Awesome Arcanium: The Side Quest!

Game Master BloodWolven

Round 4
With the fear gone, Cyril flicks his wrist and brings out The Mistress Blade, and attack one of the skulls.

The Mistress Blade: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (20) + 17 = 37
Dmg.: 1d6 + 9 + 2d6 + 2d6 ⇒ (1) + 9 + (5, 3) + (5, 1) = 24

confirm , The Mistress Blade: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (11) + 17 = 28
Dmg.: 1d6 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 = 11

Round 4

The lights shock you... barely.
shock: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (20) + 16 = 36 touch
damage : 2d8 - 10 ⇒ (6, 4) - 10 = 0 electricity)
shock: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (14) + 16 = 30 touch
damage : 2d8 - 10 ⇒ (6, 3) - 10 = -1 electricity)
shock: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (18) + 16 = 34 touch
damage : 2d8 - 10 ⇒ (7, 5) - 10 = 2 electricity)
shock: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (8) + 16 = 24 touch
damage : 2d8 - 10 ⇒ (2, 5) - 10 = -3 electricity)

shock: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (6) + 16 = 22 touch
damage : 2d8 - 10 ⇒ (5, 7) - 10 = 2 electricity)
shock: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (13) + 16 = 29 touch
damage : 2d8 - 10 ⇒ (6, 5) - 10 = 1 electricity)
shock: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (20) + 16 = 36 touch
damage : 2d8 - 10 ⇒ (7, 5) - 10 = 2 electricity)
shock: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (2) + 16 = 18 touch
damage : 2d8 - 10 ⇒ (2, 5) - 10 = -3 electricity)

shock crit: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (2) + 16 = 18 touch
damage : 2d8 ⇒ (3, 6) = 9 electricity)

Cyril you notice that Ed is still feared and will not come within 50 feet of the lights. As they shock you, you lance one of them felling it as its light fades.

Round 5
The lights shock you... barely.
shock: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (5) + 16 = 21 touch
damage : 2d8 - 10 ⇒ (5, 2) - 10 = -3 electricity)
shock: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (10) + 16 = 26 touch
damage : 2d8 - 10 ⇒ (3, 7) - 10 = 0 electricity)
shock: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (18) + 16 = 34 touch
damage : 2d8 - 10 ⇒ (4, 7) - 10 = 1 electricity)
shock: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (12) + 16 = 28 touch
damage : 2d8 - 10 ⇒ (5, 5) - 10 = 0 electricity)

shock: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (19) + 16 = 35 touch
damage : 2d8 - 10 ⇒ (2, 5) - 10 = -3 electricity)
shock: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (4) + 16 = 20 touch
damage : 2d8 - 10 ⇒ (8, 5) - 10 = 3 electricity)
shock: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (3) + 16 = 19 touch
damage : 2d8 - 10 ⇒ (3, 4) - 10 = -3 electricity)

shock crit: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (13) + 16 = 29 touch
damage : 2d8 ⇒ (8, 6) = 14 electricity)

Ed is fighting with something at the other side, something big, lots of tentacles...

Round 6

Seeing their electricity having nearly no effect upon Cyril, they fly up 5 feet then go invisible after. Ed comes charging towards you and asks, "Fight the swarm of tentacles or go?"

End of combat, what do you do?

"Through the door!" Cyril pants, recovering from all the shocks.

The two of you get through the door and slam it shut on the mass of vines. They collide with the door but only budge it a little. The hinges and frame handle it.

"Well..damn." Cyril laments, pressing against the door. "I can imagine all the 'portals' are some kind of trap. Maybe we shall find our next clue in The Echoing Threshold." Cyril walks up to the runed door. "Be on your guard, Ed." The wizard then opens the door.

Ed returns to his dog form and folds his ears down upon his head. You can tell her feels bad.

He then perks his ears back up and wags his tail.

2d20 ⇒ (10, 1) = 11

On your way to the Echoing Threshold you see what looks like webbing along the corridor. Do you push forward through the webbing, try to find another route, or something else?

Cyril casts scorching ray on the obstructing web.
SR, Ray One: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (13) + 12 = 25
Dmg.: 4d6 ⇒ (5, 2, 6, 3) = 16

SR, Ray Two: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (12) + 12 = 24
Dmg.: 4d6 ⇒ (1, 4, 5, 2) = 12

You burn two of the webs they slowly burn but it seems to stop there... still plenty of webs ahead.

"Well..", Cyril sighs aloud, as he flicks his wrist to call forth The Mistress Blade. The wizard begins to cut ropy strands of web with the magical weapon.

You see the webs vibrating, something is coming!

Making sure he had one hand free for casting spells, Cyril twirled The Mistress Blade several times with his wrist, ready to fight if need be.

You see a trio of pale, worm-bodied creatures with insectile heads somewhat resembling those they had in life, but with bestial features.

They seethe 30 feet forward and are about 10 feet from you. Beyond at least 40 feet back you notice a large arachnid figure.

Overhead, 10 feet ahead, you see a flying demon appear which has ram horns curling back from the twisted head of this tiny winged demon, and its body is thin and wiry. Will DC 13 or become frightened for 1d4 rounds. If the subject succeeds on a Will save, it is shaken for 1 round. Creatures with 6 or more HD are immune to this effect.

Perception: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (2) + 17 = 19
Will DC 13: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (17) + 11 = 28
Shaken, Lord Cyril curses himself. Dammit all! I only have one fireball left! I must make it count!
The wizard casts his fireball spell as much in the center of his enemies as possible without hitting Ed.
Fireball: 5d6 ⇒ (4, 3, 3, 2, 5) = 17

Round 1
The fireball goes off hitting the webs, between the worms and the spider.

3d20 ⇒ (11, 17, 10) = 38 +3 Reflex
9/16 hp

The three worms come upon Ed singed and bite at him. The flying thing disappears. The large spider shoots a web at Ed, securing him to the floor. Ed can still attack just can't move until the webs are dealt with also he is flatfooted.

3d20 ⇒ (2, 12, 5) = 19
1d20 + 9 ⇒ (10) + 9 = 19 ranged touch, DC 15, 11 hp

Ed skewers one of the worms.

Round 2

The other two slowly move towards Cyril and attack again. 5 foot steps. The spider charges forward and bites Ed.
2d20 ⇒ (15, 11) = 26
bite: 1d20 + 15 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 15 + 2 = 36
damage: 2d8 + 12 ⇒ (4, 1) + 12 = 17

Round 3
The last worm and spider continue to bite Ed.

1d20 ⇒ 7

bite: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (18) + 15 = 33
damage: 2d8 + 12 ⇒ (7, 6) + 12 = 25

Round 4

All the worms dealt with... maybe sooner... the spider attacks again!

bite: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (5) + 15 = 20
damage: 2d8 + 12 ⇒ (3, 8) + 12 = 23

Seeing you wait, Ed transformed to be ready for a fight. As they come upon him he lowers his antlers and gores the worms.

Round 1

gore: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (4) + 13 = 17
damage: 2d4 + 12 ⇒ (2, 3) + 12 = 17

Round 2

gore: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (3) + 13 = 16
damage: 2d4 + 12 ⇒ (1, 4) + 12 = 17

Round 3

gore: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (7) + 13 = 20
damage: 2d4 + 12 ⇒ (3, 4) + 12 = 19

He finishes the worms with his antlers.

Round 4

gore: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (6) + 13 = 19
damage: 2d4 + 12 ⇒ (1, 4) + 12 = 17
Now for the spider... he is able to gore it and only come back with a few spiders on his antlers. He states out loud, "Was that your last fireball? I fear there is a swarm on this spider."

Round 2
Cyril aids Ed with The Mistress Blade.
The Mistress Blade: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (4) + 17 = 21
Dmg.: 1d6 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 = 11

Round 3
The Mistress Blade: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (1) + 17 = 18
Dmg.: 1d6 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 9 = 12

Round 4
The Mistress Blade: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (8) + 17 = 25
Dmg.: 1d6 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 9 = 13

Round 5
"I still have several scorching rays memorized", the wizard explained as he cast one at the spider-thing.

scorching ray: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (6) + 12 = 18
Dmg.: 4d6 ⇒ (3, 2, 6, 1) = 12

Round 5

gore: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (18) + 13 = 31
damage: 2d4 + 12 ⇒ (3, 1) + 12 = 16

With the scorching ray and Ed's last gore the spider cracks and falls to the ground. The swarm of spiders continue to swarm over the corpse.

He backs up asking, "Do you have any splash spells or such?"

Acid Splash. And that's it," Cyril sighed. "And I can fly out of here. And I'm not leaving you. Let's stomp some bugs."

With Ed rolling and you stomping the spider's are dealt with in time.

Ed states, "We need to find a room to rest in..."

"My dear, Ed. The problem isn't finding a room", Cyril explains. "It's finding a safe room among all these doors."

The wizard and intelligent animal leave the room and open the Echoing Threshold.

The Echoing Threshold: This door is constructed of dark stone, etched with runes that pulse softly. As you approach, you hear faint echoes of conversations from the other side. Opening it reveals a library of lost knowledge, guarded by spectral librarians.

As long as you are quiet and not attacking the spectral librarians they let you do as you wish within reason. The library does indeed stretch a long way at least 800 feet then you find many other doors with one magnificent door bigger and decorated with gold leaf of a giant eagle.

Cyril sits at one of the tables and begins to read his spellbook. the wizard encourages the intelligent dog to rest under the table, out of the way of the spectral librarians.

Ed seeing that there is no threat in the room turns back to his dog form. As Cyril begins to study Ed naps under the table. He sleeps soundly and seems to be chasing something in his dreams.

After studying his spellbook for a quarter hour, Cyril quietly leaves his chair; trying very hard not to disturb Ed's slumber.

The wizard then begins to walk the stacks, looking for interesting books and tomes to read.

Most of the books seem to be filled with knowledge but finding the knowledge will take time. On your own searching for a specific type of knowledge would likely be a perception check for an hour of searching. Speaking with the spirits would require diplomacy check.

Cyril scans the stacks for any tome on medicines and their uses.
Perception, Healing techniques: 1d20 + 17 + 1d6 ⇒ (10) + 17 + (2) = 29

The wizard also asks one of the spectral librarians about a book on crafting rings and jewelry.
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 35 + 1d6 ⇒ (14) + 35 + (4) = 53

After an hour of searching you find several books on medicines. After depositing them on the table you speak with the librarians and they help you find many volumes of books on crafting rings and jewelry.

The wizard quietly sits back down at the desk, setting his books and tomes down. Cyril then takes out some parchment paper, an ink well, and some ink quills for note taking, along with a trail ration. The noble then begins to read the medicine textbooks, nibbling on his trail ration, taking notes as needed. If left uninterrupted, Cyril will do this for several hours, taking breaks to walk around the desk to stretch his legs.

As he studies, Cyril scrutinizes the information provided, looking for inconsistencies, aware this room, like the last, might be a trap.
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 19 + 1d6 ⇒ (13) + 19 + (4) = 36

Nothing interrupts you at this time. The librarians bring you more books on magical crafting and medicine. You feel that these spirits could be ghosts but they are looking for knowledge not vengeance. You don't feel like any thing you have seen would be threatening unless you tried to damage a book or the library itself.

Ed wakes up and happily wags his tail as he states, "I am willing to watch over you so you can get a good rest. What fo you say?"

Cyril smiles with tired eyes, and pets the intelligent dog's head. "Okay. You win. I think I saw an overstuffed reading chair a few stack down.
The wizard gathered his notes and spellbook. Cyril figured the librarians would return the books to their proper place. The noble sat down in the chair, wrapping his arms around his bag of holding and let the quiet of the library carry him to Desna.

Cyril wakes rested but not the most comfy accommodations. Maybe a krik in your neck or some such with much stiffness.

Yawning, Cyril rises from the chair, rubbing his neck. The wizard begins some squats and stretches to more blood into his muscles.

Taking his belonging back to the library desk, Cyril commits his daily spells to memory for the day. As he studies, Cyril asks Ed, "So? Where should we go next?"

He rolls on the ground and then hops up. With a bark he says, "Try another door or head down the main path again?"

With his mind rearmed with spells, Cyril packs his belongings and gathers Ed to leave The Echoing Threshold.

Once back in the main hall, Cyril opens the bright, playfully-designed door and walks through The Whimsical Gate.

The Whimsical Gate: A brightly painted door adorned with playful images and whimsical designs. It giggles when approached and opens into a land of eternal childhood, where toys come to life and adventure awaits around every corner.

You quickly find that there are sprawling open fields and a clear sky with a sun above. You also find some toy horses that timidly walk up to you.

"Ed. Hold off on ripping their heads off until we know anything", Cyril whispered to the much larger dog to these toy horses. "Greetings, mighty steeds. We are lost and looking to fond our friends. Can you help us find a way out?"
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 35 + 1d6 ⇒ (11) + 35 + (2) = 48

The toy horses look at each other then realize you are talking to them. They *Whinny* with laughter at that. The first one to recover asks, "Why would you want to find a way out, you are home now!"

Another one calms down enough to say, "There was that woman who came through here a few days ago. We sent her towards the Spades. To the East."

"The East you say", the human says as he looks in that direction. "Thank you, friends. Let's go, Ed."

Ed takes a few gallops and then lays down, "Come on I will give you a ride. We will go a bit faster."

Cyril blinks. "Are you sure?"
The Avalon noble carefully gets on the larger intelligent dog. "I am ready."

"If you want, which I suggest, hold onto my antlers." He then bounds to the East within a couple hours you see trees and a forest rises before you. Ed stops there and lets you off, "If you want."

"Do you see any signs of our quarry?", Cyril breathes as he massages his arms that were strained after holding on.
"In this arena, you are the expert at tracking, Ed."

"I smell something but not sure what it is. Not human... fey maybe... oh look she comes from a tree. How interesting."

The dryad slowly emerges from the wood of a nearby tree. This strange, beautiful woman has flesh that seems made of wood and vibrant hair that resembles leaves and blossoms. She greets you warmly, "Hello adventurers. How may I please you?"

The nobleman bows.