The Devil We Know Series (Part IV: The Rules of the Swift) (Inactive)

Game Master Baerlie

what can we tell about the frogs, I hope its a nature check not dungeoneering :)

knowledge, nature: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22

Eldlen admires the miniature city, while keeping an eye on the cave frogs and the foot-long centipedes as he tries to follow the tracks.

totally missed the part about the centipedes, lets do a nature check on them too :)

knowledge, nature: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11

well not quite as helpful ;( can Eldlen tell if the tracks went to the east tunnel or to the west tunnel an how many creatures left the tracks?

survival, track: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17

Knowledge Local: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16

"It's Absalom," Tippy says.

Eldlen recognizes the centipedes and frogs as normal animals. They are not dangerous.

Kneeling in the water in front of the shrine you see a lone gillman pilgrim.

Tzaron glances briefly towards the pilgrim before doing his best to blend into the rock to avoid detection by the unknown gillman.
Stealth: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27

Iso looks around the cavern.

"Almost everything we need to do those rituals!"

He draws four lines in the gravel, like the farmer had.

Then he wanders over towards the gillman.

"Hello Gillman!" he says in a loud voice (not that he seems to have a quiet one).

"I am Iso Soturi! I would like to ask you Questions."

Completing this ritual grants all of you a +1 luck bonus on Fortitude saves against poison.

The gillman looks at the water until Iso steps closer to the gillman. "I'm sorry, I didn't her you coming. I'm deaf, but I can read lips. Please ask your questions and I will answer them if I'm able to." the gillman says after turning around.

Iaodal eyes the man suspiciously, but sensing no hostile intent speaks slowly ensuring his mouth is visible to the man. "What is it you and your people have been doing down here?"

Eldlen, wanting to test Iso's theory, intends to wade/swim out into the water to drive the frogs off of the diorama. he will carefully check the water for anything dangerous, before he does so.

perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8 apparently not so careful

well done Sir Iso, shalt we see if driving yon frogs from yon diorama shall accomplish the task of the shepherd

Eldlen, setting down his pack and bow will wade/swim out to the diorama and shoe the frogs off of it.

going to take 10 on the swim, hoping not to need more :)

Completing the ritual of the shepard grants each of you a +2 insight bonus on a single check made to perform the aid another action in the next 24 hours.

Once Eldlen is in the shallow area he looks for fish he might be able to catch barehanded.

perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19

what kind of roll would we need to make to catch any fish barehanded?

Iaodal eyes the man suspiciously, but sensing no hostile intent speaks slowly ensuring his mouth is visible to the man. "What is it you and your people have been doing down here?"

I'm a little curious, too :-)

"We are coming here to listen to the waters. Our gods speak to us through the waters and the water in this cave is the purest on this island. I can see you also came here to worship." Uori answers the questions.

Ever the disbeliever, Tzaron narrows his eyes and asks
Your gods speak to you? What do they say?

did Eldlen see any fish ?(rolled a 19 for perception) will a dexterity roll catch them?

dexterity to catch fish: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6 or he will just slap at the water looking funny :)

Eldlen lets those who are more comfortable talking do so, he searches for fish and a way to catch them.

Sorry.

There are a few fishes in the water, but they are too fast for Eldlen.

Tippy tries to focus on the gillman, but Eldlen flailing at the fish is just too funny. Tippy chuckles freely at the pompous elf's antics.

Iso wanders into the pool to face the Gillman.

"What do your gods say to you in these water?"

As he does so, Iso bends down to scoop up a fish for Eldlen.

1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21

"Sometimes they don't tell us anything but sometimes they tell us about the future." the gillman ansers to Iso's and Tzaron's question.

Eldlen, truly impressed with the Barbarians fishing skills approaches the human.

well done Sir Iso, thou hast amazing speed, shalt I place it on the altar? he than quilty asks Iso doest thou believe these centipedes may represent the giant Serpentine creature of the fourth image?

with that, and with Iso's permission Eldlen places the fish on the diorama.

Iso looks around.

"Did the Water speak of the future to you? What did it say?"

The barbarian looks genuinely interested.

"It says that you should be carefull on your way through the cave, something evil lies inside." Uori says.

"If you don't mind, I'd like to finish my meditation and return to my people as soon as possible." with these words he turns back to the water and closes his eyes.

Placing the fish on the diorama grants you a +2 insight bonus on a single combat maneuver check made over the next 24 hours. Everybody in this group can use the ritual bonuses.

So, so far we have: +1 luck bonus on Fort saves vs poison, +2 insight bonus on one aid another check, and +2 insight bonus on one combat maneuver check. Let's see, the hunter...

Tippy glances at a random centipede, two clicks coincide with the appearance of two daggers in his hands, then two flicks of his wrists hurl the daggers at the nearest centipedes.

Dagger 1: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11

Dagger 2: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14 at a different centipede
Damage: 1d3 + 2 + 1d8 ⇒ (2) + 2 + (3) = 7

Eldlen snatches up his bow, in heroic fashion, waiting to defend the Halfling, in case the other centipede's retaliate for killing their brethren.

Iaodal watches the halfling, unsure how effective such a large blade will be at hitting the small insects.

Completing the hunter's ritual grants all of you a +1 dodge bonus to AC against charge attacks.

Iso nods to the gillman. For a moment it looks like the barbarian wants to hug the man, but then he stops himself.

"Good travels to you Uori."

He watches with amusement as the other try to catch the centipedes.

"Which way shall we go?"

Eldlen watches the gillman leave and then address the party

Sir Iso, thou wert correct about the rituals, verily there Is more to you than meets the eye. Pray thee, Shalt we continue our quest in to the east?

with that Eldlen, bow in hand, heads down the south east corridor, watching carefully as he goes

perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26

Holding the dead centipede as the elf does his bow, Tippy re-adopts the man's pose and struts off after him.

@ tippy LOL, literally!

Tzaron gives a nod of respect to the gillman before following Tippy, covering a rare smile behind his hand.

Iso grins.

"Indeed there is, although to be fair, there is a lot of Iso to meet the eye too!"

He nudges Eldlen. "Mostly though the rest I save for the ladies."

He then hurries to get back into the lead as the group heads off.

Iaodal gives the Gillman a silent nod of respect then follows the group keeping to the rear now.

The cave’s damp air becomes increasingly stale as yuo continue down through this tunnel, and as you approach this area, the stench of decay grows increasingly evident. The passage turns to the east and opens into a small cavern littered with bits of broken glass, rotting pieces
of paper, and other unusable detritus.

Eldlen can see the body of a male dhampir lies facedown toward the back of the cavern. Three gillmen zombies are in the room.

Surprise
Tippy
Eldlen
Iaodal
Tzaron
Iso
Zombies

sorry I edited it, thanks

Eldlen steps around the corner to the left, drawing his short sword and attacks the red zombie.

have at thee

attack, short sword: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6 damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

since a 1 was rolled does the short sword become fragile?

I would say they are just small stones or puddles. You can get across easily.

Tippy takes a 5-foot step forward, retrieves a dagger from his waist and throws at the closest zombie.

Dagger Throw: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18
Damage: 1d3 + 2 + 1d8 ⇒ (1) + 2 + (6) = 9

The dagger flies through the air and catches the creature full in the gills.

As a swift action, he retrieves a dagger from his wrist sheathe.

Iso grins.
"This is more like it! More Zombies. At least these don't have pick axes!"

He laughs as he strides forward, swinging his great axe as he goes.

Iso has some history with zombies. Goes berserk
attack: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 29 <=+6 str, +2 bab, +1 MW
damage: 1d12 + 9 ⇒ (11) + 9 = 20 <= two handed weapon

The blow looks to be a good one.
crit confirm: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (13) + 9 = 22
extra damage: 2d12 + 18 ⇒ (5, 1) + 18 = 24

Iaodal rushes forward into the chamber and calls upon the holy light of his goddess to purge theses creatures.
Channel positive to harm. 4/5 remaining 1d6 ⇒ 6 DC 14 Will for half

Tzaron sprints towards the nearest zombie, stabbing towards it with his rapier.

attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13
damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Tippy throws his dagger directly into the zombie. Iso rushes forward and slices the zombie into small pieces. Eldlen tries to hit the zombie in front of him with his sword, but cannot connect. Iaodal II tries to heal the zombies with a burst of positive energy. Tzaron attacks the zombie which is already injured and manages to bring it down.

Will Save: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

Round 1
Tippy
Eldlen
Iaodal
Tzaron
Iso
Zombies

Zombie red -6HP
Zombie blue dead
Zombie yellow dead

Teeth bared, and little bits of zombie still covering his axe, Iso turns on the last remaining zombie.

"And Stay Dead!" he shouts at the unlistening but still highly animated corpse.

attack: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 = 11
damage: 1d12 + 9 ⇒ (5) + 9 = 14

In his fury, he is not as careful as he should be, and almost decapitates Eldlen - the axe not getting anywhere near the zombie.

hoping no one notice that he missed, Eldled ducking under the swinging ax, stabs at the red zombie again

shortsword attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19 for damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Iaodal waits to see if another burst of energy will be needed.

Tzaron moves towards the final zombie, unsure if Iso and Eldlen have yet managed to bring it down and attempts to ensure its fate.

Attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16
Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

The attacks of Iso, Eldlen and Tzaron are enough to bring the remaining Zombie down.

combat over

Eldlen sheaths his shortsword

well done gentle sirs, thus endeth the undead threat

striking a heroic pose, he then searches the body of a male dhampir he had seen toward the back of the cavern and the cavern itself.

Eldlen will take 20 on perception for searching both the body and the cave

"Yes, Iso and Tzaron, you did well to finish the creature." Ioadal smirks feeling satisfied that without his intervention things could have gone much worse.

Tippy calmly walks over to the first zombie and hauls his dagger from its neck, wiping it on the gillman's clothes before returning it to his waist.

Iso slowly comes out of his rage. He gives each of the corpses a good kick before looking around the room.

perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9

Among the fallen bodies you find a note written by the dhampir that details plans to start an army of undead made from the "fish people" who have been frequenting this cave. You also find an amulet and a ring.

In the northern wall is a concealed passage.

Iso looks at the amulet and ring.

"Ring is booty. Not sure about Amulet. Maybe made gillmen zombies with it? Can anyone see if anything is magical?"