You know there is a secret passage somewhere, the zombies didn't dig there way through....
Guidance and an assist to anyone looking for a secret door down the passage.
Perception guidance
"Well if your not going first, your going go give Maegge the cloak Ty."
At mention of the cloak, Ranim goes to find a place to sit down and wait out the eventual 'discussion', passing by Berashel on her way. "Remind me to buy a good pair of scissors next time we're in town." With that she sits down and hums to herself, waiting.
For clarification, the rocks at the other end look like they could be moved fairly easily. It is as though someone is trying to hide the passage from the other side, sort of like had been done with the entrance in the pillar in the torture room.
To get the puppy through, will require a Handle Animal check. There is no way without a lot of digging that Gimpy is going to get down the passage and through the crawlspace.
"Well if your not going first, your going go give Maegge the cloak Ty."
"Ahh did gae first and Ahh'm tellin yae what Ahh saw. All yae need tae dae is clear awa the stones and we can get in just fine. Ahh'm just sayin that the wee folk are much better suited tae the job. Noo, dannae gie me any mair trouble aboot the cloak. Ahh thought we settled that!"
"I am willing to clear out the rubble even if my size isn't best suited for it. That way the they get cleared if there is something on the other side waiting it will come at me first, and not one of you"
"I am willing to clear out the rubble even if my size isn't best suited for it. That way the they get cleared if there is something on the other side waiting it will come at me first, and not one of you"
"Aye, yae elves think yer sae gud at everything! Well there is nae way that an elf could be better at minin than this dwarf! Ahh'll show yae how its done!"
Tybek moves through the passage and begins clearing rocks at a furious pace, trying to find a way through.
Once you make sure it isn't trapped I should go through first. That's why I have this fancy armor and magic shield after all!
"Aye, its clear o' traps and such. The trouble is the blockage at the end o' the tunnel. We jist need tae clear the entrance and we can burst through. Now, stop bletherin aboot yer fancy armor and shield, and pick up some rocks and get them oot o' this tunnel!"
Braden looks at Tybek and adds:"He meant please sir elf, thank you for saving me from the undead monster. There is no way you can be both a better fighter and a better digger, so I will gladly clear the way. Please do not report my shirking of my digging duty to any dwarf you see and I will make it up to you. I would be glad of any assistance you could provide, as I tire quickly while digging."
Braden did not like trying to help Tybek with his diplomacy, but he realized their new addition was quite capable in combat.
He winks at Barashel and shrugs his shoulders and gets out a pipe to light while the others work.
Dismayed that Gimpy wouldn't be able to enter the passage, Maegge ignores the bantering by-play to fuss over Gimpy and make sure the elk stays put to guard their backs when they enter the secret way.
Tybek carefully moves the stones out of the blocked up entrance and after a few minutes is able to open a hole large enough to crawl through. Upon exiting the tunnel he finds himself in a small 5' wide and about 8' long passage, looking down at his feet, he realizes that there is broken and rotted wood strewn about. A second glance and he realizes that he is standing on the remains of what was once a wooden coffin of some sort and that this must be a burial crypt.
Looking out the open end of the crypt, he sees a 20' wide passageway leading to the south with several other narrow passages leading off from it, likely other crypts.
Perception:
Tybek also hears what sounds like raspy voices coming faintly from somewhere to the south.
Braden leaves Dworkin to guard Gimpy if Maegge can't get Dworkin to come.
Bersahel calls up ahead, "Tybek, keep moving, not all of use enjoy being crammed into a tunnel!"
He waits trying not to think about the tunnel collapsing trapping beneath tons of dirt.
"Tybek, keep moving, not all of use enjoy being crammed into a tunnel!"[/b]
"I've made a wee hole in the wall and if yae didnae eat tae much fer breakfast, yae mebbae able tae fit through. Mind yae, we've got raspy voices and a broken coffin right here, so Ahh wouldnae be dyin tae get here!"
"Did you say coffin? Then perhaps our necromancer we're after is a vampire. It would truly make a magnificent ending to this chapter of our adventures."
"Well someone clearly died to get there, and if you take too much longer we will all be dead from old age!"
"Well then sneak in and stop fussing. We are right behind you."
"Aye, come on in. All Ahh hear is a raspy voice off in the distance and Ahh'd rather yae come and join me b'fore Ahh gae and check it oot!"
Tybek moves ten feet west to give room for the others to climb through the hole.
He then looks around to see if he can spot the creature with the raspy voice.
However, he seems much more interested in watching the others crawl on their hands and knees through the hole.
"Aye, it maks yae feel like a wee moose comin oot o' his hoose! Daesn't it?!"
Arindale moves into the room and casts light on his shield. Let's light the place up!
Tybek quietly moves out into the room where he watches his companions start to crawl out of the hole in the crypt. Arindale climbs out second and quickly lights his shield bringing a bright glow to the room showing a long 20' wide room going south with another similar 20' wide passage leading off to the left about 20' down the room. All around the room are more narrow passages which appear to be designed to hold coffins or crypts of some sort.
As soon as Arindale lights his shield, the whispering that had been heard suddenly ceases and a moment later, several hunched humanoid creatures with ripped clothing and greenish-purple skin suddenly appear from the passage to the left.
______________
Arindale:
Berashel:
Braden:
Maegge:
Ranim:
Tybek:
Creatures:
Round 1
Tybek
Maegge
Ranim
Braden
Arindale
Creatures
Berashel <-- nice that Berashel is picking up where Glorfin left off with the low init.
_________________________
"Watch whair yae shine that thing! You've just drawn a few creepies tae the light, and they dannae look tae happy aboot it!!"
Round 1
Tybek pulls up the hood to his cloak and moves quickly into the shadows before he is spotted. Move to AJ14 and pulls out his axes and gets ready to surprise them from the flank.
Round 1
Braden casts to bring a dog into being after stepping up (if Maegge vacates).
Braden exclaims, "Those are ..."
,
Round 1
HP 17/17
AC 15 T11 FF13 CMD15
F/R/W 1/4/2
Bardic Music 8/10
Elemental Assault 1/1
Spells
1st - 1/3
Effects
Inspire Courage
"Ah, and now the vampire's minions come to do battle!" Ranim begins to weave a tale of romance between a vampire prince and the peasant woman he defied his kind for. And no sparkles.
Round 1
Maegge stumbles out of the tunnel, grateful to have additional space, and takes a place beside Tybek with sickle drawn and in a defensive stance ready to attack anything that came close.
Status AC 18, hp 18
Arindale casts Shield of Faith, draws his Morningstar and steps up to AG15.
Stay behind me until they attack...Cayden protects me!
These are Ghouls. You recall them from a book your teachers you had made you read. You didn't read much, but you know that these are intelligent undead creatures.
Once you move out into the room, you recognize these as ghouls. Their touch can cause disease and paralyse.
Tybek - You can repost your action if you want. The ghouls can see you. Unless you have an ability or feat that allows you to hide in plain sight, I do not think that you use stealth. Someone correct me if I am wrong about this.
Round 1, revised
If Tybek cannot hide from the ghouls, then he will simply draw his two axes and ready an attack against them such that if they come within range (5 ft.) of him, he will strike at the undead with his two blades.
"Those are ghouls. Don't let them touch you or you may get paralyzed. And Tybek, stay close, don't break up the formation!"
Round 1 recap
The party once again prepares for combat. Arindale growls as he calls upon the lord of the brave, albeit foolhardy, to protect him. At the same time, Tybek raises his inconsistent axes and prepares himself to fend off the expected attack.
Apparently forgetting that the new elvish looking member of the party almost singlehandedly took down the zombie ogre, Maegge runs next to Tybek where he fumbles with his weapon resulting in him being completely unprepared for whatever the ghouls may do.
As usual, Ranim begins to hum a song of flowers and glory which lightens the parties hearts making them sure that they can strike harder and more accurately. Finally, Braden once more begins to call upon the powers of other worlds to grant him an assistant to fight in his stead in the battle.
Once the party has managed to ready itself, the undead charge forward, an evil hungry gleam in their eyes.
The first ghoul charges and attacks Tybek taking a nasty blow from Tybek's axe before attempting to bite the grin off the dwarf's hairy face.
Attack- Ghoul 0 bite@Tybek: **HIT** - 2 Fort DC13 saves, the first vs. disease, the second vs. paralysis
Damage:
Two other ghouls move around the wall and attack the cleric who now has a bubbly shield before him which smells distinctly of hops. Despite smelling like a brewery, one of the ghouls manages to get past Arindale's defenses. While the bite almost caught Arindale in the throat, the brave cleric managed to turn his head at the last moment resulting in the deadly bite only scratching him.
Attack- Ghoul 1 bite@Arindale: **HIT** - 2 Fort DC13 saves, the first vs. disease, the second vs. paralysis
Damage:
Attack- Ghoul 2 bite@Arindale:
Damage:
The final ghoul charges the diminutive druid.
Attack- Ghoul 3 bite@Maegge: **HIT** - 2 Fort DC13 saves, the first vs. disease, the second vs. paralysis
Damage:
Despite the hatred that the druid feels toward these unnatural abominations, he is unable to avoid the creatures filthy teeth.
Crit confirm- Ghoul 1@Arindale:
Damage:
While none of the party takes any serious damage from the initial assault, all feel a deathly cold begin to creep into their soul from the ghoul's bites. A coldness that feels as though it might cause each fighter's muscles to freeze on the spot.
--> Berashel, you can fit in column 18 if you wish as the room is 20' wide.
Berashel casts true strike then scooches over to AF-17 to fill in the gap, "Hang in there everyone!"
A dimensional portal forms behind the ghouls and a dog appears. He is divine in nature, somewhat reminiscent of one of Barashel's pets when he was younger.
Dog CR 1/3
XP --
N Size celestial/fiendish animal
Init +1; Senses darkvision, low-light vision, scent; Perception +8
DEFENSE
AC 13, touch 12, flat-footed 12 (+1 Dex, +1 natural, +1 size)
hp 6 [8] (1d8+2) [d+]
Fort +4 [+6], Ref +3, Will +1
SR 5
Celestial - Resist acid, cold, and electricity 5;
Fiendish - Resist cold and fire 5
OFFENSE
Speed 40 ft.
Melee bite +2 [+4] (1d4+1) [1d4+3]
Special Attack smite evil/good
STATISTICS
Str 13 [17], Dex 13, Con 15 [19], Int 2, Wis 12, Cha 6
Base Atk +0; CMB +0 [+2]; CMD 11 [13] (15 [17] vs. trip)
Feats Skill Focus (Perception)
Skills Acrobatics +1 (+9 jumping), Perception +8, Survival +1 (+5 scent tracking); Racial Modifiers +4 Acrobatics when jumping, +4 Survival when tracking by scent
SPECIAL ABILITIES
Smite evil/good 1/day as a swift action (adds Cha bonus (0) to attack rolls and damage bonus equal to HD (+1) against evil/good foes; smite persists until target is dead or the celestial/fiendish creature rests).
The ability score if augmented by the Augment Summoning feat. Augment Summoning grants each creature you conjure with any summon spell a +4 enhancement bonus to Strength and Constitution for the duration of the spell that summoned it.
The hobbit continues to gesture quickly, and a patch of grease appears under two of the ghouls.
The dog appears after Barashel jumps to fill the line and will try to flank depending on where he is needed.
"Barashel, hold till the dog is in place."
Status hp 11, AC 18, Inspire Courage, Fight Defensively (SA)
Nice rolls...suddenly Arindale stops moving and talking...
Round 2
Tybek feels the teeth of the beastie's bite on his face and replies and his hasty strike back (AG15).
"Carruffikus! Wid yae stop tryin tae eat mae beard!!! Its taken a long time fer me tae grow it oot and Ahh'm not aboot tae let yae ruin mae gud looks in one sickly attack frae the likes a yae!"
Round 2
Maegge does his best to avoid any incoming attacks while doing his best to help Tybek.
Status hp 11/18, AC 18, Inspire Courage, Fight Defensively (SA)
Round 2
HP 17/17
AC 15 T11 FF13 CMD15
F/R/W 1/4/2
Bardic Music 8/10
Elemental Assault 1/1
Spells
1st - 1/3
Effects
Inspire Courage
Ranim let her song linger as she strikes out with her whip at the enemies before her, coming over Tybek's head.
Round 2
After the ghouls charge forward, the party attempts to regroup. Unfortunately, the rotting filth covering the ghouls' fangs chills those bitten. While the hardy druid feels the power of nature fend off the deadly effect of the undeads' bites, Tybek feels a chill run through his body. He manages to shake the effect off partially, and continue his assault on the ghouls. Unfortunately, the brave cleric is not so lucky as the chill of the bite bites to his core causing his muscles to freeze.
Those who manage to maintain their faculties, gather themselves and return the ghoul's attacks.
First, the hobbit wizard causes another rip in reality from which a small hound leaps forth and immediately sinks its fangs into the ghoul before it. Then Maegge makes a wild swing at the ghoul before him. While the swing causes no damage, the ghoul, nonetheless, attempts to dodge the swing causing it to move into the double swings of Tybek whose axes quickly slice through the undead's rotted flesh causing it to fall to the ground unmoving. A second later, Ranim's whip slices above Tybek's head and wraps around the other ghoul's head where it cleanly slices through the undead's neck dropping the head and redead corpse to the ground.
Finally, Berashel moves forward while calling on the power of the dragons to aid his next strike. As he does this, Braden reaches into his pouch. Unlike usual when he pulls out a snack, this time his hand holds but a small piece of butter which he flicks behind the two remaining ghouls causing a think layer of grease to appear on the floor.
Ghoul 1 save:
Ghoul 2 save:
One ghoul falls to the ground, but the other manages to maintain his footing despite the
slippery surface.
Despite having fallen to the ground, the ghoul continues its attack while its fellow turns to attack the not-elf.
Ghoul 1-bite @ puppy:
Damage:
Ghoul 1-claw @ puppy:
Damage:
Ghoul 1-claw @ puppy: **HIT**
Damage:
Ghoul 2-bite @ Berashel: **HIT**
Damage:
Ghoul 2-claw @ Berashel: **HIT**
Damage:
Ghoul 2-claw @ Berashel:
Damage:
Ghoul 2-crit confirm @ Berashel:
Damage:
Party Up
Berashel gets bit then raked with a claw. Oh that bite isn't going to be good at all he thinks to himself. Pushing those thoughts away he swings his magically enhanced sword down on the ghoul while protecting himself as best he can
Damage
Round 3
Tybek grins as he takes one down. Then he attacks the next adjacent ghoulie.
"Ahh thought yae beasties wid prefer death tae undeath!"
Rnd 3
The dog holds on to consciousness (0hp) and control of his limbs and launches a desperate lunge at the ghoul he wounded.
Braden topples the cleric over and hops on his body, he is dodging and weaving.
The dog slips into unconsciousness.
Round 3
HP 17/17
AC 15 T11 FF13 CMD15
F/R/W 1/4/2
Bardic Music 8/10
Elemental Assault 1/1
Spells
1st - 1/3
Effects
Inspire Courage
Ranim lashes out with her whip once again.
Arindale stands there barely breathing...waiting for the killing blow to hit...he can't even close his eyes...