Stormcrow's Return of the Runelords

Game Master stormcrow27

party init = 14
spider init= 10

The party moves forward into the next room. They see two doors set into the north wall, while another door stands closed in the west wall, concealing whatever salacious secrets stand behind a sentry of wood. A masterfully built table stands against the against the mold covered windows in the room's southeastern wall. Aside from a layer of mold and a few patches of moss, the dining set looks to be immaculate condition in comparison to the rest of the house furnishings.

Of more important note is the large swarm of hundreds of spiders that comes swarming towards the group, hungry, chittering, and singing.

spider init: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13
party init: 1d20 ⇒ 4

Has it been five rounds since the last swarm? I can't use ghoulish fire until five round have passed.

Merde, just after I used my oil!

Koshon's face becomes a mask of concentration, as the gregori channels soufire into the center of the spider swarm.
Soulfire (Sp): 1d6 ⇒ 5
Reflex DC 14 for half damage
As a move action, Koshon retreats 10 ft.

Grandfather Mossbeard looks at his shillelagh. Of little use it would be against a swarm of tiny spiders. His tough skin usually protected him from the bites of pests.

”My sword is useless against this.” The Duergar said as he backed away. ”We should return with flasks of acid and fire.” 20ft move away

Seeing the Grigori unleash soul fire, and perhaps even knowing what it is, Eric speaks.

It is slower then we are, and Mrs. Lorel and Mr. Koshon can probably blast it, stay 20 feet away and let them work!

Retreat 20 foot.

The spider swarm burst into flame and melts as Koshon's heavenly fire claims it in heavenly paeans to the peris. Lorel senses Mother Ghoul's fire return to their soul.

spider swarm reflex save: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

Lorel walks out into swarm, and blasts them with Cave Mother's fire.
1d6 ⇒ 2 DC 14

Soulfire (Sp): 1d6 ⇒ 4
Reflex DC 14 for half damage
As before, Koshon retreats another 10 ft.

"Cave mother is an ancient ancestor of us all. She was the first to master fire, both magic and mundane. She paid a terrible cost to do so." Lorel is well studied in the history of her spirits and knows that most love to have their stories shared."I could tell you the full tragic story later." Lorel stays near the back of the group as they enter the doorway.

Thinking back to when she first discovered Audrahni's moonlight dancing all those years way back when- which subsequently led to the Young Wizardess' own nascent worship of Ashava, Morelda makes the understandably mistaken assumption of Cave Mother being a deity that Lorel must somehow worship as she replies to the Pactmaker with, "That would be quite lovely to hear. Perhaps in a place less fraught with peril then?"

Vou are curious about my song power? It is related to a Bards, but it tends to tap into the slightly different emotional states then a Bards would, which interestingly enough means that the effecs stack! I had une good friend back in Galt, Aurore de Valois! Under the combined effects of our songs, mere peasenats-militias could stand up the Chelish regulars!

I hope she managed to escape as I did, when la revolucion got betrayed by its leaders and began to consume itself.

Quite surprised over the fact that Eric wasn't, in fact, a Bard- even if he did seem to look and act the part with his rakish Galtan manners, Morelda can only offer her condolences to the Skald about his lost Bardic friend. "I'm sorry to hear about what happened with your revolution and your friend, Eric." And here, I was so sure that he was an actual Bard- he even looks the part!

”My sword is useless against this.” The Duergar said as he backed away. ”We should return with flasks of acid and fire.”

Eric de St. Cyr wrote:

Seeing the Grigori unleash soul fire, and perhaps even knowing what it is, Eric speaks.

It is slower then we are, and Mrs. Lorel and Mr. Koshon can probably blast it, stay 20 feet away and let them work!

Nodding along mutely as she steps back 20' away along with Thurin and Eric while Koshon and Lorel unleash their respective eldritch attacks upon the swarm, Morelda keeps a hold onto her lone flask of acid- ready at a moments notice to throw it if the spider swarm were to venture too closely.

Readying an action to toss the acid flask at the spiders if they get too close to her.

Bard vs Skald

Madmoiselle Valerique, there is troix easy way to distinguish the Bard from the Skald, at a glance. Erik gives Moreldy a beaming smile.

First, if the choice of weaponry looks as if the person is, uhmm, "compensating for something", then it is probably a Skald. Bards are well, less perceptive of their manly martial shortcomings.

Erik chuckles with a good bit of self irony.

Seconde, we have une better understanding of the frailtis of our bodies if engaged in frontline fighting, which is why we, using our quelle supreme intellecte, came the le conclusion that wearing actual armor is une idea par excellence!

Third is a bit fuzzy, but if voux focuses on your emotions when I sing, if the song makes you want to rip off your adversaries bodily parts, then its a skald. Unfortunately, this interferes with spell casting, which a Bards songs do not.

Somehow, Eric makes exaggerated arcane motions while speaking to Moreldy, pretending that his little diatribe is a spell of soul and ghoul fire! As if trying to bluff the Spider swarm into believing that he is the source of the ghoul and soulfire enveloping them. He keeps retreating alongside the others.

bluff go for me not for the important ones!: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

The Deurgar continued to calmly keep his distance. He saw no need to do else but that. The others had this under control, which once again proved the value of having a versatile team.

Madmoiselle Valerique, there is troix easy way to distinguish the Bard from the Skald, at a glance. Erik gives Moreldy a beaming smile.

First, if the choice of weaponry looks as if the person is, uhmm, "compensating for something", then it is probably a Skald. Bards are well, less perceptive of their manly martial shortcomings.

Erik chuckles with a good bit of self irony.

Seconde, we have une better understanding of the frailtis of our bodies if engaged in frontline fighting, which is why we, using our quelle supreme intellecte, came the le conclusion that wearing actual armor is une idea par excellence!

Third is a bit fuzzy, but if voux focuses on your emotions when I sing, if the song makes you want to rip off your adversaries bodily parts, then its a skald. Unfortunately, this interferes with spell casting, which a Bards songs do not.

Somehow, Eric makes exaggerated arcane motions while speaking to Moreldy,

Keeping her attention half-focused on Eric's words whilst the other half is keeping an eye out upon the rapidly roasting spider swarm, Morelda can only nod along with the Galtan Skald's verbose comparison between his class profession and Bards... though his overly exaggerated somatic motions does leave her a bit puzzled for the most part.

The swarm burns and dies. Nothing is left moving after being set aflame.

So what does the party wish to do now? Doors lie closed, beckoning to be opened.

Koshon's eyes return to normal as the soulfire fades.
"Well. Let's continue."
The gregori opens the nearest door to see what's on the other side.
Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (7) + 9 = 16

Letting out an audible sigh of relief once Koshon and Lorel burn all the spiders into nothingness, Morelda will still keep a hold onto her acid flask- just in case of an emergency but will cast a Detect Magic on the moss-covered table in the swarm room though. Additionally, she tries to puzzle out any respective differences between Koshon's and Lorel's fire attacks as well.

Spellcfraft on Koshon's soulfire ability: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19.

Possibly an innate ability common to those who dwell in the Heavenly Outer Planes of the Great Beyond?

Does Morelda pick up any arcane signatures from the swarm table with Detect Magic?

Eric follows Koshon, Hammer in hands, scouting for threats.
perc: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19

Morelda detects no magic from the table.

The door opens into an empty hallway, with one door going north.

Perception to look around: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18

Casting detect magic to give the hallway a glance over.

Morelda mentions aloud, "I don't seem to be sensing any form of magic upon this table", to the benefit for those still in the room with the still smoldering cockroach bodies; those outside of the room should be able to hear her words, albeit a bit more muffled and fainter though.

stormcrow27, the table doesn't have any drawers in it or have anything on it?

perception on table; possibly an assist if someone else is also examining the table: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16.

"It doesn't really indicate how this table seems to be better off than most of the other furnishings within this wreck; I wouldn't rule out someone or something still keeping it in relatively good order somehow..."

Morelda will follow along with everyone else when the party leaves the room.

"Maybe someone maintains the table. Some sort of shrine or memorial to Roderick?"

Per: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13

The table holds no secrets the group can discover, but an overturned cabinet bearby holds a silver dining set, a silver decanter, and six copper mugs all in good shape. No magic radiates from the doorway.

Interesting, perhaps this place was dear to Sir Roderic?

While keeping up detect Magic, Eric moves to the table, cleans the dining set and rearranges the pieces in a pretty friendly and nice family dinner arrangement, Galtese style.

To my eternal shame as a Galtese, I unfortunately currently have no wine to fill into the decanter, but some water could perhaps be nice? He puts water from his water skin into the decanter.

"Maybe someone maintains the table. Some sort of shrine or memorial to Roderick?"

stormcrow27 wrote:

The table holds no secrets the group can discover, but an overturned cabinet bearby holds a silver dining set, a silver decanter, and six copper mugs all in good shape. No magic radiates from the doorway.

Eric de St. Cyr wrote:

Interesting, perhaps this place was dear to Sir Roderic?

While keeping up detect Magic, Eric moves to the table, cleans the dining set and rearranges the pieces in a pretty friendly and nice family dinner arrangement, Galtese style.

To my eternal shame as a Galtese, I unfortunately currently have no wine to fill into the decanter, but some water could perhaps be nice? He puts water from his water skin into the decanter.

Furrowing her brows in puzzlement upon Grandfather Mossbeard's own observations and query, Morelda answers the large Firbolg with, "That should make sense, Grandfather Mossbeard, but there's really nothing remarkable about this table other than it's condition."

As Eric starts placing the recovered silver and copper dining set, the Young Wizardess gives the Galtan Skald a bemused grin as she quietly claps her hand in a muted sort of applause at his handiwork. Morelda is clearly impressed by his Galtan-style table-setting skills!

Calling after Koshon [if the Angelic Town Representative doesn't return to where the table is], Morelda says, "Look, Eric's set up a pretty impressive Galtan table-arrangement here!", as she tentatively taps upon the surface of the table. Her Detect Magic spell is still likewise active although more focused upon the dining set rather than the table itself.

Which sadly lacks both le frommage, le vine and le apperetifs, but alas such are the vagaries of exile.

I am so going to pick tears to wine as my next spell, being out of booze is a crime!

The gregori observes the skald setting the table. "Hmm. I would have thought the table setting would have set off some kind of magical effect." Koshon gets on his hands and knees and crawls under the table. "Maybe..a clue might be under the table."
Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (15) + 9 = 24

Nothing appears to be abnormal about the table, other then it's just well made. Nor does it radiate magic or have any secret compartments the group can find. The dining set does look quite valuable.

Koshon gets off the floor, dusting himself off, and looks a little embarrassed with himself.
"Well..that was a dead end." The gregori looked at the nearby corpse. "No offense", the gregori said to the body.

I am poor myself, but I would rather not steal these. It would feel uncultured.
Eric says.

In a somewhat uncharasteristic way, he kneels speaking, praying even, with a fair degree of fervor.

Oh savored Sting, while I not know if Sir Roderik is among your faithful, I would ask for thy benediction.
Please, aid us in setting his soul to rest, so that he may enjoy his life in Elysium.
Please, aid us in vengeance, righting the wrongs done to him, so that his soul may come into you bosom.
Please, aid us in secrets, as we cannot do these things without secret knowledge.

A worshiper of the Savored Sting, to go along with having a worshiper of Ashava present and this Cave Mother- along with one from the Outer planes of existence and another from Deep below the ground- plus yet another who is one with primeval Nature itself. It all seems so quaint- but strangely appropriate though. Can't seem to put a finger on just why this is remotely so...

With a shrug, Morelda offers the suggestion of, "If the Town Council wouldn't mind paying something towards having some genuine tableware of the Roderic's household from the Wreck itself, we might as well put them back into the ruined cabinet where we found them, if they're not interested in such."

Looking towards the hallway, the Young Wizardess inquires to those who entered said hallway (Just Koshon and Eric, I think), "Is there anything of note over inside there?"

Of course, Morelda will re-activate her Crystal Light spell [with a release of her psionic focus] once more when it's duration runs out- taking care to regain that spent focus with a momentary 6 second pause to regain focus, as it were. ;)

A whisper is heard: Gauntlets

Gauntlets? Eric pauses, If that was Lady Callistria, its the first time I have a response in any way, this must be of une considerable degree de importance!

Erics Galtese accent ticks up considerably, as he methodically taps the floorboards for any hidden compartments.

Presumably, only Eric heard that whisper- praise the Savored Sting- or did some of the others also heard it? ;)

"Gauntlets, Eric?", Morelda replies as she furrows her brows in puzzlement, "I don't think I recall seeing anything like that within what we've already seen inside this wreck here..."

Intelligence check to recall?: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17. Or would Autohypnosis work better for this?

After a fashion of thinking it over, the Young Wizardess then asks aloud, "Has anybody else recall seeing any gauntlets in this place?"

"Not I", Koshon states simply.
Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (8) + 9 = 17

Nodding in return to Koshon, Morelda opines, "We'll just have to keep our eyes open for any gauntlets then."

The Young Wizardess of the Twilight Academy will follow along after the others in a lookout for anything resembling gauntlets within this place.

Could it mean Gauntlets, as in trials? There are several languages in which "running a gauntlet" is meant as an expression to overcoming a trial, often by combat. Eric offers.

Before carefully moving towards he next room.

Not entirely clear on geography of location

Could it mean Gauntlets, as in trials? There are several languages in which "running a gauntlet" is meant as an expression to overcoming a trial, often by combat. Eric offers.

"Hmm. That could be true", Koshon considers. "If so, being alert will be a wise decision from here on out."

A door opens north into a room with a set of stairs going up. Another door appears to lead east, and a door to the north has something odd about it, but you can't make it out from your current position.

Doing her part to help light the way for the party as they all venture forth to the unexplored parts of this wreck, Morelda asks aloud to the other members of the group, "Looks like we've some stairs up along with some other doors that we've yet to open; should we stay upon the lower floors for now or should we take a quick look up those stairs?"

I would prefer to fully investigate this floor before moving onto the next, this often reduces the odds of enemies appearing into ones rear.
This door to door seems odd Madmoiselle, be prepared for battle and allow me and Monsiurs Koshon Thurin to investigate.

Melee dudes to the front!

Gripping his Lucerne hammer tightly in a ready to strike position, Eric cautious approaches the odd door, focusing on his senses.
perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

Koshon quietly brings his bardiche to bear, nodding to both the human and the duergar, acknowledging his readiness.
Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (13) + 9 = 22

Is the Koshon bad luck streak lessening? I think your average roll on the first 5 pages was a 3,5 or so :)

The reason why the northern door seems odd becomes obvious upon further observation: It's been boarded up and the lock destroyed by a steel bar olaced through it.

Is the Koshon bad luck streak lessening? I think your average roll on the first 5 pages was a 3,5 or so :)

You're prolly onto something there, Eric; mebbe Koshon's innate heavenly fortune rolls took some time to build up cuz he had to slum it with a buncha politician-types for a couple of years- that sorta thing could have a detrimental effect on one's holy zen-outlook. ;p

Focusing yet another Detect Magic cantrip upon that oddly closed northern door, Morelda remarks, "Perhaps we'll be fortunate enough if that lock upon the door was truly and well destroyed.", from her position in the rear echelons.

Assist to Perception, if needed: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7. Not quite enough to be of any help. ;)

The door radiates no magic.