Murder Mansion (2019-2020) - Game Thread

Flynt heads up the rope first, with Ignatia helping out and then herself also heading up the rope. Flynt's healing magic worked very quickly, and the wounds from the spikes seem to have closed up nicely. Ignatia you still have blood soaked pants though. 

So, everyone is now safe and sound in the hallway, with the pit exposed. There is the southern way which is where the noises seem to be coming from, or there is the east branch off as well.

Ignatia just sat staring into space for a bit, " Does.....does....someone else want to lead for a bit?  Thought I was going to see someone again who I'd really like to avoid for a bit longer...."

Flynt shakes his head. "I feel that I make too much noise and wouldn't notice anything, but I can take the lead if no one else wants to."

Shae nods at Ignatia.

"I'll go first, you take your time."

She then hefts her staff and takes point, keeping her eyes and ears open.

(Heading the same direction Ignatia was)

Shae leads the way and she can see quite well in the dark as she leads the party, staff in hand, slowly heading south down the passageway. You all make it easily over the pit, and reach the end of the passageway. You see a 20 foot long staircase heading down and at this point you all are 100% sure that the ghostly chants are originating from somewhere down in this next level of the dungeon. 

Would you like to proceed down to the next level of the dungeon? Or explore this level further?

OOC: I think there's one last room to explore in that dark space on the map.

(the map could even be bigger than what I'm showing)

Shae peers into the void for a moment, and then turns to face the group. 

"This leads down, to another floor. I believe there are still places to investigate up here. I say we finish here before we go further."

Ignatia nodded still moving gingerly, she pointed to the left, " Lead the way, lookout for sudden drop-offs."

"I'll stand back and try to catch you if you fall," Flynt adds.

Renny nods, "Let's get this done. I'm just about finished with this creepy place."

The party decides to continue the investigation of this level of the dungeon, with Shae bravely leading the way, staff drawn at the ready. You all head back through the passageway and then east as you can now clearly see that this way leads back to the room with the roasted worm beast (grick)... and also 2 other passageways which lead to unknown areas. As you reach the 4-way tunnel intersection, you notice hands start to emerge from the ground, and again in another section of the passageway.

What is emerging from the ground? Zombies? No, these seem too strong and smart for zombies the way they are clawing themselves up and out of the ground... looking for food. Their heads slowly emerge as they continue to push themselves out of the ground. They seem to be human in shape the more they come out of the ground.

Any character familiar with undead know that these are ghouls, likely former cultists.

I thought I'd roll initiative for everyone for this combat situation to try it out based on Shae's feedback. If the majority prefer this way, then I will continue it going forward. If not, we will go back to everyone rolling themselves. Please let me know. 

The ghouls will be in a sort of surprised state for round 1 since Shae saw them early, and likely would've told the other about it before these ghouls could crawl and push their way out of the ground. The ghouls will be using their first turn to essentially extract themselves from the ground, but won't be able to attack until round 2.

Ghouls: 6

Renny: 20   Shae: 18     Flynt: 1    Ignatia: 9

Round 1:

Shae is up!

Then Ghouls, then Ignatia then Renny then Flynt.

Shae darts toward the ghoul in front of her, launching into a flying staf strike, followed by a spinning kick!

"Danger! Prepare yourselves!"

Staff:18

Damage: 10

Kick:19

Damage: 7

Shae, you dart forward towards the ghoul and do exactly as you've described with your attacks. You are so fast to react, that the ghoul isn't even fully out of the ground yet. The staff pounds into the ghoul's exposed body while you are in midair, and then as you land you propel yourself around and crack the ghouls face with your spin kick. It connects easily since the ghoul is still halfway in the ground. (16 damage, and the ghoul lets out a long sickly groan)

Both of the ghouls use their first turn to completely expel themselves from the ground. They are both standing in the passageways now, the one near Shae is stumbling from her attack. 

Ignatia, Renny and Flynt are up! (Shae is now at G5 on map)

P.S. Did everyone prefer me rolling initiative, or do you prefer to roll it yourself?

Ignatia came forward to the crossroads and loosed a stone past Sha at the horror to the south.

OOC:

Sling: Attack: 12 Damage: 4

Ignatia, you move forward into the crossroads of the passageways. You do not have a 100% clear shot since Shae is in the way, but since she has a smaller frame, you're just able to sneak the stone past her and it flys by and hits the now standing but wobbling ghoul in the face. It makes a 'SMACK' sound (4 damage), and the ghoul snaps its head back and growls. It continues to wobble. It's barely standing up. 

Renny and Flynt are up!

Flynt is going to move to the ghoul at H5 and attack using Divine Smite.

Attack: 6 Damage: 6

Divine Smite: 2

OOC: Extra die roll for Divine Smite (because I forgot) - 7

(Flynt, did you calculate for divine smite dealing 1d8 extra to undead?)