So today the PC's made it to the first level Basement and had a bit of a lacklustre encounter with Lyrie.
The Beastshaping Alchemist went into her room and instead of being met with hostility, was met with concern as to why he was down there.
When asked what she was doing, she replied half-heartedly, claiming she's studying away from the Goblins up top and would like her privacy and a good deal of peace and quiet, telling the PC's they should leave Thistletop if they know what's good for them.
Questioned as to what was through the secret door (currently hanging ajar, due to no alarm being raised), she told them only death awaits and when asked if it was her who'd kill them, she told them there are far worse things down there than her.
The Half-Orc Alchemist, along with the rest of the party accepted her wishes due to the lack of hostility and made their way through the corridor leading to area D11, but not before Lyrie closed the door behind them, wishing to avoid combat if possible.
Upon entering the Chapel of Lamashtu, two of the three current party members dealt with the Yeth Hounds with relative ease before making their way to the Prison. Slumped down, exhausted, malnourished and in nothing but a loincloth was a Half-Orc (replacement character for Rikter who died in the Howling Hole last session - Posted his death in the RotRL obituaries thread). The party found the key to the cells with little effort and did their best to heal the Half-Orc before moving on.
Heading back upstairs, the party made their way to the Armoury in the hopes of finding something helpful for the Half-Orc until he could reclaim his gear. Unknown to them however was Bruthazmus. Currently having a good old time with the three female Goblins, Bruthazmus overheard movement outside the door and after quick inspection of the cells, realised Gorul-Rél, the Half-Orc he'd been torturing for the past three weeks had escaped. Making his way back down the corridor to area D11, he caught the party returning back down the stairs and had his bow pointing straight at them.
Unable to resist the urge to grind the new Half-Orc's pride even further into the ground, he challenged the barely standing, exhausted man to a 1 on 1 honourable fight, knowing he was outnumbered. The Half-Orc accepted and with a cheeky buff from one of the other party members, engaged with the Bugbear.
Firing the first shot off from his bow, Bruthazmus backed up into the prison, giving himself some distance between he and Goruk-Rél. The Half-Orc, not falling for the plan, mocked him and readied an action around the corner of a wall, provoking Bru to drop his Bow and charge with his Heavy Flail. The fight quickly went sour for Goruk and as soon as he dropped, Bru had a feeling the rest of the party would get involved and so backed up back into the prison room again. The other Half-Orc (Arizar, the Beastshape Alchemist) went forwards but couldn't quite reach Bru, who immediately stepped out and smacked him upside the head with a Heavy Flail attack. The party Ranger/Rogue then got involved and ended up moving about the room to try to take the attention off of Arizar. Arizar eventually dropped and by this point, hearing the noise of fighting echoing down the corridors, along came Lyrié down the other corridor, opening the door to blast magic missiles at the tortured Half-Orc Goruk-Rél, complaining about the noise distracting her from her studies, before immediately dropping him again. This left Cora and Ashryn as the only two characters still up, so Cora, the Cleric of Desna healed, bringing Arizar and Goruk back to consciousness as Bru landed a heavy hit on Ashryn with his flail.
Catching his attention once more, Arizar was faced with Bruthazmus who once again smacked him to the ground, taking out Ashryn shortly after. Meanwhile, in D11, Cora was spending her curatives bringing Goruk back to consciousness, only for Lyrie to keep sending him into the negatives almost immediately.
Eventually Cora ran out of healing and ran down the corridor to fire her slingstaff off at Bruthazmus, dropping him. The only issue was with her channels, any small damage she'd dealt to Lyrie was healed (Cora didn't have selective channeling) and after taking several more magic missiles followed by a casting of Burning Hands (which I kindly chose to attack out of range of the currently unconscious PC's), eventually dropped as well.
This brings me to my current line of thinking.
Not only that, they didn't attack Lyrie on sight, so she's gone after them more out of anger and frustration than anything else and none of the characters are outright dead. They're all stable in their negatives, so, this is what I was very much considering on doing:
1. It makes little to no sense outright killing them when Nualia requires sacrifices to further ascend to Demonhood.
2. As such, I think it's best to have each party member imprisoned within the cells until Nualia decides to sacrifice them.
3. Bruthazmus, failing to dispatch the party (with Lyrie showing him up as the weaker character) would likely be made an example of and be the first character to be sacrificed to Lamashtu as punishment.
4. This would give the party a day, two at the most to try and break out and even then they'd need to find and reclaim their gear before taking on the rest of the dungeon.
5. Lyrie, more interested in her research than outright murdering the intruders (and unaware of anything happening to Tsuto, due to it being only a day later) would likely be rewarded for accomplishing this before going back to her research while Nualia grew ever closer to full transformation.
So, does this sound plausible to you? Would you do anything more with it and would you buff Nualia up even further considering what I have planned with Bruthazmus?
Anything you could add would be greatly appreciated! :)
Thanks in advance all!
|
It could work. Lyrie's mainly in it for the knowledge, so finding out that Nualia sees her as potential fodder could cause her to switch sides.
If she rescues them, she could demand that she owes them one, or blame everything on Nualia, or claim to be another victim here, a Pathfinder who couldn't find any other way to research Thistletop, or what-have-you.
I don't know about you, but I re-worked Nualia as an antipaladin. She has about the same stats, but requires less buff time and also has fewer spells. I also declared that her armour actually had a hinge on it, so that she could lift up part of her cuiras and show off her scars without exposing her midsection all the time, but that's beside the point.
If they PCs demand Lyrie helps them, and you're worried that she'll slant the fight too far in the PCs' favours, just have her be indiscriminate with her Area of Effect spells.
It's more this that I was going for. Lyrie is very self-absorbed.
I've envisioned Bruthazmus being imprisoned alongside the party, so when one of Nualia's henchmen enter the prison to take somebody away as a sacrifice, while the players are pooing themselves, they actually drag Bruthazmus out for that nights sacrifice. As it stands though, there aren't many members left alive at Thistletop.
Characters left are:
1. Lyrie
2. Orik
3. Nualia (very likely buffed)
4. 1 Yeth Hound
5. 4x Goblin Wives
6. 3x Shadows
7. Malfeshnekor
8. Tentamort
9. Goblin babies
10. Giant Hermit Crab
So I was thinking Orik would be the one to escort the remaining sacrifices to the Chapel of Lamashtu for sacrifice.
Also, I did the same with Nualia. She's pretty badass/monstrous.
Class: Cleric of Lamashtu 3/Anti-Paladin 3
Domains: Strength (Ferocity) and Evil (Demon)
Channel: Negative 2d6/6 uses per day
Alignment: CE
Speed: 20ft, Initiative: 1
HP: 59/77* (d8+2x3/d10+3x3, *False Life medallion)
AC: 18, Touch: 11, Flat-Footed: 17
- w/Fury of the Abyss: AC 16, Touch 9, Flat-Footed 15
BAB: 5
CMB: 8
CMD: 19
Str: 16
Dex: 12
Con: 14
Int: 10
Wis: 16
Cha: 17
Fort: 12
Ref: 7
Will: 13
Combat:
Special - Lamashtu's Mark (DC: 19): 1/day, free action, may invoke Lamashtu's name on a successful attack to cause the creature a hideous and hellish deformity temporarily.Drops targets Charisma by 1d4 for 1 hour.
+1 Bastard Sword (Two-Handed) +10, 1d10+5, 19-20x2
w/Fury of the Abyss - +1 Bastard Sword (Two-Handed) +11, 1d10+6
w/Ferocious Strike - +1 Bastard Sword (Two-Handed) +11, 1d10+7
w/Smite Good - +1 Bastard Sword (Two-Handed) +14, 1d10+10/1d10+13 vs a good Cleric/Paladin on the first hit
Claw +1, 1d6 + Touch of Corruption/Cruelty
Power Attack:
+1 Bastard Sword (Two-Handed) +8, 1d10+11, 19-20x2
w/Fury of the Abyss - +1 Bastard Sword (Two-Handed) +9, 1d10+12
w/Ferocious Strike - +1 Bastard Sword (Two-Handed) +9, 1d10+13
w/Smite Good - +1 Bastard Sword (Two-Handed) +12, 1d10+16/*1d10+19 vs a good Cleric/Paladin on the first hit only
Notes:
Fury of the Abyss (swift action, used on first 6 attacks).
- Lasts 1 round each use and gives a -2 penalty to AC
Ferocious Strike (6 uses, use on the first 6 confirmed hits).
Smite Good (swift action, once per day until next rest or enemy is defeated).
- Grants a deflection bonus of +3 vs target of Smite
Special Attacks:
Touch of Corruption - 1d6 damage touch attack with no AoO.
- 4 uses, standard action
Cruelty - Touch of Corruption w/Sickened for 1 round (Fort DC: 14).
Aura of Cowardice - Foe within 10ft take a -4 to saves vs fear and those who are immune to fear are no longer immune.
Plague Bringer - Immune to all disease, but can still carry/spread.
Unholy Resilience - +3 (Charisma mod) to all saves.
Skills: 12 ranks, 2 per level
Acrobatics +3 (2 ranks, 1 dex)
Diplomacy +5 (1 rank, 3 cha, 3 class, -2 claw)
Intimidate +12 (4 ranks, 3 cha, 3 class, 2 claw)
Knowledge (Religion) +8 (2 ranks, 3 wis, 3 class)
Linguistics +4 (1 rank, 3 class)
Perception +5 (2 ranks, 3 wis)
Feats:
1a. Exotic Weapon Proficiency Bastard Sword
1b. Lamashtu's Mark
3. Weapon Focus Bastard Sword
5. Power Attack
Cleric Spells:
Level 0 - 4
Bleed, Detect Magic, Mending, Stabilise
Level 1 - 3+1 domain
Divine Favour, Sanctuary, Shield of Faith + Doom
Level 2 - 2+1 domain
Cure Moderate Wounds, Shatter (DC: 15) + Bull's Strength
Gear: +1 Breastplate, +1 Bastard Sword, Masterwork Composite Longbow w/20 arrows, Sihedron Medallion, Gold Holy Symbol, 7pp, 5gp.
Class: Cleric of Lamashtu 3/Anti-Paladin 3
Domains: Strength (Ferocity) and Evil (Demon)
Channel: Negative 2d6/6 uses per day
Alignment: CE
Speed: 20ft, Initiative: 1
HP: 77
AC: 20, Touch: 13, Flat-Footed: 19
BAB: 5
CMB: 8
CMD: 19
Str: 20
Dex: 12
Con: 14
Int: 10
Wis: 16
Cha: 17
Fort: 12
Ref: 7
Will: 13
A C T I V E S P E L L S
Bull's Strength - Duration: 3 minutes
Divine Favour - Duration: 1 minute
Shield of Faith - Duration: 3 minutes
Combat:
+1 Bastard Sword (Two-Handed) +13, 1d10+9, 19-20x2
w/Fury of the Abyss - +1 Bastard Sword (Two-Handed) +14, 1d10+10
w/Ferocious Strike - +1 Bastard Sword (Two-Handed) +14, 1d10+11
w/Smite Good - +1 Bastard Sword (Two-Handed) +17, 1d10+14/1d10+17 vs a good Cleric/Paladin on the first hit
Power Attack:
+1 Bastard Sword (Two-Handed) +11, 1d10+15, 19-20x2
w/Fury of the Abyss - +1 Bastard Sword (Two-Handed) +12, 1d10+16
w/Ferocious Strike - +1 Bastard Sword (Two-Handed) +12, 1d10+17
w/Smite Good - +1 Bastard Sword (Two-Handed) +15, 1d10+20/*1d10+23 vs a good Cleric/Paladin on the first hit only
Yea, I kinda have for the most part, but just wondered if this was a legit way to go and if what I have planned for Bru would really happen.
I was tempted to do a Russian Roulette typed thing, rolling a dice (d5) to see who would be sacrificed first and if it didn't turn out to be Bru, but one of the PC's, giving them the necessary rolls (escape artist mainly) to avoid this. If they managed to escape however, they'd still need to track down their gear before they could even stand a chance of fighting back. It needs to remain challenging, but be fairly winnable.
Okay, so this is what I have planned for the PC's.
If anyone else ends up with an unconscious but not dead party on the first basement level of Thistletop, feel free to use this or add it to the Burnt Offerings GM thread.
Okay, so this is what I finally have planned for the PC's. They'll have to break out of a sturdy barred prison cell, would you say the DC's at the end are fair?
Here goes:
Thistletop:
You each wake up in your under-garments, unarmoured and without your gear, likely surprised to even be alive and yet, you find yourselves in a less than ideal situation.
Goruk - Though you had been freed once already, you find yourself yet again, caged in the same prison cell you've endured for the past three weeks and the same cell you've grown to hate.
Cora finds herself in the cell adjacent and with clear view of the door ahead, which you all came to know as the Chapel of Lamashtu.
Ash - The most likely of the party to find a way out, you find yourself adjacent to Cora, with Arizar right next to you.
Arizar - As a capable fighter even without your alchemy, if brute strength could get you out of this situation, you're the second most likely candidate to escape, considering your new companion Goruk's physical state.
Next to you all however and separated with a cell in between, to your surprise is Bruthazmus. The Bugbear Cora once thought slain had somehow pulled through and lay currently unconscious two cells over from Arizar.
As you glance at one another, weighing your actions for the next few minutes, more out of chance than anything, a heavily armoured man wearing a helmet enters from the east. With what looks to be a Bastard Sword at his side and a heavy Steel Shield on his back, this man looks to be some kind of mercenary.
- A DC20 Knowledge Local check (only able to be made by Goruk) will identify him as Orik Vancaskerkin - A mercenary from Riddleport, recently chased out by the law for the murder of a well known Alchemist.
Walking right past the Bugbear, he keeps his head down and mostly keeps himself to himself. Approaching Goruk, he passes food through the hatch in his cell. "I'm amazed you lasted this long" he said, somewhat surprised. "I had a search through the upper floors and it looks like the two Goblins tasked with feeding you had their skulls kicked in by that Horse the Goblins seem to have captured. Lucky for you, I've been tasked with bringing you back up to good health."
Passing the rest of the food through he says; "Here. Fresh Water and some bread. It's the best I can do."
Any roleplay goes here...
Moving over to Cora, he passes food through without a word.
The next one to be offered food is Ashryn, to which Orik sighs. "I guess even the attractive ones find their untimely end in hell holes." With a deep exhale, he shakes his head before heading over to Arizar.
Speaking fairly quietly but louder than a whisper, he says "I don't know if the odds were ever in your favour, but you guys sure did a number on the pests upstairs. It's too bad I already know your fate."
- If asked with a diplomacy or whatever, Orik will just reply with "Ah, it's not for me to say. I just do as I'm paid."
- If Goruk mentions sacrifice, Orik will simply look knowingly at him, which can be revealed with a DC10 Sense Motive.
Making his way over to Bruthazmus' cell, the armoured man nudges the Bugbear twice with his foot, swiftly stepping back at the first sign of movement.
"W-w-WHAT?!" shouted Bruthazmus, momentarily disoriented.
"Wakey wakey, big guy. Food's here." said the man, sliding the food tray over to Bruthazmus.
In a gruff and bestial tone, the Bugbear expressed concern; "What am I doing in this enclosed cell? DID YOU PUT ME HERE?"
"With the help of Lyrie, much to her displeasure." replied the man.
"Well, WHAT are you waiting for you insignificant CURR!? Get me.....THE HELL OUTTA HERE!!!"
The man looked away, tilting his head with a subtle shake.
In a blind rage the Bugbear jumped at the cage, rattling the bars with such strength and anger, it was comparable to that of a Gorilla.
"GET ME OUT NOW OR I'LL CRUSH YOUR DAMNED SKULL YOU PATHETIC HUMAN WORM." shouted Bruthazmus, spitting forcefully with each word that left his vile tongue.
Placing his hand on his hilt, the man stepped back, somewhat unsure if the cell would hold Bru back, once again shaking his head, only this time a little more assertively. "You're to stay put. Bosses orders."
At that moment, the Bugbear burst out laughing, instantly shouting at the top of his lungs; "HAHAHA! YOU FOOL! NUALIA WOULD NEVER BETRAY ME!" and with a more quieter tone he continued; "Silly human. Far too simple-minded to see the bigger picture."
Watching on knowingly, the man said nothing as Bruthazmus grabbed some bread, sat back against the cell wall, taking a large bite out of it.
"Fine" he said, chewing loudly. "Then at least throw that Half-breed wench in here with me."
Looking over to Ashryn, the Bugbear grinned gleefully. "I'll f*** er' Elven ties out of er before snapping her puny twig neck."
With a raised eyebrow, the man glances over to you Ashryn before focusing his attention back on Bruthazmus. "Enough of this crap. You're not having her. You're staying put. Bosses orders. Save your strength and shut yer damn mouth."
At that point, the man turned and headed toward the eastern door he initially entered through.
"A brave one aren't yer!" laughed the Bugbear. "Just you wait. She'll be back for me and as soon as um out, ah'll promise ya, I'll gut yer f***in dead."
Without stopping, the man walked through the door, muttering something (DC15 Perception - "I wouldn't bank on it.") as he slammed the door behind him.
- Any interaction with the PC's results in nothing more than aggression, profanities and sarcasm fuelled with arrogance.
2 hours later:
The Chapel door opens to the north and through the crimson hue steps out Lyrie, followed by the man from earlier who appears to be somewhat reluctant and uncomfortable.
Stepping closer but not within arms reachs of the cells, Lyrie chuckles; "Think yourselves lucky I was in a generous mood. I told you to leave, but you just had to dig didn't you? Ignoring me is one thing, but disrupting my research....IS UNFORGIVABLE!" she said with a glare that could kill, before quickly composing herself.
"Anyway. That's not why we're here."
Pacing back and fourth, the dark skinned woman eyes each of you up and down, as if she were looking for something, pausing occasionally with the odd "Hmm" and "Ahh". This goes on for about a minute when the man behind her interrupts; "Lyrie, it's time."
Glancing over her shoulder, she immediately responds "Very well."
Stepping once more, closer to each and every one of you, she moves over to Goruk....
and then Arizar.....
and then Bruthazmus.....
and then Cora and finally Ashryn.
Pulling out the cell keys, she smirks at Ashryn before immediately darting over to Bruthazmus, blasting him with some kind of energy.
"There, that should make you a little more compliant." she said sternly.
Seemingly sapped of strength, she opened the cell, allowing Orik to enter with a pair of handcuffs.
"Looks like you are getting out afterall." said the man, before immediately being punched in the face by the Bugbears giant hand, drawing blood as the mans nose took the impact.
Stumbling back, the armoured man violently grabbed the Bugbears arm, twisted him around and securing Bruthazmus' arms in place.
Shoving him forwards at every opportunity the Bugbear used to try and escape, the armoured man eventually guided Bruthazmus towards the Chapel door, before stopping momentarily.
"What are you waiting for?" laughed Lyrie.
Tilting his head toward the ground, the man winced as he ran his hand up and over his forehead, as if to comfort himself.
"N-nothing. It's nothing."
"Good" replied Lyrie. "Then shall we?"
Shifting his expression to that of determination, the man nodded, walking the Bugbear back through the open door into the Chapel of Lamashtu, Lyrie shutting the door behind her.
Several minutes pass and though hard to hear, those with well trained ears (DC25 Perception) can hear the speech in full; "My Queen, Lamashtu. The mother of monsters. The creator of corruption. My lady. My saviour.
I hereby present an offering in the form of my loyal bodyguard and Bugbear, the hunter Bruthazmus. Though he has slain countless Elves, Half-Elves and innocents, he has now failed me and so, I offer him to you as a slave in the afterlife. May you train him, sculpt him and craft him into the killing machine you so desire. May his essence flow into me, so that I can further aid you on the material plane and grow ever close to demonhood as your loyal, unwavering champion."
At that moment, sheer silence falls upon you all, as darkness flows no more than 5 feet towards you from under the Chapel door, when suddenly, screams can be heard all around, wailing as you've never heard before, wind beginning to stir unnaturally, before flashes of red and orange hues beam violently under the door also, flickering in and out of existence, until there is but silence once more, followed by the sound of something hitting the floor twice.
- This was Bruthazmus' head.
After ten or so minutes pass, the armoured man passes back through the prison, swiftly closing the chapel door behind him.
- If questioned as to what happened, he simply says "Nothing good and I take no pleasure in saying one of you are next."
He then leaves once more through the eastern doorway, making sure to close that door also.
- The PC's only have until the same time the next day to escape before one of them are chosen for the next sacrifice, so if they're going to break out, now's their chance.
- Ashryn's Disable Device is 3 less due to not having the Masterwork Thieves Tools to hand and having to do it likely with the leftover bones of previously imprisoned creatures/maybe rat bones. Her bonus will be +9 instead of +12 due to no longer having an ACP.
- Cell Door Lockpick DC: 20, Strength DC: 28 to bend the bars.