THIS IS SCENE #5 IN A PLAY-BY-POST D&D GAME
Many elements of it are unique and innovative, with several key twists that will catch the players by surprise. The adventure is deadly and devious, with victory going only to those clever enough to take it. Though it may not be a traditional Fourthcore deathtrap dungeon, I assure you, dear reader, that it holds many of the ideals of Fourthcore close to its heart.
I will keep these posts easily collapsible, so that readers may easily skip past them if they wish. Although, really, you'd be missing out.
Welcome back, dungeoneers!
Welcome back, dungeoneers!
- Looking straight ahead, you see a collapsed sinkhole in the middle of the tunnel, dropping 40 ft. down to sharp rocks below. Tattered remains of what once was a wooden bridge hang from each side.
- From the path ahead, rhythmic sounds of metal ringing on metal can be clearly heard.
- To your left is a small tunnel, just big enough to fit a man, branching off of the main tunnel.
- A decrepit wooden sign sits planted in the ground in front of this small breach. Dwarven hieroglyphs have been burned onto its surface.
- This cramped cavern passageway has an array of wooden columns set into the walls at regular intervals of about 5 ft.
- A large, semi-circular iron shield lies affixed to the surface of the wall. It is inlaid with thirteen rubies and a carved inscription of Dwarven runes runs along its circumference.
- A pile of wilted flowers are set at the base.
- There are three wide openings on the northern wall. Each has an easily seen drop in the cavern floor past the opening. An odor of rotted meat wafts up from their direction.
Never one to ignore a sign, Drum-Haak ambles over to have a look.
ReplyDeleteDrum-Haak studies the Dwarven etchings and makes a note to himself. Looking over, he sees the following down the side passageway:
DeleteThis cramped cavern passageway has an array of wooden columns set into the walls at regular intervals of about 5 ft.
A large, semi-circular iron shield lies affixed to the surface of the wall. It is inlaid with thirteen rubies and a carved inscription of Dwarven runes runs along its circumference.
A pile of wilted flowers are set at the base.
There are three wide openings on the northern wall. Each has an easily seen drop in the cavern floor past the opening. An odor of rotted meat wafts up from their direction.
Duurkala, after cleaning the filth off of his blade, glances at the sign, then back at the group. Specifically, the chained ogre. "You there, did you enjoy watching your superiors in battle while you stayed back and played with yourself?"
ReplyDeleteDuurkala glances at Drum-Haak and Ghaaldar, before returning his gaze to the ogre. "Perhaps, so you do not miss out on anymore fun, you would prefer to take the lead?" Duurkala gestures to the cave up ahead, and waits for Grimlock to lead the way.
Grimlock's expression wavers between sullen and malicious malcontent as his slow, primitive mind struggles to processes the events of the last hour. Seeking something to focus on that *won't* make his head hurt, he casts about for signs of passage.
ReplyDeleteTech: +8 Perception.
Wilderness Tracker:During a short rest, you can make a Perception check to inspect the area around you. If the check succeeds, you determine the number and nature of the creatures that have moved through the area in the past 24 hours. You ascertain when and where they entered the area as well as when and where they left.
With any luck, I'll get a quick post out before work in the AM!
Grimlock drops to one knees, shackles clanging on the ground, and traces a meaty finger along the edge of the cave floor. A single Elf went by here not long ago wearing soft leather shoes. The Elf clung to the edges of the water, but you do not believe the Elf even stepped in. The footprints lead up the the sign planted in the ground, and then they cut off at the chasm.
Delete[TECH]
Perception Check (8)+8
Within his limited goblin vocabulary, Grimlock indicates that an elf has passed over the chasm recently.
ReplyDeleteThe ogre walks over to the three openings and peers down to determine the cause of the rotting smell.
Tech:
Is the smell the Otyugh's lair? if so, Grimlock will indicate that as well. Do I see any dead adventurers down there???
If Grim's captor's insist, he will cross the chasm first (+13 Athletics) and scout around for tracks again.
I won't be home again until late tonight, so I may not post until after 9 PM Eastern!
OOC: Thanks for hustling some posts in, excellent sense of exploration!
DeletePast the three openings, Grimlock can see a large, open cavern descending down in a series of step-like cliffs. The ceiling height remains fixed, creating a spreading openness.
Scattered throughout the cavern are piles of rotting corpses. The bodies are mostly Dwarves, but there are two large corpses from Ogres.
A rickety wooden table covered in a black cloth stands near the bodies, atop of which is an open tome.
A rusted steel grate stands flush with the top elevation at the far west end of the cavern. Chains, pulleys, and winches have been attached to it. The grate stands above a sheer 20 ft. drop.
[TECH]
It takes a full Move Action and an Dexterity check for Grimlock to squeeze through that choke point, but since we're in no hurry, I haven't rolled anything.
Would it be difficult to get down to where the bodies are, or back up?
ReplyDeleteIs that question directed at the Dungeon Master? If so, you need to be more specific about what kind of information is being sought after.
DeleteEach cliff step is a 10 ft. drop in height and the walls are a rough cave surface.
Drum-Haak will look at the first the dwarven shield then the tome, searching for magical auras and writing—first from a distance, then closer if he don't see anything threatening.
ReplyDelete[Tech]
Arcana +9
Drum-Haak detects the presence of Abjuration spells upon the shield. This is a Dwarven idol of sanctity and rest for the dead. The Dwarven runes on the iron shield read, "Blessed be the souls of our brothers who gave the ultimate sacrifice." The rubies can be easily removed, and are valued at 250 gp each.
DeleteYou are too far away from the book to determine anything about it.
[TECH]
Arcana Check (19)+9
History Check (9)+10
Streetwise Check (18)+9
OOC: Casey, can you describe the bodies? Are they armed/armoured/naked? in other words, do they look like they might have anything useful on them?
ReplyDeleteThere are a large number of bodies mingled among piles of sharp rock and broken rubble. The body are all in a wide range of decay; from dry boned skeletons to pulverized slabs of meat. Every corpse that has not decayed too far sport dried out, grey beards.
DeleteMavarothix can also see that the bodies are intermixed with pick axes, hammers, and chisels. No visible monetary wealth is in the fray, and the corpses that can be easily spotted are seen to be wearing rotted out cotton tunics and hardy leather overalls.
OOC: how about the rock around them, if they were mining, they were probably looking for something, are there any veins of ore visible on the walls/floor?
DeleteIC: "interesting"
From atop the passageway, looking down into the cavern, there is nothing that catches Mavarothix's eye, and no veins of ore can be seen in your immediate vicinity.
DeleteWould you like to climb down for a closer look?
After Drum-Haak looks at the shield, he says: "There is magic on this memorial. Perhaps it would be best to leave it be. It does mention a sacrifice made by some valiant Dwarves, though."
ReplyDeleteHe then follows Grimlock down the hallway to have a close look at the tome.
Drum-Haak peers down the cavern from up high, but the depth below and the sight lines involved make it so that he cannot see clearly what is on its pages.
ReplyDeleteWould you like to climb down for a closer look?
OOC: I'm assuming Drum-Haak is heading to around square O6.
OOC: As in I'm in O6 and cannot see it clearly? Can I see magical auras on the tome, or any kind of trap in the vicinity?
ReplyDeleteArcana +9
Perception +6
Drum-Haak is trying to read a book 20 ft. away horizontally and 10 ft. down. So, no, he cannot see it clearly.
DeleteDrum-Haak does cast a detect magic cantrip to determine that the tome is infused with psychic energy.
OOC: Thanks. I wasn't sure if the "heading to" was before or after I tried to observe the book.
Delete"I smell a trap, those bodies didn't kill them selves..."
ReplyDeleteOOC: http://i3.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/original/000/001/384/Atrapitis.gif
DeleteWhoah whoah whoah. Was that a crossover to Abandon All Hope?
DeleteDuurkala moves up next to the ogre, and purses his lips thoughtfully at Mavarothix's comment. "I'm not so certain. The shield speaks of ultimate sacrifice. Whatever killed these dwarves has obviously been doing it for a long time. I wonder if this is some ritual that requires the regular spilling of dwarven blood."
ReplyDelete[tech]
History +10 - Has Duurkala ever heard of a ritual powered by the sacrificing its followers?
Indeed, Duurkala is familiar with dark rituals fueled by freshly spilled blood. He has seen them in his youth whilst campaigning against a coven of Tiefling witches. The crones had washed themselves in slick, red blood as a protective ward against disease.
Delete[TECH]
History Check (3)+10
Ghaaldar stands there, contemplating his next move.
ReplyDeleteOOC: Sorry guys, life got a bit intense the past two days. I'll update a longer post very, very, very soon.
well, no sense in sitting around waiting for something to happen...
ReplyDelete*takes a deep breath*
Mav will climb down the first tier of the cliff, but stay away from the tome, and cringe while waiting to see if he dies...
Mavarothix ccrawls along the dirt-packed floor and begins a slow and careful descent down. Loose rock and rubble trail down the cliff face as he crawls forward, expertly covered up to make as little noise as possible.
DeleteNow much closer and on the same elevation, Mavarothix notices something peculiar about all of the dead bodies, even looking from a few feet away. Each corpse has had its mouth fashioned shut, either through thick stitching or metal bolts/staples run through the bone.
Something interesting happens to Mavarothix that makes him cock his scaly head to one side in curiosity. (Private email sending)
[TECH]
Acrobatics Check (4)+10
Ghaaldar grunts, taking in his new surroundings with much curiosity. Seeing the ogre and Drum-Haak together as well as Mavarothix exploring ahead bring Ghaaldar into action. With careful strides Ghaaldar makes his way adjacent to his Dhaakani brother, Drum-Haak, and begins to observe Mavarothix' descent.
ReplyDelete"Be careful, friend Mavarothix. Tell us what you see!"
Mavarothix will relay the above and add, "These dead have been defiled and left to rot, I have been asked to help one in exchange for his knowledge, but he demands privacy. Great masters, if you will trust your humble servant, I believe we should help this poor soul."
ReplyDelete(Per emails) Drum-Haak peers into the dark cave with furrowed brow, trying to figure out just ehat exactly happened here. He comes up pretty short, but is at least confident that his servant has not been charmed by any supernatural effects.
ReplyDelete[TECH]
Arcana check (9)+9; no spells in the area or on the Dwarves
Insight check (6)+7; Mavarothix appears of sound mind and not under any duress or charm or compulsion
Duurkala frowns. "I don't like this..." He starts to move forward, but pauses to glance at Druum-Haak and Ghaaldar. "How do you suggest we proceed?"
ReplyDelete"If I help him the reward will be knowledge, and the risk will be only my death since I am the only one down here. I think it will be ok, but perhaps you could be ready in case you hear my screams..."
ReplyDeleteGrimlock holds out his hemp rope suggestively and looks to Drum-Haak.
ReplyDeleteOOC: Maybe it's above Grim's pay-grade to suggest it, but if we could tie a line to Duurkala and try pulling him out of harm's way should something happen.
"Good suggestion, Grimlock, but Duurkala is stronger than I. I will go down and help Mav—for I feel he shouldn't be alone in this—if the two of you will secure me."
ReplyDeleteDrum-Haak will then gesture to Grimlock to secure the rope around his waist and hand it to Duurkala.
The ogre is openly disappointed that a dhakhaani doesn't entrust its life to his superior strength. He awkwardly complies with the order. His large, shackled hands loop the rope around Drum-Haak's neck. The is a slight pause and then the Grimlock shakes the rope down around Haak's waist. The Ogre ties the know as tight as he knows how--the rope will have to cut off.
ReplyDeleteOOC: Up to the DM if the know requires a skill or ability check. My intent is that it cannot be removed.
Tying the rope with a tight knot is quite a simple task, one that Grimlock could do, literally, with his hands chained together. No checks needed.
Delete"Perhaps we should allow Mavarothix to proceed," Ghaaldar says to Duurkala. "Information at this point cannot hurt, and at the very worst you can inspire him with your song from afar and me with my words."
ReplyDeleteNodding towards Mavaorthix Ghaaldar says to him, "Proceed, friend Mavarothix."
OOC: We better hurry up with this scene because we are about to be bumped form the front page of DMG42! I shudder the think of the consequences.
ReplyDeleteOOC: BEHOLD!!! The date has been pushed up on this post. The tsunami of posts pouring out of DMG42 will continue through the week as I barf up the last of my old, backburner ideas before May 24th drops.
DeleteSpeaking of which, I will be away from town and with limited internet access from May 27th to June 3rd (next week). Any lurkers on this post should feel free to volunteer to run the game for a week.
Was there anyone you had in mind? See, the hard part is finding a lurker who's read through the module.
DeleteWait a second...
Mavarothix will pick up a corpse wearing an apron with a black sigil of a hammer from among the others and take him to the passage to the north and set him down in a spot as out of view as possible.
ReplyDeleteOOC: Sounds good. There were a couple worry-warts out there this weekend, so I'll give them some time to voice their concerns before posting the action and the reward that Mavarothix discovers.
DeleteAnd by reward, he means death.
DeleteSURPRISE! A horrible monster appears!
ReplyDeleteHumanoid in shape, this thing can hardly be described as a creature, more like a thing. Where it's hands should be there is naught but three bony prongs, where its face should be there is naught but a lamprey-like sucker.
The voice, that voice that Mavarothix remembers from a few moments ago, it is back, but now twisted and distorted like someone gargling seawater. The vomit-inducing voice pounds inside of Mavarothix's mind, awakening all of the pains and tortures this wretched creature has lived in its long, shackled life. The Dhakaani standing at the heigh point in the cavern hear naught but Mavarothix's screams of unimaginable pain.
The hideous creature then garbles a horrible sound from its maw, awakening The Dwarven Dead from their eternal stone-slumber.
[TECH]
Trigger: An enemy appears within 5 squares and within line of sight of the Hideous Monstrosity.
HIDEOUS MONSTROSITY MIND-RAPE: (4)+9 +2 {surprise} vs. Will 15; Hit!
for (1)+(3)+10 psychic damage and dazed (save ends).
INITIATIVE
ReplyDeleteBlack Lotus: (19)+6 = 25
Illithid Horror: (17)+5 = 22
tie goes to the higher modifier
Grimlock: (19)+3 = 22
Ghaaldar: (18)+2 = 20
Dwarf Zombies: (20)-2 = 18
Mavarothix: (9)+5 = 14
Drum-Haak: (10)+3 = 13
Duurkala: (8)+2 = 10
Ogre Zombies: (9)+0 = 09
Kulimvorith: (4)+1 = 05
Combat begins here: http://dmg42.blogspot.com/2012/05/lctn-dwarven-dead.html
Black Lotus is the only creature with sharp enough reflexes to move before the hideous monstrosity can make a follow-up attack. He has 24 hours to post his actions, or be delayed.
"bloody hell"
ReplyDeleteOOC: That's precisely what this is.
DeleteOOC: I really miss my Paladin character in times like these...
Delete