GM Michael's Emerald Spire

Game Master Dread

"Of course" - Ededlhur casts light on the bardiche

OK The module reads the players go 30' down the spiral staircase to where there is a landing that is 10x10 before the stairs continue around the central spire On the landing are two Goblin Zombies. I looked at a few ways to try and manipulate the idea, and finally settled on using the stairs up. the party is winding the wrong direction, but for our effect itll work. Just know there is nothing beyond the 10' and their are no doors.

The group winds down the stairs, going deeper under ground. A short time later Nycholas and ratel see a couple shambling figures ahead on the landing. They are the size of goblns but the flesh has rotted off the bone in many places and the stench reminds them of carrion fields.

Both of the heads of the creatures come up from staring at the ground and look to them on the stiarcase and they raise their hands in menace.

Initiative Tracker Bold May Go
22-Arthdane
19-Edeldhur
17-Ratel
16-Zombies
2-Arcanus
1-Nycholas

OK, I can't see them because of the curve of the stairs, so...

Arthdande calls ahead: "What's the holdup?

Action: Delay until 17, as I am assuming that is when Ratel will reply...

Resting his bardiche against the wall, Ratel calls back to Arthdane, "Two goblins on the landing. They look like they may be undead," Moving beside Nycholas Ratel draws his coldiron longsword. Moving past the corner, he raises his blade and chops at the nearest undead. Missing the rotting thing, he drives the blade against the edge of the wall. Cursing "Blast, I better not have chipped the blade."

10 ft move, looks like I'm giving up the aoo, hoping to get a little cover from the hard corner :) free action drop bardiche, draws sword while moving. Attack: Longsword PA, if it hits, cleave
attack: 1d20 + 6 - 1 ⇒ (3) + 6 - 1 = 8 for damage: 1d8 + 6 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 6 + 3 = 12
cleave attack: 1d20 + 4 - 1 ⇒ (12) + 4 - 1 = 15 for damage: 1d8 + 6 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 6 + 3 = 13

Without a chance to move forward and help, Edeldhur bids his time.

Delaying until there is a chance to move ahead and target one of the creatures.

Arthdane squeezes past Edelhur on the stairs, thinking that he might be able to support the front line with his spear next turn...

Arthdane who is on edge more than the others hears Ratels sharp take of breath and says whats the holdup?[B]

Initiative Tracker [b]Bold May Go
22-Arthdane
19-Edeldhur
17-Ratel
16-Zombies
2-Arcanus
1-Nycholas

Arcanus goes down the stairs another 5ft., behind Edeldhur. The bard can barely see Ratel begin accosted by the undead goblin, yet the bloodrager seems to be holding his own.
Arcannus will hold his action until he is in a [popsition to affect change.

Nycholas moves to the landing and slices into one of the zombies with his keen new blade.

Attack Left zombie.
Greatsword (Power Attack, Combat Expertise): 1d20 + 6 - 1 - 1 ⇒ (14) + 6 - 1 - 1 = 18
S Damage (Power Attack): 2d6 + 6 + 3 ⇒ (1, 3) + 6 + 3 = 13

Edeldhur continues delaying, waiting for his companions' actions, until he has a chance to see anything of what is happening up ahead.

Arcannus slides down the steps a few feet and tries to get a better view of the enemy.

Nycholas moves forward slashing out with his Greatsword and smashing it into the zombie to his front, almost crushing his opponent. One arm hangs limply when he is done, but it still stands.

Edeldhur watches the battle trying to see where he can help best.

Initiative Tracker Bold May Go
22-Arthdane
19-Edeldhur
17-Ratel
16-Zombies
2-Arcanus
1-Nycholas

Dodging on attack and parrying the second with his blade, Ratel tries to move a little so Nycholas can squeeze past him. The young warrior lifts the fancy new blade and chops into one of the goblins. Amazed to see the Goblin that Nycholas attacked still standing, Ratel blurts out. "That blow would have felled a tree!" Lifting his longsword he chops at the same undead goblin, hoping that between the two of them they can bring it down. Instead he drives his coldiron blade into the doorframe.

Attack: Longsword PA
attack: 1d20 + 6 - 1 ⇒ (2) + 6 - 1 = 7 for damage: 1d8 + 6 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 6 + 3 = 17

Nycholas having made room, Arthdane steps down the stairs. Using the height of the stairs to his advantage, he takes an overhand grip on his longspear and stabs past Ratel's shoulder at the goblin zombie...

Move action - down the stairs
standard action - attack goblin zombie - the one Nycholas hit

To Hit: 1d20 + 3 + 1 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (4) + 3 + 1 + 1 - 4 = 5
+3 str +1 bab +1 higher position -4 cover (Ratel)
Damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8
+4 Str*1.5

Now with a slightly better view of their opponents, Edeldhur takes one step forward, and lobs a blob of acid at the closest one.

Acid Splash, ranged touch: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20
Damage if it hits: 1d3 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 + 1 = 5

Arthdane stepped forward and stabbed out at the Zombie in front of Nycholas, the spear went over its shoulder.

Ratel swung his sword at the same one, but also misjudged the slowness of his opponent and the swing came up short.

Edeldhur had better luck and hit the closest one with a ball of acid that sizzled away skin.

The two Zombies attacked each vs the closest to them. One striking at Nycholas, claws scraping across his armor. The one reaching out to Ratel sunk its filty claws into his arm puncturing it to the bone.

zombie vs Nycholas AC18: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 151d6 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10
zombie vs Ratel AC17: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 171d6 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

Initiative Tracker Bold May Go
22-Arthdane
19-Edeldhur
17-Ratel
16-Zombies
2-Arcanus
1-Nycholas

(Sigh) Arcanus could only take an additional 5-ft step down the stairways and watch with horror as the undead tore into Ratel. We're a party of adventures stuck on a staircase, waiting for room to move down! This is so aggravating being unable to affect change.

Nycholas' backswing is far less effective than his first attack. "Hopefully we don't fell the stairs!" He responds to Ratel as he chops into the stone wall.

Greatsword (Power Attack, Combat Expertise): 1d20 + 6 - 1 - 1 ⇒ (2) + 6 - 1 - 1 = 6
S Damage (Power Attack): 2d6 + 6 + 3 ⇒ (4, 4) + 6 + 3 = 17

Arcannus took another few steps down, looking on the scene with horror and frustration over the bottleneck.

Nycholas swung his sword wildly, after seeing Ratel get hurt by one of the goblinoid undead. It struck the side of the chamber and chips of green glass flew.

Initiative Tracker Bold May Go
22-Arthdane
19-Edeldhur
17-Ratel
16-Zombies
2-Arcanus
1-Nycholas

Arthdane growls in frustration and tries again, stabbing past Ratel's shoulder at the goblin zombie...

standard action - attack goblin zombie - the one Nycholas hit

To Hit: 1d20 + 3 + 1 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (18) + 3 + 1 + 1 - 4 = 19
+3 str +1 bab +1 higher position -4 cover (Ratel)
Damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8
+4 Str*1.5

Lifting a hand to his face to keep the green stone chips from his and Nycholas' blows from hitting his face, Ratel, Hears Arthdanes growl, "You can say that again." Jerking his blade free from the green stone, Ratel swings at the nearest dead goblin, clearly missing again. "This is getting monotonous!"

Seeing Arthdane drop the undead goblin, Ratel steps over it's body making room on the platform for someone else.

Attack: Longsword PA 5 ft step
attack: 1d20 + 6 - 1 ⇒ (1) + 6 - 1 = 6 for damage: 1d8 + 6 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 6 + 3 = 16

Edeldhur again launches an acid blob at the closest goblin.

Think I can only see the one in front of Nycholas now.

Acid Splash, ranged touch: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23
Damage if it hits: 1d3 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 + 1 = 3

Athdane stabbed down and this time his longspear stuck into the walking corpse. He could tell it didnt hurt it as much as it would have had it been living tissue however and the spear stuck in dead flesh. It was enough to cause it to lose its connection to this side of the veil as it fell to the ground.

Edeldhur threw another ball of acid into the leg of the other walking goblin corpse and it sizzled away flesh to the bone.

Ratel once again missed against the undead opponent, however he stepped in front of Nycholas, standing over the corpse to make room for others.

The Zombie turned to face Ratel with single minded determination and swung a black clawed hand . This time Ratel avoided the reaching hand.

attack AC17: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 71d6 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

Initiative Tracker Bold May Go
22-Arthdane
19-Edeldhur
17-Ratel
16-Zombie
2-Arcanus
1-Nycholas

combat stats Rd3:
Arcanus Julum AC:14(T:11/FF:13) CMD:12 HP:18/18 Saves-FO:+1 RE:+4 WL: +4
2nd Bard (archaeologist) (Irori) Male Human (taldane) Defenses: None H.P.1
Enc:C59.5/L0-43/M44-86/H87-130 Water: Waterskin Food Trail rations (4) Ammunition: None Expendables: 1 Torch

Arthdane Sarkanaroka AC:16(T:12/FF:14) CMD:16 HP:17/17 Saves-FO:+5 RE:+3 WL:+6
2nd Cleric(Herald Caller, Cayden) M Human Low Light Vision H.P.: 1
ENC:C:TBD/L<58/M59-116/H117-175 Water:Waterskin+2more+create water Food:5days+9days Sling Bullets-20+20
Expendables: Healer's Kit-10/10, 2 scrolls of bless

Arthdane's Mule AC:11(T:11/FF:10) CMD:13 (17 vs trip) HP:13/13 Saves-FO:+5 RE:+4 WL:+0
Mule, Low Light Vision, Scent H.P.: n/a
ENC:C:162/L<100/M101-200/H201-300 Water: 2 Waterskin Food:9 days Sling Bullets-20
Expendables: Healer's Kit-10/10

Edeldhur Beltharan AC:14(T:13/FF:11)CMD:17 HP:14/14 Saves-FO:+3 RE:+3 WL:+4
2nd Wizard (Evoker/Admixture) M Elf (Taldan) +2 vs. enchantments, Immune to Sleep HP:3
ENC:C34.72/L<38/M38-76/H76-115 Water: Waterskin Food: 5days Noammo
Expendables: 1 vial of Acid, marbles

Arzo AC:15(T:14/FF:13)CMD:6 HP:7/7 Saves-FO:+2 RE:+4 WL:+4
2nd Familiar Tiny Magical Beast M Rat Defenses: Improved Evasion. Scent within 15'
Enc:C???/L???/M???/H??? Water:n/a Food:n/a ammunition:n/a

Nycholas Hyll AC:18(T:10/FF:18)CMD:15 HP:19/19 Saves-FO:04 RE:00 WL:04
1st Fighter (Weapon Master)/ 1st Wizard (Swordbinder) Male Human Defenses: HeroPoints:1
Enc:C 116/L 116/M 233/H 350 Water: 2 Gal (1 Day) Food 3 days
Expendables: Hand of the Apprentice 5/5

Ratel Dier AC:17/19 (w/shield) rageAC:15/17(T:12/FF:15/17)CMD:18 HP:15/23 Saves-FO:+5 RE:+2 WL:+1
2nd Bloodrager (spell eater) M Human(Kellid) 1 per day ignore effect causing fatigue HP 2
ENC:C125/L<100/M101-200/H201-300 Water:1days Food:4days bullets: 10, arrows 35,
Expendables: N/A

vs

Zombie AC:12(T:10/FF:12)CMD:14 HP:,8/16 Saves-FO:+0 RE:+0 WL:+3
2HD Undead Medium Defenses: DR5/slashing. Immunity to all mind-affecting effects (charms, compulsions, morale effects, patterns, and phantasms).
Immunity to death effects, disease, paralysis, poison, sleep effects, and stunning.
Not subject to nonlethal damage, ability drain, or energy drain. Immune to damage to its physical ability scores (Constitution, Dexterity, and Strength), as well as to exhaustion and fatigue effects.Immunity to any effect that requires a Fortitude save (unless the effect also works on objects or is harmless).[/spoiler]

Nycholas ends the zombie with a final slash of his greatsword, it's weird zombie anatomy resisting his weapon but his strength overcomes. He sighs, resting his new blade against his shoulder. "Diviri's journal says there are undead on the third floor. Looks like, so far, nothing has changed since she was here." He says, a hint of pride in his voice at his mentors thoroughness and accuracy.

Greatsword (Power Attack, Combat Expertise): 1d20 + 6 - 1 - 1 ⇒ (15) + 6 - 1 - 1 = 19
S Damage (Power Attack): 2d6 + 6 + 3 ⇒ (2, 3) + 6 + 3 = 14

Unable to affect change, Arcanus cheers the other on.

Nycholas cuts the remaining zombie down. It collapses on the floor.

Seeing Nycholas drop the second undead goblin, Ratel sheaths his sword. Reaching back to pick up his pole arm, he gestures at the undead goblins. "That was well struck, Nycholas." Holding his Bardiche ahead so as to be ready to continue, he asks the others. "I don't remember any undead above. Do you think they came from below?"

Having forgotten his wound, Ratel notices his hands are slippery on the handle of his weapon due to blood. He ask, "Could anyone heal these wounds?"

Yeah, I almost forgot he's wounded

As they look at the zombie bodies on the floor they see a rune etched in the floor in glowing green glass.

CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7
Arcanus angrily pushes his way down to the bloodrager, and cast cure light wounds. "Gods-dammit!" The young bard cursed when his healing was ineffective, then casts the healing spell again. "First, damn door, and I've used all my healing magics for the day.", Arcanus said defectively.

"You are right Mr Dier" - Edeldhur comments - "Those gathered above did not seem to have enough command of the Divine to create or master undead, so they must be coming from somewhere else"

Mental note: Take Longuistics (Azlanti) on next level up :P

Arthdane prods at the remains of the zombies with his spear and then flips them over.

K Religion, what do I know about zombies?: 1d20 + 2 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 2 + 3 + 1 = 22
2 rank +3 trained +1 trait

Perception to spot any loot: 1d20 + 2 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 + 3 + 2 = 8
2 rank +3 trained +2 wis

After examining them, he asks "Ratel, take their heads off with your Bardiche as a precaution before we go on.".

Then he puts aside his spear and pulls out a sheet of rice paper, a pen, and ink; he sketches the rune on the floor for later research. Afterwards, he re-arms himself and says "Shall we continue down?"

Nodding at Arthdane's recommendation, Ratel takes a moment and chops the heads off of both of the undead. He quickly helps the cleric search the bodies, then watches as he sketches what appears to be a rune on the floor. Nodding when Arthdane asks if they should continue, Ratel, agrees "We shall." Holding the illuminated bardiche so he can see, begins to move down the steps.

CDG on both undead?
CDG: 2d10 + 12 + 6 ⇒ (5, 6) + 12 + 6 = 29
CDG: 2d10 + 12 + 6 ⇒ (10, 6) + 12 + 6 = 34

Ratel puts his longsword away and picking up his bardiche severs the heads of the goblinoid zombies and then waits as Nycholas starts down before following the Armiger down the stairs. The remainder of the group follows. Besides the light they have with them, its pitch black around them. Its surreal descending into darkness on stone stairs carved in a semi circular fashion going around the central spire which glows dull green with slight illumination, but not enough to travel by.

After about 30 feet more the stairs widen to 10' and descend another 50 feet through solid bedrock before turning and dropping another 20', emptying into a the north side of a stone lined room. A large stone door stands directly across from the stirs. A small alcoe sits to the east and another stone door to the southeast s slightly ajar. An extinguished torch rests on the floor of the alcove.

Moved party marker to 2nd level. shall we?

Arthdane mutters a quick prayer (Guidance). He steps forward into the room, the magic light on his spearhead (Light cantrip used earlier) allowing him to see clearly into the corners of the room.

Search the Room

Perception: 1d20 + 2 + 3 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 2 + 3 + 2 + 1 = 16
2 rank +3 trained +2 wis +1 guidance

Somebody got a detect Magic? And maybe a survival (tracking) check around that torch, see if that tells us anything about who/what dropped it?

Edeldhur scans the room - his senses enhanced by a magical dweomer.

Detect Magic.

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19

Moving cautiously down the stairs and into the room with Arthdane, Ratel points to the extinguished torch on the floor in the alcove. Asking quietly, [smaller]"do you think we are alone?"[/bigger] Realizing the door to the southeast was slightly ajar. Ratel moves over near it, using the blade of his illuminated bardiche he attempt to move the door open more so he might look inside.

perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10

As the group slowly moves into the room, They look around and notice nothing they havent seen already. Ratel pushes the cracked door open cautiously seeing what appears to be a hall going east.

"Not sure if this is the cellar or the "third" floor. If it's the third, there are pit traps. Stay sharp."

Perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 1 = 20
Move into the hallway.

Arcanus recast light on his longsword.

"Third floor, good to know." Grunting his approval at Nychoas information, Ratel follows the young man. Since the hallway was wide enough, he walked slightly behind and to the right, holding the illuminated bardiche out as far as he could, keeping a keen eye out.

Doubt if I'll beat Nycholas' twenty :)
perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24 Woot!

Arthdane stays close behind Nycholas and Ratel, ready to support them with his longspear. He mutters another quick prayer to the Drunken Hero (Casts Guidance again). He speaks quietly "If we come to a cloed door, wait for me - I have a trick to use."

Edeldhur follows his companions, after refreshing the Light spell on Ratel's weapon.

The group moved forward staring down the hall that looked like it branched off to the north ahead. Their footsteps echoed in the underground area. It was eerily silent. The ceiling went from 20' high in the foyer area to 10' high in the hall. There didnt appear to be anything remarkable in the hallway.

Arthdane advances down the hall, longspear ready. He stops at the door off to the left hand side... Assuming nothing jumps him at this point, he uses his door sight ability to look through the door...

Perception: 1d20 + 2 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 + 3 + 2 = 25
2 ranks +3 trained +2 wis

Arthdane puts a hand to the stone surface of the door in the alcove and concentrates for time, and he can see past the door into the room. The room isdimly lit by the glowing green crystal central spire which intrudes into the room in the north west corner, besides that the room is 30' by 30'.

A stout wooden table stands along the wall opposite it. On the table are three rotting human corpses and the remnants of a black hairy spider the size of a dog.

One corpse has had all of its limbs sawed off and its body is cut open exposing internal organs. A second corpse has had all of its limbs removed and sewn in their place are spider legs from the spider corpse on the table. The human arms and legs are neatly stacked next to the spider corpse.

A bucket of blood sits on the floor under the table and needles with lengs of silk thread attached are stuck in a hand sized block of wax atop the table.

Watching Arthdane touch the door, Ratel raises an eyebrow, but says silent.

Arthdane spends 30 seconds or so studying the scene, muttering prayers for inspiration as he does so... (Casts Guidance twice)

I'm guessing weird necromantic experiment, but...

Spellcraft, what is that?: 1d20 + 2 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 2 + 3 + 1 = 11
2 rank +3 trained +1 guidance

K Religion, ID Undead: 1d20 + 2 + 3 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 2 + 3 + 1 + 1 = 11
2 rank +3 trained +1 trait +1 guidance

He then carefully describes the scene on the far side of the door for his companions.

in his continued study of the area, he also notices a rune in azlanti on the floor before the glowing spire.

All his guesswork can imagine is someone was trying to see if they could connect spider parts to humans to make undead who could possibly climb walls? or move through spider webs quicker?

Who's good with locks and traps in the party?

"Ok, here's the plan. Nych, Ratel and I line up. Arcanus throws the door open, and we rush in and beat on the assorted corpses on the theory that they're actually undead... I'm just such a subtle fellow... Arcanus and Edeldhur follow us in as a second wave."

Anybody else got a different idea?

Shrugging, the bard positions himself next to the door.

'Neat trick.' Realizing Arthdane could somehow see into the room, Ratel nodded his approval. "Neat trick." He gives a wolfish smile, "Works for me." Lookin at Nycholas he asks, "You want to go left and I'll to right?"