Rise of the Runelords

Game Master Lloyd Jackson

Seeing the skeletons come forth from the vault, lets out a slight yep and steps forward. She lines up her shot and fires at the closest one.

Musket+Point Blank: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 4 + 1 = 6
... Its the Goblins all over again!
Seeing her musket lock up, she clears it as fast as she can.
She uses a grit to clear it as a move action
And she tries to recall anything from her training about skeletons.
Kn. Religion Untrained: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
...Not rolling well today.

I had transferred Bevole back to tattoo form in my last post, not sure if the skeletons attacked before that, if so, Bevole will just use his move action to do that now.

"Tsakua are you alright!?"

Tas is shocked as the undead rise up, but not too shocked to do anything about it. Taking a 5 foot step away from the one in front of him he points his finger at it and fires a dart of magical energy.
Magic Missile: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Level 1 Spells Used for the day: 1/4

Tas' spell crashes through the skeleton's skull and crumples it to a lifeless mass of bones.

Teeth gritting in pain, Tsakua grunts "Never felt better," letting loose a wild swing for the skeleton still standing.
attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10
damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

"What the-" Kent says, startled, as the pair of skeletons reach in for Tsakua. As one falls from Tas's spell, Kent moves to help the other brawler take down the second. "Guess that's what they meant by desecrated!" As he moves up alongside Tsakua, he brings a fist around, aiming for the back of the skeleton's skull.

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14
Attack Roll: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24
Attack Roll; Confirmation: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18
Damage Roll: 2d6 + 8 ⇒ (4, 1) + 8 = 13 (8 damage without confirmation)

Kent's fist connects with the creature's skull and slams it into Tsakua's blocking forearms where it shatters.

Crisis averted.

As the skeletons fall to the ground Tas looks around, relieved that no one was hurt too terribly.

"Should we look further in? I mean, I'm not terribly keen on seeing more skeletons but, something is raising the dead right?"

Anyone outside can see that the vault can't extend more than 20 feet or so from the door. If the door were opened all the way, one supposes one could see the entirety of the place given a proper source of light.

"Oh my goodness! Skeletons! Is everyone okay?" Luminita gasps in shock. This is the first time she's ever seen anything undead, and she feels a wave of icy cold fear trickle down her spine.

She takes a moment to think about what she knows about Skeletons and the Undead.

K.Religion: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20
Is it possible that these skeletons could have risen from the departed in this vault?

"Yeah, we're all fine." As Mary speaks in a frustrated tone. "Sorry, my musket gunked up. Let me reload, and I should be ready for anything else." She makes sure her weapon of choice is cleared of debris before putting another dose of powder and a bullet back in. She smiles once everything is over with and nods. "Yup, ready to head in!"

Mary moves up next to Tsakua to look inside, aiming her musket into the vault. She prepares to shoot anything that is moving in there. "How about I go first this time Tsakua. You seem to always get things upset when you get to open doors." As she says a bit playfully.

Lol.

Inside, the vault is modest limestone with two internment shelves meant to house the deceased. Neither shelf contains a body nor indeed, remains of any kind...

"Take Kent with you," Tsakua says, as he steps out of the way. "He'll scare anything that might pop up in there back to the grave" Tsakua chuckled, amused at his attempt at cleverness.

Just to be sure Tas will shine a couple of his dancing lights into the vault and take a look around, hoping to find any clues to what happened.
Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18

"Two shelves and we destroyed two animated skeletons so that adds up. The question is how were they raised though? There must be some clue! Luminita is there anyone in Sandpoint that may have, I don't know, studied necromancy at some point?"

K.Local: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12
"Necromany? Uhm... I'm not sure. Not really a regular topic in my field. Sorry..."

Perception, Aid Another: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23
Luminita helps study the room, specifically internment shelves. She's looking for small pieces of remains, messed up dust prints, and any sign of movement.

I am assuming a few actions based on character's abilities in order to speed up some of the more tedious bits. These actions are based off my highly experienced home group's usual actions. I intend to do this kind of thing from time to time. The assumptions I make will never give all the info available and will not draw conclusions for you. If you have concerns or thoughts on this mechanic, please let me know in discussion.

Now that the adrenaline is wearing off, Tas starts looking closely at the surroundings and it doesn't take long for Luminita to join in. Before long, the group has a good bit of new information.

There are slide marks on the left side shelf indicating something large was moved off of it. Looking under the shelf reveals a simple sarcophagus: empty. The second shelf shows no sign of ever having a body or sarcophagus, but tucked away under the shelf is a dark green robe with a faint magical aura of poor strength.

Outside, the ground is churned up more than the late light rains can account for. A careful examination reveals 6 sets of tracks belonging to small humanoid creatures and one set belonging to a medium sized humanoid. The small prints reveal the subjects were barefoot while the medium prints wore heavy boots. Tracking the prints reveal that they entered the graveyard by climbing the wall that overlooks the sea.

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18 To properly identify the dark green robe

Still holding the robes Tas looks to the group.
"Sh-should we follow the tracks over the wall, is there anything in that direction that any of you locals might know about? What is the purpose of raising the dead, particularly when they're so easily dispatched?"

Tas heads over to the wall and without waiting for an answer, tries to climb it, with the robe draped over his shoulder.
Climb: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (12) - 1 = 11

Tas identifies a Robe of Bones, both patches gone.

Tas performs a barely graceful moonwalk on the side of the wall as his feet step and slide over and over.

hee HEE! *grabs crotch*

"Wait Tas, don't head on out half-cocked." As Mary voices her concern. "We need to check here first. Maybe I can figure out what made the tracks... Most likely goblins though."
Kn Local: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23
"But for the boots, it clearly belongs to someone our size. And due to being boots, can't tell what." She looks inside the vault a second time before noticing the situation of the area. "Wait, if both Mr. Tobyn and Nualia are suppose to be in there... Why is there only one sarcophagus and then, why were there two skeletons? Something is fishy here. It is like only one person was interned here. So where did this second.... Wait..." She turns quickly to the group. "Do those bones really belong to Mr. Tobyn and Nualia!? I am not seeing it"

Mary knows the 6 were goblins. One of them was likely very fat or carrying something heavy due to the depth of the prints.

As Tas tumbles back to the ground he looks back at Mary with a sheepish smile.

"Looks like I'm not going anywhere." He stands up and brushes his pants off. "This robe is one typically used to summon undead, I've read about it in a few old books, but whatever device is normally used to summon them seems to be missing. Certainly seems too crafty for goblins and I still can't figure out why. Was this a distraction? Should we go back to the sheriff. I'd hate to leave those tracks unfollowed though..." Tas quiets, realizes he's on the verge of rambling.

"If we can follow the tracks, that might be worth something. But can we fight 6 goblins and the booted person? I feel like we've got plenty of questions to ask my uncle... I mean Father."

"No one said we had to take all of them at once," Tsakua says. "Still, it wouldn't hurt to try and get some reinforcements."

"By the tracks, it looks like it was six goblins. And by the looks of it, it looks like one of the goblins were carrying something heavy. Since I believe there was only one body truly interned, then that one goblin must have been carrying Mr Tobyn or Nualia body away." Mary states. "We should let the Sheriff and your uncle know about what happened, Luminita. Lets head back to the church and let them know. We can track them right after. The tracks are not going anywhere."

She begins to head back to the church. "Come on, while the tracks are not going anywhere, the creatures the made them are!"

Fresh tracks are best, but reinforcements are certainly a good idea. Looks like I'll be waiting to sate my curiosity.

"How exactly was anyone alerted to the desecration without being attacked by the undead themselves?"

Tas follows Mary back to the church, hand on his chin in contemplation the whole way.

...That's a very good point

The Sheriff paces the back stirs that lead from the cemetery back into the cathedral. "What happened!?" He shouts as Tsakua comes into view. "What did you find?" Hemlock rushes down the stair to meet you at the bottom.

A troubled Father Zanthus looms in the doorway to the church.

"Trouble's what we found," Tsakua replies, sitting down on the steps. "I'd say the goblins that attacked the festival were a diversion for whoever stole that sarcophagus.". Looking up at the Sherrif, Tsakua comments, "We'll need a few good men to go with us and handle this group."

Tas nods in agreement with Tsakua.
"Who discovered the desecration? How did they discover it? We weren't two seconds from opening the tomb when we were attacked."

Sense Motive to sense deceit when answered: 1d20 ⇒ 11

"Uncle... er Father, we were attacked by two skeletons in the vault. We think they were created by a magical robe, rather than being those interred inside."

Hemlock's bushy, black brows furrow in concentration and the Father's face goes pale.

Zanthus speaks. "They stole Tobyn's sarcophagus? My cemetery has been desecrated by the undead!?" He sinks to his knees. "We'll have to reconsecrate everything! This will bankrupt the temple!" He wails.

Hemlock raises his voice over the priests sobs, his tone drips with tightly control rage (at the situation). "I am told the groundskeeper discovered a vault standing open, but the man was too coward to find out more. In this case, I am glad as the man would have been killed for certain." He steps forward and grabs Kent hard on the arm: insistent. "Are you sure they've been put down?"

"Damn near punched through one o'there skulls myself, so I'd be fairly confident in sayin' yes." Kent says, lagging behind the rest of the group. "Couldn't say for certain if'n they were the people in the crypt or not, but I'd have to agree with the missus. I ain't much one for magic, but what I've heard makes sense t'me."

"Both of the skeletons have been destroyed. And I believe what Luminita said. It was not the Tobyn's corpses." Mary states as she walks aside Kent. "It looks like there was only one opened sarcophagus inside. And only a single corpse was carried off by a goblin." She looks own then shakes her head before looking back up towards the sheriff and continuing. "And it looks like a human or someone about our size was leading them. I do not know why, but this might be a bit more disturbing than desecration."

"Only one..?" Hemlock's eyes glaze with confusion. "Zantus? I don't understand. There were two bodies interred there."

Zantus takes a shuddering breath. "No. Only one. We never found Nualia's body. We kept it secret so as not to add to the calamity." Zantus looks to Luminita. "Tell me exactly what you saw."

"When we opened the vault, we were immediately attacked by two skeletons. We dispatched them easily. Then we searched the vault. There were slide marks on left side shelf, and under the shelf was an empty sarcophagus. Then we found the magical robe, along with footprints of 6 small barefoot creatures. There was also boot prints of a bigger person, like a human. One of the small prints was carrying something heavy, because of how deep the print was. They climbed the wall overlooking the sea. If Nualia's body was never found, then I'm pretty sure that the goblins and this booted person took Ezakien's remains. I'm pretty sure they're goblins anyways. I can't imagine 6 grave-robing halflings."

"Now that you've got the full story, are we going to go after these potential goblins? I mean, we can't just let them have the body they took right? Is there anyone that can come assist us?"

Tas hovers near the exit, still really curious about what the body was taken for and trying to hold himself back from his own desire to rush out and discover what happened.

"I agree with Tas. I am curious where the tracks go, and whom was the man that lead those six goblins." As Mary states. She then tilts her head and then waves a hand in front of her face. "Well, it could have been either a man or woman. Who was wearing heavy boots." She takes a few steps away from the Sheriff before speaking. "So, lets see about where it leads. It happened yesterday during the festival, so whom ever it was has a day's lead. The sooner we start our little hunt, the better."

"Never found the body, eh? And no one found that odd?" Kent looks to the others, arms crossed on his chest. "I'm 'bout much of a detective as Hemlock, but this is leavin' a sickly feelin' in my stomach. I can't be t'only one, right? If'n she wasn't found, who's to say she ain't nabbin' the body herself?" After a moment, Kent catches himself, then looks a bit ashamed.

"Look, I know this was 'fore my time here, but don't it all seem obvious? Festival was t'celebrate the re-openin', and on the night of the festival we get a swarm'a goblins and a missin' body? Somebody back me up here."

Hemlock's face reddens in embarrassed anger. "Kent! I know you are an unscrupulous vagabond, but I would never have expected you to malign the dead!"

It looks as if he might say more, but Zanthus cuts him off. "Peace Balor. He has a point." The priest glares at Kent. "It may be uncouth and unlikely, but it is possible."

"But, as you said yourself Kent, this was all before your time, so you wouldn't know. Nualia was the sweetest, gentlest soul I have ever known. Her life was sad and lonely. Most people saw her as only a trinket or amulet against all manner of maladies and evil. Her only crime was being born Angel-touched."

Zanthus sighs. "I cannot advise chasing these vandals. They have the head start, the terrain is perilous, and rain will wash away any traces within the next 6 hours. I realize we must do more, but I needto seek guidance. Let us all sleep on this information and reconvene tomorrow?"

Hemlock shakes his head. "I don't like it. We should try at least..." He trails off, his eyes lighting up as if remembering something. "Actually. Zanthus may have a point. Shelalu should be back by tomorrow. Her intelligence could prove invaluable."

"Yes." Says Hemlock decisively. "We will wait until tomorrow. No heroics until then. Understood?"

"Ah, okay, but do we have a plan. You said yourself the trail will be wiped away, so...well, how are we going to track these grave robbers? Forgive me if these are easily answered, but I never went out with the caravan hunters so tracking isn't part of my...um, repertoire I guess. Though it seems I can add defeating undead to my list."

Tas' curiosity is off the charts but he knows it would be folly to rush off on his own.
"Tsakua do you need that wound looked at?"

How much time has passed? I know we headed here from breakfast but the idea of waiting until tomorrow makes it seem later in the evening.

It is likely close to 11 am.

"THe plan is to wait until tomorrow." Says an agitated Hemlock. "No sense rushing off after a thing you can't catch when the trail'll be washed out. You'll get wet and tired and waste some resources at best. At worst, you'll be ambushed in the open. We can't risk it. Shelalu should be back tomorrow. She's one of the best rangers in Varisia. Her advice would be valuable indeed."

He hadn't wanted to say anything, but if they had to wait until tomorrow anyways...

"If we're not in any rush," Tsakua responds to Tas. " But if the trail's going to be washed out, shouldn't we at least try and follow it as far as possible? Or can this Shelalu read tracks where none are left?"

Father Zanthus speaks softly to Tsakua. "To what purpose young sir? Junker's Edge is the most perilous drop off in the area and the bottom is often crawling with goblins. Are you such an accomplished climber that you are wholly unconcerned with the danger? Are you skills so refined that you can repel even with your rope cut by malicious goblins?" He smiles an indulgent, grandfatherly smile. "I hope an old man can make you see the risk far outstrips any potential reward. We will simply have to find another way."

The older man raises drooping eyebrows, asking if anyone else will speak against his logic.

"By what the Father has said, and the description of the beach, I am beginning to agree with him." Mary crosses her arms on her chest and looks down at the floor of the church. "So this... Shelalu? Who is she, and what is she liked? Will she know of a safer way down?" As she looks back up to the Sheriff.

"Um, well, curatives aren't my specialty, I, well I was hoping bringing your wound to attention might get you some help from Luminita or the father here..." Tas shrugs awkwardly at Tsakua as the party continues discussing Shelalu.

"Are we to rely entirely on this one woman to make the entire venture more safe or will we be getting other back up as well?"

Hemlock crosses meaty forearms over his barrel chest. "Shalelu is not back up. She is..." He fumbles for the right word. "An asset?"

He shrugs. "She makes her living combing the wild places on the fringe of civilization: bounty hunting, trading intelligence, trapping, woods guide. Those kinds of things."

"When last I spoke to her, she was heading into the Hinterlands around Nettlewoods. She should be here tomorrow."

The Sheriff glances around briskly, as though nervous about something.

Zanthus looks up, his eyebrows drawn down low over his nose. "Wasn't Shalelu in town just last month?"

Luminita and anyone who's been in Sandpoint at least half a year would know that Shalelu only comes to town once or twice a season and isn't due back for another month or two.

"Thought we weren't expectin' her back for at least a couple months, Hemlock. Why'd she be comin' back this early? And why would you know 'bout it, anyway?" Kent looks at Hemlock with his own arms crossed, an angry look on his face. "What's yer game, Hemlock? You're bein' a bigger bastard than usual."

Tsakua chuckles good naturedly, genuinely smiling, both towards Tas and Father Zanthus. "Apologies, Father," he says. Gesturing towards his latest wound, he comments "I'm still learning that haste is best ignored. I'll do my best to repent of this sin, you've my word, but I'd appreciate it if you could share your...curative talents."

Whispering to Tas, Tsakua says, with a chuckle, "I saw you blast that skeleton, you think I want to risk that happening to me?"

The Father smiles and sees to Tsakua's wound.

Meanwhile, Hemlock blusters with indignation. "I'm not sure I'm having that tone from you Atherton! You'll show some respect or I may just let you jump Junker's and have done with it!"

He stares the young man down, clearly waiting for some deference.

Tas smirks at the half-orc and jokingly points his finger at him as though firing another magic missile, then steps back to let the Father see to the mans injury.

As Hemlock begins raising his voice Tas grimaces. Not another fight!

Smiling his most disarming smile, he tries to cool the situation.
"We were just sent to a tomb where we were accosted by abominations, I think it's reasonable to say that we're all still a big agitated from the fight, I'm sure Kent didn't mean any disrespect. He does make a good point though, no? I mean, well, if this Shalelu usually runs on some sort of schedule, why would you assume an early arrival? Surely you understand our, hmm, desire, for information, yes?"

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24

"Oh, trust me. I meant plenty'a disrespect." Kent huffs as Tas tries to calm the situation down. "But I ain't 'bout to start a fight in a church. 'Specially not after I just had'ta fight a gaggle o'goblins just yesterday." Kent uncrosses his arms and cracks his knuckles, but refuses to back away from Hemlock, still staring him down. "But I know there's somethin' that ain't right here, Hemlock. WHat's goin' on, huh?"