Shivering from the harrowing experience, Not-Trixie slowly ascends back to her post atop the wall - this time keeping a careful eye out for any other undead horrors that might be lurking in the darkness.
Just moving this round. Suspicious that there's another encounter coming and want to save spells for that.
Selter taps himself with a wand then begins looking for any tracks or signs of where their quarry has gone. I'm assuming it is through the double doors, but it could be a secret door or up around on top of the wall.
Not-Trixie takes a deep breath and focuses her attention on the double doors. "Could someone help Selter out of there?" she asks distractedly, her thoughts on possible wards and traps that could be serving as a final defense for the inner sanctum beyond.
... "Could someone help Selter out of there?" she asks distractedly. ...
Actually, he is invisible. So unless he starts yelling, probably no one knows he's down there. But his take 10 climb is a total of 20. So shouldn't be a problem. If it is, he will get out a rope.
Selter finds the rock of the pit is mirror-like and slick to the touch, failing to make progress up it. Not-Trixie only detects the auras on her companions.
Selter throws the end of the rope with the grappling hook up onto the ledge. Let's go of the rope for a moment (so it turns visible), then grabs it again.
Narrayan, pleassse hold hook or loop around the pillar if preferred.
Male LG Nagaji Scaled Fist 12 | HP 90/90 | AC 23(27)(32)(36), T 22 (26), FF 20(24)(29)(33) | CMD 41, FFCMD 38 | F +13, R +14, W +14 Init +3/7 | Perc +2/4 | Stunning Fist Uses 13/13 | Ki Pool 13/13 |
Narayan grabs hold of the rope with a grin. "Of coursse."
With Narayan bracing the rope, Selter manages to make the climb up out of the pit in three swift movements. The underground complex is still and quiet as a tomb.
Before Selter opens the door, Bo switches his focus. His eyes and ears bring in more focused and detailed information. He also calls upon his training to become more furtive and agile. Lastly, he casts a defensive spell.
Changing Animal focus to Bat for Darkvision. Activating Animal Focus for Mouse (granting Evasion) {Duration 1 minute} and casting Shield for AC 33 {Duration 1 minute}
Opening the door reveals a dark room. Revealed by the light of spells, a pale figure sits in a worn throne, a silver blade across its lap glittering where it catches the light. To the west, four captives huddle chained to the wall, one human and three gnomes. More spawn stand arrayed between the party and the throne.
"Welcome to my hall." The glowing red eyes of the creature hold more menace than welcome. "By the cacophony of your arrival, I assume that I will have to find replacements for my servants."
Male LG Nagaji Scaled Fist 12 | HP 90/90 | AC 23(27)(32)(36), T 22 (26), FF 20(24)(29)(33) | CMD 41, FFCMD 38 | F +13, R +14, W +14 Init +3/7 | Perc +2/4 | Stunning Fist Uses 13/13 | Ki Pool 13/13 |
Narayan flings himself heedlessly into the fray, smashing his mighty fists and feet into the front row of the spawn!
Yellow, then Green, then Blue. Putting up Haste, getting Medusa's Wrath online this round because of Flat-Footed targets
The monk channels destructive energy into his weapon and fires a series of arrows.
Was a 28 a high enough roll to ask any questions (like DR)? Bo has Cold Iron, Silver, Blunt and Ghost Salt arrows and will use the most appropriate to overcome any DR.
Swift Action to BANE, Full Attack on THRONE GUY Calculations: BAB +5, WIS +6, Weapon Focus +1, Bow +1, BANE +2, Deadly Aim -2. Total to Hit: +13
One of the vampire spawn maneuvers out to where Not-Trixie and Bo Goh are, bodily throwing itself into the archer but failing to budge him from his carpet!
Not-Trixie quickly backs away from the spawn and flies into the room. Her eyes widen as she sees the gnomes in chains. "Oh gods, what were they planning to do with you?"
Double move along squiggly line (marked in case of unexpected surprises).
"Bo, follow that mist," Not-Trixie suggests as she pulls out a few lockpicks from her sleeve. "Narayan, Selter - can either of you find a stake? Unless we deal with this vampire for good, he'll just come back to hurt the townsfolk." She falls silent as she gets to work, tackling each manacle methodically before moving to the next.
Disable Device, Take 10:10 + 25 = 35(if Take 10 is acceptable here - otherwise feel free to roll as needed)
"Who are all of you? How long have you been down here? How did they bring you here?" The wizard's voice is calm and gentle.
Not-Trixie easily undoes the manacles from around the captives wrists. "I've Davish, thank you." the first man answers. "I'm Jethka, and this is Aathordigar. He's Beppinstrop." the female gnome continues, finishing introductions. "Don't right know how long it's been, nothing but darkness down here. Brought us down one at a time, Beppin was the latest. Last things we remember was those bony horrors smashing in our front doors and dragging us out or pummeling us unconcious." The words flow over in a hurried deluge of fear and relief. Bo watches as the mists slowly drift towards the entrance.
“Of course.” Not-Trixie’s voice holds no hesitation. “Could someone search for the woman’s corpse we were asked to retrieve? Based on previous expeditions, it very likely will have a ring stuck on its finger. Maybe start with the morhgs - they were dressed appropriately for that time period.”
The silver falchion lays on the floor before the throne where it had fallen as Vanyth turned to mist. The tomb contains nothing else of value, but the morhg with the Osiriani trappings appears to bear a silver ring that seems impossible to remove, much like the others.
The monk returns to the others. "I am sorry. The mist disappeared once again. I can reduoble my efforts if you would like. However, it may be safer to get these people off the island first."
Yesss. Have the ring desssired. Let all leave. Detect Magic, if it wasn't already done.
If needed, Selter can wait on the island to guard while the boat shuttles back and forth. When all the villagers are gone, he will use air walk and then water breathing to get himself and Sithiss back to shore.
Selter finds the rings once again does not detect as magic, although the blade does. Returning to the town, the community of Whistledown hails you as heroes (though the fact that you are carting around a 400-year-old corpse of an Osirian concubine is a tad unsettling for most of them). Regardless, Adagre insists on throwing a festival in the Pathfinders honor, during which he proclaims you all Protectors of Whistledown.
Scenario complete! Chronicles should be up tonight or tomorrow.
Sothis, throne of the pharaohs, and capital of Osirion, is a city rooted in ancient tradition. Of these, perhaps none is more sacred than funeral rites. As such, it came as no surprise when Venture-Captain Norden Balentiir invited you once again to Osirion’s capital for the funerals of three important figures who once played a significant role in their nation’s history—a powerful sorceress named Akila, a warrior-woman called Kamilah, and a lady smuggler known as Meskhenet the Wise.
As you were involved with retrieving their remains, Balentiir celebrated your success and asked that you remain after the ceremony, while he continued to study these women in an effort to better understand their—and Osirion’s—past. Weeks passed, allowing you to rest from your recent exploits and enjoy the wondrous city of Sothis, but your vacation ended when Balentiir sent word, asking for your immediate counsel at the Pathfinder Lodge.
If there are any remaining purchases to be made, you have had time to do so.
“Think positively!” Not-Trixie suggests, holding onto her spectacles as she flies overhead. “Maybe it’s something completely unrelated. Or some noble has his tunic in a knot because he needs reassurance that we handled the remains of his great-great-ancestor with the respect and dignity he thinks they deserve.”
The main entrance to the Pathfinder Lodge passes through the double doors of an immense archway towering over the 12-foot-high exterior walls surrounding the grounds. The doors stand slightly ajar and unbarred, despite the late hour. Beyond the archway, torchlight illuminates the approach toward a natural garden of shade trees and undergrowth occupying much of the inner courtyard and blocking view of the lodge itself on the far side.
While racing across town, Selter will have cast the standard really long duration buffs. Longstrider, greater magic fang, and shield companion. I will wait for the others to check in before charging through.
Bo will similarly cast Mage Armor and Barkskin on himself.
Seeing the open door, "That does not seem right, does it? We should proceed with caution." The archer unfurls his carpet and steps upon it. With a command, it rises to the off the ground, nearly to Selter's shoulder. Bo then knocks an arrow and slides cautiously forward and peers through the crack.
Male LG Nagaji Scaled Fist 12 | HP 90/90 | AC 23(27)(32)(36), T 22 (26), FF 20(24)(29)(33) | CMD 41, FFCMD 38 | F +13, R +14, W +14 Init +3/7 | Perc +2/4 | Stunning Fist Uses 13/13 | Ki Pool 13/13 |
Narayan's long buffs last less than two hours, so he won't put them up til he thinks there's some chance of trouble. But this does seem like trouble...
"Hello? Friends? Balentiir?"
Narayan shrouds himself in defenses as he joins Selter's advance. Mage Armor, Barkskin
Casting Aram Zey’s Focus and attempting to disable the trap. If the first roll would trigger the trap, the spell lets her make a second check to potentially stop the trap from triggering - otherwise we can use the second roll as a second Disable attempt. If more checks are needed, feel free to roll them GM.
