Kerwich meets with the high priests of Larry.   The determine quickly the problem, and even its resolution, a remove curse spell should restore the cleric to his usual state.  But they spend considerable time discussing whether they should do so.  Is it an infringement on the rights of the chest creator to undo what they did.  Personal freedom is paramount to a society.

In the end they do decide that 1000 gold coin, since Kerwich was a cleric of the order after all, would be an acceptable donation for one of the high priests to petition Larry to undo his misfortune.   Though their might be another way, some service could be performed, the retrieval of some minor artifact from a crypt.

Kerwich meets with the others the next morning at the Blue Turnip.

Wist, having waited until morning and after a good breakfast determines that the circlet is indeed magical, as is the zombies mace, though the teapot appears a normal teapot.

The chest of coins remains closed, temptingly.
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:17, Mon 05 Apr 2021.

After an evening of fine dining and plenty of ale John awoke hung over. His mood was not as overly boisterous as usual and his speech was soft rather than loud.

Rather than sup on ale to break his fast he brewed tea with the copper kettle and listened to Friar Kerwich's tale.

"Ah" he rubbed his brow and spoke in a low voice "ye should hold on to the magical mace friar" he looked to Kadira "and my lady the circlet suits your beauty well" he poured himself more tea "I rather like this kettle myself, good for campaigning" on the talk of adventures he talked of his preference "we are in search for a quest so let the church set us on some righteous task"

Then they had the worry of the coins "let's get this over with. Friar Kerwich can you open the chest again and this time we'll take the coins out. Are we agreed that we'll spend them on a jeweller fashioning some setting for our medallions and we buy another horse for riding, anything remaining we divide?" he proposed "I would like to see the armourer but it will depend on how much is left to whether I can afford plate mail"

The Cleric of Larry gladly opens the chest again when they are back in private.

"If you're all willing to go with me, I need to perform a service for the church of Larry here in town, and they'll remove this curse. I alone might not succeed, but together we have proven hardier than many. As to the rest, I agree to the shopping list."

While in town, would it be possible to have some sort of hood made that covers some of the light from my face?

"A service for the church of Larry surely is a noble deed, and I will join the party again!

I wonder Kerwich, would the church elder remove the curse before we left if we take an oath to do our best to accomplish the task that they have for us?

With your head all glowing, it might attract miscreants to us!"

Turning to the wizard, Wist adds to John's comment, "Kadira do you think you might be able to puzzle out the powers of the circlet? While it is becoming on you, I worry that it might cause you harm if you wear it.

If the statue was of a forgotten goddess, Solis, as John has named her, perhaps the church elders might know something of it?"

---

Let's see how much coin we have and then we can figure out what we can afford on our wish list!
This message was last edited by the player at 03:14, Tue 06 Apr 2021.

Kadira doesn't even touch the chest, let alone any of the coins that have come from it.
"I have nothing better to do than assist the church at the moment, presuming they can offer you a cure so we don't need to travel with a bag over your head.

It is very rare to find magical items that someone bothered to make as a detriment, while determining its properties may not be easy I doubt there are two such magical curses in the same location."

The church will remove the curse, before the venture, as Kerwich would be trustworthy to complete the task to the best of his ability as one of the faithful.  And that glowing may make the task more difficult.

Kerwich opens the chest, and again there is a flash, but his face is not brighter than it was before.  Inside are 280 Gold coins, 160 silver coins and 80 copper coins.  Do you close the chest again, or leave it open?

Has anyone tried the circlet on?  No one has posted that they have done anything with it.

"I can take the silver and copper coins in my share as I will spend it easily on a good mount. Then each of us must only carry a purse of gold each. Perhaps we should hire a guide and more fellows to accompany us and look after the horses?" John suggested, expecting that as before they would need to travel then explore without the horses.

The chest opened John filled his purse and went to market. He had slowed the others down on their last quest so sought only to buy what was needed. A riding horse, saddle and saddlebags.

"The cursed enchantment on the chest might have some value to the right person" John suggested to the Companions "some mad wizard might exchange it for something else or pay coin for it."

OOC John will take what he needs to add to his own funds to cover the cost of a horse from the chest. He'll take 61gp, 160sp and 80cp from the chest. More than a quarter share but at least getting rid of silvers and coppers will help with carrying it. He'll take less next time or perhaps as suggested the chest may have some value to bump our funds up.

Clearly uninterested in the gold Kadira accepts the circlet back from Wist once he has confirmed it is magical, and promptly sets it on her head.  The aesthetic value may not have interested her, but clearly magic does.

John would have no trouble finding a horse and riding gear.

When inquired about, there is a wizard in and around Helmsbreach.  His name is Miles Bay, supposedly he lives in a small cottage outside town.  Though like many he is a bit of a recluse and unlike many supposedly only has one arm.

Kadira sets the circlet on her head. It does look fetching on her.

Wist looks at Kadira as she puts the circlet on her head.

"Do you feel anything?

I wonder if the wizard might be able to figure out what it does?"

"What a pretty piece" John cooed as he viewed Kadira with the circlet on her brow. Magic was a mystery to John and whatever magic the circlet held would likely remain a mystery for him. Better that the elf and the sorceress should find some insight into it.

"Let us go see the wizard" John agreed a little cautiously, wizards were dangerous folk.

"I'm ready," adds the cleric.

After setting the circlet on her head Kadira zones out of the conversation for a bit, as if she is focused somewhere else, or pondering some fairly complex puzzle.  When she returns her attention to those near her it doesn't take her long to comment on what they are up to.
"There is no need to visit any wizards on my account, the magic is quite simple, all it does is provide illumination when needed.  Hardly a surprise considering the obvious bias of the location we found it, should be a little bit more versatile than the coins but not better overall."

"Then the only thing we need to dispose of is the accursed chest. We could take it to the priests whilst we petition them for our quest" John suggested so that they might kill two birds with one stone.

"I'll carry it there for us."

"So, if the church buys the chest then is there a need to visit the wizard? After all, Kadira has determined the circlet's power on her own!

It occurred to me that I should visit Master Talx, the smith and purchase some chain armour if he has some that will fit me. On our way back to the inn will do."

---

I don't see anything the prevents an Elf from using heavier armour and still casting spell - DM if I am wrong let me know.

"No need to see the wizard. We can learn of our quest at the church and then get straight to it" John replied to Wist's question about the wizard "glory and honour await!"

ooc: elves have no armor restrictions.

The church agrees to take possession of the chest, if the party wishes to donate it, but does not really have an interest in purchasing.

They will take Kerwich this afternoon, and perform the rituals, he will be good as new in the morning.

Wist, and whomever wishes to accompany him, make their was to the smithy, and find Master Talx in a sour mood.  He does have mail that will fit the elf, but wants 80 gold before he will part with it.

Wist tries to bargain with the surly smith, "It is a fine set of armour, Master Talx, no doubt about it. Would you accept 65 crowns and my studded leather armour?"

The smith grunts. "Aye, that'll do."

"Once again, Master Talx, a pleasure doing business with you."

Wist will switch armour and re-join the group.

"To a jeweller to get chain for our light disks? Or should we simply buy some leather string and do it ourselves?" he asks John.

"If it's all the same to you, I'd like to leave mine on about twenty feet of strong leather string. I know Kadira can turn her circlet on and off whenever she wants, but I think we might need some light in odd places... you never know for sure."

"Yes a simple leather thong should serve us well. We can make fancier adornments when we are wealthier" John mounted his new horse and rubbed its mane, it felt good to have moved up in the world. He felt much more than simple John of Hordle. More treasure and he'd have master Talx craft him a fine suit of metal plates and he would look like a knight from some fable.

The brass medallions, being a somewhat soft metal could easily have a hole bored in them to tie a bit of leather or cord through.

ooc: anything else before you get details from the priests?

OOC John is good to go.

"Good thinking Kerwich! Since Kadira has her lovely circlet to provide light, you could carry two disks, one with a necklace and one with a much longer cord."

---

Wist is good to meet with the priests.

OOC: Ready.

The priests remove the curse, and Kerwich's radiance fades.

The next morning, they gather in the office of one of the high priests.  "We believe we have found the location of a relic.  It is evil.  Very much so." He lays a parchment on the desk with a small x marked on it.   "Eligas was a butcher of a man, mad as a hatter.  It was said he had a necklace that could twist the dead.  It was supposedly buried with him."

He pulls a small black bag from his desk and hands it to Kerwich.  It feels extremely comforting and reassuring in his hands.  "Do not touch it, place it in this bag, it should shield you from its influences."

"Praise Mo" John uttered as the curse was lifted. John's high spirits were dampened when they heard news of their quest. Talk of an evil relic sent shivers down his spine.

"Mo protect us from evil" he called for benediction then steeled himself to look at the map "how many days travel?" he asked Wist the elf, expecting the longest living of them all to have travelled the furthest.

Wist looks past Kerwich's shoulder to view the map.

If he recognises any part of it from his journey to Helmsbreach he will point it out to the others.

Wist does not recognize the map.  It looks to be a little more than a day away, they should have no trouble finding it.

"A day" John exclaimed excitedly "then we should be off on adventure. Glory and fortune awaits. The evil shall be thwarted" he promised the priest.

Very much not a specialist in that religious stuff Kadira just sticks around and listens to what they have to say, taking in the information for use later more than worrying about what that information is now.

Wist smiles at John's enthusiasm. "We will do our best to help Kerwich in his task," he adds, giving what he hopes is a solemn half-bow to the priests.

Kerwich, relieved to no longer have a very shiny nose, is ready to follow the map with the others.

The party gathers its supplies, and sets out on horseback.

The ride is uneventful, as is the nights camp.  In the morning, they prepare their spells and touch up the edges on their weapons.

It is late morning, when they reach where they think they are to be.  In the distance, a large mound can be seen.  It is stone and earth, covered in grass and small trees, and mostly reclaimed by nature, but it is not a natural occurrence.

There looks to be something on top of it, a tent or leanto, perhaps.

There was marching songs and bawdy songs as John rode with his companions. As always he looked out for adventure but none came. When he spied the mound he rose in his saddle and hollered "this'll be it then" he declared triumphantly "buried in a barrow fit for a king mayhaps. Who was this Eligas?" he asked.

Before they came closer John dismounted and as well preparing his sword Stormblade and his shield he unpacked his shovel, grappling hook, hammer and spikes. Prepared he pushed his helm firmly on his head "what's the plan?"

Wist's brow furrows at the sight of the tent on top of the mound.

"A barrow for Eligas, true enough, John. But what of that on top?

Does that mean there are others looking for the unholy necklace as well?

And do they mean to use it for ill?"

The elf dismounts, and leads Applejack into a spot out of sight of the barrow, and pickets him before stringing his bow. He waits for his companions to prepare themselves.

The fighting man followed Wist's example. He tied up his horse and readied his bow "mayhaps we should call out a challenge and see who's at home? If we seek subterfuge I could challenge whilst the rest of you watch from hiding" he offered as a plan.

Still sitting on her horse as it follows the other horses over to where they are being picketed Kadira stays lost in her book for almost a minute before she realizes the animal has even stopped, at which point she looks up at the world for the first time in hours.
"Ahh, good, now we can see about finding this thing, and making the world safer again."

Sorry, all.

Kerwich also dismounts and will bring up the rear of the party for now. He watches that tent carefully as the group approaches it.

"A brave plan, John...but possibly very dangerous. I suggest we simply approach as a group as quietly as possible and see who is about."

John nodded to Wist. Acting brave was John role which was often dangerous too, he however took his lead from Wist "let's find out what we can" he whispered getting into the mood for sneaking.

As the party watches, two hobgoblin with spears, come from the shelter, then head off to the west.

.    ______
.   /      \
.  |        |
.  |        |
.  | Tent   |
.  |        |
.  |        |       h h
.  |        |
.  |        |
.  |        |
.   \______/




    Party

This message was last edited by the GM at 12:26, Thu 29 Apr 2021.

Wist freezes when the hobgoblins appear.

He whispers to the group, "I don't think we should approach the tent. Not until we know how many more are in there."

His eyes glint as he adds, "But we could circle around that way," he points to the right, "and see if we can't ambush those two on their own.

What do you think?"

The tent and what's underneath may hold many hobgoblins John thought. He nodded to Wist "aye let's follow the pair westward, we might get the drop on them" he agreed.

"What if they're just a decoy? I'd hate to have them on both sides of us. With two less enemies in the tent I say now's the time to check it out, if Kadira has prepared a spell of slumber."

Following them up the hill a bit Kadira doesn't get any closer to the tent than the others but does take a look at what they are watching.
"I have never had the opportunity to learn that particular spell, but if you do find someone who knows it perhaps I will be able to learn it some day,  I am afraid we will need to fight them the normal way."

"Friar Kerwich you are wise, Wist elflord you are clever" John shook his head "I know not who to follow" John waited for a decision and would go with the party decision.

"But they will surround us in both cases! And if those two are a decoy, then they will likely only move a short way into the woods before turning back to attack us from that side.

If we can catch them unaware in the woods we may be able to defeat them without those in the tent knowing what happened.

That is my thoughts...I will go with the majority."

Just watching the camp while she puts her book away Kadira takes a while to think it over.
"It is unlikely that they are going to go very far from the camp, if we can take them out quietly it might help, but any kind of loud noise will just bring the whole camp down on us anyways."

Bow in hand John nodded to Kadira "we should be able to do it quietly with some quick shooting" the archer was looking forward to proving his archery skills after losing in their competition on their last journey.

He then set out to follow Wist's plan to follow the hobgoblins and shoot them.

Kerwich follows John and readies his sling.

Wist nocks an arrow, and prepares to follow John.

"I know a spell that will cause the grass and trees to grab hold of creatures, completely binding them or at least slowing them. It was effective against a group of orcs I met on my way to Helmsbreach, it might be useful here, so don't rush in to engage the hobgobs."

"Aye" John confirmed the plan with Wist and prepared to shoot the hobgoblins.

Leaving the horses picketed with Kadira, Wist, John and Kerwich start out stalking the hobgoblin pair. Paralleling their movements, they spot the pair.  They are scanning the woods, but do not seem to notice the party.

They are about 100' away.

A check of the wind with his finger and a nod to Wist then John began his shooting. John's broad shoulders and brawny arms bulged as he bent his longbow and fired his arrow at the hobgoblin.

OOC Hit AC 3 for 3 damage.

Not quite as accurate as a bow at this distance Kadira's sling none the less does a good job of remaining on target and at least hits the hobgoblin, how effective a stone is against their armor is another question entirely.

Kerwich keeps an eye on the tent while the others focus on the two hobgoblins.

Wist moves closer to the hobgoblins and then casts his Entangle spell.

---

Duration: 1 turn Range: 80 ft
Grasses, weeds, bushes, and even trees wrap, twist, and entwine about creatures in a 40 ft diameter area or those that enter the designated area, holding them fast and causing them to become entangled.

A creature may move half its normal movement if it succeeds in a saving throw versus spells.

The hobgoblin are surprised, and yelp in panic as the grass springs up to ensare them.  They seem oblivious to the party until the arrow hits, but they are unable to do anything about it, except to call out what must be curses, since none understand their tongue.  Their spears can not reach this distance, even if they could untangle them to throw.

Kerwich can not see the tent from this distance, but nothing seems out of the ordinary.

Actions?  The party can easily slay them from here if they choose.  They don't have missile weapons.

They are AC 4 with 5/8 and 8/8 HP. you can roll until you kill them.

It seemed rather unsporting to shoot the hobgoblins whilst they were so trapped but John knew what must be done. He closed to a better range of seventy foot and poked six arrows into the turf.

Then he fired the six arrows but to his dismay only struck his target to penetrate its armour once.

OOC 6 arrows fired and 3 damage inflicted.

Following John's example Kadira keeps slinging stones at the same one she hit before, hitting it several times, not all of which bounce off the armor.

Wist mimics John, sending a half-dozen arrow toward the helpless hobgoblins. Four of them sink into the creatures.

---

Damage of 8, 1, 3, and 5.

After an embarrassing number of attempts, he hobgoblin lie dead, and the grass returns to its natural inert state.  A search of the hobgoblins reveals no treasure, just some skinning knives, and rope, and smoked meat.  Their spears seem usable.

Nothing comes from the way of the camp, and the woods seem quiet.

"I'll throw these in my pack, if no one wants one now," Wist says in regards to the knives.

"And rope is always handy to have." He attaches a coil to the outside of his pack, and will stow the other if no one else wants to carry it.

"Shall take a closer look at the tent?"

---

Presumably we are now to the right side of the tent, as opposed to the bottom (based on the previous sketch).

The hobgoblins defeated John was underwhelmed. His performance of archery was less than good. The archer packed away his bow without this usual cheery proclamations of victory.

With Wist he went to investigate the corpses of the hobgoblins. He looked around for his arrows to see if any were fit to be used again. He turned his nose up at the meat, unsure from what creature or person it may have come from. The spears examined John deemed their worthy and tied the pair of them to his pack.

"Aye" John nodded to Wist and drew his sword Stormblade.

OOC Can fired arrows be recovered or are they lost?

Kerwich makes sure his mace is ready, and prepares to bring up the rear as the party approaches the tent. He nods his assent to Wist, and looks to John to move out.

Taking her time to collect the carefully selected round sling stones Kadira is just about done when the others are ready to continue on she grabs the last one and follows along, neither delaying nor rushing the process.

ooc: roll 1dx the number of arrrows or stones to see how many can be recoverd.

Gathering their things, the intrepid band makes their way back toward the crypt.  The tent remains, and as they approach, they see movement near the tent.  A small fire burns, and there is at least one hobgoblin tending it.  The ground rises about gently about 15 feet to the top of the burial mound.  It would not be a difficult climb, and they don't seem to have been noticed among the trees at this point.

.    ______
.   /      \
.  |        |
.  |        |
.  | Tent   |
.  |        |
.  |        |       WJKK
.  |        |
.  |        |
.  |        |
.   \______/

Closer to the tent John did not want to speak. He signaled with a point of his finger to the hobgoblin in the tent and mimed a swipe of his sword. John was ready to attack. He waited for the others to position themselves, either to support with missiles or follow his charge.

OOC Recovered 6 arrows, lost 1 arrow.

Kerwich quietly taps John, indicating that he will charge as well when John does.

Wist mimes drawing his bow and loosing an arrow, and then points to John and Kerwich and mimics John's sword swing.

He looks at his three companions, for agreement.

If they agree, he will loose an arrow at the visible hobgoblin once John and Kerwich are ready to charge. The elf curses as his arrow flies wide of the mark.

---

I swear I have not rolled higher than a 10 in the last couple of weeks!
This message was last edited by the player at 06:50, Sun 16 May 2021.

At Wist's signal John charged forward. Hampered by the uphill climb to the tent John's attack was weak and mistimed. Well wide of any target and clumsy. John swore as his sword hit naught but air.

The party advances as close as they dare before rushing in.  The hobgoblin is not surprised by the arrow that misses.

It swings a burning stave that it snatches from the fire, but misses John.  It bellows something in its guttural tongue, and a second hobgoblin comes from the tent, armed with an axe.

ooc: Actions?

     H

   HJ K     W   Ka

At the flaming brand John leapt back, he landed well with his feet under him. A deft twist of his arm and he had his sword Stormblade thrust upward. John planted his foot and jabbed the blade at the hobgoblin, as he stabbed he offered his own response to the hobgoblin's bellow with his own warcry "fie thee foulspawn".

OOC Hit AC 2 for 4 damage.

Trusting John to manage the one within reach of his sword Kadira sends one of the recently recovered stones in the direction of the other hobgoblin, nailing it in the head easily from such close range.

Kerwich will swing at the hobgoblin attacking John. It's not a pretty sight.

19:41, Today: Kerwich rolled 8 using 1d20+1 with rolls of 7.  attack hobgoblin.

"Moe take it all!" Wist curses before loosing another arrow at the second hobgoblin...and again sends the missile into the trees.

---

I had to test the dice roller...it looks OK, it sure doesn't feel OK!

The party acts first.

Kadira's stone strikes the hobgoblin  with the axe, Wist's arrow goes wide.

John's sword cleaves into the hobgoblin with the firebrand, but it fights on. Kerwich's attack misses.

The flaming club misses John, but the axe takes a small bite into the cleric.


Actions?

Wist draws a deep breath as he nocks another arrow to his bow and again takes aim at the second hobgoblin.

---

Wist rolled 15, hitting AC 4, for 4 damage.

Kadira's next stone bounces harmlessly off the axe wielding hobgoblin's armor, near enough to on target to count in a theoretical sense, but just not quite good enough to be more than an annoyance.

His sword bloodied John drew back and struck again, his second blow more powerful but less skillful.

OOC Hit AC 8 for 5 damage.

Kerwich swings again - with slightly better results.


12:11, Today: Kerwich rolled 3 using 1d6+1 with rolls of 2.  damage.

12:11, Today: Kerwich rolled 21 using 1d20+1 with rolls of 20.  attack hobgoblin.

Worlds collide.  Wist's arrow streaks through, killing the axe wielding hobgoblin.  Kerwich kills the hobgoblin with the flaming club, and in a blink, it was over.

Wist nocks another arrow, and then realises there are no more opponents in sight. He takes a deep breath and slowly lets it out, to slow his pounding heart.

"There might be more in the tent," he says. His eyes dart in all directions as he moves to join John and Kerwich on the top of the mound.

"Let's take a peek," he adds and moves slowly and carefully to the tent and looks inside.

Their foes defeated John quickly snatched up the burning brand and tossed it back in the fire lest the tent be burnt down.

As Wist rejoined them John kept ready for more hobgoblins and looked around the tent.

The cleric will bring up the rear, as usual.

Some people pick up sticks, others gold, today Kadira is picking up stones, little round ones.

ooc: sorry for the lag.

Wist finds the tent empty, though it looks like there are six bedrolls.  A barrel in the corner is about a third full of grain, and next to it, a basket of blackberries.  There are some snares hanging from a tree.  It has the appearance of a hunting group.

"Six beds...only four corpses...there will be two more to return.

I suggest we hide the bodies, quickly, and then wait to ambush the last pair. Then we will be able to explore without fear of being attacked...at least by these fell beasts."

Their foes defeated John looked around then wiped Stormblade clean.

"Aye" he nodded to Wist after the elf had spoken. He then helped pick up and move the bodies. As he worked he asked the one thing confusing him "so where's the entrance to the barrow?"

The bodies are easily hidden inside the tent, the fire can be tended to make the place  look normal.

A few hours pass, with no sign of other hobgoblins.  It is now mid-afternooon.

No sign of an entrance to barrow John got to thinking whilst they waited for the other two hobgoblins "so these hobgoblins was in the wrong place at the wrong time" he mused "they have no tools for breaking into the mound, only food and snares. A party of hunters we caught unawares" John looked around for anymore spears, he felt they would make a worthy addition to his armoury. Elsewise he kicked at his heels "let me bring our horses closer and I can begin our digging into the mound" he begged of their leader Wist, two more hobgoblins didn't frighten fighting John.

Long before even the first hour is up Kadira has magically cleaned everything inside the tent and started reading through her book, occasionally making little notes in it, or on one of the free sheets of paper wedged in the back that seem to be used as some kind of experimental extra pages.

When John offers to start digging she barely looks up  long enough to offer some fairly obvious advice. "We should keep a fairly wide watch, any kind of hammering could be heard from a long way out this far from a city."

"Perhaps it lies at the base of the mound rather than on top of it."

Wist nods in agreement. "That would make sense.

I am still worried that the other two hobgoblins will return...but we have a task to accomplish so we should get to it.

Good idea to bring the horses here, and then we can start looking to enter the barrow."

At the signal from Wist there was action from John. The fighter went to fetch the horses and bring them to their camp on the barrow mound. Friar Kerwich demonstrated his learning and John accepted his knowledge with respect "aye Kerwich you have the know of it" he agreed, ready to take a look around whenever they were going.

Once the animals are tethered closer to the tent, Wist walks around the mound looking for an obvious entrance. "What exactly does a barrow entrance look like?" he asks Kerwich.

While they wait for the hobgoblins to return, they manage to find a brush covered stone entrance at the South face of the mound.  The door looks to be still solid, but not locked.

.    ______
.   /      \
.  |        |
.  |        |
.  | Tent   |
.  |        |
.  |        |
.  |        |
.  |        |
.  |        |
.   \__o___/

"I think we found it," says Kerwich. "Shall we?"

Wist looks to John, "Pull it open, but stay out the way."

The elf steps back a few paces from the entrance and nocks and draws his bow, aiming at the centre of the doorway.

Always prepared to take the front the brawny soldier approached the entrance and gave the door a heft tug. Perhaps they would find the hobgoblins inside.

OOC 07:35, Today: John rolled 4 using 1d6 with rolls of 4.  Open door 5 in 6.

The door opens with a groan.  The passage ahead is dark, a 10' foot wide carved stone corridor.  Looking straight ahead, about 30' is a stone wall, with darkness to either side.

.    ______
.
.    _    _
.     |  |
.     |  |
.  __/J   \__
.
.      W
.     K K

Wist releases the tension on his bow, keeping the arrow nocked.

"I thought there would simply be a sarcophagus sitting inside the door! I guess we will need to explore further.

Kadira will you be the torch-bearer?"

Kerwich will bring up the rear again... for now.

Having already set the tiara high and back from her forehead to keep its inevitable light out of her eyes Kadira simply whispers the activation phrase to cause it to light itself up and illuminate the area in a steady bright light, far better for reading and detail work than any mere torch, and far easier to carry. "If you need to go sneaking around let me know and I will hang back further, until then we may as well see where we are going."

It was a great advancement in their delving to bypass their need for a lantern. John grinned happily as he buckled his shield on tightly and gripped his sword Stormblade then strode confidently into the barrow.

John walks into the tomb John, roll 1d6

Kadira places the tiara on her head, and says the command words.

Courageous John advanced into the darkness.

OOC John rolled a 5.

It must have be a strange shadow, or maybe a bit of intuition.  John brings his sword up to ready, just as he sees a huge skeleton.  It stands half again his height, as if it was waking from a dream it starts to raise a huge club.


Actions?

.   _______
.  |S
.  |__    _
.     |J |
.     | W|
.  __/ KK \__

.

"Skeleton!" Wist shouts to Kadira and Kerwich.

The elf draws the nocked arrow and lets it fly at the monstrosity.

---

Wist rolled 15, hitting AC 4 for 3 damage with his longbow.

The skeleton was unusually big but became usually frightening when John saw it move as well. Instinct drove John forward, he ducked under the giant's club and slashed with his broad sword into its flank, smashing at bone. There was no warcry or talking from John, the dead should not be moving and he felt they would not listen either.

OOC Hit AC -2 for 7 damage.

Clearly paying some attention to her surroundings Kadira is ready to react when called upon, and sends her sling stone directly into the face of the big skeleton, in through the eye socket where it bounces as it breaks off a few small chunks.

Kadira's tiara emanates a bright light, making her hard to look at, but lighting the corridor effectively.

---

The skeleton wins initiative.

It swings its club slowly, but it crashes next to John, hitting the floor with a thud.

Wist's arrow and Kadira's stone fly true, cracking bone. John swings, severing the spine, and it falls to the ground motionless.
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:49, Tue 15 June 2021.

His luck holding John avoided the attack from the gigantic skeleton and after he defeated it with his sword blow he stepped up to kick at the inanimate bones "was it guarding something?" he peered at the wall behind the skeleton and the floor beneath it.

Sorry, all - I'm back.

Kerwich will watch to the right as John searches the short alcove to the left.

Wist moves into the centre of the T-intersection, and keeps an eye out for hobgoblins coming from outside.

"Find anything?" he asks John.

Then a thought occurs to him, "What a fool I am!" Reaching into his pouch, Wist removes his continual light medallion and places it around his neck. "More light can't hurt, can it!"
This message was last edited by the player at 04:24, Thu 17 June 2021.

Kadira already has another stone loaded into her sling when she realizes the skeleton went down already, and more importantly doesn't seem to be getting back up.  When she makes that realization she puts her toys away and heads over to examine the skull, eventually rolling it over so that the first stone comes out. "It seems unlikely that more light will be a problem, but it is possible that any given light source could be used as a target, but it is more likely that anyone standing in front of the light will be targeted first."

The skeleton hides no treasure.  Kadira lifts the skull, guessing it to be of a Gnoll.

The passage turns east, with another alcove, and a small set of stairs descends to the north.

.          |  |
.          |  |
.          |^^|
.   _______|^^|___
.  |             |
.  |__ KKWJ______|
.     |  |
.     |  |
.  __/    \__
.

Wist lets the light of his medallion shine into the alcove to the right looking for anything obvious, before looking to the stairs heading down, further into the ground.

Looking back at Kadira, he says, "Perhaps, it might be worthwhile for me to take a peek without a bright light.."

If there are no objections, Wist will put his medallion away and will nock an arrow, before moving down the steps slowly, making use of his infravision.

Kerwich stands ready at the rear, watching for anything creeping up behind the group.

Having only spent a few moments fiddling with the skull Kadira didn't hold the others up much, but she surely wasn't anywhere near the front of their group, so stopping to allow some scouting just ends up with her leaning quietly against the wall where she once again retrieves her book to flip through it, the constant pass time of magic users.

The skeleton held no treasure and there was no adventure in standing around so John stepped forward to watch Wist's back as he delved deeper into next tunnel.

The party shields their lights, and the elf's eyes adjust to the darkness. He sees nothing ahead to the limits of his vision.  He starts down the steps, and as his foot comes off the bottom step he hears an audible click.

ooc: Wist make a save vs Petrification, please.

"Oh no!"

---

Wist rolled 11 to Save vs Petrify (13) - FAIL.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:14, Wed 23 June 2021.

A blade springs out from the wall, draws Wist's blood, and just as quickly retracts.

"Ooof!" Wist exclaims as the hidden blade bites into his side.

"Hold up John!" the elf calls out. He removes his medallion from his pouch and lights up the stairs, "Don't step on the bottom stair!"

If the group makes it down and nothing attacks, Wist will eat a Pysk berry.

---

A typo in the LL Advanced rules? The spells by caster and level list has CLW as a second level druid spell, the spell description has it as a first level spell!
This message was last edited by the player at 04:45, Wed 23 June 2021.

um... Wist doesn't have CLW on his spell list?

Edit: I believe it is a first level spell (on the cleric list) that druids get access to at 2nd level.
This message was last edited by the GM at 10:55, Wed 23 June 2021.

At the warning John stopped at the top of the stairs and drew forth his own light medallion to see better by.

Then following Wist's instructions he walked carefully down the stairs avoiding the bottom step.

Kerwich verifies what step to avoid as John descends, and brings up the rear when Kadira is ready.

"Wist, yell if you need more healing."

Everyone steps clear of the trapped step to find there is a corridor and door to the west, and another corridor continues to the north.

.          |  |
.          |  |
.         _|  |
.        o    |
.        |_   |
.          |WJ|
.          |KK|
.          |^^|
.   _______|^^|___
.  |             |
.  |__    _______|
.     |  |
.     |  |
.  __/    \__
.

After descending the stairs John took the lead and headed for the door, keeping Wist out of further danger. He waited for the others before he opened it "through the door?" the soldier questioned if his companions were ready.

Once the group has assembled at the bottom of the stairs, Wist says to Kerwich, "I think I am fine...even the rat bite has finally stopped itching!"


The elf nods in agreement, but looks to see if Kerwich or Kadira have other thoughts.

If not, Wist takes position just hehind John with an arrow nocked.

The team's cleric waits behind Kadira as the door is opened.

Kadira takes a few moments to even realize that they are once again looking to her for advice, then offers what suggestion she can. "It is probably wise to check behind the door before we pass it, we wouldn't want it to have some unexpected threat that comes at us when we least expect it later."

The party finds a large mostly empty room. A rotted workbench, with some rusty mason's tools is on the far wall, and a pair of barrels in the south east corner.

.          |  |
.          |  |
.  ________|  |
.  |       JW |
.  |     |_KK |
.  |_____| |  |
.          |  |
.          |^^|
.   _______|^^|___
.  |             |
.  |__    _______|
.     |  |
.     |  |
.  __/    \__
.

To better explore the room John revealed his own holy amulet. With the extra illumination he looked up at the ceiling to check it was safe to enter then he stepped into the work room "perhaps the builder of this barrow worked here" he guessed "what would a builder keep in a barrel?" he wanted to take a look but would wait for his companions to answer his riddle.

"With our luck, it's something extremely unpleasant," replied Kerwich. He readied his holy symbol, having this fear that something nasty would jump out of the barrel.

"Kerwich is likely right...but, if the lid is not nailed shut, flip it open with your sword. John."

Wist will draw his bow, aiming directly above the barrel.

As Wist aims, John's knocks the tops off of two empty barrels.


ooc: A skeleton walks into a bar and says "Give me a drink.... and a mop."

"Empty" John announced when he examined the insides of the two barrels "this place was emptied when the builder left or has since been robbed" the fighter turned and left the room "let's carry on."

Following along at a fairly slow pace Kadira allows the others, and her own magic, to proceed her down the path, cleaning off a thin passage along which she walks.  The dust and grime simply disappearing.  The occasional wall surface she needs to touch in order to make more careful movements is subjected to the same process.

Wists lets out a sigh of relief at the sight of the empty barrels. releasing the tension on his bow, he points back to the corridor.

"Let's see what else is in here."

The hallway continues north, opening to the east, with a two step dias with a small stone carved font.  To the west, a set of curved stairs continues down into the darkness.

.       |  |______
.       |^^      {|
.       |^<  J __{|
.          | W|
.          | K|
.          | K|
.  ________|  |
.  |          |
.  |     |_   |
.  |_____| |  |
.          |  |
.          |^^|
.   _______|^^|___
.  |             |
.  |__    _______|
.     |  |
.     |  |
.  __/    \__
.

OOC: Anything in the font?

Commoner born not noble Hordle John was not a master of etiquette. He looked from stairs to font shrugged his brawny shoulders and stepped toward the fonts "do we wash before we descend?" he asked his companions.

The font is difficult to see from where they are standing.  It is on a dias, two steps high, and made of carved stone.  Above the bowl, are bone arms, hands and skulls, whether carved of stone or of bone can't be determined for certain.

"Those bones don't look welcoming do they? Do you want to examine the font, Kerwich? Or do we just leave it be?"

The bones and skulls put John off the idea of washing in the font. It did not make him lose his courage however and he stepped toward the font to better look at it and its contents. In his examination he looked for any writing or symbols on it.

Kadira catches up to the others a bit after they stop, her magically swept path however continues to extend out in front of her at the same slow pace, heading away from the Font and in the direction of the darkened path. "I wouldn't trust the water down here, but it probably isn't going to animate and attack us any time soon so ignoring it is likely best."

John approaches the font.  There is no writing on it, and it seems empty.  As he steps up to look in it, there is a hiss, and out of the mouth of one of the skulls a fine spray shoots out, coating the man in flammable oil.

"Woah" John gasped in shock as he was covered in oil "stay back" he warned Wist. John remained stationary without lifting his feet off the floor he retrieved a potion bottle from his pack and in a gulp swallowed the contents whole.

OOC Drank potion of fire resistance, duration should be 6+1d6 turns I believe.

The potion tingles a bit as John swallows it down.  Everyone waits tensely.

His potion consumed and the subsequent tingling John began to examine around the font and the other skulls and bones around it. He looked likely holes in mouths or eyes in case more traps were present. He touched on bony hands and fingers for any levers.

John determines they are real bones, mortared in place, but other than a slightly springy step, he finds nothing else in the trap.  Had he been carrying a lit torch, things could have went entirely differently.

"Ha" John exhorted "naught else of danger here. Be wary of traps as we delve deeper" he warned as he descended the stairs downwards.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:58, Sat 24 July 2021.

"Good advice, John"

Wist follows the human, an arrow nocked, staying a couple of steps behind.

Kerwich continues to bring up the rear, watching to make sure that nothing is coming up behind them.

The stairs lead to another corridor.  There is a heavy door to the left.  Ahead, a corridor goes to the right, and stairs continue down into the darkness.  Carved on the walls starting at the stairs, is what looks like an army of undead, marching north, deeper into the darkness.

.       |^^|
.       |^^|__
.       |
.     __|   __
.     o    |
.     |_ JW|
.       |KK|______
.       |^^      {|
.       |^<    __{|
.          |  |
.          |  |
.          |  |
.  ________|  |
.  |          |
.  |     |_   |
.  |_____| |  |
.          |  |
.          |^^|
.   _______|^^|___
.  |             |
.  |__    _______|
.     |  |
.     |  |
.  __/    \__
.

Wist approaches the heavy door to the left, and puts his ear against it, in an attempt to hear any noise from within the room.

Whilst Wist made use of his fine elvish ears John checked the wall opposite for secret doors.

Kerwich remained still while Wist listened at the door.

Kadira comes slowly to a stop again as she mostly follows the others while distracted by her own thoughts, or research into magic, or investigations into various small details or writings on the walls as she passes them and cleans off the magical grime.  Looking up at the and the door she too waits to see what is behind the next one.

Wist finds the door silent.

After finding nothing of particular note on the wall John turned around "do you want me to open the door?" he asked Wist.

"I don't hear anything, so we might as well see if it is empty or not."

As was becoming the norm, the elf stepped back and nocked an arrow. Drawing it taut when John opened the door, ready to loose it at any fell creature that might appear.

The way clear John took his position and tried to open the door.

John opens the door, to a room of unholy abominations.   The light shine onto a floor covered in bones of all types.  They begin to move in response to the intrusion.  On the back wall, hanging from a hook by its ribcage, a headless skeleton of who knows what.  It has four arms, and struggles to release itself from its place.

A second looks to be wolf or other large canine, it rises from the floor, and lunges towards the door.

A third looks like something of bone spider, an oversized skull with 6 legs protruding from it, each ending in a bone spike.  It clatters across the stone floor, slipping when they fail to get purchase.  The giant jaws snap open and shut.

The last could have been a Ettin, if it weren't the size of a dwarf.  It has two heads, and carries a thick club, likely the thigh bone of some large quadruped.


ooc: actions?

The dog will arrive first, then the dwarf.  The spider seems clumsy, and the headless skeleton is stuck to the wall, though who knows for how long.

Kerwich attempts to turn the oddball skeletal abominations.

22:12, Today: Kerwich rolled 10 using 1d20 with rolls of 10.  Turn, turn, turn.

"Close the door, John!"

There was a exclamation of surprise before John called back to Wist "Aye" then tried to slam the door shut then take a step backwards.

The fighter held his sword at the ready "let us prepare for them" John expected the door to burst open at any moment "if we let only one of the abominations out of the room at a time we can defeat them" he declared with courage.

Kadira is already backtracking away from the door before it slams shut, but doesn't stop when it does.  As far away as possible where she can still see it she readies her sling again and pitches her voice to carry, although her reply is still in a speaking tone. "That is an excellent idea, provided they can not destroy the door."

"Or we can leave them in there for an eternity! Is there a way to jam the door shut?"

"Aye" John replied to Wist "I have iron spikes in my pack".

The dog stops in its tracks, fearing the power of Larry, it retreats, and John is able to close the door without trouble.

The door and the creatures contained John began to spike the door shut, whilst doing his labour he called to their leader "which way now my elf friend?" he asked Wist.

Wist turns his medallion so it sheds no light and moves to the intersection. He peers to the east and down the stairs with his infravision to spot anything living, before using the medallion's light in both directions.

Wist sees nothing living.  The corridor narrows going to the east, ending in a stone door.  The hall continues north, with a door to either side.

.      ________
.      o      o
.      |_    _|
.        |  |
.        |  |
.        |  |
.        |  |
.        |  |
.        |^^|
.        |^^|__________
.        | W      ____o
.  ______|   ____/
. |    o    |
. |    |_ J |
. |____| |KK|______
.        |^^      {|
.        |^<    __{|
.           |  |
.           |  |
.           |  |
.   ________|  |
.   |          |
.   |     |_   |
.   |_____| |  |
.           |  |
.           |^^|
.    _______|^^|___
.   |             |
.   |__    _______|
.      |  |
.      |  |
.   __/    \__
.

When he felt the door safely sealed with spikes John readied himself to continue. The soldier stood in the tunnel and awaited Wist's return.

Wist comes back to report to his companions, "A short corridor to the east, ending in a stone door, and the stairs down to the north, with two more doors.

I don't doubt that we will find the goal of our quest down the stairs, but it might be best to at least peek behind that stone door."

A final glance back at the door holding the undead abominations within then John nodded to Wist "aye let us hasten away from this room and try another" the brawny soldier agreed and followed Wist's directions to the east "everyone ready for me to open the door?" John asked.

Kerwich is ready to Turn another undead should it prove necessary.

Wist stands a couple of paces back from John, bow drawn.

Followed by the others John approached the door and tried to open it.

John opens the without issue, and is greeted by bright sunlight and fresh air.

Wist blinks as the sun streams in the open door; he slowly releases the tension on his bow.

"Kerwich, is it normal for a barrow to have more than one entrance?"

The elf assumes that priests would know about the dead and tombs and such.

It was unexpected so John stood dumbly for a moment. He had expected more stone walls or undead creatures not fresh air "is this some sorcery?" he asked aghast.

"I wouldn't know, Wist. This is my first barrow raid."

There seemed no explanation so John reached out with his sword and poked it through the door opening.

If it could,the sword would breathe deep of fresh air and sunshine.  In the distance, John can see familiar looking woods.
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:10, Fri 13 Aug 2021.

Fooled by the familiar sights John stepped out into the sunshine and looked around to try and get his bearings.

John find himself outside the burial mound on the east side about in the middle.  Looking back he would be hard pressed to find the door from the outside, if it weren't already open

.    ______
.   /      \
.  |        |
.  |        |
.  | Tent   |
.  |        |J
.  |        |
.  |        |
.  |        |
.  |        |
.   \___x__/

"Mine too...don't know why I assumed priests would know all about crypts and such."

Peeking out the door, Wist says to John, "This looks like the woods we saw from the outside. I guess barrows have front and back doors...for some reason."

"Aye" John replied "let us explore deeper" he said as he returned into the barrow and closed the door. He then led the party down the steps and along the corridor. Wary of more traps John travelled slowly. He sheathed his sword and using a spear he prodded the flagstones before he stepped on them.

"These images on the wall don't bode well, but if we are going to find that necklace I am sure this is the way."

Wist follows John, staying two paces behind him. He uses the light from the medallions to watch the ceiling and the walls...he had learned that skeletons sometimes attack from above!

John comes to a wall, with a door to the left and the right.

.      ________
.      o      o
.      |_  J _|
.        |  |
.        | W|
.        |  |
.        |KK|
.        |  |
.        |^^|
.        |^^|__________
.        |        ____o
.  ______|   ____/
. |    o    |
. |    |_   |
. |____| |  |______
.        |^^      {|
.        |^<    __{|
.           |  |
.           |  |
.           |  |
.   ________|  |
.   |          |
.   |     |_   |
.   |_____| |  |
.           |  |
.           |^^|
.    _______|^^|___
.   |             |
.   |__    _______|
.      |  |
.      |  |
.   __/    \__
.

Kerwich gets ready to Turn whatever might be behind the door that John opens.

The stairs and tunnel proved to be safe. John gave a breath of relief then turned to the elf "Wist, do you wish to listen again friend?" he asked.

"If I hear nothing do you think that means more skeletons or an empty room?" Wist asks rhetorically. The elf will listen at each door for any sounds.

Having followed the others outside Kadira doesn't immediately return to the tomb, instead she spends some time cleaning off and inspecting the outside of the second door, much as she did the first.  Only later does she make her way back in and rejoin them just in time for whatever door opening they have in mind, still cleaning the surfaces she walks on in a way that this tomb may never have experienced since its construction.

Both doors are quiet, what lies beyond them, still a mystery.

"I hear nothing...your choice, John...right or left?"

Once again, the elf nocks and draws an arrow, ready to loose it when John opens the door.

"Good" John picked the door on his right and with spear and shield readied he opened it. If anything moved he was set to thrown the spear and close the door.

Kerwich is again ready to Turn if it proves necessary.

John opens the door, inside the middle of the room is a stone sarcophus, with a heavy lid.  Carved into the side are more scenes of bone armies.  A skeleton in repose is carved into the lid.

.        _______________
.        o   K  W _ J   |
.        |_   K_| |     |
.          |  |   |  [] |
.          |  |   |_____|
.          |  |
.          |  |
.          |  |
.          |^^|
.          |^^|__________
.          |        ____s
.    ______|   ____/
.   |         |
.   |    |_   |
.   |____| |  |______
.          |^^      {|
.          |^<    __{|
.             |  |
.             |  |
.             |  |
.     ________|  |
.     |          |
.     |     |_   |
.     |_____| |  |
.             |  |
.             |^^|
.      _______|^^|___
.     |             |
.     |__    _______|
.        |  |
.        |  |
.     __/    \__
.

Seeing no immediate threat, Wist follows John into the room.

"Kerwich, could this be Eligas' tomb? Did the priests give you any way of identifying it? Or should we simply open every sarcophagus we come across?

Doesn't seem a very priestly thing to do!"

Accompanied by Wist an emboldened John approached the sarcophagus. He looked for any inscription or writings in the stonework.

"The lid looks heavy, but I can try" John replied to Wist's suggestion to open the sarcophagus.

"I learned nothing more specific than what they told all of us," replied Kerwich. The cleric waits anxiously as John opens the sarcophagus.
This message was last edited by the player at 10:46, Fri 03 Sept 2021.

"Fair enough. I'll give you a hand, John."

Wist moves to help John attempt to remove the stone lid.

With Kerwich ready John grasped the stone lid and with the aid of Wist tried to slide it to one side.

John puts his weight into the lid, and it slides over with a grinding of stone on stone.    Lying in repose, is a figure in plate armor, from head to toe.  A sword lies next to it.

Once the sarcophagus lid is open, Wist takes a good look at the interred corpse to see if there is a necklace around its neck.

The corpse in noble plate armour did not look like a fiend. John watched carefully for movement and held his spear and shield at the ready whilst Wist looked in the sarcophagus for the relic that they sought.

"Remember, if you see a necklace, don't touch it! I have a bag the priests gave me to put it in to keep us safe from it."

If there was a necklace, it was not seen.  Perhaps it may be within the armor, but nothing but the stench of death and cold steel greets the group.

"I don't see a necklace, Kerwich...it might be under the armour."

Looking at the cleric, the elf adds, "If you can say the rites for him...then I guess I can try to remove the armour to check."

Wist is obviously a little concerned about disturbing the dead if they are not animated or not evil.

---

Not a spell per se, just some blah blah blah, in Latin! :-)

The elf and the cleric were learned and wise, John a commoner from Hordle knew little of the mysteries they were so knowledgeable of. So John kept guide whilst any rites or rituals were performed and any investigation was made of the corpse.