Racker's Alley, with its strange shape and shadowy corners, has long been a site of illicit exchanges, quiet murders, and criminal business near the eastern edge of North Point. Already shunned by the locals and constantly hidden from sunlight by looming buildings and the nearby wall, the alley would make a perfect dumping spot.

The high walls of the surrounding buildings throw this awkwardly bent alley into constant shadow. Although littered with garbage and filth, the refuse isn't the most stomach-turning trait of this rundown sideway. Heaped against a bent wooden wall rises a pile of more than three dozen plague victims, their faces blistered and flushed, eyes open and staring. The scent of death is overpowered by the reek of rot, suggesting that some of these corpses have lain here for over a day.

The air is thick with fat flies and even from a distance there is movement within the pile of bodies, likely rats and other vermin feasting on the pile of the dead.

"By the Gods" hisses Kraw. "The vermin feasting on the sick....could they spread the disease with their bites? How do you find out? Capture one?"

Figus drinks down a vial of antiplague.

"Right, so it looks like they are dumping bodies here. Now what?"

"Vermin spreading this certainly sounds possible. We could try capturing some, see if they are sick as well? Not sure how else we would go about testing it. In any case, this mess needs to be dealt with. I'd be tempted to burn it all, if not for a very real possibility of taking a good part of the city with it. As it is, we need to talk to the priests about taking care of the bodies. And post someone here to make sure this stops." Kyra responds while covering her mouth and nose with a piece of cloth.

Got a web spell ready, I could target it so as to catch some. But what do we do with it once we have it? Just examine it on the spot? Put it somewhere safe and see if it gets sick / dies? Bring it to the doctors to examine?

"Oh, this is not good. Kyra's right, we need to get word back to Cressida and get this cleared out. Not sure if trapping a rat is in gonna help much but, we should be able to make a good report at least."

She looked over the alley and the pile of corpses, trying to remember details and anticipate the questions the Field Marshall would likely ask.

---

20:25, Today: Ayeesha rolled 22 using 1d20+6 with rolls of 16.  perception, looking over alley.

The group looks over the horror show that is the alley, contemplating returning back to report in when Ayeesha spies something odd. One of the bodies piled right on top doesn’t have any symptoms of the blood veil. In fact there doesn’t seem to be any obvious cause of death at all.

It appears that someone is using the body pile from the disease as a way to cover up other crimes. Now that they know what to look for the rest of the group can spy a half dozen bodies without a cause of death just from a distance. Presumably if they searched the pile they could find more and possibly discover what killed these poor citizens.

Slipping on gloves to avoid direct contamination, Kraw swallows an antiplague before moving forward to aid the search and discovery.

Figus draws a kukri as he follows Kraw to take a closer look. "Great ... just great"

"You guys are doing great!" Ayeesha called from behind Kraw and Figus, shivering in disgust.

But knowing that wasn't going to fly, she moved up, not so much to assist in the investigation as to watch their backs. If someone was dumping corpses here, they could be coming back at any moment, and they'd be hostile if they saw what the group was doing. She stood back from Figus and Kraw and the corpse pile and mostly watched behind them and the rooftops above, looking for trouble.

---

23:32, Today: Ayeesha rolled 18 using 1d20+6 with rolls of 12.  Perception, watching the alley, watching our backs.

"Yes, keep up the great work and all that." Kyra adds from her position far back from the rotting pile of bodies, her voice muffled by a piece of fabric she is holding on her mouth. "Strange to find so many bodies untouched by disease here. One I would understand, someone hiding their problem in this mess, but half a dozen?"

Poking around the bodies further they discover that the non-diseased bodies have small puncture wounds, a pair of dots. Sometimes the marks are on the neck, sometimes on the wrist or leg but every body not covered in red blisters has the mark.

In addition it seems that something has burrowed a hole in the wall the bodies have been piled against. It could be an easy way to dump bodies, it could also be a secret method of entering and exit although anyone using it would undoubtedly be exposed to any number of diseases and vermin in the process.

Kraw pulls a puncture victim from the pile, dragging it over to where the actual medical people were, hoping they might ascertain the cause of death. "Looks like this one, and several others, were bitten by something large. A wolf, perhaps?"

Figus kneels down to examine the body. "Hmm, the only wolf in the city is mine."

OOC: Take 10 on Heal for a total of 15 on what could have made those marks.

Kyra joins them to see if she can help with the examination, beyond stating "he's dead alright" that is. She is also interested in where that hole goes, but not actually to the point of trying to crawl through infected decomposing bodies to find out.

No luck with the roll, even if heal can help here.
20:06, Today: Kyra rolled 8 using 1d20+4 with rolls of 4.  Aid (Heal).

This hole, is there another way to get in this (presumably) building? Are those doors / windows at the upper part of the map?

Also, would a Knowledge check be needed to think (probably wrongly) of vampires in this situation?
This message was last edited by the player at 18:13, Mon 19 Oct 2020.

OOC Anybody can make an Unskilled Knowledge check of DC 10 or less. Bite-sized marks that look like two fang marks side-by-side seems a no-brainer, likely DC 10

"Bad wolf!" she says with a smile on her face as she gives Figus' companion a little scratch behind the ears.

"At least you smell better than this alley, don't you? Don't you?" she continued.

"OK this one didn't bit anybody on the neck. No idea what did though."

---

15:30, Today: Ayeesha rolled 0 using 1d20-1 with rolls of 1.  sure I'll play, know religion untrained.

Lol if we can not deduce what's going on here in character!

Kraw says "don't know what it was, but it's no animal I've ever heard of."

15:04, Today: Kraw rolled 19 using 1d20+2 with rolls of 17.  Knowledge Nature (untrained).

15:03, Today: Kraw rolled 4 using 1d20+2 with rolls of 2.  Knowledge Religion (untrained).

"Nevermore stay and watch!" Figus commands his new raven friend to look of the alley while the group explores.

"Lets take a look where that hole leads. It can't be a coincidence. There is more than just disease in play here. I do wish we had Ishani with us at this point. I am not getting a good feeling about this."

After a brief thought, Figus puts away his kukri and retrieves the silver mace before moving to examine the hole and what lays beyond.

11:46, Today: Figus Dva rolled 30 using 1d20+10 with rolls of 20.  Perception.

Not being of any help examining the body, Kary slinks off to the north of the alley to see if there's a way inside wherever that hole is leading that will not get her covered in bits of dead people.

Are those windows / doors? If there is a door Kyra can try to open it. If there is a window, what does Kyra see through it?

In case it's needed:
10:16, Today: Kyra rolled 26 using 1d20+10 with rolls of 16.  Perception.

Krya turns the corner to look into the shop. The sign overhead says GIOTORRI'S TOYS and the shop seems to have been closed for awhile. The display window is hard to see through but Kyra can see dolls and wooden soldiers lined up on shelves and a giant recreation of Castle Korvosa sitting in the center of the room. The front door is locked but it doesn't look very secure and she can see behind the shop counter is a door marked PRIVATE.

Meanwhile Figus starts shifting bodies around and thanks to his keen eyesight peering through the hole reveals what looks to be a workshop of some sort given the workbenches he can spy and the amount of sawdust on the floor. The sawdust is heavily disturbed, quite a few feet have traveled through this way and he can just barely make out what looks to be a dead body lying in the darkness between two shelves.

Kyra goes back to the alley to report what she saw to the party. "We may be able to get inside through the front door instead of crawling through that mess. I'm guessing dealing with a simple lock is not going to be much of a problem, right?"

"Yeah, too late." mumbles Figus as he slowly and quietly makes his way inside and examine the body.

17:11, Today: Figus Dva rolled 24 using 1d20+9 with rolls of 15.  Stealth.

Dozens of crooked glass eyes—hollow and crazed—glare from the heads of malformed and half-carved dolls lining skewed workroom shelves. Rat-gnawed stuffed aurochs, disembodied doll limbs, miniature rolling elephants, unseaworthy wooden ships, and crooked blocks illustrated with deformed or poorly painted animals fill bins and racks about the room. A cracked wooden door leads to the north, while a rickety trap door breaks the sawdust-covered floor to the east. In one corner lies the drying corpse of an old bald man amid the wood chips, rusty tools, and oily rags of a scored workbench.

"Figus!" she hissed as he disappeared into a mountain of filth and gore.

"Front door! Come on!"

She looked at Kyra and said, "We are NOT going in that way. Oh, he's going to make us go in that way, isn't he?"

Kraw, used to picking among the dead in his early years, feels little disgust as he follows the macabre path taken by Figus.

Ayeesha looked at Kyra, then back at where Kraw and Figus vanished, then back at Kyra again. She shook her head and shrugged, cringing at the thought of what was coming.

"We can't let them go in without backup. Who knows what kind of trouble they'll get in. Come on, let's make it quick. Ew... EW!!!"

She held her nose and followed, trying not to throw up.

Looking at the body Figus finds eight puncture wound (four pairs) up and down the corpse's neck. In addition Figus finds among the body's pockets a handful of coppers and a small key ring with four keys of various sizes on it.

So far nothing else seems to be moving around or giving Figus pause for concern.

Figus takes the keys then turns to see if anyone has followed him inside. Seeing that the others are reluctant to climb over the bodies he will make two gestures: one to let everyone to stay quite, and the other that he is heading to the front of the shop and the main door there.

Once by the door, Figus examines it for traps and for any types of chimes which may be triggered if it was to be opened.

OOC: Take 10 + 9 on Stealth while moving. Take 10 + 10 Perception looking for Traps on door.

Figus proceeds slowly and quietly through the shop, pausing with each footfall to ease it down smoothly so as not to creak the floorboards. Step by step he crosses into the main show room and makes it to the front door where he quietly turns the key in the lock, opening the front for the rest of the group.

The shelves are full of the toymaker's poor attempts at creating childhood delights. Unbalanced stuff animals, poorly equipped wooden soldiers and dolls exhibiting a myriad of accidental deformities stare blankly out from shelves. The only thing halfway impressive is the large dollhouse model of Castle Korvosa.

Ayeesha finds a rusty lockbox behind the counter. One of the keys Figus finds turns the lock easily enough and inside is a small amount of coinage: 2gp, 8sp, 22cp and a single silver tooth along with a brass key with an ornate symbol of Abadar on the handle.

"This don't look too good. We could be facing a vampire ... possibly even four. I found eight holes in the corpse along the neck in pairs.

How about we go get our friend Ishani to come and take a look and possibly back us up in case our hunches are right?"

"Much obliged." Kyra thanks Figus, happy to have avoided getting in through the hole. She looks around curiously at the result of hard work of talented hands. Or less than talented, she thinks as she takes in the misshapen collection of toys.

"Vampires? I'm afraid I don't have any experience with something like that. I admit I would feel a bit better having some backup, sure, but I don't know if we could get a hold of a priest at a time like this. I guess we could check?"

"I do have some gear on me, in case someone wishes to make use of it." She digs in her bag to see what is there.

Kraw points to the key. "Wonder what that opens?" he muses. "Perhaps someone from the Temple of Adabar would know."

The group explores the shop pretty thoroughly only leaving the trap door unchecked.

OOC: Is anyone going to open that up or are you heading for the temple?

OOC: What time of day is it and how is the weather? We do not want to return as the sun sets, or even if heavy clouds are coming out soon.

Is there a weapon shop or an alchemist shop near by?

Ayeesha pulled out her silver dagger and offered it up.

"Not really my style, but if silver helps, someone might want it?"

"Yeah, I would like to borrow that, just in case. Here you can have my kukri in return, just in case."

OOC: The kukri is Master Work and Cold Iron.

"Lets take a look around, there should be something we can use as stakes, just in case.

Kraw, why don't you grab the silver dagger from Kyra, and lead the way. If these things are laid up somewhere here, it would have to be through that trap door we saw, and its likely to be trapped.

Lets try to move as quietly as possible with any luck we can get the element of surprise."

Figus looks around to see if he can spot anything which could be used as a wooden stake.

Kraw checks the trap door for traps, then proceeds to open it.


11:03, Today: Kraw rolled 29 using 1d20+11 with rolls of 18.  Perception/Traps.

11:02, Today: Kraw rolled 21 using 1d20+13 with rolls of 8.  Disable Device .

Kraw can't find any traps and opens the door. Beneath the floor of the building is a 3 1/2' dirt floored crawlspace. Poking his head down there he spies piles of wood and other raw building supplies...and four simple but solidly built coffins.

Kraw calls back "four coffins down here. Get me some rope and we'll haul them into the light before opening them."

Ayeesha happily handed her dagger over and stowed the kukri in her belt just in case she needed a backup to her backup weapon.

At the news of four coffins she agreed with Kraw's plan. She dug in her pack for fifty feet of silk rope and handed one end off.

"Got a grappling hook in here too, if you think that'd help. Not sure how easy it'll be to tie a rope to a coffin, but I'm good to drag it out when you're ready."

"Nice plan. Wish we had some chains as well to make sure whatever is in them does not get out before we are ready."

Don't suppose there are chains lying around a toy worshop. Maybe there's a blacksmith somewhere nearby we could buy some from?
This message was last edited by the player at 08:30, Sat 31 Oct 2020.

Speaking low to avoid being overheard (and closing the trap door for good measure), Kraw asks "Does anybody have a Mage Hand spell available? I can describe how to tie the coffins with the grappling hooks, since I have one myself, and you can direct the rope to tie itself around each coffin. That way, if one awakes and tries to get the drop on us, it'll only surprise a bodyless energy, and we'll have advance notice for the fight. Then we haul out one coffin, lever it out of the hole, and help the occuoant work on his tan." Kraw pulls out his own rope and grappling hook.

Kyra shakes her head. "Not a spell I know. I do know another spell that I believe could be used instead, but I am not sure I could cast it now. Give me a moment to think."

Unseen Servant could work for that, I think? But I need to ask the DM something first.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:27, Sat 31 Oct 2020.

"Does anyone have alchemical glue by any chance? .... No? Did not think so. I have a feeling they are going to wake as soon as we start moving these things. Ayeesha, here take back you dagger. If we fight here, you big sword will not do you any good."

Figus offers the dagger back to Ayeesha, then takes out and drinks the special Bless potion he was given by Santacles.

"Ok, lets start with the one nearest the trap door. I may even be able to levitate one up. We get it upstairs and open it there, then come back for another."
This message was last edited by the player at 19:19, Sat 31 Oct 2020.

The coffins do have handholds someone can easily tie a rope to or secure a grappling hook to.

In order to get the coffin out from the crawlspace they would need to flip it vertically as the coffins are standard sized 6' long but the crawlspace hatch is half that size and even horizontally the coffins are too large. It could be possible to enlarge the hole but it would be impossible to do so in a stealthy fashion.

Mage hand would be difficult to use to tie a rope. When casting it, it is like manipulating things while wearing thick mittens. It is relatively easy to pick up an unattended object, pour out a potion or flip the latch on a door but tying a rope would be very difficult. Securing a grappling hook would be simple enough as that requires minimal dexterity.

Unseen servant has a strength score of 2 so the maximum it can drag is 100lbs.

Looking at the dimensions of the opening and the size of the coffins Figus begins to frown.

"We are not getting these out without waking them up."

Drawing the mace and getting a stake ready "Kyra, perhaps you can open it, and the three of us strike. If we get lucky, we can finish several before they wake."

OOC: What are the rules on fighting here with the low ceiling?

Kraw asks "Anyone want to fetch a large axe and widen the hole?"

"Are you serious? You would have to hack up the floor, and that would certainly wake them up."

Kraw looks up. "Wait, even better. Anyone have the Acid Splash cantrip? Dissolve the nails holding the floorboards in place. We'll pull the boards up and have an easy time pulling up the coffins, or just opening a hole in the roof and providing direct sun without moving the coffins."

"Don't have any acid spells either, I'm afraid. I think I could use a spell I do know to firmly tie down the coffin lids in place, then attach a rope to them one by one, for us to drag outside. Maybe that will hold them inside long enough?"

Maybe it does not matter if we wake them while we drag the coffins out if they can't get out of them? Given enough rope (we would need a lot for this), I think Unseen Servant can completely (and quietly) wrap the coffins up in ropes so that they can't get out. I think (DM input welcome).

Assuming they can't just turn insubstantial and get out that way, of course. Can vampires do that in Pathfinder? And would our character even know if they can?

The other problem with this idea is that it will take Kyra 15 minutes just to prepare the spell, wasting the expensive potion Figus just drank. So, it's up to you guys - should we try that or something else? Kyra's second idea (burn them right where they are) unfortunately carries a risk of the entire neighbourhood going up in flames.

OOC: Fighting while "squeezing" is -4 to attack rolls and -4 to AC. It is difficult to attack and dodge when you're bent over or squatting down on your hands and knees. Judging from the size of the coffins the vampires are of similar size so would be similarly affected.

A nail has about 3 HP so yeah you could melt one nail per two castings. 8 castings per board, about 3 boards per coffin

Three acid flasks would also do it from the splash damage.

The unseen servant can put rope on top of the coffin but to wrap it someone else would have to prop it up. The unseen servant can only lift about 80lbs off the ground. Strength 2. It cannot even push a coffin.

"Well, I got no brilliant ideas. Apart from nailing the damn things shut. But I guess that'd make too much noise."

She took the dagger back from Figus asking, "You sure? I know it's not silver, but I haven't met much yet that isn't allergic to a big sword, you know what I mean? I definitely don't want to fight anything down there though. I reckon we open one coffin and we just lure the rest up here, right? We open one coffin, murderize whatever is inside then hop back up here and wait for the rest to come for us? no?"

Figus shakes his head "We are not carrying them upstairs. We are doing them here. Get ready I am going to try levitate that one. Lets tie it shut. Then Kyra, flip that one open and Kraw get ready to stab."

Once people are set in their places, Figus attempts to levitate one of the coffins so it can be tied up with rope.

"OK," she sighed ready to get started on the dangerous task.

"Ready when you are"

Her sword was out, ready to go.

Kyra sighs and gets ready, casting a protection spell before she even gets close to the trap doors. Once down there she will apply half of her balm on her harrow deck while others are busy tying up a coffin. And, once everyone is ready, she will try to open one of the coffins before getting out of the way of people with big sticks.

Mage Armor up. Anyone wants that second holy weapon balm before we do this? Once she opens a coffin, Kyra will retreat to the back of the group. Not sure how big the place is, but it would be good if she had enough room to Glitterdust as many vampires as possible without catching you guys as well.
This message was last edited by the player at 12:41, Wed 04 Nov 2020.

In reply to Kyra (msg # 56):

I'll take it and put it on my Kukri.

Kraw quick-draws his blades and settles to a quiet spot to attack from.

06:30, Today: Kraw rolled 24 using 1d20+13 with rolls of 11.  Stealth .

Kraw goes into a shadowy corner and hides. Kyra is rubbing holy balm on the edges of her cards. Ayeesha has her sword ready and Figus is able to make one of the coffins rise up slightly under the floorboards creating enough of a crack that someone can slip a rope under...but who? Who is actually going to be the one to risk waking a vampire by getting up close and personal with a coffin?

OOC: Stealth roll please from whomever is actually tying it up.

Kraw takes the initiative and quietly slips the rope around the lifted coffin.




00:10, Today: Kraw rolled 27 using 1d20+13 with rolls of 14.  Stealth .

Kraw carefully and quietly guides the ropes around the coffin over and over and over again. By the time the spell runs out and they run out of rope the party feels the coffin is very securely tied up.

Once that is done, Figus points to the another coffin and makes a sign that he would like to kill the whatever is in it by moving his finger across his neck.

Kraw stares at Figus and makes a sign indicating that Figus has more than a few nails missing (screws haven't been invented yet). The entire point of this exercise was to raise the coffin to where they could all get at it.

Figus stairs back and whispers "There is no fucking way in hell we are getting these things out of here without waking them up. Lets strike while we have the advantage."

Figus will apply the holy weapon balm to his kukri once the decision to attack has been made, although for his first coffin attack he will use a wooden stake and the silver mace.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:07, Tue 10 Nov 2020.

Kyra creeps up next to the coffin Figus indicated, and, when everyone is in position and ready, tries to flip the lid open before stepping back away from it.

Right, let's do this. DM, let me know if a stealth roll is needed (or just make one yourself).

The party got into position and had the coffin positioned directly beneath them. With a nod between them to get the timing right Kraw reached down and flipped open the lid. Inside was a woman, slim and shapely. She would be considered quite attractive (by human standards) if not for the pale grey skin and the snarl that seemed permanently etched into her face. The coffin was lined with dirt and she seemed to be sleeping peacefully with her arms cross over her chest.



This message was last updated by the GM at 15:03, Fri 13 Nov 2020.

Poised to strike, Kraw stabs quickly with his magical silver dagger and a masterwork silver dagger. Both strikes manage to nick muscles, causing the vampire (if it survives) some problems.


08:30, Today: Kraw rolled 24 using 1d20+8 with rolls of 16.  Dagger attack #1, flanking.

08:30, Today: Kraw rolled 6 using 1d4+5 with rolls of 1.  Dagger damage.

08:29, Today: Kraw rolled 12 using 2d8 with rolls of 6,6.  Sneak stab damage.

08:29, Today: Kraw rolled 21 using 1d20+7 with rolls of 14.  Dagger attack #2, flanking.

08:29, Today: Kraw rolled 6 using 1d4+2 with rolls of 4.  Dagger damage.

08:28, Today: Kraw rolled 5 using 2d8 with rolls of 4,1.  Sneak stab damage.

Vampire takes 29 damage and is DISORIENTED. It takes -2 attack vs others, -4 attack vs Kraw. This condition lasts 2 rounds.

Figus follows Kraw with his attack with the silver mace.

11:37, Today: Figus Dva rolled 15 using 2d6+6 with rolls of 4,5.  Coup de grace.

Ayeesha pounced in as well, swinging her greatsword as best she could in the cramped quarters hoping to finish the vamp off.

---

Coup de grace for 23 minus DR here.

23:03, Today: Ayeesha rolled 23 using 4d6+14 with rolls of 3,1,3,2.  coup de grace - pretty sure I can't power attack.

The heroes stab and smash down into the coffin. Kraw's silver daggers pierce its heart (or where its heart should be) and its eyes snap open and it lets out an inhumane cry quickly cut short as Figus' mace smashes it in the head before Ayeesha lops it off. It should be dead, right? Although one might point out it was already dead before...

For a second it seems like despite the noise and cry of alarm they might have pulled off a complete surprise attack but then they start hearing the soft sound of wind as a fog starts to seep up from the beneath the floorboards. Like clouds if one focuses it almost looks like they can see features. A hand here, a fang there.

Round 2

Figus waits for the vampire near him to solidify and strikes it as soon as he is able. Unfortunately his mace attack is launched too soon and strikes empty air, but the kukri strikes flesh.

---

10:23, Today: Figus Dva rolled 3,4 using 1d4+1,2d4 with rolls of 2,3,1.  kukri damage.
10:21, Today: Figus Dva rolled 6,16 using d20+4,d20+5 with rolls of 2,11.  Attacks.

A creature affected by the balm must succeed at a DC 10 Reflex save or take an additional 1d4 points of damage the following round.

Ayeesha followed Figus' lead. As soon as the first one materialized, she slashed at it, hoping to finish one off before they could cause too much trouble.

---

Rage 11/12 remaining Str -> 22, con -> 21, will -> +6 AC -> 18
ready attack on first one to materialize (the same one Figus attacks)
Destined strike (2/3 remaining) Power attack hits AC 22 for 24 magical (not silver) slashing

13:48, Today: Ayeesha rolled 22 using 1d20+11 with rolls of 11.  power attack with greatsword, destined strike.
13:48, Today: Ayeesha rolled 24 using 2d6+16 with rolls of 4,4.  damage (not silver).

While the vampires ascend from below, Kraw casts a Shield spell to help ward him. He moves around one misty column to flank it with Figus, striking with both daggers when it materializes.



01:14, Today: Kraw rolled 26 using 1d20+8 with rolls of 18.  Dagger attack #1, flanking.

01:14, Today: Kraw rolled 9 using 1d4+5 with rolls of 4.  Dagger damage.

01:13, Today: Kraw rolled 8 using 2d8 with rolls of 7,1.  Sneak stab damage.

01:13, Today: Kraw rolled 12 using 1d20+7 with rolls of 5.  Dagger attack #2, flanking.

01:12, Today: Kraw rolled 4 using 1d4+2 with rolls of 2.  Dagger damage.

01:12, Today: Kraw rolled 7 using 2d8 with rolls of 4,3.  Sneak stab damage.
Second strike misses unless their AC is still 11 when solid.

So the vampire in question either takes 17 or 28 damage, and is Disoriented either 1 or 2 rounds.

Disoriented: Vampire is -2 to attack others, -4 to attack Kraw.

AC 22(Shield spell)
This message was last edited by the player at 18:43, Sat 14 Nov 2020.

Kyra pulls back and throws a card at one of the shapes around them.

5' step or move to S19, attacking vamp at V16 as he has no cover. Gaseous Form gives DR 10/magic, so I'm guessing Arcane Strike bypasses that? But do they also keep their DR 5/silver when in this form?

Also, I'm not clear if we are still below where we found those coffins, or did we get back up?

15:13, Today: Kyra rolled 19,9 using 1d20+8,3d4+2 with rolls of 11,1,3,3.  Point blank shot (Attack, Damage).

Round 2
The party waits, ready as the misty forms start to coalesce into humanoid forms. As soon as they do the party springs to attack.

Figus lands a solid strike with his holy balmed blade and Ayeesha follows up with a devastating strike from her blade and Kraw finishes it off with a silver dagger to the back.

While the misty form is still forming Kyra tosses a card at one, the magic slicing through its misty form.

The vampires finish taking solid form, stepping out of the surrounding mists with fangs bared and red eyes glaring.

Round 3

It was going to be hard to get a good attack in on the remaining vampires in these tight quarters, Figus was going to try  to get these things to move and hopefully give Kraw a flanking attack at some point.

---

Move Action: Move to S17
Standard Action: Attack with the mace.

14:24, Today: Figus Dva rolled 8 using 1d6+3 with rolls of 5.  Damage.
14:24, Today: Figus Dva rolled 16 using 1d20+8 with rolls of 8.  Mace attack.

Kraw jumps atop the table at P17 and tries to move to R17, setting up the Q18 vamp for a crossfire with Figus.

--------

11:27, Today: Kraw rolled 14 using 1d20+11 with rolls of 3.  Acrobatics.

11:32, Today: Kraw rolled 20 using 1d20+10 with rolls of 10.  Dagger attack, flanking.

11:31, Today: Kraw rolled 7 using 1d4+5 with rolls of 2.  Dagger damage.

11:31, Today: Kraw rolled 9 using 2d8 with rolls of 4,5.  Sneak stab damage.


AC 22
This message was last edited by the player at 19:33, Tue 17 Nov 2020.

Kyra steps to position where she has a clear shot at her target, and throws another card at the vampire. With her free hand she draws a wand from her belt.

Step to T19, throw another card at T16. Draw wand of CLW.

10:27, Today: Kyra rolled 17,9 using 1d20+8,3d4+2 with rolls of 9,4,1,2.  Point blank shot (Attack, Damage).

Round 3
Figus smacks a vampire with his mace. The silver seems to burn its flesh as it touches it.

Kraw hops up on a table and stabs at the other vampire with a silver dagger.

Kyra throws another card nearly cutting through to the creature's chest.

Ayeesha brings in her greatsword but the vampire dodges out of the way.

The two vampires bear down on their respective opponents but Figus' quick footwork and Kraw's magical shield protect them from any actual harm.



This message was last edited by the GM at 19:11, Thu 19 Nov 2020.

Figus swings his made again, but the vampire manages to dodge barely out of the way. Figus steps back out of its reach and activates his Quick Runner’s Shirt which allows him to move in behind the other vampire to give a flanking position to Kraw.

---

Standard Action: Attack/miss
Move Action: 5' step to S18
Swift Action: Activate shirt to move to R19

14:21, Today: Figus Dva rolled 14 using 1d20+8 with rolls of 6.  Mace attack.

"Uhh, Figus? Don't let Kyra get eaten!" she commented as the ranger stepped up to tangle with the vamp that she and Kraw were next to.

Seeing that she couldn't step away from her dance partner without opening her defenses up, she figured it'd be best to end the one they were fighting and then get the one in the Southwest corner. But she stepped a little closer to get in the way of intercepting the other one if it decided to go after Kyra.

---

Whoops, sorry I missed last round, things go fast when they go fast!

5 foot step to R17
Hit AC 19 for 20 slashing, non-silver damage

14:01, Today: Ayeesha rolled 20 using 2d6+16 with rolls of 3,1.  damage (slashing, not silver).

14:00, Today: Ayeesha rolled 19 using 1d20+11 with rolls of 8.  power attack destined strike on Q18.

Kyra throws her third card at the vampire, but this one misses completely. "Shit!" Thinking fast, she decides to get out of the corner before her target decides to pay her a visit.

Throwing a card again (and missing):
12:30, Today: Kyra rolled 11,11 using 1d20+8,3d4+2 with rolls of 3,4,2,3.  Point blank shot (Attack, Damage).

Then move to P16, or O16 if the door to the front of the shop is there. It's not clear on the map, but I assume those long things are shelves, so the door probably has to be in column 16? Anyway, I'm going through R17 and eating an AoO on the way. I need to get out of this corner, if I get cornered there I have no way to defend myself without causing more AoOs.

Kraw slices with both silver daggers. His primary sinks home while his offhand cut manages to slash clothing, but not undead flesh.

OOC: Did anybody cast Bless or give us Inspire Courage? Any +1 would make the second strike hit.


08:36, Today: Kraw rolled 26 using 1d20+8 with rolls of 18.  Dagger attack #1, flanking.

08:36, Today: Kraw rolled 7 using 1d4+5 with rolls of 2.  Dagger damage.

08:35, Today: Kraw rolled 11 using 2d8 with rolls of 5,6.  Sneak stab damage.

08:35, Today: Kraw rolled 14 using 1d20+8 with rolls of 6.  Dagger attack #2, flanking.

08:35, Today: Kraw rolled 5 using 1d4+2 with rolls of 3.  Dagger damage.

08:34, Today: Kraw rolled 10 using 2d8 with rolls of 3,7.  Sneak stab damage.


Vampire takes either 18 or 33 damage. It is DisOriented for either 1 or 2 rounds (-2 to hit Anybody, -4 to attack Kraw)

Round 4
Figus breaks away to set up Kraw for a flanking maneuver.

Ayeesha and Kraw work together to turn another vampire into ash.

The last one runs up and as Ayeesha turns around the two lock eyes and Ayeesha feels her mind being warped and controlled by fell magic.
OOC: Make a DC 14 will save!

Kraw moves past the pile of ash he helped create and gets to T-18. Taking a Silver Masterwork dagger, he hurls it into the chest of the last vampire, replenishing it instantly with another quick-drawn dagger.

Move 25' to T18.

Throw Silver Dagger at last vamp.


23:40, Today: Kraw rolled 23 using 1d20+8 with rolls of 15.  Ranged attack.

23:39, Today: Kraw rolled 8 using 1d4+4 with rolls of 4.  Thrown dagger damage.

Quick Draw to pull another Silver Masterwork dagger (currently holding +1 silver Dagger and MW Silver Dagger, of which I have 3 total)

She shook her head quickly as the vampire tried to reach into her mind. Then she stuck a sword in him for his trouble.

"Rude! Get out of my head, dead man."

---

Phew, didn't need the potion after all...

She moves to S15 if I understand the battle correctly and that's the last vamp standing... Hits AC 18 for 22. Oh and makes her will save with an 18.

22:32, Today: Ayeesha rolled 18 using 1d20+6 with rolls of 12.  will save +4 +2 from rage, assuming Ayeesha never got Kraw's protection from evil potion..

22:35, Today: Ayeesha rolled 18 using 1d20+9 with rolls of 9.  Power attack on last vamp, no destined strike.

22:35, Today: Ayeesha rolled 22 using 2d6+16 with rolls of 5,1.  damage, slashing not silver.

Kyra tries to find an opening to throw her card as well, in the unlikely case the vampire is still standing after Ayeesha takes a swing at him.

14:18, Today: Kyra rolled 17,8 using 1d20+8,3d4+2 with rolls of 9,1,4,1.  Point blank shot (Attack, Damage).

Another card toss, but the vamp gets +4 to his AC if others are in the way, can't tell without a map. Not that it really matters, that is one super dead vampire.

Figus moves in on the last remaining vampire and swings with his mace landing a decent blow. Hopefully its enough.

"Quick, we need to get to their coffins and finish them!"

---

Move action: Move T17
Standard Action: attack

10:03, Today: Figus Dva rolled 8 using 1d6+3 with rolls of 5.  Damage.
10:02, Today: Figus Dva rolled 21 using 1d20+8 with rolls of 13.  Mace attack.

The last vampire is cut down. Unlike the stories of old, these vampires do not turn to dust or burst into flames, they just fall motionless to the ground.

Digging up the coffins afterwards and searching through them reveal the following:

- Three leather pouches that contain a combined value of 300gp and 15pp (all of Ustlavic minting)
- A ring sculpted to look like intertwined brass spider legs (magical)
- A set of bone pipes (magical)

In addition (from earlier) the party discovered
- A small lockbox containing 2gp, 8sp, 22cp, 1 silver tooth (1gp), and 1 brass key with the symbol of Abadar and the number 261 on the side.

Just to be sure, Figus beheads each of the vampires. "No way are these coming back to life. How the heck did they come to be here anyway? Vampires don't just appear from nowhere."

Figus identifies the found pipes 'Pipes of Haunting' "You play these right, and people will flee from you. Worth a bunch on money. I would barely be able to use them."

Kraw points out "the minting of those coins might indicate where they came from. Let's get that Ring identified as well, and let Cressida know what we found. We also need to figure out that key, which means a visit to the Temple of Adabar as well."

"Kraw's right. That money doesn't look like Korvosan coin. Wherever it's from, that's likely where they came from as well."

She looked at the key and whistled.

"Must be a vault in the Temple of Abadar. Think there are more of them in there? Couldn't be, could there? Priests would have sniffed 'em out. Although for the right payoff, who knows what an Abadarian would let live in their vaults? Anyways, guess we're back to the temple of Abadar. Still don't have a good solution to visit the ship wreck," she mused in frustration, kicking a nearby stone gently.

"You are right. Heading to the Abadar temple is a good idea for all kinds of reasons, if just to get checked for the disease."

"Makes sense, I'm curious what we will find in this vault as well. As for what we have here, I recognize the enchantment on the ring. We could sell it, but it could be useful for someone more athletically oriented. I'll have to take a closer look at these pipes though before I can tell what they do though."

Ring of Jumping, anyone wants it?

Kyra will try to use Detect Magic to identify the bone pipes, unless DM already did that and she failed her roll?
14:22, Today: Kyra rolled 24 using 1d20+9 with rolls of 15.  Spellcraft.

OOC: @Kyra already taken care of. Kraw was able to identify it though as mentioned in his post

One other item of note was a pair of crumpled notes discovered in one of the coffins:

OOC: D'oh! Sorry Figus, I did not notice you already took care of that.

"People already flee from me when I make the right noises," she laughed remembering the crowd of sick on the steps up to the Temple of Abadar.

"The ring is more interesting, and I'd like to be able to move around easier in a battle, but I suspect Kraw will put it to more use than me. For me it'd mostly be a novelty."

She looked over the slips of paper, reading them out loud.

"Now I suppose one of these is Borzid. CT sounds like the one who sent 'em. They talke about a Conte in the next letter, maybe CT is Conte T...something?"

"But the real question is, who is Ramoska? And who is RM? Sounds like they were the local bosses. Wait, what was the Queen's doctor's name? It was Reiner something or other, wasn't it? Don't think it was M though, Devalin or something, right?"

She racked her memory to see if she'd heard of any Ramoska or RM before in Korvosa, but had no idea who they might be.

---

Yeah, Ayeesha's not learning anything with those knowledge rolls! Just did arcana cause it's the only knowledge she's trained in lol!

21:35, Today: Ayeesha rolled 6 using 1d20-1 with rolls of 7.  knowledge local.
21:35, Today: Ayeesha rolled 11 using 1d20+3 with rolls of 8.  knowledge arcana.

Kraw nods. "Yes, it would be useful to me. As you've seen,  I'm most effective when I can position myself to take advantage of openings in an opponent's defenses. That ring would give me added mobility. As for the names listed here, neither sounds familiar, but I have contacts in the city. I can check with them, see if any of these names are known on the streets."


23:44, Today: Kraw rolled 11 using 1d20+9 with rolls of 2.  Knowledge Local .

23:43, Today: Kraw rolled 14 using 1d20+2 with rolls of 12.  Knowledge Nobility/Royalty.

Kyra tries to remember if she heard any of these names before.

Since everyone is rolling, might as well join in.
11:32, Today: Kyra rolled 12 using 1d20+11 with rolls of 1.  Knowledge: Local.

What are we, cursed?

The only thing Kraw can glean is that assuming Conte is a title that is an Ustalvian spelling but that is pretty far away and he is not up-to-date on his Ustlavian nobility readings.

Figus searches his memory to see if her remembers, or has heard the name Ramoska  before.

15:47, Today: Figus Dva rolled 18 using 1d20+3 with rolls of 15.  Knowledge Local - Ramoska (+2 if human).

Likewise Figus has not heard of any of the names mentioned.

"Maybe someone at the vault of Abadar does. I guess we're heading back there next to try this key."

Unless there was something else to do here, Ayeesha was happy to head back to the temple.

The party heads back to the Bank of Abadar and the crowds outside are even worse than before. Dozens and dozens of people are crowding around demanding access and the guards stationed outside have been doubled to hold everyone back. Once again the huge stature and impressive strength of Ayeesha are enough to barrel through the crowd and the party gets waved through by the guards that recognize them from before.

Inside flashing the key takes them to the cleric-bankers who identify it as the key to a lockbox. Taking the key the banker returns with the box that seems to contain someone's life savings: 68gp, a set of masterwork thieves tools, a pair of muted black magical boots and a stack of papers that contain notes for dozens of unusual or eccentric (to put it generously) toy designs.

OOC: The boots will identify as boots of striding and springing

Ayeesha turned the toy designs over in her hands a few times before putting them back inthe safe deposit box.

"So these are, erm, pointless. Nice boots though. We should be reporting that we took out a vamp nest to the powers that be. Either the high banker here, or back to Cressida? Not sure who'd be more interested to hear it, but somebody must care enough to toss a little reward our way, no?"