(IC) Dog Days of Doom!

[Steve Gorak]

As they faced the market, Benny asked Max to fly back to him. These are dark times, and he felt vulnerable without him on his shoulder.

Almost sounding like an adult, he says "I really need to go to the Mystic Emporium, but I understand that being better armed and protected will improve our chances. So I agree, let's go to the armory first. But we need to go to the Emporium after. And I could try to sneak in, looking like a zombie. But first the armory."

Before they head out, Max softly chants to bolster Benny's stealth.

OOC: Benny is concentrating on detect magic, please let me know if he senses magical auras @TaranTheWanderer. I'm assuming that the items gifted to us are mildly magical. Question: is holy water magical (i.e. detectable by detect magic?); not sure about that one. Also, please note that Sphynxes of wonder cannot become magical. I picked it because it's good aligned and was a decent fighter to support a meek level 1 warlock, and wanted to try an external source (concentration free) guidance. The fact that it has a radiant attack is just unexpected gravy in your setting. We can assume that Benny used deception (assisted by Max's guidance) to convince the villagers inside the inn to let him go out. Max casts guidance as an action. Benny's stealth check: 27

 

[FitzTheRuke]

Stratus led the way toward the armory, his chain-mail making its signature ching-ching noise as he moved.

Anson shook his head at the sound. Havok was no better. He was sure that they'd be heard by zombies soon enough. He put his hand on Benny's shoulder and said in a whisper, "We may never get the chance to come back this way, and we are here at the Emporium right now. Let's slip inside and catch up to the others after."

He held up a potato sack that he'd grabbed at the inn, suggesting that they could grab things quickly. Catching Stratus' eye as the big half-giant looked back to see that everyone was following, Anson told Stratus his intentions using common sign. The half-giant nodded grimly his approval.

OOC: Anson got a 22 Stealth. Stratus got a 5 (after disadvantage). The Emporium is right beside us. I think Benny and Anson should hit it up now and then catch up. We shouldn't circle back. What do you think @Steve Gorak? Team Stealth?

 

[Lidgar]

Deirdre gazed at the market square with disgust. She wanted nothing more to cleanse it with Correlon's holy light. Sneaking about, while practical, felt wrong.

"I'll follow the group's wishes, but want to note the Emporium is right here. I sense speed is just as important as stealth. Perhaps Benny and I can start here at the Emporium; we can then move quickly to meet the group at the other end of the square."

She rocked on her heels in anticipation, eager to move. Even so, she remained relatively quiet.

OOC: Suggest Dierdre and Benny (and anyone else that wants to join) go to the emporium while the others go to the Hammer. We can then either meet up at the south end of the square or by the Silver Pendant. Stealth at disadvantage (heavy armor): 2D20.LOW(1) = [10, 14] = 10

 

[FitzTheRuke]

Anson welcomed having Deirdre along, even if she also wore armor that sounded far too loud to a scout's ears. Still, she moved silently enough with all the various background noise, and she'd be good to have along if things went south. He nodded his appreciation to her.

Benny was still looking after the others, unsure which group he should go with. Anson grabbed the lad by an arm and pulled him gently toward the Emporium door. It was settled.

 

[Steve Gorak]

Spoiler: Benny_+_Maximilian_Mini-sheet

Benny
AC 14 (19 with shield spell used as a reaction)
Spell Save DC 13
HP/HP 14/17
Passive Perception (PP): 13
HD/HD; 2/2

Maximilian
AC 13
Magic Resistance. The sphinx has Advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects.
Resistances: Necrotic, Psychic, Radiant
HP/HP 6/24
Senses Darkvision 60 ft., Passive Perception 11
HD/HD; 1/7
Condition: Blinded

Benny felt the tug and started to resist but saw Max's stare. There is wisdom in this path the sphynx telepathically said. Benny acquiesced, relieved that he'll have a chance at spell components and perhaps more.

OOC: concentrating: on dispell magic

 

[TaranTheWanderer]

The Mystic Emporium

Benny, Deidre and Anson make scoot around the corner to the front door of The Mystic Emporium to where they can see the front door. There are two bodies lying on the ground outside the door. Maximillion gives the all-clear and, as you approach, you can see that the door is wide open and full of scorch marks. The two corpses on the ground have a variety of wounds and burns.

Peeking inside, Benny can sense several magical auras. They originate from several items inside a glass cabinet that acts as the store-clerks desk as well as some rolled up papers stuffed into small shelves beyond the desk. To Detect Magic, entire cabinet has an orange aura with flicks of black which indicate some kind of abjuration spell.

Spoiler: GM

1. regarding the front door: Everyone make Investigation rolls DC: 12. DC 17 or more time spent investigating give more info.
2 Benny can make a difficult Arcana check to make an educated guess of what kind of protection is on the cabinet DC: 16

Starting from where you are standing outside the door:
What do you want to do?
Where do you search first?
How much time do you spend?
How careful are you being?

---

The Holy Hammer

The way to the Holy Hammer is a bit more complicated and involves timing when the undead might not be looking or happen to wander away. Despite the noisy armour, the two warriors manage to keep their clinking to a minimum.

The Holy Hammer is a two story building with two entrances. There is a second floor entrance that's accessible from an exterior staircase. The main entrance is on the ground level and is the storefront proper. A big window in front showcases various weapons: an intricate longs sword, a wicked looking dagger and a mannequin wearing a suit of scale mail. There seems to be bodies strewn about the street as well as at the main doorway, with large pools of blood everywhere. You're fairly sure the bodies are truly dead but you won't know until you approach and investigate.

Spoiler: GM

Where do you want to go?

You are approaching from the West side of the street so if you want to go to the upstairs door and avoid the bodies, you will have to circumnavigate.

 

[FitzTheRuke]

Anson had heard tales of how magic shop merchants would use their sources for empowered items to also build magically automated security systems. He whispered to the others, "Be careful; there may be some sort of protective ward."

He then looked for signs of either its source, or its trigger. Moving as subtly as he could, he checked the space between the door and the counter for clues that might lead him to either.

OOC: Investigation 18 for Anson!

Stratus looked toward the stairs.

"The shopkeeper probably lived up there." he suggested in a whisper, "I wonder if anyone is alive up there."

He looked for signs of movement on the floor above, and he carefully moved forward to check the main door.

 

[Neurotic]

The Holy Hammer - Havoc Ironskin
They got lucky getting this far unnoticed, the bodies lying down are probably (hopefully?) really dead, all others are ambling about.
"Let's go to the bodies and prepare quick dispatch strike at the first sign of movement. Then we go to the door. Unless you can navigate the stairs quietly and open the locked door, I'd avoid that route. We're here for the shop anyhow."
Havoc whispers to the big marshal.

 

[Snarf Zagyg]

Spoiler: Caer Droea

AC16 Passive Perception 17
HP 19/20 HD 2/2
SSdc13 Slots 2/2
Hunters 1/2 Healing 1/1 Teleport 1/2

HOLY HAMMER

While Caer had accompanied this group in order to provide assistance, he was unhappy with the prospect of entering the temple of metal. As the others look to the possible entrances, Caer remembers the key that he had.

He whispered. I will open the top door.

Caer moves with delicate alacrity up the stairs and unlocks the door, opening it.

OOC: Stealth: 1D20+4 = [19]+4 = 23 Unlock and open door.

Edited ooc block to close it.

 

[Steve Gorak]

The Mystic Emporium

Spoiler: Benny_+_Maximilian_Mini-sheet

Benny
AC 14 (19 with shield spell used as a reaction)
Spell Save DC 13
HP/HP 14/17
Passive Perception (PP): 13
HD/HD; 2/2

Maximilian
AC 13
Magic Resistance. The sphinx has Advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects.
Resistances: Necrotic, Psychic, Radiant
HP/HP 6/24
Senses Darkvision 60 ft., Passive Perception 11
HD/HD; 1/7

OOC: Benny Investigation check 6 Fail Benny arcana check 17 Success Max Casts guidance-arcana on himself Max investigation check: 19 Success Max Arcana: 16 Success Strong rolls! BTW, I'm trying not to spam guidance too badly, so only used it on Max's arcana check

Benny pays close attention to the cabinet. Magical lore really isn't his strong suit, but he happens to recall some elements of Max's teachings that could apply to this aura. He also confers telepathically with the Sphynx to agree on what they think this cabinet is warded with. Benny is focused on the cabinet, but the seasoned spirit in Sphinx form has an eye for detail and takes the time to move about the room and try to find spell components and other useful items for the group.

OOC: Just to clarify, only the cabinet appears to be warded and the as rolled up papers stuffed into small shelves beyond the desk appear to be accessible, right?