“Perhaps you did not need that particular lesson as much as he whom I left in the hall?” Jia smiled at Vyktor, softening what may have seemed like a stern countenance. “I meant no offense, Vyktor. The House confounds me also, as I could not even finish a meditation I’d learned before I left the temple.”

Almond-shaped eyes took in the latest room. Her brown eyes swept the area as best she could as she held up her torch. “Vyktor, a question. The House seemingly abducted or consumed two who arrived with us. Do you think it could bar our way if we needed a hasty departure from this wretched place?”


OOC:

04:31, Today: Jun Jia rolled 12 using 1d20+3.  Perception check.


 

The armor is too bent up to be of any use to you. And you wouldn't look good in it anyway.

The South Door:
Dust and cobwebs shroud an elegantly appointed bedroom and an adjoining nursery. Double doors set with panes of stained glass pull open to reveal a balcony overlooking the front of the house.

The bedroom contains a large bed, two end tables, and a wardrobe. Mounted on the wall next to the wardrobe is a full-length mirror with an ornate wooden frame carved to look like ivy and berries.

The nursery contains a crib covered with a hanging black shroud. When characters part the shroud, they see a tightly wrapped, baby-sized bundle lying in the crib.

Jun Jia finds a secret door that leads to a narrow stairwell leading up.

Casting aside the aesthetic considerations he had entertained with the suit of armor, Chokahr entered the room, once again marveling at its elaborate design. The carvings on the mirror's frame looked particularly lifelike, and filled him with a sense of longing for the freedoms of the wild. Having gazed around the room, he approached the baby-sized bundle, sniffing carefully, and prodded the crib, then the bundle with his warhammer.
This message was last edited by the player at 08:06, Wed 10 Mar 2021.

They’d found an elegant bedroom. “Perhaps for the master and mistress of the House?” Once again, a lovely room corrupted by time and the decadence of those that lived within the manor. She admired the wardrobe and the mirror.

Although the crib also caught her eye, Jun Jia noticed something even more interesting. A secret door. “I found a secret passage.”

"Careful with the bundle," said Ceila.  "That's the kind of thing that could be a grave danger..."

She moved to cover Chokahr.  Jun's discovery was certainly important, but if Chokahr was about to get throttled by a dead baby, best to stand by to help him, first.

Oh thank god. The bundle is empty.

This room seems small for the master and madam of a house like this. More than likely it was the nursemaid's room. The wardrobe and end tables are still closed.

Vyktor was relieved to see that there wasn't a tiny corpse wrapped up in the bundle. He tried to distract the dark thoughts swirling in his mind by examining the end-table and the wardrobe, rifling through any contents.

"A moment Jia, before we try your door let's see what secrets the furniture may conceal."


Passive Perception 15, Passive Investigation 14

“Now that I see it, the room looks it belonged to the family nursemaid.” Jia peered into the wardrobe with Vyktor. “Was she also a victim of the family, or a willing servant in their evil deeds?”


OOC:

03:16, Today: Jun Jia rolled 10 using 1d20+3.  Perception check .

"Most likely she helped," Chokahr groaned. "She was certainly a trusted friend, maybe even a relative. Can't imagine they would have given their children to a total stranger, now, would they?" he finished on a slightly jolly tone.

"Alright, let me check that balcony while you finish with the room." Chokahr went to look out, hesitated, then seemed to remember something. Pulling out a length of rope from his still bloody backpack, he attached one end to his waist and the other to the wardrobe's foot.
"In case some evil spirit wants to trick me into jumping or something," he explained, winking. "Won't let the evil spirits win!"

This message was last edited by the player at 08:20, Fri 12 Mar 2021.

"Good," said Ceila.  "Don't.  I used power fighting the armor that I won't have if we fight again too soon..."

She looked around the room as well.

OOC: Passive Perception 13

Inside the wardrobe you find the nursemaid's diary. If you spend time reading it you'll learn of her affair with the master of the house and the baby she bore him. The baby was born premature. She considered offering herself as a ritual sacrifice to save the baby. The outcome is unclear, it seems like she didn't want to go through with it. It's not like Gustav actually loved her, and Elizabeth hated her for the affair. She would just have to deal with losing her son Rahadin.

Once Chokahr finishes saying "I won't let the evil spirits win" he sees a female spectre rise up out of the bed and stare into his soul. She comes up to him and reaches into his chest to grab his heart and squeeze.

---

Chokahr make a con save dc13 or you're paralyzed for 2 rounds.
Spectre ac12 resistant to non-magic
everyone can go and then I will
yes my heart squeeze attack is homebrew, but you're all level 3 so don't cry

Chokahr looked down at the spectral hand burrowing in his chest, chuckled, and smashed his hammer in a backhanded blow through the apparition's face in response.

"Don't go breaking my heart" he snarled with a nasty grin. "You couldn't if you tried."


09:15, Today: Chokahr rolled 24,7 using d20+5,d8+3.  Warhammer attack.

09:14, Today: Chokahr rolled 20 using 1d20+5.  DC 13 Con save.
This message was last edited by the player at 08:19, Fri 12 Mar 2021.

Jun Jia grunted and shook her head at Chokhar’s boasting bringing more disaster upon himself. He resisted the chilling attack and fought back. However, they needed to banish that unholy spirit as quickly as possible.

 The young Monk planted her feet squarely. Her fingers folded into “The Sign of The Horns.” She quickly pressed her extended fingertips together and uttered a chant that she’d learned from a most unusual mentor in the land of Wa.

She felt energy build within herself, both like and unlike her Ki. It rapidly built to a crescendo, and Jun Jia thrust her left hand toward the undead spirit! Jia shouted, “E Er Deli Qi Baozha!“ With those words, Jia unleashed an Eldritch Blast at the specter!

OOC:

03:09, Today: Jun Jia rolled 16 using 1d20+3.  Eldritch Blast.

03:25, Today: Jun Jia rolled 5 using 1d10.  Force damage (if it hits).


This message was last edited by the player at 08:26, Fri 12 Mar 2021.

As the spectre reached for the barbarian's chest, Vyktor's arm streaked outward in a blurring arc. There was a resounding crack as his whip's lash wrapped around the apparition's neck and he yanked her backwards, away from Chokahr!

"Leave him be! Return to your torment!"


Action: Thorn Whip cantrip - Vyktor Rosewylde rolled 15 to hit for 4 damage (magical) and pulls her 10 feet away from Chokahr.

Ceila didn't bother with words, lunging to attack the creature with her blade!

20 to hit, 8 Piercing which is probably halved.

The spectre takes all the magical blows by shrieking in pain, but any blow from a common weapon she seems to shrug at. Then she plunges her hands into Chokahr's rib cage and pulls the breath from him.

10:39, Today: DM rolled 23 using 6d6.  sorry chokahr.
10:39, Today: DM rolled 24 using 1d20+4.


ROUND 2 Spectre AC12 needs 6dmg to die. Good luck.
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:41, Mon 15 Mar 2021.

Chokahr winced visibly and paled from the excruciating pain, but managed to turn an all-out cry into a suppressed whimper.
"Guess... I deserved... that..." he said with great difficulty. "My... turn!"
Again, the bloodied hammer struck true, with a force that would shatter the resolve of any living foe... and hopefully at least mildly inconvenience this one.

18:52, Today: Chokahr rolled 24,10 using d20+5,d8+3.  Hammer away!
This message was last edited by the player at 17:54, Mon 15 Mar 2021.

Good enough. She dead.

Now what?

Chokahr spat down a gob of blood and leaned against the nearest wall, knees shaking slightly. He rummaged in his pocket, fishing out the enchanted berry gifted by... whom exactly? He could barely recall. Nevermind. The fruit tasted tart and slightly moldy, but did its job nonetheless. A rather symbolic effect, but any progress was good to take.

"Now... where was I? Ah yes, the balcony," he groaned, resuming his interrupted securing operation.

+1 HP!
This message was last edited by the player at 18:16, Mon 15 Mar 2021.

"Chokahr, let me heal you," said Ceila.  "You're badly hurt, and you need your strength."

She advanced on him with the intent to heal.

And give him the full 15 HP back from Laying On Hands; he needs it.

The bed here seems like it would be comfortable.

“Please don’t anger any other house spirits,” Jun Jia said with pronounced caution to Chokhar. She nodded at Ceila’s choice. Turning around to Vyktor, she said, “I will look through the room one more time for clues or anything else of interest.”

Jia walked to the crib. Her fingers gingerly touched the sheets, taking care NOT to disturb the bundle. Her fingertips softly brushed the covers and inside perimeter for any telltale lumps. She bent low and peeked under the crib.

Then, the Monk approached the bed. She stared at the spot where the specter arose from its fitful slumber. Apprehensively, she peeked underneath the bed, as if a little uncertain whether or not something would look back.

If Jia found nothing, she would check the adjoining bath.

OOC:
16:53, Today: Jun Jia rolled 15 using 1d20+3.  Another Perception check.

Jun Jia finds a secret door that leads up into the attic. The cobwebs are thick, the dust is hazy. The smell is...actually quite neutral. Doesn't really smell like anything.

Vyktor was about to attack the spectre once more, but the ferocity of their newest companion seemed to have dissipated the thing entirely. "Nicely done," he observed.

"Before we go there," he said to Jia, pointing toward the door, "let's finish having a look around this floor of the mansion. I dislike the feeling of the unknown at my back..."

He looked around for wherever was left to explore before they took Jia's secret door...

As he passed by Chokahr, he gave the large man his own berry which he found still in his hand. "Looks like you could use an entire bushel of these..."
This message was last edited by the player at 17:03, Wed 17 Mar 2021.

Not one to refuse an offering of food, Chokahr nodded approvingly and popped the tart berry in his mouth. He was feeling quite euphoric after the recent victory, even humming quietly to himself as he searched the room with his companions. As Jun Jia discover the hidden passage, the big man hurried forward.

"Ah, something of note! Let me go first, I feel like I could take on a whole army if needed!"

Deeds followed words, and the barbarian boldly engaged in the narrow passage.