Ed's Rusthenge

Game Master fine_young_misanthrope

The frogwoman seems genuine. After you give her some privacy, she gets out of the mud and gets dressed. The frog priestess meets you and says, Why are you here? What do you want?

Peat looks the frog woman over to see if he can get a sense of what she is a priestess of before responding.

Gorum Lore: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21
If not Gorum-related, then ...
Religion: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18

The frogwoman seems genuine. After you give her some privacy, she gets out of the mud and gets dressed. The frog priestess meets you and says, Why are you here? What do you want?

"Ma'am, I know you will pardon me for my confusion, or maybe both of us will pardon each other; do you know where you are? Do you know what we have been through to arrive at this very much unintended "interruption"? We are not wandering this labyrinth without purpose, facing demon spawn and cultists at every turn simply for the opportunity to disturb you whilst bathing. You know that you are surrounded by evil, right?"

Jacen, clearly, is a touch exasperated. It isn't that the lore of the land and all of their childhoods didn't include strange stories about buried grottos and the like, but this, after all they had been through, was like the gods laughing at them.

It's not war god related, but your check learns that this is a priestess of Gogunta-the demon lord of fetted swamps. While not nessassarily a friendly god/demon, its not in line with some demon lord of rot and decaying metal.

The frog looks at you and says, My subjects and I were looting this temple. Its fallen to something beyond the god that once ruled here. You are friend friend. I will give you badge to prove you friend! The frog takes out a few twisted amagamation of brances and bones the size of a badge.

Who takes a badge?

It's not war god related, but your check learns that this is a priestess of Gogunta-the demon lord of fetted swamps. While not nessassarily a friendly god/demon, its not in line with some demon lord of rot and decaying metal.

The frog looks at you and says, My subjects and I were looting this temple. Its fallen to something beyond the god that once ruled here. You are friend friend. I will give you badge to prove you friend! The frog takes out a few twisted amagamation of brances and bones the size of a badge.

Who takes a badge?

Jacen totally takes a badge

Thalassa still has her doubts about the priestess but accepts the badge.

"What happened here?" Thalassa asks the priestess to be given light of what she is talking about.

The frog woman hands out badges to anywho take them. As you put them on you feel.... nothing special.

The frog woman turns to you and says in her strange ribbiting voice, We knew there was a church here, but when we got here they stopped worshiping the god. We are not sure why they stopped, but they did. We took what we could from where we could, but when they challenged us, we walled of where we could and collected our goods. Beyond that, we know is a demon. Our Lady has not told us to fight them, so we leave them be. They have left us be as well.

Peat takes one of the badges. As a leshy without a need to breathe, they have little concern about the odor of fetid swamps. They suspect that the group's earlier encounter with frog people might have deprived this woman of a couple of her acolytes, but decides not to mention it.

"Any idea what is through the doors to the east off the main hall? We are about to explore in that direction, looking for some people who have been abducted from town."

The frog woman thinks for a moment and says, No, the false worshipers and we do not like one another. We stay here and they dont try to attack us. May the lady of the swamp protect you! She then makes a strange hand signal that you know to be a blessing. A foul blessing from a demon, but she means well.

Peat nods, and then scurries back into the main hall. "Well, then, I guess those two doors are left. The one to the north, then?" They again listen at the door.

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24

I've moved myself to that location on the map.

Thalassa nods at the frog woman after they are given their blessing and follows Peat.
Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13

Peat nods, and then scurries back into the main hall. "Well, then, I guess those two doors are left. The one to the north, then?" They again listen at the door.

[dice=Perception]1d20+7

I've moved myself to that location on the map.

"Let's do it! Door to the north: we've got an Elder to find."

You leave the froggy woman to her bath and head back to the main room. You carefully prepare to open the north door. This chamber is covered with shelves on nearly every wall. Several crates and some barrels sit on the floor. You search the room and find... a decaying leather pouch that contains 45 cp and a single platinum coin, dozens of empty potion
and elixir bottles (and many more that have shattered into fragments), a single lesser healing potion bearing a label written in Thassilonian, a pendant of the occult entirely caked in grime, and a dust-covered crying angel pendant talisman.

Search the south door your find....These modest chambers contain a small dusty mattress, a chest of drawers, and a writing desk. Standing upon the
desk is a rusted iron sculpture depicting a mountain with a dagger buried in its side. Searching the room you find keys on the desk. Does anyone want the dagger?

Also, LEVEL UP! You are now level three! Also gain a heropoint.
Does anyone want that dagger? can anyone read Thassilonian?

Kazmuk enters the room, ready for a fight...and is almost disappointed when there's nothing in the room.

"Ah, well, maybe we beat everyone in this place?" He says, trying not to step on glass shards. He picks up the keys and fiddles with them, causing a repeated clinking and clanking to chime around the room.

"Did anyone find a locked door anywhere? Maybe this leads to the Elder." He asks the party.

After the treasure is divvied up, he approaches Jacen and Caleb and splits his share between them.

"'Ere you go. Dunno if this pays off my debt...but me and my muscles are grateful for the money you lent me." He appreciatively flexes, showing off his rune-inscribed handwraps.

Caleb can read Thassilonian.

"No sign of anyone else. I fear that we'll have to recover the elder's body to take back to town."

Caleb looks through the surviving items and tries to slide the dagger out of the sculpture.

The one place you havent gone is down. In D21 there are stairs you haven't gone down yet. That's where the dungeon continues....

"I don't like what I am seeing." Thalassa is disgusted with the situation of the items they found.

"Nor do I, but it looks like the only way to solve this mystery is to continue on. And down," Caleb agrees. "We've searched this level thoroughly. No doubt even more fiendish deeds are occurring out of reach of the light."

When everyone is prepared, he urges the group toward the stairs down.

I'll wait till there are any more responses but Monday we hit the basement.

Time to head down! You head back to E5 and then down the stairs.
A vertical shaft of rectangular stone rises to the ceiling of this cavern, and is the second most impressive sight in this natural-looking cave. The most impressive is the remnant of an ancient bridge that once crossed a vast chasm to the north. The chasm fluctuates between thirty and forty feet across, growing larger to the west and narrower to the
east. Three passages exit this chamber to the east, west, and south. A curious ring of stones has been placed at the entrance to the southern passage. Behind you you see a massive rift in the dark. What do you do?

Maps updated!

I assume it's dark down here, so we don't actually see the bridge to the east, correct?

Also, since we leveled up, we're fully up on our daily things like alchemical vials and such, right? Or are those still diminished?

Peat looks at the bridge to see if he can figure out any way to repair it.

Architecture Lore: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23

Peat examines the ring of stones, to see if he can identify its significance.

Occultism, perhaps? Doubt the Architecture Lore will help here

Occultism: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22

"Does anyone see tracks? The cultists might be dragging prisoners," Caleb starts to look around.

Not familiar with the intricacies of bridges, Thalassa spends her time to track movement of people in the area that they can follow.

Survival: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (9) + 9 = 18 to Track

"Maybe we can follow the way with the most foot traffic, unless it is through the ancient bridge now long gone, which I doubt." Thalassa shares to them, not removing the possibility that cultists can fly.

Even if Pine can't see the bridge due to the darkness, I can see it due to Darkvision.

Kazmuk tries to look around for any sign of the Elder.

Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (11) + 9 = 20

"I see a bridge, but no way across. I don't suppose any of you have flying magic?"
He asks the more magically oriented members of the party.

I don't think I would be able to make a 30 foot Long Jump at this level.

So I screwed up. This is completely on me, as I forgot that E comes after D. I have updated the map and here is the new map. sorry again.

This forty-foot-high chamber is brightly lit by flickering flames inset into small silver-lined nooks. The carefully controlled light artfully illuminates several painted frescos on the opposite wall. This tall gallery hosts finely crafted depictions of a horned and hooved giant in rusted full plate accomplishing great tasks of utter destruction, with the last in the series showing some sort of ritual. Part of the wall in the southeast corner has caved in somewhat, but the hallways exiting the chamber to the north and south are still intact. To the west, a massive fifteen-foot-wide iron door seals the passage beyond; sharp spikes and blades of rusted metal cover the entire surface of the door.

As you enter the room, you see two of those split faced monstracities emerge from the shadows

Caleb perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19
Thalassa perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11
Peat perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21
Kazmuk perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10, Quick-Tempered for Free action Rage
Jacen perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15
creature: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (11) + 10 = 21

Is this the current initiative? Did your change?

My initiative is actually +9.

Perception +11 for Initiative of Thalassa.

Changed Init, post round 1!

Peat perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21
creature: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (11) + 10 = 21
Caleb perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19
Thalassa perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (4) + 11 = 15
Jacen perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15
Kazmuk perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 9 = 12, Quick-Tempered for Free action Rage

We are in E1, right?

Thalassa meets the enemy from the south with fire.
Ignition Spell Attack: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (8) + 9 = 17 for Damage: 3d4 ⇒ (4, 3, 3) = 10 fire damage

She then casts Guidance to Kazmuk.

Peat scurries down the stairs and into a position to take a good survey of the northern monstrosity.

◆ Stride
◆ Devise Stratagem: 1d20 ⇒ 10
Recall Knowledge (Occultism): 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (19) + 11 = 30

If that's a crit, then everyone gets a +1 on their next attack

Though not completely confident in the stratagem, they line up their shot and fire the hand crossbow.

◆ Strike: hand crossbow: 10 + 9 = 19
hand crossbow damage (piercing): 2d6 ⇒ (3, 3) = 6

Kazmuk runs up to the thing in the corner and punches it.

"Ah! Good timing! Thanks Thalassa!" He exclaims as the Nagaji's spell helps him land a blow.

Gorilla punch, Guidance: 1d20 + 10 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 10 + 1 = 25

Bludgeoning, Rage: 1d10 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 4 + 2 = 9

He then raises his shield.
◆ Stride ◆ Strike ◆ Raise Shield

Yep, you are coming down the stairs into E1. NOT F1. Ed does not understand letters.

Round 1, FIGHT!
Peat perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21 plan and attack!
creature: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (11) + 10 = 21 move and swing!
Caleb perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19
Thalassa perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (4) + 11 = 15 bonus and hit!
Jacen perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15
Kazmuk perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 9 = 12, Quick-Tempered for Free action Rage SMACK!

Peat thinks about things and recalls his previous fight against the envyspawn. This give everyone a +1 to attack (AC18)
Peat then moves and pegs a spawn in the shoulder. It lets out a strange cry of pain.

The creatures advance and swing halbards!
halberd on kazmuk : 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (5) + 10 = 151d10 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13
halberd swing 2 on kazmuk : 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 141d10 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

halberd on peat : 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (11) + 10 = 211d10 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7
halberd swing on peat 2 : 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 71d10 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

Thalassa blesses a friend then fires pure fire at the creature. Due to Peat she hits and the creatures takes the shot. It screeches in pain!

kazmuk rushes in and smashes a creature into a wall with a meaty thud! He then prepares for the return hit.

Post when you can!

Finally leveled, sorry for the delay. (Last week before break!)

Caleb moves around to the base of the stairs (this might trigger RS) and unleashes cutting winds at the two creatures.

Stride, Cast slashing gust

slashing gust v critter 1: 1d20 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 9 + 1 = 14 for slashing: 3d4 ⇒ (1, 1, 4) = 6

slashing gust v critter 2: 1d20 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 9 + 1 = 14 for slashing: 3d4 ⇒ (1, 2, 4) = 7

Peat shrieks as they're hit by the halberd attack, then tries to plan a counterattack.

◆ Devise Stratagem: 1d20 ⇒ 2
Not seeing a great attack option, they step back and reload their crossbow.
◆ Step
◆ Interact: Reload crossbow

Round 1, FIGHT!
Peat perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21 plan and attack!
creature: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (11) + 10 = 21 move and swing!
Caleb perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19 WIND SLASH!
Thalassa perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (4) + 11 = 15 bonus and hit!
Jacen perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15
Kazmuk perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 9 = 12, Quick-Tempered for Free action Rage SMACK!

Caleb steps and and swings hard! But misses. Do you want to reroll?

Round 2, FIGHT!
Peat perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21 retreat and prep
creature: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (11) + 10 = 21
Caleb perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19
Thalassa perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (4) + 11 = 15
Jacen perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15
Kazmuk perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 9 = 12, Quick-Tempered for Free action Rage

Peat gets back and prepares for the next round Want to reroll for the stratagem?

Post when you can!

Intimidating Strike: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (16) + 10 = 26

Bludgeoning, Rage: 1d10 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 4 + 2 = 9

Kazmuk punches the enemy and glares at it, trying to be imposing.

He then raises his shield.

◆◆ Intimidating Strike
◆ Raise Shield

Thalassa helps out the flanked ally and burns the closest enemy to her.
Ignition Spell Attack: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 9 = 12 for Damage: 3d4 ⇒ (4, 4, 2) = 10 fire damage

She then casts Guidance to Blueberry Peat.

Round 1, FIGHT!
Peat perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21 plan and attack!
creature: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (11) + 10 = 21 move and swing!
Caleb perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19 WIND SLASH!
Thalassa perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (4) + 11 = 15 bonus and hit!
Jacen perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15
Kazmuk perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 9 = 12, Quick-Tempered for Free action Rage SMACK!

Caleb steps and and swings hard! But misses. Do you want to reroll?

Round 2, FIGHT!
Peat perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21 retreat and prep
creature: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (11) + 10 = 21 Slashes!
Caleb perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19
Thalassa perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (4) + 11 = 15 shoots and misses
Jacen perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15
Kazmuk perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 9 = 12, Quick-Tempered for Free action Rage SMACK!

The two creatures begin to swing! Kazmuck your in the middle, so its all on you

halberd : 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (9) + 10 = 191d10 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9
halberd : 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 151d10 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12
halberd : 1d20 ⇒ 61d10 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

halberd : 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (14) + 10 = 241d10 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6
halberd : 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 181d10 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8
halberd : 1d20 ⇒ 161d10 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

Thalassa shots and hit the wall!

Kazmuk hit the creature right int he face and drops the one!

Post when you can!

Lol, I don't even take any damage from the one 24 hit on me because of Rage temp HP.

Kazmuk takes the blow, leaning into it like a boxer. His adrenaline fueling him forward, the strike bounces off him harmlessly. With a raised fist, he turns to the last enemy and says to it.

"You are next." before intimidatingly striking it.

Strike: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (10) + 10 = 20

Bludgeoning: 1d10 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 4 + 2 = 11

He then raises his shield.

◆◆ Intimidating Strike
◆ Raise Shield

Round 1, FIGHT!
Peat perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21 plan and attack!
creature: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (11) + 10 = 21 move and swing!
Caleb perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19 WIND SLASH!
Thalassa perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (4) + 11 = 15 bonus and hit!
Jacen perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15
Kazmuk perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 9 = 12, Quick-Tempered for Free action Rage SMACK!

Round 2, FIGHT!
Peat perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21 retreat and prep
creature: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (11) + 10 = 21
Caleb perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19
Thalassa perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (4) + 11 = 15
Jacen perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15
Kazmuk perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 9 = 12, Quick-Tempered for Free action Rage Bob and weave!

Kazmuk hauls off and hits the thing right in the face for a solid hit! It doesnt drop, but it doesnt look good.

Post when you can!

Thalassa continues to burn her target before it can further hurt her ally.
Ignition Spell Attack: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (15) + 9 = 24 for Damage: 3d4 ⇒ (1, 4, 3) = 8 fire damage

She then casts Guidance to Kazmuk.

Caleb enchants the sinspawn to feel the power of winter, then unleashes cold on him.

Cast elemental betrayal (cold), cast frostbite
Weakness 3 to cold

cold: 3d4 ⇒ (1, 3, 3) = 7 DC 19 Fort

Round 1, FIGHT!
Peat perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21 plan and attack!
creature: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (11) + 10 = 21 move and swing!
Caleb perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19 WIND SLASH!
Thalassa perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (4) + 11 = 15 bonus and hit!
Jacen perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15
Kazmuk perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 9 = 12, Quick-Tempered for Free action Rage SMACK!

Round 2, FIGHT!
Peat perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21 retreat and prep
creature: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (11) + 10 = 21 swing!
Caleb perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19 freeze!
Thalassa perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (4) + 11 = 15 burn!
Jacen perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15
Kazmuk perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 9 = 12, Quick-Tempered for Free action Rage Bob and weave!

The creature aims its halberd at Kazmuk!
halberd : 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (11) + 10 = 211d10 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11
halberd : 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 221d10 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11
halberd : 1d20 ⇒ 111d10 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12

Caleb attempts to freeze the creature
save : 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (12) + 10 = 22

Thalassa hits the creature hard with fire!

Post when you can! We have one last sin spawn barely hanging on.

She casts Guidance to herself and Thalassa takes another chance to keep burning the enemy!
Ignition Spell Attack: 1d20 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 9 + 1 = 18 for Damage: 3d4 ⇒ (2, 1, 4) = 7 fire damage

"You have nowhere to go!"

And with that, the last of the sin spawn drop to the ground in a flaming heap.

Aside from the crackles and pops, its quite in the cave. where to next?

"This place is cursed. We should have continued to avoid it," Caleb comments.

Before leaving the chamber, he examines the fresco more carefully, trying to make sense of the scene.

Kazmuk takes 20 minutes to heal some of his wounds and Peat's wounds before he leaves with the party.

Medicine DC 15: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (9) + 9 = 18

Medicine DC 15: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (12) + 9 = 21

Healing, Medic dedication Kazmuk: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16

Healing, Medic dedication Peat: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15