The Crucible of Freya (Inactive)

Game Master Grimmy

No worries, I honestly wasn't sure. Just thought it was a good idea to check before running off. It took forever to catch the little bugger, I'm not about to let it get away now!

Damien begins to head towards the others in the hall but the soft pop of setting bone draws his attention, "Oh no you don't! Took long enough to pin your @ss down the first time."

Taking aim, Damien's hammers rise again and this time crush the now visible skull of the little devil for good.

Lucern Hammer: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 7 + 2 = 27
Damage: 1d12 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 6 + 1 = 18

lol and here I thought someone might shackle him and ask questions :D

With at will Invisibility? Not likely. Literally the second we take our hands off it, the damn thing is gone again :P

Edit: Oh I almost forgot about the telepathic link with it's master. Also not something we want :P

wouldve worked if it wasn't for those meddling kids...

Balderdash - post got eaten

Not satisfied that the fell mage has gone, Vhillish loads his arbalest once again and maintains an overwatch. He calls out to the others;

"Master Leovan! Do you see the Storm Mistress? Has she bested the boney fiend!"

As the stone door grinds open, he momentarily nods at the hard faces of Sam and Kevezyat. When Damien requests a situational report, the gnome's moustache twitches as he recounts the situation;

"Enemy engaged and repelled sah! Vortigern downed but vanished... gave him a peppering that he'll remember whot! He may lurk here yet... Mistress Janna fell into the pit, her magicks protecting her, but the risen cultist lurked there... Status unknown whot.."

miss Janna is fine, she only need a rope to get out of the pit

And then when he others appear

The wicked wizard Vortigern was here!, he is wounded and bleeding, he could may still be tracked down!

Leaving the books for now, Jerrid moves over to the imp's body. As Vhillish gives his report, the deep gnome carefully cuts off the imp's tail and bags it.

He is working as fast as he can before the next plan is put in place. There is so much good stuff here and worth a fortune.

But these books end up with a dusty body and service to a Demon. Maybe not so good but think of the power. Maybe just a spellbook and forget the demonic stuff?.

Janna (still in the pit) ewww, ewwww, ewwww she says as she looks about the dark icky pit.

Now if only I could get back up as easily as I can get down. she mutters to herself. completely forgetting the message spell that may be active.

All is fine down here. boney priest is now just a pile of bones. apparently they conduct electricity. good to know.

trying to brush the dirt off of her, can someone help me out of here, I really want to see inside that vault.

Leoven recognizes the holy symbol of Thyr sitting on the pommel of the staff Sam used to open the door from the inside.

Kevezyat's eyes narrow at the report that their old foe Vortigern had returned, the skin of her ebony face darkening more than one would think possible.

"If he's wounded...he can't have gone far. Mr Quarrelwick, your assistance please." she says, making her way to the pit and crossing quickly, trotting up the stairs, pausing at the last turn to check for their quarry...

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24

Sam had though of seeing Freya could give him a familiar to go along with his animal companion, but Knotty was already proving to be quite a responsibility. Keeping Knotty moistened was becoming quite the chore. He liked how the imp could move around invisibly, and remembered his initial struggle with the imp for the Amulet on the road that seemed ages ago. But he did not know what to feed imps, and converting one creature from evil to good was more than enough when he considered his project to rehabilitate the mercenary couple and save them from their nihilistic existence giving them a true purpose such as serving the Goddess Freya. Not to mention keeping the misguided hobbit thief from mischief. It was almost more than his little heart could take.

As the Lucerne hammer smashed the imp to what appeared to be a few bits of leathery skin and bone, Sam realized the imp truly had gotten what he deserved. He mutters: "Sucks to be him!!"

"We need to find the nasty wizard and end him like his little minion. Knotty, let me check your branches for any damage and help me load up these books."

Kevezyat finds a trail of blood on the stairs. Vortigern is bleeding. Kevezyat is in for a start when the stairwell takes her to the donjon basement level. A couple of zombies have wandered down from the courtyard through the Keep and they are feasting on the bodies of the orcs and cultist the party slayed here before descending into the crypt.

As the zombies chew on fresh killed orc flesh, the earth trembles. The tremor lasts for almost half a minute. Dust falls from the ceiling, weapons fall from their racks in the nearby armory (M5) in a clangorous symphony.

As the earthquake subsides, a great sloshing suction sound comes from the well room where the party had entered the basement. Then with a roar water bursts forth from the well, surging into the room Kevezyat is gazing into. The bodies of the slain orcs and their cultist master are washed towards Kevezyat at the head of the stairs. The zombies mill about as their meal is swept away from them. The bodies stop short of Kevezyat, but the water is still ankle deep when it reaches her, passes her, and funnels down the stairs to the crypt and the rest of the party below.

Kevezyat automatically senses something corrupted about the water, in a way that she didn't notice even when she swam through it to pass under the courtyard. It almost looks black to the naked eye. Not opaque, it is still translucent, but somehow black, like it draws light into it and the room gets darker as the water sweeps across the floor.

Then the water drains down into the pit and everything goes quiet again, leaving a couple of wet zombies looking at Kev.

The zombies snarl and go back to eating the now soggy orcs.

Everyone else can hear what's going on too.

Here is the map of the level Vortigern has run up to. You guys should remember the big fight with the half-fiend minitaur by the pit at M6. It's the basement of the keep basically. That well in M2 is how you came with Barelli to cross the courtyard under all the mobs. And up those stairs where it says "to Donjon of Ruin" that's the main Keep.

And here is the map of upstairs.

We don't have to roll initiative for these two zombies.

Just posting these so you remember how the keep is laid out and what is above you. It's been a while IRL since you guys were up there.

earthquake:

(or knowledge nature DC 20)

.

track vortigern:

(or Perception DC 30)

Vhillish nods dutifully accompanying the holy warrior, as he passes Leo the gnome pauses and presses a small ring to his palm;

"Tis my magical ring Master Leoven. Assists with climbing whot... perhaps could be lowered to the Mistress?"

He moves off arbalest cradled as he hustles along.

As the earthquake hits, the gnome stumbles then scowls as brackish water soaks his boots;

"Balderdash and brimstone!"

The veteran moves up to support Keveyzat, keen eyes scowling;

Survival DC15: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15

"Vortigern's blood been likely washed away Mistress... but we know where he has ran to! The bounder can run only so far whot-whot!"

am I still in the pit? I am a little unsure what is happening now. did everyone just run off leaving me in the hole? I would like to explore that vault though

Janna....only kev and vhillish have gone in pursuit of Voligern..the others are there...suppposedly helping janna out of the pit...they just haven't posted yet....

Survival-earthquake: 1d20 ⇒ 11
Survival-tracking: 1d20 ⇒ 4

Kevezyat allows the earth to roll and shake beneath her, her face a study in concentration.

Once the earthquake has finished, she watches as the fetit , corruptedd water washes away any traces of Voltigern's travels.

"I'll have to trust your more discerning eyes, Vhillish, for I've lost his trail. " she says thoughtfully, "That earthquake...there's a wrongness there...I believe it came from deeper in the complex, beyond the door guarded by the undead guardian.But let us see if we can catch up with this 'bounder' , as you would say." she says with a smile, running up the stairs towards the surface.

She stops near the top, to peek up and over , looking for the escaped wizard and any other threats...

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13

am I still in the pit? I am a little unsure what is happening now. did everyone just run off leaving me in the hole? I would like to explore that vault though

In the pit yeah. You hear the earthquake and the water drains into the pit. Your shin deep in water now. Damien will lower his hammer or Leo will drop you Vhillish's climbing ring.

DC 12 high jump to reach Damien's hammer.

or:

DC 15 climb check per 5' to climb out (4 checks needed, possible with ring)

You don't have to roll any dice if you want to take 20, but it will take 1d4 minutes. You can try the skill checks if you want, to get out faster, or just say "I take 20".

with the +10 bonus (as she can brace against opposite walls) I think she can make it taking 10

No, I think it's perpendicular walls in the corner (-5 DC). The opposite walls are too far apart to brace. Otherwise the cultist would have climbed right out. That is how my home group does pits anyway.

Leoven takes Villish's ring and with a prayer make it glow bright light (at the same time the bolt that was illuminating the pit turn off).

Here miss Janna...take this and you will be able to climb your way out the pit - I drop the ring

WIth it I think she can take 10 now

Nice.

Up on the ground floor, Kevezyat and Vhillish can see the wizard Vortigern standing with his back pressed to a corner in plain view, in the room with the double doors leading out to the courtyard. He seems to have no idea he isn't invisible.

From the room with the spiral doors leading up to the second floor of the keep, a conversation can barely be made out.

to hear the details of the conversation:

Vortigern Sense Motive (to notice he is observed): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

here is the map of the inside of the keep ground floor where vhillish and kevezyat just found vortigern.

The Imp dealt with, Damien moves to join the others at the pit. Seeing Janna equipping the ring to make her ascent, the veteran nods approvingly, "Good. Once Janna joins us we'll begin salvaging what we can in the main study. We shouldn't press any further until Kev and Vhillish return. Sam, keep putting names on that list. Still missing Janna, and Vhillish."

The uncanny group of Damiens turns to Leo, "Don't suppose you know the name of Orcus' 666th son? No surprise if you don't, who would but lunatics. There's a bunch of books about demons and Orcus in the study, think you could find it?"

Lastly, he reaches out through the message, "Deputy, how goes the search?"
With 140ft range, the message is hopefully just able to reach the good deputy?

He is about 50' over and 60' up. Yeah it will reach.

Kn religion/planes?: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (17) + 11 = 28

Vhillish scowls as the duo spot Vortigern, and cocks his ear slightly in an attempt to discern what the fell wizard is muttering;

DC15 Perception Check: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (8) + 10 = 18

As Damien communes for a status update, the veteran whispers the scenario via the Message enchantment;

"Vortigern located sah! Preparing to engage... Providing covering fire for Mistress Kevezyat...

The gnome steps past his tall companion, nodding as he goes, to get a clear shot at their foe.

At the first opportunity Vhillish lets fly with his loaded bolt;

Ranged: MW Arbalest (+Point Blank Shot): 1d20 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 9 + 1 = 26
Damage: Small Heavy Crossbow (+Arcane Strike+Point Blank Shot): 1d8 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 + 1 = 5

"Cad! Bounder! Dastard! Justice is served!"

The demons name is a DC 30 but Jerrid can give a +2 aid another bonus since he has been searching the books.

The last thing Vortigern sees is a righteous gnome pointing a crossbow at him. A look of surprise is etched on his face as he slumps to the floor. He never knew his dust of disappearance had expired.

In the adjoining room with the spiral stair, the conversation halts. 'Was that... the intruders? Go check it out."

"Don't suppose you know the name of Orcus' 666th son?

Ehm, I think I read about him somewhere..., yeah Sir Perceval Holyhammer recorded the time he had a skirmish with hi...It rhymed with Foul...

"There is the 466th son called Hunscoula. Not seen 666th son yet." The deep gnome shrugs and goes back to his reading.

Jerrid cannot roll on religion or planes. Not well read enough yet.

You don't need to roll, Leoven rolled a 28. The +2 bonus he needs is coming from the books in your hands. You may read the spoiler.

Ah so.

As their arch-foe falls once again Vhillish indulges himself in a righteous smirk, his moustaches dancing left then right.

The new voices snap the veteran into action and he reloads as he nods toward the sound;

"Mistress Faen if you would... Perhaps silence those voices should they prove a threat?"

The gnome then updates the others via Damien's message enchantment;

"Sah. Vortigern has been downed... Voices have been heard, and we are preparing for hostiles whot! Numbers unknown... Could do with some support once Mistress Janna has been freed from the pit of course sah! Thanking you kindly pip-pip!"

Janna grabs the ring. slipping it on her finger, she makes her accent out of the pit using all the aid she can get.

take 10 on the climb check.

Once back up on the plank, So, what's the situation? she asks as she sends a warm breeze to dry her feet.

Sam, hearing the collapse, first checks on Knotty and Janna to make sure they are ok. Then he quickly begins to plunder the area to scavenge as many valuables as he can find.

The armory draws his curious nature. He intercepts Janna to escort her to the surface. "Let us check for magic as we leave this place. It would be a tragedy to leave valuable knowledge or tools behind."

Vhillish and Kevezyat hear the chanting sound of the cultists casting spells.

Crypt

Basement

Ground Floor

With the party spread across three level maps, you may be confused how to track your movement. Here are all three maps in one place to help you. If you still have trouble, describe your movement to me and I will move your token. For example, it would take Janna 31 squares to reach Kevezyat and Vhiliish. About the same for Damien.

The levels are a crypt, below a sprawling maze like basement, below the ground floor of the keep. Vhillish and Kevezyat are on the ground floor.

Leoven literally have no idea of what is happening with Kev and Villish.

The young cleric look expectantly for Damien to say the next course of action.

ooc speaking, might I suggest Kev and villish to retreat?

I won't roll initiative yet. We need a couple posts for communication first.

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24

Kevezyat cocks her head to hear the voices above, frowning at the import of their discussion.

Nonetheless, she was about to jump up and slay the odious Voltigern when the capable Sergeant efficiently ended the rogue's life.

She squeezes the Gnome's shoulder, "That was well sent... and delivered. Whot!" she says, unconsiously mimicking the gnome's distinctive chatter.

"Mistress Faen if you would... Perhaps silence those voices should they prove a threat?"

The holy drow nods, acknowledging the fact these cultists can't be left to their own devices, "Come along, then...have the others hurry up..."

'Was that... the intruders? Go check it out."

For a moment undecisive, Kevezyat makes a decision... she trots across and fetches Voltigern's body, then run back to the stairs and Whillish, "We do not know the strength of the cultists here, let's gather our strength with the others before facing these..."

The cultists round the corner just on time to see Kevezyat and Vhillish dragging vortigern into the stairwell.

"Stop them! Do not let them interfere with the Shard!"

One has a morningstar and a heavy shield compared to the other with a mace and a light shield. The one with the morningstar is the one giving orders.

Sam: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (2) + 10 = 12
Damien: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18
Leoven: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 1 = 13
Vhillish: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18
Janna: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20
Kevezyat: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5
Jerrid: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10

Cultists Initiative: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19

Initiative Table
Janna <<<<

Cultists

Sam
Damien
Leo
Vhillish
Kevezyat
Jerrid

Janna is up first

I believe it will take some time for Janna to get out of the pit. won't it?

It took twelve seconds (4 climb checks), and that was before initiative. You are out of the pit and ready to go. You can always delay and go in the same block as the others though if you like.

Finally out of the pit and out of real danger. janna looks to the crypt door that she has been wanting to get through.

So shall we explore the vault some more? I was hoping to find a particular staff that I had been after.

kind of delay here as she really does not know what has been going on much except that she wanted to explore the vault. so I guess its a delay then

Before Round 1...

The doughty gnome flashes a hard smile at the noble half-drow;

"I concur Mistress Faen! We must impart the words Vortigern spoke before he was righteously felled... May have significance to what the others have encountered..."

He proceeds to recant the wording overheard;

Round 1

Vhillish breaks off his whispered comminicae when the cultists arrive seeking to repatriate the body of Vortigern.

The gnome levels his arbalest at the morning star wielder, enchanting the weapon with a innate magick (Arcane Strike - Swift Action) before letting fly with a scowling shot (Standard Action);

Ranged: Arbalest (MW Heavy Crossbow) + (Point Blank Shot): 1d20 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 9 + 1 = 25

Damage: Small Heavy Crossbow (+Point Blank Shot+Arcane Strike): 1d8 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 + 1 = 8

As the bolt leaves the weapon, Vhillish reloads with practiced ease (Move Action - does not provoke AoO while he has 1 Grit Point)

Cultists - Round One

The cultists move after Kev and Vhillish, bursting through the door to the stairwell. Stopping inside the door to cast another spell, the young acolyte stays behind the armored priest.

Vhillish Will: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

Vhillish is paralyzed in place. Hearing, seeing, but unable to speak or move. He may as well be a statue.

The higher ranking priest chants in the same way, concentrating carefully to finish his spell without leaving himself open to an attack from Kevezyat...

DC 19 Concentration: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (3) + 12 = 15

...but his magic fails. Just feet from Kevezyat, he clenches his morningstar, knuckles whitening. He grinds his teeth.

"Run and get the orcs!" He commands the acolyte behind him. "I will have to best this one in combat."

Round One
Cultists

Janna <<<<
Sam <<<<
Damien <<<<
Leo <<<<
Vhillish
Kevezyat <<<<
Jerrid <<<<

Vhillish Will save: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11 still paralyzed

Edit to Vhillish's Spoiler Above

Apologies once again for the confusion - particularly as Grimmy has stressed the importance of the above! Caught up in the heat of battle whot!