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Post by Deleted on Jan 9, 2012 23:31:40 GMT -6
Do there seem to be any designs or patterns on the floor inside the pile? Any drawings or writing?
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Post by Mushgnome on Jan 9, 2012 23:56:28 GMT -6
Do there seem to be any designs or patterns on the floor inside the pile? Any drawings or writing? There is no design to the mess inside the pile; the pattern is senseless, not the work of a sane, rational mind. [1d6 search check] However, in the darkest cranny of the dome, Minion spots a faint phosphorescent sparkle... |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 10, 2012 0:05:26 GMT -6
Minion points out the sparkle to the others. "After we check that, and the rest of the house, I think we might want to set up a stakeout for whatever is coming in from the chimney."
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Post by ehiker133 on Jan 10, 2012 1:13:08 GMT -6
The Shade of the Evermore communicates **Be right back...**
He will go back outside and get his equipment from the trunk and don his armour and ready his flail before continuing the search of the house.
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Post by Mushgnome on Jan 10, 2012 10:25:51 GMT -6
The Shade of the Evermore communicates **Be right back...**He will go back outside and get his equipment from the trunk and don his armour and ready his flail before continuing the search of the house. A sensible plan; how about the rest of you all? Currently the party has explored as much of the house as they can without moving stacks of heavy furniture (the pile in the central room and the rubble blocking the 2nd story stairs), lockpicking/smashing doors (the west and north doors in the central room), or finding another way in (kitchen door on the north side of the house, bulkhead to cellar, various windows, cupola on roof, burrow through underground, etc). ps The Teamsters look anxious watching Shade prepare for battle; they did not sign up for a combat mission... their expertise is limited to moving cargo from Point A to Point B. |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 10, 2012 14:14:15 GMT -6
To the party: "Are we done with the teamsters? I think we could probably have them deposit their load on the porch and be on their way."
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Post by waysoftheearth on Jan 10, 2012 15:43:08 GMT -6
As Gunnery moves to the north side of the house, he is startled by a disturbance from the orchard: something bigger than a crow or rabbit scampers out of sight into the brambles to the northwest, heading toward Hangman's Brook! waits a minute to ensure it is well and truly gone, then heads over to see if he can identify any tracks or signs left by the... whatever it was. |
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Post by Mushgnome on Jan 10, 2012 16:17:59 GMT -6
[1d6=4]
Gunnery is unable to track the stealthy intruder.
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Post by Mushgnome on Jan 11, 2012 10:38:51 GMT -6
Think of this creepy old house as a dress-rehearsal for your next dungeon crawl. Imagine you are looting a mummy tomb or breaking into Miskatonic Library. What are the party's standard operating procedures for light sources, locked doors, traps, marching order, scouting the perimeter, supervising hirelings (2 strong laborers with a forklift)? Should we consider having a party Caller during crawling/exploration mode?
The prize is a good night's sleep, which will mean 2nd level for some of you... if you survive!
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Post by ehiker133 on Jan 12, 2012 11:25:07 GMT -6
Think of this creepy old house as a dress-rehearsal for your next dungeon crawl. Imagine you are looting a mummy tomb or breaking into Miskatonic Library. What are the party's standard operating procedures for light sources, locked doors, traps, marching order, scouting the perimeter, supervising hirelings (2 strong laborers with a forklift)? Should we consider having a party Caller during crawling/exploration mode? The prize is a good night's sleep, which will mean 2nd level for some of you... if you survive! Light - I believe some of the party members still have their head lamps from the tunnels? We can use those. Shade does not have his, having lost it in a former life trying to balance on a monorail bar. Locked Doors - ummm... ?? Force them? It's not Shade's house, so whatever MinionFated wants to do. If he doesn't mind them being forced open, then I guess that's what we'd have to do since we haven't a rogue among us. Traps - I suppose any of us has a small (1 in 6) chance of finding traps? Then any or all of us can search, depending on the situation... Shade is probably not the best suited to that task, though, all things considered. MO - Shade can go first here or bring up the rear... doesn't matter to him. First might not be bad when he doesn't have to worry about a light source, just because he can communicate to the others without actually speaking to them. Just a thought. Scouting the perimeter - Gunnery? He seems scout-ish. Hirelings - They can stay outside for all I care. Or they can sit in the main room. Or, as previously suggested, they can start hauling detritus and crap out from the one bedroom into the field so we can burn it and "cleanse" the house. Caller - I'd prefer to not be the caller as I already hold that position in two PbP games. I don't mind helping to keep things moving along, but I don't want to be party leader, defacto or no. |
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Post by Mushgnome on Jan 12, 2012 13:12:52 GMT -6
A note on thief skills: I am a very lenient DM in terms of letting PCs succeed at actions they describe in detail. "I examine each book on the shelf." No roll necessary. The third book from the right triggers a hidden door. "I move slowly, prodding the floor for loose tiles and trip wires with my 10' pole." No roll necessary. A giant axe blade chops your pole in half. That was a close one! But if you just say "I check the room for traps," then yeah, I roll d6 and only Minion has a 2-in-6 chance due to Search. Anyone can try picking a lock at 1-in-6 but you need specialist tools (20sp). Gunnery the Tinker gets 2-in-6 on locks and mechanical traps. (Of course, finding the key improves the odds to 6-in-6!) And of course Fated can be very thief-like with his 2-in-6 stealth. But if you are clever in your description ("I time my movements with the crash of the thunder") then I might not even make you roll.  |
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Post by crusssdaddy on Jan 12, 2012 15:16:57 GMT -6
Fated plays the light into the smelly igloo, waiting for the others to gear up. He kicks a bit of rubbish at the igloo to see if he can cave some of it in.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 12, 2012 15:34:49 GMT -6
Minion armors up in case of trouble. He then searches all the cabinets in the igloo room.. for some reason I'm seeing it as a kitchen?
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Post by Mushgnome on Jan 12, 2012 15:52:33 GMT -6
Breath is outside supervising the Teamsters, and Gunnery is just finishing his sweep of the perimeter.
Inside the house we have Shade and Minion, armed for battle, and Fated in his new farmer's clothes, waving his flashlight around.
As to the room's function, Minion would actually guess dining room. Based on the 2nd chimney he observed from the outside, it's logical for the kitchen to be on the unexplored north end of the house with its own separate cook-stove. As for any cabinets--well, they would have been pulled down and added to the pile.
Fated examines the pile closer with his flashlight. Its corners are anchored by four heavy cabinets, then its sides constructed from bed-frames. The whole thing is then stuffed and covered inside and out with mattresses, pillows, and linens to make a dome-shaped open space on the inside. (That's where the smell is coming from and where Minion saw the faint glimmer of dim phosphorescent sparkles.) It's topped with the slab of a dining room table and piled high with heavy dressers.
Fated realizes that caving in part of the pile might cause the whole thing to come crashing down and flatten anyone standing nearby...
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Post by Deleted on Jan 12, 2012 16:54:51 GMT -6
Minion says "wait.. let me go in there for a moment and see what that is.." He then works his way inside the Pile, and examines the phosphorescent sparkles.
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Post by Mushgnome on Jan 12, 2012 18:16:14 GMT -6
Minion says "wait.. let me go in there for a moment and see what that is.." He then works his way inside the Pile, and examines the phosphorescent sparkles. wriggles his way between the sofa cushions. He must make a save vs. wands to avoid toppling the precarious furniture pile... and rolls a... 16... success! Soon Minion has wormed his way to the middle of the pile and has room to sit up and move around. He is relieved to find the den unoccupied, though just recently from the smell of things. Looking around in the dark dome, he sees the tapestries and sofa cushions above are dotted with little dots of phosphorescent ink, which immediately remind Minion of stars in the night sky. By laying back on the stained futon mattress, the effect is of a mini-planetarium... Someone has gone to a great deal of trouble to place thousands of tiny specks in exact configuration (corresponding to no known constellations). |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 12, 2012 18:24:05 GMT -6
"Fascinating. Someone has painstakingly created a starscape under here. But not the stars of our own world."
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Post by Mushgnome on Jan 12, 2012 23:47:13 GMT -6
After days of darkness and confinement, the Green Man in the pit finally slips his shackles. He is cold, naked, hungry, thirsty, and covered in filth... good thing he's such a tough devious bastard!
pessimisthalfling, your adventures begin now!
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Post by pessimisthalfling on Jan 13, 2012 9:51:36 GMT -6
Vociferous Bastard From Innsmouth is thinking about a change of environment: from the cold, dark pit to a well lit, warm place.
He feels his way around the pit, trying to figure out what is the easiest way to climb out. He also tries to find something to put on and perhaps an item that could be used as an impromptu weapon.
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Post by Mushgnome on Jan 13, 2012 10:57:54 GMT -6
Vociferous Bastard From Innsmouth is thinking about a change of environment: from the cold, dark pit to a well lit, warm place. He feels his way around the pit, trying to figure out what is the easiest way to climb out. He also tries to find something to put on and perhaps an item that could be used as an impromptu weapon. gropes around in the darkness [Search check = 3, success!] and immediately feels the cold, clammy hand of a body lying next to him. Eww! The green man stands up and looks for a way to climb out. The pit is small and cramped--he can't even stand up comfortably--and his touch confirms that there is a manhole-sized trap door locked from above by some kind of mechanism. (Alas that VBfI doesn't seem to have his specialist tools to pick the lock!) So he turns his attention back to the corpse, looking for any weapons, tools, or clothing he can use. The body is in a state of mummification (so shriveled it doesn't even feel human) and unfortunately seems to be weaponless and naked except for a rubberized utility belt. With nothing else to do, he unbuckles the belt, sits with his back against the stone wall (his feet almost touch the opposite wall) and inventories by touch: 1. There are many cylindrical hoops and loops, of perfect size for small tools or weapons--these are conspicuously empty. 2. The largest pouch contains a dozen 2" inch squares of thin, crinkly paper. (But it is too dark to read down here.) 3. A smaller pouch holds a stoppered ceramic vial. 4. A zippered hidden compartment holds 3 dry, leathery discs. |
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Post by Mushgnome on Jan 13, 2012 11:06:30 GMT -6
Minion notices the futon he's lying on is covered in cigarette burns and questionable stains. The nook is littered with empty bottles and cans of inexpensive alcoholic beverage, and there are several containers overflowing with ash and butts.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 13, 2012 11:44:14 GMT -6
Minion quietly says "give me just a moment.." and then begins trying to stare 'past' the stars, letting his eyes move of their own accord. He slows his breathing and attempts to clear his mind. He will do this for either 5 minutes, or until he notices something 'come together.'
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Post by ehiker133 on Jan 13, 2012 11:59:17 GMT -6
Once properly fitted, The Shade enters the house once more and goes back to the junk room.
He'll wait for Minion to finish up with whatever he is doing inside the small cave-like structure before checking to see which door they should open next...
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Post by Mushgnome on Jan 13, 2012 11:59:40 GMT -6
Minion relaxes his mind and wanders amongst the stars...
[d20 vs. Int = 7, success]
Five minutes later, he snaps himself back to reality, gripped by a mild vertigo. He feels the homemade planetarium is deserving of further study. If he spends a sleepless night contemplating its mysteries, with his mind in a sufficiently limber state, perhaps he will achieve some cosmic insight...
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kipper
Level 3 Conjurer
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Post by kipper on Jan 13, 2012 12:08:51 GMT -6
Breath of New Moon waits for Gunnery's return, and if he does so safely she will direct the Teamsters to load the chest inside the first room of the house.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 13, 2012 12:44:11 GMT -6
Minion crawls out from the makeshift structure, brushing himself off. "In spite of the inconvenience, we need to leave this ruined pile here for a time. While looking up at the painted peasant planetarium within, I realised it holds some arcane secret. I must spend the night underneath this ramshackle dome.
"Malleable Teamster! I require a clean bedsheet, aromatic oils, and fresh nosegays! I will pay you upon your return."
Turning back to the party "For now, let us continue our review of this house. I suggest the next room in line to the north."
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Post by Mushgnome on Jan 13, 2012 13:00:08 GMT -6
Minion crawls out from the makeshift structure, brushing himself off. "In spite of the inconvenience, we need to leave this ruined pile here for a time. While looking up at the painted peasant planetarium within, I realised it holds some arcane secret. I must spend the night underneath this ramshackle dome. "Malleable Teamster! I require a clean bedsheet, aromatic oils, and fresh nosegays! I will pay you upon your return." Turning back to the party "For now, let us continue our review of this house. I suggest the next room in line to the north." [Save vs. Wands = 16, success] Minion manages to wriggle out of the pile without triggering a collapse. Fated and Shade are here, too. The door to the north is barred from the other side, and the door to the west is locked. The Teamsters move the crates with the party's gear into the south room. They seem receptive to running errands for the party. Minion has requested clean linens and aromatics; are there any other items the party requires? Breath is still outside, and Gunnery has not returned yet. Perhaps he saw something interesting? It is mid-day. |
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Post by pessimisthalfling on Jan 13, 2012 13:28:38 GMT -6
Vociferous Bastard gropes around in the darkness [Search check = 3, success!] and immediately feels the cold, clammy hand of a body lying next to him. Eww! The green man stands up and looks for a way to climb out. The pit is small and cramped--he can't even stand up comfortably--and his touch confirms that there is a manhole-sized trap door locked from above by some kind of mechanism. (Alas that VBfI doesn't seem to have his specialist tools to pick the lock!) So he turns his attention back to the corpse, looking for any weapons, tools, or clothing he can use. The body is in a state of mummification (so shriveled it doesn't even feel human) and unfortunately seems to be weaponless and naked except for a rubberized utility belt. With nothing else to do, he unbuckles the belt, sits with his back against the stone wall (his feet almost touch the opposite wall) and inventories by touch: 1. There are many cylindrical hoops and loops, of perfect size for small tools or weapons--these are conspicuously empty. 2. The largest pouch contains a dozen 2" inch squares of thin, crinkly paper. (But it is too dark to read down here.) 3. A smaller pouch holds a stoppered ceramic vial. 4. A zippered hidden compartment holds 3 dry, leathery discs. "The sorcerer's schemes must be reciprocated with wickedness of equal or greater magnitude." Vociferous Bastard opens the vial in an attempt to ascertain the nature of its contents with his sense of smell. |
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Post by Mushgnome on Jan 13, 2012 13:37:01 GMT -6
Vociferous Bastard twists the cap of the small vial, revealing an applicator tip. It glitters with a single tiny drop of phosphorescent goo! The substance has a very faint chemical/solvent smell.
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kipper
Level 3 Conjurer
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Post by kipper on Jan 14, 2012 11:41:02 GMT -6
Providing there is someone else available to watch the chest, Breath of New Moon will announce her intention to set off in search of Gunnery. She will bring along Malleable Teamster if she is not needed elsewhere.
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