Chapter 6: Beneath the Inn of the Damned

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dmw71
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Re: Chapter 6: Beneath the Inn of the Damned

#321 Post by dmw71 »

While Ingrid examines the room for traps, Avril does the same for secret doors. With no obvious point of exit, the elven maiden wants to make sure the group hasn't overlooked anything. "The fire by the entrance," she starts as she begins her examination. "Perhaps it has burnt out?"
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Re: Chapter 6: Beneath the Inn of the Damned

#322 Post by AleBelly »

Zhym wrote:Grothnak stretches his neck, trying to shake off the lingering effects of paralysis. He stands erect and faces the others. "I apologize to each of you," he says. "It was rash to move into the room when we were already injured."

He waits on guard until the others are ready to leave.
Pelias takes a break from inspecting the altar and breathes deeply. "I have never questioned your bravery, Grothnak. For the sake of our friendship, ask me not about your wisdom."

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Re: Chapter 6: Beneath the Inn of the Damned

#323 Post by OGRE MAGE »

His magic completely spent, Bo leans heavily on his spear now, still crouched over in this hellish mud tunnel.

I think we need to get ourselves out of here while we can. You can try to destroy that alter if you think it feasible, but I think it is too dangerous to stay in here a moment longer.

If the fire burns out, the evil ones will be sure to come looking for us.


The lanky man takes back his lantern and heads in the direction of the windy hidden tunnel.

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Re: Chapter 6: Beneath the Inn of the Damned

#324 Post by Starbeard »

Moogeye moves away from the altar. "It seems too sturdy to deface quickly. We can bring a wood axe when we return. Or, we can just set fire to it now and run away."

Her musing is sidetracked by Bo's departure. She skips off after him, to investigate the drafty tunnel in the ceiling.

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Re: Chapter 6: Beneath the Inn of the Damned

#325 Post by Inferno »

Day Six.
Village of Briarsgate, Beneath the Golden Grain Inn
(6).
Between midnight and 1am, Friday, October 21st, 576 CY.
Full moon, partly cloudy, damp, cold, misty.



Image


Beneath the village of Briarsgate, the adventurers cautiously investigate a hidden sanctum of unspeakable, otherworldly evil (24).

Before the motionless, ivory sculpture of the loathsome abhorrence, Pelias examines the sacrificial altar. Fashioned from stone, its physical destruction would be akin to shattering a boulder. But Avril, Ingrid and Pelias were schooled in the methods and manifestations of deviltry. With grim realization, they know the forsaken altar is consecrated to evil, making this entire chamber powerful to the servants of darkness, granting them impious protection and perverse strength. This depraved power can only be broken by the desecration of the unholy altar: shattering its form, pouring holy water upon it, or casting the holy spells of Blessings or Prayers. (as per DMG p.66)

Avril searches for secret passages from this corrupt chamber, and finds none.

Ingrid casts holy magic to grant herself the gift of sight. Her eyes pierce shadow, stone, earth, flesh; all artifices of subterfuge and deception, whether forged by man or sorcery, stand revealed before her now. There are none in this place. The priestess of Trithereon inspects the entire shrine including the cemetery angels that blasphemously frame the broken coffin that reeks of rot and death.
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The twin statues are magnificent examples of the classical style of the once great civilizations of Thracia and Cynidecia, famed for their glory and grandeur; both lost forever to antiquity, no more than myths now in these Dark Ages of the Oerth.

Avril joins her, peering closer into the northern alcove and discovers the fair, noble faces appear to be discrete, detachable elements of the statues - "concealed doors" - masks. Ingrid senses no peril lurking within these exalted seraphim, and she and Avril carefully remove the masks and find something startling beneath each one.
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Just behind those beautiful visages of idealized, angelic perfection lurk tentacled, serpentine horrors. A hidden, insidious evil, not unlike the sinister shadow that plagues Briarsgate.

Meanwhile, Long Bo and Moogeye navigate the winding, treacherous shafts back to the ceiling hole with the fell wind. On the way, the shadows at the edge of the lantern light seem to writhe of their own strange will.

Image

The druid and the monk peer closer and see black tendrils of smoke pulsing among the shadows (at 'S'). They reach the chamber of the ceiling hole (21) and find the air deathly still. The black maw no longer spews its rank breeze. The foul draft had created air pressure that kept the fire's smoke at bay. Now, with the fell wind dead, this hellish warren would soon be filled with thick smoke, asphyxiating all within, strangling and choking them to death.

In the other chamber (24), Avril, Grothnak and Telkis suddenly smell smoke.


Actions?

Beneath the Inn of the Damned 28.jpg
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    • The lighter areas mark visibility. All else is from memory and the PCs' map.
      Each square is 5 feet. Movement in tunnels is halved.
      Red marks the dead. Black S's mark the smoke.

Image


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Last edited by Inferno on Wed Apr 13, 2016 2:50 pm, edited 2 times in total.
DM:
The Horror at Briarsgate (1e): Lovecraftian Gothic Horror (N1, homebrew)
Lost City of Eternity (1e): Hyborian Age Sword and Sorcery (B4, JG102, homebrew)
Once and Future Earth (1e): Post-Apocalyptic Sci-Fi Dungeon Crawl (X1, B1, ASE1, homebrew)
Sauron Victorious (1e): Dire Saga for the Fate of Middle Earth (homebrew)

Player:
Agax Gryyg: Gamer of Urth, Ravenloft
Azoth Al-Aziz: Lovecraftian Cultist, Tamoachan
Blodget: Foolish Young 9th Level Hobbit, Dark Clouds
Dredd Doomsmith: Dwarven Deathtrap Engineer, Tomb of Horrors
Elijah Crowthorne: Marooned Prophet, Pirates
Jack in the Green: Ancient Child, Giants
P.T. Codswallop: Larcenous Impresario, Dimwater
Sir Ugghra: Bestial Half-Orc Aristocrat, Brotherton
Swilbosh: Savage Lizard-Warrior, Keep
Tantos Vek: Failed Paladin, Under Streets
Ulfang Chainbreaker: Barbarian Liberator of Slaves, Tharizdun

DM bio is here.

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Re: Chapter 6: Beneath the Inn of the Damned

#326 Post by ChubbyPixie »

Telkis Brassfang, Gnome Fighter

"I believe our decision has been made for us. We'll have to come back later to destroy this cursed altar," says Telkis when the smell of smoke hits him. He runs for the escape tunnel.

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Re: Chapter 6: Beneath the Inn of the Damned

#327 Post by Fulci »

Ingrid Esthof, cleric

Ingrid gasps at the horrific revelation. "An ancient evil lurks under this city."

She turns to the others: "My energies are all spent, I cannot call down Trithereon's might and vengeance upon this abominated sanctuary. If any of you has Blessed Water, we can use it... later. Time is running out. Smoke will fill the tunnels soon. We must use that exit you found."
G A M E S :
Running Vaults & Wastelands [Fallout]
Isaiah Bartlett in That Which Should Not Be [CoC]
Ingrid Esthof in The Horror at Briarsgate [1e]
Jónas Gillman in The Sinister Secret of Saltmarsh [1e]

I N A C T I V E : (
Ballar Uh in Dungeonesque [LL/AEC]
Favrick in The Rise of Smaug [BW]

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Re: Chapter 6: Beneath the Inn of the Damned

#328 Post by OGRE MAGE »

Long Bo Shakes his head both at the smoke and the fact that there is no longer a breeze coming from the secret tunnel. It wont be long now until we are all dead in this hellish grave.

Noticing that they are all alone, the large druid asks Moogeye what's up. Would you like me to give you a boost up into that hole or would you rather I go in to investigate it first?

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Re: Chapter 6: Beneath the Inn of the Damned

#329 Post by dmw71 »

Avril, understanding the risk smoke can present, quickly follows behind Telkis en route to the escape tunnel.
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Re: Chapter 6: Beneath the Inn of the Damned

#330 Post by Fulci »

Ingrid Esthof, cleric

Ingrid moves towards the potential exit too.
G A M E S :
Running Vaults & Wastelands [Fallout]
Isaiah Bartlett in That Which Should Not Be [CoC]
Ingrid Esthof in The Horror at Briarsgate [1e]
Jónas Gillman in The Sinister Secret of Saltmarsh [1e]

I N A C T I V E : (
Ballar Uh in Dungeonesque [LL/AEC]
Favrick in The Rise of Smaug [BW]

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Re: Chapter 6: Beneath the Inn of the Damned

#331 Post by Starbeard »

Moogeye examines the tunnel rising up in to the ceiling with Bo. "I have some climbing skill. I believe I can make my way up without much trouble if you provide an initial boost. I will throw down a rope if I can find anything to tie it to."

From her things she retrieves a length of rope, a bullseye lantern and a tinderbox, and drops her pack and weapons in favour of a dagger. "I am ready," she says, now prepared to be hoisted up into the shaft.

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Re: Chapter 6: Beneath the Inn of the Damned

#332 Post by AleBelly »

With no holy water handy, Pelias quickly relieves himself on the altar. Although it will likely have no discernible effect, it gives the paladin some small measure of satisfaction. He then hurries after the others, guarding the party's rear.

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Re: Chapter 6: Beneath the Inn of the Damned

#333 Post by OGRE MAGE »

Bo obliges Moogeye with a boost up into the mysterious hole.

I can hear that the others are about to join us. Do be careful up there dear girl! We have no idea what might be in there or even why the wind has stopped.

I believe that this tunnel will come out in the graveyard, but I have no facts to base that assumption off of.

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Re: Chapter 6: Beneath the Inn of the Damned

#334 Post by Inferno »

Day Six.
Village of Briarsgate, Beneath the Golden Grain Inn
(6).
Between midnight and 1am, Friday, October 21st, 576 CY.
Full moon, partly cloudy, damp, cold, misty.



Image


The adventurers flee the horrific sanctum of the ophidian demon thing and race through the pitch, uneven shafts of its accursed domain. At the edge of the wavering lantern light they see black smoke filling this subterranean netherworld.

They reach the ceiling hole and frantically push each other up into its waiting jaws, and the earthen gullet beyond.

Image

Moogeye goes first and finds nothing in the tight shaft to tie a rope to, except herself. The young monk ropes her waist and crawls on her belly into the filthy, horizontal tunnel, allowing the rope and her legs to help the others pull themselves up and into the channel.

One helps the other until, single file, they crawl and struggle and toil, many in heavy armor, through the tight mud tunnel. There is no longer any draft here; the air is bad and the stench of death is thick. The sounds of their grunting and breathing echo all around. Moogeye bravely leads the way, gripping her dagger in anticipation of a pale, undead cannibal squirming right toward her in the constricting tunnel from the other direction. Hours seemingly pass like this; then days.

The heroes finally spill out, wounded, mud-covered and reeking, into a cold, dark cavity. Waves of screeching rats flee before their lantern light, and they see, to their horror, they stand within a coffin-filled tomb.
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Lids have been rent asunder and the desiccated human ruins within have been hideously violated.

Image

Image

The adventurers find a rectangular shaft in the crypt leading upward. They climb its rickety ladder 25 feet, single file, and reach the top of the vault only to find it covered with a great capstone lid that might serve as their tombstone. With dread, they envision the mausoleum chamber above them...
buried alive.jpg
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The adventurers are buried alive, interred beneath the earth with the forsaken dead. And black smoke begins to slowly billow from the hole behind them.


Actions?


Image


Status: Magic:
  • Protection from Evil (Pelias): -2 to AC and +2 to saving throws against evil, in a 10 foot radius around Pelias.
Resources:
DM:
The Horror at Briarsgate (1e): Lovecraftian Gothic Horror (N1, homebrew)
Lost City of Eternity (1e): Hyborian Age Sword and Sorcery (B4, JG102, homebrew)
Once and Future Earth (1e): Post-Apocalyptic Sci-Fi Dungeon Crawl (X1, B1, ASE1, homebrew)
Sauron Victorious (1e): Dire Saga for the Fate of Middle Earth (homebrew)

Player:
Agax Gryyg: Gamer of Urth, Ravenloft
Azoth Al-Aziz: Lovecraftian Cultist, Tamoachan
Blodget: Foolish Young 9th Level Hobbit, Dark Clouds
Dredd Doomsmith: Dwarven Deathtrap Engineer, Tomb of Horrors
Elijah Crowthorne: Marooned Prophet, Pirates
Jack in the Green: Ancient Child, Giants
P.T. Codswallop: Larcenous Impresario, Dimwater
Sir Ugghra: Bestial Half-Orc Aristocrat, Brotherton
Swilbosh: Savage Lizard-Warrior, Keep
Tantos Vek: Failed Paladin, Under Streets
Ulfang Chainbreaker: Barbarian Liberator of Slaves, Tharizdun

DM bio is here.

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Re: Chapter 6: Beneath the Inn of the Damned

#335 Post by AleBelly »

"The smoke follows us still" laments Pelias. "Our most dangerous foe. Quickly, gather all unnecessary clothing! We must make the tunnel airtight while we figure a way out of this!"

He removes his cloak from his shoulders and pulls another from his backpack. He carefully inspects the coffins to see if there are any intact cloths that he could add to his cloaks to plug up the tunnel.

He pulls his prayer beads from his pockets and mumbles a desperate prayer to Heironeus.

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Re: Chapter 6: Beneath the Inn of the Damned

#336 Post by dmw71 »

It's possible I'm misunderstanding our current situation...
Tired and exhausted from their climb through the tight tunnel, Avril takes a swig from her waterskin and wipes the sweat from her muddied brow. "My strength lies in my convictions, and my faith to Corellon." Avril starts, looking hopefully at Grothnak. "Any chance those of you with more physical prowess would be able to force open that capstone lid," she concludes, allowing her gaze to shift to the barrier blocking their escape.

She begins to study the ceiling around the capstone, looking for any hint of light, or vulnerability, so that the group may be able to dig upwards and hopefully towards the surface.
-- Project --
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Re: Chapter 6: Beneath the Inn of the Damned

#337 Post by Inferno »

dmw71 wrote:It's possible I'm misunderstanding our current situation...
From your post, it looks like you understand it perfectly. But if you have any questions, please ask. :)
DM:
The Horror at Briarsgate (1e): Lovecraftian Gothic Horror (N1, homebrew)
Lost City of Eternity (1e): Hyborian Age Sword and Sorcery (B4, JG102, homebrew)
Once and Future Earth (1e): Post-Apocalyptic Sci-Fi Dungeon Crawl (X1, B1, ASE1, homebrew)
Sauron Victorious (1e): Dire Saga for the Fate of Middle Earth (homebrew)

Player:
Agax Gryyg: Gamer of Urth, Ravenloft
Azoth Al-Aziz: Lovecraftian Cultist, Tamoachan
Blodget: Foolish Young 9th Level Hobbit, Dark Clouds
Dredd Doomsmith: Dwarven Deathtrap Engineer, Tomb of Horrors
Elijah Crowthorne: Marooned Prophet, Pirates
Jack in the Green: Ancient Child, Giants
P.T. Codswallop: Larcenous Impresario, Dimwater
Sir Ugghra: Bestial Half-Orc Aristocrat, Brotherton
Swilbosh: Savage Lizard-Warrior, Keep
Tantos Vek: Failed Paladin, Under Streets
Ulfang Chainbreaker: Barbarian Liberator of Slaves, Tharizdun

DM bio is here.

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Re: Chapter 6: Beneath the Inn of the Damned

#338 Post by Starbeard »

Moogeye tries to brace herself against the ladder and/or vault wall, pawing at the capstone for a solid hold with which she can push it aside. "We escape through here, or suffocate," she says.
Is it assumed that someone hoisted up the rest of Moogeye's equipment? She wouldn't want to leave without her pack, but I'm fine with ditching her glaive-guisarme if it can't fit through the tunnel. It's listed length is 8'+, with 1' space required to wield.

Second: what are the confines at the top of the vault? Is the shaft/ladder wide enough for two people to work together pushing it aside?

Just in case, here are Open Doors and Lift Gate rolls for Moogeye:

Open Door (1-2): [1d6] = 3, Bend/Lift (7%): [1d100] = 50

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Re: Chapter 6: Beneath the Inn of the Damned

#339 Post by Inferno »

Starbeard wrote: Is it assumed that someone hoisted up the rest of Moogeye's equipment?
Yes. All equipment went with the party. The polearm could have been tied to her back. The pack could have been tied to a rope and dragged behind her.
Starbeard wrote:Is the shaft/ladder wide enough for two people to work together pushing it aside?
The shaft is, but the rickety ladder is not. Attempts from the ladder must be made one at a time.

Anyone attempting to push the vault's stone lid while on the ladder, please first Save vs. Dex on 1d20 (to keep your balance atop the rickety ladder). You want to roll low, at or below your stat.
  • -If you fail the Dex Save, you can't get enough leverage to push safely and effectively with both hands. A critical failure, a natural 20, will either cause the PC to fall 25 feet from the ladder or to break a rung, preventing further attempts from the ladder.
    -If you make the Dex Save, then please Save vs. Strength on 1d20 to move the capstone. The Strength roll will be modified by me, given the heavy weight of the capstone. A natural 1 will always succeed.

Thanks.
DM:
The Horror at Briarsgate (1e): Lovecraftian Gothic Horror (N1, homebrew)
Lost City of Eternity (1e): Hyborian Age Sword and Sorcery (B4, JG102, homebrew)
Once and Future Earth (1e): Post-Apocalyptic Sci-Fi Dungeon Crawl (X1, B1, ASE1, homebrew)
Sauron Victorious (1e): Dire Saga for the Fate of Middle Earth (homebrew)

Player:
Agax Gryyg: Gamer of Urth, Ravenloft
Azoth Al-Aziz: Lovecraftian Cultist, Tamoachan
Blodget: Foolish Young 9th Level Hobbit, Dark Clouds
Dredd Doomsmith: Dwarven Deathtrap Engineer, Tomb of Horrors
Elijah Crowthorne: Marooned Prophet, Pirates
Jack in the Green: Ancient Child, Giants
P.T. Codswallop: Larcenous Impresario, Dimwater
Sir Ugghra: Bestial Half-Orc Aristocrat, Brotherton
Swilbosh: Savage Lizard-Warrior, Keep
Tantos Vek: Failed Paladin, Under Streets
Ulfang Chainbreaker: Barbarian Liberator of Slaves, Tharizdun

DM bio is here.

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Re: Chapter 6: Beneath the Inn of the Damned

#340 Post by ChubbyPixie »

Telkis will throw his bedroll to whoever is plugging the hole. Then he'll wait his turn to attempt the stone lid. In the meantime he'll inspect the walls and floor for any other hidden means of escape.

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