + 2 + 2 + 1 + 1d6 ⇒ (1) + 4 + 6 + 2 + 2 + 1 + (6) = 22

Longbow: 1d20 + 16 + 2 + 2 + 1 - 2 - 3 ⇒ (5) + 16 + 2 + 2 + 1 - 2 - 3 = 21
Damage: 1d6 + 4 + 6 + 2 + 2 + 1 + 1d6 ⇒ (1) + 4 + 6 + 2 + 2 + 1 + (3) = 19

Longbow: 1d20 + 11 + 2 + 2 + 1 - 2 - 3 ⇒ (18) + 11 + 2 + 2 + 1 - 2 - 3 = 29
Damage: 1d6 + 4 + 6 + 2 + 2 + 1 + 1d6 ⇒ (5) + 4 + 6 + 2 + 2 + 1 + (3) = 23

With his short Dwarven legs, Guiness isn’t quite fast enough to get in a true flank with Ziva, but he gets as close as he can. Willing his hammer, Dragonfist, into flame, Guiness says in giant, ”Beware. These ‘rats’ have sharp fangs.”

20’ move gets Guiness adjacent to the troll, but not in a true flank. Action taken to light up his flaming weapon (was off before for stealth purposes.)

Astrid follows (relatively) close behind, but stays well clear of the giant's reach as she calls down Pulura's blessing on the party's attacks.

Casting [i]bless/i].

Now up close to his foes, Durek throws his ranseur aside and savagely claws and bites at Ziva. She deflects the creature's jaws thanks to her crane stance (wing triggers), but then is open to Durek's claws carving into her. (21 dmg, 23 dmg, and 13 dmg from the rend)

|||| INIT ||||
Colvyn
Guiness
Kellek
Astrid
Ziva (57 dmg)
Red Hurek (24 dmg)
Blue Durek (113 dmg)

Stepping to the side to get into a true flank with Ziva, Guiness gets to work. With multiple magics aiding him, he hammers mightily at the troll before him, Flaming Dragonfist arcing in at Durek again and again!

Dragonfist Attack with Bless, Hunters Blessing, Flanked, and Blooded: 1d20 + 15 + 1 + 2 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 15 + 1 + 2 + 2 + 1 = 23
Dragonfist Flaming Damage: 1d8 + 15 + 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 15 + (3) + 2 = 27

Dragonfist Attack with Bless, Hunters Blessing, Flanked, and Blooded: 1d20 + 10 + 1 + 2 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 10 + 1 + 2 + 2 + 1 = 32
Dragonfist Flaming Damage: 1d8 + 15 + 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 15 + (5) + 2 = 28

Dragonfist Attack with Bless, Hunters Blessing, Flanked, and Blooded: 1d20 + 5 + 1 + 2 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 5 + 1 + 2 + 2 + 1 = 17
Dragonfist Flaming Damage: 1d8 + 15 + 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 15 + (5) + 2 = 24

Steel Headbutt: 1d20 + 8 + 1 + 2 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 8 + 1 + 2 + 2 + 1 = 19
Damage: 1d4 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 5 + 2 = 11

Colvyn fires more arrows at the trolls.

Longbow: 1d20 + 18 + 2 + 2 + 1 + 1 - 2 - 3 ⇒ (9) + 18 + 2 + 2 + 1 + 1 - 2 - 3 = 28
Damage: 1d6 + 4 + 6 + 2 + 2 + 1 + 1d6 ⇒ (2) + 4 + 6 + 2 + 2 + 1 + (6) = 23

Longbow: 1d20 + 18 + 2 + 2 + 1 + 1 - 2 - 3 ⇒ (13) + 18 + 2 + 2 + 1 + 1 - 2 - 3 = 32
Damage: 1d6 + 4 + 6 + 2 + 2 + 1 + 1d6 ⇒ (1) + 4 + 6 + 2 + 2 + 1 + (1) = 17

Longbow: 1d20 + 13 + 2 + 2 + 1 + 1 - 2 - 3 ⇒ (9) + 13 + 2 + 2 + 1 + 1 - 2 - 3 = 23
Damage: 1d6 + 4 + 6 + 2 + 2 + 1 + 1d6 ⇒ (4) + 4 + 6 + 2 + 2 + 1 + (5) = 24

Buff: Cat's grace

Though Durek fends off most of Guiness' attacks, one blow with Dragonfist strikes hard enough to crater his knee and send him sprawling. He's soon unconscious and bleeding out on the floor. Thanks to his burning wounds, he'll not be getting up soon. Colvyn's arrows thud in quick succession into Hurek, though the last is a glancing hit.

|||| INIT ||||
Colvyn
Guiness
Kellek
Astrid
Ziva (57 dmg)
Red Hurek (64 dmg)

Ziva rushes the remaining troll, trying to get inside his enormous reach to deliver her own counterattack.

Vital Strike: 1d20 + 19 - 1 - 3 ⇒ (13) + 19 - 1 - 3 = 28 Damage: 2d10 + 13 + 2d6 ⇒ (9, 5) + 13 + (5, 1) = 33

Ziva's attack will be a solid hit, but will leave Hurek heavily injured but still standing, with Astrid and Kellek still up.

Astrid moves ever closer to the melee, holding her longspear out in front with a determined expression on her face.

I'll sacrifice a 1st-level spell using Divine Interference the first time he threatens a crit against any of us.

Kellek can double up next round, though he may not need to after you guys are done with Hurek. :0

|||| INIT ||||
Colvyn
Guiness
Kellek
Astrid
Ziva (57 dmg)
Red Hurek (97 dmg)

Guiness plunges his flaming hammer deep into the dying/regenerating body of the troll before him, the flame burning the tissue of the troll from the inside out as the weapon sinks deeply into its torso.

Coup de Grace Crit: 3d8 + 17 + 17 + 17 + 1d6 ⇒ (7, 6, 8) + 17 + 17 + 17 + (4) = 76

Durek's definitely not getting up after that one!

"Strength isn't everything," she admonishes the troll as she bobs and weaves through the wave of attacks, keeping close to deliver her own counterstroke.

Study Target + Vital Strike
Attack: 1d20 + 19 + 2 - 4 ⇒ (5) + 19 + 2 - 4 = 22 Damage: 2d10 + 15 + 2d6 ⇒ (2, 6) + 15 + (2, 5) = 30

Gonna let Colvyn do his thing since I doubt I have to spend any more resources on this guy.

Colvyn steps up for the kill. "There, now I wonder what were they protecting"

Longbow: 1d20 + 18 + 2 + 2 + 1 + 1 - 2 - 3 ⇒ (12) + 18 + 2 + 2 + 1 + 1 - 2 - 3 = 31
Damage: 1d6 + 4 + 6 + 2 + 2 + 1 + 1d6 ⇒ (3) + 4 + 6 + 2 + 2 + 1 + (5) = 23

Longbow: 1d20 + 18 + 2 + 2 + 1 + 1 - 2 - 3 ⇒ (2) + 18 + 2 + 2 + 1 + 1 - 2 - 3 = 21
Damage: 1d6 + 4 + 6 + 2 + 2 + 1 + 1d6 ⇒ (1) + 4 + 6 + 2 + 2 + 1 + (5) = 21

Longbow: 1d20 + 13 + 2 + 2 + 1 + 1 - 2 - 3 ⇒ (20) + 13 + 2 + 2 + 1 + 1 - 2 - 3 = 34
Damage: 1d6 + 4 + 6 + 2 + 2 + 1 + 1d6 ⇒ (3) + 4 + 6 + 2 + 2 + 1 + (3) = 21

Longbow, confirm?: 1d20 + 13 + 2 + 2 + 1 + 1 - 2 - 3 ⇒ (2) + 13 + 2 + 2 + 1 + 1 - 2 - 3 = 16
Added Damage: 2d6 + 8 + 12 + 4 + 4 + 2 + 1d6 ⇒ (1, 6) + 8 + 12 + 4 + 4 + 2 + (5) = 42

Buff: Cat's grace

Sorry for the delay, I've been traveling for work, but am back now!

Hurek manages to deflect Ziva's blade by the smallest of margins with his claws, but the action leaves him open to two arrows that pierce deep into his side. He staggers back as they land, then falls with a colossal thud. While he's laying there, you notice some of his wounds beginning to close back up, so Guiness heads over and delivers a fiery blow with his hammer to finish the troll off.

Combat Over!

Colvyn takes a look into the two side rooms behind the hanging furs and finds them quite bare, with only a chair, table and a few troll-approved snacks. An unfinished wooden carving sits on the table on one side, while on the other lies a collection of dried ears. The trolls themselves have some items that are a good bit more valuable however.

Aw, he said "posthaste" and had a cool rock collection. Too bad about the evil and the cannibalism, those are friendship dealbreakers.

"A quick patch-up and I'll be ready to move on, we shouldn't linger," Ziva asserts, with a hopeful glance at Astrid.

Breaking down the magical armor as best he can and fitting it into his Handy Haversack, Guiness lets Dragonfist sizzle for awhile on the other troll. Finishing, he doesn’t try to put the king sharp weapons into the bag for fear of puncturing it.

Soon he is ready to move on.

Where to afterward?

Let's take a peek down this tunnel we're right next to, and if there's nothing that seems urgent let's move up towards the double doors in the upper right corner. Maybe ask Conna what's through there too.

Agreed on southeast tunnel first.

When they are ready to move on, Guiness says, ”Well-fought. I will follow from a short distance again if you would like to continue scouting ahead, Colvyn.”

To the south-east, the tunnel walls narrow and begin to wind deeper into the earth. You walk a short distance down the tunnel and find that the rough contours along the cave walls seems to lessen every several paces — the deeper the cave goes, the more like worked stone the passageway seems. The tunnel begins to turn rightwards, spiraling down like a corkscrew with no sign of stopping soon. It seems like it'll be a bit of a walk to get to wherever it leads.

Returning back for now, you head up north. Before reaching the tunnel ending in double doors, you find yourselves in the chamber the two lamia priestesses came from earlier. Incense smoke hangs heavy in the air here, thick enough to give the cave a gauzy, almost dreamlike feel and scenting the place with a vaguely metallic tang. The cavern’s walls are painted on all sides in spiraling patterns of vivid blue and purple, while here and there the angular symbol of a three-eyed, jackal-like visage leers out of these dark colors in vivid reds. Elsewhere, depictions of snarling hyenas with mouths full of bones and horned rats with long tails glower from the walls. A large block of stone sits against the north-eastern wall, its top and sides still slick with blood.

The two incense burners that flank the altar appear to be made of mithril. (and are worth 400 gp each)

Combat Over!

Colvyn takes a look into the two side rooms behind the hanging furs and finds them quite bare, with only a chair, table and a few troll-approved snacks. An unfinished wooden carving sits on the table on one side, while on the other lies a collection of dried ears. The trolls themselves have some items that are a good bit more valuable however.

Kellek doesn't bother with a thorough search he's got spells running but of course the tunnel to the south east eats up most important one so on his way back he looks in on the trolls with his magic detecting peepers and takes 10 on any rolls needed to suss out what's what.

Returning back for now, you head up north. Before reaching the tunnel ending in double doors, you find yourselves in the chamber the two lamia priestesses came from earlier. Incense smoke hangs heavy in the air here, thick enough to give the cave a gauzy, almost dreamlike feel and scenting the place with a vaguely metallic tang. The cavern’s walls are painted on all sides in spiraling patterns of vivid blue and purple, while here and there the angular symbol of a three-eyed, jackal-like visage leers out of these dark colors in vivid reds. Elsewhere, depictions of snarling hyenas with mouths full of bones and horned rats with long tails glower from the walls. A large block of stone sits against the north-eastern wall, its top and sides still slick with blood.

The two incense burners that flank the altar appear to be made of mithril. (and are worth 400 gp each)

Kellek looks about the niche.

perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (16) + 10 = 26 +2 more if these caves count as mountains thanks to hunter's blessing.

It looks like this stone might have been moved. Kellek (a wizard of steel with a double digit strength score) tries to shove the massive slab of granite the way indicated by the scuff marks on the floor.

"Allow me to assist you, Master Kellek," Ziva steps up next to the mage and puts her shouulder to the slab as well.

Add 2600lbs to whatever Kellek's max push total is :p

You push the block of stone aside to reveal a small hollow in the ground below, within which set several tomes bound in the weathered skin of humanoids. The tomes prove to be packed with vile descriptions of how to disembowel, decapitate, drown and otherwise slaughter all manner of humanoid creature, with an emphasis on the best way to do so to gain Lamashtu's favor. A particularly unpleasant method of killing given elaborate description involves sewing a living rat into a creature's belly so that the vermin must dig its way to freedom. The tomes are lavishly and nauseatingly illustrated and as a religious find are worth about 500 gp in all.

(Anyone want to page all the way through them?)

You push the block of stone aside to reveal a small hollow in the ground below, within which set several tomes bound in the weathered skin of humanoids. The tomes prove to be packed with vile descriptions of how to disembowel, decapitate, drown and otherwise slaughter all manner of humanoid creature, with an emphasis on the best way to do so to gain Lamashtu's favor. A particularly unpleasant method of killing given elaborate description involves sewing a living rat into a creature's belly so that the vermin must dig its way to freedom. The tomes are lavishly and nauseatingly illustrated and as a religious find are worth about 500 gp in all.

(Anyone want to page all the way through them?)

Maybe later. ;) Do they fit in Kellek's haversack?

They fit perfectly on a campfire!

Yep, they could fit in either a handy haversack OR a campfire! How convenient :)

Kellek collects the texts for later review.

Sorry for being flaky lately.

Before they find even more trouble, Astrid turns some of Pulura's blessings to healing Ziva's wounds.

"I know you're tough and all, but you really need to stop daring them to hit you. You're not the one that has to clean up the mess."

Substitute moment of greatness for cure light wounds on Ziva: 1d8 + 17 ⇒ (6) + 17 = 23
Substitute stone shield for cure light wounds on Ziva: 1d8 + 17 + 23 ⇒ (6) + 17 + 23 = 46

I'll use my two 1st-level pearls of power to reprepare bless and stone shield.

Sounds good! Also, seems like people are satisfied with the shrine, so...

You make a short detour to visit Conna and ask about to north-eastern-most set of doors. She nods before intoning "You'll not find Mokmurian there, but you will find an ancient chamber he has used for his induction ceremonies. He subjects his most committed followers to a lengthy ritual induction that involves both oaths of loyalty and shared purpose, as well as bodily purification. I have heard the process is grueling, but seen as an honor among the rank and file of the fighters of the clan." She looks deeply disappointed in this behavior from her own clan's members. "The only person there right now should be the chamber's keeper, Lokansir. A hill giant of unusual proportions and servant of Mokmurian."