Beordir (Galen) AC: 20/15/14, CMD 20, Saves: 7/9/8, HP: 27/43, Unaugmented d20=18 ; Thursday January 26th, 2017 8:03:22 PM
Beordir narrows his eyes when the ghostly children wander behind his group. He takes Armand's warning to heart and tries to keep his gaze roving. He comments to the group deadpan, "There are a few back here as well."
To distract himself from the creepy spirits, he takes a close look at the marks in the wall.
(OOC Knowledge, Arcana is +8. Knowledge Nature is +6. d20=18 ; I rolled an 18, but I'm not sure if either of those will help.)
Owen Marcellus (Weston W.) AC: 12/12/10; HP: 32/32; CMD: 16 Thursday January 26th, 2017 9:54:59 PM
Owen sees Atlas perk up at the thought of a new enemy to fight. He nudges him and says, "Don't look so giddy about a fight. Just yesterday you were a kabob."
Then he calls out to the ghostly figures: "Which way must we go to confront the Matriarch?"
Leskni (Paul Jackson) AC: 16/15/11; HP 41/41; Pella HP 16/20 CMD: 17 Character Sheet d20+15=30 ; Thursday January 26th, 2017 11:15:50 PM "Please, tell us everything you know about this Matriarch. Is she a Drow? A priestess of some God? Is she alone or does she have allies? Anything and Everything you can tell us might help us to fight her"
Diplomacy of 30
DM RobC - "Don't look so giddy about a fight. Just yesterday you were a kabob." Friday January 27th, 2017 5:52:06 AM Mack patiently awaits the groups next move. He wisely keeps his fingers to himself and doesn't try to touch any of the ghosts.
Carver talks kindly to the girls, practically promising to do whatever possible to help these children "pass over". He asks them for possible aid and starts with something easy: what caused the scratch marks in the stone?
One of the drow ghost girls runs her fingers across the marks "The Shadows?" she asks Mya
"Quite likely. They are trapped down here too" Mya explains to Carver "But they are twisted souls beyond redemption". Even though she is a ghost, Carver can see Mya shudder at the thought of them.
Armand utters a caution to the group to be wary of these ghosts. Mya gives a sheepish grin and looks down to her feet. If there are rituals that require the sacrifice of young women in general, it's not one that he recalls hearing. Sacrifices can often be used for the creation of undead, that much he is sure of. And the sacrifice of sentient beings is most certainly an evil act. Was someone intentionally trying to create an undead army? If so, why young girls?
Beordir tries not to think about being surrounded by ghosts and instead focuses on the marks on the wall.
Armand and Beordir believe that the ghost girls suggestion - Shadows - could well be the source of the marks on the walls. Armand recalls that particularly evil people, especially those who have drained the lives of others, can be raised from the dead as Shadows so they may continue to suck the life from others.
Leskni asks for further information on the Matriarch
"You don't know the Matriarch?" asks one of the ghost girls. She appears genuinely confused and surprised
"She was the leader of the drow" another explains "When the Lava tubes collapsed many, many died. The Matriarch promised an answer. Those who remained believed her so devoutly that when she asked for us they didn’t hesitate to offer us to her."
One girl suddenly looks alarmed "Mya! She's looking for us. She knows we're missing! We have to go."
The ghost girls start to disappear
"Keep following this passage. You can safely rest here. But you must be quiet ahead. I'll try and find you again soon" Mya and the others starts to turn back to smoke again, each asking the same question as they go in a quiet chorus of ghostly voices: "Are you here to save us?"
The wisps of smoke vanish as quickly as they came.
Mack notices that the scratches in the rock where the children were standing form another message: "Vengeance is justice"
'Osul(Graham) AC:11 (T:11, FF:10), CMD:16, HP:26/37, LIGHT Friday January 27th, 2017 6:45:17 AM "Well, that was certainly a tale! We may know more, but we don't know this Matriarch."
Mack (Eric R) AC: 16 (T 16 FF 13), CMD: 16; HP 46/46, Speed: 30' d20+22=37 ; d20+21=37 ; Friday January 27th, 2017 8:25:29 AM
I let everyone know about the message that the scratches form: "Vengeance is justice"
"Well, she said this was a good place to rest, but I think we're pretty much good to go already, aren't we?"
I wait for the group's decision, but at the very least, check out where we are at while they decide.
(d20+21+1(TTT) TrapFinding check of 37) (d20+20+1(TTT) perception check of 37)
Atlas Sunowl (Trey) AC: 21 (T 13 FF 18), CMD: 22/17; HP 61/61 Character Sheet Friday January 27th, 2017 10:30:35 AM
Atlas takes a calming breath as the girls disappear. "Well, I'm sure that those Shadows are going to be looking for us at some point. Best to be nimble when the time comes. And as for that message, well, I don't think there's much we can do about that other than take it as a warning that someone is mad."
Looking around the corridor to see how everyone's doing, Atlas finally says, "No sense standing here. Mack, lead the way."
Carver (John C) AC 16, AC 18 with shield, CMB 6, CMD 17, HP 55/55 Speed 65 Character Sheet Friday January 27th, 2017 2:24:55 PM "I think we may have some trouble, especially if these Shadows are unsubstantial, Until I actually become a Grim, I can effect creatures like that no better than anyone else can. Be prepared for all of out attacks to be much less effective. My studies into this subject have told me that some magical energies can fully effect creatures that are not fully here and that Grims can because Lord Gargul has blessed them. So, be ready to fight, but do not press your luck." Carver takes up his spot 3rd in line and moves along with the others.
Mack (Eric R) AC: 16 (T 16 FF 13), CMD: 16; HP 46/46, Speed: 30' Friday January 27th, 2017 2:51:49 PM
Knowing almost nothing of undead, other than a few skeletons and zombies.... "Since Squeaver and I fight by direct contact, should I be concerned at all when we run across these Shadows?"
Leskni (Paul Jackson) AC: 16/15/11; HP 41/41; Pella HP 16/20 CMD: 17 Character Sheet d20+6=12 ; Friday January 27th, 2017 9:30:50 PM "I don't see how incorporeal creatures could leave claw marks in stone. I think the ghosts were wrong
But we need to continue, obviously"
Armand (Robert D) AC 16/touch11/flat15 HP 50/50 CMD 17 Character Sheet Sunday January 29th, 2017 2:21:04 PM
Armand considers Mack's question. "I'd say yes you should be worried. Do you have any weapons you can use? I mean Monks aren't just limited by hands, there are weapons they can use right?"
He turns to Leskni, "I don't know Leskni, I've heard stories about ghosts and such still being able to hurt humans when humans couldn't fight back. But you're right we're not going to get anywhere standing around talking, we should keep moving."
Owen Marcellus (Weston W.) AC: 12/12/10; HP: 32/32; CMD: 16 Sunday January 29th, 2017 10:52:17 PM
Owen looks at the marks with renewed concern, then prepares to move deeper into the tunnels.
DM RobC - "I'd say yes you should be worried" Monday January 30th, 2017 6:47:02 AM
The party stop to consider what has just occurred, what they have learned, what they are yet to learn, and what to do from here.
Ultimately, the group has decided not to stop and rest any further - they're all still fresh. Mack is given the nod to proceed.
The party form up in the following order, side-by-side where possible: Mack and Squeaver Atlas Carver Leskni and Pella Osul and Owen Armand and Beordir
The passage continues with a notable decline. After 100ft the passage takes a 90' right turn, then continues for another 100ft, then another 90' turn, all the while descending even further. This pattern continues another six times and the party are most certainly quite deep underground now.
Finally the end of the cavern is in sight. Two large, stone doors block the end. There are no visible handles or locks, and they look to open away from the party. Like the walls of the cavern, the doors are also covered in scratch marks.
------------------------------------------------------------- Thus ends the scene! Everyone is awarded 1 hero point Leskni is awarded an additional hero point for placing herself in danger to save another Armand is awarded an additional hero point for his courageous efforts to save Atlas Atlas is awarded an additional hero point for "being true to character"
Mack (Eric R) AC: 16 (T 16 FF 13), CMD: 16; HP 46/46, Speed: 30' d20+22=31 ; d20+21=34 ; Monday January 30th, 2017 8:20:42 AM
Responding to Armand, "Well, I DO have a sai, but it's more of a family heirloom. I've never actually used it. However, I do attack with my feet, which are covered in Magical Boots. Do you think that will suffice to protect me in some fashion?"
I check out the area, specifically the doors.
(d20+21+1(TTT) TrapFinding check of 31) (d20+20+1(TTT) perception check of 34)
OOC: Marching order has been updated on the WIKI. Anyone have any changes they want to make?
inside: (side-by-side where possible) Mack Atlas Carver Leskni, Pella (flying over Leskni if room) Osul, Owen Armand Beordir, Squeaver
Carver (John C) AC 16, AC 18 with shield, CMB 6, CMD 17, HP 55/55 Speed 65 Character Sheet d20+8=28 ; Monday January 30th, 2017 8:50:08 AM
As the group descends, "From what I remember, Shadows are in part of both realms, sort of like when someone is using that blink spell, to make it easier to understand." As the group gets deeper and deeper, Carver keeps a good grip on his lance, he knows it's going to be difficult to fight anything that is spectral. He has yet to swear that other Oath to Lord Gargul and he glances towards each of his friends, worried that any of them could be a reason to go to the Lands of Rest to plea for their return. When they get to the doors, "Anyone see a hidden latch anywhere?" Carver looks around for anything that looks out of place.
Perception 28 (nat 20)
'Osul(Graham) AC:11 (T:11, FF:10), CMD:16, HP:26/37, LIGHT d20+23=42 ; Monday January 30th, 2017 9:05:48 AM
'Osul wonders aloud, "I have to hope the wood wights legs count for something against the undead."
For the focus, he draws and rubs the square of keratin, and burns the surplus Hero Point looking for the weather. Survival(+TTT +Hero Point): 42. He shares the (hopefully) six day forecast - it is comforting to think they will all get out to see it.
Atlas Sunowl (Trey) AC: 21 (T 13 FF 18), CMD: 22/17; HP 61/61 Character Sheet d20+5=20 ; Monday January 30th, 2017 11:17:17 AM
Atlas observes the cavern as they travel down and then the doors at the end, trying to discern what might be beyond them based on his understanding of dungeons.
"I'm guessing the fun is about to begin. Mack, what do you see?" He waits to see what Mack finds before proposing any options.
ooc: Thanks for the Hero points! That scene was a ton of fun!!
Armand (Robert D) AC 16/touch11/flat15 HP 50/50 CMD 17 Character Sheet Monday January 30th, 2017 5:21:00 PM "I think your boots will suffice Mack."
Armand casts detect magic to see if anything in the area is giving off an glow.
"Not even a doorbell. Of course it's not like we really want them to know we're coming. Although they may already know we're coming and may be trying to make us think they don't know, but since we know that they may know then we know that they are faking."
Armand looks pleased at his dazzling display of logic. He begins to study the doors.
(I made a few Knowledge (Arcana) checks in case they are necessary: 25, 28, 30.)
Leskni (Paul Jackson) AC: 16/15/11; HP 41/41; Pella HP 16/20 CMD: 17 Character Sheet Monday January 30th, 2017 9:45:08 PM "We should definitely assume that they know that we're here. But lets try and be as quiet as possible, just in case it actually matters"
Beordir (Galen) AC: 21/16/14, CMD 20, Saves: 8/10/9, HP: 27/43, Protection from Evil Monday January 30th, 2017 11:10:51 PM
Nothing in Beordir's life has prepared for these creepy girls. While they seem to be victims and trying not to hurt his companions, Beordir is quite relieved when they fade away and breathes an audible sound of relief.
"I wonder how horrible the Matriarch will be?"
As the group prepares to address the door, Beordir breaks down and casts a spell on himself to help him should the scary little ghost girls come back.
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