Way of the Wicked - a Tale of the Fall of Talingarde (Inactive)

Game Master Mark Sweetman

Shendalyn will move to D5.

Albina throws a fire bolt at the cobra she can clearly see E3 and moves forward.

ranged touch, -4 because it's in melee 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (16) - 2 = 14
fire damage 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Albina steps forward to get a clearer view to C4, where Mi'Dre was standing before he moved and then side-steps to set up a flank with the gaav. He said F4, but I *think* he meant F2, with the mention of moving acrobatically through it's square, which means Albina needs to be in D4 to set up a flank. If he really meant F4, then Albina remains in C4, since she can't move to D2 without provoking an AoO, and doesn't want to get bitten!

Uhh, yeah F2... Half asleep, sorry :s

Mi'Dre tumbles into position safely, but the mithril cobra lashes out with it's fangs once he stops moving...
Bite: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6 for 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
...though it's lunge is mis-judged.

Black Jack then steps into a flanking position with the little devil and lashes out with his sword...
Longsword (PA): 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 6 + 2 = 24 for 1d8 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 3 + 2 = 7
...striking in unison to when Mi'Dre's claws strike. Both attacks are blunted by the metal skin of the snake.

Albina lashes out with a bolt of flame and melts the features of the northern beast. The construct is faltering, but stands firm.

As Shendalyn moves forward the southern cobra lashes out...
Bite: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7
...also badly judging the strike.

Action Tracker (Round 2): Shendalyn + Gurthock, Cobras, Mi'Dre, Albina, Black Jack

Damage Tracker:
North: 10

Updated Map

Stupid DR.

Mi'Dre continues to slash at the critter while dodging it's maw, ignoring the stinging in his claws from attacking something with such a hard shell.

Claw 1: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 6 + 2 = 18 for 1d4 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8
Claw 2: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 6 + 2 = 15 for 1d4 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8

Albina calls up more infernal flames upon her previous target.

ranged touch, -4 for firing into melee 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (18) - 2 = 16
fire damage 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Gurthock, with no orders forthcoming from his master decides now would be an excellent time to check on the quality of his manicure. Yup, still sharp, dirty and yellow.

Shendalyn looks almost bored as he brings his blade down on the cobra looking to tear the construct to shreads with his big solid sword.

Swift: Arcane Strike

Standard: Attack

1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24 Attack
1d8 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12 Damage

Crit Confirm
1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6 Attack
1d8 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12 Damage

Shendalyn brings his blade down hard and tears a big gouge out of the snake's hide.

The cobra's lash out but their fangs are errant. Rolls above

Mi'Dre's claws scrabble over the northern cobra without injuring it, though another bolt of infernal energy flows over the construct and causes it to collapse in a heap.

Black Jack leaves the cobra where it lies and moves off to support Shendlayn...
Longsword (PA): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22 for 1d8 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 3 + 2 = 8
...scoring a solid blow, though the hardness of the cobra blunts the force of the strike.

Action Tracker (Round 3): Shendalyn + Gurthock, Cobras, Mi'Dre, Albina, Black Jack

Damage Tracker:
North: Down
South: 10

"Well this is turning out expensive. Magical constructs aren't cheap. Father wanted iron golems with gold filligree to guard his tomb. I believe we had to settle for glass."

As he says this he brings his sword down again.

Swift: Arcane Strike
1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16
1d8 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8

Shendalyn's strike glances off the cobra without marking it and the beast lunges at him...
Bite: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20 for 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6 And a Fort save please...
...fangs sinking home and Shendalyn gasps as poison floods into his body.

Action Tracker (Round 3): Shendalyn + Gurthock, Cobra, Mi'Dre, Albina, Black Jack

1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22 Fort save.

Shendalyn is able to fight off the caustic poison easily.

Albina calls upon the fires of hell once again, attempting to melt the cobra, although the press of bodies is beginning to make targeting difficult.

ranged touch attack, -4 for firing into melee, she'll step as necessary to eliminate any cover her allies are providing 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (3) - 2 = 1
fire damage 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Their DR is more than 8!?

Mi'Dre glares at construct as it collapses into a heap, seared by Albina's infernal bolt. He could barely scratch these things it seemed, which was more than a little frustrating. He couldn't help a slight smirk as he turned to the remaining serpent in time to see it sink fangs into Shendalyn when he again brought up money. He didn't hesitate long before slinking around and swiping at the remaining beast.

Move to F6, via column G to avoid AoO, Claw: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24 for 1d4 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10

No big worries. They don't seem to have a lot of hp and we do have a fire tosser or two here. Might be worth just fighting defensively on this last one.

Mi'Dre - AC higher than q18 :)

Mi'Dre's powerful swipe bisects the cobra halfway along it's length and it drops to the ground unmoving.

There is but one other exit from the room, a barred door to the South. A check reveals no lock or trap, and it would seem that all that is needed is to manhandle the heavy beam barring the door out of the way.

"These things have to be worth ridiculous amounts of money..." Albina says, hefting one of the metal serpents with the haft of her morningstar. "And that's not counting the positively stupid amounts of money people charge for poison these days. It's crazy! I could hire two thousand men-at-arms for a day to kick someone to death for the cost it would take to mildly inconvenience them for a couple of days with purple worm poison..." she mutters before trailing off, realizing that she's still talking out loud.

Appraise check 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

For her unlikely and suspiciously up-to-date information on the costs of purple worm venom, she doesn't have a clue what a chunk of battered and burnt mithral is worth...

Ahh duh, I've been vary tired lately :s too much work

Mi'Dre grins triumphantly as he takes down the snake; they didn't actually have much trouble with the thing which was a bit surprising, but he wasn't going to complain, they had seemed fairly hard to hurt...

As Albina hefts one of the beasts and continues the discussion of money the devil just sighs, turning away in disgust, heading over to lift the bar and opening the door, leading the way once again.

Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 29
Stealth: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (4) + 13 = 17

The door opens into another short hallway before a door bearing the words Suffer not the fool. Stupidity is our faith’s cardinal sin. Mi'Dre hears nothing behind it, so opens the portal.

Beyond it you find a square room with a podium at it's center and a hanging lamp lighting the area. Upon the podium lies a silver pendant in the shape of a dragon and with sapphires for eyes.

On the Eastern side of the chamber is a staircase leading upwards.

Albina incants a plea to the Prince of Lies, who is also the Master of Infernal Magics, so that she can see the subtle traces of arcane forces.

detect magic, checking the pendent first, but also the rest of the room, such as the lantern, the podium and floor, walls and ceiling (and doorway leading out), in case something more clever is afoot.

Nothing within the room emits a magical aura.

"Nothing magical here," Albina informs the others, "Any danger will be mundane traps and poison, etc."

Well, Mi'Dre will put that awesome Nat 20 to use and examine the pendant.

Mi'Dre sneaks into the room and peers closely at the pendant for a few moments, checking to make sure there are no pressure switches or the like, before picking it up and examining it, before muttering something foul in infernal. "The gems are fake, here." he tosses it to Shendalyn and looks for the exit, checking it over before continuing on from the Red Herring.

As Mi'Dre draws near to the stairs he is about to ascend to the first step when a sense of wrongness descends upon him... Edging back and taking a better look he finds that the stairs are trapped. Had he ascended a massive weight would have been released to track bloody ruin across the room.

Albina notices at roughly the same moment that the opposite wall from the stairs has a cunningly disguised secret door at it's center...

Albina, disappointed by the fake pendent, curtly points towards the secret door, "Secret door, there."

Wow, told ya I've been working too much. I didn't even notice the line about the stairs, I thought you hadn't mentioned the exit, hence why Mi'Dre went looking for one :p Can we retcon slightly to say he was just examining the stairs, not actually trying to climb them to spare him looking dumb? :p This is fairly obviously the room the boy mentioned with the secret door across from the stairs :s

"and an unpleasant trap over here." Mi'Dre agrees with a nod, turning away from the deathtrap and heading over to poke at the secret door until he finds a way to open it.

1d20 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 1 = 12 Appraise.

"Gurthock gather those cobras." Shendalyn says to the mini pitfiend. "If you've no wish to aid in the wholesale carnage than you can carry my things.

Growling and grumbling the minipitfiend gathers the two mithril cobras.

Shendalyn tears a length of his shirt and wraps it about the wound on his arm the fabirc already staining crimson from the blood.

Beyond that he follows along not giving much input.

The secret portal is unlocked and Mi'Dre leads the way through it. The passage beyond leads South for forty feet before turning East. At the end of the Eastern arm is another door leading South. The door is marked with these words Secrecy is our greatest ally. Exposure brings death

As the scouting devil leads the way, he finds another concealed portal at the bend - going West.

Mi'Dre pauses at the secret door, pointing it out to the others before continuing on ahead to examine the next riddle, which to his mind sent him right back to the secret one, and thus he opens the secret instead.

The secret door opens into a short passage leading West, which ends in a dead end. However you can easily see the outline of yet another secret door leading South at the end of the revealed passage. The portal is inscribed with Beware the fallen for they may rise once more to threaten you.

Shendalyn snorts in disdain. "Tell us something we don't know. Tell me Lady Albina do you think he expects us to come out enlightened? Right now I'm merely bored and bleeding."

"That at least I can agree with." Mi'Dre mutters as he comes backs from the secret passage. "Looks like the next room is the one with the shrieking plant. The 'riddle' is Beware the fallen for they may rise once more to threaten you. We're probably just going to have to fight them unless you lot think you can sneak through the room slowly enough in the dark..."

For clarity - DM is waiting for the decision on which direction to take and an action to be taken in that regard.

As is Mi'Dre :) We are meant to be working together after all. I'd also suggest someone roll Kn: Nature if possible (or is it Dungeoneering? Probably that actually), I think I can guess what's in there but that would be player knowledge :)

Knowledge (Dungeoneering) is most prudent... but even then there's not much to know beyond what the squire told you.

Remember there are two options for way forward:
1. Secrecy is our greatest ally. Exposure brings death
2. Beware the fallen for they may rise once more to threaten you

"Well perhaps we can simply cut through the undead. Though I'm sure you and gurthock can simply bypass the plant. I am curious as to what's on the other side.

I'm still a-waiting for someone to choose which door to open and make an IC post to reflect that choice :)

Well where the hell are Black Jack and Albina? :s Jack should be back from his trip, and Albina never went anywhere...

Still here, sorry for the lack of posting, been transitioning between jobs and working some overlap and various other excuses. :)

"I lack any skill at stealth, so even if some could bypass the screaming plant, I would likely draw its attention anyway. We might as well just step into the room and kill the 'drowned dead' as they arise." Albina says matter-of-factly.

Even with an all-rogue party, the idea of a group stealth challenge seems kind of moot anyway. *Someone* is gonna roll crappy, it's just the nature of d20.

Somebody called? ;P
I have to agree with the Lady, subtly is filed under the last resourse category when you are wearing plate. Lets kill some undead. the blackguard says while slowly opening the secret door and looking inside.

Mi'Dre simply shrugs at the prospect of having to fight the undead, it would be a bit unpleasant perhaps, but it would really bother the little devil. As Jack opens the hatch he simply readies himself for combat, and if the promised shrieking fails to materialize, he squeezes past Jack to scout the room out in the dark before they introduced any light.

Stealth: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (5) + 9 = 14

The secret door opens onto another square chamber lit by a small oil lantern that hangs from the center ceiling. It contains eight battered wooden coffins that are encrusted with salt brine, barnacles and dried sea weed - two to each corner. The East and West wall also hold doors leading away.

It seems simple enough. Then again.. Maybe there are other traps besides the obvious one.

The blackguard waits for the demon to check the room but he will follow him closely behind, weary of the coffins.

Mi'Dre frowns slightly as he notices the lantern, slightly confused. He glances back at Jack as the man follows him, frowning and gesturing for him to remain quiet as he starts to figure out what the intention of the riddles may actually have been... He moves slowly and quietly through the room, heading for the western door and looking it over, before cracking it open.

Stealth: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (8) + 13 = 21
Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (17) + 9 = 26

Whoops, I used my Perception modifier instead of my stealth for that last roll :p

The western door bears no ornament upon it, and cracking it open with a creak Mi'Dre sees that it connects to a corridor that holds an iron barred and padlocked door at it's end. There is writing on the far door... but Mi'Dre cannot read it without moving forward to it.

Mi'Dre winces slightly at the creak, peering through the cracked door to the padlock and the distant text, which seemed to support his assumption. Telepathically to everyone, one at a time he sends the question. Did anyone bring some oil? and if anyone replies in the affirmative he will collect it from them and oil up the hinges of the door.

Both Jack and Shendalyn have oil listed on their sheets, so he'll use some from one of them to oil up the hinges

With the creak of the door alleviated, Mi'Dre slowly opens the door, moving to stand next to the nearest coffins before gesturing everyone else quietly through the room to the corridor.

Hold that thought a moment :)

Can I get confirmation if anyone followed Mi'Dre? - or if you're all still back behind the secret door?

Eh, Gurthock will follow.

1d20 + 18 ⇒ (11) + 18 = 29 Stealth.

I am following Mi Dri.
Stealth: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

Gurthock is no longer following Mir'dre.