Revival of the Runelords

[Rig Veda]

Rig shrugs. "Both ideas work, but we are already here. I say we finish this area before we move on."

[Floredana Mandulescu]

Flo shrugs her shoulders and falls into her place in the formation. "Let's get to it then!" she says with a smile.

[Cade Goodbarrel]

Cade nods his approval at Kargas and Rigs words.
Agreed, best not to leave our backside open.

[Rune GM]

The group proceeds through the door and up the passage.

To the right, the passage turns again and meets a dead end; this passage seems to have collapsed and is blocked by rubble. A few bone fragments can be seen in the rubble and it looks like some unfortunate was caught when then ceiling collapsed.

Dice:

Cade: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18
Colvyn: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (14) + 9 = 23
Floredana: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (10) + 10 = 20
Kargas: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13
Laurana: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17
Rig Veda: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18
Cade: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13
Colvyn: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (15) + 9 = 24
Floredana: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (20) + 10 = 30
Kargas: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21
Laurana: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15
Rig Veda: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21

Colvyn spots a bit of glitter in the rubble, and pulls out a tiny golden pendant, shaped like a seven-pointed star. Small semi-precious stones adorn each point, each stone a different color. The pendant does not radiate magic and you estimate it is worth about 50 gp.

Turning back and going west, the passage turns north after a short distance. It then branches with the passage continuing north alnd also heading to the east. The eastern corridor is a long narrow passage with flights of stairs going down. Each 5' flight is followed by a 5' landing, until the passage levels out after descending about 25'. This passage too is blocked by rubble, and no jewelry is found in it this time.

To the north the passage spreads out into a wider chamber with a statue of a fierce-looking woman in the center facing an entrance to the east. Beyond the statue to the north is a wooden door and it looks like a breach in the wall leads to the cavern you came from. The eastern passage ascends up stairs and appears to end at a door some 45' away.

The statue is of red marble statue and depicts a strikingly beautiful but, at the same time, monstrously enraged human woman. The statue stands in the middle of this room, her stony expression twisted in fury. The woman wears flowing robes, and her long hair is held back from her face by an intricate headdress of hooks and blades. In her left hand she carries a large book, the face of which is inscribed with a seven-pointed star. Her right hand holds a glittering metal-and-ivory ranseur.

Knowledge (History) DC 25:

The statue depicts Runelord Alaznist, the ruler of ancient Bakrakhan, one of the Seven Realms of the Thassilonian Empire.

It turns out the Ranseur in the statue's hand can be removed, and is a masterwork weapon. The ivory inlay on the shaft means it could be sold for perhaps 100 gp (but can also be used as a normal masterwork weapon).

Floredana hears some voices to the north through the door, and thinks they are speaking the same language the strange creatures you already fought were speaking.

Which way now?

[Floredana Mandulescu]

Lost in thought as the empty halls reveal more empty halls, Flo suddenly stops walking and presses both her hands against the air several times, her fingers spread wide, indicating the group to stop. Pressing her wrists against her chin, she splays her hands and brings them together at the fingertips like a vertically aligned mouth, then points to the door to the north. I was never any good at Charades, hopefully they at least understand my sense of silent urgency!
________
Thanks for that little acceleration there GM! :) Is it safe to assume that we are taking everything?

[Laurana Kanan]

Laurana followed the others through the caverns lost in her own thoughts until Cade found the beautiful necklace. She was working up the courage to ask if she could wear it until they came across the statue of what could only be described as a very unruly women, wearing the same pendant. Even though she did not know who the woman was, suddenly, Laurana did not want to be associated with that symbol.

K.H.: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (10) + 10 = 20

[Rig Veda]

wish I was proficient in all these ranseurs we keep finding
Rig nods at Flo's charades though he has no idea what she means. They should get together later and all agree on a set of hand signals to prevent confusion. In the meantime, Rig nods to Kargas indicating he's ready to proceed through the north door.

[Kargas Stormscar]

I'll claim the masterwork ranseur if that's cool with everyone else. I don't mind carrying the rest of the loot either and free-action-dropping the bundle at the start of each combat.

Kargas stares at Flor's antics for a moment, then stage-whispers "...what?"

[Floredana Mandulescu]

Sensing everyone's confusion, she begins to panic a little. She claws at the air a few times, followed by pointing at one of the ranseurs they have collected and pretending to swing it at Kargas. May childhood failures are coming back to haunt me, this can't be happening!

[Kargas Stormscar]

"Ooohh, more guard-things. How many?" It doesn't occur to him that she might not know. Flor's a priestess, and priestesses know all kinds of strange and useful things.

[Cade Goodbarrel]

Cade looks at Floredana blankly...blinking every few seconds.
What?

[Floredana Mandulescu]

She quietly slaps her palm to her face as Kargas speaks again. Why would I be going through all of this effort to not speak if silence wasn't important? We will have to clean up our routine before chasing that Sandpoint Devil. Flo then shrugs her shoulders and lifts her hands, palm upwards, while her face contorts in confusion. What does he think I am? A Wizard? I don't have a crystal ball or anything, give me a break! We need to come up with some sort of hand signals when we are through here.
________
I'm having a lot of fun with this y'all :)

[Cade Goodbarrel]

Cade points at everyone around him and then towards the door.
He mouths the words. "We go that way...OK?"

[Colvyn "Slick" Dashtail]

Colvyn looks at the back and forth of gesture from the others and just wait until someone decide what to do. He takes out an arrow and nocks it, getting ready for a fight. After a while he looks at Kargas. So, are we going in or not?"

[Laurana Kanan]

Laurana was utterly confused. She looked to the others to make sense of what was going on. Colvyn seemed to be the only one doing anything so she decided to imitate him. She readied an arrow.

[Kargas Stormscar]

Shrugging at Colvyn, the half-orc rests the falchion on his shoulder to free his other hand and edges towards the door, where he slowly...carefully... tries the latch. If it's unlocked, he pauses to give the rest of group a nod and fierce grin, then throws the door open.

Stealth: 1d20 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (19) + 1 - 2 = 18

[Rune GM]

Kargas throws open the door.

This large chamber was obviously once a prison, as testified by the twenty cells that line the room’s perimeter. A rickety wooden platform overlooks the room, with two flights of stairs descending to the prison floor ten feet below. A five-foot-wide wooden walkway runs from the northern edge of the platform to a passageway to the east.

Three of the strange creatures stand here. One leans against the wall, while another sits on the walkway with his legs dangling over the side; the third stands at the top of one set of stairs. They look up in surprise as you enter!

dice:

Perception Blue: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15
Perception Red: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13
Perception Yellow: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22

Cade: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13
Colvyn: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12
Floredana: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19
Kargas: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7
Laurana: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17
Rig Veda: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21
Blue: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7
Red: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19
Yellow: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17

Surprise Round Initiative
Block 1: Floredana, Laurana, Rig
Block 2: Yellow
Block 3: Cade, Colvyn, Kargas

[Rune GM]

FYI:

* Red and Blue are surprised.
* The brown area on the map represents the wooden platform and walkway which is 10' above the floor of the rest of the room. The stairs go down on either side and are marked.
* I think Cade has the light source so the orange circle represents the lit area. Ouside that is dim lighting but for Laurana it will be normal lighting.
* Everyone can actually go since the yellow guy is just going to stand up as an action. However, if you want to wait for Kargas to get out of the way this will move you down in the initiative order for next round.
* The room you start in here has a weird shape so I improvised the marching order.
* Kargas can potentially charge red (as long as nobody gets in his way), but not blue (who is too close). Nobody else has a charge line.

[Rig Veda]

Since they know we're here now, no need to keep quiet, Rig thinks as he starts up an inspirational song.
inspire courage

[Rune GM]

Rig begins his performance.

Surprise Round Initiative (Inspire Courage gives +1 to hit and damage)
Block 1: Floredana, Laurana, Rig
Block 2: Yellow
Block 3: Cade, Colvyn, Kargas

You can all post actions as the yellow creature is sitting down (which is basically prone) and won't be able to engage.

[Laurana Kanan]

Something was happening, she just did not know what. Her bow was ready for her chance.

Move down in initiative until after Kargas.

[Cade Goodbarrel]

Cade moved towards the creature that is closes to him and attempts to stab at it.
Attack: Rapier: 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 7 + 1 = 23
Attack:Main Gauche: 1d20 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 + 1 = 10
Damage: Rapier: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
Damage:Main Gacuhe: 1d3 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
Oh here we go again with the ugly ones...take them down quick

[Floredana Mandulescu]

A little reluctant to call upon the mechanical things, Flo raises her wand into the air slowly and releases a swarm of clockworkesque butterflies upon her allies. "Get them, get them, get them!"
________
Bless! +1 attack/saves vs fear

[Rig Veda]

best vocal components for a bless spell ever

[Rune GM]

Floredana casts bless.

The creature sitting on the edge of the walkway gets to its feet.

Cade rushes forth, weapons in hand. He tries to attack, but first he remembers that he can't full attack in a round where he has moved. Then he remembers that he can't both move and attack in a surprise round (unless he makes a charge, which he can't do since Kargas was in the way). Thinking ahead, he makes sure to step out of the way of a charge by Kargas.

Surprise Round Initiative bless and inspire courage grant +2 to hit and +1 to damage
Block 1: Floredana, Rig
Block 2: Yellow
Block 3: Cade, Colvyn, Kargas, Laurana

[Cade Goodbarrel]

oopsss..this is what happens when your kids are on spring break and you can not leave the house because a construction crew is working on your bathroom.

[Kargas Stormscar]

With another wordless war cry Kargas lights up, skin crackling as he rushes the ugly guard Cade hasn't engaged, aiming for its throat.

Charging, Power Attack, Bless
Charge v Red: 1d20 + 8 + 1 + 2 - 1 ⇒ (15) + 8 + 1 + 2 - 1 = 25 Falchion: 2d4 + 7 + 3 ⇒ (3, 4) + 7 + 3 = 17

AC12 until next turn

[Colvyn "Slick" Dashtail]

Colvyn uses the surprise to charge his bow with divine energy. The bow gets envelope with green flames. "Hey Kargas! Leave some for us!"

[Laurana Kanan]

Things were still too tight for her liking and so Laurana moved a little so that she could eventually be in a better position. For now though, there was little for her to do.

[Rune GM]

Kargas rushes forward and strikes the creature dead ahead. It staggers but somehow is still standing! Colvyn enchants his bow, while Laurana gets into a better position.

Kargas, I think you actually forgot the +1 from inspire courage.

Round 1 Initiative ...bless and inspire courage grant +2 to hit and +1 to damage
Block 1: Rig
Block 2: Red (-18)
Block 3: Floredana
Block 4: Yellow
Block 5: Cade, Colvyn
Block 6: Blue
Block 7: Kargas, Laurana

Rig is next. Floredana can go ahead and post though her action will resolve after Red (unless Rig manages to finish off Red before he can go).

[Floredana Mandulescu]

Flo leaps into action, running around the occupied monstrosity and lashing out with her starknife. "These things aren't so tough!" I pray it stays that way...
________
Starknife vs Red or Blue: 1d20 + 4 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 4 + 1 + 1 = 171d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
If Rig doesn't bring red down, I will attack red (movement would provoke from it). If Rig brings red down, I will move into flank with Cade and attack blue.

[Rig Veda]

Continuing his performance, Rig rushes in to help Kargas.
free action perform, move, swift action arcane str, attack
scimitar v.red: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19 damage: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8
hopefully blue doesn't crit me on the way

[Rune GM]

Rig advances and with a slash cuts the tottering creature down.

No AoO from blue because he is still flat-footed.

Floredana dances past and behind the creature to the left and cuts at it from behind. Her starknife strikes true!

The creature on the catwalk steps forward and stabs at Floredana's exposed side with its ranseur. Floredana is struck!

Ranseur: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19
Ranseur Damage: 2d4 + 1 ⇒ (2, 2) + 1 = 5

Floredana: 5 damage.

Round 1 Initiative ...bless and inspire courage grant +2 to hit and +1 to damage
Block 1: Rig
Block 2: Red
Block 3: Floredana
Block 4: Yellow
Block 5: Cade, Colvyn
Block 6: Blue (-4)
Block 7: Kargas, Laurana

Round 2 Initiative ...bless and inspire courage grant +2 to hit and +1 to damage
Block 1: Rig
Block 2: Red (-26, down)
Block 3: Floredana (-5)
Block 4: Yellow

Cade and Colvyn are up.

[Colvyn "Slick" Dashtail]

Colvyn walks into the room and aim at the creature on the catwalk. "Hey ugly, I got something for you!"

Bow: 1d20 + 9 - 4 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 9 - 4 + 2 = 21
Damage: 1d6 + 1 + 1 + 1d6 ⇒ (3) + 1 + 1 + (3) = 8

[Rune GM]

Colvyn runs up ans shoots an arrow between Kargas' legs. It strikes the creature soundly!

Round 1 Initiative ...bless and inspire courage grant +2 to hit and +1 to damage
Block 1: Rig
Block 2: Red
Block 3: Floredana
Block 4: Yellow
Block 5: Cade, Colvyn
Block 6: Blue (-4)
Block 7: Kargas, Laurana

Round 2 Initiative ...bless and inspire courage grant +2 to hit and +1 to damage
Block 1: Rig
Block 2: Red (-26, down)
Block 3: Floredana (-5)
Block 4: Yellow (-8)

Cade is up. Kargas, Laurana, Rig, and Floredana can all make conditional posts though blue will act before they do.

[Cade Goodbarrel]

Cade snaps out of his momentary laps of forgetfulness and strikes at the creature in front of him.
Thanks flo for the assist. Let me see if I can get his attention.
Attack:Rapier: 1d20 + 7 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 7 + 2 + 2 = 18
Attack:Main Gauche: 1d20 + 1 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 1 + 2 + 2 = 25
Damage:Rapier: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
Damage:Main Gauche: 1d3 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
Attack:Main Gauche Confirm: 1d20 + 1 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 1 + 2 + 2 = 16
Damage:Main Gauche: 1d3 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
Pokey, pokey...come on turn yourself around and face me.

[Rig Veda]

assuming blue is still standing
Continuing his performance, Rig slashes at the nearby creature.
free action performance, swift action arcane strike, attack
attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10 damage: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9

[Rune GM]

Cade stabs the creature with his rapier, and then using the momentary distraction, plunges the main gauche deep!

That confirms the crit if it maters for your panache pool.

"Malmedisci, rintulu!" the creature curses at Cade in it's guttural tongue. "Senterà a mo ira mia!"

Aklo:

"Curse you, little runt! You will feel my wrath!"

The creature dorps its ranseur to the floor with a clatter and lashes at Cade with claws and teeth!

Bite: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19
Claw 1: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6
Claw 2: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

Cade: that bite will hit unless you do something about it.

Round 1 Initiative ...bless and inspire courage grant +2 to hit and +1 to damage
Block 1: Rig
Block 2: Red
Block 3: Floredana
Block 4: Yellow
Block 5: Cade, Colvyn
Block 6: Blue
Block 7: Kargas, Laurana

Round 2 Initiative ...bless and inspire courage grant +2 to hit and +1 to damage
Block 1: Rig, Floredana (-5)
Block 2: Red (-26, down), Yellow (-8)
Block 3: Cade, Colvyn
Block 4: Blue (-14)

Kargas, Laurana, Rig, and Floredana are all up.

[Floredana Mandulescu]

Flo exhales sharply as the blade bites into her side. I think I'm done being the gallant knight, time to let someone else have a turn... She lashes out again with her knife before stepping off to the side.
________
Starknife (Flank, Inspire, Bless) vs Blue: 1d20 + 4 + 2 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 4 + 2 + 1 + 1 = 111d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4 Gah!

[Cade Goodbarrel]

Cade pulls his weapons out of the creature and see hows much damage he did with this off hand attack. Hearing the creature hisses and bark, Cade tries to dance out of the way.
Hey now, it is not nice to talk like that. Especially when people do not understand your hisses and howls.
He starts to move himself out of harms way.
You put your right foot in and move away from ugly biting things....
Immediate Action:Dodging Panache: to move 5 feet to the side and makes my AC:22 agaisnt the bite attack

[Kargas Stormscar]

Throwing a fierce glare at the guard-thing who stabbed Flor, Kargas gives its a deathly grin and advances. Slashing his heavy blade at the creature's belly, the half-orc roars as azure lightning dances across the steel.Move adjacent to Yellow, almost certainly provoking an AoO.

Power Attack: 1d20 + 8 + 2 - 1 ⇒ (16) + 8 + 2 - 1 = 25 Falchion: 2d4 + 7 + 3 ⇒ (3, 1) + 7 + 3 = 14

[Laurana Kanan]

Moving closer to the doorway, she was finally able to see a creature. She new her chances with a bow were almost non-existent due to the proximity of her friends to the monster. Instead, she again concentrated on the spinning stone around her head, willing a force of magic at the creature.

attack blue with magic missile: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

[Rune GM]

Sorry... missed Rig's post before.

Kargas advances on the guard on the walkway. As he approaches it strikes with its ranseur. The polearm cuts Kargas deeply as he approaches!

Ranseur: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 182d3 + 1 ⇒ (3, 3) + 1 = 7

Kargas: 7 damage.

But Kargas closes to within his reach and with a slash cuts down the creature. It falls from the walkway and onto the floor 10' below.

Falling Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 3
Red Stabilize: 1d20 + 2 - 7 ⇒ (11) + 2 - 7 = 6
Yellow Stabilize: 1d20 + 2 - 6 ⇒ (11) + 2 - 6 = 7

Rig slashes at the remaining creature but fails to connect. Floredana does the same. But Laurana flings a bolt of energy at the creature and it strikes the creature in the chest. It reels drunkenly.

Round 2 Initiative ...bless and inspire courage grant +2 to hit and +1 to damage
Block 1: Rig, Floredana (-5)
Block 2: Red (-27, dying), Yellow (-26, dying)
Block 3: Cade, Colvyn
Block 4: Blue (-19, staggered)
Block 5: Kargas (-7), Laurana

Round 3 Initiative ...bless and inspire courage grant +2 to hit and +1 to damage
Block 1: Rig, Floredana (-5)
Block 2: Red (-27, dying), Yellow (-26, dying)

Cade and Colvyn are up.
Floredana: keep in mind that from your current spot your enemy has cover. Mind you, you have cover from it too.

[Colvyn "Slick" Dashtail]

Colvyn moves, hoping to get a clear view of the remaining creature. As he passes Rig, he slips in the blood of the creature that was killed there. Off balance, he still tries to hit the remaining one, but the arrow is way off target.

1d20 + 9 + 2 - 4 - 4 ⇒ (4) + 9 + 2 - 4 - 4 = 7

[Cade Goodbarrel]

Cade sees that the creature is still up and a little wobbly. He decides to stay where he is and try to finish him off with the help of Flo. He hopes that the distraction from Flo on the other side of the creature will be enough to keep its attention away from his attacks.
Attack:Rapier: 1d20 + 7 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 7 + 2 + 2 = 12
Attack:Main Gauche: 1d20 + 1 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 1 + 2 + 2 = 17
Damage:Rapier: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
Damage:Main Gauche: 1d3 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

[Rune GM]

Cade's Main Gauche sinks onto the creature's back and it slumps to the floor with a gurgle.

Combat over. Let me know if you wish to coup-de-grace the downed creatures. Since you don't seem to share a common language they won't be much use interrogating unless you get very creative.

As before the Ranseurs the creatures wielded are antiques and are worth their full value in sale (instead of half).

The iron bars of the cells are corroded but the locks sill work. It is clear that nothing has been in these cells for a very very long time, though a few fragments of cloth and bone can be seen here and there.

One of the cells to the southwest has a small hole in the ceiling, and this hole leads to the tunnel to the south that you came in by.

Which way now?
* Up the stairs from the statue room?
* Eastward from this chamber?

[Rig Veda]

Rig's blade makes sure these things don't get back up. "Seriously, what the hell are these things and why are they down here?" He picks up a couple of ranseurs and leans them up against the wall for later. "Doesn't make much sense to guard empty prison cells."
I think we should at least take a peek up the stairs to make sure nothing's going to come down after us, then try the eastern passage

[Floredana Mandulescu]

Flo looks away as Rig does his work. A wise decision, but not something I think I'll get used to. "I can't even begin to imagine, Rig. Hopefully their purpose will become clear when we delve further! Speaking of which..."

She grabs her holy symbol and raises it above her head. "Desna, grant me the eternal swiftness of your dreams!" Soft butterfly wings gently sprout from her ankles in response.

Are they really empty though? It does seem a peculiar place to keep guards. Cautiously, the Undine goes downstairs and investigates the prison cells.
________
CLW vs Flo: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
Flo will just take ten for traps as she goes and on the cells. Checking the stairs and then heading east sounds good to me! Casting longsrider, forgot to do that at the start!

[Kargas Stormscar]

"Is this place part of Sandpoint? Or something else?" Kargas glowers around at the prison complex as though daring it to answer as he wipes his falchion clean. "That book we found mentioned demons...is that what these are? The storied made them sound a lot tougher!"

[Colvyn "Slick" Dashtail]

"I don't think these are demons. My arrows were damaging than just fine in the first battle and I haven't used the cold iron ones yet." Thinking back at what the journal said, Colvyn looks at Kargas. "I seem to remember that the demon had creatures with it down here. He wrote: The quasit and her freaks . Those most be the freaks." Once the rest of the group is ready, Colvyn will scout once again ahead.

Taking 10 on both stealth and perception.