sorry, I goofed: Sifting through the piles of broken instruments you DO find many intact instruments at the bottom of the pile. You even recognize the famous makers on some of them. These are quite valuable.
CG Male (he/his) Ulfen human (half-orc) fighter 7 | HP 96/106 | AC 25 (Shield 27)| Fort +14; Ref +15; Will +13, Cold Resist 1, Electricity Resist 1 | Perc: +15/+17 Init (Low-light vision) | Speed 25ft | Hero Points 0/3 | Active conditions: Richochet Stance.
Sten sighs. "Gorm said to be on the lookout for a library of lost knowledge," he reminds them. "I hear the dripping and splashing of water echoing within some large chamber beneath me. If that's where the library is, we have a problem."
Deciding that the current room was clear--or clear enough, given its skeletal inhabitants--he grips his shield tight and continues his exploration, looking about with every step.
he grips his shield tight and continues his exploration, looking about with every step.
You find another maze of twisting, mind-numbing corridors. Carefully picking your way through, you ultimately arrive in a large chamber featuring a 10' metal portal in the floor. A complex clockwork mechanism seals it shut.
DC23-Thievery:
You successfully puzzle out the mechanism's design and can open the portal. A smooth shaft descends 15' straight down to a manufactured floor of some kind. There is no sign of stair nor ladder.
while I'm online, I'll give Thulgrun a little nudge too...
GM:
1d20 + 13 ⇒ (9) + 13 = 22
As you carefully pass down these halls, tiny hairs stand on end from the electric charges lingering in the air. You notice the loud humming noise changes in pitch as you pass between different metal rods in the walls. Moving swiftly up and down various corridors you find the humming sounds more like a giant instrument being played. Just as you begin jogging out your magnum opus, you find a section that doesn't 'play'. Looking closer, you find tree roots have penetrated the wall, severing the connections to some rods. Water leaking in also seems to be interfering with the electricity flowing thru the system.
DC20-Nature/Engineering,DC22-Perception:
Despite being wet, water+electricity is a fire hazard. If you wish to preserve a millennia old library, potential fire is a problem that should be dealt with.
NG Male (he/his) Cleric 8 HP 80/80 | AC 26 | F +14 R +17 W +16 | Perc +15 | Stealth +14 Speed:25 ft | Active Conditions: low-light vision | Hero Pts: 3
Nature:1d20 + 13 ⇒ (13) + 13 = 26
Perception:1d20 + 15 ⇒ (10) + 15 = 25
"The water and the electricity could pose a problem. The neglect here is quite surprising." Stroime shakes his head in disappointment. "I don't have any great ideas except to locate the books and transport them out of here. I doubt the skeletons will mind if we help ourselves to some books."
Male Human (Versatile) Kyra5, HP 58/58, AC 23, Fort 10/Ref 10/Will 14, Hero #2001
Well looks like this is a dead end, Kovac. Let's go back and meet up with Sten. They did mention this place might be a little out of our league so let's not go too far alone.
NG Male (he/his) Cleric 8 HP 80/80 | AC 26 | F +14 R +17 W +16 | Perc +15 | Stealth +14 Speed:25 ft | Active Conditions: low-light vision | Hero Pts: 3
Crafting:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20
"Embalming fluid," Stroime answers.
"I know it's gruesome, but let's get to searching this room."
Female Halfling Rogue (Acrobat Dedication) 8 | HP 86/86 | AC 26 | F+13 , R+19, W+17 | Perc +19 (+2 for Seek actions) | Hero Pts: 2 | Cond: None
Already creeped out by this place, Madelena listens at the door before entering. If nothing sounds out of the ordinary, she enters the room and begins searching.
The bodies have been neatly arranged and meticulously embalmed. A burlap tarp is spread out along the east wall, where salted hearts and livers have been collected. Most of the bodies have had a limb or two surgically removed.
The ominous music is far less noticable here. However, when a particularly loud crescendo manages to reach this distant corner, some of the bodies twitch or show muscle spasms.
There is a body of a hill giant. Its hands have been amputated.
You find a well taxidermied hand with semi-precious gemstones carefully embedded in each knuckle. While the gems aren't of great value, the gruesome bedazzled totem might be worth alot in the right markets.
The southeast diagonal displays a family crest with a sword piercing a heart. The banner is inscribed "Oborov". There are seven square tiles incorporated into the design in each color of the rainbow. They appear to be buttons.
Below the crest, tree roots have cracked the floor. Water is starting to swell up around the bodies. This room is otherwise dry, the leak seems very recent.
CG Male (he/his) Ulfen human (half-orc) fighter 7 | HP 96/106 | AC 25 (Shield 27)| Fort +14; Ref +15; Will +13, Cold Resist 1, Electricity Resist 1 | Perc: +15/+17 Init (Low-light vision) | Speed 25ft | Hero Points 0/3 | Active conditions: Richochet Stance.
Stepping forward in front of the others, shield raised, Sten turns to Madalena. "There was some kind of device or mechanism or something in that other room someone more savvy with that sort of thing should probably have a look at," he suggests, turning his eyes forward once more, not willing to turn his gaze from the scene before him.
"Fixing a shield? That I can do," he smiles absently. "That? That's a little complicated for me. Too many moving parts."
LG Male (he/his) forge dwarf monk 8 | HP 119/122 | AC 23, Stance 27 ( Stronghold 29), +4 v mvmt Reactions| Fort +17; Ref +14; Will +18 | Perc: +15(E) (Darkvision) | Speed 30ft (25 in stance) | Ki Points: 1/1, Hero Points 1/3 | Resist Fire: 4, Electricity: 5, Negative 1| Active conditions: Stance, Sickened 1 | Exploration Mode: Search
"What do you mean, Sten?" asks Thulgrun. "You talkin' someone who can fix things, or someone that can break into things. I am more of the former... I let my cousin Dethor handle the breaking and entering."
Female Halfling Rogue (Acrobat Dedication) 8 | HP 86/86 | AC 26 | F+13 , R+19, W+17 | Perc +19 (+2 for Seek actions) | Hero Pts: 2 | Cond: None
Yeah, I'm working on it, STEN!
Madalena rolls her eyes toward Sten.
Stupid Sten, always trying to tell me what to do.
Madalena moves toward the tarp where the organs are stored. She backs away slowly, starting to turn a pale shade of green, gasping for air between words. Definitely. Not. Back. There.
She steps up to the Hill Giant. I'm no fan of giants, but that's just cruel.
She then walks over to a taxidermied hand and her skin turn back to its normal color and her demeanor changes back to her happy-go-lucky self. A crowbar suddenly appears in her hand so quickly you do not know where it came from. She starts prying something from the hand. Hello, new friends. Don't mind if I do!
After stowing the gems in her bag, she continues searching the room for some kind of mechanism to disable.
The bodies have been neatly arranged and meticulously embalmed. A burlap tarp is spread out along the east wall, where salted hearts and livers have been collected. Most of the bodies have had a limb or two surgically removed.
The ominous music is far less noticable here. However, when a particularly loud crescendo manages to reach this distant corner, some of the bodies twitch or show muscle spasms.
There is a body of a hill giant. Its hands have been amputated.
The southeast diagonal displays a family crest with a sword piercing a heart. The banner is inscribed "Oborov". There are seven square tiles incorporated into the design in each color of the rainbow. They appear to be buttons.
Below the crest, tree roots have cracked the floor. Water is starting to swell up around the bodies. This room is otherwise dry, the leak seems very recent.
NG Male Half-Elf Champion (Redeemer) 6 HP 78/98 | AC 25 (27 w/ Shield) | F +14 R +8 (+3 vs. Damaging effects), W +11 | Perc +9 | Stealth +0 | Speed: 25 ft | Active Conditions: Low-Light Vision, Swim Fins
Looks like I accidentally put Deception in instead of Thievery. The roll was correct, I just wrote the wrong skill.
I assume you are attempting to open the hatch in the floor? That's on the far right side of the map. If so, a 28 Thievery works:
You skillfully turn the gears, operating the mechanism. The heavy metal plate slides open quietly. Revealing a 10' diameter smooth shaft straight down. A stone floor is some 15' below. There is no sign of stairs nor ladder.
NG Male (he/his) Cleric 8 HP 80/80 | AC 26 | F +14 R +17 W +16 | Perc +15 | Stealth +14 Speed:25 ft | Active Conditions: low-light vision | Hero Pts: 3
Did our characters establish where the organ music was coming from? Sorry if this was answered already and I missed it somewhere.
LG Male (he/his) forge dwarf monk 8 | HP 119/122 | AC 23, Stance 27 ( Stronghold 29), +4 v mvmt Reactions| Fort +17; Ref +14; Will +18 | Perc: +15(E) (Darkvision) | Speed 30ft (25 in stance) | Ki Points: 1/1, Hero Points 1/3 | Resist Fire: 4, Electricity: 5, Negative 1| Active conditions: Stance, Sickened 1 | Exploration Mode: Search
"Madalena, you want me to climb down there? We should be able to anchor a couple of ropes, but I got me climbin' kit and such."
The dwarf thinks a moment. "Course, it is only 15', ain't nuthin' fer a monk like me to jump down there, just that gittin' back up may be a wee bit difficult."
Female Halfling Rogue (Acrobat Dedication) 8 | HP 86/86 | AC 26 | F+13 , R+19, W+17 | Perc +19 (+2 for Seek actions) | Hero Pts: 2 | Cond: None
AH HA! Let's head down, everyone!
Madalena pulls out her Rope of Climbing which ties itself to the top of the hatch which has flipped open. Applying weight to the rope will now pull the hatch more open. Without consulting the group nor a care in the world, Madalena grabs the rope and slides down like she's a firefighter.
NG Male (he/his) Cleric 8 HP 80/80 | AC 26 | F +14 R +17 W +16 | Perc +15 | Stealth +14 Speed:25 ft | Active Conditions: low-light vision | Hero Pts: 3
Stroime races forward. "Well I'm not going to be a rotten egg!" Using the rope, Stroime climbs down after Madalena.
Upon opening the hatch, the pipe organ does become more evident. However, a second, competing, 'symphony' of buzzing and other vibrations is now much more prominent.
CG Male (he/his) Ulfen human (half-orc) fighter 7 | HP 96/106 | AC 25 (Shield 27)| Fort +14; Ref +15; Will +13, Cold Resist 1, Electricity Resist 1 | Perc: +15/+17 Init (Low-light vision) | Speed 25ft | Hero Points 0/3 | Active conditions: Richochet Stance.
Sten smiles to himself. "I thought I was taking point, not bringing up the rear," he chuckles to no one in particular, though he nods to Thulgrun in sympathy, as he jumps down to join the trio on the floor below.
Spoiler:
I have the Cat Fall Feat and am a Master in Acrobatics, so falls 50 feet or less are no problem.
speaking of cats...as Sten lands gracefully, you all hear the clatter of dishes and something smashing against the floor. This is immediately followed by an angry feline hissing sound.
if yall would roll me some initiatives it'll help me set this up tonight. thx
NG Male (he/his) Cleric 8 HP 80/80 | AC 26 | F +14 R +17 W +16 | Perc +15 | Stealth +14 Speed:25 ft | Active Conditions: low-light vision | Hero Pts: 3
This room appears to be a makeshift office of sorts. It contains a few scattered and crumpled note papers, blank parchment, writing tools, a series of wrenches in different sizes, a broken beer mug, and an angry cat.
Strange buzzing noises in varying pitch rise from the staircase to the west (↑).
The objects between you and the cat are cluttered bookcases about 3' high. The small cat (a 'tiny' creature) is ontop of a desk about 2' high. The shape to the left of the desk is a rug. Anyone who used the rope to get here does not have weapons ready.
Female Halfling Rogue (Acrobat Dedication) 8 | HP 86/86 | AC 26 | F+13 , R+19, W+17 | Perc +19 (+2 for Seek actions) | Hero Pts: 2 | Cond: None
Oh!! KITTY!!! Come here girl...er, boy, er, whatever. You poor thing, how'd you get down here?
Madalena gently moves up to the cat with her arms out, making comforting kissy and clicking noises as she approaches.
Her intent is to stride toward the cat quietly as to not scare it off. Then, if possible, pet and pick up the cat. I'll make some appropriate rolls in case they are needed. If there's an action left and the cat is successfully obtained, she will draw a shortsword.
Female Half-Elf Sajan5 | HP 93/93 | AC 24 |Fort +13 | Ref +15 | Will +14 | Hero #2005 | Speed 35ft
Kovac is going to get in Tiger Stance and if the cat attacks and someone is next to the kitty, fighting it, by the time she moves, she'll flank and slash with flurry of blows.
If there's no attack, she'll just remain in Tiger Stance.
NG Male (he/his) Cleric 8 HP 80/80 | AC 26 | F +14 R +17 W +16 | Perc +15 | Stealth +14 Speed:25 ft | Active Conditions: low-light vision | Hero Pts: 3
Stroime draws his bow, then tries to scan this room to find out what is hidden.
1 action, draw a weapon; 2 actions to Seek. However, if Stroime spots something hostile with the second action, the 3rd action will be a ranged strike at the foe.
CG Male (he/his) Ulfen human (half-orc) fighter 7 | HP 96/106 | AC 25 (Shield 27)| Fort +14; Ref +15; Will +13, Cold Resist 1, Electricity Resist 1 | Perc: +15/+17 Init (Low-light vision) | Speed 25ft | Hero Points 0/3 | Active conditions: Richochet Stance.
Sten had jumped without ever lowering his shield, but the presence of the cat heightened his vigilance. He felt a bit silly, with it being a cat and all, but he remained on his guard. "I'm not a druid. While it's not immediately apparent to most people--likely most, if not all, of you--my orc blood seems to set most animals ill-at-ease."
"I'll stay back here so I don't spook it," he told the others, his eyes furtively dancing around the room.
The cat is startled and defending it's territory, or something. While it is Unfriendly at first, understanding the animal's nature, you give it some space and a little time to calm down.
Stroime:
You do not immediately see anything hostile. The western stairs lead 15' down to some sort of balcony. The noise from that direction is bordering on painful.
Sten:
You see a pile of rags under the desk with four frightened kittens curled up in it, shaking. There is a bowl of water, plate of some kind of food, and a box with sand in it next to them.
Initiative
cat
TheVoice
The cat begins licking at its puffed up tail, Indifferent to Madalena's presence, but still keeping a watchful eye on all of you.
The 'music' from the west pauses briefly as you all hear a gruff voice, "You mangy brat, you better not be breaking me stuff! I swear if you don't keep that racket down it's back ou'side fer the lot of you's!" The awful buzzing noises resume an awkward cadence.
back to you guys Initiative
-----------------
Stroime
Thulgrun
Madalena
Sten
Flac
Kovac
CG Male (he/his) Ulfen human (half-orc) fighter 7 | HP 96/106 | AC 25 (Shield 27)| Fort +14; Ref +15; Will +13, Cold Resist 1, Electricity Resist 1 | Perc: +15/+17 Init (Low-light vision) | Speed 25ft | Hero Points 0/3 | Active conditions: Richochet Stance.
"Stop," Sten tells the others, keeping his voice low and his tone even. He slowly outstretches his free hand to point at the desk. "Underneath, there are four kittens curled up in that pile of rags. They're shaking and scared."
He continues. "My question, however, is who put out a bowl of water, a plate of food, and a sandbox?"
LG Male (he/his) forge dwarf monk 8 | HP 119/122 | AC 23, Stance 27 ( Stronghold 29), +4 v mvmt Reactions| Fort +17; Ref +14; Will +18 | Perc: +15(E) (Darkvision) | Speed 30ft (25 in stance) | Ki Points: 1/1, Hero Points 1/3 | Resist Fire: 4, Electricity: 5, Negative 1| Active conditions: Stance, Sickened 1 | Exploration Mode: Search
In answer to the voice, Thulgrun says, "Good day! I do not know of this 'mangy brat', but we are duly appointed representatives of the government of Ustalav, here to take possession of this manor.
