GM - The Serpent God's page

The four cells are indeed empty and look to not have been used in many years. Perhaps whatever prisoners the ghouls captured where never kept alive long(the turning of Captain Korvosa being a true testament to that).

The bone altar in the southern half of the room is exactly what it appears to be. Bones taken from the dead and piled to help in the worshiping of the dead serpent god.

And to the north the stone door held in the jaws of the carved snake head is shut. Ash, scorch marks, and empty vials litter the floor before the door. Isandril finds what appears to be runes etched at the base and top of the door but them seem faded and burned away.

Jonagher steps up at the find and comments, "A trap. And it looks like it was set off by the ash and marks on the floor. No body so whoever set this off must have survived."

The rest of the room is empty of anything interesting and Jongaher starts to check the door for more traps.

I will remember to roll checks to help speed things along when needed. The check I was asking for was not only for your searching the temple, but also a way for me to know when everyone has checked in and is ready for me to advance the thread.

Which I will know do tomorrow night regardless.

Temple

This long chamber evokes the feel of an ancient, hideous cathedral. The walls are carved with images of serpents walking upright like humans, snakes coiling around and eating hapless women and children, and stranger scenes. Four stone pillars carved like coiling snakes support the vaulted ceiling 30 feet above. Four small cells blocked by rusted bars sit in the walls to the east and west. To the north, an immense carving of a snake’s head looms, an ash-caked door clenched in its jaws, while to the south rises a horrific mound of bones and partially decayed bodies in an eight-foot-tall heap arranged almost as if to evoke the imagery of a coiled snake made of corpses.

Perception checks as you search the room please.

The group then takes and explores the rest of the Caves of the Mother.

From the room were the main fight took place they follow a narrow cave that curves like a serpent. Along the walls are numerous carvings of snakes and skeletons. At the end of the tunnel is a hideous mound of bones and seaweed that forms a nest, in what must be the mother's lair.

Then the group follows the banks east of where they found the treasure chest noting that when the tide is up this stretch of beach will be under water. Faint sunlight shines on the western most walls giving the group an emergency way out should they need it.

Finding an empty room that is not defiled is also a boon. The gravel-like floor is flat and smoothed enough to give a good place to camp since they will be spending the night waiting for Torden and the others to return.

Another tunnel connects that room to a small cove with strange cave scrawlings in Aklo all over the walls. The script is easily read by those who know the dark language.

Here and there about the room their are blood stains (probably from the bodies used as the ink for the writing), bones and drift wood thrown in piles.

Confident that they have explored everywhere and found no signs of secret areas the group enters the area they only saw in passing. The room they saw that had worked stone in it.
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Complete MAP

The battle over the caves become still and quiet. Catching their breathes and relieved that nothing else has jumped out of the darkness at them the group searches the area and Jonagher and Origen the bodies. Besides a few pieces of jewelry Orgien's arcane sight finds two items of magic on the decapitated body of the undead priestess.

A ring and the skull of a snake that was once on a leather thong around her neck. Looking about Orgien gets a pull as if he is detecting something close by but not in the groups current room. He walks to the edge of the water and the pull becomes stronger.

Concentrating and wading out hip deep into the water Jonagher and Origen find the source as the others cover them.

On a ledge not far from where the ghouls died is a treasure chest overflowing with coins. Around the open chest are potion vials and a small pouch. The vials are what must have caught Origen's detection. The two men bring the chest back to shore and lay out the items they have found.

I'm waiting on responds from my spoilers and do we wish to do an auto search from here on out.

Mother Thrunefang has noticeable jewelry on her that might be worth some cash back in civilized lands and it might be magical.

If you like to set up an SOP for after combat that is fine it would help to move things a long a bit.

And also and the big one - Hate to say it but there is nothing left to fight here in the caves. You all pretty much drew the ghouls out and took care of them. So would you like a large post of exploring (along with the whole map posted up) and ending up in this dungeons main chamber?? So we can move on to a little RP from there?

Yuwwa notices that water coming into the caves is indeed saltwater that must mean their could be a way to swim out if needed. From here spot at the water line she does indeed see the tide marks that mean when the tide is up the water comes in another ten to fifteen feet.

See ooc please.

EDIT:

COMBAT OVER

EXPERIENCE: 4,400xp total (includes festrogs from before); 730xp each

Experience tracker

Round 11

Mother Thrunefang sits on her knees her head turned toward the ceiling her arms raised, as if looking for divine intervention to her plight.

COMBAT MAP: HERE

Isandril draws dark blood and Jonagher knows shooting into the combat is all but useless. He drops the bow and rushes forward pulling out is short blade and screaming.

"DIE! WITCH!"

The distraction of the two warriors allows for Aedalis to snap his whip around the creatures bare feet and pull her down with a loud splash.

The dirge snaps the whip back as an electric charge from Yuuwa shocks her while she is still on all fours.

"NO! NO! You will not destroy me!" she says rising to her knees her back to the group. "By Ydersius, vengeance will be mine. By the beheaded serpent god I will feast on your bones!"

She raises her arms to the ceiling as another wave of dark energy engulfs those near her. The negative energy seems to seek the life within each of you and snuff it out like wind trying to blow out a candle.

Meanwhile Brynmor and Origen try and finish the captain ghoul before it can join and help it's mother. The large blade punctures through the soft corpse of the undead creature coming out it's back covered in dark blood. The eyes of the creature light up in recognition of what has happened and the two men think they see a small smile on it's lips as it dies.

Round 10
Perceptions

The fighting has gone from over a half a dozen enemies to just two. There is no more noises coming from other areas of the caves to add to the din of battle.

The group realizes if they can defeat these last two monsters they may just have cleared this den of it's evil inhabitants.

COMBAT MAP: HERE

Ending Round 9

Mother Thrunefang starts to giggle, 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (4) + 11 = 15 but the joke has little effect on the creature. "Maybe were I still alive that would have been funnier," she intones in a raspy laugh. "Or better yet, how about you all become dead like me and never laugh again!"

She strikes out at Isandril with tooth and claw. One of the claws finds a vulnerable spot in his armor and her clawed hand buries itself deep into the elf's flesh.

The spiritual weapon moves at her mental direction and aims for the priestess of Gozreh. "Biting" Yuuwa once more before it vanishes away.

Yuuwa makes a five-foot step north, defends herself from the Ghoul's spiritual weapon, and sends another healing burst to wash away that horrendous wave of pain. She attempts to draw MotherGhoul's attention to her. "Gozreh is my guide and protector! I'll not become one of yours!"

Channel Positive Energy(3 of 6) 2d6 ⇒ (4, 4) = 8 30'radius 2d6 heal my crew (DC 13: Will save 1/2) 6/day, no AO)

Since the holiday is around the corner I'm hoping to end this round tonight.

Heading to work now if Yuuwa and Byrnmor get a chance to go then great. If not enough time just list an action here and I will make your rolls and such for you.

Just wish to have it so everyone can post sometime during this busy weekend.

Origen's Perception:

The sorcerer steps up to help Brynmor and his magical bolt of acid does just that. As the magic from his ioun stone lights up the area in the tunnel a little better Origen sees the second ghoul and gasps in surprise.

The thing his almost totally different from the others that are in the tunnel. It still has straggle strains of hair coming from the top of it's head and face. It's skin is a light violet and not the deep purple of the others and making it easy to identify Captain Kovack's hooked nose and high cheek bones.

Even if his features would have been to obscure the things clothing (which is more whole than all the others) would have given the captain away. The blue coat with it's brass buttons and white trousers now dirty and bloody were what the captain always wore.

It seems the note was right the captain was turned into a mindless undead minion.

Yep your IC was a little confusing and then I read your OOC and thought that was what you were taking about (Dazzling Display) when you said threatening with the whip.

DO you wish to have me change that to Aedalis casting the Daze spell? Or do you wish to keep the shaken effect? Will give you 24 hours to decide - but note having a creature shaken before you cast an spell like that gives them a -2 to their save roll.

Round 9

Mother Thrunefng finds herself alone with the group of adventures but each of you can see it in her eyes, she will not stop till you are all dead or she is.

COMBAT MAP: HERE

Isandril and Jonagher cautiously move up setting themselves to engage the creature together. Jonagher draws his short bow not wishing to get mauled by a set of claws once more.

Aedalis cracks his whip as he moves up causing the creature next to Mother Thrunefang to quiver and raise a hand to cover it's face. Aedalis notices with a small smile that even she seems unnerved by his display.

Yuuwa moves up behind the line and calls forth a burst of divine energy. The blue light that looks like an ocean wave crashing through the air washes over the two ghouls. The weakened ghoul screams out in pain. "Moottthhheerr....." before it falls face first into the water, it's purple skin smoldering.

The undead priestess turns with murder in her eyes as she sees the source of the divine energy. She points at Yuwwa and the serpent tooth like dagger floats through the air towards her. Seeing the glowing weapon out of the corner of her eye Yuuwa manages to dodge the strike of the dagger. "No you will all die! And become my children!" Mother Thrunefang screams as dark energy like a thousand black serpents burst out towards the group. When the energy passes through you and the pain is dire.

Meanwhile a patiently waiting Brynmor swings at the advancing ghoul. But the narrow confines make it hard to swing. He misses and is glad his armor protects him from the claws of the thing as it tries to kill him in turn.

Super busy weekend will update the round tomorrow morning. Sorry for the delay to much to do + extra busy at work.

Looks like this needs a bump. Anyone may go I will change INIT's as I'm guess characters wait for the darkness to drop or jump ahead of others.

The scroll to dispel loses it's magical writing but does the job. As the darkness dissolves the four floating globes of light reappear and show Mother Thrunefang by the waters edge.

She turns from the creature in the water hissing.

The water logged ghoul looks like the one Byrnmor wounded from the large gash across the things chest and abdomen.

Updated map. With the lights on.

Correct the Dancing Lights were not on the spells in effect spot because well they were not in effect. Not because they were gone.

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COMBAT MAP: HERE

Round 8

The fang-like dagger draws blood as it leaves a large gash down Aedalis's arm, side, and leg.

COMBAT MAP: HERE

As Brynmor speaks he hears the pair of ghouls from the first room making their way to the tunnel. They stop at the entrance clawed hands holding onto the wall as they prepare to charge the rear guard.

A splash echoes throughout the tunnel like the sound of something diving into a pool of water. It seems to be coming from down the tunnel the ghoul fighting Brynmor retreated. Tunnel #5

"You shall all pay for this. Yes! Yes! PAY!" the evil female caster ghoul hisses from the darkness. "But first feel the bite of Ydersius! Heheheheh hahahahah!"

Out of the wall of darkness a floating and glowing dagger of magical force appears. It is long and curved like the fang of a giant serpent. It lashes out at Aedalis, striking down as if it were part of an invisible mouth.

Advancing the round tonight (around midnight). Just need Yuuwa and Brynmor to give me some actions please.

Aedalis roll a Perception check as this might help IC

In the magical darkness Aedalis can sense the closeness of the ghoul before him, and he heard the ghoul Mother move back towards the north. The others have retreated and the bard stands alone before the evil creatures.

Your character knows on the map where each enemy is and can avoid AoOs. Also he knows that Isandril and Jonagher have moved behind him, and he has heard a few other party members enter the room.

Aedalis suddenly finds himself alone in the dark.

Aedalis, Yuuwa, and then Byrnmor are up.

Top of Round 7

Combat MAP: HERE

"NOOO!!"

"My children! You will suffer for this!" the ghoulish mother cries out and suddenly pain envelops Isandril, Jonagher, and Aedalis fom head to toe.

It is as if a thousand bees were stinging them all from the inside as well as the outside.

The remaining ghoul savagely attacks the blinded Jonagher as he swings his sword wildly to keep it at bay. Aedalis's whip strikes the thing but only seems to fuel it's rage as it savages the poor half-elf with claws and teeth.

Meanwhile outside the blackness - Brynmor has managed to scare off the ghoul that came out of nowhere. It's wounds severe it moves quickly around the corner and into the darkness. Yuuwa can see the light from her spell being engulfed by a wall of darkness. From within she hears the others battling for their lives.

As the warrior steps to pursue Origen grabs his arm. "Leave it! That thing from behind us is back. And I think it brought a friend." the sorcerer says seriously.

Origen can tell the creature is back at the edge of the tunnel and he can see two sets of eyes glowing from the faint light that reaches out from his ioun stone.
Nat 20 had to reward you.

End of Round 6

Aedalis to finish the round
.

If he doesn't know yet, but the ghoul apparently can't reach him for an AoO, I'd prefer him to hit Yuuwa with a protection from evil for his standard action instead.

Noted will have take the case and cast pro. evil instead then.

NP with not posting Byrnmor's actons. Just when you post give me an idea of what you wish too do (crunch wise) as well as fluff wise.

He is still up btw.

Map squares are 5' x 5'

I don't think Origen would know about the spell from where he is at and with the ioun stone and lit trident around him.

So I will go with the take bolt case(move action), total defense(standard).

Brynmor is up then in the Gameplay tag.

Saw your edit about not fighting on the defense.

Wanted you to know that Fighting Defensively and Total Defense are two different animals.

With F-def. you would get to attack and with Total-D you would not.

F-def. you get +3 AC -4 to hit and...

Total-D you get +6 AC but no attack (it's a standard action, so could move down a hallway using this action) Giving you AC 23 - good for if something jumps out at you.

Origen is up and I am having a hard time determining what it is your character wanted to do - please re-post.

ROUND 6

Using his keen hearing Isandril hears the panting breath of the creature before him and lashes out with both his blades.

On target the pierce the things black heart and it cries out in shock and pain before slumping to the ground, dead once more.

Added this since I saw we are starting a new page.

It is the second lvl spell darkness so the effect is really the same as those in the CORE book pg.172 and being blinded pg.565

50% miss chance
loses DEX bonus to AC
-2 to AC
-4 STR and DEX to some skill checks and -4 to Perception checks that deal with sight
Need to make DC 10 Acrobatics check to move faster than half speed, or fall prone

Note you will have no line of sight for spells that rely on it.

As I messed that round up pretty badly Yuuwa is not paralyzed or wounded and please give me a square you wish to put Aedalis in.

BTW - from what I have read you can't make AoO's with a whip, as the crunch says you do not threaten an area in which you can make an attack. Is their errata on this?

Will do a ret-con in the game thread please list me your actions in an ooc or spoiler so I get them right.

Still top of the 6th.

Drat! Sorry about that I was waiting on actions from Brynmor. He didn't list any, but posted some good fluff. And yesterday was a long day.

I check in everyday but having time for major update is not always in the cards. If you feel you have waited to long (I would say anything over 48 hours) please post your actions as I will have the people before you possibly delay or go after you.

If you check Brynmor's INIT place changed to after Origen's as Eric posted up his actions.

If you are waiting for someone or something (Like Mother Thrunefang) to go please let me know - Had I known I would have caught the thread up to that point and then allow for your character to be next - and it would have been less work :)

Sorry again.

The darkness gives the ghouls the advantage but everyone can hear Joangher and Isandril as they continue to fight on.

Combat Map: HERE

With Isandril's charge Jonagher moves right beside the elf. "Time to die a second time! You ugly bastards!"

Aedalis steps up to cast a spell to help, while his inspiration feeds of the magic. He casts a pinprick of light at the creature known as Mother and is shocked when it has no effect whatsoever. "Be careful she is powerful," he says in warning.

"Since you defy me, you are only worthy to feed me and mine!" the homely creature retorts. "You value all this light to much. I think it is time to take it away." With a gesture and a toss of a stone the cavern goes dark, unnaturally dark.

Meanwhile Origen and Yuuwa start into the narrow tunnel, as Brynmor guards the rear. Having seen Origen take up the crossbow the warrior quickly doffs the case strap over his head and hands them to the sorcerer. "Lock and load!" :P

A startled yelp from Yuuwa turns them back to the woman who pulled ahead and they see her stabbing at a creature in the tunnel that turned south from the one they are following.

Top of Round 5

The cavern echoes with the croaked words from the creature as it stands and pets one of her children.

"...forever... forever....forever,"

COMBAT MAP - HERE

Please don't forget your Perception checks as they are still things about. If you don't roll you get an auto fail.

Suddenly a croaking female voice fills the caverns so that everyone can hear her.

"Who are you to disturb the Caves of Mother Thrunefang?" she says stepping into the light. Hideous to behold the woman is like a female version of the things Isandril and Jonagher fight. "Come here my children," she calls to the two creatures, who back away from the elf and half-elf and huddle near her seeking comfort.

Looking back towards the others she says with a wicked smile. "You seem a capable lot. You would make fine additions to my family. Join with me and live forever."

The creature alone near Brynmor and Origen slinks back into the dark out of sight of the greatsword wielding warrior. Origen notices the crossbow sitting at Brynmor's feet ready to be wielded.

Mother

End of Round 4

Hey gang I have been trying to update the OP site today.

Main thing was creating a Quick Find area for locating things somewhere in the past 14+ pages.

It's kind of like a links page - and not finished yet - but can be used to find info or get you close to a part of the story if you don't know what you are looking for but know about when it happened.

You can find the link under the Campaign Tag above and under the Adventure Log at the OP site.

Top of Round 4

..."Behind!! Behind!! They seek to catch us unawares!" Yuuwa screams gesturing with her trident at the tunnel near the top of the slope. Tunnel 1

From her position Yuuwa sees a clawed foot near the first tunnel entrance. Looking harder she sees a set of yellow glowing eyes reflecting the light from Origen's ioun torch. Spot on! One less and you would have missed the opposed roll due to distance.

Map is everyone's current location at start of round 4. To save from confusion will not post maps between rounds - only at the start of each round.

COMBAT MAP: HERE