The day dawns cold and damp. A feeble light comes in through the inn's windows, where outside a foggy mist clings to the buildings and trees of Red Larch.

Inside the common room, Kaylessa sips tea from a porcelain cup and speaks quietly with another traveler, dressed in the robes of a traveling priest.
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:59, Wed 18 Jan 2017.

Asano trudges down the stairs, blearily rubbing his eyes. As he hits the ground floor, he stretches with a nearly silent yawn, his muscles complaining of the previous day's exertions. He takes a seat at a table near, but not too near, Mistress Kaylessa and her visitor and patiently waits for them to naturally conclude their current subject before he inquires as to the state of the day's breakfast.

OOC:
Not necessarily trying to overhear their conversation, but if some amount of information was uttered just loud enough for my keen half-elven ears to decipher, hey, not my fault they are carrying on a private conversation in a public setting.

Perception- 8

Annnnd, I hear the blood rushing in my head.

Even after a night's sleep, Mayon's eyes remain shadowed and tired as ever as he stumbles down after Asano. Those damn dreams again; couldn't he just have one night's rest without them? They were getting clearer, too, which wasn't much of a comfort.

He eyes the new guest warily as he walks over to join Asano, wondering who this man may be and trying to see if he matched any of the visions he had been given.

21:22, Today: Mayon Graycross rolled 10 using 1d20+4 with rolls of 6.  Perception.
Honestly, even my Passive is better than that :P

Morg stomps down the stairs, whistling a tune. He catches the attention of one of Kaylessa's charges, orders an ale and some bread, and then walks over to Asano and Mayon slapping them on the back, "Nice morning aye?" He sits down, "Hopefully it'll stay nice and cool."

As guests enter the common room, serving staff bring warm oatmeal in from outside. Ghileeda the maid smiles at Morg's comment about the weather, then retreats into the kitchen.

"The whole delegation?" Kaylessa replies to the man. "I've heard the rumors of these kinds of things of course, but this..." she trails off and turns to greet the new arrivals to the common room.

"Good mornin' all! Did you sleep well? I heard from Constable Harburk you brought in some bandits yesterday. Hard work I'd imagine!"

Bramwell descended the steps into the common room, yawning from a night that provided too little rest.  He gratefully accepted a bowl of oatmeal, happily taking in the warm aroma.  He'd noticed the itinerant priest, and after overhearing a snippet of Kaylessa's conversation with the fellow, he could not resist introducing himself.  The paladin approached the traveler and introduced himself with all the customary formalities to be shown between holy men.

Once introductions were out of the way he then asked, "I could not help but overhear your previous conversation, sir.  Which delegation is it you were speaking of, and has something gone amiss with them?"

"Manners," Kaylessa mutters under her breath, "My apologies Bramwell, and all, for not introducing you right away. This is Brother Eardon, a traveling priest who often stops in here on his travels." The robed man bows, smiling, and greets the group warmly.

---

Apologies, I missed answering Mayon's question before - you don't recognize the man.

Brother Eardon turns to Bram. "Greetings my son," he intones slowly, "I see you may be a man of faith, if perhaps not of the 'cloth'. Blessings to you."

Eardon clears his throat. "I sometimes come by news in my travels, and I was earlier sharing the sad tidings of a missing delegation. I encountered a delegation from Mirabar some weeks ago in Beliard, who I understood had intended to pass through Red Larch a short time ago. When I heard from passing travelers that a delegation in the area had gone missing, I feared it may be the one I encountered. Kaylessa and the locals here have not seen or heard from any such group, so now it appears my fears may be confirmed."

Bramwell nodded slowly in response to Brother Eardon's report.  He immediately retrieved his journal and quill and set to scribbling, recognizing that the disappearance of such envoys was a troubling development.  He said, "This is most troubling news.  My companions and I have only just arrived in Red Larch two days ago, and have found the area to be beset on every side by strange and dangerous happenings.  If this delegation has gone missing in this valley, then I fear for their safety."  He pondered for a moment and then went on, "The journey from Mirabar is a lengthy one.  Did the delegates share with you their names, or the objective of their expedition?  If a rescue is to be mounted, such information would surely be of great help in tracking them down."

Jak awoke, but not at the crack of dawn for sure! A nibble on one of his fingers, insistent but not very painful, woke him. His eyes flicked open in panic and paranoia before he relaxed again. "Y'know, Twitch, I worked hard yesterday. You could'a let me sleep in a bit longer." A chittering from the mouse was overridden by Jak's stomach rumbling. "Oh. I suppose food is in order, an' if I'm hungry you must be starvin'!"

He scrubbed a bit and then headed over to find his friends and see about breakfast. He gave a drowsy smile to the group when he entered the room and the smile widened a bit at Kaylessa. He found a place to sit and plopped down. "Sorry, could I get somethin' t'eat? My belly button's rubbin' on my backbone!"

Then he saw Bramwell being all serious, more so than usual if that was possible, with a stranger in robes. Jak cocked an eyebrow and glanced at Morg. "He gettin' more work fer us already?"

Morg puts down his empty ale mug, and says to Jak, "Aye; something went missing at the Mirrorbar, some horses I think."

Servers put down food and drink in from of Morg and any other newcomers, then retreat back outside or to the kitchens as their duties demand.

"The delegation was fairly large. They had a number of guards at least," the priest replies to Bram in measured tones. "I only spoke with one of the delegates, a shield dwarf by the name of Bruldenthar. He was transporting some of his manuscripts to Waterdeep, though I got the impression that wasn't the only purpose of the trip. They were planning to stop at a number of places in the Dessarin Valley, including Red Larch. They were also transporting the body of a dead knight, to be interred at Summit Hall."
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:06, Thu 19 Jan 2017.

While eating, Morg mishears Summit Hall as Sumber Hall, and gets up to go listen to the conversation while standing next to Bram.

Mayon listens with interest as he eats. "Do you know what sort of manuscripts it was that he was transporting? Other purposes aside, perhaps someone felt they were valuable." He asks, pausing a bit, glancing up a bit when he notices Morg before turning back to the man.

"The manuscripts were his own writings," Brother Eardon replies. "He is an historian of some note, I believe."

"I bet it was that evil out at Lance Rock they ran afoul of," Kaylessa opines, glancing at Mayon and the others thoughtfully. "I wonder if it's moved on now, waylaying travelers on their way here."

Nodding to herself as if deciding something, Kaylessa addresses the group. "You all seem capable enough, if you're able to haul bandits to justice. I'll offer you fifty gold to investigate Lance Rock and see if there are any sinister forces lurking there."

"Fifty gold total mind, not each," she puts in hastily. "I'm not made a' money, you know."
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 17:23, Thu 19 Jan 2017.

Jak perked up as the talk kept going on. The mention of gold made a half-smile slip on to his face. Kaylessa's hasty caveat correction made it bloom in to a whole smile. "No worries. Bram keeps tryin' t'convince me that helpin' people's good fer the soul." He let out a chuckle. "I'm game." He went back to eating.

"That sounds good, Miss Irkell." Mayon says with a rare genuine smile. "We were considering heading that way today as it is, so it shouldn't be any trouble at all."

"Indeed," Asano nods with Mayon's statement. "We were indeed intent upon rooting out the mysteries surrounding Lance Rock. Is there a way we may identify your historians writing, should we find them?"

Brother Eardon looks at the group with a newfound measure of respect. "You are good to take up such a task," he intones ponderously. "May the blessings of Lathander be upon you, and may you live to see tomorrow's dawn."

The name Bruldenthar rang a bell for Bram.  He thought sure that during his service as a scribe in Candlekeep he must have read at least one book or manuscript authored by the historian.  The pace of the Glyphscribe's scribbling increased until he had everything down.  Once he'd finished he thanked the priest for his information and placed a small handful of silver coins into his hand, "My thanks to you, Brother.  Please, accept this offering for your church."

Bram looked uneasy when he returned to the others and spoke, "This matter of the missing Mirabar delegation concerns me greatly.  Such a capable expedition could not simply vanish, and the dangers in this area lead me to suspect they've come to harm."  He adjusted his spectacles and made clear this his stake in this was personal, "The historian and his manuscript must be safeguarded, for the loss of knowledge and its teachers diminishes the world.  My oath to Deneir compels me to investigate this matter.  I'd like to make for Lance Rock as soon as we're able."  He thanked Kaylessa for her offer of reward, but only perfunctorily, as acquisition of reward was not his goal in this.  He was distracted now, and impatient to set out for Lance Rock as soon as possible.

---

History check to see what Bram knows about Bruldenthar and his historical works (where are these amazing rolls when I'm attacking or making saves? :):

• 13:00, Today: Secret Roll: Bramwell Caulder rolled 23 using 1d20+4.  History.

Updated Inventory thread with current wealth after donating 1 gp worth of silver.

The half-elf priest accepts Bram's donation and again wishes the group good fortune on their quest.

---

Bram recognizes Bruldenthar as a well-known historian and writer. Though he is from Mirabar and nominally lives there, he has traveled much of the Forgotten Realms including several dangerous areas.

His writings span a great variety of topics, including historical accounts of various wars and lesser known lands. But he is perhaps most well known for his polemics on a number of subjects, including the non-existance of most deities. He is also well known for his fondness (and frequent overindulgence in) cocktails and pipe smoking.

"Well, with that settled," Asano turns back to the mistress of the inn and continues, "is there a chance of breakfast this morning, Mistress Irkell?"

The group finishes up their breakfasts and bids goodbye to Kaylessa and Brother Eardon. The mists outside still hinder visibility somewhat, and grant the cold morning somewhat of an otherworldly quality. Travelers come into focus out of the fog, walk past, and melt back into the mists as they continue on their way.

Aerego Bethendur, proprietor of the storage area in Red Larch, somewhat tersely shows the party to their storage warehouse upon their request, where several of his tough-looking helpers offer to carry the goods to the nearby shop. The whole process takes a matter of minutes, and the group finds itself in Vallivoe's Sundries in short order.

The bewildering profusion of doors, barrels, rotting old furniture, and tools leaning against the outside walls of the shop is dwarfed by the huge variety and clutter inside. Though the shop appears to be a small converted private home, it is littered with new and used items of every kind imaginable. Teetering piles of wares reach to the rafters in some cases, held up only by other piles of unrelated goods. Suits of armor hang on lamps. Weapons are stacked haphazardly next to piles of books leaning at a precarious angle, some of which look to have fallen onto nearby couches and chairs. Rolled up carpets block one aisle littered with mirrors of several shapes and sizes, which magnify and multiply the images of adjacent shields and helms. The only thing lacking in the house, seemingly, is an empty shelf or floorboard.

Vallivoe himself, an aging and scuttling little man, greets the companions as acquaintances. "Welcome, welcome," the man says as the group enters. He bustles about sliding objects out of the entryway, making room enough for everyone to stand. He eyes Jak for half a beat longer than the others. "I remember some of your faces from the Helm the other night," the man says, then winces at the memory of the drunken baker.

"I'm happy to take these items off of your hands," he says, after a quick perusal of the group's items. "Fifty gold seems a fair trade, so we can just finalize that now if you like." He lifts some of the smaller items onto a nearby table, pushing a bucket of candles and a finely bound book out of the way to make room. "Any interest in something from my inventory in trade? If you can name it I probably have at least one of it." He chuckles.

After completing the transaction, he pulls Jak aside for a moment. "You're a bard, are you not? You may be interested in this item over here." He consults with Jak in hushed tones over a worn drum set.

---

Vallivoe has all of the items from the PHB at listed prices, weapons and armor included.

Morg, if you want a hammer and ball bearings he has that, and will cost you a total of 2gp.

Note, you all still have a wagon in the storage warehouse unless you want to sell that as well.

This message was last edited by the GM at 01:08, Sun 22 Jan 2017.

Bramwell greeted Vallivoe with his customary courtesy and remarked, "I trust that Mangobarl made it home to sleep off his drink?"  He picked up the finely-bound book before the fellow could sweep it to the floor and took a look at it, interested.

As the merchant appraised the wares, the half-elf gravitated toward the mess of books.  He idly gathered up fallen tomes from their cluttered heaps one by one, reading the spines and occasionally flipping one open.  As he browsed the books he sorted them by force of habit, rearranging them into neat stacks alphabetized by author.

---

Investigation to sort through the books for any of special interest (rare editions, notable authors, or anything about elemental cults):

• 10:01, Today: Bramwell Caulder rolled 6 using 1d20+4.  Investigation.

Mayon also walks over to browse the book selection, curious as to if there were any books of the arcane. Or, at the very least, some interesting stories. It seems unlikely, but it's always good to check. He hides a smile at Bram's rearranging, reminded a bit of his father's students.

11:30, Today: Mayon Graycross rolled 12 using 1d20+4 with rolls of 8.  Investigation for interesting reads.

Asano hesitantly enters the sundries shop, one hand covering his nose and mouth. He idly peruses the items of the shop, eventually winding up near the glyphscribe and Mayon as they all browsed the books available. "You never know what you may find in such surroundings," he mutters, placing a partially worm-eaten tome back where he'd found it. "But it would appear that there are mere bones left here."

OOC:
Investigation- 10

Morg finds a hammer in good condition, then scrounges around filling a bag with ball bearings, and keeps an eye out for a small fancy looking bauble. After Vallivoe and Jak finish talking, he pays for the goods and asks the owner if he can recommend anything to use as protection against plague.

---

21:33, Today: Morg Danforge rolled 16 using 1d20+3 with rolls of 13.  Perception check, looking for a small fancy looking bauble.

Jak was looking at least somewhat content with a full belly for once, and he smiled as he heard Twitch making happy noises and then settling in. The foggy mist was a bit weird and Jak half-expected something or someone to come charging out of it at him.

The inside of the cluttered home-turned-shop was amazing. Jak was astounded at all the good stuff and useable junk there was to see and buy! It was a pack rat's dream! His eyes were wide and a small half-smile was on his face as he wandered around. He didn't have much money yet but one day he would!

As Vallivoe came over, Jak smiled at him briefly but then looked intense. "I am a bard, yes." He gave a careful nod after the man spoke and began examining the drum. "Really? That's good t'know. Thanks! You have a wonderful shop. I'll be comin' here a LOT! So much stuff here!"

Vallivoe dry washes his hands as his guests peruse his goods, but he smiles good naturedly and nods at everyone. "Mangobarl is a hard worker," he says quietly to Bram's inquiry, and changes the subject.

"I don't know much about plagues," he says, somewhat alarmed. "But I do have a healing potion or two around here somewhere. They're fairly rare though, so I charge fifty gold a piece."

Morg spies an egg-shaped bauble with a bright red shell perched on top of a stack of blank parchment. Upon further examination, it appears to be made of wood with a thick layer of red paint.

Most of the books look fairly beaten up and of no particular interest. Many detail various farming practices and a few describe fanciful tales of impossibly powerful heroes from another age.

The finely-bound book that Bramwell gravitates towards, however, seems different. It is a beautifully illuminated manuscript with gold filigree. "That is-" Vallivoe begins, then stops suddenly. "Actually, I don't know what it is, since I don't read that language," he says sheepishly. "Is it Dwarvish?"

After examining it, Bram can tell it is a genealogical history of the dwarf clans of Mirabar. The author is listed as a dwarf by the name of Bruldenthar.

---

Morg purchases the hammer and ball bearings for 2gp.
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:24, Tue 24 Jan 2017.

Bram's eyebrows raised as he read the Dwarvish runes embossed on the spine in gold foil.  Bruldenthar.  To find one of his works here was quite the coincidence... or was it?  If this were one of the volumes bound for Waterdeep with the missing delegation its presence here would bode ill for them.

The Glyphscribe laid open the cover and thumbed carefully through a few of the beautifully-illuminated pages.  Without looking up he replied to Vallivoe's question somewhat distractedly, "Yes, Dwarvish.  You are correct.  A genealogical history... of the dwarf clans of, ahhhh, Mirabar."  Reluctantly, he looked up from his perusal and said to the merchant, "Quite a splendidly-crafted volume!  I'm interested in purchasing it.  Might I ask how this fine work came to be in your shop?  Scholarly curiosity."  There was no word of a lie there: he was genuinely interested to know the history of this volume, including its chain of ownership.  That the information might provide a clue as to the Mirabar delegation's fate was merely a bonus.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:58, Tue 24 Jan 2017.

"I bought it off a passing merchant just a few days ago," the shopkeeper replies to Bram. "I thought it looked impressive - it certainly stands out from the other volumes I have! I'll sell it for fifty-, er, twenty-five gold." He glances at Jak. "You folks have been kind and deserve a discount, after all."

"I think the peddler mentioned she bought it from a shady keelboat skipper in Womford. If you're interested in more like it she said the captain had somehow come by a dozen or so similar books. Maybe he'd be willing to part with the rest."

Vallivoe considers a moment, then speaks up again. "I've heard a bit about your helping the constable with the troubles around Red Larch," he begins. "I don't know if it's relevant, but I overheard someone say that they saw a skull pinned to a tree with a black arrow, like some kind of dire warning or ill omen. It was a half day's walk along the Larch Path, then about four miles east into the Hills."

---

Dessarin Valley map updated.
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:59, Tue 24 Jan 2017.

Bram listened with interest to Vallivoe's account of his purchase of the tome, and made note of the information in his journal.  He nodded and then said, "Many thanks for the information, as well as the generous discount.  I have only three further questions, if you don't mind.  First, did the peddler provide this captain's name?  Second, are the captain's other recently-acquired volumes similar in that they share the same author as this?"  Bram listened and carefully made note of the answers.

Once those two questions were settled, Bram took a breath and asked, "Lastly, were you aware that this volume and the others were stolen?"  He paused for a beat to observed the reaction, then explained, "A delegation from Mirabar due to pass through Red Larch has recently gone missing.  The author of these volumes, Bruldenthar, was a part of this delegation.  He carried with him a number of his writings, which he intended to deliver to Waterdeep.  The fact that they have instead emerged among the wares of local merchants is evidence that the delegation has come to harm and their supplies looted, then fenced."  His exposition was merely a statement of the facts without accusation nor reproach, but Bram still watched Vallivoe carefully for signs of guilt.

Vallivoe scratches his head with a bony finger and responds to each of Bram's questions in turn.

"The peddler didn't mention the captain's name, no."

"I don't know if the other books share the same author. The woman only told me the captain had other similar books."

The shopkeepers eyes widen in alarm at the revelation that the books were stolen. "From the Mirabar delegation? I had no idea they were from there. Are you sure? I'd only just heard recently that such a delegation was bound for Red Larch."

His eyes dart to Jak again, then back to Bram. "I need to inform some people of this news. Any tidings of raiders attacking a group of travelers is suspicious indeed. Thank you for sharing it with me."

OOC:  Before responding, I think this rather suspicious response deserves an Insight check!

16:25, Today: Bramwell Caulder rolled 10 using 1d20.  Insight.

Too bad Bram sucks at Insight :(

Bram studies the shopkeeper, but detects no traces of subterfuge in the aging Vallivoe.

As Vallivoe leaves, Morg looks at his remaining coins. "We may need to evacuate folk from Lance Rock with the wagon - should we pool our money and rent or buy a mule? We can ask at the harness shop, or the two wagon places I saw earlier."

After deciding Bram got the only book really worth taking, Mayon turns at Morg's comment and nods. "That would probably be a good idea." He looks towards the shopkeeper. "Sir, do you know of any sort of stables around here?"

"No, no stables near town," Vallivoe replies to Mayon. "The best place to buy animals in the Valley is at the Triboar horse market."

"The wagon makers in town often have a mule hanging around for sale though. Either Thelorn's Safe Journeys or Waelvur's Wagonworks should have one available. Sometimes the outlying farms and homesteads have a spare animal they'll sell too, if you're lucky."
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:27, Wed 25 Jan 2017.

Bram nodded, satisfied from Vallivoe's reacton that he wasn't knowingly involved in whatever foul play may have befallen the missing delegation.  He offered, "Seeing as this tome was unlawfully misappropriated from its author, though unbeknownst to you, I'd judge it inappropriate to profit from its sale.  I'd be willing to cover your loss, with the assurance that you'll not be held culpable for whatever misdeed parted this tome from its author."  Letting the implication settle in, he made his final bid, "The price you paid, and no more."

Vallivoe chuckles, then wipes his hand across his forehead. "Apparently I'm not a good negotiator," the man says ruefully. "The fact of the matter is, twenty-five gold is what I paid for the book. I offered it at cost because Jak and I have a mutual friend."

He sighs. "I agree no one should profit from the sale of a stolen book, particularly not one that was related to the disappearance of an important delegation. But I'm not a wealthy man. I can't afford to lose money on it."

"Tell you what," the man says thoughtfully, "I'll set it aside until either the rightful owner is found or you want to purchase it for twenty five. I'll not sell it to anyone else."

Bramwell smiled and nodded, "A fair offer, but I do not have the funds just yet.  I'd be much obliged for you to keep it until my next visit, and will gladly pay then.  However, you've my blessing to trade the tome to its author or to another Glyphscribe, should either inquire sooner."  The paladin gave the shopkeeper a respectful bow and bade him farewell.

He then turned to his companions and asked, "Have we any other business to attend to before we set out toward Lance Rock?"

Jak pursed his lips and shook his head slightly. Whether that was in regards to the merchant's looks and price-dropping or to the much more important topic of the caravan having gone missing and their goods being sold unwittingly to this shopkeeper is up for debate. He merely murmured quietly as if lost in thought, "Once stolen, twice sold, makes him no accomplice for sure an' barely still as if he is sellin' ill-gotten goods at that point."

He frowned, "Black arrow? Hmm."

Then he slowly turned to look at Bram with a raised eyebrow. If he didn't know the glyphscribe better he'd almost suspect him of trying to get a better price rather than recovering stolen books. But he said nothing and the barest whisp of a smile vanished across his face.

"We should get goin'. Raiders're bad business."

"Indeed, Maester Jakrynn, but worse still is the threat of plague," Asano keeps his voice low, not wanting to spread rumor or panic any further than it may have already flown. "Raiders and brigands are craven creatures of habit and ease. They will stay where they are until pickings grow too slim or some other force pushes them out. It would seem Lance Rock may be the best route, though I do have an interest in routing the bandit groups in the area."

Endrith Vallivoe bids the group farewell as they leave his shop. The mists continue to cling to the edges of town, though the sky appears to be brightening.

Heading out of town, the group peers through the swirling mists for any signs of Lance Rock. Kaylessa told them it was hard to miss in the flatter terrain south of Red Larch, but the mists have reduced visibility significantly.

After a few miles of walking however, thin beams of sunlight start to break through the fog and illuminate the grasslands on either side of the road. A slender monolith becomes visible to the west, and the party leaves the road to head towards it. As they approach and the mists continue to burn off, the Rock and its surroundings become clearer.

Lance Rock is a narrow, twenty-five-foot menhir of bare, grey rock that juts eastward at a sixty degree angle. The surrounding countryside is bare of rocks or other landmarks, except for a brush-choked ravine a few hundred feet to the south.

A simple wooden sign is planted firmly in the earth next to a path leading down into the ravine.

During the journey Bram had been apprehensive of getting lost in the thick mists, and so was thankful when the tall and distinctive stone landmark came into view.  He approached Lance rock and walked a half-circle around it, observing its structure and sketching its contours in his journal while muttering, "A fascinating structure, leaning at such an angle!  I see nothing amiss in the area thus far, at least."

Once he was satisfied he'd taken sufficient notes on Lance rock, Bramwell made his way with the others toward the overgrown ravine.  He stopped at the head of the trail and looked down into the ravine, then took a look at the sign posted there.

---

Bram tried investigating Lance rock's history and whether it's a natural structure or not, but it looks like he can only be certain that it is indeed a rock :P

• 17:50, Today: Bramwell Caulder rolled 6 using 1d20+4.  Nature.
• 17:50, Today: Bramwell Caulder rolled 6 using 1d20+4.  History.

Bram can tell that Lance Rock is made of granite.

The trail that leads down into the ravine is thick with underbrush and weeds but isn't particularly steep.

The sign is made of a simple, flat piece of wood nailed to a stake. Neatly painted on the sign are the following words:

Come no closer
lest you catch
the disfiguring plague
that afflicts me!

The Lord of Lance Rock
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:08, Sat 28 Jan 2017.

Bram read the sign, frowns, adjusted his spectacles, then read it again.  "Hrm.  I wasn't aware there was a such a title as 'Lord of Lance Rock.'"  He then wondered aloud, "Can it truly be considered a plague if it only afflicts a single victim?  This is quite suspicious."  The half-elf looked to his companions and gestured down the foliage-choked trail, then asked, "Shall we pay this Lord a visit?  Perhaps we might assist him in his troubles."

"It's worth a try. This place is...unnerving." Mayon says, looking around a bit warily, peering through the mist down the path. "I wonder if the only message of a plague was this sign in the first place? Or perhaps this 'lord' found people nearby and made himself appear disfigured? I've studied illusions a bit, it would be easy to frighten people away if you have something to hide..." He muses softly, absently forming a simple minor illusion of a dagger in his hand before waving it away, showing how simple such a thing could be.

Using Minor Illusion cantrip for cosmetic effect :P

"Well, then let us pay this 'lord' a visit, shall we," Asano says, wand focus in hand. "And pray the plague is indeed mere rumor and threat."

The party makes its way down the gentle slope to the ravine floor. Here the trail continues to the mouth of a gaping cave, where another sign is posted.

The sign repeats the message from the top of the ravine.

The cave mouth opens into darkness from which a breeze blows, carrying the faint odor of death. Inside is a natural cave, its floor and ceiling uneven. The passage leads to the west, narrowing as it proceeds.

---

New map posted, Lance Rock Cave.

If you'd like to explore the cave please refer to map coordinates to be clear about where you're moving to. I'll assume the party will want to remain roughly together unless you post otherwise. To that end, I'll move PCs who don't post as best I can, using the default marching order as a guide.

Jakrynn went along with the group, humming quietly most of the time, until they got to the sign. Then he leaned back away from the sign in only partially mock horror. "A disfigurin' plague?!?!" He sounded aghast! "Maybe we should go elsewhere! My good looks and singing voice are all I got!" Slight pause. "An' Twitch. An' quick hands. An' Bram an' Morg. An' my spells but those need the dulcet or velvet tones from my voice!"

The others were determined and he wasn't truly scared so he relented. "Alright, but only if one has t'get infected, it's gotta be Morg. No one'd be able t'tell anyways!" He grinned and stuck his tongue out at his dwarf friend.

He wasn't dumb nor truly a fool, but sometimes before entering somewhere a bit frightening, a lightening of spirits can be useful he'd found. Even if it was only his own spirits.

Staying with the group, moving roughly to around AS- or AT-81, depending on where the others are going.

"Just imagine, you'd have to rely on your wits," Asano says with a wry smile. "How long do you think it would take you to starve?" He keeps his voice low as the party advances into the cave.

The cave is poorly illuminated from the outside light, and Jak can't see very far at all. It's clear the bard will need some sort of light if he's to see anything in the cave.

With Morg and Mayon in the lead however, their demi-human eyes pierce the gloom. They can see the cave continues a fair distance to the west as it narrows.

A body is sprawled on the floor about sixty feet into the passage.

---

The star symbol on the map at AV69 indicates the location of the body.
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:55, Sun 29 Jan 2017.

Mayon can't help but curse at the sight, instinctively using the harsh Undercommon his stepmother had taught him to swear in so his brother didn't understand.

"There's a body up ahead." He says to those behind him before moving forward, keeping an eye out through the darkness.

21:28, Today: Secret Roll: Mayon Graycross rolled 19 using 1d20+4 with rolls of 15.  General Perception
Looking for anything else around, i.e. potential threats.
21:29, Today: Secret Roll: Mayon Graycross rolled 19 using 1d20+4 with rolls of 15.  Investigation on body.
If Mayon is able to get close enough at least.

Added by GM: move to AV70 or AV71 if possible. Basically close enough to get a good look at the body.


This message was last edited by the GM at 16:25, Sun 29 Jan 2017.

Morg slowly walks ahead of the very delicate folk, and trying to be as quiet as possible looks for traps along with Mayon leading up to and at the body.

---

00:03, Today: Morg Danforge rolled 16 using 1d20+1 with rolls of 15.  Trying to be quiet approaching the body: stealth
check.

00:07, Today: Morg Danforge rolled 11 using 1d20+3 with rolls of 8.  Checking for traps: perception check.

Asano creeps to the alcove leading to the deeper passage, watching further down th tunnel as Mayon and Morg move to investigate the body.

OOC:
Move to AY77
Stealth- 20
Perception- 12

The group moves forward toward the prone figure. Mayon and Bram get closest, and see that it is a corpse of a human male. The body sprawls in front of them on its back, and wears only leather breeches.

Ahead, the corridor narrows before it widens into larger natural chamber.

---

Map updated.

Rather concerned by the appearance of a corpse after the ominous signs, Bramwell kneels down and inspects the scene carefully to determine the circumstances of death.

Going CSI: Red Larch on this guy :P  How did he die, signs of struggle, was the body moved, clues on the body, etc.

18:39, Today: Bramwell Caulder rolled 19 using 1d20+4.  Investigation.

Jak stopped for a moment. He carefully got out his hooded lantern, made sure there was oil in it, and then he lit it. He held it up and swung it until he could see the body. He made a small noise and let Bramwell do his thing. He held the light steady and glanced around occasionally.

Mayon crouches beside the body as well, seeing if he could identify any signs of death, or anything seemingly connected to magic as the rumors said.

18:19, Today: Mayon Graycross rolled 14 using 1d20+4 with rolls of 10.  Investigate body.
18:21, Today: Mayon Graycross rolled 23 using 1d20+4 with rolls of 19.  Arcana check.
Arcana check was--just in case there's no physical signs of death--to see if there could be any signs of a spell or curse that could cause this. I mean, some folks DID say it was a magical plague...

"Is it safe?" Asano stage whispers through the tunnel. He keeps his eyes further down the passageway, trying to make sure no one or no THING ambushes the forward group.

OOC:
Perception- 8

And sees very little.

I forgot Morg has disadvantage on stealth checks:

07:49, Today: Secret Roll: Morg Danforge rolled 7 using 1d20+1 with rolls of 6. Disadvantage roll for previous stealth check: approaching the body.

"Clang, clang, clang" - Ashley Johnson

As Bram and Mayon kneel down and begin their examination, the prone figure's eyes shoot open. Stunned, Bram and Mayon can only watch as the body stands, decaying flesh seemingly dripping from its bones.

A wave of some putrid stench washes over everyone, and the figure slams its fists into Bram's chest.

---

Surprise, it's a zombie! It stands and takes a surprise attack at Bram, and misses.

Map updated.

Round 1 Initiative Order:

Who	Init	Status
Jak	16
Verthel	13
Morg	10
Asano	7
Mayon	6
Bram	0
Zombie	0

This message was last edited by the GM at 22:58, Wed 01 Feb 2017.

"No you don't." Morg says as he slams his warhammer into the undead's head.

---

Action: Attack zombie.

16:19, Today: Morg Danforge rolled 15 using 1d20+6 with rolls of 9.  Attack zombie with warhammer.
16:19, Today: Morg Danforge rolled 10 using 1d8+6 with rolls of 4.  Warhammer bludgeoning damage to zombie.

"Yah...!" Bram cried out in alarm, staggering back from the unexpectedly animated corpse.  He fumbled to get his axe in hand and took a clumsy swing at the zombie, but his agitation got in his way and it failed to do any damage.

08:18, Today: Bramwell Caulder rolled 6 using 1d8+3.  Battleaxe damage.
08:18, Today: Bramwell Caulder rolled 9 using 1d20+5 with rolls of 4.  Battleaxe attack.

Mayon is equally startled by the corpse reanimating. He instinctively jerks backwards past Morg, then darts around into a more convenient spot before allowing a surge of crackling energy to burst from his hand toward the zombie, gripping his wrist with his non-casting hand to hold the beam steady.

Movement: AV 20 to AX 19, taking whatver AoO may be sent his way. :P
Action: Casting Witch Bolt
09:28, Today: Mayon Graycross rolled 15 using 1d20+5 with rolls of 10.  Witch Bolt zombie.
09:29, Today: Mayon Graycross rolled 2 using 1d12 with rolls of 2.  Lightning damage.
2 lightning damage on hit and Mayon is now concentrating on that spell. Since he cast after the zombie would make an AoO, would I have to make a concentration check?

Asano jumps, as the corpse rises and swipes at the Glyphscribe. Undead always gave him the creeps, and Asano had a cantrip perfect for handling the damned creatures. He summoned a ghostly hand that reached out for zombie's back.

OOC:
Action- Cast chill touch
        Att- 8
        Dmg- 5  Pretty sure I missed, but if I didn't the zombie has disadvantage on all attacks until the end of my next turn.

Jak was a bit startled as well. He blinked in surprise a few times. He opened his mouth to insult the creature when the thought hit him - since it was dead, would it really care or even notice if he insulted it??

With a sigh, he drew his shortsword and moved to the opposite side of the walking dead from Bram and slashed out at it. It was clear he'd had some training - like just enough to know not to stab himself, but he didn't get anywhere near to hitting the zombie.

OOC: Draw shortsword. Move to AW-69. Attack Zombie and miss horribly.

11:17, Today: Secret Roll: Jakrynn Redgate rolled 7,4 using d20+4,d6+2 with rolls of 3,2.  Shortsword attack/damage on zombie.

The zombie swats at Mayon as he steps back and catches him on the shoulder. He spins around and lunges at Bram again, but the paladin easily evades it.

The zombie is looking quite the worse for wear. Its left arm, most of its ribcage, and half of its head are hacked off by the group's assault. It remains upright however.

---

Map updated.

Round 1 Summary:

Jak moves toward the zombie and misses with his attack.

Verthel does nothing.

Morg attacks - HITS for 10 bludgeoning.

Asano casts Chill Touch - HITS for 5 necrotic damage. Zombie has disadv on attacks against Asano until the end of his next turn.

Mayon moves back and is hit by the zombie's attack of opportunity - he takes 2 bludgeoning damage .  Mayon casts Witch Bolt - HITS for 2 lightning damage. Mayon is concentrating on Witch Bolt.

Bram attacks - HITS for 6 slashing.

Zombie attacks Bram - MISS

Round 2 Initiative Order:

Who	Init	Status
Jak	16
Verthel	13
Morg	10
Asano	7
Mayon	6	Conc: Witch Bolt
Bram	0
Zombie	0	Disadv vs. Asano until EoANT

Jak again swings his shortsword at the zombie....and again barely avoid dropping the sword or stabbing one of his allies or himself. He looks a bit frustrated, looking at the shortsword and his arm like they've betrayed him.

OOC: WOW.
13:36, Today: Secret Roll: Jakrynn Redgate rolled 6,4 using d20+4,d6+2 with rolls of 2,2.  Shortsword attack/damage on zombie, attempt 2.

Bram battered away the zombie's lunging assault with his shield, rather disturbed that the monster could persist with such grisly wounds.  While it was on its heels he buried his axe blade deep in the rotten meat of its shoulder, shattering its collarbone.

---

Battleaxe crits for 9 damage!:

• 12:43, Today: Bramwell Caulder rolled 9 using 2d8+3 with rolls of 4,2.  Battleaxe crit damage!
• 12:43, Today: Bramwell Caulder rolled 25 using 1d20+5 with rolls of 20.  Battleaxe attack.

Bram slices the zombie clean in half. The rotted flesh hits the floor of the cave with a wet splat and goes still.

---

Since Bram's hit finished off the zombie, I figured we'd fast forward the encounter. We're now out of initiative.

Map updated.

XP for group: 50/4 = 12
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:32, Fri 03 Feb 2017.

"Well, that was anti-climactic," Asano says, approaching the neatly sliced corpse. He lightly kicks it, watching as the rotting body lolls in a puddle of putrid viscera, and shivers. He looks around the group, then gestures down the hall.
"Lead on, fearless warriors."

Mayon gags a bit at the sight and smell, his spell fading with the re-death of thr zombie. "So gross..." He shook his head a bit, nodding at Asano's words. "Agreed. Best to get moving. I have a feeling it would be far too simple if this was the only threat."

Ooc: Witch bolt fades after the battle. Good to know I used my one spell slot for this :P

Jak frowned deeply at his shortsword for a moment. He then sheathed it angrily. He switched the hooded lantern to his weapon hand and readied his shield. All the while he was muttering unintelligibly under his breath to himself.

Once settled, he gave nod. "Sure, yah, let's do this."

Bram watched the corpse closely for several long moments after he'd cut it down, just to be sure that it was indeed dead.  He then breathed a sigh of relief as the shock of the unexpected attack ebbed.  "I doubt this was the Lord we seek, though I'd agree that undeath qualifies as 'disfigurement.'  If the rumored plague does this to those it afflicts, then we cannot allow it to leave this cave."

He nodded to the others, "We press on, then."  With shield raised and on greater alert than previously, Bram advanced in formation with his comrades.

The party re-forms its standard marching order and peers ahead through the gloom.

A round, high-ceilinged cave opens up in front of them, perhaps thirty or forty feet ahead. A flat boulder sits in the center of the cave. Behind the boulder the cave continues back into darkness.

---

Map updated.

The boulder mentioned in the description is at AT56.

Morg cleans his warhammer and puts it away, while slowly walking towards the cave opening, looking at the floor, walls, and roof for traps and other nasties.

---

Move: 10' (half speed) to try and be quiet, hugging the northern wall of the cave if he gets to the opening.

04:47, Today: Morg Danforge rolled [13] using 2d20+1, [keeping] the lowest dice only with rolls of 12,17. Stealth check (disadvantage from chain mail): approaching cave. [My roll should have kept the lowest, instead of dropping it.]

05:00, Today: Morg Danforge rolled 4 using 1d20+3 with rolls of 1. Perception check: looking for traps or hostiles on the floor, wall, and roof.

Asano stays close behind the friendly shields protecting the front of the group, his wand ready to lash out at the first hostile foe that is seen. He continuously scans the darkness ahead and above for any threat to the group.

OOC:
Perception- 12
Stealth- 13
Keeping ray of frost on deck if anything hostile comes charging out of the darkness at the party.

Mayon follows along, a bit more warily than before. He holds his quarterstaff in one hand, leaving his other free for spellcasting as he keeps his eyes out for any more movements or suspicious bodies.

07:59, Today: Secret Roll: Mayon Graycross rolled 20 using 1d20+4 with rolls of 16.  Perception.
07:59, Today: Mayon Graycross rolled 7 using 1d20 with rolls of 7.  Stealth.
Has drawn his quarterstaff, keeping one hand free to use his focus when necessary.

The group makes it to the threshold of the cave opening without incident. The cave has two narrow exits, one leading north and the other south.

The boulder in the center of the cave is about six feet across, eight feet long, and three feet high. Dark stains color its top.

Mayon notices the ceiling right above the cave opening is somewhat lower than the rest of the cave.

---

Map updated.

"Huh...there's a weird sort of slant to the ceiling right here. Wonder if that's natural?" Mayon comments aloud, glancing up with a slight frown. It seemed a bit odd to him.

But not as odd as that boulder. Gripping his staff, he begins moving closer to get a look at that stain, hoping it's not what he thinks it is.


15:03, Today: Mayon Graycross rolled 22 using 1d20+4 with rolls of 18.  Cautious perception.
Still keeping an eye out should anything move or otherwise seem dangerous.
15:03, Today: Mayon Graycross rolled 13 using 1d20+4 with rolls of 9.  Investigate boulder.
If he can get close enough, at least.
Ready to smack with his quarterstaff should anything jump out within five feet of him.

Morg looks up to where Mayon is glancing while slowly moving to the southeastern wall, ready to help him should he need it.

As Mayon and Morg move forward into the room, something large falls down from the ceiling above Morg's head.

Two forms jump down from above directly after the object crashes to floor. One of them falls heavily to a ruined knee when it hits the ground. The two eye the group menacingly with rotted grey eyes and draw rusted swords.

---

More zombies!

Morg, you should make a DC 12 Dex save (with Advantage, since you were looking up) or take 7 bludgeoning damage from a box of rocks that hits you on the head. No damage if you make the save.

Z1 fell more heavily than Z2, but both look somewhat damaged from the fall.

Map updated.

Round 1 Initiative Order:

Who	Init	Status
Mayon	17
Morg	12
Bram	10
Verthel	8
Asano	6
Zombies	5
Jak	4

This message was last edited by the GM at 17:54, Sun 05 Feb 2017.

Mayon yelps at the sudden ceiling zombies, then glares and grips his quarterstaff with both hands as he takes a swing, too close to really get a spell off. "Why can't dead things just stay dead?!"

No movement this turn.
11:02, Today: Secret Roll: Mayon Graycross rolled 14 using 1d20+1 with rolls of 13.  Quarterstaff Z2.
11:02, Today: Secret Roll: Mayon Graycross rolled 2 using 1d8-1 with rolls of 3.  Two-handed, bludgeoning damage.
A bladelock, Mayon is not :P

Morg jumps away to avoid the box, and mutters "I hope no-one at home hears of that." to himself.

He takes out his warhammer while running to a zombie, and tries to hit it.

---

Move: toward Z2 (or Z1 if Z2 is down).

Action: attack Z2 (or Z1 if Z2 is down) with warhammer hits AC 15 for 9
bludgeoning damage.

20:44, Today: Morg Danforge rolled 15 using 2d20+1, dropping the lowest dice only with rolls of 7,14.  Dex save with advantage vs. box of rocks.

21:02, Today: Morg Danforge rolled 15 using 1d20+6 with rolls of 9.  Attack Z2 (or Z1) with warhammer.

21:03, Today: Morg Danforge rolled 9 using 1d8+6 with rolls of 3. Warhammer bludgeoning damage to Z2 (or Z1).

Asano jumps, surprised as the zombies fell from the ceiling. As the party moves to engage the undead monstrosities, Asano plants his feet and lashes out with an icy bolt at the creature facing Mayon. The ray catches the animated corpse full in the chest and bits of the creature immediately shatter in icy chunks.

OOC:
Ray of Frost attack- 22
Ray of Frost damage- 8

Bram had been wary as he followed the others into the new cavern, but once again he was startled by the zombie ambush.  He thought that an ambush from above with a dropped box of rocks seemed unusually clever for brain-rotted undead automatons, but there was no time to ponder such things now.  He charged up to the front and buried his woodaxe into a zombie's guts, then stepped around to its flank and raised his shield against the counterattack.

---

Move up to AV58, attack Z2 if it's still alive by my turn, or Z1 if not.

23:53, Today: Bramwell Caulder rolled 6 using 1d8+3 with rolls of 3.  Battleaxe damage.
23:52, Today: Bramwell Caulder rolled 18 using 1d20+5 with rolls of 13.  Battleaxe attack.

Still not sure if his mockery would work on an undead creature, Jak didn't want to be completely useless once more. He moved up to support his friends, drawing his shortsword as he did so. He swung, expecting to miss again but was surprised when he connected quite well!

OOC: Will move up to either AU 59 or 60 depending on which is open and which zombie is still up by the time he goes - if either are.

10:40, Today: Secret Roll: Jakrynn Redgate rolled 20,7 using d20+4,d6+2 with rolls of 16,5.  Shortsword attack/damage on zombie.

One zombie takes several damaging hits, but manages to stay upright. Both wordlessly snarl in a hideous mockery of life as they swing their crude swords at Bram and Morg. Morg takes a small wound to the side while Jak rushes forward and fells one of the undead.

---

Map updated.

Round 1 Summary:

Mayon attacks Z2 - HITS for 2 bludgeoning.

Morg moves to AU60 and attacks Z2 - HITS for 9 bludgeoning.

Bram moves to AV58 and attacks Z2 - HITS for 6 slashing.

Verthel does nothing.

Asano attacks Z2 - HITS for 8 cold damage, and Z2 speed is reduced by 10' until the start of Asano's next turn.

Z1 attacks Morg - HITS for 3 bludgeoning damage . Z2 attacks Bram - MISS.

Jak moves to AU59 and attacks Z2 - HITS for 7 piercing. Z2 is DEAD


Round 2 Initiative Order:

Who	Init	Status
Mayon	17
Morg	12
Bram	10
Verthel	8
Asano	6
Zombie	5
Jak	4

Mayon sighs in relief as the first zombie falls, giving Jak a grateful nod. "Thanks for that." He wasn't much for being in close combat and was thankful for the opening.

He then swaps the quarterstaff to a one-handed grip and moves to a clearer spot before switching to his preferred method of combat and firing a blast of magic from his hand.

Movement: 30 feet, AV60 to AV56.
Action: Eldritch Blast
20:00, Today: Mayon Graycross rolled 8 using 1d20+5 with rolls of 3.  Eldritch Blast Z1.
20:01, Today: Mayon Graycross rolled 1 using 1d10 with rolls of 1.  Force damage.
Sigh...

Morg turns his attention to the zombie that hit him, dodges Mayon's blast, and swings his warhammer at the undead rock dropper.

---

Move: 10' from AU60 to AT58.

Action: attack Z1 with warhammer - hits AC 15 for 14 bludgeoning damage.

07:29, Today: Morg Danforge rolled 15 using 1d20+6 with rolls of 9.  Attack Z1 with warhammer.

07:31, Today: Morg Danforge rolled 14 using 1d8+6 with rolls of 8.  Warhammer bludgeoning damage to Z1.

As the first zombie drops, Asano levels his focus at the second, lashing out with another magical ray of freezing energy. The energy isn't as focused this time around, barely leaving a rimefrost across the undead creature.

OOC:
Ray of Frost att- 14
Ray of Frost dmg- 2

No one looked more surprised than Jak when the zombie went down to his shortsword. Granted, it was very much a team effort with everyone trying to bring it down - but still Jak was surprised to have struck it and that it dropped.

He moved to aid with the second zombie, swinging with a bit more confidence this time though not as much strength maybe.

11:09, Today: Secret Roll: Jakrynn Redgate rolled 17,3 using d20+4,d6+2 with rolls of 13,1.  Shortsword attack/damage on zombie.

The surviving zombie banged and scrabbled against Bram's shield, relentless in its hunger.  He pushed the monster back and reached out to chop it down with his broad axe blade.

---

Battleaxe hits 21 AC for 6 slashing

10:34, Today: Bramwell Caulder rolled 6 using 1d8+3.  Battleaxe damage.
10:34, Today: Secret Roll: Bramwell Caulder rolled 21 using 1d20+5 with rolls of 16.  Battleaxe attack.

The remaining zombie absorbs vicious attacks from all sides. Pieces of the animated corpse lay strewn about the cave floor, making the rock slick in places underfoot.

The horror staggers toward Jak and swings its blade at him almost lazily. The bard attempts to dodge but slips on a piece of rotted entrails, and the weapon strikes him solidly on the knee.

---

Map updated.

Round 2 Summary:

Mayon attacks Z2 - HIT for 1 force damage.

Morg moves and attacks Z2 - HIT for 14 bludgeoning.

Bram attacks Z2 - HIT for 6 slashing.

Verthel does nothing.

Asano attacks Z2 - HIT for 2 cold damage, and Z2 is slowed by 10' until the start of Asano's next turn.

Z1 attacks Jak - HIT for 5 bludgeoning.

Jak attacks Z1 - HIT for 3 piercing.


Round 3 Initiative Order:

Who	Init	Status
Mayon	17
Morg	12
Bram	10
Verthel	8
Asano	6
Zombie	5	slowed 10' until start of Asano's turn
Jak	4

Mayon grits his teeth in frustration as it stays standing, and shoots one more burst of magic in hopes of finishing it off. As he does, he looks over at Jak. "Are you okay?"

19:47, Today: Secret Roll: Mayon Graycross rolled 12 using 1d20+5 with rolls of 7.  Eldritch Blast Z1.
19:48, Today: Mayon Graycross rolled 4 using 1d10 with rolls of 4.  Force damage

Asano strolls across the battlefield, taking a position near the unexplored tunnel to the right. As he does so, he spots an opening in the melee and launches another freezing ray of energy at the remaining zombie. Frowning at the weak focus of the ray, Asano knock the crystal-tipped wand against his palm, gives it a quick polish, then tightens the bindings of the focus. "Hope that fixes that problem," he mutters.

OOC:
Ray of Frost att- 8
Ray of Frost dmg- 1
Move to AX57
This message was last edited by the player at 03:51, Fri 10 Feb 2017.

---

Has Morg noticed whether any kinds of attacks on the zombies by the party seem better or worse than normal?

If Z1 hasn't yet been destroyed, then:
Action: attack Z1 with warhammer - hits AC 22 for 9 bludgeoning damage.

10:00, Today: Morg Danforge rolled 22 using 1d20+6 with rolls of 16.  Attack Z1 with warhammer.
10:01, Today: Morg Danforge rolled 9 using 1d8+6 with rolls of 3.  Warhammer bludgeoning damage to Z1.

Otherwise, if Z1 is down, he instead goes back to the entrance of the room to see if he can spot anything where the zombies jumped down from.

10:11, Today: Morg Danforge rolled 12 using 1d20+3 with rolls of 9.  Perception check, looking where the zombies jumped down from.
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:19, Fri 10 Feb 2017.

Bram grew increasingly uneasy at the sight of the numerous wounds dealt to this creature, any one of which could be fatal to a living thing.  There was nothing else to do but persist, even if it meant hacking the monster into giblets too small to fight back.  With that thought he chopped at the zombie, opening up yet another wide wound.

I think a 12 vs. AC probably hits for 5 slashing

14:46, Today: Bramwell Caulder rolled 5 using 1d8+3.  Battleaxe damage.
14:46, Today: Bramwell Caulder rolled 12 using 1d20+5 with rolls of 7.  Battleaxe attack.

The zombie continues taking hits from all sides. Morg slices off the zombie's sword arm but still it shambles around. A bolt from Mayon blasts off its head at the neck, but its ruined body remains erect.

Bram slices its torso in two with a sweeping cut from his battleaxe, and finally the creature collapses to the floor, as whatever unholy force keeping it animated flees its body.

Looking up, Morg sees that the zombies must have been standing on a narrow ledge just above the entrance to the cave. There doesn't appear to be anything up there now.

---

Map updated.

XP for group: 100/4 = 25. You all are currently 50 XP away from level 2!

Where to?

Looking between the party's choices, Asano nods to the right. "I've always been partial to right hand turns," Asano says, a slight grin playing across his face. "Something about left turns just seems...low class." He moves to a position that allows him to scan down the tunnel, focus at the ready.

OOC:
Perception- 19
This message was last edited by the player at 15:39, Sat 11 Feb 2017.

Mayon sighs with relief as the last zombie falls. He then walks up to the boulder he had been going towards initially, hoping to get some sort of clue as to what in the name of the gods was even going on here.

Natural 20! Too bad it couldn't have been in combat...
08:05, Today: Mayon Graycross rolled 24 using 1d20+4 with rolls of 20.  Investigate boulder.
I see EVERYTHING.

Asano moves to the opening of the passageway off to the right, which is little more than a wide cleft in the rock. In the silence a few drips of water echo off the walls, but otherwise no sound can be heard. A sickly sweet odor wafts from the passageway, reminding Asano of a charnal pit.

Peering down the twisting cleft in the rock, it seems like the passage may open into a larger area perhaps forty feet away.

Mayon inspects the stained boulder, and can see that it is covered with dried blood. Dark red cuts in the boulder itself stand out on its surface, giving the rock itself the false appearance of being wounded and scarred. The stains are of a variety of hues, and some stains are more faded than others.

Mayon and Asano both see that the rock floor of the cavern, though made of solid bedrock, is littered with pebbles, dirt, and other natural detritus. Upon close inspection of tracks through the cave it is clear that many things have been dragged into the cave from outside onto the boulder. Tracks also lead from the boulder to the north passageway, and from the north passageway to the south.

---

Map updated.
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:04, Sat 11 Feb 2017.

Mayon grits his teeth, feeling sick as he looks at the marks on the ground and the blood on the stone.

"I...I think there could be someone practicing necromancy here. Not just a plague." He says. "Dragging travelers in, killing them, and reviving them into...those." He gestures towards the rotten, ruined corpse of the zombie. "It's just a theory, but we should keep our guard up...maybe we should rest for a bit? I know this isn't exactly an ideal spot, but it would be a good idea to be prepared in case we run into something worse. Which, from the looks of it, could be from either direction."

Translation: Tossing a vote out for a short rest. I know some are injured and I'd like to get my slot back.
11:16, Today: Mayon Graycross rolled 17 using 1d20+4 with rolls of 13.  Arcana check--Necromancy.
I can edit my post if that's not enough to assume necromancers.

A far off drip echos through the cave as the group ruminates on Mayon's words.

---

Mayon believes everything he has observed is entirely consistent with the practice of necromancy.

In other words: bulls-eye. =)

"This way," Asano gestures toward the northern tunnel, "smells of blood and death. Perhaps where they keep fresh 'recruits'?"

"I could also do with a rest." Morg whispers, looking at the ledge, then up at the roof - paying careful attention to the area just above the boulder, and down at the boulder itself.

"I think we should investigate the southern passageway first, which I don't think can go very far before it'd reach the ravine wall. If we clear that, and then go north (which could be quite a distance), we're less likely to be attacked from behind by anything from the south." Grinning at Asano, he whispers, "If we face east, then south would be turning right."

---

10:06, Today: Morg Danforge rolled 14 using 1d20+3 with rolls of 11.  Perception check for ledge, roof, area above boulder, and boulder.

If any of those things were made via stone work, can I make a Stonecunning (dwarf trait) check?

If the party agrees to a short rest, I'll roll for Second Wind before resting.
This message was last edited by the player at 08:56, Sun 12 Feb 2017.

Morg examines various features of the cave and finds that the ledge, roof, and everything in the cave except the boulder are entirely natural formations. The boulder appears to have been crudely chiseled down in order for its surface to be roughly flat.

---

Morg's Stonecunning can indeed be used here, but to save time I gave you a description of the cave as if you'd rolled a 23 perception.

Jak let out a sigh of relief when the second zombie also stopped moving. He wiped off his weapon and re-sheathed it. He let the others look around and to the continuing passageways as he examined his wound. It was painful but not life-threatening he hoped.

"I certainly wouldn't mind a bit of rest an' tryin' t'heal up 'fore we jump, or get jumped, inta somethin' else." He sat down away from the boulder.

"A chance to catch our breaths would be good," Asano sighs, keeping an eye on the northern tunnel.

Morg cleans his warhammer and then picks up one of the rocks that was inside the box. He sits down facing the southern passageway while nursing the wound on his side.

"Bram and Verthel, I don't know much about the undead - other than not wanting to ever deal with ghosts that possess people again. What are the best ways to deal with them?"

---

Bonus action before resting: 2nd wind - heals 10 HP.

10:18, Today: Morg Danforge rolled 10 using 1d10+1 with rolls of 9.  HP recovered from second wind.
This message was last edited by the player at 08:25, Mon 13 Feb 2017.

Mayon also find a clearer spot to sit for a few minutes and recover. Though a bit drained from his unnatural spellcasting, his injury from earlier doesn't trouble him too much. He hears Morg's question and closes his eyes to think for a moment, trying to remember the late nights pouring through books on the many types of arcane magic and its uses, both fair and foul.


DM, would my earlier arcana check give me some info on undead--since they're sort of linked to necromancy--or should I make a new roll for that? If so, the new roll would be:
11:42, Today: Secret Roll: Mayon Graycross rolled 5 using 1d20+4 with rolls of 1.  Arcana info on undead.
*sigh* I hope the earlier one applies.
Also if we're doing a Short Rest, I get spell slots back, but I'm not rolling any hit dice since it'd be kind of a waste at the moment.

Bram relaxed slightly now that the immediate danger was dealt with, though he remained wary as he settled down to rest.  He looked to Morg and said, "Though common undead such as these are reanimated via supernatural forces, they are still physical beings.  Therefore they may be destroyed by most of the same means that one might destroy a living creature.  Weapons and the magical attacks we've employed thus far have seemed to work well enough."  Unable to inhibit his natural instinct for pedantry, he added, "Yet, their unlife does not rely upon the circulation of blood via the heart, nor the intake of breath.  Therefore, they are not subject to death by poison, suffocation, starvation, nor thirst.  Such methods would be inexpedient in this situation, in any case."  He added with some concern, "It was my understanding that zombies retain only a very rudimentary intelligence, so it ought to be a trivial matter to outwit them.  Yet, the ambush from above was more crafty than could be expected from such things.  I fear that these creatures must be under the command of a more intelligent being..."

---

Arcana (or whatever other knowledge skill applies) for undead lore!:

• 10:56, Today: Bramwell Caulder rolled 13 using 1d20+4.  Arcana.

Though Bram doesn't need it personally, a short rest is fine by me.

Jak let the others talk about the undead. He closed his eyes and kept an ear open for the information that was flowing, but didn't add anything. Bramwell, of course, took it as an excuse to start a lecture in a hall, dumping information by the wagon-load. Jak's lips twitched slightly in a smile as he listened.

12:31, Today: Secret Roll: Jakrynn Redgate rolled 8 using 1d8+2 with rolls of 6.  Hit Die roll recovery during short rest.

As the party investigates the cave, it suddenly becomes clear that Verthel has disappeared. Nobody remembers seeing him leave, but he must have slipped off during the zombie attack.

As they rest, eating a light snack, the cave remains still and silent.

---

Short rest completed! If anyone else wants to use HD or do other things you can do during a short rest, go ahead and include that in your next post.

Mayon and Bram both know the information Bram included in his post. You're also aware of course that some Paladins and Clerics have some special influence against undead creatures, and that oftentimes they are created by the work of evil necromancers. Undead are once-living creatures brought to a horrifying state of undeath through the practice of necromantic magic or some unholy curse. Undead include walking corpses, such as vampires, skeletons, and zombies, as well as bodiless spirits such as ghosts and specters.

Where to next?

This message was last edited by the GM at 00:31, Tue 14 Feb 2017.

"Vert? Are you here?"

Morg gets up and looks for the drow, trying to see if he can find Verthel's footprints anywhere.

---

Check? Survival, perception, investigation, straight WIS/INT?

Mayon also looks around, frowning a bit, then sighing.

"I think it'd be best to keep going. If he turns up, great. If not, there's not a lot we can do, especially with necromancers lurking around." It was a shame, but they had to keep moving if they wanted to keep more people from getting hurt.

"Aye, he's probably either gone on ahead, or returned to town," Asano nods to the exit. "I would bow to Morg's knowledge of stoneworks. If south seems a better way to initially explore, then let us go explore to the south."

Jak stood back up and dusted himself off. He checked on the mouse in his pocket and then got himself ready to continue on. He readied his shield again. "Right. Jakrynn re-reportin' fer duty." He grinned as he stepped up. "Either way is fine with me, lead on."

Morg finds a confusing swirl of tracks near the eastern entrance to the cave, and can't quite figure out which ones are Verthel's.

The group makes their way south. The narrow passage is about ten feet high in most places, and is only wide enough to make it through single file. The walls are rough and irregular, with numerous cracks and crevices. Some of these look large enough to squeeze through, for a smaller creature at least.

Protruding spurs on the walls are coated in dried blood.

It looks like the passageway up ahead may open into another larger area.

---

Map updated.

To save time I rolled Survival for Morg looking for Verthel tracks - 7. If you want to do any other Verthel-searching you can post what you want to do and we can recon it as having happened before you left the cave.
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:45, Wed 15 Feb 2017.

"Ugh...I don't like the looks of this much." Mayon says, thankful for the moment that he's a pretty scrawny boy as he moves carefully behind Morg, trying not to get cut by mistake as it seemed many had before. "Never liked small spaces much..."

Checking to see if the spurs look like traps or natural...
20:14, Today: Mayon Graycross rolled 7 using 1d20+4 with rolls of 3.  Perception.
We'll never know. (Or at least Mayon won't until otherwise informed :P)

"That does not look promising," Asano says, pointedly looking at the bloodied stone. He waits for someone to lead the way through to whatever fresh horrors await.

Bramwell was perturbed to hear that Verthel had gone missing, but he reluctantly concluded, "We cannot go searching for him now.  Not here.  If he's left the cavern then he ought to be safe, and if he went deeper then we shall no doubt find him anyway."

The paladin peered into the narrow corridor with its many crevices and bloody barbs and agreed with Asano and Mayon that it looked rather unpleasant.  "Let me have a look..."  After a brief inspection of the cracks and the sharp spurs he said with hesitation, "I see nothing beyond the obvious dangers... Avoiding the barbs ought to be simple enough, but we must be cautious nonetheless.  If we were to be pushed or driven to haste they would be a danger."

He looked back to his comrades and said, "I believe my armor is the sturdiest among us, so I will lead the way through this.  Morg, would you mind guarding the rear?"  Bram raised his shield and advanced slowly into the narrow corridor, keeping a wary eye on the crevices to either side.

---

We're just finding nothing!:

• 20:39, Today: Bramwell Caulder rolled 6 using 1d20+4.  Investigation.

Temporarily putting myself at the front of the single-file marching order for this perilous-looking corridor.  Suggesting Morg take up the rear in case we get flanked, which would give us this order minus Verthel:
1 - Bram
2 - Mayon
3 - Jak
4 - Asano
5 - Morg

Morg takes up the rear, keeping an eye out for attacks from the north and any possible footprints left by Verthel.

Jak frowned at the fact that Verthel had just up and left them without a word - and no one had noticed, not even him! He heard what Bram said, however, and reluctantly agreed that they should push despite it.

"Sure you don't want me behind ya for trap-checkin', Bram? I'm good further back if you like. Means I'm less likely t'get eaten or killed."

He peered at the path ahead. "I don't like this. Not one bit. Watch out fer small things comin' from the side passages."

He kept his eyes and ears wide open!

OOC: I assume you are using passive for us unless we specifically roll?

The star-shaped cavern ahead has many clefts in its walls. Only two, across the cavern, seem large enough for normal-sized creatures to traverse.

Three zombies stand in a rough circle within the area. One is costumed like a bear, another is dressed as a lady in a frilly dress and thick makeup, and the last is costumed as a jester with jingling bells on its collar and sleeves.

As you approach and Jak's lantern casts light upon the three figures, they slowly begin to move in a mockery of a high court dance, performing intricate steps despite their imprecise shuffling movements. The jester's bells tinkle softly.

---

=)

Map updated.

To Jak: correct; I'm using Passive Perception when applicable unless you're actively looking for something and roll for it.

The dark confines of the walls around her seemed to grim deeper and shallower with every movement she made.  Each time she'd advanced sideways along the walls' clefts, she'd only found another connecting cleft to venture through.  She couldn't be sure how long she'd been in the walls, let alone where she'd started, but panic had begun to set in as she'd failed to light her lantern in the dark.  Without anything to be seen but darkness, her only companion was the soft scampering of rodents and the metallic scrapings of her daggers and swords along the rock walls.

She slid down to sit once more when a new sound greeted her ears.  It took her a moment to realize what the noises truly were.  "Words...  People!"  She thought to herself with a mixture of nervousness and excitement.  The noises quickly coalesced into proper speech and the direction was almost immediately obvious to her.  Without another thought, she stood up and began to slide between the tight cracks, ignoring her own discomfort as she hastily pushed past bends and jagged rocks alike.  As she rounded a final corner, she realized she was once more able to see.

She followed the light quickly as she heard the voices continue, the sound of them passing just ahead a telltale sign that her mind wasn't playing a trick on her, as it so often did.  She heard a voice, a man's, speak of things coming from the passages and she shrank away from what she now saw was an opening into a proper walkway.  Were they looking for her?  Had one of the fences really tracked her down to this place?

As the light began to fade she made a gut decision and reached out from the wall, pulling herself out from what had been her surroundings for so long only to find a dwarf of near equal height before her.  "You're not an assassin," she remarked matter-of-factly as she saw a group of tall folk behind him.  "Right?"  Her words rasped from her lips and raw throat, nearly too quiet to hear even.  Her eyes were ringed in deep black circles and her greasy black hair stuck to her forehead from the wetness of a stone she'd passed beneath.  Unlike her disheveled appearance, however, her eyes were alight with eagerness at seeing something besides darkness before her.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:32, Wed 15 Feb 2017.

Mayon's jaw drops a bit at the ridiculous sight, and it takes a moment to fully register what he's even looking at. He shares an incredulous glance with Bram and Jak and biting his lip to avoid laughing when it seems this is indeed actually happening. Making a mental note to write home about this later, he moves cautiously forward, a spell sparking in his hands should things turn ugly.

Mayon is going to try and move to AB53 as quietly as possible.
16:28, Today: Mayon Graycross rolled 13 using 1d20 with rolls of 13.  Stealth.
He is also prepping an Eldritch Blast if the zombies attack, which would end up being:
16:29, Today: Secret Roll: Mayon Graycross rolled 6 using 1d20+5 with rolls of 1.  Prepped EB.
Absolute garbage. *sigh*
Since Morg is in the back, I'm going to assume Mayon is a bit too distracted by the dancing zombies to notice our new player yet? i.e. I had this written before her post, rolls and all :P

Bramwell stopped dead in his tracks when the bizarre scene first came into view, likely causing Mayon and the rest to bump into him.  Zombies in formal attire performing a shambling imitation of baroque dance...  There it was right in front of him, but it took several stunned moments before he could believe it.  Once he'd collected some of his wits the half-elf stepped into the chamber and to the side as slowly and as quietly as he could manage, leaving room for his comrades to file in behind.

With face frozen in an expression of unsettled astonishment Bram muttered quietly, "How?  ...Why?"  For once the verbose Glyphscribe was at a loss for words.

---

WTF!  haha

Staying in the spot I'm in on the map, though if initiative breaks out I'd like to try to get to AB55

Morg grabs his warhammer and is about to bring it down on the halfling zombie, when he realizes that zombies probably can't speak. Keeping his weapon ready, he says "Don't move necromancer!" as he hears bells behind him.

Dweeble's eyes go wide as the dwarf raised his warhammer, though at what she couldn't be sure.  After all, even those fences she ripped off would want a chance to get their goods back.  Even as she reached for the swords strapped to her belt, his next words made it incredibly clear to her what was going on.  "Necromancer!?  Where!?"  She pulled her weapons free as she spoke, the glint of her steel blades reflecting the low light as she twirled them.  She turned to face the necromancer that must have followed her out of the cleft in the wall.

"Dweeble's never fought a necromancer before.  I hope you carry some special trinke-."  Her words cut off as she saw nothing but the black space she'd just slipped out of.  With a look of concern, she turned and stared up at the hammer-wielding dwarf.  "Hey, you tryin' to trick Dweeble?"
This message was last edited by the player at 06:38, Thu 16 Feb 2017.

Morg smiled and relaxed his stance a bit when he saw how nimbly the halfling handled her swords, thinking that this was probably not the evil wizard they were looking for.

"Where's the rest of your party? Oh, and have you seen a drow? He carries a mace, and we've, um, lost him..."

Asano gasps in surprise as a small voice squeaks from behind Morg. He whips around, his wand outstretched as far as the cramped quarters will allow. He almost laughed at the disheveled sight behind them, though.
"And what brings you out here, little halfling," Asano chuckles, ignoring the gasps of horror from the leading end of the party. "Keep close, and we'll get you out of danger's grasp and back on the road to civilization. Danger lies in these caverns, danger of a foul sort."

Jak stopped as the figures began to move and he could see them a bit more clearly. His mouth opened and closed several times as his eyebrows rose upwards. After a long moment, he finally managed to whisper out. "....I...don't even know what t'say t'that..."

He heard something from behind him and glanced back and down as well but it was difficult to see the Halfling.

The zombies complete their dance, finally bowing slowly to each other in their circle.

As they straighten up, they turn towards the newcomers. The bear's head has fallen low over the zombie's brow, so that the undead's eyes are hardly visible. It raises its hands, clothed in bear-paw gloves with long black claws, and mimes scratching motions in the air. The lady makes a stiff curtsy, pulling the pink frills dramatically out to the side. The fool simply stares, vacant eyes fixed straight ahead beneath a colorful jester's cap.

All three suddenly pull forth gnarled cudgels from beneath their costumes and advance. Mayon's blast of arcane energy slams uselessly into the far wall, missing the shambling creatures completely.

---

Map updated.

Note that we're in close quarters, and that moving thru an ally's space is technically considered difficult terrain (spend 2 squares of movement to move 1 square, or 10' of movement to move 5' thru an ally).

Round 1 Initiative Order:

Who	Init	Status
Asano	22
Jak	17
Dweeble	16
Zombies	16
Mayon	15
Bram	7
Morg	3

This message was last edited by the GM at 02:45, Fri 17 Feb 2017.

Asano turns from the newcomer behind the party as the mood ahead suddenly changes to deadly serious. He pushes past Jak and immediately leaps behind Bramwell, leveling his focusing wand at the zombies menacing the party. "Why change an effective tactic?" he muses aloud, a freezing ray lashing out at the rearmost enemy.

OOC:
Ray of Frost att- 21 vs Z2
Ray of Frost dmg- 7 vs Z2
Move to AC52

The zombies shamble towards the group, brandishing their clubs. The bear swipes clumsily at Mayon, and the lady catches the side of the rock wall with its swing at Jak.

---

Mid-round update

Z1 moves from AA55 to AB54 and attacks Mayon.

Z2 moves from AA57 to AB55.

Z3 moves from AA56 to AC54 and attacks Jak.

Map updated.

Both zombies miss; Z3 can't attack from where it is.

This message was last edited by the GM at 13:05, Tue 21 Feb 2017.

Mayon curses at that. Damn it all, he HATES being caught in close quarters like this! Making a note to work on his spells later, for now he simply grabs his staff and swings towards its head, wincing when he misses wildly in his frustration.

He does NOT want to be remembered as 'the guy who was killed by a zombie dressed like a bear.'

No movement.
Action: Quarterstaff swing--
08:03, Today: Secret Roll: Mayon Graycross rolled 5 using 1d20+1 with rolls of 4.  Quarterstaff Z1.
Aaaand that misses. Curse my scrawny warlock arms!

Hearing a commotion behind him, Morg turns around, and seeing the throng of strangely costumed zombies decides to not barrel past the tall folk, but instead use a javelin.

---

Movement: none.

Action: attack Z3 if it's still standing, otherwise attack Z1 with javelin1 - hits AC 10 for 12 piercing damage.

03:01, Today: Morg Danforge rolled 10 using 1d20+6 with rolls of 4.  Attack Z3 with javelin1.
03:02, Today: Morg Danforge rolled 12 using 1d6+6 with rolls of 6.  Javelin1 piercing damage to Z3.

This message was last edited by the player at 01:16, Mon 20 Feb 2017.

Before she could think up much of a response, she saw weapons get prepped and spells cast as the undead shamblers she'd so far been able to dodge and avoid seemed suddenly alerted to their presence.  More importantly, that meant they were alerted to her presence.

As the others turned to attack, Dweeble quickly made up her mind and slid one of her swords away.  With the same hand, she quickly drew a dagger and tossed it over the dwarf with a swift jump as she launched it towards the first masquerading creature she could see.

---

Movement: None.

Action: Attack Z3 with dagger, hits AC 13 for 9 piercing damage.

10:06, Today: Dweeble rolled 13 using 1d20+7 with rolls of 6.  Attack Z3 with dagger.
10:10, Today: Dweeble rolled 9 using 1d4+5 with rolls of 4.  Dagger piercing damage.

It took Bram a few moments to come to grips with the situation and realize that these dancers were still indeed zombies and still intent on eating the flesh of the living.  He reared back and hacked at the one blocking the corridor in hopes of cutting a path for his comrades still trapped in the narrow passageway.

---

Hit Z3 with 16 vs. AC for 7 slashing

21:17, Today: Bramwell Caulder rolled 7 using 1d8+3.
Battleaxe damage. 21:17, Today: Bramwell Caulder rolled 16 using 1d20+5 with rolls of 11.  Battleaxe .

The zombie-lady collapses to the floor of the cave under the group's assault.

Behind Asano, a scraping sound echos around the cave. Asano turns and gapes as an animated skeleton slides out of the narrow cleft in the rock, wielding a jagged shortsword.

---

Map updated.

Asano, Jak, and Dweeble are up now. To keep things moving others can post now & include contingencies (e.g., "I'll move towards Z2 and attack it, melee if possible"), or edit later if needed.

Round 1 Summary:

Asano attacks Z2 with Ray of Frost - HIT for 7 cold damage. Z2 speed is reduced by 10' until the start of Asano's next turn.

Jak does nothing.

Dweeble readies an attack.

Z3 moves from AA56 to AC54 and attacks Jak - MISS.

Dweeble's attack triggers - thrown dagger vs. Z3 HITS for 9 + 3 sneak attack = 12 piercing.

Z1 moves from AA55 to AB54 and attacks Mayon - MISS

Z2 moves from AA57 to AB55.

Mayon attacks Z1 - MISS.

Bram attacks Z3 - HIT for 7 slashing.

Morg attacks Z3 with a thrown javelin - HIT for 12 piercing. Z3 is down.


Round 2 Initiative Order:

Who	Init	Status
Asano	22
Jak	17
Dweeble	16
Zombies	16	Z2 speed reduced by 10' until SoANT
Mayon	15
Skeleton	8
Bram	7
Morg	3

This message was deleted by the player at 14:12, Thu 23 Feb 2017.

"Oh, hells," Asano snarls, wand coming up as the skeleton squeezes through the stone crevice. He shouts a quick incantation and a ghostly hand materializes in the creature's face, lashing at the bony monster. The creature's surprising and close proximity speed causes the magical attack to fly wide, missing the creature entirely.

OOC:
Chill Touch att- 19/7
Sadly miss due to disadvantage.

Bram circled the oddly-garbed zombies in an attempt to keep them engaged.  A quick glance back revealed the alarming fact that a skeleton had crept out of one of the crevices surrounding them.  Perhaps unnecessarily he called out, "Watch the cracks!  Skeletons!" before burying his axe in the nearest zombie's shoulder.

---

• Move to AC54
• Battleaxe hits Z1 for 5 slashing

09:43, Today: Bramwell Caulder rolled 5 using 1d8+3.  Battleaxe damage.
09:42, Today: Bramwell Caulder rolled 16 using 1d20+5 with rolls of 11.  Battleaxe attack.

Dweeble watched as the first undead abomination fell.  Well, she at least got a small look out of it as she worked to peer around the comparatively large dwarf in front of her.  A moment later she pulled another dagger and threw it over Morg's shoulder, a look of concentration on her face.  "Y'know, dwarf, you make a better door than a window!  How do you expect Dweeble to see anything like this?"

---

I'm assuming Z1 isn't going down from just Jak's damage.  If it does, Dweeble will hold her action until Z2 can be seen or Morg moves away, in which case she'll follow close behind him.

10:55, Today: Dweeble rolled 13 using 1d20+7 with rolls of 6.  Attack Z1 with dagger.
10:55, Today: Dweeble rolled 7 using 1d4+5 with rolls of 2.  Dagger piercing damage.
10:55, Today: Dweeble rolled 1 using 1d6 with rolls of 1.  Sneak attack damage.

The zombies press in on the party. The bear-zombie swipes at Mayon and viciously rakes his face, while the expressionless fool-zombie's cudgel bounces off Bram's shield.

The skeleton stabs at Asano and catches his leg, which starts bleeding.

---

Mayon, Bram, and Morg are up now, though Mayon & Bram have already posted.

Mid-round update:

Z1 attacks Mayon - HIT for 6 bludgeoning .

Z2 moves from AB55 to AC54 and attacks Bram - MISS. (This movement prevents Bram's movement)

Skeleton attacks Asano - HIT for 3 piercing .

Map updated.

"Let me at 'em." Morg says to Jak before throwing his last javelin at the bear-looking zombie that attacked Mayon.

---

Move: 5' to AE54.

Action: attack Z1 with javelin2 - hits AC 12 for 13 piercing damage.

08:26, Today: Morg Danforge rolled 12 using 1d20+6 with rolls of 6.  Attack Z1 with warhammer.
08:26, Today: Morg Danforge rolled 13 using 1d8+6 with rolls of 7.  Warhammer bludgeoning damage to Z1.
00:55, Today: Secret Roll: DM, on behalf of Morg Danforge, rolled 7 using 1d6+6 with rolls of 1.  javelin damage vs. Z1.

Edit: changed AC55 Warhammer attack to javelin2 attack per OOC thread.

This message was last edited by the player at 23:11, Thu 23 Feb 2017.

Mayon gasps in pain as the zombie rakes its hand down his face, and he grips his staff tightly. Okay...okay, that hurt like hell. He looks around frantically, but there's nowhere to run. Just a skeleton behind and two zombies in front. He grits his teeth, holding up his quarterstaff defensively and hoping he can hold out a little longer.

EDITED in hindsight:
Action: Mayon is going to Dodge. Until his next turn, all creatures attack with Disadvantage against him if he can see them, and he can make Dexterity saves with advantage if one became necessary.

Jak was startled by the strange dance, apparently, and was slow to act. He managed to not get hit by the undead for the moment. He readied his shortsword once more, finally, and swung at the zombie in front of him. "Man, the worst thing about fighting these zombies? Such a DEAD crowd! No use for humor or mocking!"

10:27, Today: Secret Roll: Jakrynn Redgate rolled 13,4 using d20+4,d6+2 with rolls of 9,2.  Shortsword attack on zombie2.

The undead trade blows with the group and mindlessly continue their assault.

---

Map updated.

Asano, Jak, and Dweeble are up now. To keep things moving others can post now & include contingencies (e.g., "I'll move towards Z2 and attack it, melee if possible"), or edit later if needed.

Round 2 Summary:

Asano attacks S - MISS

Jak readies an attack on Z2.

Dwee attacks Z1 with a thrown dagger - HITS for 8 piercing.

Z1 attacks Mayon - HIT for 6 bludgeoning .

Z2 moves from AB55 to AC54 and attacks Bram - MISS.

Jak's attack triggers; attacks Z2 - HIT for 4 piercing.

Mayon dodges - attacks have disadvantage until the start of Mayon's next turn.

Skeleton attacks Asano - HIT for 3 piercing .

Bram attacks Z1 - HIT for 5 slashing.

Morg moves 5' and attacks Z1 with a javelin - HIT for 7 piercing [I rerolled damage since javelins are d6 not d8].
17:55, Today: Secret Roll: DM, on behalf of Morg Danforge, rolled 7 using 1d6+6 with rolls of 1.  javelin damage vs. Z1.


Round 3 Initiative Order:

Who	Init	Status
Asano	22
Jak	17
Dweeble	16
Zombies	16
Mayon	15	Attacks vs. Mayon at Disadv until SoMNT
Skeleton	8
Bram	7
Morg	3

This message was last edited by the GM at 01:55, Wed 22 Mar 2017.

Jak attempted to swing at the zombie again. His last swing had hit if not very hard. This swing, however, was not as well-placed. Jak let out a small heated curse.

OOC: Sigh. No movement since I can't go anywhere really. Pretty sure I miss with the shortsword. Bonus action to use Healing Word on Mayon for 8 hp.

16:02, Today: Jakrynn Redgate rolled 9,4 using d20+4,d6+2 with rolls of 5,2.  Shortsword attack on Z2 again.
16:52, Today: Secret Roll: Jakrynn Redgate rolled 8 using 1d4+4 with rolls of 4.  Healing Word on Mayon.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:54, Thu 23 Feb 2017.

Dweeble watched her dwarven meat shield walk forwards and quickly scurried behind him as she prepped another dagger.  Without much thought other than to continue to attack the disgusting cadavers of rotten flesh, she tossed the dagger again, once more ducking behind the dwarf after.

---

Dweeble is going to move up behind Morg and toss another dagger at Z2, the nearest zombie she sees.

15:18, Today: Dweeble rolled 13 using 1d20+7 with rolls of 6.  Attack Z2 with dagger.
15:20, Today: Dweeble rolled 7 using 1d4+5 with rolls of 2.  Dagger piercing damage.
15:20, Today: Dweeble rolled 5 using 1d6 with rolls of 5.  Sneak attack damage.

The resilience of these undead automatons was beginning to remind Bram of chopping lumber in his youth.  Hack after hack and they just kept standing, and all he could do was hack some more.  He'd never chopped down a rotting tree wearing a ball gown, however, but there was a first time for everything.

---

• Battleaxe hits Z1 (or if dead by my turn, Z2 instead) for 6 slashing
• I doubt I'll need to move, but I'll reserve the option to do so after the mid-round update!

11:10, Today: Bramwell Caulder rolled 6 using 1d8+3.  Battleaxe damage.
11:10, Today: Bramwell Caulder rolled 15 using 1d20+5 with rolls of 10.  Battleaxe attack.

Both zombies bear grievous wounds that would have felled any non-undead creature. The zombie-bear's pelt is shredded, and bits of the dead animal's pelt fly as it awkwardly flails again at Mayon. The half-elf dodges the clumsy swing easily, however.

The fool's body oozes rotten flesh from a multitude of wounds as it mindlessly hammers at Bram's shield to no avail. Several stained bells cling by threads to the remains of its motley.

The skeleton's toothless grin remains fixed on Asano as it stabs at him once again, this time missing him by several feet.

---

Mayon, Bram, and Morg are up now, though Bram has already posted. I included the skeleton's action to speed things along, and also because I don't think it affects what Mayon is going to do anyway.


Mid-round update:

Z1 attacks Mayon - MISS.

Z2 attacks Bram - MISS.

Skeleton attacks Asano - MISS.

Map updated.

Mayon feels his injuries heal and the pain ebb away with Jak's spell, and his shoulders relax a bit. Even so, these zombies are definitely a problem, and now Asano has a skeleton to deal with...he aims his hand at the zombie that Bram is facing, barely looking as he sends a surge of magic its way in hopes of clearing the path should he fell it. However, as he's keeping his eyes on the one in front of him, the burst doesn't hit as directly as he would have liked.

Movement: None
15:07, Today: Secret Roll: Mayon Graycross rolled 9 using 1d20+5 with rolls of 4.  Eldritch Blast Z2.
15:55, Today: Secret Roll: Mayon Graycross rolled 22 using 1d20+5 with rolls of 17.  Disadvantage EB on Z2.
First roll was lower.
15:07, Today: Mayon Graycross rolled 2 using 1d10 with rolls of 2.  EB Force Damage.

Hits 9 AC for 2 Force damage.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:56, Fri 24 Feb 2017.

Asano pulls a dagger from his belt, slashing at the bony monstrosity before him. The small blade glances off the skeleton's fleshless frame harmlessly.


OOC:
Used Tides of Chaos!
Dagger att- 7/6
EPIC FAIL!
This message was last edited by the player at 06:06, Sat 25 Feb 2017.

Morg moves to the side to get a better angle at the closest zombie, and throws a handaxe at it.

"Have at 'em." he says to the nimble halfling, moving back behind her.

---

Action: attack Z2 with handaxe1 - hits AC 20 (-2 for cover?) for 10 slashing damage.

Move: 10' (+5' difficult terrain past Dweeble) from AE54 to AG54.

07:50, Today: Morg Danforge rolled 20 using 1d20+6 with rolls of 14.  Attack Z2 with handaxe1.
07:50, Today: Morg Danforge rolled 10 using 1d6+4 with rolls of 6.  Handaxe1 slashing damage to Z2.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:58, Sat 25 Feb 2017.

The remains of the bear-zombie fall to the floor of the cave, cut down by Bram's battleaxe.

Morg's handaxe flies true, past Jak and into the neck of the jester-zombie. Half-severed, the creature's head lolls uselessly to the side. It turns slowly and gazes expressionlessly down the corridor at Morg. Reaching up, it yanks the axe out of its body and starts toward Jak.

---

Map updated.  Asano, Jak, and Dweeble are up now. To keep things moving others can post now & include contingencies (e.g., "I'll move towards Z2 and attack it, melee if possible"), or edit later if needed.

Round 3 Summary:

Asano attacks S - MISS. I believe that's called 'sad-vantage'. =/

Jak attacks Z2 - HIT for 4 piercing. Jak casts Healing Word on Mayon, who regains 8 hp .

Dwee moves 5' and attacks Z2 with a thrown dagger - HIT for 12 piercing.

Z1 attacks Mayon - MISS.

Z2 attacks Bram - MISS.

Mayon attacks Z2 - HIT for 2 force damage.

Skeleton attacks Asano - MISS.

Bram attacks Z1 - HIT for 6 slashing. Z1 is down.

Morg attacks Z2 with thrown handaxe - HIT for 10 slashing.


Round 4 Initiative Order:

Who	Init	Status
Asano	22
Jak	17
Dweeble	16
Zombie	16
Mayon	15
Skeleton	8
Bram	7
Morg	3

This message was last edited by the GM at 15:48, Sun 26 Feb 2017.

The ruin of a jester viciously attacks Jak, narrowly missing his knee. The crude cudgel slams into his thigh instead.

---

Mayon is up now, and Bram/Morg can probably also post since they're likely to attack the zombie. I'll wait on the skeleton for now, since no one else has posted yet.

Mid-round update:

Z2 attacks Jak - HIT for 3 bludgeoning .

Mayon keeps his eye on the zombie, quietly cursing the close range as he shoots another burst of energy at it. He hits it squarely, but as before the beam isn't as strong as before. He sends an exasperated mental remark to his ever silent patron, wondering if this was their doing or a result of his body recovering from his earlier and recently healed injuries.


Apparently I still can't figure out how to roll two dice without them adding together...
17:46, Today: Mayon Graycross rolled 31 using 2d20+5 with rolls of 8,18.  Eldritch Blast Z2 Disadvantage.
Total proper roll: 13 with Disadvantage.
17:47, Today: Mayon Graycross rolled 2 using 1d10 with rolls of 2.  Force damage.
13 to hit for 2 force damage.

If Z2 is dead by Mayon's turn by the time the other players post, Mayon will instead target the skeleton with Disadvantage negated, making the roll the 23. If that's impossible due to Asano being in the way, he will do nothing.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:50, Tue 28 Feb 2017.

The skeleton stabs Asano, who crumples to the floor.

---

S attacks Asano with shortsword - HIT for 4 piercing. Asano is unconscious.

Bram and Morg are up.


This message was last edited by the GM at 03:41, Tue 28 Feb 2017.

Morg throws his last handaxe at the zombie attacking Jak.

---

Action: attack Z2 with handaxe2 - hits AC 10 for 9 slashing damage.

If Z2 is down before Morg's turn, I'll edit this post to try and attack the skeleton (after moving, he may still disadvantage attacking it).

If Z2 is downed before (or after Morg's attack), he'll try to move to go pick up a javelin (25' speed limit).

06:56, Today: Morg Danforge rolled 10 using 1d20+6.  Attack Z2 with handaxe2.
06:58, Today: Morg Danforge rolled 9 using 1d6+6.  Handaxe2 slashing damage to Z2.

Dweeble looked over her shoulder as the dwarf moved behind her, a curious mix of distrust and surprise passing over her features before she turned back to the creature in front of them.  With a sigh of acceptance, she pulled another dagger into her free hand and moved forwards, sliding between the human's legs in front of her and weaving around the zombie as she slashed at the undead beast with her weapons.

---

Movement:  Moving to AC-55.

Both attacks to Z2 unless dead before either attack goes off.  Total of 13 damage to Z2.  If sword hits and kills Z2, dagger aimed at skeleton, total of 10 to Z2 and 3 to skeleton.  If sword attack doesn't hit before Z2 dies, just dagger attack for a total of 12 damage (dex bonus and sneak attack to dagger instead of sword) to skeleton.

11:26, Today: Dweeble rolled 22 using 1d20+7 with rolls of 15.  Sword attack on Z2.
11:27, Today: Dweeble rolled 6 using 1d6+5 with rolls of 1.  Sword slashing damage to Z2.
11:27, Today: Dweeble rolled 4 using 1d6 with rolls of 4.  Sneak attack damage on Z2.
11:27, Today: Dweeble rolled 22 using 1d20+7 with rolls of 15.  Dagger attack on Z2.
11:27, Today: Dweeble rolled 3 using 1d4 with rolls of 3.  Dagger piercing damage.

"Asano!" Bram cried out after seeing his fellow half-elf cut down.  He turned away from the corpse-jester to drag the unconscious Asano by collar out of danger.  Crouching over his comrade the Glyphscribe laid a hand on his chest, closed his eyes and muttered a few brief syllables in some esoteric tongue.  Deneir's divine power flowed through the touch to heal some of Asano's wounds, bringing him back to consciousness.  Bram said, "Take care to avoid blades for a little while, friend." and then arose with axe and shield in hand to engage the skeleton.

---

• Not sure if I can do this with just a move, but I'd like to drag Asano out of melee range (perhaps to AA52?) and then move into his place.  I'd take the OA from Z2 if so.
• Lay on Hands, heal Asano for 5 HP

As Asano crumples to the floor of the cave, Bram whirls and drags him out of danger, healing him in the process. Yet the remaining zombie slams Bram's exposed back with a ringing blow between the shoulder blades as he retreats.

The zombie somehow remains upright, despite displaying a mass of wounds that is frightful to behold. The arm holding Morg's handaxe lies severed on the cave floor next to half of the zombie's leg, a majority of its torso, and a collection of daggers, javelins and handaxes. But still the creature threatens Jak with its cudgel held high.

---

Map updated.  Asano, Jak, and Dweeble are up now. To keep things moving others can post now & include contingencies (e.g., "I'll move towards Z2 and attack it, melee if possible"), or edit later if needed.

Round 4 Summary:

Asano does nothing.

Jak does nothing.

Dwee moves to AE54 and throws a dagger at Z2 - HIT for 12 piercing.

Z2 attacks Jak - HIT for 3 bludgeoning .

Mayon attacks Z2 - HIT for 2 force damage.

Skeleton attacks Asano with shortsword - HIT for 4 piercing. Asano is unconscious.

Bram drags Asano out of the skeleton's range and heals him via Lay on Hands. Asano is now prone with 5hp at AA52, and Bram is at AB52.

Z2 makes an attack of opportunity vs. Bram - HIT for 7 bludgeoning

Morg throws a handaxe at Z2 - HIT for 9 slashing.


Round 5 Initiative Order:

Who	Init	Status
Asano	22	Prone
Jak	17
Dweeble	16
Zombies	16
Mayon	15
Bram	7
Morg	3

Pulling her last dagger from her belt, Dweeble hurriedly moved between the human's legs before her, dancing around the zombie, until she was in a better position to fight.  Without the cramped confines of the passage walls around her, she could finally let some of her frustration from the cold, dark times behind her.  She swung out with her sword at the zombie in front of her, using the momentum of her movement to toss the last of her daggers towards the skeleton that she could see moving from the crevice of a wall.

---

Movement: Moving to AC-55.

Action: Attacking Z2 with shortsword for a total of 17 damage and S with dagger for a total of 6 damage.

20:18, Today: Dweeble rolled 27 using 1d20+7 with rolls of 20.  Sword attack on Z2.
20:20, Today: Dweeble rolled 8 using 2d6+5 with rolls of 1,2.  Sword crit damage on Z2.
20:20, Today: Dweeble rolled 5 using 1d6 with rolls of 5.  Sneak attack damage on Z2.
21:17, Today: Dweeble rolled 4 using 1d6 with rolls of 4.  Forgotten sneak damage!
20:20, Today: Dweeble rolled 27 using 1d20+7 with rolls of 20.  Dagger attack on S.
20:20, Today: Dweeble rolled 6 using 2d4 with rolls of 4,2.  Dagger crit damage on S.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:17, Thu 02 Mar 2017.

Asano wakes with a start, coughing blood as Bram revives him. He looks about wildly, panic quickly being quelled by cold logic as he takes stock of the battle. He nods thanks to Bram as the glyphscribe rises back to his feet protectively, and pulls himself upright against the wall behind him. His sharp ears pick up the sound of small feet hurtling through the tunnel, and he reacts quickly. Magic gathers between his palms, and he blasts a ray of frost at the zombie near the mouth of the tunnel, hoping the cold will help slow the creature's reaction enough to allow whichever ally safe passage.

OOC:
Ray of Frost att- 15
Ray of Frost dmg- 6
Stand up where I am, keeping a paranoid watch on the other crevices near me.

As Asano's blast of magical cold hits it, Dweeble's sword cuts clean through the zombie's torso. The creature's ruined body immediately explodes outward, spattering Dweeble, Jak, and Mayon with half-frozen gore.

---

Mayon's up now, then the skeleton, Bram & Morg. When it's the skeleton's turn I'll post a mid round summary, but wanted to give you the good news about the zombie's demise :).

Mayon gags a bit at the gore spattering him, but takes the opportunity to move back and focus on the skeleton. He darts over to the further wall, the distance leaving him feeling more secure as he casts his preferred spell towards the creature. He grins as the beam strikes true and strong.

Movement: AB53 to AC57
14:27, Today: Secret Roll: Mayon Graycross rolled 23 using 1d20+5 with rolls of 18.  Eldritch Blast S.
14:27, Today: Secret Roll: Mayon Graycross rolled 10 using 1d10 with rolls of 10.  Force damage.
Where was this kind of damage earlier? Sigh...

Dweeble's dagger sails through the air and strikes true, lodging solidly in the skeleton's eye socket. Reeling, the skeleton moves to attack Dweeble when it is hit with a powerful blast of magic from Mayon's outstretched hands. The skeleton's chest disintegrates instantly, and its now-loose bones clatter to the floor of the cave.

No other movement appears from the cracks in the walls, and all is silent.

---

Whew!

You have now acquired 300 XP apiece. After completing your next Long Rest, you'll be Level 2!!

What next? Map updated.

"Wow, was that an exploding dagger?" Morg says to the halfling, as he collects and cleans his handaxes and javelins.

"Tweebil, correct? I'm Morg Danforge, from the Earthspur Mountains. Where's the rest of your party?"

---

Mayon sighs in relief as the skeleton shatters and lowers his arm, simply glad that this was over. He looks around at the battered party, and then notices the little halfling that definitely was not there earlier.

"Huh...I was wondering where those daggers were coming from. Not complaining though, you've got a pretty good aim." He says with a smile.

Bram hung the axe back on his belt and rubbed at the sore spot where the zombie jester had struck him when he'd pulled Asano out of the fray.  He looked down at the costumed corpses, still perplexed.  "This behavior is... entirely irregular in this class of creature.  These must be the servants of some eccentric master.  Very concerning, indeed."  Just as he'd retrieved his leatherbound travel journal and was about to begin writing his account, he noticed the pale halfling for the first time.  His first reaction was alarm, but he relaxed somewhat seeing his comrades speaking freely with her.  She wasn't immediately hostile, it seemed.

"Greetings, miss."  Bram said to her hesitantly, still holding his quill and tome.  He asked with concern, "How is it that you've come to be in this perilous place?  We will help you, if you are in need."

As the skeleton was forcefully ripped apart, the last of the immediate threats dealt with, Dweeble's shoulders seemed to relax as she scurried forward and around the others gathered in the area.  She seemed lost in her thoughts as she inspected each corpse, pulling away a dagger or two from each which she quickly shined to a mirror edge on a bit of costume or her pant leg before secreting the weapon back on her person somewhere.  As she retrieved the last from the bones of the skeleton and returned it to its place at her belt, she turned with suddenly wide eyes as the others began to address her.

She opened her mouth, as if to answer, but quickly closed it with a sharp inhale of breath.  She breathed out and opened her lips to once more answer but quickly repeated the action again, as if trying to hold the words in her mouth.  After a couple of attempts, she finally gave a sigh followed by a rush of words.  "Dw-Dweeble'sallalone, alwayshasbeen, alwayswillbe!  Ah huh!"  She paused, looking over her shoulder for something, anything, as a distraction from the eyes focused on her.

Finding nothing, she turned back to her questioners.  Some type of calm came over her as she spoke in a more reasonable tone.  "I, uh, got lost in the caves.  There were some rumors of some kind of treasure in here..."  She looked down and kicked the bones of the skeleton near her feet.  "Nothing 'bout these though."

Bram was concerned for the clearly distressed girl, but he tried to put her at ease.  "You needn't worry any longer.  You're with friends now, and we're not far from the cave entrance.  We can show you the way out and accompany you to Red Larch.  Otherwise, I intend to delve deeper into the mystery of this place, and you're welcome to come along.  In either case I think we need at least a brief respite after that ordeal.  Shall we discuss further outside?"  He then asked, "How long have you been lost in this cavern?  Are you in need of food or drink?"

"There's a passage back this way," Asano says from where Bramwell dragged him earlier. He retrieves his focusing wand from where it had fallen from his lifeless grip, checking the crystal over carefully before returning it to it's position on his belt. "A rest may be wise, though we shouldn't tarry too long. The Lord of Lance Rock seems to have a secrets, and I do enjoy bringing the hidden into the light."

"What other things have you encountered here?" Morg says as he removes a torch strapped to his backpack, takes out his tinderbox, and holds them out to her, "You can borrow these if you're struggling to see in the dark."

"Shall we rest in the first chamber near the cave's entrance? It should be easy enough to defend if we can hold the two chokepoints. I don't need to rest, so I can stand guard."

---

"I can keep an eye out as well." Mayon agrees, having been healed by Jak earlier in the fight and feeling much better. "Although...well, whenever we continue on again, maybe someone else should go ahead of me. I seem to have a knack for getting caught in close fights that I'm not exactly equipped for." He says with a sheepish smile.

"Why backtrack so far," Asano asks to the group. He waves a hand to the corner opposite himself. "If we clear those crevices, that area should give us a defensible position. That should allow those of us walking wounded to bind this injuries and allow the rest to catch our breaths."

Dweeble stared wide-eyed at the bespectacled half-elf as he spoke.  Her mouth moved to mirror his words even as he offered her help, her obviously skittish nature making it hard to be sure if she was truly hearing anything the paladin was saying.  After a moment, her lips mumbled out, "Friends?"

She shook her head, clearing away whatever fog was clouding her mind and her previously timid nature was lost once more.  "Way out?  There's no way you're sending Dweeble off and taking her treasure!  Dweeble's got just as much right to it!"  She crossed the few feet between them and poked the half-elf in his chain mail clad stomach, a suddenly fiery look in her eyes.  "Dweeble's gonna make it out flush yet, you hear me?  Guess I'll have to keep watch so you don't steal what's hers!"

As if that was the end of the conversation and concern, she tugged firmly on the leather strap holding one of her shortswords in place and stomped a foot down, staring at the half-elf's glasses-clad eyes with at least a small amount of distrust.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:05, Mon 06 Mar 2017.

"Friends, yes..."  Bram pondered what manner of isolation had caused her to regard companionship as such an oddity, but was startled by a sudden poke in the stomach!  He met the halfling's unexpectedly accusatory glare and was silenced for several moments by the shock of it.  He then stammered out an ineloquent self-defense, "I, ah, I wasn't seeking to steal any treasure?  We came to investigate rumors of a plague and, um, some self-styled Lord who dwells here!  If you are resolved to continue your treasure hunt you're most welcome to accompany us!  I only thought that after being lost underground, you might like to see the sky...?"

Once he'd collected himself somewhat he suggested to everybody, "I'd like to find a safer location to rest before pressing on.  It is too confined here, and there's no telling what other dangers these cracks conceal.  Perhaps we might return only to the previous cavern where we stand less risk of being trapped and can better defend ourselves?"

The group retreats back to the prior cavern for a brief respite. The smell of death and decay continues to permeate the air, but it becomes less noticeable the longer they remain. The caves remain quiet and still.

---

You can take a short rest in room B, uninterrupted. If you want to spend hit dice go ahead and roll them in your next post.

After the short rest it will be around 2:30pm.

Spending my 1 HD during the short rest and thankfully heal up to full!

16:53, Today: Bramwell Caulder rolled 11 using 1d10+1.  HD healing.

Mayon's good on health and slots, so he's just going to help keep watch for anything unusual or threatening while they camp, if that's possible/necessary. If so:

18:04, Today: Mayon Graycross rolled 23 using 1d20+4 with rolls of 19.  Perception

20:27, Today: Asano Breathkill rolled 6 using 1d6+1 with rolls of 5.  Short rest heal. Did anyone think to check the bodies for clues, treasure, or anything?

After a time, the group returns to the cave where they found the strangely dressed undead. After a thorough search, only two of the cracks in the walls are found to be large enough for the whole group to fit through - a narrow tunnel to the southwest, and a slightly larger tunnel leading southeast.

A search of the undead turns up nothing, though the pile of bones that marked the animated skeleton's passing are made up of some curious shapes.

The group starts down the southwestern passage, sometimes needing to turn sideways to make it past particularly narrow bits.

---

Nothing was found on the bodies of the undead.

I put you partway down the southwest passage - if you want to keep going this way go ahead and post that next; otherwise, you can turn around and do something else if you like.

Updated map & marching order.

While walking down the southwestern passage, Morg drops his hemp rope on the ground, holding on to one end should they get disoriented and need to quickly find their way back.

He peers over his shield looking for trip wires or other traps, while staying just ahead of Jak's lantern light.

---

05:00, Today: Morg Danforge rolled 6 using
 1d20+3.  Perception check for traps.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:03, Wed 08 Mar 2017.

Morg moves forward cautiously, but doesn't see any traps as the party advances down the narrow tunnel. Eventually the tunnel ends in a small cavern, empty save for two iron chests resting on the floor.

---

Map updated. The iron chests are marked in P35 & Q35.
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:47, Wed 08 Mar 2017.

Morg walks southward, to give the rest of the party some space to move in, making sure not to touch the chests while looking up at the roof of the cavern.

---

Move: to O36.
19:10, Today: Morg Danforge rolled 7 using 1d20+3.  Perception check, looking at the cavern roof.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:11, Wed 08 Mar 2017.

Dweeble, just behind Morg, quickly moves forward as she spots the pair of chests laid out so simply for them.  Whether she rushed towards them out of any kind of treasure lust or simply to make room and examine them was hard to say.  With her back turned to the group, she licked her lips and rubbed her palms eagerly, though her tactile curiosity was kept in check as her eyes swept the pair for anything wrong or unseen.

---

Move to Q36.
10:38, Today: Secret Roll: Dweeble rolled 11 using 1d20+3 with rolls of 8.  Perception, checking area ahead for traps.

Morg studies the ceiling and finds that it looks...odd. He can't quite put his finger on why.

Dweeble doesn't notice anything odd about the chests, however. They both look like normal iron chests, with no traps in evidence.

Bram stepped into the cavern and peered about, following Morg's gaze up to the roof and then investigating the pair of chests.  He frowned and mused aloud, "This seems a rather odd place for a storehouse.  Who would bring chests here, and to store what?"

11:51, Today: Bramwell Caulder rolled 10 using 1d20+4.  Investigation (roof).
11:51, Today: Bramwell Caulder rolled 12 using 1d20+4.  Investigation (chests).

Mayon eyes the chests cautiously as they enter the room around them, hands tensed to spellcast should that be needed.

"Anybody have something to toss near them? See if a trap is triggered by proximity or by touching them?"

Bram and Mayon move into the room and look about. Bram notes a straight line in the ceiling right above the chests. It's hard to tell what it is, but it may be a crack of some kind.

Bram doesn't see anything particularly interesting about the chests, but as he approaches them a mumbling sound becomes audible to everyone in the room. It seems to be coming from the wall behind Morg.

---

Map updated.

I'm assuming no one has actually opened one of the chests yet - if you want to open one just let me know explicitly.
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:26, Wed 08 Mar 2017.

Mayon tenses up at the sound of the mumbling, and strains to hear more while studying the wall intently for any signs of something off. He grips his quarterstaff, raising it cautiously for a more physical test if needed.

Checking to see if Mayon can hear enough to make something out of the words or if the wall appears to be hiding a door, or if it's really even there.
15:59, Today: Mayon Graycross rolled 10 using 1d20+4 with rolls of 6.  Perception (wall).
If he doesn't get anything from that, he's going to maneuver up to O35 and give the wall a cautious poke with his quarterstaff. Again, trying to establish if it's an illusion.

Bram stood peering up at the slot in the ceiling and pointed it out to the others, "See that small fissure in the ceiling, directly above the chests?  It has an unnatural straightness about it, as though it were intentionally carved."  He looked back down to the chests and concluded, "The alignment of the slot leads me to suspect that approaching a chest would trigger something unpleasant to fall from it.  Not knowing the danger nor the location of any triggering mechanism, I believe it would be wisest to leave this alone."

The half-elf perked up at the curious mumbling sound coming from behind Morg.  He immediately turned toward the sound and set to searching the wall for its source.

15:56, Today: Bramwell Caulder rolled 16 using 1d20+4.  Investigation.

Dweeble looked up as Bram spoke, looking for the signs of whatever it was the half elf was talking about.  Of course, with such low light, it was hard to be sure if she saw anything at all up on the ceiling.  She turned to the bespectacled half elf with an annoyed furl in her brow.  "Yer just tryin' to keep Dweeble from her shinies, aren't ya!?  Look, ya big silly, Dweeble's got the magic touch.  Even if there is a trap, which I haven't seen nothin' of, there ain't no way Dweeble would trigger it.  Got it?  So stand aside and let her get to work."

Turning back to the chest before her with an annoyed 'harumf', Dweeble pulled a dagger from her belt and began teasing and testing the edges and seams on the chest.  Obviously, while she was convinced of her own correctness when it came to the possibility of traps, she seemed to have a proper method for checking and testing anyways.  No matter how unhinged she may be, she wasn't stupid after all.

Using a dagger to test the seam of where the chest at Q35 would open, the corners/edges touching the ground, and the handle for anything.  Whether it's strings, mechanisms, or whatever.
16:44, Today: Dweeble rolled 13 using 1d20+5 with rolls of 8.  Investigation.

Asano watches the rest of the group swarm around the chests, staying well back in the tunnel. He keeps an eye back down the tunnel, just in case something tries to attack them from the rear.

Morg turns around, taking out his warhammer and raising it above his head, ready to attack - but only something he'd be very sure was undead.
This message was last edited by the player at 06:39, Thu 09 Mar 2017.

Dweeble doesn't find any traps on the chest, and it seems like the chest would open easily.

Mayon squints at the wall, but it seems to be just a wall. He and Bram move near Morg to investigate it. Running his fingers on the wall, Bram sees a small hole where some light is leaking through.

Mayon pokes the wall with his quarterstaff. It seems solid enough, though the sound it makes seems a little hollow.

Just as the echos of Mayon's quarterstaff fade, the murmurings behind the wall turn to cackling. "You dare to pit yourselves against the Lord of Lance Rock?" the voice catcalls, "Death is your reward!" An unseen mechanism screeches through the walls of the cave, and the crack in the ceiling above suddenly splits open. A hail of large boulders falls down into the cave, rolling into every corner.

---

Morg, Mayon, Dweeble, and Bram all need to make a DC 10 Dexterity saving throw. If you fail you'll take 8 bludgeoning damage; only 4 on a success.




This message was last edited by the GM at 15:06, Thu 09 Mar 2017.

Mayon gasps in surprise at the falling boulders, stumbling over his feet and trying to get away. It doesn't really work, and the rocks batter him quite fiercely.


08:27, Today: Secret Roll: Mayon Graycross rolled 2 using 1d20 with rolls of 2.  Dex save.
Sigh...
If it's possible to move after this Mayon is going to try and GTFO to P39
This message was last edited by the player at 15:53, Thu 09 Mar 2017.

Morg lifts up his shield and deflects some of the boulders, then smashes it against the hollow wall trying to break thru to the other side.

---

HP-4.

Action: Morg smash.

17:27, Today: Secret Roll: Morg Danforge rolled 10 using 1d20+1 with rolls of 9.  Dexterity save vs boulders. (vs DC of 10)
17:38, Today: Morg Danforge rolled 15 using 1d20+6 with rolls of 9.  Athletics check vs hollow wall.

A startled "Oh...!" was the only sound Bram managed to utter before the boulders fell and left him battered and half-buried in rubble.  Coughing on stone dust, he set to digging himself free and asked a somewhat inane, albeit well-intentioned question, "Is anybody hurt?"

09:38, Today: Bramwell Caulder rolled 3 using 1d20-1.  Dex save.

Dweeble looked up as the rumbling of the false ceiling alerted everyone to the impending danger.  She quickly tucked her back against the chest, her arms over her head as she used the impromptu half-cover to avoid the majority of the falling boulders.  As she pulled herself away from the chest and around some of the fallen stones, she turned to Bram with a triumphant smile, albeit a pained one, on her face.  "See, I told you the chest was safe!"

Without that knowledge buried as deep as Bram was in rubble, Dweeble turned back to the chest and hurriedly dug her thieves tools out, just in case.  With them, she quickly set to work on opening the chest, ignoring any possible danger from the voice she seemed to have simply not heard in her lust for whatever was in the chest.

---

HP -4.  (Thank goodness for Lucky!)
Rolled a Thieves Tools use in case the lock/keyhole is actually locked.
11:13, Today: Dweeble rolled 8 using 1d20+7 with rolls of 1.  Dex Save.
11:13, Today: Dweeble rolled 24 using 1d20+7 with rolls of 17.  Hafling Lucky Reroll (Dex Save).
11:19, Today: Dweeble rolled 21 using 1d20+9 with rolls of 12.  Use Thieves Tools.

As the boulders crash down, one of the largest ones barely misses Morg and smashes into the hollow-sounding wall behind him with a loud crack. Morg's shield smash pushes a chunk of the wall backwards, with a loud reverberating crash. The hole in the wall looks to be large enough to move through, and dim torchlight streams through it. A ten foot square landing is visible on the other side, and it appears to overlook a large cavern below. More high pitched cackling echos up from the floor of the cavern, incomprehensible to anyone in the party.

After dodging the falling rocks, Dweeble bends down to try to pick the lock on one of the chests with her tools. Shortly after inserting her tools into the lock, the top of the chest pops open. The chest is empty.

---

Map updated. The square M36xN37 is a landing overlooking a large cavern. The cavern below is apparently lit by torchlight.

Jak had cleaned himself off during their short rest, not complaining but occasionally making small disgusted noises. Nonetheless, he had been ready to travel again when the group was. He had been hanging in the back a bit to keep an eye on anymore undead sneaking up on them. Not that the undead had been coming up from behind, mind you, but just in case.

The new halfing girl was eager enough. He heard the commotion from in the room and winced. He started moving closer when he heard the evil cackling voice. That worried him. "Hey! What's going on in here? Did we find the lord?"

OOC: Moving to like Q38.

Dweeble stared into the empty chest, her eyes and features blank of any signs of emotion.  Quietly, almost impossibly slowly, she turned to where Bram lay hurt near her, a sudden look of bewilderment in her eyes.  "Y-you're trying to pull a fast one on ol' Dweeble, aren't ya?  Give her the dummy chest and take the real shinies for yourself!  No way, mister.  The loot is Dweeble's, 'member?"

Without too much concern for his comfort, Dweeble forced her hands around him to the chest that lay beyond.  With her tools still at the ready, she quickly began to open the second chest.

---

Sneaky DM!  Surely BOTH chests wouldn't be empty, right?!

21:04, Today: Secret Roll: Dweeble rolled 25 using 1d20+9 with rolls of 16.  use Thieves Tools.

"Something like that...he was behind a wall or something and took off, I think. Triggered a trap...lot of rocks...everything hurts." Mayon groans as he gets to his feet, using his staff for support. "I'm beginning to see why dad said our family's greatest strength and flaw are both curiosity..."

When he sees the halfling going for the other chest, his face pales and he immediately heads for the corridor, hoping to avoid any more potential traps

And Mayon is gonna book it out of the room to Q38 :P

Morg shakes off the boulder damage and helps Bram up.

Seeing how badly Bram and Mayon were hurt, he backs up towards the tunnel, "I don't think we're ready to take on the necromancer."

---

Move: backwards to tunnel.

09:47, Today: Morg Danforge rolled 9 using 1d10+1.  HP recovered from second wind.

Bram accepted Morg's help getting to his feet, straightened out his cockeyed spectacles and then briefly dusted himself off.  When Dweeble discovered the empty chest and accused him of greedy deception, he was entirely baffled.  It didn't occur to him to be angry at such mistreatment, but only to explain.  "You sorely mistake me, miss Dweeble.  Knowledge is the treasure I seek, and the written works that contain it.   Be assured that I harbor no designs to decieve or steal, for such would be counterproductive to my duties as a Glyphscribe."

When the lass set to picking the lock on the second chest, Bram joined the others in backing away into the tunnel and out of harm's way.  He agreed with Morg's assessment, "Yes, this misadventure has left us somewhat the worse for wear.  A foe capable of bending undead to his will is not to be taken lightly.  Perhaps we might make camp and set a watch upon the cave entrance.  This madman will be unable to leave the cavern without passing by us, so we ought to be able too contain him until we are ready to meet him on our own terms."

Dweeble opens the second chest easily, but finds that it has no bottom - the floor of the cave itself is visible underneath it. The chest "contains" only a few pebbles indistinguishable from those strewn around the cave floor.

Peering in as the second chest is opened, Morg whispers "Maybe it's an illusion - you should climb in..." before leaving down the tunnel.

---

Dweeble peered into the chest with a puzzled stare as the others began to back out, wounds and weariness finally taking their toll it seemed.  Ignoring her own scuffed self, she stared down into the chest with a light tilt to her head, as if she was to uncover some sort of mystery the chest contained.  Finally, as Morg spoke to her, she reached in and plucked the pebbles from the chest's cave bottom.  She turned and secreted her thieves' tools back among her belt pouches and pulled the torch out given to her earlier by the dwarf.

With the torch in hand, she followed the murmurs and scuffles of the others, not letting herself be trapped once more in the undead haven.  Her furled brow and constant bitten lower lip made it obvious she was concentrating on what she and the others had found.  As she caught up with others in the tunnels, she followed in silence, lost in her thoughts for the time being.

"As much as it pains me to say so," Asano says, taking note of the group's current state: bleeding, battered, and tired. "Glyphscribe Bramwell makes an excellent point. I pray our retreat and recovery doesn't give this creature too much time to prepare more dangers for us. I can take the first watch at the entrance, being of full health and ability, as of now."
This message was lightly edited by the player at 22:23, Sat 11 Mar 2017.

It takes some time, but the group is able to dig themselves out of the rubble. Bruised and battered, they make their way out of the series of caves to the outside entrance. The sun is perhaps halfway past its zenith, though much of the valley floor is already cloaked in shadows. Sounds of wildlife are distant as the group makes preparations for camp.

---

Feel free to keep up any discussions. You all haven't had a ton of chances to compare notes, background info, and just talk in character, so this could be a chance to do that while everyone levels.

Mayon sighs in relief at the sight of natural light, feeling that they had been down there much, much longer than they had. Battered and exhausted, he still makes the effort to help the others prepare for camp, glancing curiously a the odd halfling now traveling with them.

"Miss, Dweeble was it? I'm Mayon, since I don't think we've had any proper introductions. Would...would you mind telling us how you ended up in there?" His voice is soft and curious, trying not to pry too deeply.

Dweeble turned with a quizzical tilt to her head as the warlock approached her, as if seeing him for the first time.  Her previous focused, concerned eyes opened wide with sudden shock as he spoke to her.  Just as she had before, she opened her mouth to speak to him, only to shut it quickly and repeat the process like a fish struggling on land.  After several attempts to push a word from her lips, she got up and suddenly headed out towards the wooded area.

After a short while she returned with armfuls of wood, though her arms were hardly much for carrying, and set them down in the camp before finding Mayon, a smile on her face once more.  "Mayon...  Mayonmayonmayon!  Dweeble was hunting for some shinies!  I heard there was lots of treasure in there, so Dweeble went in to take it.  Guess that was a lie..."  Her eager grin suddenly turned into a deep frown, her brow furled once more as her hand reached down to a pouch at her waist.

Slipping a hand into the pouch, she pulled the three pebbles she'd taken from the second chest out and rolled them over in her hand.  After a moment, she picked one from the trio and deposited the other two back away, holding the third out to Mayon.  "Can you make sure the bespectacled one gets this?  Dweeble took it but he chose the chest.  She just opened it, after all.  He gets a cut of her loot, too."

Mayon had to admit he was a bit startled by her rapid speech, but nodded and took the small stone with a smile. "Of course. I'm sure he'll appreciate it."

He thought for a moment. "I'm not sure what sort of treasure that 'lord' may be hiding in there, but we ARE being paid to investigate and clear this place out. If you're willing to stick around with us for a while we could probably get you a fair cut when we get back to town."

Jak shook his head. It had been strange thus far. He chuckled at Mayon and spoke to Dweeble. "Don't worry, Dweeble. I think there's still a chance we might find some treasure in here. After all, we haven't really faced off against the so-called Lord here yet, right?" He gave a shrug. "Just a cackling voice an' a trap so far."

He flashed a quick friendly smile. "I'm Jakrynn Redgate, but you can call me Jak." He lightly tapped the drums around his waist rhythmically a few times. "Soon I'll sing some quiet lullabies t'help everyone sleep when we're all ready."

"Though, I feel it should be said," Asano says as the others get to know the new diminutive member of the group. "All treasure found while you travel with us is to be shared evenly with the group. Everyone pulls their weight, and everyone is rewarded for that effort. Is that fair, Mistress Dweeble?" As he speaks, he flicks his hands toward each party member. With each gesture, the dirt falls from the clothes and equipment of each targeted party member. Asano clearly holds his prestidigitary cleaning of Dweeble's self until she agrees to the accord.

Dweeble's eyes somehow grew wider yet, her mouth falling slightly agape at Mayon's explanation and offer.  She pursed her lips in thought a moment later, as if tasting something she wasn't sure she truly enjoyed or not.  "Youmean they payou- pay, you for killin' and lootin' a place?  Why didn't Dweeble ever hear 'bout this!?  Didya have to blackmail 'em or some such?  Twist their arm and crunch their bones?  Dweeble's never minded gettin' her hands dirty, but even she has some morals y'know!"

She held up a hand a moment after she finished her short tirade, her index finger extended as she thought over what the others said.  "Nevermind, don't be telling Dweeble 'bout what you all did.  If yer sayin' she can make it out flush AND find some nice shinies too, you can count her in!"  She waved a hand at Asano, perhaps dismissively or perhaps to tell him she'd heard.  It was hard to be sure with how quickly she moved and spoke.

She turned to Jak with an almost imperceptible bit of concern, as if something he said had triggered something for her.  "Dweeble ain't heard a lullaby since she was a wee hin.  Back when carts and canvas were whole.  D'ya know Peddlefoot's Quandary?  That was always my favorite!"  The little halfling practically rocked back and forth in happiness at the thought, the tune no doubt playing in her head.

Asano doesn't see much left for him to attend to, so he looks for a quiet spot where he can see both the entrance of the cave complex as well as the approaches to Lance Rock itself.

Morg checks to make sure Asano's prestidigitation wasn't just an illusion, and then thanks him. "I don't think Haeleeya'll fancy you as much when she sees you do that trick - you could put her out of business..."

He turns to Dweeble, "We don't kill indiscriminately. Goblins and undead sure. And evil wizards because you can't jail 'em; but if we can capture someone, they'll be handed over to the local constable, shreeve, or viscount."

---

The embers of the fire burn low as the group talks after sundown. Eventually some members of the group sleep, others stay up to keep watch. The night passes quietly in the valley until the eastern sky lightens to hearken the approaching dawn.