
GM Rednal |
You're eventually able to shove open the top door. In this room, the smell of ale mingles with the faint steel tang of blood. Several cupboards line the western and northern walls, and some crates, boxes, and barrels along the southern wall suggest you've found a storage room. Another door can be seen along the southern wall.
As you look around, something in the ground in front of you catches your eye - a bit of blood has been covered by dirt, and it seems relatively fresh. Once again, though, your companion helps you search the room - and you're able to uncover four whetstones, some flint and steel, four spindles of hemp rope (each 60 feet long), four shovels, six picks, five hammers, and three dozen nails. More gruesomely, you also uncover the bloody body of a gnoll stuffed inside one of the barrels along the southern wall. There don't seem to be any true treasures, however, and Rogziel nods as you move together towards the next door.
The movements of your feet kick the dust coating this room up in little swirls. The air is staler here than in the rest of the complex and smells of rotten wood. Seven crumbling wooden chairs line three of the four walls, three across from the door and two on either side. Upon each chair rests a single item, each beautifully crafted and shining despite the dust. Starting on the top left, closest to the door, you can see a clasp, a cloak, a cutlass, a crown, a crossbow, some coins, and a candle.
"..." Rogziel seems to be waiting for your lead on this room, though he does rather obviously eye the place where you stored the necklace from before.

Sevia, The Raven Queen |

Sevia grimaced upon finding the gnoll, obviously disturbed by its presence...though...what could have done so was more so "Disgusting" She mutters, closing the barrel back up and leaving the room with her companion, they could come back for the equipment later.
The next room was even more a mystery, and Sevia didn't quite know what to make of it. Holding both of her swords forward, Sevia slowly paces forward towards the center of the room, looking out for anything threatening. Feeling drawn towards the chair with the cloak, she moves forward to get a better look.
Perception for anything in stealth? Appraise for the objects. Sense Motive for Hunch.
Perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (20) + 10 = 30
Appraise: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (4) + 10 = 14

GM Rednal |
On closer inspection, the cloak seems to have been made of iron rings - but it's so old and rusted that it would be useless as armor. At best, it's worth about 5 GP - mostly for the scrap metal. However, you do have the opportunity to look around - and you see the mark of a trap on the chair with the cutlass, right next to you. However, the cutlass itself seems safe, and looks quite valuable - the blood-red wave pattern on the blade seems to be quite rare, and if you could disable the trap, the cutlass could be worth as much as 450 GP. The clasp to your left only looks to be worth about 20 GP, though there's no sign of a trap - while the crown looks like it's still in good shape, and with 300 GP. You'll have to get closer to the other items to examine them in more detail - but your instincts aren't telling you anything about how safe they are.

Sevia, The Raven Queen |

By now Sevia was certainly suspicious, why this room of treasures and trinkets? And why hadn't the gnolls tried to take anything? It wasn't adding up. "Very peculiar...there's a trap over here, but I don't see any others." Sevia told Rogziel, pointing out the Cutlass, noting no other traps in the room. She moved over to the items towards the other wall and gave them a good look as well.
Appraise: 10 + 8 = 18
Moving back to the trap, Sevia leans down to delicately disable the trap, ready to spring back hopefully if her hand slipped.
Disable Device: 1d20 + 10 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 10 + 1 = 26

GM Rednal |
There's a quiet click as you easily disable the device trapping the chair the cutlass was on - it's now perfectly safe to take.
The crossbow is another piece of junk, though you are able to retrieve three lapis lazuli stones from it - valued at 10 GP each, and a small but pleasant addition to your growing horde of treasure.
The pile of coins turns out to be mostly silver, but they're thick - too thick to be used as actual coins, and apparently carved individually instead of stamped out. The total is probably worth around 60 GP, but you get an unsettling feeling from them. They seem to be a little more holy than the other objects, and dedicated to a specific deity - disturbing them would be a lot like disturbing another god's shrine and taking whatever you wanted from it.
The last item - the candle - doesn't seem to be worth anything at all.

Sevia, The Raven Queen |

Sevia took a closer look at the coins, inspecting the top ones to try to make them out better. Ultimately she decided to leave the coins and retrieve the Cutlass, the clasp, the Crown, leaving the other items. For some reason when she looked at the candle, she felt compelled to light it before leaving.
Moving down the corridor, Sevia skipped the obvious door and walked along down towards the dead end, quickly investigating it before turning back and moving towards the door she'd just left. Quietly checking the door, Sevia eased it forward if she could to see what might be inside.
Perception on the Secret door, Stealth to open the door to room 12 quietly and see inside. If they don't see any enemies they'll enter the room and look around. By the way, what's the light level?
Perception: 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 8 + 2 = 27 Sevia
Perception: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (2) + 15 = 17 Epyon
Stealth: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (18) + 12 = 30
If there's no enemies, Sevia looks in the next room
Stealth: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (9) + 12 = 21

GM Rednal |
Normal lighting.
As you light the candle, acrid smoke suddenly fills the space you're in, filling your lungs with an absolutely foul substance.
Will: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (3) + 10 = 13
A strange feeling settles over your body a few moments later, and Rogziel looks at you for a moment. "You've got a, uh... symbol... on your forehead. Glowing red." he said, gesturing slightly. The symbol doesn't seem to be impacting your abilities at all, but... there might still be unknown effects.
You've been cursed.
The tunnels are worrisome - though you don't thoroughly investigate it, there are a number of dead gnolls simply lying in the corridor, their bodies mangled by something. However, the investigation wasn't more thorough than that - and you do discover a thin wall of masonry (Break DC 25, hardness 8, 45 hp). It might take a little bit of time to break through, though, and you carefully check the large room.
There don't seem to be any enemies inside as you look. The bookshelves lining the walls are crammed full of ancient books and scrolls of varying sizes. A large table stands slightly to the left, upon which rests a three-pronged oil lamp made of silver and gold, surmounted by a tiny wooden asp. The scene of light incense fills the air. Across the room you see another wooden door, also adorned with carvings in the way the door to this room was.
However, as you touch the door to the next room, dim blue light begins to emanate from beneath the floor, shining through the spaces between the stones. A pair of spectral hands reaches up and drags a ghostly form up through the floor. It is wreathed in the tatters of once-fine white robes, and hundreds of ghostly scorpions climb about its body. The spirit shouts, "You who would defile the memory of Toth Nekamek shall not be suffered to live!" While it speaks, the spectral form materializes and lunges with outstretched hands...
...and you realize that despite your hatred of the undead, your lack of religious knowledge means you don't actually recall more than the basic information about them and couldn't tell anyone what their individual weaknesses are.
Initiative (Enemy): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6
Initiative (You): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19
However, despite its sudden manifestation, you've always been quick on your feet - and are able to strike the first blow.

Sevia, The Raven Queen |

The curse was concerning, she'd figured the candle had to hold some significance but she couldn't expect the thing would be a trap in of itself. What was more concerning was what it might actually be.
Investigating the room she realized that the place must be a library, which she fully intended to learn more of after finishing her exploration of the place. Upon touching the door Sevia stepped back as she realizing she must have activated some kind of magical ward. As the ghostly apparition rose through the floor she realized what she was dealing with, though the exact knowledge still eluded her.
"Get back Rogziel! You can't hurt it without magic!" she shouted, knowing how frightening fighting an incorporeal being was. Luckily she had the exact weapon to fight it as she pulled out her staff - "Begone foul being!" she shouted, then uttered the spell trigger to cast Magic Missile from the stave, four brilliant bolts of force slamming into the undead spirit.
Too bad you can't sneak attack with magic missile. 9/10 charges. On her turn Sevia will use the Stave to cast Magic Missile again on her second turn if it doesn't die (this does not provoke).
Damage(Force): 4d4 + 4 ⇒ (2, 4, 4, 4) + 4 = 18
round2
Damage(Force): 4d4 + 4 ⇒ (1, 4, 2, 1) + 4 = 12

GM Rednal |
The being actually seemed surprisingly solid, and not quite incorporeal... its lunge seemed to have brought it fully into the physical world, and the bolts from the staff... SR: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19 ...pummeled its body without slowing down. However, that didn't seem to be enough to bring it down, and the creature slammed its arms forward.
Attack Roll: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21 for Damage: 1d6 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12
The powerful blow just barely manages to strike you - but it does hit, and you feel a sudden weariness as the creature drains your energy. One negative level.
Your second surge of force bolts fly out at the creature - SR: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20 - and remain effective, crashing into its body but failing to take it down. Rogziel lets out a shout, and you feel a burst of sacred energy from behind you - a knife flies through the air a moment later, digging into the monster's chest.
Attack Roll (FF): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16 for Damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3
A crossbow bolt flies through the air a moment later...
Attack Roll: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26 for Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 2
Critical Confirm: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16 for Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 2
And though the bolt itself doesn't do much damage, the undead's body slams into the wall under the force of the blow. Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 6
Unfortunately, it's still moving... and hate gleams in its eyes as it slams out once again, trying to take you down for good.
Attack Roll: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9 for Damage: 1d6 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8
However, this blow comes nowhere close to striking you - and the undead is starting to look quite damaged by now. "Are you all right!?" Rogziel asks, finally having the opportunity to speak in the midst of combat. He's the only other one in the room - and the clear source of the mythic power you felt.

Sevia, The Raven Queen |

Sevia resisted the urge to scream as the ghost's arms slammed into her, feeling her lift force drain away a bit. Getting hit again by that would be very bad.
What she didn't expect was Rogziel's attack from behind, which seemed to knock it off balance enough for her to dodge its next attack. Especially that surge of divine energy flowing off him...was it possible that he wasn't just an average Aasimar?
HP: 34-17=20
"I could be better...just keep attacking it, it's getting weak!" Sevia shouted, as blasted the thing with another volley of magic missiles. Stepping back, Sevia reached to her belt to draw out a flask of Holy Water, giving it to her Familiar. "Epyon, throw it at him!" Sevia ordered, indicating the undead before calling upon her powers of invisibility.
(Unless the thing dies) 5ft back, hand the flask to Epyon, Ki point to turn invisible as swift
SR: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21 Damage: 4d4 + 4 ⇒ (3, 4, 1, 2) + 4 = 14
Grasping the flask in his Talon, Epyon chucked the bottle at her foe, before flying away and cawing loudly at the creature.
Attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13 vs Touch AC Damage: 2d4 ⇒ (2, 2) = 4 Or 1 point on a miss

GM Rednal |
The bolts of force slammed into the undead's body, but Epyon's throw wasn't quite perfect...
Splash Damage Direction: 1d8 ⇒ 3
...and the holy water hit to the creature's side, not quite able to coat it. A thrum sound filled the air a moment later as another crossbow bolt shot out...
Attack Roll: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12
...but bounced off a bony part of the creature's body and didn't seem to do any damage to the obviously near-beaten undead. "Oh, come on!" the Aasimar said, clearly peeved by the result. Without hesitation, the undead lumbered towards him and slammed an arm...
Attack Roll: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20 for Damage: 1d6 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7
...and he grunted in pain as the creature struck him and sapped his own energy, recovering its own health and smiling with unholy glee... though there was a sharp sizzling sound a moment later, and a bit of the undead's flesh peeled off. That's one temporary negative level for him, too.

Sevia, The Raven Queen |

Sevia clicked her teeth as the monster advanced on her ally, though a small bit glad to not be the sole focus of the things aggression. She really wasn't sure if she could survive another strike from it.
Still, that bought her some time, and as she stepped closer she now had full opportunity to hit the damned thing where it really hurt as she flicked a pair of daggers from her wrist sheath and loosed them at the undead, savaging it with a pair of well aimed throws.
swift action to draw my daggers, full attack at I'm assuming 1 range increment, but a -2 penalty for a second range increment won't make me miss. If the creature is still alive, Epyon will move to me and use aid another to improve my AC+2.
Attack: 1d20 + 7 - 2 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 7 - 2 + 2 = 23 vs FF Damage: 1d4 + 1d6 + 7 ⇒ (1) + (6) + 7 = 14
Attack: 1d20 + 7 - 2 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 7 - 2 + 2 = 26 vs FF Damage: 1d4 + 1d6 + 7 ⇒ (1) + (3) + 7 = 11
Crit Confirm: 1d20 + 7 - 2 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 7 - 2 + 2 = 24 Damage: 1d4 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8

GM Rednal |
The undead staggers forward slightly, reaching out even as it slumps to the ground... but the damage done to its body is finally too great, and it collapses to the floor, apparently down for good.
"Let's try to... avoid... calling any more of those out..." Rogziel said, taking a deep breath and wincing slightly as he felt the dullness in his abilities. Without hesitation, he shook some of the blood still on his body onto the creature, then stabbed it a few more times and cut its head off. It probably hadn't been able to rise again, but he wasn't taking any chances with the creature.
You've earned 1200 XP.

Sevia, The Raven Queen |

Battle finally over, Sevia allowed herself a moment of fatigue in the aftermath. "Agreed, that was a powerful undead." Sevia merely said, that thing had come perilously close to killing them, if she was going to fight something like that again she would probably use the shield spell on the staff. She took a moment cast Infernal Healing on herself before collecting her gear, recasting it a minute later.
"You're injured...here I can cast a healing spell for you." Sevia said, extending a hand to offer an Infernal Healing spell to him as well. Truthfully she cared more about the divine surge of energy she had felt from him. She'd thought nothing of him before...but now? Well, she wasn't sure she should say anything at the moment, but she wasn't going to let this slide when they left.
Casting Detect Magic around the room, Sevia looked for any magical items or auras, trying to discern what could have caused the appearance of that undead abomination before finally settling on investigating the next room.
HP cap: 40-5=35 HP: 17+20=35
3/6 spells/day - (7) charges for staff
5/6 pool points

GM Rednal |
Rogziel looks a little bothered by the internal healing spell, and declines its use. He's far from a stalwart champion of holiness, but taking advantage of evil effects for personal gain doesn't quite seem like something he's comfortable with... and he isn't hurt that badly, aside from the negative level he'll need to try and throw off later.
Secret GM Perception roll, go! ...17.
Your eyes eventually settle on the tiny wooden asp, which seems like it can be removed from its pedestal. Rogziel examines the lamp for a moment, but - perhaps remembering what happened with the earlier candle - declines to try lighting it. Unfortunately, there don't seem to be any magical auras within the room, though a number of the texts on the bookshelves seem to contain religious material about the gods this temple was apparently put into place to worship. Unfortunately, you can't actually read them.
Eventually... "Guardian spirit of some kind, I suppose." the Aasimar offers. "Probably the only one. Places like this usually have them all come out at once." ...Had he dealt with such things before?

Sevia, The Raven Queen |

Wait is the asp in the library or the next room?
Sevia shrugged as he declined, some had obvious disinclination towards using such spells, but she had always had a higher affinity for the arcane rather than divine magics. And hell if she was going to not use the only healing spells she knew. It was unfortunate she couldn't read any of the texts here...though she knew of a spell that could help her in the endeavor. If she still had any mythic power leftover a good Comprehend Languages spell would be useful to use.
Spells/day: 4/6
Linguistics to try to determine what language of one of the books, and perhaps decipher a page of material
Linguistics: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23
Sevia raised an eyebrow at the Aasimar's assertion. Though she doubted he was up to her standard, it seemed clear he was much more competent than she'd expected. "Yes...but I'm more concerned with whoever Toth Nekamek is. Let's move on, we can't gleam anything more from this place, unless you can actually read any of this?" Sevia said.
Sevia checks room 13, before doubling back and making a more thorough search of the dead gnolls in the tunnel and try to determine what killed them

GM Rednal |
Library.
"Well, as long as he's not as bad as Auguinare..."
Rogziel takes the book and examines it, but linguistics don't seem to be his forte. All you can tell is that the letters seem to be in a pictographic language - and they're more dense than usual, signifying a text complex and difficult to understand even by the standards of its own language. They could probably be deciphered by an expert - or magic of some kind - but you'd need to sit down for a lot longer to make headway through them.
Taking a peek into the next room - and no more undead spawn, hooray! - you see far more bookshelves and information... and a human figure in rich robes, who turns and smiles as you enter. "Ah, welcome." he says. "Are you here to study the works of Toth Nekamek? It's been a long time since I've had any visitors." You listen to his words quite carefully, but can't detect any hint of a lie. "Ah, watch your step if you plan to enter, though. There's a Charm Person trap there that the master placed." he indicates one of the tiles.

Sevia, The Raven Queen |

Sevia noted the man's apparent distaste of her second. It would probably be good to keep a real close eye on that.
She was a little surprised to see a person in the next room, though she doubted he was any kind of normal human. He didn't seem undead, perhaps he was somehow magically bound to the place? "That tile? Hmm...right" Sevia said as she stepped around it, keeping a look out for any other traps, taking a closer look at the man himself as she stepped a little closer. "Would you mind terribly telling us who exactly is Toth Nekamek? We assumed this was his tomb, but we can't read any of the books in the library, nor this...sigil." Sevia said, pointing to the red mark upon her forehead.
Perception: 1d20 + 8 + 2 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (11) + 8 + 2 + 1 - 1 = 21

GM Rednal |
The man peers at your forehead and chuckles slightly, every bit the man he seems to be. "It's the symbol for 'Guilty'." he said. "It's actually quite harmless, though those of a chaotic bent tend to hear condemnations of their behavior until they get it removed. Those who follow the law more closely find that it naturally vanishes all on its own. I'm no priest, though, so I can't remove it myself." He nods slightly and turns around, though, gesturing to the walls. "Toth Nekamek was a human king chosen by the god Chacal, Lord of Tombs, and given prophecies to better his kingdom and the world. These chambers record his life in exquisite detail to help those who follow better understand his words and recognize the benevolence of the gods." the librarian seems quite cheerful as he talks. "Sadly, it's true that very few people these days can read the languages of old, and I'm afraid we don't get as many visitors as we used to."
There's a faint twinge in your mind at the name of the deity - if he was a deity related to death, then he might be an aspect of someone you know. However, that particular form would be obscure at best... it's not enough to pinpoint who they might have been.

Sevia, The Raven Queen |

Sevia laughed, a candle that cursed the lawless with petty chastisement? That was more comical than punitive - something she imagined Calistrie might inflict on a disobedient priest, though it probably would've annoyed her old self to no end. Still, it was a relief to know she'd need not seek a Remove Curse.
"Interesting...Chacal, that name feels familiar but I cannot quite say why. This tomb must be quite old indeed, especially with that language, what is it? Azlanti? Ancient Osirion?" She spit balled a few guesses of ancient human dialect. Though at the moment, another thought came to her. "...tell me, do you remember another Goddess who might've known Chacal? Her name was Sevia." Asked with interest, anyone older than 3,000 should know of her.

GM Rednal |
The librarian shook his head. "Sorry, I can't recall that name. I would've come across it in these scrolls by now if it was in here - was she an aspect of someone else, or perhaps some minor demigoddess?" Goodness knew there were enough of those around. Case in point: the Demon Lords of the Abyss, of which most people thought there were far too many. The librarian picked up one of the books a moment later and almost reverently opened it, gesturing to the pictographs. "I believe they call the language Hieratic these days. My King's nation never expanded quite as far as he hoped, however, so it's forgotten even amongst the forgotten tongues, but no less true after all these years. Especially in the king's greatest text." He indicates a book set onto a shelf all by itself, carefully propped up and exquisitely cared for.

Sevia, The Raven Queen |

"No...she wasn't. I'm beginning to believe any evidence she ever existed has been quite thoroughly erased from history...Perhaps you might at least recognize either of these holy symbols?" She said sounding somewhat dejected, showing the man both the holy symbols she carried. What she wanted were answers yet there seemed none to exist, which was endlessly frustrating.
The man's explanation seemed to explain why at least the texts here did not include actual lettering, it appeared this language predated the invention of the alphabet. "It could prove an enlightening read, a simple Comprehend Languages spell would do the trick. Why was this room being guarded by that undead spirit though? Wouldn't such a thing hinder anyone looking for this library?"

GM Rednal |
The librarian looks as lost as Rogziel had when attempting to read the pictographs - the holy symbols are meaningless to him. He does, however, look quite cheerful at the thought of people reading the primary text of the king. "Magic always did work wonders as a solution, though translating prophecies is difficult at best." he noted. "As for the guardian, he's been here even longer than I have. He seems to pop up whenever there's trouble in the area, like those filthy vermin out front. Not too bright, but a tremendously helpful chap for removing people that would defy the King's memory. I don't suppose you've seen any more of his works lying around the place? I don't leave here much, but I'd like to expand the collection if anything's still out there." Librarians as a whole seemed to possess a special sort of greed - one forgiven with surprising regularity, since it didn't quite descend to being a vice. Usually.

Sevia, The Raven Queen |

The spirit must've mistaken them for the gnolls then, that must've been why it attacked him. Well, not that it would've mattered, she would've destroyed or lain it to rest either way. "Yes, the gnolls. Dreadful things. But I think I've killed them all off, well those the guardian didn't. They seemed to be destroying parts of the tomb...is there anything else you can tell me about this place? The gnolls looked like they were trying to break down the heavy stone door just down the hall." Sevia explained, gesturing behind her. She wondered if the door had been so heavy set on purpose to...contain something within. "Sorry though, but I haven't seen any other books. But if he was here before you, how did you come to be here? No ordinary human could've stayed alive in this tomb for so long."

GM Rednal |
The librarian looks quite interested in your words. "That door? We were told never to go inside of it, so it's probably a good thing if they haven't been able to open it." he mused. "As for why I'm here, that's quite simple - I drank an elixir of immortality so that I could continue to keep watch over the books and guard them over the centuries. It took quite a bit of effort on the King's part, but..." As he speaks, you feel your thoughts focus slightly. Something in his statement feels wrong to you.

Sevia, The Raven Queen |

Sense Motive for any deceptions in his words, and Knowledge Nature to confirm he really is human. Intelligence to remember if such an elixir even exists or is possible.
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 10 - 1 ⇒ (16) + 10 - 1 = 25
Knowledge Nature: 1d20 + 10 - 1 ⇒ (6) + 10 - 1 = 15
Intelligence: 1d20 + 4 - 2 ⇒ (8) + 4 - 2 = 10
"Typical. There's probably a message to ward off fools but the gnolls have destroyed most of it with their picks...well, not that anyone could read it anyway I suppose." Sevia mused, though perhaps it might be possible to enter anyways later. Still, something seemed off about what he just said. "An elixir of immortality? Excuse my skepticism, but is such a thing actually possible?" Sevia asked incredulously, looking over to Rogziel to gauge his reaction.

GM Rednal |
"It is." the Aasimar says, nodding slightly. "Very rare and very expensive, of course - it would take one of the greatest alchemists in history to make something like that, but I have heard of it being done. Of course, they usually go into hiding shortly afterwards - too many assassins and thugs sent to beat the information out of them for one ruler or another, and most of the gods frown on it anyway. Something about wanting souls to come to their part of the Outer Sphere."
Nevertheless, you still have the feeling that the librarian - behind his smile and welcoming demeanor - is lying about that. No matter how you investigate him, he seems human, and even now is exhibiting no hostility at all... but he's not being completely honest with you, either, and your confidence on that point is steadily increasing.

Sevia, The Raven Queen |

Sevia nodded along, of course she'd already known of their existence - Goddess of Death here? - but she merely wanted to provoke him into saying something. "Of course, of course. That makes sense..." Sevia said, and then frowned thoughtfully. "Except...why do I get the feeling you're lying about that? What are you hiding?" she accused dangerously, sliding a pair of daggers into her hands out of sight.
Sleight of Hand: 1d20 + 10 + 2 - 1 ⇒ (6) + 10 + 2 - 1 = 17

GM Rednal |
The librarian starts laughing - it's not a crazed laugh, however, but more of a good-natured chuckle. "Too much, huh? Yeah, I probably should've stuck with saying I was cursed to remain here." he said, rubbing the back of his head. "Sorry, part of all that was a lie. This old guy in Maheto asked me to come check out the library and bring back as much information as I could. The treasure's yours if you want it, though if you plan to loot the books, would you mind waiting until I'm finished here? I'd rather not fight people who could get past that wight, and I'm not going to get paid unless I fill up my notebook." His posture, previously rigid and befitting a librarian, has slowly morphed to become more relaxed.

Sevia, The Raven Queen |

Sevia sighed, although she felt relieved she wouldn't be fighting another undead. "Now everything makes sense, and here I was thinking...never mind, at least you aren't undead too." she said, sheathing her daggers. "Still, why the deception? These writings can't be that valuable can they? And how'd you even get past the gnolls and the wight in the first place?" Sevia asked, feeling silly for having almost bought into that. Still, it was uplifting that the reason he'd not known her was because he simply wasn't who he said he was.
After listening the guy out, she told him they weren't going to interfere with his work and were only seeking to drive further in; asking about any of the rooms he'd been in before leaving him to his business.
After Sevia gets her answers, she investigates the dead gnolls in the tunnels more thoroughly

GM Rednal |
"It wasn't hard." the man said - and right before your eyes, he shifts into the form of a gnoll, then into a largely nondescript human male. "They just thought I belonged where I was - you can get just about anywhere if people think you should be there." he looks at you for a moment, then seriously adds, "I haven't interpreted very much of the writing here. Most of it's quite mad, and there's far too much of an emphasis on the king's daily life, but you never know what sort of information could be helpful someday." He had explored a bit of the complex - and raided the storage room for food - but he hadn't gone through the stone doors in the entry area or really examined much of the rest of the place.
As you return to the other bodies and examine them more carefully, you are able to note several things - including the fact that the wounds were clearly not made by weapons. Compounding this are scratches and marks along the walls and floor of the tunnel - and your training in dungeoneering is easily enough to note that they were made by some sort of burrowing creature.

Sevia, The Raven Queen |

Are there any objects indicating what they were trying to do?
"Killed by some kind of digging beast...let's hope we don't find it." Sevia remarked to Rogziel as they doubled back toward the main entrance. Although she did wonder exactly what those gnolls were trying to accomplish and what exactly had killed them. Once again in front of the stone doors, Sevia and Rogziel attempted to open with without much noise.
Stealth: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (6) + 12 = 18
Epyon takes a 10 on perception for a 25, if he doesn't relay anything being inside, Sevia moves in to investigate the room swords drawn

GM Rednal |
As you get close to the door, Epyon caws out a warning - the statues of warriors flanking the door are trapped, and trying to pass by them as they currently are will almost certainly set off something... though you're not entirely sure what the result would be. Perhaps more relevantly, your powers have still been sapped by the negative level inflicting you, and it could be significantly more dangerous than usual to try bypassing the statues without finding a way to disable whatever trap has been set in place... or, of course, you could always try to push through anyway and count on your natural power to pull you through.

Sevia, The Raven Queen |

Thankful for the vigilance of her familiar, Sevia quickly holds up a hand to prevent Rogziel from accidentally moving forward to set it off. Looking closer at the statues, Sevia looks for their trigger mechanism and tries to determine the function of the trap. After doing so, she delicately tries to disarm it without setting the thing off.
Take 20 on perception for a 30. Just a hunch but if replacing the eye she got off the gnolls on the statue disarms it, she'll try that, otherwise rolling a Disable Device chech
Disable Device: 1d20 + 10 - 1 ⇒ (17) + 10 - 1 = 26
If Sevia disables the trap, she'll stealth open the door like she was going to and peek inside

GM Rednal |
There's a click as the lapis goes into the eye slot on the statue... and Epyon nods, noting that the trap was disarmed. With that done, you carefully move over to the doors...
When you open the doors into this room, the stench of death assaults your senses. The room is flanked down both sides by large granite columns carved with likenesses of jackal-headed humanoids. At the far end of the room is an altar on which a woman screams and struggles against her bonds. Behind the altar stands a large gnoll wearing yellow robes stained with blood. There is a small winged creature hovering near his shoulder. Draped on the wall beyond the altar is a huge yellow banner bearing a grinning gnoll skull flanked by bat wings. Between you and the altar is another gnoll, larger than any you have seen thus far. Off to the right side of the room there appears to be a side passage; a small group of people can be seen bound there.

Sevia, The Raven Queen |

Sevia's eyes widened at the scene, and suddenly she was glad she wished they hadn't dallied so long. Looking at it she'd say she was seeing a ritualistic sacrifice about to happen, which she certainly was going to have none of. "I'm going to sneak in and draw their attention, when the big one is focused on me, go help those people." Sevia told Rogziel, slipping through the door and disappearing into the darkness. Silently and quickly slipping behind the robed gnoll.
Burn a ki point to turn invisible and move to the other side of the room next to the robed gnoll while drawing my swords. On the second round of invisibility I full attack him
Stealth: 10 + 12 + 20 - 5 - 1 = 36
Attack: 1d20 + 8 + 2 - 2 - 1 ⇒ (11) + 8 + 2 - 2 - 1 = 18 vs FF Damage: 2d6 + 7 ⇒ (4, 6) + 7 = 17
Attack: 1d20 + 7 + 2 - 2 - 1 ⇒ (20) + 7 + 2 - 2 - 1 = 26 vs FF Damage: 2d6 + 7 ⇒ (5, 5) + 7 = 17
Crit Confirm: 1d20 + 7 + 2 - 2 - 1 ⇒ (19) + 7 + 2 - 2 - 1 = 25 Damage: 1d6 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8
Initiative: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17

GM Rednal |
Your blades scythe cleanly through the robed gnoll, and the others in the room let out a cry of surprise at the sudden violence. Certainly, none of them were able to react fast enough to prevent it, and the gnoll in question didn't even have the opportunity to scream before being brought down by the reaper. On the bright side, you do have their attention now!
Initiative: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8
...And both the small flying creature and the massive warrior are very slow in reacting. Behind you, Rogziel is stealthily moving around the side of the room, clearly trying to avoid attracting attention to himself... and despite the speed at which he's moving, he actually seems to be very good at remaining hidden.
Stealth: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (9) + 9 = 18 vs Perception: 1d20 + 6 - 5 ⇒ (11) + 6 - 5 = 12 and Perception: 1d20 + 3 - 5 ⇒ (1) + 3 - 5 = -1
Neither of the creatures has noticed him - especially the warrior, who seems oblivious to everything except you, but that does mean you'll have to face both creatures by yourself... and in your weakened state, no less.

Sevia, The Raven Queen |

In a flash, Sevia plunged her blades straight through the torso of her victim; a strangled gurgle his only response before she shoved a boot into his back and drew her blades back out, letting him collapse to the floor in a heap. No words, just action. Her other two opponents barely seem to comprehend what's happening, and before they know it - her swords are lashing out again, this time towards the flying creature that was hovering right next to her.
round1
Full attack the creature, ki point as swift for invisibility
Attack: 1d20 + 8 - 2 - 1 ⇒ (7) + 8 - 2 - 1 = 12 vs FF Damage: 2d6 + 7 ⇒ (5, 2) + 7 = 14
Attack: 1d20 + 7 - 2 - 1 ⇒ (12) + 7 - 2 - 1 = 16 vs FF Damage: 2d6 + 7 ⇒ (2, 5) + 7 = 14
As quickly as she'd appeared, Sevia sank back into the shadows and vanished before their eyes. Before turning around and placing her attention on the gnoll, seeking to end him next as she darted forward with amazing speed and reappeared next to him, saving him with a furious assault.
round2
Sevia expends a point of mythic power as a swift to use fleet charge. She moves up to the gnoll and full attacks him
Attack: 1d20 + 8 - 1 ⇒ (20) + 8 - 1 = 27 vs FF Damage: 2d6 + 7 ⇒ (3, 5) + 7 = 15
Critical Confirm: 1d20 + 8 - 1 ⇒ (16) + 8 - 1 = 23 Damage: 1d6 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10
Attack: 1d20 + 8 - 2 - 1 ⇒ (13) + 8 - 2 - 1 = 18 vs FF Damage: 2d6 + 7 ⇒ (1, 3) + 7 = 11
Attack: 1d20 + 7 - 2 - 1 ⇒ (15) + 7 - 2 - 1 = 19 vs FF Damage: 2d6 + 7 ⇒ (2, 4) + 7 = 13

GM Rednal |
The first strike of the blade goes wide as it comes in at the small creature, but the second stabs deeply into it - and it crumples as the blow. The other gnoll raises his weapons defensively as you disappear... but it's not enough, and he hits the ground as well.
"Could you do that next time we face a wight instead of waiting around?" Rogziel asks from over where the bound captives are... but there's a distinct tinge of respect in his tone. His knife flashes a few times, and the ropes binding them are severed. There are four of them in all, including the one still bound to the altar: two males (a human and an elf), and two females (both human, one bound to the altar)... and they look incredibly relieved to see you.
More importantly, however, they are both injured and exhausted. The elf in particular seems to be in a state of shock, and they're not likely to get over the things they've seen for some time. A few thoughts strike you a moment later.
You are, to put it bluntly, a bit tired. The draining effect that's still on you means that despite your success here, you're weaker than normal, and you can't hope for every battle to be as easy as this one was. Your resources are also somewhat limited, and you haven't explored all of this complex - you could certainly escort these people out as they are, hoping for the best behind you but focused on what's immediately in front of you. Coming back later would almost certainly ensure that whatever else lurks here is able to prepare for your presence... but you would have the chance to restock, resupply, and ensure the safety of these people. In addition, Rogziel could guide them out while you remain here. This course will change your alignment to Lawful Neutral.
Alternatively, you could give healing and support to the captives. There are still some supplies in areas you've cleared, probably belonging to them anyway - though you would personally be in a bit more danger if you did this, considering your limited supplies. However, risking yourself for the sake of others - especially when there doesn't seem to be a reward - is an act that anyone would call good. Besides, there could be more captives in here - and if you left now, there's a good chance they'd be slain before you got back. It's impossible to say for sure whether or not anyone like that remains... but is it a choice you're willing to take? Healing the captives would let them return home on their own, and they'd be strong enough to do so safely, without needing help. This course will change your alignment to Neutral Good.
Or, of course, you could simply send them out of the complex with neither healing nor support. This would, however, be quite a display of selfishness... This course will change your alignment to Lawful Neutral, but move you away from Good.
A fourth option is to simply let them stay in the entry hall while you attempt to move through the rest of the complex. They probably wouldn't be in danger there, though they wouldn't have much support either. No alignment change with this option.
However, there are many solutions to problems... and you could always get creative and try doing something else if none of these actions appeal to you.

Sevia, The Raven Queen |

Sevia smiled cheekily, "Observe how much the element of surprise changes things." She observed, gesturing to the giant dead gnoll, kicking it once just to be sure it was dead. The freed captives posed a bit of a quandary though, and she wasn't quite sure what to do with them.
She felt strong enough to easily press on, though she was weary of any other undead lurking ahead who could drain her life force. Blades and claws she could deal with, but another negative energy attack could instantly kill her. She'd at least like to know what was further down the other door in the room, and she'd thought she'd seen a side passage hidden in another corridor.
Kneeling down next to the most injured, Sevia offers an Infernal Healing to help. "Here, that should help you back on your feet. You can call me...Raven, what happened here? Is there anyone else we missed?" She asked, pointing to the unopened door and trying to figure out the situation.
She figured she'd offer them some healing and have Rogziel stay with them while she pressed on ahead a little. "Rogziel, I'm going to check the next room, look after these people until I get back. Check the bodies for anything useful as well."
So basically a combo of 1/2/and4. Sevia casts Infernal Healing on one more of the badly injured before moving on to the next room. She'll check room 7, and if nothing is there room 8 taking 10 on stealth. Now at 1/6 spells per day, 3/6 ki pool, 4/5 mythic power

GM Rednal |
As you give out your commands, you feel a strange sensation settle over you. It's something you haven't felt too often... but it represents a fundamental shift in your sense of who you are and what things mean to you. You've certainly become more adept at leading others and expecting to be obeyed... and it seems you're well on your way to where you want to be. Your alignment has become Lawful Neutral - and you have earned 300 XP.
Beyond that chamber, however... a weapon flashes out as you carefully push open the door to the seventh room of the chamber - catching you by surprise despite the caution you exhibited.
Attack Roll (vs FF): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22 for Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
You catch a brief glimpse of a hand axe (with your blood on it) even as the door is pulled open and the blunt end of a quarterstaff, crackling with magical energy, is jabbed straight towards your chest.
Attack Roll (vs FF): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14 for Damage: 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (3, 2) + 4 = 9
Your armor manages to deflect the blow, if only just - two more gnolls are visible, one of which is wearing what looks to be a cook's uniform while the other has garments made of leaves and twigs. Despite your caution, they seem to have heard what happened in the other room - and prepared themselves accordingly. They did get the drop on you, but now they have to deal with an enemy who's been alerted to their presence...
Initiative (Enemy): 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 1 = 11
Initiative (You): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21
...and is very quick on the draw even at the worst of times.

Sevia, The Raven Queen |

Sevia hisses as an axe catches her arm, giving her a nasty gash as she pulls back, barely dodging a staff following right after. As surprises go, it could've been worse - whatever that staff was crackling with it appeared to be quite dangerous.
Stepping back, Sevia raised her hand and pulled the final amounts of arcane energy she had left into a Color Spray spell, bright magic erupting from her fingertips at the two gnolls. Spell finished, she drew her Wakizashis. Figuring the shaman-sque one to be a spell user of some kind, he would be her first target.
DC 16 Will save for both, and move to draw swords. If one makes their save, Sevia will swift to turn invisible

GM Rednal |
Will: 1d20 ⇒ 5
Will: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15
Duration: 1d4 ⇒ 4
Duration: 1d4 ⇒ 2
While neither of the gnolls falls unconscious, it's fairly apparent that they've been both blinded and stunned by the force of the spell, and neither of them is currently able to muster an effective resistance against your actions.

Sevia, The Raven Queen |

Deciding the Shaman was a bigger threat, Sevia decided to lay into him first, stepping up back into the doorway and twirling her blades at them. Aiming to cut him down first and then focus on the cook second until she cut them to bloody ribbons.
Sevia will direct all her attacks at him first, once he's dead, her attacks shift towards the cook
round1
Attack: 1d20 + 8 - 2 - 1 ⇒ (3) + 8 - 2 - 1 = 8 vs FF-2 /miss
Attack: 1d20 + 7 - 2 - 1 ⇒ (10) + 7 - 2 - 1 = 14 vs FF-2 Damage: 2d6 + 7 ⇒ (6, 6) + 7 = 19
round2
Attack: 1d20 + 8 - 2 - 1 ⇒ (16) + 8 - 2 - 1 = 21 vs FF-2 Damage: 2d6 + 7 ⇒ (4, 6) + 7 = 17
Attack: 1d20 + 7 - 2 - 1 ⇒ (9) + 7 - 2 - 1 = 13 vs FF-2 /miss? Damage: 2d6 + 7 ⇒ (1, 6) + 7 = 14
round3 goblin 2 is stunned but not blinded on this round
Attack: 1d20 + 8 - 2 - 1 ⇒ (11) + 8 - 2 - 1 = 16 vs FF-2 Damage: 2d6 + 7 ⇒ (5, 5) + 7 = 17
Attack: 1d20 + 7 - 2 - 1 ⇒ (17) + 7 - 2 - 1 = 21 vs FF-2 Damage: 2d6 + 7 ⇒ (3, 2) + 7 = 12
This seems like it should kill them. If it doesn't, Sevia keeps full attacking until they are dead. Afterwards she will search them and the room, and then check room 8 like she was going to

GM Rednal |
The bodies of the two gnolls strike the ground and you move on.
Within this room - the stone door was unlocked - are seven large iron caskets that lie on platforms of polished red granite. The sides of the caskets are lined with engraved panels depicting scenes of various battles, and the heavy iron lids feature bas-reliefs of humanoids with the heads of various animals. Above the caskets are small stone shelves lined with ceramic jars, most of which are broken. Their lids are made to look like the heads of various animals. The eastern wall is dominated by a large fading mural of a crocodile thrashing in the water at a river's edge. Opposite the mural, a small alcove is set within the middle of the western wall and holds a sitting stone idol of a jackal-headed man. The statue holds in each hand a stone bowl alight with flame. A gnoll stands in the northeast corner, examining one of the ceramic jars.

Sevia, The Raven Queen |

His back luckily turned away from the door, Sevia silently pads up behind the gnoll, swords in hand. From the looks of it, this was a burial chamber for warriors, probably for those who served the tomb this man was dedicated to. Sevia suspected the real tomb was thus hidden deeper inside behind the thin stone wall she'd passed earlier.
First, the gnoll though, with a quick pair of strikes to the back Sevia dispatches her next target.
Attack: 1d20 + 8 - 2 - 1 ⇒ (9) + 8 - 2 - 1 = 14 vs FF /miss
Attack: 1d20 + 7 - 2 - 1 ⇒ (14) + 7 - 2 - 1 = 18 vs FF Damage: 2d6 + 7 ⇒ (3, 4) + 7 = 14
Eh, if that ain't enough I'll just full attack again next round
Gnoll dead, Sevia was now certain that she'd searched every possible place where they could've been, including any further hostages. Now confident most of the danger had passed, Sevia cast Detect Magic on the room, sweeping the area and the statue, along with the caskets themselves. Personally she was loath to open up the graves themselves, and merely banged on the roofs of them - attempting to provoke any possible undead.
Sevia searches the rooms and all three gnolls for anything valuable

GM Rednal |
Perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (3) + 10 = 13
You're able to carefully move up behind the gnoll and lash out, stabbing one knife deep into him - and he roars in pain, whirling around almost impossibly quickly to confront you, pulling a massive flail out of his belt.
Initiative (Enemy): 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (2) + 22 = 24
Initiative (You): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19
With a bellowing roar, the gnoll sweeps out with his weapon before you can stab at him again...
Attack Roll: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (7) + 9 = 16 for Damage: 1d8 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10
...and smashes a crater into part of the floor as it dives past you. Both of your weapons slice in at it a moment later, trying to find a way through his armor...
Attack Roll: 1d20 + 8 - 2 - 1 ⇒ (18) + 8 - 2 - 1 = 23 for Damage: 1d6 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12
Attack Roll: 1d20 + 7 - 2 - 1 ⇒ (16) + 7 - 2 - 1 = 20 for Damage: 1d6 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11
Crit Confirm: 1d20 + 8 - 2 - 1 ⇒ (16) + 8 - 2 - 1 = 21 for Damage: 1d6 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10
..and savagely cut into his body, including one blow that manages to deal a critical strike to him. However, his flail whips out at you in a countering blow...
Attack Roll: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (14) + 9 = 23 for Damage: 1d8 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15
...and it slams into your stomach, quite hard. I believe you're at 16 HP.
Before you can even move, the flail comes towards you again in an absurdly swift display of violence from the gnoll in question.
Attack Roll: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (15) + 9 = 24 for Damage: 1d8 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15
1 HP.
As with the previous blow, this one catches you - hard... and the gnoll steps five feet backwards, growling. "Had enough?" It asks in rough but understandable Common.

Sevia, The Raven Queen |

lol oh s$~+, boss.
Sevia was surprised to find this gnoll savagely come back at her, she'd expected it would fall just as easily as the others - at least certainly as well as the large dumb gnoll out front. Those two huge hits came hard and fast at her and were rather surprising, leaving her bloodied and bruised. Certainly worse for wear than the wight had left her.
"Oh my...you're a lot tougher than those pushovers from before...Yes, I have had enough." Sevia chuckled, wiping some blood from her lip before fading into the shadows and disappearing, drawing her staff to cast a Shield spell on herself. "I'll take you seriously now." Sevia told him, stepping away from where she'd been.
round1 of invis: Sevia uses 1 mythic power to cast Infernal Healing on herself. Intimidate roll to demoralize - then move to get next to him
Intimidate: 1d20 + 9 - 1 ⇒ (11) + 9 - 1 = 19 vs 10+HD+Wis
"So, want to tell me what you thought you were going to accomplish here before you die?" Sevia goaded from the shadows, laughing menacingly as she shifted away from where she was, stealthily approaching from his side to stand next to him.
round2 of invis: Sevia drops her staff and full attacks him. If he lives she uses a swift to burn ki for invisibility again and 5ft steps back
Attack: 1d20 + 8 + 2 - 2 - 1 ⇒ (18) + 8 + 2 - 2 - 1 = 25 vs FF Damage: 2d6 + 7 ⇒ (4, 6) + 7 = 17
Crit Confirm: 1d20 + 8 + 2 - 2 - 1 ⇒ (14) + 8 + 2 - 2 - 1 = 21 vs FF Damage: 1d6 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10
Attack: 1d20 + 7 + 2 - 2 - 1 ⇒ (20) + 7 + 2 - 2 - 1 = 26 vs FF Damage: 2d6 + 7 ⇒ (6, 3) + 7 = 16
Crit Confirm: 1d20 + 8 + 2 - 2 - 1 ⇒ (18) + 8 + 2 - 2 - 1 = 25 vs FF Damage: 1d6 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10
Oh, this time he's done, two crits? Yeaaaah. Search the rooms and him