Wrath of the Righteously Inept GM (Inactive)

Game Master Unruly

"Fascinating - I had heard about the buildings in these tunnels, but to actually see them in person is incredible."

Max checks for magical auras. Cast Detect Magic

Does he know anything about why a building dedicated to Torag would be down here? Knowledge (history): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24

"Agreed, very curious and unusual" says Deia. She then continues, "It seems odd that somebody would go to all this effort down in the sewers without an obvious reason."

Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16 to look for anything unusual.

Shall we search the building or move on?

"Let's check it out. If it's intact, it will make a good place to use as a basecamp while we explore the surrounding tunnels."

"Well I think we know who laid the giant maggots," Rex winces in pain and looks at the nasty wound in his shoulder.

Rex then asks Tina after she finishes tending to his wound. [b]"I hope that thing didn't lay in eggs in me.[b]"

Rex continues on with the rest of the party to search the build, his left arm hanging a bit limp.

A thin metal rod heated will destroy any eggs.

This is all assuming that the cavern is big enough for the building to sit in the center of it and not built out of the wall.

At the shieldman's words, Kosz nods his helmeted head. "I agree. We could do with a secure position to fall back and this one comes ready lit. I recommend that we scout out the boundaries of this cavern and determine if there are any other entry points which we will need to defend."

Pointing his morningstar to the left, Kosz continues, "While I don't normally recommend splitting up the group, I suggest that some stay here while the rest move around the cavern. That way, if there is something else in here, we can drive it back to the main group. I think that Kel should stay here to best protect the main group. I can lead the scouting party. Rex and Tina both seem to work best at range, so I think one should come and the other stay. Deia and Max, you both seem to be some sort of mages. Perhaps one of you could come and the other stay to support the base group?"

As he waits for the group to respond, he moves up to Max and quietly hands him the last of the scales. "I found these in that first cavern where we landed. I have been waiting to see who they belong."

The building is free-standing in the middle of the cavern, but the collapsed buildings look like they may have previously been attached to the walls of the cavern. A large piece of rubble is leaning against the door of the building, blocking access. There is a narrow path that looks like it goes around both sides of the building.

The areas designated as rubble piles on the map are considered rough terrain, but are passable.

I'll stay here and watch over the others.

Deia speaks up, "I agree we could cover more ground if we split up. Let's make sure there is nothing else that is clearly dangerous around the building before we go. "

After a short pause she continues, "Max and I have very different magic. Maybe a better plan would be to have both of us go with the scouts? I would hate to think what would have happened if there were only 3 people when we ran into that Darkmantle. Besides, Kel and Tina should be able to defend the opening very easily because it is narrow, if it comes to that."

Deia rummages through the backpack that they found on the dead Crusader. "There is some food and a little water in here. If anybody wants to eat something, it may help people regain their strength."

I have one more action I'd like to take before we leave the cavern, but I am mostly ready to go.

Max grows somber as he witnesses Terendelev's death from her own eyes. He offers a silent prayer of gratitude for her sacrifice, and for all the city.

"I've little to offer in the way of battle magic - just one incantation to disorient and disable any foes we might encounter. And this crossbow, which has not proven very effective. I think there are too few of us capable of combat to really allow us to split up. But if we must, then I will offer what aid I can to the scouting party."

"I can help scout."

Rex begins to load his pistol.

I hope I get a chance to make more of these bullets soon, getting low. And as I've found out I'm not much of a melee person. Hmm maybe the crusaders were right.

The passage is narrow indeed and three people can hold fairly well, that sounds like an acceptable plan.

A search of the right path around the building reveals that it makes its way to the rear of the cavern, never widening to allow more than two people to stand abreast comfortably. At the rear of the cavern the path continues around the building, but gets too narrow to fit through as the cavern wall juts out to meet the building. You're able to look through a gap of about 1-foot to see that it continues to the front of the building again, making the cavern into a roughly oblong shape with the only entrance being the fungus-lined one you came through.

At the rear of the building you find a small hole in the center of the wall, positioned near the building's roof. Black soot stains around and above the hole mark it as a chimney. Aside from the chimney and the door, there are no other apparent openings into the building. The large piece of rubble blocking the main door looks heavy, but should be able to be cleared.

You find no further signs of any dangerous creatures in the cave.

Looking through the gap to see that there is no other point of ingress into the cavern, Kosz looks back to the other scouts. "I think we have seen everything there is to know. Let's head back and report our findings."

Returning to the cavern entrance, Kosz waves the others forward. "There is only this one entrance. We should all hold up in here as some of us work to clear that large piece of debris from in front of the door to the building."

Looking to the human fighter, Kosz asks, "Anevia, will you watch the entrance for anything trying to come at us?"

To the shieldman, he says, "I could use another strong back to try and shift this rock from in front of the door. Are you game?"

"I suppose I can lend you my eyes." Anevia replies, before turning to stare down the hallway.

"I can help clear rubble if you want, or I can keep a lookout for any wandering critters down here."

"Hopefully there are no more of those giant flys."

"Sure." Kel says with a nod. Slipping his shield-with-sword-scabard to his back, he moved in with Kosz to help move the rock.

Strength: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23

As Kel presses up against the rock it gives way with a scraping groan. After a short, but strenuous effort he and Kosz are able to move the rock away from the door. No longer held shut by the rubble, the door cracks open slightly.

"Looks clear so far. Anyone speak Dwarven?"

"Not I. But perhaps we can divine the purpose of this place another way."

Max studies the area for magical auras. Cast Detect Magic.

He also sees if his religious knowledge might provide some insight. Cast Guidance, Knowledge (religion): 1d20 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 9 + 1 = 16.

"I don't, " replies Deia as she moves towards the newly revealed door. She then adds "Be careful in there! "

"Nothing to worry about here!" Adjusting his spectacles, Max peers closely at the basin. "The basin is magical, with a transmutation aura. It likely has holy water. Might not be a bad idea to collect some for use against the demons." Max studies the basin some more, hoping to understand its magical properties. Spellcraft: 1d20 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 8 + 1 = 17

No speak Dorf

Peering further, Max realizes he was slightly confused. "Beg your pardon, I believe the basin is not actually magical. But the liquid is most definitely holy water. Anyone have a flask?"

Deia starts digging in her backpack. "I have two bottles and three potion vials in here. As long as they aren't broken, let's fill them up in case we need them. Does anybody else have a container?"

Nope, sorry.

"I am afraid that I do not possess any receptacles for the holy water."

Deia is able to fill both of her bottles with holy water before the basin is emptied. Seeing that the basin has been emptied, Kosz refills the basin from his waterskin.

Opening the interior door causes another thick cloud of dust to stir up and reveals the temple proper, the stagnant air rushing out of the room carrying with it the smells of mold and decay. In the rear of the room sits a forge. The furnace is built into the rear wall, while the temple's altar doubles as an oversized anvil. Along the side walls are numerous tools of the smithing trades, and one wall has shelving stocked with raw materials. Three hunched, robed figures sit, silent and unmoving, on a bench positioned in front of the altar, while one sits on a stool behind it. The thick dust visible on their vestments gives testament to the fact that they haven't moved in quite some time.

Could everyone please give me a grid as to where you expect yourself to be in your next post?

I don't know if it's because I'm at work, but I am not seeing the particulars of the map. I haven't had this issue at work before tonight, so maybe it's something else. I'll look again today from home.

I can see the map as expected, but it generally needs to be viewed at full screen and 100% zoom to look right. I figure it is an environmental issue with google docs.

I think Deia will need to start at D7 (one square away from the basin) as she was just filling up the bottles with holy water before Kosz refilled it.

I guess that means Kosz is opening the door then?

Deia recoils at the smell of the stale air coming from the inner room of the temple. "Well, it doesn't smell like anybody but us has been here in some time."

I think Max would be behind Deia.

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"I suppose holy water would be pretty effective against the demons in the city above."

Rex checks his belonging, "Sorry no bottles on me."

Rex will stand in the rubble at B8, keeping watch down the side of the temple.

I'd say Tina is at F-9, watching the entrance.

I guess Kosz is at E7 and opening the door.

If any of you have extra holy water, could you spare some? I'm pretty good at throwing and know how to hit vulnerable spots.

Kosz solemnly gazes upon the scene within the temple. After a moment of silent reverie, he quietly intones, "I think it respectful to leave them as they are. Such eternal contemplation should not be further disturbed."

"Tina, take one of these bottles that I just filled, " said Deia. "I wonder if the water Kosz poured into the basin was affected by the magic. Max, do you want to do some investigation?" asked Deia.

Maybe Max and Deia change places?

Rex calls into those in the temple, "Anything of interest in there other than the holy water."

Tina takes the water and returns to he rpost.

"I just want a quick look. I'm sure a dwarven archaeologist or two would love to take a closer look at this find." Stepping just into the threshold of the temple, Max takes a look for signs about what this place is, and whether there is anything unusual about it. What, in particular, are those robed figures? And is there anything else weird about the materials in the room? Knowledge (religion): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (12) + 9 = 21.

Am I to assume that you guys are done with the temple and ready to move on?

Fine with me.

gtg

I'm good with that as well. Back to getting the scouting party ready to move out?

I'll wait to see what Max does with the information from his knowledge check before moving us on.

"This is very odd. The scene is one of smithing, but none of these figures are smiths.". Max shrugs, unable to make sense of it. "Well, a mystery for another time, perhaps."

Ready to go.

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