5e Adventure By Me. Yeah. II

[Gluteus_Maximus]

Everyone else cannot see this note that Zuzu speaks of.

The Bat familiar goes through a short maze of tunnels and finds 15' square room with a basic door. On the wall is a 2 by 4 keypad with very large buttons. going from the floor to the ceiling, each 1' tall, numbered 0 to 9.

[Zergrinch]

As the bat flies off, Zuzu gives the broom closet a thorough examination, looking for things like hidden switches and spring loaded panels that could potentially trigger any traps.

Investigation: (d20+7)[8]

[Gluteus_Maximus]

You don't find any traps.

Spoiler: Zuzu

Show

As you look around, the letter changes before your eyes. It now reads:
The code is 4309. Any other triggers a pit trap. ~Bres The Cowardly King

[Jrpergande78]

Daar stands by and watches carefully over Zuzu as he looks around, she also stands at the ready in case either he or the bat inadvertently sets off any traps ready to spring into action to protect Zuzu.

[2D8HP]

Ox stays in the back and has a sip.

[Zergrinch]

Zuzu scratches his head and looks confused.

Umm... I don't get it. This piece of paper suddenly changed to tell me the code is 4309. Code for what? Do you see anywhere we can enter this code?

[Jrpergande78]

Daar looks at Zuzu in puzzlement, then looks around to see if she can see what Zuzu is referring to.

[Ramsus]

Altiui Frilled Lizardfolk Circle of Dreams Druid Concentrating on: -- "My familiar is looking at some device with numbers on. We will push them." Altiui says and has her familiar press 4, then 3, then 0, then 9.

[Gluteus_Maximus]

As the bat presses the buttons, gears clank and all of a sudden, as soon as the 9 was pressed, the walls between the closet and this room go backwards, making a 25' wide, 60' long, and 25' high hallway leading straight to the door that was in the room the bat entered.

Spoiler: Zuzu

Show

The puddle begins to fade away. Just before, the letter changes again.
So you do trust me. Next time you see your crystalline master, mention me.
Then, it disappears.

[Zergrinch]

Zuzu's eyes widen as the witch sends the instructions to her pet. He quickly runs out of the broom closet and cowers behind Zanan, fearful that punching in the code would cause more enemies to show.

Ready Action: DC15 Intelligence Save to avoid (d10+2)[9] psychic damage.

When nothing untoward happens, the boy heaves a sigh of relief, and waits to see what the others would do. He's secretly hoping someone beefy would take the lead, just in case there are still traps about.

[mgshamster]

With Zu protected behind Zanan, Zanan leads the way.

You've got this whole thing figured out, Zu. Just tell me where to go.

[Jrpergande78]

Daar walks into the room, and looks around to see what was in the room amazed at how some thing so large was in a room so small.

[Zergrinch]

"Okay, I think we should all walk in single-file. Someone strong take the front. Maybe use a ten-foot pole to test the ground to make sure we don't trigger any traps. Someone good at observing should walk behind, followed by ranged attackers. We also need someone strong to bring up the rear in case we get attacked from behind!" the boy attempts to bark authoritatively, although it came out as a series of pre-adolescent girly squeaks.

Spoiler: Proposed Marching Order

Show

Zanan (he's a barbarian - melee attack specialist - should always be in the enemy's face)
Daar (although clerics normally stay in the back, she functions as a backup tank as a monk. Her perception should help Zanan avoid any traps.)
Ox (he's a ranged damage dealer whose favorite attack is with the crossbow)
Zuzu (he can best support from the middle of the party)
Arkhen (Arkhen is a squishy magic archer and should remain in the back)
Altiui (she's a ranged attacker; and since she's a bit more brawnier with higher HP and AC than Zuzu or Arkhen, she should bring up the rear)

If we include the NPCs, and assuming they actually join in combat, Jutta should probably guard the rear. Ornug can be in front of Zanan, and Rashad can be in the middle.

[2D8HP]

"Ossian"Ox", Half-Elf Fighter/Rogue (Swashbuckler) AC:17 (Studded leather, and shield), HP:25/12, Init:+6, Speed:30ft. Passive Perception:15

I don't have a pole, but I do have a shovel

[Zergrinch]

"Too short, Mr. Ox sir. But maybe if we tie a couple of skeleton femurs to the shovel, it'll work!" Zuzu jokes back, although delivered in a serious and deadpan manner.

[Ramsus]

Altiui Frilled Lizardfolk Circle of Dreams Druid Concentrating on: -- Altiui nods in agreement with the suggestion and casts Guidance on Daar to aid his ability to detect any trap or hidden things.

[Gluteus_Maximus]

As you walk through, you pass over a part of the floor in front of the keypad that feels hollow. It must be the pit trap, but it doesn't trigger.
Behind the door, you hear demonic chanting.

Spoiler: Zuzu

Show

When you saw the memories of the Sandmistress, you heard the voice of the man you're trying to capture. The voice of the chanting in the next room is his.

[Zergrinch]

Zuzu brings up a hand, indicating that the group should stop. He reinforces this with a mentally whispered "Stop" to Zanan.

In way of explanation, the young mystic continues to whisper to everyone.

That chanting is coming from our target. If we can get this door open quietly, we can sneak attack them. Anyone got some thieves' tools?

[2D8HP]

"Ossian"Ox", Half-Elf Fighter/Rogue (Swashbuckler) AC:17 (Studded leather, and shield), HP:25/12, Init:+6, Speed:30ft. Passive Perception:15

I just have woodcarvers tools, though I do have some skill in lockpicking

[Zergrinch]

While the lockpickers get to work, Zuzu listens intently to the chanting, hoping to identify the language. If he can pinpoint the language, he can then draw on his Nomadic Mind psionic discipline to then understand it.

Intelligence. Probably Investigation, but doesn't matter since Zuzu has proficiency in all intelligence related skills: (d20+7)[17]. Note that Zuzu is proficient in Elvish, Dwarven, and Draconic.

[2D8HP]

"Ossian"Ox", Half-Elf Fighter/Rogue (Swashbuckler) AC:17 (Studded leather, and shield), HP:25/12, Init:+6, Speed:30ft. Passive Perception:15

[SPOILER=OOC] Trying to pick lock with tools on hand, two rolls in case of disadvantage, no idea of "mods" (has no thieves tools, but has proficiency with them and other tools are on hand).

If he has thieves tools, then he'd get a +5 mod.

(d20)[9]

(d20)[10]

[Zergrinch]

OOC: Picking locks is a Dexterity check so you can go ahead and add 3. If Altiui or Daar casts Guidance then that's another d4. Thieves' Tools lets you add your proficiency modifier to your check.

[Gluteus_Maximus]

Even with your lackluster lockpicking job, when you test the doorknob, it swings open slightly with no noise. The chanting gets louder, and you can hear large creatures trying to break metal bars. In the back of your heads you can all hear two voices. They continue rambling on:

Summoning the Beholder is easy. Killing it is costly. When you've done it, what to do? Summon some spectators? Call more of its brethren to bow at your knees, knowing you are more powerful?
As the blood melds with the magical energy usually only strong enough to bring back a few men from the dead, the Beholder begins to waken, with your ideas in its head.

[Zergrinch]

"When Zanan gives the signal, he busts in and we let the wizard have it!"

Preparing for the attack, the boy fishes out his child-sized crossbow and loads it up with bolts. He reasons that a wizard would probably be resistant to a mental attack like his psionic talents, but would not have any real physical defenses.

Spoiler

Show

Ready action. Shoot the wizard in the ass. Trigger: Zanan busts the door in.

To hit: (1d20+5)[12].
Damage: (1d8+3)[11].
Crit: (1d8)[1]

[2D8HP]

"Ossian"Ox", Half-Elf Fighter/Rogue (Swashbuckler) AC:17 (Studded leather, and shield), HP:25/12, Init:+6, Speed:30ft. Passive Perception:15

(Ready to shoot any Wizards!!)

Attack:(d20+8)[11]
Damage:(d8+4)[8]
Sneak Attack:(2d6)[10]

[Jrpergande78]

Mace in hand, Daar prepares to follow in the attack. The look of disgust for the necromancer showing on her face she quietly prays to Bahamut.

[mgshamster]

[ooc]By "bust" in the door, you mean just open it, right? The door is already unlocked and slightly ajar.

Zanan readies a javelin, throws open the door, and launches it. Then he grabs his great ax and charges in.

(1d20+5)[25]
(1d6+3)[9]

[mgshamster]

Javelin crit!

(2d6)[10]

Also, forgot to say who I threw it at: it's going after the necromancer.

[Jrpergande78]

Daar follows in after Zannan focused on attacking the necromancer before he has a chance to react.

Zuzu, stay behind and attack from here. Daar says quietly as she runs past him. Zuzu can hear the need to protect him in her voice, she had sworn to Bahamut that by his strength she would protect the hatchling as if he were her clutch mate.

[Gluteus_Maximus]

The door opens into a large cavern, about 50' by 20' by 40' high. You are at the top of a widening staircase that's 15' above the base.
Cultists wearing the same robes as you saw before sit 14 pews (7 rows). There are 15 cultists.
A plinth 20 feet off the ground with stairs leading up to it is at the end of the cavern, about 50 feet away. At the plinth, you can see the corpse of a beholder, as well as 4 cultists that are holding staffs, and the man you're looking for: Serevus Acuneus. He stands quite short, even for a dwarf, and wears a ring of 6 skulls around his neck, each with glowing eyes. Two glow red, two glow blue, and two glow yellow.

Laqui tiddw oar wafdw. Laqui mflqyrw oar la odywm. Laqui sudd krulq myr srizm, kfz wa ky uz: xe sudd ky kdywwyv ul myr yhyw.

He chants in some demonic language as he cuts into his wrist.
To your left you see 3 cages. In the closest, there is a minotaur skeleton attempting to bend the bars. In the second, 5 zombie civilians stand. In the third, there are two Flumphs. These must be what are talking in the back of your head.

Bring down the angel, bring up the fiend. Bring sideways the elemental, the fey, the beast- Oh, the possibilities!
The corpse of an ally is a waste- Costs too much to bring them back. Better to find a vampire or mage to turn their mind into a brainless sack.

Zanan's javelin flies true, spinning through the air with such force that you can see the cultists' hoods ripple in the wind. As it flies directly at the necromancer, one of his yellow skulls stops glowing, and a sort of rift opens up in the path of the javelin. When it comes through, it hits the necromancer in his shoulder with much less force than when it flew at him, but enough to make him lose concentration on his spell.
Ox's bolt misses.
Zuzu's bolt hits the necromancer in his gut. He seems unaffected by it, however. A crack appears in the yellow skull that stopped glowing.

ARGH! My minions, protect me! I alone must concentrate on the ritual for now!

Initiative!
Altiui (1d20+1)[9]
Arkhen (1d20+3)[12]
Daar (1d20+2)[16]
Enemies (1d20+1)[10]
Jutta (1d20+4)[19]
Ornug (1d20+1)[11]
Ox (1d20+6)[9]
Rashad (1d20+3)[23]
Zanan (1d20+3)[11]
Zuzu (1d20+3)[9]
Order: Rashad -> Jutta -> Daar -> Arkhen -> Ornug/Zanan -> Enemies -> Altiui/Ox/Zuzu