A narrow tunnel stretches east before branching north and south.

"All we want are pretty little homes...Agenda suicide, the drones worked hard before they died...and give us our pretty little homes..."

Chanting.

You can hear an eerie, incessant chant echoing throughout. It’s impossible to gauge where the sound is coming from.

The tunnels are carved out of the earth, no supports made to prevent collapse. You must stoop, these hallways are only 4' high. Some of the rocks in the walls appear to be bone.

Chokahr knows the way. (23 on map) He leads south then west.

Several crypts have been hewn from the earth. Each crypt is sealed with a stone slab, these two say Rosalind and Thornton.

Removing a slab from its fitting requires a successful DC 15 Strength (Athletics) check.
Make 2 checks to open their crypts and place their bones.

He belonged here. He hated it. He felt fear. He felt certitude. He was at peace. He was in danger. He wanted a pretty little home. He was no drone, and obeyed no master. Mumbling to himself, the big man moved forward, cradling the ghost-child in his heavy arms and following a path that was written in his subconscious. Everything was so clear, and so muddy at the same time, as if he was dreaming.

With one hand, Chokahr pushed open the stone slabs on the graves, revealing he children's resting place.
"We are home." His voice was soft and soothing, so different from the growling tone he had been using before. "What now, children?"

19:29, Today: Chokahr rolled 21,25 using d20+5,d20+5.  Athletics twice.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:34, Mon 22 Mar 2021.

Ceila stepped forward.

"I will pray for you, and put you to rest," she said.  "It's time."

“Are you ready to sleep, Thorn?” Jun Jia asked gently, ready to lay the boy’s bones in the crypt. While she awaited an answer, she thought of the doll house upstairs. Jia mused how she & Chokhar seemed much like dolls in a dollhouse at that moment.

Vyktor trusted none of this, and felt as if he was being somehow manipulated, though try as he might, he could not think of a way to avoid marching right into the jaws of hell gaping before them. This exile was both horrifying and incredibly frustrating, and he'd only been here a short time. I might not be able to win the game at present, but nothing's stopping me from trying to change the rules...

"Rose, Thorn," he addressed the bodies of the children, for somehow that felt more appropriate than looking at those carrying them, "I have found a Will that names the two of you as inheritors of this mansion and property. You'll be wanting someone to watch over your slumber will you not? If the two of you would entrust me with that honor, I would simply ask you to relinquish this burden over to me. I was raised in a place called the Rosewylde, I would be a good steward and protector. Will the two of you grant me your stakes and allow my name to take the place of yours on this deed?"
This message was lightly edited by the player at 07:25, Tue 23 Mar 2021.

All is still. There is no reply from either ghost, and Chokahr and Jun feel that they have left. Without even saying thank you.

There is another set of crypts to the east, and tunnels lead north or south.

(Check out the map, it’s totally fine with me that you meta game a bit.)

Chokahr's shoulders sagged. His senses were back, but he felt strangely empty. No anger, no hunger, nothing. He stood there watching the tombs for a moment, then put the lids back in place without saying a word.

Only then did he seem to realize how dark it was. He pulled out a tinderbox and lit a torch, shedding a warm yellow light on the muddy walls, and looked down the corridor in both directions, slightly unsure. FInally, he shrugged and started moving north.

Towards 24, unless someone stops me... Do I still feel the effects of the flaw?
This message was last edited by the player at 08:02, Wed 24 Mar 2021.

you will continue to be flawed until you long rest, but you are no longer possessed

Chokahr leads with purpose and determination

24 (btw the map is stupid bc north is west, so ignore the compass on the map, I'm fixing everything so north is top)
This room you can finally stand in, the ceiling is 7' high. A wooden table and four chairs stand at the east end of this room. To the south are four alcoves containing moldy straw pallets. There's nothing of value or interest here...unless moldy beds are your jam.

A tunnel continues west...

Jun Jia felt relieved when Thorn’s spirit left her. She felt pity for the children having their lives cut short so cruelly, and wished the peace denied them in life. When Chokhar led, she was content to follow.

While they walked, Jia wondered about an earlier event in the crypt. “Can any of you still hear the chanting?” She felt uncertain whether they were ready to face a maniacal cult just yet.

OOC:

13:35, Today: Jun Jia rolled 13 using 1d20+3.  Perception check .


This message was last edited by the player at 17:36, Wed 24 Mar 2021.

Ceila listened carefully.  Perception 13

"Should we see if we can rest before we go further on?" she asked.  "I know Jun needed to regain some of her strength; the resting of the ghosts may make it easier."

Vyktor shook his head. "I'm in no need of rest at the moment." He said, somewhat distracted. Finally, he shook his head as if to clear it, and proceeded westward to have a look while the others decided what they wished to do. "Be right back..."

Finally, a ceiling matching his body height. Chokahr stretched and rolled his shoulders, happy to move around freely. As her companion drew his attention to the voices, the barbarian stopped for a moment to listen to the voices, and shrugged. "Can't hear no chanting. Come on, let's move on. Ghosts are gone, it should be safe now. We'll rest later."

And with those words, he followed Vyktor down the western corridor, not waiting for Celia's or Jun Jia's answer.

25
It is clear now that the room you were in first was for the cult initiates, while this is for the more veteran members. That doesn't mean the furnishings are any nicer though.

A 4-foot-diameter well shaft with a 3-foot-high stone lip descends 30 feet to a water-filled cistern. A wooden bucket hangs from a rope-and-pulley mechanism bolted to the crossbeams above the well.

Five side rooms once served as quarters for senior cultists. Each contains a wood-framed bed with a moldy straw mattress and a wooden chest to hold personal belongings. Each chest is secured with a rusty iron padlock that can be picked with thieves’ tools and a successful DC 15 Dexterity check.

(Make 5 thieve's tools checks if you like. I suggest a trap investigation check as well)

Jun Jia lacked experience in finding or disarming traps. Since she couldn’t assist with opening the chest, she settled for watching the door they’d entered. “I believe Vyktor would be best suited for this task. I will stand guard and watch the door.”

Vyktor took a moment to look over the chests and the area immediately surrounding them. That cultists might trap the enclosures meant that there could be, even among a group sworn by oaths and fell rites to support each other and their cause, some distrust. He smiled grimly at this, and hoped it would serve them in some way in what must be an inevitable confrontation.

"Are there any uniforms our attire about? We could disguise ourselves and perhaps gain something of an advantage... the element of surprise or even doubt."


INT(Investigation): Vyktor Rosewylde rolled 16
DEX(Thieves' Tools): Helping Celia to give her Advantage

After checking each chest it seems none are trapped. You find a closet with a dozen cultist robes, all different sizes and all curiously in like new condition.

(5 lock pick checks with advantage: let’s see what we get )

The barbarian snarled derisively. "Nobody alive around here but us. Why should we dress up in those ridiculous robes? I'm not wearing that."
He had toyed with the idea of breaking the chests open, but the locksmithing work was faster, and he didn't feel like useless exercise. After all, his strength should better be reserved for when it would really be needed. Whistling a little tune, he killed the time by dropping pebbles into the well and listening for the echoes.

Jia sighed. “At the feast of ego, everyone leaves hungry.“ She cast her eye toward the robes with a considering nod. “It’s a good idea, Vyktor.”

"They were locked like this for a reason," said Ceila.  "I think we should.  I'll fight evil with whatever tools are at hand."

LOOT:
11 gp and 60 sp in a pouch made of human skin.
three moss agates (worth 10 gp each) in a folded piece of black cloth.
a silvered shortsword (worth 110 gp).

Continuing on from here you come to a fork: go south (toward 26) or east (toward 27)

Jun Jia took the silver short sword, testing the heft in her hand. “Yes. I believe this will work.” Before they proceeded, she donned a cult robe approximating her size. “We should prepare ourselves for meeting one of the cult.” When the group exited the room, she walked beside or near Ceila as the space allowed.

"Agreed," said Ceila, "to the degree that we can.  I wish that I had more strength to fight them... well, we'll see if it's enough."

Sticking close to Jun was an excellent idea, and she made every attempt to do so.

“Strength can fail when it faces my skill. If your strength fails you, my speed will aid you.” Jia smiled warmly at Ceila. “Though I trust your ability to capably handle any threat. You certainly display the mind for it.”

"Thank you," said Ceila, smiling.  "...I hope I can live up to that.  But I will do my utmost."

Vyktor picked a cultist robe that seemed as if it would fit and threw it on. "Better prepared than found wanting..."

He led the party southward toward the stairs.

Chokahr frowned at the cultist robes, shrugged, and stuffed one between his back and the side of his backpack.

"Not convinced those will be useful. But they might be valuable."

Sniggering at his own joke, he hurried behind Vyktor.

I'm pretty sure someone's passive perception is 15 so everyone make a perception check, there's a fake floor spike trap here. If anyone gets a 15+ you spot the difference in the dirt floor and find the way around it, which will then need a dex dc12 to safely get across, the first person to get across can use a rope to aid everyone else and give advantage. If someone still manages to fail you'll take 3 bludgeoning and 3 piercing for falling 10' into spikes.
Then we will continue on the next level. :")

Vyktor paused a moment, holding up a hand to halt those behind him. "Looks like we'd better be on our toes..." He said quietly, pointing out a change in the flooring.

He thought he could see a safe spot some distance away. He motioned for Jia. "I'll give you a vault if you think you can stick a landing over there..."


Vyktor's Passive Perception is 15.
Vyktor will HELP Jia by crouching down and offering his knee from which she may gain a little height and launch herself across. (Advantage?)
If that doesn't work, he'll cast Thorn Whip and Indiana Jones it...
Doh! Dex(Acrobatics): Vyktor Rosewylde rolled 6 - Natural 1!

In reply to Vyktor Rosewylde (msg # 28):
The ceiling is 7' high. There will be no helping someone across.

I'll ignore your Indiana Jones roll. :)

After further assessment, Vyktor shook his head, "Actually, I don't think that's gonna work. Good luck Jia." He stepped out of her way.


OOC: I'll take every instance of DM ignoring a Nat 1... ;-)

Jun Jia attempted the leap, and almost cleared the trap. However, her foot slipped as it touched the ledge. She fell ten feet into a small pit and hit a few spikes for a painful landing.

OOC:

14:13, Today: Jun Jia rolled 11 using 1d20+5.  DEX/Acrobatics check.

Ouch. You have your first victim of the pit.

6 damage.

Jun is able to climb out on the other side. Everyone else can roll adv to climb across with the help of the rope. dex/acrobatics dc12 with adv or 6dmg

Favoring her injured side, Jun Jia tossed her own rope across with a grunt. Once everyone crossed over, she said, “We rest now. I am injured and I must meditate to heal.” She jabbed a dainty finger toward Chokhar. “This time, you listen to another. We rest!”

Jia was weary of his bullheadedness and wouldn’t entertain any of his scoffing or posturing. “If you want to charge ahead on your own like a drunken yak in heat, then you go alone!” She looked at Ceila for solidarity, and possibly aid. “I would like your healing touch now, if you please. If you cannot, then I humbly ask that you keep watch while I meditate.” That time, her tone was different. Softer, entreating, rather than demanding.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:01, Wed 31 Mar 2021.

18:08, Today: Ceila Greendoor rolled 8,19 using 1d20+3,1d20+3 ((5,16)).

Ceila was glad of the rope, it made it easy enough to swing across.

"You're hurt," she said to Jun.  "I can heal you..."

She closed her eyes and prayed over Jun's injuries, wreathed in pale light.

Jun gets 8 HP back

When Ceila laid hands upon Jun, the divine power coursed through the smaller woman’s body. Jun felt a quickening of her metabolism, as the pain yielded to a heat that left a pleasant coolness in its wake. Torn flesh knit closed, with only mild bruises and cuts remaining. Jun nodded gratefully. “I thank you and the god you serve for your grace.”

OOC:

23:49, Today: Jun Jia rolled 2 using 1d8.  Hit Dice.

Meditating for last 2 HP and recovering Ki points.

The former knight hissed as he watched Jia get injured in her attempt to cross. A pang of guilt stabbed at his stomach. Barely needing the rope, he sprang across the gap, propelling himself off a slight ledge of a stone in the wall, and landed next to the injured monk.

"I'm very sorry Lady Jia, I should have made the initial leap myself. I thought perhaps I could assist you, but alas the circumstances did not permit."

Glancing around, he seemed to get his bearings. "Further, I'm afraid I've led us in a wrong direction."


OOC: Oops. Forgot North was at the left of the map. I meant to lead downward to 30, but no big deal. It's probably safer to find a place to rest up here...

DEX(Acrobatics) w/Advantage: Vyktor Rosewylde rolled 25 - Natural 20! Thanx Jia!

With a short running start, Chokahr hopped gracefully across the gaping chasm, keeping his head in his shoulders so that he wouldn't graze the ceiling, and landed almost noiselessly on the other side. He passed the bleeding and cussing Jun Jia with an interrogative look in his eyes. His usually snarky tone had turned icy and calm.

"Oh, now it's my fault that you couldn't jump across a hole in the ground? You're tough, you'll manage."

Leaning against the nearest wall while Celia performed her healing magic, the large man started cleaning his fingernails, and spoke further without looking up.

"You had my back in the battle earlier, so I won't hold a grudge for your tone. A word to the wise, though, don't push it. And don't ever think you can order me around. Any of you", he concluded, briefly lifting his gaze.

09:10, Today: Chokahr rolled 22 using 2d20+2, dropping the lowest dice only.  Acrobatics with advantage.
This message was last edited by the player at 07:21, Thu 01 Apr 2021.

"Fighting among ourselves in this place helps our enemy," said Ceila.  "Resting now lets us recover some of our strength, and that's done, now, so let's move on."

It felt odd to try and be even in a small way a peace-maker, but it was true-- they were in danger here, and didn't have time for fighting.

“You are not our leader, either, Barbarian...and we are NOT your food.” Jun Jia met Chokhar’s gaze with a steely calm. “Know that.” She looked at Ceila, but didn’t challenge the other woman. “You speak wisely, Ceila. That is most welcome in present company. Very well.”

you'll never know how close you came to a random encounter. except that now i told you.
Full benefits of long rest, but the paranoia is kicking in. I'm railroading a bit, you're at 35, if you want to go back up the stairs and explore area 29 just say so.

You rest up. No concept of time. You feel better, while at the same time more hopeless that you'll never escape.

You take the stairs down.

Deeper.

The ghostly chant fills this room. Characters can discern a dozen or so voices saying, over and over, “All we want are pretty little homes.”

The cult amassed several “relics” that it used in its rituals. These items are stored in thirteen niches along the walls:

A small, mummified, yellow hand with sharp claws on a loop of rope - this artifact calls out to any evil aligned character "Pick me up, put me on."
A knife carved from a human bone
A dagger with a rat’s skull set into the pommel
A bloodshot eyeball, the shape of the iris is like a reptile's eye, but the size is human - this artifact beckons to any evil aligned character "With me you will see true."
An aspergillum carved from bone
A folded cloak made from stitched ghoul skin
A desiccated frog lashed to a stick
A bag full of bat guano
A hag’s severed finger
A 6-inch-tall wooden figurine of a mummy, its arms crossed over its chest
An iron pendant adorned with a devil’s face
The shrunken, shriveled head of a halfling
A small wooden coffer containing a dire wolf’s withered tongue

A closed iron gate waits to the south where the chanting emanates.

The knife carved from human bone caught Jun Jia’s eye. She picked it up and looked it over. If the item didn’t attack her or inflict any other harm, she would pocket it. She also pocketed the coffer with the dire wolf tongue.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:03, Fri 02 Apr 2021.

"I don't like the looks of any of this," said Ceila.  "Still, some may have power..."

She picked up the halfling head.

"Perhaps I can find a place to put you to rest," she told it, sadly.

She picked up the cloak, as well.  Perhaps it would shield her from the senses of the undead?

Vyktor was disgusted by the relics in their niches, save one. He carefully touched the dagger with the rat's skull in the pommel. It would make an interesting novelty if nothing else, something to remember this hellish house... as if he'd ever in what remained of his life need a reminder. He pocketed it and moved quietly to the southern gate and tested it softly so as not to disturb the chanting cultists beyond. They'd want the element of surprise.

Chokahr eyed the collection of bizarre trinkets. After his companions had finished their picking, he simply swung his backpack over to the front, opened it, and shoved the items inside unceremoniously.

"We can sort that out later." His backpack already half-removed, he placed it on the ground and donned the cultist's robe he had been carrying with him. "A disguise might be useful after all."

The barbarian checked his weapons and moved on to open the iron gate and face the cult.

38
The chanting stops as you peer into this forty-foot-square room. The smooth masonry walls provide excellent acoustics. Featureless stone pillars support the ceiling, and a breach in the west wall leads to a dark cave heaped with refuse. Murky water covers most of the floor. Stairs lead up to dry stone ledges that hug the walls. In the middle of the room, more stairs rise to form an octagonal dais that also rises above the water. Rusty chains with shackles dangle from the ceiling directly above a stone altar mounted on the dais. The altar is carved with hideous depictions of grasping ghouls and is stained with dry blood.

(Quick, remind me, who is wearing a cult robe and who isn't?)

Ceila was wearing the robe and the cloak.  A risky move, but they seemed important, and her oath was to defeat evil by any means necessary... including wearing their sigils, if that seemed wise.

She cautiously entered the room, looking around for the source of chanting.

Jun Jia lowered her head so the cultists could only see her mouth from the hood of the cultist robe that she’d also pilfered. She moved in unison with Ceila, noting the hideous decor of the chamber. The altar depicted ravenous ghouls clutching at what very well could have been the victim whose blood stained the stone. Jia grasped the bone knife, recalling one of many blood-curdling tales a Hag of Kara-Tur once told her.

According to the Wu, dark rites incorporated human and animal bones into relics of necromantic power. Certain items could detect or even harm the undead. Jun Jia hoped that her newfound knife was one of them.

Vyktor entered and immediately began to circle to his left, hugging the wall. He too had the hood of his cultists' robe pulled low. He quickly scanned the room for other exits, or entrances should their ruse be discovered. Beneath the robes, his hands rested easily upon his weapons, the wood and bone reassuring in this eerie and evil place.

Covering his head with the cowl of the robes, Chokahr entered the room behind his companions, following behind Vyktor in order to cover the room evenly. The place made him nervous. Not so much the decoration and general ambiente, but something about placing himself directly in the midst of enemy ranks did not sound right to his ears. He checked his weapon imperceptibly and kept his head down while looking for a good spot to stay.

The cultists' shadows appear first. In the dim lights you see that is all they are. But their leader steps forward. And forward. His towering height streatches all the way up to he has to bend to avoid hitting the 10' ceiling.

"Youuuuuu...wear our robes...sooooooo...I make you this choice. Join me in the ritual and I will showwwwwww you what you musssssst do. Or..."

He pulls off his robe to reveal that he has four arms, two of them hold an executioner's axe, the other two hold a greatsword. You cannot catch his face behind the cult mask he wears, but you have a strong intuition that it's just a skull.

"Or make a sacrifice and I will show you how to leave."

He doesn't mention the third option, but usually people pick the ritual.

"Forgive my ignorance, for I am new to all of this, but can you instruct us as to the purpose of the ritual? Understanding will help us focus our faith and ensure the ritual's success..." Vyktor said, approaching the four-armed cultist. Beneath his robes his right hand twitched, eager to be about its business in what must be an inevitable end.

"What is required for the ritual and the sacrifice?"


Moving slowly to within 30' of the Quadra-cultist

"Yes. Understanding. You don our robes but you know nothing. We are the cult of the one who whispers. He is the Ancient before the Ancient, the land before it was taken from him. In this ritual I will rend each of your souls from your mortal coil so that you may hear him speak to you. He will set you on the path you must go.

"But he values free will. And so the other option is to sacrifice one among you, and the rest will be escorted safely from this house of death, and you may continue whatever path seems best to you."

“Do you speak of Orybys?” Jun Jia mentioned the name that Rose, the journal, and documents all described. “What becomes of our souls after this ‘rending’?” She watched the hooded figure with the four arms, awaiting his response for further Insight into what they faced.

OOC:

17:18, Today: Jun Jia rolled 17 using 1d20+3.  Insight .

Ceila awaited an answer, while moving nearer to the figure.  This could easily become a fight, now, and she wanted to be ready.

Having his soul torn from his body did not sound like something Chokahr would enjoy, not matter the details. However, there was a detail in the monster's words...

"Who took his land from him? And how can this injustice be undone?" he asked, carefully watching the creature's reaction. His hand rested gently on the hammer's head, ready to draw it in the blink of an eye.

The Leader ignores your attempts to learn without choosing.

"There is nothing more you can glean while in your flesh. I have offered you the choice. Now choose."

Jun can figure that he means to slice off all of your heads in this ritual. Your bodies are blocking the whisperer from speaking to you.

choose your destiny:
1. ritual - talk to the whisperer
2. sacrifice - one must die, the others will escape the house
3. there's always that third option. :)

“You want a life from among us, correct?” Her eyes swept the immediate area in search of something that could meet that need.

OOC:

17:08, Today: Jun Jia rolled 18 using 1d20+3.  Perception .

Ceila continued to move into position.  None of the options this thing offered appealed; destroying it seemed far better.  But, still... she should listen.

"Take your time. I am patient."

It was clear what must be done. There would be no fooling him. A rat? You kidding me? What game do you think we are playing? This is Curse of Stuart.

Vyktor of Rosewylde began to loosen the front of his cultist robe. "One must die for the rest to leave the house. Very well..." He took another step forward toward the four-armed being, pulling the robes open at the breast.

"Since someone within this hall must die, I take the responsibility upon myself... to choose YOU!"

Vyktor's movements were quick as to be barely discernible. One instant he was facing their enemy, the next instant a strange steel-barreled weapon was pointed at its face!

There was a sudden explosion of sound and an issue of thick smoke as the strange weapon in Vyktor's hand barked its own sort of battle-cry and belched a gout of flaming propellant and a ball of lead the diameter of his thumb!


Pistol Attack!: Vyktor Rosewylde rolled 8 to miss!
Cunning Action: Hide - seeking cover!

Jun Jia saw Vyktor’s decision and responded in kind. “We must decline your kind offer to set up council with the one you serve. E Er Deli Qi Baozha!” Chop off their heads for a conversation with some bogus “god”? Was he kidding?

Unlike the earlier run-in with the specter of the late maid, though, Jun Jia’s Eldritch Blast missed.

OOC:

01:05, Today: Jun Jia rolled 9 using 1d20+3.  Eldritch Blast.


This message was last edited by the player at 05:14, Fri 09 Apr 2021.

Behind his mask you can hear his smile.

"Typical humans." A mark on the greatsword shows apparently the Leader cut the bullet in twain, though you didn't really see him move.

Technically eldritch blasts are invisible, so I don't have a cool description of it.

---

init has begun: players turns

This was how it should be.

"Unclean nightmare, your end is now!" Ceila said, marking the enemy for her vengeance, and she lunged to stab at her foe.

OOC:  Bonus Action Channel Divinity, and then attacking with Advantage.

09:17, Today: Ceila Greendoor rolled 19,15 using d20+5,d20+5 ((14,10)).

Assuming a 19 hits, that's 7 damage.

Ac16

Jun Jia kept a distance from the fiend, once more invoking the power of the Eldritch Blast. “E Er Deli Qi Baozha!” Again, the blast missed, but she didn’t dare attempt the supernatural attack more likely to hit while Ceila remained near the guardian of the pit.

OOC:

02:40, Today: Jun Jia rolled 11 using 1d20+3.  Eldritch Blast.

"Fine by me"

With those words, Chokahr drew his hammer and brought it down upon the monstrosity in a slick and precise motion. His eyes turned feral, and his tail popped out of the cultist's robes to protect him as he threw himself recklessly into the attack.

17:36, Today: Chokahr rolled 8 using 1d8+5.  Warhammer damage.
17:35, Today: Chokahr rolled 19 using 2d20+5, dropping the lowest dice only.  Reckless attack.

Attack rolls agains Chokahrhave Advantage. Reaction (if ever): use the tail defense against the greatsword dude, gaining 1d8 AC against hs eventual first attack.

The wounds against the leader seem to close up. "Go." He commands, and 4 of the shadows spring into action, each one attacking one of you.

Vyktor blocks. Jun is crit'd for 6 necrotic dmg. Ceila is hit for 3, chokahr's tail blocks the attack.

Then the Leader strikes Chokahr with his greatsword, dealing 7dmg. Then he strikes at Ceila with the axe, but she blocks it.
----
ROUND 2
AC16 HP-5
cult shadows ac14:
1
2
3
4
While you could win, I also have stuff planned if this is a TPK. All up to the dice. Which so far haven't been great for either of us.


12:06, Today: DM rolled 7 using 2d6+5.  leader dmg.

12:05, Today: DM rolled 3 using 1d6+2.  shadow dmg.

12:05, Today: DM rolled 17 using 1d20+8.  atk ceila.

12:04, Today: DM rolled 24 using 1d20+8.  atk chokahr.

12:04, Today: DM rolled 17 using 1d20+4.  atk chok.

12:04, Today: DM rolled 23 using 1d20+4.  atk cila.

12:04, Today: DM rolled 24 using 1d20+4.  atk jun.

12:04, Today: DM rolled 13 using 1d20+4.  atk vyk.

When the Shadow struck, Jun Jia felt the cold of the grave course through her body. A primitive instinct told her she wouldn’t survive too many more necrotic attacks. That same awareness told her that she faced her eventual fate in the form of her undead foe.

The Monk reacted by drawing the Silvered short sword she’d found earlier. The sword slashed twice in blurs of silver that struck true.

OOC:

16:36, Today: Jun Jia rolled 9 using 1d6+3.  Damage from 2nd Strike (Crit. damage, too).
16:35, Today: Jun Jia rolled 9 using 1d6+3.  Damage from 1st Strike.
16:35, Today: Jun Jia rolled 25 using 1d20+5.  Silvered sword vs. Shadow. Nat 20!)
16:34, Today: Jun Jia rolled 19 using 1d20+5.  Silvered sword vs. Shadow.

Both attacks hit (Short Swords are Monk weapons allowed for her Unarmed Strike.

Critical Damage on my 2nd attack on the Shadow.

Does the Silver overcome their resistance to Slashing damage or add special damage?
 

The shadows were dangerous, but their master was the real threat.  Ceila attacked him, and when her blow was true, she channeled the divine power that was hers to command to destroy him!

17 should hit, for 10 Piercing and 5 Radiant with a Smite

Vyktor stepped to square his stance and fire off another shot at the four-armed foe, but Celia stepped in his way just then and he was forced to pull his hand just as the trigger mechanism went off! Shards of stone shattered uselessly as he sought cover once more...

Pistol Attack!: Vyktor Rosewylde rolled 11 to miss!
Cunning Action: Hide - seeking cover!
*sigh* lather, rinse, repeat

Chokahr sniggered as the sword grazed his flesh.

"I'm just getting started, meat-bag."

With a snarl of fury, he struck true once again, his hammer crunching skin and bone with implacable determination.


09:12, Today: Chokahr rolled 10 using 1d8+5.  Warhammer damage.
09:12, Today: Chokahr rolled 19 using 2d20+5, dropping the lowest dice only.  Reckless attack.
Same deal as before.

Jun decimates her shadow assailant.

Chokahr leaves a mighty wound on the leader, but the skin quickly heals as the towering figure swings both weapons at Chokahr. The sword hits, despite Chokahr's tail trying to block (take 7).

Victor finds there is no where to hide, he can barely run in the murky water, he dodges the shadow as it comes for him. (gave your enemy disadvantage)

Ceila's shadow misses her.

Chokahr's shadow moves to attack Jun and misses.

ROUND 3
AC16 HP-5
cult shadows ac14:
1:vyk
2:jun dead
3:ceila hp-15
4: jun
--

10:29, Today: DM rolled 3 using 1d8.  chokahr reaction.

10:29, Today: DM rolled 11 using 1d20+8.  leader atk 2.

10:29, Today: DM rolled 22 using 1d20+8.  leader atk chokahr1.

Ceila continued to press her attack on the leader.  The shadows were ultimately distractions; they needed to press the advantage that they had.  Her blow struck again, and again she channeled divine power into the attack!

A 17 hits thanks to the Oath; damage is 11 stabbity and 8 Radiant.

The shadow dissipated with Jun’s exact slashes! When Chokahr’s shadow attacked, Jun retaliated with another slash of her new short sword! The silvered blade gleamed as it struck. However, her follow up attack missed.

OOC:

16:24, Today: Jun Jia rolled 4 using 1d6+3.  Silver Short Sword damage.
16:20, Today: Jun Jia rolled 9 using 1d20+5.  Unarmed Strike with Silvered Strike.
16:20, Today: Jun Jia rolled 23 using 1d20+5.  Unarmed Strike with Silvered Sword.

The thing hit hard, almost as hard as Chokahr himself - but the barbarian's wound did not close that fast. DIaling his assaults back a notch, Chokahr pressed the advantage, synchronizing his strikes with Ceila in an attempt to divide the creature's attention. His blows were consistently precise and heavy, but would that be enough? A thin shadow of a doubt started to spread through the fury in his mind.


10:24, Today: Chokahr rolled 10 using 1d8+5.  Warhammer damage.
10:24, Today: Chokahr rolled 18 using 1d20+5.  Regular attack.
Attacks vs Chokahr no longer have advantage, and there's still some kinky tail action going on.

Vyktor threw aside his cloak now and tried to position himself where he could manage the battle. His prized weapon seemed to be of little effect, but he thought perhaps a change of style might help. He holstered his pistol and stepped to flank the four-armed foe. Chokahr seemed to be very heavy handed, and if he could keep the foe from hitting the barbarian it may well be as much help as anything else.

He lashed out with a vicious-looking whip, smiled as the thorny tendrils lapped around the creature's midsection. He waited an instant before giving it a yank, hoping to give Chokahr or someone else and opening without fear of retaliation.


Free: Item Interact - Holster pistol
Move: Flanking position on 4xGuy
Action: Thorn Whip cantrip - Vyktor Rosewylde rolled 22 to hit for 4 damage, will pull the monster 10' when it tries to attack one of the companions.

(shoot, i forgot to roll adv against chokahr earlier)

Vyktor pulls the Leader toward him...The leader's greataxe gets immediate payback. (Vyk get crit for 14dmg.)

A shadow misses hitting Vyk

A shadow misses hitting Ceila

A shadow hits Jun for 3dmg.

ROUND 4
Leader AC16 HP-33 radiated
cult shadows ac14:
1:vyk
2:jun dead
3:ceila hp-15
4: jun hp-4
--

15:24, Today: DM rolled 16 using 1d20+4.  shadow atk jun.

15:24, Today: DM rolled 15 using 1d20+4.  shadow atk ceila.

15:24, Today: DM rolled 10 using 1d20+4.  shadow atk vyk.

15:22, Today: DM rolled 9 using 1d20+8.  leader atk vyktor 2.

15:22, Today: DM rolled 28 using 1d20+8.  leader atk Vyktor 1.

When the shadow struck Jun again, she retaliated by slashing back with her Silvered short sword. She missed, but Jun summoned her Ki for a short burst of speed in a Flurry of Blows!


OOC:

18:40, Today: Jun Jia rolled 8 using 1d6+3.  Damage .
18:39, Today: Jun Jia rolled 4 using 1d6+3.  Damage .
18:39, Today: Jun Jia rolled 24 using 1d20+5.  Silvered sword .
18:38, Today: Jun Jia rolled 9 using 1d20+5.  Silvered sword .
18:37, Today: Jun Jia rolled 16 using 1d20+5.  Silvered Sword.
18:37, Today: Jun Jia rolled 7 using 1d20+5.  Silvered Sword.

I would only get the Flurry after my 1st attack.

 
This message was last edited by the player at 23:05, Wed 14 Apr 2021.

"That was the wrong enemy, monster," said Ceila, thrusting again.  "FACE ME!"

Her blade struck truly, guided by her oath; radiant power exploded as she struck, although it had often been stronger in the past-- perhaps this dark place hindered her magic.

Rapier hits again; Smiting again.  12 stab and 4 glow damage.

Vyktor grunted with pain at the blow. A few inches closer and it would have been an exile ender... and not in a happy-ever-after sort of way! He quickly recovered, dance-stepped away from the monster, and prepared to lash out once more to defend his companions!

Bonus: Cunning Action - Disengage
Move: Circle away from 4xGuy max 30'
Action: Ready Thorn Whip Attack
  Trigger: 4xGuy attacks an ally or myself - Vyktor Rosewylde rolled 21 to hit for 4 damage (magical), pull 10' away from person it was attacking, with the intent to stymie the attack.

Vyktor's action was brave, perhaps the first hint of bravery he'd seen in the man. Well, if they didn't manage to bring down the four-armed monstrosity fast, that first flash of glory would be his last. With a bellowing roar, Chokahr closed the distance to the monster in a powerful leap and struck, determined to make every blow count.

THe hammer broke a few bones with a satisfying crunch and a spurt of sticky blood.
"Heal that one."

Reckless Assault - attacks against Chokahr have advantage.
Tail - +1d8 AC against the four-armed guy's first attack.
09:03, Today: Chokahr rolled 5 using 1d8.  Critical damage (eventually?...).
09:02, Today: Chokahr rolled 11 using 1d8+5.  Warhammer damage.
09:02, Today: Chokahr rolled 25 using 2d20+5, dropping the lowest dice only.  Reckless attack.
Crit!
This message was last edited by the player at 07:05, Thu 15 Apr 2021.

(OOC: I'm loving our posting rate guys! I'll try to keep up!)

Vyk's shadow moves to attack Chokahr, but is blocked by his tail.
Ceila's shadow hits her for 4dmg.
The leader is pulled by Vyk, but he turns to strike Ceila for 8dmg.

ROUND 5
Leader AC16 HP-73 radiated
cult shadows ac14:
1:chokahr
3:ceila hp-15
4: jun hp-4
--
08:39, Today: DM rolled 9 using 1d20+8.  leader atk 2.

08:39, Today: DM rolled 17 using 1d20+8.  leader atk ceila.

08:38, Today: DM rolled 6 using 1d20+4.  shadow jun.

08:38, Today: DM rolled 18 using 1d20+4.  shadow ceila.

08:37, Today: DM rolled 8 using 1d8.  chokahr reaction.

08:37, Today: DM rolled 19 using 1d20+4.  adv against chokahr.

08:37, Today: DM rolled 16 using 1d20+4.  shadow atk chokahr.

Jun’s ancestors smiled upon their daughter, as they protected her from the shadow’s latest attack. Her sword slashed in a defensive parry. Then, the silvered blade flashed again as she struck the shadow!

OOC:

12:41, Today: Jun Jia rolled 5 using 1d6+3.  Damage .
12:41, Today: Jun Jia rolled 20 using 1d20+5.  Silvered sword .
12:40, Today: Jun Jia rolled 11 using 1d20+5.  Silvered sword .

 

Ceila gritted her teeth against the pain of the injuries, but she would not falter.  She might have used up her magic, but she could still fight, and she struck the robed figure yet again!

19 attack, 12 piercing damage

It was clear to Chokahr that the four-armed leader was clinging to life by a mere thread. He was flailing around without a clear plan, trying to keep whoever drew his attention at bay. At three against one, he was starting to get overwhelmed.

The greatsword struck Celia. Chokahr's assault redoubled as he hammered away with brutish dedication, punctuating each strike with a monosyllabic word.
"Oh... no... you... don't!"

Well, maybe next time, a bit more precision and less brutality would lead to better results. The leader dodged his blows effortlessly.

Reckless Assault - attacks against Chokahr have advantage.
Tail - +1d8 AC against the four-armed guy's first attack.
11:48, Today: Chokahr rolled 8 using 2d20+5, dropping the lowest dice only.  Reckless attack.
omg that roll...

Vyktor could see that his efforts were of benefit, though the strange foe was still able to make contact, painful it appeared, with several of his new companions. He lashed again with it, slashing nicely with the sharp barb, but it didn't look to do much damage... He reached into the top of his boot and pulled out the silver knife he'd found earlier, stabbing with it and wondering as he did so, if it might have any sort of effect!

Action: Thorn Whip cantrip - Vyktor Rosewylde rolled 22 to hit for 1 damage. Will pull foe to keep it at bay...
Bonus: Off-hand Attack with silver knife - Vyktor Rosewylde rolled 16 to hit for 3 damage
Move: Get just out of the way and follow his instincts to let his enemy tire itself out first.

The leader moved his weapons to an X and kneeled before you. From here the top of his head was in line with yours. You can see that beyond his mask is just a skull.

"You are strong. You might stand a chance against the darkness. But you fools are on your own."

Then he begins to turn to smoke and shadow. It is clear you only get one more chance against him.

Meanwhile the shadows continue to try to kill you...it seems that they are absorbing the Leader's energy for stronger strikes! YIKES

The first slices Chokahr's tail off (crit for 14 necrotic. Your tail can grow right back or however you wanna flavor it)

The second stabs straight through Ceila's armor (7 necrotic).

Jun dodges the 3rd.

ROUND 6
Leader AC16 HP-89 radiated BLOODY channeling into the shadows.
cult shadows ac14:
1:chokahr
3:ceila hp-15
4: jun hp-9

---
YIKES

14:22, Today: DM rolled 13 using 1d20+8.  4 atk jun.

14:22, Today: DM rolled 26 using 1d20+8.  3 atk ceila.

14:21, Today: DM rolled 7 using 2d4+4, dropping the lowest dice only.  dmg x2.

14:21, Today: DM rolled 28 using 2d20+8, dropping the lowest dice only.  1 atk chokahr.

The rejuvenation of the shadows angered Jun Jia! Their existence offended the gods and their ancestors with an unnatural mockery of Life. The young Monk redoubled her efforts to end it with slashes of her silvered short sword. She shouted, “Sile! Qi su ba!”


OOC:

00:57, Today: Jun Jia rolled 9 using 1d6+3.  Damage .
00:57, Today: Jun Jia rolled 7 using 1d6+3.  Damage .
00:57, Today: Jun Jia rolled 15 using 1d20+5.  Silvered Sword.
00:56, Today: Jun Jia rolled 20 using 1d20+5.  Silvered Sword.


This message was lightly edited by the player at 05:04, Mon 19 Apr 2021.

Vyktor sensed something different in the way the four-armed foe was acting, and tried to adjust his strategy a bit. Pivoting on his heel, he whirled the whip in a diagonal swinging arc, and brought it to lash the shadow which was harrowing Celia. He followed this up by stepping toward the shadow and, brandishing the silver knife, made an attempt to slash it as well. The attempt found nothing but air however!

"Perhaps I've weakened it a bit more!" he declared as his companions closed in.

Action: Thorn Whip cantrip - Vyktor Rosewylde rolled 14 to hit for 6 damage.
Move: Engage, melee range
Bonus: Off-hand Attack with silver knife - Vyktor Rosewylde rolled 12 to miss!

Standing proudly over the vanishing monster, Chokahr issued a roar of victory. "It takes more than this to throw us down!" His gloating was interrupted by the shadow creature's attack, who cleaved right through his tail. The pain of losing a limb was horrible. Chokahr's knees felt weak, as if all his strength had been stored in that tail and disappeared with it, and a red mist passed before his eyes. But, like a raging gorilla, he pushed himself back up and reacted the the attack with a devastating blow of his own. Meanwhile, the tail grew right back up, ready to deflect another attack.

08:34, Today: Chokahr rolled 8 using 1d8+5.  Warhammer damage.
08:33, Today: Chokahr rolled 18 using 1d20+5.  Regular attack vs shadow.
I could use a Band-Aid.

Injured, or attacked, the vow was the vow, and Ceila attempted to finish the shadowy figure, stabbing again at it.  But now it was too fast...

15 misses

Jun puts the finishing blow on the Leader before he completely dissolves, and while the others try to finish off the shadows there is a dark POP.

You cannot hear anything as you see the soundwaves reverberate off the water, off the polished stone, off the altar

All is dark. Nothing attacks you, so perhaps the shadows are gone?

There is a bit of light coming from a hole in the wall to the south.

"...we seem to be done here," said Ceila.  "Let's get into the light.  There's little enough of it in this cursed place.  And let's get somewhere where we can get a bath.  I want the stink of the dead off of me."

“Yes,” Jun Jia said with a slow nod. “If that light leads us out, I would also gladly be done with this evil house.” She glanced at Vyktor. “Do you need assistance?”

Vyktor looked a bit surprised at the question, his face showing a struggle between being offended and amused. "No milady, I'm fine. Our large friend there may need a bit of assistance however..."

"You alright Chokahr?"

He took a quick look around the chamber as the others prepared to leave. He hated to leave anything of significant value behind.

As the shadows disappeared and silence returned, Chokahr dropped on one knee, panting. He spat a glob of blood of the floor, blinked, and slowly cleaned out the bloody hammer's head with the rim of his shirt, his gaze hazy and unsteady. His body shook slightly from adrenalin withdrawal.

As Vyktor asked about his well-being, the large bloke looked up slowly. His eyes focused on the gunslinger, and he took a deep breath and nodded. "I'm alive. Four-Arms isn't. Good enough." Standing up with a wince of pain, he slid the warhammer into his belt loop and pressed against his chest to quell the bleeding from the sword wound.

"Let's go somewhere safe and have a rest. Think we all earned it."
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 06:36, Tue 20 Apr 2021.

There are some things of interest perhaps: chains, a bloody altar, maybe something under the water that you have yet to discover.

The gate to the north is still open, you could continue to explore these dark chambers.

A hole in the wall to the south has a bit of natural light further down its tunnel

“There are other treasures to discover, Vyktor.” Jun gently tugged on Vyktor’s arm. “Not in this wretched house of sorrows. Let us leave while we still may.” She gestured toward the light at the southern wall.

"Yes," said Ceila.  "Let's go.  Surely there are better places, and we should try and learn what the nature of the things we've found is."

"Gimme an instant," Chokahr groaned between his teeth. He put down his backpack, pulled out a small bottle of thick glass, and removed his bloodstained shirt. Uncorking the bottle with his teeth, he took a short swig, then poured a clear liquid onto the sword wound, grinding his teeth as the sharp-smelling ointment touched the damaged flesh.

"Last drop of Father's special brew" he said in a joking tone. "Cleans the flesh and lifts the spirit. Alright, that's better. Now hold on... what's with this altar?"

Jumping effortlessly across the water, the barbarian approached the chains and the bloodstained stone slab in order to examine them.

The chains were enough to hold three or four sacrifices at once for the cult of an unknown dark power to commit the darkest crimes into. The carvings on the altar depicts more chains and a circular obelisk and a skull with tentacles and all manner of madness.

There doesn’t seem to be any way of interacting with it, you sorta killed the cult guys.

"The mansion above is probably as safe as anywhere else now that we've put the spirits to rest and ended the cult... I've the deed in my pouch. I say we claim it as our own, use it as a place of refuge."

Jun Jia shook her head. “We have not searched all the catacombs. We do not know for certain that we have eliminated all undead.” She pointed toward northern corridor that remained unexplored.

“If we move in so carelessly, how do know that other horrors left behind by the cult won’t trouble us? Furthermore, will the house even survive the destruction of the spirits that powered it?”

"Only one way to find out..." he said, pointing with his chin in the direction of the northern hall. "Or we can go back upstairs and block the entrance, post a watch, and rest up before we continue our exploration. I'm unaware of being in any hurry to be anywhere else... though a bit of hot food certainly does sound appealing. I wonder what time of day it's getting to be..."

It seemed like it had been an hour or an eternity that they'd been exploring the creepy estate; Vyktor had lost all track of time.

"Well, best to make sure that nothing eats us in our sleep," said Ceila.

"Nothing here," Chokahr concluded, jumping back across the water. "Let's go clean off whatever's left in this underground. As you say, Light-Maiden, the less things left to surprise us, the better."

"Hey, see that light?" he asked suddenly, pointing at the crumbled section of the south wall. Still careful to avoid the water as best as he could, the large man made his way around the room to examine the source of the natural light.

South
Debris had formerly covered this tunnel, but it’s clear now that 300 feet away was a ladder going up. Into. Light.

North
Or you can explore the catacombs.

“Ceila, you are not motivated by lust for money or violence. I will defer to your sensible judgment.”

"...I'd rather go into the light," Ceila said.  "We have defeated a great darkness.  We should learn more about where we are.  I fear there will be more than enough evil to fight; best that we make ourselves as ready to fight it as we can.  The struggle against evil is a war, and that means doing what is needed to win."

“Upon second thought, I realize that we risk leaving evils that could further trouble the world. Perhaps in this case, Chokhar is right? We could say truthfully that we eradicated the evil in this place if we leave no corner unexplored.” Jun held the bone knife she’d procured. “I sense that this knife could be effective against any living threats we might encounter.”

Chokahr listened to the conversation, scratching his head and rubbing his chest where the sword wound used to be. He was hungry again, which was definitely a good sign. One that would need to be adressed.
"Well you know, this tunnel ain't going anywhere. Might as well check the rest of the house in case we missed something important. Can't be much longer, I feel like we've seen miles of corridors already."

"...well, if you're determined," said Ceila.  "I won't argue the point, but we must be careful."

“Dear Ceila, I, too, would rather leave. However, we cannot risk leaving any evil here to further plague the innocent.” Jun Jia smiled at the intrepid Paladin. “Shall we extend our arrangement of watching one another’s back?”

Vyktor was already headed back to the north, his determination hardly daunted by the reluctance of the rest of the group. "Stay sharp, the cultists may have left surprises for people like us."

He proceeded to lead the way, slowly and carefully, for there was, currently, little need for haste. After a few steps, he paused, surprised to find his hand on the dagger he'd found instead of his rapier.


OOC: Gulp... rat-skull dagger, gulp.

Back into the museum and its empty display coffers. There are the stairs and also a passage west and then south.

Chokahr pointed towards the south passage. He seemed full of youthful energy, as if the ordeals from the fight had heightened his spirits instead of dampening them.

"This way. We haven't explored this part of the catacombs yet."

To 36!

"...be careful.  Don't sell your lives cheaply," said Ceila, moving to the lead, sword drawn and shield raised.

Jun Jia quietly walked behind Ceila. She carried a torch this time, so they could see in the catacombs. “Ceila, can you sense the presence of the undead?”

Ceila attempted to sense such forces in the area.

Ceila detects nothing.

The cultists shackled prisoners to the back walls of alcoves here. The prisoners are long gone, but the rusty shackles remain.

Hanging on the back wall of the cell marked X on the map is a human skeleton clad in a tattered black robe.  Characters who search the skeleton find a gold ring (worth 25 gp) on one of its bony fingers.

Vyktor wondered who the prisoners had been and why they had been captured by the cultists. It was another part of the mystery of the mansion that might never come to light. He glanced at the ring someone had discovered to see if there were any inscriptions or markings that might reveal a clue to the corpse's past...

"Such evil. Thriving in darkness and obscurity. Not enough days in my life to avenge it all..." Vyktor said with a note of melancholy in his voice.

He took a pair of the rusty shackles and stowed them away. "If we ever cross paths with any who associate with such vile evil, these may come in handy..." He muttered by way of explanation to anyone who might question the action.

Jun Jia nodded grimly, being of one mind with Vyktor on that first point. “Yes. The lord and lady of this house cultivated a great evil. May their victims find serenity with their ancestors as we cleanse this wretched place.”

The place is plenty dirty, with no mop or broom to be found.

“Let us all thank our ancestors that we are here solely to eradicate an evil, rather than as scullery maids to clean this decrepit mess.”
This message was last edited by the player at 03:28, Wed 28 Apr 2021.

"If that is all, we can consider our next move," said Ceila.  "Not the least of which is discovering the purpose of those relics."

"Using what we can and selling the rest to the highest bidder sounds just fine to me." Chokahr leaned quietly against a wall, cleaning his teeth with a bone splinter he had picked from one of the skeletons.
"I have a feeling that if you guys are here to cleanse the evil from this place, you're in for a reaaaaally long day. You know, sometimes you just get to live, and that's good enough," he added with a shrug.

While his companions explorer the room, he opened his bag to take a look at the items taken from the cultists. The devil pendant caught his attention, and he observed it with an appreciative whistle before putting it back on.
"Does that look good on me?"

“No.” Jun Jia turned to Ceila and Vyktor. “Perhaps he is right? The evil could have seeped so deeply into the bones of the house that it ever pumps life into it.” She frowned in confusion. “I feel as though there was one more chamber left, but I am not certain at this point.”

"These catacombs can be sealed off," Vyktor replied still sticking strongly to his desire to claim that which they'd conquered. "Such evil should be thrust away anyway."

He sighed and then pointed in the direction of the stairs. "There were some other rooms in the level above that we passed by. Perhaps there is something of value or import to be found up there. I hope no one ever sees these lower chambers again..."

He led the way back upstairs, remembering the pit they'd had to cross.

"Well, best to not leave it behind at this stage," shrugged Ceiila.

Returning upstairs you decide to go east rather than north with the spike pit.

You come to a four way intersect. (29)

At the Xs you see cultists trapped in the walls. Beyond their cult masks you see only horrified eyes that watch you as you pass, but they are unable to move.

Although Jun Jia knew about their awful crimes, she still couldn’t help but feel pity for their fate. Trapped within the walls of a home that housed a malevolent force. She looked back at one of the cultists. “Let us go left.” Jia didn’t care for the gaze of the wall of entrapped souls.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:03, Thu 29 Apr 2021.

Coughing and laughing, Chokahr patted the pendant, smoke wafting slowly from his mouth, nostirls, and even ears.
"Reminds me of Seven-Frogs' pipe mix. He used to mix all sort of weeds and moss and dried frog skin in it. Made you saw all sorts of pretty colors. Heh."

Chokahr followed the troop, puffing rings of smoke and giggling like a child. He barely stopped while smashing the cultist's heads with his hammer, relieving them from their misery, and kept walking towards the right corridor.

I vote for 31.

"This way, then," said Ceila, and she went with Jun.  If Chokahr was going to be that way, let him do so on his own.

north. 27

This room contains a plain wooden table flanked by long benches. Moldy humanoid bones lie strewn on the dirt floor—the remains of the cult’s vile banquets.

In the middle of the table is a broken wine glass with a human skull sitting inside it. Is the skull small or is the wine glass large? It's hard to tell.

In the middle of the south wall is a darkened alcove (area 28).

The skull turns to look at you by moving its jaw up and down. "Hello. I am thirsty."

Before she left the corridor, she said to Ceila, “I think I understand why the House chose him.” When they entered the room, she took in the foul banquet room. Her nose wrinkled at the pile of bones, and the thought of what befell the people they once were. Again, she couldn’t help but wonder if Chokhar hadn’t necessarily arrived by accident.

For the moment, Jun pushed that thought aside as the skull addressed them. She frowned at the skull, and shrugged. “Many apologies, but I see no water or wine.”

“No. No there is no water or wine. Blood will be fine.”

“Then I am sorry, but you must thirst a little longer.”

Chokahr chuckled. A talking skull that thirsted for blood. While definitely evil, this one was at least amusing. He decided to humor the talking bone. Removing his bloodstained shirt, the burly man gentlytilted the skull backward, wrung the stained cloth over the open mouth and let a drizzle of the red liquid drip in the empty space between the teeth.

"Blood from a victorious battle. The best there is!"

The teeth chatter as the blood splattered into them. After a moment the skull spits up a silver ring (worth 10gp and not magic)

“Thank you for your trouble, mister.”

"Good trade" Chokahr chuckled, snatching the ring. "What's your story, talking head?"

“I am first. The first sacrifice to the whisperer. As the number of victims grew I found myself conscious. More blood please.”

The skull smiles. Or maybe it always looked that way.

Jun arched an eyebrow when the skull coughed up the gold ring. “Does your return to consciousness coincide with the fall of the whisperer, or signal its return?”

“I’ve been around for about a thousand years I suppose. Hard to tell. No clock. No sun. Probably more like two thousand years. Every once in awhile a group like yours makes it this far. Heh. Sometimes they even have wine with them. So I guess the answer is that the whisperer has fallen and has not yet returned.”

"A lonesome existence... would you wish to be taken somewhere more... active?" Vyktor could hardly believe he was speaking with such a macabre object as a thirsting skull, but then again, this entire initial exposure to the life of exile had been a terrible nightmare.

Vyktor looked around the chamber for a bottle that might have somehow survived the cult and its horrific end.

"What happens if you get more blood?" asked Ceila.  She did not trust this skull-- not one bit.

"OHhhhhh I would very much love to come with you. My eyes-heh, well, you know-I have not see anything but this room for millennia. I prefer wine, milady. But blood is wet and my tongue is so dry. What am I talking about? I don't have a tongue. Ha!"

Jun exchanged a look with Ceila and shrugged. A talking skull was hardly the strangest thing she’d ever seen. “What is your name? We should at least know your name if you are to travel with us.”

“I am first. The first sacrifice to the whisperer. As the number of victims grew I found myself conscious. More blood please.”

"Well, First," said Chokahr, picking up the skull with one hand, "if my memory is right, there should be some leftover fresh meat in the dining room. Probably enough to get you your fill of blood."

Laughing at his own idea - a boorish, snorting laugh more suited to a beast than a human - the big man marched on towards the next destination, motioning for his companions to follow.

"Let's wrap this up, folks. Mister First is thirsty!"

“Very well. You accept responsibility for feeding the First Victim.” Jun mentioned it as if speaking to a child about raising a puppy. “Let us indeed be done with this house.”

"Agreed," said Ceila.  "I trust you'll do well caring for the skull."

Chokahr picks up the wine glass, normal size. He picks the tiny skull up out of it and as he does the skull grows to the size of a female skull.

“Hello there.” She says.

You know the way upstairs from here.

So you go the opposite way. Of course. Makes sense. You have to know.

This room is festooned with moldy skeletons that hang from rusty shackles against the walls. A wide alcove in the south wall contains a  wooden statue carved in the likeness of a gaunt dragon man covered in cuts of inverted spirals. Covered in real chains. In his right hand is a smokey orb that looks like it could be removed.

The room has exits in the west and north walls.

Jun Jia noted the feminine nuance in the skull’s voice. She would ask about that later. For the moment, Jun Jia explored in the room.

She looked at the draconic statue with special interest. “A dragon. They are...special to me,” she said to Ceila.

Her eye lingered on the smoking orb, stepping loser to see it.

OOC:

14:14, Today: Jun Jia rolled 16 using 1d20+4.  Perception check .



This message was last edited by the player at 18:20, Tue 04 May 2021.

"I'll remember that," said Ceila.  She waited for Jun to finish her study of the orb.  It might be good to take it, but if it was, in fact, a threat, she'd be ready to defend the monk.

Touching it would probably either result in more knowledge, or more pain.

Jun Jia realized the risk, but they needed knowledge. Her fingertips gingerly brushed the smoky orb.

Chains made of pure shadows leap from the darkness to bind Jun Jia...

Jun make a dex save with advantage thanks to Ceila, dc20 or....well....you wanted knowledge....

Jun Jia swerved, ducked, and dodged the shadowy chains, then disengaging and running toward the exit beyond.

OOC:

18:35, Today: Jun Jia rolled 23 using 1d20+5.  DEX check .


 

You learn nothing. You get nothing.

Jun felt so flustered by the near miss that she fired an Eldritch Blast at the wall, but likely only stirred old bone dust.

OOC:

18:35, Today: Jun Jia rolled 23 using 1d20+5.  DEX check .

Chokahr had found an apple somewhere in his backpack and was munching on it nonchalantly, offering the talking skull a bite, while Jun Jia led her own battles against the dragon-man statue. His expression remained neutral.

"Alright, so this one's dangerous. What's it with you and dragons, by the way? Back home the only relationship we had with the green ones was fleeing fast enough so we don't get eaten or dissolved in a pool of acid."

First munches on the Apple, when it gets to the point where the Apple bits would drop down its throat and into Chokahr‘s hand they just vanish instead.

“Don’t ask me. I don’t know anything about this statue. Maybe it’s the whisperer, I never saw.”

“Then you have never met a Golden dragon.“ Jun Jia pointed to the gold embroidery on her robe. “I wear this to honor the dragon who imparted her power upon me.”
This message was lightly edited by the player at 19:44, Thu 06 May 2021.

"Noted, but I don't know what this dragon is like," said Ceila.  "...you could make another attempt, though, now that you know what to look for.  I think you might be faster than I am."

And that was saying something.

Jia shook her head. “A man’s greed is like a snake that wants to swallow an elephant.” She beckoned the others to follow her. “Leave it. I think that no good will come of that orb.”

Jun Jia's words reached Vyktor as he the former knight was making his own attempt at the orb. His hand paused and he looked over to Chokahr. "Do you still have that bag we found earlier?"

If their large friend would produce the bag, Vyktor would attempt to nudge the orb, carefully and without touching it himself, into it using the tip of the silver dinner knife he'd procured earlier in the evening.

Shrugging, Chokahr pulled out the bag ou of his backpack and tossed it to Vyktor. He himself moved away from the statue and readied his weapon, putting the skull gently down on a ledge.

"I hope you can jump faster than Jun Jia, friend. Any idea who this dragon-guy is, First?"

I'll allow the orb to be put into the bag using the silver knife with no consequences. Smart thinking.

Good luck pulling anything out the bag without touching the orb tho. :D
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:01, Sun 09 May 2021.

Jia shook her head. “No good will come of that orb.” She sighed. “Which chamber must we explore next?”

"Forgive me, but you sound not unlike the Inquisition which banished me here... We shall see. We shall see." Vyktor retorted.

He then shook his head as he walked away and sighed. "Perhaps greed is one of my faults after all...?

Vyktor tied the pouch with the smokey org to his belt and then gave the chamber a final scan for anything they might have missed and then made ready to leave the basement the way they'd come.

After careful inspection of the otherwise empty room yoh find another door at the southwest end, but also a secret door at the north that leads to stairs going up

If Jun Jia heard Vyktor’s quip, her face didn’t show it. She approached the southwest corner. “The door ahead of us.” Then, she opened the door.

Chokahr elbowed Vyktor gently as he passed him.

"Greed is a word the weak use to shame the strong. We earned our reward. THis house tried to kill us, and we will take everything we can as a trophy."

With a wink, the barbarian followed Jun Jia through the door.

Ceila sighed at the bickering and followed.

33

A chandelier is suspended above a table in the middle of the room. Two high-backed chairs flank the table, which has an empty clay jug and two clay flagons atop it. Iron candlesticks stand in two corners, their candles long since melted away.

A small hall leads west:

34

This room contains a large wood-framed bed with a rotted feather mattress, a wardrobe containing several old robes, a pair of iron candlesticks, and an open crate containing thirty torches and a leather sack with fifteen candles inside it. At the foot of the bed is an unlocked wooden footlocker containing some gear and magic items.


A folded cloak of protection, a small wooden coffer (unlocked) containing four potions of healing, a chain shirt, a mess kit, a flask of alchemist’s fire, a bullseye lantern, a set of thieves’ tools, and a spellbook with a yellow leather cover containing the following wizard spells:

1st level: disguise self, identify, mage armor, magic missile, protection from evil and good

2nd level: darkvision, hold person, invisibility, magic weapon

These items were taken from adventurers who were drawn into Barovia, captured, and killed by the cult.

(You're 100% on the house now)

“You saw my weakness against the unliving menaces  of the House, Barbarian. One might also argue that insults are the ready refuge of weak minds.” Jun Jia took one of the healing potions and the flask. She gestured at the others to choose as they would.
This message was lightly edited by the player at 22:30, Tue 11 May 2021.

"Well," said Ceila.  "We've found some useful things, I hope."

She went to examine the gear.  A shame the spellbook was wasted on them.

Chokahr ignored Jun Jia's retort and went to peruse the items superficially.

"Nothing here of great use to me, save for this cloak, maybe. Let's take the whole lot and divide it later on, when we're in a safe place."

"Safe? We've cleared out this mansion, where will we find someplace safer?" Vyktor asked. He didn't dwell in the point. When he had means and opportunity, he'd have the mansion restored and claim it as his own. He nodded at Chokahr's suggestion however.

"That's a point," said Ceila.  "We've cleared the shades from this house.  We can probably rest here in safety.  It's just a start, though-- we must learn what is nearby if we wish to stay here.  Ignoring a threat a hundred yards away could be a fatal mistake."

“How unfortunate that we lost one who could have helped us locate such threats.”

Upstairs to the attic.

Down through the house again.

It is beginning to feel like home.

You take note of the locations of the beds: the master bedroom, the nursemaid's quarters, the guest bedroom, they all seem clean and comfortable. Of course the children's beds in the attic, but those wouldn't do.

You find the food in the kitchen seems fresh, and the chandelier in the dining room flickers candlelight happily onto the blood red curtains.

The front door awaits.

Perhaps the most terrifying thing about the house now is leaving.
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:20, Fri 14 May 2021.

Chokahr helped himself generously to the food in the kitchen and let himself drop into one of the comfortable armchairs - the same one he had been in when he first entered the house, though he did not remember it. Placing First on th table in front of him, he happily fed the talking skull bits of meat , the bloodiest he could find, while resting his feet on the table.

"Well, all's good in the end. We should rest in shifts anyway, you can never be too sure. I don't mind taking the first watch. Me and First have a lot to discuss, probably, heh."

"I'll take midwatch, then," said Ceila.  "Someone must, after all."

“Do we want to spend a night in this house? Is that not inviting the same fate that befell the last party that braved this place?” Jun Jia watched the door as she spoke. “Surely this town has an inn where we could sleep? If not, we could sleep outdoors.”

"Those who lived here previously were involved with the evil cult we mopped up in the caverns beneath this place." He sighed. "Listen, we hardly know each other, we come from different places, but we do seem to work well together. Let's go find a town, an Inn, or... whatever."

He walked over to the front door, pressed his ear against it briefly, and then pulled it open and prepared to step outside.

"Best we learn what we face, yes," said Ceila.  "Sleeping... we'll figure it out."