GM Tealk's - Return of the Runelords (Inactive)

Game Master Brainiac

Borgol nods, "Could be replacements for a number of mechanical traps. Now that we're not being pelted by books, we should definitely slow down and tread carefully."

After a quick break, Remy opens the door east. The walls of this great chamber are lined with white marble shot through with streaks of gold. The ceiling above consists of two intersecting domes. Green frescos decorate the floor, the patterns mirroring each other in each half of the room. Niches in the walls may have once held dozens if not hundreds of tomes, but most of these books, loose papers, and scrolls are now recklessly scattered around the chamber.

Remy lets the others search around a bit for anything immediately valuable or magical. After a few minutes, though, she urges the group to follow her to the door across the hall to the east, promising to come back for a more thorough search after the area is secure.

"Ah, what a mess. And what a shame! So many stories could be lost here."

Flik detects magic, just to be safe, and pokes around listlessly for a few moments. If there is a book that's not too big and in decent shape, he'll slip it into his bag.

The inquisitive gnome does not detect any magic in the room, however his eye for rare and antique books catches something unusual. He thinks that if the library’s contents are gathered up and sorted, the several hundred books and scrolls which remain could pose for quite the collection. This collection on the general lore of Thassilon would fetch a rich price of 6,000 gp to the right buyer. The full collection would weight roughly 2,000 lb.

It would take you 1d6-2 hours to sort through to collection. Min 1.

Remy nods when Flik announces his intuitions. "It would be a difficult task to get the books out. Something for later, perhaps. For now, let's keep going."

Even Maga looks intrigued at the collection of old tomes in this library. "It would be such a shame to leave this all here. Why are you in such a rush anyway, Miss Remy?"

”Why am I in rush? Well, there are a few reasons. One, both Maddie and I have active magic that only lasts for a limited time. I would not want it to expire before we encounter danger and really need it. Two, unless you have some way to transport a literal ton of books, there’s no way we can bring this library with us right now, anyway. Three, we have enemies who advance their plots even as we speak. The longer we delay, the more danger we face. Besides, don’t you want to get back to Riddleport to stop this plague of yours?

“Oh, and it’s just Remy. Is that clear, Mister Maga?” Remy finishes, glaring at the man with her hands on her hips.

"Hm? Oh, no worries about the magic. I've got plenty." Maddie says offhandedly, poring over a book that caught her eye.

Once the wand runs out, I'll start using Extended Mage Armors on both of us via the pearl of power.

Remy glances at Maddie, the wizard's words taking a bit of the wind out of her argument's sails. "Regardless, we should not tarry overlong," she says.

"No, no. You're right of course. I could stay here all day, but I've learned long ago that one gnome can only carry so many books. If we can remove some of the threats from this area, perhaps we can come back with some appropriate gear and help to preserve this library."

“Oh, and it’s just Remy. Is that clear, Mister Maga?” Remy finishes, glaring at the man with her hands on her hips.

Maga visually retreats into his tunic, and it is obvious to see he is not used to people speaking to him in such a way. "Yes, well, that is fine. I just hope we find a away out of this mountain soon..."

You prepare to open the door on the other side of the smaller chamber.

Remy, how are you actually opening the doors? Quietly and carefully, right? Just let me know, but assuming this...

Remy opens the door and peers in.

Whoever occupied this space tried to decorate it to kindle memories of the forest. Four large pots now bear only long-dead plants, woody remnants surrounded by swaths of dust. A red metal desk is at the north end of the chamber, and a black iron door leads to the east. Lying before the desk is a bedroll next to a small stack of books.

Give me a stealth roll, Remy.

With both feet up on the desk, you see a man sitting in an old stool, reclined and flicking through an old tome. The tome is large and heavy, and has a collection of dust beside it, potentially stolen from the library you just visited.

The man is dressed in blue and green robes, and is has a very prideful appearance about him.

Map updated.

Stealth: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (4) + 11 = 15

Remy tries to be as quiet as possible.

In the (likely) event that fails:

Once she realizes the man has spotted her, Remy gives up the pretense of stealth and gives him an imperious glare. "Do not even think about raising your weapons against us! Who are you, and what are you doing here?"

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

The man actually doesn't notice you. He seems to be too involved in whatever page he is reading to really care about what is going on around him.
You can keep the intimidation roll if you want. :)

Sure, let's roll with it. Remy will get up in his face first too. :)

Startled, the man throws the book down on the table, lifting his arms up in the air in suprise, "How the hell did you...? ...You used the door, the one i was supposed to be watching...Of course, classic Russo... "

He stop rambling, and answers Remy's question. "I'm Damian, Damian Russo. Just here reading some book. There's a library down the hall the way you came, it full of so many wonderful tomes. And ahhhh, what would your name be, young lady, you look...familiar... The man sure has a way with his words, and he seems rather cunning.

He is not being aggressive towards you, yet.

"My name is not important," Remy says. "Nobody comes to the dungeons of Hollow Mountain just to do some light reading. If you were supposed to be watching the door, then you must be here with others. Who else in down here? How many in your group? And what is your true purpose for being here?"

Borgol waits at the door, holding up a hand to keep the others back, listening carefully to see if Remy needs support.

Flik tries to spy a look at the books he was reading. Any interesting titles?

Fergus will wait with Bogol in case this turns ugly!

Flik nudges out slightly behind the corner to take a peek at the book. He cannot make out the full titles of all of the books, but what what he can see they contain quite the nice collection of old historical tomes pertaining to the Hollow Mountain. Most of the titles are in Thasilonian, and some in dwarven. Some of which include, 'The Dwarven Accounts' and 'Collection of Crucible Trials, Years I-V'.

The man immediately notices Flik, "Oh hello there, master gnome." He immediately raises his voice to speak obnoxiously over the top of everyone in the room, "I see there is more than one of you. What do you mean 'nobody comes to the dungeons of Hollow Mountain just to do some light reading?'" Clearly mocking the monk, he continues to be way over the top, being louder and louder than before, "Nope, just me here. Just a fellow historian trying to do his part to bring the knowledge of the old world so our children can know about the past."

"You sure look very strong and prepared to be down here though. Looks like you've faced quite the crucible to get here. And your smaller friend over there looks like quite the arcanist. Are you here to research as well?" Some of the words, he puts extra emphasis on.

Just to be clear, at this point, if you choose to fight, you wouldn't have a surprise round, as the man is clearly ready for combat and expecting you to do something.

Maddie pokes through some books, oblivious to the tension, "I know what you mean, mister! I'd love to just read. There was this awesome pile of books back there, and they made me leave them all behind.... but it's just all so cool! Have ya been learning a lot from your books? Read anything interesting? Huh. Do ya think ya could help me convince 'em just how cool reading is? I want ta take a break with these books, d- darn it!" Maddie replies, excitement building, then with a gasp she pulls out a thick book "The Crucible! There's a volume one here? This... what!" she spins to the man, "You realize how rare it's, right? Like, volume one? They were all lost! The history here to read! Have you? Oh! Does it go over the arcana foundations of the Forge itself? All I read assume you're familiar with the structure already." she excitedly starts paging through the tome, clearly looking for something in the pages.

Remy grimaces at Maddie's cavalier attitude towards this man. She is momentarily puzzled by the way he is emphasizing certain words until realization dawns. "Dammit, he's trying to warn somebody about us," she curses. In a flash, she reaches out and grabs the man by the collar.

"Now, listen to me. You are going to surrender and offer resistance as we bind and gag you. Do so, and you will be harmed. Resist, and I assure you, it will be quite painful for you, indeed."

Intimidate: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (1) + 16 = 17

Well, that's just great, isn't it?

"The Crucible! There's a volume one here? This... what!" she spins to the man, "You realize how rare it's, right? Like, volume one? They were all lost! The history here to read! Have you? Oh! Does it go over the arcana foundations of the Forge itself? All I read assume you're familiar with the structure already." she excitedly starts paging through the tome, clearly looking for something in the pages.

He lets Maddie take a look at the books, stepping away rom the table. "Well aren't you the little ball of energy..." the man looks worried as Maddie steps into the room, and you soon realize why. He turn to Remy and shrugs his shoulders, "Why would you bring a child into the Hollow Mountain? Are you really that sort of parent?"

He kindly begins to move around the table, and you can now see he is well equipped not only for doing research, but for combat as well. The pair of rapiers on his side is no joke, and looks freshly used. He listens to the threat from the monk.

"...as we bind and gag you."

"...Is that something your into? I mean, i dont mind you know, each to their own." He laughs out loud, "I see, I think i do recognise you, young lady. You and your companions are from Roderic Cove, if i am not mistaken? Then that means there are more of you, am i correct?"

His eyes jot back and forth between the door to the east quickly, but not fast enough for you not to notice.

"How about we be civil, about this, shall we?" He looks towards Remy who he sees is on her last strand of patience, stepping right in front of her. The man is much taller than she anticipated, and his figure is lean and combat trained, for a librarian, that is.

Map updated, Maddie is at the table, Flik is in the hallway, with Borgol and Fergus further behind him. Yes Remy, you are 5ft away from him. :)

"How about 'no,'" Remy replies as she reaches out to try to grapple the man!

Grapple: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (7) + 14 = 21

As soon as things start turning bad Fergus will enter the room.

At Remy's warning, Borgol starts forward to close the distance and support her... and his hand closes on his blade - stopping just short of drawing steel at the mention of Roderick's Cove. This isn't some random scholar, then, it's someone who knows who we are... which means it's probably an enemy.

He pauses, and starts to look around, using his heightened senses to look for any source of danger or the man's allies.

Perception: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (3) + 14 = 17

"How about 'no,'" Remy replies as she reaches out to try to grapple the man!

"How about yes? You know, you should try to see more of the positive in things..." Right as Remy goes in for the grapple, the man twists in the air acrobatically and jumps over her, moving for the door. "HELP! THE STRONG LADY IS TRYING TO TOUCH ME!"

Before his hand can even reach the door, however, it opens revealing a smaller chamber inside. An elegant, geometric, mauve fresco decorates the floor of this room. Dust and rubble have been swept aside to make room for a pair of bedrolls and a field camp, while a small stack of a few dozen books stand close at hand.

Standing in the entryway, a familiar heroine in her own right, the ever so boisterous Viralane is casually holding a small flask of wine in her hand. "Now now, Remy. I told you before, those manners of yours won't get you very far in high society. Please, my dear, put those fists down, and let us have a chat."

You feel her bold stare immediately, just as the man blocking your path forward takes out both of his rapiers, pointing them at Borgol.

Viralane immediately spots Borgol, and waves at him, "Why hello, darling, you're here too? How wonderful, care for a drink?"

Map updated, take a look, you can see Viralane in all her glory on the slides. :)

"You!" Remy nearly growls when she sees Viralane, remembering everything she nearly did to Borgol. A haze of anger clouds her vision and she moves to pummel the man in front of her to get to the woman and make her pay!

Remy is about to attack at this point so I think it's time to roll initiaive. :)

At the sound of Viralane's voice, Borgol's jaw clenches and he takes a moment of concentration, forcing his adaptation to bolster his will. He says, "I wouldn't accept a drink from you if I was crawling through the Mana Wastes. Just your tongue is all the poison I can stand. But tell your friend to get his swords out of my face before I feed them to him."

Here we go again!

:D

Maddie sadly sets her book aside, her eyes faintly glowing as she gets hints of the conflict to come

"I think we're beyond that..." the man with the rapiers flourishes them before Remy, and begins his assault.

The rapier wielding man ignores Borgol and goes straight for Remy. "You're not getting through!"
Rapier, double slice: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (12) + 10 = 221d6 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8
Rapier, double slice: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (1) + 10 = 111d6 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12
Rapier, double slice: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 201d6 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8
Rapier, double slice: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 251d6 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11

Rapier, confirm?: 1d20 + 5 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 5 + 4 = 231d6 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11
Only the last attack manages to pierce the monks defenses, but it sure does hurt.

Viralane laughs, "Take her out first, the rest will scatter like little ants."

Round 1
Active buffs - --
Active debuffs - --
You can give instructions to Maga as a free action!

@ Borgol (REF (20))

! Damil Russo

@ Maddie (MA)
@ Fergus (REF (20)May act twice!
@ Remy -22 lethal (REF (20), MA)
@ Flik (-)
+ Maga Sorsh

! Viralane
! Hida Doss

Everyone may act!

Remy hisses in pain as the rapier stabs deep into her belly. She drops into her dragon stance and retaliates with two powerful punches to the man’s jaw!

Flurry: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (14) + 14 = 281d20 + 14 ⇒ (13) + 14 = 271d20 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 9 = 13
Damage: 2d6 + 11 ⇒ (1, 2) + 11 = 142d6 + 8 ⇒ (4, 3) + 8 = 15

Stunning Fist on first attack. DC 17 Fortitude save or be stunned for 1 round.

Flik dispences some advice on fighting humans and then casts good hope on everyone.

"You should know better than to stand in our way! We've come to end the danger here."

Round 1

Fergus will spend this round double moving to stand next to Borgol.

Round 2

Fergus will attack this round.

Attack 1: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (17) + 12 = 29
Attack 2: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23
Attack 1 Damage: 1d12 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9
Attack 2 Damage: 1d12 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8

Don't forget to include the buffs!

Borgol laughs at Viralane's direction, "Not likely. Either of those things, actually," as he swings his tries to slam his shield into the man as his sword begins to blaze and he makes 2 quick swings.

Shield Bash: 1d20 + 10 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (7) + 10 + 2 - 2 = 17 Not so effective
Longsword: 1d20 + 11 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (17) + 11 + 2 - 2 = 28 for 1d8 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 5 + 2 = 9 Plus Fire: 1d6 ⇒ 2
Longsword (Iterative): 1d20 + 6 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (17) + 6 + 2 - 2 = 23 for 1d8 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 5 + 2 = 9 Plus Fire: 1d6 ⇒ 6

Assuming Borgol went in the initiative order before the buffs - though I'd rather add them..

@Borgol, to be honest, it is easier if you delay untill after Damil, and you would receive the buffs, but it is up to you. That way we can group all of you together, and all the enemies as well.
@Flik, i have taken your buffs into account for team damage.

The team quickly assaults the man wielding the dual rapiers, taking him out almost instantly. For memory, he falls down in the square just at the door.

Viralana turns and stakes a step back into the room she was in, "Well, is this how we're playing then?"

Behind her, a woman dressed in a gorgeous green dress, embezzled with peacock feathers looks at the group, "Are these the adventurer's you told me about my dear. Pitty, it doesn't seem Baraket is in their possession. Then they are useless to us. BEGONE!"

So this is going to be tricky...Viralene will delay to cast hold person, on either Remy, Borgol or Fergus if they succeed at the save against confustion.

Hida weaves a divine spell, while Viralane delays to cast her psycick spell.

Everyone, please give me a DC 19 will save agasint confusion, if @Remy/Fergus or Borgol succeed (in that order) first person make me a DC 18 will save against hold person!

Round 2
Active buffs - Good Hope, Naturalist, +4/+4 a/d and +2 saves!
Active debuffs - --
You can give instructions to Maga as a free action!

@ Borgol (REF (20))

! Damil Russo -88 lethal (unconscious, bleeding)

@ Maddie (MA) May act twice!
@ Fergus (REF (20)
@ Remy -22 lethal (REF (20), MA) -Hyp. Stare -2 Will
@ Flik (-)
+ Maga Sorsh

! Viralane
! Hida Doss

Everyone may act!

Will vs Confusion (Good Hope): 1d20 + 3 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 3 + 4 + 2 = 16
Confused: 1d100 ⇒ 68
Damage to Self: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9

The woman's spell overwhelms Remy's mind. The monk punches herself in the face!

D'oh!

Will Save DC19: 1d20 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 9 + 2 = 26
Will Save DC18: 1d20 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 9 + 2 = 24

You will have to do better against a servant of Angradd!

He moves to the woman and attacks.

Attack: 1d20 + 12 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 12 + 2 = 33
Damage: 1d12 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 5 + 2 = 13

Maddie continues to tug on her threads of time, "Chron Alta!" speeding up her allies.

Casting Haste round 1

Will DC 19: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 7 + 2 = 23

"Chron Zeu?" Maddie seems to both pout and not pout for a second as her next spell fails to take hold onto the world, then continues her pulling, "Chron Alti!"

Casting Slow (DC 20) round 2 against all enemies

Will: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21

"I thought you knew us better than this. We won't stand for your bullying."

Flik casts ear-piercing scream on Viralane.
Sonic: 3d6 ⇒ (6, 3, 5) = 14 Fortitude DC 16 for half. Dazed for 1 round on failure.

"Hit them with everything you've got!
He continues to dispense advice.

The spell from the woman at the back has little affect on the group, only Remy succumbing to her magic.

Hida, Will: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (4) + 11 = 15
Viralane, Will and then Fort: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (6) + 12 = 181d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21

Borgol, vs Confusion: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 6 + 2 = 15
Confusion: 1d3 ⇒ 1 <<< act normally

The young wizards spell effects both enemies, but Flik's effect falls short.

Right as Fergus comes in for the swing, Viralene shakes her index finger in the dwarfs face, "Nuh, uh. How do you even swing that large weapon around, you're going to miss!" Suddently, multiple copies apear.
Mirror Image, 1 hit: 1d3 ⇒ 2

The woman behind her, laughs a little, "Remember, my dear. What do we do to ants? We swat them away." She says a small prayer. "Mister gnome, please go home."

@Fergus, please give me DC17 will vs hold person, @Flik, give me a DC 17 will save vs suggestion.
@Remy, please keep rolling me that confusion. :)

Round 3
Active buffs - Good Hope, Naturalist, +4/+4 a/d and +2 saves!
Active debuffs - --
You can give instructions to Maga as a free action!

@ Borgol (REF (20)) May act twice!

! Damil Russo -88 lethal (unconscious, bleeding)

@ Maddie (MA)
@ Fergus (REF (20) - confused
@ Remy -22 lethal (REF (20), MA) -Hyp. Stare -2 Will - confused
@ Flik (-)
+ Maga Sorsh

! Viralane -7 (Mirror Image 2)
! Hida Doss

Everyone may act!

Confusion: 1d100 ⇒ 74
Damage to Self: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9

Remy continues to pummel herself, heedless of the battle around her.

Will Save DC17: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (11) + 9 = 20

I keep tellin' ye! Yer parlor tricks won't work on me!

He will keep swinging at an image hoping to hit the real thing!

Attack 1: 1d20 + 12 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 12 + 2 = 26
Attack 2: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 7 + 2 = 10
Damage 1: 1d12 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 5 + 2 = 8

"Remy! Stop it!" Maddie calls out, unwilling to see her friend hurt herself, but then the magic swirling around her flickers red for the briefest of moments, and her concern is swallowed up by rage for the person who tried to be a friend.
"Yaaaah!"

Magic Missile: 5d4 + 5 ⇒ (2, 3, 3, 3, 3) + 5 = 19

Targeting Viralane.

Will: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16

Okay, I'm out of this fight. Collect me after you've dealt with these folks.

Flik can't explain it, but he feels compelled to leave his friends behind and wander back the way they've come.

"Now, how do I get some from here?"

Borgol shrugs his shoulders, "Am i confused, or is the lady behind Viralane dressed like a bird?" he says, as he activates holy strike.

Confusion: 1d4 ⇒ 3
Ouch: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10
"Wait, why is Remy punching herself?"