Book 1 The Dead Roads (Inactive)

Game Master Seldlon the Swift

Pearl is magical Ardran reports.
Acid strongly indicates presence of adversaries.

He adds.

From outside, working on his torch and the lantern, Farod offers his advice:"And probably waiting for you to get close and jump you, just like the others did. But they are just bugs. Pick something up and throw it at the remains, or poke them with your long stick, see if you can stir them up before getting close."

Hmm, good idea, Mr. Farod, they likely see us anyway, may as well make things equal.

Lady Morana, could you cast a light spell on this?
Ardran holds out one of his sling stones, before levitating it via mage hand, taking his Polearm in 2 hands and mage handing it around in the area, first in irregular patterns intended to attract attention, and, if no attack is forthcoming, then slowly, giving everyone an opporunity to carefully search for enemies.

"Just wait until I got the lantern going, Ardran. Slam some sling stones into stuff in the light from Wulfgar, in the mean time.", Farod answers, slightly annoyed.

Hmm, maybe we have been doing this wrong, they are stealthy, they understand Abyssal, and I doubt they are particularly prudent. Lets see we I can strike their cranial weakpoint.

He speaks, in Abyssal. Adressing potential Ostovites.
Привет, вы, ничтожные нелепые, даже не демонические допотопные гаденыши, вы настолько слабы, что даже ребенок халфлинга мог бы зарезать вас своей голой задницей, настолько уродливы, что Гибрилет мог бы давать вам уроки моды, и настолько вонючи, что Омокс мог бы служить вам духами. Ты собираешься затаиться здесь и позволить моей смертной заднице, рожденной в тени, бросать тебе оскорбления? Или ты осмелишься сражаться?

His intonation clearly insulting.

@GM what roll, if any, is trashtalking?

'A rear guard, smart.' Nodding as Farod and Morana set a rear guard, Wulfgar continues into the room. "Good Idea Farod. It doesn't look like this is our exit."

Raising an eyebrow as Ardran points out that the pearl he noticed is magical, Wulfgar smiles. "An enchanted item is certainly worth checking out, even if it's guarded by a fish-bone bug."

Rolling his eyes as his friends try to logistically turn one magic light into two, Wufgar waives them off, as he moves towards the location of the pearl. "Don't worry about a stone, I'll prod the pile with my glaive."

Poking at the location of the pearl as Ardran address the potential fish-bone bugs in Abyssal.

Also, not to be that guy, but both gold ring and a pearl sound like they would be valid targets for Mage Hand. Why not just retrieve those remotely and get out of here? No need to stir up any Ostovites, unless we learn we'll need the XP...

I mean, I'm as much a fan of over-complicating matters as the next player, but in this case it really seems a bit overdone, if we go to the lenght of whirling around stuff with telepathy to clear a path so we can physically pick up 2 diminutive items from some shelves. :D

You just mentioned a pearl being magical, Farod was busy and has no idea what else is in there so won't suggest it IC.

Good call on the mage hand, but I have a hard time not insulting enemies when there is any tactical advantadge whatsorever to be gained from that :)

So did you want the light spell or not? I'm good either way.

Go ahead ith the light, either the insults or the light should trigger aggression if something is in there :)

So did you want the light spell or not? I'm good either way.

I thought we were keeping the light spell out where Farod could see? Wulfgar is illuminated and poking things with his glaive. I think he'll be able to trigger aggression ok as well.

Lets find out of a light-sling stone can act like a laserpointer for Ostovites!

Morana reaches into her pouch for a sling bullet then tosses it into the pearl.

The lit bullet bounces around and takes rest on the shelf with the ring and pearl.

Poking at the location of the pearl as Ardran address the potential fish-bone bugs in Abyssal.

Did Wulfgar poking at it with his polearm stir up anything? also did he see anything else in the room?

The room appears to be free of ostovites.

Reaching out carefully Wulfgar picks up the ring, pearl and glowing lead bullet.

Walking back out into the central room he opens his palm, asking, "Anyone want to examine the pearl or ring?"

As the objects leave his hand he gestures towards the doorway on the eastern wall. "Shall we?"

Waiting for everyone to be ready, he steps into the doorway, keeping a keen eye out.

Taking 10(14) on perception

As Wulfgar touches the shelves that are weakened by acid, they fall on him.

shelves v Wulfgar AC 17: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (8) + 10 = 18
damage: 2d6 ⇒ (3, 2) = 5

Morana moves to his side. "oh no." She then try's to lift the shelfs off him. Strength Check1d20 ⇒ 11

Sitting outside in sudden darkness while trying to light his torch, when Morana leaves and casts light on some sling bullet, he sighs, then throws the Torch into some corner of the room in anger.
"For f!$+s sake."
He stands up and cautiously walks - feeling his way with one hand along the wall - in the direction they came from, assuming the room with the sarcophagi to have been a relatively safe spot, where he could work on the lantern in darkness, but without having to fear being assaulted.

Retconing

Hearing cursing and something hitting the wall out in the main room, Wulfgar is unable to dodge the shelves. One of them landing on his shoulder. "Blast!" Nodding to Morana for helping. "Thanks Morana."

As he moves out into the main room and starts to hand the ring and pearl to Morana, he shifts his shoulder asking, "Morana, anything you can do for this shoulder? I caught the shelves with it."

Moving to where he saw Farod fussing with a lantern, Wulfgar chuckled letting his halo illuminate the area so the half orc could light the lantern.

Back to the previous post
Once Morana does what she can for the wound, and everyone is ready, Wulfgar will proceed to the next door.

Sorry Igar, I should have waited until you told us the northern room was clear before I posted going to the east.

"I can only do this a few more times." Morana says as she releases another burst of life giving energy. She then approaches Farod and touches his armor casting Light on it "Sorry about the light, I forgot you can't see in the dark."

opps channel1d6 ⇒ 6

That puts our bloodrager at 12/13 hit points. Farod checks the next door for traps.
1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10
"Clear!"

Where is your token Farod?

I thought I had put Wulfgar's token by the door, it is there now. Also Farod's token was still in the upper room, so I moved it down with ours.

Nodding to Farod, Wulfgar steps through the doorway into the eastern room. Poleparm at the ready, pausing to look around.

Will take 10(14)on perception, just inside the doorway of the eastern room

Adran positiongs himself behind Wulfgar hoping, likely in vain that the burly Aasimar obsures him from view, it mostly results in him seeing very little.
perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10
stealth: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

Morana moves from the northern room to the entrance to the eastern room just north of Adran.

Morana leaves the northern room and moves into position within touch range of Wulfgar in case he is wounded by another creature. And tries to keep quiet.

Stealth1d20 - 9 ⇒ (4) - 9 = -5 And fails miserably.

The stone walls of this room are carved to resemble hanging draperies framing a large dais. Upon the dais stands a large sarcophagus, its lid carved to resemble a sleeping knight with long hair and a wide mustache. This room carries a faint nauseating odor, like putrefying meat.

A DC 15 Perception check identifies the location of the smell.

perception source of smell: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11
perception traps: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14
perception enemies: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14
Hmm, I would strongly expect traps here, and I cannot pinpoit the source of the smell, be on your guards.

Actually, there arent exactly rules about not being able to aid another on active perception checks. Ardran could either specifically double check, using his "superior" dark vision, or do "budget dancing lights" by mage handing a pebble on which Lorana casted light, to assist Wulfgar. What are your thoughts on this GM? If it is possible to retcon, Adran would aid rather then search himself here.

I beat DC 15 with a passive check taking 10, in response to the smell. Don't even need an active check to search.
Also, you did never state such or comment on progress, but I will assume that I managed to fill the lantern and light it, as I started doing so before the trap in the previous room. I was waiting for having a light source ready - if that is still not the case, please inform how much longer it will take me so the others can decide wether to wait on me or not.

Farod, while not taking point, still can't evade the nauseating smell from the room. Inhaling and concentrating, he points towards a direction: "I think that smell originates there. Caution."

Perception Take 10: 10 + 5 = 15

'Good Morana is near.' Pausing in the doorway Wulfgar see's the large sarcophagus with the relief carved on the lid. Nodding at Ardrans comment about traps, he agrees. "We should proceed carefully or not at all, this is clearly not our exit." Smelling a faint odor stiring with the dust, he sniffs momentarily trying to tell where the odor is coming from as he looks towards the direction Farod indicates.

perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20

Perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (7) + 10 = 17 Morana pauses at the entrance to the room and gives it a once over. Noting the smell she wonders if it is a dead body or not. Still she waits for the others to decide what to do. Before they awaken something Morana says a short prayer "Pharasma guard us from the dangers and wicked that we may wake."

О владычица полуночи вечной, ослепи взглядом наших врагов прошлых и будущих, и наших противников живых или умерших.

Dylan silently prays in Abyssal, knowing that it could be unnerving to do so in public.

He then activates detect magic, peering into the room.

Ah, the Lady of graves?
Ardran racks his mind, to accurately anticipate Moranas hostility towards him for theological reasons, but comes off blank.
Kn. Religion, relations between Pharasma and Nocticula: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

Wulfgar believes the odor is coming from the northeastern corner of the room. Whatever it is cannot be seen due to the height of the dais and sarcophagus.

Nodding in agreement with Morana, "Yes Pharasma guard us." Hearing Ardran ask 'the lady of graves' Wulfgar smiles, "Who better to pray to in a crypt?"

Pointing his glaive towards the northeast corner, Wulfgar adds, "The smell is coming from the northeast corner." He nods his head to the left, "I'll move to the left along the wall and attempt to see what it is. If there are undead, I'd rather deal with it now then have it follow us."

He gestures towards the steps, Turning back looking at the others. "Anyone want to move to the sarcophagus to prevent a flank?"

Stepping into the room he moves along the wall to the northwest corner wanting to see what is causing the smell.

Will take 10 (14) on perception from the northwest corner

Aid another Wulfgar perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 13 Ardran moves alongside Wulfgar, assisting him in his scouting efforts, and essentially blocking a flanking attempt with his own body.

Because I have 2 stacking traits for aid another, it should move Wulfgars perception to an 18

Pity you are not a Halfling, or adopted by halflings - or that would be a 19

Farod moves into the room as well, but stays near the entrance and south of the sarcophagus - mostly to make sure nothing else was hiding on the other side.

Morana asks her new found friends in a bright voice "Shall I open it?" While waiting for the answer she stands in the door keeping watch both ways to make sure nothing sneaks up on the party.

Surprise Round one move or one standard only
Wulfgar, Ardran <=====
Snake

Wulfgar and Ardran come face to face with a strange looking snake like creature. Knowledge Arcana to identify. The dais and sarcophagus are 5 feet in height effectively shielding the snake from view.

kn Arcana: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15 untrained but bardic knowledge ftw.

Ardran has a plan, a very reasonable one, but one that would be waylaid if the snake can for example spit poison or acid, so he racks his brain if such snakes could do such a thing, or have other ways to attack from range.

If no:

Defensive formation, let it come to us!

Ardran says has he readies an attack, preparing to strike the snake with his Bec de Corbin once it moves into his reach.

I think that gives us the highest number of possible hits as it goes for either of us

If Ardran believes that the snake can attack from more then 5 foot range , he 5 foot steps forward, says Carefull, it can spit acid/poison! and attacks it with his first blow from the spoiler.

Ardran recognizes a construct referred to as a bone cobra. It is not poisonous but has a nasty discharge. It has no ranged attack.

Bone Cobra, not poisonous, nasty discharge, no ranged attacks. Careful, it is still a potent foe. Ardran informs the party.

Seeing the snake like creature raise it's head, Wulfgar lifts the blade of his glaive preparing to step forward. 'Bone Cobra?' Hearing Ardran recommend they form a defensive formation as he describes the creature, Wulfgar nods in agreement. "Good idea." Instead of moving forward he steadies the glaive, waiting to see if the thing is foolishly aggressive enough to move into the polearms range.

Readied attack: Glaive, power attack
readied attack: 1d20 + 5 - 1 ⇒ (1) + 5 - 1 = 5 for damage: 1d10 + 6 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 6 + 3 = 14
lol, apparently Wulfgar is not the defensive type, good to know now :)

The snake remains coiled where it is.

Round 1
Current Effects -
Wulfgar 12/13, Morana 10/10, Ardran 10/10, Farod 10/10

Wulfgar, Ardran <=====
cobra
Morana, Farod

Free action: Move Bec to one handed
Move action: Draw a sling stone in free hand
Stanard actionThrow stone at Cobra
Free action: Take Bec de Corbin in 2 hands
No actual movement, Ardran remains in place

Stone throw: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14 May count as improvised
damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5 mostly to provoke it, doub a 14 hits anyway

Is this easier to process?

Farod, if you can somehow draw a bead on it it would be appreciated. Adran speaks as the throws a stone at the construct.

Farod slightly lifts his hands, holding the Heavy Mace he found earlier and the Lantern he filled and lit, as if to say: 'Draw a bead with what?'
I don't think swapping to my bow will be a great use of my action, unless it remains coiled up in standard rounds, too.

Moving on top of the sarcophagus is two steps. One to the dais and a second to the lid. Treat that as difficult terrain which should not matter.

Resisting the urge to jump forward and chop at the odd snake like thing, Wulfgar, watches from the corner of his eye to see if Ardran shifts forward. Realizing his companion is fidgeting with something Wulfgar glances over, seeing the Skald take out a slingstone and toss it at the creature. Chuckling, commenting as much to himself as to the others. "If that doesn't get it moving nothing will."

Catching Farod's lantern moving in his peripheral vision, Wulfgar can't tell if the half orc is setting down the light to draw his bow or not. But lifting the glaive high, he again prepares to chop at the thing if it comes in range.

Readied attack: Glaive, power attack
readied attack: 1d20 + 5 - 1 ⇒ (9) + 5 - 1 = 13 for damage: 1d10 + 6 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 6 + 3 = 11

Morana drops her longspear and retrieves the light crossbow from her back. Loading it she quickly takes aim.

One move action to retrieve and one standard action to load

The cobra does not move.