The Search for Aroden

Game Master Molech

There's kind of been two things for me:
1) My character is supposed to be a bit of "Not a people person" so he hasn't been speaking up as much with all the people and talking already going on. I've considered more talking about his internal state, but it feels a little weird to start on that now when we're still in the "my character might die at any time" period.
2) I may be overcompensating a bit for times I've felt like I was dominating the conversation in other games.

I haven’t checked in 2 days. My apologies…catching up with several things at work and it shows. I’ll catch up.

For myself, some of my slow is just..... RL is being hard right now. Health issues, both physical and mental, are making me slow, but I will try and do a better job of keeping up.

Some of it is a little bit like Almonihah is saying-- my character is not really intended to be a "face" or a talker, but rather, a curious intellectual who is more likely to observe silently and gather their thoughts. But there's only so many posts you can write of your character doing that and it doesn't help the game move forward, so I've been trying to make them talk a little more than would probably feel entirely natural, while still keeping true to how I envision the character.

One minor suggestion I'll make is if you could put a link to the Google slides somewhere very easily accessible - when I GM, I often stick it in my stat profile, so that it's visible above every post I make with my GM account, but I've seen others stick it at the top of the campaign page, etc. Either way, it would ease things in a small way for me to be able to get to the Slides and Map quickly without having to look for the link-- I'm very often posting from multiple different PCs (I work over seven different work locations, each with multiple work PCs, and might have the downtime to check the boards at any of them) so 'just bookmark it' doesn't work so well. I've often had a few minutes to check but not time to go digging for where the Slides link is hiding in our now-four-pages-long OOC thread.

Strike all the above as I see it is now in Campaign Info. Appreciated! (though if you still wanted to throw the link in your GM stat profile I wouldn't complain! Just one less click for a player)

I do know that a lot of my games have active Discord channels for OOC communication which can help with play issues. Not saying we have to if anyone would prefer not to do that, just saying I've observed that it seems to lead to more party coherency and quicker vibe checks.

Anyway, going to go catch up right now.

Awesome! Thanks for the Gameplay guys!

We just finished our Sunday campaign and I have to get to bed. Monday promises to be outrageously busy but I ought to get here late in the day.

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Please ask if you are having any problems seeing the map clearly.

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As per Monkeygod, we'll start up B2 asap. Going up to B2 will have a little encounter and unfortunate confirmation there is currently no way to get to the chapel through there. This part of Briarstone is cut off from the rest of the hospital/asylum. (And it'll be good to clear out a bad guy or two from behind before pushing ahead.)

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Then there is the 'Thing' manifesting at B8 halting your progress to C1. I don't want to call it a "Puzzle" but the Pathfinder design is a little more 'puzzle-like' than combat. The Thing speaks despite being a freaky eyeball with spider-like iris -- I'll give the description and of course the actual image tomorrow -- but it whines about what it is turning in to, what is it becoming, as though it also has amnesia. I'll check the canon tomorrow but I think the phrases are like, "What am I become ; Who am I ; How can We crawl" -- whatever. It'll be a thing when I can actually post it. For now, any pre-guessing for the puzzle is possible.

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You can get to the C6-chapel through B1 but you know there are Zombies in that courtyard where visibility from the fog is limited to 5 feet. But in B1 you can shatter a stained-glass-window to Pharasma's chapel from the outside, from the courtyard of B1, and crawl through into C6 -- if you really really want. ALSO, someone asked in Gameplay and I missed it -- the Yellow Fog permeating the outdoors arrived immediately when the Nightmare 'erupted' (the prevailing guess from Priest and Inquisitor). It does not seem to have a 'Source' per say. But they admit they don't really, really know for sure.

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Aerwyn Savoia's bedchamber B7 has her bed, some gold that doesn't belong to you and a few books on Ustalov (geography, history), Pharasma & cosmology (including Black Butterfly and the Cosmic Caravan), and The First World of the Fey and its connection to the Dimension of Dreams. That they exist may provide contextual information to the campaign. But the details will be under Spoilers in the Campaign Tab -- These posts will be optional as they add Flavor for the campagin but show significant differences to canon. Read them if your curious about the cosmological and historical differences in my head canon; I'm trying to make sure, though, that they won't really affect your perception of the campaign world around you if you are hardcore PF canon.

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Whether you enter B9 to see Ulver Zandalus who you know has some connection to this is up to you.

I was just perusing Gameplay and getting my own Gameplay post ready when I saw a repeat of the mention of the Rook chess-gamepiece as one of the items taken from the Nightmare.

I want to re-post a bit of dialogue that may have gotten overlooked. It's not critical by any means, but is yet a little clue or piece of info that, eventually may somehow come up again:....
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Novembre Clacza
Inquisitor of Pharasma

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"That castle piece,... may I see it for just a moment, please?"

Looking at it only briefly, but concernedly, the Inquisitor is stumped. But she has a theory:

"I think this is a magical component, like a spell component, but for a Gate that leads, well, I don't know to where but another Plane. Look at the door etched on the bottom. The coldness and grayness of it makes me think The Shadow Plane, but the material composition is more, I am unsure, Silver-of-'The First World.'

"Can you tell me where you found this?"

I further Edited Slide 2 for a correction:

The three cauldrons of Holy Water are in B14 where you fought the Zombie. You have not yet entered B9 where you have been informed that a patient admitted to Briarstone (Ulver Zandalus) has been isolated there, a patient who arrived because of 'magical' Nightmares. From B14 you hear shambling sounds in B9 and chose to not yet explore it.

IC the dwarf might act desperate for the weapon but ooc im not. We can roll a die for anyone who wants it to see who gets it. Regardless, I’m sure we will have plenty of options by the time we are done so there isn’t any pressing concern.

I would assume we know what weapons seem familiar and what dont.

If that is the case Bat would not take it as its not something she is familiar in using. A Club, yes. This metal ball with spikes nope

Yeah, that's certainly a great way to roleplay it -- if you know (and presumably you do) what even the most basic of your character build is -- that you'll feel as though you're proficient with this or that once you get a hand on it. .... The opening scenes (both in the Nightmare *and* in Biarstone before you can rest-for-8-hours and get your paperwork from Dr. Eliege Losandro's chamber, are specifically designed with an attempt at just keeping dice rolls just a naked d20. So, like, most stuff you find is an improvised weapon. But, you know, when you throw a Vial of Holy Water at a Zombie, I'm not interested in BAB, DEX, Range Increment, blah blah blah. Not now. Of course that will be a thing later. But now I'm just trying something more amateur, more simple, in order to focus on atmosphere and roleplay. Again, yeah the Morningstar is Masterwork, but that cool-beans +1 to attack rolls is not something I'm interested in for the moment.

Thanks for the questions and Keep Them Coming!
(I think Discussion is SO important in a Play-by-Post. I can't see the look on youur face, hear the tone of your voice, feel the temperature of the room. It all relies on Discussion.)

C6 is the chapel to Pharasma, a place Hallowed area where your sleep will be shielded from the nightmares. Sleeping anywhere else in Briarstone will not offer respite from the nightmares.

Still, asking about the Cauldrons of Holy Water in B14 was good.

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PS: I am really pleased how Gameplay is taking off now that some uncertaintly and concern is passed. It just so happens that things really, really, are hurting at work this week and next. I'm here but boy oh boy are each of my days sucking right now. I mention it because, well, no good reason, just had to vent.

Combat:

The two Zombie nurses will notice you once you come in -- but when you step in and then step back out, they stop and return to try to get to Ulver Zandalus beyond the bars. (Bottlenecking doesn't appear to work as living flesh is present opposite you; remember they are mindless: closest blood means closest food.)

The Zombies go on Zero Initiative. Last. So post what you want to do.

Y'all know who has a stool leg and who has the morningstar. More importantly to me, y'all *each* have some Vials of Holy Water. At the end of combat we can count how many of the 26 you will have used up. For now, throw 'em as though you got 'em!

If someone wants to reenter room B14 (where the 3 cauldrons are) and enter B9 from that angle, the squares are there to count. The door to B14 is closed (y'all listened at it a few sessions ago but didn't open it. So a Standard Action opens it).

Remember, no Charging; you're too fatigued/ehausted.

And just roll that d20 to fling Holy Water or swing a weapon.

Hmm.... That makes sense. The baton would be a simple weapon (club) which my character would know. So it doesn't feel weird in his hand. That morningstar just looks heavy and dangerous.

Hmmm so we could 5 ft step in the room lure them close and let them get closer to throw holy water and beat them with sticks!!! Then pop back out.

Just try to make sure and move your 'tokens'/'avatars' appropriately. Khardon Dourstone opened the door and threw a Vial rolling very well (despite the range). Y'all can Move around him or through his square.

Let me know if you can see -- or not see -- the entire Slide for combat.

Slide 2 right? Done.

Did both attacks hit?

C6 is the chapel to Pharasma, a place Hallowed area where your sleep will be shielded from the nightmares. Sleeping anywhere else in Briarstone will not offer respite from the nightmares. ** spoiler omitted **

Still, asking about the Cauldrons of Holy Water in B14 was good.

I have confusion. This post **seems** to indicate that the room the cauldrons are in is in fact Hallowed:

Autumn Evanescu

Priest of Pharasma

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"The three cauldrons you mention, as long as the room remains Hallowed to Pharasma fresh water will appear to fill them each morning at dawn. We the Priests must Bless the Water for magical healing -- and to combat the Undead. It is Holy Water. If we can get access to vials, or anything that can hold water, we can arm ourselves with Holy Water with which to fight the Undead.

But, then you claim otherwise here:

Autumn Evanescu

Priest of Pharasma

"We know that the chapel is still a Hallowed sanctuary and will protect us from Nightmares if we sleep there. The three cauldrons in the surgery room, however, they are just enchanted to Create Water to fill each day. We have to Bless the Water (an easier task because the Cauldrons are sanctified to Pharasma) in order for it to become Holy Water. But unfortunately, sleeping near them won't shield us fom the preternatural nightmares."

So which is it? Is B14 not actually Hallowed to fill the cauldrons with water every morning at dawn? If not, that might be problematic as we just used a fair amount of the water in them to drink, wash up, and fill the 26 vials.

If it is indeed Hallowed, then can the Pharasmans just not regain their spells unless in the actual chapel dedicated to her?

Or, can they try to sleep within B14, and with us guarding them, perhaps get enough rest to restore their spells?

My understanding of it based on past posts is that the room is hallowed 'enough' to create holy water each day, but not hallowed 'enough' to allow for nightmare-free rest that is needed to recover spells.

Ooh boy what a Wednesday -- sorry I couldn't get here.

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Gameplay: I went a little overboard in describing the Zombies getting hit in 'Round 1' while they were Flat-Footed. One never even made it. The second though, despite all the flavor text of turning and stepping and blah, blah, well, it was Flat Footed. At the very bottom of Initiative that Zombie would shamble forward, provoking AoOs by Moving into Torch's Square. So I'm treating some dice rolls as AoOs. Then 'Round 2' will have happened and everyone can go again before my Zombie gets to eat Torch's brains. I am going to check Gameplay now, but I'm pretty sure the Zombie will be destroyed before it can attack. .... Also, I have to play fast-and-loose with the door closing action. Get someone to say, 'Hey don't close it while friends are in there' kind of thing. I'm certain this was just a case of not seeing the updated Google Slide and realizing three PCs had already entered the room with the Zombies. (Heading to Gameplay in a second,...)

@ Monkeygod,

Holy Moly, I am shocked and appaled that Autumn Evanescu is a Liar. But it's all her fault! ... no really, sorry about that. I'll take the blame for her mispoken words. I made mistakes, but maybe have a little excuse. At the time I was (Metagame) concerned that I was Turtling the Players and obviously went too far in the, 'Hey, you're actually in a Good-Guy place overrun by Bad-Guys, rather than the *you're-all-stuck-in-an-Evil-place-with-no-hope* vibe. Then there's the actual Briarstone I edited from the "In Search of Sanity" AP volume. The land once belonged to The Briarstone Witch and her Evil Stank permeates the ground. But she has been exorcized and the ground consecrated. But now an Evil Nightmare is flooding the area. And there are parts of Briarstone that are like the Hollywood cliche trope of 'Oh the church is holy ground' stuff.

C6 is an actual church / temple / chapel of Pharasma and Undead or Evil Outsiders trying to get in have to make a Will Save and even then will be weaker if they succeed and step inside. Because of Pharasma's sanctity there, Nightmares can't affect your ability to rest for eight hours if there. .... As far as the cauldrons go, Yes, they are 'Of Pharasma' with her Symbol on them. They Create Water when they are emptied (once per day max) and the magic items themselves are non-rule-mechanics-"Blessed" by Pharasma. So they are nice objects for Flavor but their only Crunch is to Create Water. If an idea or suggestion of Flavor is so novel and interesting that I am forced to add some Crunch, hey absolutely I will. Like, I have no problem with y'all moving(dragging) them into C6 once you clear a pathway 'to' C6. (and rest for 8 hours cuz you can't Drag right now) Even though I liked the design idea of having your water source away from your sanctuary, it was a cool thought. Anyway, I do apologize for communicating that badly. I hope this clears it up. Yet another example of why Discussion is very beneficial. I totally see the confusion I caused.

Combat is over.

Khardon Dourstone did not have to throw that Holy Water wherein he rolled a 5 -- so only four vials of Holy Water were used (someone can double check that if they like; I'm going off memory) -- leaving the group with 22 Vials of Holy Water. Likewise, his PC was never in reach of a Zombie so his weapon roll was not used.

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I did move some of the PC avatar-tokens to kind of explain line-of-sight and line-of-affect and such.

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Now there's Ulver Zandalus. (And while his avatar-token may be from 'Curse of the Crimson Throne' well, the avatar of the canonical Ulver Zandalus is just not the right fit! This 'Salvatore Scream' token-avatar is a perfect Ulver Zandalus!)

No worries Ray! Also, apologies if I possibly came across as hostile or accusatory in my last post. Absolutely was not my intention, as I was just rather confused and looking for clarification. However, upon late night reflection while laying in bed, I realized I might be a lil hostile in my post. Again, sorry if that was the case.

I'm off to a doc appt, but hopefully the NPCs will reply to my last in game post about Ulver and the "thing behind the tapestry" by the time I return.

I love reading the posts here. Humor! 'Salvatore Scream' token-avatar

"No-Name" is Almonihah. He says he doesn't care for now so sure.

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@ Monkeygod, I did not feel any negative vibes when I read your request for clarification. I almost just went back to reread your post but then stopped myself -- I didn't read it originally with any thought of anything negative; why would I go back to reread it to see if it felt negative on the second time of looking?

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@ Lemming, Picking Tokens/Avatars for NPCs and posts has been both fun and frustrating. Salvatore Scream from CotCT just *Looks* like Ulver Zandalus to me! But thos Nurse Zombies. I dunno. I also will have to consider whether to get a new Zombie token/avatar. I mean, there are a finite number of nurses and that number is smaller than the number of Zombies. But if I use a different token/avatar for a Zombie just because it had a different look in life, would that cause consternation amongst the PCs who wonder if it has a different stat-block? Do I perhaps *want* to throw a curveball early on to the PCs-- You see a Zombie but it has a different token/avatar than the Undead Nurse; is it different mechanically?! Mwahahaha! I don't know yet.

I figured I was No-Name. :D

Ray, just a reminder cuz I know you're busy and I don't want it to get lost in all the posts, but I'm awaiting a reply from Autumn and Novembre:

While the others attack the zombies, he ponders the words Ulver mutters. She turns to the pair of Pharsmans. "That kinda sounds similar to what that thing behind the tapestry kept saying. Do you think the two are somehow linked? I hate to say it, but I'm thinking more and more that the best decision for us is to put that poor man out of his misery."

Sorry 'bout that:
It does indeed seem similar. That is clear. In order to keep the onus on the PCs, Autumn Evanescu would prefer more proof/more info -- and Novembre Clacza is willing to pull the trigger without it. 50/50 from the NPCs. That leaves the PCs to vote. Not even sure what the vote is yet, kill Ulver Zandalus; free him; heal him; try to think of more questions in case that works? Whatever.

Regarding water: Vials of Holy Water aren't enough to quench thirst. You'll need a larger container.

If we can't think of any new stuff *at-this-time* for Ulver Zandalus -- no problem -- we can go up the hall toward B11, B12.

Note: Something is a bit ambiguous on the map because it doesn't exist in canon but I altered it: The way to enter B1 (the fog-shrouded inner courtyard with at least a couple Zombies) -- not that you are yet considering it -- is through the door across from B9/B14. The longer chamber with no number. It's part of B1.

Can you make a post in game, as I have an idea, but I wanna suggest in reply to them?

At the game store buying new miniatures. I will post something and try to be novel; this was the earlier post:

Autumn Evanescu

Priest of Pharasma

"I can not know whether killing Ulver Zandalus would bring an end to this. Aerwyn Savoia seemed to believe there is a connection, perhaps even some causal factor, but I would like some hard evidence, preferably proof, before killing a patient. Murder on a hunch feels dark. Of course, we don't even know what you'll find when you open the door to the solitary confinement chamber -- whether Ulver Zandalus is even still alive."

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Novembre Clacza
Inquisitor of Pharasma

"Perhaps you'll consider me just another "cold" Inquisitor but, Autumn's superior clearly felt there was a connection -- when I get sufficient nightmare-free rest I can use Divination magic to determine if Ulver Zandalus is Evil. If he is, that's sufficient 'evidence' for me to promote his execution -- if there is even a chance of saving the doctors, clerics, and patients remaining in Briastone. (Not to mention, who knows how far the nightmares and fog have spread, to Thrushmoor and Hallowfeld or even beyond.)"

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Autumn Evanescu
Priest of Pharasma

"We know that the chapel is still a Hallowed sanctuary and will protect us from Nightmares if we sleep there. The three cauldrons in the surgery room, however, they are just enchanted to Create Water to fill each day. We have to Bless the Water (an easier task because the Cauldrons are sanctified to Pharasma) in order for it to become Holy Water. But unfortunately, sleeping near them won't shield us fom the preternatural nightmares."

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While the others attack the zombies, he ponders the words Ulver mutters. She turns to the pair of Pharsmans. "That kinda sounds similar to what that thing behind the tapestry kept saying. Do you think the two are somehow linked? I hate to say it, but I'm thinking more and more that the best decision for us is to put that poor man out of his misery."

Regarding water: Vials of Holy Water aren't enough to quench thirst. You'll need a larger container.

I know this was previously mentioned but.... could you elaborate on this? Even if the vials are one-ounce vials, which is probably on the light side of things (in the CRB, a single flask of holy water weighs one POUND. Even if you assume the bottle itself counts as half the weight, that would still come out to eight approximate ounces of water to make up half a pound of weight)..... but even if they are in fact just one ounce vials, it doesn't sound like there is anything stopping us from just.... drinking multiple vials. If I drink eight vials that are one ounce each, I've drunk an eight ounce glass of water.

There are apparently hundreds of gallons of water in the cauldrons, so running low is not our problem. I get that we don't have a way to carry volume QUICKLY, but I'm a little confused over the assertion that drinking the holy water doesn't quench thirst. Am I just misunderstanding?

Is it because Holy Water is usually infused with minerals and oils?

Ray, on second thought, I don't actually need an in game post from ya. The recent ones by the PCs will be suffice. I'll reply later tonight.

I remember when I was younger and a Sunday like that one (Super Bowl party AND climactic-chapter-ending D&D session vs BBEG) wouldn't make me a Zombie all Monday long! It wasn't even super busy at work yesterday but I was absolutely exhausted. I feel better after a good seven hours of sleep!

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Regarding Holy Water Vials: This is pretty Meta; I have been wrestling whether to put it in a Spoiler Tag. It's adventure-design stuff.

Hope this helps! And keep asking questions!

@ Critzible,
Best use of a straight jacket, Ever.

Reading Gameplay it looks like the majority are content to leave Ulver Zandalus locked up for the immediate future. And continue searching Briarstone for a way to get to the chapel.

But the idea of bringing Ulver Zandalus *to* the 'Monstrous EYE' covered by the tapestry to find out what happens if they see each other is the first solid proposal as to try to get new information.

I'm going ahead and move the group up to B11 and B12 (in the next few hours; I gotta get some work done since, uh, I am at work.) -- for the record, I thought y'all were going to encounter B12 and B11 before you even got to B14 and B9, let alone B5. So I am Happy for this.

I've always wondered how a vial of holy water ONLY weighed 1 pound.... Check out the spell used to make it. Where does the 5 pounds of silver dust go!?!

Ray, important question(which, I suppose would be relevant beyond this immediate moment):

When we realized what a Strigoi was or when we remembered who Pharasma is, how much exactly do we know? Ie, do we know she's the goddess of Death or that they're a type of vampire? In another words, how much of what we possibly knew about these things *before* our amnesia do we suddenly remember?

Just in case, I'll make a d20 check here: 1d20 ⇒ 19 Specifically on the Strigoi.

Check out the spell used to make it. Where does the 5 pounds of silver dust go!?!

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LOL
Yeah, the number of times I memorize that deeply into RAW is pretty small. Ah well, hopefully we can still have fun.

Ray, important question,

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*excellent question.

I spent weeks thinking through this off-and-on while I was designing everything. Considering this or that. And ultimately coming to a conclusion: In general I felt I'd like to keep it somewhat open-ended. I knew the first scene was a nightmare anyway and can have different physics and 'mentality.' And for the first few encounters in Briarstone, I knew that it should be pretty quick when PCs get to the chapel for rest and get their basic info from the office of Doctor Eliege Losandro. Of course, PbP makes it last forever, but we're actually still in the opening game session if this were over-the-table. Open-ended means I can keep it a little fluid, keep a little uncertainty or ambiguity. Which I felt would be good.

*But*! I also decided I wanted to convey some info to the PCs for effect. So my rule-of-thumb is one of "Common Knowledge": I think everyone in Ustalov would recognize Pharasma and Desna. As for other stuff, here's something I typically consider-- If I went to a person who never played D&D and asked them to describe a Vampire I think they could -- even if specific powers would be different depending who I asked. I think if I used the word 'strigoi' in Romania the average person would say "Vampire." But still 'common knowledge.' I think in the US after 'The Strain' lots of folks would know Strigoi. But Ah Ha! I am purposely keeping it uncertain if the in-game Strigoi are like that in the show (with Worms like Kyuss Spawn), or actually more like Romanian Folklore (just Vampires), or more like the D&D "Mohrg." That kind of detail will require an actual character sheet and Skill check. (remember in Gameplay when Wyatt was saying 'faceless monster' while an actual Inquisitor with Lore said "Facelss Stalker" -- common knowledge vs trained lore)

Right now your characters all know what you think a person who never played D&D might know -- as well as things so ubiquitous in Ustalov that, for that part of the Campaign Setting, everyone would be aware.

It's not a perfect answer. I knew designing this that the beginning would be very unusual. My initial design was for my home-game group where we take turns DMing -- me in the Pathfinder setting, my friend for the Greyhawk setting. And this would have been the introduction of Ustalov to the group. I always DM in Varisia, Cheliax, or Absalom. So this to them would have been a completely blank slate. Never heard of Ustalov. And I wanted a session where they didn't have to have a character ready made. Let them feel the setting and the game first, and try to get a horror atmosphere.

For us it's a little harder. You gotta make 'something' in Recruitment. And the opening encounters take much longer than in a homegame over the table.

So, specifically:

1) What would be the first 'one-or-two-sentence' answer most PF fans would give to describe Pharasma to someone who's never played? .... Those two sentences are what you know!

2) What would the average person who has never played D&D, and is only vaguely aware of the tv show and Romanian folklore *think* they know about Vampires or Strigoi? .... That's what you know!

Take the Silverado dagger and robes and search the office to then throw at the dying strigoli

That's actually more or less what I thought, so it's a totally fine answer! Thanks for a quick reply!

I assume the door added to room 11 on slide 2 will open?

Could everyone place themselves where they want to be on slide 2 when the door gets opened?

Yes, there is a small cupboard/pantry connecting B11 and C9. It has spoons and forks, towls; it has bowls and plates and cups. It has salt and even a few jars of vinegar, alcohol for drinking, and food oil.

The Strigoi is helplessly pinned in the rubble. Getting close to it 'may' bring you in reach of its tongue attack. Covering it with rubble not in its immediate vicinity is possible. Throwing Holy Water on it from afar will kill it. Trying to remove the rubble around it to make a path to continue up the hall (north) may inadvertantly free it.

I'll give everyone a bit more time to roleplay something to say or do, just in case -- then Wednesday late morning or so go ahead and describe the encounter in C9.

we could throw salt on it

Is there a way to climb up/around the pile of rocks pinning the Strigoi and pour holy water on it from above/out of reach of it's tongue?

Y'all can move your tokens if you prefer -- but at Initiative only one PC in C9, the one who would likely be leading. My gut tells me Khardon Dourstone would be in front, but it doesn't matter to me. I also figure everyone else will be just behind him ready to go in with some Holy Water vials.

Faceless Stalker Initiative: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22
The monster has a slight bonus to Initiative as opposed to the fatigued PCs who are just unmodified d20s.

EDIT:
Oh, holy moly, I am going first; I guess PC Initiative doesn't matter in this case. I will go ahead and post my 1st Rd Actions in Gameplay in a minute or two and let ya'll post accordingly.

Note: If you want to adjust your starting position before Rd 1 to represent a 'marching order' you're comfortable with, go for it. Note again that only one person can be in that opening square in C9 prior to Round 1.

I was hoping to get clothes and stuff off the corpse. Maybe look at it and see what is up with it.

The dead priest with the Silver Dagger? .... Yes, she has a purple robe and a basic Cleric/Priest outfit. No problem. It is the property of 'Bat' now.

As I recall, the group has a masterwork Morningstar, a +1 Silver Dagger, a Sap (the baton), four improvised-weapon stool legs, ... and 23 remaining Vials of Holy Water. I don't know for certain who has what; y'all ought to.

You remmeber Novembre Clacza the Inquisitor telling Autumn Evanescu that Holy Water does *not* work on Faceless Stalkers as they're not Undead nor Evil Outsiders. (They tried to test to see if you were Zombies at first.)

I have the baton and one vial of holy water. I would take more but I don't have pockets and didn't grab a straight jacket to carry things.

I have the makeshift shield, makeshift Club, straight jacket sling bag, and the Downed priests clothes, the dagger should be to Scaple