Rolo raises his shield, but it is insufficient to block the strike.
Then the dwarf grins mirthlessly, blood dripping from his wound.
"You made a mistake, Drakus. You put yourself in hammer range."
And with that, Rolo returns the favour.
Unable to fit himself or Tsharat down the crowded hallway, Roakkad elects to continue attacking from afar with electric bolts.
Neferet gasps. What is that?
She pulls out a tanglefoot bag and lobs it at Drakus.
Then she draws a dart.
”Time to earn our pay!”
Gorthug surged forward:
Gorthug sunk his blade into the shoulder of his foe, and then tried to twist it to do more damage.
”Time to earn our pay!” Gorthug surged forward and sunk his blade into the shoulder of his foe, and then tried to twist it to do more damage.
Rolo raises his shield, but it is insufficient to block the strike. heroicaly blocking the damage.
Then the dwarf grins mirthlessly, blood dripping from his wound.
"You made a mistake, Drakus. You put yourself in hammer range."
And with that, Rolo returns the favour.
Neferet gasps. What is that... something nags at her mind, it's not a hobgoblin but it's not a vampire either...
She pulls out a tanglefoot bag and lobs it at Drakus but he avoids it.
Unable to fit himself or Tsharat down the crowded hallway, Roakkad elects to continue attacking from afar with electric bolts.
Drakus deftly dodges Roakkads arc of lightning but something strange is happening his hair retracts, his skin itself almost seems to disolve leaving muscle visible but it's structure is all wrong... there are no eyes... the ears the features that make it recognizable as a hobgoblin just fade away. Suddenly it strikes out with that serpentine speed once more!
Rolos armour protects him but Gorthug is caught off guard after seeing the transformation!
Now it makes sense to Neferet, this creature is not an undead vampire, it is a faceless stalker a shape shifting aberration. They are malevolent predators who derive sustenance from the blood of the living. Their rubbery flesh makes them harder to harm with bludgeoning attacks and their nature makes them more resistant to auditory and visual effects!
Gorthug
Rolo
Neferet
Roakkad
Drakus HP -26. AC 18, TAC 16
Barely bracing his shield against Drakus' blow, Rolo keeps striking back.
Gorthug’s roar went from victory to pain. He had thought he had delivered a killing blow, and had left himself open. As a result his blood was now making a puddle at his feet. That, and the hobgoblin was turning into a monster! Gorthug swung his blade wildly to force it back, while simultaneously trying to hold his blood in. It was as ‘effective’ as one might imagine.
Roakkad allows the electricity flowing from his spear to fade. Instead, a warm glow appears in his open palm. He speaks, and a corona of light forms above Gorthug, showering him with positive energy.
"He's a faceless stalker!" Neferet exclaims in surprise. She begins rattling off details on this strange creature -- likely to hide her shock and fear! "He's a shape shifting aberration! A malevolent predator who derives sustenance from the blood of the living. Their rubbery flesh makes them harder to harm with bludgeoning attacks and their nature makes them more resistant to auditory and visual effects!"
Focus! Fight! Knowledge won't save you!
Neferet pulls out and tosses another tanglefoot bag at Drakus.
After missing she tosses the dart in her hand at Drakus!
Gorthug’s roar went from victory to pain. He had thought he had delivered a killing blow, and had left himself open. As a result his blood was now making a puddle at his feet. That, and the hobgoblin was turning into a monster! Gorthug swung his blade wildly to force it back, while simultaneously trying to hold his blood in. It was as ‘effective’ as one might imagine.
Barely bracing his shield against Drakus' blow, Rolo keeps striking back.
"He's a faceless stalker!" Neferet exclaims in surprise. She begins rattling off details on this strange creature -- likely to hide her shock and fear! "He's a shape shifting aberration! A malevolent predator who derives sustenance from the blood of the living. Their rubbery flesh makes them harder to harm with bludgeoning attacks and their nature makes them more resistant to auditory and visual effects!"
Focus! Fight! Knowledge won't save you! Neferet pulls out and tosses another tanglefoot bag at Drakus. After missing she tosses the dart in her hand at Drakus!
Roakkad allows the electricity flowing from his spear to fade. Instead, a warm glow appears in his open palm. He speaks, and a corona of light forms above Gorthug, showering him with positive energy.
Such is the fury of the half orc, dwarf and the faceless stalking that although the sound of metal clashing against metal at lightning speeds non can land a blow on their enemy.
Gorthug
Rolo
Neferet
Roakkad
Drakus HP -26. AC 18, TAC 16
Knowledge may yet spare us!
Rolo draws his dagger in lieu of his warhammer, then resumes his offensive.
"Let's cut up this horror!", he shouts.
"It is a defeated foe!" Roakkad replies to Neferet, firing an especially bright bolt of electricity at the creature.
Seeing Gorthug's wounds Neferet draws one of her healing potions and slips it into his hand. "Drink this!"
Then she takes a deep breath. She had to get a clear shot at this monster! She squeezes behind Rolo, circles around the statue and comes out on the other side of Drakus.
Gorthug chops Drakus in twain...
Expert longsword
Master key (unlocks all doors in the dungeon)
2 minor healing potions
Silver religious symbol of Pharasma
Expert studded leather
"Good hit, Gorthug! Everyone, divide up his gear, wield what ye can, and let us push on! There may be allies of his still around - or patrons!"
Neferet examines the gear and potions from Drakus. She passes the potion to Gorthug and takes back the one she gave him. Then she picks up the keys. "Shall we?" she asks.
The keys open the door to the east. Beyond the door is a short hallway that leads to a flight of stairs, ascending into a small chapel. This space is perfectly still and spotlessly clean, a stark departure from the grime and filth that has marred the rest of this complex.
Pharasma's imagery appears again here, in a simple mosaic on the wall above a stone altar. Atop the altar is a book, a dagger, and a silver bowl. The book on the altar is a copy of The Bones Land in a Spiral, one of Pharasma’s sacred texts. The book is open to a passage discussing the proper litany to be spoken when sanctifying a creature’s passage into Pharasma’s realm.
Looking into the bowl an image of a much older version of yourself, trudging through a vast desert at night, while the stars wheel at a dizzying speed overhead before blinking out into darkness, one by one. This vision remains the same for each of you.
The dagger upon the altar is called Final Rest, and is a +1 ghost touch dagger.
Roakkad gasps at the vision. Thsarat caws in fear. "Did you...Can you see?" His hand touches the amulet resting on his chest.
"I do not know what this means. Is this the future, a warning, a symbol, or a mere illusion?"
Neferet lets out a shriek of surprise and takes a step back from the bowl. After a moments hesitation she takes a step closer and hesitantly peers inside. She watches the images of herself, weather worn and comfortable in her nomadic desert garb. The elaborate regalia of her father's order was nowhere in sight.
What was this..?
As Roakkad speaks Neferet struggles to find her voice. "I... I don't know..."
Rolo's eyes widen. He sees himself, with streaks of grey in his beard, lines carved in his face, burdened with heavy armour and a grim expression.
"What is this?!", he says in bafflement and not a little anger.
It seems hard to fully understand... but then again Pharasma is the Goddess of prophecy...
Rolo looks at the others in confusion, and then decides to read the text.
Perhaps Pharasma will show them favour once more.
The book is a copy of The Bones Land in a Spiral, one of Pharasma’s sacred texts. The book is open to a passage discussing the proper litany to be spoken when sanctifying a creature’s passage into Pharasma’s realm.
While the group ponders the matter they explore some more of the ossuary.
This cramped cavern reeks of stale sweat and dried blood. Tucked into the far corner is a filthy straw bed made from ratty hides and moldy clothes. Off to the side sits a pair of chests, one of which is open and filled to the top with a strange assortment of clothes.
"It is indeed a litany. What are those clothes?"
The open chest contains a wide variety of clothing. These include barbarian hides, merchant clothes, noble attire (with fake jewelry), and even a city watch uniform. Sold together, the clothing here is worth 10 sp.
Seeing the clothes Neferet remarks, "Drakus was a shapeshifter. He probably used this to impersonate all kinds of people." An involuntary shiver courses through her. With an uneasy look she adds, "We should move on."
Roakkad, still perplexed by the vision, claims Tsharat and follows close behind.
There is a second chest ye haven't touched yet but you can come back to that if you wish.
Following the tunnel to the north you find it leads to a rocky door and cunning mechanism, seemingly a hidden doorway. You can hear several goblins speaking on the other side in their tongue. With Drakus
's body you might be able to intimidate them into leaving or to some other end... or use the opportunity to spring a surprise assault.
"I say we show them the fate of their former master."
Roakkad nods in agreement.
.
On the way, Roakkad also carefully inspects the second box for traps.
Roakkad doesn't spot any traps on the second chest.
Neferet draws a thunderstone in preparation for the battle.
This large sunken chamber is more cavern than worked stone, and the tangle of damp flagstones underfoot provides an uneven surface. Water and slime drips from the walls, seeping in through narrow cracks above. A crude fire pit sits in the middle of the room, surrounded by filthy mats of fur and fungus. The stench of warm, wet bodies hangs faintly in the air, underlying the smell of overcooked meat.
Roakkad
Gorthug
Goblins. Red AC 13 TAC 13. Purple AC 15 TAC 13. Other AC 14 TAC 13
Rolo
Neferet
"We have slain your leader. He was not what he seemed, a deceiver who tricked you into believing he was a vampire. Lay down your weapons and we will spare you. "
The goblins don't lay down their weapons but they do start fleeing out of the room away from you.
Roakkad blinks, mildly surprised it worked. Then he puffs out his chest. "Clearly, the goblins were thralls, holding no love or loyalty for their master.
He studies the room for a few moments.
Roakkad finds the goblins’ stash under a pile of moldy straw behind a stalagmite near the rope trigger for the falling rock trap, and consists of two flasks of alchemist’s fire, a smokestick, and 10 cp.
Roakkad holds his breath as he nearly triggers the trap. Luckily, that disaster seems to have been averted.
Reckless! he chastizes himself silently.
Gathering what he finds, he turns to the others. "Neferet, there are...alchemical weapons here. Perhaps you can make good use of them, hm?"
Neferet grins at Roakkad. "Oh, you were very intimidating. Well done." She looks at him longer than necessary, with an odd look in her eyes... Eventually she turns and hurries over to the alchemical cache. "Oh, wonderful!"
Neferet takes the alchemist's fire and smokestick. She passes the coins on to the others.
Rolo strides into the room.
"Aye Roakkad, it saved us a fight!"
"Let's finish this. Onwards to clear the last goblins out!"
A narrow flight of stairs winds downward, descending into this circular chamber. Stone biers line the walls, but the bodies that may have once rested upon them now lie scattered across the floor. As you enter the bones begin to rise and form skeletons.
Neferet
Roakkad
Gorthug
Rolo
Skeletons AC 14, TAC 12
Seeing the unhallowed dead rise, Rolo steps forward with his Warhammer to put them to a final rest.
Neferet moves into the empty space, pulls out one of her infused alchemist's fire and tosses it at the yellow skeleton.
Seeing another congested tunnel, Roakkad holds Tsharat back, instead lancing the narrow passageway with another arc of lightning. The smell of ozone hangs heavy in these tight quarters.
Neferet moves into the empty space, pulls out one of her infused alchemist's fire and tosses it at the skeleton in the back barely injuring it and those around it seeminly unaffected.
Seeing another congested tunnel, Roakkad holds Tsharat back, instead lancing the narrow passageway with another arc of lightning. The smell of ozone hangs heavy in these tight quarters but neither skeleton seems affected!
Gorthug shatters one skeleton before injuring another.
Seeing the unhallowed dead rise, Rolo steps forward with his Warhammer to put them to a final rest.
The remaining skeleton before Gorthug fails miserably to hit him.
The remaining skeletons advance trying to overpower Rolo.
Neferet
Roakkad
Gorthug
Rolo
Skeletons AC 14, TAC 12. Yellow HP -1. Teal -4
Seeing his electricity having absolutely no impact whatsoever on the dry, dead bones, Roakkad tries another tactic. This time, he focuses a ray of positive energy on the skeleton.
Neferet recall's knowledge about skeletons!