lostsole31
  
 

This is the Part II continuation of this campaign's adventure of the same name,  The Haunting of Harrowstone .  Part I can be found here .

    DRAMATIS PERSONAE    
     Name
[Player]
  
  Color
  
  Race [Ethnicity]
(gender ID)
  
  AL
  
  Side 1
  
  Side 2
  
 
    Angelo Manescu
[Moriar]
   
   Purple
   
 Human [Varisian]
(m) 
 CG 
 Bard 4
[Archaeologist] 
 Sorcerer (Undead BL) 4
[Tattooed Sorcerer] 
 
    Ivan Kovacocich
[Ason]
   
   Saddle Brown
   
 Human [Varisian]
(m) 
 N 
 Cleric 4
(Pharasma) 
 Zealot 4 
 
    Niann
[Tippnick]
   
   Golden Rod
   
 Fetchling
(f) 
 N 
 Nightblade 4 
 Shaper 4 
 
    Mr. "Silver" Evans
[NPC]
   
   Gray
   
 Wyrwood
(m) 
 ? 
 Super-Butler 4 
 Incorrigible Gossip 4 
 
  
lostsole31
     FIREDAY, 3 PHARAST 4711 AR (NEW MOON)  
Weather: 40 / 20 F. Dry.   

The next morning, everyone awakens for the new day.  Does anyone make any changes to their dailies?
Tippnick
Zauberei will pray to Nethys for his spells.  
 Spoiler: spell change 

Changing out the 1st level spell remove fear and instead pray for Magic Stone
 
Ason
Marius cautiously prepares for a new day.

 
 Spoiler: Mechanics 
Marius prepares the following extracts: 1x Ant Haul, 1x Cure Light Wounds

Marius readies the same maneuvers as he did the previous day.
 
BuckGodot
Alexandru goes about his normal routine. No changes.
lostsole31
The party gathers together. What do you do? It is presumed that Hargrimm casts the first round of  communal endure elements .
Tippnick
  "So we need a ladder, if there is not one at the house here we need to run to town."  , Zauberei begins.
lostsole31
  "We don't have a ladder here, sorry,"   admits Kendra.
Moriar
"  That's alright miss, thank you again for all you do for us."   Angelo says

"  Then he turns to the others, shall we go ladder shopping?  "
BuckGodot
Alexandru looks at his brother...   "Don't be dense... We..."   and then looks at the others... and back at Angelo and says,     "We don't all need to go... What if just you and I go? It's just a ladder..."   
Ason
Marius cracks a momentary, faint smile at Alexandru's response.   "It's a fair point. If someone else can do the talking-- I am not much of a people person --I know a little bit about buying and selling. I could at least confirm the price is fair. The rest of us could spend the morning researching more of the papers and evidence we brought back from the prison, if nothing else."  
SwordChucks
Hargrimm speaks up.   "I may seem overly cautious, but I'll go with the others to town. Strange and dangerous things seem to happen when we visit."  

Hargrimm will give another reading of the book of war prayers before heading into Ravengro.
Tippnick
  "I think it makes more sense to grab the ladder on the way to jail. Then we can accomplish putting these haunts to rest or at least quiet them. No need to trek into town back to here then back to town."  , says Zauberei.
BuckGodot
Alexandru looks at Zauberei thoughtfully and nods. He hadn't considered that... He begins gathering his gear so he will be ready to depart with the others.
Ason
Marius nods.   "I'll concede that point to you, Zauberei. Let's be off together, then."  

At that, Marius collects his usual gear for another day's journey and sets out with the group to try the markets when everyone else is ready.
lostsole31
The party go to the Ravengro General Store.  They have a 10-foot-long folding ladder they can sell you for 176 silver.
BuckGodot
Alexandru looks around at the others... Seeing no one stepping up, he withdraws the funds from his supply.
SwordChucks
Hargrimm fiddles with the end of his beard nervously.   "Thank you Mr. Manescu. I'd have offered, but I'm a bit skint at the moment..."  
BuckGodot
  "Please. Call me Alexandru, and it's my honour."   he replies, bowing.
Tippnick
Zauberei hands Alexandru 3 gold without saying anything.
BuckGodot
Alexandru politely declines Zauberei's offer.
Ason
Marius likewise shakes his head. He whispers to his friends,   "My funds are likewise drained. Maybe we could ask about renting it? We can just return the ladder once we've saved the town."  
Moriar
Angelo's mouth drops at the price but slowly closes it as his brother pays the bill.

Then proceeds to say, "  Thank you good shop keep for such a fine ladder."   Then proceeds to leave with the others towards their destination.

 
 Spoiler: to the collective  

  "Thank you for covering that expensive ladder as I don't even have two silvers to rub together currently.  Shall we head off to utilize said ladder?"  
 
lostsole31
As Alexandru counts out 18 gold, the female proprieter scolds the older man and takes over.

  "The old coot hasn't had his cuppa' yet this morning, and he was doing weight inventory. He was charging you the amount in weight, not gold,"   she explains.   "That will be 2 gold, 2 silver."  

Alexandru pays that easily enough, and now has his own folding ladder.

What now?
BuckGodot
Alexandru stows his new ladder and turns to the group looking at them in anticipation.

   "Shall we?"   
lostsole31
AAAAAAAnnnnnnnd ..... the group is now at Harrowstone, in the complex, on the ground floor, overlooking the yawning pit.

Let me know if you cast any buffs or preparations before moving on.

Hargrimm already read from his book.

 Hargrimm , do you keep the same akashic bond setup?

 Alexandru , collective for all?

Wren does his normal three-round long discussion of things for the party to keep their alertness up (lasts an hour).

Anyone else?
SwordChucks
 
 Spoiler: Akashic Fiddling 
Hargrimm keeps his current akashic bond setup with the following additions: He places an additional point in his bond with Alexandru (1 -&gt; 2), and Hargrimm will go ahead and invest two points into his Banelight Vortices (0 -&gt; 2)
 

  "I can grant Folgrit's protection or fill your weapon with her will, but only for a short time. If you need that assitance call out to me, but remember that I have to make contact to deliver her gifts."  

Hargrimm is ready to descend.
Tippnick
Zauberei casts mage armor on himself.
BuckGodot
Alexandru will invite all who he can that are willing to “The Collective”.
Tippnick
Zauberei agrees to the collective as before.
Moriar
Angelo of course stays in the collective.

Then using Tippys echo ability to extend a spell, Angelo will cast mage armor on himself.

Tippy will be in tattoo form for now.
Ason
Marius also agrees to the join collective, assuming there is room for him this time. He also drinks an extract of Ant Haul to lighten his own burdens.

Once everyone is properly buffed up, Marius says,   "Don't forget that Father Charlatan is still unaccounted for: best to watch our backs, though I suppose that can't be helped for now. Once our light sources are ready, let us descend so we can finally be done with this place."  
BuckGodot
Alexandru unfolds the newly acquired ladder and drops it down the pit after securing it in place. He then looks at his brother and nods silently before beginning his decent.
SwordChucks
Hargrimm waits until the front lines are down the ladder before heading down himself.
Moriar
With a bit of concern in his eyes he nodded back to Lexi.

Not wanting to be too far from his brother heads down after him.
Tippnick
Zauberei descends on his turn in the marching order.
Ason
Marius takes up position at the rear of the party, descending last so that he can clumsily transport his polearm down with him.
lostsole31
Because of the nature of the folding ladder, nobody will want to be on the ladder at the same time as anyone else.

As long as Lexi is carefuly, he can carefully climb down the ladder  which is "free-dangling" since the walls aren't hearby.  Then, it is a  10' drop to the floor below, but Lexi doesn't see it.

Wren, for his part, steps to the very edge, turns into a vaporous form  of himself - and with his lit lab coat floats down to the bottom, and then over to the side to avoid the large pool of water.

As  Lexi is hanging 10' above the water he looks around with the light  provided by Wren. This cavernous chamber may have once been an  underground cellblock, but it has long since collapsed. The crumbled  walls are thick with mold and stained with soot, and heaps of fallen  stones and charred wooden beams line the area. Water drips and seeps  along the walls, collecting in a dark, murky pool in the middle of the  room. To the north, the twisted remains of a wood and iron lift lie in a  heap in a shallow portion of the pool. A jagged hole in the roof yawns  ten feet above this ruin to your friends above, before the 10' drop to  the water. To the west, a partially blocked opening seems to open up  after several feet into a dark but stable tunnel.

Wren-mist  settles to the side and becomes corporeal again. As soon as this  happens, and Wren's midnight-blue illumination shows the room, the room  fills with a cacophonous roar of screams and howls, echoes of the cries  of those who burned to death in this room. This unsettling manifestation  causes no harm, but an instant later, the surface of the dark pool of  water begins rippling around the ruined lift as two ectoplasmic spirits  rise up, dripping and horrible, to attack.

 Begin Round One ... 
 R1T20:   Alexandru ,  you are suspended 10' in the air, at the bottom of the folding ladder's  length, above a pool of water of an unknown depth, and now some  spookies have come to play. What do you do?
BuckGodot
Alexandru lowers himself to the bottom rung on the ladder to, hopefully, minimise the effects of the drop, then attempts to swing himself to the north, hoping to land as near to the shore as possible and lets go, using whatever dexterity he has to try to land without hurting himself.

  "Excelsior!"  , he shouts as he drops.


He then draws his sword and shield.

 
 Spoiler: Technical Information 
He has no skills to support any of these actions. (Aside from Climb but I don't know how that could help.) So it is as posted above.
 
lostsole31
 R1T20:  Alexandru lowers himself to the bottom rung on  the ladder to hopefully  minimize the effects of the drop. He twists around as he dangles,  realizing that his weight actually works against a swing, and then just  lets go, shouting   "Excelsior!"   as he drops onto his back for  2 mod NL .  He stands on his feet as there's enough water to put him under if he  stays on his back, and for now has only his armor and gauntlets to  protect him. 
 Spoiler: Alexandru 
Just barely made the Climb check to  "drop" to the final rung (barely), and swinging would actually be more  dangerous, as it would create a longer fall and onto a harder surface.  The shallower drop and partial water means you took damage as normal  (failed Acrobatics to lessen the blow), but it was nonlethal instead.  "Dropping" is not moving. It is a FA, but it also means you don't get to  draw weapon/shield "on the fall."  Water is waist height, meaning you  are submerged, so it would be silly to try and do anything other than  getting on your feet ... which is why I had you get on your feet rather  than draw sword or shield.
 

 R1T17:   Angelo ,  at this time there is no danger to which you are aware as your brother  didn't send any kind of report. Your brother did what could be expected,  which was to minize the drop. His fall showed that the water is waist  deep, and he safely stood on his feet. However, it seems he is  particularly guarded and staring to the relative south. What do you do?
Moriar
Angelo will climb down the ladder and then tumble to land safely north of his brother.

 
 Spoiler: collective 

  "What do you see brother?"   Angelo asks.

Then will report back if he what he notices once down there
 

 
 Spoiler: Crunch 


Rusty, just a reminder that in an earlier post I used Tippys echo ability to cast mage armor on Angelo.

Acrobatics roll to reduce the fall:  (1d20+9)[ 12 ] 

Will attempt to land safely and then move to be north of his brother or to land just north of him.

Then will use senses to analyze what he is being cautious about if I see anything and will report back to the collective
 
lostsole31
 R1T17:  Angelo climbs down the ladder, his feet now at the bottom rung.

 R1T14:   Zauberei , what do you do?
Tippnick
Zauberei moves closer to the ladder. He will be just north of it and waits his turn to go down.   "What is the commotion?"  , Zauberei asks.
 
 Spoiler: ready 

Move action to get close to the ladder and not be in the way. He then readies an action to climb down when it is his turn in the marching order
 
lostsole31
 R1T14:  Zauberei moves closer to the ladder. He will be just north of it and waits his turn to go down.   "What is the commotion?"   Zauberei asks.

 R1T12:   Hargrimm , what do you do?
SwordChucks
Unsure of the reason for concern and not wanting to fall on to Alexandru and Angelo, Hargrimm delays.
lostsole31
 R1T12:  Unsure of the reason for concern and not wanting to fall on to Alexandru and Angelo, Hargrimm delays.

 R1T11:  Paula squeaks nervously, sensing the tension, and delays.

 R1T10:   Down below, something seems to climb onto the empty air out of the  water and close on Lexi. This slimy, shifting mass has the shape of a  humanoid, but is made out  of what appears to be some form of sticky rope or cloth. Its body  lurches jerkily, struggling to maintain its horrid form. It stands only a  few inches off the water and it is now right next to Lexi. Zauberei and  Angelo, both looking down, can see this thing as it is under the "hole"  from above, and outlined by Wren's midnight blue  light  on his labcoat.

 R1T9:  Wren calls out,   "Ectoplasmic human - undead! Corporeal, but can phase lurch through obstacles briefly, and hard to kill."  

He  then disappears from view, even though the midnight blue light still  emanates from his position. He then carefully makes his way south and  west, but makes a bunch of random catcalls at the undead, so while  invisible, they know there is something where he is.

 R1T6:   Marius ,  your shield is stowed in preparation for your climb, though your  polearm is in hand. Zauberei is at the top of the ladder but not climbed  down ... but you can't ally-free-move through him and down the ladder,  and Angelo is on the ladder anyway. What do you do?
Ason
Marius shifts into a defensive posture, holding his polearm in two hands again. He shifts closer to the hole in order to gingerly peer down, before pulling back and attempting to cover the pit's entrance with his polearm.

 
 Spoiler: Mechanics 
 Swift:   Aura of Misfortune  stance
 Move:  walk to a safe square immediately northwest of the pit's entrance ( i.e. not in danger of falling in but close enough to interact next turn if need be. It's hard to precisely dictate his movement, as Marius' last position on a map I could see seemed to straddle two different 5 x5 squares )
 Free:  if Marius is able to see anything down there besides his companions, he'll attempt a knowledge check to identify it
 Standard:  ready action to attack any hostile creatures that come into range with his polearm
 
lostsole31
 R1T6:  Marius shifts into a defensive posture, holding his polearm in two hands  again. He shifts closer to the hole in order to gingerly peer down,  before pulling back and attempting to cover the pit's entrance with his  polearm. He sees something disturbing, recognizing for sure what he sees, and another one comes into view ...

 R1T2:  .... as Red walks up out of but on top of the water like the other one and closes on Lexi.

 End Round One, Begin Round 2 ...

R2T20:   Lexi , what do you do? Your are waist deep in water, and nothing in hand - neither weapon nor shield.

Angie on deck, Zauberei in the hole ...
SwordChucks
Hargrimm moves as far as he can to the north and east, trying to keep Alexandru and Wren's blue  light  in view. He keeps one hand raised and ready to throw a vortex.

  "Keep communicating and make way for the others to come down!"  
 
 Spoiler: Combat 
Move action: Move 10ft east and 10ft north.
Standard action: If the ectoplasmic human becomes visible, then attack with Banelight Vortices, else ready an attack with same against the next creature matching that description that comes into range.
 
lostsole31
 R2T21:  Hargrimm moves as far as he can to the north and east, trying to keep Alexandru and Wren's blue  light  in view. He keeps one hand raised and ready to throw a vortex.   "Keep communicating and make way for the others to come down!"  

He gets an opening, and completely obliterates an ectoplasmic human.

 R2T20:  Lexi, now it is just one of these undead. What do you do?

Angie on deck, Zauberei in the hole ...
BuckGodot
Alexandru draws his sword and, using a two handed grip, slashes out at the entity in front of him.

 
 Spoiler: Technical Information 
MA: Draw sword

Attack: Risky Strike  (1d20+8)[ 26 ] 

Damage:  (1d8+11)[ 15 ] 

Undead Exterminator (Ex):  +2 bonus on Bluff, Knowledge, Perception, Sense Motive, &amp; Survival checks when dealing w/ creatures of the undead type
*  +2 bonus on weapon attack &amp; damage rolls vs. undead.
 
lostsole31
 R2T20:  Alexandru draws his sword and, using a two  handed grip, slashes out at the entity in front of him, cleaving through  its upper arm and into its chest. Lexi roughly pulls his sword out even  as the creature combusts to ash from the inside, the ash falling into a  carboniferous slurry on the water.

 Combat Ends! 
BuckGodot
Alexandru skitters backwards out of the water.
lostsole31
For his part, Wren turns visible again.

Okay,  Angelo . You are on the ladder, and it's a 10' drop to the water below. What do you do?
Moriar
Angelo will tumble down below and then move out of the water to be near his brother. Then will look around to examine the room.
  
"Are you ok Lexi? Sorry that I didn't get a chance to talk to your new friends before they left."  
 
 Spoiler: crunch 


Acrobatics roll to reduce the fall:  (1d20+9)[ 29 ] 
 
BuckGodot
  "I am fine, brother. Nothing we haven't seen before. But I hate being wet..."  he replies as he shakes his hands and stamps his feet.
SwordChucks
Seeing how deep the water is on the taller members of the group, Hargrimm wraps his beard around his neck like a scarf to keep it dry. He starts to climb down once the way is clear, dropping straight down the last 10 feet.

  "Knowing our luck, we'll find some towels down here and they'll be haunted."  
lostsole31
Angelo drops deftly into the water, onto his feet and without pain.

Hargrimm has to drop his staff into the water before heading down. Then, he gets onto the ladder, and manages to climb halfway down before he falls with a big splash for only  1 NL .

Zauberei and Marius are left, and each also have to drop down staff and polearm, respectively.
Tippnick
Zauberei drops his staff down the hole and begins to climb down. As he gets to bottom rung he drops the rest of the way. He attempts to land safely.

 
 Spoiler: acrobatics  

 (d20-1)[ 11 ] 
 
Ason
Marius drops his fighting stance at the sound of combat ending. He  watches Zauberei climb down the ladder and then drop the final few feet.

  "You all safe down there?"   he calls down,   "If  we have a moment, I think it safer if I toss a second rope down  alongside the ladder for our return trip. If we can haul ourselves up  the first few feet on said rope, the ladder should get us out the rest  of the way."  

Marius  will proceed to do exactly what he said. He loops his silk rope three  times around the highest two rungs of the ladder, slowly feeds rope  through those loops to shimmy one end of the rope down to just touch the waterline, and then tightens the loops to snugly grip the  ladder's top rungs. Holding onto the remaining length of rope that he  did not feed through the loops down into the pit, Marius then lashes the  rope to the sturdiest and heaviest anchor point within reach or,  failing that, ties it in a knot, so that either way the rope should hold  fast and rest alongside the ladder.

His preparations made,  Marius slowly lowers his lucerne hammer into the pit, hammer-end down to lessen the odds of it twirling.   "While I don't want to lose my weapon in the muck, I don't want to give anyone a concussion either. Please stand back as I drop this down."   Holding on to the butt of the polearm as it dangles into the pit, Marius drops it the rest of the way, attempting to aim it away from his friends. Then he descends the ladder himself at last, and Marius imitates Zauberei by climbing down  from the last rung with his feet dangling before dropping the rest of  the way himself and then retrieving his hammer.

  "Sorry for the delay,"   he says to the group,   "I'm ready to proceed now."  
 
 Spoiler: Mechanics 
 Acrobatics:   (1d20+10)[ 18 ] 
 
BuckGodot
Alexandru will help with the hammer and as Marius lands, he asks…   ”You had a rope?”  
lostsole31
And with that, everyone is now down in this massive chamber. This cavernous chamber may have once been an underground cellblock, but it has long since collapsed. The crumbled walls are thick with mold and stained with soot, and heaps of fallen stones and charred wooden beams line the area. Water drips and seeps along the walls, collecting in a dark, murky pool in
the middle of the room. To the north, the twisted remains of a wood and iron lift lie in a heap in a shallow portion of the pool. A jagged hole in the roof yawns twenty feet above this ruin. To the west, a partially blocked opening seems to open up after several feet into a dark but stable tunnel.

But before that, everyone except Wren was half to fully immersed in the freezing waters. Luckily, the spell Hargrimm protects you all ... as long as your clothes dry before the spell expires.

What do you do?
Ason
Marius winces sheepishly at Alexandru's question.   "Yes..."   he admits guiltily, before blurting out an anxious explanation,   "But climbing up a swinging rope with no supporting wall, over a lipped rim and with all our armor and equipment, seemed risky. When it comes to safety precautions, I prefer to have redundancies. Still... I am sorry if my reticence caused undue burdens. I will try to make it right going forward."  

He follows the party into the current chamber in shamefaced silence. As the water dripping off their clothing accompanies the tune of the water dripping off the walls, Marius looks at the magic users of the party and finally speaks again, meekly asking,   "I hate to impose,  but ... do any of you happen to know the prestidigitation cantrip? I'd be grateful if someone could magic that pit-water off me. Meanwhile, there's an extract I should craft while we decide our next steps."  

Deferring to the others to decide the party's next steps for now, Marius starts mixing an extract.

 
 Spoiler: Mechanics 
Marius takes one minute to mix one extract of  Monkey Fish , assuming the current space and conditions allow for it to be done easily.
 
Tippnick
  "I did not prepare it, my apologies. I should have foreseen an issue like this. If we had some time I could substitute a centrip"  , Zauberei apologizes.
SwordChucks
Hargrimm shakes his head as he wrings out his beard and clothes as best he can.   "Sorry, that's not in my repertoire either. If only we hadn't exorcized that malicious oven."   he jokes lamely while fetching his quarterstaff.
lostsole31
  "Shall we move forward?"   asks Wren.   "Shield-wearers, will you ready yourselves or keep hands more free and responsive for now?"  
BuckGodot
Alexandru looks at Wren and nods, drawing his sword and fitting his shield...

   "Although, I wouldn't mind if we at least started a fire in an attempt to dry out..."   
lostsole31
Wren looks at Lexi for several long seconds.   "The vast majority of these prisoners were killed in a fire that swept through these lower halls, creating a massacre. And ... you want to get all of their attentions by making a fire?"  
BuckGodot
Alexandru grins, sheepishly.
lostsole31
The party gathers and moves west into the next large chamber. Four dark hallways exit from this large empty chamber, each striking out in one of the four directions of the compass, and each decorated with a soot-caked brass nameplate affixed to the ceiling just above the entrance. A rubble-choked stairway leads up in the middle of the room, while eight skeletons dressed in scorched prisoners’ robes lie on the ground.

What do you do?
SwordChucks
Hargrimm eyes the skeletons warily.   "Perhaps caution is called for here. Can we check that the dead won't rise before choosing a direction?"  

Hargrimm offers to cover the others with a readied vortex should they agree.
Tippnick
  "If you have a way to detect undead please do so"  , Zauberei agrees.


 
 Spoiler: zauberei learning 

Zaubereiwill try to determine what Hargrimm is doing]
 
Moriar
  "Sorry alll and brother, I must have been lost in thought or something, "   Angelo guesses.

  "Though I don't currently have the ability to detect undead, I can be rather charming with them once they introduce themselves.  As for the dampness, I shall begin taking care of that."    Angelo casts a spell and then begins to dry first his brother and then everyone else including himself over time.

 
 Spoiler: Blow dry time! 



Angelo casts prestidigition and begins drying everyone off beginning with Lexi.

While drying everyone, he will use his senses visually keep an eye out.
 
lostsole31
Angelo casts  prestidigitation  on Lexi, but finds out that he cannot dry clothes with the cantrip.

Just then, with no sense of surprise from the party whatsoever, the corpses start to stir.

 Surprise Round! 
 S24:   Marius , what do you do?
Ason
Marius quietly gasps in alarm before frantically thwacking at the nearest undead with his hammer and shifting slightly to the southeast.

 
 Spoiler: Mechanics 
 Standard Action:  risky strike at red+blue (the undead immediately north of Zauberei) or, if for some reason that is not a viable target, purple
 
  Attack Roll :  (1d20+7)[ 12 ]  
  Damage Roll :  (1d12+4)[ 12 ]  bludgeoning 
 
 Five-Foot Step:  to the southeast

My  understanding is that Marius already has his polearm in-hand (since we've established he can't really sheathe/stow it) but that  his shield is still unequipped. Thus, I calculated his damage as if he held his hammer in two hands, since he doesn't have a shield to get in the way right now.

If Marius needs to first spend an action  to hold his polearm properly in both hands, he will use his action to instead equip his weapon in order to allow for opportunity attacks as well as attacks  next turn.
 
lostsole31
 S24:  Marius quietly gasps in alarm before frantically  thwacking at Red-Blue with his hammer, but missing with allies in the  way. Marius adjusts to the southeast.

 S23:   Alexandru , what do you do?
BuckGodot
Alexandru drops his sword, draws his warhammer, and lashes out at Purple.

 
 Spoiler: Technical Information 
Drop sword
MA: Draw warhammer
Attack using Risky Strike:  (1d20+6)[ 13 ] 

Damage:  (1d8+6)[ 8 ] 
 
lostsole31
 S23:  Alexandru drops his sword and draws his  hammer. 
 Spoiler: Alexandru 
Had to move you 5' to engage. Also, a surprise  round means you get an MA or an SA, not both (which also means no FRA  or FAA).
 

 S22:   Zauberei , quarterstaff in hand. This is a surprise round. What do you do?
Tippnick
Zauberie moves about 5 feet to the southwest and then concentrates for a moment.
 
 Spoiler: deflection 

5 ft step to SW and the activates his domain deflection aura.
He will also assess the creatures to see if they are more than just normal skeletons
 
lostsole31
 S22:  Zauberie moves about 5 feet to the southwest and then concentrates for a moment. Everyone feels a subtle energy about them.

 S17:   All of the skeletons are getting to their feet now. As they do,  Alexandru is able to dust Purple with a powerful thonk of his warhammer,  but now they are all on their feet.

 S16:  Paula squeaks in alarm (delaying)!

 S12:    "I hate skeletons,"    Wren says flatfly with his almost useless choppy-stabby dagger in his  hand. He acrobatically darts to the east into the ruined corridor.

 S11:   Angelo , this is a surprise round. What do you do?
Moriar
  "Too many fans,  " Angelo admits grudgingly.

He then begins to hum a tune to himself and lashing out the whip quickly.

 
 Spoiler: Whip it good 


SwA start Archelogists luck

Then SA with serpent lash to trip red/blue.  Trip roll: [rol]1d20+7[/roll]

If trip successful then trip red as well. Trip 2 roll:  (1d20+7)[ 24 ] 

Last is 5' step to east
 
lostsole31
 S11:    "Too many fans,  "  Angelo admits grudgingly. He then begins to hum a tune to himself and  goes to lash out with his whip when he realizes he never took his whip  back out after the whole climbfest. He sighs and draws his whip, now  being as good a time as any.

 S10:  Hargrimm, what do you do?

Marius on deck, Alexandru in the hole ...
SwordChucks
Hargrimm steps away from the skeleton bearing down on him and throws two vortices at the two nearest him.
  "You may use this if you'd like Mr. Elbourne!"   Hargrimm says holding his quarterstaff aloft.

 
 Spoiler: Combat 
5ft step southeast.
Standard action: Attack Red/Blue and Red with Banelight Vortices.
Move action?: Offer the quarterstaff to Wren.

Vortex 1 (Red/Blue):  (1d20+4)[ 14 ] ,  (6d6)[ 22 ] 
Vortex 2 (Red):  (1d20+4)[ 16 ] ,  (6d6)[ 22 ] 
 
lostsole31
 S10:  Hargrimm steps away from the skeleton bearing down  on him and throws two vortices at the two nearest him, missing one but  destroying another.   "You may use this if you'd like Mr. Elbourne!"   Hargrimm calls out, holding his quarterstaff aloft.

 End Surprise Round, Begin Round One ...

R1T24:   Marius , what do you do?
Ason
Marius hurriedly straps his shield back onto his arm, and then with unnatural speed he darts between Zauberei and Angelo. Skidding to a halt, he swings his lucerne hammer down at the skeleton in front of him.

  "At least no stirges this time..."   he says with faint optimism.

 
 Spoiler: Mechanics 
 Move:  ready shield
 Swift:   Grim News  to move 5' west and 5' northwest to end up between Zauberei and Angelo
 Standard:   Temporal Burn  on Red/Blue; attack roll  (1d20+8)[ 22 ] ; base damage roll  (1d12+1)[ 2 ]  plus maneuver damage  (2d6)[ 9 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R1T24:  Marius hurriedly straps his shield back onto his arm, and then with  unnatural speed he darts between Zauberei and Angelo. Skidding to a  halt, he swings his lucerne hammer down at the skeleton in front of him, smashing through shoulder and torso to destroy it.

  "At least no stirges this time..."   he says with faint optimism.

 R1T23:   Alexandru . What do you do?
BuckGodot
Alexandru moves forward and brings his hammer down on Blue.

 
 Spoiler: Technical Information 
MA: move south 15'
Attack using Risky Strike:  (1d20+6)[ 22 ] 

Haste

Undead Exterminator

Damage:  (1d8+6)[ 7 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R1T23:  Alexandru moves forward and brings his hammer down on Blue, destroying it!

 R1T22:   Zauberei , what do you do?
Tippnick
  "Great job friends, there is still a couple North of me"  , Zauberei points out. He then directs a beam of positive energy at a skeleton.

 
 Spoiler: disrupt undead 

Standard action  cast disrupt undead at yellow.
 (1d20+3)[ 21 ] 
He will maintain his aura
Then 5ft step to SE
 
lostsole31
 R1T22:    "Great job friends, there is still a couple north of me",   Zauberei  points out. He then directs a beam of positive energy at a skeleton that hits it in the bony knee for   3 PE  .

 R1T17:   The skeletons go .... Yellow charges Marius, but the latter dusts it with  his lucerne hammer! Pink also charges him, and this time Marius  can't stop it, but the retraction of his hafted weapon is enough of an  obstacle to throw off that rush as its claw misses the him. Green makes  a hard charge that Lexi's armor barely resists. Brown double-moves to close on  Lexi.

 R1T12:  Wren rushes past Hargrimm, drops his own dagger, and grabs the proffered staff.

 R1T11:   Angelo , what do you do?

Hargrimm on deck, Marius in the hole ...
Moriar
  "I can't let you have all the fun brother  ," Angelo says as he tumbles closer to Lexi and strikes out with his whip.


 
 Spoiler: Crunchy 


Stops humming and let's lingering performance continue the benefits.

Tumbling 15' to the south to be behind Lexi.

Tumble check:  (1d20+9)[ 24 ] 

Using serpent lash to trip first brown and then hopefully green.

Trip 1 vs brown:  (1d20+7)[ 16 ] 

Trip 2 vs green:  (1d20+7)[ 27 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R1T11:    "I can't let you have all the fun, brother  ,"  Angelo says as he tumbles closer to Lexi and strikes out with his whip,  missing with his one and only attempt with his brother partially in the way and  from the exertions of the acrobatics.

 R1T10:   Hargrimm , what do you do?

Marius on deck, Lexi in the hole ...
SwordChucks
Hargrimm hurls more vortices of light at the skeletons to the south, before moving to flank the northern skeleton with Wren.

 
 Spoiler: Combat 
Standard action: Attack Brown and then Green with Banelight Vortices.
Swift action: Reallocate the two essence in Banelight Vortices to Sparkling Alicorn.
Move action: Move to the north of Pink.

Vortex vs Brown:  (1d20+4)[ 20 ] ,  (6d6)[ 20 ] 
Vortex vs Green:  (1d20+4)[ 13 ] ,  (6d6)[ 15 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R1T10:  Hargrimm hurls more vortices of light at the  skeletons to the south (hitting and dusting one), before moving to flank  the northern skeleton with Marius, even as the balls of light at his  shoulder diminish and a unicorn horn made of sparkling light appears on  the dwarf's head!

 End Round One, Begin Round 2 ...

R2T24:   Marius , what do you do?

Lexi on deck, Zauberei in the hole ...
Ason
Marius desperately swings his shield at the oncoming undead in an attempt to batter it down.   "We have different definitions of fun,"   he protests to Angelo.

 
 Spoiler: Mechanics 
 Standard:  shield bash risky strike on pink; attack  (1d20+7)[ 23 ]  ( no flanking or bonuses included apart from risky strike penalty ); damage  (1d3+3)[ 6 ] ; lose shield bonus to AC for 1 round

 Immediate (if triggered):   Spilled Salt  on first undead to attack an ally or Marius
 
lostsole31
 R2T24:  Marius takes out his shield ..... and then desperately swings it down onto the skeleton's right foot for  6 .   "We have different definitions of fun,"   he protests to Angelo.

 R2T23:  Alexandru, what do you do?

Zauberei on deck, Skeletons in the hole ...
BuckGodot
Since it's right there, Alexandru decides to go ahead and relieve the green skeleton of its undeath and bashes it with his hammer.

 
 Spoiler: Technical Information 
Attack using Risky Strike:  (1d20+6)[ 9 ] 

Damage:  (1d8+6)[ 13 ] 
 
Tippnick
Zauberei stepsforward to the East of Larius and attacks the skeleton with his staff.

 
 Spoiler: swinging a big stick 

 (1d20+1)[ 18 ] 
Damage
 (1d6-1)[ 0 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R2T23:  Since it's right there, Alexandru decides to go  ahead and relieve the  green skeleton of its undeath and tries to bash it with his hammer, but  the skeleton proves faster than expected as it ducks away.

 R2T22:   Zauberei stepsforward to the east of Marius and attacks the skeleton  with his staff. It is a beautiful strike that hits the skeleton square  in the sternum and along the side of the rids ... and was so weakly  swing that it just clacks against its bone, doing nothing.

 R2T17:   Pink sidesteps away from the mass of attackers and claws at Hargrimm's  armor, just as Green performs the same futility against Alexandru.

 R2T12:  Wren practically leapfrogs over Zauberei to stand in front of him protectively, threatening the skeleton with the staff.

 R2T11:   Angelo , you're still feeling frisky from your previous insights. What do you do?

Hargrimm on deck, Marius in the hole ...
Moriar
Angelo shuffles a bit to the side and goes to whip at the feet of green.

 
 Spoiler: Crunch 


Move 5' to the NW and then 5' to the west.

Then whips to trip green: CMB roll of  (1d20+7)[ 10 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R2T11:  Angelo shuffles a bit to the side and goes to  whip at the feet of green, but he ends up just making a loud snap sound  as he misses.

 R2T10:   Hargrimm , what do you do?

Marius on deck, Lexi in the hole ...
SwordChucks
Hargrimm shifts a bit to place the skeleton between Wren (for real this time) and himself, before stabbing out with his glowing horn.

 
 Spoiler: Combat 
5ft step to the north-east.
Standard action: Attack Pink with Sparkling Alicorn.

Horn:  (1d20+6)[ 19 ] ,  (1d8+2)[ 9 ] + (3d6)[ 13 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R2T10:  Hargrimm shifts a bit to place the skeleton between Wren ( 🙂 ) and himself, before stabbing out with his glowing horn, putting that soul to rest.

Hargrimm shifts a bit to place the skeleton between Wren (for real this  time) and himself, before stabbing out with his glowing horn.

 End Round 2, Begin Round 3 ...

R3T24:   Marius , what do you do?

Lexi on deck, Zauberei in the hole ...
Ason
Marius jogs south and slightly west to take up a defensive position in  front of Angelo, before striking at the undead with his lucerne hammer.

 
 Spoiler: Mechanics 
 Move:  15 feet south, 5 feet west
 Standard:  attack roll  (1d20+8)[ 15 ] ; damage roll  (1d12+1)[ 6 ] 
 Immediate (if triggered):   Spilled Salt  counter on first enemy in range to attack an ally or Marius

Marius  readied himself to use that same counter last round, if it triggered,  but I did not see this ability checked off as used on Marius' sheet or  mentioned in the last round. Thus, I am assuming it is still fair game  for him to use this round. If that is not the case, that's fine  too.
 
lostsole31
 R3T24:  Marius jogs south and slightly west to take up a defensive position in   front of Angelo, before striking at the undead with his lucerne hammer, but it glances off of unnaturally hardened bone.

 R3T23:   Lexi , what do you do?

Zauberei on deck, Skeleton in the hole ...
BuckGodot
Frustrated that he missed the last time, Alexandru once again lashes out at the moldy green skeleton.

 
 Spoiler: Technical Information 
Attack with Risky Strike and Undead Exterminator:  (1d20+8)[ 19 ] 

Damage:  (1d8+8)[ 11 ] 

If the foe moves away from him use Step Up:  IA, whenever an adjacent foe attempts to take a 5-foot step away from him, he may also make a 5-foot step so long as he ends up adjacent to the foe that triggered this ability.
*  If he takes this step, he cannot take a 5-foot step during his next turn.
*  If he takes an action to move during his next turn, subtract 5 feet from his total movement.
 
Tippnick
Zauberei will delay
lostsole31
Alexandru destroys the skeleton!

 Combat Ends! 

Now what? Wren returns Hargrimm's staff back to him (after retrieving his own dagger).
BuckGodot
Alexandru collects and sheathes his sword, choosing to keep his hammer at the ready, and looks at the others, ready to move on.
SwordChucks
Hargrimm thanks Wren for his handing back his staff, and reignites his hand with a vortex of light in exchange for his horn vanishing.

  "I believe that from now on we should be treating all unfamiliar corpses as undead. A quick search of these skeletons, for keys in particular, wouldn't be a bad idea either."   Hargrimm says as he puts his plan into action.

 
 Spoiler 
Retrieving the quarterstaff, moving two essence from Sparkling Alicorn into Banelight Vortices, and beginning to (respectfully) roll the bodies for loot.
 
lostsole31
There are no bodies.

Something that has happened with every various type of corporeal undead you have fought thus far ... zombies, skeletons, crawling hands. Once an undead is destroyed, its body combusts from inside and throughout, so that ash falls to the ground without a corpse. Because also thus far they've worn or had nothing exceptional, whatever rags they wore likewise get burned up.

There is nothing to loot.

  "I know we're keen to do what we think we're doing. But I still say that we check rooms carefully,"   says Wren.   "It's the detective in me, I know."  
BuckGodot
Alexandru nods his agreement with Wren.
lostsole31
The stairway here once led up to area  S9  above, but the deadfall has rendered it impassable. The party's search discover scratches along the rubble and stone blocks—testimony to the prisoners’ futile attempts to dig out the deadfall from below.

The brass nameplates that hang above each of the four hallways leading out of this room identify the cellblocks that lie beyond, although the soot must be wiped away to reveal these names.

To the north lies “The Oubliette.”

To the west lies “Reaper’s Hold.”

To the south lies “The Nevermore.”

And to the east once stretched “Hell’s Basement.”

This was a vast area (70' x 60'), so the whole affair took over 5-1/2 hours, with only the first four hours being helped by Wren (remainder of his first usage, and then the next three hours). There is definitely a lot of grumbling from those that don't realize what a careful search really entails, while the more meticulous, thorough, or experienced understand that is simply par for the course.

Zauberei's  mage armor  will have faltered by now. Marius'  ant haul  has less than a handful of moments before it is done.

While you could push on today, Marius and Zauberei both feel a sort of mental fatigue as all of the searching was extremely taxing on these knowledge workers.

Do you quit for the day and return to Lorrimor House?
Tippnick
Zauberei is agreeable to head back to Professor Lorrimor's house.
BuckGodot
Alexandru is in favour of calling it a day.
Ason
Marius nods his agreement as well.   "Best to get home and dry off before the protective spells are fully depleted. We have enough to stave off the cold until then... right?"  

Marius also takes this time to prepare another extract of ant haul for the return journey.
lostsole31
It may not be pretty, but the party will manage severally to make it up the rope and Jacob's ladder, which in turn are secured and packed.

Anything particular once you get back to Lorrimor House?
Tippnick
Zauberei invests his time in devotion to Nethy in which he will study different spells he rarely uses in his spellbook, in hopes that new discoveries will help him against all these undead.
Moriar
Tippy and Angelo will do some research on the notable inmates using the prison records.  Perhaps there is something that will help figure out how to best put them to rest.
BuckGodot
Alexandru would like to continue his language lessons, if that’s an option.
lostsole31
 
 Originally Posted by Tippnick 
 Zauberei invests his time in devotion to Nethys in which he will study different spells he rarely uses in his spellbook, in hopes that new discoveries will help him against all these undead. 
 

Just studying his own script will do little, but looking at his spellbook while cross-referencing with the Lorrimor Library will lead to some insights regarding necromancy.

 
 Originally Posted by Moriar 
 Tippy and Angelo will do some research on the notable inmates using the prison records.  Perhaps there is something that will help figure out how to best put them to rest. 
 

There is much about the local lore of the area to learn from this.

 
 Originally Posted by BuckGodot 
 Alexandru would like to continue his language lessons, if that’s an option. 
 

At Alexandru's beheset, Marius can continue training the warrior in Skald, the language of the Ulfen peoples.

Hargrimm and Wren play cards as a team against Kendra and Mr. Evans, and are solidly beaten. During that time, Kendra spoils Paula while Marius is focused on Lexi.

That night, after everyone has gone to bed, there is a faint dinging sound above the heads of Marius and Zauberei!  
lostsole31
    Starday, 4 Pharast 4711 AR (New Moon) 
Weather: 40 / 20 F. Dry.   

A new day. Everyone does their morning routine ....
Tippnick
Zauberei discovers a breakthrough and can now understand this spell he had.
 
 Spoiler: changes 

Wizard
Changing out 0 level open/close for prestidigitation
Adding enlarge person

Adding spectral hand

Cleric
Adding 1st level bless
Adding 2nd level calm spirit
Changing out magic stones for ant haul
 
SwordChucks
Hargrimm has no changes to his morning routine. He solicits the party for ideas on how to avoid getting soaked when going down the ladder again.

  "I don't mind being soggy once in a while, but I'd rather not be weighted down with wet gear if we can avoid it."  

Before heading out Hargrimm will give a reading from his book of war prayers, but by this point he's clearly past the "good stuff". He'll also wait until just before the party sets out to cast  Communal Endure Elements .
Tippnick
  "A simple mundane solution is to bring a change of clothes"  , suggests Zauberei.    "I can help you pick out some clothes that would fit you nicely."  
Ason
Marius makes his usual alchemical preparations, but his physical warm-up routine seems slightly looser and faster paced than the day before.

When Zauberei mentions a change of clothes, Marius smiles but then frowns as he exclaims excitedly and then grows meeker with embarrassment,   "That's a brilliant idea! Er...  wait, my only other clothes are my research outfit. That just won't do for spelunking...  Sorry. But yes, a capital idea for those who can do it."  
 
 Spoiler: OoC 
Marius' Alchemical Preparations: Ant Haul x1, Cure Light Wounds x1

PoW Maneuvers: no changes
 
Tippnick
  "I am sure I can find good sets of clothing fit for travel for around a Gold each. I will make sure it fits. My family are tailors, so I know my way around a thread and needle. I can spot someone the money if they need. I have a few gold left"  , Zauberei offers.
lostsole31
So, are we going to get clothes, or go back to Harrowstone?
Moriar
  "A change of clothes sounds like a good idea,"   Angelo says.    "I will gladly take assistance for purchasing, thank you."  
BuckGodot
Alexandru will go along for a clothes shop, if that's the plan...
lostsole31
It's back to the Ravengro General Store for clothing.  Nothing special, as their doesn't appear to be a custom clothier/ tailor, and everything here is generally sized, not bespoke.

Of course, Wren is still in his threadbare, blood-and-other-stained, clothing and strange labcoat, but he isn't getting anything new.

So, who is purchasing what?
Tippnick
Zauberei will purchase a traveler's outfit. He will help pay for those that can not afford it. He will stuff it in his waterproof bag.
Ason
Marius will buy an artisan's outfit, assuming one that would be functional while adventuring can be found.

 
 Spoiler: OoC 
Marius can afford it if the outfit costs 1gp. If it costs more than that, he may need a loan from Zauberei to cover the cost.

Marius' plan will be to change into the artisan's outfit for the descent/water pit obstacle and then change back into his explorer's outfit once he's on dry land again.
 
SwordChucks
Hargrimm will purchase a Traveler's Outfit as well.
Moriar
Angelo will get a travelers outfit with  Zauberei's help.     "Thank you for the assistance."  
BuckGodot
Alexandru will just pick some cold weather clothes.
lostsole31
 
 Originally Posted by Tippnick 
 Zauberei will purchase a traveler's outfit. He will help pay for those that can not afford it. He will stuff it in his waterproof bag. 
 

This costs Zauberei 12 silver. He purchases it, as noted, putting it in his waterproof bag.

 
 Originally Posted by Ason 
 Marius will buy an artisan's outfit, assuming one that would be functional while adventuring can be found. 
 

The artisan's outfit costs 12 silver. Marius pays 1 gold from his own, and borrows 2 silver from Zauberei for the rest. When he has the chance - likely on a stop back at the House before Harrowstone, since the house is on the way, he will change into that artisan's outfit.

 
 Originally Posted by SwordChucks 
 Hargrimm will purchase a Traveler's Outfit as well. 
 

12 silver paid.

 
 Originally Posted by Moriar 
 Angelo will get a travelers outfit with  Zauberei's help.     "Thank you for the assistance."   
 

Zauberei pays the full 12 silver cost.

 
 Originally Posted by BuckGodot 
 Alexandru will just pick some cold weather clothes. 
 

This will cost 96 silver, which Alexandru can afford.

Does anyone else need anything else?
Tippnick
Zauberei is good and starts to wonder how he is affording getting back to Absalom after clearing out this old prison.
Moriar
Once the party has left the store and are alone again...


  
"Now that is taken care of, let's continue exploring that charming prison. Shall we continue where we left off in that cozy basement?"   Angelo suggests.
SwordChucks
Hargrimm nods and says   "Sounds like a plan to me."  
lostsole31
And we're back in Harrowstone, in that lovely burnt out ruin that would make such a nice Scair BNB .... Harrowstone.

So, this time, we learned a little bit from before.  That is to have the folding ladder drop down, but to have a guide rope attached past that so you don't  have  to drop on your bum in the water below.

And so, the vertical conga line of adventurers redescends into Harrowstone.

I need everyone to give me eight Climb checks. You don't need so many, as technically most of you only need make four Climb checks (differing DCs ... 2 on the ladder, 2 on the bare rope), but the extra rolls are to cover failed-not-fallen. Also, if you do anything like lower packs or polearms I'd need to know that, too.
Tippnick
Zauberei casts mage armor on himself above ladder down. He throws his staff below before he climbs down.

 
 Spoiler: climb 

Climb 1
[Roll]d20-1]/roll]
Climb 2
[Roll]d20-1]/roll]
Climb 3
[Roll]d20-1]/roll]
Climb 4
[Roll]d20-1]/roll]
Climb 5
[Roll]d20-1]/roll]
Climb 6
[Roll]d20-1]/roll]
Climb 7
[Roll]d20-1]/roll]
Climb 8
[Roll]d20-1]/roll]
 
lostsole31
Zauberei throws his staff down. And then, weighed down like he is, he practically throws himself down, having botched the descent right off the bat, and taking  6 mod +1 mod NL . Luckily, Hargrimm's protection ate up most of that. A grumpy, wet rat, he collects his staff, puts a  light  spell on it so he can see, and then tends the line for the next person.
Moriar
With Tippy's Echo ability, Angelo will cast Mage armor on himself before climbing down (Tippy will then return as a Tattoo)

 
 Spoiler: Climbing 


Climb 1:  (1d20-1)[ 12 ] 

Climb 2:  (1d20-1)[ 17 ] 

Climb 3:  (1d20-1)[ 4 ] 

Climb 4:  (1d20-1)[ 18 ] 

Climb 5:  (1d20-1)[ 7 ] 

Climb 6:  (1d20-1)[ 2 ] 

Climb 7:  (1d20-1)[ 17 ] 

Climb 8:  (1d20-1)[ 0 ] 
 
SwordChucks
Hargrimm puts his boots in his pack before passing it down to those that have already climbed down. He tosses down his staff and starts his way down the ladder.

 
 Spoiler: Climb checks 
1:  (1d20-3)[ 4 ] 
2:  (1d20-3)[ 16 ] 
3:  (1d20-3)[ 15 ] 
4:  (1d20-3)[ 14 ] 
5:  (1d20-3)[ 15 ] 
6:  (1d20-3)[ 1 ] 
7:  (1d20-3)[ -2 ] 
8:  (1d20-3)[ -2 ] 
 
BuckGodot
Alexandru will pass down his shield and pack before climbing down.

 
 Spoiler: Climb Checks 


1  (1d20+5)[ 15 ] 

2  (1d20+5)[ 25 ] 

3  (1d20+5)[ 6 ] 

4  (1d20+5)[ 13 ] 

6  (1d20+5)[ 19 ] 

7  (1d20+5)[ 6 ] 

8  (1d20+5)[ 25 ] 
 
lostsole31
Angelo will fall at the transfer from ladder to rope (no damage).

Hargrimm will fall from the top ( 2 + 3 NL ).

Alexandru will fall from the crossover at the rope as did his brother ( 4 mod NL ).
Tippnick
Zauberei will change his clothes and begin laying out his wet clothes to at least drip dry. He will leave them there and pick up on the way out.
BuckGodot
Alexandru will also change clothes and hang his to dry.
SwordChucks
Hargrimm will fetch his staff, wring out his clothes, and then change into his new outfit. He folds his sodden outfit out of habit and leaves it near the water's edge.

Once everything is strapped into place again Hargrimm says   "I hope we've nearly completed our goal, if only for convenience sake."  
Ason
Marius allows the others to go first in true gentlemanly fashion. He then selects a spot in the pit where it seems nobody is currently standing, calls out for the others to watch their heads, and then drops his polearm down there in an attempt to avoid hitting anyone. Marius then ensures his shield and other possessions are safely secured so that both his hands are free, and he proceeds to attempt his own climb down.

 
 Spoiler: Rollin, Rollin, Rollin, Climb Checks! 

 
  (1d20+5)[ 15 ]  
  (1d20+5)[ 17 ]  
  (1d20+5)[ 21 ]  
  (1d20+5)[ 11 ]  
  (1d20+5)[ 15 ]  
  (1d20+5)[ 6 ]  
  (1d20+5)[ 18 ]  
  (1d20+5)[ 18 ]  
 
 
lostsole31
Marius makes it down without trouble, followed by Wren, the truest gentleman of the day, who also manages without incident.

Everyone is down below (and wet). You take what time you need to wring out the wet clothes and change into dry, with the exception of Wren who has no other clothes, and now all wet in his ruined clothing he looks truly abysmal, but is otherwise of good cheer.

Wren takes the just-shy of 30 seconds needed to give his little speech on awareness in these here parts. He looks to Hargrimm,   "Padre, can you do us the honor of reading from your book before we go to our dark work?"  
SwordChucks
Hargrimm strokes his beard a moment.   "I did forget to do that didn't I. After the loss of my journal, I make it a habit to leave books in my care back at the manor."  
lostsole31
  "No matter, reverend dwarf,"   says Wren wet, bedraggled, and cheerily.   "Your ministrations to us give us the strength we need anyway."  

The party goes into the massive central hall no doubt, but then what?
Tippnick
  "Let's go to the North passage"  , suggests Zauberei.
SwordChucks
Hargrimm nods.   "That works for me. One way is as good as another if we're planning to check everywhere eventually."  
BuckGodot
Alexandru agrees.
Ason
After changing into dry clothes and drinking his customary ant haul extract, Marius turns and notices Zauberei is somewhat encumbered by the things he is carrying.

He attempts to pull the mage aside to earnestly offer,   "Zauberei, I just drank a dose of an infusion that could also lighten your load. It makes me feel like I have the back of a man thrice my strength. How about I mix up a bottle for you as well before we explore in earnest?"  

Once any extract-making is done, depending on Zauberei's response, Marius then reequips his polearm and shield before indicating he is ready to proceed.   "If north seems wise to you, then north it is friends.."  
 
 Spoiler: OoC 
Assuming Zauberei accepts, Marius takes one minute to mix an Ant Haul infusion and then gives it to Zauberei. If he declines, then no infusion making is required, unless someone else requests an ant haul.
 
Tippnick
  "I have that spell available and if survival comes to down to it I will drop the backpack"  , Zauberei turns down the extract.
Ason
  "Oh, okay. If you ever change your mind, let me know,"   Marius replies,   "So... let's get going north then, right?"  

At that, Marius gingerly creeps toward the northern exit to peek around the corner and see what is there. If the coast seems clear, he beckons to the others to follow him.

 
 Spoiler: OoC 
I'd like to use stealth and perception for these checks, if possible, but I know those rolls aren't mine to make.
 
lostsole31
Wren is right there with Marius, but it doesn't matter, the voices from  discussion carried, and it looks like in a room to the north and west  there is some type of torchlight that shows. But out comes ... not a  ghost with a ghostly torch or the like ... but something much more  horrible. It is a headless skeleton carrying an axe, but the entire  skeleton is on fire!

 Begin Round One!

R1T28:   Angelo , what do you do. You do not have anything in hand right now.
Moriar
  "Hmm, this one lacks a head,  " Angelo observes.    "That does make it difficult to chat with.  Hopefully this helps slow it down and any other friends that it may have."  

Angelo steps up and utters arcane words.  Soon after an area of shimmering grease appears on the ground up ahead in the hallway.

 
 Spoiler: Grease'em 


Steps 5' to the northeast.

Then casts Grease onto a 10' square (fill up the hallway) 30' north of his position.  If it gets the skeleton currently like it seems like or it moves into the greased area the Reflex DC is 16
 
lostsole31
 R1T28:    "Hmm, this one lacks a head,  " Angelo observes.    "That does make it difficult to chat with.  Hopefully this helps slow it down and any other friends that it may have."  

Angelo steps up and utters arcane words.  Soon after an area of  shimmering grease appears on the ground up ahead in the hallway  underneath the flaming monster. It is quite agile and manages to keep  its footing .... at first.

 R1T23:  Then, as it  tries to actually move, it slips and falls. Instead of trying to stand,  it crawls southwards in the grease for a few feet, but is still  considered prone.

 R1T19:   Hargrimm , what do you do?
SwordChucks
Hargrimm moves to the east of Wren. Should that give him good enough line of sight to see the creature he calls out   "A flaming headless skeleton on the ground!"  , while he flashes back to the flaming skulls that had appeared in town. He scowls and throws a vortex of light at the thing.

 
 Spoiler: Combat 
Move action: Move 20ft to end up east of Wren.
Standard action: Attack with Banelight Vortices.

Vortex:  (1d20+4)[ 5 ] ,  (3d6)[ 11 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R1T19:  Hargrimm moves to the east of Wren. Should that give him good enough line of sight to see the creature he calls out   "A flaming headless skeleton on the ground!"  ,  while he flashes back to the flaming skulls that had appeared in town.  He scowls and throws a vortex of light at the thing. He misses, and it  hits the grease slick, which is somewhat reflective. In addition, there  are a lot of exposed quartzite and mica and other reflective chips in  the rock walls down here, so his banelight shoots and ricochets all  around, just missing his allies on several passes before finally  dissipating.

 R1T18:  Paula squeaks and runs down  Marius' leg to the ground so as to note interfere with his movement,  doing so out of LOS/LOE of the enemy.

 R1T16:  Wren looks at the creature, then at the party.   "Come on! What the Nine Hells is  that !?"  

He  concentrates on his hand, and a light hammer forms in it! He moves up  to the grease slick, ready to pong the monster if it tries to get up.

 R1T7:   Alexandru , what do you do?
BuckGodot
Alexandru moves up to stand next to Wren and assess the enemy before swinging his warhammer to smash down upon the prone creature.

 
 Spoiler: Technical Information 
MA: North 20' to be adjacent to Wren
FrA: Assess

Attack: Using Risky Strike  (1d20+6)[ 11 ] 

Damage:  (1d8+6)[ 9 ] 

Undead Exterminator: +2 bonus on Bluff, Knowledge, Perception, Sense Motive, &amp; Survival checks when dealing w/ creatures of the undead type
*  +2 bonus on weapon attack &amp; damage rolls vs. undead.
 
lostsole31
 R1T7:  Alexandru begins moving up - dropping his sword  and drawing his warhammer - and stands next to Wren, having gone just a  little too far to be able to enjoy attacking the monster as well.

 R1T6:   Marius , you have polearm and shield readied. What do you do?

Zauberei on deck, Angelo in the hole ...
Ason
Marius shifts into an offensive stance and zig-zags toward the fiery undead to swing his hammer at it. As he attacks, he mournfully calls out,   "For Razvan and Othello!"  
 
 Spoiler: Mechanics 
 Free:  Knowledge check to identify the headless flaming skeleton and any weaknesses/resistances it may have ( if I have to pick which knowledge to attempt, knowledge: religion )
 Swift:  enter  Aura of Misfortune  stance
 Move:  5 feet northwest, 10 feet north so that he is immediately south of Wren
 Standard:  Risky Strike on flaming undead; attack  (1d20+8)[ 18 ] ; damage  (1d12+3)[ 5 ] 
 Note:  Marius is now level 4, but I see he has not applied his automatic bonus progression for that level to his equipment according to his character sheet. The next time he is able, Marius will attune his armor and lucerne hammer to make them both +1. I couldn't find a rule on how long it takes to attune to equipment, so I'll defer to you on when that actually happens. I just wanted to put the request into writing sooner rather than later.
 
lostsole31
 R1T6:  Marius shifts into an offensive stance and  zig-zags toward the fiery  undead to swing his hammer at it. He bonks into the wall foolishly as a  wall is directly northwest of him, but then he continues north. His  strange movement means he is unable to attack from his position, and he  mournfully calls  out,   "For Razvan and Othello!"  
 R1T4:   Zauberei , what do you do?

Angelo on deck, Flaming headless skeleton in the hole ...
Tippnick
 
 Spoiler: assense first then speak 

Zauberei will assense the creature
If he knows what it is, then he will state
   "It is a '*****'"   , he says.

If he knows how to best harm it he will state
  "Use '*****' weapons."  
If he he knows it can do some special attack he will state
  "It might '****'."  

If he does not know what it is he will say
  "Not sure what it is but don't use fire to harm it"  , Zauberei explains unecssarily.

SA: cast magic missile at the creature
 (d4+1)[ 5 ] 
[Roll]d4+1[roll]
EOT
 
BuckGodot
  ”May explode on impact! Burning Skeleton!”  
lostsole31
 R1T4:  Looking from 40' away and past several allies at a burning blob on the ground, Zauberei says, rather unnecessarily,   "Not sure what it is but don't use fire to harm it."  

He casts a spell, and two arcane bolts slam into the thing for   8 force   total.

Alexandru begins shouting,   "May explode on ..."  
 End Round One, Begin Round 2 ...

R2T28:  Angelo, what do you do?

Enemy on deck, Hargrimm in the hole ...
Moriar
Angelo steps up and says, "  What's that brother  ?"

Then after uttering an arcane phrase and shoots a beam at the skeleton.


 
 Spoiler: Flipping  skeleton 



Steps up 5' to northwest.

Then casts disrupt undead.

Roll to ranged touch hit,  (1d6+8)[ 12 ] 

Damage of  (1d6)[ 6 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R2T28:  Angelo steps up and says,   "  What's that, brother  ?"  

Then after uttering an arcane phrase and shoots a beam at the skeleton, but completely misses.

  "...impact! Burning Skeleton!”   Lexi finishes.

 R2T23:   The headless flaming skeleton stands. Wren brings his light hammer  right down on what would have been the head, but now the top of the  spinal column for  6 . Marius follows up with the same exact target with his lucerne hammer, also doing  6 . The creature steps out of the grease slick. It grazes Wren in the chest with its handaxe for  mod 7  and misses with its claw.

 R2T19:   Hargrimm ,  you are really having troubles with vision right now, being confused by  the multiple attackers against your foe. If you use a ranged attack,  you'll suffer additional penalties, or you can attempt a Perception  check by using a SA to hopefully clear this issue.

Paula on deck, Wren in the hole ...
SwordChucks
Hargrimm backs around the corner blinking furiously. He tries to get his eyes to focus again, straining to hold back the curses he wants to say.

 
 Spoiler: Combat 
5ft step east.
Standard action: Perception check to clear his eyes.

Perception:  (1d20+11)[ 14 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R2T19:  Hargrimm backs around the corner blinking furiously. He tries to get his  eyes to focus again, straining to hold back the curses he wants to say. He is not yet able to get his vision to focus properly.

 R2T18:  Paula delays ...

 R2T16:   Wren purposely steps into the  greased  area, having taken   3 fire    from his proximity to the skeleton. He quickly lashes out again with  the light hammer to hit the creature in the lower arm bones for  10 .

 R2T7:   Lexi , you take   6 fire   from your proximity to the creature. what do you do?

Marius on deck, Zauberei in the hole ...
BuckGodot
Not hesitating, his closed and shy demeanor seems to evaporate when dealing with creatures he knows, Alexandru swings his hammer in a crushing blow to the being.


 
 Spoiler: Technical Information 

Attack using Risky Strike

 (1d20+6)[ 23 ] 

Damage:  (1d8+6)[ 10 ] 

Undead Exterminator (Ex):  +2 bonus on Bluff, Knowledge, Perception, Sense Motive, &amp; Survival checks when dealing w/ creatures of the undead type
*  +2 bonus on weapon attack &amp; damage rolls vs. undead.
 
lostsole31
 R2T7:  Not hesitating, his closed and shy demeanor seems to evaporate when  dealing with creatures he knows, Alexandru swings his hammer in a  crushing blow to the being, delivering  12 damage  to the hip.

 R2T6:   Marius , what do you do?

Zauberei on deck, Angelo in the hole ...
Ason
  "Paula, get behind us: watch our backs!"   Marius calls out to his lab rat familiar. He then scrutinizes the flaming undead further before hefting his polearm and swinging it again at the burning monster.

Heeding Lexi's advice, Marius backs up after attacking the creature.

 
 Spoiler: Mechanics 
 Move:   Studied Combat  on burning skeleton for +2 insight on melee attack/damage rolls for 5 rounds
 Standard:  Risky Strike on burning skeleton; attack  (1d20+12)[ 29 ]  ( includes studied combat + flanking  - risky strike); damage  (1d12+5)[ 17 ]  ( includes risky strike + studied combat )
 Five-Foot Step:  south

 Immediate (if triggered):   Inner Sense  for +2 on next save
 
lostsole31
 R2T6:    "Paula, get behind us: watch our backs!"    Marius calls out to his lab rat familiar. He then scrutinizes the  flaming undead further before hefting his polearm and swinging it again  at the burning monster smashing it and destroying it in a gout of flame  before he could back away. Wren and Lexi both knew what to expect,  courtesy of Lexi's warning. While they each get burned a little (1  fire), it is better than it might have been.

 Combat Over! 
Tippnick
"  Hargrimm, I think enough of the party got hurt for you to use your channeled healing. Your are better at it than me"  , Zauberei suggests.

  "Everyone gather around."  
SwordChucks
Hargrimm keeps blinking.   "You make a good point Mr. Indistinct blob in my vision. How is everyone holding up?"  

When everyone is gathered around again, Hargrimm sends out a wave of energy.

 
 Spoiler 
Channel Positive Energy to heal the living:  (2d6+1)[ 8 ] 
 
lostsole31
By the time everyone gathers together and Hargrimm gives a single burst that heals everyone, the dwarf's vision is back to normal.
BuckGodot
Alexandru shakes off some soot and looks at the others...

  "Everyone okay? I'm sorry I didn't speak up sooner..."  
lostsole31
  "That's okay,"   says Wren,   "because at least you spoke up sootier."  
Ason
  "Sorry about that,"   Marius coughs as the smoke clears,   "though I am ready to continue when you are, after the grease clears."  

Crouching down low, Marius beckons Paula back to him and gently whispers,   "You okay, little one? Maybe bring up the rear of the group so you're out of harm's way and can watch our backs? I don't want you getting hurt."  
lostsole31
Paula squeaks and nods her head, vaguely sensing what Marius wants of her.

The party waits a mere three minutes for the  grease  to clear, though not everyone's benefit from Hargrimm has fully recovered.

Do you wait the extra two minutes for most people's akashic bond to be at full, or even seven minutes if waiting for Lexi's to be full?
BuckGodot
Alexandru will take 5 minutes to calm his mind and restore.
Moriar
Angelo will play with. Tippy to help pass the time until everyone is ready.
Tippnick
  "Let's make sure to check the remains if any"  , suggests Zauberei.
lostsole31
In checking the remains, there is nothing but scorched earth and ash, though perhaps a little moreso given the nature of the undead you fought. It had a simple handaxe, nothing of quality, which Wren takes for now.

Meanwhile, Wren asks Hargrimm,   "Okay, does it feel like everyone is given as much energy as you are giving them in your way?"   
 Spoiler: Hargrimm 
It would take another two minutes for Lexi to top off.
 
SwordChucks
Hargrimm gives a nod to Wren.   "I don't believe it will be necessary to do anything further."   Hargrimm looks the party over.   "My bond with Mr. Alexandru should be replenished soon. If we work our way through here carefully it should be full around the next time we have to rip a door off its hinges."  
Ason
Marius will take this time to mix an extract of Heightened Awareness, which he will drink right before the party sets off exploring again.

 
 Spoiler: Mechanics 
Also, Ant Haul should be marked off on Marius' sheet as used, but I don't think it was updated.
 
lostsole31
While the passage continues north past a raised portcullis into what looks like a an oubliette and a ring of cells, there is still the side room from which the burning skeleton came. The door to this room hangs slightly ajar. Within stands a table surrounded by a few rickety chairs, along with a pair of moldy but serviceable cots.

A winch affixed to the north wall raises and lowers the portcullis that allows entrance into area  U4  (the area to the north). The portcullis can be locked from the closed position, but is currently raised.

Do you do a quick or deep search in here?
lostsole31
The party does a deep search in here, which takes 36 minutes, but finds nothing more of interest.

Having assured themselves of nothing hidden here, they make their way out into the hallway looking north into that section.
Ason
Putting a finger to his lips to indicate quiet, Marius gingerly peeks into this new room to get a decent look. If the coast seems clear, he creeps toward the edge of the grating in the center of the room.
lostsole31
Marius edges in, the two lights from the party backlighting him as he stares at a grate and yawning blackness below.

 Surprise Round ...

S22:   He is completely unready when there is a hideous, bloodcurdling scream  as something launches at him through the grate from below. As if the  grating wasn't even there it pops up to his height with a ridiculously  oversized axe and then cuts low to strike clean through Marius' left  knee for  4 NE ( +1d6 bleed ) ! Even though the classic wounding appears at the strike zone, Marius' knee opens up with a free flowing laceration.

 End Surprise Round, Begin Round One!

R1T23:   Angelo , what do you do?
Moriar
  "That fellow doesn't look very friendly,"   Angelo wryly observes.

He then utters an arcane phrase.  Upon completion two magical darts erupt from his hand and strike the creature.

 
 Spoiler: Crunchy time  


Stays where he is and casts magic missile at the creature.

Damage:  (2d4+2)[ 6 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R1T23:    "That fellow doesn't look very friendly,"    Angelo wryly observes. He then utters an arcane phrase.  Upon  completion two magical darts erupt from his hand and strike the creature  for a total of   6 force  .

 R1T22:   The spectral monstrosity just flies right through Marius and gains a  little bit of altitude before dropping its axe to strike through Lexi's  left lower arm to create a gash that does   3 NE (+1d6 bleed)  .

 R1T19:  Paula squeaks in alarm before retreating several feet and cowering against the corner of the entrance.

 R1T16:   Marius , you take   3 bleed  .  To everyone, that doesn't just drop on the floor, but the blood instead  flows from Marius into the enemy, seemingly healing it of a like  amount! Marius, what do you do? It looks like Paula took your advice.
Ason
  "An axe!"   Marius calls out, wincing from his injury as he does so,   "Is this the Lopper?"  

The  young man then tries to tumble around the axe-wielding entity, hoping  to avoid its attacks while on the move. Once in position, he swings the  spiked head of his polearm at the monster as he enters into a defensive posture.

 
 Spoiler: OoC 
 Free:  Knowledge check to identify the creature, especially any weaknesses
 Swift:   Aura of Misfortune  stance
 Move:  10 feet east, 5 feet north such that Marius ends up flanking with Wren; Acrobatics to avoid AoO  (1d20+10)[ 20 ] 
 Standard:  standard action attack with defensive stance  (1d20+8)[ 9 ]  ( does not include flanking or any other bonus, does include -1 for defensive stance attack, gains +1 dodge AC from defensive stance ); damage  (1d12+1)[ 10 ] 
 Notes on Marius' Sheet:   1) Marius' ant haul extract and heightened awareness extract are not  yet marked on his sheet as used up. 2) Marius has taken 7 damage so far in this fight,  but he is only 2 hp short of his max hp. I assume there were some  temporary hit points I'm forgetting about ( and no longer see due to said damage ), but I wanted to point out the issue, just in case he should be more injured.
 
lostsole31
 R1T16:    "An axe!"   Marius calls out, wincing from his injury as he does so,   "Is this the Lopper?"  

The  young man then tries to tumble around the axe-wielding entity,  hoping  to avoid its attacks while on the move, but he is not so lucky as the monster's axe slices across Marius' neck for   3 NE  .  Once in position, he  swings the  spiked head of his polearm at the monster as he enters into a  defensive posture, missing wildly. He also realizes now that he's here  that its elevated position means he isn't really flanking, either.

 R1T12:   Alexandru , you take   4 bleed  , and your blood likewise seems to turn into red mist that is absorbed by the specter. What do you do?
BuckGodot
Alexandru quickly looks over his foe to assess its capabilities and then swings his hammer.





 
 Spoiler: Technical Information 

Assess

Attack using Risky Strike
 (1d20+6)[ 7 ] 

Damage:  (1d8+9)[ 11 ] 

Undead Exterminator (Ex):  +2 bonus on Bluff, Knowledge, Perception, Sense Motive, &amp; Survival checks when dealing w/ creatures of the undead type
*  +2 bonus on weapon attack &amp; damage rolls vs. undead.

Combat Reflexes (Ex):  He may make 4 AOOs /rd (1 + 3 [DEX]). He may also make AOOS while FF'd.

Step Up
 
lostsole31
 R1T12:  Alexandru quickly looks over his foe to assess  its capabilities and then swings his hammer so violently that he is  overcome by the fog of war ( dazed ).

 R1T6:   Zauberei , what do you do?
Tippnick
Zauberei steps closer to the combat and will try to determine what is while spellcasting  
 Spoiler 


FA: assense the creature
If he determines what it is
He shouts,   "It is a ..."  
He will utter a spell
SA: casts Ghostbane dirge on the creature
  "You might be able to hit it with normal weapons now."  
 
lostsole31
 R1T6:  Zauberei calls out,   "It's  a special type of wraith endemic only to this soul and this place. If  it kills you, you become like him, but under his control."   He then holds his symbol of Nethys and casts a spell and advises,   "You might be able to hit it with normal weapons now."  
 R1T5:    "Lady of the Northern Lights,"   begins Wren as he takes out the Lopper's blood-stained handaxe and steps north,   "I beseech you guide me to victory and away from curses."  

He  drops his dagger before the draw, and now has axe and hammer in hand.  With a speed fast and true Wren strikes the spirit as hard as he can for   14 ! It definitely bit in deep as if made of flesh, and the creature screams in pain.   "Ladies and gentlemen, we have a winner, and his name is The Lopper!"  
 R1T4:   Hargrimm , what do you do?

Angelo on deck, Lopper in the hole ...
SwordChucks
Hargrimm moves in a bit closer to the front lines and lets loose another wave of light.

 
 Spoiler: Combat 
5ft step northwest.
Swift action: Shift 2 essence from Banelight Vortices to Veil-woven Channel.
Standard action: Channel Energy to heal the living, and grant the Veil-woven Channel bonus to AC.

Channel:  (2d6+1)[ 8 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R1T4:  Hargrimm moves in a bit closer to the front lines and lets loose a wave of light that washes over the allies with healing and protective energies, fully healing Marius and stopping bleeding from he and Lexi.

 End Round One, Begin Round 2 ...

R2T23:   Angelo , what do you do?

The Lopper on deck, Paula in the hole ...
Moriar
  "Normal weapons affect him now eh?"   Angelo asks.     "Then let's see if his axe can be separated from him."
  
Angelo slides his whip into hand and with a crack of the weapon aims to disarm the Lopper.


 
 Spoiler: Crunch 


MA to draw whip.

SA to disarm.  Cmb roll of  (1d20+8)[ 23 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R2T23:    "Normal weapons affect him now eh?"   Angelo asks.     "Then let's see if his axe can be separated from him."
  
Angelo slides his whip into hand and with a crack of the weapon aims to  disarm the Lopper. His whip passes through the Lopper's wrist  beautifully .... with no effect.

  " This  axe ..."   Wren begins, gesturing to the blood-stained handaxe for emphasis....

 R2T22:   The Lopper does a 5' aerial step, now directly over top Alexandru and  swings at Hargrimm, but the dwarf knew what was coming and ducks out of  the way.

  "...once belonged to..."  
 R2T19:  Paula stays in total defense to the south ...

  "...The Lopper. He's ..."  
 R2T16:   Marius , what do you do?

Zauberei on deck, Wren in the hole ...
Ason
  "If you have the magic, genuine sunlight might help!"   he calls out hopefully to the party.

Marius then heeds Zauberei's advice and zig-zags after the spectre, his polearm turning into a blur as he stabs at the spirit.

 
 Spoiler: OoC 
 Move:  5 feet diagonal southwest, 5 feet south
 Standard:   Temporal Burn  on the Lopper; attack roll  (1d20+9)[ 29 ] ; normal damage  (1d12+1)[ 11 ]  + bonus damage  (2d6)[ 8 ]  that bypasses DR and hardness
 
Immediate (if triggered):   Bad Karma  on the Lopper if he targets Marius with any of the options listed in the maneuver

 AoOs (if triggered):  Marius will do a risky strike attack on the Lopper if he triggers an attack of opportunity
 
lostsole31
 R2T16:    "If you have the magic, genuine sunlight might help!"    he calls out hopefully to the party. Marius then heeds Zauberei's  advice and only zigs after the spectre as otherwise he would be too  close to strike. His polearm turns into a blur as he swings at the  spirit.  The lucerne hammer, much like Angelo's whip, passes cleanly  through the Lopper with no effect.

Marius makes an important  martial science discovery today (well, for himself): the etherealness of  spirits is not affected by the speed of a weapon, as that maneuver was  designed to overcome specialized corporeal, physical defenses of  creatures and objects! It doesn't move so quickly as to phase out of  reality to strike a ghost.

  "... fully affected by ..."  
 R2T12:  Alexandru is dazed, but recovers at the end of what would have been his round.

  " ... it as if..."  
 R2T6:   Zauberei , what do you do?

Wren on deck, Hargrimm in the hole ...
Tippnick
Zauberei takes a step back and casts a spell.
  "It heals from the blood it absorbs. Keep healing if you notice that type of wound"  , Zauberei calls out.
 
 Spoiler: crunch 


MA: 5ft step south
SA: cast bless
 
lostsole31
 R2T6:  Zauberei takes a step back and casts a spell and calls out,   "It heals from the blood it absorbs. Keep healing if you notice that type of wound."  
 R2T5:    "... it were a weapon designed to slay spirits. Specifically,  him ,"    finishes Wren. Instead of attacking with the Lopper's axe like he said  was the best thing to do, however, Wren backs away and casts a spell  upon himself. He then spins the axe in his hands with greater adroitness  than before - an almost unrecognizable speed.

 R2T4:   Hargrimm , what do you do?

Angelo on deck, The Lopper in the hole ....
SwordChucks
Hargrimm steps to the south, reestablishes the glow around his hand, and lets loose a vortex of light at the Lopper.

 
 Spoiler: Combat 
5ft step south.
Swift action: Move 2 essence from Veil-woven Channel to Banelight Vortices.
Standard action: Attack the Lopper with Banelight Vortices.

Vortex:  (1d20+4)[ 21 ] ,  (3d6)[ 11 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R2T4:  Hargrimm steps to the south, reestablishes the  glow around his hand, and lets loose a vortex of light at the Lopper  that just barely strikes it in the lower arm (courtesy of that  bless  spell) for   22 Light   damage! It screeches in rage and turns his murderous gaze upon the dwarven cleric.

 End Round 2, Begin Round 3 ...

R3T23:   Angelo , what do you do?

The Lopper on deck, Paula in the hole ...
Moriar
Angelo steps back a bit and let's loose two more magical darts at the lopper.

 
 Spoiler: missiles away 


Steps south 5'

Casts magic missile

Damage of  (2d4+2)[ 8 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R3T23:  Angelo steps back a bit and let's loose two more magical darts at the Lopper that strike for   8 force  .

 R3T22:   The Lopper moves acrobatically enough to be too fast for Marius, but  not Alexandru (who misses with his hammer) and ends up directly above  Hargrimm. He swings his axe down to slice Hargrimm in the wrist for   6 NE  ( +1d6 bleed ) .

 R3T19:  Paula maintains her defensive cower.

 R3T16:   Marius , what do you do?

Lexi on deck, Zauberei in the hole ...
Ason
Marius chases after the Lopper, but this time he whispers something to his polearm before he stabs again at the spirit.

 
 Spoiler: Mechanics 
 Move:  5 feet south, 5 feet southwest 
Swift:   Ghost Hunting Blow  boost (all attacks this round, including AoOs, treat his weapon as  ghost touch )
 Standard:  risky strike attack roll  (1d20+8)[ 20 ] ; damage roll  (1d12+3)[ 4 ] 
 
Tippnick
Zauberei moves away and calls forth positive energy in a bright wash of light

 
 Spoiler: crunch 


MA: 5ft step to the south
SA: channel positive to heal
 (d6)[ 6 ] 
 
BuckGodot
Alexandru nods to Zauberei in thanks and moves closer to his brother protectively.

 
 Spoiler: Technical Information 
Hold action.

MA: 5' step south to Angelo
 
lostsole31
 R3T16:  Marius chases after the Lopper, but this time he  whispers something to his polearm before he stabs again at the spirit.  There is a strange, unreal sound of tearing as the back spike of the  hammer crosses the dimensional energies to strike true against the  Lopper's back for  4 .

 R3T12:  Alexandru moves to his brother protectively.

 R3T6:   Zauberei moves away and calls forth positive energy in a bright wash of  light that fully heals Hargrimm (and stops his bleeding), but has no  effect on anyone else. Lexi nods to him for the effort.

 R3T5:  Wren closes and swings the Lopper's axe quickly and forcefully high up to cut through the apparition's head for  12 .

 R3T4:   Hargrimm , what do you do? The Lopper is directly above you.

Angelo on deck, The Lopper in the hole.
SwordChucks
Hargrimm doesn't like the position he's in, but grits his teeth and throws another vortex straight up towards the Lopper.

 
 Spoiler: Combat 
Standard action: Attack the Lopper with Banelight Vortices.

Vortex:  (1d20+4)[ 21 ] ,  (6d6)[ 24 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R3T4:  Hargrimm doesn't like the position he's in, but  grits his teeth and throws another vortex straight up towards the Lopper  just as the Lopper drops the axe upon him. The axe bites Hargrimm for   2 NE  ( +1d6 bleed ) , but Hargrimm's vortex blasts the Lopper screaming out of existence with a hideous screech!

 End Round 3, Begin Round 4 ...

  R4T23:   Angelo , the Lopper is gone, but the dwarf is bleeding. What do you do?

Paula on deck, Marius in the hole ...
Moriar
  "Well done all,"   Angelo begins.   "Friend dwarf, let me heal your wounds."  

Angelo utters a magical phrase and places his hand upon his compatriot.


 
 Spoiler: Healing 


Move to Hargrimm.

Cast Cure light wounds, healing  (1d8+3)[ 5 ] 
 
lostsole31
Hargrimm is now fully healed and no longer bleeding.

 Initiative Ends! 

Not only that, but the bloodstains on the Lopper's axe and handle slowly disappear.

  "I no longer felt the power I felt when I fought the Lopper with his own axe,"   says Wren,   "but this is a very well made handaxe. Perhaps it will find more noble service in my hands."  

He concentrates on the axe, attuning it in favor of the fine dagger he's held this whole time.

What now?
SwordChucks
Hargrimm catches his breath, and turns to Angelo.   "Thank you for the healing. You were right, he wasn't very friendly."  
  "If everyone feels up to it, shall we explore that grate?"  

Hargrimm looks for a bit of debris, casts  Light  on it, and drops it between the bars.
lostsole31
The light drops below, and only dim light reaches the top of the grating as the piece of rock drops 30'.  The rope tied off from the grate is only a few feet long, terminating at a frayed end—the remainder of the rope lies at the bottom of the pit, coiled around the mortal remains of the oubliette’s final prisoner. The body lies in a heap at the bottom, with what obviously seems like it included broken legs. The walls of the oubliette are polished smooth with very few handholds.
Ason
Marius peers down at the corpse and states,   "I doubt a dead prisoner in a forgotten pit has anything worthwhile, but..."   he gulps nervously,   "I have an extract that could help me climb like a monkey down there to confirm that, as long as one of you has a rope to help me back out again. Do we have any rope left?"  
Tippnick
  "I would advise against it, whatever you find down there is not worth the risk yet. But if you have your heart set to do it I will cast hide from undead. I have a scroll"  ' Zauberei advises

 
 Spoiler: crunch 


If Marius decides to climb down Zauberei will use his scroll of hide from undead on Marius
 
lostsole31
Wren puts his hand on Marius' shoulder and shakes his head.   "You're as good as Lexi when he's in his armor, but I doubt even Lexi without his armor could easily conquer that wall, even with magical aid. That's a really sheer wall meant to frustrate all sort of climbers."  
BuckGodot
   "Agreed. Please... Let us move on..."   
Ason
  "I needn't be told twice,"   Marius says, nodding his head in agreement,   "The sooner we finish exploring, the sooner we can leave. It seems there are many doors here: more cells, I presume. Shall we investigate those next? Maybe we can work clockwise, starting from the southwestern one by the door we came in?"  
BuckGodot
Alexandru nods his agreement and, keeping his hammer at the ready moves over to Wren and looks at him.
lostsole31
  "Why with bludgeon ready do you close upon your mate?"   Wren asks Alexandru, stepping back and putting up the Lopper's axe as a guard.
BuckGodot
   ”Oh! My apologies! I was just waiting for you so we could move on! You check for traps and I act as protection… Sorry for the confusion.”   
lostsole31
Though hard to tell through this timeless and august storytelling medium (print), it should be noted that those who remember when you first met Wren it is not that he has completely changed. He found a period of stability, yet his day-to-day common reactions and fidgeting speaks of one who is paranoid and defensive, even as he tries to be cosmopolitan and open in social situations.

He nods his head, and he votes for a longer search.
lostsole31
It takes three hours and 20 minutes to do a complete and total search of this entire northern section. Wren trusts that the long search will find what it will find, and doesn't re-up what he calls "careful teamwork" (when he takes everyone to the side for nearly 30 seconds to coach them on awareness for the next hour).  Light  cantrips reset several times. Marius'  heightened awareness  ends. Lexi and Marius' fortification from Hargrimm regenerates to maximum.

Wren says,   "When we're about to leave for the day, let's come back here."  

Where to next?
Ason
With the party's inspection complete, Marius turns to his comrades and asks while pointing south down the hallway,   "Shall we next look south of that main chamber?"  
BuckGodot
Alexandru nods his agreement and waits near Wren to move on.
SwordChucks
Hargrimm nods.   "Just where I was going to suggest we start."  
Moriar
"  Hopefully we will find some more friends in that direction,"    Angelo says cheerfully and ignorant of any discontent.
lostsole31
The party heads south across the large central chamber to the southern cell block (true west is relative south on this map). The plaque leading to the western (south) cell block reads: "Nevermore."

Unlike the northern cell block (which you just finished looking over), the portcullis is down. Also as before, there is a door, but this time it is closed and not ajar as it was for the headless skeleton.

What do you do?
SwordChucks
Hargrimm checks the braids of his beard as he asks   "Does 'Nevermore' mean anything in particular? Maybe these prisoners would be free 'nevermore'?"

"More importantly, is there a way to raise this portcullis without straining our backs?"  
Tippnick
Zauberei says,   "I can enlarge someone. This will help with opening the portcullis. But let's test how hard it is to raise first before expending a spell."  
Moriar
  "I could try to dissolve the bars before someone, err Lexi, tries to open it, "   Angelo says before grinning at his brother.
BuckGodot
Alexandru grins back at his brother…   ”Like that time we snuck into the broth… er… freed that imprisoned lady… from… her…  imprisoners and… um. Nothing…”   
lostsole31
  "Well, in the last guardroom,"   says Wren,   "there was a lever handle that was probably for the portcullis. I am sure there is the same in this guardroom here."  
BuckGodot
Alexandru nods his agreement and begins searching for a lever.
lostsole31
Alexandru fails to find a lever out here in the hallway.
BuckGodot
Alexandru  collapses and has a seizure of shame on the floor…  crosses to the guard room door and opens it and if he doesn’t die, looks around for a lever.
lostsole31
Alexandru sees a lever on the southern wall.
BuckGodot
  ”Theres a lever here… Mist- Um. Wren? Will you check it?”  
lostsole31
Wren goes in, checking for danger in the whole room first before returning and throwing the lever, which does nothing to the portcullis.  He informs the rest of the party.
Tippnick
  "Before trying any spells, let's try to have a couple of the strongest lift the portcullis"  , Zauberei suggests.
lostsole31
Alexandru is the obvious choice of primary, but as far as a strength assistant, it comes down to Hargrimm, Marius, and even Wren. Any volunteers?
SwordChucks
Hargrimm offers his dwarfly might, or mite as the case may be.
lostsole31
The two heavers - Lexi and Hargrimm - do what they can, but they cannot raise the portcullis.
Ason
Marius quietly watches the initial proceedings, puzzling over the situation. Attempting to be helpful he asks,   "Wren, would you mind inspecting the portcullis mechanism with me? If a piece is broken or missing-- either here or back at the lever --maybe you and I can fix it?"  

Marius then inspects where the portcullis connects to the ceiling in the hallway, after which he inspects the lever in the guard room, looking for signs of damage, wear, or tampering in both cases. He then wracks his brain for explanations as to why this mechanism is no longer working and how it might be fixed.

 
 Spoiler: Mechanics 
I am thinking Perception checks to look for clues as to what's broken, followed by maybe a Knowledge (engineering) check to fit those clues together toward an understanding of what has gone wrong here, but you know the rolls he would make better than I, so I defer to your adjudication.

Marius is inviting Wren to join him so that one can Aid Another the other.
 
lostsole31
Wren ... doesn't know what to think. While a clever fellow, well-read in a variety of subjects, it turns out that Wren has no grounding in engineering beyond the most basic everyday concepts. It is Zauberei who ends up being a good engineering assistant to Marius.

While most of the mechanism is behind the wall, Marius and Zauberei's check at the lever shows there is no resistance ... as there is no load. And they determine that it is because the Harrowstone fire ... while keeping the northern block mostly clear ... made it own to the southern block and melted/ destroyed the winch and chain mechanism. There is no way to get to it, to feed a chain through properly if you had one of your own, or otherwise repair the portcullis without a major undertaking beyond the scope of simple dungeon exploration.
SwordChucks
Hargrimm looks around for a moment before saying   "It looks like we may need to use magic to bypass this. I'd prefer Angelo's idea to dissolve the bars, at least enough to crawl through. If we use Zauberei's  Enlarge , we'd need to pile something under the portcullis so we would be able to leave once the magic ends."  
Ason
After relaying this discovery and hearing Hargrimm's response, Marius pauses to think for a minute, stroking his chin while he inspects the portcullis to determine its material, before adding,   "You're right. Sundering the bars, with magic or muscle, may be our only option."  

Perking up, he adds with rare optimism,   "But this may be a blessing in disguise, because this will stop any corporeal undead from sneaking up on us. Why don't we just search the western hallway for now? In the meantime, we can keep our eyes open for suitable objects to pile under the portcullis, smash it down, or lever it up."  
 
 Spoiler: Mechanics 
I don't know what check it would be to identify a mundane material, but a portcullis primarily made of wood or that has rusted over time might be easier to deal with than one made of adamantine.
 
SwordChucks
Hargrimm turns to Marius   "That sounds best for now. Maybe we'll find another way in during our search and not have to herniate ourselves."  
Moriar
"  Good point.  I don't think Lexi would want another hernia.  " Angelo says with a sly grin.

  "To the west  !"
BuckGodot
Alexandru looks at his brother and shakes his head with a smile before moving over to once again join Wren heading west.
lostsole31
The party heads to the west, where the brass plaque (once cleared of soot and grime) reads: "Reaper's Hold."

The "Reaper's Hold" corridor goes in much farther than others have gone, as it is nearly 60' not to one door, but two facing doors of the hall. The portcullis itself leading to the cell block is down.

Which door do you wish to check first .... the northern or southern?
Moriar
  "Don't know why, but North seems like a good place to start."   Angelo says.
BuckGodot
   ”Because when we then turn south it will seem like we’re travelling downhill?”   
Ason
  "As you wish,"   Marius says with a nod. He then inspects the northern door for any traps or other hazardous things.
lostsole31
It really is more about Marius assisting Wren looking for traps, but both are perspicacious men in this regard. They do not detect anything untoward about the door.  Marius gets back with his polearm at the ready, and Lexi puts up weapon and shield to get the door. Unlike the doors on the main level above, it should be noted that while there is a little bit of resistance, the doors down here are not rotted through. So one can open the door instead of simply pulling it off its hinges (and watching it fall apart). Despite the pool of water that came into the eastern cell block, it is not nearly so humid down here.

And so, Lexi easily opens the door (and next time he does this he can ready his shield and possibly open a door one-handed unless that specific door has an issue). The western cell block guard room is in here. This guard room is decorated similarly to the others, with a table, a few chairs, and a pair of cots, yet unlike the others, no undead or haunts seem to lurk within. There is also a winch on the western wall.

As Lexi readies his shield again, Wren goes in carefully to check the safety of the room and winch area (taking a minute), and then he spends a MA to release the lock, and another FRA to raise the portcullis.

Does the party do a search in this room? If so ... quick or deep?
SwordChucks
Hargrimm elects for a deep search.   "The guards might have stashed something useful, and if not there may be some personal items their families might want for closure."   he explains.
Tippnick
Zauberei agrees,   "Indeed, this seems like a place to search thoroughly."  
Ason
  "My thoughts exactly,"   Marius says with a nod.   "I don't expect prisoners' quarters to hold much, but the guards might have left something useful."  
lostsole31
The group does a deep search in here, which takes 48 minutes, but there is nothing useful in here, and nothing which hints at ownership of anything.

Now what?
Moriar
  "Perhaps we should clear the south door before heading through to the west."    Angelo suggests.

  "Wren, can we jam that wench so it won't fall back down later?"  
Ason
Marius comments,   "Both ideas seem wise, Angelo."  
Tippnick
  "The southern door is agreeable with me"  , Zauberei says.
BuckGodot
Alexandru nods his assent to go south.
lostsole31
Wren shakes his head and locks the winch in place using the given mechanism.

It is important to note, by the way, that Zauberei's  mage armor  dropped during the earlier part of the search in this past room. Also, Wren's created light hammer disappears.

Wren searches the door clear, and hears nothing on the other side. He readies the Lopper's axe. Alexandru, as mentioned previously, can now enjoy holding a shield in his hand before breaching. He opens the door to the room beyond.

This guardroom contains a single large table with two chairs astride it and a single sagging cot pushed up against the eastern wall. Several battered cabinets line the northern wall, with a few arrows and bits of chainmail lying scattered on the floor nearby, yet the most eerie sight are the three fractured skulls sitting on the table next to a heavy hammer. It looks as if someone has arranged the fragments of the skulls in some sort of pattern, as if an attempt had been made to construct a fourth skull from the broken fragments of the trio on the table. The leathery body of a long-dead dwarf, his wiry red hair and beard still strangely vibrant in death, lies slumped on the ground behind the table.

Wren says,   "The Mosswater Marauder's work, no doubt, and likely his body as well. Marius, you might want to put down your big hammer and take out the Marauder's hammer. This axe seemed particularly effective against the Lopper, and I'm going to assume the same for that hammer against ... it. Okay, everyone, listen up...."   and Wren spends three rounds given advice on how to be careful (his Careful Teamwork ability).

What does the party do?
Ason
  "Wren, you spoke my thoughts exactly,"   Marius says.   "Give me a moment."   

At that, Marius steps back into the hallway to lay his lucerne hammer down gently on the floor, tucked up against the hallway wall to avoid getting underfoot. He then draws the Marauder's hammer and rejoins the party.

On his return, Marius adds,   "This grisly scene may have more than meets the eye. Unless you object, we should search this place thoroughly."   Pausing, he asks with greater alarm in his voice,   "And, erm... how  did  the Marauder escape to do these murders?"  
lostsole31
  "It was a riot, remember, and I don't know how the fire started,"   says Wren,   "but it was the warden's decision to drop the lift to keep the rioting prisoners from escaping from the fire they wrought themselves, and he gave his life in that time. It's not surprising that at least one of The Five managed to get out of his cell for mischief."  

Wren will step in first, checking for traps as he goes, so it is a slow file-in. No sooner does he step in, then he grunts in pain and hold his head.   "The skulls. You see them?"   he says through gritted teeth, as though suffering a terrible migraine.   "They're rattling on the table!"  

Lexi, the skulls are doing no such thing.

What do you (plural) do?
Tippnick
  "Another haunt?"  ,  Zauberei asks.   "Everyone out and Hargrimm and I will channel."  
SwordChucks
Hargrimm nods.   "Sounds sensible to me."   He gives Zauberei a thumbs up and follows his lead.
Moriar
  "While you guys are getting ready ill see if I can locate a source  ," Angelo says.

He steps to the side,  casts a spell and begins concentrating as he stares into the room.

 
 Spoiler: Boo? 


Steps 5' to SW

Casts detect magic

Looking towards the SE into the room and begins concentrating.
 
BuckGodot
Alexandru gently places his hand on Wrens arm and tries to guide him from the room...

  "Nothing is happening from what I perceive, Wren. Why don't we step out of the room?"  
lostsole31
Wren steps out of the room.

 Marius  (and Marius only), do you do anything?
Ason
Marius joins Wren and Alexandru in stepping outside of the room.
lostsole31
Okay, now what?
SwordChucks
Hargrimm steps into the room, leaving space for Zauberei to follow, and lets loose a wave of energy.

 
 Spoiler 
Move action: Enter the room and step to the east.
Standard action: Channel energy to harm undead.

Channel:  (2d6)[ 11 ] 
 
Tippnick
Zauberei will step into the room as well look around quickly before releasing a bright light of positive energy.

  "We need to make sure it is taking effect before we use more."  
 
 Spoiler: positive energy  


Channel positive energy to harm undead
[Roll]d6[/roll]
 
lostsole31
Both clerics move in and channel as noted, though by the time their  initial volley is complete and then take stock of their surroundings,  nothing is animated.

Now it is their turn what their fellows had previously espied ... This  guardroom contains a single large table with two chairs astride it and a  single sagging cot pushed up against the eastern wall. Several battered  cabinets line the northern wall, with a few arrows and bits of  chainmail lying scattered on the floor nearby, yet the most eerie sight  are the three fractured skulls sitting on the table next to a heavy  hammer. It looks as if someone has arranged the fragments of the skulls  in some sort of pattern, as if an attempt had been made to construct a  fourth skull from the broken fragments of the trio on the table. The  leathery body of a long-dead dwarf, his wiry red hair and beard still  strangely vibrant in death, lies slumped on the ground behind the table.

 Begin Round One ...

R1T24:  Only then, after that false lull of safety, do the beings of  the Underworld begin their assault. A skull right next to Hargrimm has  its eyes go from complete darkness to a baleful red as it rises from the  table, its head now covered in blue flames. The skull lets out a  piercing scream.

 R1T21:   Alexandru , a hideous keening is heard from within the room, and there is a faint blue light in the room now as well. What do you do?
BuckGodot
Alexandru, with hammer and shield, steps into the room past Zauberei and says,   "Marius, to me!"   as he makes an assessment of the foes.
lostsole31
 R1T21:  Alexandru, with hammer and shield, steps into the room past Zauberei and says,   "Marius, to me!"    as he makes an assessment of the foes. Or rather, foe, singular .... A  haunting cry of despair and pain echoes off the walls, preceding a  soft blue glow emanating from a flaming, azure skull that floats just  above the table, its jaws masticating the air.

 R1T19:  Paula is terrified, but delays ...

 R1T18:   Marius , you have the Mosswater Marauder's hammer in hand, and shield readied. What do you do?
Ason
  "Paula, stay here out of danger,"    Marius cautions his familiar before chasing after Alexandru. Wincing at  the shrieks, he nevertheless tries to attack the monster with his  newfound hammer.

 
 Spoiler: OoC 
 Move:  south into the room and then toward the flaming skull wherever it is ( since I cannot see the skull myself yet, I cannot precisely dictate Marius' movement )
 Standard:   risky strike at the skull with the Mosswater Marauder's hammer if  Marius can get into melee range; attack roll  (1d20+9)[ 13 ] ; damage  roll  (1d4+3)[ 7 ] 
 Immediate (if triggered):   Bad Karma  if targeted by any enemy or  Inner Sense  if forced to make any save, whichever condition is satisfied first

 AoOs (if triggered):  hit any enemies who trigger attacks with his hammer
 
lostsole31
 R1T18:    "Paula, stay here out of danger,"     Marius cautions his familiar before chasing after Alexandru. Wincing at   the shrieks, he nevertheless tries to attack the monster with his   newfound hammer. The little bugger is damn fast, and Marius just barely misses it.

 R1T17:  Paula comes out of delay, scrambles down Marius' clothing and out into the relative safety of the hallway.

 R1T16:  Wren comes in while taking out the Lopper's axe.   "Any weapon works, gentlemen, despite it being skeletal,"   he says and to prove his point, he shatters the lone screaming skull with his axe.

 R1T13:   As if to mock Wren, another skull fragment develops itself into a full  skull, floats off the table, and screams. Marius calls on his reserves  to protect him. While creepy, nobody is particularly effected by the  screech.

 R1T12:  Angelo, what do you do?
Moriar
  "Well those targets seem obvious  " Angelo observes.    "Perhaps a little too obvious?"  

Angelo then shrugs and after speaking an arcane phrase launches a ray at a skull.

 
 Spoiler: pew pew 


Casts disrupt undead at green skull

To hit of  (1d20+6)[ 21 ]  and damage of  (1d6)[ 2 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R1T12:    "Well those targets seem obvious  " Angelo observes.    "Perhaps a little too obvious?"  Angelo then shrugs and after speaking an arcane phrase launches a ray at a skull, hitting it for   2 PE  .

 R1T10:   The spirit you might rightly assume as being the Mosswater Marauder’s  spirit seems to rise up from his bones,  appearing as a sobbing dwarf wielding a ghostly hammer. A ghostly skull  floats in the air nearby, its cranium laced with cracks and missing a  knife-shaped shard of bone along the side. He flies towards Wren and  swings at his skull, but Wren ducks out of the way.  The Mosswater  Marauder floats several feet of the floor.   

"He's all yours!"   Wren says  to Marius.

 R1T7:  Then, the third and last skull assembles and floats just off the table, giving a hideous scream.

 R1T6:   Hargrimm , what do you do?
SwordChucks
Hargrimm scowls a bit at the skulls seeming to ignore his efforts, but he looses another wave of energy. Then he steps to the east to allow the others more room to enter.

 
 Spoiler: Combat 
Standard action: Channel positive energy to harm undead.
5ft step to the east.

Channel:  (2d6)[ 5 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R1T6:  Hargrimm scowls a bit at the skulls seeming to ignore his efforts, but  he looses another wave of energy that hits all enemies for   5 PE  . Then he steps to the east to allow the  others more room to enter.

 R1T3:   Zauberei , what do you do?

Alexandru on deck, Marius in the hole ...
Tippnick
Zauberei studies the skulls and then unleashes a wave of positive energy.


 
 Spoiler: crunch 


Assess the skulls

Channels positive energy to harm undead
 (d6)[ 2 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R1T3:  Zauberei studies the skulls and then unleashes a  wave of positive energy. Green shatters and its blue glow dissipates. On  the other hand, Red and the Mosswater Marauder prove a little more  resistant as they only take   1 PE  . And yet, for some reason, when Green was destroyed, it seemed to do  2  to the ghostly dwarf.

 End Round One, Begin Round 2 ...

R2T21:   Alexandru , what do you do?

Marius on deck, Wren in the hole ...
BuckGodot
Alexandru moves NE to get to that last skull and gives a mighty swing with his hammer.

  "Screaming Severed Skulls! Must be close to attack you!"  
 
 Spoiler: Technical Information 


MA: Move NE 10'(?) to the left of Hargrimm.

Attack using Risky Strike:  (1d20+6)[ 17 ] 

Undead Exterminator: +2 bonus on weapon attack &amp; damage rolls vs. undead.

Damage:  (1d8+6)[ 10 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R2T21:  Alexandru moves NE to get to that last skull and gives a mighty swing with his hammer, destroying the last skull and causing  1  to the Mosswater Marauder.   "Screaming Severed Skulls! Must be close to attack you!"  
 R2T18:   Marius , what do you do?

Wren on deck, Angelo in the hole ...
Ason
Marius frowns in anticipation as he sizes up the ghost Wren is telling  him to fight. The Mosswater Marauder's hammer is wreathed with a blue  sheen as the young man swings the weapon at the specter.

  "Please stay dead!"   he murmurs quietly as he attacks.

 
 Spoiler: OoC 
 Move:   Studied Combat  for +2 insight on melee attacks, +2 precision damage for 5 rounds
 Swift:   Ghost Hunting Blow  boost to put  ghost touch  on the hammer for 1 round
 Standard:   Temporal Burn  maneuver
 
  Attack Roll :  (1d20+12)[ 24 ]  ( using math from inventory sheet, +2 for studied combat, no other bonuses included ) 
  Damage Roll :  (1d4+1)[ 4 ]  base damage +  (2d6)[ 10 ]  from maneuver + 2 precision from studied combat ( works this turn only thanks to ghost touch ) 
 

Marius  would like to make Knowledge check on the ghost to glean any useful  information and to confirm its identity, if necessary.
 
lostsole31
 R2T18:  Marius frowns in anticipation as he sizes up the ghost Wren is telling   him to fight. The Mosswater Marauder's hammer is wreathed with a blue   sheen as the young man swings the weapon at the specter.

  "Please stay dead!"   he murmurs quietly as he attacks, and hits through the area inclusive of the Mosswater Marauder for only  4 .  It didn't seem to do a lot of damage, but it does appear that guilt is  distracting the spectral dwarf as he recognizes the hammer.

 R2T16:   Wren sees what Marius did, steps back, and drops the Lopper's axe. He  takes out a small vial with cold iron caps on each end and runes, and  opens it. The  haunt siphon  destroys the remainder of the Mosswater Marauder, but filling the  haunt siphon  with undifferentiated negative energy, causing the siphon to now glow green.

 Combat Ends! 
Ason
  "Is... is everyone okay?"   Marius asks with hesitation and a sigh of relief as the adrenaline of combat wears off.   "Ready to resume our search of this room?"  
BuckGodot
Alexandru nods affirmative to both.
lostsole31
It takes 48 minutes to do a full and complete search of this room. and there is a large secret door to the south.

Wren gathers the group together to use his careful teamwork ability again before looking to assist Marius with finding a way to open the secret door. It is a very difficult lock, but they are both able to get in on the first try - and quickly - at that - as it only takes 2 rounds!

The secret alcove to the south is where the guards kept supplies for use in case of emergencies—ironically, when the riot took place, events proceeded so quickly that none of the guards were able to reach these supplies in time to avert the horrific doom that awaited them all.

The alcove itself contains several armor stands, weapon racks, and a wooden chest, all of which still hold dust-caked but perfectly functional suits of armor and weapons, and a few magic items.

In all, there are six suits of masterwork chainmail and six suits of masterwork studded leather armor, four masterwork longswords, four masterwork heavy maces, two masterwork heavy crossbows, 120 crossbow bolts, a case of 10 masterwork crossbow bolts, a  wand of hold person  (11 charges), 4  potions of cure moderate wounds , and a  rope of climbing  (perhaps the most ironic item in the room, for it was kept here to ensure that the guards would have a way to exit the dungeon via the lift shaft if the stairwell deadfall was triggered).
Ason
Marius gives a rare smile at the party's first major discovery of loot.   "Zauberei, I think I found a way to reimburse you,"   he says.   "Since we still have some work ahead today, I suggest those who can immediately put something to good use take it now, and we can pick up the rest to haul back to Ravengro for sale on our way out."  

Chewing on his lip in thought, Marius thinks aloud,   "I think that leather armor is nicer than my old militia gear, despite its age, and I can make some use out of one of those potions too, if you don't mind. The wand is useless in my hands, but maybe one of our clerics can wield it? Does anyone else need anything from here?"  
Tippnick
  "I have a couple spells , enlarge person and ant-haul, that will help to carry this load after we are done. I agree we should just collect this when we are done"  , Zauberei says.
SwordChucks
Hargrimm looks the gear over.   "This chainmail should be a slight improvement over my current armor if waiting for me to change won't be an inconvenience."  
  "Zauberei, would you be interested in the wand? I've already got one."   he says patting the flap of his pack where he has the wand stowed.
BuckGodot
   "If no one minds, I'd like to take one of the longswords, mace, and chainmail?"    asks Alexandru.
lostsole31
Treasure pick complete. Now what?
BuckGodot
After fitting his new gear, Alexandru helps pile the rest in the room for retrieving later. Turning, he moves back over by Wren and says,    "Maybe you should suggest that we move on?"   
lostsole31
Wren turns his head to Lexi, looking directly into his eyes and says out of the side of his mouth,   "Hey, everyone ... a little over a half day of work. Daylight's burning and the townsfolk grow ever uneasy. Let's say we get this moveable feast of life forces rolling."  

Wren will do his three-round rally for people's general awareness and his and Marius' skill with traps.

 Marius , you last had the Mosswater Marauder's masterwork light hammer in hand. Do you keep with that, or go back to your lucerne hammer?
Ason
Marius nods in agreement at Wren's suggestion, stows the Mosswater Marauder's hammer, and walks out into the hallway to retrieve his customary polearm.

Properly re-equipped, Marius asks the group,   "Shall we continue our westward exploration beyond the portcullis? If that's the nastiest prisoners' area, I wager the worst ghosts are there."  
lostsole31
The portcullis is raised and locked from the mechanism, and the party goes out into the hall to return to their investigation.

A brass nameplate, its face caked with soot, hangs above the now-raised portcullis leading into a large cellblock. Many of the iron doors along the walls within the cellblock hang open, revealing empty cells within.

The party gets to a 70-foot-long north-south passageway.

Wren asks,   "This may take a while, mind you. Shall we start right off with a deep search of all rooms, or quickly move through, staring widdershins - that is, heading north and then around west to go south before coming back to this point?"  
lostsole31
The group quickly finds that the western cellblock is massive and will take you to the end of an adventuring day and you're still not finished. At this point, you've already gone a few hours past Wren's ability to help the group's search hour.

Do you continue late into the night down here, or pull out for the day?
Tippnick
Zauberei speaks up,   "We should not press on too much more. My resources are fine and I will continue if everyone agrees."   
 Spoiler: vote 




Zauberei votes to retire for the evening
 
Moriar
Angelo slaps Lexi good naturedly on the back and says,   "Nothing like another late night dig eh brother?  Just like old times."    Then looks around a bit nervously as he prepares to continue searching.
BuckGodot
Alexandru grins and replies,   ”Just like we used to do for the old Baron who had the big castle on the hill!”   and he continues searching until a final decision is made.
lostsole31
  "I can keep going if we have to,"   says Wren,   "But I'm mentally tapped out and I'm not helping the search as much as I was before."
  
Marius, Hargrimm ... how are you each feeling? Into late night search, or home&gt;
Ason
Marius says,   "As long as we leave the prison before nightfall, I have no objections to continuing. The undead attacks on the town make me fear the costs of delay, but I worry what this place will be like after dark."  
SwordChucks
  "I'm barely fatigued at the moment and I have nearly all of the blessings the Hearthmother saw fit to grant me. I'm prepared to continue as long as my spell against the cold will last."   Hargrimm says.
lostsole31
 Angelo , your  mage armor  will falter after only 45 minutes of searching. Do you renew it?
Moriar
Tippy animates from bring a tattoo and pokes Angelo to remind him about the magic fading.

Angelo then utters arcane words and renews search efforts with Tippy helping.

 
 Spoiler: Renew 


Tippy activates and helps search.

Recasting Mage Armor on Angelo.

Once searching done, Tippy goes back to being a tattoo
 
lostsole31
Three hours later, a 9-hour day so far, Angelo's protective magic falters. Wren estimates that it will take another three hours ... a full, tiring, 12-hour day (maybe a skosh more) ... to finish the complete search of the Western cell block.

Angelo, do cast  mage armor  yet again?
Moriar
Angelo will cast the protective spell once again.
lostsole31
It has been a 12-1/2 hour workday. A long search of ALMOST the entire western cellblock AND some of you may or may not be feeling fatigue from what is a modified "forced march." at this time.  Still, there is a gated area to the south that appears to have been the torture chamber .... including a fire pit inside .... that is dimly lit! 😦

Do you leave well enough alone for today and resolve to come back on the morrow, or shall I figure out who among you has taken forced march penalties for the additional four hours of searching and you'll resolve this now?
Ason
Marius gives the other a look that is a mix of weariness and pleading,   "We are fading. While that dim glow is intriguing, it cannot be anything natural or safe after so many years. I suggest we retreat to the safety of home for the night and investigate more tomorrow."  
SwordChucks
Hargrimm eyes the presumed torture chamber.   "As interesting as this room is, I think I'd rather not tackle it today. We already have the pile of equipment we found to worry about lugging back too."  
Tippnick
Zauberei agrees,   "Let us tackle this fresh in the morning."  
BuckGodot
Alexandru nods his agreement to returning the next day.
lostsole31
Wren will enjoy using that rope of climbing for the party, and the party makes it back late in the evening, and are given a simple repast of warm tea, cucumber and walnut yogurt soup, and black, buttered bread that can be toasted for warmth.

Anything for the night, or right to bed?
Tippnick
Right to bed for Zauberei
BuckGodot
Overheard from Alexandru's room: Zzz.

 
 Spoiler: Technical Information 
Zzz.
 
Moriar
Angelo is wiped from the long day. Both Tippy and himself will curl up into bed.
Ason
Marius goes to his room after supper, reviews the day's events in his mind to improve his recollection for any subsequent research, and then heads to bed for some well-earned sleep.
SwordChucks
Hargrimm makes sure to thank Kendra and her staff before heading to his room, saying his prayers, and turning in for the night.
lostsole31
   Sunday, 5 Pharast 4711 AR (New Moon; Day of Bones) 
Weather:  40/ 20 F. Light Precipitation (1/2" freezing rain).  

Today is not only Sunday, a day of religious observation, but it is the Day of Bones, a day holy to Pharasma. Priests and worshipers of the Lady of Graves parade the bodies of the recently dead on this holiday, holding free burials afterwards.

Breakfast is early, only tea and biscuits, as the Lorrimor House has more of a brunch after services, which won't change for the house guests.

First things first, who is going to make any changes/ updates to their morning routine?

Second, is anyone going to worship services at the cathedral?

Third, anyone who is a Pharasmin ... or anyone simply curious about religious rituals ... is there an intention to hold off on adventuring to observe the Day of Bones?

Once everyone figures that out, figure out if you even want to explore Harrowstone on this holy day.
BuckGodot
Alexandru will attend the service and votes to not do any exploration today. No changes to his routine.
Moriar
Angelo will not change his routine.  Will accompany hiz brother to the services to observe but not participate. Ok to hold off adventuring.
Tippnick
Zauberei will change out calm spirit for necrostasis. Then change out ghost bane dirge for lesser restoration.

Zauberei says,   "I will attend with you. I would like to see their service in Ravengro."  
Ason
Marius votes to attend services as well.

As for adventuring, Marius gives in to the three who voted for a day off, but he does ask,   "Can we at least stop by that statue the sheriff showed us here in town? I'd be more at ease if I saw the bloody letters weren't getting worse. If it seems the town is not in immediate danger of another tragedy, I'd be all for a day of spiritual recovery after the horrors we have seen."  
lostsole31
Wren says,   "I'll check out the monument and keep an eye on the house. I am not stepping into a Pharasmin service."  

What will Hargrimm be doing?
SwordChucks
Hargrimm has no changes to his current setup.

  "I'm interested to see how they celebrate this holiday. The town has been through a lot recently and I think our attendance might ingratiate us with them."

"Also, there might be street food and that's always a treat."  
lostsole31
Wren will be on his own, with the intention of checking out the monument, while the rest of the party go to services at the Temple of Pharasma. (He recommended that the party does NOT check out the Memorial, or Marius will likely hold people up if there's anything of interest, impacting the more religious in the group. It also isn't on the way.)

The party gets the very distinct feeling at the services that they, collectively, are  Loathed  .... it's only gotten worse over time.

Does anyone have anything that needs doing at the Temple?
BuckGodot
Alexandru will, uncharacteristically, seek audience with the person who led the service.
lostsole31
Father Grimburrow sees everyone as they leave the temple, saying hello to fellows and wishing them well and to stay out of the cold rain.  Seems like he's the man to see.
  
 
BuckGodot
Alexandru approaches the Father and speaks,    Sir, good day... I was wondering if I may have a moment of your time... In private? Please? If you're too busy I understand... You probably are... I'm sorry for bothering you... Thank you..."   
lostsole31
  "Speak your mind, stranger, and be quick about it!"   says Father Grimburrow.

As the parishioners roll out of the temple, the party feels completely judged by all.
BuckGodot
Looking around, Alexandru, suddenly feeling under a spotlight, says,    "Um... Well... I thought... That is to say... I found your sermon today particularly... motivational... Moving... Compelling, if you will and I was wondering... if you would... if you have the time... maybe help... me? To understand more? And to perhaps tell me where I could acquire... er... Find some emblems... Symbology to show my devotion... to the church... the Goddess really... Again if you're too busy I completely understand and can look elsewhere but there's not much around and I was really hoping if you DID have the time that you would be willing... to... Sir... Er... Reve... Father."   
lostsole31
Somehow, the "shy guy" or "meek" nature of Alexandru wins over the priest. Alexandru has no skill or delivery at persuading people, but Pharasma is with her martial servant today, it seems.

Father Grimburrow does seem to cut Alexandru off midway through his muttering, though.   "Sunday's a busy time for me, but I should be free by a bell past evening."  
 "Father Grimburrow,"  interjects Kendra who was listening the painfully shy try to make himself known.  "That is about dinner time at the Lorrimor House. We would love to have you, and perhaps tell you what my house guests have managed to face thus far in Harrowstone." 
  "That sounds good, Ms. Lorrimor, I will see you all then,"   says Father Grimburrow with an air of finality to his part in this conversation as he goes forward to greet other parishioners.
BuckGodot
Alexandru nods his thanks at the retreating priest and then turns away and seems to wilt, letting out a big sigh of relief before rejoining the others.
lostsole31
  "Dress warm,"   says Wren when the party returns from temple.   "There's been another monument adornment."  
Ason
  "As I feared,"   Marius replies.   "Well, I suppose Wren has it right. Let's change out of our temple clothes and then go investigate the crime scene."  
Tippnick
Zauberei will join the group to see the monument.
BuckGodot
Alexandru will come along as well.
lostsole31
The party, after making sure they have some warm tea in them, follows Wren - who is not dressed for this weather but it's the warmest part of the day (~ 40 F) - shows you to the monument.  There's more blood used to make this "S" than there had been before.

  "It was cold, and I held off looking for clues until you were here,"   he explains,   "if only to keep me from wanting to follow a trail of bread crumbs right into the witch's oven ... alone." 
 
Ason
Marius stares at the memorial, lost in thought.Finally, he says,   "So if I recall correctly... I believe the blood letters on the memorial started with a 'V,' followed by an 'E,' and now we have an 'S.' That leads me to stand by my original hypothesis: Vesorianna's name fits this pattern.    "  

Marius looks down at the ground, assembling his thoughts, before he continues,   "The evidence is all circumstantial--a Harrowstone connection, eerily bad timing, and perhaps a name--but I have to wonder if these events are connected. While     Vesorianna's spirit seemed friendly enough... we still don't know who is doing this graffiti or why. My fear is that the letters are a countdown... and not to something pleasant. It is all pure conjecture and guesswork, of course. Yet if it's all the same, I suggest we finish our work before the memorial gets to the last 'A'."  
lostsole31
Wren asks for the party to help him look for clues or tracks. Lexi turns out to be a useful assistant, but it seems that while he doesn't end up finding anything ... Wren is your unusual choice for a tracker, but there we are.

Sadly, there are no tracks that you can reliably follow.
Moriar
Angelo looks around with a start.    "Oh yes, almost thought I was somewhere else for a moment.  I agree with your assessment Marius.  This could indeed be a countdown and the wife may be in danger.  Perhaps one of the notable character haunts are responsible?"
  
"So let's take a look eh Tippy?"  The hedgehog tattoo animates and helps search for clues.

 
 Spoiler: peek 


Angelo and Tippy will search the monument, letters and the area for tracks or clues (secret compartments, left behind items etc)

Then will cycle through detect magic, poison, and undead on the monument and the immediate area around the statue.

If anything is found will convey to the party.
 
lostsole31
Nothing notable is found.
lostsole31
The group heads back to Lorrimor House. Not realizing the schedule, Wren mentioned going in for a "short day" at Harrowstone, until it is mentioned that Father Grimburrow is coming to the house.

Is anyone looking to do anything before the sourpuss septuagenarian comes calling?
Tippnick
Zauberei will make sure his items are packed and ready to go to Harrowstone in the morning. Everything hopefully cleaned and dried from previous dips in the chilled water.

He will approach Wren at some point and makes small talk to try to get to know him better. He will ask where he grew up and about his family. Then will change the subject if it seems uncomfortable.
lostsole31
Through brilliant, non-apparent evasions, within minutes Wren has Zauberei bragging about his time as an associate professor in Absalom, and Zauberei is preened and puffed up by this person who knows how to get him to talk about himself. (Zauberei won't realize this until well after the conversation.)

Anyone else?
SwordChucks
Hargrimm spends quite a bit of time agonizing over whether he should change into his own cleric's vestments, but decides against it thinking it might be considered rude during another faith's holiday. He makes sure to store Father Charlatan's holy symbols in his room.
Ason
Marius makes sure to wear his nice clothes--likely the scholar's outfit--when Father Grimburrow arrives and to have his equipment and notes neatly stored in his room.

Afterwards, he offers Alexandru another lesson in Skald until the priest arrives.
lostsole31
Father Grimburrow arrives for early supper at the Lorrimor House.

His attitude is perfunctory unless guided by a PC.
BuckGodot
 
 Originally Posted by Ason 
 Afterwards, he offers Alexandru another lesson in Skald until the priest arrives. 
 

Alexandru accepts but they quickly find he is too nervous and unfocused to learn anything…

With the arrival of the priest, Alexandru will pay close attention to what he says and will endeavour to discuss aspects of the religion in his quiet manner. But not trying to take over the conversation at supper at the same time.
Tippnick
Zauberei will greet Father Grimburrow, but will not bother him with small talk. He will try to get a sense of his mood.
Moriar
Angelo will have Tippy eating at his own plate next to him.  Then happily engage the priest in conversation.  Trying guide the talking towards topics his brother wants to hear.  Occasionally checking in with his brother  through their mental bond.
lostsole31
After a large swath of pleasantries (and the soup), Father Grimburrow looks to Alexandru.   "Well, young man? What was it you were really looking for other than the pleasure of the parish priest supping with you?"  
BuckGodot
Suddenly put under the spotlight, Alexandru freezes up for a few seconds before mustering his courage. He replies,    "Well... Sir... that is... Um... Father... your eminence... The teachings of the Lady... Pharasma has always set well with me...   But recently... and your sermon was part of that... I've found that I want to learn more and incorporate her lessons into my daily life.   And I was hoping you could provide me with more insights and point me to where I could perhaps acquire some insignia or device to wear showing   faith that would perhaps help me to channel some of her divine inspiration?"  
lostsole31
  "I usually carry various icons and such with me in my cassock on my tours about town for just such a thing,"   says Father Grimburrow.   "But craftsman make these. Would you consider 12 silver coins as a donation to the temple for a wooden holy symbol of our Lady of Graves?"  
BuckGodot
   "12 Silver... Well... I don't have...  Yes. Here. Please..."     and he takes a gold coin from his belt pouch and hands it to the priest.
lostsole31
The priest takes the gold coin, and then continues to be waiting for something...
BuckGodot
Alexandru looks at him and blinks...

   "Is that... is there more? I... no need to make change... Thank you. May... May I come see you for guidance from time to time?"    
Tippnick
Zauberei looks at Alexandru oddly and pulls out a gold coin and hands it to priest.   "Here let me, don't worry about the difference."  
BuckGodot
  ”OH!!! Oh no!! Oh… I’m.  Oh no no no….”   and he gives the priest 2 silver coins before rising and bowing and turning to leave, his face flushing red like a rose… out the door he goes…
lostsole31
Father Grimburrow will take Zauberei's gold coin, leaving the two silver in place, but puts a wooden holy symbol atop the silver.   "Touchy fellow, isn't he?"  

And it's on to the next course.

Does anyone else have anything for him beyond pleasantries?
Tippnick
Zauberei shrugs and grabs the two silver pieces.
Ason
Marius waits a moment or two after that exchange to let everyone settle back, and he attempts to shift the subject slightly.   "Father Grimburrow, I wanted to thank you again for stewarding our colleagues' remains from that fire until we can send them home for burial. We are still working to ensure their sacrifice was not in vain, but I believe we are making progress. I recall our host said we might give you an update on our work, if that is acceptable to you now, sir?"  

He pauses for any response from Father Grimburrow, yea or nay, and to muster his courage. Assuming the priest does not object, Marius explains,   "Something is indeed stirring up the dead at Harrowstone, and it seems to revolve around the ghosts of its five worst convicts. We have destroyed two so far, I think, and our working theory is that if we can destroy the others, the dead should be granted their rest once more. Even if that theory is wrong, such undead are an abomination and should be destroyed regardless."  
  
"I felt we owed it to you, in light of your office and your past magnanimity to us, to share what we know. Perhaps, sir, a colleague of mine who is better with words than me,"   he pauses to look to the others seated at the table,   "could fill in the details or answer any of your questions?"  
Tippnick
Zauberei will tell the experience of exploring the jail to Father Grimburrow. He will tell of the haunts there, and meeting the spirit of the Warden's wife. How she is quieting the haunts. That she requires an artifact that was on her husband's body. How we defeated some of the most reknown prisoner spirits. He will emphasize the fact we are putting the undead to rest or outright destroying them.
lostsole31
Father Grimburrow listens respectfully, but is otherwise unimpressed. Once Zauberei is finished he says,   "I've learned from Vashian Hearthmount that the conditions of the will are to finish out a month here. I respect destruction of the undead, but given the power of the spirits there, I think in the end, you'll just add your own spirits there. And this ghost is not to be trusted .... oh, to wear a fair face and tell a sad story, but she is still a ghost - if you speak truly - meaning that incredible  negative  emotions, not of something else, but her own, keep her soul from Our Lady of Graves' judgment. Your interference at Harrowstone is the problem, and you've untethered spirits witlessly in your time in the prison, so now the townsfolk suffer with all manner of dark omens."  

He stands to leave,   "Stop mucking about in places you shouldn't be, and our town will go back to normal. There are voices being raised that have mentioned running you out of town. I would keep a very low profile from here on out, and stay here at Lorrimor House in Kendra's excellent hospitality."  

Unless someone physically tackles him, he peremptorily thanks Kendra and her staff for the meal, and leaves.
SwordChucks
Once Father Grimburrow has left, Hargrimm says to the party   "You'd think a Pharasmin priest would be more concerned about a cult of necromancers operating in his village."  
lostsole31
  "I'm sure he would have been,"   says Wren,   "but Zauberei's story seemed to leave that bit out."  
Tippnick
Zauberei smiles wryly,   "You can hold gods to high standards but sometimes their priests fall short of divine."  
lostsole31
That gets a chuckle out of the sometimes-cynical Wren.

What now?
Tippnick
Zauberei pauses in thought for a moment,   "If we want to continue our foray into the jail, and I do, I say we leave before first light and get there before anyone in the town stirs. I think we need to find the killers of Professor Lorrimor. What does everyone else say?"  
lostsole31
Wren nods in agreement...
BuckGodot
When informed of said plan, Alexandru will agree.
Moriar
"  Sounds like a plan.  Let's go help out your new friend eh Lexi?"   Angelo says wryly along with a playful clap on Lexi's back.    "He needs our help whether he knows it or not."  
lostsole31
Wren is confused.   "Which new friend is that, Lexi?"  
BuckGodot
Alexandru walks back into the room…

  ”Did someone call my name?”  
Moriar
  "Oh Lexi, you do know how to ruin a joke,"   Angelo bemoans.  "  Explaining a joke never keeps the humor.

I meant that the good priest that just left is your new friend and that we should help him and therefore the town even if he isn't a sponsor of ours.


....let's just get some sleep and head out early as suggested."  
BuckGodot
Alexandru shrugs and nods good night to everyone and heads back to his room.
Ason
After the priest's departure, Marius puts his head in his hands and groans in sad frustration.

Collecting himself, he nods at Angelo,   "I'm afraid that is all we can do. Unless, Kendra, you fear for your household's safety in town because of..."   he gestures absently in the air with a hand as he struggles to find the right word,   "...this brewing backlash, I fear we must press on at Harrowstone. With all the undead attacks on Ravengro, it may be our only way to save its people, even if they run us out for our troubles afterward."  
SwordChucks
  "I'd like to continue our investigation at Harrowstone. The sooner it's wrapped up the better."   Hargrimm says as he twirls the end of his beard around his finger.
lostsole31
 
 Originally Posted by SwordChucks 
   "I'd like to continue our investigation at Harrowstone. The sooner it's wrapped up the better."   Hargrimm says as he twirls the end of his beard around his finger. 
 

   "As compared to .... what?"   asks Wren of the dwarven priest.
SwordChucks
  "As compared to letting the unquiet spirits continue to haunt the area and letting the Whispering Way continue with whatever plans they have."  
lostsole31
  "Ah, okay,"   says Wren,   "so just giving voice to the plans we've already made, but with a sense of re-commitment. Gotcha'."  
lostsole31
    Moonday, 6 Pharast 4711 AR (New Moon)  
 Weather:  35 / 15 F. Trace precipitation (1/2" snow). Winds W 10 mph. Wind chill: 20 / 0 F.   

Everyone gets up the next day, and from a combination of factors, it is obvious that travel to Harrowstone should be with clothing that keeps you warm in the chill.

Time to set up morning routine ... and also to define what type of clothes are worn (not descriptively, but by "outfit" type).
Tippnick
Zauberei will wear his normal traveler's outfit. He will swap out orisons read magic for create water and stabilize for purify food and drink. He will swap 1st level cleric spell bless for endure elements, no he will go ahead and cast that to prepare for the cold.

Also he will swap out second level cleric spell calm spirit for endure elements communal.

  "It seems rather cold and we will most likely not see the sun today inside the prison. We will need to prepare to spend the night there just in case. Dress warmly and bring food and water."  

He grabs 2 more rations from his room. He will cast purify food and drink on all his rations.
Moriar
  "Ah, good point."   Angelo agrees.    "My good brother, would you mind holding onto a couple of rations, couple of torches, bedroll, and a waterskin?  Thank you,"   he says with a wide grin.

Will be wearing his traveling clothes and leave behind his backpack.  Then just makes sure that Tippy and himself have a good meal before heading out; and thanking the wonderful Ms. Kendra once again.
BuckGodot
Alexandru will continue to wear his cold weather outfit and agree to carry the items his brother has requested but do so with an eyeroll...

He will also go back and collect the wooden holy symbol provided by the Father from the table and find a way to display it on his person.
lostsole31
Strictly from a standpoint of bulk, not weight, Lexi cannot carry the extra bedroll for his brother.

Angelo, what are you doing with the rest of your backpack and items?
Moriar
Angelo will leave the rest of the backpack items behind except will take the ink, ink pen, parchment and scroll tube in the satchel.
Tippnick
Zauberei speaks up,   "Angelo, when we were upstairs in the prison examining the remains of what we believe to be Father Charlatan, you said we should try to find his spirit. I urged us to leave. I think that I was wrong and you were right. I think we should go back upstairs to find our third infamous prisoner and put him to rest. Does anyone object?"  
BuckGodot
Alexandru nods his agreement.
Moriar
  "You see Lexi? Sometimes others do listen to me besides the recently dead."    Angelo says proudly.  "  Hopefully we can indeed find the priests spirit."  
SwordChucks
 
 Spoiler: Daily Prep 
Hargrimm has no changes to his daily setup and will wear his cold weather outfit.
 

  "I have no objection to dealing with the charlatan's spirit, but do we have an idea of how to do that?"  
Ason
Marius nods in agreement as well.   "As I've said before, I like knowing my back is safe, so confirming the the upper levels are clear would be a relief."  
 
 Spoiler: Marius' preparations for the trip 
Same equipment as the previous adventuring day, plus the blanket to help fight off the cold.

Marius is wearing his Artisan's outfit to the prison, assuming it dried off since yesterday, and he has packed his Explorer's outfit. I notice a parenthesis around Marius' artisan's outfit, so if that means it's still at the prison then Marius will instead wear his Explorer's outfit to the prison and try to change into the artisan's outfit if/when they return to the pit where the clothes were left last time.

Extracts prepared: 1 Ant Haul, 1 Cure Light Wounds

Maneuvers prepared: same as previous adventuring day
 
lostsole31
The party gets to Harrowstone prison and up to the second floor. You are just outside(?) the room that held what you believe to have been Father Charlatan's remains.

What now?
SwordChucks
Before the party enters the room, Hargrimm addresses the others.   "As I remember it, beyond this door is a small cell with a corpse wrapped in chains. I can check the room for magic, and I have a scroll that can let me check for spirits, but how are we going to handle the body?"  
 
 Spoiler 
Hargrimm prepares to cast  Detect Magic  once the door is open.
 
Tippnick
Zauberei casts a protective spells.
 
 Spoiler: casting  

Zauberei realizes his spell book is present casts secluded grimoire

Casts mage armor
And casts his domain spell Shield
 

  "Alexandru, would care to remove the holy symbols from the body?Hargrimm be ready for action. I would probably expect positive energy pulses would be a good start."  , Zauberei sets out a plan of action.   "Everyone be ready!"  
BuckGodot
Alexandru nods and readies his sword.
Tippnick
Zauberei looks at Alexandru expectantly.
BuckGodot
Alexandru shakes his head as if he had nodded off and then opens the door.
lostsole31
Now what? The bed is around the corner to the west.
Tippnick
  "Hargrimm, follow Alexandru in and once he pulls of the holy symbols be ready to channel if it seems appropriate. I will come in right behind you. Any one else can come in as they choose."  , Zauberei directs the group.
Ason
If he hasn't already, Marius drinks his extract of Ant Haul to lighten his load. He also asks Paula to stay outside by the cell door and to squeak an alarm and run back to him if any of those blood-sucking fliers or skeletons from the day before come back. Marius then equips his shield and polearm and follows in behind Alexandru and Hargrimm.

As the team approaches the bed, Marius adds,   "Er, if I recall, last time we checked the corpse didn't do anything, but we left those symbols alone back then. I suppose 'stirring the pot' like this is our only option."  
BuckGodot
Alexandru rounds the corner, approaches the body and reaches out, grabs the holy symbol and tries to remove it.
lostsole31
Although this cell is rather spacious, it contains no concessions to comfort. A skeletal body dressed in the rotting remains of a prisoner’s robe lies slumped against the eastern wall, wrapped in numerous chains on which are affixed numerous weights emblazoned with several different holy symbols.

It seems the party has misremembered the state of the body.
Tippnick
  "Ah, sorry. Let us try to free the body from the chains."  ,  Zauberei says.
Moriar
  "Should we try breaking the chains physically?"    Angelo wonders aloud.  "  Let me see if there is any magic upon these chains or the body."  
 
 Spoiler: Checking 


Move to be able and see the body.

Then cast detect magic and concentrate for a few rounds to see what can be seen.
 
lostsole31
It would be far easier to break the bones of the body and extricate them from the chains, then to break the chains themselves.

There is no magic here.
Moriar
  "I am not sure if breaking the bones will accomplish much but perhaps giving it a proper burial would help?"    Angelo asks the group.
Tippnick
Zauberei asks,   "If you can cast detect undead or have a similar ability see if you can sense a presence."  
Ason
Marius frowns over the puzzle before adding,   "If nothing else, religious rites over the corpse might be the right thing to do, both spiritually and in terms of annoying the spirit enough to provoke a confrontation."  

At that, barring one of his comrades reporting something with detect undead, Marius will begin attempting to extricate the skeleton from its chains.
lostsole31
It's a messy job, but it gets done.
SwordChucks
Hargrimm draws out a scroll and casts from it before checking the room and its contents.

 
 Spoiler 
Casting  Detect Undead  from a scroll.
 
SwordChucks
Hargrimm slowly scans the room until his eyes widen when they land on Zauberei.

  "I don't want to alarm anyone, but there appears to be a ghastly presence just behind Zauberei. It's hand is on your shoulder."   he says in as calm a voice as he can manage, with his gaze locked on the apparition.

  "I could cast a spell of protection, but if I do I won't have my current spell to see if it worked."   he explains.
Tippnick
Zauberei looks over his shoulder reactively. He then will channel positive energy to harm undead.

 
 Spoiler: channel 

 (d6)[ 2 ] 
 
Moriar
  "You, uh, have something there on your shoulder,"   Angelo says.

Then he backs up a step and after uttering arcane words, two glowing missiles strike out at the creature.


 
 Spoiler: boo 



Backup 5' to the west. Away from the creaturs.

Casts magic missile

Damage:  (2d4+2)[ 7 ] 
 
lostsole31
 Surprise ... 
 S17:  Zauberei  looks over his shoulder as a blind reaction. He then channels positive  energy to disrupt undead. Zauberei resists the feedback coming into  himself as he takes   1 NE  .

He falls down, seemingly unconscious, and wrapped with ghostly chains with a variety of symbols. He is thrashing in pain as the symbols close about him, doing  6 .

 S12:  Angelo,   "You, uh, you ..."   says Angelo to Zauberei, but not seeing a ghostly creature himself, and thus unable to target anything.

 Begin Round One ... 
 R1T22:   Hargrimm ,  you are still concentrating on detect undead, and it looks like the  positive energy Zauberei blasted Father Charlatan with fed back into  himself, though it still looks like the faintest aspect of the faux  priest-ghost may have been disrupted slightly for a similar amount. Once that happened and Zauberei fell down, the ghostly figure retreated into Zauberei's body and is no longer visible, though Zauberei's body has a weak emanation representing the presence of undead.

What do you do?
Tippnick
 
 Spoiler: will save 

Will save
 (d20+10)[ 14 ] 
 
SwordChucks
Hargrimm reaches out for Zauberei and tries to gift him Folgrit's protection. The vortex of light around his hand dims as his essence is redirected.

To the others he calls out   "The positive energy seemed to hurt the spirit!"  
 
 Spoiler: Encounter 
Standard action: Dropping  Detect Undead  to cast  Protection From Evil  on Zauberei.
Swift action: Transfer 2 essence from Banelight Vortices to Veil-woven Channel.
 
lostsole31
 R1T22:  Hargrimm reaches out for Zauberei and tries to gift him Folgrit's  protection. The vortex of light around his hand dims to nothing as his essence is  redirected. To the others he calls out,    "The positive energy seemed to hurt the spirit!"    
 R1T18:   Marius , you've been out in the hallway this entire time, with polearm-and-shield at the ready. What do you do?
Ason
Marius drops his polearm to retrieve a small vial from his pack. With unearthly speed he then races to Zauberei's side, opens the vial, and wafts it under Zauberei's nose before attempting to stopper it once more.

  "Wake up, Zauberei! Stay with us!"   he quietly pleads to the seemingly unconscious man.

 
 Spoiler: OoC 
 Free:  drop polearm
 Move:  retrieve  smelling salts  from his backpack
 Swift:   Grim News  to move 4 squares south
 Standard:  use  smelling salts  on Zauberei, stoppering it immediately after using it that is possible this turn
 
lostsole31
 R1T18:  Marius drops his polearm to retrieve a small vial from his pack. With  unearthly speed he then races to Zauberei's side, opens the vial, and  wafts it under Zauberei's nose before attempting to stopper it once  more.

  "Wake up, Zauberei! Stay with us!"    he quietly pleads to the seemingly unconscious man. But the man isn't  "unconscious," per se. Rather, he seems to be in some type of  "unconscious fit" as he writhes spasmodically against the ghostly chains  holding him.

 R1T17:  Zauberei ......[see Discord DM].
lostsole31
 R1T17:  As the seemingly unconscious Zauberei writhes  around, one of the holy-symbol etched locks seems to pull a little, as  if vaguely weakened by something.

 R1T14:   Alexandru , what do you do?
BuckGodot
Alexandru moves closer to Zauberei and reaches down, placing a hand on him and closes his eyes.


 
 Spoiler: Technical Information 


SA: Transfer Wounds: SA, doesn't provoke AOO, touch a target and heal it for 2d6 damage.
*  He then suffers the same points of NL damage (up to the amount the target actually healed).
 
lostsole31
 R1T14:  Alexandru - already standing over Zauberei -  reaches down, placing a hand on him. Lexi closes his eyes to  concentrate, and fully heals Zauberei of the faint bit of damage he  appears to have taken, even as it tires Lexi a little ( 2 NL ).

 R1T12:   Angelo , what do you do?
Moriar
  "Positove energy eh?  Wonder if this will work while the spirit is inside of him.  " Angelo wonders out loud before uttering an arcane phrase.

 
 Spoiler: experiment  


Casts disrupt undead Zauberei/spirit
 
lostsole31
 R1T12:    "Positive energy, eh?  Wonder if this will work while the spirit is inside of him,  " Angelo wonders out loud before uttering an arcane phrase. It hits Zauberei's body and does nothing at first, but does do   5 PE   damage to the chains, and that damage feeds back to deal  4 mod  to Zauberei as the chains wrap tighter around him.

 R1T8:  Wren will come in and cross over the fallen form of Zauberei and observe for now.

 R1T3:  Paula squeaks...

 End Round One, Begin Round 2 ...

R2T22:   Hargrimm , what do you do?

Marius on deck, Zauberei in the hole ...
SwordChucks
Hargrimm holds up his holy symbol of Folgrit, and lets out another wave of light.

 
 Spoiler: Combat 
Standard action: Channel energy to harm undead, and applying the Veil-woven Channel penalty to will saves.

Channel:  (2d6)[ 7 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R2T22:  Hargrimm holds up his holy symbol of Folgrit, and lets out another wave of light that pounds the ghostly chains for   3 PE  , and in turn tightens on Zauberei to do  2 mod .

 R2T18:  Marius, what do you do?

Zauberei on deck, Alexandru in the hole ...
Ason
Marius stands up from his patient, shifting into a readied stance for fear of the spirits about. He then stores the salts back in his pack and attempts to retrieve an extract from his backpack in their place.

 
 Spoiler: OoC 
 Swift:  adopt  Aura of Misfortune  stance
 Move:  put the stopper back on the  smelling salts , if that is not yet done; if salts are already stoppered, store them in his backpack once more
 Standard:  store the salts in his backpack if they are not yet stored; retrieve an extract of Cure Light Wounds if the salts are already stored
 
lostsole31
 R2T18:  Marius stands up from his patient, shifting into a readied stance for  fear of the spirits about. He then stores the salts back in his pack and  attempts to retrieve an extract from his backpack in their place.

 R2T17:   Zauberei , roll a Will save ... 
 Spoiler: OOC 
See Discord RP channel.
 

Alexandru on deck, Angelo in the hole ...
lostsole31
 R2T17:  Zauberei continues to thrash around, and it  seems like his unconscious thrashing is having an effect - however  limited - on the locks and chains ( 5 ).

 R2T14:   Lexi , what do you do?

Angelo on deck, Wren in the hole ...
BuckGodot
Alexandru holds off on taking any action until there is something for him to hit or heal.
lostsole31
 R2T14:  Alexandru holds off on taking any action until there is something for him to hit or heal.

 R2T12:   Angelo , what do you do?

Wren on deck, Hargrimm in the hole, Lexi delaying ...
Moriar
 " Hope this helps more than it hurts,   " Angelo says as he casts another spell.


 
 Spoiler: chain gang 


Casts disrupt undead.


Ranged touch tp hit:  (1d20+7)[ 21 ] 

Damage:  (1d6)[ 6 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R2T12:   " Hope this helps more than it hurts,    " Angelo says as he casts another spell that strikes Zauberei in the  head. It seems to harm the chains and the like this time (whereas before  it seemed to do nothing for some reason), but in turn those chains  tighten and harm Zauberei just about as much.

 R2T8:  Wren calls out,   "Stop!  hitting him with positive energy. It hurts both the haunt and Zauberei,  and Zauberei isn't the sturdiest of men to begin with, so I don't think  that favors him. I've noted that Zauberei's wrestling seems to damage  the chains - not physically, mind you - but it seems he is going through  some type of trial. So instead of damaging the haunt, just like Father  Hargrimm did ... find ways to help Zauberei fight against whatever  psychic duel he is in. His mind is stronger than his body."  
 End Round 2, Begin Round 3 ...

R3T22:   Hargrimm , what do you do?

Marius on deck, Zauberei in the hole ...
SwordChucks
Hargrimm kneels beside Zauberei and begins saying a stream of affirmations of belief in his ability to overcome this situation.

 
 Spoiler: Combat 
Standard action: Inspiring Word on Zauberei.
 
lostsole31
 R3T22:  Hargrimm kneels beside Zauberei and begins  saying a stream of affirmations of belief in his ability to overcome  this situation.

 R3T18:   Marius , what do you do? You have the extract in hand, but now you're told that might not be the best thing.

Zauberei on deck, Angelo in the hole ...
Ason
Heeding Wren's warning, Marius puts the extract back into storage and says,   "Noted. I'll back up."   Marius then walks back to his abandoned polearm, asking Paula nearby as he does so,   "You still safe out here?"  

He wracks his brain trying to recall what he knows about psychic duels and, in particular, how people in the material world can affect the combatants.

 
 Spoiler: OoC 
 Move:  store extract again
 Standard:  move 4 squares north back toward polearm

 Free:  knowledge check of whatever kind to recall what Marius knows about helping people in Zauberei's position
 
lostsole31
 R3T18:  Heeding Wren's warning, Marius puts the extract back into storage and says,   "Noted. I'll back up."   Marius then walks back to his abandoned polearm, asking Paula in the crook of his hood,   "You still safe?"  

He wracks his brain trying to recall what he knows about psychic duels   and, in particular, how people in the material world can affect the   combatants, but there are too many possibilities, and this seems to be a  unique situation (as so many are).

 R3T17:  Zauberei continues to feverishly thrash against  the ghostly chains. A power from Hargrimm is dissipated, and there is  more damage to the ghostly chains ( 2 ).

 R3T12:   Angelo , what do you do? Do you listen to Wren and hold off on bombarding Zauberei?

Wren on deck, Hargrimm in the hole ...
Moriar
  "Good observation Wren,   " Angelo says.    "I do have another idea.  Zauberei is a known hero in our circle and maybe he just needs a reminder."  


He utters an arcane phrase and touches Zauberei's forehead.


 
 Spoiler 


Casts heroism on Zauberei.
 
SwordChucks
Hargrimm places his hand on Zauberei again.
  "Receive the reliability of Folgrit."  
 
 Spoiler 
Standard action: Touch of Law on Zauberei.
 
lostsole31
 R3T12:    "Good observation Wren,"   Angelo says.    "I do have another idea.  Zauberei is a known hero in our circle and maybe he just needs a reminder."  

He utters an arcane phrase and touches Zauberei's forehead.

Wren delays ...

 End Round 3, Begin Round 4 ...

R4T22:  Hargrimm places his hand on Zauberei again.   "Receive the reliability of Folgrit."  
 R4T18:   Marius , what do you do?

Zauberei on deck, Angelo in the hole, Lexi delaying ...
Ason
Marius picks up his polearm and then walks back south nearer to Zauberei.   "Good thinking,"   he says to the two spellcasters.

 
 Spoiler: OoC 
 Move:  pick up polearm
 Standard:  walk three squares south
 
lostsole31
 R4T18:  Marius picks up his polearm and then walks back south nearer to Zauberei.   "Good thinking,"   he says to the two spellcasters.

 R4T17:  Zauberei continues to thrash against his  restraints, and Hargrimm feels his most recent be used again even as the  chains continue to deteriorate ( 2 ).

 R4T12:   Angelo , what do you do?

Hargrimm on deck, Marius in the hole, Lexi delaying ...
Moriar
  "Wiggle free!  This should help you get free,"   Angelo says.

Then he utters another arcane phrase and the chains shimmer as a coating begins to appear.

 
 Spoiler: slippery when wet 



Casts grease upon the chains
 
lostsole31
 R4T12:    "Wiggle free!  This should help you get free,"   Angelo  says. Then he utters another arcane phrase and the chains shimmer as a  coating begins to appear ... doing nothing to the spectral chains, nor to Zauberei's position within them.

 End Round 4, Begin Round 5 ...

R5T22:   Hargrimm , you can tell that your last gift was used AND seemed successful! What now?

Marius on deck, Zauberei in the hole ...
SwordChucks
Hargrimm nods as he sees his efforts paying off.   "Right, more of that then."  
 
 Spoiler: Combat 
Standard action: Use Touch of Law on Zauberei again.
 
lostsole31
 R5T22:  Hargrimm nods as he sees his efforts paying off.   "Right, more of that then."  
 R5T18:   Marius , do you do anything, or delay?

Zauberei on deck, Angelo in the hole, Lexi delaying ...
Ason
Marius delays.
lostsole31
 R5T18:  Marius delays ...

 R5T17:  Zauberei continues to slowly, very slowly win out ( 2  to the chains).

 R5T12:  Angelo, do you do anything or delay?

Hargrimm on deck, Zauberei in the hole, the others delaying ...
Moriar
Angelo delays and keeps an eye out for any other possible dangers around them.
SwordChucks
Hargrimm keeps going with his plan as it seems to be working.

 
 Spoiler: Combat 
Standard action: Touch of Law on Zauberei.
 
lostsole31
 R5T12:  Angelo delays and keeps an eye out for any other possible dangers around them.

 End Round 5, Begin Round 6 ...

R6T22:   It's now really down to Hargrimm helping Zauberei and everyone else  looking on helplessly (though Angelo did hopefully buoy Zauberei by  infusing him with the power of ancient heroes). Hargrimm keeps going  with his plan as it seems to be working.
 R6T17:  A powerful aid this round as Zauberei's struggles do  5 .

 Round 7 ... 
The struggle only does  2  this time, but it is still steady damage.

 Round 8 ... 
Another  2  ...

 Round 9 ... 
 5  this time!

 Round 10 ... 
 3  damage ...

 Round 11 ... 
 6   damage, and the bonds are barely there, but it was also Hargrimm's last  of that boon. Still, all of the padlocks are damaged and the links are  weak, like it's about to break.

 Round 12 ... 
 
R12T22:   Hargrimm , what do you do, now that you are out of Touch of Law?
SwordChucks
Sensing the end of the ghastly chains approaching, Hargrimm sends out a wave of healing to patch up the damage that had already been done to Zauberei.

 
 Spoiler: Combat 
Standard action: Channel Energy to heal the living, with the Veil-woven Channel bonus to Will saves.

Channel:  (2d6+1)[ 7 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R12T22:  Sensing the end of the ghastly chains  approaching, Hargrimm sends out a  wave of healing to patch up the  damage that had already been done to  Zauberei ... which, as the ghostly  chains are attached to Zauberei's life force, seemingly feeding off him,  likewise  seem to do as much healing to the chains as it does to Zauberei (  7 healing  )!

 R12T17:  Zauberei's struggles continue, as he does another  5  to the ghostly chains.

 End Round 12, Begin Round 13 ...

R13T22:   Hargrimm , what do you do?

Zauberei on deck....
SwordChucks
Hargrimm will fight his need to interfere, and watch over Zauberei.

 
 Spoiler: Combat 
Delaying until the situation significantly changes.
 
lostsole31
After several more rounds, the ghostly chains and locks shatter and break, and Zauberei awakens.

Zauberei, you discover that from your bindings, the ghostly chains that surrounded and pinched you tore to shreds your waterproof bag, though the contents are fine. You move those contents to your backpack for now.

 Father Charlatan defeated! 
Tippnick
  "I saw Father Charlatan, he told me I had died and had cast a resurrection spell on me. I felt you helping me for a while. I am not sure how he was defeated but he was assaulting my will. I believe I resisted and it hurt his spirit."  , says Zauberei.

Zauberei stands up and looks around while gathering his items.
SwordChucks
  "That must have been a shock. Do you need any healing?"   Hargrimm says as he visibly relaxes.
Tippnick
"  Yes, I hurt a bit. Maybe one cure spell would help."  , Zauberei says.
SwordChucks
 
 Spoiler: Healing 
Hargrimm will spontaneously cast Cure Light Wounds on Zauberei, spending  Shield of Faith  to do so.

Healing:  (1d8+6)[ 9 ] 
 
lostsole31
Zauberei is now completely healed of his actual wounds.

What now?
Moriar
  "Well done Zauberei!"   Angelo congratulates him as he slaps him on the back.    "Now back to the tourist attractions of this lovely jail?"  
SwordChucks
Hargrimm nods.   "These last five minutes have been a long day, but I'm ready to continue."   He says as he dabs his face with the end of his beard.
BuckGodot
Alexandru moves over to lead the way with Wren as usual.
lostsole31
Where does the party go now?
Tippnick
  "Wren, can you lead us to the area near the cellblock that we searched two days ago? Then we can continue our scouring of the lower levels."  , Zauberei asks.
SwordChucks
  "I believe we stopped just outside of a torture chamber that had a glow coming from within. I would like to find out what that's all about now that we're a little more fresh."  
lostsole31
Wren is willing to lead folks down, down, down below.  Is that good with everyone else?
BuckGodot
Alexandru nods and follows Wren.
lostsole31
The group follows Wren, and everyone helps everyone carefully manage the Jacob's ladder leading into the dungeon level.

Once there, Wren does what he hadn't done yet, and that is his careful teamwork ability. He then steps back, allow Marius to attempt the lock on the iron door if he will.
Ason
Marius sets aside his polearm and shield to remove their encumbrance. He then quickly checks the door for safety before setting to it with his lockpicking kit.

 
 Spoiler: OoC 
Quick perception check on the door for traps or dangers prior to unlocking, just to be safe. Marius will also use a point of inspiration to boost the disable device check, and if possible he'll take 10 on the skill check.
 
lostsole31
To Marius' mixed joy and embarrassment, the lock was rusted and busted, and the gate isn't locked.

What does Marius and the rest of the party do now?
Ason
Marius puts away his tools and picks up his shield and weapon once more.   "Err..."   he sheepishly says to the others,   "I suppose as long as the door is open, a win is a win... So... ...onward then?"  

He then tentatively opens the gate and gestures for one of the more heavily-armed people to lead the way.
Moriar
  "You are better than we thought eh Marius?"   Angelo says with a grin.    "I agree that either way is a win though.  Brother, mind advancing and giving us a heads up?"  
BuckGodot
Alexandru nods and preparing his hammer and shield, steps to survey the area.
Ason
Marius stows his shield, pulls out and activates his hooded lantern, and follows behind Alexandru to shed some more light on the situation.
lostsole31
Wren will fall in behind Marius,   "Well? Head on in...."  
BuckGodot
Alexandru steps further into the room and guards as the others file in.
Tippnick
Zauberei moves 15 feet into the room  and will check for any threats.
Ason
Marius follows the others' lead by also entering and scanning the room for immediate dangers.
lostsole31
 Alexandru  and  Marius  (only) .... the lid to the iron maiden is slowly creaking open. You have no more than three words and/or one action (SA or MA, not counting FA or SwA which are allowed). What do you do?
Ason
Marius yells back over his shoulder,   "We've got trouble!"
  
He then backs up closer to Zauberei in a defensive position.

 
 Spoiler: OoC 
 Move:  10 feet north, 5 feet northeast
 
BuckGodot
Alexandru dashes to the Iron Maiden (grin) and jumps on it, attempting to push the lid closed.

 
 Spoiler: Technical Information 
MA: Move SE 1 square and attempt to shut Pandora's Box.
 
lostsole31
 Surprise Round ... 
 S17:  Marius yells back over his shoulder,   "We've got trouble!"   H e then backs up closer to Zauberei in a defensive position.
 S15:  Alexandru dashes to the Iron Maiden (   ) and puts his body against it, closing the lid.

 S12:   A great wave of emotion overcomes Alexandru - that of fear,  desperation, and anguish - but he is able to resist whatever mental  intrusion was intended.

 Begin Round One ...

R1T23:  Paula squeaks and hides under Marius' lapel.

 R1T21:   Hargrimm , the iron maiden is unsettled, and only Lexi's powerful arms are keeping it shut as it keeps trying to open. What do you do?
SwordChucks
Hargrimm moves into the room as far as he can while calling out   "If you're not a spirit, now's the time to say so!"  
 
 Spoiler: Combat 
Double move into the room, trying to follow Alexandru's path towards the iron maiden.
 
lostsole31
 R1T21:  Hargrimm moves into the room as far as he can while calling out   "If you're not a spirit, now's the time to say so!"  
 R1T17:   Marius , what do you do?
Ason
Marius whispers to Paula,   "Wait here, girl."  

Marius then begrudgingly moves closer to Alexandru and says,   "Ready yourselves for whatever comes out of there."   He then readies an action to attack any hostile creature that comes within polearm range.

 
 Spoiler: OoC 
 Move:  2 squares southeast
 Standard:  ready action to attack any hostile creature in range, especially if whatever is in the iron maiden is hostile

 
  Triggered Attack: attack  (1d20+9)[ 24 ] ; damage  (1d12+1)[ 8 ]  
 
 
lostsole31
 R1T17:  Before delaying, Marius whispers to Paula,   "Wait here, girl."  

Paula comes out of delay to clamber down Marius to the ground.  Before Marius then (coming back out of delay) begrudgingly moves closer  to Alexandru and says,   "Ready yourselves for whatever comes out of there."   He then readies an action to attack any hostile creature that comes within polearm range.

 R1T15:   Angelo , what do you do?
Moriar
Angelo moves into the room a bit.    "Well done Lexi, good to see those muscles showing their worth,"   he says with a sly grin.    "Do you see a lock on that thing?  Perhaps I could jam it shut."  

Then he utters a magic phrase and ray of energy shoots at the iron maiden.

 
 Spoiler: Worth a shot 


moves south 10' and then west 5'

casts disrupt undead.  to hit  (1d20+7)[ 20 ]  and damage of  (1d6)[ 6 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R1T15:  Angelo moves into the room a bit.    "Well done Lexi, good to see those muscles showing their worth,"   he says with a sly grin.    "Do you see a lock on that thing?  Perhaps I could jam it shut."  

Then he utters a magic phrase and ray of energy shoots at the iron maiden for no visible effect.

 R1T13:   Zauberei , what do you do?
Tippnick
Zauberei says, "I am ready when you are.!"

 
 Spoiler: ready 


He readies a spell. He will cast Necrostasis of an undead appears within range
 
lostsole31
 R1T13:  Zauberei says,   "I am ready when you are!"  
 R1T12:  Marius, roll a Will save (here, not Discord) ...

Wren on deck, Hargrimm in the hole ...
Ason
 
 Spoiler: When there's a will save, there's a way 
If possible, since Marius didn't use a swift action during his last turn, he will use  Inner Sense  to add +2 to the following roll. However, I did not indicate that use of his immediate action in my prior post, so if that invalidates this move I understand.

Will Save:  (1d20+7)[ 16 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R1T12:  Marius has an internal struggle, but mainly  because of  his special training, he overcomes that struggle. It is still  obvious  to everyone that Marius was just going through  something .

 R1T8:  Wren hustles into the room and to the southern wall by the iron maiden.   "If anyone senses, feels, or experiences anything,"   he says,   "be   sure to tell us as much as you can about what you feel. I'm sure this   is a thought, so let's get behind the psychology of it."  
 End Round One, Begin Round 2 ...

R2T21:   Hargrimm , what do you do?

Paula on deck, Marius in the hole ...
lostsole31
 R2T21:  Guessing the nature of the threat, Hargrimm  moves to stand in front of the iron maiden and calls upon Folgrit to  give rest to whatever spirit inhabits this place, and he lets loose with  a burst of positive energy that seems to interact with negative energy  in the area, doing  4 PE .

 R2T18:  Paula delays ...

 R2T17:   Marius , what do you do?

Angelo on deck, Zauberei in the hole ...
Ason
Marius calls out,   "It tried something on me! Maybe we can barricade this thing in?"   He then moves to get behind the stretching rack to try to push it toward the door of the iron maiden.

 
 Spoiler: OoC 
 Move:  1 square east, 1 square northeast, 1 square north, 1 square northwest
 Free:  drop polearm and shield
 Standard:  attempt to push the torture device toward the door of the iron maiden;  (1d20+1)[ 9 ]  + spend 1 inspiration point for  (1d6)[ 4 ] 
 
 If he succeeds, however, Marius stops short of moving the rack into his allies by the iron maiden door and so that he does not accidentally crush them 
 
 
lostsole31
 R2T17:  Marius calls out,   "It tried something on me! Maybe we can barricade this thing in?"    He then moves to get behind the iron maiden on the north side of the  room. He drops his polearm and the hooded lantern he is carrying. The  glass of the hooded lantern shatters, and the lit oil burns Marius for   3 fire   and is now   on fire  ,  though with Hargrimm's protection, he only feels the heat, not yet the  pain. He is on the leading edge of this item, and doesn't budge it, even  digging into some mental reserves.

 R2T16:   Angelo ,  it is just possible that Marius is possessed by an unknown force ... he  acted erratically, dropped the lantern at his feet so he is now  burning, and ignored that to budge not-at-all a large torture device.  Marius is burning. What do you do?

Alexandru on deck, Zauberei in the hole ...
Moriar
Angelo will move over to Marius and help put out the fire by patting it out.    "Anyone see a lock on that maiden?"   Angelo asks as he attempts to help put out the fire without hurting himself.
lostsole31
 R2T16:  Angelo will move over to Marius and help put out the fire by patting it out.    "Anyone see a lock on that maiden?"   Angelo asks as he attempts to help put out the fire without hurting himself.

 R2T15:  Alexandru, what do you do?

Zauberei on deck, Bogey in the hole ...
BuckGodot
While he does not know if brute force is the key in this situation, Alexandru will continue to try to hold the Iron Maiden shut, while keeping a close eye on his brother.
lostsole31
 R2T15:  While he does not know if brute force is the key in this situation,  Alexandru will continue to try to hold the Iron Maiden shut, while  keeping a close eye on his brother.

 R2T13:   Zauberei ,  no undead "appeared." Evidence of a haunt was noticed when Hargrimm's  positive energy reacted with the negative energy of the area, but there  is nothing to target like a creature. What do you do?
Tippnick
Zauberei moves south and visibly channels positive energy.   "If you have anything effective against haunts use it other wise stay back.",   Zauberei advises the group.


 
 Spoiler: crunch 


MA: moves 15 feet South
SA: channel positive energy to harm undead
 (d6)[ 2 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R2T13:  Zauberei moves south and visibly channels positive energy (  2 PE  ), advising the group,   "If you have anything effective against haunts use it other wise stay back."  
 R2T8:    "Alexandru, Hargrimm ... Zauberei is right. Back off,"   says Wren.   "I have an idea. Back away. Maybe help Marius, who lit himself on fire."  
 End Round 2, Begin Round 3 ...

R3T21:   Hargrimm , what do you do?

Marius on deck, Angelo in the hole ...
SwordChucks
Hargrimm pulls out his waterskin and moves closer to Marius.

 
 Spoiler: Combat 
Move action: Retrieve waterskin.
Move action: Move east and north 20ft toward Marius.
 
lostsole31
 R3T21:  Hargrimm pulls out his waterskin and moves closer to Marius.

 R3T17:   Marius , you take   4 fire  ,  which removes the last of Hargrimm's protection and you can now feel  it. What do you do? Angelo is there to try to help put out the fire on  you.

Angelo on deck, Alexandru in the hole ...
Ason
  "Blast it!"   Marius yells as the fire singes him.

He steps backwards away from his current spot and then works to put out the fire on himself.

Should he succeed in making himself not on fire anymore, he whimpers sheepishly to the group,   "Sorry..."  
 
 Spoiler: OoC 
 Move:  move as far as he needs to move in order to not be standing in fire, ideally moving away from Angelo so as not to set him on fire too
Standard: drop prone
 Standard:  stop, drop and roll or whatever other action is required to make himself no longer on fire
 
lostsole31
 R3T17:    "Blast it!"    Marius yells as the fire singes him. He steps backwards away from his  current spot, being sure to not end up next to an ally who can also be  burned, drops to the ground, and then tries to put the fire out himself  (but spent too much time moving to put out the fire yet).

 R3T16:   Angelo ,  you were there to help him, but in his panic Marius moved away from  you, so you couldn't aid him when he finally focused on the fire.  Whatever haunt is affecting him is truly insidious. Ironically, the oil fire on the ground already burned itself out, and  only Marius is on fire. What do you do?

Lexi on deck, Zauberei in the hole ...
Moriar
  "A hah!"   Angelo exclaims in delight.  He grabs the guards uniform and uses it to help pat out the fire.
lostsole31
 R3T16:    "A-hah!"   Angelo exclaims in delight.  He grabs the guards uniform and uses it to help pat out the fire.

 R3T15:   Alexandru , what do you do?

Zauberei on deck, haunt in the hole ...
BuckGodot
Following Wrens advice, Alexandru will back off and stand ready with his weapon.

 
 Spoiler: Technical Information 
MA: Move 2 squares north

Hold further action
 
lostsole31
 R3T15:  Following Wren's advice, Alexandru backs off and stands ready with his weapon.

 R3T13:   Zauberei , what do you do?

Haunt on deck, Wren in the hole ...
Tippnick
Zauberei will channel positive energy to harm undead.


 
 Spoiler: crunch 

 (d6)[ 1 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R3T13:  Zauberei channels positive energy to harm the unquiet spirit, but his energies fizzle so badly, that it only takes   1 PE  .

 R3T12-8:     "Timeon! No!"     shouts Wren in abject horror as he drops his axe to move around to the  front of the iron maiden. The iron maiden then slams shut - trapping  Wren inside. Wren cries in pain.

 End Round 3, Begin Round 4 ...

R4T21:   Hargrimm , what do you do?

Marius on deck, Angelo in the hole ....
SwordChucks
Hargrimm steps closer to Marius and douses him with his waterskin.

He calls out   "I'll be there soon Mr. Elbourne!"  
 
 Spoiler: combat 
5ft step next to Marius.
Unknown action: Pour out waterskin onto Marius.
 
lostsole31
 R4T21:  Hargrimm steps closer to Marius and douses him with his waterskin. He calls out   "I'll be there soon, Mr. Elbourne!"  
 R4T17:   Marius ,  with Angelo assisting and Hargrimm pouring water on you ... do you drop  prone and roll around and try to put the fire out? or, like last round,  do you completely torpedo allied attempts to aid you and keeping moving  away from them? 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Assuming the former, roll a Ref save to put  out the fire.... which is a FRA action.
 

Angelo on deck, Alexandru in the hole ...
lostsole31
 R4T17:  With Angelo trying to pat him down and Hargrimm pouring water, Marius takes   2 fire  , but then the fire is finally put out and he is no longer burning.

 R4T16:   Angelo , the old rag of a uniform you have is destroyed but served its purpose. What now?

Alexandru on deck, Zauberei in the hole ...
Moriar
Angelo moves his position to get closer and looks at the iron maiden closer.
  
"Brother and friends, perhaps pry open that internal device to free Wren?"  
 
 Spoiler: close look 


Moves 5' to southwest, then 20' to south and 5' to west.


Use perception and disable device to locate a lock or otherwise way to unlock/open the iron maiden
 
lostsole31
 R4T16:  Angelo moves his position to get closer and looks at the iron maiden closer.   "Brother and friends, perhaps pry open that internal device to free Wren?"   
 Spoiler: Angelo 
Angelo  sees the latching mechanism that closes the iron maiden after he looks  for it. It is closed and latched.
 

 R4T15:   Alexandru , what do you do?

Zauberei on deck, haunt in the hole ...
BuckGodot
Feeling a bit like a yo-yo, Alexandru dashes south and tries to pry open the Iron Maiden.


 
 Spoiler: Technical Information 
MA: 2 squares south

Attempt to open Iron Maiden
 
lostsole31
 R4T15:  Feeling a bit like an ancient Tekritanin weapon  he likely knows nothing about except in its "modern" incarnation of a child's toy known as a "bandalore," Alexandru dashes south and tries to pry  open the Iron Maiden, but finds that it will not open for him.

 R4T13:   Zauberei , what do you do?

Wren on deck, Hargrimm in the hole ...
Tippnick
Zauberei says, "  Those that can't battle a haunt try to find a clue about it in the room."  
 
 Spoiler: crunch 

He will assess this haunt
SA: channel positive energy to harm undead
 (d6)[ 5 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R4T13:  Zauberei says, "  Those that can't battle a haunt try to find a clue about it in the room."   As  he looks around, he channels positive energy. Perhaps it his lack of  focus, but it seems the haunt fights against the energy (  2 PE  ).

 R4T8:   Wren screams in agonizing pain from within the haunt.

 Initiative Ends! 

The sort of unsettled energy about the haunt seems to have ended.

Angelo  is able to undo the latch and Wren is there, sporting dozens of deep,  bloodless puncture wounds. He walks out, and appears to be much  weakened, even if not physically harmed beyond the evidence of the  puncture wounds.

There is no haunt to fight now. All is quiet. Now what?
Tippnick
Zauberei says,   "This haunt can be put to rest by destroying every torture device in this room. Wren are you alright, do you need healing or anything else?"  
lostsole31
Wren cries,   "Pain ... everywhere."  
Tippnick
Zauberei exams Wren to see what would be best for him.
lostsole31
It will be assumed that Zauberei assists Hargrimm in this endeavor. 
 Spoiler: Hargrimm, Zauberei 
Normally, being in an iron maiden would have very real, very current wounds of scores of puncture marks all over the body. Ex-sanguination is a common death for those who deal with such a device. Survivors tend to have significant health issues throughout their life. Wren doesn't "current" wounds at all. His body is hole and healed. The problem is that the marks on his body ... as if he were an earlier survivor of an iron maiden ... HAVE definitely affected his health. Wren was quite a hale man previously, but now his overall health is a little below that of a normal person. It doesn't affect his ability to fight, his balance, strength, or the like, but vastly affects his staying power in combat - or even in normal arduous tasks - and he is now more prone to other dangers like poisons and diseases.

Surely, there is some supernatural angle to this, possibly a curse, but you likely don't have a means of verifying that at this time.
 
Ason
Marius pats at the singed parts of his body and clothing after the fire, checking himself to ensure he is definitely no longer burning and that everything meant to be there is still present. He then drinks an extract of cure light wounds.

To the rest of the party, Marius sheepishly apologizes.   "I'm sorry for losing my head like that, everyone. I don't know what came over me. But Wren... what can we do for you? What happened?"  

While waiting for the others to finish directly examining Wren, Marius preemptively mixes another extract of cure light wounds and an extract of enlarge person for good measure.
BuckGodot
Alexandru begins smashing the Iron Maiden with his hammer.
lostsole31
Marius is fully healed after consuming his draught, then mixes another couple of batches of things quickly.

Meanwhile, Wren answers,   "I saw someone from my past ... someone I cared for very much ... trapped and bloody in the Iron Maiden. I lost myself and went to free them, and then I found myself in darkness and trapped and nothing but fear and terror and then you rescued me."  
Ason
Marius shakes his head in sorrow at Wren's words.   "I'm sorry you endured that, friend. These old ghosts like to twist our minds against us, it seems. We can't be finished here quickly enough for my tastes."
  
Marius then pauses to watch Alexandru work for a moment, assessing his task before speaking to the man at work.

 
 Spoiler: If / Then statements 
 Note: I imagine it's a knowledge (engineering) check or the like for this, so I'll leave that roll up to the DM. 

If it seems feasible for Alexandru to actually damage the object, Marius interjects, saying,   "Alexandru, might I offer you my embiggening extract? It will make you large enough that shattering this device will go much faster."   He then extends the extract to Alexandru.

If, however, it does not seem feasible for Alexandru to make much headway against the object, Marius interjects, saying,   "Alexandru, I think the haunt has ended for now. We may as well just move on."  
 
lostsole31
Seeing work happening against the old and long-since-maintained torture implements, Marius looks to the stronger brother and says,   "Alexandru, might I offer you my embiggening  extract? It will make you large enough that shattering this device will  go much faster."   He then extends the extract to Alexandru if he wants it.
BuckGodot
  ”If it will make this faster? Yes.”   says Alexandru and downs the draught.
lostsole31
Wren will get up and take his recently acquired axe (Lopper's axe) and begin assisting in the dismantling and destruction of the torture gear with the now-giant-sized Alexandru.

As the two of them are making a ruckus, does anyone else do anything or wait for that task to be done?
SwordChucks
Not being well equipped to destroy torture devices, Hargrimm will look around the room. He will start with any baskets, barrels, or other containers and gather any devices he finds for the others to break.
Ason
Marius frowns as he inspects the damage caused by his dropped lantern, and he half-heartedly attempts to salvage what he can from it until the others' work here is either finished or given up on.
Moriar
Angelo will absently look around the room after casting an arcane spell.

Then if his brother needs help, will provide too late advice to "encourage him."


 
 Spoiler: checking room 


cast sift

To look around the room quickly, while "helping" his brother.
 
lostsole31
After a solid hour of workout and a mixture of both clever disassembly and forceful mechanical separation, all of the torture implements are destroyed. With them, the glow from the fire pit goes away, as whatever unnatural force kept that lit for decades is no longer apparently powerful enough or present to keep it lit ... a good sign of the heroes' success.

But Wren is still crippled with pain .... that doesn't appear to be a "linked" injury that will go away with the destruction of the haunt, but a more lasting reminder of the evil of this place.

What now?
Tippnick
Zauberei says to Wren,   "Wren I am sorry, to remove this requires more powerful magic than I have learned or Nethys had gifted me yet. I imagine we can throw ourselves at the feet of Father Grimburrow for his help, but we would probably be done with our exploration of this jail. If you feel you can manage you can go I would prefer to finish this and put to rest the last of these spirits. And find out what the Whispering Way was doing here. But if you feel you need to stop, I will take you Pharasman."  
Ason
Marius shivers before saying apologetically,   "Father Grimburrow would throw us in jail ourselves, I fear. Wren, your health is your health, so you should still decide your own path--not me or anyone else--but perhaps a good night's rest after we finish here for the day might be all you need?"  
SwordChucks
Now that the haunt has been laid to rest, Hargrimm fishes a wand out of his pack and approaches Wren.

  "I'm hoping this will have you sturdy as stone Mr. Elbourne. Let me know if you feel any improvement."  
 
 Spoiler 
Use the wand to cast  Lesser Restoration  on Wren. If he shows improvement, but still shows signs of weakness, Hargrimm will spend a second charge.
 
lostsole31
The wand is used, but it has no effect.

  "I'm not going anywhere until we finish this day, because I'm not heading off alone, separated from the group,"   says Wren.   "Now gather round. I'm seeing some changes in the stone down here."  

And with that, he spends a few rounds to talk with the party about what he's noticed. 
 Spoiler: OOC 
He is redoing his Careful Teamwork, which increases allies Disable Device, Perception, and initiative.
 
Moriar
Angelo will carefully listen to Wren and keep a close eye on him just in case it looks like he could use any help.
lostsole31
Okay, what now?
BuckGodot
Alexandru comes to the group and asks,    "Ummm... Sorry... But... If we're done... Can we move on? I mean it's fine if not and you want to stay here it's just that its cold and dark  and I'd kind of like to leave and maybe eat and rest a bit but definitely carry on..."    
Moriar
Both Tippy (comes out of tattoo to stretch his legs) and Angelo pat Lexi on the shoulders.

  "Did you want a little pick me up brother?"   Angelo asks.  "Ti  ppy and I are ok to continue on exploring here but understood if others need their beauty rest. "  
Tippnick
Zauberei says,   "Does anyone see an exit from this room? Shall we search or move on to the next area?"  
Ason
Marius furrows his singed brow in thought.   "I, uh, I think we finished everything in this western wing. Maybe we should go back to that center staircase area? Unless I'm overlooking something, I think south from there is the only route left now."  

If the others agree, Marius grabs his equipment (minus the broken lantern) and Paula and then leaves this torture room behind.
Tippnick
Zauberei is agreeable,   "Wren are you still able to direct us or should we have someone else?"  
lostsole31
Wren nods his head,   "No, I'm good. First, we actually haven't searched this room. We just broke all the toys. I recommend a long search, as before, as we are exploring, not on the clock, and looking for whatever clues can help us."  
lostsole31
A deep search takes 3.2 hours.

The rags of a uniform that were ripped off of a skeleton to help put out the fire? Well, it appears that was the warden's body. Warden Hawkran's skeleton has ruined chainmail. Sitting inside of his skeletal pelvis are the warden's keys, symbols of his control over his prisoners. The wardens badge was used as a makeshift torture implement and inserted into the man's jaw to shatter part of his face. The badge is extricated from his jaw.

In addition, a secret door is discovered on the eastern wall.
Moriar
  "That poor man, he did not go peacefully at all,"   Angelo says with a sadness.

Angelo will pick up the keys and badge.    "Perhaps the ghostly lady wife of the warden would like the badge?

For now, let's search this secret door."    
 
 Spoiler: door 


Angelo will assist with searching the door for traps and or lock.

If there is a lock will suggest trying the keys first.
 
SwordChucks
  "Agreed on all counts Angelo. When we leave, perhaps we should collect his bones so he can be buried in the Restlands. If his ghost-wife agrees of course."   Hargrimm says.
Ason
Marius winces at the corpse's death scene as well.   "Vesorianna-- er, the 'ghost lady wife' --explicitly stated that, once we defeat the ghosts of the five worst criminals here, if we brought her this badge she would be able to banish the haunts from here permanently."  

He then frowns before continuing,   "I do agree about giving the warden and his wife a proper burial, but... with Father Grimburrow on the verge of banishing us from town, I'd rather broach that question with him   after   we've finished our work here. Or just bury them ourselves in the yard outside after all is said and done."  
 
 Spoiler: OoC 
Here's  the post from when we last talked to the ghost lady , just for ease of reference.
 
BuckGodot
Alexandru will aid his brother at the door and when the time comes, open it and head through cautiously.
lostsole31
Meanwhile, Wren will take up a new position at the back of the train with Zauberei. Paula clambers up Marius' leg and back to her perch.

The secret door is not locked, though part of the long search included determining how to open the door. Beyond, the rough stone walls of this natural cavern drip with moisture, leaving stagnant pools of water on the uneven floor. It looks like there will only be room for single file.

Alexandru, as stated, heads in cautiously, but quickly finds that as a man without a light source ... he's not the best front-runner.

How does the party change marching order and/or lighting?
Tippnick
Zauberei congratulates everyone on finding the items and the door,   "Good job everyone, are we ready to proceed? How many more of these prisoners spirits remain? I think we explore this door and then give the badge back to the warden's wife or at least her spirit."  
Ason
Marius furrows his brow in recollection, and he begins ticking off the haunts they have dealt with so far.   "Let's see... I believe, you, Zauberei, dealt with Father Charlatan's spirit with your mind. Wren killed the Mosswater Marauder with a haunt siphon. Hargrimm blasted the Lopper's ghost away. And I think Wren's flautist abilities felled the Piper of Illmarsh."  

He pauses, going even deeper into his memory.   "So that should only the leave Splatter Man, and you, Zauberei, carry his spellbook. If the other haunts--and our research from several nights' ago--is anything to go off of, ripping out pages from that tome should harm the final haunt, when the time comes."  
 
 Spoiler: OoC 
Sources: a lot of combing / searching through these threads.

Source for how we can weaponize the spellbook:  link .
 
Tippnick
Zauberei will cast light on any item Alexandru wishes.
lostsole31
While we're at it, I had Wren and Hargrimm re-up their lights (the tokens didn't have them lit), and Zauberei casts a soft white light on Alexandru's belt.

And with that, the party filters into single-file behind Alexandru. It is some tight movement through here as Lexi pushes south-southeast before the tight cavern begins to go more easterly. The cavern is so tight, that the light only illuminates where Lexi is, not where he is really going. After a brief opening the cavern pushes in tightly again after a turn to the northeast.

Finally, the northeast opens up much wider to what appears to be a chamber to the east, and Zauberei's gift of light becomes much more useful. The rough stone walls of this natural cavern drip with moisture, leaving stagnant pools of water on the uneven floor.

Lexi waits for everyone to catch up to their point in the chain.

Now what?
Moriar
  "What do you see brother?"   Angelo asks.    "Does it look safe to proceed?"  
lostsole31
Actually, Lexi, you see what seems at first to be a glistening puddle,  suddenly start to wriggle and rise up with several pseudopods!

 Begin Round One ... 
 R1T18:   Lexi , what do you do?
BuckGodot
  "Some kind of silvery puddle creature!"   yells Alexandru as he brings his shield up and defensively steps to the right around the corner so that others may enter. He holds further action pending an assessment and to see what the creature does.

 
 Spoiler: Technical Information 
MA: 5' step to the east
FA: Assess
Holding further action

 
lostsole31
 R1T18:    "Some kind of silvery puddle creature!"    yells Alexandru as he brings his shield up and defensively steps to the  right around the corner so that others may enter. The puddle actually  extends very close to the rock so he has to jump by carefully, leaping  over the thing itself! But it hasn't yet glorped up to full height to  react. He holds further  action pending an assessment and to see what the creature does.

 R1T2:  The whatsit roils east slightly and a powerful pseudopod lashes out to slam into Lexi's armor.

 End Round One, Begin Round 2 ...

R2T23:   Hargrimm , you heard something about a silver-puddle creature, and then heard something big and wet strike metal. What do you do?

Lexi on deck ...
SwordChucks
  "Even puddles are out for blood now?"   Hargrimm mutters as he scoots past Marius. He raises an arm to throw a vortex of light should he see an opening.

 
 Spoiler: Combat 
Move action: Move past Marius.
Swift action: Reassign 2 essence from Veil-woven Channel to Banelight Vortices.
Standard action: Attack with Banelight Vortices if Hargrimm can see the puddle creature.

Vortex:  (1d20+4)[ 15 ] ,  (3d8)[ 12 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R2T23:    "Even puddles are out for blood now?"    Hargrimm mutters as he scoots past Marius, but finding he can't get  past Angelo where the passage is choked, he is forced back to his  original position.

 R2T18:   Lexi , what do you do?
BuckGodot
Lexi moves further into the cave hoping to draw the creature after him whilst shouting,   "Gray Ooze! May dissolve metal! Use stone! Or maybe fire!"  
 
 Spoiler: Technical Information 
MA: move East 1 square
 
lostsole31
 R2T19:  Lexi moves further into the cave hoping to draw the creature after him whilst shouting,   "Gray Ooze! May dissolve metal! Use stone! Or maybe fire!"  

 A pseudopod slams against Lexi's armor as he moves east. He notes  that the cavern runs out of room, as he sees not a turn but a dead end.

 R2T18:   Zauberei , what do you do?
Tippnick
Zauberei knowing he can't move forward until the way is cleared will cast a spell just in case he can use it in this instance.

 
 Spoiler: crunch 

Assess the gray ooze. Will try to recall what he knows about gray oozes above what Lexi called out

SA: cast Spectral hand
MA: No move action
 
lostsole31
 R2T18:  Zauberei - knowing he can't move forward until  the way is cleared - will cast a spell just in case he can use it in  this instance. He casts his spell, putting  3 hp  of  vitality into it, and a spectral hand that looks similar to a ghostly  version of Zauberei's own appears next to him. 
 Spoiler: THP 
He discovers  that it comes from his real vitality, not from a flush of temporary hit  points.
 

 R2T17:  Wren turns  invisible .

 R2T16:   Angelo , what do you do?
Moriar
Angelo will tumble into the room.  Then while carefully watching for threats, casts an arcane spell.

 
 Spoiler: Moving in 


Acrobatics roll:  (1d20+10)[ 13 ] 

Moving 5' to the NE and then 5' to the north.

Then defensively casting:  (1d20+9)[ 22 ] 

magic missiles at +1 CL:  (3d4+3)[ 11 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R2T16:  Angelo tumbles into the room.  Then while  carefully watching for threats, he casts an arcane spell. Three arcane  bolts rip into the protoplasm for   11 force  .

 R2T13:  Paula squeaks nervously, sensing danger (delaying).

 R2T12:   Marius , you just saw the tight portion of the passage where Angelo was standing open up. What do you do?
Ason
Marius drops into his usual fighting stance and tells Paula,   "Wait here, girl."  

He then attempts to move into the cave past Angelo, nimbly skirting along the cave way in an attempt to avoid the ooze until he can reach a flanking position on it with Lexi from the ooze's direct north.

 
 Spoiler: OoC 
 Swift:  adopt  Aura of Misfortune  stance
 Move:  15 ft diagonally northeast, 5 ft north through Angelo's square, and then whatever combination of north, northeast, or east allows Marius to spend his remaining 20 feet of movement to move along the wall around the ooze in an attempt to get north of it. If Marius moves through a square threatened by the ooze, he makes an acrobatics check moving at half-speed to avoid an AoO

 
  Acrobatics Check  (if Marius moves through its threatened area at any point):  (1d20+11)[ 24 ]  
  Note:  I cannot see the exact layout of the cave in the latest map sent to me. Thus, I'm relying on intent more than pinpoint movement here, since as soon as Marius enters the area he'll see the room and better know how to navigate it than I can know right now. 
 
 Standard:  continues moving and/or making acrobatics checks while moving at half-speed to avoid AoOs as indicated above until Marius is 10 feet north of the ooze
 
lostsole31
 R2T12:  Marius drops into his usual fighting stance and tells Paula,   "Wait here, girl."  

He then attempts to move into the cave past Angelo, nimbly skirting  along the cave way in an attempt to avoid the ooze until he can reach a  flanking position on it with Lexi from the ooze's direct north.

 R2T11:   Paula squeaks, because she didn't have time to get off of Marius'  shoulder (or partly out of his pocket, or whatever). She withdraws to  the north behind Marius, instead.

 R2T2:  The gray  ooze pulls back from its extension towards Lexi from his mobile  shenanigans previously into a proper blob, but only briefly.  Unfortunately for it, the ooze is too stupid to realize to know what the  crunchy metal exterior is on Lexi, and goes towards him, but Lexi's  chainmail does its job of keeping him safe.

 End Round 2, Begin Round 3 ...

R3T23:   Hargrimm , what do you do?

Alexandru on deck, Zauberei in the hole ...
SwordChucks
Hargrimm heads toward the sounds of fighting as far as he can. If he can maneuver himself so that there's room for the others to get around him, he will.

 
 Spoiler: Combat 
Move action: Head deeper into the cave. If he hasn't reached the fighting in 20 ft, he will use another move action to get closer.
 
lostsole31
 R3T23:  Hargrimm heads toward the sounds of fighting as  far as he can. He actually reaches the monster in just a short spurt,  but ends up taking the time to go around it some for others to have a  more direct line of attack to the ooze. In doing so, a pseudopod lashes  out at him to strike the dwarf in his left shin for  7 +  3 acid  + grabbed !

 R3T19:   Lexi , the healer just got grabbed and sizzled some by the ooze. What do you do?

Zauberei on deck, Wren in the hole ...
BuckGodot
Alexandru reaches into his pouch, pulls out a torch, and says   "Can someone light this quickly for me?!?"  
lostsole31
 R3T19:  Alexandru reaches into his pouch, pulls out a torch, and says   "Can someone light this quickly for me?!?"  
 R3T18:   Zauberei , what do you (and  spectral hand ) do?

Wren on deck, Angelo in the hole ...
Tippnick
Zauberei moves Southeast and then moves Northeast into room with the oozes hugging the wall and tries to reach a spot just west of Marius

 
 Spoiler: move 


Double move into the cavern hugging the wall
 
lostsole31
 R3T18:  Zauberei moves Southeast and then moves Northeast into room with the  oozes hugging the wall and tries to reach a spot just west of Marius, the  spectral hand  just keeping pace ahead of him.

 R3T17:   The disembodied glow of Wren's light that he had cast on his lab coat  comes into view - despite Wren himself being invisible. The indigo glow  moves around to the northeast of the chamber.

 R3T16:   Angelo , what do you do?

Marius on deck, Paula in the hole ...
Moriar
Angelo will move over to his brother.
  
"I think that I left my means of starting a fire at the house.  But I can help use your flint/steel."  

While waiting for a response will cast another spell and three missiles launch toward the ooze.

 
 Spoiler: crunchy 


Move NE 5'.  Then move 15' east.  Then 5' SE to end up just north of Lexi.

magic missiles at +1 CL:  (3d4+3)[ 14 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R3T16:  Angelo will move over to his brother.   "I think that I left my means of starting a fire at the house.  But I can help use your flint/steel."  

While waiting for a response will cast another spell and three missiles launch toward the ooze, impacting for   14 force  .

 R3T12:   Marius , what do you do?

Paula on deck, gray ooze in the hole ...
Ason
Marius drops his polearm and shield, aiming to land them against the wall and away from combat if possible. Marius then attempts to pull out his shortbow and, if possible, fires an arrow at the ooze.

 
 Spoiler: OoC 
 Free:  drop polearm
 Free:  drop shield (assuming he can drop both as free actions)
 Move:  retrieve shortbow
 Standard:  attack ooze with shortbow
 
  Attack:   (1d20+5)[ 25 ]  ( includes -4 for firing into melee without point blank shot  feat) 
  Damage:   (1d6)[ 3 ]  
 
 
lostsole31
 R3T12:  Marius drops his polearm and shield at his feet.  He then pulls out his shortbow. 
 Spoiler: OOC 
You're against the wall, so  no "north" to go to. Also, it takes a MA to unready a shield. Next, it is my job, not yours, to put on the calculation for lack of Precise Shot (that's the feat, btw, not PBS). Remind me for honesty, but don't figure it into the roll.
 

 R3T11:  Paula goes into total defense.

 R3T2:  The gray ooze squeezes Hargrimm for  11 +  2 acid  .

 End Round 3, Begin Round 4 ...

R4T23:   Hargrimm , you currently have buckler-and-staff and are being squeezed and lightly sizzled by the gray ooze. What do you do?

Lexi on deck, Zauberei in the hole ...
SwordChucks
Hargrimm struggles to free himself from the goopey creature and retreats to the southwest.

 
 Spoiler: Combat 
Standard action: Grapple check to try and break the grapple.
Move action: Move 20ft southwest, back the way he came.

Grapple:  (1d20+4)[ 7 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R4T23:  Hargrimm struggles to free himself, but vastly underestimates the power of the gray side of the ooze.

 R4T19:   Alexandru , what do you do? Non-lit torch in hand.

Zauberei on deck, Wren in the hole ...
BuckGodot
Alexandru moves east to a safe distance and lights the torch.

 
 Spoiler: Technical Information 
MA: 5' step east
SA: Light torch
 
Tippnick
Zauberei invests a spell into the spectral hand beside him and sends it to touch the ooze.   "Not sure how this works outside of the classroom, but here goes."







   
 Spoiler: Crunch 


SA: Converts 2nd level Communal Endure Elements to an Inflict Moderate Wounds and invests the touch spell into the spectral hand
Spectral hand makes the touch attack at +2 (not included in roll) AC 27 HP 2

 (d20+2)[ 4 ] 
 (2d6+4)[ 12 ]  IMW damage
 
lostsole31
 R4T18:  Zauberei invests a spell into the spectral hand beside him and sends it to touch the ooze.   "Not sure how this works outside of the classroom, but here goes."  

This  is the first time doing this in a non-controlled classroom situation,  and Zauberei has trouble controlling the hand under the stress as it  waves around wildly.

 R4T17:    "Easy come, easy go,"   is heard Wren's voice as it and his indigo life travel south of the ooze.   "At least this axe - once used for unspeakable evil - has been put to good use since the Lopper's demise."  

As Wren appears, the  Lopper's Axe  tears into the ooze for  11 , and his strike is so fast that no corrosive had time to catch on the blade.

 R4T16:   Angelo , what do you do?

Marius on deck, Paula in the hole ...
Moriar
Seeing that his brother has the lighting of the torch in hand, he will do what he can to harm this ooze harming Hargrimm.

Uttering the same arcane phrases once again, three missiles launch from his hand to strike the ooze.

 
 Spoiler: Pew Pew 


casting magic missile as 5th level caster

damage:  (3d4+3)[ 15 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R4T16:  Seeing that his brother has the lighting of the torch in hand, he will do what he can to harm this ooze harming Hargrimm.

Uttering the same arcane phrases once again, three missiles launch from  his hand to rip through the ooze for 15 force ... and yet that seemingly  indestructible beast still has Hargrimm wrapped.

 R4T12:   Marius , your bow is in hand. What do you do?

Paula on deck, gray ooze in the hole ...
Ason
Marius studies the ooze, draws an arrow, and fires his shortbow at the ooze with unnatural speed.

 
 Spoiler: OoC 
 Move:   Studied Combat  on the ooze for +2 insight on melee ( not ranged, sadly ) attack rolls and +2 on damage rolls ( unclear if melee only )
 Free:  spend 2 inspiration to add  (1d6)[ 3 ]  to attack roll
 Standard:   Temporal Burn  maneuver on the ooze using the shortbow

 
  Attack:   (1d20+9)[ 21 ]  ( does not include -4 for firing into melee without precise shot feat ) 
  Damage:   (1d6)[ 3 ]  +  (2d6)[ 6 ]  bonus from maneuver 
 
 Immediate Action (if triggered):  if targeted or attacked by the ooze, use  Bad Karma  counter
 
lostsole31
 R4T12:  Marius studies the ooze, draws an arrow, and  fires his shortbow at the ooze with unnatural speed. The arrow tears  through the ooze for  9 .

 R4T11:  Paula maintains her defense.

 R4T2:  The gray ooze - unbelievably tough as it is - continues to crush and sizzle Hargrimm for  7 +  2 acid  .

 End Round 4, Begin Round 5 ...

R5T23:   Hargrimm , what do you do?

Lexi on deck, Zauberei in the hole ...
SwordChucks
Hargrimm attempts his previous plan with hopefully better results. He tries to rip himself free from the goo and gain some distance.

 
 Spoiler: Combat 
Standard action: Attempt to break the grapple.
Move action: Move 20ft down the corridor to the southwest.

Grapple:  (1d20+4)[ 9 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R5T23:  Hargrimm attempts his previous plan with hopefully better results. He  tries to rip himself free from the goo and gain some distance, but the goo is not to be so easily ripped.

 R5T19:   Lexi , you have lit torch in one hand, flint and steel kit in the other. What do you do?

Zauberei on deck, Wren in the hole ...
lostsole31
 R5T19:  Lexi drops the flint &amp; steel and closes on  the gray ooze. He swings it at the creature with all of his might though  only partially catches it, while still doing  9 + 1 fire  . The gray ooze slides off of and releases Hargrimm ...

...  and over the next several seconds Lexi makes sure it is destroyed,  though destroys his torch in the process as well.  He then drops the  blackened stump, goes over to pick up his flint &amp; steel, puts it  away, and nods with an overconfident smile and says,   " That's  how it's done."  
 Combat Over! 
Ason
Marius puts away his bow and arrow, retrieves his polearm and shield, checks them for damage, and otherwise prepares to move forward.

However, he also offers an extract of cure light wounds to Hargrimm-- and mixes up a replacement for it afterwards should he drink it --saying,   "It is better for you to save your healing magic for fighting undead. Drink this instead."  
 
 Spoiler: OoC 
Cure Light Wounds roll, if Hargrimm accepts:  (1d8+4)[ 5 ] 
 
SwordChucks
Wordlessly Hargrimm accepts the drink. He steps back from the puddle of former foe and slumps to the ground. Still sizzling from the encounter he drains the bottle and sighs.   "I think I'd like something harder to drink after this is all over. Thank you Marius, and thank you all for getting me out of that mess."   He says as he returns to his feet.

 
 Spoiler 
Time permitting, Hargrimm will give a cursory look to see how his gear handled the ooze. If he can't see the extent without removing it, he'll wait until later.
 
lostsole31
Hargrimm's gear may need a good cleaning as there is micro-scoring throughout, but nothing that shows any structural reduction.

  "I'm feeling a little tuckered out,"   says Wren,   "but I guess I can start to expect that more and more. Zauberei and Hargrimm are the only wounded. Hargrimm, should we do triage before moving, and perhaps wait for everyone's bond that you have on them to top off? or, to everyone, do we want to call it and back out the way we came? How are we on resources? And since this place was hidden, should we do a deep search?"  

Assuming Hargrimm does a triage ...
Zauberei: Very light wound
Self (Hargrimm):  ~55%
Tippnick
  "I have some healing spells I can spare. Let me know if you want them. I think we should take the time to search. I am prepared to spend the night here if need be."  , says Zauberei.
lostsole31
  "I wouldn't want to spend the night in this damp cavern,"   says Wren,   "but I agree on a thorough search. To be honest, the torture chamber we just left is perfect camping area ... a lot of straw, as well as a nice fire pit for warmth if we start it up. Plenty of wood in the doors we can disassemble easily for a nice fire. I don't think we can do better."  
SwordChucks
Hargrimm spends some time to triage, and nods when he determines that everyone else looks fairly healthy.

  "I agree with a thorough search of the area, but sleeping in a haunted prison sounds too dangerous. I think staying here overnight should be a last resort considering we have warm beds and good food a short walk away. We could prepare the torture chamber with our bedrolls and dry wood ahead of time should the need arise."   he suggests.

  "I would like some healing very much Zauberei, thank you. Then I would be ok to carry on."  
Moriar
Angelo will add some healing to Hargrimm.  "  While we are doing a thorough search,  I have quite a few spells left and this wand if healing."
  
Angelo will assist with triage and provide healing as need be.

 
 Spoiler: healing 


Casting cure light wounds on hargrimm :  (1d8+4)[ 9 ] 
 
lostsole31
Angelo's wand provides   9 healing   to Hargrimm (bringing Hargrimm to ~ 2/3).

A deep search is done of this entire cavernous area ... for surely there was some reason that a secret door was made to go through less developed cave. It takes a full 50 minutes to search. You find one thing, which verifies this wasn't a place for storage but as a secret cut-through, and that is a secret door on the eastern end.

During that time, Zauberei's  spectral hand  expires, and all akashic bonds are maximized (there weren't any reduced at all, interestingly enough, as only the provider - Hargrimm - had been wounded by the ooze). There are no more other protective spells, and only Marius'  ant haul  is running.  Zauberei would need to use his arcane bond to gen up another  mage armor  if he wanted.

What now?
BuckGodot
Alexandru approaches Hargrimm and says,    "If you'll allow me..."    and he holds out his hands near Hargrimms wounds and grits his teeth.

 
 Spoiler: Technical Information 
If Hargrimm allows it, Empathic Transfer.

 (2d10)[ 15 ] 
 
SwordChucks
Hargrimm holds still for Alexandru.   "I hate being fussed over, but I do appreciate the aid."   he says as he observes Alexandru's technique.

Feeling much better he says   "I should be quite alright to continue now."  
lostsole31
Alexandru's concentration is actually rather brief (SA). The sound of wind chimes can be heard as drops of rain fall to the ground around him. Hargrimm's wounds diminish,   healing 15   ... even as it tears at the fortification Hargrimm gave to Lexi. Hargrimm now has but a light wound, and Lexi seems fine.

Now what?
Ason
  "I still have resources left,"   Marius says,   "and if everyone else is indeed fine to continue, then I too am ready to proceed, if you are up for it Wren. With one criminal's spirit left, we should be close to being done with this place for good, Pharasma willing."  
  "Here, Hargrimm. Drink this one too. Better to use it now than to leave it sitting and find you still hurting."   Marius then offers Hagrimm a second extract of cure light wounds, and he proceeds to brew up another extract using a second-level slot.

If and when everybody seems ready to go forward, Marius will put a finger to his lips to call for silence, try to creep quietly over to the secret door, and try to sneakily peek into the next room through the secret door.

 
 Spoiler: OoC 
Stealth checks for Marius's peeking, please.

Cure Light Wounds, again  (1d8+4)[ 11 ] 
 
Tippnick
Zauberei indicates he is willing to continue and will go back into the torture chamber and use his arcane object bond to recast mage armor.
lostsole31
Marius fully heals Hargrimm, and Zauberei has his armor on again.

The party gets back into formation with the exception that Marius is now in the lead.
 
 He has shield stowed and lucerne hammer in hand so he can have a hand free to interact with the secret door and the like. Paula is back up on his shoulder. 
 Lexi has shield readied and no weapon out. 
 Angelo has nothing in hand, but a  light  is on his sash. 
 Zauberei has his staff (and  mage armor ). 
 Hargrimm has buckler-and-staff. 
 Wren brings up the rear with Lopper's axe and  light  on his labcoat. 
 

Marius interacts with the secret door as best they figured and slowly, carefully opens it. Beyond, he sees what looks like the inside of a prisoner's cell that is 10' N-S x 20' E-W, with a door on the far southeastern wall.

It is quiet and damp.
Ason
  "It's another cell,"   Marius whispers to the party behind him,   "But if I recall correctly, we found one of the hallway gates permanently blocked. It probably won't work, but I can try unlocking the cell door from here to maybe bypass that gate."  

Marius will then cautiously enter the cell, alert for danger. If he notices no immediate threats, Marius will inspect the cell door to see if it's unlocked.
lostsole31
As Marius squints his eyes, he notices this wasn't a cell-proper, but must have been a staging area for those going to the torture chamber, and there are many rusty manacles on the walls. He lifts the latch without opening door, and determines that the door is unlocked.
SwordChucks
Hargrimm keeps a watchful eye on the manacles due to the groups past experience.
Ason
Marius returns to the group and whispers his report,   "The cell seems empty, and the door is unlocked. We found a way around after all. Please, follow me, if you don't mind."  

Marius then leads them back to the cell and gestures to the door, and gingerly takes a step out in the hallway, alert for dangers.
lostsole31
Marius steps out into the hallway, but he doesn't have a light except those behind him. Because of rubble in the eastern side of the room, nobody can line up N-S behind Marius to help light directly out, so the light that comes through is at a steep angle through the doorway behind him. He sees part of what looks like a big hole in the floor and a cell door across the way.

Marius instantly senses something amiss, like the smell of fresh blood and a scratching sound on the wall to the west.

 Marius , what do you?
Ason
Marius skulks back into the cell and whispers quietly to the party,   "Trouble up ahead. There's blood in the air, and something's scratching about in the shadows there, so be quiet and on-guard. I cannot see in the dark and lost my lantern, so I suggest someone with keener senses or a light source take over as vanguard. I'm useless for now, I'm afraid."

  He then waits for someone else to lead the way, and whenever someone does so, Marius sneaks along behind them as quietly as he can.
Moriar
Angelo pats his brother on the shoulder and casts a spell of protection. "  Looks like it is time to prepare for more new friends.  Let there be light.  " Angelo jokes as he casts a spell and four floating lanterns of light appear and they move into the room, spreading the light all about.


 
 Spoiler: Spells 


First casts mage armor on himself

Then casts dancing lights and has them move into the room to spread out as much as possible to illuminate the room with lantern light.
 
BuckGodot
Alexandru will step carefully forward shield and sword at the ready.
BuckGodot
Alexandru cautiously continues ahead, stepping to the east and peering around the corner.
Tippnick
Zauberei comes into room just by the entrance. He looks around and tries to listen for any odd noises
lostsole31
Zauberei,  
 Spoiler: ooc 
when you enter by the "entrance" that of course meant the doorway you used while you get into the protection a corner provides as you look at the wall, you see the letter "Z" in blood form and it is enough to set your mind on fire (you take   2 WIS  ).
 

Meanwhile, everyone else, do you move in?
Moriar
Angelo will follow into the room and keep his brother close while keeping an eye out for danger.
lostsole31
Who does what next?
Ason
Marius slides into the room, taking position just south of Zauberei. He keeps his senses alert for the smell and sounds he detected the first time he came in here.

To the others, Marius whispers,   "The doors, pit, and hallways make this room ripe for an ambush. Worse still, this room is our only means of escape, so we need to ensure it is secure first and foremost.     The sounds came from the west the  first time I came in here, so I suggest we start with those three doors  first, north to south.    "
  
Marius then proceeds to take a closer look at the northernmost door on the western wall.
lostsole31
The only thing Marius sees on the wall is right next to Zauberei on the western wall in that corner... a bright, red "Z" painted in fresh blood, and Zauberei staring at it in what seems like rapt horror.
Tippnick
  "Something in here assaulted my mind. I believe we have found our last prisoner."   ,says Zauberei.

Zauberei will bring out the cursed spell book.
lostsole31
 Begin Round One ...

R1T17:   Marius , upon receiving the baleful news from Zauberei, what do you do?
Ason
Since he seems to have not done so yet, Marius enters the chamber now illuminated by magic, taking up a position immediately south of Zauberei.

Marius winces at the Z when he sees it and calls out while pointing,   "The Splatter Man is writing Zauberei's name!"  

Marius then adopts a defensive stance and prepares for a fight, polearm and shield at the ready.

 
 Spoiler: OoC 
 Note:  A link to remind myself what we learned  during our research
 
 Move:  move to 1 square immediately south of Zauberei, next to the door
 Standard:  nothing
 Swift:   Aura of Misfortune  stance
 
lostsole31
 R1T17:  Since he seems to have not done so yet, Marius enters the chamber now  illuminated by magic, taking up a position immediately south of  Zauberei. Marius winces at the "Z" when he sees it and calls out while pointing,   "The Splatter Man is writing Zauberei's name!"  

Marius then adopts a defensive stance and prepares for a fight, polearm and shield at the ready.

 R1T16:  Wren rushes in and looks where Marius is pointing, then looks around.

 R1T13:   Angelo , what do you do?
Moriar
  "Another incorperal foe?" Angelo complains.
  
  "I wonder if this will help."    He stares intently at the bloody Z and casts a spell.

 
 Spoiler: clean? 


Moves 5' to southwest.

Then attempts to cast prestidigitation and clean the bloody Z as much as possible.
 
lostsole31
 R1T13:    " Another  incorperal foe!?"    Angelo complains.   "I wonder if this will help."    He stares intently at the bloody Z and casts a spell. His cantrip appears to have no effect.

 R1T9:   Hargrimm , you are now alone in the little cell. What do you do?
SwordChucks
Hargrimm hurries after the others. At Angelo's mention of an incorporeal foe, he releases another wave of light, hoping to flush out the target.

 
 Spoiler: Combat 
Move action: Move 25ft closer to Angelo.
Standard action: Channel Energy to deal damage to undead. Using Veil-woven Channel to affect Will saves.

Channel:  (2d6)[ 7 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R1T9:  Hargrimm hurries after the others. At Angelo's mention of an incorporeal  foe, he releases another wave of light, hoping to flush out the target, and the letter "Z" seems to sizzle and pop for   3 PE damage  , resisting some of the effect.

 R1T7:   Lexi ,  the wall next to the door right by you smells of blood and a letter "A"  forms! 
 Spoiler: OOC 
You take 2 WIS damage.
 
Your shield is  readied, but nothing else in hand. What do you do?
BuckGodot
  "Ahhh! My head..."   Alexandru shouts holding his head with his one hand momentarily staggering backward and bumping into... Someone... Then he draws his hammer.

 
 Spoiler: Technical Information 
Draw weapon.

No other action unless something appears he can hit.
 
lostsole31
 R1T7:    "Ahhh! My head..."   Alexandru shouts  holding his head with his one hand momentarily staggering backward and  bumping into... someone... then he draws his hammer.

 R1T6:   Zauberei ,  your head hurts, and you realize there is a spiritual battle being  fought. When your spirit lagged, some unholy force ripped a bit of your  soul and used that to write the first letter of your name, but not so  this time. What do you do?

Paula on deck, Marius in the hole ...
Tippnick
Dropping his staff he holds the Splatter man's spellbook.   "YOU RECOGNIZE THIS? IT WAS LOST TO YOU,. NOW I WILL TEAR UP ALL YOUR SPELLS."  , Zauberei yells.
He quickly finds the mage armor spell and will tear up the page that has the Mage Armor spell out of the cursed spellbook.
lostsole31
 R1T6:  Dropping his staff, Zauberei retrieves &amp; holds up the Splatter Man's spellbook.   "YOU RECOGNIZE THIS? IT WAS LOST TO YOU. NOW I WILL TEAR UP ALL YOUR SPELLS."  , Zauberei yells. He quickly finds the  mage armor  spell  and will tear out that page from the cursed spellbook. Other then  destroying that page, nothing dramatic appears to happen.

 R1T3:  A letter     P      appears on the wall by Marius, and Marius senses that Paula is going  through some type of mental distress. Paula cowers in Marius' cowl,  delaying.

 End Round One, Begin Round 2 ...
 
 R2T17:   Marius , not but a second later, you understand the source of Paula's distress, as just above the letter     P     is now etched the letter     M    , right at your eye line. Looking at this letter being written out hurts something in your mind and spirit, and you suffer  2 WIS . What do you do?

Wren on deck, Angelo in the hole ...
Ason
Marius drops his weapon, reaches into his pack for his haunt siphon, and tries to activate the item.

  "Of course my parents gave me a short name,"   Marius laments as he sees the bloody M form.
lostsole31
 R2T17:    "Of course my parents gave me a short name,"   Marius laments as he sees the bloody     M      form. Marius drops his weapon, reaches into his pack for his haunt  siphon, and tries to activate the item. It actually seems to do damage  to not just his letter, but everyone else's as twisting open the cap of  the haunt siphon does a solid   14 PE   to the manifestation. He then screws on the cap to at least contain that energy.

 R2T16:  Wren sees a     W     form by him, and his eyes go wide. He attacks the     W     with his axe. With a solid stroke ( 9 ), the     W     is destroyed and he seems refreshed.   "Attack  the letters directly. Broad strokes of positive help, but destroying  your letter destroys the psychic stain it causes, whereas area positive  effects don't!"  
 R2T13:   Angelo , you still don't suffer any issues. What do you do?

Hargrimm on deck, Alexandru in the hole ...
Moriar
  "Would using normal weapons against the letters help?"   Angelo asks.

Then he utters an arcane phrase and directs a ray against the P.

 
 Spoiler 


Will move into position if it helps for a shot against the P. Not sure where it is.

Casts disrupt undead at the Letter P.

To hit:  (1d20+7)[ 27 ] 
Damage:  (1d6)[ 4 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R2T13:    "Would using normal weapons against the letters help?"   Angelo asks. Then he utters an arcane phrase and directs a ray against the     P    , sizzling it for   4 PE  , though it is still there.

 R2T9:   Hargrimm , what do you do?

Lexi on deck, Zauberei in the hole ...
SwordChucks
Trusting in Folgrit's power over his own martial ability, Hargrimm lets loose another wave of light.

 
 Spoiler: Combat 
Standard action: Channel energy to damage undead, with Veil-woven Channel affecting will saves.

Channel:  (2d6)[ 7 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R2T9:  Trusting in Folgrit's power over his own martial  ability, Hargrimm lets loose another wave of light, though the letters  on the wall (M-/ A-/ Z-/ P-) only sizzle for   3 PE  . The priest breathes hard, as he has maybe one more of those remaining in the tank.

 R2T7:   Lexi , your spirit fights off whatever continuance seeks to write your name in blood on the walls ... for now. What do you do?

Zauberei on deck, Paula in the hole ...
BuckGodot
Hearing the others, Alexandru swings mightily with his hammer at the scarlet letter A on the wall.

 
 Spoiler: Technical Information 
Attack using Risky Strike:  (1d20+6)[ 16 ] 

Damage:  (1d8+12)[ 16 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R2T7:  Hearing the others, Alexandru swings mightily with his hammer at the scarlet letter     A     (ha!) on the wall. He does an impressive 8 mod to the stone, with some of it crumbling away, and yet the scarlet letter     A     is still there, unblemished by the strike.

 R2T6:   Zauberei ,  you actually sense the spiritual battle within you, and it is a  herculean effort on your part, but for now no more letters of your name  are blood-writ upon the wall. What do you do?

Paula on deck, Marius in the hole ...
Tippnick
Zauberei seems puzzled as his plan to bring out the Splatterman failed. He calls upon Nethys to help destroy this effect causing the group's distress.


 
 Spoiler: crunch  


Zauberei will assess what is affecting everyone

Will channel positive energy to harm undead
 (d6)[ 4 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R2T6:  Zauberei seems puzzled as his plan to bring out the Splatterman failed.  He calls upon Nethys to help destroy this effect causing the group's  distress, doing   2 PE    to the negative emanation. Like Hargrimm, he has to take a good breath,  as he may not have too much more of that energy he can push through his  body.

 R2T3:  At eye-level on Marius' shoulder, the     P     is now joined by an     A     (and Paula suffers another  2 WIS  damage.)

 End Round 2, Begin Round 3 ...
 
 R3T17:  At the same time, a few inches above that, a similar     A     follows the M that Marius stares at ( 2 WIS  damage).  Marius , what do you do?

Wren on deck, Angelo in the hole ...
Ason
  "Paula, run back to the torture room!"   Marius pleads,   "I'll find you again once it's safe!" 
 
He then stows his haunt siphon and retrieves his weapon, readying himself for another assault.

 
 Spoiler: OoC 
 Standard:  stow haunt siphon in backpack
 Move:  pick up polearm

 Immediate (if triggered):  use  Inner Sense  counter on next saving throw
 
lostsole31
 R3T17:    "Paula, run back to the torture room!"   Marius pleads,   "I'll find you again once it's safe!" 
 
He then stows his haunt siphon and retrieves his weapon, readying himself for another assault.

 R3T16:   Wren hacks past Marius at Marius' letters, doing enough damage that  there is a sudden shift in the room .... and all of the blood-writ names  slowly disappear from view, though Marius doesn't get any benefit of  his letters having been blasted by Lopper's axe.

 Combat Ends! 

Paula, not realizing what happened, scrambles out of there.
Ason
Marius silent pauses, slacking his shoulders with relieved tension over the ghost's apparent defeat. He turns to the others, asking   "Is it truly over? Was that indeed the last ghost we needed to slay? Praise the gods above..."  

He then focuses on his empathic link with Paula, channeling feelings of relief and rest to her. He delays fetching her for the moment, however, scanning the room for signs of ongoing danger.
lostsole31
Just as Marius praises the gods above, it must be that the gods below  feel left out, for there is an inhuman shrieking coming from below in  the oubliette as coming out of the depths comes a tortured, form, a  see-through skeletal figure with glowing red-orange eyes!
  
 
Hovering over the oubliette it cackles in glee.

 Begin Round One ... 
 R1T15:   Angelo , what do you do?
Moriar
  "Well hello there, good sir,"   Angelo says.    "I wonder if he is a friendly chap..."  

He utters an arcane phrase and puts on a big smile.

  "If you would be so kind my new friend, please head into that open cell."    Angelo points at the open cell to the southwest.

Between gritted teeth will say,   "If this doesn't work, tearing the pages should work on this fellow now that he has manifested physically."  

Then moves a little away.



 
 Spoiler 


Casts charm person on the new "friend" (DC 16)

Then moves to the NE 5'
 
lostsole31
 R1T15:    "Well, hello there, good sir,"   Angelo says.    "I wonder if he is a friendly chap..."  

He utters an arcane phrase and puts on a big smile.   "If you would be so kind my new friend, please head into that open cell."    Angelo points at the open cell to the southwest. Between gritted teeth he adds before moving a few steps away,   "If this doesn't work, tearing the pages should work on this fellow now that he has manifested physically."  
 R1T13:  The spirit of the Splatter Man, for that is  surely who this must be, floats back a few feet while beginning to  intone a spell that he keeps casting during this time.

 R1T12:   Marius , what do you do?
Ason
Marius glumly curses at himself,   "Of course it gets worse: that's what you get for hoping. Why did you even speak, Marius?"   when the spectral skeleton emerges.

He walks south and then east to work his way around the pit toward the specter. His polearm then takes on an unearthly sheen, almost becoming ghost-like itself, and he swings the lucerne hammer at the monster with unnatural speed.

 
 Spoiler 
 Free:  Knowledge check to identify what kind of thing this monster is
 Move:  20 feet south, 10 feet east
 Swift:   Ghost Hunting Blow  boost
 Standard:   Temporal Burn  strike; attack  (1d20+9)[ 15 ] , damage  (1d12+1)[ 3 ]  +  (2d6)[ 8 ] 
 
 If attack roll dice result is less than 12 but above 5, spend 2 inspiration points to add  (1d6)[ 5 ]  to the attack roll 
 
 
lostsole31
 R1T12:  Marius glumly curses at himself,   "Of course it gets worse: that's what you get for hoping. Why did you even speak, Marius?"   when the spectral skeleton emerges.

He walks south and then east to work his way around the pit toward the  specter. His polearm then takes on an unearthly sheen, almost becoming  ghost-like itself, and he swings the lucerne hammer at the monster with  unnatural speed with a slight, inspired adjustment at the end as he sees  the enemy start to dodge. That inspiration helped, though, as the  lucerne hammer connects solidly in the chest for  11 , causing the monster to lose its spell.

 R1T11:   Hargrimm , what do you do?
SwordChucks
Seeing that the spirit is disinclined to acquiesce to Angelo, Hargrimm hucks a spell at the creature.

  "I've been waiting to try this one out."  

He then moves to the north to give the others room to maneuver.

 
 Spoiler: Combat 
Standard action: Cast  Burst of Radiance  one square to the northeast of the spirit.

Move action: Move 10ft north.

Swift action: Reallocate the 2 essence from Veil-Woven Channel to Banelight Vortices.

Burst of Radiance: Blindness/Dazzled  (1d4)[ 1 ] 
Damage to evil creatures:  (4d4)[ 13 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R1T11:  Seeing that the spirit is disinclined to acquiesce to Angelo, Hargrimm says as he chucks a spell at the creature,   "I've been waiting to try this one out."  

It seems The Splatter Man knew what was being cast and looked away in time and shielded his essence to only take   3 mod light  , though it does seem to be vaguely off-put by the bright light.

Hargrimm then moves to the north to give the others room to maneuver.

 R1T10:   Wren seems to be right behind Hargrimm before the dwarf splits north  and Wren splits east and south around the oubliette to come from the  other direction. He swings the Lopper's axe as hard as he can through  the spirit's chest for  6 mod .

 R1T9:   Alexandru , what do you do? Reminder that you have your collective with Angelo, Hargrimm, Marius, &amp; Zauberei.
BuckGodot
Alexandru moves south and readies his shield.

 
 Spoiler: Technical Information 
MA: Move 20' south
Equip shield.
 
lostsole31
 R1T9:  Alexandru moves south and verifies that his  already-readied shield is secured solidly before he is ready to march  off into battle.

 R1T8:   Zauberei , what do you do?

Paula on deck, Angelo in the hole ...
Tippnick
Zauberei studies the spirit and then casts a spell.

 
 Spoiler: crunch 

FA: assess this creature
SA: casts necrostasis
If he knows what it is and what it can do he quickly shout the highlights   "This is a...."  
 
lostsole31
 R1T8:  Zauberei studies the spirit and then casts a  spell, not quite confident of what he sees. His spell doesn't appear to  have had any effect.

 End Round One, Begin Round 2 ...

R2T15:   Angelo , what do you do?

The Splatter Man on deck, Marius in the hole ...
Moriar
  "You should have tried to be friends,"   Angelo chided.

Then he utters another arcane phrase and launches missiles of force at it.

 
 Spoiler: no more friends 


Casts magic missile. Cast as 5th level

Damage: (3d4+3)[ 7 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R2T15:    "You should have tried to be friends,"   Angelo chided.

Then he utters another arcane phrase and launches missiles of force at  it, splattering about wispy bits of ectoplasmic as it does   7 force  .

 R2T13:   Still a little dazzled by Hargrimm's spell, The Splatter Man doesn't  try to cast a spell while seeing stars, but swings his hand through  Wren's right shoulder. As it passes through, Wren tries to fight off  what is happening, but his curse from the torture room means his body  fails him as he suffers   23 aging   damage. The Splatter Man then begins to float away as Wren swings  Lopper's handaxe  through The Splatter Man's head for  4 mod . The Splatter Man disappears into the upper part of the cell wall east of Wren.

 R2T12:   Marius , what do you do?

Hargrimm on deck, Wren in the hole ...
Ason
Marius shifts closer to Wren and adopts a defense posture near him, ready to attack any hostile thing that comes nearby.

 
 Spoiler: Mechanics 
 5-Foot Step : northeast
 Move:  none
 Standard:  ready action to risky strike attack any hostile creature or undead that appear in range
 
  Risky Strike Attack (if triggered):   (1d20+8)[ 11 ] , Damage:  (1d12+3)[ 5 ]   (I don't think I've risky strike'd with him before, so apologies if I used the wrong formula.)  
 
 Immediate (if triggered):   Inner Sense  on next saving throw
 AoO (if triggered):  Risky Strike Attack:  (1d20+8)[ 22 ] , Damage:  (1d12+3)[ 10 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R2T12:  Marius shifts closer to Wren and adopts a defense posture near him, ready to attack any hostile thing that comes nearby.

 R2T11:   Hargrimm , what do you do?

Wren on deck, Lexi in the hole ...
SwordChucks
  "Zauberei, you know his spells. Can you counterspell?"   Hargrimm calls out as he scans the walls with his hand held back, ready to throw light.

 
 Spoiler: Combat 
Standard action: Ready an attack with Banelight Vortices if the Splatter Man comes into view.

Attack:  (1d20+4)[ 5 ] ,  (6d6)[ 17 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R2T11:    "Zauberei, you know his spells. Can you counterspell?"   Hargrimm calls out as he scans the walls with his hand held back, ready to throw light.

 R2T10:  Wren is not doing well, and uses his bardic magic to give himself   11 healing  . He then moves around to the north and west to cover Zauberei.

 R2T9:   Lexi , what do you do?

Zauberei on deck, Paula in the hole ...
BuckGodot
Alexandru, sensing Wrens predicament, turns around and heads back north to him and reaches out and touches him.

 
 Spoiler: Technical Information 
MA: North 10'

Touch Wren using Transfer Wounds:  (2d6)[ 7 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R2T9:  Alexandru, sensing Wrens predicament, turns  around and heads back north to him and reaches out and touches him. Wren  is fully healed, looking young as ever, while Lexi takes   7 aging    damage himself. Since it was a direct transfer of wounds already  inflicted, Lexi learns that Hargrimm's fortifications avail him not.   
 Spoiler: Transfer Wounds 
You don't take this as damage suffered  externally, meaning that the wounds you transfer to yourself can't be  ablated by temporary hit points, nor diminished by any type of DR,  resistances, or immunities.
 

 R2T8:   Zauberei , what do you do?

Paula on deck, Angelo in the hole ...
Tippnick
  "I would have to know the spell and have it prepared to counter it, I think what we learned about spellbook will have to do."  , Zauberei responds.

Zauberei opens the moldy cursed spellbook of the deceased mage and finds the page with magic missile and rips it out.

 
 Spoiler: crunch 


SA: rip out he page of the moldy, cursed spellbook with magic missile on it.
 
lostsole31
 R2T8:    "I would have to know the spell and have it prepared to counter it. I think what we learned about spellbook will have to do."  , Zauberei responds. He opens the moldy cursed spellbook of the deceased mage and finds the page with  magic missile  and rips it out. Without the Splatter Man in front of you, it is unknown if something has happened or not.

 R2T7:  Paula ...

 End Round 2, Begin Round 3 ...

R3T15:   Angelo , what do you do?

The Splatter Man on deck, Marius in the hole ...
Moriar
Angelo's eyes go wide as he tries to look around everywhere at once.

He preps his hands in anticipation of casting a spell.

 
 Spoiler: ready 


Readies an action to cast disrupt undead at splatter man if splatter man reappears.

To hit:  (1d20+7)[ 26 ]   Damage:  (1d6)[ 1 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R3T15:  Angelo's eyes go wide as he tries to look around everywhere at once.  He preps his hands in anticipation of casting a spell.

 R3T13:   The Splatter Man appears out of the eastern wall at the chokepoint,  right next to Hargrimm and Angelo. It was more of a transiting exit than  an attempt to surprise, though his sudden appearance is still shocking.  Angelo is immediately ready and begins casting his spell and points  right at the spirit's face to let loose with a beam of positive energy  that scrapes along the Splatter Man's cheek for   1 PE  . At the same time, Hargrimm attacks with his  banelight vortices ,  but it is now apparent that the Splatter Man felt Angelo was completely  beneath him - having had two opportunities to strike the bard and not  doing so.

When Hargrimm's aim finalizes, however, the Splatter  Man passes his hand through the dwarven cleric's throat. Hargrimm saw  the effect on Wren and is ready for it, resisting much of the power. Yet  for that meager success, he still takes   15 aging  + ( 1 DEX bleed from torn neck tendon )  and his shot is ruined.

The  Splatter Man then concentrates and feeds Hargrimm with a blast of four  magic missiles that all strike him with as much power as a volley like  that can possibly have, doing   20 force  .

 R3T12:   Marius , your readied action did not occur, but at least the Splatter Man is back in the open. What do you do?

Wren on deck, Lexi in the hole ...
Ason
Marius winds around the pit's opening to chase down the Splatter Man. He  then adopts a dour fighting posture and strikes at the monster with his polearm.

 
 Spoiler: OoC 
 Note:   Marius' sheet should not say "dropped" on his lucerne hammer. He spent  an action several rounds ago to pick it up and has used the weapon since  then.

 Move:  5 feet east, 15 feet north, 5 feet west
 Swift:  adopt  Aura of Misfortune  stance
 Standard:  risky strike at the Splatter Man  (1d20+8)[ 10 ] , damage  (1d12+3)[ 15 ] 
 AoO (if triggered):  risky strike  (1d20+8)[ 28 ] , damage  (1d12+3)[ 4 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R3T12:  Marius winds around the pit's opening to chase down the Splatter Man. He   then adopts a dour fighting posture and strikes at the monster with  his polearm, missing wildly.

 R3T10:  Wren adjusts  a few feet, takes out the single vial of holy water entrusted to him  (party treasure) and throws it at the Splatter Man. It goes right  through the spirit, with the holy water super heating and shattering the  vial it is in to do   5 PE   to the enemy.

 R3T9:   Lexi , what do you do?

Zauberei on deck, Paula in the hole ...
BuckGodot
Seeing as he cannot really seem to close on Splatterdude at the moment, Alexandru will hold off doing anything but prepare to strike if he should have a target.

 
 Spoiler: Technical Information 
Hold action pending a target. If SM should move within striking range, he will attack.
 
lostsole31
 R3T9:  Seeing as he cannot really seem to close on Splatterdude at the moment,  Alexandru will hold off doing anything but prepare to strike if he  should have a target.

 R3T8:   Zauberei , what do you do?

Paula on deck, Angelo in the hole ...
Tippnick
Zauberei quickly steps to the SE to better see the ghost and finds a page in the spellbook. He then rips out hoping to see a reaction from it.
 
 Spoiler: crunch 

FA: 5 foot step to the SE
SA: Finds the spell "Illusory Script" and rips it out.
 
lostsole31
 R3T8:  Zauberei quickly steps to the SE to better see the ghost and finds a  page in the spellbook. He then rips out hoping to see a reaction from  it, and the Splatter Man shrieks as he takes   5 spirit   damage! The downside is that the Splatter Man is giving Zauberei quite the anguished look.

 R3T8:  ...

 End Round 3, Begin Round 4 ...

R4T15:   Angelo , what do you do?

Hargrimm on deck, The Splatter Man in the hole ...
Moriar
Angelo looks on in horror as Hargrimm ages.

He backs up a step and utters an arcane spell to unleash 5 missiles of force for one last time.


 
 Spoiler: pew pew 


Moves west 5'

Then casts magic missile as 5th level

Danage: (3d4+3)[ 8 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R4T15:  Angelo looks on in horror as Hargrimm ages. He  backs up a step and utters an arcane spell to unleash three missiles of  force for one last time that strike the Splatter Man centrally for   8 force  .

 R4T14:   Hargrimm , your neck tendon deteriorates for   1 DEX bleed  . What do you do?

Splatter Man on deck, Marius in the hole ...
SwordChucks
Not wanting to take another hit like that, and not having a lot of options, the newly wizened Hargrimm retreats from the Splatter Man in a southeasternly direction.

 
 Spoiler: Combat 
Standard action: Total Defense action.

Move action: Move 20ft south and east around the oubliette.
 
lostsole31
 R4T14:  Not wanting to take another hit like that, and  not having a lot of  options, the newly wizened Hargrimm retreats from the Splatter Man in a  southeasterly direction. The intuitive part of the defensive posturing  Hargrimm takes as he goes is used to fighting corporeal opponents; he  moves erratically, but also uses his weapon in a parrying/warding  fashion. The Splatter Man passes his hand through the staff and into  Hargrimm's hand as he goes. The dwarf's great hardiness helps him resist  much of the aging, yet he still takes   11 aging   even then.  He still gets away, though, and nobody is next to the accursed creature.

 R4T13:   The Splatter Man then flies down and through the western wall into the  ruined chamber to the north, standing next to Angelo. He casts a spell,  laughing cautiously as he does so and four missiles shoot out, but  instead of focus fire, he enjoys prolonging the pain and suffering of  the group as one missile apiece hits Angelo, Hargrimm, Zauberei, and  Lexi for   5 force    each. It's not a lot of damage, but does at least tear away the akashic  fortification that Hargrimm had offered to those people.

 R4T12:   Marius , what do you do?

Wren on deck, Lexi in the hole ...
Ason
Marius drops his polearm, reaches into his pack to retrieve a flask of holy water, and waits until the undead is back in sight to throw it.

 
 Spoiler: OoC 
 Free:  drop polearm
 Move:  retrieve flask of holy water
 Standard:  ready action to throw holy water at the Splatter Man whenever Marius next sees it
 
lostsole31
 R4T12:  Marius drops his polearm, reaches into his pack to retrieve a flask of  holy water, and waits until the undead is back in sight to throw it.

 R4T10:  Wren casts a spell upon himself and then moves to the northern alcove by the portcullis.

 R4T9:   Lexi , your readied action never happened. What do you do?

Zauberei on deck, Paula in the hole ...
BuckGodot
Alexandru reaches out to touch Zauberei...

 
 Spoiler: Lexi&gt;&gt;&gt;Collective 
  "Zauberei, are you badly hurt? I can heal some..."  


If Zauberei responds yes, Empathic Transfer.
 
Tippnick
  "I'm fine now."  , Zauberei says.
lostsole31
 R4T9:  Alexandru reaches out to touch Zauberei while communicating mentally. 
 Spoiler: Lexi &gt;&gt;&gt; Collective 
   "Zauberei, are you badly hurt? I can heal some..."   
 

  "I'm fine now,"   Zauberei says, not bothering with the collective.

 R4T8:   Zauberei , what do you do?

Paula on deck, Angelo in the hole ...
Tippnick
Zauberei takes and step to the south and west then he finds yet another page with a spell on it. He then rips it out. 
 Spoiler: bad mage 


MA: 5 ft step to the sw
SA. Finds the spell comprehend languages in the moldy l, cursed spellbook and rips it out
 
lostsole31
 R4T8:  Zauberei takes a step to the southwest. Then he finds yet another page with a spell on it and rips it out, doing   1 spirit damage   to the Splatter Man, who in spiritual turn grits his teeth at the annoyance.

 R4T7:  Paula sends waves of terror and fear to Marius.

 End Round 4, Begin Round 5 ...

R5T15:   Angelo , what do you do?

Hargrimm on deck, The Splatter Man in the hole ...
Moriar
Angelo moves away as smoothly as able.  Then utters a familiar spell that creates a ray targeting the splatter man.


 
 Spoiler: away... 


Acrobatics to tumble away:  (1d20+10)[ 17 ] 

Moving 5' to SW and 5' to S.

Then casting disrupt undead.

To hit:  (1d20+7)[ 25 ]  and damage of  (1d6)[ 3 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R5T15:  Angelo moves away as smoothly as able,  successfully avoiding a counter. He then utters a familiar spell that  creates a ray that hits the Splatter Man in the center of the chest for   3 PE  .

 R5T14:   Hargrimm , you suffer another   1 DEX bleed  . What do you do?

The Splatter Man on deck, Marius in the hole ...
SwordChucks
Hargrimm draws out the wand from his pack and uses it on himself.

 
 Spoiler: Combat 
Move action: Draw Wand of  Lesser Restoration .
Standard action: Activate Wand of  Lesser Restoration  on Hargrimm.
 
lostsole31
 R5T14:  Hargrimm draws out the wand from his pack and  uses it on himself, which completely stops progression and fully heals  his neck tendon and surrounding tissues and lymphatic system.

 R5T13:   The Splatter Man casts a spell, and again looking to cause more pain  among many than for a tactical focus fire, arcane bolts fly out to  strike one each at Hargrimm and Angelo for   3 force  , Zauberei for   4 force  , and Lexi for   7 force  .  The Splatter man cackles and moves west. In doing so, Marius sees a  hint of the Splatter man and chucks the flask at him, but it shatters  against the wall. Then, the Splatter Man is out of sight.

 R5T10:  Wren turns invisible.   "Open all closed cell doors, if you can!"   comes his voice, giving away his position.

 R5T9:   Lexi , what do you do?

Zauberei on deck, Paula in the hole ...
BuckGodot
Alexandru dashes south west to the cell door and tries to open it per instruction.

 
 Spoiler: Technical Information 
MA: Move SW 20' or to the door SW, whichever happens first.

SA: Open cell door
 
lostsole31
 R5T9:  Alexandru dashes south west to the cell door,  drops his warhammer, and tries to open the door as per instruction, but  it's locked!

 R5T8:   Zauberei , you no longer see the Splatter Man. What do you do?

Paula on deck, Angelo in the hole ...
Tippnick
Zauberei will be ready to tear out a spell page as soon as he sees the Splatterman.
 
 Spoiler: sacrilege 

Zauberei will ready an action, if he sees Splatterman he will find the page(s) that contain(s) the spell Summon Monster IV.
 
lostsole31
 R5T8:  Zauberei will be ready to tear out a spell page as soon as he sees the Splatter Man.

 R5T7:  While still generally terrified, Marius does sense a little quieting of Paula's fear.

 End Round 5, Begin Round 6 ...

R6T15:   Angelo , what do you do?

Hargrimm on deck, The Splatter Man in the hole ...
Moriar
Angelo will move to join his brother and help unlock the door.


 
 Spoiler: door trouble  


Move south to join Lexi and use skills to unlock the cell door
 
lostsole31
 R6T15:  Angelo moves to join his brother and then takes out his tools, but Lexi is in the way.

 R6T14:   Hargrimm , what do you do?

The Splatter Man on deck, Marius in the hole ...
lostsole31
 R6T14:  Knowing it to be completely useless against his  energy, Hargrimm simply drops his quarterstaff. He takes a out a  curative potion and downs it before tossing the vial aside, enjoying   6 healing  , but still in a bad way.

 R6T13:  The Splatter Man's voice is heard casting to the southwest somewhere!

 R6T12:   Marius , what do you do?

Wren on deck, Lexi in the hole ...
Ason
Marius retrieves his weapon and heeds Wren's advice, moving just south of Hargrimm to open a cell door.

 
 Spoiler: OoC 
 Move:  pick up polearm
 Swift:   Grim News  to move as swift action: 15 feet west, 5 feet south
 Standard:  open the door

 AoO (if triggered by Splatter Man):  attack  (1d20+8)[ 20 ] ; damage  (1d12+3)[ 10 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R6T12:  Marius retrieves his weapon and heeds Wren's  advice, moving just south of Hargrimm to open a cell door. He determines  that his door - like the one Lexi tried - aren't actually locked, but  are stuck fast tighter than the other portals in this complex, and he is  unsuccessful in forcing the door open.

 R6T10:  Wren's voice is heard from the northeast corner.   "If they were just locked I could've opened it, but years of rust have made these doors incredibly hard to open, sorry."  
 R6T9:   Lexi ,  well, it turns out it didn't open not because it was locked, but stuck.  To a bruiser like you, that could be a bit of a relief, depending on  how difficult it would be to open with brute force. What do you do, as  you hear the chanting from not only through the door but echoing from  around the southwest?

Zauberei on deck, Paula in the hole ...
BuckGodot
Alexandru gently moves his brother to the side and then attempts to force open the door leaning into it with his brute strength.
Tippnick
Zauberei is looking for a visual on the Splatterman before he tears out a page from the cursed spellbook.

 
 Spoiler: crunch 

Renews his previous readied action
 
lostsole31
 R6T9:  Alexandru gently moves his brother to the side  and then attempts to force open the door leaning into it with his brute  strength, but it doesn't budge.

 R6T8:  Zauberei continues to look for the Splatter Man before he tears out a page from the cursed spellbook.

 End Round 6, Begin Round 7 ...

R7T15:   Angelo , what do you do?

Hargrimm on deck, The Splatter Man in the hole ...
Moriar
Angelo moves around his brother and looks for the splatter man.

He preps his hands to cast.

 
 Spoiler: crunchy bits 


Moves 10' to the south.

If he sees splatterman, will let others know his location.

Then will cast disrupt undead at splatterman if seen.

To hit: (1d20+7)[ 24 ]   damage:  (1d6)[ 6 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R7T15:  Angelo moves around his brother and looks for the Splatter Man. He preps his hands to cast.   "I don't see him,"   he says,   "but he is right around this ruined corner of wall."  
 R7T14:   Hargrimm , you dropped your quarterstaff. The  wand of lesser restoration  is in hand. What do you do?

The Splatter Man on deck, Marius in the hole ...
SwordChucks
  "I don't fancy my chances with this door if anyone else wants to budge it."   Hargrimm says as he steps aside from the door next to him. He stows the wand and prepares to throw another vortex at the Splatter Man.

 
 Spoiler: Combat 
5ft step north.
Move action: Stow wand.
Standard action: Ready an action to attack the Splatter Man with Banelight Vortices if he becomes visible.
 
lostsole31
 R7T14:    "I don't fancy my chances with this door if anyone else wants to budge it."    Hargrimm says as he steps aside from the door next to him. He stows the  wand and prepares to throw another vortex at the Splatter Man.

 R7T13.3-.0:  The Splatter Man finishes his several-seconds long, very audible casting.   "Go, kill. Kill everything!"   his voice is heard cackling. There is a bunch of furtive squeaking heard.

Around  the southwestern corner where only Angelo can see, a stream of  oversized, hideous, red-tinged rats with strange bony projections  appears. Two come up to Angelo, one of which nips him on the left  forearm for  1 mod . A third comes around the south to also engage.

More casting is heard again, and as before, it is not a short bit as a normal spell, but continuous ...

 R7T12:   Marius , what do you do?

Wren on deck, Lexi in the hole ...
Ason
  "That's not my strength either,"   Marius calls out with frustration,   "but I have another healing potion, if you need, Hargrimm."  

In the meantime, Marius scuttles southward to help Angelo with the rats. He redirects all the irritation he feels at himself outward at the rats, and he releases this feeling by giving a haymaker stab at one of the rats with his polearm.

 
 Spoiler: OoC 
 Move:  10 feet south, 5 feet southeast
 Swift:   Dark Claim  on the 2 rats south of Angelo (1 &amp; 3) using  Grasp of Darkness , recovering Ghost Hunting Blow and Temporal Burn
 Standard:  risky strike on rat 1  (1d20+8)[ 13 ] ; damage  (1d12+3)[ 12 ] 
 AoO (if triggered by non-Paula rats or the Splatter Man):  risky strike attack  (1d20+8)[ 10 ] ; damage  (1d12+3)[ 7 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R7T12:    "That's not my strength either,"   Marius calls out with frustration,   "but I have another healing potion, if you need, Hargrimm."  

In the meantime, Marius scuttles southward to help Angelo with the rats.  He redirects all the irritation he feels at himself outward at the  rats, and he releases this feeling by giving a haymaker stab at one of  the rats with his polearm. Sadly, Marius's lucerne hammer performs a Haymarket Riot with the haymaker stab attempt and refuses to hit the rat.

 R7T10:  Wren's voice is heard in the NE corner of the room intoning a spell. Then, from a different part of the room, Wren calls out,   "The western run of rooms all appear to have their internal walls destroyed."  
 R7T9:   Lexi ,  your brother is getting attacked by several rodents of unlikely  dimensions (R.O.U.D.s). Meanwhile, you were trying to open the stuck  cell door to get at the Splatter Man, whose voice is loudly intoning a  spell right behind it. What do you do?

Zauberei on deck, Paula in the hole ...
BuckGodot
Alexandru begins distracting the beasts away from his brother.

 
 Spoiler: Crunch 
Aid Another to give a bonus to his AC.

Kin Guardian:  When he uses the Aid Another action to give a member of his family a bonus to AC, increase the bonus by 2.
*  This increase is a trait bonus.
*  This trait has no effect when using the Aid Another action to increase a family member’s next attack roll.


Attack Roll:  (1d20+8)[ 13 ] 
 
Tippnick
Zauberei moves to East and the North for a better vantage point.

 
 Spoiler: Crunch 


MA: Move 15' East then 5' North
SA: If he sees the Splatterman after the move he will tear out the readied page. If not he will ready his action to tear out the page.
 
lostsole31
 R7T9:  Alexandru begins attempting to distract the  beasts away from his brother, but since he isn't in their [the rats']  grille, they pay him no mind.

 R7T8:  Zauberei  moves to East and the North for a better vantage point, but he seems to  be getting farther away from the Splatter Man's voice and from where the  rats appeared.

 End Round 7, Begin Round 8 ...

R8T15:   Angelo , your readied action didn't happen, and now you are being mobbed by R.O.U.S.' (Rats of Unholy Sireship). What do you do?

Hargrimm on deck, Enemies in the hole ...
Moriar
Angelo rolls away from the rats and launches a ball of green goo at the rats.

 
 Spoiler: infestation problem 


Aiming to move 10' north on the other side of Lexi


Acrobatics 1 5' north:  (1d20+10)[ 26 ] 

Acrobatics 2 5' more north if 2nd roll needed: (1d20+10)[ 24 ] 


Casting acid splash at rat 1
To hit:  (1d20+7)[ 25 ] 
Damage to 1:  (1d3)[ 2 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R8T15:  Angelo rolls away from the rats and launches a ball of green goo at the rats, splattering Rat 1 for   2 acid  .

 R8T14:   Hargrimm , what do you do?

Enemies on deck and in the hole ...
SwordChucks
Hargrimm moves to the east to get a better view on the rats. Then he throws another vortex.

 
 Spoiler: Combat 
Move action: Move up to 20ft to the east until two rats become visible.
Standard action: Attack with Banelight Vortices against two rats.

Attack 1:  (1d20+4)[ 13 ] ,  (3d8)[ 11 ] 
Attack 2:  (1d20+4)[ 10 ] ,  (3d8)[ 16 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R8T14:  Hargrimm steps to the east to get a better view  on two of the rats. Then he throws another two vortices to both rats,  missing both.

 R8T13.4-13.0:  Rat 1 steps up to  Marius, a faint, sickly red glow forming around its mouth but missing  him. Rat 2 likewise steps up to Lexi, with a similar fell glow along its  little rodent jaws, also missing. Rat 3 begins cutting across to the  east to find a way, with Marius missing it with his hammer. Rat 3  finishes around a rocky column to also attack Marius with a glowing red  bite (and missing).

The Splatter Man's voice builds to a  crescendo and ends, the sound of magic ending, and a bright flash  indirectly to the southwest, and a large spider the size of a companion  dog with red and dark and smelling not unlike the heavy, dark, ugly  odors of the rats appears. The Splatter Man hisses something an unknown  language and the spider skitters along the same relative path as Rat 3  took to then Marius from the NE. Dark red energies form around its  mandibles - just like the rats - and misses.

The Splatter Man then comes out of the western walls out of anyone's immediate reach. Zauberei reacts by tearing out the  summon monster IV  spell, doing  3 damage   to the evil spirit. The Splatter Man - floating 5' off the ground - is right up on Hargrimm and  concentrates, casting a powerful magic missile which moves out to strike  Hargrimm, Zauberei, Angelo and Marius each with one maximized bolt for   5 force   each. Once again, he could have possibly killed Hargrimm outright, but the ghost seems more intent on causing pain to as many as possible, rather than fighting tactically.

 R8T12:   Marius , what do you do? You sense Rats 1 &amp; 3.

Wren on deck, Lexi in the hole ...
Ason
Marius nimbly ducks and dodges his way past the summoned vermin to assault the Splatter Man again with his polearm. When he reaches the spirit, his polearm takes on an otherworldly sheen as it rapidly lashes out at the monster.

 
 Spoiler: OoC 
 Move:  10 feet north, using Acrobatics to move at half speed while avoiding AoOs
 
 Roll 1:  (1d20+10)[ 13 ]  
 Roll 2:  (1d20+10)[ 29 ]  
 Roll 3:  (1d20+10)[ 23 ]  
 Roll 4:  (1d20+10)[ 29 ]   
 
 Swift:  If Marius gets into melee range with his polearm against the Splatter Man, he activates the  Ghost Hunting Blow  boost
 Standard:  If Marius gets into melee range with his polearm against the ghost, after the boost he then uses the  Temporal Burn  maneuver as a risky strike
 
  Attack:   (1d20+8)[ 17 ]  (flanking, etc. not included);  Damage:   (1d12+3)[ 11 ]  +  (2d6)[ 3 ] , ignores DR/hardness and counts as ghost touch 
 If for some reason Marius cannot get into melee range of the Splatter Man, he'll attack the spider summons with the above rolls but without using a either the boost or the maneuver  
 
 
AoO (if triggered by the Splatter Man ONLY):  risky strike attack  (1d20+8)[ 12 ] ; damage  (1d12+3)[ 14 ] , counts as ghost touch
 
lostsole31
 R8T12:  Marius not-so-nimbly ducks and dodges his way  past the summoned vermin to  assault the Splatter Man again with his polearm, getting bitten by the  spider as he begins his movement. The spider nips into his right thigh  for  3 mod +  2 poison  !  When he reaches the  spirit, his polearm takes on an otherworldly sheen as it rapidly lashes  out at the monster. Had the Splatter Man been at ground level, perhaps  it could have been a flank that succeeded, but up in the air as he is,  the lucerne hammer just barely misses the vengeful ghost.

 R8T10:  Rat-2 gets struck for  10  (and is dropped) as Wren appears south of it.

 R8T9:   Lexi , what do you do?

Paula on deck, Angelo in the hole ...
BuckGodot
Realising he finally has something he can hit, Alexandru lashes out at rat 1 with his sword, crying out   "I'll get you, you dirty rat!"  
 
 Spoiler: Technical Stuff 


Attack using Risky Strike  (1d20+7)[ 26 ] 

Damage:  (1d8+13)[ 18 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R8T9:  Realizing he finally has something he can hit, Alexandru lashes out at Rat-1 with his sword, crying out   "I'll get you, you dirty rat!"  

Upon striking it, the rat disappears from view a sort of popping sound and an eruption of magical dust.

 R8T7:  Hidden to the north, Paula lets out an angry squeak at Lexi's unfeeling, racist comment.

 End Round 8, Begin Round 9 ...

R9T15:  Angelo's dancing light winks out of existence, its one-minute duration ended.   Angelo , what do you do?

Hargrimm on deck, Enemies in the hole ...
Moriar
Angelo utters an arcane incantation and moves closer to the splatter man with his hand aglow.  He hopes that his slapping skills are not too out of practice...


 
 Spoiler: Pimp slap practice 


Casts Cure light wounds and holds it in his hand.

Moves 5' north and then 5' to the NE to hopefully flank the splatter man.

Then looks to slap the splatter man.

to hit touch (with hopefully flank):  (1d20+7)[ 19 ] 

positive energy damage:  (1d8+4)[ 7 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R9T15:  Angelo utters an arcane incantation and moves  closer to the Splatter Man  with his hand aglow.  He hopes that his slapping skills are not too out  of practice. Though he fails to "slap" anything, as his hand goes  through the edge of the Splatter Man's obliques, but the ghost resists  it enough to only take   3 PE  .

 R9T14:   Hargrimm , what do you do?

Enemies on deck and in the hole ...
SwordChucks
Hargrimm steps a bit to the east to get a better angle on the spider and throws more vortices at the Splatter Man and the spider.

 
 Spoiler: Combat 
5ft step to the east.
Standard action: Attack the Splatter Man and the spider with Banelight Vortices.

Attack 1 (vs Splatter Man):  (1d20+4)[ 16 ] ,  (6d6)[ 20 ] 
Attack 2 (vs Spider):  (1d20+4)[ 13 ] ,  (3d8)[ 13 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R9T14:  Hargrimm steps a bit to the east to get a better  angle on the spider and  throws more vortices at the Splatter Man and the spider. The Splatter  Man lifts his legs and tilts over end just getting missed by a vortex  even as his hand reaches way down and barely graces Hargrimm's foot ...  but barely is enough. Meanwhile, the other vortex misses the spider.

 Hargrimm , roll a Fort save vs. the corrupting touch of the Splatter Man ...
SwordChucks
 
 Spoiler: Fortitude Save 
 (1d20+14)[ 27 ] 
And additional text so the forum lets me post.
 
lostsole31
 R9T14 (Cont'd):  Despite his incredible dwarven vigor  and willpower, the pain of arthritis shoots up Hargrimm's fast aging  legs and body as he takes   14 aging  . He barely stands, his beard gray, his eyes rheumy, and with greater crags and wrinkles in his face than before.

 R9T13.3-.1:   Rat-3 pursues Marius w/ a short step, but Marius pushes it off with his  hammer. The spider also does a 5' "step but by climbing onto the edge  of the oubliette's wall. It snaps its mandibles at him but misses.

 R9T13.05:   Zauberei , what do you do?

The Splatter Man on deck, Marius in the hole ....
Tippnick
Zauberei shouts out to the group,   "Someone come and get this spellbook I am holding, then rip out all the spells. It will damage the Splatterman."  

He then casts a spell and hits the spirit with two force missiles.

 
 Spoiler: Crunch 

FA: Speech
MA: 5 foot step to the west
SA: Casts magic missile
Damage for mmm
 (2d4+2)[ 7 ] 
Spell resistance roll in case
 (d20+4)[ 21 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R9T13.05:  Zauberei shouts out to the group,   "Someone come and get this spellbook I am holding, then rip out all the spells. It will damage the Splatterman."  

He then casts a spell and hits the spirit with two force missiles that strike the Splatter Man in the chest for   7 force  .

 R9T13:  The Splatter Man concentrates and sends out another set of juiced up magic missiles: one strikes Hargrimm for   6 force  , dropping him; one strikes Zauberei for   3 force  ; Angelo for   7 force  ; and finally Marius for   4 force  .  He flies across the room - getting missed by Marius' hammer - to then  glower over Zauberei from his height of 5' off the ground, pronouncing,    "You are no true wizard that would destroy magic so."   
 R9T12:   Marius , your claim on the dying Rat-2 ends. Roll a Fort save vs. poison. What do you do?

Wren on deck, Lexi in the hole ...
Ason
Marius shuffles backward and stabs at the rat with his polearm.   "I'll get Hargrimm! Someone help Zauberei!"   Marius calls out worriedly as he surveys the situation.

 
 Spoiler: OoC 
 Fort Save v Poison:  if possible, Marius uses his  immediate action  to activate  Inner Sense  for +2 on this saving throw (+2 not included in roll)

 
  Roll:   (1d20+11)[ 23 ]  
  If that immediate action was not possible, Marius uses that PoW counter as an immediate action for his next saving throw, if he must make a saving throw before his next turn  
 
 Move:  five-foot step northwest
 Standard:  risky strike at the rat: to-hit  (1d20+8)[ 16 ] , damage  (1d12+3)[ 12 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R9T12:  Marius quickly calls on his training to help his  burn out the reminder of the venom. He shuffles backward and stabs at  the rat with his polearm, dropping it for  12 .   "I'll get Hargrimm! Someone help Zauberei!"   Marius calls out worriedly as he surveys the situation.

 R9T10:  Wren drop his axe on Rat-2, and it disappears with a slight popping sound. He then moves east and north around the oubliette.

 R9T9:   Lexi , what do you do?

Paula on deck, Angelo in the hole ...
BuckGodot
  "Wren! To Zauberei! Sorry, Paula! Some of my best friends are rats!"    shouts Lexi as he steps NE to address the spider in the room. He brings his sword down upon the arachnid's body.


 
 Spoiler: Technical Information 
MA: move 10' NE so the spider is flanked.

Attack with sword using Risky Strike

 (1d20+7)[ 21 ] 

Damage:  (1d8+9)[ 15 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R9T9:    "Wren! To Zauberei! Sorry, Paula! Some of my best friends are rats!"    shouts Lexi as he steps NE to address the spider in the room. He brings his sword down upon the arachnid's body, doing  15 .

Marius senses total disbelief regarding Lexi's claim about some of his best friends.

 End Round 9, Begin Round 10 ...

R10T15:   Angelo , you have  mage armor  active,  light  on your sash, and masterwork thieves' tools held in your off-hand. What do you do?

Hargrimm on deck, enemies in the hole ...
SwordChucks
 
 Spoiler: Stabilization Check 
 (1d20-1)[ 9 ]  Extra words so the forum accepts the post.
 
Moriar
  "Trusting you to save Hargrimm,"   Angelo says to Marius.

Then he moves next to Zauberei and tears a page out of the moldy book he is holding.

 
 Spoiler: die book die 


Moves 5' north, 10' east and then 5' NE

SA to tear out a page of the book.
 
lostsole31
 R10T15:    "Trusting you to save Hargrimm,"    Angelo says to Marius before moving next to Zauberei. Angelo tears a  page out of the moldy book he is holding. It has a very meager effect on  the Splatter Man ( 1 damage ).

The last dire rat disappears from existence.

 R10T13.1:  The red-tinged spider on the side walls of the oubliette snaps its mandibles at Lexi.

 R10T13.05:   Zauberei ,  you are still holding the spellbook. Marius simply ripped a page out,  not actually taking the spellbook from you. What do you do?

The Splatter Man on deck, Marius in the hole ...
Tippnick
Zauberei channels a bright light of healing power.  
 Spoiler: crunch 

SA: channel positive energy for healing

 (d6)[ 3 ] 
MA: moves to Hargrimm's side hopefully not getting hit by the spirit
 
lostsole31
 R10T13.05:  Zauberei channels a bright light of healing power that provides   3 healing    and stops Hargrimm's bleeding. Zauberei pants some from the effort, as  it seems that is the maximum strength his body has to push such planar  power through his body. He begins moving over to Hargrimm. Nethys is  with him this time, though, for the Splatter-Man's corrupting, ghostly  hand is stopped by Zauberei's magic field of armor.

 R10T13:  The Splatter Man floats into the corner, maintaining his 5' height, and begins casting a spell ....

 R10T12:   Marius , roll a Fort save vs. poison! What do you do?

Wren on deck, Lexi in the hole ...
Ason
Marius gives a half-hearted stab at the spider before shuffling away from it. He then drops his weapon and pulls out a potion.

  "It's another long spell! Try to disrupt it!"   Marius calls out.

 
 Spoiler: OoC 
 Fort Save v Poison:   (1d20+11)[ 24 ] 
 Standard Action:  risky strike on Spider in oubliette (assuming Marius can reach it from where he starts)  (1d20+8)[ 11 ] ; damage  (1d12+3)[ 7 ] 
 Five-Foot Step : northeast
 Free Action:  drop polearm
 Move Action:  retrieve a potion of Cure Moderate Wounds

 OoC:  It's a full-round action to pour a potion down someone's throat, so Marius can't revive Hargrimm the same turn he pulls out a potion. The delicate nature of that task explains the delay, but man does that choke the action economy.
 
lostsole31
 R10T12:  Marius full-heartedly resists the poison while  he gives a half-hearted stab at the spider which is under the lip and he  misses wildly. That done, he shuffles farther away from it, before  dropping his weapon and pulling out a potion.

  "It's another long spell! Try to disrupt it!"   Marius calls out.

 R10T10:   Wren casts a spell on his hand and moves up to the Splatter Man. Wren's  hand goes through the spirit's elbow and discharges and is resisted for  only   5 PE  , and the ghost doesn't lose its spell.

 R10T9:   Alexandru ,  your warhammer is dropped while you fight with longsword and shield and  some minor mental impairment. You are mentally connected to Angelo,  Hargrimm, Marius, &amp; Zauberei. Your spider quarry is not at your  level, but below you under the lip of the oubliette (which is why  Marius's attack was doomed to fail). The Splatter-Man is casting a  spell. What do you do?

Paula on deck, Angelo in the hole ...
BuckGodot
 
 Spoiler: Alexandru&gt;&gt;&gt;Collective 
  "I'll try to keep the spiders' attention... Incorporeals are not my strongest suit. I'm sorry. Hargrimm, how are you holding out?"  
 
 and he tries to move closer to the oubliette in an attempt to draw the creature out and strike at it.


 
 Spoiler: Technical Information 
I know he can't actually move closer to the spider but he's attempting to lure it out so he can poke it with his sword.

If the spider comes within his range he will attack using Risky Strike:

Attack:  (1d20+7)[ 26 ] 

Damage:  (1d8+9)[ 15 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R10T9:   
 Spoiler: Alexandru &gt;&gt;&gt; Collective (Hargrimm, Marius, Zauberei) 
   "I'll try to keep the spiders' attention...  Incorporeals are not my strongest suit. I'm sorry. Hargrimm, how are you  holding out?"   
 
 Alexandru doesn't need to  really move closer to the spider; any closer and he is taking the  express elevator to the lower oubliette floor, but he does tap the side  with his longsword to annoy it. He gives a mighty strike, and the spider  disappears on contact!

 R10T7:  Paula continues as before ...

 End Round 10, Begin Round 11 ...

R11T15:   Angelo , you have your masterwork thieves' tools in hand. What do you do?

Zauberei on deck, The Splatter-Man (casting) in the hole ...
Moriar
  "I wonder if this fellow truly appreciates all that we are trying to do in order to help him,"   Angelo says with a smirk and casts a spell that causes his hand to glow.

Then he aims to touch the Splatter man oh so gently...


 
 Spoiler: Helping hand 


Cast cure light wounds

Touch attack to touch the splatter man:  (1d20+7)[ 12 ] 

Positive energy damage if touched:  (1d8+4)[ 11 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R11T15:    "I wonder if this fellow truly appreciates all that we are trying to do in order to help him,"    Angelo says with a smirk as he begins to cast a spell. But that smirk  quickly fades to horror as in his casting and confidence - Angelo forgot  to do so cautiously as well. A ghostly hand reaches from above him to  pass through his abdomen for   24 aging  .  Liver spots form on his casting hands, his lustrous hair grows dull and  limp and begins to gray, and the effort is too much as the older-Angelo  loses his spell.

 R11T13.05:   Zauberei , what do you do? You still have The Splatter Man's spellbook in hand.

The Splatter Man (casting) on deck, Marius in the hole ...
Tippnick
Seeing the danger the ghosts presents he changes his plan of action and aims a spells at the spirit.   "I can damage the spirit with spells, someone get the book and tear out all the spells at once."  
 
 Spoiler: crunch 


SA: casts magic missile at the Splatterman
Damage  (2d4+2)[ 7 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R11T14:  Seeing the danger the ghosts presents he  changes his plan of action and aims a spells at the spirit, striking it  with 2 bolts of arcane energy for a total   7 force  .   "I can damage the spirit with spells, someone get the book and tear out all the spells at once."  
 R11T13:   The Splatter Man almost faltered when struck by Zauberei's spell.  Almost. But proving himself a superior wizard to Zauberei, even in  death, he manages to find the supernatural fortitude to continue casting  and his spell ignites. Energy coalesces and forms just north of the  fallen dwarf into a small creature that none of you are likely to have  ever seen before. The body of this red-tinged creature is kind of  blob-like, with many tentacles forming from it. The Splatter Man points  to Hargrimm's body and hisses, "Smite!"

The mini-monster forms  faint, baleful energy on its beak on the underside of its blobby-body  and the tips of its tentacles, and bites Hargrimm in his arm for  4 +  1 poison  , even as its tentacles attempt to find purchase.

As for the Splatter Man himself, he concentrates on a spell, and sends bolts of energy of his own at Hargrimm (  5 force  ), Zauberei (  3 force  ), Angelo (  4 force  ), and Wren (  3 force  ) before disappearing into the wall to the north, cackling wildly for the pain he causes.

 R11T12:   Marius , you have a potion of CMW in hand. What do you do?

Wren on deck, Lexi in the hole ...
Ason
Marius administers his potion of cure moderate wounds to Hargrimm and then resumes his defensive posture.

 
 Spoiler: OoC 
 Full-Round Action:   administer potion  to unconscious person
 
  CMW Results:   (2d8+2)[ 13 ]  
 
 Immediate Action :  Bad Karma  on first attack or spell targeting Marius
 
lostsole31
 R11T12:  Marius administers his  potion of cure moderate wounds  to Hargrimm for   13 healing  , and then resumes his defensive posture. Hargrimm's eyes open, but very weakly.

 R11T10:   Wren uses the axe on the side of the wall to pop him up and around the  corner so the monster there doesn't get an attack on him as he passes  Zauberei. He slams his axe into the freaky creature for  12 .   "It's an octopus! Sea creature with a poison bite."  
 R11T9:   Lexi , what do you do?

Paula on deck, Angelo in the hole ...
BuckGodot
Alexandru moves north to be near the downed Hargrimm and takes a protective posture over him. If any creature attempts to strike him, he will lash out with his sword.

 
 Spoiler: Technical Information 
MA: Move north 20' near the northern door.

If/Then: Attack using Risky Strike  (1d20+7)[ 9 ] 

Damage:  (1d8+9)[ 10 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R11T9:  Alexandru moves north to be near the downed Hargrimm and takes a  protective posture over him. If any creature attempts to strike him, he  will lash out with his sword.

 R11T7:  Squeak!

 End Round 11, Begin Round 12 ...

R12T15:   Angelo , what do you do?

Hargrimm on deck, Zauberei in the hole ...
Moriar
   "Where did that strange hand come from?"   Angelo asks with an aged voice.

Then reaches over and tears out another spell from the moldy book. 
SwordChucks
Hargrimm smacks his lips at the aftertaste of the potion, but stops in wide eyed terror when he sees the spider so close to him. Not wanting to risk the spider's bite by running, Hargrimm channels energy to heal.

 
 Spoiler: Combat 
Standard action: Channel energy to heal the living.

Channel:  (2d6+1)[ 10 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R12T15:    "Where did that strange hand come from?"   Angelo asks with an aged voice. He then reaches over and tears out another spell from the moldy book.

 R12T14:   Hargrimm's dwarven constitution defies and defeats the poison in his  system. Hargrimm smacks his lips at the aftertaste of the potion, but  stops in  wide eyed terror when he sees the sea octopus(?) so close to him. Not  wanting to  risk the spider's bite by running, Hargrimm channels energy to heal,  providing up to   10 healing    to everyone. He is no longer disabled, but he is prone ... and now he  is too tired to push planar energies through his body anymore.

 R12T13.5:   Zauberei , what do you? Though Angelo ripped a spell out ( magic missile ), you have no idea what effect it might have had, if any, and you are the one still holding the book.

Enemies on deck and in the hole ...
Tippnick
  "Do not rip out the spells until the Splatterman is visible."  , Zauberei yells.
He moves away from the octopus and attempts to heal Hargrimm.

 
 Spoiler: Crunch 


MA: 5ft step to the SW, just south of Hargrimm
SA: Cast Cure Light Wounds on Hargrimm
 (d8+4)[ 11 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R12T13.5:     "Do not rip out the spells until the Splatterman is visible!"    Zauberei yells. He moves away from the octopus and casts a spell on Hargrimm to give him   11 healing  .

 R12T13.1:   The octopus bites Hargrimm in his left calf for  3 + poison  while at the same time its tentacles grab him! Lexi fails his readied action - a clumsy attack attempted around the corner of the wall.

 R12T13:  Five feet above the ground as usual, the  Splatter Man appears out of a cell wall farther to the southeast. He  casts a spell, and four arcane bolts rip outward to strike Hargrimm (  2 force  ), Zauberei (  5 force  ), Angelo (  4 force  ), &amp; Lexi (  2 force  ).

 R12T12:   Marius , what do you do?

Wren on deck, Paula in the hole ...
Ason
Marius stoops down to pick up his polearm, glowing with dark frustration.     "Vexations! Marius, be better than this. Finish this already!"     he quietly chides himself.

He then lashes out with his polearm at the tentacled monster attacking Hargrimm.

 
 Spoiler: OoC 
 Move:  retrieve polearm
 Swift:  dark claim on both summoned octopus thing and on the Splatter Man
 
 Recover Ghost-Hunting Blow and Temporal Burn 
 
 Standard:  risky strike at octopus: attack roll  (1d20+8)[ 14 ] ; damage roll  (1d12+3)[ 6 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R12T12:  Marius stoops down to pick up his polearm, glowing with dark frustration.    " Vexations! Marius, be better than this. Finish this already!"      he quietly chides himself. He then lashes out with his polearm at the  tentacled monster attacking Hargrimm, but his hammer bounces off of its  rubbery skin.

 R12T10:  While the octopus defends itself against Marius, Wren dismisses it with the  Lopper's Axe ! He then moves to the edge of the oubliette.

 End Round 12, Begin Round 13 ...

R13T15:   Angelo , what do you do?

Hargrimm on deck, Zauberei in the hole ...
Moriar
  "Brother, this guy I'd not being cordial,   " Angelo quips.

Then utters an arcane phrase and shoots a beam at the splatterman.

 
 Spoiler: crunchy chips 


Casts disrupt undead

To hit: (1d20+7)[ 19 ] 

Damage:  (1d6)[ 6 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R13T15:    "Brother, this guy is not being cordial,   " Angelo quips. He then utters an arcane phrase and shoots a beam at the Splatter Man, hitting the ghost in the face for   6 PE  .

 R13T14:   Hargrimm , roll a Fort save. You are prone. What do you do?

Zauberei on deck, Lexi in the hole ...
SwordChucks
 
 Spoiler: Fortitude save 
 (1d20+14)[ 15 ] 
 


Hargrimm stands on unsteady legs and throws a vortex at the Splatter Man.

 
 Spoiler: Combat 
Move action: Stand from prone.
Standard action: Attack the Splatter Man with Banelight Vortices.

Attack:  (1d20+4)[ 11 ] ,  (6d6)[ 15 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R13T14:  With all that Hargrimm has suffered, even his  dwarven hardiness has trouble fighting off the poison that still exists  in his system, despite the summoned octopus having disappeared. He is  now  weakened  by the poison. It is so bad that he can't  carry his own gear and his limbs drop to the ground in the ability to  lift them. He tries to stand, but can't even move, can't even aim to let  off a  vortex .

 R13T13.5:   Zauberei , what do you do?

Lexi on deck, Splatter-Man in the hole ...
Tippnick
Zauberei incants a spell a points at the Splatterman.

 
 Spoiler: scorched earth 


SA: casts scorching ray

 (d20+4)[ 12 ]  to hit with with spell

 (4d6)[ 14 ]  fire damage
 
lostsole31
 R13T13.5:  Zauberei incants a spell a points at the Splatterman, but misses.

 R13T13.2:    "Rip spells out!"   yells Wren to Lexi, pointing at the spellbook still in Zauberei's hand.

 Lexi , what do you do?

The Splatter Man on deck, Marius in the hole ...
BuckGodot
Alexandru closes to Zauberei and grabs the spellbook, reaches for a handful of pages and tries to tear them out.
lostsole31
 R13T13.2:  Lexi drops his longsword to the ground,  reaches over, and pulls out all the remaining pages of the Splatter  Man's spellbook, doing  11  damage to the Splatter Man, even as the rest of the moldering spelbook falls apart to pieces out of Zauberei's now empty hands. He picks his sword back up off of the ground.

 R13T13:   The Splatter Man screams in pain and darts south and west to avoid  Marius' lucerne hammer, and through the wall of the southern cell on the  western side. Spellcasting is heard briefly.

 R13T12:  Marius, what do you do?

Wren on deck, Paula in the hole ...
Ason
Marius moves southward to the southernmost door on the western wall and slams the hammerhead of his polearm against the door, attempting to break it down with supernatural speed.

Should Marius damage the door enough to see beyond it, he calls out   "He's here!"   or   "He's not here! "  depending on whether or not he sees the Splatter Man in the room beyond.

 
 Spoiler: OoC 
 Note:  A lot of this turn revolves around the exact functioning of the  Harbinger's Dark Claim ability , particularly the second clause dealing with knowing a claimed creature's location.
 
 I interpret this clause to mean that Marius starts his turn knowing the precise square in which the Splatter Man currently is, even without line of sight, beyond what all the other PCs know from their vision alone. The would mean that Marius can try to move toward the ghost's precise location but that the ghost still has concealment until Marius can directly see him again. 
  If my interpretation of that rule is incorrect, then my second set of listed actions will take effect instead . I do ask for a rules clarification in that case so that I know how the locating half of this ability works in the future. 
 
 If Marius' Dark Claim means he  knows where  the Splatter Man is... 
 
  Free:  use Dark Claim to know the exact square where the Splatter Man is + call out to the party his best guess of which door leads to that spot, using either memory or Kn (engineering) to make that guess 
  Move:  move to that door 
  Standard:   Temporal Burn , targeting the door
 
  Risky Strike Attack Roll:   (1d20+8)[ 9 ] 
 
  CMB (if CMB is required for this maneuver because of sundering, instead of attack roll):   (1d20+9)[ 19 ]   (using Dex per Elephant Feat Tax rules)  
 
 
  Damage:   (1d12+3)[ 12 ]  +  (2d6)[ 10 ] , ignores hardness  (-2 dmg from losing risky if CMB was required instead)  
 
 
  Free:  Marius calls out to the party that he has or has not found the Splatter Man 
 
 If Marius' Dark Claim means he  does not know where  the Splatter Man is (beyond what all PCs saw when he moved away)... 
 
  Free:  use Dark Claim to learn whatever he can about the Splatter Man's location + call that information out to the party 
  Move:  move 20 feet south, avoiding falling into the pit as he goes 
  Temporal Burn , targeting the door 
  Risky Strike Attack Roll:   (1d20+8)[ 13 ] 
 
  CMB (  if CMB is required for this maneuver because of sundering, instead of attack roll  ):   (1d20+9)[ 11 ]   (using Dex per Elephant Feat Tax rules)  
  Damage:   (1d12+3)[ 5 ]  +  (2d6)[ 11 ] , ignores hardness  (-2 dmg from losing risky if CMB was required instead)  
 
 
  Free:  Marius calls out to the party that he has or has not found the Splatter Man 
 
 
lostsole31
 R13T12:  Marius moves southward to the southernmost door  on the western wall and swings the hammerhead of his polearm with  supernatural speed in a miss, nearly toppling over himself. He calls  out,   "He's here!"   sensing the Splatter Man in the room beyond.

 R13T10:   Wren hustles ... moving south along the eastern side of the oubliette,  then west, dipping south of Marius to nearly the far southwestern corner and  then upwards through a hole in the cell wall.   "Right here! In this cell outside Marius' door!"  
 End Round 13, Begin Round 14 ...

R14T15:   Angelo , what do you do?

Hargrimm on deck, Zauberei in the hole ...
Moriar
Angelo does his best to hurry over to where Wren went to and gets out a wand.

 
 Spoiler: getting those steps in 


Moves 25 feet south and then 10 to the west.

Gets out the wanderer of cure light wounds.
 
lostsole31
 R14T15:  Angelo does his best to hurry over to where Wren went to and gets out a wand(erer).

 R14T14:   Hargrimm ,  roll a Fort save vs. the poison. You are overwhelmed by the weight you  carry, and therefore practically paralyzed. What do you do?

Zauberei on deck, Lexi in the hole ...
Tippnick
Zauberei says to Hargrimm,   "Get your wand..."  
SwordChucks
  "You make it sound so easy."   Hargrimm grumbles from the ground.

 
 Spoiler: Fort save 
 (1d20+14)[ 33 ] 
 


Hargrimm fumbles at his belt to draw the wand and attempts to stand again.

 
 Spoiler: Combat 
Assuming he's able to:
Move action: Draw the wand of  Lesser Restoration .
Move action: Stand.
 
lostsole31
 R14T14:  Zauberei says to Hargrimm,   "Get your wand..."
   
    "You make it sound so easy."    Hargrimm grumbles from the ground, his dwarven constitution burning out  the last of the poison in his system. His fingers twitch and fumble  around, but he cannot move his arm, let alone stand.

 R14T13.5:   Zauberei , what do you do?

Lexi on deck, The Splatter Man in the hole ...
Tippnick
  "Let me have it for a moment, please."  , He says to Hargrimm.

 
 Spoiler: crunch 

MA: takes the wand from Hargrimm if he is willing
SA: will use the wand on Hargrimm to restore some of his strength
 (d4)[ 1 ] 
If Hargrimm refuses Zauberei will ready an action to cast Scorching ray at the Splatterman as soon as he is visible and in range.
 (d20+4)[ 8 ]  to hit
 (4d6)[ 13 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R14T13.5:    "Let me have it for a moment, please,"    Zauberei says to Hargrimm. Hargrimm offers no resistance, so Zauberei  takes the wand and taps it to Hargrimm, removing the weakness that the  poison had inflicted.

 R14T13.2:   Lexi , what do you do?  Warhammer and longsword had been dropped, but your shield is readied.

The Splatter Man on deck, Marius in the hole ...
BuckGodot
Alexandru stays by Hargrimm and holding his shield to protect them both, reaches down and touches him with his other hand. Then he picks up longsword.

 
 Spoiler: Technical Information 
Emapthic Transfer:  (2d10)[ 11 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R14T13.2:  Alexandru stays by Hargrimm and holding his shield to protect them both,  reaches down and touches him with his other hand; Hargrimm heals   11  , but Lexi takes  11 . Then he picks up  longsword.

 R14T13:  The Splatter Man moves through the wall back into the main room and carefully concentrates as it casts another  magic missile  where two missiles strike Marius for   5 force   and two missiles strike Angelo for   7 force  .

 R14T12:   Marius , what do you do?

Wren on deck, Paula in the hole ...
Ason
Marius rushes at the Splatter Man with his polearm, the weapon's point taking on a white sheen matching Marius' haggard face as he  stabs at the ghost.

 
 Spoiler: OoC 
 Move:  move toward ghost until he is in range of Marius' polearm  (I can't tell how high the ghost is  flying above the ground, so I'm not 100% sure where Marius needs to move to  be in range) 
 Swift:   Ghost-Hunting Blow  boost
 Standard:  risky strike on Splatter Man  (1d20+8)[ 17 ] ; damage  (1d12+3)[ 11 ] 
 AoO (if triggered by Splatter Man):  risky strike  (1d20+8)[ 21 ] ; damage  (1d12+3)[ 10 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R14T12:  Marius attacks the Splatter Man with his  polearm, the weapon's point  taking on a white sheen matching Marius' haggard face as he  stabs at  the ghost even as his old claim on the ghost ends. Unfortunately, his  hammer comes so close before it is deflected by supernatural power.

 R14T10:  Wren comes around the corner and closes on the Splatter Man and gives a wide upwards slash to the ghost's head for  6 mod .

 End Round 14, Begin Round 15 ...

R15T15:   Angelo , what do you do?

Hargrimm on deck, Zauberei in the hole ...
Moriar
Angelo stumbles back a bit from those last impacts and utters a phrase that ignites his hand with a glow.  Then with a wink touches his chest and wounds knit up.


 
 Spoiler: getting low 


Casts cure moderate wounds on himself for  (2d8+4)[ 10 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R15T15:  Angelo stumbles back a bit from those last impacts and utters a phrase  that ignites his hand with a glow.  Then with a wink touches his chest  and wounds knit up for   10 healing  , effectively doubling his health, but also causing a flash of fleeting warmth as his most powerful bardic spells are depleted.

 R15T14:   Hargrimm , you are currently prone, but no longer weakened. What do you do?

Zauberei on deck, Alexandru in the hole ...
SwordChucks
Hargrimm forces himself to stand on wobbly legs as he asks Folgrit to bless his friends with her power.

 
 Spoiler: Combat 
Move action: Stand from prone.
Standard action: Cast  Bless .
 
lostsole31
 R15T14:  Hargrimm forces himself to stand on wobbly legs as he asks Folgrit to bless his friends with her power.

 R15T13.5:   Zauberei , what do you do? Your quarterstaff is many feet from you. You have Hargrimm's  wand of lesser restoration  in hand. You are suffering WIS damage from just before the battle, and your  mage armor  is working strong.

Alexandru on deck, The Splatter Man in the hole ...
Tippnick
Zauberei will target Splatter Man again with a scorching ray.   "Hargrimm, you can have your wand back if you still need to recover your strength."  
 
 Spoiler: crunch 

SA: cast Scorching ray at Splatterman Man

 (d20+4)[ 19 ]  range touch
 (4d6)[ 19 ]  fire damage
 
lostsole31
 R15T13.5:  Zauberei will target Splatter Man again with a scorching ray that goes through his feet for   9 fire  .   "Hargrimm, you can have your wand back if you still need to recover your strength."  
 R15T13.2:   Alexandru ,  your collective is with Hargrimm, Marius, &amp; Zauberei. Your  warhammer dropped, you are fighting with sword and shield. You suffer  from WIS damage. What do you do?

The Splatter Man on deck, Marius in the hole ...
BuckGodot
Alexandru moves south after deciding to see what he can do with this guy... He brings his sword to bear and swings at Splatterman.

 
 Spoiler: Technical Information 
MA: Move south 10'

Attack using Risky Strike

Attack:  (1d20+7)[ 25 ] 

Damage:  (1d8+9)[ 15 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R15T13.2:  Alexandru moves south after deciding to see what he can do with this  guy... He brings his sword to bear and swings at the Splatter-Man, sword going right through the chest for a relatively mighty  7 mod .

 R15T13:   The Splatter-Man takes a quick jaunt west through the wall, quickly  enough to keep anyone from being able to hit him, and through the cell  door casting is briefly heard.

 R15T12:   Marius , what do you do now that the Splatter Man again evades your immediate reach by being on the other side of a wall? You are in  aura of misfortune  stance, have strong WIS damage,  ant haul  is still working, and you have polearm and shield readied in hand.

Wren on deck, Paula in the hole ...
Ason
Marius weaves southwest to be directly south of the southernmost western  cell, looking for the hole by which Wren earlier saw the Splatter Man.

 
 Spoiler: If  Marius can easily fit through that opening 
Marius then walks through  the opening, squeezing past any tight spots as necessary, and advances on the Splatter  Man. He then lunges at the ghost again with his polearm, calling out,   "The southern wall's cracked! I've found him"  
 

 
 Spoiler: If Marius cannot easily fit through that opening 
Marius looks through the opening, frustrated by its small size.   "I can't reach him here!"    he calls out with irritation. Marius then stalks back into the main  area, positioning himself directly south of Lexi, ready to impale any  monsters that come near.
 

 
 Spoiler: OoC Breakdown 
 Move:   5' southwest, 5' west... and using remaining 30 feet of movement to  enter the hole (if possible) and move within polearm attack distance of  the Splatter Man. Marius relies on his  dark claim  to better locate and chase after the Splatter Man, if necessary.
 
 If  Marius cannot fit through the western wall's southern hole normally or by squeezing through, he gives up on this strategy and  uses the remaining 30 feet to move back into the main area, directly  south of Lexi. Marius will not choose to remain in a squeezed space, but he will try to attack the ghost through the hole, if the ghost is close enough for that. 
 
 Standard (if Marius can get into polearm range of a monster):  risky strike attack  (1d20+8)[ 9 ] , damage  (1d12+3)[ 13 ] 
 Immediate (if triggered):   Bad Karma  counter vs the first hostile creature to target him with a spell, attack, ability, etc.

 AoO (if triggered by any enemy):  risky strike attack  (1d20+8)[ 18 ] , damage  (1d12+3)[ 11 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R15T12:  Marius weaves southwest to be directly south of  the southernmost western   cell, looking for the hole by which Wren earlier saw the Splatter Man.  He has to feel around to find. Then, in complete darkness he steps  through, feeling against the western wall, only to bump into a wall to  the north a few feet in. He doesn't sense the Splatter Man, as his dark  claim on the fell creature lapsed prior to this point.

 R15T10:   Realizing Marius just went strolling into the darkness, Wren moves  after him. He enters the cell - which is now lit up with the  light  on his lab coat - and says to Marius,   "You have to be aware of where your light is, man, or the Splatter Man will get you. Darkness is his ally."  

There is no Splatter Man in this cell.

 End Round 15, Begin Round 16 ...

R16T15:   Angelo , what do you do?

Hargrimm on deck, Zauberei in the hole ...
Moriar
Angelo follows Wren.  Then will look for any opening to to see into the northern area where splatterman went.

 
 Spoiler: peek a boo 


Move into the southwest cell with a standard move.

If he can see through any kind of opening to see splatterman will say   "You can get a glimpse of him in here."  

Then casts disrupt undead, to hit of  (1d20+7)[ 17 ] 

Damage of  (1d6)[ 3 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R16T15:  Angelo follows Wren, looking for any opening to  to see into the northern area where The Splatter Man went. The fact  that he can't see through the northern wall of this southern cell gives  him a good idea that the Splatter Man is in the next cell to the north.

 R16T14:   Hargrimm , what do you do?

Zauberei on deck, Lexi in the hole ...
SwordChucks
  "I'll collect it from you shortly."   Hargrimm says to Zauberei. He moves over to Alexandru amd says a quick prayer while laying hands.

 
 Spoiler: Combat 
Move action: Move 10ft Southwest to stand beside Alexandru.
Standard action: Convert  Remove Fear  into  Cure Light Wounds  and cast it on Alexandru.

Cure Light Wounds:  (1d8+6)[ 10 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R16T14:    "I'll collect it from you shortly."   Hargrimm says to Zauberei. He moves over to Alexandru and says a quick prayer while laying hands on him for   10 healing  .

 R16T13.5:   Zauberei , what do you do?

Lexi on deck, The Splatter Man in the hole ...
Tippnick
Zauberei moves just south of Hargrimm then casts a healing spell on Alexander.

 
 Spoiler: crunch 


MA: move 10ft west then 10ft south
SA: casts clw on Alexandria
 (d8+4)[ 8 ]  points of healing
 
lostsole31
 R16T13.5:  Zauberei moves just south of Hargrimm then casts a healing spell on Alexander to bring him back to full health.

 R16T13.2:   Lexi , what do you do?

The Splatter Man on deck, Marius in the hole ...
BuckGodot
  "Worry not for me, friend. I am in good health... For now..."   says Lexi.

He then pauses and decides to wait and see when the foe reappears to strike.

 
 Spoiler: Technical Information 
Holding his action until the Spalterman shows himself.
 
lostsole31
 R16T13.2:    "Worry not for me, friend. I am in good health... For now..."   says Lexi. He then pauses and decides to wait and see when the foe reappears to strike.

 R16T13:   ....

 R16T12:   Marius , ...  
 Spoiler: OOC 
you just sensed a severe flash of terror and panic from Paula. What do you do?
 

Wren on deck, Paula in the hole ...
Ason
Marius sends a feeling of reassuring determination silently back to Paula, then charges out of the cell.   "He-- or something else --is in the torture room. That's our only exit!"   Marius hisses to the party.

Marius then stows his shield away safely to free up a hand.

  
 Spoiler: OoC 
 Free:  empathic link to Paula
 Move:  40 feet, getting as close as possible to the northwestern door where we came in
 Standard:  stow shield
 
lostsole31
 R16T12:  Marius sends a feeling of reassuring determination silently back to Paula, then charges out of the cell.   "He-- or something else --is in the torture room. That's our only exit!"   Marius hisses to the party. Marius then stows his shield away safely to free up a hand.

 R16T10:  Wren hustles past everyone and into the northern cell, his light moving off slowly when he calls out.   "He's in here! Floating over Marius' rat!"  
 R16T7:  Paula's terror continues, but she wasn't told to move away so she continues her total defense.

 End Round 16, Begin Round 17 ...

R17T15:   Angelo , what do you do?

Hargrimm on deck, Zauberei in the hole ...
Moriar
Angelo follows Wren to get a better look at their foe.

 
 Spoiler: Save the rat! 


Follow Wren with a standard move.

If can see splatterman, will cast disrupt undead.  To hit:  (1d20+7)[ 10 ]  and damage of  (1d6)[ 5 ] 

If he can't see splatterman as above, then casts cure light wounds on himself:  (1d8+4)[ 11 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R17T15:  Angelo follows Wren to get a better look at  their foe. He moves out into the main room, up behind his brother, and  casts a spell on himself for   11 healing  .

 R17T14:   Hargrimm , what do you do?

Zauberei on deck, Lexi in the hole ...
SwordChucks
Hargrimm collects the wand from Zauberei and sprouts a glowing horn that he touches to Alexandru.

 
 Spoiler: Combat 
Move action: Take the wand from Zauberei.
Swift action: Transfer 2 essentia from Banelight Vortices to Sparkling Alicorn.
Standard action: Use Sparkling Alicorn to grant temporary HP to Alexandru, taking a 5 foot step to do so if necessary.

Temp HP:  (3d6)[ 12 ]  lasts for 1 minute.
 
lostsole31
 R17T14:  Hargrimm collects the wand from Zauberei and sprouts a glowing horn that he touches to Alexandru to fortify him with   12 THP  .

 R17T13.5:   Zauberei , what do you do?

Lexi on deck, The Splatter Man in the hole ...
Tippnick
Zauberei pulls out a potion from his bandolier.   "I have a couple healing potions on me if anyone needs one."

 
 Spoiler: healing 


MA: pull a clw potion from his bandolier
SA: drink clw potion
 (d8+1)[ 8 ] 
 

  
lostsole31
 R17T13.5:  Zauberei pulls out a potion from his bandolier and downs it for   8 healing  .   "I have a couple healing potions on me if anyone needs one."  
 R17T13:  The Splatter Man is heard casting from the tunnel to the north.

Wren calls out,   "He's healing himself!"  
 R17T12:   Marius , what do you do?

Wren on deck, Paula in the hole ...
Ason
  "Paula, run over here!"   Marius calls out to his familiar.

He then nervously stares into the darkness, flexing his grip on his polearm and shield to vent his tension.

 
 Spoiler: OoC 
Delay turn, since Marius has no light source.

Marius will stop delaying and resume his turn under one of the following conditions: someone with a light goes forth into the darkness OR the Splatter Man or another hostile creature enters the lighted area.
 
lostsole31
 R17T12:    "Paula, run over here!"    Marius calls out to his familiar. He then nervously stares into the  darkness, flexing his grip on his polearm and readying his shield to  vent his tension.

 R17T10:  Wren is heard swinging his axe.

 R17T7:  There's a sense of terrified determination from Paula, followed by a flash of intense and wracking pain.

  "She's hit badly!"   calls Wren.

 End Round 17, Begin Round 18 ...

R18T15:   Angelo , what do you do?

Hargrimm on deck, Zauberei in the hole....
Moriar
  "Follow Wren, he has sight of the Splatterman  ," Angelo says.

Then he heads to the north with a wand in hand.

 
 Spoiler: Following 


Standard move to follow Wren by moving towards the north tunnel I believe.

If he can then see the splatterman but at a distance then casts disrupt undead.  To hit:  (1d20+7)[ 20 ]  damage:  (1d6)[ 2 ] 

If he ends up next to splatterman then uses cure light wounds on splatterman.  To hit:  (1d20+7)[ 9 ]   damage (1d8+1)[ 7 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R18T15:    "Follow Wren, he has sight of the Splatterman  ,"  Angelo says. Then he heads to the north with a wand in hand, into the  tunnel, and around Wren to trigger the wand and miss the Splatter Man.

 R18T14:   Hargrimm , what do you do?

Zauberei on deck, Alexandru in the hole ...
SwordChucks
Hargrimm moves north and west into the tunnel.

 
 Spoiler: Combat 
Move action: Move 10ft north then 10ft west.
If that places him within 5ft of the Splatter Man, then Hargrimm attacks with Sparkling Alicorn.

If Hargrimm can see the Splatter Man but is further than 5ft away, then Hargrimm spends his swift action to invest 2 essentia from Sparkling Alicorn into Banelight Vortices and attacks the Splatter Man.

If Hargrimm can not find the Splatter Man, then he moves up to 20ft closer to Paula.

Possible Horn Attack:  (1d20+4)[ 7 ] ,  (1d8+3)[ 8 ] + (1d6)[ 6 ] 

Quantum Superposition Vortex Attack:  (1d20+4)[ 9 ] ,  (2d6)[ 4 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R18T14:  Hargrimm moves north to the corner, then east to the doorway, north past the doorway, and then up behind Wren.

 R18T13.5:   Zauberei , what do you do? All sources of light are now in the tunnel to the north.

Lexi on deck, The Splatter Man in the hole ...
Tippnick
Zauberei touches his bandolier as he casts light. He then pulls out a potion from said bandolier.   "Give us an update! Is there room for more of us to come in there?"


   
 Spoiler: Crunch 

SA: Caast light on his bandolier
MA: Pulls out a potion of cure moderate wounds from his bandolier
 
lostsole31
 R18T13.5:  Zauberei touches his bandolier as he casts  light . He then pulls out a potion from said bandolier.    "Give us an update! Is there room for more of us to come in there?"    
  "Yes, a little!"   comes Wren's reply.

 R18T13.2:   Alexandru , what do you do?

The Splatter Man on deck, Marius in the hole ...
BuckGodot
Brandishing his weapon, Alexandru travels north into the small room with Wren, prepared to strike at the Splatter Man if he is in view.

 
 Spoiler: Technical Information 
MA: North into room 10'

If target is visible to strike, attack using Risky Strike

Attack:  (1d20+7)[ 27 ] 

Damage:  (1d8+9)[ 15 ] 

If the target attempts to move away: Step Up (Ex):  IA, whenever an adjacent foe attempts to take a 5-foot step away from him, he may also make a 5-foot step so long as he ends up adjacent to the foe that triggered this ability.
*  If he takes this step, he cannot take a 5-foot step during his next turn.
*  If he takes an action to move during his next turn, subtract 5 feet from his total movement.


Reminder: Undead Exterminator (Ex):  +2 bonus on Bluff, Knowledge, Perception, Sense Motive, &amp; Survival checks when dealing w/ creatures of the undead type
*  +2 bonus on weapon attack &amp; damage rolls vs. undead.
 
lostsole31
 R18T13.2:  Brandishing his weapon, Alexandru travels  north to the doorway to take a quick look in, but doesn't see the  Splatter Man so continues in. He has to move past his brother to get to  an open spot, and the ghost sweeps low to catch Lexi's left foot. Lexi  fights off the aging to only take   12 corruption  . It doesn't actually hurt him and doesn't show, but he does lose all of the extra protection he had been given.

 R18T13:   Now with the northern cell cramped with heroes, The Splatter Man  smiles, bowing his head slightly. At first, those in there think it  might be some strange for of salute. But then it becomes terrifyingly  apparent that is not the case. For even in his ghostly form, there is a  rune carved into The Splatter Man's forehead that he presents, and a  cold wave of ripping darkness breathes forth to wash over everyone and  everything there.

Lexi immediately is ready, sensing something and takes   7 NE  . Angelo likewise is barely ready for it and takes   6 NE  . Hargrimm was not ready to face energy that is the antithesis of his powers and takes   11 NE  . Wren is also not ready, and yet he only takes   6 NE  . Paul, like Wren, is blessed .... for while she fails to mitigate the blast, all the big folk protect her and she only takes   3 NE  .  Yet, she was so badly wounded by the Splatter Man previously that she  just falls over. Marius senses the emotional release that signifies she  is unconscious, but the connection is not severed.

The Splatter Man smiles and steps south through the wall and into the northern most of the western bank of cells. Lexi steps forward as if to give chase, but it doesn't help that a wall is in the way.

 R18T12:   Marius , what do you do?

Wren on deck, Paula in the hole ...
Ason
Marius' eyes go wide in alarm, but upon seeing the crowd in the room, he hesitates.

He frantically puts away his shield again, pulls out a sunrod, and shifts five feet closer to the door.

 
 Spoiler: OoC 
 Move:  stow shield
 Standard:  draw sunrod
 Five-Foot Step:  northeast

 AoO (if triggered by any enemy):  one-handed polearm attack; risky strike  (1d20+8)[ 14 ] , damage  (1d12+3)[ 8 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R18T12:  Marius' eyes go wide in alarm, but upon seeing  the crowd in the room, he hesitates. He frantically puts away his shield  again, pulls out a sunrod, and shifts five feet closer to the door.

 R18T10:  Wren repositions and reaches down to attend to Paula, but not being a veterinarian, has trouble helping the rat.

 End Round 18, Begin Round 19 ...

R19T15:  Angelo, what do you do?

Hargrimm on deck, Zauberei in the hole ...
Moriar
Angelo grumbles as he leaves the room to follow the splatterman again.

  "I wonder if all this dancing is being done to see if we give up in frustration. "  
 
 Spoiler 


Move action to follow splatterman through doorway available.

Then if can see but not get close cast disrupt undead.
  To hit:  (1d20+7)[ 20 ]   damage:  (1d6)[ 1 ] 

If can get close then swings with cure light wand, using a charge.  To hit  (1d20+7)[ 11 ]   damage:  (1d8+1)[ 2 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R19T15:  Angelo grumbles as he leaves the room to follow the Splatter Man again, but pausing when he doesn't see his target.   "I wonder if all this dancing is being done to see if we give up in frustration. "  
 R19T14:   Hargrimm , what do you do?

Zauberei on deck, Lexi in the hole ...
SwordChucks
Hargrimm touches his horn to Paula and calls out to the others   "Double up in the nearest rooms so he has to deal with some of us anywhere he goes!"  
 
 Spoiler: Combat 
If Hargrimm is adjacent to Paula, then he grants her 3d6 THP via Sparkling Alicorn. Else, he move adjacent before granting her THP.

If Hargrimm has not moved, he moves 20ft south into the main chamber.

Swift action: Invest 2 essentia from Sparkling Alicorn into Banelight Vortices.

THP:  (3d6)[ 12 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R19T14:  Hargrimm touches his horn to Paula ( 12 THP ), and calls out to the others,   "Double up in the nearest rooms so he has to deal with some of us anywhere he goes!"  

His unicorn horn disappears, but the little lights around his shoulder reform.

 R19T13.5:   Zauberei , what do you do?

Lexi on deck, The Splatter Man in the hole ...
Tippnick
Zauberei stays where he is at.

He will ready a disrupt undead if the Splatterman appears in range.

 
 Spoiler: if then 


Disrupt undead
 (d20+4)[ 15 ] 
 (d6)[ 5 ] 
He will call the Splatterman mans location if he sees it
 
lostsole31
 R19T13.5:  Zauberei stays where he is, readying a  disrupt undead  if the Splatter Man appears in range.

 R19T13.2:   Lexi , what do you do?

The Splatter Man on deck, Marius in the hole ...
BuckGodot
Feeling at his acme and hearing Hargrimms recommendation, Alexandru stays where he is, coiled like a coyote and ready to strike should their wily foe make the slightest meep.   "Genius..."  , he mutters.


 
 Spoiler: If/Then 
If Splatterman appears in range

Attack using Risky Strike:  (1d20+7)[ 17 ] 

Damage:  (1d8+9)[ 15 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R19T13.2:  Feeling at his acme and hearing Hargrimm's recommendation, Alexandru  stays where he is, coiled like a coyote and ready to strike should their  wily foe make the slightest meep.   "Genius..."  , he mutters.

 R19T13:  The Splatter-Man appears 5' off the ground, coming out of the western call walls, right next to Zauberei and Hargrimm!

  "Contact!"    shouts Zauberei as he begins casting a spell, but The Splatter Man  touches the Nethysian's casting wrist. Zauberei knows what to expect and  is readied for it, but still takes   10 corruption  . He still gets his spell off but misses.

The Splatter Man puts his hand through Hargrimm's head. The dwarf tries desperately to resist the ghost's power, only taking   15 corruption  , and barely on his feet.

 R19T12:   Marius , what do you do?

Wren on deck, Paula in the hole ...
Ason
Marius shifts westward, glares hatefully at the ghostly prisoner, and lunges at the Splatter Man yet again with his luncerne hammer.

 
 Spoiler: OoC 
 5-Foot Step:  1 square west
 Swift:  use  dark claim  on the Splatter Man
 Move:  use  studied combat  on the Splatter Man  (I'm not sure if the Splatter Man's ghostly nature negates this ability or not. This fight has also gone on irl so long it's possible Marius already used this feature on the Splatter Man, which if true would invalidate this action. I don't think he has, but I'm not 100% certain.) 
 Standard:  risky strike at the Splatter Man attack  (1d20+8)[ 22 ] ; damage  (1d12+3)[ 6 ] 
 AoE (if triggered by the Splatter Man):  risky strike attack  (1d20+8)[ 23 ] ; damage  (1d12+3)[ 9 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R19T12:  Marius shifts westward, glares hatefully at the  ghostly prisoner, and  lunges at the Splatter Man yet again with his lucerne hammer, the top  spike going through the ghost's head for  5 mod , learning that his  studied combat is less about the creature and more about Marius' ability  to adapt to his opponents.

 R19T10:   Wren gives first aid to Paula, then moves to the doorway but not beyond, else Lexi would be plunged into darkness.

 End Round 19, Begin Round 20 ...

R20T15:   Angelo , you have  mage armor  active, and a  light  on your sash. With one hand, you hold you masterwork thieves' tools, and with the other you hold an  wand of CLW  with a charge held on the tip. What do you do?

Hargrimm on deck, Alexandru in the hole ...
Moriar
Angelo puts away his tools and then swings the glowing wand at the splatterman.


 
 Spoiler: just the tip 


MA to put away the thieves tools.

SA to swing the charged wand at splatterman.

To hit touch:  (1d20+7)[ 22 ]  and damage:  (1d8+1)[ 3 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R20T15:  Angelo focuses one-hand tying his tools back to  his belt, but as he does so he leaves himself vulnerable as The  Splatterman reaches down to put his cold, ghostly hand through Angelo's  shoulder. Angelo noticed enough at the last minute to resist the effect,  but still takes   14 corruption    ... aging significantly. Hiissing in pain, Angelo swings the glowing  wand and puts it through the ghost's face for 1 PE as the Splatter Man  resists some of the radiant energy.

 R20T14:   Hargrimm  ... your quarterstaff is on the ground to your northeast. You are "armed" with  wand of lesser restoration   &amp; buckler. You have an akashic bond with every bipedal member of  the party, with twice as much akasha given to Alexandru. What do you do?

Alexandru on deck, Zauberei in the hole ...
SwordChucks
Hargrimm steps to the northwest to flank the Splatter Man, ignites his horn, and attempts to gore the spirit.

 
 Spoiler: Combat 
Swift action: Move two essentia from Banelight Vortices to Sparkling Alicorn.
5ft step to the northwest.
Standard action: Attack the Splatter Man with Sparkling Alicorn.

Gore:  (1d20+6)[ 22 ] ,  (1d8+2)[ 10 ] + (3d6)[ 4 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R20T14:  Hargrimm steps to the northwest to flank the  Splatter Man (dwarves have trouble understanding 3D concepts with the  ghost 5' in the air), ignites his horn, and stabs the Splatter Man in  the chest for  5 +  4 PE  .

 R20T13.2:   Alexandru ,  you are armed with longsword and shield, suffering from 2 WIS damage,  and your readied action did not go off. Your collective is still with  Angelo, Hargrimm, Marius, &amp; Zauberei. What do you do?

Zauberei on deck, The Splatter Man in the hole ...
BuckGodot
Alexandru moves into the room and seeing an open spot, squeezes in to engage the foe.

 
 Spoiler: Alexandru&gt;&gt;&gt;Collective 
   "Angelo? You okay?"   
 

 
 Spoiler: Technical Information 


MA: Move S 5' into room then to 5' to SW corner of square

Attack using Risky Strike  (1d20+7)[ 11 ] 

Damage:  (1d8+9)[ 10 ] 


Reminders: Undead Exterminator (Ex):  +2 bonus on Bluff, Knowledge, Perception, Sense Motive, &amp; Survival checks when dealing w/ creatures of the undead type
*  +2 bonus on weapon attack &amp; damage rolls vs. undead.
 
lostsole31
 R20T13.2:  Alexandru hustles into the room and seeing an  open spot, though he doesn't close on the ghost. 
 Spoiler: Alexandru  &gt;&gt;&gt; Collective (Angelo) 
   "Angelo? You okay?"   
 

 R20T13.1:   Zauberei , a  light  is on your bandolier, you have a  potion of CMW  in hand, and you are not carrying your quarterstaff. What do you do?

The Splatter Man on deck, Marius in the hole ...
Tippnick
Zauberei takes step back from the ghost and drinks his potion.

 
 Spoiler: crunch 


MA: 5ft step south

SA: drinks the cmw potion
 (2d8+3)[ 10 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R20T13.1:  Zauberei takes step back from the ghost and drinks his potion for   10 healing  .

 R20T13:  The ghost snarls at Hargrimm's strike and  Zauberei healing. He lowers his forehead to show all the fell symbol  etched upon his ghostly head, and darkness erupts out of it again: Wren  is overwhelmed for   13 NE  ; Marius and Zauberei are both overwhelmed for   10 NE  ; Angelo resists for   5 NE  ; Lexi and Hargrimm both resist for  4 NE , but it is enough to make Hargrimm fall, and the wand he was holding falls out of his grasp.

The Splatter Man ducks back through the wall immediately due east and out of sight.

 R20T12:   Marius ,  you have polearm in one hand and a sunrod in the other (not activated).  You are suffering from 4 WIS damage. You currently are in the  aura of misfortune  stance and have studied combat (but not claim) on the Splatter Man (who is no longer in sight). What do you do?

Wren on deck, Angelo in the hole ...
Ason
Marius shuffles to the east slightly, activates his sunrod, and drops it to the ground. He then retrieves a potion of cure light wounds, holding it in one hand as he continues to menace the air with the polearm held in his other hand.

  "He must be running low on resources soon, right?"   Marius pants tiredly at his comrades.

 
 Spoiler: OoC 
 Five-Foot Step:  1 square east
 Standard:  activate sunrod
 Free:  drop sunrod
 Move:  retrieve Potion of Cure Light Wounds

 AoO (if triggered by any hostile creature / Splatter Man):  risky strike attack  (1d20+8)[ 20 ] ; damage  (1d12+3)[ 9 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R20T12:  Marius shuffles to the east slightly, activates his sunrod, and drops it  to the ground. He then retrieves a  potion of cure light wounds , holding  it in one hand as he continues to menace the air with the polearm held  in his other hand. He tiredly pants to his comrades,   "He must be running low on resources soon, right?"  
 R20T10:  Wren retreats further west into the northern cell.

 End Round 20, Begin Round 21 ...

R21T15:   Angelo , what do you do?

Hargrimm on deck, Alexandru in the hole ...
Moriar
  "I sure hope he is running low,"   Angelo comments.    "He sure is having a merry time leading this dance it seems."  

Then Angelo reaches over and uses the wand on Hargrimm.

 
 Spoiler: Angelo &gt;&gt;&gt; Collective 

   "Brother, I am feeling hurt enough to not make a joke for once....tells you a bit how I am doing.  How are you?"  
 
 

 
 Spoiler: Crunchy wand 


Uses cure light wounds wand on Hargrimm.  heals:  (1d8+1)[ 2 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R21T15:    "I sure hope he is running low,"   Angelo comments.    "He sure is having a merry time leading this dance it seems."   Then Angelo reaches over and uses the wand on Hargrimm for   2 healing  , stopping the bleeding and stabilizing the comatose dwarf.

 R21T13.2:   Alexandru , your readied action never occurred. What do you do?

Zauberei on deck, The Splatter Man in the hole ...
BuckGodot
Alexandru moves over to the prone dwarf and keeping his weapon ready, reaches down and touches him, willing some of Hargrimms wounds to transfer to himself, grimacing with pain as he does so.

 
 Spoiler: Technical Information 
MA: Move SW 5' or far enough that he can lay hands on the dwarf

Empathic Transfer:  (2d10)[ 11 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R21T13.2:  Alexandru moves over to the prone dwarf. So  as to keep his weapon ready he looses his shield and drops it to free a  hand, and then reaches down and touches Hargrimm, willing some of the  cleric's wounds to  transfer to himself, grimacing with pain as he does so. The chittering  of insects is heard as hundreds of bugs from the adjacent oubliette seem  to crawl all over Alexandru's lower half of his body. He takes  11  as Hargrimm gets   11 healing  , and the insects slowly retreat back into the hole.

Hargrimm's eyes flutter and open as he is now conscious (and prone).

 R21T13.1:   Zauberei , what do you do?

The Splatter Man on deck, Marius in the hole ...
Tippnick
Zauberei moves south and seems to ready a spell. He looks grim and hurt.

 
 Spoiler: my turn 

MA:Zauberei moves 4 squares south

SA: Readies an action to cast disrupt undead if Splatterman comes into range

 (d20+4)[ 10 ]  to hit
 (d6)[ 1 ]  damage
 
lostsole31
 R21T13.1:  Zauberei moves south and seems to ready a spell. He looks grim and hurt.

 R21T13:  The Splatter Man's voice is heard briefly casting from within the cell.

 R21T12:   Marius , your claim on the Splatter Man ends, but he was last 15' to your southwest. What do you do?

Wren on deck, Angelo in the hole ...
Ason
  "Whoever needs healing, please, drink this,"   Marius says to the party as he gives the potion of cure light wounds in his hands a wiggle.   "This isn't over yet."  

Marius' face then grows even gloomier than normal, as the young man focuses inward with frustration.

 
 Spoiler: OoC 
 Standard:   recover PoW maneuver via standard action , regaining Temporal Burn
 Move:  none
 Swift:  none

 AoO (if triggered by any hostile creature / Splatter Man):  risky strike attack  (1d20+8)[ 10 ] ; damage  (1d12+3)[ 12 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R21T12:    "Whoever needs healing, please, drink this,"   Marius says to the party as he gives the potion of cure light wounds in his hands a wiggle.   "This isn't over yet."  

Marius' face then grows even gloomier than normal, as the young man focuses inward with frustration.

 End Round 21, Begin Round 22 ...

R22T15:   Angelo , what do you do?

Hargrimm on deck, Alexandru in the hole ...
Moriar
Angelo pauses and draws up his hands while keeping watch.

 
 Spoiler: ready 


Readies an action to combat cast a disrupt undead if splatterman reveals himself within range of the spell

Concentration roll:  (1d20+9)[ 20 ] 

To hit with disrupt undead:  (1d20+7)[ 18 ] 

Damage:  (1d6)[ 1 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R22T15:  Angelo pauses and draws up his hands while keeping watch.

 R22T14:   Hargrimm , you are awaken and prone again. What do you do?

Alexandru on deck, Zauberei in the hole ...
SwordChucks
Hargrimm stands up and says   "Thank you Marius. This floor isn't very comfortable for the record."  . He takes the potion and drinks it if possible.

 
 Spoiler: Combat: 
Move action: Stand from prone
Standard action: I'm not sure if it takes a move action to receive an item that's offered to you. If it does take an action, Hargrimm will take the potion. If not, he'll take the potion and drink it.
 
lostsole31
 R22T14:  Hargrimm stands up and says,   "Thank you, Marius. This floor isn't very comfortable for the record."  . He takes the potion from Marius' hand.

 R22T13.2:   Alexandru , what do you do?

Zauberei on deck, The Splatter Man ...
BuckGodot
Alexandru picks up his shield and stays near Hargrimm in a defensive stance to protect him while he quaffs the potion and stands.
Tippnick
Zauberei will pull a potion from his bandolier and drink it.
  "Be ready!"  
 
 Spoiler: crunch  


MA: Grab cmw potion from bandolier
SA: Drink potion
 (2d8+3)[ 7 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R22T13.2:  Alexandru picks up his shield, readies it, and stays near Hargrimm.

 R22T13.1:  Zauberei pulls a potion from his bandolier and drinks it for   7 healing  .   "Be ready!"  
 R22T13:   The Splatter Man's wretched voice is heard casting in the northern  access room where Wren and Paula are. There is a flash and a cry of pain  from Wren.

 R22T12:   Marius , The Splatter Man is in the room you are just south of. What do you do?

Wren on deck, Angelo in the hole ...
Ason
At the sound of the cry, Marius scoops up his sunrod and darts north into the room, hunting to get the Splatter Man in range of his weapon once more.

 
 Spoiler: OoC 
 Standard:  pick up sunrod
 Move:  move 5' north, then heading toward the Splatter Man to get him in polearm range for a possible AoO 
Swift:  none

 AoO (if ever triggered by any hostile creature / Splatter Man):  risky strike attack  (1d20+8)[ 18 ] ; damage  (1d12+3)[ 14 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R22T12:  At the sound of the cry, Marius scoops up his  sunrod and darts north  into the room. Almost immediately stepping past the portal he sees the  Splatter Man, so drops the sunrod and swings at the ghost once more,  cutting through the left hand of the undead mage that does no damage.

 R22T10:  Wren, barely standing, calls out,   "My liege, Sheikh Aamir Imram Samara, I beg thee take me home."  

And with that, Wren disappears in a cloud of mist and lightning.

 End Round 22, Begin Round 23 ...

R23T15:   Angelo , your readied action did not happen. What do you do?

Hargrimm on deck, Alexandru in the hole ...
Moriar
Angelo quietly curses and follows Marius.

Stopping behind him, Angelo will then utters an arcane phrase and shoot a ray.


 
 Spoiler: pew pew 


Move action to step up to Marius.

Then cast disrupt undead at splatterman.

To hit  (1d20+7)[ 12 ]   and damage of  (1d6)[ 4 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R23T15:  Angelo quietly curses and follows Marius, but  Marius only moved a few feet in and Angelo would have to pass Marius to  see the Splatter Man, so has no target now.

 R23T14:   Hargrimm , what do you do?

Alexandru on deck, Zauberei in the hole ...
SwordChucks
Hargrimm downs his potion. In a shaky voice he calls out   "Mr. Elbourne? Mr. Elbourne? Wren?!"   as he stoops down to retrieve his quarterstaff.

 
 Spoiler: Combat 
Standard action: Drink the held  Potion of Cure Light Wounds .
Move action: Pickup the dropped quarterstaff.

Healing:  (1d8+1)[ 5 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R23T14:  Hargrimm downs his potion for   5 healing  . In a shaky voice he calls out,   "Mr. Elbourne? Mr. Elbourne? Wren?!"   as he stoops down to retrieve his quarterstaff.

 R23T13.2:   Alexandru , what do you do?

Zauberei on deck, The Splatter Man in the hole ...
BuckGodot
Alexandru moves NE but stays near Hargrimm in case he needs further aid and concentrates on his own wounds.

 
 Spoiler: Technical Information 
MA: Move NE 5'

SA: Body Adjustment (Heal 1d12 damage to self, healing NL of similar amount as well.)

 (1d12)[ 3 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R23T13.2:  Alexandru moves NE but stays near Hargrimm in  case he needs further aid and concentrates on his own wounds. The  chittering of thousands of insects are heard as they climb up out of the  oubliette to cover Lexi, and then retract back into the oubliette,  having eaten away ruined flesh to clean it for   3 healing  .

 R23T13.1:   Zauberei , your readied action didn't go off. What do you do?

The Splatter Man is on deck, Marius in the hole ...
Tippnick
Zauberei moves and prepares to cast once the spirit appears.
 
 Spoiler: Move and ready 


MA: moves 5ft NE and 10ft east
SA: readies to cast disrupt undead at the Splatterman if he appears
 (d20+4)[ 22 ]  to hit
[Roll]d6[/[roll] damage
 
lostsole31
 R23T13.1:  Zauberei moves and prepares to cast once the spirit appears.

 R23T13:   The Splatter Man does a 5' float to the west and casts a spell, calling  on the symbol on its forehead. He shoots a dark beam at Marius,  striking his upper left arm. Even though it hits his arm, Marius' head  swims and he begins to stumble aboutalmost as if drunk ( sickened ).

 R23T12:   Marius , what do you do?

Angelo on deck, Hargrimm in the hole ...
Ason
Marius gulps down a near-vomit, steadies himself, and glares at the Splatter Man. He then side-steps toward the ghostly mage and gives a thrust with his polearm.

  "The ghost is in here, but Wren is gone!"   Marius calls back to the others.

 
 Spoiler: OoC 
 Swift:   dark claim  on Splatter Man, regaining 2 maneuvers via  grasp of darkness :  ghost-hunting blow  and  inner sense 
 Move:  5-foot step northwest (or if rubble signals difficult terrain then just a regular move 5' northwest)
 Standard:  two-handed attack at Splatter Man  (1d20+7)[ 24 ] , damage  (1d12+1)[ 11 ] 
 AoO (if ever triggered by the Splatter Man or a monster he summons):   (1d20+7)[ 15 ] , damage  (1d12+1)[ 10 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R23T12:  Marius gulps down a near-vomit, steadies himself, and glares at the  Splatter Man. He then side-steps over rubble toward the ghostly mage and gives a  thrust with his polearm, lancing the Splatter Man with the top spike of his lucerne hammer against the side of his temple for  12 . Marius calls back to the others,   "The ghost is in here, but Wren is gone!"  
 End Round 23, Begin Round 24 ...

R24T15:   Angelo , what do you do?

Hargrimm on deck, Alexandru in the hole ...
Moriar
Angelo moves into the room and fires off a ray at the Splatterman.

 
 Spoiler: soon? 


Moves 5' north into the room.

Then casts disrupt undead.

To hit of  (1d20+7)[ 9 ]  and damage of  (1d6)[ 2 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R24T15:  Angelo moves into the room and fires off a ray at the Splatter Man, but misses.

 R24T14:   Hargrimm , what do you do?

Alexandru on deck, Zauberei in the hole ...
SwordChucks
  "Wait, 'gone'? As in dead?"   Hargrimm calls out with growing concern. He steps back from the doorway and prepares an attack should the Splatter Man flee towards Hargrimm.

 
 Spoiler: Combat 
5ft step east.
Swift action: Move 2 essentia from Sparkling Alicorn to Banelight Vortices.
Standard action: Ready an attack against the Splatter Man if he comes into view.

Vortex:  (1d20+4)[ 22 ]  vs touch,  (6d6)[ 23 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R24T14:    "Wait, 'gone'? As in dead?"   Hargrimm  calls out with growing concern. He steps back from the doorway and  prepares an attack should the Splatter Man flee towards Hargrimm.

 R24T13.2:  Alexandru, what do you do?

Zauberei on deck, The Splatter Man in the hole ...
BuckGodot
Alexandru stays by Hargrimm waiting for the foe to appear, ready to strike.

 
 Spoiler: Technical Information 
If SM appears in range then Lexi will strike using Risky Strike.


Attack:  (1d20+7)[ 13 ] 

Dmg:  (1d8+9)[ 12 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R24T13.2:  Alexandru stays by Hargrimm waiting for the foe to appear, ready to strike.

 R24T13.1:   Zauberei , your readied action did not occur. What do you do?

The Splatter Man on deck, Marius in the hole ...
Tippnick
Zauberei will ready a spell from where he is.  
 Spoiler: crunch 

Readied action
If the Splatterman comes in range and in his sight he will cast disrupt undead


 (d20+4)[ 21 ]  to hit (ranged touch)
 (d6)[ 4 ]  damage
 
lostsole31
 R24T13.1:  Zauberei will ready a spell from where he is.

 R24T13:   The Splatter Man doesn't move at first, staring at Marius. Tapping the  symbol on his ghostly forehead, it casts a spell upon itself. Marius  doesn't recognize what the spell is, but he does recognize the negative  energy the ghost infuses with itself for   10 NE healing  . It floats a few feet closer to Marius, looming above him.

 R24T12:  Marius, what do you do?

Angelo on deck, Hargrimm in the hole ...
Ason
Marius calls back to Hargrimm,   "I don't know! This ghost can somehow heal himself! Press the attack!"  

He then backs away from the ghost slightly, rummages in his backpack for some holy water, and throws it at the ghost.

 
 Spoiler: I ain't afraid of no OoC 
  If the square to Marius' east counts as normal terrain...  
 5-Foot Step:  5-foot step east
 Move:  retrieve holy water from backpack
 Standard:  throw holy water at Splatter Man; attack  (1d20+7)[ 24 ] 
 Free:  grip polearm with both hands again
 AoO (if triggered by any of Splatter Man's summons):  attack  (1d20+7)[ 11 ] , damage  (1d12+1)[ 12 ] 
  If the square to Marius' east counts as  difficult  terrain...  
 Move:  1 square east
 
 Acrobatics check to avoid AoO:  (1d20+9)[ 16 ]  
 
 Standard:  retrieve holy water from backpack
 
lostsole31
 R24T12:  Marius calls back to Hargrimm,   "I don't know! This ghost can somehow heal himself! Press the attack!"  

He then backs away from the ghost carefully over the rubble, but not  carefully enough as the ghost passes its hand through Marius' right  thigh for   10 corruption  . Once he gets away from the ghost, he rummages in his backpack for some holy water.

 End Round 24, Begin Round 25 ...

R25T15:   Angelo , what do you do?

Hargrimm on deck, Alexandru in the hole ...
Moriar
Angelo quickly casts and three glowing projectiles launch out to strike the splatterman.


 
 Spoiler: Angelo &gt;&gt; Lexi 

 " This guy's is rather close and could use your help here." 
 
 

 
 Spoiler: crunch 


Casts magic missile using 2nd level slot

Damage:  (3d4+3)[ 10 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R25T15:  Angelo quickly casts and three glowing projectiles launch out to strike the Splatter Man for a total of   10 force  . 
 Spoiler: Angelo &gt;&gt; Collective (Alexandru, Hargrimm, Marius, Zauberei) 
  " This guy's is rather close and could use your help here."   
 

 R25T14:   Hargrimm , what do you do?

Alexandru on deck, Zauberei in the hole ...
lostsole31
 R25T14:  Hargrimm reaches over and picks up the dropped  wand of lesser restoration  with his buckler hand, and puts that in his belt. He then cautiously moves his position to try and get a better view.

 R25T13.2:   Alexandru , what do you do?

Zauberei on deck, The Splatter Man in the hole ...
BuckGodot
 
 Spoiler: Alexandru&gt;&gt;&gt;Collective 
   "He keeps drawing us into small spaces. Not safe..."   
 


Ignoring his own last statement, Alexandru moves to the door to help his brother.

 
 Spoiler: Technical information 
MA: Move NE 20' into the room. If the fiend appears he will attack using Risky Strike.

Attack:  (1d20+7)[ 27 ] 

Dmg:  (1d8+9)[ 14 ] 
 
Tippnick
Zauberei pulls out a scroll from his bandolier and reads it. Then moves to Hargrimm's warhammer.

 
 Spoiler: crunch 


Reads hide from undead scroll

Moves 1 square NW then 2 squares west until he stands near the Warhammer.
 
lostsole31
 R25T13.2:   
 Spoiler: Alexandru &gt;&gt;&gt; Collective 
   "He keeps drawing us into small spaces. Not safe..."   
 
  Ignoring his own last statement, Alexandru moves to the door and beyond  to help his brother, closing on the Splatter Man. It is a mighty blow  that would have stoved in a man's head, but to this monster he still  does a relatively respectable  7 mod .

 R25T13.1:   Zauberei pulls out a scroll from his bandolier and reads it. Then moves  to Lexi's warhammer, the scroll's spell charged on his hand.

 R25T13:  The Splatter Man carefully casts a spell, and sends forth several arcane bolts to strike Marius and Paula each for   3 force  , and the brothers each for   2 force  . Then - as expected - he floats south through the wall and out of reach.

 R25T12:   Marius , what do you do?

Angelo on deck, Hargrimm in the hole ...
Tippnick
  "Where is he?"   Zauberei asks.
Moriar
  "He went south,"   Angelo says back in frustration.
Ason
Marius gives a frustrated sigh as the ghost slips through yet another wall, but his sickened stomach takes over and turns the sigh into a vomit.

After retching, Marius drops his polearm away from the vomit pile while still holding onto his holy water, and he draws the Mosswater Marauder's hammer.

 
 Spoiler: OoC 
 Standard:   retch in an attempt to recover from sickened 
 
  Immediate:   Inner Sense  for +2 on saving throw 
  Fort Save:   (1d20+9)[ 10 ]  (does not include Inner Sense bonus) 
 
 Free:  drop polearm 
Move:  draw Mosswater Marauder's Masterwork Smithing Hammer [Masterwork Light Hammer]

 AoO (if triggered by hostile creature):  risky strike attack with light hammer  (1d20+6)[ 26 ] ; damage  (1d4+1)[ 2 ]  (calculated based on sickened #s in character sheet)
 
lostsole31
  "Where is he?"   Zauberei asks.

  "He went south,"   Angelo says back in frustration.

 R25T12:  Marius gives a frustrated sigh as the ghost slips through yet another  wall, but his sickened stomach takes over and turns the sigh into a  vomit, but it doesn't seem to help. After retching, Marius drops his polearm away from the vomit pile while  still holding onto his holy water, and he draws the Mosswater Marauder's  hammer.

 End Round 25, Begin Round 26 ...

R26T15:   Angelo , what do you do?

Hargrimm on deck, Alexandru in the hole ...
Moriar
"  Where is that specter hiding now.. ."   Angelo says as he stomps in frustration to look for him.

 
 Spoiler: hello? 



Moves 2 squares south and 1 west to look into that cell.

If not seen then move 1 south to next door and look in.



If he sees splatterman in either cell will say : "  Found the little bugger.  " And then cast magic missile using 2nd level slot.


Damage:  (3d4+3)[ 12 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R26T15:  "  Where is that specter hiding now.. ."    Angelo says as he stomps in frustration to look for him. He walks to  the most likely "culprit" cell door .... and as with the other doors  here, they are solid rusted iron doors. There is an iron viewing section  that is closed and rusted.  He undoes the securing mechanism, but  didn't have enough actions to follow-up with opening the viewing plate/  window/ door (whatever your want to call it).

 R26T14:   Hargrimm , what do you do?

Alexandru on deck, Zauberei in the hole ...
SwordChucks
Hargrimm steps to the south, applys some healing to himself, and calls out   "Who needs healing?"  . Internally he hopes that Wren's disappearance is just the man being particularly stealthy again, but he tries not to think about it while the fight is ongoing.

 
 Spoiler: Combat 
5ft step south.
Standard action: Convert a  Bless  into a  Cure Minor Wounds  for Hargrimm.

Cure:  (1d8+5)[ 9 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R26T14:  Hargrimm steps to the south, applies some healing to himself (  9 healing  ), and calls out,   "Who needs healing?"  
 R26T13.2:   Alexandru , what do you do?

Zauberei on deck, The Splatter Man in the hole ...
BuckGodot
Alexandru holds his position but takes the moment to focus on himself.

 
 Spoiler: Technical Information 
Body Adjustment: heal  (1d12)[ 1 ] 
 
Tippnick
Zauberei opens the door next to him and prepares a spell in readiness.   "I am in need of healing like all of us I am sure."  
 
 Spoiler: end game 


MA: open door beside him
SA: readies to cast disrupt undead at Splatterman
 (d20+4)[ 9 ]  to hit
 (d6)[ 3 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R26T13.2:  Zauberei tries to open the door next to him - finding it locked, instead - and prepares a spell in readiness.   "I am in need of healing like all of us I am sure."  
 R26T13:   The Splatter Man appears out of the western wall from the cell beyond,  5' off the ground as before. He ignores Angelo and flies at Hargrimm  even as Zauberei's spell passes under him. The Splatter Man passes his  hand through Hargrimm's left elbow. The pain spreads from the arm  throughout Hargrimm's hand. He tries to fight off the effects, but it  has been such a difficult battle and Hargrimm can no longer keep up the  fight. His body ages before everyone's eyes ... his thick black hair  turning gray, then a weak white even as much of the hair on his hair  falls out. Liver spots cover him over, nearly changing his overall skin  tone, while becoming nearly translucent.

Finally, age catches up  to Hargrimm as he sighs a death-rattle sigh ... and falls backwards into  the darkness of the oubliette below ... his body heard slamming a few  seconds later.

Instantly, everyone feels Hargrimm's "presence" that is with them through his powerful protections, leave them.

Hargrimm Saresun, holy servant of the dwarven god Folgrit, is dead.

 R26T12:   Marius ,  you saw The Splatter Man pass west-to-east near the doorway. You didn't  see Hargrimm die, but you heard the creaking of old bones, the sound of  his body hit the oubliette below, and felt the loss of his presence.  What do you do?

Angelo on deck, Alexandru in the hole ...
lostsole31
 R26T12:  Marius steps into the main central room to face  the Splattered Man, claims him again, and he swings the marauder's  hammer at unbelievable speed but misses.

 End Round 26, Begin Round 27 ...

R27T15:   Angelo , what do you do?

Alexandru on deck, Zauberei in the hole ...
Moriar
"  Did you see what that thing did to Hargrimm?"    Angelo says with horror to no one in particular.

Then he utters an arcane phrase that results in 3 more missiles striking the splatterman.

 
 Spoiler: missile command 


Casts magic missile using 2nd level slot.

Damage:  (3d4+3)[ 11 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R27T15:    "    Did you see what that thing did to Hargrimm!?"     Angelo says with horror to no one in particular. Then he utters an  arcane phrase that results in three more missiles that strike the  Splatter Man for   11 force  .

 R27T13.2:   Alexandru , what do you do?

Zauberei on deck, The Splatter Man in the hole ...
BuckGodot
  "HARGRIMM! NO!!!"   yells Alexandru and not seeing a foe to strike out at  holds his action pending Splattermans appearance.

 
 Spoiler: Technical Information 
If/Then:

If Splatterman appears Then Alexandru attacks using Risky Strike:

 (1d20+7)[ 11 ] 

Dmg:  (1d8+9)[ 17 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R27T13.2:     "HARGRIMM! NO!!!"    yells Alexandru and not seeing a foe to strike out at  holds his action pending Splatter Man's appearance.

 R27T13.1:   Zauberei , what do you do?

The Splatter Man on deck, Marius in the hole ...
Tippnick
Zauberei almost steps forward to follow Hargrimm in a vain attempt to reach for him, but saw the horrible damage done to Hargrimm and stops himself. He then casts a spell to damage the spirit.


 
 Spoiler: crunch 

SA: Cast disrupt undead
 (d20+4)[ 12 ]  to hit
 (d6)[ 2 ]  damage
MA: step SE 1 square
 
lostsole31
 R27T13.1:  Zauberei almost steps forward to follow Hargrimm in a vain attempt to  reach for him, but saw the horrible damage done to Hargrimm and stops  himself. He then casts a spell to damage the spirit, missing.

 R27T13:   The Splatter Man reaches down to put his hand through Marius' groin  despite Marius' attempt to bring forth a supernatural defense, but  Marius resists the pain of aging and only takes   16 corruption  . The Splatter Man floats to the east a few feet.

 R27T12:  Marius studies The Splatter Man but backs up to Angelo, weakly looking at him,   "I could use a touch of that wand."  
 End Round 27, Begin Round 28 ...

R28T15:   Angelo , what do you do? Do you aid Marius as asked?

Alexandru on deck, Zauberei in the hole ...
Moriar
"  I'll do you one better,"   Angelo says as he casts a spell and lays his hand upon Marius.  His wounds knit back together.  "  That was my last one of those."  
 
 Spoiler: healing 


Casts cure light wounds on Marius

Healing of :  (1d8+4)[ 10 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R28T15:    "  I'll do you one better,"   Angelo says as he casts a spell and lays his hand upon Marius.  His wounds knit back together for   10 healing  , even as Angelo shows a nose bleed and his ears are ringing and his head is pounding.  "  That was my last one of those."  
 R28T13.2:   Alexandru , your readied action did not go off, as it seems the Splatter Man is still out in the main room. What do you do?

Zauberei on deck, The Splatter Man in the hole ...
BuckGodot
Alexandru moves out of the room and seeing the Splatterman, moves to him and attacks.

 
 Spoiler: Technical Information 
MA: Move 5' E then 5' S out of the room. Then move 5' E to attack.

Attack using RS:  (1d20+7)[ 27 ] 

Dmg:  (1d8+9)[ 17 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R28T13.2:  Alexandru moves out of the room and seeing  the Splatter Man, moves to him and attacks, his longsword passes cleanly  through the ghost's chest for  9 mod .

 R28T13.1:   Zauberei , what do you do?

The Splatter Man on deck, Marius in the hole ...
Tippnick
Zauberei says,   "Keep at the creature, we need to finish him."  
He then steps back to where he was the round before and fire a spell at him. 
 Spoiler: crunch 


MA: moves NE to the Warhammer.
If he sees the Splatterman he will cast disrupt undead.
If not he will ready an action until he does.
 (d20+4)[ 11 ]  to hit
[Roll]d6[/roll[
 
lostsole31
 R28T13.1:  Zauberei says,   "Keep at the creature, we need to finish him."  

He then steps back to where he was the round before and fires a spell at the ghost, missing it.

 R28T13:   The Splatter Man tilts his head down to reveal the rune on his forehead  and top-of-head and black energy bursts out to cover over Angelo (  11 NE  ), Alexandru &amp; Marius (  7 NE  ), &amp; Zauberei (  5 NE  ) before it drifts NE through the wall and into the NE cell.

 R28T12:   Marius , what do you do?

Angelo on deck, Alexandru in the hole ...
Ason
Still wincing from the Splatter Man's last attack, Marius frantically turns to his compatriots and says with wide eyes,   "Two have died, I'm not far behind, and we're out of resources. We have to retreat  now !"  

With that, Marius puts the holy water away again and moves up into the northern room, stopping over Paula's body.

 
 Spoiler: OoC 
Move: store the holy water
Standard: move over to Paula's body
Swift: none
 
lostsole31
 R28T12:  Still wincing from the Splatter Man's last attack, Marius frantically turns to his compatriots and says with wide eyes,   "Two have died, I'm not far behind, and we're out of resources. We have to retreat  now !"  

With that, Marius puts the holy water away again and moves up into the northern room, stopping over Paula's body.

 End Round 28, Begin Round 29 ...

R29T15:   Angelo , what do you do?

Alexandru on deck, Zauberei in the hole ...
Moriar
Angelo taps himself with the wand. Then says, "  We either need a new plan now or do as Marius says."  

Angelo then follows Marius for now.

 
 Spoiler: no bueno 


Cure light wounds wand on himself:  (1d8+1)[ 7 ] 

Then normal move action to follow Marius
 

 
 Spoiler: collective back up 

  
"I'm hurt really bad as well brother and friends. Ideas for new plan or just run?"  
 
lostsole31
 R29T15:  Angelo taps himself with the wand for   7 healing  . Then says as he follows Marius, "  We either need a new plan now or do as Marius says."  
 
 Spoiler: Angelo &gt;&gt;&gt; Collective (Alexandru, Zauberei) 
   "I'm hurt really bad as well brother and friends. Ideas for new plan or just run?"   
 

 R29T13.2:   Alexandru , you take 4 PP and are sickened from what you realize is the definitive loss of Hargrimm. What do you do?

Zauberei on deck, The Splatter Man in the hole ...
BuckGodot
Alexandru moves to his brothers side.

 
 Spoiler: Lexi&gt;&gt;&gt;Collective 
   "Let us retreat then and come back to face him another day..."   
 

 
 Spoiler: Technical Information 
MA: move 5'W
 
lostsole31
 R29T13.2:  Alexandru moves to his brothers side. 
 Spoiler: Alexandru &gt;&gt;&gt; Collective (Angelo, Zauberei) 
   "Let us retreat then and come back to face him another day..."   
 

 R29T13.1:   Zauberei , what do you do?

The Splatter Man on deck, Marius in the hole ...
Tippnick
Zauberei picks up the warhammer and casts a spell and moves five feet to the North.

  "The ghost will pick us off one at a time as we flee. Nothing is stopping him from following us through the prison and he can go thro  ugh..."

 
 Spoiler: we are all going to die 


Actions
MA: pick up the warhammer at his feet
SA: cast expeditious retreat
Move equivalent: five foot step to the North.
 
lostsole31
 R29T13.1:  Zauberei picks up the warhammer and casts a spell and moves five feet to the north.   "The ghost will pick us off one at a time as we  flee. Nothing is stopping him from following us through the prison and  he can go   through..."  
 R29T13:  The sounds of the Splatter Man casting a spell can be faintly heard through the metal prison door of the northeastern cell.

 R29T12:   Marius , what do you do?

Angelo on deck, Alexandru in the hole ...
Ason
Marius picks up Paula's body, tucks her into a coat pocket for safekeeping, and shifts eastward toward his dropped weapon.

He hisses over at Zauberei,   "You're right! But these cells favor the ghost: retreat changes the terrain, even if we can't escape."  
 
 Spoiler: OoC 
Move: pick up Paula's body
Standard: store Paula's body
Five-Foot Step: east
Swift: none

AoO (if triggered by a hostile creature): attack with marauder's hammer  (1d20+7)[ 24 ] , damage  (1d4)[ 4 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R29T12:  Marius picks up Paula's body, tucks her into a  coat pocket for safekeeping, and shifts eastward toward his dropped  weapon. He hisses over at Zauberei,   "You're right! But these cells favor the ghost: retreat changes the terrain, even if we can't escape."  
 End Round 29, Begin Round 30 ...

R30T15:   Angelo ,  mage armor  is active on you, as is  light  on your sash. You have a  wand of CLW  in hand, and  bless  as well. What do you do?

Alexandru on deck, Zauberei in the hole ...
Moriar
"  Let's stick together  ," Angelo says to his brother.


 
 Spoiler: delay 


Delaying until Lexi goes then will move with him.  Then if not double move will do another cure light on himself,  (1d8+1)[ 7 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R30T15:  "  Let's stick together  ," Angelo says to his brother.

 R30T13.2:   Alexandru ,  you are equipped with longsword and shield. You had dropped your  warhammer.  You are sickened with 2 WIS damage. Your collective includes  Angelo, Marius, &amp; Zauberei. What do you do?

Zauberei on deck, The Splatter Man in the hole, Angelo delaying ...
BuckGodot
  "Agreed, Brother."   says Lexi as he takes a step south to see if he can spot the fiend.

 
 Spoiler: Technical Information 
MA: 5' step south
 
Tippnick
Moving faster now, Zauberei moves North to join the others. He thens casts a spell.   "Well that should help me carry more. I could use some healing."   He does not look very well.


 
 Spoiler 

Moves 3 squares north. 1 square NE , 2 squares NW.
SA: casts Ant haul
 
Moriar
  "Perhaps we should head out brother?"    Angelo asks as he applies a use of the want to Zauberei.

 
 Spoiler: Wand fun 


Cure light wounds wand to Zauberei:  (1d8+1)[ 4 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R30T13.2:    "Agreed, Brother."    says Lexi as he takes a step south to see if he can spot the fiend. (He  cannot as there is now very little light in the main oubliette room.

 R30T13.1:  Moving faster now, Zauberei moves North to join the others before casting a spell on himself.   "Well that should help me carry more. I could use some healing,"   he says weakly.

 R30T13.05:    "Perhaps we should head out brother?"    Angelo asks as he applies a use of the wand to Zauberei for   4 healing  .

 R30T13:    Something flits past Alexandru's vision to the north, and the Splatter  Man appears partly in the wall to the east of the party in the cell!  He  lets loose with a blast of negative energy: Angelo takes   11 NE  ; Alex and Paula (the latter resisting) take   7 NE   each; Marius resists to only take  6 NE ; Zauberei also resists to only take  3 NE .

 R30T12:   Marius , you had dropped your polearm and how have the Mosswater Marauder's smithing hammer in hand. Your  aura of misfortune  is active, and you have suffered 4 WIS and are sickened.  Ant haul  is active on you, and Paula is in your pocket. After that burst of negative energy, you are barely standing. What do you do?

Alexandru on deck, Zauberei in the hole ...
Ason
Marius' eyes go wide at the latest attack, and he glares at the Splatter Man once again before abandoning his polearm to instead flee toward the exit.

  "I'm sorry!"   he cries out forlornly as he turns to run,   "But I won't die down here!"  
 
 Spoiler: OoC 
 Swift:   dark claim  on Splatter Man, recovering 2 maneuvers via  grasp of darkness ; recovers Inner Sense and Ghost-Hunting Blow
 Move:  move 40 feet back through secret passage toward the torture chamber, using  acrobatics  to move through threatened spaces at half-speed
 
 Acrobatics:  (1d20+9)[ 13 ]  
 
 Standard:  continue moving back toward the torture-chamber and from there back into the cellblock, taking right turns down its halls should he reach the cellblock itself

 AoO (if triggered by hostile creature):   attack  (1d20+7)[ 17 ] ; damage  (1d4-1)[ 0 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R30T12:  Marius' eyes go wide at the latest attack, and he glares at the Splatter  Man once again before abandoning his polearm to instead flee toward the  exit.

  "I'm sorry!"   he cries out forlornly as he turns to run,   "But I won't die down here!"  

As  he tries to juke away, the Splatter Man's hand passes through the upper  right shoulder (and lung) of the once-medical student. Marius tries to  rally with the insight he just recovered, but his Will is already too  sapped and his body ailing and he takes   27 corruption   ... enough or him to age fully and turn to dust in front of everyone's eyes. The Splatter Man has claimed his second victim!

 End Round 30, Begin Round 31 ...

R31T13.2:   Alexandru , what do you do?

Zauberei on deck, Angelo in the hole ...
BuckGodot
Alexandru moves north and goes full defensive mode.

 
 Spoiler: Alexandru&gt;&gt;&gt;Collective 
  "Brother, it is time to go. I will guard your movements... Let us flee."  
 

 
 Spoiler: Technical Information 
MA: N 10'

Use Aid Another on Angelo defensively:  (1d20)[ 5 ] 

Kin Guardian:  When he uses the Aid Another action to give a member of his family a bonus to AC, increase the bonus by 2.
*  This increase is a trait bonus.
*  This trait has no effect when using the Aid Another action to increase a family member’s next attack roll.
 
lostsole31
 R31T13.2:  Alexandru moves north and goes full defensive mode. 
 Spoiler: Alexandru &gt;&gt;&gt; Collective 
   "Brother, it is time to go. I will guard your movements... Let us flee."   
 

 R31T13.1:   Zauberei , what do you do?

Angelo on deck, Splatter Man in the hole ...
Moriar
Angelo looks to his brother weakly and nods.

He begins to hum a dirge to the fallen and tumbles away to use the wand.

 
 Spoiler: Angelo &gt;&gt; collective 

   
I'm too weak to argue but you better be close behind.   
 

 
 Spoiler 


SWA: Start archeologists luck and tumble way 10' to west then 5' to NW to be just outside the secret door and keep an eye on his brother.

Then use cure light wand on himself:  (1d8+1)[ 3 ] 
 
Tippnick
  "Come as quick as you can, do not help anyone. You will only die along with them"  
Zauberei moves as quick as his little magically enhanced feet will move him into the torture chamber heading for the Northern exit of the torture chamber.

 
 Spoiler: Boot scoot 

FRA: Double move, He will make his way into the torture chamber heading for the
northern exit.
He should no longer have a medium load with anthaul and expeditious retreat
 
lostsole31
 R31T13.1:    "Come as quick as you can, do not help anyone. You will only die along with them."   Zauberei moves as quick as his little magically enhanced feet will move  him into the torture chamber heading for the Northern exit of the  torture chamber.

 R31T13.05:  Angelo looks to his brother weakly and nods. He begins to hum a dirge to the fallen and tumbles away to use the wand for   3 healing  . 
 Spoiler: Angelo &gt;&gt;&gt; Collective 
   "I'm too weak to argue but you better be close behind."   
 

 R31T13:   Cackling, the Splatter Man reaches out towards Alexandru, but Lexi  counters with brilliant footwork and pushing against the light spectral  form of the maniac with his magic so as to reposition and send him  towards the south, 10' away.

 End Round 31, Begin Round 32 ...

R13.2:   Alexandru , what do you do?

Zauberei on deck, Angelo in the hole ...
BuckGodot
Alexandru, remaining in a defensive pose will follow his brother, keeping himself between his brother and the Splatterman.

 
 Spoiler: Technical Information 
MA: move 15' W
 
lostsole31
 R31213.2:  Alexandru, remaining in a defensive pose will follow his brother, keeping himself between his brother and the Splatter Man.

 R32T13.1:   Zauberei , what do you do?

Angelo on deck, The Splatter Man in the hole ...
Tippnick
Zauberei will head directly into the torture chamber and out the Northern door of that room into the hallway. He will turn East at the next hallway.

 
 Spoiler: crunch 

FRA: Double move
Move the rest of the passageway, then move through the torture room skirting the obstacles. Then out the door into the hallway, will turn East at the junction.
 
lostsole31
 R32T13.1:  Zauberei heads directly into the torture chamber and out the  Northern door of that room into the hallway. He will turn East at the  next hallway.

 R32T13.05:   Angelo , what do you do?

The Splatter Man on deck, Zauberei in the hole ...
Moriar
Glad of his brothers presence, Angelo keeps moving away from the Splatterman.

Then he uses the wand on himself again.

 
 Spoiler: Angelo &gt;&gt; Collective 

   "I think we are going in a good direction.  If you think of a better way or need some healing let me know brother."   
 

 
 Spoiler: crunchy  


Moves 5' SW and then move 20' west.  Keeping close eye on his brother.

Use of cure light wounds wand on himself heals:  (1d8+1)[ 9 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R32T13.05:  Glad of his brothers presence, Angelo keeps moving away from the Splatter Man. Then he uses the wand on himself again for   9 healing  . 
 Spoiler: Angelo &gt;&gt;&gt; Collective 
   "I think we are going in a good direction.  If you think of a better way or need some healing let me know brother."   
 

 R32T13:   The Splatter Man shocks Lexi as he pops partly out of the wall above  the undead slayer. The ghost's fell hand passes through the surprised  man's neck for   25 corruption  . So powerful was this particular strike that the metal on Lexi's shield corrodes, doing   4 mod corruption   to it as well, though it still holds strong.

Seeing the fresh pain and ruin he has caught, the Splatter Man laughs maniacally.

 End Round 32, Begin Round 33 ...

R33T13.2:   Alexandru , what do you do?

Zauberei on deck, Angelo in the hole ...
BuckGodot
 
 Spoiler: Alexandru&gt;&gt;&gt;Angelo 
   "Ango? Be strong for us..."   
 


Alexandru focuses on himself briefly before moving west.

 
 Spoiler: Technical Information 
SA: Body Adjustment using 2 additional PP to heal himself.

 (2d12)[ 21 ] 

Still as defensively as he can, move W 20'
 
lostsole31
 R33T13.2:  
 Spoiler: Alexandru &gt;&gt;&gt; Collective 
   "Ango? Be strong for us..."   
 
Alexandru  focuses on himself briefly, but that leaves him vulnerable. The  Splatter Man passes his discorporate hand through the man's muscular  upper right arm. Alexandru resists valiantly, but even with that great  effort still takes   19 corruption  .  Wounded as he was before, Alexandru looks to his brother as he drops to  his knees - hair rapidly greying and wrinkles on his skin - and falls  over stone dead.

The cackling of the Splatter Man is heard ever more uproariously.

 R33T13.1:   Zauberei , you  "heard" Alexandru's entreaty to his brother, immediately followed by  feeling that you are no longer connected to Alexandru (or Angelo). What  do you do?

Angelo on deck, the Splatter Man in the hole ...
Tippnick
Zauberei tears up at another companion down. Keeps moving trying to get out.

 
 Spoiler: collective 

In the collective.    "Stay away from the ghost. Head towards the hole with the rope."   
 

 
 Spoiler: move 


FRA: double move
15 foot move east. Then 15 feet of movement NE to cut the corner. Then move North until he finds the Eastern hallway and will move east until finds the hole with the rope. (If he can get that far)
 
lostsole31
 R33T13.1:  Zauberei tears up at another companion down.  This hits home harder when he goes to tepe a message across the  collective, but then silently curses the party's misfortune, for it was  the now-fallen Alexandru who was the "generator" for the collective. No  more collective. He keeps moving trying to get out getting as far as the  end of the last hallway before the central room with the escape rope.

 R33T13.05:   Angelo ,  what do you do? You feel it as a twin more than you do the collective.  Your bother isn't just unconscious, but his soul is gone from his shell.

The Splatter Man on deck, Zauberei in the hole ...
Moriar
Angelo let's out a heart wrenching bellow as his one family falls in front of him.

 
 Spoiler: finale 


If he can see any part of the ghost will cast magic missile using 2nd level slot.  Damage:  (3d4+3)[ 11 ] 

Then standard move continuing west.

If he can't see splatterman then double moves to west
 
lostsole31
 R33T13.05:  Angelo lets out a heart-wrenching bellow as  his one remaining family member falls in front of him. Seeing the ghost,  Angelo seethes and lets out his rage in his magic, peppering the  Splatter Man with arcane force for   11 force   before turning and moving west through the poorly dug tunnel until he sees the open secret door.

 R33T13:   The triumphant cackling of the sadistic spirit is heard throughout the  halls, subsiding into the sounds of more magic being cast.

 End Round 33, Begin Round 34 ...

R34T13.1:   Zauberei , what do you do? You just barely make out in the dim light that the rope is roughly 40' from you, and there is difficult terrain from the fallen platform.

Angelo on deck, The Splatter Man in the hole ...
Tippnick
Zauberei skirts the rough and difficult terrain but still making sure he takes the quickest route and will attempt to climb the rope.

 
 Spoiler: Climbing for his life 


Move action: head to the rope skirting rough terrain if it makes the most sense
Move action: Climb rope to 1st level

 (d20+2)[ 8 ]  climb check
 
lostsole31
 R34T13.1:  Zauberei skirts the rough and difficult  terrain but still making sure he  takes the quickest route and will attempt to climb the rope. Even  though it had been knotted, in the time that the group has been down  here, enough water has collected to make the rope slippery, and Zauberei  fails to find good purchase.

 R34T13.05:   Angelo , what do you do?

The Splatter Man on deck, Zauberei in the hole ...
Moriar
Angelo spares another glance back along the tunnel before moving on with tears in his eyes.

 
 Spoiler: moving forward? 


If splatterman followed at all and or is visible will attempt a disrupt undead.  To hit:  (1d20+7)[ 17 ]  damage:  (1d6)[ 2 ] 

Then will move through the secret door.

If ghost was not visible will double move through the secret door and then to exit that room if able to the north.
 
lostsole31
 R34T13.05:  Angelo spares another glance back along the tunnel before moving on with tears in his eyes.

 R34T13:  Zauberei hears the Splatter Man casting a spell. This is not a quick spell, but long and continuous.

 End Round 34, Begin Round 35 ...

R35T13.1:   Zauberei , you dropped your quarterstaff some time back, and are holding Alexandru's warhammer with one hand.  Light  is on your bandolier. You currently have  expeditious retreat, mage armor, &amp; ant haul   cast upon yourself. You have suffered 2 WIS damage. You realize that  you need to drop Alexandru's warhammer to properly climb the rope ...  you can't do it one-handed. The Splatter Man is still intoning a spell.  What do you do?

Angelo on deck, The Splatter Man in the hole ...
Tippnick
He drops the Warhammer and attempts the climb again. 
 Spoiler: climb 


MA: climb
 (d20+2)[ 5 ] 
If he needs a second attempt
 (d20+2)[ 5 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R35T13.1:  Zauberei drops the warhammer and attempts the climb again, but just can't manage on the slick rope.

 R35T13.05:   Angelo , what do you do?

The Splatter Man on deck, Zauberei in the hole ...
Moriar
Angelo moves quickly and realizes that he needs to get out of here.

 
 Spoiler: grieve later 


Double moving to get as far as possible.   First heading through the door to the NW and then keep to the right as he makes his way around the cells.
 
lostsole31
 R35T13.05:  Angelo moves quickly, realizing he needs to escape this accursed place.

 R35T13:   The Splatter Man's casting ends, and as he does, two red-tinged gold  eagles appear in the room with Zauberei. The Splatter Man says something  in an unknown language. One of the eagles charges Zauberei, its beak  biting into the Nethysian's chest for  1 . The other eagle, on the other hand, doesn't attack Zauberei, but flies to the north and west and gains some altitude (25').

 End Round 35, Begin Round 36 ...

R36T13.1:   Zauberei , you have nothing in hand. What do you do?

Angelo on deck, The Splatter Man in the hole ...
Tippnick
Zauberei steps away from the the bird to the NW and draws his dagger at the same time. He then casts a spell to enlarge himself.


 
 Spoiler 

MA equivalent:5ft step to the NW and draws his dagger
SA: casts enlarge person on himself
 
lostsole31
 R36T13.1:  Zauberei steps away from the the bird to the  NW and draws his dagger at the same time. He fumbles through his mind  for how to help him in this situation, and hits upon a spell he will  begin casting when he has the chance.

 R36T13.05:   Angelo , what do you do?

Enemies on deck and in the hole ...
Moriar
Angelo continues hustling....hoping to see someone familiar but also hoping to not find anything.


 
 Spoiler: double timing 


Continues double moving around the cells.  Looking for a hallway exit from the cell area to the right I think.  Then sny move will take going down that hallway to the east.
 
lostsole31
 R36T13.05:  Angelo continues hustling....hoping to see  someone familiar but also hoping to not find anything. He ends up at the  far western part of the main passage leading to the great center room  with the ruined platform and rope. He only knows this, seeing Zauberei  and his light there. Next to the rope is a bird.

 R36T13.02-01:   Red (eagle) flies in at an altitude of 25', and tries to bite the rope  and misses! Meanwhile Blue (eagle) flies south, wings around deftly  while getting a little altitude and closes on the rope, severing it with  its beak.  The bottom part of rope falls away, with the bitter end  hanging 20' off the ground.

 R36T13:  The Splatter Man is heard cackling to the south, sensing the fleeing interlopers' doom.

 End Round 36, Begin Round 37 ...

R37T13.1:   Zauberei ,  it looks like even if you get away from the Splatter Man, you are  doomed down here in the depths of Harrowstone. What do you do?

Angelo on deck, Enemies in the hole ...
Tippnick
Zauberei casts barkskin.   "Angelo, do you have more rope? His summoned monsters bit the rope at the top of the hole."  , Zauberei yells.He then moves back to the Eastern hallway and will stop if he comes up to Angelo.

 
 Spoiler: crunch 

SA: casts barkskin
MA: Moves east back into the hallway as far as he can I. A direct route.
 
lostsole31
 R37T13.1:  Zauberei casts barkskin and yells,   "Angelo, do you have more rope? His summoned monsters bit the rope at the top of the hole."  ,

 Zauberei then moves back to the eastern hallway, and yet away from  Angelo whom he had thought to meet up with, and yet felt the compulsion  to continue eastwards to where the rope really is (completely going past  my past mistake).

 R37T13.05:   Angelo , you  saw Zauberei in his pool of light go south, likely to go to the far  eastern room where the rope (really) is, in the room with the water.  Angelo has a sense, almost as if whispered from his dead brother  Alexandru, that the eagles were sent to cut off your escape. What do you  do?

Enemies on deck and in the hole ..
Moriar
Angelo yells back,   "I have a better way to get back up. Come back here and we can get out."  

He then utters a spell that heals back some of his wounds.

While moving forward a bit he unlimbers his whip.

 
 Spoiler: crunch 


Casts cure light wounds to heal  (1d8+4)[ 10 ] 

Move 30' east while pulling out his whip in his other hand
 
lostsole31
 R37T13.05:  Angelo yells back,    "I have a better way to get back up. Come back here and we can get out."   

He then utters a spell that heals back some of his wounds (  10 healing  ) even as he moves forward, unhitching his whip.

 R37T13.02-13:   Over the Splatter Man's mid-distance cackling that somehow reaches the  entire lower level, the eagles - having been confused by some trick  (perhaps Nethys sent a brief favor to his servant?) break off from their  current position and fly eastwards, staggered in position. Red flies to  a height of 20' and snaps hard, severing the rope at the 25' height  altitude. Blue gets to the rope, climbing to a height of 35' from the  water line to its current position in the 10' x 10' chimney.

 End Round 37, Begin Round 38 ...

R38T13.1:   Zauberei ,  as a refresh for this room, this cavernous chamber may have once been  an underground cellblock, but it has long since collapsed. The crumbled  walls are thick with mold and stained with soot, and heaps of fallen  stones and charred wooden beams line the area. Water drips and seeps  along the walls, collecting in a dark, murky pool in the middle of the  room. To the north, the twisted remains of a wood and iron lift lie in a  heap in a shallow portion of the pool. A jagged hole in the roof yawns  twenty feet above this ruin. To the west, a partially blocked opening  seems to  open up after several feet into a dark but stable tunnel.

Note  that you can't actually see the upper eagle that is in the chimney, and  the other one isn't really visible at this angle, either ... as it is  at the height of the ceiling just inside the chimney.  What do you do?

Angelo on deck, Enemies in the hole ...
Tippnick
Hearing his comrade's call, he heads back to the West.

"They did cut the rope. Just now... Ugh."


 
 Spoiler: movement 


MA: Zauberei double moves West to try and join up with Angelo.
 
lostsole31
 R38T13.1:  Hearing his comrade's call, he heads back to the west and zooms right up to Angelo and says,     "They did cut the rope. Just now... Ugh."  
   
 R38T13.05:   Angelo , what do you do?

Enemies on deck and in the hole ...
Moriar
  "Good to see another friendly face, this has been terrible  ," Angelo says with a quiet voice.
  
"I do have a magical means of getting us out of this place despite the rope being gone.  Are you injured?  "

Angelo then heals himself with his spell and puts his wand away.

 
 Spoiler: check in 


Casts cure light wounds on himself for  (1d8+4)[ 11 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R38T13.05:    "Good to see another friendly face, this has been terrible  ," Angelo says with a quiet voice.   "I do have a magical means of getting us out of this place despite the rope being gone.  Are you injured?  "

Angelo then puts his wand away, and then heals himself with a spell for   11 healing  .

 R38T13.02-.0:  Distant laughter.

 End Round 38, Begin Round 39 ...

R39T13.1:   Zauberei , what do you do?

Angelo on deck, enemies in the hole ...
Tippnick
Zauberei says,   "I am on the edge of collapse, I believe I would fall if I take anymore wounds."  
 
 Spoiler: crunch 

SA: ready an action
If the Splatterman or the eagles get close enough to physically attack he activate his deflection aura.
 
lostsole31
 R39T13.1:  Zauberei says,   "I am on the edge of collapse, I believe I would fall if I take anymore wounds."  
 R39T13.05:   Angelo ?
Moriar
"  Let's do what we can to get us ready for the ascent  ," Angelo says.

Casts a spell and heals some of Zaubereis wounds. "  Can do that one more time or save it for emergency. "  
 
 Spoiler: healing 


Cast cure light wounds and heal Zauberei for  (1d8+4)[ 7 ] 

If possible do perception instead of moving to see what's around.
 
lostsole31
 R39T13.05:  "  Let's do what we can to get us ready for the ascent  ," Angelo says. He casts a spell and heals some of Zauberei's wounds (  7 healing  ). "  Can do that one more time or save it for emergency."  

Looking around, Angelo doesn't notice anything out of place or of note.

 End Round 39, Begin Round 40 ...

R40T13.1:   Zauberei , what do you do?

Angelo on deck ...
Tippnick
  "Do what you need to do, unless you want to enlarged?"  , Zauberei asks.

 
 Spoiler: If then 


If Angelo indicates he wants enlarge. Zauberei will begin casting enlarge person.
Otherwise he awaits Angelo's action
 
lostsole31
 R40T13.1:    "Do what you need to do, unless you want to enlarged?"   Zauberei asks.

 R40T13.05:   Angelo , what do you do?

Enemies on deck/ in the hole ...
Moriar
  "No enlarge thanks  ," Angelo answers.
Moriar
"  Here is one more bit of healing,"   Angelo says as starts forward again towards the rope.  "  Perhaps staying together will allow me to fulfill my brothers last wish."  
 
 Spoiler: healing 


Cast cure light on Zauberei for  (1d8+4)[ 9 ] .

Then moving 30' east.
 
lostsole31
 R40T13.05:    "No enlarge thanks  .   Here is one more bit of healing,"   Angelo says as he casts a spell on Zauberei for   9 healing  . He starts forward again towards the rope.  "  Perhaps staying together will allow me to fulfill my brothers last wish."  

Some blood trickles down Angelo's nose from the spellcasting effort.

 R40T13.02-.0:   Two eagles soar past Angelo's head to attack Zauberei, but neither one  of them get past the mage's protections. Cackling heard again from the  south.

 End Round 40, Begin Round 41 ...

R41T13.1:   Zauberei , there are two eagles that have landed on the ground in front of you, between yourself and Angelo. What do you do?

Angelo on deck, Enemies in the hole ...
Tippnick
Zauberei growls in frustration and reacts angrily casting a spell heedless of the danger birds.

 
 Spoiler: crunch 


SA: converts lesser restoration to inflicted moderate wounds and reaches out to to the bird on the south of the hallway. He will try casting without casting defensively

To hit with imw
 (d20+3)[ 5 ] 
 (2d8+4)[ 17 ]  damage

If he takes damage casting and if he needs a concentration check
 (d20+9)[ 27 ]  concentration

MA: if he kills blue he steps over the corpse and walks 05 feet past Angelo

If he fails to cast or fails to kill blue bird he will attempt a acrobatics to get past the birds. Then will attempt to move 5 feet past Angelo

 (d20-1)[ 7 ]  acrobatics
 
lostsole31
 R41T13.1:  Zauberei growls in frustration and reacts  angrily casting a spell heedless of the danger birds. One eagle misses,  but another nips him in the shoulder for 4, but Zauberei's mind holds  fast as he casts his spell, a dark pall forming on his off-hand. But  just like Angelo, the spellcasting efforts give him a nosebleed as well.  He tries to swing at an eagle but his weariness makes his swing wide. He tries to step past them, but is unable.

 R4T13.05:  Angelo, what do you do?

Enemies on deck and in the hole ...
Moriar
"  Nasty little birdies  ," Angelo says.  Then steps a little closer to the birds and whips the feathered friend.

 
 Spoiler: whip it 


Steps 5' to the west to be within 15' of the birds.

Then risky strike lethal damage to hit of  (1d20+6)[ 20 ] 

Damage of  (1d3+8)[ 10 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R4T13.05:  "  Nasty little birdies  ,"  Angelo says.  Then steps a little closer to the birds and whips one of  the feathered friends, and it disappears from view when the whip nearly  cuts it in half.

 R4T13.02-.0:  Cackling continues  south of Angelo, filling the halls. As Red hops to the side and attacks  Zauberei, he kicks dust from the floor into its eyes, blinding it,  causing it to attack wildly.

 End Round 41, Begin Round 42 ...

R42T13.1:   Zauberei , what do you do?

Angelo on deck, Enemies in the hole ...
Tippnick
Zauberei reaches out to touch the bird with his off hand and then moves his towards the room with opening to the first floor.

 
 Spoiler: crunch 


SA:
Touch attack with imw
 (d20+3)[ 5 ]  to hit
 (2d8+4)[ 19 ]  damage

MA: move full allotment into the room with the opening. Eastward
 
lostsole31
 R42T13.1:  Zauberei reaches out to touch the bird with  his off hand - albeit missing - and then moves his towards the room with  opening to the first floor.

 R42T13.05:   Angelo , what do you do?

Enemies on deck and in the hole ...
Moriar
Angelo catches up to Zauberei and keeps an eye out for enemies.

 
 Spoiler: Crunch 


Standard move to catch up to Zauberei.

Then Readies a whip strike if an enemy gets within range.

Risky strike if triggered to hit:  (1d20+6)[ 9 ]  and damage of  (1d3+8)[ 11 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R42T13.05:  Angelo catches up to Zauberei and keeps an eye out for enemies.

 R42T13.02:  The eagle must have cleared its vision as it  comes zooming into Angelo's whip-range. He snaps and misses. The eagle  snaps its beak at Zauberei as it alights on the ground.

 R42T13:   Casting is heard from the south, and a whip made of force appears next  to the heroes. It snaps and strikes Zauberei in the chest for   3 force  .

 End Round 42, Begin Round 43 ...

R43T13.1:   Zauberei , what do you do?

Angelo on deck, Enemies on deck and in the hole ....
Tippnick
Zauberei reaches out with necrotic energy on his had to touch the bird.

"We have to hurry. If we can get out of range of the spell it can't attack us.", Zauberei says as he point at the spiritual weapon. He then moves into the room with open to the first floor.


 
 Spoiler: crunch 

SA:
Touch attack imw
 (d20+3)[ 11 ] ] to hit
 (2d8+4)[ 7 ]  damage

MA: move directly under whole where the rope was to the East
 
lostsole31
 R43T13.1:  Zauberei reaches out with necrotic energy on his had to touch the bird but misses.

   "We have to hurry. If we can get out of range of the spell it can't  attack us,"   Zauberei says as he point at the  spiritual weapon . He then  moves into the room with open to the first floor, the spectral whip following close behind.

 R43T13.05:   Angelo , what do you do?

Enemies on deck and in the hole ...
Moriar
Angelo nods and begins whistling a quiet dirge of death.

Then he snaps the whip at the bird before moving on.


 
 Spoiler: whip it  


SwA start Archelogists luck.

Normal strike at bird to hit:  (1d20+9)[ 11 ]  damage of  (1d3+5)[ 8 ] 

Moves 30' east following Zauberei
 
lostsole31
 R43T13.05:  Angelo nods and begins whistling a quiet dirge of death. Then he snaps the whip at the bird - dispelling it - before moving on.

 R43T13:  The spectral whip crits Zauberei, cracking him in the back of his right hamstring for  19 + knocked 2 squares east  into the water, face down.

 End Round 43, Begin Round 44 ... 
 R44T13.1:   Zauberei , roll a stabilization check ...

Angelo on deck, Splatter Man in the hole ...
Moriar
Angelo moves in quickly to Zauberei and turns him over.


 
 Spoiler: uh oh 



Continues Archelogists luck

Standard move to be SW and adjacent to Zauberei.

Then turning him over to breathe and look around for danger.
 
lostsole31
 R44T13.05:  Angelo moves in quickly to Zauberei, annoyed by a pile of rubble that slows him down.

 R44T13:  The spectral whip flays Zauberei for   4 force  .

 End Round 44, Begin Round 45 ...

R45T13.05:   Angelo ,  due to the rocks and water, you had to hustle to get to the spot where  you are and didn't have a chance to turn Zauberei over. What do you do?
Moriar
Angelo turns Zauberei over and takes put the wand of cure light wounds again.  "  Hope this helps to save at least one person,"   Angelo says.



 
 Spoiler: one light 


Aiming to turn Zauberei over, pull out the wand, and if able use it on him for  (1d8+1)[ 3 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R45T13.05:  Angelo turns Zauberei over and takes put the  wand of cure light wounds  again, saying,   Hope this helps to save at least one person."  
 R45T13:  The whip of force slashes down and tears open Zauberei's shoulder to mid-chest for  10 .

 End Round 45, Begin Round 46 ...

R46T13.05:   Angelo , what do you do?
Moriar
Angelo cringes aa another wound appears.  After using the wand on Zauberei he pulls him through the water towards where the rope was.


 
 Spoiler: lost cause? 


Cure light wounds healing of  (1d8+1)[ 8 ] 

Then while he is floating pull Zauberei towards the rope.
 
lostsole31
 R46T13.05:   Angelo cringes as another wound appears.   He uses the wand and touches Zauberei - but the spell doesn't discharge,  and nothing on Zauberei heals. The spectral whip, was animate before,  now just hangs limply in the air as if it has no target. He instead  touches the wand to himself for   8 healing  . Since both hands are full, he puts the wand away again, holding only his whip, and looking down at Zauberei's lifeless eyes.

 End Initiative ... 
 Angelo , what do you do?
Moriar
Angelo will continue dragging/pulling Zauberei towards where the rope used to be.    "I am trying brother..."    Angelo says quietly to himself.
lostsole31
Once Angelo gets there, he doesn't even see the rope above anymore.
Moriar
Angelo casts a spell upon himself and then uses his backup whip to tie himself to Zauberei.

Angelo then grabs hold of Zauberei with his off hand (holding whip in other) and then they will start levitating up the shaft.



 
 Spoiler: up up away 


Casts levitate upon himself.

Then once at top of shaft will use held whip to lash at a nearby point to pull himself back onto solid land
 
lostsole31
Angelo ties Zauberei's belt to Angelo's and it is a poor because of the nature of the ship's construction, but holding his dead ally's hand as well.

As Angelo wills himself to lift upwards, he can't hold the weight of Zauberei and his gear, and the whip's bare tiie-off slips and Zauberei's corpse falls back down to the water below. Angelo is pretty sure that a whip - which is not designed to be a proper rope - won't suit his purposes, and with the last spell he can cast today will not be able to get Zauberei's body up to the top.

Angelo, do you leave Zauberei's body for now and see to your own escape?
Moriar
Angelo looks sadly at Zauberei as he let's the whip unwind and Angelo ascends on his own.

  "I will try to be strong brother and return with others to retrieve bodies for a proper funeral,"   Angelo says a quiet vow.
lostsole31
The whip had likewise become unspooled and falls below into the darkness.

Angelo finds himself at the top now, levitating by two of the edges of the 10'-wide hole. The northeast wall of this room has partially fallen, revealing the dark, murky waters of the pond outside. Moldering training dummies and other similar equipment hint that this room may have once been a training area for the guards. In the northeast part of the room, the floor around a dark, jagged hole is surrounded by black scorch marks.

Now what? Don't be vague. You have to find your way out of here, and it won't just be gratised.
Moriar
"  Guide me brother,  "  Angelo prays quietly.

Then starts moving quietly through the rooms looking for the way out.


 
 Spoiler: out? 


Using stealth to remain quiet will head through the door to the north.  Then nw and west through another door into a room.  Next looks to be a double doors to the south into a hallway and another double doors.  This leads to entrance room I think and then exit to south. Then back to Kendra's house.
 
lostsole31
Despite the wind chill driving temperatures to below freezing, Angelo makes it back to Lorrimor House .... and no others.

Kendra, with her valet Mr. Evans listening intently while plying the lone  survivor with tea and black bread with butter to fortify him, listen to Angelo's terrible tale.
lostsole31
    Sunday, 12 Pharast 4711 AR (First Quarter Moon) 
25 / 10 F. Winds N 20 mph. Dry. Wind Chill:  0 F/ -15 F.   

It is an unbelievably cold day today, as winter is having its last gasps, refusing to let in spring. The church had sent out acolytes early in the morning, each protected by Pharasma's grace, to inform the town and farmsteads that no service will be held at the church today for the protection of its residents.

It has been six days since the slaughter under the earth at Harrowstone, and six days of increased loathing. Whispers have been wagging about that had Angelo also died instead of escaping his fate, that the angry spirits of the prison would be appeased. But hauntings around Harrowstone have not ended, and anger has only increased. Why even today, another letter appeared on the Harrowstone memorial ... a bright     "O"     splashed in vermillion as before, but larger and bloodier than before.

The news had spread quickly around town and into the ears of two travelers making thee way to Lorrimor Manor where even now Angelo Nicolescu is healed of his wounds, but has lain convalescent in grief and mental anguish. Two travelers who, while not beneficiaries of the will, nevertheless came from far away to give their respects to the late Professor.

And so it is that Angelo gives the entirety of the sad tale and ordeal of their investigations ... complete as possible (perhaps too complete, that's the academician in Angelo) ... so that now Ivan and Niann are fully caught up. The time passed over hours so now, fully caught up on the mission, all sit down to dinner.

 ALCON , give complete descriptions of your PCs, please, including numerical descriptions of height and weight.
Tippnick
Niann introduced herself when she first arrives at the Lorrimor manor. Reacquainting herself with Kendra Lorrimor. Who she only met briefly in the company of the Professor.

Niann stands 6'1" and weighs 110lbs. She has gray skin and greenish yellow eyes. Short white hair adorns her head.  She wears chain armor and carries a powerful looking bow and a scimitar.  She arrived dressed for the weather but didn't seem too bothered by the cold. She seems strong and athletic, carrying her burdens with seeming ease.
Ason
Ivan Kovacovich is a moderately tall man of muscular build. His weathered face suggests a peasant's upbringing, but his somber yet formal clothing suggests a rise in station. While he wears a mutely-colored greatcloak, a thick breastplate shines from underneath its folds, and a large, carefully-maintained woodsman's axe hangs off his back. A top hat completes his attire, sitting atop a head of blonde hair that frames green eyes, beneath which rests a similarly blonde goatee. Ivan's default expression is a polite, albeit remote smile, most of the time, and his voice  is a soft yet firm baritone, conveying a gentleness that comes not from  weakness but from confidence.

Ivan listens attentively as Angelo recounts recent events, nodding his head and giving a quiet, sympathetic   "How awful!"   at appropriate times.
lostsole31
The evening meal is served, and Angelo notes that the maid has been pulling double duty as Mr. Evans, the butler, was not about earlier. But now at dinner, he seems to be back on the job. Mr. Evans is a curious sort ... standing only 4' tall, he appears to be made mainly of wood, but overlaid with various fine metals, including an almost completely metal-covered head of gleaming silver.

As he and the maid set out the soup course for the guests, Kendra Lorrimoor asks him,   "Mr. Evans, did your sequestration bear any fruit?"  

Ivan and Angelo are sure that Mr.'s Evans are some type of secret code, using foreign phrases like "reactiivty," "peptides," and "amino acids."

Niann, on the other, understands the language perfectly. It appears Mr. Evans is fluent in Alchemist, and she follows along as he described the means by which he took blood and determined its properties, to include the type of body in which it was once stored.

Mr. Evans finishes his summation,   "Pig's blood.  First. there was rat; then cat; then dog; and today's letter on the memorial was created by pig's blood."  
Tippnick
Niann asks,   "You have analyzed the blood that has been written in the town? Is it a haunting or a more physical vandalism, do you think? Is there a more mundane source that is doing it?"

"Maybe those that killed Professor Lorrimor, may the Lady of graves guide his soul along the Dead Roads, are still about."  
lostsole31
  "Given the haunted lettering and strength of such a spirit as the Splatter Man,"   begins Mr. Evans,   "I theorize that his dread will has reached out to one or more accomplices or mind-thralls and committed them to this physical act. Nothing about the battle with the Splatter Man suggests that he can affect the physical world beyond his quite impressive wizardly and clerical magic and his aging touch.  This is just a symptom of the problem that is the Splatter-Man, not a root cause to extirpate itself.  The way to do that is to attack the ghost again, this time with intelligence of what Mr. Manescu has paid so dearly to give."  
Moriar
  "We must destroy the ghost,"   Angelo says with cold eyes that no longer use the smile lines etched into his face.
  
"Is there a way to keep him from moving through walls or have a suggestion to approach this thing?"  
Tippnick
  "Not that I know of, but I know little of ghosts. We might have to avoid the haunts as well until the Warden's wife helps with them. Do you have those items she wanted from his remains?"   Niann responds.

  "Ivan, do you know how to contain a ghost? Maybe anchor him to a spot?"

"We need to plan ahead of how to get to the level where ghost is. Are we using ropes, magic, jumping? I have a rope and magic, but it sounds like we might need both."  
lostsole31
Kendra and Mr. Evans share a look.   "If you will take my services, I shall go with you to tend a strong rope, and for when help is needed to portage out the dead when you inevitably overcome the challenge.

"As far as this elusive phantom,"   and here he looks to Angelo,   "Does it make any sense that you escaped randomly? I believe either has a reason for you to have escaped, or he was unable to prevent it. What were the limits of its movements below?"  
Tippnick
  "Angelo, are you ready to go back into the prison and put an end to this ghost?"  , Niann asks.


  "I will need to get some spell components in town. But Ivan can go with me and we can meet you at the entrance. If you are willing."  
lostsole31
Mr. Evans says,   "That is unwise. Meet us back here, as you have to pass the house anyway. No need for Angelo to stand in the freezing cold for an indeterminate amount of time waiting for you."  
Moriar
  "It seemed that this ghost was not able to move outside very far from his domain  ," Angelo says. "  The hard part was getting to him while he was casting summoning spells since can go through walls at will.

Thank you Mr Evans fir bringing that up. For I have no intention of waiting in the cold by a cursed prison by myself.

To get to this ghosts' level we originally used rope to climb down and I had to levitate out since his summoned birds cut the rope."  
lostsole31
   "I believe I left a 50' length of rope in the work shed,"    offers Mr. Evans.    "Will that work? As before, I can tend the line while you climb."   
Ason
Ivan nods along thoughtfully as he listens to the others speak. Finally, he adds his own thoughts.

  "This Splatter Man must be destroyed, yes. Pharasma allows me to bless weapons to harm spirits, for just a few minutes, mind you. And I have some rope of my own for the cause. But what you say about phasing through walls..."   Ivan pauses for a moment, brows furrowed in thought.

   "That seems the most dangerous part, as then the ghost controls when and where we fight. We need to be dictating terms of combat, not him. If he didn't follow you, luring him out seems unlikely. So I see two options..."   he ticks off the list with his fingers,   " One , engage him but fight defensively. As soon as he goes through a wall, we retreat together so he hopefully wastes time and spells looking for us, and we can heal as necessary before reengaging. Once he's worn down, we go on the offensive.  Two , were the doors in that cell block wood or metal? If the former, we could break down the doors whenever we aren't fighting. I even know a spell that might-- might --make us imperceptible to undead, as long as we don't attack anything. If that spell fools him-- if --we could demolish the doors before fighting, though he'd likely know someone was there and start summoning."  

Ivan shakes his head.   "Or perhaps there's a third choice I'm not seeing? Whatever we pick, we need a plan to counter his hit-and-run tactics before we go down there."  
lostsole31
  "Oh!"   says Mr. Evans.    "How foolish of me. Mr. Kovacocich, you will not find any places open for business today. It is Sunday."  
Tippnick
  "Then I will get it tomorrow after we defeat this ghost and put down the other haunts of this cursed prison, if the Lady of Graves wills it."  , Niann declares.
Moriar
"  Unfortunately,  the doors were all metal and locked,"   Angelo says.  "  By the time I got to a door to pick the lock, he had already gone through another wall or came out to attack.

Often he would hide inside a locked cell. We wouldn't know which one exactly while he cast summoning spells. Does someone have the means to magically unlock the doors?"  
lostsole31
Mr. Evans is a funny little creature, really. It is obvious that he is some manner of animated construct given intellect, but sometimes he goes farther by doing things that no animated construct should do, such as in this case, make a harrumphing sound. But he does harrumph. Like so...

  "Hmph."  

Okay it was more of a hmph, but your author believes that puts it squarely on the same field as a harrumph. As I was, er, he was saying. Or harrumphing. Or, never mind....

  "Hmph,"   Mr. Evans mutters to himself a bit petulantly.   "I was supposed to be belaying the line above. I can open most locked doors ... magical or un- ... but I can't very well be in two places at once, can I?"  
Ason
Ivan furrows his brows at Niann's words, doubly so once Angelo clarifies the situation.   "No, Mr. Evans, you very well cannot, I agree with you. If we could tie off the ropes at the top, would a belay be not needed? Climbing is not my  forte , I confess."  
  "Regardless, perhaps Plan A is, if my hide from undead spell fools the Splatter Man, for someone to pick all the doors  before  we attack? Should the ghost summon monsters, there is a warding spell that keeps evil summons at bay that could buy us some time. That     would let us eventually hunt him down into any cell. If that fails for any reason, what is our Plan B?"

"Did readying attacks for when he reappeared work last time? I imagine the ghost will avoid walking into our blades if possible, so perhaps not. Perhaps Plan B is attacking the ghost but retreating or moving a different area together whenever he vanishes, instead of waiting for him to surprise us? Then we deal with any summons before returning to start the cycle anew? Should that fail, maybe Plan C is for the lockpicker to work on the doors while the rest of us do battle, until the playing field is eventually leveled?"  

Nodding at Niann, Ivan adds,   "My apologies if I am being a bore over this. But his ability to dictate the terms of battle is a puzzle I'd prefer to solve up here rather than down there. Does my strategy seem acceptable? I'll defer if someone has an alternative proposal, as Mr. Evans and Mr. Angelo know this beast better than I do."
  
 
 Spoiler: OoC 
Rusty, I just realized I think the  Unbroken Stride  maneuver description on Ivan's sheet is 1 level higher than it should be. He's only level 4, so the spider climb affect doesn't kick in yet, and not seeing a houserule on the Discord about it, I don't think Ivan gets that ability yet.
 
lostsole31
Mr. Evans clucks indignantly,   "Why would I know better than you? You have all heard Angelo give his account of his harrowing ordeal at, erm, Harrowstone A top-belay is actually important for stabilizing the rope a little more. That does little for experienced climbers, but can provide aid to those worried about their confidence on a dangling rope with no walls to brace against."  
Tippnick
  "Ivan, I told you time and again that have to work on your upper body strength. You will never be a climber without putting time focusing on it."  , Niann scolds.

  "I do have means for a quicker climb out if necessary. A spell that lasts several minutes. It can on command embed a grapnel and rope, into the ceiling or floor. And upon command lower or raise you."  
lostsole31
  "One person survived to the remains of the rope last time,"   says Mr. Evans, gesturing to Angelo,   "and he happened to have a spell to levitate him to safety, but he could because he had it. If anyone else that died had it, not very useful, so I will be staying with the rope, thank you very much."  
Moriar
"  Readying attacks sometimes worked,"   Angelo begins.    "But we often panic and split up when we heard him casting nearby in an attitude to reach him....though we never did until he came out.

If that spell to hide truly would work, then I could try unlocking the doors while Mr. Evans helps ensure a path of escape.  Though I could only work on one door at a time.  Plus being alone if he should attack doesn't sound appealing.

Being able to keep summoned creatures at bay while we stay together could help tremendously.

Last time we had his old spell book that seemed to hurt him when we tore out pages.  It might still be down there... in the dark."  
Tippnick
  "You said he attacked with a magic missile type spell. The Shield spell counters that. If you have it, use it."  , advises Niann.
Moriar
  "Would someone have access to a wand or potions of shield?  " Angelo asks. "  That is my only means of doing so."  
Tippnick
  "Not me, sorry Angelo."  , Niann says.

  "Can anyone say for a certainty how to hurt the ghost? I assume magic weapons, but not sure what is the best way to do the most damage. I have some alchemical things designed to hurt a ghost. But I am not sure I will have enough time to apply it."  
lostsole31
Looking at some of Professor Lorrimoor's books, Mr. Evans says,   "Ah, yes, here it is. Magical weapons, alchemical items ... these  can  hurt a ghost, but usually not very badly, at least not as much against a corporeal opponent.

"If you really want to hurt ghosts, specters, and their ilk? Force weapons ... weapons specifically enchanted to harm incorporeal creatures .... holy water ... but most of all, positive channeled energy."   He closes the book, holding it up for effect.   "Of course, if you find his moldy spellbook, from what I understand from Angelo's story, the late Zauberei was able to pull pages from the book - only if the Splatter Man was nearby, so assume only if visible - as a sort of specific-to-Splatter Man, battering ram."  
Moriar
"  Thank you Mr. Evans for looking that up and reminding us all about the professors healthy library,"   Angelo says.  "  Can anyone think of anything to rearch or items to attempt to purchase before heading down to destroy this creature?"  
Ason
  "Pharasma grants me the ability to bless weapons in a similar fashion, but only for a few moments,"   Ivan adds with a shrug,   "But as far as research, it sounds like we know how ghosts operate, this ghost in particular. Perhaps if Niann still wishes to shop tomorrow, we could all see if any merchants have useful items to sell like holy water, wands, scrolls, and such. And you know my thoughts on how to deal with the unfortunate place where he's made his lair, so otherwise I think all we can do is get a good night's sleep and steel ourselves for tomorrow's work. But I am glad we had this talk: it's shown me the gravity of what the late professor--and your late friends--were dealing with. We shall avenge them."  
lostsole31
Mr. Evans shakes his head.   "This village is too small for specialized materials. Angelo's friends were given permission previously to equip themselves with undead fighting equipment from a crypt, but all of that information is down there on the bodies of the fallen. In addition, the village tempers are increasing. I fear that any unnecessary interaction with the townsfolk will only increase their growing hostility to outsiders, whom they are blaming for the recent increased hauntings and issues throughout Ravengro.

"I am sorry, gentle persons, but this is not a problem you can sit on and hope for the most optimal conditions. There are no optimal conditions. There is only the threat of the growing Now. You can either commit to your shared vengeance against a spirit released to havoc by the Professor's killer, or leave town promptly to not gain the target of a lynch mob."  
Tippnick
  "I can go now. I don't need a spell component for the one spell I have memorized and most likely will memorize until I am able to learn to cast more, at least in what my father called the Shaper discipline."  , Niann informs.
Moriar
  "Very well  ," Angelo says. "  Brace for the chill out there and let us head out then."  
lostsole31
Mr. Evans dresses for the chill, bringing along a worn rucksack with the rope from the shed, and grabs a staff and some pouches.   "Mr. Kovacovich, are you ready to depart?"  
lostsole31
Kendra points to the clock, and Mr. Evans raises his arms in a type of helpless Oh-no gesture.    "Ach! Forgive me, mein herren and dame. I realize now by my good lady's prodding that it might be too late for well-traveled, well-fed bodies weary of the road. So, I shall make for us a full and hearty breakfast tomorrow, and now would be a good time for me to serve some schnapps as a nightcap, and send you on your way to your beds. Agreed?"  
Moriar
  "In my haste for finally getting vengeance i also didn't see the time,"   Angelo says reluctantly.  "  Tomorrow it is then."  
lostsole31
    Monday, 13 Pharast 4711 AR (First Quarter) 
25 / 10 F. Winds N 20 mph. Dry. Wind Chill:  0 F/ -15 F.   

The next morning, still freezing and biting winds outside. Mr. Evans provides a hearty breakfast, as noted.

Does anyone change anything about their lineup, and do you intend to go late morning to mid-morning to deal with less cold on the way to Harrowstone?
Tippnick
  "Thank you Mr. Evans. My cooking is quite subpar and I always appreciate a good meal before facing danger. I am ready to face this spirit."  , says Niann.


  "I suggest casting your long lasting spells before we leave. That we are not chanting spells inside the prison stirring up danger."  , she advises.

She hoists her back pack on her shoulders as everyone  gathers to leave. She does not leave anything behind at the manor.

 
 Spoiler: crunch 

If attacked  she will use an immediate action to bring up a shadow barrier giving her a +4 to ac cover and +2 reflex save.

If she does not have a shadow surge on board she will gather her shadow surge
 
Moriar
"  My brother did always love your cooking,"   Angelo says quietly to Mr. Evans.
  
"Let's eat a full meal Tippy and be strong for our brother."  

A hedgehog crawls out of one of Angelo's tattoos and quietly joins the meal.


Once finished they simply walk to the fair and await the others to head out.
Ason
Ivan echoes Niann's thanks to Mr. Evans,   "You are a truly a man of many skills, much like the late professor. Thank you."
  
After donning his cold weather gear alongside his fighting equipment and readying to leave the house, Ivan frowns slightly.   "I have no such spells like that at this point, so I'm ready to go."  

And with that, he slings his backpack onto his shoulders, carrying everything with him just like Niann, and departs with the others for the prison.

 
 Spoiler: Preparations 
Ivan swaps out some spell preparations. He swaps out Divine Swap, replacing it with another casting of Hide from Undead
 
lostsole31
Mr. Evans uses his hands to create a "downplay" type of action,   "Tut, tut, tut. Ve each have our gifts."  

Angelo leads the short expedition to Harrowstone. It's damnably cold, especially for Angelo whose teeth is chattering for not having worn the proper clothing, but luckily nobody suffers from hypothermia. Mr. Evans has brought a torch and lights it for now (which he drops once he gets out his rope).

Angelo leads everyone through Harrowstone to the ruined room with the elevator shaft that goes down.  Mr. Evans makes a sort of annoyed sniffing sound at the remains of rope up here, kicking it into the hole.  He takes out his rope - silk in make - and ties it into several even knots, shortening the length to 40' and then wrapping it around himself.   "Go ahead. I assure you my construction is more thanan enough to bear your weight sturdily as you each descend. Might I recommend Fraulein Niann to descend first. She seems fast on her feet, and as a fetchling should have no problem seeing in the darkness below."  
Tippnick
Niann nods silently at Mr. Evans' suggestion to go first. She steeles herself to go down and grabs hold of the rope and wraps her leg around it to help the climb.

 
 Spoiler: climb 

If attacked she attacked with weapon, spell or ability she will use shadow barrier as an immediate action.

Climb
[Roll]d20+10[/[roll] 1st climb attempt
[Roll]d20+10[/[roll]2nd

[Roll]d20+10[/[roll] 3rd if necessary

Once down she will look around for threats
 
lostsole31
Niann easily and expertly ambles down the knotted rope that trails into a pool of water. The nearest "shore" is 5' away. Does she just climb into the cold water or try and swing over to land on the dry spot?
Tippnick
She will try get to shore with ought getting wet. Once down she  indicates she is down. Her arcane sight will be active.
lostsole31
Niann easily does a little swing and hops over to the shore and turns around.

This cavernous chamber may have once been an underground cellblock, but it has long since collapsed. The crumbled walls are thick with mold and stained with soot, and heaps of fallen stones and charred wooden beams line the area. Water drips and seeps along the walls, collecting in a dark, murky pool in the middle of the room. To the north, the twisted remains of a wood and iron lift lie in a heap in a shallow portion of the pool. A jagged hole in the roof yawns twenty feet above this ruin. To the west, a partially blocked opening seems to open up after several feet into a dark but stable tunnel.

There is a body mostly submerged in the water about 10' south of Niann.
Tippnick
Niann readies herself for battle. In her hand appears a shadowy javelin and she brings her shield to bear.

 
 Spoiler: if statement  


If attacked by any means she will use shadow barrier as an immediate action
 
lostsole31
  "Is it safe for the next to follow?"   calls down Mr. Evans.
Tippnick
  "Start them down Mr. Evans. The rope is over a pile of water. Have them prepared to jump to shore or get wet.",   Niann projects loud enough for them to hear.
  "I found a body."   
 Spoiler: ia 

If attacked she will use shadow barrier
 
Moriar
Angelo casts a spell with Tippy.  Then the hedgehog goes back into tattoo form and Angelo will climb down.

 
 Spoiler: crunch 


Casts mage armor with extend spell through Echo ability onto Angelo.

Once down will say, "  Poor Zauberei.  He came so close to escape."  
 
lostsole31
Angelo manages to descend 5' on the rope before he loses his grip and falls into the water ... what there is of it .. which is not enough to completely soften the blow as he takes  2 physical + 130 pride damage .

Shivering in the freezing water, he sees he landed next to the Nethysian priest-mage. His teeth now chattering as he stands and moves to the side, he manages, "  P-poor Z-z-z-zauberei.  He c-came so c-c-close to escape."  

Angelo has to cast  light  on his clothes in the meantime.

Mr. Evans looks to Ivan.   "Last man, sir. Gods' speed."  
Ason
Ivan nods at Mr. Evans words. He then pulls out his climber's kit and says,   "This might help make your job and our return trip easier."   Ivan then takes the time to employ the pitons, crampons, and such before his descent and later during it. Ivan finally closes his eyes for a moment, and the hairs on the back of his neck stand up rigid as he tightens his stance in preparation.

Ivan then descends via the rope, applying the climber's kit as necessary. When he reaches the lower level, if his stance still holds him above the water, he will drag the submerged body to the shoreline.

 
 Spoiler: OoC 
 Swift:  adopt the  Unbroken Stride  stance so that he doesn't go into the water but on top of it
 
 Note: I know we're not in combat, so I imagine he'll drop this stance as soon as he's off of the water 
 
 Climb Checks  (no kit, etc bonuses included)

 
 Attempt 1:  (1d20+4)[ 6 ]  
 Attempt 2:  (1d20+4)[ 22 ]  
 Attempt 3:  (1d20+4)[ 9 ]  
 
 
lostsole31
Ivan easily climbs down, stands on the water, and then pulls Zauberei's body out of the water to the shore.

  "Look through Herr Zauberei's belongings for anything that might be helpful,"   calls down Mr. Evans.   "Holy water, healing wands, even that spellbook that hurt the ghost. Good luck, heroes!"  
Tippnick
  "He was a wizard? He should have a spell book of his own."   
Niann searches the body for something useful, trying to see if any magic remains in his belongings as well
Moriar
  "Let's first get him out of the water,"   Angelo says. He will help get the body to sry land.

   "The holy water and splatterman spell book would be useful.  I don't see a wand, perhaps was taken?"  
lostsole31
He was already pulled out by Ivan.

Who holds the holy water, and who holds Splatterman's spellbook?
Ason
Ivan winces as the others go through Zauberei's belongings. Thinking through his ethical dilemma, Ivan states slowly and quietly,   "Looting the dead is wicked. The spellbook, I understand, since that is our quarry's and will help in slaying the ghost. If that holy water is from the professor's cache you mentioned, which Father Grimburrow approved the use of, then okay. But I won't be a part of anything beyond that. We need the Lady of Graves on our side, here more than ever."  

He shakes his head, however, at any items offered at him.   "I already have holy water. I'm willing to wield the ghost's grimoire, but if either of you arcane fellows would prefer to, I'll defer."  
Tippnick
  "I will be more useful doing damage with weapons. Angelo, can take the spell book as well as the holy water."  , Niann says.
lostsole31
Angelo gets the holy water and spellbook. The former goes in his adventurer's sash, but with his backpack down here he has to carry the spellbook in hand.

Now what?
Moriar
"  Let's send Zauberei up to Mr. Evans,"   Angelo suggests.

  "Then if we head west and to the south we will be close to where we first encountered the ghost, so be ready."  
Tippnick
  "Mr. Evans, are you alright pulling up the cor.. Zauberei yourself or should we wait to help?"  , Niann asks.
lostsole31
  "The mission, gentleman, is the ghost. Zauberei's body is not haunting the town. The Splatter Man's influence is,"   calls down Mr. Evans.
Tippnick
  "Gentlemen, hmmmph. Ok then."  , Niann grumps a little.

  "Let us follow Angelo. We will recover the bodies once we have dealt with the dangers."  
  "You said through here and then South?"  , Niann points to passage West.

 
 Spoiler: Immediate action 


If attacked she puts up a shadow barrier as an immediate action

She has javelin and shield ready
 
Ason
  "Right,"   Ivan says in agreement.   "But let's pause a few chambers away from the ghost's lair--I'll let you say 'when', Angelo--so I can cast my hiding spell on the three of us. That way we've more time to work on the doors unseen by the ghost. Just stay calm unless it's clear the ghost's seen through my magic: any hostile acts by us break the spell."  

Ivan then follows Angelo's lead in navigating toward the Splatter Man's cell block and casts  Hide from Undead  on all three of them when Angelo signals they are close enough.
lostsole31
 Angelo , they are following you ... what do you do?
Moriar
"  Let's head into this next room,"   Angelo says.  "  Then we just head directly South to his area I believe.  His summons were able to reach that far but he didn't appear there.  Should be a good place to cast any relatively short term spells and or to prepare."   
lostsole31
Angelo leads them into the next room ... a massive one. Four dark hallways exit from this large empty chamber, each striking out in one of the four directions of the compass, and each decorated with a soot-caked brass nameplate affixed to the ceiling just above the entrance. A rubble-choked stairway leads up in the middle of the room, while eight skeletons dressed in scorched prisoners’ robes lie on the ground. Also dropped in that pile is a warhammer ... which Angelo recognizes as having belonged to Alexandru ("Lexi") Nicolescu.
Tippnick
Niann warily picks up the hammer. She gives it an appraing look wondering if she could attune it.   "We will make sure it is put to good use down here. I have no intention of keeping it yet."  
  "Ivan, Angelo, can either you make use of a good hammer?"  
 
 Spoiler: IA 

If attacked will use an immediate action to raise a shadow barrier

Appraise the warhammer
 
Moriar
Angelo looks on at the hammer sadly.  "  That was my brothers hammer.  Unfortunately I'm not as strong as my brother, he was always better in that arena than myself.  Once we defeat these creature...  "  Angelo gets lost in thought for a moment.

Then shakes out of it and says, "  Would either of you benefit from an combat enhancement spell?  And if you have any short to mid timed abilities to use now would be the time."  
 
 Spoiler: spell crunch 


Will cast heroism on whomever says that they would like the spell
 
Tippnick
  "I will carry it for you Angelo, I will keep it safe."  . Niann says

  "I think either of us would benefit from a spell like that. I will wait a bit longer on my spells."

   
 Spoiler: crunch 


Stows the hammer through some loops on her backpack

IA
If attacked will use shadow barrier as an immediate action
 
Moriar
"  After a short hallway to the south we will be in the ghost room  ," Angelo said.  "  Anyone need to cast or otherwise prepare or are we good to proceed? When we proceed lets do so quietly . " 

Angelo will cast a spell upon Niann.


 
 Spoiler: crunchy 


Cast heroism upon Niann
 
lostsole31
Niann feels an incredible surge of confidence with Angelo's spell.

What now?
Ason
Ivan says,   "I have one spell,"   which he then proceeds to cast.   "And now we see if the ghost falls for my deception."  
  "Ready,"   he finally says with a determined nod of his head. Ivan then draws his axe and follows Angelo's lead in approaching the ghost's chamber.

 
 Spoiler: OoC 
Ivan casts  Hide from Undead  on the party.
 
lostsole31
Angelo leads the party directly south as he said, passing a door to the east and they get to several iron bars in their way, blocking their way south.
Tippnick
  "If we try to lift or break it will be noisy. But what will we encounter a different way? You tell us what we should do. I can conjure a crowbar to help lift."  , Niann whispers.

 
 Spoiler: IA 

If attacked will raise shadow barrier as an immediate action.
 
Moriar
"   Huh, I wonder how Zauberei got went this way,"    Angelo wonders aloud quietly. "   No matter, let's go back the way that I got out."   

Angelo quietly but quickly guides them back to the north room, then west to the jails.

 
 Spoiler: guiding 


Unless something triggers, guide them back north. Then west to the jails, then south, and to the entrance of the secret door.
 
lostsole31
Angelo leads the group north to the western corridor. Then into the western section and then south and west, and then south into a torture room, with an open/ revealed secret door to the east.

What now?
Moriar
  "This is the way I left previously  ," Angelo says. "  So unless he installed something in here then we should have a straight shot to his prison area.

If you have last minute prep do it now, otherwise in we go quietly."  
 
 Spoiler: ready? 


Will wait to see if there is anything people need to do prior.


Then after steeling himself for what is to come in the tunnel will advance quietly.
 
Tippnick
  "I will wait until the battle to cast. Although there is something I can do."  , Niann whispers.

Shadows suffuse her body.

  "Let's us go on and not linger. Spells will timeout."  
 
 Spoiler: Crunch 


SA: spend a point of Quintessence to activate Gloom Shield on her (lasts for 4 minutes
IA: if attacked activate shadow barrier as an immediate action
 
Ason
  "Agreed, and ready,"   Ivan whispers back while hefting his axe.

Ivan then navigates his way into the secret passage, walking as quietly as he can as he follows Angelo's lead.

 
 Spoiler: OoC 
Stealth movement, if possible

 Immediate Action, if attacked by the ghost:   Warning Roar  
 
lostsole31
The party follows Angelo as he makes his way for not quite half a minute through a very rough-hewn cross passage. He stops and gaps when his light falls upon the bodies of his brother, Marius, and Marius' dead rat Paula.

Unlike Zauberei, who showed some unnatural aging, all three of these bodies are hyper-aged husks, completely unrecognizable as the hale young humans (or rat) they had been.
Ason
   "More of your last party?"    Ivan whispers to Angelo,    "I'm sorry."   
   "We must be close. I have one last protection. Niann's seen my telepathic ability, but don't be alarmed, Angelo..."   

Ivan then freezes momentarily, inviting the others into his collective, and should they accept, his determination to destroy this ghost becomes almost palpable.

 
 Spoiler: to anyone who accepts the invitation to his collective 
He then telepathically states to anyone who accepts the invitation,    "We can now talk telepathically, and I can protect you a bit more."   
 

 
 Spoiler: OoC 
 Standard:  Ivan invites Angelo and Niann into his  zealot collective 
 Free Reaction:  Redirect up to 15 hit point damage done to the collective via  martyrdom , paying up to 4 pp to reduce the damage he takes. He rounds down on the pp spent to avoid over-reducing (i.e. 11 damage --&gt; he only spends 3 pp to block 9, 8 damage --&gt; he only spends 2 pp to block 6).

 Immediate Action, if attacked by the ghost:   Warning Roar
 
 
Tippnick
      "Truly horrible, I am sorry about your friends."      , Niann whispers.

She looks them over to see any magic on them. Long enough enough to get locations
 
 Spoiler: immediate action  

Accepts the collective from Ivan

If attacked she raise a shadow barrier
 
Moriar
Angelo swallows and stares for a moment before saying,  "    This was my twin brother. I wish to avenge him above all others."   
 
 Spoiler: crunchy 


Will accept the telepathic link and adds his own determination and anger to the collective.
 
lostsole31
Niann's vision will note that on Angelo's dead twin that there is a single glowing vial at his belt.

For the one called Marius, there is a single faint glow coming from his masterwork backpack.

Angelo, while we're at it, your brother also has your backpack with your items.

What now?
Ason
   "Soon then."    Ivan whispers back.

Telepathically, he adds to the other two in the collective,    "And when we're done here, I will sanctify his body and bring it out for a honorable burial."   
Tippnick
In the collective    "The vial there is magical and there is something magical in that pack. I would say leave it and continue."   

Still in the collective,    "When the fight begins I can bring forth a protective shroud. Say inside of it right next to me. Creatures have trouble passing through it unless they are strong willed and magic cast into the shroud is less effective at times.Also attacks have a chance of missing us it will last less than half a minute."   
Moriar
   "Let's us get this over with,    " Angeko says. "   This ghost has been around too long and taken too many lives.   "

Angelo holds back tears and quietly moves forward.  He will start helping to open the locks when all are ready.
lostsole31
Angelo steps into the room of the oubliette and cells, with Ivan and Niann still just behind him in the ruined cell to the north with dead bodies. Several iron doors line the walls of this partially ruined cellblock—the doors themselves now hang askew on their hinges, revealing empty cells beyond. Partially burnt wooden support timbers still function to the north, while to the south they’ve collapsed and caused cell walls to crumble as well. Rivulets of water drip down the southwestern wall to create a shallow pool in this ruined portion of the room, with overflow filling an oubliette hole in the middle of the room nearly to the rim.

Again ... NOW .... the doors hang askew and ruined. This was not the case before.
Tippnick
Niann slowly walks in the room to stand East of Angelo. 
 Spoiler: ia 

MA: move into the room to stand East of Angelo
SA: if she sees the ghost she will raise a guardian shield

IA: if attacked will raise a shadow barrier
 
Ason
Ivan frowns at the situation.

 
 Spoiler: collective telepathy 
Ivan thinks at the others,    "At least the doors aren't an issue. Time to end this."   
 

Ivan then walks into the room and peers into the northwestern cell.

 
 Spoiler: OoC 
 Move:  5' south, 5' southwest, 5' west
 Standard:  perception to look for a stimulus: evidence of the ghost's presence

 Free Reaction:  Redirect up to 15 hit point damage done to the collective via  martyrdom ,  paying up to 4 pp to reduce the damage he takes. He rounds down on the  pp spent to avoid over-reducing (i.e. 11 damage --&gt; he only spends 3  pp to block 9, 8 damage --&gt; he only spends 2 pp to block 6).

 Immediate Action, if anyone in the party is attacked by the ghost:   Warning Roar 

If the cell seems empty, Ivan thinks at the others telepathically    "It's clear."   
 
lostsole31
Before Ivan can tepe back the "all clear," he sees something forming on the walls. Out in the larger room, Angelo and Niann see the same thing - drops of blood welling up on the walls.

 Begin Round One ...

R1T24:   Niann , what do you do?
Tippnick
 
 Spoiler: collective  

In the collective:    "Angelo you said it wrote the letters of the names of the group on the wall as it attacked the minds? Is this the ghost or something else?"

"You attacked the letters and and hurt it with positive energy?"   
 


Niann looks around for a spellbook that might have been the ghost's.

 
 Spoiler 

FA: she unreadies the shield
MA: she searches for the book
If she sees it she will move to it. If it is close enough she will pick it up.
SA:  keep looking if not found
 
lostsole31
 R1T24:   
 Spoiler: Niann &gt;&gt;&gt; Collective 
In the collective:    "Angelo you said it wrote  the letters of the names of the group on the wall as it attacked the  minds? Is this the ghost or something else?"

"You attacked the letters and and hurt it with positive energy?"   
 

Niann  looks around for a spellbook that might have been the ghost's, but then  seeing the moldy spellbook in Angelo's hands, takes it out of his hands  and into her own.

 R1T19:   Ivan , what do you do? You have your axe in hand.
Ason
 
 Spoiler: Collective Telepathy 
   "Nothing here yet but bloody walls. I guess the fight is coming."   
 


Ivan walks back into the main room, spies the bloody walls there too, and frowns in contemplation at the droplets. He then claps a hand on his allies' shoulders as he weaves a spell over the party.

 
 Spoiler: OoC 
 Move:  2 squares east
 Standard:  cast  Communal Protection from Evil  on himself, Angelo and Niann, giving himself 2 minutes and the other two 1 minute each

 Free Reaction:  Redirect up to 15 hit point damage done to the collective via  martyrdom ,   paying up to 4 pp to reduce the damage he takes. He rounds down on the   pp spent to avoid over-reducing (i.e. 11 damage --&gt; he only spends 3   pp to block 9, 8 damage --&gt; he only spends 2 pp to block 6).

 Immediate Action, if anyone in the party is attacked by the ghost:   Warning Roar 
 
lostsole31
 R1T19:   
 Spoiler: Ivan &gt;&gt;&gt; Collective 
   "Nothing here yet, but bloody walls. I guess the fight is coming."   
 
Ivan walks back into the main room, spies the bloody walls there too,  and frowns in contemplation at the droplets. He then claps a hand on his  allies' shoulders as he weaves a spell over the party, filling them with a sense of hope.

 R1T16:   Angelo , what do you do?
Moriar
Angelo looks around uncertainly but prepares to cast a spell once the splatterman makes himself known.


 
 Spoiler: Missiles? 


Ready an action to cast magic missile at splatterman once the ghost appears.

if cast, damage of spell:  (3d4+3)[ 13 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R1T16:  Angelo looks around uncertainly, but prepares to cast a spell once the Splatter Man makes himself known.

 R1T11:  Viridian delays ...

 R1T10:   As the blood drips down the wall, Ivan sees a bloody letter "I" form on  the wall just west of him. Unbidden from desire, the terror that it  means - that he has been marked by the Splatter Man for death, is too  terrifying (  2 WIS damage  ), he lets out a long, loud, terrible scream.

 End Round One, Begin Round 2 ...

R2T24:   Niann , what do you do?

Ivan on deck, Angelo in the hole ...
Tippnick
 
 Spoiler: collective  

In the collective    "Ivan what is doing this? Angelo take this book. I need my hands. Sorry"   
 


Niann throws her javelin at the red letter and summons another. Then holds out the book

 
 Spoiler: crunch 

SA: risky strike to throw javelin at the red I
 (d20+7)[ 22 ]  to hit
 (d6+9)[ 12 ]  damage

FA: summon another javelin with shadow armament


FA: hold out spellbook
 
lostsole31
 R2T24:   
 Spoiler: Niann &gt;&gt;&gt; Collective 
   "Ivan, what is doing this? Angelo, take this book. I need my hands. Sorry!"   
 
Niann throws her javelin at the red letter and destroys the letter "  I  " even as she summons another shadowy javelin while holding out the book for Angelo to take.

 R2T19:   Ivan , what do you do?

Angelo on deck, Danger in the hole ...
Ason
 
 Spoiler: Ivan&gt;&gt;&gt;Collective 
   "I guess just keep smashing letters and looking until we find it?"   
 


Ivan casts another spell over the party and shifts over to peer into yet another cell.

 
 Spoiler: OoC 
 Standard:  cast  Bless  on himself, Angelo and Niann Five-Foot Step:  1 square southwest
 Move:  perception to look for a stimulus inside the cell directly west of him: evidence of the ghost's presence

 Immediate Action, if anyone in the party is attacked by the ghost:   Warning Roar 
 Free Reaction:  Redirect up to 15 hit point damage done to the collective via  martyrdom ,    paying up to 4 pp to reduce the damage he takes. He rounds down on  the   pp spent to avoid over-reducing (i.e. 11 damage --&gt; he only  spends 3   pp to block 9, 8 damage --&gt; he only spends 2 pp to block  6).

 Greataxe AoO versus Splatter Man or any of his summons, if triggered:  attack  (1d20+9)[ 17 ] , damage  (1d12+7)[ 17 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R2T19:  
 Spoiler: Ivan &gt;&gt;&gt; Collective 
   "I guess just keep smashing letters and looking until we find it?"   
 
  Ivan casts another spell over the party and shifts over to peer into  yet another cell. Unfortunately, Angelo's light doesn't reach enough  into that cell to illuminate more than a sliver.

 R2T16:   Angelo , your readied action didn't occur. What do you do?

Danger on deck, Niann in the hole ...
Moriar
Angelo throws a vial at the bloody letter and then takes the book.

 
 Spoiler: chuckin 


Throws holy water vial at the bloody letter.

 (1d20+7)[ 8 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R2T16:  Angelo looses his grip and the flask (they come  in flasks, not vials) of holy water shatters on the ground at his feet.  Considering Niann's javelin destroyed the letter in the first place, the  effect is about the same.

 R2T10:  Everyone feels a foreboding sense of doom, but nothing else dramatic happens.

 End Round 2, Begin Round 3 ...

R3T24:   Niann ,  what do you do? There is no letter or enemy to attack, just that  oppressive feeling ... a feeling that you've been somehow marked.

Ivan on deck, Angelo in the hole ...
Tippnick
Niann steps to the SW and flips through the book to find a spell. Then sits it down in the square to the west.
 
 Spoiler: collective 


In the collective    "Tear out these pages if the ghost appears. If that is how it works."
   
 

 
 Spoiler: crunch 

If attacked raise shadow barrier as IA

FA:5 foot step to sw
SA: find a spell and it's associated pages
MA: set the book face down to the first spell she finds
 
lostsole31
 R3T24:  Niann steps to the SW and flips through the book  to find a spell. Then sits it down in the square to the  west. 
 Spoiler: Niann &gt;&gt;&gt; Collective 
   "Tear out these pages if the ghost appears. If that is how it works."   
 

 R3T19:   Ivan , what do you do?

Angelo on deck, Niann in the hole ...
Moriar
Angelo will pick up the splatterman spellbook and get ready to tear out a spell.


 
 Spoiler: ready 


After picking up the spellbook, will ready and action to tear out a spell if the splatterman appears.
 
Ason
Ivan reaches into his belt pouch and pulls out a small stone, which proceeds to hover around his head while lighting up his area.

 
 Spoiler: OoC 
 Move:  retrieve ioun torch from belt pouch
 Standard:  activate ioun torch

 Immediate Action, if anyone in the party is attacked by the ghost:   Warning Roar 
 Free Reaction:  Redirect up to 15 hit point damage done to the collective via  martyrdom ,     paying up to 4 pp to reduce the damage he takes. He rounds down on   the   pp spent to avoid over-reducing (i.e. 11 damage --&gt; he only   spends 3   pp to block 9, 8 damage --&gt; he only spends 2 pp to block   6).

 Greataxe AoO versus Splatter Man or any of his summons, if triggered:  attack  (1d20+9)[ 23 ] , damage  (1d12+7)[ 15 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R3T19:  Ivan reaches into his belt pouch and pulls out a small stone, which  proceeds to hover around his head while lighting up his area.

 R3T16:  Angelo picks up the Splatter Man's spellbook, and readies to tear out a spell.

 R3T10:  Everyone feels that same foreboding. Angelo suffers as a red    A    appears on the wall near him, and he wails from the psychic pain even as he takes  2 WIS . Another Red   I   appears within the cell on the western wall ( 2 WIS ).

 End Round 3, Begin Round 4 ...

R4T24:   Niann , what do you do?

Ivan on deck, Angelo in the hole ...
Tippnick
Niann throws her javelin and the red letter A on the wall and then resummons another javelin.

 
 Spoiler: crunch 


SA: throw javelin at the A
Risky strike
 (d20+7)[ 18 ] 
 (d6+9)[ 11 ] 
FA: summon a javelin

If attacked will activate shadow barrier as an immediate action
 
lostsole31
 R4T24:  Niann throws her javelin and the red letter     A     on the wall - destroying it - and then resummons another javelin.

 R4T19:  Ivan, what do you do? The letter     I     that you're looking at is 10' to your west on the cell's wall.

Angelo on deck, Danger in the hole ...
Ason
Ivan shifts into a defensive posture and advances toward the "I" letter. He draws his dagger with his off-hand as he goes, shoulders his greataxe, and hacks at the letter with the knife.

 
 Spoiler: telepathy 
   "My name's showing up in here!"   
 

 
 Spoiler: OoC 
 Swift:  adopt  Vigilant Keeper's Stance 
 Move:  10' west toward the I letter + draw dagger
  Standard:  attack the letter with his dagger, risky strike: attack  (1d20+7)[ 17 ] , damage  (1d4+8)[ 10 ] 
 Free Reaction:  Redirect up to 15 hit point damage done to the collective via  martyrdom ,      paying up to 4 pp to reduce the damage he takes. He rounds down on    the   pp spent to avoid over-reducing (i.e. 11 damage --&gt; he only    spends 3   pp to block 9, 8 damage --&gt; he only spends 2 pp to block    6).

 Dagger AoO versus Splatter Man or any of his summons, if triggered:  attack  (1d20+7)[ 11 ] , damage  (1d4+8)[ 11 ] 
 Note:  Rusty, are you sure the attack #s for Ivan's dagger on his sheet are right? I see his attack lists +7 for his risky strike with the dagger (which is what I used here), but shouldn't it (and thus my attack rolls here) be only a +6 since it's nonmagical?
 
lostsole31
 R4T19:  Ivan shifts into a defensive posture and advances toward the "I" letter.  He draws his dagger with his off-hand as he goes, shoulders his  greataxe, and hacks at the letter with the knife, destroying it!. 
 Spoiler: Ivan &gt;&gt;&gt; Collective 
   "My name's showing up in here!"   
 

 R4T16:  Angelo, the A is going, but you still feel that onerous pressure and terror working at your mind. What do you do?

Danger imminent, Niann in the hole ...
Moriar
Angelo nods thanks to Niann.  "   Please continue to erase the letters."  

Angelo keeps an eye out and prepares the spelllbook again.


 
 Spoiler: Angelo &gt;&gt;&gt; Collective 

   
"My name seems to be starting out here too. Niann is being kind enough to destroy then   
 

 
 Spoiler: ready 



Readies action to tear out a spell from the book if splatterman aappears.
 
lostsole31
 R4T16:  Angelo nods thanks to Niann, "  Please continue to erase the letters."  

Angelo keeps an eye out and prepares the spellbook again.  
 Spoiler: Angelo &gt;&gt;&gt; Collective 
   "My name seems to be starting out here too. Niann is being kind enough to destroy them."   
 

 R4T10:  The oppressive mental terror continues to lap in waves against the heroes.

This time, on the wall next to Niann, appears an     N     even as within the cell there appears - not an 'I' - but this time a     V    ! 
 Spoiler: Mental Anguish 
And another  2 WIS  damage  each.
 
Even Angelo felt at his limit resisting the anguish as  Niann and Ivan scream and howl in pain for several seconds.

 End Round 4, Begin Round 5 ...

R5T24:   Niann , what do you do? Your grip on sanity has never been great - what with treading in a darkened world as you do.

Ivan on deck, Angelo in the hole ...
Tippnick
 
 Spoiler: collective  


In the collective.

   "Ivan, is this the effects of the ghost's or something else like a haunt?
My mind is being attacked as well now."
   
 


Once she recovers a bit Niann throws the javelin at the N.
Then another javelin appears in her hand.

 
 Spoiler: crunch 

Attack the N with a risky throw
 (d20+7)[ 24 ] 
[Rolld6+9[/roll]
If attacked by anything that the shadow barrier could possibly effect she will raise it as an immediate action.
 
lostsole31
 R5T24:  
 Spoiler: Niann &gt;&gt;&gt; Collective 
Niann tepes in the collective,    "Ivan, is this the effects of the ghost's or something else like a haunt? My mind is being attacked as well now."   
 
Once she recovers a bit Niann throws the javelin at the 'N,' destroying it. Then another javelin appears in her hand.

 R5T19:   Ivan , what do you do?

Angelo on deck, Danger close ....
Ason
Ivan slashes at the V on the wall, sheathes his dagger, and grasps his axe with both hands once more. He then shifts backwards a little.

 
 Spoiler: telepathy 
   "My mind's under attack too! Maybe the ghost is trying to soften us up first?"   
 

 
 Spoiler: OoC 
 Standard:  attack the letter V with his dagger, risky strike: attack  (1d20+6)[ 13 ] , damage  (1d4+8)[ 9 ] 
 Move:  sheath dagger
 Five-Foot Step:  1 square east

 Free:  knowledge check about these mental damage's source to try and answer Niann's question

 Immediate Action, if anyone in the party is attacked by the ghost:   Warning Roar 
 Free Reaction:  Redirect up to 15 hit point damage done to the collective via  martyrdom ,       paying up to 4 pp to reduce the damage he takes. He rounds down on     the   pp spent to avoid over-reducing (i.e. 11 damage --&gt; he only     spends 3   pp to block 9, 8 damage --&gt; he only spends 2 pp to  block    6). 

Note:  I don't yet see Ivan's stance from the last round marked on his sheet. Was that intentional?
 
lostsole31
 R5T19:  Ivan slashes at the     V     on the wall, destroying it. He then sheathes his dagger and grasps his  axe with both hands once more, shifting backwards a little. 
 Spoiler: Ivan &gt;&gt;&gt; Collective 
   "My mind's under attack too! Maybe the ghost is trying to soften us up first?"   
 

 R5T16:   Angelo , your readied action did not go off. What do you do?

Danger Imminent, Niann in the hole ...
Moriar
Angelo steps up next to Niann.  Then after casting an arcane spell some bobbing lights appear and they descend into the watery depths.

 
 Spoiler: Angelo &gt;&gt;&gt; collective 

  "It is possible the ghost is simply hiding in one of the cells or in this watery hole."  
 

 
 Spoiler: crunchy 


Step 5' to SE

Cast dancing lights and 4 globes of light descend into the water.

Then will stare into the depths and see if the lights reveal the ghost.  Will tell collective if ghost is spotted
 
lostsole31
 R5T16:  Angelo steps up next to Niann.  Then after casting an arcane spell,  some  bobbing lights appear and they descend into the watery depths.  
 Spoiler: Angelo &gt;&gt;&gt; Collective 
   "It is possible the ghost is simply hiding in one of the cells or in this watery hole."   
 
Since  he only had the four lights descend and didn't limit distance, the  lights continue down until there is a general dim glow from the water,  but enough to note two bodies down there - one thick and full like that  of a dwarf, the other skeletal and longer like a human that has long  been dead. Angelo knows not to trust his eyes from the effects of  refraction, but given the steady time they lights descended until they  no longer could continue, he estimates the oubliette to be about 30'  deep. Despite the bodies, he sees no ghostly forms down there.

 R5T10:  The dark oppression continues. Even  with the protective spell against darkness, it is a difficult mental  battle that Angel loses as he cries out in anguish ( 2 WIS ) as an     N      appears on the wall north of him. Ivan is only barely more successful  and it is his protective spell that barely carries him over the line,  just as Niann likewise depends on the spell to be barely keep from  losing a bit of her sanity this time around.

 End Round 5, Begin Round 6 ...

R6T24:   Niann , there is an     N     on the wall just east of the doorway to the north of you, affecting Angelo. What do you do?

Ivan on deck, Angelo in the hole ...
Tippnick
 
 Spoiler 
In the collective

   "Angelo, get out of the room, try to recover. I might have to as well."   
 


Niann again throws a javelin at the letter.She then reforms a other javelin.

 
 Spoiler: crunch 

SA: attack the letter  risky strike
 (d20+7)[ 24 ] 
 (d6+9)[ 12 ] 

FA: summon javelin
IA: if attacked by anything that shadow barrier can affect she will summon shadow barrier as an OA
 
lostsole31
 R6T24:  
 Spoiler: Angelo &gt;&gt;&gt; Collective 
   "Angelo, get out of the room, try to recover. I might have to as well."   
 
Niann again throws a javelin at the letter destroying it, and reforms a new javelin.

And  yet, the sense of doom abates. The mental anguish each has suffered is  still extant, but otherwise it feels like the threat of the blood-writ  names has passed.

 Combat Ends! 
Moriar
Angelo looks about fearfully keeping a close eye out for new dangers.


 
 Spoiler: Angelo &gt;&gt;&gt; Collective  

   
"So glad that is over...I don't recall that before and hope it doesn't come back. Anyone have a way to heal this mental damage?

On a side note, I see one of my friends down in the water and the bones of someone long dead.  I wonder if the bones are of our ghost friend and if so would it be prudent to get them and or destroy them?"   
 
Tippnick
 
 Spoiler: collective  


In the collective
   "Best to take care of the ghost first. Did it take long for the Splatterman to appear?"

   
 

 
 Spoiler: crunch 


ia: if attacked will raise shadow barrier as an immediate action
Ready: if Splatterman appears will raise a Guardian Shroud
 
lostsole31
There is a new, strange, more ominous feeling and Angelo, looking into the pool, sees  him   ... sees the one that killed his brother ... The Splatter Man, late  Professor Hean Feramin. Niann hadn't yet adjusted her vision, but she  does she .... something ephemeral ...with Angelo's ghostly lights deep  in the water.

 Begin Round One ... 
 R1T17:   Angelo sees the Splatter Man looking up, and Angelo doesn't feel that  it is a general glance, but directed at him. The Splatter Man's mouth  opens and gesticulates, and four bolts of pure magical force splash out  of the water to strike Angelo in the torso for   14 force  .  Even Niann finally sees and notices a ghostly figure rising upwards,  but neither can quite judge immediately how far down he is.

 R1T15:   Angelo , what do you do?
Moriar
Angelo cries out in physical and emotional pain as he tears out a page of the spellbook violently.

Then he steps back a step.

 
 Spoiler: Angelo&gt;&gt;&gt;Collective  

   "The ghost is in the water filled hole in here the main room and he hurts bad. Hopefully one of you is able to heal?"   
 

 
 Spoiler: ow 


Tears out a page of the splatterman spellbook.

Then 5' step to NW
 
lostsole31
 R1T15:  Angelo cries out in physical and emotional pain as he tears out a page ( levitate ) of the spellbook violently, doing   7 spiritual   to Splatter Man before taking a step away. 
 Spoiler: Angelo &gt;&gt;&gt; Collective 
   "The ghost is in the water filled hole in here the main room and he hurts bad. Hopefully one of you is able to heal?"   
 

 R1T14:   Niann , what do you do?
Tippnick
Niann forms sphere of darkness around her and Angelo.
 
 Spoiler: crunch 

SA: form a Guardian Shroud 10ft in diameter centered on Niann
IA: if attacked will form a shadow barrier as an IA
 

 
 Spoiler: collective  

In the collective:
   "Ivan get in my Shroud if you can, you have to steel your will to move into it."
   
 
lostsole31
 R1T14:  Niann forms sphere of darkness around herself and Angelo.  
 Spoiler: Niann &gt;&gt;&gt; Collective (Ivan) 
   "Ivan get in my Shroud if you can, you have to steel your will to move into it."   
 

 R1T8:   Ivan , what do you do?
Ason
Ivan resumes his defensive stance at the sounds of violence outside.

 
 Spoiler: Collective Telepathy 
   "I can heal, but not this mental damage. If you need me to sanctify your weapon, now's the time."   
 


He then runs back into the room and takes up a position near Niann, axe at the ready. Light radiates from him as he then casts a spell on Angelo.

 
 Spoiler: OoC 
 Swift:  adopt  Vigilant Keeper's Stance  (note that  Living Bastion  makes his reach 10')
 Move:  5' east, 5' north, 10' east (draw axe if it's not drawn already)
 Standard:   channel positive energy to harm undead  at the Splatter Man,  (2d6)[ 2 ]  Will DC 15 for half

 Free:  try to use his knowledge to identify the Splatter Man

 Free Reaction 1:  If any ally within Ivan's 10' reach takes more 20 or more damage, expend psicrystal's psionic focus to use his  Protection Mission's Living Bastion feature , then move onto Reaction #2.

 Free Reaction 2:  Redirect up to 15 hit point damage done to the collective via  martyrdom ,        paying up to 4 pp to reduce the damage he takes. He rounds down  on     the   pp spent to avoid over-reducing  (i.e. 11 damage --&gt; he  only     spends 3   pp to block 9, 8 damage --&gt; he only spends 2 pp  to  block    6) .
 
Greataxe AoO, 10' Reach b/c  Living Bastion  (if triggered by Splatter Man or one of his summons):  risky strike attack  (1d20+9)[ 15 ]  (not reduced because  furious focus ), damage  (1d12+13)[ 18 ] 
 Note:  Ivan cast  Bless  during the haunt phase, but I don't see it ticked down on his sheet. I just wanted to make sure that it was properly tracked and still in-effect.
 
lostsole31
 R1T8:  Ivan resumes his defensive stance at the sounds of violence outside. 
 Spoiler: Ivan &gt;&gt;&gt; Collective 
   "I can heal, but not this mental damage. If you need me to sanctify your weapon, now's the time."   
 
 He then runs back into the room and takes up a position near Niann, axe  at the ready. A burst of wan, blue-wight light bursts forth from him, reacting very weakly with something in the water for only   1 PE  .  Ivan looks into the water to see the ghostly-green figure an  indeterminate distance in its submergence, with a strange symbol in its  ghostly forehead.

 R1T6:  Viridian is now "online" and delays.

 End Round One, Begin Round 2 ...

R2T23:  The strange patter of footsteps moving quickly is heard north of the gate! 😦
 R2T17:  Under the water, the Splatter Man appears to begin casting a spell, and is in the midst of it even as the heroes go...

 R2T15:  Angelo, what do you do?

Niann on deck, Ivan in the hole ...
Moriar
Angelo moves a bit to get a better view of the splatterman and defiantly tears another page out of the spellbook.


 
 Spoiler: Angelo &gt;&gt;&gt; Collective 


"   Besides mental i have also sustained decent physical damage.  As for sanctify I won't use my weapon most likely until spell book done for. If it lasts a while though...."   
 

 
 Spoiler: crunchy 


Move 5' to SW and then 5' to South

Tears out another spell from the spelllbook
 
lostsole31
 R2T15:  Angelo moves a bit to get a better view of the  Splatter Man, and has to change where he expected to stand because of  the depth of the Splatter Man, standing at the oubliette's edge. He  defiantly tears another page out of the spellbook, and the Splatter Man  recoils as he takes   5 psychic damage  . The jolt isn't enough to stop the Splatter Man from stopping the spell he is casting. 
 Spoiler: Angelo &gt;&gt;&gt; Collective 
"   Besides mental i have also sustained decent  physical damage.  As for sanctify, I won't use my weapon most likely  until spell book done for. If it lasts a while though...."   
 
Only one spell remains in the spellbook.

 R2T14:   Niann , what do you do?

Ivan on deck, Splatter Man in the hole ...
Tippnick
Niann drops her shadowy javelin and calls forth a great sword made of the same shadowy stuff. As she grips it she brings down in the direction of the ghost that is still out of reach of her weapon but a bit of that shadowy stuff comes from the weapon in the direction of the ghost.

 
 Spoiler: collective  

   "You can sanctify this weapon Ivan."   
 

 
 Spoiler: crunch 


FA: drop weapon
FA: summon a +1 great sword with shadow armament
SA: spend 1 q to do a  risky strike spatial rip attack
 (d20+7)[ 14 ] 
 (2d6+13)[ 24 ]  points of force
IA: If attacked raise shadow barrier as an IA
 
lostsole31
 R2T14:  Niann drops her shadowy javelin and calls forth a  great sword made of  the same shadowy stuff. As she grips it she brings  down in the direction  of the ghost that is still out of reach of her  weapon but a bit of that  shadowy stuff comes from the weapon in the  direction of the ghost, making a big, darkened splash, but not hitting  the Splatter Man.  
 Spoiler: Niann &gt;&gt;&gt; Collective (Ivan) 
   "You can sanctify this weapon Ivan."   
 

 R2T8:   Ivan , what do you do?

Splatter Man on deck, Angelo in the hole ...
Ason
 
 Spoiler: Collective Telepathy 
   "Angelo, let me heal you, then back away from the door. Niann, I'll help you next."   
 


Ivan casts a healing spell on Angelo and then hefts his axe defiantly.

 
 Spoiler: OoC 
 Standard:   spontaneously cast   Cure Light Wounds  (losing Hide from Undead) on Angelo, amount healed =  (1d8+4)[ 10 ] 
 Immediate (triggered anytime an ally is targeted by a hostile attack):   Warning Roar 
 Free Reaction 1:  If any ally within Ivan's 10' reach takes more 20 or more damage, expend psicrystal's psionic focus to use his  Protection Mission's Living Bastion feature , then move onto Reaction #2.

 Free Reaction 2:  Redirect up to 15 hit point damage done to the collective via  martyrdom ,        paying up to 4 pp to reduce the damage he takes. He rounds down  on     the   pp spent to avoid over-reducing  (i.e. 11 damage --&gt; he  only     spends 3   pp to block 9, 8 damage --&gt; he only spends 2 pp  to  block    6) .
 
Greataxe AoO, 10' Reach b/c  Living Bastion  (if triggered by Splatter Man or any other hostile monster):  attack  (1d20+9)[ 25 ] , damage  (1d12+7)[ 15 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R2T8:   
 Spoiler: Ivan &gt;&gt;&gt; Collective 
   "Angelo, let me heal you, then back away from the door. Niann, I'll help you next."   
 
Ivan casts a healing spell on Angelo for   10 healing  , and then hefts his axe defiantly.

 End Round 2, Begin Round 3 ...

R3T17.2-.0:   The Splatter Man finishes his spell, and a couple R.O.U.S.s with  red-tinged, black fur and malevolent red eyes appear around the edges of  the oubliette. The Splatter Man shouts something, and points to Angelo  and Ivan, and they attack, but recoil on their attacks against both  targets. The ghost then casts another spell, and four arcane bolts blast  into Angelo for what would have been   30 force  , but Ivan's power ablates that to  15 force , and then takes all of that onto himself, minimizing that with his psionic prowess to only take  3   himself. Seeing the lack of effect his rats have ... and that his  target is unharmed while another takes a pittance, the Splatter Man  rages with a scream.

 R3T15:   Angelo , one page remains in the spellbook! What do you do?

Niann on deck, Ivan in the hole ...
Moriar
Angelo musters all his anger into tearing out the last page of the spellbook while staring at the Splatterman.



 
 Spoiler: Angelo &gt;&gt;&gt; Collective  


"   Thank you for your efforts, they seem to be helping tremendously. "   
 
lostsole31
 R3T15:  Angelo musters all his anger into tearing out the last page of the spellbook while staring at the Splatterman, which does   4 psychic   to the ghost, even as the moldy spellbook turns to dust in Angelo's hands.  
 Spoiler: Angelo &gt;&gt;&gt; Collective 
"   Thank you for your efforts, they seem to be helping tremendously. "   
 

 R3T14:   Niann , what do you do?

Ivan on deck, Enemies in the hole ...
Tippnick
Niann again slashes her great sword in the direction of the ghost. A dark force rips through the space in the ghosts direction.
 
 Spoiler: crunch 


SA: Spend 1 q to do a spatial rip at the ghost
Risky strike
 (d20+7)[ 10 ]  to hit
 (2d6+13)[ 18 ]  of force damage
 

 
 Spoiler: collective 

   "Keep an eye on those rats they still might get through."   
 
lostsole31
 R3T14:  Niann again slashes her great sword in the  direction of the ghost. A dark force rips through the space in the  ghost's direction, and is as useful as a Frenchman's fart in an English  knight's general direction.  
 Spoiler: Niann &gt;&gt;&gt; Collective 
   "Keep an eye on those rats they still might get through."   
 

 R3T8:   Ivan , what do you do?

Enemies on deck and in the hole ...
Ason
Ivan shifts over and lays a hand on Niann, as warmth pours from him into his friend's weapon. He then sends reassuring feelings towards Angelo through their mental link before resuming his defensive stance.

 
 Spoiler: telepathy 
   "Here: this should help, friends."   
 

 
 Spoiler: OoC 
 Five-Foot Step:  northwest
 Standard:  use  Touch the Spirit World (Su)  on Niann
 Move:   Aid Another  on Angelo via  Commitment , for +2 AC vs the rat south of him

 Immediate (triggered anytime an ally is targeted by the Splatter Man [not a rat]):   Warning Roar 
 
  Note : I'm not sure if this was used last round or not. I didn't see it ticked off on Ivan's sheet and didn't see it clearly in your narration, so I'm guessing it's still active? Let me know if I'm mistaken. 
 
 Free Reaction 1:  If any ally within Ivan's 10' reach takes more 20 or more damage, expend his psionic focus to use his  Protection Mission's Living Bastion feature , then move onto Reaction #2.

 Free Reaction 2:  Redirect up to 15 hit point damage done to the collective via  martyrdom ,        paying up to 4 pp to reduce the damage he takes. He rounds down  on     the   pp spent to avoid over-reducing  (i.e. 11 damage --&gt; he  only     spends 3   pp to block 9, 8 damage --&gt; he only spends 2 pp  to  block    6) .
 
Greataxe AoO, 10' Reach b/c  Living Bastion  (if triggered by Splatter Man or any other hostile monster):  attack  (1d20+9)[ 27 ] , damage  (1d12+7)[ 13 ] 
 
  Note : Since Ivan's stance makes the area around him difficult terrain, I don't think the rats can 5-foot step toward him, so they should trigger an AoO. 
 
 
lostsole31
 R3T8:  Ivan shifts over and lays a hand on Niann, as warmth pours from him into  his friend's weapon. He then sends reassuring feelings towards Angelo  through their mental link before resuming his defensive stance. 
 Spoiler: Ivan &gt;&gt;&gt; Collective 
   "Here, this should help, friends."   
 

 End Round 3, Begin Round 4 ...

R4T17.2:   Rat-Blue closes, though it has a little trouble doing that, and Ivan  uses his reach to strike the rat to make it disappear with a *POP!*.

 R4T17:  The Splatter Man casts a spell underwater and arcane bolts lance out of the water to strike Angelo and still takes 5 force, even as Ivan burns mental energy and takes  3  (and 4 PP).

 R4T15:   Angelo ,  you receive a flash of mental energy given you insight on more precise  attacking against the rat, if you so desire. With the spellbook gone,  you have nothing your hand now. What do you do?

Niann on deck, Ivan in the hole ...
Moriar
Angelo casts an arcane spell aiming at the Splatterman .

Then he steps back away from the edge.

 
 Spoiler: crunch 


Casts magic missile at splatterman.

Damage:  (3d4+3)[ 9 ] 

Then steps 5' to NW
 
lostsole31
 R4T15:  Angelo casts an arcane spell aiming at the Splatter Man, three arcane bolts splashing into the water to rip into the ghost for   9 force   before stepping away from the edge.

 R4T14:  Niann, what do you do?

 Ivan  on deck, Enemies in the hole ...
Tippnick
 
 Spoiler: collective 

"I will step back as well, so he has to come out of the well to attack."
 


Niann unleashes another blast of shadowy force from here weapon and then steps back from the well.
 
 Spoiler: crunch 

SA: spend a point of quintessence to enact spatial rip ability.
Risky strike
 (d20+7)[ 13 ]  to hit
 (2d6+13)[ 19 ] 
MA::step back 5 feet to the NW in the corner
IA: if attacked will summon shadow barrier as an immediate action
 
lostsole31
 R4T14:   
 Spoiler: Niann &gt;&gt;&gt; Collective 
   "I will step back as well, so he has to come out of the well to attack."   
 
Niann unleashes another blast of shadowy force from her weapon and then steps back from the well.

 R4T8:   Ivan , what do you do?

Enemies on deck and in the hole ...
Ason
Ivan readies holy energy to direct at the Splatter Man.

 
 Spoiler: OoC 
 Move:  none 
If Ivan can currently see the Splatter Man...
Standard:   Channel Energy  to harm undead at Splatter Man,  (2d6)[ 5 ]  vs Will for half
 
If Ivan cannot currently see the Splatter Man...
Standard:  ready action to  Channel Energy  to harm undead at Splatter Man, triggered as soon as the ghost becomes visible,  (2d6)[ 7 ]  vs Will for half


 Immediate (triggered anytime an ally is targeted by a Splatter Man attack roll [not a rat]):   Warning Roar 
 Free Reaction 1:  If any ally within Ivan's 10' reach takes more 20 or more damage, expend his  psicrystal's psionic focus  to use his  Protection Mission's Living Bastion feature , then move onto Reaction #2.

 Free Reaction 2:  Redirect up to 15 hit point damage done to the collective via  martyrdom ,        paying up to  3  pp to reduce the damage he takes. He rounds down  on     the   pp spent to avoid over-reducing  (i.e. 11 damage --&gt; he  only     spends 3   pp to block 9, 8 damage --&gt; he only spends 2 pp  to  block    6) .
 
Greataxe AoO, 10' Reach b/c  Living Bastion  (if triggered by Splatter Man or any other hostile monster):  attack  (1d20+9)[ 25 ] , damage  (1d12+7)[ 13 ] 
 
  Note : Since Ivan's stance makes the area around him difficult terrain, I don't think the rats can 5-foot step toward him, so they should trigger an AoO.  
 
 
lostsole31
 R4T8:  Ivan readies holy energy to direct at the Splatter Man.

 End Round 4, Begin Round 5 ...

  R5T17.2-.0:   The rat "chases" Angelo, but otherwise can't seem to attack him, and in doing so Ivan destroys it with his axe. The  Splatter Man rises out of the oubliette and Ivan channels holy energy  that does   7 PE   to the ghost. The ghost pulls back,  moving all the way to the southeast and casts a spell at Angelo, ripping  away the bard's magical armor and leaving him vulnerable.

 R5T15:   Angelo , what do you do?

Niann on deck, Ivan in the hole ...
Moriar
Angelo's casting creates floating lanterns and shedding light in the corner that the splatterman just retreated to.


 
 Spoiler: light on 


Casts dancing lights and have the lanterns appear 20' directly SE
 
lostsole31
 R5T15:  Angelo's casting creates floating lanterns and shedding light in the corner that the Splatter Man just retreated to.

 R5T14:   Niann , what do you do?

Ivan on deck, Splatter Man in the hole ...
Tippnick
 
 Spoiler: collective  

   "I am going to get closer. Watch the rat. This shield will not last much longer. I can call it again."    
 


Niann casts a spell and then moves to the east side of well.

 
 Spoiler: crunch 

SA: cast shield
MA: move 5 feet to the SE, move 15 feet east, then 10 feet south.

IA: if attacked will raise a shadow barrier as an immediate action
 
lostsole31
 R5T14:   
 Spoiler: Niann &gt;&gt;&gt; Collective 
   "I am going to get closer. Watch the rat. This shield will not last much longer. I can call it again."   
 
Niann casts a spell and then moves to the east side of well.

 End Round 5, Begin Round 6 ...

R6T17.1:   Ivan , what do you do?

Splatter Man on deck, Angelo in the hole ...
Ason
Ivan shuffles gingerly southward around the opposite side of the pool  from Niann. He then blesses his own weapon, giving it faint white sheen.

 
 Spoiler: telepathy 
   "Rat's dead, no?"    Ivan thinks to the party,    "This guy really hates you, Angelo. I can halve his damage again if you stay within ten feet of me."   
 

 
 Spoiler: OoC 
 Move:  5' southwest, 10' south 
Standard:   Touch of the Spirit World  on his greataxe

 Immediate (triggered anytime an ally is targeted by a Splatter Man attack roll):   Warning Roar 
 Free Reaction 1:  If any ally within Ivan's 10' reach takes more 20 or more damage, expend his  psicrystal's psionic focus  to use his  Protection Mission's Living Bastion feature , then move onto Reaction #2.

 Free Reaction 2:  Redirect up to 15 hit point damage done to the collective via  martyrdom ,        paying up to  3  pp to reduce the damage he takes. He rounds down  on     the   pp spent to avoid over-reducing  (i.e. 11 damage --&gt; he  only     spends 3   pp to block 9, 8 damage --&gt; he only spends 2 pp  to  block    6) .
 
Greataxe AoO, 10' Reach b/c  Living Bastion  (if triggered by Splatter Man or any hostile monster):  attack  (1d20+9)[ 10 ] , damage  (1d12+7)[ 18 ] 
 
  Note : Ivan's stance makes the area around him difficult terrain. 
 
 
lostsole31
 R6T17.1:  Ivan shuffles gingerly southward around the opposite side of the pool   from Niann. He then blesses his own weapon, giving it faint white sheen. 
 Spoiler: Ivan &gt;&gt;&gt; Collective 
   "Rat's dead, no?"    Ivan thinks to the party,    "This guy really hates you, Angelo. I can halve his damage again if you stay within ten feet of me."   
 

 R6T17:   The Splatter Man disappears to the east before reappearing from the  east out of a cell to threaten Niann, only seconds after her guardian  shroud had failed. From an altitude of 5', the Splatter Man reaches  towards Niann, but she puts up a shadow barrier just in time to protect  her.

 R6T15:   Angelo , what do you do?

Niann on deck, Ivan in the hole ...
Moriar
Angelo nods toward Ivan; then casts an arcane spell before following Ivan to the south.

 
 Spoiler: Angelo &gt;&gt;&gt; collective  

   "The feeling is mutual.  If there was a way to punish these things more than simply destroying him i would for what he did to my brother and companions."   
 

 
 Spoiler: crunch bar 


Casts mage armor on himself and then moves 5' south
 
lostsole31
 R6T15:  Angelo nods toward Ivan; then casts an arcane spell before following Ivan to the south. 
 Spoiler: Angelo &gt;&gt;&gt; Collective 
   "The feeling is mutual.  If there was a way  to punish these things more than simply destroying him i would for what  he did to my brother and companions."   
 

 R6T14:   Niann , what do you do?

Ivan on deck, Splatter Man in the hole ...
Tippnick
Niann summons a distortion around her and the ghost. Then swings her shadowy sword at the ghost.
 
 Spoiler: collective 

   "This might prevent him casting. Prepare for him to flee."
   
 

 
 Spoiler: crunch 


MA: spend 1 q to summon a void around her in a 10ft diameter (-1 to attacks and -1 for concentration for enemies)
SA: risky strike attack
 (d20+7)[ 9 ]  to hit
 (2d6+13)[ 19 ]  damage
 
lostsole31
 R6T14:  Niann summons a distortion around her and the  ghost. Then swings her shadowy sword at the ghost, missing wildly.   
 Spoiler: Niann &gt;&gt;&gt; Collective 
   "This might prevent him casting. Prepare for him to flee."   
 

 End Round 6, Begin Round 7 ...

R7T17.1:   Ivan , what do you do?

Splatter Man on deck, Angelo in the hole ...
Ason
Ivan circles back around the north of the pool toward the ghost and channels more positive energy at it.

 
 Spoiler: OoC 
 Move:  5' north, 5' northeast, 5' east
 Standard:  channel energy at the Splatter Man  (2d6)[ 8 ] 
 Immediate (triggered anytime an ally is targeted by a Splatter Man attack roll):   Warning Roar 
 Free Reaction 1:  If any ally within Ivan's 10' reach takes more 20 or more damage, expend his  psicrystal's psionic focus  to use his  Protection Mission's Living Bastion feature , then move onto Reaction #2.

 Free Reaction 2:  Redirect up to 15 hit point damage done to the collective via  martyrdom ,        paying up to  3  pp to reduce the damage he takes. He rounds down  on     the   pp spent to avoid over-reducing  (i.e. 11 damage --&gt; he  only     spends 3   pp to block 9, 8 damage --&gt; he only spends 2 pp  to  block    6) .
 
Greataxe AoO, 10' Reach b/c  Living Bastion  (if triggered by Splatter Man or any hostile monster):  attack  (1d20+9)[ 25 ] , damage  (1d12+7)[ 18 ] 
 
  Note : Ivan's stance makes the area around him difficult terrain. 
 
 
lostsole31
 R7T17.1:  Ivan circles back around the north of the pool  toward the ghost and channels more positive energy at it, though the  ghost easily resists to only take   4 PE  .

 R7T17:   The ghost floats a few feet south and reaches a hand out at Niann, and  Ivan gives a cry of warning, causing just enough hesitation that the  Splatter Man misses the fetchling.

 R7T15:   Angelo , what do you do?

Niann on deck, Ivan in the hole ...
Moriar
Angelo will keep close to Ivan and then launch three missiles of force at Splatterman.


 
 Spoiler: crunchy 


Move 5' north and then 5' east to keep next to Ivan

Magic missile damage:  (3d4+3)[ 15 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R7T15:  Angelo will keep close to Ivan and then launch three missiles of force at the Splatter Man that strike for a total of   15 force  .

 R7T14:   Niann , do you maintain the void? What do you do?

Ivan on deck, Splatter Man in the hole ...
Tippnick
 
 Spoiler: collective  


Inthe collective

   "Thanks for the warning. Any other words of advice on how to hit this creature?"   , Niann asks with obvious frustration.
 


Niann slides to North and swings with the shadowy great sword.
 
 Spoiler: crunch 

FA: 5 foot step to the north
SA: risky strike at the ghost
 (d20+7)[ 16 ]  to hit
 (2d6+13)[ 21 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R7T14:  Niann fails to maintain her void and it shuts. 
 Spoiler: Niann &gt;&gt;&gt; Collective 
   "Thanks for the warning. Any other words of advice on how to hit this creature?"     Niann asks with obvious frustration.
 
 Niann slides to North  and swings with the shadowy greatsword, Ivan's blessing giving her the  last needed push past the ghost's deflection field as she manages to tag  the Splatter Man's left foot for  10 mod .

 End Round 7, Begin Round 8 ...

R8T17.1:   Ivan , what do you do?

Splatter Man on deck, Angelo in the hole ...
Ason
 
 Spoiler: telepathy 
   "Pharasma's weapon-blessings help but fade fast, and I can grant only so many. I'll renew yours as best I can while keeping on the pressure."   
 


Ivan zigs and zags toward the ghost, delivering a great swing of his axe as he reaches the spirit.

 
 Spoiler: OoC 
 Move:  5 northeast, 10 southeast
 Standard:  furious focus risky strike  Hunting Party  attack  (1d20+9)[ 24 ] , damage  (1d12+13)[ 24 ]  ( living bastion  gives him reach, if necessary)

 
 Ivan's  Vigilant Keeper's Stance  applies cursed condition for 1 round on a hit 
 On hit, grants free AoO on Splatter Man to Niann + grants  zeal  bonus to the party 
 
 Swift:  none

 Free Reaction 1:  If any ally within Ivan's 10' reach takes more 20 or more damage, expend his  psicrystal's psionic focus  to use his  Protection Mission's Living Bastion feature , then move onto Reaction #2.

 Free Reaction 2:  Redirect up to 15 hit point damage done to the collective via  martyrdom ,        paying up to  3  pp to reduce the damage he takes. He rounds down  on     the   pp spent to avoid over-reducing  (i.e. 11 damage --&gt; he  only     spends 3   pp to block 9, 8 damage --&gt; he only spends 2 pp  to  block    6) .
 
Greataxe AoO, 10' Reach b/c  Living Bastion  (if triggered by Splatter Man or any hostile monster):  risky strike attack  (1d20+7)[ 18 ] , damage  (1d12+13)[ 16 ] 
 
  Note : Ivan's stance makes the area around him difficult terrain for opponents 
 
 
lostsole31
 R8T17.1:  
 Spoiler: Ivan &gt;&gt;&gt; Collective 
   "Pharasma's weapon-blessings help but fade  fast, and I can grant only so many. I'll renew yours as best I can while  keeping on the pressure."   
 
Ivan zigs and  zags toward the ghost, delivering a great swing of his axe as he reaches  the spirit that goes through the ghost's right knee for  24 !  The ghost looks in shock and that split second opens up an attack from  Niann. She didn't expect the opening, and went all or nothing with a big  miss, however, throwing off her focus.

 R8T17:  The Splatter Man withdraws into the wall to the southwest and out of sight.

 R8T15:   Angelo , what do you do?

Niann on deck, Ivan in the hole ...
Moriar
Angelo directs the lights to follow the ghost and as he moves he pulls out a wand and uses it.

 
 Spoiler: Angelo &gt;&gt;&gt; collective  


"   This is where it gets tricky. He runs and hides in areas difficult to get to.  Hopefully having doors open eases that burden."   
 

 
 Spoiler: moment of respite 


Directs the dancing lights to follow splatterman as best as possible.

Then moves 4 squares to east.  Drawing the cure light wand as he moves.  Then if able use the wand on himself to heal for  (1d8+1)[ 5 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R8T15:  Angelo directs the lights to follow the ghost and as he moves he pulls out a wand and uses it on himself to gain   4 healing  . 
 Spoiler: Angelo &gt;&gt;&gt; Collective 
"   This is where it gets tricky. He runs and hides in areas difficult to get to.  Hopefully having doors open eases that burden."   
 

 R8T14:   Niann , roll a Will save to overcome the mental over-commitment you made to your last AOO. What do you do?

Ivan on deck, Splatter Man in the hole ...
Tippnick
 
 Spoiler: will save 

Will save
 (d20+6)[ 13 ] 
 

 
 Spoiler: collective 

   "We need to find him. You guys are doing great."   
 


Niann moves south then around the well in search of the ghost.

 
 Spoiler: crunch 

MA: will move 2 squares south, 1 square southwest,3 squares west
If she sees him at any point she will end her movement.
If she only sees him partially she will cast magic missile
 (2d4+2)[ 7 ] 
If she sees him fully and within 30 feet she will use the spatial rip distortion spending 1 q
 (d20+9)[ 12 ] 
 (2d6+7)[ 15 ]  force damage

If she does not see the ghost at the end of her movement she will cast energy weapon (flaming) on her great sword.
 
lostsole31
 R8T14:  
 Spoiler: Niann &gt;&gt;&gt; Collective 
   "We need to find him. You guys are doing great."   
 
Niann  moves south then around the well in search of the ghost. Not seeing it,  she casts a spell on her shadow greatsword, but nothing happens ... the  magic still on Niann's hand but not on her sword.

 End Round 8, Begin Round 9 ...

R9T17.1:  Ivan's zeal ended. In addition, the  communal protection from evil  drops from everyone.  Ivan , what do you do?

Splatter Man on deck, Angelo in the hole ...
Ason
Ivan steps slightly south and then closes his eyes in meditation.

 
 Spoiler: afterwards, Ivan thinks to the collective 
   "My protection against evil has faded, and I must simultaneously touch you two to renew it. Next time the ghost vanishes, come to me."   
 

 
 Spoiler: OoC 
 5-Foot Step:  south
 Full-Round Action:   gain psionic focus 
 Free Reaction 1:  If any ally within Ivan's 10' reach takes more 20 or more damage, expend his  psicrystal's psionic focus  to use his  Protection Mission's Living Bastion feature , then move onto Reaction #2.

 Free Reaction 2:  Redirect up to 15 hit point damage done to the collective via  martyrdom ,        paying up to  3  pp to reduce the damage he takes. He rounds down  on     the   pp spent to avoid over-reducing  (i.e. 11 damage --&gt; he  only     spends 3   pp to block 9, 8 damage --&gt; he only spends 2 pp  to  block    6) .
 
Greataxe AoO, 10' Reach b/c  Living Bastion  (if triggered by Splatter Man or any hostile monster):  attack  (1d20+9)[ 29 ] , damage  (1d12+13)[ 18 ] 
 
  Note : Ivan's stance makes the area around him difficult terrain for opponents 
 
 
lostsole31
 R9T17.1:  Ivan steps slightly south and then closes his eyes in meditation. 
 Spoiler: Collective 
   "My protection against evil has faded, and I  must simultaneously touch you two to renew it. Next time the ghost  vanishes, come to me."   
 

 R9T15:   Angelo , what do you do?

Niann on deck, Ivan in the hole ...
Moriar
Angelo moves to the south a bit a raises his hands in preparation.

 
 Spoiler: crunchy 


On my map perspective the lights didn't move?

Angelo moves 15' south.

Readies action: Then prepares to cast magic missile at Splatterman if he appears.

Damage if cast:  (3d4+3)[ 10 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R9T15:  Angelo moves to the south a bit a raises his hands in preparation.

 R9T14:   Niann ,  your energy weapon [fire] spell is still active on your hand, awaiting a  target, and yet you had tried to put it on your greatsword and it  didn't take. What do you do?

Ivan on deck, Splatter Man in the hole ...
Tippnick
Niann moves towards the others and reaches out to touch Ivan's axe to embue it with the flaming property.
 
 Spoiler: collective  

   "That should last several minutes."    says Niann in the collective.
 

 
 Spoiler: crunch  

MA: Move 20 feet east and five north to be able to interact with Ivan's axe
SA: touch Ivan's axe with her held spell.
 
lostsole31
 R9T14:  Niann moves towards the others and reaches out  to touch Ivan's axe to imbue it with the flaming property. This time, it  works ... it didn't for her own sword, but now Ivan's axe is lit up  with flame!  
 Spoiler: Niann &gt;&gt;&gt; Collective 
   "That should last several minutes."    says Niann in the collective.
 

 End Round 9, Begin Round 10 ...

R10T17.1:   Ivan , your Touch of the Spirit World ends on your axe. What do you do?

Splatter Man on deck, Angelo in the hole ...
Ason
Ivan claps a hand on his teammates' shoulders, warmth flowing outward from him toward them. He then lopes south and west.

 
 Spoiler: telepathy 
   "Thank you! My protections on you are also renewed. What now?"   
 

 
 Spoiler: ooc 
 Standard:  cast  Protection from Evil (communal)  on Ivan, Niann &amp; Angelo
 Move:  move 10' south, 5' west
 Swift:  none

 Free Reaction 1:  If any ally within Ivan's 10' reach takes more 20 or more damage, expend his  psicrystal's psionic focus  to use his  Protection Mission's Living Bastion feature , then move onto Reaction #2.

 Free Reaction 2:  Redirect up to 15 hit point damage done to the collective via  martyrdom ,        paying up to  3  pp to reduce the damage he takes. He rounds down  on     the   pp spent to avoid over-reducing  (i.e. 11 damage --&gt; he  only     spends 3   pp to block 9, 8 damage --&gt; he only spends 2 pp  to  block    6) .
 
Greataxe AoO, 10' Reach b/c  Living Bastion  (if triggered by Splatter Man or any hostile monster):  attack  (1d20+9)[ 19 ] , damage  (1d12+7)[ 16 ] 
 
  Note : Ivan's stance makes the area around him difficult terrain for opponents 
 
 
lostsole31
 R10T17.1:  Ivan claps a hand on his teammates'  shoulders, warmth flowing outward from him toward them. He then lopes  south and west. 
 Spoiler: Ivan &gt;&gt;&gt; Collective 
   "Thank you! My protections on you are also renewed. What now?"   
 

 R10T15:   Angelo , your readied action didn't happen. What do you do?

Niann on deck, Ivan in the hole ...
Moriar
Angelo will keep his eyes open and hands ready.


 
 Spoiler: Angelo &gt;&gt;&gt; collective  

   "Lets stay together and keep going around this section,  poking our heads into each cell until we find him?"
   
 

 
 Spoiler: crunch 


Ready action to fire magic missile at ghost if he appears.

Damage:  (3d4+3)[ 12 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R10T15:  Angelo will keep his eyes open and hands ready. 
 Spoiler: Angelo &gt;&gt;&gt; Collective 
   "Lets stay together and keep going around this section,  poking our heads into each cell until we find him?"   
 

 R10T14:   Niann , what do you do?

Ivan on deck, Splatter Man in the hole?
Tippnick
 
 Spoiler: collective 

   "The ghost is trying to wait out or resources.Have you heard casting? I will go into a room to find him."   
 

She paused a moment and shadows gather around her momentarily. She moves into the room to South looking around and then back out.
 
 Spoiler: crunch 

SA: Does a shadow surge to gain 1 shadow surge
MA: Moves 15 feet south and then 15 feet north

If she sees the ghost she will call out in the collective saying,    "He is to the south."   

If she comes within the ghostt range to touch her she will stop her movement.
If attacked, as an immediate action she will call a shadow barrier
 
lostsole31
 R10T14:  
 Spoiler: Niann &gt;&gt;&gt; Collective 
   "The ghost is trying to wait out our resources. Have you heard casting? I will go into a room to find him."   
 
She  pauses a moment, shadows gathering around her momentarily. She moves  into the room to the south, but she is stepping in slippery water within  a few feet and a crumbling floor enough that when she gets to the  southern wall, she has gone as far as she can go, having no time to  return to the north before others take action.

 End Round 10, Begin Round 11 ...

R11T7.1:   Ivan , what do you do?

Splatter Man on deck, Angelo in the hole ...
Ason
Ivan closes his eyes momentarily and takes a deep breath to recenter himself. He then follows Niann's example, stepping into the nearby cell on the search for the Splatter Man.

 
 Spoiler: telepathy 
   "Good point. I suppose we can spread out a little bit."   
 

 
 Spoiler: ooc 
 Standard:   recover maneuver as standard action , recovering Warning Roar
 Move:  5' south, 5' southeast
 
 If Ivan spots the Splatter man, he thinks via the collective    "Found him!"   . Otherwise, he stays silent. 
 
 Immediate (if triggered):   Warning Roar , in response to any attack roll against an ally that Ivan can see

 Free Reaction 1:  If any ally within Ivan's 10' reach takes more 20 or more damage, expend his  psicrystal's psionic focus  to use his  Protection Mission's Living Bastion feature , then move onto Reaction #2.

 Free Reaction 2:  Redirect up to 15 hit point damage done to the collective via  martyrdom ,        paying up to  3  pp to reduce the damage he takes. He rounds down  on     the   pp spent to avoid over-reducing  (i.e. 11 damage --&gt; he  only     spends 3   pp to block 9, 8 damage --&gt; he only spends 2 pp  to  block    6) .
 
Greataxe AoO, 10' Reach b/c  Living Bastion  (if triggered by Splatter Man or any hostile monster):  attack  (1d20+9)[ 12 ] , damage  (1d12+7)[ 12 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R11T17.1:  Ivan closes his eyes momentarily and takes a  deep breath to recenter  himself. He then follows Niann's example, stepping into the nearby cell  on the search for the Splatter Man, but in doing so he steps right into  freezing cold water (and difficult terrain). 
 Spoiler: Ivan &gt;&gt;&gt;  Collective 
   "Good point. I suppose we can spread out a little bit."   
 

 R11T17:   Spellcasting is heard to the north of Ivan - visible to him and partly  visible to Niann, but unseen by Angelo - and four bolts of arcane force  streak forth to strike Ivan in the chest for   19 force  .

 R11T15:   Angelo ,  your readied action did not occur because you don't see the Splatter  Man from your position, but his voice is in the cell to the east of you  and around the corner to the north. What do you do?

Niann on deck, Ivan in the hole ...
Moriar
Angelo steps to the side and raises his hands to cast.


 
 Spoiler: shoot back? 


Angelo steps 5' east to be in front of Ivan.

Then if he can see splatterman then casts magic missile.

If splatterman within 5' will combat cast with  (1d20+9)[ 13 ] 

If further away than 5' will just cast without combat casting.

Magic missile damage:  (3d4+3)[ 13 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R11T15:  Angelo steps to the side and raises his hands  to cast, sending three missiles to counterattack with a volley that does  a total of   13 force  .

 R11T14:   Niann , what do you do?  Water squares - not counting the oubliette - are difficult terrain (you had entered two such squares).

Ivan on deck, the Splatter Man in the hole ...
Tippnick
Niann blasts off a spell that sends missiles into the Splatter Man. She then moves closer Ivan Angelo.

 
 Spoiler: crunch 

SA: cast magic missile at the ghost
 (2d4+2)[ 6 ] 
MA: 1 square North then 1square NE then 1square East
 
lostsole31
 R11T14:  Niann blasts off a spell that sends missiles into the Splatter Man for   6 force  .  She then moves closer Ivan and Angelo, though her movement is stopped  early as she finds Ivan right where she had intended to go.

 End Round 11, Begin Round 12 ...

R12T17.1:   Ivan , what do you do?

Splatter Man on deck, Angelo in the hole ...
Ason
  "Oof!"   Ivan grunts aloud as the missiles slam into him.

 
 Spoiler: telepathy 
  "Is anyone else hurt? I can group heal instead if others need it.  "
 


Ivan then draws out and drinks a potion. He drops his defensive stance for a more agile one and backs up slightly.

 
 Spoiler: ooc 
 Move:  draw potion of Cure Light Wounds from backpack
 Standard:  drink potion  (1d8+1)[ 7 ] 
 Swift:  adopt  Unbroken Stride  stance, which should help him overcome the cold water
 Five-Foot Step:  south

 Free Reaction 1:  If any ally within Ivan's 10' reach takes more  15  or more damage (or if he does), expend his  psicrystal's psionic focus  to use his  Protection Mission's Living Bastion feature , then move onto Reaction #2.

 Free Reaction 2:  Redirect up to 15 hit point damage done to the collective via  martyrdom ,        paying up to  3  pp to reduce the damage he takes. He rounds down  on     the   pp spent to avoid over-reducing  (i.e. 11 damage --&gt; he  only     spends 3   pp to block 9, 8 damage --&gt; he only spends 2 pp  to  block    6) .
 
Greataxe AoO, 10' Reach b/c  Living Bastion  (if triggered by Splatter Man or any hostile monster):  attack  (1d20+9)[ 19 ] , damage  (1d12+7)[ 18 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R12T17.1:    "Oof!"   Ivan grunts aloud as the missiles slam into him. 
 Spoiler: Ivan &gt;&gt;&gt; Collective 
   "Is anyone else hurt? I can group heal instead if others need it.  " 
 
Ivan then draws out and drinks a potion for   7 healing  . He drops his defensive stance for a more agile one and backs up slightly.

 R12T17:  The Splatter Man casts a spell, and again Angelo's magical armor is torn away. The ghost disappears northeast into the wall.

 R12T15:   Angelo , what do you do?

Niann on deck, Ivan in the hole ...
Moriar
Angelo steps to close with Ivan and uses a charge from his wand.

 
 Spoiler: Angelo &gt;&gt;&gt; collective 

   "Currently I'm only slightly hurt but find it odd he keeps tearing away my mage armor.

Hopefully this healing helps Ivan.  I saw him dissappear through the northern wall."
   
 

 
 Spoiler: wand 


Move 5' to SE.

Then use wand of cure light on Ivan for  (1d8+1)[ 5 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R12T15:  Angelo steps to close with Ivan and uses a charge from his wand (  5 healing  ). 
 Spoiler: Angelo &gt;&gt;&gt; Collective 
   "Currently I'm only slightly hurt but find it odd he keeps tearing away my    mage armor   .

"Hopefully, this healing helps, Ivan.  I saw him disappear through the northern wall."   
 

 R12T14:   Niann , what do you do?

Ivan on deck, Splatter Man in the hole ...
Tippnick
Niann moves north to find the ghost.


 
 Spoiler: collective 

   "Heading north."   
 

 
 Spoiler: crunch 

MA: 1 square NE, 4 squares NE
SA:If she sees the ghost while moving she will stop and cast magic missile at the ghost
 (2d4+2)[ 7 ]  force damage
If not she will ready action to cast magic missile if she sees him at anytime before her next turn.

IA: if attacked she will call up a shadow barrier
 
lostsole31
 R12T14:  Niann moves north to find the ghost. 
 Spoiler: Niann &gt;&gt;&gt; Collective 
   "Heading north."   
 

 End Round 12, Begin Round 13 ...

R13T17.1:   Ivan , what do you do?

Splatter Man on deck, Angelo in the hole ...
Ason
Ivan positions himself in the doorway between the two cells and then blesses his own weapon again.

 
 Spoiler: telepathy 
   "I'm not 100% but feel a lot better now.

Since it keeps targeting you, Angelo, I'll follow you to give some cover."   
 

 
 Spoiler: ooc 
 Move:  5' northwest, 5' north
 Standard:  use  Touch the Spirit World  domain power

 Immediate (if triggered):   Warning Roar , in response to any attack roll against an ally that Ivan can see

 Free Reaction 1:  If any ally within Ivan's 10' reach takes more  15  or more damage (or if he does), expend his  psicrystal's psionic focus  to use his  Protection Mission's Living Bastion feature , then move onto Reaction #2.

 Free Reaction 2:  Redirect up to 15 hit point damage done to the collective via  martyrdom ,        paying up to  3  pp to reduce the damage he takes. He rounds down  on     the   pp spent to avoid over-reducing  (i.e. 11 damage --&gt; he  only     spends 3   pp to block 9, 8 damage --&gt; he only spends 2 pp  to  block    6) .
 
Greataxe AoO, 10' Reach b/c  Living Bastion  (if triggered by Splatter Man or any hostile monster):  attack  (1d20+9)[ 22 ] , damage  (1d12+7)[ 17 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R13T17.1:  Ivan positions himself in the doorway between  the two cells and then blesses his own weapon again. 
 Spoiler: Ivan  &gt;&gt;&gt; Collective 
   "I'm not 100%, but feel a lot better now. Since it keeps targeting you, Angelo, I'll follow you to give some cover."   
 

 R13T17:   Angelo feels a cold energy pass through the back of his shoulder. He  didn't see the attack coming and his body wasn't steeled for it, as he  takes   31 corruption  .  Ivan wasn't ready for it and didn't see it either, so by the time  Angelo felt it, it was already done as Angelo gives out a feeble wail.  When both men turn to see the source of the attack, they see the  Splatter Man partly in the wall at the very SW corner of the cell they  are in, 5' above the ground, hovering over Angelo.

 R13T16:  Just then, several small floating lights wink out of existence, but at least Ivan's light flaming axe provides light.

 R13T15:   Angelo ,  the Splatter Man is right above your head in the corner of the cell,  partly in the wall. You feel feeble and old and weak, and looking at  your hands they have wrinkles and liver spots. What do you do?

Niann on deck, Ivan in the hole ...
Moriar
Angelo starts humming and dirge to himself and tumbles away.

Then he utters an arcane phrase and upon completion some of his wounds heal.


 
 Spoiler: Angelo &gt;&gt;&gt; collective  

   
"Ouch! He is back here in the same cell with Ivan and I."   
 

 
 Spoiler: crunchy 


SwA start Archelogists luck

Acrobatics roll to get away:  (1d20+11)[ 25 ] 

Move 5 ' to west and then 5' to NW


Casts cure moderate wounds on himself for  (2d8+4)[ 11 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R13T15:  Angelo starts humming a dirge to himself and  tumbles away, getting him out of the waterlogged room. He then utters an  arcane phrase. Upon completion some of his spell on himself, some of  the aging is reversed as he gains   11 healing  .  The effort of using the last of his most powerful bard spells leaves  him a little woozy for a second, a faint trickle of blood dribbling down  his nose from the effort.

 R13T14:   Niann , your readied action did not occur. What do you do?

Ivan on deck, Splatter Man in the hole ...
Tippnick
Niann takes a quick step closer to Angelo.
 
 Spoiler: crunch 

FA: 5 foot step to the SW
SA: If the The Splatter Man is in melee range she will attack with her great sword doing a risky strike

 (d20+7)[ 16 ] 
 (2d6+13)[ 22 ]  damage

If she can see the ghost and the her party members are in the way she will cast magic missile
 (2d4+2)[ 8 ] 
If she can't see the ghost
She will touch Angelo and spend a quintessence and give Angelo a Gloom Shield (8 thp)

If she she has a clear path to the ghost at range she will use spatial rip (use above attack roll and damage)
 
lostsole31
 R13T14:  Niann takes a quick step closer to Angelo,  touching his shoulder. It doesn't heal him, de-age him, or the like, but  there is a faint darkness about the young man now.

 End Round 13, Begin Round 14 ...

R14T17.1:  Ivan, what do you do?

Splatter Man on deck, Angelo in the hole ...
Ason
Ivan shift across the water, its liquid moving under him to support his  weight, toward the ghost. He swings his greataxe at the undead and  twirls it again to interfere with any attacks directed at Angelo.

 
 Spoiler: ooc 
 Five-Foot Step:  5' southeast (because  Unbroken Stride  lets him walk/stand atop water, negating the difficult terrain)
 
   Note:   If somehow a five-foot step plan won't put Ivan within the 10'  required for him to hit the Splatter Man, skip this and replace the  move action below with whatever movement is required to get the  Splatter Man into Ivan's melee reach. I say this because it's a hard for me to read verticality and  ghost-is-sticking-partway-out-of-the-wall on the current map, and I'm not 100% certain I've read it correctly.  
 
 
Standard:  10' reach  Pyrite Strike  risky strike (no penalty b/c  furious focus )  attack  (1d20+9)[ 12 ] , damage  (1d12+13)[ 15 ] , bonus damage   (1d6)[ 3 ]  and moving the Splatter Man 5' west.
 
 The full damage should apply at the moment as it's an attuned weapon  affected by  Touch the Spirit World . 
 
 Move (assuming my note on five-foot step doesn't apply):  Aid Another on Angelo to grant him +3 AC vs Splatter Man  (2 from Aid Another, 1 from Zeal, move action because  Zealot )  and  (regardless of success or failure on this roll)  recovering Hunting Party strike and granting +1 morale to party's attack rolls for 1 round  (if the strike didn't give zeal already) ; Aid Another roll  (1d20+7)[ 23 ] 
 Immediate (if triggered):   Warning Roar , in response to any attack roll against an ally that Ivan can see, prioritizing Angelo's safety first

 Free Reaction 1:  If  Angelo  takes  ANY  damage, expend his  psicrystal's psionic focus  to use his  Protection Mission's Living Bastion feature  and redirect any damage remaining on Angelo to Ivan via  martyrdom , paying up to  3 pp  to reduce the damage he takes.

 Free Reaction 2:  If any Niann or Ivan take more  15  or more damage, expend his  psicrystal's psionic focus  to use his  Protection Mission's Living Bastion feature , then move onto Reaction #3.

 Free Reaction 3:  Redirect up to 15 hit point damage done to Niann or Ivan via  martyrdom ,        paying up to  3  pp to reduce the damage he takes.
 
Greataxe AoO, 10' Reach b/c  Living Bastion  (if triggered by Splatter Man or any hostile monster):  attack  (1d20+7)[ 19 ] , damage  (1d12+13)[ 15 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R14T17.1:  Ivan shift across the water, its liquid  moving under him to support his   weight, toward the ghost. He swings his greataxe at the undead and   twirls it again to interfere with any attacks directed at Angelo. The  attack failed, but it was more of a warding action anyway as the main  goal was protecting Angelo while having time to think about what options  to bear.

 R14T17:  The Splatter Man reaches out  to touch Ivan, Ivan barely gives a stuttering shout even as the Splatter  Man plunges his ghostly hand into Ivan's left ear and brain. Ivan fails  to jerk away in time, and fails to resist the critical strike as he  takes   48 corruption + 1 INT (+1 bleed)  .  Ivan falls to the ground and the collective immediately shuts down as  well, and his axe falls out of his hand. The Splatter Man disappears  into the wall.

 R14T16:  A hand-sized chunk of crystal emerges from Ivan's clothing and sits on his chest. A resonating, nervous voice is heard,   "Quickly, please ... Ivan is a hair's breadth from death!"  
 R14T15:   Angelo , do you maintain archaeologist's luck? What do you do?

Niann on deck, Ivan in the hole ...
Moriar
 " Niann, we need you in here!  Ivan went down, "  Angelo shouts out as he moves to Ivan.

Once in reach casts a healing spell upon him.


 
 Spoiler: crunch 


Stop Archelogists luck but let lingering performance continue it for 2 more rounds.


Move to Ivan (map does not show where he is, just know he is close).

Then cast cure light wounds for  (1d8+4)[ 8 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R14T15:  One unfortunate effect of Ivan's axe falling  from his hands into the water is that the flame slowly is doused until  there is nothing left, but still giving enough after image to help guide  Angelo. 

" Niann, we need you in here!  Ivan went down, "  he shouts out as he splashes back into the cell, feeling for Ivan. Finding him, he casts a spell and provides   8 healing  !

 R14T14:   Niann , what do you do?

Ivan on deck, Splatter Man in the hole ....
Tippnick
Niann pulls a potion from her bandolier and steps closer to Ivan and pours into Ivan's mouth.
 
 Spoiler: crunch 

FA five foot step south
MA: pulling a clw potion from the bandolier
SA: administer the potion to Ivan
 (d8+1)[ 3 ] 

Ia: if attacked will call up a shasow barrier
 

  "You are going to need a light."   Niann says quietly.
lostsole31
 R14T14:  Niann pulls a potion from her bandolier and  steps closer to Ivan, but doesn't have time to administer the potion  yet. Quietly, she says to Angelo,    "You are going to need a light."   
 R14T17.1:  Niann sees blood trickling out of the head wound, despite the previous healing Angelo gave (  1 bleed  ), which is enough for him to destabilize as well (  1 bleed   from dying condition).

 End Round 14, Begin Round 15 ... 
 R15T17:   Niann sees the Splatter Man flying into the view, a dark crackling  energy blasts forth, rolling over the interlopers into his domain.  Angelo doesn't see it coming, and is surprised when darkness chills his  soul for   12 NE  ; Niann sees her gloom shield get torn away from her charge, but only after she ducks behind some of the stones, only taking   6 NE  .   
 Spoiler: Niann 
As far as Ivan, very possibly it is to Angelo's benefit  that he doesn't see what Niann does - Ivan's body contorting and  cracking, his back breaking in two. The blood from his head no longer  has any arterial push behind it, but just pools out into the water  surrounding his now deceased body. Just as his body break, the crystal  on his chest is pulverized by the dark energy, blasting away and  disintegrated.
 

 R15T15:   Angelo , you are in darkness, dealing with lingering mental pain and trauma but with a touch of your luck remaining. What do you do?

Niann on deck, Splatter Man in the hole ...
Tippnick
  "Ivan's dead, ****!"   Niann cries out.
Moriar
"  Not again...."   Angelo says.  "  Should we run?"   He asks quietly.


Then he tries to defensively cast light on his belt.

 
 Spoiler: crunchy 


Defensive cast of light spell:  (1d20+10)[ 27 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R15T15:    "Ivan's dead, [redacted]!"   Niann cries out.

"  Not again,"   Angelo says.   "  Should we run?"    he asks quietly as he carefully casts  light  on his belt, where he then sees the ghost several feet away to his west.

 R15T14:   Niann , what do you do?

Splatter Man in the hole ...
Tippnick
  "Yes, we run! I will grab Ivan. Grab the potion. Heal your self."   Niann says emphatically. She sets the potion beside the body as she drops her sword and lifts her friend's body. She summons a protective shadow around her and Angelo.

  "Move with me, stay in the shroud."
  
 
 Spoiler: crunch 

FA: Drop the sword and potion
MA: Pick up Ivan's body
SA: Summon a guardian shroud 10' radius around her
IA: if attacked will summon a shadow barrier
 
lostsole31
 R15T14:    "Yes, we run! I will grab Ivan. Grab the potion. Heal yourself!"    Niann says emphatically. She drops the potion beside the body as she  drops her sword and lifts her friend's body, but she finds she can  barely lift him off the ground, even using all of her prodigious might,  and she definitely won't be able to move with him. She summons a  protective  shadow around her and Angelo. All of this focus helps her overcome the  mental fumbling she was dealing with from earlier.   "Move with me, stay in the shroud."  
 End Round 15, Begin Round 16 ...

R16T17:   The Splatter Man stands there, triumphant though obviously heavily  wounded from the heroes' efforts. He casts a spell from where he is and  four bolts of arcane energy pierce the gloomy area to rip into Angelo  for   21 force  , before backing west a little more.     "You will not escape me a second time, little morsel."    
 R16T15:   Angelo , what do you do?

Niann on deck ...
Moriar
Angelo grabs the potion and drinks it.    "I hope we can make it, I'm very hurt."  


As a whisper,    "I'm trying to be strong for you brother...   "


 
 Spoiler: crunch 


Picking up the potion that Niann just dropped and drinks it.

Then if possible will move 5' to NE to be behind her.
 
lostsole31
 R16T15:  Angelo grabs the potion and drinks it, but it cracked when it landed and diluted, and he only gains   2 healing  .    "I hope we can make it, I'm very hurt."  

He adds as a whisper,    "I'm trying to be strong for you brother...   "

 R16T14:   Niann , what do you do?

Splatter Man on deck, Angelo in the hole ...