Curse of the Crimson Throne

Game Master Whack-a-Rogue

See the undead archer he was fighting go down, Usawoti turns to see there was only one undead archer remaining. Stepping beside Torsten he feints towards the undead's hip with the hammer, turning it to hit the ribcage. While striking with the hammer he thrusts his klar at it's head. Striking again with both weapons.

5 ft s tep. Feint attack AOO: Expert Feint/Feint strike/dual opportunity Two weapon Attack: Human-bane Achemical silver Earth breaker/Ghost-touched Klar: Weapons focus (both) TWF, sneak attack, fatal thrust
feint: Earth Breaker: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (16) + 21 = 37
Feint strike: AOO Earth Breaker: 1d20 + 20 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 20 + 1 = 25 for damage: 2d6 + 2 + 4 ⇒ (4, 3) + 2 + 4 = 13 SA: 3d6 ⇒ (2, 1, 2) = 5 FT: 3d6 ⇒ (6, 1, 5) = 12
Dual Opportunity: Klar: 1d20 + 20 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 20 + 1 = 32 for damage: 1d6 + 2 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 2 + 4 = 11 SA: 3d6 ⇒ (3, 2, 3) = 8
TWF Earth Breaker: 1d20 + 20 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (3) + 20 + 1 - 2 = 22 for damage: 2d6 + 2 + 4 ⇒ (1, 6) + 2 + 4 = 13 SA: 3d6 ⇒ (3, 1, 5) = 9 FT: 3d6 ⇒ (5, 3, 3) = 11
TWF Klar: 1d20 + 20 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (4) + 20 + 1 - 2 = 23 for damage: 1d6 + 2 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 2 + 4 = 10 SA: 3d6 ⇒ (4, 4, 3) = 11 FT: 3d6 ⇒ (5, 1, 5) = 11

Usawoti finishes off the last undead.

Heal Torsten: 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (3) + 22 = 25
With incredible healer, that's 25/28 wounds healed

Heal Usawoti: 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (19) + 22 = 41
41 wounds healed for Usawoti. Don't think I can use this again for either character until a long rest

Torsten, in an attempt to conserve what magic he had left, broke out his healer's kit. Using just enough arcane power to jump start the healing process, he got the arrows out of him and patched himself up. It still hurt, but it was good enough. With a good night's rest he'd be back to full form. Having patched himself up, he then did the same for Usawoti.

"Well." He said, as he watched the lion fade away. "That was something. We need to be careful." He warned. "Our 'allies' aren't getting their hands dirty with us. We can't rule out that they are conserving their strength to backstab us when this is all said and done."

Watching as the last undead falls, Usawoti watches as Torsten begins to use first aid to heal his wounds. Nodding when the bandaged dwarf gestures to his own wounds, Usawoti stands patiently as Torsten removes the arrows in him as well. Feeling better, he considers what Torsten has shared about their allies. Gesturing back the way they came, "I agree, hopefully we can find a way to mitigate their advantage. We should certainly take out as many other threats as possible, then rest before we find the blade" As he speaks Usawoti moves towards the southern door, carefully inspecting it, then opening it.

taking 10(26/32) on perception

A ruined bed, a crumbled desk, and several tattered paintings of wild animals decorate this room, but the old taxidermic wyvern looming in the northeast corner is the chamber's most notable feature, intimidating despite the swaths of moldy stuffing and straw that protrude from its sagging frame.

Frowning at the moldy wyvern, Usawoti turns towards Torsten, "Bedroom, there's a door on the other side, maybe it leads somewhere." Mvin to the other side of the room, to the other door. He quickly inspects the door, then opens it as well.

Oh, sorry for the confusion. That's the bedroom. The skinny room you were just in didn't have a room description.

Finding nothing but the bedroom, Usawoti steps back out in to the room where the archers had been, nodding to the nearest door, "I assume that goes back to the hallway."

NOt remembering any doors to the left, Usawoti turns to the right, quickly finding double doors, he takes a moment to investigate them. Once he's sure they are clear he attempts to open them.

taking 10(26/32) on perception and 10 (33/39) on disable device if needed

”Aye, slow and steady we go. Don’t want to run face first into another dragon again.”

Also taking 10 on perception

Whatever this storage area used to hold has long since been destroyed by the ravages of time.

To save time, here's the small room below Usawoti
A long-cold forge sits in the southwest corner of this smithy. Nearby sits an old, dusty anvil, against which leans a plain-looking but remarkably clean blacksmith's hammer.

Looking into the smithy, Usawoti turns towards Torsten, gesturing with his earth-breaker towards the hammer and anvil. "The Hammer, is it dwarven made?"

Whatever dice roll is needed to tell if it is dwarven, as well as anything else he might learn from inspecting it. Assuming it is a knowledge check though: 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (16) + 22 = 38

Torsten smirked. "Best way to tell if a hammer is dwarven is if there is something like, an ancestor's face on it." "Either that, or these kinds of runes." He tapped the tattoos on his forearm. Walking over he picked up the hammer, giving it a good look...

As soon as Torsten touches the hammer, foreign memories fill his mind. This hammer has a name: Banudor. Its owner was named Anizora, a dwarven woman of masterful skill. She was Scarwall's resident armor- and weaponsmith, and a devoted follower of Zon-Kuthon. Her presence lingers on this floor ... and it's fresh! Regardless of what kind of corrupted monstrosity Anizora has become, you know that Banudor can strike devastating blows against her.

Banudor
flaming burst warhammer
Functions as a masterwork tool for any Craft check involving smithing
Counts as ghost touch and Good-aligned when used against Anizora
Deals +2d6 damage when used against Anizora

Torsten spat on the ground, a look of intense distaste written on his face. "This is indeed dwarven-make. It was made by Anizora. A wazzock.*" He said, looking at the masterfully made hammer. "She was the armorer and weaponsmith of this castle. And a devoted follower of Zon-Kuthon. She turned her back on Torag, and all of the Gods." A devout follower himself, he could feel anger swelling inside of him. "And she is still here. I can feel it."

* Wazzok - A Dwarf who has exchanged gold or some other valuable item for something of little or no worth; a foolish or gullible Dwarf; an insult

Is there any way for Torsten to use flurry of blows while using this? It feels right for him to use it against the heretic. I know that there is "versatile design" that can be added to a weapon for 500 gold, which would make it a monk weapon. The thing is that Torsten isn't trained in craft weapons. I'm trying to find some kind of workaround...any suggestions?

Nice explanation of Wazzok

Watching as Torsten moves into the smithy and examines the weapon, Usawoti raises an eyebrow as his friend describes the hammer's creator. Hearing that she still haunts the castle, Usawoti remembers the conversation they had with the Hag. Looking around the smithy his asks, "Do you think this Wazzock may be the fourth anchor?"

"Let's hope so." Torsten gave an experimental swing with the hammer. To a warrior such as Usawoti, it would have been clear that Torsten had no idea what he was doing with it. He had never been trained to use any weapon, aside from his fists. "Let's go find her then, aye? This hammer has to be returned to it's creator...by me putting it through her fool head."

Thanks, but it is just a straight copy from the warhammer Khazalid dictionary. It's my favorite dwarven language, from the sounds to the words themselves

The warhammer Khazalid dictionary? Hmmm, I'll take a look at it, I've not found a 'dwarven language' that I love.

Smiling at Torstens described method of 'returning' the hammer to it's owner, Usawoti hefts his own hammer, "Let's be at it then."

As Usawoti moves to the last doorway in the northern part of the hallway, he asking, "Any idea where she might be?" As he opens the door. The one apparently leading to stairs.

It feels like we've checked everything we have access to on this part of this level.

You descend the staircase back to the courtyard where you fought the dragon.

I don't know why I thought those stairs were different than the ones we came up.

Finding themselves in the dragon's lair, Usawoti pauses and considers their options. Still believing the should secure the lower level before spending more time upstairs, Usawoti gestures towards the courtyard. As he moves that way, he comments, "There was a door behind the undead plant, shall we investigate it?"

Entering the courtyard Usawoti moves towards the west, intent on investigating the door.

Assuming he makes it to the door without being attacked
Once at the door he will investigate for locks and traps, eventually opening it up.

taking 10(26/32) on perception and 10 (33/39) on disable device if needed

A few torn tapestry fragments hang from the walls of this otherwise empty room. A message has been scrawled in blood across the western wall.

Chuckling at the 'warning', Usawoti nods toward the western door, "Looks like Ukwar has sent out invitations." Moving towards the western door he pauses to listen for a moment. Afterwards, he quickly inspects it for traps and locks, dealing with whatever he finds, then opens the door.

taking 10(26/32) on both perception checks and 10 (33/39) on disable device if needed

A long banquet table runs the length of this large room. Portraits caked with dust and cobwebs hang from all the walls, while three chandeliers fitted with dozens of unlit candles hang from the ceiling above. You notice a well-hidden door in the eastern wall (noted with an X).

Torsten looked at the table and sneered. "This place would have once been quite a sight, aye? Not that I would trust any food served by the monster who ruled this place." Striding in confidently, he looked around to see what exit they would take next.

Sorry, I should have posted Sunday or Monday

Seein the banquet table filled with all manner of delicious looking food, Usawoti, confused, looks from the shadowy figure, back towards Torsten. Nodding towards the figure he asks, "You mean the fellow drawing his sword or someone else?"

Using his Deathwatch Eyes can he tell if the cloaked figure is alive, undead or neither?

@Usawoti: neither

Ignoring the food on the table, Usawoti points towards the shadowy figure wearing the cloak of blue scales, with his hammer. Telling Torsten, "He is neither dead nor alive, maybe a construct."

Turning his attention to the shadowy figure, he calls out, "Name your self shadowed one and lower your sword if you wish to continue..." About to say 'living' he remembered the creature was not officially alive. He continued. "IF you wish to maintain your existence."

Blinking Usawoti points towards the end of the table, "There was a cloaked shadowy figure and food on the..." He looks down at Torsten, shaking his head, "Never mind, I think this place is getting to me."

Pointing his hammer at the hidden X Door he asks, "Shall we start with the secret door?"

He then start to investigate the door, dealing with any traps or locks that he finds.

taking 10(26/32) on perception and 10 (33/39) on disable device if needed

Numerous oversized and long-ago-ruined bunks lie in various states of disrepair in this room.

"Blast!" Cursing as he jumps back out of the way of the minotaur's axe, Usawoti quickly turns to Torsten and asks, "did you see where he went?"

Torsten looked at Usawoti with great concern. "I...don't see anything. Just long-ago ruined bunks. Well...more ruined. Now, I'm not saying ye be crazy. This place is crawling with illusions, so mayhaps I'm just not seeing it. But me magic doesn't detect any life here." He said, keeping his voice as calm as he could.

Shaking his head as he moves down the southern hallway, "The phantasm I saw was neither living nor dead. Maybe it was an Illusion." He pauses turning back towards the dwarf. "But why would I see these things, but not both of us?" Shrugging he turns back towards the door at the end of the hallway. He pauses, inspecting the door for locks and traps, dealing with whatever he finds before he opens it.

Taking 10(26/32) on perception and 10 (33/39) on disable device if needed. And seriously, what kind of knowledge roll is needed to sort out why were seeing different things?

@Usawoti: You're a soul weaver who's exploring an incredibly-haunted castle. That gives you a unique connection. XD

A large pool of fouled water fills much of the center of this room. Thick sheets of slimy algae cling to the edges of the pool, sending out dark green tendrils across the floor, while the waters churn and ripple as if something unseen wriggled in the foul-smelling depths.

I'll handwave the fight with a half-dozen Festering Spirits, as they'll be destroyed after a couple channels.

Telling Torsten as they enter the slime filled room, "I feel like I'm seeing ghosts." As the Festering Spirits reveal themselves, Usawoti is relived they are tangible enough to be destroyed. As the last of the spirits are returned to their graves, he turns and inspects he door to the east. Dealing with whatever he finds before he opens it.

Taking 10(26/32) on perception and 10 (33/39) on disable device if needed.

Several double bunks line the walls of this room. These furnishings, plus the wooden table at the room's center, are in a terrible state of ruin.

Torsten shrugged. ”Place is probably full of them. Me people are quite resistant to magic, ye know. Mayhaps it makes me less sensitive to the ghosties?” He offered. He watched as Usawoti channeled his power with a hint of confusion. Assuming that the man was dealing with whatever specters he was seeing, Torsten waited patiently until it was time to follow the Shoanti further in.

Nodding his head in agreement, Torsten was right, the place probably was full of ghosts and specters. Smiling he adds, "Probably the best reason to find what were looking for and move on." As he speaks, he moves towards the third door in the room. Inspecting he door hopefully dealing with whatever he finds before he opens it.

Taking 10(26/32) on perception and 10 (33/39) on disable device if needed.

A single large pool filled with slimy green water occupies the center of this room. The air is filled with the musty stink of rotting vegetation, and moisture drips from the tiled walls.

Realizing he'd come to a dead end, Usawoti turns towards his dwarven friend and shrugs. Backtracking to the hallway, he turns to the door on the right. Talking as much to himself as to Torsten, he asks, "No reason to leave a potential threat behind us right?" As he inspects the door for traps or locks, eventually opening it.

Taking 10(26/32) on perception and 10 (33/39) on disable device if needed.

A pair of stairs leads upstairs in the middle of this room. To the south sits what may have once been a small apartment for two, but the ruined beds and desks leave nothing today for creature comfort.

As you open the door, you see two bizarre creatures. One is no taller than a short halfling and has had its left leg replaced by a chair leg, while the other stands just over seven feet in height and has abnormally long arms that reach to mid-calf. Both wear identical outfits of form-fitting black leather with tight, black leather masks covering their heads. Each mask has a stitched seam running from forehead to jawline to seal it in place.

These figures rapidly approach you and begin gesticulating and thrashing their arms about as if in a fit. They seem to be attempting to tell you something.

As the oddly clad undead figures approach, Usawoti starts to take a step back. But realizing they are attempting to tell him something, he turns to Torsten and asks, "Do you see these two? Should we remove their masks?"

Well this is truly odd, let's see what a sense motive will give us.
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (10) + 19 = 29

”Aye, I see them…whatever they are.” He looked at them quizzically. ”Are they hostile? Are they casting a spell?”

Whatever dice roll is needed to figure out: 1d20 ⇒ 13

Apologies for the delay; I've been sick.

Usawoti Linguistics: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 15
@Usawoti: You can tell that this is an attempt at communication but are unsure of what the message is.

Torsten: As it lacks acting ability, your angelic familiar is also unable to comprehend the meaning of the pantomime.

Shaking his head, Usawoti answers, "I don't think they are hostile, it looks like they are trying to communicate something, but I"m unsure of the message." He pauses thinking about the gear in is kit, then he asks, "Do you have paper and pen?"

Torsten shook his head. "Let's follow them. Between the two of us, we should be able to see if there are any more waiting in an ambush. I'd hate to attack them if they aren't actually hostile."

The bizarre creatures continue their pantomime. While you still can't comprehend the message, you're beginning to pick out certain repeated actions. Given enough time and observation, you might be able to piece together enough for it to convey meaning. For example, neither creature is moving away from you, so it's doubtful that they're trying to lead you somewhere.

Not sure what else to do, Usawoti lifts his klar showing the blade to the undead, setting the hammer down on hits head (within easy reach) he gestures, "Come let me cut the mask off so you can speak."

The klar is 'ghost touched' in case they are intangible

When Usawoti goes to cut off a mask, the strange spectre stretches out a hand glowing with unholy fire. The other ghost continues its weird pantomime.
vs Touch AC: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9 Negative Energy Damage: 6d6 ⇒ (5, 6, 2, 3, 5, 6) = 27

Seeing the ghost extend his hand in what seems to be a defensive posture, Usawoti raises the Klar and his other hand and backs away. Retrieving his hammer he nods back the way they came. "I can't make heads or tails of either of them. Let's continue the other way."

Stepping back out the door, he heads west back to the hallway and the first door. Inspecting the door hopefully dealing with whatever he finds before he opens it.

Taking 10(26/32) on perception and 10 (33/39) on disable device if needed.

”Creepy fooking…things.” Torsten muttered, as he turned to leave the dancing creatures behind. He trusted his magic would warn him if they took pursuit, but nonetheless he glanced over his shoulder as he left.