[b]i wonder if my flaming sphere spell or fireball will be strong enough to burn the moist webbing? If not I wonder what could work besides Uuranx's brute strength.[b][i]I wonder if I can strike the cringing monster with my magic Missle?
If there is no definitive answer I will just cast flaming sphere and burn the webs as best I can.
And if that doesn't work, we'll go with the axe.
"What about your summoned creatures Randtam? Maybe the elementals?"
-8hp
-1dex
[b]i wonder if my flaming sphere spell or fireball will be strong enough to burn the moist webbing? If not I wonder what could work besides Uuranx's brute strength.[b][i]I wonder if I can strike the cringing monster with my magic Missle?
[dice=KnowNature]1d20 + 12
[dice=KnowArcana]1d20 + 14
If there is no definitive answer I will just cast flaming sphere and burn the webs as best I can.
You don't think an open flame will have any effect except for making a horrendous stink. Maybe acid or vinegar?
You would need to see the creature to use MM.
well I think acid may work here. I will cast acid at where the webbing is attached to the walls.
Cast acid splash. See how fast it works. Maybe sorcerer Uuranx will use acid splash too or just charge forward with his mighty ax when the webbing is weakened.
Sorry Vraxel no Acid Elemental.
Looking intently at the enraged Alamin and her hatred of all things Rovagug...Or we can look at these cocoons so we are not attacked from behind before we slay those that Saranrae has marked for death.
Alamin's eyes pass over the cocoons, I sense no evil in them but I will inspect them with Vraxel's help while you and Uuranx settle the webbing barring our path. Come Vraxel let us be about it!
She turns and with some brisk sword work begins to open the cocoons.
Hearing Alamin's words I wonder at splitting our group. Oh well Uuranx is a beast and there is no evil behind us...Alamin not helping to slay a creature of Rovagug...?
Uuranx, let's take care of business!
Vraxel starts slicing open cocoons with a dagger doing his best to avoid damaging the contents.
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~hand wave~
A short time later Vraxel and Alamin have sorted out the remains inside the cocoons: the corpses of three goats, a horse, and two humans hanging upside down, their blood drained.
The more recent of the human corpses carries a sealed envelope half soaked in blood.
In the meantime Randtam and Uuranx slowly acid away at the edges of the webbing until it finally collapses in upon itself. The party, fully ready, rushes down the tube and into the creatures nest only to find that it has bled out from the massive wounds the party inflicted on it.
Soft webbing wreathes the walls, ceiling, and floor of this subterranean chamber. Several lumps bulge outward along the floor, unidentifiable under layers of sticky webs.
A thorough search reveals a potion of heroism, a ring of feather falling, and 721 gp in assorted coins.
***end of encounter***
Randtam first looks at the human bodies and detects magic.
Randtam studies the envelope and takes 20. Linguistics 20 + 14= 34
Randtam detects no other magic in this area besides the ring and potion.
The envelope is firmly sealed with an elaborate wax stamp and is addressed to 'The Honorable Estovion Lozarov'. You can't make out any writing on the inside of the envelope due to the heavy staining from blood mixing with the ink.
I think this may be an invitation to meet " The Honorable Estovion Lozarov"
Do we use this one or the Judge's invitation. Who is this guy who was invited..
What do you think, break the seal and read because we have an invitation already. Gather information...?
Break the seal...
"What does it say Randtam?"
"Err, and what about that ring? I seem to be falling down quite a bit, might come in useful."
Though the blood has badly marred the elegant script writing you can just make out that it is a letter of reservation for Etchmoor Darvin to the Ascanor Lodge. He is to be given all rights and privelages of an honored guest even though (you infer from the content) he is only a minor noble and would not usually be allowed entry.
Opening the letter has ruined the elaborate wax seal.
Alamin gives off a laughing snort, No truer words ever spoken Vraxel. I think that ring was MEANT for you!
I can't believe you ruined the seal...
I can't believe you ruined the seal...
BRAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! CLASSIC Clint....
"I can't believe you gave in and became a Paladin..."
Any other actions before next scene?
The ring should probably go to Vraxel. The potion would benefit and of the three melee folk http://www.d20pfsrd.com/magic/all-spells/h/heroism
"Looks like we are finished here, let's keep moving."
I'll take the pot and lets go while my buffs are up.
~scene advances~
A few days after your encounter at the tower you see a startling sight: The pale corpse of a naked man hangs from a large yellow pine, bound to the trunk with rough cords. His mouth is stuffed with large, pale purple flowers, and his wrists and ankles are swollen and dark with bruises marking where his bindings cut into his skin, but the large silver hunting knife embedded deep in his heart seems the most likely cause of death.
Party action.
~distant look~
I sense no evil here, but it looks like some evil may have taken place here...
"Is there a way to tell if this man was a werewolf? Guessing whoever killed him thought he was one, that would explain the silver knife stuck in his heart."
Approach and examine the man, does Vraxel notice anything peculiar about him?
Take a look at the flower in the mouth, can Vraxel identify it?
Need actions from Randtam/Uuranx.
Detect magic on man and silver hunting knife.
on flowers. Vraxel you might be on to something with the werewolf idea. Appears to be very savage and angry work here.
Keep an eye around so we're not surprised.
As Vraxel approaches the apparent corpse there is a snapping sound as he springs a tripwire and a hail of bolts flies about.
Attack against flat-footed AC:
DC 20 Reflex for half damage
UNGH! Alamin cries out in pain and dismay as she is hit by several bolts.
There is no magic about the body or dagger, although the dagger is of MW quality.
The flowers in the mouth of the crucified corpse are wolfsbane. The man's body seems fairly mundane and you guess he was killed by a longer blade than the dagger in his chest. You find it curious that someone would leave such a valuable dagger with the kill.
aarrgghhh!
This is definitely a message sent out to someone or some group. Vraxel do you notice any insignias or markings on the man or his clothing. I wonder how long ago this occurred.
Randtam looks for markings and time of death.
I guess I know why they left the nice blade, so we could walk up and spring the trap to get drilled by bolts. I pluck a bolt out of my body and examine it, silver or anything special about it. detect magic and Vraxel, anymore traps around, especially the hunting knife? Any tracks around?
Given the condition of the body Randtam thinks the man was killed within three days or so.
Looking at the bolts he notices a coating of silversheen on the head.
Clearly whomever killed this man thought he was a werewolf.
"Ouch."
if there is no new information or insignias for us to understand who this guy was, I say we leave. I cannot talk to the dead. Leave the knife unless someone needs it. It is obviously a trap for the unsuspecting...us. Most likely they will reset the trap hoping to find this guys friends. We may want to move out quickly.
Was this guy actually a werewolf? Would his body revert to wolf or human form at death? Was this a mistake made by someone thinking this guy was a werewolf? Seems like an execution. Wish I could figure out if he was a lycanthrope?
Are we near a small town or anything or just out in the forest? Any evidence of where this guy is from or what he did for a living? Any evidence of how he got here? Type of tracks? Number of tracks?
Vraxel will take the silver MW dagger.
if there is no new information or insignias for us to understand who this guy was, I say we leave. I cannot talk to the dead. Leave the knife unless someone needs it. It is obviously a trap for the unsuspecting...us. Most likely they will reset the trap hoping to find this guys friends. We may want to move out quickly.
Was this guy actually a werewolf? Would his body revert to wolf or human form at death? Was this a mistake made by someone thinking this guy was a werewolf? Seems like an execution. Wish I could figure out if he was a lycanthrope? [dice=nature]1d20 + 12
Randtam knows from his studies that all lycanthropes are supposed to revert to their human form upon death. This has been cause for many interesting murder/self-defense cases over the years.
Clearly this man was either once a werewolf or the killer wants others to think he was.
Are we near a small town or anything or just out in the forest? Any evidence of where this guy is from or what he did for a living? Any evidence of how he got here? Type of tracks? Number of tracks?
Vraxel will take the silver MW dagger.
[dice=survival]1d20+13+1
You are almost in the middle of the Shudderwood and no, there is absolutely no civilization within the bounds of the forest besides the Ascanor Lodge. The depridations of the many werewolf tribes and other savage creatures discourage any attempts at settlement here.
Your best guess is that this man was either a forester, game hunter, or an actual werewolf. You can make out some hint of tracks but there appears to be an attempt to cover them up as much as possible. A struggle took place here clearly, but you don't see any distinct animal/wolf tracks.
It does appear that a small party of men headed off along the general direction of the trail towards the Lodge.
Assuming no other actions here. Party fully heals.
~scene change~
The party travels on from the site of the crucified corpse, winding along the Silent Path until finally the looming forest opens up to a small clearing in which sits an enormous building behind a stout wooden palisade. This must be the Lodge!
The only apparent entrance is through twin wrought-iron portcullises set within large arches inside a small half-timber watch-house, flanked on each side by a low stone tower. The gates appear to be firmly shut and you can see some armed and armored men in the watch-house peering out into the forest.
Randtam approaches the gates confidently.
Hail Ascondar Lodge. We request entrance in to the lodge. We also respectfully ask to have an audience with Estovion Losoriov at his earliest convenience.
BTW Vraxel keep the knife out of sight until we know more about the crucification. We need information from anyone willing to speak to us and I have a feeling we need friends here. Alamin your diplomacy skills might be very needed.
After a quick terse conversation with the guards, wherin you discover that you are not expected and therfore probably not welcome, they agree to let the Lodge's porter decide your fate.
A short time later a male halfling looking tidy, well dressed, and officious appears on the tower ramparts.
Ahem, my name is Belik and while I apologize for any misunderstanding, as the porter of Ascanor Lodge, I cannot permit your entrance at this time. You do not have reservations in our books, and despite your claims, I have no evidence to justify allowing strangers into the lodge. From the looks of you, unlike the rest of my guests, you haven’t come here to take a peaceful retreat. I want no trouble, so off with you all, and take whatever troubles you bring somewhere else!
Greetings Belik,
My name is Randtam. It is true my group and I do not have reservations written in your books. True we may not look like all of your guests who arrive upon an easy trail. We did have some issues along the way, some situations many others may not have survived.
We have traveled from the City of Leipostadt. We would like to stay and abide in your peaceful lodge. We do have a letter of invitation for Estovion Losorov from a very esteemed member of Leipostadt Society. We wanted to find a place to relax. We were told this was the place to go to. I personally wish to relax and go hunting with my crossbow. I have been told the Ascandor Lodge is known for its renowned game, hunting, and incredible hospitality
As Randtam is speaking he is slowly readjusting a ring on his finger that only Belik can see if he knows what tolook for.
Dang! I'm ready to let Randtam sleep in My bed after that!
Just standing by to see the halflings reaction to Randtam.
You can see the internal struggle wash over the halfling's face, finally he lets out a small cough, I'll be right down, just a moment please.
A minute or so later one of the gates is opened and a handful of guards accompany the halfling out. Belik nods at Vraxel and then takes the paperwork from Randtam. He makes a great show of reviewing the papers from the Judge, holding them up to the light, peering intently at them, even giving them a good sniff.
Finally he sighs in apparent defeat, Well it does appear that you have the proper paperwork to stay at the Lodge, but this is most unusual. Most unusual I say! We have a very full schedule and folks need to recognize that we can't just be giving out room willy-nilly all the time. He sighs again. Alright, I will grant you entrance but it will take my staff some time to prepare you some rooms. We aren't miracle workers here you know!
With that he motions to the guards who back off and return to their sentry duties. Belik-You may wait in the Grand Hall, up those stairs and straight through the double doors. I or one of my staff will inform you when your rooms are ready. He sniffs his nose in iritation and heads off towards a different part of the building.
As you move through the gates you observe a rough-and-tumble-looking woodsman heads for the gate, followed by a young noble dressed in finely tailored, studded hunting leathers. Despite the commotion, the two men push through the crowd, oblivious to anyone else’s concerns. Several scruffy-looking hirelings follow behind them leading a pair of horses and carrying wooden crates marked with heraldic symbols. As they shuffle past, the woodsman calls back to the noble, For the last time Duristan! I’ll take you there, but I ain’t bringing my dogs!
Vraxel shakes his head and whispers under his breath, "Nobles, never understand them, but I bet that means they have some good food here, i'm tired of trail rations, is that venison I smell?"
Proceed to the Grand Hall with the look of a man who usually gets what he wants.
Relaxing in the Grand Hall I tell the group The coats of arms on the crates belong to the noble house of Ariesir of Ardeal.
As you walk towards the massive stairs leading into the Grand Hall, the man named identified as Duristan badgers the woodsman with all types of questions Were there any howls or footprints? Did you try to track the prints around the carcass, and did you measure any of the claw or bite marks on the body?
As Duristan continues to almost verbally assault the other man with questions he stops in mid-sentence, catching sight of the party he sizes you up. He calls out, You there! Fall in with me, I need more able sword-arms for the hunt! Maybe leave the runt and book worm behind, but the tusky one and the shield-maiden look more than capable. Come on then, let's go!