Serpent's Skull: False? Gods and Monkeys With Guns (Inactive)

Game Master Eric Sklavos

After catching his breath, Mik will check the two rooms near the stairs to make sure the wizard assassin isn't lurking nearby. Will cast Light to illuminate the areas as he searches.

Griff will also help Mik search the rest of the compound, looking for the one that got away and hiden compartments/doors. not the Ghost roo, not yet.

Griff will examin the gue that came out of Ivo's head, he won't touch it with his hands but he will use a broken arrow that I'm sure there are plenty, and Detect magic.

will we be receiving the loot from the previous encounters in this compound? Either way do we find their bodies?

You search the remaining rooms and find a chest in the large room to the west. It's not trapped and Mik easily unlocks it (especially if he finds the key on Ivo). In the chest is 2200gp and 11,000sp, as well as assorted stone and ceramic artifacts worth a total of 1780gp.

The other rooms are empty of anything of importance. No lingering Assassin.

On the agents you find various MW weapons, some potions of cure Light Wounds, and some doses of poison. Nothing really worth noting right now (I'll get a full list soon).

As you examine Ivo closer, you see his skull caved in, and his brain seems to have been replaced with a greenish fluid.

Loot from Ivo: Potion of Endure elements (2), +1 Breastplate, +1 keen Falchion, MWk Daggers (2), Belt of Incredible Dexterity +2, Ring of Protection +1, Large Diamond (1000gp), Keys to the chest above, mwk thieves' tools, 17pp, 55gp. 3 vials of poison.

The Falchion still has a poison dose on it.

Kieyanna pulls out a Wand of Cure Moderate Wounds, and starts dishing out healing.

Roll your own healing and let me know how many charges are used..

Healing for herself: 2d8 + 3 ⇒ (3, 2) + 3 = 8
Healing for herself: 2d8 + 3 ⇒ (4, 6) + 3 = 13
Healing for herself: 2d8 + 3 ⇒ (3, 7) + 3 = 13

@Mik:
Lesser Restoration (DEX Damage): 1d4 ⇒ 2
Lesser Restoration (DEX Damage): 1d4 ⇒ 1

does the loot include the 2 potions, and wand from the Trog cleric upstairs? If you told me already I don't rember.
C.M.W.: 2d8 + 3 ⇒ (1, 6) + 3 = 10
C.M.W.: 2d8 + 3 ⇒ (7, 3) + 3 = 13
C.M.W.: 2d8 + 3 ⇒ (3, 7) + 3 = 13

It does not include the upstairs troglodyte loot.

Upstairs Troglodyte Acolyte Loot:
Wand of Sound Burst (19 charges)
Potion of Cure Light Wounds
mwk shortspear
Wooden Holy Symbol of Achaekek
28gp

Mik, seeing the green brains of Ivo, exclaims, This is why you don't make pacts with demons. Mik will use Knowledge Arcana to try and understand the green brain goo.

Know Arca: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (2) + 14 = 16

Thanks, Kieyanna. Mik says after the two restorations and will take a few CMW.

CMW: 2d8 + 3 ⇒ (2, 5) + 3 = 10
CMW: 2d8 + 3 ⇒ (7, 2) + 3 = 12
CMW: 2d8 + 3 ⇒ (2, 2) + 3 = 7

Mik will finish investigating the complex and spend time searching for secret doors, taking 10, if allowed, for a 25. Mik will search the entire lower level, except for the ghost's room, if no one objects. At some time during his search, Mik will ask, Griff, do you want to talk to the ghost soon? I suggest we at least rest first to regain some spells. I still am feeling rather clumsy and hope a rest will help.

I assume we can gather all the loot into one location. If the group wants to spend the day and night in the spire, the throne room might be the best location.

Sounds good to me Mik. I am getting tierd of this place. Tomorrow it is.

Kieyanna looks at Mik and Griff, "There's a ghost you want to talk to?" She shakes her head and follows the group back up the stairs.

Assuming you grab all the gear and head back to camp, you make it back safely. You clean up a bit, and are then greeted by the three faction leaders. Amivor speaks up first, "We saw all the gear you brought back, I'll take that as a good sign?"

You can sell the common weapons and potions at the weapons and provisions tents in the camp which is always appreciated, especially with the growing numbers.

on the way back Griff will fireball the webs (from a good distance) left behind by the dream spider, so as to remove that hazard from the city.

Griff looks at Amivor A good sigh? Yes, a good start, one spell caster got away, and who knows how many troglodytes are left. has any thing happened since our departure?and has a man named Jones come back here? I just want to make sure he's safe.

Turning towards Griff, Mik says, Oh, right, did Jones make it here?

Cerberus uses lay on hands instead of wand charges and happily helps haul back the loot (he has mule back chords, so his carry capacity is rockin' good) after saying a prayer for the fallen and thanks to his god for victory and the chance to further his path to perfection through combat.
LOH: 3d6 ⇒ (3, 1, 6) = 10
To the faction leaders, Indeed. The day finds our foes fallen and our comrades standing. A good sign. Praise be to Irori and friend alike.

General Rotilius Havelar replies, "Ahh, yes. Jones made it back, he told us of his experience, and you helped save him."

Amivor: "You say the caster escaped? What does she look like? Do you think she'll retaliate?"

sense motive: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (14) + 10 = 24
To hazard a best guess about retaliation and I'll answer accordingly.

Regarding Retaliation: Cerberus doesn't really know, nor would any of the party. She could retaliate just as easily as she could teleport out of here, never to be heard from again. The Red Mantis Assassins are generally Lawful Evil.

Just a quick back step, Was the Green gue in Ivo magical? and if so Spellcraft: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (4) + 20 = 24 . If so or not can Griff make a knowledge check of some sort? Knowledge ?: 1d20 ⇒ 19 + knowledge skill?

Oh, she will certainly retaliate, question is to who will she retaliate. We nearly killed her and killed all of her companions so unless she has reinforcements, I doubt she will be back. Have we heard the last of her? Probably not. I think we have shown that if you attack us or our crew, we will irradicate you. We probably should double the size of our excursions for now. as Mik offers his 2 coppers.

@Griff: The Green Goo has some lingering Universal Magic. Even a high Knowledge check can't place its origin. You do know that the Green Goo somehow replaced his brain cavity, and Ivo still seemed to function as if he had a brain.

Does the green color look familiar to anything we have seen in the ancient city? I believe there is a lot of green stuff here, even discounting the jungle, but trying to match the color to anything local. More trying to figure out if this was a recent development since Ivo arrived here or if this happened some time ago, in a land far, far away.

The green color, nor the goo look specifically like anything you've seen before. Something else Griff may have noticed from his extremely high knowledge roll, is that the goo almost looks manufactured.

Amivor: "We'll keep a lookout for any unusual activity around camp, and all expeditions should be double guarded."

General Havelar speaks up mostly to the other two faction leaders, "Let's get a head count of everyone in our camps. Make sure they belong. Anyone traveling in or out of camp, beyond the walls, needs to check out, and check in when they get back. We maintain a strict head count of everyone in camp at all times. I'll set up a station toward the front gate." Turning to the party, "That includes you guys."

Griff will describe the caster who got away. the smell of her as she apeared behind him, her voice as she whispered in his ear, the tone of her voice filled with jealousy because she doesn't have Griff's power, etc, etc, etc.
Hmmm, I am uncertain if she will retaliate. From what we know, the only reason the mantis stayed in the city was because of Ivo. Those who stood against him he killed, the others might have been too afraid to disobey him. Now that he is dead...Oh, my, well... that'll wait till tomorrow. Retaliation is a possibility, all watches should be ready.

KieyannaIf you are here in the morning could I impose on you a couple of favores?
1. Please cast a divination with this question: "How can the Ghost, under the spire in the Red mantis compound in the room at the end of the hall, be put to rest?
2. Please attempt to Scry on the caster that got away... Hmm, it may be difficult since you only saw her invisible, an glittery. If only I had thought to get her blood before you cleaned your sword. Aw, well, if you think it wont work then I'll pick up the suplies next time we are in town.

"I can attempt to scry the assassin and ask Cayden Cailean for some guidence regarding the ghost. Anything else? If not, I'm tired. I'm going to go rest." Turning to Mik. "Before you rest, you might want to check with Jask and see if he's able to heal any more of that damage from the poison."

Thank you Kieyanna, rest that sounds good Griff will drag the bags of loot he was carrion over to a spot, then he will get some res/sleep. hopefully next to Francis.

Mik will make his way over to Jask. I seem to have been poisoned from the rotten assassin's blades. Do you, by chance, have anything to spare that might lessen the effects? I think the poison is finished attacking my system but the residual affects are still lingering. Do not take from those that need it more as the jungle is harse and many may be suffering.

When Mik returns and notices a snoring duo of Griff and Francis, he will grab a jug of wine and a few cups, plopping down near Cain. Thank you for assisting in the revenge on Goro. I'm sure he would be proud of our efforts. Will you stay and assist our cause? I, for one, am seeking to bring balance back to the jungle and stop the intrusion that threatens its existance. We have discovered various gems from some of the spires and believe we need the remainder to track down the source of evil that has infected the jungle. You have proved valuable in a fight and I would be honored to call you comrade. Think long and hard before deciding as I feel we have barely scratched the surface of the infection. If Cain wishes, Mik will continue to chat. If Cain seems lost in thought, Mik will seek out the company of Kieyanna to learn more of her elven and human heritage before retiring for the night.

Jask assists and says he can spare 1 spell.

Lesser Restoration: 1d4 ⇒ 3

do we rest uneventfully?

Yes, the night is uneventful.

Mik, I would find great honor in continuing to fight by your side. This is a strange place. It feels wrong somehow... and yet I feel right in being here. As though this were always to be part of my path, looming dark on the horizon of my future, waiting for the sun. Let us bring light to this place and balance the darkness my friend. I will help you in your cause. Cain sips his wine and glances up at the stars. Perhaps it will bring balance to me along the way.

I'm still working on the divination and scrying information for Kieyanna. It's coming soon. Sorry for the delay.

I, too, have been hit with real life stuff and haven't gotten Mik updated yet. Hope to have it soon as well but if my latest venture (headache) pans out, will be scarce for a couple of weeks.

The next morning, upon gathering everyone around the basin, Kieyanna casts Scrying on the assassin. No Modifications to the DC

Assassin Will Save DC21: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7

You see the assassin, still a bit hurt and disheveled, but cloaked and aware, walking through a busy street.

Griff would have also asked Amivor, Kasata, and Rotilius to join the group at the scrying bowl.
does the street look like it is in Saventh Yhi?

Hmmm, it looks like she might have gotten to a city. strange it didn't seem like she had the power to travel that far... that green goo in Ivo, I think someone or something was manipulating them... To the mater at hand, do we attempt to catch her and get her to talk? Do we just go and kill her? Or do we let her go and find her another day. Griff doesn't seem to like the last chose one bit there is also the problem of the law in whatever city she is in. comments?

Before the spell is cast, you can gather the faction leaders.

None of the faction leaders recongize the city as Saventh-Yhi. Also, the city looks too busy to The rest of you to be Saventh Yhi.

It has been a bit since Mik was in Bloodcove but prior to joining this crew, he spent about a year there. Anything look familiar?

The laws of humans do not concern me. She has left my jungle with her tail between her legs and that is enough for me. If we want to pursue her, I am fine with that as long as we do not stray too long from our main goal of finding the remaining crystals and stopping the evil infestation of the jungle.

@Mik, You can make a perception check to see if anything looks familiar.

@Everyone: A Knowledge Local Check might be able to recognize the location.

Also, everyone make a perception check.

Knowledge Local: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (4) + 18 = 22
Perception: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (19) + 15 = 34

Perception: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (1) + 16 = 17 for scrying.

No Knowledge Local.

Perception: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (19) + 16 = 35 for something else.

Wow, I thought I posted this. Between the two of you, you can see she's in Bloodcove. You can also hear the faint sounds of those that work on the docks.

Sorry, I thought I posted this a while ago.

Well, that certainly looks like the docks of bloodcove. Do we want to tie up that loose end or finish with this cursed city?

BTW, Mik took another level of Arcane Trickster and will be borrowing Griff's spell books when time permits.

Meanwhile... after everyone leaves Goro quietly sits up, patiently gathers his belongings, and sets off into the jungle in search of the Druid...

The group senses something. A presence they've not felt since . . .