"The Devil We Know, Part 1" (Inactive)

Game Master JCServant

"How many do you think are down there? I cant get more than 4 in the spell."
The sorceress inquires.

If we go in while Im gone, Ill hit the enemies with my sleep spell, which requires a DC 15 will save to resist.

Marisan enters the room as well and helps in trying to locate the trap door or anything else of note.

Aid Another (perception): 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 4 + 1 = 9

Kyle tries to stand still so he doesn't make noise long enough for Elwyn to listen to the trap door. He tries to pick up anything while doing so.

Aid Perception: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 4 + 1 = 22

Harboth creeps toward the trap door and keeps an ear out for how many voices there may be and what they might be saying.

stealth: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14
perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 = 11

Let's just hope they don't knock us out this time, eh?

Yesterday I didn't have access to my computer (again), but I didn't want let you guys down so I improvised the description of the warehouse/room based on memory of reading the module a couple of months ago. As is usually the case, my memory was a bit wrong. Below is the proper description of the office and trapdoor. It doesn't change much, but, it should be noted that the trap door is appearently in the ceiling and not the floor. My bad.

A smell, not unlike wet dog, fills this room. The corners are occupied by dirty straw pallets covered by wrinkled, mildewencrusted blankets. A single dilapidated table and four cracked and uneven chairs surround it. The floor is covered in a thin layer of dust and mud and footprints clearly cross the room from the trap door in the ceiling to a set of wooden double doors in the west wall.

As you listen, you hear a voice from above (on the other side of the trap doors), Do you hear that Chester? I hear it. Do you think we have friends below? Coming to the lair? I don't think we were expecting anyone. Bolina, we're you expecting someone? I don't think so. Maybe we better sound the alarm. Yes... that sounds like a good idea. Where is that alarm? What's that, Chester?

The way up is a 10' climb on a single ladder. For most, that's a full round move action and a minor climb check.

"Perhaps we bluff, say that we have some prisoners? A few of us hide out of the way and surprise them when they come down?"

I like that idea. Let's be the ones to spring a trap this time. Sounds like three of them.

Did we come in the doors to the west, or is that some other potential source of danger?

Marisan nods silently at Elwyn's plan. She looks over at Rachele, points at her, mimics speaking, then points up at the ceiling. The likely interpretation is, You're good at this sort of stuff, do you want to try it?

She then stands far enough away from the trap door that, if need be, she wouldn't be shooting more or less straight upwards.

Rhydderch refreshes everyone's Guidance and waits steadfast with spear in hand.

Harboth trades his bow for his axe, steps away from the door a touch, and prepares himself for a little hand-to-hand.

What's that Chester? Yeah, I think there's someone there too. I'm going to go ask the boss if he's expectin' anyone.

Waiting on bluff check.

Kyle tries to aid the bluff by cursing at an invisible prisoner and adding "Groetus" to it.

Aid Bluff: 1d20 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 1 + 1 = 15

I'll wait until the end of the hour (or a little before) to see if anyone is doing a bluff check. If no one does, I'll use Kyle's as the main roll.

Bluff: 1d20 + 3 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 3 + 1 + 2 = 21 (w/ Guidance & Aid Another)

"We have captured some prisoners and have brought them here under Luscila's orders."

Oh! A voice stammers. Well, you know the drill. Bring them up!

Elwyn's eyes widen. "Great that they bought our ploy but now we have to go up there." he whispers intently.

"Here, I'll conceal my dagger and use this to tie me up." as he fishes into his backpack and pulls out some rope and his dagger and passes his rope and rapier to Kyle. "I'll be your prisoner, when the time comes, I'll hopefully have a moment to surprise someone or maybe flank them with you. Then toss me my rapier. What do you think? We probably need at least one or two more to be prisoners."

Stealth or Sleight of Hand: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11

"How does that look?

Harboth's face bends into an uneasy grin. I'll volunteer to be a prisoner as well. I might attract a lot of attention, but if someone can hold my axe and stay close, I might do a lot of damage, too.

Kyle sheathes his scimitar, clips his shield to his back, and ties up Elwyn and Harboth easy enough for them to look restricted but can get out of easily.

”You heard the man, that’s where you’re headed!” Kyle grunts. ”Stop wasting time, or by Groetus I’ll spear you with this rapier of yours.”

Kyle puts the weapons in his pack with the rapier’s handle and axe blade sticking out for easy removal. He climbs up after his prisoners.

Climb: 1d20 - 6 + 1 ⇒ (13) - 6 + 1 = 8

"Don't just stand there quaking at the prisoners, Chester, help me up," Kyle barks.

Eh? What the hell you talkin' about? You know Chester has a bad back! He's certainly no pack rat! Maybe you better sit tight while I get the boss!

Another bluff check from Kyle is required.

4 people can climb up the stairs without opening the double doors at the top. The other 2 party members would need to wait (one on the ladder, one on the other floor).

Marisan whispers, "The rest of us are right behind you as soon as the ruse is up."

While they are heading up, she casts resistance on Rachele, Rhydderch and herself, "Why don't one of you get on the ladder? I can climb pretty quickly in a pinch." She then positions herself behind the other two.

"Get the boss and tell him what? That I was making fun of the issue with his back?" Kyle quickly retorts.

Bluff: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 1 = 18

"You head up...I'll stay here and send these nature-haters up after you."

Aid Another Bluff: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18

So I think that means Kyle, Harboth, and Elwyn going upstairs, maybe Rhydderch on the ladder, and Rachele and Marisan downstairs?

Does that make sense to everyone? We have room for one more on the way up...

I should head up to drop a sleep/color spray

I don't know why you think you're a comedian today, but I'll have no more of it. Well, hurry up, then. I gotta feed the boys here as soon as we're done putting those slaves where they belong!

The party opens the door, and they surprise a middle aged, pot belly man who was petting one of two rather large rats in the room.

Please enter your surprise round actions.

Upstairs on landing: Kyle, Harboth, Elwyn, Rachele
Ladder: Rhydderch
Downstairs: Marisan

20' Dire Rat 2
30' Man, Dire Rat 1

Next Posting: 10am EST

"Well, enjoy your nap." Rachele says with a grin on her face

Cast sleep centered in a way to get all of them, DC 15 will save to resist

Kyle hands Harboth and Elwyn their weapons back.

At the base of the ladder, Marisan will cast [i]magic stone[i] on three of her sling bullets.

Rhydderch ascends the ladder and stands behind Kyle and Harboth, spear in hand.

"Luscilla has told us all. Surrender is your best option."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 9 = 13

Surprise Round
Player's Turn

Rachele casts sleep as the other party members prepare themselves.
Will Save Druid: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8
Will Save Rat1: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
Will Save Rat2: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

They all fall to the ground.

Enemy's Turn
They all snore....deeply.

FL: Rachelle(15), Elwyn(12), Marisan(8), Rhyderch*(10),Kyle(13), Harboth(20)

Room Description: A smell, not unlike wet dog, fills this room. The corners are occupied by dirty straw pallets covered by wrinkled, mildewencrusted blankets. A single dilapidated table and four cracked and uneven chairs surround it. The floor is covered in a thin layer of dust and mud and footprints clearly cross the room from the trap door in the ceiling to a set of wooden double doors in the west wall.

Next post is at or around 2pm EST. Please have your moves in before then. Thanks!

Elywn smugly looks at Rachele, "Very nice work indeed."

Elwyn uses the rope to tie up the druid and looks up as he is doing so to the group, gesturing with a nod of his head to the rats, "What about those two? Skewer them?"

AS he is binding the man he carefully looks him over, checks his pockets etc and removes any weapons or magical items he might have, he especially focuses his search on an amulet or any other ornate piece he might have.

Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (9) + 9 = 18

Rhydderch will Coup De Grace one of the rats. (if one looks bigger than the other he will target the larger of the two.)

Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6
Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4
Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

"Foul vermin..."

Kyle casts detect magic and searches around the room.

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23

You find no magic items on the druid. One of the rats is slaughtered. Kyle finds a strange switch on the ground.

Next post around 6pm EST

How about the amulet and the search of the druid?

Rhydderch continues to play exterminator. Coup de grace on second rat.

damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8
damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11
damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

"This must be the switch for the alarm," Kyle points out. "Lets tie the guy up so he can't get to it when he wakes up."

Hearing things go quiet relatively quickly, Marisan climbs the ladder to join the rest of the group. She smiles, "Well, that went well." She looks at the two dead, bleeding rats on the grounds. "Better now than when they woke up, I suppose."

Kyle tries to hear anything on the other side of the double doors.

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16

Rachele looks at the sleeping man and the now dead rats. "Nice to see my handy work looking so good." She says as the man gets tied up. She cracks the knuckles in her hand

No amulet, Elwyn

Rhydderch kills another rat, leaving a pool of blood on the floor. As Kyle approaches the door, a swinging axe falls from the ceiling, striking most of the party in the room.

Kyle (Automatically in attack zone): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (14) + 10 = 241d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8 Hit
Rachelle: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 51d20 + 10 ⇒ (20) + 10 = 303d8 + 3 ⇒ (7, 6, 7) + 3 = 23 Critically Struck
Elwyn: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 31d20 + 10 ⇒ (13) + 10 = 231d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4 Away from Axe
Marsan: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 31d20 + 10 ⇒ (8) + 10 = 181d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6 Away from Axe
Rhyderch: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 31d20 + 10 ⇒ (4) + 10 = 141d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8 Away from Axe
Harboth: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 21d20 + 10 ⇒ (11) + 10 = 211d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9 Away from Axe

Crit Confirm (above): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (17) + 10 = 27

FL: Rachelle(-8/15, Prone, Dying), Elwyn(12), Marisan(8), Rhyderch*(10), Kyle(5/13), Harboth(20)

Please post your 'next round' actions by 10am EST. Thanks!

Was Kyle's Perception roll of 23 on the room search insufficient to detect the trap?

Rhydderch ensures that there is no further danger.

Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16

He uses Sacred Touch to stabilize Rachelle.

"Perhaps now would be a good time to make use of those potions we found yesterday."

Rhydderch, I edited the results after I posted after re-reading the trap...it was only a 10' type of trap, and re-reading the house rules, that means that it has a smaller chance of players being in the AoE area than I originally calculated. However, your move is still valid since Rachelle is still affected.

Kyle gives Rachelle a couple of cure light wounds potions.

Cure Light Wounds: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7
Cure Light Wounds: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

He then channels a couple of times 30' away from the door.

Channel: 1d6 ⇒ 6
Channel: 1d6 ⇒ 6

He gives Rachelle a hand to help her up. "I'm sorry about that."

"No apologies required Kyle. You searched this room with a keen eye...if you didn't spot that trap then it was beyond notice."

After getting caught completely off guard by the trap, she falls over, unconscious and bleeding. After getting healed, she stands up slowly. "What just happened?" Still dazed from the blow

Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19

Rhydderch sees that Kyle has Rachelle well in hand and goes about actively searching the room; looking under furniture, through cluttered corners, etc.

"We sprung a trap - swinging axe from the ceiling," Marisan shows Rachele where it emerged from above. Looking down at the sleeping man, she asks, "So, do we take those doors, or should we wake him up for questioning?"

My interpretation is that only Kyle and Rachelle were struck, and the rest of us can ignore the dice rolls, correct?

That's correct. Results of less than 4 on the first die means you were lucky enough to be outside the AoE when it was activated

You find nothing else in the room.