Another half hour passes and you come out of the woods. The light of the sinking moon washes the sub-alpine valley ahead in silvery light. A squat, stone bunker crafted of dark rock sits nestled among the low trees, its domed roof barely peeking out from above the leafy canopy. As a cloud passes over the moon, the entire structure seems to fade from view, leaving a momentary void before the moon’s light again illuminates it. Only a single entryway mars the smooth, windowless facade of the lone building.
The building resembles the drawing you found in Kalkamedes' stove, and he is heading directly toward it.
It has been just over six hours since you first set out.
You follow your charge as he approaches the building.
A ten-foot wide stone archway, its keystone inscribed with a seven-pointed star wreathed in ancient markings, offers ingress into an unlit corridor built of cut stone blocks. Weathered script snakes its way up and down each side of the entrance. Kalkamedes walks directly toward the entrance.
DC 20 Linguistics or Read Thassilonian:
“Enter the Black Edifice, locus of the Thrallkeepers, servants of the Runelord of Sloth.”
DC 15 Perception:
Paw prints of dried mud show that very large animals regularly enter and leave the building.
Once anyone makes the above perception check, then anyone can attempt the following:
DC 18 Survival or DC 13 Knowledge (nature):
They appear to belong to an immense (ie size Large) variety of weasel
Male Dwarf Core Fighter 5 HP 54/54 | AC25 , T 12, FF23 | CMB:+8 CMD:20 Fort +11, Ref +5, Will +7 | Init +2 | Perc +11 Stonecunning, 60' Darkvision Step Up Effects: Extended Heroism!
"Would ya look at that.. some crazy Elven hideout or somethin'!" He says, in a hushed and awed tone. After a poke and a point he bends down on one knee to take a look at the tracks, giving Kalk a yank after the man nearly pulls him off his feet. Simmer down ya crazy bastard, we're getting close.
Survival DC18:1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18
"Huh, them's tracks are weasel, well, if a weasel grew ta be the size of a horse, give 'er take on the height I guess." He draws out his shield, just in case that weasel is hungry for Dwarf.
Kalkamedes leads the way into the building. A wide corridor leads inward, with no light to see by save what little moonlight comes in the doorway.
I've put up a map and placed you on it somewhat arbitrarily. The dwarves can see that it turns to the right up ahead, but the humans are currently blind.
Hannar mutters.."Well now, this won't do at all.", as he quickly gestures, mutters under his breath, and his staff starts to glow. "Ah, much better. Does anyone need to borrow my Wayfinder for their own Light spell?"
Male Dwarf Core Fighter 5 HP 54/54 | AC25 , T 12, FF23 | CMB:+8 CMD:20 Fort +11, Ref +5, Will +7 | Init +2 | Perc +11 Stonecunning, 60' Darkvision Step Up Effects: Extended Heroism!
Ironshanks motions for Wraith to scout ahead while he shortens the lead on his charge, then fixes him to the doorway with the grapple. "Hold tight good buddy, we're hopefully almost there." He says with genuine compassion for the man. A bond built over a very LONG night. Shorten his lead to 15'.
Wordlessly, the ninja darts off. Realizing that the light also serves as a beacon, there is little reason to worry about stealth. Anything alive will see her coming. So, she tries to focus on any danger that may be present.
Ironshanks: what do you mean by "fixes him to the doorway with the grapple" ?
Wraith moves up and peers around the corner. Steep stairs descend into a room. To the east is a dais of glistening black stone. To the west stands a statue of an elderly, robed man carved from the same dark stone, and in his hand he brandishes a slender golden wand that points toward the door. Ancient script winds around the statue’s round base, and dried leaves, dirt, and small animal bones are scattered about the room.
GM Screen:
Perception:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9
As Wraith moves down the stairs, she stops short upon noticing a large form reclining in the corner of the room. From what she can see, it is an immense skunk, and despite the light, does not seem to be responding to her approach yet.
I've updated the map, moving Wraith forward and showing what she can see form her current position.
Male Dwarf Core Fighter 5 HP 54/54 | AC25 , T 12, FF23 | CMB:+8 CMD:20 Fort +11, Ref +5, Will +7 | Init +2 | Perc +11 Stonecunning, 60' Darkvision Step Up Effects: Extended Heroism!
"Hey now, I know a weasel track when I see one! They hop along in pairs, skunks walk along. Totally different.. Maybe the weasel left due to the smell." He shrugs and tears a piece of Kalkamedes bed shirt off then wets it and ties it around his own face like a bandana. "Should keep the smell out somewhat.. I hope." He says through the damp cloth before leaving his leashed dog and heading to the front when the others are ready.
Go ahead and place yourselves wherever you want to be when the first person steps into the room. I will then check to see if Kalkamedes comes loose as things get started.
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Round 1
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Wraith
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White
Black
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Bemmer
Hannar
Ironshanks
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Kalkamedes
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Round 2
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As Ironshanks comes down the stairs further than Wraith had previously gone, he realizes that there is another giant skunk just around the corner. I stopped Ironshanks one square back, just where he would have noticed the second creature.
Wraith is up! The skunks are aware of you, but are currently flat-footed.
Wraith moves in and takes advantage of her quick reflexes to get right up to the first skunk and give it a large, painful gash.
White Bite vs Wraith:1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8 White Claw #1 vs Wraith:1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14 White Claw #2 vs Wraith:1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12
Black Spray vs Wraith (touch):1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13
The first skunk rears up and bites and claws at the ninja, who nimbly dodges. The other turns its tail toward Wraith and sends out a spray of foul-smelling musk, but thankfully Wraith avoids getting any on her.
Male Dwarf Core Fighter 5 HP 54/54 | AC25 , T 12, FF23 | CMB:+8 CMD:20 Fort +11, Ref +5, Will +7 | Init +2 | Perc +11 Stonecunning, 60' Darkvision Step Up Effects: Extended Heroism!
Ironshanks shakes his head as Wraith runs in and tries to get herself shredded and perfumed "Ain't you learnt anythin' yet kid? Yer lucky they're half asleep." He moves out and around her and tries to hack off a healthy looking skunk steak to feed to the weasel he's sure is nearby.
Just confirming I hit last round as White only shows taking 8 damage instead of taking 23.
Not sure why I didn't record your damage .. updating now.
Wraith makes another stab at the skunk, but can't quite connect this time.
White Bite vs Wraith:1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18 White Claw #1 vs Wraith:1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12 White Claw #2 vs Wraith:1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15
The skunk continues to claw and bite, but Wraith dodges the attacks with ease.
Black Bite vs Ironshanks:1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12 Black Claw #1 vs Ironshanks:1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15 Black Claw #2 vs Ironshanks:1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21
The other skunk tries to rid itself of its dwarven enemy, with no effect.
Male Dwarf Core Fighter 5 HP 54/54 | AC25 , T 12, FF23 | CMB:+8 CMD:20 Fort +11, Ref +5, Will +7 | Init +2 | Perc +11 Stonecunning, 60' Darkvision Step Up Effects: Extended Heroism!
The failed scratching and clawing at his protective shell is music to the old dwarf's ears. He flips up his visor and works to help out Wraith on the strange, mostly white skunk. "Ye won't avoid this axe this time ye overgrown stink cat!" But yet again his visor slams down at the worst time and his axe just sinks into the stone floor.
Ironshanks has some difficulties with his equipment, and his flailing about distracts Hannar from his own shot. 12 doesn't quite touch even a giant skunk, sadly.
Hannar moves and casts a spell...a cone of bright colors spring forth from his open palm engulfing the skunk...
Color Spray (DC=15) vs. Black
Color Spray:
Color Spray: Casting Time; 1 standard action Components: V S,M (red, yellow, and blue powder or colored sand) Range: 15 ft. Area: cone-shaped burst Duration: instantaneous; see text Saving Throw: Will negates; Spell Resistance: yes Description: A vivid cone of clashing colors springs forth from your hand, causing creatures to become stunned, perhaps also blinded, and possibly knocking them unconscious. Each creature within the cone is affected according to its HD. 2 HD or less: The creature is unconscious, blinded, and stunned for 2d4 rounds, then blinded and stunned for 1d4 rounds, and then stunned for 1 round. (Only living creatures are knocked unconscious.) 3 or 4 HD: The creature is blinded and stunned for 1d4 rounds, then stunned for 1 round. 5 or more HD: The creature is stunned for 1 round. Sightless creatures are not affected by color spray.
Male Dwarf Core Fighter 5 HP 54/54 | AC25 , T 12, FF23 | CMB:+8 CMD:20 Fort +11, Ref +5, Will +7 | Init +2 | Perc +11 Stonecunning, 60' Darkvision Step Up Effects: Extended Heroism!
"Ack, best not be rabid ya beast! I'll get ya soon as I finish off whitey here!" He grits his teeth as he sees Wraith's luck run out with a serious shredding of her armor and skin.
