DM-Camris' RotRLAnv 1: Burnt Offerings (Inactive)

Game Master Camris

Well, If they only tell of Lamashtu, there is no need for me to try to read them.

He pauses for a moment and sniffs the air.

Can I suggest that we depart this area, as the smell is rude.

For the briefest of moments, Morgrym catches what looks like a image of a rude hand gesture in the black lightning crackling across the surface of the strange, spherical room.

Lazur nods and says "It looks like we have checked all the paths. There will need to be guards posted to keep any goblins sneaking into town or the catacombs as I don't think we have sealed their way in."

There's one branch y'all haven't checked.

Lazur pauses and says "I think we have one branch to go. Let's check that one out."

Wayland nods. "Lead the way."

Chuckling to himself, and continuing to look around.

Ah if someone wants to throw rude gestures my way, I am fine with that, so long as that is all they throw my way. Unless it is torag throwing me his working hammer.

Onwards

Morgrym takes up his customary post at the back of the group, and continues to observe behind the party every so often to try and prevent surprises.

"Then we'll discuss after we clear out the last rooms. Hopefully it's a better atmosphere than torture room or zombie pit traps." Trig said as she snapped the book shut and placed it in her pack. She grabbed her longspear to be ready.

Trig's hopes may prove to be in vain. Climbing the stairs branching from the room with the statue of Alaznist in it, the heroes find a door that proves to be untrapped and unlocked after Lazur's careful inspections. It swings open to Wayland's magic easily enough that it can be hard to remember that the door is ancient.

Inside is a circular room with a shallow well in its center. Short walls, perhaps a foot high, circle the well and are adorned with dozens of polished skulls. Murals, bright and vivid as if only months had passed since their completion, show scenes of a mighty wizardess raining fire upon her enemies and the crackling remains of their predecessors. Above this gruesome display the walls curve in to from a domed ceiling decorated with all manner of monsters and fiends half-hidden in shadow.

Lazur begins to examine the murals to see if any of them mean anything to him. He stops and shakes his head as if not believing what he sees. He looks to the group and says "I could have sworn that one moved." as he points at one of the sculptures.

Kn: History: 1d20 + 8 + 1d6 ⇒ (10) + 8 + (2) = 20

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27

"It moved?"

He asked glad their was no hint of the sliver of fear in his voice. Raising his shield just in case he closed with the offending sculpture and reached out tapping it with the butt of the handle of his flail. Just in case it came to life and tried to murder them when they werent looking.

Perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (19) + 11 = 30

Realizing that she hadn't yet, Trig set Calin and Lazur as her Life Link targets. "I saw what you saw, Lazur. Barely." She pointed towards the one that moved with her spear, her grip on it tightening.

There is no way Wayland can make that check. Fortunately, he can always act in surprise rounds.
"I'll take your word for it."

Wayland has his bolas in hand.

The sculpture that Lazur and Trig point out is a demonic face with writhing tentacles sprouting from its scalp and chin. Leather wings with at least a six foot span sprout from where its ears should be. Just as Calin is about to touch it with the butt of his mace, it lets out a shriek and launches itself up into the center of the ceiling.

This monster is now twenty feet up and right above the well. Anyone next to the door you just came through can get an attack of opportunity, if you make the DC 12 Fort save to avoid being paralyzed. Speaking of, everyone, I need you to make me a Fort save. The DC is 12 and if you fail, you become paralyzed. Party is up!

Fort: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17
Wayland shrugs off the creature's power.
Knowledge (Planes): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23
I know OOC this is a Planes check... resistances and special attacks, please.

His actions will depend on who else made or failed the save.

Fort save: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15

Lazur stands paralyzed in fear.

Fort Save: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

fort save 12: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

Even though he thought he was prepared something about the screaming made him freeze.

Waiting on Morgrym.

Lazur Paralysis duration (rounds): 2d4 ⇒ (3, 2) = 5
Calin Paralysis duration (rounds): 2d4 ⇒ (1, 3) = 4

fort: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18

What in the makers name
Reacting instinctively, Morgym snaps his bow up and sends a shot in the direction the critter went

Snap (AOO) shot: 1d20 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 + 1 = 3
BAB, Won Focus
damage: 1d8 ⇒ 3

Only to not have the arrow seated and sends it into the floor

"Protect Lazur and Calin! Don't let it touch them!"

Prescience 1 of 7: 1d20 ⇒ 19

Sweet.

It looks like Wayland is adjacent to Lazur. He readies to Grapple the thing if it comes within 10' (he can take a 5' step as part of his readied action).

Psst! Morgrym, you still have your turn.
Sorry Wayland for not realizing you hadn't taken your turn either.

"Morgrym, guard Calin or get him out of here!"

Wayland is fairly certain that the paralyzed target guarded by the unarmored wizard will prove more tempting than the one guarded by the dwarven warrior... but he has seen the future and the fiend has not.

Oops

Morgrym drops his bow, and quickly steps up to stand beside Calin while he draws his axe out.

He then stands casts a quick spell and stands ready to axe a question of what that fiend is.

AOO (If able): 1d20 + 1 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 1 + 2 + 1 = 20
BAB, STR, Divine Favour
damage: 1d10 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 3 + 1 = 9 Add 1 if Clay, Metal, Earth, Crystal, or Stone
Base, 2H Str, Divine Favour

Actions for Turn - Free drop bow - Swift Fervor Cast Divine Favor - Free Draw weapon while moving - Standard Ready attack

Morgrym, I'm going to treat that AoO roll as a readied action. This way, that nice 20 on your attack doesn't go to waste.

The creature looks from the two paralyzed men to the open door and just begins to move towards it as if looking to escape, but a red flash sends the creature into a snarling frenzy. It launches itself at Morgrym, ignoring the well-timed bite of his axe to sink its teeth into the meat of the dwarven priest's arm. The burn of venom seeps in under Morgrym's skin as he batters the creature off and way.

Morgrym takes 3 points of Bludgeoning/Piercing/Slashing damage. He needs to make a DC 12 Fortitude save or be affected by this thing's poison, which is actually pretty nasty. Don't whiff.

Appreciated.

fort: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 6 + 2 = 25
Class, Base, and dwarven hardiness vs poison

You miserable misbegotten son of a snail, my sister hit me harder than that.

Morgrym steps back slightly and brings his axe upwards in an attempt to disembowl the critter

attack: 1d20 + 1 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 1 + 2 + 1 = 21
BAB, STR, Divine Favour
damage: 1d10 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 3 + 1 = 13 Add 1 if Clay, Metal, Earth, Crystal, or Stone
Base, 2H Str, Divine Favour

HP 17/20, Divine Favour 19/20 rounds

Black ichor splatters the stones and the beast gives one last shriek before death finds it after Morgrym's axe nearly rends it in twain.

Combat over. Congrats on single-handedly killing a minor fiend, Morgrym. What do you do now?

Huzzah Morgrym!

Morgrym shakes his head and wobbles away from the body of the critter.

He then pulls out a canteen and pours it over both his wound, and his axe to clean them.

He then takes a deep swig of the one in his hands and puts it away.

Then with a voice that gets steadily stronger.

Well, that was interesting, what was it?

"A Vargouille. A fiend. If it gave its kiss ta Calin and Lazur, they'd'a turned inta Vargouilles within a day. But they should be okay in a few minutes, I think..."

Wayland will search this room and the pool, using Detect Magic, while waiting for the paralysis to wear off.

Perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

He will also take out his notebook and start sketching the murals on the wall.

Lazur shakes his head and the the rest of his body follows. "That was terrifying. Let's not run into those again." he says shakily.

That would be my first choice.

Morgrym quickly goes back and picks up his bow.

So was a good thing that it didn't get more than a bite on me.

"Why is it that every room we go to, everything just keeps getting worse and worse?" Trig snapped, kicking the dead creature a few times out of anger before looking at the rest of the room. Just in case.

The pool is the only other thing of note in the room. It is magic and periodically refreshes and refills itself with cool, clean water. Once Wayland is done documenting the murals and sculptures, there is only the door.

Moving things along. No sense in dragging this out.

After the standard operating procedure for opening doors, you find a rubble-choked stairwell heading up, probably to the Old Light by looking at the painting of the tower and the surrounding landscape, which could be a good approximation of the landscape around Sandpoint if not for the uncanny lack of the Varisian Gulf.

With nowhere else to go, you find that you have finally found the end of the nightmares in this place.

Where to now?

"I think we're done here.
Back ta town? Talk ta Brodert Quink about what we found?
Then after the goblins?"

OOC, hoping to rest because I think you said we'd level up after this?

A whole lots of terror flashed through his mind as he stood there paralyzed and it didnt get better when Wayland explained what the creature was and what terrible fate awaited them had the others not been there.

"I definitely owe you a beer at the least Morgrym. Thanks for saving our souls there."

With the place explored he found himself relaxing... but only slightly. The terror of the Vargouille still fresh enough on his mind.

"My boss Mr.Hosk hates goblins more than any person i've met. He's been ranting for years that the town needs to go and clear out those damned tribes from their hideyholes in the forests and the like. You would have thought after the attack on the town, something like that would have been done."

He added his consent to the idea of going after the goblins, after all, they were a lot less creepy than this place for sure.

Reaching up to clap Calin on the shoulder.
I did not do more than you would have Calin.
There be no shame in freezing in the face of the unknown, but coming back from that is what is important.
As for the goblins, I say we go after them once we have had a chance to take a break.
With that, Morgrym moves back to the rear to guard from the back.

Trig stepped away from the Vargouille's corpse and looked to the door. "I guess this is as good a time as any," she muttered to herself. "Before we go back to town. And before everyone goes after goblins, or whatever." Trig looked back at the group and fell silent for a moment. Her scowl intensified, and then disappeared as she looked at the ground. A few seconds later it returned and she lifted her head again.

"Edamm went after Sczarni sometime before she skipped town. I imagine she skipped town. Why else wouldn't she be here? Ponok took a few chunks out of their men, and I was drafted into helping heal them. I had to do it the old fashioned way, because as you know I used up all of my magic in the hellish delving we did yesterday that we, against good judgment, came back to do today. That's also why it took me so long to get back. I never actually made it to my destination because of them. Jubrayl, the leader, demanded compensation from me for Edamm's mistakes. Well, I helped because that's what I do, but he's a very rude guy, and I escaped on less than favorable terms with the guy. That's why I have two things to say." Trig took a breath.

She reached her arm out and pushed on her sleeve towards her hand. From her outfit popped out a small, slightly shimmering cockroach. It took a few moments to look at the group, its antennae shaking as if it didn't want to be exposed, before returning to Trig's sleeve. "Before you say anything, that's not a disgusting, filthy insect. That was Cal. He's not an insect, he's a spirit. I would never let a regular cockroach anywhere near me, let alone on me. I didn't choose him, he came to me." The Gnome shuddered at the thought of a regular insect crawling on her before looking at Wayland. "Easiest way to put it, I guess, is that he's like a familiar to me. Now, I don't plan on leaving the inn without at least one of you as an escort, because I don't want to be pulled into a dark alleyway by a group of strange men again. However, if something does happen, then I'm going to send Cal to one of you. So if you see a strangely behaving cockroach, then do me a favor and don't squash it, it's probably Cal. No questions, I'm moving on."

Purple eyes turned from Wayland to Lazur, and she pointed at him. "Second thing. I don't want to air your dirty laundry, but Jubrayl wanted me to deliver you to him because, apparently, you have a bounty on you. One that he says is quite sizeable and will bring hundreds of bounty hunters to Sandpoint to look for you. Some guy in Magnimar. Now, I don't care what you did, that's not my business. One of the reasons why I had to make an escape was because he didn't like the fact that I wasn't going to deliver you, and instead remain a neutral party. I'm telling you this to warn you. Now you've been warned. Maybe it will be a better idea for you to go after goblins. I don't know. It's out of my hands now."

"That's everything. That rude Sczarni man will probably pull something. Try to, at least. So I guess I'm stuck with you lot for a little while longer." Trig looked back towards the door and crossed her arms so that her longspear was resting against her shoulder. "That was probably a lot, so if there's any questions then I guess it can't be helped."

Wayland glances at Cal. After some of the insects he grew up around in Sargava, a regular cockroach is not all that bothersome. And, he understands the concept of a familiar.

"Hey, Cal. Got it."

He looks to Lazur. "Well, I must say I do care 'bout what ya did. Because I mean to have your back against all these bounty hunters. So I'd like ta know what I am stickin' my neck out for.
Now, I don't really know ya, ya seem like a good sort, but I ain't the best judge of character. People can fool ya.
Ya stole? Lotsa folks have way more than they need, or came by it unfairly. An' there can be disputes over who owns what.
Ya killed a man out of necessity? That happens too.
I'll be on your side if ya tell me what it was."

He looks to Trig. "So the Scarzni know ya?"
He does not seem particularly concerned, just mildly curious.

He wrinkled his nose at Trig's story. He paused looking a bit uneasily at Lazur. He was a part time extra with the guard, not really authorized to make arrests and the like unless it was a capitol offense. He certainly didn't have the authority to arrest someone for something done away from Sandpoint so there was that.

"Thats terrible to hear miss Trig. You need to go somewhere let me know. When i first arrived in Sandpoint I had a run in with some of their muscle here. It wasn't pleasant. To be honest the only reason I think they started to let me alone was I signed up to work with guard as an extra hand when needed. Guess they didnt want to risk the Sheriff's ire or something. I've certainly no love for them."

He fiddled with the hilt of his flail.

"Speaking of being a part time guard. Uh Lazur I am only part time, dont really have the authority to arrest folks, specially not for crimes done far from here. If you do have a larcenous streak do me a favor and dont get caught doing it near me at least in the city limits? I would hate to have a conflict of interest."

He shrugged sheepishly. He didnt have a whole lot of friends and these folk seemed capable and nice and were doing good things for the city. He definitely wanted to keep liking them.

Sorry for the delay. I wasn't getting updates.

Lazur listens to Trig's story and frowns at the mention of the Scarzni. He then smiles a little at the mentions of a bounty on him. When Calin warns him not to to be larcenous around him he laughs.

He looks at the group and says "I'm not in any legal trouble, this is more work related or personal. Wayland knows I find things and help people. One of things I found was the missing husband of one of the nobles back home. Where I found him was his mistress' place. The husband now has it out for me. The reason I took the job to bring Wayland his notebook was to get out of town for a while. I figure that the wife and her family will take care of the husband but I don't know what is going on there. I may have to send a message to her to see if she can take the heat off me, after all I was doing the job she hired me for. I am all for taking care of the Scarzni here before we go. I don't care for organized bullies like them. If not I should probably tell the mayor what is up. Se should probably be our first stop anyway to let him know of the threats down here."

Lazur then turns to Calin "My larsonous abilties I use for the good of others. You've seen me with locks and traps down here. I have some special abilities with documents, shall we say. I'll make sure you don't see me if I have to use them." He then extends his hand to Calin, then to Wayland. Finally he extends it to Trig and should she take it gives it a proper kiss.

"Good to know, Lazur. Thanks for clearin' that up.
I ain't the law and I'm fine with you usin' your skills as needed."

The wizard shakes Lazur's hand.

Well miss Trig, you need a hand, I'll come a running, or stand by you.
The local thugs have tried caravans that I guarded. They did not fare well.

Morgrym settles his armour and weapons, and looks a bit sheepish, then grumps his way to the back.

Also I don't intend to lose friends that easy

After the darkness of the catacombs, the gray autumnal sky is as bright and welcoming as a bright summer's day. You make your way to the mayor's manor as a light drizzle begins to fall. After knocking on the door and being greeted by an elder gentleman that is the Deverins' head-butler, you are ushered into a smallish, yet cozy and comfortable, study.

Mayor Deverin looks up as you enter from the pile of letters and papers on her desk with a tight smile. "Ah, I'm told you have some news for me," she says. "I assume your foray into the catacombs went well."

And the ball's in your court.

Before we leave the catacombs.[/b]

Trig scowled as she stared at Lazur's hand, but takes it for a firm shake. Her eyes widen as the man tries to kiss her hand, however, and she pulls it back. "You humans are far too weird," she complained. "Speaking of weird humans..." Trig turned to Wayland. "Of course the Sczarni know me. Do you think I'm some kind of big name doctor with a big office? I'm a back alley doctor. I don't ask unnecessary questions. They liked that."

The Gnome looked at Morgrym as he mentioned friendship, frowned much harder than usual, and then started pushing the members of the team towards the door. "Let's get out of here. I'm done sharing need to know information."

[ooc]With the mayor.

"Nothing is ever well in this town. It can all be summed up with the fact that you need to hire better security for the town. Calin, back me up." Trig replied, looking away from the mayor and leaning against a wall with her arms crossed.

Lazur smiled at Trig and part bowed and shrugged his shoulders as Trig pulled away.

At the mayor's house, Lazur shook his head and smiled as Trig let her frustrations out on the mayor. In a much kinder tone Lazur starts "We found an old Thassolonian ruin down there with magic pools. We have cleared out all the creatures from in there but there is a long tunnel out of there that the goblins probably used to gain entrance. You'll want to block that up or set a heavy guard on it so they don't use it again." He then sighs and continues, "On a more personal note I have come to find out there is a rather large bounty on me. Nothing legal. I found a missing husband for one of the nobles back in Magnimar. I found him at his mistress'. He now has a sizeable bounty on me I am told. Apparently the local Scarzni intend to cash in on it and if they fail there will be others coming for it. We are leaving town in the morning for Thistletop to clear out the goblins there. Hopefully that will keep any of them from lingering long in your town."

Wayland nods as Lazur explains everything.

"Yep."

He is sorely tempted to contradict Trig just for the fun of it, but keeps quiet.

Sorry. No post tonight. Long day and I've not the energy to get into the Mayor's head at the moment.

"The recent troubles with the goblin raid and a brush up with the local Sczarni gangs have her upset m'am. But she isnt all misguided. All the troubles have the town in a heap of trouble."

Morgrym shrugs.

I am not so word rich as others, but I agree with Calin, there is trouble brewing, and someone should be looking into it.