11:00 am the next day
Late the next morning, Alak seeks your group out. "I see you all made it back from the woods alive." He says, with a smirk. "Well, my investigations of the keep didn't turn up much in my own quest. I think the best place to look for my family ring would be down in the vaults. The library was a mess, most of the books that were left behind had rotted but I found some information that would seem to corroborate the goblin's information about the keep. The main stairs down to the vaults have collapsed but with enough time and effort they can probably be cleared. What's odd is that there is mention of the stairs going deeper down from the vault but no information about what lies down there. I'm not sure if this was intentionally hidden or if it was simply lost to time and mildew." Continues the armiger with a shrug. "Regardless of what lies down there, we will need to go down into the vaults to see what is going on I think. I considered doing some reconnaissance but uh..." At this he made a gesture with his gauntlet that emphasized the squeaks and clanks of his plate armor. "I don't think I could do that particularly quietly."
(https://i.gyazo.com/f33cc30356f92ebe2a9471f4085222b7.png)
(https://i.gyazo.com/355e40edb1e479d0831829658568e903.png)
"Hello again mister Stagram!" Melody greeted the dark knight when she saw him.
... of the most evil at the top of the evil chart! The priestess thought in her head.
"And of course we made it out alive! We have the power of Sarenrae after all. Because she's a good goddess." Melody explained.
"And it's okay if you're not very quiet mister Stagram. That is why we have mister Bel. For all the sneaky and quiet things."
"Ah but who needs divine protection when you have fine steel as your shield?" Replies Alak with a wink. "While I was at the citadel, I had the goblins show me the secret entrance to the vaults below. Those things sure can eat. I'm pretty sure they've chewed their way totally though that giant lizard we killed. There were some other beasts still that I had to slay in my search and I'm pretty sure the goblins are already cooking them... if you could call it cooking anyways."
"I for one am appreciative of their... robust appetite. If we're returning to the citadel, it will be some small blessing that we don't have to wade through rotting corpses." Spira said while checking her pack. "I am ready to go, once the rest of the group is as well."
"Excellent, I'm ready when you are." Replied Alak before you once again returned to the citadel. This time, upon returning to the citadel, you find that outside the front door the goblin tribe has established a surprisingly well developed camp in the intervening two nights. They've erected a number of crude tents made of scavenged wood and cloth while a large fire pit has been dug and what looks to be several large bats, skewered like rotisserie chickens, roast on a spit. Unfortunately the goblins neglected to do much of the normal work to prepare the meat and as such whatever roast bat might have smelled like, it was overpowered by the smell of singed hair and boiling blood. A large shell of some kind of turtle-like beast sits next to the spit and something that might be analogous to soup bubbles away. The goblins themselves exist in a chaotic state and run around the camp throwing rocks at each other or wresting. The goblin dogs from the foyer join in the "fun" and headbutt any goblins that they manage to catch unaware.
"Anarchy..." Says an exasperated Alak under his breath as you draw closer to the camp. Helba and her goblin dog mount spots your approach up the grassy hill and bounces up to you. "Heroes!" She yells in greeting, waving her arms back and forth over her head as she gets closer to you.
(https://i.gyazo.com/f33cc30356f92ebe2a9471f4085222b7.png)
(https://i.gyazo.com/355e40edb1e479d0831829658568e903.png)
"Hello miss Helba!" Melody called out waving back towards the goblin.
"Mister Alak killed lots of food! After so many days on the roof everyone was soooooo hungry! But now we have lots of meat! Want some?" Asked Helba as she pointed to the fire and the meal cooking there. "I'd caution against eating anything. We can't be catching dysentery before we go down into the vaults." Whispers Alak.
"Your hospitality is appreciated Helba, but I will have to pass..."
"Okay, more food for Bumblebrasher!" Replied the goblin as she turned to back towards the fire. Alak clears his throat at this. "Ahem, the escape tunnel? You said there was a secret entrance to the vaults." He said, getting Helba's attention. "Oh right, yes Helba can show you the way!" With that Helba jumped on the back of her goblin dog and beckoned you to follow. With her mount choosing to leap and run circles around you, Helba guided you around the back of the citadel to a pile of boulders and exposed bedrock jutting out of the highest point of the hill.
The goblin dismounted and began to scrabble up on of the larger boulders and stuck her head down onto the stone surface and began tapping the butt of her horse chopper on the boulder. Seeming satisfied, she circled around the boulder to a stone outcropping behind it and called her dog back over to her, climbed on top for some additional height, then pulled on what looked to be an old tree root but was apparently a very well disguised lever. With the low grinding of some hidden gears, a segment of the stone outcropping swung inward on hidden joints to reveal a dark passage cut into the rock. Alak looked impressed. "An old escape tunnel for the event the citadel was put under siege. I'm impressed you goblins found it." Helba looked proud at this. "Bumblebrashers are experts!" Alak looked down into the gloom and pulled out a torch which he then lit and held in his off hand while he pulled a mace from a ring in his belt. "So, shall we?"
While the others were talking, Riven waved down Helba for a portion of meat, knowing that his eating habits at this moment might get him in some social trouble, but he was never one to pass up a free meal. He couldn't afford to as a child and now he refused to as an adult.
After all, he had probably swallowed a good portion of the things he ate during his rages regardless, but he knew his stomach was stronger than most.
As the group followed Helba to the tunnels he took a deep breath. It had been a while since he swam in his own blood and emotion this long. "I'm always ready to find some trouble," he said as he stepped beside Alak with a tusky grin
Taking a bite of one of the bats, your stomach lurches in protest at first but settles down as you take your next bite. You find that, despite a lack of any seasoning, the goblin's cooking isn't too bad. The goblins eagerly let you take as much of the bat as you like.
Your group descends the stairs in single file, the passage only just wide enough for one of you at a time, until the spiraling stairs end. From the base of the stairs a short hallway extends up to a stone door. The door appears to be a similar mechanism to the one above but viewed from behind where the gears and hinges are visible and a bronze handle appears to be the means of opening the door. Alak, raising his torch over his head, tries to listen at the door before shaking his head. "I don't think I hear anything." He whispers. "Anyone else want to try?"
[info]Perception check to try and listen through the door[/info]
(https://i.gyazo.com/f33cc30356f92ebe2a9471f4085222b7.png)
(https://i.gyazo.com/355e40edb1e479d0831829658568e903.png)
"I'll check!" Melody declared in a fierce whisper as she moved towards the door.
[info][blockquote]Perception 1d20+8 : 10 + 8, total 18[/blockquote][/info]
[info] Perception 18
It's a little difficult to hear through the door, its construction apparently designed to muffle sound, but you are able to make out a strange cooing sound. Perhaps a very large pigeon?[/info]
(https://i.gyazo.com/f33cc30356f92ebe2a9471f4085222b7.png)
(https://i.gyazo.com/355e40edb1e479d0831829658568e903.png)
"It sounds like... a large pigeon?" Melody said quietly to the rest with an unsure tone.
"I can go first, even if there is trouble I doubt it will be anything I can't handle, especially if it's some massive bird," Riven smirked.
"Why don't you ready a counter-attack and we'll try to catch whatever the thing is off guard?"
Alak nods and squeezes to the side to allow Riven to get closer to the door. Then, allowing his mace to hang from its leather loop around his wrist, he puts a hand on the lever and mouths a countdown of 3, 2, 1 before yanking the lever and pushes the door open, revealing the passage beyond. The opening of the door reveals a large hallway with multiple offshoot passages. Perched on an empty torch sconce in the hall is a large bird. The bird is almost the size of an average human with a tall crest of iridescent feathers, a bright green plumage, and long trailing tail feathers of a bright red hue. Further down the hall in the gloom and only visible to those with darkvision sits another bird of the same species.
[info]Roll Initiatives
Stealth can be used to try and catch the birds Flat-Footed[/info]
(https://i.gyazo.com/f33cc30356f92ebe2a9471f4085222b7.png)
(https://i.gyazo.com/355e40edb1e479d0831829658568e903.png)
[info]Initiative
[blockquote]Perception 1d20+8 : 9 + 8, total 17[/blockquote][/info]
[info]Stealth:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+7 : 1 + 7, total 8[/blockquote][/info]
[info]
initiative perception
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+5 : 10 + 5, total 15[/blockquote][/info]
[info] Initiative Stealth
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+9 : 15 + 9, total 24[/blockquote]
[/info]
The nearest bird reacts quickly despite the ambush and lets out a loud keening cry that seems magnified by the confines of the stone walls. It then takes wing from its perch to attack Riven with a series of pecks from its sharp beak but the half-orc is able to evade the attacks with ease.
[info] Belsarus to take turn[/info]
Encounter Info
[spoiler]Roll20 Link (https://app.roll20.net/join/6640619/O-93KQ)
Initiative Order: Bird 1, Belsarus, Bird 2, Melody, Riven, Alak, Spira
Log
Bird 1 misses Riven
Belsarus steps into the corner and brings the fight to the bird swinging his short swords.
[info] moving 15 feet and swinging twice at bird.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+8 : 12 + 8, total 20[/blockquote]
[blockquote]Rolled 1d6+4 : 2 + 4, total 6[/blockquote]
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+4 : 19 + 4, total 23[/blockquote]
[blockquote]Rolled 1d6+4 : 6 + 4, total 10[/blockquote]
[/info]
Belsarus's swords both draw blood, cutting the bird and staining its brightly colored feathers with glistening blood. The other bird comes flying out of the gloom future down the hall to peck at Belsarus. The Bird's beak manages to penetrate the halfling's armor and injures Belsarus in the arm.
[okay] Belsarus hits Bird 1
Belsarus hits Bird 1[/okay]
[error] Bird 2 hits Belsarus for 6 Piercing damage[/error]
[info] Melody to take turn[/info]
Encounter Info
[spoiler]Roll20 Link (https://app.roll20.net/join/6640619/O-93KQ)
Initiative Order: Bird 1, Belsarus, Bird 2, Melody, Riven, Alak, Spira
Log
Bird 1 misses Riven
Belsarus damages Bird 1
Bird 2 damages Belsarus
[/spoiler]
(https://i.gyazo.com/f33cc30356f92ebe2a9471f4085222b7.png)
(https://i.gyazo.com/355e40edb1e479d0831829658568e903.png)
[info]Action 1-2: Divine Lance
[blockquote]attack 1d20+8 : 13 + 8, total 21[/blockquote]
[blockquote]dmg, good 1d4+4 : 4 + 4, total 8[/blockquote]
Action 3: Recall knowledge about bird
[blockquote]Nature 1d20+4 : 17 + 4, total 21[/blockquote][/info]
The ray of golden light strikes the second bird, singing some of its feathers and it lets out a squawk of protest as it flaps in place.
[okay]Melody hits Bird 2[/okay]
[info]Nature: 21
The birds are emperor birds. A species native to the far off tropical jungles of Mwangi and very out of place here in the foothills of Isger. They are actually quite prized for their beautiful feathers for use in clothing and as quills or as exotic pets for the wealthy. Pet emperor birds often have the dangerous whip-like bone spurs nested among their tail feathers clipped to reduce the danger their large birds might pose to their owners.
Emperor Bird
HP 27, AC 18
Fort +6, Ref +9, Wil +7
Speed 20 ft fly, 15 ft ground
Attacks: Beak +11 1d10+2 Piercing, Tail +11 1d8+3 Slashing (Reach)
Abilities
Tail Lash (2 Actions): The Emperor Bird may use its Tail attack against 2 different targets, This does not increase the multiple attack penalty until both attacks have resolved
[/info]
Encounter Info
[spoiler]Roll20 Link (https://app.roll20.net/join/6640619/O-93KQ)
Initiative Order: Emperor Bird 1, Belsarus, Emperor Bird 2, Melody, Riven, Alak, Spira
Log
Melody damages Emperor Bird 2, Identifies
Bird 1 misses Riven
Belsarus damages Emperor Bird 1
Bird 2 damages Belsarus
[/spoiler]
Seeing the brightly colored birds, a throaty chuckle escapes the half-orc's lips as his face begins to elongate into his usual lupine jaw. The chuckle turns into a kind of bark while he bears his tusks that had become blade-like fangs. Using Bel's movements as a distraction he pushed past the bird in front of him to flank the one that was already wounded. Attempting to lash out at the creature with his jaws he felt bad for hurting a thing that was just minding its own business, and yet the scent of blood pulled the animal in him out into the open.
[info]Action 1 Rage (gain 5 temp hp)
Action 2 move to flank
Action 3 bite
Attack
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+8 : 5 + 8, total 13[/blockquote]
Damage
[blockquote]Rolled 1d10+6 : 5 + 6, total 11[/blockquote]
[/info]
Despite getting a good angle on the bird that had been harrying him before, Riven is unable to catch the tropical bird as it flutters about. Alak follows up behind Riven and moves in from the secret passage and into the hallway proper, taking advantage of Riven's rear attack to swing his mace at the other bird. His blow manages to connect in a puff of feathers as the bird is battered to the side and the bird squawks angrily in reaction.
[error]Riven misses Emperor Bird 1[/error]
[okay]Alak Strides and Power Attacks Bird 2, dealing damage[/okay]
[info]Spira to take turn[/info]
Encounter Info
[spoiler]Roll20 Link (https://app.roll20.net/join/6640619/O-93KQ)
Initiative Order: Emperor Bird 1, Belsarus, Emperor Bird 2, Melody, Riven, Alak, Spira
Log
Alak damages Emperor Bird 2
Riven misses Emperor Bird 1
Melody damages Emperor Bird 2, Identifies
Bird 1 misses Riven
Belsarus damages Emperor Bird 1
Bird 2 damages Belsarus
[/spoiler]
Spira aimed her crossbow down the hall and fired at the bird she could see before slotting another bolt into place.
[info]Shoot Emperor Bird 2, reload
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+7 : 7 + 7, total 14[/blockquote]
Damage:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d6 : 2, total 2[/blockquote][/info]
Spira's crossbow bolt goes wide, missing the emperor bird. The emperor bird surrounded by Riven and Belsarus then peculiarly lands onto the floor of the hallway and raises its wings over its head, bobbing its head and cooing as it hops between looking at Riven and Belsarus. It almost seems absurd until the emperor bird's feathers begin to emit a soft green light that quickly builds to a bright green flash. It then takes the blinding light as an opportunity to try and peck at Riven, managing to braw a line of blood across his forearm.
[error]Spira misses Emperor Bird 2[/error]
[error]Emperor Bird 1 hits Riven for 6 Piercing damage[/error]
[error]Alak is Confused and Dazzled for 4 rounds[/error]
[info]Riven and Belsarus to make Will saves[/info]
[info] will save [blockquote]Rolled 1d20+7 : 9 + 7, total 16[/blockquote]
[/info]
[info]will save
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+5 : 7 + 5, total 12[/blockquote][/info]
[error]Belsarus is Dazzled for 4 rounds
Riven is Dazzled for 4 rounds[/error]
[info]Dazzled: all creatures and objects are considered Concealed to you
[/info]
[info] Belsarus to take turn[/info]
Encounter Info
[spoiler]Roll20 Link (https://app.roll20.net/join/6640619/O-93KQ)
Initiative Order: Emperor Bird 1, Belsarus, Emperor Bird 2, Melody, Riven, Alak, Spira
Log
Emperor Bird 1 dazzles Alak, Belsarus, Riven, confuses Alak, damages Riven
Spira misses Emperor Bird 2
Alak damages Emperor Bird 2
Riven misses Emperor Bird 1
Melody damages Emperor Bird 2, Identifies
Bird 1 misses Riven
Belsarus damages Emperor Bird 1
Bird 2 damages Belsarus
[/spoiler]
In a daze Belsarus swings his blades quickly lashing out at the bird in front of him.
[info] 3 attacks, with flanking so sneak attack applies.
Concealment: [blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 10, total 10[/blockquote]
attack:[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+8 : 20 + 8, total 28[/blockquote]
damage:[blockquote]Rolled 1d6+4 : 4 + 4, total 8[/blockquote]
sneak attack:[blockquote]Rolled 1d6 : 6, total 6[/blockquote]
Concealment: [blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 4, total 4[/blockquote]
attack:[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+4 : 14 + 4, total 18[/blockquote]
damage:[blockquote]Rolled 1d6+4 : 4 + 4, total 8[/blockquote]
sneak attack:[blockquote]Rolled 1d6 : 4, total 4[/blockquote]
Concealment: [blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 8, total 8[/blockquote]
attack:[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 12, total 12[/blockquote]
damage:[blockquote]Rolled 1d6+4 : 4 + 4, total 8[/blockquote]
sneak attack:[blockquote]Rolled 1d6 : 4, total 4[/blockquote]
[/info]
Despite the after images burned into his retinas Belsarus's first strike catches the bird in the eye, killing the creature. The luck is short lived as his other attacks into the surviving bird fail to harm the bird. The remaining emperor bird then sweeps its tail in a wide arc, whipping out bone spurs hidden among its tail feather that slash into Alak and Belsarus before it then pecks at Alak but its beak glances off the armiger's armor.
[okay]Belsarus critically hits and slays Emperor Bird 1[/okay]
[error]Belsarus misses Emperor bird 2
Belsarus misses Emperor bird 2[/error]
[error]Emperor Bird 2 attacks Belsarus and deals 9 Slashing damage
Emperor Bird 2 attacks Alak and deals 9 Slashing damage[/error]
[okay]Emperor Bird 2 misses Alak[/okay]
[info]Meldoy to take turn[/info]
Encounter Info
[spoiler]Roll20 Link (https://app.roll20.net/join/6640619/O-93KQ)
Initiative Order: Emperor Bird 1, Belsarus, Emperor Bird 2, Melody, Riven, Alak, Spira
Log
Emperor bird damages Belsarus, Alak
Belsarus slays Emperor Bird 1
Emperor Bird 1 dazzles Alak, Belsarus, Riven, confuses Alak, damages Riven
Spira misses Emperor Bird 2
Alak damages Emperor Bird 2
Riven misses Emperor Bird 1
Melody damages Emperor Bird 2, Identifies
Bird 1 misses Riven
Belsarus damages Emperor Bird 1
Bird 2 damages Belsarus
[/spoiler]
(https://i.gyazo.com/f33cc30356f92ebe2a9471f4085222b7.png)
(https://i.gyazo.com/355e40edb1e479d0831829658568e903.png)
[info]Action 1-2: Divine Lance vs Emperor Bird 2
[blockquote]attack 1d20+8 : 7 + 8, total 15[/blockquote]
[blockquote]dmg, good 1d4+4 : 2 + 4, total 6[/blockquote]
The magical ray misses the bird hovering in the hallway and strikes the ceiling, dissipating harmlessly.
[error]Melody misses Emperor Bird 2[/error]
[info]Riven to take turn[/info]
Encounter Info
[spoiler]Roll20 Link (https://app.roll20.net/join/6640619/O-93KQ)
Initiative Order: Emperor Bird 1, Belsarus, Emperor Bird 2, Melody, Riven, Alak, Spira
Log
Melody misses Emperor Bird 2
Emperor bird damages Belsarus, Alak
Belsarus slays Emperor Bird 1
Emperor Bird 1 dazzles Alak, Belsarus, Riven, confuses Alak, damages Riven
Spira misses Emperor Bird 2
Alak damages Emperor Bird 2
Riven misses Emperor Bird 1
Melody damages Emperor Bird 2, Identifies
Bird 1 misses Riven
Belsarus damages Emperor Bird 1
Bird 2 damages Belsarus
[/spoiler]
Riven snarling as he tried to focus his eyes and while struggling to do so he heard the sound of the second bird's cries allowing him to lash out with his fangs. first trying to clip its wings before going in for the kill.
[info]trip action and 2 jaw attacks with flanking and prone if trip
trip against reflex dc
Concealment
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 14, total 14[/blockquote]
Attack
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+8 : 5 + 8, total 13[/blockquote]
Jaw 1
Concealment
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 19, total 19[/blockquote]
Attack
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+8 : 1 + 8, total 9[/blockquote]
Damage
[blockquote]Rolled 1d10+6 : 2 + 6, total 8[/blockquote]
Jaw 1
Concealment
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 9, total 9[/blockquote]
Attack
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+3 : 9 + 3, total 12[/blockquote]
Damage
[blockquote]Rolled 1d10+6 : 1 + 6, total 7[/blockquote] [/info]
The bird is too wily for Riven to get a good hit in, managing to stay aloft and dodge his attacks. Alak appears to have been more than dazzled by the bird's display and stumbles almost as if drunk, tripping over his own feet and falling the ground. "Where did all these birds come from?" He rolls on the ground as if fighting off multiple enemies and swings his mace wildly. Too wildly in fact, as he loses his grip on the mace and crases it into his own shin with a yelp of pain. This seems to draw him out of his confusion and he holds his head as he gingerly gets back up.
[error]Riven fails to trip Emperor Bird 2
Riven misses Emperor Bird 2 x2[/error]
[error]Alak falls prone
Alak Strikes himself for 7 Bludgeoning damage.[/error]
[okay]Alak recovers from Confused condition and stands[/okay]
[info]Spira to take turn[/info]
Encounter Info
[spoiler]Roll20 Link (https://app.roll20.net/join/6640619/O-93KQ)
Initiative Order: Emperor Bird 1, Belsarus, Emperor Bird 2, Melody, Riven, Alak, Spira
Log
Alak damages self, recovers from Confused
Riven misses Emperor Bird 2
Melody misses Emperor Bird 2
Emperor bird damages Belsarus, Alak
Belsarus slays Emperor Bird 1
Emperor Bird 1 dazzles Alak, Belsarus, Riven, confuses Alak, damages Riven
Spira misses Emperor Bird 2
Alak damages Emperor Bird 2
Riven misses Emperor Bird 1
Melody damages Emperor Bird 2, Identifies
Bird 1 misses Riven
Belsarus damages Emperor Bird 1
Bird 2 damages Belsarus
[/spoiler]
Spira took aim with her crossbow once again and fired off a bolt, reloaded, then fired once more.
[info]Shoot>Reload>Shoot
Emperor Bird 2
Attack: [blockquote]Rolled 1d20+7 : 15 + 7, total 22[/blockquote]
Damage: [blockquote]Rolled 1d6 : 2, total 2[/blockquote]
Attack: [blockquote]Rolled 1d20+2 : 15 + 2, total 17[/blockquote]
Damage: [blockquote]Rolled 1d6 : 6, total 6[/blockquote]
[/info]
Spira's first shot hits the bird, embedding in its breast but not doing enough to finish off the creature. Their second shot misses.
[okay]Spira hits and damages Emperor Bird 2[/okay]
[error]Spira misses Emperor Bird 2[/error]
[info]Belsarus to take turn[/info]
Encounter Info
[spoiler]Roll20 Link (https://app.roll20.net/join/6640619/O-93KQ)
Initiative Order: Emperor Bird 1, Belsarus, Emperor Bird 2, Melody, Riven, Alak, Spira
Log
Spira damages Emperor Bird 2
Alak damages self, recovers from Confused
Riven misses Emperor Bird 2
Melody misses Emperor Bird 2
Emperor bird damages Belsarus, Alak
Belsarus slays Emperor Bird 1
Emperor Bird 1 dazzles Alak, Belsarus, Riven, confuses Alak, damages Riven
Spira misses Emperor Bird 2
Alak damages Emperor Bird 2
Riven misses Emperor Bird 1
Melody damages Emperor Bird 2, Identifies
Bird 1 misses Riven
Belsarus damages Emperor Bird 1
Bird 2 damages Belsarus
[/spoiler]
Belsarus continues his assault, swinging at the remaining bird.
[info] 3 attacks at bird 2.
Concealment:[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 2, total 2[/blockquote]
Attack: [blockquote]Rolled 1d20+8 : 15 + 8, total 23[/blockquote]
Damage: [blockquote]Rolled 1d6+4 : 4 + 4, total 8[/blockquote]
Concealment:[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 11, total 11[/blockquote]
Attack: [blockquote]Rolled 1d20+4 : 10 + 4, total 14[/blockquote]
Damage: [blockquote]Rolled 1d6+4 : 4 + 4, total 8[/blockquote]
Concealment:[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 14, total 14[/blockquote]
Attack: [blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 15, total 15[/blockquote]
Damage: [blockquote]Rolled 1d6+4 : 6 + 4, total 10[/blockquote]
[/info]
Unfortunately, between the afterimages of the bird burned into Belsarus's eyes and the bird's evasion Belsarus is unable to strike the bird with any of his attacks. Paying no heed to Belsarus, the Bird swoops and pecks at Alak and sweeping out once again with its tail spurs but doesn't manage to harm anyone.
[error]Belsarus misses Emperor Bird 2 x3[/error]
[okay]Emperor Bird 2 misses Alak
Emperor Bird 2 misses Belsarus
Emperor Bird 2 misses Riven[/okay]
[info]Melody to take turn[/info]
Encounter Info
[spoiler]Roll20 Link (https://app.roll20.net/join/6640619/O-93KQ)
Initiative Order: Emperor Bird 1, Belsarus, Emperor Bird 2, Melody, Riven, Alak, Spira
Log
Emperor Bird 2 misses Alak, Belsarus, Riven
Belsarus misses Emperor Bird 2
Spira damages Emperor Bird 2
Alak damages self, recovers from Confused
Riven misses Emperor Bird 2
Melody misses Emperor Bird 2
Emperor bird damages Belsarus, Alak
Belsarus slays Emperor Bird 1
Emperor Bird 1 dazzles Alak, Belsarus, Riven, confuses Alak, damages Riven
Spira misses Emperor Bird 2
Alak damages Emperor Bird 2
Riven misses Emperor Bird 1
Melody damages Emperor Bird 2, Identifies
Bird 1 misses Riven
Belsarus damages Emperor Bird 1
Bird 2 damages Belsarus
[/spoiler]
(https://i.gyazo.com/f33cc30356f92ebe2a9471f4085222b7.png)
(https://i.gyazo.com/355e40edb1e479d0831829658568e903.png)
Melody chanted another divine lance.
[info]Action 1-2: Divine Lance vs Emperor Bird 2
[blockquote]attack 1d20+8 : 4 + 8, total 12[/blockquote]
[blockquote]dmg, good 1d4+4 : 2 + 4, total 6[/blockquote][/info]
The lance of divine power misses the bird and fizzles into the darkness harmlessly.
[error]Melody misses Emperor Bird 2[/error]
[info]Riven to take turn[/info]
Encounter Info
[spoiler]Roll20 Link (https://app.roll20.net/join/6640619/O-93KQ)
Initiative Order: Emperor Bird 1, Belsarus, Emperor Bird 2, Melody, Riven, Alak, Spira
Log
Melody misses Emperor Bird 2
Emperor Bird 2 misses Alak, Belsarus, Riven
Belsarus misses Emperor Bird 2
Spira damages Emperor Bird 2
Alak damages self, recovers from Confused
Riven misses Emperor Bird 2
Melody misses Emperor Bird 2
Emperor bird damages Belsarus, Alak
Belsarus slays Emperor Bird 1
Emperor Bird 1 dazzles Alak, Belsarus, Riven, confuses Alak, damages Riven
Spira misses Emperor Bird 2
Alak damages Emperor Bird 2
Riven misses Emperor Bird 1
Melody damages Emperor Bird 2, Identifies
Bird 1 misses Riven
Belsarus damages Emperor Bird 1
Bird 2 damages Belsarus
[/spoiler]
Riven still somewhat reeling from the dots in his vision does his best to pin the creature and crunch.
[info]Trip
Concealment
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 18, total 18[/blockquote]
Trip
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+8 : 2 + 8, total 10[/blockquote]
Jaw1
Concealment
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 12, total 12[/blockquote]
Attack
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+8 : 14 + 8, total 22[/blockquote]
Damage
[blockquote]Rolled 1d10+6 : 7 + 6, total 13[/blockquote]
Jaw 2
Concealment
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 20, total 20[/blockquote]
Attack
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+3 : 5 + 3, total 8[/blockquote]
Damage
[blockquote]Rolled 1d10+6 : 10 + 6, total 16[/blockquote]
[/info]
Riven's barrage of attacks seems ineffectual at first as he fails to knock the bird out of the air but he manages to land a bite with a loud wet crunch though the bird's wing. The trauma of the wound is enough to kill the bird which falls to the floor unmoving.
[okay]Riven slays Emperor Bird 2[/okay]
[info] Encounter over. Everyone gains 80 xp.[/info]
Alak puts his hand to his head and blinks away the aftereffects of the bird's flash before speaking. "Emperor birds... and two of them? I've seen one or two in Korvosa but only as very expensive pets for sale or on the decks of ships from the far south. They're supposed to be from Garundi. What could they be doing underground out here in Isger?"
"Someone's pet?" Spira suggested. "Someone that shouldn't be here's pet."
She nudged one of the dead birds with the toe of her boot. "Or not. Anyone you can think of that might also be looking for your ring?"
"According to my parents the ring wasn't anything special but I'm starting to wonder myself if that's true. This cult the goblins mentioned must be very wealthy to afford such exotic creatures... Come to think of it, that giant lizard up in the courtyard wasn't like anything I've seen before." Replied Alak as he looked further into the hallway. The hallway has many branches, three to the north, three to the south, and three doors directly east at the opposite end of the hallway. A set of stairs stairs branches off near the doors and Alak stops to take a look at them. "These must be the stairs up to the courtyard that had collapsed... odd..." He says as he waves his torch over the rubble and touches the stairwells walls. "Looks like the stairs keep going down past this level. No one back in Varisia mentioned there being another level beneath the vaults."
"Perhaps we take the stairs after searching the rest of the rooms on this floor? Unless we would rather go straight for 'deeper' mysteries."
Alak have a tentative kick at the rubble blocking the stairs. "Maybe, not sure how much of the stairs may be collapsed. Could take a while to clear the way. Anyone know much about this stuff?"
[info] Anyone may make a Lore check related to engineering, mining, dungeons, or other related topics to assess the collapsed stairs.[/info]
"Can't say that I do. Maybe its best left alone for now."
"You're probably right. Something tells me if these cultists are down there they would have come through by now if was open all the way through... Though... None of them have come out here yet either. It's not like those birds went down quietly. That screech they made could have been heard back outside for all we know." Said Alak as he turned to look back around at the hallway. "So which way do we want to go? There's plenty of options it looks like. Doors to the north, south, and east."
"Such tantalizing options..." Spira said sarcastically then pulled a bolt from her quiver and tossed it into the air, letting random chance decide her suggested direction.
[info]Rolling a d3 to pick a direction. 1 = North, 2 = South, 3 = East
[blockquote]Rolled 1d3 : 2, total 2[/blockquote][/info]
Spira glanced at the fallen bolt before picking it back up. "South then?"
At Spira's suggestion, Alak turned and looked to the south side of the hall and its offshoot passages. "Looks like we have three more options to choose from..." He said as he held his torch overhead and peered down the passages. "Nevermind, just two options I guess... This easternmost passage looks like a dead end."
"That central passage seems fine to me" Spira said.
Nodding, Alak steps up the the door before pushing it open with the head of his mace. The room beyond is large with several adjoining halls. The floor is stone as the rest of the vaults so far but rather than the smooth stone of the hall behind you it appears to be covered in carvings and writing. In the gloom to the right there appear to be several large sarcophagi and a narrower entrance to another just south and west. More notable though is the continuation of the room as a large eastern passage and the small crowd of skeletons shambling about. They notice your party almost immediately and to your surprise one of the skeletons, one clad in black full-plate armor, cries out. "Ah ha! Foul servants of the necromancer have returned to the scene of the crime! Have at thee foul knaves!" Shouts the skeleton as it raises an ancient halberd menacingly towards you. The other skeletons turn and raise their weapons all completely in synch with another.
[info]Roll initiative (Perception)[/info]
(https://i.gyazo.com/f33cc30356f92ebe2a9471f4085222b7.png)
(https://i.gyazo.com/355e40edb1e479d0831829658568e903.png)
[info]Initiative
[blockquote]Perception 1d20+8 : 12 + 8, total 20[/blockquote][/info]
[info] initiative
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+9 : 20 + 9, total 29[/blockquote]
[/info]
[info]Initiative:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+4 : 5 + 4, total 9[/blockquote][/info]
[info]Initiative
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+5 : 9 + 5, total 14[/blockquote][/info]
[info] Belsarus to take turn[/info]
Encounter Info
[spoiler]
Roll20 Link (https://app.roll20.net/join/6640619/O-93KQ)
Initiative Order: Belsarus, Skelton 4, Melody, Skelton 2, Skeletal Hellknight, Alak, Riven, Skeleton 3, Skelton 5, Skeleton 1, Spira
Log
[/spoiler]
Belsarus moves in quickly, aiming to strike down one of the skeletons before it has a chance to react.
[info]Moving 25 feet and swinging twice at skeleton 1
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+8 : 14 + 8, total 22[/blockquote]
[blockquote]Rolled 1d6+4 : 6 + 4, total 10[/blockquote]
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+4 : 18 + 4, total 22[/blockquote]
[blockquote]Rolled 1d6+4 : 3 + 4, total 7[/blockquote]
[/info]
Belsarus's attacks shatter the old bones of the skeleton, causing it to collapse to the floor no longer animated. One of the other skeletons steps in from Belsarus's side and swings its sword at the halfling back and forth but fails to hit.
[okay]Belsarus hits and slays Skeleton 1 [/okay]
[okay]Skeleton 4 misses Belsarus[/okay]
[info]Melody to take turn[/info]
Encounter Info
[spoiler]
Roll20 Link (https://app.roll20.net/join/6640619/O-93KQ)
Initiative Order: Belsarus, Skelton 4, Melody, Skelton 2, Skeletal Hellknight, Alak, Riven, Skeleton 3, Skelton 5, Skeleton 1, Spira
Log
Skeleton 4 misses Belsarus
Belsarus slays Skeleton 1
[/spoiler]
(https://i.gyazo.com/f33cc30356f92ebe2a9471f4085222b7.png)
(https://i.gyazo.com/355e40edb1e479d0831829658568e903.png)
"Necromancer? We have no idea what you're talking about mister Skeleton!" Melody complained as moved into the room and immediately started into spellcasting.
[info]1 Action: Stride into room
2 Actions: Cast Divine Lance on Skeleton 4
[blockquote]divine spell attack 1d20+8 : 17 + 8, total 25[/blockquote]
[blockquote]good damage 1d4+4 : 2 + 4, total 6[/blockquote][/info]
The ray of light blasts through the skeleton's ribcage and causes it to collapse into another pile of inanimate bones. "Ha! Nice try! No mere perfidious scoundrels could trick a hellknight captain!" Announces the skeletal hellknight. "Men! Charge the spellcaster and give me an opening!" In response one of the skeletons runs past Belsarus into striking range of Melody and swings its blade at the cleric, missing once but managing to draw a line of blood on the backswing. The skeletal hellknight itself then dashes forward surprisingly fast, getting into striking range of melody where he swung with his halberd over the shoulder of the other skeleton. The blade of the halberd bites into Melody with a crushing blow. More than that, the undead's baleful gaze pierces into Meldoy and pain wracks her body.
Alak, surprised at first by the skeletons and their uncanny speed raises his mace and tries to bash the skeletal hellknight in the knee before trying for an overhead smash. His gambit fails and the skeleton manages to parry both of Alak's attacks with his halberd before yelling. "Traitor! I knew the citadel could only fall to treachery!"
[okay]Melody slays Skeleton 4[/okay]
[okay]Skeleton 2 misses Melody[/okay]
[error]Skeleton 2 hits Melody for 4 Slashing damage[/error]
[error]Skeletal Hellknight critically hits Melody for 14 Slashing damage[/error]
[info]Melody to make Will save[/info]
Encounter Info
[spoiler]
Roll20 Link (https://app.roll20.net/join/6640619/O-93KQ)
Initiative Order: Belsarus, Skelton 4, Melody, Skelton 2, Skeletal Hellknight, Alak, Riven, Skeleton 3, Skelton 5, Skeleton 1, Spira
Log
Skeletal Hellknight damages Melody
Skeleton 2 damages Melody
Melody slays skeleton 4
Skeleton 4 misses Belsarus
Belsarus slays Skeleton 1
[/spoiler]
(https://i.gyazo.com/f33cc30356f92ebe2a9471f4085222b7.png)
(https://i.gyazo.com/355e40edb1e479d0831829658568e903.png)
[info][blockquote]Will Save 1d20+10 : 2 + 10, total 12[/blockquote][/info]
Pain courses through Melody's body and causes involuntary convulsions to wrack her.
[error]Melody gains Stunned 1[/error]
[info]Riven to take turn[/info]
Encounter Info
[spoiler]
Roll20 Link (https://app.roll20.net/join/6640619/O-93KQ)
Initiative Order: Belsarus, Skelton 4, Melody, Skelton 2, Skeletal Hellknight, Alak, Riven, Skeleton 3, Skelton 5, Skeleton 1, Spira
Log
Skeletal Hellknight damages Melody, Melody is Stunned 1
Skeleton 2 damages Melody
Melody slays skeleton 4
Skeleton 4 misses Belsarus
Belsarus slays Skeleton 1
[/spoiler]
Seeing the talking skeleton land a sickening blow on Melody he growled, "won't let you get away with this you overgrown chew toy! Let's see how talkative you are when you are missing a few pieces!"
His words were soon accompanied by the sound of his stretching lupine jaw as he rushed to meet the Hellknight from his unprotected flank.
[info]
Action one rage - gain 5 temp hp and 2 damage lose 2 ac 17
A2 Move to flank with Alak
A3 Bite
[/info]
[info]Bite attack flanking
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+8 : 7 + 8, total 15[/blockquote]
Damage
[blockquote]Rolled 1d10+6 : 3 + 6, total 9[/blockquote]
[/info]
As Riven moves to flank the hellknight skeleton, the nearby lesser skeleton takes a parting swipe at the half-orc that gets a cut into his leg. On top of this, the skeletal hellknight is no slouch and despite having it surrounded, the canny foe avoids Alak's threats and manages to take Riven's bite on one of the sturdy plates of his armor. The other two skeletons follow up into the fray. The first takes a pair of swings at Belsarus but misses. The other shuffles up to Alak with a pair of swings of its own and one manages to get past his plate armor.
[error]Skeleton 2 uses a reaction and deals 6 Slashing damage to Riven[/error]
[error]Riven misses Skeletal Hellknight[/error]
[okay]Skeleton 3 misses Belsarus 2x[/okay]
[error]Skeleton 5 deals 5 Slashing damage to Alak[/error]
[info]Spira to take turn[/info]
Encounter Info
[spoiler]
Roll20 Link (https://app.roll20.net/join/6640619/O-93KQ)
Initiative Order: Belsarus, Skelton 4, Melody, Skelton 2, Skeletal Hellknight, Alak, Riven, Skeleton 3, Skelton 5, Skeleton 1, Spira
Log
Skeleton 5 damages Alak
Skeleton 3 misses Belsarus
Riven misses Skeletal Hellknight, Skeleton 2 damages Riven
Skeletal Hellknight damages Melody, Melody is Stunned 1
Skeleton 2 damages Melody
Melody slays skeleton 4
Skeleton 4 misses Belsarus
Belsarus slays Skeleton 1
[/spoiler]
Spira took a step forward, pulling a pair of prepared vials from their spot on her bandolier. After a quick shake to stir up the contents, she hurled it over the top of Alak's head at the skeleton directly in front of him.
[info]Stride (5ft.)> Draw/Strike Bottled Lightning> Draw/Strike Acid Flask
Both attacks on Skeleton 5
Bottled Lightning
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+7 : 3 + 7, total 10[/blockquote]
Damage: [blockquote]Rolled 1d6 : 2, total 2[/blockquote] Lightning damage and flatfooted until end of Spira's next turn. 1 lightning splash damage to everything around Skeleton 5 but Alak.
Acid Flask
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+2 : 16 + 2, total 18[/blockquote]
Damage: [blockquote]Rolled 1d6 : 6, total 6[/blockquote] persistent Acid damage and 1 acid splash damage to everything around Skeleton 5 but Alak.[/info]
The skeleton manages to batter the first bomb out of the air with its shield, avoiding the brunt of the crackling electrical arcs that snap out from the shattered bottle but leaving it open to the following bomb that splatters it with acid that begins to steam and eat through its bones.
[error] Spira misses Skeleton 5 with bottled lightning, splash damage still applied to all targets in the area[/error]
[okay] Spira hits Skeleton 5 with acid flask, splash damage applied to all targets in the area[/okay]
[info]Belsarus to take turn[/info]
Encounter Info
[spoiler]
Roll20 Link (https://app.roll20.net/join/6640619/O-93KQ)
Initiative Order: Belsarus, Skelton 4, Melody, Skelton 2, Skeletal Hellknight, Alak, Riven, Skeleton 3, Skelton 5, Skeleton 1, Spira
Log
Spira deals splash damage to Skeleton 2, 3, 5, Skeletal Hellknight, Skeleton 5 gains persistent damage
Skeleton 5 damages Alak
Skeleton 3 misses Belsarus
Riven misses Skeletal Hellknight, Skeleton 2 damages Riven
Skeletal Hellknight damages Melody, Melody is Stunned 1
Skeleton 2 damages Melody
Melody slays skeleton 4
Skeleton 4 misses Belsarus
Belsarus slays Skeleton 1
[/spoiler]
Belsarus swung his blade at the skeleton between Alak and himself.
[info] attacking skeleton 3, if it dies moving 10 ft and using second attack on skeleton 5.
attack 1: [blockquote]Rolled 1d20+8 : 6 + 8, total 14[/blockquote]
damage: [blockquote]Rolled 1d6+4 : 4 + 4, total 8[/blockquote]
precision damage: [blockquote]Rolled 1d6 : 3, total 3[/blockquote]
attack 2: [blockquote]Rolled 1d20+4 : 8 + 4, total 12[/blockquote]
damage: [blockquote]Rolled 1d6+4 : 3 + 4, total 7[/blockquote]
precision damage: [blockquote]Rolled 1d6 : 2, total 2[/blockquote]
[/info]
Belsarus is able to finish off the skeleton before Spira's acid has a chance to melt what's left of its bones but as he advances on its nearby ally, gets caught by a swing of its blade and fails to keep up his assault.
[okay]Belsarus damages and slays Skeleton 3[/okay]
[error]Skeleton 5 reacts and deals 7 Slashing damage to Belsarus[/error]
[error]Belsarus misses Skeleton 5[/error]
[info]Melody to take turn[/info]
Encounter Info
[spoiler]
Roll20 Link (https://app.roll20.net/join/6640619/O-93KQ)
Initiative Order: Belsarus, Skelton 4, Melody, Skelton 2, Skeletal Hellknight, Alak, Riven, Skeleton 3, Skelton 5, Skeleton 1, Spira
Log
Spira deals splash damage to Skeleton 2, 3, 5, Skeletal Hellknight, Skeleton 5 gains persistent damage
Skeleton 5 damages Alak
Skeleton 3 misses Belsarus
Riven misses Skeletal Hellknight, Skeleton 2 damages Riven
Skeletal Hellknight damages Melody, Melody is Stunned 1
Skeleton 2 damages Melody
Melody slays skeleton 4
Skeleton 4 misses Belsarus
Belsarus slays Skeleton 1
[/spoiler]
(https://i.gyazo.com/f33cc30356f92ebe2a9471f4085222b7.png)
(https://i.gyazo.com/355e40edb1e479d0831829658568e903.png)
The halfling cleric let out a painful yelp as the skeletons' weapons bit into her, one of them digging deep enough that Melody felt like she almost blacked out from just the pain alone. She couldn't share the undead's gaze either, and Melody felt strangely almost lethargic. Biting her lip from the pain, she focused enough to chant a quick prayer of healing on herself.
[info]Action 1-2: Cast a spell: Heal
[blockquote]Rolled 1d8+8 : 5 + 8, total 13[/blockquote][/info]
[spoiler=Heal reference]Range varies; Targets 1 willing living creature or 1 undead
You channel positive energy to heal the living or damage the undead. If the target is a willing living creature, you restore 1d8 Hit Points. If the target is undead, you deal that amount of positive damage to it, and it gets a basic Fortitude save. The number of actions you spend when Casting this Spell determines its targets, range, area, and other parameters.
Single Action (somatic) The spell has a range of touch.
Two Actions (somatic, verbal) The spell has a range of 30 feet. If you're healing a living creature, increase the Hit Points restored by 8.
Three Actions (material, somatic, verbal) You disperse positive energy in a 30-foot emanation. This targets all living and undead creatures in the burst.[/spoiler]
As Melody's spell takes effect and heals her wounds, the skeleton that had been threatening her turns and takes an opening provided by the plate-clad skeleton to surround Belsarus but Alak tries to bash the skeleton as it turns and manages to cave in the skeleton's ribs from behind before it has a chance to get out of his reach. The Skeletal hellknight roars with its nonexistent lungs as the other skeletons continue to fall around it. "Foul knaves! We'll fight you to the last man! A hellknight is never more dangerous than when he's dead!" And with that proclamation, whirls in place with its halberd's axeblade swinging in a wide arc aimed at hitting those nearest to it. It catches Alak with a grievous blow that downs the armiger and also hits Riven as well but Belsarus is able to dodge the wild swing.
[error]Skeletal Hellknight critically hits Alak for 14 damage, Alak is now Dying 1
Skeletal Hellknight hits Riven for 6 Slashing damage[/error]
[okay]Skeletal Hellknight misses Belsarus[/okay]
[okay]Alak uses Attack of Opportunity on and slays Skeleton 2[/okay]
[info]Riven to take turn[/info]
Encounter Info
[spoiler]
Roll20 Link (https://app.roll20.net/join/6640619/O-93KQ)
Initiative Order: Belsarus, Skelton 4, Melody, Skelton 2, Alak, Skeletal Hellknight, Riven, Skeleton 3, Skelton 5, Skeleton 1, Spira
Log
Skeletal Hellknight downs Alak, damages Riven, misses Belsaurs
Skeleton 2 is slain by Alak
Melody heals self
Spira deals splash damage to Skeleton 2, 3, 5, Skeletal Hellknight, Skeleton 5 gains persistent damage
Skeleton 5 damages Alak
Skeleton 3 misses Belsarus
Riven misses Skeletal Hellknight, Skeleton 2 damages Riven
Skeletal Hellknight damages Melody, Melody is Stunned 1
Skeleton 2 damages Melody
Melody slays skeleton 4
Skeleton 4 misses Belsarus
Belsarus slays Skeleton 1
[/spoiler]
"You dead are doing nothing but howling at your own personal moon! If you refuse to leave the land of the living then it is up to this hound to make sure you stay good and Buried!" Riven retorted, as he moved smoothly around into the opening Bell had created to make an additional bite attempt.
[info]Action one move to flank
Action 2 demoralize (intimidating glare)
Action 3 bite
[/info]
[info]Demoralize intimidation vs will
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+5 : 4 + 5, total 9[/blockquote][/info]
[info]Attack bite
Attack 1
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+8 : 9 + 8, total 17[/blockquote]
Damage
[blockquote]Rolled 1d10+6 : 9 + 6, total 15[/blockquote]
[/info]
The skeletal hellknight turns and takes the brunt of Riven's bite on one of its pauldrons before shaking the half-orc off. The skeleton engaged with Belsarus unleashes a flurry of swings at the halfling but doesn't manage land a hit before the acid eating at it causes it to crumble.
[error]Skeletal Hellknight resists Riven's Intimidation
Riven misses Skeletal Hellknight[/error]
[okay]Skeleton 5 misses Belsarus x3
Skeleton 5 is slain by persistent Acid damage[/okay]
[info]Spira to take turn[/info]
Encounter Info
[spoiler]
Roll20 Link (https://app.roll20.net/join/6640619/O-93KQ)
Initiative Order: Belsarus, Skelton 4, Melody, Skelton 2, Alak, Skeletal Hellknight, Riven, Skeleton 3, Skelton 5, Skeleton 1, Spira
Log
Riven misses Skeletal Hellknight
Skeletal Hellknight downs Alak, damages Riven, misses Belsaurs
Skeleton 2 is slain by Alak
Melody heals self
Spira deals splash damage to Skeleton 2, 3, 5, Skeletal Hellknight, Skeleton 5 gains persistent damage
Skeleton 5 damages Alak
Skeleton 3 misses Belsarus
Riven misses Skeletal Hellknight, Skeleton 2 damages Riven
Skeletal Hellknight damages Melody, Melody is Stunned 1
Skeleton 2 damages Melody
Melody slays skeleton 4
Skeleton 4 misses Belsarus
Belsarus slays Skeleton 1
[/spoiler]
Sidling around the corner and into the room, Spira aimed her crossbow at the hellknight and loosed a bolt before reloading again.
[info]Move> Strike (Hellknight)> Reload
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+7 : 10 + 7, total 17[/blockquote]
Damage: [blockquote]Rolled 1d6 : 5, total 5[/blockquote]
[/info]
As Spira enters the room the skeletal hellknight whirls from engaging Riven to thrust at her with their halberd, catching her with the spike before she can get back out of its reach. Still reeling from the blow, Spira's crossbow bolt shoots wide but fortunately doesn't hit any of her allies surrounding the undead.
[error]Skeletal Hellknight react and hits Spira for 10 Piercing damage[/error]
[error]Spira misses Skeletal Hellknight[/error]
[info]Belsarus to take turn[/info]
Encounter Info
[spoiler]
Roll20 Link (https://app.roll20.net/join/6640619/O-93KQ)
Initiative Order: Belsarus, Skelton 4, Melody, Skelton 2, Alak, Skeletal Hellknight, Riven, Skeleton 3, Skelton 5, Skeleton 1, Spira
Log
Spira misses Skeletal Hellknight, Skeletal Hellknight reacts and damages Spira
Riven misses Skeletal Hellknight
Skeletal Hellknight downs Alak, damages Riven, misses Belsaurs
Skeleton 2 is slain by Alak
Melody heals self
Spira deals splash damage to Skeleton 2, 3, 5, Skeletal Hellknight, Skeleton 5 gains persistent damage
Skeleton 5 damages Alak
Skeleton 3 misses Belsarus
Riven misses Skeletal Hellknight, Skeleton 2 damages Riven
Skeletal Hellknight damages Melody, Melody is Stunned 1
Skeleton 2 damages Melody
Melody slays skeleton 4
Skeleton 4 misses Belsarus
Belsarus slays Skeleton 1
[/spoiler]
His companion was on the ground and Belsarus knew that he had to strike. His blades flashed as he struck out towards the skeleton's champion.
[info] 3 attacks! oops typo'd first attack roll
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+8 : 1 + 8, total 9[/blockquote]
damage: (http://forums.fantasyworldcreations.com/Themes/UX-R1/images/dice_warn.gif) This dice roll has been tampered with!
Rolled 1d6+4 : 4 + 4, total 8
Precision damage if applicable: (http://forums.fantasyworldcreations.com/Themes/UX-R1/images/dice_warn.gif) This dice roll has been tampered with!
Rolled 1d6 : 2, total 2
attack 2: (http://forums.fantasyworldcreations.com/Themes/UX-R1/images/dice_warn.gif) This dice roll has been tampered with!
Rolled 1d20+4 : 10 + 4, total 14
damage: (http://forums.fantasyworldcreations.com/Themes/UX-R1/images/dice_warn.gif) This dice roll has been tampered with!
Rolled 1d6+4 : 1 + 4, total 5
Precision damage if applicable: (http://forums.fantasyworldcreations.com/Themes/UX-R1/images/dice_warn.gif) This dice roll has been tampered with!
Rolled 1d6 : 5, total 5
attack 3: (http://forums.fantasyworldcreations.com/Themes/UX-R1/images/dice_warn.gif) This dice roll has been tampered with!
Rolled 1d20 : 12, total 12
damage: (http://forums.fantasyworldcreations.com/Themes/UX-R1/images/dice_warn.gif) This dice roll has been tampered with!
Rolled 1d6+4 : 4 + 4, total 8
Precision damage if applicable: (http://forums.fantasyworldcreations.com/Themes/UX-R1/images/dice_warn.gif) This dice roll has been tampered with!
Rolled 1d6 : 4, total 4
[/info]
The Skeletal Hellknight, despite being surrounded, is still able to avoid Belsarus's attacks with a deft series of parries.
[error] Belsarus misses Skeletal Hellknight 3x[/error]
[info] Melody to take turn[/info]
Encounter Info
[spoiler]
Roll20 Link (https://app.roll20.net/join/6640619/O-93KQ)
Initiative Order: Belsarus, Skelton 4, Melody, Skelton 2, Alak, Skeletal Hellknight, Riven, Skeleton 3, Skelton 5, Skeleton 1, Spira
Log
Belsarus misses Skeletal Hellknight
Spira misses Skeletal Hellknight, Skeletal Hellknight reacts and damages Spira
Riven misses Skeletal Hellknight
Skeletal Hellknight downs Alak, damages Riven, misses Belsaurs
Skeleton 2 is slain by Alak
Melody heals self
Spira deals splash damage to Skeleton 2, 3, 5, Skeletal Hellknight, Skeleton 5 gains persistent damage
Skeleton 5 damages Alak
Skeleton 3 misses Belsarus
Riven misses Skeletal Hellknight, Skeleton 2 damages Riven
Skeletal Hellknight damages Melody, Melody is Stunned 1
Skeleton 2 damages Melody
Melody slays skeleton 4
Skeleton 4 misses Belsarus
Belsarus slays Skeleton 1
[/spoiler]
(https://i.gyazo.com/f33cc30356f92ebe2a9471f4085222b7.png)
(https://i.gyazo.com/355e40edb1e479d0831829658568e903.png)
"Mister Stagram!" The priestess called out in alarm after shaking herself off from the grievous wound from earlier. She realized the
evilest of evil knights had fallen.
"Miss Dawnflower, please fill everyone here with your divine warmth!" Melody uttered a prayer as she unleashed another
Heal, this time clutching and holding on to hey symbol of Sarenrae.
[info]Action 1-3: Cast a spell: Heal, in 30-foot emanation.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d8 : 5, total 5[/blockquote][/info]
A wave of warm light emanates forth from Melody and everyone feels invigorated by the spell and Alak moans as his grievous wound closes. Everyone that is except for the skeleton who shrieks and shields its hollow eye sockets from the light as small bits of exposed bone burn and flake off. Alak gets up from the floor with a grunt and swings his mace at the skeletal hellknight, rattling the skeleton about in its armor with a heavy blow from his mace.
The Skeletal Hellknight repositions itself and shouts "You should have stayed down traitor!" before attacking back at Alak with its halberd. This time though, Alak is able to catch the Skeletal Hellknight's blows with his own heavy armor and manages to avoid any damage to his vitals.
[okay]Everyone gains 5 HP
Alak loses Dying 2 and gains Wounded 1
Melody damages Skeletal Hellknight[/okay]
[okay]Alak stands and uses Power Attack on Skeletal Hellknight, dealing damage[/okay]
[okay]Skeletal Hellknight misses Alak 2x[/okay]
[info]Riven to take turn[/info]
Encounter Info
[spoiler]
Roll20 Link (https://app.roll20.net/join/6640619/O-93KQ)
Initiative Order: Belsarus, Skelton 4, Melody, Skelton 2, Alak, Skeletal Hellknight, Riven, Skeleton 3, Skelton 5, Skeleton 1, Spira
Log
Melody heals everyone, damages Skeletal Hellknight
Belsarus misses Skeletal Hellknight
Spira misses Skeletal Hellknight, Skeletal Hellknight reacts and damages Spira
Riven misses Skeletal Hellknight
Skeletal Hellknight downs Alak, damages Riven, misses Belsaurs
Skeleton 2 is slain by Alak
Melody heals self
Spira deals splash damage to Skeleton 2, 3, 5, Skeletal Hellknight, Skeleton 5 gains persistent damage
Skeleton 5 damages Alak
Skeleton 3 misses Belsarus
Riven misses Skeletal Hellknight, Skeleton 2 damages Riven
Skeletal Hellknight damages Melody, Melody is Stunned 1
Skeleton 2 damages Melody
Melody slays skeleton 4
Skeleton 4 misses Belsarus
Belsarus slays Skeleton 1
[/spoiler]
Riven moved quickly as the hell knight continued to focus on Alak to block Melody from further assault. He could feel the healing power that she had summoned coursing through his veins pushing him forward to continue to fight. His teeth ached from bashing against the armor without making a proper purchase, but that only served to stoke his rage. He wasn't going to let his chew toy get away unscathed.
While his enemies were distracted with his friends he tried his best to take advantage of what few openings that he could find as he added his fangs to the flurry of attacks.
[info]Action 1 move into range
Action 2 and 3 Attack
-
Attack 1
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+8 : 12 + 8, total 20[/blockquote]
Damage
[blockquote]Rolled 1d10+6 : 1 + 6, total 7[/blockquote]
Attack 2
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+3 : 4 + 3, total 7[/blockquote]
Damage
[blockquote]Rolled 1d10+6 : 1 + 6, total 7[/blockquote]
[/info]
The Skeletal Hellknight tries to fend Riven off with its halberd but fails and the half-orc's jaws clamp down on one of the patches covered only with chainmail rather than plate. While mostly Riven only catches jingling chain, there is a muffled crunch of some actual bone being crushed underneath. Before he can get another bite in the skelton twists away and shoves Riven back to fighting distance with Riven's second bite missing.
[okay] Riven deals reduced damage to Skeletal Hellknight[/okay][error] Riven misses Skeletal Hellknight[/error]
[info] Spira to take turn[/info]
Encounter Info
[spoiler]
Roll20 Link (https://app.roll20.net/join/6640619/O-93KQ)
Initiative Order: Belsarus, Skelton 4, Melody, Skelton 2, Alak, Skeletal Hellknight, Riven, Skeleton 3, Skelton 5, Skeleton 1, Spira
Log
Riven damages Skeletal Hellknight
Melody heals everyone, damages Skeletal Hellknight
Belsarus misses Skeletal Hellknight
Spira misses Skeletal Hellknight, Skeletal Hellknight reacts and damages Spira
Riven misses Skeletal Hellknight
Skeletal Hellknight downs Alak, damages Riven, misses Belsaurs
Skeleton 2 is slain by Alak
Melody heals self
Spira deals splash damage to Skeleton 2, 3, 5, Skeletal Hellknight, Skeleton 5 gains persistent damage
Skeleton 5 damages Alak
Skeleton 3 misses Belsarus
Riven misses Skeletal Hellknight, Skeleton 2 damages Riven
Skeletal Hellknight damages Melody, Melody is Stunned 1
Skeleton 2 damages Melody
Melody slays skeleton 4
Skeleton 4 misses Belsarus
Belsarus slays Skeleton 1
[/spoiler]
Spira tugged another vial of acid free from its holster and tossed it at the hellknight. As it flipped through the air she squeezed off another shot from her crossbow before reloading once again.
[info]Draw/Strike Acid Flask>Shoot>Reload
Acid Flask:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+7 : 4 + 7, total 11[/blockquote]
[blockquote]Rolled 1d6 : 6, total 6[/blockquote] persistent acid damage and 1 acid splash on Hellknight.
Crossbow:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+2 : 14 + 2, total 16[/blockquote]
[blockquote]Rolled 1d6 : 4, total 4[/blockquote][/info]
As Spira winds up for the throw of her acid flask the skeletal hellknight, continuing to show a surprisinging ability to handle threats from many different direction, thrusts into her gut with its halberd. Her flask of acid then misses its mark and only a splash of the bubbling liquid gets on the skeletal hellknight and the follow-up crossbow bolt pings off the skeleton's breastplate.
[error]Skeletal Hellknight reacts and deals 7 Piercing damage to Spira[/error]
[error]Spira misses Skeletal Hellknight 2x, splash damage still applied[/error]
[info]Belsarus to take turn[/info]
Encounter Info
[spoiler]
Roll20 Link (https://app.roll20.net/join/6640619/O-93KQ)
Initiative Order: Belsarus, Skelton 4, Melody, Skelton 2, Alak, Skeletal Hellknight, Riven, Skeleton 3, Skelton 5, Skeleton 1, Spira
Log
Spira misses Skeletal Hellknight, Skeletal Hellknight reacts and damages Spira
Riven damages Skeletal Hellknight
Melody heals everyone, damages Skeletal Hellknight
Belsarus misses Skeletal Hellknight
Spira misses Skeletal Hellknight, Skeletal Hellknight reacts and damages Spira
Riven misses Skeletal Hellknight
Skeletal Hellknight downs Alak, damages Riven, misses Belsaurs
Skeleton 2 is slain by Alak
Melody heals self
Spira deals splash damage to Skeleton 2, 3, 5, Skeletal Hellknight, Skeleton 5 gains persistent damage
Skeleton 5 damages Alak
Skeleton 3 misses Belsarus
Riven misses Skeletal Hellknight, Skeleton 2 damages Riven
Skeletal Hellknight damages Melody, Melody is Stunned 1
Skeleton 2 damages Melody
Melody slays skeleton 4
Skeleton 4 misses Belsarus
Belsarus slays Skeleton 1
[/spoiler]
Belsarus continues his assault, hoping his blades will find purchase.
[info]attack 3x
attack 1[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+8 : 2 + 8, total 10[/blockquote]
damage: [blockquote]Rolled 1d6+4 : 1 + 4, total 5[/blockquote]
precision damage: [blockquote]Rolled 1d6 : 6, total 6[/blockquote]
attack 2 [blockquote]Rolled 1d20+4 : 2 + 4, total 6[/blockquote]
damage: [blockquote]Rolled 1d6+4 : 4 + 4, total 8[/blockquote]
precision damage: [blockquote]Rolled 1d6 : 1, total 1[/blockquote]
attack 3 [blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 9, total 9[/blockquote]
damage: [blockquote]Rolled 1d6+4 : 3 + 4, total 7[/blockquote]
precision damage: [blockquote]Rolled 1d6 : 4, total 4[/blockquote]
The flurry of attacks Belsarus lets loose doesn't manage to land a single hit on the skeleton, either being deflected by the Skeleton's weapon or clattering off one of its armor plates.
[error]Belsarus misses Skeletal Hellknight 3x[/error]
[info]Melody to take turn[/info]
Encounter Info
[spoiler]
Roll20 Link (https://app.roll20.net/join/6640619/O-93KQ)
Initiative Order: Belsarus, Skelton 4, Melody, Skelton 2, Alak, Skeletal Hellknight, Riven, Skeleton 3, Skelton 5, Skeleton 1, Spira
Log
Belsarus misses Skeletal Hellknight
Spira misses Skeletal Hellknight, Skeletal Hellknight reacts and damages Spira
Riven damages Skeletal Hellknight
Melody heals everyone, damages Skeletal Hellknight
Belsarus misses Skeletal Hellknight
Spira misses Skeletal Hellknight, Skeletal Hellknight reacts and damages Spira
Riven misses Skeletal Hellknight
Skeletal Hellknight downs Alak, damages Riven, misses Belsaurs
Skeleton 2 is slain by Alak
Melody heals self
Spira deals splash damage to Skeleton 2, 3, 5, Skeletal Hellknight, Skeleton 5 gains persistent damage
Skeleton 5 damages Alak
Skeleton 3 misses Belsarus
Riven misses Skeletal Hellknight, Skeleton 2 damages Riven
Skeletal Hellknight damages Melody, Melody is Stunned 1
Skeleton 2 damages Melody
Melody slays skeleton 4
Skeleton 4 misses Belsarus
Belsarus slays Skeleton 1
[/spoiler]
(https://i.gyazo.com/f33cc30356f92ebe2a9471f4085222b7.png)
(https://i.gyazo.com/355e40edb1e479d0831829658568e903.png)
[info]2 Actions: Cast Divine Lance on Skeletal Hellknight
[blockquote]divine spell attack 1d20+8 : 12 + 8, total 20[/blockquote]
[blockquote]good damage 1d4+4 : 3 + 4, total 7[/blockquote]
1 Action: Stride behind Alak[/info]
The ray of light shoots out and pierces through the skull of the skeletal hellknight. It collapses to the floor and a final rasping whisper comes forth from its lipless mouth, the words somehow managing to echo through the halls despite the low volume. "Brothers... I have faiiiiilled..."
[info]Encounter over. Everyone gains 115 xp.[/info]
(https://i.gyazo.com/f33cc30356f92ebe2a9471f4085222b7.png)
(https://i.gyazo.com/355e40edb1e479d0831829658568e903.png)
"You failed when you decided to be a creepy undead thing, mister!" Melody said sticking her tongue out at the skeletal remains. She turned towards her companions, eyeing the wounds that most of them received as she began to pull out her healer's tools.
"If it feels like it hurts, come by and let me treat your wounds."[info]Melody will begin treating wounds of everyone, while telling a story about Sarenrae. If she gets to treat Alak, she'll be sure to state how so really really
really] lucky mister Stagram was to have a priestess of Sarenrae around to tend to his wounds.
Spending 10 minutes per person, if time allows, and no interruptions, in this order:
Alak
[blockquote]Medicine, Treat Wounds 1d20+8 : 3 + 8, total 11[/blockquote]
[blockquote]heal 2d8 : 2, 5, total 7[/blockquote]
Spira
[blockquote]Medicine, Treat Wounds 1d20+8 : 17 + 8, total 25[/blockquote]
[blockquote]heal 2d8 : 7, 4, total 11[/blockquote]
Riven
[blockquote]Medicine, Treat Wounds 1d20+8 : 12 + 8, total 20[/blockquote]
[blockquote]heal 2d8 : 6, 8, total 14[/blockquote]
Belsarus
[blockquote]Medicine, Treat Wounds 1d20+8 : 9 + 8, total 17[/blockquote]
[blockquote]heal 2d8 : 7, 6, total 13[/blockquote]
[/info]
Alak unbuckles his breastplate to look at the gash that the skeletal hellknight had dealt to him. Melody's magic had at least stopped the bleeding but a vicious purple bruise still remained and no amount of the salves from her healing kit seemed to do the trick. He poked at the bruise and winced. "Well that was... tough..." He said as he fastened his breastplate back in place. "I had heard that any knights that die in the line of duty that get interred in our keep are protected against necromantic interference but I didn't think it would involve a bit of necromancy of our own. Or that it would be so... aggressive. I assume that this is the work of the cult somehow."
[info]Treat Wounds on Alak fails
Treat Wounds on Spira critically succeeds
Treat Wounds on Belsarus succeeds
Treat Wounds on Riven succeeds
20 minutes until Alak can be treated again[/info]
(https://i.gyazo.com/f33cc30356f92ebe2a9471f4085222b7.png)
(https://i.gyazo.com/355e40edb1e479d0831829658568e903.png)
[info]If given time, Melody will treat Alak again.
[blockquote]Critical heal roll for Spira 2d8 : 3, 5, total 8[/blockquote]
[blockquote]Medicine, Treat Wounds 1d20+8 : 15 + 8, total 23[/blockquote][/info]
[info][blockquote]Rolled 2d8 : 2, 5, total 7[/blockquote][/info]
The party's short break manages to go uninterrupted and Melody is able to manage a more substantial treatment. In the intervening time everyone is able to get a better look at the hall you're in. The floor and walls are covered with carved writing which indicate a name and two dates for the life span of some member of the order. Displaced panels where the skeleton's had been standing would seem to indicate that these are in fact actually headstones for graves. The hall continues to eat and ends in a wooden door. To the west is an alcove with several large stone sarcophagus and to the south is a small archway that goes into another room only some of which is visible from your current position in the hall.
"South maybe? I'd hate for something lurking there to sneak up behind us if we head through that other door..." Spira said, nodding to the archway.
You enter into the next room and find the walls covered with shelves piled high with bones, apparently an ossuary for the less highly ranked of the order. A waist high shelf runs down the middle of the hall covered with the remnants of old burned out candles. Several statues of suits of armor stand at attention between some of the shelves in the gloom of the bone room.
[info]Perceptions requested[/info]
[info]Perception:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+4 : 12 + 4, total 16[/blockquote][/info]
[info] Perception
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+7 : 6 + 7, total 13[/blockquote]
[info]perception
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+5 : 19 + 5, total 24[/blockquote][/info]
(https://i.gyazo.com/f33cc30356f92ebe2a9471f4085222b7.png)
(https://i.gyazo.com/355e40edb1e479d0831829658568e903.png)
[info]Initiative
[blockquote]Perception 1d20+8 : 9 + 8, total 17[/blockquote][/info]
The room at first seems otherwise unremarkable until Riven, able to see more clearly in the gloom than the others, notices the helmets of the statues appear to be made not of stone but black painted metal. The shadows within the helmet's eye slits seem to flicker and writhe with some animated force. Whatever the helmets are, they are clearly animated with some kind of magic.
"Be careful everyone," Riven hissed as he checked he ran a hand across his chest to check that his wounds were shallow and glancing around the room.
"Something about this room feels off to me. The armor in this space feels strange, like it's watching our movements or watching us," he whispered as he raised his other hand to draw the group's attention to the various helms.
"I can feel my hair is on end in a similar way when there is someone throwing magic around. There may be traps or some kind of mechanism that we need to look out for."
Turning to Alak, "Do you know any significance the armor has?"
"Just decorations I would think." Replied Alak with a shrug before putting a pensive thumb to his chin. "Unless... Well, there's an old rumor they use to scare the new initiates to the order. They say that knights that fail in their duties are executed by beheading but instead of an unceremonious dump in the ditch their heads are secreted away and their helmets are used to make a creature called a Hellcrown. They are supposed to haunt the secret vaults of the order for all eternity and prey upon any initiates foolish enough to get lost in the catacombs. I thought it was just a tall tale to scare the new kids but maybe these are it."
[info]Religion: 19
Hellcrown NE Tiny Undead
HP 20, AC 16, Fort +4, Ref +6, Will +10
Negative Healing; Immune: disease, Paralysis, Poison, Unconscious
Speed: 25 ft Fly
Attacks
Nail +9, 1 action, 20 ft range, 1d4+2 Piercing plus Bleeding Nail
Special
Bleeding Nail: Targets struck by the Hellcrown's nail attack must make a DC 16 Fort save or become Enfeebled 1 and gain Persistent Bleed 1 (Enfeebled 2 and Persistent Bleed 1d4 on a critical fail), additional nails stack this effect with Enfeebled to a maximum value of 4. Nails can be removed with an Interact action to remove the associated conditions.
[/info]
"Well let's try to avoid finding out for sure, if we can..." remarked Spira dryly.
(https://i.gyazo.com/f33cc30356f92ebe2a9471f4085222b7.png)
(https://i.gyazo.com/355e40edb1e479d0831829658568e903.png)
"This is all so so so evil Mister Stagram!" Melody said from Alak's description.
"In the temple of Sarenrae there's no risk of beheading if you fail your duties. You get to redeem yourself, and try again."
"Well I think it's a great incentive not to abandon your comrades. Besides, it has the benefit of free eternal guardians while eliminating any unsavory elements from the ranks." Replied Alak with an impressed smirk. "Speaking of... the fact that they don't seem to be alerted like the others in the hall behind us makes me wonder if the cultists have even come this way."
"Perhaps we should avoid them, head back and then continue down the larger hallway." Spira said. "It wouldn't do if I were to run low on reagents before we encounter these cultists."
You turn back and head down the hall of graves to the door at the end of the hallway. Coming to the doorway, Alak girds himself before opening the door. However, the open doorway only reveals a room absent any obvious enemies. The room contains several shelves that line its walls and a low central round table. The shelves appear bare and a thick layer of dust seems to have settled across most of them.
Unlike the shelves, the table at the center of the room appears to have had some kind of recent activity. The dust is disturbed and several black candles sit partially burned around some ashes in the middle of the table. Tracks in the dust lead to and from the table to the door in back of the room. "Huh... I was expecting something more... climactic."
"Still time for unpleasantness" Spira remarked. "Someone's been through that door back there. What do you suppose they were burning? Is this a ritual space of some kind?"
Alak looks at the candles and shrugs. "No idea... But then Vicarius Vulf said I was 'less teachable in the arcane arts than a pack of rutting gnolls'" Says Alak with added finger quotes for emphasis. "Anyone else?"
[info]A Divine or Occult check can be made to attempt to identify the ritual components[/info]
(https://i.gyazo.com/f33cc30356f92ebe2a9471f4085222b7.png)
(https://i.gyazo.com/355e40edb1e479d0831829658568e903.png)
"Oh oh oh, let me see!" Melody chirped as she made her way forward to the candles.
[info]Recall Knowledge
[blockquote]Religion 1d20+8 : 19 + 8, total 27[/blockquote][/info]
[info]Religion: 27
An inspection of the components in the middle of the table quickly makes it apparent that it is a setup for some kind of necromantic ritual to interrogate any lingering spirits in the area. The ashes were once pieces of paper that the ritualist wrote questions onto and which the spirits then imprinted answers to the ritualist's questions before being consumed in flame.[/info]
Your inspection of the ritual shows that it appears to have been cut short as a scrap remains of one of the pieces of paper and the words "Where is Alseta's ring?" can be made out. Unfortunately, the answer appears to have burned away.
"Well damn" Spira cursed. "Is that referencing the ring you're searching for Alak? Maybe we should continue through that back door."
Alak looks to the slightly ajar door at the back of the room and approaches, cautiously pushing it open with his mace and then fully opening it when nothing happens. In the back room are a series of stone shelves carved into the walls which much like the room before appear to have been mostly emptied except for a small wooden box, a small stack of papers weighted down under a small silver figurine, and a large crimson banner with the order of the nail's symbol surrounded by several gold insignias and medals pinned to the fabric.
To the right an iron door sits completely open with the tracks in the dust leading further away down a very long corridor. Alak seems to zero in on the wooden box left on the shelf, ignoring the other objects and opening the box in a hurry. Inside, on a small pillow of old velvet, is a simple gold ring with an insignia of two stags headbutting. Alak, looks at the ring with a small sigh of relief and holds it up. "Thank you, this is what I was looking for." He points to one of the badges affixed to the banner which has the same crest. "My family was one of the founders of the order. Unfortunately the life of a knight is dangerous and now this ring and I are all that remains of the Stagrams. With this ring, at least I know that even if I fall, something will remain of us."
Alak takes a minute longer before looking up to the open passage and the tracks leading down it. "Huh... It seems whoever was here before came in though this passage... and whoever it was seems to have walked right by the gold and silver in this room," He asks as he looks up into the darkness. The passage goes on for quite some distance, far past the light of the torch Alak carries, farther even than the darkvision of Riven.
"Now that you've got it, will you be sticking around? It might do well to check down there." Spira commented casting a somewhat avaricious eye at the various valuable baubles in the room.
"I will have to start my return to Varisia by the end of the week. In the meantime, I would like to finish cleansing the keep of this cult and figure out what this ring is that everyone we run into keeps talking about." Replied Alak as he peered into the darkness.
The passage continues for quite some time, snaking its way through the earth for what feels like more than a mile before you come to a short ladder leading up to the underside of a closed trapdoor. Alak looks up at the hatch. "Onward and upward then?"
"Seems we have little choice, given the alternative is going back the way we came."
Alak nodded and pushed open the trap door. a dim light sneaks through the crack and Alak ascends the ladder. Following him up the ladder, you all find yourselves in what looks like a well stocked larder of some kind. Barrels of vegetables, sacks of flower and grains, and kegs of beer are neatly organized around you lit by a dim oil lamp hanging in the middle of the ceiling. The faint smell of vinegar and brine suffuses the air and before you get a chance to take a better look around you hear a door open up a the top of stairs at the other end of the room and the heavy footfalls of someone descending. A half-orc walks down the stairs and heads for one of the barrels before noticing you all. "Hey, what are you doing here? No customers allowed down here."
(https://i.gyazo.com/f33cc30356f92ebe2a9471f4085222b7.png)
(https://i.gyazo.com/355e40edb1e479d0831829658568e903.png)
"Customers?" Melody had to ask. It's true that they traveled for what felt like was a mile, but the young priestess wasn't quite sure what to make of the half-orc.
"Oh no, no, no, we're not customers... We're more like explorers. We're actually searching for evil to redeem." She wanted to say 'cultists', but Melody wasn't quite sure whether or not the person she was talking to was one of the cultists they were investigating. Besides, searching for evil to redeem wasn't really lying, Melody
was looking to redeem any such evil.
"But if I may ask, what kind of... place is this? What are we potential customers of?"
"Don't remember where you're at eh? Barely past noon and you're already blotted. Bit early for that don't you think? C'mon, out you go." Says the half-orc as she picks up a broom and begins to use it to expertly herd you you of the basement as if she has done something similar a thousand times before. Next thing you know you've all ascended the stairs out of the basement and through the door to find yourselves in the main room of what looks to be a tavern. The various patrons eating lunch look back at you for a moment before returning back to their meals. "Alright, I catch you down there again and it's out the door on your arse." Says the half-orc as she turns to head back down the stairs.
The barkeep, an older human woman with a permanently stern expression, looks up from their work to see your party with the half-orc heading back downstairs. "How..." Her expression changes to one of recognition as she gets a better look at you. "Hey, you're the heroes! What... How did you sneak past me into the basement? Aren't you supposed to be out at the old castle?" Getting a better look at your surroundings, you catch a glimpse of the tavern sign out the front windows and recognize it as one that you passed on your way out of Breachill, the Pickled Ear if you recall correctly. It would appear the tunnel has circled around and returned you back to town.
"Yes. Well, we were. Say, has anyone else come through here recently? By which I mean, mysteriously arriving in your basement?"
"Hmmm..." The barkeep puts a thumb to her chin and here eyes narrow as she looks to be thinking. "Maaaybeee... What's in it for ol' Roxy?"
"What uhh... do you want to be in it for ol' Roxy...?" Spira asked, out of her depth and quickly growing annoyed with having to carry on conversation.
Roxy looks around the room at the small number of regulars having lunch. "What I need around here are some new customers. All the travelers that pass through town head straight for Cayden's Keg or Wizard's Grace. I bet the town heroes endorsement would do wonders for business. How's about you figure out some kinda way to draw in a good crowd?"
(https://i.gyazo.com/f33cc30356f92ebe2a9471f4085222b7.png)
(https://i.gyazo.com/355e40edb1e479d0831829658568e903.png)
"If it's endorsements, we can do that." Melody offered, confident in her ability to try getting people into the tavern.
"But once you draw attention, you need something to keep drawing attention for even after we leave. Like a special something unique to the Pickled Ear. For us in our small temple of Sarenrae, the people who keep visiting are those who come to worship Sarenrae, so that's our special thing. " Melody looked towards her other companions.
"Anyone have any ideas on how to help this place?" She asked.
"All I know are medicines and what we were taught in the church... I'm pretty confident in gathering people if it comes to it though. Oh! Also, also, also, I'm good at jewelry making and other artsy things, maybe I can make miss Roxy's tavern sign look prettier?"