Crucible of the Gods: The Pits of Bones

You see six skeletons pull themselves out of the pits (three from the east, three from the west). They all choose the southern ledge and do not seem to react as if they were mindless. Instead they gather in battle formations and attack your flank!

The three from the west move around to quickly swarm Arden with wicked longswords. Flanked by two, he can barely escape their deadly attacks.
Tech: Two hits, total of 8 damage. Arden now has 21 hit points.

The three from the east rush Ashton. Two draw longswords and the last a shortbow. The four other skeleton archers lining the pit to the east also now notice Ashton, and rain their arrows down. Aston's tunic is stained with his blood.
Tech: Dice were on fire, even with the superior cover Ashton had. Four bow hits and one sword hit for a total of 16 damage (and one of those was a natural 20!) Ashton is down to 14 hit points and is bloodied.

(ooc: map removed. check vitals tab for updated map...)

As you attempt to gain a hold of the situation, two new combatants enter the field. They are skeletons, but they do not climb out of the pit. Instead, they appear out of nothing, pull longswords and attack Tak-tha! And being discovered by the new skeleton swordsmen allows the archers from the west to take aim and fire at Tak-tha as well...
Tech: Tak-tha is hit twice by swords and once by bow for 11 total damage. He now has 10 hit points and is bloodied.

Ashton thinks he sees a shadowy figure north of the eastern pit, in the square just north of N1. It might even be a woman...?

OOC: Some of you have readied actions (if you stated it in your previous post), so I dished out the damage first and will let you take your readied action attacks now. Remember that your readied action must be a single standard action. Be sure to label in your post what your readied action attack is. If you manage to destroy a skeleton during that act, I may refund hp to those hit (since you might have stopped the skeleton before his attack.) 

I believe then you would get your normal turn's worth of actions. 
Good Luck! -MilwaukeeJoe

Crucible of the Gods: Lair of the Ruach

Placing the skull of Lyth into the wall-indentation, the relief crumbles away to reveal a swirling silver portal. Each one of you prepares mentally and physically for the battle ahead, taking a moment to steel your nerves and ready your weapons.

One by one, you step into the portal.

You begin in area just north of the portal (G7 to I9)

You find yourself in a labyrinth. Smooth, almost flawless obsidian walls jut from the broken sandstone floor of this mazelike lair. A violet-colored portal is behind you, possibly the very one you stepped through. There are torches lining the walls at even intervals, lighting the way. A searing wind whips through occasionally, but the torches do not extinguish.

Looking to your right (east), you see a 8' high obelisk glowing with divine markings and mystic sigils. You recognize this object as an Obelisk of Power!

Obelisk of Power: As a standard action, a dungeoneer adjacent to the obelisk can absorb the power of the obelisk. The dungeoneer loses a healing surge, but recharges all uses of an encounter power they’ve expended.

You hear a voice carried over the wind, a woman's voice. She teases, "Die and die and die again, we'll drown this world before night's end."

OOC: From this point on, no new dungeoneers may join the party. Combat begins immediately. You must stay with strict Standard/Move/Minor/Action Point processing. Begin Round 1, and may the odds be ever in your favor. -MilwaukeeJoe

Crucible of the Gods: The Talisman of Glory

After Arden confirms that the warding aura has faded, and Tak-tha realizes that the strange feeling of paranoia has passed, the Thri-Kreen claims the Talisman of Glory! 

A word, a name, comes to his mind as he takes a hold of it...

The Ruach...

What this Ruach is, he does not know, but somehow the name fills his heart with fear and dread. 

The Ruach is death.

Crucible of the Gods: OOC

Imagery from www.pulpgamer.com

Dungeoneers,

It seems that the OOC tab doesn't allow subscribing to comments, which makes it pretty poor for communication for you guys. An idea was posted about having a post for OOC instead, which I love (thanks, Hanar's player)!

Therefore, the OOC tab will be going away, and this post will be "ever present" for you to comment away on. Feel free to start using it immediately.

NOTHING POSTED HERE IS CONSIDERED IN-CHARACTER.

Enjoy!
MilwaukeeJoe

Crucible of the Gods: Dangerous Portals

A new chamber greets Tak-tha's bold risk-taking move.
(Oh, and the portal on the right is actually silver.)

Tak-tha takes a deep cleansing breath, standing before the red portal. Traversing portals is a very risky proposition. You have no control over where it takes you, and it can take you to instant death, or a very slow drawn out one.

Tak-tha steps through the red portal and vanishes... to discover himself in a new chamber, a shrine illuminated by hundreds of candles that sit in hemispheric niches in the walls. He's standing among four bone-white pedestals, each identical to those seen in the Great Hub. A silver portal is set into the far wall, its swirling mists filling the chamber with a low oscillating hum.

In the north is an alcove which displays a large, intricately-sculpted clay statue. It is 8 feet tall and depicts a middle-aged human wearing a long breechcloth and draped in all manner of ornate feathered vestments. A thick collar is visible, which bears the holy symbol of all four gods. 

A real golden talisman – not clay – is draped around the statue's neck.

OOC: Tak-tha, this is the sixth time I've run Crucible of the Gods (five table-top, and this play-by-blog), and of those runs NOBODY has ever discovered this chamber. Well done on your astute observation and risk taking, it may well pay off yet.

Since this is a game that encourages meta-gaming, the rest of you can follow Tak-tha into the chamber if you wish, considering his knowledge as party knowledge. Do what you want. (Oooh, the meta gaming sacrilege!)

Crucible of the Gods: Treasures and New Companions

Nevdor claims the Skull of Kishar! His prayers were accepted by the divine. The crusaders as blessed with treasures!

• Nevdor: Elixir of Slaughter, Potion of Healing (see below)
• Hanar: Elixir of Slaughter
• Tak-tha: A Potion of Healing
• Selvantis: The Bowl of Communing
• Arden: The Elixir of Accuracy

Not wanting to leave anything behind, they return to the mud hut and the sarcophagus. Indeed, Arden senses a curse in place that whomever touches it will be polymorphed into a snake. Using his power of the arcane, Arden lifts the curse upon it, allowing Nevdor to open it safely. Within is the remains of a long dead human woman, and grasped in her bony skeletal hand is a Potion of Healing.

The doors leading back to the Great Hub are open once again. You leave the dracolisk skeleton behind. Back in the Great Hub, you are greeted by one of those waiting outside. A new crusader to the group, Ashton! He had been watching the crusaders' progress through the crystal ball kept outside, and has seen all the perils and challenges faces thus far. The Great Hub is as you left it.

OOC: I'll assume that Nevdor gets the Potion of Healing found in the sarcophagus. I will work on updating the treasures tab with the most recent stuff you have. Good Luck! -MilwaukeeJoe

Crucible of the Gods: Kishar's Trial Overcome!

Flesh eating beetles...
Be glad this didn't happen to you...

Taking a bold action, Selvantis boasts to Lyth while bravely taking the acid breath attack to the face! Selvantis' clothes might have been singed, but he survives through it with no problem.

Tech: 15 points damage. Selvantis now has 14 hp, but gains 30 temporary hit points! He also gains an action point. Alas, if you take a short break, you will lose these temp hp. But still, a free action point is sweet!

Nevdor launches the third heart. With one more devoured, the dracolisk realizes its mortality and attempts to flee to the west. Trapped, the three-headed beast lets out a terrifying roar while a swarm of beetles emerges from the ziggurat and reduces it to a bloodied skeleton in seconds! Meanwhile, the lone guardian assassin screams as it combusts into flame in a cloud of burning locusts...

The beetles scurry away as the dracolisk skeleton falls heavy against the west wall, crushing the stone... and revealing a secret chamber beyond... The battle is over, and in this small chamber you see the fourth divine skull on a small clay altar. This one has the symbol of Kishar engraved on it, and once more you feel the presence of divinity.

Bhareg's fate, set in stone.

But all is not roses and rainbows. As you look to each other in congratulations, you see that Bhareg has been turned to stone. 

OOC: Selvantis resisted the petrify, but Bhareg did not. Anybody got anything for a saving throw re-roll?

In the meantime, congratulations crusaders! For those of you keeping track of your milestones, this would be a milestone if you have lived through one other trial. In other words, if you lived from the start, this is your fourth trial and you have earned a total of 2 action points thus far. I'll be honest, I've completely lost track of who's earned and spent action points. 

I'm eager to see what you do next. -MilwaukeeJoe

Chamber of the Gods: Enter the Guardians

The Dracolisk breathes a massive stream of acid at you!

Tech: Action Point: Acid Breath Weapon, close blast 5

Bhareg (Lyth Boast): Hit for 19 dmg and ongoing 5 acid (save ends). The hit reduces temp hp to 19, but the successful boast places the temp hp right back to 38. Action point gained! 

Hanar (Lyth Boast): Hit for 19 dmg and ongoing 5 acid (save ends). Hanar is down to 9 hp (bloodied), but the successful boast gives him 38 temp hp. Action point gained! 

Selvantis: Miss for 9 dmg. Selvantis is down to 20 hp.  

Tak-tha (Lyth Boast): Hit for 19 dmg and ongoing 5 acid (save ends). Tak-tha is down to 1 hp (bloodied), but the successful boast gives him 38 temp hp. Action point gained!

Reveling in your successful divine boasts, you almost don't see the four warrior materialize! One in each of the four obelisk alcoves. They bring the battle to you immediately..

Let's introduce your new foes...


The Maurauder gives Hanar a wicked smile as she withdraws from the southwest alcove, circling around with great speed to attack Selvantis! Once, twice does her flail hit the half-tiger half-elf creature, drawing blood.
Tech: 10 damage to Selvantis, bringing him down to 10 hp (bloodied).

The Assassin is next (from southeast), flying invisibly above the battlefield on wings of death. It takes a central location in the battle, then sends a poison blowdart towards Selvantis.
Tech: 5 damage to Selvantis, bringing him down to 5 hp (bloodied). He also takes ongoing 10 poison damage (save ends).

Third comes the Chaneller (northwest), who charges forward with arms outstretched. The gems in his hands glow briefly, causing vipers to swarm all over Hanar, Tak-tha and Selvantis.
Tech: Only Tak-tha hit for 12 poison damage. Tak-tha has 26 temp hp and 1 normal hp.

Finally, the Doom-Paladin (northeast). She swiftly maneuvers from the far northeast obelisk and weaves in around the statues. Getting close but not yet striking, with bone sword in hand.

And through all this, Arden is ignored... Perhaps his hiding spot is well chosen?

Start of Crusader's Round 1
Ongoing 5 acid damage:
  Bhareg: 33 thp, 27 hp
  Hanar: 33 thp, 9 hp
  Tak-tha: 21 thp, 1 hp

Ongoing 10 poison damage:
  Selvantis: -5 hp, KO!

Selvantis falls to the ground, unconscious...

Revenge of the Iron Lich

Crucible crusaders,

Thanks for being patient with me while I took the time on Friday and the weekend to get prepped up and run Revenge of the Iron Lich. Today I will be getting back to your combat with the nasties of the Kishar Challenge.

Yes, on Saint Patrick's Day (just two days ago) I ran the anniversary edition of Revenge of the Iron Lich, released last month on www.saveversusdeath.com. We all had a great time, and I'm pumped up to be running it again not only for Gencon, but also for this play-by-blog, after Crucible of the Gods completes. In a while, look for an upcoming invite to the game.

I won't spoil anything here, but let me just say that the changes made between the original version and the anniversary version really helped smooth out the bumps. The players got pretty far into the adventure, but were ultimately unsuccessful. They all said they'd love to take a second (or for some, a third) crack at it, and begged me not to wait a whole year to run it again.

Here's what two of players said on the Milwaukee DnD Meetup website after playing. I will admit a little self-aggrandizing for posting this (good feedback stokes my DM ego). But, I really want to point out that I shine the best when I've got great adventures to back me up. Great fourthcore adventures are the "doom engine" of my game. 

Mike: Had a great time, it was a lot of fun and well run by Joe. The other players were really great too and I got to see some interesting characters and abilities. Looking forward to getting another shot at this one later in the year!

Paul: I had a great time. Joe is a great DM. I just wish he would DM a little more. Maybe someday we can defeat one of his dungeons ;-) 

I find it interesting that Paul says, "one of his dungeons," as if I wrote Revenge of the Iron Lich. I always mention www.saveversusdeath.com when I run it, usually close to the start and even Sersa Victory by name.
 
Happy Gaming!
MilwaukeeJoe

Crucible of the Gods: The Dracolisk Awakened!

Image from http://inspirewood.deviantart.com

Those studying the statues don't find any secrets. The statues are well made and large, but there are no signs of hearts to be found. Is the rumor even true?

Meanwhile, Nevdor grabs hold with intent to open the sarcophagus. Suddenly, there is a blinding flash and the sound like a mudslide... Nevdor finds himself on the ground! His view is strange, his tongue if forked... he's been turned into a snake.

Tech: Baleful Polymorph (save ends). Nevdor's size is Tiny, equipment is morphed into his form, and he can take no other actions other than moving.

Those outside the hut can hear the commotion. At that very moment, the Dracolisk looks directly at Selvantis! The two awake heads let out a massive roar (in stereo), rousing the third out of it's slumber. 

 

[Dracolisk]
The massive beast leaps into the air, letting it's wings carry it to your doorstep. Landing on one of the stautes, it crushes the statue to rubble beneath massive weight. Jets of green acid pour from the jaws of the three heads, searing your armor and flesh. In addition, Selvantis looks into the eyes of the beast and feels his body starting to become slow and numb.

Tech
Double Move: Q10 to E11
Minor: Petrifiying Gaze vs Selvantis. Selvantis is immobilized (save ends). On the first failed save, Selvantis will turn to stone.
Action Point: Acid Breath Weapon, close blast 5...

PAUSE! The dracolisk is using a recharge power against (Bhareg / Hanar / Selvantis / Tak-tha). Consider this pause an opportunity for you to activate any immediate interrupts or divine boasts... I will continue this tomorrow morning or as soon as I hear from you.

Crucible of the Gods: Goddess of Slaughter

Ascending the stairs from the Great Hub, the hallway takes a turn to the left to end at double doors. After a careful trap-check, Detect Magic, and final lock-check (once more)... you open the doors.

You start at or near A16/B16.
The ????? is the hut, contents obscured.

Sand and mud cover the floor of this impossibly large chamber. In some places, there is standing muddy water. In others, tropical trees and shrubs grow out of the muddy dirt. The air is heavy and moist, the ceiling is obscured by low, dark clouds. 

Centrally located is a procession of towering statues depicting a woman in fluted plate mail. They hold long stone spears that form a canopy over the path between them.

In the different quadrants, you see four obelisks rise from stone platforms. A small alcove is visible at the base of each. On the opposite side of the room, you spy a squat hut of mud and brick against the north wall. You see a single entrance into the hut, a small dark doorway.

Half of an adobe brick ziggurat looms against the east wall. Its highest tier reaches nearly 50 feet. A monstrous three-headed dragon-beast sits atop it like a nest, and you recognize it from ancient legend. It is the Dracolisk, the combination of the worst of black dragon and basilisk. The stories handed down from generation to generation tell of a single one of these decimating an army ten-thousand strong with ease! Some of you may have even seen the Metrolith, the forbidden city where all inhabitants were turned to stone...

The Dracolisk is always alert, allowing only one of the heads to sleep at a time while the other two continuously scan the chamber for intruders. Luckily for you, this chamber is enormous...

OOC: You wanted to take on Kishar's challenge? What will you do now? The Dracolisk has not yet detected you, and therefore, battle has not yet been started. We're not in strict standard/move/minor counts yet. Also, this is your last opportunity to fire up some healing surges before combat begins. Let me know!

Good luck! -MilwaukeeJoe

Crucible of the Gods: Fortune's Haunt

Pushing the secret door open is easy, and you find a short hallway beyond that leads to a dry, musty chamber. The low ceiling is comprised of ascending tiers, as if the room were itself a miniature ziggurat.
 
A skeleton wearing a tattered cloak and a crimson blindfold reclines in a simple wooden throne adorned with feathers. By its side, you see a warped and splintered wooden table. There are two small objects on the table, but quite difficult to see from this distance... gems? coins? You are not sure you wish to dare a closer look...

OOC: Well done, not many find this particular secret chamber. -MilwaukeeJoe

Crucible of the Gods: The Third Skull Placed

Where once was a blank archway...

Placing Lyth's divine skull on the final pedestal, you feel the entire room shudder and tremble for a moment. Suddenly, the gems in the columns begin to glow, casting prismatic rays across the walls and floor! Your attention is drawn to the northern archway, the one with the blank wall. The flames of the flanking braziers begin to swirl and burn a deep red.

Finally, the stone within the archway starts to churn, and shapes begin to carve themselves into the wall. You watch as the space transforms itself, the archway now embossed with the image of a headless skeleton sitting atop a throne adorned with feathers. In the spot where its head would be, there is only a concave indentation.

A chorus of voices booms from the walls: "CHOOSE!"

Crucible of the Gods: The Treasures of Lyth

Selvantis takes hold of the Divine Skull, and since none of you die horrible deaths, you assume your prayers have been accepted! As with the other challenges, glorious treasures appear.

• Tak-tha gains the Flask of Cloudkill.
• Nevdor gains the Fetish of Luck.
• Arden and Bhareg both gain a Potion of Healing.
• Hanar Hammerforge gains... THE SERPENT STAFF!

And what of Selvantis? Lyth does not grant him a physical treasure like the rest of you. Instead, she answers the desire in his heart. Selvantis takes on bestial features once again, and in moments where a half-elf once stood, now stands a half-elf, half-tiger! 

OOC: Selvantis is now 1/3rd human, 1/3rd elf, 1/3rd tiger. He gains the Razerclaw Shifting racial power. Stealth and Acrobatics increase by +1 each. (Note, Selvantis already had speed 6 and low-light vision, so those aren't added.)

Well done, dungeoneers! What will you do next?

Crucible of the Gods: The Raising of the Portcullises

Cryptically, The Mummy Naga gives you a long look, just enough to make you wonder if you answered correctly. She doesn't answer you, but manages what you might calla smile and retreats back into the sarcophagus, pulling the lid closed.

At that moment, the two green portcullises both raise and retract into the ceiling. You chance a peek into the hallway beyond and see your next Divine Skull!

This one is similar to that of the others. A clay altar with a Divine Skull upon it. The Skull in engraved with the holy symbol of Lyth upon the forehead. The feeling of standing on holy ground is once again upon you.

OOC: Well done, dungeoneers. "Charon" was a correct answer, as well as his type of creature, the "Charonodaemon".

Good job and good luck! -MilwaukeeJoe

Crucible of the Gods: Lyth's Trial

Click for a larger version of Lyth's crypt.

Taking the northwest stairway from the Great Hub, you ascend to find a double doors that are already open. Taking care to thoroughly check for traps along the way, you sense the way is open.

You are at D10/E10
at the time of this post.

Beyond the doors is a musty crypt. Large brass braziers sit atop high columns, their light glinting off the hieroglyphs that blanket the walls. Ahead, two archways are set into the wall, the way through barred by jade portcullises coated in slime. 

In between the two archways lies a massive sarcophagus nearly 10 feet long. Dozens of clay jars – some as tall as a human – stand around the base of the sepulcher.Waves of heat ripple through the air, carrying on their crest the scent of burning incense.

OOC: Dungeoneers, I am out tomorrow on vacation, so I might post or I might not. I'll try to check in when I can. In the meantime, good luck! -MilwaukeeJoe