Sky King's Tomb

Game Master Lia Wynn

Athletics: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

The Night Shepherd is many things. Muscular is not one of them. After a few vain attempts to move some larger rubble, he mutters a few expletives in Ysoki under his breath and switches to smaller pieces, mostly keeping the area clean of pebbles and sharp stones for the others rather than doing anything particularly useful.

The rubble is cleared just enough so the group can enter the tower. Krohan will also bring Molly inside.

Do Korox and Jaxi also enter the tower, or do they stay outside hidden in the rubble field?

After the supremely important task of guarding the others while they labored, Korox is more than content to enter the easily defendable tower. (Assuming nothing bad is hiding in the tower).

She'll hurry up and join the others upon seeing the tower is open, knowing it'd be far better to hide inside of a building than just laying out in the rubble.

Dyrm heads on in but gives Myōbatsu a worried glance, concerneed he might have strained something.

The group makes its way into the building and finds themselves in what was once someone's home.

You are in what was once a living room. It's decently sized with everything that you would expect in such a room.

On the far side of the room is a wall with a collapsed door that leads into another room.

To the left is another fallen door, this one leading into what is clearly a kitchen.

On the couch is the legless body of a drathnelar woman. Her head is dented as if from an impact, her legs seem to have been torn away but are not in sight, and she is dressed in fairly common clothing.

Korox looks at the woman's corpse. "Wow. That had to hurt... and something is still munching on her so let's proceed with caution".

Koros peaks into the room without moving closer at the moment.

"I've got a bad feeling about this! Someone should find a good vantage point to keep watch and make sure we're not ambushed while the rest explore any nasty surprises waiting for us in here".

Deliberately keeping her eyes from the gruesome scene, which elicits a shudder nonetheless, Halanestra instead focuses on Korox's words. "I don't think we should stay here very long if... You're right, though, we need to secure the building. I don't want to be next and I'd rather face whatever challenge is here as a group. We've already clearly lost the element of surprise; I don't want anything to surprise us." She finds a way to distract herself with work and sets out scouting the building, stealthing through to find the best lookout point.

Mechanically, my exploration activity would be avoid notice to look around, then seek once I've found a good position to watch for encroaching xulgath or worse.

The Night Shepherd whispers a prayer to Pharasma over the mutilated woman, then inspects her to see if he can discern anything else about her fate.

Anything I could roll here for more info? If it's Medicine I'm out of luck, but maybe Perception?

I'm going to let everyone have an initial reaction post, then push us forward. There are no rolls needed at this point. Batsu is at the couch. Korox is still by the door. Halenestra, are you heading towards the kitchen or the other room? There's no way, except if you keep the door a little open, to check for Xulgath outside. But, that also means that they cannot see you.

"Beware these sharp things at the door. Hopefully they'll slow down any who enter".

Korox throws out caltrops at the entry to the room.

If he has time, he'll also tie several clanging objects... if available so there might be an audible alarm as well.

I'll start with the kitchen.

Dyrm makes sure his axe is at the ready but he too takes time to look over the body of the woman. Trying to surmise any more clues of her death if any

Medicine roll? 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26

Zothan regards the dead woman with apprehension, but leaves it to Dyrm and Batsu to take a closer look.

The room does not appear to provide much in the way of defenses, but he is impressed with Korox's quick thinking in spreading the caltrops. "Nicely done, Korox, that should buy us a bit of time. But you are right, we should quickly check the rest of the building to make sure no surprises are lurking to ambush us from the inside. Don't wander off alone, any of you."

He follows Halanestra into the kitchen, his scepter in one hand and scorpion whip in the other. He sniffs the enclosed air as they go, trying to determine if something is lurking ahead.

Using Scent to seek for unseen threats.

No rolls. No actions beyond the initial reactions. So, there are no caltrops at this point. Halenstra and Zothan are heading for the kitchen. Korox is by the door, as are Molly and Krohan. Batsu and Dyrm are at the couch, and Jaxi is still undeclared. This is just how you initially react when you see things. Tomorrow, I'll push us forward even if Jaxi has not posted.

The reason for the no rolls is the explosion outside. It changes how the encounter here starts. Had there been no explosion, you'd be able to do a little more before they were aware of you. I'll have a real post up as soon as I figure out why my map link keeping bringing me to the Paizo homepage and not my map.

Map

Figured it out. It was user error. BTW, I am much happier with this map. Feedback welcome. The small squares in the walls are doors, the one near Jaxi and Korox is how you came in. To the left (west) is the kitchen with a table, oven, and two chairs. The rectangle in the main room is the couch.

As Batsu and Dyrm reach the couch, two things are very clear. The drathnelar was killed by something large - likely rubble - striking her temple. Since there is no rubble in this room, she likely died elsewhere. The second thing that is also clear is that she has not been nibbled on.

Halanestra and Zothan can see into the kitchen.

Korox starts digging for caltrops. There is no way to see outside, or for those outside to see inside.

However, just then, something happens. Off to the right, on a shelf on the wall, a doll sits up! It's a creepy-looking drathnelar. "Dwarves is wrong. We do not eat the Mistress."

A second one stands up where it was hiding in the hair of the corpse! "Maybe we nibble on dwarves!"

Finally, shambling from the bedroom is a clearly undead drathnelar. "Yes! Nibble them. Make them like meeee!"

You each get One action before probable initiative. If you want to RK, you can roll Arcana or Crafting for the dolls, or Relgion for the undead gnome. The room is very dark unless you are providing light.

Korox turns at the sound and is clearly disturbed. He pauses for a moment to try and see if there is anything special about the undead.

1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17 RK: Religion

My first instinct is to Take Cover, but it doesn't look like I'm in a position to do that. If I can, though, I'd certainly like to. I mentioned that my exploration activity was Avoid Notice; does this entitle me to use Stealth for initiative? I'd like to roll Arcana to RK against the dolls. Given that this triggers my mastermind racket per-creature, if it succeeds, I'd like it to be the doll closest to Batsu and Dyrm.

RK Arcana: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20

Korox knows nothing about whatever type of undead that this is.

Halenestra, there was no real way to Avoid Notice, even if it applied which really I don't think it did here, though I could be wrong. You weren't really in Exploration mode. You came into the tower, saw the body, and moved to the kitchen, but you had already accidentally alerted the inhabitants, so they were already aware of you. It was only a few seconds, not long enough, IMO, to switch into Exploration. But, you can RK.

The dolls are recognized as Soulbound Dolls by Halenstra. They are dolls that are enhanced with a Soul Gem that makes them intelligent as they literally have someone's soul inside them.

As constructs, they are immune to: bleed, death effects, disease, doomed, drained, fatigued, healing, mental, necromancy, nonlethal attacks, paralyzed, poison, sickened, and unconscious.

Axe already in hands, Dyrm steps up ready to provide cover for Batsu!

"What are these things?"

Action Step. Hope I used the map right.

"... Well this is disturbing." Jaxi was a little too shocked at seeing the corpse of the drathnelar to have responded initially, but the sudden appearance of the dolls and the walking corpses shocked her into action.

"Why can't we be friends?" She'd flick her hand to the side, manifesting a shield of energy across her arm.

Just cast Shield as my one action.

Crafting: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19

The Night Shepherd steps to the side of the dwarf. Despite the mask covering his face, his irritation is palpable. "I am not the one who needs protection. I do the protecting."

When initiative is rolled, Shepherd will as a free action move his spark into his Palisade Bangle. All allies within 15 feet of him will receive a +1 circumstance bonus to AC, or +2 when raising a buckler, or +3 when raising a shield. Remember that the bonus from Raise a Shield is also a circumstance bonus, so this is essentially replacing your bonus from Raise a Shield with a slightly better bonus--they do not stack.

Zothan sizes up the undead, searching his memory for knowledge he can use to defeat it.

Exploit Vulnerability vs undead: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (6) + 10 = 16

”Krohan, could I trouble you to find a bit of light? It would be rather helpful to those of us who don’t have darkvision.” he asks calmly.

Batsu recalls that often Soul Dolls can cast one, or sometimes two, spells. However, since the spells are chosen by the creator, what they actually are can vary.

Zothan cannot recall anything about this undead, even what it is. Jaxi's shield shimmers into sight, and Dyrm hops onto the couch, standing over the body on it!

Zothan got a failure, so he can only use Personal Antithesis with it.

Dyrm Init: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10
Halanestra Init: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9
Jaxi Init: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27
Korox Init: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17
Batsu Init: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19
Zothan Init: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15
Krohan Init: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (8) + 9 = 17
Doll 1 Init: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22
Doll 2 Init: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10
Undead creature: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 9 = 13

Round 1
Conditions: All party members have +1 to shield AC status - currently +1 for everyone, except Jaxi who is at +2.
Injuries: Dyrm is at 40/49 HP.

Init order: Jaxi, Doll 1, Batsu, Korox, Krohan, Zothan, Undead, Doll 2, Halanestra, Dyrm. Doll 1 is the one on the right side of the map, currently on a shelf. Doll 2 is in front of Dyrm, and on the back of the couch. Jaxi starts the party off.

Can I hero point that awful initiative roll?

Can you? Sure. Should you? There could very well be more impactful uses for them, but in the end it's up to you.

I think I'd like to, yes; rogues have an incentive to go first. I literally cannot do any worse. I'll be getting the hero point back on Monday, and given how combat moves in PbP, I should be fine. Also, it looks like Dyrm is ahead of me as things stand before the reroll. I've edited my profile to deduct it.

Initiative: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25 From dead last to almost first, I'll take that.

Jaxi and Halanestra are up.

Halanestra starts as the dolls talk, then whirls into action! She answers the threat by rushing up to the doll nearest her, flanking it with Dyrm Stride >, and thrusts her rapier at it! Strike > Following her thrust, she readies her main gauche to defend against incoming blows. Parry >, AC 21

"I played with much prettier dolls as a kid, and my family had almost nothing!"

Strike!: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (17) + 9 = 26
Damage!: 1d6 ⇒ 5
Sneak attack!: 1d6 ⇒ 2

I'd transposed the starknife and main-gauche in my head, the main-gauche is the one with the parry trait.

Jaxi raises her hand towards the nearest doll, muttering a spell under her breath as she launches a ray of cold energy towards it. Then moves backward, putting Korox between herself and the strange creation. "Can someone tell me how bad our luck is?"

Ray of Frost: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 9 = 12
Damage: 2d4 + 4 ⇒ (3, 4) + 4 = 11

I'm sorry, Halanestra, but in this case you can't do all that. You had been clearing rubble outside, so you had your weapons put away, and not had said you'd drawn them inside. So, you could Draw, Stride, Strike, and have an empty off-hand, or you could Draw, Draw, Stride. But, you can't Draw, Draw, Stride, Strike, Parry. I'm going to assume the first option so that you don't waste the 26, but if you want to change it, let me know. Dyrm said he drew his weapon, so he's the only one of the four of you who were clearing rubble that had it out. However, you get the same benefit from Batsu's bangle effect that Parry would have given you.

Halestra moves from the kitchen door area to the couch and her blade flashes out and into the doll's back. It's hard to tell how much damage that did since it's a doll, but it did do damage.

Jaxi sends a Ray of Frost up at the shelf, but it strikes the shelf and not the doll.

The doll on the back of the couch cackles in joy and tries to jump into Dyrm's beard!

Grapple: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (2) - 2 = 0

It doesn't even come close to succeeding, and Dyrm might choose to hinder it.

Dyrm, you may if you choose, Grab it with your off-hand, knock it off the back of the couch, which would make it Prone next to Halanestra and out of your easy reach, or neither. Once you decide, I'll finish its actions, as they change based on what you do.

Also, Zothan had drawn his weapons, so they are also out.

Well, Dyrm has a great axe so I'm not sure he has a free hand to use?

Dyrm looks offended at the attempt to grab his beard and as it misses, he knocks it off the back of the couch, leaving it prone.

I assume he still gets his regular actions can so can move to it as one action and strike after?

I'll keep the Strike, yes, and seeing the grapple I have to wonder why everything targets Fortitude DCs :<

Yes. Dyrm will get to go as normal. It crit failed, so he got those choices because of that.

Dyrm knocks the doll off the couch, and it picks itself up, and takes a swing at Halenstra's leg.

Dyrm can take a Reactive Strike, but it will have cover, since he has to lean over the couch to swing.

Strike: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9

The tiny fist misses the elven leg.

Batsu, Zothan, and Korox are up.

Krohan does not have a light source to use, and he keeps Molly from running into the house, in case there are other dangers.

Reactive Strike to hit: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (7) + 11 = 18
Dmg: 1d12 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13

"Touch a dwarf's beard at your peril!"

Due to the poor angle thanks to the fall from the couch, the blow whistles over the doll's head.

Exactly how are the lighting conditions? Zothan has low-light vision (and scent), so if he can fight without penalties, he won’t bother trying to get more light.

"Damn it. What's going on here. This is a crazy situation".

◆ Draw Hand Crossbow
◆ Load Hand Crossbow
◆ Strike at doll to my right
1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11 Hand Crossbow
2d6 ⇒ (3, 3) = 6 Bolt

1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21 Hero Point Strike

The dolls generate a tiny amount of light from the gems in their backs. As they die, the light will go out and when that happens there will be no light at all. Scent will not help here, as the only things here with a scent are the party, Korhan, and Molly.

Korox shoots at the doll on the shelf and he wounds it.

Batsu and Zothan are up.

Thanks

Determined not to get caught fighting blindly, Zothan pulls a torch from his pack and drops it on the floor, then pulls out his flint and steel and lights it. Assuming that the floor is not cover by a carpet or something else flamable.

Behind the nosoi mask, the Night Shepherd's eyes gleam with sudden malice as he homes in on the undead monstrosity, skittering past Dyrm almost on all fours as he rushes at it, then draws his blade and takes a swipe at the creature.

♦ Stride 25 ft.
♦ Draw knife.
♦ Strike vs Undead Creature: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (15) + 10 = 25 S Dmg: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Zothan manages to get a torch going, and now the entire room is lit. There is no immediate fire damage, as the floor is stone, and there is no carpet.

Batsu moves to the undead creature and he cuts it. It does not bleed, but he feels he did damage to it.

The creature cackles and there is a feeling of power. Batsu suddenly feels overwhelmed with emotions of all sorts!

Batsu needs to make a Will save.

The thing then swings at Batsu with its fists.

Attack 1: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (10) + 11 = 21 for Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4 bludgeoning.
Attack 2: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9 for Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11 bludgeoning.

1 hit for 4 bludgeoning it looks like.

The other doll drops to the floor. "Dwarves need to feel pain!" Suddenly, Korox is feeling intense pain that he can perhaps throw off.

Korox needs to make a Will save.

Dyrm is up to finish round 1.

"Damn it. What's going on here. This is a crazy situation".

"I am as baffled as you, sir." The warrior admits.

"Dwarves need to feel pain!"

"Mmmh, narrow minded little snots." and repositioned so he won't be stepping ON a corpse, as he didn't intend to disrespect the dead and so he can get a better angle for two quick slashes.

Action 1: Let's move so it doesn't have cover from him.

Action 2, Strike: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (12) + 11 = 23
Dmg if that hits: 1d12 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11

Action 3, Strike2: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13
Dmg if that hits: 1d12 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

Dyrm hops down off of the couch and one of his axe swings bites deeply into the doll and reveals parts of its inner workings.

Round 2

Conditions: All party members have +1 to shield AC status - currently +1 for everyone.
Injuries: Dyrm is at 40/49 HP. Batsu is at 35/39. One doll has taken 17 damage, the other has taken 6, and the undead has taken 5.

Jaxi and Halanestra are up.

Halanestra takes a moment to readjust to maintain her flank Step > with Dyrm. "Very rude! Dolls are for keeping me company while I bake cookies!" With this, she thrusts her rapier at the doll between her and Dyrm!

Strike! >: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (13) + 9 = 22
Damage!: 1d6 ⇒ 5
Sneak attack!: 1d6 ⇒ 1

Finally, she draws her main-gauche from her side to defend herself against future attacks. Interact >

1d20 + 10 ⇒ (14) + 10 = 24 Will save.

"Ouch... My head! What are you doing to me you evil little imp".

The doll staggers, but it is still up. The gem on its back is getting dimmer.

Ray of Frost: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (9) + 9 = 18
Damage: 2d4 + 4 ⇒ (1, 3) + 4 = 8

Jaxi raises a hand, aiming towards the Doll closest to her. After a moment's incantation, she finishes casting the cantrip. Sending a ray of cold energy lancing towards the closest doll.

"You keep dolls around while you bake cookies? Seems like a hazard!"