GM Badblood's The Dragon's Demand

Game Master Lance K

Andwise stand behinds Tanssi and waits for Sir Falcons' action. A sense of uncertainty crosses his connection with Tanssi.

At least we have a key this time...

Ready

The party braces themselves for whatever may face them before inserting the key into the lock. There is a loud click as the key turns; then the massive stone block begins to descend into the floor.

Beyond the stone slab is a huge, elegant domed chamber housing a single marble sarcophagus at its western end. A mosaic of a black dragon decorates the floor. The ceiling is covered by a vibrant fresco of armored soldiers fighting a host of dragons, with a blonde woman of noble mien at the center, rallying the troops with her sword. In circular alcoves to the north and south stand life-sized statues of this woman, standing in a pose of triumph over the head of a defeated dragon.

As the party steps into the chamber, there is an omniprescent sound of whispers and moaning coming from all around the room. This quickly fades away and is replaced by a woman's ghostly voice.

The voice speaks, “And who might this be? A new generation of dragonslayers sent to gather my treasures? I sense this among your thoughts, yet I must first ask a favor that will prove your worth to me. My husband’s spirit is unquiet in his tomb—he lingers out of guilt for my death. If you would vanquish his shade and return to me with his wedding band, I shall grant you my blessing to take up arms from this crypt.”

There is a picture of Lady Tula's statue in the slides now, as well.

Eltran's eyes dart around the room and they try to locate the source of the voice.

“Well, if it's peace you seek for your husband, then we would be honored to help. Can you tell us where we might find your husband's tomb and this wedding band you speak of?“

Pausing for a moment, he continues, “Who or what are you? A lingering spirit … a remnant of the past … or something else?“

Eltran casts detect magic.

Irlana points to the statues. "The statues are Lady Tula. Are you Lady Tula?"

"If that is what must be done, then we shall do it."

Andwise taps Tanssi, silently directing him the direction of expected travel.

"As Eltran notes, it would be of much benefit if you could tell us everything you know about your husband's states, and what magics may bind him"

Falcon nods at his Silver Dragon shield

I am here as a protector of the lands on behalf of my clans progenitor dragon. If youre here to stir up trouble and blackmail villagers then I am afraid I have no choice. But I have a feeling thats not you

Eltran feels like the voice is coming from everywhere and nowhere at the same time. It is impossible to pinpoint a location from where it is coming. When the bard detects magic he does detect multiple auras coming from inside the sarcophagus housing Lady Tula's remains.

"My husband is a shadow of his former self; restless and undying. Grant him repose and vanquish the diminished creature that he has become.
Go forth now with my blessing!"

After this the voice is silent, but the adventurers find themselves filled with a sensation of elation and hope.

Everyone is now under the effect of both death ward and good hope.

Death Ward

Good Hope

Eltran feels the power of this spirit coursing through his heart.

“Let us do it team!“

But he scratches his head.

“But do we know where to?!“ he asks.

Feeling energized by the magic from Lady Tula's spirit Irlana pauses at Eltran's question. "Good point. Lady? How do we get to your husband's tomb?"

The voice has gone silent and does not answer. The party does remember that there was a locked door inside the blue dragon room that has not been opened yet.

Irlana listens in the silence for a moment, then realizes that they've gotten the help that they need. "Ah. I guess we can check out that locked door in the blue dragon room."

Leading the way.... but then getting out of the way for people that are better at locks and traps!

Falcon hss weapon and shield out snd pushes through

The party makes its way back up the stairs to the blue dragon room, then crosses their make shift bridge of rocks and logs to the locked door. Since Maffei was able to crack it open, and no one was able to find signs that it is trapped, the team carefully opens the door to see what is on the other side.
 
Painted statues of four human archers, bows drawn, occupy the western curve of this circular chamber. The two archers to the north aim toward the northeast, and the two archers to the south aim southeast. An inscription decorates each statue’s base. The inscription is the same for each statue: "“May your arrows strike center and true.”.

perception : 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

“Wow! Look at all this!“ he says fascinated.

Irlana detects for magic and slowly enters the room, wary for traps. Perception: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (14) + 15 = 29 "It looks like the statues move. ?? 'May your arrows strike center and true.' ?? Maybe the statues need to be rotated. Center and true? Possibly rotate them to point to the center of the room?"

Do the bows look like real bows capable of firing their arrows?

The statues appear to be inanimate stone, and the bows are part of the statue. Irlana doesn't detect any magical auras in this room.

"I don't detect any magic, but there could still be some traps. Let's be careful but try to turn the statues. I think pointing them all to the center might be right." She moves in to the closest statue and tries to move it.

Andwise moves about and inspects the statues, looking for arrows or targets that might help him cluein on the riddle.

perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19

Tanssi, what do you think?

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17

Nothing here friend. Straight and true makes no sense to me

The statue is quite heavy, but Irlana can quickly tell that they are designed to swivel around.

Its a trivial DC 12 Strength check to turn them, even Irlana would be able to move one after a few tries.

Once all the arrow tips are facing towards the center of the room, , a section of the floor in the center of the room begins to slide down in wedges, creating a spiral stairway that descends to room.

The statue is quite heavy, but Irlana can quickly tell that they are designed to swivel around.

Its a trivial DC 12 Strength check to turn them, even Irlana would be able to move one after a few tries.

Once all the arrow tips are facing towards the center of the room, , a section of the floor in the center of the room begins to slide down in wedges, creating a spiral stairway that descends to room.

I've moved the party into the room at the bottom of the stairs!

The stone spiral stairs open onto a circular alcove looking out into a great domed chamber. Seven statues stand to the north, and seven more to the south—burly figures wielding large hammers. A single stone sarcophagus sits in the center of this room, at the bottom of a series of four tiers descending
in five-foot increments.

The spiral stair cases continues downwards as well.

Irlana looks at the room, the statues and the sarcophagus. "Our destination is probably still below us. But there may be something that we need to do here before we continue."

Detecting Magic and scanning the walls, floor and the things in the room. Any writing/symbols anywhere?

1d20 ⇒ 20

Irlana detects some magical auras coming from the sarcophagus in the middle of the chamber.

Irlana notices that four of the statues actually appear to be creatures that are standing very, very still.

The party can roll Knowledge (Planes) to identify them!

Eltran thinks about the creatures and uses her planar lore gained when he traveled the places as a chronicler.

Take 20 planar lore 1/5: 20 + 14 = 34

Know-Planes: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15

I don't have knowledge planes. I am such an awful summoner!

The creatures posing as statues are azers, a proud and hardworking race from the Plane of Fire. They are exceptionally lawful beings, and their society is a rigid caste system where everyone knows their role.

As fire creatures, they are naturally immune to fire but vulnerable to cold. Their bodies are so hot that just touching them can burn and the solid bronze weapons they typically wield can transfer that heat to their attacks. They also have a modest amount of spell resistance and darkvision. Beyond those abilities, they mostly depend on their class levels and equipment to help them in combat.

Eltran outlines all he knows to the group.

"So has anybody here any fire resistance? Could be important!"

Irlana looks at Eltran with a curious expression. "I don't. But do we have to fight them? If they are lawful creatures perhaps they are just assigned here as guards. Maybe we could speak with them? Any idea what language they might speak?"

She moves to the doorway again and speaks into the room. "Are any of you allowed to speak with us? We are sent by Lady Tula, seeking the resting place of her husband."
Diplomacy if it matters?: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 29

"Nor do I. In that case, I would agree with Irlana- perhaps diplomacy is the best first step."

He speaks up once Irlana approaches the doorway.
"We have the permission of the lady of house, if that makes any difference!

Diplo to aid: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (7) + 10 = 17

When Irlana steps into the room, the glow of optimism buzzing through her body turns into elation as she feels that their is a benevolent presence in this room. The color of the azers change from brownish-gray stone into the shiny copper that is their natural hue. Wordlessly they step off their pedestals. In unison, they give a deep and respectful bow, then step back onto their pedestals and turn back into stone.

The presence in this room does not speak like the Lady Tula; but somehow everyone has a strong sense they are welcome here. A reddish gold beam of light appears, briefly illuminating the sarcophagus in the middle of the room before disappearing.

“Oh wow, this feels really great! And I thought that we are facing any kind of danger! Stupid me!“ he says.

He then detects magic.

When the Azers bow and return to their pedestals Irlana isn't sure what it means. She feels welcomed by something though and slowly walks in looking at where the beam of light had come from, and where on the sarcophagus it had illuminated. She recognizes Eltran's spell to detect magic so she doesn't cast one herself. But she moves to see if there was any writing in or around the sarcophagus.

Irlana sees that their is an inscription on the side of the sarcophagus.

"Here lies Sir Echtyr Thelmarden, The Gold Knight; Lady Tula’s second commander ofthe Slayers of Nazilli."

Eltran detects 3 separate distinct auras coming from inside the sarcophagus.

“Oh wow! Look here! There are so many magical auras! * Moderate Abjuration and Faint Transmutation. No idea what the other one is!“

kn arcana : 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (20) + 16 = 36
kn arcana : 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (12) + 16 = 28
kn arcana : 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (5) + 16 = 21

Irlana looks at the Sarcophagus but backs away. "The lady said that we could collect her treasures to assist us, after we put her husband's spirit to rest. I think that would include these too. Let's continue down. We can come back for whatever these are after we complete the task."

"I agree. I would rather not upset the spirit realms! If we can use these items with the permission of the owners, we should endeavor to do so. Onward then?"

The sarcophagus glows briefly one more time as the party leaves this chamber and heads down the stairs to the next floor.

The staircase ends in another small circular room. On the eastern wall is a heavy stone door with a large keyhole (similar to the keyholes of the other locks in this tomb). A layer of brackish water covers the floor of this chamber,filling the air with the scent of minerals. The water is about a foot deep (making this area difficult terrain).

Irlana starts applying her life link to the members of the party. "Check the door for traps and magic. Let me get life links with everyone. Hopefully it won't be needed, but better applied before a battle if it is needed. Try the key on the lock?"

CLW from the wand on myself: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5 Not going to start the last battle already hurt?

Once done she casts Aid on herself and gets her CLW wand and Bless wand ready.

Aid: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6 temporary hit points for 4 minutes.

I created a new slide for this fight! The terrain in this room is difficult terrain due to the foot deep water.

The door does not appear to be trapped and the key provided by Bassy unlocks it. The party cautiously enters the chamber.

Nearly freezing water floods the floor of this long, oval chamber to a depth of one foot. A single stone sarcophagus, its lid carved to resemble a handsome human aristocrat, sits at the western end of the room. Four circular alcoves open into the room at the western end as well, each of which contains a less ornate stone sarcophagus.

Several seconds after they step into the room; the heavy stone lid on one of the sarcophagi slides off and clatters on the floor. A dark figure wearing ancient looking scale mail and wielding a sword rises from its grave. A pair of glowing red pinpoints shine from inside its nasaled helm as it screeches and shambles towards the adventurers.

Round 1 - Good Hope, Deathward, Floor is difficult terrain (flooded)
Irlana
Andwise
Sir Falcon
Maffei
Tanssi
Blue Corpse
Eltran

A harsh, otherworldly screech emits from Tannssi's mouth, and they slog through the waters of the chamber. They pull up short, stopping just next to the central sarcophagus- setting their weight to be ready to leap and defend.

Move. Readied attack

Bite, PA: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17 Damage: 1d6 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7 + trip
Trip: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7

Andwise moves up behind his companion, but struggles through the deep water and is unable to keep pace with the Eidolon.

Irlana uses her wand to cast Bless on the party.

For 1 minute everyone gets a +1 morale bonus on attack rolls and on saving throws against fear effects.

Unfortunately, the effect of bless gets overridden by the more powerful effect of good hope. I did also forget that good hope will affect your inititiative scores, meaning that Eltran will also get to act before the undead creature.

Irlana casts bless from a wand, but no one notices the effect as they are already brimming with hope and optimism from the blessing they received in Lady Tula's crypt. Andwise and Tanssi move up through the mucky water to get closer to the undead creature and Tanssi prepares to bite it when it gets in reach.

Maffei splashes through the water to the southern side of the room. She then casts a bit of shadow magic, lifting Sir Falcon several inches off the ground and flinging him so that he is standing right next to Tanssi.
(But only if he consents to this, otherwise it automatically fails.
She is using her Shadow Evocation spell like ability to mimic Telekinetic Charge in order to get Sir Falcon closer to the enemy.)

Round 1 - Good Hope, Bless, Deathward, Floor is difficult terrain (flooded)
Irlana
Andwise - Life Link
Sir Falcon -Life Link
Maffei
Tanssi - readied attack
Eltran - Life Link
Blue Corpse

1d4 ⇒ 3

Eltran immediately starts to inspire.

“Do take action my companions!!“ he shouts.

inspire courage +1 competence bonus to hit and damage

FYI: The readied attack I posted above does not account for good hope or I.C.

Botting Falcon!

Sir Falcon finds his bearings after being lifted up in the air. Seeing that Tanssi is readying an attack against the undead warrior, Sir Falcon decides to wait and see what happens. The undead creature also has trouble moving through the muck and the heavy scale mail armor makes it even slower.

So it has to double move to make it into melee range! I believe since Tanssi's bite has reach they would also get an attack of opportunity.

Tanssi's teeth lock onto the monster's sword arm as it nears them, ripping away links of rusty mail and gray, lifeless flesh.

Before the creature can raise its sword to attack, Sir Falcon delivers a blow to the undead fighter. The blade slashes through the crude mail and burns away a large amount of flesh as well, but the creature's eyes still glow red malevolently as it raises its blade to strike!

Katana, Good hope, IC, PA: 1d20 + 9 + 2 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (15) + 9 + 2 + 1 - 2 = 25
Slashing/Flame: 1d8 + 4 + 6 + 1 + 1d6 ⇒ (2) + 4 + 6 + 1 + (3) = 16

Round 2 - Good Hope, Bless, Deathward, Floor is difficult terrain (flooded)
Irlana
Andwise - Life Link
Sir Falcon -Life Link
Maffei
Eltran - Life Link
Tanssi
Sir Falcon -Life Link
Blue Corpse -25

Irlana casts Spiritual Weapon using the rod of extending, and has it attack the creature.

Spiritual Weapon: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20 The spell says it is a weapon of force, but it attacks as a spell, not a weapon so I don't know if Good Hope would apply? Same with Inspire Courage?
damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4 Same here. Spell, not weapon so not sure about Good Hope or Inspire Courage.

You are correct: Tanssi would have gotten an AoO and also the readied attack. There was only one attack rolled, so I will roll another one now

Bite, PA, GH: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 6 + 2 = 13 Damage, GH: 1d6 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 6 + 2 = 11 + trip
Trip, GH: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 6 + 2 = 18

Tanssi continues their assault on the corpse in the waters in front of him- claws and teeth ripping at the tattered clothing and sinew of the undead creature.

Bite, PA: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 6 + 2 = 11 Damage: 1d6 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 6 + 2 = 10 + trip
Trip: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 6 + 2 = 26

Claw #1, PA: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 7 + 2 = 13 Damage: 1d6 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 6 + 2 = 13
Claw #2, PA: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 7 + 2 = 28 Damage: 1d6 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 6 + 2 = 10

Spiritual weapon is treated like a weapon for the purpose of most bonuses. Bless, Good Hope, Inspire Courage, and even Haste should benefit it.

Irlana summons forth a blade of light and strikes the creature down. The undead creature's flesh bursts into flames, leaving behind a suit of mail and a sword.

Yes, we are still in combat rounds.

Round 2 - Good Hope, Bless, Deathward, Floor is difficult terrain (flooded)
Irlana
Andwise - Life Link
Sir Falcon -Life Link
Maffei
Eltran - Life Link
Tanssi
Sir Falcon -Life Link