Thunder999
 OOC Thread 
 Now with a Dice Thread 
 
 Spoiler: A warning and popular nursery rhyme in Otari 
 When the fog is creeping,
And the moon is low;
When the town is sleeping,
Gauntlight starts to glow!
That’s when she arises
For her midnight lunch.
Naughty kids are prizes
For her teeth to crunch.
But if you obey me,
And obey the rules;
You’re safe from Belcorra;
She just eats the fools! 
 


Earlier today Wrin Sivinxi reached out to each of you, claiming she saw a strange glow atop the Gauntlight, and while at the time none of you could see anything, she was insistent that you investigate.

That's how you found yourselves on this overgrown trail a half hour from town.
Not much is initially visible through the cloying mists of the Fogfen, though the chorus of croaking frogs, buzzing mosquitos and sloshing water is ever present.
As you drew closer the mists part and the shadow of the ruins looms above you, a sprawling ruin of stone and wood squats atop an island in the soggy marsh. The upper floors have largely collapsed, leaving only the stone walls of the ground floor intact. Above these ruins towers an out‑of‑place monument a colossal lighthouse whose painted walls and iron‑cased crown have resisted the corrosive effects of the surrounding swamp.
In the dark of evening an eerie blue glow can just be made out atop that lighthouse, your friend was right.

 
 Spoiler: Map, you start at the very bottom 
 
 
Infernally Clay
      
     Sachiko Kaminaga    
   Kitsune Thief Rogue 
 AC:  18  | HP:  16/16
 Fortitude:  +3  | Reflex:  +9  | Will:  +6  | Perception:  +6
 Hero Points:  1/1
 Active Effects:  None
 Conditions:   None   
 
  

"Quiet now," Sachi says to the others, "Let's not draw too much attention to ourselves before we know the attention of whom or what we might be drawing."

She then approaches the large double doors.
Zero Prime
      
     Khaza'dun, High-helm Exile    
   AC:  17  | HP:  23  | Current:  23  | Hero Points:  1
 Fortitude:  +8  | Reflex:  +6  | Will:  +5  | Perception:  +7
 Active Effects:   None.
 Conditions:   None.  
 
 
 
  

The stocky dwarf had insisted at being near the front of the group, he didn't want to risk any predators from the Fogfen stalking the group.  Khaza'dun wasn't convinced that Sivinxi's warnings were, in fact, a threat to Otari.  However, given his past in High-helm, he wasn't one to dismiss a threat, especially when delivered by a woman who claimed to read the future in the night sky.

  "Careful child,"   the old dwarf whispered, he crept forward, his maul held parallel to the group, he moved cautiously, staying behind the young rogue.    "Unknown threats lurk and we had best be prepared."    He kept his head on a swivel, swinging back and forth scanning the woods, and the crumbling walls around them.

 
 Spoiler: Out of Character Actions 
 OOC:   Move towards the double doors at the Gatehouse.  Will use the Scouting Activity to give the group +1 circumstance bonus to Initiative.
 
Xihirli
Firtina glanced at Sachi, then her eyes slowly rolled up to the halo floating over her head and glowing.
She remembered Mother Mildred telling her that her light was a gift from Pharasma, showing all the way to their fates as a shining beacon.
She didn’t like having it off.

 "So we want to go in… unnoticed?"  she confirmed, reluctantly willing her halo to flicker out.
CasualViking
      
    Khalendel   
 
 "Quiet and dim would be best" . Khalendel slips into the bushes, crouches down and levels his crossbow at the door.  
 
  

 
   AC:  18 | HP:  15/15 | Perception:[/B] +6 (lowlight) |  Hero Points:  1/1 |  Active Effects:  None |  Conditions:  None 
Bobthewizard
      
     Lera Trask    
   Human Kineticist 
 AC:  18  | HP:  20/20
 Fortitude:  +9  | Reflex:  +6  | Will:  +4  | Perception:  +4
 Hero Points:  1/1
 Active Effects:  Armor in Earth, Gate
 Conditions:   None   
 
  

Lera stays just behind Khaza'dun and Sachiko. They had all done a couple small jobs together for Wrin in the recent past, but nothing that had led to any real danger or violence. It's been enough that she has learned that her companions are reliable and have good-hearts, though.

As she approaches the door, the mud that always drips off of her now seems to rise up and swirl through the air. Not enough to coat the others, but just enough for them to barely notice. They've all seen it before and know this is part of her magic.

  "Let's see what's in here."  
 
 Spoiler: OOC 
channel elements

 
 Spoiler: background 
Lera grew up on a farm on the edges of the Fogfen swamp. She spent her childhood swimming through the mud and detritus of the swamp, eventually becoming one with the filthy water. One day, while she was out playing in the water, a great beast of mud rose up and swallowed her. Inside its mouth, she bit its inner cheek as hard as she could and the creature spit her out. She lay on the boggy ground, covered in slime, for several hours. That was enough to infuse the essence of the creature in her. Over the next few years, she developed the ability to create and mold the mud, earth, and water around her. She spent more time in the swamp, and less time around other people.

She knows that there are even more monstrous things out in the swamp known as Fogfen; she's seen these things through the mist, gliding through the murky water and heaving themselves over sodden bits of land. No one in Otari believes her tales of swamp monsters from the depths. She'll just have to prove to them that there are truly monsters out there, and that they were wrong to doubt her.
 

 
Thunder999
Thw building, once a watchtower is coated in Swaths of mildew and mold, forming green and black smears on the dull stone walls. The doorframes are long since rotted, allowing you to see right through to the other side, a few collapsed chairs lie on the floor amid small heaps of foul‑smelling gray lumps, the stench stinging your nostrils. Thick sheets of dusty cobwebs hang from above, obscuring any view of the ceiling.

Despite the cobwebs, all of you other than Khaza'dun, who perhaps did not look up enough, see a strange network of sodden ropes and planks in the 3ft gap between the cobwebs and the 10ft high ceiling.
Khalandel recognises the foul smelling gray lumps as the excrement of an unpleasant, but cowardly species of Fey known as Mitflits or Mites, perhaps it is they who use those ropes and planks.
So, do you head inside?
Bobthewizard
      
     Lera Trask    
   Human Kineticist 
 AC:  18  | HP:  20/20
 Fortitude:  +9  | Reflex:  +6  | Will:  +4  | Perception:  +4
 Hero Points:  1/1
 Active Effects:  Armor in Earth, Gate
 Conditions:   None   
 
  

Lera sees the cobwebs above. She also sees that the others have looked up except for Khaza'dun. She taps him on the shoulder before he enters and points up, whispering.

  "Up there. Spiders, maybe?"  

But she sees no choice other than to enter. Hopefully when the spiders attack, we at least won't be surprised.
Infernally Clay
[QUOTE=Infernally Clay;25929305]      
     Sachiko Kaminaga    
   Kitsune Thief Rogue 
 AC:  18  | HP:  16/16
 Fortitude:  +3  | Reflex:  +9  | Will:  +6  | Perception:  +6
 Hero Points:  1/1
 Active Effects:  None
 Conditions:   None   
 
  

"Allow me to check the coast is clear first," Sachi says, sneaking inside, "I'll whistle if it's safe to enter."

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Sachiko will take the Sneak action as she enters the building and attempt to Seek any living creatures inside.
Stealth check:  (1d20+7)[ 21 ] 
Perception check: Got a 10 in the OOC
 
Xihirli
Firtina nods to her friend and remains as quiet as possible, staying back and keeping an eye on the webs.

 
 Spoiler 
 I’ll be taking the Seek exploration action.  (1d20+7)[ 27 ] 
 
CasualViking
      
    Khalendel   
 
Khalendel sneaks up to the left side of the door, hiding behind wall.   stealth  - (1d20+5)[ 7 ]  
 
  

 
   AC:  18 | HP:  15/15 |  Perception:  +6 (lowlight) |  Hero Points:  1/1 |  Active Effects:  None |  Conditions:  None 
Thunder999
Sachiko slips in unnoticed, but Khalendel is noticed by the Mitflits.

The shout down from above, in a rather odd squeaky voice, you think they might be trying to do an impression, alas it is in a language none of you understand (Undercommon for the curious) and pretty terrible anyway. When noone follows the suggestions that they couldn't even understand, they shriek in rage.

None of you can see what Mitflit2 does, he's far too sneaky.

Mitflit1 on the other hand hurls a pair of darts at Lera then takes cover on the plank.

 
 Spoiler: Rolls 
 (1d20+8)[ 20 ]  vs AC 18 for  (1d4-1)[ 0 ] 
 (1d20+4)[ 5 ]  vs AC 18 for  (1d4-1)[ 1 ] 
 

 
 Spoiler: Map 
 
 


It's now the entire party's turn, they're only 7ft up, so you can swing at them in melee just fine.
Zero Prime
      
     Khaza'dun, High-helm Exile    
   AC:  17  | HP:  23  | Current:  23  | Hero Points:  1
 Fortitude:  +8  | Reflex:  +6  | Will:  +5  | Perception:  +7
 Active Effects:   None.
 Conditions:   None.  
 
 
 
  

Khaza'dun watched as Sachiko and Lera moved towards the courtyard, however, a sudden, screeching, laughing drew his attention and a barrage of darts clattered against stone and armor as two of them threw darts at Lera before retreating to the sodden boards that hung above the chamber.

  "Ach!  You little blighters!  C'mere 'n feel the weight o' me maul!"    Short, stout legs propelled the dwarven fighter forward, moving towards the center of the chamber, putting the mitflits them all within reach of the veinstone maul.  Then lifting the massive maul over his head he began to swat at the gruesome creatures who flew above his head.

 
 Spoiler: Out of Character Actions 
 OOC:   Action 1:  Stride NW-N-N-N
 Action 2:   Strike #1 M1  (1d20+9)[ 15 ]  vs AC;  (1d12+4)[ 15 ]  blunt damage.
 Action 3:  Strike #2 (-5 MAP) M1 (or M4 if M1 is dead)  (1d20+4)[ 7 ]  vs AC;  (1d12+4)[ 9 ]  blunt damage.

 Reaction:   Attack of Opportunity (if Provoked by Move, Manipulate or Ranged Attack)  (1d20+9)[ 23 ]  vs AC;  (1d12+4)[ 8 ]  blunt damage.
 
Infernally Clay
      
     Sachiko Kaminaga    
   Kitsune Thief Rogue 
 AC:  18  | HP:  16/16
 Fortitude:  +3  | Reflex:  +9  | Will:  +6  | Perception:  +6
 Hero Points:  1/1
 Active Effects:  None
 Conditions:   None   
 
  

Sachi ducks under the first mitflit and attacks the one behind it, taking advantage of the surprise to hopefully deal a decisive blow.

 
 Spoiler 
Move beneath Mitflit4.
 Surprise Attack means creatures who haven't acted yet are considered flat-footed against Sachiko. 
Attack #1 - Rapier vs Mitflit4. To hit:  (1d20+7)[ 14 ] , to damage:  (1d6+4)[ 7 ] , sneak attack damage:  (1d6)[ 4 ]  (11 total)
Attack #2 - Rapier vs Mitflit4. To hit:  (1d20+2)[ 16 ] , to damage:  (1d6+4)[ 9 ] , sneak attack damage:  (1d6)[ 2 ]  (11 total)

If the first attack kills Mitflit4, instead of the second attack move towards M3.
 
Thunder999
Khaza'dun strikes true with his first swing, crushing the creature with a single blow and painting the cobwebs red, his second swing misses, but before the other mitflit can react Sachiko has pierced its heart.

Only one mitflit is still visible, and it's looking decidedly nervous.
Xihirli
Firtina frowns as the blood is spilled and addresses the Mitflit, trying to talk it down.

 "Come down here and speak to us, it would be a shame if more blood had to be spilled. We can protect you if you surrender." 
Just in case though, she swirls her hands and her halo reappears, not over her head but in between her and the Mitflit, forming a thin barrier in front of her.

 
 Spoiler: Actions 

1: Stride forward to get within 10 feet of remaning Mitflit
2: Try and get it to surrender which might be a demoralize check,  (1d20+6)[ 7 ]  if so.
3: Cast Shield to get +1 AC.
 
CasualViking
      
    Khalendel   
 
Khalendel winces as the stick crunches beneath his foot.  "shingles!"  he hisses.  "Useless fool, getting in the way". 

He looks at the last of the small gremlins, trying to suss out what their weakness might be.  *Exploit Weakness vs. M3   eldritch lore  - (1d20+7)[ 26 ]  . He levels his crossbow at it, but holds off on pulling the trigger (**Ready action to shoot if it attacks).
 
 
  

 
   AC:  18 | HP:  15/15 |  Perception:  +6 (lowlight) |  Hero Points:  1/1 |  Active Effects:  None |  Conditions:  None 
 
 Spoiler: Exploit Weakness 
 Standard DC for level. 
 Critical Success  You remember the creature's weaknesses, and as you empower your esoterica, you have a flash of insight that grants even more knowledge about the creature. You learn all of the creature's resistances, weaknesses, and immunities, including the amounts of the resistances and weaknesses and any unusual weaknesses or vulnerabilities, such as what spells will pass through a golem's antimagic. You can exploit either the creature's mortal weakness or personal antithesis (see below). Your unarmed and weapon Strikes against the creature also become magical if they weren't already.  Also , gain knowledge as from a successful Recall Knowledge check (from  Diverse Lore  feat)
 Success  You recall an important fact about the creature, learning its highest weakness (or one of its highest weaknesses, if it has multiple with the same value) but not its other weaknesses, resistances, or immunities. You can exploit either the creature's mortal weakness or personal antithesis. Your unarmed and weapon Strikes against the creature also become magical if they weren't already.  Also , gain knowledge as from a successful Recall Knowledge check (from  Diverse Lore  feat)
 Failure  Failing to recall a salient weakness about the creature, you instead attempt to exploit a more personal vulnerability. You can exploit only the creature's personal antithesis. Your unarmed and weapon Strikes against the creature also become magical if they weren't already.
C ritical Failure  You couldn't remember the right object to use and become distracted while you rummage through your esoterica. You become flat-footed until the beginning of your next turn.
 

 With a gesture and a word of magic, he calls on lightning to strike the other two.  **Electric Arc,  (1d4+4)[ 5 ]  electricity to M1&amp;M4, Basic Reflex 17.   
Bobthewizard
      
     Lera Trask    
   Human Kineticist 
 AC:  18  | HP:  20/20
 Fortitude:  +9  | Reflex:  +6  | Will:  +4  | Perception:  +4
 Hero Points:  1/1
 Active Effects:  Armor in Earth, Gate
 Conditions:   None   
 
  

Lera walks into the room with the others. She is still not sure what these things are, but they are attacking us and need to be eliminated.

  "I guess they aren't spiders. I don't think it's going to surrender."  

She throws a muddy dagger at the last visible mitflit, and then tries to find the hidden one.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Action 1: Move into room (15' north)
Action 2: Elemental Blast at Mitflit #3  (1d20+7)[ 20 ] ,  (1d8)[ 6 ]  bludgeoning
Action 3: Seek Mitflit #2, Perception  (1d20+5)[ 17 ] 
 
Thunder999
Lera's muddy dagger digs into the creature, but leaves it standing.

If flees northwest (Only fighters get AoOs, so its perfectly safe to do so) and disappears from sight.

 
 Spoiler: map 
 
I hope these are OK, I'm just editing map images in paint.net
That line was always there, just not on the map and I forgot to add it.
 
Bobthewizard
      
     Lera Trask    
   Human Kineticist 
 AC:  18  | HP:  20/20
 Fortitude:  +9  | Reflex:  +6  | Will:  +4  | Perception:  +4
 Hero Points:  1/1
 Active Effects:  Armor in Earth, Gate
 Conditions:   None   
 
  
  "Let's see if we can stop them before they warn something more powerful."  

Lera follows after the Mitflit. If she catches up to it she creates a grapefruit-sized rock and throws it at the creature.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Action 1: Stride North 30'
Action 2: Seek Mitflit #2 or #3, Perception  (1d20+5)[ 12 ]  or Balance if she needs to in order to cross the bridge.
Action 3: Elemental Blast at Mitflit #3 (or #2 if that's the only one she sees)  (1d20+7)[ 15 ] ,  (1d8+3)[ 9 ]  bludgeoning
If she doesn't need to Seek or Balance, then change the blast to two actions and add 4 to the damage.
 
Thunder999
The mitflit is in plain view, part way along that vine (the conspicuous straight line), it might not have drawn attention normally, but the fleeing gremlin stands out clearly without cobwebs to hide behind. you are nonetheless rather glad you took the time to look around, as the bridge has been sabotaged and will not support the weight of a medium creature (nor will the vine, though that's not sabotage). The water is only around 5ft deep at the bridge (though deepens further out, so not a very dangerous trap, but it would certainly slow any pursuit.
The mitflit falls to a watery grave as a boulder the size of its head finishes it off.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
I decided to keep your seek action so you'd find the trapped bridge
Sachiko may act, but then it's a monster.
 
Xihirli
Firtina is not far behind and frowns at the death of the mitflit.
 "I hope we don’t have to kill too many more…"  she mutters.
 "Or this might not be worth it." 
Thunder999
Lured by the disturbance a slime coated, tusked frog the size of an orc leaps out from the water and tries to impale the nearest person, Lera, on its tusks

 
 Spoiler: OOC/rolls 
It literally leaps because the water is greater difficult terrain, twice in fact as it was a fair ways out.

Your characters will never learn this, but that Mitflit on the vine dropped a chunk of meat into the water to lure this thing as part of their escape plan, alas they only have a 20ft speed so it was still in blasting range.

 (1d20+12)[ 25 ]  for  (1d8+5)[ 9 ]  piercing damage

If you want to recall knowledge then it's either Nature or Esoteric Lore out of the options you have.
 

 
 Spoiler: MAP 
 
That's as far outside as you can get without triggering the trapped bridge.
 
Bobthewizard
      
     Lera Trask    
   Human Kineticist 
 AC:  18  | HP:  11/20
 Fortitude:  +9  | Reflex:  +6  | Will:  +4  | Perception:  +4
 Hero Points:  1/1
 Active Effects:  Armor in Earth, Gate
 Conditions:   None   
 
  

When she sees the tusked frog jump out of the water the first time, she smiles at her discovery.

  "Ah hah, I knew these things were real!"  

But her curiosity will have to wait as the frog jumps a second time and buries a tusk deep into her thigh. She lashes out with a muddy spear, trying to stab it in the face, immediately followed by a rock sword that slashes at the creature.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Action 1-2: Weapon infusion Blast  (1d20+7)[ 13 ] ,  (1d8+7)[ 9 ]  piercing
Action 3: Weapon Infusion Blast (forceful),  (1d20+3)[ 11 ] ,  (1d8+3)[ 7 ]  slashing
 
Thunder999
The slurk manages to evade both attacks
Xihirli
Firtina takes an odd approach and jumps in the water, wading to get behind the Slurk and prevent its movement. Still keeping her hardened halo in front if her, she tries her best to ribbit in a threatening manner.

 
 Spoiler: Actions 

1: Stride to the adjacent square to the frog, one to the north of it. Come flank with me, friends!
2: Cast Shield to jump all the way to AC 14.
3: I’ll also go for a demoralize at a presumed language barrier penalty.  (1d20+1)[ 13 ] 

Queing Shield Block reaction to reduce any hits I take by 5 damage.
 
Zero Prime
      
     Khaza'dun, High-helm Exile    
   AC:  17  | HP:  23  | Current:  23  | Hero Points:  1
 Fortitude:  +8  | Reflex:  +6  | Will:  +5  | Perception:  +7
 Active Effects:   None.
 Conditions:   None.  
 
 
 
  

The large dwarf watched Lena charge forward as the monstrous tusked, frog looking beast emerged from the brackish slime.    "Stand back lass, let it come to us.  Hold the gate."    A sound, defensive strategy, never give up the advantage.  And then he watched the thrice-blessed Sister of Fates went for a bath in the filthy water, in some exuberant display of foolhardiness.    "And now you've alerted the rest of it's friends,"   Khaza'dun grumbled, hefting his maul, and moved forward to back up Lera, wearily sighing.    "Children,"   he muttered to himself.

 
 Spoiler: Out of Character Actions 
 Action 1:  Stride N-N-E to end up in the corner of the walls, to Lera's SE.
 Action 2 &amp; 3:   Ready an Action to Strike a hostile creature who moves into maul range.   (1d20+9)[ 10 ]  vs AC of triggering creature, for  (1d12+4)[ 12 ]  damage.
 
Infernally Clay
      
     Sachiko Kaminaga    
   Kitsune Thief Rogue 
 AC:  18  | HP:  16/16
 Fortitude:  +3  | Reflex:  +9  | Will:  +6  | Perception:  +6
 Hero Points:  1/1
 Active Effects:  None
 Conditions:   None   
 
  

Sachi merely shrugs at Khaz. "I guess we had best get them out of trouble."

She then moves forward, positioning herself north of Lera, before slashing at the slurk.

 
 Spoiler 
Rapier attack. To hit:  (1d20+7)[ 26 ] , to damage:  (1d6+4)[ 10 ]  piercing damage.
 
CasualViking
      
    Khalendel   
 
Khalendel hustles into the room, and looks at the creature.  "Oh, that's a Slurk. No particular vulnerabilities, but it doesn't like salt" . He pulls the trigger, and a bolt hits the slimy creature with a satisfying  thunk .

 *Move (30', just north of where Sachiko is on the map), *Exploit Weakness (crit success), *Crossbow (AC  25 ,  11  damage with Exploit). 
 
 
  

 
   AC:  18 | HP:  15/15 |  Perception:  +6 (lowlight) |  Hero Points:  1/1 |  Active Effects:  None |  Conditions:  None 
Thunder999
Sachi lands a solid stab on the Slurk, though it proves much sturdier than the Mitflits and remains standing.
Khalendel thinks for a moment and realises he's actually heard a few tales of these creatures, though not within his time in Otari. Slurks are usually found deep underground, while many theorise they are a long forgotten failed attempt and animal husbandry by dwarves, these days they're usually trained by Kobolds as guard-beasta and mounts. It is very unusual to see one here. Their defining feature is their slime in its many forms, they can spray gouts of sticky goo to inhibit its foes (OOC ranged attack for Clumsy 1 and a 5ft speed penalty), spray a vast quantity of slipper slime from their backs that renders the entire area around them slipper and uneven (OOC 3 actions, generates a 5ft radius of uneven ground around the creature) and they're coated in a third slime which both protects them from their own excretions and makes them truly slippery opponents (+2 to fortitude DCs vs grapple and shove). They're weak minded beasts, not particularly agile and very resilient (fort&gt;ref&gt;will)
(You also crit for the recall knowledge DC, nice)
The bolt fizzes a little on impact, and though pained the Slurk still stands.

The Slurk stabs right back at Sachi with its vicious tusks, the first swing misses, but the follow up leaves her bleeding out. This beast is clearly very dangerous.

 
 Spoiler: OOC/Rolls 
 (1d20+12)[ 16 ]  vs AC 18 for  (1d8+5)[ 8 ]  damage to Sachi
 (1d20+7)[ 20 ]  vs AC 18 for  (1d8+5)[ 11 ]  damage to Sachi
 (1d20+2)[ 22 ]  vs AC 18 for  (1d8+5)[ 9 ]  damage to Sachi
This creature has literally nothing that doesn't take MAP (other than the 3 action grease which won't even do anything with it and you in the water already), so stabby stab stab it is, it's stupid (-4 int mod) anyway. So no need for smart tactics.
 
Bobthewizard
      
     Lera Trask    
   Human Kineticist 
 AC:  18  | HP:  11/20
 Fortitude:  +9  | Reflex:  +6  | Will:  +4  | Perception:  +4
 Hero Points:  1/1
 Active Effects:  Armor in Earth, Gate
 Conditions:   None   
 
  

Lera pulls herself away from the tusked creature, letting Khaza get involved in the melee.

  "Let's take this thing out. We need to get Firtina out of the water!"  

Once she is a bit away, she throws a muddy dagger at the Slurk.


 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Ation 1: Step 5' southwest
Action 2-3: Weapon infusion Blast, thrown (rolled in OOC  21  to hit,  14  piercing)
 
Thunder999
Lera lands another solid hit, but the beast still stands.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
That's 35 total damage to the Slurk.
 
CasualViking
      
    Khalendel   
 
 "well STICKS, that's not good" . Khalendel glances over at his wounded comrade. He immediately dismisses the idea of rushing over to help her while the Slurk is still alive. Instead, he puts another two crossbow bolts in the disgusting creature.

 *  Attack  - (1d20+6)[ 18 ] ,   damage  - (1d8+4)[ 7 ]  *  Attack  - (1d20+1)[ 4 ] ,   damage  - (1d8+4)[ 12 ] , *Reload. 
 
 
  

 
   AC:  18 | HP:  15/15 |  Perception:  +6 (lowlight) |  Hero Points:  1/1 |  Active Effects:  None |  Conditions:  None 
Thunder999
With one final bolt the Slurk falls dead.
Sachiko is still bleeding, but no immediate threats present themselves.
The corpse of a kobold is on the northern bank of the pond, unlooted and uneaten.

 
 Spoiler: OOC+Rewards 
Combat is now over, you each get 150xp, if you search the bodies of the mitflits you will find 25 darts and 3 shortswords, all mundane yet functional.
If you search the kobold corpse you'll find 4 gold pieces and an  Owlbear Claw  , (the AP says a Spike Snare but I changed it to a slightly more useful consumable)
 
Xihirli
 "Sachiko, Lera, do you want to take some time to patch up? I could perhaps speed things up, if we are in a rush,"  Firtina offers, leaving the water.
Zero Prime
      
     Khaza'dun, High-helm Exile    
   AC:  17  | HP:  23  | Current:  23  | Hero Points:  1
 Fortitude:  +8  | Reflex:  +6  | Will:  +5  | Perception:  +7
 Active Effects:   None.
 Conditions:   None.  
 
 
 
  

The large dwarf slapped hisforehead as Sachiko, after listening to his admonishment, charged past him, vaulting into the brackish water only to be impaled by the slurks vicious claws, her body falling into the, now, blood red waters.  Thankfully the elf managed to bring the creature down, Khaza-dun charged out, dropped his great maul on the flag stone, charging into the water to grab Sachiko by the armpits and drag her from the water before she drowned.   "Dûm-lakhlûg!"    He swore loudly,  dark-minded fools ,   "Sachiko you reckless child!"    He fumbled, quickly for his healing satchel,   "Not today,"   he said to nobody in particular,   "not like this."    He took but scant seconds, his thick fingered hands moving quickly, checking her vitals, clearing water and mud from her mouth, heaving, as if at a forge, on her chest, before she sputtered and coughed.  Satisfied with something he saw, he turned her on her side, began laying out poultices and dressings, as he worked on her wounds, he looked seriously at the rest of the group.

  "We've a difficult task ahead of us, one made more difficult by recklessness.  Caution and patience are our allies, we move slow, stay vigilant.  If we all leap to the fray without assessing the threat it may be that one or more of us die."    He paused, as he continued to work her wounds, cleaning them of the slurk's foul secretions, and the dirt from the moat waters.    "There's an old dwarven mining song ... it goes something like this,"   his low, deep voice emanated from his throat as he sang, like pick on stone;

   "Stone by stone, like brothers true, in the dark, we find what's due.
Hammer's pace and lantern's glow, together we'll conquer what lies below.
Loyal hearts, like iron strong, stand together, face the wrong.
Patience in the cavern's flow, reaps the treasures that we'll stow.
In the deep, our fate we'll know, together we conquer, together we grow."   
 
 Spoiler: Out of Character Actions 
 Action 1:   Stride to Sachiko
 Action 2 &amp; 3:   Administer First Aid ( 24 , rolled in OOC thread)  Success, Sachiko is now Unconscious &amp; Wounded 1.
 

Khaza'dun will take 10 Minutes to Treat Wounds on Sachiko.  Medicine vs DC 15  (1d20+5)[ 14 ] .  Failure; Sachiko remains Unconscious &amp; Wounded 1, is immune to Khaza's Treat Wounds for 1 hour..
 
Bobthewizard
      
     Lera Trask    
   Human Kineticist 
 AC:  18  | HP:  11/20
 Fortitude:  +9  | Reflex:  +6  | Will:  +4  | Perception:  +4
 Hero Points:  1/1
 Active Effects:  Armor in Earth, Gate
 Conditions:   None   
 
  

Lera stats to move forward to help Khaza drag Sachiko out of the water, but the dwarf appears to have the situation under control, and she doesn't want to get in his way.

As he tends the fallen Kitsune though, she decides that stepping on his toes is the least of their worries right now.

  "I can help."  

She coats her friend's wounds with mud and the wounds start to close. The bleeding stops and Sachiko regains consciousness.

She then does the same to her own wounds.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Ation 1: Ocean's balm on Sachiko for  (1d8)[ 4 ]  HP.
Action 2: Ocean's balm on herself for  (1d8)[ 2 ]  HP.

If we have time, she will repeat every 10 minutes to replenish all HP.
 
CasualViking
      
    Khalendel   
 
 "That was quite a nasty bite you took" . The gangly elf looks over to the healing in progress.  "If this water magic of yours can fully heal her, we should all wait here until it's done" .

Khalendel crosses the stream, then takes up position in the corner on the left side of the double doors, ready to ambush anything coming out the door or around the corner.

Once everyone is good to go, he gestures towards the double doors.
 
 
  

 
   AC:  18 | HP:  15/15 |  Perception:  +6 (lowlight) |  Hero Points:  1/1 |  Active Effects:  None |  Conditions:  None 
Bobthewizard
      
     Lera Trask    
   Human Kineticist 
 AC:  18  | HP:  20/20
 Fortitude:  +9  | Reflex:  +6  | Will:  +4  | Perception:  +4
 Hero Points:  1/1
 Active Effects:  Armor in Earth, Gate
 Conditions:   None   
 
  

Lera continues to try to heal herself and Sachiko, using a combination of healing mud and simple wound care.

  "We will be ready soon."  

Sachiko's wounds bind almost immediately, but Lera's take a few tries to complete, taking her about 20 minutes.

Once she and Sachiko appear ready, she goes over to the bridge to see if there is a way to secure it.

  "Let's see if we can double these planks up to support us. If not, then we'll have to wade through the water."  

She then follows the others to the large room on the other side.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Here's the first hour of rolls, in order

1 hour of Ocean's balm on Sachiko for  (6d8)[ 5 ][ 1 ][ 6 ][ 7 ][ 6 ][ 4 ](29)  HP.
1 hour of Ocean's balm on herself for  (6d8)[ 5 ][ 4 ][ 3 ][ 8 ][ 1 ][ 3 ](24)  HP.

With one DC15 Medicine check each: Sachiko  (1d20+4)[ 24 ]  for  (2d8)[ 2 ][ 5 ](7) 
self:  (1d20+4)[ 13 ]  for  (2d8)[ 6 ][ 7 ](13) 

For Sachiko, 4 from above post plus crit treat wounds gets her to full immediately.
For Lera, 2 above plus the first two 5+4 gets her to full in 20 minutes.
 
Infernally Clay
      
     Sachiko Kaminaga    
   Kitsune Thief Rogue 
 AC:  18  | HP:  16/16
 Fortitude:  +3  | Reflex:  +9  | Will:  +6  | Perception:  +6
 Hero Points:  1/1
 Active Effects:  None
 Conditions:   None   
 
  

"Well that didn't go according to plan!" Sachi laughs, wincing slightly from the pain, "Thank you for your help. I'm just glad it went after me. So where to next?"
Zero Prime
      
     Khaza'dun, High-helm Exile    
   AC:  17  | HP:  23  | Current:  23  | Hero Points:  1
 Fortitude:  +8  | Reflex:  +6  | Will:  +5  | Perception:  +7
 Active Effects:   None.
 Conditions:   None.  
 
 
 
  

Khaza'dun placed a heavy, but surprisingly gentle hand on Sachiko's shoulder,   "Sachiko, I just want you to be careful."    The old dwarf grumbled,   "I've been in Otari going on a decade now, and watched you grow into the woman you are.  And I, for one, would be heart broken if I had to bear news of your death to Morlibint."    He walked towards the edge of the drawbridge, looked back and winked at the young kitsune.

  "I'll toss you lot the rope from the other side."    With that the old dwarf took a running charge towards the decrepit drawbridge before tucking his legs up, sailing through the air, his great maul held over his head, the wind tugging at his beard.  Before his eyes went wide, and he realized he wasn't going to make the last five feet.  With a thunderous splash, he landed waist deep in the brackish, muddy water, his maul held over his head, as he was forced to wade to the other side.

He bent over, near double, and began laughing,   "And here I was chastising the child on caution, only to end up hip deep in filthy water."    He quickly cast his eyes around looking for any movement from under the water, ripples moving towards him, something under the water ...

 
 Spoiler: Out of Character Actions 
 Exploration Activity:   Scout 
 
 Action 1:   Ready Maul
 Action 2 &amp; 3:   Long Jump .   (1d20+7)[ 13 ] .    Splash!  
 
Thunder999
Piles of rotting timbers and loose stones lie in heaps throughout this large, L‑shaped hall. Clumps of moss and tangled vines spill down from gaps in the wooden ceiling above each pile of rubble. Several doors lead out to all sides, most barely clinging to their hinges and frames. Debris completely blocks a wooden stairwell that leads up to a large hole in the ceiling. Here and there, the stone walls bear the scars of fire or damage from an ancient battle.

Examining the area as she moves Lera realises that this is not mundane fire damage, destructive elemental spells were cast here long ago, warping stone, fusing rubble into Fulgurite and creating unnatural burn patterns. in centuries past mages did battle here.

Firtina's searching does not reveal anything.

About halfway into the room Khaza-dun shouts a warning.
4 mitflits and a Giant Maggot are here, it appears they're trying to train the beast, you can't understand what they say, but it's pretty obvious they're setting it on you

 
 Spoiler: MAP 
Standard coordinates of (horizontal, vertical)
 
 

 
 Spoiler: Initiative 
Khaza-dun:  (1d20+8)[ 13 ]  Perception (and gave everyone a +1)
Sachiko:  (1d20+8)[ 23 ]  Stealth (and can use surprise attack on anyone she rolls higher than as a result)
Lera:  (1d20+5)[ 19 ]  Perception
Firtina:  (1d20+8)[ 12 ]  Perception
Khalandel:  (1d20+6)[ 22 ]  Stealth
Mitflit1  (1d20+4)[ 6 ] 
Mitflit2  (1d20+4)[ 21 ] 
Mitflit3  (1d20+4)[ 7 ] 
Mitflit4  (1d20+4)[ 11 ] 
Maggot  (1d20+3)[ 15 ] 
 
Infernally Clay
      
     Sachiko Kaminaga    
   Kitsune Thief Rogue 
 AC:  18  | HP:  16/16
 Fortitude:  +3  | Reflex:  +9  | Will:  +6  | Perception:  +6
 Hero Points:  1/1
 Active Effects:  None
 Conditions:   None   
 
  

"Let's try to spread them out a little." Sachiko says, before unleashing a volley of arrows towards the centre of the group.

 
 Spoiler 
Action #1: Shortbow attack against Mitflit 2. To hit:  (1d20+7)[ 9 ] , to damage:  (1d6)[ 3 ] , plus  (1d6)[ 4 ]  sneak attack damage.

Action #2: Shortbow attack against Mitflit 2. To hit:  (1d20+2)[ 19 ] , to damage:  (1d6)[ 3 ] , plus  (1d6)[ 6 ]  sneak attack damage.

Action #3: Shortbow attack against Mitflit 2. To hit:  (1d20-3)[ -1 ] , to damage:  (1d6)[ 5 ] , plus  (1d6)[ 2 ]  sneak attack damage.

If Mitflit 2 dies to less than three attacks, move attack onto Mitflit 3. If Mitflit 3 dies with one attack remaining, move attack onto Mitflit 1.
 
Thunder999
Sachiko's first arrow goes wide, her seconds lands right between the ribs, and the last misses. The mitflit is just barely hanging on.
CasualViking
      
    Khalendel   
 
Khalendel rummagesthrough a pouch of charms to find the right anathema for the misflits. Then, he shoots #2, and again.
*  Eldritch Lore  - (1d20+7)[ 12 ] , *  Shoot #2  - (1d20+6)[ 26 ] ,   dam  - (1d8+4)[ 6 ] ,   Shoot #2/3  - (1d20+1)[ 4 ] ,   dam  - (1d8+4)[ 5 ]  
 
  

 
   AC:  18 | HP:  15/15 |  Perception:  +6 (lowlight) |  Hero Points:  1/1 |  Active Effects:  None |  Conditions:  None 
Thunder999
 
 Spoiler: OOC note 
I apparently didn't give you the information from your Esoteric Lore last fight, I think I missed it because you didn't attack, sorry. I've given you it all here instead to make up for it.
 

Khalendel recalls his thoughts from last fight on the Mitflits, they're gremlins, one the least forms of fey, they possess a minor weakness to Cold Iron (2 points, so no better than your Personal Antithesis) as you expect of fey, they're also particularly pathetic and self loathing creatures, to the point that they're exceptionally easy to demoralise and manipulate (-4 will DC vs Demoralise, Coerce, Make an Impression and Request), they possess the ability to communicate empathetically with Vermin, as well as the magical ability to speak with them (Can diplomacy vermin and have constant speak with animals effect for vermin). They are quick to anger and hit especially hard against those who've previously harmed them, unless their fear overrides their anger (bonus damage after being hurt unless Frightened).

Khalendal's First shot pierces the creature through the heart, killing it instantly.
Alas his second shot flies wide of any target.

It is now Lera's turn as Mitflit2 is far too dead to fight back.
Bobthewizard
      
     Lera Trask    
   Human Kineticist 
 AC:  18  | HP:  20/20
 Fortitude:  +9  | Reflex:  +6  | Will:  +4  | Perception:  +4
 Hero Points:  1/1
 Active Effects:  Armor in Earth, Gate
 Conditions:   None   
 
  

Lera stays right where she is, trying to keep herself in front of Firtina while not getting in the way of Khaz and Sachiko.

  "I'll stay here."  

She pulls out two more muddy daggers and throws them at the Grub.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Action 1-2: 2 action weapon infusion blast  (1d20+7)[ 12 ] ,  (1d8+7)[ 12 ]  piercing
Action 3: 1 action weapon infusion blast  (1d20+2)[ 15 ] ,  (1d8+3)[ 10 ] 
 
Thunder999
Lera's first daggers just misses the beast, but the second lands a solid hit.

At the urging of its beast slowly drags itself to (5, 12), just north-east of Khaza'dun, then lashes out with its mandibles, they don't do much damage through his armour, but do establish a firm hold.

 
 Spoiler: OOC/rolls 
rolled in OOC, 22 hits and does 3 damage. Khaza'dun is automatically Grabbed, and therefore also Flat Footed and Immobilized.
 


Khaza'dun and Firtina may now act.
Zero Prime
      
     Khaza'dun, High-helm Exile    
   AC:  17  | HP:  23  | Current:  20  | Hero Points:  1
 Fortitude:  +8  | Reflex:  +6  | Will:  +5  | Perception:  +7
 Active Effects:   None.
 Conditions:   Grabbed (Flat footed &amp; Immobilized).  
 
 
 
  

Khaza'dun grunted as the undulating, pallid fleshed maggot made it's way towards him, it's mandibles snagging at his leg.  He grimaced as he felt it's pincers grab hold of flesh, he twisted, bringing his maul down, forcefully, again, and again!    "Get away ya filthy beast!  You 'n yer handlers!"  

With a disgusting, wet-sounding squelch, the broad shouldered dwarf charged across the courtyard to take a swing at one of the disgusting fae creatures with his gore-soaked maul.

 
 Spoiler: Out of Character Actions 
 Exploration Activity:   Scout 
 
 Action 1:   Strike Giant Maggot.  1d20+9  ( 26 )  vs AC ;  (1d12+4)[ 11 ]  Blunt damage.  22  damage if Maggot AC is &lt;=16.
 Action 2:  Strike Giant Maggot (-5 MAP)  (1d20+4)[ 17 ]  vs AC;  (1d12+4)[ 7 ]  Blunt damage.
 Action 3:  Strike Giant Maggot (-10 MAP) 1d20-1  ( 17 )  vs AC; for  (1d12+4)[ 13 ]  Blunt damage.
 
If Maggot dies to the Critical Hit, Khaza'dun will Sudden Charge (Striding &amp; Striking) towards Mitflit 4 with a -5 MAP (use his 2nd strike).
 
Xihirli
Firtina lets loose a swirl of light that rotates around her head. Looking to whichever maggot is threatening her friend, she extends a hand and a piece of the swirling light peels off to fire at the big maggot’s body.

 
 Spoiler: Divine Lance 

I don’t know if we’re using Spirit or Alignment damage, if the latter I’ll use Good damage and take my chances that these things are evil.

Action 1: Activate my Halo! (Cast Light on myself)
Actions 2 and 3: DIVINE LANCE
 (1d20+7)[ 19 ] ;  (1d4+4)[ 5 ]  Good or Spirit damage.
 
Thunder999
Khaza'dun kills the maggot and lands a hit on one of the mitflits.
Before the mitflit can strike back a lance of divine magic from Firtina finishes it off.

Mitflit1 casts a Bane spell, filling Khaza'dun's mind with doubts (-1 status penalty to attack rolls), then throws a dart at him.

Mitflit4 swings away with its sword in a flurry of slashes, one bounces pitifully off his armour, another swings wide, but it gets a minor hit in.

 
 Spoiler: MAP 
The circle is the radius of Bane (which got buffed to 10ft base in remaster)
 
 

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
That's 6 damage to Khaza'dun total, the status penalty to attack rolls lasts until you leave the area, and it won't affect other characters who move in until the Mitflit's second turn

The entire party may act before these two get to fight back.
 
Infernally Clay
      
     Sachiko Kaminaga    
   Kitsune Thief Rogue 
 AC:  18  | HP:  16/16
 Fortitude:  +3  | Reflex:  +9  | Will:  +6  | Perception:  +6
 Hero Points:  1/1
 Active Effects:  None
 Conditions:   None   
 
  

Sachi drops her bow and runs to Khaz's side, pulling out her rapier and attacking the mitflit next to him. "Seems like we aren't the only ones prone to dash into danger!" she laughs.

 
 Spoiler 
Free action: drop Shortbow.
Action #1 - Move to 7,11
Action #2 - Draw Rapier
Action #3 - Attack Mitflit #4. To hit:  (1d20+7)[ 12 ] , to damage:  (1d6+4)[ 6 ] 
 
Bobthewizard
      
     Lera Trask    
   Human Kineticist 
 AC:  18  | HP:  20/20
 Fortitude:  +9  | Reflex:  +6  | Will:  +4  | Perception:  +4
 Hero Points:  1/1
 Active Effects:  Armor in Earth, Gate
 Conditions:   None   
 
  

Lera moves forward behind Khaz, throwing two muddy daggers at the Mitflit that cast Bane on her dwarf friend.

  "We're behind you Khaz. Hang in there."  
 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Action 1: Moves two squares NE
Action 2: 1 action weapon infusion blast  (1d20+7)[ 17 ] ,  (1d8+3)[ 10 ]  piercing
Action 3: 1 action weapon infusion blast  (1d20+2)[ 3 ] ,  (1d8+3)[ 7 ]  piercing
 
Thunder999
Mitflit1 and its Bane are now dead, the first mud dagger slaying it with a single blow. Sachiko's rapier and the second dagger both go wide of number 4 though.
Zero Prime
      
     Khaza'dun, High-helm Exile    
   AC:  19  | HP:  23  | Current:  14  | Hero Points:  1
 Fortitude:  +8  | Reflex:  +6  | Will:  +5  | Perception:  +7
 Active Effects:   None.
 Conditions:   None.  
 
 
 
  

 
 Originally Posted by Sachiko Kaminaga 
  "Seems like we aren't the only ones prone to dash into danger!"  
 

The grizzled old dwarf chuckled,   "Difference is, lass, is I've got a face like an anvil ... scars can't make me any uglier!"  
CasualViking
      
    Khalendel   
 
 "Come now, Master Khaz. Your face is a work of art. Of historical significance. A testament to experience".  The elf casually puts two crossbow bolts in the last misflit, then sets about reloading.

*  attack  - (1d20+6)[ 23 ] ,   damage  - (1d8+4)[ 12 ]  *  attack  - (1d20+1)[ 19 ] ,   damage  - (1d8+4)[ 11 ]  *stow esoterica. 
 
  

 
   AC:  18 | HP:  15/15 |  Perception:  +6 (lowlight) |  Hero Points:  1/1 |  Active Effects:  None |  Conditions:  None 
Thunder999
With the Mitflits dead the room falls quiet, each of the 4 Mitflits had a shortsword and 10 darts, there's nothing else of value in this room.
Zero Prime
      
     Khaza'dun, High-helm Exile    
   AC:  19  | HP:  23  | Current:  22  | Hero Points:  1
 Fortitude:  +8  | Reflex:  +6  | Will:  +5  | Perception:  +7
 Active Effects:   None.
 Conditions:   None.  
 
 
 
  

He thumped Sachiko's shoulder,   "Never trust an elf and honeyed words,"   he cast a look at Khalendel with a broad grin.  He sat down, resting the maul on the ground beside him.  He pulled out a needle and thread, he had taken some damage from the maggot-grub, and the filthy blue-skinned creatures attacks.  Some alcohol to clean the wound, some clumsy stitches, bandages and dressing.  It was an odd picture, the broad shouldered dwarf, needle held between his lips, his thick tongue protruding as he concentrated on the stitching.

Ten minutes later the big dwarf stood up, grabbing his massive maul, and hefting it over his shoulder.    "See?"   He smiled,   "Steadfast as stone."  
 
 Spoiler: Out of Character Actions 
 Exploration Activity:   Treat Wounds   DC 15 
 
 Medicine (+5)   (1d20+5)[ 24 ] 
 
Once the Treat Wounds is complete, Khaza'dun will switch his Exploration activity back to  Scout 
 
Xihirli
Firtina, reluctantly, shuts off her halo so that the sneakier members of the party aren’t lit up.
 "I admit, I underestimated you friend Khaza’dun." 
 
 Spoiler: Action 
Sticking to Search with a +7.
 
Bobthewizard
      
     Lera Trask    
   Human Kineticist 
 AC:  18  | HP:  20/20
 Fortitude:  +9  | Reflex:  +6  | Will:  +4  | Perception:  +4
 Hero Points:  1/1
 Active Effects:  Armor in Earth, Gate
 Conditions:   None   
 
  

Lera waits patiently for Khaz to finish his bandages. She spends her time examining the rubble, the floors, walls and ceiling, looking for any more clues as to what happened here. Once Khaz is ready, she agrees to the suggestion to look into the doors to the southeast.

  "Let's see what's over there."  
 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Exploration: Investigation
 
Zero Prime
      
     Khaza'dun, High-helm Exile    
   AC:  17  | HP:  23  | Current:  22  | Hero Points:  1
 Fortitude:  +8  | Reflex:  +6  | Will:  +5  | Perception:  +7
 Active Effects:   None.
 Conditions:   None.  
 
  Memories of dire warnings given his wife's commander and those self-same warnings falling upon, deaf ears.  Ears unwilling to concede that one's enemies had managed to penetrate beneath the holdings defenses.  The cost, in blood, of the Warden's failings, Khaza'dun's own wife had held her ground until the bitter end, the warden's failings put upon Khaza'dun's broad shoulders and that of his work team ... exile ...

He shook his head,   "No doubt lass, would not be the first, and like not to be the last."    The plane-touched priestess' words had not been meant to carry him back, but it had been some time since he had wielded his maul in another's defense. At Trask's suggestion, the bull-headed dwarf stood up, tested putting his full weight on his short, thick leg.  Satisfied he wandered to where the woman stood,   "Good instincts, let's clear behind us so nothing comes slithering up on us while we're engaged with those damnable blue-skinned fae."   
 
  
 
 Spoiler: Out of Character Actions 
 Exploration Activity:   Scout 
 
 Action 1: 
 Action 2: 
 Action 3: 
 
Thunder999
While waiting for Khaza'dun to finish healing, Firtina notices a small section of wall to the north east where the scorch marks are slightly disjoined, a quick touch reveals the entire section of stone easily slides aside, revealing a small alcove, there's not a lot to see, just a series of grooves on the ground that look to have been scraped clean of their previous contents, with little concern for the floor beneath.
Lera can tell it probably had something to do with magic, but it falls outside her area of expertise. (OOC because it's not covered by the Nature skill). (All at 0,15)
There's nothing of value left, whatever once lay here is long since looted.

Through the door to the southeast: A collapsed wooden staircase in the northeastern corner of this room winds up to a moss‑shrouded hole. The expanse of the Fogfen is visible through a total collapse in a stone wall to the west. A dead frog the size of a horse lies sprawled in this collapse, its back legs bitten off at the hips.

Nothing hostile is visible from the door.

Lera can tell that this frog had its back legs bitten off by a Drake of some sort, though doesn't know what kind.

 
 Spoiler: MAP 
 
 

 
 Spoiler: Secret 
 (1d20+3)[ 16 ]  Swamp Lore vs easier DC
 
Bobthewizard
      
     Lera Trask    
   Human Kineticist 
 AC:  18  | HP:  20/20
 Fortitude:  +9  | Reflex:  +6  | Will:  +4  | Perception:  +4
 Hero Points:  1/1
 Active Effects:  Armor in Earth, Gate
 Conditions:   None   
 
  

Lera sees the giant frog with its hind legs bitten off and hesitates. She's not excited to run into whatever bit this frog in two, likely some sort of drake.

  "Perhaps we should leave this room alone. Whatever type of drake did this could be close. If we go in, we need to be very careful. If we leave it, we should block the door somehow. Hopefully it's happy eating this frog for a while and doesn't follow us."  
 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Exploration: Investigation
 
Zero Prime
      
     Khaza'dun, High-helm Exile    
   AC:  17  | HP:  23  | Current:  22  | Hero Points:  1
 Fortitude:  +8  | Reflex:  +6  | Will:  +5  | Perception:  +7
 Active Effects:   None.
 Conditions:   None.  
 
  The scarred dwarf nodded, his beard rings clinking faintly in the otherwise quiet courtyard, the splayed remains of the giant frog had silenced most casual conversation.  Even Sachiko's normal exuberance had seemed to fade, however, the dwarf advanced cautiously, his maul held loosely in calloused hands.    "Having urged caution, far be it from me to push us towards danger,"   he spoke softly,   "however, when we first approached there was a gatehouse to the east, opposite the chamber we first encountered those blue-skinned buggers."  

He sighed, "  We're here because Madame Sivinxi thought these ruins presented a danger to our home.  If there  is  a danger to Otari, as my ancestors used to say,  'better a steady step than a hasty stumble, but it's the thorough miner who strikes the richest vein.'   I'd prefer if we put eyes on the gatehouse and make sure there isn't anything tied to Wrin's predictions lurking inside."    He then cautiously looked towards the south-eastern door before checking with his companions to see if they wished to proceed. 
 
  
 
 Spoiler: Out of Character Actions 
 Exploration Activity:   Scout 
 
 Action 1: 
 Action 2: 
 Action 3: 
 
Thunder999
High pitched shrieks can be easily heard from within the room, they sound an awful lot like the mitflits you've been slaying.

 
 Spoiler: MAP/OOC 
This where everyone wants to stand?
 
 
Zero Prime
      
     Khaza'dun, High-helm Exile    
   AC:  17  | HP:  23  | Current:  22  | Hero Points:  1
 Fortitude:  +8  | Reflex:  +6  | Will:  +5  | Perception:  +7
 Active Effects:   None.
 Conditions:   None.  
 
Given that they heard the sounds of the fae on the other side of the wooden door, the broad chested dwarf looked to his friends,   "Could just slam  Galdurgrim 1  ,"   as he spoke the name he patted the head of the massive maul, hefting over a wide shoulder,   "at the door, crack it open like an egg and let them fae come to us."   
 
  
 
 Spoiler: Out of Character Actions 
 Exploration Activity:   Scout 
 
 Action 1: 
 Action 2: 
 Action 3: 
 

  1    Translated from Dwarven, 'Oath-bound' 
Bobthewizard
      
     Lera Trask    
   Human Kineticist 
 AC:  18  | HP:  20/20
 Fortitude:  +9  | Reflex:  +6  | Will:  +4  | Perception:  +4
 Hero Points:  1/1
 Active Effects:  Armor in Earth, Gate
 Conditions:   None   
 
  

Lera puts a hand up to try to get everyone to stop for a minute. Then she whispers so whatever is behind the door doesn't hear her.

  "Let's wait for the screams to stop. No need to fight the mitflits and whatever ate this frog at the same time. Be prepared for a drake to come out."  
 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Exploration: Investigation
 
Xihirli
Firtina readies her holy symbol and holds her breath trying to follow Lera’s direction as best she can.

 
 Spoiler: Explore 
 I’ll avoid notice with no bonus whatsoever.
 
CasualViking
      
    Khalendel   
 
Khalendel tries to recall what he knows about Drakes. Are they smart? Do they spit acid, fire, something?   Diverse Lore  - (1d20+5)[ 12 ]  
 
  

 
   AC:  18 | HP:  15/15 |  Perception:  +6 (lowlight) |  Hero Points:  1/1 |  Active Effects:  None |  Conditions:  None 
Thunder999
 
 Spoiler: Initiative 
Copied from OOC and put in order.
Mitflit4 (1d20+4)[24]
Lera (1d20+5)[22]
Khalandel (1d20+6)[21] (stealth)
Sachiko (1d20+8)[20] (stealth)
Khaza-dun (1d20+8)[19]
Mitflit1 (1d20+4)[18]
Mitflit2 (1d20+4)[6]
Mitflit5 (1d20+4)[6]
Mitflit3 (1d20+4)[6]
Firtina (1d20+1)[6] (stealth)
 


Khalandel seems unable to recall any details about drakes, though is pretty sure they vary wildly.

The screaming eventually dies down and the party carefully opens the door, revealing a rather damaged room and 5 mitflits.
Almost the entire ceiling of this room has collapsed ,while below, the floor has crumbled into a 10‑foot‑deep sinkhole filled with rubble, mud, and glistening patches of fungus. Evidence of ancient damage—burn scars and acid scorch marks—decorate the walls and much of the rubble.

The mitflits who had previously been arguing are around the edge of the pit, seemingly having recently climbed out.
For the moment none of them have noticed Khalandel or Sachiko, but one of them spotted the rest of you and is unusually quick off the mark.
It immediately hurls a pair of darts towards Khaza'dun before retreating to a better position. The first slips right through a gap in his armour, though does surprisingly little damage thanks to how weak mitflits are.

 
 Spoiler: OOC/Roll 
It was at (11,4) having just climbed out of the pit.
[roll]1d20+8[roll] rolled in OOC 28 for  (1d4-1)[ 1 ] 
and  (1d20+4)[ 15 ]  for  (1d4-1)[ 2 ] 
So 2 damage to Khaz
 

 
 Spoiler: MAP 
 
 


Party (apart from Firtina)'s turns.
Bobthewizard
      
     Lera Trask    
   Human Kineticist 
 AC:  18  | HP:  20/20
 Fortitude:  +9  | Reflex:  +6  | Will:  +4  | Perception:  +4
 Hero Points:  1/1
 Active Effects:  Armor in Earth, Gate
 Conditions:   None   
 
  

Lera is not sure why the mitflits were screaming or if there is something else in here that she is missing, but she knows they are a threat. She moves into the room with the others, throwing her muddy daggers at the southernmost mitflit.

  "Let's take these out too before more crawl out of that pit."  
 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Action 1: move to 10x,2y
Action 2: weapon infused (thrown) elemental blast  (1d20+7)[ 11 ] ,  (1d8+3)[ 7 ]  piercing
Action 2: weapon infused (thrown) elemental blast  (1d20+2)[ 10 ] ,  (1d8+3)[ 11 ]  piercing
 
Thunder999
As Lera walks past the pit there are no more creatures visible in it, just rubble, fungi and perhaps the occasional tiny bug.
Both attacks go wide.
Zero Prime
      
     Khaza'dun, High-helm Exile    
   AC:  17  | HP:  23  | Current:  20 | Hero Points:  1
 Fortitude:  +8  | Reflex:  +6  | Will:  +5  | Perception:  +7
 Active Effects:   None.
 Conditions:   None.  
 
As they moved into the room Khaza'dun grunted in annoyance, more than pain,   "You little blighter!"    He called to the blue skinned fae, before charging across the courtyard, perilously close to the sinkhole, before standing before the horde of fae creatures.  Two Trask's earthen shards flew over his head, rustling his wiry mane of iron-grey hair, hoping Lera's attack would keep them off guard, he came to a halt before the mob of fae, before slamming his maul towards the closest one, hoping to grind his foes to paste. 
 
  
 
 Spoiler: Out of Character Actions 
 Exploration Activity:   Scout 
 
 Action 1 &amp; 2:   Sudden Charge .  Stride Twice to end at (13, 4).  Strike M5 (Maul)  (1d20+9)[ 14 ]  for  (1d12+4)[ 11 ]  blunt damage.
 Action 3:   Strike #2 (-5 MAP)  (1d20+4)[ 15 ]  for  (1d12+4)[ 8 ]  blunt damage.  Strike #2 against M5, unless initial strike killed M5, then 2nd strike vs M4.
 
Thunder999
Khaza'dun's first charging attack just misses, though his follow up lands a decent hi.
Infernally Clay
      
     Sachiko Kaminaga    
   Kitsune Thief Rogue 
 AC:  18  | HP:  16/16
 Fortitude:  +3  | Reflex:  +9  | Will:  +6  | Perception:  +6
 Hero Points:  1/1
 Active Effects:  None
 Conditions:   None   
 
  

"Do these things breed like rabbits or something?" Sachi wondered aloud, "They're  everywhere !"

She then enters the room and skirts the wall before firing off a short volley of arrows at one of the mitflits seemingly taken the most by surprise.

 
 Spoiler 
Action #1 - move to 8,8
Action #2 - Shortbow attack against Mitflit #1. To hit:  (1d20+7)[ 19 ] , to damage:  (1d6)[ 5 ] , plus  (1d6)[ 2 ]  sneak attack damage.
Action #3 - Shortbow attack against Mitflit #2. To hit:  (1d20+2)[ 10 ] , to damage:  (1d6)[ 3 ] , plus  (1d6)[ 4 ]  sneak attack damage.
 
Thunder999
The first arrow hits, taking the Mitflit by surprise, it is not however a lethal blow and the second arrow flies wide.

Mitflits are not especially fast breeders, but live in large colonies. How such a group got here is a mystery to all of you, they certainly weren't here a few years ago, the last time adventurers checked the place out.
CasualViking
      
    Khalendel   
 
From his position in the rubble, Khalendel lets off two bolts, both going over the heads of the misflits. *  Exploit weakness  - (1d20+7)[ 14 ] , *  attack M1  - (1d20+6)[ 10 ] ,   damage  - (1d8+4)[ 10 ] , *  attack M1/M5  - (1d20+1)[ 3 ] ,   damage  - (1d8+4)[ 11 ] .  
 
  

 
   AC:  18 | HP:  15/15 |  Perception:  +6 (lowlight) |  Hero Points:  1/1 |  Active Effects:  None |  Conditions:  None 
Thunder999
Khalandal once more makes use of their cold iron weakness (OOC that's a success, they're level -1 creatures)

Mitflit1 runs angrily towards Sachiko and hurls a pair of darts, anger giving the throws added strength as both hit. (Unless she uses Nimble Dodge, in which case she gracefully evades the second dart)
Mitflit2 follows swiftly behind and while it lacks the rage of its comrade, its second dart hits her in the face.
Mitflit3 casts as Bane spell that Khaza'dun easily shrugs off before hurling a dart in his direction, though the feeble throw goes wide.
Mitflit5 swings its shortsword in a maddened frenzy, but not a single strike actually hits Khaza'dun.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
 Dice rolls now here 
Sachiko takes 2, 2, 1 and 6 damage from 3 hits and a crit, the second hit could be negated by Nimble Dodge if you use it. Either 11 or 9 damage.

Oh and we have  a discord  and I've noticed Xhirli and Infernally Clay aren't on it, so posting the link here.
 

 
 Spoiler: Map 
 
The circle is Bane, 10ft radius from Mitflit3, you don't need to save until its turn.
 


Firtina is up
Xihirli
Firtina enters behind the others and lets her light shine to wipe out the blight from the opposing god-botherer.

 
 Spoiler: Actions 
1: Stride next to Lera.
2-3: Divine Lance Mitflit 3:  (1d20+7)[ 22 ] ;  (1d4+4)[ 8 ] 
 
Thunder999
 
 Spoiler: Initiatives 
New round, so just listing them all to save on scrolling up too much.
Mitflit4 (1d20+4)[24]
Lera (1d20+5)[22]
Khalandel (1d20+6)[21]
Sachiko (1d20+8)[20]
Khaza-dun (1d20+8)[19]
Mitflit1 (1d20+4)[18]
Mitflit2 (1d20+4)[6]
Mitflit5 (1d20+4)[6]
Mitflit3 (1d20+4)[6]
Firtina (1d20+1)[6]
 


Firtina lands a solid with her Divine Lance, the creature screeching in pain and fury as its soul is smote.

Mitflit4 makes two quick swipes at Khaza'dun, but fails to get through his armour, it then Steps backwards. Maybe it has a plan, or maybe it just doesn't want to be the closest thing to that maul.

 
 Spoiler: Map 
 
 

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Mitflit 1 has taken 7 damage from Sachiko, Mitflit 3 has taken 8 damage from Firtina and mitflit 5 has taken 8 from Khaza'dun.
I once more rolled in the dice thread and missed both attacks.
 


Lera, Khalandel, Sachiko, and Khaza-dun may now act.
CasualViking
      
    Khalendel   
 
 "Sticks!" . Khalendel looks on in disgust as his crossbow bolts break against the stone walls. He strides forward over the rubble and speaks a word of magic, summoning a blast of lightning to strike two of the annoying creatures.

*Stride, **Electric Arc, M1 &amp; M2 vbasic reflex DC 17 vs   electricity  - (1d4+4)[ 8 ]  
 
  

 
   AC:  18 | HP:  15/15 |  Perception:  +6 (lowlight) |  Hero Points:  1/1 |  Active Effects:  None |  Conditions:  None 
Bobthewizard
      
     Lera Trask    
   Human Kineticist 
 AC:  18  | HP:  20/20
 Fortitude:  +9  | Reflex:  +6  | Will:  +4  | Perception:  +4
 Hero Points:  1/1
 Active Effects:  Armor in Earth, Gate
 Conditions:   None   
 
  

Lera throws two more daggers at the closest mitflit as she looks north to make sure Sachiko is holding up.

  "Are you ok over there, Sachiko?"  
 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Action 1-2: weapon infused (thrown) 2 action elemental blast  (1d20+7)[ 23 ] ,  (1d8+7)[ 12 ]  piercing
Action 3: weapon infused (thrown) elemental blast  (1d20+2)[ 9 ] ,  (1d8+3)[ 7 ]  piercing
 
Infernally Clay
      
     Sachiko Kaminaga    
   Kitsune Thief Rogue 
 AC:  18  | HP:  7/16
 Fortitude:  +3  | Reflex:  +9  | Will:  +6  | Perception:  +6
 Hero Points:  1/1
 Active Effects:  None
 Conditions:   None   
 
  

Expertly dodging out of the way of one attack but still getting hit by a few others, Sachi is starting to feel the pain. Again. Yet she can't let up. She has to keep pushing forward. "I'll be fine," she replies to Lera with a cheeky grin, "Just keep the other ones off my back, yeah?"

She then closes in on the two Mitflits near her and slashes away.

 
 Spoiler 
Action #1 - Move to 10, 8
Action #2 - Rapier attack against Mitflit #1. To hit  (1d20+7)[ 8 ] , to damage:  (1d6+4)[ 7 ] 
Action #3 - Rapier attack against Mitflit #1, or Mitflit #2 if it is dead. To hit  (1d20+7)[ 19 ] , to damage:  (1d6+4)[ 7 ] 
 
Thunder999
Mitflit1 convulses as electricity arcs through it, falling dead.
Mitflit2 takes the full force of the spell, yet remains standing, dodges Sachiko's first attack, then gets skewered by the second stab.
Lera's first rock-blade finishes Mitflit5 off, though the second goes wide of Mitflit3.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Only Mitflits 3 and 4 yet remain. Mitflit3 is nearly dead, but mitflit4 is untouched.
Mitflit1 succeeded the save, but died anyway because you rolled max damage, mitflit2 failed.
They actually have pretty good reflex saves, they just lack hp.
 
Zero Prime
      
     Khaza'dun, High-helm Exile    
   AC:  17  | HP:  23  | Current:  20 | Hero Points:  1
 Fortitude:  +8  | Reflex:  +6  | Will:  +5  | Perception:  +7
 Active Effects:   None.
 Conditions:   None.  
 
Khaza'dun watched as the blue-skinned fae attacked his companions again,   "You'll pay for that you thrice cursed fae!"    With that exclamation, the broad dwarf moved into position and began to slam his maul towards the fae, one after the other, trying to end the threat before the impulsive Sachiko was critically injured. 
 
  
 
 Spoiler: Out of Character Actions 
 Exploration Activity:   Scout 
 
 Action 1:   [Step NE (14, 5)
 Action 2:   Strike #1 vs M3;  (1d20+9)[ 18 ]  for  (1d12+4)[ 16 ]  blunt damage.
 Action 3:   Strike #2 (-5 MAP) vs M3 (or M4 is M3 is dead)  (1d20+4)[ 23 ]  for  (1d12+4)[ 5 ]  blunt damage.
 
Thunder999
Mitflit3 dies, but mitflit 4, previously untouched, survives.

Firtina has chance to finish it off before it acts though.
Xihirli
Firtina, her eyes straining without her halo to light her way, moves nearer in an attempt to remove the last threat.

 
 Spoiler 

Actions:
Slightly out of range so I'll Stride 15 feet closer
And DIVINE LANCE!  (1d20+7)[ 15 ] ;  (1d4+4)[ 8 ] 
 
Thunder999
Firtina's divine magic lances out, clipping the final mitflit in the arm, with a final screech it drops dead. The room is free of threats, a door to the north connects to the hall where you fought the maggot-trainers, a number of rooms to the north and west of that hallways have yet to be checked.
Sturdy double doors block the walkway to the south, that is also the direction earlier mitflits fled along the vine.

While searching the mitflits bodies (they have the usual complement of darts and shortswords, 23 darts and 5 swords total) a number of fungi similar to those in the pit below are visible, while not valuable or particularly appetising, they're edible.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
The mitflits were harvesting fungi and grubs in the pit, the screeching was them fighting over who gets the tastiest ones
 
Infernally Clay
      
     Sachiko Kaminaga    
   Kitsune Thief Rogue 
 AC:  18  | HP:  7/16
 Fortitude:  +3  | Reflex:  +9  | Will:  +6  | Perception:  +6
 Hero Points:  1/1
 Active Effects:  None
 Conditions:   None   
 
  

Sachi will search the rooms to the north.
Thunder999
You probably want to get healed up before properly exploring, but here's what can be safely found without opening any doors.
At (4,18) the door is present but stuck, you'd need to force it open (athletics).
At (14,17) there's a door just visible through the rubble of the collapsed roof, you could probably get in with a little climbing.
Nothing is noteable about the doors at (9,15) and (0,12) without entering.

 
 Spoiler: map 
 
 
Infernally Clay
      
     Sachiko Kaminaga    
   Kitsune Thief Rogue 
 AC:  18  | HP:  7/16
 Fortitude:  +3  | Reflex:  +9  | Will:  +6  | Perception:  +6
 Hero Points:  1/1
 Active Effects:  None
 Conditions:   None   
 
  

Sachi returns to the group and relays what she found. "There's a door to the north that's stuck really bad. It'll need someone with bigger muscles than mine to break it open," she says patting Kaz on the shoulder and volunteering him, "But there's another door I can probably climb up to after I take a little breather."
Bobthewizard
      
     Lera Trask    
   Human Kineticist 
 AC:  18  | HP:  20/20
 Fortitude:  +9  | Reflex:  +6  | Will:  +4  | Perception:  +4
 Hero Points:  1/1
 Active Effects:  Armor in Earth, Gate
 Conditions:   None   
 
  

Lera goes to Sachiko and applies some mud to her wounds, asking her to rest before she runs off to explore. She offers her help to anyone else who wants it. Once everyone is healed, she tries the sturdy wooden double doors to the southeast.

  "What about these doors? Should we go check out the keep before we explore this main building?"  
 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Ocean's balm until everyone is healed.
 
Thunder999
The double doors to the south open easily, they're not exactly well maintained, but have been frequently used of late.

Behind the doors you see a stone walkway spanning a narrow stretch of swamp water, connecting the ruined keep to a large stone outbuilding. Another set of huge double doors sits at the opposite end. Standing before the southeast door is a seven‑foot‑tall skeleton dressed in armor made of gnarled roots, bones, and rusted metal. The skeleton clenches a rapier in one weathered hand with the weapon’s tip resting on the walkway at the skeleton’s feet.

You're about to react, when you spot the wooden struts and knotted twine holding it in place, this skeleton is not undead. It wouldn't take much to knock it over, though that would be rather loud.

Firtina's keen eyes also note that the rapier propped against a hand has runes on it, probably magic.

 
 Spoiler: If you spend 10 minutes to examine the runes 
It's a +1 Striking Rapier
 
Xihirli
Firtina carefully takes the sword out of the skeleton's grip and lifts it up to give it an experimental swing.
 "Sachiko, any interest?"  She asks, offering the hilt to the rogue.
Bobthewizard
      
     Lera Trask    
   Human Kineticist 
 AC:  18  | HP:  20/20
 Fortitude:  +9  | Reflex:  +6  | Will:  +4  | Perception:  +4
 Hero Points:  1/1
 Active Effects:  Armor in Earth, Gate
 Conditions:   None   
 
  

Lera walks out towards the keep with Firtina. She's hesitant about the skeleton but wants to be there in case Firtina has underestimated the danger in the situation. Her eyes go wide when Firtina reaches for the rapier and pulls it out, but keeps her thoughts otherwise to herself.

  "Let's see what's in this keep."  

She then tries to open the doors to the keep.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
 
Infernally Clay
      
     Sachiko Kaminaga    
   Kitsune Thief Rogue 
 AC:  18  | HP:  7/16
 Fortitude:  +3  | Reflex:  +9  | Will:  +6  | Perception:  +6
 Hero Points:  1/1
 Active Effects:  None
 Conditions:   None   
 
  

Sachi takes the rapier from Firtina, graciously accepting the weapon. She spends ten minutes with the weapon, identifying the runes on it and trying practice swings to familiarise herself with the balance and weight of the blade. In the end she is quite happy with it. She then heads over to Lera to see what's ahead.
Thunder999
You all form up after Sachiko is hander her new weapon and open the double doors revealing the mitflit's throne room.
Splintered framing in the ceiling and floor hint that thin wooden walls once divided this stone building’s interior. With those walls demolished, only a single, large chamber remains. Rubble, swamp vegetation, and mud pile in heaps like foul nests, while a larger stack of rubble, sticks, and bones looks almost, but not quite, like a throne. A flattened mound of sand with a few dozen bits of wood and stone stuck into it covers the floor before the throne.

A mitflit wearing a crown made of bugs and mud sits upon the rickety throne, flanked on each side by mitflits who largely seem occupied by propping the wobbly throne up, a monstrous vermin with six legs and two large feeding appendages easily mistaken for an additional pair of legs sits on the floor in front of him while a maggot lies closer to the doors.

Lera recognises the bug as a Giant Solifugid, a fast and deadly creature more commonly found in deserts, they move fast and rip travelers apart with their claws.

Khaza'dun, Sachiko and Khalandel all recognise the sand as a crude map of Otari.

The Mitflit Boss addresses you in Common, imperiously demanding to know why you're already here to thwart him when he hasn't even started his attack on Otari yet.

How do you respond?

Tense as the situation is, combat has no yet started, though initiative will need to be rolled if you try to do more than talk.

 
 Spoiler: MAP 

 
 
Xihirli
 "There was a strange glow we were asked to investigate,"  Firtina answers honestly and readily.  "We didn't know you were in here, your people just started attacking us as we arrived. While we're here, could we convince you not to attack Otari? What are you hoping to gain if you do that?" 
Infernally Clay
      
     Sachiko Kaminaga    
   Kitsune Thief Rogue 
 AC:  18  | HP:  16/16
 Fortitude:  +3  | Reflex:  +9  | Will:  +6  | Perception:  +6
 Hero Points:  1/1
 Active Effects:  None
 Conditions:   None   
 
  

"Oh so  you're  the one they were spreading news of," Sachi says, putting her thumb against her chin and pretending to remember the detail, "Honestly we had no idea. We have more pressing matters to attend to."

"We were foretold of your planned attack," Sachi lies, "A powerful seer had visions of it and already warned everyone. Militias have been raised, guards have been outfitted... They'll be waiting for you, you know, so if you try to attack Otari you'll only be marching to your doom. You should probably lie low until the next full moon. Let them forget first, you know?"

 
 Spoiler 
Deception check:  (1d20+6)[ 7 ] 
 
Zero Prime
      
     Khaza'dun, High-helm Exile    
   AC:  17  | HP:  23  | Current:  22  | Hero Points:  1
 Fortitude:  +8  | Reflex:  +6  | Will:  +5  | Perception:  +7
 Active Effects:   None.
 Conditions:   None.  
 
Khaza'dun recognized the young kitsune's deception, he shrugged his shoulders, hefting his maul as he did so.    "I'd listen to the lass, if'n you are planning an attack on our home ... I will be wiping your fae guts off of Galdurgrim.  May as well just give up now ..."   
 
  
 
 Spoiler: Out of Character Actions 
 Exploration Activity:   Scout 
 
 Action 1:   Coerce (Intimidation vs Will DC):   (1d20+0)[ 1 ] 
 Action 2: 
 Action 3: 
 
Thunder999
Boss Skrawng screams with rage, insulted at your attempts to trick and coerce him, only he's allowed to do that, and shouts (in undercommon) for his minions to attack.

 
 Spoiler: Initiatives in order 
Firtina [28]
Boss Skrawng [27]
Sachiko [24]
Khalandel [22]
Bite Bite the giant solifugid [12]
Khaza'dun [12]
A Maggot [11]
Mitflit2 [9]
Lera [9]
Mitflit1 [6]
 


Skrawng is fast, but Firtina is faster.
Xihirli
Firtina feels the light in her bursting forward as adrenaline pumps in her ears. Almost without thinking, she lets loose her halo, shining and spinning around her head with golden light, and the shine illuminates Galdurgrim, the dwarf's weapon bearing the light of Firtina's celestial blood and the weight of the blessing of fate itself.
 "He warned you..."  she mutters.

 
 Spoiler: Actions! 
1: Halo's out!
2&amp;3: Magic Weapon on Galdurgrim, it is now a +1 Striking weapon.
 
Thunder999
Boss Skrawng has no idea what you just did, and laughs when he's unharmed by it.

He raises his Blowgun to his lips and a dart shoots out towards Khaza'dun, but it plinks harmlessly off his armour, he then loads another one and fires at Firtina, sensing an easier target, it hits with a minor prick and she easily shrugs off the poison within.

His throne noticeably shudders as he moves around.

 
 Spoiler: OOC Damage 
That's 1 damage to Firtina and no other effects.
 


Sachiko and Khalandel are up next.
Infernally Clay
      
     Sachiko Kaminaga    
   Kitsune Thief Rogue 
 AC:  18  | HP:  16/16
 Fortitude:  +3  | Reflex:  +9  | Will:  +6  | Perception:  +6
 Hero Points:  1/1
 Active Effects:  None
 Conditions:   None   
 
  

"I'll circle around and fire a few arrows," Sachi says to Khaz in perfect Dwarven so prying ears couldn't understand, "And you draw their attention. If we can get on either side of them, surround them, they'll have nowhere to run."

 
 Spoiler 
Action #1 - move to J,I

Action #2 - Shortbow attack against Bite Bite. To hit:  (1d20+7)[ 23 ] , to damage:  (1d6)[ 6 ] 

Action #3 - Shortbow attack against Bite Bite. To hit:  (1d20+2)[ 22 ] , to damage:  (1d6)[ 5 ]  (this one is a crit, so the damage is doubled to 10 and we add another 10 damage from Deadly d10 as stated in the OOC for a total of 20 damage)
 
Thunder999
Sachiko's first arrow is a solid hit, piercing the carapace, and the second is deadly, expertly aimed it goes clean through the beasts's head, killing it instantly.
CasualViking
      
    Khalendel   
 
 "Invasion plans. And a misflit regent. Fascinating. I hope we can take it alive for interrogation" . Khalendel walks into the room, and puts a crossbow bolt into the fleshy mass just above the maggot's disgusting mouth-parts.

*Stride to (F,G) *Exploit weakness (maggot) -  9  *Attack(maggot) -  24 ,   damage  - (1d8+4)[ 9 ] 
 
 Spoiler: If anyone within 10' moves 
]Implement's Interruption to shoot:   attack  - (1d20+6)[ 11 ] ,   dam  - (1d8+2)[ 6 ] ,  +2  against the maggot.

****
Implement's Interruption
[reaction]
Evocation Magical Thaumaturge
Source Dark Archive pg. 41
Trigger The target of your Exploit Vulnerability uses a concentrate, manipulate, or move action, or leaves a square during a move action it's using.
Requirements You're holding your weapon implement and are benefiting from Exploit Vulnerability against a creature. The creature must be within your reach if you're wielding a melee weapon, or within 10 feet if you're wielding a ranged weapon.
Your weapon senses a moment of weakness and guides your hand to strike down a foe. Make a Strike against the triggering creature with your weapon implement. If your attack is a critical hit, you disrupt the triggering action. This Strike doesn't count toward your multiple attack penalty, and your multiple attack penalty doesn't apply to this Strike.
 
 
 
  

 
   AC:  18 | HP:  15/15 |  Perception:  +6 (lowlight) |  Hero Points:  1/1 |  Active Effects:  None |  Conditions:  None 
Thunder999
Khalandel is unable to recall much about maggots, but lands a hit all the same.

Bite Bite is too dead to act, so we're right on to Khaza'dun

 
 Spoiler: MAP 
 
 
Zero Prime
      
     Khaza'dun, High-helm Exile    
   AC:  17  | HP:  23  | Current:  22  | Hero Points:   1  0
 Fortitude:  +8  | Reflex:  +6  | Will:  +5  | Perception:  +7
 Active Effects:   Magic Weapon.
 Conditions:   None.  
 
The sudden change in heft of  Galdurgrim , he looked appreciately towards the Priestess,   "You thank tha' Lady of Graves fer this gift."    As he charged into the middle of the field of combat, to place himself adjacent to the, supposed, leader, he called out,   "n' you can tell her we're about to send her some of these blighters!"    However, despite his bravado, the Lady's gift made the weapon awkward, as if it was suddenly, too heavy, to be properly wielded in the defense of his allies. 
 
  
 
 Spoiler: Out of Character Actions 
 Exploration Activity:   Scout 
 
 Action 1&amp; 2:   Sudden Charge ; Stride E-S-S-E, Stride SE-S-E-E, ending in I,D (putting Maggot, M1 &amp; Boss in AoO range); Strike vs Boss Mitflit   (1d20+10)[ 12 ]   for  [roll]2d12+4[roll]  Blunt.  [rul=https://forums.giantitp.com/showsinglepost.php?p=25941768&amp;postcount=97]Hero Point Re-roll[/url] for  15  vs AC, for  9  damage.
 Action 3:   Strike # 2 vs Boss Mitflit (-5 MAP)  (1d20+5)[ 6 ] , for  (2d12+4)[ 9 ] 
 
Thunder999
The giant maggot attempts to come to its master's aid, Stepping into flanking position and lashing out with its jaws, the first swipe misses, but the second digs deep, fortunately it doesn't manage to grab him this time.
The Mitflit2 rushes to the aid of his boss, eager to put down the dwarf who tried to intimidate them, taking a circtuitous path it comes into a flanking position, two swings of his sword leave Khaza'dun with two new wounds.

 
 Spoiler: MAP 
 
 

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
The maggot inflicted 3 damage, the mitflit hit for 4 and 4, for a total of 11 damage to Khaza'dun
No AoO since hte maggot only had to step and the mitflit came in via (G,C)
 


Khaza'dun is thoroughly surrounded and Lera is up.
Bobthewizard
      
     Lera Trask    
   Human Kineticist 
 AC:  18  | HP:  20/20
 Fortitude:  +9  | Reflex:  +6  | Will:  +4  | Perception:  +4
 Hero Points:  1/1
 Active Effects:  Armor in Earth, Gate
 Conditions:   None   
 
  

Lera thinks this could be trouble. At least the insect thing was dropped quickly. But now Khaz is surrounded. She moves into the room and throws two muddy daggers at the maggot.

  "Khaz, get out of there."  
 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Action 1: move to EE
Action 2: Weapon infused blast, thrown  (1d20+7)[ 25 ] ,  (1d8+3)[ 8 ]  piercing
Action 3: Weapon infused blast, thrown  (1d20+2)[ 9 ] ,  (1d8+3)[ 10 ]  piercing
 
Thunder999
Lera's first dagger hits the maggot in the eye, but the beast is still standing and evades the second.

The other mitflits lays into the flanked Khaza'dun with its sword, the first two swings miss, but the last is a solid hit.

 
 Spoiler: Initiatives in order again 
Firtina [28]
Boss Skrawng [27]
Sachiko [24]
Khalandel [22]
Bite Bite the giant solifugid [12]
Khaza'dun [12]
A Maggot [11]
Mitflit2 [9]
Lera [9]
Mitflit1 [6]
 

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Lera crit for a very solid 16 damage to the Maggot, but it's not quite dead.
5 more damage to Khaza'dun
 


Firtina is up
Xihirli
 "He'll be okay,"  Firtina promises as she shines a bit brighter and her halo duplicates to also shimmer around Khaza'dun. Around the dwarf's head the halo begins rotating counterclockwise as the dwarf's wounds are rewound, bringing him back to his state prior to the bites and sword strikes.
Firtina moves nearer, making sure she can stay close enough to aid.

 
 Spoiler: Actions! 
1&amp;2: 2 action heal on Khaza'dun, patching him up by  (1d8+8)[ 9 ] 
3: Stride to H-H.
 
Thunder999
Boss Skrawng discards his blowpipe, useless at such short range, in favour of giving Khaza'dun a good kicking, all without leaving his throne, which shakes unstably with each movement.
The first kick is dodged with ease, the second comes in as the maggot distracts Khaza'dun, catching him in the back and leaving quite the bruise even through armour, and the final one nearly unseats the Mitflit, going wide.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Second one just hits thanks to Flanking, 7 nonlethal (which is functionally identical to lethal since this isn't the final blow) bludgeoning damage.
This guy doesn't have a shortsword for some reason.
 
CasualViking
      
    Khalendel   
 
 "I see. THAT'S how he got all those scars" .

*Attack(maggot)  (1d20+6)[ 14 ] ,   damage  - (1d8+4)[ 11 ]  **Electric Arc M1+M2, reflex 17 basic save vs   electricity  - (1d4+4)[ 7 ] 
 
 Spoiler: If anyone within 10' moves 
]Implement's Interruption to shoot:   attack  - (1d20+6)[ 24 ] ,   damage  - (1d8+2)[ 3 ]  +2 vs maggot.

****
Implement's Interruption
[reaction]
Evocation Magical Thaumaturge
Source Dark Archive pg. 41
Trigger The target of your Exploit Vulnerability uses a concentrate, manipulate, or move action, or leaves a square during a move action it's using.
Requirements You're holding your weapon implement and are benefiting from Exploit Vulnerability against a creature. The creature must be within your reach if you're wielding a melee weapon, or within 10 feet if you're wielding a ranged weapon.
Your weapon senses a moment of weakness and guides your hand to strike down a foe. Make a Strike against the triggering creature with your weapon implement. If your attack is a critical hit, you disrupt the triggering action. This Strike doesn't count toward your multiple attack penalty, and your multiple attack penalty doesn't apply to this Strike.
 
 
 
  

 
   AC:  18 | HP:  15/15 |  Perception:  +6 (lowlight) |  Hero Points:  1/1 |  Active Effects:  None |  Conditions:  None 
Infernally Clay
      
     Sachiko Kaminaga    
   Kitsune Thief Rogue 
 AC:  18  | HP:  16/16
 Fortitude:  +3  | Reflex:  +9  | Will:  +6  | Perception:  +6
 Hero Points:  1/1
 Active Effects:  None
 Conditions:   None   
 
  

Seeing Khaz has gotten himself surrounded, she laughs "That's not quite what I meant!" before charging forward and impaling the large maggot to give her Dwarven friend some breathing room.

 
 Spoiler 
Drop bow on the ground as a free action.

Action #1 - Draw +1 Striking Rapier.
Action #2 - Move to I, F
Action #3 - Rapier attack against the maggot. To hit:  (1d20+8)[ 27 ] , to damage:  (2d6+4)[ 10 ]  damage, plus  (1d6)[ 6 ]  sneak attack damage.

If this is a crit, the 16 damage becomes 32, plus another 2 from Deadly d8 (as rolled in the OOC).
 
Thunder999
Khalandel's crossbow bolt finishes the maggot off, then electricity arcs between mitflits doing minor damage.
Sachiko sweeps in behind Mitflit1 and skewers it with her new rapier, killing it with a single blow.

Khaza'dun is no longer flanked and it's his turn to fight back.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
The mitflits both succeeded their saves vs electric arc, taking 3 damage, then Sachiko crit one for more than twice its max hp.
 
Zero Prime
      
     Khaza'dun, High-helm Exile    
   AC:  17  | HP:  23  | Current:  7  | Hero Points:   1  0
 Fortitude:  +8  | Reflex:  +6  | Will:  +5  | Perception:  +7
 Active Effects:   Magic Weapon.
 Conditions:   None.  
 
Khaza'dun's blood was hammering in his ears, blood flowed freely down the links of his mail from innumerable wounds inflicted by the fae-blades of these blue skinned creatures.  He looked to Pharasma's devotee, nodded,   "if'n today is my time, least my wife waits fer me on the other side."    He then advanced on the fae, precariously balanced upon a shoddy looking throne.    "'n I am taking one of you with me!"   
 
  
 
 Spoiler: Out of Character Actions 
 Exploration Activity:   Scout 
 
 Action 1:   Strike #1 (Boss Mitflit):  (1d20+10)[ 11 ] , for  (2d12+4)[ 11 ]  damage.
 Action 2:   Strike #2 (Boss Mitflit; -5 MAP):  (1d20+5)[ 24 ] , for  (2d12+4)[ 25 ]  damage.
 Action 2:   Strike #3 (Boss Mitflit; -10 MAP):  (1d20+0)[ 5 ] , for  (2d12+4)[ 15 ]  damage.
 
Thunder999
Khaza'dun's first attack misses, but the second lands and lands hard, Boss Skrawng's skull crumbles beneath its weight as he dies in a single mighty blow. The soul remaining mitflit flees in panic with his boss dead.
Khaza'dun gets to AoO him because he's just sprinting away.
Thunder999
Khaza'dun's hammer lashes out as the mitflit tries to slip past him, finishing it off.

The fight is now over, while this seems to be their throne room, the mitflits apparently owned no treasure, each dead mitflit has the usual 10 darts and a shortsword (20 and 2 total), the boss's crown is worthless mud, he has 8 more darts for his blowpipe, but none of them are poisoned.

This room seems to be a dead end, but you probably saved Otari some trouble in the long run, so not a complete waste of time.
Xihirli
Firtina rushes to Khaza'dun's side and examines his injuries.  "Are you alright? I can... do that again, if you like. Reversing fate a little." 
Infernally Clay
      
     Sachiko Kaminaga    
   Kitsune Thief Rogue 1 
 AC:  18  | HP:  16/16
 Fortitude:  +3  | Reflex:  +9  | Will:  +6  | Perception:  +6
 Hero Points:  1/1
 Active Effects:  None
 Conditions:   None   
 
  

Retrieving her shortbow, Sachi affords herself a chance to relax for a moment while Firtina attends to Khaz's injuries. "So... er... anyone want to guess what  that  was all about?" she chuckles, "I wonder if there's any connection between why we're here and why so many mitflits are... well,  were ."
Bobthewizard
      
     Lera Trask    
   Human Kineticist 
 AC:  18  | HP:  20/20
 Fortitude:  +9  | Reflex:  +6  | Will:  +4  | Perception:  +4
 Hero Points:  1/1
 Active Effects:  Armor in Earth, Gate
 Conditions:   None   
 
  

Lera walks over to Khaz and, if he lets her, lays her hands on his wounds, fresh mud covering the wounds and binding them.

  "Let's see if this helps."  

Then she looks over at the throne that had been moving when the mitflit leader moved. She gives it a kick.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Action 1: move to Khaz
Action 2: Ocean's balm  (1d8)[ 2 ] 
Action 3: kick throne
 
CasualViking
      
    Khalendel   
 
Khalendel walks over to the makeshift map/gameboard and tries to see if there's to learn after all the running back and forth.
 
 
  

 
   AC:  18 | HP:  15/15 |  Perception:  +6 (lowlight) |  Hero Points:  1/1 |  Active Effects:  None |  Conditions:  None 
Thunder999
The throne does in fact collapse when kicked, though this doesn't reveal anything beyond the Mitflits lack of craftsmanship.

The map is pretty trampled, but was probably involved in their planned attack on Otari.
As for why they're here, it's a good question, but not one with any apparent answers.
Zero Prime
      
     Khaza'dun, High-helm Exile    
   AC:  17  | HP:  23  | Current:  9  | Hero Points:  0
 Fortitude:  +8  | Reflex:  +6  | Will:  +5  | Perception:  +7
 Active Effects:   Magic Weapon.
 Conditions:   None.  
 
The big, broad shouldered dwarf looked up at Lera, nodded his thanks.    "'preciate it lass."    He leaned, heavily, on his maul, pushing himself to a standing position.    "If we're gonna continue, I may not be up to another scrap like that."   
 
  
 
 Spoiler: Out of Character Actions 
 Exploration Activity:   Scout 
 
 Action 1: 
 Action 2: 
 Action 2: 
 
Bobthewizard
      
     Lera Trask    
   Human Kineticist 
 AC:  18  | HP:  20/20
 Fortitude:  +9  | Reflex:  +6  | Will:  +4  | Perception:  +4
 Hero Points:  1/1
 Active Effects:  Armor in Earth, Gate
 Conditions:   None   
 
  

After healing Khaz completely, Lera suggests we keep going. We may have stopped the threat of the mitflits, but there is still the mystery of the light to unravel.

  "Let's go back to the main building."  

This time, she suggests we go back through the room with the pit, cross the courtyard to the west, and work our way around clockwise to make sure we don't miss anything.
 
 Spoiler: OOC 
 I suggest we start in the lower left, and work our way around. If anything happens, we can adjust that. But this way we don't have to debate it every time.
 
CasualViking
      
    Khalendel   
 
 "Yesss..." . Khalendel turns to Lera, hesitantly.  "Slight modification, though. I would like a look at that magic circle first" .

 Diverse Lore (+5) for both the frog and the circle. Dubious Knowledge to get one truth and one lie on a failure.  
 
 
  

 
   AC:  18 | HP:  15/15 |  Perception:  +6 (lowlight) |  Hero Points:  1/1 |  Active Effects:  None |  Conditions:  None 
Thunder999
When the group heads to the room with the ruined magic circle Khalandel is unable to recall anything relevant among his eclectic collection of lore, but Sachiko's knowledge of Arcana comes in handy and she realises this was once a permanent Teleportation Circle, though it was irreperably ruined when the room was damage and looters pried the precious metals and gemstones from their places.

Khalandel agrees the frog the was bitten by a drake, but knows no more than Lera did, while noone else is able to learn anything about the drake. You'll never really know for sure, but it occurs to you that this frog might have been the source of the mitflits' poison, which would explain why the drake only took a bite.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
You'd have needed a crit success to get any more info from the frog, which you didn't, I'll post about when you enter the room later.
Nothing in the AP actually says that's where the poison comes from, but it was Spear Frog Poison and the frog is just called a frog.
 
Infernally Clay
      
     Sachiko Kaminaga    
   Kitsune Thief Rogue 1 
 AC:  18  | HP:  16/16
 Fortitude:  +3  | Reflex:  +9  | Will:  +6  | Perception:  +6
 Hero Points:  1/1
 Active Effects:  None
 Conditions:   None   
 
  

"I wonder where the teleportation circle led to," Sachi ponders, "Just another mystery of this strange place for us to unearth, I s'pose. Where to next, then?"
Thunder999
As you return to the frog room, this time entering it as part of your more thorough exploration it at first seems mostly empty. Then Khaza'dun gets a little too close to the frog's corpse and a pair of giant maggots erupt forth

 
 Spoiler: Description of room, repeated from last time 
A collapsed wooden staircase in the northeastern corner of this room winds up to a moss‑shrouded hole. The expanse of the Fogfen is visible through a total collapse in a stone wall to the west. A dead frog the size of a horse lies sprawled in this collapse, its back legs bitten off at the hips.
 

 
 Spoiler: MAP 
 
 

 
 Spoiler: Initiative order 
Khaza-dun (1d20+8)[24]
Sachiko (1d20+8)[22] (stealth)
Firtina (1d20+8)[22]
Lera (1d20+5)[20]
Khalandel (1d20+6)[14] (stealth)
Maggot1 (1d20+3)[10]
Maggot2 (1d20+3)[11]
 


The entire party acts first, Surprise Attack works for Sachiko, but neither she nor Khalandel are actually hidden.
Infernally Clay
      
     Sachiko Kaminaga    
   Kitsune Thief Rogue 1 
 AC:  18  | HP:  16/16
 Fortitude:  +3  | Reflex:  +9  | Will:  +6  | Perception:  +6
 Hero Points:  1/1
 Active Effects:  None
 Conditions:   None   
 
  

"Surround them!" Sachi calls to Khaz as she circles the maggot in front of her and hopes he reaches in front of it before she slashes at it.

 
 Spoiler 
Action #1 - move to -4, 5
Action #2 - Attack maggot with Rapier. To hit:  (1d20+8)[ 20 ] , to damage:  (2d6)[ 3 ]  damage, plus  (1d6)[ 3 ]  sneak attack.
Action #3 - Attack maggot with Rapier. To hit:  (1d20+3)[ 14 ] , to damage:  (2d6)[ 8 ]  damage, plus  (1d6)[ 1 ]  sneak attack.
 
Thunder999
Sachiko slips behind the maggot and quickly skewers it before it can react.
Xihirli
Firtina, seeing one maggot fall, thinks there's a good chance to drop them before they become a problem.
She points at the remaining maggot and light jumps out of her halo to fry it while more light surrounds her to give her a protective barrier.

 
 Spoiler: Actions 
1&amp;2: Divine Lance on the living Maggot  (1d20+7)[ 27 ] ; [roll]1d4[+4[/roll].  8  damage doubled to  16  rolled in the dice thread.
Action 3: Shield.
 
Zero Prime
      
     Khaza'dun, High-helm Exile    
   AC:  17  | HP:  23  | Current:  9  | Hero Points:  0
 Fortitude:  +8  | Reflex:  +6  | Will:  +5  | Perception:  +7
 Active Effects:   Magic Weapon.
 Conditions:   None.  
 
With the creature directly beside him as his companions engaged, Khaza'dun watched with a careful eye.  Sachiko used her new-found rapier to deadly effect, then the Lady of Fate's chosen one lanced an arc of divine energy through the creature.  He nodded grimly, stroking his beard, before he hefted his maul and began to get to the grisly work of putting these disgusting creatures down.    "Filth, rot and grubs,"   he murmured,   "so distasteful, I am beginning to feel like I will need to bathe for a week when we return."   
 
  
 
 Spoiler: Out of Character Actions 
 Exploration Activity:   Scout 
 
 Action 1: Strike # 1 vs Maggot  (1d20+9)[ 22 ]  for  (1d12+4)[ 9 ]  blunt damage.
 Action 2:   Strike # 2 (-5 MAP) vs Maggot.  (1d20+4)[ 11 ]  for  (1d12+4)[ 10 ]  blunt damage.
 Action 2:   Strike # 3 (-10 MAP) vs Maggot  (1d20-1)[ 4 ]  for  (1d12+4)[ 6 ]  blunt damage.
 
Thunder999
As Firtina's spell lands the maggot regurgitates half digested rotten frog meat, around itself, Khaza'dun's iron constitution lets him push through regardless, and his maul finishes the beast.

Disgusting though this surprise was, the vermin stood no chance.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
520/1000xp now, over half way to level 2. Khazadun passed the save so no effect, This was the first fight where the maggot didn't have allies to avoid regurgitating onto.
 


In keeping with your plan to explore thoroughly you head over to the South West corner of the room, where a watch tower remains mostly in tact.
The interior of the watch post still has a wooden ceiling high above (15ft), but a thick mound of filth and animal carcasses heaped on the floor make the room anything but inviting.

Sachiko, Khalandel and Lera spot a functional trap door in the roof, the ladder has long since rotted but you could probably climb up to it easily enough (DC 15 athletics).

Before any of you can actually do that, however, the room's inhabitant reveals itself buzzing around near the ceiling. It seems you finally know where those maggots come from, because that fly is certainly big enough to lay their eggs.

 
 Spoiler: Map 
 
 

 
 Spoiler: Initiative in order 
Firtina (1d20+8)[25]
Khalandel (1d20+6)[22] (stealth)
Lera (1d20+5)[15]
Elite Giant Fly (1d20+10)[14]
Sachiko (1d20+8)[11] (Stealth)
Khaza-dun (1d20+8)[9]
 


Firtina, Khalandel and Lera act before the fly does and Khalandel is undetected until he reveals himself.

With the fly in the air and the door only the standard 5ft high, Khaza'dun has a clear view, Lera, Sachiko and Firtina can see it but it gets Standard Cover and finally it has Greater Cover from Khalandel (or any hypothetical person anywhere but where the other PCs are standing).

There's no cover inside the Fly's room.

The fly has a reaction it will take against the first attack that it doesn't have cover against please don't check the spoiler until then.
 
 Spoiler: Secret reaction 
The fly gains a +2 Circumstance bonus to AC, hence it not doing this until it lacks cover. If you miss it gets to fly down into melee range of you.
 
Bobthewizard
      
     Lera Trask    
   Human Kineticist 
 AC:  18  | HP:  20/20
 Fortitude:  +9  | Reflex:  +6  | Will:  +4  | Perception:  +4
 Hero Points:  1/1
 Active Effects:  Armor in Earth, Gate
 Conditions:   None   
 
  

Lera is a little slow to recognize the threat of the maggots, but fortunately for her, her friends smash the thing to pieces before it can do any damage. She's spent a lot of time in the swamp, but that exploding maggot might be the most disgusting thing she's seen. She wants to get out of that room quickly.

  "Let's keep going."  

When they encounter the fly, she thinks that maybe it hasn't done anything wrong. It's just a fly that got too big, and she's met plenty of flies. But, since it's so big, it is likely a threat to us. Plus it won't be too happy that we've killed so many of its children, if flies even care about that stuff.

All that goes through her head very quickly, though, because this time, she is able to throw two muddy daggers at the creature.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Action 1-2: 2 action weapon infused blast.  (1d20+7)[ 19 ] ,  (1d8+7)[ 14 ]  piercing
Action 3: 1 action weapon infused blast.  (1d20+2)[ 10 ] ,  (1d8+3)[ 9 ]  piercing
 
Thunder999
With the fly's height and the position of the doorway Lera can't quite get the right angle and her daggers both sailed past.
Xihirli
Firtina can't get a good look at the fly, so she extends her light to Khalandel and then moves into the room to stay out of the way, her halo spinning and ready to step into the path of any attack on her.

 
 Spoiler: Actions 
1. Guidance on Khalandel
2. Stride to 0, -5.
3. Shield.
 
CasualViking
      
    Khalendel   
 
Khalendel sneaks up to get a clear shot and puts two accurate bolts in the disgusting creature. *Sneak to (-3,3)   stealth  - (1d20+5)[ 22 ] , *  strike  - (1d20+6)[ 26 ]   damage  - (1d8+2)[ 10 ] , *  strike  - (1d20+1)[ 21 ]   damage  - (1d8+2)[ 6 ]  
 
  

 
   AC:  18 | HP:  15/15 |  Perception:  +6 (lowlight) |  Hero Points:  1/1 |  Active Effects:  None |  Conditions:  None 
Thunder999
Luck shines upon Khalandel as despite the fly's erratic movements and the cover he sends a bolt through each eye, killing it instantly.

Everyone but Lera may take a turn, something happens before her turn, there is no actual indication in character
CasualViking
Khalendel takes a moment to reload.
Xihirli
Firtina feels something prickling at the back of her neck, like the danger isn’t over, and maintains her shield of light.
Infernally Clay
      
     Sachiko Kaminaga    
   Kitsune Thief Rogue 1 
 AC:  18  | HP:  16/16
 Fortitude:  +3  | Reflex:  +9  | Will:  +6  | Perception:  +6
 Hero Points:  1/1
 Active Effects:  None
 Conditions:   None   
 
  

Sachi will just remain where she is. "Is there anything cool in there?" she asks.
Thunder999
There certainly doesn't seem to be anything interesting in there, pretty disgusting actually.
As Khaza'dun looks up to the ceiling a second fly, slightly differently coloured, descends through the trap door (because this trap door lets you just fly through somehow), stopping 10ft in the air, just in reach of Khaza'dun, who it immediately tries to eat.
Its mandibles pierce through a gap between the scales of armour, the first is not as bad as it could have been, but still packs surprising force, the second is brutal, the vicious points finding a gap right at his neck and dropping him to the ground, bleeding profusely.

 
 Spoiler: Map 
 
 

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
So that's a hit with the first attack for 6 damage, then the second one is a natural 20, high rolled 10 damage and doubled that to 20.
Khaza'dun is at 0hp and straight to dieing 2.
Oh and while there are no symptoms for 24 hours so you don't know in character, he failed his fort save vs the disease they carry on the second attack.
 
Xihirli
Firtina’s halo extended around herself and Khaza’dun, swirling clockwise… then freezing as the fly made contact. Khaza’dun’s wounds didn’t finish forming after the fly pulled off, frozen in time as the consequence of the attack was delayed.
Bobthewizard
      
     Lera Trask    
   Human Kineticist 
 AC:  18  | HP:  20/20
 Fortitude:  +9  | Reflex:  +6  | Will:  +4  | Perception:  +4
 Hero Points:  1/1
 Active Effects:  Armor in Earth, Gate
 Conditions:   None   
 
  

As soon as she sees the fly, Lera runs into the room, a dirty dagger in each hand. She sees it hit Khaz and then Firtina performs some sort of prayer that seems to protect him from the damage of the bite. Lera has no idea what that was but is grateful to see it.

  "Not today, fly."  

She stabs at the creature twice with her two muddy daggers.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Action 1: move to -7,0
Action 2: 1 action weapon infused blast.  (1d20+7)[ 14 ] ,  (1d8+3)[ 9 ]  piercing
Action 3: 1 action weapon infused blast, agile.  (1d20+3)[ 13 ] ,  (1d8+3)[ 7 ]  piercing
 
Infernally Clay
      
     Sachiko Kaminaga    
   Kitsune Thief Rogue 1 
 AC:  18  | HP:  16/16
 Fortitude:  +3  | Reflex:  +9  | Will:  +6  | Perception:  +6
 Hero Points:  1/1
 Active Effects:  None
 Conditions:   None   
 
  

Sachi runs to Khaz's side, seeing the grievous wound take hold even as Firtina's halo delays the impact, and readies a strike.

 
 Spoiler 
Free action - delay until after Khaz's turn.
Action #1 - move to -6, -1
Action #2 - Rapier strike against Giant Fly. To hit:  (1d20+8)[ 16 ] , to damage:  (2d6+4)[ 7 ] , plus  (1d6)[ 1 ]  sneak attack damage if Khaz's grapple is successful.
Action #3 - Rapier strike against Giant Fly. To hit:  (1d20+3)[ 11 ] , to damage:  (2d6+4)[ 11 ] , plus  (1d6)[ 6 ]  sneak attack damage if Khaz's grapple is successful.
 
Xihirli
Firtina smiles as the glow around her intensifies, golden light pouring out of her into Khaza’dun as the halo surrounding them swirls counterclockwise, undoing the blows that have rained on Khaza even has the halo resumes spinning forward.

 
 Spoiler: Healing! 

1-action heal:  8  on Khaza rolled OOC
Allow Delay Consequence to take effect on Khaza (20 damage to him)
2-action Heal on Khaza’dun:  (1d8+8)[ 12 ] 

EDIT: Action 2 is Dismissing the spell, action 3 is another 1-action, restoring 4 hp.
 
Thunder999
Lera's attack goes wide and the fly darts to the side, ending up at (-8,0) as it takes evasive maneuvers
The second one also misses.
Khaza'dun can make an AoO.

Khazadun goes from dieing to fine, to near death to fairly beat up before your eyes as Firtina twists time.
CasualViking
      
    Khalendel   
 
Khalendel stares into the distance, eyes unfocused, as he mentally runs through a catalogue of information on giant flies - their ecological role as decay agents and pollinators, their role in art and stories, before finally settling on the chorus from an old work song about cleaning to imbue his bolts with inimical intent. *  exploit vulnerability  - (1d20+7)[ 24 ] , *  strike  - (1d20+6)[ 17 ]    damage  - (1d8+4)[ 11 ] , *  strike  - (1d20+1)[ 9 ]    damage  - (1d8+4)[ 9 ]  
 
  

 
   AC:  18 | HP:  15/15 |  Perception:  +6 (lowlight) |  Hero Points:  1/1 |  Active Effects:  None |  Conditions:  None 
Thunder999
Khalandel only knows a little about giant flies, they've got no notable weaknesses and the only truly notable characteristics are the evasive movements when attacked as you all saw, and the fact that they carry diseases, most commonly the virulent but not life threatening Fly Pox, though they could theoretically carry almost anything.  (Success on Exploit Vulnerability, no mortal weakness so you can make up a Personal Antithesis)
His bolts miss entirely however, it's just too agile.

Still waiting on that AoO
Zero Prime
      
     Khaza'dun, High-helm Exile    
   AC:  17  | HP:  23  | Current:  3  | Hero Points:  0
 Fortitude:  +8  | Reflex:  +6  | Will:  +5  | Perception:  +7
 Active Effects:   None.
 Conditions:   None.  
 
Time gets rewound, is really confusing, the big dwarf swings his hammer, smacking the fly before flailing about ineffectually dropping his hammer, grabbing it picking it up and missing.  Suddenly time catches up with him and his chest erupts in blood staggering the big dwarf who nearly falls to his knees, but grits his teeth and tightens the grip on his maul. 
 
  
 
 Spoiler: Out of Character Actions 
 Exploration Activity:   Scout 
 
 Free Action:   None.
 Reaction: Attack of Opportunity vs Elite Fly # 2  (1d20+9)[ 19 ]  for  (1d12+4)[ 15 ]  blunt damage.
 
 Action 1:  Drop Maul [Free Action];  Grapple   (Athletics) vs Elite Fly (Fortitude DC) [  10  .
 Action 2:  Interact to Pick Up Maul
 Action 2:   Annnd more misses.  Strike # 2 for a   12   . 
 
Thunder999
Khaza'dun finds the fly far too slippery to grapple, but  when it zips away from Lera's attack he punishes movement with a quick hammer blow.

Having escaped Khaza'dun, albeit with a nasty wound, the fly lays into Lera, piercing her rocky armour twice, though thankfully it's unable to swing a third time as it's unwilling to land.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
So, the fly actually moved away from Khaza'dun after the AoO.
Lera takes two hits for 11 and 6, 17 total damage, her impressive constitution easily shrugs off the disease.
The fly spent its 3rd action to hover because it falls to the ground if it doesn't.
The fly has taken 15 damage. About half dead
You now know its reaction increases its AC and allows it to Fly away on a miss.
 


Party may act in whatever order you want (block initiative)
CasualViking
      
    Khalendel   
 
 "Shoo, fly, shoo! fly, shoo or you will surely die" . The childish sing-song rhyme punctuates the click and twang of Khalendel's bow as he puts two bolts into the stone wall behind the annoying fly. *  attack  - (1d20+6)[ 13 ] ,   dam  - (1d8+4)[ 6 ] , *  attack  - (1d20+1)[ 13 ] ,   dam  - (1d8+4)[ 8 ] , *Reload 
 
  

 
   AC:  18 | HP:  15/15 |  Perception:  +6 (lowlight) |  Hero Points:  1/1 |  Active Effects:  None |  Conditions:  None 
Bobthewizard
      
     Lera Trask    
   Human Kineticist 
 AC:  18  | HP:  7/20
 Fortitude:  +9  | Reflex:  +6  | Will:  +4  | Perception:  +4
 Hero Points:  1/1
 Active Effects:  Armor in Earth, Gate
 Conditions:   None   
 
  

The fly bites Lera twice and she almost drops from the poison.

  "Oof. Maybe today, fly. But we're not going down without a fight."  

But she hangs on. She uses her magic to heal both herself and Khaz, and then throws a dagger at the fly.
 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Action 1: Ocean's Balm on herself  (1d8)[ 4 ] 
Action 2: Ocean's Balm on Khaz (1d8)[ 8 ] 
Action 3: 1 action weapon infused blast, thrown.  (1d20+7)[ 27 ] ,  (1d8+3)[ 8 ]  piercing
 
Zero Prime
      
     Khaza'dun, High-helm Exile    
   AC:  17  | HP:  23  | Current:  11  | Hero Points:  0
 Fortitude:  +8  | Reflex:  +6  | Will:  +5  | Perception:  +7
 Active Effects:   None.
 Conditions:   None.  
 
Through gritted teeth, the broad-shouldered dwarf nods his thanks at Lera, before hefting his maul and getting to work. 
 
  
 
 Spoiler: Out of Character Actions 
 Exploration Activity:   Scout 
 
 Free Action:   None.
 Reaction: 
 
 Action 1:  Strike # 1 vs Fly.   (1d20+9)[ 14 ]  for  (1d12+4)[ 13 ] 
 Action 2:  Strike # 2 vs Fly  (1d20+4)[ 23 ]  for  (1d12+4)[ 6 ] 
 Action 2:  Strike # 3 vs Fly  (1d20-1)[ 9 ]  for  (1d12+4)[ 9 ] .
 
Thunder999
Khalandel's bolts go wide again, but after Lera sooths the wounds on her and Khaza'dun, her stone dagger pierces the monster's eye, slaying it.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
That's a nat 20 crit for 16 damage, it had 15hp
545/1000xp
 


The party spends about forty minutes healing up (you're at full hp, Firtina can Refocus) and no amount of searching reveals anything in this room, it's just where the man eating flies that made all those maggots lived.

Sticking to their plan to systematically work around the structure, they head to the room branching north from the frog room.

Opening he door reveals what once may have been a dining room, the collapsed ceiling at the middle of this room has left a ragged hole in the wooden roof. Rotten tapestries, their designs completely obscured by mold, hang in tatters on the walls between arrow slits and ruined side tables. The remains of a fancy dining table lie mostly pulverized by the fallen ceiling.  Firtina can see a few tiny bones poking out of the rubble, perhaps more are buried within.

Before any of you enter the room, Khalandel notices something about the rubble and stops you, he's pretty confident that the rubble is haunted, something died here and is not at rest, it'll probably be roused when you touch the rubble.
While you can't figure out much without seeing it manifest, Khalandel, Firtina and Sachiko all make the connection to the bones in the rubble, whatever creature(s) they belonged to died violently and were simply left in the rubble, the bones need to be removed if it is to rest.

 
 Spoiler: OOC2 
Khalandel is the only one who got high enough on a secret perception check to spot the haunt, luckily for you this particular haunt is one of the few everyone gets to roll perception on. The bones Firtina saw were a seperate check only she got because she's Searching actively.
You know that sifting through the rubble and removing the bones from the room is what it takes to permanently disable the haunt and free the trapped spirits, but you can't do that without triggering it and you also don't know what will temporarily disable it until its triggered and you recall knowledge against the manifestation.
 


You could of course just leave, the room is a dead end, but then whatever spirit is trapped as a haunt will never reach the Boneyard.

What do you do?

 
 Spoiler: Map 
 
 
Bobthewizard
      
     Lera Trask    
   Human Kineticist 
 AC:  18  | HP:  20/20
 Fortitude:  +9  | Reflex:  +6  | Will:  +4  | Perception:  +4
 Hero Points:  1/1
 Active Effects:  Armor in Earth, Gate
 Conditions:   None   
 
  

Lera listens as the others explain the dilemma. She has no desire to find a haunt, especially before we know what else might be lurking. She looks skeptically at any plan to disturb the bones. She especially looks at Firtina.

  "We should help this soul, but not right now. For all we know, this thing is an alarm bell that screams if something disturbs it, warning the whole keep of our intrusion. If we want to help this spirit, we should do it on our way out."  
Xihirli
 "It is against my role as priestess of Pharasma to leave this soul lingering where it does not belong,"  Firtina says.   "And we can't even guarantee we'll still be alive on our way out."  
CasualViking
      
    Khalendel   
 
 "Well, it seems to me to be worth doing. I suggest we watch from a distance while the expert takes care of this poor, unfortunate soul . He pauses for a moment, before turning to Lera.  "I'm not saying that it's the tactically wisest decision to do this right this moment. Although I do dislike leaving danger at my back. I'm just saying...if Flirtina needs to do this now, we might as well stick together and let it happen".  
 
 
  

 
   AC:  18 | HP:  15/15 |  Perception:  +6 (lowlight) |  Hero Points:  1/1 |  Active Effects:  None |  Conditions:  None 
Bobthewizard
      
     Lera Trask    
   Human Kineticist 
 AC:  18  | HP:  20/20
 Fortitude:  +9  | Reflex:  +6  | Will:  +4  | Perception:  +4
 Hero Points:  1/1
 Active Effects:  Armor in Earth, Gate
 Conditions:   None   
 
  

Realizing the her strategic advice will never sway a follower of Pharasma, and wanting to make sure her new friend stays alive, Lera changes her mind and agrees to help Firtina.

  "Fine. We will all help you then Firtina. Maybe Khaz and I could dig through the rocks to find all the bones. Everyone else stay close, though. We might need your help with whatever this haunt is. Firtina, is there any specific method we should use for handling the remains?"  
Xihirli
 "Bring them to me and I will lay them to rest. But for now..."  Firtina strides forward, takes a breath, and lays a hand on the rubble. She intensifies her halo and, in a quaking voice, utters:
 "Hark, lost soul. I am here to guide you on to eternity. Speak and be manifest so that I might aid you on your journey." 
 
 Spoiler: Religion 
 (1d20+7)[ 12 ] 
 
Thunder999
As Firtina touches the rubble it's revealed that sending only one person in was a wise decision, a howling vortex of magic shoots up from the rubble, half a dozen screaming, ghostly kobolds emerging with eerie howls.
Those outside the room are unaffected, but Firtina's mind is assaulted by feeling of fear, betrayal and confusion, Firtina's iron will and divine purpose overpower it entirely, not onlyis she entirely unaffected, but she manages to glimpse the nature of the spirits through this vision.
These kobolds were slain in a bloody coup and are predisposed to ruling and being ruled by fear, an intimidating display of dominance would likely quell the presence for a while, long enough to deal with the bones.

She is otherwise unable to recall what else may work, there's probably something, but whatever it is is likely less effective than exploiting their own nature.

 
 Spoiler: Initiative 
As a complex hazard this requires initiatives, it has a routine that will occur when Lera and Khaza-dun have acted.
Lera (1d20+5)[23]
Khaza-dun (1d20+8)[20]
Stonescale Spirits Haunt (1d20+11)[18]
Khalandel (1d20+6)[12]
Sachiko (1d20+6)[10]
Firtina (1d20+8)[9]
 

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
That's a critical success on the will save against its manifestation, giving information the 12 on Religion was too low for.
Lera and Khaza-dun aren't trained in intimidate and the haunt cannot simply be attacked, so all you can really do is roll Religion to Recall knowledge about it and hope that reveals something to do with your other actions.
The intimidate check, along with any others you may discover by recalling knowledge, is a 2 action activity functionally identical to Disable a Device, but not using thievery.
 
Zero Prime
      
     Khaza'dun, High-helm Exile    
   AC:  17  | HP:  23  | Current:  3  | Hero Points:  0
 Fortitude:  +8  | Reflex:  +6  | Will:  +5  | Perception:  +7
 Active Effects:   None.
 Conditions:   None.  
 
Moving to Flirtina's side, Khaz drops to a knee placing a hand on the crushed stone, closing his eyes he exhales, whispering in the dwarven tongue.   "Torag, Forge Father, we have not spoken since my heart was entombed in your halls.  Otari is a hard working community, and these,"   he looked to his companions,   "are good people.  Give us your strength, the strength of the stone, of the mountain, and protect us from the corruption that haunts these ruins."    He stood up, rolling his shoulders, he wasn't sure if Torag heard his prayers, the stubborn old bastard had been silent since Khaza-dun had been exiled, but he still revered the father of dwarves.  He hefted his maul and prepared for the haunt's response. 
 
  
 
 Spoiler: Out of Character Actions 
 Exploration Activity:   Scout 
 
 Free Action:   None.
 Reaction: None.
 
 Action 1:  Deactivate Hazard (Religion)  (1d20+5)[ 13 ] 
 Action 2 &amp; 3:  Ready an Action to Attack any target threatening Flirtina.
 
Thunder999
In a rather anticlimactic turn of events, the haunt deactivates itself, unable to draw upon the fears of those within the room, the ghostly kobolds collapse into dormancy.

It takes half an hour to sort through the rubble, during which time you are undisturbed, as expected, there's six full kobold skeletons worth of scattered bones, it seems that your good deed shall be rewarded today, because among the rubble you also locate 3 gold pieces, 20 silver pieces, a Wolf Fang talisman, a vial of Lesser Antiplague and a vial of Black Adder Venom with "YUM!" written on it.

You know that removing the bones from the room or destroying them entirely would both work to permanently deal with the haunt.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
So yeah, that haunt really relies on at least one person being frightened, as in it could only attack Frightened creatures and is automatically disabled if there's noone frightened in range, but you sent only one person in and she crit succeeded the save, rendering it entirely unable to harm anyone.

Are you all OK being told what items are instead of spending time trying to ID them? I'll roll secretly if anything cursed shows up and it saves time, but we can do it the normal way if you prefer.
 
Xihirli
Firtina lays the bones to rest as best she can and says a prayer over them, compelling the kobolds on to the Boneyard.
 "Do you think there will be much more death?"  She asks.
 "I… do not like to see people run out of time." 
Thunder999
By the time the kobolds are put to rest, the sky is dark in those areas where the damaged roof allows you to glimpse it, the unnatural glow of ghostlight ominously visible, still you continue on, reaching a door just north of the hidden teleportation room, it's quickly apparent that the generally poor state of this place has left it stuck, but you could probably force it with a bit of brute force.

 
 Spoiler: Map 
 
 

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
You need an Athletics check to Force Open, if you don't have a crowbar there's a -2 to to that, additionally one of you could aid the other, the remaster sets the DC to Aid at only 15, aid doesn't stack, but there's really only room for two people anyway.
 
Zero Prime
      
     Khaza'dun, High-helm Exile    
   AC:  17  | HP:  23  | Current:  23  | Hero Points:  1
 Fortitude:  +8  | Reflex:  +6  | Will:  +5  | Perception:  +7
 Active Effects:   None.
 Conditions:   None.  
 
Seeing the stuck door, the burly dwarf lumbered forward, placed his maul upon the ground, rolled his shoulders, took a step back and charged forward, putting a shoulder into the door.  Surprisingly it refused to budge.    "Hrmmpph."    He grunted, as he looked at the solid door and the frame that held it in place.    "Solid bit o' work there."    He placed his hands against the door, heaved again, his feet slipping out from beneath him, he grunted, set his face in a frown, surveyed the door and went back to work, until, finally with a creak and a groan the door gave way in a shower of splinters. 
 
  
 
 Spoiler: Out of Character Actions 
 Exploration Activity:   Scout 
 
 Free Action:   Drop Maul.
 Reaction: None.
 
 Action 1:  Force Open (-2 circumstance penalty)  (1d20+5)[ 13 ] 
 Action 2:  Interact to Pick up Maul.
 Action 3:  Seek (if door is open)  (1d20+7)[ 12 ] 

Additional Rolls:  here   3rd round success with a  20 
 
Thunder999
It takes a few tries, particularly since noone thought to bring a crowbar, but Khazadun manages to force the door open, the sodden wood falling apart as it leaves the frame.

This reveals a circular room with smooth walls painted a light gray and no indication of seams between blocks of stone. A door with a small barred window leading outside is visible to the east. A set of iron stairs, noteably in far better condition than would be expected, winds upward along the curved walls before terminating at a trap door in the ceiling nearly a hundred feet above. A red bloodstain glistens on the floor at the room’s center, as though a human‑sized creature bled to death on the floor very recently, despite there being no body in sight.
Bobthewizard
      
     Lera Trask    
   Human Kineticist 
 AC:  18  | HP:  20/20
 Fortitude:  +9  | Reflex:  +6  | Will:  +4  | Perception:  +4
 Hero Points:  1/1
 Active Effects:  Armor in Earth, Gate
 Conditions:   None   
 
  

Lera walks into the room, examining the splatters of the bloodstain to see if it was from a natural cause like an animal attack or a fall, or if it was more likely a murder or ritual sacrifice, and also to determine if she can tell where the victim was taken.

  "We should probably climb these stairs to see if that is the light source up there."  
 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Nature?  (1d20+4)[ 17 ] 
 
Xihirli
Firtina gasps and then turns to the stairs, checking if there’s any blood on the stairs, or just in the center of the room.

 
 Spoiler: Medicine? 

3 less if Survival is more appropriate.
 (1d20+7)[ 10 ] 

Also does the trap door lead to here, where we are right now?
 
Thunder999
A ghastly image of a confident woman dressed in a long gown, seemingly composed of fresh blood, rises from the bloodstain on the floor and rotates in place like a lighthouse. Beams of cold blue light shine from its eyes and open mouth, causing blisters and decay to spread across your flesh (and that's plural your, the entire party).
Before any of you can react it acts again, the bloody apparition turns its baleful gaze upon Firtina and inhales, blood seeps out of Firtina's skin and flows into its mouth.

 
 Spoiler: Initiative 
Blood of Belcora (1d20+23)[38]
Firtina (1d20+8)[26]
Khaza-dun (1d20+8)[25]
Sachiko (1d20+8)[24]
Lera (1d20+5)[23]
Khalandel (1d20+6)[8]
 

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Another haunt, and this time one you could not detect (requires someone with Expert perception to be searching.
Religion (or esoteric) to Recall Knowledge.
The initial appareance had the following effects:
Sachiko and Lera take 2 points of negative damage
Khaza'dun and Khalandel take 8 points of negative damage and are Dazzled for 1 round.
Firtina takes 11 negative damage, is Blinded for 1 round and then Dazzled for 1 further round.
Then onto its routine, Firtina takes 4 Bleed damage.
You do not recongise the woman
 
Zero Prime
      
     Khaza'dun, High-helm Exile    
   AC:  17  | HP:  23  | Current:  15  | Hero Points:  1
 Fortitude:  +8  | Reflex:  +6  | Will:  +5  | Perception:  +7
 Active Effects:   Dazzled.
 Conditions:   None.  
 
Unsure what he was witnessing, Khaza-dun's hand drifted towards the memento of Torag he wore around his neck.  However, even the presence of the Forge-Father did little to quiet the fear in his heart. 
 
  
 
 Spoiler: Out of Character Actions 
 Exploration Activity:   Scout 
 
 Free Action:   Drop Maul.
 Reaction: None.
 
 Action 1:  Recall Knowledge (Religion)  (1d20+5)[ 8 ] 
 Action 2: 
 
Xihirli
Firtina stumbles at the power, almost wilted just from the assault. As if by reflex she extends her halo around herself, the disk spinning counterclockwise and undoing as much of the harm as she could manage from the creature.

 
 Spoiler: 3-Action Heal 
I think I can catch everyone in  (1d8)[ 2 ]  healing energy, hoping it's enough that the Bleed doesn't drop me. The ghost might also need to make a basic fortitude save or take this as positive damage.
 
Bobthewizard
      
     Lera Trask    
   Human Kineticist 
 AC:  18  | HP:  20/20
 Fortitude:  +9  | Reflex:  +6  | Will:  +4  | Perception:  +4
 Hero Points:  1/1
 Active Effects:  Armor in Earth, Gate
 Conditions:   None   
 
  

Lera is tired of all of these ghosts. They are unnatural and they are hurting her and her friends. She looks to Firtina and applies some healing mud to her friend, trying to mend her wounds and stop the bleeding.

  "Firtina, do we need to leave? Or can you help this spirit like you did the last ones?"  

But she does not flee, making sure the others leave first if that is our plan.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Oceans Balm on Firtina  (1d8)[ 5 ] 
Assist with bleed damage
 
CasualViking
      
    Khalendel   
 
 "Ugh....no good deed goes unpunished, eh? Well, let's see what sort of ghostly phenomenon you are... Oh, you're made of blood and thirsty for more. 

*  Esoteric Lore  - (1d20+7)[ 18 ] 
 
 
  

 
   AC:  18 | HP:  9/15 |  Perception:  +6 (lowlight) |  Hero Points:  1/1 |  Active Effects:  None |  Conditions:  None 
Thunder999
Khalandel's expertise in matters esoteric lets him realise what's going on here, a bloodstain as fresh as the day it was spilled, ceaselessly trying to spill more blood.
Attempting to exorcise the haunt (religion, trained) would work, but scraping away at the bloodstain on the floor would also disrupt the necromantic energy in a manner similar to disabling a magical trap (thievery, trained).
Whatever's binding the haunt isn't in this room, a permanent solution likely requires dealing with a more potent spirit elsewhere.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
DC was 18 exactly.
2 actions an a religion or thievery check to get rid of it for now.
 
Infernally Clay
      
     Sachiko Kaminaga    
   Kitsune Thief Rogue 1 
 AC:  18  | HP:  16/16
 Fortitude:  +3  | Reflex:  +9  | Will:  +6  | Perception:  +6
 Hero Points:  1/1
 Active Effects:  None
 Conditions:   None   
 
  

"So we just need to disrupt the blood?" Sachi says, heading off to do just that.

 
 Spoiler 
Action #1 - Move to bloodstain at 4, 21.
Action #2 &amp; 3 - Thievery check:  (1d20+7)[ 24 ] 
 
Thunder999
Sachiko quickly disrupts the blood enough for the haunt to dissipate, though where the kobolds faded, this shoots upwards in a great vortex of blood, dousing the trapdoor at the top of the staircase in blood, before flowing through the keyhole, like water draining through a hole.

All that's left of interest in this room is the trapdoor atop the stairs, if anyone checks it quickly becomes apparent that it's locked, you could search elsewhere for a key, or just pick it.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
580/1000xp now
DC 20 to pick the lock (it actually got reduced because you beat the haunt).
 


Do you head up and try to pick the lock, or continue clockwise?
Xihirli
 
 Spoiler: Bleed Recovery 
Just flat checks, right?
 (3d20)[ 7 ][ 9 ][ 10 ](26)  I BELIEVE
 



Firtina sits down and frantically attempts to stem her own bleeding.
Thunder999
Firtina contiues bleeding, taking  (1d10)[ 10 ]  more damage.

EDIT and that's Unconscious at Dying 1
 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Someone trained in Medicine with a Healer's Kit could Administer First Aid, DC 20, success lets Firtina make another flat check to end the bleed, at a DC of only 10 rather than 15.
Healing to full HP would also work.
Pretty sure Khaza'dun is the only one who has a Healer's Kit, despite Firtina also having the skill, which is odd.
 I suppose I Firtina could Aid Khaza'dun  or not because she's too busy Dying.
 
Zero Prime
      
     Khaza'dun, High-helm Exile    
   AC:  17  | HP:  23  | Current:  15  | Hero Points:  1
 Fortitude:  +8  | Reflex:  +6  | Will:  +5  | Perception:  +7
 Active Effects:   Dazzled.
 Conditions:   None.  
 
Watching Sister Firtina drop to the ground, blood streaming from her eyes and ears snapped the stoic dwarf back to the present ... he was unaccustomed to dealing with threats that couldn't be defeated through the judicious application of dwarven steel, but this ... this seemed beyond him.  So he concentrated on what he could do, it was less than an hour ago that this woman had forestalled his own death.  He rushed to her side, throwing open his healer's kit, his thick, calloused hands, deftly removing bandages and poultices.     "C'mon child,"   he urged,   "don't let the spirit o' the damned pull you down with them.  Pharasma knows, it ain't your time.  You got work to do here.  n' we need you and the grace of your Matron."  

As he worked,   "Lera!"    He called to his companion,   "Let's get some o' that soothing water o' yours on her.  Wash away this blood, yea?"   
 
  
 
 Spoiler: Out of Character Actions 
 Exploration Activity:   Scout 
 
 Free Action:   Switch Maul to 1 Hand
 Reaction:   None.
 
 Action 1:  Stride to Firtina
 Action 2 &amp; 3:   Administer First Aid   (1d20+5)[ 19 ] 
 
Xihirli
Firtina’s blood continues to pour, and then… stops. Her breathing becomes less ragged and she settles into fitful unconsciousness, no longer dying but certainly not healthy.
Bobthewizard
      
     Lera Trask    
   Human Kineticist 
 AC:  18  | HP:  20/20
 Fortitude:  +9  | Reflex:  +6  | Will:  +4  | Perception:  +4
 Hero Points:  2
 Active Effects:  Armor in Earth, Gate
 Conditions:   None   
 
  

Lera continues to try to help Firtina. Once the cleric is stable, Lera suggests we wait a bit to let her rest and heal. But she also makes it clear that she thinks we should follow the haunt.

  "Sachiko, let's wait until Firtina is ready before we go confront this thing again."  
 
 Spoiler: OOC 
 
Thunder999
Khaza'dun manages to stop the bleeding with some quick first aid, staunching the bleeding then stabilising her.

It takes another half hour to get her and the rest of the party back to full health.
 
 Spoiler: OOC 
We've been at this a while, so everyone gets a Hero Point.
 
Xihirli
Firtina, still bloody and gross but alive and happy, smiles gently.
 "I was nearly to the boneyard… but your hands pulled me back. I would like to thank you very dearly… but I’ll have you know I am quite drained for today. I can still recite my simpler prayers, and have them heard. But I may have to remain in the back doing sadly little for a time."  
Thunder999
The party moves along to the next room, the door opens easily this time, revealing a ruined office.
The ceiling has collapsed in the southwest corner of the room. The walls bear several shelves, but the books and papers once kept here have rotted to ruin long ago, as have the desk and chair in an alcove to the northeast.

Firtina finds a hidden drawer in the desk that has fallen partially open, revealing a few still-potent alchemical elixirs: a lesser comprehension elixir, a minor elixir of life, and a lesser skeptic’s elixir.

A door at the back of the room reveals a triangular room that might have once seemed comfortable, but after years of rain and exposure to the elements through the two arrow slits in the northwestern wall, it's rather miserable looking, the room’s divan, armoire, and tapestries have fallen to decay.

Searching among the detritus Firtina finds an old keyring, 6 iron keys are rusted beyond recognition or use, but two ornate brass keys have withstood the test of time, one is decorated with a picture of a lighthouse, presumably Gauntlight itself, the other an open book. Thus far the only locked door you've seen is atop the staircase in the blood room.

Onwards to the final room(s), getting in here is going to require you to climb up over the rubble and down the other side.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
DC 10 athletics to climb up, there might well be something on the other side, so choose who to send first.
 
Zero Prime
      
     Khaza'dun, High-helm Exile    
   AC:  17  | HP:  23  | Current:  15  | Hero Points:  1
 Fortitude:  +8  | Reflex:  +6  | Will:  +5  | Perception:  +7
 Active Effects:   None.
 Conditions:   None.  
 
Khaza-dun was glad to see the Pharasmin's servant recovered and moving about, he was, however, concerned about this whole venture.  He assumed that the Gauntlight was some ruin that had been occupied by goblins, orcs, something like that.  Blue-skinned fae, maggots and flies, ghosts, haunts, and worse ... what lay ahead for them.  He certainly didn't know ...

As the other's searched the room, discovering alchemical flasks, a key ring, he arched a thick, bushy brow.  Shouldering his maul, he nodded towards the rubble,   "Seems like we gotta go over that before we clear the ruins."    He moved towards the slope, and began to scale the incline ... 
 
  
 
 Spoiler: Out of Character Actions 
 Exploration Activity:   Scout 
 
 Free Action:   None.
 Reaction:   None.
 
 Action 1:  Stow Maul
 Action 2:  Climb Rubble &amp; Debris  (1d20+7)[ 11 ] 
 
Bobthewizard
      
     Lera Trask    
   Human Kineticist 
 AC:  18  | HP:  20/20
 Fortitude:  +9  | Reflex:  +6  | Will:  +4  | Perception:  +4
 Hero Points:  2
 Active Effects:  Armor in Earth, Gate
 Conditions:   None   
 
  

Lera watches Khaz lead the way. She's impressed by his ability to get over the rubble, but doesn't want him stuck on the other side by himself.

  "Alright everyone. Let's stick together and see what's over this."  

She follows after Khaz, climbing the rubble and get to the other side.
 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Athletics:  (1d20+6)[ 21 ] 
 
Infernally Clay
      
     Sachiko Kaminaga    
   Kitsune Thief Rogue 1 
 AC:  18  | HP:  16/16
 Fortitude:  +3  | Reflex:  +9  | Will:  +6  | Perception:  +6
 Hero Points:  1/1
 Active Effects:  None
 Conditions:   None   
 
  

"I'm right behind you."

 
 Spoiler 
Athletics:  (1d20+0)[ 13 ] 
 
Thunder999
Khaza'dun climbs easily up and down, it's not a hard climb, just enough of a barrier to seperate this area off.
The ceiling of this room has fallen in two places. A smaller collapse destroyed a flight of stairs that once led up to thenow‑ruined upper floor. A larger collapse mostly buried the southern double door, leaving a hole in the roof partially blocked with several crossed timbers. A second double door to the north has a stone face carved with skulls caked with tangles of moss.

There's no time to ponder the meaning of the skull carvings, for a pair of scorpions dwell here, one a monstrous specimen the size of a horse, the second merely as large as a man, perhaps a juvenile.

 
 Spoiler: Initiatives 

(Giant) Scorpion1 (1d20+9)[29]
Khalandel (1d20+6)[21] (stealth)
Firtina (1d20+8)[20]
Sachiko (1d20+8)[16] (Stealth)
Khaza-dun (1d20+8)[15]
Lera (1d20+5)[15]
(Smaller, weaker) Scorpion2 (1d20+5)[10]
 


The giant scorpion's long legs let it easily move over the floor, but the rubble in this room is difficult terrain for everyone else.

The giant scorpion reacts quickly, a natural ambush predator, it's long reach lets it immediately reach out with a pincer, slicing deep into Khaza'dun's flesh and grabbing a firm hold, then squeezing down on him, crushing his bones and armour, his maul slips through his fingers as he loses consciousness.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
So that's a nat 20 on its initiative then another 20 on the Pincer attack, critting for 20 damage, then an action to grab and finally a Constrict which does another 6 damage (failed a basic fortitude save, you'd need a nat 20 to critically succeed so a reroll is unlikely to save you.
As a result, he's unconscious at dying 1, also Grabbed.
Enough time has passed that Ocean's Balm is available.
 

 
 Spoiler: Map 
 
 


The entire party may act in whatever order you choose.
Bobthewizard
      
     Lera Trask    
   Human Kineticist 
 AC:  18  | HP:  20/20
 Fortitude:  +9  | Reflex:  +6  | Will:  +4  | Perception:  +4
 Hero Points:  2
 Active Effects:  Armor in Earth, Gate
 Conditions:   None   
 
  

Lera watches in horror as Khaz is almost cut in two by the lightning-fast pincers of the giant scorpion. She acts quickly, showering Khaz with healing mud before moving to engage the scorpions.

  "Be quick, everyone! Khaz needs our help."  

She runs into the room, hoping to distract the scorpions and keep them from finishing off her dwarf friend. She stabs at the larger one with a sword made of rock and mud.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Action 1: Oceans Balm  (1d8)[ 6 ] 
Action 2: move to 17,20
Action 3: attack Giant Scorpion, weapon infused blast,  (1d20+7)[ 20 ] ,  (1d8+3)[ 10 ]  piercing
 
Thunder999
Khaza'dun regains consciousness as he's healed, though is still in a tight spot, grabbed by a huge pincer and unarmed.
The giant scorpion's stinger lashes out towards Lera as she moves past, but fails to penetrate her rocky armour.
Her own spike of earth has better luck, piercing the beast's carapace.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
AoO from the big one that luckily missed.
Giant Scorpion has now take 10 damage.
Khaza'dun is conscious at 6hp, but still Grabbed (and therefore Flat Footed and Immobilised), Wounded 1 and his maul lies on the floor (because you drop whatever you're holding when falling unconscious).
 
Infernally Clay
      
     Sachiko Kaminaga    
   Kitsune Thief Rogue 1 
 AC:  18  | HP:  16/16
 Fortitude:  +3  | Reflex:  +9  | Will:  +6  | Perception:  +6
 Hero Points:  1/1
 Active Effects:  None
 Conditions:   None   
 
  

Sachi quickly dashes forward, taking advantage of the distraction caused by Lera to strike at the larger scorpion.

 
 Spoiler 
Action #1 - move to 14, 20
Action #2 - +1 Striking Rapier attack vs Giant Scorpion. To hit:  (1d20+8)[ 20 ] , to damage:  (2d6+4)[ 10 ]  damage, plus  (1d6)[ 1 ]  sneak attack damage.
Action #3 - +1 Striking Rapier attack vs Giant Scorpion. To hit:  (1d20+8)[ 16 ] , to damage:  (2d6+4)[ 11 ]  damage, plus  (1d6)[ 3 ]  sneak attack damage.
 
Thunder999
Sachiko's first strike is a good one, the flanked scorpion distracted enough to let her rapier slip between two plates of chitin to the flesh beneath, though her second stab scitters off harmlessly.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
The giant scorpion takes 11 more damage, for 21 total damage taken.
 
Zero Prime
      
     Khaza'dun, High-helm Exile    
   AC:  17  | HP:  6  | Current:  15  | Hero Points:  1
 Fortitude:  +8  | Reflex:  +6  | Will:  +5  | Perception:  +7
 Active Effects:   None.
 Conditions:   Grabbed; Wounded 1  
 
It was becoming somewhat of a pattern, blinding pain from an unknown adversary, the numbing void washing over him, calling him to the Boneyard, and suddenly his spirit is ripped back to his battered and beaten flesh, he shook his head, a thick string of blooded spittle draining into his beard.  He nodded his thanks towards Lera and Firtina, one of them had called him back ... again.  He hoped one day, to repay the favor.

He reached over his shoulder, despite the vise like grip on his mailed torso, he could feel his ribs creaking as if about to break from the immense pressure.    "Gaarrrgh!"    He screamed, hefting his maul towards the massive pincer that pinned him to the ground,   "Torag take you!  You oversized cockroach!"   
 
  
 
 Spoiler: Out of Character Actions 
 Exploration Activity:   Scout 
 
 Free Action:   None.
 Reaction:   None.
 
 Action 1:  Interact [Retrieve Maul] DC 5 Flat Check   8  
 Action 2:  Strike # 1 (Maul)  (1d20+9)[ 25 ]  vs Giant Scorpion for  (1d12+4)[ 11 ]  Blunt.
 Action 3:  Strike # 2 (Maul; -5 MAP)  (1d20+4)[ 10 ]  vs Giant Scorpion for  (1d12+4)[ 13 ]  Blunt.
 
Thunder999
Khaza'dun manages to reach his maul on the ground despite being held in the Scorpion's grasp, his first swing lands solidly on the limb holding him, but the second hits only air.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
11 more damage, up to 32 total.
 
Xihirli
Firtina runs in to stay with everyone, then sends another wave of light into the larger scorpion.

 
 Spoiler: Actions 

Stride in and DIVINE LANCE
 (1d20+7)[ 24 ] ;  (1d4+4)[ 6 ] 
 
CasualViking
      
    Khalendel   
 
Khalendel clambers atop the rocks, and fires a bolt, only to see it scatter off the beast's armored body.

*Stride to (14,20) *  Exploit Weakness  - (1d20+7)[ 11 ] , *  attack  - (1d20+6)[ 14 ] ,   damage  - (1d8+4)[ 8 ] 
 
 Spoiler: Attack of opportunity if the big scorpion moves 
  attack  - (1d20+6)[ 11 ] ,   damage  - (1d8+4)[ 7 ] 
 
 
 
  

 
   AC:  18 | HP:  9/15 |  Perception:  +6 (lowlight) |  Hero Points:  1/1 |  Active Effects:  None |  Conditions:  None 
Thunder999
Firtina clambers into view and fires a lance of divine magic, which seems to hurt the beast.

Khalandel (if he makes it) is unable to recall any weaknesses of scorpions, he believes the beast can only lash out reflexively (AoO) with its stinger and that the poison is particularly virulent. His attack also flies hopelessly wide.

Next the smaller scorpion acts, it's claw lashes out at the stone-clad woman next to it, grabbing painfully onto her body, though the follow up strike with its stinger is thankfully blocked by her stone armour.

The giant scorpion crushes Khaza'dun, the tough old dwarf lasts longer than you would expect, defiantly remaining conscious after the first squeeze, but the creature simply squeezes a second time, dispatching him once more, his maul falling to the ground and his barely patched up wounds splitting back open. It then lashes its other pincer towards Lera, helping its smaller companion, the chitinous blades lacerate flesh, but it doesn't grab her.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Divine Lance hit, bringing the total damage taken by the giant scorpion to 38, it's badly hurt, but shows no signs of fleeing.
Lera is hit for 4 slashing damage by smaller scorpion, then Grabbed
Khaza'dun succeeds his first save vs constrict, taking only 3 damage, but fails the second, taking 5 more.
Khaza'dun is once more unconscious and now at Dieing 2.
Lera takes 9 damage from its other pincer, though it hasn't got actions left to grab.

So in total, Khaza'dun is dieing 2 and Lera is down to 7/20hp and grabbed.
 

 
 Spoiler: Map 
 
 
Bobthewizard
      
     Lera Trask    
   Human Kineticist 
 AC:  18  | HP:  20/20
 Fortitude:  +9  | Reflex:  +6  | Will:  +4  | Perception:  +4
 Hero Points:  2
 Active Effects:  Armor in Earth, Gate
 Conditions:   None   
 
  

Lera watches in horror as Khaz is again cut in two by the giant scorpion. Knowing what it can do, she is terrified of being trapped by the smaller one.

  "Ouch!"  

But she knows we need to defeat the large one first, so she takes her stone sword and stabs twice at it.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Action 1-2: 2 action weapon blast  (1d20+7)[ 25 ] ,  (1d8+7)[ 11 ]  piercing
Action 3: agile blast  (1d20+3)[ 19 ] ,  (1d8+3)[ 7 ]  piercing

Did not adjust anything for flanking or grabbed
 
Thunder999
With a final stab of Lera's sword, the giant scorpion collapses, sucuumbing to it's wounds, a twirl of a smaller, more agile blade allows here to get a good stab in on the smaller one holding her too, it's quite badly hurt, clearly far weaker.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
RIP Giant Scorpion, bane of dwarves.
The smaller one has also taken 7 damage.
 
CasualViking
      
    Khalendel   
 
As Lera slays the large scorpion, Khalendel releases the breath he has been holding since the start of the fight, unclenches, and puts a bolt in the smaller scorpion.
*  exploit weakness  - (1d20+7)[ 26 ] , *  attack  - (1d20+6)[ 20 ]    dam  - (1d8+4)[ 6 ] , *  attack  - (1d20+1)[ 9 ]    dam  - (1d8+4)[ 10 ] 
 
 
  

 
   AC:  18 | HP:  15/15 |  Perception:  +6 (lowlight) |  Hero Points:  2/2 |  Active Effects:  None |  Conditions:  None 
Xihirli
Firtina gasps in horror and, after a moment to mutter a prayer, aids in finishing off the last scorpion.

 
 Spoiler: Actions 

I’m gonna use one action to aid the soul in moving on

Then divinely lance  (1d20+7)[ 23 ] ;  (1d4+4)[ 5 ]  spirit damage.
 
Thunder999
Khalandel recognises the scorpion on this second attempt, no natural weaknesses or resistances, extremely hardy, yet weak willed. This smaller version is considerably weaker than the behemoth you just slew, difference is that it lacks the ability to crush grabbed prey, the claws having not yet gained sufficient strength.
This is purely academic, as between his first bolt and Firtina's Divine Lance the creature dies quickly.

With the threat handled you are able to examine the room more closely and realise that the moss is not simply the natural decay of this place, but seems to part of the design. None of you are able to recall what a mossy skull represents, perhaps Wrin could look into it for you, she's always known more than anyone else you know.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
I rolled recovery checks for Khaza'dun in the rolls thread, he'd actually be stable, we can say he died if you'd prefer, or he can simply return to town, suddenly unwilling to risk his life having glimpsed death.
 
Xihirli
Firtina draws a shaky breath.
 "I think we need to return to town. At least for a time. I don’t fancy sleeping here… too many dangers lurk these halls." 
Bobthewizard
      
     Lera Trask    
   Human Kineticist 
 AC:  18  | HP:  20/20
 Fortitude:  +9  | Reflex:  +6  | Will:  +4  | Perception:  +4
 Hero Points:  2
 Active Effects:  Armor in Earth, Gate
 Conditions:   None   
 
  

Lera nods in agreement at Firtina's recommendation. Despite healing everyone, Khaz isn't looking great.

  "I agree. Khaz is badly injured and we should tell Wrin what we've found so far. She might be able to tell us what this mossy skull is."  

She helps the dwarf up and lets him lean on her as they leave.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
 
Thunder999
By the time you return to Otari the streets are practically empty and businesses closed, it's far too late to do much beyond head home to rest.
CasualViking
      
    Khalendel   
 
"See you all at Wrin's tomorrow then?", Khalendel asks as he heads off.
 
 
  

 
   AC:  18 | HP:  15/15 |  Perception:  +6 (lowlight) |  Hero Points:  2/2 |  Active Effects:  None |  Conditions:  None 
Bobthewizard
      
     Lera Trask    
   Human Kineticist 
 AC:  18  | HP:  20/20
 Fortitude:  +9  | Reflex:  +6  | Will:  +4  | Perception:  +4
 Hero Points:  2
 Active Effects:  Armor in Earth, Gate
 Conditions:   None   
 
  

Lera goes home and sleeps for the night, inviting anyone over who needs a place to stay. Her house isn't much. It's muddy and wet, but there are a couple dry spots for others to lie in if they need to. In the morning, she goes and buys a wooden shield, and a backup. When she meets up with the others, she recommends we go see Wrin. Once there, she describes what we've found so far.

  "What do you make of the skull? What about the haunt in the tower? and do you need us to go back or was that enough?"  
Infernally Clay
      
     Sachiko Kaminaga    
   Kitsune Thief Rogue 1 
 AC:  18  | HP:  16/16
 Fortitude:  +3  | Reflex:  +9  | Will:  +6  | Perception:  +6
 Hero Points:  1/1
 Active Effects:  None
 Conditions:   None   
 
  

The next thing Sachi knows she is conked out in bed. The threats they had faced so far were tougher than she had expected but she wouldn't be caught by surprise again.

The next day, she heads to Wrin's place to meet up with the others.
Thunder999
Wrin listens carefully as you explain your adventures, and she has some insights to share.

A look of unease passes her face as you mention the mossy skull, for she's knows exactly what that symbol means.
She explains that it is the unholy symbol of the Outer Goddess Nhimbaloth, The Empty Death, a terrible deity of fear, ghosts and swamps, she's particularly associated with will-o-wisps and their many variants, which her cultists claim are manifestations of her eyes, hunger and other such things.  It is also said that she was Belcorra's patron deity.
To see it upon a door implies the room beyond is a shrine to the deity, so she warns you to be prepared for wisps of some form, but asks you to please check despite the danger as it's probably important.

As you describe the bloody haunt she explains that the woman depicted is almost certainly Belcorra herself, indeed that may be a remnant of the very spot in which she died. Given that the gauntlight has been picked over since Belcorra's demise, it's unlikely that haunt is gone for good.
Perhaps, she thinks, it might be linked to whatever is creating that unnatural light.

As to whether you are done, she read the stars last night, and there is certainly danger in your future, but not insurmountably so, and if you do not act, then something terrible will happen. She was unfortunately unable to determine what form it will take.

She also advises you to explore only in the light of day, for she fears the place is more dangerous at night.

 
 Spoiler: OOC Money/loot 
If you sell your collection of mitflit weapons, then combined with the loose change you found, you will have a total of 16gp, 9sp.
In addition, you have a lesser comprehension elixir, a minor elixir of life, a lesser skeptic’s elixir, a Wolf Fang, an Owlbear Claw (which Khaza'dun gives back when he gives up) and a dose of Black Adder Venom, Wrin will buy them at the usual half price, she doesn't really have a use for all of them, but her shop wouldn't be nearly as interesting if she only stocked useful things.
You can buy anything up to level 4 in Otari without issue, though can't actually afford anything that high.
 
Xihirli
Firtina accepts the counsel readily, and considers if she has heard of this outer god in her studies.

 
 Spoiler: Religion on Nhimbaloth? 
 (1d20+7)[ 21 ] 
 
Bobthewizard
      
     Lera Trask    
   Human Kineticist 
 AC:  18  | HP:  20/20
 Fortitude:  +9  | Reflex:  +6  | Will:  +4  | Perception:  +4
 Hero Points:  2
 Active Effects:  Armor in Earth, Gate
 Conditions:   None   
 
  

Lera is not very encouraged by the news. The haunt is still there, and now will-o-wisps to deal with. Danger but not insurmountable? She'd prefer a more optimistic reading of the stars. But she is resigned to help.

  "We should go back now while it is still early in the day."  
 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Swamp Lore for Nhimbaloth  (1d20+3)[ 20 ] 
 
Thunder999
You know nothing of Nhimbaloth, she's an obscure outer god, even her actual cultists have few facts about her.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Even with the lower DC for a lore skill Lera needed a 20. Module definitely expects you to have to ask Wrin

Anyone want to buy anything before heading back?
 
Thunder999
Rested and forewarned, though a dwarf down (and that's the last I'll mention of him), the party returns to the ruined keep at Gauntlight, in the daytime there's no visible glow.
Checking the blood room, you see that the pool of blood seems to be reformed, the puddle looks more like a deep pool, though in the light of day it lacks any sign of animation.

You make your way back into the scorpion room, approaching the doors to Nhimbaloth's unholy shrine, you open them up.

The air in the large chapel feels colder and damper than elsewhere in the ruins. Condensed beads on the walls run in rivulets across the countless skulls carved into the stone. A moldering human corpse lies slumped against a wall, his hands wedged into a crack as if he died trying to pry a brick loose. Three short flights of steps lead upward to a wider chamber to the north, where a semicircular dais supports an altar of white stone. Beyond the altar loom four stained‑glass windows, each twenty feet tall and depicting four haunting scenes of ghosts rising from overgrown graveyards toward a four‑pointed orange star above, as you look upon them you feel as though something immense and distant gazes back through them.

There's a skull on the wall near the corpse that's not quite upright, you're pretty sure this unfortunate looter was in the middle of opening a secret door when he died.  You easily open it by twisting the skull, revealing the same room where you located keys earlier.  The corpse has a few items of note about its person: four daggers, a surprisingly well preserved set of Healer's tools, a minor healing potion, a lesser darkvision elixir and finally a +1 potency rune on a runestone.

Pressing on you enter into the northern chamber proper, as you do two mossy skeletons near the wall rise up, and unholy glow in their empty eyesockets.

 
 Spoiler: Initiative 

Firtina (1d20+7)[25] perception
Khalandel (1d20+5)[24] stealth
Sachiko (1d20+7)[21] stealth
Monster1 (1d20+7)[16]
Lera (1d20+4)[13] perception
Monster2 (1d20+7)[11]
 


Wary of danger, most of you are already moving by the time they've risen to their bony feet. There's not really anywhere to hide behind, but Sachiko and Khalandel have the momentary advantage.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
So everyone but Lera may act, you choose order.
Khalandel is hidden until he moves around the corner into sight. If he stays there he can peek around the corner and his target will be off-guard to the first ranged strike.
Sachiko has nowhere to hide, but treats them as off-guard thanks to Surprise Attack.

I suggest Firtina take those Healer's tools, as she can't use Medicine without them and she's now the only one trained in it.
it takes 1 day of downtime and a DC 16 crafting check to transfer that rune, Lera could attempt it, or you could ask Carman Rajani in town to do it, but the miserable old man would charge 35 silver for the service, though maybe you could talk him into a discount? (Diplomacy to Make an impression when you next meet him, DC would be very difficult to hit at your level).
 

 
 Spoiler: Map 
 
 
CasualViking
      
    Khalendel   
 
Khalendel ducks behind the corner, considering what he saw, what that might be, what their weakness might be...*  Exploit weakness  - (1d20+7)[ 26 ]  then peeks back around the corner and nails #1 with two accurate bolts *  strike ff  - (1d20+6)[ 26 ] ,   dam  - (1d8+4)[ 6 ] , *  strike  - (1d20+1)[ 21 ] ,   dam  - (1d8+4)[ 5 ] 
 
 
  

 
   AC:  18 | HP:  15/15 |  Perception:  +6 (lowlight) |  Hero Points:  2/2 |  Active Effects:  None |  Conditions:  None 
Infernally Clay
      
     Sachiko Kaminaga    
   Kitsune Thief Rogue 1 
 AC:  18  | HP:  16/16
 Fortitude:  +3  | Reflex:  +9  | Will:  +6  | Perception:  +6
 Hero Points:  1/1
 Active Effects:  None
 Conditions:   None   
 
  

Sachi quickly moves forward and attempts to impale one of the skeletons upon her rapier.

 
 Spoiler 
Action #1 - Move to 18, 31
Action #2 - Melee attack vs M2. To hit:  (1d20+8)[ 21 ] , to damage:  (2d6+4)[ 9 ]  piercing damage, plus  (1d6)[ 5 ]  sneak attack damage.
Action #3 - Melee attack vs M2 (or M1 if M2 is dead). To hit:  (1d20+3)[ 6 ] , to damage:  (2d6+4)[ 8 ]  piercing damage, plus  (1d6)[ 1 ]  sneak attack damage.
 
Thunder999
Expecting wisps of some form Khalandel recognises these for what they truly are, Corpselights.
They're a rare form of undead, formed when a will-o'-wisp starves to death, their most notable feature, as seen here is their ability to puppet corpses (the corpse uses the corpselight's stats, when it would be slain the corpselight emerges from the corpse instead and can try to claim a new one, healing in the process), a corpselight within a corpse can also attack with a baleful light, sapping the life from foes and spreading terror.
You know all their weaknesses and resistances, they're vulnerable to true sunlight, though the stained glass windows of this shrine seem enough to protect them (you also might note that it's quite odd for them to have survived, untouched, where the rest of the place crumbles), in a skeletal corpse like these they have a weakness to bludgeoning (5 points), though were they to inhabit a fleshy one they would be weak to slashing (5 points) instead. It's not all good news though as they posses a number of immunities:  death effects, disease, fear, paralyzed, poison, precision and unconscious.

Armed with this knowledge Khalandel is able to blunt the tips of his bolts with a bit of clay from among his estoterica, his first bolt is particularly potent, crushing bones on impact, the second follows through, but doesn't finish the abomination.

Sachiko manages a hit with her rapier, scoring some solid damage thanks to the potent enchantment, but the creature lacks any weak points to stab, which seems to confuse her momentarily, as she misses the second attempt entirely.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Critical Success on Exploit Vulnerability and a success vs recall knowledge (rare creature so DC is higher), so you get everything there is to know about them.
13 damage on the crit and 8 on the normal attack, since you get to use their 5 point Mortal Weakness instead of making a Personal Antithesis.
Sachiko hit the first one, no sneak attack but that Striking rune is strong.
Firtina still to act.
 
Xihirli
Firtina, her new healer's tools weighing on her pack, thinks of breaking the windows somehow but decides that, since there are so few left, that's unnecessary. She steps into the room, halo glowing, and projects her light at it to finish the final undead monstrosity.
 "May you find peace in the Boneyard,"  she prays.

 
 Spoiler: Actions 
Stride into the room for a clear shot, divine lance.
 (1d20+7)[ 22 ] ;  (1d4+4)[ 7 ] 
 
Thunder999
Firtina's lance of divine power follows up Khalandel's attacks, but the Corpselight is still standing.

The Corpselight reatliates, a sickly blue light flashes out of its empty skull, washing out over the entire party, noone escapes unscathed, flesh withering in its presence, Sachiko and Khalandel have it worst, and their minds are gripped unnatural fear, worst of all the creature's wounds heal, cracked bones fusing together once more.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
So Corpselight 1 has taken 28 total damage, but healed 8 (20), while number2 has taken 9.
The attack reached out 20ft.
Lera and Firtina take 6 negative
Sachiko and Khalandel take 11 negative and are Frightened 1
 

 
 Spoiler: Map 
 
 


Lera's turn.
Bobthewizard
      
     Lera Trask    
   Human Kineticist 
 AC:  18  | HP:  14/20
 Fortitude:  +9  | Reflex:  +6  | Will:  +4  | Perception:  +4
 Hero Points:  2
 Active Effects:  Armor in Earth, Gate
 Conditions:   None   
 
  

Lera finds herself right next to both of the shambling skeletons, and knows she needs to protect her friends.

  "Let's see if this works."  

She summons a light flail made of stone and starts swinging.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Action 1: Attack M1  (1d20+7)[ 26 ] ,  (1d8+3)[ 8 ]  bludgeoning
Action 2: Attack M1, agile  (1d20+3)[ 20 ] ,  (1d8+3)[ 6 ]  bludgeoning
Action 3: Raise Shield (the map has her right next to them. If she had to move, ignore this action).
 
Thunder999
The first Corpselight collapses in the face of Lera's crushing rock flail, a tiny blue sphere emerges from the crumbling bones, the true form of the corpselight, but not a stable one.

The other corpselight emits an identical baleful blue glow, sapping the life from the party once more, unable to take this second round of life sapping light, Khalandel and Sachiko collapse, unconscious, their weapons falling from limp hands.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Corpselight1 has been forced into wisp form.
Corpselight 2 has healed back up, only 2 damage from max now.
Lera and Firtina take 2 damage
Sachiko and Khalandel take 7, dropping both to Dieing 1 and moving their initiative until just before corpselight number 2
 

 
 Spoiler: adjusted initiative 
Firtina
Corpselight1
Lera
Khalandel
Sachiko
corpselight2
 

 
 Spoiler: Map 
 
 


Firtina's turn.
Xihirli
Firtina’s halo extends in a wide circle spinning backwards, reversing the wounds on everyone’s bodies as fate is dialed back.

 
 Spoiler: Stuff 
3-action heal. Everyone gets  (1d8)[ 5 ] ; I THIIINK our enemies will be making a basic fortitude save it be taking that as positive damage.
 
Thunder999
As a wave of vitality washes out of Firtina the tide of battle turns, her allies wounds vanish, Khalandel and Sachiko return to consciousness, the exposed the corpselight dims and falls to the ground, nothing more than a small ball of spongy blue flesh, while the second corpselight, still within its host sizzles, but remains fighting.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Khalandel and Sachiko are conscious at 5hp, still frightened 1 and now Wounded 1
The exposed corpselight was destroyed, the second one succeeds the save and has now taken a total of 4 damage.
 


Everyone but Firtina (who just acted), now acts before the remaining corpselight's next turn.
Bobthewizard
      
     Lera Trask    
   Human Kineticist 
 AC:  18  | HP:  14/20
 Fortitude:  +9  | Reflex:  +6  | Will:  +4  | Perception:  +4
 Hero Points:  2
 Active Effects:  Armor in Earth, Gate
 Conditions:   None   
 
  

Lera takes two swings at the remaining Corpselight's skeleton host.

  "Firtina, once we destroy the Skelton, hit the little light with your radiance again. That seemed to work well."  

She uses the same stone, light flail and continues swinging.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Action 1: Attack M2  (1d20+7)[ 14 ] ,  (1d8+3)[ 6 ]  bludgeoning
Action 2: Attack M2, agile  (1d20+3)[ 13 ] ,  (1d8+3)[ 11 ]  bludgeoning
Action 3: Raise Shield
 
Thunder999
Lera's swings hit only air.
CasualViking
      
    Khalendel   
 
Khalendel shudders awake, grabs his trusty crossbow, and puts another two bolts in the still-standing skeletal witchlight. Then pulls the last two triggers for good measure, eliciting only clicks from flaccid torsion. *Interact to pick up bow, *  attack  - (1d20+6)[ 20 ] ,   damage  - (1d8+7)[ 9 ] , *  attack  - (1d20+1)[ 18 ] ,   damage  - (1d8+7)[ 9 ]   
 
  

 
   AC:  18 | HP:  15/15 |  Perception:  +6 (lowlight) |  Hero Points:  2/2 |  Active Effects:  None |  Conditions:  None 
Infernally Clay
      
     Sachiko Kaminaga    
   Kitsune Thief Rogue 1 
 AC:  18  | HP:  5/16
 Fortitude:  +3  | Reflex:  +9  | Will:  +6  | Perception:  +6
 Hero Points:  1/1
 Active Effects:  None
 Conditions:   None   
 
  

Unsure of what just happened, Sachi just focuses on the enemy in front of her.

 
 Spoiler 
Action #1 - Melee attack vs M2. To hit:  (1d20+8)[ 24 ] , to damage:  (2d6+4)[ 13 ]  piercing damage
Action #2 - Melee attack vs M2. To hit:  (1d20+3)[ 9 ] , to damage:  (2d6+4)[ 13 ]  piercing damage.
Action #3 - Melee attack vs M2. To hit:  (1d20-2)[ 10 ] , to damage:  (2d6+4)[ 8 ]  piercing damage
 
Thunder999
Khalandel's first bolt scores a crushing hit, but the second just misses thanks to the awkwardness of attacking while prone.
Sachiko grabs her rapier and lands a solid stab, but misses the follow up and the creature remains standing.
It retaliates against the one who just stabbed it, unable to use the Death Light again that quickly, it lashes out with a bite and two sharp bony claws, Sachiko manages to evade the jaws and the first claw swipe, but is caught by the second, falling once more unconscious.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
The remaining corpselight has taken 31 total damage (including the damage from earlier), but isn't down yet.
Unconscious characters drop their weapons (or other held items) and there's a circumstance penalty for attacking while prone. So i've ignored Sachiko's 3rd attack in favour of her actually grabbing her rapier.
Sachiko is once more down, this time at dieing 2 thanks to already being wounded.

Oh and since it's important, this Corpselight isn't the target of Exploit Vulnerability, so while Khalandel gets the weakness, he won't get Implement's Interruption, which matters as this thing will be beelining the nearest corpse if it actually gets to act while in wisp form.
 
Xihirli
A halo appears around Sachiko as the blow lands and it pauses in midair along with time. After a second of being frozen, it spins counterclockwise around the kitsune, reversing her wounds as Firtina narrows in her fate manipulation on her friend.

 
 Spoiler: Actions 
Reaction: DELAY CONSEQUENCE
2 Actions: Heal Sachiko  (1d8+8)[ 11 ] 
And I'll Guidance Sachiko while I'm at it.
 
Bobthewizard
      
     Lera Trask    
   Human Kineticist 
 AC:  18  | HP:  14/20
 Fortitude:  +9  | Reflex:  +6  | Will:  +4  | Perception:  +4
 Hero Points:  2
 Active Effects:  Armor in Earth, Gate
 Conditions:   None   
 
  

Lera thinks the best thing she can do is try to force this wisp out of the skeleton.

  "Firtina, do you have Sachiko?"  

She uses the same stone, light flail and continues swinging.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Action 1: Attack M2  (1d20+7)[ 11 ] ,  (1d8+3)[ 8 ]  bludgeoning
Action 2: Attack M2, agile  (1d20+3)[ 20 ] ,  (1d8+3)[ 9 ]  bludgeoning
Action 3: Raise Shield
 
Thunder999
Lera's first swing is a miss, but she carries through the momentum and lands a solid blow with her second, bones shatter and the skeleton collapses to the floor in a pile, another tiny blue orb emerging from its cracked skull.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
It's no longer weak to bludgeoning, but also only has 1hp, any damage at all will finish it now.
 
CasualViking
      
    Khalendel   
 
Khalendel watches the tiny orb flow out of the corpse, and lights up the room with a crack of electricity. **Electric Arc [roll=electricity]1d4+4[/roll, basic reflex DC 17. *Interact to draw throwing knife.  
 
  

 
   AC:  18 | HP:  15/15 |  Perception:  +6 (lowlight) |  Hero Points:  2/2 |  Active Effects:  None |  Conditions:  None 
Thunder999
Despite the agility of the corpselight, a few sparks catch it and it falls to the floor, destroyed by Khalandel's magic.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
You're all at 880/1000 xp
Sachiko and Khalandel are going to require succesful medicine checks to Treat Wounds since that's the only way to remove a Wounded condition.
Searching the Altar reveals a 1st rank wand of Heal and a 2nd rank scroll of Sound Body
 
 Spoiler: Sound Body 
SOUND BODY [two-actions] SPELL 2
CONCENTRATE HEALING MANIPULATE VITALITY
Traditions divine, occult, primal
Range touch; Targets 1 willing creature
You send a surge of healing energy to restore the target’s body.
Attempt to counteract (page 431) an effect of your choice
imposing one of these conditions on the target: blinded, dazzled,
deafened, enfeebled, or sickened. If you didn’t counteract the
Spells effect, but you would have if its counteract rank were 2 lower,
instead suppress the effect until the beginning of your next
turn. The effect’s duration doesn’t elapse while it’s suppressed.
This spell can’t counteract or suppress curses, diseases, or
conditions that are part of the target’s normal state.
 


One of the skeletons has a gold tooth worth 4gp, the other has a Channel Protection Amulet.
 


The only part of this structure not yet explored is the door atop the stairs in the blood room, though there remain outbuildings to explore.

 
 Spoiler: Map of unexplored outbuildings 
 
 
Infernally Clay
      
     Sachiko Kaminaga    
   Kitsune Thief Rogue 1 
 AC:  18  | HP:  11/16
 Fortitude:  +3  | Reflex:  +9  | Will:  +6  | Perception:  +6
 Hero Points:  1/1
 Active Effects:  None
 Conditions:  Wounded 2   
 
  

"Shall we check the building to the north before we ascend the tower?" Sachi asks the others.
Bobthewizard
      
     Lera Trask    
   Human Kineticist 
 AC:  18  | HP:  20/20
 Fortitude:  +9  | Reflex:  +6  | Will:  +4  | Perception:  +4
 Hero Points:  2
 Active Effects:  Armor in Earth, Gate
 Conditions:   None   
 
  

Lera agrees with that plan. She's not too excited to open the door above the blood room and so is happy to procrastinate.

  "I agree, Sachiko"  
 
 Spoiler: OOC 
If there is more than one option, let's start on the left and move clockwise.
 
Xihirli
 "Hold on Sachiko. You and Khalendel are very hurt. Let me do what I can to help Lera." 
Firtina takes out her new medicine kit and applies a salve over the wounds, wrapping them and stitching where needed.

 
 Spoiler: Medicine Checks 

I'll use Assurance to get 2 normal DC 15 successes, I think.
Sachiko:  (2d8)[ 12 ] 
Khalendel:  (2d8)[ 10 ] 
 
Infernally Clay
      
     Sachiko Kaminaga    
   Kitsune Thief Rogue 1 
 AC:  18  | HP:  16/16
 Fortitude:  +3  | Reflex:  +9  | Will:  +6  | Perception:  +6
 Hero Points:  1/1
 Active Effects:  None
 Conditions:  None   
 
  

"Thanks," Sachi says to Firtina, "That kit of yours is coming in handy already."
Thunder999
After half an hour of tending wounds and refocusing the party decides to explore the outbuildings.

First they head to the ruined boathouse, the southern portion of the stonewalled building has collapsed into rubble, exposing what remains of a boathouse to the elements. The shelves and boats within have decayed into heaps of rot and moss. The remnants of a relatively recent campfire are visible nearby, no more than a couple of days old.

Beyond this indication that someone was here, nothing of interest lies within.
Passing through leads to an equally dilapidated pier, much of it has collapsed into the swamp, leaving about ten feet of moldy, soggy boards slumped against ancient wood pilings. A rowboat tied to a piling looks much more recently built.

A quick search of the rowboat reveals two things of note:
First is a stash of smoked salmon pastries with a fish-shaped doughy exterior, which Sachiko recalls are "Fishcakes" sold at the Crook's Nook back in Otari.
The second is a carving of a flying bird decorating the inside of the boat near the bow. Sachiko recognises it as the mark of the Osprey Club, Otari's thieves guild, Khalandel agrees, and also recalls that they're based out of the Crook's Nook and that members all get this symbol tattooed on them somewhere.
Nothing indicates where the thieves went, the remnants of the campfire imply they were here before any of you. Perhaps if you ask at the Crook's Nook in town someone may know more.

That's this section of land thoroughly explored. You cross the bridge to the smaller island without issue, there's only one set of doors, but they appear to be stuck, you'll have to force them open.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
That's an athletics check to force open, with a -2 circumstance penalty because you still don't have a crowbar.
 
Bobthewizard
      
     Lera Trask    
   Human Kineticist 
 AC:  18  | HP:  20/20
 Fortitude:  +9  | Reflex:  +6  | Will:  +4  | Perception:  +4
 Hero Points:  2
 Active Effects:  Armor in Earth, Gate
 Conditions:   None   
 
  

Lera misses the grumpy dwarf right now. He would have been able to open this door for sure.

  "Next time we go back to town, let's buy a crowbar."  

But she does her best, leaning into the door to open it.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Athletics:  (1d20+4)[ 11 ]  (includes penalty)
 
Xihirli
 "If we can’t go on, we could go back for a crowbar now and try to contact the Guild while we in turn,"  Firtina suggests.
 "Unless we have another way forward?" 
CasualViking
      
    Khalendel   
 
 "Contacting the guild?" , Khalendel chimes in, making air quotes around "contacting".  "It smells to me like they're actively involved in what's going on".    
 
  

 
   AC:  18 | HP:  15/15 |  Perception:  +6 (lowlight) |  Hero Points:  2/2 |  Active Effects:  None |  Conditions:  None 
Bobthewizard
      
     Lera Trask    
   Human Kineticist 
 AC:  18  | HP:  20/20
 Fortitude:  +9  | Reflex:  +6  | Will:  +4  | Perception:  +4
 Hero Points:  2
 Active Effects:  Armor in Earth, Gate
 Conditions:   None   
 
  

Lera feels bad that she's not able to open the door. She considers that the thieves guild might be involved, but doubts they are working with the mitflits and the haunts. More likely, they are here for the same reason we are, to look for any treasure and investigate the light.

  "Let's go back to town, get a crowbar, and talk to Wrin. Maybe we could stop by the Crook's Nook and see why the Osprey Club is out here."  

She tries one more thing before she gives up on the door, trying to manipulate the stone surrounding the door just enough to unstick the door.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Try to use Base Kinesis on the stone to make a small adjustment to the stone to unstick the door.
 
Thunder999
Lera is unable to affect the stone, her base kinesis unable to budge the stone, secured as it is within the walls.

Returning to town takes half an hour, Wren hands over a crowbar at a small discount, but you only spoke a few hours ago, so doesn't have much to say.

The Crook's Nook turns out to be worth the visit, Yinyasmera actually seems a little worried, though hides it well, all it takes is one of you mentioning the boat for her to open up.
"Stil there is it, well a few weeks ago four of my employees mentioned hearing rumours of treasure still buried beneath the place and went to explore, haven't seen them in days. I'm not keen on losing anyone else looking for them, but you're capable enough. I'll pay you 50 gold if you can bring them back, or at least proof of what's happened to them, might even be able to extend you a little discount."

It's almost noon by the time you return to Gauntlight, with a crowbar in hand it's easy to force the door open, revealing the small study within. It features several bookshelves, a desk, and two chairs. The books and objects here lie in disarray with torn pages strewn haphazardly across the room.

A voice claims to be a dangerous “wispy-ghost” named “Spookywisp.” and an orb of floating light appears.   Firtina and Sachiko realise the voice is an illusion of some sort, though none of you know what's actually making it.
Bobthewizard
      
     Lera Trask    
   Human Kineticist 
 AC:  18  | HP:  20/20
 Fortitude:  +9  | Reflex:  +6  | Will:  +4  | Perception:  +4
 Hero Points:  2
 Active Effects:  Armor in Earth, Gate
 Conditions:   None   
 
  

Lera opens the door with her new crowbar and looks into the study. When she hears the name "Spookywisp" she almost laughs out loud. When she sees the floating light though, she loses her sense of humor. These things hurt.

  "Hello, Spookywisp. We don't mean you any trouble. Can we help you in any way?"  

The swirling, muddy, damp coolness continues to surround her. She stays vigilant in case this thing attacks us like the previous ones did.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
 
Thunder999
The illusory voice replies. "Yes, help me. I want Shiny, in room at far end of this place. Mean blank faced doll guards it, but if you get it for me, I'll tell you three secrets about this place."
Xihirli
 "What use has a ghost for a shiny object?"  Firtina asks.  "Would it not be more prudent to help you move on to your right afterlife?" 
Bobthewizard
      
     Lera Trask    
   Human Kineticist 
 AC:  18  | HP:  20/20
 Fortitude:  +9  | Reflex:  +6  | Will:  +4  | Perception:  +4
 Hero Points:  2
 Active Effects:  Armor in Earth, Gate
 Conditions:   None   
 
  

Lera thinks we should help this wisp. It didn't attack us outright, and information could be valuable. On the other hand, it could be bluffing.

  "I'm intrigued Spookywisp. But how do we know you even have any useful information? Maybe you should tell us one thing now, so we know to trust you, and then you can tell us the other two items once we retrieve your shiny thing."

"And how many of these doll-faced guards are there?"  
 
 Spoiler: OOC 
 
Thunder999
"It's shiny, I want it. Afterlives are for dead people, if you kill me you'll never get my secrets, not that you could hope to slay a mighty wispy-ghost. You can't trick me, you just want secrets without giving me my shiny." It pause for a moment, then speaks again "Fine, have half a secret, the spooky lighthouse can do more than just shine eerie light, but I'm not telling what until I get my shiny." It really wants the shiny. "Just one doll, that's what I said, one nasty mean doll."

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Hint, Firtina might want to roll religion before trying anything.
 
Bobthewizard
      
     Lera Trask    
   Human Kineticist 
 AC:  18  | HP:  20/20
 Fortitude:  +9  | Reflex:  +6  | Will:  +4  | Perception:  +4
 Hero Points:  2
 Active Effects:  Armor in Earth, Gate
 Conditions:   None   
 
  

Lera shrugs her shoulders. She believes that this thing has some information that could be useful to us. whether that is worth potentially fighting this mean-faced doll is up for debate. She nods at it and then turns to the others.

  "I think we should help it, and go get it the shiny. What do you all think?"  
 
 Spoiler: OOC 
 
Xihirli
 "This thing insists it is a ghost, but denies being dead. We should expect trickery, and perhaps not kill a creature without asking questions on the say-so of one we cannot trust." 
CasualViking
      
    Khalendel   
 
Khalendel shrugs.  "I have no great moral stake in this. The secrets might be well be valuable, and we might need to deal with this doll anyway".   
 
  

 
   AC:  18 | HP:  15/15 |  Perception:  +6 (lowlight) |  Hero Points:  2/2 |  Active Effects:  None |  Conditions:  None 
Thunder999
You continue deeper into the outbuilding, first you pass two small side rooms.

The first room appears to be a storage room of some sort, Shelves laden with tools, lumber, and planks line the walls, more interestingly a quick search of the place finds an ornate silver key, you think it would sell for a decent sum, though it also likely unlocks something important.

The second room is a stairwell, moss and fungus coats the stairs, which seemingly lead down to a lower level you had not yet discovered. From the state of the growth, clearly no one has gone this way for a long time.  The thieves clearly didn't go down here, but perhaps this isn't the only entrance.

Continuing on leads to a large hallway, four 5ft tall paintings hang from the walls, mold and decay marring their surfaces.
The first portrait depicts what can only be the city of Absalom, it's iconic skyline aflame and the ghosts rising from the streets, a bronze plaque below reads "So Shall the Fools Suffer."
The second depicts what appears to be Gauntlight as it originally appeared, with its lighthouse emitting a pale blue light in which ghostly faces sneer and grimace. Its bronze plaque reads, “Let the Light Shine Forever.”
The third portrait is shredded and entirely destroyed, clearly a deliberate effort rather than mere decay. The bronze plaque is still legible though "The Artist at Work."
The fourth and final portrait depicts a smirking woman dressed in a long, green gown (based on what wrin told you of the blood apparitition, this seems to be an image of Belcorra herself). Its plaque reads, “The Lady of the Light.” The wall next to it has words scratched onto it, you don't understand it, but it looks to be in Aklo. (OOC note If you have a means to copy it down Wrin can translate, but it's not particularly important)

Finally you reach the last room, what seems to have once been an elegant workshop has fallen into shambles. Soggy strings of dripping moss hang through cracks in the wooden domed roof above. Below it, a carpet of broken glass glitters dangerously. Workbenches and shelves, armatures and displays—all formerly used in crafting or repairing immense lenses for a lighthouse—lie in ruins. Only a bejeweled spyglass sitting on a display rack near the southern wall has survived the devastation.

The doll makes itself known, a strange construct with a humanoid body, raven's head and raven's wings. It stands up and asks in a warbling voice  “Is Master Azrinae coming back?” before you can even answer it takes to the air with a furious screech.

 
 Spoiler: Ordered initiative 
Firtina (1d20+7)[27] Perception
Khalandel (1d20+5)[20] stealth
Lera (1d20+4)[16] perception
Doll (1d20+10)[15] perception
Sachiko (1d20+7)[8] stealth
 

 Firtina, Khalandel and Lera all react quickly, moving before the creature can launch its attack, though Khalandel is not hidden. You may act 
 
 Spoiler: OOC 
The layer of broken glass and shattered materials covering the floor makes it uneven ground with an Acrobatics DC of 11. This means that you're flat footed when standing on it, you must take the Balance action to move (Acrobatics check, critical success you move normally, success it counts as difficult terrain, failure you don't move, critical failure you fall prone and your turn ends), and you must pass a DC 11 reflex save whenever you get hit by an attack or fail a save, falling prone on a failure.
A creature who falls prone in this room takes 1 piercing damage
 

 
 Spoiler: Map 
 
 
Xihirli
Firtina shouts a warning and light expands from her, enveloping both herself in a thin layer of protection and Khalendal’s bow in the blessing of the goddess of fate.

 
 Spoiler: Actions  

1/2. Magic Weapon on Khalendal’s bow, it is +1 striking

3. Shield spell
 
Bobthewizard
      
     Lera Trask    
   Human Kineticist 
 AC:  18  | HP:  20/20
 Fortitude:  +9  | Reflex:  +6  | Will:  +4  | Perception:  +4
 Hero Points:  2
 Active Effects:  Armor in Earth, Gate
 Conditions:   None   
 
  

Lera wonders what the jeweled spyglass might be worth. When the doll threatens us, she stays where she is at the front of the group. She had hoped to talk to the guardian but that doesn't look like it's going to be an option.

  "So much for maybe talking to the doll. It clearly wants to kill us."  

She launches two small rocks at the flying doll and raises her shield.
 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Action 1: 1 action blast, thrown bludgeoning  (1d20+7)[ 17 ] ,  (1d8+3)[ 7 ]  damage
Action 2: 1 action blast, thrown bludgeoning  (1d20+2)[ 21 ] ,  (1d8+3)[ 5 ]  damage
Action 3: Raise Shield
 
Thunder999
Lera's rocks are easily dodged by the winged construct.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Nothing special, it just has an AC higher than 21.
 
CasualViking
      
    Khalendel   
 
 "Ahh...." . Khalendel quickly figures out what the doll is. He plants himself and fires steadily at the doll.

*  Exploit Weakness  - (1d20+7)[ 27 ]  *  strike  - (1d20+7)[ 17 ] , damage  12  *  strike  - (1d20+2)[ 20 ] , damage  15 . 
 
  

 
   AC:  18 | HP:  15/15 |  Perception:  +6 (lowlight) |  Hero Points:  2/2 |  Active Effects:  None |  Conditions:  None 
Thunder999
Despite the unorthordox addition of the beak and wings, Khalandel realises what you're up against, a Soulbound Doll, while the physical body is unimpressive for a construct, these creatures are imbued with a fragment of a mortal's soul, a process which Pharasma despises. This leaves them with far more free will than most constructs, but the practice is still popular as the constructs are actually able to change and grow in personality and power, loyalty generally assured by choosing a suitable donor, letting a loyal minion serve even beyond their death.
The soul fragment is held within a small gem, which generally survives the main body's destruction and can be transferred between bodies by a skilled crafter.
They hit unusually hard for their size.

They have no weaknesses and a substantial collection of immunities: bleed, death effects, disease, doomed, drained, fatigued, healing, mental, necromancy, nonlethal attacks, paralyzed, poison, sickened, unconscious.  Possessing a soul as they do, they can be harmed by spirit damage.

They can usually cast Levitate as an innate spell, though this one flies anyway. They also have an innate spell that depends on the alignment of the soul used in construction, this one probably has either Harm or Vampiric Touch.

Unfortunately Khalandel's attacks both miss the nimble creature.

The furious construct flies towards Sachiko (because she's not hiding behind a shield) and lashes out with its small fists, the first one is dodged, but the second swing is a painful blow.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
8 damage to Sachiko, Nimble Dodge would not help.
 

 
 Spoiler: Map 
 
 


Sachiko's turn, then the rest of the party.
Infernally Clay
      
     Sachiko Kaminaga    
   Kitsune Thief Rogue 1 
 AC:  18  | HP:  8/16
 Fortitude:  +3  | Reflex:  +9  | Will:  +6  | Perception:  +6
 Hero Points:  1/1
 Active Effects:  None
 Conditions:  None   
 
  

Sachi attempts to circle the doll, then attacks.

 
 Spoiler 
Acrobatics check:  (1d20+7)[ 13 ] 
Move to 6,5
Attack #1 - To hit:  (1d20+10)[ 30 ] , to damage:  (2d6+4)[ 7 ] , plus  (1d6)[ 6 ]  sneak attack damage. (+1 damage from deadly d8 rolled in OOC)
Attack #2 - To hit:  (1d20+5)[ 13 ] , to damage:  (2d6+4)[ 14 ] , plus  (1d6)[ 2 ]  sneak attack damage.

(for the sake of simplicity going forward if I believe I'm flanking an enemy I'll add +2 to the attack roll to compensate for the -2 penalty to AC from enemies being flat footed)
 
Thunder999
Sachiko manages to hit something important, though her second stab misses.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Ouch that's 27 damage to the doll
 
Xihirli
Firtina sees that Sachiko is greatly injured, but the doll will continue posing a danger. She moves so that her Kitsune comrade is well within her sight in case of emergency, but attempts to feel o the attacking puppet.

 
 Spoiler: Actions 

May as well fully switch to the new divine lance with 2d4 instead of 1d4+WIS
Action 1: stride to keep a direct line of sight on Sachiko
Actions 2/3: Divine Lance!  (1d20+7)[ 24 ] ;  (2d4)[ 4 ]  spirit damage.
 
Bobthewizard
      
     Lera Trask    
   Human Kineticist 
 AC:  18  | HP:  20/20
 Fortitude:  +9  | Reflex:  +6  | Will:  +4  | Perception:  +4
 Hero Points:  2
 Active Effects:  Armor in Earth, Gate
 Conditions:   None   
 
  

Lera is impressed by Sachiko's maneuver to surround the doll, and tries to take advantage of it, stabbing twice with a muddy rapier.

  "Sachiko. Be careful over there."  
 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Action 1: 1 action blast, agile piercing  (1d20+9)[ 18 ] ,  (1d8+3)[ 6 ]  damage
Action 2: 1 action blast, agile piercing  (1d20+5)[ 14 ] ,  (1d8+3)[ 9 ]  damage
Action 3: Raise Shield
 
Thunder999
Firtina's Divine Lance connects, searing at the fragmented soul within, but even with flanking Lera is unable to land a stab.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
31 total damage to the construct, I fear he may not be around for long.
 
CasualViking
      
    Khalendel   
 
Khalendel's third crossbow bolt goes wide. Frustrated, he spits out an incantation between gritted teeth and tries to hit the accursed doll with lightning instead.
*  strike  - (1d20+7)[ 13 ] ,   damage  - (2d8+4)[ 14 ] , **  Electric Arc  - (1d4+4)[ 8 ] , basic reflex DC 17.  
 
  

 
   AC:  18 | HP:  15/15 |  Perception:  +6 (lowlight) |  Hero Points:  2/2 |  Active Effects:  None |  Conditions:  None 
Thunder999
As the soulbound doll flies backwards Khalandel's bow snaps up and releases a bolt, the construct falls inertly to the ground on impact.
Searching the room reveals two items of interest, a small gem, presumably the focus for the soul fragment, fell loose from the construct upon its destruction, and the gleaming bejeweled spyglass, which is almost certainly the Shiny you were asked to retrieve.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
960/1000xp so close to that level up.
The gem from the doll is worth 5gp, or perhaps you could hold onto it for now.
The spyglass is worth 20gp, but then you'll never know what secrets Spookywisp has to share.

I'd actually already rolled for the construct's Vampiric Touch before remembering that Khalandel would get chance to shoot it dead when it moved, it was precisely enough to kill Sachiko, and a death effect, good job he hit.
 


It only takes 10 minutes to patch Sachiko back up.

Do you return the spyglass to Spookywisp immediately or check out the pier to the southwest?
Bobthewizard
      
     Lera Trask    
   Human Kineticist 
 AC:  18  | HP:  20/20
 Fortitude:  +9  | Reflex:  +6  | Will:  +4  | Perception:  +4
 Hero Points:  2
 Active Effects:  Armor in Earth, Gate
 Conditions:   None   
 
  

While Lera wasn't able to hit the mean doll, she's glad the others were able to finish it off before it killed any of us.

  "Nice job, everyone. Sorry I couldn't seem to hit the thing. I say we see what the wisp has to say and then return to investigate this pier. I assume this is what they are looking for."  

Lera picks up the spyglass and holds it up to the others, leaving the gem for someone else. She then uses her healing mud to patch up Sachiko.
 
 Spoiler: OOC 
 
Infernally Clay
      
     Sachiko Kaminaga    
   Kitsune Thief Rogue 1 
 AC:  18  | HP:  16/16
 Fortitude:  +3  | Reflex:  +9  | Will:  +6  | Perception:  +6
 Hero Points:  1/1
 Active Effects:  None
 Conditions:  None   
 
  

"We're like a bunch of gluttons for punishment, eh?" Sachi laughs off her injuries, "How about we return the spyglass and see what we get for our troubles?"
Thunder999
You return to the study, once more an orb of light appears, oddly though, this time the voice that appears is much higher pitched, and seems to be coming from under a desk rather than the orb, Sachiko and Firtina spot something under it, a small humanoid creature with frizzy blonde hair and clothes that seem to be made from leaves.
When it comes out to take the telescope, notcing the scrutinising looks at its hiding place, it, or as is now clear, he, is clearly a Brownie

He has a few things to tell you:
First, this building used to belong to someone named Volluk Azrinae.
Second, Volluk was an apprentice to someone else named Belcorra, and even though this Volluk seemed
mean and dangerous, Belcorra seemed much worse!
Finally, the spooky magic lighthouse can do more than just shine an eerie light; it can also shoot a beam
full of ghosts (this seems to fit with that painting you saw)

 Congratulations, you are all now level 2  You get your feats, skill increases, hp etc. immediately but new spells need to be prepared after resting.

You can head to the pier, through the blood room door (remember the haunt isn't fully active yet, but will come back eventually) or you could press deeper down those stairs you found (OOC you probably want to handle the above ground stuff first, deeper floors are harder)
Infernally Clay
      
     Sachiko Kaminaga    
   Kitsune Thief Rogue 2 
 AC:  19  | HP:  24/24
 Fortitude:  +4  | Reflex:  +10  | Will:  +7
 Perception:  +7  | Stealth:  +10

 Prepared Spells:  None
 Hero Points:  1/1
 Active Effects:  None
 Conditions:  None   
 
  

"Should we return to the door we couldn't open before?" Sachi asks the others, confident her experiences thus far had allowed her to grow in ways she didn't expect. She felt ready to take on anything.
Bobthewizard
      
     Lera Trask    
   Human Kineticist 2 
 AC:  19  | HP:  34/34
 Fortitude:  +10  | Reflex:  +7  | Will:  +5  | Perception:  +5
 Hero Points:  2
 Active Effects:  Armor in Earth, Gate
 Conditions:   None   
 
  

Lera looks at the brownie and smiles. This seems much better than a wisp although she has heard they can be devious sometimes so she doesn't want to cross it.

  "Sure. And we should get back to the blood room and investigate that door before the haunt returns. Let's do all that before we dive into the dungeons below."  
 
 Spoiler: OOC 
I thought we had already opened that door, but I could be wrong.

 
 Spoiler: notes 
First, this building used to belong to someone named Volluk Azrinae.
Second, Volluk was an apprentice to someone else named Belcorra, and even though this Volluk seemed
mean and dangerous, Belcorra seemed much worse!
Finally, the spooky magic lighthouse can do more than just shine an eerie light; it can also shoot a beam
full of ghosts (this seems to fit with that painting you saw)
 

 
Xihirli
 "We already got the door open with the crowbar, if that's the door you're referring to,"  Firtina says, recalling the door they couldn't force open before they'd spoken to the Guild.
 "But yes, let us return to the Blood Room." 
Thunder999
You climb the stairs in the room, the remnants of the haunt still visible on the floor, the door at the top is locked, but the bronze lighthouse engraved key opens it.

The view within the gauntlight itself is quite something:
Rows of black metal bars encase this circular chamber like a cage. Shimmering waves of force flicker between the bars and give the illusion that softly glowing glass encases this entire area. The room appears empty save for a human‑sized encasement of glass and iron that flickers and glows with an unsettling, almost nauseating pale blue shimmer—Gauntlight’s lantern, drops of blood are spread over the lantern (remember when all that blood that flowed upwards?)

After you all enter the blood on the lantern seems to boil and shimmer, forming into a dense cloud of living mist.

 
 Spoiler: Initiative 
Firtina (1d20+8)[24] Perception
Lera (1d20+5)[22] Perception
Khalandel (1d20+7)[23] Stealth
Mist (1d20+9)[20] perception
Sachiko (1d20+10)[12] Stealth
 


Everyone but Sachiko may act before the mist does

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
You probably should finish your level ups before actually acting, I did use Firtina's perception as it would be at 2nd level.
 

 
 Spoiler: EDIT:map 
 
 
Thunder999
Khalandel knows this creature is a Vampiric Mist, an aberration which feasts upon blood, they known to be are linked to will-o'-wisps, in that both of these entities are often encountered in areas where the Outer God Nhimbaloth has brushed close to the world. Often, the wounds on a corpse fed upon by a vampiric mist bear Nhimbaloth's mark: a cluster of seven perfectly spaced punctures through which the victim's blood has been drained. It is probably connected to the haunt below, though you don't know exactly how.
They attack with tendrils that drain blood leaving bleeding wounds and potentially sapping the life from their victims.  (Bleed damage and potentially Drained)
They're weak to fire and resistant to physical attacks (both 5 points)

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
That's 1 action from khalandel to exploit vulnerability
Sachiko has also spent an action recalling knowldge, but failied
 
Bobthewizard
      
     Lera Trask    
   Human Kineticist 2 
 AC:  19 +2 shield  | HP:  34/34
 Fortitude:  +10  | Reflex:  +7  | Will:  +5  | Perception:  +5
 Hero Points:  2
 Active Effects:  Armor in Earth, Gate
 Conditions:   None   
 
  

Lera shoots cold water at the mist hoping to freeze it enough that the others can land their attacks without their weapons just flowing right through the mist.

  "Everyone stay behind me."  
 
 Spoiler: OOC 
2 action blast  (1d20+8)[ 11 ] ,  (1d8+4)[ 9 ]  cold damage
Action 3: Raise Shield

 
 Spoiler: notes 
building used to belong to Volluk Azrinae - seemed mean and dangerous
Volluk was an apprentice to Belcorra, much worse!
lighthouse can also shoot a beam full of ghosts
 

 
CasualViking
      
    Khalendel   
 
Khalendel looks at the mist, reaches out a finger to touch it... then realization crosses his face, and he quickly puts two bolts in the mist. *  strike  - (1d20+8)[ 26 ] ,   damage  - (1d8+2)[ 9 ]  (+vulnerability), *  strike  - (1d20+3)[ 20 ] ,   damage  - (1d8+2)[ 5 ]  (+vulnerability) 
 
  

 
   AC:  19 | HP:  23/23 |  Perception:  +7 (lowlight) |  Hero Points:  2/2 |  Active Effects:  None |  Conditions:  None 
Infernally Clay
      
     Sachiko Kaminaga    
   Kitsune Thief Rogue 2 
 AC:  19  | HP:  24/24
 Fortitude:  +4  | Reflex:  +10  | Will:  +7
 Perception:  +7  | Stealth:  +10

 Prepared Spells:  None
 Hero Points:  1/1
 Active Effects:  None
 Conditions:  None   
 
  

"I'll gladly let you take the lead," Sachi says, staying put as a tail appears from behind her and flings wisps of blue flame at the mist.

 
 Spoiler 
Attack #1 - Foxfire. To hit:  (1d20+8)[ 15 ] , to damage:  (1d4+5)[ 9 ]  fire damage.
Attack #2 - Foxfire. To hit:  (1d20+3)[ 8 ] , to damage:  (1d4+5)[ 8 ]  fire damage.
Attack #3 - Foxfire. To hit:  (1d20-2)[ 16 ] , to damage:  (1d4+5)[ 7 ]  fire damage.
 
Xihirli
 "Be careful, I couldn’t guess at how to really hurt this thing." 
Firtina steps back and tries a more of light to see if that will manage to harm it.

 
 Spoiler: Actions  

1: Step back away from the mist.
2/3: Divine Lance!  (1d20+8)[ 9 ] ;  (2d4)[ 7 ] 
 
Thunder999
Lera's blasts of cold fail to connect with the shifting cloud of vapor.

Khalandel has better luck, the phyiscal bolts struggle to harm such a fluid creature, but he knows its weakness and a little charcoal rubbed on each bolt sees the vapor smoldering on impact.

Firtina's Divine Lance would have worked, but her aim was off, hitting nothing.

The mist itself steps closer to Khalandel, the only one to actually hurt it, it's foggy body wrapping around the lantern to fit where a more solid creature could not, tendrils the shape of skeletal arms lash out, striking him twice and leaving 7 perfectly spaced puncture wounds from which blood pours, the mist seems to feast upon the blood as it flows and Khalandel feels rather faint.

Sachiko unleashes a barrage of magical foxfire from her tail, but not a single ball actually hits, perhaps she's gotten a little too used to that enchanted rapier.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Misses from Lera and Firtina
Khalandel hits twice, the weakness and resistance effectively cancel out to do 14 total damage.
The mist is intelligent so targets the most dangerous person, both tendrils hit for 8+3=11 total slashing damage, he'll take another 6 points of persistent bleed at the end of his next turn. He failed his save both times, but the effects don't actually stack, so he's just Drained 1 (this actually makes his second save lower, but doesn't change the result).
 


You may all act again.
Infernally Clay
      
     Sachiko Kaminaga    
   Kitsune Thief Rogue 2 
 AC:  19  | HP:  24/24
 Fortitude:  +4  | Reflex:  +10  | Will:  +7
 Perception:  +7  | Stealth:  +10

 Prepared Spells:  None
 Hero Points:  1/1
 Active Effects:  None
 Conditions:  None   
 
  

"Hang in there, Khal!" Sachi says

 
 Spoiler 
Action #1 - Attack with Foxfire. To hit:  (1d20+8)[ 23 ] , to damage:  (1d4+5)[ 9 ]  fire damage.
Action #2 - Attack with Foxfire. To hit:  (1d20+8)[ 24 ]  (19 to hit w/ -5), to damage:  (1d4+5)[ 8 ]  fire damage.
Action #3 - Attack with Foxfire. To hit:  (1d20+8)[ 22 ]  (12 to hit w/ -10) to damage:  (1d4+5)[ 6 ]  fire damage.
 
Thunder999
Sachiko attacks again, landing two searing hits.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
14+8+9=31 total damage dealt
 
Bobthewizard
      
     Lera Trask    
   Human Kineticist 2 
 AC:  19  | HP:  34/34
 Fortitude:  +10  | Reflex:  +7  | Will:  +5  | Perception:  +5
 Hero Points:  2
 Active Effects:  Armor in Earth, Gate
 Conditions:   None   
 
  

Lera again shoots cold water at the mist hoping the mix of fire and ice confuses it and lowers its defenses. She keeps an eye on Khal but waits to see if he recovers on his own.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Action 1-2: 2 action blast  (1d20+8)[ 28 ] ,  (1d8+4)[ 7 ]  cold damage
Action 3: 1 action blast  (1d20+3)[ 6 ] ,  (1d8)[ 4 ]  cold damage

 
 Spoiler: notes 
building used to belong to Volluk Azrinae - seemed mean and dangerous
Volluk was an apprentice to Belcorra, much worse!
lighthouse can also shoot a beam full of ghosts
 

 
Thunder999
Lera's attack hits the creature hard, the flowing vapour freezing out of the air, falling to the ground as red tinged snow.

 
 Spoiler: OOC, healing details 
Rolled lots of dice in the dice thread, it takes 11 rounds for Khalandel to get a successful flat check, that's with first aid, he can survive it if Firtina drops a single 2 action Heal when he gets low, which I suggest doing since I also suggest you rest now, to remove the Drained condition and let Firtina get her extra spell.
60/1000xp
 


There doesn't seem to be anything else in this room, the lantern is certainly beyond your ability to harm, sinister though it is.
Xihirli
Firtina does furrow her magic into Kal, undoing a bit of his fate and winding back the clock while she put up a protective barrier in front of herself.

 
 Spoiler: Actions 
2-action heal on Kal  (1d10+8)[ 18 ] ;
Shield on myself.
 
Bobthewizard
      
     Lera Trask    
   Human Kineticist 2 
 AC:  19  | HP:  34/34
 Fortitude:  +10  | Reflex:  +7  | Will:  +5  | Perception:  +5
 Hero Points:  2
 Active Effects:  Armor in Earth, Gate
 Conditions:   None   
 
  

Once Khal is healed, Lera tries in vain to destroy the lantern, causing a small earthquake underneath it and blasting it with rocks and ice. But nothing seems to damage the light. She gives up and sits on the floor, clearly disappointed.

  "I thought we should destroy it, but I don't think I can."  

After a few moments, she gathers herself and stands up.

  "Khal still looks to be in rough shape. Perhaps we should head back home and try again tomorrow. Is there anything else we can do about the haunt below us?"  
 
 Spoiler: OOC 

 
 Spoiler: notes 
Wrin, our contact
Yinyasmera, at Crook's Nook. 50gp to find her crew.
building used to belong to Volluk Azrinae - seemed mean and dangerous
Volluk was an apprentice to Belcorra, much worse!
lighthouse can also shoot a beam full of ghosts
 

 
Infernally Clay
      
     Sachiko Kaminaga    
   Kitsune Thief Rogue 2 
 AC:  19  | HP:  24/24
 Fortitude:  +4  | Reflex:  +10  | Will:  +7
 Perception:  +7  | Stealth:  +10

 Prepared Spells:  None
 Hero Points:  1/1
 Active Effects:  None
 Conditions:  None   
 
  

"We can head back for now if you'd like," Sachi says, "Now that we know where to go next and the path is open for us. I need to consult some books I have at home anyway. I'm getting the hang of this magic stuff."
Thunder999
You return to town to rest and perhaps restock.
It's dark by the time you once more have sight of gauntlight, and that's when it happens.

Gauntlight shudders and its light suddenly blazes with a sickly, pale‑blue illumination. This beam arcs south, falling not directly on Otari, but onto the sprawling graveyard located at Otari’s western edge.
Infernally Clay
      
     Sachiko Kaminaga    
   Kitsune Thief Rogue 2 
 AC:  19  | HP:  24/24
 Fortitude:  +4  | Reflex:  +10  | Will:  +7
 Perception:  +7  | Stealth:  +10

 Cantrips:  Ghost Sound, Detect Magic, Electric Arc, Gauging Claw, Mage Hand, Shield
 Hero Points:  1/1
 Active Effects:  None
 Conditions:  None   
 
  

Once Sachi has reconvened with the others, she brings attention to the urgency surrounding the ghostly light. "We should check the graveyard before we return to the tower. We don't know what it might have awoken."
Bobthewizard
      
     Lera Trask    
   Human Kineticist 2 
 AC:  19  | HP:  34/34
 Fortitude:  +10  | Reflex:  +7  | Will:  +5  | Perception:  +5
 Hero Points:  2
 Active Effects:  Armor in Earth, Gate
 Conditions:   None   
 
  

Lera agrees with Sachi.

  "That's an excellent idea. They might need help back in town. I'd hate for us to be hiding out here while others have to deal with this mess."  

She prepares to go with the others to investigate the graveyard.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 

 
 Spoiler: notes 
Wrin, our contact
Yinyasmera, at Crook's Nook. 50gp to find her crew.
building used to belong to Volluk Azrinae - seemed mean and dangerous
Volluk was an apprentice to Belcorra, much worse!
lighthouse can also shoot a beam full of ghosts
 

 
CasualViking
      
    Khalendel   
 
 "That is.... exceedingly ominous. It's not just me, is it? The lighthouse doesn't do that regularly. I fear we can absolutely expect trouble at the graveyard". 

Khalendel rubs his chin and huffs out a long, exasperated breath.  "Best get going, then"   
 
  

 
   AC:  19 | HP:  23/23 |  Perception:  +7 (lowlight) |  Hero Points:  2/2 |  Active Effects:  None |  Conditions:  None 
Thunder999
An unholy sight greets you as you arrive at the graveyard, the whole place illuminated by eerie blue light.
The soil of Otari’s graveyard roils and churns. Dozens of skeletons and shambling corpses haul themselves free from the ground and rush to the south. Without any hesitation, the walking dead plummet over the cliff’s edge to rain down upon the domes of the Dawnflower Library below.

The guards have managed to seal of the graveyard, but seem terrified and are unwilling to enter, you're on your own for this.  Fortunately the undead are pretty spread out.

You rush through the gates, the guards barring them behind you, there's 8 undead in total, but thankfully none of them were buried with arms or armour.

 Sachiko, Lera and Firtina all act before the enemy. 
 
 Spoiler: Initiatives in order 
Sachiko (1d20+10)[29] Stealth
Firtina (1d20+8)[24]
Lera (1d20+5)[23]
Skeleton 3 (1d20+2)[20]
Skeleton 5 (1d20+2)[19]
Skeleton 4 (1d20+2)[15]
Zombie 2 (1d20)[14]
Khalandel (1d20+7)[13] Stealth
Zombie 3 (1d20)[12]
Skeleton 2 (1d20+2)[6]
Skeleton 1 (1d20+2)[3]
Zombie 1 (1d20)[3]
 

 
 Spoiler: Map 
 
 
Xihirli
Firtina’s light takes on a dangerous, cancer-inducing glow.
 "They need to be destroyed,"  she mutters.  "Khalendal, go forth and break." 
 
 Spoiler: Actions 

Actions 1/2: Magic Weapon on Khalendal’s weapon of choice
3: Shield
 
Bobthewizard
      
     Lera Trask    
   Human Kineticist 2 
 AC:  19  | HP:  34/34
 Fortitude:  +10  | Reflex:  +7  | Will:  +5  | Perception:  +5
 Hero Points:  2
 Active Effects:  Armor in Earth, Gate
 Conditions:   None   
 
  

Lera summons two shards of obsidian, dripping and gleaming with water. She hurls the shards at the nearest zombie, hoping to tear its flesh apart. The shards spin through the air. Lera then calls out to the others, knowing that if we split up, the undead will be able to surround us and pick us off one by one.

  "Let's stay together!"  
 
 Spoiler: OOC 
2-Action blast, thrown  (1d20+8)[ 19 ] ,  (1d8+8)[ 11 ]  slashing
1-action blast, thrown  (1d20+3)[ 12 ] ,  (1d8+4)[ 12 ]  slashing

 
 Spoiler: notes 
Wrin, our contact
Yinyasmera, at Crook's Nook. 50gp to find her crew.
building used to belong to Volluk Azrinae - seemed mean and dangerous
Volluk was an apprentice to Belcorra, much worse!
lighthouse can also shoot a beam full of ghosts
 

 
Infernally Clay
      
     Sachiko Kaminaga    
   Kitsune Thief Rogue 2 
 AC:  19  | HP:  24/24
 Fortitude:  +4  | Reflex:  +10  | Will:  +7
 Perception:  +7  | Stealth:  +10

 Cantrips:  Ghost Sound, Detect Magic, Electric Arc, Gauging Claw, Mage Hand, Shield
 Hero Points:  1/1
 Active Effects:  None
 Conditions:  None   
 
  

"Sounds like a plan to me," Sachi says as lightning leaps from her hands towards the zombie and skeleton nearby.

 
 Spoiler 
Cast Electric Arc vs Zombie #1 and Skeleton #3.  (1d4+4)[ 5 ]  electric damage. DC 17 Reflex save.

Zombie #1 saving throw:  (1d20)[ 19 ]  plus mods.
Skeleton #3 saving throw:  (1d20)[ 5 ]  plus mods.

Cast Shield. +1 bonus to AC (to 20).
 
Thunder999
Lera's thrown blades of volcanic glass easily hit the slow, shambling creature, slicing the corpse apart. It's destroyed before Sachiko's lightning even touches it.
The lightning still jumps to the skeleton, electricity arcing between exposed ribs, yet the creature seems to be entirely unharmed.

The attack does seem to have gotten its attention though, as it runs towards Sachiko and rakes at her with its clawed hands, though is unable to penetrate her armour.

A different skeleton sprints down to Lera and gets off a single claw swipe, this one slips through her cocoon of earth to do some damage.

A zombie and a third skeleton close the distance, but are unable to do any more.

 
 Spoiler: Map 
 
 

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
The zombie died easily since both attacks hit, the skeleton took no damage despite clearly not passing the save.
I'd prefer to roll enemy saves in future.
Skeleton3 missed both its claw swipes.
Skeleton4 only had one action after closing the gap and hits Lera for 5 points of slashing damage.
Skeleton5 and Zombie2 spent all their actions moving and are now neatly lined up in front of you.
 


It is now Khalandel's turn.
CasualViking
      
    Khalendel   
 
Khalendel peers at the skeletons, frowning in disgust, and shoots the nearest twice.

[I]*  Exploit weakness  - (1d20+8)[ 26 ]  Skeleton 3 *  strike Skel3  - (1d20+9)[ 29 ] ,   dam  - (2d8+2)[ 5 ] +Weakness, *  strike Skel4  - (1d20+4)[ 18 ] ,   dam  - (2d8+2)[ 12 ] +Weakness.
 
 
  

 
   AC:  19 | HP:  23/23 |  Perception:  +7 (lowlight) |  Hero Points:  2/2 |  Active Effects:  None |  Conditions:  None 
Thunder999
Khalandel knows these skeletons well, they appear to be Skeleton guards, though deprived of the weapons they normally wield.
They have many resistances: cold, fire, electricity, piercing and slashing, (all 5 points) a broad but common-to-undead set of immunties: death effects, disease, mental, paralyzed, poison, unconscious and no true weaknesses. They're possessed of exceptional agility, but otherwise rather pathetic. Any attack that they don't resist will shatter their bones with ease.

With no natural weaknesses, Khalandel has to improvise something a little more individual to this particular skeleton.
While a crossbow is ill-suited to the task, Khalandel makes up for it with impeccable aim, his bolt entering an empty eye socket and knocking the skull clean off as the skelton collapses on the spot.
A second bolt finds a second target, no weakness here and while the shot isn't as well aimed, the glowing runes from Firtina's spell lend his weapon supernatural power and the sheer force punches through all resistance once more.
Two shots, two kills.

Another zombie sprints towards Sachiko.
The skeleton near the cliff runs at Khalandel and lands a solid strike with one of its claws.
Finally you see one last skeleton sprinting closer, though it doesn't even manage to reach melee range.

 
 Spoiler: Map 
 
 

 
 Spoiler: Initiative 
Dead enemies removed.
Sachiko (1d20+10)[29] Stealth
Firtina (1d20+8)[24]
Lera (1d20+5)[23]
Skeleton 5 (1d20+2)[19]
Zombie 2 (1d20)[14]
Khalandel (1d20+7)[13] Stealth
Zombie 3 (1d20)[12]
Skeleton 2 (1d20+2)[6]
Skeleton 1 (1d20+2)[3]
 

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Khalandal crit the first skeleton for 13, resistance reduces it to 8, but these things have really low hp, so it dies.
Second attack is 12-5=7 so a second kill thanks to a great damage roll.
Two swings by the only enemy with enough actions, a hit for 6 slashing damage to Khalandel, then a miss.
 


Sachiko, Firtina and Lera may act.
Bobthewizard
      
     Lera Trask    
   Human Kineticist 2 
 AC:  19  | HP:  34/34
 Fortitude:  +10  | Reflex:  +7  | Will:  +5  | Perception:  +5
 Hero Points:  2
 Active Effects:  Armor in Earth, Gate
 Conditions:   None   
 
  

Lera turns and see the zombies and skeletons coming from our right, fear wells up inside her and the ground begins to shake under the new arrivals. She then uses a stone club to bash the skeleton in front of her.

  "Stay together!"  
 
 Spoiler: OOC 
2-action overflow tremor catching Z3, S1, S2.  (1d8)[ 1 ]  bludgeoning, DC18 Fort save, prone on crit fail.

Channel elements with 1-action blast on S5, [roll]1d20+8[roll],  (1d8+4)[ 10 ]  bludgeoning

 
 Spoiler: notes 
Wrin, our contact
Yinyasmera, at Crook's Nook. 50gp to find her crew.
building used to belong to Volluk Azrinae - seemed mean and dangerous
Volluk was an apprentice to Belcorra, much worse!
lighthouse can also shoot a beam full of ghosts
 

 
Thunder999
Skeleton1 and Zombie3 are entirely unaffected by the minor tremor, but Skeleton2 falls prone on the ground.
Lera's club is easily evaded.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Two successes that half 1 damage to 0, but one skeleton rolled badly enough to crit fail
Skeleton2 is Prone and has taken 2 damage.
 
Infernally Clay
      
     Sachiko Kaminaga    
   Kitsune Thief Rogue 2 
 AC:  19  | HP:  24/24
 Fortitude:  +4  | Reflex:  +10  | Will:  +7
 Perception:  +7  | Stealth:  +10

 Cantrips:  Ghost Sound, Detect Magic, Electric Arc, Gauging Claw, Mage Hand, Shield
 Hero Points:  1/1
 Active Effects:  None
 Conditions:  None   
 
  

"You already said that!" Sachi yells back at Lera before attacking the enemies before them.

 
 Spoiler 
Action #1: +1 Striking Rapier attack vs Zombie #2. To hit:  (1d20+9)[ 27 ] , to damage:  (2d6+4)[ 9 ]  piercing damage.
Action #2: +1 Striking Rapier attack vs Zombie #3. To hit:  (1d20+4)[ 7 ] , to damage:  (2d6+4)[ 11 ]  piercing damage.
Action #3: Cast Shield.  +1 bonus to AC (to 20).
 
Thunder999
Sachiko's first stab pierces right through Zombie2's skull and despite the creature's unnatural resilience, it drops re-dead instantly.
Her second stab is less fortunate, the creature swaying to the side just as she stabs.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Zombie2 got crit from a huge 23 damage (18+5 deadly rolled in the dice thread), instant death.
A 7 isn't enough to hit though, not even zombies have AC that low.
 


Firtina's turn
Xihirli
 "Alright everybody, ready?"  Firtina’s halo extends around them and takes on two disks: one, a sturdy and powerful light. The other, wispy and ghostly. The ghostly halo spins clockwise, the strong one counter. The undead are  shoved forward in time, their decay accelerating, while the clock turns back for the living in the area.

 
 Spoiler: Heal! 

3-action heal to go in a 30 foot emanation.  (1d10)[ 9 ]  healing for everyone, undead need to roll a fort save 18 or take that as… is it positive damage still?
 
Thunder999
As Firtina lets out a burst of light all the skeletons fall motionless to the ground, as does one of the zombies, the vitality magic searing their undead forms.
The final zombie is holding on, but was badly hurt.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Remaster changed Positive Energy to Vitality.
So all 3 skeletons fail their saves, 9 damage each is 3 kills.
Zombie3 critically failed, doubling that 9 damage to 18, apply the weakness to Vitality and it's dead too.
The finaly zombie took 9+weakness and stays up.
 


The zombie north of Sachiko is the only thing still up, but Sachiko and Lera get to act before it does.
Bobthewizard
      
     Lera Trask    
   Human Kineticist 2 
 AC:  19  | HP:  34/34
 Fortitude:  +10  | Reflex:  +7  | Will:  +5  | Perception:  +5
 Hero Points:  2
 Active Effects:  Armor in Earth, Gate
 Conditions:   None   
 
  

Lera feels the healing light wash over her, closing the minor wound she suffered from the skeleton's claw. She also sees the same light destroy almost all of the undead surrounding us. Only one zombie remains so Lera slashes out at it with a small piece of rock.

  "Nice work, Firtina!"  
 
 Spoiler: OOC 
1. 1-action blast, agile slashing  (1d20+8)[ 17 ] ,  (1d8+4)[ 7 ] 
2. 1-action blast, agile slashing  (1d20+4)[ 15 ] ,  (1d8+4)[ 9 ] 
3. 1-action blast, agile slashing  (1d20)[ 14 ] ,  (1d8+4)[ 5 ] 
 
 Spoiler: notes 
Wrin, our contact
Yinyasmera, at Crook's Nook. 50gp to find her crew.
building used to belong to Volluk Azrinae - seemed mean and dangerous
Volluk was an apprentice to Belcorra, much worse!
lighthouse can also shoot a beam full of ghosts
 

 
Thunder999
Lera's dagger of rock slices through the final zombie and it seems for a moment that things are dealt with, but the pale blue light remains.
Less than a minute later, long enough for Khalandel to reload his bow, but not to do much else (luckily you're already healed up, if you're not full hp, there's enough time for a single Ocean's Balm each), the light changes slightly, it looks the same, but every hair on the body of those within the light stands on end.

 
 Spoiler: Initiative 
Monster (1d20+13)[24] Stealth
Khalandel (1d20+7)[22] Stealth
Sachiko (1d20+10)[20] Stealth
Firtina (1d20+8)[14]
Lera (1d20+5)[12]
 


The gauntlight's beam shuts off and a horrifying spiderlike creature with glistening oily scales appears right next to Firtina.
It acts before any of you can even react, a 15ft cone of toxic oil sprays from its mouth. Sachiko's quick reflexes see her dodge the worst of it, some toxins seem into her skin, but she's otherwise fine, Firtina, Lera and Khalandel are worse off, not only do their skins bubble and itch, but the slippery oil has coated their hands and weapons.
Firtina's day only gets worse, it's jaws pierce her neck, a brutal wound that leaves her unsteady as poison floods her veins.

 
 Spoiler: Map 
 
 

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
That was meant to be a severe fight and you crushed it.
Where did that thing come from and why is it right next to you? Recall Knowledge (Occultism, Arcana, Esoteric Lore) would help figure it out, but that might be best left until after combat.
That's a Success from Sachiko, Fails from Lera and Khalandel, and a Critical Fail from Firtina.
1 poison damage to Sachiko
3 poison damage each for Lera,  Firtina  and Khalandel
 11 poison damage for Firtina  
(it's more dice the worse you get, rather than a basic save, if you're curious why they're so different)
Everyone but Sachiko is also covered in the stuff. which has effects I'll explain as they come up or when you recall knowledge.
Then the jaws Crit Firtina (and would crit anyone else) for 14 piercing damage, she's also poisoned, no damage but  Clumsy 1 
That leaves her at 1hp, very close.
 


You may now all act.
Infernally Clay
      
     Sachiko Kaminaga    
   Kitsune Thief Rogue 2 
 AC:  19  | HP:  24/24
 Fortitude:  +4  | Reflex:  +10  | Will:  +7
 Perception:  +7  | Stealth:  +10

 Cantrips:  Ghost Sound, Detect Magic, Electric Arc, Gauging Claw, Mage Hand, Shield
 Hero Points:  1/1
 Active Effects:  None
 Conditions:  None   
 
  

Sachi quickly circles the monster and stabs it in the butt.

 
 Spoiler 
Action #1 - Move to 5,1
Action #2: +1 Striking Rapier attack vs Monster. To hit (flatfooted factored in):  (1d20+11)[ 20 ] , to damage:  (2d6+4)[ 11 ]  piercing damage, plus  (1d6)[ 5 ]  sneak attack damage.
Action #3: Cast Shield.  +1 bonus to AC (to 20).
 
Bobthewizard
      
     Lera Trask    
   Human Kineticist 2 
 AC:  19  | HP:  31/34
 Fortitude:  +10  | Reflex:  +7  | Will:  +5  | Perception:  +5
 Hero Points:  2
 Active Effects:  Armor in Earth, Gate
 Conditions:   None   
 
  

Lera jumps at the sight of the giant spider appearing right next to them. Then she watches in horror as Firtina almost gets cut in half.

  "Firtina!"  

Her friend doesn't look good so she uses her healing mud on Firtina. She then moves around to flank the creature and attacks it with a muddy stone club.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
1. Ocean's Balm on Firtina  (1d8)[ 6 ] 
2. 1-action blast, agile  (1d20+8)[ 11 ]  (I did not add flanking),  (1d8+4)[ 5 ]  bludgeoning
3. 1-action blast, agile  (1d20+4)[ 5 ]  (I did not add flanking),  (1d8+4)[ 10 ]  bludgeoning

I don't think Firtina needed oceans balm during the break. If she did, change my first 1 action blast to a 2 action blast and add 4 to the damage if it hit.

 
 Spoiler: notes 
Wrin, our contact
Yinyasmera, at Crook's Nook. 50gp to find her crew.
building used to belong to Volluk Azrinae - seemed mean and dangerous
Volluk was an apprentice to Belcorra, much worse!
lighthouse can also shoot a beam full of ghosts
 

 
Thunder999
Sachiko's attack skitters off the creature's resilient scales, as do Lera's blasts.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
All misses, including a nat 1 from Lera.
Could you leave out flat footed in future please, since it's an AC debuff on the creature, easier for me.
 
Xihirli
Firtina wafts in the healing waves of her friend and shakily moves, adrenaline pumping in her ears.
 "I’m alright! Let’s focus on taking this thing down!" 
She steps back and keeps up the pressure with a burst of light.

 
 Spoiler: Actions 

Action 1: Step to where Sachiko left.
2/3: Divine Lance!  (1d20+8)[ 10 ] ;  (2d4)[ 5 ]  spirit damage.
 
Thunder999
Another miss sees the creature still entirely unharmed.
CasualViking
      
    Khalendel   
 
Khalendel spits as the sticky poison splatters his arms. Good thing he didn't get that stuff in his eyes, though...
He gawks at the being, drawing a blank, but on a hunch he slips a small jade idol into his trigger hand, to imbue his weapon with cleansing power against the clearly disgusting spider-thing. *  Exploit weakness  - (1d20+8)[ 10 ]  *  strike  - (1d20+8)[ 19 ] ,   dam  - (1d8+5)[ 6 ] , *  strike  - (1d20+3)[ 17 ] ,   dam  - (1d8+5)[ 6 ] 
 
 
  

 
   AC:  19 | HP:  20/23 |  Perception:  +7 (lowlight) |  Hero Points:  2/2 |  Active Effects:  None |  Conditions:  None 
Thunder999
Khalandel's recollection is a little sketchy here, but he thinks the oily venom it sprayed everyone with makes them flammable, whilte the creature itself resists fire.

Two bolts and not a single hit.

Firtina's body manages to purge the poison.

The creature steps right after Firtina, seeking to finish her off, a single bite from it's jaws sees her falling unconscious, or it would have, but she delayed the consequences, a new dose of poison, this one worse than before, fills her veins.
Seeing its prey still standing, the second swing also goes into Firtina, straight to the throat.

 
 Spoiler: Map 
 
 

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
I tried to do Dubious Knowledge there, though I feel like my lies aren't that good.
So poison is a fort save every round. In future you can roll it yourself on your turn if you want.
Firtina got a critical success to remove the old poison, but then critically failed when bitten and re-poisoned.
Firtina was bitten for 15 damage, is Clumsy 1 and Slowed 1 while poisoned. The damage gets delayed.
Then she's bitten for 28 critical damage so she's also unconscious, dieing 1 and prone.
There's no particular reason it picked Khalandel over Lera to bite.
 


The party may act.
Bobthewizard
      
     Lera Trask    
   Human Kineticist 2 
 AC:  19  | HP:  31/34
 Fortitude:  +10  | Reflex:  +7  | Will:  +5  | Perception:  +5
 Hero Points:  2
 Active Effects:  Armor in Earth, Gate
 Conditions:   None   
 
  

No sooner had Lera healed Firtina than she watches as her friend falls to the spider, unable to step in and take the blow herself.

  "Firtina!"  

Knowing that there is nothing more she can do to help Firtina for now, she tries to attack the spider again before raising her shield up.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
1-2. 2-action blast,  (1d20+8)[ 10 ]  (I did not add flanking),  (1d8+8)[ 15 ]  bludgeoning
3. raise shield

 
 Spoiler: notes 
Wrin, our contact
Yinyasmera, at Crook's Nook. 50gp to find her crew.
building used to belong to Volluk Azrinae - seemed mean and dangerous
Volluk was an apprentice to Belcorra, much worse!
lighthouse can also shoot a beam full of ghosts
 

 
Infernally Clay
      
     Sachiko Kaminaga    
   Kitsune Thief Rogue 2 
 AC:  19  | HP:  24/24
 Fortitude:  +4  | Reflex:  +10  | Will:  +7
 Perception:  +7  | Stealth:  +10

 Cantrips:  Ghost Sound, Detect Magic, Electric Arc, Gauging Claw, Mage Hand, Shield
 Hero Points:  1/1
 Active Effects:  None
 Conditions:  None   
 
  

Sachi closes in and tries to pierce the creature's tough hide.

 
 Spoiler 
Action #1 - Move to 6'2
Action #2: +1 Striking Rapier attack vs Monster. To hit:  (1d20+9)[ 26 ] , to damage:  (2d6+4)[ 11 ]  piercing damage, plus  (1d6)[ 4 ] sneak attack damage.
Action #3: Cast Shield. +1 bonus to AC (to 20).
 
Xihirli
Firtina crumples and, from her perspective, stares into the face of Pharasma.
 "Is it… is this my time?" 
And the face of her god is unmoving, staring down at Firtina coldly and expectantly, as though waiting for something.
Thunder999
Lera misses once more.
Sachiko finally manages to stab it, landing a single well aimed hit.
Firtina briefly stops bleeding to death.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
15 damage to the monster, plenty more to go
 


Khalandel is up
CasualViking
      
    Khalendel   
 
Khalendel looks over at Firtina, and desperately wields a shield to interpose between her and the ravenous monster. More than a little panicked, he fires his remaining two bolts at the creature.
 *Shield (amped with 1 focus) on Firtina.   strike  - (1d20+8)[ 11 ] ,   strike2  - (1d20+3)[ 22 ]  Edit: spent a hero point, if 22 hits, it takes 10 and 13 dam. 
 
 
  

 
   AC:  19 | HP:  20/23 |  Perception:  +7 (lowlight) |  Hero Points:  2/2 |  Active Effects:  None |  Conditions:  None 
Thunder999
Khalandel finally gets lucky and both bolts pierce the scales, hurting the beast.

Despite Khalandel's shield, the delayed damage returns Firtina to her previous state of slowly bleeding to death, it's too late to block the strike.

With Firtina staying down, the creature moves onto Khalandel, the first bite hurts, but he resists the poison, the second misses, but the third manages to hit and this time he feels his muscles stiffen.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
37 total damage on the monster thus far.
Khalandel is hit twice 17 damage on the first one, 15 on the second, nat 1 vs poison so Clumsy 1 and Slowed 1. I think that drops him, so Prone and Dieing 1 too
Firtina is Prone and Dieing 2
It attacked 3 times because its other ability isn't available and it's more interested in killing you than surviving.
 
Infernally Clay
      
     Sachiko Kaminaga    
   Kitsune Thief Rogue 2 
 AC:  19  | HP:  24/24
 Fortitude:  +4  | Reflex:  +10  | Will:  +7
 Perception:  +7  | Stealth:  +10

 Cantrips:  Ghost Sound, Detect Magic, Electric Arc, Gauging Claw, Mage Hand, Shield
 Hero Points:  1/1
 Active Effects:  None
 Conditions:  None   
 
  

Now the beast has taken Khalandel out too, Sachi rushes to Firtina's side to try to get her out of there.

 
 Spoiler 
Action #1 - Move to 8,4
Action #2 - Interact to grab Firtina's Healer's Kit
Action #3 - Battle Medicine (DC 15):  (1d20+5)[ 18 ] 
 
Xihirli
Firtina felt Sachiko's hands on her as she looked up at the veiled face of her goddess.
 "It's... not my time?" 

And as Firtina gasped and sat up, she felt echoing in her mind
 We shall see 
 "Khalendel!"  Firtina said immediately, extending a hand to the ranger. Light extended from her again, washing over Khalendel.
Still weak, Firtina digs her fingers into the dirt and pulls herself away from the fight.

 
 Spoiler: Actions 


Firtina is at 5 hp still.

2 actions to heal Khalendel.  (1d10+8)[ 10 ] 
Then I’ll crawl one square away.
 
Bobthewizard
      
     Lera Trask    
   Human Kineticist 2 
 AC:  19  | HP:  31/34
 Fortitude:  +10  | Reflex:  +7  | Will:  +5  | Perception:  +5
 Hero Points:  2
 Active Effects:  Armor in Earth, Gate
 Conditions:   None   
 
  

Seeing Khal still alive and knowing that there is nothing more she can do to help Firtina for now, Lera moves around the spider to flank it. She tries to attack the spider again before raising her shield up.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
1. Move to 6,2
2. 1-action blast,  (1d20+8)[ 26 ]  (I did not add flanking),  (1d8+3)[ 11 ]  bludgeoning
3. raise shield

 
 Spoiler: notes 
Wrin, our contact
Yinyasmera, at Crook's Nook. 50gp to find her crew.
building used to belong to Volluk Azrinae - seemed mean and dangerous
Volluk was an apprentice to Belcorra, much worse!
lighthouse can also shoot a beam full of ghosts
 

 
Thunder999
Sachiko manages to patch Firtina up with mundane medicine well enough to be conscious, Firtina then proceeds to magically heal Khalandel, but the poison is only getting worse and she can barely move.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Firtina is Wounded 2, Prone, Clumsy 1 and Slowed 2 as she's now in stage 3 of the poison.
Khalandel is Wounded 1, Prone, Clumsy 1 and Slowed 1.
 


Khalandel may act.
CasualViking
      
    Khalendel   
 
One bite, another, and Khalendel sinks into silent, watery unconsciousness....only to be dragged back up. He quickly wills a shield around himself, and staggers to his feet.
 
 
  

 
   AC:  19 | HP:  10/23 |  Perception:  +7 (lowlight) |  Hero Points:  1/2 |  Active Effects:  None |  Conditions:  Wounded 1, Slowed 1, clumsy 1,  
Thunder999
Khalandel's condition deteriorates as the poison spreads.
By this time the monster's reserves of toxic oil have replenished, and a great toxic torrent is unleashed onto most of the group.
Sachiko and Firtina both get thoroughly coated in the slippery toxin, Firtina blacks out once more, Sachiko is hurt, but still fighting, having not yet taken a real hit. Khalandel manages to lean towards the creature and evade the spray entirely.
The creature delivers another nasty bite to Khalandel, though his barrier of force is able to absorb some of the impact before shattering.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
9 damage each from poison for Firtina and Sachiko. I do not recommend rerolling as you'll probably need that last Hero point to stabilise with.
Firtina is dieing 3, prone, unconscious, slowed 2 and clumsy 1.
Khalandel is Wounded 2, slowed 2 and clumsy 1, he's also dropped his weapon. He has 5hp left and can no longer cast shield
 


Party's turn.
Bobthewizard
      
     Lera Trask    
   Human Kineticist 2 
 AC:  19  | HP:  31/34
 Fortitude:  +10  | Reflex:  +7  | Will:  +5  | Perception:  +5
 Hero Points:  2
 Active Effects:  Armor in Earth, Gate
 Conditions:   None   
 
  

Lera fears we are all going to die. Firtina and Khal are already down and it doesn't seem like we've done much to injure this giant spider. But there is nothing left to do but try to keep fighting. If she runs away now, her friends would certainly die.

She stabs twice at the spider with a muddy rapier.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
1. 1-action blast,  (1d20+8)[ 16 ]  (I did not add flanking),  (1d8+3)[ 8 ]  piercing
2. 1-action blast, agile  (1d20+4)[ 7 ]  (I did not add flanking),  (1d8+3)[ 11 ]  piercing
3. raise shield

 
 Spoiler: notes 
Wrin, our contact
Yinyasmera, at Crook's Nook. 50gp to find her crew.
building used to belong to Volluk Azrinae - seemed mean and dangerous
Volluk was an apprentice to Belcorra, much worse!
lighthouse can also shoot a beam full of ghosts
 

 
Thunder999
Lera misses twice.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Khlandel isn't unconscious, though he is slowed 2 and unarmed, so unlikely to be useful.

This creature is level 4 by the way.
 
CasualViking
      
    Khalendel   
 
Khalendel hears nothing but his own heartbeat thundering in his ears. His arms feel heavy and unresponsive. He glances at his rotary bow on the floor. It looks  very  far away. Instead, he grabs at one of his bolts already embedded in the creature, intending to jerk it around or push it deeper in...

*  unarmed  - (1d20+8)[ 22 ] ,   damage  - (1d4+5)[ 7 ]  
 
  

 
   AC:  19 | HP:  5/23 |  Perception:  +7 (lowlight) |  Hero Points:  1/2 |  Active Effects:  None |  Conditions:  Wounded 2, Slowed 2  
Infernally Clay
      
     Sachiko Kaminaga    
   Kitsune Thief Rogue 2 
 AC:  19  | HP:  24/24
 Fortitude:  +4  | Reflex:  +10  | Will:  +7
 Perception:  +7  | Stealth:  +10

 Cantrips:  Ghost Sound, Detect Magic, Electric Arc, Gauging Claw, Mage Hand, Shield
 Hero Points:  1/1
 Active Effects:  None
 Conditions:  None   
 
  

Sachi tries to strike the creature once more.

 
 Spoiler 
Action #1 - Move to 6,3
Action #2 - +1 Striking Rapier attack vs Monster. To hit:  (1d20+9)[ 21 ]  to damage:  (2d6+4)[ 12 ]  piercing damage.
Action #3 - +1 Striking Rapier attack vs Monster. To hit:  (1d20+4)[ 9 ]  to damage:  (2d6+4)[ 6 ]  piercing damage.

If the creature is still alive after the first hit, use a hero point to reroll the second attack (got a 16 in the dice rolling thread)
 
Thunder999
With a final stab from Sachiko, the monster collapses on the ground, dead at last.

With the immediate threat over, Sachiko is able to think a moment and realise what happened, based on what you saw, what the fey told you and the paintings, this was the Gauntlight serving its intended purpose, albeit clearly far weaker than it should be.
Whoever is controlling it teleported that creature right on top of you using the Gauntlight's beam, dropping it right where it could do the most harm.

Alas noone is able to figure out what that creature actually was.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
I rolled Recall Knowledge checks for you, but the only success was Sachiko's arcana for the teleport.
 260/1000 xp 
 


The immediate threat is over, but perhaps it's worth waiting a few hours for shops to open and buying a few essentials.

Before you leave the graveyard, the Mayor, Oseph, informs you that he'll give you 5 platinum each if you can ensure gauntlight never fires again.

 
 Spoiler: OOC2 
Go buy a second healer's kit, some armour, and you could get away with delaying a day to pay the local smith 3gp and 5sp to transfer that +1 Potency rune you found to Khalandel's special crossbow, make sure none of your other abilities rely on items you don't have too.
 
Infernally Clay
      
     Sachiko Kaminaga    
   Kitsune Thief Rogue 2 
 AC:  19  | HP:  15/24
 Fortitude:  +4  | Reflex:  +10  | Will:  +7
 Perception:  +7  | Stealth:  +10

 Cantrips:  Ghost Sound, Detect Magic, Electric Arc, Gauging Claw, Mage Hand, Shield
 Hero Points:  1/1
 Active Effects:  None
 Conditions:  None   
 
  

Sachi does what she can to help Firtina back on her feet.

 
 Spoiler 
Administer First Aid (DC 22):  (1d20+5)[ 7 ] 
 
Thunder999
It looks like Firtina might be in trouble, but it seems one of the fleeing guards bumped into your friend Wrin, who brings her back to the world of the living with an incantation, her form blurring as she casts.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Wrin casts stabilise on Firtina, you can try Medicine, or just wait 10 minutes and use Ocean's Balm.
 
Xihirli
Firtina absolutely looks terrible but doesn't seem to be getting that much worse.

In her vision, the cleric felt air grip around her and pull her like a riptide as she was trying to see the Boneyard.
 "Not yet... I knew more was meant for me..." 
And the tides of fate dragged her back.
Bobthewizard
      
     Lera Trask    
   Human Kineticist 2 
 AC:  19  | HP:  31/34
 Fortitude:  +10  | Reflex:  +7  | Will:  +5  | Perception:  +5
 Hero Points:  2
 Active Effects:  Armor in Earth, Gate
 Conditions:   None   
 
  

With the way Firtina and Khal look, Lera agrees that we should stay in town at least tonight, or longer if they need to.

  "That was close. Thanks, Wrin."  

She doesn't need anything, but she's fine waiting for the others before we head back to the castle. 
 Spoiler: OOC 

 
 Spoiler: notes 
Wrin, our contact
Yinyasmera, at Crook's Nook. 50gp to find her crew.
building used to belong to Volluk Azrinae - seemed mean and dangerous
Volluk was an apprentice to Belcorra, much worse!
lighthouse can also shoot a beam full of ghosts
 

 
Infernally Clay
      
     Sachiko Kaminaga    
   Kitsune Thief Rogue 2 
 AC:  19  | HP:  15/24
 Fortitude:  +4  | Reflex:  +10  | Will:  +7
 Perception:  +7  | Stealth:  +10

 Cantrips:  Ghost Sound, Detect Magic, Electric Arc, Gauging Claw, Mage Hand, Shield
 Hero Points:  1/1
 Active Effects:  None
 Conditions:  None   
 
  

Back in town, Sachi returns Firtina's Healer's Kit and acquires her own to use.
Xihirli
Upon recovering, Firtina stirs and then closes her eyes again.
 "I think I died a little." 
Thunder999
The party spends the remainder of the day in town, handling some shopping and recovering from the nasty wounds that spending an entire fight on the edge of death inflicted, notably a visit to Blades for Glades sees Firtina outfitted in a shiny suit of steel full plate, the owner Carman Rajard takes one look at her and states she's not strong enough to wear it properly, but 30 gold is 30 gold so he adjusts a suit to her size as soon as you hand over the coin, you also convince him to transfer the rune from the runestone you found to Khalandel's rotary crossbow for a small fee, though that takes him the rest of the day.
To the relief of everyone in town, nothing happens the next night, though noone knows how long it will take the unholy light to recharge.

The next day you set out at dawn, the trek to Gauntlight takes an hour now, the party slowed down by Firtina's new armour,

You return to the staircase you've discovered leading down, not having found any other way to go (though no sign of the missing thieves makes you wonder if there's some hidden route you never found).
The room you find yourselves in is mostly empty but for the stairs, there's doors leading both left and right, which way do you go?

 
 Spoiler: Map 
 
 

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
On this floor all doors take two actions to open, unless you're trained in Athletics, in which case it's just one, no check required, unless of course they're locked or otherwise harder to open.
 
Bobthewizard
      
     Lera Trask    
   Human Kineticist 2 
 AC:  19  | HP:  31/34
 Fortitude:  +10  | Reflex:  +7  | Will:  +5  | Perception:  +5
 Hero Points:  2
 Active Effects:  Armor in Earth, Gate
 Conditions:   None   
 
  

Not seeing any real reason to pick one door over the other, Lera goes and checks the door to the left.

  "If it doesn't matter, always go left."  

If she doesn't hear any immediate threats, once everyone else is ready, she will open the door.
 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Perception  (1d20+5)[ 17 ] 
 
 Spoiler: notes 
Wrin, our contact
Yinyasmera, at Crook's Nook. 50gp to find her crew.
building used to belong to Volluk Azrinae - seemed mean and dangerous
Volluk was an apprentice to Belcorra, much worse!
lighthouse can also shoot a beam full of ghosts
 

 
Thunder999
The door to the left is easily opened with a good shove from Lera.
This room shares features of a bedroom and a study, although the decor is devoid of any touches of personality, as if anything of sentimental value had been removed.
There's not much of interest but a quick search of the room turns up a scrap of paper listing the book titles "What The Worm Knows" "Grave Feasts" and "Secrets of the Skull" along with a note at the bottom reading “Transcription will take months, but I’ll try to have these books back to you as soon as possible, my love!”
The relevant books do not appear to be here

A door to the north east opens to a small room, with a long‑abandoned straw bed, a dresser with open drawers revealing a jumble of out‑of‑date servant’s clothing, and a large barrel with a ladle atop it.
Lera spots a loose brick, behind which is a small cache of valuables: a shard of jade worth 15 gp, a silver statuette of two succubi worth 35 gp, and an oily-looking slick armor rune.

Returning to the leftmost room you instead open the southern door, this room is much bigger.
A large metal table fitted with leather straps and iron bands sits in the center of this room. A strange contraption that seems to be part spyglass and part mechanical drill sits near the head of the table. A sparkling black gemstone glitters in a metal framework built into this machine’s side.

Sachiko realises that the machine is designed to aid with the casting of undead animating rituals (OOC +2 item bonus on skill checks to use the Create Undead ritual, though none of you know that and Pharasma would curse Firtina if you tried). The onyx gem looks both valuable and very much essential, so you could probably ruin the machine and make yourself a nice profit by ripping it out.

Unfortunately there's one final thing in this room, what appears to be a giant log of desiccated flesh animates and attacks as you get close.

 
 Spoiler: Initiative 
Monster (1d20+10)[29]
Sachiko (1d20+10)[24] Stealth
Lera (1d20+5)[20]
Firtina (1d20+8)[17]
Khalandel (1d20+7)[9]
 


It reacts unexpectedly fast, it drags its dessicated body towards Lera, 'bites' her with its horrifying leech-like mouth and firmly grabs hold.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
There are no light sources down here, so please tell me how each of you is handling that (darkvision, light spells, torches in hand etc.)
Make note of your loot:a shard of jade worth 15 gp, a silver statuette of two succubi worth 35 gp, and an oily-looking slick armor rune.
Lera was hit for 13 piercing damage and is now Grabbed, that is she has the flat-footed and immobilized conditions, and if she attempts a manipulate action while grabbed, she must succeed at a DC 5 flat check or it is lost. Luckily kinetic impulses don't have manipulate.
 

 
 Spoiler: Map 
 
 


You may all act in whatever order you choose.
Infernally Clay
      
     Sachiko Kaminaga    
   Kitsune Thief Rogue 2 
 AC:  19  | HP:  24/24
 Fortitude:  +4  | Reflex:  +10  | Will:  +7
 Perception:  +7  | Stealth:  +10

 Cantrips:  Ghost Sound, Detect Magic, Electric Arc, Gauging Claw, Mage Hand, Shield
 Hero Points:  1/1
 Active Effects:  None
 Conditions:  None   
 
  

Sachi sweeps around the table and stabs the unusual creature in the back while it is distracted.

 
 Spoiler 
Action #1 - Move to 1,3
Action #2 - Attack vs Dessicated Flesh Log. To hit:  (1d20+9)[ 25 ] , to damage:  (2d6+4)[ 8 ]  piercing damage, plus  (1d6)[ 6 ]  sneak attack damage.
Action #3 - Cast Shield cantrip (AC is now 20).
 
Thunder999
Sachiko skewers the creature expertly from the rear, the wound is deep, though not particularly debilitating, and there's no blood or other ichor.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
14 damage to the monster.
 
Xihirli
Firtina steps forward very slowly, weighed down by her armor. Her halo, ever present unless she is specifically told to turn it off, shines light around the room.
 "Excellent work, Sachiko." 

Observing the Bloodsiphon, Firtina shouted out:  "Cut it, if you can! Cut it down!"  And in hatred of the undead, in a desperate need to free whatever soul was trapped within, sent a bolt of light to break it.

 
 Spoiler: Actions 
1: Recall Knowledge (Vulnerability to slashing)
2: DIVINE LANCE 17 to hit, 8 Spirit damage.
 
Thunder999
Firtina thinks a moment and realises this is no type of undead she's heard of, not due to a flaw in her knowledge, but because it's a unique abomination not seen before, looking at the dessicated skin, she realises it's vulnerable to Slashing damage, similar to a zombie, though that's the extent of the similarities.

Sadly she lacks the ability to do slashing damage, and her ray of divine energy fails to harm it.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
5 point weakness to slashing, the creature is entirely unique.
17 does not hit.
 
Bobthewizard
      
     Lera Trask    
   Human Kineticist 2 
 AC:  19  | HP:  25/34
 Fortitude:  +10  | Reflex:  +7  | Will:  +5  | Perception:  +5
 Hero Points:  2
 Active Effects:  Armor in Earth, Gate
 Conditions:   None   
 
  

Lera summons a stone hatchet and immediately begins chopping at the animated log that has her in its grasp.

  "Is it made of wood?"  

She lets her healing mud wash over herself and raises her shield to fend off the inevitable second attack.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
1. 1 Action blast, agile, slashing  (1d20+8)[ 20 ] ,  (1d8+3)[ 9 ]  slashing
2. Ocean's Balm on self  (1d8)[ 7 ] 
3. Raise Shield

 
 Spoiler: notes 
Wrin, our contact
Yinyasmera, at Crook's Nook. 50gp to find her crew.
building used to belong to Volluk Azrinae - seemed mean and dangerous
Volluk was an apprentice to Belcorra, much worse!
lighthouse can also shoot a beam full of ghosts
 

 
Thunder999
Lera manages to slash the disgusting creature, it's definitely not made of wood, she leaves a solid cut in its side, but is still grabbed firmly in its toothy maw.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Another 14 damage for 28 total damage to the Bloodsiphon (no idea how anyone is supposed to know that's what it's called, being unique and all)
 


Khalandel is up.
CasualViking
      
    Khalendel   
 
Khalendel considers the creature for a moment. He is not entirely sure... but it seems to be a lot of meat, not a lot of bones or vital organs. He clacks one of his finger rings on the stock of his crossbow, recalling the butcher who wore it for decades and how he would carve up meat, then puts two bolts in the thing. They don't seem ti hit anything worth cutting out, though. *  Exploit weakness  - (1d20+8)[ 20 ]  *  strike  - (1d20+9)[ 14 ] ,   dam  - (1d8+5)[ 13 ] , *  strike  - (1d20+4)[ 12 ] ,   dam  - (1d8+5)[ 6 ] 
 
 
  

 
   AC:  19 | HP:  5/23 |  Perception:  +7 (lowlight) |  Hero Points:  1/1 |  Active Effects:  None |  Conditions:  | Affixed Talismans:   
Thunder999
Khalandel's guesses about this creature are hazy, but it looks like it was once a leech, so can probably drink blood, he also thinks it might be able to climb.
As Khalandel's bolts sail futilely past, the creature begins to feast upon Lera, greedily draining her blood, its own wounds sealing over as it does. It's even begining to look less like a dessicated tube as the blood pumps it back up.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Fail on the Exploit Vulnerability and on the knowledge check.
It uses Blood Drain twice and then uses Grab to extend the grapple on Lera for another round.
So that's 22 damage (11 and 11) to Lera, no rolls required.  Lera is also  Drained 1 , so that's -2 max and current hp, and a -1 Status penalty to: Fort saves, Fort DC, Impulse Attack Rolls and Impulse DCs,
And the Bloodsiphon heals 8 damage each time, so it's now only taken 12 damage.
Oh and Khalandel should be at full hp, he's not been hurt yet.
 


Party's up again.
Bobthewizard
      
     Lera Trask    
   Human Kineticist 2 
 AC:  19  | HP:  1/(32) 34
 Fortitude:  +10  | Reflex:  +7  | Will:  +5  | Perception:  +5
 Hero Points:  2
 Active Effects:  Armor in Earth, Gate
 Conditions:  Drained 1, grabbed   
 
  

Lera feels herself go weak and almost passes out, but manages to hang on just a little. She tries to escape, but struggles to make any progress. She can feel the blood running out of her.

  "Help"  
 
 Spoiler: OOC 
1. Escape  (1d20+8)[ 9 ] 
2. Escape if needed, or attack  (1d20+3)[ 7 ]  (either should be at +3)
3. Raise Shield if escaped

 
 Spoiler: notes 
Wrin, our contact
Yinyasmera, at Crook's Nook. 50gp to find her crew.
building used to belong to Volluk Azrinae - seemed mean and dangerous
Volluk was an apprentice to Belcorra, much worse!
lighthouse can also shoot a beam full of ghosts
 

 
Infernally Clay
      
     Sachiko Kaminaga    
   Kitsune Thief Rogue 2 
 AC:  19  | HP:  24/24
 Fortitude:  +4  | Reflex:  +10  | Will:  +7
 Perception:  +7  | Stealth:  +10

 Cantrips:  Ghost Sound, Detect Magic, Electric Arc, Gouging Claw, Mage Hand, Shield
 Hero Points:  1/1
 Active Effects:  None
 Conditions:  None   
 
  

"Let! Her! Go!" Sachi says through gritted teeth, each word punctuated by a blow.

 
 Spoiler 
Action #1 - Attack vs Bloodsiphon. To hit:  (1d20+9)[ 27 ]  to damage:  (2d6+4)[ 12 ]  piercing damage, plus  (1d6)[ 5 ]  sneak attack damage.
Action #1 - Attack vs Bloodsiphon. To hit:  (1d20+4)[ 15 ]  to damage:  (2d6+4)[ 9 ]  piercing damage, plus  (1d6)[ 5 ]  sneak attack damage.
Action #1 - Attack vs Bloodsiphon. To hit:  (1d20-1)[ 13 ]  to damage:  (2d6+4)[ 15 ]  piercing damage, plus  (1d6)[ 3 ]  sneak attack damage.
 
Thunder999
Lera struggles in vain, the creature's teeth remaining firmly lodged in her flesh.

Sachiko scores a nasty blow, piercing clean through the creature, it bleeds slightly, or rather leaks, her follow up attacks are less successful, failing to harm it.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
39 total damage on that crit, impressive.
That's 51 total damage on the creature.
 
Xihirli
Firtina gasps, watching Lera nearly die. Presenting her holy symbol, she spun back time as much as she was able, stemming at the damage Lera was taking.

 
 Spoiler: Actions 
1/2: Heal Lera!  (1d10+8)[ 15 ] 
3: Raise a shield.
 
CasualViking
      
    Khalendel   
 
Khalendel peeks around the corner again, his crossbow clacking and shaking as he fires of two bolts. Then, he draws a handful of cards from his coat pocket.
*  strike  - (1d20+8)[ 14 ] ,   dam  - (1d8+4)[ 9 ] , *  strike  - (1d20+3)[ 19 ] ,   dam  - (1d8+4)[ 9 ] , *draw cantrip deck
 
 
  

 
   AC:  19 | HP:  23/23 |  Perception:  +7 (lowlight) |  Hero Points:  1/1 |  Active Effects:  None |  Conditions:  | Affixed Talismans:   
Thunder999
Khalandel's second bolt hits home, leaving the creature rather hurt.

It continues to drink Lera dry, it's wounds heal further, though it's still looking pretty beat up, while Lera collapses into unconsciousness, falling to the ground.
With Lera unconscious it doesn't bother to keep her grapped, instead turning its maw on Sachiko, it did not like being stabbed, fortunately she sees it coming as it slowly turns to face her, dodging easily.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
The bloodsiphon takes 9 damage then heals 16, putting it at 44 taken.
Lera takes 11+10=21 blood drain damage, she is now Unconscious, Dieing 1, Prone and Drained 1
It rolled a natural 1 when attacking Sachiko, everyone point and laugh.
 
Infernally Clay
      
     Sachiko Kaminaga    
   Kitsune Thief Rogue 2 
 AC:  19  | HP:  24/24
 Fortitude:  +4  | Reflex:  +10  | Will:  +7
 Perception:  +7  | Stealth:  +10

 Cantrips:  Ghost Sound, Detect Magic, Electric Arc, Gouging Claw, Mage Hand, Shield
 Hero Points:  1/1
 Active Effects:  None
 Conditions:  None   
 
  

"That's right, just try to take a bite out of me." Sachi says angrily before lunging at the monster once more.

 
 Spoiler 
Action #1 - Attack vs Bloodsiphon. To hit:  (1d20+9)[ 20 ] , to damage:  (2d6+4)[ 11 ]  piercing damage.
Action #2 - Attack vs Bloodsiphon. To hit:  (1d20+4)[ 10 ] , to damage:  (2d6+4)[ 15 ]  piercing damage.
Action #3 - Cast Shield cantrip (AC is now 20).
 
CasualViking
      
    Khalendel   
 
Khalendel ducks back behind the corner. As he strains to bend back the bows on his weapon, he has time to mutter to himself.  "I knew there was going to be dangerous creatures here. I've made my peace with that. But do they really, Really need to be so Disgusting?".  He peeks back and looses another bolt.

*reload, *reload, *  strike  - (1d20+9)[ 12 ]    damage  - (1d8+5)[ 11 ] 
 
 
  

 
   AC:  19 | HP:  23/23 |  Perception:  +7 (lowlight) |  Hero Points:  1/1 |  Active Effects:  None |  Conditions:  | Affixed Talismans:   
Xihirli
Firtina considers preventing the attack on Lera, but with her held she remembers that Delaying consequences can make them worse.
Instead she contents herself to repairing the issue before her.

 
 Spoiler 
1/2: Heal Lera!  (1d10+8)[ 18 ] 
3: I will Stride to flank it with Lera as well.
 
Thunder999
Sachiko lands a single hit, though with Lera unconscious she's unable to go for a vulnerable point, Khalandel is forced to reload and his one shot skims off the creature's flesh harmlessly.
Firtina manages to bring Lera back into consciousness, and Lera feels much better as a result.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
11 more damage dealt, 55 total damage to the Bloodsiphon.
You couldn't delay the consequences here, the trigger is someone being hit, but there's no attack roll for Blood Drain, it just happens automatically.
Lera is Prone, Wounded 1, at 18hp and no longer drained (because it goes away when you recieve healing, it just got re-applied before you could notice last time)
 
Bobthewizard
      
     Lera Trask    
   Human Kineticist 2 
 AC:  19  | HP:  18/34
 Fortitude:  +10  | Reflex:  +7  | Will:  +5  | Perception:  +5
 Hero Points:  2
 Active Effects:  Armor in Earth, Gate
 Conditions:  wounded 1   
 
  

Lera wakes up in a pool of her own blood, but feels much weaker than the small amount of blood surrounding her. She needs to stop this thing before it drains her again.

She stands, swings her arm which summons a stone hatchet as she swings, and then raises her shield to try to fend off another bite.

  "Alright, let's drop this thing."  
 
 Spoiler: OOC 
1. stand
2. channel with 1 action blast, agile slashing  (1d20+8)[ 15 ] ,  (1d8+3)[ 9 ] 
3. Raise Shield

 
 Spoiler: notes 
Wrin, our contact
Yinyasmera, at Crook's Nook. 50gp to find her crew.
building used to belong to Volluk Azrinae - seemed mean and dangerous
Volluk was an apprentice to Belcorra, much worse!
lighthouse can also shoot a beam full of ghosts
 

 
Thunder999
Lera's swing goes wide of the beast.
Seeing its victim is clearly less dead than it thought, it once more takes a bite out of Lera, Firtina acts quickly, shifting the wounds out of time even as they form, but the Bloodsiphon still clamps on and drinks down her blood to heal its wounds.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
47 total damage on the Bloodsiphon with its healing.
Lera is hit for 16 damage, which is delayed until the Bloodsiphon's turn next round,  then grabbed and blood drained for a further 11. You can shield block the 16 damage, reducing it by 3 but destroying the shield with the remaining 13 damage. Thanks to Delay Consequences she remains standing, for now.
Lera is now grabbed (so Immobilised and Flat Footed) and Drained 1.
 
Infernally Clay
      
     Sachiko Kaminaga    
   Kitsune Thief Rogue 2 
 AC:  19  | HP:  24/24
 Fortitude:  +4  | Reflex:  +10  | Will:  +7
 Perception:  +7  | Stealth:  +10

 Cantrips:  Ghost Sound, Detect Magic, Electric Arc, Gouging Claw, Mage Hand, Shield
 Hero Points:  1/1
 Active Effects:  None
 Conditions:  None   
 
  

Sachi once more assails her foe.

 
 Spoiler 
Action #1 - Attack vs Bloodsiphon. To hit:  (1d20+9)[ 19 ]  to damage:  (2d6+4)[ 9 ]  piercing damage.
Action #2 - Attack vs Bloodsiphon. To hit:  (1d20+4)[ 8 ]  to damage:  (2d6+4)[ 7 ]  piercing damage.
Action #3 - Attack vs Bloodsiphon. To hit:  (1d20-1)[ 0 ]  to damage:  (2d6+4)[ 8 ]  piercing damage.
 
Thunder999
Sachiko manages to get a solid stab in with Lera once more conscious to divine the bloodsiphon's attention, slipper her rapier between two of its segments, though it seems to be paying more attention to her later attacks, dodging them.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
that's 62 damage on the bloodsiphon, getting close.
 
Xihirli
Firtina keeps right on making a motion like a clock with her holy symbol, desperately pulling at the threads of time to wind back the intense damage on Lera.

 
 Spoiler: Stay up stay up stay up stay up 

1/2: Heal!  (1d10+8)[ 17 ] 
3: raise my own shield.
 
CasualViking
      
    Khalendel   
 
Another bolt bounces ineffectually off the vile creature. Frustrated, Khalendel tries to fry it with lightning instead.
*  strike  - (1d20+9)[ 13 ]    damage  - (1d8+5)[ 11 ] , **  electric arc  - (1d4+4)[ 7 ]  basic ref dc 18 
 
  

 
   AC:  19 | HP:  23/23 |  Perception:  +7 (lowlight) |  Hero Points:  1/1 |  Active Effects:  None |  Conditions:  | Affixed Talismans:   
Thunder999
The creature manages to avoid the majority of Khalandel's lightning, earning only a tiny scorch mark.

The delayed wounds from the monster's last bite reform on Lera's skin as Firtina's magic fades, though the intermediate healing keeps her conscious to fight back.

Lera struggles against the creature's grip, but is unable to break free, she puts the last of her effort into a powerful swings with a blade of rock, but just can't manage to hit the undead leech.

The bloodsiphon feasts once more upon her life, swelling with blood and Lera falls to the ground, pale and bleeding as the creature turns its maw on Sachiko, there's no dodging this time as its rows of teeth take a nasty chunk out of her, though it doesn't have time to get a proper grip.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Success on reflex save for 3 damage to the Bloodsiphon, but it heals as it feeds and has now taken effectively 49 damage.
I decided to control Lera for the rest of the fight, alas that was a roll of 3 on the escape attempt.
She takes the delayed damage dropping her to 13hp, then its 6+12 blood drain.
Lera is once more unconscious, prone, drained 1 and dieing 2.
Sachiko is hit for 15 damage and Nimble Dodge will not help.

This creature really likes getting to stand still, would be much less effective if it had to move.
 
Infernally Clay
      
     Sachiko Kaminaga    
   Kitsune Thief Rogue 2 
 AC:  19  | HP:  9/24
 Fortitude:  +4  | Reflex:  +10  | Will:  +7
 Perception:  +7  | Stealth:  +10

 Cantrips:  Ghost Sound, Detect Magic, Electric Arc, Gouging Claw, Mage Hand, Shield
 Hero Points:  1/1
 Active Effects:  None
 Conditions:  None   
 
  

Sachi continues the attack. "Just die already!"

 
 Spoiler 
Action #1 - Attack vs Bloodsiphon. To hit:  (1d20+9)[ 11 ]  to damage:  (2d6+4)[ 12 ]  piercing damage.
Action #2 - Attack vs Bloodsiphon. To hit:  (1d20+4)[ 15 ]  to damage:  (2d6+4)[ 12 ]  piercing damage.
Action #3 - Cast Shield (AC is now 20)
 
CasualViking
      
    Khalendel   
 
*Reload *reload *  attack  - (1d20+9)[ 15 ] ,   damage  - (1d8+5)[ 8 ]  
 
  

 
   AC:  19 | HP:  23/23 |  Perception:  +7 (lowlight) |  Hero Points:  1/1 |  Active Effects:  None |  Conditions:  | Affixed Talismans:   
Xihirli
Firtina, with only a single Heal left, decides to keep it. She shines out a more limited amount of light, freezing Lera’s vitals in time so they could not worsen.
She also places some power of fate on Sachiko.
 "We all share a destiny, buried underground. Deliver it, Sachiko!" 
 
 Spoiler: Actions 
1/2: Stabilize
3: Guidance Sachiko
 
Thunder999
Another round of attacks fail to find their mark, Lera is stable, but not able to help.

With Sachiko still in melee range the creature clamps it jaw on her, her shield keeps it from getting to her neck, but it's still enough to drop her unconscious. With both of the adjacent creatures uncoscious it lumbers slowly over to Firtina and takes a nasty bite out of her, she remains standing and is thankfully not grabbed.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Without that Shield spell you'd have been Crit, but it's still a hit, 15 piercing damage from the attack, shield block won't save you from going unconscious, so no need to lock yourself out of the spell. Dieing 1, Drained 1, Prone, Unconscious, no weapon in hand.
Firtina takes 18 damage.
No change to the creature's hp 49 effective damage inflicted.
 


Khalandel may use his implement reaction since it's moving.
Xihirli
Firtina shrinks back at the attack and her halo spreads around, freezing in place and then running counterclockwise to spin time back.

 
 Spoiler: REVERSING FATE 

 (1d10)[ 5 ] 
 
CasualViking
Reaction shot!   (1d20+9)[ 14 ] ,  (1d8+5)[ 13 ] 
Thunder999
Khalandel's reactive shot misses the creature as it lunges for Firtina, Firtina reacts quickly to the injury, a wave of Vitality filling the room, a welcome respite for the living as wounds heal and lost blood is replenished, Sachiko and Lera even return to consciousness, the undead creature seems to shudder slightly, though there's little visible damage.

Now conscious, Lera rises to her feet, backs up and hurls a blade of stone, unfortunately she misses.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Sachiko is Wounded 1, Prone and has no weapon in hand.
Lera is Wounded 2.
New total of 51 effective damage inflicted to the creature since it passes saves.
 
Infernally Clay
      
     Sachiko Kaminaga    
   Kitsune Thief Rogue 2 
 AC:  19  | HP:  5/24
 Fortitude:  +4  | Reflex:  +10  | Will:  +7
 Perception:  +7  | Stealth:  +10

 Cantrips:  Ghost Sound, Detect Magic, Electric Arc, Gouging Claw, Mage Hand, Shield
 Hero Points:  1/1
 Active Effects:  None
 Conditions:  Wounded 1   
 
  

"Thanks for the save..." Sachi says, recovering her breathe, "Just hold on for a sec. I'll be right there."

 
 Spoiler 
Action #1 - Stand from prone.
Action #2 - Interact to pick up rapier.
Action #3 - Battle Medicine on self (DC 15):  (1d20+5)[ 20 ] , to heal:  (2d8)[ 6 ]  hit points.
 
CasualViking
      
    Khalendel   
 
Having seen a little more of the creature, Khalendel once again takes a moment to try and figure it out...*  Exploit weakness  - (1d20+8)[ 18 ]   *reload *  strike  - (1d20+9)[ 23 ] ,   damage  - (1d8+5)[ 9 ]  
 
  

 
   AC:  19 | HP:  23/23 |  Perception:  +7 (lowlight) |  Hero Points:  1/1 |  Active Effects:  None |  Conditions:  | Affixed Talismans:   
Thunder999
Khalandel isn't able to do any better with his second attempt at Exploit Vulnerability, but does finally land a hit.

The creature bites firtina and grabs firmly on before feasting on her blood, at which point her lshe falls to the ground unconscious.

Lera hurls a large blade of rock, which bites deep into the monsters skin, but misses a follow up.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
New total of 67 effective damage inflicted to the creature.
I did a 2 action then one action weapon infusion blasts for Lera, 10 damage+5 weakness for 15 to the monster. You might just be able to kill it this round.
Firtina takes 10 piercing on the bite and 12 blood drain, so she's Drained 1, Dieing 1 and Prone
 
CasualViking
      
    Khalendel   
 
*reload *reload *  strike  - (1d20+9)[ 10 ] ,   damage  - (1d8+5)[ 12 ] . Hero point reroll if I don't hit at least 18:  (1d20+9)[ 22 ]  
 
  

 
   AC:  19 | HP:  23/23 |  Perception:  +7 (lowlight) |  Hero Points:  1/1 |  Active Effects:  None |  Conditions:  | Affixed Talismans:   
Infernally Clay
      
     Sachiko Kaminaga    
   Kitsune Thief Rogue 2 
 AC:  19  | HP:  5/24
 Fortitude:  +4  | Reflex:  +10  | Will:  +7
 Perception:  +7  | Stealth:  +10

 Cantrips:  Ghost Sound, Detect Magic, Electric Arc, Gouging Claw, Mage Hand, Shield
 Hero Points:  0/1
 Active Effects:  None
 Conditions:  Wounded 1   
 
  

"Just die already!"

 
 Spoiler 
Action #1 - Move to 4,1
Action #2 - Attack vs Bloodsiphon. To hit:  (1d20+9)[ 18 ]  (used hero point to reroll, got 21 to hit in dice rolling thread), to damage:  (2d6+4)[ 11 ]  piercing damage, plus  (1d6)[ 4 ]  sneak attack damage.
Action #3 - Attack vs Bloodsiphon. To hit:  (1d20+4)[ 9 ] , to damage:  (2d6+4)[ 11 ]  piercing damage, plus  (1d6)[ 1 ]  sneak attack damage.
 
Thunder999
Khalandel nearly pulls the trigger while reloading, but jerks his arm up just in time to land a hit, the creature is clearly hurt by the attack.
Sachiko comes in from behind and skewers it one final time.

The unholy abomination bursts like a balloon in an explosion of blood red gore and twisted void energy.
Despite her impresive reflexes Sachiko is simply too close to dodge and she falls to the ground bleeding as the void energy reopens her wounds, Lera avoids much of the blast, but is still unable to stay on her feet, also falling to the ground. Firtina's unconscious form stood little chance.
Khalandel takes a nasty beating, but he's not been worn down nearly so much by this fight and remains standing.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Khalandel needed to reroll the natural 1, but with the creature Off-Guard an 18 hits, so Sachiko need not spend her hero point.
Death Burst (AKA the reason I encouraged you to retry that recall knowledge):
Sachiko fails with a 16, taking 15 Void damage, she's now dieing 2.
Lera succeeded, but still takes 5 damage, which drops her to dieing 3.
Firtina critically fails, so down to dieing 3 for her too.
Khalandel fails for 16 and gets to be the last elf standing.
 Loot: a 25gp Onyx gem pried from the undeath machine 
 340/1000xp 
 
Thunder999
A Minor Elixir of life is enough to revive Firtina, but it turns out she's out of Heal Spells, by the time it's in hand, Lera has succumbed to her wounds, the rest of the party remains stable long enough to be healed.

You retreat back to Otari.

After burying Lera (hopefully that reanimating light doesn't return), Wrin invites you over to her house and explains that she's asked Laila to help out, notcing you're short handed.
 
 Spoiler: OOC 
So, I rolled recovery checks, Lera failed, it's a more heroic fate than just leaving would have been.
 
Esprit15
      
     Laila Hakobyan    
   Human Braggart Swashbuckler 2 
 AC:  19  | HP:  28/28
 Fortitude:  +5  | Reflex:  +10  | Will:  +6
 Perception:  +6  | Stealth:  +8

 Hero Points:  0/1
 Active Effects:  None
 Conditions:  None   
 
  
 “Hello, it is a pleasure to meet you all,”  the human woman says with a polite bow. She looks each of you up and down with a slight nod of the chin. Her eyes narrow slightly and she smiles.  “My name is Laila Hakobyan. Lera has spoken quite fondly of each of you. I offer my condolences to your late companions.” 
Thunder999
Healed and rested up, the party, now including Laila, returns to Gauntlight.

It doesn't take long to reach where you left off.  You already checked everything to the west of the staircase, all that remains in that direction is a set of stairs leading even deeper, though what dwells below is likely even stronger than the Bloodsiphon guarding them.

To the east however, there's a locked door, the key you found in the structure directly above you fits the lock, the door is still stiff, but at least you don't need the crowbar.
Within lies a damp stone chamber, there are seven square alcoves, each containing strange magical apparatuses or alchemical sets of tools spread along the walls. The alcove to the north contains a large glass tank filled with liquid. A goblin’s corpse, clad in outdated servant’s clothing, floats inside it. A semicircular worktable covered with tools, moldy papers, and a large open book stands in front of the tank.

An investigation of the notes on the table reveals that they pertain to both necromancy and construct creation.

The only other thing of note in the room is an incomplete construct, a Soulbound Doll, in the alcove adjacent to the preserved goblin corpse, it currently resembles an armless, legless goblin, a small indentation on the back is an exact match for the gem you found on the Soulbound Doll in the room filled with broken glass.
You could slot the gem in pretty easily, and the creature should be harmless.

Other than that, you seem to be done with this area. It really is odd that this level of the structure would be so small, and not even located beneath the gauntlight itself.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
So OOC warning, each level of the dungeon is for characters a level higher, the surface was for level 1s, first floor down level 2s, go deeper and you'll face encounters meant to be fought at level 3. You can try it, but pretty much everything down there should be at least as hard as the Blood Siphon, on paper at least (that Blood Drain is seriously nasty though, self healing, solid damage and no rolls required).
I rolled recall knowledge and perception checks as appropriate for this room.

You have 3 options:
1. Venture deeper via the staircase near the Bloodsiphon, heading to a harder part of the dungeon.
2. Stick that gem in the incomplete construct and see if you can get more than a single sentence out of the soul fragments within, now that it won't be able to go beserk and try to kill you.
3. Try to search the rest of the surface for a way deeper that you might have missed.
 