DM Ithe's Crypt of the Everflame!

Game Master Ithe

My understanding is that Torian is asking Galin to hit the bones with either Channel Energy or Cure Light Wounds, correct? I need you guys to pick what you're going to do.

That's my understanding as well. If divine magic fails, then we'll gather the bones and dump them somewhere.

Was thinking channel energy myself, but was leaving it as an open ended "divine energy" to better separate his IC knowledge from my general OOC knowledge from playing Dhamphir characters, ;)

Galin takes a moment to focus and stands within 30 feet of the bones,

channel energy: 1d6 ⇒ 1

sorry for the delay!

The tiny bone chips lay scattered all over the room now, leaking blood. Galin, the slight gnome centers himself in the room and the divine energy glows around him. For a moment, it’s hard to tell if anything is happening, the all the little bone fragments begin to glow as well, and. A spectral fire begins to come off of them and they blacken and the light continues to come from Galin. They dry, the blood stops, and finally it is done. The light fades and all that is left of the bone fragments is ash.

If I was within range would I be right in thinking that healed me 1 hp?

Torian breaths out a sigh, finally smiling a small smile. Walking up to Galin he claps him on the shoulder.

"'ell done, lad."

normally you choose to heal or harm when you channel, if harm, then it doesn't heal anyone.

normally you choose to heal or harm when you channel, if harm, then it doesn't heal anyone.

Right you are Dart. That did not heal Torian.

Just making sure... would have been ironic if it had, given that was all he was missing.

With the threat of their fallen foes reanimating once more finally ended, Torian take his time to examine the room again, this time trying to see if there is an obvious way out.

As an aside, I know we are IC on a time crunch to find the flame and hopefully save that one remaining villager, but should we consider resting before moving on? How much magic do we have left? Also about what time would you say it is DM?

Isabella relaxes as the bones finally stop bleeding. "Zombies, skeletons, shadows, bones that bleed...just how many different types of undead are there?" She doesn't seem to expect an answer to this question.

Pointing at the doorway in the middle of the far wall, she says, "Looks like that's our way down. Galin, Torian, how are you feeling? Do you think you're up for exploring a little bit more?"

Isabella still has half her first-level spells remaining, aka two. Ah, the joys of low-level casters :)

Hmm, you rested before the shadow fight...so most of the upper level has been this morning. Call it sometime not long before noon? If you wanted to argue for earlier, I'd listen.

I would say that would probably be accurate, given we had the golem, the trapped hallway, the key pool, the sneaking around the pillar, and then this recent fight after that. Hell, was almost thinking it might be later tbh.

Torian nods his head. "Aye lass, Eye'm ready t' go deeper. Wot abou' 'ou lot?"

low on actual magic, but I've got most of the CLW wand and a couple channels left. Good to keep rolling a few more I think.

"That was strange, wonder what was going on with the bones. I'll have to do some research or ask Prast."

Galin looks contemplative, but after a few moments is ready to go onward.

I'm ready when you are!"

As you creep toward the stairs, and start down them, you feel the earth looming around you as you go farther into the hill. The stairs are cramped but as you go down, you make out the faintest blue light from somewhere ahead. At the bottom of the stairs, it opens up into a circular room with 3 hallways emptying into it. Letters carved into the floor circle a small stone platform, the letters face the platform making them tedious to make out. The sound of dripping comes from somewhere farther into the crypt, but the faint blue light is coming from the southern hall directly opposite you. It isn't enough to help you see much of anything.

Map updated with lower level.

Isabella peers down all three hallways, trying to see what might lie beyond.

East: 1d20 ⇒ 16

South: 1d20 ⇒ 4

West: 1d20 ⇒ 17

She also takes her light over to the inscription and reads it carefully.

"Alright, so it sounds like we need to go east first, to open a gate somewhere, then west to Kassen's resting place." She looks to the west with a worried gaze. "I smell rot down that way. Not much, but given how many undead we've faced...I'm guessing there's more lurking over there. I'm not sure what's to the east other than water."

She looks south with a pensive expression. "According to the inscription south is safe, but that was presumably written before whatever caused the dead to rise here. It still might be a good idea to clear that area first, so we have somewhere to retreat to if something happens."

Isabella votes to go south.

Perception (East): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10
Perception (South): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21
Perception (West): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Torian blinks as he examines the light in the Southern hallway.

"Tha' sound li'e ah good plan, lass. Tha' said, the light in tha' hall seem'ta be flik'ren' somethen' fierce. Migh' be yet another o' them spirit things. Be careful."

Seconded. I also vote we figure out what is in that space up top we missed eventually, after we find and rescue the missing villager.

The short southern passageway takes a bend before ending in a small chamber dominated on the far side by a silver fountain quietly burbling perfectly clear water. The water glows with the faint blue light you had already seen. An inscription above the fountain reads “Kassen’s legacy lives on with his people. Drink and be refreshed.”

Isabella looks around with wide eyes. "Wow. I guess the undead didn't make it to this room. I wonder if it's protected somehow." She quickly scans the area with Detect Magic to see if she can figure out what the fountain might do.

It sounds like a good thing, but nevertheless Isabella doesn't really want to be the first one to drink from a possibly-magical fountain without knowing what it does. Nor does she want to volunteer anyone else.

"I guess this room could serve as a base of sorts if we need to rest. Otherwise it doesn't look like there's much here. Should we start heading for the gate to the east?"

Torian focuses on the fountain, trying to determine if there is any malign auras within the water. Using Detect Evil on the fountain.

"Wai' ah minute, lass. Naugh sense'n naugh spenden' ah wee moment' t' examine this pool. Nothen' in 'ere has been accidental t' the trials, after all. Iffen' this water can be helpful, would be nice t' know 'efore i's ah crises."

I can't remember if I've stated this before, but I'm ruling that these "Detect" spells mostly need line of sight, especially for weaker auras.

Torian's magical vision, provided by Torag does not register anything evil in this room.

The fountain does indeed have a faint magical aura.

K. Arcana: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20
Spellcraft: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16

Isabella blinks rapidly as she lets the magic fade from her sight. "The fountain is magical, some sort of conjuration spell. Not sure what kind. It's probably helpful, given the inscription, but I couldn't tell you what it does. Galin, do you have any idea?"

I think you have mentioned that before, and it's totally fair. A 0-level cantrip shouldn't let people 'see' through walls!

That is perfectly in keeping with the ability for paladins. They have to focus on the object to be able to get the sense for it, and while they do they can't sense any other auras around them. To make things simpler (at least for Torian) presume that if I am saying he uses the ability on something that he makes whatever movement needed to do so... and setting off any traps or triggers if applicable. ;)

spellcraft: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25

"Looks like we can heal some by drinking the water, wonderful! This will definately be a good 'safe' room for us. I wonder if there is something keeping them out or if they just haven't wondered this way."

Galin jots down a note to make further inquiry about this water to see if it's something more common or rare.

Isabella brightens as Galin explains what the fountain does. "Really? That's great! We should definitely fall back here if anyone gets hurt. Maybe we can save some of your spells that way."

For now though everyone seems mostly uninjured, so Isabella shoulders her pack and prepares to move on.

Ready to check out what's to the east, although as usual Isabella won't be going first.

"Ok, lets head east. We're right behind you Torian and Dart!"

Galin gathers himself for another plunge into danger with gradually increasing resolve.

Well, while I’m waiting to feel better, you can all level up! Don’t forget to alter your headers too. Was it Dart that had still had strength damage? That would not be altered by leveling up, but the fountain will take care of that.

Sweet! And yes, Dart was the one that still has 3 points STR damage.

Torian nods and readies his axe as they return to the intersection. "'emember t' gi'e me ah warnen' iffen' ye nee' me t' hold th' line."

Dart will glance to the pool. Hey, thats great! so what, do I drink from it? Without waiting for a real reply, he dunks his head in as much as he can.

as they ready to press on, he looks to galin after his remark.
Thanks for watchin our backs. Remember, if I shout RUN!, ya'll come help. If I should HELP!, yall book it, I'll make sure our stout wall comes along as well.

Dunking Darts head in the water is refreshing, but no magical benefit seems to have been imparted.

Isabella coughs. "I think you actually need to drink it. Not bathe in it."

apologies, I meant to say he dunked it in and drank, thats a brain failure on my part haha. Made the post while I was tired.

I probably should have understood you to mean that, but I'm still a bit slow on the uptake as well.

Dart partakes of the fountain and a pleasant chill fills his body, quenching his thirst and he feels the strength return to his muscles (Str damage healed). Isabella, as she watches, can see the strength of the aura fade substantially possibly about a quarter (3 uses left of the fountain).

Walking down the eastern hallway, you come to a T and a thin layer of water is evident across the hall going both directions, it seems to get deeper both ways, but might be worse in the north than the south.

Isabella looks both ways, frowning. "Maybe we should go south first? I'm not particularly anxious to do any swimming if it can be avoided. If the gate is to the south, we might not need to go north at all."

Torian looks at the water warily. "Swemen' naugh be me strong suit, lass. 'ells, waden' naugh be as easy fer me as fer you. South it is, 'ut Eye'm thinken' Dart should ta'e point."

I’ll move things forward tomorrow morning.

Oh yea, sure no problem, I'll lead my troop valiantly into the unknown!

Dart proceeds down the hall, taking care of the surroundings.

perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (17) + 11 = 28

The water gets deeper for a few feet and then seems to settle out at about 1 foot deep, which impedes your progress some. Galin especially has trouble moving in this depth of water. Difficult terrain for Galin, he'll move at half speed in this section.

As the hallway opens up into a smaller room with 4 pillars spread out through the room, Dart notices a strange blue fungus covers the walls, ceiling, and pillars of this waterlogged chamber. Its wispy strands stretch out from the wall like roots dangling in the air, twitching and swaying in an unseen breeze. Floating in the water are four decaying corpses—three large rats and one giant frog—with strange burn marks all over their bodies. No other features of the room are readily apparent, it seems the fungus has broken down what ever furniture might have existed, that would have told you this room's purpose.

It doesn't look like anyone has K. Nature.

Isabella peers over Dart's shoulder into the room. "Uh, maybe we should go the other way after all. Something killed those creatures, and I don't want to run into whatever that something is. Unless...Dart, is there some sort of trap around that they might have triggered?"

Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5 Guys guys guys.... did you see how wet the water is?

Torian shrugs. "Aye lass. Somethen' abou' this is naugh setten' righ' wi'h me."

Galin sloshes through the pathway, "Whew, are you saying we're going back through that? well, wait up for me if so... you folks with your long legs..."

Dart shakes his head as he looks around the room.

No miss belle, no traps that I can see. Though, perhaps its covered by the moss, fungus... whatever that stuff is. Anyone know what that stuff is? He asks pointing to the moss all along the walls and ceiling.

"No idea. I've never seen that stuff before. Let's just try the other way." Isabella retreats to the other path, wading through the water. "Ugh, I am never going to be dry again."

Perception: 1d20 ⇒ 9

Distracted by the feeling of water seeping into her boots, she doesn't notice much. "Come on guys, let's go."

Hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving.

Correct no traps that Dart can see.

Dart glances around the room, and spots nothing that looks like a trap to him but a closer look would be required to spot all but the most obvious traps. As he peers around the room, Isabella heads down the other hall, and the water rises much quicker up her legs as she gets to the corner of the hallway. 2-3 feet of water impedes her movement and a peek around the corner reveals a wooden door. It looks to be quite waterlogged but its hard to tell from this distance exactly what shape it's in.

Dart will move ahead of Isabelle
pardon me madame, but I would be remiss to not get the door for the most beautiful lady of the ball. He gives an exaggerated bow as he passes by her before stopping to examine the door before trying his luck at it.

perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (17) + 11 = 28
disable device: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (9) + 11 = 20

Galin peeks around and tries to take a look at what's going on with the door. Whispered, "how is it coming with the door?"

As Galin trudges through the water to look around the corner, he realizes that he is standing in water up to his chest and if it gets any deeper, he'll have to swim.

Dart reaches the door to take a look. The water up to his thighs indicates that Galin won't be able to walk. Everyone else will be impeded as well (difficult terrain for medium sized people, The water comes up pretty high on Torian as well, but the stout dwarven nature makes it to there he can still carry on as well as Dart and Isabella)

The door is swollen with water and is tight in the door frame so no casual push will open it, but it looks like it is softer than normal. No lock or trap is evident.

Hey Torian, you wanna cut some firewood? Door's swollen shut, but is probably half rotted at this point. Wanna take some swings at it and have a bit of fun? Dart calls back to Torian.

Torian looks at the door with a bemused, if a bit damp, look.

"Aye lad. Jest be a' ready fer wha'e'r be behind it."

Readying his axe, the dwarf brings the axe down upon the weaker sections closer to the hinges.

Lets start with 4 swings.

Melee Attack: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 4 + 1 = 11 Damage: 1d10 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 + 1 = 5
Melee Attack: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 4 + 1 = 7 Damage: 1d10 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 1 + 1 = 12
Melee Attack: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 4 + 1 = 7 Damage: 1d10 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 1 + 1 = 11
Melee Attack: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 4 + 1 = 15 Damage: 1d10 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 + 1 = 9

Galin treads water trying not to sink, holding onto whoever's armor or robes to try to help

swim: 1d20 ⇒ 13

Isabella glances back at Galin treading water, then adjusts her pack slightly and crouches down. "Here, climb on. I have younger siblings, I'm used to giving piggy-back rides. And having you on my shoulders isn't going to keep me from casting spells."

It's not like Isabella has any skills that would be affected by the penalty for carrying a medium load. Unless it gets deep enough that we actually have to swim, she should be just fine with Galin on her shoulders. Stack the casters!