Malls of America: A Post-Apocalyptic D&D Adventure - GAME Thread

The continental expanse known collectively as the Americas is a patchwork of myriad feuding chieftains and empires, faiths and heresies, technology and magic. There is no "From Sea to Shining Sea" anymore, anywhere in the land, unless you consider some "shithole country" in the isthmus as such - after all, few outside those Mayarabs pirates and their victims do...

The remnants of the great American Empire are a sham and shadow of their former predecessor. From the Empire State of Gotham in the East to the Holy Colombian Confederacy in the South, across Amber Waves the Great Grangelands, and into the hodge-podge chaos of the Pacific Coast, there stands no singular identify of what America truly is... but there are plenty who believe they know the way it should be.

Commonly acknowledged, this is the year NE 294, or by the old ways of reckoning, somewhere around 3100 After the Christ-Child, but that's myth and nonsense. To most people, anyway.

Not so to Nirotia Naxxremis, Duchess of Untinvale, home of the Redstone Seat. There was no such thing as myth and nonsense to her, for in every word written was an intent, a whisper of truth.

And that is why she is currently sifting through the rubble of the Mall Oakwood on the northeast outskirts of Untinvale.
Sifting and searching, despite there being a Public Safety Proclamation concerning a band of goblins on the move in the area.
Sifting and searching, ALONE, despite the Ecumenical Decree of 2966 that requires a female be accompanied at all times by a male member of the faith. Lest... you know, SIN!

So there she is, cloaked in her goth-clothes with her alabaster goth-skin, and searching for Lost Tomes of Knowledge that might expand her understanding of the Multiverse...

@Tolr'ax

Nirotia, clad in her noble attire, thinks to herself, "Laws against women, even women in my position, the head of my house since my father died and my mother lost her mind. That bitch, leaving me in charge. Good thing we have a competent steward to watch while I am on my outings." She sighs to herself. She takes note of her surroundings.

Tolr'ax wrote:Nirotia, clad in her noble attire, thinks to herself, "Laws against women, even women in my position, the head of my house since my father died and my mother lost her mind. That bitch, leaving me in charge. Good thing we have a competent steward to watch while I am on my outings." She sighs to herself. She takes note of her surroundings.

Nirotia has only just entered the derelict structure, ages old and forgotten. The room within has been exposed to the elements, dirt and shrubbery growing. The air is thick with the typical humidity of this time of year, made worse out of the wind.

There is nothing much to see here, except perhaps signs of residence long past, the passing of wildlife. The room is 45 feet east to west, only 15 feet north to south. There are three doorways on the southern wall. Two further to the east, one to the west. The eastern two no longer have doors and have been filled with rubble and earthen growth. The western one is clear, and thus the only way forward.

She will cautiously go to the western door and see if it is unlocked, if so, she will open it.

Tolr'ax wrote:She will cautiously go to the western door and see if it is unlocked, if so, she will open it.

It is unlocks and opens easily. There's a very short little hallway that turns immediately to the left/east, and that room extends 50 feet south from your location, and 15 feet west to east. In the darkness, it's hard to tell, but there appears to be door midway on the eastern side of the room. It has collapsed beneath a sagging ceiling. Your darkvision does not allow for much detail when there is no light source. Perhaps if you had a torch...

Nirotia lacks a torch, but if she sees anything she could use as such, a stick or a bit of cloth, she will pick it up, if she does not find such items, she will continue onward. Searching the room over for anything useful, and inspecting the door in the center.

Tolr'ax wrote:Nirotia lacks a torch, but if she sees anything she could use as such, a stick or a bit of cloth, she will pick it up, if she does not find such items, she will continue onward. Searching the room over for anything useful, and inspecting the door in the center.

It is dark. The doorway has collapsed under the weight of the ceiling, and there's no access through.

Having come this far south, however, you can now see another doorway in the southeast corner of the room.

You hear squeaks of some sort nearby. Possibly mice or bats.

Nirotia will investigate the new doorway. Is there any furniture or anything at all in the room that she can see. Anything flammable?

Tolr'ax wrote:Nirotia will investigate the new doorway. Is there any furniture or anything at all in the room that she can see. Anything flammable?

Pitifully little other than some small shrubs.

As Nirotia approaches the doorway, a sound behind her alerts her. In the dark, a shadow moves. The sound of twin heads panting identifies the origin.

Nirotia's death dog has arrived. One large, blocky head nuzzles her while the other snaps at tall grass.

The dog is something out of nightmare, a genetic nightmare one might say. The hound's hide holds a stench that never fully goes away, even after a bath, and its breath is something from the grave. It is dark brindle in color, with black claws, and a slightly curling tail. It is a loyal companion, brave and protective, and will no doubt obey Nirotia's commands... 99% of the time.

Nirotia smiles, "I was wondering when you would show up, my lovely." She has grown accustom to the odor that her dog emits. She takes some of the shrubbery and twists it into a make-shift torch. Using firebolt to light it, making sure she is aiming away from her beloved pup. "Reaper, Grim, dearest, watch my back as we descend into the ruins here. Bite anything or anyone that we don't know. She pats Grim on the head, then scratches Reaper behind the ear.

What does she know of this ruin that she is in? (History +6)

Tolr'ax wrote:Nirotia smiles, "I was wondering when you would show up, my lovely." She has grown accustom to the odor that her dog emits. She takes some of the shrubbery and twists it into a make-shift torch. Using firebolt to light it, making sure she is aiming away from her beloved pup. "Reaper, Grim, dearest, watch my back as we descend into the ruins here. Bite anything or anyone that we don't know. She pats Grim on the head, then scratches Reaper behind the ear.

Tolr'ax wrote:What does she know of this ruin that she is in? (History +6)

The shrub makes for a poor torch, but better than nothing. Unfortunately, before Nirotia can do much else, apparently the sound, smell, or light attracted attention. The Delving Duo are quickly set upon by some very startled bats!

Bat #4 Bites at Nirotia, but tiny fangs can't find purchase.
Nirotia (14; 18)
Grim/Reaper (12; 39)
Bat #2
Bat #3
Giant Bat

Nirotia will cast Firebolt again at the giant bat (You hurl a mote of fire at a creature or object within range. Make a ranged spell attack against the target. On a hit, the target takes 1d10 fire damage. A flammable object hit by this spell ignites if it isn't being worn or carried.)

Grim and Reaper will both bite at bat #4 (+4 1d6+2) x2

Tolr'ax wrote:Nirotia will cast Firebolt again at the giant bat (You hurl a mote of fire at a creature or object within range. Make a ranged spell attack against the target. On a hit, the target takes 1d10 fire damage. A flammable object hit by this spell ignites if it isn't being worn or carried.)

Grim and Reaper will both bite at bat #4 (+4 1d6+2) x2

The firebolt goes wide and smolders against the wooden doorframe.
The doggos (can't reach the bat in question, and instead) snap at the ones closer to them. One bat disappears into the Grim's maw while Reaper misses the other.

Bat #4 Bites at Nirotia, but tiny fangs can't find purchase.
Nirotia (14; 18) Firebolt, misses.
Grim/Reaper (12; 39) Snaps at bats!
Bat #2 Eaten.
Bat #3 Bites at Reaper for 1 damage.
Giant Bat Bites at Grim for 3 damage.

ROUND 2: FIGHT!

Giant Bat Bites at Reaper this time, for 5 damage!
Nirotia (14; 18)
Bat #4
Grim/Reaper (12; 30)
Bat #3

Nirotia will point at the Giant Bat and say "Death will hold you in it's arms." and casts

Chill Touch:

Grim and Reaper will bite at the Giant bat (+4 1d6+2) x2

Tolr'ax wrote:Nirotia will point at the Giant Bat and say "Death will hold you in it's arms." and casts

Chill Touch:

Oh, it's so cold!

Giant Bat (-6) Bites at Reaper this time, for 5 damage!
Nirotia (14; 18) Chill Touched Giant Bat for 6 damage.
Bat #4 Searching for a soft spot, missing Nirotia.
Grim/Reaper (12; 30/39) Grim bites the Giant Bat, which succeeds on its Con save against point, but Reaper misses. Bat takes 3 damage.
Bat #3 - bites Reaper, Crits, does 2 damage.

ROUND 3 - FIGHT!

Bat #3 Bites at Reaper again! Misses this time.
Giant Bat (-9) Swoops at Nirotia, but unable to get a bite.
Grim/Reaper (12; 28/39)
Nirotia (14; 18)
Bat #4

Nirotia will point at the Giant bat and

Toll the Dead:

Grim will bite at bat #4 and Reaper will bite at Bat #3

Tolr'ax wrote:Nirotia will point at the Giant bat and

Toll the Dead:

Grim will bite at bat #4 and Reaper will bite at Bat #3

Grim and Reaper each snack on Bat.
The Giant Bat screeches at Nirotia, avoiding the Bells of Doom, and flies away into the dark, avoiding any further damage.

Combat over.

Nirotia chuckles to herself. "Did you enjoy your snack?" she says to Grim and Reaper as she pets the canine. "Onward we go." She continues through the door.

Tolr'ax wrote:Nirotia chuckles to herself. "Did you enjoy your snack?" she says to Grim and Reaper as she pets the canine. "Onward we go." She continues through the door.

On the other side, Nirotia is met with a nasty stench as small mountains of guano indicate this - or rather, the chasm in the ceiling above - to be a large bat colony. On the ground level, however, there are two doorwaya, east and south.

She will be stealthy (+4) as she creeps along the southern wall, trying not to step in the bat waste. Grim and Reaper sniff the foul mounds and find it rather enjoyable. They follow suit and sneak as well (+4). Nirotia checks the southern door.

Tolr'ax wrote:She will be stealthy (+4) as she creeps along the southern wall, trying not to step in the bat waste. Grim and Reaper sniff the foul mounds and find it rather enjoyable. They follow suit and sneak as well (+4). Nirotia checks the southern door.

The door is... Well, locked somehow.

She will move towards the eastern door, and try to open it stealthy like still.

Tolr'ax wrote:She will move towards the eastern door, and try to open it stealthy like still.

The room beyond has no ceiling. Well, no functional ceiling. Some landslide long ago tore apart the southern sections of the Mall. The remaining portions of the room form a dangerous path to a doorway about 50 feet away to the northeast.

Is there anything of use in the room? If not, she will carefully make her way to the next doorway.