GM Tealk's - Core - Cradle of Night

Game Master Tealk

The small shadowy figure gets all defensive.

I would remind you of your HP right now, as you hasn't had the chance to heal yet.

"Why are you making me repeat myself? I am the caretaker of this place. And you will give up your shadows, or leave this place at once!" The shadows grow all around you, as you feel the little creature start to manifest his natural abilities.

Seward sneers at the creature.

My shadow belongs to me and me alone. Sorry. If that means we have to be enemies so be it. But I will not sell any iota of myself back into the ownership of another

You're not being truthful in calling yourself the caretaker, as far as I can see but I take your position as one who wishes to position yourself better, not necessarily one that means us harm. As my stalwart companion said, you might want to think twice before you attack and we're forced to defend ourselves...

Darven grimaces a bit from the pain of the last combat, he manages to growl a response, "The only thing you'll get is a quick death."

Telos stands there holding his wand, waiting impatient.

Can I? Are we doing this or what?

"Have it your way then." Says the shadow creature, before flourishing a spell, creating shapes out of the darkness.

The little bugger weaves a spell, and a chain of shadow connects Pietro to the back of the room.

@Pietro, please give me a DC 18 will save, or you actually believe that chain is there. If you fail, you cannot further away from the spot you are chained to at the back of the room. Chain is 30 ft.

"Heheh, stay there big man. You're shadow will be the juciest of them all." He laughs, as he moves aroun the corner.

Round 1
Active buffs - --
Active debuffs - --

! Shadow Collector

@ Pietro (-7 from CON), -2 STR -3 CON (Continual Flame, PoE)
@ Darven -42 lethal (-8 from CON) -2 STR, -2 CON (-)
@ Seward -6 lethal (Longstrider, Barkskin, PoE)
@ Telos -2 lethal (Mage Armor)
@ Will (Mirror Image (4))
+ Aiyana (-)

Everyone may act!

"Have it your way then." Says the shadow creature, before flourishing a spell, creating shapes out of the darkness.

The little bugger weaves a spell, and a chain of shadow connects Pietro to the back of the room.

@Pietro, please give me a DC 18 will save, or you actually believe that chain is there. If you fail, you cannot further away from the spot you are chained to at the back of the room. Chain is 30 ft.

I love that spell.

Will save (prot v evil: +2 if the caretaker is EVIL): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (2) + 10 = 12 I like it less, now though.

"THE HELLS?! WHAT SORT OF CARETAKER INSULTS HIS GUESTS LIKE THIS? TAKE SOME TIME OFF, AND GO F*~* YOURSELF!" Says Pietro making a rude somatic gesture

Pietro encourages this course of action by way of a suggestion spell (Will DC 16). This assumes Pietro can target the caretaker (blue guy in the white circle?). If not he readies to do the same.

I love that spell.

haha yea, it is a great spell. You can re take your turn if you wish, because the creature is backed up into the previous hall way. So no line of site. Otherwise, happy for you to keep the ready.

You can't take my shadow, if I make it disappear for a while...

[move] Draw rod of metamagic (extend)
[standard] Cast greater invisibility, duration: 16 rounds

The halfing (and his shadow) suddenly disappear.

Greater invisibility, round 1/16

Seward plugs the guy full of holes

freedom.

Ranger Things, +2 if Evil Outsider, +4 if Undead: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (17) + 16 = 331d6 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 9 = 13

Ranger Things, +2 if Evil Outsider, +4 if Undead: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (15) + 16 = 311d6 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 15

Ranger Things, +2 if Evil Outsider, +4 if Undead: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (10) + 11 = 211d6 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 15

Seward, the creature turned hte corner, so you cannot see him. And you cannot target him with your seeking because you don't know where he is.

C'mon Pietro, you can do it!

Will casts haste on everyone, including Pietro, so he can hurry up and free himself with his mighty strength and Cayden's blessing.

He also begins to inspire courage.

Aiyana chases after the creature down the hallway, "Wait! Tell us what you saw of the intruders who rifled here before us!" Casting suggestion on the creature.
SR: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (19) + 9 = 28

I am going to take some liberty, and say that Darven heals himself with one single tap of his wands on his turn. Your first roll was a 3, so if i roll below this, i will use your roll.

Wand: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8
Yay! Tracked charged 10/12 on this wand, i believe.

The creature is stopped almost immediately in it's tracks by your new companions spell. The creature turns around, waving his arms around in protest. "Now why would i...do...*cough* ... There were five of them!" Xermathiel does his best to cover his lips with his hands, but even that is not enough to stop the torrent of information that is to follow, as the words burst out of his mouth not of his own accord. "Dark folk, and one with blue skin like yours. I did not see them come in, but they disrupted the Haramil's tomb. Took some artifact from his grasp. ... Tore a rift into the Shadow Plain. I jumped through, and watched them get beaten back by something dark. They ran. One of them still stuck here, behind the wall of stone." She stops, realizing it took all of his energy to fight against the spell.

Round 2
Active buffs - --
Active debuffs - --

! Xermathiel -13

@ Pietro (-7 from CON), -2 STR -3 CON (Continual Flame, PoE)
@ Darven -34 lethal (-8 from CON) -2 STR, -2 CON (-)
@ Seward -6 lethal (Longstrider, Barkskin, PoE)
@ Telos -2 lethal (Mage Armor, Gr. Invis (15))
@ Will (Mirror Image (4))
+ Aiyana (-)

Everyone may act!

The halfling slinks back into the previous chamber to follow Xermathiel.

[move] stow metamagic rod
[move] 20'
Stealth (invisible, moving): 1d20 + 7 + 20 ⇒ (5) + 7 + 20 = 32

Greater invisibility, round 2/16

Will steps up and delivers a volley.

Rapid Shot, PBS, IC, Heroism,haste, DA: 1d20 + 9 + 2 + 1 + 2 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (6) + 9 + 2 + 1 + 2 + 1 - 2 = 19damage,IC,PBS: 1d6 + 6 + 2 + 1 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 6 + 2 + 1 + 4 = 17

Rapid Shot, PBS, IC, Heroism,haste, DA: 1d20 + 9 + 2 + 1 + 2 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (19) + 9 + 2 + 1 + 2 + 1 - 2 = 32damage,IC,PBS: 1d6 + 6 + 2 + 1 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 6 + 2 + 1 + 4 = 18

Haste Shot, PBS, IC, Heroism,haste, DA: 1d20 + 9 + 2 + 1 + 2 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (20) + 9 + 2 + 1 + 2 + 1 - 2 = 33damage,IC,PBS: 1d6 + 6 + 2 + 1 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 6 + 2 + 1 + 4 = 19

confirm Haste Shot, PBS, IC, Heroism,haste,DA: 1d20 + 9 + 2 + 1 + 2 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (8) + 9 + 2 + 1 + 2 + 1 - 2 = 21extra crit damage,IC,PBS: 2d6 + 12 + 4 + 2 + 8 ⇒ (4, 4) + 12 + 4 + 2 + 8 = 34

With Darven still close at hand and all the action happening around the corner in the next room Pietro takes the time to produce his wand of cure moderate wounds and touch the warrior with it. He offers his continual flamed +1 morningstar to him as well.

wand of CMW v Darven: 2d8 + 5 ⇒ (1, 3) + 5 = 9

"Here. You might need this." he says dolefully.

Xermathiel takes the arrows from Will, squeeling in pain. Before you can deal enough damage on the poor creature, he grunts "Have it your way then! The tomb is yours! Nothing to do here anyway!" He sticks his tongue out and then shadow walks away.

"Well that was interesting, at least we got some information out of him before he ran away...Are you guys okay?" Aiyana expresses concern for her allies.

I'm fine! Telos squeaks from somewhere. I need to do this more often when things get chaotic...

He finally reappears after roughly one and a half minutes have passed.

"WELL, SINCE I SEEM STUCK HERE, PERHAPS A QUICK BREAK FOR LUNCH, AYE?"

"Have a feeling we will be seeing that thing again." Darven says trying to catch his breath.

"WELL, SINCE I SEEM STUCK HERE, PERHAPS A QUICK BREAK FOR LUNCH, AYE?"

"I will concede, we have done a lot this morning, but from what that shadow theif said, one of the intruders is still here, stuck behind this wall. I don't want to waste this opportunity..." She points at the wall of stone, "Anyone have any way of breaking this down?"

I could melt it with fireballs? Or... lightning?

Then he holds up his fists.

I guess there are these too. Other options?

Alright team, so what is the plan here. You still have places to explore within the crypt before you can safely say that it is cleared. Or you can rest, and come back tomorrow. Just note, it is still technically the middle of the day. You have been exploring for about 40 minutes, if that.

We best be on our toes, I have a feeling we’ll see him again. I’m fine with whatever the consensus is.

I could melt it with fireballs? Or... lightning?

Then he holds up his fists.

I guess there are these too. Other options?

"RIGHT. YOU TWO WORK ON CLAWING YOUR WAY THROUGH STONE WITH YOUR BARE HANDS, AND I'LL MAKE SANDWICHES. WHO'S FOR A BIT OF HAM AND MUSTARD?"

Pietro is for waiting for all of our status effects to wain a bit and perhaps take a little lay down to replenish hp, spells, and ability damage. Then breakfast! 40 minutes is way longer than the typical 15 minute adventuring day.

Yes, I suppose some rest would be prudent. But we should be thinking of other options to get through that stone wall in the meantime.

Telos chuckles.

No, of course I'm not really clawing my way through.

Alright, then it's decided.

You official decide to take a break, as the past few encounters have left you battered and bruised, and has drained much of your will to fight on. Eventually, after some persuasion, Aiayana gives in, "I understand. You are the experts here. We shall come back tomorrow, and explore the rest of the tomb."

...

Making your way outside, the day is still warm, but you manage to find another cave not far from your current location to set up a temporary retreat for the afternoon.

You are not disturbed for the rest of the period while you are resting, unless you can call Pietro's obnoxiously loud snoring as disruption.

Aiyana stays quiet for the majority of the experience, choosing to meditate quietly in the darkness. She is obviously uneasy about what has transpired, but only opens up if someone approaches.

The opportunity to roleplay with Aiyana is there, if anyone wants to take it.

You get 8 hours of rest, please update your sheets accordingly.

With all of the party well rested, it is the the middle of the night. Exiting your small shelter, you find the moon hanging brightly in the night sky, casting an eeiry light on the valley. You notice that the entrance to the tomb, is almost entirely darkened. The veil cast from the Shadow Plain has gotten stronger in the night.

Okay team, what is the plan?

I've re-upped Pietro's spells with a few changes. Nothing really that helps find or open secret doors unless someone has a suggestion.

self-inflicted lesser restoration v Con damage: 1d4 ⇒ 3

With an afternoon's/evening's rest that brings Pietro to full CON, but down 1 STR and 7 hp at the start of the "adventuring day". Lemme know if you need healing!

I have placed you guys back to the start of the tomb, there are a few unexplored rooms you've gone past. Let me know what you want to do.

I think with a night's rest, Darven should be to a point where the ability damages no longer matter

And nothing to help with the hidden door

Telos walks up to the entrance of the tomb again.

So, am I melting the stone door, or did anyone come up with other ideas?

The halfling turns to Aiyana.

There were a couple more rooms that we never explored. Are you pretty certain that we should simply breach the stone door first?

Reminder you will need the daylight spell to be inside the tomb.

Aiyana shakes her head, "I am not certain that the emissary from the Reborn might still be there after a day. But perhaps we might be lucky and he hasn't recharged his magical abilities."

Reminder you will need the daylight spell to be inside the tomb.

Pietro's got daylight on tap, but I thought continual light was working.

Aiyana of Lyrudrada wrote:

Reminder you will need the daylight spell to be inside the tomb.

Pietro's got daylight on tap, but I thought continual light was working.

Pietro notices that darkness emanating from the tomb is now much stronger during the night. He doesn't think continual light will make any impact against this level of darkness now.

Aiyana smirks, "It is just as i feared. Something inside is fueling the tear in this reality. It is using the energies from the Shadow Plain to manifest an even greater darkness. I cannot even imagine at the horror that could possibly wield that much power..."

Telos suggests that they return to the entry room and try the west chamber.

I will say Pietro cast's Daylight, to help you guys see.

Inside the tomb, the darkness is almost muddy, Pietro's light fighting the forces which are trying to extinguish the light.

Telos directs the group to first clear out the western chamber. A short stairway descends to this low chamber, where eight stone tables stand between several shallow alcoves. Each table bears ancient, dusty relics such as scrolls, armor, carved figurines, and jewelry; all are in various stages of disrepair. Detailed carvings of a furious man engaged in battle adorn the alcoves between each table.

Sense Motive, DC20: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 1 = 20

It's all junk. But I think once-upon-a-time they were meant to be irreverent, subtly insulting offerings.

He conducts his customary arcane scan of the room.

Spend several moments, perhaps a minute casting detect magic on the stone tables and statues in the alcoves.

I will say Pietro cast's Daylight, to help you guys see.

WHERE'S THE FUN IN THAT?!? Yeah, he'd cast daylight. ;)

sense motive (guidance): 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 7 + 1 = 28

Pietro inspects the area, musing quietly to himself.

"Hm? A furious man... A furious man.... Only a furious man may pass.... A furious man is angry.... Ah! A furious man would BELLOW!"

Will makes himself look like a big damned hero again as they venture forth.

heroism

With his mastery of lore take 10 for 20 Will begins a history lesson.

The people of Haramil’s time often offered personal belongings or memorabilia as final gifts to the departed. On closer inspection, the “gifts” left for Haramil are more like insults, as if those who buried Haramil wanted to mock his passing and diminish his legacy. Each gift is fundamentally flawed in some way: a helmet is flimsy and lopsided, a ring contains an obvious fake gem in its setting, and a figurine of Haramil has comical and unflattering exaggerations. Or you know, what Telos just inferred...

"Well done, gentlemen. I would have made the same observations myself. It makes sense now why Haramil is so angry. We should tread carefully, i feel a dark presence all around us." Aiyana explains, as she moves out of the light covering her eyes. "Shall we proceed to see if the trapped Reborn is still there? Telos, i believe you mentioned you could blast your way through? Shall we try that method?"

Pietro inspects the area, musing quietly to himself. "Hm? A furious man... A furious man.... Only a furious man may pass.... A furious man is angry.... Ah! A furious man would BELLOW!"

Peitro's murmuring clashes with the darkness trying to consume the party, after the cleric stops for a moment, the darkness murmurs back. "Oh, you think light is your ally. You merely adopted the light. I was born in darkness. Molded by it..."

After a slight pause, "Well, I don't think that was a good sign." says the bard, before stepping back into the light with the rest of the group.

Would Haramil be more at piece if we removed the offensive offerings? Yes, I can still try to blast through with fireball. It seems heavy-handed, but if it's what we have...

There was a room to the East as well.

You make your way past the trapped hallway you disarmed, and let Telos do this thing with the wall of stone. You all stand back, and let the halfling sorcerer do his thing.
Fireball 4: 8d6 ⇒ (2, 2, 2, 1, 2, 4, 1, 3) = 17

You would need 4x fireball spells, to get through the hardness of the spell.

After a few explosions, you get through the barrier, leaving it crumbled.

The northern part of this long chamber has crumbled away into ruin, with rubble spilling onto the stone floor. A trickle of water filtering through cracks, the ceiling to the south has created a shallow rivulet and a wide pool in the middle of the room that drains slowly through the rubble to the north. The walls, crisscrossed with dozens of glistening slime trails left by pale gray slugs, depict a number of etchings of mounted warriors charging across a wide battlefield against one another, but the walls all bear signs of ancient damage.

There is no sign of any creature or person here. A quick scan of detect magic, reveals a faint aura from a conjuration spell being used here recently.

Would Haramil be more at piece if we removed the offensive offerings? ...

"What a kind gesture, Telos. Perhaps we should, but i doubt that would be enough to appease this angered spirit."

Did you actually want to do this?

Telos Downshot wrote:

Would Haramil be more at piece if we removed the offensive offerings? ...

"What a kind gesture, Telos. Perhaps we should, but i doubt that would be enough to appease this angered spirit."

Did you actually want to do this?

If it can be done in 5-10m, sure. Otherwise...

Well, if it doesn't help our immediate progress, then we should save this task until we're leaving the tomb for good. What's another few hours to an eternally tormented spirit?

Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10

Another dark corner with decaying depictions and piles of ruin. Seems like nothing of interest.