The Rusty Flagon Inn (Inactive)

Game Master Nightfiend

What skill would you use to identify the corpse and it's traits?

Can the rest of us even see what is going on?

From your current position, I would say that you can't actually see what's going on. That said, based on what you can hear, combined with what Gravi passed on, you would know that there is a corps in the room, and it is acting strangely. You would also be able to deduce that whatever is going on with the corps is likely bad, considering Gravi exited the room rather quickly. In addition, the fact something hit the wall as he exited the room, it wouldn't be a stretch to presume that some sort of ranged attack was used.

Round 2 continued
Spellcraft: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21
Nodding to himself, as if making a decision, Wayilant carefully leaves the room.
Calling out to the others, Wayilant explains. "Alright, Slayers. In the room, there is a haunt currently going on. The corpse on the ornery is shooting acid arrow at anything. The problem is there were a room unexplored adjacent to the ornery. Might be the stairs leading down. I think we have to brave the room to find out. I'm.." Wayilant breathed, "I'm just taking a moment to remember my courage.."

Glancing around, Govrina reaches out with her powers through the hole in the floor, grabs a piece of furniture from below, (a chair or small side table, or something of similar size and solidity) and floats it up toward the open door through the floor.

"I'm sorry I don't know what a haunt is, but I can maybe help with the acid...I can move some cover into the room, and hold it in place. Maybe if we destroy the corpse somehow it will stop?"

The range should not be a problem, but I will spend a point of burn if I need to do so for any reason.

Bryndis, if you want to do something other than ready an attack, let me know. Otherwise, I’m going to assume you are prepared while invoking rage. The rage was invoked in round (1) and will count as one round of rage used on your turn in round (2).

Round 2

Gravi: Continues to observe what’s going on from outside the room.

Govrina: Begins looking for an object that she can use as a form of cover. After looking between the two boards on the floor, she finds the top of an open wooden crate. The crate’s lid happens to be two foot long and one foot wide, making it an ideal object for the task. Without hesitation, she focuses on the lid and lifts it up through the hole and brings it into position.

Wayilant: Moves out of the room and explains what's going on with the haunt. After taking a moment to regain his courage, he turns back towards the secret door.

Round 2
Gravi (23)
Govrina (22)
Wayilant (16)
Darius (14)
Bryndis (11)
Unknown (10)

Still require actions for Bryndis and Darius. I’ll give it till tomorrow. After that, I will assume your actions haven’t changed. Also remember, when someone succeeds on a knowledge check, I assume they shared that information with everyone. So, your characters would have access to Wayilant's knowledge about the haunt.

I was assuming ‘Haunts’ are a little more complicated than what someone can explain in a few words.

I was assuming ‘Haunts’ are a little more complicated than what someone can explain in a few words.

The spoiler that I included for Wayilant is, for the most part, a good breakdown on haunts. It is reasonable to assume the information included in that spoiler is a bit much to pass on quickly, but I have decided that trying to draw lines on what can or cannot be passed on in such events isn't worth the time. The scope of the spoiler would likely be, a Haunt is a spirit that is bound to a particular event. It can manifest a damaging spell like ability to harm living beings around it. In this case, Acid Arrow is likely being manifested. It can only be damaged by some sort of positive energy. Reducing its HP to zero, puts it in a dormant state for a period of time. In order to permanently put the spirit to rest, you would have to complete something that it requires.

Of which, Wayilant does appreciate.

Ugh, I hate haunts... Was there a door leading a to the rightmost uncovered room? Which does not lead through the orrery room?

"Ce pana mea..." Darius rubs his temples, the weird vision fading.

"Did you, too, see something about a grave? And someone called Swarez?" he asks, confused.

"Was Swarez the missing assistant, actually? That him?" he adds, memory slowly returning.

Was there a graveyard near the museum?

Ugh, I hate haunts... Was there a door leading a to the rightmost uncovered room? Which does not lead through the orrery room?

There is a door that the group passed to gain access to the open secret door. Bryndis listened to it and found no sound. Currently, it hasn’t been opened.

Was there a graveyard near the museum?

You don’t recall seeing one, but in the vision, you noted that the grave was somewhat nearby. Those who have been in the secret room, recognize the grayish door as being the same door that is currently open within the room.

Round 2 (Continued)

Darius: spends some time contemplating the name of the missing assistant. (Andrew Swarez)

Bryndis: Stands by prepared to attack if the need arises. (-1 Rage) (Going to discontinue rage unless instructed not to.)

Haunt: While the group begins planning on what to do next, a glob of acid-like substance strike the secret door’s frame. The greenish-yellow substance trickles down the frame, leaving a sour vinegar smell within the attic.

Round 3
Gravi (23)
Govrina (22)
Wayilant (16)
Darius (14)
Bryndis (11) (-1 Rage)
Unknown (10)

Round 3 everyone is up.

Well, I don't have anything to offer in this situation so I'll drop rage and wait for some consensus on either leaving or someone (I guess it will have to be Wayilant?) doing something about the haunt.

Bryndís relaxes and drops back around the corner outside the door to remove herself from the line of fire.

Round 3
"This is getting ridiculous", Wayilant laments. "Let's try this."
The cleric casts spiritual weapon. A shining golden rapier appears in the air near Wayilant.
The aasimar then sends the spiritual weapon to attack the haunted corpse.
Spiritual Weapon: 1d20 + 3 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 + 3 = 25
Confirming: 1d20 + 3 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 + 3 = 10
Dmg.: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

Moving closer, Govrina moves the wooden lid into the room to provide cover for Wayilant.

"Stay low! I will try and shield you as best I can."

In order to keep things moving, I’m going to assume that most everyone is hanging tight to see what the outcome of Wayilant’s attack produces. If you wish to post a round 3 action, I will accept a back post.

Round 3

Gravi: takes a moment to observes the cleric in action.

Govrina: moves the crate lid into a position that will provide some cover for Wayilant.

Wayilant: moves into a position where he has some cover from the doorframe and then, while utilizing the additional cover from Govrina’s crate lid, sends his conjured blade towards the corps. The blade strikes true, diving deep into the helpless corps. Although the blade reaped a solid hit, it is all but impossible to tell if it had any effect on the haunt.

Darius: While keeping to his word, the arcanist stays back out of the way. It’s clear that he wants nothing to do with spirit.

Bryndis: calms herself and then continues to keep a watchful eye on things.

The Haunt: responds to the magically summoned blade by spewing another glob of greenish-yellow acid towards Wayilant. The glob of acidic pus slams into the nearby wall than then sizzles as it drips down onto the floor.

(Attack) Haunt vs. Wayilant / Acid: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7
(Damage): 2d4 ⇒ (3, 4) = 7

Round 4
Gravi (23)
Govrina (22)
Wayilant (16)
Darius (14)
Bryndis (11) (-1 Rage)
Unknown (10)

Round 4 everyone is up.

So Sorry! Life keeps happening at a hectic pace. I'll be spotty for the next few days, but I'm still around. Apologies!

Gravi ducks behind the wall, thinking, Typically then, haunts need something to put them at ease, And we all saw the gravestone with Swarez on it? Let's try this... he gathers his breath, yelling into the room without revealing himself, Swarez! Tell us and you can be at peace, what is the gate opening? he shrugs at his companions out of sight of the haunt.

Round 4
.."Or we find the grave and visit it?" Wayiant offers as the spiritual weapon continues to attack the corpse.
Spiritual Weapon: 1d20 + 3 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 + 3 = 21
Dmg.: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

Grimacing, Govrina pushes the lid closer to the non-moving corpse.

"I can move the lid closer to the corpse and block its shots more effectively so we can all try and pass, but I don't know how long the lid will last against such a barrage of magic...or how to get back out past it."

Waylaint, can't you just Channel Energy and disrupt the Haunt?

Round 5

Gravi: Offers some advice on how to put a haunt to rest.

Govrina: Moves into position to see into the room and guide the wooden lid towards the corps. (100 lbs. pr. level and 15 foot a round, if I’m not mistaken. Keep in mind, in order to guide the lid into the room, you will open yourself up to attack. That said, I’m considering you and Wayilant to have cover. +2 to AC.)

Wayilant: Continues to guide his conjured sword into attacking the corps. This time the blade thrusts through the dead body’s left shoulder before withdrawing and preparing for another attack.

Darius: Continues to keep his distance.

Bryndis: Continues to stand guard.

Haunt: Another Greening-yellow blob of acidic goo shoots out towards the cleric. This time the blob strikes fairly close to the secret door's entrance, causing bits of goo to splatter onto the wooden planks crossing the hole in the floor.

Wayilant (1) Govrina (2): 1d2 ⇒ 1

(Attack) Haunt vs. Wayilant: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15
(Damage): 2d4 ⇒ (2, 2) = 4

Round 5
Gravi (23)
Govrina (22)
Wayilant (16)
Darius (14)
Bryndis (11) (-1 Rage)
Unknown (10)

Round 5 everyone is up.

Round 5

Waylaint, can't you just Channel Energy and disrupt the Haunt?

He'll give it a try.

Holy symbol held before him, Wayilant casts Channel Energy inside the ornery.
Channel Energy: 3d6 ⇒ (3, 6, 2) = 11

Round 5

Wayilant: Moves into the room while his conjured blade continues to impale the corps. After taking hold of his holy symbol, he channels a powerful burst of positive energy that fills the entire room. In response, the greenness of the corps reverts back to its original tone. The boils that where erupting with an acidic fluid, fade and become difficult to see. Moments after the burst, the room falls silent, leaving little doubt that the haunt has slipped into a dormant state.

Out of rounds.

Wayilant now stands in the room and can get a good view of the large orrery. Its long arms stretching out while supporting a number of colored globes. Impaled onto one of the arms is a naked corps, which is facing west towards a gray wooden door that is currently ajar.

"Well.." Wayilant breathed. "I think that stopped it for now." The cleric dismisses the spiritual weapon, bowing to it as it dissipates.
"Let see where this goes", the caydenite says as he looks through the ajar doorframe.
Perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (3) + 10 = 13

Maintaining her hold on the piece of acid covered wood, Govrina keeps it handy and near the corpse in case it animates again.

”So haunts are like weird undead? Maybe we should purchase some Holy Water? Couldn’t hurt, right?”

Guarded by the crate lid, Wayilant moves into the room and peers beyond the grey wooden door. Scattered scraps of parchment and torn bindings cover the floor of this small chamber. Scratched glyphs and writings cover its stone walls and even span part of the ceiling. A foul reek hangs in the air, like the stench of something long dead.

Bryndís looks around the corner to see what's changed.

"It is gone now? What happens next?"

Linguistics: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26
Wayilant examines the writings on the wall of the room, and is surprised by what he finds.
"It's..in Aklo. An eldritch tongue. It mentions someone called Saridis the Observer. Something that sounds like a revenge plot for imprisoning someone or something in the room. That image there?" The cleric points out to any others who brave the room with him. "That refers to a portal. A portal..that looks to lead to The Dark Tapestry. Bizarre!"

Waving to Bryndis to come in, Govrina sighs.

”That explains to connection to the portal downstairs. It leads where?”

What would you guys like to do from here?

Taking a look at the corpse impaled on the orrey, Gravi asks, Think this is our man? poking his head into the room, he'll ask further, The Dark Tapestry, isn' t that the space between the stars? pondering a moment, he'll proffer, Let's remove the deceased and bring the body downstairs. If he's the one we're looking for, he obviously went a little mad if he carved all this into the walls.

A furrow of worry appears between her eyes, and Govrina nods.

Knowledge/Planes: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17

"Imprisoned... In this room, or behind the portal?" Darius looks at the writings, and then the orrery room around him.

"But you're right, Gravi. I believe this is the man we were sent to find, and we found him. Let's take the body back."

"But how?" Wayilant questioned. "He's too..juicy to move!"

Govrina waves at the remains.

”As long as the corpse isn’t animated or attached to something, my ability should be able to move it intact. However, it might behoove us to find a box or coffin to put him in quickly too. In case he wakes up…or starts dripping? “

After inspecting the body, you notice that something has been feasting upon the corps. Its skin has been torn away in multiple locations and most notably the base of its skull has been cracked open where something has devoured the brain within. In addition, new stab wounds are also present, which was likely caused by Wayilant’s conjured sword.

Govrina easily lifts the remains of the corps and is able to manipulate it without a problem. After navigating back through attic and down the ladder, you're meet by Cynthia Nail, who confirms the fact that the corps is indeed Andrew Swarez. It doesn’t take long before she starts weeping over the loss. In addition, an older man wearing a long robe, steps forward. Apparently, word made it back to the Archive that you were investigating the situation at the observatory. The man doesn’t seem as distraught as Cynthia over the loss but does have a concerned look on his face.

“I see you uncovered what happened to Mr. Swarez.” He says while looking over the naked corps. “Any idea what happened?” He asks with a raised eyebrow.

Cynthia’s sobbing slows as she looks up from the corps with a wanting expression in her eyes. “Please, you must find whoever did this. Whoever that was running around in his cloths must be brought to justice. Mr. Fulen came over to bring me a copy of the book that was taken. I thought it might help to find Swarez.” Realizing the hopelessness of her loss, Cynthia sits quietly staring at the book that, not so long ago, seemed endlessly important.

Kn. Religion: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 15

Now sure that the corpse lays still, and there is no other undead menaces lurking about, Darius dares to approach. He spends a moment studying the corpse's wounds.

"A ghoul..." he says, furrowing his brow.
"Looks like the wounds are from claws and teeth of a ghoul."

He can't help but look around. "But where is the killer, then?"

--
Later...

Darius fidgets around the sobbing woman. Bit of annoying, really. Hopefully Wayilant can make her stop, he seems to be good around women. At least the man is calm...

"Unfortunately the details of Mr. Swarez death are a bit unclear. It does look like he was attacked by a ghoul, but we didn't see one anywhere around. But I'm happy to take a look at the book, if it sheds any light." he extends his hand to take the book.

"By the way, does the name Saridis the Observer mean anything to you?"

The old man rubs his chin for a moment while considering Darius’s question. "A ghoul you say. Hmm, seems a bit evasive and methodical for a ghoul. I mean, if it's a ghoul, it thought things through enough to disguise itself in Swarez’s clothing. That’s a bit more methodical than I recall ghouls being capable of. Dangerous none the less but they are usually straight forward about their foul intent. A bit unsettling to think one might be intelligent enough to act in this way.” The old man moves next to Cynthia in order to help calm her down.

“Perhaps a more formal introduction might be called for. I’m Maren Fulen, headmaster of the Archive. One of them at least, considering we currently have four. Anyway, I’m one of the two of the headmasters who authorized Cynthia's request to hire an adventuring group to help with determining what happened to Mr. Swarez. It never dawned on me that he might still be upstairs. I mean, considering the report I received that he collected up a copy of that book and then ran off.” He looks down at Cynthia with a raised eyebrow. “Anyhow, you have completed what was requested. If you wish, I will authorize the agreed upon payment of 1,000 gold and wish you well. Obviously, we will arrange a proper burial for Mr. Swarez. If you are interested in earning the second half of our offer, which I believe was an additional 1,000 gold, then the archive has a vested interest in this ghoul and the key it is after. The last thing we need is that gateway opening up into some strange place with unforeseeable circumstances before we can get a handle on it. Retrieve the key and eliminate the threat, whether it’s a ghoul or not, and the second half of that 1,000 gold is yours.”

After presenting his proposition, Fulen looks over at Darius as he’s thumbing through the book. “From my understanding, Saridis the Observer was the previous owner of this observatory. History says that he partly constructed the place himself. I believe the book you are in position of makes some mention of the man. History suggests he was a bit mad. He watched the stars with his weird machines, and some say he was able to communicate with the otherworldly beings of the Dark Tapestry, the black spaces between the stars. Saridis’s rival was a prominent mage named Beldrin. After a significant feud between the two, Saridis disappeared. It is thought that this feud arose when Saridis accused Beldrin of stealing a key to one of his many chambers, which contained the wondrous magical tools he used to watch and be watched by the stars.”

“If Beldrin did steal a key to Saridis’s magical chamber, he most likely hid it in one of his three towers, which once stood on a promontory near what is now known as the Reaping Rock. Only one tower remains standing—the Tower of the Broken Shield, commonly called Beldrin’s Tower. The Tower of the Candelabra has sunk deep into Lake Encarthan. The Tower of the Horn also fell into the lake; it remains half-flooded at all times. He most likely kept it in the Tower of the Horn, which is said to have held the keys too many of the chambers in his other spires. If this ghoul-thing is looking to retrieve one of the keys, it would stand to reason that he is likely heading there.”

After perusing the book, which is labeled “History of the True Art,” Darius is able to confirm most of what Fulen has said. The book mentions something about a duel between Saridis and Beldrin but doesn’t allude to who won the duel, and it confirms that the tower of the horn is where Saridis kept most of his keys.

Grimacing, Govrina sighs.

"Looks like we get to go get wet. Hurrah. Well...we do have a small boat available to us, so that's a bonus. If it hasn't wandered off on its own yet of course."

"Well, it looks like we'll be Lake Encarthan-bound in the morning", Wayilant said with a tired smile. "We'd better get to bed. Thank you, sir."

"Sounds wet..." Darius' voice lack enthusiasm.
"But I suppose we'll do it. Right?" he glances at the others.