DM Carl Monday January 7th, 2013 8:27:30 AM
It's immediately apparent that today is going to be a good day. The sun has just fully risen over the horizon. There's just the slightest chill in the air, indicating it will warm up nicely without being too stiflingly hot. Best of all, the Vanguard have nothing they need to do today.
Oh, they're heroes and no doubt can keep themselves busy, but whatever they do today is by their choice. Perhaps some are sleeping in, perhaps those more disciplined are already up and moving. Perhaps Emrys can finish his book today. Perhaps Grell can sneak in an extra training session at the WLA. Wilma's knitting was coming along fabulously; maybe she could finish today if she stuck to it. These are the kinds of thoughts flitting about when there's a knock on the front door.
It's a little early for visitors, but the knocking is insistent. It is not a dull pounding; no, it's a pleasant rapping that will continue until someone decides to see who's come calling.
Outside is an attractive woman with flowing brown curls. She's older, but not old. Late 40's maybe...early 50's tops. She's a bit rounder from living well, but by no means heavy. Her smile is genuinely kind. She wears a flowing scalloped dress of maroon and black cotton with lacy accents. It's a bit much, but you are living in the Nightmare Quarter. To her credit, she pulls it off.
As the doors open, the scents of cinnamon and nutmeg come wafting in. She immediately holds out her hand, looks her greeter straight in the eyes & speaks, "Morning, neighbor! Eleanor Goode. Pleased as punch to make your acquaintance!"
It is far too early for such exuberance, yet there it is. Her eyes immediately start flitting around your home through the door way, taking in the decor. A small frown appears as she notes the lack of a rug in the foyer.
Just as quickly, her eyes are back on her greeter. She says nothing, but the message they convey is clear:
"Aren't you going to invite me in?"
***
OK folks! Let's get this party started. I need to know which one of you lovely people would likely have opened the door. First volunteer wins. As for the rest of you, RP away.
You haven't officially met your neighbor, but maybe you're heard of her? A DC15 knowledge, local check says you have.
Emrys d20+12=32 ; d20+12=21 ; Monday January 7th, 2013 10:08:51 AM
(Diplomacy: 32. Knowledge [Local]: 21)
From the kitchen, Emrys hears the rapping at the front door. When he answers the door, he recognizes her immediately. "Oh my, Mrs. Goode, so glad to finally meet you. Why of course, come in, come in." As he leads her to the parlor, Emrys continues, "Please sit, make yourself at home. Would you please excuse me, I have an herbal breakfast tea brewing in the kitchen. Would you like to enjoy a cup or two with me?"
Emrys returns with a serving tray with two cups and saucers and a steaming tea pot. "Please pardon me, I have yet to bake biscuits this morning. I've just returned from my morning constitutional. I often go for a walk during twilight. I do enjoy to watch the sunrise." As he pours two cups of tea and offers her the first cup. "So, it's a delight to finally meet you. What brings you to grace our door?"
Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, Thessa emerges from her room. For days, she's hibernated, appearing only infrequently for food or to disappear out the door for a walk, returning late at night. She had never experienced anything like the horrors she had seen inside Lasher Castle - never felt the stress of fighting for her very life, and the lives of her companions. For days, she's isolated herself to meditate and come to terms with it. Finally, last night she felt as though she had ruminated enough and was ready to face the world again. After a long restful night (the first in days) she rose early and resumed her normal routine.
An hour later, as she leaves her room, she glances over at her bowyer's tools that had remained untouched throughout her "sabbatical". Promising herself that she would find time to finish her new project, she closes the door behind her and makes her way downstairs.
Thessa hears voices from the parlor and peaks her head in. Seeing Emrys talking with someone, she politely smiles and waves to them both.
"Good morning, Emrys. I don't mean to interrupt, but I'm going out to the market for some fresh fruits and cheeses for breakfast. Would you and your guest like something?"
As the guest turns her head, Thessa recognizes Mrs Goode by description and occasional glance through the neighborhood.
"Ah, Mrs Goode! I'm Thessa Duirsar," Thessa bows slightly in elven fashion, "it is a sincere pleasure to formally meet you."
Thessa tries to gauge the reception to determine if this is serious private conversation or a casual chat. [Sense Motive: 1]
Sensing that Emrys and Eleanor aren't talking about anything all that important and completely happy to share their company with her, she pulls up a seat. "What a beautiful dress! The lace is a nice touch too. Where did you find it? I haven't found a store I really like yet. Perhaps you have some recommendations?"
Thessa continues to pleasantly prattle on, derailing the conversation, until interrupted. [OOC: Curse you, low wisdom!]
Wilma; AC17 (+1 Mithril chain shirt); HP35/35 d20+4=20 ; Monday January 7th, 2013 4:26:43 PM
Wilma was up relatively early for two distinctly different reasons: her sunrise meditation and prayers to Gargul...and her hope to catch Emrys in the kitchen before he started on another round of potions. The first was a daily routine as a cleric for the deity of life and death, and the second was purely mercenary because--while Wilma could knit reasonably well--she couldn't cook anything remotely edible, and at least Emrys knew how to make toast that wasn't burned.
However, Emrys wasn't in the kitchen when she came down the back stairway. Odd--from the looks of things, his usual set-up was in place for the brewing of more potions was in place. Even his owl was there, apparently looking through a book that was open on the work table.
"Gestalt...where's Emrys...?" the young cleric asked automatically. The avian turned its head almost completely around in that strange way that owls have, blinked at her with huge eyes and then nodded in the direction of the south wall. Wilma berated herself for expecting the animal to speak...Gestalt was only recently partnered with Emrys, and didn't have the ability to speak Common like her mother's pesky pseudodragon.
Still, the owl gave a short hoot, nodded south once more and then returned to perusing its book.
"Ooookay," Wilma acknowledged, sidling over to the door that led to the hallway, "I'll just go see. Thanks..!"
Exiting the kitchen, Wilma checked the breakfast room and then the library with no luck. She did, however, hear voices coming from the parlor, so she opened the double doors leading into the space and saw Emrys and Thessa...and a complete stranger.
"Please pardon the interruption!" Wilma said politely, waiting for introductions to be made. When Emrys did so, the young priestess held out a hand and a friendly smile to the woman, recognizing the name from her recent attempts to scour the local shops for a suitable rug for the foyer. The redhead perched upon a seat nearby and listened to the conversation as it continued to unfold.
Ariach AC 24(29)/14/19 ; HP 59/59 d20+5=20 ; Monday January 7th, 2013 7:17:43 PM
Already on his way to the kitchen Ariach hears the dull throbbing. Of course it was only a matter of time when Grell would resume his training again.
Ariach himself was not an early riser but the codex commands to start the day with the first sunbeams. So he had been awake for some time. He had already oiled his armor and his sword and also had completed light combat exercises with his new shield. After that he had devoted his personal hygiene and of course he had once again cut himself while shaving. Because of the partly paralysis of the left side of his face this happens from time to time..
Now he is in the kitchen looking around for food as he hears some voices.
After the events in Lasher Castle he had not seen his friends for a while, because everyone seemed to come to terms with the event otherwise.
Therefore he is pleased as he recognizes the voices of Emry, Wilma and Thessa.
When he enters the room he sees his friends. In addition he sees another woman who he identifies as Eleanor Goode.
"Good morning my friends."
"Lady Goode, nice to meet you. Ariach Gatelatch-at your service."
Tuck HP 42/42 AC 18/18/14 d20+2=19 ; Monday January 7th, 2013 9:05:50 PM
Tuck descends from his room, pulling on a shirt as he goes. Following the sounds of conversation to the parlor, he stifles a yawn. He stops in the door and blinks the sleep away.
He recognizes their guest and gives her a polite nod as he enters to take a seat with the others. "What's all the hubbub, Bub?"
(Knowledge Local 19)
Vaniime AC 18/14/14, HP:45/45 d20+4=8 ; Monday January 7th, 2013 9:32:33 PM
Having slept soundly for the first time since the forray into Lasher Castle, Vaniime makes her way down stairs and into the kitchen hoping to find that there was a bit of hot water laeft fro a quick cup of tea, when she hears the voices of her friends and one other in the parlor.
Seeing that the pot is missing Van grabs a cup and heads in to join the party.
Stepping in she heads toward the pot of tea and then stops as she comes face to face with the stranger.
" Hi. I do not believe we have met. I am Vaniime Elmiire Claudia Nightseer. You are ....?"
Grell Monday January 7th, 2013 10:33:34 PM
Having slept a little more soundly than usual, Grell wakes up at the knocking sound and decides it's probably Emrys and the owl again. He begins his morning calisthenics, beginning with bounding up and down the kitchen stairway. Since he did 12 flights yesterday, Grell decides to challenge himself to 14 flights this morning.
Once he is finished, Grell strips off his shirt and throws it onto his practcie dummie before he heads down to the kitchen to grab a quick snack. Then he can fit in a few laps around the Nightmare quarter before he starts his forms, and then it's back to the WLA... Strolling into the kitchen, Grell stumbles upon the group meeting in the kitchen. Grabbing some hard tack, he looks over at Wilma as he listens in on the chit chat. "Hey, who's the old lady?" he whispers to his sister.
OOC: I'ma a little confused where the meeting takes place, but that's cool.
Emrys Monday January 7th, 2013 11:27:17 PM
(ooc: everyone is in the parlor, not the kitchen. :)
DM Carl Tuesday January 8th, 2013 8:53:54 AM
"Ha! My reputation proceeds me." Eleanor walks inside at Emyrs' invitation and waits as he closes the door behind her. "This always was such a lovely home. It's nice to see you kids haven't let it go. Dreadful mosaic in here, though. You kids should find a rug or something."
She follows Emyrs into the parlor, her eyes taking in everything. Emyrs is about to offer her biscuits when he remembers who he's speaking to. This is Eleanor Goode, unquestionably the best baker in the Nightmare Quarter & quite possibly all of Plateau City. Offering her simple biscuits? Very unbecoming. She does graciously accept a cup of tea, waiting patiently & taking in the parlor until Emyrs returns.
She has just taken her first sip when Thessa walks in and starts gushing. "Oh sweetheart," she exclaims with just a hint of mock horror in her voice. "Haven't you been to see Lorissul? She has a lovely shop in the Trade Quarter near Flower's temple, but her real gift is getting to know her clientele and setting aside pieces she knows they'll love." She places her tea down & stands up, walking around Thessa and taking her in. "Tall, slender...you elves have such lovely figures," she says with a slight sigh. "Yes, she'll work wonders with you. We can go tomorrow if you'd like. Do wait a bit before you head out, though. I have a favor to ask." She returns to her seat and takes another sip of her tea as Wilma walks in.
Eleanor says nothing, trusting in Emyrs to introduce her properly. She returns Wilma's smile and handshake. She then turns and smiles at the approaching Ariach. "The pleasure is mine, of course. It's so good to see everyone up and active so early. I was afraid all the youngsters left in town were layabouts after the WLA sent all of our most promising youth to their more savage outposts."
They are soon joined by Tuck and Vaniime, with Emrys once again making proper introductions. Conversation is light and pleasant as Eleanor and our heroes drink their tea. Then, Grell makes an appearance. Her eyes track the sweaty, shirtless Grell as he plops down. Her eyes lingering a bit longer than they need to.
It's bad enough he's whispering when company is over; good thing she can't hear what he's saying. As the hard tack is raised to his lips, she can no longer abide. She gracefully stands, smoothing her dress as she does so. Her steps are small, neat and quick as she marches up to Grell. She strikes out with two fingers and her thumb, not unlike a raven snatching an insect from tree bark or an eyeball from a newly found carcass. She snatches the hard tack from him & places it down on her saucer.
"Goodness me, is this what you call breakfast? This won't do at all." She hands the saucer with hard tack & empty tea cut to Tuck. "Be a dear, won't you, Tuck?" Her voice lilts at the end indicating it's a question, but she doesn't wait for an answer.
"This is all of you, yes? Excellent. Go clean yourself up & cover up, young man. You'll all be joining me for breakfast next door. I do have a tiny favor to ask, but Eleanor Goode does not ask favors from strangers. Oh, and do bring your adventuring equipment. I wish to be seen walking with Plateau City's newest adventuring company."
Eleanor Goode sits & waits for the Vanguard to prepare.
***
OOC: In the interest of not bombarding you with a bunch of info, I'll be meting out tidbits over the next few days. Here's my philosophy on when I post as a DM:
If it's been 24 hours, I'm free to go while your character sits & stares. I'll work with ya if something came up, sometimes I'll even give you two combat rounds in one post if there's a good reason you missed, but I will never, ever hold the game up.
If it's been less than 24 hours but you've all posted, I'm free to go.
Weekend posting is always optional.
Thessa Tuesday January 8th, 2013 4:08:51 PM
Thessa rises, filing away the name of her new contact in the Trade Quarter for another time. She had expected a nice relaxing morning today, but she was curious to find out what Eleanor's request could be of an entire adventuring group.
She makes a quick trip to her room, donning her weapon belt, quiver and pack and pulling on her walking boots. She picks up her bow from its perch next to her bed, examines the bowstring for damage, makes a few test pulls and nods in acceptance as she slides it into her quiver. She slides two wands into either side of her belt and hustles out the door. She had started down the stairs before she realized she hadn't closed her door..
She stops for a moment, utters a word, points toward her door and hears it close with a satisfying thud [ Mage Hand ]. She then makes her way downstairs to join the rest of her gathering companions.
Tuck HP 42/42 AC 18/18/14 Tuesday January 8th, 2013 5:47:34 PM
"A little bossy, eh?" Tuck mutters under his breath as he takes the cup and saucer back to the kitchen. He deposits it on the counter and hurries upstairs to collect his things. "I thought I'd had the last of that when I left the Academy."
Although he seems perturbed by their guest, he quickly dresses and gathers his weapons and haversack. In but a few minutes his is ready to go, awaiting the others by the front door.
Ariach AC 26/14/19 ; HP 59/59 Tuesday January 8th, 2013 6:18:21 PM
A little surprised by Eleanor's concern Ariach makes his way to his room.
How strange that all of his friends have immediately complied to the demands of Mrs. Goode. He himself is currently in his room and follows her orders. He attributes this fact to the fact that he and his friends are grateful for any distraction.
Donning his armor takes a few minutes. He sticks his short sword in its sheath and push dagger and flail in his belt. He puts on his helmet and then grabs his new shield. With this huge shield, it should be possible for him to protect his friends better.
To protect his friends was his main task. This he swore solemnly while the ceremony in the temple of Domi where he was appointed protector.
Finally he grabs his backpack and sets out on the way down where the others were waiting for him certainly.
Emrys d20+12=25 ; d20+14=34 ; Tuesday January 8th, 2013 7:10:23 PM
(Diplomacy: 25, to maintain a high level of tact, etiquette and social grace)
Emrys can't help but smile. Mrs. Goode's power of persuasion and force of will is quite formidable. "Thank you so much for your gracious invitation, Mrs. Goode. The Vanguard you want, a grateful Vanguard you shall have." Emrys gives her a short bow and a graceful flourish as he exits the parlor and climbs the stairs to his room.
Emrys quickly collects a pleasing ensemble in which to don. He drapes his shoulders with his magical elven cloak of green and intricately, gold-threaded embroidery. Emrys places the magical hat his father gave him upon his head. It immediately transforms to a silver band with molded, gold inlays of mistletoe and holly. After checking his hair in the mirror ... perfect as usual ... he then takes his darkwood lute and throws it over his shoulder. Last but not least, he grabs his walking stick and heads down the spiral stairs to the kitchen. "Gestalt, we have been invited to breakfast. We are the honored guests of Mrs. Eleanor Goode. Lets be on our best behavior." Whispering in owls ear, "She makes the finest pastries in town."
Emrys then heads for the hallway that leads to the parlor. "Mrs. Goode, I hope I didn't keep you waiting too long. I'm sure we'll all be ready shortly." Why they wait, he continues to make pleasant conversation. However, he studies her posture and expressions closely and tries to discern her intentions.
(Sense Motive: 34, nat. 20!)
Vaniime AC 18/14/14, HP:45/45 d20+6=19 ; Tuesday January 8th, 2013 7:43:42 PM
For some reason, something about Mrs. Goode rubs Vaniime the wrong way and leaves her with an uncomfortable sense of ...well.... unease. Taking a good loook at her as she finishes her commentary on her assorted friends and watches as they each race of to do her bidding, Van again gets that sense of ... unease.
Leaning against the wall she watches and assesses their guest for a few moments and Sense motive DC 19 while she is bossy, probably a bit of a busy body, she doesn't get the feeling that Mrs. Goode is planning anything persnicious.
Giving her a curt nod, Vaniime makes her way out of the parlor and back to her room to geer up. Within a few moments she is back down geered up and ready to go.
Wilma; AC17 (+1 Mithril chain shirt); HP35/35 d20+9=22 ; Tuesday January 8th, 2013 10:11:01 PM "Hey...who's the old lady?"
Wilma was hard-pressed not to roll her sapphire eyes at Grell's ill-concealed whisper. She hissed Mistress Goode's name in his direction and tried to keep her concentration on what their neighbor was saying. It was rather apparent to Wilma that the lady had a bit of an ulterior motive visiting the Vanguard at this hour, and this kernel of an idea appeared to be confirmed when she not only invited them to breakfast at her own house, but insisted that the group come to the meal equipped for an adventure.
OOC: Wilma is making a Sense Motive check; her result is 22.
'This is no doubt going to be one heck of a favor...' the priestess thought to herself. Since it was clear that Mistress Goode's persuasion had convinced the others to give the lady the benefit of the doubt, Wilma thought it wise to go along with the group--after all, somebody needed to be on hand in case more of Grell's "inner orc" came out during breakfast.
Grell Tuesday January 8th, 2013 10:35:16 PM
Jaw slightly ajar, Grell watches as the old lady snatches up his breakfast. He's about to object...vehemently, when Wilma drops her name...the *very* name that he's seen on that AMAZING bakery down the road. And she's offering...breakfast?!
The saliva starts to drip as Grell bounds upstairs and splashes some water on his pits. He hastily dons a clean(ish) tunic (blood stains don't count, do they??) and his armor. Grabbing up his Greatsword, he slings it across his back along with his compound longbow. He tucks Vaniime's hand made dagger in his belt where everyone can see it and then bounds back down the stairs and rejoins the others. All grins, he turns to Tuck. "You ready for some *real* food??"
DM Carl Wednesday January 9th, 2013 9:01:57 AM
The Vanguard rise to tidy themselves up. Most stop to ponder why they're obeying so readily. Except for Grell, of course; a free breakfast by a master baker beats hard tack any day.
They ponder what they're getting themselves into as they gear up. She is pushy, no doubt, but she's quite skilled in making the request seem like a trifle. Her smile is charming, her conversation skills divine. Emrys' no slouch in that department either, of course. Though both Eleanor and Emrys know better than to monopolize a conversation, they both managed to keep it flowing effortlessly.
Tuck, who's had enough orders thrown at him for one lifetime, nonetheless prepares himself & heads back downstairs...after depositing the saucer in the kitchen.
Thessa's curiosity drives her to accept the invitation as well. A casual spell closes her door behind her. Life is so much more convenient when you have cantrips.
Ariach gears up to offer the protection he was trained to provide. Throwing yourself in front of pointy objects may not be glamorous, but he's chosen his path.
Vaniime considers their guest & rightfully comes to the conclusion that she probably means no harm.
Wilma thinks harder as she prepares herself. Was Eleanor about to ask for a big favor? Her body language seemed casual, relaxed. She didn't act like someone who needed a favor. Of course, that could be intentional. She obviously knows how to work people.
Emrys is the one who puts it all together. As he ascends to his room, her words come back to him: "I wish to be seen..."
Of course...it really is that simple. Mrs. Goode is an establishment in the Nightmare Quarter, but she could live anywhere in Plateau City. Why live here unless there was a certain lifestyle you were after? Emrys slips on his good cloak and runs what he knows about her through his mind.
He knows her to be a widow, and that more than one suitor has been turned down. She likely doesn't want to live in a man's shadow, but likely can't respect any man she could dominate. Add to this the fact that most men her age eligible for marriage are looking for someone to cook, clean, and otherwise replace a wife they've lost, or have stayed unmarried for good reason.
No, her presence and reputation are paramount to her. Being seen with Plateau City's newest adventuring company is right up her alley. Heck, she may have made up a favor just to get them to come along.
ooc: there's your nat20 reward. enjoy!
Grell bounds down the stairs. The fact that he is only heard instead of felt is a testament to the sturdy construction of your home.
Emrys' hunch is indeed proven correct as they leave. Eleanor Goode's home is only two houses down, but she takes what can only be described as an exceptionally scenic route getting there. She waves & nods politely as people pass by, never once letting the conversation lull. She is very knowledgeable of the area should anyone have any questions in the future.
Her home can best be describes as gothic kitsch. A collection of stuffed demons adorns the mantle above the fireplace in her parlor while a large stuffed raven hangs above it. An overstuffed violet velour sofa and love seat flank a darkwood table covered with danishes, cakes, and hand fruit. Eleanor taps Grell on the shoulder & wordlessly gestures to a plate heaping with what turns out to be flat cakes wrapped around sausage.
Eleanor's skill as a baker is not exaggerated. Her cakes are dense and heavy, but remain moist. Her danishes have the perfect amount of cheese or jelly; enough to ensure some in each bite without worrying about it smearing on one's face of staining their lap.
The morning is spent in conversation. Eleanor is more than happy to sit and listen about any tales of adventure you wish to share. In fact, she makes no mention of why she brought you here at all...
Ariach AC 26/14/19 ; HP 59/59 Wednesday January 9th, 2013 3:07:32 PM
Ariach doesnīt talk a lot on the way to Mr. Goodeīs home. Even if they all sit together he keeps quite. There are others like Emry or Wilma who are more skilled in entertaining strange neighbours. Although the offered cakes and danishes are delicious. Ariach sits there and waits for Eleanor to pronounce her favor.
Thessa d20+3=9 ; Wednesday January 9th, 2013 4:43:41 PM
Thessa is happy to be out and about in the company of her fellow adventurers again. Although the time in seclusion did much to balance her thoughts and emotions, she had grown to enjoy their diverse company.
She quietly listens to Eleanor prattle on about this and that, enjoying the wonderful breakfast she provided. She sips on her tea, nibbling on a small fruit cake, as she takes in Mrs Goode's interesting decor. She pays special attention to any intricate ornaments or baubles, but finds nothing that captures her interest. [Perception: 9]
She sits down and listens to everyone chatting. After a couple of hours, her attention wanes and she allows her mind to drift, as if it was floating out of the house, down the street, then floating over the city and traveling north to her homeland. She wonders absently how her family is doing.. if her parents missed her, if her room was still untouched, if the arrow she lodged high in the eldest birch was still there, if her sister...
Her thoughts cloud over immediately and her mind snaps immediately back to the house. Enough of that, she chastises herself. Focus on the present, not the past, Thessa.
She straightens up in her chair and tries to catch herself up on the conversation.
Tuck HP 42/42 AC 18/18/14 Wednesday January 9th, 2013 6:42:18 PM
"Why did we walk all that way just to come two houses over?" Tuck grumbles to himself.
He's about to say something aloud when he sees the glorious spread of breakfast tasties. With a laugh, he playfully elbows Grell out of the way to get to the food before the warrior devours it all.
He helps himself to a little bit of everything. It's all delicious and Tuck chomps away as Eleanor prattles on.
Emrys d20+12=24 ; d20+11=26 ; d20+12=21 ; d20+12=23 ; d20+12=32 ; Wednesday January 9th, 2013 9:10:51 PM (btw: thanks for the detail. i wasn't expecting so much :)
To be seen, yes, Emrys understands the importance of keeping up appearances. Then he remembers the kind of crowd that creeps the Nightmare Quarter. His grandiose thoughts quickly diverge from his thoroughly swollen ego and take a more serious route as he ponders the security of their unattended townhouse. While he likes to put on a show, he wishes not to boast their wealth and fame to those unsavory folk that entertain impure thoughts.
Upon arriving at Mrs. Goode's house, Emrys doesn't particularly appreciate the decor at first inspection. The stuffed demons rattle him a bit, especially having recently peered into the swirling, black abyss within the portal of Lasher Castle (Knowledge [Planes]: 24, to identify the demon). However, he maintains an agreeable, yet nonchalant facade, in order to not insult their host.
As expected, the feast of cakes and pastries are a pure delight. He's never tasted anything their equal. In fact, he thinks they're a bit too perfect. Not being a stranger to enchantments, he can't help but consider them unbelievable (Will save 26 to disbelieve). Of course, he can't help but smile to suspect such a thing.
During the mornings conversations, if he is asked to tell a tale, he will do so with great exuberance and with musical accompaniment. (Diplomacy: 21, for etiquette. Perform [strings]: 23. Perform [oratory]: 32, another nat.20! :)
Vaniime AC 18/14/14, HP:45/45 Wednesday January 9th, 2013 9:47:53 PM
Vannime chafes at the realization that Mrs. Goode just wanted to parade around with them like we were her new pets as if we were at her very beck and call. All the same she goes along with it as she senses nothing untoward from Mrs. Goode and as it seems her friends were all going along with it. So Van pasted a smile on her face and once in the house tried her best to be pleasant trying several different cakes and pasteries and, even managing to get out several truly meant compliments about those same pasteries.
She couldn't help but laugh at Grell's abd Tuck's antics over the food. I mean really, they're good and all, but do they really warrant the tossed elbows and stuffing of mouths like they were ravening beast?.
After listening to chit chat and stories for more than an hour, she begins to get restless and begins to wander the room looking and peering at things, occassionally picking them, looking at them, and putting them right back down again. After about her third rotation, she stops and waiting for a lull in the conversation and turns to Mrs. Goode.
"Mrs. Goode, while we are truly appreciative of your generosity in inviting us over for a breakfast of your wonderfully tasty pastries, you did mention something about wanting to ask us a favor?"
Wilma; AC17 (+1 Mithril chain shirt); HP35/35 d20+8=14 ; d20+9=11 ; Wednesday January 9th, 2013 11:24:44 PM
Wilma kept her eyes open, her mouth shut and her plate of pastry out of Grell's range. She idly tried to identify the various examples of taxidermy on the baker's mantel as Emrys used his natural gift for charm to spin an entertaining yarn. (OOC: Wilma got a 14 for her Knowledge, Planes skill check.0
The young cleric paid extra attention as soon as Van asked her question, using her intuition to see if Mrs. Goode's response held any ulterior motive. OOC: darn! Only an 11 for Sense Motive.
Grell Thursday January 10th, 2013 6:51:17 AM
OOC: Today and tomorrow are Benjamin's Cancer scans, so I'm not getting as good of a post in as I want. I might miss tomorrow as well. Sorry about that.
A large sucking sound precedes Grell literally inhaling a whole plate of pastries before he remembers his "manners". With a look of apology to Mrs. Goode, Grell elbows Tuck out of the way and begins to carefully shove individual pastries into his mouth one at a time...with copious amounts of crumbs spraying out of his mouth in between bites. One thing about living in a big family...you learn to take what you want as fast as you can before somebody else eats it!
After he has satiated his hunger, Grell pops another pastry in his mouth...ahhhh...lemon is the BEST! About half way through eating the delicacy, Grell remembers that he hasn't even thanked their host. How rude!! Not bothering to swallow the contents in his mouth, Grell looks over at Mrs. Goode. "Thank you for the lovely breakfast!" He says sincerely, accidentally spraying a few crumbs on the floor.
DM Carl Thursday January 10th, 2013 8:57:47 AM
If Mrs. Goode takes offense at anyone's table manners, she hides it well. Between having an honest to goodness adventuring company in her home and Emrys' seemingly impeccable charm, she's happy as can be.
Emrys briefly wonders if the breakfast is enchanted, but it doesn't seem to be so. He doesn't feel himself thinking more favorably about Mrs. Goode (other than acknowledging her reputation is deserved). As for the stuffed demons, well, they're more stereotypical "demons" than actual representations of evil. They kind of look like dretches, but that's likely because dretches look like stereotypical demons. The fact that the demons are all smiling pleasantly speaks volumes about their authenticity.
Wilma tries to gain some insight into their situation, but this crumb coffee cake is just so good; it's hard to concentrate on anything else.
The breakfast continues longer than some people are comfortable with, but by most standards it's an enjoyable way to spend a morning. Thessa is snapped from her daydream just as Vaniime decides to get on with things.
"Of course! I've taken your entire morning, haven't I?" She stands, graceful as always, and waits for the Vanguard to do the same. "It's a trifle, really," she begins as she turns her back to our heroes & walks towards the kitchen. "I didn't notice it for some time. I've lived here almost a year without seeing it."
She walks through an immaculate kitchen & opens a door leading to a basement. "I keep my ingredients safe down here. I sell my wares in my bakery, but cook them here. It took me far too long to set my kitchen just right to set up another." She claps her hands and several light enchantments spring to life. "Handy, no? Those came with the house, as did much of the furniture down here. Close the door behind you, if you'd be so kind."
She leads everyone to a sturdy armoire set against the far wall. "I was down here yesterday when I clapped my hands in surprise and turned those lights out. You see, I've been working on a way to create a raspberry danish without those little seeds...I'm sorry, that's not important right now. Watch this." With that, she claps her hands & sends the room into almost total darkness. (Lowlight and nightvision both function fine).
It takes a moment for everyone's eyes to adjust. Those with elven blood see it first. There's a slight glow from behind the armoire, a very slight glow. It would be impossible to see with any light on. Investigating the armoire, it's quickly discovered to be flush with the wall. Nothing can be seen behind it from where it stands now.
Thessa d20+12=26 ; d20+12=20 ; Thursday January 10th, 2013 2:44:50 PM
Thessa is among those who's eyes adjust quickly and she sees the faint glow.
"Ooh," she mumbles quietly, "Now that is interesting... Normally, magic auras aren't so obvious to the naked eye unless they are either powerful or designed to do so." She murmurs a word of magic and waves her hand in front of her. [ Detect Magic ]
She stares intently at the armoire, walking around it, examining it from different angles. Examining the swirling aura of magic emanating from it (or within it). She tries to determine the school of magic of the aura [ Knowledge, Arcana: 26 ] as well as trying to identify some of the magical properties of the aura [ Spellcraft: 20 (+2 for Trans)]. She gets close to the armoire, but doesn't touch it.
"Emrys, what do you make of this?" She glances over her shoulder to their host, "Eleanor, have you ever opened it?"
The aura reveals it to be weak conjuration magic. Eleanor opens it to reveal some of her cookware stacked neatly inside.
Ariach AC 26/14/19 ; HP 59/59 Thursday January 10th, 2013 4:46:28 PM
Ariach immediately grabs his flail as the lights are going out and he cannot see anything. But he relaxes as he finds out there is no ambush.
Of course the shining armoire is a strange thing. But what else beside magic could cause that glow. And like always magic is strange and unpredictable......
He positions himself in front of the armoire ready to fight everything what tries to enter this world. A bad feeling tells him that one of his friends will open the armoire soon.........
Tuck HP 42/42 AC 18/18/14 d20+2=9 ; Thursday January 10th, 2013 5:52:32 PM
Tuck troops down into the basement with the others, his belly pleasantly filled. Blinking, he slowly adjusts to the dark and squints at the glow.
"Grell, give me a hand, will ya?" Tuck motions for him to go to the other side of the armoire so they might scoot it out a bit from the wall. Gripping his side, he nods to Grell and attempts to pull the wardrobe away from the wall. (Strength check 9)
After having cast his own divination, and confirming Thessa's findings, he continues to ponder the possibilities from what he knows of arcane lore (Cast Detect Magic. Spellcraft: 19. Knowledge [arcana]: 14). However Grell's giant-sized foot intervenes, by stamping out all thought, by way of crushing Emrys' toe. "OWWW!"
After squirming his foot free from under Grell's steel-plated boot, Emrys clears this throat and forces back a renegade tear. The bard limps forward next to Thessa and makes the observation. "There is a magical aura present, yes, but the glow is also visible to the naked eye. It's quite possible this armoire is concealing a secret door!" Emrys closely examines the armoire and its parallelity with the wall. He snaps his fingers, "poof!" and magically creates a small puff of smoke (Casting Prestidigitation) to see if it reacts to a possible draft from behind the sturdy piece of furniture.
(Perception: 25, to examine and search for a secret door.)
Grell d20+5=12 ; Thursday January 10th, 2013 11:01:31 PM
Nodding, Grell shifts over to the other side of the armoire. He gives a mighty shove, but somehow manages to tweak his back in the process (Str. =12). "Owww!!" he stumbles unto Emry's foot and brings about another "OWWW!"...this time from the bard. "Errrr...sorry 'bout that. Lemme just give this thing another shove..."
Wilma; AC17 (+1 Mithril chain shirt); HP35/35 d20+5=13 Thursday January 10th, 2013 11:51:52 PM
"Careful, Grell!" the young cleric in the party said, not liking the sound of her brother in pain. What was the meaning of this very unusual glow.
Wilma could only hope that it wasn't another portal to a different dimension--having to deal with the one at Lasher Castle had been bad enough!
She frowned, trying to think of whatever that glow might be...
Van sees the glow and imediately her first thought is of Lasher castle, but then that glow was green and much more powerful. Taking a closer look (knowledge arcana DC 20) (spell craft DC 22) she tries to figure out what it could be. After the boys try to move the cabinet together, Vaniime shakes her head and looking at Thessa and Wima mutters, "Boys!" And then moves to one side of the cabinet and after getting a good grip on it tries moving it away from the wall herself (strength DC 22)
DM Carl d20=14 ; Friday January 11th, 2013 8:30:08 AM
Our heroes investigate the discovery further.
Emrys has the bright idea to check for drafts. His puff of smoke hangs still in the air for a moment before dissipating. If there's a door, it's well sealed.
Thessa discovers they're dealing with a weak conjuration aura. The armiore itself appears benign; Eleanor has been using it to store cookware.
Ariach prepares for the worst while Tuck and Grell trip over each other failing to move the armiore. Eleanor barely stifles a giggle at the antics.
Vaniime shakes her head and shows these boys how it's done. Moving to the side of the armiore, she tries to pull it out from the wall, but finds it won't budge. She puts her shoulder into the thing & tries again when she hears a click. The armiore easily slides along the wall...too easily. It feels as if it's on rails.
Wilma learns the hard way to be careful what she wishes for.
The intensity of the glow increases quickly as the armiore slides out of the way. Against the wall is a large circular patch of...slime? Ooze? It's thick, unpleasant, and smears the wall as the armiore moves away. A look of disgust starts to cross Eleanor's face, quickly turning to shock as the vortex appears.
It happens fast; a thunderous sound echoes through the basement that soon gives way to the sound of rushing air as the patch of slime on the wall implodes in on itself. Unprepared, Eleanor is immediately sucked through, as are several smaller chests, barrels, bags of flour, etc.
The Vanguard are likewise caught unaware. Anyone failing a DC20 reflex save is unable to find anything to grab on to in time and is sucked through as well.
Thessa d20+5=11 ; Friday January 11th, 2013 9:13:23 AM
Thessa watches in fascination (and no little amount of admiration) as Vaniime pushes the armoire aside to reveal the slime. She steps forward to examine the it and is completely caught off-guard when the wall implodes and the vortex forms.
There is nothing to grab, nothing to do about it. She tries to shift her weight back, but is struck unkindly by a barrel rolling along the floor toward the vortex. Her feet are whisked out from underneath her and she is dragged feet first toward the wall.
She swears harshly in Undercommon, which is easily drowned out by the loud sound of air rushing by her ears, and does her best to hold onto her gear as she disappears into the vortex.
Still holding on to the door, she sends a smile toward Grell, as the door moves away revealing the vortex, that Vaniime had almost expected to see.
Suprised as she is at the power of the thing as it sucks an unprepared Mrs. Goode into it and to where-ever it led. As powerful as it was, as she was kind of expecting to find a portal of some sort behind the cabinet, Van was not taken unawares and managed to keep hold of the cabinet and her feet (Reflex 21)
Several very ungirl like words slammed out of her mouth as she sees Thessa unable to grab hold of anything and get sucked through.
DM Ezra Friday January 11th, 2013 12:24:08 PM
The armiore slowly starts sliding across the ground towards the portal. It slams into the wall at the edge of the vortex. For the moment, it is balanced on the edge of the wall and the vortex.
Ariach AC 26/14/19 ; HP 59/59 d20+3=18 ; Friday January 11th, 2013 5:29:51 PM
Ariachīs first intention is to find something he can hold on. But after seeing Thessa disappearing into the vortex he is not willing to let her alone. Hoping this vortex leads to another dimension or at least to another place he follows Thessa.
Tuck HP 42/42 AC 18/18/14 Friday January 11th, 2013 6:14:13 PM
"Thessa!" Tuck looks stricken as she goes hurtling through the portal.
With a feral growl and a ferocious look upon his face, he doesn't even try to avoid the pull. Rather, he sprints towards the vortex and dives through.
Wilma; AC17 (+1 Mithril chain shirt); HP35/35 d20+3=21 ; Friday January 11th, 2013 6:26:32 PM
"Ewwww..." Wilma wrinkled her nose at the sight of the slightly-glowing slime.
Then all the hells broke loose, the swirling otherworldly maw in the wall succeeding in sucking in both Mistress Goode and Thessa, too.
Then the redheaded cleric felt her feet sliding on the floor as the vortex attempted to claim her as well. She instinctively screeched her objection and managed to latch onto Van's waist so that she wasn't immediately pulled through the violently swirling gateway. OOC: Wilma's Reflex save was 21.
Wilma did see Ariach willingly throw himself after the vanished females. His sacrifice was followed by Tuck's own leap into the unknown.
"This is not good..!!!" she hollered over the noise of the magic vacuum. "Ariach and Tuck have followed Mrs. Goode and Thessa into that whirly-pool thing..!"
Emrys d20+5=9 ; Friday January 11th, 2013 6:39:15 PM
"NOOOO, Thessa!" Emrys reaches out for her, but he too is pulled effortlessly into the void.
Grell d20+3=11 ; Saturday January 12th, 2013 1:59:08 PM
*Click* Grell growls in frustration as Vaniime makes him look like a fool. Stupid stinking pulled muscle! Then it is almost as things happen in slow motion. Grell watches in a mixture of horror and amusement as Mrs. Hoity Toity gets sucked through the ooey gooey green muck.
Then, OH NO! Thessa is ripped through the portal and Ariach follows her though. Tuck almost does a perfect flip as he passes through the vortex. Vaniime twists and latches onto the cabinet. By Gargul's monocle, how does she DO THAT?! Then Wilma finds a way to hold onto Vaniime's belt. She looks so strange with her red hair all messed up by the turbulent air.
Planting his feet, Grell reaches out and manages to grab the slimy wall framing the vortex. For the smallest of seconds, Grell grins. He's done it...he's not gonna get pulled in after all! And then, just as he's clawing his way back into the room, his back spasms. No longer able to maintain his grip on wood, Grell falls backward into the sucking portal.
Van grimaces as one by one each of her friends is sucked in.
"Hey Wilma, I think I am going to have to let go. I am assuming we want to go in and get them, yes?"
Waiting for a quick answer from her friend, she waits for agreement than then lets go.
Wilma; AC17 (+1 Mithril chain shirt); HP35/35 Sunday January 13th, 2013 1:00:48 AM
Wilma's heart soared when she saw her baby brother resist the pull of the vortex that had claimed everyone else in the cellar.
Then it plummeted when she saw Grell's face grimace in pain...just before he disappeared into the vortex, too.
Van's voice spoke words that dropped down around the young priestess as she blinked in shock. Something about going and getting everyone else...
"Yes--let's go..!" Making sure to keep her right hand wrapped tightly around her enchanted quarterstaff, Wilma deliberately allowed her left hand to release its hold on her best friend's belt...
DM Ezra Monday January 14th, 2013 4:49:04 PM
Planar gating is one of those experiences that can be pleasant, or nauseating. Sucked through an ooze covered vortex didn't fall under pleasant in most people's books. You aren't really sure how to express your feelings of sliding through a long tube full of muck that completely encases your body, squishing into crevices and orifices that you don't want to even think about how you will be cleaning them out.
Just when you feel that you can't keep your mouth closed another second without a breath the squelching sucking of the ooze ends. One by one the party shoots out of a portal in mid air, flying for several feet before slamming into the side of a sloped wall at an angle. Fortunately the wall is a soft yielding material that absorbs your impact without any harm to yourself. Your velocity is enough to carry you for several yards along the side of the wall before gravity carrys you along the slope the onrushing ground. Ground littered with several small chests, barrels, bags of flour, Eleanor and those carried through before you.
The ground is a light crusty material that has some resemblance to mostly dry cow patties. The light is a very dim and diffuse greenish-grey, the source is not apparent, as it seems to come from the walls.
To one side is a steeply sloping wall extending up, and up, and then curving overhead, fading off into the distance. Along the wall you can see that it curves inward on both sides, as if you were standing inside a cavern. The walls are slippery, of a material unknown to you, and resist all attempts to cut or mar their surface, though they do give several inches when pushed against.
Through the wall is a swirling mass of stuff. You can see various shades of viscous material flowing in chaotic patterns along the outer side of the wall. The ground you are on slopes slightly down towards the center of the cavern, where in the dim light you can see what appears to be several dilapidated structures.
Out of the corner of your eye you think you see movement, but when you turn your head, it just looks like more semi-dry cow patties.
OOC: Today's post is early, normally I won't post until the evening to give everyone an opportunity to post. And I am in Arizona so my posting will be late. Next post by me will be tomorrow evening.
Wilma; AC17 (+1 Mithril chain shirt); HP35/35 Monday January 14th, 2013 5:00:19 PM
"...I don't suppose that whirly-pool thingie is still there..?" Wilma asked as she sat up, shaking the goo off first her left hand and then--after transferring her quarterstaff from one hand to the other--doing the same for her right hand. "Or that it will send us back to the Wold if we go through it..?"
Ariach AC 26/14/19 ; HP 59/59 Monday January 14th, 2013 5:23:31 PM
Ariach is very relieved as he sees Thessa alive. He wasnīt sure if they will survive the "fall". But now he even smiles when all the others of the group are arriving at this very, very strange place. It is good feeling to know that each member of the group jumped right after Thessa to help her out.
"Does anybody of you have an idea where we are? And more important, how we come back?"
Tuck HP 42/42 AC 18/18/14 d20+11=18 ; Monday January 14th, 2013 6:24:31 PM
Tuck stands and looks around as he straightens his clothes and gear. (Perception 18)
"What the heck is this stuff?" He pushes against the pliant wall.
After seeing that everyone appears okay, Tuck walks pack up the slope to the point that they came out to see if the portal is still there.
DM Carl as Eleanor Goode Monday January 14th, 2013 7:57:33 PM
Eleanor Goode is not pleased. No...she is not pleased at all.
Covered with ooze & down on all fours, it takes her a moment to decide on a course of action. Weighing all the options available to her, she chooses to scream.
It is the rage-filled self-righteous scream of those who feel no bad should come to them, and it goes on for a while.
There seems to be no echo in this place. Indeed, the sound is muffled as she screams. Surely Eleanor Goode is capable of more volume than this.
Her rage spent, she composes herself & stands. She's relieved to see the ooze sloughs right off without much residue. It seems to have a high degree of surface tension.
She looks to our heroes & gets herself back in order. "Well adventurers, looks like you'll be earning your breakfast after all..."
She hopefully looks at the direction everyone came from, only to see no sign of a return home.
Wilma; AC17 (+1 Mithril chain shirt); HP35/35 d20+28=38 ; d20+8=16 Monday January 14th, 2013 8:15:59 PM
After Mistress Goode's most logical reaction to their current situation, Wilma takes a moment or two to think about their environment and the possible places where such conditions may exist, continuing to absent-mindedly wipe away the goo that coats her...
OOC: (Wilma is taking 20 and combing her brain about her Knowledge of the Planes. The total result is 38.)
DM Ezra: Your bonus is +8, assuming you could take 20, where is the other +10 coming from?
Grell d20+4=6 ; Monday January 14th, 2013 10:37:12 PM
Brushing himself off, Grell looks at Vaniime, then at the weird cave, then over to Wilma. He completely ignores Mrs. Goode. "Uhhh...well then...which way back home??" Always the one for understatement, the warrior looks around, trying to tell if he can figure anything out. (Percept=6...doh!!)
Vaniime AC 18/14/14, HP:45/45 d20+7=24 ; d20+7=20 ; d20+11=23 ; Monday January 14th, 2013 11:33:14 PM
"Well That wasn't much fun." Vaniime states as she picks herself up off the surface.
"Hey Grell. Everything alright? I mean other than the obvious."
Van looks down and peers closely at the cow patty things to see what they might actually be or what they are made from.
Knowledge Nature - DC 24 Knowledge Arcana - DC 20 Perception - DC 23
Emrys d20+14=15 ; d20+14=33 ; d100=69 ; d20+10=11 ; Monday January 14th, 2013 11:33:45 PM
(Im assuming the walls are somewhat translucent to be seeing swirling masses on the other side?)
Emrys eventually finds himself coming to a stop on some strange, spongy floor. He slowly opens his eyes and rises to his feet, testing the floor for sure footing with his walking stick. His eyes gaze wildly all about trying to make sense of the place (Perception: 15, nat. 1, sigh!). The sudden screams of Mrs. Goode steal his attention. They don't sound to be screams of fright ... but more like rage and self-righteous defiance (Sense Motive: 33).
"Mrs. Goode," Emrys asks softly, "What of this place? Why do you think we are here?" He tries his best not to sound accusatory and hides his true intent for asking, but he thinks Mrs. Goode knows much more than what she is letting on. Emrys hums light tune, then mutters a few words of power. The words activated a powerful divination and Emrys uses it to survey the cavern and the walls beyond, if possible.
(Casting Detect Thoughts. Duration: Concentration, up to 3 min. He wishes to count all thinking minds, and their Int scores within the area, in all four directions ... for now! No Will save required. He is also wanting to know if there are more thinking minds present than there should be.)
DM Carl: Near as Emrys can tell, her screams weren't self-righteous defiance, but rather self-righteous indignation. There is a lack of fright, but that may be due to Eleanor's lack of experience with actual danger (i.e. surely we'll find a way back home. I have a party I'm catering tomorrow...).
Thessa d20+8=19 ; d20+8=24 ; d20+11=30 ; Tuesday January 15th, 2013 11:45:35 AM
Thessa was the first to hit the.. ground? What is this stuff? she asks herself examining the soft flooring she'd come to land on. Moments later her friends started dropping in, quite literally, covered in the same gooey substance that had soaked her to the skin.
She caught herself staring for a moment at Emrys, who was normally so immaculate and perfectly groomed. The wet, gooey slime that covered him seemed so completely out of place on him that she couldn't stifle a small giggle.
"Oh, Emrys, you look terrible!" she says with a smile and no small amount of amusement. Knowing how uncomfortable he must be, she unslings and opens her backpack, pulling out a blanket that seemed to have avoided the brunt of the goo. She offers it to him first to clean himself off.
"Oh, what I'd give to have my cleaning cantrip prepared today!" she says with amusement as she tries her best to wipe away some of the excess goo from herself as well.
She wipe her eyes clean and looks around at their surroundings. The place gives her an odd, otherworldly feeling - from the texture of the ground, to the somewhat translucent cavern walls. Could this be some sort of elemental plane? She racks her brain, trying to think through some of the planar descriptions that had appeared in the texts at Maplehurst. (Knowledge, Planes: 19)
This doesn't appear to be natural to Thessa, but perhaps it is natural to some underground areas in the Wold. She considers that as well... (Knowledge, Dungeoneering: 24, Knowledge, Nature: 30)
(OOC:
I didn't know we could take 20 on Knowledge skills, but if we can, Thessa will take 20 for a total of 28 on her K:Planes check.
Also, sorry for the lack of post yesterday.. I usually post during the daytime, but Thessa was sort of stuck in gooey limbo at that point. )
Ariach AC 26/14/19 ; HP 59/59 Tuesday January 15th, 2013 4:19:08 PM
Ariach still feeling lost in this surrounding waits for an explanation where they are and how the come back. As nobody answers his questions immediately he frowns and looks at the all-knowing Emry.
"Please, donīt tell me that you have no idea where we are."
Emrys Tuesday January 15th, 2013 8:17:35 PM
"Thank you Thessa. My soiled state, while thoroughly unpleasant for me as you can imagine, will need to wait a moment. My attention is currently preoccupied."
Emrys appears to be "listening" to their surroundings, however, Emrys replies to Ariach's comment. "I do have ideas, both plausible and improbable, but none of which are the least bit comforting!"
DM Ezra Wednesday January 16th, 2013 3:07:11 AM
Looking back up the steep slope of the wall you can see slime trails showing your path down. Unfortunately you don't see any sign of a portal or other disturbance in the air where the trails start.
As the group verifies the soundness of their respective bodies, Tuck takes a closer look at the wall itself. He doesn't recognize the material, it seems to be transparent as he can see swirling currents of various colors of some viscous material through the wall. In fact, he realizes that he can see for some short distance. The wall is smooth to the touch and gives when he leans against it, hands outspread. Standing back up, the imprint of his hands quickly fill back in.
Wilma ponders mysteries of the universe, and can come up with this not being anywhere on Wold that she knows of, though it seems to have some characteristics that remind her of an old text she read about the shadow plane.
Grell's brief look around finds him most of the contents of Eleanor's basement scattered along the base of the wall under where they came out of the portal.
Vaniime decides to take a closer look at the ground they are standing on and realizes that if he had to imagine what a mountain of cow excrement would look like, he's standing on it. The ground appears to be a semi solid ooze. Their steps break through a thin crust of dried matter to a softer, slimier under layer. He is surprised at the lack of odor.
Emrys detects no additional intelligent life inside the cavern. (There are six directions to search, you missed two :-) ) For a brief moment he detected something through the wall, but the sense of intelligence only lasted a few seconds.
Thessa realizes that one explanation would be a demiplane, but why someone would deliberately make such a dreary place, she didn't know. While looking around, she does get some glimpse of lines in the distance that are too straight for nature, While the light is dim throughout the area, it looks like towards the center of the cavern, a few hundred feet away. She catches some glimpses of movement after Eleanor's loud arrival.
Ariach AC 26/14/19 ; HP 59/59 Wednesday January 16th, 2013 7:55:05 AM
Not satisfied with Emryīs vague explanation Ariach straightens his body and starts to walk slowly at the center of the cavern.
"Letīs have a look who is the homeowner of this ........whatever."
DM Carl as Eleanor Goode Wednesday January 16th, 2013 8:20:06 AM
Eleanor looks sideways at Emrys. "Surely you don't think I have any idea where this is?" She looks around and bulges her eyes as she realizes much of her furniture and ingredients are sitting in this muck. She finds a chest & throws it open, happy to see nothing broken inside.
"Well, at least my millet flour is ok. I had it imported. It costs a little more, but I have a reputation to upkeep. Now, how do you propose to get us home?"
Thessa d20+3=22 ; d20+3=12 ; Wednesday January 16th, 2013 4:56:12 PM
Reserving her judgment and evaluation of their possible interplanar jaunt for another time, she finishes wiping herself off while Emrys finishes listening to whatever he might be trying to hear. She hands the blanket to him if he wants it and points toward the center of the large cavern to strange linear shapes.
"We might find some answers over there, in the direction Ariach is walking.."
Glimpsing movement in the corner of her eye, she darts her eyes around the group, looking for anything that might be out of place. (Perception: 22) She even goes so far as to cast a Detect Magic to look for anything unexpectedly glowing.
If she doesn't see anything, she'll follow Ariach in his pursuit for answers.
(OOC: My die roller was lagged, so I clicked twice. I took the first roll.)
Wilma; AC17 (+1 Mithril chain shirt); HP35/35 d20+10=25 Wednesday January 16th, 2013 5:41:47 PM
"You know..." Wilma said in a thoughtful sort of voice, "...the way this place is--the weird walls and these things on the ground--this place kind of reminds me of something I read about in school. You know--shadow planes or pocket dimensions or something..." Her eyebrows puckered as she tried to remember.
"If my memory serves, places like that are almost always created by either very unusual circumstances or a very powerful entity...or both..." Her sapphire eyes roved the walls and ground as she slowly turned in place. Wilma even remembered to scan the air above her--well, what airspace she could see, anyhow.
OOC: Wilma's Perception check is 25.
Tuck HP 42/42 AC 18/18/14 d20+11=19 ; Wednesday January 16th, 2013 7:36:26 PM
"Well, I guess there's no use standing about. The way we came in is closed to us. It seems that Ariach has the right idea. Let's look around."
He follows after the warrior, peering about for any signs of life. (Perception 19)
Emrys, detect thoughts d20+14=20 ; d20+12=13 ; d20+12=27 ; Wednesday January 16th, 2013 7:48:11 PM
"What?" Emrys' head instantly turns to a space on the wall. "Out there," he says pointing, "I just sensed the thoughts of another mind ... outside this wall. For a brief moment, I sensed it! We are not alone!" He continues to search in that area while he wipes away the ooze with Thessa's blanket.
Emrys adds to the discussion as to where they are. "If we are to employ Hamock's Laws of Parsimony, we should choose a theory that makes the fewest assumptions. Most things natural, and even supernatural, appear to be what they are." After a short pause, for effect, he continues. "We passed through a portal of ooze, yes, which took us to a place that appears otherwoldly. Therefore, we are outside the Living Wold, it is no assumption. By design, we currently reside inside a bladder-type container, with breathable air, that sustains our existence. Which proves there is an intelligent presence that understands our needs. I wouldn't expect the same accommodations from the elemental plane of fire!" After a little more pondering, Emrys concludes, "If we find no other clues or passage ways, I expect our 'host' will make themselves known soon."
(Perception: 20, to notice movement or sound) (Knowledge [Dungeoneering]: 13, blah ... to determine if the slime is consistent with ooze-type creatures.) (Knowledge [Planes]: 27, to recall any known pocket realms that match the description of what he is seeing.)
Looking around again Van see Ariach start to move off toward the buildings and as Tuck speaks, saying that they should all probably join him, starts moving that way taking out her bow and stringing it at she walks.
Grell Wednesday January 16th, 2013 11:51:30 PM
Picking at a bit of old jerky stuck in his teeth, Grell looks at Wilma and Emrys in boredom. "Soooo...should we go find this intelligent thingy and kill it?"
DM Ezra Thursday January 17th, 2013 2:18:05 AM
Deciding to head into the interior, the party heads inward. Several of the party members see small oozes meandering around. They don't seem to have any goal. There is something weird yet interesting in their movement, at somepoints they are almost rolling, at others they fold and flop over. None of those seen is larger than a foot in diameter, with most around 9 inches.
As the party heads in, the faded shapes seen through the dim light slowly resolve into what can only be described as worse than the lowest slums of Plateau City. It looks like at one point metal posts and plating were brought in, and they are the remains of what was obviously several buildings. The remnants in disrepair look to number maybe a dozen structures lining what would have been a short main street.
The party detects several humanoid shapes moving out from the buildings, they are not yet distinct enough in the dim light to identify race or gender.
No additional magical properties are identified beyond the party itself.
Thessa d20+3=10 ; Thursday January 17th, 2013 1:06:07 PM
Thessa takes Van's lead and pulls her own bow and strings it as she walks behind Ariach.
"If this is someone's creation, perhaps the pocket dimension Wilma talked about, why would anyone create such a strange and depressing place? Has it been abandoned and so long ago forgotten?"
She begins to feel her skin itch from the ooze as it starts to dry on her delicate skin. She'd give up 100 gold to soak in a hot springs bath right now!
Keeping an eye out for any threats, she'll continue behind Ariach until something out of the ordinary happens. (Perception: 10)
Wilma; AC17 (+1 Mithril chain shirt); HP35/35 Thursday January 17th, 2013 4:52:01 PM
"Here, Mistress Goode," Wilma said to the baker, "Allow me to give you some protection..." The redheaded priestess reached her left hand up over her own left shoulder, digging it under the top flap of her backpack and FINDS AN EMPTY BACKPACK!!! pulling out a magic wand, which she used to cast Protection from Evil upon the non-adventurer.
"Stay right next to me, please," she added, "Just in case we encounter something less-than-friendly." Wilma then addressed herself to Thessa's question.
"Anything is possible, Thessa," the young cleric said with a thoughtful frown. "We would need to know more about whomever may have created this place to find out why it's here." She brandished the wand in her hand.
"Anyone else in need of protection...?" Wilma asked, looking from one to the other of her comrades.
Her haversack appears to be non-functional... As does everyone else's (a feature of this demiplane?)
Ariach AC 26/14/19 ; HP 59/59 Thursday January 17th, 2013 5:13:35 PM
Ariach expects an ambush whenever he makes an additional step although he doesnīt know where the attackers can hide themselves in this barren and unfriendly surrounding. He continuous to move towards the center of the cave where they will hopefully find a "portal" back home.
Tuck HP 42/42 AC 18/18/14 d20+11=18 ; Thursday January 17th, 2013 5:46:03 PM
"Speaking of protection..." Tuck TRIES TO PU A WAND OUT OF HIS OWN HAVERSACK AND FINDS AN EMPTY BAG INSTEAD pulls out a wand of his own that he offers to Thessa. "This is a wand of Mage Armor. I can't use it, but I was wondering if you might hold it for me. I lasts for an hour and would really help me out. If you don't mind using it on Eleanor and me, I would greatly appreciate it."
He searches their surroundings with a constant scan, looking for trouble or anything that might be of interest to the group. (Perception 18)
DM Ezra Thursday January 17th, 2013 9:24:59 PM
After walking a hundred yards from the wall, buildings start to take shape in the dim lighting. It looks like a dozen dilapitated structures in a double line running from left to right in front of you. From between the buildings a half dozen or so small humanoids stumble out. A couple of them hesitate after walking a few steps toward you. Too thin for dwarves, maybe halflings, gnomes,...?
Wilma and Tuck are surprised and alarmed to find that their handy haversacks don't appear to be working.
Emrys d20+11=23 ; d20+14=32 ; Thursday January 17th, 2013 9:38:11 PM
The scene continues to become more bizarre by the minute. 'Hmm,' he wonders to himself, 'what kind are they? is that normal behavior for oozes?' (Knowledge [dungeoneering]: 23, to identify the oozes (DC=15+CR for rare creatures), and to determine if this is normal behavior.)
However, a more significant concern commands his attention, the hovels and shanties up ahead resembling a peasant slum. Emrys postpones his assessment, having not enough information to go on. Everything here is so disjointed. He fears prolonged exposure to this environment may lead even the stoutest mind to madness.
Emrys takes up a position between the front warriors and Wilma and Mrs. Goode, who take up the rear. He hopes this encounter can be settled with diplomacy instead of the sword. It would be good to gather some information from the locals.
(Perception: 32)
They look like human children. Malnourished children at that.
Emrys d20+12=20 ; Thursday January 17th, 2013 9:52:04 PM
Emrys softly speaks to his friends, "Lets not make any sudden moves, be calm and careful. No lights, they may be sensitive to it, and could encourage them to take flight." He then slow raises his hand and waves in a very friendly sort of way.
(Diplomacy: 20)
Ariach AC 26/14/19 ; HP 59/59 Friday January 18th, 2013 4:09:47 AM
Ariach holds on and waits until the whole group is close together. He takes care that the front row is again taken by the warriors. Then he waits ready to riposte any incoming attack.
He feels pity for these humanoids because obviously they are suffering but waits eagerly for the next action of these creatures.
Vaniime AC 18/14/14, HP:45/45 Perception d20+11=22 Friday January 18th, 2013 7:58:42 AM
Moving into position along with Thessa, Ariach and the others Vaniime keeps an ear out for unusual noises or sounds as they walk along.
Perception DC 22
DM Ezra Friday January 18th, 2013 3:26:29 PM
Clarification handy haversacks, bags of holding, etc, are non-functional. Items that were stored inside are currently unavailable.
Tuck HP 42/42 AC 18/18/14 Friday January 18th, 2013 5:43:07 PM
"Oh man, that's weird." Tuck closes his bag and opens it again. Still nothing. "Either someone stole everything from my bag, or it's not working properly. That sucks."
Tuck stops as the little people notice them. As Emrys attempts to communicate with them, Tuck tries to look non-threatening.
Wilma; AC17 (+1 Mithril chain shirt); HP35/35 Saturday January 19th, 2013 12:16:01 AM
"This isn't good at all..." Wilma said as she found that her backpack was empty. She frowned.
"This place seems to be interfering with our backpacks, Tuck..." The young priestess shook her head. "That means I can't use the Magic Weapon wand or the Protection wand--they're gone." She still aimed a reassuring smile at Mistress Goode.
"We'll still find a way home, ma'am--" Wilma said, but was forced to stop short at the appearance of the thin, child-like people.
"Oh. Hello!" she greeted them automatically. "Um...we come in peace...?"
DM Carl as Multiple NPCs Sunday January 20th, 2013 1:25:04 PM
Six teenagers seem to be assembled here. They are dirty, malnourished, and sickly.
Wait...there are seven. There's one more young girl hiding behind a crude lean to a few feet away.
The eldest is a teenage boy, maybe 16-18 years old. Two more boys stand behind him, both a few years younger. There are a total of four girls present, including the one behind the building. One is missing an arm.
Heal check DC15 Highlight to display spoiler: {The arm has been amputated very poorly. She must be in constant pain due to nerve damage.}
The eldest boy brandishes a make-shift wooden club, but after looking at your obvious martial capabilities, lowers it. He would be handsome if he packed some muscle back on, but in his current state he just looks gaunt. "Are...are you with the cult? Can we go home now?"
One of the other boys glares at all of you. A large stone is clutched in his hands. The rest of the children look around nervously and avoid eye contact, with the exception of the one-armed girl. Her eyes dart between the female party members and Eleanor with an almost pleading air.
Knowledge, Local DC 25: Highlight to display spoiler: {Their clothing is in tatters, but it's obvious that the style is very out-dated. Only the elves in the group have seen clothing like this worn.}
Emrys d20+12=19 ; d20+12=23 ; d20+8=17 ; Sunday January 20th, 2013 5:32:15 PM
(Diplomacy: 19, to calm their fears. Knowledge [local]: 23, to recognize their clothes.)
"Have no fear, no harm will come to you. We are friends," Emrys immediately replies. "We are not from any cult. Which cult are you talking about?" Emrys immediately notices the girl with the missing arm and gives a very concerned look to Wilma. Speaking directly to the girl with the missing arm, "My Dear, what happened? (Heal: 17) Let us try and make it better." Emrys curses to himself and does his best to hide is disappointment. His healer's kit was inside his haversack, which is now empty.
Vaniime AC 18/14/14, HP:45/45 d20+3=21 ; d20+4=24 ; Sunday January 20th, 2013 5:41:23 PM Heal check DC 21; Knowledge local DC 24 (natural 20)
Vaniime is suprised and shocked to se the kids, let alone kids in such bad shape. Even as little as she knows about the healing arts she can tell that the girl's arm was badly done and must be hurting her horribly. Trying to catch Wilma's eye and direct her to the arm, Van takes a closer look at the group, how they are dressed and what they are carrying. Something about how they are attired bothers her, but it doesn't quite come to her.
As the boy seems to be the spokesperson for the group of children, she turns to face him, all but ignoring his question.
"And just how long have you been here now? And what have you accomplished?"
Wilma; AC17 (+1 Mithril chain shirt); HP35/35 d20+12=15 ; d20+4=19 ; Sunday January 20th, 2013 8:42:50 PM
Wilma immediately sized up the overall health of the group, recognizing that everyone present was in terrible shape. Her concern for the youngsters crowded out any other thoughts that may have occurred to her. (OOC: Wilma's Heal check was 15 and her Local Knowledge was only 19.)
"We aren't with any cult," she addressed the boy with a club. "We were sucked into some kind of portal and ended up here." Her sapphire eyes slid to the one-armed child. "Listen--I'm a cleric of Gargul...I think I can help out with that arm...if you'll be kind enough to allow me, that is."
Wilma was inwardly even more distressed that her magic backpack was not working properly, because she had some trail rations that these poor children could have eaten. Now all she had access to was the contents in the ordinary pouches on her belt and her weapons, neither of which seemed to hold anything to help with the blatant starvation that seemed to be going on here.
Ariach AC 26/14/19 ; HP 59/59 d20+5=20 ; Monday January 21st, 2013 5:53:14 AM
Ariach is shocked as they find out that the creatures in front of them are just starving and badly injured little children. At the sight of the children and the hopelessness in their eyes, Ariach cannot prevent tears running down his cheeks. After clearing his throat he talks to the kids.
"We are the Vanguards- an adventuring group of Plateau City. We are fighting for law and order. You donīt have to fear us.......but others should..... I promise you I will not rest until you are save and back home. And i will not rest until your tormentors receive their punishment!"
(knowledge local:20)
DM Carl as Eleanor Goode Monday January 21st, 2013 8:05:29 AM
Eleanor Goode is somewhat speechless. She has never witnessed this level of suffering.
"Goodness, children! When was the last time you had something to eat? Where are your parents? Surely they should be providing for you."
She looks down at the bag of millet flour in her arms. "No matter. I can take care of that. Where's your oven? Oh, and I'll need some clean water, and a few more supplies back there..."
Tuck HP 42/42 AC 18/18/14 d20+11=12 ; Monday January 21st, 2013 8:37:51 AM
Tuck shares in the distress amongst his team, seeing these children in such pitiful conditions. He wonders how they could have gotten here and who brought them.
"Where is here?" he asks the boy who spoke up. "And where is your home at?"
(Perception 12, natural 1)
Wilma; AC17 (+1 Mithril chain shirt); HP35/35 d20+12=26 ; Monday January 21st, 2013 7:12:30 PM
Wilma used her skills as a trained healer to assess the one-armed girl's amputated limb, removing the healer's kit from inside the pouch on her belt so that she could utilize the bandages and balm it contained.
OOC: Assuming the DM allows this action, of course...
DM Ezra Tuesday January 22nd, 2013 1:36:28 AM
One of the older boys replys to Emrys, put a little meat on his bones and he would be quite striking. "What cult? Shandresh of Ga'al. Who else would come to this god forsaken place? If you are not here for Shandresh, then you will take us home!" He comes across quite forcefully. When Emrys directs her attention to the one-armed girl, the girl looks to this boy for approval before slowly coming forward. IT is obvious that she is favoring the stump.
The girl's features are prematurely aged from the constant pain she has endured. She gingerly holds her arm out for Emrys to look at, but winces every time she touches the arm. "I was escaping the fortress when the wall ate my arm, that was almost two years ago, I think."
Vaniime's questions are ignored by the older boy, but a young girl scrambles forward, haunched down and skittering about on four limbs, the backs of her hands scarred. She lifts her left arm up and squints at the forearm, bringing her right forefinger up and running it back and fourth across the dirt caked onto the arm. Perception 15 Highlight to display spoiler: { The dirt appears to be scars, and lots of them, some fresh.} Looking up at the leader she tries to talk softly but does a terrible job. "One year, 11 months, 14 days, I think." The boy pats her on the head "Thank you Katrin."
Looking Vaniime over he responds, "we have been here nearly two years. We have survived, now you will take us home."
Ariach is emotionally moved by the sight of the children and vows vengeance.
One of the boys, the one with the long stringy blonde hair and bright blue eyes steps forward to pinch the fabric of Tucks outfit between two fingers, rolling the material back and forth a bit. "Nice dud's, won't be nice for long, the ooze eats all. You don' need to talk with Andrei, he's a stick in the mud, or ooze. Best i can figure, this was an unfinished project by some high up there muckety muck. Get me out of here, and I'll tell you everything you want to know, names Heath."
Wilma realizes the wound has long since healed, and will need strong regenerative magic to replace the limb. All she could do now would be to provide some reduction in the pain felt by the girl.
For those of you with Know: religion or history, DC 15 Highlight to display spoiler: {Ga'al is the god of Domination and uses heartseeds on his followers.} or DC 30 Highlight to display spoiler: {The name Shandresh jogs a memory of an old text you read about the high clerics of the gods prior to the Year of Ascension. She was one of the most powerful clerics of the third age, but she disappeared abruptly. The text surmised that her disappearance may have been a triggering event for the collapse of the third age.}
Ariach AC 26/14/19 ; HP 59/59 d20+5=23 ; Tuesday January 22nd, 2013 5:15:28 AM
".......two years?! You are here for two years already?"
With a bland smile the young warrior goes on.
"You all are heros. You have survived in this environment. But now itīs time to go home. If there is a chance to come back we will find it. We have superior minds in our group who will find a way home- or at least out and then we bring you home."
Then the righteous warrior turns to the group especially looking at Grellīs, Emryīs and Vaniimīs eyes.
"Whoever has done this, will pay for it. We give them just one chance to surrender. If they donīt agree we will smash them - and then there will be no mercy. Cruelty to women and children is the most dishonorable action."
Ariach adjusts his helmet obviously eager to fight and asks the teenagers for further advice. "Show us the way."
"For Domi! For the Codex!"
(knowledge history: 23)
Tuck HP 42/42 AC 18/18/14 d20+6=8 ; Tuesday January 22nd, 2013 11:03:41 AM
"We will try our best to get you out of here, Heath." Tuck appears a little uncomfortable with the boy's touchy-feeliness, but says nothing. "How did you get here? And where are the ones who brought you, now?"
Wilma; AC17 (+1 Mithril chain shirt); HP35/35 d20+9=29 ; d20+10=20 ; Tuesday January 22nd, 2013 12:33:55 PM OOC: Wilma rolled a natural 20 for her Religion Knowledge check--I assume that means she would qualify for knowing the DC30 bit of information, yes...?
"Honesty bids that I tell you: I'm a new cleric, and I don't have the power to grow your arm back," Wilma admitted to the girl. "However, I will do what I can so that it doesn't hurt as much." So saying, the young priestess makes a poultice designed to ease the aching that her patient has been suffering up to now.
"Ga'al..." the redhead said to the others in her party, "...I seem to remember that Ga'al is one of the gods of testing. He was once the patron deity of the country of Aisildur, and commanded the loyalty of its adult population by the use of heartseeds." Her sapphire eyes pointedly inspected the chests of the various survivors her party was conversing with--clearly looking to see whether or not any of the children had been so implanted. {OOC: Wilma made a voluntary Perception check of 20.) Even as she does so, Wilma recalls that Aisildurans were supposed to reach the age of twelve years (or so) before getting such an implant.
Emrys d20+12=22 ; d20+12=17 ; d20+14=24 ; d20+8=28 ; Tuesday January 22nd, 2013 7:15:53 PM (Knowledge [religion]: 22. Knowledge [history]: 17. I miss my Loremaster & Recall abilities!)
Emrys does his best to disguise his loathing and disdain for the condition of these children. He finds the fact that Ga'al's influence created this situation beyond repugnant. (Perception: 24) He notices that some of their wounds are fresh and Emrys eyes Wilma, knowing she sees it too, and says, "What do you think of this," as he continues to help inspect and treat the children (Heal: 28, nat. 20). Pointing to a fresh wound, Emrys asks, "Who did this to you?"
Emrys rises and turns to Ariach, and in a soft whisper, he revises the warriors proclamation. "I say we give these vile cultists no quarter at all! They have no mind of their own. They are an extension of Ga'al's will ... surrender is not an option. They must be severed!"
DM Carl as Eleanor Goode & others Tuesday January 22nd, 2013 8:09:57 PM
The girl apparently named Kaitrin giggles loudly at Emrys' comments. "Not Ga'al's will. No...not at all. You're all too late to punish them. They got what they had coming, DIDN'T YOU?" Her voice raises to a scream as she pounces through the party. She raises her fists high and brings both down on a small, clear jelly crawling along. The thing splatters easily, losing all viscosity & turning into a clear liquid.
Heath, the curly-haired blond boy, elbows Tuck in the side. Looking up, he rolls his eyes & shakes his head. "Nuts, that one. She is right, though. Cult's gone. We would be too if Ga'al hadn't come along when he did."
Eleanor meanwhile has gathered more ingredients that were strewn about on their arrival. "Andrei, was it? You seem like a nice boy. Come help me with these." She looks around & sees a long cold fire pit. "Guess that will have to do. What is there to burn around here?"
Tuck HP 42/42 AC 18/18/14 Tuesday January 22nd, 2013 8:38:55 PM
"Ga'al came here? And did what? Is he still here?"
Tuck turns about in a full circle as if the god would descend upon them that very moment in a fit of thunder and quakes.
"Heath, can you tell me what is nearby to here? Any towns or structures? Anything of interest?"
Wilma; AC17 (+1 Mithril chain shirt); HP35/35 Tuesday January 22nd, 2013 10:03:24 PM
As she finished up applying the poultice to what was left of her patient's arm, Wilma shook her head.
"How about we all take a step back and start from the beginning?" She wound a bandage around the girl's stump to keep the poultice in place. "Otherwise we will all miss out on stuff we may need to know." Wilma drew in her breath.
"Ariach is the warrior who introduced our group to you," she said, looking around at the ragtag bunch of children. "We are called the Vanguard, but each of us is--Emrys, Tuck, Thessa, Vaniime, and my brother, Grell. We came here by accident with Mistress Goode." Wilma pointed to each person as she named them.
"Mistress Goode is the best baker in Plateau City," the redheaded cleric added. "She can probably cook up something really good while you tell us your names and what you remember about how you got here, too...if we can find the things she needs to make a cook fire, that is..."
Grell d20+4=15 ; d20=6 ; Tuesday January 22nd, 2013 10:47:14 PM
Grell casts his gaze about from child to child as different things are bantered about. He looks at the scars on the children's arms and their clothing, and a thought begins bubbling around in his brain (Percept=15). Scars...and yucky clothing...and Emrys clothing is gonna look like that soon enough...think Grell...THINK!! The warrior wracks his brain. What binds these things together??!!
OOC: Sorry, we went camping this weekend and I had no internet.
Thessa d20+3=7 ; d20+10=15 ; d20+8=18 ; d20=14 ; Tuesday January 22nd, 2013 11:31:32 PM
(OCC: catching up, Thessa did not draw her bow since it is kept in her Efficient Quiver, which I believe is completely empty. This will distress her to no end, but she'll try not to let her companions see her consternation.)
Thessa is completely confused by this place.. Who are these children and where do they come from? What is this talk of a cult that was here, but no longer is? Ga'al she seemed to recall better after Wilma's exposition, but the rest... She struggles to make sense of it all.
Her mind is a mess of fragmented thoughts and the stress of being stranded in this strange place so far away from home, the deformed and scarred children, the incessant itching of dried ooze upon her skin, and the empty quiver all combine to subtly overwhelm her. She feels her eyes well up slightly and turns to walk away from the group.
She tries to make herself look busy, as if looking around for clues or an exit. Pull yourself together, Thessa! she commands herself through her tears of frustration and worry.
OOC: DM Ezra and CArl are stating that since the spell empty chest hides the contents on the ethereal plane, and efficient quiver is based on this spell, the contents are still accessible, while haversacks state they work like bags of holding as extra-dimensional spaces.
Knowing something was wrong about their clothing, Van is not sure there isn't something a bit funny about their story as well.
She remembers learning about Ga'al Knowledge religion DC 18and hearing stories from her folks as well, but there was something else... wait, hadn't the cult fairly recently been defeated and minimalized?
She peers closely at each of the teens trying to ascertain if any or all of them had been heartseeded. perception DC 22
DM Ezra Wednesday January 23rd, 2013 3:38:41 PM
Andrei sighs at Heath's outburst, while responding to Ariach "ignore him, he's lucky he's not ooze. Hastein there," one of the other boys is pointed out, this one seems rather unremarkable, and in his mid-teens. "He thinks that time is going slow here, but I don't know about that, so yes, it's been about two years that we have gotten by eating fungus and sucking water from the muck you're standing on. So less talking, more getting us home."
With Eleanor's request for help with starting a fire Andrei's eyes gleam eagerly before turning wary once again. Pointing to one of the ruins, "Hastein, Natasha, Gurtrude, take that one down for the fire." At his request Hastein glares at the order before quickly smiling at Tuck, "See what I have to deal with?" As he starts pulling apart the crumbling wooden boards that remain of the structure he replies to Tuck's questions, [b]"promises of riches, power and women, what else? But the *itch was a liar, Ga'al came and did her for good. Cleared out the cultists, but couldn't bother his self with us new recruits, left us here to fend for ourselves he did. He came, he did, he left. And sometimes we can see and feel her pain when she floats by too! As for structures, what you see here, that's what's left of the great retreat. This and the fortress of slime across the lake."
Natasha looks between the girl being tended by Wilma and Andrei, biting her lip as she looks between the two a couple more times before reluctantly heading for the ruin. It's obvious she doesn't want to leave the girl's side.
Gurtrude, a very young and malnourished girl that has been giggling and crouched on the ground in the back, shambles over to Thessa, "please hold mister Farnsworth for me? At least I think it's mister Farnsworth. Just don't let HER get him." And with this a small ooze is thrust into Thessa's hands. The ooze does no damage other than leaving her hands well slimed. Kaitrin looks at the ooze with glee, her hands covered in the remains of the one she just squished.
Wilma describes the group while wrapping the arm stump and Grell reminiscences about clothing he saw in a history museum. Vaniime realizes that through the taters of clothing he sees fashions that reminded him of his grandmother's portraits. But that was centuries ago...
Wilma; AC17 (+1 Mithril chain shirt); HP35/35 Wednesday January 23rd, 2013 5:22:47 PM
"Sorry, Andrei," Wilma said, checking that her bandages on the one-armed girl were secure, "We need to try to learn as much as possible about how you got here and for what purpose--it will help us try to figure out how to get us all out of here." The young priestess fixed her eyes upon the de facto leader of the children.
"As far as we know--for now--this is a place that had been created because it is beyond the Wold, and supposed to be beyond its influence. Whomever created it was very, very strong, because it's still here even after the fall of the...cult that was apparently supposed to use it as a retreat." Wilma looked around her again, biting her bottom lip in concentration.
"It's obvious that we can't go back the way we came in," she pointed out, "But...do any of you know if there is supposed to be a designated portal..? A kind of doorway that was meant for the cult members to use to come here and then go back to the Wold...?"
Ariach AC 26/14/19 ; HP 59/59 Wednesday January 23rd, 2013 5:44:39 PM
Ariach looks through the group of children one more time. Again he fells uncomfortable while watching the teens. The warrior cannot imagine how they were able to survive such a long time. He really hopes that their small group will be able to bring the children back home. The fact that there should be no cultists around increases the chance. But it also prevents him from taking vengeance.
"Fortress of slime? Maybe we should check out that place next."
The warrior waits for orders. He strongly hopes that some of his friends understand completely what is going on here...... he doesnīt.
Tuck HP 42/42 AC 18/18/14 Wednesday January 23rd, 2013 7:52:56 PM
Tuck noticed that the children kept referring to a woman. The specific way they referenced her made him think that she might be a spirit or ghost.
"Who is this woman you keep talking about, Heath? And what's in that fortress? More people?"
Vaniime AC 18/14/14, HP:45/45 Wednesday January 23rd, 2013 9:44:39 PM
With a jolt of realization, Van gets a very worried look upon her face and quickly turns to Andrei.
"Andrei, Where did you get the clothes that you are wearing? Did you find them somewhere, or are they the ones you were wearing when you arrived here?"
I Don't Think We're in Plateau City anymore.
Emrys d20+12=21 ; d100=30 ; d20+14=29 ; Wednesday January 23rd, 2013 10:51:40 PM
Emrys is somewhat taken aback by what he just heard and witnessed. It begins to dawn on him that their scars may run deeper than he thought. He is very unsettled by this and the urgency in Vaniime's tone, about their tattered clothes, only alarms him more. The style does looks familiar, but he can't remember their significance (Knowledge [history]: 21).
He is conflicted ... and the idea torments him, however he can't help but feel there is something dark and sinister about either some or all of these children. Some of their wounds are recent. A direct question was asked about those wounds and yet was completely ignored. Emrys can't help but feel they're hiding much more than what they're letting us know. (Sense Motive: 29)
(ignore the d100, pressed by accident)
DM Ezra: The wounds are only on Kaitrin's arms, and closer inspection shows that they are likely marking time, or more specifically, a mark per day counting one year, 11 months, and 14 days, though some of the scars have grown smudged, and she's running out of unmarked skin.
DM Carl as Eleanor Goode & others Wednesday January 23rd, 2013 10:59:21 PM I just realized I neglected to give XP for the first scene: 500xp for everyone, plus an extra 50 to Emrys for showing me how foolish it was to not take a well-crafted bard into account when designing NPCs.
***
Heath looks up at Tuck. "Shandresh? She was a high muckety-muck of Ga'al. Now she just floats up there in her bubble. Turns out gods don't take kindly to those who misinterpret their dogma. Crazy broad figured if we couldn't be trusted with free will, we couldn't be trusted with smarts or bodies either." He looks around a bit. "Ooze, ya see? No smarts, no bodies, no will. Stupid lady...what use are these things to anybody, especially a god?" His voice gets lower & he moves in closer to Tuck. "I'll tell you what, though...before she messed it up, that lady had power. As for the fortress, it's that way over the lake of ooze. There's a raft you can use. We decided to burn it last. We don't know what's inside. Naomi got nosy and lost her arm. We didn't feel too curious after that. Hey, you're heroes...you go check it out. Just don't decide to leave us behind if you find a way out."
DM Ezra Thursday January 24th, 2013 2:41:10 AM
Andrei gives Wilma a confused look, "that portal is the only way we know to get in or out of here. Shandresh's focus could swell the ground to the portal allowing her minions access to Wold. She's too crazy to focus on anything now." Responding to Vaniime, Andrei keeps a close eye on Eleanor's meal preperations, his, and the other children's growing hunger is evident. "The pants I wore when I arrived. I've had to make some repairs, the shirt came from one of the cultists, don't remember which one, same for the rest of us."
Emrys recalls one of the more boring classes he took on Woldian fashion. He recalls seeing something much like the styling of the pips on Andrei and Heath's pants that were high fashion centuries ago, definitely the Fourth age, maybe even the Third, if only he had studied a little more on that chapter. Of course who would have thought he'd actually need to know that stuff. He doesn't get any sense of deception from the children, they appear to be hungry, slightly off their rockers, and really, really wanting to go home.
[b]
Wilma; AC17 (+1 Mithril chain shirt); HP35/35 Thursday January 24th, 2013 3:34:04 AM
Wilma suddenly remembered something--that Ga'al hadn't had female clerics in literally ages..
"Wait...you've been here for almost two years now..?" she asked Andrei directly. "What year was it when you left the Wold? Do you remember..?"
'Gargul, please let me be wrong about this...' Wilma prayed silently.
Ariach AC 26/14/19 ; HP 59/59 Thursday January 24th, 2013 5:22:58 PM
Ariach absolutely wants to check out the fortress. But he understands that first they have to alley the childrensīhunger. While lady Goode is preparing the meal he keeps watch. From time to time he watches the others and listens carefully to their ideas.
Tuck HP 42/42 AC 18/18/14 Thursday January 24th, 2013 8:32:05 PM
"Shandresh. Does that name mean anything to anyone?" He looks at his fellow teammates, especially the smartypants, Emrys. "Some cleric of Ga'al. I wonder why they brought these children with them. Whatever the purpose, it looks like it's been abandoned."
Speaking again with Heath, "Was Shandresh the leader of the cultists? Was she the one that brought you and the adults to this place? Was she the one that changed the adults to these...things?" He gestured in disgust to the slimes milling about.
Emrys Thursday January 24th, 2013 8:41:09 PM
(Thanks Carl, but I think Kent deserves that extra xp. His check was a point higher a few turns back.)
Emrys' eyes go wide with the sudden realization as the facts slowly begin to present themselves. He takes Vaniime aside, and any other Vanguards within reach, for a quick sidebar. Emrys whispers, "You have a keen eye, Vaniime. If it not for your observation, I would not have noticed. Their clothes harken back to a time much more distant than two years! I'd say those clothes were in fashion more than a 150 years ago, possibly as far back as the third age!" He pauses for this to sink in. "Time in this realm is not relative to our own. There are several such examples of this with other known realms." Emrys checks his calculations and then continues, "I estimate that in the past 15 to 20 minutes since we arrived, we have been absent from the Living Wold for 27 hours ... give or take an hour or two!!"
Emrys d20+12=25 ; Thursday January 24th, 2013 8:44:27 PM
"That's a good question, Tuck."
Emrys tries his best to answer Tuck, because he really wants to know himself. Who is this Shandresh?
"I would agree Emrys, These are remnants of clothing that I have seen in drawings from my mother's mother's time. I would say at least 300 - 400 years ago.
I think we need to do something real soon about getting out of here. I also think we need to tell these kids just how far off their time is.
We know the portal here is closed, and I am assuming that we don't have a way to open it. So I guess we need to head out there to the fortress to find another way out. Question is do we need to take them with or do we leave them here and assume we need to come back in order to take them with us/"
Grell Thursday January 24th, 2013 9:34:31 PM
All of this talking and no killing is giving Grell a headache. He gingerly rubs his temples as the discussions continue. Then, it looks like a decision is being made. Forcing a smile, Grell shifts his sword in anticipation of heading to the fortress.
DM Ezra Friday January 25th, 2013 2:51:11 AM
(OOC: looks like part of my last post was eaten)
Andrei gives Wilma a confused look, "what year? 402..." (OOC:Interesting to note that the PTB have failed to have a calendar and date line in the Woldepedia,) Wilma quickly determines this is at least two hundred years in the past, there was some confusion on year counting at the beginning of the current age.
Rolling his eyes, Heath admits "yes, just like Andrei said, Shandresh was one of Ga'al's top people, but she strayed from the path and did something to change the cultists into oozes, her idea of fulfilling Ga'al's purpose."
The name Shandresh comes to mind for those that passed a DC 25 religion check. Highlight to display spoiler: {She was on the verge of becoming an avatar of Ga'al, and one of the most powerful people in the Wold when she abruptly disappeared from mainstream society. There were many rumors that she had started a cult with plans to bring an extreme view of Ga'al's domination to the Wold.}
DM Carl as Eleanor Goode & others Friday January 25th, 2013 8:23:35 AM
By this time, Eleanor has managed to gather enough ingredients to start putting something together. "What do you mean there's no water? You drink that gunk over there?" She's obviously exasperated as she works with Hastein. "Let's at least boil it and see if we can get some of the thicker gunk out."
She turns to the Vanguard. "You folks go on ahead without me. I'll make sure these kids get something to eat." She makes a little "shoo-shoo" motion with her hands as she speaks.
Katrin squats next to Eleanor as she works. The girl lightly holds on to Eleanor's dress as she works, seemingly mesmerized by the texture of the fabric.
Thessa Friday January 25th, 2013 10:15:32 AM
Thessa, who was extraordinarily grateful for the distraction, has been playing with the ooze as she talks to Gurtrude about Mister Farnsworth, about her life before this place, and her experiences here. Only partly keeping track of the conversation between Wilma, Emrys, Vaniime and the group, she does hear something about it being hundreds of years since they left the Wold.
Poor thing, she thinks to herself. Gurtrude's family, friends, everyone she knows is probably gone. This realization makes her sad, but even more resolute to free Gurtrude and the rest of the children from this depressing place. Unless Gurtrude insists on her keeping Mister Farnsworth, she'll gently hand it back to her after their conversation.
Thessa stands up, screws a grim and determined expression on her face and joins the rest of the group as they discuss the next course of action.
Wilma; AC17 (+1 Mithril chain shirt); HP35/35 d20+9=27 ; Friday January 25th, 2013 1:14:59 PM
Hearing Andrei confirm her suspicions and then getting Vaniime and Emrys' input was enough confirmation for Wilma.
(OOC: Wilma's Religion roll is 27.)
"Oh, hells..." she groaned, finally recalling why 'Shandresh' sounded so vaguely familiar, "...Shandresh, of course! She is the reason why Ga'al no longer has female clerics...she was trying to establish a cult of extremists in Ga'al's name, but she disappeared from the history of Aisildur two or three hundred years ago." She frowned.
"From what these kids have been telling us," Wilma reasoned out loud, "Shandresh obviously incurred the displeasure of Ga'al and has been punished by him. But Emrys is right--time is passing much, much slower here than in the Wold, and if we don't get out of here soon, years and years will have passed by the time we get back home!" The redhead shuddered at the thought.
"What do you think, then..? Shall we go and see if there is something in that 'Fortress of Slime-itude' that can help us leave..?"
Tuck HP 42/42 AC 18/18/14 d20+6=11 ; Friday January 25th, 2013 6:23:46 PM
Tuck shrugs at Wilma's suggestion to explore the Slimy Fort. "It doesn't seem that we're going to get anywhere standing here. Someone or something must have built it. Perhaps that something is still there and knows a bit more about this place than the children."
(Knowledge Religion 11)
Ariach AC 26/14/19 ; HP 59/59 Friday January 25th, 2013 6:29:26 PM
Ariach repeats his opinion to Wilma.
"Of course we have to go to the fortress. And we have to go fast. We must find someone or something what helps us to leave this realm. Perverted magic seems to be dangerous. Maybe there is a chance one of you is able to talk to the ghost of this female priest called Shandresh. If she got punished by Gaīal she maybe helps us to flee from this place and has no motivation to keep us here."
The longer the group is here, the more the group finds out about the place, the more Ariach wishes to leave the place. He silently prays to Domi to help his friends finding out more about a possibility to go back home.
DM Carl as Eleanor Goode & others Friday January 25th, 2013 8:27:47 PM "Ghost? Geez...do you people listen? I just said she was up there in a bubble." Heath glares at Ariach as he speaks.
Vaniime AC 18/14/14, HP:45/45 Friday January 25th, 2013 8:27:52 PM
Alrighty then. Let's head out. The sooner we leave the sooner we can get back and get out of here.
Wilma; AC17 (+1 Mithril chain shirt); HP35/35 Saturday January 26th, 2013 12:43:44 AM "Up there in a bubble',,," Wilma echoed Heath's words, then shook her head. "Sounds like Ga'al metamorphed her into a form that keeps her from accessing her power rather than just have killed her outright. I've read that Ga'al tends to be...testy that way." The cleric of Gargul gripped her staff.
"Let's go find that boat and get to that fortress..."
Grell d20+4=18 ; Saturday January 26th, 2013 10:33:05 PM
Being of the rather literal form of mind, Grell stares up where Heath points, expecting to see a floating cleric. (Perception=18)
Emrys Sunday January 27th, 2013 2:06:34 PM
"Yes, there's no time to dilly-dally. Let's not waste another moment," replies Emrys. "I'd hate to return to Plateau City and find someone else living in our new home!"
DM Ezra Monday January 28th, 2013 11:44:19 AM Emrys recalls a fleeting sense of an intelligence beyond the wall of the cavern they are in, but Heath called it a bubble... more than one bubble in the ooze?
While Eleanor continues to prepare some real food for the children, the party decides that finding a path to the fortress is their next course of action.
Continuing down slope through the crumbling ruins the group soon finds themselves on the shore of a lake of ooze that stretches off into the distance. Scattered here and there are gently bobbing islands of dried material, much like what they are standing on now. Most of these islands contain the remnants of structures that look like what was once residential quarters. Through the dim light a vague sense of straight lines can be seen off in the distance, but details can't be made out.
Along the shore are a couple of collections of boards loosely held together by rotting strands of what looks like twisted cloth. Two of them look to still be ooze worthy, with care.
Wilma; AC17 (+1 Mithril chain shirt); HP35/35 Monday January 28th, 2013 3:05:40 PM
Wilma frowned at the "boats".
"My kingdom for one of those magic boat tokens..." she mumbled.
"Anybody have some rope?" the priestess asked. "We could use it to make sure the rafts stay together, rather than relying on this stuff--" Here she picked at one of the rotted cloth bindings on the wood, "--to keep the rafts from disintegrating." She shook her red head.
"I have two lengths of silk rope," Wilma lamented, "But they were inside my backpack...the one that isn't working now..."
Ariach AC 26/14/19 ; HP 59/59 Monday January 28th, 2013 6:42:27 PM
Ariach listens to Wilma and it bothers him that he doesnīt have a rope with him. In his eyes he missed a big chance to get her attention. Hoping anyone of his group will have a rope he stands close to the shore waiting for the groupīs decison what they do next.
Emrys d100=72 ; d20+10=24 ; Monday January 28th, 2013 7:29:29 PM
"Hopefully this should do the trick," mutters Emrys. After the young bard begins to manipulate a few loose boards on the lesser of the two oozeworthy rafts, he begins to weave his hands in the air over it. This is a unusual style of casting for Emrys. The method and mannerisms appear oddly primitive, yet exotic, as if he was fabricating the spell on the fly.
(Knowledge [Engineering]: 24, to repair more effectively. Casting Make Whole on the weakest oozeworthy raft. 30 cu. ft. is effected and repaired.)
"Assistance would be most appreciated with the other." Emrys continues making quick repairs by repeatedly using the Mending magik. As he works, Emrys reminds the group of the other intelligent mind he sensed when he first entered the place. "I only sensed it for just a moment. I wasn't able to read its thoughts."
Tuck HP 42/42 AC 18/18/14 d20+11=24 ; Monday January 28th, 2013 7:42:49 PM
"Alas, Wilma, my rope is also hidden in my magicked haversack. We're going to have to trust to old Emmie's magic, I suppose. We should keep the craft close to an island, in case it does begin to fall apart."
Tuck attempts to determine if the lake of ooze is potentially dangerous, without actually touching it. He takes one of his arrows and stirs the ooze to see if has any effect on the arrow.
"Well there is something to be said for not always relying on magic," Vaniime states as she pulls her 50ft silk rope off the bottom of her pack. "If at all possible, I would like to keep this whole as we may need it later, but..."
Grell Monday January 28th, 2013 10:59:08 PM
Pulling out 50 foot of hemp rope from his regular backpack, Grell grins at Vaniime and his sister. "Yup, old school is the best! I've got a tent in here too if we need some fabric."
Wilma; AC17 (+1 Mithril chain shirt); HP35/35 Tuesday January 29th, 2013 12:32:41 AM
"The unusual nature of this pocket plane is what's interfering with what would normally be perfectly good haversacks," Wilma pointed out, but grinned as both her best friend and her brother were able to help out with supplying extra rope.
"Um...what will we use for a paddle...?" the human teenager asked.
Ariach AC 26/14/19 ; HP 59/59 Tuesday January 29th, 2013 4:17:22 AM
Ariach supports Grell and Vannime to fix the loose boards with their ropes.. The warrior trusts in Emryīs abilities to cast spells but why should a magical spell work in the proper way when a magical item like the magic backpack doesnīt work. Therefore he decides to count more on the regular handcraft than on magic. He unsheathes his short sword and tries to carve two paddles out of one of the boards.
Over the river & through the ooze...
DM Carl Tuesday January 29th, 2013 9:19:37 AM
With Eleanor and the kids left to their own devices, our heroes try to make the only available watercraft more...ooze worthy.
Luckily for all involved, paddles are found in the boat. They're kinda goopy after spending so much time in the ooze, but they're solid.
Tuck dips his arrow into the ooze & brings it out much the same as it went in, with the obvious exception of being covered in ooze. The arrow seems sturdy as ever.
With two ropes to work with and Emrys' magic, the best parts of two rafts become one much more sturdy craft. It's still a raft made from wood that's just starting to rot, but it's sturdy for now. Off in the distance, The party can barely make out a large structure. There's no fog here, but the light is so dim that seeing any distance is tricky. With the party loaded aboard and a final shove off, they leave the relative safety of land.
***
There are two oars, so I need two paddlers. I'll need CON checks from whomever volunteers.
Vaniime AC 18/14/14, HP:45/45 Tuesday January 29th, 2013 6:05:06 PM
Ariach, Grell, do the two of you want to take a go on the oars? That will free me to keep my bow at the ready for any surprises from the front.
Tuck HP 42/42 AC 18/18/14 d20+11=17 ; Tuesday January 29th, 2013 8:38:52 PM
"Well, I guess it won't kill us if we fall in. But I wouldn't be drinking any. I'm looking at you, Grell." He gives his friend a sly smile.
Just as Vaniime was doing, Tuck also unslings his bow and prepares an arrow. "I'll watch our rear," he tells her.
(Perception 17)
Thessa Tuesday January 29th, 2013 10:58:26 PM
Moving toward a goal seems to pick up Thessa's spirits. She watches on while Emrys magicks the craft.
"I wish I could help with the repairs. No spells I have prepared would aid you, and my rope skills are a fright to behold!"
Thessa takes her cue from Tuck and Vaniime and readies her bow and boards the boat.
"I guess that leaves me with the flanks," she says with a wry smile. "Woe to anyone who tries to paddle up to attack us, hmm? Although.." she looks down at the surface of the ooze, "I worry about what might be slithering around in this slime."
Emrys d20+11=20 ; d20+14=15 ; Wednesday January 30th, 2013 12:04:05 AM
(Knowledge [Dungeoneering]: 20, to recall facts about oozes.)
"Very true, Thessa," answers Emrys. "The mostly liquid ooze could easily conceal more solid ones. Though they do possess a special kind of sight, they are very blind to light, shadow and color. I see no need why we should remain in the dark." Upon say this, the top end of his walking stick lights up like a torch. However, having cast the spell a little too close to his face, the sudden burst of light blinds him for a few seconds. (Perception: 15, nat. 1. drat!)
(Casting a simple 0-level Light spell.)
Grell d20+2=9 ; Wednesday January 30th, 2013 5:54:20 AM
Quickly grabbing up an oar, Grell looks over at Ariach. "Let's get this show on the road!" As soon as Ariach is ready, he begins rowing though the icky muck. (Con=9)
Ariach AC 26/14/19 ; HP 59/59 d20+3=10 ; Wednesday January 30th, 2013 7:26:20 AM
When his friends prepare their bows Ariach painfully is reminded of his oath not to use a bow for a year. He misses the smooth wood of a bow in his hand. But after losing the bow competition it was the only honorable way out.
He nods to Grell, grabs an oar and starts to row. (Con=10)
DM Carl Wednesday January 30th, 2013 12:02:51 PM
My, this ooze is tough to paddle through. Grell and Ariach manage to get them moving, but it's not long before their muscles are burning. The ooze seems to hold on to the paddles; pulling them from the ooze to make another row moves the raft back a small amount.
Still, our heroes are made of tougher stuff than most. Progress is made.
The group's archers stand ready. Keen eyes scan the horizon, but no targets present themselves. Every now and then a small outcropping of land pops up. One seems to house a couple of ramshackle buildings like the ones the kids were living in.
Perception 20: Highlight to display spoiler: {There are small oozes milling around, much like the ones Katrin smashed back on shore. They give no indication that they care for your presence one way or the other. They don't seem to be a threat. }
Emrys tries to remember what he knows about oozes, and as such is blind to the world around him. He knows they're usually unintelligent, but not always. He knows they're mostly immune to mind-altering magic and don't rely on sight. There's no weak spots on them to target, so trying to get a good angle to attack is pointless. He also knows they run the gamut from harmless to extraordinarily dangerous.
As the party makes it's way over the lake, Thessa is the first to notice a shape coming into view in the sky above...or at least what qualifies for a sky in this place. A small bubble seems to float down through the ooze. Inside, an unkempt woman sits cross legged rocking back and forth. Her hair is long and neglected, as are her finger and toe nails. She is thin, but not emaciated like the children.
At some point in time, she was probably stunning to look upon. Now she is merely a wreck of a person. As the group sees her, so does she see you. She leaps forward, hands and face pressed against her bubble. Her face distorts as she presses harder, trying to tear through her prison. Increasingly frantic, she attacks the bubble with her nails, but they only break under the strain and do nothing to damage the surface. Just as quickly as she floated into view, she floats away, still trying to claw her way out.
"Well, I would guess, Vaniime starts to say as she sees the bubble woman, that we just got a viewing of our imprisoned mysterious Ga'alian expriestess. Unless of course there is more than one lady floating around in a bubble."
Turning and giving their two rowers a look, Van continues.
"Grell, Ariach do either one of you want me to give you a break from paddling?"
Wilma; AC17 (+1 Mithril chain shirt); HP35/35 d20+10=22 ; Wednesday January 30th, 2013 5:16:31 PM OOC: Wilma's Perception check is 22...and sorry for the late post.
"Judging from the way that the girl reacted before..." Wilma said as she eyed the various oozes moving on the (ahem) 'land masses', "...I'm guessing that the oozes moving around used to be cult members."
Then the group is visited by the crone in the bubble.
"Whoa." Wilma breathed that single word, stunned at the sight of the imprisoned female. She shook her head.
"Remind me to never tick off Ga'al..."
Tuck HP 42/42 AC 18/18/14 d20+11=23 ; Wednesday January 30th, 2013 6:17:10 PM
Tuck notices that there are more oozes on the smaller landmasses. He agrees with Wilma's assessment.
"And here comes the one that made them so." He trains his knocked arrow upon the crazy floating woman should she escape and seek to harm them.
"I wonder if she has enough power still to send us and the children back. If she were sane, that is." He thinks for a moment. "And so inclined to help us get back. Judging by what she did to those cultists, she probably is not."
Emrys notices the oozing islanders and he wonders how many cultists there were, assuming the information given by the children was accurate. However all thoughts are chased away at the sight of the hag thrashing about in madness. "That was quite disconcerting! However, did you all notice something odd about her, other than having been overtaken with nightmarish torment and frenzied bloodlust? She also suffers from the ravages of time, very much unlike the condition of the children."
(Perception: 22, can I not roll over a 10 anymore?)
Ariach AC 26/14/19 ; HP 59/59 d20+5=6 ; Thursday January 31st, 2013 2:45:36 AM
The rowing makes him tired. His muscles are burning and Ariach feels like hundred hands are within the ooze to grab the oar holding it back. Therefore the warrior thinks a short moment to accept Vaniimīs offer. But that would show everybody the weakness of his body ...... and of his mind. Ariach remembers Gnarl who has said, *f you feel tired you can still run and fight for hours- as long as your mind stay strong*
"Thanks for your offer Vannime but itīs fine with me. We will also lose a bowshooter if we change positions."
Seeing the priestess floating in the air Ariach shivers. "I donīt think this treatment is unhuman for a person who commited so many crimes. But we should try to free her that our law can judge her."
(Perception=6 / natural 1)
Thessa d20+3=14 ; Thursday January 31st, 2013 1:05:54 PM
Thessa is mesmerized by the floating wretch.. She starts to raise her bow when the woman leaps forward, but the bubble seems impenetrable and she just lets the bow fall to her side.
"Hideous," is the only word that escapes her mouth. Hearing the comments of the others, she nods.
"I agree, Ariach. If we have the opportunity to free her, I think we should. No matter what her crimes, I don't believe that eternal torture is a true form of justice."
When the bubble fades out of view, she resumes her watch. (Perception: 14)
DM Carl Thursday January 31st, 2013 1:55:00 PM
The party continues across the lake of ooze. The total trip takes about an hour before the opposite shore comes into view.
As they pull up into view, a large stronghold of sorts can be seen about 100' from shore. It is a squat, lumpy, ugly structure. It's construction was obviously aided by magic. It resembles something similar to a giant termite nest, only lumpier. There is no door worth mentioning, only a thin membrane covering what is the only obvious entrance.
About a dozen or so of the small, harmless oozes can be seen milling around. They, like the others, pay you no mind.
***
Short post. I'm in the children's hospital with my daughter, but should be home tomorrow.
Wilma; AC17 (+1 Mithril chain shirt); HP35/35 d20+10=19 ; Thursday January 31st, 2013 4:22:23 PM
Wilma frowned at the practically-formless "fortress" before them.
"It looks as though you can just push through that film over the opening into that...place," the young priestess said. "But I recall one of the boys saying that the fortress...what? 'Bit off' the arm of that girl I bandaged up. Any ideas on how to make sure none of us get chomped..?" Wilma squinted as she looked around on the ground, at the fortress and even up in the air immediately around them, trying to get a clue about some way to safely enter the place.
OOC: Wilma rolled 19 for her Perception check.
Grell Thursday January 31st, 2013 4:45:13 PM
His muscles gloriously burning, Grell smacks Ariach on the back. "That was a GREAT warm up, eh?! Now let's go scale that fortress....whatcha say?"
Tuck HP 42/42 AC 18/18/14 d20+11=30 ; Thursday January 31st, 2013 5:45:37 PM
"Let's take a walk around the fortress and see if there are any other obvious ways in. I'm not too keen on trying to go through the ooze, unless we can cut through it."
Tuck looks about to see how big the island is and if the fortress is the only structure upon the island. If everyone agrees, he'll set off around the fortress's perimeter in search of any other means or entering.
(Perception 30)
Vaniime AC 18/14/14, HP:45/45 Thursday January 31st, 2013 9:18:09 PM
Once on shore, Van agrees they should take a closer look and when close enough she looks to see how firm the sides seem to be and what material they seem to made from. (trying to see if it appears to be climbable.)
"I would like to see if we could perhaps cut through the top or side and get in that way as opposed to going through the obvious door."
Ariach AC 26/14/19 ; HP 59/59 Friday February 1st, 2013 2:50:21 AM
Before they try to break through the membran of the entrance, Ariach positions himself directly in front of the entrance.
With loud voice he proclaims "Is there anybody in this fortress who can permit us entry?"
Thessa d20+3=7 ; Friday February 1st, 2013 10:27:57 AM
Thessa takes up position about 15 feet behind Ariach with her bow at the ready (arrow knocked, but not raised threateningly). Her gaze alternates between the front door and fortress walls above. If anyone responds negatively to his query, she'll be ready.
If no one responds, she'll join Tuck in exploring the perimeter of the structure.
(Perception: 7)
Emrys d100=39 ; d20+14=15 ; Friday February 1st, 2013 2:12:54 PM
(Perception: 15, another nat. 1?!)
Emrys stays back from the front of the group. He seems distracted by the 'icky' feeling that he hasn't been able to shake since they found themselves in this realm of Ooze. As they approach, he scans the area for the presence of magical auras. For once, Emrys has no words to say. So the rest of the party can enjoy the silence for a little while.
(Cast Detect Magic.)
DM Carl Friday February 1st, 2013 3:17:15 PM
Ariach loudly requests entrance to this stronghold, but silence is his only response.
Thessa and Tuck explore the perimeter. It doesn't take long & no other means of entrance are found. There aren't even any windows.
Van tests the strength of the structure. Unlike the rest of this place, the fortress is solid, very solid.
Grell finally feels like himself again after the strenuous effort of getting the party across the lake.
Wilma investigates the structure. It's made from a structure similar to marble, but not nearly as pretty. Nothing moves to attack her as she approaches. The membrane over the door is very thin. It can likely easily be cut away if our heroes don't feel like pushing through it.
Emrys looks around for magic auras. The stronghold has the exact same aura as the rest of the demiplane. As near as he can tell, it was part of the original casting of the spell that created this place, not something constructed after the fact.
Tuck HP 42/42 AC 18/18/14 Friday February 1st, 2013 5:31:12 PM
Tuck is thankful to have Thessa's company as they scout the perimeter.
"How are you liking working with us, so far. It seems like you've fit in pretty well. I know that I'm glad you're part of our group." He gives the elf a silly grin. "I just hope we can get out of here. Soon is too late, as far as I'm concerned."
Back with the group, he reports that they found no other obvious means of entry.
"Grell, can you cut through that with your sword? I think we would all prefer not to have to push through."
Wilma; AC17 (+1 Mithril chain shirt); HP35/35 Friday February 1st, 2013 11:11:05 PM
"This is built to last..." Wilma said out loud, "...betcha it was the last thing Shandresh managed to put here before she angered Ga'al." The redheaded cleric stepped closer to the film that covered the entrance.
"So...are we going to slash this open or what..?" she asked. "Given that this may have been where that girl got...uh...'chomped'...I'd rather that we see if using a blade on this will set anything off..." Wilma eyed the carved staff she was holding, then used the head of it to poke experimentally at the membrane, just to see if it (or the building itself) would react to the poking.
Emrys d20+14=18 ; Saturday February 2nd, 2013 1:34:43 AM
Emrys asks, "Does anyone wish to have the strength of giants? Could prove useful."
(perception : 18, sigh!)
Grell Sunday February 3rd, 2013 9:14:45 AM
Grell grins at his buddy Tuck. "I'm pretty sure I can manage to cut through it if ya want me to. I'm not that worn out that I can't hit a non moving target yet." Grell looks over at Wilma and Vaniime to see if they want him to cut through the stuff.
Emrys d100=82 ; d100=27 ; Sunday February 3rd, 2013 1:28:39 PM
Emrys sighs, since his suggestions are rarely heard or understood. He walks up to Grell and says, "Don't worry, Grell. You will grow to enjoy this." With that he mutters a few words of power and touches Grell on the shoulder.
Then Emrys casts yet another spell on the simple-minded brute. Grell then grows to twice his normal size.
(Leyline: 27%, good enough but doesn't matter. Casting Enlarge Person on Grell. +2 Size Bonus to Strength, --2 size penalty to Dexterity, and a --1 penalty on attack rolls and AC due to the increased size. +4 to strength checks, double carrying, lift and drag capacity. Greater weapon damage, etc.)
Ok all do we go in the obvious way (pointing at the membrane covered doorway) or do we make our own entry point?
Wilma; AC17 (+1 Mithril chain shirt); HP35/35 Sunday February 3rd, 2013 9:09:54 PM
Wilma was roused from her contemplation of the film over the doorway by Van's question.
"Do we have a way to 'make our own' entry point...?" she asked, leaning slightly on her quarterstaff. Then she grinned at Grell, chuckling at his sudden increase in stature.
"I suppose now you're the 'Big Brother', eh?"
Grell Sunday February 3rd, 2013 10:30:43 PM
Suddenly taken aback as he grows double his size, Grell stares at his now gigantic hands. Grabbing Wilma up, he gives her a quick noogie. By the gods, he's always wanted to do that!! Then he settles back to the question at hand....how to get in to the "fortress". "Shouldn't be too much of a problem now, should it?" he asks no one in particular. "Thank to Emrys here..." Grell "pats" the bard on the back "I should be able to get us inside. But safety first, I suppose." Grell pulls out a now huge dagger from his backpack. "You want me to poke around at that filmy stuff for a while?"
Wilma; AC17 (+1 Mithril chain shirt); HP35/35 Monday February 4th, 2013 2:41:57 AM
"Hey, hey, heyyyyy!!!" Wilma squirmed in her brother's grip--to no avail. She got noogied, good and proper.
"Are you done now???" The priestess glared at him, her free hand smoothing her now-mussed hair. "How about making yourself useful and slicing that door film open, huh?" Wilma silently vowed that her brother's big, fat head would suffer some major thwappage--once she could actually reach it, of course...
DM Carl Monday February 4th, 2013 12:34:01 PM
A very large, very strong Grell is able to easily slice through the membrane covering the entrance to this place. It heals very quickly, but it's a simple matter to do enough damage to it to allow entrance before it heals.
He notices no adverse reactions to his dagger, and is no doubt glad to note nothing tries to eat him.
If anyone would like to try and breach the wall, You'll need to roll a strength check to break it, or do enough damage with an appropriate weapon.
Wilma; AC17 (+1 Mithril chain shirt); HP35/35 Monday February 4th, 2013 1:21:32 PM
"Hey...I just realized..." said Wilma, "...I don't have a blade to cut open that thing. Grell...do you think you can cut it open for me..?"
Thessa - AC:18 (Mage Armor) ; HP: 27 / 27 Monday February 4th, 2013 1:38:38 PM
Thessa is grateful for a quick opportunity to chat with one of her team mates.
"I really like the group, Tuck. And," she quietly replies, "I'm glad there's at least one person who doesn't mind me tagging along."
She smiles at Tuck and looks back over the ooze lake. She's never been good at this. Give her a book, or a task to do, and she's in her element, but she's always felt awkward in social situations. Nevertheless, Tuck seems to be open and genuinely interested in learning about her, and that makes her feel good.
"I never would have imagined adventures in a place like this when I was growing up in the Culverwood. Where are you from, Tuck? Before Maplehurst, of course."
She enjoys the conversation as long as it continues and when they get back to the group she see's them all preparing to enter the door.
Seeing Emrys enchant Grell, she considers her own preparations before entering the fortress.
She pulls out her wand of Mage Armor, touches herself, and a shimmering blue energy washes over her body. "Anyone else need an extra bit of armor?"
Ariach AC 26/14/19 ; HP 59/59 Monday February 4th, 2013 2:02:18 PM
Sometimes Ariach feels a little useless in the presence of his friends. So many of them are able to cast powerful magic. Magic which makes his strength and battle skills look small and insignificant. Like now - when Emry casts spells on Grell which let the warrior become bigger and stronger.
But then it comes in Ariachīs mind again that even powerful mages need protection to cast their spells- and that is what he is there for.
"Unbelievable Emry. It seems you have an unlimited stock of spells you can use. That is very impressive."
Tuck HP 42/42 AC 18/18/14 Monday February 4th, 2013 8:15:55 PM
"Well, my dad's from Dirt City. I grew up in New Elenna on the Second Plateau, not far from Maplehurst. Not as exciting as the Culverwood, I'm sure! I'll bet you have lots of interesting stories about growing up there!"
Tuck dislikes how the ooze wall grows back after being chopped up. "I don't have any cutting weapons. Perhaps Grell can make a door for each person to go through. Would you mind, Grell? Since you're so big, and all."
Emrys Monday February 4th, 2013 8:44:21 PM
"I wouldn't dare say I have an unlimited stock of spells," Emrys replies with a smile. "Magic has a life of its own, both cruel and benevolent, wild and tame. I can only wield what it allows me. However, sometimes I get lucky when close to a source."
He then reaches into his belt pouch and retrieves a small vial and hands it to Ariach. "When you wish, drink this, and you will become stronger for a short time." (It's a Bull's Strength potion)
Ooze Tuesday February 5th, 2013 1:47:01 PM
While the party is discussing entering the only solid structure they have seen in this murky and dimly lit demiplane, Grell makes quick work of the membrane across the only entrance they have found. And even as he cuts into the membrane, it can visibly be seen to slowly heal itself.
Beyond the membrane a dark corridor beckons.
While Ariach and Emrys discuss spell casting, Emrys feels something rubbing his leg. Looking down, one of the small ooze's that liters the place has crawled onto his boot and appears to be trying to hump his leg.
The ooze wriggles and waves of its gelatinous body quiver as it bounces on his boot. It does not appear to be doing any damage, though whether that's an image that can be forgotten...
Thessa, who has been on high-alert since Grell took the first swing at the membrane, notices the ooze crawl onto Emrys' boot. She pays it no mind, since all the small oozes seem relatively benign, but when it starts to undulate its amorphous body on his leg, she can't help but giggle loudly.
"Discussions of the ethics and nature of magic must be pillow talk for the oozes, Emrys."
"Look," she points at his boot, "you've attracted a friend!"
She looks up at Emrys, hoping for even a slight blush from the normally well-composed half-elf.
Vaniime AC 18/14/14, HP:45/45 Tuesday February 5th, 2013 2:12:22 PM
Van see that apparenty the group has decided for the oenly apparent entry point and goes over to join them.
"Ok folks let's get going, I would like to get home before everyone I know is dead and buried."
Ariach AC 26/14/19 ; HP 59/59 Tuesday February 5th, 2013 4:43:06 PM
Ariach watches the ooze crawling on Emryīs boot. His first intention is to kick the ooze away but then he decides that Emry can remove it if he wishes. "Thanks for your offer but i think one Grell is enough at the moment."
"Vaniime is right. Theresīs no time for discussions." Ariach waits until Grell opens a whole in the membrane and then walks through.
Tuck HP 42/42 AC 18/18/14 d20+11=29 ; Tuesday February 5th, 2013 5:37:38 PM
Tuck giggles to himself at Emrys' boot buddy.
"Once you're done playing around, Emrys, can you provide us with some light like you did, earlier?"
He peers down the corridor, trying to make anything out.
(Perception 29)
Wilma; AC17 (+1 Mithril chain shirt); HP35/35 d20+10=26 ; Tuesday February 5th, 2013 5:52:28 PM
Wilma--whose attention was initially being paid to the way the film over the doorway was reacting to Grell's slicing it open and the glimpse of the corridor beyond it--heard the various giggles behind her and turned around.
"What in the Wold...?" she exclaimed, her sapphire gaze falling upon the...amorous?...ooze. "If these things are what's left of the cultists, then I'd say there's at least one who seems to have a very good taste in men." Wilma arched an eyebrow at Emrys, silent expectation on her face.
OOC: Wilma's Perception check is 26.
DM Carl Tuesday February 5th, 2013 7:44:42 PM
Amid the poking and giggling at Emrys' situation, Van and Ariach decide to get the show on the road.
Taking point, Ariach heads through the membrane. It's still mostly damaged due to Grell's efforts. Should some of it get on him, he notices it leaves no residue; it's sort of like a very thick pudding skin (the chocolate kind, not the black kind).
Inside is mostly a large open space. At one time, it was no doubt opulent. Now, the gorgeous tapestries that once hung along the walls have succumed to the ooze. Their threads coated with mold, they're almost unrecognizable. Here and there a symbol to Ga'al can be seen, as can the traditional heartseed vines his subjects inflict upon themselves. Wooden pews are arranged in rows in front of a massive pulpit and altar. The linens covering both long since rotted away. Even the pews themselves no longer look safe to sit on.
Flanking the entrance he just walked through, Ariach can see two large stone columns that reach 40' up to the ceiling. They are carved with intricate bas-reliefs that have stood up against the decay of this place.
Ariach, DC15 perception check...Highlight to display spoiler: {You notice the light in here is no darker than it is outside, but there's no light source in here. The entire plane seems to have the same dim light.}
As for the rest of you, I'll need a marching order if you plan to enter as well...
Emrys d20+14=26 ; Tuesday February 5th, 2013 8:00:10 PM
"Huh!?" says Emrys as he begins to feel something squishy against his leg. His eyes go wide as he stands there frozen in place, exhibiting expressions both repulsion and indignation. Hearing the chuckles from all around, Emrys simply replies, "BLECH!!" Leaning heavily against this walking stick and with his other hand he reaches down to pull off his boot. Looking down into his boot, he involuntarily retches a few more times before regaining some semblance of composure. After Wilma's comment, Emrys looks up at her with an awkward stare, at first, that quickly aim like daggers. "Amorous!?" he says. There is a short pause and suddenly his expression softens as he slowing begins to chuckle himself.
Emrys proclaims, "You're so right. These oozes display an intelligence, not to mention impeccable taste, to a degree I would've thought unimaginable."
He takes out a specimen jar and deposits the contents from his boot. The lid has predrilled holes to allow the occupant to breathe. Emrys places the jar snuggly in his belt pouch, next to the jar of gibbering mouther teeth. "Ohh, I forgot all about those!" He then cleans off his boot and foot with Prestidigitation and readies himself to enter the fortress.
He turns to Ariach and says, "No, keep the potion, use it when you need it. I made it for you."
(Perception: 26)
Thessa - AC:18 (Mage Armor) ; HP: 27 / 27 d20+3=20 ; Wednesday February 6th, 2013 10:44:20 AM
Thessa will follow Vaniime into the structure. She takes a moment to stop, pull her sword and test cutting the film from the inside. The worst thing she can think of is being stuck in this place, unable to cut themselves out when the film over the doorway reseals itself!
After satisfying her curiosity, she re-sheaths her sword and continues deeper into the fortress, her bow at the ready.
(Perception: 20)
Grell Wednesday February 6th, 2013 3:58:52 PM
Grell laughs obnoxiously at Emrys' situation, but settles down when it's time to get back to business. When a marching order is needed, Grell volunteers to take his traditional place behind Vaniime. He finds it more than a little difficult to slow down his pace now that he literally makes gigantic strides! Accidentally bumping into Vaniime, Grell blushes. "Uhhh...sorry Van...I'm just not used to being this big..."
Wilma; AC17 (+1 Mithril chain shirt); HP35/35 d20+10=23 ; Wednesday February 6th, 2013 4:41:11 PM Since Van is the leader of our merry little band, I'm assuming that Van's next post will have the marching order.
Wilma waited for Grell to cut open the self-healing membrane over the entrance to the structure, and made sure to scurry quickly through the cleared portal once he was done. Inside the building, Wilma looked all around her, subconsciously positioning herself near Ariach as she did so.
OOC: Wilma's Perception check is 23.
Vaniime AC 18/14/14, HP:45/45 d20+9=27 ; Wednesday February 6th, 2013 5:23:08 PM
(OOC: LOL Van the leader? When did this happen?)
OK unless anyone sees a problem with this;
Single file; Van Thessa Grell Wilma Emrys Tuck Ariach. Double file; Van & Thessa, Grell, Emrys & Wilma, Ariach & Tuck
Happy to see Thessa join her up front, she gives her fellow elf an welcoming nod. Moments later, she literally feels Grell step up behind them. " Hey Grell, you might want to step back just a bit I think your sword may have gotten larger too."
As the others fall in behind, she and Thessa move out a bit in front of the rest as a scouting force. keeping eyes out for whatever can be seen. Perception DC 27
Ariach AC 26/14/19 ; HP 59/59 d20+5=6 ; Wednesday February 6th, 2013 6:47:18 PM
Ariach thanks Emry for the potion and puts it in his backpack.
After entering the corridor behind the membrane, he waits until they all gather again. Just when he wants to lead the group to explore the corridor Vaniim announces the marching order. Ariach reluctantly follows Vanimmīs order. The young warrior is deeply disappointed that he has to be the rearguard. But the well educated soldier doesnīt say anything although he cannot avoid to crumble about being last while he takes his position.
(Perception check= 6 natural 1)
Emrys ac10, hp25/25. light, prestidigitation d20+14=32 ; Wednesday February 6th, 2013 7:53:00 PM
Emrys moves with the group as they enter the fortress. He recasts the Light magic on his walking stick to make sure it continues to shine. He holds it up to allow the light to fill the room. Of course, those with elven blood benefit from it most.
(Perception: 32)
Tuck HP 42/42 AC 18/18/14 d20+11=15 ; Wednesday February 6th, 2013 9:14:09 PM
Tuck claps the disappointed Ariach on his large shoulder. "Looks like they saved the best for last, eh buddy? If they run into anything foul, they'll realize their mistake pretty quick."
The monk tests his bow and knocks an arrow as he follow the rest of the group, scanning behind them as they move.
(Perception 15)
DM Carl d20=3 ; d20=9 ; Wednesday February 6th, 2013 9:20:53 PM
Van, evidently being the leader of this band of heroes, gives everyone their marching orders. Not all are happy, but heavy is the head that wears the crown...or something like that. There is plenty of room for double-file. Heck, there's enough room here for all seven of you to comfortable walk abreast.
Thessa is pleased to note the membrane is just as easily cut from the inside. (OOC: Good thinking! Wish I had thought of that when I was writing this.)
With Emrys' spell, the non-elven folks get a better look around (this location is now considered normal light).
Emrys only! Highlight to display spoiler: {Something is not right about those columns. Their carving is incredibly intricate, but it shifts slightly every few seconds. It's so slight even you're not sure at first, but after a few moments of study, you're pretty sure something's up.}
Grell continues to abuse the power given to him by Emrys. The witch will need to make this a regular thing!
Ariach grumbles about being rear-guard. Can't the others see he's meant to stand in the way of danger?
Emrys ac10, hp25/25. light, prestidigitation, deathwatch d100=39 ; d20+9=13 ; Wednesday February 6th, 2013 10:30:43 PM "The ... Columns," says Emrys urgently, "THEY'RE NOT WHAT THEY APPEAR TO BE!! STEP AWAY!"
He maneuvers away from the columns as best he can, but remains within reach of his friends. He then whispers sinister words that billow from his mouth in a mist, like frosted breath. The whites of his glassy eyes saturate into inky blackness as they focus on the columns.
(Casting Deathwatch, to determine if the columns are alive, dead, undead or constructs. I'll also throw in a Will save to disbelieve, Will save 13 ... sucks!)
Wilma; AC17 (+1 Mithril chain shirt); HP35/35 d20+10=30 ; Thursday February 7th, 2013 5:05:30 AM
Wilma--who had been moving further into the chamber--whirled around when Emrys shouted, alarmed at the warning.
"What? Huh?" she eloquently demanded, craning her head around to try to see what had Emrys so spooked...
OOC: NOW Wilma rolls a natural 20 for her Perception check! Snort!
Thessa - AC:18 (Mage Armor) ; HP: 27 / 27 d20+3=18 ; Thursday February 7th, 2013 9:09:40 AM
Thessa returns Van's smile, if not her confidence. This is the first time she's been on point and she can feel her heart pounding with anticipation of what they might encounter. It's a good feeling, similar to the thrill she felt on a Hunt back home.
She hears Emrys call out and spins around toward the entrance. The two columns loom above them and she raises her bow. Choosing one (the left), she peers down her arrow shaft at it, looking for any hint of the danger Emrys alerted them to. (Perception: 18)
Tuck HP 42/42 AC 18/18/14 d20+11=12 ; Thursday February 7th, 2013 5:34:47 PM
Tuck tries to keep his attention behind them to warn of ambush, but Emrys' excitement is distracting. (Perception 12, natural 1)
"What is it?! What is it?!"
Ariach AC 26/14/19 ; HP 59/59 d20+5=24 ; Thursday February 7th, 2013 6:10:51 PM
Ariach had no idea that something was wrong with the columns. But after Emryīs warning he also recognizes the discrepancies.
(Perception check=24)
Vaniime AC 18/14/14, HP:45/45 d20+9=17 ; Thursday February 7th, 2013 9:31:33 PM
Van whirls at Emry's warning. bow ready arrow nocked, ready to fire at the first sign of aggression from the collumns or anything else. Perception DC 17
DM Carl d20+10=20 ; d20+10=28 ; d8+7=10 ; d8+7=8 ; Thursday February 7th, 2013 10:20:22 PM
The party spins at Emrys' announcement. A quick deathwatch shows the columns to be, in fact, very much alive. Their cover blown, the columns' bas-reliefs seem to melt away as the stone loses form. The columns are left behind; seems they're real after all & just covered by whatever these things are.
The tops of the oozes suddenly solidify and crash down with an absolute ground-shaking thud. From behind their newly formed solid armor, two pseudopods lash out at Tuck and Ariach respectively. The tips of them solidify just before impact.
#1 attacks Tuck; hitting AC 20 for 10 damage. #2 attacks Ariach; hitting AC 28 for 8 damage.
***
Welcome to combat. Any melee or ranged physical attacks against these things require a reflex save if they connect. Oozes are immune to flanking or critical damage, but these things have a lot more armor in the front (facing Tuck and Ariach, respectively). I'll take that into account when you guys attack.
Wilma; AC17 (+1 Mithril chain shirt); HP35/35 d20+5=21 ; Thursday February 7th, 2013 10:44:31 PM
Wilma gasped as she saw one of the amorphous blobs strike out at Ariach.
'Ooze...ooze...did Mother and Father ever fight oozes...?' The thought prompted the cleric to paw through her understanding of Emerald Dragon battle history. That august group had never directly dealt with oozes--but there was a tiny bit of lore that Wilma did recall...
"I think they're immune to lightning," she yelled, "But they may be vulnerable to fire...or acid...or...eek!...or just plain magic missiles...!" Even as Wilma voiced what little she could recall, she dodged out of the way of Ariach accidentally stepping on her as he bravely battled the boneless foe in front of him.
The young priestess of Gargul promised herself to study up on Dungeoneering...provided the Vanguard survived this battle--and escaped this crazy quasi-plane...
OOC: Wilma rolled for a Knowledge, History check. She can recall that the Emerald Dragons never officially squared off against any sort of ooze monster. The rest of what she is spouting may or may not be correct, though.
Oh--and Wilma is now on the defensive.
Emrys ac10, hp25/25. light, prestidigitation, deathwatch, inspire courage d20+11=16 ; d20+14=26 ; Friday February 8th, 2013 12:14:14 AM
Emrys steps back from the pseudopod strategically (five-foot step to N15). He thinks most humans have never heard about Grimlochen, the old, frail, gnomish beekeeper, who is the only one brave enough to face off against the marauding hill giant champion, Dremlin Boulderback. So that is why he chooses this epic poem, titled Bómbas Cúailnge, to inspire courage in his friends.
(Performance: Inspire Courage. Everyone receives a +1 morale bonus on saves vs. charm and fear effects, and a +1 bonus on attack and weapon damage rolls.)
(Perception: 26)
Thessa - AC:18 (Mage Armor) ; HP: 27 / 27 d20+6=9 ; d20+6=21 ; d8+3=8 ; d20+5=8 ; Friday February 8th, 2013 10:34:16 AM
As Emrys' song begins, Thessa feels the words of the poem wash over her and gets a tingle up her spine. Knowing that they can defeat these aggressive slime creatures, she smiles and engages.
She takes a large step to the left and back [to Q13]. She then draws upon her inner power and projects it through her hand into her bow, which glows slightly [Arcane Strike] while she lets two arrows loose from her bow in quick succession.
She sees the first arrow miss by quite a bit, but the second seems to fly straight on target.
[OOC: A reflex save is required for all outgoing attacks? Not sure I understand why, but perhaps it will be narrated. Reflex: 8]
Thessa - AC:18 (Mage Armor) ; HP: 27 / 27 Friday February 8th, 2013 11:44:59 AM
[OOC: Just reread my post.. that should start "As Emrys' poem begins,".. my mistake. Sorry Stephen!]
Other Events d20+38=48 ; d8=3 ; d8=2 ; d20+18=23 ; Friday February 8th, 2013 12:25:29 PM Plop, plop, plop, plop The sound of something going splat is unmistakable as battle is joined.
Thessa and Grell, unfortunately get a much closer perspective to this unwanted intrusion to their beat-down as small, rather cool gelatinous masses drop onto the back of their heads, sliding down their backs between their skin and shirts. No pain or injury, just a squishy slimy mass making a mess on their backside.
The other's see some of the tiny oozes landing around them, it looks like the battle shook them from roosts on the ceiling.
Anyone looking up at the ceiling 40; overhead, and just out of the bright light of the torches, may spot several more of the oozes trying to stay attached to the ceiling (DC 23). Those that have fallen to the ground appear quite dead, and splattered but look like the same small oozes of ex-cult members.
Should anyone make a DC 48 perception and I will provide the surprise.
Emrys ac10, hp25/25. light, prestidigitation, deathwatch, inspire courage Friday February 8th, 2013 2:29:08 PM
(ooc: 48!? Wow! :0 A perception of 45 is required to notice a rogue, with a stealth of 20, outside your closed bedroom door while you're asleep in bed! lol!)
I was surprised too, and soon you will be as well... poor lighting, distance, natural ability
Wilma; AC17 (+1 Mithril chain shirt); HP35/35 Friday February 8th, 2013 3:38:41 PM
OOC: you mean that Wilma's natural 20 on her Perception roll from before didn't reveal anything..?
Natural 20s aren't automatic successes on skill checks.
Tuck HP 32/42 AC 18/18/14 d20+6=16 ; d20+6=23 ; d8+2=10 ; d8+2=4 ; d20+7=21 ; Friday February 8th, 2013 5:34:33 PM
The normally nimble Tuck is surprised and struck a powerful blow by one of the armored oozes. His response is instant, however as he drops his bow and arrow to the ground, lashing out with a quick one-two against his attacker before the bow can even touch the floor.
(Flurry of Blows hits AC 16 & 23 for 10 & 4 damage. Reflex is 21, no damage taken if successful as per Evasion class skill.)
Emrys ac10, hp25/25. light, prestidigitation, deathwatch, inspire courage d20+14=22 ; Friday February 8th, 2013 7:58:20 PM
With all the falling oozes, Emrys responds by quickly pulling the hood of his cloak up over his head. (swift action)
(Please disregard the 22, I had forgotten that I already rolled a perception check in my first post.)
Vaniime AC 18/14/14, HP:45/45 d20+10=24 ; d8+4=10 d20+8=16 Friday February 8th, 2013 9:40:15 PM
Arrow drawn Vaniime moves a bit around to the side (I 14) and lets fly AC 24 for 10 points of damage
(forgot reflex)
DC 16
DM Carl - Post tomorrow morning Friday February 8th, 2013 9:57:17 PM
Friends, I've had a day. I will post tomorrow morning. Thanks for understanding.
Wilma frowned, then quickly prayed to Gargul to shield her from the enemy while she prepared to apply healing magic to any of her wounded colleagues. Then she fished out her curing wand and looked sharp for anyone who appeared to need some healing...
OOC: Wilma's Perception check is 28; she has cast Sanctuary on herself and is preparing to use her CLW wand on whomever is hurtin' by next round.
Grell Saturday February 9th, 2013 1:13:41 PM
Donna, can you take over Grell, I'm struggling with my finger and the dog attack crap. :(
Donna OOC: no problem, Nellie. Get better soon! 8)
Grell almost shoves Emrys to one side as he eagerly zips to the forefront of the combat zone to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Tuck (map coordinate M16). Howling with glee, Grell swings his greatsword down upon the oozey-whatsis with the full force of his strength...
OOC: I misread Grell's CS--the bonus on his attempted slicing of the ooze should be 12 (he isn't in a Rage just yet, although he probably will be if he sees that his attacks aren't being as effective as he likes) so that he hits AC19 for 17hp damage. His Reflex Save is 13, but I don't know whether that's enough to avoid whatever negative effect failing the Save would incur.)
Emrys with insights into Grell Saturday February 9th, 2013 6:45:44 PM
(ooc: Donna, I just looked over Grell's character sheet and his normal attack is +12 and damage 2d6+11. However Grell is enchanted with Enlarged Person, Bull's Strength, and Inspire Courage. His current numbers are: Attack +15, and Damage 3d6+16. If Grell uses the Power Attack feat: Attack +13, and Damage: 3d6+22. He also has a 10-ft reach.)
Ariach AC 28 (26) fighting defensively/14/19 ; HP 51/59 d20+7=27 ; d8+4=7 ; d20+3=9 ; Saturday February 9th, 2013 7:12:27 PM
After feeling the pain of the oozeīs strike Ariach curses himself. He had wished to be in the front row if a fight occurs and now it happens.
The young warrior decides to fight defensively. He doesnīt want to give the ooze the chance to strike him a second time. But he also is eager to smash his flail into this thing.
(attack hits AC 27 - natural 20 for 8 damage, reflex save=9)
Grell (Donna subbing for Nellie) d6=2 ; Sunday February 10th, 2013 6:10:42 AM
OOC: So Grell's attack roll hits AC22. I rolled another d6 so the the damage incurred is 24hp. My rolls definitely suck...
DM Carl - Round 2! d20+10=29 ; d8+7=11 ; d20+10=18 ; d8+7=9 ; d20+10=15 ; Monday February 11th, 2013 11:09:37 AM Wilma states aloud what she knows about oozes & hopes to herself that she's correct. Her parents never told her about battling things like this!. She gets her CLW wand out & casts a sanctuary spell on herself.
Emrys steps away from the danger & regales his friends with an epic poem he hopes will inspire them.
Thessa allows the poem to guide her as she makes her attacks. Both attacks connect the the relatively easy to hit target, but just before the arrows strike the ooze solidifies, causing the arrows to bounce of off harmlessly.
Please note what your rolls are for Ezra and myself, similar to how Tuck and Van did.
The thundering caused by the ooze's solidifying & crashing down seems to have dislodged some former cultists. No real damage is done, but this place is uncomfortable enough without these oozes sliding into places unmentionable.
Tuck, caught unaware, none-the-less takes advantage of his specially honed reflexes & lashes out at the ooze closest. Noting it can solidify itself, Tuck shifts his target just before contact and knocks two good chunks of it out. Bits of the ooze splatter against the stone floor & one of the psedudopods it was lashing out with flops harmlessly back into it's central mass.
Emrys protects himself from further oozes by pulling up his hood.
Vaniime moves a bit before taking careful aim & letting fly with a well-placed arrow. Her aim is precise, but the ooze solidifies before contact. The arrow does manage to penetrate still, but the blow is obviously less effective than it would have been otherwise.
Grellfinally gets to kill something! As he moves into position, one of this thing's pseudopods comes crashing into his head from above for 11 damage. (DM note: Grell moved through this thing's threat zone & occurred an AoO.) Obviously unhappy, Grell's greatsword comes crashing down through the ooze. It manages to solidify, but Grell still cuts straight through & lops off the pseudopod that attacked him. It crashes to the ground with a splash as it becomes lifeless.
Ariach goes on the defensive while lashing out. It hits perfectly, but the ooze solidifies just in time & absorbs the full brunt of Ariach's attack.
Angry at Grell's effective attack, ooze #1 solidifies the top of one of it's pseudopds to a sharpened point & impales the warrior's left shoulder.
Hit AC 18 for 9 damage. With enlarge person going, that drops Grell's AC to 18, so the attack just hit.
Two pseudopods slam into each other high above Ariach, forming one long, flat pseudopod that comes crashing straight down on Ariach's head. The attack is easily avoided, but the whole room seems to shake from the impact.
***
Very sorry for missing a post. I caught the 24 stomach bug that's going around out here and was in considerable distress. Then I got to make an unplanned trip 2 hours away to the Vanderbilt Children's Hospital for my 3 year old. It's the first DM post I've ever missed, so I'm a little peeved about it.
Please go ahead & make a reflex save per attack for the rest of the combat.
Ariach AC 28 (26) fighting defensively/14/19 ; HP 51/59 d20+7=19 ; d8+5=11 ; d20+3=5 ; Monday February 11th, 2013 12:13:49 PM
Ariach is insecure what to do next. Obviously his attacks cannot harm his opponent. But the warrior hinders the ooze to fight one of his companions. Therefore the young fighter holds positon and keeps attacking the ooze. He really hopes that one of his clever friends will find a way to destroy these things. Maybe they just need a few more minutes to prepare their spells or to find an answer how they can destroy it. One more time he hits the ooze and prepares his shield to parry any income blow.
(attack target 2: HIt AC 19 for 11 damage / reflex save=5)
Wilma; AC17 (+1 Mithril chain shirt); HP35/35 d20+13=19 ; 3d6+22=27 ; d20+3=11 ; Monday February 11th, 2013 4:40:28 PM COMBINED POST FOR WILMA & GRELL Wilma has used one round of her Sanctuary spell.
Wilma took a step to her right so that she was more centrally-located for anyone who needed a tap of her Curative wand. However, she was still too far away from Grell--and his punctured shoulder--to use the wand on him, so she bit her lip and held her position, preferring to wait to see if anyone else was also injured before taking action to heal them up.
Grell snarled at the lucky hit the stupid jelly-thing had gotten, more determined than ever to turn the creature into something resembling that dessert made up of wiggly little cubes. He wasn't to the point of "releasing his inner orc" just yet, but he was determined to cause his foe as much pain as possible...
OOC: Wilma is now at O16 on the map. Grell is using Power Attack on the ooze in front of him (#1). He hits AC19 for 27hp damage. His Reflex Save is 11.
Thessa - AC:18 (Mage Armor) ; HP: 27 / 27 d20+8=25 ; 4d6=16 ; d20+5=16 ; Monday February 11th, 2013 5:10:05 PM
Watching her arrows bounce off the stone skin of the ooze frustrates Thessa. She decides to change up tactics to see if these creatures react well to fire.
She point a finger at the ooze (#2) and summons the arcane fire of a Scorching Ray.
[OCC: Thessa remains at Q13, hits AC:25(ranged touch) for 16hp damage, and rolls a Reflex Save of 16.]
The more she moves, the more she feels the slime slide down her back under her shirt. She swears to herself that she'll always have a Prestidigitation on hand, just in case they end up in another slime dimension!
Thessa - AC:18 (Mage Armor) ; HP: 27 / 27 Monday February 11th, 2013 5:13:02 PM
[OOC: I forgot Emrys' Inspire Courage. Thessa actually hit AC:26 for 17hp of dmg. ]
Moving quickly to F18, Van nocks draws and fires yet again at #1 hoping that being behind the beast allows better success than her last shot.
AC 19 for 7 points damage; reflex DC16
"Guys keep moving around it, try not to stay in front, flank them, get behind them do anything but be a stationary target."
Tuck HP 32/42 AC 18/18/14 Inspire Courage d20+7=8 ; d3=1 ; d20+7=25 ; d8+3=6 ; d20+7=21 ; Monday February 11th, 2013 7:38:18 PM
Tuck flurries on ooze #1 again, whiffing on his right cross, but planting a powerful roundhouse kick deep into the creatures mass.
(Flurry of Blows hits AC 8 (natural 1) and 25 for 6 damage. Reflex 21. Ignore the d3 roll, twas an accident.)
Emrys ac10, hp25/25. light, prestidigitation, deathwatch, inspire courage Monday February 11th, 2013 8:50:38 PM
Emrys takes another tactical step away from the two oozes (five-foot step, N14), and continues his epic poem (free action). He is pleased with the success that Grell and the others are having with the first ooze. He hopes that Grell will find a good soft spot on top of the ooze with his superior reach and height.
He turns to Ariach and becomes a bit more anxious. The valiant knight is squaring off against his beast on his own. So the bard sneaks in a magical limerick between a verse of his inspirational poem.
"An ooze is about to slip And it wont be able to grip The jelly will flutter Can't hold its own blubber And falls flat to Ariach's whip!"
(Maintaining Inspire Courage, free action. Don't forget to apply bonuses.) (Casting Grease under Ooze #2. 10-ft square: Q17, R17, Q18, & R18. Reflex 17, or splats prone. Must save each round it stays in the grease.)
Surprise d20=15 ; d20=16 ; 2d6=10 ; 2d6=12 ; d20+20=32 ; Tuesday February 12th, 2013 10:28:54 AM
The whole room reverberates with the force of the blows from the creatures attacking the party, and...
Thessa learns that standing still is rarely a good idea in battle as a small rock breaks away from the ceiling and falls on her.
ranged touch against AC 15, dam 10.
Emrys finishes casting his grease spell to find another rock falling on his head.
ranged touch against AC 16. dam 12.
The two rocks are about a foot in diameter and roughly cone shaped. They lie on the ground at Thessa and Emrys feet.
Perception checks, DC is now 32.
DM Carl - Round 3 d20+2=7 ; d20+10=29 ; d8+7=9 ; d20+8=18 ; Tuesday February 12th, 2013 10:45:26 AM
Maintaining the defensive, Ariach serves his purpose by handling this ooze single handedly, letting the others team up to destroy the other more quickly. His flail makes contact again, shattering the stone created by this thing just before contact. A few large chunks of "stone" from the ooze hit the ground & quickly melt into inert liquid.
Wilma takes a careful step to her right, making sure she doesn't leave her guard down like her brother. The effort leaves her too far away to heal him, though. She holds the casting ready in case someone nearby needs it.
Grell pushes the offensive. Seeing these things are easy enough to connect with, he puts extra strength into his attack. His greatsword meets stone once again as he tries not to think about what that's doing to the edge of his blade. His extra strength lets him cleave straight through the stone, hacking off more of this thing's "body" in the process. It's starting to look rather ragged...
Thessa forgoes her bow & sends a ray of fire at the ooze held back by Ariach. The ooze solidifies before the ray hits, but that doesn't seem to stop Thessa's attack from being effective. The stone bubbles away back to ooze as it connects. The thing's pseudopods rear back with obvious agitation.
Looking to get to the squishy bits behind the ooze's stone armor, Vaniime flanks the thing before pressing her attack. She does manage to hit behind the stone wall it puts up, but it still solidifies the area the arrow impacts. The missle breaks & falls harmlessly to the ground.
Tuck stumbles, but uses the momentum of a poorly executed attack to spin into a roundhouse kick. He changes trajectory at the last moment to avoid the patch of stone set to block him, carving out another puddle of inert ooze. It's going to take a long time to get this stuff out of his gloves & shoes...
Emrys effortlessly continues telling the tale, his highly trained mind more or less on auto pilot. Between the lines, he sneaks in a grease spell that pools under the ooze Ariach holds at bay. This thing is obviously not used to having to move quickly. Unfortunately, the thing is still tethered to the column. It's a simple matter for it to simply keep it's bulk off the ground. It rears up 5' off the ground.
Interesting mechanics at play here. The Pathfinder community is split on the effects of a grease spell on an ooze. There's nothing that specifically states an ooze isn't affected by grease, even if it's weird to think about. Still, it doesn't make sense for it to go completely prone when a good portion of it's mass it on the column (check the map - the ooze and column overlap a good deal). If it tries to move through the area covered by the grease spell, it will have to deal with the difficult terrain.
The first ooze squaring off against Tuck and Grell loses it's stone armor & suddenly surges forward, bringing what's left of it's mass up & over our two heroes.
Engulf attack. Tuck and Grell have two options:
A: Make an Attack of Opportunity. This is a standard AoO attack. If the ooze is still alive after the attack(s), you will be engulfed by it. B: Make a reflex save vs DC 17. Success means you're moved just outside it's new location. Failure indicates you're engulfed.
Enraged by Thessa's flame attack, #2 thrusts a single pseduopod tipped with a 12" maul-like protrusion straight into Ariach's chest.
Hit AC 29 for 9 damage. I probably should have warned you that the die roller loves me when I DM. If Restlin rolled like I do when I DM, he'd be unstoppable.
***
Remember: Ooze #2 is 5' above the ground tethered to the column.
Everyone make a perception check for me, please. No DC, just post the results (this is seperate from the one Ezra just asked for).
Thessa reals from the impact of the rock on her head. She staggers to T12 and decides to try another shot with her bow. She takes the free action to imbue her bow once again with magic (Arcane Strike) and lets another arrow fly.
Thessa strikes an AC:14 for 8 points of damage. Reflex save of 10. Ugh.
Ariach AC 28 (26) fighting defensively/14/19 ; HP 51/59 d20+7=18 ; d8+4=8 ; d20+3=23 ; d20+5=6 ; d20+5=23 ; Tuesday February 12th, 2013 5:12:42 PM
Ariach groans loudly after the maul-like protrusion found itīs way into Ariachīs chest. His blocking attempt was a split of a second to late to avoid the contact. He feels the blood running over his chest and stomach and thinks about his new shirt getting red from his lifeblood. Suddendly the ooze is hit by a ray of fire. Clearly Ariach can see how the attack bothers his enemy. A smile lights up his face. Like he has hoped his comrades have found a possibility to kill the ooze. One or two more of these volleys and the ooze will be dead. Knowing that he had made the right decision to occupy the ooze Ariach keeps on fighting defensively.
(hit AC 18 for 9 damage / reflex save=23 natural 20)
Vaniime AC 18/14/14, HP:45/45inspire courage d20+10=16 ; d20+10=19 ; d20+10=19 ; d8+4=11 ; d20+9=14 ; Tuesday February 12th, 2013 6:42:52 PM
Ezra Perception - DC 16 Carl Perception - DC 19
Moving to L 20 Van once again aims and lets fly with an arrow but this time at rear of #2 as she sees #1 collapse all gooey on to the others. [b] Ac 19 for 11 points, Refles Dc 14.
Tuck HP 32/42 AC 18/18/14 Inspire Courage d20+7=16 ; d8+3=9 ; d20+7=13 ; d20+9=11 ; Tuesday February 12th, 2013 6:49:06 PM
As the ooze washes over him, Tuck gives a strangled cry, steps into the onrushing creature and flashes an elbow into it before it crashes over him.
(AOO - Hits AC 16 for 9 damage. Reflex 13.)
Once engulfed by the ooze, Tuck frantically attempts to free himself, thrashing about.
(Grapple attempt to get free 11)
Wilma; AC17 (+1 Mithril chain shirt); HP35/35 d20+15=17 ; 3d6+16=25 ; d20+3=8 ; d20+13=28 ; 3d6+22=32 ; d20+3=20 ; d20+4=20 ; d20+4=17 ; 3d6=16 ; d20+10=19 ; d20+10=15 ; Tuesday February 12th, 2013 8:33:20 PM COMBINED POST FOR GRELL AND WILMA Wilma has used 2 rounds of her Sanctuary spell Grell is Enlarged; AC18; 57/66hp
Grell's instinct for combat kicks in, and he opts to once more dice himself some ooze even as the amorphous jelly flares out and over him...
OOC: Grell hits AC19 for 25hp damage; if this AoO requires a Reflex Save for the hit, Grell's total for that is 8.
If Grell hasn't been Engulfed, he will move to P18 (the spot next to Ariach.) Ignore the second attack and damage rolls I made for Grell, as he would be Engulfed if Ooze 1 is still alive and he would be moving to help Ariach if Ooze 1 is dead.
Perception for Ezra: 20 Perception for Carl: 17
Meanwhile, Wilma becomes aware that Grell isn't the only one who suffers from battle injuries, so she opts to channel a wave of healing energy so that everyone within 30 feet of her is healed for 16hp damage--well, everyone except the two oozes because Wilma has the Selective Channeling Feat and can exclude them.
Perception for Ezra: 19 Perception for Carl: 15
OOC to Group: remember, now--if your PC has suffered any damage, Wilma's wave of energy heals him or her for 16hp.
Grell is back up to 66hp.
Emrys ac10, hp13/25. light, prestidigitation, deathwatch, inspire courage d20+14=17 ; d20+14=27 ; d20+14=31 ; d100=9 ; d100=18 ; Tuesday February 12th, 2013 8:43:20 PM
(ooc: Emrys moved to N14 last round. He was kept stationary on the current map. He's moved each round of combat.)
(Surprise Perception: 17. Hero Point Reroll: 31. Hero Point Bonus: 33) (Round 3 Perception: 27.)
With the sudden blunt force against the side of his head and shoulder, Emrys almost drops to one knee. The pain and the ringing in his ears is deafening. He can feel warm blood beginning to flow down the side of his head. His knuckles go white as he grips his walking stick tighter to keep himself from falling. He lurches to the right to grab hold of the nearby pew for better stability (5-ft step to M14).
Emrys visibly becomes furious. Inky tears from his black, deathly-enchanted eyes begin to streak down his face. "What dared hit me," bellows the bard through gritted teeth, "Show yourself!" He looks wildly around to find the source of the fallen, cone-shaped stone.
Emrys attempts to cast a cure spell, but the magic fizzles in his hands. He winces from the sudden crackle of arcane backfire! "Curses," he hisses, acknowledging that the leylines had shifted too far away (leyline roll: 9, drat!)!!
However, through all the suffering and frustration, Emrys picks right back up and continues to try and inspire with the story of Grimlochen, the gnome, releasing his bees on the brawny hill giant brute.
(Inspire Courage, continues. Free action.)
Emrys ac10, hp25/25. light, prestidigitation, deathwatch, inspire courage Tuesday February 12th, 2013 8:47:48 PM
(ooc: Thanks, Donna! Emrys is bloodied no more :)
DM Carl - Round 4 8d6=32 ; Wednesday February 13th, 2013 9:24:30 AM Thessa takes cover behind the rotting pews. Her head still stinging from the impact, she nonetheless sends an arrow unerringly towards her target. Once again, it bounces off as the ooze solidifies just before impact.
Ariach bravely keeps the second ooze busy, hoping his companions will be able to put it down from safety. His flail finds his mark, turning just before contact to avoid the solid mass on the ooze. A sizable splash of ooze is sent across the floor.
Vaniime runs forward to get a better shot. (ooc: Moved you to K20. L20 is 35' away.) Her arrow punches through the ooze's stone armor, but is nonetheless blunted by it.
Careful not to inadvertently heal their attackers, Wilma sends out a healing wave that leaves most of the party much better.
OOC: Everyone is in range of Wilma's channel. Thessa ended up outside the edge of the channel, but since Wilma would have been casting it at the same time she was moving, I'm ruling she's included.
Emrys' temper flares at the indignity of being struck in combat. His normally collected demeanor further fractures as the ley lines he relies on to work his magic flicker beyond his reach. Still, he manages to keep up his poetry. One must have his priorities...
Grell and Tuck heroically, but perhaps recklessly, attack as they are engulfed by the ooze they face. Tuck's elbow stings as he hits stone, but does note with some satisfaction that he breaks clean through & ruptures the ooze beneath. Grell's mighty attack also cleaves straight through stone. Their satisfaction is short lived as their senses are overwhelmed by this creature. It's acid, albeit weak, still stings as they're covered. The discomfort immediately changes to agony as the thing solidifies it's entire being around the two trapped heroes. Unable to see, hear, or move, Tuck and Grell are crushed and helpless.
Grell and Tuck take 32 points of crushing damage. Fort save DC17 for half. They also take a single point of acid damage with no save. Tuck, don't forget Wilma healed you this round. Both of you are blinded, deafened, mute, and pinned. Since you are completely encased in stone & unable to move even an inch, escape artist & CMB checks to break the pin aren't possible. You may make a strength check to escape, but the DC is fairly high (but not impossible).
The second ooze moves 20' straight up the column. Ariach may make an AoO. The ooze is now 25' above the ground.
Thessa, Ariach, and Emrys all note several cracks in the exterior of the first ooze.
***
Ooze #1 is completely solidified. As such, reflex rolls are not currently needed when attacking. All physical attacks will incur a damage penalty based on the creature's hardness.
Ezra will be posting shortly. Please hold off on posting until he does so!
Surprised! Almost... d20+4=17 ; d4+1=4 ; 2d6=7 ; d20+4=15 ; d4+1=3 ; 2d6=4 ; Wednesday February 13th, 2013 12:27:50 PM Emrys looks about and sees that the small rock that fell on them isn't a rock after all. The cone shaped rock morphs into a smaller ooze that flows towards Emrys and attacks, by rolling into his foot and engulfing it.
Hit AC 17, dam 4.
Emrys, having noticed that the rock was more than a rock may make an AoO. A reflex DC 17 pulls his foot out before the creature turns to stone. Failure results in 7 points of damage with a fort save DC 17 for half damage and effectively gimped with a rock boot.
Thessa was not as fortunate and failed to recognize the threat as the rock that fell on her rushes towards her and slams into her foot.
Hit flat-foot AC 15, damage 3.
With a reflex DC 17 Thessa can pull her foot out before the creature turns to stone. Failure results in 4 points of damage with a fort save DC 17 for half damage and effectively gimped with a rock boot.
Thessa - AC:18 (Mage Armor) ; HP: 25 / 27 d20+5=12 ; d20+4=22 ; 2d4+1=6 ; Wednesday February 13th, 2013 1:46:45 PM
Thessa fails to pull her foot out of the slime in time (Reflex: 12), and creature turns to stone painfully (Reflex: 22 for 2dmg) around her foot!
She glances sidelong at the ooze that is climbing up the column. It will quickly move out of Ariach's reach and as unhelpful as ranged weapons are on these things that will make things very difficult. Frustrated, but not losing focus of the real threat, or the plight of her friends, she gives up on her seemingly useless arrows and sends a volley of magical missiles at the ooze that captured Tuck and Grell.
Two bolts of blue light streak toward and hit the creature. (Dmg: 7)
With her remaining movement, Thessa will start hobbling closer to the group. [Q13]
[OOC: I should have rolled 2d4+2, so I adjusted my damage in the narrative. Also, I don't know what Thessa's movement rate is with her stone boot. I halved her norm and assumed 15. Otherwise, adjust her destination accordingly. Thanks.]
You currently have no movement rate. The ooze is fastened to the floor.
DM Carl - Round 4 Wednesday February 13th, 2013 3:26:56 PM Thessa's missles unerringly strike the ooze encasing Grell & Tuck. They're just enough to crack the thing open, releasing it's captives. Chunks of the solidified ooze crumble around them before melting back into an inert liquid.
Just wanted to ensure the rest of you didn't waste your turn attacking when it's fate was sealed.
Ariach AC 28 (26) fighting defensively/14/19 ; HP 51/59 d20+11=30 ; d8+5=11 ; d20+7=17 ; d8+5=13 ; d20+3=15 ; Wednesday February 13th, 2013 4:36:30 PM
Out of the corner of his eyes Ariach sees how the ooze buries Grell and Tuck. Right at the moment the fighter wants to turn to assist his friends, he sees Thessa destroying the enemy. Now he focuses again on ooze 2 who moves straight up to the column giving Ariach a chance to hit him. Inspired by his first good swing he attacks again not forgetting to use his shield if necessary.
(AOO hits AC 30 for 11 damage / attack hits AC 17 for 13 damage / reflex save=15)
Emrys ac10, hp25/25. light, prestidigitation, deathwatch, inspire courage Wednesday February 13th, 2013 9:34:52 PM
(Emrys is in M14, the current map is incorrect.)
Emrys ac10, hp25/25. light, prestidigitation, deathwatch, inspire courage d20+3=13 ; d4+1=3 ; d20+5=21 ; d20+4=13 ; d8+1=2 ; Wednesday February 13th, 2013 9:37:46 PM
His eyes widen as he notices the stone beginning to liquify. He is about to shout out at Thessa, but it's already too late. Then the one that struck him starts squishing his way. Alas, poor Emrys is armed with only his walking stick, in one hand, and the other clutched to an unwieldy wooden pew. His few weapons are properly sheathed and there's no time to draw them. There is no way he would use his walking stick as a club. The idea is unthinkable. So he decides to bludgeon the pest under the heel of his boot.
(Improvised weapon: hardy boot heel, -4 hit. Hit AC: 13. Damage: 3.) (Reflex save: 21, to avoid the little oozling!)
Emrys then sidesteps the oozling and puts some distance between them (Moves to S14). Now having drawn his loaded crossbow, he carefully aims and says, "Into the brute's mouth, what gnomish luck, dodging rotten tooth as well as muck, and down the giant gullet his fey hat was stuck!" The bard sets his bolt loose upon the wind ...
(Attacking the lil oozling. Hit AC: 13. Damage: 2.) (Performance: Inspire Courage continues. Free action.)
Emrys ac10, hp25/25. light, prestidigitation, deathwatch, inspire courage Wednesday February 13th, 2013 9:43:06 PM
(ooc: I rolled the boot attack incorrectly. It should have been d20-3, not +3. I actually hit AC: 7. Im sure that's a miss.)
Tuck HP 25/42 AC 18/18/14 Inspire Courage d20+6=23 ; Wednesday February 13th, 2013 9:47:36 PM
Tuck is able to resist some of the crushing weight upon him by the giant ooze, due to his well-conditioned body. Just as he's beginning to lose hope, the pressure bearing down upon him slackens and he is able to clamber out, seeing Grell doing the same.
He expels chunks of ooze from his mouth as he leans over to cough. Tuck snatches his dropped bow and arrow from the ground when he sees the other ooze moving up the column.
(Fortitude 23 for half damage.)
Vaniime AC 18/14/14, HP:45/45inspire courage d20+10=24 ; d6+1=2 ; d20+10=15 ; Wednesday February 13th, 2013 10:01:04 PM
Vanime drops her bow and quickly pulls out one of her alchemist's fire from the side of her pack and running forward to get enough momentum to sling the pouch upward towards #2 AC 24 for two points of fire damage, this round. Reflex 15
Wilma; AC17 (+1 Mithril chain shirt); HP35/35 d20+8=13 ; d20+17=22 ; 3d6+18=33 ; d20+3=21 ; d20+3=9 ; d20+12=14 ; 3d6=13 ; Wednesday February 13th, 2013 11:37:04 PM COMBINED POST FOR WILMA AND GRELL Wilma has used 3 rounds of her Sanctuary spell.
Grell feels the full effect of the gelatinous monster's suddenly stony consistency when it solidifies around him. (OOC: Grell is down to 34hp out of 66.) Even as he instinctively resists the suffocating embrace of the monster, he feels the stone shatter under what he is sure is an assault by one of his friends.
Okay--now he's mad! Drawing upon the techniques taught him by his trainers at the WLA, Grell proceeds to launch himself at the remaining ooze, intending to use his Enlarged size to the best advantage he can, lifting his greatsword over his head so that he may viciously slash at the jelly-like creature on the column...
OOC: in game terms, Grell is now in a Barbarian Rage; he essentially charges at the column with Ooze 2 on it, ending up next to Ariach at P18 on the map. If allowed to attack, he hits AC22 for 33hp, and his Reflex Save for making the attack is 21.
However, in his Rage-filled rush to the side of Ariach, Grell knocks his sister backwards. She is unable to keep her balance and fall down upon her keister!
"Hey!" she exclaims angrily, glaring at the brother that--only seconds ago--she had been growing panicky about. She scrambled to her feet, her sapphire eyes assessing Grell's physical condition: clearly he had been hurt by the ooze-turned-to-stone, but she couldn't see how badly.
No matter--she could still help the group. Wilma channeled healing energy once more, sending a healing burst to her friends around her--and only her friends...
OOC: Wilma is now standing at O15 because she failed a Dexterity check (rolled a 9). The use of her Healing skill only totaled 14. And, finally, Wilma heals everyone in a radius of thirty feet. She's definitely withholding the 13hp of healing energy from Ooze 2...but there are those other two oozes that I don't think she's aware of yet...
Pebble Problems d20+4=8 ; d20+4=12 ; d4+1=5 ; 2d6=4 ; 2d6=10 ; Thursday February 14th, 2013 11:13:07 AM Emrys reactive boot to the diminutive ooze is a swing and a miss, the creature throws out a pseudopod at Emrys ankle as Emrys tries to find a new vantage point.
The attack of opportunity is unsuccessful, allowing Emrys to move unhindered, and draw his crossbow (two move actions).
The creature is undeterred and chases after Emrys.
Hit AC 12, dam 5.
And once again it tries to engulf his foot. A reflex DC 17 pulls his foot out before the creature turns to stone. Failure results in 4 points of damage with a fort save DC 17 for half damage and effectively gimped with a rock boot. Emrys may use his crossbow as an improvised weapon to make an attack of opportunity.
Thessa finds herself stuck to the floor as searing pain shoots up her leg from her foot is slowly crushed by the rock-like creature. Damage 10, DC 17 Fort for half.
DM Carl - Round 5 d20+5=15 ; d20+2=3 ; Thursday February 14th, 2013 11:24:30 AM Ariach connects as the ooze moves up the pillar, taking a small chunk of stone. His second swing hits nothing but air as the ooze climbs out of range.
Tuck instinctively tenses his muscles just as he feels the stone set around him. Focusing only on outward pressure, he manages to stave off the worst of the ooze's crushing attack. He is nonetheless relieved when it crumbles around him.
Tuck could have acted last round. I'm feeling nice today, so take two actions this time around.
Van hurls a flask of alchemist's fire at the climbing ooze. The ooze solidifies, which just gives the flask something to break against. Psuedopods lash out at the air as it bursts into flame. It seems to make no effort to extinguish the flames (Reflex: Nat 1)
Grell is caught fully unaware. His large muscles betray him as they're squeezed inwards. Just like that, however, he's free...and angry. He charges forward, knocking his sister out of the way, only to find the ooze is just outside the length his sword can reach. This undoubtedly does little to improve his mood.
Grell is 5'7". I doubled that for the enlarge person spell, giving me 11'4". He's large, so he has a 10' reach. The ooze is 25' up, well above the 21'4" he can hit.
Wilma takes an unexpected trip to the floor at the behest of her brother. Resisting the urge to leap back up and give that kid what for, she takes the mature route and again heals her companions.
The remaining large ooze reaches the ceiling and begins crawling north along it.
Thessa - AC:18 (Mage Armor) ; HP: 15 / 27 d20+6=13 ; d10+3=9 ; Thursday February 14th, 2013 2:35:57 PM
Thessa screams out in pain. A shrill noise she had never heard come out of her own mouth. Now that her friends are free from their stony prison, all her thoughts turn to freeing her foot from this painful, crushing boot.
She pulls the only thing that she thinks will crack the rock armor of this little ooze - her curved sword. She forces a portion of her magical energy into the blade as she brings it down on the ooze rock, hoping that she doesn't accidentally slice through it and into her own ankle.
[OOC: Thessa hits AC:13 (ugh!) for 9 points of damage.]
Emrys ac10, hp25/25. light, prestidigitation, deathwatch, inspire courage Thursday February 14th, 2013 3:36:19 PM
"Step away from the column," Emrys warns, "it's not retreating... it aims to drop down upon you!!"
Wilma; AC17 (+1 Mithril chain shirt); HP35/35 Thursday February 14th, 2013 5:06:19 PM
(OOC for the moment--didn't Emrys have a light source or something? Can everyone SEE the ceiling 40 feet up?)
Emrys ac10, hp25/25. light, prestidigitation, deathwatch, inspire courage Thursday February 14th, 2013 5:33:53 PM
( ooc: yes Emrys has a light spell going. Those with normal vision: 40-ft radius of normal light. Those with low-light vision: 80-ft radius of normal light.)
***The normal light is only that part of the ceiling directly over the torch, the rest will still be dim-light, with only a minor penalty to vision...
Tuck HP 39/42 AC 18/18/14 Inspire Courage d20+7=27 ; d20+7=10 ; d20+7=15 ; d8+3=10 ; d8+3=7 ; d20+7=19 ; Thursday February 14th, 2013 5:43:52 PM
As Wilma's healing washes over Tuck, he is already moving to respond to Thessa's scream. Sprinting, he quickly reaches her side in time to see her hacking at her foot with her own sword.
Seeing the slime engulfing her foot, Tuck gives it two powerful soccer kicks.
(Utilizing the beneficent DM's gracious offer of allowing the insignificant Tuck two turns, he double moves to S12 to do a Flurry of Blows upon Thessa's ooze. Hits AC 27 (natural 20 but the confirmation hits AC10) and AC 15 for 10 and 7 damage. Reflex 19, if still needed.)
Ariach AC 28 (26) fighting defensively/14/19 ; HP 51/59 Thursday February 14th, 2013 6:30:46 PM
Ariach retreats and follows Emrys instructions getting out of reach of the ooze. When he recognizes Thessa having problems he accompanies Tuck and Emry and tries to protect Thessa from every attack of the ooze.
With his unloaded crossbow, Emrys swings it awkwardly at the oozling. He isn't sure it achieved any kind of success. He tries his best to pull his foot free, but apparently his luck has run out (Reflex save: 6, nat. 1. Fort save: 14). Now Emrys joins Thessa in a choir of painful shrieks as the oozling solidifies around, crushing his foot. "Auugghh!!" he cries.
Emrys pulls against the stone oozling, but to no avail. He is stuck to the floor. 'Think, think, think, think,' he repeats to himself. Then an idea coalesces, but he is unsure as to how fast the oozling can react. With a few words of power, Emrys shrinks down to the size of a small child. As soon as he can, Emrys pulls free from the hole molded by his larger foot. While he dashes away, all he can say, "From the gaping maw the gnome did fly. The giant choked, gagged, his breath denied!"
(Casting Reduce Person. Leyline: 32. Emrys moves to P12, if he can. Inspire Courage continues, free action.)
Wilma; AC17 (+1 Mithril chain shirt); HP35/35 d20+17=19 ; 3d6+18=31 ; Thursday February 14th, 2013 8:12:05 PM OOC: I would like to point out that Grell's 10-foot-reach does not include the length of his greatsword (which likely adds another 5 or 6 feet) but I yield to the DM rulling.
COMBINED POST FOR WILMA AND GRELL Wilma has used 4 rounds of her Sanctuary spell.
Grell roared in frustration when his chosen target retreated out of the range of his greatsword attack. Hearing Emrys' warning, he turns and withdraws to a spot abreast of the spellcaster, noticing that there was another "baby ooze" trying to hump the half-elf's leg.
Normally this would be the perfect opportunity to laugh at Emrys' expense, but Grell's annoyance at missing the larger ooze boils over and he brings his unslaked blade down upon the little ooze on the floor beside Emrys' boot.
"For cryin' out loud, Emrys!" the barbarian snapped. "Keep your pet in your jar--we're tryin' to win a fight here!"
OOC: Grell is now at Q14, and his blow hits AC19 for 31hp. (This assumes that the ooze trying to snag Emrys' leg again is at S14, S15 or T15. The small ooze isn't on the map that I can see.)
Wilma, too, moves away from the column, though not as fast as Grell, since her sapphire eyes are drawn up to where the large ooze has withdrawn...as well as to the ceiling of the chamber, which she can see clearly now.
OOC: Wilma is now at O12; I am otherwise holding her action until our beloved DM tells me what she sees now that she's actually paying attention to the area overhead.
Yes, it does. It absolutely does. Unless it's specifically a reach weapon, which greatsword is not (I checked), it does nothing to extend the range at which you can attack.
Vaniime AC 18/14/14, HP:45/45inspire courage d6+1=5 ; d20+1=19 ; d8+4=9 ; d20+10=17 ; Thursday February 14th, 2013 10:13:55 PM
While the alchemist's fire continues to burn on the hardened ooze five points damage Van picks her bow back up and fires another arrow at it. AC 19 for nine points damage, Reflex DC 17
"Someone tell me what's going on over there. What do you need What can we do?"
Pebble Problems, cont 2d6=7 ; Friday February 15th, 2013 12:33:34 PM Thessa's strike misses her own foot, but glances off the stone skin of the ooze.
Tuck's attack also misses Thessa's flesh, but does minimal damage to the ooze as a flake of skin is knocked off and dissolves into a puddle of slime.
If action is not taken swiftly, Thessa will soon need a peg leg as the ooze continues to crush the many bones of her foot with an additional 7 points of damage, Fort DC 17 for half.
In the mean time, Grell releases some pent up aggression on the little tiny, itsy, bitsy stone on the floor with a hole in the shape of EMrys foot in it. (Does he have a girlfriend?) Grell's strike hits true, shattering the afore mentioned, nearly innocent ooze into a scattered pile of rubble that quickly dissolves into slime.
Thessa - AC:18 (Mage Armor) ; HP: 11 / 27 2d4+2=4 ; d20+4=17 ; Friday February 15th, 2013 2:20:04 PM
Thessa screams again as her foot is squeezed in the vice-like grip of the ooze. "Get it off! Get it off! Crush it.. anything!"
Tears are streaming down her face in pain and anger... mostly pain. She drops her useless sword on the ground and frees her hand. She can barely see her foot through her blurred vision, but desperately her minds grasps at the magical syllables that cast a Magic Missile spell and practically screeches them at the top of her lungs. Two magical bolts sizzle through the short distance to her foot, and strike the stone. [Dmg: 4]
[OOC: Thessa rolled a 17 for Fort Save, thank goodness. Half damage is 4 (or 3?).]
dam 3 is fine
Wilma; AC17 (+1 Mithril chain shirt); HP35/35 Friday February 15th, 2013 2:22:39 PM
OOC: What (if anything) does Wilma see up on the chamber ceiling..?
Tuck HP 39/42 AC 18/18/14 Inspire Courage d20+7=10 ; d20+7=12 ; Friday February 15th, 2013 3:47:54 PM
In his frustration, Tuck tries again to damage the ooze on Thessa's foot and fails.
(Flurry of blows hits AC 10 & 12.)
DM Carl - Round 5 d20+5=7 ; Friday February 15th, 2013 4:35:23 PM Emrys, in a moment of genius, shrinks himself down & pulls out his noticeably smaller foot before he gets out of dodge. He winds up next to Wilma between the pews as her eyes search the ceiling. The ooze is the color of the stone on the ceiling, but it's moving. It's not difficult to spot, especially with Van's alchemist's fire still burning.
Bits of the ooze bubble and fall to the ground below as it burns. Vaniime's arrow strikes him, but meets the same fate as the rest of her arrows: stone. Still, a small pebble is chipped out.
Ariach positions himself to protect against whatever the ooze has in mind.
The ooze continues the burn as it moves along. It roils as it tries to move the flaming part of its mass inside itself to extinguish the flames, but the heat always seems to boil outward, causing areas of the ooze to bubble up & flare out as the fire reaches oxygen once again. It would be beautiful if it wasn't bearing down on those massed around Thessa.
Ariach AC 28 (26) fighting defensively/14/19 ; HP 51/59 d20+11=28 ; d8+5=12 ; d20+3=21 ; Friday February 15th, 2013 5:44:47 PM
Thessaīs heart piercing cry bothers the young Warrior. Ariach is in a quandary if he should wait or attack the ooze on Thessaīs foot. Thessaīs order to crush it makes the different. He attacks the ooze with his flail taking care he will not hit the young woman accidentally.
(hits AC 28 for 12 damage / reflex save= 21)
(OOC: Ariach tries a called shot to avoid a hit on Thessa. I didnīt subtract any penalties to his hit)
Wilma; AC17 (+1 Mithril chain shirt); HP35/35 d20+2=14 ; d20+17=27 ; 3d6+18=25 ; d8+5=9 ; Friday February 15th, 2013 7:07:51 PM COMBINED POST FOR WILMA AND GRELL This is the last round for Wilma's Sanctuary spell.
Grell--still itching for a battle--sees that Tuck blocks the immediate access to the ooze that is attacking Thessa, who is also blocked off by the pews north and south of her. He runs to a spot on the south side of the southernmost pew and proceeds to vault over it so that he can land five feet away from the eastern side of Thessa and strike at the stone oozelet from there...
OOC: Grell runs to V14 on the map and vaults over the pew so that he lands in V12. His Acrobatic check totals to 14. If he can also attack in this same round, he hits AC27 for 25hp damage.
Since there is nothing else she can to at the moment, Wilma uses the magic wand in her left hand to heal Emrys of the wounds he's sustained so far.
OOC: Emrys should be completely healed up now.
Emrys ac10, hp25/25. light, prestidigitation, deathwatch, inspire courage, reduce person d100=87 ; d20+14=25 ; Saturday February 16th, 2013 2:02:25 AM
"Yikes!" He isn't sure who to fear more, the oozling or Grell (to whom he is now only knee-high)! Amazed by his success, the childlike Emrys aims to attempt the same tactic with Thessa. Grell may had surely slain the small oozling, like he had with the one that ensnared him. However, with the monstrous ooze looming overhead, he doesn't want to take any chances.
Emrys extends his arm to its full length towards Thessa. Using forced perspective, he frames Thessa, from head to toe, between his thumb and forefinger. He begins to speak words of power, during which he closes his two fingers together. In that same instance, Thessa reduces to half her normal size. If the oozling isn't already dead, she should be able to free herself and move to safety. "Oozes aren't the only ones that can squish!"
Emrys then looks up to see where the large ooze is on the ceiling (Perception: 25). Lil Emrys looks up at Wilma and gives her a thankful nod. He then puts more distance between him and the menacing ooze (M12). "Make haste, it's about to drop!"
(Casting Reduce Person on Thessa. Leyline roll: 87, free cast. Deathwatch: how healthy is the ooze on the ceiling?)
The fire has certainly destabilized it, but it can take a lot more damage.
Vaniime AC 18/14/14, HP:45/45inspire courage d6+1=7 ; d20+10=21 ; d20+10=21 ; d8+4=8 ; Sunday February 17th, 2013 4:35:30 PM
"Guys you might want to move out from beneath that thing like right now!!!!!"
Moving to J 15, Van lets fly with another arrow into the ceiling crawling thing as the fire continures to burn AC 21, Reflex 21, arrow damage 8 points, fire damage 7 points
Pebble Problems, cont Monday February 18th, 2013 5:48:15 PM
The creature on the ceiling flattens out a bit and solidifies to stone, though the flames continue to roil across its surface, there is little chance they will do more than outline its location before they die out from a lack of fuel.
Meanwhile Wilma can just make out where the creature on the ceiling is, over their heads.
Ariach manages to hit the rock around Thessa's foot without hitting her, chipping off a chunk of the creature with his swing. Thessa starts shrinking from Emyrs spell as she watches the ever larger greatsword of Grell seeming to swing directly for her before slicing deep into the stone floor of the chamber. Thessa looks over at the stone shoe that had so recently been playing havoc with her sole only to watch as it falls apart into two pieces that slowly dissolve into ooze. Said ooze now spreading over Thessa's much smaller feet.
Vaniime's attack on the ooze on the ceiling appears to have no effect.
That's it for stuff on the ground...
Tuck HP 39/42 AC 18/18/14 Inspire Courage d20+7=17 ; d20+7=13 ; d8+3=8 ; d8+3=10 ; d20+7=19 ; Monday February 18th, 2013 8:39:10 PM
Tuck flurries again on the oozes attacking Thessa.
(Flurry of Blows hits AC 17 & 13 for damage 8 & 10. Reflex 19)
Wilma; AC17 (+1 Mithril chain shirt); HP35/35 Monday February 18th, 2013 10:27:16 PM
OOC: there's no map up--does that mean that the combat is over...?
Emrys ac10, hp25/25. light, prestidigitation, deathwatch, inspire courage, reduce person Monday February 18th, 2013 10:37:34 PM
(ooc: No, the main combat post has yet to come. "Pebble Problem" is the little side combat involving the little oozlings that were attacking Thessa and Emrys. The big ooze on the ceiling is very healthy and about to fall on everyone standing below it!!!!)
Grell Monday February 18th, 2013 11:12:28 PM
Donna, I think I can take Grell now. Thanks for babysitting him! :)
Wilma; AC17 (+1 Mithril chain shirt); HP35/35 Tuesday February 19th, 2013 12:15:46 AM
"Tuck--Thessa--Grell! MOVE IT!!!" Wilma shouted her warning, moving so that she was at the end of the pew behind the three party members she was worried about. She waited to see if the stony foe above was planning to drop like a rock on the trio below...
OOC: Wilma has moved to Q10 on the map--and her Sanctuary spell has run out.
Ariach AC 28 (26) fighting defensively/14/19 ; HP 51/59 d20+7=14 ; d8+5=11 ; d20+3=19 ; Tuesday February 19th, 2013 2:53:35 AM
Ariach attacks again. The warrior is not willing to risk that the oozes pin down Thessa one more time. But he also is aware of the danger from the ceiling.
(fighting defensively / attack hits AC 14 for 11 damage / reflex= 19)
OOC: it was not possible for me to post on monday because the DM posted thuesday 0:30 a.m. - so thatīs a problem of the time difference
Emrys ac10, hp25/25. light, prestidigitation, deathwatch, inspire courage, reduce person Tuesday February 19th, 2013 7:37:44 AM
Emrys is confused as to why Tuck and Ariach are continuing to beat down a very DEAD oozling. "Guys?!," asks Emrys, "why are you continuing to fight a DEAD ooze?! Grell killed it! Thessa is free!"
The bard continues to watch as the large ooze, 40-ft above the floor on the ceiling, positions itself over his friends and is preparing to drop!! "If you refuse listen to Vaniime, Wilma or myself, then look up and see for yourselves. Your DOOM is about to crash down upon your heads .... MOVE!!!!"
Vaniime AC 18/14/14, HP:45/45inspire courage Tuesday February 19th, 2013 8:25:59 AM
Van makes sure she is out of the drop zone and warily looks around for more little things on the ceiling or the floor.
Grell Tuesday February 19th, 2013 12:18:18 PM
Grell moves out of the way of the thing on the ceiling and then looks around for something else to smash. If he finds a suitable target, he bolts toward it and prepares to smash it.
OOC: I'm a little confused about what might be available to attack. The thing on the ceiling is out of reach, the thing attacking Thessa is dead. What's left?
Rock of Damocles Tuesday February 19th, 2013 2:25:29 PM My apologies on the map, not sure what Carl was using to make it.
Tuck pounds dead ooze remnants into the floor, before Emrys provides the timely notice that the rock is now sludge and obviously dead.
Not sure where Ariach thought he was... last known spot was R14, out of range to smack the little ooze that was pestering Thessa.
Grell pauses in reflection, while Wilma finds another place to stand. And Vaniime keeps an eye out for more surprises. Scattered around the ground are several of the small oozes (not the nasty fighting kind), two of which are still squirming around inside the clothing of a couple of the party members.
Only Emrys and Vaniime, watching the ceiling, see the flames go out on the rock-like ooze that is clinging to the ceiling. They notice that it blends in with the ceiling and if they were not watching it, they might easily loose track of where it is.
Emrys recent move means the torchlight no longer provides normal illumination to the ooze on the ceiling, reducing it to dimly lit.
Tuck HP 39/42 AC 18/18/14 Inspire Courage Tuesday February 19th, 2013 6:30:05 PM
Seeing that the ooze that was attacking Thessa is dead, Tuck heeds the warnings of his friends and moves out from under the giant ooze on the ceiling.
"How do we bypass their rock skin? If there are more like this within the fortress, we need to come up with a better way to fight them."
(Moves to N13)
Ariach AC 28 (26) fighting defensively/14/19 ; HP 51/59 Tuesday February 19th, 2013 7:16:44 PM
Ariach retreats and follows Emryīs oders.
(retreat to O13)
Vaniime AC 18/14/14, HP:45/45inspire courage Tuesday February 19th, 2013 7:52:37 PM
"Well if we could find a way to cover it with water and then freeze it, that might crack it like it does to rockd in the winter but I don't know for sure." They seem to burn a little bit but hard to say how effective it really was. Bashing seems to work up to a point but that is hard on those doing the bashing too, so yeah we need to figure something out."
"Meanwhile I saty we leave while the leaving is good."
Emrys ac10, hp25/25. light, prestidigitation, deathwatch, reduce person, detect magic d20+14=27 ; d100=85 ; Wednesday February 20th, 2013 12:18:59 AM
(ooc: Light: 80-ft radius normal light in a dimly lit room for those with low-light vision.)
"Hmmm?" ponders Emrys. "Maybe the ooze is exhibiting a flight response! Especially after abstaining from crushing over half the Vanguard under a ton of its own petrified bulk. If you all wish to continue this fight, I could possibly dislodge it from the ceiling if I get a lift from Grell."
Emrys begins to look toward the altar or pulpit at the back of the room. "During this interlude, maybe we should try and acquire something that will expedite our departure from this forlorn place."
The bard moves closer to the altar (N8) and tries to divine if there is something magical in that direction.
(Cast Detect Magic. Leyline: 85, free cast ... sigh, with a 0-level spell, ugh! Spell focused in the direction of the altar. Perception: 27)
Grell Wednesday February 20th, 2013 7:49:12 AM
Grell looks over at Emrys in extreme confusion. Sometimes he swears the bard doesn't speak Common! "Uhhh...as much as I LOVE smashing stuff, I say we move on so we can find whatever we need to find to get out of this place!"
Flicking some goo from his gigantic collar, Grell looks over at Ariach and grins "Next time you need to try this giant stuff...it's pretty fun looking down on Tuck. Did you know he has a cow lick on the top of his head??"
OOC: Donna, I'm feeling a little lazy...how is Grell's HP currently?
Rock of Damocles d20+20=32 ; Wednesday February 20th, 2013 11:38:44 AM
Thessa and Grell feel something wriggling around their waist, only to realize they both still have oozes in their shirts...
Grell is still visibly wounded with 48 of 66 HP.
Several people heed Emrys warning to seperate and get out from under the ooze. As the party starts looking around, they find it difficult to reacquire the creature on the ceiling.
While Stealth states it may not be used while observed, this is from each individual's perspective. The creature is effectively trying to hide against the ceiling. Maintaining a constant stare at it allows you to easily keep it picked out. Moving around and looking at different parts of the room would be akin to trying to find that green caterpillar on the bush. You saw it, then looked away and moved half way around the bush. The caterpillar hasn't moved, but your perspective and observation has.
Anyone trying to keep an eye on the ooze may make a DC 32 perception check. Watching the creature climb the pillar and move onto the ceiling allows for an automatic success. If you have not moved, you get a +2 to your skill roll if you can still see the creature in regular light. Moving or searching other areas is a distraction that adds +5 to the DC.
RE: Lighting. I will post the normal lighting (and other environmental conditions), its up to the players to remember if they have a means to affect their sense of the situation.
Emrys studies the decayed remains of several linens that still drape the altar, remnants of divine symbols are partially visible through the rents and tears. Behind the altar a large tapestry hangs in shreds. Behind the tapestry Emrys sees some steps leading up. Emrys does not detect any auras other than the other players.
To the left and right of the main room are doorways, any doors have long since disappeared.
Thessa - AC:18 (Mage Armor) ; HP: 12 / 27 Wednesday February 20th, 2013 4:41:12 PM
Free from the pain and frustration of being held to the floor and crushed, Thessa limps away from the remnants of the ooze on the floor. She stammers a quiet "thank you" to Grell and Tuck and, using the decaying pew for stability, she limps past Tuck to [Q11].
With tears streaming down her dirty face, barely able to put any weight on her crushed foot, she moves closer to Wilma. "Can you... help me?" she says, holding her foot up.
[OOC: Thessa took over half her total hit points to one foot. I'm pretty sure the bones are broken, if not completely crushed.]
She gathers her wits enough to look around at the room and all her companions, taking note of where they are and what they are doing. She also looks up fearfully at the ceiling, knowing that thing is still up there, ready to drop down on them again.
Tuck HP 39/42 AC 18/18/14 Inspire Courage d20+11=20 ; Wednesday February 20th, 2013 6:12:02 PM
Tuck feels around on the top of his head, self-conscious from Grell's statement. "Does it look bad?" He runs his fingers through his hair a few times before realizing that perhaps there are more important things to worry about.
"We should keep moving. If we go up the stairs or down one of those paths up there, perhaps the ooze won't follow us. Standing about, we're just sitting ducks. I say we go up the stairs. All the important stuff is kept on the top floors. Everyone knows that."
(Perception 20)
Ariach AC 28 (26) fighting defensively/14/19 ; HP 51/59 Wednesday February 20th, 2013 6:40:43 PM
Ariach smiles about Tuckīs reaction concerning his hair problem. But then he remembers that it isnīt right to laugh at things like that. His funny mood disappears completely when he realizes how bad Thessa is injured. Incapable to help her, he trusts in Wilmaīs healing proficiency.
Ariach positions himself next to Emry hoping the bard is able to see the ooze and can warn him at the right time.
Wilma; AC17 (+1 Mithril chain shirt); HP35/35 d8+5=7 ; Wednesday February 20th, 2013 6:57:07 PM
"Of course!" Wilma responded to Thessa's request, immediately using her wand on the mangled extremity.
OOC: Thessa is healed for 7hp.
"Hmmm," the young priestess frowned, giving the wand a shake or two. "Not as effective as I'd like...how about another...?"
Vaniime AC 18/14/14, HP:45/45inspire courage Wednesday February 20th, 2013 10:02:25 PM
"Wilma, can you see about getting people as close to tip top shape as you can while we move out?
Ok then everyone, shall we try stairs behind the curtain then?"
Let's form up and move out Ariach why don't you and Thessa switch places this time around?"
Emrys ac10, hp25/25. light, prestidigitation, deathwatch, reduce person, detect magic d20+14=25 ; Thursday February 21st, 2013 1:10:05 AM
Emrys says, "Excellent, lets be on our way."
(perception : 25)
Wilma; AC17 (+1 Mithril chain shirt); HP35/35 d8+5=12 ; d8+5=9 ; d8+5=12 ; d8+5=8 ; d8+5=9 ; Thursday February 21st, 2013 3:32:04 AM
As long as the group is no longer in battle, Wilma uses her wand on Thessa again (12hp healed this time, so Thessa should be at full HP now.) She goes to Grell and motions to him.
"Bend down--I need to see how much healing you need..." Her sapphire eyes appraise his current condition and then she proceeds to smack the top of his head--twice. The "taps" sting a little, but Grell, too, finds that all the wounds inflicted by his battle with the stone oozes are now healed up (two charges of the CLW wand healed up 19hp for Grell, so he, too, is now at his full HP.)
"Watch where you're going next time you charge into battle, Mr. 'Gotta-Kill-It-First'!" she growls at him, then flounces off to where Tuck is standing. This time her wand's tap is gentle, but the magic heals the monk completely. (The total healing power was 8hp, but Tuck had only 3hp damage.)
"And last, but by no means least," the redheaded priestess says with a smile, "The man with the paladin's heart--here you go, Ariach." The curative wand works its magic once more, leaving Ariach with nary a bruise showing. (Healed Ariach for 9hp, but only 8 was needed. Wilma has used up a total of 7 charges.)
Emrys ac10, hp25/25. light, prestidigitation, deathwatch, detect magic Thursday February 21st, 2013 4:07:08 AM
Emrys also decides to release the magic and restore both Thessa and himself to their normal size.
(Dropping the Reduce Person spells on both Emrys and Thessa. Grell should be shrinking back to his normal size. The durations for both Enlarge Person and Bull's Strength should be ending about now.)
Behind the Tapestry Thursday February 21st, 2013 3:55:56 PM
The party prepares to move on with the last ooze out of reach and becoming lost against the backdrop of the ceiling. Though some members keep an eye out, they find it harder to pinpoint where exactly the ooze is as they move about.
With the party healed up and returned to regular size the party is ready to move on. Tuck suggests they go up.
Marching order please
The stairs lead up and forward for ten feet before a landing that changes the direction left and up for another ten feet before a five foot landing with stone wall in front of the party.
Perception DC 23 Highlight to display spoiler: { A broken corner of one stone appears to be something more than just poor maintenance. The disable is a DC 11.}
My apologies, it's not the step, but a stone in the wall to one side.
Ariach AC 28 (26) fighting defensively/14/19 ; HP 59/59 d20+5=9 ; Thursday February 21st, 2013 5:55:16 PM
Ariach nods at Wilma after she has used her wand to heal him.
He waits impatiently that Vaniim declares the marching order.
(Perception=9)
Tuck HP 42/42 AC 18/18/14 d20+11=13 ; Thursday February 21st, 2013 9:24:39 PM
Tuck nods his head to Wilma as she heals his remaining wounds. "Thank you. I don't know what we would do without you."
He retrieves his bow and quickly takes up position in the rear as the party decides to try the stairs. "Keep your eyes peeled for more slimes hiding."
(Perception 13)
Thessa - AC:18 (Mage Armor) ; HP: / 27 d20+3=10 ; Friday February 22nd, 2013 12:02:09 AM
Thessa smiles at Wilma as the bones and skin knit themselves back together. "Thank you so very much, Wilma. That feels immensely better!"
She looks around at the reassembling heroes and finds her place in the line. She re-sheaths her curved sword and knocks an arrow, glancing back up at the hiding ooze, she does her best to scan for other movement among the rocks.
[Perception: 10]
Emrys ac10, hp25/25. light, prestidigitation, deathwatch, detect magic d20+14=23 ; Friday February 22nd, 2013 12:34:42 AM
(Perception: 23, to notice.)
Emrys takes his place in the group that is statistically the safest; a place in the center just one step to the right. Emrys is a lover, an artist, a stunning paragon of masculine grace and loveliness. He is definitely not a fighter.
"Lets not worry about the ooze left behind. They're mindless. Once we exceed the range of their senses, we will be forgotten ... they have no memory. Out of sight, out of mind, I tell you. Oh wait, what's that?" Emrys stoops down to look at one of the steps. "This broken stone looks deliberate! Possibly concealing a trinket ... or a trap!"
(Emrys isn't trained in Disable Device!)
DM- edited for corrected placement of broken stone.
Vaniime AC 18/14/14, HP:45/45 d20+9=21 ; d2+9=10 ; d2=1 ; Friday February 22nd, 2013 8:19:07 AM
(Geesh guys, Van suggested that everyone take the same order excpet that Arich and Thessa switch places.so....
Single file; Van Ariach Grell Emrys Wilma Tuck Thessa . Double file; Van & Ariach, Grell, Emrys & Wilma, Thessa & Tuck)
****************************************************************** Van {perception dc 21} doesnt' notice the issue with the step until it is pointed out and it is nearly too late as she is just about to put her foot on to the step as he speaks. Stopping her foot just inches away from the step she hops backward to avaoid the step and then shakes her head at her rookie mistake.
"Nice catch Emrys, Thanks." I don't suppose any of you took any of Professor Krakjaw's classes did you?"
If not I guess we should make sure to step over and not touch the step as we move forward."
Grell Friday February 22nd, 2013 9:44:43 AM
Grell playfully pouts after Wilma delivers her love taps. "Hey, you were in the way!" Then he laughs at Tuck. "Naw...you're still as suave as ever friend!"
Shirinking back down to normal size reminds Grell of the seriousness of their situation. Moving into position near Ariach, Grell tries to think...the adrenaline from the rage wearing off and becoming a bone aching weariness. "Sooo...uhhh...we're gonna find somebody here that can get us out of this?" he asks nobody in particular.
Behind the Tapestry Friday February 22nd, 2013 11:00:54 AM My apologies for not describing the location, it's a broken stone in the wall to one side of the landing at the top.
So unless people change order, start squeezing, Emrys will have some difficulty seeing the stone from where he is. If you want to revamp a post, send it private to DM, and I'll edit them.
Emrys ac10, hp25/25. light, prestidigitation, deathwatch, detect magic Friday February 22nd, 2013 11:52:34 AM
(ooc: not sure i understand, but will give it a retry.)
Emrys, as he climbs the stairs, notices a loose stone next to Vaniime. He moves up the line to investigate. He informs all what he has found.
Ariach AC 28 (26) fighting defensively/14/19 ; HP 59/59 Friday February 22nd, 2013 4:36:00 PM
Ariach is a littel bit concerned about the way Vaniim looks at him. It is the same look he saw in Ganzīs face from time to time when he needed to long to understand and to effectuate an order. Has the young warrior made something wrong? But Vaniim doesnīt say anything and therefore Ariach thinks everything must be alright. He takes position behind Vaniim and follows her.
Tuck HP 42/42 AC 18/18/14 d20+11=19 ; Friday February 22nd, 2013 5:31:02 PM
"I don't know anything about traps. What if we stand back and poke it or throw a rock at it or something? Or do what Vaniime said and try to avoid it."
Being near the back, he can't see what the others are looking at, but that doesn't seem to keep him from offering advice.
(Perception 19)
Wilma; AC17 (+1 Mithril chain shirt); HP35/35 Sunday February 24th, 2013 9:42:01 AM
It was times like these that Wilma wished she had invested in a wand that could help her find traps...but given that such an item would likely have been inside her now-nonfunctional haversack, the priestess of Gargul sighed to herself.
"Okay, then...who's going to take the plunge and be the first one..?" she asked, her left hand keeping her healing wand ready.
Vaniime AC 18/14/14, HP:45/45 d20+3=10 ; d20+4=9 ; d20+8=17 ; Sunday February 24th, 2013 10:55:17 AM
"Well as I am up front I guess I will," feeling not as sure about this as she sounds.
"I am going to try and bypass the step altogether", as she backs up a step of two and getting a bit of momentum up hops over the offensive step and the one following it.
Dex DC - 10
Acrobatics DC - 9
Reflex DC -17
It's not a Tarp! Monday February 25th, 2013 10:57:59 AM
Emrys squeezes past Grell and Ariach on the narrow steps to stand next to Vaniime, fortunately no toes are stepped on.
Emrys takes a look at the broken stone, it's about 3' off the ground and looks like a corner of the stone was proken off. There is a small hole that is about big enough for a finger.
Tuck and Wilma hear the commotion of a possible trap, but standing around the corner, they don't see what has drawn the attention of the others. They may, if they choose, crowd up with the others.
Vaniime just a couple of hops, skips, and jumps, but doesn't notice anything out of the ordinary, until Emrys crowds up next to her to look at the broken stone.
Ariach AC 28 (26) fighting defensively/14/19 ; HP 59/59 Monday February 25th, 2013 4:35:32 PM
What are they talking about! There is no trap.....or?
Ariach makes room for Emry who seems to know where they will find the trap.
Tuck HP 42/42 AC 18/18/14 Monday February 25th, 2013 6:53:46 PM
"So, what's the call?" Tuck asks from around the corner. "Do we stay or do we go, now?"
He looks back at Thessa. "How's your foot doing?"
Grell, AC20/13/18, HP68/68 Monday February 25th, 2013 10:23:18 PM
Grell watches Vaniime clear the step, then Emrys moves in for a better look. "Hey uh....you guys need any help over there?"
Emrys ac10, hp25/25. light, prestidigitation, deathwatch, detect magic, guidance d20+14=27 ; d100=29 ; Monday February 25th, 2013 11:13:45 PM
To Tuck's question, Emrys answers, "If we go there will be trouble, an if we stay it will be double."
Emrys then squats down to scrutinize the hole in the wall directly (Perception 27), shining his light into the hole and checking for magical auras. "I'm not sure. I don't think it's a trap, otherwise we would have sprung it by now. It may be nothing, or a hidden key! Why does this all feel so familiar ... like its happened before?"
He whispers words of divination, claps his hands then rubs them together. He then gently reaches into the hole and carefully and slowly feels around.
(Casts Guidance. Leyline: 29. +1 to next attack, save or skill check.)
The room beyond Tuesday February 26th, 2013 9:25:48 AM
Vaniime makes room for Emrys to squat down at her feet, squeezing into the space at the top of the stair.
Emrys' finger finds a catch on the top of the hole, with a deft push he hears a faint click in the wall, followed by another click in the wall behind him.
Vaniime feels the wall behind her shift slightly.
(See the last map)
Once a victim, I mean volunteer, opens the door, they see a fairly luxurious bedroom, or at least the rotting remains of one. What was once a large plush bed is now a pile of decayed linens.
In the north east corner is a rack that holds a scepter, barely, as it to is succumbing to the ravages of time.
Against the north wall is a table, precariously balanced on one leg, the other three having fallen in decay. Sitting on the table is a small wooden box.
Anyone moving into the room will notice a small chest sitting on the floor at the foot of the bed.
Perc DC 15 Highlight to display spoiler: { one corner is moving slightly as something shifts in the pile of linens, there are also several transparent gelatinous oozes on the ceiling scattered about the room. }
Perc DC 18 Highlight to display spoiler: {The box on the table is the first wooden item that does not show any signs of decay, other than the scepter and the chest.}
Wilma; AC17 (+1 Mithril chain shirt); HP35/35 d20+10=20 ; Tuesday February 26th, 2013 3:33:29 PM
"What is it...?" Wilma asked Van and Emrys from her position further away from the door. "Is it safe..?" She was dying of curiosity, but she waited for the pair who could actually see into the area beyond the now-opened secret door to respond. She got the feeling that--if only she could get to the doorway herself--she might be able to scope out how safe (or not) the new area may be...
OOC: Wilma's Perception check is 20.
Ariach AC 28 (26) fighting defensively/14/19 ; HP 59/59 d20+5=12 ; Tuesday February 26th, 2013 6:19:56 PM
Ariach looks around very interested but doesnīt dare to touch parts of the furniture.
Carefully moving into the room Van notices the moving pile, the ceiling oozes and the box on the table and passes the info along with as close to accurate positioning as possible. She moves into the room (somewhere around I-20) so that she is not directly underneath any of the oozes, bow at the ready.
"Yes, we found a secret room ... a bedroom to be precise," Emrys announces to his friends down the stairs. "There are many curious things I see: a scepter, a chest, and a small wooden box; unlike the rest of the furnishings, they appear pristine." Then with a less than enthusiastic tone he continues, "I also see several gray oozes on the ceiling. Oh, and look Vaniime, something moves under the tattered linens on the bed." (What size are these oozes?)
Emrys will also scan what he can see of the room in an attempt to detect magical auras (detect magic). Looking back at Vaniime and the others he asks, "These items could be the keys to our escape. We shouldn't overlook them. I could conjure an Unseen Servant to gather the items for us. The servant has no physical form, therefore will remain unseen to even the oozes' blind senses. Any suggestions?"
If there is a consensus to his plan, then Emrys will conjure his servant and send it in to collect the specter. If the wooden box is unmagical, then he will also attempt to levitate the small box and draw it back to him using a minor transmutation.
(Maybe casting Unseen Servant to collect the Scepter and Mage Hand to grab the small box, if the party agrees.)
Emrys ac10, hp25/25. light, prestidigitation, deathwatch, detect magic, guidance Tuesday February 26th, 2013 8:16:03 PM
(ooc: whoops, Van got her post in just before me.)
Tuck HP 42/42 AC 18/18/14 d20+11=23 ; Tuesday February 26th, 2013 9:09:17 PM
Tuck listens intently as Vaniime and Emrys relay information regarding the room back to the rest.
"More oozes? Are they like the ones we just fought? Be careful with the box. It's strange that it hasn't deteriorated like the other wooden items in this keep. It could be a trap."
Emrys' suggestion sounds wise and Tuck supports it. "Sounds good to me, Emrys."
(Perception 23)
Grell, AC20/13/18, HP68/68 Wednesday February 27th, 2013 6:26:01 AM
At the sound of oozes, Grell grins in anticipation. "You want me to come in there and clobber them for you?" Still, as much as he's itching to get in there and smash some jello, Grell waits for the official word. He doesn't want to mess up whatever Emrys might be trying to do.
The room beyond Wednesday February 27th, 2013 12:05:40 PM Wilma considers letting her curiosity get the better of her, but waits patiently for more information.
From where Ariach stands, he can't see much other than this room also has the indistinct dim light that is pervasive throughout the demiplane.
Vaniime, never one to wait around, boldly steps into the room, dodging the creatures hanging from the ceiling, as she rounds the edge of the bed, she sees the chest that was not visible from the doorway.
Emrys describes the room to the rest of the group standing on the stairs. Emrys is able to count 9 of the oozes hanging from the ceiling. He suggests using a couple of spells to gather the items in the room. (He can't see the chest from the door way). Detect Magic is concentration, Emrys hasn't done enough to break that yet (though disable trap comes close, casting another spell will break the concentration). Emrys' is able to determine that the scepter and the box are magical. If he moves where he can see the chest, it is also giving off a magical aura.
The map should be editable, I have moved Vaniime to I-20; I see no other indications that anyone else has moved.
Tuck asks about the oozes. These are not like the others, they are clear, transparent, nearly invisible when still (think of a glob of clear glass).
Grell looks forward to splashing more ooze gook.
Should Emrys cast unseen servant or mage hand, the detect magic will drop. From where he is standing in the door, the scepter is within range of unseen servant, the box is not. Mage hand is unlikely to work as both objects radiate magical auras.
The oozes on the ceiling do not move, whatever is under the linens continues to occasionally move.
Any update on Thessa?
Wilma; AC17 (+1 Mithril chain shirt); HP35/35 Wednesday February 27th, 2013 3:35:58 PM
"A bedroom...?" Wilma echoed, then--her curiosity getting the better of her--she squeezed her way past the fighters in front of her to stand near the doorway, wedging herself between Emrys and Ariach.
(OOC: Not sure how the DM would put her on the map, but I figure if the squares on it are the usual "one square equals 5 square feet" ratio, then Wilma could conceivably be in the empty space that exists between Emrys and Ariach since squares L22 and M22 combine to make 10 feet in total. Otherwise her movement would push Ariach and Grell back one space each.)
"Hmmm..." the priestess moued, her sapphire eyes scanning the room carefully. "Judging from the placement of this chamber and the condition of some of those things, it's very likely that this was supposed to be Shandresh's quarters. That scepter and the box could have just about any kind of magic protecting them from turning to ooze..." Wilma squinted at the quivering bed clothing.
"Careful, there, Van," she told the ranger, "That pile of jelly on the bed might be another stone-morphing ooze..." She frowned, looking from the bed to the quarterstaff in her right hand.
"I might be able to poke at that thing with my staff...but I'm not sure that's a good idea," Wilma suggested, "I'd have to step into the room to get a little closer."
Ariach AC 28 (26) fighting defensively/14/19 ; HP 59/59 Wednesday February 27th, 2013 4:27:32 PM
His first intention is to push the person back who tries to edges him aside. Such an undisciplined behavior in a marching order is disallowable. But then he sees Wilmaīs delicate features and he opens up to give her room to move forward or to take his position.
Tuck HP 42/42 AC 18/18/14 d20+11=18 ; Wednesday February 27th, 2013 9:02:16 PM
Tuck doesn't like being relegated to the back of the line. He's more action-oriented and feels all anxious being far from the goings-on.
"What the heck is going on up there, guys? The rest of us are sitting ducks here on the stairs. Figure something out."
Tuck moves past Thessa back down the stairs, taking her spot in the rear. He feels better having her between him and any potential ambushers. He scans the area behind them for danger.
(Perception 18)
Thessa - AC:18 (Mage Armor) ; HP: 27 / 27 d20+3=6 ; Wednesday February 27th, 2013 11:25:15 PM [OOC: My apologies. I've been dealing with a power outage - darn old trees. I'm back!]
Thessa had felt a little exposed being left in the back on the stairs as well, so she smiles thankfully at Tuck as he assumes the rear guard. She has her bow in her hand if something should come at them, but knowing how noneffective it was against their previous foes, she is a little dubious about its help.
"I'm sure we'll hear if they run into any trouble. I, for one, am happy to sit for a moment."
She sits on the landing and rubs her foot. Even after Wilma's healing magic mended the bones and ligaments, the nerves seem to be slower to heal. Her foot painfully throbs with a combination of numbness and burning.
Hoping for a bit of peace after their last encounter, she scans the behind them but doesn't see anything in the darkness and dust. [Perception: 6]
"Ahhh, yes," declares Emrys, "the items in question are indeed magical." However Emrys fights off the temptation of gathering the items. Disturbing these objects may provoke a reaction from the oozes. So far, they have shown no reaction to Vaniime as she maneuvered around the room.
"Not with Van in the room," explains Emrys. "I'm holding off gathering the artifacts; it may incite the oozes. Supporting Van is more important now. Be ready to charge into the room if trouble arises!"
Emrys continues to concentrate his divinations within the room. He wishes to detect each aura, it's strength, determine the kinds of magic and possibly identify the scepter that is in plain view.
(Concentrating Detect Magic. Knowledge [Arcana]: 20, 27, & 32 to identify the various magical auras, DC 15+Spell level. Spellcraft: 30, natural 20!! to identify the scepter using Detect Magic, DC 15+Caster level.)
DM: Spellcraft is "used to identify the properties of magic items in your possession through the use of spells such as detect magic and identify." IS Emrys moving into the room and taking possession of these items?
Shandresh's private sanctum Thursday February 28th, 2013 3:04:39 AM
While the party considers the dilemma of Shandresh's bedroom and several members rearrange their marching order on the stairs, Emrys takes a distant look at the objects.
Emrys has not yet moved into the room to get a reading from the chest.
The box is giving off an aura indicating both divine and arcane magic. The scepter is giving off a moderate conjuration aura.
Grell, AC20/13/18, HP68/68 Thursday February 28th, 2013 9:50:20 AM
Grell watches Tuck and Thessa interact, and a small smile forms on his lips.
He turns to Thessa, removes her shoe and briefly examines her foot while he waits for the order to enter the room. Though he knows almost nothing about divine healing, being a warrior and an adopted orc, Grell has had more than his fair share of breaks in the past.
Clearing his throat, Grell takes Thessa's foot and gently works it up and down and around in a couple of circles, being sure to be gentle. "I'm not sure about magically healed wounds, but I've had a couple breaks here and there. The key is once it's set and healing to keep it mobile. You don't wanna push it too hard, but babying it will only take it longer to heal. Oh, and it's gonna ache for a while...even after it's completely healed. Sometimes it helps to warm it by the fire...or maybe you could magic up something. Not hot, but something warm helps with the pain." Finishing his range of motion exercises, Grell helps Thessa put her shoe back on and makes sure that it is well supported to make sure she doesn't accidentally re-injure the healing break.
Vaniime AC 18/14/14, HP:45/45 d20+9=12 ; Thursday February 28th, 2013 2:13:19 PM
Putting away her bow and taking out her sword, Van keeps one eye on the thing moving in/on the bed and the other scanning the cieling to be wary of attacks from above. perception 12
"Ok all, I expect if we touch any of the items we will be neck deep in oozes and we may be anyway if we stay around here too long, so I am open to ideas.
How about I tie a rope around myself and start tossing things out toward the door and then grell and Tuck can pull me out when I become inundated by oozes?"
Wilma; AC17 (+1 Mithril chain shirt); HP35/35 Thursday February 28th, 2013 3:36:14 PM
"Sounds about as good as we're gonna get without any specific protection spells," Wilma agreed. She turned and squeezed past Ariach, this time facing him as she slipped by. She smiled up at him as she went.
"We really ought to stop meeting like this..." she joked, "...people will start to talk..." Once on the other side of the noble warrior, she saw Grell tending to Thessa's foot.
"Are you still hurt, Thessa..?" Wilma asked, holding up the hand with the healing wand in it. "That's funny--I was sure I got you healed up before..."
Ariach AC 28 (26) fighting defensively/14/19 ; HP 59/59 Thursday February 28th, 2013 6:32:42 PM
Ariach smiles back at Wilma when she passes him. Her last statement about Thessaīs healed foot let him suppose that Thessa just act like she is still injured. He heared some older students in Maplehurst once talking about women who do unbelievable things to draw the attention of somebody they like. And observing Grell and Tuck.....it works out pretty well. But maybe he is wrong and her leg is still injured. How should he know it without any experience dealing with this topic.
Tuck HP 42/42 AC 18/18/14 d20+11=27 ; Thursday February 28th, 2013 6:40:40 PM
Tuck gives Grell a quick noogie as he replaces Thessa's shoe.
"Come on, buddy, we are called to the front," he says as he moves past the others. "Who's providing the rope? Mine is in my magic bag, unfortunately. Can't get to it."
At the front, Tuck looks into the room and sees all of the oozes clinging to the ceiling. "Gross," he comments.
(Perception 27)
Grell, AC20/13/18, HP68/68 Thursday February 28th, 2013 11:41:01 PM
Pulling his rope out of his non magical backpack, Grell hands it to Vaniime. "I'd offer to tie the knot for you, but I'm not that great at it." Knowing that it's only 50 foot of rope, Grell worries that it won't be enough. Grabbing the other end, Grell readies himself to yank Van out should the going get rough.
Emrys ac10, hp25/25. light, prestidigitation, deathwatch, unseen servant, guidance d20+14=22 ; Friday March 1st, 2013 12:56:36 AM
(Perception: 22)
Emrys restates a previous idea, "My offer of an Unseen Servant can still help in this mad grab. It can't be seen, has no physicality or be attacked normally (it only takes damage from area effect damage, like from a fireball)."
As he has already thought and explained to others, he thinks the oozes have been magically trained to be guardians. Oozes are normally mindless. Their reactions are purely instinctive, flight or fight. As Vaniime entered the room, neither ooze attacked or slithered away; each exhibiting an unnatural discipline.
The bard looks up at the oozes on the ceiling (you still havent described the oozes' size: tiny, small, med, etc.) and with his deathly gaze, he determines their liveliness (Deathwatch).
"Everyone should get into position to defend against these oozes. My servant can maneuver around or through you if it needs to," Emrys suggests. "I can send my servant after the scepter first."
After everyone is prepared for the coming chaos, Emrys croons a magical tune with his beautiful tenor voice and an unseen presence manifests within the room next to the scepter. "Servant, hold still and await my command." Emrys is following Vaniime's lead and wont command the servant to take the scepter until she makes her first grab.
(Emrys casts Unseen Servant. Duration: 2 hours. Range: 30-ft. Speed: 15-ft. Hp: 6. Invisible and formless. Only damaged by area effects.
DM: Sorry, thought I had posted size, they are tiny.
Wilma; AC17 (+1 Mithril chain shirt); HP35/35 Friday March 1st, 2013 1:13:03 AM
"Oh, hey, sorry, Emrys..." Wilma apologized, thunking her forehead with the heel of the hand she was holding her wand with, "...of COURSE your idea about using your spell ought to work just fine!" The priestess shook her head with a self-recriminating sigh--it was like she'd been letting the concerns for a busy life outside adventuring make her forget that her friend had been right next to her saying logical things...
Vaniime AC 18/14/14, HP:45/45 d20+6=16 ; d20+3=23 ; Friday March 1st, 2013 8:08:05 AM
Ok Emrys, I am going to try and tie my rope around this chest at the foot of the bed and hen I will move out of the room starting tio drag it with me then Grell or Ariach can help pull. Can you send your servant after the box and then the scepter?
Resheathing her sword she removes her rope from the side of her pack and then ties a bowline knot Knowledge Dungeoneering DC 16 in her rope leaving a loop large enough to go around the chest. Ready to move quickly she puts the rope around the chest trying not to physically touch the chest dex DC 23 nat 20.
Holding on to the rope she looks at Emrys. "Everyone ready?" Now!!!!
Thessa - AC:18 (Mage Armor) ; HP: 27 / 27 Friday March 1st, 2013 9:46:02 AM
Although appreciative of Grell's administrations, Thessa finds herself completely caught off-guard by his touch. It had been years since a man had come this close to her and she doesnt know what to do.
As Grell pulls off her boot, she decides that it can do no harm to let him look at it, so she swallows her discomfort and relaxes a bit.
"You're right, Grell. The movement does seem to help." She smiles as his strong hands kneed the muscles and nerves for a few lengthy moments. He seems to have such a kind heart, she thinks to herself. It is such a contrast to his ferocity in battle!
Grell is putting her shoe back on when Wilma passes. "The bones are mended, Wilma, but there seems to be some lingering discomfort. Nothing that won't pass with time..." she pauses and glances briefly back to Grell with a smile, "..as long as I keep it mobile."
[OOC: The game mechanics would say the foot is completely healed and she could dance the Nutcracker on it, but I just decided to indulge a bit of RP. I hope it wasn't to distracting to the main story.]
Hearing Emrys call everyone to arms, she does her best to position herself to see and hear what is going on. It seems they have a plan, but from the back of the pack it'll be difficult to assist in such tight quarters.
Emrys ac10, hp25/25. light, prestidigitation, deathwatch, unseen servant, guidance Friday March 1st, 2013 3:48:51 PM
As Van begins her attempt to pull the chest, Emrys commands his servant to lift the scepter from the rack and bring it to him.
Shandresh's private sanctum Friday March 1st, 2013 4:36:50 PM Emrys, where are you keeping track of spells cast for the day?
Thessa flirts with Grell over her recently healed foot.
Vaniime slings her bow across her shoulders and draws out her sword. It's not obvious if this was a sign or not, as one of the tiny oozes drops from the ceiling and plops onto the ground. (k20)
Feeling left out of the flirting in the rear, Wilma moves back to join Grell and pulls out a wand.
Ariach watches the others.
Tuck decides to get in on the flirting with Thessa before moving up next to Emrys at the entrance to the room. (I have you squeezing with Emrys, do you move into the room?)
Flirting apparently over, Grell pulls some rope from his backpack (kinky flirting now?), and then gives the rope to Vaniime. (I am assuming you walked to her to give it to her, if you are waiting for her to come get it, speak up quickly.)
Emrys then suggests, and casts unseen servant. Or as far as the others are concerned, he said he cast unseen servant. He hopes this will not cause a reaction from the tiny, healthy oozes in the room. The unseen servant stands invisibly, across the room next to the rickety stand holding the scepter.
Wilma decides to wait on further actions to see how Emrys does.
Vaniime states that she is going to tie the rope to the chest and try to drag it out of the room. Apparently she didn't need the rope that Grell tried to hand her, having her own. Tying a bowline knot into a rope, (normally a dex check, if needed) she manages to get it around the chest. The chest is at J19.
Yelling out her readiness, Vaniime gives the rope a tug. The knot slips tight around the chest. Another tug, and another. And the chest remains where it is.
When the servant reaches for the scepter the rack collapses, taking the scepter with it. The servant reaches to pick up the scepter from the floor. (Unseen servant may not perform any action with a DC higher than 10, or requires training)
Please check the map and verify your locations. I have updated the map of the locations of the oozes. Please note that the bed is difficult terrain.
Anyone moving about in the room, please note which squares you move in, or have objects move through.
Ariach AC 28 (26) fighting defensively/14/19 ; HP 59/59 Friday March 1st, 2013 5:02:16 PM
Ariach holds his position. There is no place to move in front of him as long as Tuck and Emry are occupying the entrance to the room.
Tuck HP 42/42 AC 18/18/14 Friday March 1st, 2013 9:25:08 PM
Tuck remains just outside the room. He ties Grell's rope around Vaniime, the idea being to yank her from the room if things go bad. He then lets the rope feed out as Vaniime moves into the room, keeping his hands loosely about it in case he has to pull in a hurry.
DM: Please look at the map, Vaniime has been in the room for some time. She has not stated she moved from the position she placed herself in.
Tuck HP 42/42 AC 18/18/14 Saturday March 2nd, 2013 8:14:03 PM OOC - Copy that. Can we get the map link posted in each DM post so we don't have to go back to past posts to get it?
Tuck waits just outside of the room, ready to rush in should things get dicey.
Emrys ac10, hp25/25. light, prestidigitation, deathwatch, unseen servant, guidance d20+14=15 ; Sunday March 3rd, 2013 5:56:46 PM
"Bring me the scepter, servant," commands Emrys. The servant, having picked up the dropped scepter (in the last round as a move-equivalent action), makes his way back to his master. Emrys will step into the doorway (L21) and takes the scepter from it.
(Using a double move action, the unseen servant should be able to move across the bed to L20, even if the bed is difficult terrain for a force. Heck, they can walk across water. Or if the servant is not allowed for some reason to cross the bed, it can move around the bed and end up at either K20 or K21.)
Emrys is too focused on his servant and the scepter, he doesn't notice much else. (Perception: 15)
(Which square is the small box in exactly? I don't want to assume, since there isn't a legend indicating what the colored boxes represent, other than the red doors.)
Vaniime AC 18/14/14, HP:45/45 d20+6=12 ; d20+10=17 ; d10+4=5 d20+10=20 d10+4=10 Sunday March 3rd, 2013 6:20:18 PM
Dropping the rope, Van's face takes on a look of rage not seen before by her friends.
"By Domi's hammer!! You do not have permission to be in my head. Get out of it NOW!!!"
Sensing and hearing the ooze that drops right behind her Vaniime swings with her sword (AoO) AC 17 for 5 points damage and follows that up with a full attack AC 20 for 10 more points damage
Wilma; AC17 (+1 Mithril chain shirt); HP35/35 Sunday March 3rd, 2013 10:14:55 PM
OOC: I second Tuck's OOC...here's the link to the updated map:
Grell, AC20/13/18, HP68/68 Monday March 4th, 2013 6:33:34 AM
OOC: Well since Vaniime is in the room already, I guess Grell will have to go in to hand it to her. That leaves Tuck holding the other end.
Having finished tying the rope around Vaniime, Grell readies himself to head back when he sees her outburst. Momentarily confused, Grell watches Van light into the ooze next to her, Grell spins and keeps his eye on the other ooze (K20)...not sure if he should attack it. "You want me to slash this one to bits?"
Shandresh's retribution d20+10=20 ; d20+7=27 ; d20+7=8 ; d4=4 ; d20+7=24 ; d4=1 ; d20+7=20 ; d4=3 ; d20+7=20 ; d4=1 ; d20+7=21 ; d4=1 ; d20+7=20 ; d4=2 ; d20+7=17 ; d20+7=24 ; d4=3 ; Monday March 4th, 2013 11:25:43 AM Emrys instructs his unseen servant to bring the scepter to him, and takes it in hand. Emrys has no trouble feeling Shandresh's malevolence when his fingers curl around the handle of the scepter. Please make a will save.
Vaniime drops the rope, and yells at one of the ooze's to get out of her head before swinging wildly at an ooze. Her blade slices into the ooze spraying ooze goo. (the oozes in H19 and J19 on the map are within range of you, but did not drop. o2 is the one that dropped and not within range of an AoO. I am assuming you attacked one of those in range (I'm assuming H19 since it would be the closest to 'behind' you.)
Grell ducks Vaniime's swing and finishes tying a knot in a rope around her waist before inquiring about more mayhem on innocent little tiny, almost cute oozes.
The others stand in the door and hall watching, or listening to their companions in the room. feel free to jump in at any time
Whatever it was, change has occurred. Maybe it was the crashing of the rack and scepter. Maybe it was Grell or Emrys coming into the room, or Emrys placing his hand on the scepter. It could have been Vaniime's unprovoked attack. Needless to say, the status quo has been unbalanced.
The ooze that dropped to the ground (k20) jumps at Emrys as he takes the scepter in hand. Grell, being somewhat quick on his feet, is able to swing at the ooze as it jumps through the air at Emrys' head. His blow is true and a spray of goo splatters across the bed. Emrys may attempt an attack of opportunity OR a reflex save DC 13. The K17 ooze seems to fly across the ceiling before jumping at Emrys. If Emrys made an AoO on the first one, he may attempt a reflex save on this one, DC 13. One of the oozes at J19 also jumps for Emrys, requiring another AoO or reflex save, also DC 13. Vaniime was able to swing at this ooze, slicing into it as well. (Total damage to avoid is acid of 4, 1, 3)
The other ooze that was hanging over the chest jumps at Grell. Having already made an AoO you may attempt a reflex save, DC 13. Acid damage of 1. One of the oozes at I18 also jumps at Grell, forcing another reflex save, DC 13 to avoid 1 point of acid damage.
Vaniime finds herself the center of attention as the other ooze from I18 jumps at her, requiring a reflex save, DC 13 to avoid 2 points of acid damage. The ooze she first hit also jumps at her, but misses her head by inches to land at her feet. Another ooze also makes a run at Vaniime, forcing another reflex save DC 13, to avoid 3 points of acid damage.
The last visible ooze moves over the table holding the box at I16.
Anyone attacked by an ooze may attempt an AoO (assuming they have any left) OR a reflex save. Making an AoO or failing the reflex save results in the listed acid damage as the ooze engulfs your head. This also renders you blind, deaf, nauseated, and you will start to suffocate.
Thessa, perception DC 20 Highlight to display spoiler: {A rock slides down from the ceiling in the room behind you and encloses the doorway. Since the light is indirect and comes from everywhere, there is no change in the dim lighting of the stairway. The wall is 10' at the base of the stairs.}
Here is the map, if you use google docs, it should show up in your shared with you docs list once you look at it, much easier than hunting back through old posts. bedroom map
Emrys ac10, hp22/25. light, prestidigitation, deathwatch, unseen servant d20+9=25 ; d20+6=18 ; d20+5=21 ; d20+5=10 ; Monday March 4th, 2013 1:58:40 PM
(Will Save: 25. If the effect is an Enchantment, which is what it sounds like, Emrys gets an additional racial bonus of +2 (27). If the effect is also "language-dependent," he gets an additional +4 (31).
Emrys can feel the influence of Shandresh when he clutches her unholy scepter. Her will is strong! "You... you MISERABLE, WRETCHED HAG!! How DARE you!!"
Emrys moves with guile and grace, as if he already knew the oozes' attacks were coming. However, the third got lucky.
(Reflex saves: 18, 21, & 10. Guidance was used on the first one. Damage: 3. Since the Will save DC is a mystery, I don't know how to react and complete my post.)
DM: The will save was neither enchantment or language based. As you take hold of the scepter, you hear a voice in your head, "another recruit? You come to join Shandreth in service to Ga'al? You must stop the others! They defile Ga'al!" In addition, you find a chill washing over you from your hand throughout your body, as you feel some of your strength leave you. You have one negative level resulting in a penalty of -1 to all ability checks, attack rolls, combat maneuver checks, CMD, saving throws, and skill checks. Your HP is reduced by 5. Fortunately, this penalty did not effect any of your saves. You realize the scepter in your hand is much more than a simple tool.
Wilma; AC17 (+1 Mithril chain shirt); HP35/35 d20+8=27 ; d6+8=14 ; Monday March 4th, 2013 5:07:01 PM
"What's happening???" Wilma cried from her relatively blinded position in the hallway. Hearing the hullabaloo prompts her to push forward towards the spot she had occupied before, ending up between Tuck and Ariach. Seeing the oozes now attempting to engulf Emrys, the young cleric instinctively tries to smite whichever of the gelatinous creatures is closest to her in an effort to try to knock if off the witchy bard...
OOC: Wilma now occupies the middle of the space encompassed by L22 and M22. Her +1 quarterstaff hits AC27 for 14hp damage. As I'm not sure which of the oozes that are trying to dogpile on poor Emrys, I'll leave it up to the DM to pick which ooze she tried to hit.
DM: If I had just a bit more evil in me, I might think it was the one that was on his head. You will need to pick a spot that is not already occupied, these are 5'x5' squares. You can move through your companions, but attacking from a shared square is out. You may move through a square occupied by the oozes due to their size.
Emrys ac10, hp22/25. light, prestidigitation, deathwatch, unseen servant d20+5=12 ; Monday March 4th, 2013 5:47:31 PM
(ooc: i didnt read the dm post careful enough. I thought it was only acid damage. Didnt realize Emrys' head was engulfed by ooze. Using hero point to reroll that failed save. Refex save: 12, crap! Missed it by that much!)
Ariach AC 28 (26) fighting defensively/14/19 ; HP 59/59 d20+6=15 ; d8+4=5 ; Monday March 4th, 2013 6:18:25 PM
From one second to the other the whole world has changed in the small hallway. The young fighter hears screams, orders and the noise of battle. Ariach thrusts himself forward to see what happens in the room. As he figures out that Emry is in big trouble he tries to support the bard. He goes closer to the door and shares space with Tuck. (L22) From there he fights the oozes in his regular manner. (fighting defensively)
(hits AC 15 for 5 damage)
Emrys ac10, hp17/20. light, prestidigitation, deathwatch, unseen servant Monday March 4th, 2013 7:46:35 PM
Emrys' finds himself in total darkness, without sound, retching from sickness and suffocating ... and there is absolutely nothing he can do about it. He can't help himself. He can't cast a spell. He can't strike back or even attempt to pull the tiny ooze off of him. He will be dead soon, completely at the mercy of his friends and the gods themselves. All he has the mind to do is try and move back into the hall, if he can remember the way with all his panic and delirium clouding his judgement.
(Nauseated condition only allows a single move action a round, nothing else. I don't even think I'm allowed a Wisdom check or save to figure out which way to go, especially when blind and deaf, so I guess I move in a random direction.)
Tuck HP 42/42 AC 18/18/14 d20+11=21 ; d20+6=16 ; d8+2=4 ; Monday March 4th, 2013 7:46:40 PM
As the oozes descend upon his friends in the room and Wilma and Ariach start to crowd into Tuck's personal bubble, he decides to take action. With a grunt, he propels himself from the ground and leaps into the room, bounding off the wall with his feet to land on the opposite side of Emrys.
He spins back towards the bard and soccer kicks one of the slimes not on Emrys' head at the moment.
(Acrobatics check 21 to move through threatened square and avoid attack of opportunity. Moves to L20 and hits AC 16 for 4 damage.)
Grell, AC20/13/18, HP68/68 d20+3=23 ; d20+3=21 ; d20+11=15 ; 2d6+12=19 ; Monday March 4th, 2013 11:13:40 PM
In an almost unatural set of twisting motions (Ref. 23 and 21!), Grell manages to dodge not one, but both of the oozes that attempt to smother him. His face distorting in rage, the warrior decides that play time is OVER. "You sons of Ga'al are going DOWN!!!"
Deciding that the overgrown jellos aren't too hard to hit, Grell tries for a Power Attack, wanting to slice up his oozes so he can head over to help Emrys as soon as possible. (AC15 for 19) Overflexing his triceps, Grell feels the attack go too high and can only hope that it is still successful against the jiggler in front of him (o5).
Wilma; AC17 (+1 Mithril chain shirt); HP35/35 Tuesday March 5th, 2013 1:03:11 PM OOC: I didn't think Wilma could move through a square that had enemies in it (which is what the square that has poor Emrys in it contains), but if she CAN get to it, then Wilma will go to L20 and smack the "non-head" ooze that is on Emrys.
"THESSA!!!" Wilma yelled as she tried to beat an ooze off the rapidly-being-smothered Emrys. "We could use your missiles right about now!!! Emrys has a jelly-beast surrounding his head!"
DM Ezra: Normally that is true, however when you get to tiny and smaller then it gets waived, though you may provoke AoO's.
Vaniime AC 18/14/14, HP:45/45 d20+8=21 ; d20+8=21 ; d20+10=19 ; d10+4=11 ; d20+10=21 ; d10+4=9 ; Tuesday March 5th, 2013 2:49:10 PM
Dodging all the acid slime coming her way, Van decides that perhaps she should start getting a bit more serious and decides to "Cleave" through her opponent O1 AC 19 for 11 points and then through O7 AC 21 for 9 points sending little bits of ooze flying across the room.
""Yo! Those of you not yet in here, we could use some help.""
Current AC for Van this round 16/12/13
Jelly Heads d20+3=11 ; d2=2 ; d20+7=25 ; d2=1 ; d4=4 ;d20+7=14 ; d20+7=25 ; d4=3 ; d4=4 ; d20+7=9 ; d4=3 ; d20+7=19 ; d20+7=12 ; d20+7=13 ; d20+7=9 ; Tuesday March 5th, 2013 5:24:29 PM OOC: I see Thessa is MIA... a few days ago Tom posted about power outages, anyone have any news?
Thessa appears to be preoccupied with staring at her shoes, oblivious to the cries for help from her companions, and fails to notice the wall sliding down behind the party.
Emrys finds himself holding a scepter that wants to use him, but doesn't like him, and his head engulfed by an ooze.
Ariach tries to squeeze into the doorway with Tuck and finds that two people do not fit well in one doorway, spoiling his attack, maybe he should have moved into the room to give himself fighting room.
Emrys Emrys stumbles about trying to find the doorway, instead he finds Tuck and Ariach bumping shoulders.
Tuck realizes that too many people in too little space is bad when sharp objects come out and quickly jumps past Emrys and the oozes and delivers a swift kick to one of the oozes (o3). I have you in k20 as Wilma's rewrite gets her to L20 before you.
Meanwhile, Grell strikes at an ooze that is shorter than he expected and his mad swing slices only air.
Wilma yells for Thessa's help, while moving past the oozes that missed Emrys. Both of whom consider the new source of food. Taking your previous roll and statement of intent to attack as an AoO on the first one to try for you. Wilma deftly strikes one of them as it flies at her head. While she did considerable damage, it was not enough to keep the ooze from landing on its target, her head. The second jumps wide and misses. Thessa takes 4 points of acid damage and finds herself engulfed.
Vaniime realizes that play nice time is over and swings her elven blade at the oozes around her, slicing through the oozes that attacked her. Her blows were true, but only wounding two of the three oozes.
o1 jumps up at Vaniime, and Vaniime may take an attack of opportunity or reflex save DC 13, against 3 points of acid damage and engulfment.
o2 has engulfed Wilma's head and does 4 points of acid damage. The ooze appears to be barely hanging on. (1st round)
o3 jumps at Tuck and misses.
o4 has engulfed Emrys head and does 3 points of acid damage.
o5 jumps at Grell and misses.
o6 joins its companion in an attempt to swallow Grells head, but collides with o5 and falls to the ground.
o7 considers the elf Vaniime to be a viable source of protein but will have to wait before sampling the feast.
o8 can't help itself from jumping at Vaniime as well. Unfortunately, three oozes all trying for the same target only find each other.
o9 does nothing.
Emrys continues to feel a coldness from the scepter in his hand, but he also gets an out of body sensation, multiple sensations piled on each other. Emrys feels a mild sense of pain as if he was struck four times. These feelings are difficult to sort out while he gasps for breath while his head is inside a blob of jelly. Emrys may spend his action to consider these new feelings.
Wilma; AC17 (+1 Mithril chain shirt); HP35/35 Tuesday March 5th, 2013 7:02:23 PM OOC:Here's the LINK TO THE UPDATED MAP in case anyone else needs it.
If I may ask whether or not Wilma's Blindfighting ability will allow her to (I'm wincing already) literally smack herself in the head--obviously she's hitting at the ooze on her head, but I suspect this one is gonna hurt the cleric a bit. Anyhow--is this possible?
And, if nobody else can pick up the gauntlet, I'll post for Thessa until Tom can get back to us.
DM Ezra: Interesting question, if you want to grapple it, you could try that easily. Hitting it with your mace would still impose a chance to hit it too hard and smack yourself.
Tuck HP 42/42 AC 22/22/18 +4 AC Monk Bonus d20+9=14 ; d20+6=12 ; d20+6=24 ; d8+2=6 ; Tuesday March 5th, 2013 9:10:52 PM
Using his ki, Tuck makes a slight alteration in his stance and vastly enhances his defensive awareness.
Tuck attempts to grab the ooze from Emrys' head and rip it off the bard.
(Using 1 ki point to gain +4 AC for 1 round. Attempting to grapple the ooze on Emrys' head, if that's even a possibility. Grapple attempt is 14. If it is not an option, Tuck uses Flurry of Blows on the ooze on Emrys' head, hitting AC 12 & 24 for 6 damage.)
Thessa - AC:18 (Mage Armor) ; HP: 27 / 27 d20+3=16 ; d4+1=5 ; d4+1=3 ; Tuesday March 5th, 2013 9:20:22 PM
[OOC: Dear goodness. What a mess. I'm here! I'll be here for today and tomorrow, but may need a sub for Thursday(pm) and Friday. I've got to drive to Virginia. My sister is back from Afghanistan and going in for brain surgery. Can someone tell God to turn off the pouring rain please?]
After a moment of clouded thought, Thessa does indeed leap toward the sounds of commotion. She sees Ariach swing awkwardly through the doorway and almost slides into him as she tries to see what is going on in the room.
"Dear gods!" she exclaims when she sees the ooze around Emrys' head suffocating him. The horrible memory of her own bones crunching under the squeezing grip of these things brings bile to her throat and all she can think of is freeing him from similar pain before the ooze turns stony.
She knows an arrow is unlikely to do enough if they hit and her magic missiles are spent. In a desperate action she grasps her necklace tightly in her fist and focuses, forcing herself to recall the words to a Magic Missile spell. She can do this only once, but if it helps free Emrys, it will be worth it.
If she can still see him from M22, she steps back to there (she doesn't notice the wall closing - Perception: 16), else she will push her way past Ariach into K21 and cast from there.
Two missiles slam into the ooze on Emrys' head. Please, she thinks to herself, let this work!
Thessa - AC:18 (Mage Armor) ; HP: 27 / 27 Tuesday March 5th, 2013 9:21:24 PM
Total damage: 5 + 3 (8) from the missiles.
Vaniime AC 18/14/14, HP:45/45 d20+10=22 ; d10+4=7 ; d20+10=28 ; d20+10=24 ; d10+4=7 ; d10+4=11 ; d20+8=21 ; Tuesday March 5th, 2013 11:13:22 PM
Again dodging the acidy goop, Reflex DC 21 Van continues her attack connecting with another "cleave" through O1 Ac 22 for 7 points and chopping through O7 AC28 (crit threat) AC 24 (crit confirmed) for 7 and 11 points.
Wilma; AC17 (+1 Mithril chain shirt); HP 31/35 d20+8=21 ; d6+8=14 ; Wednesday March 6th, 2013 1:00:34 AM OOC: It's merely the "eye end" of her quarterstaff, thank you! (No doubt it will sting enough, but the way I've been rolling lately, I need the extra plus-es from using Gargul's favored weapon.) Okay...here goes:
The first thought through Wilma's red head as it suddenly became engulfed in goo was 'Well...this isn't what I was hoping for..!' Then the searing pain of acid on her face amended that to 'OWWWWWWWWWWWWW!'
Then she got mad.
Lifting her right hand high, Wilma deliberately struck at the side of her own skull, making it a sort of scraping blow in an effort to hit/scrape the amorphous blob off her head.
One thing for sure--after this particular adventure, Wilma was never going to look at aspic the same way ever again (providing she survived, of course!)
OOC: Wilma's blow strikes AC21 for 14hp damage. I can only hope that she doesn't accidentally knock herself silly in her desperation to be freed of the murderous ooze.
Emrys ac10, hp17/20. light, prestidigitation, deathwatch, unseen servant d20+9=19 ; d100=38 ; Wednesday March 6th, 2013 2:22:22 AM
So many strange sensations Emrys is feeling; none of which he can describe. At first all he can see is blackness. Then comes a constellation of flashes, points of light and nebulae of fleeting colors and swirling dust like particles. He hears nothing but the internal sounds of his bodies organs and the gurgling in his throat. The loudest of these is the beating of his own frantic heart. Its beat calms and becomes almost hypnotic. Even time seems to slow to a still and suddenly he hears the words, "The forest cried ...." Emrys opens his eyes, and he finds himself in one of his favorite places, a circle of standing stones not far from his home in Culverheart. He sits up and realizes he was lying on one of the stones that have fallen over. "The forest cried the day you died." "What?" says Emrys, quite aroused by such a statement. "I'm not dead! That's what they say about my mother ... the forest cried the day SHE died!" He looks around wildly to find the origin of the speaker.
"Who are you talking to," asks an unfamiliar voice from an unfamiliar woman, who comes out from behind a standing stone nearby. "I said, who are you talking to? Only you and I are here." Emrys immediately asks, "Who are you then?" The woman smiles, "Silly child, you know who I am . Say my name!" Emrys looks her over, notices the priestly robes, the symbol of Gaal. "I know who you are ... I'm not saying your name. Your name represents everything I find repugnant." The priestess fails to soften her now stern expression from the insult. Her voice almost hisses as she replies, "You speak bravely for a coward. Such comments would normally earn a painful death. And I may still kill you, but before I do, you will say my name with love in your heart. Your blood is too young, your mind too fresh to be expected to act responsibly. Gaal can remove your burdens with his divine authority. You will be dead soon, only Gaal can save you. You know it to be true." Emrys suddenly begins to choke, his heart bursting in his chest again. He flops back down on the stone in the struggle.
"The forest will cry the day you die ... but not today, my child." The Gaalian priestess hears it this time, and now she sees it as well. Stepping back, she becomes visibly surprised and disturbed with the appearance of a very ancient elven man. Thoroughly outraged and barely able to contain her anger, she bellows, "Who are you ... you shouldn't be here?!" The ancient elf ignores her comments completely and speaks only to Emrys. "Don't be afraid, young Emrys, for I am Myrridan the First." When he utters this, Emrys finds relief from the pains of the Awakened Wold.
"Myrridan ... you have my father's name," replies Emrys. Myrridan the First answers with a warm smile, "We are all Myrridan, and we are many." All around the ancient circle of standing stones, people of every description suddenly appear, representatives of all the noble races: dwarves, elves, halflings, gnomes and humans. Those nearest to Emrys introduce themselves, "Aye, my name is Myrridan Mithril Heart." "I'm Myrridan the Red." "Hello, I'm Myrridan the Seeker." "I'm Myrridan the Blackthorn..." the names keep coming and going and seem to echo and overlap as all the Myrridans seem to be speaking together like a choir. Myrridan the First explains, "Myrridan is not just a name, it's a title. We are all an ancient order of stewards that serve the Mother Wold. There is only one Myrridan at any moment in time. When one Myrridan dies, another is soon chosen. It's a mantle we've all had to bear. Your father, Myrridan the Wild, is the current incarnation."
Thoroughly confused, a wide-eyed Emrys asks, "Are you saying that I'm to be the next Myrridan?!" "I'm afraid not, our calling was not meant for you. You weren't even meant to be born. We Myrridan are not able to bear children." Myrridan the Red speaks up from behind the First, "At least we weren't able until your father so cleverly bent the rules. Of course, there was a cost." The Red turns his head and looks down a path to the left. The host of Myrridans part, allowing an open path for a beautiful woman who arrives from the forest's mist. As she comes closer, Emrys is overwhelmed by her beautiful. She is a fey, a nymph presumably, maybe something else. He's never seen her before, yet she seems so familiar. Tears begin to stream from his eyes when he realizes ... she is his mother! Emrys runs to her and they meet in the most loving embrace. The Gaalian priestess, now surrounded by Myrridans, recoils at the spectacle.
"I always tried to seek you out, learn all about you, but speaking of you brought so much pain to those who suffer your loss. I suffer as well," cries Emrys. "I never knew you ... you're fey ... wait, I'm fey?!" "Yes, Emrys. I was a dryad in life and you are my baby boy, my child. I never left you, I was always there. I'm with you still, even in that horrible fortress ... we all are!" Emrys had completely forgotten about the fortress, his friends, the ooze on his head. The realization suddenly hits him that he needs to go back. "Don't listen to that misguided and unfortunate priestess; your blood is not young. You are fey, your bloodline is ancient, and it flows back to the Wold's Cradle," proclaims his mother. Myrridan the First then speaks, "You are the begotten son of the Myrridan, a line that extends back to the First Age of the Living Wold." Myrridan the First looks back the Gaalian priestess for the first time and says, "She has no authority over your blood ... you can defeat her."
Back in the fortress, Emrys is being jostled around by oozes and his friends, and for a brief moment he had not moved. Emrys is confused about where he is in the bedroom or whose around him. With the ooze on his head, he's been reduced to a mere leaf on the breeze, knocked about by the forces all around him. However, he knows that the floor is beneath his feet, that is the only thing he's currently certain about. He takes the scepter in his hand like a hammer and slams it into the stone floor as hard as he can in an attempt to break it.
Attack of the TINY Oozes!!! d100=29 ; d20+7=24 ; d4=1 ; d20+7=26 ; d4=4 ; d20=17 ; d4=2 ; d20+7=17 ; d20+7=12 ; d20+7=23 ; d4=4 ; d20+7=23 ; d4=3 ; Wednesday March 6th, 2013 3:40:04 PM Wow, Carl and I needed some extra time to absorb this. Emrys, you definitely need to add that to your background on your char sheet, it has DM hooks written all over it!
OOC: Our prayers for your sister.
Tuck manages to grab hold of the ooze attached to Emrys, the creature, and by extension, Emrys are now grappled. Tuck may attempt a STR check next round to yank the ooze from Emrys head.
Thessa reacts to the sounds of her companions and rushes up the stairs, seeing Emrys struggling with a glob of jelly on his head she looses a pair of shimmery missiles of pure magical energy at the ooze, both missiles find the ooze through Tuck's hands. Good thing Emrys is deafened already. Thessa may attempt another perception check at DC 20 to notice the wall (it is now at the landing).
Vaniime, ever quick on her feet, dodges the attacks of the oozes with a desire for elfmeat. Her swings are art themselves as she deftly swings her sword about her, slicing into the creatures. Both are seriously wounded with copious amounts of floods splashed about.
Wilma is seen to try and hit herself in the head with her staff, unfortunately, there is an ooze in the way! She manages to rip the creature apart as its lifeless body slides off her head to splatter on the ground.
Emrys experiences hallucinations as he valiantly tries to hold his breath against the ravages of the ooze. Emrys raises the scepter over his head and tries to smash it against the floor. As he swings the scepter, his body is plagued with heaves of nausea as one of the sensations peaks in agony and is no longer sensed. Emrys does little more than cause a dull thud as the head of the scepter crashes into the ground. You refuse Ga'al? Then I shall find another more worthy! Emrys feels the scepter turn to liquid and slip from his fingers. With the loss of the scepter the out of body sensations stop as well, leaving Emrys with Tuck's hands embedded into the ooze engulfing his head.
Ariach seems to be at a loss for words, or actions, as he watches his companions struggle against the small creatures.
Grell considers the two creatures at its feet to the extent that he forgets they are hostile.
o1 now frantic to find foor struggles to attack Vaniime. Can Vaniime dodge this attack as well?
o2 is a lifeless puddle of slippery ooze at Vaniime's feet.
o3 finds the motionless Ariach a valid meal source and jumps. Ariach has an option for an AoO or a reflex against DC 13. Acid damage to avoid is 4.
o4 struggles to disengage Tuck's fingers in its flesh. IT's struggles are insufficient as it's body continues to work on dissolving the fine elven features of Emrys (2 acid damage).
o5 jumps at Grell again, but misses.
o6 also jumps at Grell, and while the two oozes didn't collide with each other, they both overshot to sail over Grell's head.
o7 apparently learned from its earlier attempt at elf fodder and jumps directly at Vaniime's head (AoO or reflex DC 13 to avoid 4 points of acid damage).
o8 almost as if they have learned to coordinate from last time, the ooze also finds itself having found the right trajectory to get it to Vaniime's head. AoO or reflex DC 13 to avoid 3 points of acid damage).
o9 quivers in anticipation, but remains hanging from the ceiling.
The scepter that turned to ooze and slipted from Emrys' fingers reforms into the scepter and is on the ground at his feet.
Ariach AC 26/14/19 ; HP 59/59 d20+10=25 ; d8+4=7 ; d20+10=17 ; d8+4=10 ; Wednesday March 6th, 2013 4:38:22 PM
Scared to confuse Emry while walking by him, Ariach decided to hold back his attacks. But as one ooze jumps at him he swings his flail.
(AoO hits AC 25 for 7 damage)
Now sure that time to wait is over, he attacks the ooze fighting with Emry.
(attacks o4 - hits AC 17 for 10 damage)
Thessa - AC:18 (Mage Armor) ; HP: 27 / 27 d20+3=14 ; Wednesday March 6th, 2013 5:24:49 PM
[Perception: 14 - Have I shared that Thessa is probably the least observant Elf in all the Wold?? ]
Out of useful offensive spells, Thessa wracks her brain for other ideas to help Emrys. There are simply too many bodies, hands, and weapons surrounding Emrys' head that there is no way to get in a useful blow. She calls up another spell and hopes that the next strike she will make will be accomplish something useful. (True Strike)
Wilma; AC17 (+1 Mithril chain shirt); HP 31/35 d8+5=6 ; Wednesday March 6th, 2013 7:52:43 PM
The unmistakeable (and decidedly unladylike) sound of someone hocking a loogie came from Wilma as she spat away the slimy remnants of the gooey creature she just barely managed to kill. Gods, this was all way too disgusting for words! To be sure, Wilma had never been overly fastidious of her appearance, but she didn't need to be as exacting in hygiene as Emrys normally was to find being encased in slime completely repugnant!
Emrys...!
Her sapphire eyes widened when she perceived the fae-like bard's skin to be turning slightly blue--though it was hard to be sure since he had a thick layer of hungry, hungry oozes trying to digest him. His head was still completely covered by suffocating slime.
What to do???
Almost as an afterthought, the priestess lifted her left hand--the one with her healing wand in it--and used a charge to help the injured half-elf try to survive his ordeal...
OOC; And my suckage with the dice roller continues. Wilma heals Emrys of 6hp damage.
Tuck HP 42/42 AC 18/18/14 d20+2=20 ; d20+14=28 ; d8+2=9 ; Wednesday March 6th, 2013 9:08:48 PM
With a feral yell, Tuck rips (or at least attempts to rip) the ooze from Emrys' head. Pulling it away from his friend, he begins to crush the disgusting slime between his hands. Tuck's face is painted by a terrible bloodlust, a hideous desire to destroy this thing that would hurt his friends.
(Strength check 20. Grapple check to maintain and damage slime 28 (+5 to the normal +9 for it not escaping the previous round). Damage 9. Let me know if I did any of this incorrectly. Still trying to grasp how grappling works.)
Emrys ac10, hp23/25. light, prestidigitation, deathwatch, unseen servant d20-2=5 ; Wednesday March 6th, 2013 11:00:12 PM
It's probably a good thing that Emrys is not a witness to all the sharp, pointy and blunt weaponry begin flung at his face. In his panic for survival, not much is being processed in his mind, other than, 'GET IT OFF, GET IT OFF, GET IT OFF!!!'
He can feel someone pulling on his head. Emrys struggles to help and pulls against it. In a kind of slimy tug-of-war; hoping to stretch that little bastard to its breaking point. With his free hand, he attempts to claw and peel the ooze from his face (Str check: 5).
Emrys is beginning to feel really woozy. His exertion is only expediting his loss of consciousness.
DM Ezra: I forgot to mention that the negative level also left when the scepter slipped through your fingers.
Vaniime AC 18/14/14, HP:45/45 d20+8=17 ; d20+8=18 ; d20+10=21 ; d10+4=10 ; d20+10=15 ; d10+4=5 ; Thursday March 7th, 2013 7:46:44 AM
Dodging the flying oozes once again reflex DCs 17 & 18 Van once again goes on the attack cleaving into O1AC 21 for ten points. and and then aims a return strike at O7 AC15 for 5 points.
Current AC: 16/12/12
Grell, AC18/13/16, HP68/68 Rage Rd. 1/8 d20+14=30 ; 2d6+16=21 ; Thursday March 7th, 2013 5:25:58 PM
Anger burns in his mind, and for a time it's so distracting that Grell doesn't even remember what he was doing. Then the oozes jump for him again. Kill...kill the slimy things! Yes, that's what he needs to do!! Roaring in anger, Grell grips his hilt until his knuckles are white and slams his sword down with reckless bone crushing force on the hapless ooze in front of him (o5). (AC29 for 21) Spittle flies as Grell continues to scream at the shambling goop, unable to form words anymore.
Wilma; AC17 (+1 Mithril chain shirt); HP 31/35 Thursday March 7th, 2013 8:00:38 PM
In the heat of battle and the intense need to do something helpful in the fight, Wilma's temporal perspective s-t-r-e-t-c-h-e-s out this round of combat, making it seem (to her) that it lasts forever...
Attack of the TINY Oozes!!! Thursday March 7th, 2013 10:35:09 PM sorry boys and girls, one of my kids decided to start hurling in the truck, all over his brother. It was a decidedly unplaned event that has thrown my day off.
I'll be posting an edit to this so please bear with me and thank you for your patience, as I work on your continued demise.
Emrys ac10, hp23/25. light, prestidigitation, deathwatch, unseen servant Thursday March 7th, 2013 11:19:05 PM
Hmmm, I wonder who the "hurler" would be.
Unseen servant (Stephen) Friday March 8th, 2013 12:23:14 PM
The unseen servant, having yet to receive another request from his master, is magically bound to repeat the previous command. It picks up the newly formed scepter and presents it to Emrys.
DM: When did you instruct the Unseen Servant to repeat that activity?
Ariach AC 26/14/19 ; HP 59/59 d20+10=28 ; d8+4=11 ; Friday March 8th, 2013 5:09:49 PM
In the intention to protect and help his friend Ariach will attack any ooze in reach of his flail.
(hits AC 28 for 11 damage)
Attack of the TINY Oozes!!! d20=7 ; d4=4 ; d4=2 ; d3=1 ; Friday March 8th, 2013 7:23:08 PM The kid was still puking, next DM post will be Monday unless Carl gets one in earlier. I totally misread the oozes, I've been making attack rolls to see if they engulf you, they don't need to make a roll! Wonder how many would be dead if I hadn't missed that...
Ariach recovers from his momentary distraction and attacks the ooze flying at his face. While his aim is true, it doesn't keep him from finding his own head engulfed by blubbering jelly, as he takes 4 points of acid damage and finds himself blind, deaf, and nauseated. Which is probably fortunate as he blindly tries to swing his flail at Emrys' head. Since your AoO was not enough to kill it, you are engulfed before you take your action.
Thessa is growing frantic and prepares a spell to increase her chances of striking with her next blow.
Wilma gives aid to Emrys, healing some of the damage the acid has been doing to his face.
Tuck squeezes down upon the hapless ooze, an ooze just looking for a meal, and manages to tear it off of Emrys, taking some of the elf's skin with it.
Emrys finally finds himself freed of the ooze that was ensconced on his head. And the scepter lies at this feet, maybe now he can devote more energy if he wishes to try and destroy it again.
Vaniime continues to play slice and dice with the oozes looking for elf chow. Her strikes kill one, but just miss the other.
Grell recovers form his appreciation of Vaniime's fighting style and sheathes his sword in the soft mound of gelatinous ooze at his feet.
o4 turns its appetite from the tasty head to the less tasty fingers driven into its flesh. Tuck takes 2 acid damage.
o5 jumps at Grell, who may make a Reflex save, at -2 from grappled, DC 13.
o6 jumps at Grell as well, Reflex save DC 13, -2 from grappled.
o7 jumps at Vaniime's head, requiring another Reflex save, DC 13, or AoO.
o8 jumps at Vaniime's head, requiring another Reflex save, DC 13.
o9 continues to hang from the ceiling, it appears to be waiting for something.
010 had gotten tangled in the rotten beddings and has now oozed out from under the bed, and promptly joins the meal train, jumping at Wilma, AoO or Reflex save, DC 13.
The scepter remains on the ground, it looks so harmless from this viewpoint.
Thessa and Ariach may make Perc checks, DC 20 Highlight to display spoiler: {The stone wall is now blocking the lower landing, between N22 and O22}
Thessa is relieved to see Emrys finally free from his suffocating friend just to see another blob land on Ariach's head! Filled with the magic she called last round, she knocks an arrow and pulls it back. Aiming at the exposed portion of the ooze along the side of Ariach's head, she let's the arrow fly.
The arrow cuts lengthwise into and along the ooze, slicing open a deep gash in the gelatinous form (AC: 30, Dmg: 10).
DM Chance to his the player underneath as well, 50%
Ariach AC 26/14/19 ; HP 51/59 d20+9=17 ; d20+5=17 ; d100=94 Saturday March 9th, 2013 3:29:06 AM
Ariach gets into panic when the ooze covers his face. In the purpose to kill the ooze he slams his head against the wall hoping his helmet will protect his head. (hits AC17 for ?damage)
Perception=17
DM Ezra: 50% to have damage pass through.
Emrys ac10, hp23/25. light, prestidigitation, deathwatch, unseen servant d20+1=21 ; d4=3 ; d20+1=5 Saturday March 9th, 2013 4:33:47 AM
Emrys coughs up what was about to fill his lungs, narrowly escaping asphyxiation. As he gasps for air, the blurriness in his eyes begin to clear. The burns around his head conjures memories of a self-administered chemical peel gone awry. He suddenly sees Tuck wrestling with the ooze that did this to him. Emrys draws a dagger and attempts to stab the ooze in an area not occupied by Tuck's hands.
(Emrys attacks Ooze that Tuck has grappled. HitAC: 21, natural 20. Damage: 3. Ooze suffers -4 Dex and -2 Hit from the Grappled condition.)
Emrys chooses to leave the dagger in the ooze, so he can continue to slice it like a loaf of bread. No one befouls his flawless skin!!
DM: Not a confirmed crit, too bad!
Wilma; AC17 (+1 Mithril chain shirt); HP 31/35 d20=13 ; d6+8=10 ; d20+8=22 Saturday March 9th, 2013 6:41:54 PM
Wilma was hauling back to smack at the nearest ooze when she saw a blur of movement out of the corner of her eye: the ooze that had been stirring on the bed--and it was launching itself straight at her! She instinctively dodged to avoid the gooey foe...
OOC: Sigh. I completely messed up my rolls but here is how to read them: I rolled a d20 for the Reflex save, completely forgetting to add Wilma's +3 when I rolled. The Reflex Save is 16. Then I was interrupted during my post so that when I got back to completing my turn, I saw that I had rolled and set up the dice roller for damage and clicked it. THEN I realized that Wilma was dodging the ooze trying to land on her and NOT attacking, so I was going to have the DM ignore Roll #2...but one of the other players pointed out that the Reflex roll was to see what the outcome of last round's actions...sooooo--if Wilma's Reflex Save is successful, then she's going to try to smack the attacking gooey with the staff she's holding in her right hand. The third roll above is her attack roll, so: Wilma hits AC22 for 10hpd--she's going to either free herself if that ooze has engulfed her head. If her save was successful, she'll be striking at one of the oozes that threaten Emrys.
Grell, AC18/13/16, HP68/68 Rage Rd. 2/8 d20+13=22 ; d20+3=20 ; d20+3=11 ; d20+14=28 ; 2d6+13=23 ; Saturday March 9th, 2013 10:16:38 PM
OOC: Ignore the +13 roll, hit it by accident.
Shifting his shoulder, Grell avoids being sucked on by one of the oozes (Ref, =18), but gets caught by the second (Ref.=9). Grell's scream changes to a roar as he pummels the ooze in front of him once more. "Die, die, DIE!!!" (IF Grell is allowed to attack..which I'm very unclear about, he hits AC 28 for 23 on o5).
OOC: Okay, I'm really confused why I'm grappled. Last round the critters missed Grell. What did I miss? And does this mean it drops on his head or what? I'm really lost.
DM: My apologies, and I will adjust as needed, it was Tuck that grappled the ooze on Emrys' head.
Emrys ac10, hp23/25. light, prestidigitation, deathwatch, unseen servant Saturday March 9th, 2013 10:31:16 PM
(ooc: I suggest the use of hero points. If one more of us gets oozed, we're all dead. Emrys is absolutely useless against them. There is nothing he can do.)
Thessa - AC:18 (Mage Armor) ; HP: 27 / 27 Sunday March 10th, 2013 12:07:22 AM
[OOC: Ezra, if there is a change Thessa will hit Ariach through the ooze, she will not do that. With True Strike (and 30 to hit), she had high confidence, but she won't risk hurting her friend. She will attack one of the oozes on the ground instead.]
Tuck HP 40/42 AC 18/18/14 d20+14=21 ; d8+2=7 ; Sunday March 10th, 2013 8:45:23 AM
Tuck continues to squeeze the ooze in his hands, focusing his fury onto the squishy substance now eating at his hands.
Vanime easily dodges ooze seven DC 27 but when eight leaps again she finds herself sideswiped and nearly engulfed DC 10 / DC 25 (used hero point to reroll) and then continues her sword work hoping to finish these two so she can help out her friends. AC 24 for 11 points on O7 and AC 25 for 12 points on O8
Grell, AC18/13/16, HP68/68 Rage Rd. 2/8 d20+1=17 ; Sunday March 10th, 2013 8:32:06 PM
Hero point to avoid being engulfed if that's what I needed to use. (Ref.=17)
Hungry, hungry hip-hops!!! d4=3 ; d20+8=25 ; Monday March 11th, 2013 3:36:11 PM
The battle with the small, squishy, almost cute and adorable, oozes that like to cuddle over your face, continues unabated. The hapless hero's find themselves succumbing to the affections as one by one they feel their acidic embrace.
Thessa, having cast a spell to increase her chances of striking true to in inhuman level points her arrow first at Ariach, but then prudently decides to engage one of the oozes on the ground, but finds there are none that are not hugging one of her companions. Not that Ariach can hear her apology, she lets fly her arrow, hoping to avoid her friend. And she strikes true, slicing a long gash through the ooze on Ariach's head!
Ariach decides to use his head, slamming the ooze between a rock and a hard place, and head-butts the wall, unfortunately, the nausea turns what would have been a solid strike into Ariach resting his head on the wall.
Emrys finds himself quickly recovering and looks to exact revenge on the ooze that was in the process of eating him.
Wilma had been rather lucky to this point, and was busy assisting her companions when one of the oozes directed its hungry attention to her. She successfully dodges the ooze that had been hiding in the wreckage of what was one a very fine bed. Following up her success, she strikes the ooze as it lands on the ground at her feet.
Grell realizes that he only thought he was grappled and starts dodging bouncing oozes. The way these things have been going about it, the room looks like a bunch of child's balls bouncing around. And while his first dodge is successful, he puts his head into the path of the second ooze, but manages to escape having his head engulfed by the creature. (Hero point used, darn)
Tuck takes out his anger on the poor, nearly defenseless, creature being squeezed from between his fingers like bread dough. As chunks of the creature fall to the ground it becomes obvious that its life has slipped through his fingers.
Vaniime, elven terror with a blade, slings her sword about herself as she frantically dodges the bouncing orbs of ooze. Her strike cleaves one ooze in twain, it's body flying off in two directions, while the other suffers a serious wound.
With the party struggling on a few seconds longer, the oozes continue to try and enjoy their first warm-blooded lunch in years.
o3 slobbers acid all over Ariach's head. Take 3 acid damage.
o5 jumps at Grell. Reflex DC 13 or AoO.
o6 jumps at Grell. Reflex DC 13 or AoO.
o8 jumps at Vaniime. Reflex DC 13 or AoO.
o9 is curiously just hanging around.
o10 jumps at Wilma. Reflex DC 13 or AoO.
The scepter lies on the ground at Emrys feet, it has returned to its original shape. Those around it can sense the malevolence of the object.
Thessa, having been distracted by the recent combat may make a perception check vs DC 25, Emrys can make a check at DC 27, unfortunately Ariach isn't seeing anything. Highlight to display spoiler: {The rock wall is now only a foot or so behind Thessa, completely blocking the stairs down. Post a private to DM message if you beat the DC by 5.}
DM: Unfortunately, no. You had an option for reflex or AoO. Once engulfed, you are nauseated, which only allows a move action per turn. These cute, cuddly balls of goo are quite the handful. And of course some DM's are dorks. I do apologize, your attack did hit, and I do apologize for the number of errors on your posts particularly! I have updated the damage for ooze #5.
Thessa - AC:18 (Mage Armor) ; HP: 27 / 27 d20+3=22 ; d20+4=11 ; d8+1=4 ; Monday March 11th, 2013 7:20:42 PM
[Perception: 22] [OOC: .. how's that for ironic? That would have been enough last round! *lol*]
Cursing herself for not picking up something as simple as a Magic Missile wand, Thessa racks her brain for alternatives.
She decides to improvise and pull an arrow out of her quiver. Judging the thickness of the ooze on Ariach's head, she adjusts her hand along the shaft to allow that much distance from the tip to her hand. She then does her best to stab the creature on Ariach's head, hoping that her hand will prevent the arrow from sinking in too deep to hurt her friend.
[OOC: I don't know how you want to rule this relatively improvised weapon. I'll roll to strike and refrain from describing it.]
[AC:11, Dmg: 4]
Wilma; AC17 (+1 Mithril chain shirt); HP 31/35 d20+3=5 ; d20+3=12 ; d20+8=27 ; d6+8=13 ; Monday March 11th, 2013 7:24:52 PM
As before, Wilma found herself trying to duck flying goo-balls. Whether or not she was actually successful in doing so, she still used the business end of her quarterstaff in an effort to literally beat the oozes off herself and/or her friends...
OOC: Wilma's first attempt at a Reflex save was dismal, so I used a Hero Point to reroll. I'm not sure if Reflex Save 12 is enough for her to dodge another bouncing goo-ball, so her attack will either be directed at one of the oozes on Emrys (if her Save is successful) or the one trying to feast on her own face (if her save didn't work) , Her attack hits AC27 for 13hp damage.)
Ariach AC 26/14/19 ; HP 48/59 d20+9=21 ; Monday March 11th, 2013 7:25:16 PM
Ariachīs face burns like fire as the acid erodes his skin. After the bad riding accident in his youth Ariachīs face get hurt again. The young warrior gets into a panic.
"Help! Put the ooze away!" are the stumbled words you hear muffled from under the ooze.
Ariach grabs the ooze and tries to remove it from his head. (grapple attempt=21)
Tuck HP 40/42 AC 18/18/14 d20+9=18 ; Monday March 11th, 2013 8:10:17 PM
Tuck releases the dead ooze from his hands, lifeless liquid spilling to the floor. Seeing another ooze leaping at Wilma, he lunges for it with outstretched arms and snags it.
(Grapple 18 on o10.)
Vaniime AC 18/14/14, HP:45/45 d20+8=19 ; d20+10=21 ; d10+4=12 ; d20+10=26 ; d10+4=7 ; Monday March 11th, 2013 9:42:20 PM
Once again avoiding the attack od the ooze, Van again cleaves down on O8 catching it with her blade again AC21 for 12 points of damage.
In the next square O6 is trying to jump on Grell and if it misses will Van will continue her cleave attack and hope that it will fall prey to her blade as well AC 26 for 7 points.
Feeling very satisfied with himself, having exacted his revenge on the ooze. Emrys pauses to sense the pulse of the leylines. Their ebb and flow of both arcane and divine energies are near. He invokes this power and it bursts from a puff of smoke; a crackling, green flame that envelops his dagger in witchfire. He turns to Ariach and prepares to bring the blade down upon the ooze. The emerald flames flicker his Emrys' eyes like a mirror. (sorry, can't attack until next round)
(Casting Divine Favor. Leyline roll: 59.)
Grell, AC18/13/16, HP68/68 Rage Rd. 2/8 d20+14=15 ; d20+14=24 ; d20+3=16 ; 2d6+13=19 ; d20+13=19 ; 2d6+16=25 ; Tuesday March 12th, 2013 9:43:49 AM
His vision narrowing until he can only see what is right before his eyes, Grell relishes the continued surge of adrenaline. The pounding of his heart and the burning surge of adrenaline that surges through his muscles. As the first ooze jumps at him, Grell brings his sword down in a hapless arc and almost misses the critter. At the last minute he pulls his blade up and to the right, slicing mercilessly into the goo. (AoO for 15, used last hero pt. for AC24 for 19). Grell uses his sideways momentum from his attack to roll out of the way of the second ooze (Ref.=16).
Getting an extra strong grip on his hilt, Grell rips his blade down, drawing on the combined strength from his arms, legs and abs to tear into whichever creature still happens to be alive in front of him. (AC19 for 25, will polish off o5 if it's still alive or switch to o6 if o5 is dead).
Damage to ooze 5 Rd 1 (AC29 for 21), Rd 2 (AC28 for 23), Rd 3 (AC24 for 19)
OOC: Man, I wish I had figured out the AoO in previous posts. Oh well, let the ooze fest continue. :) Ezra, hope your little ones are feeling much better and are barf free!
Wilma; AC17 (+1 Mithril chain shirt); HP 31/35 Tuesday March 12th, 2013 10:00:51 PM
Once again, combat tends to alter Wilma's perspective of how fast time is actually passing for her...
Grell, AC18/13/16, HP68/68 Rage Rd. 2/8 Tuesday March 12th, 2013 10:33:20 PM
Waaait a minute...if you take an AoO and you don't kill it you get engulfed? But if you avoid it with a Reflex save, you're in the clear? I am *seriously* confused now. So, if that's the case, I'd rather use the Reflex roll (still using the hero point to reroll would make the Reflex=13).
Emrys ac10, hp23/25. light, prestidigitation, deathwatch, unseen servant Tuesday March 12th, 2013 11:58:37 PM
Emrys eyes dart at Wilma, obviously wondering the same thing. These dramatic pauses and meaningful stares tend to linger a bit long in this strange pocket realm.
Thessa - AC:18 (Mage Armor) ; HP: 27 / 27 Wednesday March 13th, 2013 12:01:40 AM
[OOC: Did I miss a DM post?]
Emrys ac10, hp23/25. light, prestidigitation, deathwatch, unseen servant Wednesday March 13th, 2013 12:39:43 AM
(ooc: no, there hasn't been a post yet.)
Hungry, hungry hip-hops!!! Wednesday March 13th, 2013 1:17:34 AM
post skip for the day, needed to take an unplanned trip that blew most of my day, unfortunately posting and driving are deemed bad.
DM Carl steppin' up. d4=2 ; d20=4 ; d4=3 ; d20=17 ; d4=3 ; d20+10=16 ; d8+7=8 ; Wednesday March 13th, 2013 10:27:30 AM Ok folks, Ezra had to go do adult things today. I'll be your DM for the day...
Thessa pulls out an arrow and attempts to scrape the ooze away from Ariach. Maybe she's a little too careful, as the arrow fails to penetrate the surface tension of the ooze.
Wilma miraculously corrects a stumble, but not soon enough. She feels the ooze press into her face and down her throat; the sting of the acid in her mouth and lack of air send her into a moment of panic just as Tuck reaches over and pulls the thing off.
Wilma takes 2 points of acid damage, as does Tuck unless he's wearing gloves. Since Wilma failed the reflex save (DC is 13), her attacks aren't made.
Ariach calms himself just enough to reach up and pull the ooze from his head.
Technically, you're nauseated and can only make a move action. However, I can't imagine a hardened adventurer wouldn't think to pry off the ooze covering his head. I'm going to allow this.
Vaniime is still on her toes and avoids the ooze trying to hop on her. She brings down her blade on o8. She slices clean through, but the thing keeps hopping around. Spotting another ooze nearby, she continues her attack and takes a chunk out of o6 as well.
Grell is sick of this nonsense and tears o5 apart as it flies at him. He deftly dodges o6 and joins Vaniime in pressing the attack. Between the two of them, they tear the previously uninjured ooze apart.
o5 & o6 are both dead.
Emrys calls upon a nearby leyline and funnels the power into his dagger, preparing for an attack. In the quiet moment that follows, he realizes something in his mind is trying to surface. Perhaps it's been there a while, but subdued due to the combat and his attack at the hands of that ooze. If he takes a moment, he may be able to realize what it is.
Make a DC20 concentration check as a free action.
Ooze3 shifts around in Ariach's hands, trying to squirm it's way back up the hero's arms and back on to his face.
Ariach takes 3 acid damage. o3's grapple is a 4, so you may do what you wish with the thing this round.
Tuck finds himself in a similar situation, only his ooze seems much more tenacious. Still, Tuck is able to avoid being attacked by the thing.
Grapple was 17, still under your CMD. Take 3 additional acid damage & do what you wish with the ooze in your hands.
Thessa is caught completely by surprise when a rock-hard pseudopod lashes out at her. Poorly aimed, it just manages to graze her shoulder. As the blow spins her around, she finds herself face to face with the remaining ooze the party faced when they first entered here. It begins to press foward, hoping to take her and Ariach quickly...
Ezra should be back tomorrow. You kids have fun...
Ariach AC 26/14/19 ; HP 48/59 d20+9=12 ; Wednesday March 13th, 2013 6:15:01 PM
Glad he can see again Ariach tries to throw the ooze away from him. Preferably he throws it into the room. But the young warriorīs fingers slip from the ooze and therefore it keeps on his hand ready to take his old position on Ariachīs head.
(attack roll=12 if i have to use dex. it is 10)
Emrys ac10, hp23/25. light, prestidigitation, deathwatch, unseen servant d20+11=16 ; d20+9=26 ; d20+3=6 ; d4+2=3 ; Wednesday March 13th, 2013 7:43:04 PM
(Perception roll is a mistake. It's supposed to be +14, not +11. Perception: 19.)
(Concentration check: 26. To realize a deep, mysterious thought trying to surface.)
With his dagger clinched in his fist, ready to stab at these little abominations, his advance on the oozling suddenly halts with a thought. His eyes shift, his mouth slightly ajar, he ponders this. His eyes widen as he realizes what it all means. "Of course," he says with a repressed grin!
DM: Highlight to display spoiler: {You realize that for unintelligent oozes, their actions are rather guided, spreading out their attacks...}
His focus returns to the oozling on Ariach. Again, he strikes at the stretched oozing gab between Ariach's hands.
(Attack Tiny Ooze on Ariach. HitAC: 6, sigh. Damage: 3)
Tuck HP 35/42 AC 18/18/14 d20+14=33 ; Wednesday March 13th, 2013 8:33:31 PM
Tuck drops the ooze on the ground between Vaniime, Grell and himself. If the ooze were sentient, it would probably be quivering in fear, being so close to three powerhouse warriors. "Grell, would you like to chop this stinker into soup for me?"
Seeing Ariach and Thessa in danger from the giant ooze they had left behind, Tuck moves to get a bit closer. "Emrys, step back. You can't help Ariach with that knife."
(Grapple check to drop ooze at J20, then 5' step to K21.)
Emrys ac10, hp23/25. light, prestidigitation, deathwatch, unseen servant d20+3=4 ; Wednesday March 13th, 2013 8:52:15 PM
(ooc: would like to alter my action after realizing the realization.)
"Of course," he says with a repressed grin! "It's been you all along!" Emrys turns his attention toward the scepter on the floor. These mindless oozes are certainly performing tactics far beyond their simple instincts. "The scepter is controlling them, like it tried to control me," proclaims Emrys, "we need to destroy that infernal scepter!"
(why bother attacking, if I can't roll higher than a 3.)
Thessa - AC:18 (Mage Armor) ; HP: 27 / 27 d20+8=17 ; 4d6=8 ; Wednesday March 13th, 2013 9:25:47 PM
Thessa wheels around and screeches as she is confronted by the stony ooze.
"It's back! Ariach, move into the room if you can!"
She spits the arcane words from her mouth, as if her anger and frustration could imbue the spell with more power, and casts Scorching Ray at the stony ooze.
[RTAtt, AC:17, Dmg: 8] (8?!? Cursed die roller!)
Thessa - AC:18 (Mage Armor) ; HP: 19 / 27 Wednesday March 13th, 2013 9:27:05 PM
[ooc: adjusted HP in description]
Managing to avoid another attack reflex DC 18 from the ooze, Van focusses yet again on O8 and connects solidly AC 22 for 7 more points of damage.
Wilma; AC17 (+1 Mithril chain shirt); HP 29/35 d20+8=14 ; d6+8=10 ; Wednesday March 13th, 2013 10:51:15 PM
Coughing and panting heavily, Wilma blinked away tears of pain and fury, feeling very frustrated at the cute little deadly balls of goo. Then she realized that it appeared that she didn't have to immediately worry about being directly attacked by any of them. Then Emrys made his announcement about the scepter.
"Gargul take you..!!!" Wilma snarled, hauling up her quarterstaff and swinging its carved head down upon the scepter that was lying on the floor at the bard's feet.
OOC: My kingdom for a decent die roll!!! Sigh. Wilma hits AC14 for 10hp damage.
Grell, AC18/13/16, HP68/68 Rage Rd. 2/8 d20+13=22 ; 2d6+16=23 ; Thursday March 14th, 2013 6:24:32 AM
Grell growls his agreement to Tuck's plan and joins Vaniime in trying to make sushi out of the walking jello. (Power Attack AC 22 for 23).
An ooze here and an ooze there, here an ooze, there an ooze! d20+10=11 ; d20+9=24 ; d4=3 ; d20+10=22 ; d8+7=12 ; Thursday March 14th, 2013 7:53:39 PM Let the slimy slaughter continue!
Ariach plays hot potato with his ooze, and looses.
Emrys believes the scepter may have something to do with the ooze tactics. He believes destroying the scepter is a good thing to do... His attempt to strike the inanimate object lying on the ground is, well, there are no words to describe... a lucky roll.
Tuck changes his focus, tossing his ooze to be bait for Grell and Vaniime.
Thessa realizes that leaving a hostile behind you is rarely a good thing and tries to fire on it, and her elven reflexes kick in as the oozey stone strikes at her. AoO from livestone misses, concentration check for casting magic in melee success.
Vaniime displays her warrior background as she dispatches yet another ooze.
Wilma takes Emrys suggestion to heart and swings with all her might at the pretty scepter laying on the ground. Her attack on Shandresh's family jewels does some damage, though not enough to break the stiff rod. :-)
o3 plays with Ariach, who takes 3 acid damage as the creature makes for his head.
o9 drops onto the table, causign it to collapse and the box that was laying on the table flies across the room and crashes to the ground scattering many tiny objects before racing towards Wilma by going through the bed and jumping to engulf her. Wilma needs to AoO or Reflex. Tuck may also AoO.
o10 finds itself betweixt several hostile creatures and also bee-lines for Wilma, causing her to make an additional reflex. Vaniime, Grell, Tuck, and Emrys may attempt AoO's.
The DC is 13 to avoid engulfment.
The other ooze strikes out at Thessa again, hitting AC 22 for 12 damage.
Ariach AC 26/14/19 ; HP 45/59 d20+9=29 ; d20+9=13 ; Thursday March 14th, 2013 8:26:29 PM
Ariach feels again the panic while the ooze makes it for his head. Again he tries to grapple the ooze.
(grapple attack=29 nat.20)
OOC: forget the 13 i pushed the wrong button)
Tuck HP 35/42 AC 18/18/14 d20+6=24 ; d8+2=7 ; d20+6=7 ; d20+6=19 ; d20+6=9 ; d8+2=6 ; Thursday March 14th, 2013 9:06:02 PM
Tuck sees the first ooze come soaring in at Wilma's head and catches it with a beautiful leaping tornado kick in midair. The second ooze, he sees out of the corner of his eye and misses with a poorly timed backfist.
Sensing that the oozes are going after Wilma due to her attack on the scepter, Tuck attempts to stomp on it. He brings the heel of his shoe down squarely upon it the first blow but misses with the second.
"Destroy the scepter!"
(AoO on ooze 9 hits AC 24 for 7 damage. AoO on ooze 10 hits AC 7. Flurry of Blows on scepter hits AC 19 and 9 for 6 damage.)
OOC - Did you not include Grell's attack on ooze 10? It looks like he hit it pretty hard and it should be dead.
Emrys ac10, hp23/25. light, prestidigitation, deathwatch, unseen servant, divine favor d20+3=4 ; d20+3=21 ; d4+2=6 ; Thursday March 14th, 2013 9:58:45 PM
(AoO on Ooze9: HitAC 4, two 1's in a row.)
Bless his heart, the poor bard has no business in melee combat. No matter how hard he tries; even when empowered by the Source, the curse he's forever endured has the last laugh. Then again, after having learned about his origins, maybe it's not a curse after all. Maybe it's just his nature.
"Servant," commands Emrys, "Gather up all those tiny objects on the floor," he points at the objects and the box, "and put them in that small wooden box!"
Emrys then looks to Ariach. His eyes dart nervously between his dagger and then Ariach. He decides to make an appeal to his nature. "All my trust, my faith renewed, guide my blade, straight and true!" Upon uttering these words, he thrusts his fiery dagger at the ooze grappled in poor Ariach's hands.
An ooze here and an ooze there, here an ooze, there an ooze! Thursday March 14th, 2013 11:09:14 PM
Grell's attack does hit and kill o10.
Wilma; AC17 (+1 Mithril chain shirt); HP 29/35 d20+3=11 ; d20+3=12 ; Thursday March 14th, 2013 11:54:41 PM OOC: Wilma has rolled 11 and then 12 for her Reflex Saves. I think she's engulfed.
There was nothing like getting magically-controlled goo monsters mad at you.
This was the thought that crossed Wilma's mind as she suddenly found herself in the center of the mindless oozes' attention.
Hopefully her friends would be able to help...
Thessa - AC:18 (Mage Armor) ; HP: 7 / 27 Friday March 15th, 2013 10:02:28 AM
Thessa stumbles back from the force of the blow, the wind being forced out of her lungs and her head exploding with pain.
Knowing there is no way she can take another strike like that, all she can think about is getting away from the creature! She tries not to turn her back completely to it as she moves through her friends.
"Ariach, watch yourself," she manages to say as she passes by him. "That creature... hurts!"
[ooc: I don't know if the map is still accurate, but Thessa will full move to K21 if it is still open.]
And then there were three. d4=3 ; d4=3 ; d20+10=16 ; d20+10=27 ; d8+7=12 ; Friday March 15th, 2013 3:25:29 PM
Our saga of the children of heroes continues, will their legacy be lost to all of Wold in a forgotten demiplane of ooze?
Ariach struggles with the ooze, trying to gain a slim hold on his head. Ariach wins over the squishy beast and holds it in his hands. Now if only he had a bucket. With a lid.
Tuck finds his calling and turns into a tornado of flying limbs as he launches an all out assault on the cuddly creature looking to give Wilma a hug before he tries to smash the scepter.
Did I miss where the second AoO came from? My posting that you had multiple creatures you could make one on was only to indicate those that traveled through your threatened squares.
Emrys recognizes that physical confrontations may be beyond his capabilities and orders his unseen servant to collect tiny objects on the floor, and put them in a box. While he fails miserably at an attempt to stave off the ooze headed for Wilma, he does manage to land a blow if Ariach holds one out for him.
Wilma finds herself enjoying the tart face hug of an ooze. Of course the joy of this hug renders her deaf and blind to the outside world while curling her over as her stomach heaves with the delightfully nauseating odor of century old ooze.
And, Thessa finds that she needs more of her friends between her and danger.
Grell may post both his actions for last round and this round.
Emrys hears a voice in his head, You think you can escape Shandresh? Ga'al shall have your flesh, mortal!
Vaniime hears a voice in her head, Take me up and join Ga'al! Together we... you shall rule!
o3 wriggles in Ariach's hands doing 3 points of acid damage, but is not able to break free.
o9 sucks Wilma's head, doing 3 points of acid damage.
The wall shaped ooze throws out a pseudopod at the fleeing Thessa. She feels, and sees, it whip just past her head. If it had impacted... The same appendage whips across the hall at Ariach and slams into his side. Hit AC 27 for 12 damage. The stony visage of the oozes ripples for a moment as it moves forward up the stairs.
Ariach AC 26/14/19 ; HP 30/59 d20+9=13 ; Friday March 15th, 2013 5:18:35 PM
Ariach grits his teeth when he feels the pain of the impact. At least he was able to hold away the small ooze from his head. In a desperate try to get rid of the ooze he searches for a torch or another fire source to toast it. If none is in reach he will slam the ooze against a wall.
(attack roll=13)
DM: I believe only Emrys had a light source, I don't think it was a flaming torch, and don't recall what he did with it, though he isn't holding it now.
Emrys ac10, hp23/25. light, prestidigitation, deathwatch, unseen servant, divine favor Friday March 15th, 2013 11:49:36 PM
(ooc: Emrys has definitely had a Light spell going this entire time. Ever since we boarded the raft. He cast Light spell on the top of his walking stick, which has never left his hand. He and myself have stated several times that if it ever goes out, he will simply cast it again. It's a 0-level spell, he can do it all day. So yes, there has been a light on in his place casting 40-ft radius of normal light for everyone, and 80-ft radius for those with low-light vision. The Light spell has clearly been listed on my Post Name line this entire time. Alas, I'm sorry that it produces no heat.)
Thessa - AC:18 (Mage Armor) ; HP: 7 / 27 Saturday March 16th, 2013 1:06:47 PM
(ooc: DM, just for my own understanding, if a character makes a full move out of a threatened space, there isn't an AoO, correct? Or does this creature have a 10' reach?)
DM: anytime a character does more than take a 5' step, it is likely to generate an AoO. The ooze from down stairs does have reach,
Emrys ac10, hp23/25. light, prestidigitation, deathwatch, unseen servant, divine favor d20+3=5 ; d4+2=4 ; d20+14=34 ; Saturday March 16th, 2013 3:29:06 PM
Emrys momentarily loses his sense of decorum and allows his displeasure with Shandresh to set free a disparaging word. "Mind your tongue, wench! Ga'al will not have my flesh, but he can pucker up and kiss my daisy-white sassafras*!!"
(* white sassafras root is the most bitter variety of the species. the term believed to originate from fey herbalists when expressing annoyance. its meaning often lost in translation.)
Emrys isn't sure what to do. If Ariach is willing to hold the tiny ooze still for him, then maybe he will be able to stab it again. Then again, this is Emrys we're talking about! He gives Ariach an apologetic expression. (HitAC: 5, rolled a 2, at least it wasn't another 1! Damage: 4.)
He then looks at Wilma struggling with the oozes around and on her. Her healing powers are desperately needed, and Tuck, though heroic, has yet to free her. He hates his next thought. The whole idea of what he is about to do just seems to be in such poor taste and even worse timing. Especially with her grapple with the ooze on her head. He's done this before, three times already in the past, but what she doesn't know won't hurt her. Emrys reaches over to Wilma and procures her Wand of Curing from her belt pouch. (He knows where it is, he's done this before, several times.)
(Perception: 34, nat. 20)
DM: She's deaf and blind, don't think you need to roll perception to keep her from noticing you taking the wand. A sleight of hand or steal CMB check on the other hand...
A DC 20 is needed for sleight of hand. Unfortunately, it's trained only.
Tuck HP 35/42 AC 18/18/14 d20+9=14 ; Sunday March 17th, 2013 12:57:36 PM
Tuck tries to wrench the ooze from Wilma's head, reaching forward to grasp at the gelatinous monster.
(Grapple 14.)
Vaniime AC 18/14/14, HP:45/45 d20+4=18 ; d20+9=13 ; Sunday March 17th, 2013 7:54:37 PM
Sheathing her sword for the moment, Vaniime takes a hammer out of her pack and moves to where the scepter lies. kneeling down next to it she puts everything she has into a two-handed over head swing, trying to smash the stone on the scepter.
strength roll DC 18 AC 13
Emrys ac10, hp23/25. light, prestidigitation, deathwatch, unseen servant, divine favor Sunday March 17th, 2013 10:14:22 PM
(ooc: Emrys isn't concerned about being sneaky or stealthy about taking Wilma's wand. No special finesse is being employed here, he is simply reaching over and taking it. He's trying to help the party, not steal the wand for personal gain. The Perception check was for noticing anything important that has yet to be discovered.)
Wilma; AC17 (+1 Mithril chain shirt); HP 29/35 d20+8=17 d6+8=13 Monday March 18th, 2013 6:34:31 AM OOC: Wilma has had her quarterstaff in her right hand and her CLW wand in her left all this time...which is the main reason she hasn't tried to simply grapple the ooze on her head. Emrys would be plucking the wand out of her hand.
All of Wilma's willpower was harnessed in keeping herself from panicking due to the smothering effect of the oozelet hugging her face.
Once more the cleric of Gargul lifts her right hand and turns her head to the left, striking at her own head with an intentionally-scraping blow in an effort to knock the choking goo off her body.
OOC again: Wilma's blow strikes AC17 for 13hp damage. Since she's concentrating on trying to get to a point where she can breathe once more, I doubt she'd give Emrys a lot of resistance when it comes to feeling someone taking the wand from her left hand.
Grell, AC18/13/16, HP68/68 Rage Rd. 5/8 d20+7=20 ; d20+7=20 ; Monday March 18th, 2013 6:53:56 AM
Striding over to where Wilma is, Grell flexes his massive muscles as he sheathes his sword. Even in his enraged state, Grell knows that if he uses his sword on the ooze perched on his sister's head, he will likely decapitate her. Instead, he reaches out left hand and rips the ooze from her face. (Str.=20). Then he flings it from his hand so he can attack it next round.
OOC: Didn't know how you wanted to work the flinging of the ooze, so I made a Str. check (Str=20).
Thessa - AC:18 (Mage Armor) ; HP: 7 / 27 d20+8=11 ; d8+3=6 ; Monday March 18th, 2013 1:40:40 PM
Getting practically bowled over by Grell's purposeful movement to help Wilma, Thessa gives up more ground and takes a step to J20. Having never been in this room, she glances around the dimly lit area looking for threats. Seeing nothing she can do about the little oozes at the moment, she pulls another arrow and looks for an opening to send it at the big rocky ooze in the hallway.
If she has a clear shot, she invests a tiny amount of magic into her shot (Arcane Strike) and lets fly. [AC:11, Dmg: 6]
And then there were three. d100=40 ; d100=37 ; d100=42 ; d4=1 ; d4=4 ; d20+10=12 ; Monday March 18th, 2013 2:58:33 PM Ariach tries to slam the ooze against the wall, while he didn't get a good enough grip to cause it any damage, he didn't do himself any harm either.
Emrys finds himself at a loss for actions, though never for words, as he ineptly tries to strike at the ooze Ariach is holding. Emrys then starts man-handling Wilma, trying to get into her pouch and grab her wand. his unseen servant has picked up an object from the floor and moves to the next object.
so many word choices, so few innuendo's. Note this is two standard actions...
Tuck successfully gets his hands into the ooze atop Wilma's head.
next round you may attempt to pull it off, pin cmd or str check
Vaniime valiantly tries to destroy the scepter with, a hammer. If only she had one that was a sledge. She realizes that metal bars are hard to damage.
Wilma finding herself blind, deaf, fighting the desire to curl over from nausea as acid eats into her fine features, feels something grab a hold of her head at the same time she feels a tugging on the wand in her left hand.
She strikes a blow at her own head, and manages to miss the ooze, and herself, but finds Tuck's knuckles. 50% chance to have damage bypass the ooze. 50% to not hit Tuck's hand. Tuck's knuckles bear the brunt of her assault. However, the nausea limits her to a move action only, and the attack is not successful.
Grell reaches past Tucks arms, dodges Wilma's flailing quarterstaff and grabs the ooze over her face.
good enough for a grapple, next turn you can fight with Tuck to see who pulls it off her head
Thessa takes a step to the side and tries to hit something other than a wall. Unfortunately, she was distracted by the sight of a tiny jellied object floating next to her (unseen servant with first item).
o3 squirms about in Ariach's hands, but can't make traction on getting to his head. He takes 1 point of acid damage.
o9 continues to suck on Wilma. Wilma, Tuck, and Grell take 4 points of acid damage.
The other ooze strikes out at Ariach and misses, again!
Vaniime and Thessa need to make DC 15 reflex saves.
Thessa - AC:18 (Mage Armor) ; HP: 7 / 27 d20+5=17 ; Monday March 18th, 2013 3:12:52 PM
[ooc: I swear Thessa has ADD.. focus, girl! *lol*]
[Reflex: 17]
Grell, AC18/13/16, HP68/68 Rage Rd. 5/8 Monday March 18th, 2013 3:46:35 PM
OOC...I thought you told me I could do two rounds actions. I should have been able to rip it off in this last combat round.
DM: so i did, but you didn't have the other roll in there... CMB check
getting her bow from her pack Vaniime nocks an arrow and sends it flying into the area where the door used to be and where apparently our ooze has taken residence. AC 22 for 10 points
Ariach AC 26/14/19 ; HP 29/59 d20+9=19 ; Monday March 18th, 2013 6:54:13 PM
Ariach throws the ooze (o3) in his hand away. He tries to get rid of it hoping his friends will help him to destroy it.
(throwing=19)
Emrys ac10, hp23/25. light, prestidigitation, deathwatch, unseen servant, divine favor d8+5=12 ; d20+14=17 ; Monday March 18th, 2013 7:13:17 PM (ooc: Retrieving or putting away a stored item, moving heavy objects, opening doors, mounting a steed, drawing a weapon, etc, are all Move Actions. If I thought it were a Standard action, he wouldn't have attempted the attack on the oozling.)
With wand in hand, Emrys reaches out to Ariach and gives him a surge of healing energy. (Healing Ariach for 12 points.) The bard then moves back next to Thessa. She looks to be near collapse! He is only slightly distracted by his unseen servant, 'what is it picking up ... more oozlings!?' (Perception: 17)
D: Sure, they are move actions, unless you are retrieving said item from someone else's hand... not sure hoe you figure swinging a weapon and taking an item from someone that doesn't know you are trying to is doable in six seconds, but I'd like to hear it
Tuck HP 31/42 AC 18/18/14 d20+7=21 ; d20+7=17 ; d8=3 ; Monday March 18th, 2013 8:12:36 PM
Seeing the much stronger Grell has a grip on Wilma's face ooze, Tuck releases so as not to impede his friend.
Tuck feels the sudden breeze of Vaniime's arrow streaking into the giant ooze attacking Ariach. Quickly, Tuck draws and fires his own bow at the giant ooze.
"Where did he come from?!"
(Hits AC 21. Reflex is 17, if we're still rolling that to hit the stoney ooze. Damage 3.)
Wilma; AC17 (+1 Mithril chain shirt); HP 25/35 d20=7 ; d3=1 ; Tuesday March 19th, 2013 6:35:53 AM
Lack of oxygen was starting to make WIlma panick--especially when she felt her wand being plucked from her hand. She instinctively used her freed hand to try to claw the ooze from her head.
OOC: I don't even know if Grell has already pulled the ooze off his sister, but I have to post something.
Grell, AC18/13/16, HP68/68 Rage Rd. 6/8 d20+11=27 ; d20+11=19 ; d20+11=23 ; Tuesday March 19th, 2013 7:36:15 AM
Last round... Maintaining his left handed grip on the ooze, Grell proceeds to rip it off his sister's face. (CMB=28)
This round... Wrestling himself lose from the ooze, Grell flings it down to the ground so that Tuck can smash it.
OOC: Seriously, I don't understand how you want to run this anymore. So, I rolled a CMB of 20 for the grapple and an "attack" to throw the critter down to the ground AC24. All rolls should have been 1 number higher, because somehow I miscalculated when I added in the rage.
Thessa - AC:18 (Mage Armor) ; HP: 7 / 27 d20+8=19 ; d8+3=8 ; Tuesday March 19th, 2013 11:24:16 AM
Seeing the ooze being flung to the ground by Grell gives Thessa an opportunity to act on something that won't simply shrug off her arrows. She takes a second to see if it still moving and fires an arrow at it. Investing a bit of her magic energy into the arrow, as she does for all her arrows, she lets it fly. [AC: 19, Dmg: 8]
Out of the corner of her eye she sees Emrys approaching her with wand in hand. She smiles weakly at him, "If that's a healing wand, you are a saint! Thank you."
Thessa - AC:18 (Mage Armor) ; HP: 7 / 27 Tuesday March 19th, 2013 11:57:03 AM
[ooc: stupid me, I've been forgetting to factor in point blank shot!]
Thessa's results should be.. AC:20, Dmg: 9
And then there were three. d20+10=20 ; d20+8=24 ; d6+4=6 ; d6+5=10 ; d6=5 ; d20+10=28 ; d8+7=8 ; Tuesday March 19th, 2013 3:46:18 PM The end is in sight, but for the ooze or the heroes?
Thessa swears.
Grell manages to rip the ooze off of Wilma's head. He now holds a squirming ooze in his hand. CMB check was rolled for you, 20
Vaniime doesn't notice the small pods on the ground and as she shuffles around to get a better shot through the doorway into the hall, past Ariach and into the ooze from below. Quite an amazing shot! The ooze was unable to solidify part of its body as the arrow slices deep into it.
Ariach throws the ooze, like a bride with her bouquet, landing, someplace... the ooze hits a wall and pieces of it splatter along the base of the wall.
Emrys manages to yank the wand from Wilma's hand and uses it on Ariach, healing him for 12 points. The unseen servant is not picking up oozes (that would be grapples and beyond the capabilities of an unseen servant. The fine sized objects are scattered about, its hard to make out in battle, but a quick glance shows them they look like a kidney beans. Emrys moves past Grell to reach Thessa (from L21 to J21).
Tuck's own strike is not as successful as it bounces off a patch of stone-like skin.
Wilma tries to help Grell pull the ooze off, but gets in the way more than helps.
Grell had successfully pulled the ooze off and he throws it into the ground, trying to burst its hide. The ooze splatters into the ground, but is still alive. lol, your CMB was better than mine!
Thessa lets an arrow fly at the ooze at Grrell's feet scoring a direct hit! Though the ooze still quivers.
The last ooze from this room finds itself surrounded by food but near death. In a last ditch attempt at sustenance it jumps... at Grell. Anyone with a weapon surrounding K21 may attempt an AoO. Grell must either AoO or reflex, DC 13 or find his own head engulfed.
The ooze from below (sounds like a B movie), continues its attack on Ariach. Hit AC 28, damage 8.
Vaniime and Thessa should make reflex saves DC 15. Vaniime may attempt a perc check. Correction, Thessa does not need to make a save. The unseen servant has picked up two seeds from around her feet.
Tomorrow's post will come from Carl, and likely be a bit earlier.
Tuck HP 31/42 AC 18/18/14 d20+6=23 ; d20+6=25 ; d20+7=14 ; d8+2=10 ; d8+2=9 ; Tuesday March 19th, 2013 8:33:17 PM
Tuck drops his bow and lunges quickly towards the giant ooze, planting a sidekick into it's girth followed by a front thrust kick.
"Hiyah! Take that, you giant loogie!"
(5' step to L21. Flurry of Blows hits AC 23 & 25 for 10 and 9 damage. Reflex 14.)
Emrys ac10, hp23/25. light, prestidigitation, deathwatch, unseen servant, divine favor d8+5=9 ; Tuesday March 19th, 2013 11:55:44 PM
Emrys is thankful to see Wilma being relieved of her slimy headgear and Ariach freeing himself. He returns his focus to Thessa, and with a tap of Wilma's wand, delivers a healing spark of positive energy.
(Emrys heals Thessa for 9 points)
As far as the scepter is concerned, Emrys wishes he had the ability to magically manipulate a reversed version of the spell Make Whole and change it to Make Broken!
Ariach AC 26/14/19 ; HP 21/59 d20+10=17 ; d8+4=6 ; d8+4=10 ; Wednesday March 20th, 2013 5:39:45 AM
Ariachīs nods at Emryīs after he has received the healing energy from the bardīs wand. But right away the ooze from below manages somehow to break Ariachīs defense and hits him again. The unexperienced, young warrior picks up his flail and attacks the remaining ooze. He curses his own fighting skills but still has the hope some of his friends are able to end the fight soon.
(hits AC 17 for 6 damage)
Wilma; AC17 (+1 Mithril chain shirt); HP 35/35 3d6=13 ; Wednesday March 20th, 2013 5:46:56 AM
Coughing and panting and spitting bits of goo a time or two, Wilma blinked her eyes, using tears to wash away the last of the leftover acidic slime from the ex-oozes from her vision. She gauged that she could no longer wait--she had to help out everyone who'd been injured in the party.
"By Gargul's grace..." the redheaded cleric grated in a gravelly voice, "...HEAL...!" She loosed a burst of healing energy, willing it to help only her friends...
OOC: Wilma has Channeled Energy so that everything in a 30' radius (including herself) receives 13hp of healing. Since she has Selective Channeling as a Feat, she is attempting to withhold the benefit from the enemy oozes. She can only keep the healing from two foes, so she's hoping that there are only two oozes left. One of the two oozes that she will keep from receiving her healing energy WILL be the big ol' Stone Ooze.
Thessa - AC:18 (Mage Armor) ; HP: 27 / 27 d20+9=11 ; d8+4=5 ; Wednesday March 20th, 2013 11:08:13 AM
Two waves of warm, wonderful healing magic pass through Thessa's body at almost the same time and she instantly feels like a new woman!
She nods again to Emrys, who took the time to make sure she didn't collapse from her injuries, and then knocks and fires another arrow at the still wiggling ooze on the ground, hoping to finish it off and allowing everyone to focus on the stone ooze.
Looking to score again on the big ooze Vaniime sends another arrow towards her target but finds there is just too much stuff inthe way this time and misses. AC 12
DM Carl steppin' up. d20+3=23 ; d20+5=18 ; d20+8=20 ; d8+3=11 ; Wednesday March 20th, 2013 11:10:29 PM Tuck steps up and absolutely splatters the last orb. It's almost impossible to tell it once existed.
As an aside, this area is getting kind of gross. There's a thick layer of slime covering most surfaces from these blasted orbs getting beat up by our heroes. It's not enough to make it difficult to keep ones' footing, but it's pretty disgusting.
Emrys makes efficient use of Wilma's healing wand, restoring some life to Thessa.
Ariach has doubts about his own abilities, but that doesn't stop him from wholloping the rocky ooze that seems to be bothering him. He even manages to change direction at the last second to avoid it's defenses!
Remember folks, attacks against the stone ooze require a reflex save. I rolled a natural 20 for Ariach. You're welcome.
Wilma lets loose a wave of positive energy that, in addition to making everyone in the room a little more upbeat and happy, soothes some of the acid burns everyone's managed to gather.
Thessa is empowered by the waves of healing that hit her! She fires a shot that barely...BARELY...misses another stone patch in the ooze.
Same thing...reflex save to attack this thing.
Vaniime is disgusted as soon as the arrow leaves her bow. Surely that is going to...wait, it hit!
This thing has a ridiculously low AC.
She also manages to avoid the rocky growth, sinking an arrow deep into the thing. Her arrow must have disrupted something, because the last ooze the party faces seems to *pop* and collapse in on itself. It adds to the muck and is wholly unpleasant.
Vaniime looks down & dances around whatever those tiny things down there are. A quick look around confirms that there are no more oozes actively trying to consume any of our heroes.
A quick look around the room now that a moment of safety has presented itself is in order. There's a box that once contained several tiny little objects. Said tiny objects are dancing around Vaniime, who will need another reflex save if she decides she'd like to stick around the area they're occupying. There's a chest at the foot of an old bed that hasn't been disturbed, and there's a scepter that used to be on a rack in the corner of the room. It's a bit scuffed, but it's solid.
Emrys only! Highlight to display spoiler: {There's a voice inside your head. "Bravo! You managed to not die while your friends did battle. Now pick me back up, there's work to be done..." With that, a flash of insight hits you & you know the powers the sceptre posesses. It can control any non-intelligent ooze (make a DC15 wisdom check, please). It's telepathic, obviously, and can change into ooze itself at will. Most importantly, it's the only method of activating the portal out of this place. Interestingly enough, that last thought in your head is accompanied by a smug chuckle. It's a pity this thing doesn't have a face to punch.}
***
Way to survive combat, everyone! Be sure to thank my die roller; it felt very generous on your behalf tonight. Ezra returns tomorrow to finish this scene up.
Emrys ac10, hp25/25. light, prestidigitation, deathwatch, unseen servant, divine favor d20+2=16 ; d20+9=17 ; d20+14=33 ; d20+12=28 ; Thursday March 21st, 2013 12:18:18 AM
(Wisdom check: 16. Will save: 17, I thought I would cover the bases :)
"Wait, wait," stutters Emrys! "Don't touch or harm the scepter." The bard's expression becomes strained. The veins in his head throb and his skin turns flush with blood. He rests the back of his fist, which holds the wand, against his forehead. With almost a hiss in his tone, he answers, "Of course I still live, you wench! You have no idea who you're dealing with ... you're pathetic!!"
Emrys takes his hand away from his head and addresses his friends. "Shandresh speaks to me, trying to control me! She underestimates me, which is good for the moment. However, her pride and confidence betrays her. She inadvertently revealed to me the scepter's true purpose. It controls the mindless oozes, but most importantly, it opens the portal back to the Living Wold!!"
He then notices his servant picking up the beans off the floor. (Perception: 33. Knowledge [Religion]: 28.) Emrys continues his tell all, "And I'm guessing those beans are Heart Seeds! I wouldn't touch them either." The bard turns to Wilma and looks quite appolgetic. "I'm sorry I took this from you. It's a pale comparison to a true healer. I surrender it to you." Emrys hands the wand back to Wilma.
DM Carl: This whole plane seems to be made of ooze, or at least have a ton of the stuff in it. If the scepter can control unintelligent oozes, who knows what it can do with the millions of gallons of stuff floating around this place...
Wilma; AC17 (+1 Mithril chain shirt); HP 35/35 Thursday March 21st, 2013 7:44:00 AM
"That's all right, Emrys..." Wilma started to say as she accepted the wand back from him, her voice still retaining its gravelly tone. She loudly cleared her throat and continued to voice her sentiments. "I'm only sorry...I couldn't...channel that energy...sooner...?" The cleric's words contained noticeable pauses in them--because her voice was not returning to normal in spite of her having been healed and having just cleared her throat.
Shandresh's Focus Thursday March 21st, 2013 5:14:25 PM Carl's die roller is nicer than mine, I was hoping to off a couple of you... Well one of you is in grave danger, pun intended!
As everyone stands around reviewing the battle, Emrys' unseen servant continues to pick up tiny bouncing seeds that Emrys claims are heartseeds. The seeds continue to be collected until the servant has them all, several dozen by the number of times you see a seed float off the ground and hover in mid air.
The small wooden box they came from lies on the ground as the servant places the seeds in the box.
Anyone looking in the box will see a tray with several dozen small indention in it. All but one has a smell seed rocking in it.
Emrys feels confident that he can control the powers of the scepter, for now.
Thessa - AC:18 (Mage Armor) ; HP: 27 / 27 Thursday March 21st, 2013 5:14:44 PM
"Don't worry yourself over it, Wilma," says Thessa, trying to sound comforting. "There wasn't much you could do with an ooze trying to choke the life out of you!"
"Emrys, if that is true, do you know how to use the scepter to open the portal? Can we free those poor souls that have been imprisoned here? If we can, we must!"
Wilma; AC17 (+1 Mithril chain shirt); HP 35/35 Thursday March 21st, 2013 6:23:10 PM OOC: second post
Wilma cleared her throat again and tucked her wand back into her belt pouch.
"Wait--why is one of the--" she grated, and cleared her throat once more, "--one of those compartments empty..? Is one of those things on the loose..?" The cleric put her left hand to her throat, looking worried. Her voice still sounded very, very rough.
Moving quickly out of the mass off moving little thingies, Van starts to remove a flask of oil from her pocket and begins to unstopper it. "I think we should burn those things whatever they are." Then she hears Wilma. "What do you mean one is missing?"
Tuck HP 42/42 AC 18/18/14 d20+11=13 ; Thursday March 21st, 2013 8:13:00 PM
Tuck shakes his boot, flipping some of the leftover gunk from it onto the floor. "This place is truly gross and I would like to leave it sooner than later. Is everyone okay?"
He looks to the scepter after Emrys explains a bit about it. His face crinkles in disgust. "If it controls the oozes, why do they attack us? No one is holding it. What's directing them?"
He then squats in front of the unopened chest and looks at it for a lock or any obvious traps. "I wonder what's in here."
(Perception 13)
Grell, AC18/13/16, HP68/68 Thursday March 21st, 2013 10:34:53 PM
Wiping ooze goop from his sword, Grell looks over at the scepter. Didn't look all that powerful...just a big shiny rod. "So uhhh...what do we do with it?" The severity of the situation seems lost on the bulky warrior as he sits down in a corner winded and more than a little tired. "Can't one of you magic users just magic up something to pick it up for us or something?"
OOC: Sorry, but I've had an unbelievably stressful past few days. I should be back to regular posting.
Emrys ac10, hp25/25. light, prestidigitation, deathwatch, unseen servant, divine favor Friday March 22nd, 2013 12:53:42 AM
Emrys is confused at first at Wilma's coughing. He looks at the box, then back to Wilma. Horror immediately grips him as he recalls how the last oozling fell on the box and then lunged at her. "Oh gods!!," gasps Emrys. "Wilma, QUICKLY ... throw it up, throw it up now!!"
The bard rushes over to Wilma's side and reaches down to pick up the scepter at her feet. He feels confident with controlling its power for now, but as soon as he touches it, he feels shaken by a sense of dread. (if we're still doing combat rounds, my turn ends now, otherwise...)
With the scepter in hand, Emrys attempts to trigger its power, "You caused this; there should be ooze left on that heartseed!" He mentally attempts to wield its power and expel the ooze-soaked heartseed from Wilma's throat.
Ariach AC 26/14/19 ; HP 21/59 Friday March 22nd, 2013 5:16:35 AM
Ariach sheds the hope to understand what the others are talking about. The only thing he knows for sure is that he will not touch the scepter. It seems clear that the scepter tries to control itīs holder and the young warrior doesnīt want to be controlled by another being. He tries to clean his weapon, armor and clothes which are full of ooze gunk.
Suddendly Emry makes him sit up. Can it really be true that a heartseed sticks in Wilmaīs throat?
Shandresh's Revenge Friday March 22nd, 2013 10:15:09 AM
Tuck takes a gander at the chest that lies at the foot of the bed, a rope is tightly cinched around it from Vaniime's failed attempt to drag the chest, it must be fastened to the floor...
Several of the others go about post combat activities while Emrys has a sudden insight that Wilma may be in danger...
As a reminder, the box and the scepter radiated as magical, the chest would as well
Wilma; AC17 (+1 Mithril chain shirt); HP 35/35 Friday March 22nd, 2013 10:56:15 AM
Wilma's sapphire eyes widened.
"I...I..." she stammered, her voice still hoarse, "...I don't...think I swallowed anything...although I almost choked...on one of those goo-balls..." She frowned--her voice wasn't reverting to normal yet.
"Perhaps my vocal chords...were damaged by the...goo acid...?" Wilma grimaced.
"I'm only just a full-fledged priest of Gargul," she posited, "...my healing magic...isn't as powerful as that of...more experienced clerics. I...may not be able to fully heal my own...damage by acid..."
Shandresh's Revenge Wednesday March 27th, 2013 6:55:31 PM
Good afternoon to all, I hope we can get back into the swing of things quickly!
Emrys ac10, hp25/25. light, prestidigitation, deathwatch, unseen servant, divine favor d20+12=24 ; Wednesday March 27th, 2013 7:10:29 PM
Emrys becomes silent with thought. The missing heartseed is distressing. These things weren't just left around. Someone has been seeded. If none of this friends had been force fed, then that missing seed was meant for someone. He ponders this and tries to remember, from what he's read about Ga'al and his minons, if a heartseeded follower knows that he's being manipulated and controlled. (Knowledge [Religion]: 24)
Shandresh's Revenge Thursday March 28th, 2013 12:11:54 PM
Emrys stares off into space for a moment while wracking his brain to recall that one chapter in history class, one of the few classes he found interesting. Consider everything on the public woldopedia page for Ga'al as IC
Emrys seems to recall that while all heartseeds were destroyed several years ago, Ga'al's priests have been heartseeding new followers. And while they are typically willing subjects, he had heard rumors that some were volunteered for heartseeding. Unfortunately, Ga'al's followers are a bit reticent to describe events within the church, including if a heartseeding can be felt.
For Emrys: Highlight to display spoiler: {Please provide detailed information of what the masterwork tools for your knowledge skills are. The skill makes it very clear that the tool, as a non-magical item, is not a broad 'cover everything' bonus for 50 gold. For example, having included the bonus in your roll for the heartseed, I would expect that your masterwork tool is a book of Ga'al Theology. (If you would like to change that, by all means go ahead.) Note these are circumstance bonuses, which by definition, do not always apply. It also looks like they are all in your haversack and unavailable as it is. Please reference: http://paizo.com/pathfinderRPG/prd/ultimateEquipment/gear/toolsAndSkillKits.html#_masterwork-tool}
Grell, AC18/13/16, HP68/68 d20+4=5 ; Thursday March 28th, 2013 6:29:02 PM
Previously unaware of the danger to his sister, Grell rushes to Wilma's side. "You sure?" he asks. "Open your mouth. I wanna check." Pulling Wilma closer to Emrys light source, Grell looks down his sister's throat looking for any foreign contaminate. (Perception=nat. 1...well...it was nice knowing Wilma). :P
Vaniime AC 18/14/14, HP:45/45 Thursday March 28th, 2013 7:29:38 PM
All right guys and gals, what do we need to do to check this stuff out and shall I go ahead and burn these things up?
Ariach AC 26/14/19 ; HP 21/59 Thursday March 28th, 2013 8:14:16 PM
"I would feel better if you burn them Vaniime. If they would be humans we should bury them but for these.........oozes there is no need of a regular funeral."
Then Ariach turns to Emry and whispers "Is Wilma in danger? Can i help her?"
Tuck HP 42/42 AC 18/18/14 d20+11=30 ; Thursday March 28th, 2013 9:25:53 PM
While the others fuss over Wilma, Tuck steps away from the chest and uses the tip of his quarterstaff to poke at the chest. If nothing detrimental happens, he tries to ease the lid open, unless there's a lock of course.
(Perception 30)
Shandresh's Revenge Friday March 29th, 2013 2:16:52 AM
While several team members consider whether Wilma has been infected, Tuck pokes a stick at the locked chest that is bolted to the floor.
Wilma; AC17 (+1 Mithril chain shirt); HP 35/35 Friday March 29th, 2013 7:24:21 PM
"Well, I'm pretty s--" Wilma croaked, then found herself being manhandled by the barbarian that was her brother. "Hey--whuffHARoodooinn..." Grell's superior strength yanked her practically off her feet and left her powerless to resist his grabbing her chin and forcing her jaws apart so that he could try to peer into her mouth and throat--not that the big galoot actually knew what to look for...
The redheaded cleric immediately smacked the back of Grell's head so that he let her go.
"Give a girl some warning, willya???" she demanded, sounding like an outraged frog. "The ooze acid...it's damaged my vocal chords...I don't have the power to heal myself up all the way...not while we're here!" Wilma threw him one last baleful glare before turning to Vaniime.
"There can be no good use for those things if they're heartseeds," she advised, "I think we're better off without them." She looked around the room, now covered in many places by non-sentient leftover goo.
"Which way now...?"
Thessa - AC:18 (Mage Armor) ; HP: 27 / 27 Friday March 29th, 2013 9:09:13 PM
Thessa listens to the conversation and chuckles slightly as Grell peers down Wilma's throat. She shakes her head and thinks. There doesn't seem to be anything they can do to disprove she has something inside her.. or is there?
She moves closer to Emrys and puts a hand on his shoulder.
"Emrys, are these heartseeds have a living force at all? Would you be able to detect some life essence? Perhaps that could get us some answers."
After her suggestion, she'll move over to Tuck, "Did you find anything interesting?"
Ariach AC 26/14/19 ; HP 21/59 Saturday March 30th, 2013 5:11:32 AM
Still waiting for Emry to answer, Ariach listens to Theassaīs proposals.
Emrys ac10, hp25/25. light, prestidigitation, deathwatch, unseen servant, divine favor Sunday March 31st, 2013 6:21:37 PM
Emrys whispers back to Ariach after he considers the question, "I don't know. She claims to have not swallowed the missing seed ... that it was the acid from the oozling. However, be on guard, we are all in much danger the longer we stay here."
Upon hearing Thessa's concerns, Emrys looks upon the seeds, although he isn't expecting to detect if they are living. The enchantment upon his vision normally only works with living creatures, not dormant seeds. "Thessa, I'm not sure I can see any life within them other than magic. Seeds can lay dormant for thousands of years, and suddenly spring to life once the conditions are right, as you know. I agree with Vaniime, I think they should be destroyed after we leave this place, by those who can ensure they're properly eradicated.
Looking at the chest, Emrys suggests, "Why not let the servant open the chest, in case there are any traps. Who wants to carry the small box containing the seeds? My hands are already full."
Emrys ac10, hp25/25. light, prestidigitation, deathwatch, unseen servant, divine favor Sunday March 31st, 2013 6:26:01 PM
Emrys secretly gives Wilma the look over, with his enchanted sight, and looks to determine if her life force is wavering.
Tuck HP 42/42 AC 18/18/14 Sunday March 31st, 2013 8:06:42 PM
Tuck heeds Emrys' suggestion and steps back to allow the unseen servant in to open the chest. "It looks like it's locked. Unless he can pick a lock, we'll have to open it ourselves."
Shandresh's Revenge Monday April 1st, 2013 4:35:47 PM
Emrys correctly realizes there are limits to what his sight could determine as life, lest he be overwhelmed by the abundance of life that exists all about them, from things so small they can't be seen with the naked eye to every blade of grass.
Emrys' deathwatch shows those he looks at as being healthy.
The chest, bolted to the floor, is indeed locked and beyond the capabilities of the unseen servant. A DC 15 disable device, or a sufficiently heavy object will be needed to open it.
Tuck HP 42/42 AC 18/18/14 Monday April 1st, 2013 6:43:46 PM
"Grell or Ariach, would either of you like to bash this lock off, for us? Hopefully, it's not full of oozes or something else, terrible."
Tuck stands away from the chest to allow one of the hearty warriors to swing away.
Emrys ac10, hp25/25. light, prestidigitation, deathwatch, unseen servant, divine favor d20+14=21 ; Monday April 1st, 2013 10:32:27 PM
Emrys eagerly steps aside and allows the others to work their magic on the bolted and locked chest.
(Perception: 21)
Grell, AC18/13/16, HP68/68, Fatigued d20+10=18 ; 2d6+11=20 ; Monday April 1st, 2013 10:46:19 PM
Grell looks over at Wilma, a faint smile on his face. "Gotta take care of my sis..."
The warrior chuckles at Tuck. "I thought you'd never ask!!!" Bringing down his sword in a massive arc (Power attack), Grell grunts with the effort...the sword feeling so much more heavier than it usually does, still he does a decent job at smacking the lock. (AC18 for 20)
Wilma; AC17 (+1 Mithril chain shirt); HP 35/35 Monday April 1st, 2013 11:06:51 PM
Wilma snorted and rolled her eyes at Grell's pronouncement. Then she turned to Emrys, holding out her empty left hand.
"My wand, Emrys..?" she croaked.
Emrys ac10, hp25/25. light, prestidigitation, deathwatch, unseen servant, divine favor Tuesday April 2nd, 2013 12:20:24 AM
"Wilma, are you sure you're okay? I already gave your wand back to you." (Thursday, March 21st)
Wilma; AC17 (+1 Mithril chain shirt); HP 35/35 Tuesday April 2nd, 2013 2:24:38 AM
OOC: Wilma's okay--Wilma's PLAYER isn't. Sigh. She would not have asked for the wand, then...she'd just be glaring at her brother.
Ariach AC 26/14/19 ; HP 21/59 Tuesday April 2nd, 2013 5:43:31 AM
Ariach watches Grellīs attempt to break the lock. Of course he is curious what is in the chest but he stays back and tries to seem relaxed.
The bolted chest Tuesday April 2nd, 2013 2:13:52 PM
Some discussion takes place between the party members as they collectively stare at the small chest sitting innocently on the floor. A rope is still cinched around it trailing across the floor to Vaniime.
Emrys stands back leaning on his walking stick while watching the others talk about the chest, his other hand still grips the scepter. He can feel a coldness flowing up his arm from the scepter, its not a pleasant feeling. (1 neg level while holding/carrying said scepter) through the scepter Emrys has a mild feeling of sensation, an itching at the back of his skull saying 'that way.' Turning his head around to scan across the room, Emrys slowly localizes that he senses two distinct points. One each localized near Thessa and Grell.
It's really feint, like a small hair in the back of the throat, that there are more points, but they are not close.
Tuck HP 42/42 AC 18/18/14 Tuesday April 2nd, 2013 5:22:34 PM
Tuck waits patiently as Grell hacks at the lock.
Grell, AC18/13/16, HP68/68, Fatigued d20+10=19 ; 2d6+11=16 ; Tuesday April 2nd, 2013 9:11:53 PM
Looks at the lock that he just hacked at in frustration...it's like he didn't even touch the thing! Hefting his sword once more, he makes another blow at the infernal safety device, determined to obliterate it. (AC19 for 16)
Wilma; AC17 (+1 Mithril chain shirt); HP 35/35 Tuesday April 2nd, 2013 10:39:56 PM
"When we get out of here," Wilma rasped, "We'll have to look into recruiting a rogue to round out our merry band..."
Emrys ac10, hp25/25. light, prestidigitation, deathwatch, unseen servant, divine favor d20+14=30 ; Wednesday April 3rd, 2013 12:27:16 AM
Emrys gives a quick glance at the scepter in his hand. Through all the noise of theories and ideas, not to mention the minutia of random thoughts, a feeling compels him to investigate the area near Grell and Thessa. So that is what he does, "Pardon me, my friends," he says as he negotiates a path between the two.
(Perception: 30)
Ariach AC 26/14/19 ; HP 21/59 Wednesday April 3rd, 2013 3:27:17 AM
Ariach turns up his nose at Wilmaīs statement.
"I donīt think we need a rogue. I donīt want such a person around me. Beside that thereīs maybe a reason why this chest should keep unlocked."
The bolted chest Wednesday April 3rd, 2013 3:40:17 PM
I show Thessa and Tuck standing near the chest, and Grell would have moved to be able to attack the chest sitting there so innocently, minding its own business.
Emrys was south of Thessa, moves west of her and Grell.
I do believe I have everyone where they seem to be on the map.
Edit: Emrys does detect something coming from the area of both Grell and Thessa. In fact, it looked like the back of Thessa's shirt moved a little, like there was something under it. Hard to tell with Grell swinging away at the chest, but, maybe?
Grell, AC18/13/16, HP68/68, Fatigued Wednesday April 3rd, 2013 5:38:15 PM
Uhhhmmm...it would be really nice to know what my 2 attacks have done so far....or what they haven't done...or if Grell got sucked into an existential time vortex. Just some kind of DM reaction. ;) I'm guessing we're headed back into combat, but I really don't have anything to go on right now. Hep me Mr. DM...Hep me. ;)
DM sorry, wanted confirmation from the others of where they had moved to since you have broken the lock on the chest... duunnn dunnn... duuuunnnn duun... duuunnnnnnnn dun dun dun dun...
Wilma; AC17 (+1 Mithril chain shirt); HP 35/35 Wednesday April 3rd, 2013 10:01:42 PM
Wilma cleared her throat--as soon as she could, she was going to make sure she got some nice hot tea with a LOT of honey in it...that ought to help out how gritty her throat was feeling. She stepped up beside Tuck and peered around the monk to see how successful her brother was at attacking poor, innocent chests minding their own business in the middle of a secret sanctuary...
OOC: Wilma now occupies K21. She has her quarterstaff in her right hand and her newly-returned CLW wand in her left
Ariach AC 26/14/19 ; HP 21/59 Thursday April 4th, 2013 2:14:18 AM
Ariach still observes Grellīs attacks against the chest. He wonders how long it will take to put Grell in rage when he cannot open the chest.
The chest d4+15=19 ; Thursday April 4th, 2013 12:07:08 PM I knew that if I waited patiently I could get everyone crowding around the chest... bwahahaha
Grell's aggression on the chest proves fruitful as his mighty and great sword cleaves into the chest laying before him. His repeated attempts to thrust his sword into the chest has worked, as the integrity of the chest is compromised. A ruddy glow blushes over the chest as Grell ignites the fires within.
Okay, so there's only so much I can do to make it sound like a trashy romance novel!
Grell, Emrys, Thessa, and Tuck all get to make reflex saves, DC 16 for half damage as the fire trap erupts from the chest. Damage is 19 fire.
Once the party recovers, they find the following inside the chest: A simple bronze headband decorated with an intricate pattern of fine green etchings. An ebony ring with a small silver shield inlayed. A pair of soft boots that appear to be made from living leaves. A quiver with 50 arrows. They shimmer slightly.
In addition, a small leather bag contains: a golden yellow topaz (444g) a deep blue spinel (194g) two alexandrites (466g, 196g) a ring made from intricately engraved platinum (1018g) a white opal (603g) a silver pearl (72g) a star rose quartz (25g) a rhodochrosite (2g) two malachite's (5g, 3g)
another leather pouch bulges with coins 120 platinum pieces 1300 gold pieces
Tuck HP 23/42 AC 18/18/14 d20+7=8 ; Thursday April 4th, 2013 5:31:50 PM
As Grell hacks through the lock, Tuck is caught yawning and gets a face full of fire.
He staggers back against the wall, swatting at his clothes to snuff tiny flames looking to engulf his duds.
"Oh man!" He sits with his back to the wall. "That hurt a lot."
Blinking his eyes, he peers around to see if everyone else is all right.
Emrys ac10, hp01/20. -1 temp. level drain, light, prestidigitation, deathwatch, unseen servant, divine favor d20+5=15 ; Thursday April 4th, 2013 7:26:27 PM
(ooc: I have to call for shenanigans on that one. No way Emrys would stand next to Grell while he's a swingin' on a powder keg.)
(Reflex: 15)
"AUUUGGHHH!!" cries Emrys as he is caught off guard by the blast. The pain is too much for him to bear. The searing pain of the flames scorching his fair and flawlessly beautiful skin. He drops to his knees and sets the scepter down so he can pat out the flames on his clothing. Thankfully he had his back turned to the assault, and the hood of his cloak was up. Otherwise his hair would have never survived.
Still grimaced in pain, his tears are his only relief as they drip upon his wounds. Unable to control his trembling, Emrys proclaims, "Oh gods ... I think I'm losing ... consciousness!"
Wilma; AC17 (+1 Mithril chain shirt); HP 35/35 d8+5=13 ; Friday April 5th, 2013 4:44:13 AM
Wilma gasped as the brief gout of flames flared up right next to her--just a little closer and she would have been roasted much as poor Emrys had been! However, she was not roasted, so she extended her arm and tapped Emrys with the wand he had just returned to her, making him a bit less crispy.
OOC: Wilma uses another charge of her wand and heals Emrys of 13hp damage.
Grell, AC18/13/16, HP58/68, Fatigued d20+1=17 ; Friday April 5th, 2013 7:53:48 AM
As he brings down his sword the second time, Grell catches a brief flash of light and spins just before the flames engulf him completely (Ref.=17). "ARRRRRRRRGGG!!!" the battle worn orc cries out in pain and anger as the heat blisters his arms and neck. As he spins, he spots both Emrys and Tuck also sporting burns. Slumping his shoulders, Grell mutters "Sorry" as he continues to snuff out the flames on his armor.
Vaniime AC 18/14/14, HP:45/45 [perception] d20+11=17 ; Friday April 5th, 2013 11:31:44 AM
Being behind everyone else with the tray of seeds in front of her she looks up for a moment and thinks but isn't sure perception dc17 she sees something moving under Thessa's shirt. Carefully she takes a flask of oil out of her pack and pours it on the tray making sure she covers each one of the seeds extremely carfully.
It is just about this time that Grell puts his sword through the chest and ignites all of her friends nearby startling the heck out of her. " What in Waard's name!!! Grell!!!!" Once the smoike clears she sees that Wilma is healing those who need to be healed and turns back to her previous task and removes a tindertwig from her pocket.
"OK Guys I am going to light these guys up and see if we can dispose of these here and now."
Wilma; AC17 (+1 Mithril chain shirt); HP 35/35 d8+5=9 ; Saturday April 6th, 2013 1:22:06 AM
Although she had no idea whether or not Thessa needed healing, Wilma next applied the wand in her left hand to Tuck's injuries.
OOC: Tuck's been healed by 9hp. Still waiting on Thessa's player to see if she needs some healing, too.
Emrys ac10, hp01/20. -1 temp. level drain, light, prestidigitation, deathwatch, unseen servant, divine favor d20+10=18 ; d20+10=17 ; d20+10=14 ; d20+10=27 ; d20+10=11 ; d20+14=20 ; Saturday April 6th, 2013 1:26:15 AM
"Thank you, Wilma. I feel much better. What happened?" Emrys turns to Grell and hears his apology. Emrys again takes the scepter in his hand, an act that he finds most unpleasant, and slowly and feebly returns to his feet. Emrys tries his best to mask his exasperation and wipes away his tears before turning to, "Grell! I don't mean to sound vexing, but next time ... lets invest in a crowbar. We only needed you to dislodge the latch, not sever its head! Once unlocked, we simply allow my servant the honor of being trapfodder!" Emrys sighs and pauses to collect his thoughts then notices the chest is open. "Splendid, what did we find?"
He tucks the scepter under his belt to free his hand. "Thanks for the warning, Vaniime," says Emrys as he steps out of the way, avoiding another near-death by fire experience.
"Wilma, can you allow another tap of your wand for myself after everyone else has been healed. My healing magiks pale miserably to yours," he says with the warmest smile.
Emrys peers over into the chest and casts a simple divination. He then stands there concentrating on the items to see which ones are magical or not. (Casting Detect Magic, and concentrating several rounds.) If Emrys discovers that some of the items are in fact magical, he will help remove those items from the chest and set the magical ones on a level portion of the bed. IF the bed is not a suitable surface to place such items, he will choose a better place. He wishes to avoid unwanted harm to mysteriously happen to the items due to contact with his flesh and old, moldy linens. He takes special care not to drop the items on the floor due to sudden butterfinger syndrome. He will not allow them to drop and break or roll away into a bottomless crack in the floor; never to be seen again. He takes every precaution a person of his intelligence and insight to overcome every imaginable obstacle that could happen in the extremely short distance these items must cross. If he perceives this task too daunting, he will ask for help from any of his nearby friends. (Perception: 20)
"These items could help expedite our release from this horrid place. Should I try and identify them?"
Since his haversack is currently empty, and he doesn't have the benefit of his tools, Emrys will instead cast Guidance and then recast Detect Magic in order to identify each of the magical items. He will lean his walking stick against the bed frame, and keep it within reach, to have the benefit of both his hands (scepter is tucked into his belt). If the bed proves not sturdy enough to hold the weight of his leaning walking stick or the magic items; he will not use the bed for such a surface. He will ask his friends to help hold the various items. When attempting to identify these items, he will hold each magical item, one at a time, in one hand and cast his spells with the other hand. IF a dangerous and/or life-threatening event were to occur, Emrys will NOT continue working, he will help his friends gather up these items and go. Emrys, if he had to choose, would leave behind the treasure than his most beloved walking stick.
(Emrys will recast Guidance and Detect Magic with each item he attempts to identify. Spellcraft checks: 18, 17, 14, 27, 11. DC=15+caster level. Blah, really poor rolls! Of course, if there aren't any magical items then disregard.)
(Since we are out of combat, Emrys is performing many rounds of actions in the interest of saving time. IF we are still in combat, simply end my post after getting up up off the floor and moving out of the way of Vaniime's bonfire.)
Emrys ac10, hp14/20. -1 temp. level drain, light, prestidigitation, deathwatch, unseen servant, divine favor Saturday April 6th, 2013 1:27:49 AM
(ooc: Forgot to correct Emrys' hit point total.)
Wilma; AC17 (+1 Mithril chain shirt); HP 35/35 d8+5=13 ; d8+5=9 ; d8+5=9 ; d8+5=8 ; d8+5=10 ; d8+5=7 ; Saturday April 6th, 2013 1:02:48 PM
Since Thessa still hadn't said anything about needing to be healed, Wilma turned her attention to others in the group: Ariach, Grell, Tuck, and Emrys. Ariach still looked quite ragged, so she tapped him twice more.
"There!" the cleric of Gargul said, nodding. "I do believe you're all fighting fit now..." She turned curious sapphire eyes Thessa's way to await an update from the young spellcaster about her state of health.
OOC: the total amount of healing each character receives from Wilma's wand: Ariach 30hp; Grell 9hp; Tuck 9hp; and Emrys 8hp.
Ariach AC 26/14/19 ; HP 51/59 Sunday April 7th, 2013 2:25:57 PM
Ariach doesnīt know which feeling holds the upper hand. Of course he is relieved the explosion doesnīt harm him but he suffers with his friends and feels guilty he didnīt take position in the first row. Now he looks around unsure what doing next.
After receiving Wilmaīs healing energy he thankfully nods his head. "Thank you priestess but donīt waste your miracles on me. There are other who need your help more urgent.
Scene 5 - We're Gonna Need a Bigger Boat
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.
Back to Plateau City
Through the portal - Ezra Monday June 10th, 2013 10:03:38 PM
Emrys finds that as he turns his concentration to raising the ground below him, the walls of ooze flow back down to ground level. When he switches and wills more walls to impede the ooze, the mound to the portal starts to sink. With the laughter of Focus in his head, Emrys bares his teeth and switches back and forth between raising the mound and raising obstacles.
The others arrive before long all standing before a mound of ooze ground that slowly raises and drops as Emrys fights to keep the ooze delayed.
Once the mound is high enough, and with the ooze (a bog scum) starting up the ramp, the children of the cultists are pushed through along with Ms. Goode. With a last look back, the heroes jump through the portal.
***** Feel free to describe any last actions/thoughts before jumping through the portal. Tomorrow we will start in Ms. Goode's basement.
I still need emails of what you would like to do with your characters growth wise.
I would also like to thank everyone for their long suffering and patience as this adventure closes.
Tuck HP 29/42 AC 18/18/14 Tuesday June 11th, 2013 10:10:26 AM
Tuck chucks Gertrude through the portal, unceremoniously. After all the children and Ms. Goode are through, he leaps after, not sparing a glance back at the horrible place.
Vaniime AC 18/14/15, HP:40/45, Dodge Tuesday June 11th, 2013 1:12:54 PM
Breathing a sigh of relief as Ariach and Grell finally make it, and just in the nick of time, Vaniime holds her tongue lashing and waits until everyone else is through the portal and then dives through at the end.
Picking herself off the ground she looks around and finds Ariach. marching up to him she pulls every inch of her entire 5 foot tall self up and stares up into his face.
"What in Domi's name did you think you were doing? YOU ALL decided to make me the incharge person of this group for some reason and agreed to follow my orders, unless they were stupid. The order given was for a full retreat and to run, NOT for one person to sacrifice himself for no apparent good while the rest got away, so I can only assume that you did not hear the order and need someone to clean out your ears. Did you even think about how the rest of us would feel if you died in vain. Did you even think how Wilma might feel? Did you even think at all? You are part of our family and we don't leave family behind."
She continues to stare up at him waiting for some sort of response.
Ariach AC 26/14/19 ; HP 51/59 Tuesday June 11th, 2013 7:19:17 PM
While Vaniime gives Ariach a tongue lashing the young man looks straight to the ground. Obviously he is very ashamed. Stammering he responds rueful "I didnīt want to disregard your orders. But i couldnīt know that walls will appear unexpectedly and slow down the ooze. At the moment i made the decision to stop, it was clear i wouldnīt make it to the portal right in time." Suddendly Ariach draws himself up to his full height and it seems that something givs him new strength. With a loud, firm voice he continues. "Accept my apologize on not executing your command to the end. But it is the aquired right of a warrior to die with his weapon in hand, facing his nemesis. I thought the day of my death has come."
Emrys ac10, hp20/20. light, prestidigitation d20+9=24 ; d20+5=21 ; Tuesday June 11th, 2013 7:20:18 PM
The tension of holding back a whale of a beast and allowing an exit for his friends is about all his frazzled mind can take. Near the end, he could feel his will beginning to fracture. The manic laughter from the scepter only served to charge his anger. This unholy tool will pay for its treachery and the violation of countless minds.
When the time was right, Emrys threw himself through the portal. The nausea of having his body unravel and funnel through the vast expanse of time and space lasted for a moment. Suddenly he finds himself flung through Mrs. Goode's basement, tripping over bodies and eventually falling to very solid floor!
In a hushed, passionate tones, a euphoric Emrys speaks, "Oh floor, you beautiful, hardwood, so exquisitely rigid floor!" He can't help but feel moved to kiss it. "So solid," he coughs and clears his throat, "so dusty and dry! Oh, how I adore your dryness, you beautiful floor!"
(Will save: 24, to maintain control of scepter. Reflex save: 21, to keep hold of it after the fall.)
Emrys then slowly climbs to his feet and asks Mrs. Goode, "Madam, would you be so kind as to allow me to borrow a jar or vessel, with a secure lid, large enough to contain this unfortunate scepter? Its day of reckoning has come!"
Through the portal - Ezra Tuesday June 11th, 2013 8:10:41 PM
As Emrys jumps through the portal a scream of anger and fright is suddenly cut off. After comes to his feet he realizes that he no longer feels cold, in fact he feels quite well. Focus, that decidedly unpleasant item that has plagued Emrys existence for the last hour, though it seems like weeks, has gone silent.
Emrys senses nothing from the scepter. Anyone casting detect magic finds no aura on the scepter. Emrys' negative level is returned. A lingering aura is discernible in the wall where the portal was located. It's not obvious if this is an active effect or just the lingering energy.
DC 15 Perception Highlight to display spoiler: {There is a lot of dust in the basement. More than what should be there for a few hours absence, especially after the whirlwind that sucked everyone into the portal.}
DC 20 Perception Highlight to display spoiler: {The level of dust indicates several weeks, maybe a month of dust accumulated.}
DC 23 Perception Highlight to display spoiler: {There are several tracks through the dust. Booted, human sized.}
DC 25 Perception Highlight to display spoiler: {At least five different sets of tracks in the basement, a single track with more dust in it and four other tracks with only a smattering of dust, probably just a few days.}
Wilma; AC17 (+1 Mithril chain shirt); HP 35/35; Fly d20+10=13 ; Tuesday June 11th, 2013 9:43:29 PM OOC: DM post was a mite earlier than I thought it would be...and Wilma's Perception roll sucks this time, too, with a mere 13 for a total.
Wilma was pleased that the trip through the freaky magic portal resulted in everyone popping back into Mistress Goode's basement. She coughed a bit--her acid-damaged throat seemed oddly sensitive, but she took a head count to confirm that everyone had made it back to the Wold. Even as she finished counting, Van's tirade aimed at Ariach finally made an impression, and the red-headed cleric turned a pale and shocked face towards him.
"Your day of death...?" she echoed, her voice still a bit croaky. "What? You were going to face down that...that...thing...all by yourself..???" She blinked for a moment, speechless. Then she strode forward a few steps, crowding Van away from Ariach (more by virtue of her taller height and heavier weight than because she was actively pushing the spirit ranger to one side.)
"Ariach Gatelatch..!" Wilma said fiercely. "You dared to face unconquerable odds though it may have killed you???" Scowling, her free hand snagged the backpack strap that was looped around his right shoulder.
"I just love that in a noble warrior!" the redhead declared, her disapproval melting into a dazzling smile that Ariach only caught the barest glimpse of before Wilma hauled him close and planted an enthusiastic kiss on his lips...
Vaniime AC 18/14/15, HP:40/45, Dodge d20+11=18 Wednesday June 12th, 2013 8:42:26 AM
Not quite finished with Ariach, Vaniime is about to continue as she is bumped out of the way by her best friend rushing toward him. After that she knew there was going to be no way Ariach would ever even hear a thing she had to say right now, so shaking her head she moves off to check on the others.
Tuck, Emrys, Grell, are you all right? Ms. Goode, are you and the children alright? Anyone have injuries that Wilma needs to take care of when she is finished swapping spit with Ariach.
Tuck you and Emrys want to do a quick recon of the area to see what's up. There seems to be an awful lot of dust for the short time we were gone. Perception DC18
DM Ezra - Perc roll?
Tuck HP 29/42 AC 18/18/14 d20+11=22 ; Wednesday June 12th, 2013 5:45:54 PM
Tuck helps the children to their feet after the hustle through the portal. He dusts himself off before he realizes that it's actual dust that he's dusting off. He looks around the room and notes the accumulation. (Perception 22)
"It looks like we've been absent for a while. I hope they haven't rented out our house."
With a wide grin, he claps Grell on his oversized shoulders. "We made it!"
Tuck nods at Vaniime. "I could use a touch up from Wilma. After she tends to Ariach, of course. After Grell pounds him good."
Tuck chuckles at this. "We also need to see to these children. Some hot food and baths are in order!"
Ariach AC 26/14/19 ; HP 51/59 Wednesday June 12th, 2013 6:06:17 PM
After Ariach has done his views be known, the warrior expects a curt reply from Vaniim. He notes with regret that even Wilma comes toward him to scold him for being that stupid.
The young cleric pushes Vaniime aside and......... kisses him. Never before the young man was that suprised. Was he dreaming? But he can feel her soft lips. He can smell her sweet scent. Instinctively he wraps his arm around her waist and presses her closer to him. But then he remembers where they are located and that it would be a clear violation of the code. It is through and through dishonorable to compromise a lady in public. Ariach solves his arm from her waist and gives her a happy smile. All the danger, all the fear he has felt before is gone now. When did he ever felt so happy in his life?
Wilma; AC17 (+1 Mithril chain shirt); HP 35/35; Fly d8+5=12 ; d8+5=13 ; d8+5=6 ; d8+5=7 ; Wednesday June 12th, 2013 7:31:57 PM
It took Wilma a moment or two to recover from Ariach's response. The smile on her own face doesn't completely disappear when Tuck's observations are made, prompting her to release her grip on the warrior and turn towards the monk as she pulled out her wand of curative magic.
"Now that we don't have to outrace a tsunami of goo," she pointed out, tapping Tuck's shoulder with the wand, "I'm more than happy to help you out there, Tuck..." OOC: Tuck is healed of 12hp damage. Noting the various wounds and bruises, she also taps Ariach, Van and Grell with it. The trio are healed of 13, 6 and 7 hit points respectively.
"We really ought to find out how much time has passed while we were rescuing the children from that plane," Wilma agreed. "We can only hope that we weren't gone more than three months, since we put first and last month's rent and a one-month security deposit on our townhouse...we were covered for three month's worth of occupation..."
"Speaking of dust, there certainly is a lot of ..." and then he is distracted by what is NOT there. "Ring the Bell ... it's gone! The Focus is gone!!" Emrys pulls the wretched scepter to his eyes and after casting a simple divination, his face suddenly begins to brighten. "No magic! It's nothing but a scepter. The focus of Shandresh, the key to that nightmarish realm is no more... disenchanted!" Then he recalls the scream and the crackle that followed as he leap through the portal. He wasn't sure what it was from. Now that he is certain, his mood becomes much improved. A great weight seems to have lifted off the poor bard.
(Knowledge [Planes]: 22. Intelligence check: 22, to remember their conversation and discovery about the children's time spent in that realm and what time they are from.)
Turning back to the excessive dust, Emrys doesn't recall it being this dusty just a little over an hour ago. He remembers the discussion they had with the children and the fact that their clothing was hopelessly out of fashion. They had discovered, back when they first entered the realm, that time was obviously not in sync with that of the Wold. Emrys had calculated, based on his estimates and the children's testimony, that approximately 24 hours passed in the Wold for every 5 minutes they spent in that horrid realm. "Some time has passed," he agrees with Wilma. "I'd say at least two weeks, maybe more! We've been missed!"
"I'm physically fine, Vaniime. No injuries, except that of my wardrobe ... oh, my hair! I must look a fright! No one must see me this way. He gives the garland band on his head a touch, and Emrys suddenly "appears" to be primped and proper. (Hat of Disguise. Disguise check: 28)
Emrys then heads for the door to exit the basement. He listens at the door to determine if anyone is on the other side. He slowly opens the door and peeks out to see.
Emrys ac10, hp20/20. light, prestidigitation Wednesday June 12th, 2013 8:50:35 PM
(ooc: The Perception: 25 was his listen check at the door.)
Emrys ac10, hp20/20. light, prestidigitation Wednesday June 12th, 2013 9:05:41 PM
Emrys' trademark warm smile returns. Many of those, entranced by his smile, can't help but smile themselves. That uncanny warmth and loveliness returns when he looks upon Ariach and Wilma. "It's about time, you two!"
Grell, AC20/13/18, HP63/68 d20+4=18 ; Wednesday June 12th, 2013 10:17:19 PM
Grell watches the exchange between Wilma and Ariach with incredulity. His jaw still open and gaping when Wilma prods him with the wand. "Uhhhh...." Grell's glance shifts from Wilma, then to Ariach and then back again. "Errrrr...." Grell's minds spins. He thought he had dealt with the idea of his friend and sister being an item, but to see it up close. Well, it was more difficult than he imagined. Grell forces his head to the side, noticing the dust. (Percept=18). A thought of terror fills his puny mind, distracting him from the romantic interludes of his sister. "No, oh, no!!" Grell runs out of the house and bolts straight for the Vanguard's home, one thought on his mind. His sweet little kitty...she'd been so little before he left. If they've been gone for too long..." Grell heads straight toward his room, intent to find out the fate of his pet...
Through the portal - Ezra Thursday June 13th, 2013 11:56:59 AM elapsed time in the demiplane was several hours. After the end of the last battle to jumping through the portal was just about an hour in itself
Vaniime was happy to have survived and find herself back in the Wold. Just as Grell rushes out the door, Vaniime feels a numbness course through her body as a wave of fatigue stagers her.
Grell runs next door, the front porch is piled with news sheets and leaves. Pushing the door pen, Grell finds a thick layer of dust covering everything.
Wilma; AC17 (+1 Mithril chain shirt); HP 35/35; Fly Thursday June 13th, 2013 1:56:46 PM
Wilma's worried eyes followed Grell as he fled the basement, concerned for his kitten. She hoped he would find the little hellcat safe--she hadn't been as fond of the cat as he had been, but she certainly didn't wish it to die from the lack of being fed because the entire Vanguard team had been missing from the Wold for weeks or even months.
"Mistress Goode," the cleric said, turning back to the lady baker, "Since our exit from that...place...forced you to interrupt your cooking before you were really ready, how about if we prevail upon you to finish what you started, and make these children the meal you'd been hoping to serve them? They will be needing all their strength, you know." Wilma glanced around at the survivors of Shandresh's extra-planar plot, then added in a bit of a whisper to the older woman:
"You know...for when we have to tell them exactly how much time really has passed in the Wold while they were trapped...?" The redheaded teen turned to Vaniime.
"How about I go to the Black Cathedral and ask after today's date?" she offered. "The priests there should be able to advise us about how we might be able to help out poor Thessa--" Wilma nodded in the direction of Emrys, who still had the ooze that had once been their teammate in a jar in his pack, "--as well as some wisdom about how to handle our current circumstances."
Tuck HP 41/42 AC 18/18/14 Thursday June 13th, 2013 5:47:48 PM
Tuck puts a steadying hand on Vaniime as she falters. "Are you ok? Why don't you sit down."
"Wilma, can you take a look at Vaniime?"
Ariach AC 26/14/19 ; HP 51/59 Thursday June 13th, 2013 5:55:46 PM
"Sounds like a good idea" Ariach responses to Wilmaīs proposals. "I will wait here and keep Mistress Goode and the children company until you return." In wonderment he wipes with his hand over the old cabinet and has a long close look at the dust.
Wilma; AC17 (+1 Mithril chain shirt); HP 35/35; Fly Thursday June 13th, 2013 7:39:33 PM
Wilma's sapphire eyes narrowed as Vaniime seemed to have a fatigued reaction. Her wounds had been healed by the curing magic from Wilma's wand, so what could be...
Then the priestess of Gargul recalled the disturbing visuals she'd received after trying to locate the missing heartseed...and how that indefinable glow had surrounded both Shandresh and Vaniime.
"I cast my Location spell just before we went through the portal--" Wilma said out loud, biting her lip. "--I wanted to locate that missing heartseed...you know, the one that was gone from the box we opened back at Shandresh's temple...? The spell showed me Shandresh with a weird glow...and Vaniime having that same glow, too. I think we need to get Van to the temple as soon as we can..."
Vaniime AC 18/14/15, HP:40/45, Dodge Thursday June 13th, 2013 8:42:22 PM
Feeling a wave of something, the elf lass staggers a bit and feels Tuck's hand at her elbow steadying her.
"Thanks Tuck, I think I'm alri........... Then what Wilma says hits her ears. "What?!!?? Do you mean glow?"
Then it dawns on her what Wilma is suggesting and the little elf goes stock still. Looking around she is glad to see that Grell is gone for she would hate for him to see any weakness form her.
A tear forms at the corner of one eye and then is gone just as quickly.
"Wilma, You will get this god forsaken thing out of me right now, Or I swear by Domi's hammer and anvil that I will slit my throat from ear to ear before I let that pointy toothed, want to be god, G'aal get a foothold back in the Wold through me!"
At this point Vaniime goes quiet again, and with a quivering lip and pleading look at Wilma, silently mouths the word "Please."
Emrys strains to get back up off the floor, brushing Grell's dusty footprint off his backside. His warmth and happiness that had just been rekindled becomes thoroughly quenched upon the realization that the words of the Focus were true. The missing seed was indeed in one of their own. Emrys stands there with his back turned as he takes a short moment to gather is composure. He listens to what everyone has said and he shakes his head in defiance. "No, this curse will not befall you, dear Vaniime. We will not allow it."
Emrys attempts to cast a spell however the power crackles and fizzes (leyline roll: 8), "Fumblefists!" He attempts it again, however this time the spell decides to cooperate. (leyline: 41.Deathwatch. 0-level spell for Emrys, no spellcast lost.) With his some resemblance of his warmth restored (Bluff: 24, to hide his true feelings and dispair), he turns to Vaniime and concentrates on her life force and any other living things within her. "We have some time, but less than a day. The sickness is just beginning to manifest. This I know. We need to get you to a priest of Domi or Alemi. They would know what to do!" Emrys frantically searches his mind about what he knows of Gaal, heartseeds and anything he learned from the Focus (Knowledge [Religion]: 31).
Emrys ac10, hp25/25. light, deathwatch Thursday June 13th, 2013 9:32:47 PM
(ooc: sorry, i forgot to update my name line.)
Through the portal - Ezra Thursday June 13th, 2013 9:55:16 PM Vaniime has lost 1 pt from each attribute
Ms. Goode nods and heads upstairs to the kitchen, where she soon shrieks.
Grell is searching through the Vanguard's home looking for his lost kitten.
And the others discuss future actions.
The various children slowly stand and brush themselves off, looking about with bewilderment. It looks like the same place we went in through.
Wilma; AC17 (+1 Mithril chain shirt); HP 35/35; Fly d20+10=14 ; d20+10=22 ; Friday June 14th, 2013 1:48:19 AM
Wilma simply stared at her best friend since childhood, horrified that Van wasn't contradicting her theory. She was stunned and overwhelmed at the magnitude of what Van was asking--especially since removing a heartseed from an unwilling recipient was something that hadn't been a common topic of discussion during her Religion studies. Even as she opened her mouth to respond, Mistress Goode's cry from upstairs interrupted.
"Tuck--please make sure that Mistress Goode isn't in serious trouble..?" she asked the monk. Wilma held forth her staff in her right hand, brandishing it so that the meticulously-carved open-eye symbol of Gargul atop it was at her own eye level. She removed her silver holy symbol from her belt pouch and clasped it in her free hand..which anyone observing could see was shaking a bit.
"Gargul, Lord of Life and Death," Wilma intoned, "Look upon your humble servant in her hour of need and lend your aid to this attempt to separate one who wishes to choose her own path through the Wold from an instrument of a deity that would usurp this freedom from her..."
OOC: Wilma is casting her Prayer spell, intending to use the bonus it will provide to her to apply it to her follow-up action: making a Knowledge (religion) check to divine what it will take to safely remove the heartseed from Vaniime. The Prayer will also be handy in adding a +1 to any Saving Throw that Van may have to make on her own part.
Rolled a 14 for the Religion check--I'm burning a Hero Point because this is important, so the Religion check on the reroll is a total of 22 for Wilma to try to recall what needs to be done for Vaniime now.
Ariach AC 26/14/19 ; HP 51/59 Friday June 14th, 2013 4:37:59 AM
For a short moment Ariachīs face shows the impression of being shocked but he recovers quickly. It will not help Vaniime if he panics. "As you all know my mother is a priestess of Domi right here in Plateau City. Of course she will help you Vaniime or at least escort you to someone who knows what to do. But i am sure Wilmaīs priesthood knows what to do too. And there is no doubt that the heartseed has to fight the toughest person from all of us."
Grell, AC20/13/18, HP63/68 Friday June 14th, 2013 6:44:06 AM
"Kitty....here kitty, kitty!!" I didn't even get a chance to name her yet! Grell tosses furniture in a desperate attempt to locate his pet. One small thought gives him a tiny measures of reassurance. If she is dead, he would have surely smelled the decomposition by now. Still, he bounds up the stairs, two at a time toward his room, needed to know for sure whether or not his newly acquired kitten has met an awful fate.
OOC: DAD GUM IT!! I'm missing all the awesome action with Van!!! Grrrr!!! ;)
Emrys ac10, hp25/25. light, deathwatch Friday June 14th, 2013 7:54:48 AM
(ooc: Is there another dm post coming in response to yesterdays posts, because a result to Emrys' actions were ignored and left unanswered.
Emrys ac10, hp25/25. light, deathwatch Friday June 14th, 2013 8:50:19 AM
"That's a sound plan, Ariach! Lets remove ourselves from this basement and step into the light where we belong." Then the shriek from Mistress Goode and the comment from the children. Emrys' head turns back and forth, in the order of both occurrences. However he only responds to the children. "What?! You've seen this place before?"
Interlude - Ezra Friday June 14th, 2013 3:40:40 PM I believe the issue of heartseeds and knowledge therewith was previously identified when the box of seeds was first discovered, and the information on the public wiki is known. Taking her to a priest seems self evident .
Please review your experience, you should have: 500 for responding to Ms. Goode's request for aid. 500 for finding and befriending the children. 1000 for defeating the livestones. 500 for defeating the gelatinous orb's 1500 for not fighting the bog scum and succesfully escaping the demiplane.
Focus, a finely crafted scepter, appears to be worth 2000g. Headband of inspired Wisdom +2 Ring of protection +1 Boots of Elvenkind 50 ghost touch arrows Golden yellow topaz 444gp, Deep blue spinel 194gp, Alexandrite 466gp, Ring 1018gp, White opal 603gp, Silver pearl 72gp, Alexandrite 196gp, Star rose quartz 25gp, Rhodochrosite 2gp, Malachite 5gp, Malachite 3gp 120 platinum pieces and 1300 gold pieces.
In addition, another 1000 experience and a hero point for putting up with me.
Tuck HP 41/42 AC 18/18/14 d20+11=29 ; Friday June 14th, 2013 6:34:15 PM
Tuck nods at Wilma and rushes up the stairs to see what's the matter with Ms. Goode.
(Perception 29)
Grell, AC20/13/18, HP63/68 Friday June 14th, 2013 9:58:07 PM
Dust literally flies as Grell continues to toss his apartment in search of his lost kitten. Slowly a realization begins to dawn in his dim mind...he's all alone. Where are the others?! Spending a little more time tossing the townhouse, Grell eventually gives up and heads back toward Ms. Goode's house, intent on figuring out what is taking the others so long.
OOC: Hey uh, Mr. DM dude, could you just throw me a bone on the kitten thing? Even if it's just that Grell sees no sign of the kitten, just some input would be nice.
DM Dude - there is no sign of the kitten, though you do find a window broken by a branch in a back room, most likely the kitten escaped through the window.
"Ms Goode, can you keep the kids here until we take care of a little problem? Ariach, you lead the way as fast as you can and we will follow you to your mother. Emrys, can you go get Grell and Tuck and let them know where we are going and then meet us back here or follow behind if we have already left? Wilma, can you stay beside me just incase...?"
Emrys ac10, hp25/25. light, deathwatch Sunday June 16th, 2013 1:33:58 PM
"Of course, Vaniime. All will be taken care of. Need not worry, it is not your time this day. I've had fleeting visions of a much older Vaniime. Your recovery is in the stars." With a confident, warm smile, he bids a short farewell. "Come on, children. Lets get you all up to the kitchen. I'm sure Ms Goode has something upstairs very good to eat. She was probably screaming at a cockroach or a bit of moldy bread."
As he turns away to the door, his warm expression melts back to a serious expression. As he enters the kitchen, he looks to Ms. Goode and asks, "What has you troubled, Ms. Goode?" If there doesn't appear to be any deadly threat or menacing or bloody display, Emrys will follow his first question with a second, "Can you look after the children for a short while? Pardon our retreat, but Vaniime is suffering from an affliction and is in dire need of a high priest. I'm sure you understand. We thank you for all your efforts in these trying times." And if there is no real need for a bewitching bard in Ms. Goode's kitchen, then he will exit her home and hurry back to the Vanguard townhouse to retrieve Grell.
Emrys ac10, hp28/28. light, deathwatch Sunday June 16th, 2013 1:40:05 PM
(ooc: I forgot to update the name line. Emrys gained a level.)
Wilma; AC17 (+1 Mithril chain shirt); HP 51/51 Monday June 17th, 2013 1:30:04 AM
"There...that should hold you until we get you to a more experienced cleric," Wilma said to Vaniime, tucking her holy symbol back into her belt pouch, "I know that Ariach's folks are somewhere in the city, but I think the Black Cathedral is closer. Let's go there now and ask the temple clerics to make sure that heartseed doesn't do any damage..."
OOC: by the way--are peoples' Handy Haversacks working properly now, or is all the gear that had been stored in them before going into the pocket plane considered destroyed?
Emrys ac10, hp28/28. light, deathwatch d20+14=31 ; d20+12=24 ; Monday June 17th, 2013 1:31:21 PM
(Im going to be gone all afternoon and this evening at a concert, so I am posting now for today. If something happens that prevents Emrys to get to this point, then disregard.)
Once Emrys leaves the front door of Ms. Goode's house, if he doesn't immediately spot in the street a cabriolet for hire (Perception: 31), he will make a request to one of the nearby Raven Crescent irregulars (local street children), "Here take this," and Emrys tosses him a gold coin, "as fast as you can, find a carriage for hire and bring it to this house. I will pay you handsomely for your effort!" (Diplomacy: 24)
Ariach AC 26/14/19 ; HP 51/59 Monday June 17th, 2013 5:28:21 PM
"Wilma, will you lead them to the Black Cathedral? If not i could lead you. I was born here in Plateau City and i know a short way to the clerics. But if you find the way yourself i stay here and take care of Ms. Goode and the children. By the way...are you sure nothing can follow us through the magical closet?"
Tuck HP 41/42 AC 18/18/14 Monday June 17th, 2013 6:59:46 PM
Tuck stands by, awaiting Ms. Goode's response.
Grell, AC20/13/18, HP63/68 Monday June 17th, 2013 10:56:48 PM
A broken window...never did Grell think he would experience such relief! At least the poor little thing hadn't starved to death! Grell jogs back toward Ms. Goode's house at full speed, wondering why in the Wold the others haven't come back home yet.
Once he arrives, Grell discovers the others apparently ready to head out, and he flashes them a smile...having no clue what has just happened with Vaniime. "So, are we headed out to a celebratory dinner? I'm starved!" Grell looks around for a brief couple of seconds at the concerned looks and frowns. "Wait...did I just hear the Black Cathedral? Why would we want to go there?!" He looks over at Vaniime and instantly spots the look of distress on the elf's face. "Uhhhh...somebody want to tell me what's going on?"
OOC: I figure I'll speed this up for the sake of storyline continuity.
Grell listens in horror as he is briefed to the situation, then turns to Vaniime panic stricken. "Well, what are we waiting for MOVE IT PEOPLE!!" Heading over to Vaniime, Grell rushes to her side and scoops her up off her feet, rushing her outside to where Emrys is hailing the carriage. Panic begins to set in, and Grell readies himself to run over to the Black Cathedral as soon as possible. "C'mon Emry's we gotta go...can't you get anybody faster?!"
OOC: Kent, feel free to have Van put Grell in his place, but an overprotective love sick puppy's gotta do what he's gotta do. ;)
Interlude - Ezra Tuesday June 18th, 2013 1:24:29 AM
The party heads off in the hopes of saving Vaniime from the same fate as Thessa, only an hour ago.
Several of the children follow along, though a couple stay to help Mrs. Goode.
Ariach AC 26/14/19 ; HP 59/59 Tuesday June 18th, 2013 8:16:31 AM
Ariach is uncertain about what he should do next. Escorting the group to the Black Cathedral or staying with Mrs. Goode. He decides to go with his friend to help her leader getting rid of the heartseed. And it is a sign that the Vanguards are loyal to each other.
Vaniime AC 18/14/15, HP:40/45, Dodge Tuesday June 18th, 2013 11:49:50 AM
Trying to keep up a brave face and not show all that she is feeling right now, Vaniime nearly snaps at Wilma.
"Domi! Gargul!, I really don't care right now! Just Let's get moving!"
Under her breath she mutters. "I am sure Domi won't mind my being beholden to Gargul....."
Tuck HP 41/42 AC 18/18/14 Tuesday June 18th, 2013 8:48:20 PM
Tuck hurries along with the others, offering support to Vaniime as she needs it.
"Don't worry, Van. We'll get you there."
Wilma; AC17 (+1 Mithril chain shirt); HP 51/51 Tuesday June 18th, 2013 9:29:18 PM
Wilma leads the way through the streets of the Nightmare Quarter, hurrying as quickly as possible but with a calm assurance that comes from knowing the route to the main temple of her chosen deity by heart.
"This way...this way..."
She can only hope that her Prayer to Gargul was heard and that it helps her friend stave off a state of slavery to the will of Ga'al...
Emrys ac10, hp28/28. light, deathwatch Tuesday June 18th, 2013 11:56:50 PM
A bit annoyed and impatient, Emrys doesn't wait for the street kid to return with a carriage after retrieving Grell from their house. He heads off with his friends to the Black Cathedral, knowing it's the best option (since his Knowledge [Religion]: 31 check, several rounds ago, determined that heartseed removal is such common knowledge that any priest of any religion will do). The bard is completely worry free. The idea that there could be someone more specialized in such a common, everyday ritual is obviously ridiculous. Vaniime will be right as rain in no time.
Interlude - Ezra Wednesday June 19th, 2013 12:15:18 AM
As the party hurries towards the nearest temple. A figure they easily recognize bursts forth from a tavern as they try to pass. It's their landlord and he doesn't look happy as he stands before them, shaking an angry fist.
You're late! Deposits don't pay the rent! Your rent was due last week. No excuses! He holds his hand out, pay up! Or you're out on the 'morrow!
Emrys ac10, hp28/28. light, deathwatch d20+12=25 ; d20+3=11 ; Wednesday June 19th, 2013 3:30:53 AM
With the sudden presence of their belligerent landlord, Emrys decides to stop and deal with him so that the others can continue on to the Black Cathedral. However, he does make one request to his friends if they decide to go on. He asks for a pouch of money from their treasure, enough to pay the rent.
(Intelligence check: 11 to remember who has what. We never really decided who was carrying what. Only that we divided up the treasure amongst ourselves.)
(Diplomacy: 25)
"Yes sir, we understand that we inconvenienced you, and we forgive your tone. However, I'm afraid the lives of Ms. Goode and many lost children took precedence over paying our rent on time. I'm sure you heard of Ms. Goode's abduction?"
Emrys gauges his reaction and then continues, "The morning after our expedition into that dreadful, undead-infested Lasher castle, we were thoughtfully invited by Ms. Goode for breakfast. Thankfully, we were able to return her home, and in good health. We can pass on your regards, if you like."
"As for your rent, we can be quite accommodating, in whatever form you please: platinum, gold, silver, jewels. We are all from noble families, our word is our bond. You would be hard-pressed to find better tenants. I can pay you your rent here in the street (75g / month, I believe), or we can discuss other forms of payment, such as settling our account for the rest of the year."
A warm smile forms across his face and he adds, "It will require more discussion amongst my friends, but we've entertained the idea of purchasing the house, outright. Then you would be never be troubled with rent collection ever again. Big changes are coming, it would be to our mutual benefit when the wheat is separated from the chaff."
Emrys carefully counts out the rent in gold and gives it to his landlord, if that is what he desires. If the landlord prefers not to carry so much weight, Emrys can pay with a silver pearl and a piece of malachite that roughly comes to the same value.
"Now that we are settled, I must beg your pardon. Our friend Vaniime is still fighting for her life from injuries suffered from our quest and is in desperate need of a priest. I must bid you farewell."
Grell, AC20/13/18, HP63/68 Wednesday June 19th, 2013 10:39:08 AM
Grell follows hot on Wilma's heels, Vaniime in his arms as he runs. He looks down at the leader of the Vanguard and smiles, trying to convey confidence that he doesn't feel. "Don't worry Van, it's gonna be ok. Those priests at the Black Cathedral really know their thing...we'll have you patched up in a jiffy!"
There is a slight jostle as Grell elbows another pedestrian out of his way. "Hey pal, watch out, can't you see I'm in a hurry!!" Grell shifts his gaze back to Vaniime, all smiles. "Sorry. Looks like we don't have much further to go..."
The warrior tries to keep his voice steady, but a note of panic is steadily creeping in. He remembers some of the stories his Mom and Dad had told about Ga'al and heartseeds, and they were not good.
Wilma; AC17 (+1 Mithril chain shirt); HP 51/51 Wednesday June 19th, 2013 2:11:30 PM
"Give him a year in advance for his trouble..!" Wilma advises Emrys as she continues on, in a hurry to help her best friend.
Ariach AC 26/14/19 ; HP 59/59 Wednesday June 19th, 2013 5:29:18 PM
Ariach really hopes that the priests at the Balck Cathedral are able to help Vaniim. As he sees how Grell elbows another pedestrian he tries to get in front of the warrior. From this position Ariach keeps all passersby away from his warrior friend. They last thing the need right now is a conflict which slows them down on their way to free Vannim from the heartseed.
Vaniime AC 18/14/15, HP:40/45, Dodge Wednesday June 19th, 2013 6:46:21 PM
Van grunts and then sqeals as Grell lifts her off her feet and starts carrying her down the street.
"Grell, What in Domi's Ughh name do you think you are doing? I am not argh injured or dying, at least not yet. And even if I ow were I'm not sure I want you tossing me around umph like a sack of potatoes.
Tuck HP 41/42 AC 18/18/14 Wednesday June 19th, 2013 11:29:33 PM
Tuck jogs along with the rest of the group, pushing a way through the crowd.
Interlude - Ezra Thursday June 20th, 2013 2:30:02 AM
Emrys detours and neatly handles the landlord. Please note in a post and on your character sheet(s) how much is paid.
The others push on to the Black Cathedral.
A young acolyte is standing near the door and looks at the party with alarm as they rush towards him. Biting his lip he starts to reach for a pull cord but pauses wha, what do you want here?
Wilma; AC17 (+1 Mithril chain shirt); HP 51/51 Thursday June 20th, 2013 6:35:31 AM
Wilma lifts her unique quarterstaff high, so that the acolyte at the temple can see for himself that she bears the symbol of Gargul.
"My brother," she greets the young man, "I am Wilma Illutu-Grell, an acolyte of the Lord of Life and Death much as you are. My friend has fallen victim to a living heartseed of Ga'al and we need for an experienced cleric to make sure she is rid of the horrid thing before she is converted to Ga'al's will...
"WHERE'S A CLERIC???"
Grell, AC20/13/18, HP63/68 Thursday June 20th, 2013 10:41:47 AM
Grell taps his foot impatiently, waiting to be ushered immediately to a cleric. Don't these people see the seriousness of this situation?! Grell looks down at the squirming Vaniime in his arms and tries to speak quietly, though adrenaline makes his voice a tad bit more loud than he intended. "Van, do you think you can stand? 'Cus if this little runt doesn't get us a cleric in a couple of seconds, I might need to have my hands free..."
Tuck HP 41/42 AC 18/18/14 Thursday June 20th, 2013 1:47:27 PM
Tuck's eyes widen as Wilma erupts. He blinks a few times, clearly flabbergasted, but remains quiet.
Best to let the cleric's handle their own business.
Ariach AC 26/14/19 ; HP 59/59 Thursday June 20th, 2013 5:25:14 PM
Ariach lays a hand on Grellīs shoulder. "Stay calm my friend. Donīt panic. Donīt you think you should be the tower of strenght for Vaniim right now?" But right after Ariach has said the words to Grell he wonders what he would do if Wilma would be the heartseeds victim.
Emrys ac10, hp28/28. light, deathwatch d20+12=22 ; Thursday June 20th, 2013 7:25:27 PM
Emrys goes ahead and gives the landlord a pouch containing one months rent (75gold). Not feeling comfortable about exchanging so much money openly in the street, he then suggests that the landlord come by the house later that evening, or in the morning, for the rest.
(Diplomacy: 22)
"I hope this eases your displeasure. Again, I apologize for the inconvenience. Our absence was beyond our control. Never fret, we always pay our debts, and then some. Now I must make haste for the Black Cathedral. I would very much fear having to answer to the House of Nightseer for Vaniime's demise."
Emrys then races off to the Black Cathedral and attempts to join back up with his fellow Vanguardians.
"Didn't you just hear me tell you I was fine!! Now Put me down before I have to carve my way out of your arms."
Ariach AC 26/14/19 ; HP 59/59 Friday June 21st, 2013 5:16:05 PM
Even under this cirumstances Ariach has to smile when he hears Vaniimīs words. But he is smart enough to keep his mouth shot.
Grell, AC20/13/18, HP63/68 Friday June 21st, 2013 8:41:07 PM
Grell gently lowers Vaniime to the ground, still very concerned, but not wanting to distress her further. Then he looks over at the acolyte and cracks his knuckles as he flexes his biceps. "Soooo...about that priest...." Grell tries his best to be patient, but it's never been his strong point, so he growls a little while he stares at the young man.
Interlude - Ezra Friday June 21st, 2013 10:43:25 PM
The acolyte nods and pulls twice on the rope, then twice more. Deep in the interior of the temple a bell tolls four times.
Soon another priest comes up, and hearing their story escorts them into the building. Down this hall, is the healer's wing. Looking about he loudly whispers, heartseeds? can't be. Ga'al has no authority in these lands. It must be snake weed. Ushering the party into a small room, he gestures at a raised bed, The ill one there, and I'll fetch a healer. Looking around at the heroes and the children he steps out of the room and looks up and down the hall before turning back, but please, no talk of... those things, we don't want to start a panic.
Tuck HP 41/42 AC 18/18/14 Saturday June 22nd, 2013 7:55:04 AM
Tuck stands nearby with his arms crossed. His heart thumping loudly due to his concern for his friend. He looks on the scene and feels helpless. With no physical enemy to fight, he finds that he is quite useless. The feeling is not a pleasant one.
"Vaniime, do you want me to get you anything? Something to drink or eat?"
Wilma; AC17 (+1 Mithril chain shirt); HP 51/51 Sunday June 23rd, 2013 10:31:45 AM
Wilma looked after the cleric as he left the room, then began to breath in deep and measured breaths--she was meditating in preparation for possibly being called upon to assist whomever would be healing Vaniime. This was one ceremony that was committing to memory in case--Gargul forbid!--Wilma had need to conduct it herself in the future...
Emrys ac10, hp28/28. light, deathwatch Sunday June 23rd, 2013 3:16:36 PM
After a short while, Emrys makes his way to the gates of the Black Cathedral. In a calm and pleasant tone, he asks the first acolyte or priest he comes across, "Pardon, could you please direct me to the chamber where my friend Vaniime Nightseer is currently receiving treatment for a ... um, 'heart condition'. I believe they arrived just before me. I carry items and information that are possibly pertinent to her recovery."
Wilma; AC17 (+1 Mithril chain shirt); HP 51/51 Monday June 24th, 2013 5:24:43 AM
...still meditating...
Ariach AC 26/14/19 ; HP 59/59 Monday June 24th, 2013 8:43:07 AM
Ariach stays in the background and waits until anybody asks for help. Silently he prays to Domi for supporting Vaniim in her fight against the heartseed.
Grell, AC20/13/18, HP63/68 Monday June 24th, 2013 4:39:59 PM
Grell paces... left foot, right foot... waiting for the priest To DO something.
Tuck HP 41/42 AC 18/18/14 Monday June 24th, 2013 5:44:47 PM
Tuck crosses his arms, impatient for someone to come and help Vaniime.
Wilma; AC17 (+1 Mithril chain shirt); HP 51/51 Monday June 24th, 2013 7:42:28 PM
...still meditating...
Emrys ac10, hp28/28. light, deathwatch d100=59 ; d100=43 ; d100=70 ; Monday June 24th, 2013 7:48:56 PM
As Emrys waits, he is struck by the realization as to why they built the temple at this location. He can sense that the veil between the Mother Wold and the Shadow realm to be very thin here. He can practically smell the sweet fragrance of woldsblood, mingled with incense, wafting through the air. His eyes, enchanted with necromancy, detects strange wisps, fleeting auras, possibly shadows. Things that excite his inquisitive nature, but ultimately frustrate his need to unravel and decipher.
"Wha ... peas and carrots!!" he says to himself as he notices new blossoms growing on his walking stick.
Ariach AC 26/14/19 ; HP 59/59 Tuesday June 25th, 2013 1:54:08 AM
Observing Grell and Tuck, Ariach can see their impatience. If the acolyte doesnīt come back with help soon the two warriors will go postal. A smile appears on Ariachīs face when he imagines Grell how he throws the young acolyte through the entire Black Cathedral and scolds him for his complete inability.
Emrys ac10, hp28/28. light, deathwatch d20+15=25 ; Tuesday June 25th, 2013 8:46:38 AM
Still waiting to be shown to the room where Vaniime is residing, Emrys happens to notice a slight slime trail left behind by his ooze-covered friends.
(Perception: 25)
Interlude - Ezra Tuesday June 25th, 2013 12:59:58 PM Sorry, yesterday turned into a cluster...
Emrys is led to the others while following a trail of slime. He finds the rest of his friends and Andrei, Gurtrude, Heath, Katrin and Hastein, the latter two holding hands. Gurtrude is cuddling Mr. Randolf in her hands.
The wait seems to be taking a while, before anyone has a chance to go looking for a priest to drag back to the room, one is spotted at the end of the corridor, heading in their direction, the priest they saw previously talking quietly to him as they approach.
Vaniime experiences another wave of agony, this time stronger as it rolls through her body weakening her significantly (she now effectively has a -2 to all attributes).
What's this report that Brother Guidlin states? A heartseed? Where have you been traveling? Shooing people out, make room, make room. Two of you can stay, the rest, out!
In the hallway Brother Guidlin stands, wringing his hands, a look of concern, bordering on fright on his face. Brother Julias asked that I inquire of your recent travels. He gestures to another room across the hall, we can talk here.
Tuck HP 41/42 AC 18/18/14 Tuesday June 25th, 2013 5:27:42 PM
Tuck pats Vaniime on her arm and gives her a comforting look. "Don't worry about a thing. You'll be up and about in a pinch."
He claps Grell on the shoulder. "She'll be alright."
He steers the children with him as he leaves the room. "Come on you stinkers! Just a minor issue that needs to be settled and we don't need to be crowding around under everyone's feet."
Vaniime AC 18/14/15, HP:40/45, Dodge Tuesday June 25th, 2013 7:54:47 PM
Gritting her teeth as the priest babbles about where they have been traveling as a wave of pain courses through her body.
"Eeeee Yahhhhh! Wilma, Emrys you stay! Priest, If you would worry more about getting the Gargul Blasted thing out of me instead of where we have been travelling, we will tell you all about it after, and I won't have to kill anyone. Right now, I want this thing OUT OF ME!!!!!!! You can rest assured I did not approve/seek/ask for or otherwise desire to be heartseeded at this or anyother time."
Wilma; AC17 (+1 Mithril chain shirt); HP 51/51 Tuesday June 25th, 2013 11:32:43 PM
"Grell--Tuck--tell the priest where we were and what we found there!" Wilma ordered bossily, poking her brother in the backside to hurry him out of the way. She then turned to the priest who was there to help Vaniime.
"I was witness to the existence of those willpower-subverting things, brother--please conduct the proper procedures to save my friend from a fate worse than unlife! I will assist you in any way you direct!" The young cleric's sapphire eyes hold a glimmer of tears but her look of grim resolution refuses to let them fall.
Ariach AC 26/14/19 ; HP 59/59 Wednesday June 26th, 2013 6:09:28 AM
Ariach retreats immediately when Vaniim orders Wilma and Emry to stay. The young warrior accompanies Tuck and the children. "We will wait outside. If you need anything....."
Emrys ac10, hp28/28. light, deathwatch d20+12=27 ; Wednesday June 26th, 2013 7:38:00 AM
Emrys does his best to communicate where they have been. There is reluctance in his tone at first, since the story is a bit bizarre. Having been drawn into a portal and transported to a demiplane constructed completely of ooze is a story reserved for people whose minds have gone mad. Finding a dilapidated town and stronghold once occupied by a group of cultists that followed the last known priestess of Ga'al, Shandresh. The bewitching bard then presents the disenchanted scepter of Shandresh, once called Focus. He then explains it's abilities and that while in communication with the scepter, these heartseeds cause a physical transmutation of flesh into ooze. A process that took most of a day. That not only do the victims lose their will, but their bodies as well, as they await a coming "day of reckoning".
"We barely escaped with our lives, however like Vaniime, not all of us returned unscathed." From his belt pouch, Emrys pulls out a specimen jar containing the ooze once known as Thessa and another containing a random Shandresh cultist. "This will be the result if left untreated for poor Vaniime. Please help her!"
"Wilma, You know I don't like waiting around when I'm not in a hurry. Do you think I'd get speedier help if I were to start destroying things?"
EEEyeow!! Gods that hurts, she screams as another wave of pain washes through her.
"I am starting to feel the need to kill something, Wilma."
Tuck HP 41/42 AC 18/18/14 Wednesday June 26th, 2013 9:10:37 PM
Tuck ushers the children out of earshot of Vaniime's screams and curses. "Let's go over here and do something over here, guys. I think over here is the place to be. So, what do you all think of this place. Not very slimy, huh?"
Interlude - Ezra Wednesday June 26th, 2013 9:18:27 PM
Brother Julias holds his hands out to Vaniime, motioning her to settle back, now now dear, we'll get to the bottom of this. You just lie back.
Pulling his holy symbol out from a fold of his robe, he holds it out over Vaniime's forehead, and mutters a prayer. (Spellcraft DC 10 to identify Detect Poison) The holy symbol glows with a golden light and then fades. Interesting, not a poison, well let's check for curses... Another prayer and his eyes take on a bluish glow as he scans over Vaniime, (Spellcraft DC 10 to identify Detect Magic) nice armor, wand, necklace, hmm, nothing else... Having checked over most of her body he looks down towards her feet, whoa, what's this?
Brushing Tuck aside he runs his hand down her simple linen trousers (not noted on character sheet), stopping at her ankle. Pull the boot off, carefully, do NOT touch her skin. Brother Julias watches an area of her leg that his fingers are cupping. Something flexes under the linens near his hand.
Meanwhile, across the hall, Tuck and Emrys talk with Brother Guildlin. He seems somewhat taken aback by the story and visibly recoils when Emrys pulls out two jars with oozes in them. Andrei comments a few times about his life over the last two years. Katrin and Hastein settle on a low bench against the back wall where they talk quietly to each other. When Vaniime screams out they startle and look ready to bolt before settling back down when they see Tuck and Emrys calmly talking to the priest. Gurtrude starts to wander down the hall, quivering ooze held in her hand. And Heath stands in the hallway, his back against the wall where he can look into the room with Vaniime and watch.
Once Vaniime's boot is off, the priest slowly pulls her leg up. Above her angle a small black-edged leaf sticks out of her skin. Where the leaf's stalk pierces her skin the flesh is raw and inflamed. Well, this is certainly not a curse, though ye certainly be cursed. Guidlin! His yell is unexpected, loud, and without the courteous brother prefix.
A startled Brother Guidlin soon stands in the door, yes?
Without taking his eyes off the growth Brother Julias yells over his shoulder, Fetch me a surgical kit, and containment tray! And call brother's Crifton and Zkeltsy! Brother Guidlin hurries down the hall, Heath in tow as he rounds a corner and the hero's can hear feint shouting in the distance.
Sweat beads on Brother Julias brow, Vaniime, was it? I'm gonna need you to be strong. Just lay back, this is for your protection as much as ours. A quick glance up and he sees Wilma across the table. Reach under the table at the foot, and the edges, there are a series of pockets, inside them are some straps. Pull them out.
The leaf sticking from Vaniime's leg twitches and shifts, as if under it's own willpower, it stretches towards the hand near it but can't reach. As Tuck watches, he can see a vein under Vaniime's skin, it slowly starts turning green and black as the coloration follows the vein up her leg and under the cloth of her trousers. You sir, this side of the bed, there are more straps. Place the loops around her ankles and wrists, the other two across her hips and chest.
Once Vaniime is secured, Brother Julias steps back and wipes his brow, I had not believed, it has been so long, I thought, we were told... It's obvious he has lost his composure and he struggles to regain it.
The straps will keep her still as we try to remove the heartseed. But we must wait for Brother Zkeltsy. If anyone can remove this, it would be him. The priest cuts and tears the cloth to mid thigh, pulling the material away from her flesh. Feitn tracings of black and green outline several veins in her lower leg.
With nothing to do but wait, the priest prays softly to himself, not for spells, but strength to do what is necessary.
The trample of many feet can be heard coming down the hallway, led by Brother Guidlin. Clutched in his arms is a rosewood case, ancient and worn, though well cared for. Behind him are a gaggle of priests and monks.
Entering the room, he pulls folding legs out from the bottom of the case and sets it up to the bed. With eyes wide in shock, Guidlin stares at Vaniime strapped to the table and quickly exits the room.
Brother Julias gingerly slides a hand across the case, trepidation showing in his features as he carefully slides the clasp open and swings the lid open to reveal an array of what can only be described as instruments of torture. Tweezers, long thin probes and hooked wires, saws of several sizes and shapes, some curved, some straight. Along one edge is a small wooden rod and folded cloth. Brother Julias gently lifts out the cloth and whispers another prayer as he unfolds it before sliding it under Vaniime's leg, just below her knee. He folds the cloth across the top of her leg and pulls the wooden rod out and lays it along her leg before lifting the cloth back across the rod and tying a knot in the cloth above the rod.
As he grabs the rod and starts to twist, tightening the cloth now circling Vaniime's leg, two priests enter the room. The taller is probably the oldest elf you have ever seen, easily beyond a handful of centuries, his once fine hair is but a few wisps trailing behind him. Though he looks frail, intelligence still gleams from the eyes that seem to glow as he enters the room and hurries past Brother Julias and Tuck. Approaching Vaniime he reaches forward and tears at her blouse popping the buttons that fasten it as he bares her chest and he stares down over her heart, There is no heartseed! What is this about? He reaches out and slides his hand across her skin, pushing over her heart as if he searches for something. Behind hiim, another elderly priest stands on his toes to pear at Vaniime's chest, the gnome also in his last years, his hair a bright white that sticks out in unkept clumps. Wheezing he looks up at the elf, Told you, not a heartseed. That'll be 4 points on our next match!
Neither seems to have noticed that Vaniime's leg has been exposed, yet both push and prod at her chest looking for something.
Grell, AC20/13/18, HP63/68 Wednesday June 26th, 2013 11:48:26 PM
Looking completely dejected, Grell heads out to the waiting area with the priests and the others. He's not sure which is the more unbearable pain, being told to leave or hearing Vaniime's screams and not being able to do anything.
He looks over at the priest who inquires of their travels, but his heart isn't really in the story telling mood. "So yeah, we went over to Ms. Hoity Toity's house and we got sucked into this other place where everything..." one of Vaniime's screams pierces Grell's heart, and his shoulders slump "it was all ooze and crap." "We found the kids, and some stupid pole thing that could talk to Emrys. Then a giant ooze wave tried to..." Grell shudders at the next wave of screams, he paces about half way back to the room before changing his mind and pacing back to the waiting room. No, Vaniime had made it very clear who she wanted with her, and he wasn't one of them.
Feeling tears beginning to form, Grell rushes through the end of the story. "Yeah, so this giant ooze wave thing tried to eat us, and then Emrys opened up a swirly portally thing and then we left. So yeah, that's what happened. And now, if you'll excuse me, I think I'll head outside...the stupid incense in here is making me sick to my stomach."
Pacing out of the temple, Grell heads outside and punches the nearest pillar as hard as he can. The resulting throbbing in his hand relieves a bit of the agony the brews inside, so Grell does it a couple of more times for good measure.
Wilma; AC17 (+1 Mithril chain shirt); HP 51/51 d20+5=13 ; d3=2 ; d20+5=22 ; Wednesday June 26th, 2013 11:49:43 PM OOC: accidentally clicked on d3 once--ignore that roll, please.
Wilma anxiously paid attention to Brother Julias' casting, noting his use of Detect Poison followed by Detect Magic. She watched in shock as the leafy invader of Vaniime's body was revealed...and she sadly but quickly followed the other priest's directions for strapping Van to the table.
Wilma was sure that this was NOT going to be at all easy.
When Brother Julias mentioned that the senior priest, Brother Zkeltsy, would be needed, Wilma didn't hesitate--she turned to the doorway and bellowed at the top of her lungs:
"Brother Zkeltsy...we need you...NOW...!!!"
Interlude - Ezra Thursday June 27th, 2013 2:22:34 PM Brothers, this is why I sent for you. Brother Julias draws the attention of the two elderly priests to the leg laid bare and open, a tourniquet in place and ready.
The elf turns and squints, oh, well, that certainly looks like a heartseed, but it's the wrong color and in the wrong place. What do you think Crifton? Brother Crifton, the gnome, turns and stares at Vaniime's ankle, and walking around the end of the table he stands on part of the bed frame to pull his head up between Vaniime's strapped feet and stares closely at the leaf, humpf, don't look like a true heartseed. Impulsively he reaches over and tugs on the leaf/ That hurt? He looks up at Vaniime.
It did, a lot.
Ariach AC 26/14/19 ; HP 59/59 Thursday June 27th, 2013 4:34:39 PM
With all the yelling around Vaniim Ariach is relieved he isnīt in the part of the Black Cathedral where Vaniim receives her treatment. Never before the warrior felt that useless. Every time he hears Vaniimīs screams of pain he jerks. To take his mind of things he listens to the conversations of the rescued children.
Tuck HP 41/42 AC 18/18/14 Thursday June 27th, 2013 5:33:22 PM
OOC - Unclear as to whether I'm in or out of the room.
Tuck winces every time that he hears Vaniime scream again, but there is little that he can do except trust in the clerics and their healing.
Vaniime AC 18/14/15, HP:40/45, Dodge d20+1=12 ; Thursday June 27th, 2013 5:49:39 PM
Momentarily Speechless as her shirt is ripped open, it is only momentary.
"Wilma, cover me now! If this is the best Gargul has to offer in the way of healers; two overly senile, dirty old men, then perhaps I would be better off with the heartseed. At least then I would have a reason to KILL every preist in this room!"
As the old man pulls at the leaf she screams bloody murder and strains against the straps holding her down Strength DC 12 trying to break free and kill the stupid male priest that caused that round of pain. When the pain ebbs and she catches her breath...
"Yes, you stupid senile priest that hurt a lot!!! You had better hope that when I am out of this contraption, that you are nowhere within this city. For as Gargul and Domi are my witnesses if you do that again no place in the Wold will be safe from me."
Emrys ac10, hp28/28. light, deathwatch, detect magic d20+12=19 ; d100=61 ; d20+12=24 ; d20+12=30 ; d20+12=14 ; d20+12=18 ; d20+12=24 ; Thursday June 27th, 2013 9:56:22 PM
Another scream startles Emrys and moves a very bothered Brother Guidlin back to the next room. Wanting to follow him, he stops to address the children, knowing they shouldn't be left alone. Maybe his charm could serve to keep them encouraged, calm and reserved. "Andrei you spoke very well, and so eloquently! You made this bard jealous," he says with a warm smile. "You too, Heath! How you stand guard over the others, such devotion is most admirable. So strong for a man your age. Could you gently retrieve Gurtrude before she wanders too far. We must stay together. Afterwards, we will feast to Vaniime's good health. You're all doing so well!" (Diplomacy: 19)
Emrys gives the children a slight bow and hurries over to Vaniime's room. He moves gracefully though the crowd and finds a place out of the way so he can observe. As spells are being cast, Emrys mutters a few whispered words of divination to see the auras in and around Vaniime and to better identify the spells being cast (Leyline: 61. Cast Detect Magic). On a golden chain around his neck, Emrys pulls out from under his shirt a beautifully ornate monocle that he then places snuggly over his left eye. The strange crystalline lens allows the colors of the auras to appear more saturated and vibrant (Spellcraft MW tool). (Spellcraft: 24, 30, 14)
In watching the elderly priests, he can see the spark of intellect and wisdom still burns wildly in their eyes. However, he is baffled by the way they prattle about. Was this some sort of act (Sense Motive: 18)? When they eventually discover the heartseed for themselves and begin their examination, Emrys can no longer hold tongue.
"Pardon me for my interruption, most esteemed... [enter a reverent, Gargulian clerical title here to show respect. I don't know what it is, but Emrys would]. (Knowledge [Religion]: 24) Of course, you are both very correct. Yes, it is a heartseed, but a very rare cross-breed cultivated by no other than the last Ga'alian priestess, Shandresh! While in an intolerable communion with the priestess' magical focus, I learned of these heartseeds existence. The Focus also told me that one seed was able to control many hosts and transmute their flesh to ooze. Thus denying the victim not only their free will but their physical solidity as well. I presume this explains her banishment from the Living Wold." He bows his head in reverence to the two ancient high priests.
DM - Ezra: please provide additional detail on your masterwork tool. Is it for identifying aura's of elves, aura's of healing spells, or does it improve identifying spells as they are cast 10 times? The circumstance for which the bonus applies from the tool has not yet been specified on your character sheet.
Emrys ac10, hp28/28. light, deathwatch, detect magic d20+12=26 ; Thursday June 27th, 2013 9:59:25 PM
(ooc: I forgot to roll a Diplomacy check with the two ancient priests. Diplomacy: 26)
Grell, AC20/13/18, HP63/68 Thursday June 27th, 2013 10:09:21 PM
Grell clearly hears Vaniime's most recent scream even in the courtyard and decides enough is enough. Pushing back though the temple, Grell heads back into the temple and the procedure room, his face almost scarlet with rage. His attention isn't on Vaniime, but instead the priest who appears to be in charge.
Parking himself millimeters from the priest's face, Grell is clearly livid. "Now you listen here...if I hear one more...one single solitary scream out of her, I'm going to make sure that everyone in this room is screaming right along with her. So you find a way to get that THING out of her without causing her more pain, and you find a way to do it NOW!" It takes all of Grell's reserve to leave the matter with words instead of just knocking the crap out of the priests.
Wilma; AC17 (+1 Mithril chain shirt); HP 51/51 Thursday June 27th, 2013 11:43:06 PM Gargul, forgive me for having this overwhelming urge to smite my elders!!! Wilma prayed silently as she hastily removed her pinafore and maintained Van's personal dignity with it.
"Listen to Emrys, brothers," Wilma exhorted, "I suspect the seed isn't the color you're expecting it to be because of Shandresh's experimentations on it. Don't let its entry point fool you, either--the seed came into contact with Van by falling into her boot rather than being implanted traditionally..."
Ariach AC 26/14/19 ; HP 59/59 Friday June 28th, 2013 5:33:16 PM
Observing Grellīs aggressive reaction versus the priests Ariach just hopes the situation gets not out of control. Maybe it wasnīt a wise decision to bring Vaniime to the Black Cathedrale. The priests of Domi probably would have been the better choice. But now they are here and there is no time for a change anymore. Although he doesnīt like the idea to fight against priests in their holy temple Ariach will not leave Grellīs side. Grell is his brother in arms, the Vanguards are his family and he will protect them all to death.
Interlude - Ezra Friday June 28th, 2013 7:24:52 PM
Tuck was where he wanted to be, in or out.
Brother Crifton starts tugging on one of the wayward wisps of hair pointing out from his head, most interesting, most interesting. We will have to hold council on this. It has been a couple of centuries since Ga'al was forced to an accord. Ye remember, how much he fumed Zkeltsy? Now that was a council meeting!
Brother Zkeltsy, nods and pulls a piece of glass on a small handle from his pocket before holding it up to an eye and peering closely at the heartseed. Yes, that was something to behold, not often is a god punished before witnesses. He pulls out a small handkerchief and starts cleaning the glass while he looks at the others, it's old history, unless you go traveling, heartseeding has been voluntary, and the seed is implanted in the chest. After the process is complete, the heartseed has rooted in the heart. Pulling it out is the only way to remove the heartseed. And it is fatal. 'Twas how the old priests kept control if the 'seeding didn't take properly. Pointing to the veins in Vaniime's leg, he explains that's the root now, seeking out the heart. We'll need a druid to help with this. Since it has rooted yet there may be a chance.
Another runner is sent off, calling a temple druid to come in and assist. The rest of the hero's are shooed fromt he room and a curtain is pulled across the entrance as the three priests and druid start working on Vaniime.
Emrys talks with the kids, and Heath basks in the praise before turning sullen at the request for him to do something. Mumbling under his breath he heads off to find Gurtrude.
Emrys sticks his head through the curtain to watch the priests. He is able to see them cast several spells at first they seem to be divination spells, then conjuration(healing). As he is asked to leave, he sees the elf pick up one of the larger saws in the surgeons kit while the druid twists the rod and cloth secured around Vaniime's leg. Emrys get's the idea that the 'prattling' of the priests was their method of filling space while they tried to think of a safe way to remove the heartseed.
The occasional grunt, shout, and scream come from behind the curtain, not always from Vaniime. After several hours of work the curtain is pulled aside and Brother Julias sticks his head out and hands a tray to Brother Guidlin, take this to the basement and incinerate it it can't hurt anyoen else, but we don't want to take chances. Brother Guidlin takes the tray, nods and hurries off.
While Guidlin is off on his task, the druid and priests open the curtain with smiles on their faces. By the grace of gods, we have successfully removed the heartseed and reversed the process of transmogrification that had begun.
The heroes are welcomed into the room to find Vaniime recovering from the heartseed. Give her an hour or so, and she'll be good to go.
With Vaniime healed and cured, the heroes find that most of the afternoon has passed and they have skipped lunch and it nears supper time. Andrei has an arm around Gurtrude, seemingly keeping her grounded in the here and now. It's over? We can go ho... What now? He is a little anxious and glances over to Hastein and Katrin. Can we get something to eat?
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