Aegis' Dungeoncrawler In-Character

[QuadraticGish]

Seeing the light level quickly dropping, Orchid lights up her Hearthfire lantern and attaches it to her pack. She then takes out a wand of Detect Magic and passes it to Thanquil.

"No need to burn our magic looking around. That wand should do it in the meantime. I get he feeling that something is could happen when those candles go out."

[whoiam]

Following Orchid's lead, Liselle retrieves her everburning torch from her pack.

"Those candles are looking a touch suspicious, aren't they?

But yes, I agree, we should search upstairs while we wait for this floor to stop burning."

[Aegis013]

The party returns up the stairs, hoping to escape the fire in the sitting room. As you reach the top of the stairs, everything goes dark. It takes only a fraction of a moment before your eyes adjust to the light from Orchid's lantern. The candles went out.

Nothing else seems to be amiss.

Spoiler: Thanquil passive listen

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(1d20+8)[17] Listen
DC: (1d20+7)[18]

You can hear the bonfire burning in the floor below.

Do you investigate the library?
Do you investigate the study?
Do you investigate the sleeping quarters?
Do you ascend back to the top floor?

[QuadraticGish]

"Let's start looking from the top down." Orchid suggests.

[Dread_Head]

"Sounds a good plan" Thanquil says, continuing up to the top floor and then using the wand Orchid handed him to cast Detect Magic and scan the area.

[Aegis013]

The team proceeds back to the laboratory. Nothing seems to have changed other than the lights are out.

Spoiler: Passive Perception

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(1d20+8)[27] Thanquil listens
(1d20+7)[9] DC

Now, further away from the furniture bonfire, Thanquil makes out the sound of several sets of boots beginning to come up the stairwell behind the group.

Proceeding further up has bought you some advantage, based on the sound, Thanquil guesses you have only a precious few seconds before whatever is making the sound is upon you.

You have two rounds to prepare yourselves or your surroundings. The laboratory contains multiple work tables that were previously covered in valuable glassware that has since found its way into the teams' haversacks.

There are three exits:
The door to the evil shrine.
The door to the master bedroom.
The staircase down (where the sound of boots came from).

[TheFallenOne]

"Well, let's give them an unpleasant welcome," Solstafir said with a wry smile. He moved to spread a bag of caltrops on the stairs leading up, then got some distance to stand ready with his harpoon.

[Dread_Head]

"I can hear some creatures following us up the stairs. I've no idea where they came from but we should get ready for them."

Then in preparation Thanquil casts a couple of spells on himself before starting to sing The Ettin and the Bear to remind the party of past victories.

Spoiler

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Round 1: cast Protection from Evil(+2 deflection, +2 resistance), move to the other side of the room with a clear shot at the doorway and ready bow.
Round 2: cast Inspirational Boost, start Inspire Courage, activate Badge of Valour (+3 morale bonus to attack, damage and saves vs. fear for the whole party)

As soon as he can see them he'll make a Knowledge check to identify / for knowledge devotion.

[QuadraticGish]

Wasting no time, Orchid casts grease, coating the top end of the stairs. She then takes out a barrel from her haversack and sets it down before kicking towards and down the stairs. "I never thought I'd find a use for that one!" she comments, smiling. Afterward, she moves next to Solstafir.

Spoiler: OOC

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Can I have a timer check on if the Spare Hand has come online yet? If so, Orchid will have it hold a scroll of haste.
Round 1: Standard: Cast Grease, Move Action: Take barrel out and set it down.
Round 2: Standard: Kick the barrel down the stairs. Strength Check if necessary: (1d20+3)[8] Move Action: Move next to Solstafir.

[Aegis013]

The barrel crashes thunderously down the stairs. After a cacophonous crash you hear multiple gruff voices from further down the stairs saying something in a language nobody on the team understands. Judging by the distance, you'd guess they're on the floor below you.

The enemies are still outside of the radius of Orchid's lantern light, but they're certainly aware of you now if they weren't previously. Solstafir's darkvision has no angle on them as he isn't at the mouth of the stairwell, but a short ways into the laboratory in preparation to throw the harpoon.

Initiative:
Enemies: (1d20+7)[11]

Liselle (1d20+8)[26]
Orchid (1d20+2)[9]
Solstafir (1d20+3)[6]
Thanquil (1d20+3)[8]

Liselle has initiative and readies an action to Bull Rush the first opponent to appear, hopefully knocking them back down the stairs again.

[Aegis013]

Rather than enemies appearing in the yawning mouth of the stairwell, a 5ft diameter orb of fire appears just in the throat of the stairwell and is violently vomited forth 20 ft into the room. The flaming sphere rolls over the Grease, lighting the top of the stairwell on fire, and proceeds into the room, until it collides with Liselle who needs a straight line to Bull Rush.

Reflex DC 15 vs (2d6)[10] fire damage.
Liselle's reflex: (1d20+7)[8]

The enemies don't come into view.

Spoiler: Spellcraft DC 22/Thanquil automatically passes

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It's a Flaming Sphere. How unexpected.

Spoiler: Status and Conditions

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The enemies aren't yet in view. All players and enemies have Total Cover until circumstances change.

Liselle took 10 damage and has 11 HP remaining.
Solstafir has 27 HP remaining.

Players may act.

[QuadraticGish]

Orchid's spellcraft: (1d20+13)[19]

[whoiam]

...Note for future engagements: Standing by the open space was clearly a stupid idea. Next time, defend from cover.

Speaking of which, this seems to be a great opportunity to switch into Child of Shadow, move to a point flanking the staircase (so she will be out of the direct line of fire until the enemy reaches the top) pull out her chain, and wait to try and whack the first person who actually shows up at the top of the stairs...

Spoiler

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Liselle's apparent curse aside, remember she does get a bonus to her reflex saves when she's not flat footed... doesn't make much of a difference when she rolls a 1, but that +4 may be useful later, depending on what comes up the stairs next.

Since she moved in Child of Shadow, Liselle has concealment this round. Just in case the miss chance comes in handy...

Anyway, she's preparing an action to hit the first enemy that moves into range of her chain - 3 points of Power Attack, cancelling out the attack bonus from Badge of Valour, and using her Shadow Blade Technique.
"Attack" - (1d20+8)[23]
"Attack" - (1d20+8)[21]
"Crit Conf" - (1d20+12)[18]

"Damage" - (2d6+15)[19] - Including the bonuses from Power Attack and Badge of Valour
"Crit Damage" - (2d6+15)[20]
"Cold Damage" - (1d6)[2]
21 to hit, 21 damage.

She may also be entitled to an AOO, depending on how the enemy moves:
"Attack" - (1d20+8)[17]
"Crit Conf" - (1d20+12)[22]

"Damage" - (2d6+15)[24] - Including the bonuses from Power Attack and Badge of Valour
"Crit Damage" - (2d6+15)[18]
17 to hit, 24 damage

[TheFallenOne]

Solstafir moved to block the way from the stairwell into their room, confident in his ability to take the Flaming Sphere. "Heal her up, I'll hold the line!"

Spoiler

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If I see an enemy harpoon attack, otherwise ready action to do the same
(1d20+7)[14] (2d8+4)[12]

Zombie behind me with its 10 ft reach readies an action to attack
(1d20+8)[18] (1d3+5)[8]

[Dread_Head]

Not wanting to stop his song and lose the magic of it, Thanquil keeps singing and readies his bow to shoot anyone entering the room. He also shuffles a little bit further away from where the Flaming Sphere ended it's movement.

[Aegis013]

From Solstafir's new position at the top of the stairs he sees a short distance down the stairwell a gang of six hobgoblins. The stairs are wide enough for them to fit two shoulder-to-shoulder, with the burliest standing in front, backed by two pairs of the grotesque creatures. Those five look up at the dwarf with the red eyes typical of Dungeon creatures. They have the barrel in front of them, providing partial cover.

The front hobgoblin wears a breastplate, is holding a short bow and has a large axe on his back.
The four hobgoblin soldiers in the middle each are equipped with chainmail and are holding longbows. They also have longswords hanging from their belts and guisarmes strapped over one of their shoulders.

Behind those five is a smaller creature, much like the other hobgoblins, except its skin has a scaly texture and it looks at you with yellow eyes with vertical pupils similar to a cat.

The dwarf's harpoon comes hurling down at the front of their unit, but collides with the barrel.

The five bow wielding hobgoblins loose arrows at the dwarf with readied actions:
Hob Leader:
(1d20+3)[10] to hit
On a 23 (1d20+3)[20] to confirm

On a hit it deals (1d6)[5] damage
On a crit it deals (2d6)[11] more


Hob soldier 1:
(1d20+2)[19] to hit
On a 22 (1d20+2)[22] to confirm

On a hit it deals (1d8)[6] damage
On a crit, it deals (2d8)[15] more


Hob soldier 2:
(1d20+2)[9] to hit
On a 22 (1d20+2)[4] to confirm

On a hit it deals (1d8)[5] damage
On a crit, it deals (2d8)[5] more


Hob soldier 3:
(1d20+2)[9] to hit
On a 22 (1d20+2)[7] to confirm

On a hit it deals (1d8)[2] damage
On a crit, it deals (2d8)[3] more


Hob soldier 4:
(1d20+2)[17] to hit
On a 22 (1d20+2)[16] to confirm

On a hit it deals (1d8)[6] damage
On a crit, it deals (2d8)[4] more


The scaled hobgoblin has no action readied. Likely it's their caster who created the Flaming Sphere currently in the laboratory with you.

Between the flaming grease and the dwarf's impressive armor Solstafir is unharmed by the arrows.

Spoiler: Status and Conditions

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Liselle healed for 1 and has 12 HP remaining.
Solstafir has 27 HP remaining.

Orchid still has her actions before the next round begins (what a time this would be for a successful activation of that Scroll of Fireball she has).

[QuadraticGish]

Orchid grabs out her scroll of fireball from her pack, and begins reciting the spell.

Spoiler: OOC

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Move Action: Grab the scroll of Fireball.
Standard Action: Activate the scroll, hopefully getting all enemies within the blast. UMD: (1d20+16)[21] Damage: (3d6)[10]
EDIT: Activating the Drow House Insignia(Spell, Divine insight) to add +8 to the UMD check.

[Aegis013]

Orchid launches a fireball into the gang of hobgoblins. Flames shoot out briefly engulfing the hallway.

Reflex DC 14(?) for half:
Hob Leader: (1d20+1)[3]
Hob solider 1: (1d20+1)[6]
Hob solider 2: (1d20+1)[14]
Hob solider 3: (1d20+1)[17]
Hob solider 4: (1d20+1)[5]
Scaled Hob: (1d20+3)[5]

The flames subside as the smell of charred flesh accosts your olfactory receptors. Looking down the stairwell, you see two of the hobgoblin soldiers have become charred black. The four standing look seriously injured. The two remaining soldiers barely able to stand or grip their weapons.

[Aegis013]

The scaled hobgoblin, barely able to stay standing makes a gesture and the Flaming Sphere rolls back on top of Solstafir. (move action)

Reflex DC 14 for half against (2d6)[4] fire damage.
Solstafir's Reflex: (1d20+5)[11]

Solstafir is encompassed in familiar and barely even uncomfortable heat from the magical ball of flame.

The scaled hobgoblin then chants in what you now presume to be the goblin tongue and lifts his fingers. Darts of silvery white energy flash out from his fingertips flying up the stairwell, avoiding his companions and striking the dwarf with unerring accuracy for (2d4+2)[5] damage.

Spoiler: Spellcraft DC 21

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Magic Missile.

Spoiler: Status and Conditions

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Hobgoblin Leader has taken 10 damage and is wounded.
Hobgoblin Soldier 1 has taken 5 damage and is near death.
Hobgoblin Soldier 2 has taken 5 damage and is near death.
Hobgoblin Caster has taken 10 damage and is near death.

Two Hobgoblin Soldiers are toast.

Liselle has 12 HP remaining. (will heal again after her next action)
Solstafir takes 5 damage from the magic missiles and has 22 HP remaining.

Due to readied actions modifying initiative, all players other than Orchid may act before the weapon wielding hobgoblins. (Solstafir acts on the same initiative count as they do, but he has a higher initiative mod thus moves first)

[TheFallenOne]

Solstafir stood unmoving, neither perturbed nor harmed by the ball of flame washing over him. "Doesn't even tickle mate. How about you?" His next harpoon went flying at the hobgoblin caster, for while the fire couldn't harm the dwarf his other magic very much could, but for now the pain only gave him more resolve and strength.

Spoiler

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Let's see... +1 Furious Counterstrike, +1 racial against goblinkin, +3 bardic music
attack - (1d20+12)[25] damage - (2d8+8)[14]
Plus harpoon stuff if he gets hit and somehow survives

Since I block the stairwell might as well switch into Martial Spirit to get a bit of healing out of melee
(1d5)[3] (1d4)[1] (1d3)[2] (1d2)[2]

[Dread_Head]

Deciding the scaled hobgoblin posts the most threat to the party Thanquil fires a pair of arrows at him whilst continuing to sing his ballad.

Spoiler

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Full Attack, Rapid Shot, Point Blank Shot, Inspire Courage +3, Knowledge Devotion +3
Attack 1 (1d20+11)[17] damage (1d6+8)[11]
Attack 2 (1d20+11)[29] damage (1d6+8)[14]

[whoiam]

Unwilling to move from her nice, safe stairway corner (the various bruises from the furniture providing a keen reminder that she's not the party tank), Liselle instead picks out her bow and joins the archery duel. Hopefully just peeking out of cover means she won't be in as much danger from their return fire... hopefully.

Spoiler

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Nothing fancy this time. She's got the +3 to hit from Inspire Courage, and that's it. Target will be the first of Caster->Leader->Soldiers that's still alive when her shot resolves.

"Attack" - (1d20+9)[25]
"Crit Conf" - (1d20+13)[15] (Threat on a 29)

"Damage" - (1d8)[5]
"Crit Damage" - (2d8)[4]

[Aegis013]

(In effort to resolve actions in the most beneficial order):

Liselle's arrow flies past the barrel the Hobgoblins are using as cover, nicking the leader's ear, passing between the two soldiers and hits a shimmering armor of force which knocks the arrow off course from hitting the caster between the eyes. However, it's the Mage Armor isn't enough to deflect the arrow entirely and it burrows deep into the Hobgoblin caster's left eye. After a spurt of arterial gunk, the scaled Hobgoblin sways slightly before all life evacuates its body and its corpse tumbles down the stairs. The Flaming Sphere dissipates upon its casters death.

Solstafir's target now dead, his harpoon comes for the target that is presumably the largest remaining threat, sticking deep into the Hobgoblin leaders abdomen. Blood leaks from the corners of the warrior's mouth, as well as the fresh wound, as he drops his bow to clutch the bone harpoon protruding from his stomach. His eyes alight with a fiery rage as Thanquil's arrows follow behind the Harpoon.

The Hobgoblin leader manages to knock one arrow aside just before the other lodges itself in his neck, extinguishing the rage in the monster's red eyes. The Hobgoblin leader gurgles noisily for a moment before he too succumbs to death and collapses.


The two remaining soldiers, near death and witness to their allies almost simultaneously executed by the heroes of Solum, throw down their weapons and attempt to flee. They turn to flee as the barrel begins to roll down the stairs, rolling over their leader's corpse and hitting them in backs of the legs. In a tangle of weapons and limbs the remaining two Hobgoblin soldiers take a nasty spill down the stairs, turning them into slightly charred corpses.

Spoiler: OOC

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They had 2 HP left, a barrel preventing them from charging, flaming grease that would probably immediately kill them if they tried to engage in melee, and they needed a nat 20 to have a 5/8ths chance to even damage Solstafir at the top of the stairs with their bows. The battle is a foregone conclusion at this point. No use in dragging it out.

The party each gains 3,150 XP.

After the grease burns out, the party is able to take time to search the Hobgoblins.

They carry:
1,200gp in assorted coins and gems

4x Longsword
4x Masterwork Guisarme
4x Chainmail
Shortspear
Light crossbow
Masterwork Battle Axe
Shortbow

Unidentified Potion
Unidentified Magical Cloak

A bloodstained iron key

Spoiler: Status and Conditions

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The Hobgoblins are dead.

Liselle heals to 50% and has 16 HP remaining
Solstafir has 22 HP remaining.

A cursory search of the explored area reveals an open trap door, previously hidden under the old stained carpet in the Mess Hall/Kitchen area. It seems the Hobgoblins ascended through the trap door. Looking into the trap door, you see stairs descending into an ominous inky black void of darkness that would give a normal person or a less experienced Delver chills.

The furniture bonfire has reduced to embers, though the tower is now rather unpleasantly smokey.

Do you:
Descend further?
Take time to more thoroughly search an already visited location?

[QuadraticGish]

With it seemingly being relatively safe now, Orchid speaks up. "Do either of you want to patch up? I have plenty of scrolls of lesser vigor if any of you need it. After that, I think we should make sure the place is searched properly from top to bottom before we check out that trap door."

Spoiler: OOC

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I've got 3 potions and 6 scrolls of lesser vigor if either Solstafir or Liselle wants some healing. Here are UMD checks in case either wants some heals. (1d20+16)[28] (1d20+16)[32] (1d20+16)[27] (1d20+16)[17] (1d20+16)[23]

[TheFallenOne]

"Right, let's heal up before we go any further. Can't take for granted whatever else is here are chumps like these guys." The Dwarven smith relaxed for a moment, letting the healing magic do its work before they continued on their journey.

Spoiler

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A Lesser Vigor will leave me with 2 HP below full which should be fine. Also switch back into Iron Guard's Glare.

[Dread_Head]

"I don't need any healing for now, I have some scrolls as well if anyone needs additional healing. I'm happy to thoroughly search before we head further down."

[Aegis013]

In order to best improve the probability of leaving alive, three scrolls of Lesser Vigor are consumed, healing Solstafir to 33 HP and completely recovering Liselle's vitality.

Liselle carefully searches the explored areas, taking quite some time, but there seems to be no immediate threat. In the library, she discovers a switch which opens a hidden compartment behind some of the tomes standing in the book case. Inside she finds treasure:

Unidentified Scroll
Unidentified Potion
1,000gp worth of onyx.
A small book that appears to bound in humanoid flesh. Sickening.

While waiting for Liselle's search to turn up more, the team reviews the contents of the grotesque book. The first pages detail an arcane ritual to create an empowered undead, describing tasks needed to be performed, materials and requirements for deed. Beyond that, it appears to serve as a diary of a madman who ritually sacrificed victims in order to perform unholy experiments in raising the living dead, only to have their animated corpses fight each other in an effort to refine his ritual process to create a more powerful monster. It's clear the authored reveled in the torment his victims faced. A true abomination.

With this book, any character capable of raising undead can create a "Chained Undead" by following this ritual, using 1,000gp per Hit Dice plus the cost of a sacrificed weapon, and a week's crafting time to modify the undead (not able to be used in the Dungeon).

Spoiler: Chained Undead

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Upon raising an undead, you can craft it into a Chained Undead for 1,000gp per HD and sacrificing a weapon. This gives it the following benefits:

Your undead gains a Bite attack that deals 1d8+str for a medium creature and requires a Fort Save DC 15 vs. Paralysis for 1 round.
Your undead gains Turn Resistance +4

Your undead gains the following feats, if there are prerequisites the undead must meet those prerequisites to gain the feats: Combat Reflexes, Improved Initiative, Improved Toughness, Multiattack, Weapon Finesse, and Weapon Proficiency with the sacrificed weapon, even if it's an exotic weapon (as long as the undead has the appropriate appendages to wield the weapon).

The weapon sacrificed becomes fused to the creature forever. The Chained Undead can't be disarmed of the weapon, and the weapon can't be recovered if the Chained Undead is destroyed, as the weapon is also destroyed.

Liselle's search doesn't find anything hidden beyond that in the explored areas, though the shrine to the evil deity has an oppressive feel of emptiness, as you can feel the Dungeon's desire to swallow you.


Thanquil and Orchid take a look at the potions: (Lower roll will be used as Aid Another if needed.) Spellcraft DC 25:
Potion 1:
(1d20+13)[19]
(1d20+12)[23]
You identify this Potion as a Potion of Remove Paralysis.

Potion 2:
(1d20+13)[22]
(1d20+12)[13]
+1 circumstance bonus, means you identify this one also as a Potion of Remove Paralysis.

Thanquil and Orchid take a look at the scroll: DC 25+spell level
Scroll part 1:
(1d20+13)[23]
(1d20+12)[21]
You identify this as a Divine Scroll of Raise Dead.

Scroll part 2:
(1d20+13)[16]
(1d20+12)[32]
You identify this as a Divine Scroll of Unhallow.


All that's left to explore is down the trap door, unless anybody wants to take other actions beforehand?

[TheFallenOne]

While the others were conducting their search Solstafir leafed through the book with growing interest. "That here looks quite useful, shame I didn't have this before animating the Choker. Think I'll keep this one, though I better rebind it. Think this is human skin?" He held the tome close to sniff its leather, then lightly touched it with his tongue. "Well, not enough for burial or identification anyway, whoever this poor fella was."

[Aegis013]

Having found and collected everything of apparent value, the group descends past the trap door down the stairs into the inky black void below.

You find yourselves in a damp stone chamber. There are still candles here, though substantially fewer than in the floors above. This floor has a strange earthy musk and a faint scent of death.

There are three heavy stonework doors providing exits to this room. Looking them over, none of them are trapped or locked, in fact, one of them is ajar.

One door stands in front of you and is closed fast.

One door stands to the right and is closed fast.

One door stands against the wall behind you as you enter from the stairs. This one hangs slightly ajar.

[QuadraticGish]

"I think we should go through the one that's already open. I don't want to deal with anything coming through there later."