This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
"It can't be that easy... They didn't stand a chance..." says Graxx.
Graxx nods seeing Doozey guarding the entranceway.
Graxx will go about with the butt end of his Pike knocking all the ways seeking any secret doors and checking behind the charred bodies for any hiding enemies.
Investigation: 2
As Graxx knocks he will ask Cassyt.
"Cassyt, what causes undead to rise like that? Is it some type of black magic? Or some God playing tricks? Was the leader the armored one?"
"These match the descriptions of the ones that attacked Sister Bethel," Neya says as she shakes what felt like a bone chill out of her wrist.. "But, something bothers me... Namely, there is a greater number of them here than what she observed. She said three, including the armored one, and I count five."
She then stoops down to try and examines the armored undead to see if she has heard of something like it based off of what it tried to do to her.
General intelligence roll (if religion applies add +3 to roll): 2
Utar concurs with Graxx and Neya, this seems to easy. Keeping Lightbringer illuminated, he steps to the centre of the room and holds it aloft, trying to spill light onto the area and help the others in their checks.
"Surely a body with such distinctive armour would have been noted?" He asks pointing to the armoured wight.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
(OOC: All these 1s! If anyone wants to attempt another check in here, Utar is offering help.)
Now that the fight is over, Cassyt seems more confident about entering the room. "Wow, you dispatched this band of undead so swiftly! Whatever price you agreed with the boss is certainly worth it."Graxx and Utar seem to agree with the general ease with which they defeated their enemies, though they remain suspicious. Noticing this uneaseness, the acolyte suggests: "I doubt any of the priests upstairs, save perhaps the Doomsguide himself, would be able to deal with these ghouls and wight so easily. Perhaps that's their purpose then... keep the priests away. They certainly didn't look ready to face professional adventurers."Cassyt meant what she said, but she also looks at Doozey as she says it, hoping the compliment will help her earn a place in the stoutling's good side again.
@Graxx: Prodding the walls and bodies gives you no results. The most obvious spoils would be the wight's blade and armor, though the former is rusty and ill-maintained, while the latter is made of some easily-rendered, old leather. Perhaps the skull-shaped shoulder and knee pads could add an aesthetic element to your outfit, but that's about it. Separately, Cassyt answers your question, reveling in the chance to display some of her knowledge. She doesn't even need to consult her books for this one: "All of the above, really. It could be the work of a god with less scruples, or perhaps some high demon lord. It could be the work of a necromancer, or simply the result of an evil ritual that does not depend on learned arcana. Sometimes, all it takes is for someone with ill-intent to desecrate some grounds or curse an item. Then, time will let that evil magic fester, much like a cook's recipe. Then, sometimes the Weave just likes to play tricks on us mortals, I guess. But, there is always an exception to the rule. Not all necromancy is evil. Some use it to heal others. We Kelemvorites study some of those uses, as do many who dabble in divine magic." Remembering the spell that allowed CRAP to gather so much information even before delving into the catacombs, the acolyte adds sagely: "Mr. Utar would know."
@Neya & Utar: Cassyt nods to show that she agrees with the monk's conclusion that these undead mostly match the description given by Sister Bethel. The two of you then decide to examine the armored wight more closely. Your best guess is that the reanimated body likely belonged to some adventurer or well-off citizen of Phlan, probably once buried deeper in the catacombs than the places you have seen so far. You are unable to come to any other conclusions.
@Doozey: Finally being able to give your Wand of Secrets a whirl, you can't help but feel a bit disappointed when you get no vibration from it. Shaking your head, you turn to Biscuit but the transformed oaf seems too busy at the moment licking a particularly salty stone he happened to sniff out. Cassyt is more responsive, approaching bodies upon request and showing no hesitation. It is her trade, after all. She jokingly says: "You know I don’t get paid for this, right?" Taking a closer look (medicine check: 16), she allows herself a few minutes to examine the victims, their wounds, and their faces, but comes to the conclusion that none of them belonged to missing Kelemvorites. "Perhaps these were recently interred dead, or maybe the ghouls went our hunting... It is hard to say."
@All: As best as you can tell, this is a dead-end (see what I did there). The map in the last initiative tracker should give you an idea of the options you have in terms of paths to explore.
Picking up on the line of questioning from Graxx, Utar attempts to give a little more information, "Cassyt's explanation is as good as any at the moment. My copper piece would be on something that directs the dead to rise rather than a case of bad luck or poor timing on our part."
(OOC Would Utar have a check to see what he can deduce from the ghouls and wight? I guess maybe Arcana or Religion but Investigation too?)
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Cassyt would be met with disappointment, as Doozey -- in true professionalism -- seemed to listen, judging by the slight twitching of pointed ears, but otherwise kept his attention on whatever task happened to be at him. Which at that moment had been make sure he didn't miss so much as a twitch out of the spirally wand in hand. That was until upon glimpsing Biscuit...
"Why am I not surprised?" Doozey muttered grumpily under his breath, and shook his head. At Cassyt's jest soon after, he responds in a completely straight laced manner, "What are you talking about? You're getting paid in experience, as I recall. Do exceptionally well though, we can see about their being a monetary compensation." With that said, Doozey leaves Cassyt to examine the victims while he went over to Biscuit for a stern lecturing over the next few minutes.
"Hm, I see... Well, in any event, there's no secret way from here, so I suppose its deeper into the catacombs for us. Though, if we could capture a smart one of them, and interrogate them, hopefully they'll have more clues for us." He suggests. While the others deliberated on the subject, Doozey began sniffing around again, if though this time in hopes of hunting down some live rats or other vermin attracted to the scent of the dead.
Perception: 30. (if survival would be more appropriate for Rat hunting, then ignore the 2nd roll and take of 3 from total)
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
"We've encountered strange happenings in the past, Graxx. I doubt an undead creature with the ability to speak is not out of the realm of possibility." Neya says.
"Regardless of whether or not there is one here, we need to assume there are more of these stalking these corridors." She finishes, gesturing to the ex-undead in the chamber.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
DM's Screen:
8
Cassyt watches as Graxx claims the armor pieces and says, mostly to herself: "I guess that doesn't count as looting the dead anymore, but as claiming the spoils of battle. I can appreciate the difference."She then notices Doozey's disappointment and straight-faced professionalism, and can't help be start developing some fear of the halfling. Her jovial and inquisitive mind typically has an endearing effect on others, but she guesses there is always an exception to the rule.
Utar has a hunch that something is ordering the dead to rise and Doozey suggests extracting information from one of the undead, should they be able to capture it. Graxx is unsure if the undead have the ability to talk intelligently, but Neya remains hopeful.
@Doozey: Your keen eyes spot a skittering rodent indeed. In fact, you think you spotted this same rat munching on some goodies within one of the First Families' displays. It has now made its way down this western hallway, since the door was left wide open. You see it turn the bend, stop to sniff the air, pick up on the strong smoke smell, and begin to run away, back the way it came.
(@MB: Feel free to roll a check as I mentioned in the OOC Chat.)
"It's better to be the hunter rather than the hunted. Now we know to check the hidey holes of the rooms as these undead seem to have battle sense and a plan to them."
Graxx looks back in the direction of whence they came.
"I say we continue on. Down the path we haven't gone yet. Doozey, would you care to lead us?"
Doozey, who upon seeing the rat looked about ready to give chase, looks torn between Graxx and where the beast ran off to, before then sighing softly. "Aye, Mr. Graxx." He replied, then turned to click his tongue, getting Biscuit's attention. In a few short moments, he is back aboard Mastiff; who, after the recent ambush, remained in his more mystical form in likely readiness of future trouble. "If'n ya find any rats or other critters along the way that I miss, do get hold of them, if'n you all would? Could be I get a bit more on the movements on our walking dead or armored fellow from the little ones... so long as their alive to talk."
With that, Biscuit pads away with rider in tow, very much intending on taking point down the path untaken deeper into the depths.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Doozey grumbles and Biscuit whines at the reminder. But, the latter kept on padding on, if though slower in step. "Eh.. If you do that shadow of yours to get to the other and lower some rope down into the pit one side, we'll climb down the one side and carefully make our way over." Doozey suggests. "Might take some time, and be a bit tricky. But, since Mr. Graxx can jump pretty well on his own, he can handle holding another rope for the rest of us to climb down in from one side, ya?"
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
(@Ori: I am not entirely sure I understand Doozey's plan for bypassing the bone pit. The pit is filled to the brim with bones, so calmly descending into it and then climbing up on the other end is not quite a viable option. Could you kindly explain it again? Either way, for now, I'll just ask everyone to describe how they make it to the other side this time.)
While the group lingers in the pottery and hanging-bones rooms a bit longer, Utar consults his understanding of the undead and compares it with what he sees now lying on the ground. Indeed, it seems to the Tormite that these undead creatures had some purpose to them on top of simply hunger for carrion. This further solidifies Utar's guess that something more actively nefarious is taking place in the depths of the catacombs instead of some long lost, slow-working magic.
Once it looks like Utar is done with his study, Graxx encourages the group to move onward. After placing a request for live rodents with his companions, Doozey mounts Biscuit and leads the party out of the room, although he is swiftly reminded by Neya that the bone pit still constitutes an obstacle.
Cassyt will wait for suggestions on how she should cross the pit. She does not want to fall in again. "One time about does it for me," she jests.
(OOC: As before, if anyone decides to try to shimmy their way past the pit, I'll need an acrobatics check {DC 11}. If you want to jump across, make it an athletics check instead. You may also devise your own alternative way of making it to the other side, but please roll an appropriate skill check if you think you may need one.)
"I've a rope, but we'd need an anchor point on either side. I think we might only be swapping edging around the pit to holding on for dear life as we go hand for hand over it."
“I think Doozey’s talking about me letting you all down into the pit easily and softly and then you can wade through the bones. Might get a few nicks but getting than landing on some half broken shin bone from a few feet up.”
Doozey nods absently to Graxx' point while looking down into the pit. "Mn. Then Ms. Neya does her little trick to the otherside, and between her and Mr. Graxx, who can just jump the gap far easier than the rest of us, things should be fine. Might lose a few more minutes, but it's better than injuring ourselves too much before this whole venture really gets started."He explained, then hopped off of Biscuit and regarded the others. "At least that's safest way across. But if any of ya got other ideas, I'm all ears. Otherwise, I can go first and biscuit can go last, seeing as he'll need to be lowered down in there anyways."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
"It can't be that easy... They didn't stand a chance..." says Graxx.
Graxx nods seeing Doozey guarding the entranceway.
Graxx will go about with the butt end of his Pike knocking all the ways seeking any secret doors and checking behind the charred bodies for any hiding enemies.
Investigation: 2
As Graxx knocks he will ask Cassyt.
"Cassyt, what causes undead to rise like that? Is it some type of black magic? Or some God playing tricks? Was the leader the armored one?"
"These match the descriptions of the ones that attacked Sister Bethel," Neya says as she shakes what felt like a bone chill out of her wrist.. "But, something bothers me... Namely, there is a greater number of them here than what she observed. She said three, including the armored one, and I count five."
She then stoops down to try and examines the armored undead to see if she has heard of something like it based off of what it tried to do to her.
General intelligence roll (if religion applies add +3 to roll): 2
(Haha! Why so many natty 1's?!)
Extended Signature
Utar concurs with Graxx and Neya, this seems to easy. Keeping Lightbringer illuminated, he steps to the centre of the room and holds it aloft, trying to spill light onto the area and help the others in their checks.
"Surely a body with such distinctive armour would have been noted?" He asks pointing to the armoured wight.
(OOC: All these 1s! If anyone wants to attempt another check in here, Utar is offering help.)
Now that the fight is over, Cassyt seems more confident about entering the room. "Wow, you dispatched this band of undead so swiftly! Whatever price you agreed with the boss is certainly worth it." Graxx and Utar seem to agree with the general ease with which they defeated their enemies, though they remain suspicious. Noticing this uneaseness, the acolyte suggests: "I doubt any of the priests upstairs, save perhaps the Doomsguide himself, would be able to deal with these ghouls and wight so easily. Perhaps that's their purpose then... keep the priests away. They certainly didn't look ready to face professional adventurers." Cassyt meant what she said, but she also looks at Doozey as she says it, hoping the compliment will help her earn a place in the stoutling's good side again.
@Graxx: Prodding the walls and bodies gives you no results. The most obvious spoils would be the wight's blade and armor, though the former is rusty and ill-maintained, while the latter is made of some easily-rendered, old leather. Perhaps the skull-shaped shoulder and knee pads could add an aesthetic element to your outfit, but that's about it. Separately, Cassyt answers your question, reveling in the chance to display some of her knowledge. She doesn't even need to consult her books for this one: "All of the above, really. It could be the work of a god with less scruples, or perhaps some high demon lord. It could be the work of a necromancer, or simply the result of an evil ritual that does not depend on learned arcana. Sometimes, all it takes is for someone with ill-intent to desecrate some grounds or curse an item. Then, time will let that evil magic fester, much like a cook's recipe. Then, sometimes the Weave just likes to play tricks on us mortals, I guess. But, there is always an exception to the rule. Not all necromancy is evil. Some use it to heal others. We Kelemvorites study some of those uses, as do many who dabble in divine magic." Remembering the spell that allowed CRAP to gather so much information even before delving into the catacombs, the acolyte adds sagely: "Mr. Utar would know."
@Neya & Utar: Cassyt nods to show that she agrees with the monk's conclusion that these undead mostly match the description given by Sister Bethel. The two of you then decide to examine the armored wight more closely. Your best guess is that the reanimated body likely belonged to some adventurer or well-off citizen of Phlan, probably once buried deeper in the catacombs than the places you have seen so far. You are unable to come to any other conclusions.
@Doozey: Finally being able to give your Wand of Secrets a whirl, you can't help but feel a bit disappointed when you get no vibration from it. Shaking your head, you turn to Biscuit but the transformed oaf seems too busy at the moment licking a particularly salty stone he happened to sniff out. Cassyt is more responsive, approaching bodies upon request and showing no hesitation. It is her trade, after all. She jokingly says: "You know I don’t get paid for this, right?" Taking a closer look (medicine check: 16), she allows herself a few minutes to examine the victims, their wounds, and their faces, but comes to the conclusion that none of them belonged to missing Kelemvorites. "Perhaps these were recently interred dead, or maybe the ghouls went our hunting... It is hard to say."
@All: As best as you can tell, this is a dead-end (see what I did there). The map in the last initiative tracker should give you an idea of the options you have in terms of paths to explore.
Picking up on the line of questioning from Graxx, Utar attempts to give a little more information, "Cassyt's explanation is as good as any at the moment. My copper piece would be on something that directs the dead to rise rather than a case of bad luck or poor timing on our part."
(OOC Would Utar have a check to see what he can deduce from the ghouls and wight? I guess maybe Arcana or Religion but Investigation too?)
Cassyt would be met with disappointment, as Doozey -- in true professionalism -- seemed to listen, judging by the slight twitching of pointed ears, but otherwise kept his attention on whatever task happened to be at him. Which at that moment had been make sure he didn't miss so much as a twitch out of the spirally wand in hand. That was until upon glimpsing Biscuit...
"Why am I not surprised?" Doozey muttered grumpily under his breath, and shook his head. At Cassyt's jest soon after, he responds in a completely straight laced manner, "What are you talking about? You're getting paid in experience, as I recall. Do exceptionally well though, we can see about their being a monetary compensation." With that said, Doozey leaves Cassyt to examine the victims while he went over to Biscuit for a stern lecturing over the next few minutes.
"Hm, I see... Well, in any event, there's no secret way from here, so I suppose its deeper into the catacombs for us. Though, if we could capture a smart one of them, and interrogate them, hopefully they'll have more clues for us." He suggests. While the others deliberated on the subject, Doozey began sniffing around again, if though this time in hopes of hunting down some live rats or other vermin attracted to the scent of the dead.
Perception: 30. (if survival would be more appropriate for Rat hunting, then ignore the 2nd roll and take of 3 from total)
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Graxx feels assured.
"Well it seems like nothing else is hiding in here to attack us."
Graxx will go up and remove the shoulderpads and kneepads from the wight and place them in his backpack.
"I think these will go nicely with my mask. I'll need to let 'em air out a bit first though."
Graxx nudges the wight with his foot and turns to Doozey.
"A smart one? Are you saying these things can talk back?"
"We've encountered strange happenings in the past, Graxx. I doubt an undead creature with the ability to speak is not out of the realm of possibility." Neya says.
"Regardless of whether or not there is one here, we need to assume there are more of these stalking these corridors." She finishes, gesturing to the ex-undead in the chamber.
Extended Signature
DM's Screen:
8
Cassyt watches as Graxx claims the armor pieces and says, mostly to herself: "I guess that doesn't count as looting the dead anymore, but as claiming the spoils of battle. I can appreciate the difference." She then notices Doozey's disappointment and straight-faced professionalism, and can't help be start developing some fear of the halfling. Her jovial and inquisitive mind typically has an endearing effect on others, but she guesses there is always an exception to the rule.
Utar has a hunch that something is ordering the dead to rise and Doozey suggests extracting information from one of the undead, should they be able to capture it. Graxx is unsure if the undead have the ability to talk intelligently, but Neya remains hopeful.
@Doozey: Your keen eyes spot a skittering rodent indeed. In fact, you think you spotted this same rat munching on some goodies within one of the First Families' displays. It has now made its way down this western hallway, since the door was left wide open. You see it turn the bend, stop to sniff the air, pick up on the strong smoke smell, and begin to run away, back the way it came.
(@MB: Feel free to roll a check as I mentioned in the OOC Chat.)
Religion 18
Graxx brings his Pike back up to the ready.
"It's better to be the hunter rather than the hunted. Now we know to check the hidey holes of the rooms as these undead seem to have battle sense and a plan to them."
Graxx looks back in the direction of whence they came.
"I say we continue on. Down the path we haven't gone yet. Doozey, would you care to lead us?"
Doozey, who upon seeing the rat looked about ready to give chase, looks torn between Graxx and where the beast ran off to, before then sighing softly. "Aye, Mr. Graxx." He replied, then turned to click his tongue, getting Biscuit's attention. In a few short moments, he is back aboard Mastiff; who, after the recent ambush, remained in his more mystical form in likely readiness of future trouble. "If'n ya find any rats or other critters along the way that I miss, do get hold of them, if'n you all would? Could be I get a bit more on the movements on our walking dead or armored fellow from the little ones... so long as their alive to talk."
With that, Biscuit pads away with rider in tow, very much intending on taking point down the path untaken deeper into the depths.
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
"We will have to negotiate that bone pit, again..." Neya warns. "At least we know the only danger are the bones, themselves.""
Extended Signature
Doozey grumbles and Biscuit whines at the reminder. But, the latter kept on padding on, if though slower in step. "Eh.. If you do that shadow of yours to get to the other and lower some rope down into the pit one side, we'll climb down the one side and carefully make our way over." Doozey suggests. "Might take some time, and be a bit tricky. But, since Mr. Graxx can jump pretty well on his own, he can handle holding another rope for the rest of us to climb down in from one side, ya?"
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
(@Ori: I am not entirely sure I understand Doozey's plan for bypassing the bone pit. The pit is filled to the brim with bones, so calmly descending into it and then climbing up on the other end is not quite a viable option. Could you kindly explain it again? Either way, for now, I'll just ask everyone to describe how they make it to the other side this time.)
While the group lingers in the pottery and hanging-bones rooms a bit longer, Utar consults his understanding of the undead and compares it with what he sees now lying on the ground. Indeed, it seems to the Tormite that these undead creatures had some purpose to them on top of simply hunger for carrion. This further solidifies Utar's guess that something more actively nefarious is taking place in the depths of the catacombs instead of some long lost, slow-working magic.
Once it looks like Utar is done with his study, Graxx encourages the group to move onward. After placing a request for live rodents with his companions, Doozey mounts Biscuit and leads the party out of the room, although he is swiftly reminded by Neya that the bone pit still constitutes an obstacle.
Cassyt will wait for suggestions on how she should cross the pit. She does not want to fall in again. "One time about does it for me," she jests.
(OOC: As before, if anyone decides to try to shimmy their way past the pit, I'll need an acrobatics check {DC 11}. If you want to jump across, make it an athletics check instead. You may also devise your own alternative way of making it to the other side, but please roll an appropriate skill check if you think you may need one.)
Graxx nods to Doozey.
"I'll be glad to hold a rope. But I'll need to borrow one as I do not have one on me. Would anyone have a spare?"
"I've a rope, but we'd need an anchor point on either side. I think we might only be swapping edging around the pit to holding on for dear life as we go hand for hand over it."
“I think Doozey’s talking about me letting you all down into the pit easily and softly and then you can wade through the bones. Might get a few nicks but getting than landing on some half broken shin bone from a few feet up.”
Doozey nods absently to Graxx' point while looking down into the pit. "Mn. Then Ms. Neya does her little trick to the otherside, and between her and Mr. Graxx, who can just jump the gap far easier than the rest of us, things should be fine. Might lose a few more minutes, but it's better than injuring ourselves too much before this whole venture really gets started."He explained, then hopped off of Biscuit and regarded the others. "At least that's safest way across. But if any of ya got other ideas, I'm all ears. Otherwise, I can go first and biscuit can go last, seeing as he'll need to be lowered down in there anyways."
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
“Sounds good to me Doozey. Slow is sometimes better.”
”Utar, I’ll make sure you get the rope back. Gotta remember to pick one up myself when we get back to town.”