Rise of the Runelords, Part I: Burnt Offerings [IC]

[lostsole31]

Alright, now that's out of the way. Does anyone do anything for their morning routine that is different from current setup?

[meemaas]

Norton will prepare Shocking Grasp in place of Shield from the day before (both instances), and will shape Mai'yrs Band to his wrist slot in place of his Robe of the Forgotten Deity. He will choose to deal Electricity damage with that veil.

Spoiler

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For expedience sake, here is the link to the veil in question.

If you decide that Norton cannot shape it yet, having come from a non-core source, then pretend I said Hand Cannons instead.

[lostsole31]

Instead of the tattered akashic robe from yesterday, today, Norton - when he puts E in it - wears these brown cloth wraps at his wrist. (Which seem to disappear when E is not in it, such as right now.)

Spoiler: Stormbound

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Stormbound was read and approved for playtest.

Now what? Opal, are you good with spells and maneuvers readied?

[digiman619]

Opal prepares a few spells to cast over Asher when they recover him. Otherwise, she's ready to finish the job

Spoiler: OOC

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Replace Sun Metal and Detect the Faithful with Sanctify Copse and Songbird. Otherwise, it's the same loadout.

[lostsole31]

Great Aunt Leanyi looks to Opal (tied for most heavily armored, and a fellow female) and asks for help to put on her armor ... masterwork banded mail.

Norton what is going on with Jules at this time?

[digiman619]

Opal will help her with her armor, talking shop about how even though field plate is heavier, it distributes its weight better than banded mail, so you have a bit more mobility in it. It's not much, but maybe a modicum of casualness would help integrate her into the party better.

[lostsole31]

"Oh, I used to have a fine set of full plate, but I had it resized and given to my daughter on her wedding day," says Leanyi. "After that, there wasn't much point in me getting another set. So, before coming here this banded mail was the only thing that fit me properly that I got from the armory."

[meemaas]

Jules is riding in Nortons bag as usual. No use risking him when we don't need to.

[lostsole31]

The party heads back to Thistletop, this time being sure to show the heavily armored newbie how to cross the aging rope bridge safely (one at -a-time).

So, what is the intention? My assumption is to head down to the big chamber that led to the trapped hallway and what was beyond, but then what?

[meemaas]

Back past the trap where we found Nualia and check the southern door this time. We didn't do that before, right?

[digiman619]

That and recovering Asher.

[lostsole31]

So, which first .... check the southern door, or try to collect Asher? check the southern door?

[meemaas]

Spoiler

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GM word of God is that I've forgotten about Asher.

Norton recommends the southern door.

[lostsole31]

The door is checked/ cleared/ opened. Beyond is a 5w, 10' long passageway leading to another door.

The party moves up, and then checks/ clears/ opens that door as well. This second door opens up to a large hallway. The southern wing of this L-shaped hallway ends at a pair of stone doors carved with the depictions of two skeletons reaching out to clutch a skull between them, while to the east the hallway narrows down to frame a circular carving of what seems to be an immense stack of tens of thousands of gold coins that rises from floor to ceiling. The edges of these coins are carved with tiny, spiky runes.

What do you do?

[meemaas]

Investigate the carving first. If it seems like it's not gonna open up or anything suspicious, we'll go investigate the door afterwards.

[lostsole31]

Opal, by this point you have a good enough understanding of those you've been with to know that the best senses in the party - hands down - are your own. Meanwhile, while Norton is bright, he is not that focused. If he starts trying to find clues and traps, the party is going to be in trouble.

Toros used to be the next best, but since he was cursed yesterday, he is way under the weather regarding everything.

[digiman619]

Opal puts her hand on Norton's shoulder "Let me. I've got a good eye for these sorts of things." Assuming that he doesn't object, Opal will begin the search.

[lostsole31]

Opal doesn't find anything dangerous or of interest.

[meemaas]

Norton answers Opal. "I know I'm not good at work like that. I was merely stating my suggestions for how we move forward. Norton does however take a moment to try his best to memorize the carving, if for no other reason than it interests him.

[digiman619]

Opal nods. "Then I'll take point.", she says as she advances.

[lostsole31]

As this carving/pillar doesn't lead anywhere but capped the hallway, the party heads west and then south down the hallway to the double doors. What now?

[meemaas]

Same as before, check the door and then go through if its safe.

[lostsole31]

Opal (with Great-Aunt Leanyi's help) check the double doors. They don't find anything dangerous, and they don't hear anything on the other side.

Still, Leanyi turns back to look at the group with her fully helmeted visor and her targeting monocle embeded in the left-eye portion of her visor with its red glass. "No sounds of danger, but this is an ancient site, with likely ancient, and still, dangers. As a battle forge, I am able to act as a tactical 'mental lynchpin' for helping with offense and defense. This is a mental power that requires you each to be mentally open to me. I will not force it. Are there any among you who do not wish to open your mind to each other? We can't read each other's minds, but we can project our thoughts to each other .... just not discriminately."

So, since she is new, are there any who do not yet wish to do this mental combination thing she is speaking of?

[meemaas]

"As long as we can keep our thoughts to ourselves and only share what we want to, it sounds like a very useful thing to have. A way to communicate silently and not give away our information. You have my permission."

[lostsole31]

Opal, what about you?

[digiman619]

Opal could ironically be described as being of two minds about the subject, but eventually she agreed as well.

[lostsole31]

Spoiler: Leanyi >>> Collective

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"There, that's better."

Since Leanyi uses longsword and shield (to hands) and Opal has a scimitar (can be in just one hand), Opal is the official door-opener. The doors are unlocked and open easily.

Four pillars support the domed ceiling of this room. Several dark alcoves containing standing sarcophagi grace the walls, and a statue of a stern man wielding a glaive and holding a book stands in the southern part of the chamber.

With Leanyi assisting Opal to look for danger, the party slowly moves into the crypt.

Opal, Jules, Toros and Leanyi detect something amiss in here!

Surprise Round ...

S19: Opal, you sense three dark and wispy shapes come up out of the ground. All three are technically adjacent to you, though one has a column in its way. This is a surprise round. What do you do?

[digiman619]

"Shadows!" Opal yelled as she channeled positive energy into the southern shadow.

Spoiler: OOC

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SwA: Use Healing blessing to empower next healing spell.
SA: Give up songbird to cast cure light wounds (1d8+3)[5] (+50%); Will for half.

[lostsole31]

S19: "Shadows!" Opal yelled as she channeled positive energy into the southern shadow's chest for only 3 PE damage.

S15: That very shadow does a counter against Opal, passing its foot through her right foot for 5 Strength.

S13: Jules shakes Norton to try to get make its master more aware, but otherwise stands behind Norton in his space.

S12: Toros notes the shadows as well. "Be defensive! Don't let them touch you!" He then rushes forward to make a new front line.

S11: Norton, Jules didn't make you aware of all the opponents, but did give you the chance to notice and respond to one ... the "blue" shadow (only). What do you do? Also, do you ask Jules to do anything?

[meemaas]

Norton will take up a defensive stance for the moment, trying to determine what the creature he's been directed to is. He calls out to Jules in their shared language, directing him to stay back while they fight.

Spoiler

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Standard action: Total Defense.

I presume Norton doesn't have the appropriate knowledge (meta call, I know), but if he does, I'd like to roll one.

Have Jules stay back and try not to get caught up in the fight.