Darkmeer's Shackled City PBP

[Darkmeer]

Kysstaa:

Spoiler:

The path leads to a great hall. Once in the great hall, you see that the ceiling is open in many places, and the whole place reeks even stronger of death. There is no one in this room, and an exit to your East. The smell of death is much stronger in this room than it has been, and you can see stains on the floor that look like splatters of blood.

[Kysstaa]

DM:

Spoiler:

Let's keep the party going. Make a quick check around the room (and not notice a single thing [Perception check = 4]) before moving forward. Trying to sound as confident as possible, I'll announce myself as well, "My name is Kysstaa and I am a servant of Lendys who seeks an audience with the master of this keep!"

[Dreav Mistcaller]

DM

Spoiler:

As long as it takes everyone to get in the keep

[Borden Alhurst]

Thinking that they had indeed given Otis his chance, Borden stealthily closes to within 30 feet of the one that Otis had called Scrip and lets a javalin fly, attempting to take out the kobold before he can leave to organize the squad that Otis was referring to.

Ranged Sneak attack 1d20+3=13 1d6+1=2 1d6=4

[Darkmeer]

Kysstaa:

Spoiler:

You hear shuffling on the left hand corridor, however, there is no other major sound.

Everyone except Kysstaa:

Spoiler:

Borden lets out a yelp as a javelin jumps out of the chest of the Kobold and nearly catching him as well. The kobold falls to the ground, leaving Otis looking at Borden with nothing but utter hate in his eyes as he says "You.... DIE!" as he draws his weapons and begins advancing on you.
So, hostiles include the 4 remaining Kobolds, and Otis. Otis is not pleased. Two of the kobolds are still following Dreav's illusion, however, that may change if you are too loud.
Initiative and actions (in spoiler please)

[Moonpate]

DM:

Spoiler:

If possible, I will use a scroll of mage armor on the recipient of Otis' wrath in an attempt to provide the significant advantage that will finally put an end to that blasted halfling. If that is not feasible I will target a kobold or Otis with the crossbow, unless I risk hitting a friendly. If that is the case then I will move towards the entrance, keeping my crossbow trained for an attack as soon as there is an opening. If the kobolds that went after the illusion turn back to the keep then I will attempt to shoot them. Lot's of ifs depending upon the tactical situation.
Attack Roll= 9+2(Dex)+1(masterwork crossbow if applicable)
Crossbow damage if applicable= 3

[Kysstaa]

DM:

Spoiler:

Turns and faces the left-hand corridor, "I am armed, but seek a peaceful audience. If no aggression is made towards me, I will return the favor."

[Darkmeer]

Kysstaa:

Spoiler:

You turn around to see a leering, very rotting face of a zombie at the corner you just passed. You feel silly now that you sought a peaceful audience with such a creature. Behind this shambling creature you hear voices down the hall, arguing from the direction you passed. It's still too early to hear anything.

Moonpate

Spoiler:

Although you miss, you stop Otis in his hell-bent rage against Borden. The bolt twangs past his shoulder.
The Mage Armor option will not provide a significant benefit, and the other kobolds are still following Dreav's illusion. They don't seem to be the brightest.

Everyone Else

Spoiler:

As Otis charges in with death in his eyes, a shot from Moonpate stops him in his tracks. He regains his composure. "I'd guess we'd have somethin' to talk about. But I guess the talkin' part's over."

[Kysstaa]

DM:

Spoiler:

Mutters under his breath about the thrice cursed undead and makes a mental note to try to find an opportunity to set fire to that zombie later. Then, proceed slowly down the hallway. Not sneaking, but not necessarily announcing my presence either sort of thing.

[Thammarazs Hovaraszk]

Tham, a bit confused over the flurry of action that has exploded around him, falls into his inner reserves and calls forth his enfolding shadows, in case he needs them to cover his movement.

Tham activates his stance and waits to figure out what he needs to do based on what everyone else does.

[Dreav Mistcaller]

DM

Spoiler:

Init: 1d20+2=12
I will have the illusions see the kobolds and make a run for the jungle to lure them farther away.

[Darkmeer]

Dreav

Spoiler:

DM Note: Some amazingly bad will saves are coming from my dice right now.
The Kobolds run after the illusions, leaving you available to your companions at the start of the next round, unless you want to take the illusion further, although you are about at max range at this point.[/]

Everyone but Kysstaa:

Spoiler:

Otis regains his composure after the bolt sails by, and borden deftly deflects one of Otis's blows as it comes in, "You fiends! You'll suffer for what you've done!" Otis's eyes are wild with rage.
At this point, thanks to Dreav, and some horrid rolls on my part, you have 1 kobold, looking rather frightened, and Otis... Actions in spoiler please.

Kysstaa:

Spoiler:

You continue down the path where the angry shouting is coming from... and you see a very familiar couple. You see the High Priest of Savras, his clothing changed for something more practical, and his wife, also changed to appear a little different. The priest is wearing a purple robe, with a black inverted shield embroidered with a silver skull, while his wife is wearing simple robes, much like she was wearing when you went to the church.
"You, Lizardfolk, what do you want?" The priest says. His eyes get a little wider with recognition, and he says "You're the lizardfolk from the church. What do you think you are doing here in this place of death?"
Armaments appear to be a simple mace, and the priest does appear to be armored, a shield is strapped to his back. His wife doesn't appear to be armed.

[Moonpate]

Spoiler:

I will attempt another shot with the crossbow at either Otis or the kobold if a target is clear. I don't want to risk hitting a team member. If no clear target presents itself, I will move closer to the melee. Question: is my previous mage armor still active?
Attack roll: 11+2 = 13; damage= 4

[Borden Alhurst]

Spoiler:

"You brought this on yourself Otis!" Borden says as he backs up and launches a javelin. Positioning himself so Otis is between him and the kobold he is targeting. Appearing to aim for the halfling, but instead targeting the last kobold.

Attack: 1d20+3=18 damage: 1d6+1=4

[Dreav Mistcaller]

DM

Spoiler:

I totally understand on the saves. I usally have to fire one of my dies each sesion.
Seeing the kobolds taking the bait, Dreav waits till he can't move the illusions any further then makes a dash for his companions with his scimitar in his hand.

[Thammarazs Hovaraszk]

For the DM:

Spoiler:

How close together are the kobold and Otis? Are they close enough that I could reach both of them at the same time, i.e. from the same "square"?

[Darkmeer]

Tham:

Spoiler:

Given the other actions that are going on, Otis is the better target.

[Kysstaa]

DM:

Spoiler:

Keeps calm with his hands away from his sword hilt. Honestly? Curiosity mostly. There is very plainly something strange going on in the area and I am just looking to get the complete picture.

[Darkmeer]

Kysstaa:

Spoiler:

"Why, you want to know what's going on? Savras himself pointed me at a wonderful artifact that will let me keep the haeler safe, let alone the tower. It prevents scaled ones from entering without permission. You saw the kobolds outside, and I have not given them permission to come in. This... disguise is how I've tricked them, as unseemly as it has been. Your friends are this way, helping to uncover the artifact, would you like to come along?"
Sense motive and/or any other actions you'd like to take this round.

Everyone Else

Spoiler:

As Moonpate fires his crossbow and Borden hurls his javelin, the kobold drops. Leaving Otis alone. Otis looks at Borden with hate, and steps up to attack, which misses. The two kobolds that were following the illusion have gone beyond the veil of the jungle, and at about that time, Dreave comes around the corner, Scimitar drawn. At this point, Otis does not seem interested in surrender, and his eyes are wild with anger.

[Dreav Mistcaller]

Dreav motions with his hand and then flicks his finger at Borden. "Ashish!" cast Acid Spray at Bordern: Ranged Touch Attack 1d20+2=21, 1d3=3

[Darkmeer]

Dreav:

Spoiler:

Dreav Mistcaller wrote:

Dreav motions with his hand and then flicks his finger at Borden. "Ashish!" cast Acid Spray at Bordern: Ranged Touch Attack 1d20+2=21, 1d3=3

Do you mean Borden the party member, or Otis the raging halfling? I just want to make sure that this happens how you want, even if it is attacking your own party.

[Dreav Mistcaller]

DM

Spoiler:

Yeah. Sorry. My bad. Whiskey Sour and PBP don't mix.

[Kysstaa]

DM:

Spoiler:

"I see no need to move our conversation, sir. I'm not familiar with your pantheon or gods all that well. I meant to ask someone in my party, but there are times where I can barely tolerate them. What does this Savras represent?" "If this artifact keeps 'scaled ones' out without permission...how did I get in so easily?" Is something Kysstaa thinks but very much keeps to himself.

Sense Motive: 18+7 = 25

[Darkmeer]

Dreav:

Spoiler:

Good then, I'll be posting the results once I see moonpate/borden post something

Kysstaa:

Spoiler:

"Savras represents the everliving cycle. He sees the ends of things, thus even death falls unto him. There are many things that he means. However, he is most certainly lord of divinations, which, I assume, your patron is not."

He is telling a half-truth. Half of the statement is true, yet the other is certainly false. Savras is certainly lord of Divinations, but you're sure the rest is pretty well made up.
Your sense motive also catches a slight movement from his companion, and at this point you need to make a will save.

All:
GenCon is here, I hope those that go are having fun. With PFRPG releasing this week, expect the next post from me to happen on Sunday or Monday, after most folks have gotten their copies. I'm expecting the boards to be down all weekend.

[Kysstaa]

DM:

Spoiler:

Sweet buggery. Will save = 5. I'll see what nonsense that causes before posting further

[Darkmeer]

All but Kysstaa:

Spoiler:

Moonpate's crossbow bolt flies over Borden's shoulder, barely missing both Otis and Dreav. As Borden throws (and connects) with his javelin into Otis, Dreav sprays acids all over Otis' back. During this, Tham endears himself by connecting with Otis, and the halfling looks quite unwell. Otis' rage towards Borden, specifically, seems to be boundless, as he takes a step towards Borden and swings wildly, missing Borden. "I've brought nothing but peace to my haeler. This wasn't suppposed to happen!" He screams with that wild, hateful look in his eye.

Kysstaa

Spoiler:

The flicker of motion from Kindra turns your eyes towards her, and you see her as an ally, not an enemy at this point. You smile sheepishly in her direction, prompting a rather strange look on her human face. "Let us retire to a more comfortable venue, shall we?" She says, in a voice you can't help but follow. There doesn't seem to be any danger in following her...
Walking down the hall, you turn the corner into a library looking room, there are five chairs around an oval table. "Shall we sit?" She asks with a smile on her voice. To which you sit down at one of the chairs.
Yes, you've been charmed into doing something.

[Moonpate]

Moonpate will reload and move towards the melee, rather than risk another shot at this point.

[Kysstaa]

DM:

Spoiler:

Kysstaa Does as he's told while I fume and plot ways to twist this whore's head off. Goes off to read up on the SRD about getting charmed.

[Dreav Mistcaller]

BUMP

[Darkmeer]

All but Kysstaa:

Spoiler:

Borden's next swing strikes true, as does Dreav's, dropping the halfling to the ground. There does not seem to be a single alarm that has been raised, and all of the kobolds are either gone or dead. The door behind the *now dead* kobold is closed, and awaits your entryActions please, combat is over.

Kysstaa:

Spoiler:

The other PC's need to catch up at this point, you are about 5 minutes ahead of them in game time

Awaiting posts from at least two of the following before proceeding: Borden, Dreav, Moonpate, Tham. Kysstaa is ahead of the party as far as time goes, so he is off the hook for this... for now.

Sorry for the delays folks. It's been an... interesting couple of weeks.

[Moonpate]

"Let's search this scum Otis for intel or items of value and get inside fast. Who know's what's happened to Kysstaa!?!"

[Dreav Mistcaller]

"We should proceed with haste so that the little ones outside don't come back." Dreav looks back over his sholder to see if the kobolds are coming.
Should we convert to Pathfinder? Looks like I loose the scimitar but that's okay. couldn't hit anything with it anyways.

[Borden Alhurst]

"I agree, I don't like the idea of Kysstaa being alone in there if things go bad. A quick search and movement of bodies and then maybe try to scale the wall to see if I can find a way to open the gate." With that said, Borden goes about stripping the halfling of his things before moving the body behind a bush.

[Darkmeer]

Not for Kysstaa:

Spoiler:

The search of the bodies, specifically Otis' body, leaves nothing really to discover. A fine shortsword, and general hunting trappings (a couple of snare "kits") are found in his possession, but nothing of note other than the 30 GP and a couple of vials of liquid held in a belt pouch. The Kobolds have some fairly inferior gear, primarily spears.
The door is neither locked nor closed very well. The door opens with the same quietness that you opened it with to begin with. Inside, you are nearly knocked over by the stench of the grave, and the zombie that stands before you. After a brief scuffle, the zombie falls, and you are left with two choices. Either you may go forward, into the hall, or take a left turn about halfway down. The hallway is dark, and the only lights are what you have from behind you, and nobody can see the end of the hall at this point.

Dreav:

Spoiler:

You know, for certain, that once you cross the threshold of the passageway you are on unhallowed ground.

Note on PF final for all:

Spoiler:

I'm okay with converting, however no character is going to lose their weapon proficiencies for the rest of this campaign. I don't believe that's fair, and I'll just "grandfather" in the proficiencies. Let me know in spoiler whether you want to convert or not.

One More note:

Spoiler:

The oddness of the past couple of weeks is going to hold through Tuesday of next week. I'll try to get one more post in before Thursday if people reply, but then my family leaves for a 4-day vacation.

[Moonpate]

"Borden, can you tell which way Kysstaa went. Gods!!! I think I'm going to throw up."

The stench of death overwhelms Moonpate for a moment as he retches into the corner. He quickly recovers and apologizes for the display.

[Dreav Mistcaller]

"This place is of the sacred kind. I swear it." Dreav looks around seeming at unease.

[Darkmeer]

Not For Kysstaa

Spoiler:

You all feel a palpable chill, and it appears to Borden that there is a path used by the zombie. The tracks that lie ahead are very sharp, but end a short distance ahead, and another set are to the pathway to the left, appearing to be the sharp set. There are also two other sets of footprints, but the trail dies off a few steps ahead.
Borden can tell left, but that's about it.

Kysstaa:

Spoiler:

"So, my scaled friend, how many of your friends from earlier came in here with you?" Kindra asks, in what may be a seductive tone for a human, rather grating for you. (Will Save, this is challenging your sense of right and wrong).

[Dreav Mistcaller]

"We should head to the left. The Scaled One may need our assistance."

[Darkmeer]

Not Kysstaa:

Spoiler:

As you head left, you all get a sense of unease. The place feels like the walls themselves are closing in on you, and you hear little but the sound of metal clinking on stone. Ahead, to the right, is a room lit by what appears to be torches (by the flickering).

[Darkmeer]

Anyone still following?

/d

[Moonpate]

Darkmeer wrote:

Anyone still following?

/d

We need Borden or Tham to take point.

[Dreav Mistcaller]

Agreed, it is no place for a caster.

[Kysstaa]

I'm not allowed to do anything yet...

[Dreav Mistcaller]

In the interests of getting things rolling.
Dreav begins to creep forward.

[Darkmeer]

Dreav, Moonpate, Kysstaa

Spoiler:

Sorry Dreav, Moonpate, Kysstaa. I was giving Borden and Tham extra time to post. Without them, this will be more difficult. I'll be DMPC'ing them until you get to the City, I'll be recruiting at that point.

DM as Borden
Borden places his hand on Dreav's shoulder, stopping him from creeping down the hall. He begins taking small steps towards the doorway, where he peeks in. Stepping back, with a shocked look on his face, he whispers "I see that Savran priest, dressed up in something different. I also see his wife and Kysstaa sitting at a table with him."/DM as Borden

Kysstaa

Spoiler:

Roll a perception check, to see if you saw Borden. Also, roll a Will save in case you do see him, to stop yourself from saying "There's one of my friends now!"

[Moonpate]

Too bad about Borden and Tham. I was really enjoying their characters and the personalities of the group. Hopefully they can rejoin later.

Moonpate whispers, "We are in perfect position to surprise that bastard. We can bull-rush the party, and I'm sure Kysstaa will spring into action. I'll be ready to cast Daze on the first one who so much as twitches to cast a spell."

[Kysstaa]

DM:

Spoiler:

Perception check: 17
Will save: 18

Figures my first good roll in a while is one that I wanted to fail, but at least my Will save doesn't suck this time around

[Dreav Mistcaller]

Whispering, "I'll ready my acid spell."

[Darkmeer]

Moonpate, Dreav
Go ahead and roll initiatives, also put some sort of action/options into a spoiler so that I can start the first round. Apparently you all don't want anything to do with this priest, no talking :P

Dreav:
Knowledge: Religion check as well

Kysstaa:

Spoiler:

The rolls were both successful. You also feel less... compulsive. Good timing.

[Moonpate]

My thought is that we can talk to them after they are subdued, bruised, and contrite. With Kysstaa in their midst already and four mad, tired, hungry, and thirsty bold adventurers rushing them we should be able to overbear, grapple, pummel, pull hair, etc. Once they are at our mercy then we can have a pleasant chat. If they resist and our lives are at stake then I have no problem finishing them off, given the implications of what they have already done.

Initiative: 1d20+2 = 10; hoping we will have surprise

Spoiler:

Moonpate will run in and head to the right to flank the table, with rod in hand and Daze ready to cast if they look ready to cast a spell.