Hewligan's Rise of the Runelords: The Skinsaw Murders

[Rhun]

Danth too stands vigilant, both blade and faith readied as he waits for Jovik to finish picking the lock. He readies some of his protective spells to be cast prior to the rogue opening the door.

OOC: Sorry, meant to post a spell, but had to update Danth to Level 5 first. Danth cast Magic Circle vrs Evil while Jovik worked the lock...duration is 50 minutes, 10' radius around Danth, and provides he and his companions in the radius +2 AC vrs evil, and +2 resistance bonus on saves.

Also note: It blocks attempts to possess or exert mental control over Danth and those in the radius...not sure how you want to rule that works with the haunted house Hewligan. But just in case you still want a save for Danth:

Will Save: 24, or 26 with +2 from spell



Danth's will and faith in Sarenae are far to strong to be overcome by the visions and emotions being visited upon him by the house. He brings a hand to his head and growls, shaking the visions from his head. "Ye gods, this place is awful!"


[sblock=Current Spells Readied]
- Level 0: Detect Magic x2, Light, Guidance, Resistance
- Level 1: Command, Bless, Shield of Faith, Bless + (d) Cure Light Wounds
- Level 2: Cure Moderate Wounds, Deific Vengeance (CD), Remove Paralysis + (d) Heat Metal
- Level 3: Summon Monster III, Magic Circle vrs Evil + Searing Light
[/sblock]

 

[hewligan]

Also note: It blocks attempts to possess or exert mental control over Danth and those in the radius...not sure how you want to rule that works with the haunted house Hewligan.

OOC: I am always of the opinion that if a player utilises his character's strengths in such a way that they alter or offset part of the challenge of an adventure then that means you are using your character well. It is just as valid an action as a fighter using his physical strength to defeat a monster. Magic Circle is a very good spell to use in the current environment, and should at least shield you from some of the more invasive hauntings (visions, etc., may remain). So, in short - use your character to his fullest as Paizo adventures are set to be tough.

 

[Rhun]

Sounds good, Hewligan. Thanks. And yes, I've heard how tough Paizo's adventures are.

Danth looks around at the faces of his companions. He touches the beautifully wrought gold holy symbol around his neck as he speaks. "Sarenae will protect us from the worst that this place has to throw at us. You must stay close to me, though. And I'm afraid the spell won't last long. Less than an hour, to be sure. We must make haste."

 

[hewligan]

You can hear Iesha ahead of you, but she has moved out of sight. A wooden door next to the one you came through has been thrown open by her. Moving in leads to a short corridor that, after 10 feet, stops at another door. This one lies swinging on its hinges, broken by Iesha as she moves unstoppably to her husband and killer.

Piles of broken stone, dirt, and a few ruined pickaxes line the edges of this room. The floor in the middle of the room has been torn up to reveal an ancient set of stone spiral stairs, obviously of much older construction than the surrounding basement, winding deep into the bedrock below. A foul stink, like that of rotten meat, wafts up on a cold breeze from the darkness.

You can hear Iesha descend the steps below you, not from her footfall (for there is none), but from the whispering vengeance that leaks from her lips. What strikes you most is that she has stopped screaming now, as if sensing her prey is close.

OOC: I can assume that you will descend, and will do so unless you post otherwise, however, if you do want to go back and search the big room, or check out the stained glass windows, or even stop to prepare some protective spells, or anything else (like running away - there is always time to run away), then let me know.

 

[Friadoc]

"We'll need all the edges we can find," says Kael with a nod, oddly enough Mal seems to nod, too. "While it's vile, it's not enough for the Wolves of Sandpointe, I think."

The later statement is said with a fraternal smile for each of you, again mimicked by Mal, before the descent begins.

OOC

By the way, I posted this awhile back, but I figured I'd share it, as I commissioned a portrait of Kael by J. Cayne.

[sblock=Portrait of Kael and Mal]

[/sblock]

Yes, Kael is for going down, too.

 

[frostrune]

OOC: Are we continuing down or not? That is my vote.


IC: Jokad hesitates for a brief second at the top of the stairs to make sure his friends are still behind him. He nervously figets with a small vial in his belt pouch as he awaits the group decision.



OOC: Jokad will drink his potion of barkskin+2 before decending the stairs.

 

[Rhun]

Yes, we are descending.


Danth follows Jokad down the stairs, helping to light the way with Crimson Dawn's flaming blade. As the move down the stairs, the cleric takes the time to quietly say a prayer, calling upon Sarenae for her blessings.


Danth is going to cast Bless prior to reaching the bottom of the stairs.

 

[hewligan]

The stairs end in a limestone cavern. The walls drip with moisture, and swaths of black and dark blue mold grow in spiraling, tangled patterns on the floor, ceiling, and walls. Bits of rubble and broken bones clutter the floor, and a rhythmic sound—as of the breathing of some immense creature—echoes through the cave from three tunnels, one to the north and two to the west. Of the two western tunnels, the southernmost one seems to be a relatively new creation.

Iesha seems to sniff the air, a few feet before you, as if trying to judge which of the three branching tunnels to take. The natural caverns to the left gets short shrift, as she sniffs and then dismisses it.

And then, while she seems to be trying to discern his scent or essence in the thin underground air, you hear an explosion of noise.

Footsteps running, voices raised, drawing close. The voices are those of the grave. Iesha growls a low, almost animal noise, and braces herself (she is effectively on the square labelled B31). Ghouls approach, in number!

 

[Fenris]

Jovik rolls his eyes and shoots Jokad a dirty look. He heads to the side of the cavern entrance hammering in a dagger.

"Ghouls! Frickin' ghouls. Yoy can't have some normal guy hunting you with orcs or bugbears or kobolds. No you have to have some lunatic with ghouls after you"

rants Jovik as he ties off some rope to the dagger and heads to the other side and hammers in another dagger and ties off the rope.

Jovik stands back and checks his work then stands next to Jokad, Gull's Wing in his left, Goblin Hook in his right.

Staring down the halls he adds one last taunt to Jokad "If they paralyze you, I am drawing on your face." he says with a grin


ooc: yeah, it's a quick and primitive trip line about a foot off the ground, but I figure ghouls aren't the most perceptive bunch

 

[Rhun]

"Stay close so that you take advantage of Sarenae's protections," says Danth to his companions. "And don't let them surround us." The cleric quickly goes over his spells in his head and takes a deep breath to steady himself. With his sword and his faith, he was ready to face the approaching undead.



Magic Circle vrs Evil in effect, duration 50 minutes

[sblock=Current Spells Readied]
- Level 0: Detect Magic x2, Light, Guidance, Resistance
- Level 1: Command, Bless, Shield of Faith, Bless + (d) Cure Light Wounds
- Level 2: Cure Moderate Wounds, Deific Vengeance (CD), Remove Paralysis + (d) Heat Metal
- Level 3: Summon Monster III, Magic Circle vrs Evil + Searing Light
[/sblock]