Median's page

I get that, but why don't we assume that her father equips her quite well. She just didn't plan ahead correctly previously, since she didn't know it was a deathtrap. Now she knows. :)

Remember, Median isn't coming with you... you should take all the loot and leave her with nothing. :)

Whoops sorry. I just came in here to see if anyone wanted to take over the loot sheet, but looks like I was getting notifications for the main gameplay tab and not this one. Glad you made a copy.

Median speaks up when they are talking about going back to the crypt, wanting to go along. She wants to be there to point out any dangers that she forgot and, if they are going to try to restore it, to make sure they do it right.

When Prasst suggests that they go to Tamran and pretend to be Razmirian converts, she politely declines.

It seems like a good idea to discover who your enemies are, but Sarenrae recently miraculously saved my life, and I am not going to dishonor her by joining a cult. I also can't take the time away from my studies. If I have learned anything from this experience, it is that I am painfully and criminally weak. I must get stronger... there are plenty of other people around our age that you can send with them. I would be little help anyway.

Once the meeting is over, she goes to assist Braggar as usual, more studious and less mirthful than normal, but still doing her work and willing to talk as they work.

Median explains what happened to them, talking them through the illusion before they got there, being attacked by wolves, finding bodies, some with strange gold coins, and every inch of the deadly crypt... skeletons, the pits, finding Roldare, fighting the fire ghost which almost killed Garen, the sadistic arrow trap that almost killed her, fighting the statue, the frogs and the disease-ridden collapse in that area, the skeletons in water, the deadly room that they avoided because it seemed to be cooking things, more dead bodies, the one room that still seemed to retain some blessing, the destroyed murals with the deadly fountain, bat swarms, the ghost of Asar and their conversation with the ghost of Kassen.

She leaves out Sledge attacking her. That guy had it hard enough, and she wasn't going to make it worse.

Obviously the crypt is a deathtrap, and should never be used for a foolish play-acting challenge again. There is enough real danger in the world without needing that kind of fakery. I think it should be condemned. Trying to repair it, especially the flooded parts and that fountain, isn't worth it just to restore some inane tradition where you try to make something intentionally deadly a little less deadly, and hope teenagers don't die while going through it. Why would anyone try making a place of memory into a deathtrap in the first place? It obviously didn't stop the grave robbers that caused the ghosts to be disturbed. I don't understand the sadistic game and whoever designed that crypt. We should retrieve the bodies of the villagers and put them to rest here, maybe in a graveyard just outside of town, and seal that place. Nothing good can come of continuing the foolish tradition.

Median nodded to her father. Part of her still wanted to argue with him, but remembering her failures, she knew she had to do this. Power wasn't what her life had been about before, but if she was going to survive... if she was going to be able to protect her siblings, this was the only path. She just hadn't known how strong the evil out there in the world was before. She was the oldest; she would take this on so that her siblings wouldn't have to.

After the meltdown of the festival and arranging with Garen and the others to meet at the Mayor's office in the morning, Median finds her mother and Braggar, giving them each a hug and thanks for what they taught her that helped her stay alive. Then she gathers up her many siblings, makes sure they all load up on free food from the festival so that they will be well-fed through the night and into the morning, and then takes them home, where she gets them settled, giving them each one of the keys she found in the crypt, and finding some ribbon and string so they can wear them.

After things have calmed down and most of the kids are in bed, she goes into her father's study and tells him everything that happened, the entire blow-by-blow account.

She is happy that he isn't the tearful and weepy type, because right now she needs another mind to help her analyze, process, and decompress, which she realizes is one thing he has been helping her to learn all her life.

Thank you for the wands and the anytool. They came in handy and helped keep us alive, although I was mostly incompetent and would have definitely died without the others. I realized to my bones how weak I truly am. Please, teach me more and push me harder. I need to be as powerful as you have always wanted me to be, rather than what I have chosen to be thus far. I am too weak as I am. I know that now, and I ask your forgiveness for not seeing it sooner. I'll work as hard as it takes. I'll even give up the apprenticeship if needed.

One thing I do want to do is to be part of the group that goes back to that crypt. I personally want it destroyed, but if you think it can be cleansed instead, I still want to be there. I want to make sure no child of Kassen ever has to die there again.

Median feels amazing when she wakes up. A great dream sent by Sarenrae comforted her that she hadn't been abandoned when the snake left... it just wasn't needed to protect them anymore, and so had gone on to help someone else.

When she sees that Silvio and Sledge are sick though, she is somewhat sobered, wondering what is wrong.

Heal: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9

She has no idea, but is convinced that it is some lingering effect from that accursed crypt.

When they get back to Kassen and the mayor goes through his little speech, Median is somewhat incensed, but tries to keep her anger in check. The whole town would know soon enough. She didn't need to make a scene.

She steps away from her comrades, bringing the lamp with the everflame up to the mayor. When she gets there she motions for him not to speak, yet, and says, quietly, to him only if possible...

"The crypt has been cursed. It was a deathtrap full of undead and mutant frogs and things, and we are all that is left. We brought back Damira and Roldare, but Roldare is a little mentally broken, and everyone else is dead. Silvio and Sledge need medical attention as soon as possible... they might have been infected by some of the undead we fought, or any number of other things. Go on with the charade if you must, but this is not a time to rejoice."

She leaves the everflame with him, or lights something with it if expected, and then returns to stand with her friends until the mockery of a ceremony was over.

When Median noticed the snake was gone, she was somewhat sad, knowing that it was a gift of the goddess.

She looked around for it, just to make sure it was safe.

Survival: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 1 = 16

If she finds it, she will see if it will come with her, but if not, she whispers a prayer of thanks to it.

If she doesn't find it, she just offers a silent prayer, thanking Sarenrae, and really all the three for their help and assistance in preserving their lives.

_____________

Later, at camp, Median responds to Garen.

Could be. The Jackal story makes me think that a whole group should come out here and either shut this place down and seal it, or get enough people with the proper skills to cleanse it thoroughly. I personally prefer it being sealed, and maybe the bodies moved to a proper graveyard, but I know that the town has a particular attachment to that crypt, so guessing they will elect that option. Leaving it as is and sending teenagers to recover the flame is criminal though, and I'll say so to anyone who will listen. Something needs to change. That place is a sadistic deathtrap, whether it was originally designed that way or not. At the very least, that reflecting pool has to go, and the arrow trap is way too deadly. I still don't know how the undead got past that without being pummeled to death. Maybe Damira knew a way to turn it off?

I don't remember watch order either, but Median will volunteer for first watch.

Responding to Silvio, she says

Well, yes, it will be nice to get back to the forge, but really I just started doing that to get away from my father's endless tests of magic... and going through that, I wish I had studied more. I feel like, for instance, that I should be able to develop a fire spell that I can use as a cantrip so that I don't run out of fire, as I did too often in there. So, I am going to redouble my magical studies as well.

I don't know if they will keep doing it, but I am definitely not keeping any of this secret.

Median, carrying the lantern with the everflame, nods at Dimira as she goes to find her brother, and is happy that they were able to reunite them against the odds.

She once again prestidigitates Roldare clean, if allowed, and suggests they go back to the entrance to find Khuvaan. She also returns Roldare's bow, taking one they found as loot instead.

Once they are at the entrance she asks if everyone wants to spend the night here and start back in the morning, or if they want to start back now.

What do you guys think? I know it is early in the day, but I am sort of exhausted anyway. I vote rest, but totally understand if you guys want to get out of this place... I am feeling some of that too.

Median gathers up all of the things that they found that remain unclaimed and puts them into the bag of holding to take with them.

She tries on the magical bracers, although if someone else needs them, she willingly hands them over.

When Silvio asks about chasing them, she remains silent. She's just looking forward to getting back to town and her family, not on chasing after some cult looking for a treasure.

Median decides to try helping Silvio, in case he decides to undertake the ghost's mission.

Sir, Silvio is correct. We need to know everything you know. We are from your town, perhaps some of us are even your descendants. As you said, we have the knowledge about the key now, but they may already have all of the parts of the key. We can try to stop it before then, but if we can't, then how important is this to you? If you don't tell us where they are going, they may get there before us, and we won't be able to stop them. Who can you trust if not us?

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (13) + 9 = 22 (+1 if it is daylight outside)

Median takes the bag of holding to carry the group's loot, and accepts one of the warm scales, although she says nothing, not wanting to make a commitment that she couldn't get out of. She feels sorry for the ghost of Ekat, but doesn't understand why any deity would pull him out of heaven for something like that... there had to be another way back.

The "near endless" treasure and power sounded interesting, but she guessed that the claim was wildly exaggerated and the retrieval even more impossible than this had been... which they wouldn't have survived without direct holy intervention. It sounded more like a quest that her father would go on than one she would undertake.

What amulets did they steal, and what were the amulets for?

Definitely will look in the sarcophagus, but after the conversation.

After Median recovers from the sight of a ghost, which shocks her a lot less than it would have a week ago, she says

Okay, I have questions. Why did Asar kill you in the first place? You guys were adventuring companions, right? And then why did he come back from the dead? I am assuming that this doesn't happen every year when people come to light the lamp. ... And what does it feel like to be dead?

Median gets the lantern out of her pack (being careful to avoid harming the snake) and lights it from the everflame, which is what they were sent here to do, after all, even though it seems very anticlimactic after all they've been through.

When Damira asks about Roldare she says

He's still alive. He'll be glad to see you. He's a little mentally compromised from the stress, though, so just be gentle with him until we can get him to a safe place where he can hopefully recover.

Median moves up beside Garen to hopefully prevent Purple from getting to Damira.

Mace Attack: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 3 + 1 = 17 (bless)
Bludgeoning damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Median sees that Asar is in a severely compromised position, so she leaves Damira with the healing potion she had been bringing her "dropping" it from a game mechanic standpoint so that it doesn't consume any actions and moves over to try to help bring Asar down.

She swings down with her cold iron mace, trying to cave in Asar's evil skull for all the pain he had caused them.

Mace Attack: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 3 + 1 = 14 (bless)
Bludgeoning damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

Max damage was a lot to hope for there, but looks like it barely worked. So he should be down then, right?

Seeing the way is clear, Median moves to Dimira, and if she is able to take it, hands her the healing potion that Sledge saved for her all this time.

This is from Sledge. He thought you might need it.

That's a double move, so up to the DM whether I can use the remaining 20 feet of movement to help her drink it if she needs help. Also would give her water if I can... she's already been too long without it.

Median steps forward on the stairs in response to Silvio's urging.

Well done, Silvio Median breathes, relieved that at least some of these skeletons are killable.

She takes a step to the side and shoots at Purple, trying to clear the path to Damira. If they could do that, maybe they could get her out, even if they had to run from Asar.

Longbow Attack: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 4 + 1 = 13 (bless)
Bludgeoning Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 5

Does Garen get an AOO on Red because it just stepped out of his threatened square?

Median shoots at Red again with her blunt arrows.

Longbow Attack: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 4 + 1 = 21 (bless)
Bludgeoning Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 4

Median shoots at Red.

Longbow Attack: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 4 + 1 = 6 (bless)
Blunt Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 1

failing again.

Longbow Attack: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 4 + 1 = 9 (bless)
Blunt Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 6

Median fails to hit anything, again.

Median moves to the top of the stairs where she can get a good shot over her teammates' heads.

She sees Silvio go down, but also... the miracle of Damira alive? The three goddesses were blessing them. They must have a chance, despite the horrific strength of the thing, being able to take any of them down in one blow... hopefully?

She pulls a blunt arrow, to make sure she is doing the maximum damage possible, and then shoots at Asar.

Longbow Attack: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 4 + 1 = 10 (bless)
Blunt Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 3

She shook her head... she was letting doubt and fear creep in, and it was affecting her shots. She had to focus.

Well, if it is as final as you say, maybe we should make sure everyone is healed a little bit more. Gather up.

She makes sure everyone is within her 15 foot cone (Median is sure to get her own leg caught in the fire as well), and casts her last two burning hands spells, to heal rather than harm.

Burning Hands (to heal): 2d4 + 2 ⇒ (4, 3) + 2 = 9
Burning Hands (to heal): 2d4 + 2 ⇒ (1, 4) + 2 = 7

Half of that would be 4 and 3, so 7 total healing for everyone.

Then everyone goes back to their positions and prepares to open the door.

Median hopes there are no more bats, because she just used up her last magical energy, and can tell that she is going to have to rely on mundane means of fighting from here on.

Um, I think it is safe now.

Median says a quick, silent prayer, thanking Sarenrae, Desna, and Shelyn for their help in keeping them safe... and she asks if it is possible, for them to keep Damira safe a little longer until they can find her.

Then she moves so that she can cover the brass doors diagonally with her bow when they are opened.

Pressure plate on the bridge. Figures.

She looks around for something to tie a rope off to.

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15

She then wonders if they can all climb well enough to make that work or whether the bridge was safer even with the trap.

Maybe she should try disabling the trap instead?

She moves up to the pressure plate and looks for a way to disable it.

Disable Device: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23

Wow.

So, the statues are probably traps that will come alive and try to kill us Median says conversationally. Think we should just start shooting them now?

Also, I mean, we're getting a sense of this place now, and I'm betting the bridge is rigged as well. Chasm in the middle of a tomb?

Maybe we should just climb down into the pit and then back up the other side? ... Unless they predicted that we would try that...

She strokes the snake riding on the back of her neck, wondering how this place was going to try to kill them this time.

She looks down into the pit, trying to see if there were undead or anything horrible down there waiting for them.

She casts light on a copper piece and drops it down so she can see... although, looking into the pool in that last room was a mistake, so she isn't sure whether this is also something that could kill her.

How much time does Median estimate she has left on her mage armor? Not sure how long this is taking, but if she thinks it is close to running out, she will recast from the wand before going in.

Yep... the link in my tag line.

Yep, found an old chain. If my vision is correct, Asar Vergas is now undead, and he is the one that destroyed this room. But you know, can't trust visions from the pool, so...?

Median moves over to see if there is a carved inscription where Asar read it in the vision, or if that was just part of a painting that he ruined.

Then, whether she can find it or not, she follows the group into the next room with her bow ready.

There are still two potions labeled "healing" in the loot I believe, unless someone used them and I didn't notice, if anyone wants to pick them up for future use.

Will Save: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21

Median shakes off the false vision and then slips the chain into her pocket, disappointed that she can't find any way to destroy the pool.

UMD: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (10) + 9 = 19 (if it is daytime. If not, -1)

Tried the roll, but am looking more for a non-magical solution here. Can the edge of the pool be broken so that it drains?

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

Median responds to Garen

I need to rest a minute. Go on if you want to. I'll catch up.

She waits the full minute until the healing spell is done before moving forward.

While she waits, she tries to see how hard it would be to break the edge of the pool and drain it, so that it would be safe for others to pass in the future.

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22

Median gives a guarded nod to Sledge for the help, then she moves to assist Garen if possible. She approaches and tries to burn some of the bats that are surrounding him.

Burning Hands Damage: 2d4 + 2 ⇒ (2, 1) + 2 = 5 (Draconic Bloodline bonus)

DC 14 Reflex save for half.

Median claws at the bats that surround her.

AOO vs bats: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4
AOO Damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Fort Save: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 1 = 12 (pass, not nauseated)

She feels close to collapse, and thinks about using the healing potion Sledge had given her long ago... but she promised him she would save it for Damira, so she walks out of the swarm again, and then turns around to cast Burning Hands, doing what she can before she goes down.

Burning Hands Damage: 2d4 + 2 ⇒ (4, 3) + 2 = 9 (Draconic Bloodline bonus)

DC 14 Reflex save for half.

Then I assume I collapse because the bleed takes me to 7, which is equal to my non-lethal damage, and acting at zero hit points makes you fall down.

Oh, yes, sorry for forgetting.

Finally released from the spell and able to move, and surprisingly not feeling frightened anymore either, Median feels really hurt, but at least free.

She exits the swarm, then turns around and casts Burning Hands.

Burning Hands Damage: 2d4 ⇒ (3, 1) = 4

DC 14 Reflex save for half.

Note that Median won't let him grab her head if she can avoid it. You'll have to roll an attack/grapple to be that manipulative. Happy to roll an AOO if you make your roll.

Drop your weapon if you want, but I wouldn't be in a bat swarm if you weren't keeping me here, you utterly useless slime. DISMISS THE SPELL!

AOO vs bats: 1d20 + 3 - 2 ⇒ (10) + 3 - 2 = 11 (frightened)
AOO Damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Fort Save: 1d20 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (20) + 1 - 2 = 19 (pass, not nauseated)

Median moves as far as she can and claws at Sledge again.

Attack Sledge: 1d20 + 3 - 2 ⇒ (19) + 3 - 2 = 20 (frightened)
Damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Note... the attack should have been at a -2, but it missed anyway. Just noting that I forgot to add that in.

Will Save: 1d20 + 2 - 2 - 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 - 2 - 2 = 6

Median is now frightened out of her mind, unable to move, and REALLY REALLY pissed off at Sledge.

Her fingers elongate into claws and she tries to attack him in return.

Attack Sledge: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14
Damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Will Save: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4 (fail: frightened for 2 rounds)

She runs out of the room, but after the pool is behind her, she gets in control of herself and just stands there, trying to get her breath back. What in the world was that? A picture of the future?

She reached back to stroke the snake, hoping that would calm her down a little.

Double moved on the map.

"Agreed. Today."

Median waits until the rock is thrown, as though that would ensure that there isn't some kracken waiting in the shallow pool to kill them, and then she slips into the room as well.

No one in our town would hire people to come here. Everyone already knows about it. It isn't anyone we know. Treasure hunters maybe. How they got turned into undead though... that's a scary question.

Median clambers off the coffin, realizing that the shot was too difficult, and cleans herself up with prestidigitation. It felt good to get the blood off.

From her perch on top of a coffin, Median has a cleaner shot at yellow, and takes it.

Attack Yellow: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 4 + 1 = 9 (bless)
Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 2

... but unfortunately her arrow just bounces off another coffin. She kept getting the distance wrong. This was much harder than when her mother was instructing her in the woods.