DM Kathy Monday October 19th, 2020 1:11:07 PM
After your experiences in the swamp, you feel somehow stronger, hardier, more skilled. Mundhildur can grow, and Asimov has a nifty new trick with the bear trap.
Your final ingredient is berries from the silverberry vine, which can be found at Fowlsfield Keep. You start heading that direction.
You have to camp alongside the road, which proves to be uneventful. You reach the keep in the early afternoon. An overgrown path leads from the main road toward the keep. It is a blustery day; the long grasses wave and rustle around you as you make your way up the small rise.
The path leads between a couple of large objects. When you get closer, you realize that they are statues--or rather, what remains of statues. Vines and creepers wrap around the old stone of the statues, their leaves and tendrils dancing in the wind. The statue on the right of the path has been completely pulled apart. You can see a bit of the base remaining, and here and there, you see remnants of the statue--a foot, part of an arm, some texture that might be hair. The statue to the left is still standing, although it's in rough shape. It depicts a dwarf holding aloft a great hammer.
[ Here is a map template I'll be using to make combat maps. I tried to copy peoples' character pictures, but for the most part, I didn't have permission and couldn't do it. I tried to find suitable images on the web. Asimov is the one with the cloud of smoke behind him; Mundhildur is the pale one with the staff. I think the others will be self-explanatory. If you don't like your image, you should have edit permissions to replace it, but you'll need to do it pretty soon.]
Mundhildur Karadottir (new character sheet), Jotun singing giant, large (Kim) AC 16 Touch 12 FF14 HP 32/32 Monday October 19th, 2020 5:08:02 PM
Mundhi kneels down to take a closer look at the fallen, broken statue. She begins to put the different bits in order, to result in a rough re-assembly of the statue, lying prone. She wants to see who it represented. "Who would have been so upset with a statue as to smash it to pieces?" she wonders aloud.
Zeoll the Greensinger | AC15, 16hp | Cayzle 6d4=17 ; d20+3=16 ; d20+11=15 ; d20+10=30 ; Monday October 19th, 2020 7:39:35 PM
Camping on the roadside, three castings of Goodberries: 17 berries!
The next day, Zeoll is sad to see the destruction of art. He tries to recall the historical significance of these statues, and this place, saying a little prayer for guidance.
Guided Know History 16
He casts around, looking for places that the desired berries would grow.
Guided Know Nature 15
And he sniffs around, looking for signs of monster, man, or beast.
Guided Survival 30
SteveM - Elron | AC 21 (19 in rage), HP 23/24 Monday October 19th, 2020 9:37:29 PM "Can't say that I evah heard of a fowl dwarf." Elron observes. "Bet that hammer makes a good thwack, though."
A bit slow on the uptake this week, I'm afraid. I'll try to catch up.
Honor Bright (Kathy) Monday October 19th, 2020 11:54:46 PM
Honor smiles. "Well, as long as he doesn't try to thwack us."
Asimov | Hugh | AC 15/12/13 HP 29/29 d20+8=9 ; d20+8=13 ; d20+8=24 ; Tuesday October 20th, 2020 1:34:34 AM
Asimov asks, "I could probably cause that statue to be able to thwack things should my ability to create windup creations like Chompy improve. Right now I can only make small ones though."
(OOC: what size are the pieces of the smashed statue? Are any considered size small?)
DM Kathy d20+7=21 ; d4=1 ; d20+7=16 ; d4=3 ; Tuesday October 20th, 2020 1:54:48 PM
You examine the statues. Mundhildur begins trying to put the crumbled statue back together, which is slow going. Some of the pieces are very small. Asimov nots that there are many that are small in size; in fact, some are tiny and smaller.
Elron admires the stone thwacking hammer, which Honor just hopes won't be used on the party.
Zeoll tries to learn more about the statues' historical significance, but alas, your DM was not given that information. Zeoll does notice, however, that some of the leaves and tendrils of the vines are whipping around more than can be explained by the wind. He manages to shout a warning before they detach themselves from the statues, so the party isn't caught flat-footed when they attack!
The first plant-creature attacks Elron, and hits! Elron takes 1 point of damage, and must succeed at a DC 12 Fort save or become nauseated.
The second plant-creature attacks Mundhildur, and also hits! Mundhildur takes 3 damage, and must succeed at a DC 12 Fort save or become nauseated.
And the map. The circles represent the statues; the yellow area is the path. Everybody should have edit access; please move your own character and place any effects you create.
SteveM - Elron | AC 21 (19 in rage), HP 23/24 d20+5=22 ; d20+1=20 ; d20+1=7 ; d4+2=3 ; d4+2=6 ; Tuesday October 20th, 2020 10:36:08 PM
(Save = 22, and Elron will be DR 1/-- as soon as I update the sheet)
Elron don't take well to plants that think he's food. He moves next to and attacks the nearest of the plants.
AC 20 for 3 damage AC 7 for 6 damage Rage 1/8
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant, large (Kim) AC 16 Touch 12 FF14 HP 29/32 d20+7=9 ; Tuesday October 20th, 2020 11:15:05 PM
What sort of sticky substance is that on those leaves...? ur... urr... urp... get away! Mundhildur stumbles away from the statues and flagellating plants, back toward the road. She gets a bit out of range (perhaps) of the plants, and leans down hands on knees, and tries to hold back the late afternoon snack of bread, cheese and tomatoes. Her mouth starts salivating heavily. She moved 30 feet. ======= Fort save: 9/12 - fail
Asimov | Hugh | AC 15/12/13 HP 29/29 2d4+2=6 ; Wednesday October 21st, 2020 12:22:38 AM
If the bear trap is anywhere near Asimov he moves to where it is and starts his full round action to turn the bear trap into chompy (will complete next round) otherwise he fires off wrist rockets at the nearest plant. (6 force damage)
Zeoll the Greensinger | AC15, 16hp | Cayzle Wednesday October 21st, 2020 10:36:34 AM
Zeoll begins his bardic performance to give everybody a +1 to attack and damage.
He steps back (moved on map), drawing a spear as he does so.
Honor Bright (Kathy) [AC 19; HP 24/24] d20+8=21 ; d8=2 ; Wednesday October 21st, 2020 1:09:52 PM
As Mundhildur staggers back, Honor steps forward, drawing Virtue. "Die, treacherous....whatever you are!" [Hit AC 21 for 6 damage.]
DM Kathy d20+7=9 ; d20+7=10 ; d20+7=15 ; d20+7=25 ; d4=4 ; d20+7=10 ; d20+7=15 ; d20+7=24 ; d20+7=8 ; d4=2 ; Wednesday October 21st, 2020 1:27:43 PM Elron knows that he should eat plants, not the other way around! He swings at the creature twice, connecting once.
Mundhildur is nauseated. She staggers back to the road. Interestingly, the creature does not take an Attack of Opportunity.
Asimov is able to reach Chompy [the wagons are there; I just didn't bother to map them]. He begins his activation process.
Zeoll moves back, drawing his spear, and begins singing to inspire the group.
Honor steps up, draws Virtue, and attacks, striking the plant creature and doing damage.
More plant-creatures tear themselves from the statues and advance! Your DM needs to read the encounter better!
Knowledge: Nature DC 12 Highlight to display spoiler: {These creatures are called weedwhips.}
Two creatures attack Elron! One had to move, but the other gets its full attack! All three of its attacks miss, but the "new" plant creature hits! Elron takes 4 points of damage and must succeed at a DC 12 Fortitude save or become nauseated for a round.
Two creatures attack Honor! As with Elron, one had to move, but the other gets its full attack! It hits once! Honor takes 2 damage and must succeed at a DC 12 Fortitude save or become nauseated for a round.
The last creature is coming toward Zeoll! But it's a plant, so it doesn't move very fast.
Mundhildur is feeling better, but she and Elron need to make an additional DC 12 Fortitude save against the poison. This is in addition to the new save Elron has to make for being hit this round.
SteveM - Elron | AC 21 (19 in rage), HP 23/24 d20+5=22 ; d20+5=20 ; d20+3=21 ; d20+3=11 ; d4+2=5 ; d4+2=4 ; Wednesday October 21st, 2020 10:32:09 PM
(Saves = 22, 20)
Elron continues to attack the nearest plant. "I don't like these things. I get the feelin' they're not very friendly."
Hits AC 21 for 5 damage Hits AC 11 for 4 damage Rage 2/8
Asimov | Hugh | AC 15/12/13 HP 29/29 d20+3=18 ; d3=1 ; d20+3=11 ; Thursday October 22nd, 2020 12:49:23 AM
Asimov completes putting gears on Chompy pointing the animated bear trap with chain at the nearest plant creature.
"Get 'em Chompy!" the technomancer calls out as he puts a little bit of distance between himself and the nearest plant monster.
Chompy slams into the nearest plant monster (18 vs AC; 1 damage) (11 vs AC; miss?)
Chompy Stats : AC 16 Touch 12 FF 15 HP 21 Speed 20 ft Hardness 5 Immune: construct traits Fort +0, Ref +1, Will -5 2 slams +3 (1d3)
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant, large (Kim) AC 16 Touch 12 FF14 HP 29/32 d20+7=10 ; Thursday October 22nd, 2020 2:34:15 PM
Mundi's nausea leads to upchucking. Not a lot, but enough. She tries to clear her mouth. Taking out her waterskin, she leans her head back, and squirts water in from a few inches away from her mouth. She rinses her mouth, spits, then looks back at the approaching plant things.
Honor Bright (Kathy) [AC 19; HP 22/24] d20+8=25 ; d8=2 ; d20+8=25 Thursday October 22nd, 2020 2:45:40 PM
Honor is unaffected by the poison [Fort save 25]. She continues attacking the same plant-creature. [Hit AC 25 for 6 damage.]
Asimov finishes his spell, and Chompy attacks! The animated trap does a little damage.
Mundhildur is still overwhelmed by the poison.
Honor attacks again, and again does damage.
The plants attack! Elron is targeted by the two closest to him. He is hit twice, for a total of 4 damage. He must make two Fortitude saves, DC 12, or become nauseated for a round.
The plant Honor has been hacking is pretty hurt, so it takes a move action to dig itself partly into the ground. Now it has some cover from her attacks. But it only gets one attack this round, which it misses. Her other opponent, however, gets its full three attacks! Honor his hit twice, for 6 damage, and must make 2 Fortitude saves, DC 12, or become nauseated for a round.
The last plant arrives at Zeoll and attacks! Zeoll is hit for 4 damage, and must make a DC 12 Fort save or become nauseated for a round.
In addition, Elron, Mundhildur, and Honor each need to make a DC 12 Fort save for the poison already in their system. I'm going to need a spreadsheet for this, aren't I?
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant, large (Kim) AC 16 Touch 12 FF14 HP 29/32 d20+7=27 ; d20+6=16 ; d8+3=11 ; Thursday October 22nd, 2020 6:12:12 PM
Purging seems to have helped Mundhildur. The poison no longer has any apparent effect (Fort save 27 - nat 20). She turns to battle these pernicious weeds. She moves to e5, and attacks the plant at d4. She hits AC 16 for 11 hp damage.
SteveM - Elron | AC 21 (19 in rage), HP 21/24 d20+5=24 ; d20+5=12 ; d20+5=25 ; d20+3=19 ; d20+3=4 ; d4+2=5 ; Thursday October 22nd, 2020 10:02:42 PM
(Saves = 24, 12, 25)
Elron keeps swinging at the nearest plants.
=== Hit AC 19 for 5 Hit AC 4 for -- Rage 3/8
Zeoll the Greensinger | AC15, 12/16hp | Cayzle d20+3=12 d20+1=10 d20-4=1 d20-4=12 d4+1=2 Thursday October 22nd, 2020 11:55:53 PM
Zeoll barely manages to hold onto his cookies, but hold he does!
Still singing, he stabs with his spear, missing. He lashes out with paws, missing once and hitting AC12 for 2 damage.
Asimov | Hugh | AC 15/12/13 HP 29/29 d20+3=19 ; d3=3 ; d20+3=12 ; 2d4+2=5 ; Friday October 23rd, 2020 12:50:29 AM
Asimov says, "Keep attacking Chompy!"
(19 vs AC; 3 damage) (12 vs AC; miss?)
Asimov fires wrist rockets at the same plant creature that Chompy is working on (5 force damage)
Honor Bright (Kathy) [AC 19; HP 16/24] d20+8=12 ; d20+8=10 ; d20+8=15 ; Friday October 23rd, 2020 2:00:22 PM
Honor wants to finish off this plant, but instead she drops to one knee, choking and retching.
Elron continues attacking, and now his opponent is also looking pretty ragged.
Zeoll attacks his foe, but misses.
Asimov and Chompy keep attacking, each hitting once.
Honor is overcome by the poison.
Elron's opponent, feeling threatened, digs itself partly into the ground. Now it has cover. It needed to use a move action to do that, so it only gets one attack, which hits. Elron takes 4 damage and must succeed at a DC 12 Fort save or be nauseated for a round.
Mundhildur's opponent likewise digs itself partly into the ground to get some cover. Its one attack hits. Mundhildur takes 4 damage and must succeed at a DC 12 Fort save or be nauseated for a round.
Seeing their advantage, Honor's opponents attack her! Honor his hit 5 times for 12 damage, and needs to make 5 Fortitude saves.
Zeoll's opponent attacks him, hitting 3 times! Zeoll takes 11 damage, and must make 3 DC 12 Fortitude saves.
Saves needed for ongoing poison effects (in addition to the ones listed above): Elron 2 Honor 2 Mundhildur 1 Zeoll 1
I need to make four saves? OK. Four fails! That's a record!
Zeoll has a move action available while barfing, so he moves 40 ft away. And he's not singing!
Alls he's got is a move action. If he can withdraw, great! If he can't, his one hit point is screaming in terror!
Yes, the hit point is screaming in terror. Zeoll would NEVER scream in terror ...
...
...
... while barfing.
SteveM - Elron | AC 21 (19 in rage), HP 30/36 d20+7=8 ; d10=2 ; d20+7=15 ; d20+7=25 ; d20+3=16 ; Friday October 23rd, 2020 8:59:07 PM
(Saves: 8, 15, 25 -- first one misses; know nature = 16)
Well, but I finally worked on Elron's character sheet a bit so. . . Max HP goes from 24 to 36. His fortitude saves are at +7, not +5, and his attacks will be at a higher to hit while he finesses his weapons. . . So I guess he spends the round nauseated. But he can try that know nature check now, too.
Elron moves five feet back and heroically tries to continue attacking the plants, but his stomach just isn't into it right now. "Wow, so THESE are weedwhips," Elron belatedly recognizes them. "Still don' like 'em."
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant, large (Kim) AC 16 Touch 12 FF14 HP 25/32 d20=3 ; d20+7=26 ; Saturday October 24th, 2020 6:53:54 PM
Mundhildur, struck again, becomes nauseated (d20=3, then +7=10, fail). However, the remnants of the previous strike are gone (26). She moves away from the noxious weed to H9.
Asimov | Hugh | AC 15/12/13 HP 29/29 d20+3=16 ; d20+3=7 ; d3=2 ; d8+3=6 ; Monday October 26th, 2020 12:52:34 AM
"Keep at it Chompy" Asimov calls as he moves after Zeoll.
(16 vs AC; 2 damage) (7 vs AC; miss)
Asimov uses a medihaler light on Zeoll. Zeoll heals 6 hp
Honor Bright (Kathy) [AC 19; HP 14/24] d20+8=24 ; d20+8=22 ; d20+8=28 ; d20+8=27 ; d20+8=15 ; d20+8=26 ; d20+8=13 ; d6=1 ; d6=5 ; d6=5 ; d20+7=23 ; d8=1 ; Monday October 26th, 2020 1:19:43 PM
Miraculously, Honor is not nauseated from the plant creatures' poison. She takes a moment to heal herself [Lay on Hands], then slashes at her damaged opponent. [Hit AC 23 for 4 damage.]
DM Kathy d20+7=8 ; d20+7=9 ; d20+7=13 ; d20+7=19 ; d20+7=22 ; d20+7=23 ; d4=3 ; d4=3 ; d20+7=18 ; d20+7=24 ; d20+7=22 ; d4=1 ; d4=2 ; d20+7=14 ; Monday October 26th, 2020 2:45:44 PM Zeoll is very sick. Withdrawal is a full-round action, so you couldn't do that while nauseated. However, you have discovered that these things don't take opportunity attacks; they only seem to attack when they're actually attacking. Zeoll is able to stagger back a few crucial steps.
Elron is likewise incapacitated, although he does finally realize what these things are called.
Mundhildur is also nauseated, although at least previous rounds' poison seems to be gone.
Asimov heales Zeoll, while Chompy attacks!
Honor heals herself, then kills her opponent.
Elron's two opponents attack! Elron is hit twice, for 6 damage and two more DC 12 Fort saves.
Honor is also hit twice, for 3 damage and two more DC 12 Fort saves.
The remaining weedwhip moves up to attack Asimov. Since it had to move, it gets only one attack, which misses.
Saves needed for ongoing poison effects (in addition to the ones listed above): Elron 1 Honor 5 Mundhildur 1 Zeoll 4
Zeoll the Greensinger | AC15, 1/16hp | Cayzle d20+3=19 ; d20+3=7 ; d20+3=23 ; d20+3=21 ; Monday October 26th, 2020 4:42:40 PM
Zeoll makes 3 of 4 saves this time, and moves even more back.
SteveM - Elron | AC 21 (19 in rage), HP 26/36 d20+7=26 ; d20+7=27 ; d20+7=8 ; Monday October 26th, 2020 7:38:45 PM
(Saves = 26, 27, 8)
Elron would have shrugged off two saves, but not a third. He moves further away -- a comfortable distance he can make without heaving -- not able to do much more right now.
=== Rage 5/8
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant, large (Kim) AC 16 Touch 12 FF14 HP 25/32 d20+7=16 ; d20+7=21 ; d20+7=25 ; d8+3=8 ; d8+3=10 ; Monday October 26th, 2020 11:13:11 PM
Mundhildur saves from the nausea, and steps 5 feet forward and with her reach goes Slam! Slam! on the now hapless plant that treated so poorly her singing friend Zeoll. AC 21, 25, for 8+10=18 hp damage. "You leave my friends alone!"
Asimov | Hugh | AC 15/12/13 HP 29/29 d8+3=4 ; d8+3=8 ; d20+3=21 ; d3=1 ; d20+3=21 ; d3=3 ; Monday October 26th, 2020 11:44:51 PM
Asimov takes a 5 foot step and heals Zeoll again using a second medihaler-light.
(OOC: between the 6 last round and the 8 this round Zeoll should be at 15 hp total
Chompy keeps attacking the plant creature it is fighting (21 vs AC; 1 damage) (21 vs AC; 3 damage)
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant, large (Kim) AC 16 Touch 12 FF14 HP 25/32 d20+7=20 ; Tuesday October 27th, 2020 1:11:54 PM
Just saw that Mundhi needed one extra save - she made it.
Honor Bright (Kathy) [AC 19; HP 14/24] d20+8=18 ; d20+8=23 ; d20+8=23 ; d20+8=9 ; d20+8=14 ; d20+8=11 ; d20+8=24 ; d20+7=10 ; Tuesday October 27th, 2020 3:29:09 PM
Honor makes her saves [used Hero Points], and slashes again at her opponent--but she misses.
DM Kathy d20+7=11 ; Tuesday October 27th, 2020 3:55:58 PM Zeoll, still recovering from the poison, moves farther back.
Elron, too, is suffering from the poison, and moves back.
Mundhildur steps forward and kills the plant that had been menacing Zeoll and Asimov!
Asimov heals Zeoll again, while Chompy continues to attack!
Making a heroic effort, Honor manages not to get nauseated. But there the heroism ends, and she misses her attack.
One of Elron's opponents comes after him. However, it was the one that had dug itself into the ground, so it has to un-dig itself, then move, and then it is done.
The other moves over to Honor and Chompy, but that's a double move for it, so it's done.
That leaves one weedwhip that can actually attack this round, but it's hurt and has decided it needs more cover. So it digs itself into the ground, meaning it only gets one attack on Honor, which misses.
Everybody finally has a chance to catch up on past saves:
Zeoll 1 Elron 3 Mundhildur 1 Honor 2
[OOC in case of confusion: to get rid of the poison, you need to make two consecutive saves. So if you make the first one, but fail the second one, you have to start over.]
SteveM - Elron | AC 21 (19 in rage), HP 26/36 | Fatigued d20+7=8 ; d10=10 ; d3=2 ; d20+7=26 ; d20+7=21 ; Tuesday October 27th, 2020 7:45:19 PM
(Saves = 8, 26, 21 -- 1 fail -- and yes, I still put the cursor down and click three times rapidly even though I should know by now the screen will shift after each so I click something else)
So, Elron can outpace the plant as long as it digs in -- but can he put that to his advantage? He lets his rage lapse as he ponders this. Even fatigued, he can shuffle a fair bit.
=== Rage 5/8
Zeoll the Greensinger | AC15, 15/16hp | Cayzle d20+3=20 ; Wednesday October 28th, 2020 12:08:09 AM
With one last save, Zeoll recovers himself. "Thank you, friend Asimov," he gasps.
Zeoll resumes his singing, and makes sure he has a spear in hand.
EVERYBODY GETS THE USUAL +1 TO ATTACKS AND DAMAGE.
Asimov | Hugh | AC 15/12/13 HP 29/29 d20+3=17 ; d3=1 ; d20+3=7 ; d20=8 ; d3+1=2 ; Wednesday October 28th, 2020 12:27:17 AM
Chompy keeps attacking the plant creature it is fighting (17 vs AC; 1 damage) (7 vs AC; miss)
Asimov fires off a round from his corrosive pistol at the plant (8 vs touch; 2 acid damage if that hits)
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant, large (Kim) AC 16 Touch 12 FF14 HP 25/32 d20+7=15 ; d20+7=24 ; d8+3=5 ; Wednesday October 28th, 2020 2:02:38 AM
The tall lady makes her second save versus poison, and throws off the remnants of nausea. Mundhi steps forward five feet, and stabs at the flower at h5 (AC 25), doing 5+1=6 hp damage to it.
[adjusted numbers to reflect Zeoll's inspiring song]
Honor Bright (Kathy) [AC 19; HP 14/24] d20+8=20 ; d20+8=19 ; d20+8=21 ; d8=4 ; Wednesday October 28th, 2020 12:58:20 PM
Honor shakes the last of the poison and takes a swipe at Chompy's opponent. [Hit AC 21 for 8 damage]
DM Kathy d20+7=8 ; d20+7=21 ; d20+7=15 ; d20+7=12 ; d20+7=11 ; d20+7=17 ; d4=2 ; Wednesday October 28th, 2020 2:26:36 PM Elron is still overcome by nausea, but luckily faster than a plant.
Zeoll recovers from his nausea and starts his song again.
Asimov fires at the plant, but misses. Chompy is a bit more successful.
Mundhildur damages another of the plant-creatures.
Honor finishes off the creature that Chompy has been patiently working on. Those paladins, always kill-stealing.
The northern weedwhip gives up on Elron and goes after Honor instead. The southern weedwhip likewise attacks the paladin. Honor takes another hit, for 2 damage, and must make a DC 12 Fortitude save.
Elron is the only one left who still has an ongoing save to make.
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant, large (Kim) AC 16 Touch 12 FF14 HP 25/32 d20+8=13 ; d20+8=22 ; d8+4=9 ; Wednesday October 28th, 2020 2:58:20 PM
With a 5' step to g7, her long auburn braids swing about as Mundhildur twice slams the weedwhip. The first attack barely brushed the plant causing no harm (AC13), yet the follow-up did better (AC22) for 9hp.
"You should have just stood there looking pretty instead of deciding to attack us."
SteveM - Elron | AC 21 (20 while fatugued), HP 26/36 | Fatigued d20+7=22 ; d20+5=15 ; d4-1=0 ; Wednesday October 28th, 2020 7:48:49 PM
(Save = 22)
Deciding that he's feeling better, Elron heads back into battle. Of course, he's momentarily fatigued and has to shuffle back to the battle, so he only gets one attack. But it is so much better to have worked that stuff out of his system.
----- Hits AC 15 for 0 damage (still a mite weakened from his exertions) Rage 5/8 (inactive)
Asimov | Hugh | AC 15/12/13 HP 29/29 d20+3=18 ; d20+3=11 ; d3=3 ; d20=2 ; Thursday October 29th, 2020 2:44:06 AM
Asimov calls out, "Chompy, attack the nearest weedwhip"
(18 vs AC; 3 damage) (11 vs AC; miss)
Asimov fires his corrosive pistol at the weedwhip Chompy is attacking (2 vs touch; miss)
Zeoll the Greensinger | AC15, 15/16hp | Cayzle Thursday October 29th, 2020 6:38:32 AM
As a free action, Zeoll keep singing. (+1/+1 everybody!)
As a move action, Zeoll hustles right up into combat to give flanking bonuses to Honor and Elron. (+2 to hit, you two!)
As a standard action, Zeoll uses full defense to boost his AC by 4 to 19.
Honor Bright (Kathy) [AC 19; HP 12/24] d20+8=28 ; d20+8=16 ; d8=5 ; Thursday October 29th, 2020 12:19:32 PM
Honor is unaffected by the poison. She swings Virtue at the northernmost weedwhip. [Hit AC 16 for 9 damage.]
DM Kathy Thursday October 29th, 2020 1:57:47 PM Mundhildur lands another blow on the weedwhip. It isn't quite enough to kill the plant creature, and Asimov misses with his gadget, but Chompy is equal to the task. The weedwhip falls.
Zeoll keeps singing and moves to flank one of the creatures.
Elron, feeling better, tries an attack but can't muster the strength to do damage.
Honor, however, settles the matter with a final blow from Virtue.
And just like that, the battle is over, barring one more Fort save from Honor.
Zeoll the Greensinger | AC15, 15/16hp | Cayzle d20+8=14 ; Thursday October 29th, 2020 8:51:29 PM
"Whew, that was a nasty fight!"
[OOC: TWO of my PCs just got trounced by plants in Kathy-run games, LOL!)
Zeoll looks around to see if there are any more lurking.
Perception 14
SteveM - Elron | AC 21 (20 while fatigued), HP 26/36 | Fatigued Thursday October 29th, 2020 10:44:43 PM
Elron continues knocking the plants about a bit, just to be sure, while explaining to the others --"My fear of roses is a thorny issue. I’m not sure what it stems from, but I’m stuck with it."
Asimov | Hugh | AC 15/12/13 HP 29/29 d20=20 ; Friday October 30th, 2020 1:13:12 AM
Asimov goes over to Chompy and cleans any plant guts out of it.
He says, "Looks like Chompy will remain animated for a little over 2 minutes. I'm glad that worked out well. I think eventually I'll be able to animate larger objects, but it worked out pretty well for its first real test run. Anyone in need of healing? I have one more medihaler left."
Honor Bright (Kathy) [AC 19; HP 19/24] d20+8=28 ; d6=3 ; d6=6 ; d6=3 ; d6=4 ; d6=1 ; d6=3 ; d6=4 ; Friday October 30th, 2020 1:24:52 PM
Honor makes her final Fortitude save, overcoming the last of the poison.
Using her Lay on Hands ability, she heals Elron for 9, and Mundhildur for 7. Then she heals herself for 7.
"I'm out of healing," she says. "Let's save that last medihaler for an emergency."
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant, large (Kim) AC 16 Touch 12 FF14 HP 25/32 Friday October 30th, 2020 1:35:25 PM
Mundhildur laughs at Elron's comment - she got what he was saying this time. "You're a funny rooster."
"Honor looks a little beat up, Asimov. Let her breathe that thing." She gives up on piecing the statue together. She gets her mules lined up. "Let's go for this next thing."
DM Kathy Friday October 30th, 2020 2:28:17 PM
After the fight, Zeoll checks to see whether there are more plants. There are. Vines and creepers still wrap around the remnants of the statues, their leaves still whipping unsettlingly in the wind. But they seem to be a different variety of plant than the weedwhips, and they remain where they are.
Elron continues pulverizing the plants, just to be sure.
Asimov offers healing.
Honor provides some healing, and suggests keeping Asimov's healing in reserve.
Mundhildur lines up the mules, ready to proceed to the keep itself, which is about 50 feet from your current location.
Is the group ready to move on?
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant, large (Kim) AC 16 Touch 12 FF14 HP 25/32 Friday October 30th, 2020 9:57:44 PM
Mundhildur looks at the very nearby Fowlsfield Keep. She visually measures its width, height, depth as far as she can see. She looks for windows, doors, crenellations, coloration. Is it intact? Signs of age, wear, or decay? Any evidence of recent habitation? What is the area like surrounding the keep? Is there a moat? How would she describe all this to others? She observes as she waits for the others to decide to go ahead. She is ready.
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant, large (Kim) AC 16 Touch 12 FF14 HP 25/32 d20+5=20 ; Friday October 30th, 2020 10:01:45 PM
And, I forgot to roll for Mundhi's Perception, to determine how well she takes in what she's trying to take in. Apparently, fairly well. ========== Perception: 20
Zeoll the Greensinger | AC15, 16/16hp | Cayzle Saturday October 31st, 2020 4:23:39 PM
Zeoll reminds the group that he has goodberries. 17 in fact.
No wait, 16. The liontaur eats one.
"Here, Munhi, take 7. Honor, take 5."
"That's 4 left over."
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant, large (Kim) AC 16 Touch 12 FF14 HP 31/32 Sunday November 1st, 2020 2:13:58 AM
Mundhi thanks Zeoll for the goodberries, takes the seven he offered, and eats six, placing the last one in a pouch for emergencies.
SteveM - Elron | AC 21, HP 36/36 Sunday November 1st, 2020 8:27:42 PM
Elron is indeed ready to continue. He accepts one of the goodberries from Zeoll, explaining, "I don't know where I heard it, but I heard that if you're in the desert it's best to carry your water inside you," as he eats the berry. "'Course, I don't see no need to be goin' to a desert, neither. We're looking for silver berries, right?"
Asimov | Hugh | AC 15/12/13 HP 29/29 d20+7=12 ; Monday November 2nd, 2020 1:28:19 AM
Asimov says to Elron, "Wouldn't you be a camel then? With their humps or a cactus?"
To Honor he says, "Well I can make more tomorrow. It seems like between my devices, your divine touch and Zeoll's berries we are able to handle most injuries for now. I should be able to keep making devices that heal up to a point, granted my devices are capable of so much more but it seems like our group is lacking a dedicated healer so I plan my device selection for now with the understanding that that is one of our limitations. I only wish Chompy could be impacted by Zeoll's lovely singing but he doesn't have a mind per se."
Asimov takes a look around (Perception: 12)
Zeoll the Greensinger | AC15, 16/16hp | Cayzle d20+10=12 ; Monday November 2nd, 2020 7:34:54 AM
Zeoll shrugs. "Sometimes we might face foes that use magic to attack the mind. When that day comes, it may be that Chompy is what saves the parrty!"
Zeoll says a prayer and tries to recall what he might have heard about these berries and shares his lore, if any, with the party.
Know Nature 12
Honor Bright (Kathy) [AC 19; HP 24/24] Monday November 2nd, 2020 12:50:27 PM
Honor has never tried a Goodberry before. She eats them slowly, enjoying their tangy sweetness.
"Thank you, Zeoll," she says. Then, "are we ready to continue?"
DM Kathy Monday November 2nd, 2020 1:56:38 PM
You finish up the last of the healing and turn your attention to the keep. It is about 50 feet from your present position.
Mundhildur estimates that the keep is about 100 feet wide, and probably about 70 feet deep. The front gates, which you can see from here, seem to lead into some kind of courtyard. You don't see any windows on this side. The place is a ruin, clearly uninhabited. A pool of stagnant water surrounds the southwest corner; it is unclear from this angle whether any of the water has gotten into the building. It looks as though the walls have collapsed in a couple of places.
Zeoll tries to recall any new information about the silverberry vine, but comes up blank. It is rare, it is said to be good for healing, and that's about all you've got.
Zeoll the Greensinger | AC15, 16/16hp | Cayzle d20+2=14 ; Monday November 2nd, 2020 2:16:56 PM
"That thing looks about rready to fall down! I wish we had a dwarrf with us."
"Well, wherre dwarrves fearr to trread, Barrds wanderr!"
Know Engineering to sense / find a safe way in. 14
OH, that Guidance cantrip I always cast would bring that to 15!
SteveM - Elron | AC 21, HP 36/36 d20+3=15 ; Monday November 2nd, 2020 10:52:19 PM "Aw, c'mon," says Elron, ready to lead the way through ths front gates if no one else is. (And not one to wait on egghead stuff like engineering.) "Unless you think the berries are out here and not in there."
Elron tries a know: nature check (roll = 15) of his own to see if he has any ideas about the berries himself.
Asimov | Hugh | AC 15/12/13 HP 29/29 d20+8=25 ; d20+8=21 ; d20+8=11 ; d20+7=17 ; Tuesday November 3rd, 2020 2:19:06 AM
(Know Engineering: 25) (Know Geography: 21) (Know History : 11) (Perception: 17 or 18 vs mechanical traps)
Asimov takes stock of the keep thinking about what he might know about it structurally, historically or geographically. He also keeps his eyes peels and makes sure they don't fall for any traps if he can spot them.
He makes sure Chompy is with them even if it went back to only being a bear trap.
Honor Bright (Kathy) Tuesday November 3rd, 2020 12:41:30 PM
"It does seem odd to be looking for berries indoors," Honor says, eyeing the keep. "Maybe they have a greenhouse or something. Anyway, there's only one way to find out."
DM Kathy Tuesday November 3rd, 2020 2:32:25 PM Zeoll studies the structure for a safe way in, but sometimes the most obvious answer is the right one. The gates of the keep lead into the courtyard, which at least doesn't have a ceiling to collapse on anybody. Any other way in would involve climbing the walls or scrambling over rubble, so absent a specific reason not to use them (and you don't see one), the gates seem like the best option.
Asimov also studies the keep, but doesn't turn up any new information. He detects no traps.
Elron and Honor are ready to be done studying and see what lies beyond the gates.
When you get to the gates, you see that one of them has fallen completely to the ground, while the other leans drunkenly on one hinge. You step up to the opening and look into the courtyard beyond. Tall grasses and chunks of stone debris have all but overtaken it. Off to one side, a wooden stable has collapsed into a mound of rotting timbers and moldy straw. The outer wall on the east side has also collapsed, leaving a ragged hole. Three doors exit into this yard— a pair of double doors to the east, a single door to the north, and a lone door leading into the squat tower in the southeast corner. There is a well of sorts--just barely visible above the grasses--in the northwest corner.
Oh, look, a map. Not a combat map, of course, because we're not in combat. Just a general sort of reference map. No, really.
SteveM - Elron | AC 21, HP 36/36 d20+8=20 ; d20+12=32 ; Tuesday November 3rd, 2020 10:02:34 PM
Elron is ready to move into the courtyard -- cautiously, in case there are more pugilistic plants there -- without thinking of traps. At least he's trying to be stealthy about it. The well captures his attention more than the rest, so that's the direction he heads.
(Stealth = 20; perception = 32)
Zeoll the Greensinger | AC15, 16/16hp | Cayzle d20+6=10 ; Tuesday November 3rd, 2020 11:27:38 PM
Zeoll enters cautiously, looking around, sniffing for the berries.
Perception 10
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant, large (Kim) AC 16 Touch 12 FF14 HP 31/32 d20+5=7 ; Wednesday November 4th, 2020 1:59:24 AM
Mundhildur begins to walk around the building, widdershins, but is not overly observant. She used up most of that just taking in the building from the front. ======== Perception: 7
Asimov | Hugh | AC 15/12/13 HP 29/29 d20+6=9 ; d20+7=25 ; Wednesday November 4th, 2020 3:17:09 AM
Stealth: 6 Perception: 25 / 26 vs Mechanical Traps
Asimov cautiously moves forward with the rest of his group keeping his eyes out for anything.
Honor Bright (Kathy) Wednesday November 4th, 2020 1:29:04 PM
Honor also moves into the courtyard, looking around curiously.
Zeoll the Greensinger | AC15, 16/16hp | Cayzle Wednesday November 4th, 2020 1:47:29 PM
Zeoll peers into the ragged hole on the east side. He casts Dancing Lights and sends the twinkling orbs in to illuminate the space.
DM Kathy Wednesday November 4th, 2020 2:24:26 PM Elron enters the courtyard and moves toward the well. As you reach it, you see something lying nearby, which proves to be a dead body--mostly skeletal, with bones missing.
Zeoll moves in and sniffs the air, but there is no sign of any berries. He illuminates the hole on the east side of the courtyard, and sees nothing beyond it but the outside. It is an exterior wall.
Asimov moves cautiously, but spies no traps.
Mundhildur opts to move around the outside of the building.
Those in the courtyard, DC 15 Survival Highlight to display spoiler: {There are faint signs of creatures moving through the courtyard. Most of them head into the main building through the double doors to the west.}
And the map. Please feel free to move your character around on the map if you move; that's why everybody has edit access. I did my best to move everybody how they said they moved, but it's really easier for everybody if you can do it yourselves.
SteveM - Elron | AC 21, HP 36/36 d20+8=12 ; d20+6=22 ; d20+6=7 ; d4=1 ; d4=4 ; Wednesday November 4th, 2020 8:28:58 PM
(Survival = 12)
The party having been attacked by pumpkins, plants, dolls, and dead hands, Elron pre-emptively attacks the skeleton.
Hits AC 22 for 1 and AC 7 for 4...
----- Rage 0/8 (inactive)
Asimov | Hugh | AC 15/12/13 HP 29/29 d20+1=11 ; d20-1=3 ; Thursday November 5th, 2020 12:37:57 AM
(Survival: 11)
Asimov can't make out anything with the survival skill but that wasn't really his forte. Seeing Elron womp on the skeleton he pulls out his corrosive pistol and fires a shot as well, just to be on the safe side but his orb flies wide.
(3 vs touch)
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant, large (Kim) AC 16 Touch 12 FF14 HP 31/32 d20+2=12 ; d20+5=13 ; Thursday November 5th, 2020 1:46:40 AM
Mundhildur continues around the building, passing to the right of the rubble. She looks about her and listens.
Survival: 12 Perception: 13
Honor Bright (Kathy) Thursday November 5th, 2020 12:38:19 PM
Seeing Elron and Asimov attack, Honor draws Virtue and heads toward the well. She doesn't see an opponent right away, so she uses her Detect Evil ability to try to find it.
DM Kathy Thursday November 5th, 2020 3:43:08 PM Elron, whose momma didn't raise no fools, launches a preemptive attack on the highly suspicious partial skeleton. His blow makes a few of the bones rattle, but they don't seem to move otherwise.
Seeing the attack, Asimov fires his corrosive pistol, but misses. Honor draws Virtue and moves toward the well, but detects no evil.
Mundhildur continues her circuit of the building. She sees another pile of rubble, somewhat larger, at the northeast corner of the structure.
In the courtyard, the skeleton continues to not do anything. The body seems to be dressed for exploring, with a warm cloak and sturdy boots. Perception DC 12 Highlight to display spoiler: {There is a leather bag of some kind at the base of the well, not far from the skeleton's hand.}
Zeoll the Greensinger | AC15, 16/16hp | Cayzle Thursday November 5th, 2020 10:40:48 PM
Zeoll watches, ready to support his friends if a threat materializes.
"Should we prroceed furrtherr?"
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant, large (Kim) AC 16 Touch 12 FF14 HP 31/32 d20+5=8 ; Thursday November 5th, 2020 11:54:20 PM
Coming upon the next pile of rubble, Mundhi holds out her longspear before her, to forestall any critter that tries to run her down. Observation wise, she looks at the fallen stones (bricks?), then upward to see what may be left of the wall from which the rubble fell.
Asimov | Hugh | AC 15/12/13 HP 29/29 d20+7=25 ; d20+10=26 ; d20+10=15 ; Friday November 6th, 2020 12:29:47 AM
(Perception:25)
Asimov notices the bag at the base of the well and investigates it further. He also uses his magic detector (0th level device : detect magic) to look over the sturdy boots and warm cloak.
(Spellcraft: 26) (Know[Arcana]: 15)
SteveM - Elron | AC 21, HP 36/36 d20+12=22 ; Friday November 6th, 2020 9:41:19 AM
While Asimov looks over the bag, Elron looks around for other threats or berries. (Perception = 22).
"Say -- what do you call a sad silverberry?"
Highlight to display spoiler: {"A blue berry. . . That's, I say, that's a joke, son."}
Honor Bright (Kathy) Friday November 6th, 2020 1:17:45 PM
Honor relaxes a bit.
"The skeleton isn't undead," she says. "Undead would detect as evil, and it doesn't. I think--I think maybe it's just a dead body."
She giggles a little at Elron's joke.
DM Kathy Friday November 6th, 2020 2:33:21 PM Mundhildur examines the rubble. It is stone, like the walls of the keep. Looking up, you can tell that there's not much left of this section of wall, and part of the ceiling has collapsed as well.
As Zeoll looks on, Asimov examines the bag and detects for magic. The skeleton's clothing and boots do not detect as magic, but something in the bag does. You open it cautiously--the leather is rotting--and find that it is a backpack. Inside, you find some moldy trail rations, a set of thieves' tools, 50 feet of silk rope, 4 potions (that's what detected as magic), and a small coin purse.
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant, large (Kim) AC 16 Touch 12 FF14 HP 31/32 d20+5=17 ; Saturday November 7th, 2020 8:39:15 AM
Mundhildur was going to continue around, but she ran out of map. So instead she carefully climbs up and over the rubble to see what is on the other side.
Perception: 17
Zeoll the Greensinger | AC15, 16/16hp | Cayzle d20+11=30 ; Sunday November 8th, 2020 11:51:16 AM
By the state of the mold, by the level of decay, Zeoll takes a guess at how long this poor soul has lain here. Also, any clue as to how the person died? Broken bones, holes in clothes, any clue? Zeoll prays for guidance and looks closely.
Guided Know Nature 30! Woot!
SteveM - Elron | AC 21, HP 36/36 Sunday November 8th, 2020 8:15:59 PM
Elron looks around for doors leading indoors, since he hasn't noticed any silver berries in the courtyard.
Asimov | Hugh | AC 15/12/13 HP 29/29 d20+10=28 ; d20+10=12 ; d20+10=16 ; d20+10=27 ; Monday November 9th, 2020 2:04:14 AM
Asimov throws out the rations, checks the coin purse and tries to identify the potions.
Honor Bright (Kathy) d20+7=25 ; Monday November 9th, 2020 1:42:26 PM
Honor also examines the body to try to determine how the person died. [Heal check 25]
DM Kathy Monday November 9th, 2020 2:39:41 PM Mundhildur begins climbing the rubble. However, you soon realize that the rubble is full of sleeping bats. If you disturb them, things could get interesting for a while.
Asimov looks in the coin purse and finds assorted coins adding up to 42 gold. You are able to identify one of the potions as Cure Light Wounds, and one as Cure Moderate Wounds. You aren't quite able to identify two of them, but they look and smell exactly like the Cure Light Wounds potion you did identify, so they are probably the same thing. [OOC: they are]
Zeoll and Honor examine the body. Zeoll deduces it has been here for about a year. Honor can tell that the explorer was partially devoured by a large animal, though it's impossible to say whether that was what killed him.
Meanwhile, Elron looks for doors that lead inside. The doors to the north and west from the courtyard seem to lead into the keep, although it's too dark inside to see much beyond the open doors. The door in the southeast corner appears to lead into a squat watchtower of some kind; it is shut.
SteveM - Elron | AC 21, HP 36/36 Monday November 9th, 2020 11:14:31 PM
Elron suggests looking through the tower first, figuring it's smaller and easier to search than the main keep. Not that there's logic to that, but it's his reasoning nonetheless.
Zeoll the Greensinger | AC15, 16/16hp | Cayzle d20+7=17 ; d20+10=21 ; Monday November 9th, 2020 11:54:18 PM
Zeoll opens the door to the watchtower and peers in. He looks for tracks that might reveal if anyone has been this way recently.
Praying for Guidance, Perception 17, Survival (tracking) 21
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant, large (Kim) AC 16 Touch 12 FF14 HP 31/32 Tuesday November 10th, 2020 12:44:21 AM
Bats. Mundhi likes bats. But it won't likely do to disturb them as they sleep. She backs off, and hurries back around to rejoin her friends through the front door. Figure she gets about halfway there so far.
Asimov | Hugh | AC 15/12/13 HP 29/29 d20+8=18 ; d20+10=28 ; Tuesday November 10th, 2020 4:33:42 AM
Asimov gives Elron the potion of cure moderate wounds and then proceeds to hand to Munhildur, Honor and Zeoll the potions of cure light wounds.
Asimov wanders over to where the shut door is and tries to stop Zeoll from opening the door before he has had a chance to examine it for mechanical traps or magic (Perception: 18 vs Mechanical Traps; Know[Arcana]: 28)
Honor Bright (Kathy) Tuesday November 10th, 2020 12:48:48 PM
"Thanks, Asimov," Honor says. She moves closer to the tower door, ready to help her companions with unpleasant surprises.
DM Kathy Tuesday November 10th, 2020 2:38:08 PM Mundhildur decides to let sleeping bats lie, and heads back toward the main group.
Elron suggests exploring the tower first.
Zeoll is happy to oblige, and moves to open the door. Asimov wants to examine it for traps first, but that proves to be academic as Zeoll pulls on the door and nothing happens. It doesn't seem to be locked; it is stuck somehow. A Strength check might force it open.
Zeoll the Greensinger | AC15, 16/16hp | Cayzle Tuesday November 10th, 2020 3:06:40 PM
"I think this is yourr deparrtment, my dearr," says Zeoll to Mundhi. He casts Guidance on her to give her a +1 on the check.
SteveM - Elron | AC 21, HP 36/36 Tuesday November 10th, 2020 7:03:42 PM
Impatient as ever, while the bigger folks worry about doors Elron looks to see if there's a spot he might be able to squeeze through.
Asimov | Hugh | AC 15/12/13 HP 29/29 d20+1=11 ; Wednesday November 11th, 2020 6:41:20 AM
Asimov tries to aid Mundi in her efforts (Strength 11 vs DC 10 to aid another)
Honor Bright (Kathy) Wednesday November 11th, 2020 1:35:39 PM
Honor looks at the traffic jam at the door, and decides to stay where she is.
DM Kathy Wednesday November 11th, 2020 2:57:58 PM Zeoll calls for Mundhildur to open the door, and casts Guidance to help. Asimov squeezes in to provide some assistance. Honor can't find a space to get near the door, so she decides to sit this one out.
Meanwhile Elron looks around for a smaller entrance to squeeze into. You don't find one in the tower. You could, of course, leave the main group and go poking around inside one of the doors to the main part of the keep.
[OOC: Since people don't seem to be using the map, I'll drop it for now, but that means I get to place everybody if something happens.]
Zeoll the Greensinger | AC15, 16/16hp | Cayzle Wednesday November 11th, 2020 5:39:11 PM
[OOC: Kathy, we trust you to map us appropriately. Call me old school -- I like when the DM moves the PCs on the map! LOL!]
After casting the Guidance, Zeoll steps back to give Mundhi room to get in there.
SteveM - Elron | AC 21, HP 36/36 d20=7 ; Wednesday November 11th, 2020 8:42:41 PM
Elron may be impatient, but he isn't wandering around on his own. If he fits into the picture nearer the ground, he offers to help with the door. If he doesn't fit, he offers advice.
(Strength roll = 7)
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant, large (Kim) AC 16 Touch 12 FF14 HP 31/32 d20+5=24 ; d20+5=13 ; Wednesday November 11th, 2020 11:02:44 PM
With the help of Zeoll and Asimov, and the moral support of the others, it looks like Mundhildur may have managed to swing open the door [Strength check 24].
She looks to see what is behind the door. ========== Perception: 13
Asimov | Hugh | AC 15/12/13 HP 29/29 d20+7=25 ; Thursday November 12th, 2020 2:38:38 AM
Asimov also peers in to see what is behind the door (Perception: 25/26 vs mechanical traps)
Honor Bright (Kathy) Thursday November 12th, 2020 1:43:59 PM
Honor continues standing by, just in case something jumps out at them.
DM Kathy Thursday November 12th, 2020 2:33:23 PM Mundhildur gives the door a good tug, and it comes unstuck and opens! Inside, you see thick webs covering ancient crates and barrels stored inside the base of the tower. A rickety wooden staircase ascends along one wall to reach an open trapdoor above.
Knowledge (engineering) DC 15 Highlight to display spoiler: {The wooden staircase is not stable. Climbing it will involve a certain amount of agility, and it can only bear so much weight.}
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant, large (Kim) AC 16 Touch 12 FF14 HP 31/32 Thursday November 12th, 2020 6:43:18 PM
"Here we go. Spiderwebs, crates, barrels, stairway upwards. Who wants to go first?" Mundhildur asks. She moves out of the way to allow for the passage of others.
SteveM - Elron | AC 21, HP 36/36 Thursday November 12th, 2020 10:48:08 PM "I'm light. I can go first," Elron says. If there's a clear path through the webs, he heads for the stairs. If not, he starts clearing webs while looking out for spiders.
Asimov | Hugh | AC 15/12/13 HP 29/29 d20+8=11 ; Friday November 13th, 2020 3:25:21 AM
(Know[Engineering]:11)
Asimov says "Anyone got any rope? Perhaps we give some to Elron so we don't lose him?"
Honor Bright (Kathy) Friday November 13th, 2020 2:01:29 PM
"I have rope," Honor says. She fishes around in her backpack and pulls out 50 feet of silk rope. "Though I'm not sure what good it'll do. We'll be on the ground. If he falls, he'll be rejoining us anyway."
DM Kathy Friday November 13th, 2020 2:52:49 PM
Seeing the room, Mundhildur steps back to allow the others to enter.
Elron volunteers to climb the stairs, since he is the lightest of the group. He approaches the stairs. You can tell by looking that it's going to be difficult to climb them. You'll need to succeed at a DC 10 Acrobatics check to make any progress at all.
Asimov suggests a rope, which Honor can supply if needed.
Zeoll the Greensinger | AC15, 16/16hp | Cayzle d20+3=9 ; Friday November 13th, 2020 3:34:36 PM
Zeoll says a prayer as he looks over those stairs and wonders it they are load-bearing. Or rather, liontaur-bearing.
Knowledge Engineering: 9
Not having a clue, Zeoll holds back and lets the able Elron take a crack at it. He casts Guidance on the beastkin as he begins his ascent. [OOC: Take a +1 on your check]
SteveM - Elron | AC 21, HP 36/36 d20+10=16 ; Friday November 13th, 2020 8:22:57 PM
(Acrobatics = 16)
Elron takes the rope, more so he can drop it from the trap door if he gets there, and proceeds up the stairs as far as he can.
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant, large (Kim) AC 16 Touch 12 FF14 HP 31/32 Friday November 13th, 2020 9:12:47 PM
Mundhildur decides she should go in and follow* Elron's path upwards, and be ready to catch him if he slips or something.
Preparation: Be a semi-firm pillow. Ah, she gets out a blanket, and holds it spread horizontally in front of her.
========= * 'follow' - visually, and remaining more or less below him on the floor - actually, the extended blanket beneath what might be the path he might take should he fall off the stairs.
Asimov | Hugh | AC 15/12/13 HP 29/29 Sunday November 15th, 2020 8:59:43 PM
Asimov asks, "Should I put some gears on the trap to make chompy and send it up there after Elron?" he queries the others.
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant, large (Kim) AC 16 Touch 12 FF14 HP 31/32 Monday November 16th, 2020 11:29:29 AM
"Why would you want to use a chompy trap against Elron?" Mundhi asks, astonished at Asimov's suggestion.
She does not always quite clue into the exact meaning of others' statements.
Honor Bright (Kathy) Monday November 16th, 2020 1:55:58 PM
"That blanket is a good idea," Honor tells Mundhildur. "Here, let me grab the other side." Honor squeezes into the room to take the other side of the blanket and be ready to catch Elron if needed.
DM Kathy d6=4 ; d6=3 ; d6=1 ; Monday November 16th, 2020 2:52:40 PM
With a little boost from Zeoll, Elron begins his climb. Asimov offers to have Chompy help, but for now, Elron's support consists of Mundhildur and Honor holding a blanket to catch him.
But as soon as Elron steps on the stairs, a group of spiders takes exception to his presence. A rather large group of spiders, in fact! It forms into four separate swarms of spiders!
One swarms into Elron's space, and he takes 4 damage in little spider bites. He must also make a DC 11 Fortitude save or be nauseated for 1 round. And he must make a DC 11 Fortitude save against poison.
Another swarms into Mundhildrur's space! She takes 3 points of damage, and must succeed at a DC 11 Fortitude save or be nauseated for 1 round, plus a DC 11 Fortitude save against poison.
Another swarms into Honor's space! She takes 1 point of damage, and must make two DC 11 Fortitude saves.
And yes, the swarms did provoke when moving into peoples' squares.
Zeoll the Greensinger | AC15, 16/16hp | Cayzle Monday November 16th, 2020 3:25:51 PM
Zeoll quickly breaks into a rousing anti-spider song:
The itsy-bitsy spiderrs rraced down the stairrs so steep! And overr all my herro frriends they did decide to crreep! Out came a gun to frreeze them with a rray! And the itsy bitsy spiderrs were blown the heck away!
+1 to attacks and damage, my friends!
SteveM - Elron | AC 21, HP 32/36 d20+7=13 ; d20+7=11 ; d20+3=10 ; d20+3=17 ; d4=3 ; d4=3 ; Monday November 16th, 2020 8:33:14 PM
(Fortitude: 13 and 11)
Although Elron is neither sickened nor poisoned (for the moment), he doesn't want to become that way. And while he could have endless fun whappin' at the spiders, somehow he doesn't think that would solve his immediate problem. He wants to run away and return with a big fire, except he hasn't got one.
"Do you guys think we can lure these things out into the courtyard? They're little bitty bugs -- I bet they're not that fast."
While he moves out of the room, Elron still swats at the ones that are on him. He's gotta hit something while he can. . .
Natural weapons are considered light weapons in terms of the weapon finesse feat. Does that mean it works with unarmed attacks? If so, each of these should get another +4 to hit: Flurry of blows, AC: 10 and 17 for 3 and 3 points damage
Asimov | Hugh | AC 15/12/13 HP 29/29 Tuesday November 17th, 2020 1:17:08 AM
Asimov takes the time (full round) to attach gears to the bear trap and make it Chompy again
Honor Bright [AC 19; HP 23/24] (Kathy) d20+8=11 ; d20+8=15 ; d20+8=26 ; d8=7 ; Tuesday November 17th, 2020 1:53:12 PM
Honor isn't nauseated, and isn't affected by the poison. She steps back, draws Virtue, and hacks at the spiders.
[Hit AC 26 for 11 damage.]
DM Kathy d6=5 ; d6=4 ; d6=2 ; Tuesday November 17th, 2020 2:30:32 PM
As the spiders attack, Zeoll starts up a jaunty little spider-killing song.
Asimov readies Chompy.
Elron suggests luring them into the courtyard, and attacks the swarm. His attacks hit [yes, finesse applies to natural weapons], but the spiders are tiny, and there are lots of them. He does no damage to the swarm.
Honor steps back and attacks. She, too, hits, but does no damage.
It seems clear that ordinary weapons are not going to affect these creatures.
The swarm attacks Elron again, doing 5 damage. He must make a DC 11 Fortitude save or be nauseated. He also needs a DC 11 Fort save against poison, and another DC 11 Fort save against last round's poison.
Mundhildur takes 4 more damage, and needs a DC 11 Fort save to avoid being nauseated, plus two DC 11 Fort saves against poison, plus last round's saves because they haven't been done yet.
Honor takes two damage, and also needs to make three DC 11 Fort saves.
The fourth swarm mills about, looking for an opponent.
And the map. If you move, please move yourself on the map.
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant, large (Kim) AC 16 Touch 12 FF14 HP 24/32 d20+7=16 ; d20+7=21 ; d20+5=21 ; d20+5=23 ; d20+5=13 ; d20+7=25 ; d20+7=27 ; d20+7=21 ; d20+5=25 ; d20+5=16 ; d20+5=17 ; d8+3=6 ; d8+4=9 ; d8+4=7 ; d8+4=7 ; d8+4=7 ; d8+4=8 ; Tuesday November 17th, 2020 4:15:34 PM
[I tried to post earlier, had things written out. Internet down. I'll start with the first post (the first paragraph below) before I saw the DM post, then follow with the second (last paragraph after I saw DM post). All the rolls for the two rounds are above. It's up to you, Kathy as to whether you want to accept the 'Yesterday' post - but I tried for 3 hours to get this done before you posted, and felt really frustrated!]
Yesterday "Eeek!" the very tall woman says as crawly spiders land on her. She makes her saves (16, 21), takes an attack of opportunity - ah, damage rolls needed. AoO 6 hp vs AC 21. Then regular slam attacks, this time with Zeoll's inspired poetry to aid her: 9 hp vs AC 23 & 7 hp vs AC 13 (if that even hits).
Today Made all the saves (25, 27, 21). Rolled a nat 20 on 1st slam attack - if AC 16 is good enough to turn the threat into a crit vs the spiders, then damage is 7+7=14. 2nd slam attack 8 hp vs AC 17. "I hate little bitey spiders!"
SteveM - Elron | AC 21, HP 27/36 d20+7=26 ; d10=10 ; d20+7=26 ; d20+7=19 ; d20+11=13 ; Tuesday November 17th, 2020 6:28:45 PM
(Fort saves: 26, 26, 19)
Elron leaves the room, taking a flying leap if necessary (a flapping leap, anyway -- acrobatics: 13).
"Has anyone got a way to make fire or smoke?"
Zeoll the Greensinger | AC15, 16/16hp | Cayzle Tuesday November 17th, 2020 9:27:50 PM
Zeoll keeps singing, but he sees that physical attacks are useless, and he has nothing that would work on these foes.
"I think a tactical rretrreat would be best!" he calls out. The old taur takes a double move out the way they came in.
[OOC: No room on the map for a double move, but Zeoll has 80 ft of space to use up.
Asimov | Hugh | AC 15/12/13 HP 29/29 d20+3=17 ; d3=1 ; Wednesday November 18th, 2020 1:57:56 AM
Asimov moves away from the door, readying an action to fire an acid splash round from his corrosive pistol should the spiders exit the room.
Chompy meanwhile enters the door and attacks one of the spider swarms (17 vs AC; 1 damage; bludgeoning)
5/7 windup toy uses remaining
Chompy Stats : AC 16 Touch 12 FF 15 HP 21 Speed 20 ft Hardness 5 Immune: construct traits Fort +0, Ref +1, Will -5 2 slams +3 (1d3)
Honor Bright [AC 19; HP 21/24] (Kathy) d20+8=26 ; d20+8=18 ; d20+8=9 ; Wednesday November 18th, 2020 2:36:41 PM
Honor fails one of her poison saves. Seeing that Virtue is doing nothing to harm the spiders, she calls, "I think a strategic retreat is in order!"
Suiting actions to words, she squeezes past Mundhildur and out into the courtyard.
"I haven't got any torches," she confesses. "Can we throw something together?"
DM Kathy d4=2 ; d6=6 ; d6=6 ; d6=1 ; d6=6 ; Wednesday November 18th, 2020 3:11:22 PM Mundhildur lashes left and right at the spiders, but her blows don't seem to affect them.
Zeoll calls for a retreat and leaves the courtyard.
Elron leaves the tower and calls for fire or smoke.
Honor echoes the call for a retreat, and also leaves the tower. She fails a save against poison, and takes a point of Strength damage.
Asimov sends Chompy in after the swarms. Chompy's attacks also have no effect.
Your DM would now like to pause and make it very clear that nothing you have done so far has done any damage to the spider swarms. Elron's flurries, Mundhildur's slams, Virtue, and Chompy have all been equally ineffective.
Now there are two swarms on Mundhildur. She takes 7 points of damage, and needs to make 2 DC 11 Fort saves against becoming nauseated, plus 2 more DC 11 Fort saves against new poison, plus one more DC 11 Fort save against last round's poison.
Another swarm goes after Chompy. Hey, they're bugs; they don't know any better. If Chompy can take any damage from these things, he takes 6. The nausea and poison won't affect him.
Elron needs one more DC 11 Fort save against poison; Honor needs 2 more.
Zeoll the Greensinger | AC15, 16/16hp | Cayzle Wednesday November 18th, 2020 8:27:12 PM
"Mundhi! Get out of therre!" calls Zeoll.
"I have not even got a pot of oil to burrn, alas," says the liontaur as he continues to retreat, no longer singing.
SteveM - Elron | AC 21, HP 27/36 d20+7=8 ; Wednesday November 18th, 2020 9:03:56 PM
(Fort save = 8, fail)
Elron does what he can to help Mundhildur, at least to his way of thinking. Unfortunately, that's run up and use his waterskin to try to wash some spiders off. He's also really hoping they don't like it in the bright outdoors as he squeezes the skin to send the small stream their way.
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant, large (Kim) AC 16 Touch 12 FF14 HP 17/32 d20+7=17 ; d20+7=27 ; d20+7=21 ; d20+7=21 ; d20+7=22 ; Thursday November 19th, 2020 3:09:36 AM
Seeing the point her friends are making, Mundhildur runs out the room, shaking the blanket against her back just in case some number of arachnids thought that a good landing place. Once out, she uses the blanket as a large towel, getting as many remaining eight-legged beasts off her body and clothing as she might.
"You want fire? Here - take this blanket and light it afire, and toss it in, and watch the spiders fry, and the stairs start burning." She tosses it next to the doorway.
"Ouch." =========== She made all her saves. Good rolls, Mundhi. Even one nat 20.
Asimov | Hugh | AC 15/12/13 HP 29/29 d20+5=14 ; d3+1=2 ; Thursday November 19th, 2020 3:51:30 AM
(OOC: Hardness 5 means Chompy ignores the first 5 points of damage)
Asimov says, "I don't have any devices created involving fire right now. I do have acid and ice but the damage they can do isn't much."
He orders Chompy out of the building, takes a 5 foot step and readies an action to fire an acid round at the first spider swarm he sees coming out of the building.
(14 vs touch; 2 acid damage)
5/7 windup toy uses remaining
Chompy Time remaining - 29/30 rounds
Chompy Stats : AC 16 Touch 12 FF 15 HP 20/21 Speed 20 ft Hardness 5 Immune: construct traits Fort +0, Ref +1, Will -5 2 slams +3 (1d3)
Zeoll the Greensinger | AC15, 16/16hp | Cayzle Thursday November 19th, 2020 6:46:47 AM
"I suppose if I werre a 'blasterr casterr' I could have used Burrning Hands or something. Alas, that's not much of what barrds do. I'll trry to learrn some drruidic spells like that. Flaming Spherre maybe?"
Honor Bright [AC 19; HP 21/24] (Kathy) d20+8=13 ; d10=6 ; d20+8=23 ; Thursday November 19th, 2020 4:40:13 PM
Honor makes both her saves. She can't do anything but cheerlead at the moment.
"Did that body have any torches or anything on it?" she asks. [OOC: It did not. Honor's player knows that perfectly well, but it's the kind of thing a person would ask.]
DM Kathy d4=4 ; Thursday November 19th, 2020 4:45:29 PM Zeoll stops singing and continues to retreat.
Elron fails his Fortitude save and takes 2 points of Strength damage. He tries to dissuade the spiders by squirting water at them.
Mundhildur retreats, then uses her blanket to brush the spiders off her. She tosses down the blanket, and recommends setting fire to it for use as a weapon.
Asimov pulls Chompy back, and readies an attack for when the spiders emerge.
Honor is stymied, and casts about for other solutions.
The spiders scuttle around on the floor of the tower, but do not leave it to come out into the courtyard. They stay inside.
Mundhildur needs 2 more DC 11 Fort saves against poison; Elron and Honor each need 1.
SteveM - Elron | AC 21, HP 27/36 d20+7=20 ; Thursday November 19th, 2020 11:56:14 PM
(Fort save = 20)
"But Mundhilduh, we don't need to burn down the tower -- jes' smoke it out. An' I bet those whipweeds we killed is still green enough." Elron considers where they might get fuel for a fire. He's sure Asimov can figure out how to chase off the spiders after that.
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant, large (Kim) AC 16 Touch 12 FF14 HP 17/32 d20+7=18 ; d20+7=12 ; Friday November 20th, 2020 2:28:12 AM
Mundhildur makes both saving throws versus poison. Whew! She is down many hit points, though.
"Well, you got me a little bit damp. What if we get a little more water on the blanket, but no soak it, and have a few buckets of water nearby to put out flames as they arise. We get the thing smoking, and take it into the tower, and choke on the same smoke that might knock out some of those webswarmers." She goes out looking for water. She figures if she dips a quarter of the blanket in water, lifts it out, then squeezes the wet parts against the dry parts, that might do it. If she can accomplish such, then she returns with the prepared blanket. Who knows whether it might work or not?
Asimov | Hugh | AC 15/12/13 HP 29/29 Friday November 20th, 2020 4:04:56 AM
Asimov says, "I wonder what would happen if we used torches as makeshift weapons agains the spiders. I don't think the torch itself would do anything but mayhap the flame would work."
Zeoll the Greensinger | AC15, 16/16hp | Cayzle Friday November 20th, 2020 6:47:15 AM
Zeoll sighs. "If we smoke them out, they come out and attack us."
"Yes, torrches would worrk, but do we even have any? Even if we did, it would be a verry tough fight."
[OOC: "If a torch is used in combat, treat it as a one-handed improvised weapon that deals bludgeoning damage equal to that of a gauntlet of its size, plus 1 point of fire damage."]
"My frriends, sometimes the best answerr to a challenge is to go arround the challenge. We arre herre for berrries, not conquest. We won't find berrries in a darrk, rramshackle towerr."
Honor Bright [AC 19; HP 21/24] (Kathy) d20+8=19 d20+8=27 Friday November 20th, 2020 1:27:54 PM
"And if we're looking for berries," Honor adds, "setting a room on fire isn't our best option. Yes, we'd get the spiders, but if there are any berries in there, they could be destroyed."
Honor makes her final two saves and feels much better.
DM Kathy Friday November 20th, 2020 8:43:32 PM
You debate the wisdom--and the logistics--of smoking the spiders out, but you seem to be coming to the conclusion that it's maybe not a good idea.
Which brings up the question: if you're leaving the tower for now, where do you go next?
Asimov | Hugh | AC 15/12/13 HP 29/29 Monday November 23rd, 2020 12:55:06 AM
Asimov says, "If you got an idea as to where to search next for the berries lead on; otherwise if we can take a rest I can make devices that will allow me to do things with flame tomorrow. I believe I can make devices that can mimic the burning hands and produce flame spells. The problem is I can only make 4 such devices total and if I make them then I can't make medihalers. What would you suggest all burning hands so as to get the most spiders in a given area?"
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant, large (Kim) AC 16 Touch 12 FF14 HP 17/32 Monday November 23rd, 2020 2:03:27 AM
"As we draw near to dusk, there are a heap of bats over in the rubble pile on the other side of that door," Mundhildur points. "They are sleeping now. If we can persuade them to eat spiders, then, nice. No, I have no idea how to do that." She examines her various little wounds. "They bit me here, and here, and there on my ankles, and, oh, here's another one. And right back here." She pauses. "I must be tasty."
"If we can find a safe place to rest, I'd be fine with that. But we can move elsewhere, too, if you want."
Zeoll the Greensinger | AC15, 16/16hp | Cayzle Monday November 23rd, 2020 6:28:58 AM
"Yes, pull back out of spiderr and bat rrange, and rrest. Good idea. I'll take firrst watch."
Honor Bright [AC 19; HP 21/24] (Kathy) Monday November 23rd, 2020 12:38:58 PM
"I think resting is a good idea," Honor says. "I can take a watch as well."
She helps set up camp.
DM Kathy Monday November 23rd, 2020 1:35:33 PM
Withdrawing from Spider Tower, you decide that maybe it's time to rest.
You move a ways from the mostly-unexplored keep, and attempt to set up a camp. The gusting winds make it challenging, but you are able to camp in reasonable comfort. You set your watches, but nothing disturbs your rest.
You awaken to a drizzly morning, ready for another day's exploration.
SteveM - Elron | AC 21, HP 30/36 Monday November 23rd, 2020 4:25:34 PM
Before camping, Elron asks, "Say, ah, Asimov -- if'n you've got yore healin' devices, I know Mundhi could use 'em before we go to sleep." Elron and Honor were also injured by the spiders, but much less so than Mundhildur.
Elron heals 3 hp overnight.
In the morning, Elron is ready to follow wherever the brains of the group want to lead. But he's a little concerned that the plan seems to involve fire, which the conversation yesterday decided was likely not to fare well. Maybe there's a way to bypass the spiders entirely -- like climbing up the outside of the tower. Are there windows on the second floor?
Asimov | Hugh | AC 15/12/13 HP 29/29 d8+3=7 ; Tuesday November 24th, 2020 1:59:16 AM
Asimov uses the last medihaler on Mundi and she heals 7 hp before bed.
The next day Asimov prepares the following devices:
He asks the others, "What should our plan be for dealing with the spiders? I am heal light but I am area fire damage heavy."
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant, large (Kim) AC 16 Touch 12 FF14 HP 27/32 Tuesday November 24th, 2020 4:03:12 AM
With the benefit of Asimov's medihaler ("Thank you!") and a good night's sleep, Mundhi recovers 10 hp, feeling much better. "Well, if we manage to burn the spiders out, and light the stairway and tower on fire, then, after they cool, we can sift through the ashes to see what did not burn up," she offers helpfully. "Or, we can go in search of berries from the silverberry vine. I say, let's look for a silverberry vine before we deal with spiders again!"
She prepares a morning meal for everyone. "I wonder how fox is doing," she says as she stirs breakfast porridge.
Honor Bright [AC 19; HP 24/24] (Kathy) Tuesday November 24th, 2020 12:48:06 PM
Honor heals up overnight.
"I agree with Mundhildur," she says. "Let's explore the rest of the keep before dealing with the spiders. Who knows, maybe there's anti-spider poison somewhere!"
Zeoll the Greensinger | AC15, 16/16hp | Cayzle 6d4=14 ; Tuesday November 24th, 2020 1:32:33 PM
Before bed Zeoll casts three goodberry spells, creating 14 berries.
In the morning, he agrees to check out the rest of the keep first.
DM Kathy Tuesday November 24th, 2020 1:59:29 PM
You make your morning preparations and return to the keep.
You are once again standing in the overgrown courtyard. Off to one side, a wooden stable has collapsed into a mound of rotting timbers and moldy straw. The outer wall on the east side has also collapsed, leaving a ragged hole. Three doors exit into this yard— a pair of double doors to the east, a single door to the north, and a lone door leading into the squat tower in the southeast corner, which you now know leads to exciting spider stuff. You have also explored the well in the northwest corner, and found and looted the body of the explorer lying nearby.
Two doors remain to be explored. With a DC 15 Survival check Highlight to display spoiler: {you see faint signs that some creatures do enter the main building through the double doors. Some of these tracks look reptilian while others are clearly made by four-legged mammals. The reptilian trail always leads to the main entrance and then out into the wild while the mammal tracks leave by either the main entrance or through the hole in the eastern wall. }
SteveM - Elron | AC 21, HP 30/36 d20+8=14 ; Tuesday November 24th, 2020 10:49:53 PM
(Survival = 14)
Elron remembers there were spiders in the tower, and he thinks Mundhildur said something about bats near the single door across from the tower (to the north). That leaves the double doors between what's left of the stables and the well (to the east) as the least explored area. That's where he thinks the party should go next.
Asimov | Hugh | AC 15/12/13 HP 29/29 d20+1=13 ; d20+7=19 ; Wednesday November 25th, 2020 1:18:35 AM
(Survival:13)
Asimov checks out the double doors that Elron pointed out for traps and other hazards.
(Perception: 19/20 vs mechanical traps)
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant, large (Kim) AC 16 Touch 12 FF14 HP 27/32 d20+2=6 ; d20+5=18 ; Wednesday November 25th, 2020 2:09:57 AM
Mundhildur heads over to the west door, and if Asimov finds no traps, opens it, and looks to see what she can see inside.
Survival: 6 - meh Perception: 18 (what's inside the west door?)
Zeoll the Greensinger | AC15, 16/16hp | Cayzle d20+9=17 ; Wednesday November 25th, 2020 6:56:50 AM
Survival 17 OOH-AH!
"My frriends, I see herre that two kinds of crreaturres pass in and out. A rreptilian sorrt goes in and out of the doorr. A fourr-legged crreaturre sometimes goes in and out thrrough the doorr as well as thrrough this hole herre."
"I suggest that we trry the hole and hope to meet the four-leggerr, likely a mammal. If it is an animal, my arrts may rresolve an encounterr without violence and perrhaps even gain us an ally."
Honor Bright [AC 19; HP 24/24] (Kathy) Wednesday November 25th, 2020 12:33:26 PM
Honor frowns, puzzled. "Didn't Mundhildur go that way yesterday?" she asks. "And find bats? Did you see any sign of a four-legged creature?"
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant, large (Kim) AC 16 Touch 12 FF14 HP 27/32 Wednesday November 25th, 2020 1:24:46 PM
"Honor - bats are that way," and Muhdhi points in the general direction of the rubble on the east side, toward the north. [I added the 'bats' text to the rubble area on the map.] "Asimov is suggesting we go this way, where the double doors are here on the west side." She pauses. "I don't know if that's where whatever types of creatures went whichever way they did."
DM Kathy Wednesday November 25th, 2020 2:21:08 PM
You debate which way to go next. Asimov and Elron gravitate toward the double doors.
Zeoll, studying faint tracks on the ground, suggests exiting through the hole in the wall, where the rubble is, because there might be a friendly animal that way.
Honor points out that Mundhildur went that way yesterday and found bats.
Mundhildur is already on her way to the double doors. Not seeing Honor's pointing hand, she says no, no, the bats are out by the rubble.
And hilarity ensues.
Most of the party seems inclined to try the double doors, so that's where your DM will lead you next. Asimov checks the doors, and finds no traps.
Beyond the double doors is a small dark hall. Littered with mounds of debris and a year’s worth of dead leaves, it is clear that a narrow path winds inside.
Survival DC 20 Highlight to display spoiler: {Most of the traffic through this area heads north.}
SteveM - Elron | AC 21, HP 30/36 d20+8=12 ; Wednesday November 25th, 2020 10:58:40 PM
(Survival = 12)
Elron's not the best at directions when he's not paying attention.
"So, if'n I go in here, a swarm of lizards might come out like the spiders in the tower over there?" he asks Zeoll. Lizards are bigger, and easier to whap. Elron's game.
Asimov | Hugh | AC 15/12/13 HP 29/29 Thursday November 26th, 2020 6:29:56 AM
Asimov says, "I could put one of my flaming gloves on, take the lead and if a lizard swarm pops out I flambé em"
Honor Bright [AC 19; HP 24/24] (Kathy) Thursday November 26th, 2020 2:30:51 PM
"Well, Zeoll saw tracks," Honor says. "That doesn't mean a swarm, although I suppose anything is possible. Asimov, I'm not sure it's a good idea for you to take the lead, even with the gloves. I don't mind going in first."
DM Kathy Thursday November 26th, 2020 3:39:42 PM
You discuss the possibility of a lizard swarm, but reach no conclusions. Really, there's only one way to find out what's in here, and that's to go in. Who will be first?
Zeoll the Greensinger | AC15, 16/16hp | Cayzle d20+9=19 ; Thursday November 26th, 2020 10:25:16 PM
Survival 19! Oh well!
Honor, Asimov, Zeoll, Mundhi, and strong Elron as rearguard, Zeoll declares.
SteveM - Elron | AC 21, HP 30/36 Friday November 27th, 2020 12:15:33 AM
Elron also doesn't mind taking the lead, if folks want him to. That way, he could attack and the taller folk could attack over him. If'n they're using reach weapons, anyway.
Asimov | Hugh | AC 15/12/13 HP 29/29 d20+7=8 ; Friday November 27th, 2020 12:50:42 AM
Asimov says, "I specifically made these gloves for today so that we would have an effective way of combating the swarms. Hopefully the berries are elsewhere but if we need to return to the tower I have them. Lead on Honor and I'll follow behind."
(Perception: 8/9 vs mechanical traps)
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant, large (Kim) AC 16 Touch 12 FF14 HP 27/32 d20+2=8 ; d20+5=10 ; Friday November 27th, 2020 4:42:07 AM
Mundhi follows Zeoll's suggested marching order, but is fine with it if Elron wants to precede her. She generally likes to go first or second, but considering yesterday's bitefest, she is less eager.
Survival: 8 Perception: 10
Honor Bright [AC 19; HP 24/24] (Kathy) Friday November 27th, 2020 1:29:21 PM
Following the general consensus, Honor leads the way into the building. She passes by the two closed doors. "We can investigate those later, right?" she asks the group.
For now, she steps into the crossing hallway, keeping an eye out for lizard swarms.
DM Kathy Friday November 27th, 2020 2:48:11 PM
You organize a marching order and head into the keep proper. Honor leads the way past two closed doors--you can always come back to them later.
Honor and Asimov step into the cross corridor. From here, you can look past the open double doors into the large space beyond. Pews of darkwood lie tipped over and covered in dust on either side of this ancient shrine. At the far end sits a large ceremonial anvil, but its surface is defaced and ruined.
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant, large (Kim) AC 16 Touch 12 FF14 HP 27/32 Saturday November 28th, 2020 1:12:31 PM
"Move up, move up, I want to get in, too!" urges Mundhildur.
Zeoll the Greensinger | AC15, 16/16hp | Cayzle Sunday November 29th, 2020 6:05:33 AM
Zeoll moves into the ruined manor, right behind Honor and Asimov. "Now miss," he says to Mundhi, "please be patient with the elderrly." (Zeoll looks, at most, middle aged.) "We have not the vast enerrgy of those who arre youthful and still grrowing."
SteveM - Elron | AC 21, HP 30/36 Sunday November 29th, 2020 10:44:41 PM
Since Mundhildur beat him to saying anything, Elron waits patiently for the bigger folk to pick a direction. He does kind of wonder what ancient religion was practiced here, and whether silverberries are an actual fruit. But he has no chance of recognizing it.
Asimov | Hugh | AC 15/12/13 HP 29/29 d20+6=8 ; d20+7=12 ; Monday November 30th, 2020 4:09:41 AM
Stealth: 8; Perception: 12/13 vs mechanical traps
Asimov keeps to the front trying to be stealthy and keeping an eye out.
Honor Bright [AC 19; HP 24/24] (Kathy) Monday November 30th, 2020 2:43:01 PM
Since the people behind her want to see, too, Honor moves into the little shrine, and steps away from the door.
DM Kathy Monday November 30th, 2020 3:07:34 PM
The rest of the group is impatient to see the inside of the temple. Your DM will take this opportunity to remind everyone that in Pathfinder, you can move through squares occupied by allies. Elron, Mundhildur, and Zeoll do not have to wait; they can move past everyone and enter the room as they like.
Asimov does not spot any traps.
Once you get into the room:
Knowledge: Religion DC 10 Highlight to display spoiler: {This is a shrine to Domi.}
Perception DC 10 Highlight to display spoiler: {There are five small depressions on top of the anvil/altar.}
If you make the above Perception check, Knowledge: Religion DC 15 Highlight to display spoiler: {Such depressions often hold precious gems, but it would seem that this altar's gems have been taken.}
Perception DC 14 Highlight to display spoiler: {There's something weird about the ceiling. Is that...movement?}
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant, large (Kim) AC 16 Touch 12 FF14 HP 27/32 d20+5=16 ; d20+5=20 ; d8+3=10 ; Monday November 30th, 2020 5:18:28 PM
Since others are ahead of her, Mundhildur focuses on the back and middle area if the room. "Look out! There's something on the ceiling!" Not waiting to take turns, she stabs upwards toward the middle part of what she sees moving, hitting AC 20 for 10 damage... and seeing if she can just leave the point of her long spear stuck in the critter, pinning it against the ceiling (unless it's like 50' high - vertical dimensions are requested). --------------- Perception: 16
SteveM - Elron | AC 21, HP 30/36 d20+12=27 ; d20+12=14 ; Tuesday December 1st, 2020 12:57:33 AM
(Perception rolls = 27 & 14)
Elron moves into the room, taking in some of the details but not seeing significance to them. He prepares to back up Mundhildur after she attacks the ceiling.
Asimov | Hugh | AC 15/12/13 HP 29/29 d20+4=5 ; d20+7=9 ; d20+7=22 ; Tuesday December 1st, 2020 12:57:37 AM
Know religion: 5 Perception: 9 Perception: 22
Asimov says, "Is there something moving on the ceiling?" He readies an action to barbeque it with his glove if it proves hostile.
Honor Bright [AC 19; HP 24/24] (Kathy) d20+7=9 ; d20+3=6 ; Tuesday December 1st, 2020 12:54:59 PM
Honor doesn't see much of anything, but Mundhildur seems to perceive a threat, and that's good enough for her. She draws Virtue and stands ready.
DM Kathy Tuesday December 1st, 2020 3:53:12 PM Mundhildur enters the shrine and immediately sees something up in the ceiling, which is 15 feet high. She stabs it with her spear, hitting it.
Several things happen at once. Mundhildur's companions ready to back her up. Two more creatures fly down from the ceiling. They look like octopi, their thin, hook-lined tentacles connected by a fleshy web.
You only see them for a moment, however, before the room is plunged into total darkness.
The map. Keep in mind that, without some way to see in the dark, you can't see anything in the room.
SteveM - Elron | AC 21, HP 30/36 Tuesday December 1st, 2020 11:22:04 PM
If Elron can't see, Elron can't fight effectively. He steps away from Mundhildur so he doesn't hit her by accident, thinks better of it, and heads for a corner so he'll be less exposed himself.
"This reminds me of the time me an' this fella were walking home through the woods one evening, and a storm rolled in. Almost like someone blew out the sun. So I says, 'It's gettin' dark, isn't it?' And my friend replies, 'I don't know -- I can't see.'"
Zeoll the Greensinger | AC15, 16/16hp | Cayzle Tuesday December 1st, 2020 11:52:18 PM
Last round: Sight or not, Zeoll starts singing. +1 to attacks and damage, friends.
This round: Zeoll casts dancing lights to illuminate the area.
Asimov | Hugh | AC 15/12/13 HP 29/29 Wednesday December 2nd, 2020 2:22:17 AM
Would the act of dropping from the ceiling by the creatures trigger my ready action? If so I need to do burning hands for the 2 octopis.
Asimov uses his light emitter thingamabob to provide light equivalent a torch - 20 foot radius.
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant, large (Kim) AC 16 Touch 12 FF14 HP 27/32 d20+6=24 ; d20+6=16 ; d8+4=7 ; d8+4=9 ; Wednesday December 2nd, 2020 3:52:02 AM
As the tentacled critters descend, Mundhi can see the beginning of their descent until darkness takes over. Zeoll's quick action, nonetheless, enables her to target the nearest one for a pair of slams. AC 24: 7 hp damage AC 16: 9 hp damage Doing so likely necessitates unpinning the one she initially stabbed. Oops?
Honor Bright [AC 19; HP 24/24] (Kathy) Wednesday December 2nd, 2020 1:46:11 PM
"Darkness shall not prevail!" Honor casts Daylight on Virtue.
DM Kathy d20+7=15 ; d20+7=11 ; Wednesday December 2nd, 2020 2:44:37 PM
Last round, Asimov's readied action did go off; please roll damage and let me know the save DC.
This round, Elron retreats to a corner, unable to see. Zeoll casts Dancing Lights, and Asimov uses his light emitter. Both effects help somewhat, changing the darkness to dim light, but you still can't see very well.
Then Honor casts Daylight, and all of a sudden her sword is glowing like a beacon, the magical darkness is completely gone, and the room is as bright as day--and how did she do that?
Mundhildur is then able to target a nearby creature (the yellow one) for a couple of slams, killing it. The wounded (pink) creature takes the opportunity to drop from the ceiling and attack! It flings itself at Mundhildur, but not hard enough to do damage.
Meanwhile, the third (aqua) creature moves to attack Asimov. it also misses.
SteveM - Elron | AC 21, HP 30/36 d20+5=14 ; d20+5=6 ; d4=3 ; Wednesday December 2nd, 2020 11:16:48 PM
Elron takes a 5' step and starts whappin' away.
Hit AC 14 for 3 damage -- oops, should be AC 15 for 4 with Zeoll's bonuses, AC 17 if he flanks it with Mundhildur Hit AC 6 for -- (natural 1)
Zeoll the Greensinger | AC15, 16/16hp | Cayzle d20=2 ; Thursday December 3rd, 2020 12:21:12 AM
What are these things? Zeoll takes an action to ID them.
Base knowledge check is a raw 2, so that's a waste.
Everybody still gets +1 to hit and damage.
Asimov | Hugh | AC 15/12/13 HP 29/29 3d4=8 ; Thursday December 3rd, 2020 1:50:18 AM
8 fire damage; DC 15 reflex save for half
Asimov starts working on getting Chompy back from being a bear trap.
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant, large (Kim) AC 16 Touch 12 FF14 HP 27/32 d20+6=11 ; d20+6=23 ; d8+4=10 ; Thursday December 3rd, 2020 4:50:59 AM
Mundhildur slams pinky - misses the first time (AC11), but connects on the follow-through (AC23 for 10hp damage). "What do you call these things?" she asks.
Honor Bright [AC 19; HP 24/24] (Kathy) d20+8=19 ; d8=7 ; Thursday December 3rd, 2020 1:24:33 PM
Honor steps up to confront the creature harassing Asimov. She slashes out with Virtue.
[Hit AC 19 for 11 damage.]
DM Kathy d20+3=11 ; Thursday December 3rd, 2020 3:07:14 PM
In the last round, Asimov's fire gauntlet damaged the turquoise creature. This round, Honor steps up and finishes it off.
Between them, Mundhildur and Elron finish off the pink creature.
All three creatures are dead; there don't seem to be any more. With a DC 11 Knowledge: Arcana check, you can tell that these are--or rather, were--Highlight to display spoiler: {darkmantles}.
SteveM - Elron | AC 21, HP 30/36 d20+12=32 ; Thursday December 3rd, 2020 7:34:53 PM
Elron considers Mundhildur's question. What would you call an eight-tentacled flying creature of darkess? Darker octopus, a.k.a dark-ocs? "I'm purty sure they're octoflaps." He makes a mental note to thank Honor for the light but lets looking around take priority.
He looks around the rest of the room, taking in more than they were able to glimpse before the lights went out. (Perception = 32)
Asimov | Hugh | AC 15/12/13 HP 29/29 d20+10=24 ; d20+7=13 ; Friday December 4th, 2020 3:12:51 AM
(Know: Arcana - 24)
Asimov says to Elron, "They actually have a name and that name is darkmantle. They like to grapple folks and cover their heads."
The technomancer then proceeds to look at the room (Perception: 13)
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant, large (Kim) AC 16 Touch 12 FF14 HP 27/32 d20+2=22 ; d20+5=11 ; d20+1=10 ; Friday December 4th, 2020 3:18:48 AM
"Octoflaps? Makes sense." After the flurry of battle has subsided, she looks around. "Say, isn't - or wasn't - this a place about Domi? You know, the brave god?" "What do you suppose these dents on the anvil here are for?" She stretches out her hand to place her fingertips in each of the indentations for a moment.
Zeoll the Greensinger | AC15, 16/16hp | Cayzle Friday December 4th, 2020 6:22:14 AM
"OOH! I hate octoflaps! If I'd have known they werre octoflaps ... well, ooh, I would have been even morre irrate."
The liontaur winks at Asimov.
Honor Bright [AC 19; HP 24/24] (Kathy) d20+7=10 ; Friday December 4th, 2020 12:46:00 PM
Honor has no idea what these creatures were.
She thinks, vaguely, that she has heard of "darkmantles," but she kind of prefers "octoflaps" to describe the creatures.
"Yes, it's a shrine to Domi," Honor confirms. "But I'm not sure what those indentations are for."
DM Kathy Friday December 4th, 2020 2:32:22 PM
The excitement of the battle over, you look around the shrine. You don't really see anything you didn't see before. There are a few pews, knocked around in the battle, and the anvil/altar with five mysterious depressions in the top of it. You find no holy texts, or candles, or incense, and the darkmantles apparently didn't collect treasure.
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant, large (Kim) AC 16 Touch 12 FF14 HP 27/32 Friday December 4th, 2020 3:54:50 PM
"Wait - darkmantle? That works, too, Asimov. Let's call them darkmantle octoflaps from now on."
"Maybe people made offerings to Domi representing bravery. Like, the sweat of battle, a braided lock of a hero's hair, a bit of treasure from the spoils of war, and... a dagger and, uh, a strong turnip? Or something. Or maybe there was a bowl with five legs that rested on the indentations."
Unless someone can add to her speculations, she says, "Very well. Let's see the next room." Considering the size of the hallways, she decides that shrinking down to her smaller 7'4" height would make some sense. Mundhildur gets 'small.'
SteveM - Elron | AC 21, HP 30/36 Saturday December 5th, 2020 1:13:03 PM "Hey, we can look for a bowl with legs." There seems to be no further excitement to this room, so Elron's ready to move on.
Zeoll the Greensinger | AC15, 16/16hp | Cayzle d20+3=18 Sunday December 6th, 2020 11:56:37 PM
Zeoll looks at the altar and tries to figure it out, after praying for Guidance.
Know Religion 18
Asimov | Hugh | AC 15/12/13 HP 29/29 d20+7=22 ; Monday December 7th, 2020 1:56:16 AM
(Perception: 22/ 23 vs mechanical traps)
Asimov keeps his eyes open for further threats as they explore.
Honor Bright [AC 19; HP 24/24] (Kathy) Monday December 7th, 2020 2:25:29 PM
Virtue continues to glow, so Honor holds it up to help illuminate the room. But she doesn't see much there.
"It doesn't seem like there are any berries in here," she says. "We should probably move on."
DM Kathy Monday December 7th, 2020 2:49:55 PM Mundhildur isn't sure what the indentations on top of the altar are for, and suggests moving on. She makes herself smaller to make it easier to move about. Honor agrees that the group should move on, pointing out that there are no berries here.
Asimov sees no traps.
Zeoll suddenly remembers that altars like this sometimes have precious gems set into them. The indentations must be where the gems used to reside, but they are gone now.
Elron is also ready to move on, so you leave the altar and head back into the corridor. You can see a couple of doors to the south, and a bend in the corridor to the north. There are also the two closed doors you passed on your way in. Which of these would you like to investigate next?
SteveM - Elron | AC 21, HP 30/36 Monday December 7th, 2020 8:47:34 PM
Elron's ready to follow where Honor leads, having recently decided that a good light source is worth more than he'd realized. But heading south now would mean putting less at their backs later -- assuming they haven't drawn attention already.
Asimov | Hugh | AC 15/12/13 HP 29/29 d20+7=26 ; Tuesday December 8th, 2020 2:35:59 AM
Asimov says to Zeoll. "You seem to be knowledgable when it comes to nature. If you were the berries we needed where would you be hiding?"
(Perception: 26 / 27 vs Mechanical Traps)
He keeps an eye out for potential threats as they continue to explore.
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant, large (Kim) AC 16 Touch 12 FF14 HP 27/32 d20+5=6 ; Tuesday December 8th, 2020 3:56:15 AM
"Wouldn't the silverberries be outside somewhere, on a bush?" the Jotunar asks Zeoll when Asimov poses his question. She decides to peek around the corner into the next room as the group decides where to go next. Her longspear is ready for action if necessary.
Wait, is that a new stain on my dress? she wonders just as she gets in sight of the room ======= Perception: 6 (nat 1)
Honor Bright [AC 19; HP 24/24] (Kathy) Tuesday December 8th, 2020 12:59:16 PM
Mundhildur heads south, so Honor follows her.
DM Kathy Tuesday December 8th, 2020 3:17:20 PM Elron suggests going south, so Mundhildur does and Honor follows her.
Asimov looks, but sees no traps. He asks where the berries might be, and Mundhildur suggests that they might be outside the keep, rather than inside. However, you did have a chance to look at the surrounding countryside as you approached the keep, and you saw no sign of any berries. Or berry bushes.
Mundhildur peeks around the corner and sees a once-grand library, now in ruins. What was once a library is now a shattered mess with one corner being completely collapsed and dominated by a wide pool of stagnant water. Thick fungus grows on most of the books that still remain on the shelves lining the walls.
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant, large (Kim) AC 16 Touch 12 FF14 HP 27/32 d20+5=25 ; Tuesday December 8th, 2020 5:28:27 PM
"Books. Fungus. Standing water. How about someone who knows more about such come take a look?" She goes down the hallway just a little further to make it easier for others to get past her to inspect things, but keeping her head poked around so she can see and move in quickly if needed.
No longer concerned for the moment with the stain on her dress, and looking from a different perspective, perhaps she is better able to discern important details she overlooked when she first glanced in. ============= Perception: 25 (nat. 20)
Asimov | Hugh | AC 15/12/13 HP 29/29 d20+7=15 ; Wednesday December 9th, 2020 4:11:52 AM
Asimov says, "I thought the fungus was in the swamp, not here? That does not bode well for the prospect of berries."
(Perception: 15 / 16 vs mechanical traps)
SteveM - Elron | AC 21, HP 30/36 d20+12=14 ; Wednesday December 9th, 2020 10:05:46 AM "Someone who knows about moldy books? I suppose if I had books they might be moldy." Elron is happy to cautiously look around in the room.
(Perception = 14)
Honor Bright [AC 19; HP 24/24] (Kathy) Wednesday December 9th, 2020 1:24:16 PM
Honor doesn't know much about mold, and she's not exactly the brains of the outfit, but she is happy to provide light as long as her spell lasts. She moves to the doorway of the library.
DM Kathy Wednesday December 9th, 2020 2:53:34 PM Mundhildur steps back, deferring to others who might know more about books and fungus.
That knowledge seems to be in short supply, however, although Asimov and Elron are happy to take a look while Honor lights the room. They don't see anything untoward, and Asimov sees no traps.
Mundhildur, taking a last look, does notice something. There is a single tome, lying on top of one of the bookshelves, that doesn't seem to have any fungus on it.
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant, large (Kim) AC 16 Touch 12 FF14 HP 27/32 Wednesday December 9th, 2020 9:19:35 PM
Mundhi, noticing the clean tome, walks forward and retrieves it. "Maybe this one is new, or magically protected." She hands it over to Zeoll for him to take a look.
Asimov | Hugh | AC 15/12/13 HP 29/29 d20+8=28 ; d20+10=23 ; d20+8=28 ; d20+8=28 ; d20+8=21 ; Thursday December 10th, 2020 6:39:36 AM
Asimov walks over to Zeoll and Munhildur and takes a look at the tome.
Appraise: 28 - value of tome Know[arcana]: 23 - was it magically preserved Know[dungeoneering]:28 - is the fungus some sort of cavern variety? Know[engineering]: 28 - is there some non magical way to make a book proof against fungus Know[history]: 21 - anything relevant about the author
SteveM - Elron | AC 21, HP 30/36 d20+12=32 ; Thursday December 10th, 2020 11:34:38 AM
Elron doesn't pay much attention to the book. It's a book, after all. But while the eggheads are all focused on it, he keeps a look out for anything that decides to come their way.
Perception = 32
Honor Bright [AC 19; HP 24/24] (Kathy) Thursday December 10th, 2020 11:56:12 AM
Honor doesn't really have anything to contribute except light, so she contributes that.
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant, large (Kim) AC 16 Touch 12 FF14 HP 27/32 Thursday December 10th, 2020 3:18:30 PM
Munhildur finds it hard to contain her curiosity, so she does not bother doing so. "What do you think, Asimov? What kind of book is it? Does it have recipes? Maps? Incantatations?" Yes, she added an extra syllable to the word. "Things about silver berries?" she thinks to add to her line of questioning.
DM Kathy Thursday December 10th, 2020 4:07:12 PM Mundhildur retrieves the book and asks Zeoll about it, but the liontaur is oddly quiet.
Elron and Honor have nothing to add, but Asimov, looking at the book and the room, learns quite a few things.
First, the fungus in the room is hazardous. It gives off spores that can cause weakness and disorientation. Nobody should touch it.
The tome is beautifully illustrated and written in Dwarven. Based purely on its appearance, Asimov estimates its worth at 100 gold, but he doesn't speak Dwarven so he doesn't know what it says. It doesn't seem to have been magically protected, but it was on top of a shelf, rather than among the other books, so that might be how it escaped the fungus. There is a folded piece of paper tucked into the last page.
SteveM - Elron | AC 21, HP 30/36 Thursday December 10th, 2020 7:27:11 PM "Put that egghead book down, boy. It's somethin' crazier than chicken scratch." Ok, so Elron may have glanced at it. He likes pictures.
He's not impatient about it, though. He knows the folks that do that sort of thing will figure out if it tells them about silver berries.
Zeoll the Greensinger | AC15, 16/16hp | Cayzle d20+4=23 ; Thursday December 10th, 2020 11:55:19 PM
"In my younger days, I could not even read at all. I did not learn until later in life. But I'll take a look at this."
The linguistic liontaur prays and peruses the libram. 23
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant, large (Kim) AC 16 Touch 12 FF14 HP 27/32 Friday December 11th, 2020 2:47:30 AM
"What is that piece of paper sticking out there?" Mundhildur asks. She takes thumb and forefinger to pinch the edge, and slides it out as others examine the rest. She unfolds the page to see what is on it. She can read common, giant and auran. If it is any of those languages, she reads it aloud. If not, she says, "Right, Elron, chicken scratchings. Eh, what do you make of this?" She asks as hands the paper to Asimov.
Asimov | Hugh | AC 15/12/13 HP 29/29 d20+10=28 ; Friday December 11th, 2020 4:16:54 AM
(Linguistics: 28)
Asimov takes a look at the folded piece of paper. Is it also in Dwarven or is it in some other language?
Asimov then also tries to piece out the kind of things the book might be trying to convey. Do the pictures offer any insight into what the book might be about?
He tells the others, "Whatever you do don't touch the other books in that room. Also apparently this tome is worth approximately 100 gold"
Honor Bright [AC 19; HP 24/24] (Kathy) Friday December 11th, 2020 2:46:22 PM
"Um....," Honor begins diffidently. "Um....I speak Dwarven. I mean, I can read it--I guess that's the important thing. Anyway, if you want to know what it says, I can tell you."
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant, large (Kim) AC 16 Touch 12 FF14 HP 27/32 d2=1 Friday December 11th, 2020 3:06:09 PM
Unless Zeoll or Asimov have declared differently, if it's in Dwarven, she who deems herself in charge of the paper takes it from whoever is looking at it, hands it over to the woman with the glowing sword, and says, "Honor can do this. Here, Honor, what does it say?"
======== P.S. I accidentally posted the above text in the Die Rolls area, then deleted it and put it in the right spot. The deletion did not take, so I tried again, and rolled a not-for-anything-in-particular d2=1. Is that cheating? Will it get rid of the mislocated text? Let us see....
DM Kathy Friday December 11th, 2020 3:25:25 PM Elron advises putting the book down, but Zeoll looks at it anyway. From the way the text is laid out, you can tell it is probably a book of poems or songs. Looking at the illustrations, you can see that Domi is prominently featured.
That's about as far as Zeoll gets before Honor mentions that she can read Dwarven, and Mundhildur hands the book to her. Honor can tell that this is a book of hymns to Domi. Asimov had valued this at 100 gp, but it might be worth even more to a Dwarven cleric, if you could find one.
Meanwhile, Asimov and Mundhildur are examining the piece of paper. It is not in Dwarven; the writing appears magical. It is a magic scroll of some kind; a Spellcraft check or a Read Magic spell will tell you more.
Zeoll the Greensinger | AC15, 16/16hp | Cayzle d20+6=13 ; Saturday December 12th, 2020 10:01:20 AM
Zeoll prays for Guidance and reads the scroll ... Spellcraft 13
SteveM - Elron | AC 21, HP 30/36 Saturday December 12th, 2020 2:03:26 PM
Unless that's a scroll of berry finding, Elron's confused. He hopes it's a scroll of berry finding. A ranger he knew used to find the best berries. . .
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant, large (Kim) AC 16 Touch 12 FF14 HP 27/32 Saturday December 12th, 2020 3:49:18 PM
"Maybe you can translate one of the Domi hymns for us, Honor," Mundhildur suggests, as Asimov puzzles over the magic scribblings. "Domi is a pretty good fellow, after all."
Asimov | Hugh | AC 15/12/13 HP 29/29 d20+10=24 ; Monday December 14th, 2020 5:54:12 AM
(Spellcraft: 24)
Asimov takes a look at the scroll
Honor Bright [AC 19; HP 24/24] (Kathy) Monday December 14th, 2020 2:13:42 PM
Honor leafs through the book. "Oh! Here's a Dwarven version of 'Domi, Brave and Mighty.' I didn't even know there was a Dwarven version of 'Domi, Brave and Mighty.'" Because Mundhildur had asked, she sings a little of the hymn. Her voice is pleasant, though untrained.
DM Kathy Monday December 14th, 2020 3:18:15 PM Honor and Mundhildur continue to be interested in the book.
Elron isn't especially interested in the scroll, unless it's a scroll of Berry Finding, which seems unlikely.
Zeoll isn't quite able to puzzle out the scroll, but Asimov realizes it is a scroll of Spirtual Weapon.
With that, it seems your examination of the ruined library is complete. There is a closed door across the hall, a couple of closed doors up near the temple, and a bend in the hall to the north. Where would you like to explore next?
Zeoll the Greensinger | AC15, 16/16hp | Cayzle d20+7=17 ; d20+7=11 ; Monday December 14th, 2020 4:04:24 PM
Zeoll quietly prays and listens (and sniffs) at each of the two doors:
Perception 17, 11
SteveM - Elron | AC 21, HP 30/36 Monday December 14th, 2020 9:34:31 PM
Elron stays quiet while Zeoll listens. Odd behavior for him. He really wants to know if Zeoll can smell berries.
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant, large (Kim) AC 16 Touch 12 FF14 HP 27/32 Tuesday December 15th, 2020 12:26:15 AM
"Wait, what about this door?" Mundhi asks Honor as the rest move back the way they came. "Want me to open it?" she asks. If it seems good to the aasimar, she uses the handle, if a handle or latch there is, and pushes it open - even though most everyone else has headed back the way they came. But if Honor says not too, then she sighs, and says. "All right. I shall wait, then. Just wait, Mundhildur. Sit on your hands if you must," she instructs herself. She does not actually sit on her hands though.
Asimov | Hugh | AC 15/12/13 HP 29/29 d20+7=26 ; Tuesday December 15th, 2020 2:36:07 AM
Asimov says, "Is Spiritual weapon on the paladin list? If so maybe Honor should have the scroll"
He keeps an eye open as Mundi opens the door.
Peception: 26 / 27 vs mechanical traps
Honor Bright [AC 19; HP 24/24] (Kathy) Tuesday December 15th, 2020 12:17:14 PM
Honor frowns a little at the scroll. "I don't think so," she says. "I think that one is just for priests. But we can put it back in the book for now."
Honor slips the scroll back into the book, then carefully places the book in her backpack.
To Mundhildur, she replies, "Yes, we might as well check this while we're here."
DM Kathy Tuesday December 15th, 2020 3:04:38 PM Zeoll says a little prayer, then goes to sniff at each of the two doors. This throws his DM into a welter of indecision, because there are three closed doors that you know of.
From the closed door across the hall, you get a faint whiff of dust.
From the southernmost of the two closed doors across from the temple, you smell mildew.
From the northernmost of the two closed doors across from the temple, you smell dust and decay.
Meanwhile, Asimov and Honor conclude that nobody in the party can cast the scroll at present, so Honor tucks it away, along with the book.
Mundhildur goes to open the door across the hall (the one that smelled faintly of dust), and finds that it is locked.
SteveM - Elron | AC 21, HP 30/36 Tuesday December 15th, 2020 6:28:34 PM
Elron doesn't want the party too split up, and was kind of under the impression that they'd be checking out the south end of the building first, so he sticks with Mundhildur. "We ought to open it," he tells her, "but we ought to have folks here first,"
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant, large (Kim) AC 16 Touch 12 FF14 HP 27/32 d20+5=21 ; d20+5=22 ; d8+3=9 ; d8+3=8 ; Tuesday December 15th, 2020 10:07:15 PM
"That's a good idea, Elron. It is locked. Maybe someone like Asimov can unlock it, or I can try to bash it open. Let's give him a crack at it first." She waits to see if it might be unlocked. If so, she will go in after it is opened. If not, she tries to bash it down.
Slam AC 21 9 hp Slam AC 22 8 hp Or, is there another methodology to be used in bashing a door down?
Asimov | Hugh | AC 15/12/13 HP 29/29 d20+8=24 ; Wednesday December 16th, 2020 2:25:21 AM
Asimov goes to the locked door and attempts to open the door (Disable Device: 24)
Honor Bright [AC 19; HP 24/24] (Kathy) Wednesday December 16th, 2020 1:43:23 PM
Honor watches Mundhildur and Asimov try to get the door open.
Asimov knows about all kinds of different mechanical things, she assures herself. Just because he can open locked doors--that isn't suspicious. Necessarily.
DM Kathy Wednesday December 16th, 2020 3:15:30 PM Elron suggests getting this southern door open before moving north to explore further. Mundhildur tries to bash the door down, with limited success. Asimov studies the mechanism and finds it to be quite simple. He is easily able to get it open. Honor watches nearby, suppressing her paladinly suspicion of people who can open locked doors.
On the other side of the door is a small sitting room, complete with a single table and a pair of chairs, both in relatively good condition. Resting atop the table are the bones of a bird next to a crude knife and a cracked mug.
SteveM - Elron | AC 21, HP 30/36 d20+12=13 ; Wednesday December 16th, 2020 6:21:03 PM
Elron enters and looks around the sitting room, looking to see what he can find. (Perception = 13) However, his reaction to the bones resting on the table top prevents him from doing very well at it. That knife would make very painful wounds, crude as it is.
"Yah know, I thought there'd be more to the south of us."
Zeoll the Greensinger | AC15, 16/16hp | Cayzle Wednesday December 16th, 2020 11:58:42 PM
"Mmmm tastes like --"
The liontaur looks at Elron and begins to regret the many wings he has had in his life.
Next door?
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant, large (Kim) AC 16 Touch 12 FF14 HP 27/32 Thursday December 17th, 2020 4:13:26 AM
"Looks like that meal was eaten a little while ago," she comments. Is the door to the north visible within the room? If the room does not fill the whole space as shown on the map, then she checks out the door, and attempts to open it because she is such a curious person, and where are those berries for the poor daughter of the nobleman?
Asimov | Hugh | AC 15/12/13 HP 29/29 d20+7=20 ; d12=1 ; Thursday December 17th, 2020 7:44:55 AM
Asimov says, "Just point me at the next locked door and I'll give it a shot."
He off course inspects the next door first just to be on the safe side (Perception 20 or 21 vs mechanical traps)
Honor Bright [AC 19; HP 24/24] (Kathy) Thursday December 17th, 2020 2:53:52 PM
Honor glances around the room, but sees nothing of interest. "No berries here," she sighs.
DM Kathy Thursday December 17th, 2020 4:52:45 PM
The scene in the sitting room presents an unsettling reminder for Elron, but is otherwise unremarkable.
However, there is a door here, in the south wall, which your silly DM neglected to mention, or include on the map.
Asimov approaches the door, and, finding no traps, cautiously opens it. The small cramped chamber on the other side of the door holds two beds, a small sack, and an array of old tools.
Zeoll the Greensinger | AC15, 16/16hp | Cayzle d20+7=14 ; Thursday December 17th, 2020 5:03:33 PM
Zeoll feels a little constricted in here, with the rooms and passages not made with taurs in mind.
Still, he peeks in at the beds, and under them, and at the sack, etc.
Perception 14
"It's all dusty in herre," he complains. "Not smelling much like berrries grrowing anywherre inside. Maybe the rroof?"
SteveM - Elron | AC 21, HP 30/36 d20+12=25 ; Thursday December 17th, 2020 5:22:27 PM "We got anothah room!" Elron happily goes over and checks out the door, like he's seen Asimov do, but with no ability to deal with any devices that may be there (Perception = 25).
Asimov | Hugh | AC 15/12/13 HP 29/29 d20+7=19 ; d20+8=22 ; Friday December 18th, 2020 3:31:59 AM
(Perception: 19) (Appraise : 22)
Asimov checks out the new room looking for berries and other valuables
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant, large (Kim) AC 16 Touch 12 FF14 HP 27/32 d20+5=10 ; d20+5=18 ; d8+3=6 ; d20+5=20 ; d20+5=15 ; d8+3=8 ; d8+3=7 ; Friday December 18th, 2020 10:14:57 AM
Mundhi provides backup for Elron. If he has trouble with the door, she asks Asimov to fiddle with it.
If he is not around to do so, then she tries to open it the conventional way, and, if needed, the bashing way. First slam-bash is ineffectual. Second AC 18 for 6 hp. Let's try another round of that. AC 20 for 8 hp, AC 15 for 7 hp. She does so enjoy bashing.
By the way, Mundhi did not bash the other door earlier, as Asimov took care of it, so the conditions for needing to bash were removed. This time, only if Elron or Asimov can't do it do we resort to the Mundhildur Solution.
Honor Bright [AC 19; HP 24/24] (Kathy) Friday December 18th, 2020 2:45:20 PM
Honor moves to wait in the sitting room while her friends investigate the sleeping chamber.
DM Kathy Friday December 18th, 2020 3:03:00 PM Asimov already opened the door to the room, so Mundhildur can save her bashing for another time. Asimov examines the tools on one of the beds, and finds them to be Masterwork-quality stonemason's tools. He looks in the sack and finds several coins and a single ruby.
Meanwhile, Zeoll, uncomfortable in the cramped quarters, looks under the beds. Under one, you find a rusty iron key. Under the other, you find a weird-looking sword that Elron is able to identify as a double chicken saber.
Asimov | Hugh | AC 15/12/13 HP 29/29 Monday December 21st, 2020 2:25:56 AM
Asimov says to everyone, "Look Masterwork stonemason's tools, coins and a ruby!"
"You got a key Zeoll? Wonder what it is to?" he says to the Taur
To Elron he says "And you found a weapon appropriate to your unique-ness. It is only fitting that you wield a double chicken saber."
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant, large (Kim) AC 16 Touch 12 FF14 HP 27/32 Thursday December 24th, 2020 2:24:21 AM
"True treasures, Asimov. Elron - show us how to use that thing," Mundhildur encourages. She checks out the dust on top of high bits of furniture.
SteveM - Elron | AC 21, HP 30/36 d20+3=6 ; Friday December 25th, 2020 12:59:37 AM "Well, o' course I know how to use the double chicken sabre -- it's good for disarmin' folks. But it don't whap. It cuts. Here, I'll show ya."
Elron makes a show of disarming whoever volunteers, but is not very successful at it (even assuming the weapon is his size).
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant, large (Kim) AC 16 Touch 12 FF14 HP 27/32 Saturday December 26th, 2020 1:40:32 PM
Mundhildur holds her longspear off to one side to give Elron a chance to try to disarm her. As he missed entirely the stationary shaft, she adjusts her stance so the longspear is vertically held positioned 45 degrees in front of her body, and says, "Try again. You were just warming up, Elron." She holds her hand on the shaft a bit loosely (take a +2 on the attempt to disarm, say).
SteveM - Elron | AC 21, HP 30/36 d20+3=23 ; Monday December 28th, 2020 7:06:52 PM
Elron tries to demonstrate the double chicken sabre again at Mundhildur's urging, this time sending the weapon she was holding flying. (Well, a couple of feet.)
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant, large (Kim) AC 16 Touch 12 FF14 HP 27/32 Tuesday December 29th, 2020 6:17:53 PM
"Oh my - well chickened!" Mundhildur, not expecting quite so efficient a demonstration. She goes to take a look at the shaft of her longspear. "Looks like that thing was meant for you, Elron."
Zeoll the Greensinger | AC15, 16/16hp | Cayzle Monday January 4th, 2021 9:26:18 AM
Zeoll opens his eyes with a start. "Oh me," he says, "I seem to have nodded off. This body is young, but sometimes the mind is still old, alas. Can someone tell us what's up at the moment, anyway? Thanks!"
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant, large (Kim) AC 16 Touch 12 FF14 HP 27/32 Monday January 4th, 2021 12:38:36 PM
"Well, Zeoll," Mundhildur tries to recap some highlights for the sleepy liontaur, "I figure you remember the spidery tower. And the - what was it, stables next to it [yellow room on map]. Then through a little room and hallway it opened up into a little Domi chapel - I figure it was Domi, anyway, where the darkmantle octoflaps tried to attack us [pink room on map]. There was a stone with 5 indentations in it.
"In the next room [light blue on map] we found on a top shelf in the mainly mildewy library a clean and dry dwarf hymnbook to help worship Domi - Honor sang a little from it - and a scroll inside it that Asimov figures is to cast Spiritual Weapon, whatever that is.
"Across from the library was a small dining room [lavender on map] with some old bird bones left on a plate. We found a room [green on map] with two beds and some old tools. Masterwork stonemason's tools, and a sack with coins and a pretty red gem - a ruby. Elron tried out a double chicken saber with which he was able to disarm me of my longspear, after a warm up attempt.
"I heard you found a rusty key - in the other room [light magenta on map]? So I just left the bedroom to rejoin you. Let's look at the next room through that door [atm white on map]. I'll stay here in the hallway unless you need me, because it's getting crowded."
Mundhildur may have gotten a few details out of order, but should have reported the gist of it.
Honor Bright [AC 19; HP 24/24] (Kathy) Monday January 4th, 2021 1:06:59 PM
"And we're looking for berries," Honor adds to Mundhildur's recap. "Not with a lot of success, but there are still rooms to explore!"
DM Kathy Monday January 4th, 2021 1:14:25 PM
With Mundhildur's help, Elron demonstrates the use of the double-chicken saber.
Asimov wonders aloud what Zeoll's key might open.
But for now, you seem to have investigated this end of the keep, and you're ready to move on.
Zeoll tries the southernmost of the two remaining doors. It opens into a cloakroom, once used to store the traveling cloaks, coats, and hats of visitors to the keep. Now only a few moth-eaten rags hang on the pegs and a single soiled hat rests on the table.
Asimov | Hugh | AC 15/12/13 HP 29/29 Monday January 4th, 2021 1:14:53 PM
Asimov chimes in, "I still say Elron was meant to wield a double chicken saber."
SteveM - Elron | AC 21, HP 30/36 Monday January 4th, 2021 9:36:52 PM "I'll be happy to take the double chicken sabre," Elron agrees. "Guess we're headed to the north end of the keep next?"
Honor Bright [AC 19; HP 24/24] (Kathy) Tuesday January 5th, 2021 1:22:22 PM
"Disarming opponents sounds nice," Honor agrees. "I mean, I don't think I'd be very good at it. But yes, you should hang onto it. Is there anything interesting in this room?"
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant, large (Kim) AC 16 Touch 12 FF14 HP 27/32 d20+5=21 ; Tuesday January 5th, 2021 1:56:44 PM
Mundhi decides she wants to see what's in the room, so squeezes by whom she needs to in order to inspect. She lifts the hat and looks it over and under. She looks under the table. If there is a carpet, she lifts it up to see if there is a trap door. If no carpet, is there a trap door anyway? What's on the walls? How about in the rags hanging on the pegs? Any loose change or silver berries in what's left of the pockets?
If she finds anything of interest, she tells others. If not, she says, "Onward," and exits to go up the hallway to the edge of the next unexplored room to the north. ======= Perception: 21
DM Kathy Tuesday January 5th, 2021 2:46:53 PM
After some discussion, Elron decides to keep the double-chicken sabre. At least for now.
Meanwhile, Mundhildur decides to search the cloakroom, so she is the one who finds the berries. Well, perhaps "berries" is overstating it. The desiccated corpses of what used to be berries.
In the southeast corner of the room is a small sprig from a vine. It’s very long dead and has the husks of 2 very small, shrivelled berries attached. They are in such poor condition that It’s unclear what type of vine or berries these may be.
There is nothing else of interest in the room.
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant, large (Kim) AC 16 Touch 12 FF14 HP 27/32 Tuesday January 5th, 2021 5:36:30 PM
"Berries! Very sad berries, but here are two of them. On a dead sprig. Maybe a druid could fix them," she offers. "Who wants to carry these?" She offers them to the first claimant.
"Let's go find some better ones," Mundhildur recommends. After passing on the plant tissue, she heads onward to find more.
SteveM - Elron | AC 21, HP 30/36 d20+3=14 ; Tuesday January 5th, 2021 6:57:49 PM
Elron accepts the berries from Munchildur and looks at them closely before attempting to hand them off to Zeoll (who he figures has a knack for plants or once-plants). He tries to figure out what kind of berry they are.
Knowledge, nature = 14
Zeoll the Greensinger | AC15, 16/16hp | Cayzle d20+11=29 ; Tuesday January 5th, 2021 7:10:06 PM
"Oh ho, what have we herre?" Zeoll asks ... and then sets out to answer his own question.
He says a prayer for Guidance and considers the berries ... Knowledge Nature 29!
Hmmm ... are these the kind of berries the party seeks?
Asimov | Hugh | AC 15/12/13 HP 29/29 d20+7=9 ; Wednesday January 6th, 2021 1:26:18 AM
(Perception: 9)
Asimov says, "Those Berries look like they've seen better days. I have a food detoxifier design I can build tomorrow. It functions like purify food and drink. Do you think it might help those berries any?"
Honor Bright [AC 19; HP 24/24] (Kathy) Wednesday January 6th, 2021 1:36:39 PM
"I don't know." Honor is skeptical. She gives a wry smile. "We may need a Raise Dead spell. But I suppose it's worth a try."
Zeoll the Greensinger | AC15, 16/16hp | Cayzle Wednesday January 6th, 2021 1:40:02 PM
"Morre to the point, if this is the rright plant, then it is a clue and a confiirrmation. Someone valued this vine well enough to save it and brring it up herre. And if it is the rright varriety, then we have hope to find morre."
DM Kathy Wednesday January 6th, 2021 2:29:48 PM
The discovery of berries--no matter their condition--gives the group some encouragement. Mundhildur hands them to Elron, who passes them off to Zeoll.
The liontaur studies the vine and berries, but can determine nothing. It's just been too long since this thing was alive.
Asimov offers the use of a food purifier in the morning, but nobody is sure whether it will work.
[OOC: You guys now know as much as I know about the berries. There's no more information in this part of the module.]
Zeoll the Greensinger | AC15, 16/16hp | Cayzle Wednesday January 6th, 2021 3:04:02 PM
"Well. shall we prress on then, my frriends?" asks the liontaur.
SteveM - Elron | AC 21, HP 30/36 Wednesday January 6th, 2021 5:58:52 PM "North it is!" Elron doesn't even try to tell a joke to lighten the mood -- those dried berries have already done that.
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant, large (Kim) AC 16 Touch 12 FF14 HP 27/32 Wednesday January 6th, 2021 7:54:14 PM
Mundhildur is ahead of the game. She already went north to check out the northernmost small room, and look over her shoulder at the larger room.
Asimov | Hugh | AC 15/12/13 HP 29/29 d20+7=13 ; Thursday January 7th, 2021 1:17:03 AM
(Perception: 13)
Asimov keeps his eyes peeled as they move to new rooms
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant, large (Kim) AC 16 Touch 12 FF14 HP 27/32 d20+5=6 ; Thursday January 7th, 2021 3:11:49 PM
Adding a miserable perception roll (6) for Mundhildur. "Hey, I have a snag on my little fingernail!" She works on carefully biting it off so it does no further damage.
Honor Bright [AC 19; HP 24/24] (Kathy) Thursday January 7th, 2021 4:17:56 PM
"Yes, let's keep looking," Honor says. "Surely there's a better specimen around here somewhere."
DM Kathy Thursday January 7th, 2021 5:00:10 PM
You decide to head north. There is, of course, another door just to the north of the door you just opened, so you try that first--but it seems stuck. A Strength check might be able to dislodge it.
Meanwhile, Mundhildur moves around the corner to see what she can see. She finds a long corridor, leading to where she knows there are bats. A door leads to that area; another door leads back out into the courtyard. And there is a door immediately to Mundhildur's north.
SteveM - Elron | AC 21, HP 30/36 d20=1 ; Thursday January 7th, 2021 11:22:58 PM
Not one to leave an unopened door behind him, Elron tries to get the stuck door to budge. "Now that, I say, that is a stuck door."
Strength check = 1
Asimov | Hugh | AC 15/12/13 HP 29/29 d20+1=6 ; Friday January 8th, 2021 12:09:05 AM
Strength : 6
"I agree that door really is stuck" he says to Elron.
"Munhildur would you like to give it a try?" he asks the Giantess
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant, large (Kim) AC 16 Touch 12 FF14 HP 27/32 d20+5=16 ; d20+5=15 ; d8+3=4 ; d8+3=4 ; d20+5=20 ; d20+5=9 ; d8+3=5 ; d20+5=23 ; d20+5=16 ; d8+3=5 ; d8+3=8 ; d20+5=20 ; Friday January 8th, 2021 2:42:22 AM
Hearing someone calling for her to help with a door, Mundhi retraces her steps. "Let's see if I can get it to budge." She twice slams it: AC 16 for 4 hp, and AC 15 for 4 hp.
If it does not budge, she changes her angle. "Let's give that another try." AC 20 for 5 hp.
If it still will not open, then she says, "Give me room," grows to a large size, and rebashes. AC 23 for 5 hp. AC 16 for 8 hp.
Should it still be stuck, she says, "Well, maybe we can chop it down."
If / when it opens, she looks ahead, then upwards, then down, then right, and left. Perception 20.
Status: If door opened during first two pairs of attempts, then she is size medium (albeit 7'4" and 372 lbs 'medium'). If the 3rd pair of slams are necessary, the Mundhildur is size large (10'5" and 1,072 lbs)
======== Addendum: She will let someone else by her once the door is open, especially if she is large sized.
Zeoll the Greensinger | AC15, 16/16hp | Cayzle d20+7=9 ; Friday January 8th, 2021 7:02:10 AM
Zeoll stands back and lets his younger, brawnier friends force the door.
"Maybe it is a pull doorr," he offers, teasing.
He keeps alert for danger, seeing as this can't be a quiet activity.
Perception 9. Too noisy to hear intruders! No wait, WE are the intruders!
"I hear intrruderrs!" Zeoll says, smiling.
Honor Bright [AC 19; HP 24/24] (Kathy) d20+3=11 ; Friday January 8th, 2021 12:07:58 PM
"I don't think we need to bash it in," Honor says. "It's stuck; if we give it a good pull, we may be able to get it to open. Like the tower door."
Honor pulls at the door, but without much success [Strength check 11].
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant, large (Kim) AC 16 Touch 12 FF14 HP 27/32 d20+3=16 ; Friday January 8th, 2021 7:46:52 PM
"Very well, I will try pulling it," Mundhi answers Honor. She does so - strength check 16.
DM Kathy Friday January 8th, 2021 9:05:59 PM Elron and Asimov try, but can't get the door open. Zeoll suggests they try pulling instead of pushing.
Mundhildur starts bashing the door, but at Honor's suggestion, stops bashing to give it a good, hard tug.
It comes open.
This chamber was once used as a waiting room for the keep’s guests. The once-elegant furniture is now rotting and moth-eaten. The mummified remains of a dwarf rest in the center of the chamber. Wearing the garb of a blacksmith, the dwarf has the shattered shards of a glass vial in one hand and a scrap of ancient parchment in the other.
SteveM - Elron | AC 21, HP 30/36 d20+12=17 ; Sunday January 10th, 2021 2:13:52 PM
Elron can't hear any intruders down the hallway he's in, but Zeoll's over by the courtyard. Well, we've opened a small room, and Zeoll's a big fella. He can watch the courtyard.
When he gets his chance to look around the room, Elron's still somewhat distracted worrying about the intruders. (Perception = 17) As usual, he leaves the reading -- especially of dwarf -- for the brainy folks.
Asimov | Hugh | AC 15/12/13 HP 29/29 d20+10=22 ; d20+7=16 ; d20+10=13 ; Monday January 11th, 2021 1:45:51 AM
Asimov checks out the parchment in the mumified dwarf's hand and the potion bottle
(Perception: 16 on both) (Linguistics: 22 on the parchment) (Spellcraft : 13 on potion bottle)
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant, large (Kim) AC 16 Touch 12 FF14 HP 27/32 d20+5=24 ; Monday January 11th, 2021 2:31:31 AM
Mundhildur lets the others take a look through the room first, then follows them up just in case any detail may have been overlooked. Including checking out the rotting furniture to see if there is any loose change, or berries, or anything else potentially useful.
Perception: 24
Honor Bright [AC 19; HP 24/24] (Kathy) Monday January 11th, 2021 2:04:34 PM
"Oh. What happened here?" Honor asks. She waits as Asimov tries to decipher the clues.
DM Kathy Monday January 11th, 2021 2:25:37 PM Asimov examines the parchment and the bottle. You can tell right away that the parchment is written in Dwarven, and you remember that Honor reads and understands that language. The bottle is trickier. Any remaining liquid has long since dried up, and there isn't much residue left. It's logical to assume that it may have been some kind of poison, but you aren't sure.
Elron and Mundhildur, meanwhile, are looking around the room. You both notice that the dwarf has an unusual light hammer in his belt, with religious motifs carved on it. It doesn't seem to be a masterwork weapon, but the fancy carving may make it worth something.
SteveM - Elron | AC 21, HP 30/36 Monday January 11th, 2021 9:31:14 PM "Hey, are those symbols on th' hammer that same Domi fella ya said th'anvil in th'othah room was for?" Elron seems to recall odd depressions being on the anvil, but doesn't think a dwarf could have dented it with this hammer..
Zeoll the Greensinger | AC15, 16/16hp | Cayzle Monday January 11th, 2021 11:58:28 PM
"Well, mission aside, we should give this old fellow a decent burrial, rright? I used to honorr Domi. I bet I could manage a prrayerr orr two, if this old brrain of mine is up to the task."
"I met him, once, you know. Domi. Verry nice guy."
Zeoll is suggesting that they pause in exploring, carry the dead dwarf outside, and do right by him.
[OOC: Just slipped in before deadline, woot!]
Asimov | Hugh | AC 15/12/13 HP 29/29 Tuesday January 12th, 2021 1:31:01 AM
Asimov takes the scroll to Honor and says, "Look more Dwarven writing. Can you tell me what it says? As for what was in the bottle well maybe it was a poison? I can't be sure though. I'd be okay giving this dwarf a proper burial"
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant, large (Kim) AC 16 Touch 12 FF14 HP 27/32 Tuesday January 12th, 2021 6:09:57 AM
"You met Domi?!" asks Mundhildur. "How old are you, anyway, Zeoll?" she asks the liontaur. "Yes, certainly, let us bury this poor fellow."
She takes the blanket she had been planning to use against the spiders, and wraps the bones in it, tucking everything in. She tosses the bundle over her shoulder. "Let's go." She leads the way back outside, and looks for a suitable burial spot. "Where to, Zeoll?"
Honor Bright [AC 19; HP 24/24] (Kathy) Tuesday January 12th, 2021 1:19:36 PM
Honor takes the parchment from Asimov and reads it. "Forgive me Domi, father of the forge, my toils shall never be enough." She looks up. "Oh, no. The poor man. Do you think he poisoned himself?"
Zeoll the Greensinger | AC15, 16/16hp | Cayzle d20+11=12 ; Tuesday January 12th, 2021 2:27:36 PM
"Surre, I've been arround the Wold a time orr two, good Mundhi!" says Zeoll.
Honor mentions suicide, and Zeoll shakes his head.
"Well, even if the fellow was sufferring and not in his rright mind, he still deserrves the rrespect of a decent burrial. Under the trees outside there will be nice. I'll trry to find a spot that will be easierr to dig without hurrting any nearrby rroots too much."
Know Nature (with Guidance) to find a good spot: 12. Oh well.
DM Kathy Tuesday January 12th, 2021 2:54:12 PM Elron wonders about the symbols on the hammer, which do indeed prove to belong to Domi.
Zeoll after letting slip that he once met the god in question, suggests a proper burial. Munhdildur and Asimov agree.
Honor is able to translate the parchment, which strongly suggests the dwarf killed himself.
You decide to take the time to lay the dwarf to rest. You troop outside, but the packed earth of the courtyard seems like a poor choice for a final resting spot.
Beyond the courtyard, however, at the entrance to the keep, are those two statues. One of them is a crumbled ruin, but the other is a dwarf holding a hammer. Perhaps near there?
If not, the surrounding area is mostly grassland; it wouldn't be hard to dig a grave and perhaps mark it with a simple cairn.
SteveM - Elron | AC 21, HP 30/36 Tuesday January 12th, 2021 11:42:55 PM Now why would a dwarf kill hisself, Elron wonders. There has to be a story here.
As for burying the remains, Elron readily pitches in to help, but has no idea what sort of service would be appropriate.
Zeoll the Greensinger | AC15, 16/16hp | Cayzle Wednesday January 13th, 2021 12:45:06 AM
Near the dwarf statue would be a good choice, Zeoll says. He lends his labor willingly.
After the dwarf is at rest, Zeoll offers a prayer:
Oh mighty Domi Herre is yourr own dwarrf Help him to Garrgul's rrest.
Later, Zeoll adds, "I met Lorrd Garrgul too. A couple times, to plead forr the life of a dead frriend."
Asimov | Hugh | AC 15/12/13 HP 29/29 Wednesday January 13th, 2021 1:45:12 AM
Asimov says, "I wonder what this guy was trying to create in his forge that he felt he couldn't hack it? I mean he said forgive me Domi, father of my forge, my labors will never be enough. Do you think we might find a forge or some schematics as we explore?"
Honor Bright [AC 19; HP 24/24] (Kathy) Wednesday January 13th, 2021 1:20:39 PM
Honor helps lay the dwarf to rest. She retrieves the book of hymns from her pack and sings one at the graveside.
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant, large (Kim) AC 16 Touch 12 FF14 HP 27/32 Wednesday January 13th, 2021 2:34:57 PM
Mundhildur helps dig the grave. "Good prayer, Zeoll." She harmonizes as Honor sings.
DM Kathy Wednesday January 13th, 2021 3:13:05 PM
You pause in your explorations long enough to bury the remains of the dwarf. You bury him near the dwarf statue, and lay his spirit to rest with a hymn and a prayer.
Once that task is done, you are ready to resume your explorations. You have only the northern part of the keep left to explore--and the tower full of spiders. Where would you like to go next?
SteveM - Elron | AC 21, HP 30/36 Wednesday January 13th, 2021 6:12:42 PM "I think, I say, I think we ought to explore th' north part o' th' keep before we go back into th' tower. Mostly so's if we find anything there that might help chase th' spiders out o' th' tower we can use it. Thar's two ways into th' keep -- I say we use the one we've already tried."
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant, large (Kim) AC 16 Touch 12 FF14 HP 27/32 d20+3=6 ; Thursday January 14th, 2021 12:16:32 AM
"And what if we could get the bats to eat the spiders?" asks Mundhildur. "Sleep well, dwarf whose name we do not know. May Domi know your name."
She had used the blanket to convey the bones to the burial site, but had removed the bones from the blanket and laid the remains within the shallow grave. She folds up the blanket again, then joins her companions as they return to the building - this time to the door about in the middle of the hallway just south of the northernmost room. She looks to see if she can tell which way the door opens, then pushes if it opens away from her, or pulls if it opens toward her. She doesn't use her full strength, apparently. [strength check 6]
Of course, she does not try to open the door until most of the crew is nearby.
Asimov | Hugh | AC 15/12/13 HP 29/29 Thursday January 14th, 2021 4:44:13 AM
Asimov says, "Mayhap we'll find the forge in the northern section? I'm really curious to learn what the Dwarf we found was working on."
Zeoll the Greensinger | AC15, 16/16hp | Cayzle Thursday January 14th, 2021 5:35:46 AM
"Norrtherrn section sounds like a plan."
Honor Bright [AC 19; HP 24/24] (Kathy) Thursday January 14th, 2021 2:13:36 PM
"North it is." Honor moves to back up Mundhildur.
DM Kathy Thursday January 14th, 2021 3:24:17 PM
You decide to postpone a return to Spider Tower for now, in favor of exploring the parts of the keep you haven't seen yet. Mundhildur returns to the northern hallway and tries the door.
It opens easily enough. The small study on the other side of the door looks like it hasn’t been used in some time. An old stone desk sits in the center of the chamber, scratched and cracked in many places.
To the west is an open doorway. In the next room, you can see a weird, shifting blue light, but you can't see its source from here.
Zeoll the Greensinger | AC15, 16/16hp | Cayzle Thursday January 14th, 2021 9:04:56 PM
Zeoll calls out, "Helloo! Who is therre?"
He starts singing a lovely melody, and readies a standard action to FASCINATE ... if a creature appears and it seems like the target might be a fey, magical beast, plant creature, vermin, or animal.
Asimov | Hugh | AC 15/12/13 HP 29/29 d20+7=25 ; Thursday January 14th, 2021 11:49:31 PM
Asimov moves over to and checks the desk out for any compartments, or any other things of interest and to see if he can get a better glimpse at whatever is making the odd light in the other room from the vantage point of the desk.
(Perception; 25)
SteveM - Elron | AC 21, HP 30/36 d20+12=20 ; Friday January 15th, 2021 12:05:39 AM
Elron moves into the room off the hallway as well, seeing how someone might need to protect the boy while he's going through the desk. While he's in there, he keeps an eye peeled for anything interesting.
Perception = 20
Honor Bright [AC 19; HP 24/24] (Kathy) Friday January 15th, 2021 1:22:51 PM
Honor slips into the study and draws Virtue.
DM Kathy Friday January 15th, 2021 3:31:36 PM
Seeing the strange light, Zeoll calls out and begins singing.
Asimov checks the desk, but finds nothing of interest.
Elron and Honor also move into the room, ready for action.
Mundhildur approaches the door to the next room. [There's not a post, but the character has been moved on the map, so I'm going to assume.]
Everyone except Honor can see into the next room. It is a ruin, with gaping holes in the roof. One of the stone columns that once supported the ceiling is toppled, its broken pieces littering the floor. Old wooden cupboards line the back wall.
Within the room is a--creature? trap? natural phenomenon? It seems like a ball--or perhaps a blob--of electricity. Except--it has a face? Kind of? Energy crackles around it. Mundhildur, Zeoll, and Honor find that their hair is standing on end, and occasional electrical sparks seem to dance over their bodies. So far, the--whatever it is--isn't doing anything except floating around the room and crackling.
Knowledge Planes DC 20 Highlight to display spoiler: { It looks like a Comozant Wyrd, but there’s something different about it.}
SteveM - Elron | AC 21, HP 30/36 Friday January 15th, 2021 3:50:30 PM "Oh, my. D'you, I say, d'you know what that is? It's a Krak'len. . . I hear they like to attack ships and set on the masts."
Elron's not sure what to do about this one. Were Krak'lens balls of electricity, or did they have eight arms? He isn't sure. He's at the back of the group, and probably the eggheads will try to talk to it. Elron gets ol' Betsy out and ready to whap it, just in case it doesn't like talk.
Zeoll the Greensinger | AC15, 16/16hp | Cayzle d20+2=5 ; Sunday January 17th, 2021 12:43:46 AM
Knowledge Planes 5 nope!
On the off chance it will work, Zeoll uses his Fascinate. Will Save 15.
Zeoll's Fascinate only affects fey, magical beast, plant creature, vermin, or animal.
Asimov | Hugh | AC 15/12/13 HP 29/29 d20+10=24 ; d20+10=12 ; Sunday January 17th, 2021 11:02:51 PM
Asimov looks at the weird electric face that Elron called a Krak'len. He uses his 0th level magic detecting thing-a-mabob to get an idea if whatever it is magical.
(Know[Arcana]: 24) (Spellcraft: 12)
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant, large (Kim) AC 16 Touch 12 FF14 HP 27/32 Monday January 18th, 2021 3:04:39 AM [Thought I had posted - had written up a 3-paragraph post early Friday, but it looks like the post did not take somehow]
The Jotan says to the ball of light, "Hello there, beautiful. Who are you? I'm Mundhildur. Are you lost or something?"
Honor Bright [AC 19; HP 24/24] (Kathy) Monday January 18th, 2021 1:49:08 PM
Honor peers through the doorway. She can't get a really good look at the thing, and anyway she doesn't know anything about other planes.
"Are you sure?" she asks Elron. "I thought Krak'len were sort of....squid-y." She stays on alert, watching to see what the thing might do.
DM Kathy d20+7=15 ; Monday January 18th, 2021 2:07:41 PM Elron states confidently that the thing is called a Krak'len, and they attack ships. Honor isn't so sure.
Asimov detects for magic but finds none.
Mundhildur greets the thing, but it doesn't seem to respond.
Zeoll isn't sure what it is, but tries to Fascinate it anyway. And, whatever it is, it has a Will save because it successfully saved against the effect.
It continues to flit about in the next room.
SteveM - Elron | AC 21, HP 30/36 Monday January 18th, 2021 7:34:54 PM "Well," Elron tells Honor, "I thought so too -- but jes' listen." The thing, whatever it is, does seem to be crackling. "And how, I say, how can it not have seen us, us bein' in plain sight an' everythin'?" He figures if he can see it's face, it can see him.
"Tell you what -- I've been told feathers is insulation. Should I go in there and ask what it is?"
Zeoll the Greensinger | AC15, 16/16hp | Cayzle Monday January 18th, 2021 11:22:09 PM
"Well, it has not attacked us yet, so let's not fight it in case it is an innocent thing."
The old liontaur bows to honor Elron for his voluntering.
Asimov | Hugh | AC 15/12/13 HP 29/29 Monday January 18th, 2021 11:46:37 PM
Asimov says, "Whatever it is, it sure as heck ain't magic. I can tell you that. Aside from that whatever it is is outside my range of expertise. If you wanna give it a shot, Elron, then I ain't gonna stop you"
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant, large (Kim) AC 16 Touch 12 FF14 HP 27/32 d20+5=23 ; d20+4=5 ; d20+4=6 ; d20+4=10 ; d20+4=12 ; d20+4=13 ; d20+4=18 ; d20+4=6 ; Tuesday January 19th, 2021 1:22:05 AM
"Sounds good, Elron. I will come, too. I agree, Zeoll, we don't want to fight it, I think. Not magic? A thing of lightning, of air? My people are of air and storms. Maybe the blue glow and I can figure out how to talk. If it decides to zap me, I can leave the room. I'm going to look just a little more, first." She looks into the room, trying to see if there is anything unusual besides the floating energy. [Perception: 23]
She says, "Maybe it likes music." She begins to sing a song before entering - but her voice cracks terribly (Perform, singing: 5 (nat 1)). She stops, clears her throat and starts again. Still almost as bad (6). "Just a moment." Mundhildur takes out her waterskin, and gulps down a bit, gargles. She begins to hum. So, not as bad (10). Then she moves into a gentle, tonal vocalization (12). A slow run up a scale (13). Then a bit more full throated (18). Mundhi tries to match any tonalities coming from the crackling ball. She is just starting to get a feel for it, then her voice cracks again (6). "I'm sorry. Maybe if I could make good music today, our floating neighbor would like it."
"Let's go, Mister Feathers! Maybe you can sing out something."
She walks into the room, and goes to the right side, and leans against the wall. "We are here. Can we help you? We want to help a little girl. We need silverberries. Do you know about silverberries?"
Honor Bright [AC 19; HP 24/24] (Kathy) Tuesday January 19th, 2021 3:44:34 PM
Honor steps up to support Mundhildur and Elron, but doesn't try to go into the room just yet.
DM Kathy d20+15=28 ; d8=6 ; d8=1 ; Tuesday January 19th, 2021 3:49:31 PM Elron volunteers to step into the next room and check out the creature. Zeoll and Asimov agree with the plan.
Mundhildur does him one better. She steps into the room, intending to try to talk to the creature.
The minute she crosses the threshold, the creature attacks! A bolt of lighting streaks toward Mundhildur, striking her and doing 9 points of damage!
SteveM - Elron | AC 21, HP 30/36 d20+6=9 ; Tuesday January 19th, 2021 5:40:51 PM
Interrupted from the process of selecting what song he's going to sing, Elron is outraged by this unprovoked attack on Mundhi. Well, if the thing wants a whapping, it'll get a whapping.
Elron doesn't quite trip over his own feet as he enters the room, but the wild swing as he runs up only connects with AC 9.
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant, large (Kim) AC 16 Touch 12 FF14 HP 27/32 d20+3=18 ; d20+5=17 ; d20+5=18 ; d8+3=5 ; d8+3=7 ; Tuesday January 19th, 2021 7:13:02 PM
The d20+3=18 should add an extra +3=21 on the reflex save vs electricity. She has elemental immunity, in which the Jotun receives +1/level of resistance vs its energy type - in Mundhi's case, electrical. So perhaps the damage she takes is 4 or 5, rather than 9?
Well, had Elron not jumped forward, she may have chosen to respond otherwise, but as he is now in harm's way (and the electrical blob, from her perspective, 'started it'), she takes a 5-foot step forward and slams it twice. "You - be nice!" she roars.
She hits AC 17 and AC 18, for 5 and 7 hp respectively.
Asimov | Hugh | AC 15/12/13 HP 29/29 d20=7 ; d3=2 ; Wednesday January 20th, 2021 12:30:58 AM
Asimov moves to the doorway and fires off a round from the corresive pistol at the electric thing.
Honor Bright [AC 19; HP 24/24] (Kathy) d20+7=13 ; d8=3 ; Wednesday January 20th, 2021 5:04:19 PM
Honor rushes into the room after Elron. She tries to hit the flying creature with Virtue. It doesn't go especially well. [Hit AC 13 for 6 damage.]
DM Kathy d20+10=19 ; d8=3 ; d8=6 ; Wednesday January 20th, 2021 5:46:21 PM Elron swings wildly at the creature but does not connect. Honor likewise swings and misses.
From the doorway, Asimov tries a shot from the corrosive pistol, but it flies wide and splatters onto the wall, sizzling slightly.
Mundhildur has better luck than her companions, managing to hit the creature twice.
[OOC: there is no Reflex save against the creature's attack. It is a ranged attack; the creature has to roll to hit. Damage is 9, reduced by whatever resistance Mundhildur has.]
The creature flits up into the corner (5-foot step), then sends another bolt at Mundhildur. This one also hits, and does another 9 damage.
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant, large (Kim) AC 16 Touch 12 FF14 HP 15/32 d20+5=21 ; d20+5=11 ; d8+3=5 ; Wednesday January 20th, 2021 7:29:56 PM
Mundhildur slams again (AC 21) for 5hp damage, then manages to slam the wall next to the blue glowy floating orb. "You started it, pipsqueak!" she says. "I'm a storm giant, y'know, of sorts. Why are we fighting, anyway? If you stop, so will I. You first."
WIth her 3 resistance to electrical, the first ranged touch attack did 6hp (9-3) versus her, and so did the second.
SteveM - Elron | AC 21, HP 30/36 d20+7=13 ; d20+7=18 ; d4+2=5 ; d4+2=5 ; Wednesday January 20th, 2021 9:12:22 PM
Elron doesn't bother to tell the Krak'len it wouldn't like him when he's angry -- he just gets angry. He attacks with a flurry of blows, hitting AC 13 (damage not intentionally rolled) and 18 (for 5 damage, either way).
===== Rage 1/6
Asimov | Hugh | AC 15/12/13 HP 29/29 d20=18 ; d3=2 ; d20=17 ; Thursday January 21st, 2021 1:11:40 AM
Asimov takes another shot (18 vs touch, 2 acid damage if that hits)
Zeoll the Greensinger | AC15, 16/16hp | Cayzle Thursday January 21st, 2021 7:02:23 AM
Zeoll sings an inspiring song, offering his friends +1 on attacks and damage.
Honor Bright [AC 19; HP 24/24] (Kathy) d20+8=25 ; d8=1 ; Thursday January 21st, 2021 3:10:58 PM
Honor steps forward and tries again. She is more accurate this time, but doesn't get a lot of power behind it. [Hit AC 25 for 5 damage.]
DM Kathy d20+10=16 ; d8=1 ; d8=5 ; d3=3 ; d20+10=25 ; d8=2 ; d8=1 ; Thursday January 21st, 2021 3:44:46 PM Mundhildur and Elron would like to attack the creature. They are currently too far away to make melee attacks. Would you like to choose different actions?
Asimov fires another blast from the corrosive pistol. Since his target is not currently in melee, he hits.
Zeoll begins inspiring his friends.
Honor steps up and attacks, hitting for 5 damage.
The creature flies to the opposite corner, provoking an attack of opportunity from Honor. This time, it fires its lightning at Asimov, hitting for 6 damage.
And now a second creature enters the fray! It flies in through the hole in the ceiling and shoots at Elron! The lightning hits, and Elron takes 3 damage.
And the map. Please remember to move your character on the map if your character moves.
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant, large (Kim) AC 16 Touch 12 FF14 HP 15/32 d20+5=8 ; d20+5=15 ; d8+3=4 ; d20+5=14 ; d8+3=4 ; Thursday January 21st, 2021 7:52:56 PM
Too far away? If that were the case last round, surely with her longspear she has reach - and the d20+5=21 for d8+3=5 damage should have applied. (with a 5' step from the critter, it was within her ability to reach, still).
And the AoO also should apply to Mundhildur, not just Honor, but she misses (AC 8). A new one, by the door? [We're going to need altitudes & ceiling height, DM Kathy, me thinketh!] If too high to slam, Mundhi hits AC 15 for 4hp damage. If at a height she could slam, we'll use the AC 15 and 4 hp for slam #1, and AC 14 for 4 hp for slam #2.
Asimov | Hugh | AC 15/12/13 HP 23/29 d20+5=23 ; d3+1=4 ; Friday January 22nd, 2021 2:18:37 AM
Asimov says, "That hurt. Also I have no medihalers today because I thought it was going to be spider clearing day so we'll most likely need to take another rest after this."
He takes a five foot step backwards diagonally and fires another acid pistol round at the new threat.
Zeoll the Greensinger | AC15, 16/16hp | Cayzle d20+1=19 ; d20+1=15 ; d4=2 ; d4=1 ; Friday January 22nd, 2021 7:23:45 AM
Look! An enemy has appeared right next to Zeoll! The taur instinctively rears up and swipes with two paws. Is he flanking it with Honor? Which square is she in?
He hits ACs 19 and 15 (21 and 17 if flanking) for 3 hp and 2 hp.
Still singing, Zeoll backs up five feet.
SteveM - Elron | AC 21, HP 27/36 d20=17 ; d20=14 ; Friday January 22nd, 2021 10:32:21 AM Hmm. . . Elron's not built for range. If he couldn't reach the thing, he would not have raged, though. He'd have looked around to get a better lay of the room -- how tall is it, where is the hole this new one came from, etc.
"Zeoll, you're a big guy. If'n ya get in here, I can attack 'em from your back!" Just for the fun of it, Elron pulls out and throws a shuriken. (Hits AC 17 for 1 point of damage; please ignore the accidental second roll)
Honor Bright [AC 19; HP 24/24] (Kathy) d20+8=13 ; d20+8=20 ; d8=1 ; Friday January 22nd, 2021 3:12:44 PM
Honor's attack of opportunity is not great [hit AC 13], but she moves to keep after the creature, ignoring the new one for now.
For her regular attack, she hits AC 20 for 5 damage.
DM Kathy Friday January 22nd, 2021 3:49:03 PM
OOC:
So, I keep screwing this up, so we're going to take a moment and reset.
First, I want to explain about positioning. If you are in melee, and your opponent takes a 5-foot step, then you are no longer in melee. You can hit your opponent if you have reach, but you are no longer considered to be in melee. To get back into melee--if, for example, you do not have reach--you need to take a 5-foot step to close the distance with your opponent. Then, if your opponent takes another 5-foot step to open up some distance, you have to take a 5-foot step to follow them. Rinse and repeat.
Your DM is not a mind reader. If your opponent moves away, and you do not move yourself on the map, and you do not indicate in your post that you moved, then your DM has to assume that you remained where you were. If you say "I attack my opponent" without also saying that you moved, then you put your DM in an impossible position.
It gets even more complicated if somebody is also making a ranged attack at that same opponent. Ranged attacks take a penalty when they are aimed at an opponent in melee. So, does your DM assume that the melee fighter meant to say they moved, but just forgot? And move them anyway? That puts the ranged fighter at a disadvantage. And who's to say the ranged fighter wouldn't have made a different choice if their opponent had been (visibly) in melee combat when they posted their action?
So, in the last round, the creature took a 5-foot step back. Both Elron and Mundhildur indicated that they made melee attacks without reach (flurry and slam respectively), which would not have been possible from their positions. Neither one said they moved, or moved themselves on the map. Asimov indicated that he used a ranged attack. So, do I just move Elron and Mundhildur closer, and screw up Asimov's shot? (It would not have hit with the penalty.) If I move Elron and Mundhildur closer, is it fair to assume that Asimov would have tried his shot at all? Maybe if he'd seen his opponent in melee, he would have decided to do something else instead.
I'm honestly not trying to be a hard-nose here. I'm trying to be fair to everybody, but it's hard to know what to do when somebody declares an action that isn't possible.
All of this is adding up to me asking, pleading, begging for everybody to please, please, PLEASE, move themselves on the map when their character moves. I don't think it's a big ask. DMing a combat means keeping track of lots of moving parts. It's even more complicated when you have a character acting in the combat and you're trying to segregate your DM knowledge from your player knowledge. Move your character. Please.
Second (yes, all those paragraphs were just one thing), these creatures were supposed to be incorporeal, and I completely dropped the ball on that. So by now, all characters have seen that regular attacks won't hurt them. I believe that Asimov's attacks count as magical for this purpose, or at least I will until somebody tells me differently. So the corrosive pistol is (so far) the only thing that did any damage at all to these things. Knowing that, your character may want to try a different approach. So I'm not going to have the creatures act this round, and everybody can restate their actions if they want.
Sorry for the confusion.
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant, large (Kim) AC 16 Touch 12 FF14 HP 15/32 Friday January 22nd, 2021 4:35:21 PM
When it finally sinks in to Mundhildur that her slams and stabs or slashes are not obtaining purchase at all on the glowy orbs, she says, "Hey, we really are not hurting these things at all. EVERYONE, OUT OF THE ROOM!" She follows her own counsel.
SteveM - Elron | AC 21, HP 27/36 Sunday January 24th, 2021 1:35:07 PM
Elron follows Mundhildur out of the room. He has not come up with anything devastating to the Krak'len's ego to say as a parting shot, either. This is quite embarassing. Rubbing his backside, all he allows is, "That really Hertz."
Asimov | Hugh | AC 15/12/13 HP 23/29 Sunday January 24th, 2021 10:31:04 PM
(OOC: yes for symplicity sake we said Technomancy functioned like magic; therefore corrosive pisol = acid splash)
Asimov says, "I was never in that room in the first place. I was firing through the doorway but something tells me if I'm going to be the only one doing any damage to these things that is a position that I do not want to be in. Shall we regroup again away from your Krak'len's Elron?"
He joins Mundi
Honor Bright [AC 19; HP 24/24] (Kathy) Monday January 25th, 2021 2:13:42 PM
Honor turns. She doesn't like retreating, but she has to admit that the group needs a new strategy.
"Right behind you," she says, and follows Elron.
DM Kathy Monday January 25th, 2021 3:31:11 PM
Realizing that you're having a hard time with these things, you retreat to the next room. The creatures do not follow, but continue flying around the other room. It's difficult to tell, but they seem agitated.
Perception DC 12 Highlight to display spoiler: { Now that the sounds of battle have died down, you realize that you hear something banging. It's faint, and it sounds like it's coming from the east. And was that a voice crying out?}
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant, large (Kim) AC 16 Touch 12 FF14 HP 15/32 d20+5=22 ; d20+3=19 ; Monday January 25th, 2021 4:03:18 PM
"Some clanging in that direction, and a voice calling out!" Mundhildur tells the others.
With a perception of 22, if she figures it's something on the other side of the door she is front of (L9 - i just added coordinate rows and columns), she sees if she can open that door. If a strength check is needed... she has a 19. If the door opens, she looks inside to see what is going on.
If it sounds further down the hall, rather than behind the L9 door, she heads east down the hallway to the right. She slows down to discern whether the noise comes from the right from the room they were in earlier (R10), or rather from the left (S9), near the bats' nest. If she can tell, she does the door check and opening at the appropriate spot.
SteveM - Elron | AC 21, HP 27/36 d20+12=22 ; Monday January 25th, 2021 5:15:06 PM (Perception = 22)
Elron hears the banging and the voice, and figures the noise of their recent battle alerted whoever or whatever to their presence. But with the state and age of this place -- and that the rest of the party's between him and it -- he's not sure he wants to know the state and age of what might be lurking behind the door.
The Twins (Mitch) HP 38/38 AC 20/12/18 Saves +4 Fort/+3 Ref/+1 Will Monday January 25th, 2021 7:23:11 PM
The pair hear the sounds of battle and debate. "Intruders? Rescuers?" one wonders. "Enemies of our enemies of least. Maybe not friends." The other replies. Deciding there's only one way to find out they commence the banging and the calling.
Asimov | Hugh | AC 15/12/13 HP 23/29 d20+7=8 ; Monday January 25th, 2021 11:47:51 PM
(Perception: 8)
Asimov doesn't hear anything but when Elron and Munhildur start acting like they do he follows after them not wanting to be left behind
Zeoll the Greensinger | AC15, 16/16hp | Cayzle Monday January 25th, 2021 11:59:27 PM
Zeoll backs away from the incorporeal foes, hoping they will not follow. He follows Mundhi's direction and heads toward the sounds she has heard.
He continues to keep up his singing, but he adds some words to it:
Therre is a sound therre! Someone needs help! Wherre? Let us investigate!
Honor Bright [AC 19; HP 24/24] (Kathy) d20+3=10 ; Tuesday January 26th, 2021 3:01:08 PM
Honor hears nothing [Perception 10], but if her friends are investigating something, she wants to come along. She steps out into the hallway, ready to follow.
DM Kathy Tuesday January 26th, 2021 4:39:28 PM Mundhildur tries to determine where the sound is coming from. It is east of the door you're in front of, but you know that the other door leads toward the rubble where the bats are, so you start by opening this door.
Old cobweb-covered racks and armor stands dominate much of this small chamber. What must have once been a well-tended armory is now devoid of arms and armor.
The rest of the party follows Mundhildur.
Elsewhere, an adventurer--or possibly two adventurers--continue to bang and yell. It's not clear where they are, but one thing is certain.
The noise got a little louder when Mundhildur opened the door.
And the map. If your character wants to make Perception checks, it's going to be important where they're standing when they make them.
The Twins(Mitch) HP 38/38 AC 20/12/18 Saves +4 Fort/+3 Ref/+1 Will Tuesday January 26th, 2021 7:13:07 PM
The Twins look about their prison. Is their gear in reach? Is there any way for them to free themselves they may have avoided doing while the enemy was alert? Are there guards?
SteveM - Elron | AC 21, HP 27/36 d20+12=26 ; Tuesday January 26th, 2021 7:37:07 PM
Elron moves into the newly opened room, but not far. Too much chance the noise is another body, and not the living kind. (Perception = 26)
Asimov | Hugh | AC 15/12/13 HP 23/29 d20+7=26 ; Wednesday January 27th, 2021 12:59:20 AM
(Percpetion: 26)
Asimov follows Elron and steps into the entranceway of the new room, taking in his surroundings
Zeoll the Greensinger | AC15, 16/16hp | Cayzle d20+6=14 ; Wednesday January 27th, 2021 1:16:23 AM
"Ugh, this place is so tight," says Zeoll as he squeezes into the hallway between Honor and Mundhi. The old liontaur looks around.
Perception 14.
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant, large (Kim) AC 16 Touch 12 FF14 HP 15/32 d20+5=25 ; Wednesday January 27th, 2021 3:28:21 AM
Mundhi squeezes past Zeoll who just squeezed her way. Once inside, she looks and listens. Seems like we are a pretty perceptive group of adventurers at the moment.
Perception: 25 (nat 20)
Honor Bright [AC 19; HP 24/24] (Kathy) Wednesday January 27th, 2021 5:48:25 PM
Honor stays in the hallway, not being terribly perceptive.
DM Kathy Wednesday January 27th, 2021 6:08:09 PM
The Twins take a look around. Your armor, weapons and packs have been removed. You can see them, down the hall from your cell, well out of reach but apparently intact. You have been left in your regular clothing and shoes. Which is kind of nice, because taking off a shoe and banging it on the bars of the cell makes a nice clanging noise.
Elron steps into the room and looks around. You see something gleaming, just poking out from behind one of the weapons racks. You investigate and discover a very nice-looking dagger.
Asimov follows Elron into the room. You also look around, and see something under one of the weapons racks. You investigate, and discover 10 very nice-looking crossbow bolts.
Zeoll has a hard time spotting anything, and Honor doesn't even try.
Mundhildur squeezes into the room and also looks around. Since she went further in, she's the one who discovers the secret door in the northeast corner!
And the map. The secret door is marked with a little blue circle, because I didn't even want to try to make the draw program give me a stylized S.
The Twins(Mitch) HP 38/38 AC 20/12/18 Saves +4 Fort/+3 Ref/+1 Will Wednesday January 27th, 2021 10:04:39 PM
The Twins stop banging for a moment and listen, seeing if they can hear anything from whoever's out there.
SteveM - Elron | AC 21, HP 27/36 Thursday January 28th, 2021 12:00:55 AM
Elron picks up the dagger, not taking his eyes off the corner of the room the banging was coming from.
Zeoll the Greensinger | AC15, 16/16hp | Cayzle Thursday January 28th, 2021 12:25:44 AM
Zeoll ends his song, having used what? 5 rounds of Inspire and before that two of Fascinate. More or less.
He watches closely.
"Someone betterr open that secrret doorr," he calls into the room.
"Go ahead, good sisterr Mundhi!"
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant, large (Kim) AC 16 Touch 12 FF14 HP 15/32 d20+2=3 ; Thursday January 28th, 2021 3:27:06 AM
Having found the secret door, perhaps the secret to opening it has also been discovered by her. If so, she simply opens it. If not, she tries to finesse it (dex check 3 - nat 1). If that's a failure, she asks for Asimov's assistance, "Or anyone else who cares to try."
If it opens, she steps through. "Who is hollering?"
Asimov | Hugh | AC 15/12/13 HP 23/29 d20+8=26 ; Thursday January 28th, 2021 6:20:32 AM
(Perception: 25/26 vs mechanical)
Asimov checks the door for traps
Honor Bright [AC 19; HP 24/24] (Kathy) d20+3=19 ; Thursday January 28th, 2021 2:26:09 PM
Honor remains in the hallway, looking and listening for trouble.
[Perception 19]
DM Kathy Thursday January 28th, 2021 4:10:20 PM Elron grabs the dagger. Zeoll encourages Mundhildur to open the door, while Honor keeps watch in the hallway.
After Asimov reports there are no traps on the door, Mundhildur is able to get it open. You nearly trip over a pile of armor, weapons, and backpacks that has been left just inside the secret door. Beyond it are a series of cells. The one on the end seems to be occupied.
The Twins see the wall at the far end slide away to admit the tallest woman they have ever seen.
And the map. Mitch, if you have an icon that you would like to represent your Twins, please put it on the map. Otherwise I'll find something tomorrow.
Zeoll the Greensinger | AC15, 16/16hp | Cayzle Thursday January 28th, 2021 11:08:12 PM
"Ho, the prrisonerrs!" calls out Zeoll, a middle-aged liontaur. "How came you to this confinement?"
He is wondering if these are miscreants or innocents imprisoned unjustly.
Asimov | Hugh | AC 15/12/13 HP 23/29 Friday January 29th, 2021 12:57:32 AM
Asimov takes the 10 very nice crossbow bolts before following the others through the door. Asimov adds, "I don't suppose you guys know anything about the electric monsters a few doors down, whatever this dead dwarf we found was working on creating when he commited suicide because he ultimately felt he wasn't up to the task or most importantly of all, silver berries, or if there might be any in the vicinity?"
The Twins(Mitch) HP 38/38 AC 20/12/18 Saves +4 Fort/+3 Ref/+1 Will Friday January 29th, 2021 8:00:11 AM
The prisoners are a pair of humans with light brown skin, heavily muscled and nearly identical. One is male and one is female and currently they're down to their underclothing as their armor and magical cloaks were stripped away.
The female one answers first. "We came to explore." she starts. The male, "Someone snuck up on us." "Knocked us out." "Very embarrassing. We didn't get to see much of the area." "Maybe it was the dwarf." "Or maybe more danger lurks here."
SteveM - Elron | AC 21, HP 27/36 Friday January 29th, 2021 11:27:25 AM Let's be direct about this, Elron thinks. From the outside of the cells he shouts to the the prisoners, "Are you dead?"
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant, large (Kim) AC 16 Touch 12 FF14 HP 15/32 Friday January 29th, 2021 1:57:21 PM
Mundhildur, after nearly tripping over the jumbled gear, uses her foot to shove things left and right to clear a pathway. "Who was hollering? You run out of voice?" The 7'4" tall woman with streaked and braided auburn hair makes her way through the room.
[Note: I wrote the above about 15 minutes after DM Kathy's post, but somehow failed to hit 'Submit'. What's below takes into account the posts that followed.]
Once she stands before their cell, she says, "Oh, hello," about the time they answer Zeoll's question, to which she listens. At Elron's shouted query, she calls back, "No, they're not dead. The dead rarely talk, right?"
She looks at them. "Are you twins? Or just brother and sister? I probably don't have to ask if you want out of here, right?"
Honor Bright [AC 19; HP 24/24] (Kathy) Friday January 29th, 2021 3:47:57 PM
Given the new developments, Honor wants in the room now. She squeezes past Zeoll with a quick "excuse me."
Discretely, she uses her Detect Evil ability on the newcomers.
Zeoll the Greensinger | AC15, 16/16hp | Cayzle Friday January 29th, 2021 8:24:09 PM
Zeoll whispers to Honor, "Easeplay ecjchay orrfay evilway!"
"Oh, neverr mind my dearr, if you alrready have."
DM Kathy Friday January 29th, 2021 10:45:42 PM Zeoll calls out to the prisoners, asking how they came to be there.
The Twins, speaking in an odd sort of unison, explain that they were exploring when they were knocked out.
Elron wonders if they are dead, but Mundhildur doesn't think so.
Honor wonders if they are evil, but keeps the thought to herself. They do not detect as evil.
As she moves toward the Twins' cell, Mundhildur can see that perhaps Elron's question was more relevant than it seemed. The other cells contain skeletons--dwarven skeletons, from the look of them.
The Twins(Mitch) HP 38/38 AC 24/12/22 Saves +4 Fort/+3 Ref/+1 Will Saturday January 30th, 2021 5:24:10 AM
(When I leveled to 3 to match party forgot to buy items. Got a +1 full plate, updated header)
The Twins answer the question in a strangely formal way, like reciting a prayer or ritual practiced since youth. "We are light and dark." "Hot and cold." "Peace and war." "We are the Twins." The way they say the word 'twins' makes it clear it's a title, not just a statement of fact.
"We are on a journey to spread our faith." "Our culture." "and learn of others to bring home." "Will you free us, or leave us?"
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant, large (Kim) AC 16 Touch 12 FF14 HP 15/32 Saturday January 30th, 2021 12:43:45 PM
"Tell you what. We are looking for silverberries to help heal a sick little girl. Sure, we'll free you. We don't want you to turn into bones too soon, like the poor dwarfs in these other cells.
"If you're not too busy after we get you out, might you be interested in helping us find those berries? They are supposed to be around here somewhere. Oh, my name is Mundhildur, by the way. Mundhildur Karadottir. You can tell us about your faith once we find the keys, or otherwise figure out how to open the cage."
SteveM - Elron | AC 21, HP 27/36 Saturday January 30th, 2021 5:34:40 PM They must've been locked up here before we arrived, or we'd have noticed something, Elron thinks. "Bash it open," he suggests to Mundhildur -- by now she must realize that bashing is always the answer -- "An' give 'em some food. They must be starvin'. An' you know what seven days o' starvin' does -- it makes one weak."
Asimov | Hugh | AC 15/12/13 HP 23/29 d20+8=25 ; Monday February 1st, 2021 12:20:02 AM
Asimov says, "Wait" to Munhidur and then tries to pick the lock on the door of the twins's cell. (25 / 26 if mechanical)
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant, large (Kim) AC 16 Touch 12 FF14 HP 15/32 Monday February 1st, 2021 11:36:46 AM
The Jotun smiles at Elron. "Bashing is fine in its place and time, my fine feathered friend. If keys or Asimov's skillful picking don't work, then it's time for bashing - or a good crowbar."
She takes two apples out of her bag. "Munch on these while we work on that freedom thing for you," she tells the twins as she hands them through the bars. "You have names?" Mundhildur already gave them hers, and she figures the others can introduce themselves when they decide to.
Honor Bright [AC 19; HP 24/24] (Kathy) Monday February 1st, 2021 1:18:00 PM
Honor decides the little jail is crowded enough without her shoving in. Now that she knows the Twins are not evil, she is content to wait.
But she never was any good at Pig High Woldian, so she can't tell Zeoll everything's fine. She hopes he can deduce it.
DM Kathy Monday February 1st, 2021 4:24:37 PM
The Twins introduce themselves simply as the Twins. Mundhildur asks whether they have names.
Elron advices bashing the cell door open, but Asimov believes he can finesse the lock. When you get to the cell door, you find that either bashing or finessing would have worked. The padlock on the door seems new, but the hasp--and indeed some of the bars--are very rusty and about to crumble away altogether. The Twins probably could have busted their way out eventually.
Asimov is able to pick the lock, and the Twins are free.
Zeoll the Greensinger | AC15, 16/16hp | Cayzle Monday February 1st, 2021 10:30:22 PM
"Of courrse we'rre frreeing you! And welcome to the team," says Zeoll. "I am Zeoll, and this is Honorr, Asimov, Elrron, and Munhildurr."
The liontaur tries to help restore any gear that belongs to these two people.
SteveM - Elron | AC 21, HP 27/36 Tuesday February 2nd, 2021 12:09:33 AM "Pleased to meet ya. Say, you didn't happen to see no silver berries before you was clobbered, did ya? And sorry, Ah didn't happen to catch your names."
Asimov | Hugh | AC 15/12/13 HP 23/29 Tuesday February 2nd, 2021 1:15:24 AM
Asimov says to the Twins, "Are you folks from around here or did you come from somewhere else like I did?"
The Twins(Mitch) HP 38/38 AC 24/12/22 Saves +4 Fort/+3 Ref/+1 Will Tuesday February 2nd, 2021 6:12:29 AM "We are the Twins." "Two bodies, one being." "One whole, two halves." "Each half no more named then you would name your arms or eyes."
The two go to put on their armor which hides what little physical variation there was between the two. One wears a deep blue cloak, the other a bright red. "We are from far, far away." "Many years have we traveled to come here." "We have not seen the object of your quest." "Or any other berries."
Honor Bright [AC 19; HP 24/24] (Kathy) Tuesday February 2nd, 2021 1:57:50 PM
"Well, it's nice to meet you," Honor says. "As Mundhildur said, we're looking for berries from a silverberry vine, but so far we haven't found any berries. Or any vines for that matter. Would you care to help us?"
DM Kathy Tuesday February 2nd, 2021 4:22:09 PM
There are introductions all around. The Twins appear to have no name other than the Twins. The party's current quest is explained, and the Twins are freed from their cell and given back their gear.
In the other cells, the dwarven skeletons continue to lie quietly. You know that to the west is a room with two blobs of electrical energy flying about. To the east are ruins with bats. Somewhere to the south is a tower full of spiders.
What would you like to do next?
SteveM - Elron | AC 21, HP 27/36 d20+12=19 ; Tuesday February 2nd, 2021 6:01:50 PM "Knew a man with a wooden leg named Jonesy." While they're in the jail, Elron figures he might as well look around as best he can. (Perception = 19)"Never did learn the name of his other leg." Of course, after the twins set him up like that, Elron's joke was as obvious as night is dark. He doesn't bother to tell them that's a joke and they should laugh.
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant, large (Kim) AC 16 Touch 12 FF14 HP 15/32 Tuesday February 2nd, 2021 11:46:09 PM
With the cloaks, Mundhi notes which twin went with which (male - blue or red? female - red or blue?).
"Let us free these poor dead dwarfs, and give their remains a decent burial. And check to see if anything left behind may be of use - though that is doubtful. Then - well, I am thinking there likely may be something either in the spider room, or the room with the glowy electrical balls. Maybe we'll find something among the bats in the next spot over, among the rubble they sleep in.
"You Twins want to know what we've found so far?"
If they say yes, then she takes a couple of minutes to give them a quick rundown on the rooms and what was found - and is happy to have any other members of the group add in details or their perspectives.
"Also, I got some hearty stings from those glowing orbs. Could stand some rest, healing." She looks moderately beat up (down slightly more than 1/2 her hit points).
Asimov | Hugh | AC 15/12/13 HP 23/29 Wednesday February 3rd, 2021 2:30:39 AM
Asimov says, "Why not we gave one dead dwarf a decent burial. We might as well give them all a decent burial. The question is will we ever find the berries we are looking for and will the twins have better luck fighting those electrical creatures or am I going to have to figure out how to take them out with my devices and not die in the process?"
The Twins(Mitch) HP 38/38 AC 24/12/22 Saves +4 Fort/+3 Ref/+1 Will Wednesday February 3rd, 2021 6:56:51 AM "Oh we met him." His other leg was named Mary." "A very strange man." Is their response to Elrond. It's hard to tell if they're not getting the joke or making one of their own.
Mundhildur gets the feeling the Twins are being deliberately obtuse. They can't really get privacy in the room to change, but still go out of their way to make it difficult to tell which changed into which set of armor and cloak. You're pretty sure the female has the red cloak.
The Twins are quite happy to help with the burials and do inquire about the dangers the party has seen, explaining they didn't get to see much of anything before being captured.
Honor Bright [AC 19; HP 24/24] (Kathy) Wednesday February 3rd, 2021 1:56:30 PM
"Well, I'm all for a decent burial," Honor says. "Where should we start?"
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant, large (Kim) AC 16 Touch 12 FF14 HP 15/32 Wednesday February 3rd, 2021 3:40:24 PM
"Where the other dwarf was buried, I should think," responds Mundhildur to Honor. She takes her versatile blanket, and begins to place each lost prisoner's bones within, wrapping one along the edge, blanket tucked over that, then the next one, and so on. How many total skeletons are there?
When ready, she heads with the others to the new cemetery.
DM Kathy Wednesday February 3rd, 2021 4:43:49 PM Elron cracks a joke, which falls a little flat when the Twins answer. Did they get his joke? Or is it that he didn't get their joke?
Mundhildur suggests a rest, after burying the dead dwarves. Asimov seems to concur. Honor asks where to start.
Mundhildur grabs her trusty blanket, but then your DM has to hit pause to ask, no, really, where are you starting? As in which cell?
In the first cell is a single dwarf skeleton, chained to the wall. Its jaw appears to be broken. Did that happen before or after death?
In the second cell are two skeletons, also chained. One dwarf's spine appears to have been severed--or maybe the bones were just knocked about after death. It's hard to say. The other skeleton's arms and legs are at an odd angle.
In the third cell is one skeleton, not chained, lying peacefully on its cot.
The locks are rusty and in pretty bad shape, so opening the cells really shouldn't be an issue. So, which one do you open first?
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant, large (Kim) AC 16 Touch 12 FF14 HP 15/32 d20+5=6 ; d20+5=19 ; d20+5=18 ; Wednesday February 3rd, 2021 5:11:27 PM
Mundhi decides to look at the broken jaw fellow in the first cell. She looks first up to the ceiling to see if anything may have fallen from there, then down at the floor to see if perhaps a fair-sized block of stone may have landed on his jaw. Then she tries to slam open the doorway. Whoa - bad footing the first time (nat 1). She brushes off her dress, lines up better, and the second attempt easily breaks open the door (I think - 19).
"Someone more nimble than I want to examine the fellow?" she asks, and stands aside to let who desires check out Broken Jaw more.
Then she'll go look over the 2nd one - or pair within. Perception 18.
Zeoll the Greensinger | AC15, 16/16hp | Cayzle d20+7=19 ; d20=4 ; Wednesday February 3rd, 2021 11:24:56 PM
Zeoll is fearful that the bones may rise as undead, and he warns his friends just in case.
He watches for any indication that they are more than just dead bones. Maybe they have a smell of necromancy to them?
Perception 19.
Then he helps to open doors, though he is not strong as he was in his youth. Roll to aid another with Str checks: 4 ... not so much.
Asimov | Hugh | AC 15/12/13 HP 23/29 d20+7=16 ; d20+8=27 ; Thursday February 4th, 2021 1:01:19 AM
(Perception: 16) (Disable Device: 27 / 28 if mechanical)
Asimov moves to the cell with the bones of the dwarf by the broken jaw. He opens the door and searches the cell before attempting to help Mundhi with her blanket.
The Twins(Mitch) HP 38/38 AC 24/12/22 Saves +4 Fort/+3 Ref/+1 Will Thursday February 4th, 2021 5:30:21 AM
The Twins see no reason to remove the skeletons one at a time and they force open the 3rd cell to retrieve that corpse.
SteveM - Elron | AC 21, HP 27/36 Thursday February 4th, 2021 8:07:25 AM
Elron helps gather the bones, initially somewhat diffidently as he halfway thinks they may start to move, and placing each skeleton in its own pile on the blanket.
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant, large (Kim) AC 16 Touch 12 FF14 HP 15/32 d20+5=24 ; Thursday February 4th, 2021 11:23:49 AM
"Let's look over the cells to see if there are any little things that help us know what happened. Probably no berries here, but, well, look to see."
Perception 24 to examine the first room closely.
Zeoll the Greensinger | AC15, 16/16hp | Cayzle d20+7=26 ; Thursday February 4th, 2021 4:38:12 PM
"Good idea, Mundhi," says Zeoll, helping to look around.
Perception 26!
Honor Bright [AC 19; HP 24/24] (Kathy) Thursday February 4th, 2021 6:58:57 PM
Honor moves into the little prison to help.
DM Kathy d20+3=14 ; d20+3=23 ; d20+3=14 ; d3=3 ; d3=2 ; Thursday February 4th, 2021 7:22:58 PM Mundhildur decides to begin with the broken-jawed dwarf. You don't see anything that would account for the broken jaw--unless, of course, his captors had tormented him before he died. She breaks open the door.
From the next room, Zeoll calls out to be careful, since the bones might come to life!
Meanwhile, the Twins open the third cell as Honor moves into the prison area.
Zeoll was only partially right. The bones stay where they are. It is the straw that jumps up to attack! From each cell, a strange-looking animated clump of straw rushes forward. One targets Mundhildur, but misses. The other targets Honor, and hits! Honor takes 2 points of non-lethal damage.
And the map. You are responsible for your character's positioning. If you state actions that are not possible where you are currently standing, they will be ignored.
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant, large (Kim) AC 16 Touch 12 FF14 HP 15/32 d20+5=20 ; d20+5=23 ; d8+3=5 ; d8+3=10 ; Thursday February 4th, 2021 7:49:26 PM
Auburn braids swing left as the Jotun slams once (AC 20 5hp dam) then right as she slams the straw person again (AC 23 10 hp dam). "It's a Strawman Attack!" she logically infers aloud.
Asimov | Hugh | AC 15/12/13 HP 23/29 Friday February 5th, 2021 12:02:09 AM
Asimov moves up to the open door of the cell room and starts assembling chompy (takes a full round)
moves: move action - move standard action - start building chompy (will finish next round)
The Twins(Mitch) HP 38/38 AC 24/12/22 Saves +4 Fort/+3 Ref/+1 Will d20+7=21 ; d6=6 ; d6=1 ; Friday February 5th, 2021 7:20:30 AM
(I love the picture you got for me. Stick figures FTW!)
In an instant the blue cloaked twin has a greatsword out and swinging at the monster even as the red twin drops their bundle. (21 to hit, 12 damage)
SteveM - Elron | AC 21, HP 27/36 d20+6=23 ; d4=4 ; Friday February 5th, 2021 8:35:06 AM
Elron steps into the cell between those the creatures are in and whaps the one attacking Mundhildur.
Hits AC 23 for 4 damage
Once he has some idea how the bars affect his attacks, he will adjust tactics.
Honor Bright [AC 19; HP 22/24] (Kathy) d20+7=15 ; d8=7 ; Friday February 5th, 2021 8:21:54 PM
Honor is startled, but not so startled she can't draw Virtue and take a slash at the straw creature.
[Hit AC 15 for 10 damage.]
DM Kathy d20+3=5 ; d20+3=9 ; d20+3=17 ; Friday February 5th, 2021 8:46:50 PM Mundhildur slams her straw opponent. Her blows hit, but don't seem to do a lot of damage. In fact, the first blow does no damage at all; the springy straw bounces right back.
By contrast, the Twins' sword strike seems to do full damage, and splits the straw creature in two.
At the other end of the prison, Virtue is also effective, though the straw creature still clings to life.
Asimov begins assembling Chompy.
Elron opens the middle cell, intending to help Mundhildur. Instead, he awakens more straw-creatures! He whaps one of them, only to find that, like Mundhildur, he is unable to damage the creature.
Meanwhile, the two new creatures attack Elron, but miss. Honor's opponent attacks her, and also misses.
Zeoll the Greensinger | AC15, 16/16hp | Cayzle Saturday February 6th, 2021 12:43:49 PM
Zeoll starts singing, offering his friends a +1 to attacks and damage.
The Twins(Mitch) HP 38/38 AC 24/12/22 Saves +4 Fort/+3 Ref/+1 Will Saturday February 6th, 2021 10:19:07 PM ”Blades work.” One twin says. ”Use this.” the other calls and throws the greatsword to Elron. The other twin draws a sword and shield they move to help.
SteveM - Elron | AC 21, HP 27/36 d20+5=12 ; d20+5=10 ; d4=3 ; d4=2 ; Sunday February 7th, 2021 7:02:43 PM
As the Twins toss him a massive five-foot long sword that would a larger creature would require both hands to wield, Elron sets it aside. "If'n I need a blade, I'll use th' double chicken saber," he calls out. Meanwhile, since whappin' won't work on these things, he tries ripping and tearing with his bare hands. "Anybody got a torch?" he adds.
Flurry of blows: Hits AC 12 for 3 damage Hits AC 10 for 2 damage
Asimov | Hugh | AC 15/12/13 HP 23/29 d20+3=9 ; d3=1 ; d20+3=12 ; d3=3 ; Sunday February 7th, 2021 11:48:55 PM
Asimov finishes Chompy and it takes a 5 foot step before attacking the straw creature attacking Honor.
9 vs AC (1 damage if that hits) 12 vs AC (3 damage if that hits)
AC 16 Touch 12 FF 15 HP 21 Speed 20 ft Hardness 5 Immune: construct traits Fort +0, Ref +1, Will -5 2 slams +3 (1d3)
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant, large (Kim) AC 16 Touch 12 FF14 HP 15/32 d20+5=9 ; Monday February 8th, 2021 2:45:36 AM
Mundhildur switches to using her longspear against the mobile straw, but fails to connect well this time. (AC 9)
Honor Bright [AC 19; HP 22/24] (Kathy) d20+8=18 ; d8=5 ; Monday February 8th, 2021 4:48:08 PM
If Chompy's attack hasn't done the trick, Honor slashes again at the straw monster.
[Hit AC 18 for 9 damage.]
DM Kathy d20+3=10 ; d20+3=22 ; d3=3 ; d3=1 ; Monday February 8th, 2021 5:17:06 PM Zeoll provides his friends some moral support.
The Twins toss a greatsword to Elron, then get out their sword and shield and move to help.
Elron is an impressive size for a rooster, but he still clocks in at Small, so a Medium greatsword is too big for him. Instead, he tries a flurry of blows, but both miss.
Asimov deploys Chompy, but it also misses its target. [OOC: Does Chompy do slashing damage or piercing damage? Or something else?]
Mundhildur also misses her attack.
Honor does not miss, and slays her foe.
The two remaining straw creatures attack Elron. One hits, for 1 point of nonlethal damage.
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant, large (Kim) AC 16 Touch 12 FF14 HP 15/32 d20+5=6 ; Monday February 8th, 2021 5:45:30 PM
So, is she getting so accustomed to slamming, that she no longer can effectively slash with her longspear? Apparently so this time - it may be the iron bars she is trying to attack through provide interference. (attack nat 1)
SteveM - Elron | AC 21, HP 27/36 d20+4=22 ; d4+2=5 ; d6+2=6 ; Monday February 8th, 2021 7:40:56 PM
Elron is getting upset by his inability to get a purchase on the things, and much as he hates to admit it, whappin' just isn't going to work here. . . He pulls out the double chicken saber and has at it.
Rage 1/6 Elron's AC is 19 while raging Attack hits AC 22 for 5 damage -- assuming the saber is small, 6 damage if it is medium. (The attack already includes non-proficiency)
The Twins(Mitch) HP 38/38 AC 24/12/22 Saves +4 Fort/+3 Ref/+1 Will d20+6=26 ; d20+6=11 ; d8=7 ; d8=8 ; Monday February 8th, 2021 8:32:49 PM
(Bah I specifically looked for who could use the sword with proficiency and somehow missed his size.)
The twins move into the cage next to the creatures and cleave deeply into one of them (26, crit, 11 to confirm, 10 damage, 21 if crit)
Asimov | Hugh | AC 15/12/13 HP 23/29 d20+3=11 ; d3=2 ; d20=11 ; d3+1=2 ; Tuesday February 9th, 2021 12:24:17 AM
(OOC: Chompy does bludgeoning damage with his slams)
Chompy moves forward and attacks the straw creature attacking Elron (11 vs AC; 2 damage)
Asimov moves up and fires a round from his acid pistol at one of the straw creatures (12 vs touch AC; 2 acid damage) (OOC: forgot Zeoll's singing bonus)
Chompy stats: AC 16 Touch 12 FF 15 HP 21 Speed 20 ft Hardness 5 Immune: construct traits Fort +0, Ref +1, Will -5 2 slams +3 (1d3)
Zeoll the Greensinger | AC15, 16/16hp | Cayzle Tuesday February 9th, 2021 8:17:43 AM
Zeoll continues singing, but he sees no way to get into the tightly spaced fight, so he just readies a paw swipe in the off chance that an enemy comes his way.
Honor Bright [AC 19; HP 22/24] (Kathy) d20+8=28 ; d20+8=23 ; d8=6 ; d8=6 ; Tuesday February 9th, 2021 2:11:43 PM
Honor moves into the cell so she can attack the straw monster in the cell next door.
[Hit AC 28, critical threat, confirmed to AC 23 for 10 damage or 20 damage if these things can be critted.]
DM Kathy Tuesday February 9th, 2021 3:57:10 PM
The battle continues. Mundhildur is having trouble bringing her spear to bear.
Elron switches to the double chicken saber, and this time when he hits the creature he does damage.
Asimov fires his pistol, but the straw monster is small and nimble, and the acid splashes harmlessly to the stones. Chompy is likewise unsuccessful.
The Twins hit one of the straw creatures and do damage, but these things appear immune to critical hits.
Honor hits her target--the same one Elron struck--and finishes it off.
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant, large (Kim) AC 16 Touch 12 FF14 HP 15/32 d20+5=10 ; Tuesday February 9th, 2021 5:04:49 PM
Mundhildur misses again.
SteveM - Elron | AC 21, HP 27/36 d20+5=20 ; d4+3=5 ; d6+3=5 ; Tuesday February 9th, 2021 5:18:25 PM
Buoyed by his last success, Elron swings again.
Rage 2/6 Elron's AC is 19 while raging Attack hits AC 20 for 5 damage -- whether the saber is small or medium, this time remembering Zeoll. (The attack includes non-proficiency)
Asimov | Hugh | AC 15/12/13 HP 23/29 d20=17 ; d3+1=4 ; d20+3=17 ; d3=1 ; Wednesday February 10th, 2021 1:23:09 AM
Chompy and Asimov move and attack, chompy with a slam and asimov with another round from his acid pistol thingamabob
Asimov (18 vs touch; 4 acid damage) Chompy (17 vs AC; 1 bludgeoning if that hits)
Chompy stats: AC 16 Touch 12 FF 15 HP 21 Speed 20 ft Hardness 5 Immune: construct traits Fort +0, Ref +1, Will -5 2 slams +3 (1d3)
The Twins(Mitch) HP 38/38 AC 24/12/22 Saves +4 Fort/+3 Ref/+1 Will d20+6=16 ; d8=4 ; Wednesday February 10th, 2021 9:27:35 AM
The Twins press the attack on the last enemy. (16 to hit 7 damage)
Honor Bright [AC 19; HP 22/24] (Kathy) Wednesday February 10th, 2021 3:44:00 PM
Honor can't reach the remaining foe from where she is, so she moves back to the door.
DM Kathy Wednesday February 10th, 2021 4:51:05 PM Mundhildur misses, and Honor can't reach the battle at all, but it ends up not mattering.
Between Asimov's acid shot, Elron's slash with the chicken saber, and the Twins' sword, the final straw creature collapses. The enemy is defeated.
The Twins(Mitch) HP 38/38 AC 24/12/22 Saves +4 Fort/+3 Ref/+1 Will Wednesday February 10th, 2021 9:55:38 PM
The Twins stay alert for several seconds before relaxing and sheathing their weapons. Then they go talk to Elron. "Our apologies." "We should have thrown you the short sword." "You're giant friend threw off our sense of size."
Zeoll the Greensinger | AC15, 16/16hp | Cayzle Wednesday February 10th, 2021 11:52:45 PM
Zeoll stops singing and calls his congratulations into the room. "Also, what was in therre? What do you guys see?"
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant, large (Kim) AC 16 Touch 12 FF14 HP 15/32 Thursday February 11th, 2021 4:03:56 AM
Since the bedding is quelled, Mundhildur carries out what she earlier had planned to do - examine the skeletons and surroundings, trying to suss out what may have happened to them, their immediate environment, and how they likely may have died. Then wrapping the bones within her blanket as stated earlier, that the group may then take them out for burial. She wonders whether they simply may have starved to death. She feels very sorry for them, and prays their souls find rest. Or judgment, if that is considered by those who handle such things the better course.
Asimov | Hugh | AC 15/12/13 HP 23/29 d20+7=13 ; d20+7=12 ; d20+7=25 ; Thursday February 11th, 2021 4:31:00 AM
(Perception: 13; 12; 25)
Asimov goes to each of the straw piles and pokes around in the remains
SteveM - Elron | AC 21, HP 27/36 Thursday February 11th, 2021 1:22:28 PM
Elron retrieves the greatsword and hands it to the Twins. He's curious to see which one takes it. "No problem. I prefer bashin' things to cutitn' 'em anyways."
He asks the rest of the group "D'ya think that witch from the swamp also came here?", although they never actually saw who owned the cabin with the animated guardians.
Honor Bright [AC 19; HP 22/24] (Kathy) Thursday February 11th, 2021 2:33:02 PM
Honor is not very perceptive, and anyway it's a little crowded in here, so she makes her way back into the larger room, just in case something decides to come after the group.
DM Kathy Thursday February 11th, 2021 5:43:28 PM
The Twins retrieve their weapons. Elron is happy to return the greatsword, feeling that, on the whole, whappin' is preferable to slicing.
Mundhildur returns to her previous mission--gathering the bones for a decent burial. As she goes about her task, Asimov notices that one of the skeletons has a copper ring on its finger.
Mundhildur can tell that the skeletons with damage were injured--probably tortured--before death. It is unclear what killed them.
Zeoll congratulates the group while Honor keeps watch.
The bones are gathered. Would you like to bury them with the other dwarf, or do you have other plans?
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant, large (Kim) AC 16 Touch 12 FF14 HP 15/32 Thursday February 11th, 2021 7:14:44 PM
"Shall we let the bones of the dwarfs be gathered in one burial spot, as we laid the first one down?" asks Mundhildur. If there is more to do here, she will wait.
If not, then she will bear out within the blanket the carefully wrapped bones, help dig a new grave, and sing a sad song for the dead.
Asimov | Hugh | AC 15/12/13 HP 23/29 d20+10=14 ; d20+10=16 ; d20+8=23 ; Friday February 12th, 2021 1:50:06 AM
Asimov picks up the ring and uses his 0th level magic detecting thingamabob on it. He also appraises the ring.
He says, "Let me check out this ring and then I see no reason not to use the place we used last time."
The Twins(Mitch) HP 38/38 AC 24/12/22 Saves +4 Fort/+3 Ref/+1 Will Friday February 12th, 2021 7:22:00 AM
The Twin in the blue cloak takes it. They're also the one who threw it to Elron. Seeing no reason for their plans to have changed they get ready to help burry the bones as the group was doing before the fight.
SteveM - Elron | AC 21, HP 27/36 Friday February 12th, 2021 10:37:20 AM
Once again, Elron is willing to help with the burial but contributes no ideas how best to show their respects. He stays quiet and assumes things will be much like the last time.
Honor Bright [AC 19; HP 22/24] (Kathy) Friday February 12th, 2021 2:36:29 PM
As they head out to bury the dwarves, Honor once again digs out the dwarven hymnal to Domi. She'll help dig if asked.
Zeoll the Greensinger | AC15, 16/16hp | Cayzle Friday February 12th, 2021 2:48:28 PM
Zeoll thinks that laying these dwarves to rest in the same spot seems respectful to him. He helps with the digging and the hymn.
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant, large (Kim) AC 16 Touch 12 FF14 HP 15/32 Friday February 12th, 2021 10:38:19 PM
"Honor, help me dig." Mundhildur holds out a metal rod. "Here's a crowbar."
DM Kathy Friday February 12th, 2021 11:24:05 PM
The Twins reclaim their greatsword. Asimov examines the ring and finds it is a Ring of Sustenance.
Mundhildur finishes gathering the bones, and the group troops back outside to lay them to rest.
This time, digging is a bit easier, since you just dug a grave here. Honor and Elron help dig, then Honor and Zeoll sing a hymn in dwarven to the fallen.
You still have the spider tower, the bat rubble, and the room with the strange glowing things to explore. Some of your resources are depleted. Do you rest, or resume your explorations? And if you resume, where do you go first?
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant, large (Kim) AC 16 Touch 12 FF14 HP 15/32 Saturday February 13th, 2021 1:03:29 AM
Mundhi harmonizes with Honor and Zeoll in the dwarven hymn to the fallen, and beats a rhythm with the butt of her longspear. She shakes out her utility blanket afterwards, folds and rolls it.
"What if we look on the roof of this place? Maybe there are berries growing there. Or spiders can attack us up there." If no one takes interest in looking at the roof, she says, "I say, let us rest, heal, and think about how to deal with the spiders. Once we are ready, since I have three large blankets, we could cover this one in oil, and kick up much smoke in their area. They won't be affected like bees by smoke I expect, but it might make them whoozy."
SteveM - Elron | AC 21, HP 27/36 Sunday February 14th, 2021 5:11:29 PM
Elron hasn't seen the bat room, and remembers the glowing things better than the spiders. Besides, he's all for trying to smoke the spiders out as long as there's a shaded area they can run to where he isn't. He suggests they try the tower again next.
The Twins(Mitch) HP 38/38 AC 24/12/22 Saves +4 Fort/+3 Ref/+1 Will Sunday February 14th, 2021 9:37:25 PM
The Twins didn't get much chance to examine the place before their capture so listen to the other's descriptions of places they've yet to explore. "Fire is good for webs." "Burn them out, catch them at the entrance to the tower." is their suggestion.
Asimov | Hugh | AC 15/12/13 HP 23/29 Monday February 15th, 2021 12:51:33 AM
Asimov puts the ring on.
He says, "I thought we were gonna fight the spiders so the only thingamabobs I prepared where fire gloves. Otherwise we could rest and I could prepare more medihalers."
Honor Bright [AC 19; HP 22/24] (Kathy) Monday February 15th, 2021 1:25:39 PM
"We're looking for vines and berries, so we want to be careful with fire," Honor says. "But if we think we have a plan for the spiders, we should try it. I'm out of healing, though, until we rest again."
DM Kathy Monday February 15th, 2021 2:08:43 PM
There doesn't seem to be a consensus on what to do next. Mundhildur suggests resting.
Elron, the Twins, and Asimov are keen to try the spider tower, especially since Asimov prepared for it today.
Honor just advises caution with whatever the group decides.
The discussion continues
SteveM - Elron | AC 21, HP 27/36 d20=10 ; d20=12 ; d20=11 ; d20=7 ; Monday February 15th, 2021 11:26:11 PM "Mundhi has taken the worst o' th' fightin'. If she needs to rest, we rest. We can plan our assault on th' tower and start again in th' mornin'."
Unfortunately, Elron cannot contribute to the healing anyone might need, other than the small chance of treating deadly wounds. (No successful rolls.)
Asimov | Hugh | AC 15/12/13 HP 23/29 Tuesday February 16th, 2021 12:47:42 AM
Asimov says, "As I said I'm out of healing as I didn't prepare any. Should I prepare all healing tomorrow or a mix of fire and healing?"
The Twins(Mitch) HP 38/38 AC 24/12/22 Saves +4 Fort/+3 Ref/+1 Will Tuesday February 16th, 2021 7:21:11 AM
The twins agree that resting seems a good idea.
Zeoll the Greensinger | AC15, 16/16hp | Cayzle d20+11=28 ; d20+11=31 ; Tuesday February 16th, 2021 8:16:31 AM
"Well, therre is still light in the day," says Zeoll. "I'd like to rrule out the rroof. Do we have any way to just look up therre?"
Since we are already outside after the burials, Zeoll looks for trees that are tall enough for a climber to be able to see the top of the roof from the upper branches.
Then he puts his greensinger abilities to good use. He uses fascinate and beast-soother to attract and befriend a local bird or small climbing animal.
Perform Song with Guidance 28, 31
Then, using his domain ability to speak with animals, Zeoll asks the creature to take a look and report back as to whether there are plants or berries growing on the roof of the keep.
Honor Bright [AC 19; HP 22/24] (Kathy) Tuesday February 16th, 2021 11:50:43 AM
"Well, I can heal," Honor tells Asimov. "But I can't shoot fire or acid. So I'd prefer to have you keep preparing those things. But it's up to you."
DM Kathy Tuesday February 16th, 2021 4:00:42 PM
On balance, you decide that resting is your best bet.
Zeoll sends a sparrow to scout the roof. She comes back and tells you that there are no plants up there, just moss.
Asimov and Honor have a brief conversation about strategy and what to prepare for the next day's adventures.
As a reminder: those damaged by the glowing electrical things took nonlethal damage, which should heal in a few hours.
Your rest is uneventful, and you can prepare for new adventures today.
SteveM - Elron | AC 21, HP 33/36 Tuesday February 16th, 2021 9:51:15 PM Before fighting the krak'len Elron was at 30 hp, so after a night's rest he's at 33.
In the morning, Elron's ready to search some more and thinks they more or less settled on the tower as the place to start. "Not that there ain't some myst'ry to th' krak'lens bein' there, but I'd prefer to try th' less thinky things first."
Asimov | Hugh | AC 15/12/13 HP 29/29 Wednesday February 17th, 2021 1:23:21 AM
Asimov spends the next morning preparing his devices.
For thingamabobs he makes the corrosive pistol, light emitter, magic detector and food detoxifier.
For 1st level devices he makes 2 flaming gloves (burning hands) and 2 fire handling gloves (produce flame) thinking back to the caution about burning down the keep he thinks it is probably a good idea to have flames he can target and an area of effect flame attack.
He says, "I made a food detoxifier. If you want to try to stick that sickly berry we found in it, we can"
The Twins(Mitch) HP 38/38 AC 24/12/22 Saves +4 Fort/+3 Ref/+1 Will Wednesday February 17th, 2021 6:26:24 AM
The Twins watch Asimov's preparations with great interest. Fascinating." "We have never seen such devices before."
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant, large (Kim) AC 16 Touch 12 FF14 HP 27/32 Wednesday February 17th, 2021 2:39:03 PM
As they choose to try to get some rest after the burial service, Mundhildur takes another of her large woolen blankets. She works on cutting, sewing, shaping it. It being somewhat thick material, and spiders being little bitey critters, it might serve as a barrier to preclude or mitigate some of the sorts of spider bites she got a day before. She also adds some pull strings (unbraiding a few feet of rope to obtain cordage) at wrists and ankles, and a belt. Her head and hands will remain uncovered. Rather than making a dress of it, she cuts and sews pants. Her feet are shod with leather shoes. She asks the Twins for help in checking the quality of the sewing job.
"When I get moving around, this is going to be hot to wear," Mundhi comments. "This is not my most pretty clothing. But I hope it will help around the spiders. I plan to get it wet, so that if we have fire we're using, I'll be less likely to catch fire." She sees how well she can move while wearing, makes certain that she is not going to be splitting seams.
In the morning she says, "I feel much better now." (She's down 5 hp, rather than 17 as before).
"I have an iron pot. How about we get a fire going, and put the burning wood inside of it to make smoke, and try to sweep spiders into it? Maybe one or two of us should see if smoke works against them before we fully commit, because if it does not affect them much, then maybe we should not spend too much time messing with it. Besides, if it gets too thick, it could hurt us. I don't know. What do you all think?"
Honor Bright [AC 19; HP 24/24] (Kathy) Wednesday February 17th, 2021 4:28:09 PM
Honor helps set up camp, and stands a watch. Her nonlethal damage heals overnight.
She tries to help with the spider preparations, but has nothing to add. Basically, if it can't be hit with a sword, she has nothing to offer.
DM Kathy Wednesday February 17th, 2021 5:47:17 PM
You awaken, strike camp, and make preparations. Asimov prepares more fire devices. Mundhildur improvises a garment, and suggests using her cooking pot to capture and roast some spiders.
From the sound of things, you have decided on the tower as your first order of business. You remember where it is. The door to the tower still sticks, but not as badly as before. You are able to get it open.
Once again, you are looking at crates and barrels covered in thick webs. A rickety staircase ascends to a trapdoor.
From the doorway, you see no spiders. But you know they're there. Well, they were there yesterday, so you assume.
Please use the map if your character moves or does anything.
SteveM - Elron | AC 21, HP 33/36 Wednesday February 17th, 2021 8:15:16 PM
Elron peers in through the door and tries to estimate how long it would take him to reach the trap door -- he's probably the lightest in the group and least likely to have the staircase give way. He steps back to make sure the trap door goes into another chamber, and not to the roof.
"I'm still thinkin' that if we stand in th' sun and they have a shady spot to go to, we could try smokin' 'em out without too much worry."
Asimov | Hugh | AC 15/12/13 HP 29/29 d20+4=10 ; d6+3=8 ; Thursday February 18th, 2021 1:28:37 AM
Asimov says, "Let me assemble chompy and send it spider hunting. It is a small construct after all so we might be able to lure some spiders out to attack it while we attack the spiders from a distance."
"I have fire handling gloves now so I can lob 3 balls of flame per glove at the spiders."
Asimov starts assembling chompy.
If he can take the full round action he will completely assemble it. If his friends are on board with the plan he'd like to open the door and send Chompy in to poke around while readying an action to use a fire handling glove to hurl a small ball of flame at the first spider to rear its ugly head.
readied attack if needed: 10 vs touch; 8 fire damage if that hits
AC 16 Touch 12 FF 15 HP 21 Speed 20 ft Hardness 5 Immune: construct traits Fort +0, Ref +1, Will -5 2 slams +3 (1d3)
The Twins(Mitch) HP 38/38 AC 24/12/22 Saves +4 Fort/+3 Ref/+1 Will Thursday February 18th, 2021 6:24:31 AM
The twins are fine with sending the construct in first. They bring a torch lit from the campfire so as to be ready to help burn things as needed.
Zeoll the Greensinger | AC15, 16/16hp | Cayzle Thursday February 18th, 2021 10:50:41 AM
Zeoll readies his bardic song to start the moment that a fight breaks out.
Honor Bright [AC 19; HP 24/24] (Kathy) Thursday February 18th, 2021 2:30:57 PM
Honor wasn't much good against the spiders the first time, and she sees no reason that would change today. She stands ready to back up and heal her companions, but there's not much she can do directly.
DM Kathy Thursday February 18th, 2021 3:46:16 PM Elron looks at the trapdoor. It appears to lead onto the roof of the tower. You assess the distance. It isn't far, but you're going to have to take it carefully, even at your lighter weight. [The stairs require an Acrobatics check to climb.]
Asimov assembles Chompy and proposes sending it in first.
SteveM - Elron | AC 21, HP 33/36 Thursday February 18th, 2021 6:31:23 PM
The group's got a plan -- Elron will let it play out before trying the trap door. Besides, if the door leads to the roof, he's already expecting berries will not be up there. But there might be something inside the tower.
Asimov | Hugh | AC 15/12/13 HP 29/29 d20+7=26 ; d20+4=20 ; d6+3=8 ; Friday February 19th, 2021 12:28:45 AM
Asimov opens the door to the tower for Chompy and the construct takes a double move action around the tower.
Chompy takes a double move action. It moves through r - u 15 and 16.
Asimov readies to attack with fire handling gloves should any spiders show up.
Perception: 26 readied Attack : 20 vs touch; 8 fire damage
AC 16 Touch 12 FF 15 HP 21 Speed 20 ft Hardness 5 Immune: construct traits Fort +0, Ref +1, Will -5 2 slams +3 (1d3)
The Twins(Mitch) HP 38/38 AC 24/12/22 Saves +4 Fort/+3 Ref/+1 Will Friday February 19th, 2021 8:07:51 AM
One of the twins draws a long bow, ready to support the mage in a ranged assault.
Zeoll the Greensinger | AC15, 16/16hp | Cayzle Friday February 19th, 2021 10:21:30 AM
"Good idea, Asimov, thank you."
Zeoll is ready to sing before any of his friends attack. (that will grant a +1 to attacks and damage)
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant, large (Kim) AC 16 Touch 12 FF14 HP 30/32 Friday February 19th, 2021 12:21:53 PM
In the morning Mundhi prepares a fire. She gathers some wood from outside, and perhaps some from broken furniture inside. Leftover straw from the strawmen. Once the fire is going well, she transfers the coals and fuel into the iron pot. She wraps and ties cloth around three different sticks, creating some crude torches. "Does anyone have any oil?" she asks. If so, she will soak the torches in the oil. If not, she simply makes do with what she does have.
From the Library, she looks to find a book, any book, that does not appear to be touched by the mold that covers many of the books. If she finds such, she fetches it to use the paper as fuel at the appropriate time. If there are clearly no books not mold-touched, then she abandons that notion. If she finds a useful tome, then she cuts out about half of the pages.
Using the utility blanket she has been using for many things, she soaks it in water. This, folded over a few times for insulation, she uses to carry the fire pot into the tower room. She lights a torch, and asks if anyone else would like a torch. "I thought I would use two, but if someone wants my spare, go ahead."
If spider swarms reappear, she lights the 2nd torch, too, and will use them to defend. ====== Note: in addition to the non-lethal damage healed, Mundhildur also got back 3 hp of normal damage by getting a good night's sleep. So she is only 2 hp down from full.
Honor Bright [AC 19; HP 24/24] (Kathy) Friday February 19th, 2021 3:35:31 PM
Honor remains on standby.
DM Kathy Friday February 19th, 2021 3:58:06 PM Elron decides to wait before trying the stairs.
Mundhildur prepares some fire. The only book in the library that was not touched by the mold is the book of hymns, which is probably too valuable to be torn up for kindling.
Zeoll stands ready to sing. The Twins pull a longbow, ready to provide ranged support. Honor is just generally ready.
Asimov sends Chompy into the tower. The animated bear trap hops around on the ground for a while, but there is no sign of any spiders.
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant, large (Kim) AC 16 Touch 12 FF14 HP 30/32 Saturday February 20th, 2021 12:24:18 AM
Since she was unable to find a usable book in the library, instead she would have availed herself of some of the ragged clothing to be found in a couple of rooms the group earlier visited. She stuffs a bunch of said rags into a bag or two.
Asimov | Hugh | AC 15/12/13 HP 29/29 d20+7=27 ; d20+4=23 ; d6+3=7 ; Saturday February 20th, 2021 5:39:53 PM
Asimov instructs Chompy to continue his double move sweep this time the construct moves through r - u 17 and 18 in the map.
Asimov again readies an actiion to use fire handling gloves should any spider make itself known.
Perception: 27 Readied Attack: 23 vs touch; 7 fire damage
AC 16 Touch 12 FF 15 HP 21 Speed 20 ft Hardness 5 Immune: construct traits Fort +0, Ref +1, Will -5 2 slams +3 (1d3)
Zeoll the Greensinger | AC15, 16/16hp | Cayzle Saturday February 20th, 2021 9:13:36 PM
Zeoll moves into the tower following Chompy. (moved on map)
"If they do not come out when a big juicy taurr walks in, then they trruly are gone."
The Twins(Mitch) HP 38/38 AC 24/12/22 Saves +4 Fort/+3 Ref/+1 Will Sunday February 21st, 2021 4:24:43 PM
The twins stand ready to support.
Honor Bright [AC 19; HP 24/24] (Kathy) Monday February 22nd, 2021 4:39:51 PM
"But I don't understand. Why would they have left?" Honor asks. "Where did they go?"
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant, large (Kim) AC 16 Touch 12 FF14 HP 30/32 Monday February 22nd, 2021 5:07:07 PM
"Hey, red twin - your arrows are highly unlikely to do much against a swarm of spiders. You need something broader to attack them with. Killing one or two spiders out of hundreds makes little notable difference," says Mundhildur. She asks, "You got something like a big flat board you can womp them with? Or want to help with the fire and smoke brigade?"
DM Kathy Monday February 22nd, 2021 5:46:45 PM Asimov instructs Chompy to continue its circuit, but no spiders appear.
Zeoll follows, but no spiders appear.
Both Zeoll and Chompy have now been all over the ground floor of the tower, and no spiders have popped out to bother them.
Zeoll the Greensinger | AC15, 16/16hp | Cayzle Monday February 22nd, 2021 7:04:24 PM
"Come on in all!" calls Zeoll. "Can Chompy go up stairrs? AREE therre stairrs?"
SteveM - Elron | AC 21, HP 33/36 Monday February 22nd, 2021 8:03:51 PM "Zeoll, you old coot! O' course there are stairs, against that wall over there." Elron remembers reaching the stairs before the spiders came out last time, but figured he must've brushed some webs to set them off. With Zeoll and that metal monstrosity clomping around in there, many webs must've been brushed now.
Asimov | Hugh | AC 15/12/13 HP 29/29 Tuesday February 23rd, 2021 1:47:44 AM
Asimov enters the towers after his animated bear trap.
He says, "I mean he doesn't have a climb speed or anything but I don't see why he couldn't make the attempt. I could have optimized him and gave him one less slam for a climb speed, though if you want a wait a bit we could have the effect wear off and I can remake him with the ability to climb"
Chompy stats AC 16 Touch 12 FF 15 HP 21 Speed 20 ft Hardness 5 Immune: construct traits Fort +0, Ref +1, Will -5 2 slams +3 (1d3)
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant, large (Kim) AC 16 Touch 12 FF14 HP 30/32 Tuesday February 23rd, 2021 3:56:43 PM
"Or I can toss a rope up over a rafter, tie one end on to Chompy, and lift him up," Mundhildur says. "As soon as someone with a fleshy body climbs the stairs, that's when the spiders likely will show up."
Honor Bright [AC 19; HP 24/24] (Kathy) Tuesday February 23rd, 2021 5:39:01 PM
"Oh, interesting!" Honor says. "Could Chompy explore up there? Is there some way he can tell us what he sees?"
SteveM - Elron | AC 21, HP 33/36 Tuesday February 23rd, 2021 7:50:48 PM "Can that, I say, can that clatterin' contraption talk?" Elron doesn't remember hearing Chompy say anything before.
Zeoll the Greensinger | AC15, 16/16hp | Cayzle Tuesday February 23rd, 2021 9:28:12 PM
Zeoll waits, song readied, for Chompy to ascend.
DM Kathy Tuesday February 23rd, 2021 10:20:54 PM Elron remembers that the spiders didn't show up until he was on the stairs. A coincidence? Or is that where they live?
Asimov offers to send Chompy up, and there is some discussion of the logistics of that. How good of an explorer will Chompy be, really?
Asimov | Hugh | AC 15/12/13 HP 29/29 Wednesday February 24th, 2021 1:05:58 AM
Asimov says, "Well Chompy can't talk and I mean it is an animated object so I don't think it will give us any insight or anything but it is small and won't break the stairs. Will any of us be able to climb up there safely? Is there an alternative way up there that we aren't necessarily seeing? Does anyone have a grappling hook? Maybe we could climb up in a safer fashion using a rope."
SteveM - Elron | AC 21, HP 33/36 Wednesday February 24th, 2021 7:12:24 AM "Near as I can tell, th' trap door just leads to th' roof. We could search 'round down here for clues about th' berries. Or we can try climbin' up th' outside to get a better look."
Honor Bright [AC 19; HP 24/24] (Kathy) Wednesday February 24th, 2021 12:29:10 PM
"I have a grappling hook," Honor says. "And some rope to go with it."
Zeoll the Greensinger | AC15, 16/16hp | Cayzle d20+4=20 ; Wednesday February 24th, 2021 4:35:33 PM
"Good idea, my dearr," Zeoll tells Honor. "Go on ahead and make the toss, or I can trry it if you prreferr."
The liontaur prays for guidance and sings for a round and then makes the toss: he rolls a ranged attack of 20 to land and latch the hook.
Or Honor can try with a total of +2 to hit from Zeoll.
DM Kathy Wednesday February 24th, 2021 5:12:16 PM Asimov acknowledges that Chompy can't talk, so his use as an explorer is limited. He asks whether anybody has a grappling hook.
Honor has one, with rope to go with it.
Elron suggests climbing up the outside of the tower, but Zeoll likes the grappling hook idea.
Whoever throws the grappling hook will need to make a ranged attack against AC 5. The range increment is 10 feet, and the top of the tower is 40 feet up. That's a -6 to the throw.
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant, large (Kim) AC 16 Touch 12 FF14 HP 30/32 Wednesday February 24th, 2021 8:32:30 PM
"Well cast, Zeoll. Are most liontaurs good at playing with rope?" Mundhildur asks. She holds the tail end of the rope.
SteveM - Elron | AC 21, HP 33/36 Wednesday February 24th, 2021 10:47:10 PM
Elron watches the others play with the rope -- a rope that could help them climb the outside. He's still willing to try the stairs himself. "Just remember when th' spiders appear'd they attacked everyone in th' tower."
Asimov | Hugh | AC 15/12/13 HP 29/29 Thursday February 25th, 2021 1:46:35 AM
Asimov says to Elron, "Do you think you could manage the stairs and if you get into trouble do you think any of us would be able to get to you?"
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant, large (Kim) AC 16 Touch 12 FF14 HP 30/32 Thursday February 25th, 2021 11:52:03 AM
"How about this instead, Asimov?" Mundhi asks. "I've got extra rope. We tie it on to what Zeoll just sent up, then loop it around. We make a couple of small loops for Elron to put a hand and a foot into, then I pull him up. That way, if it's the vibration on the stairs that calls the eight-leggers, well, they will not get that message. He can look around and see what's interesting without us having to flail around as the wicked biters attack."
Honor Bright [AC 19; HP 24/24] (Kathy) Thursday February 25th, 2021 3:47:54 PM
Honor is content to let Zeoll throw the grappling hook, especially since he'll have the benefit of his spell.
"I throw like a girl," she says with a little laugh.
DM Kathy Thursday February 25th, 2021 6:03:25 PM Honor doesn't insist on throwing the grappling hook herself, and Zeoll, with the help of his True Strike, is able to get it hooked over the edge of the open trap door.
There's some disagreement about what to do next. Elron still wants to climb the outside of the tower. Asimov suggests that Elron try the stairs. Mundhildur suggests looping the rope to haul Elron up that way.
Asimov | Hugh | AC 15/12/13 HP 29/29 Thursday February 25th, 2021 9:21:46 PM
Asimov says, "I wasn't trying to suggest Elron use the stairs. I was asking him if he used the stairs and got into trouble would we be able to help him. I think the answer was no so I'm okay sending someone up using the rope. I'm not much of a climber and I don't know how to make any devices to help with that so if Elron and Mundi want to get him up there I'm on board with it."
SteveM - Elron | AC 21, HP 33/36 Thursday February 25th, 2021 10:40:39 PM
Elron isn't sure he followed everything that Asimov just said, but thinks the gist of it is that he should climb the rope. He's fine with that, especially when Mundhildur explains there's a way to do it that doesn't require actual climbing.
Zeoll the Greensinger | AC15, 16/16hp | Cayzle Thursday February 25th, 2021 11:48:41 PM
[OOC: Wait what? Zeoll has no True Strike in this incarnation. It's not a bard or druid spell, lol. He is getting a +1 from Guidance and another +1 from inspire competence.]
Anyway, Zeoll is glad that his throw is on target. Also, he likes the idea of Elron climbing the rope without touching the stairs ... "But I say, it's not forr me to tell ourr nimble frriend wherre or how to climb. I trust yourr judgement, Brrotherr Elrron."
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant, large (Kim) AC 16 Touch 12 FF14 HP 30/32 d20+2=6 ; d20+2=14 ; d20+2=11 ; d20+2=6 ; d20+2=11 ; d20+2=4 ; d20+2=20 ; d20+2=9 ; d20+2=22 ; Friday February 26th, 2021 6:56:07 PM
Mundhi takes a moment to make a loop in the rope for Elron's foot. She puts her finger through it - and pulls it loose. She tries again. All right, this time, it's serviceable. Then for his hand. Not terrible, but not good. She goes back and forth, tying, testing, failing. Finally, she gets the right knot, and that hand loop is good and secure. "If I didn't weigh so much, I would trust this to hold me, Elron. But you are much lighter and fluffier than I. So, your - foot? through this lower one. And a hand or two through or hanging on tight to this upper one."
"Oh, wait. The moving loop of rope." Again she takes an initial stab at it. Just so-so. She modifies her approach, tries again. Nat 20 (22). "There. You stand on that side, using the loops. I pull from this side, and up you go." If he does
Honor Bright [AC 19; HP 24/24] (Kathy) Friday February 26th, 2021 10:50:24 PM
Since everyone is occupied inside the tower, Honor turns and watches for trouble coming from the other direction.
The Twins(Mitch) HP 38/38 AC 24/12/22 Saves +4 Fort/+3 Ref/+1 Will Sunday February 28th, 2021 7:27:33 AM
The Twins stay alert and ready, though they're starting to wonder where these spiders that are supposed to be here are.
Asimov | Hugh | AC 15/12/13 HP 29/29 Sunday February 28th, 2021 10:15:07 PM
Asimov says, "I don't suppose anyone brought a block and tackle? This seems almost like a tailor made situation for one."
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant, large (Kim) AC 16 Touch 12 FF14 HP 30/32 Monday March 1st, 2021 3:02:55 AM
"Uh, yes, Asimov. I have two of them. Want to help me get them set up to make this work better?" Mundhi asks the fellow who is so good with putting things together.
Asimov | Hugh | AC 15/12/13 HP 29/29 Monday March 1st, 2021 10:59:48 AM
Asimov says, "Ok, so can't we use the block and tackle to create a system where someone could raise or lower themselves by pulling on a rope? We run the rope through the block and tackle having the other end of the rope tied to either a harness or platform we fashion and then once someone gets to the top they either disengage the harness or step off the platform and it is easy to get up their to explore the tower top?"
DM Kathy Monday March 1st, 2021 12:39:30 PM
After some discussion and wrangling, you are able to rig a system to pull somebody to the top of the tower while avoiding the rickety stairs. You hoist Elron--or perhaps he hoists himself; it doesn't matter--and he is able to go through the trapdoor. And finds....nothing. Well, there's a nice view of the surrounding countryside, but that's about it. No sign of any berries or vines. Or spiders, for that matter.
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant, large (Kim) AC 16 Touch 12 FF14 HP 30/32 Monday March 1st, 2021 4:40:07 PM
"Bats. Let's go look in the Bat Room - that pile of rubble just beyond the prison cells," suggests Mundhildur. "Unless someone has another idea as to what to do next. Or should we poke around the inner edges of this tower, in hopes that the spiders return?"
Zeoll the Greensinger | AC15, 16/16hp | Cayzle Monday March 1st, 2021 10:19:03 PM
Zeoll retrieves his rope and gets ready for bats.
I just hope the spiders did not eat the berries!" he says.
Asimov | Hugh | AC 15/12/13 HP 29/29 d20+7=12 ; Tuesday March 2nd, 2021 2:16:18 AM
Asimov asks, "Is it a bat room or more of a bat cave?"
To Zeoll he says, "I'd be worried more about the bats eating them. Aren't spiders carnivorous while some bats are called fruit bats?"
He double checks his fire equipment and prepares to search the bat room or cave depending.
(Perception: 12)
The Twins(Mitch) HP 38/38 AC 24/12/22 Saves +4 Fort/+3 Ref/+1 Will Tuesday March 2nd, 2021 6:42:12 AM
The twins are a bit confused as to the lack of spiders. "Why were you expecting spiders again?" one asks. "Perhaps it's just a fancy name." the other posits.
SteveM - Elron | AC 21, HP 33/36 Tuesday March 2nd, 2021 11:11:13 AM
Elron climbs back down, ready to try the next location. Hopefully not the one with the krak'len, though. Unless the -- "Say, twins. Just what are your talents? I mean, we've seen the nice swordplay, but . . ."
Honor Bright [AC 19; HP 24/24] (Kathy) Tuesday March 2nd, 2021 11:51:13 AM
Honor looks around the little tower room. "There are all these boxes and crates and things," she says. "You don't suppose there might be berries in one of them?"
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant, large (Kim) AC 16 Touch 12 FF14 HP 30/32 Tuesday March 2nd, 2021 4:03:39 PM
"Oh, boxes and crates?!" Mundhildur strikes her forehead with the palm of her hand. "Of course. Let's start opening. Shut the lid quickly if spiders start crawling out. Otherwise, yes, let us berry search."
She finds a crate, and opens it. She has the tools (crowbar, if necessary).
DM Kathy Tuesday March 2nd, 2021 5:17:46 PM
You are just about to leave the watchtower and move on when Honor points out all the boxes and barrels here.
Mundhildur has a crowbar, so you set to work. Mostly you find damaged, rotted, or worthless goods. However, in one box you do find a very nice shortsword wrapped in oilcloth, and a wand that pings as magic, which proves to be a Wand of Cure Light Wounds with 19 charges remaining.
Asimov | Hugh | AC 15/12/13 HP 29/29 Tuesday March 2nd, 2021 9:40:37 PM
Asimov says, "That wand sure is convenient. Certainly takes strain off of my gadgets not needing to use spaces for a medihaler. I even have some skill in the use of magical devices though I'm not sure how consistent my wand activations would be."
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant, large (Kim) AC 16 Touch 12 FF14 HP 30/32 Wednesday March 3rd, 2021 2:47:42 AM
If we have completed the search through the boxes and crates and deteriorating items (nice on the sword and wand), then Mundhi says, "It's not really cavelike, Azi. The wall fell down, and the stones and bricks make up a pile of rubble. I think the bats tuck themselves into the crevices of the jumble. The prison wall is the rest of it - though I did not get a good look inside - figured if I started climbing up on the bricks, there would be a flock - do you say flock? - of bats awakened and swarming around me. But lets try the door, instead of going over the bricks, say?"
The Twins(Mitch) HP 38/38 AC 24/12/22 Saves +4 Fort/+3 Ref/+1 Will Wednesday March 3rd, 2021 8:10:49 AM "Combat is our skill." "Our calling." "We are experts in offense" "And defense" "Melee" "And ranged." As they talk they indicate their various weapons. They seem to have a two handed blade, a sword and a shield, and some very fine bows. Add in their thick, magical plate and there being two of them they could, in theory, do as they claim, holding the line with shield, peppering the enemies with arrows, or breaking enemy lines with their heavy greatsword.
They take an interest in the sword, comparing it to their own. (if it's masterwork it's an upgrade that they'd like)
Honor Bright [AC 19; HP 24/24] (Kathy) Wednesday March 3rd, 2021 1:00:31 PM
Honor looks at the shortsword, but of course nothing could replace her father's longsword. "Anyway, I've had more practice with it," she says.
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant, large (Kim) AC 16 Touch 12 FF14 HP 30/32 Wednesday March 3rd, 2021 3:04:54 PM
"Whoever can use and and want it, fine by me. Let's head over to the Bat Room," she says, and walks that way. It's really just across the hall. She checks the door to see if it will open easily - but, if so, she just barely cracks it open, waiting for others to arrive.
DM Kathy Wednesday March 3rd, 2021 4:28:59 PM
The shortsword is masterwork, but not magical. For now, the Twins are carrying it, since it's the wrong size for Elron, and Honor prefers Virtue.
Mundhildur leads the way to the "bat room." You find the door unlocked and ajar, though you have to shove it open through a small drift of loose rocks. The room is mostly debris, though you can see the remains of a few pieces of crushed furniture around.
Zeoll the Greensinger | AC15, 16/16hp | Cayzle d20+8=27 ; d20+11=16 ; d20+11=14 ; Wednesday March 3rd, 2021 6:21:51 PM
Zeoll looks for signs that the animals are around. He listens for little bat squeaks. He sniffs for guano. He prays several times for guidance.
Perception 27 Know Nature 16
If there are bats around, Zeoll uses his Greensinger's Wild Empathy song: 14
SteveM - Elron | AC 21, HP 33/36 Wednesday March 3rd, 2021 7:36:59 PM "Mundi, last time you were here by yourself. Did the bats attack?" Elron looks for a window into this part of the keep. If he finds one, he'll see what he can see inside. If he doesn't find one, then the group might try to do their exploring while the bats are out hunting. Less'n they eat fruit, he thinks.
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant, large (Kim) AC 16 Touch 12 FF14 HP 30/32 d20+5=24 ; Wednesday March 3rd, 2021 11:54:35 PM
"No, Elron, I let them sleep." She did push the door open so they could go in. She looks around, steps carefully around the area. ========== Perception: 24
Asimov | Hugh | AC 15/12/13 HP 29/29 d20+7=14 ; d20+8=18 ; d20+8=9 ; Thursday March 4th, 2021 1:14:27 AM
(Perception: 14) (Know[dungeoneering]:18) (Know[engeoneering]:9)
Asimov is careful to stay behind Zeoll when exploring the bat room. He keeps an eye out for Berries and thinks to what the bat's inhabitance of this room might signify
Honor Bright [AC 19; HP 24/24] (Kathy) Thursday March 4th, 2021 2:16:59 PM
Cautiously, Honor brings up the rear. She doesn't have much to offer when it comes to noticing things, and she suspects that Virtue will do no better against the bats than it did against the spiders.
DM Kathy Thursday March 4th, 2021 7:44:33 PM
Assuming that Zeoll is in or near the rubble room, and not where his icon appears on the map, he can see the bats, snoozing peacefully in the rubble.
Mundhildur can see the bats as well.
Elron is looking for a window. As is shown on the map, the whole outer wall of that room has collapsed, so while there are no longer any windows, it's possible to see into the area from outside the keep.
Asimov and Honor hang back.
Zeoll knows that the bats are sleeping and it's daytime. They will continue to sleep if they are not disturbed. However, if your group makes any loud noises, or begins moving the rubble around, you'll probably wake them up. It's hard to say what they will do next. They may just fly away. Or they may try to defend their home.
You also know that if there are any berries or vines in the rubble, they're probably smashed.
SteveM - Elron | AC 21, HP 33/36 d20+8=19 ; d20+12=31 ; Thursday March 4th, 2021 11:44:25 PM "I'll be quiet," Elron promises as he slips past Mundhildur into the room and -- avoiding the rubble as much as he can -- sees what he can see along the wall opposite the collapsed one. (stealth = 19, perception = 31)
Asimov | Hugh | AC 15/12/13 HP 29/29 d20+7=21 ; Friday March 5th, 2021 4:12:30 AM
Asimov is careful to be silent. He whispers, "So if the bats are asleep and any berries in this room are likely to be smashed what is the play? Is there anywhere else in this place where the berries could be that we haven't looked? Should I run the dessicated berries we found through the food detoxifier and see what happens to them?"
He asks Zeoll, "Are they fruit bats or do they eat insects? Do you know?"
He then loops around outside the keep and tries to peer in to the batroom from the open wall. (Perception: 21). Does this vantage offer him any more insight into anything?
The Twins(Mitch) HP 38/38 AC 24/12/22 Saves +4 Fort/+3 Ref/+1 Will Friday March 5th, 2021 11:25:20 AM
The twins stay outside. The fewer people inside, the less likely it is someone will accidentally wake the bats.
Honor Bright [AC 19; HP 24/24] (Kathy) Friday March 5th, 2021 2:40:25 PM
Honor also remains in the hallway, to limit the number of people in the room.
Zeoll | SteveM sub for Cayzle Friday March 5th, 2021 10:46:31 PM
Zeoll prepares to calm animals if it becomes necessary.
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant, large (Kim) AC 16 Touch 12 FF14 HP 30/32 Friday March 5th, 2021 11:28:02 PM
Mundi lets Elron pass, and stands quietly just inside the door, ready to move if necessary, or stand still should that seem the wiser course.
DM Kathy Saturday March 6th, 2021 3:48:13 PM
You are cautious as you explore the room. Those inside the room are careful in their movements, and many in the party stay out of the room altogether.
Elron does see the sleeping bats, but not much else. The room is a total ruin.
Asimov asks whether there is a place berries could be where you haven't looked. In fact, there is. In the room where the strange energy orbs attacked, there were cabinets. You never got a chance to look inside them, though, because the orbs chased you out pretty quickly.
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant, large (Kim) AC 16 Touch 12 FF14 HP 30/32 Sunday March 7th, 2021 5:33:30 AM
"Say, those cabinets. I don't see what we can do with, or against, the orbs. But we can look into the cabinets - weren't there a bunch of old cupboards at the far side of the room? If they are not fixed to the wall or floor, maybe we can grab them and run. Or, tie ropes around them, and drag them out. Someone looked in a desk there, but didn't mention finding anything. Details are fuzzy for me - I kept on getting stung. Or whatever it is electricity does to you."
"So, back to the buzzy orbs, look inside, then take turns dashing within and grabbing things to bring out?"
If that seems reasonable to the rest of the crew, Mundhi waits first for everyone to quietly leave the bats to their naps, then heads out with them toward the room in question.
Zeoll | SteveM sub for Cayzle d20+8=13 ; Sunday March 7th, 2021 11:10:12 PM
Elron tries to leave without disturbing the bats. (Stealth = 13)
"Yeah, th' krak'len. . . I know from they way they was swoopin' about they don't care none 'bout them drawers. Say, one of you two got some way to talk to 'em?" Elron eyes Zeoll and Asimov when he asks his question.
Asimov | Hugh | AC 15/12/13 HP 29/29 Monday March 8th, 2021 2:02:01 AM
Asimov says, "I don't have anyway to talk to them and if you remember from last time I was one of the onlt ones doing damage so presumably they'll target me. I mean I can utilize my fire handling gloves to attempt to smack them with a fireball in melee instead of throwing from a distance and you guys could try to distract the cracklins so I'm not as easy to hit."
Honor Bright [AC 19; HP 24/24] (Kathy) Monday March 8th, 2021 11:43:56 AM
Honor nods at Asimov's plan. "We just need to distract them long enough for somebody to check the cabinets," she says. "They didn't chase us before once we'd left the room, so hopefully they won't again."
DM Kathy Monday March 8th, 2021 3:04:09 PM
Remembering the cabinets, you abandon the bat ruins for now and head back down the hall. You have strategies in place for dealing with the glowing energy balls, but when you reach the room, you see no sign of them. Maybe they're sleeping somewhere? Do those things even sleep?
Anyway, you are able to search the cabinets. You find a few pieces of tarnished cutlery. And, at last, you get your first glimpse of a silverberry vine.
It is not, alas, a real silverberry vine; it is a drawing of one. It is on a label for a bottle of wine. There are four such bottles, labeled "Silver Sav" with a silverberry vine artfully drawn next to the name. On the bottom of the label is a note that Silver Sav is produced from silverberry berries.
You find no real vines or berries. The wine is the best you've got.
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant, large (Kim) AC 16 Touch 12 FF14 HP 30/32 Monday March 8th, 2021 5:33:32 PM
"No zappers, good. Ah, cutlery! I can polish it up, could be handy." Mundhi takes a moment to justify her actions, though the thought had not occurred to her earlier. "If this place were conventionally inhabited, I would not take it. But, aside from bugs and molds and bats and such, and the sadly deceased dwarfs, and two fresh prisoners - well, that is not what I call conventionally inhabited."
"So, wine, produced by silver berries. And with these drawings, we know better what they look like. Now, the sweet youngin does not grow better as we are out in search of healing for her. Shall we search further, hoping to find some living berries? Or, do we take this wine, and the other ingredients, and see if the nobleman can fashion what he needs to for her?" she asks her friends.
SteveM - Elron | AC 21, HP 33/36 Monday March 8th, 2021 5:52:06 PM "I say we climb up to th' roof and see if we can see where there might've some silverberry vinyards when this place was inhabited. 'Lessen I misunderstand these things, you need a sizeable source o' fruit to make a wine business."
"An' if we don't see nothin', we can see if the wine's good enough for th' little girl."
Zeoll | SteveM sub for Cayzle Monday March 8th, 2021 11:00:52 PM
"Perrhaps tomorrrow I can preparre a detect animals and plants and walk around outside the keep. Forr now, let's see if we find anything else."
Asimov | Hugh | AC 15/12/13 HP 29/29 d20+8=16 ; d20+8=11 ; Tuesday March 9th, 2021 1:05:44 AM
Asimov says, "well we have the wine and we have the solo desicated berry and we have some bottles of wine and a better depiction of the silver berry."
"None of my devices will help with this but maybe the Silver Sav bottles have jogged my memories at least when it comes to geography or history"
(Know[history]: 16 - anything relevant about winery that produced Silver Sav) (Know[geography]: 11 - could the producer of the vintage be close?)
The Twins(Mitch) HP 38/38 AC 24/12/22 Saves +4 Fort/+3 Ref/+1 Will Tuesday March 9th, 2021 8:18:08 AM
The twins eye the bottle with interest. "We came here for that." "We were expecting oak barrels though." "Is the seal still intact?"
Honor Bright [AC 19; HP 24/24] (Kathy) Tuesday March 9th, 2021 12:56:39 PM
"Whether the wine will work or not, it looks like it's the best we can do," Honor says. "I wonder what happened to the rest of the vines and berries?"
DM Kathy Tuesday March 9th, 2021 2:47:18 PM Mundhildur packs the cutlery away.
The Twins mention that the wine is what they came here for. Indeed, it is a rare vintage and each bottle will probably fetch a good price.
Of course, some of it may need to be used to formulate the cure, because you are beginning to suspect that there are no actual berries to be had.
At Elron's suggestion, you ascend to the top of the tower again and look for where the keep once grew its berries. You do find something that might have once been a vineyard. When you investigate, you discover that it is overgrown with weeds. Mundhildur and Zeoll, examining the area, realize the the local fauna seem to think the berries and vines are (or rather were) quite delicious. All you can find of the former vines are a few roots. Some of them do still have a quick, so it's possible they can be coaxed to grow into new vines, but that process will take a year at least.
Azimov gives it some thought, but you can't recall anything about this vintage.
Honor suggests that the wine may be the best you can do here, and it's starting to look like she is right. You've examined the rest of the keep, and there's just nothing else here. Maybe the wine will be enough. You have to hope it will.
Zeoll | SteveM sub for Cayzle Tuesday March 9th, 2021 7:08:26 PM
Zeoll carefully gathers the roots and stubs left of the plants, thinking that if the bottles are not of use their patron might be able to find a way to use them.
SteveM - Elron | AC 21, HP 33/36 Tuesday March 9th, 2021 10:02:30 PM
Elron says, "Ya know, it's that time of year when blackberries is red 'cause they're still green." Maybe Asimov's food fixer thingy can help, too.
Asimov | Hugh | AC 15/12/13 HP 29/29 Wednesday March 10th, 2021 4:37:07 AM
Asimov says, "I don't know if the food detoxifier will help or not. It functions like the spell purify food and drink so if the sole dissicated berry we found counts as food it would remove toxins from it. Maybe the combination of the purified berry and the wine would be enough to concoct a cure?"
The Twins(Mitch) HP 38/38 AC 24/12/22 Saves +4 Fort/+3 Ref/+1 Will Wednesday March 10th, 2021 8:40:49 AM
The Twins ask for an explination on why the party needs the berries, either having not been told or wanting a reminder, and upon getting one concede the wine. "Saving a life is more important then profit." "Yes, you're purpose is nobler then ours."
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant, large (Kim) AC 16 Touch 12 FF14 HP 30/32 Wednesday March 10th, 2021 11:32:00 AM
"Very well," says Mundhi. "Let's go back."
She empties the iron pot of burning sticks and coals in some safe place. Seems there was some water about the place. She'll cool it down, then pack it and the rest of her gear with her mule. "Ready?" she asks.
Honor Bright [AC 19; HP 24/24] (Kathy) Wednesday March 10th, 2021 1:11:52 PM
"Yes, let's go back," Honor says. "Hopefully this will be enough."
DM Kathy Wednesday March 10th, 2021 3:48:23 PM
You have completed your exploration of the keep. The wine is all you have to bring back, and you hope it will be enough. You set out for your return journey to Lockridge Mansion.
Of course, you are not entirely empty-handed. You found a fair amount of loot during your exploration. To recap:
In the courtyard, you found three potions of Cure Light Wounds, which were handed to Honor, Zeoll, and Mundhildur. There was also a potion of Cure Moderate Wounds, which was given to Elron. You also found 42 gp in coins; it's not clear who's carrying it. There were also thieves' tools and 50 feet of silk rope.
In the spider tower, you found a Masterwork short sword, which the Twins have, and a Wand of Cure Light Wounds with 19 charges remaining. Asimov currently has that.
The dead dwarf (who appears to have committed suicide) had a light hammer with the symbol of Domi on it. It's not clear whether somebody took it or whether you buried him with it. It could be worth up to 200 gp to the right collector.
You found a +1 double chicken saber, which Elron has. In the same room you found some Masterwork stonemasonry tools, about 62 gp in coins and a single ruby, worth about 300 gp. It's not clear who has all that.
You found the book of Dwarven hymns to Domi, which Honor is currently carrying. It could be worth up to 300 gp to the right collector. There is also a scroll of Spiritual Weapon inside, which none of the party can use.
In the armory, you found 10 +1 flaming bolts and a +1 frost dagger. Elron took the dagger. Honor would have snagged the bolts if nobody else did. [Nobody specifically said they took them at the time.]
One of the dead dwarves in the prison area had on a Ring of Sustenance. Asimov is the one who discovered it, so we'll assume he has it.
In the room with the wine, you also found some cutlery, which Mundhildur put in her bag. Most of it is unremarkable, even when polished up, but there is a Sustaining Spoon and a +1 Merciful knife mixed in with them.
Zeoll the Greensinger | AC15, 16/16hp | Cayzle Wednesday March 10th, 2021 4:23:57 PM
Zeoll sighs when it is clear that this portion of the quest is only partly achieved. But we did our best, and maybe it will be enough.
He helps carry the loot and then leading the group through the wilderness back to civilization.
[OOC: Thanks Steve for the sub; thanks Kathy for the great DMing!]
SteveM - Elron | AC 21, HP 33/36 Thursday March 11th, 2021 12:08:54 AM
Elron hums to himself softly as he walks down the road. He's not sure the adventure turned out well, but they're headed back to more comfortable surroundings. As long as they don't run across another pumpkin patch on the way, everything's going to be fine.
Asimov | Hugh | AC 15/12/13 HP 29/29 Thursday March 11th, 2021 1:41:57 AM
(OOC1: Asimov put the ring of sustenance on when he found it; the tinkerer would love to not need to sleep as much)
(OOC2: From DM POST Tuesday January 5th, 2021 2:46:53 PM - In the southeast corner of the room is a small sprig from a vine. It’s very long dead and has the husks of 2 very small, shrivelled berries attached. They are in such poor condition that It’s unclear what type of vine or berries these may be...END DM POST... we wanted to run those through the food detoxifier or are those not shrivelled silver berries?)
Asimov says, "So does that mean those shrivelled berries we found on that bit of withered vine weren't silver berries after all now that we have the pictures from the wine label to go off of?"
The Twins(Mitch) HP 38/38 AC 24/12/22 Saves +4 Fort/+3 Ref/+1 Will Thursday March 11th, 2021 8:11:44 AM
The Twins are ready to go. "We will accompany you to town." "Talk to our employer." "If you don't mind, we'll join you in finishing your quest afterwards." "Nothing better to do."
Honor Bright [AC 19; HP 24/24] (Kathy) Thursday March 11th, 2021 12:28:57 PM
Honor's mood begins to lighten as she walks down the road away from the keep. Somehow, she hadn't felt like herself there. She's ready for the next challenge.
[OOC: I do not know what the berries are. That information was not included in the material RobC provided. They might be silverberries, or they might be the world famous red-herring-berries. I have no idea. Ask Rob.]
Zeoll the Greensinger | AC15, 16/16hp | Cayzle Thursday March 11th, 2021 11:11:09 PM
Zeoll makes sure the twins feel welcome. "You two arre just the companions we need to succeed on ourr adventurres! You arre most welcome, do not doubt it."
The liontaur ponders the loot. "The currative items arre always welcome. Perrsonally, I have no need of the rrest. Gold is always useful, of courrse."
[OOC: Hoping for confirmation that we have levelled? Is that official, Kathy?]
RobC - "We will accompany you to town" Friday March 12th, 2021 1:20:47 AM
The journey back to Lockridge Mansion is indeed a quiet one. Not so much as a hint of adventure or excitement. Depending on your temperament that is either a good or bad thing.
It gives the group time to get to know each other a little better though. Find out who has the best war story, who snores, who picks their nose and so on.
Two of the three ingredients were clearly recovered. As for the Silverberries, well, that is going to be interesting.
The party return the way they came, passing the dead tree that still shows stains of pixie blood. A grim reminder that there is still evil in the Wold.
Returning to the town is nice though. The perfect little village by the harbor. The approaching party are quickly spotted by the residents. They're waving and clutching their hands, happy to see the champions who will save the daughter of their benefactor. A heroes welcome.
Consider yourselves officially levelled!
Asimov | Hugh | AC 15/12/13 HP 29/29 Friday March 12th, 2021 2:26:08 AM
Asimov says "I guess it turns out those shrivelled berries are not actually silver berries but some other berries so the wine is all we have. I guess we'll just have to roll with it. Hopefully it is enough to save the daughter if not maybe our benefactor's library will help us in finding the winery that made the wine and actual berries. I didn't know based on my memory but the library may help us if we need it."
The Twins(Mitch) HP 38/38 AC 24/12/22 Saves +4 Fort/+3 Ref/+1 Will Friday March 12th, 2021 7:46:10 AM
The twins spend the free time on the way back asking the other's about their homeland's and their customs. In turn they're happy to regale the party with tales of their own distant land, including their own position/title (which I wrote on my character sheet and is to big to copy paste here go read :P)
Honor Bright (Kathy) Friday March 12th, 2021 12:23:41 PM
Honor is happy to be back in Lowestoft. She smiles and waves back at people. She tries not to show how worried she is. Are they in time? And is what they brought back going to be enough?
Zeoll the Greensinger | AC15, 16/16hp | Cayzle Friday March 12th, 2021 6:34:44 PM
Zeoll picks his nose while regaling the party with his tales of wars and snores.
The old Taur listens to the Twins and wonders if their homeland is away west of his own, in the archipelago west of the Taur Islands. Or if they are even of the Wold, maybe being from some alternate prime material plane.
SteveM - Elron | AC 21, HP 33/36 Friday March 12th, 2021 6:37:42 PM
Elron follows the group to the house of their patron, ready to report their success. . . of a sort, anyway. Maybe it will be a help.
Zeoll the Greensinger | AC16, 23hp | Cayzle Friday March 12th, 2021 7:02:56 PM
4th level Zeoll is now up to date!
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant, large (Kim) AC 17 Touch 13 FF15 HP 41/41 Sunday March 14th, 2021 12:57:41 AM
Mundhildur enjoys listening to people's stories, and tells her own along the way.
I figure that, first night camping, she might have left the utensils in the iron pot to dry after washing - and shortly after found the unexpected gruel within. With the help of those more magically adept, one of them might help identify a particular spoon as the culprit, and with detect magic in operation, learned of the merciful knife. She would like to hang on to these two items.
Back in town, she waves to people, thanks a few who helped her out before the group left on this adventure.
When they meet, presumably, with House Steward Gideon Page, she asks, "How does little Dani - Daniella? We brought things for her."
The Twins(Mitch) HP 38/38 AC 24/12/22 Saves +4 Fort/+3 Ref/+1 Will d10=2 ; Sunday March 14th, 2021 2:31:57 PM
The Twins make ready to introduce themselves to the employer of their new comrades (and are now leveled)
Asimov and Irony | Hugh | AC 15/12/13 HP 37/37 | AC 13/11/12 HP 29/29 Hardness 2 Sunday March 14th, 2021 11:26:35 PM
As they travel Asimov starts spending time with some of the bric-a-brac collected on the travels until one day Eureka a new companion. A clanking iron gear work medium humanoid monstrosity follows in Asimov's wake.
"Hi everyone! This here is Irony. He is my mechanical minon. He will also take my shift on watch from now on."
(OOC: Leveled...got a new mechanical minion)
RobC - "How does little Dani - Daniella? We brought things for her." Monday March 15th, 2021 2:05:02 AM
The party venture through the town much to the delight of the locals. They really are pleased to see you all.
It's the first time that the twins have been here. Lockridge Mansion is nestled atop a hill overlooking the town. From the outside it looks very elegant. Two stories tall and built with white stone bricks, large rectangle windows, and a grey shingled rooftop. The house itself is surrounded by a modest garden. Manicured grass, a few flower patches, a sandbox and a seesaw. The whole place screams "I've got gold".
The party don't even get the chance to knock on the door this time. Mrs Reyna, the young elven housemaid, has been waiting for your return and her face is beaming on seeing you again. "Come in. Come in." she holds the door wide open. She is obviously taken aback by the presence of the twins (and Irony!) though says nothing about it. "I'll just go fetch Mr Page."
She shuts the door and hurriedly climbs the stairs in search of the house steward. It only take a minute before Gideon has heard the news and descends the stairs to meet you. Unlike Mrs Reyna, he maintains perfect composure.
Mundhildur enquires about Daniella to which Gideon politely responds. "Lady Daniella is feeling poorly today and confined to bed rest. Thankyou for your concern"
"Master Lockridge will no doubt be quite pleased that you have returned so quickly. If you would follow me please to the lounge" Gideon walks to the door to right and opens it. As with last time, he steps through first and stands next to it, holding the door open with one hand while gesturing into the room with the other "If you would be so kind". The man is the utmost professional in matters of etiquette.
Unfortunately the Marquis de Lockridge - or Horatio as he has permitted you to address him - is still nowhere to be seen.
The crystal cube that you saw last time is already atop the desk.
Gideon closes the door behind you and locks it - double checking that it's locked this time. He then approaches the cube and touches the top of the cube in certain areas, as if pushing invisible buttons. Once the cube takes on the same gray opaque color you saw last time, Gideon steps back from the desk and stands at attention.
"Master Lockridge. The parties have returned and are present"
"Thankyou Gideon" The familiar voice of Horatio emanates from the the cube. "Please. Tell me. Did you find them? The ingredients?" You can hear the hope in his voice.
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant, large (Kim) AC 17 Touch 13 FF15 HP 41/41 Monday March 15th, 2021 4:18:21 AM
"Well, sir, Horatio, sir, you will have to be the final judge of that," Mundhildur begins.
She reaches into her bag and pulls out the moss she scraped. "This is from the northern side of the Elder Tree in the Highland Forest." She displays as she describes, and walks closer to the image from the cube so the Marquis can take a closer look. "This patch of moss is soft and brown, this orange one was a little damp, and the green is quite firm and hard. Shall I hand them over to House Steward Gideon Page?" she asks, holding it out in his direction. She looks back over her shoulder at the nobleman's image. "Some tricksters gave us quite a bit of trouble, but we would not be dissuaded."
Honor Bright (Kathy) Monday March 15th, 2021 3:25:38 PM
"Um...and I think Asimov has the mushrooms," Honor says. She looks uncomfortable, but she doesn't bring up the subject of the berries just yet.
Zeoll the Greensinger | AC16, 23hp | Cayzle Monday March 15th, 2021 5:31:10 PM
Zeoll does not beat around the bush.
"Moss, yes. Mushrooms, yes. But I'm sorrry, sirr, we failed to find the silverrberrries we sought. We did find these bottles of silverrberrry wine. Maybe they will serrve in substitution."
SteveM - Elron | AC 21, HP 33/36 Monday March 15th, 2021 10:38:37 PM
Elron mentally rehearses his reasons why what they accomplished should be good enough, as if he can argue Dani back to good health if the ingredients are insufficient somehow.
Asimov and Irony | Hugh | AC 15/12/13 HP 37/37 | AC 13/11/12 HP 29/29 Hardness 2 Tuesday March 16th, 2021 12:14:33 AM
Asimov adds, "We scoured the keep top to bottom and as for berries in general all we found was some shrivelled berries that were not really much of anything and definitely weren't silver berries. We did find the wine which was made with silver berries but sadly the wine is not actual berries. If you don't think the wine is good enough then maybe using your library we can find where the winery that produced the wine is and set off for there to see if we can get actual berries. I guess since you have been researching the ingredients sir, you would be the judge of whether the wine is enough and if it isn't then help us find where we need to go to reach the source of the wine and get the berries."
RobC - "Maybe they will serrve in substitution." Tuesday March 16th, 2021 3:06:59 AM
There is nothing but silence in the room once the party finish delivering their update. It takes a few moments before Horatio speaks again.
"This is... unfortunate. It was only that I thought that this time could have been different. With any luck, we can extract something from the wine to help create a cure. Perhaps they could be used as a straight substitute? Perhaps something in the tannins? It will take time though. I'll need to work quickly." He gets lost in his thoughts for a moment before speaking again.
"Where are my manners. I am ever so grateful for what you have been able to achieve and in such a short amount of time. I have left some compensation for you back at your residence to cover any costs you may have incurred as well as a small thankyou for your efforts."
"Rather that conclude our dealings, I do have a proposition for you if you'd be interested. I have somewhat of a reputation of being able to help people. For that reason many often seek me out for aid. I'm only one man though and can't be everywhere at once. I can only help so many. Would you perhaps be interested in an arrangement where I extend some of the contracts to you for your consideration?"
The Twins (Mitch) HP 38/38 AC 24/12/22 Saves +4 Fort/+3 Ref/+1 Will Tuesday March 16th, 2021 7:54:55 AM
The Twins keep their peace and just listen and observe for now.
Honor Bright (Kathy) Tuesday March 16th, 2021 3:50:52 PM
"Thank you, sir," Honor says. "I hope the items we gathered will do the trick. I'll pray for Daniella. And yes, I would be interested in helping people with other problems, if help is needed."
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant, large (Kim) AC 17 Touch 13 FF15 HP 41/41 Tuesday March 16th, 2021 4:33:48 PM
"Honor is right, Horatio, sir. I have been praying for your daughter, too," Mundhildur adds. "My mother, Kara, taught me to help where I can where help is the right action. And my father, Guðmundur, was known for occasional kindness. If we can reserve the right to say 'yes' or 'no' to any particular request, I am open to listening."
She waits until the rest have had their say, then adds. "But, before we go, sir, though I know your daughter is bedridden today, and needs her rest, would it be well with you if we could visit Dani, briefly? I have a song for her."
SteveM - Elron | AC 21, HP 33/36 Tuesday March 16th, 2021 5:50:23 PM "These people are like athlete's foot -- they grow on you!" Elron laughs at his own joke, not realizing it may have been offensive. "But seriously, I'd be honored to have a chance to spend more time with this group. If somethin' good comes from it, all th' better."
Zeoll the Greensinger | AC16, 23hp | Cayzle d20+12=31 ; Wednesday March 17th, 2021 12:27:07 AM
Zeoll bows low and says he is happy that their host can offer direction in finding ways to help others.
Were he as he was in his youth, it would go that far and no further. However, after many years of experience, the old taur no longer trusts the good faith of those with power and motives unknown to him. So privately he is a little cynical, and subtly studies the man.
Sense Motive 31
Asimov and Irony | Hugh | AC 15/12/13 HP 37/37 | AC 13/11/12 HP 29/29 Hardness 2 Wednesday March 17th, 2021 2:04:19 AM
Asimov says, "Sure, I'll help. Irony and I have nothing better to do right now anyway and it is because of being in your employ that I was able to grow enough as a tinkerer to build him."
RobC - "I have nothing better to do right now anyway" Wednesday March 17th, 2021 8:34:42 PM
Horatio addresses Munhildur's question first. "Thankyou for your concern and offer, however I would prefer Dani rest. I'm told she isn't having a good day. Perhaps when you return next and she is able to take visitors"
Sense Motive DC20 ... Highlight to display spoiler: {You don't sense any deception here. Your gut says he is being honest with you}
The group unanimously agree to take on some of the contracts from Horatio.
"Excellent. Whenever a contract is suitable for you I will send for someone to fetch you from the village. There is one component of the contracts that I would ask. I would like for a small percentage of each contract to be donated back to the town. I see it as a responsibility of the wealthy to take care of those who are not. I have been blessed with all I need so need not take a 'cut', as you might say, from any deals. How much of each contract is invested back into the town is up to you. Uplift the docks, help renovate someone's house, buy everyone in the town a meal at the tavern. The choice will be yours, however the people of this town must benefit from it. Do you agree to that term?"
Assuming the party agree...
"In that case, get some rest and gather what supplies you need. I'm meeting with a potential client tomorrow and may have something for you then"
Honor Bright (Kathy) d20+6=19 ; Wednesday March 17th, 2021 9:53:10 PM
Honor readily agrees to help the town. "We should talk to people," she says. "Get a sense of what kinds of things they need most."
She heads to their lodgings with the others, still trying to get used to Irony. In the tales, such devices inevitably became possessed by evil spirits and tried to kill people. But those were just tales.
Right?
Zeoll the Greensinger | AC16, 23hp | Cayzle Wednesday March 17th, 2021 11:07:20 PM
Zeoll bows, convinced that the fellow is forthright.
"Come my allies, let us fall back to sleep and contemplate the night away, and maybe meditate on the quest just we have -- in one sense at least -- completed."
[OOC: Sometimes I get tired of doubling up the Rs, so I just avoid them.]
SteveM - Elron | AC 21, HP 33/36 d20+8=20 ; Wednesday March 17th, 2021 11:10:50 PM Sense motive = 20
After they're dismissed and heading to their quarters, Elron asks Munhildur, "Is that a song from your childhood you wanted t' sing? I'm sure she'll like it some other day." Mostly to make conversation. The one tune Elron knows keeps him happy, he expects music makes others feel that way too.
Asimov and Irony | Hugh | AC 15/12/13 HP 37/37 | AC 13/11/12 HP 29/29 Hardness 2 Thursday March 18th, 2021 12:26:28 AM
Asimov says to Honor, "Irony won't hurt anyone well unless they come after me but I can't make Chompy while Irony is in active mode. I can remove a piece from Irony, a very important piece and animate Chompy but then Irony will be even less useful than he is now. As I said he is somewhat of a body guard for me and at least this iteration of him can stand watch all night. Perhaps after I learn a bit more I might change what he can do but for now I can rest and he can remain active."
RobC - "Come my allies, let us fall back to sleep" Thursday March 18th, 2021 3:33:07 AM
The party take their leave and retire to the townhouse. It's the first time the twins have seen it.
Two stories tall, painted a dark-burgundy color, and with many square windows that look out to the street. The furnishings aren't anywhere near as glamorous as those of the mansion, but they are clearly better than any commoner would have. The bottom level features a kitchen, larder, dining room, lounge and two bedrooms. The upper floor features the other six bedrooms. There is an exit at the rear that leads to a private stable.
Sitting on a table in the middle of the loungeroom is a small rosewood box. Inside is a pile of platinum coins and a note "Compensation for most recent outing."
-------------- OOC: Apologies for two DM posts in a short timeframe. I wanted to give you a chance to do your shopping and get moving again. There is enough platinum/gold to get you to level 4 WBL (6,000gp)
I'd ask that you don't do your shopping on the CC board and instead resolve things among yourselves here (just to keep that board clean).
The Twins (Mitch) HP 38/38 AC 24/12/22 Saves +4 Fort/+3 Ref/+1 Will Thursday March 18th, 2021 6:13:44 AM
The Twins take great interest in just about everything, looking over the town and muttering to each other. They don't seem to have any interest in the box; they weren't hired for the job and only really followed along with the others, so don't feel like they should be compensated for it.
Honor Bright (Kathy) d20+15=32 ; d20+15=30 ; d20+15=29 ; Thursday March 18th, 2021 1:00:29 PM
Honor claims a share of the coin and urges the Twins to do the same. "You may not have been hired," she says. "But you'll be going with us on the next job and you should have decent gear if we can afford to get it for you. That will be to everyone's benefit. Besides," she adds, "we took the wine you were after; you deserve some compensation for that."
But Honor is less interested in shopping for gear than she is on talking to the townsfolk. She wants to find out what kinds of things they need; what they'd change about the town if they could. Her goal is to build a "project list" to make it easier to give something back when the group returns from a job.
[Diplomacy rolls: 32, 30, 29]
SteveM - Elron | AC 21, HP 33/36 Thursday March 18th, 2021 10:24:42 PM
Elron will gladly take his share of the money. "Say, I picked up these two weapons -- a frost dagger an' th' double chicken saber. But I ain't too good with stabby things. If any of you want one. . . ?" If no one claims the items, Elron will hang on to one, but he doesn't see the use in having two weapons that don't whap.
===== I assume if one gets sold, it goes to party treasure. Elron is holding onto the potion of CMW. There were other items that need to find owners or be sold as well that Kathy summarized for us March 10.
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant, large (Kim) AC 17 Touch 13 FF15 HP 41/41 Friday March 19th, 2021 2:09:16 AM
[catchin' up]
"Very well, father of Daniella. Perhaps in a day or two, if she's feeling up to it. If she needs her full rest now, then, I'm sure you're wise in that regard."
"Helping the dwellers of this town? Yes. It is good to give. They helped us prepare for the tasks you laid before us."
"Frost dagger?" Mundhildur's ears perk up at Elron's offer. "If someone wants this mercy dagger, I'd be pleased to use the frost dagger."
[Will try to do some shopping posting over the weekend.]
RobC - "Yes. It is good to give" Friday March 19th, 2021 2:21:48 AM
Honor goes for a walk to talk to some of the residents. They're all very happy to speak with her but aren't keen to talk about any problems they may have. She is able to make a few observations of her own though...
- Some of the fishing boats could do with repair. It looks like they're being maintained as best they can with what people could afford, but with more funds they might be properly repaired. - One older lady would like some help with her garden. She weeds it but it's a never ending battle for her. It would be nice for a little extra help. Perhaps some new flowers or plants as well?
Horatio has provided a lot for the town. There are no real major projects that need funding right now.
The party are free to spend the rest of the day as they choose. Relaxing, getting a bite to eat at the tavern, decorating a bedroom, shopping, or simply taking a walk on the docks.
------------ OOC: As agents of Horatio you are free to uplift any aspects of the town you like. I'll leave it with you all to self-regulate what scale you want to go but as newcomers to the town perhaps you should start small. We'll start the next contract on Monday
Asimov and Irony | Hugh | AC 15/12/13 HP 37/37 | AC 13/11/12 HP 29/29 Hardness 2 Friday March 19th, 2021 3:37:22 AM
(OOC1: I was caught on an after hours work call for 2 hours, messed with my schedule, sorry) (OOC2: so can we assume that any item we want we can find here if we can't shop at the catacombs?)
Asimov adds the fine knife from scene 1 and the gems and statuettes he valued at 30 gp to the lot of party treasure along with anything he picked up from the keep except for the ring of sustenance, that he had been wearing since he found it.
(OOC3: Is the knife from scene 1 anything special?) (OOC4: I'll post my shopping order / dibs on any treasure prolly this weekend)
The Twins (Mitch) HP 38/38 AC 24/12/22 Saves +4 Fort/+3 Ref/+1 Will Friday March 19th, 2021 7:48:27 AM
The Twins will take whatever knife isn't claimed by someone else. They prefer their current weapons but a conceable weapon is always nice.
Honor Bright (Kathy) d20+15=31 ; Friday March 19th, 2021 3:00:50 PM
Honor approaches Zeoll and tells him about the lady with the garden. "Could you maybe help her get some plants and flowers that would be easy to take care of?" she asks.
She also begins asking around the lady's neighborhood, looking for a kid who wouldn't mind earning a little extra coin by weeding a couple of times a week. [Diplomacy 31]
If she finds a suitable kid, she makes the arrangements and gives the lady a small purse of copper coins to pay for the kid's services.
She decides to save the fishing boats for next time.
RobC - "Yes. It is good to give" Friday March 19th, 2021 10:12:19 PM OOC:
@Hugh: In terms of shopping I'd say you can find anything here that you want/need. I believe Cayzle wanted to stick to Wold & Core items only - no splat books - but will leave with him to confirm
The Twins (Mitch) HP 38/38 AC 24/12/22 Saves +4 Fort/+3 Ref/+1 Will Sunday March 21st, 2021 10:36:02 PM
The Twins go shopping (actually I forgot to do that this weekend XD)
Asimov and Irony | Hugh | AC 15/12/13 HP 37/37 | AC 13/11/12 HP 29/29 Hardness 2 Monday March 22nd, 2021 12:58:54 AM
Asimov buys a light repeating crossbow, bracers of armor + 1 for Irony, and 3 more cases of bolts. He keeps the ring of sustenance for now as he has taken to wearing it.
RobC - "Could you maybe help her get some plants and flowers that would be easy to take care of?" Monday March 22nd, 2021 2:43:12 AM
The party enjoy a quick timeout knowing that the next morning there will some task or another to do.
It's easy for Honor to find a couple of kids that would be happy to earn a bit of coin. A boy and girl (brother and sister about 10 years old) are quite keen on the offer but want to check with their mother first to make sure it's ok. They run off and are back a short time later with beaming faces, all ready to attack a garden. Honor puts it to Zeoll to consider some plants that might be easy to care for that the lady might enjoy.
Each person (or 'persons' in the case of the twins) is able to take a bedroom of their own. The rooms were only built for medium sized individuals so some of the group may have a hard time of it until some redecorating can be done.
As promised, in the morning comes a knock at the door. "Good morning Sirs. Madams. There is a client ready to speak with you at the mansion. When shall I tell them you will meet with them?" Gideon stands waiting for your answer.
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant, large (Kim) AC 17 Touch 13 FF15 HP 41/41 Monday March 22nd, 2021 11:36:26 AM
In town, Mundhildur meets with the singing barber. Surely he knows many of the townspeople well. "Barber of Lowestoft, will you trim the ends of my hair? Maybe a finger's width or so, to even things out." As he cuts the tips of her long hair, she asks him, "This is a beautiful town, looks like it's well run, with many good people. And you, Barber of Lowestoft, have a strong singing voice. I like that." She waits as he gets past the halfway point of the task. "My friends and I are wondering. What things might we do to benefit the town? Are there services or needs that might be met? We'd like to chip in to help as we might, but want to do so with wisdom. Perhaps you could speak with folks, and give us a notion of one or more ways we might lend a hand." When he finishes, she pays him what he asks, and doubles it. "The extra is for hearing me out."
She does some shopping...
In the morning, she says, "Hello House Steward Gideon. How does mid-morning sound - two hours before noon?"
Honor Bright (Kathy) Monday March 22nd, 2021 4:02:02 PM
In the house, Honor has laid claim to one of the upstairs rooms, figuring the downstairs rooms are probably easier for the larger-sized people to manage.
In town, she is pleased with how the lady's garden got resolved, and is sure to leave a small purse to pay the brother and sister for their work.
In the morning, she smiles at Gideon. "I was going to suggest tea-time," she says, "in case people had errands they still need to run. But mid-morning works for me."
Zeoll the Greensinger | AC18, 23hp | Cayzle Monday March 22nd, 2021 10:14:51 PM
Zeoll is of course very happy to help with the lady's garden.
He also does some shopping as well. He shows off his new gear: +1 leather armor, +1 heavy darkwood shield, +1 cloak of resistance, and scrolls of Summon Nature's Ally (x3), Water Breathing, Heroism, Invisibility, and Cure Moderate Wounds (x3).
[OOC: PC sheet is up to date for gear now. Also, sorry for poor posting last week. Too much going on.]
SteveM - Elron | AC 21, HP 33/36 Monday March 22nd, 2021 11:28:58 PM
Elron is very specific about the weapon he wants, but doesn't have a name for it other than "whappin' stick." Unfortunately, the weaponers around here don't seem to have such a thing in stock. Not any old club will do. When he has time, he'll have to show them exactly what he means.
Meanwhile, he hangs on to the +1 double chicken saber. Mundhildur can have the +1 frost dagger.
Elron spends time looking for just the perfect thing, although he doesn't really know what that is. But he is ready to receive their guest at the time Gideon agrees to.
Asimov and Irony | Hugh | AC 15/12/13 HP 37/37 | AC 13/11/12 HP 29/29 Hardness 2 Tuesday March 23rd, 2021 2:17:55 AM
Asimov says, "Tea-time works. Irony get the teapot. Some day I'm gonna have to get a haversack. I could be better armored if I didn't have to worry about weight"
RobC - "How does mid-morning sound - two hours before noon?" Tuesday March 23rd, 2021 5:09:22 AM
Munhildur heads off to the barber to give her locks a trim. He hums as he cuts, quite happy with the job he's doing. Every now and then he pauses, take a steps back, and then steps forward to cut that elusive hair that wouldn't conform with the others. "Yes, we're quite lucky here. The Marquis is very generous and has always looked after us" He doesn't have a bad word to say about the town and certainly doesn't want to bother you with any troubles he might have. Though looking around, Munhildur can see that the chairs in this barbershop have seen better days. Perhaps some new furnishings here might be nice? Perhaps some new shears for the barber himself? All these small little improvements are everywhere that she looks. No 'big' projects stand out yet, but those small favors and good deeds are all about.
There is a little confusion at the house (both by Gideon and the DM!) but the group seem to decide on mid-morning as the time to meet their potential client. Gideon smiles and gives a polite nod "I'll convey the message immediately. Good day". He sets off back up the hill towards the mansion.
The party have a couple of hours before their meeting.
--------- OOC: You can keep doing your shopping and updating your sheets. I'm just trying to get this moving to hand the DMing duties back to you
Honor Bright (Kathy) Tuesday March 23rd, 2021 2:47:58 PM
"Asimov, I could carry some stuff for you," Honor says. "I mean, not stuff you might need in a fight, but maybe stuff for camping? I can carry another 30 pounds or so before it becomes a problem."
Zeoll the Greensinger | AC18, 23hp | Cayzle Tuesday March 23rd, 2021 3:38:13 PM
With a couple of hours to kill, Zeoll does what he can to find out how the local lord's daughter is doing, and if the ingredients the party gathered will suffice to help her.
Then he arrives in time for the meeting.
SteveM - Elron | AC 21, HP 33/36 Tuesday March 23rd, 2021 11:25:04 PM
Elron shops*. He thinks a nice portable shelter, maybe. The shopkeeper has to explain that, big as it is, a bag of holding is not a suitable tent. (But only once.)
----- * But it will be a couple of days before I find time to update him.
The Twins (Mitch) HP 38/38 AC 24/12/22 Saves +4 Fort/+3 Ref/+1 Will Tuesday March 23rd, 2021 11:27:46 PM
The Twins find something interesting to do to spend the time.
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant, large (Kim) AC 17 Touch 13 FF15 HP 41/41 Wednesday March 24th, 2021 1:32:48 AM
After leaving the barber, Mundhi goes to the blacksmith, and has words of praise for the barber. "I'd like to thank him for his skill and care. Do you suppose you might forge him a couple of pairs of nice, new shears? One set larger, and one set smaller for trimming the hard-to-get-to places?" If the smith does not deem himself the one for the job, she asks who might be, and goes to them with the same request. "When they are done, wrap them up nicely, and put a note on saying, "As thanks for work well done, and offered with song. --From the tall maiden"
If by chance Dani is feeling better, and it be allowed, she does want to peek in on her, and sing a little song about the dance of butterflies which her beautiful aunt used to sing to her as a girl. She won't stay long so as not to tire her. If Honor wants to come along, too, Mundhildur would be delighted.
RobC - "I'd like to thank him for his skill and care" Wednesday March 24th, 2021 2:53:15 AM
Honor sets to work performing some good deeds. First up will be the barber. He will surely be happy with the surprise.
As the time of the meeting approaches the party make their way up the hill to Lockridge Mansion. Mrs Reyna opens the front door and gestures towards the right to the lounge area you know well. Through the doorway to the left though you can see Dani sitting in a wheelchair by the window and painting a picture of the bay on a small canvas. She hasn't seen you.
The door to the lounge opens and you can see Gideon standing there, he gestures towards the comfortable leather couches inviting you to sit down.
There's no sign of the magical cube this time but there IS a stranger standing next to the desk.
He has short, wavy, white hair and currently wears a set of clouded goggles. He's slender like an elf and has their distinctive pointed ears, though he does have soft black skin. By his side hangs a rapier and handcrossbow. You've all been around the Wold long enough to know the difference between a surface-drow and a true drow. This guy is most certainly the latter.
His hands are clenched in front of him and he smiles on seeing you all.
Gideon closes the door behind you, and then does the introductions. "May I present Master Zulok Crudiseh, representative of House Dul'g". Zulok gives a very slight bow as he is introduced.
Asimov and Irony | Hugh | AC 17/12/15 HP 37/37 | AC 13/11/12 HP 29/29 Hardness 2 Wednesday March 24th, 2021 3:13:03 AM
Asimov purchases masterwork thieve's tools and a chain shirt, selling his leather armor and normal thieve's tools.
He gives Honor his bedroll, trail ration, waterskin and to hold and changes into his chain shirt.
(OOC: forgot that carrying capacity changes with strength increase but I still need honor to hold some things to keep mobility up in combat)
He checks out his light repeating crossbow, enjoying the complexity of the mechanisms involved.
Honor Bright (Kathy) Wednesday March 24th, 2021 4:17:16 PM
Honor recognizes that the man they're meeting with is a drow, and instantly she is on alert. They are evil creatures. Perhaps they cannot help it, but they are evil nonetheless, and not to be trusted.
She looks at him intently, using her Detect Evil ability to confirm what she's already pretty sure about.
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant, large (Kim) AC 17 Touch 13 FF15 HP 41/41 Wednesday March 24th, 2021 4:18:34 PM
"Greetings, Master Zulok Crudiseh, of House Dulg," Mundhi says, then pauses. "I'm sorry, is it House Dulug? Can you say that again? I am not yet knowledgeable of your people's tongue, Master Zulok, and I think there was something my ear did not quite catch." Then she adds, standing perhaps an inch or two taller, "Oh, and I am Mundhildur Karadottir, of Clan Stormur og Sky og Vindur Morguns, of the Jotunnar."
SteveM - Elron | AC 21, HP 33/36 Wednesday March 24th, 2021 9:10:38 PM
Elron advances on the drow to shake his hand. "Well, Master Zulok, what can we do for you? That is, I say, that is what we're here for -- to see if we can help you with a problem."
Zeoll the Greensinger | AC18, 23hp | Cayzle Wednesday March 24th, 2021 11:15:23 PM
Zeoll shakes the drow's hand and complements him on his soft skin. The liontaur does not join his friends on a couch, but sits, sphinx-style, next to them.
RobC - "Well, Master Zulok, what can we do for you?" Thursday March 25th, 2021 2:43:11 AM
Zulok grins slightly as Honor tries to detect for signs of evil. "You know, some people might be insulted by such an action". He is smiling now and obviously not offended. Honor doesn't see any evil aura to him.
Zulok gives a nod as the others shake his hand or offer greetings. "It's House D'gul, actually" He gives a glance to Gideon.
Highlight to display spoiler: {Actually, I'd mistakenly swapped D'gul and Dul'g back and forth in the writeup! D'gul sounds better I think so we're going with that}
"To business then" He remains standing "We have a situation where we could use the assistance of some outsiders. That is to say, people not of my kin. We have tried reaching out to other mercenary or adventuring groups however they don't seem to want anything to do with us. Master Lockridge has a reputation for being able to find help where others could not, so we reached out to him and here you are."
He starts pacing in front of the desk.
"House D'gul has been digging through some remains in the Scab to retrieve the bodies of those who fell long ago. In one of the digs we have discovered what we believe to be an entrance to a temple of sorts. We can recognize some of the external artwork as drow, however we're unable to determine to which deity it might be for. Whatever the case, we expect there to be some objects of great historical and cultural significance to us inside it. I've been sent to find help to retrieve them."
Asimov and Irony | Hugh | AC 17/12/15 HP 37/37 | AC 13/11/12 HP 29/29 Hardness 2 Thursday March 25th, 2021 5:58:05 AM
Asimov says, " Well met Zulok."
"I'm assuming there are dangers lurking in this temple considering you are seeking adventurers to help retrieve your historically and culturally significant items? I don't suppose you have any specifics so we know what to possibly prepare for?"
The Twins (Mitch) HP 38/38 AC 24/12/22 Saves +4 Fort/+3 Ref/+1 Will Thursday March 25th, 2021 8:18:19 AM
The Twins show great interest. "We'd love to help." "Culture and artifacts are of great interest to us." They look at the rest of the group to see how they feel on the matter.
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant, large (Kim) AC 17 Touch 13 FF15 HP 41/41 Thursday March 25th, 2021 1:00:51 PM
"If you can teach me your people's tongue along the way, then, yes, I am willing to go," Mundhildur says. "How far off is this place in the Scab from here?"
Zeoll the Greensinger | AC18, 23hp | Cayzle Thursday March 25th, 2021 5:03:18 PM
Zeoll grins when he hears of the mission. "As a forrmerr memberr of the Sage's Guild, I am cerrtainly pleased to rrecoverr lost lorre."
"But as a currrent adventurrerr, I must ask, if we arre not to keep what we find, how arre we to be ... rremunerrated?"
Honor Bright (Kathy) Thursday March 25th, 2021 6:08:04 PM
Honor remains skeptical. "If we do find items of historical and cultural significance," she says, "what will your people do with them?"
SteveM - Elron | AC 21, HP 33/36 Thursday March 25th, 2021 11:40:49 PM
Elron considers. "If you don't mind my askin', wouldn't th' temple be friendlier to your folks than to outsiders? Seein' how it was once your temple, an' all."
Of course, Elron's not really thinking about saying no to the request. Not after Master Lockridge checked it out first. But they ought to know all they can learn before going to such a place.
RobC - "We'd love to help." Friday March 26th, 2021 3:04:15 AM
Zulok doesn't have any objections to trying to teach Munhildur a few drow words, though explains it is a complicated language. Highlight to display spoiler: {In the UC book it says that it takes 20days to learn a new language. In Core you need to use a skill point. Up to everyone here what works}
Asimov and Elron have some concerns over what the dangers might be.
"Well that's where things are a little murky. We can't get in the door so we're not sure what's inside. The markings around the door suggest a temple but we can't be sure"
Zeoll and Honor are curious about the material components though
"Anything of significance to our history will be studied and put on display within the House D'gul holdings. I've been authorized to tell you that if you happen upon items that aren't of significance to us then they are yours to keep as payment for your service" He looks more directly to Honor "As you'll be the ones investigating this temple you'll have first view on what's there. I trust that you will fairly determine which items are of significance and which ones are not."
"It is a little hypothetical though. We don't know what's inside. It could just be cobwebs and rocks."
Honor's concerns aside it sounds like the rest of the group are in agreement.
"This is good news. I'm ready to leave when you are."
Asimov is quite well versed in Wold geography. With the Scab to the west it should take about 8 days overland travel to reach the border
--------------------------- Highlight to display spoiler: {Tap games are given some leeway as to distances and places in the Wold, so let's just wave the DM wand and say this town is somewhere in the east.}
Asimov and Irony | Hugh | AC 17/12/15 HP 37/37 | AC 13/11/12 HP 29/29 Hardness 2 Friday March 26th, 2021 8:43:48 AM
Asimov says to Irony, "Let's field test you in a sealed drow Temple and see how you work. I think you'll be a step up from chompy, though perhaps I'll run some other experiments on windup toys in the future."
To the rest of the party he says, "We got about an eight days journey ahead of us."
He asks Zulok, "That is fascinating about the Drow language. I'm a bit of a polyglot myself. Don't the drow also speak undercommon?"
Honor Bright (Kathy) Friday March 26th, 2021 10:15:32 PM
Privately, Honor vows not to turn over anything that detects as evil, cultural significance or no. Aloud, she only says, "I am ready to go as well."
SteveM - Elron | AC 21, HP 33/36 Friday March 26th, 2021 10:59:42 PM "Master Zulok, there's still the question of how we will know what you think is cult'rally significant. You might have some explainin' to do while we travel." Elron isn't sure if leaving in the afternoon is best, or waiting until morning.
The Twins (Mitch) HP 38/38 AC 24/12/22 Saves +4 Fort/+3 Ref/+1 Will Sunday March 28th, 2021 8:47:23 PM
The Twin shrug. They're willing to go just to learn more about the area and the culture.
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