DM Ithe's Crypt of the Everflame!

Game Master Ithe

Does she recognize the voice?

If it is someone that Isabella is familiar with, the voice is to agitated to be recognizable.

Why wouldn't he trust us?

Galin considers
SM: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12

"That is really Isabella, who trains with the wizard, and I am Galin, from Braggar's smithy shop. Who do you think we are?"

diplomacy: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15

Torian approaches the door.

"We ain't be the dead, a' leas' naugh yet. We did send ah few o' them back to th' dead on 'ur wa' inside." The dwarf shakes his head.

"Iffen ye can look threw th' cracks, ye can see us 'n' th' lantern we be bearen t' retrieve th' flames. I give ye me word as ah servant o' Torag tha' we mean ye naugh harm iffen ye mean us none."

"We're not dead." Isabella's voice is gentle. "And neither it seems are you. What's your name?"

As he walks through the door, Dart wedges one of his daggers under one of the bars to keep it from closing.

At Galin and Torian's words, the faint light coming through crack in the door goes out and then comes back. Muttering sounds come from the room and all you can pick out is "Angry bones" and "Voice of Death" as you hear thuds and scraping sounds as though something were being moved. Then you hear a lock click, and the door opens ever so slightly and an eye is visible through the slit covering some of the orange light. The voice comes back and it sounds a bit calmer as it says, "Kassen has abandoned us, the dead one is here."

Perception: 1d20 ⇒ 7

Isabella smiles at the person behind the door. "See? We're alive. None of us are dead. We're here to help you. Will you let us do that?"

GM, just let me know if you want me to roll diplomacy again.

Whoops, meant to include that in my last post, this is basically a skill challenge. Use any skill you think is appropriate, but RP does effect things. You have 2 successes so far, one from Isabella and one from Galin (I counted Torian's RP as a bonus on Galin's).

Torian, non-plussed, smiles at the man.

"Bones a' th' door an' yer dea' friend returned to th' grave me lad. Kessen migh' ha'e failed ye, but Torag provides. Th' way ou' be cleared, just watch th' pits."

Diplomacy: 1d20 ⇒ 19

Thought it might be. Rolling for Isabella’s previous post.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20

The door opens quickly and a slight man in common clothes pokes his head out glancing past you at the hallway and gestures you in, not even taking the time to look you in the eyes and says, ”In, in. The angry bones walk the halls in ancient mail.” Everyone but Torian recognizes the face of Roldare, a man you’ve seen around Kassen. He has a gaunt pale face with short brown hair and he looks terrified.

K. Local: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12
Perception: 1d20 ⇒ 1

Isabella heads into the room. "Roldare! I'm so glad to see you safe." She glances around. "Are you...is there anyone else alive?" She hates to ask the question, given how fragile Roldare seems, but they need to know. Vark, Gerol, and Roldare, that still leaves two mounts unaccounted for."

Galin nods in agreement when Isabella comments on his safety.
Upon hearing Rodare's reply, "what were you all doing here anyway?"

Angry bones walk the halls...

Galin also inquires about a description of the angry bones as able, and attempts to see if he knows anything about what it might be.

kn:religion(untrained): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

know.local: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15
perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (1) + 10 = 11

Dart lets the others tend to the psychologically wounded man. He instead keeps an eye out for trouble. He does ask a question to the group.

do any of you have any blunt weaponry you aren't going to use? I'm worried that if we run into more undead, my blades may not cut it again.

are there any other passages or doors in the area behind the lever oped door?

Torian comes past the man identified as Roldare by Isabella, giving him a nod of thanks.

"Than' ye fer th' shelter. 'n' ye ha'e me sympathies on yer friends a' th' door."

"I've got this club if you want to use it, but it might be a bit small for you."

Well, if he takes it I won't have anything to bludgeon them with but at least I have my faith. I'm sure it will work out.

Galin them jumps at the next slightest noise.

There are 2 halls off of the path you took from the pit/lever room to get here. The Map linked in my header is up-to-date.

Roldare's eyes flicker about the room hardly ever focusing on you, but he responds to Isabella, "Safe? SAFE? No one is safe! The Voice of Death took her, he took Dimira. She was alive and he took her! What use would the dead have for the living? There were six of us and I am the last one!
Everyone is dead but me and Dimira and she was taken! We were just going to have a bit of fun. It happens to all the youngsters. But the dead walk! Why would we think to bring clubs? Nothing can defeat them!"

Anyone who past the Knowledge Local check remembers that Roldare has a sister named Dimira only slightly younger than him.

Roldare only mentions skeletons and its not enough information to spur Galin's memory.

Roldare doesn't have any blunt weapons to give Dart, but Dart might be able to break off a leg of the chair to use as a club.

Isabella draws in a sharp breath. Dimira was taken? I was just about to suggest we all leave, but if she's still here...

"This 'Voice of Death.' Do you know where he took her? Or why?"

To Dart, apologetically, she says, "All I've got is my morningstar. I'd offer to trade, but I'm afraid I've never practiced with anything like what you use. You might could keep a broom to use as a club?"

Isabella's not great with the morningstar, but she'd be worse with weapons she's not proficient in. Unfortunately at this level I get nowhere near enough spells/day to rely on magic.

Would using his blacksmithing hammer count as a light hammer or as an improvised weapon? The other option I was considering was using the back of the waraxe as a blunt striking weapon instead of swinging down the edge.

Torian nods at the revelation. "'e 're here fer th' flame anyway. Eye'm sure tha' we can get yer friend as well, assumin' she still be alive." The dwarf sees the reactions to that last statement, adding "Naugh offense meant b' tha', mind. Jus' staten' th' obvious."

Eyeing the cot, Torian lets out a yawn.

"A' anyra'e, tis been ah long day. Migh' want'ta rest up befer continuin' on."

honestly, the versatile weapon feat is a nice to have one Haha. Dart does his best to make a makeshift club (either 1 or 2handed) before turning to the others.

whatever is going on, we are the only ones here at the moment to deal with it. As a guard of the town, I can't leave without finding out if what is going on here can threaten it. What if whatever is causing the dead to walk leads them to town? Besides, I'll have no one say I left anyone in danger. he gives a charming smile.

I'm going to go check out the other passages, just scouting. I'd rather not wind up trapped in here with a horde of skeletons clawing at the door. he slips out the door and moves to check the hall and door closest to the room.

stealth: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14
perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (14) + 10 = 24

Hmm, Torian can use his hammer if he wants, lets say its a light hammer but does 1d3 dmg. Dart can use either a chair leg as a club that does 1d3 dmg or a broom handle that functions as a quarterstaff but does 1d3 dmg. The other option is to use them as improvised weapons to get the full damage. Sound fair? I found the Versatile feat about a month ago and I'd like to use it some time!

Don't forget Acid splash would bypass DR/B P S

Roldare isn't behaving in any antagonistic fashion toward you for your comment, its just that all of his replies come out mixed together and thats hard for me to relay. He's just scared really and slightly unhinged.

Roldare looks over near Isabella and says, "He took her into the crypt..." and trails off looking down and muttering to himself, "Why would he take her?" At Dart's comment, Roldare looks at him in the eye with an intense gaze, the first time he's really focused on any of you and says, "You'll get Dimira? You'll rescue her? Here, take this, it might help you." and Roldare tries to hand him his Masterwork light crossbow and 10 bolts.

When Dart goes to check on the door down the hallway, It is ever so slightly open and when he listens, he can hear a skittering coming from the next room. Feel free to finish up with Roldare before you act on this if you want.

Dart takes the crossbow and gives a nod. we'll get her back. he takes the crossbow and chair leg with him.

After hearing the noise, he returns to the others.

there's something in the room near us, I suggest we deal with whatever it is before sitting down for a rest. Just to be safe.

Again, darts normally cheery and flirty demeanor is replaced by a cool seriousness as he speaks.

"Be careful Dart. Don't go too far. This room must be reasonably safe, at least when it's barricaded. I agree with Torian that we should sleep before exploring further."

Hearing the report from Dart, Torian shakes his head. "'less ye ca' do somethen fer the gash en me leg 'n' th' gener'l tire'ness o' me bones, eye'm a thinken' we ca' stave it off'en with ah proper watch li'e in th' woods."

So saying he pulls out his sleeping bag from his pack. As a precaution, he also pulls out his smithing hammer and sets it beside it.

"Eye'm a taken' last watch, as bef're. Iffen wot ha'e ye ma'e ah concerted effort t' brea' through, wake me."

"Here you go Torian, I don't think I realized it was still bothering you, you stoic dwarf."

CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

final spell, I still have 3 channel energies left I'd be game for 1 more fight but we definitely will need to rest soon.

Does Galin's healing change your plans to rest?

If the others are gung-ho about solving this Scoobarific mystery, then yes it does. Torian is back up to full health again.

Letting go of a wince that the dwarf was unaware of his holding, Torian smiles at Galin.

"Thank'e, lad. Tha' first stri'e from th' dead wen' deeper'n me be letten on. Seems t' be mended no' though. Eye'm naugh thinken' we should be pushen our luck too much, bu' iffen' ye really wan' t' see wha' be causin' tha' noise bef're we rest eye'm ready I suppose."

Picking up his axe and putting his smithing hammer on his belt, he leaves the rest of his gear there. "Naugh sense'n bein' bogged down. Eye'm recommenden' we leave wha' we donaught need 'ere under the watchful eyes o' Roldare."

”Alright, if you’re sure. We’ll check out the noise before resting.” Isabella follows Dart down the corridor.

Has it been less than an hour since we entered the crypt? Wondering if I need to recast mage armor.

I'll say you can get one more combat out of the spell. That pit trap room took quite a bit of time.

Dart goes back to the door with the others behind him and listens at the door again. He can hear the same skittering sound coming from the other side of the door, its not constant or regular. He was pretty stealthy moving around so what ever it is, probably doesn't know that he's there. So, Dart can try to sneak in, or you can all just charge in, or what ever else you might want to do. What ever you do, please determine a marching order.

Isabella frowns at the noises coming from the other side of the room. Are those...bugs?

Her voice lowered so as not to startle the creatures, she says, "Let's open the door as quietly as possible to see what's there." She notably does not make a move for the door herself, instead looking expectantly at Dart.

Isabella votes for stealth, but would rather let Dart take the lead there. She'll also almost certainly be at the back of the marching order.

Torian readies his shield in one hand, his axe in the other. He takes up a position between the door and Isabella and presumably Galin, ready to body block whatever might attempt to crawl out of the room. Wordlessly, he nods at Dart that he can open the door when he is ready.

Torian would probably be second or first through the door, depending on what Dart does/what happens when it is opened. He would be ready to strike anything that tries to get past him to the casters, but probably couldn't provide the same protection to Dart.

Dart nods before moving up to the door and trying to peer in through the crack already there, pushing it slightly if needed.

stealth: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20
perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (4) + 10 = 14

3rd

Quietly, "Sounds like a good plan."

Galin attempts to quietly follow.

stealth(untrained): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19

The door opens slowly, Dart manages to stop it from squeaking as it creaks open. The first thing he sees is a set of stairs on the far wall going up and old rusted weapons decorate the walls. As the door opens a little more and sees another door on the south wall and a little further reveals, in the corner of the room, a large rounded shape with spines and skinny, spiny legs. As a moment passes, Dart realizes it is some sort of giant insect, with large pincers and some sort of protrusion from it's abdomen. It doesn't seem to have noticed Dart yet but it should any moment.

Map updated. Stealth checks from Isabella and Torian if you want to get surprise. Or Dart and Galin can run in, get surprise, and everyone can act in the First round.

Probably not a good idea for Torian to try to sneak, given he has his armor on... -3 on a D20. He will wait for the stealthier folks to do their stuff before wading in.

Isabella technically has +2 to stealth, but she's at the back and honestly isn't the type to try. She'll wait for round 1.

Ok, Galin and Dart, I need surprise round actions then. I think its reasonable that you guys could work out who's going in first non-verbally.

Dart levels the crossbow he was given at the creature, he turns long enough to nod to the others, hoping they got the message to go after he shoots.
He takes aim and pulls the trigger, sending the bolt flying towards the large insect.

attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14 oof, hopefully thats enough for FF ac.
damage: 1d8 + 1d6 ⇒ (4) + (5) = 9

round surprise!

Galin moves just into the room and attacks the spider with hand of the acolyte(light mace).

attack 1 flag, 3 wisdom, 1 size: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23
damage -1 str, +1 flag: 1d4 ⇒ 3

At the twang and thud of the crossbow and the “contact” of Galin’s mace, the creature lets out an awful sound. Both attacks hit, the bold finding a gap in the carapace, the spectral mace impacting the head. Dart and Galin can both see that it is perched protectively on top of another humanoid body.

Torian and Isabella hear the Roldare’s door slam and lock behind them.

Party is up!

Bug looks very injured at -12 from max

Dart reloads the crossbow in surprising speed, he was thankful for the small amount of training he had received in them. He 5ft steps into the room, and fires off another bolt, this time aiming at the creatures head it so kindly presented him with.

attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21
damage: 1d8 + 1d6 ⇒ (8) + (3) = 11

Dart’s second bolt find the bug’s neck and ends the creature.

Wow, good job.

rogues can be just as dangerous of 2handed warriors early on if they get the drop on folk ;)... and the damage dice play nice.
darts face breaks out in a grin, his normal demeanor returning.

And that, ladies and gents, is how its done. Wish I had thought to bring one of these when I left, guess the best can bend luck to their needs as well. He says as he loads another bolt in just to be safe. Go and tell our friend its safe again.

He then walks over to check out what the bug was "guarding".

as he does, he mutters to the others. Well, I suppose I could have just let you all rest, maybe I really am spooked a little...

Before Isabella had even fully readied herself to fight, Dart and Galin had already finished the creature. "That was amazing!"

With the bug dead, she heads in to check the room for anything useful. As she looks around, she muses, "Do we want to sleep now that the bug is dead? I want to find Dimira as soon as possible, but it's getting late."

Perception: 1d20 ⇒ 8

This room has the stairs leading up on the west wall and a closed door on the south wall. The body on the floor under the bug has been chewed and gnawed on and isn’t recognizable but it’s pretty fresh and it’s wearing clothes common in Kassen. It’s humanoid and medium sized but that is about the best you can do. It has various knickknacks in It’s pockets but nothing particularly useful.

Nice! Presuming not a stonework check.

Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14

"Anyone el'e smell tha' burnin'? Seem'ta be comin' from th' sou'h door."

@Torian- correct, but thanks for reminding me, I guarantee I will forget that at some point.

"Burning?" Galin approaches the south door to see if he feels heat. "Well, I can create water if there is fire, sort of depends on how much there is though."

Galin, you might want to roll as well... There is a second one in there that I didn't pass so didn't look at.

perception untrained: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8