Eclipsed Faith

Game Master bigrig107

Nuuuu! Oh well, At least she didn't fail by five or more.

Rutilux tries to be supportive "You've got this, Shaggar!"

To the others near him he whispers "We better get healing ready on standby in case that thing explodes or something. I sense no magic but there maybe some in all that stone."

It takes Shaggar considerable effort to push the heavy stone top off of the coffin, but he finally manages it. It doesn’t explode, nor does it have some undead beastie ready to rip your throats out. What it does contain, however, is an ancient-looking skeleton with strange reptilian features; two large horns protruding from its head, long sharp teeth, and even a tail bone being visible between its legs.

The arms of the skeleton end in once-sharp claws, and the right hand holds what looks like the top half of a metal staff, with three stylized hands (also ending in claws) holding a bright blue gem.

Knowledge Arcana: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11

He blinks at the odd skeleton, and then cautiously, casts detect magic anew.

Spellcraft if needed 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21

Rutilux can’t make heads nor tails of the strange skeleton, but that’s not the case for the staff piece. For that’s exactly what it is: half of a staff. Picking it up proves harmless and as he handles it closer Rutilux can tell that it wasn’t an intentional design choice to have it break in two, it was snapped in half at one point. Where the other half is, and how to reconnect the two halves, is beyond him for now. Combining the two halves would most likely greatly restore its power, but would also almost certainly be a long and arduous journey with a lot of effort required.

What he does know is that anyone who can cast arcane spells can use this half to cast shield and magic missile once per day each, and light at will. The caster level for these effects is 5.

"OH my, dear friends, what we have here is a half staff..." Rutilux actually picks it up, "Of a once much greater whole. Somewhere out there must be the other half but I've no idea where, and this will still be very useful to me. I believe the ancient arcane term for magical items going to magical people is 'dibs'"

Shaggar takes a moment to appreciate the figure in the coffin, visually and olfactorily. Fine teeth and an impressive…. Oh, that’s a tail.

Unfortunately, he cannot identify the creature but it may explain how the Silvermoon family was so long-lived. He casts his red eyes on the halfling. ”If we meet the Silvermoon heir, they may wish to – how do you wizards say it – ‘un-dibs’ you. But, given our current task, having such a tool is prudent.”

”Who has vellum and a quill? We should leave a note with the body stating our purpose and names.”

Once their business in this room is concluded, Shaggar will place a note on the body and close the lid again. Guess I’ll need to take 20 on that.

Kiley will help with that, taking 20.

No need to take 20, can get it done together easily enough. Besides, taking 20 rounds in this place probably isn't the best idea.

Shaggar and Kiley work together to push the lid back onto the sarcophagus easily enough, after Shaggar leaves his note of course. Once you're ready to open the door that Ari so graciously unlocked, you see that the room beyond has three more coffins similar to the ones in the 'foyer' of the crypt. The two not on the pedestal are less ornate than the first one, with just a small version of the family crest etched into the stone sides of each. The middle one is nearly identical to the one in the first room.

Also unlike the first one you saw, these are already open, their lids cast aside and resting on the ground. Each one is also disconcertingly empty. The hallway heads two ways, forming a sort of crossroads with the room you're in and the one with the three coffins. Both ends have an opening visible from where you stand, with the northern having two and the southern only the one.

The gnoll glances at the empty sarcophagi. Not good.

Knowing his allies would examine the room, Shaggar moves into the junction of the corridors quietly, alert for trouble.

Stealth: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 6 + 2 = 19 (+2 FT: underground)
Perception: 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 8 + 2 = 26 (+2 vs Gnolls, +2 FT: underground)

Not feeling the need to state the obvious that the empty coffins are both unnerving and concerning, Ari peers into one of the empty coffins. She examines it inside and out, before conducting a careful survey of the rest of the room while Shaggar adopts a guard position

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14.

"Well, if the heir shows up..." He agrees and takes up a spot near the rear while the other stealth ahead.

Will: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22

Kiley manages to keep her face an expressionless mask as she sees the empty sarcophagi and the fear of what their occupants have become begins to chip away at her courage. For the moment, however, she stands firm against it.

"We should try keeping quiet," she says. "I don't suppose our spellslingers have any tricks that might help us talk without being heard?"

Whether they do or not, she follows Shaggar and keeps her eyes peeled for the stuff of her nightmares.

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13
Stealth: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24

A shake of his head at that question. No he cannot.

And he moves along silently behind them.

Stealth, untrained 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23

Unfortunately for the party, Ari's discovery of leftover bones and other remains (bone fragments, cloth scraps, a piece of ornamental jewelry here and there) seems to confirm that there were once bodies in these three coffins, which are now empty.

Shaggar makes his way to the T in the crypt at the northern end of things, and sees that there are more caskets to the right and an open unfinished cavern to the left. He feels a slight breeze and hears a faint sound of water coming from the right side but before he can fully process what he's hearing and seeing from the cavern he hears the sounds of many objects clattering along the floor behind him. Pulling his attention back to the right hand tunnel, with its coffins, he sees that a wall of bones has manifested and is quickly making its way towards him.

At the same time Kiley sees a shadowy figure form in the exact same spot that Shaggar is, which holds a hand outstretched towards the coffin tunnel as if it were calling the bones towards it.

Init, Shaggar: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22
Init, Ari: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6
Init, Kiley: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8
Init, Sasha: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 1 = 12
Init, Rutilux: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15

Int

22- Shaggar
15- Rutilux
12- Sasha
10- Haunt
8- Kiley
6- Ari

Bit of a metagame to call it out as a haunt, but it is what it is. Easier for me to tell you up front how this 'combat' will work.
Shaggar, Rutilux, and Sasha are up!

Will Save DC 14 vs. Phobia: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10

Seeing the spectral shadow and the wall of animated bones, Kiley finds herself reliving memories from the years when a vicious necromancer tormented her with his vile undead minions. Shaggar hears her beginning to breath more quickly and both he and Pheliks can smell the fear starting to pour off of her.

The gnoll reacts without thinking. He charges the wall of bones trying to destroy it with his axe.

FULL: Charge!

"Great Galloping Gophers!" Rutilux calls out, waving his half staff and releasing three bolts of arcane energy at the haunt!

Magic Missile use for the day, which I may regret later, but new toy! Casts at 5th level, so three missiles. Dmg is: 3d4 + 3 ⇒ (1, 3, 1) + 3 = 8

Shaggar and Rutilux both hit the oncoming wave of spectral bones but don't stop it from sweeping over them. As the incorporeal wave moves through them, they feel a cold chill seep deep into their skin straight to the bone. It instills a strange sense of fear and dread, unnerving both of them. Even as they storm over the pair, they notice similar shaped bones in the swarm that match up with the shape of the skeleton in the foyer's coffin.

After the storm of bones moves from one end of the hallway to the other, the bones disappear as they scatter across the floor in a loud clatter. The coffins in these six openings are also cracked open and empty, with no bones or leftover treasures to be found.

Will, Rutilux: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8
Will, Shaggar: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6
Wisdom damage: 1d2 ⇒ 1
Both Shaggar and Rutilux take 1 Wisdom damage and are shaken for five minutes from their experience with the eerie bones.

'Combat' over!

"Well, it appears to be immune to magic missiles... isn't that n-ni-nice" The halfling rocks back and forth. He's a brave fellow, really he is but THAT got to him

Then he glances over at Kiley, noting she seems shaken as well, "Did it get you t-too? I thought it was just Shaggar and I."

Sasha can't make heads or tails of the skeleton untrained and higher DC than 10..., nor is she familiar with arcane staves and their powers. When the party finds the additional sarcophagi she looks unhappy, though, and watches more closely as they progress forward.

At the recommendation of some quieting-magic Sasha shakes her head and mouths, "No, sorry!" She then looks at the three coffins more closely as Shagger looks north and the others follow.

So focused is she on the place where the dead were that Sasha barely notices the haunt before it is gone, as she only catches a glimpse of the spectral bone-wall as it clatters into...nothing?

"You all aren't being very quiet," she says with a smirk as she gently chides the others. "Are you alright? Did it hurt you...whatever it was?"

Knowledge (Religion): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16 to ID the haunt for what it is.
Given that Knowledge (Religion) is used to identify undead, can it help Sasha have a chance to ID the skeleton?
Knowledge (Religion): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17 to ID the skeleton, if allowed.

Kiley shakes herself as Rutilux asks if it got her and Sasha asks if everyone is alight.

"N-no. It didn't get me. I'm not hurt," she tells them. Her shaky voice and paling face tell them that she isn't alright. Whatever had happened had spooked her badly.

Trying to take her mind off of nightmares she keeps trying to forget, she slips past Rutilux to take a look down the other, much rougher looking pathway.

Stealth: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13
Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20

"Passed through me and Shaggar, cold chill seemed to cut to the core of me... and I feel a bit.. less?" He answers Sasha softer "Scared the resolve out of me somehow."

Given that Knowledge (Religion) is used to identify undead, can it help Sasha have a chance to ID the skeleton?

Identifying them as skeletons or a haunt would be Religion, yeah, but identifying which creature they were in life requires Arcana.

Kiley moves over to the rough stone 'stairs' that actually just appear to be small rock ledges in the natural floor. The tunnel continues on, with two openings on the left side and another from a tunnel that doubles back on itself to the right. The opening to the right has been blockaded with a large table set on its side, the top facing outwards.

Does it look like the table's been there a while?

Kiley frowns as she sees the table. That probably meant that they had lost any hope of taking the denizens down here by surprise.

Shaggar looks like a dog with the fur up on its back. "Let's keep moving." He follows Kiley into the caverns. He sticks close to the wall as he moves forward. He looks at the overturned table, trying to determine if anything is hiding behind it.

Stealth: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 6 + 2 = 10 (+2 FT: underground)
Perception: 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 8 + 2 = 20 (+2 vs Gnolls, +2 FT: underground)

Can't blame me for asking!

Sasha follows, with Pheliks closely beside her between the goblin and its mistress, and looks to catch up with Shagger and Kiley. "Rather not be caught alone back here," she explains as she looks around furtively.

Definitely looks like it was put there extremely recently, and Shaggar can even see what looks to be more of that silvery blood-like substance dripping down the table as if some had been stored on it before it was tipped over.

There does appear to be someone hiding behind the table (poorly), as Shaggar can see the extremities of what looks like another werewolf. He has obviously noticed you as he sits behind it in wait, but he doesn't necessarily know you've seen him.

Kiley turns around and catches Gix's eye and mouths werewolf as she holds up one finger then points to the table before waggling her fingers, balling her hands up in to fists before her face, then opening wide to reveal a comically overacted shocked expression complete with her mouth rounding in an O-shape.

"Darn, looks like they left in a hurry," she says with a wink at the others. "How will we ever catch them now?"

Bluff: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16 Well, that wasn't terrible, at least. Here's hoping they have a crap sense motive check.

”Well that’s unfortunate,” says Ari, catching on. ”Shall we take a minute to catch our breath and work out the next move before we go on?”

Bluff: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23

Rutilux notices the wink, then says "Well, I guess it couldn't hurt to take a few minutes if you need us too."

Assist Bluff: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

The werewolf seemingly relaxes for a moment, believing the ruse for just enough time to be caught unaware over the next few seconds until he recognizes just what you're getting up to.

He's flat-footed and not expecting you for the next two combat rounds (12 seconds irl time. Gonna set up initiatives and just let what happens happen.

Init, Shaggar: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10
Init, Ari: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23
Init, Kiley: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9
Init, Sasha: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 1 = 14
Init, Rutilux: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22
Init, Gix: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11
Init, it: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13

Init

23- Ari
22- Rutilux
14- Sasha
13- Werewolf
11- Gix
10- Shaggar
9- Kiley

Like I said, he's off your back for two rounds. You can prepare however you'd like but remember that casting spells is audible, so be sure that you're ready to start things before you start casting.

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14
Stealth (Trying to keep quiet as she readies her sword): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26

Kiley waits for a moment, readying her sword, then looks to the others to see if they are ready. Then she eyes Gix.

"Torch 'em," she whispers to the goblin.

Kiley will make sure everyone's ready to assault the the barricade before getting Gix to torch it and the werewolf. After Gix casts the spell, she'll follow it and start hacking at baddies.

Round 1

Shaggar tries to creep forward, getting closer to the barricade.

Stealth: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 6 + 2 = 23 (+2 FT: underground)
Perception vs DC15: 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 8 + 2 = 12 (+2 vs Gnolls, +2 FT: underground)

2xMOVE

Rutilux freezes in a moment of uncertainty. Casting might ruin their cover, but not casting could ruin an advantage for a surprise spell early on.

For now, he tries to follow along as quietly as possible, a good twelve feet or more behind Shaggar so he has less chance of it going awry.

Untrained Stealth: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26
Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

Stealth: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16

Ari moves along behind Shaggar, sticking to the shadows of the cave wall and getting ready to spring into action.

Round 2

I’m placing Shaggar in the table because I figure it must be narrower on its side. Feel free to move me as needed.

Shaggar races forward, claws rasping across the stone floor. As he slam into the table, he drives his axe downward toward the werewolf’s shoulder.

MOVE: Race to the barricade!
STAND: Slay the were-puggle!

Gonna wait for Sasha to post, but Shaggar didn't actually kill the werewolf. Everyone but Shaggar will get a chance to do one turn of actions before combat starts.

Shaggar stepping around the corner of the cavern wall reveals one of the most incredible yet confusing sights he's ever seen. As he looks into the dimly lit chamber, the air is immdiately thick with the acrid smell of chemicals and the faint, metallic tang of blood. The room is dominated by a massive, unconscious silver dragon, her majestic form bound by thick iron chains that glint dully in the low light. Her scales, normally bright and shimmering like polished silver, are dull and mottled, showing signs of exhaustion and pain. She is laying in a small pool of cave water, her head just barely above water.

Dozens of translucent tubes, filled with a slowly pulsing silvery liquid, snake out from various points on her body, piercing through her scales with cruel precision. The tubes are connected to an array of alchemical equipment: glass beakers, bubbling vats, and whirring mechanical devices. A soft hum fills the air as the contraptions siphon her lifeblood, draining it drop by agonizing drop.

Along with the werewolf behind the table, another couple of werewolves stand guard, their eyes glowing with a sinister light. Nearby, a man covered in pouches and vials, a figure with a gaunt, pale face and eyes gleaming with malevolent intent, meticulously adjusts the settings on the alchemical apparatus. His gloves are stained with silver, as though he's been handling the dragon’s blood directly, and a twisted smile plays across his lips as he watches the life slowly being drained from the majestic creature. It's obvious that neither he nor the werewolves have noticed you yet.

A large pile of bones (that look suspiciously like the bones that you found in the first crypt) lays partially submerged in the cave pool.

Init, D: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22

Round 3
23- Ari
22- Rutilux
22- D
14- Sasha
13- Werewolves
11- Gix
10- Shaggar
9- Kiley

Kiley sighs when she realizes she hadn't gotten close enough to get at the werewolf with her sword before he could act. She drops it and draws her bow instead as she runs up the corridor and takes aim at the wolfman with one of silver arrows they had found.

Kiley Longbow (Precise Shot, Deadly Aim, Silver Arrow) vs. The werewolf that Shaggar just rocked: 1d20 + 5 - 1 ⇒ (18) + 5 - 1 = 22
Damage: 1d8 + 2 - 1 ⇒ (2) + 2 - 1 = 3

For the moment, Ari decides to stick close to Shaggar and trust that she can use her quick reactions to get her attacks in before the werewolf has set its defences properly. She can always manoeuvre herself into a more favourable position as the situation unfolds. As such, she rushes in, leading with her silvered blade and aiming at the creature's chest.

Attack, charge: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (5) + 11 = 16
Damage: 1d4 + 2d8 + 4 ⇒ (3) + (6, 3) + 4 = 16
I believe the werewolf is still flat-footed, hence sneak attack.

Spying the silver dragon, the magnificent creature lain low, Ari's breath catches in her throat and the momentary hesitation causes her strike to waver slightly. She also picks out another couple of werebeasts and the sinister figure of a man who looks to be responsible for the myriad devices piercing the dragon's flesh and pulsating gruesomely. She is glad at least of her position, not fancying having her back to such opponents.

Well, with the events well underway, as soon as he can, Rutilux invokes a mystic protection

Mage Armor spell up, +4 for total of AC 17

Sasha doesn't wait, trusting in the bluff and shuffling quickly to try and keep up with the others. Pheliks sees the change in Shagger and, seemingly recognize that the hunt has begun, pads deliberately to keep up with the melee warrior(s).

For both pre-combat rounds Sasha and Pheliks will move to the positions on the Roll20 map. As my initiative is after "D" I think that gets me caught up...? Thank you for the patience - if I need to post more please let me know.

The GM asked for first combat round actions from all players on Discord. I think 'D' won't act until next round. So, I believe you are good to do your attacks or whatever.

Yeah if both actions from everyone are done (and I think they are?) then we're into full initiative. If you want to cast a buff spell on your second pre-combat turn or something Sasha, feel free to do so.

Shaggar, Kiley, and Ari team up to take the werewolf by the table out extremely quickly, Ari's knife in the back of his neck the finishing blow.

The alchemist and the other two werewolves are aware of you now, but will still be flat-footed until their turn in combat. The table counts as difficult terrain (and doesn't require any check to get over it, since it isn't super high) in the squares its in.

Round 3
23- Ari
22- Rutilux
22- D
14- Sasha
13- Werewolves
11- Gix
10- Shaggar
9- Kiley

Ari and Rutilux are up again! This time in actual combat order.

Rutilux rushes forward, and taps Kiley's bow and arrow, which suddenly flickers with electricity, "It isn't silver but it may help."

Thunderstaff bloodline power, Kiley's attack this round (and only this round i think) has the Shock Power, so extra 1d6 dmg on a successful hit

Despite the shock, Ari's stab still punches into the werewolf's flesh and she can feel it slipping to the ground, its life snuffed out. Job done, she keeps moving forward in the hope she can take out the next one before it too can react, pinpointing the one next to the cave wall and slashing at it with her freshly bloodied blade.

Attack: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (9) + 9 = 18
Damage: 1d4 + 2d8 + 4 ⇒ (3) + (6, 2) + 4 = 15

Ari hits but doesn't take the werewolf down, her blade drawing a significant slice across his chest and eliciting a howl of pain.

The alchemist turns to the bone pile and barks orders to it before moving closer to the group and drawing some materials out of the numerous satchels attached to his belt. "Well? Get up and fight, dammit. I didn't make you for nothing!"

The pile of bones shudders and an animating force brings all of the reptilian-looking bones together and a large skeleton assembles itself, climbing up out of the water and standing nearly 8 feet tall.
"Ah, that's more like it. Protect me!" the alchemist says before launching whatever he was making at Ari.

Attack, bomb, touch: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23 Damage: 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (2, 2) + 4 = 8
Reflex, red werewolf: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14
The werewolf gets singed by the explosion from the bomb, but is still not down yet.

The skeleton, finally awake, stumbles forward past Ari to block the entrance to the room. And will provoke an AoO from her.

Sasha said there would just be buffs so I'm going to do the werewolves turn here too to keep things moving. If something changes we can walk some stuff back.

The werewolf in combat with Ari turns and draws his sword to strike at her, attempting to get some retribution.
Attack, longsword: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11 Damage: 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12

The other one moves up to swing at Shaggar as well.
Attack, longsword: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26 Damage: 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8
Attack, longsword, confirm: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17 Damage: 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7

Round 3
23- Ari
22- Rutilux
22- D
14- Sasha
13- Werewolves
11- Gix
10- Shaggar
9- Kiley

Round 3
23- Ari
22- Rutilux
22- D
14- Sasha
13- Werewolves
11- Gix
10- Shaggar
9- Kiley

Party is up again!

Round 3

Shaggar has to pull himself off the sword blade in his belly before delivering an axe blow of similar strength to the werewolf.

STAND: Axe to BLUE

I’d like to back you up, Ari, but I got hit for over half my HP and taking a MOVE to get across the table leaves me open to an AoO which I can’t afford.

Switching over to the handaxe...

DAM: 1d6 + 4 - 1 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 4 - 1 + 2 = 11