Moving Along (ADM Nellie) Tuesday February 28th, 2012 12:26:46 AM
Bodies are dried, equipment storied, and armor donned once more, the party takes a look about and finds no immediate danger. The cavern is moist and the slight chill that was observed before is magnified by your cold bodies from the dunk in the river. It's as if the proverbial wet blanket has settled over the group. Darkness presses in on the edges of lantern light, adding to the gloomy feeling. There is a tunnel up ahead that narrows down to were three people could walk abreast. And there is a faint, distant noise coming from it. Perception DC 10 reveals Highlight to display spoiler: {the faint sound of voices}.
Wilma AC14/12/14; HP20/20 d20+8=17 ; d20+8=28 ; Tuesday February 28th, 2012 6:50:05 AM
No longer feeling vulnerable now that her armor is donned once more, Wilma tilted her head to one side.
"I think..." she said in a low whisper, "...that someone is up ahead...I hear voices."
The young acolyte concentrated on trying to hear the voices more clearly.
(OOC: made a second Perception check, total 28 ('cuz it's a Natural 20, yo!!!). Hopefully it's high enough to get something besides "faint voices".)
Vaniime AC 18/14/14, HP: 15/15 Tuesday February 28th, 2012 7:56:09 AM
Whispering, Van looks around at her friends. " I say we should have any ranged weapons we have at the ready, and if they are baddies we can get off one good distance attack to soften them up a bit fopr what comes next."
F'aast Tuesday February 28th, 2012 2:07:44 PM
Faast whisper yells, "Hey! You guys up there? It's me, Faast. What's goin on?"
Grell AC21/13/18, HP24/24 d20+1=18 ; Tuesday February 28th, 2012 10:09:08 PM
Noticing the voices even over F'aast's loud whisper, Grell promptly shushes him. "Shhhhh F'aast! There's somebody in there, can't you hear? Better listen to Van and get out the ranged weapons." he whispers as he pulls out his bow. Grell tries to take a peak into the surrounding darkness, but it's just too dark. He waits to see if the others are ready to proceed.
Emrys ac14, hp14 d20+8=17 ; d20+1=14 ; Wednesday February 29th, 2012 12:58:42 AM
(perception 17)
Emrys closes the aperture on his bullseye lantern so that only minimal light shows. Just enough to keep it shadowy, yet still able to see and maximize his stealth. He then makes sure a bolt is loaded in his crossbow ... quietly.
(Stealth 14)
Wilma AC16/12/14 (chain shirt); HP20/20 Wednesday February 29th, 2012 5:19:42 AM OOC: second "illegal" post; RP only
Wilma made sure that her crossbow bolts were where she could reach them, then she took her crossbow into her hands, checking that it was ready to fire.
"Everyone ready..?" she asked, about as prepared for what was going to happen next as a newbie dungeoneer could be.
F'aast Wednesday February 29th, 2012 4:02:13 PM
Looking confused, but realizing that their is danger nearby, he whispers to himself, "Welcome back Faast," and sets his new snake companion, Medusa, down on the ground beside him and readies himself for action.
Emrys wonders what broke F'aast's meditation. He has been following quietly in the back for some time now! The bard is unsure if it's customary to welcome back those who emerge from inner contemplation.
Emrys turns around and mouthed the words, 'welcome back.'
Curiouser and Curiouser (ADM Nellie) Thursday March 1st, 2012 12:32:45 AM
Van advises that the group switch to ranged weapons, and Grell follows suit. Meanwhile, F'aast asks for a status update as Wilma is taking a long hard listen.
It's kinda hard to hear with so many other people talking, but the cleric of Gargul takes her time and listens carefully. She hears several voices, but the longer she listens, the weirder it gets. The voices do not seem to form any sort of language that Wilma is familiar with. As a matter of fact, the sound kind of reminds her of her siblings when they were small babies...the incessant babbling of infants.
Lanterns are dimmed, and ranged weapons readied. The group heads down the path, traveling for a few feet before the passage opens up once again to a large cavern. The chill and moisture in the air are unmistakable here, and so is the sound of the babbling...still that incoherent sound of many voices that do not appear to be saying anything in particular. The entrance to the cavern is just up ahead...practically begging you to enter and uncover the source of the strange voices.
OOC: Same marching order as before? Any last requests?
ADM Nellie Thursday March 1st, 2012 12:34:36 AM
Oooookay...so that last entry was supposed to be titled Curiouser and Curiouser...silly computer reverted back to my Grell tag. :(
Fixed by DM Kathy
F'aast Thursday March 1st, 2012 1:30:09 PM
Faast remains at the rear of the party tense with expectation. How in the Wold did they talk the professors into letting them have a real adventure? This tale he had to hear!
He nods to Emyrs and signals that he would watch the back and flank forward when needed.
He sniffs the air out of habit, as he begins to concentrate on the hunt.
Wilma AC16/12/14 (chain shirt); HP20/20 Thursday March 1st, 2012 5:37:58 PM
Wilma remained silent and held her crossbow at the ready, waiting for her turn to advance into the room.
Emrys ac14, hp14 d20+8=27 ; d20+8=9 ; d20+8=21 ; Thursday March 1st, 2012 10:13:31 PM
Emrys waits and moves with the party. His eyes and pointed ears stay keen with anticipation.
(Perception checks: 27, 9, and 21.)
Grell AC21/13/18, HP24/24 Thursday March 1st, 2012 10:36:51 PM
His bow out and at the ready, Grell positions himself behind Vaniime. "Ready when you are..." He hears F'aast's sniff and adds one of his own. He doesn't care for the dampness and the noise. There's something about that noise that really bothers him, but he can't put a finger on it. Arrow notched, Grell shift his weight slightly back and forth...back and forth in anticipation.
Bow at the ready Van signals the others to hold back a bit as she tries to move forward a bit and check things out a bit closer without beng seen and to try and identify what is there and what can be seen.
stealth dc 23 (nat 20) knowledge dungeoneering DC 20, knowledge nature DC 16 Perception dc 20
Pump Up the Volume (ADM Nellie) d20=3 ; d20=2 ; d20=14 ; Friday March 2nd, 2012 11:23:03 PM
Vaniime makes good use of her keen Elven eyesight and slinks into the darkness. She quickly disappears from human eyes, though Emrys can still barely make out her form as she slinks into the shadows.
Vaniime travels easily through the dim light of the cavern, though the dim lighting does slow down travel a little bit. She creeps along, as silent as the shadows themselves, but stops short about 20 feet out from the others. She can see something out there in the darkness.and wings off a shot (20% chance of miss due to concealment). Just as she does, a horrid cacophony emanates from the creature, threatening to drive you to the brink of insanity. Vaniime, Grell and Wilma make a Will save DC 13 or be confused for 1 round. Vaniime watches as the shape slinks slowly closer toward her.
A note about the map. The cavern is in complete darkness. Human characters cannot make out Vaniime's current location or that of her adversary. Emrys' keen elven eyes can barely make out Vaniime's current location, but he cannot see the enemy either. The yellow triangle indicates the light given by Grell's lantern (Emrys is not on the map currently). The gray triangle is the half light from the lantern.
Will DC 5 Vanime sees a vague shap and then is quite literally driven to her knees with the loud noise. Confused and unaware of the beast's approach Van drops her bow and tries to cover her ears as her head rings and reverberates with the sound.
Grell AC21/13/18, HP24/24 d20+1=8 ; Saturday March 3rd, 2012 11:25:09 AM
Grell whispers into the darkness "Hey Van, what's goin....." and then the wave of noise rushes over him like a ton of bricks. His bow falls to the ground and he swings his lantern back and forth, hopelessly confused and more than a little frightened. (Will save=8).
Wilma AC16/12/14 (chain shirt); HP20/20 d20+7=15 ; Saturday March 3rd, 2012 2:43:31 PM
The light of Grell's lantern showed that Van was down. Wilma instinctively moved forward.
"Van...what--" she gasped, her query cut off by Grell's sudden reaction to the roiling babble of nonsense that, for a moment, almost overwhelmed the redhead's ability to think clearly.
Almost.
Something was up ahead--in front of Van, who was now unable to act. Wilma snatched the lantern from her brother's hand and moved towards the spirit ranger, holding back on her crossbow shot until she could see whatever it was that had managed to confuse two of her party with its gods-awful noise...
OOC: Wilma made her Will save with a result of 15. Her official action is to take up the lantern and then to move up to where Van is in order to help her. Not sure exactly how far Wilma would be allowed to travel for this--I'm aiming to put her at F15 (or as close to it as possible.)
ADM Nellie Saturday March 3rd, 2012 4:54:12 PM
This is just a reminder that Grell and Emrys lanterns had been dimmed so that Van could scout ahead. Bullseye lanterns are fully capable of producing a cone of light up to 60 feet, should the aperture be opened all the way. :)
Wilma AC16/12/14 (chain shirt); HP20/20 Sunday March 4th, 2012 7:30:59 AM
OOC: I assume that Wilma would have the time and wherewithal to open up that sucker and get some light going, then... ;D
Emrys ac14, hp14 d20+9=14 ; d20+15=25 ; Sunday March 4th, 2012 3:35:11 PM
Emrys can't help but notice the strange effects that horrible sound has on the others. He quickly reaches around for his lute and begins to play a tune that should counter those effects. He moves as far as he can forward to make sure everyone is within range to benefit.
(Bardic Performance [Countersong]: 25. Anyone who failed their save against the Confusion now get to use my performance score to replace their save. Since Emrys is not on the map, I have no idea how far I need to go to get as many people in my area of effect. Emrys has 30-ft of movement and the area effect of the Countersong is 30-ft radius.)
Round 1 Wrap Up (ADM Nellie) Sunday March 4th, 2012 11:01:05 PM
So I need a post from Van and Grell and F'aast. The light is now turned up, so everyone can see the critter that is 15 feet from Van.
Grell AC21/13/18, HP24/24 Sunday March 4th, 2012 11:07:06 PM
Grell shakes his head as the spell looses its grip. Growling, he looks at Emrys, then Wilma, then Van...and finally settles on that *thing* in front of Van. Leaving his bow, he unsheathes his sword and moves to position himself beside Van. (E15).
F'aast Monday March 5th, 2012 10:38:29 AM
"Emrysss, open up that lantern and ssshine it on thissss thing. It may not likesssz light. I'm moving forwardzzz and to your rightsss Grell."
And with that, Faast moves forward to 17J hands out in front of him. He keeps Medusa, his snake, one square to his left in 17i.
Faast keeps his eyes squinted so that when the light hits the cavern he can adjust faster. He is excited. He tries to control his heart so that he doesn't have an adrenaline dump later.
"Sssshow yoursselfzzz beasssstiee."
Vaniime AC 18/14/14, HP: 15/15 Monday March 5th, 2012 10:14:20 PM
As Emrys' song counters the sound from the beast, Van senses Grell coming up alongside and wanting to give those behind with bows a clear shot draws hwer sword and moves to G14 to allow for her and Grell to eventually flank their opponent.
Emrys ac14, hp14 Monday March 5th, 2012 10:22:50 PM
(OOC: 2nd illegal post ... for role playing purposes.)
Emrys is befuddled by F'aast's request and latter statement. The cavern is fully bathed in light and the creature stands fully exposed in front of the group. He thinks that his friend is still confused by the howling the wretched monster is making. So Emrys turns to his lute and begins to emphasize every note with a little extra pluck.
:)
Thud Goes the Squidy (ADM Nellie) d20+10=14 ; d20+6=17 ; d4=1 ; d20+3=4 ; Monday March 5th, 2012 11:52:45 PM
Thanks to Emrys song, the team moves back into action. Wilma, Grell, Vaniime and F'aast move to better positions to confront the creature that is now fully disclosed. To say that it is ugly is a *extreme* understatement. An amorphous blob, covered in mouths and eyes, lurching and babbling...always babbling. View picture here
As the group is formulating their plan, one of the creatures mouths puckers, and spits right into Wilma's eyes and then lurches forward!! The glop begins to burn Wilma's eyes, threatening to blind her (Fort. check DC18 or be blinded for 1 round). As she frantically begins to wipe away at the burning goop, there is a blur of movement, and then an ugly squid looking creature slams to the cave floor directly at her feet! The light from Wilma's lantern immediately become dim (Remember that any attack now has a 20% chance of miss due to concealment). Emrys finds that though the light immediately in front on him is as bright as always, the the area just outside the direct beam of lantern light goes from dim to as dark as night. The rest of the group winks into darkness for Emrys and F'aast.
Grell AC21/13/18, HP24/24 Monday March 5th, 2012 11:54:05 PM
One day I will figure this out... Should be titled "Thud Goes the Squidy (ADM Nellie)"
Wilma AC16/12/14 (chain shirt); HP20/20 d20+5=16 ; Tuesday March 6th, 2012 6:30:49 AM
"aAAAaaaaaagh!" Wilma's scream was a mixture of pain and frustration--the goo was stinging her eyes and she couldn't clear it away effectively because she held the lantern in one hand and her crossbow in the other. Besides, she was horribly embarrassed because this situation was the sort of thing that she was sure her parents would never have been caught in..!
"Gahhh! Kill this thing, will you...?" she demanded of nobody in particular, furiously blinking tears away.
Blind or not, Wilma could tell from the sound (and smell! ewww!) of the babbling monstrosity that her crossbow was too close to be effective, anyway, so she blindly stepped backwards, hoping that the warrior-types of the party could deal with this thing long enough for her to switch out her weapons...
OOC: Wilma is now Blinded as she didn't make her Fort save, dang it! In her Blind panic, she's retreated from F15 to F16.
Grell AC21/13/18, HP24/24 d100=38 ; d20+8=13 ; 2d6+7=18 ; Tuesday March 6th, 2012 8:16:36 AM
"Wilma!!!" Grell growls in anger at not being able to prevent the attack and then the other creature drops at her feet and the lights literally go out. "Which creature?! There's something that appeared right in front of you!!"
Deciding that for right now, the newest squid looking thingy is his best shot, considering that he can barely see anything, Grell takes a swing at the critter. (AC13 for 18).
F'aast d20+2=12 ; d6+2=5 ; d20+9=11 ; d20+5=15 ; Tuesday March 6th, 2012 11:23:53 AM
"Oh, there it issss and its ugleeee! Wait, no where did it go? Emyrs, I can't see it again. Direct me!"
Faast, having seen the monster for a moment, turns to the left and "tries" to move to F12. He instructs Medusa to say close him and she will try to get to D13 and aid another as he attacks the beastie with his Kama.
-----------
--OOC, Emyrs never said he had opened his lantern, though I could be mistaken. I was also going by the light "field" on the map which showed a very small area lit. So I assumed I couldn't see the monster and positioned myself accordingly. :)
--[d20+2=12 +2 more for aid another from snake = hitting AC14 for 5hpd if it hits--and if I got there.]
--Perception check of 11, in the glimpse he had of the creature, to try and determine if the creature can be grappled. --Knowledge: Nature check of 15, in the glimpse he had of the creature, to try and determine if the creature can be grappled.
Seeing the new beast drop in front of her and then the lights go out, Van knows where the beast is and recognizes it a a magical beast, (one of her favored enemies) and slashes downward AC 27 but somehow, to her extreme disbelief doesn't feel the sword bite at all as somehow the darkness confounded her strike (20% chance miss 14.
A Mysterious Voice Tuesday March 6th, 2012 9:20:13 PM
Barely audible above the sounds of the squamous terror, coming from the right-hand side of the cavern...
"Hrrrrrrrr! Hrr, hrr, hrrrrrr! Mph, hrrrrr!"
Emrys ac14, hp14 d20+8=27 ; d20+9=19 ; Tuesday March 6th, 2012 10:42:15 PM
Emrys continues playing his countersong as best he can (free action). "Zounds," the bard shrieks when the second monster enters the fray. And then the darknesss!! He mutters a few words of power and looks for the source of that darkness.
(Cast Detect Magic. Perception 27, Spellcraft 19)
That Just Sucks--Rd. 2(ADM Nellie) d20+6=17 ; d4=3 ; d4=1 ; d20+7=24 ; d3=1 ; d20+7=16 ; d20+7=13 ; d20+7=27 ; d20+7=20 ; d20+7=15 ; d20+7=26 ; d4=3 ; d4=1 ; d20+7=9 ; d20+7=26 ; d20+7=18 ; d20+7=26 ; d4=3 ; d4=2 ; d20+3=13 ; d20+3=5 ; d20+3=9 ; d100=54 ; d4=3 ; d4=2 ; Tuesday March 6th, 2012 11:36:32 PM
The party swings into action as the attack ensues.
Wilma backs away, futilely trying to wipe the stinging goo out of her eyes by trying to get her tears to wash away the caustic stuff. Her tactic seems to work because she feels her vision clearing.
Grell, angry about the attack on his sister takes a swipe at the squid thing and just barely misses. Doubtless, he is an unhappy young man.
Van has nooo problem recognizing the squid creature as one of her favored enemies...I mean, why else would the lights suddenly dim. She lashes out with a precise slash, only to find that the critter's not exactly where she thought it was. It's an embarrassing moment for the ranger, but thankfully, nobody sees it.
F'aast racks his brain to try and figure out what that uuuuuuuugly critter in front of them is. Surely you have read about it in one of the many Creatures homework assignment. I mean, really, how many critters could look this nasty?! Eyes...all those eyes and the babbling mouths *EVERYWHERE*...F'aast thinks and thinks, and then he's got it! A Gibbering Mouther...why, Professor Goodnight just gave a lesson on it last month. Slow moving, noisy, and watch out for those mouths...they can latch on and suck your blood! And he realizes that grappling the thing would be a very bad idea indeed! F'aast moves through the darkness, but finds navigating extremely difficult! He heads toward the dim light ahead, but bumps into Vaniime, threatening to push her over. Thankfully the ranger rolls out of the way. (Okay, I'm being *really* nice here, but in the future, trying to make such precise movements in combat is going to get sticky.) Medusa bobs and weaves, attempting to help out F'aast with his attack, but it doesn't seem to help at all. F'aast kama goes wide, misses the blob.
Emrys continues his countersong, though it seems like the effect from the creature is gone now. He begins concentrating on his detect magic spell and he spots several magical auras...most of them around his adventuring partners, but he also spots an aura on the newly arrived creature.
The shambling mound of teeth and eyes spits once more, this time at Vaniime. Vaniime feels the gooey liquid begin to burn at her eyes and has more than a measure of pity for Wilma (Fort. Check DC18 or be blinded for 1 round).
Once again, the creature lurches forward, and six gelatinous tentacles form out of the body and launch themselves toward F'aast. Four sets latch onto the monks neck and arms (10 pts. damage)...the mouths at the end of them begin to try and attach themselves to his body. Two sets of mouths latch on, and F'aast immediately begins to feel woozy as the creature begins to drain him of his very life blood (5 pt. damage plus 2 points Con. loss).
As the fight continues, two more squid looking creatures drop from the sky and land at the feet of Grell and Vaniime. As they flop on the cavern floor, the lighting dims in more and more areas of the cave. The original squid creature spreads its tentacles and begins to fly upward toward the ceiling...quickly disappearing out of sight. (AoO from Grell and Vaniime as it flees upward, though still with the 20% miss chance).
Just a note on movement and darkness...the whole cavern (with the exception of Wilma and Emrys lanterns is covered in darkness. I just looked it up, and darkness causes you to move at ½ movement rate. Now I haven't used this in the past, but starting next round movement will be cut in half for any area other than dim or lantern light. Also, creatures in darkness take a -2 to AC.
Wilma AC16/12/14 (chain shirt); HP20/20 Wednesday March 7th, 2012 12:39:00 AM
Her tears washing the last of the stinging goo away from her eyes, Wilma squints into the unnatural gloom that now surrounds most of her party, utilizing a technique favored by the priests of Gargul in order to make out the outlines of Grell, Van and now Fa'ast, who seemed to be grappling with the thing that blinded her. Drawing in a deep breath, the redheaded acolyte mentally ran through the various options available to her, quickly deciding on casting Sanctuary on herself first. That should give her enough protection to channel healing energy and cast any other spell she may be needing in the near future.
OOC: Wilma is utilizing her Domain bonus feat of Blindfighting to get a handle on the battle scene as well as belatedly protecting herself with her Sanctuary spell.
That Just Sucks--Rd. 2(ADM Nellie) d20+8=25 ; 2d6+7=15 ; d100=57 ; d20+8=23 ; 2d6+7=11 ; d100=37 ; Wednesday March 7th, 2012 11:53:32 AM
As the first squid thingy takes off, Gunther cuts into it, letting his frustration out on the beast. He grins savagely as he feels his sword slice through the creature's flesh. (AC25 for 15, no miss). It was nice that the creature had landed in the dim light...made things easier.
Unaware of F'aast's plight, Grell turns his attention to the squid creature that just fell at his feet. It's dark, soooooo dark that he's not exactly where the thing is. He slices where he thinks it might be, but he doesn't feel the satisfying tug of his sword in flesh. (AC23 for 11, miss). Grumbling, he calls out to Emrys "Hey, adjust your lantern, while ya?! I can't see a thing in here!!"
ADM Nellie Wednesday March 7th, 2012 11:56:18 AM
Sigh...okay, the last post was for Grell...anywho...
It's been a long time since I DM, but I looked up some more information on darkness. According to the Paizo website, darkness essentially renders a creature blind. Along with that goes the following penalties....
Blinded: The creature cannot see. It takes a --2 penalty to Armor Class, loses its Dexterity bonus to AC (if any), and takes a --4 penalty on most Strength- and Dexterity-based skill checks and on opposed Perception skill checks. All checks and activities that rely on vision (such as reading and Perception checks based on sight) automatically fail. All opponents are considered to have total concealment (50% miss chance) against the blinded character. Blind creatures must make a DC 10 Acrobatics skill check to move faster than half speed. Creatures that fail this check fall prone. Characters who remain blinded for a long time grow accustomed to these drawbacks and can overcome some of them.
F'aast d20+6=11 ; d20+6=26 ; Wednesday March 7th, 2012 1:08:59 PM
"I need help. Nearly dead again," he deadpans.
His eyes not adjusting, he finds himself frustrated.
Deciding that help can't come and he doesn't want to die right then, he break away aided by his snake and what his low-light vision can give him, he moves away, trying to circle back to the party, keeping Medusa in his square.
"Gonna take more than 1 to take that thing down. It hits hard."
---------
--CMB of 11 to break away and withdraw aided by snake, which I hero pointed and got a 26, which is a natural 20.
--He goes defensive to up his AC to 20. His CMD for grapple is currently a 21.
Van manages to avoid the full measure of eye splat Fort save DC 20 and as she hears the squid thingy start moving upward misses her stroke as she as no idea where it is 2%,
She hears another something drop down in front of her and this time manages to locate it accurately 55%, and is rewarded with the satisfactory feel of her sword cleaving into it AC 20 for 9 points of damage
Emrys ac14, hp14 d20+8=24 ; d20+8=28 ; Wednesday March 7th, 2012 10:10:10 PM
"Peas and carrots! There is something else coming ... to the right," cautions Emrys!
Emrys steps forward for better resonance and beings to weave an alliterated prose and metered verse about the toothy gelatinity and the quivering mucilaginocity of the mouther gibberly.
(Moves to F18. Perception 28, natural 20)
(Performance [Naturalist+1]. Knowledge [Dungeoneering vs. Aberrations]: 24. I'm able to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the Gibbering Mouther up to 9HD. Everyone within 30ft of Emrys gets a +1 to AC, Hit and Saves against the Gibbering Mouther)
Crank Up the Lights---Rd. 3 (ADM Nellie) d4=1 ; d20+6=25 ; d4=4 ; d20+7=27 ; d20+7=24 ; d4=1 ; d20+7=16 ; d20+7=8 ; d20+7=27 ; d20+7=22 ; d4=3 ; d4=2 ; d4=4 ; d20+7=9 ; d20+7=15 ; d20+7=17 ; d20+7=27 ; d20+7=14 ; d4=3 ; d20+7=21 ; d20+8=20 ; d100=54 ; 2d6+7=16 ; d20+7=13 ; Wednesday March 7th, 2012 11:50:28 PM
Wrap up from previous round... In one mighty blow, Grell manages to cleave the strange squid creature in half before it's ever airborne. The lifeless body slumps to the ground.
And now onto the current round... Even over the din of combat, odd grunting noises are occasionally heard. It's a muffled sound...could it be a cry for help???
Due to her blindfighting ability, K'nara is able to listen in to the combat around her, and she has a pretty good feel for what's going on. It's no where near like being able to see, but it'll do in a pinch. She casts Sanctuary on herself,
Grell takes a swing at the nearby critter, but with almost no light to see by, it's no surprise that he doesn't connect with it.
F'aast, having born the brunt of the Gibbering Mouther's attack manages to call out for help before he passes out (Jerry, please let me know if I'm wrong, but your sheet shows F'aast's HP as 14 and he took 16 damage (including the Con. drain), so he should be at -2 hp). Please, please email me if I have missed something. BTW, I checked and you're right, half-orcs have darkvision 60ft. Swwwwweeet!!
Avoiding the spittle, Vaniime cuts into the critter that lands in front of her. She hears the satisfactory squeal as the creature is hit.
Emrys moves forward and proves some more light to the group, while he informs the group, through song, about the strengths of the naaaasty critter up ahead. How it can see in all directions, can't be flanked, and is resistant to blunt blows. As far as weaknesses go, Emrys really can't think of any. His song greatly boosts the moral of all in ear shot.
Meanwhile, the icky sticky monster rears back and hocks another loogie. This time it's Grell that gets the stinging spittle splattered across his face. (Fort. Check DC18 or be blinded for 4 rounds). Jiggling in a most unnatural manner, the Mouther oozes forward and attacks Grell. Once more six mouths lash out, and 3 manage to connect with the warrior, 2 of them inflicting critical wounds (sheeeeeeesh...1/2 of the attacks are crits threats?!! Damage=13). None of them are able to make it past the warriors toughened skin though.
As for the squid creatures, they seem to not care for being on the ground. Just as the previous creature, they attempt to take flight and flee upward (again, Grell and Van get AoOs). As soon as the creatures leave the area, the lantern lights regain their normal intensity. (I'm going to roll the AoO's just to keep things rolling. Grell hits with his AoO, but does not kill the creature (16 dam). Van just barely misses her squidy. Both squidies fly upward and disappear.)
Grell AC17/9/17, HP9/24, Blinded for 4 rounds d20+5=10 ; d20+8=17 ; d100=51 ; d20+1=10 ; Thursday March 8th, 2012 8:16:30 AM
"What the...." Grell staggers a bit when the spit splashes on his face...and then it gets even worse. "What in the name of Marteus' boils is this crap?!" Grell attempts to rub the goop away with his forearms, but only manages to work it further into his eyes. (Fort-11 with Emrys bonus) "Ahhhhhhh!!!! I can't see!!!! The look on his face is an interesting mixture between rage and flat out terror as the swarthy warriror begins to wave his sword around blindly. A stream of orcish profanity that would make a sailor blush streams from Grell's lips as he tries to calm himself down from the panic that is bubbling up inside him.
He knows that in order for his friends to survive, they need him in the fight, but how can he possibly help when he doesn't even know WHERE that thing is?! Plus, it hit him pretty hard last time, and he's feeling more than a little shaky. Focusing on slowing his breathing, Grell tries to remember back to what his mother had taught him about fighting an opponent you can't see. To be honest, he had tuned out most of she had said to him. He'd been so caught up in the idea of orcish superiority that he had considered his mother weaker than their father. Not that he'd put it into words or anything...noooo Dad would have thrashed him good for that...Mom too for that matter. WHY had he been so stubborn?!
Grell wracks his tiny little brain and finally remembers back to when his K'nara was working with him on bright summer day. "You never know when an invisible opponent's going to sneak up on you..." Suddenly his mother disappeared from sight. "But it's not impossible to fight what you can't see...just more difficult. First you need to realize that you may not be able to see, but you CAN still hear. It's amazing what information your other senses can give you. Use your sword to sweep out in front of you, so you can find out where your opponent is. Only *then* do you stand any chance of hitting them..." The lesson went on for several more minutes, with Grell being swept off his feet more than once or twice. It had been a particularly humbling day for young Grell, and it is not an easy memory to recall.
Focusing back on the battle, Grell settles himself into a more stable stance, listens in for the gibbering of the critter and carefully reaches out with his sword. His face breaks out in a grin when he bumps into something. "Now I've got you..." he mutters as he readies himself to be able to attack next round.
F'aast Thursday March 8th, 2012 11:37:10 AM
As he sleeps, he mutters to himself, "Wimp."
----------
--Don't have the info I need to do the stabilize here at school. Someone can email me the details or Nellie can roll for me.
Vanime sees Grell's predicament and empathizes as she slices across the gibbering beast AC 27 Crit Threat AC 20 (confirmed?) for 5 points Plus 12 more points, if crit confirmed.
As she connects she calls out combat information to Grell to help him with his attacks.
Wilma AC16/12/14 (chain shirt); HP20/20 d6=1 ; d6=1 ; Thursday March 8th, 2012 10:16:39 PM
Concentrating on blocking out the sounds of battle around her, Wilma focused on the holy symbol she was now clutching in her hands.
"Heal!" she barked commandingly, a burst of energy radiating out from her.
OOC: hmmm...please ignore the second roll...I hit the d6 button again because I forgot I already rolled. Sigh. At least poor Fa'ast should be stabilized now...
Wilma AC16/12/14 (chain shirt); HP20/20 Thursday March 8th, 2012 10:19:18 PM
(illegal second post; for clarification purposes)
Everyone within a 30' radius of Wilma is healed by 1 whole Hit Point. Go, Wilma! ;D
Emrys ac14, hp14 Thursday March 8th, 2012 10:44:24 PM
Emrys maintains his performance to better facilitate his party's understanding and foresight of aberrations. This time however he tries to trick the trickster with his own brand of befuddlement.
(Bardic Performance: Naturalist, Rd2, Free action. Everyone within 30-ft gets +1AC, Hit and Saves.) (Casting "Unwitting Ally" on the Mouther. Will Save 15. If the Mouther fails, its mind is befuddled and it can't tell friend from foe. He takes no action against friends or foes, but he can be used to determine a flank against another a foe. Lasts for 1 round.)
As One Goes Up, Another Goes Down---Rd. 4 (ADM Nellie) d4=3 ; d20+6=15 ; d4=1 ; d20+7=16 ; d20+7=27 ; d20+7=18 ; d4=4 ; d4=4 ; d20+7=20 ; d4=1 ; d20+7=18 ; d4=2 ; d20+7=10 ; d20+7=17 ; d20+7=20 ; d4=3 ; d20+7=10 ; d20+7=24 ; d4=3 ; d20=3 ; d6=4 ; d20+5=16 ; Thursday March 8th, 2012 11:23:43 PM
Grell finds himself a victim of the Mouther's filthy oral habits. He remembers back to his Mother's training. Using sound and touch, he is able to pinpoint the creature's location and relishes the idea of payback.
F'aast moans in his unconscious state as he continues to bleed on the ground (Jerry, roll Con check DC10. I rolled for you an got a 3, so no stabilization this round. :( ).
Vaniime slices into the critter, it's a beautifully precise blow that would fell many a foe. The strange thing is that Mouther seems to absorb most of the impact of the blow and the attack doesn't wound the creature as much as she would have expected. (Mouther is immune to critical hits.). OOC: I'm going to go with the 12 points damage this round, because I'm nice that way. :)
Wilma sends out a wave of healing energy (I'm rerolling that 1 to get a 4. Shouldn't get struck with that crappy of a roll in such an intense battle). F'aast returns to the land of the living and is able to rise to his feet (I know show F'aast at 2 hp).
Emrys continues to encourage his allies, even as he casts a spell to try and confuse the creature. Several of the Mouther's eyes look up at Emrys for a couple of seconds, but they quickly shift back to the fighters (Will save-16...dag nab it!!)
The shambling mound of goo recoils from Vaniime's attack, but seems intent on continuing to feed. It rears back once more and spits at Vaniime. (Fort. Check DC18 or be blinded for 1 round). It lashes out once more at the now blinded Grell and this time several mouths hit their target (3 hits...one crit for 11 pts. damage). Two of the mouths latch on firmly and begin rapidly draining the warrior of his blood (6 damage, 2 Con. pt. lost). Grell's skin color quickly matching his snow white hair and he collapses unconscious on the cavern floor.
Wilma AC16/12/14 (chain shirt); HP20/20 d6=4 ; Friday March 9th, 2012 12:18:46 PM
Wilma grit her teeth as her capacity for picking out shapes in the dark was telling her that this class trip was not as fun as she thought it would be...she very sorely missed William's healing abilities at the moment.
"I said...heal!" she practically snarled, sending another wave of positive energy to her surrounding allies.
OOC: 4hps of healing to everyone in Wilma's range!
F'aast Friday March 9th, 2012 2:02:50 PM
Faast's eyes open to slits for a second and then close again, thanks to Wilma's administrations.
He thinks, ::I'm alive, but no one near me 'cept the horror. Stay put.::
Startled that her attack did not have the effect she thought it should, Van is unprepared for the gob of spit that smacks her square in the face fort dc 14 (ignore second roll) Blinded and eyes stinging, she reverses her sword back along the same path as her previous strike, but again somehow misses 9% what would have been a another outstanding strike AC 29.
A Mysterious Voice Friday March 9th, 2012 5:33:44 PM
"Hrrrrr? Mph, hrrrrr! Hrrrrrrrr!"
Jerry Note: Who posted this? We delete posts that are not identified folks. Will delete this tomorrow if I'm not emailed or the post identified.
As One Goes Up, Another Goes Down---Rd. 4 (ADM Nellie) d3=2 ; Monday March 12th, 2012 12:28:22 AM
The bleeding suddenly stops flowing, and Grell finds himself conscious once more, but only just barely! His eyes flutter, only to find that he still can't see. He listens carefully around him and hears the unmistakeable babbling of the creature in front of him, so he crawls backward a bit, trying to distance himself from the creature. Even that minimal effort leaves him feeling winded and exhausted. He lies on his hands and knees in E16, ready to feel the creature strike out at him once more.
Yep...I'll never get this title thing down.---Nellie
ADM Nellie Monday March 12th, 2012 12:30:15 AM
Folks, it's been a long, emotional weekend for me. I'm going to post tomorrow morning. Until then, sweet dreams. :)
Emrys ac14, hp14 d20+4=10 ; d20+4=23 ; d20+4=23 ; d8=8 ; d8=1 ; Monday March 12th, 2012 12:31:17 AM
Emrys continues his lecture and moves a step closer (G17) for a clearer shot. He draws his crossbow and fires ... he sighs and thinks, 'it's anyone's guess to where ittt' .... "uhh?!! It hit!! Hard!!"
(Performance [Naturalist] continued, free action.) (Shooting Mouther with crossbow. Hit 10, miss. Hero point reroll: Hit 23, threat, 23 crit confirmed. Damage: 8+1=9)
Wilma AC16/12/14 (chain shirt); HP20/20 d8+2=7 ; Monday March 12th, 2012 4:54:24 AM
Sorely tempted to slap her brother, Wilma's cleric training made her realize that her urge to smack Grell stemmed from her frustration at being unable to help everyone as much as she hoped she would have been able to do. The redhead drew in a deep, calming breath and reached down towards the fighter at her feet.
"For Gargul's sake...heal..!" she whispered fiercely, channeling a focused burst of positive energy into the injured warrior when her hand encountered the top of his head. "Who needs Protection from Evil, anyhow? I've got the world's mightiest orc warrior looking after me..."
OOC: Wilma is swapping out her Protection from Evil spell for a Cure Light Wounds on Grell, who now is healed up another 7hp. Go, Grell!
Wilma AC16/12/14 (chain shirt); HP20/20 Monday March 12th, 2012 5:05:19 AM OOC--regarding possible amendment to Wilma's actions above: Since all Wilma did was reach down and heal Grell, she can choose to move a little ways for this round, right? There's this muffled voice that just might belong to someone that could prove to be a much-needed ally for the group...Wilma would like to begin sidling over towards Q17 as quick and far as she can...
Dude...Can You Keep It Down?! We're Fighting For Our Lives Here!--Rd. 5 (ADM Nellie) d3=2 ; d20+5=20 ; d20+6=10 ; d20+7=9 ; d20+7=15 ; d4=4 ; d20+7=15 ; d4=3 ; d20+7=24 ; d4=1 ; d20+7=27 ; d20+7=18 ; d4=2 ; d4=1 ; d20+7=14 ; d4=4 ; d20+7=9 ; d20+7=19 ; d4=2 ; d20+7=17 ; d4=3 ; d20+7=24 ; d4=2 ; d20+7=9 ; d20+7=11 ; Monday March 12th, 2012 9:44:36 AM
The battle seems to have taken a turn for the worst as not one, but now two of the fighters are down, and another is blinded.
Wilma once more sends healing energy through the party, and she is rewarded to see not only F'aast, but Grell stir.
Vaniime, blinded by the critter, strikes out, but can't manage to connect.
Emrys, on the other hand, pings off a shot and is pleased to see the bolt slam home. Like Van, he notices that his shot does not do as much damage as he would have expected.
On the other side of the cavern, the mysterious mumbling keeps getting louder...it's almost like someone's trying to get your attention...
There is no further sign of the squid like creatures. Wherever they have gone to, they don't seem in a hurry to come back.
Meanwhile, the Gibbering Mouther, though clearly wounded, still looks anxious to feed. There is a moment of something that almost looks like consternation on in it's multiple sets of eyes (Will save 20 vs. Sanctuary) and then it one of the mouths produces yet another stream of the spittle at the cleric, but this one missed the mark by a mile. The incessant yammering rises a level or two as the Mouther sets its eyes on Vaniime. Six mouths latch onto the now blind ranger, causing her to fall to her knees (15 dam), her eyes rolling back into her head as she falls unconscious. What's worse to watch, though is the mouths latching on and draining the warrior of her precious life blood before she slumps to the ground ashen (7hp dam, plus 3 Con. pts. lost). There is very little blood coming from her multiple wounds as her limp body hits the ground. Wilma recognizes this as very, VERY bad sign.
OOC: The previous post was not the combat wrap up, so Donna, you can use Wilma's roll above to heal Vaniime if you want to. I would recommend it, because I show Vaniime at -8 hp.
https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B0vQ5R7NZRxCLWREZS1LSWRSRHE2eDBKYUF6ZnhNUQ Google was being temperamental this morning, and the map kept wanting not to open for me. Let me know if you guys have any problems opening it.
ADM Nellie Monday March 12th, 2012 9:47:45 AM
Sigh...Kent, I'll bet you're getting tire of fixing these for me. :/
F'aast Monday March 12th, 2012 4:26:53 PM
Faast continues to play dead hoping that more healing is on the way soon.
Wilma AC16/12/14 (chain shirt); HP20/20 Monday March 12th, 2012 9:05:01 PM
The beleaguered acolyte of Gargul swallowed hard, keeping the rising tide of panic at bay by focusing on her fallen friend. Stepping forward, Wilma immediately cast her curative spell upon Vaniime, seeing in the twilight gloom that some of the color returned to the elf's skin, but the spirit ranger remained almost-deathly still.
"Emrys--find out who or what is mumbling over there..." Wilma waved her staff hand in the general direction of the sound that was persisting off in the southeastern part of the cavern, "...I'll keep trying to get healing energy to everyone..."
...as pitiful as the effort is... The redheaded cleric finished the thought privately. She was at the point where her instincts were to cast the True Strike spell on herself and thwack the crap out of the amorphous, mouthy beast in front of her, but her temple training kept her from giving in to that tactic. Right now the only thing keeping the bloodsucking, mutant leech from bringing her to the point of death was the protection of her Sanctuary spell...and that protection would disappear the instant she attacked. So...healing would be her reaction to the current dilemma...
...for now.
OOC: as per the DM recommendation, Wilma's Cure Light Wounds spell is applied to Vaniime rather than Grell. Van is now healed up by 7hp (and considered stabilized for the moment, I believe..?) Next round Wilma will be attempting to "spread the love" once more by Channeling Positive Energy again.
Wilma AC16/12/14 (chain shirt); HP20/20 Monday March 12th, 2012 9:06:03 PM
OOC again (clarification): oh...and Wilma is now at map coordinate F15.
Vaniime AC 18/14/14, HP: 0/15 Monday March 12th, 2012 9:48:27 PM
Lying at death's door, Vanime reaches toward the light..........
Emrys ac14, hp14 d20+9=13 ; d20+9=15 ; d20+9=11 ; d20+9=27 ; Tuesday March 13th, 2012 2:15:25 AM
(sorry for being late, I fell asleep early)
Something clicks inside the young bard's brain. He wouldn't ever in a normal situation to be so rude or roguish .... openly.
(Diplomacy 13. Then Knowledge [local] 15 to recall where Wilma keeps her wand.)
"Excuse me, Wilma," is all the Emrys can say as he whips open the flap on Wilma's backpack and pilfers a wooden wand with cold and unapologetic haste.
(The book says retrieving an item from a backpack is a move-equivalent action. Adjust my action if this applies to other people's packs.)
(If he still has a standard action left) Emrys again tries to befuddle the Mouther with another another attempt of the same spell.
(Performance [Naturalist]: free action. Casting Unwitting Ally: Will Save DC 15. Same effect as before. Ignore the last two rolls. I have no more actions and no one is with range to attempt to heal by using "Use Magic Device.")
(Question: I have "Cure Light Wounds" on my spell list, but I'm an arcane caster. Am I required to use the "Use Magic Device" skill to activate the divine version of the same spell?)
DM Kathy Tuesday March 13th, 2012 3:56:58 PM
[I will reply to Stephen's OOC question, since I don't think ADM Nellie can read the "DM only" posts. My understanding is that for a wand, the spell only has to be on your spell list, and there is no difference between an arcane and divine wand of CLW. Scrolls are another matter, but I think wands are "one size fits all." I think you can just use it. Of course, the final call is ADM Nellie's.]
Wilma AC16/12/14 (chain shirt); HP20/20 d6=3 ; Tuesday March 13th, 2012 7:59:06 PM OOC: if I interpret DM Nellie's post correctly, then Wilma healing Van was the previous round and now she's acting in this round. I hope. Note to Emrys: Grell had Wilma's backpack, so it's not like the bard is actually fumbling around with something on Wilma's person.)
Wilma didn't acknowledge the bard rifling through her backpack--she was concentrating on doing her best to channel positive energy for the benefit of her loved ones. Her head tilted back slightly, turning her face up in appeal to Gargul as the healing energy washed over her allies.
OOC Again: everyone in a 30' radius is healed up by 3hp.
ADM Nellie Tuesday March 13th, 2012 9:15:57 PM
Actually, Donna, the healing for Vaniime will take place this round. That mass heal will have to wait until next round. Sorry for the confusion.
Stephen, as far as I have read, Emrys can use the wand with no problem.
Now to get to work on the DM post.....
Grell AC17/9/17, HP0/24, Blinded for 2 rounds Tuesday March 13th, 2012 11:31:10 PM
Grell hears footsteps approaching and then hears that family golden voice behind him...Emrys!! He's singing another song. Grell grins as he grips his sword and rises to his feet. "Emrys, just point me at it. I've got a score to settle..." Though his voice is confident, Grell is secretly worried that his sword feels like it weighs five times what it should and his arms are already beginning to tremble with the effort of holding it.
Makes You Wonder What Its Dental Copay Runs--Rd 6 (ADM Nellie) d20+5=13 ; Tuesday March 13th, 2012 11:45:30 PM
F'aast plays dead hoping for more healing. Vaniime is considering heading toward the proverbial light, and Grell is crawling on the floor feeling a few quarts low.
Unfortunately, that leaves Wilma and Emrys with the difficult choice of heal or fight. Wilma reaches down and stabilizes Vaniime. Meanwhile, Emrys moves behind Grell and sings his song, hoping to ensnare the Mouther in his spell. Unbelievably, the creature begins to sway slightly at the sound of Emrys song and all of the mouths form into smiles that murmur appreciatively at the bard! (HA!!! And the bard does it AGAIN! Mouther FAILS the Will Save!! WTG Emrys!!!)
Emrys (ac14, hp14) d8+3=9 ; Wednesday March 14th, 2012 12:23:50 AM
Delighted that his spell had bought a little time, Emrys kneels down next to Grell and reaches into Wilma's backpack that he was carrying. Having retrieved the wand, he presses it again the warrior and says, "Cura-galah wunde."
(Cast Cure Light Wounds on Grell. Heal 9 points.)
"Take your sword, and a step or two, your strike will be true, straight ahead of you." Emrys carries on with his magical oration. (Performance [Naturalist]: free action. Everyone within 30' gets a +1 to AC, Hit and Saves.)
Emrys (ac14, hp14) Wednesday March 14th, 2012 12:28:24 AM
(2nd illegal post: forgot to add this to my post.)
Emrys makes sure to help Grell and point him in the right direction, just in case he didn't hear his poetic instructions.
Wilma AC16/12/14 (chain shirt); HP20/20 Wednesday March 14th, 2012 11:56:08 AM
The energy channeled by Wilma helps to heal all who are wounded. Now that the beastie in front of them seems charmed, it will be easier to move about and apply direct healing magic to each of the injured in her party.
"Hetthi Brotlir! Giehteh oopeh amj kehh tli iminae!" Wilma barks harshly in the direction of Grell.
For those who understand Orcish, Highlight to display spoiler: {Wilma has spoken in a "motivational" tone and told Grell: "Little Brother! Get up off your {expletive deleted} and kill the enemy!" Ahhh...Orc love! 8D}
OOC: okay, NOW everyone with the boo-boos can get those 3hp Wilma generated.
Vaniime AC 18/14/14, HP:3/15 Wednesday March 14th, 2012 9:45:56 PM
Begining to stir, Van realises she is laid out flat on the floor and unbelievably weak and sore, but there is something she is supposed to be doing. What is it? she thinks to herself. What is going on? She moves her hands and realixes that they are loosely wrapped around her sword, and again she wonders. Slowly the memories begin to solidify as she gets rid of a few of the cobwebs. And then she hears a familiar soft voice speak in that incomprehensible gutteral orcish.... She only recognizes one word "Grell" and then suddenly every thing is back and she remembers where she is and what is going on. Realizing she can do nothing yet as week as she is she makes sure her hands are solidly gripped on her sword and waits...
Grell AC17/9/17, HP12/24, Blinded for 1 round d20+1=11 ; d4=3 ; d20+9=13 ; d20+1=10 ; Wednesday March 14th, 2012 10:14:34 PM
Strength returning to his muscles, Grell quiets that panicking part of his mind that he still cannot see. He listens for the unmistakable babbling of the creature and tries to figure out where it's coming from. Stepping forward, he thinks he's got it narrowed down, and he slashes his sword down in a devastating blow, only to find that the creature must have moved. The ensuing swearing is so loud that it literally reverberates around the cavern. "Low an E zuppozij to kehh et ef E qam't ZII et!!" A small thought begins to form in his mind. "Back!! We need to pull back! Ranged weapons. This thing is slow. It can't match our speed."
Orcish translation...Highlight to display spoiler: {"How am I supposed to kill it if I can't SEE it!!" }
Somebody Up There Must Like Them--Rd. 7 (ADM Nellie) d20+6=13 ; d3=3 ; d4=4 ; d4=3 ; d20+6=13 ; d20+6=20 ; d4=4 ; d20+6=7 ; d20+6=13 ; d20+6=9 ; d20+6=10 ; d20+6=9 ; d20+6=17 ; Wednesday March 14th, 2012 11:26:38 PM
Emrys well timed spell provides a small, much needed break in combat. Both Wilma and Emrys offer desperately needed healing. Van comes to and hearing Wilma's shouting, remembers where she is. Not able to engage in battle, Van and F'aast wait for more healing. Grell tries his best to cut into the Mouther, but finds it difficult locating it without the gift of sight.
Meanwhile, the Mouther abruptly stops swaying and the smiles quickly morph into snarls. It spits once more on Wilma, that nasty saliva burning and searing once more (I believe the Sanctuary spell has ended, didn't it?) Fort. save DC18 or be blinded for 4 rounds. The creature then shambles toward Wilma, where it begins to bite and chomp, anxious to feed. Maybe it's her sparkling personality, or maybe Gargul really is watching over her, but only one mouth manages to bite Wilma (4 dam.) and it can't maintain a grip to start draining her blood.
Wilma AC16/12/14 (chain shirt); HP16/20 d20+6=15 ; d20+5=21 ; d6+5=6 ; Thursday March 15th, 2012 1:27:11 AM
Wilma was still relying on her magic to shield her, so the sudden spray of acid-based spittle in her face effectively deprives her of eyesight for a moment.
"I have had ENOUGH!!!" the redhead roars angrily, pulling back and swinging her quarterstaff in a downward arc in a series of blows sharp and speedy enough to whistle briefly until the weapon finally connects with a resounding smack right in the middle of where a humanoid's crown-of-the-head would have been.
OOC: Unfortunately, yes, Wilma's spell has run out by now. She is also the possessor of the Blindfight feat and is thus able to give rein to her anger and frustration by attempting to--as she had briefly wanted to earlier--"thwack the crap out of the amorphous, mouthy beast in front of her." She has managed to hit AC21 for 6hp blunt damage.
Grell AC 22/14/19, HP12/24 d20+9=25 ; 2d6+7=18 ; Thursday March 15th, 2012 7:43:29 AM
Wiping his eyes once more, Grell finds that his vision has finally returned to him. His face flushes as he watches Wilma smack the creature...the creature that he should have KILLED by now! The adrenaline pumps and surges through his veins. NOTHING makes a fool of Grell Ilutu!! Forgetting what he said about falling back, the warrior slams down his sword into the freak creature, slashing a huge gash in its hideous "body". Bellowing a victory scream, Grell deposits more than a little of his own spittle on the Mouther as his pent up frustration is released through his sword.
Wilma AC16/12/14 (chain shirt); HP16/20 Thursday March 15th, 2012 10:02:57 AM
("illegal" second post--OOC:) See? All Grell needed was a little motivation! ;D
Vaniime AC 18/14/14, HP:3/15 d20+8=13 ; d100=6 ; Thursday March 15th, 2012 3:36:15 PM
Still as blind and as weak as a new born kitten Vanime lays on the floor trying to figure out how and where her plan for ranged attacks fell apart.
Emrys (ac14, hp14) d8+3=11 ; Thursday March 15th, 2012 7:25:34 PM
Armed with his newly acquired wand, Emrys makes his way around to Vaniime and gives her a tap.
(Cast Cure Light Wounds on Vaniime. 11 points of healing.)
"Strike at the beast with all your might, make silent the gibbering blatherskite," says the young bard as he attempts to rally his troops. (Bard Perform [Naturalist]: free action. +1 to AC, Hit, and Saves to everyone within 30-ft)
Turning the Tables---Rd. 8 (ADM Nellie) Friday March 16th, 2012 11:41:39 PM
Having had enough, Wilma strikes out at the creature in rage. She finds that though her strike is aimed well, the blow is mostly absorbed by the creature's gelatinous body.
In turn, Wilma's action triggers a rage in Grell that is horrible to watch. He slices into the Mouther, almost severing a section of it off. The Mouther's babbling become much more rapid...and sounds almost desperate as it jiggles backward and away from the fighters that cut and maim.
Meanwhile, F'aast continues to play dead, and Vaniime awaits much needed healing, which arrives in the form of Emrys. She feels refreshed at the touch of the wand as the healing rebuilds torn tissue.
A Mysterious Voice Friday March 16th, 2012 11:50:06 PM
"Mumphumamum?"
Vaniime AC 18/14/14, HP:14/15 d20+8=9 ; Saturday March 17th, 2012 12:19:46 AM
Feeling hale and able to see again Van lunges up to strike at the beast as it leaves and forgets to pick up the sword on the ground swinging her arm at the beast and feeling foolish. Natural 1
Emrys (ac14, hp14) d8+3=8 ; Saturday March 17th, 2012 10:53:37 AM
(Map shows Emrys in his original spot, he was actually next to Vaniime to heal her.)
Emrys finally makes his way over to F'aast. To his surprise and delight, he finds the half-orc alive and awake. Then his next thought is of concern. He is injured, yes, but not to the point where he could not move or defend himself. He thinks, 'has f'aast become paralyzed by fear and completely stripped of his senses? maybe having clung to that amorphous blob of gaping maws would deprive the most stout of hearts their tenuous grasp on nerve and grit.'
The bard taps the young, tormented druidic monk with the wand and mutters a few words of power. (Cast CLWs on F'aast and healed for 8 points.)
The young bard is unable to continue his oration. The strain on maintaining the enchantment had surpassed his endurance.
Grell AC 22/14/19, HP12/24 d20+8=11 ; Saturday March 17th, 2012 11:02:29 PM
"Huhuh...noooooo...don't think so!" Grell pounces forward to confront the retreating creature, intent on ending its miserable existence. He brings his sword down, but misses the blob badly.
Wilma AC16/12/14 (chain shirt); HP18/20 d6=2 ; Sunday March 18th, 2012 9:39:31 PM
Breathing heavily, Wilma channels positive energy once more, generating another wave of healing that helps everyone injured, including Wilma herself.
OOC: I'm beginning to wonder just how helpful THIS particular ability truly is...everyone who needs it and is within 30' of Wilma's location may add a whopping 2hps of healing to their total.
Parting Shot---Rd. 9 (ADM Nellie) d20+6=9 ; Monday March 19th, 2012 12:21:16 AM
With the creature in retreat, the party tries to wrap up lose ends.
Vaniime swings at the retreating creature, but embarrassingly forgets that her sword is on the ground.
Emrys decides that F'aast needs a little extra TLC and gives him a tap with the wand. Only time will tell whether the healing will bring about a transformation in the shell shocked half-orc.
Grell gives chase after the retreating creature and finds that it's not as easy as it looked. His swing goes wide, and the Mouther looks irritated that it is pursued.
Wilma sends out some much needed healing love to all round,
The Mouther spits at Grell, missing him entirely, and suddenly it's body hunches down. Then it lurches backward once more and out of the fighter's reach. (Perception DC 15 to notice that the ground where the Mouther was has now turned to mud.
Emrys (ac14, hp14) d20+8=16 ; d20+8=27 ; Monday March 19th, 2012 10:17:19 AM
(Perception: 16)
"Eww!" is Emrys first response to the mud that suddenly appeared where the Mouther once slithered. He forces off a slight gag as he ponders what liquid produced the mud. The bard then tries to impede the Mouther's escape. Emboldened by the Mouther's fear, Emrys bellows a few words of power, "Viscositas Veisa!"
(Casting 'Grease' on the squares: A11, A12, B11, B12. Reflex Save DC 16.)
Knowing that his friends are no longer knocking on death's door, he turns in the direction of the 'Mysterious Voice'. The bard cautiously moves in that direction to investigate the source; shining his lantern in the same direction. (Moves 30' to M14. Perception check 27)
Wilma AC16/12/14 (chain shirt); HP18/20 d20+8=9 ; d8+3=5 ; Monday March 19th, 2012 1:03:24 PM
Wilma squinted after the quivering pile of gooey mouths.
"Hey...did that thing just piddle--" Her question was cut off when Emrys began to move off.
"Whoa...just give me that before you go..." the young cleric of Gargul took back her wand, then moved closer to where Fa'ast was still lying. "Okay, Fa'ast--this should help you..." So saying, Wilma murmured the magic phrase and tapped the prone monk with it. Another much-needed wave of healing washed over the half-orc.
OOC: Wilma's perception missed the mark this time with a mere 9 (a natural 1--ugh!) Then she managed to invoke 5hp of healing on Fa'ast after moving to G13. Perhaps she should just give the wand back to Emrys...his healing rolls are much better. 8P
Emrys (ac14, hp14) Monday March 19th, 2012 2:53:50 PM
(ooc: Might as well take that charge to the wand back, F'aast was more than full hit points by this point.)
Emrys (ac14, hp14) Monday March 19th, 2012 4:26:38 PM
(ooc: third illegal post ... i should have said this in character)
"Wilma, there is something else wrong with F'aast, but it's not from wounds! I think he's lost his wits!" How else can the young bard explain why a perfectly healthy, uninjured half-orc is lying on the floor in the fetal position. :)
Wilma AC16/12/14 (chain shirt); HP18/20 Monday March 19th, 2012 5:45:23 PM OOC: sigh...I wish people would update their PC combat information that's supposed to be in the title bar of the post...if Fa'ast isn't injured anymore, then Wilma would apply the CLW to whomever may need it. It's a sucky enough roll. Otherwise, Wilma won't use the wand on anyone if everyone has their HPs up.)
Abashed at her rookie mistake, Vanime steps back and picks up her sword, slamming it angrily back into her sheathe.
" Some kind of adventurers we've turned out to be. Face our first real monster and fall completely apart, drop our weapons and nearly get killed." My dad and mom would be soo disappointed in me."
It is then that she remembers the muffled voice and turns to join Emrys in finding out what it is. As she comes up to him she puts out her hand and touches Emrys' shoulder.
"Thanks for that back there I owe you a life."
Grell AC 22/14/19, HP 20/20 d20+1=19 ; d20+8=12 ; Tuesday March 20th, 2012 12:23:48 AM
Sensing that the battle is drawing to an end, Grell waits for Wilma to heal him before he gives chase to the creature once more. He watches his footing, seeing both the mud in front of him, and the tell tale signs of Emrys spell. (Percept-19) He takes another huge swing, and falls short yet again.
ADM Nellie Tuesday March 20th, 2012 12:25:55 AM
Waiting for Jerry to post.
Emrys (ac14, hp14) Tuesday March 20th, 2012 7:53:11 AM
(ooc: Nellie, you'll be waiting a very long time.)
A Mysterious Voice Tuesday March 20th, 2012 8:18:27 AM
"Mmmmmmph?"
Wrap It Up---Rd. 10 (ADM Nellie) d20+4=11 ; d20+6=25 ; d4=1 ; d20+7=25 ; d4=1 ; d20+7=12 ; d20+7=9 ; d20+7=18 ; d20+7=14 ; d20+7=17 ; d20+7=24 ; d4=3 ; d20+7=20 ; d20+7=14 ; Tuesday March 20th, 2012 9:07:22 AM
The group reassesses their situation as combat draws to a close. Wilma finds that F'aast is completely healed, and turns her attention to her brother who rushes off to try and finish off the Mouther.
Emrys casts a spell to cut off the creature's retreat. An oily sheen forms on the ground behind the Mouther. Then he heads over to check out that mysterious voice. Vaniime, feeling none too pleased with the groups performance, follows along to thank Emrys for his heroics in battle.
F'aast, though completely healed of his wounds, is still lying on the cavern floor. In her clerical studies, Wilma remembers reading about some warriors that though their bodies are whole somehow are unable to go on. It is as if the horrors of combat cut through the soul, leaving the adventurer unable to battle and in some extreme cases, rendering the individual incapable of performing even the most basic care functions, like feeding oneself.
On the other end of the field, Grell continues to pursue the wounded monster. Though the Mouther is beginning to look poor, it looks as if it intends to put up a fight to the end. It rears back and spits in Grells face (yeah...we all know the drill now...DC18, blah, blah, blah...blind for 1 round). Then it begins biting wit those nasty blobby mouthy things. It snaps at the warrior twice for 4 damage, but can't get a grip on the well armored warrior.
ADM Nellie Tuesday March 20th, 2012 9:09:29 AM
LMBO!!! Okay, so just ignore the lantern lights on the map. Yeah, I've been trying to get combat finished up and have forgotten to move them. Niiiiiiiice Nellie. ;)
Wilma AC16/12/14 (chain shirt); HP18/20 d20+8=24 ; d20+2=20 ; d8=4 ; Tuesday March 20th, 2012 3:22:04 PM
Wilma frowned as she moved to Fa'ast's side and checked him over, shaking the half-orc in an attempt to rouse him from his stupor. OOC: Heal check result 24. The monk wasn't appearing to respond to any stimuli--always a bad sign.
Seeing that the monster wasn't quite dead yet made the already-annoyed acolyte even more frustrated. She put down her staff and reached for her crossbow, mumbling a few unseemly phrases as she did so. Wilma wasn't sure if her measly little crossbow bolt was actually going to do any damage, but this particular encounter was making her feel practically useless, and she was going to get at least ONE shot in at this particularly nasty beastie if it was the last thing she did!
OOC: don't know if Wilma can swap out weapons AND fire in this round, too, but I'm rolling anyhow--if not for this round then the next. Her crossbow bolt hits AC20 for 4hp damage.
Emrys (ac14, hp14) Tuesday March 20th, 2012 6:57:17 PM
(ooc: From last round: the area of the Grease spell is a 10-ft square, occupying squares: A11, A12, B11, B12; not C11. The Mouther is in B12 and needs to make a Reflex DC 16 each round or become/stay prone. If prone, it gets a -4 to Hit and AC. However it does gets a +4 AC vs. ranged attacks.) ----------------------------------
"Thanks, Van," replies Emrys. However, he turns back around and notices that Grell is still struggling against the Mouther. Feeling like an idiot, Emrys blurts out, "Zounds! I thought that fiend was all but finished. Lets go put an end to this once and for all!"
The bard hurries back over from where he came (G14) and chants the same cantrip that worked once before. (Casting Unwitting Ally on the Mouther. Will Save DC 15 and loses actions for 1 round)
ADM Nellie Tuesday March 20th, 2012 8:42:30 PM
I was wondering about that 10 ft. thing (but in a hurry to get the post done this morning). Thanks for clearing it up. :) As for falling prone, I'm not sure if an amorphous creature is subject to that. I mean, it can just move its mouths from one side to the other. I will have to think about how much that would affect a Mouther. :/
Grell AC 22/14/19, HP16/20 d20+8=19 ; 2d8+7=21 ; d20+5=7 ; Thursday March 22nd, 2012 12:02:18 AM
Roaring in anger, Grell is blinded once more. Luckily for him, the creature just attacked him, so he knows where the Mouther is. He slams his sword down and rips into the creature in frustration. AC19 for 21.
So Long...Farewell---End of Combat (ADM Nellie) d20+5=11 ; Thursday March 22nd, 2012 12:16:56 AM
Wilma's bolt hammers into the creature, which is then overcome by Emrys song. Finally, the blinded Grell tears into it, and it's eyes grow dim and it slumps to the ground obviously dead.
Vaniime and Emrys make it to the Mysterious Figure and find a fellow classmate bound and gagged. The dim lighting makes it difficult to tell for sure, but Vaniime thinks it might be Carver... that wizarding bookworm.
Wilma AC16/12/14 (chain shirt); HP18/20 Thursday March 22nd, 2012 1:05:09 AM
"That soooo totally sucked...!" Wilma announced, breathing heavily as her adrenaline rush ebbed. She held the still-lit lantern aloft, turning in place so that its light fell upon the newest discovery in the cave--the bound bookworm.
"I thought I'd heard something from that side of the cave!" the acolyte of Gargul said. "Is he hurt or injured in any way...?"
Benedict Carver - AC 18/14/14 - HP 27/27 Thursday March 22nd, 2012 11:01:40 AM
You see a bound and gagged figure. He wears the robes of a student of arcane lore at the Academy. Pulling the rough-cloth sack from over his head, you see your classmate, Benedict Carver. Nearly everyone calls him by his last name, Carver, and you remember seeing him from time to time on campus.
ooc: Please see my character sheet for more background information.
He blinks agains the light of your torches and becomes frantic in his muffled appeals. "MMMMPH! Mm-hhmmm. Hmmm, mmmmphummmumm!" He shoves his hands forward, obviously seeking release.
Emrys (ac14, hp14) Thursday March 22nd, 2012 1:34:56 PM
Emrys is more than a little shocked to see a fellow student gagged and tied down in the Maw. He draws a dagger from his belt and proceeds to cut the ropes that bind him, not to mention removing the gag.
"Mother of all Creatures, Great and Small!! .... Carver, how and why are you here?!" asks the young bard. He pauses his rope cutting and a sly smile forms across his face, "You know, this would be an excellent time to ask for my copy of, 'Anatomy of the Humanoid for the Artist,' that you borrowed."
Benedict Carver - AC 18/14/14 - HP 27/27 Thursday March 22nd, 2012 2:13:17 PM
Carver gasps for air now that the gag has been removed. He looks in disbelief at Emrys, "You want your book back? Now!? You ching-wah TSAO duh liou mahng! I nearly suffocated in this gorram gag!"
Draconic Highlight to display spoiler: {"frog-humping son of a b***h"}
The young wizard stumbles to his feet, alternating between coughing and spitting. He looks around, not recognizing anything around him. "Where am I? Were you all taken by that man, too?"
Emrys (ac14, hp14) d20+9=26 ; Thursday March 22nd, 2012 7:29:33 PM
(2nd illegal post - role play)
Emry's expression changes sharply, and he replies to the exasperated magic user in a menacing tone he's not known to use in friendly conversation. "Carver, he-near-ahkh care-een ahn lay ... ah-ahl tole-ehd nah ... gar neen mahn loo veen ah-khehn-ee-thahm, gahr-eekh ee thole goal oh orkh, lasto lalaith NINN lah-boe vee moote ahn-oh thole!!"DraconicHighlight to display spoiler: {"Carver, I was merely jesting ... however, understand this ... I may be empathetic to your predicament, and I'm sorry to find you here, but don't EVER speak of my mother in that way again!!"} (Intimidate check: 26)
Emrys snaps his dagger back into its scabbard and walks back over to F'aast who is still motionless on the floor.
Benedict Carver - AC 18/14/14 - HP 27/27 Thursday March 22nd, 2012 7:42:53 PM
ooc: What is an 'illegal post'?
Carver sneers, "Zhe shi yi zhong weiwan de shuofa, tiancai."
Draconic Highlight to display spoiler: {"It's a euphemism, genius."}
"Emrys' pouting aside, can someone tell me why we were kidnapped and brought down here?"
"Umm Carver, we were not kidnapped. We are down here on an adventure. Why you were kidnapped and by whom I can not say, but it is good to see you well and in one piece. For a moment there it looked like we wouldn't see you at all, and what you might have seen of us might not have been very pretty.
Hey Wilma, can you wash out your brother's eyes so he can stop stumbling around?
Emrys (ac14, hp14) Thursday March 22nd, 2012 9:14:19 PM
(ooc: We jokingly refer to a 2nd or 3rd post in a day as "illegal" because we're only supposed to post once.)
Emrys stops and looks back and begins to laugh. "Ha! You call that an euphemism? Maybe the next book you read should be a dictionary." The bard chuckles a little more before making his way back to F'aast and Grell to help Wilma give them aid.
Benedict Carver - AC 18/14/14 - HP 27/27 Thursday March 22nd, 2012 10:11:13 PM
Carver shakes his head. "Bards." He turns to Vaniime, "You are down here on purpose? Earlier today I was walking outside the library. I saw a cloaked figure in the bushes and called out a greeting, thinking it was a lost villager. The person whirled around, obviously startled, and the next thing I knew, I was looking at a little dart sticking out of my arm. When you woke up, I was bound, gagged, and in total darkness."
The young wizard spits again, small pieces of cloth from the gag still stuck his his face. "I think I was lying on stone, and could hear a river close by. I'm not sure how long I was there; it seemed like an eternity. At last, I saw a light moving toward me. It was kind of odd; there was light, but I couldn't see a source for it. Then invisible hands grabbed hold of me and I was lifted into the air. The invisible person was silent as the two of us flew into the chamber where we now are. He propped me against the wall, extinguished whatever light he was using, and was gone."
Grell AC 22/14/19, HP16/20 Thursday March 22nd, 2012 10:52:18 PM
Sheathing his sword, Grell rubs at his eyes, trying to clear his vision. One things this adventure has taught him...he needs to invest in a helmet...one that offers protection to his eyes!! As his eyes begin to focus again, Grell begins to hear another voice...not one of the party, but still VERY familiar. Could it be? Naw...couldn't possibly be that Carver guy that he shoved into the latrine in 4th year. I mean seriously, what would be the odds on that happening?!
DM Kathy Friday March 23rd, 2012 1:04:52 AM
You at last find and free the source of the mysterious voice. It is Carver, whom you all know at least slightly.
He is irritable after being tied up for so long, and takes Emrys's jesting amiss. Emrys takes his taking him amiss, amiss.
Carver has a strange tale to tell, about being kidnapped and brought here. Who could have done such a thing? And why?
Meanwhile, combat is over, and there are the wounded to see to. F'aast, strangely quiet, stands to one side of the party.
For those of you counting your resources, Professor Goodnight did say you would only encounter one combat. Of course, he also said you would only fight one monster in that combat, and that was not the case. Is this a test? Should you expect more monsters? And what of the mysterious kidnapper?
Wilma AC16/12/14 (chain shirt); HP18/20 Friday March 23rd, 2012 1:51:44 PM
"Hold still, Grell," Wilma muttered to her brother as she soaked some wadding from her healer's kit in a bit of water from her waterskin and then used the cloth to help clean the stinging spittle from his eyes. "There, I think I got it all...blink for me. Vision all clear...?" After making sure that he could at least see again, the young priestess contemplated all that had happened so far.
"There's something wrong here," she said out loud, "Remember what the professor told us when we came down here? According to him, this outing of ours was pre-arranged with a specific set of events that were to happen: a combat with a monster and a puzzle for us to figure out. Yet so far we seem to have come across an invisible foe who has gone ahead and kidnapped someone who wasn't even part of this particular class exercise and even Grell here would have to agree that there was more than just that...that Mouthy Thing...that got the drop on us here." She shook her head.
"It could be that the professors are trying to see how we deal with the unexpected," Wilma reasoned, "But they already knew that thanks to the attack on the young children back at the school. I'm thinking that there's something else going on here...something that the teachers don't know about."
Benedict Carver - AC 18/14/14 - HP 27/27 Friday March 23rd, 2012 6:35:30 PM
"I say we get out of here. Obviously this is not part of whatever test they intended."
Emrys (ac14, hp14) Friday March 23rd, 2012 6:46:49 PM
Having helped the catatonic half-orc off the ground, Emrys was at least thankful that F'aast's body still responded well enough to physical manipulation and was miraculously able to stand on its own. The mind is such a fragile thing, he thought.
After leaving the his friend, propped up against the wall, Emrys strolls over to the remains of the Mouther. While continuing to listen to the conversation, he kneels down and examines the carcass. With a pair of forceps from his medicine kit, Emrys begins to extract a few teeth from the Mouther when he hears Wilma's response. "It is very probable that this situation with Carver's kidnapping is the aforementioned puzzle that we're expected to solve. We should examine him for clues, inspect his bindings. Attempt to detect any lingering auras of magik and so on."
(Using Lore Master ability to Take20 on any Knowledge check as a standard action, 1/day. Knowledge [Local]: 29 to recall anyone who is known to have the abilities and resources to perform such a feat as to kidnap a student from school grounds and transport him here without detection.)
Benedict Carver - AC 18/14/14 - HP 27/27 Friday March 23rd, 2012 11:31:06 PM
Carver furrows his eyebrows. "No one is examining me."
Grell AC 22/14/19, HP16/20 d20+1=5 ; Friday March 23rd, 2012 11:42:00 PM
Grell nods his thanks at Wilma. "Much better." Grell sighs as he sees that it is indeed Carver that has joined their ranks. What was it with him being paired up with people that he had picked on when they were younger. It's like Domi himself was sending a message or something... While he's busy thinking about what message the divine powers might be trying to communicate, Grell thinks about their current situation. Why would somebody kidnap a student, and then bring them down here? I mean, if you're going to kidnap somebody, you usually either hold them for money or you kill them. Why play around like this??
Grell shakes his snow white mane in consternation. None of this makes any sense to him. The extra monsters, the kidnapping and planting Carver in the cave. From what Carver had said, it sounded like his kidnapper had been surprised, so they hadn't even planned on nabbing him. Grell feels a dull ache beginning to form behind his left temple. No doubt one of the headaches that his father often got when he tried to reason things out. Grell sets about searching the cavern for anything useful, but finds the going a lot more tough without the aid of his lantern (which Wilma is now carrying). Percept.=5.
DM Kathy Sunday March 25th, 2012 10:54:31 PM Wilma gives a brief run-down of the situation while tending to her brother's eyes. Carver expresses a wish to leave the cave.
Grell, reflecting that karma has once again bitten him in the backside, looks around the chamber. It's difficult to be sure in the dim light, but it looks as if that lumpy thing behind that stalagmite is in the school colors....
Emrys turns his thoughts to how Carver's kidnapping could have been accomplished. The second part, being invisible and flying Carver around here in the dungeon, could be accomplished readily enough with a potion of Invisibility and another of Fly. A bit pricey, but anyone with the funds could have done it. No, the puzzling part is how he could have been nabbed on school grounds. The wards are back in place; such a thing should not have been possible. If anyone other than students or staff had come onto the grounds, an alarm would have sounded, but Carver apparently heard no alarm.
[Also, I need to be smacked with the Bad DM stick. Bad DM! Everyone (except Carver) should have gotten 100 XP for Scene 1 and 400 XP for Scene 2. Go ahead and add that now. I'll award XP for this scene once we've wrapped it up.]
Thinking for a moment, Van stops and looks carefully at Carver and then around where he was found, to see if he appears to have any / all of his equipment and gear with him.
Wilma AC16/12/14 (chain shirt); HP18/20 Monday March 26th, 2012 6:30:41 PM OOC: is the lantern back to working normally, or is everything still unnaturally dim?
"Hey...what's that...?" Wilma asked, noticing that Grell had noticed something.
Benedict Carver - AC 18/14/14 - HP 27/27 Monday March 26th, 2012 7:18:04 PM
Carver is obviously impatient to leave. "I don't believe that we need to investigate these happenings. Our mentors are more than capable. Considering we all were almost killed two minutes ago, I think we should investigate from a safer place. Say, anywhere but here?"
Emrys (ac14, hp14) Monday March 26th, 2012 8:18:50 PM
After hearing everyone's ideas, Emrys can't help but chime in.
"The more I think about it, I can logically assume that you (Carver) being brought here is either a part of our trial, or you were selected to be tested as well. Everything magical that was used to facilitate your displacement can be explained with a simple potions and scrolls. Your binds, nothing more than mundane rope and sack cloth. The one thing pokes at the extraordinary is the fact that you were abducted from the school grounds. The only ones capable of such a feat, with the school's wards in place, are members of the staff or faculty."
Emrys pauses and chuckles a little with a thought. "Blech-ugh, the lunch lady, could have pulled this off. She is certainly sturdy enough, but I digress." The bard puts his forceps away and closes up his backpack. "I say we continue ... we're being graded."
Grell AC 22/14/19, HP16/20 d20+1=18 ; Monday March 26th, 2012 10:28:16 PM
The warrior snorts loudly when Carver suggests that their mentors can handle the investigation. "Yeah right...like they handled the bandits! Hmmmph!" He frowns when Wilma shows up beside him. "Hey, you should let me check it out first...might be a trap!" Grell takes a look at the area behind the stalagmite, being careful to use his sword to gentle nudge the bundle. (Perception=18 to make sure there's no obvious danger).
DM Kathy Monday March 26th, 2012 10:56:33 PM Vaniime takes a quick mental inventory of Carver, but all of his possessions seem to be accounted for.
Working together, Wilma and Grell investigate the lump behind the stalagmite. It proves to be a leather satchel, adorned with a large patch with the school crest on it. Inside are 5 potions and a gold cup. It would seem that Professor Goodnight put a little treasure down here, along with the monster.
Emrys and Carver are all for moving on, and indeed, your exit is obvious. A tunnel branches off of the rough-hewn chamber, more or less opposite from the way you came in.
Wilma AC16/12/14 (chain shirt); HP18/20 d20+2=5 ; Tuesday March 27th, 2012 2:04:16 AM
"Oh, boy!" Wilma said excitedly. "It's potions! Completely unknown potions! Who knows what will do?" The redheaded cleric of Gargul took up the cup and a bottle, giving her brother a sly look. "I think I'll take a test sip--I'm pretty sure that I must have inherited Mother's legendary stamina for resisting such things, what with her being an accomplished warrior--and we should try to make sure what the potions can do before we move on, don't you think..?" She smiled expectantly at her brother, mentally doing a countdown to see how long it would take him to insist that it was he--as the blooded warrior of the family--who had the fortitude to withstand possible poison...
OOC: made a voluntary Charisma check to see if Grell gets "persuaded" by Wilma's blatant attempt to manipulate him (again). A 5 result--the chances are VERY good that Grell will be able to side-step this one. If he doesn't test the potions, Wilma will put her money where her mouth is and do so.
Emrys (ac14, hp14) d20+9=19 ; Tuesday March 27th, 2012 8:08:17 AM
"No, no, don't taste them! That's the last thing you should do! Do you want to end up like F'aast? Besides, you possess betters tools at your disposal." Emrys walks over to the cache of potions and the cup. "You don't even know if their magik."
Emrys begins by muttering a few words of power, and his eyes flash and sparkle. "You see, one must use a divination to confirm the presence of auras of magic." (Casting Detect Magic and concentrating for 3 rounds). "Then, once you've confirmed the presence of magik, read the auras and use what you learned in Spellcraft class."
(Spellcraft 19. The Spellcraft DC to identify the properties of a magic item with Detect Magic is DC=15+Caster Level. My roll can identify an item up to 4th caster level. Of course, if the items aren't magical, all of this is in vain.)
Carver, I think Emrys is correct. I believe you were brought here to join us by someone at school. I mean what kidnapper is going to let you keep all of your gear and possesions. I'll bet they didn't even take your money pouch did they?
Grell AC 22/14/19, HP16/20 Tuesday March 27th, 2012 10:57:08 PM
Grell frowns at Wilma's charade...his mind slowly working through the complexities of what she has said. He reaches for the potions, only to have Emrys practically take it out of his hand. He sighs and taps his foot impatiently. "Well...is it gonna kill us or not?"
DM Kathy Tuesday March 27th, 2012 10:57:23 PM Wilma is once again ready to volunteer her brother for unpleasant duty...in this case, tasting the potions.
Emrys, however, has a better way. He casts his spell and concentrates, and is soon able to discern that the potions are all Cure Light Wounds potions. Not terribly exciting or exotic, perhaps, but quite useful.
At Vaniime's prompting, Carver checks his possessions and finds that they are all there. Curiouser and curiouser.
Meanwhile, the exit passage beckons.....
Wilma AC16/12/14 (chain shirt); HP18/20 Tuesday March 27th, 2012 11:49:39 PM
"Thank you, Emrys," Wilma said out loud, sorry that her brother wasn't going to have a chance to show how brave he was. "Well...just in case we get separated, I think everyone should probably get one of the potion bottles each. I can carry the cup unless someone else really wants to..." She looked over at the exit passage.
"Are we going to try the same approach to going forward from here?" Wilma asked. "You know...Van scouting a little ahead...Grell right behind her...the rest of us behind Grell...?"
Benedict Carver - AC 18/14/14 - HP 27/27 Tuesday March 27th, 2012 11:55:30 PM
Carver starts toward the exit. "Well? What are we waiting for?"
Emrys (ac14, hp14) Wednesday March 28th, 2012 9:33:02 PM
(Was the golden cup magical?)
Emrys takes a bit of rope and fashions a primitive leash for F'aast. "This should make it easier to lead you around, my poor, poor, oblivious friend." The bard looks hard into F'aast's vacuous eyes for the slightest spark of recognition. Answered by nothing but a vacant stare and a swelling globule of drool around the corners of the half-orc's mouth, Emrys takes his handkerchief and dabs the saliva away. "Don't worry my friend, you will keep your dignity if it's the last thing I do."
The bard gives F'aast a slight tug on his leash to get him to start moving. "Well, we're ready. Let's begin our next test."
Vaniime AC 18/14/14, HP:15/15 Wednesday March 28th, 2012 9:58:21 PM
Van checks her gear, and takes point as the group gets ready to move out.
Benedict Carver - AC 18/14/14 - HP 27/27 Wednesday March 28th, 2012 10:07:26 PM
ooc: Checking in. Still plan on leaving.
Grell AC 22/14/19, HP16/20 d20+1=10 ; Wednesday March 28th, 2012 10:43:33 PM
Still feeling a little grumpy and insecure about how the last battle shook out (and his weakness at being blinded for so long), Grell snaps at Carver. "We will leave when you get at the *back* of the line." Readying his sword and stowing one of the potions in his backpack, Grell turns to his sister who is holding the lantern and grumbles "Open that thing up all the way and make sure I can see!" Taking up his position slightly behind Vaniime, Grell heads out down the tunnel behind her, trying to keep an eye out for trouble. (Percept=10).
OOC: I'll be out of town until Tuesday, but Donna has graciously agreed to *try* to keep Grell alive until then. ;)
DM Kathy Thursday March 29th, 2012 12:06:27 AM
The group gets ready to move out. Emrys notes that the cup is not magical, although it is gold, and is probably worth some coin.
You put yourselves into your regular marching order, and head down the corridor.
This ends Scene 3; everybody take 1,000 XP. Yes, even Carver.
I'm awarding one hero point to Vaniime for her leadership and quick thinking as you climbed down the cliff. Emrys gets one, too, for distracting the monster and allowing you to regroup. At our current level, each Hero Point comes with 60 bonus XP.
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