'Gallows of Madness - The Festering Blot' (Inactive)

Game Master Shadow Dragon

knowledge (geography) untrained: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15
knowledge (history) untrained: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

In the Entrance Hall:

Lucinus recognizes the first landscape as depicting a sunset over the Aspodell Mountains in Isger.

Vreekka muscles her way past Lucinus (she's strong!) and studies the second landscape painting. She knows it to be a quality copy of a famous painting of a garden in Remesiana, Cheliax.

She turns her attention to the third and final surviving landscape and is a bit surprised because it depicts the shipyards in Eleder, Sargava - quite a distance away from Isger. Perhaps it was something important to the Baron during his time in Sargava?

Lucinus Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13
Vreekka Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18
Daegon Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17

Vreekka recognizes the nobles in the portraits as Baron Marcius Sarini; Marcius’s father, Baron Lucius Sarini; and Baroness Sadira Sarini.

While examining the portraits Vreekka and Daegon come to a startling realization: The prominent chins of Lucius and Marcius are identical to the chin of the boy Luca!

An Appraise check please.

appraise: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 1 = 14

Well, you can definitely see the resemblance...

Guardian takes note of Cannoli's ideas about the statue so he approaches it just close enough to observe, at the top of the steps to the landing but not actually on the landing. Surely the trap is on the landing.

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19

Appraise: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10

Well, that was going to happen sooner or later... *shrugs*

Guardian’s furred… guardian moves into the big ole room to keep an eye on him.

appraise: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9

Hearing the other members of the party on the opposite side of the double doors Lucinus checks them for traps...

perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20

Vreekka and Daegon are too distracted by prominent chins to come up with a value for the paintings. Lucinus, however, sees some value in the shipyard painting but deems the others too damaged to be salvaged.

@Lucinus: You'd basically be 'behind' a round to the PCs in the other room since Lucinus has taken other actions in his current room.

Lucinus checks the doors but doesn't think they are trapped.

Meanwhile, in the Ballroom, Guardian XI has caught a case of paranoia from Chaos Cannoli; who knew androids could feel such an emotion?

In this case it isn't paranoia if they are out to get you - and two giant centipedes are! One of them sneaks out from a fainting couch to munch on Guardian XI while the other stealthily emerges from under the piano to snack on Cannoli.

For now I'm going to hold Jakeric and Grizzlebin out of the order since he hasn't posted an update on where/what/etc. his two goons were doing.

Round 1 – Shall we Dance?

Grizzlebin [Skipped for now]
Cannoli
Giant Centipedes
Jakeric [Skipped for now]
Guardian XI

In a Different Room [You never leave your wingman! Won't be able to engage in combat this round as they'll need to hear combat/shouting/crying/begging for mercy/etc. before they are aware and then move into the other room.]

Vreekka
Daegon
Lucinus

But they don't call Cannoli 'Cat Quick' for nothin'! Her lightning fast reflexes means that dirty bug doesn't get the drop on her!

Cannoli is UP! As soon as combat is initiated the PCs in the Entry Hall will be able to act but, remember, you're in a different room behind double closed doors.

Oh and because you guys are obviously trying to drive me crazy and/or kill me Guardian XI/etc.'s room is on Slide 2 while Lucinus/etc. are on Slide 5.

Lol, what a fun time to have a split party.

Is metal a part of centipede diet? he innocently asks Cannoli.

”EEEEKKKKK!!!”

The catfolk shrieks, then ignores Guardian’s question as she attempts to squash the ugly bug.

MW CI Morningstar: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25 for CI/P and B: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Crit?: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25 for Extra Crit: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

Cannoli engages in yet another one of her hobbies: re-decoration. She utterly spatters the fine marble, piano, and everything else of value with what used to be the insides of a giant centipede. Demon bile is also spattered everywhere as these bugs are obviously infected.

Good luck washing all that out of her fur...

Grizzlebin: Go ahead and move into the room and take your action.

Grizzlebin lopes into the room--carefully side-stepping the still-twitching dead centipede that Cannoli pulped--and says: "Hey Guardian, that bug given you trouble?"

Double move.

Sorry everyone this was not a good day.

The giant centipede is enraged at its comrade being destroyed and vents its spleen at Guardian XI (and smiting such an obvious do-gooder!):

Bite with SMITE!: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 71d6 - 1 + 1 ⇒ (2) - 1 + 1 = 2

But has bug guts blinding its vision and misses. Uh oh...

Meanwhile, in the other room, the southern expeditionary force hears Cannoli's loud shriek. Is it trouble? Combat? Did Guardian XI make fun of her hat? Who knows?

Adding in the southern crew:

Round 1 – Shall we Dance?

Grizzlebin
Cannoli
Giant Centipedes
Lucinus
Vreekka
Daegon
Jakeric
Guardian XI

Since Lucinus was checking the door I'll have that be part of his first round action. He reports to Daegon and Vreekka that the door appears safe and unlocked. He would then have a standard action if he wants to open the door, break it down, or give Daegon a noogie. Vreekka, Daegon, Jakeric, and Guardian XI are UP!

Oh right, demon bile. I know what to do...

He draws his cold iron weapon and gets to the "chore."

[move] draw cold iron greatsword

[standard] attack GREEN
cold iron greatsword attack (furious focus), slashing damage (furious focus): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 232d6 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (5, 1) + 6 + 2 = 14

Having checked that the door looks safe Lucinus opens it to allow his allies to join the fight.

Jakeric moves cautiously into the room, and arrives just in time to see Guardian XI slicing up a demon-infested centipede!

Double move.

Vreekka follows Jakeric into the room and also sees Guardian XI slashing a centipede in half.
"Nice hit, Guardian. Hey Cannoli, what happened to that other bug? It's splattered all over the place - most of it on that nice piano..."
She shakes her head and inspects the probably valueable instrument.

Appraise: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (17) + 9 = 26

move and appraise

Daegon follows Lucinius

Cannoli seems stunned. Or in shock? She stands still, dripping with ichor and bug parts. The only words you hear squeaked are ‘towel please’.

After a few minutes of cleaning, she finally answers the question posed, ”Well, let’s just put it this way. I walk into a nice room with a nice devil angel statue and I and calmly keeping an eye on Guardian as he checks for traps. And then out of nowhere I feel lots of legs climbing up my backside. Now, as you well know, I am a pacifist at heart. But that. That was not something I could hold back my battle rage from. I am happy you all didn’t have to see it, actually.”

Guardian XI's blade cuts the centipede in half - although messy nowhere near the crime scene produced by Cannoli.

Vreekka (shocking everyone - especially her) agrees with Cannoli: The statue actually is of a devil! A erinyes devil to be precise.

Vreekka's knowledge of engineering also notes where this statue replaced another statue at some point.

Vreekka and Jakeric notice there's older demon bile (not the newer crop that Cannoli has spattered everywhere) on both of the support columns in this room.

@Vreekka: The value of everything in the Ballroom is unlisted in the module.

Where will the heroes go next?

"It looks like you guys won that round and found the door with the monsters behind it." concedes Lucinus, who wanders over and checks the one as yet unexplored door in the room...

perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22

Which door in which room? There's a door no one checked in the entryway as well.

The remaining door in the room with the statue and the dead centipedes (the one next to Lucinus' token).

The remaining door in the room with the statue and the dead centipedes (the one next to Lucinus' token).

Actually there might be two doors that weren't checked in the Entry Way.

Lucinus searches the door while neglecting to search the angel/devil statue; perhaps he believes in Cannoli's superstition?

He believes the door is untrapped and safe to open.

Cannoli seems stunned. Or in shock? She stands still, dripping with ichor and bug parts. The only words you hear squeaked are ‘towel please’.

Hmm... I should get a towel dispenser installed.

With the centipedes sliced and ready to be served as centisushi, Guardian finally heads back up the stairs, to just before the landing (still unsure about traps), and inspects the statue.

Inspect statue (Perception): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23

IF nothing is interesting about it, he'll follow Lucinus to the next door.

Cannoli slowly moves about the room and cold irons all the black goo before giving a thumbs up to open some more doors.

Guardian XI also believes the door to be untrapped but we all notice he didn't try opening it...

Daegon scans the door with his arcane sight.

Daegon scans the door with his arcane sight.

Daegon's dark purple eyes see no magical auras.

Once everyone is ready Lucinus opens the door he had been investigating.

Lucinus opens the door and screams in terror - books! And lots of them. Who needs books when you can just beat things up?

The long bookshelves in these dusty alcoves are filled with books. The smell of mildewed paper hangs in the air. This library contains a fine collection of books, maps, and other old documents, but mildew has ruined most.

Now on Slide 2! And the party in Slide 3. And other doors in other Slides...what a mess!

Seeing the books Lucinus' allows himself a smile, the shelves of dusty tomes reminding the dhampir of home. "I think I've found the library." he says "I wonder if we can find any of the records we are after in here?" he adds, before heading into the room to search for useful information or any interesting books that would be worth rescuing from the dilapidated mansion.

perception to search the room: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23

Lucinus steps into the library and begins the pilfering; he learned well from the rest of the group. After 30 minutes of searching he finds what he thought were books but it's actually a box made out of hollowed-out books! Inside are eight parchment scrolls.

@Lucinus: I'll need another Perception check please.

@Everyone else: Anyone doing anything else?

perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22

Guardian XI also believes the door to be untrapped but we all notice he didn't try opening it...

Guardian was checking the statue, but by now I'm guessing there's nothing special about it.

Cannoli traipses on in after giving lucinus a thirty second count to stir up the next pack of creepy crawlers. After he doesn’t scream she heads in and starts searching for a personal smutty journal or secret passage. There’s gotta be one here, it’s a library!!!

Perc: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (10) - 1 = 9

And after inhaling a nose full of dust, she retreats to the main room to have a sneezing fit.

When the scrolls are discovered and brought to her for her incredible magical expertise, she read magics them for identification purposes.

"The library?" Vreekka says exitedly while rushing to the room ignoring anything else. "I'll help searching!"

Aid Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11

Jakeric is fascinated by the discovery of rare books and scrolls! He begins poring over them eagerly.

Profession (scholar) + Libraries Boon: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 6 + 2 = 11

GM Shadow Dragon wrote:

Guardian XI also believes the door to be untrapped but we all notice he didn't try opening it...

Guardian was checking the statue, but by now I'm guessing there's nothing special about it.

Sorry I applied the Perception check to the door as Vreekka had already learned all there was to learn about the statue.

Daegon tries to help decipher the found material, but his language skills are limited at best.

Daegon tries to help decipher the found material, but his language skills are limited at best.

Perception check please.

Sorry I applied the Perception check to the door as Vreekka had already learned all there was to learn about the statue.

Aaah! I didn't get the joke/implication there :P

GM Shadow Dragon wrote:

Sorry I applied the Perception check to the door as Vreekka had already learned all there was to learn about the statue.

Aaah! I didn't get the joke/implication there :P

Guardian XI should be running from that statue. It's obvious that Vreekka is Appraising it to learn its value and then have Guardian XI carry it all the way back to Saringallow! ;)

Waiting on a Perception check from Daegon. I also need to know what Guardian XI is doing; he checked the door but hasn't gone inside the Library yet? Per Jakeric botting him and Grizzlebin:

Perception Jakeric: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Perception Grizzlebin: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24

Jakeric decides to beat Cannoli at her new game and manages to kick up even more dust and mildew - ewww!

Should be a Fort save vs. poison with those rolls. ;)

Guardian is tagging along with Lucinus for the moment.

Guardian is tagging along with Lucinus for the moment.

Perception check for him too then please.

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19

Daegon tries to help decipher the found material, but his language skills are limited at best.

Still waiting on that Perception check from Daegon.

oops..my bad..missed that...

perc: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22