Time to go home... Monday April 8th, 2013 1:24:14 PM
Trapped chests...cliche, but effective. More charges from Wilma's wand are expended as the party recovers from this cheap shot. Thankfully, aside from some charred clothing and singed eyebrows, our heroes are still mostly ok.
...and hey, treasure! Emrys takes a gander to see what they've found. The gems aren't magical, but some of them may be worth quite a bit. The coinage is also not magical. Coins like this haven't been minted in some time, but the metal they're made from is valuable no matter what the age.
Note: Appropriate appraisal rolls will be needed unless you feel like trusting a jewelry merchant to be completely honest with you. The coinage is worth face-value as presented. These aren't rare coins.
The rest of the goodies are absolutely magical. Emrys racks his brain trying to determine what they are, but his brain isn't alone at the moment.
"So we're thieves too, are we? Well aren't we the noble bunch. No no, go ahead, really. Just tuck me here in your belt and take what was given to Shandresh before she went and got all big headed. It's not like it's going to make it out of this place anyway.
"None of you are." It takes Emrys a moment to recover as the rod makes its "voice" heard. Looking at the items before him, he's afraid he can't make heads or tails of most of them.
Wait! Those are ghost touch arrows, he's sure of it. The rest he'll have to wait until later to figure out unless someone else can have a go at it.
With that, the room is picked clean. Are heroes our burned and slimy, but they're richer for their troubles.
More importantly, they have a way out of this place in Shandresh's sceptre. Assuming, of course, our heroes can keep it under control...
***
Good to be back everyone. As a recap, the sceptre can communicate telepathically, control unintelligent oozes, turn into an ooze itself, and can be used to open the portal from this place. Whomever's got possession of it incurs a negative level. Hopefully no one's auctioned off all your stuff by now back in your own dimension.
EDIT: Almost forgot your XP. 500 XP for scene 4. Total XP given for the module thus far is 2500 in case Ezra or I missed an XP reward. Breakdown as such:
Ariach AC 26/14/19 ; HP 51/59 Monday April 8th, 2013 5:44:59 PM
Ariach looks at Emry while the bard casts his spell over the found treasure. But the warrior doesnīt trust the silence. Who knows what comes next.
Vaniime AC 18/14/14, HP:45/45 Monday April 8th, 2013 7:46:40 PM
Lighting the oil covered seeds, Van steps back a bit making sure nothing goes jumping about.
(OOC: Any result from Van's perception roll on Thessa?)
The chest Monday April 8th, 2013 8:14:24 PM
Vaniime would be able to make out that whatever moved her shirt wasn't a normal body movement, ditto with Grell.
Tuck HP 32/42 AC 18/18/14 Monday April 8th, 2013 8:41:55 PM
"Thank you, Wilma."
There are fewer burns covering Tuck, enough that he can ignore until he can receive some more healing.
"Unfortunately, Emrys, I cannot carry anything. My bag's not working properly. But if that scepter works, we should get back to the children and get everyone out of here."
Grell, AC18/13/16, HP58/68, Fatigued Monday April 8th, 2013 9:23:33 PM
Grell takes Emrys chastisement with silence. He knows it was a mistake, he knows the bard is right. He will not be a fool again. The warrior nods his agreement with Tuck. "Yeah, we need to get the others and get out of here." Grell is struck by a strange thought "Hey Emrys, that thing controls the slimes, right? Can it like get the oozes to bring the others here?"
Emrys ac10, hp20/20. -1 temp. level drain, light, prestidigitation, deathwatch, unseen servant, divine favor d20+12=24 ; Monday April 8th, 2013 11:06:23 PM
"The gems, gold and platinum are just that. The rest are magical," Emrys says with a soft tone. "I'm unable at this time to identify them ... other than the arrows. Vaniime, you may be glad to know these are ghost-slaying arrows (ghost touch). We could have used these in Lasher Castle. However, I have a feeling you'll get to use them soon enough!"
With walking stick in hand, Emrys then steps over and reclaims the dagger he had discarded earlier and restores it to its scabbard. The bard then continues, "As for the rest, I was unable to determine. The scepter taxes me, but I remain in control. I do recommend we make haste."
With the scepter's last words, Emrys takes the scepter from his belt and stares into it with a dispassionate gaze, removed from all warmth and emotion. He replies to the scepter's comments cooly and collected in his thoughts where Emrys is the master. "We don't steal, we take what's ours. Shandresh's claim of ownership was forfeit the moment Ga'al caged her like an animal so many millennia ago. You should have seen her, what she has become ... I have. In her current state, words like pathetic, pitiful and wretched would only serve to flatter her. You must be able to sense her madness. You know I'm right. Have you not any pride? Why would you wish to serve her still? Like these treasures from the chest, you no longer belong to her." (Diplomacy: 24)
Ariach AC 26/14/19 ; HP 51/59 Tuesday April 9th, 2013 2:47:39 AM
Ariach goes to Vaniim and asks her if he should carry parts of the treasure until the split it up. The boots would fit in his backpack.
"In the chest is a lot of money and also gem stones with some wealth. Their former possesor will not need them anymore. Therefore i think we take the stones and the money and use them to pay for a proper education and an accomodation for the children we have found here."
Wilma; AC17 (+1 Mithril chain shirt); HP 35/35 d20+5=10 ; Tuesday April 9th, 2013 5:31:03 AM
Wilma sighed.
"My backpack is no good for helping with the transport, either..." she said, nodding towards Tuck since her situation was the same as his. Then the rather odd behavior of Emrys caught her eye and she briefly wondered if the scepter he was holding rather tightly to was influencing him somehow...but the rod didn't seem to her to be anything besides perhaps the key out of this plane.
OOC: sigh. Voluntary Spellcraft check on the scepter comes out to only 10.
Time to go home... Tuesday April 9th, 2013 1:16:35 PM Note: your backpacks are currently normal backpacks, meaning you can put stuff in them & carry them around the demiplane. You may want to empty them before exiting, but you can still make use in the meantime.
Plans are made to transport the loot out of this place. Ariach notes it's enough money to fund reintegrating the children into modern day society. Who knows what kind of trauma they're going to have after living in these conditions for two years, not to mention coming back to a world were their loved ones are long dead.
Emrys takes a moment to put this scepter in it's place. He can feel it seethe for a moment, then reply simply, "do not assume to know who I serve."
Wilma worries about her friend's grip with that scepter, but can't be certain how he's holding up. Would she know if Emrys was being controlled?
Grell may be more brawn than brain, but he can still learn a lesson. Humbled by seeing his friends hurt, he decides to use a little more finesse next time.
Vaniime decides that absolutely no good can come from these seeds. A little oil and a little fire, and the problem is no more. The seeds quickly burst before the box itself is consumed in the blaze. The seeds won't be bothering the good people of the Wold again.
Tuck is one to travel light. As such, carrying large amounts of coinage back isn't something he's suited for.
A quiet falls over the stronghold as our heroes briefly cut their chatter and stop moving. Nothing stirs in this place. There is no breeze, no scurrying of critters behind the walls. Thanks to our heroes, nothing remains in this place.
Tuck HP 32/42 AC 18/18/14 d20+11=14 ; Tuesday April 9th, 2013 8:27:10 PM
"Let's get out of here, shall we?"
After the loot has been gathered, Tuck steps out of the room and heads back the way that they came from. He keeps an eye open for anymore surprises.
(Perception 14)
Vaniime AC 18/14/14, HP:45/45 Tuesday April 9th, 2013 9:41:04 PM
Vaniime again looks over at thessa anf quickly gooes over to her.
"Thessa there is something small moving around under your shirt. Could it be one of the oozes or the last seed thing?"
If possible Vaniime will help her get rid of whatever it is as soon as possible.
On the perifery of things she hears the other conversation about the treasure.
"Yes, everyone divvy up what we can between us all so as not to overload anyone. Good catch Emrys on those arrows yes I can certainly use them."
"Once I have this thing with Thessa taken care of We should indeed head out. though we are still looking for the way home. Emrys, does "it" have any ideas????"
Wilma; AC17 (+1 Mithril chain shirt); HP 35/35 Wednesday April 10th, 2013 12:00:04 AM
"There's WHAT????" Wilma echoed Van's announcement and then hastily aided Thessa in searching her clothing for the missing heartseed.
Emrys ac10, hp20/20. -1 temp. level drain, light, prestidigitation, deathwatch, unseen servant, divine favor d20+12=26 ; d20+14=22 ; Wednesday April 10th, 2013 12:10:29 AM
In response to the scepter's comment, Emrys smiles and mentally replies, "Excellent, that's exactly what I've been theorizing. I'm a diviner and a collector of lore, I assume nothing. It would be mutually beneficial that we cooperate with each other; instead of this adversarial word play that we do. I respect and value your power and intelligence; even though we have opposing perspectives. You are a worthy opponent and the fact that I hold you now, deep down, you too, respect my power as well."(Diplomacy: 26) Emrys hopes these tactful and careful words are enough to stroke the scepter's ego and allow him insight to the scepter's ability to conjure a portal home ... and where he needs to do it.
Now that the scepter inadvertently revealed that it serves another, other than Shandresh; the only question that remains is who. Unless there is someone else in hiding within this plane, the list of possible candidates is very short!
Emrys tucks the scepter gently within a loop on his belt. Speaking to his friends he says, "Certainly, I can carry some of the treasures. The side pouches on my haversack were already empty." Emrys takes a portion of the load he is able to carry, which isn't all that much.
In reply to Vaniime's question, Emrys says, "I'm working on that as we speak."
As everyone is going about preparing to leave, a very good question enter his mind, and he doesn't understand why it's just now coming to him. "Huh, are we going to investigate that rotting door (on the west wall) ... possibly a closet? I think we earned the right." (Perception: 22)
Ariach AC 26/14/19 ; HP 51/59 Wednesday April 10th, 2013 5:40:29 AM
Ariach escorts Emry when the bard tries to open up the closet but he also looks back to see what happens with Thessa.
Grell, AC18/13/16, HP58/68, Fatigued d20+4=21 ; Wednesday April 10th, 2013 6:10:42 AM
Shrugging as his idea is ignored, Grell figures it was probably a stupid one anyway. He takes any extra treasure that no one else wants to carry, and then quickly cleans the goop from his sword. He watches as Wilma frisks Thessa and is tempted to go an help, but decides it would be kinda awkward. Hearing about creepy crawlies gives him the heeby geebies, and he does a quick pat down of himself. (Percept=21).
Emrys ac10, hp20/20. -1 temp. level drain, light, prestidigitation, deathwatch, unseen servant, divine favor Wednesday April 10th, 2013 7:44:47 AM
(ooc: sorry, I had forgotten about Grell's question)
"Oh!," Emrys says apologetically. "Forgive me, Grell. I didn't completely hear your question with all the chatter between myself and the scepter. I don't know if such an action is possible given the range and lack of sight. I would need to consult the scepter. I'm sure being grabbed up by an ooze and carried away would come to them as a shock."
Emrys mentally asks, "By the way, do you have a name? Surely you prefer to be called something other than just scepter?"
Time to go home... Wednesday April 10th, 2013 9:24:42 AM
Grell and Thessa, aided by Wilma and Van, each find a single tiny ooze hidden beneath their clothing. They look no different than the others milling around the plane. They're each roughly the size of an apricot. If held in a hand, they flatten, almost as if they're trying to maximize the surface area in contact with you.
There's very little sensation involved. Maybe a tingle. They're probably very, VERY slightly acidic. They'd likely need to be in contact with the same patch of skin for days before it did any damage. Casual handling has no noticeable effect. In short, they appear harmless. Maybe it's kind of gross that they've been hiding out in your clothing, but that's your call to make.
Treasure is divided up. Between the lot of you, there's plenty of room to carry all of it. The arrows make a nice addition to Vaniime's arsenal.
Calls are made to get this show on the road. The saying "time is wasting" has a lot more meaning here.
Emrys continues his chat with the scepter. "Respect your power? You arrogant, self-righteous toad." The thoughts creep across Emrys' mind like a thick, oily fog. He can feel them probing, penetrating...trying to find some way in. "You and your kind are a mistake. You poison this existence with your free will and delusions of importance. Maybe in time you'll be given the gift Ga'al can bestow and see how trivial you are. Call me Focus if you wish for now, but you'll be calling me Master soon, I assure you."
(OOC: Will save please, Emrys...)
A final check of the rotting door shows it is indeed a closet. A lone ooze, trapped for goodness knows how long, quickly slimes its way across the floor to escape. Inside are the rotting remains of once luxurious vestments and little else.
Emrys ac10, hp20/20. -1 temp. level drain, light, prestidigitation, deathwatch, unseen servant, divine favor d20+9=22 ; Wednesday April 10th, 2013 1:28:15 PM
(Will save: 22. An additional +2 against enchantments.)
Emrys can feel the scepter's attack like a claw trying to grapple his mind. He gives his head a single shake to wrestle it free. Emrys then replies, "You won't win any points with me with talk like that, Focus Pocus!"
He turns to his friends and explains, "This trinket is quite feisty!"
Wilma; AC17 (+1 Mithril chain shirt); HP 35/35 Wednesday April 10th, 2013 3:53:26 PM
Wilma plucked up the ooze trying to remain with Thessa and tossed it onto the bed.
"We don't need extra 'passengers' for the trip home," she pointed out and did the same for Grell's ooze. She also offered the use of whatever room there was in her non-operational backpack to house the unidentified trinkets and gems.
"We'll need to hurry back to the others and get them so that we can get everyone out of here at the same time..." A brief vision of the unfortunate floating bubble prisoner flashed across her mind's eye.
"Well...almost everyone..." Wilma amended. "But--time is still of the essence! The longer we stay in this plane, the more speeded-up time passes in the Wold. Everyone ready to go..?"
Tuck HP 32/42 AC 18/18/14 d20+11=31 ; Wednesday April 10th, 2013 5:25:50 PM
"I'm ready," Tuck responds to Wilma. He leads the way from the room back down the stairs.
"Oh man, I can't wait to get out of here."
(Perception 31, natural 20)
Emrys ac10, hp20/20. -1 temp. level drain, light, prestidigitation, deathwatch, unseen servant, divine favor d20=12 ; d20+10=18 ; Wednesday April 10th, 2013 10:45:51 PM
Emrys carefully steps over to Wilma. While he does this, his thoughts are filled, LOUDLY, with the intricate scores from the Balad of the White Rose. One of the most difficult musical structures that transition between the root and fifth triads in the uppermost pitches that creates the most complex harmonies. While concentrating on this, he then whispers into Wilma's ear!
In the orc language, Emrys whispers, "IF the time comes, and I fall in this fight, I will need the aid of your Protection!" With that being said, Emrys' gaze purposely looks down from Wilma's eyes and to her collection of wands in her belt pouch. He then looks back to Wilma's eyes. Emrys then pauses to see if Wilma understands. (Bluff: 18, to communicate this Secret Message.)
In agreement with Tuck, the bard replies, "Yes, I am homesick and desperately need a hot bath lasting no less than three days!"
Wilma; AC17 (+1 Mithril chain shirt); HP 35/35 Thursday April 11th, 2013 1:24:37 AM
Wilma stared at the half-elf bard for a moment, her eyebrows briefly puckering. She had been trying to glean visual clues as to whether or not the scepter he held was controlling him. She hadn't seen anything untoward, and now he was speaking as though his words held double meaning.
Hmmm...if the scepter was at all sentient, then Emrys' words would seem to indicate that he was still in control of himself at the moment. She bobbed her head at him, acknowledging that she may well have to help Emrys out if the scepter got the upper hand. The priestess hoped she wouldn't have to, because she could only think of one way she might be able to wrest Emrys from the sway of an intelligent artifact, and she sure didn't want to have to do that...
Ariach AC 26/14/19 ; HP 51/59 Thursday April 11th, 2013 2:17:37 AM
"If there is a way home- letīs go! I really want to leave this place. But donīt forget the children. They have to come with us."
Time to go home... Thursday April 11th, 2013 2:29:02 PM
Emrys maintains control. How frustrating it must be to possessed by one with such a well-trained mind as his. He can't keep it up forever, though. Hopefully Wilma will know what to do should he fail.
With everyone in agreeance that it's time to move on, our heroes exit the stronghold. Unsurprisingly, nothing has changed out here.
Thessa is the last to leave. Anyone paying attention notices her gait deteriorating quickly. She's barely through the exit when she collapses to one knee. Her breathing becomes ragged as she sinks lower to the ground. It is with no small amount of shock that she realizes her sinking is quite literal. She holds a hand up to her face and watches her flesh begin to pour down her arm. A panicked look crosses her face as she locks eyes with Ariach one last time.
The transformation, once it really gets going, is shockingly fast. One second she is there, the next there are only her belongings in a pile of muck that used to be Thessa. A grapefruit sized ooze nonchalantly squeezes out of what used to be her garments.
Emrys is immediately aware of her as the transformation finishes, but it's a minor awareness compared to the lake of ooze behind him. He can feel its flows and eddies. It has a powerful undercurrent. He feels very...connected to it.
Tuck HP 32/42 AC 18/18/14 d20+9=10 ; Thursday April 11th, 2013 5:24:53 PM
"Thessa!"
Tuck tries to grab at her as she's dissolving into slime, but cannot reach her. He tries to grab "Thessa" before she can wriggle away, but his shaking hands cannot grip. (Grapple 10, natural 1)
Van aids with the oozes but is very frustrated that there still seems to be one heart seed missing, and that worries her quite a bit. More concerning right now is the battle apparently occuring between Emrys and the scepter. having felt the presence of the thing, if only for a moment and while not in contact was bad enough, knoiwing that Emrys is in contact with it so she can only assume it is that much more powerful. Realizing there is nothing she can do about either situation at the moment, she along with the others start heading out. Taking the lead as she did before.
Wilma; AC17 (+1 Mithril chain shirt); HP 35/35 Thursday April 11th, 2013 11:47:23 PM
"Thessa...?" Wilma gasped, her sapphire eyes widening in horror when the young wizard's transformation takes place. "THESSA!!!"
However, there is nothing that the priestess of Gargul can do but watch as the goo that was Thessa emerges from her clothing. For a moment all the redhead can do is stare in utter shock.
"Emrys...Emrys!!!" Wilma yelped sharply. "Do you have another jar? If you don't, then dump out the gooey you have and scoop up...Thessa. We...we can't lose her here." She swallowed hard, looking utterly miserable.
"We just can't..." whispered Wilma. After Emrys helps to contain what's left of their colleague, the cleric somberly gathers up Thessa's possessions and beckons to Grell.
"Is there room in your...your backpack..?" his older sister asked him. "I'd carry this myself...but...but...I'm not as strong as you are..." She held out Thessa's things towards the young barbarian.
Grell, AC18/13/16, HP58/68, Fatigued Thursday April 11th, 2013 11:55:37 PM
Grabbing the ooze and flinging it off his body, Grell heads out with the others.
Grell watches in horror as Thessa is transformed into an ooze. "Oh gods NO!!" The warrior stares for several more seconds, not knowing what to do. Then he is beckoned by his sister. "Yes, I will hold her things with honor. He looks over at Emrys as he collects Thessa's new form in a specimen jar. "Would you mind if I take care of her? I kinda feel like I let her down..." Plodding on with shock and disbelief, Grell vows to himself that he WILL find a cure for Thessa...no matter how long it takes!
Emrys ac10, hp20/20. -1 temp. level drain, guidance, light, prestidigitation, deathwatch, unseen servant, divine favor d20+2=14 ; d20+8=25 ; d20+14=27 ; Friday April 12th, 2013 12:46:45 AM
The sensations Emrys feels are hard to describe. As if he has become one with the ooze. His body slightly sways with the flow. The closest thing he's experienced that comes close to this feeling is his connection with the nexus and the leylines of Woldsblood. So it isn't completely foreign to him.
He senses the disturbance and turns around just in time to witness her transformation. His first reaction would be to express horror, shock and anger that this has happened, but he feels that expressing these emotions, at this tenuous moment, would only weaken his resolve and empower the Focus against him (Wisdom check: 14). Upon hearing Wilma's request, he opens his belt pouch and pulls out one of his empty specimen jars. He waits for the Thessa-oozling to be properly captured, there are more than enough hands available. "I think I might be able to do something," replies Emrys.
Emrys quickly prepares himself by uttering a few words of divination (Casting Guidance). Taking Focus Pocus from his belt, he extends his arm, with the scepter, towards Thessa's oozling. Emrys then commands Thessa to return to her natural state. Through his force of presence and influence, he brings the full strength of his will down upon the scepter. Emrys will NOT rely on the Focus' charity! (Use Magic Device(Cha): 26.Any bonuses from being attuned to the ooze? My roll should have had a +9 modifier, I mistakingly selected +8)
(Perception: 27, to discern the results and fluctuations in the ebb and flow of the ooze environment.)
Ariach AC 26/14/19 ; HP 51/59 Friday April 12th, 2013 3:50:36 AM
"What the hell is going on here?"
The young warrior watches with horror how Thessa transform into an ooze. For a short moment he thinks about destroying the ooze, hoping the action would bring Thessa back. But the risk to lose her definitely stops him from doing it.
"Emry! Do something!"
Time to go home... Friday April 12th, 2013 8:38:44 AM Emrys focuses the entirety of his formidable will on returning the ooze-that-was-Thessa to her original form. The thing quivers a bit, and actually takes the rough shape of a humanoid for a moment, but it's still ooze. He is able to control it, however. Getting it into a jar or other container is a snap.
The loss of a friend is never easy, but at least Thessa's technically still with you. Perhaps in time a way to bring her back will be found.
For now, there are a group of hungry, desperate children and one very out of place baker counting on our heroes.
Wilma; AC17 (+1 Mithril chain shirt); HP 35/35 Friday April 12th, 2013 11:26:35 AM
Wilma's heart soared for a moment when it appeared that Emrys might be able to reverse the curse that had transformed their friend--but the redhead was utterly deflated when it became clear that Thessa could not be restored.
"Thanks for trying, Emrys," Wilma said, taking up the jar with the goo-ball that had been the wizard now inside it. "I get the feeling that it's going to take a much more experienced cleric or spellcaster to cancel out this particular effect..." She put the cover back on the jar.
"So...I guess we'll be getting back to the others now, right..?" the cleric asked a bit wistfully.
Tuck HP 32/42 AC 18/18/14 d20+11=14 ; Friday April 12th, 2013 5:34:00 PM
Tuck watches in disbelief as Wilma closes the lid on Thessa's new home. "How did this even happen? Why would she turn into an ooze?"
It doesn't make any sense, but perhaps Wilma was right. If they got back home, they could have someone more powerful look into the matter. He takes a deep breath and straightens.
"Let's go get those kids."
Shandresh's Focus Friday April 12th, 2013 5:51:55 PM
Emrys hears the scepter in his head I'm impressed, your friend must have had an affinity for Ga'al. That process normally takes half a day, to see such a glorious transformation in only minutes... A tribute to Shandresh! You should be honored, too bad that box of seeds was destroyed by the elf.
Vaniime AC 18/14/14, HP:45/45 Saturday April 13th, 2013 5:27:31 PM
Shaken by what just occured with her friend, but trying not to show it, Vaniime steps to the door and looks around trying to decide which way to go if there is a choice.
Emrys ac10, hp20/20. -1 temp. level drain, guidance, light, prestidigitation, deathwatch, unseen servant, divine favor d20+10=23 ; d20+14=33 ; Sunday April 14th, 2013 4:16:52 PM
Emrys is about to apologize to everyone for his failure to change poor Thessa back to her natural form until Focus Pocus utters his statement. "What?!," he mentally queries, "How does THIS glorify Ga'al?" Emrys takes a short moment to ponder what the scepter said ... about this being a tribute to Shandresh. As his mind delves deeper into Focus' psyche; a sudden spark of awareness brings to light a possible reason to all this.
"Focus, you're continuing Shandresh's work, aren't you? Not only do you want to control their hearts and minds, you want dominance over their shape and form! As you know, I am not a practitioner of Ga'al's philosophy, but I do comprehend it. I now understand why Ga'al imprisoned Shandresh here and why Ga'al has never allowed another woman in the priesthood. Yes, Ga'al wants to dominate the noble races because he see's them as defective and imperfect beings needing constant guidance ... and, and they NEED guidance. If I were Ga'al, I would be furious by this display ... I, I can feel his anger; it continues to resonate within these borders. How can these pathetic races LEARN of their imperfection if they're mindless? How can these puddles of ooze worship Ga'al? They are his dominion, to be dealt with the way HE sees fit! How DARE you deprive Ga'al of his followers and his most deserving worship!! Shandresh was too ambitious. She did not bend to Ga'al's PERFECT will ... she wanted to be his equal! Ga'al DOES NOT lay down with the filth of the Wold! Such blasphemy must be punished. Don't you understand your scheme is doomed to fail ... Ga'al will not allow it. Don't you understand it's your faith in him that is being tested. You were left behind to be Shandresh's jailor, not her acolyte! You are being tested! I've sensed that from the moment I first held you." Emrys pauses and then concludes, "My friends and I are leaving this prison. When we do, lock the door behind us as Ga'al wills it. This place is meant for Shandresh. She too must learn; don't deprive her of Ga'al's mercy."
Emrys lifts his head up and addresses his friends, "I'm sorry I couldn't restore Thessa to her proper form. To do so is beyond this scepter's abilities. Lets make haste to the raft. I grow so very weary of this place." The bard seems mentally fatigued. "This Focus is very sentient and devoted to Ga'al. We've been having some rather passionate and philosophical discussions. Once we leave this place, we can tell stories and sing songs about his devotion and inspire others to rise up and do the same!"
Upon finishing his statement, his facial expression relaxes for just a bit and he then purposely "WINKS" at his friends. As to say, 'just go with it.' (BLUFF: 23, to pass the secret message to his friends.)
"Lets get to the raft. I can cause a current of ooze to carry us swiftly to the other shore."
(Perception: 33, for dangers and other unforeseen things that should be noticed)
Grell, AC18/13/16, HP58/68, Fatigued Sunday April 14th, 2013 11:07:45 PM
The warrior takes up a position by Vaniime and lays a hand on her shoulder. He knows that Vaniime shoulders responsibility for the group and that leadership can be a heavy cloak. He keeps his words short and to the point "We'll bring her back.". Then he heads back to his spot in the rear, not wanting to cause a scene.
Grell watches Emrys with interest. "Uhhhh...ummmm...okay." Spotting the wink, Grell's not really sure what game Emrys is playing (since he hasn't been privy to the fey kin's thoughts recently), and he's not really sure how to play along, so he decides to just slog along quietly behind the others and keep his thoughts to himself for now.
Ariach AC 26/14/19 ; HP 51/59 Monday April 15th, 2013 6:52:14 AM
Ariach starts to go back to the entry.
"Letīs go for the children and get home. In Plateau City we will find help for Thessa."
Time to go home... Monday April 15th, 2013 4:45:10 PM
Focus is still for a moment, as if pondering something.
Emrys, roll a bluff for the scepter separately, please.
The companions hope Emrys knows what he's doing. It's a darn shame he couldn't bring Thessa back. Even Grell has a moment of tenderness. Still, she's safe in a jar at the moment. Plateau City is a big place. Hopefully they'll find someone there to help.
Making their way back to the lake. It appears as if those currents took hold of the raft. It's currently about 20' from the shoreline. It's odd to see a floating raft be so motionless. Even on a calm lake rafts bob up and down a bit. This one just sits completely still.
Tuck HP 32/42 AC 18/18/14 d20+11=26 ; Monday April 15th, 2013 5:43:12 PM
Tuck looks at the drifting raft with an obvious look of unpleasantness upon his face. "If I could get into my satchel, I could get my grappling hook." He turns to Grell. "But I can't get into my satchel."
"Does anyone else have a grappling hook? I would prefer not to swim through that stuff."
Tuck scans the skies for a floating bubble with a crazy woman stuck inside.
(Perception 26)
Emrys ac10, hp20/20. -1 temp. level drain, guidance, light, prestidigitation, deathwatch, unseen servant, divine favor d20+11=16 ; d20+11=24 ; Monday April 15th, 2013 6:59:15 PM
(Bluff check (using +1 from Guidance on this roll): 16. Hero point reroll: 24, that was my last one) :(
Emrys says, "I can move the raft back to shore with the Focus, if it remains cooperative. Otherwise, keep that thought, it was a good one."
Wilma; AC17 (+1 Mithril chain shirt); HP 35/35 Monday April 15th, 2013 7:20:00 PM
"That's strange..." Wilma mused, squinting out at the raft from her position on the shore, "...I was pretty sure that we'd dragged the raft up onto the beach so that we didn't have to worry about this happening." Her sapphire eyes narrowed.
"It's also just sitting there in the...uh...lake. It's not bobbing with what little current there is..." She tilted her head to one side. "I've got a bad feeling about this..."
Grell, AC18/13/16, HP68/68 d20+5=19 ; Monday April 15th, 2013 11:12:36 PM
After rooting around in his backpack for a couple of seconds, Grell produces his rope (50 foot) and grappling hook with a grin. "What would you guys do without me?!"
He looks over at Emrys and waits to see if he is able to use the scepter to control the lake. If not, her readies his grappling hook and rope and chucks it out toward the lake. (Throw=19)
Vaniime AC 18/14/14, HP:45/45 Monday April 15th, 2013 11:17:08 PM
"Grell go for it." Nocking an arrow to her bow, she continues. "Those of you with distance weapons have them ready the rest just have you weapons at the ready. Wilma's right there is something a bit odd going on here."
Ariach AC 26/14/19 ; HP 51/59 Tuesday April 16th, 2013 2:42:17 AM
Ariach goes in front to give the shooters cover with his body shield in case an unexpected threat appears.
Emrys ac10, hp20/20. -1 temp. level drain, guidance, light, prestidigitation, deathwatch, unseen servant, divine favor d20+14=15 ; Tuesday April 16th, 2013 10:49:09 AM
While the Focus ponders what its been told, Emrys holds out the scepter toward the raft and attempts to command the ooze of the lake to gently push the raft back to shore.
With his momentary attunement with the ooze, he tries to determine the presence of hostile oozes. (Perception: 15, natural 1, ha!)
Time to go home... d20+3=20 ; Tuesday April 16th, 2013 12:30:19 PM
Focus actually seems a bit placated. Emrys can still feel its displeasure, but at least it's shut up for a minute.
Tuck scans the "skies" for any hostiles, but sees nothing. Visibility in the ooze is very low; it's a foot at most. If anything was bumping up against the dome, he would have seen it.
Wilma wonders how the raft they beached ended up in the lake. She wonders about the stillness, but looking at the ooze it's easy to figure that an unladen raft in such a viscous material isn't going to bob around as if it were in water. Still, she hopes nothing's holding on to it.
Ariach stands ready to protect his friends, as always. It won't do to lose two of them during this miserable adventure...
Grell wonders how these folks manage to get along without him there. He produces a grappling hook to retrieve their raft & is advised by Vaniime to use it. The warrior grips the rope & spins it overhead to get some momentum going. It's not far off shore, and its slightly decayed condition makes the raft an easy target for the sturdy hook. It's no picnic pulling the thing in, though. This sludge is thick, and keeping it from tipping under requires some finesse.
Luckily, Emrys steps forth and uses Focus' power for his own. A gentle wave rises behind the raft, ensuring that between it and Grell's pulling, the thing is back on shore and no worse for wear. In the meantime, Emrys tries to pin point any hostile oozes, only to find he can't sense whether an ooze is hostile or not. He experiments and finds he can only determine where an ooze is, and where an ooze isn't. As the entire lake registers as ooze to him, there's no telling what's in it.
Tuck HP 32/42 AC 18/18/14 d20+11=24 ; Tuesday April 16th, 2013 5:20:27 PM
"Well done, Grell," Tuck claps his friend on the shoulder. "Maybe a little quicker, next time. You sure took your sweet time hauling that boat in. Geez."
Tuck looks the boat over for anything out of the ordinary before stepping in. (Perception 24)
"Shall we?"
Wilma; AC17 (+1 Mithril chain shirt); HP 35/35 Tuesday April 16th, 2013 10:42:04 PM
"Is there any way to tell if the added weight of those coins is going to sink the raft..?" Wilma asked. "If..the weight becomes an issue, I think I can lighten the load of the raft by using one of my spells..."
Ariach AC 26/14/19 ; HP 51/59 Wednesday April 17th, 2013 2:23:38 AM
Impatiently Ariach waits until the raft is back on shore. He jumps on the raft and reaches a hand out to his friends.
Emrys ac10, hp20/20. -1 temp. level drain, guidance, light, prestidigitation, deathwatch, unseen servant, divine favor Wednesday April 17th, 2013 7:38:01 AM
Emrys steps onto the raft and awaits everyone else to find a spot. "I don't believe weight will be an issue. We traveled easily enough before and poor Thessa, in her current state, is barely contributing any weight to the load."
Grell, AC18/13/16, HP68/68 Wednesday April 17th, 2013 7:57:09 AM
As beads of sweat trickle down Grell's forehead from the exertion of pulling the raft, a very strange thought works it's way to the forefront of the orc spawn's brain. If this weren't such a gods forsaken chamber pot of a realm, it would be the *perfect* place to get in some extra cardio! I wonder if it's possible for somebody to set up a portal to this place so he could pop in from time to time and do a quick row across the lake and then pop back home... Then Grell remembers the whole "time dimension shift" whatserjigger, and the idea starts feeling a whole lot less desirable. He gets the feeling that popping in for a quick workout and then getting stuck and coming back when he's 30 and OLD would really ruin his day!
When Tuck suggests that next time he go a little faster, Grell snorts. Really, it's his fault for making it look easy, but sometimes he really does wonder what the group would do without him. I mean, it's not like *Wilma* would be able to pull this sucker in. Matter of fact, sometimes he wonders what would happen to his sister if he wasn't around. She is so woefully out of shape that she isn't even able to haul half of her gear! A quick glance over at Ariach quickly reassures him. Naw...she'll be just fine. Ariach will take care of her if something happens to me. Still...I should probably see about getting her set up on a cardio schedule...just to be on the safe side...
Grell waits on the shore line, holding the raft steady so the group can board safely, then, presuming everyone (and the loot) is able to safely board, Grell boards the craft last and readies himself to help row the raft ashore.
Time to go home... Wednesday April 17th, 2013 3:35:45 PM
Well, let's see here. Our heroes have a lot more loot than they did when they rode this raft over, but Thessa was a lot more solid then, too.
A few tentative steps is all that's required to see the raft will indeed hold everyone. Thick as this ooze is, it could probably hold a lot more.
One by one everyone gets aboard before Grell gets the thing moving. Once again, it's a slow, steady process. Not a problem for Grell, obviously. This is a world-class workout. He's going to be very sore in the morning, a thought that no doubt gives him all kinds of warm fuzzies.
Of course, that's assuming he lives through this...
Tuck HP 32/42 AC 18/18/14 d20+11=13 ; Wednesday April 17th, 2013 7:32:47 PM
Tuck produces his bow and nocks an arrow as the boat pushes out into the sludge. He scans the area, looking for trouble.
Van looks over at Grell as is pulling in the raft, admiring the way his muscles ripple as he pulls the rope in hand over hand, when did he get all those extra muscles, he really must be working out more, hmmm. Averting her eyes before he notices her watching him, Van steps aboard the raft and moves to the front, bow at the ready, where she once again realizes she has a perfect view of Grell's back as his muscles bunch and release as he pulls the oars through the ooze.
Emrys ac10, hp20/20. -1 temp. level drain, guidance, light, prestidigitation, deathwatch, unseen servant, divine favor d20+14=33 ; Thursday April 18th, 2013 12:10:27 AM
Using the scepter, Emrys wishes to control the ooze surrounding the raft; creating a moving current to carry the raft more swiftly across the lake. He starts slowly at first and then progressively increases the flow to a comfortable speed.
He keeps a watchful eye and pointed ear to any dangers, or points of interest, that might be lurking about. (Perception: 33.)
Ariach AC 26/14/19 ; HP 51/59 Thursday April 18th, 2013 3:16:12 PM
Ariach doesnīt enjoy the raft trip. He looks to the other shore hoping they will reach it soon.
Time to go home... Thursday April 18th, 2013 9:57:02 PM Let's get this party started...
Emrys is able to move the raft along at a very steady clip with a little concentration. Between him manipulating the ooze & Grell paddling, it's starting to look like our heroes will reach the opposite shore in half the hour it took to make the original trip.
Unfortunately, Focus speaks up. "No. No, I don't think you'll be leaving in one piece." Emrys feels a surge from the scepter, but it's not aimed at him. One of the waves Emrys created suddenly swells higher and faster than expects, pitching the raft up very suddenly at a precarious angle.
Everyone needs to make a DC10 acrobatics check (or DEX if acrobatics is untrained). Failure indicates you are prone on the raft. Failure by 5 or more indicates you've fallen overboard.
"You have a way with words, Elf. I almost forgot myself there for a moment. Unfortunately for you, you're on my turf now. Let's see how well your diplomacy is with two lungs full of ooze..."
Wilma; AC17 (+1 Mithril chain shirt); HP 35/35 d20+2=18 ; Thursday April 18th, 2013 11:46:41 PM
Wilma sighed in relief--her initial forebodings had not come to pass, and the raft was going at a very good clip. She allowed herself a slight smile in anticipation--if they got back quickly enough, she was sure that someone at the Black Cathedral would be able to reverse the horrible curse laid upon Thessa.
Then she heard the scepter/rod speak...out loud.
"What? Emrys, what di--" Even as the redheaded cleric began to ask about the obviously-intelligent scepter's meaning, the raft's abrupt angle change cut her off, forcing Wilma to practically dance in place in order to keep her footing.
OOC: Wilma's Dexterity check versus the sudden Tilt-A-Raft ride is 18.
"Get that thing under control!" Wilma barked at the bard. "If you don't think you can do it--then I'll give it a shot..." She reached out her hand towards Emrys, but waited to see if he needed to give her the rod first.
OOC: just to be clear--Wilma isn't going to snatch the scepter out of Emrys' hand (yet). First we'll have to see if he falls down...then we have to see if Emrys chooses to continue to hold on to the scepter. Oh, and we also have to see if any of us get killed, too...
"Friends, I'd advise you to steady your...!" Emrys begins to say, but he isn't quick enough to react to the Focus' actions. With his 'better-late-than-never' foresight, the young bard is able to fortify his balance with the help of his darkwood walking stick. Three legs are better than two.
However his success at maintaining his footing does nothing from keeping him from losing his temper (Wisdom check: 10). Visibly angry, and in a tone that's remarkably menacing, Emrys roars, "ENOUGH!! My patience with you is spent! This IS your turf, but you're in MY hand! You will BEND to my WILL or be BROKEN!!" Emrys focuses all the force of his personality and influence into controlling the scepter. (Use Magic Device: 25. In an attempt to suppress and control the scepter.)
Emrys will then attempt to take control of the surrounding ooze and calm the waves to safely maneuver the raft. If anyone was to fall, he will attempt to create a tentacle of ooze to lift and place the fallen back onto the raft.
Ariach AC 26/14/19 ; HP 51/59 d20+2=22 ; Friday April 19th, 2013 3:13:13 PM
Ariach looks straight at the shore in front of him as the raft suddendly pitches up. Fortunately he has a solid stand and doesnīt fall off the raft. In anticipation of his friends fall off the raft he looks around and reach out his hand if help is needed.
After hearing Emry talking again with the scepter Ariach is worried. The warrior really hopes he will not come in the situation where he has to attack Emry to get rid of the scepter.
(Dex check= 22 , natural 20)
Tuck HP 32/42 AC 18/18/14 d20+11=29 ; d20+11=26 ; Friday April 19th, 2013 8:13:32 PM
Tuck is surprised by the sudden lurch from the tiny boat, but his instincts kick in and he easily shifts his balance with the boat.
"Oh man! And here I was thinking we were home free. What's going on?"
Focussed on Grell's back The upward surge catches the normally agile elf quite off gaurd and sends her plummeting into the bottom of the boat acrobatics DC 6. Somehow just barely Vaniime amnages to not fall overboard.
Grell, AC18/13/16, HP68/68 d20+2=20 ; Sunday April 21st, 2013 8:47:57 PM What in the nine levels of.... the sudden pitch of the craft cuts off the orcish profanity that is about to follow. Wedging the oar sideways into the craft, Grell manages to keep himself in the boat (Ref=20). He reaches over frantically to try and help Vaniime get back to a position of safety.
Time to go home... Monday April 22nd, 2013 7:46:32 AM
Despite Focus' efforts, everyone manages to remain on board, though Vaniime hits the deck in an effort to avoid falling over.
All around, the lake begins to ripple. Though Emrys' wave continues pushing the raft, it's no longer as steady as it once was.
Acrobatics DC10 checks will be needed each post while you're on the raft. Same rules as above: failure by 5 or more indicates you're taking a swim, otherwise you're prone on the raft. Failing while you're already prone sends you overboard.
Grell manages to keep upright using the oar to steady himself. An effective strategy for staying upright, though it does mean they've slowed down some. On the plus side, this rough water will give him one heck of a workout.
Ariach plants himself firmly. His success in staying upright impresses even himself, though deep down he knows that he's not as graceful as he appears. Hopefully his luck will hold!
Tuck lambasts the fact that they're still in danger. They just have to get back to the kids now & they can leave. The nimble monk is able to stay upright fairly easily & uses the moment to scan for danger. Nothing is immediately apparent, but his keen eyes detect movement along the top of the ooze from a nearby island. Multiple orbs, similar to those fought back in the stronghold, are racing over the surface of the lake towards them.
They'll be on you next turn.
Steadying himself with his precious staff, Emrys manages to stay upright. Anger flashing, he admonishes the scepter to behave. He fights to control the ooze, his force of will clashing with that of Focus. The once smooth surface of the lake echos the battle, but for the meantime no more waves come crashing into the raft.
Wilma worries about how long Emrys can hold out against this scepter and is poised to take over should the need arise. She is no doubt grateful to see the half-elf bring things more under control, but one look around her shows it's a continuing struggle.
As for Focus, it doesn't seem to have anything to say. Its attention is on the lake, and Emrys, and trying to stop these fool heroes from leaving. The anger and frustration are palpable to Emrys as he continues his struggle against it.
Ariach AC 26/14/19 ; HP 51/59 d20+2=6 ; Monday April 22nd, 2013 8:39:26 AM
Ariach looks over to Emry. Hopefully the bard can control the scepter. Deep in thoughts Ariach loses concentration and the next movement of the raft pulls the rug out from under his feet. He falls to the ground but can avoid to go over board luckily.
Wilma; AC17 (+1 Mithril chain shirt); HP 35/35; Fly d20+2=6 ; d20+4=24 ; Monday April 22nd, 2013 1:38:07 PM
Wilma involuntarily shrieked as the raft tilted sharply in the opposite direction as it had before and she found herself face-to-face with one of the improvised bindings that had been used to strengthen the raft. It was holding, but it was creaking a protest at the way the ooze lake was pitching it to and fro.
OOC: Wilma's Dexterity check is 6; she fell down but she's still on the raft.
"That's it!!!" the redheaded cleric snarled, rolling onto her back. "I have had enough of this!" She then began to cast a spell...
OOC: According to the Pathfinder rules, Wilma can cast a spell while prone, but she needs to make a Concentration check versus the Vigorous motion of the raft. Wilma's Concentration check is 24.
The priestess of Gargul grit her teeth, concentrating on casting the extra spell that her god had granted her recently...and rose twenty feet into the air, where she no longer had to keep her balance against the sea of ooze that wanted to pitch everyone off the raft.
"Emrys, do you want me to--" Wilma yelled down to her friend, but the odd shapes effortlessly sliding across the surface of the lake caught her eye. She drew in her breath sharply.
"INCOMING BLOBBIES!!!" she shouted to the people on the raft, using her staff point in the direction the creatures were coming from.
OOC: Wilma has just cast her Fly spell. She has five minutes of flight time...assuming nothing kills her while she's aloft...
Tuck HP 32/42 AC 18/18/14 d20+11=25 ; d20+7=19 ; d8=3 ; d20+11=18 ; Monday April 22nd, 2013 8:13:54 PM
Tuck shifts with the rocking boat, nimbly pulling back on an arrow and loosing at the lead blob. (Acrobatics 25)
"Can you guys get us off of this ooze quick? We don't want to be fighting these things out here."
He glances quickly to the shore to see how far out they are. (Perception 18)
Easily managing to keep her balance no, Vaniime makes her way to a more secure kneeling position and rereadies her bow. Hearing Wilma's call she tries to see the incoming cubes and sends an arrow streaking out towards one (if they will be there in next round they should be within missile range.) [ac15 for 10 points[/b]
On either the trip over or back has there been any sign of plant in the "water"?
Able to keep command of his feet, Emrys is able to look out and see the oozlings heading their way. He gives the scepter a vigorous shake, hoping to disrupt the Focus' concentration with their oncoming attackers. Knowing who the antithesis to Ga'al is, Emrys looks to further disrupt Focus by invoking the name of Domi!
"Alright you glorified shoehorn, it's time you get to know a superior god! GET TO KNOW ME DOMI!," shouts Emrys, invoking the well-known battle cry! Inspired by the words, he again forces his will upon the scepter in an attempt to hedge out the Focus and take control of its power.
(Use Magical Device: 26, to gain further control of the scepter and use its power.)
(You didn't give us a direction from where the oozes are coming from. Dont know if they coming from our front, back, left or right.)
(IF they are coming from a mostly rear direction) Emrys attempts to create a rippling and churning whirlpool of ooze directly in the path of the oozlings. He also rotates the whirlpool in an appropriate direction that would cause rippling waves, that expand outward from the center, to continue and push their raft in the correct direction.
(IF they are coming from a mostly frontal direction) Emrys raises a tall wall of ooze that then arches and rolls towards the oozlings in the form of a crashing tidal wave of ooze.
Grell, AC18/13/16, HP68/68 d20+2=13 ; d20+8=22 ; d8+6=10 ; Tuesday April 23rd, 2013 7:06:32 AM
Once more using the ore for support, Grell has no problems maintaining his balance (Ref.=13). Following Van's lead, the warrior pulls out his bow. He grins is satisfaction at the tension on the string as he notches and draws his arrow. Yes, this compound bow is going to serve him well. Sighting in on one of the blobbies not hit by Van, Grell lets his arrow loose and smirks as he hears the overtaut TWANG of his bowstring. Yeah...let's see how those flying snot balls like *them* apples! (AC22 for 10)
Grell, AC20/13/18, HP68/68 Tuesday April 23rd, 2013 7:08:42 AM
OOC: Just putting in an AC correction...should be 20/13/18 since he's not raging anymore.
Ariach AC 26/14/19 ; HP 51/59 Tuesday April 23rd, 2013 8:17:46 AM
Ariach looks at the approaching oozes in horror. Fighting while standing on a raft isnīt something he would like to do. Hopefully they will reach the shore before the oozes arrive.
Time to go home... Tuesday April 23rd, 2013 10:40:19 AM Ariach's cache of grace spent, he hits the deck, He fiercely grips the side of the raft & is able to save himself from falling overboard. From this vantage point he sees the orbs gliding along the surface of the lake at eye level. The dim light of this plane prismatically breaks apart inside them. It would be beautiful if they weren't in danger & in no place to have a melee.
Wilma has had enough. She casts her prepared fly spell and lifts off the raft. Her worry about Emrys takes a back seat for a moment when she sees the oncoming "blobbies."
Tuck stands with his feet firmly planted; his well-trained body able to shift and adjust to the choppy waves with ease. Taking careful aim, he lets fly at the incoming orbs. The shifting boat hinders his aim somewhat, but he still connects.
Vaniime pulls herself up to one knee & follows suit, though her arrow veers a bit off course. Looking around for plant matter, there are occasional outcroppings of rock with fungus growing on them. There's not enough visibility into the ooze to see if any type seaweed (oozeweed?) exists.
Grell's muscles swell as he pulls back on the stiff drawstring of his compound bow. The missile shoots clean through one of the oozes, severely disrupting it. After a minute, it forms back into an orb once more, but it's noticeably smaller.
Of course, while he's shooting, no one's paddling the raft. Some motion is provided by Emrys, but they've slowed down from their original speed.
Still locked in a battle of wills, Emrys tries to throw off Focus' game a bit by calling on Ga'al's nemesis. You and your twice-dead god have NO PLACE IN THIS REALM.. The scepter seems to warm a bit in response as well. The half-elf is unable to quiet the lake completely, but is able to stymie any efforts to capsize their vessel.
Spying the incoming orbs, Emrys stirs the lake. It's not a whirlpool, per say, but he is able to put enough rotation on the lake that the orbs are slowed down considerably. He can feel Focus try and guide them through, but the movement is too complex with Emrys forcing his will upon it.
OOC: Regarding your Use Magic Device skill, I see what you're trying to do, but it's not an appropriate use of the skill in this situation. You already have control of the scepter. You know enough about magic items to know something's not right about the situation. Give me a knowledge, arcana and a sense motive check to figure out what. From now on, use Will saves to overcome Focus.
***
Due to the unstable terrain, ranged attacks come with a -2 penalty so long as Focus is making his presence felt. I based this off the DC modifier from the acrobatics skill.
Wilma; AC17 (+1 Mithril chain shirt); HP 35/35; Fly Tuesday April 23rd, 2013 12:23:16 PM OOC: no map...? And Tuck's question about how far from shore the raft happens to be was never answered.
No, no map. You're all on a smallish raft and there's a cluster of gelatinous orbs coming at you. Distance is hard to gauge, but it took you folks an hour to row over the first time, and you were about 15 minutes out when Focus started his tantrum. You were moving considerably faster w/ Emrys' help, so maybe you're 2/3 of the way across? Remember, light is dim here. Even low light vision has it's limits where distance is concerned.
tl;dr: What shore?
Tuck HP 32/42 AC 18/18/14 d20+11=21 ; d20+5=16 ; d8=5 ; Tuesday April 23rd, 2013 5:51:16 PM
"Grell and Ariach! We need you two pulling at the oars. Get us to shore! Someone toss Wilma the rope and maybe she can help tug the boat along."
All this is said as he fits another arrow to his bow, his stance adjusting involuntarily with the rocking of the boat. He sights and fires at the nearest oncoming ooze.
(Acrobatics 21. Hits AC 16 for 5 damage)
Wilma; AC17 (+1 Mithril chain shirt); HP 35/35; Fly Tuesday April 23rd, 2013 11:28:19 PM
Wilma took the time to put her quarterstaff into its transport loop and ready her crossbow.
"I don't know how helpful I can be with the raft..." she shouted down to the others in her party, "...towing or even carrying anything while flying still requires muscle...and I don't have a lot of that. Still, if anyone DOES throw me a line, I'll see what I can do..."
Wilma waited to see what would happen first--someone tossing her a rope or the blobbies on the horizon getting to the raft.
Emrys has never been so surefooted in his life! However, he is becoming very weary of the scepter. The struggle is taking its toll on his mental faculties. One thing is becoming abundantly clear, something isn't right about this magical trinket. If he falls, everyone else will need to know. (Knowledge [arcana]: 22. Sense Motive: 28, to figure this out.)
"Servant," commands Emrys, "Make yourself useful. Get behind the raft and push! And don't stop until I tell you differently!" He takes his walking stick and taps the spot from which it's supposed to push. (Unseen Servants can walk on water and push/drag a 100 pounds.) Emrys isn't expecting much from the servant to contribute to the raft's propulsion at all, but every little bit helps.
Emrys notices the currents are quite successful at holding back the oozlings. He decides to continue this tactic but increase the chaotic quality and strength of the frothy, semi-gelatinous flow. (Will: 12)
Ariach AC 26/14/19 ; HP 51/59 d20+2=3 ; Wednesday April 24th, 2013 2:32:56 AM
Ariach listens to Tuck. Whereas Grell is fighting the oozes Ariach immediately goes for the tentativ paddle to bring his friends to safety. But the young warrior is luckless. Still holding his body shield in one hand grabbing the paddle with the other hand, he loses completely balance and falls of the raft. (Dex check = 3 natural 1)
"Help, help!" Ariach screams in panic.
Wilma; AC17 (+1 Mithril chain shirt); HP 35/35; Fly Wednesday April 24th, 2013 3:28:52 AM
OOC to Ariach: I know what Wilma's going to do in the upcoming round...but doesn't Ariach have any Hero Points left for a reroll...?
Grell, AC20/13/18, HP68/68 d20+2=11 ; d20+5=13 ; Wednesday April 24th, 2013 6:54:05 AM
Barely managing to keep his balance (Ref.=11), Grell spots Ariach go overboard. Dropping his bow in the raft, Grell rushes over to help his friend back in the raft (Str.=13). "C'mon Ariach...kick with your legs and get back in here! We need to get out of here!"
Time to go home... Wednesday April 24th, 2013 3:30:28 PM Tuck announces that Grell and Ariach should be manning the oars. Hopefully he has a plan for dealing with the blobbies bearing down on them.
Wilma doesn't think she'll be much use in tugging a raft. She puts away her staff & prepares for a ranged attack.
Vaniime ponders how she can use that fungus to her advantage.
Ariach tumbles into the drink. Grell drops his bow and rushes to aid him.
Ariach, make a DC13 swim check. Grell, if you're actively reaching for him, make me a touch attack vs. AC10. Success indicates you have a hold of him & can add your STR bonus to his swim check.
The events are lost on Emrys as a tiny seed of insight takes root in his mind. Intelligent items are righteous, egotistical bullies on the best of days, but they don't typically put up a constant fight like this unless something big's going down.
Emrys knows how to read people, but this is a hunk of magical jewelry and somewhat alien. He considers what he knows about bullies, then it hits him: they yell the loudest when they're scared.
The orbs are making slow progress. Emrys tries to increase the turbulence under them, but mental fatigue may be setting in. He can feel Focus successfully calm the area somewhat. Unless something is done to slow them, they should be here next round.
Unseen servants are mindless constructs, but Emrys swears he can feel his shrug and get to work on the somewhat futile task of moving the raft. Maybe the raft is moving a little faster, or perhaps it's in his head. Hard to say, but the difference is minor if there is any.
mental images Wednesday April 24th, 2013 4:34:25 PM I have this image in my head of my 4 year old tightly gripping and pushing the back of a Budweiser wagon being pulled by six clydesdales...
Ariach AC 26/14/19 ; HP 51/59 d20+8=10 ; d20+8=26 ; Wednesday April 24th, 2013 5:06:11 PM
Facing the danger of drowning Ariach mobilizes his whole body strength to keep himself above the oozy liquid. (swimming check=10, using hero point for reroll =26)
He tries to reach the raft and get on top again.
OOC to Wilma: Thanks for your advice but i really hate to spend a hero point on avoiding drowning. I think hero points should be spend to achieve a heroic feat :)
Tuck HP 32/42 AC 18/18/14 d20+11=12 ; d20+11=13 ; d20+5=16 ; d8=1 ; Wednesday April 24th, 2013 5:55:08 PM
(OOC - Did Tuck's attack hit last round?)
As Ariach goes into the drink, Tuck staggers and almost goes in himself. He just manages to prop himself back to his feet on his bow. (Acrobatics 12, natural 1. Used Hero Point to reroll for a 13, not much better but good enough.)
"Ariach! Oh man, this is no time for you to be clowning around!"
Grell lunges for the overboard warrior and Tuck refocuses his energies on the oncoming oozes. He fires off another arrow.
Shaking her head at her previous shot, Van frowns in concentration to kkep her balance, and while she does she is startled by Ariach going over the side and sends her arrow dep into the water below. Seeing that the oozes will be here shortly Van puts away her bow and takes out her rope cuts it into 5 ten foot sections and starts tying herself to the boat with about one of the lengths.
"Grell, Ariach, Tuck, Emrys use one of these sections to tie yourselves down. We will have a hard enough time fighting these things but if we fall over and can't get back in the boat we are certainly done for."
Grell, AC20/13/18, HP68/68 d20+2=15 ; d20+5=9 ; Wednesday April 24th, 2013 10:30:13 PM
Keeping his balance (Ref=15), Grell reaches over and tries to grab him, but can't reach the stalwart warrior. (Touch=9) Grell breathes a sigh of relief though because it looks like Ariach is going to make it into the boat on his own. He nods as Vaniime tosses the rope over to him, but isn't able to lash himself down quite yet.
OOC: Seriously, why couldn't you just have used the STR roll from last time for the ranged touch attack? It's the same modifier. Not sure why I have to roll again this round.
Horrified that Ariach had fallen in, Emrys sends his servant, sensing a better use for its services, to help lift the fallen protector back onto the raft. "Do it now, and then return to me!"
A small smile forms across his lips with the spark of insight. He didn't think the scepter was capable of such emotions, but yes, there it is. Emrys can feel its urgency ... its fear. (Sense Motive: 25) From his smile grows to a low chuckle, the most antagonizing and wicked of chuckles. 'You are being tested ... and you are failing! I sense your doubt. Fear grips you tighter than my own hand, backscratcher, ha ha ha! Allow me to squash the last remnants of your hope!"
Feeling roused in spirit and empowered with resolve and renewed confidence (Will Save: 27), Emrys takes a deeper control of the scepter and raises a wall of ooze out of the murky abyss. It teeters for a second or two and then goes smashing down on the attacking oozes in the form of a crashing tidal wave. If Emrys is allowed to experiment with his control of the ooze, he will attempt to solidify the crashing wave with jagged sharp edges at the point of impact with the oozes. If all else fails, he hopes, at least, the oozes are swept further away across the gelatinous expanse.
(Perception: 17)
Wilma; AC17 (+1 Mithril chain shirt); HP 35/35; Fly Thursday April 25th, 2013 8:27:50 PM
Wilma felt her stomach plummet when Ariach fell off the raft. Even as she began a descent, however, she ssw the stalwart warrior clamber back onto the craft and breathed a sigh of relief.
Hmmm...what could she have done had Ariach not been able to save himself? It wasn't like she had the strength to pluck him out of the lake of ooze...
However, now that she was hovering about ten feet in the air over the raft, Wilma thought that she might act on that idea from before...
"I will add my strength towards getting the raft to shore..." she said, "...IF someone can secure a rope to the raft and then give me the other end..?"
Time to go home... Thursday April 25th, 2013 9:54:58 PM
The thought of drowning in this ooze is frankly unacceptable! Ariach kicks for all he's worth and drags himself back onto the raft w/ a hand from Grell. He's covered with ooze and breathing heavy from the exertion, but he's otherwise just fine.
Vaniime's bad luck with her bow continues. She decides she's better off assisting the others and offers rope to secure themselves.
Tuck trusts Grell with Ariach's well being & focuses on hitting the tiny, rapidly moving oozes. He clips one, but they continue unabated.
...until Emrys steps up. Capitalizing on his insights, he forces Focus' will to bend to his own. The lake calms in response. Acting quickly, Emrys attempts to manipulate the ooze to block the incoming orbs. He finds that even with unfettered control of Focus' powers, he can still only roughly manipulate the ooze. He IS able to cause a wave of the stuff to crash over them. Spikes of sorts stick out of the wave, but they lack any hardness & end up having no effect. Pity, as it was such a clever idea. The orbs buoy up to the surface a moment later, but they haven't made any progress towards the lot of you in the meantime.
OOC: You find you're unable to enact any fine control over the ooze. Imagine you're in a kiddy pool filled with this stuff. You could cause waves to crash, take a stick and swirl it up, cup your hands and send a spout of the stuff into the air, etc. You couldn't cause a tendril to snake up and dance around or anything.
Wilma gets ready to do something awesome. (OOC: Go ahead and post still. I'll edit this. I've been too busy and getting to this later and later each day to start getting judgy.)
***
The lake is currently calm. No acrobatics check needed for the next post.
Ariach AC 26/14/19 ; HP 51/59 d20+4=20 ; Friday April 26th, 2013 2:22:31 AM
Ariach takes a deep breath. Relieved he ist out of the nasty liquid he nods thankfully to Grell for his help. He sips from his wineskin and rinses out his mouth. Then he stands up and grabs the paddle. Ariach starts to paddle as hard as possible.
"I will bring us out of here. I will not die in here!"
(strength check=20 for paddling)
Tuck HP 32/42 AC 18/18/14 d20+7=14 ; Friday April 26th, 2013 5:59:42 PM
Tuck fires another arrow, but can't seem to find his target.
"Darn boat," he mutters, watching the oozes approaching.
(Hits AC 14)
Time to go home... Friday April 26th, 2013 10:23:13 PM
OOC: Hello? Busy Friday?
Vaniime AC 18/14/14, HP:45/45 Friday April 26th, 2013 10:47:00 PM
Tied on Van prepares by drawing her sword and standing in the Bow.
Hey is everyone tied down? we have incoming in a few moments.
Emrys ac10, hp20/20. -1 temp. level drain, light, prestidigitation, unseen servant d20+9=18 ; d20+14=18 ; Sunday April 28th, 2013 2:14:21 PM
"Welcome back, Ariach," announces Emrys with a salutatory nod. He then addresses his unseen servant, "Servant, take that short length of rope, there, and tie one end around my ankle."
Emrys then continues to concentrate on maintaining forceful flows of ooze to keep the attacking oozlings at bay and help propel the raft (Will Save: 18). He ponders the size of these oozes, not to mention how far away he and his friends are from reach the shore. The light from his walking stick radiates normal light for 80-feet in every direction for both him and Vaniime. Either elf should be able to see something. (Perception: 18)
(ooc: what size are the oozes? Are they like the big ones or the small ones? How far away are they? Is the shore in sight?
Grell, AC20/13/18, HP68/68 Sunday April 28th, 2013 9:12:19 PM
Taking his piece of rope, Grell secures himself to the raft and then secures Ariach. No sense in having to rescue him a second time!
Oozes of a puddle, flow together Monday April 29th, 2013 12:06:11 PM Filling in for Carl while he deals with a personal issue.
Are we still waiting for Wilma's awesome action?
Various members work to tie themselves to the raft as it rides the crest of a wave of ooze.
Emrys gets fragmented sensations of the orbs, similar to the ones that attacked in Shandresh's room. But with so much ooze being sensed through the Focus, he finds the ability to lock onto the smaller oozes difficult while maintaining control of the Focus as well. As his internal struggles for control slip, he can feel the glee of the Focus as a wave of ooze altars the direction of the raft just enough to head it towards some jagged rocks that he can just make out at the limits of his vision.
I'll give Wilma a little more time before moving things along. Feel free to consider this one of those long hand moments before stuff hits the fan.
Wilma; AC17 (+1 Mithril chain shirt); HP 35/35; Fly Monday April 29th, 2013 4:45:17 PM OOC: sorry about the lack of posting--Real Life hit the fan for me. And Wilma's "awesome action" was her asking if anyone still wanted her to try to pull the raft along...she needed someone to toss her a rope for that, though.
Seeing that everyone was busy securing themselves to the raft, Wilma chewed her lip and took aim at the oncoming oozes, thinking to herself that they looked very ominous.
OOC again: are the oozes within her crossbow range yet..?
Ariach AC 26/14/19 ; HP 51/59 d20+4=15 ; Monday April 29th, 2013 6:01:49 PM
Tied up with the raft now Ariach feels more comfortable. He still paddles with all his power but prepares himself of changing paddle with his mace for the upcoming infighting.
(strength check = 15 / if needed)
Tuck HP 32/42 AC 18/18/14 d20+7=9 ; Monday April 29th, 2013 7:52:48 PM
Tuck fires off another wayward arrow which sinks fruitlessly into the sea of ooze.
"Oh man. Ariach, I don't think I'm going to save us. I hope you can get us to shore."
(Hits AC 9)
Oozes of a puddle, flow together Monday April 29th, 2013 7:58:20 PM
they are indeed in range, and now only about 30' from the raft
Emrys ac10, hp20/20. -1 temp. level drain, light, prestidigitation, unseen servant d20+9=22 ; d20+14=18 ; Monday April 29th, 2013 10:20:51 PM
(Will save: 22, to control the scepter)
Amid all the distractions, Emrys grits his teeth as he bears down and concentrates his thoughts to fight back the Focus' control. He tries to help to correct the rafts course and increase the various flows of ooze to push back the oozes. He is beginning to show signs that the fight is taking its toll on him mentally and physically. Emrys sniffs and he dabs his nose with his finger revealing a trace smear of blood.
Noticing that his servant has tied the rope to his ankle, he then commands, "Servant, tie the other end of the rope to the raft."
(Perception: 18)
Grell, AC20/13/18, HP68/68 Monday April 29th, 2013 10:25:35 PM
Now that he and Ariach are secure, Grell joins Ariach in helping row the boat toward the shore.
Batter up! d6=5 ; d6=4 ; d6=1 ; d4=3 ; Tuesday April 30th, 2013 1:33:32 PM
The party has managed to tie themselves to the rickety raft as it continues to make its way across the lake of ooze. Emrys' continued struggle with the Focus is enough to push the raft. Enough that the raft doesn't hit the rocks head on, though the party is jarred by the impact and a piece of the decking is smashed and breaks off from the side of the raft. Acrobatics this round is DC 15, or fall prone. If already prone, roll off raft.
A sense of deja vu overcomes the party as the three orbs rush the raft.
Orb #1 jumps at Wilma, Orb #2 jumps at Ariach, and Orb #3 jumps at Grell. Everyone may make an attack of opportunity. Wilma, Ariach and Grell may instead choose to attempt a reflex save to dodge the attack. DC is 13. Making the AoO or failing the save means that the Orb has landed on thy head. Ye are blind, deaf, and nauseated. Take 3 pts of acid damage to your head.
Anyone attempting to hit an orb that has engulfed someone's head has a 50% chance to damage the head and not the orb.
Emrys Highlight to display spoiler: { after the orbs strike, their presence becomes distinct from the lake of ooze. You can now sense them through Focus. Feast my little friends, taste flesh! you hear the Focus laughing at the plight of your companions. You can take control of one ooze at a time, if you attempt to take control of an orb, your control over the wave of ooze will be disrupted, slowing the raft. Since your actions are in direct opposition to Focus, you will need to make control will saves every other round. for this round you are in control.}
Vaniime AC 19/15/15, HP:45/45, Dodge d20+4=20 ; d20+10=24 ; d10+4=6 ; d20+10=22 ; d10+4=9 ; Tuesday April 30th, 2013 5:22:23 PM
Standing in the bow of the boat, the ooze jumps right past Vaniime to try and hit Grell and so she takes a swing (AoO) AC 24 for 6 points of damage and hopefully diverting it from its chosen path.
If clear of Grell's head she will press her attack [b]AC 22 for 9 points of damage. (if Grell's head is engulfed Van will choose another close safe target.)
Tuck HP 32/42 AC 18/18/14 d20+11=24 ; d20+6=26 ; d20+6=7 ; d8+2=7 ; d20+6=8 ; d20+6=11 ; Tuesday April 30th, 2013 8:55:00 PM
Tuck maintains his balance with relative ease as the boat swipes the jutting rocks. (Acrobatics 24)
As the orbs launch into the boat, Tuck drops his bow and clobbers one of the incoming oozes with a powerful right hand. He tries to follow up his attack but can't seem to connect in the confines of the small craft.
(AoO hits AC 26 (natural 20) follow-up hits 7, so no crit. 7 damage. Flurry of Blows hits AC 8 and 11.)
Wilma; AC17 (+1 Mithril chain shirt); HP 35/35; Fly d20+2=7 d20+2=17 d20+5=23 d8=7 Tuesday April 30th, 2013 9:55:42 PM OOC: Holy Hannah--these things can jump UP out of the lake 20+ feet???
Burning 1 Hero point to reroll the missed Dex save.
Wilma switched her perspective from the raft below her to targeting one of the goo-balls chasing the raft--and was stunned to see it flying out of the lake straight at her! She was so stunned that she almost forgot to try to duck...but fortunately she managed to do that at the very last possible second.
OOC: Wilma's Dex Save (after reroll) is 17.
After avoiding the ooze that had launched itself at her, Wilma took the opportunity to fire her crossbow at it.
"That oughta teach ya to pick on a cleric of Gargul, ya big goo-ball!!!" she shouted after the creature.
OOC: Wilma's shot hits AC23 for 7hp damage.
Grell, AC20/13/18, HP68/68 d20+2=18 ; d20+2=19 ; d20+12=29 ; 2d6+11=19 ; Tuesday April 30th, 2013 10:25:45 PM
Maintaining his position in the boat (Ref=18), Grell dodges the incoming blog (Ref=19). Dropping the oar, Grell pulls his sword and slashes at the blob with all his might. (AC29 for 19).
Emrys ac10, hp20/20. -1 temp. level drain, light, prestidigitation, unseen servant d20=3 ; d20+14=26 ; d20+4=15 ; Tuesday April 30th, 2013 11:00:13 PM
Emrys takes a swing at one of the passing oozing orbs; using the scepter as a club. "Take that, you Gobbledygoo!!" Of course, he misses (AoO: HitAC: 3, lol)!
When they scrape against the rocks, amazingly Emrys is still able to maintain a foothold, "Peas and Carrots," he says with shock! (Acrobatics: 15)
Now that the oozes have arrived, making a run for it has become less urgent than helping defend his friends. So IF there aren't any other sharp, pointy rocks, or other obstacles, to steer around, he will turn his attention to the oozing orbs. He takes a quick look to be sure no other collisions are eminent (Perception: 26). If there are more obstacles, he will maintain control of the currents to steer the raft and move it more swiftly to shore.
IF a lucky oozing orb finds itself a juicy head to slobber on, Emrys will turn the scepter on it and force it to remove itself. He will then compel it to grapple one of the other oozes who are without a head to suck on.
(ooc: If this is successful, both oozes will gain the Grappled condition [-4 dex, -2 attack, and can't move]. Everyone else possibly gets a bonus to attack them.)
Ariach AC 26/14/19 ; HP 51/59 d20+2=15 ; d20+2=20 ; Wednesday May 1st, 2013 5:52:35 AM
Ariach sees the ooze jumping at him and for a short moment he thinks about attacking it. But then he remembers the first fight and decides to dodge under the jumping ooze. (DC=15) Not having a problem with the wild movement of the raft Ariach doesnīt stop to paddle. He trusts in the abilities of his companions to get rid of them. (Acrobatic- Dex check= 20)
Batter up! d6=1 ; d6=6 ; d6=4 ; d4=2 ; Wednesday May 1st, 2013 2:02:30 PM
The party manages to stay on their feet while the raft continues to weave and bob on the waves of ooze. Some are surprised as the orbs come flying up out of the ooze at them, much like a fish jumping into the air. Of course these ones have better aim, and are acidic.
Vaniime slices into Orb#1, and manages to give it just enough deflection to help Wilma dodge its attack. Tuck drops his bow to swing at an orb, said bow is now rolling around on the deck of the raft. While his first hit is solid, his follow ups are less than desired. Probably because he just had an aha moment. Didn't need to drop the bow to strike with empty hand, or flurry with a body part. Wilma successfully dodges the orb, with emphasis, as she recalls her last encounter with them. Her bolt drives into and through the orb, and with any other creature, it would have been pegged to the deck. Unfortunately the ooze flows around the bolt leaving a trail of ichor. Grell finds his sea legs and nimbly dodges the orb and follows up with a swing at the orb now at his feet. In the mean time, Emrys finds himself looking between his friends and the path of the raft, head swinging back and forth between the two trying to decide where to focus his attention while Focus laughs in his head. And Ariach manages to make rowing look downright easy as he shifts his head just enough for the orb to fly past while he continues to row.
The orbs find lunch all about them and continue their onslaught as they jump with an accuracy that continues to cause wonder to some of the party as the orbs consider new meals from Vaniime, Arioch, and Grell.
More acrobatics checks to maintain footing, DC remains 15, fail by 5 and you step on Tuck's bow. Those targeted may make AoO's or reflex saves. DC remains 13. Damage from a failed save is 2 pts of acid as the orb engulfs your head. All others may make an AoO at one of the orbs. Emrys needs to make another will save to maintain control over Focus.
Orb#1 -14 HP (near Wilma) Orb#2 Orb#3 -19 HP (near Grell)
Emrys ac10, hp20/20. -1 temp. level drain, light, prestidigitation, unseen servant Wednesday May 1st, 2013 2:14:16 PM
(ooc: You completely ignored my actions. I said if there werent obstacles to maneuver the raft around he was going to control an ooze and attack another ooze with a grapple attack!! Emrys wasnt the least bit indecisive in what he was doing.)
DM what you actually said was that if an ooze landed on a head you would control it to instead attack another ooze. Since no oozes made it on a head, your if then didn't find a truth. I do apologize for not making an assumption of what you would have done had no ooze been successful.
Tuck HP 32/42 AC 18/18/14 d20+6=8 ; d20+6=10 ; d20+11=12 ; Wednesday May 1st, 2013 9:10:25 PM
Tuck attempts to flurry on the oozes again, but instead falls to the boat as it rocks him off his feet.
Wilma; AC17 (+1 Mithril chain shirt); HP 35/35; Fly d20+5=8 ; d8=7 ; Thursday May 2nd, 2013 7:33:11 AM
Wilma aims and fires at the ooze that had attacked her, but she finds that aerial combat is a bit different than standing on the ground.
OOC: Wilma hit AC8 for 7hpd.
Emrys ac10, hp20/20. -1 temp. level drain, light, prestidigitation, unseen servant d20+4=22 ; d20+9=12 ; d20=18 ; d6=4 ; Thursday May 2nd, 2013 9:05:54 AM
(ooc: still waiting to find out if there are obstacles in the lake. Emrys has a full 360 degree view of the lake, and made a Perception check (26) good enough to hear and understand a whispered conversation while still asleep! Still waiting to find out how the ooze orb, that Emrys took control of, is doing with its attack on one of the other ooze orbs.)
(Acrobatics: 22) (Will: 12)
Using the Focus as a club, Emrys hits AC 18 for 4 damage.
Ariach AC 26/14/19 ; HP 51/59 d20+2=22 ; d20+2=21 ; Thursday May 2nd, 2013 10:00:35 AM
Again Ariach dodges the oozeīs attack. (reflex save=22) And although chaos is around him he keeps on his feet and continues to paddle. (Dex check=21)
Grell, AC20/13/18, HP66/68 d20+2=4 ; d20+2=9 ; d20+10=26 ; Thursday May 2nd, 2013 12:16:52 PM Cruuuunch! As the boats rocks and his shifts his weight, Grell is sickened to find himself standing on Tuck's bow...or is it his OWN new bow...after all, his bow is also rolling around on the bottom of the raft (Reflex=4). Still, Grell has precious little time to ponder who's bow he's crushing under foot as a blobby launches itself at his face once more. This time his luck doesn't hold out as the critter latches itself onto his face! (Reflex=9). Smothering in goop, Grell reaches up with his left hand and wastes no time in attempting to rip the nasty critter off his face. (Unarmed attack or CMB...however you want to count it AC=26). As soon as he wrestles control of the creature, he will pull it off his face and throw it to the ground.
The once very steady elf suddenly finds herself falling to the boat's deck Acrobatics DC 12 and then finds her head engulfed Reflex Dc 11 by an ooze that somehow had the intelligence to suddenly change its trajectory in mid flight and drop four feet and still find its target. Reacting Van tries to grab hold of the ooze CMB 15 and tries to remove it from her head.
Highlight to display spoiler: {(OOC: I very confused. But how come I'm not seeing any to hit rolls for the oozes. I mean it seems awfully funny that they always seem to hit if a reflex save isn't made and not only just hit but at what equals a called head shot no less, which no longer exists. Not to mention that we either get a reflex save or an attack of opportunity? Since when? Unless specific actions are being taken, ie: charge, 5 ft step, full retreat, etc. An attack of opportunity is in effect when an opponent or yourself enter a defended square.) In effect you are saying that because I took an attack of oportunity, I am automatically hit whether or not they able to hit my ac. I am also confused as to why we are making a DC 15 roll on acrobatics each round when we are on a surface at least 1-3 feet wide DC 5, in a boat on rough water +2, and I'll even go and say slippery due to wet +2, to me that makes a 9 not a 15. Even if you could make a case for moderately unsteady, boat in a Storm +5, that is still only a DC of 12 And then while it is attached to my head I need to roll a to hit die to grab it???? Color me very confused. }
DM These are good points, and I will hope to have all of them addressed. The module was written to require a DC10 acrobatics check every turn while on the raft for the return trip, while the lake of ooze is actively fighting. I am not sure where that number came from, but reverse engineering it I come up with base DC 5 for width of raft, lightly obstructed +2 (these are not hewn planks, but round beams lashed together), slightly slippery +2, slightly unsteady or mildly unsteady +2 or +5 or severely unsteady +10. So that's 5+2+2=9+2/5/10 for a final DC of 11, 14, or 19. The raft smashing into the rocks would have been a 19, but Emrys avoided most of the impact for a 15, should have been 14. But then I don't know why the original number wasn't 11. I do apologize as the DC 15 was only for the round that had the raft hitting the rocks, and should have reduced back to the previous 10 before then. Since I don't know where the 10 comes from, I'm fine with everyone considering 10 as the target for this and future rounds, unless otherwise stated (instead of the calculated 11).
As for the orbs attacks. Curious players wanting to metagame may go look at them on d20pfsrd, they are Gelatinous Orbs CR2. They have a special attack:Engulf head "Gelatinous orbs have the uncanny ability to jump up and land on a Medium-sized or smaller creature's head, completely engulfing it as a standard action." Originally I misread this and was treating it as an attack, and not as a standard action in itself. As for the AoO or reflex save. Note that some types of actions are a to hit roll against AC or SR, others require a save. This standard action gives a choice, it is going to hit unless the character dodges with a reflex save, optionally the player can forego the relex to try and kill it with an AoO. Please look at the entry under Gelatinous Cube: Engulf; Livestone: Engulf; and the universal monster entry 'engulf'. Please note that previously I erred and was making attack rolls for the orbs in the bedroom. The Gelatinous Orb has the ability to Engulf Head due to its smaller size. Please continue to post questions as I will make the occasional mistake and will do what I can to rectify it.
Batter up! d20+2=18 ; d8+2=5 ; d3=2 ; d20-1=6 ; d6=3 ; Thursday May 2nd, 2013 9:16:11 PM
Please note that since everyone is in close proximity, everyone can make an AoO against at leasst one orb. Those targeted by an orb get a choice fo AoO OR reflex save. I don't see that anyone made AoO's that was not targeted. I will assume that you did and roll appropriately.
Tuck finds himself unbalanced as the raft crests a wave, arms outstretched for his bow?, and falls onto the raft, easy pickings! No! For one of his feet slashes up and strikes an orb (#2)! (AoO)
Wilma remains above the others and tries to fire into the scrambling melee on the raft below her, and somehow managing to miss everyone. Side of a barn next time?
Emrys feels his control slipping and swings the Focus (in anger?) at one of the orbs, inflicting minor damage. Accept that you must join us. There is yet one true heartseed! Together we can free Shandresh and return her to her rightful place! His strike at an orb as it jumps around meets only air. (AoO)
Ariach continues to paddle the raft even as it slows and begins to turn as the Focus regains self control.
Grell finds someone's bow underfoot as he tries in vain to maintain his footing, even as one of the orbs lands on him with a soft plop and quickly stretches over his head. Rolling on the raft deck, Grell manages to get a hand into the gelatinous body even as a wave of nausea overcomes him. Hopefully he can yank it off his head. (You have a grapple on it.)
Vaniime nearly stumbles but manages to keep her feet under her, unfortunately she was unable to dodge out of the way of the orb as it splattered across her face and flowed up and over her lovely tresses. Thinking quickly, she is able to wedge a few fingers under the edge of the orb near her ear. Hopefully this will provide enough leverage to yank the creature off! (You have a grapple on it.)
Orbs 1 and 3 have found lunch and start munching, take 3 acid damage. You both have managed to gain a hold on the orb and can attempt to pull it off this turn, CMD 14. Orb #2 finds itself left out and goes for the easy meat rolling around, jumping at Tuck. AoO OR reflex DC 13. Failed or no reflex, take 3 points of acid damage. Everyone else on the raft may make another acrobatics, DC 10 as the craft bobs and starts to spin about. those not engulfed may make an AoO on the orb attacking Tuck, attempting to hit one of the others has a 50% of hitting the PC instead.
Orb#1 -18 HP (on Vaniime) Orb#2 -2 HP (near Tuck) Orb#3 -19 HP (on Grell)
Grell, AC20/13/18, HP63/68 d20+2=20 ; d20+10=13 ; Thursday May 2nd, 2013 10:07:46 PM
Somehow managing to keep his footing (Ref=20), Grell tries to wrench the stupid thing off, but can't quite pull it off (CMB=13). Stars begin to form on the edges of his vision as he knows it won't be much longer until he passes out.
Emrys is completely astounded by his sure-footedness. For a half-fey, who has spent all his life deep in the Culverwood, his legs have proven to be quite seaworthy.
(Will save: 18, to gain more control of the scepter) The Focus' change in tone and tactfulness raises an eyebrow. (Sense Motive: 30, on the Focus) It's still trying to recruit the bard, even after trying to kill him ... several times over. It must be becoming even more desperate the closer they come to shore. Emrys mentally asks, 'You're speaking of the missing heartseed, from the box? What about it?' He hopes to learn more by drawing more of the Focus' attention by sounding 'interested' (Bluff: 23).
If he is able, Emrys attempts to remove the gelatinous orb from Grell's head with a bit of magical influence. If he can, he will attempt to 'inspire' the orb to jump onto the business end of Grell's blade.
Wilma; AC17 (+1 Mithril chain shirt); HP 35/35; Fly d20+5=25 ; d8=4 ; d20+5=14 ; d8=3 ; Friday May 3rd, 2013 9:29:04 AM
Gritting her teeth and taking her time with her shot, Wilma aimed her crossbow at the orb that Tuck had avoided (since she didn't want to risk hitting either Van or her brother) and slowly squeezed the trigger to her weapon. She was rewarded with the satisfying "spluck!" of a direct hit!
Wilma whooped triumphantly and readied her crossbow for another shot...
OOC: Wilma's dice finally seem to be cooperating: the first roll is a natural 20, resulting in a bolt that strikes AC25 for at least 4hpd. The second roll to confirm the crit hit is one that hits AC14 for 3hpd...but I am belatedly recalling that a PC can't score a Crit Hit on oozes...right..?)
Unfortunately, that is correct.
Tuck HP 32/42 AC 18/18/14 d20+7=17 ; d20+11=22 ; d20+6=14 ; d8+2=5 ; Friday May 3rd, 2013 9:45:05 PM
Tuck rolls out of the way of the attacking ooze and quickly regains his feet. He lashes out with a kick at the offending ooze.
"Rragh!!" he vents his frustration at the annoying critters.
(Reflex 17. Acrobatics 22. Stands from prone and attacks hitting AC 14 for 5 damage on Orb # 2.)
Ariach AC 26/14/19 ; HP 51/59 d20+2=10 ; d20+9=27 ; Saturday May 4th, 2013 2:31:42 AM
Ariach still paddles. They have to reach the shore. The enitre situation gets out of controll and it seems like his friends need him. But it becomes harder and harder to keep a good stand on the raft while others are laying on the raft, paddeling or fighting. Ariach himself keeps on his feet barely. (Dex check=10) He even uses his paddle as a club to hit Orb#2. (hit AC 27 for ? damage)
(OOC: How much damage does the paddle make?)
Batter up! d6=4 ; d20+2=9 ; d6=6 ; d6=4 ; d6=3 ; Monday May 6th, 2013 3:28:29 PM
Even with a firm hold on the orb, Grell is unable to wrench it from his face.
Emrys manages to regain momentary control over Focus and encourages the Orb on Grell to relocate to Grell's sword, where it quivers in anticipation of its next opportunity to feed. control stops short of commanding suicide. Emrys continues to converse with Focus, and is not surprised to figure that Focus knows a lot more about this realm than it's sharing. Emrys senses that Focus' determination is growing to desperation, and that desperation is tinged with a growing unease, as if Focus fears something coming. Shandresh perfected Ga'al's heartseeds. One seed could convert many. And if that @#$%#@ @$^ %^&!!! of a @$#^%, and her @!^^& (Vaniime), hadn't burned the nursery, that batch could have converted thousands, tens of thousands! It is Shandresh's will that any who come here remain until the reckoning, and that time is not here. I thought you were the... I will say no more, you know too much.
Tuck regains his feet but swings wide in his attempt on the orb.
Ariach continues to paddle and in one cycle spins the paddle around to smack an orb for a couple points of damage. treat as club, 1d6
Vaniime appears to be succumbing to the orb as it continues to suck on her face. anyone heard from Lewis?
Orb #1 continues to chomp on the elf, causing another 6 pts of acid damage. Orb #2 apparently doesn't like being spanked by an oar and jumps on Ariach's head. Anyone able to may attempt an AoO. Ariach has a choice on AoO OR Reflex, DC 13, take 3 acid damage unless the reflex was successful. Orb #3 jumped onto Grells sword and quivers. actions used
Orb#1 -18 HP (on Vaniime) Orb#2 -10 HP (On Ariach) Orb#3 -19 HP (on Grell's sword)
Tuck HP 32/42 AC 18/18/14 d20+9=22 ; Monday May 6th, 2013 7:32:03 PM
Tuck thrusts his hands into the goop atop Vaniime's head and grabs to big handfuls.
(Grapple check 22 on Orb #1.)
Vaniime AC 18/14/15, HP:43/45, Dodge d20+8=27 ; Monday May 6th, 2013 9:19:25 PM
(Sorry all, as I posted a few weeks ago, I am travelling alot to deal with a very ill parent and will occasionally miss a day or two. If you haven't seen a post by me by 8 PM, someone post for me. i woun't complain.)
Having grabbed hold of the ooze on her head, Van mightily heaves and tears it off from her.
CMD 27
Wilma; AC17 (+1 Mithril chain shirt); HP 35/35; Fly d20+5=6 ; d8=5 ; Tuesday May 7th, 2013 12:15:41 AM
Wilma hovered above the raft, horrified to see that both Van and Ariach were now having to contend with the goo-balls engulfing their respective heads. She decided to take aim at the only ooze that wasn't in the middle trying to eat people--the one on Grell's sword...
OOC: ...and that's a swing and a miss! Natural freakin' 1 on the die. Sigh.
Emrys ac10, hp20/20. -1 temp. level drain, light, prestidigitation, unseen servant d20=7 ; d20+9=26 ; d20+10=28 ; Tuesday May 7th, 2013 1:13:51 AM
Emrys takes a free swing at the orb that leaps at Ariach (AoO: HitAC 7) and isn't surprised at the outcome. He's no longer annoyed by it anymore.
After hearing the Focus' reply, Emrys restrains himself from smiling. (Will Save: 26, to control Focus). Speaking mentally to Focus, he says, 'One must learn to trust their first impressions. The Day of Reckoning is nigh! One can count the seeds within the fruit, but not the fruit within the seed. Where is our missing seed?' (Bluff: 28, feigning support for Focus; implying the bard's previous opposition to be a deception.)
Emrys looks over the battle. IF the orbs remain lodged upon the heads of his friends, he will remove them, starting first with Vaniime and then Ariach. IF the oozing orbs are all free, Emrys will leave them in the capable hands of the others. He will instead concentrate on creating a flow of ooze that will carry the raft swiftly to shore (slowly at first and then gradually faster).
Ariach AC 26/14/19 ; HP 51/59 d6+4=8 ; d20+3=20 ; Tuesday May 7th, 2013 4:22:36 PM
Ariach used his paddle to hit one of the ooze. (AoO from last round for 8 damage)
The young warrior doesnīt see any reason to stop the paddeling. He dodges light footed under the attack of the ooze who tries again to jump on his head but misses. (reflex save=20)
Grell, AC20/13/18, HP63/68 d20+12=23 ; d6+11=15 ; Tuesday May 7th, 2013 8:16:35 PM
Coughing and sputtering as the ooze hops off his face, Grell shouts out a quick "Thanks" to Emrys. Then he brings his sword down, hoping to spear the ooze permanently on his sword. (AC23 for 15).
Batter up! Tuesday May 7th, 2013 10:34:20 PM sorry peeps, been sick the last two days. Do try and get something posted each day to keep the good sheriff off our backs.
feel free for a moment of banter betwixt the group.
Emrys ac10, hp20/20. -1 temp. level drain, light, prestidigitation, unseen servant d20+14=28 ; Tuesday May 7th, 2013 11:11:38 PM
Emrys looks for the shore ... they have to be close by now! (Perception: 28)
Wilma; AC17 (+1 Mithril chain shirt); HP 35/35; Fly d20+10=13 ; Wednesday May 8th, 2013 12:19:16 AM
Wilma muttered to herself in utter annoyance--she was just going to have to break down and ask her baby brother for some extra training with her crossbow, because she was just plain terrible with this thing..!!!
As she finished seating the next bolt, the redheaded cleric got the odd notion to look around--not at the battle scene below her, nor even to scan the horizon to check how close (or far!) the raft was from land...but to see...what? Why was she looking...?
Oh--to see if that crone-in-a-bubble was still bobbing around up here somewhere. It would be very embarrassing if Wilma's next attempt at shooting an ooze was foiled by her getting "run over" by an ancient bubble-driver in mid-air...
OOC: snort! Perception check is 13.
Ariach AC 26/14/19 ; HP 51/59 Wednesday May 8th, 2013 3:24:07 AM
Ariachīs muscles are burning from the vigorous exercise of paddling but the warrior doesnīt waste any thoughts of giving up or resting his exhausted body.
Tuck HP 32/42 AC 18/18/14 Wednesday May 8th, 2013 5:15:02 PM
Tuck takes stock of the situation, in the midst of battle. He notes a different feel during the struggle, as if his mind has calmed even as his body fights. Perhaps the many fights he's participated in have increased his tolerance for the requisite stress that accompanies such events.
Grell, AC20/13/18, HP63/68 Wednesday May 8th, 2013 6:39:57 PM
Hacking out more ooze slime, Grell looks at ooze speared on his sword in strange facination as is sloooooowly slides down his blade. It's almost like time has slowed to a crawl. That is sooo weird!
Wilma; AC17 (+1 Mithril chain shirt); HP 35/35; Fly Wednesday May 8th, 2013 10:53:29 PM
OOC: LOL Nellie. 8D
Emrys ac10, hp20/20. -1 temp. level drain, light, prestidigitation, unseen servant Thursday May 9th, 2013 12:25:15 AM
The feels in his gut the nausea from the distortion of time and space. He wonders how many years have passed since they left the Living Wold!
Tug of war with jelly d6=6 ; d20=1 ; d6=3 ; Thursday May 9th, 2013 12:13:59 PM so much for five minutes of conversation while the bomb counts down the last 10 seconds... I do appreciate the patience. Also, I expect this module to be finishing up in a couple of weeks. If I could get some emails on short term and long term goals for your characters via email, Tanner (our NEW co-dm!!!) and I can work on providing opportunities in the next couple of modules to get you working down those paths.
Tuck sticks his fingers into the ooze on Vaniime's head and gets a nice strong grip of jelly oozing between his fingers, which may have been just enough to help...
Vaniime as she yanks the orb off her head. She and Tuck are now holding it between the two of them.
Smartly flying above the mess, Wilma adds more wood to the raft by driving an arrow into a plank, between Grell's toes. She gets a sudden urge to look for crazy clerics floating in bubbles, but fails to find one. though there is a distraught person floating above the lake of ooze.
And Emrys, splits his concentration between the scepter fighting for control and an orb floundering around. While his strike on the orb swings wide, but does work on trying to confuse Focus. The seed? Shadnresh's last glory in this god-forsaken refuge? Why ask your companions! Can't you sense it? I can! It is just starting to sprout, much slower than with your other companion, she is fated to know true freedom! Emrys is able to take control of the orb on Ariach, and command it off him. Whence it slides down his chest to lay quivering between his knees.
And Ariach resumes his maddened paddling for shore, ignoring the orb laying before him that had just so recently been feeding on his head. At least the stubble was removed from his face, smooth as a baby's butt.
Grell finds himself freed of the ooze, which has so conveniently taken residence on his sword. With a swing and a splat, the remnants of the ooze slip between two planks into the great lake of ooze.
Orb#1 tries to wriggle free, but fails miserably. Vaniime and Grell take 3 acid damage to the hands unless wearing something on their hands.
Orb#2 has spent its action, and #3 is dead.
Orb#1 -18 HP (held by Vaniime and Tuck) Orb#2 -10 HP (near Ariach) Orb#3 -34 HP dead
Tuck HP 29/42 AC 18/18/14 d20+14=30 ; d8+2=10 ; Thursday May 9th, 2013 6:08:31 PM
(OOC- It's Tuck, not Grell, that has the ooze grappled with Vaniime.)
Gripping the ooze along with Vaniime, Tuck brings a powerful knee up into the helpless orb. He ignores the pain in his hands from the muck's acid.
(Grapple 30 to maintain grapple and damage. Hits orb #1 for 10 damage.)
DM: Fixed
Wilma; AC17 (+1 Mithril chain shirt); HP 35/35; Fly d20+5=17 ; d8=6 ; Thursday May 9th, 2013 7:54:21 PM
Wilma spotted nothing in the air...but she did spot that Ariach was now freed from the ooze that had been enveloping his head. She aimed and fired another of her bolts at it...
OOC: Wilma's shot hits AC17 for 6hpd.
Vaniime AC 18/14/15, HP:40/45, Dodge d20+8=14 ; d4+3=4 ; Thursday May 9th, 2013 8:35:11 PM
Letting go with one hand Vaniime grabs her dagger and stabs into the grappled ooze. AC 14 for 4 points
Emrys ac10, hp20/20. -1 temp. level drain, light, prestidigitation, unseen servant d20+9=19 ; d20+10=27 ; d20+12=16 ; d20+10=16 ; Thursday May 9th, 2013 11:31:08 PM
Emrys' jaw drops slightly agape after absorbing what the Focus had just said. He shoots a glance at each of his friends and tries his best to suppress his horror. 'How long do you estimate,' he asks, 'until they learn true freedom? (Will save: 19. Sense Motive: 27.)
He quickly determines the true motive for the orb attack during their lake crossing. It was meant to slow them down and distract from the real danger. Their journey to 'true freedom' had already started. Maybe that's why the children haven't changed. He recalls that heartseeds aren't given to children until they reach an appropriate age (Knowledge [Religion]: 16). All this means one thing ... he needs to expedite their escape. Emrys concentrates on the currents of ooze beneath their raft, and tries to manipulate the flows to move as swiftly as possible without destroying the raft (Knowledge [Engineering]: 16).
Ariach AC 26/14/19 ; HP 51/59 d20+9=18 ; d6+4=9 ; Friday May 10th, 2013 2:32:50 AM
Seeing the ooze laying in front of him Ariach follows a short impulse and smashes his paddle against the ooze. (hits AC 18 for 9 damage)
Tug of war with jelly d100=81 ; Friday May 10th, 2013 2:51:40 AM Tuck puts the squeeze on the orb as he feels its membrane tearing in his fingers, the creature is near death.
Wilma finally manages to get a hit in on Orb#2.
Vaniime manages to miss her and Tuck's fingers as she stabs at the orb held between them, but is unable to find an opening.
Emrys has a sudden insight and questions Focus. The response of a half day or less for freedom is all that Emrys gets from Focus on that subject, Emrys can't help wondering which of his teammates, and when...
Orb#1 -28 HP (held by Vaniime and Tuck) Orb#2 -16 HP (near Ariach)
Vaniime AC 18/14/15, HP:40/45, Dodge d20+8=21 ; d4+3=7 ; Friday May 10th, 2013 5:14:07 PM
Trying again to cut this thing to shreds Van has better luck with her second strike AC21 for 7 points.
Tuck HP 29/42 AC 18/18/14 d20+14=19 ; d8+2=8 ; d20+6=21 ; d20+6=26 ; d20+6=16 ; d8+2=8 ; d8+2=9 ; d8+2=8 ; Friday May 10th, 2013 5:33:29 PM
If Vaniime doesn't finish the orb off, then Tuck brings another big knee up into the orb that he is clutching.
If Vaniime does kill the orb that they are both grappling, then Tuck instead turns his attention to the last orb left. He strikes it in quick succession with two kicks.
(Grapple check 19 for 8 damage if Orb 1 is still alive after Vaniime's attack. Flurry of Blows on Orb 2, if Orb 1 is dead, hits AC 21 & 26 (crit with 16 to confirm crit) for 8 and 17 (if crit was successful, 9 if not) damage.)
Tug of war with jelly Friday May 10th, 2013 7:14:49 PM
Vaniime and Tuck finish off the last two orbs.
The party can now turn its attention to getting off the lake.
Emrys senses that Focus did something. I know you are trying to leave, I can't allow that to happen.
Focus laughs, but Emrys can sense that whatever it was scares the ooze out of the scepter.
Emrys ac10, hp20/20. -1 temp. level drain, light, prestidigitation, unseen servant d20+14=33 ; d20+9=17 ; Saturday May 11th, 2013 10:48:15 AM
With the gelatinous orbs having been dispatched, Emrys' expression is devoid of satisfaction or relief. He looks visibly troubled; his eyes dart about nervously. "Prepare yourself friends ... it's not over!! Something wicked this way comes!" (Perception: 33)
Emrys fastens his walking stick to his belt to free his hand for casting. He then concentrates harder to move the raft faster across the ooze. They need to get to shore!! (Will save: 17)
Wilma; AC17 (+1 Mithril chain shirt); HP 35/35; Fly Sunday May 12th, 2013 8:37:21 PM
Wilma squinted down at the raft...the oozes were gone now. Good!
"I can fly ahead--tell the others we're coming...?" she offered, waiting to hear from Van about her idea.
Tuck HP 29/42 AC 18/18/14 d20+11=17 ; Sunday May 12th, 2013 9:14:24 PM
Tuck kicks the lifeless oozes over the boat. He scans the are for other enemies as well as the shoreline.
"We should get to land, then," Tuck responds to Emrys. "If we have to fight, I'd feel better without the threat of falling into a lake of slime."
(Perception 17)
Ariach AC 26/14/19 ; HP 51/59 Monday May 13th, 2013 2:18:10 AM
Ariach focuses on his paddeling again. He doesnīt want to stay any longer than necessary on the raft.
Emrys ac10, hp20/20. -1 temp. level drain, light, prestidigitation, unseen servant Monday May 13th, 2013 8:34:03 AM
Emrys looks at Wilma in disbelief at her statement. "Did you not hear what I just said ... we are NOT out of danger. The Focus just unleashed something very wicked upon us!! We're sitting ducks!! Don't leave us in this dire situation."
Something wicked, this way comes Monday May 13th, 2013 1:16:22 PM
Tuck glances around looking for threats coming, he doesn't see anything other than a lake of ooze, with a wave pushing the raft towards shore.
Emrys would probably be pacing if he had room, as his head jerks back and forth trying to see in every direction at once. The relatively small size of this demi-plane throws off the innate ability to judge distances with a horizon that isn't where one would naturally expect. Maybe that's why it wasn't until the bulge in the ooze had grown visible that Emrys saw something unusual.
Near the center of the lake of ooze a bulge forms, the highest part is now some 20' higher than the horizon. The sides slope out for a hundred feet to each side. Whatever is pushing up from below is big, big enough to displace thousands of tons of ooze.
Once it is pointed out, Wilma can tell that the focal point of that bulge is moving not just up, but towards the party as well.
Wilma; AC17 (+1 Mithril chain shirt); HP 35/35; Fly Monday May 13th, 2013 2:01:03 PM
"Awwwwwww...GIMP IT!!!" Wilma swears, then directs her next shout down to the raft.
"Something really big is heading for you guys...and I don't think it's friendly..!"
Vaniime AC 18/14/15, HP:40/45, Dodge d20+10=18 ; d6+4=10 ; Monday May 13th, 2013 6:35:56 PM
(OOC: Can we see the shore? Relative distance difference between us and the shore versus us and the mound? Don't necessarily need a map but a bit of info to visualize what's going on might be nice.)
"Warrd's whiskers!!" "Why didn't I become a mage like dad wanted?"
"Ariach nice work, keep it up we are getting closer."
"Hey Grell now might be a good time to help Ariach with the rowing until we are back in combat anyway."
"Wilma don't go anywhere but lets see if we can get this tub moving a bit more."
"Tuck do you have a rope you could toss her and then tie to the boat?"
"Emrys, anything I can do for you?"
Picking up her bow again she nocks an arrow and moving to the rear of the boat now, Van lets fly with an arrow (assuming she would know if it were in range or not) AC 18 for 10 points
Tuck HP 29/42 AC 18/18/14 d20+7=13 ; Monday May 13th, 2013 8:18:12 PM
"I do have rope," Tuck responds to Vaniime. "In my stupid bag that doesn't work."
He too picks up his bow and nocks an arrow. He lets fly, but his aim is no good.
(Hits AC 13.)
Grell, AC20/13/18, HP63/68 d20+5=9 ; Monday May 13th, 2013 10:37:56 PM
Grunting his acknowledgement, Grell grabs up his part and begins to row for all he's worth! Whateverit is that's out the, Grell doesn't want any part of it! Str=9.
Ooc: sorry for the missed posts. Had a big test at work to study for.
Ariach AC 26/14/19 ; HP 51/59 d20+4=14 ; Tuesday May 14th, 2013 4:25:43 AM
Hearing a praise from the groupīs leader Vaniime gives Ariach an energy push. He keeps paddeling while he looks over his shoulder to the center of the lake where the new enemy will appear soon.
Emrys uses what control he has over the scepter to push the raft faster to shore. He replies to Vaniime question, "Just let loose your arrows straight and true. Hopefully I can help get this raft to shore."
Something wicked, this way comes Tuesday May 14th, 2013 12:08:11 PM
The shore is so close, a little more paddling and no one need get wet to make it onto the beach. Whatever is causing the surge will reach the shore in about a minute.
When fear grips a person, they often perform actions that have no benefit. Like firing arrows into a lake of ooze. But maybe they feel better from the action. Maybe their quick thinking is enough to focus those paddling into putting even more effort into it.
As Grell starts paddling, Ariach begins to feel the burn from nearly non-stop paddling for the better part of a half hour.
Wilma; AC17 (+1 Mithril chain shirt); HP 35/35; Fly d20+10=13 ; Tuesday May 14th, 2013 1:04:53 PM
Wilma strained to make out at least some sort of shape or silhouette within the ooze in an effort to try to identify what kind of Big Bad was about to make an unwanted appearance.
OOC: sigh. Perception 13. Wilma may be needing to invest in a pair of spectacles after this adventure...assuming she lives through it.
Tuck HP 29/42 AC 18/18/14 d20+7=25 ; d8=2 ; Tuesday May 14th, 2013 8:35:07 PM
Tuck fixes another arrow to his bow and takes more careful aim before letting fly. He feels more confident in this shot.
(Hits AC 25 for 2 damage.)
Grell (Donna subbing for Nellie) d20+5=22 ; Wednesday May 15th, 2013 12:04:52 AM
Grell doesn't even bother to look at the rising swell behind the raft--he redoubles his efforts to paddle for everyone's lives...
OOC: Strength check 22
Ariach AC 26/14/19 ; HP 51/59 d20+4=18 ; Wednesday May 15th, 2013 4:13:56 AM
Ariachīs arms are burning. He is a well trained warrior but the unusual exercise of paddeling brings him to his borders. His entire body tells him to stop and rest but his will is too strong to give up- too strong to abondon his friends. (strenght check=18)
Emrys ac10, hp20/20. -1 temp. level drain, light, prestidigitation, unseen servant d20+9=28 ; d20+14=30 ; Wednesday May 15th, 2013 8:53:14 AM
(Will save: 28, to control the scepter)
Emrys uses the full extent of his will upon the scepter to propel the raft with faster flows of ooze in order to move away from oncoming menace and close with the shore.
(Perception: 30)
Something wicked, this way comes Wednesday May 15th, 2013 1:57:24 PM
The ooze is opaque, unlike water, perceiving something even an inch below the surface would be nearly impossible with plain eye sight.
and here is me realizing that with dim light pervasive throughout the demi-plane, nobody would have detected anything yet anyway... sigh, and hand wave.
The surge from whatever is below and behind the raft starts to lift the back end even as the shore line starts to recede under the raft as the ooze is drawn away from shore by the surge.
Tuck makes a magnificent shot into the ooze, striking the lake with perfection.
Ariach continues paddling, even as the raft hits the shore. As the party watches, the shoreline continues to recede behind the raft leaving it stranded on the beach as the ooze of the lake flows back, and up, and up, and Wilma considers flying higher.
Emrys realizes that he can detect something. Something that Focus fears. Something that Focus can't control. If his mental grasp slips, Emrys can sense that Focus is likely to revert to ooze, more to escape whatever is coming, than to escape Emrys.
The effects and control of Focus are based on possession, not wielding.
Wilma; AC17 (+1 Mithril chain shirt); HP 35/35; Fly Wednesday May 15th, 2013 2:06:17 PM
Wilma instinctively climbed higher into the sky, trying not to let her fear swamp her thinking. Meanwhile, she screamed down to her friends:
"RUN!!!!"
Grell, AC20/13/18, HP63/68 Wednesday May 15th, 2013 7:43:05 PM
Abandoning his bow, Grell immediately sees the wisdom of Wilma's advice and makes a run for it as fast as his legs can carry him...which is pretty fast now a days (120 feet). He looks over his shoulder, hoping his teammates are following.
Tuck HP 29/42 AC 18/18/14 Wednesday May 15th, 2013 8:37:40 PM
Tuck sees no reason not to heed Wilma and Grell's example. He sprints after them, slinging his bow over his shoulder as he does.
Van begins to tell everyone to get off the boat and on shore and as far inland as they can get when she hears Wilma's scream to run. Quickly cutting the rope tied to her she takes off at a full out run up the shore as far as she can get.
Emrys ac12, hp25/25. prestidigitation, beast shape d20+9=26 ; d100=55 ; Wednesday May 15th, 2013 10:57:30 PM
(Will Save: 26, to force Emrys' indomitable will upon the Focus in order to "possess" it. It's the only method I've been instructed to do that hasn't been rejected.)
Trembling in fear from the gargantuan uberooze growing within the receding lake, Emrys confides in the Focus. 'I can feel your fear, your desperation ... the terror you feel cascades into me; provoking my own survival instincts. You're staying with us ... you no longer have a choice. Either you help us escape or we all perish together!'
Hearing Wilma's call to "RUN", Emrys shouts back, "I'll do better than that!" The bard begins to mutter words of power. As he does, he clinches the scepter to his chest. He then suddenly shrinks and morphs into a small owl. With his talons considerably smaller than what his foot used to be, Emrys is easily able to slip out of his rope that bound him to the raft. He then takes to the air and flies off in same direction as his friends.
(Leyline roll: 55. Casting Beast Shape I and turns into a small-sized owl. All equipment and gear melds into the owls physical form, including the Focus. Fly movement: 30-ft)
Ariach AC 26/14/19 ; HP 51/59 Thursday May 16th, 2013 8:43:04 AM
Ariach frees himself from the rope and grabs his shield. A short look around shows him that all of his friends either are running or are flying in the air. Satisfied seeing his friends in relativ security he also starts to run. But he takes care that he comes in last.
Supper time! Thursday May 16th, 2013 12:29:13 PM
A stream of smoke waifs up from one of the less damaged ruins, the smell of fresh baking bread hangs in the air.
Humming quietly to herself Eleanor Goode putters around in a room that has two standing walls, and part of a ceiling. The remnants of a door are balanced upon two broken walls serving as a table upon which she kneads a ball of dough. But how can I do that with this? Naomi grimaces and gestures to the stump of an arm. Child, while you may not have it easy at kneading dough, there are many things you can do in a kitchen. In fact, I know an inn, it's just a couple of streets over from my place. The proprietor, Master Hosk, a fine older gentleman. His wife died a couple years back, now she was a dear. They have two children, why the girl, Selika, she's about your age. Such a dear, she packs me a fine dinner on Wednesday's. But you stay away from her brother, Garik, he's a little ruffian, always trying to put crickets in my pockets! Anyway, Master Hosk, he'd take you in and teach you some fine cooking, what that man can do with some chicken and a few vegetables... Eleanor doesn't notice the sadness creeping into Naomi as she rambles on, bouncing from one subject to another. Can I try? the voice is soft, barely over a whisper as Natasha looks with longing at the loaf of bread baking in a makeshift oven behind the trio. Why certainly Natasha, just wipe your hands dry and puff them with some flour, now see how I am holding the dough?... Ealanor is happy to have someone interested in her baking and continues her rambling of cooking and local gossip. ***** I don't know what has you so agitated Mr. Farnsworth, try this, I saved it from lunch. The young girl holds a piece of bread to a small ooze craddled in her lap. It seems agitated and quivers restlessly, but doesn't harm the girl sitting on a lump of dried ooze at the shore of the lake. Her feet idly splashing in the ooze as she tends to her pet. ***** I don't know, it's been so long, I expect they are more of Shandrash's minions. Don't kow why they took so long to come through the portal. Shoulda been here long time ago. Hastein sits next to Katrin. She stares out over the lake of ooze, while he looks at her with long pent up adoration on his face. Ecstatic that she was letting him hold her hand, he was surprised when she gripped tight and pointed out at the lake. wha' s' at? Tearing his gaze from admiring the contour of her nose he glances out at the lake of ooze. I don't see anything, what do you see?
His eyes don't perceive what hers do, a growing bulge in the ooze heading for shore a couple hundred yards away, on the other side of the small village from where they sit. ***** Heath smiled as the ooze finally lost it's balance on the thin strip of wood suspended over several spikes and dropped down to pierce itself and split apart. He didn't hear the steps behind him as he poked at the dying ooze with another stick. By the gods! I am getting tired of telling you to leave the girls alone! Heath jumps at the anger in Andrei's voice. What's it to you? You aren't the boss of me! Go shag an ooze! Kicking the spikes, Heath pushes past Andrei and stalks off along the beach. Andrei sighs and watches him leave. One of these days he'll go to far, maybe a walk will cool him down.
Behind them the heroes make shore and start running up the beach. *****
Meanwhile, the heroes have made it to shore. With a shouted warning from Wilma, several start running away from the shore. In the distance they can see the remnants of the debris thrown from the portal. If they run, they can make it there in a couple of minutes. Grell can probably make it in half a minute as he quickly outpaces the others, even abandoning his bow to save weight.
Tuck HP 29/42 AC 18/18/14 Thursday May 16th, 2013 5:59:13 PM
"Run!" Tuck hollers to the children and Eleanor. "Run that way and quickly!"
He points in the direction of the oneway portal that brought them to this realm. Should any children falter, he quickly makes his way to them and pushes them along, dragging them by an arm if need be.
Vaniime AC 18/14/15, HP:40/45, Dodge Thursday May 16th, 2013 6:23:19 PM
Let's move folks we need to get moving and fast. Head toward the portal area. NOW!!
Supper time! Thursday May 16th, 2013 10:04:32 PM
The party can see Andrei, not looking in their direction, watching Heath walk away from them. Andrei is about 100 yards from the heroes.
Hastein and Katrin are not visible to the heroes. Neither are Ms. Goode, Naomi or Natasha, though from the middle of the crumbling village comes the wisp of smoke.
If it wasn't for the lighting, Gurtrude might be barely visible about 300 yards away on the other side of the wreckage of the village.
Keep in mind that vision is supposed to be low-light throughout, which technically would mean they are out of eyesight, think of that time of dusk when it is hardest to see things in the distance.
Emrys ac13, hp25/25. prestidigitation, beast shape d20+14=25 ; Friday May 17th, 2013 12:58:09 AM
Emrys, in the form of an owl, flies at top speed (x4, 120-ft), just 10 to 15 feet above the ground. He does his best to make his way to their point of origin. The scepter is safely tucked away, melded into his body. He finds the idea of the Focus being a part of him most distasteful. At least this should prevent it from causing more trouble or entertain thoughts of escape.
The sensation of flight has always been a delight for Emrys. Having an archdruid as a father, his early lessons about the wildlife of Culverwood would involve being magically changed into different birds. His father thought it better to teach the subtleties of flight through experience other than from the pages of books. Of course, he thinks, there is much truth in his father's wisdom.
(Perception: 25) He notices the children in the distance, but he makes the decision to keep moving to the point of origin. He needs to be there to open a portal. If that doesn't happen then they're all doomed. He does, however, starts to bellow out harsh, ear-piercing screeching cries like only an owl can make! A high-pitched, squealing sound most unusual for a place like this. Like a siren, Emrys continues to make these cries as he flies closer to his destination.
DM Ezra: Please post how to run while flying. Everything I looked at indicated that fly, burrow, and swim speeds are maximums. In 3.5 flying down allowed up to double speed. Haste specifically increases all modes of movement, while other spells do not. I've seen postings regarding this and how monks (for instance) move faster on foot than in the air. If you can point me to something that suggests otherwise, I would appreciate it.
Wilma; AC17 (+1 Mithril chain shirt); HP 35/35; Fly d20+10=23 ; Friday May 17th, 2013 1:25:15 AM
Knowing that her friends were no doubt all going to do their utmost to get away from the still-unknown-yet-nonetheless-terrifying menace welling up from the depths of the lake of ooze, Wilma concentrates on flying as swiftly as possible to where the castaways and Mistress Goode were supposed to be getting a meal ready.
"Everyone--run! RUN!!! Follow us and RUN FOR YOUR LIVES!!!" the redheaded cleric screamed at the top of her lungs as she "buzzed" the dwelling that was producing the smoke, using one arm to wildly wave/point in the direction everyone was expected to flee. "We're getting out of here NOW!!!" Wilma's sapphire gaze swept the area, straining to see and account for everyone they had been planning to rescue from this horrible place.
OOC: Wilma's Perception check is 23.
Ariach AC 26/14/19 ; HP 51/59 Friday May 17th, 2013 2:59:35 AM
Ariach keeps running. Hopefully Emry or Wilma can really open a portal back home.
Vaniime AC 18/14/15, HP:40/45, Dodge Friday May 17th, 2013 10:04:09 PM
Keeps moving only slowing downa bit to make sure the kids and their neighbor heard then call.
Wilma; AC17 (+1 Mithril chain shirt); HP 35/35; Fly Saturday May 18th, 2013 1:31:13 AM
Wilma continues to fly hard and not panic.
Tuck HP 29/42 AC 18/18/14 Saturday May 18th, 2013 2:43:48 PM
Tuck peels off to go after Andrei. "Hey, kid! Gather the others up. Something bad is coming and we need to get out of here. Do it now!"
Supper time! Monday May 20th, 2013 4:05:26 PM my post will be delayed due to training. Hoping Tanner will step in with children running around like headless chickens
Supper time! Monday May 20th, 2013 4:05:26 PM my post will be delayed due to training. Hoping Tanner will step in with children running around like headless chickens
Wilma; AC17 (+1 Mithril chain shirt); HP 35/35; Fly Monday May 20th, 2013 5:52:33 PM
OOC: Great..! Where is my Headless Chicken Chaser when I need it..?
Supper time! d20=9 ; d20=4 ; d20=12 ; Monday May 20th, 2013 9:30:10 PM Assuming that a shout is as loud as a battle, -10 DC, 100 yards distance is +30 to DC. Perception DC for Andrei is 20. For Heath DC 23. The others are all distracted, For Hastein, Katrin, Ms. Goode, Naomi and Natasha, the base DC is 55. And for Gurtrude it is 85.
For every 10' that at least one player moves towards the others, their DC reduces by 1.
Tuck stood, shouted, then ran towards Andrei. Assuming a second shout at the end of the turn, the DC dropped by 12 for Tuck. Heath does not hear anything.
Emrys beelines it for the portal, his owl hoots are not heard.
Wilma fly's towards the village, but is outdistanced by Tuck.
Ariach and Grell move towards the portal at their best speed.
Vaniime lags behind a bit, watching the kids while she also heads for the portal.
Andrei hears something and starts looking around. He does not see the others coming towards him yet (Tuck is the closest at 160' in dim light).
The surge from the lake has stopped swelling up and continues to head for the beach where the raft is.
Post tomorrow will also be late as I am still in training.
Emrys ac13, hp25/25. prestidigitation, beast shape d20+14=25 ; Tuesday May 21st, 2013 12:05:56 AM
Emrys continues to fly toward their portals origin as fast as he can. There is not much else he can do. At least in this form, he keeps the Focus trapped within his magically-altered, feathered form.
(Perception: 25)
(Doesn't my path to the portal cross through the children's village? That's the order we arrived at each location: portal > child village > ooze lake > and so on.)
It may be the order you arrived in, not the order you returned from across the lake. I believe I made several posts that Focus was turning the raft to the side when control was lost.
Wilma; AC17 (+1 Mithril chain shirt); HP 35/35; Fly Tuesday May 21st, 2013 3:03:26 AM
OOC: Wait...is there a map so we can see exactly where everyone is in relation to the exit portal (and to each other?) The urgency of the situation would have Wilma flying as fast as she can (which is what? Like "running" at 4 times her usual speed? That would mean she can fly at a speed of 160 feet, right? Where does that put her?)
Then there's the fact that the "house" that Mistress Goode and her audience are in a shell of a house that the DM has described as: Humming quietly to herself Eleanor Goode putters around in a room that has two standing walls, and part of a ceiling. The remnants of a door are balanced upon two broken walls serving as a table upon which she kneads a ball of dough. Granted she and her assistants/audience may be concentrating on their task at hand, they should still be able to hear the warning shouts and screams of the approaching party members, don't you think...?
in character:
Wilma continued to fly at top speed towards the place where Mistress Goode was no doubt cooking for the children--the place that showed the wisps of smoke from a cooking fire--intent upon making sure that the people there were duly warned and prompted to run for the portal home...
Ariach AC 26/14/19 ; HP 51/59 Tuesday May 21st, 2013 3:04:18 PM
Ariach runs to the place where they have left the children Mistress Goode. Not under any circumstances he will leave these innocent persons behind.
Tuck HP 29/42 AC 18/18/14 Tuesday May 21st, 2013 7:44:21 PM
Tuck keeps trucking towards the children and the makeshift village. He's shouting and pointing towards where the portal is.
Emrys ac13, hp25/25. prestidigitation, beast shape Wednesday May 22nd, 2013 12:22:37 AM
On a wing and a prayer.
Wilma; AC17 (+1 Mithril chain shirt); HP 35/35; Fly Wednesday May 22nd, 2013 12:27:09 PM
...still flying as fast as she can (about fifteen or so feet off the ground) to warn the unsuspecting civilians about the need to RUN for the exit...
Ariach AC 26/14/19 ; HP 51/59 Wednesday May 22nd, 2013 4:29:06 PM
Ariach searches for the children.
OOC: I am on vacation the entire next week and i am not sure i will be able to post regulary. Therefore i need someone to take over Ariach- please.
Grell, AC20/13/18, HP63/68 Wednesday May 22nd, 2013 10:11:25 PM
Grell bolts toward the children, ready to scoop up one or two on his way to the portal.
Emrys ac13, hp25/25. prestidigitation, beast shape Thursday May 23rd, 2013 12:12:16 AM
You are the wind beneath my wings....
Running man. d20=1 ; Thursday May 23rd, 2013 3:38:49 AM How to provide perspective...
You are puttering around on a camping trip. the slow lapping of waves is constant in the background. You're having a nice conversation with two people. Past four pop-ups and two RV's some idiot is yelling for a beer.
You're at Grand Central Park early one morning, it's quiet, you're jogging on West Dr. You glance across Sheep Meadow and see two lovers chatting on Central Park Driveway. There's someone sneaking up behind them. Can they hear you yelling?
Go stand under the goal post of a football field. Ask your friend to stand under the other goal post. Now yell something to them. Then ask them to double their distance and put some buildings in the way. ====
Emrys has now moved 320' from the raft towards the portal. Wilma is flying magically which is limited to 60' and has moved 120' from the raft towards the village. Ariach is running towards the village and has moved 120' from the raft. (20 base due to armor?) Grell is also running towards the portal? and has moved 240', he's not far behind the hooting owl. (30 base from armor?) Tuck is running towards Andrei and has now caught up to the bewildered lad. Vaniime lagged a moment before heading towards the portal? having moved 210' towards the portal.
=====
Andrei looks at Tuck as he skids to a halt before the lad, pointing uphill towards the portal "Hey, kid! Gather the others up. Something bad is coming and we need to get out of here. Do it now!"
What do you mean bad? What did you find over there? Andrei comes across as confused, he's had two years of being in charge and isn't used to doing anything quickly, or to another's orders.
Heath is lost in his own thoughts and doesn't hear the commotion behind him as he continues walking towards the village. (rolled 1 for perception)
(The others are still too far to hear shouting.)
Behind the party the surge of ooze reaches the beach and rolls up onto and over the raft. As the ooze flows back into the lake, the raft has disappeared under a sickly green glob of ooze roiling with menace and turmoil. Pseudopods burst from it to wave about in the air, as if tasting the air before crashing to the ground and flowing back into the central mass while leaving a torn gash in the dried ooze that serves as a land mass. The surface of the blob ripples from the ground up to the top before reverberating back down. The creature easily dwarfs an area around the raft.
Emrys, even though you have Focus temporarily contained physically, you still need to make ongoing will rolls to maintain mental control. Please provide two rolls.
Wilma; AC17 (+1 Mithril chain shirt); HP 35/35; Fly d20=12 ; Thursday May 23rd, 2013 5:03:42 AM OOC: um...Wilma's base Speed is 40, not 30--unless her Fly spell has its own maximum speed rate...?
Wilma continued to head for the building that had the smoke from the cook fire wisping from it, angling downward in her flight even as she righted herself so that she could hit the ground running at her top speed, as it appeared that flying was slower.
OOC again: rolled in case Wilma needs to make an Acrobatic/Dex check or a Reflex Save to "land" on her feet in the manner she wishes. Her Dex gives her +2 for 14 total check, while her Ref bonus is +3 to make it a 15 total Ref Save.
DM Ezra: The building with the smoke coming from it is 200 yards from the raft. At Wilma's speed of 60'/rd, it will take her 10 rounds to get there. Once Wilma has moved 350' from the raft towards the smoke, the DC will be 20 for her yelling to be heard. At her current rate of movement, this will take another 4 rounds.
Ariach AC 26/14/19 ; HP 51/59 Thursday May 23rd, 2013 2:07:57 PM
Ariach doesnīt stop running at the place he expects the children. He wants to rescue them all.
Tuck HP 29/42 AC 18/18/14 Thursday May 23rd, 2013 8:43:17 PM
"Just get your butt to the portal. We're taking everyone home. Unless you want to stay and die."
Tuck is direct, but the situation calls for it. He keeps running towards the others, yelling for them to run.
Vaniime AC 18/14/15, HP:40/45, Dodge Thursday May 23rd, 2013 9:45:08 PM
Moving as fast as her little elven feet and legs will let her go, Van heads to the high ground, so-to-speak.
Emrys ac13, hp25/25. prestidigitation, beast shape d20+8=19 ; d20+8=26 ; Thursday May 23rd, 2013 10:35:17 PM
(Will saves: 19 and 26. Isn't the Focus dormant and non-functioning like the rest of Emrys' equipment?)
I believe I can fly I believe I can touch the sky I think about it every night and day Spread my wings and fly away I believe I am immortal I see me running through that open portal I believe I can fly
(as fast as he can go.)
DM Ezra: we can go ask for clarification, but I would state that having an intelligence get melded into your being does not confer suspended animation. In this instance that would be rather interesting as I believe Carl mentioned previously that Focus was needed to activate the portal.
Emrys ac13, hp25/25. prestidigitation, beast shape Friday May 24th, 2013 11:30:25 AM
(ooc: yes of course. Emrys has every intention to change back to his normal form to open the portal.)
Wilma; AC17 (+1 Mithril chain shirt); HP 35/35; Fly d20=18 ; Friday May 24th, 2013 9:37:11 PM
Wilma touches down on what passes for solid ground and continues to just flat-out RUN towards where she is sure Mistress Goode and the children must be, yelling at the top of her lungs for everyone to make a run for where the portal is--they're leaving RIGHT NOW!!!
OOC: I'm not sure what (if any) bonuses Wilma would get for attempting to be heard by everyone she's trying to warn, but a natural 18 ain't too shabby....
Running man. Saturday May 25th, 2013 2:34:13 AM
Please post every day, even if I don't.
I will have a post out tomorrow morning.
Grell, AC20/13/18, HP63/68 Saturday May 25th, 2013 9:35:54 PM
The warrior continues to hoof it toward the children, hoping to scoop on up before he finishes bolting for the portal. He doesn't even bother looking behind him, for fear of losing momentum to the killer ooze.
Fly me to the moon Let me swing among those stars Let me see what spring is like On Jupiter and Mars
Emrys ac13, hp25/25. prestidigitation, beast shape Sunday May 26th, 2013 7:21:03 PM
(ooc: To be clear, Emrys is still flying to the portal at full speed. He isnt flying to Jupiter or Mars.)
Wilma; AC17 (+1 Mithril chain shirt); HP 35/35; Fly Monday May 27th, 2013 3:47:48 AM
Are you SURE? Jupiter or Mars is likely safer than where the party is presently located....
Ariach AC 26/14/19 ; HP 51/59 Monday May 27th, 2013 4:11:13 PM
Ariach searches for one of the kids. If he spots one he runs directly to the child.
Grell, AC20/13/18, HP63/68 Monday May 27th, 2013 8:16:46 PM
Cocks his head slightly to the side as he continues to run full tilt toward the first kid. Grell could have sworn he just heard music...light, soft music...the kind that the bards play before a performance while they are stalling for time....
Emrys ac13, hp25/25. prestidigitation, beast shape d20+8=27 ; Monday May 27th, 2013 11:11:35 PM
(will save: 27, natural 19! These past two high rolls should be good for several rounds, especially for a scepter that currently exists as part of an amalgam with other equipment and clothing to form owl guts.)
"I wish that I could fly Into the sky So very high Just like a dragonfly
I'd fly above the trees Over the seas in all degrees To anywhere I please
Oh I want to get away I want to fly away Yeah yeah yeah "
Emrys continues his trek to the portal area. As he gets closer, he will squawk to get their attentions.
Wilma; AC17 (+1 Mithril chain shirt); HP 35/35; Fly d20=1 ; Tuesday May 28th, 2013 1:20:14 AM
Wilma also continues to speed towards the portal home, yelling at the top of her lungs:
"Everybody--MOOOOOOVE!!! We gotta get out of here...NOWWWWWWWW!!!"
OOC: Natural 1. Sigh. I suppose she's now putting so much effort into running along the ground that she can't do more than wheeze a warning.
Running man. Tuesday May 28th, 2013 2:40:57 PM I hope everyone had a good holiday weekend.
Tuck finds himself trying to explain the situation to Andrei, without much success. Don't be getting the others all worked up, if you can get us out of here, then let's go get the others, they should be in the area, since there isn't much else around here. No need for yelling, you'll just upset the girls. Andrei doesn't seem to sense why anything should be urgent and turns to walk back to the village. Were you able to get into the building across the lake? You know that slim door is how Naomi lost her arm. We almost lost her too.
Emrys is now 480' from the raft to the portal. He is a bit over half way..
Wilma lands and continues on foot. She has now moved 280' from the raft. (I assume she leaves Tuck to talk to Andrei and continues on looking for the others?)
Ariach continues towards the children, but his encumbered self is rather slow. He has moved 240' from the raft and is now where Tuck and Andrei are.
Vaniime continues running towards the portal, she has traveled 330' towards the portal. Vaniime notices several orbs bursting from under the surface of the ooze and out pacing her as they also flee the area.
Grell is not far behind Emrys at 360' from the raft.
Back at the raft, the ooze shudders then starts moving towards the location of the nearest and closest vibrations, the village. Behind it there is nothing left of the raft. The ooze flows like liquid mercury across the terrain, ignoring slope and moving directly towards the village when a small orb that had been laying in a shallow depression jumps and vainly tries to flee. A pseudopod darts from the ooze and engulfs the orb. The ooze is flowing faster than an average human can run.
Tuck HP 29/42 AC 18/18/14 Tuesday May 28th, 2013 5:55:19 PM
OOC - Tuck wasn't stopping to debate with Andrei. As per his last post, he said a few sentences and kept running towards the village. He didn't stop to chat.
Tuck leaves Andrei in the dust as he speeds toward the village to warn the others.
Wilma; AC17 (+1 Mithril chain shirt); HP 35/35; Fly d20=20 ; Wednesday May 29th, 2013 12:34:07 AM OOC to DM: FIRST: yes, Wilma is letting Ariach and/or Tuck round up or talk to those behind them--she's too caught up in reaching the people she believes are at the building she spotted from on high.
SECOND: I originally posted this before midnight (Eastern time) but I didn't want to confuse the Sheriff when he comes a-countin' posts...and the die roll then was only 5. I will apply the second d20 roll to the next time a d20 roll is needed, unless you rule that the natural 20 stands.
Wilma (now on foot and moving at her top speed) runs towards the building where the smoke from what she assumed was the cooking fire that Mistress Goode was no doubt using, intent upon warning all within earshot even as she was going to make sure that nobody remained in the building.
"Everybody--run for the portal! We're getting out of here--NOW!!!"
OOC again: and that's another lovely roll regarding Wilma attempting to make herself heard. I must consider putting her next Ability point bonus into her Constitution...
Emrys ac13, hp25/25. prestidigitation, beast shape d20+8=22 ; Wednesday May 29th, 2013 8:33:38 AM
Continuing to fly and use ones will power (Will save 22)
Tuck HP 29/42 AC 18/18/14 Wednesday May 29th, 2013 4:52:33 PM
Tuck keeps on keepin' on.
Ariach AC 26/14/19 ; HP 51/59 Wednesday May 29th, 2013 5:27:42 PM
Ariach keeps on sprinting. When he reaches one of the kids he pulls it with him towards the portal. "I will not die that way! There is no heroism in dying in a sea of ooze!"
Grell, AC20/13/18, HP63/68 Wednesday May 29th, 2013 10:06:59 PM
Continuing his sprint, Grell belows out as loud as he can "GET YOUR BUTTS MOVING! THERE'S A GIANT WAVE THAT'S GOING TO KILL YOU IF YOU DON'T MOVE NOW!!!"
OOC: I've mentioned a couple of times that Grell is heading toward the children. His intention is to scoop one up and keep running as soon as he reaches them.
Running man. Thursday May 30th, 2013 4:03:07 AM
Running, running and running. So if Grell and Wanda want to get into their attempts to get an old grandmotherly lady in the middle of baking along with several very independently minded teenagers to drop what they are doing and hoof it off into the distance, by all means, lets speed this up a bit.
Those running keep running. The HUGE ooze is flowing faster than Ariach can run and will overrun him without action.
Wilma; AC17 (+1 Mithril chain shirt); HP 35/35; Fly Thursday May 30th, 2013 10:38:50 AM OOC: I assume that Wilma is about 440 feet away from where the raft was...but how close is she to where the baking site with Mistress Goode and the kids are? If they didn't hear her last yell (when I rolled the 5) then surely they must hear her yelling now, since she will be using that natural 20 to warn the others about the imminent flood...
IC: Wilma didn't even dare to look behind her but continued to run at top speed so that her path would take her past the building she assumed was being used to cook food.
"Move it! We have to leave--NOW!!!" she yelled. "There's a big wave of ooze that's gonna lay the smackdown on us if we don't go!!!"
(OOC: Gonna ooze on down, gonna ooze on on down, gonna ooze on down the road...)
No longer even looking back, just flat out running as only an elf can.
Emrys ac13, hp25/25. prestidigitation, beast shape Thursday May 30th, 2013 4:21:07 PM
(ooc: Emrys has traveled much more than 480 ft. His fly speed is 30ft, then x4(run). That's 120ft a round. For the past 2 weeks we've had 8 rounds of movement. That's 960ft of distance (320 yards). We should be at the portal site.)
Tuck HP 29/42 AC 18/18/14 Thursday May 30th, 2013 5:23:43 PM
Tuck continues to run hollering at any who are in range to run.
(OOC - I don't suppose we can speed this up a little. I don't think any of us has any intention of doing anything other than helping the children get out of the path of the ooze. It's a bit tedious to post that we're running every day.)
Emrys ac13, hp25/25. prestidigitation, beast shape d20+8=17 ; Thursday May 30th, 2013 8:00:47 PM And we'll Run, Run, Run Til our Jerry takes the L-game away.
(Will save: 17)
Grell, AC20/13/18, HP63/68 d20+10=26 ; d20+3=15 ; Thursday May 30th, 2013 9:42:17 PM
Running headlong toward the children who are outside the building, Grell bowls into the nearest one, hoping to knock him of his feet and onto the bulky warrior's shoulder so he can run toward the portal.
OOC: I guess the closest thing to what I'm envisioning is a charge, followed by a reflex for the snatch. Sooo...charge=26, Ref.=15).
Running man. Friday May 31st, 2013 11:38:05 AM yeah, sorry about that, didn't work out quite like I expected, either too much time and no sense of urgency or not enough time and someone gets ooze-rolled.
Ms. Goode hears the yelling as Wilma flies by. Young people these days, always in a hurry. Now that the dough has been well kneaded, we can shape it into a loaf. Demonstrating for the two girls, she quickly and deftly forms a pile of bread dough into a mound of dough. Some light scoring across the top will keep the loaf from splitting open as it rises. She seems to be unconcerned by the yelling as she focuses on her bread. The two girls with her watch Wilma with concern on their faces, wha... Looking at each other, they shrug, as one of them goes to the doorway and looks about. The other starts to walk over before Ms. Goode addresses her. This is a critical stage, you can't be going off half-nilly, not like that Smyth girl, why she gets distracted by the slightest thing. I remember just last week she was walking down the street, nearly got run over by a wagon when she followed a butterfly into the road.
Andrei still doesn't see the danger but trots after Grell, Wait! What are you talking about?
Wilma; AC17 (+1 Mithril chain shirt); HP 35/35; Fly Friday May 31st, 2013 1:24:56 PM
Wilma glanced over her shoulder and saw...
...absolutely nobody paying attention to her. What in the Wold..???
She couldn't just leave them, though. She turned and went back to the doorframe to the practically-roofless building and said/shouted emphatically:
"The Vanguard has ticked off a huge monster ooze that is about to slam into this place--we all need to RUN for the portal--RIGHT NOW!!!" So saying, the redheaded cleric snagged the arm of whomever was closest and tugged on it so that they would know she was entirely serious.
"This is NOT a drill--everyone will be killed by that thing if we don't go this instant!!!"
Tuck HP 29/42 AC 18/18/14 Friday May 31st, 2013 6:12:59 PM
Tuck moves to the next closest person that isn't being spoken to and screams at them to move out of the path of the ooze.
Ariach AC 26/14/19 ; HP 51/59 Friday May 31st, 2013 7:03:18 PM
For the split of a second Ariach, the young warrior, panics again after recognizing he will not make it to the portal right in time. He already thought about removing his plate mail armor to increase his speed - but the huge ooze is to close. He thought about using a potion but nothing will help him in this unique situation.
Suddenly an overall, dead calm overwhelms him. He sees Tuck and Grell running in slow motion in front of him trying to rescue some of the kids. He sees Vaniime leading them all to their goal - the portal. He sees the unbelievable Emry flying high above all of them. And finally he hears the lovely voice of Wilma.
Yes, these are his companions. These are his friends. This is his secret love. What else can a man expect from life beside having friends like them. Proudly he stops to run. "Good Bye, my friends" he whispers. "May Domi help you."
Then he turns around and faces the gigantic wave.
Grell, AC20/13/18, HP63/68 Saturday June 1st, 2013 4:41:54 PM
Panting, the warrior jerks his thumb behind him and tilts his head to catch a glimpse of he wave. "Big wave...we ticked it off...eating everything in it's way...MOVE IT!!". The adrenaline is surging so much that Grell can hardly think.
And then Grell spots something wrong, it takes a couple of seconds for it to register in his oxygen depleted brain. Ariach has STOPPED running and is facing the killer wave. Angrily jabbing his finger toward the portal at Andrei, Grell yells at the young man. "That way...run NOW! Don't ask questions, just run!!"
Grell changes course and begins running back toward Ariach, screaming at the top of his lungs. "Ariach, MOVE YOUR BUTT!! C'mon brother, you're almost here." His legs pumping as hard as they can, Grell is determined to get his comrade in arms back to the portal with the others.
Emrys ac13, hp25/25. prestidigitation, beast shape d20+14=30 ; d20+9=28 ; Sunday June 2nd, 2013 1:36:30 PM
Emrys is now traveled 1,200-ft from when they left the raft (almost a 1/4 mile); he wonders if he is there yet. He doesn't recall having to travel so far.
(Perception 30)
He easily hears Grell shout back at Ariach. 'WHAT?!' his mind shouts. Emrys then lands and changes back to his bewitching and breathtakingly gorgeous self. He can sense the gargantuan oozing beast through the Focus' power. Holding out the newly reformed scepter (Will save: 28), he attempts to befuddle and confuse the monsters instincts. That the village and solid-bodied people, that it was loosed upon to destroy, are actually in the opposite direction.
'Focus,' Emrys says mentally, 'If you wish to survive this day, and I know you do, you best help in this! This is your day of reckoning!'
Emrys ac10, hp20/20. light, prestidigitation Sunday June 2nd, 2013 1:40:32 PM
(ooc: Can we have a location for everyone? I also forgot to mention that the Light spell on the walking stick, that's fastened to his belt, just came back on after the transformation.
Any portal in a storm - Ezra Monday June 3rd, 2013 5:33:48 PM Without going back through old posts, I thought it was something like several minutes of walking from the portal to the village, so a 1/4 mile is about right.
The others are all in the village, with the exception of Ariach, who stands between the ooze and the village, though much closer to the village.
For those in the village, we can hurry this up with some diplomacy rolls and grapple checks for those wanting to throw 100# teen ager's over their shoulders.
Wilma makes a grab for Naomi's one, and only, good arm.
Grell yells at Heath as Andrei runs to keep up, still pestering Grell with questions. Seeing Ariach has stopped, Grell turns and runs back towards Ariach.
Tuck, seeing Wilma with several of the children continues into the village and runs around a corner to find a blushing Katrin quickly placing her hands back in her lap next to a guilty eyed Hastein.
Emrys and Vaniime are standing below where the closed portal is, 30' below.
Emrys' form shifts as he returns to his normal form. He can sense Focus attempting to continue shifting into ooze and slipping through Emrys fingers, as had happened earlier. Emrys manages to maintain a tenuous grasp on the scepter. As Emrys uses Focus to search out for the newest threat, he realizes that he can't control this ooze, it has its own will. And a hungry one at that.
I am the key, without me you can not leave, I feel your grasp weakening. The sleeper has awakened! Let me go, and I promise to protect you! Once she has assimilated a few of your friends she may be inclined to go back to sleep. Emrys can feel the laughter of Focus reverberating through his skull.
Ariach AC 26/14/19 ; HP 51/59 Monday June 3rd, 2013 6:21:28 PM
OOC: *The HUGE ooze is flowing faster than Ariach can run and will overrun him without action.* That means that Ariach has no chance to reach the portal right in time- or?
Tuck HP 29/42 AC 18/18/14 Monday June 3rd, 2013 8:55:30 PM
Tuck grabs Katrin in one hand and Hastein in another and propels them in the direction of Emrys. "Go! Your lives are in danger. Run!"
He looks around wildly for any other children or the baker. If none are being cajoled into running towards the portal, Tuck will run in their direction to push them on.
Wilma; AC17 (+1 Mithril chain shirt); HP 35/35; Fly d20+2=4 ; d20+2=14 ; Monday June 3rd, 2013 9:13:46 PM OOC: burning a Hero Point because my first roll SUCKED. Wilma's Diplomacy check is 14.
"Listen to me!" Wilma said emphatically, looking around at everyone in the room. "We went to that fortress, but we had the bad luck to wake up a HUUUUUGE monster--and it's about to flood this area! We all have to run for the portal...rightnow!!!"
Emrys rolls his eyes and says, "Oh reeaally, YOU save me?! Is that riight!" His words dripping with haughty derision and mockery. (Intimidate: 21) "Listen up, you slimy, dung stick! You are a key to an overflowing latrine, the keeper to a pit of muck. So listen now, THIS is what will happen! IF we ALL don't leave this place, I will personally feed you to the sleeper, myself. I'm sure it would be overjoyed to suckle on a juicy, little morsel like you. It would be my delight to personally hand you over to him."
The bewitching bard then turns to the spot where the portal once opened. With the might of his presence and force of will, Emrys invokes the power of the scepter to open a portal to the Wold.
Vaniime AC 18/14/15, HP:40/45, Dodge Monday June 3rd, 2013 11:13:31 PM
Van near the portal with Emrys lloks behind to see what's going on and feels the stress of leadership begin to press down mightily upon her. Wilma and Tuck are stopping and grabbing kids etc to get them moving, while Grell seems to be running back toward.... What the Heck!!!! That can not be Ariach back there trying to face down the wave/ooze thing by himself. What is that foolish one doing? Pretending he is a paladin or something? Knowing at this point there is little she can do beefore something drastic happens, she trusts that Grell can get him moving again or can hold things together until they can all get back to help.
Grell, AC20/13/18, HP63/68 Monday June 3rd, 2013 11:52:55 PM
Grell continues to run toward Ariach, determined that the warrior will not be left behind. He screams at the top of his lungs "Ariach, c'mon brother, don't give up now! Keep running or so help me, I will CARRY you to that portal like a baby!!" Grell continues to run after Ariach until he should decide to change course and begin running back toward the portal.
OOC: Ariach, with a move rate of 20, you should be traveling at 80 feet per round while running. DM...how fast does the wave travel?
Any portal in a storm - Ezra Tuesday June 4th, 2013 1:32:07 PM Ariach's base speed is 20 with the armor on. The creature's base speed is 40' (faster than an average human). Ariach ran for 6 rounds. The creature waited one round on shore before heading towards the village, which was the direction Ariach was running in. It will get to Ariach in 3 rounds if he remains standing still, and nobody else does anything.
Tuck DC 20 Perc Highlight to display spoiler: {In the distance you see a leg and foot sticking past the edge of a building, another of the kids.}
Katrin and Heath look at each other and shrug before heading towards the portal at a leisurely pace, Our lives have been in danger of starvation or turning into an ooze for two years! I wonder if the bread is done?
Wilma yells at the two girls and Ms. Goode. The girls look at each other bewildered and with growing fear. What kind of monster? What did you do? Ms. Goode gives Wilma a grandmotherly smile, the bread is almost done, and then we can all have some nice fresh bread, I even found a small pot of honey! She seems nonplussed at the urgency of the situation.
Emrys invokes a power within the scepter. The scepter begins vibrating as a sickly grey-green glow of incandescent energy starts spiraling along its length. Emrys arm begins to shake as the scepter's vibrations continue to grow in frequency setting his teeth to chattering.
Just when he thinks that he won't be able to hold on any longer the swirling light is sucked into the scepter and the shaking stops.
A moment later a beam of energy shoots forth from the end of the scepter, The burst of energy is visible across the entire demiplane, lighting up the sky and providing something akin to daylight, though with a sickly green tint. The deam of energy blasts an invisible disk in the air 30' up and spreads across itin a swirl of light as the portal yawns open.
As Emrys recovers from the light, he sees that the detritus of innumerable oozes that makes up the 'land' he stands on has formed a slight mound under his feet.
Vaniime watches events unfold. While Grell rushes back to Ariach.
In the distance, and with the newly provided light, both can now see the ooze heading for the village.
Wilma; AC17 (+1 Mithril chain shirt); HP 35/35; Fly Tuesday June 4th, 2013 2:44:34 PM
For a moment, Wilma can only stare at Mistress Goode. Why in the Wold is the woman just standing there? The cleric of Gargul has practically screamed--TWICE--about the danger they're all in.
It was as if Mistress Goode was sure that she wouldn't be effected by the onslaught of the monstrous ooze that was the heart and soul of this forsaken pocket plane.
Wait...
...heart...and soul...?
"Sorry, girls, no time to explain--just trust me and RUN for where the portal is--Emrys is there and will help you when you reach it..." So saying, Wilma firmly pushed Naomi out the door of the hut, her eyes looking over the unnaturally-serene baker at the table as she positioned herself so that she blocked the older woman from possible pursuit of the children Wilma had urged out for the third time.
Gargul help her if she was wrong, but...
"By the power of the Lord of Life and Death," the young priestess intoned her left hand raising and brandishing the silver stylized eye that was the holy symbol of Gargul, "I demand to know the location of...that missing heartseed...!" The image of one of the seeds from the set that the Vanguard had uncovered in the slime fortress flashed across Wilma's mind's eye. Then she thought:
'Gargul help me if I'm right...'
OOC: Wilma is casting her Locate Object spell because she's suddenly thought that it is horribly possible that the missing heartseed had already been found and taken root in Mistress Goode. My apologies if it hasn't, because that will no doubt mean that Wilma will be single-handedly responsible for Grell never being able to indulge in a delicious baked breakfast spread from Mistress Goode ever again...
Ezra: Wilma's hand wiggles as Gargul's eye blinks and rotates, pulling her hand around to look first at her, staring into her own eye as if from Gargul himself. The eye seems to stare into her very soul before twisting about and staring into the distance, past Ms. Goode. Wilma's vision blurs as she no longer sees from her own eyes, but from the eye of her holy symbol. At first the view is disorienting with a fisheye perspective before it rapidly traverses past Ms. Goode, through the flames of the oven, through the wall of the dilapidated building and across the landscape of ooze crust. The view flashes past Heath pulling a small sack from under some rubble. The view shifts with a dizzying wave and rushes beyond past Andrei half-heartedly jogging towards the portal with his head swinging back and forth as he searches for something. Another abrupt change in direction and Grell and Ariach slide into view as they face down a creature from nightmares. A roll upwards and the fisheye view suddenly telescopes to look at a bubble floating above the demiplane with an attractive woman with crazed green eyes surrounded by unkempt curly hair. Her gaze is locked on a small starpoint of the bubble that surrounds her. Finally, the eye resumes its fisheye view looking down over the expanse of the village and the portal before rushing in to encompass Emrys and Vaniime into focus. a greyish glow surrounds Focus for a moment before fading. The same glow surrounds Vaniime and pulses once before Wilma's vision blacks out. The symbol in her hand is once more a metallic silver lidless eye.
Ariach AC 26/14/19 ; HP 51/59 Tuesday June 4th, 2013 4:41:45 PM
If Ariach sees a chance to reach the portal before the ooze touches him, he will run. But if it is a dead issue he prefers to die while fighting the ooze instead of fleeing from it.
Ezra: There is always a chance. Together we win, divided we get eaten, or something like that. Ariach on his own has little chance of avoiding the creature. Ariach can easily see that this creature will likely eat them all for lunch if given a chance.
Tuck HP 29/42 AC 18/18/14 d20+11=13 ; d20+11=24 ; Tuesday June 4th, 2013 7:55:10 PM
Tuck looks around for other children and almost misses the well hidden child behind another structure (Perception 13, used Hero point to reroll for 24.)
"Run, if you want to go home," he says to Katrin and Heath before he sprints to where he saw the other child behind the building.
Emrys ac10, hp20/20. light, prestidigitation d20+9=24 ; d100=80 ; Tuesday June 4th, 2013 9:33:16 PM
(Will save: 24, if needed to maintain the portal)
Emrys answers Vaniime's question simply, "Uhh, I don't know!" He looks at the portal and returns his gaze to his friends. The pale green illumination from the portal casts an eerily disturbing light on the landscape. The "sleeper" in the distance almost causes his legs to buckle.
"What is Ariach doing? By the gods, Ariach ... RUN!" He points his finger at Ariach and mutters a few words of power. (Leyline: 80, free cast! Big deal, it's a 0-level, sigh! Casting Message, range 130-ft.) However, Emrys chooses not to whisper. "ARIACH ... THIS IS NOT YOUR TIME! GET TO THE PORTAL!"
He then asks Vaniime another question, "Why is Wilma staring at us like that?"
DM Ezra - Can't see Wilma from where you are. Even though the lighting is now as good as day, though tinted. And Ariach is well beyond the message range.
Wilma; AC17 (+1 Mithril chain shirt); HP 35/35; Fly Wednesday June 5th, 2013 5:10:20 AM
Wilma frowned, paradoxically both relieved and disturbed that her spell revealed such mixed signals. However, she was satisfied that Mrs. Goode wasn't heartseeded, but only oddly dismissive of the fact that Wilma was a member of an adventuring group that the very social baker had started this morning by insisting that she had heard of and greatly respected.
"Mistress Goode," Wilma said succinctly, "The Vanguard has found the way home--but we also are being chased by a HUUUUUGE ooze monster that we know we MUST get you and the children away from. WE MUST LEAVE RIGHT NOW OR WE'LL ALL DIE!!!" The priestess turned around and herded the two girls in front of her towards the location of the portal.
"Honest to gods, girls," Wilma muttered, "I don't know why it is that you all were happy to send us off to that fortress so that we could find a way home and then just NOT listen to us when you see us running for our lives and yelling that we all have to go now...! Move it, dears--I don't want to lose you to that...thing..."
Grell, AC20/13/18, HP63/68 Wednesday June 5th, 2013 7:21:24 AM
Grell continues to run to Ariach, unsure of how he will help his brother in arms, but determined none the less not to abandon him to the ooze wave. As he runs, Grell continues to scream "Ariach, brother, time to move!! If you don't start running, then I'm going to have to go down there and then we're both going to die a glorious and pointless death. So if you want to help me, START RUNNING!!! Grell's screams are beginning to come in between pants, the physical exertion starting to wear on the well training athlete.
OOC to DM: Correct me if I'm wrong.... Ariach's move rate is 20, so if he's running, then he should cover 4x20=80 feet per round.
The wave travels at 40 feet per round and CAN NOT RUN. So it covers 40 feet per round.
So if Ariach is running, then he should keep a lead of 40 feet per round. So even with a move rate of 20 if he chooses to run, Ariach should be able to outdistance the wave.
dm ezra: im on my cell, oozes cant run?
Ariach AC 26/14/19 ; HP 51/59 Wednesday June 5th, 2013 10:03:40 AM
As Ariachs hears Grell screaming that he comes and picks him up he shakes his head. Knowing that Grell is such a mule the young warrior starts to run again forward Grellīs voice. "Bring yourself to safety Grell! Donīt be a fool! I will not make it right in time but i donīt want to die knowing i am responsible for your death too."
Tuck HP 29/42 AC 18/18/14 Wednesday June 5th, 2013 8:34:37 PM
Tuck continues on towards the hidden child.
Grell, AC20/13/18, HP63/68 Wednesday June 5th, 2013 9:08:26 PM
Grell screams back to Ariach "Well then, you better get your butt moving, because if you go, I go!" Grell is glad to see that Ariach is beginning to travel back toward the portal. He slows his pace so that Ariach catches up, and changes course so that he and Ariach are now running toward the portal.
Any portal in a storm - Ezra Wednesday June 5th, 2013 9:24:02 PM But these children have been just starving, look how skinny they are! Are you sure we have to leave now? The bread will be done in just another minute or two. Ms. Goode looks in her makeshift oven, see, the crust is just starting to brown.
Vaniime and Emrys discuss what they should do while they wait for the others. Over thier heads the portal glows open. Vaniime realizes that he is looking up at Emrys more than usual and sees that there is a small upthrust of ground beneath Emrys feet. The rest of the ground is rather flat.
Grell and Ariach debate the meaning of life.
Tuck comes around a corner to see Gurtrude, the weird one, she's feeding something to a small ooze in her lap.
Heath is jogging towards the portal. Andrei has stopped about half way between the portal and the village, looking back at the village.
Naomi and Natasha stumble out from between the buildings, Naomi isn't able to maintain much of a run with her balance continuously thrown off by her missing arm. Natasha keeps pace with her, a step behind, watching Naomi. The two of them head for Andrei.
Heath and Katrin also come out and start stumbling off towards Andrei, holding each other's hands.
It's obvious to any observers that two years of malnourishment are quickly taking their toll on the kids.
"Vaniime," asks Emrys in elven, "Where is Mrs. Goode and the children? From here I can hear Wilma heralding their imminent doom. On one side, a portal shines as bright as the midday sun! On the other, a mountain-sized ooze, in plain sight of all, is barrelling down upon them; the ground ripples and shakes with every slam it makes. One must conclude that not only do they lack the faculty of sight and appear impervious to sound, but are also total and complete muttonheads!! Humans can be so thoroughly daft!!"
His outburst of frustration has obviously overrun his every barrier of modesty and decorum.
Having noticed that the floor had risen, Emrys receives the spark of inspiration he was looking for. He points the scepter toward the giant ooze. "I can't influence the beast, but maybe I can the ground!" Emrys then tries to raise a barrier, or a series of barriers, from out of the ground that would impede the giant oozes progress.
(Emrys wishes to block or at least cause the giant ooze's path to become difficult terrain. It shouldn't be able to "Run" through it.)
DM Ezra - Carl forgot to put a range on the control aspect, so... done. Several waves and hills erupt from the ground to impede the progress of the creature. Emrys had another insight, if Focus has the power to control ooze, and he just raised the ground, then... oh @#$%
Ariach AC 26/14/19 ; HP 51/59 Thursday June 6th, 2013 1:58:30 AM
Ariach feels shame when he sees how he forces his friend Grell to come back and help him- him the warrior- instead of helping the children. He really tries to push himself running as fast as possible but running with such a bulky armor isnīt that easy.
Wilma; AC17 (+1 Mithril chain shirt); HP 35/35; Fly Thursday June 6th, 2013 6:32:10 AM
"May Gargul judge you true, Mistress Goode," Wilma said a bit sadly as she withdrew from the room, "The children are leaving now and I must make sure that they live, even if you are determined to die. Farewell!" She absolutely hated abandoning the baker to her fate, but if there was one thing the priests of Gargul were taught, it was that every sentient being was responsible for their own choices and would be judged by Gargul for them. It wasn't for her to change Mistress Goode's mind if the woman refused to listen to her. The children were choosing to leave and Wilma--along with the rest of the Vanguard--had promised to help them return home, and so that was what the young cleric had to do.
"Here, now, let me help..." Wilma said as she hurried along behind the girls and, taking up a place beside Naomi, she hooked her own arm around the disabled girl's shoulders and provided the balance and support Naomi needed to move as quickly and effectively as she could towards the portal...
OOC: I don't know if it has been stated which of Naomi's arms got chomped off, but whichever arm is missing, that is the side that Wilma has placed herself. If she needs to swap her staff from her right hand to her left to do so, she will. Wilma will now help hurry Naomi along towards the portal.
"Natasha, don't let us hold you back--run for the portal as fast as you can!" the redheaded priestess urged the other girl.
Vaniime AC 18/14/15, HP:40/45, Dodge Thursday June 6th, 2013 7:43:43 AM
Van looks determinedly at the area of ground between the ooze and the trailers to see it there is any plant life of any type or abundance in the area. (how far away is the ooze?)
Emrys I am not sure what is wrong wih the way humans think. At times I think I have them figured out and then... she waves her hands out in front of her to encompass Ms. Goode and Ariach and the children.
"Umm Emrys you do realize the the groung below us has just moved?
DM Ezra: Clarification, the raised ground is only under Emrys, and it happened when he opened the portal.
Emrys ac10, hp20/20. light, prestidigitation Thursday June 6th, 2013 1:47:00 PM
(ooc: Is this raised ground under Emrys a single column, like a raised platform, or is it a sloped ramp that someone can walk up? Also, is this portal elevated above the ground as well?)
Tuck HP 29/42 AC 18/18/14 d20+9=29 ; d20+11=30 ; Thursday June 6th, 2013 5:35:33 PM
"Gurtrude! Gather up your friend and let's get you home."
Tuck points in the direction of the portal. "We have to go now because there is danger coming."
If Gurtrude does not start moving towards the portal, Tuck will pick her up and start running towards the portal. (Grapple check 29, natural 20)
He hopes that everyone else has been notified and encouraged towards the portal. (Perception 30 to see if there are any other stragglers.)
Grell, AC20/13/18, HP63/68 Thursday June 6th, 2013 9:24:01 PM
Grell waits for Ariach to catch up and then grabs his pack from him, hoping to lighten the load and help Ariach get to the portal faster. He jokes with Ariach as he jogs along "Geeez Ariach, my lame orc grandma runs faster than you. C'mon, get the lead out!"
Any portal in a storm - Ezra Friday June 7th, 2013 1:55:03 AM Fuddley - duddley, keep your knickers on! Ms. Goode sighs and pulls the slab out that the bread is cooking on and pokes it, not my best, but looks ok. Wrapping the loaf in her apron, she hurries after the two girls, which isn't exactly speedy for someone of her age.
Ariach and Grell see several walls of ground blow up between them and the creature. They might have a chance after all.
With Vaniime pointing the ground out to him, Emrys looks down and finds that he is standing on a small platform with sloped sides all around him, the top is only a little larger than his feet. The mound is about six inches higher than the rest of the ground. The portal is 30' up.
Ariach AC 26/14/19 ; HP 51/59 Friday June 7th, 2013 3:20:24 PM
Ariach gives Grell a big smile. "In school they didnīt prepare us to flee from enemies. Hold your ground and fight was the given order. A heavy armor is very useful when you are fighting. Unfortunately the plate male isnīt that useful while running. But stop joking. Please run as fast as you can to reach the portal- Grell. I promise you i will not stop running until i reach it myself!"
Tuck HP 29/42 AC 18/18/14 Friday June 7th, 2013 5:21:35 PM
Tuck either picks up Gertrude and runs with her or runs alongside of her towards the portal.
Emrys keeps his eyes and pointed ears peeled for any of his friends, Mrs. Goode and the children to arrive (Perception 24). Once he spots the first few children, Emrys does his best to encourage them (Diplomacy: 26). "Excellent, come at once. Hurry now, you're almost home. This way!"
To expedite the rise of the ramp to the portal, Emrys spurs it along with a little help from the scepter.
Vaniime AC 18/14/15, HP:40/45, Dodge Saturday June 8th, 2013 9:31:53 AM
At least happier now that Grell has gotten Ariach moving again, Van turns to the next problem. So Emrys how do we get up there, pointing at the portal.
Wilma; AC17 (+1 Mithril chain shirt); HP 35/35; Fly Saturday June 8th, 2013 4:18:05 PM
Wilma idly wondered if Mistress Goode was a prime example of what having a lovable-yet-trying grandmother was like, but she was just glad that the baker had finally listened to her warning about the giant angry ooze that was on its way to no doubt get all of them before they could get to the exit portal.
Now...if only they could all make it there in time...
Grell, AC20/13/18, HP63/68 Sunday June 9th, 2013 5:20:34 AM
Knowing that Ariach is nothing if not a man of his word, Grell grabs his pack and starts running toward the portal, all the while encouraging Ariach. "Come on brother armor or no, we're going to have to work on your speed! He laughs to let his brother in arms know he's not serious.
Emrys ac10, hp20/20. light, prestidigitation Sunday June 9th, 2013 10:56:37 PM
"Come along now, hurry, hurry!"
Ariach AC 26/14/19 ; HP 51/59 Monday June 10th, 2013 2:18:20 AM
Praying to Domi Ariach runs as fast as he can.
Vaniime AC 18/14/15, HP:40/45, Dodge d20+11=13 ; Monday June 10th, 2013 4:53:04 PM
Van begins looking more closely at the raised are and the portal to try and figure out how they are going to get up to the portal..... Perception 13
Emrys ac10, hp20/20. light, prestidigitation Monday June 10th, 2013 6:45:34 PM
Emrys hopes he hadn't missed this years apple and plum harvest season when they get back. He has a lot of preserves, jellies and wines to make. Then the idea of making jelly, after their short stay in this miserable realm, felt rather repugnant. Maybe I should concentrate on just the wine instead, he thinks.
Tuck HP 29/42 AC 18/18/14 Monday June 10th, 2013 8:05:06 PM
Tuck keeps running.
Grell, AC20/13/18, HP63/68 Monday June 10th, 2013 9:11:07 PM
Sprinting and running...it feels as if he's been doing it for an eternity! Grell's legs pump as he reminisces on what seems like an eternity ago at Maplehurst when he had competed in the elementary marathon. He dearly remembers competing in his armor...placing third place...and vomiting up his entire breakfast at the finish line. Yes, those were the days! With a gusty sigh, Grell continues to dash toward the portal, more than ready to leave this gods forsaken plane.
Wilma; AC17 (+1 Mithril chain shirt); HP 35/35; Fly Monday June 10th, 2013 9:41:31 PM
Wilma continues to support Naomi and help her hurry towards the portal even as she glances occasionally over her shoulder to encourage both Natasha and Mistress Goode to come, come along as quickly as they can.
LOG ON