DM Mitch Friday January 14th, 2022 7:26:10 AM Murphy dons his rope harness, asks others to accompany him on the scout and takes to the sky.
Succotash volunteers to join Murphy.
Pru stays behind as she is not good at spotting things.
Pressi decides to move forward but on the ground. She tries to convince Pru to come with.
Nikolai stays with Pru.
Tali tries to keep up with Murphy but the elemental is just too fast for her spell.
Kezzem tries to use detect evil but he doesn’t detect evil though he doesn’t see anyone or anything necessarily to use it on.
For those doing aerial reconnaissance, things start out ok at first but the closer they get to the walled city built into the volcano the darker things start to get and people notice a choking cloud of volcanic ash seems to be emanating from the city. Luckily for everyone Pressi’s planar adaptation allows folks to keep breathing as otherwise the Ash would be intolerable. However the ash does burn and anyone not warded from flame takes 5 fire damage and will take another d6 fire damage each round spent in the noxious cloud. Inside the cloud visibility is heavily reduced and there is no way to see into the city below from within it
Tali can see Murphy and those with him fly into the cloud and can choose to not enter it as she lags behind
The ground holds no such danger for Pressi.
Meanwhile Sashe the female drow illusionist asks Pru and Nikolai, “So have you read any good books lately? I don’t think we may be going anywhere for a while.”
Murphy (KimMc) Halfling AC 43/T22/F39 CMB 25 CMD 46 HP 196+11/196+11 Friday January 14th, 2022 7:32:32 AM
If needed to dip lower than 200' altitude is needed in order to see, Murphy will drop down for a closer look - at least enough to see the buildings and such. If he needs to go slower so as not to kick up wind as he drops lower, then slower he goes.
Succotash (Jeremy) AC 31/16/29 CMD 24 HP 135/135 Valerie AC 40/14(16)/35(34) CMD 42(34) HP 157(133)/157(133) (33 temp) Spells d20+36=53 ; Friday January 14th, 2022 11:14:32 AM
Succotash is glad for his protection from fire and Pressi's Planar Adaptation, as they fly through the toxic cloud. He finds the lack of visibility discomforting, and hopes to see more when Murphy lowers his elevation. (Perception 53)
active spells: Succotash Resist energy (fire) Heroes feast (12 temp HP) Planar adaptation
Valerie Resist energy (fire) Heroes feast (16 temp HP) Planar adaptation Air Walk
Daily stuff: channel energy (10d6) 10/10 speak with animals 22/22 agile feet 13/13 dimensional hop 190/190 Quicken rod (normal) 3/3
Hobie (Nick T) HP 208/198 AC 38 Touch 24 Flat 30 CMD 44 Hero Points 6 Prepared Spells Friday January 14th, 2022 1:34:02 PM
Hobie rides along with Murphy, counting out as many targets as he can find with his archers eyes
Prudence Komonov (Kathy) Friday January 14th, 2022 4:01:40 PM
"I'm not much of a reader," Pru replies to Sashe. Then she adds: "Don't worry. I can teleport us to where they are if they run into trouble. Or maybe I should say when they run into trouble."
Tali (JPWard) -- Tali(JonPaul) AC:38 (T:34, FF:32), CMD:42, Saves:(F:15/R:17/W:19), HP:121/121 , temp HP:12/12 Saturday January 15th, 2022 1:25:59 AM The calm before the storm...
Invisible & hovering, Tali realizes that trying to keep up with her troupe is proving to be a trick. Tali can see Murphy and those with him fly into the cloud and chooses to not enter it as she lags behind them, hovering out of reach of a Fire Giant, just in case.
DM Mitch Saturday January 15th, 2022 3:13:24 AM
Murphy quickly establishes the plain outside of the city is uninhabited. Any hopes of flying high enough to get a full view of the city are dashed by the cloud; at best, if you were over the city, you'd see a few blocks at the height you can reach before being blinded. If you wish to fly next to/over the wall to look into the city you can, but roll a stealth check (with invisibility bonus).
DM Mitch Saturday January 15th, 2022 3:17:29 AM
If he wants to just say screw it and do an invisible aerial tour of the whole city despite having to fly low (which re-reading your post may indicate) say so
DM Mitch Saturday January 15th, 2022 3:33:10 AM
(Edited DM post to change scene like I was supposed to. Shhhh, don't tell anyone we'll pretend it was always there.)
Pressi (Melvin) - AC 26 (31), HP 144+2, CMD 26 (28); Harper AC 31 (36), HP 102, CMD 30 (35) Saturday January 15th, 2022 9:31:11 PM
Pressi continues to make her way across the plains, after casting Protection from Energy (fire) upon herself.
She signals to Murphy that they just need to know if the gates themselves are being watched, so don't bother with the aerial fighting. If people want, she can stop for a quick divination as to whether there's a better entrance to the city. But for now, they really just need to know the dangers of the main gate, and a quick check while invisible should do it.
She reminds Murphy that there are no heroics. If spotted, the entire group retreats and they'll think of a new strategy after.
Murphy (KimMc) Halfling AC 43/T22/F39 CMB 25 CMD 46 HP 196+11/196+11 Sunday January 16th, 2022 12:37:36 AM
Murph will go over the wall on the far right (right from the party's perspective), then travels perhaps 100 feet within the boundaries of the wall at whatever height he needs to be able to see the street level (what is the range of sight? - 60'? 100'? something else?), so long as he does not need to fly over a building that is tall enough for street level to be farther away than visibility. He may be going up and down [with perfect fly maneuverability] as needed. How tall do most of the buildings appear to be? He wonders what the level of carcinoma may be in this city. Likely will slow travel speed to 250' (hustle speed) per round (about 28.4 mph). That will throw up far fewer wind eddies than 625' per round (71 mph).
If, for whatever reason, one or more guards manages to discern the invisible air elemental and start attacking, Murphy will move farther into the city, taking advantage of buildings to fly behind to provide cover, and expanding the scope of their city mapping. If things get really 'hot' - well, Succotash has some capabilities.
Murphy (KimMc) Halfling AC 43/T22/F39 CMB 25 CMD 46 HP 196+11/196+11 d20+36=38 ; d4=2 ; d20+43=48 ; Sunday January 16th, 2022 12:44:46 AM
Oops - did not see Pressi's post prior to posting Murphy's post immediately above this one. So, he will revise the flyover, focusing upon the main gate, going half speed (125/2= 62.5? or 60'), and using what stealth they might - in this case, 38. If spotted, and there is a need to speed things up and take evasive maneuvers, then that happens.
Stealth: 38 Perception: 48
Also - Murphy has the 9th-level Foresight spell active, which will give him solid warning in enough time to react/respond/and anticipate danger, along with the knowledge of what steps to take to avoid said danger.
Nikolai (JonathanT) AC 36 Tch 33 Ffted 31 HP 144/144 CMD 46/48(Grapple/Trip/Disarm) Sunday January 16th, 2022 10:56:21 PM
Nikolai had never been too keen on flying. Even when most of the Agents found ways to fly about, he had stayed on the ground. Nothing different here either. Glad to stay on the ground with Pru, he sees the difficulty the flying corps was having.
"Oh, interesting books? Indeed. My current one is a complicated story told from the perspective of one who is teaching the Hafling language to a bigun," Nikolai chuckles.
DM Mitch Monday January 17th, 2022 10:14:14 AM Succotash is glad for his protection from fire and for Pressi’s Planar Adaptation and he finds the lack of visibility discomforting.
Hobie flies along with Murphy trying to pick out individual targets though the cloud cover is very thick
Pru tells Sashe she’s not much of a reader but she can teleport them to the rest when they get into trouble.
Tali does not follow Murphy into the dark cloud. The city built into the Volcano looms in the distance for Tali but she can’t really see into it.
Pressi reminds Murphy there are no heroics here and all she really needs to know is if the main gate is watched.
Murphy hearing Pressi’s instructions decides to slow down and attempt to stealthily dip low enough near the main gate to get an idea of how things are there
Nikolai tells Sashe about the Halfling language primer he is reading.
Things start to come into focus as Murphy dips down and surveys the area around the gate. There appear to be 8 sentries stationed on the battlements of the wall over the main gate with 4 on the ground as if to check anyone who would approach the gate from the land. As Murphy turns his attention towards the gate and begins his slower descent, Hobie, Succotash and he all hear the clarion sound of a horn call coming from one of the 8 sentries on the battlements who appears to be pointing in your general direction with the hand not holding the horn. One of the 4 sentries stationed on the ground also appears to be looking up at the sky and hurls a boulder in your general direction but it does not pose a threat as it sails harmlessly wide and to your left. The other sentries look to be scrambling to get bows and boulders of their own as they did not observe the disturbance you made as you invisibly cut through thick smoke but 2 of them were just eagle eyed enough to notice the slight distortion the wind you generated made as you slipped below the cloud line.
Meanwhile Sashe says to Nikolai, “How droll. If the halflings look down on you because of your size, well actually they look up at you but you know what I mean, why go through the trouble of learning their language?”
Succotash (Jeremy) AC 31/16/29 CMD 24 HP 135/135 Valerie AC 40/14(16)/35(34) CMD 42(34) HP 157(133)/157(133) (33 temp) Spells Monday January 17th, 2022 12:45:13 PM
Seeing the comotion, and realize thay have been spotted, Succotash quickly cast dimensional door, and teleports Murphy, Hobie and himself, back to the others, just in time to overhear Sasha's comment. "Well it's safe to say they know we're here, or at least someone is here."
"I think you misunderstand us halflings and the use of the word biguns, Sasha. We use the word in the same way someone would use the word Drow, Human, Dwarf, ECT. It's simply a way for us to differentiate between us wee folk and those bigger than us. You try being a member of a race where you are in constant danger of being trampled by almost everyone, and you tell me you wouldn't figure out a way to tell others, of your kind, to look out there are people larger than you coming your way! It's a lot easier, and faster to say, "There are Bigun's ahead!" than to ascertain their race and than say, "There are drow ahead!"
Prudence Komonov (Kathy) Monday January 17th, 2022 2:36:27 PM
"I guess they're alerted to our presence now," Pru says. "So what's the plan? Do we want to try to teleport or dimension door over there? Fly again?"
Nikolai (JonathanT) AC 36 Tch 33 Ffted 31 HP 144/144 CMD 46/48(Grapple/Trip/Disarm) Monday January 17th, 2022 7:20:40 PM "Not yet honey. We need to wait for more information. If they need us in there, fine, but with the guard alerted, we'd be up against the whole city. They need to skedaddle out of there and work out a different plan. Obviously, they have some means of magic detection around the gate. Sneaking up on the ground, finding out where it is, then neutralizing it before crossing again would be a decent plan."
To Sashe he adds an aside, "How best to know when they are talking about you? Know the language," he smiles.
Murphy did not come this far just to flee because one rock went well wide of its mark. He resists his friend's teleportation spell. It's up to Hobie whether he chooses to stay with him or return with the cleric. If he stays, he knows that Hobie also can teleport. As he was just as the edge of discernability below the cloud line when a couple giants where able to figure out his location, he rises back up into the air, presumably out of their sight, for 30', then kicks into higher speed at a 35-degree different angle while obscured by ash. Once a few hundred feet higher, he aims farther in to the city.
"Sorry, Succo, you didn't ask, didn't warn, and I didn't stack up all the spells I've got on me just to run scared of a mis-thrown boulder," he says once he is out of range. "I'm going further in to find us a better landing spot than the front gate - which is why I really didn't want the front gate to be our first choice of scouting." He does so - flies fast several hundred feet in, then diagonally a ways towards the volcano. If Hobie is still with him, he mentally asks for his input and observations, and talks with everyone letting them know his own plan and observations. Once, he is, say, about 750 or so feet away, and not in a direct line of the streets going toward the gate, air elemental Murphy slows to about 60' per round as he gets to the edge of seeing the tops of buildings, and moves with stealth, aiming to scout out a decent place for the party to port to. He will dip in and out as may be required until he finds a suitable place. Well, no more than 4 dips for the moment. He does not follow a linear path, but changes direction - and uses know direction fairly frequently, using the volcano and front gate as reference points.
4 stealth rolls (I figure he should be able to find a good spot with that number of attempts) And 4 perception rolls (one for each spot): Murphy's scouting rolls Spot 1: Stealth: 41, Perception 52 Spot 2: Stealth: 52, Perception 47 Spot 3: Stealth: 37, Perception 58 Spot 4: Stealth: 49, Perception 56
If spot 2, 3, or 4 look suitable, and he does not immediately come under attack, he will still himself, so as to be harder to discern, and take a good look about so as to describe well the place to those who can teleport (Succotash and Tali and Prudence?) and really everyone should get his description.
During his dips, he also wants to see if there is evidence of other elemental presences - especially fire elementals. Not only that, but what other creatures might be seen about the streets?
If any want to reproach him for now, he certainly will listen. He'll also listen if they offer good suggestions.
"Someone want to plant an oak tree behind one of the rocky outcroppings, out of sight of the wall?" he asks.
"Meanwhile, do the diplomatic corps want to see about percolating another approach?"
And to wrap up, if a bunch of determined pursuit is built up before he is able to spot a good place, he may simply take a fair amount of evasive action, or, if he is still there, see if Hobie can teleport them back to square 1.
Pressi (Melvin) - AC 26 (31), HP 144+2, CMD 26 (28); Harper AC 31 (36), HP 102, CMD 30 (35) Monday January 17th, 2022 8:57:23 PM
Pressi frowns as she senses Murphy's continued presence. Not that she thinks that Murphy is in that much danger yet, but the longer he stays, the less likely they can sell this as someone who got paranoid.
Speaking of, Pressi is unimpressed by the fact that they would notice such a detail. She figures they can know wait for these guys to give themselves heart attacks. Still, they are a long way from the infiltration of the giants way back when.
"If you really want to help out, then change of strategy," Pressi messages Murphy. "Pull back well outside the wall before scouting around. Lets see if they have any back doors, sewage areas, farms, outside the wall encampments. Maybe a building next to the main wall, we could ethereal jaunt right through the sentries."
For her part, she hides behind an outcropping and drops one of the oak tree acorns into a hole. She then begins a divination (CL=18), asking where is the best place to infiltrate the gated city.
Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 41/21/36; HP 248/248 + 12; Rumpus AC 33/16/27; HP 101/101 + 16 Monday January 17th, 2022 10:04:40 PM
"You would think we would learn to not split up by now, but noooooo," says Kezzem. "Are we attacking now?"
Hobie (Nick T) HP 208/198 AC 38 Touch 24 Flat 30 CMD 44 Hero Points 6 Prepared Spells Tuesday January 18th, 2022 1:39:17 AM
Hobie sticks with Murphy, riding along looking for the best spot. He doesn’t quite feel threatened by the giants yet.
Murphy (KimMc) Halfling AC 43/T22/F39 CMB 25 CMD 46 HP 196+11/196+11 Tuesday January 18th, 2022 1:46:21 AM
"Sure, Pressi," Murphy broadcasts to her and everyone. "I'll be happy to look for those types of things. So after I finish a few barely-below the thick-ash cover dips, I'll be up for skedaddling and looking elsewhere."
"Trying to come up with more information for you, Nikolai. Wish me luck. That would be Dymuna pob lwc i fi in halfling. And remember, there are two 'Ls' in halfling."
"Right, Kezzem, never split up. That's why we can all get in each other's heads right now. If we can avoid attacking, or being attacked overmuch, that could help us better fulfill our mission, but I'll let you know."
"Thanks, Prudence, for the mass eavesdropping spells."
"Tali, how are you doing?"
DM Mitch d20+19=36 ; d20+19=37 ; d20+19=38 ; d20+19=36 ; d20+19=23 ; d20+19=22 ; d20+19=24 ; d20+19=38 ; d20+19=38 ; d20+19=27 ; d20+19=38 ; d20+19=23 ; d20+19=39 ; d20+19=34 ; d100=40 ; d100=22 ; d100=29 ; d100=20 ; d100=10 ; d100=15 ; Tuesday January 18th, 2022 6:44:40 AM Succotash tries to dimension door himself, Hobie and Murphy back to the gate. He arrives back in time to explain to the Drow what exactly is meant by the term Bigun.
Pru asks if they should teleport, dimension door or fly over to where the commotion is.
Nikolai opines to his wife that they need more information before springing into action. He tells Sashe the best way to know if someone is talking about you is to learn their language.
Murphy decides not to flee with Succotash and instead presses on with some fancy flying to try to evade detection. He gives some suggestions as to what to do with an Oak tree and what the diplomatic corps should do.
Pressi frowns as she senses Murphy’s continued presence. She isn’t impressed so far and suggests that her husband change his strategy and pull outside the wall. She drops an acorn down a hole and asks in a divination where the best place is to sneak in.
The answer Pressi gets is “The small gate.”
Kezzem remarks that they would learn to not split the party by now and asks if they are attacking now.
Hobie decides to stay as well.
Murphy and Hobie decide to advance. After emerging from the cloud a way’s off he quickly scans the area on the other side of the wall. It’s a ramshackle area of confused buildings seemingly put up by throwing large slabs of rock together and hoping that they stay up. They are mostly sized for large sized creatures or larger. Hiding spots are plentiful in the haphazard mess, but that just means if he chances ducking into a concealed spot he might just run face first into someone. Quickly picking an overhang he’s able to swing into it and hide and is in luck as no one seems to be around.
Their hiding spot gives them a decent view of the walls. The giants on the wall boil like a kicked anhil. It quickly becomes quite evident that though he only saw a handful at the gate it has plenty of internal guardhouses and halls to hold far more giants. With military efficiency they form squads and begin sweeping the poor district. They can also see more moving up to man the battlements - it’ll be even harder to cross without being seen by the sharp eyed giants now, even invisible.
Pressi (Melvin) - AC 26 (31), HP 144+2, CMD 26 (28); Harper AC 31 (36), HP 102, CMD 30 (35) Tuesday January 18th, 2022 9:46:23 AM
Pressi thinks about this, about whether kicking the hornets nest at the main gate would move everyone to the small gate. Or maybe still do the ethereal jaunt through the walls. Or could they use the fact that two people are already in as a method.
But for now, the small gate is the priority,
Murphy (KimMc) Halfling AC 43/T22/F39 CMB 25 CMD 46 HP 196+11/196+11 Tuesday January 18th, 2022 9:50:22 AM
Murph describes what he and Hobie have been seeing. "Should this be a 'take me to your leader' moment?" he asks the group. He is impressed with the fire giants' up-front defensive capabilities, but a gateway should usually be a well-protected spot.
"So, you want we should find the small gate?" he asks Pressi, et al.
Succotash (Jeremy) AC 31/16/29 CMD 24 HP 135/135 Valerie AC 40/14(16)/35(34) CMD 42(34) HP 157(133)/157(133) (33 temp) Spells Tuesday January 18th, 2022 10:54:41 AM "Maybe I could give them something to throw them off our scent. Maybe I could summon some sort of creature, roughly the same size as Murphy is in his air elemental form, maybe an actual air elemental, and have it appear near the main gate. It may throw the giants off our scent, since they only saw Murph, Hobie, and myself's rough shape coming out of the smoke cloud. What do you guys think?"
Prudence Komonov (Kathy) Tuesday January 18th, 2022 5:03:42 PM
"Succotash, let's plan on doing that after we find the small gate," Pru says. "We can send a group of elementals to the main gate as a diversion. I can summon some, too."
Tali (JPWard) -- Tali(JonPaul) AC:38 (T:34, FF:32), CMD:42, Saves:(F:15/R:17/W:19), HP:121/121 , temp HP:12/12 Tuesday January 18th, 2022 10:38:48 PM A slight disturbence
Invisible & hovering, Tali realizes that trying to keep up with her troupe is proving to be a trick, so she returns to the return gate and waits.
When the rest of the group returns in a hasty manner, she listens to what the others offer.
Nikolai (JonathanT) AC 36 Tch 33 Ffted 31 HP 144/144 CMD 46/48(Grapple/Trip/Disarm) d20+35=54 ; d20+46=49 ; Tuesday January 18th, 2022 11:14:37 PM "Good idea Pru, a diversion is what we need. Time for me to sneak afoot and see if I can find that small gate. I'll go invisible and avoid ash clouds and dust. I'll keep in constant touch," he smiles and winks.
Nikolai activates his Light Steps ability from his Monk Vest. This allows him to 'walk' across the surface with just barely touching it. He can do this each round as long as he ends his move on a solid surface. He also is able to avoid difficult terrain by doing this. He also hopes to avoid leaving any footsteps in the ash.
So, after activating his Ring of Invisibility, he starts across the plains towards the Fire Giant city. The closer he gets, the more cautious. He does not head to the main gate, of course, but to the farthest extent of the wall closest to him (right or left of the main gate).
Perception +35 = 54 Stealth +26 +20(invisible) = 49 (let me know how many of these i need to get to the wall farthest from the main gate).
Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 41/21/36; HP 248/248 + 12; Rumpus AC 33/16/27; HP 101/101 + 16 Wednesday January 19th, 2022 12:42:23 AM
"Wouldn't it the small gate also be guarded?" asks Kezzem. "Maybe we could make our own gate instead."
Succotash (Jeremy) AC 31/16/29 CMD 24 HP 135/135 Valerie AC 40/14(16)/35(34) CMD 42(34) HP 157(133)/157(133) (33 temp) Spells Wednesday January 19th, 2022 3:22:10 AM "Kezzem may be on to something. I prepared Stone Shape this morning, I could just make an opening in the wall."
DM Mitch Wednesday January 19th, 2022 7:23:34 AM Pressi ponders her options before deciding on the small gate being the priority.
Murphy describes things to the others and asks if now is the take me to your leader moment or if they should look for the small gate.
Succotash suggests he could summon a diversion to throw the giants off of Murphy’s trail.
Pru suggests they focus on the small gate first and then they can summon a diversion together.
Tali realizes it is hard to keep up with the faster fliers in the group so she falls back to the entrance portal where some of the party is mustering
Nikolai goes invisible and advances towards the far side of the wall. He makes extra sure to be stealthy as he gets close and searches for the small gate
Kezzem suggests they just make their own door.
Succotash likes that idea.
The search of the wall proceeds smoothly. The guards on the top have doubled, with a guard patrolling every 10 or so feet. Nikolai is easily within sight of a dozen or more at a time but his invisibility and skill keeps him hidden. The search proves slow going though since he has to be so stealthy and he doesn’t find the small gate in the first section of wall he scans.
Meanwhile in the city a patrol moves into the area Murphy and Hobie are in. They look about suspiciously for any signs of the invisible pair (stealth checks please).
Murphy (KimMc) Halfling AC 43/T22/F39 CMB 25 CMD 46 HP 196+11/196+11 Wednesday January 19th, 2022 7:41:09 AM
Stealth is 52.
Prudence Komonov (Kathy) Wednesday January 19th, 2022 8:43:42 PM
"The small gate is probably guarded, too," Pru agrees with Kezzem, "But it probably doesn't have as many guards. And if we make a distraction at the main gate, hopefully it will slow reinforcements to the small gate."
Tali (JPWard) -- Tali(JonPaul) AC:38 (T:34, FF:32), CMD:42, Saves:(F:15/R:17/W:19), HP:121/121 , temp HP:12/12 Wednesday January 19th, 2022 9:42:28 PM Fire Giant StormTroopers
Tali, invisible and still, listens to any chatter across the communication links, hoping to find a way to support her troupe.
Pressi (Melvin) - AC 26 (31), HP 144+2, CMD 26 (28); Harper AC 31 (36), HP 102, CMD 30 (35) Wednesday January 19th, 2022 10:41:20 PM
Pressi casts “find the path,” hoping it will lead directly to the small gate.
“Murphy, get out of there.” Pressi messaged. “We’ll find another way.”
If Murphy refuses, “at least duck into one of the buildings. Find a way to fit into the surroundings, make it hard for them to maneuver. And if you happen to find a giant we might diplomacy with, great.”
If She hears the giants closing in on Murphy, she casts quickened dancing lights before reusing HiPS. Hoping they take the bait.
Nikolai (JonathanT) AC 36 Tch 33 Ffted 31 HP 144/144 CMD 46/48(Grapple/Trip/Disarm) d20+35=46 ; d20+46=51 ; Thursday January 20th, 2022 12:23:23 AM
Nikolai keeps figures the small gate won't be close to the main gate so he does not bother getting close to that. He keeps checking the wall here until he figures he's too close to the main gate for a small gate to be.
In order to save time in getting past the main gate to start on the other side, he uses his monk Abundant Step ability to Dimension Door past the main gate. He can go 920ft in this manner as a Move Action and spending 2 ki pts.
Finishing up this side: Perception +35 = 46 Stealth +26 +20(invisible) = 51
Hobie (Kim for Nick T) HP 208/198 AC 38 Touch 24 Flat 30 CMD 44 Hero Points 6 Prepared Spells d20+41=53 ; d20+21=29 ; d20=20 ; Thursday January 20th, 2022 2:46:07 AM
Hobie remains still, while looking down at the targets below, barely breathing as people look upward. As is usual on such a spying mission, his waist and an ankle are wrapped to anchor him in Murphy's air elemental harness, he has his arrows nocked, left and index fingers keeping the middle of the shafts near the wood of the bow, but has not yet draw back on the string. His right index, middle, and ring fingers keep the nocked arrows firm against the string. He feels relaxed, ready for action.
The threat from above mentally maps out the area below. He knows where the buildings are, the people, the passageways. He guesses at the personalities and intentions of the people below who are searching for them. Though that generally is not his strong suit, he does fairly well this time. He'd love to have his cousin Roscoe along with him sometime on such an adventure.
He lets the rest of the team know what he is seeing and hearing. He also listens to what others are reporting.
============ Stealth: 53 Perception: 29 Sense Motive: 20 (nat 20) - see what he can figure out about the personalities and current intentions of the people who search below.
Murphy (KimMc) Halfling AC 43/T22/F39 CMB 25 CMD 46 HP 196+16/196+16 Thursday January 20th, 2022 5:45:46 AM
[BTW, the 52 for stealth was from my post of the 17th, in which I made 4 stealth rolls. I figure the first one was for when I first flew in to look about. Then after a bit, people came looking around after I tucked up under the ledge. Thus, the second roll.]
Murphy is motionless, tucked neatly under the overhang of one of the buildings. Unless someone clearly spots him, he waits until the local activity dies down.
However, if spotted, he ambles away, in an air elemental sort of way. If moving, he slips up and over the overhang, then farther up the roof, then straight up into the air at speed.
If not spotted, though, he remains as the searches go off elsewhere.
"I like the notion of making our own gate, Kezzem & Succotash," the druid comments.
"So, should Hobie and I create more disturbance around the front gate, or look for a good gathering spot a ways from the small gate? Or just creep about, looking for a good target spot farther in?"
DM Mitch d20+22=25 ; d20+22=27 ; d20+22=28 ; d20+22=39 ; d20+22=29 ; d20+22=35 ; Thursday January 20th, 2022 6:12:14 AM Murphy continues to hide. He asks about creating a distraction at the main gate or try to find a good gathering spot on the other side of the small gate.
Pru suggests the small gate is guarded too but it probably doesn’t have as many guards. She reiterates her idea of making a distraction at the main gate.
Tali listens to the chatter hoping to find a way to support her troupe.
Pressi tells Murphy to get out of there or failing that to duck into one of the buildings and that they’ll find another way. She also casts find the path hoping to get a bee line for the small gate.
Nikolai keeps up his search, skipping around the front gate with his magic step ability
Hobie looks down at the giants and tries to get a read from them.
The giants searching the streets are very thorough. If the pair had been on the ground they might have been stumbled into as the giants make a point to try to spread out and fill the narrow space of the street. They duck into buildings and quickly search them as well. They’re cool and professional, speaking only to confirm a building is clear or to direct the search. Hobie notes a tenseness to them, possibly explainable by the nature of the search but he gets the feeling the giants were expecting trouble of some kind. One wearing some kind of rank marker fingers a pouch as the search goes on, but they don't find the pair on the roof in their search.
Outside the walls Nikolai is able to find the small gate. It’s actually large sized, though to the fire giants it’d be small with them having to duck their heads to get through it. It’s cleverly concealed along the opposite side of the wall he started his search on, probably for small sorties and saboteurs to sneak out in case of an assault. 5 giants stand on the wall above keeping a close eye on it, but the distance and party wide invisibility mean they’re unlikely to spot anything.
Murphy (KimMc) Huge Air Elemental AC 43/T22/F39 CMB 25 CMD 46 HP 196+16/196+16 Thursday January 20th, 2022 9:18:55 AM
"There is a leader among the giants who just searched," Murphy gives a general report. "Folks, what do you think about me letting him know we are trying to find a fellow there, and not to harm the other people here?" If the go-ahead is given, he asks Hobie if he minds being left atop the roof. "I can come get you shortly - but I know you also can fly, and teleport, and such. If things go well with my conversation, then perhaps we can have everyone show up here. If not, then we'll head out," he explains. "Sound good?"
If the go-ahead is not given, then he asks, "So, other suggestions?"
Effective spells and conditions: Subtract about 15 minutes from times listed below Heroes' Feast (16 temp hp) 11 hours Longstrider 18 hours Magic Fang, Greater (+4) 18 hours Protection from Energy (fire) 3 hours Resist Energy (cold) (30 points per damage incident) 3 hours Stoneskin 3 hours Freedom of Movement 3 hours Foresight (9th level spell) 3 hours Mage Armor 3 hours Invisibility 18 minutes
Succotash (Jeremy) AC 31/16/29 CMD 24 HP 135/135 Valerie AC 40/14(16)/35(34) CMD 42(34) HP 157(133)/157(133) (33 temp) Spells Thursday January 20th, 2022 12:30:26 PM "I don't like it Murph, assuming Hobie is right, how did they know we were coming? Something doesn't pass the smell test, and I fear diplomacy may not be much good at this time. I wish you guys would have returned with me. It's my job to get everyone out of harms way, on these scouting missions, and how am I supposed to do that when you resist my escape efforts?"
Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 41/21/36; HP 248/248 + 12; Rumpus AC 33/16/27; HP 101/101 + 16 Thursday January 20th, 2022 4:19:08 PM
"Then what if we do a double-bluff. Make an obvious distraction at the main gate, then make a less obvious distraction at the small gate so that the giants THINK the main gate is a feint, and then actually attack the main gate?" asks Kezzem. "That will confuse them fore sure!"
Murphy (KimMc) Huge Air Elemental AC 43/T22/F39 CMB 25 CMD 46 HP 196+16/196+16 Thursday January 20th, 2022 5:52:44 PM
"I seriously doubt they knew we were coming, Succo," Murphy responds. "They simply have alert guards. If we end up talking with them, we should commend them on their security status. We won't mention they probably should have had some guards stationed near the portal dais.
"We were barely in harm's way, friend. You might have done a quick ask prior to the cast. Sorry to leave you feeling frustrated. I wonder where the rocks landed? Also, I should work more on my stealth skills."
"Good thoughts, Kezzem. All right, now can you think of a plan that involves us avoiding a pitched battle at a heavily fortified position?" Murphy asks with a smile, but he is invisible, and this is telepathic communication.
Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 41/21/36; HP 248/248 + 12; Rumpus AC 33/16/27; HP 101/101 + 16 Thursday January 20th, 2022 7:09:37 PM
"Well, we could try telling them we are mushroom farmers," replies Kezzem. "But our success rate there has not been as high as I would like."
Tali (JPWard) -- Tali(JonPaul) AC:38 (T:34, FF:32), CMD:42, Saves:(F:15/R:17/W:19), HP:121/121 , temp HP:12/12 Thursday January 20th, 2022 7:20:00 PM Small to you, may not be to others...
Tali will stay where she is, visible and motionless, listening to the communication of the troupe. Eventually, and hopefully soon, she will be able to lend a hand.
Pressi (Melvin) - AC 26 (31), HP 144+2, CMD 26 (28); Harper AC 31 (36), HP 102, CMD 30 (35) Thursday January 20th, 2022 9:32:10 PM
Pressi warns Murphy not to engage with the commander. "Regardless, we have only one shot with diplomacy, if at all, and I seriously doubt it's the guy who's job is to kill us, and oh yeah the guy who looks at us like we look at roast rabbit. Best case scenario is we convince him to take us prisoner now to kill us later.
"If we do manage to make a diplomatic connection, it will be solo to an actual leader with leverage and a common goal and that's putting it optimistically. Maybe the guy we return the fallen armor to will at least listen, and that's a big if as well. I'm assuming we are on our own, with maybe one or two guys who might answer questions. In the meantime, we are now fugitive thieves hoping whatever we are looking for is clearly marked."
While Pressi talks, she continues to make her way to the main gate. "I can handle the distraction, if the rest of you can make it to the main gate. I was thinking I could use my rogue skills or Ethereal Jaunt to help at the small gate but it'll take time for me to get there, plus I can probably phase through the wall at my convenience once everyone is in.
"I'm looking for input but the current plan is that I do what I do best: attract attention from 120 feet in the air on a broom. When that happens, I want the rest of the group to go in as invisibly, ethereally or stealthily as possible. I'll fly away, then phase through the wall later. Unless someone has another idea."
Prudence Komonov (Kathy) Thursday January 20th, 2022 10:53:50 PM
Pru gives a little chuckle at Kezzem's suggestion. "I don't know about the giants," she says, "But that would certainly confuse me."
To Murphy, she replies, Look, I'm a big fan of diplomacy, but now is not the time. Right now we have the advantage of surprise. I don't think it's a good idea to voluntarily give that up on the off chance that we can find a sympathetic ear. I think we should press on and hope to negotiate later from a position of strength.
Nikolai (JonathanT) AC 36 Tch 33 Ffted 31 HP 144/144 CMD 46/48(Grapple/Trip/Disarm) Friday January 21st, 2022 12:15:42 AM
Nikolai rolls his eyes. "Before we do anything more, we need to refocus on our objective. It certainly was not to engage in a mass battle against the Fire Giant City! Wasn't it to find some shunned family property? Obviously, we are not going to be able to all go in there and look, not at this point anyway. And Diplomacy? If Fire Giants are anything remotely like Frost Giants, then the only way to engage in diplomacy is for them to need US, not us need THEM! So, whoever is in there, stay in there until things calm down. They do have to sleep sometime. Then venture out again to find this shunned place. Once you find one, then we make plans for the next step.
But there's no point in storming the gates. Creating a diversion will just put them on a higher alert color than they already are in and it may be days before we get a window to sneak in again."
Murphy (KimMc) Huge Air Elemental AC 43/T22/F39 CMB 25 CMD 46 HP 196+16/196+16 Friday January 21st, 2022 3:37:00 AM
"Good counsel, all. Yep, Prudence, mine was a weak suggestion, but I thought at least I'd throw it out there. Right, Pressi, Flamescorn's dead fire giant body armor may win us a hearing. Keep doing what you're doing. Oh, and Succotash, after what Hobie mentioned, you likely are right - not that they were necessarily expecting us, but expecting something. With all our asking around somewhere, yeah, they may have been alerted we are coming. So, I'll drop my earlier gainsay."
To Nikolai (yet still on broadcast mode) Murphy says, "You are right. I think avoiding a huge confrontation at either gate is not the way to approach this. Witch on a broomstick may be the best diplomatic salvo."
Tali - you may be feeling left out, but that's not our intent. When Pressi sallies forth to begin negotiations, can you be nearby to give her whatever protection she may need?"
After ensuring no one is presently looking up at them, Murphy eases back into the above-the-city ash cover. Just to understand their environment a bit better, he gives Hobie a heads-up then continues his ascent at a hustling pace (250' per round) to try to see just how thick the ash cover is, and how high this plane reaches. Within reason - he's not going to go more than say a thousand to 1200 feet if he doesn't find any change. Once he has discovered a difference or a limit, he will report in, likely to head over then to where Pressi or other folks may suggest.
Hobie (Kim for Nick T) HP 208/198 AC 38 Touch 24 Flat 30 CMD 44 Hero Points 6 Prepared Spells d20+21=32 ; Friday January 21st, 2022 3:42:13 AM
"I still hope I have a chance to perforate a few foes in this dirty place," Hobie tells Murphy. "High flight? Okay. I'll keep a lookout for anything incoming around us or behind us," he tells the druid. Arrows are nocked, all he has to do is pull back and release if something looks to hurt the pair. ============ Perception: 32
Hobie (Nick T) HP 208/198 AC 38 Touch 24 Flat 30 CMD 44 Hero Points 6 Prepared Spells Friday January 21st, 2022 4:02:25 AM
“I’m fine, leave me he here.”
Hobie is happy to stay out and keep watch while Murphy goes off. If things go south, Hobie has a few ways out, and more than enough Giant Bane Arrows to defend himself.
Hobie (Nick T) HP 208/198 AC 38 Touch 24 Flat 30 CMD 44 Hero Points 6 Prepared Spells Friday January 21st, 2022 4:04:04 AM
Hobie remains invisible, but still does his best to keep behind cover knowing that surely some of them can see invisible creatures
DM Mitch d8=2 ; d3=3 ; d3=3 ; d3=3 ; d8=8 ; Friday January 21st, 2022 6:43:39 AM Murphy points out the giant leader over the link and asks if he should make contact
Succotash doesn’t like Murphy’s suggestion and that something isn’t right. He also wish’s Hobie and Murphy hadn’t resisted the escape attempt on the scout.
Kezzem asks if they do a double-bluff by making a distraction at the main gate, make a less obvious distraction at the small gate then actually attack the main gate.
Murphy tells Succotash he doubts they knew they were coming and that they merely have alert guards. He also opines that they weren’t in much danger when Succotash teleported away and that Kezzem has a good idea.
Kezzem suggests using the Mushroom Farmer story but the success rate has not been that high
Tali stays where she is listening to the communications looking for a chance to help.
Pressi warns Murphy not to engage and if they do find someone to do the diplomatic approach with it will be a solo leader later. She volunteers to handle the distraction at the main gate while the rest attempt the small gate and that she will fly away and meet up with the rest later after getting through on her own.
Pru tells Kezzem that his plan would certainly confuse her before telling Murphy that she doesn’t think now is the time for diplomacy
Nikolai suggests they refocus on their objective and not do anything further to put the giants on any higher alert. As their goal is to find that shunned place and learn more about their antagonist and not fight a pitched battle with the giants and storming the main gate would only put them on high alert. He suggests Murphy and Hobie stay put and lay low then find the shunned place themselves and the rest of them can plan the next step after it is found.
Murphy flies up to find the roof and immediately discovers new developments. The ash cloud is lowering and thickening. It’s about half the height it was, forcing him lower if he wants to have any visibility in the city. Flying up through the cloud he goes what he thinks is about 1200 feet and finds no roof, so he turns around and heads back. And back. Wait, this is taking too long, which way is down again? He may be protected from the choking and the fire damage but there is no possible way to determine direction in here and he just blindly flew ‘up’ with no way to keep his flight straight.
The rest of the party dithers outside the walls about possible plans.
Murphy (KimMc) Halfling AC 43/T22/F39 CMB 25 CMD 46 HP 196+16/196+16 Friday January 21st, 2022 12:05:38 PM
How about if Murphy uses know direction? And gravity? "Up" and "Down" should not be tough concepts.
[And will someone with DM privileges please delete my 'Hobie (Kim for Nick T)...' post immediately above this one?]
DM Mitch Friday January 21st, 2022 12:36:24 PM
By definition you are Defying Gravity and have no visibility whatsoever. You could be flying just as easily on your side as with your head pointing Towards the Sky, so if you just want to fly "up" you might be heading towards the roof or you might be heading sideways with no visible way to orient yourself. This is a real problem experienced by anyone who flies or dives in low visibility. A survival skill check might keep you oriented as you do a straight up and straight down, some spells may work, or you can try to think of something clever
Succotash (Jeremy) AC 31/16/29 CMD 24 HP 135/135 Valerie AC 40/14(16)/35(34) CMD 42(34) HP 157(133)/157(133) (33 temp) Spells Friday January 21st, 2022 12:56:31 PM
If Murphy shares his dilemma with the rest, he will suggest. "Why don't you try just not flying for a second or two, you know, acting as if you have landed, and let gravity tell you which way is down." Of course if he doesn't share his dilemma, he wouldn't say that.
If Pressi flys toward the main gate, Succotash will jump on Valerie and follow, as the invisible dino airwalks. he casts Longstrider on Valerie increasing her speed from 60 ft to 70 ft per round
active spells: Succotash Resist energy (fire) Heroes feast (12 temp HP) Planar adaptation Invisibility
Valerie Resist energy (fire) Heroes feast (16 temp HP) Planar adaptation Air Walk Longstrider Invisibility
Daily stuff: channel energy (10d6) 10/10 speak with animals 22/22 agile feet 13/13 dimensional hop 190/190 Quicken rod (normal) 3/3
Prudence Komonov (Kathy) Friday January 21st, 2022 2:55:32 PM
[OOC: Nobody is dithering. We can't do anything until Murphy comes back.]
"I'm really not comfortable with the thought of splitting up for an extended time," Pru says. "We're talking now about wanting go into the city, get established, locate contacts, do research, and try to figure out where this location is. That could take days. We shouldn't spend that long split up. We need to figure out a way to get everybody in there or this isn't going to end well."
Tali (JPWard) -- Tali(JonPaul) AC:38 (T:34, FF:32), CMD:42, Saves:(F:15/R:17/W:19), HP:121/121 , temp HP:12/12 Friday January 21st, 2022 5:01:48 PM Diplomacy is Drama!
Tali wonders using the communication link," why does Mister Murphy always try diplomacy first?! In this land, in this time and space, Diplomacy is not the first thing to try! These giants may not be savages, but they are no Halflings either! Sheesh! What is with all the Drama, My friend? We are here for a purpose, and this level of Drama is not in everyone's best interest!"
Pressi (Melvin) - AC 26 (31), HP 144+2, CMD 26 (28); Harper AC 31 (36), HP 102, CMD 30 (35) Friday January 21st, 2022 8:50:24 PM
Pressi tells everyone to get near the gate within the next 10 minutes, and to standby. She also suggests finding better spells to orient themselves (like find the path) or ropes in case they suddenly lose all visibility. That goes for Succotash and Valerie, too. This plan will not work unless everyone else makes their way to the gate.
During the next 10 minute, she remains holed up somewhat close to the main gate, hidden within the shadows it produces. The oak tree she was asked to plant, as directed, sits nearby as she begins to connect to her patron, seeing deep within the planet.
Slowly, she begins to form her spell, Control Weather, whilst bundling herself in every layer of clothing she has and calculating what might be 2 miles away from her. Deep down, a voice warns that the particular rules of the plane might keep her from performing what she desires.
But since what she desires most is to kick the hornet's nest and ride the chaos wave, she figures she can live with it.
After 10 minutes are up, she stands. "Heading to the small gate now," Pressi responds. "I've set the weather to change 10 minutes from now, to sleet storm, torrential rain and ash filled winds straight down into the city, fixed just near the main gate. That should get some attention."
Pressi (Melvin) - AC 26 (31), HP 144+2, CMD 26 (28); Harper AC 31 (36), HP 102, CMD 30 (35) Friday January 21st, 2022 8:52:54 PM
As the timer gets closer to zero, Harper begins to run towards Pressi's location at 50 feet per round, picking her up just as the rain lets loose.
Nikolai (JonathanT) AC 36 Tch 33 Ffted 31 HP 144/144 CMD 46/48(Grapple/Trip/Disarm) Friday January 21st, 2022 9:06:07 PM
Hunkered close to the 'small' gate, Nikolai is informed of what passes, by one mental link or another, but mostly through his Mailed Fist link with Pru. He suggests back to her, "Have him drop a coin. Even with low visibility, he should be able to see the first few feet the coin drops. THAT will tell him which way is down."
He then waits for the Hail Mary storm.
Nikolai (JonathanT) AC 36 Tch 33 Ffted 31 HP 144/144 CMD 46/48(Grapple/Trip/Disarm) d20+35=45 ; d20+26=31 ; Friday January 21st, 2022 9:08:36 PM
Perception +35 = 45 Stealth +26 = 31 +40(invisible, not moving) = 71
Murphy (KimMc) Halfling AC 43/T22/F39 CMB 25 CMD 46 HP 196+16/196+16 d20+25=35 ; d20+29=43 ; d20+43=54 ; Sunday January 23rd, 2022 5:32:36 AM
"Sorry you decided not to join me, Hobie," Murph communicates. "Leaving you alone inside the city is not my first choice. I know you're resourceful, and can teleport if needed - take care."
"Ten minutes? I'll look to arrive about two minutes before that time - at least in the vicinity. I'll let you know periodically what, if anything, I see or find. I hope to find if there is a ceiling to the ash, and get a brief look near the volcano."
Context: When we arrived we could see a volcano. When we looked from the viewpoint near the portal dais toward the city, in which direction did the volcano lie? Was it off to the far left, or far right? If not, then, how would we be able to even see the volcano if the ash cloud were so thick, and more than 1200 feet high? Does the ash cloud originate from the volcano? If so, the airflow may be from the volcano and toward the city. Anyway, the direction from dais to city wall to Volcano would be appreciated, and at least a rough estimate of its apparent distance.
Orientation in Ash: In elemental form, Murphy has darksight. As an air elemental, he has complete mastery of flight ('perfect'). The law of inertia should be in play here. Moving in a straight line should not be a huge challenge, even if sight is compromised. He will cast Know Direction (slowing for 1 round to 125' of travel - he has fly-by casting, so can cast on the move). We'll add in the suggested Survival Check at 35; Knowledge, the Planes at 43; and Perception at 54. Though in elemental form he cannot reach his pockets to drop a coin, he can cast create water, and see in what direction it falls... likely also, he'll see what direction steam from it rises, or flows. A good portion of the water will probably be absorbed by ash beneath it, or otherwise turned to water vapor, considering the ambient heat.
Rather than limiting himself to 1,200 feet altitude, if he is still within the thick ash, he will continue his verticle ascent to a maximum of 6,000 feet. Knowing about air currents, clouds, and such, I'd be surprised if there were not areas of thicker and thinner ash distribution in the air. He will halt his rise before his stated maximum if he comes to a good-sized clearer area.
Should such an area of greater visibility be found, he will see about flying toward the volcano, to where he can get a decent somewhat up close view, and whether there be habitations near the foot of it. After that, back toward the wall, in the general vicinity of the small gate.
So Murphy will continue going the same direction he started going - straight up as measured by his initial launch when he left the top of the building, informed as well as he might be by what was mentioned above. As Pressi has requested everyone gather by the small gate within 10 minutes, he will leave himself a few minutes to arrive there... so he has about 6-7 minutes for his environmental survey. If an area above the thick ash is clear, he can again move 625'/round (71mph).
Once he returns - he will probably stay up in the thick ash above the town, waiting in stillness, but within quick reach of the smaller gate, and listening to whatever sounds of the city below might reach his ears. If the wind has begun stirring due to Pressi's casting, he will try to find a spot upwind, then drift in concert with the flow of air, trying to time things such that he is only a relatively short distance from the small gate by the time her spell is finished casting.
=============== Survival Check: 35 Knowledge, the Planes: 43 Perception: 54
DM Mitch Monday January 24th, 2022 6:40:54 AM Succotash suggests to Murphy that he tries to use gravity to determine direction before jumping on Valerie and casing longstrider on the dino to move towards the gate. Pru voices her concern with splitting the party for a long period of time and that they need to get everyone into the city or it will not end well. Tali suggests diplomacy is not the best option in this land of giants and that the level of drama they are finding themselves in is not in anyone’s best interest. Pressi tells everyone to get near the gate within the next 10 minutes and to standby. She also suggests they find better spells for orientation. She uses control weather on a 10 minute delay to create sleet, rains and strong winds at the main gate. She rides Harper to rendezvous with the others.
Nikolai suggests Murphy drop a coin in order to tell which way is down.
Murphy apologizes to Hobie and slows down to use the spells know direction and create water to get a better feel for where he is. He then proceeds straight up in order to get going on his environmental survey before leaving himself a few minutes to end up at the gate with the others. He can hear the distinct sounds of smithing come from one part of the city.
(OOC: The city is built onto the volcano so the ash is coming from the volcano / city)
Using various methods Murphy keeps his orientation and tries to find the sky. While there are pockets of clearer spaces in the ash clouds they aren’t much help - it just means he goes from barely seeing a few inches to seeing a few feet in the thick walls of ash. He does eventually find the roof - literally, the plane doesn’t seem to have a sky so much as a stone roof that he nearly flies into at full speed.
Even with his spell knowing which way is ‘north’ is not much help in finding the small gate so on his way there he’ll have to dip back out of the ash cloud to find where he’s going. He finds himself much closer to the wall then expected upon exiting the ash, with giants only a dozen feet away looking about warily (stealth check please)
Once oriented and possibly shot once or twice he’s able to duck back into the cloud and safely make his way to the small gate right on time. If Hobie also wants to join the party there he’ll have to sneak past the patrols in the district and will also need a stealth check. If he instead waits for the party to reach him he can find a good space and stay hidden regardless.
Pressi’s spell has interesting effects. With Murphy finding the roof it seems the only sky is the thick walls of hot ash. Her spell forces them to condense along with moisture in the air and try to form ice. It sort of succeeds, but melts as soon as it exits the clouds so a storm of half melted slush starts falling, along with the high winds and rain. It proves incredibly irritating (clarify how big the storm is please - just over the gate, or covering as big an area as possible centered on the gate? Or somewhere in between?)
At the small gate the giants maintain their discipline so while they may glance at the strange storm it only hardens their determination to ignore the distraction and watch for enemies.
Succotash (Jeremy) AC 31/16/29 CMD 24 HP 135/135 Valerie AC 40/14(16)/35(34) CMD 42(34) HP 157(133)/157(133) (33 temp) Spells Monday January 24th, 2022 12:03:42 PM "I guess we have no choice, we will have to enter through one of the gates, We might as well attempt to breach this one." Succotash than begins casting Summon Monster IX, and Next round an Astral Deva will appear.
active spells: Succotash Resist energy (fire) Heroes feast (12 temp HP) Planar adaptation Invisibility Summon Monster IX (Astral Deva)
Valerie Resist energy (fire) Heroes feast (16 temp HP) Planar adaptation Air Walk Longstrider Invisibility
Daily stuff: channel energy (10d6) 10/10 speak with animals 22/22 agile feet 13/13 dimensional hop 190/190 Quicken rod (normal) 3/3
Nikolai (JonathanT) AC 36 Tch 33 Ffted 31 HP 144/144 CMD 46/48(Grapple/Trip/Disarm) Monday January 24th, 2022 7:44:16 PM
Nikolai notices the discipline of the fire giant guards. It'll take more than a muddy storm to get their attention away. 'Where's a good lock picker when you need one? Tinker! Where are you?'
On the other hand....'Pru, what will a disintegrate spell do to the small gate? Will one of our halfling friends be able to create an illusion of an army storming through the busted small gate? That'd be a diversion eh? See if you can wing that.'
Murphy (KimMc) Halfling AC 43/T22/F39 CMB 25 CMD 46 HP 196+16/196+16 Monday January 24th, 2022 8:47:56 PM
"Hold on there, Succotash!" Murphy interrupts. "Folks, we so far have harmed no one. Succotash, you, Hobie and have seen that spot we flew to. We could just teleport there, right, and avoid the mess at the front gate? Or, I could fly most of us back there, or a blend of the two.
"Alternatively, Tali and one or more of us could fly over there, she could cast a wall of force to keep incoming boulders and arrows at bay, and we could say, "Hey, fellas, we'd like to speak to whoever is in charge here. No one has been hurt yet, right? We're not here to hurt you, or attack you, but we have a beef with one person, and need to get a matter settled - because he has been attacking us, and people who matter to us. Also, he did something terrible to a fire giant."
"Then see if any of them are willing to talk, instead of hit. If not, then we can do the disintegration, or whatever, or teleport to where I suggested. Fighting a battle at either gate just seems stupid to me."
Murphy (KimMc) Halfling AC 43/T22/F39 CMB 25 CMD 46 HP 196+16/196+16 Monday January 24th, 2022 8:51:08 PM
"Sashe and Ketia - any suggestions or insights?" Murphy adds to his questions.
Pressi (Melvin) - AC 26 (28), HP 150+13, CMD 26 (28); Harper AC 31 (32), HP 109, CMD 31 (32) d8+9=10 ; d8+9=13 ; Monday January 24th, 2022 9:25:53 PM
Quick Clarification. The storm is 2 miles across since she wants as big an area covered as possible. It's centered actually a bit ahead of the gate by raw (it has to be centered on Pressi at the time of coverage), so about as close to the gate entrance as possible.
Pressi casts dancing lights (four spheres) as the coverage comes down (they should be sort of visible flashes through the muck), just as Harper pulls up. Using the wall (and her regular ears) as a guide, Pressi uses Harper's sprint ability to move along the wall.
As per Murphy, Pressi would still prefer stealth to fighting or talking (though she did consider casting Hornet's nest, but that was for more chaos, not damage). If people don't have illusions or the ability to pass through/over walls, what about using summons outside the gate to see if one or two giants takes the bait.
-----------------
Ritual Warding (+1 to AC, throws) Ritual Healing (use d12 for healing spells) goblin form (+2 dex, darkvision) contingency: blink mass planar adaption (resist fire) Protection of Energy Fire Heroes Feast (13 HP, +1 attack rolls, will, +4 poison and fear) moment of Prescience
Prudence Komonov (Kathy) Monday January 24th, 2022 10:24:09 PM Might be easier just to Disintegrate part of the wall, Pru replies. There may be protections on the gate, but probably not on the entire wall. But I think Disintegrate counts as a hostile spell, so it would make me visible. I'm not anxious to do that.
"If we're going to summon stuff, let's coordinate," she says when talk of summoning begins.
Tali (JPWard) -- Tali(JonPaul) AC:38 (T:34, FF:32), CMD:42, Saves:(F:15/R:17/W:19), HP:121/121 , temp HP:12/12 Monday January 24th, 2022 10:27:43 PM Guarded Giant Gates...what to do?
Tali will hold & wait til everyone comes to a consensus on what to do next. Starting a fight seems like an extreme thing to do...
DM Mitch Tuesday January 25th, 2022 6:08:41 AM Succotash guesses they have no choice and starts summoning an Astral Deva
Nikolai notices the discipline of the Fire Giants and thinks it will take more than a muddy storm to distract them. He laments not having Tinker and asks his wife if she could disintegrate the gate.
Murphy interrupts Succotash’s casting pointing out they have not harmed anyone and that both he and Hobie have seen the spot Murphy flew to so they should be able to teleport inside the wall. He also suggests more flying between himself and Tali using wind walls to deflect projectiles and trying the diplomatic approach again. He also queries Sashe and Ketia.
Pressi adds a dancing lights to the storm and then hops on Harper and moves along the wall. She still prefers stealth to combat or diplomacy
Pru suggests she could disintegrate part of the wall but since it is hostile it would make her visible and she’s not keen on that. She also suggests they coordinate any summon spells.
Tali waits for a consensus
Sashe says, “Well if you want an illusionary army I could probably manage one of them. The thing is as soon as the giants start to interact with them they’ll realize something is up. I suppose we could always make it an illusionary ghost army and that would explain why they could do things like pass through the giants but even ghosts typically can damage mortals. This is why I usually prefer to wrap my illusions around something”
A 2 mile storm is actually just enough to touch the small gate so the giants there are now miserable and wet looking but trying to stay alert. Looking at the gate the way it’s hidden means that the giants on the wall can see up to the gate, but not the gate itself so nothing stops the party from just walking up invisibly and opening it with the giants on top never knowing. Of course there is no possible way the giants don’t know you’re here now so there might be guards on the ground to prevent such a thing from happening now.
Murphy still needs to roll stealth the moment he exits the cloud as he comes out near the giants.
Murphy (KimMc) Halfling AC 43/T22/F39 CMB 25 CMD 46 HP 196+16/196+16 d20+46=51 ; Tuesday January 25th, 2022 7:29:36 AM
Murphy - stealth 51 - and his plan is, with perfect flight (and ability to turn on a dime) to right away pop back up into the cover of the ash as soon as others come into sight.
Hobie (Nick T) HP 208/198 AC 38 Touch 24 Flat 30 CMD 44 Hero Points 6 Prepared Spells d20+41=56 ; Tuesday January 25th, 2022 8:55:54 AM
Hobie won't venture too far from the spot where Murphy left him, but he will sort of move around the general area, doing some recon, looking down hallways, counting doors, etc of the area he's in, but not moving too far because he expects Murphy to return with the others.
He's invisible and flying a few inches above the ground to make sure he doesn't make any footsteps.
Stealth = 56
Pressi (Melvin) - AC 26 (28), HP 150+13, CMD 26 (28); Harper AC 31 (32), HP 109, CMD 31 (32) Tuesday January 25th, 2022 9:29:01 AM
Pressi thinks for a bit. "You should wrap some of it around me. I can use my contingency to blink without dropping the illusion, hit them while passing through objects, even time stop long enough to open the gate for the other spectors. Now I'm already a goth dressed goblin riding a leopard, and I'm hoping you can do something with that."
If anyone asks what she does after the giants start chasing her, "I'm cute and resourceful. I'll get by."
Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 41/21/36; HP 248/248 + 12; Rumpus AC 33/16/27; HP 101/101 + 16 Tuesday January 25th, 2022 10:49:54 AM
Kezzem mounts Rumpus and commands him to charge! He gallops of towards/after Pressi
"Where are we going?" he asks.
Succotash (Jeremy) AC 31/16/29 CMD 24 HP 135/135 Valerie AC 40/14(16)/35(34) CMD 42(34) HP 157(133)/157(133) (33 temp) Spells Tuesday January 25th, 2022 12:19:40 PM
Succotash refrains from summoning the Astral Deva as per Murphy's request. When Pru and Nikolai suggests that disintegrating a wall, he says, "I can cast stone shape, and simply create a passage. Since I'm creating, and not destroying, It shouldn't effect my invisibility. Just give the word, and it will be done."
Pressi (Melvin) - AC 26 (32), HP 150+13, CMD 26 (28); Harper AC 31 (32), HP 109, CMD 31 (32) Tuesday January 25th, 2022 9:22:21 PM
Pressi shrugs at Kezzem. "Depends on how ghostlike you want to be and whether Succotash can open the wall. Currently, my master plan is to go through the breach, see if I can convince these guys of a ghost invasion, and I'll figure out step two on the way there."
Along the way, Pressi casts Shield of Faith on herself.
-----------------
Ritual Warding (+1 to AC, throws) Ritual Healing (use d12 for healing spells) goblin form (+2 dex, darkvision) contingency: blink mass planar adaption (resist fire) Protection of Energy Fire Heroes Feast (13 HP, +1 attack rolls, will, +4 poison and fear) moment of Prescience shield of faith
Prudence Komonov (Kathy) Tuesday January 25th, 2022 10:18:02 PM
Pru nods at Succotash's stone shape idea, "That seems preferable," she agrees. Then, "Hey, Nikolai. Do you remember the time I disintegrated the roof off that castle? Or tower, or whatever it was? What a mess."
To Sashe, she says, "Maybe the illusion of something big and flying? The'd be less likely to contact it, and it would make them look up, away from us."
Tali (JPWard) -- Tali(JonPaul) AC:38 (T:34, FF:32), CMD:42, Saves:(F:15/R:17/W:19), HP:121/121 , temp HP:12/12 Tuesday January 25th, 2022 10:46:54 PM Ya' got to keep 'em Separated
Tali doesn't like this situation where the party separates, more things go wrong when we split up.
Nikolai (JonathanT) AC 36 Tch 33 Ffted 31 HP 144/144 CMD 46/48(Grapple/Trip/Disarm) d20+35=44 ; d20+26=30 ; Wednesday January 26th, 2022 12:11:22 AM
Spells in effect: Mage Armor, Invisibility, Light Steps
'Yep, it was a mess. However if my memory is correct, your invisibility will only be affected if someone is harmed. Attacking an object is will not remove your invisibility unless a giant happens to get in the area of effect. If part of the wall crumbles and a giant falls to his death, that is still NOT attacking the giant, so your invisibility would remain. But go with the stone shape plan.'
Meanwhile, Nikolai deduces that if the main gate and small gate are going to be the attention, perhaps the last section of the wall next to the volcano may be less watched. So he scampers on down there. Besides, he didn't want to get wet.
Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 41/21/36; HP 248/248 + 12; Rumpus AC 33/16/27; HP 101/101 + 16 Wednesday January 26th, 2022 10:39:56 AM
"Oh right, buffing!" says Kezzem. He casta divine fqvor on himself.
Prudence Komonov (Kathy) Wednesday January 26th, 2022 6:26:04 PM
Silently, Pru begins fretting about spell durations.
Pressi (Melvin) - AC 26 (32), HP 150+13, CMD 26 (28); Harper AC 31 (32), HP 109, CMD 31 (32) Wednesday January 26th, 2022 8:22:11 PM
Pressi isn't that worried about durations. (Everyone's so high level that counting rounds is virtually meaningless.)
She is a little concerned about resources. They probably won't get a chance to sleep for eight hours so she figured she'd better conserve spells until she has a better idea of what everyone wants to do.
Hobie doesn’t move too far from where Murphy left him and he does limited recon, while invisible and not moving very far.
Pressi volunteers to have the illusion wrapped around her utilizing contingency and timestop to put on a good show and the bonus is she’s already a goth dressed goblin riding a leopard
Kezzem mounts Rumpus and volunteers for army of ghost duty with Pressi asking where are they going.
Succotash stops summoning and suggests he use stone shape to create a passage through the wall rather than disintegrate it as it shouldn’t be considered hostile.
Pressi explains her plan to Kezzem which is to go through the breach, convince the giants of a ghost invasion and then figure out step two on the way there.
Pru likes the stone shaping idea while reminiscing with Nikolai about some of the fun times with disintegration the Agents have had and suggests Sashe use something big and flying for the illusory distraction.
Tali does not like the idea of the party separating as more things can go wrong.
Nikolai finds that with all the noise the party has been making around the gates the area’s with no gates are slightly less guarded. Maybe 2 or 3 giants in sight at a time rather then 4 or 5.
Sashe says, “Hold up. I am getting two conflicting plans here I think. One involves using stone shape combined with some giant flying illusionary creature, which I’m not sure about as IDK if I can mimic the smog interaction with enough detail to sell it and the other is creating a ghost army around Pressi and Kezzem letting them sell the attack and have Pressi open the gate and getting the giants to chase them with plan b of how they shed their pursuers being worked out later. I can definitely wrap a ghost army around the 2 of them and their mounts and if I made the 2 of them stand out as leaders of the ghost army it would be more believable that they are the ones leading the charges and causing the most trouble. Let me know though which one you want me to try as typically I like to focus on my illusions if I can so I think we can only really go for one right now.”
As Murphy finds his way out of the smoke cloud he finds the guards at the gate have doubled. No doubt due to all the commotion they’re causing. This proves unfortunate as the extra set of eyes means one of them notices the rain pouring off him and realizes he’s there. With a shout he throws something at Murphy and he suddenly finds himself visible.
The giants on the wall immediately start throwing things at him. Several rocks just barely miss him (off by 1), one hits him for 22 damage. More concerning are the pair of nets thrown at him. They cover him and entangle him and they’re attached to ropes, allowing the giants to hold him there or pull him in if he doesn’t break free (unless you have freedom of movement)
Nikolai (JonathanT) AC 36 Tch 33 Ffted 31 HP 144/144 CMD 46/48(Grapple/Trip/Disarm) d20+35=55 ; d20+26=43 ; Wednesday January 26th, 2022 10:20:20 PM
Spells in effect: Mage Armor, Invisibility, Light Steps
OOC: I don't picture the ash cloud reaching the top of the wall, otherwise the giants would have the same issue breathing and seeing. They are not immune to ash and smoke, just tolerant to heat. They still breathe air, and choke on ash as much as anyone else. So how far above the wall, or rooftops for that matter, is the air clear?
Nikolai comments to Pru, 'Not anything like how the Agents would have dealt with this. Certainly not coming here to find a shunned home and end up assaulting the main gate!'
The appearance of Murphy may cause enough distraction for Nikolai, who decides to climb the wall using his Slippers of Spider Climb, where he perceives the fewest giant guards. Seeing their discipline he figures they won't all go see what the fun is about, but if they are looking away just long enough...
Finding a spot along the wall that looks the least guarded, Nikolai starts the climb up using his Slippers of Spider Climb. Invisible and out of the rain, his low-light vision allows him to pick the perfect spot. His timing to slips over the top and down the other side coincides when the guard(s) glance away for a moment.
If, by some weird chance he IS noticed, he is prepared to use his Abundant Step to dimension door onto a rooftop some 920' away, or as far away as he can see.
His base speed is 70', so double move is 140'. He can choose to go half speed to increase his Stealth chances but only if he can get up, over, and down in one round. Don't remember how high the wall is. Either way, that should be his round.
Succotash (Jeremy) AC 31/16/29 CMD 24 HP 135/135 Valerie AC 40/14(16)/35(34) CMD 42(34) HP 157(133)/157(133) (33 temp) Spells Thursday January 27th, 2022 3:55:32 AM
Succotash walks over to where Nikolai starts climbing tha wall, and than casts Stone Shape, creating a doorway big enough for a medium size creature to walk through, than using his quicken rod, he casts Divine Power on Valerie
Murphy (KimMc) Halfling AC 39/T26/F39(becuz Foresight) CMB 24 CMD 49 HP 196+16/196+16 Thursday January 27th, 2022 4:03:46 AM
"Murphy moves back into the ash cloud as soon as the others come into sight." -DM Mitch
Does that give anyone any time or opportunity for anyone to do to Murphy as you described?
Foresight should have warned Murphy strongly to reverse course just before he breached the ash break.
So, I'll make a two-part response, DM's choice. I'd argue for the first, but will abide by DM Mitch's decision.
Option the First: Murphy, being forewarned by the potent divination, angles sharply back up further into the ashen cloud, narrowly avoiding being spotted by anyone. Because, that's what foresight allows.
He goes up higher (say 500'), then forward toward the meeting place Pressi mentioned, and only when he comes out of the ash, and can see where to go, will he descend, letting folks know his whereabouts.
Option the Second: Murphy's planned trajectory he irrationally decided totally to abandon, and rather than an immediate ascent back up into the ashen cloud, he decided to continue forward despite the foresight given to him, fully revealing himself, and deciding to stay in place to make a convenient target. He got hit with something that removed his invisibility (no save? no foresight warning as to how to avoid it?), then stones were thrown at him (which did not hurt at all, as he has stoneskin), and nets were cast over him. Except he does have freedom of movement, so they were not able to detain him - and he goes full 50'-tall whirlwind (no AoO possible), makes a short zip (maybe 30 feet sweep, not trying to bump into anyone) around the area, and far up into the ash cloud.
Murphy then bellows downward, speaking Giant with an Auran accent, "SO. YOU HAVE A BEEF WITH AIR ELEMENTALS??" He adds, "I HAVE DONE NOTHING TO HARM YOU. I COULD CHANGE MY MIND, THOUGH. HOWEVER, I HAVE A BETTER PROPOSAL. CAN WE TALK? IF SO, I CAN SEND A LITTLE FELLOW DOWN TO TALK WITH YOU. UNLESS YOU'RE SCARED OF LITTLE GUYS. SURELY SOMEONE AMONG YOU MUST HAVE BRAINS TO THINK WITH? PARLEY!" He will be up in the air, well out of sight, moving this way, then that as he speaks, to make it hard for anyone to get a decent bead on him based upon the sound of his voice. He listens hard for any response. And gets ready to take evasive action should someone be able to pursue him.
Also, if Option the Second is chosen, the druid will have mentally sent a decent outline of how many giants, in what positions, with what buildings, what opportunities the fortifications provide for small folk finding points with some thick walls or obstacles between them and the giants. And perhaps the 9th-level spell may occasionally say things such as, 'Scootch 3 feet to the left,' to avoid the rapidly ascending boulder.
Note on DM Decision: Though I think #1 is the proper choice, I really am totally fine with whatever you decide, DM Mitch. #2 may be more fun. So, calls it as you sees it!]
DM Mitch d100=19 ; d100=96 ; d100=66 ; Thursday January 27th, 2022 6:08:16 AM
(The ash cloud started 100 feet up, but something is causing it to thicken and lower. The deeper into the city you go, the lower it is - in the slums it's several dozen feet over the buildings, at the tall wall it's only a few feet higher then the giant's heads)
@Murphy see e-mail
Murphy (KimMc) Halfling AC 39/T26/F39(becuz Foresight) CMB 24 CMD 49 HP 196+16/196+16 Thursday January 27th, 2022 7:03:47 AM
[OOC: Thanks for the email, DM Mitch. I wrote a response, and look forward to whatever you decide to go with!
Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 41/21/36; HP 248/248 + 12; Rumpus AC 33/16/27; HP 101/101 + 16 Thursday January 27th, 2022 3:28:25 PM
Kezzem will cast Shield Other on Pressi and keep pace with her.
Nikolai (JonathanT) AC 36 Tch 33 Ffted 31 HP 144/144 CMD 46/48(Grapple/Trip/Disarm) Thursday January 27th, 2022 8:29:50 PM
OOC: SLUMS? Fire Giants have SLUMS? well, I guess every society has their rejects and such... hmm... slums.....
Pressi (Melvin) - AC 26 (32), HP 150+13, CMD 26 (28); Harper AC 31 (32), HP 109, CMD 31 (32) Thursday January 27th, 2022 9:36:42 PM
"Ok, just keep rolling, just keep with the chaos. Here's the plan. We take Succotash's opening right now, and just punch through. Cast the ghosts on me and Kezzem, and I'll get that distraction and then start running. We're going to punch through, any way but damage, and just run and hide in the city itself before regrouping in the slums. Not sure what Murphy's doing but it's chaos and that's what matters."
If Pressi gets the illusion, she proceeds to do the following things:
Cast Blink on her leopard.
Cast quickened "surrender blood" on herself (20 hp for +4 to caster level), which in turn triggers her own blink. (She takes damage, fulfilling the contingency.)
Pass through the wall between the gate and the hole Succotash made. Then start moving towards the gate again as a feint.
-----------------
Ritual Warding (+1 to AC, throws) Ritual Healing (use d12 for healing spells) goblin form (+2 dex, darkvision) contingency: blink (active) mass planar adaption (resist fire) Protection of Energy Fire Heroes Feast (13 HP, +1 attack rolls, will, +4 poison and fear) moment of Prescience shield of faith surrender blood (+4 to caster level for next spell)
Prudence Komonov (Kathy) Thursday January 27th, 2022 10:25:28 PM
To Pru, this doesn't sound much like a plan--more like vaguely directed chaos--but she knows that if she doesn't take advantage of the stone-shaped tunnel, she'll end up on the wrong side of the wall. She scoots through, and tries to figure out where everyone is. Since most people are invisible, that takes some doing.
Nikolai (JonathanT) AC 36 Tch 33 Ffted 31 HP 144/144 CMD 46/48(Grapple/Trip/Disarm) d20+35=43 ; d20+26=39 ; Friday January 28th, 2022 12:05:30 AM
OOC: presuming that Nikolai has made it over the wall and to the other side....
The hole in the wall opening up is a bit of a surprise to him but he heads to a dark alley/narrow street and flattens up against a wall to get his bearings. Seeing Pru coming through the hole, he directs her, through their link, to where he is hiding.
'You can use my ring to stay invisible, as I'm a bit stealthy without it anyway.'
DM Mitch d6=2 ; d6=2 ; d6=2 ; d100=31 ; d100=52 ; d100=38 ; d100=43 ; d100=40 ; d20=1 ; Friday January 28th, 2022 6:31:30 AM Nikolai tells Pru that their current party is not handling things like the Agents would. He uses Murphy’s plight as a distraction and starts climbing up the gate using his slippers of spider climb.
Succotash walks over to where Nikolai is climbing the wall and shapes a passage using stoneshape before using the quicken rod to put Divine power on Valerie.
Murphy avoided the nets and taking damage from the stones before retreating a little bit into the ash cloud and bellowing out a request for parley with a “little guy”
Kezzem casts shield other on Pressi and keeps pace with her.
Nikolai is surprised that the fire giants have slums
Sashe starts weaving an illusory ghost army around Kezzem, Pressi and their mounts
Pressi opines they should keep rolling with what is going on. Have the ghost illusion be cast on her and Kezzem and then punch through any way but with damage. She casts blink on her leopard before using quickened surrender blood on herself activating her own contingent blink. She then passes through the wall between the gate and Succotash’s hole and feints back towards the gate.
Pru takes advantage of the passage in the wall and the chaotic actions of the party to attempt to move on the right side of the wall and find the rest of the party
The giants at the gate seem entirely unimpressed by Murphy’s pronouncement. One, some kind of sergeant perhaps, calls back into the cloud. ”You are an invader trespassing on sacred ground. The penalty is death. You can either fight and die honorably, flee and hide like a coward, or surrender and be executed.”
The rest of the giants roar their approval and send a wave of rocks up into the smoke, though none hit Murphy.
Over by the gate Nikolai is easily able to crest the wall and finds that it’s a good thing they moved away from the gate, as the giants have posted guards on the other side of it so if they had tried to use it then they would have been spotted even invisible. He runs back down the far side of the wall.
Pressi as the ghost army heads towards the tunnel. It’s about 30 feet long, but after only five feet it becomes clear something is wrong as she is cut repeatedly, taking 6 damage.
Nikolai, on the other side, is able to note what it is with his high perception check - the giants have somehow embedded the stone of the wall with razor thin wires, very sharp. The passwall spell magically removed the stone, leaving the wires suspended all through the passage. Advancing through them is possible but painful (3d6 damage per 5 feet, 30 feet long). Going slower can avoid damage but will take longer (perception check to see them, dex to avoid them, 10 feet per round)
DM Mitch d100=56 ; d6=1 ; Friday January 28th, 2022 8:23:01 AM
(Clarification! Pressi is trying to blink through the wall, not use the tunnel. So Pru is first in and is the one who is damaged by the razor wire. yes, you can just walk through it in 1 round and eat the damage)
Pressi tries to blink through the thick wall. She doesn't get far, appearing inside the stone in only the first 5 feet and being shunted back to where she started and taking 1 damage (rolling d100, on 1-50 you make it, 51-100 you blink into rock and are shunted to nearest side. 3 under 50's will get you shunted to the far side even if you fail the 4th or later. You can try repeatedly until you used up all movement for the round. Blinking through the gate is easier, it's less then 5 feet and needs 1 roll but Nikolai saw guards on the other side of the gate)
Succotash (Jeremy) AC 31/16/29 CMD 24 HP 135/135 Valerie AC 40/14(16)/35(34) CMD 42(34) HP 157(133)/157(133) (33 temp) Spells Friday January 28th, 2022 9:54:13 AM "Those Pesky Giants think of everything!", Succotash whispers to Valerie. With his tunnel created, Succotash should be able to see the other side, so he will use 60ft of his daily Dimensional Hop ability, to teleport himself and Valerie just to the other side of the wall (30ft)
active spells: Succotash Resist energy (fire) Heroes feast (12 temp HP) Planar adaptation Invisibility
Valerie Resist energy (fire) Heroes feast (16 temp HP) Planar adaptation Air Walk Longstrider Invisibility Divine Power 18/19
Daily stuff: channel energy (10d6) 10/10 speak with animals 22/22 agile feet 13/13 dimensional hop 130/190 Quicken rod (normal) 2/3
Murphy (KimMc) Halfling AC 39/T26/F39(becuz Foresight) CMB 24 CMD 49 HP 196+6/196+6 Friday January 28th, 2022 11:39:54 AM
Telepathically, Murphy messages all, "If any of you can pick up thoughts of others, when I mention the 'Shunned land,' see if you can get an idea of where the shunned land might be from any of the giants.
The druid continues his megaphone from the dark clouds. "ONE OF YOURS INVADED OUR SACRED LANDS. HE HAS MURDERED PEOPLE WE KNOW. HE HAS MURDERED FIRE GIANTS. HE TURNED THE SKIN OF ONE OF YOUR PEOPLE INTO BATTLE ARMOR. IT IS FOR HIM THAT WE COME, NOT FOR THE REST OF YOU. LEAD US TO THE SHUNNED LAND, AND WE WILL DEAL WITH HIM, AS HE AS TRIED TO DEAL WITH US."
As he speaks, he moves about, and ends up about 80 feet away and 40 feet higher than he was when he spoke his last words ('DEAL WITH US'). His stoneskin has 140 points left. [I keep on getting confused by having knowledge of differing spell descriptions from other game versions... so the stone that did 20 hp damage really only did 10 hp - taken off of his temp hit points in this case. And I still don't think he has lost his invisibility yet, if Foresight is working at all - but let me know]
He also does a quick know direction, furthering his local directional understandings.
Effective spells and conditions: - memory refresher! Heroes' Feast (16 temp hp) 11 hours Longstrider 18 hours Magic Fang, Greater (+4) 18 hours Planar Adaptation 18 hours (from Prudence) "Planar adaptation grants you immunity to the harmful environmental effects of a particular plane of existence, including such hazards as toxicity, extreme temperatures, and lack of air. Additionally, you gain energy resistance 20 to a single energy type prevalent on that plane (choose one if more than one type is equally prevalent)." (fire chosen) Protection from Energy (fire) 3 hours Resist Energy (cold) (30 points per damage incident) 3 hours Has natural resistance to electricity: 20 points Stoneskin 3 hours (150-10 hp, adamantine DR/10) Freedom of Movement 3 hours Foresight (9th level diviniation spell) 3 hours Mage Armor 3 hours Invisibility 18 minutes
Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 41/21/36; HP 248/248 + 12; Rumpus AC 33/16/27; HP 101/101 + 16 Friday January 28th, 2022 2:10:33 PM
"Hey, I can't do that," says Kezzem as Pressi blinks through the wall. He tosses the magic carpet in front o Rumpus, allowing his mount to jump on and fly over the wall.
Tali (JPWard) -- Tali(JonPaul) AC:38 (T:34, FF:32), CMD:42, Saves:(F:15/R:17/W:19), HP:121/121 , temp HP:12/12 Friday January 28th, 2022 5:02:58 PM Lost in a Lost World!
Tali now feels lost in a lost world! Tali knows she hasn't moved, but has every else moved away from her?
Murphy (KimMc) Halfling AC 39/T26/F39(becuz Foresight) CMB 24 CMD 49 HP 196+6/196+6 Friday January 28th, 2022 7:17:57 PM
'Say, Tali,' Murphy communicates mentally with his sorcerous friend. 'What would you think about coming over to where I am? How? Fly up in the air to about 250' altitude. Then loop around so you don't pass directly over the wall, but rather off to the right by 150 feet or so. Enter into the dark ashy cloud that blankets the city, but does not seem to go beyond the walls. Follow the sound of my voice - which will involve you looping leftward somewhat toward the center street. I will give you mental updates as to where I am, too. I think you and I might be able to get a few things done up here. And, it might be time for me to get another shot of invisibility.' He includes Pressi and the others in the communique, as well.
DM Mitch d100=15 ; d100=36 ; d100=32 ; d100=38 ; d100=85 ; d100=63 ; d100=69 ; Saturday January 29th, 2022 10:18:33 AM Succotash steps to the other side of the wall. Murphy continues to try to talk. He suggests Tali join him. Kezzem decides to go up and over. Tali has lost track of where she is. Those she was with moved to the small gate, then a few hundred feet past it.
Having declared the crime and sentence the giants seem to be ignoring everything Murphy says. They blindly throw rocks into the ash cloud but don’t hit him.
If Kezzem is going up and over he needs to make a stealth roll. I’ll give the giants a negative modifier since they are distracted by the ghost army.
Succotash (Jeremy) AC 31/16/29 CMD 24 HP 135/135 Valerie AC 40/14(16)/35(34) CMD 42(34) HP 157(133)/157(133) (33 temp) Spells Sunday January 30th, 2022 11:54:46 AM
Succotash also tries to help Tali by saying, "You can do what Murphy said, or you can head over towards the small gate, I belive everyone was informed of it's location. If you keep going , abut another 150 ft, you will find the opening I just made. That is where you will find the majority of us. If you come this way, be careful of the razor wire, somehow these giants have laced the rocks with it."
Murphy (KimMc) Halfling AC 39/T26/F39(becuz Foresight) CMB 24 CMD 49 HP 196+6/196+6 Sunday January 30th, 2022 11:57:35 PM
Murphy relays, "Well, they've passed sentence on this elusive air elementals, and air raining rocks up into the air for exercise. [b]Tali,[b] I'm coming your way. We need to find the slums, and they are not by the front gate."
Murphy flies, from maybe 500 feet in the air, the direction that would roughly intercept the path he had suggested for her, describing what he is doing. As perception is part sight, part sound, and bits and pieces of other ingredients, Murphy uses the sounds of giants yelling, the sounds of stones whistling through the air and landing on streets and buildings below, and endeavors to find Tali.
Nikolai (JonathanT) AC 36 Tch 33 Ffted 31 HP 144/144 CMD 46/48(Grapple/Trip/Disarm) 3d8+5=18 ; Monday January 31st, 2022 12:09:00 AM
Nikolai notices the barb wire mesh imbedded in the wall but too late to warn Pru. He takes the Staff of healing from it's strap on his back and uses a charge to heal the cuts his wife suffers passing through. It won't fix the tears in her fine clothes but she can mend those easily enough.
Use Staff of Healing: heal 3d8+5 = 18
DM Mitch Monday January 31st, 2022 6:50:42 AM Succotash also tries to help Tali by telling her she can do what Murphy said or she can head over to the small gate. He warns her of the razor wire if she does.
Murphy tells the others that the giants have already passed a sentence on him and that he is coming Tali’s way as they need to find the slums and they are not by the front gate. He moves towards Tali at speed.
Nikolai notices the barbed wire but it is sadly too late to warn his wife so he takes his staff of healing out and endeavors to heal her wounds. It won’t repair her clothes but she can take care of that easily enough being a sorceress
The area just inside the wall is a series of haphazardly built stone buildings that look like they were thrown together. It stretches all along the wall, Murphy was exploring a section of it. and its pretty clearly a poor area or slum of some sort as anyone with any money could afford a home that isn't likely to collapse on them. The giant equivalent of ramshackle wooden buildings, just made of stone because wood catches on fire here.
(Also, Hobie's player Nick has a lot of IRL issues occurring and is going to take a break from the Wold. Not sure how to give him an honorable exit when he's in enemy territory so just going to say it here OOC to let people know)
Succotash (Jeremy) AC 31/16/29 CMD 24 HP 135/135 Valerie AC 40/14(16)/35(34) CMD 42(34) HP 157(133)/157(133) (33 temp) Spells d20+36=56 ; Monday January 31st, 2022 1:56:34 PM
Succotash looks around to see if he can ascertain any dangers, or if he can find something to point him and his friends towards the "Shunned Area".
Perception 56
active spells: Succotash Resist energy (fire) Heroes feast (12 temp HP) Planar adaptation Invisibility
Valerie Resist energy (fire) Heroes feast (16 temp HP) Planar adaptation Air Walk Longstrider Invisibility Divine Power 17/19
Daily stuff: channel energy (10d6) 10/10 speak with animals 22/22 agile feet 13/13 dimensional hop 130/190 Quicken rod (normal) 2/3
Prudence Komonov (Kathy) Monday January 31st, 2022 9:37:14 PM
[I had computer issues Friday and wasn't able to post. If possible, I'd like to do the following.]
When Pru realizes there's some kind of cutting trap in here, she stops in her tracks. On hearing what it is, she casts a spell, turning herself into a small water elemental and simply flowing along the ground to the other side of the passage.
Pressi (Melvin) - AC 26 (32), HP 95/150, CMD 26 (28); Harper AC 31 (32), HP 109, CMD 31 (32) d2=1 ; d2=1 ; d2=2 ; d2=2 ; d2=1 ; d2=2 ; 3d6=16 ; 3d6=12 ; 3d6=14 ; d20+22=28 ; Monday January 31st, 2022 9:47:50 PM
Pressi dismounts next to the small gate and tells Hobie to provide them with cover fire, and then ride Harper back to the gate exit.
(OOC: Sorry I didn't get in a move friday or over the weekend, couldn't get a sub. I'm hoping you'll make this my move for friday. Also, there's your way to extract Nick, give him an exit.)
Pressi crosses through the tunnel while blinking, no matter what the pain. (D2, 1 is damage, so she's hit 3 times). (She takes in 42 damage. If Kezzem decides to use shield other still, she only takes 21.)
Still covered in illusions, she takes in as much as she can, trying to determine where the guards are, what open lanes there are, etc. Succotash, Murphy, Tali and her are in, Hobie heads back out, that leaves Nick, Pru and the two dwarves... and Kezzem.
"Murphy, I hope you can be my eyes, and that our two bigguns can stop being such babies about the wire."
With an outstretched arm, Pressi casts Living Voodoo (blindness) on the guards that can see Kezzem's entry. (She should be able to shut down 7 giants.)
She follows that with a quick movement into the smoke or whatever cover she might have (Stealth 28 + HiPS). Before finishing her move, she chucks a quickened Hornets Nest to block any pursuit (7d6+7 damage).
-----------------
Ritual Warding (+1 to AC, throws) Ritual Healing (use d12 for healing spells) goblin form (+2 dex, darkvision) contingency: blink (active) mass planar adaption (resist fire) Protection of Energy Fire Heroes Feast (13 HP, +1 attack rolls, will, +4 poison and fear) moment of Prescience shield of faith surrender blood (+4 to caster level for next spell) shield other (from Kezzem)
Nikolai (JonathanT) AC 36 Tch 33 Ffted 31 HP 144/144 CMD 46/48(Grapple/Trip/Disarm) d20+35=36 ; d20+26=39 ; Monday January 31st, 2022 11:06:06 PM
Nikolai waits until Pru reaches his side before continuing on. Meanwhile he communicates to here where he's at and, 'If these giants have any slaves, we might find out what we need from one of them. I'll see if I can find some reject in one of these hovels. You might try Fire Elemental, that might get them on your side, or Air Elemental so you can get up on these rooftops and out of harm's way'.
Perception +35 = 36 (paying more attention to Pru) Stealth +26 = 39 +40(invisible, not moving) = 79
Tali listens to Mister Murphy's suggestion about "coming over to where he is." Tali pulls the Goggles of Night down her head to land over her eyes, as she knows she will be flying into an ash cloud. She will then Fly from her position, upwards into the sky, some 250' in altitude, meandering some 150 feet or so as to not pass directly over the wall and cause a disturbance enough to distract the Giants to her whereabouts. This should cause her to enter into the dark ashy cloud that blankets the city and from there she will follow Mister Murphy's voice to better guide her to him by looping leftward somewhat toward the center street.
Once Tali comes within range of Mister Murphy, if they both need another dose of invisibility, she will cast it on both of them.
Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 41/21/36; HP 239/248; Rumpus AC 33/16/27; HP 101/101 + 16 d20+17=29 ; Monday January 31st, 2022 11:56:25 PM
Kezzem Stealth: 1d20 + 17 = 29.
Is Kezzem invisible? I thought he was, but I'm not sure.
"I thought you were going to blink through, Press?" says Kezzem. "I'm confused."
DM Mitch d20+19=21 ; d20+19=25 ; d20+19=24 ; d100=79 ; d100=25 ; d100=15 ; d100=75 ; d100=99 ; d100=9 ; d20+19=35 ; Tuesday February 1st, 2022 7:16:38 AM Succotash looks around for danger or anything that can point his friends to a shunned area
Pru turns herself into a water elemental and avoids the trap by sloshing along the ground
Pressi crosses through the tunnel while blinking taking some damage. She uses Living Voodoo Doll to make 7 of the guards that would otherwise be able to see Kezzem blind, chucks a quickened hornet’s nest to deter pursuit and attempts to use HiPS to hide herself.
Nikolai waits for Pru to reach his side and suggests they try to find what they need from a giant’s slave and advising his wife to go air elemental or fire elemental to aid in their endeavors.
Tali pulls the Goggles of Night over her eyes. She then flies upwards to enter the ash cloud and follow’s Murphy’s voice to better guide her toward the center street. She also is ready to make them both invisible once more.
Kezzem says he thought Pressi was going to blink through and is confused. He is invisible, but the giants have enough perception to still require a stealth check (with -5 for moving quickly if you are doing so)
Succotash finds the main danger is the group of giants on the walls. There’s a few on the ground by the gate, but they’re focused on the gate. He might be able to find more people to ask questions of inside the buildings but that would be hard to do with giants nearby and alert.
Pressi’s actions draw eyes towards the tunnel, but she manages to blind all of the giants on the ground and several on the wall, leaving only 3 sighted giants to throw stones at the illusionary army. They don’t hit anyone.
It takes some time but Tali and Murphy are able to find each other in the ash cloud. Doing so requires making noise and the giants keep throwing rocks towards the sounds. Remarkably one gets dangerously close but doesn’t quite manage to hit.
The goggles do not help see in the cloud as while they let you see in darkness the cloud isn’t a darkness effect, it’s a fog one.
Searching the homes was mentioned but I'm assuming no one has actually done so yet since Nikolai was waiting for/guiding Pressi to him.
Murphy (KimMc) Halfling AC 39/T26/F39(becuz Foresight) CMB 24 CMD 49 HP 196+6/196+6 Tuesday February 1st, 2022 8:18:20 AM
'Thanks, Tali, you found me.' he telepaths (including all in communication). 'Strap yourself to a good spot on my rope harness. Say, can you see me at all?' he asks her [with her darkvision, up close, it seems she should have at least some ability to discern whether he is invisible or not - as the question seems unresolved. Am thinking he is still invisible, but DM will need to make final ruling]
Regardless, he lets her know, 'I will need to make a little more noise to continue to draw their interest, then we will skedaddle farther in, and try to find a landing place for the party.' All party members can 'hear' this.
He again casts 'know direction', shouts in the giant tongue to those below, "MISSED ME, MISSED ME, NOW YOU GOTTA KISS ME!" Shifts to leftward (here at small gate, 'leftward' means even farther from main gate) about 30 feet, keeps moving as he adds, "NYA, NYA, NYA-NYA, NYA!" and then turns 90 degrees and flies about 80 deeper into the city. Movement totals 125 feet this round.
Succotash (Jeremy) AC 31/16/29 CMD 24 HP 135/135 Valerie AC 40/14(16)/35(34) CMD 42(34) HP 157(133)/157(133) (33 temp) Spells Tuesday February 1st, 2022 1:19:57 PM
As Murphy starts taunting the giants at the gate, Succotash, heads towards the nearest hovel, and than via the metal link, asks if he should knock.
active spells: Succotash Resist energy (fire) Heroes feast (12 temp HP) Planar adaptation Invisibility
Valerie Resist energy (fire) Heroes feast (16 temp HP) Planar adaptation Air Walk Longstrider Invisibility Divine Power 16/19
Daily stuff: channel energy (10d6) 10/10 speak with animals 22/22 agile feet 13/13 dimensional hop 130/190 Quicken rod (normal) 2/3
Murphy (KimMc) Halfling AC 39/T26/F39(becuz Foresight) CMB 24 CMD 49 HP 196+6/196+6 Tuesday February 1st, 2022 2:17:49 PM
Murphy responds with a quick recommendation via mental link to Succotash & all, "Perhaps let us all get away from the hubbub near the gate, and penetrate to where it may be quieter and less subject to interruption." He thinks to add, "Ketia, Sashe, how fare you? Any recommendations?"
Prudence Komonov (Kathy) Tuesday February 1st, 2022 4:30:12 PM Further in it is.
Pru casts a quick Prestidigitation. With everyone invisible, it's going to be difficult to stay together. Using the spell, she creates a small illusory butterfly, and sends it down the nearest street that leads further into the city.
Follow the butterfly, she sends over the link. Hopefully, the little illusion is too small to draw much attention from the giants.
Pressi (Melvin) - AC 26 (32), HP 95/150, CMD 26 (28); Harper AC 31 (32), HP 109, CMD 31 (32) Tuesday February 1st, 2022 8:58:44 PM
Pressi, blinded as she is, doesn't really know what's going on from this point forward. She's pretty sure, however, that they've made it through the blockade, more or less.
She continues to hold and hide, listening to see if anyone needs any more help coming in (or if anyone provides a non-visual clue). If everyone else makes it deep into the city, she drops the blindness and follows herself. If anyone needs a spell (and I get a chance to post tomorrow), she is prepared to so cast.
Nikolai (JonathanT) AC 36 Tch 33 Ffted 31 HP 144/144 CMD 46/48(Grapple/Trip/Disarm) d20+35=38 ; d20+26=33 ; Tuesday February 1st, 2022 10:40:59 PM
OOC: my impression is that the giants can't see into the ash cloud any better than us. So any 'disturbance' by invisible characters flying in it would only be seen if the flight path was on the bottom edge of the ash cloud. Any further in, the 'disturbance' would be obscured by the ash cloud. Just MHO.
IC: Nikolai tells Pru, 'Rich giants are more likely to have slaves than any poor ones in these slums. On the other hand, a destitute giant might be a member of a 'shunned' one and more likely to volunteer information. I'll sneak into some of these slum tenements further away (on a different street if possible) from the commotion at the gate and see what I can find. I'll be in constant mental touch and If I need, I will Dimension Door to you.'
If there are any slum houses off the main street along the wall he will go down that side street. Using his Slippers he can climb to a window (assuming there are windows here) and peek in the first one he finds open.
Perception +35 = 38 (still paying more attention to Pru) Stealth +26 = 33 +20(invisible, moving) = 53
DM Mitch d100=28 ; d100=81 ; d100=34 ; d100=83 ; d100=23 ; d100=66 ; d100=97 ; d100=16 ; d20=5 ; Wednesday February 2nd, 2022 8:51:09 AM Murphy is glad to have found Tali who previously renewed the invisibility on both of them. He then moves through the cloud making more noise to try to distract / draw the fire of the giants
Succotash heads towards the nearest hovel and asks if he should knock.
Murphy suggests they get away from the hubbub near the gate and move to where it maybe quieter and less subject to interruption. He also asks Sashe and Ketia how they are faring.
Pru creates a magical butterfly and sends it to the nearest street sign that heads further into the city.
Pressi doesn’t really know what is going on as she is blinded but she continues to hold and hide. She listens to see if anyone needs more help and if it seems like the others have headed further into the city she drops her blindness and does so herself.
Nikolai tells Pru that he thinks Rich Giants are more likely to have slaves than poor ones but a destitute giant might be a shunned one and be more likely to volunteer information so he’s going to head to a residence in the slums on another street away from the commotion at the gate. He is going to maintain mental contact and will dimension hop if need be. He heads down a sidestreet and uses his slippers to climb up and peek in a window.
Murphy is again barely missed by a giant throwing blind but with his spell is able to move deeper in without risking getting lost in the cloud again. The noise and distraction seems kind of redundant since he is at the main gate and the rest of the party is at the small gate a ways off. Finding each other may prove difficult with both parties invisible (yes, you are still invisible)
The rest of the group heads further in upon which a problem is discovered. Namely, it’s hard to be sneaky when one of you, currently blind, has a big illusionary army cast over her. Sesha, per the plan discussed earlier, did not come into the city with the party so he could ensure the way out remains secure. Ketia does come along.
After the party advances a little ways in the illusion fades, presumably Sesha either stopped concentrating on it or they got to far in. The illusion drew giants though and two patrols come rushing into the area. Everyone give stealth checks please, with the +20 invisibility bonus.
Nikolai does find a building with a nice window to climb in. Well more like a hole at the top that lets light in. Inside he finds an ogre. A rather pathetic looking one, cowering in a corner at the sounds of ghostly armies and giants running about. He doesn’t notice the stealthy, invisible human entering.
Succotash holds still and does his best to remain silent, and indicates to Valerie to the same. He does however ready himself to cast Mass Harm on the giants, should their position be compromised. Valerie is ready to pounce on the nearest giant should they be compromised.
Left Talon hits AC 37 for 29 plus 1 shock, 5 frost, and 5 giant's bane Right Talon hits AC 38 for 28 plus 2 shock, 6 frost, and 10 giant's bane Divine Talon hits AC 37 for 25 plus 4 shock, 3 frost, and 8 giant's bane Bite hits AC 34 for 27 5 shock, 3 frost, and 6 giants bane Left Claw hits AC 40 for 22 plus 4 shock, 4 frost, and 10 giant's bane Right Claw hits AC 47 for 22 plus 3 shock, 2 frost, and 6 giant's bane
active spells: Succotash Resist energy (fire) Heroes feast (12 temp HP) Planar adaptation Invisibility
Valerie Resist energy (fire) Heroes feast (16 temp HP) Planar adaptation Air Walk Longstrider Invisibility Divine Power 15/19
Daily stuff: channel energy (10d6) 10/10 speak with animals 22/22 agile feet 13/13 dimensional hop 130/190 Quicken rod (normal) 2/3
If the group is discovered, Pru casts Time Stop, but what specific actions she takes after that depends on the exact situation.
Pressi (Melvin) - AC 26 (32), HP 95/150, CMD 26 (28); Harper AC 31 (32), HP 109, CMD 31 (32) d20+25=44 ; Wednesday February 2nd, 2022 9:40:12 PM
Pressi's stealth is 44, even without invisibility or the Hide in Plain Sight ability.
(If Nick had passed along the ogre info, she might have changed her form and tried a bluff. As it is, she's happy to break off on her own as a goblin.)
Pressi takes the time to recenter the storm at the particular location (takes 10 minutes) and takes some time now to dismiss the voodoo so she can see again.
She also takes some time to try to listen to the chatter with the various guards. To Ketia, "and that's how it's done."
Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 41/21/36; HP 239/248; Rumpus AC 33/16/27; HP 101/101 + 16 d10=9 ; d8=6 ; d20+37=56 ; d20+25=27 ; Wednesday February 2nd, 2022 11:39:30 PM
OOC: Looks like I never updated Kezzem's sheet to 19th level. Hit Points: 1d10 = 9 for Kezzem, 1d8 = 6 for Rumpus.
Does Rumpus get another bonus since he technically does not contact the ground with his horseshoes of the zephyr?
"I'm so stealthy you didn't even see me post last turn," says Kezzem. Rumpus bumps into a lantern and nearly knocks it over.
Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 41/21/36; HP 239/248; Rumpus AC 33/16/27; HP 101/101 + 16 Wednesday February 2nd, 2022 11:40:04 PM
Also, Rumpus is on the flying carpet, so he's doubly not touching the ground. ;-)
Nikolai (JonathanT) AC 36 Tch 33 Ffted 31 HP 144/144 CMD 46/48(Grapple/Trip/Disarm) Thursday February 3rd, 2022 12:06:50 AM
Spells in effect: Mage Armor, Ring of Invisibility
Nikolai immediately tells Pru he's found an ogre that looks worse for wear. He does not know if ogres know gnoll but tries to speak to the ogre in gnoll while remaining invisible.
"Looks like your day of freedom has arrived, if you are willing to help us. We can assure your safe return to the lands of green hills and fresh running water. How about making a deal?"
Tali (JPWard) -- Tali(JonPaul) AC:38 (T:34, FF:32), CMD:42, Saves:(F:15/R:17/W:19), HP:121/121 , temp HP:12/12 Thursday February 3rd, 2022 12:07:37 AM Flying High Again!
Tali does her best to keep up with Mister Murphy while she tries to keep track of the various mental comversations.
Murphy (KimMc) Halfling AC 39/T26/F39(becuz Foresight) CMB 24 CMD 49 HP 196+6/196+6 d20+43=52 ; d20+36=37 ; Thursday February 3rd, 2022 3:12:11 AM
[To Mitch - reread where Murphy has been. It's in the vicinity of the small gate, not the main gate. He was only at the main gate prior to flying deeper into the slums with Succotash and Hobie.]
Murphy is glad that Pressi can see again, and tells her so. Meanwhile ensures that Tali is strapped into the rope harness as he earlier recommended to her. "We'll be flying fast, and I may need quickly to change direction, so I wanted to be sure you're not going to fall off." As she adjusts to a rope loop about her waist, and some smaller loops for her legs or feet, and at least one arm or hand (and another one at least to grab onto with the other hand), Murph again uses know direction.
The druid messages to all, "Tali and will be flying ahead a ways, dipping down here and there, and will let you know if we spot a decent place to try to reach."
He zips forward at a full 'run' for about 12 seconds, then slows down, 1250' further in. [Note: his Foresight should forewarn him lest he slam into a building or some such.] "We're going to go down now, Tali, and take a peek below the ash cloud." Descending at a relatively shallow 30 degree slant, he travels at 62.5' per round, as stealthy as he can manage, listening for sounds from the streets and dwellings below, until he or Tali sense the lower edge of the ash cloud. Once sensed, he rises slightly, again still listening.
If it seems quiet, he messages her again, "Ready to take a peek? I'm going to have just my invisible face breach the ash cover, and see what is below. I can twist my body so you can look, too.
If it does NOT seem quiet - he will consider the nature of the sounds before deciding whether or not to look. Guide me, oh Foresight! he thinks to himself of the powerful means he has invoked to help protect him. If it seems dicey here, he will slightly ascend, move a few blocks farther off at a 45 degree angle, listen, and, taking similar precautions already listed, peek below.
========= Perception: 52 Stealth: 37 [sheesh, I keep rolling low - though 37 is not a terrible stealth roll in general]
Effective spells and conditions: Heroes' Feast (16 temp hp) 10 hours 45 minutes Longstrider 17 hours 45 minutes Magic Fang, Greater (+4) 17 hours 45 minutes Planar Adaptation 17 hours 45 minutes (from Prudence) "Planar adaptation grants you immunity to the harmful environmental effects of a particular plane of existence, including such hazards as toxicity, extreme temperatures, and lack of air. Additionally, you gain energy resistance 20 to a single energy type prevalent on that plane (choose one if more than one type is equally prevalent)." (fire chosen) Protection from Energy (fire) 2 hours 45 minutes Resist Energy (cold) (30 points per damage incident) 2 hours 45 minutes Has natural resistance to electricity: 20 points Stoneskin 2 hours 45 minutes (150-10 hp, adamantine DR/10) Freedom of Movement 2 hours 45 minutes Foresight (9th level divination spell) 2 hours 45 minutes Mage Armor 2 hours 45 minutes Invisibility 18 minutes
DM Mitch d20+22=26 ; d20+22=27 ; d20+22=31 ; d20+22=32 ; d20+22=37 ; d20+22=24 ; d20+22=35 ; d20+22=34 ; d20+22=28 ; d20+22=34 ; Thursday February 3rd, 2022 7:39:51 AM Succotash holds still but readies both himself and Valerie for trouble should they be detected.
Pru readies a Time Stop in the event of discovery as she too tries to stealth
Pressi takes time to recenter the storm and dismiss the voodoo while attempting to eavesdrop on the various guards. She tells Ketia that this is how it is done. (OOC: roll perception for your eavesdropping, also does Harper have a stealth roll?)
Kezzem remarks how stealthy he is while his trusty mount is conceivably less so.
Nikolai tells Pru he has found an ogre and then attempts to communicate with it in gnoll while remaining invisible.
Tali does her best to keep up with Murphy and remain aware of any mental conversations.
Murphy advances deeper into the city a little way.
It takes several attempts before Murphy’s foresight lets him know he can safely poke his head out and it turns out the safest spot is right between two buildings that brush up against the ash and keep him from seeing too far. The ash cloud is definitely lower here, and he appears to still be in the slums. He can hear giants patrolling a street or two over. Moving to a spot with a better sight line probably means giving at least a couple giants a chance to spot him, though they’ll be far enough away it’s not too huge a risk. Of course the same could be said for the last two times he was spotted.
The Gnoll language contains much growling as they are Hyena-headed humanoids and the Ogre does not seem to understand what Nikolai is trying to say. He calls out shakily in Giant Highlight to display spoiler: {“Who..oo goes there? A..a hellhound? A ghost dog? Leave me be. I have nothing for you.”}
The Ogre glances towards the door nervously, then at the window and other possible entry locations
Outside the party all freezes and hides. Both patrols reach the area and search it. Fortunately the party was able to stay still and get good hiding spots because if they were moving there is little chance they wouldn’t have been found. A giant walks right under where Rumpus is floating (you get +40 from invisibility if still and I’m going to let you have it this time)
The giant’s banter isn’t very useful. They’re tense and professional, calling out when they’ve cleared a space. They saw the ghost army come to this spot and have clear sightlines down the street so they’re pretty sure whatever it was is here. Once the street is searched one of the sargents tells the group, ”Search the buildings! and they start splitting off into various homes.
Pressi (Melvin) - AC 26 (32), HP 95/150, CMD 26 (28); Harper AC 31 (32), HP 109, CMD 31 (32) d20+26=36 ; Thursday February 3rd, 2022 8:32:25 AM
(OOC: Harper went back with Hobie and Sesha, did not enter city, so no roll needed.)
(OOC: Perception roll 36.)
While staying still, Pressi casts Detect Thoughts (Domain spell) to track Giant movement... but also in the hopes of picking up some crumb of information that can be useful.
Murphy (KimMc) Halfling AC 39/T26/F39(becuz Foresight) CMB 24 CMD 49 HP 196+6/196+6 d20+43=56 ; d20+36=55 ; Thursday February 3rd, 2022 9:19:42 AM
"Ah, let's go a bit farther down," Murphy suggests to Tali. If she has suggestions, he'll certainly listen. He mentally communicates with the other party members what they've found, perhaps 1,500 feet in from the small gate area. He flies upwards ~100 feet, uses know direction, then races forward another 1250', attending to foresight along the way. The huge air elemental, with a sorcerer friend along for the ride, then angles down as before, more slowly, listening carefully for conversation, movement, and general ambient sounds. "Maybe as we get farther in, the quality of housing will improve," he posits to his friends. He listens to what others are reporting. The careful checking, listening, peeking approach he continues. It cannot be every block or two that is simultaneously being patrolled, he figures.
Better stealth this time! What can he see? Does Tali pick up anything? Still the slums?
=============== Perception: 56 Stealth: 55
Prudence Komonov (Kathy) Thursday February 3rd, 2022 7:40:31 PM Nikolai is talking to a giant's servant. Or possibly slave, Pru sends through the links. Then, if we need a diversion, let me know.
Other than thinking at her companions, Pru takes no actions, and does not move.
Succotash (Jeremy) AC 31/16/29 CMD 24 HP 135/135 Valerie AC 40/14(16)/35(34) CMD 42(34) HP 157(133)/157(133) (33 temp) Spells Thursday February 3rd, 2022 9:11:12 PM
Upon hearing Pru's announcement, Succotash says via the link, "Hey Nikolai, which hovel are you at, I'll head towards you. I speak giant, and can translate for you!"
Assuming Nikolai responds, Succotash will hurry to his location.
Tali (JPWard) -- Tali(JonPaul) AC:38 (T:34, FF:32), CMD:42, Saves:(F:15/R:17/W:19), HP:121/121 , temp HP:12/12 d20+16=18 ; d20+27=30 ; d20=12 ; Thursday February 3rd, 2022 11:30:38 PM si vis pacem para bellum...
Tali does her best to keep pace with Mister Murphy even though she is basically strapped to him. When the team breaks the ash cloud to peek, Tali with the Googles of the Night, coupled with her skills, hopes to perceive something of value to that team.
Nikolai (JonathanT) AC 36 Tch 33 Ffted 31 HP 144/144 CMD 46/48(Grapple/Trip/Disarm) d20+35=37 ; d20+26=27 ; Friday February 4th, 2022 12:33:55 AM
Spells in effect: Mage Armor, Ring of Invisibility
Nikolai is not surprised the ogre does not understand gnoll. Ogres don't understand much anyway. So he relates to Pru he needs an ogre or giant speaking halfling up here and ponders a way to mark the place.
He needs something colorful but not attract attention. He slips out the window again and heads to the roof. His friends are all flying around so his idea should be easy enough to work.
On the roof of the building, he takes out a dark red ribbon, the one he won at his graduation trials for winning first place, and lays it on the roof. Then he relays this to Pru so she can relay that to those flying.
Perception +35 = 37 (still paying more attention to Pru) Stealth +26 = 27 +20(invisible, moving) = 47
DM Mitch d20=6 ; Friday February 4th, 2022 7:05:39 AM Pressi continues to stay still and uses Detect Thoughts to track giant movement and also in the hopes of picking up some information that can be useful. Murphy suggests they go a bit farther down wondering if the more they go in the more the quality of housing will improve.
Pru tells the others Nikolai has engaged with a Giant’s servant or slave and if they need a diversion to let her know.
Succotash hurries towards Nikolai’s location.
Tali keeps pace with Murphy basically being strapped to him and when the pair break the ash cloud again she hopes to see something of value to the team.
Nikolai marks the building.
This time Murphy and Tali get lucky. They exit the cloud in an area where the buildings are either low to the ground or collapsed due to shoddy workmanship. This lets them look at the area and get a feel for the giant patrol patterns.
It seems like the area is fairly thick with giants. They can see signs of patrols roughly every other block. With a bit of luck and skill the party can try to time their way between patrols and hopefully only have to risk detection a few times. It also means if they do get caught they have time to either kill or escape a patrol before the next nearest can reach them, though probably only a few rounds.
There is no sign of the slums ending though. The pair have gone about half a mile and they stretch at least the few hundred feet you can see further.
Pressi is able to track the movement of several giants with her Detect Thoughts. While she remains hidden in plain sight she does get the following snippets.
In Giant Highlight to display spoiler: { Is he back? I thought he got what he came for already }
In Giant Highlight to display spoiler: { What is it this time? Last time, the breech went undetected until the intruder reached the temple. Is this a feint or someone else? }
As Nikolai leaves the building (and Succotash approaches) one of the giants moves to it. He steps into it and Nikolai can hear a short conversation in giant. It’s a long minute before the giant emerges again and looks about suspiciously. He sees the ribbon and looks at it with suspicion
Sense motive 7 Nick or Succotash Highlight to display spoiler: {The giant suspects something from what the Ogre said, and the ribbon especially, but he’s still uncertain enough to second guess himself.}
The giant goes back into the house.
Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 41/21/36; HP 239/248; Rumpus AC 33/16/27; HP 101/101 + 16 d20+29=33 ; d20+37=51 ; d20+45=46 ; Friday February 4th, 2022 3:08:46 PM
Kezzem will keep watch over Pressi. He will detect evil any giant's the come within range. Kezzem tells Rumpus to stand still and not move or he'll have to send him back to where celestial ponies go when they aren't with their paladins.
Nikolai (JonathanT) AC 36 Tch 33 Ffted 31 HP 144/144 CMD 46/48(Grapple/Trip/Disarm) Friday February 4th, 2022 8:08:23 PM
OOC: HOW can he see the ribbon! IT IS ON THE ROOFTOP! Did the giant climb to the roof? Is there no roof? Maybe DM had better describe these buildings better.
Unless the giant is taller than the building, went up some stairs to the roof and is standing on the roof, there's no way he can see the ribbon laying on the roof for our flyers to spot as they fly over!
Pressi (Melvin) - AC 26 (32), HP 95/150, CMD 26 (28); Harper AC 31 (32), HP 109, CMD 31 (32) Friday February 4th, 2022 8:17:31 PM
Pressi thinks about what Prudence says. “No more distractions. I think we did enough diplomatic damage for one day. Ogres, huh… not really a creature I can change into either but maybe a half ogre form will fool them…
“In the meantime, we have a secondary target. Looks like Flamescorn hit the temple here, and I’d like to know why. We’ve still got the problem of figuring out where disgraced giants go if it’s not the slums, but I can’t imagine after all the guards we pantsed that it’ll take long to find out. Unless these are the more understanding fire giants I keep hearing about.”
Pressi (Melvin) - AC 26 (32), HP 95/150, CMD 26 (28); Harper AC 31 (32), HP 109, CMD 31 (32) Friday February 4th, 2022 8:20:31 PM
“Oh, almost forgot to mention. They don’t know if we’re with the guy that hit them or not, so that’s partly why they’re so easy going right now. I almost feel bad for wanting to flex as we came in… almost.”
Prudence Komonov (Kathy) Friday February 4th, 2022 10:23:27 PM Nikolai put a little piece of red ribbon on the roof of the house where the ogre is, Pru dutifully sends through the links.
Murphy (KimMc) Halfling AC 39/T26/F39(becuz Foresight) CMB 24 CMD 49 HP 196+6/196+6 d20+50=70 ; d20+43=54 ; Saturday February 5th, 2022 2:48:43 AM
Murphy lowers until he is fully below the ash cloud. He stops when about 30' above the ground (or rubble) below. He describes via channels what he and Tali are able to see. 'This might be a decent spot from which to move deeper. I think I'll just stay still here for a few moments, describe the place in detail in case any want to teleport here, and get a feel for the guard movements.' He casts know direction, since no one is in the immediate vicinity.
He remains still and does as just described. 'Tali, I'm looking toward' and here he describes himself looking deeper into the city, keeping an eye on about 180 degrees of the slums farthest from the gates. 'Can you keep an eye out the other direction? And try not to move around too much, to remain hard for patrols to spot, if you please.'
============= Stealth: 76 (nat 20 + 16(skill)+20(invisible)+20(invisible, motionless)) Best score evar! (for the druid) Perception: 54
Tali (JPWard) -- Tali(JonPaul) AC:38 (T:34, FF:32), CMD:42, Saves:(F:15/R:17/W:19), HP:121/121 , temp HP:12/12 d20+16=24 ; d20+25=39 ; d20+27=28 ; Sunday February 6th, 2022 8:08:35 PM Pacem ParaBellum
Tali does her best to keep her eyes out in the other direction and to attempt at staying still while strapped to Mister Murphy to remain hard for patrols to spot as per Mister Murphy's request.'
Nikolai (JonathanT) AC 36 Tch 33 Ffted 31 HP 144/144 CMD 46/48(Grapple/Trip/Disarm) Sunday February 6th, 2022 10:06:38 PM
Nikolai waits atop the building for one of his flying teammates. When he sees one, he deactivates his ring and waves the red ribbon.
Succotash (Jeremy) AC 31/16/29 CMD 24 HP 135/135 Valerie AC 40/14(16)/35(34) CMD 42(34) HP 157(133)/157(133) (33 temp) Spells d20=16 ; Sunday February 6th, 2022 11:49:35 PM
Sense motive 33
Succotash catches the giant's vibe, and worries that the ogre may be in danger. still invisible, and riding on the invisible air walking Valerie, Succotash, rides over to the window of the house with the ogre and giant. he positions himself so that his voice comes from approximately the same height as a fire giant, and than says, in giant, "I was wondering if you would mind chatting with me and a friend or two? We seek some directions, perhaps you can help,"
active spells: Succotash Resist energy (fire) Heroes feast (12 temp HP) Planar adaptation Invisibility
Valerie Resist energy (fire) Heroes feast (16 temp HP) Planar adaptation Air Walk Longstrider Invisibility Divine Power 13/19
Daily stuff: channel energy (10d6) 10/10 speak with animals 22/22 agile feet 13/13 dimensional hop 130/190 Quicken rod (normal) 2/3
DM Mitch Monday February 7th, 2022 7:34:07 AM Kezzem keeps watch over Pressi and uses detect evil on any giants that come within range. He has Rumpus stand still and not move or he’ll send him back where celestial ponies go where they aren’t with their paladin.
Nikolai wonders how the giant spotted the ribbon. He then waits for one of his teammates to show up with it.
Pressi thinks about what Prudence said and considers turning into a half ogre. She tells the others that they have a secondary target and that is to find out why Flamescorn hit the temple after they find the place where disgraced giants go. She also points out that the giants don’t know if they are with the guy that him them or not.
Pru tells the others about Nikolai’s ribbon.
Murphy lowers himself below the ash cloud, telling the others what he and Tali are able to see and then casts know direction. He explains where he is looking and asks Tali to observe the other direction.
Tali does her best to stay still and keep her eyes out
Succotash positions himself at giant height and asks in giant for some directions at the Ogre’s house.
The giant entering the house advances towards the Ogre, but then Succotash starts talking. He freezes in place, then starts to back out slowly. The ogre looks terrified.
Tali and Murphy have no trouble staying hidden since they are being still.
DM Mitch Monday February 7th, 2022 7:38:47 AM
All of the giants are evil.
Succotash (Jeremy) AC 31/16/29 CMD 24 HP 135/135 Valerie AC 40/14(16)/35(34) CMD 42(34) HP 157(133)/157(133) (33 temp) Spells d20+27=35 ; Monday February 7th, 2022 9:34:02 AM
Diplomacy 35
In Giant Succotash says, "That ogre has done nothing wrong, please don't hurt him, I'd rather not have to harm you. I am one who always looks to defend the weaker and downtrodden, and if you harm this innocent person, than I will be forced to destroy you, and I'd rather not do that.
As I said, This ogre has done nothing wrong, and all I want is some directions. Could one of you direct me to the former home of one named Flamescorn, or perhaps you may have some information about that vile being. You see, I am hunting the fiend, as word of his vile acts have come to my attention, and I desire to put a permanent end to his evil. I have heard that he has harmed innocent people here in this city, I have even retrieved a suite of armor that he made out of the hide of a fire giant. Of course I have no way to identify the individual, but since he was a fire giant, I felt maybe I could give the armor to the giants in this city, so that they can give the poor fellow a proper final farewell.
Pressi (Melvin) - AC 26 (32), HP 95/150, CMD 26 (28); Harper AC 31 (32), HP 109, CMD 31 (32) d20+25=34 ; Monday February 7th, 2022 2:29:26 PM
Pressi decided it was time to move, slowly and cautiously making her way towards Succotash (stealth 34, assuming blink is no longer a thing). She continues to make her way through the shadows, and continues to use detect thoughts to avoid giants.
While moving along, she continues searching for signs of places to be, like the temple, library or bar. Maybe Flamescorn's old home, if it happens to be marked.
Pressi (Melvin) - AC 26 (32), HP 95/150, CMD 26 (28); Harper AC 31 (32), HP 109, CMD 31 (32) d20+22=26 ; Monday February 7th, 2022 2:31:17 PM
(I also want to check houses for people that might seem downtrodden or chained up. Perception 26.)
Murphy (KimMc) Halfling AC 39/T26/F39(becuz Foresight) CMB 24 CMD 49 HP 196+6/196+6 Monday February 7th, 2022 4:10:40 PM
In addition to not being noticed, Murphy really would like better to understand the local layout. Should the rest of the party join him and Tali there, is the rubble such that they could be hidden from most angles of view?
"Tali and I will better describe what we see momentarily," Murphy communicates.
Tali (JPWard) -- Tali(JonPaul) AC:38 (T:34, FF:32), CMD:42, Saves:(F:15/R:17/W:19), HP:121/121 , temp HP:12/12 d20+16=34 ; d20+27=42 ; d20+25=35 ; d20+11=16 ; Monday February 7th, 2022 9:03:29 PM Bellum Pacem Para
Tali does her best to keep her eyes out searching for places to stay hidden from view, other critters like Giants, and of course our friends.
Prudence Komonov (Kathy) Monday February 7th, 2022 9:15:03 PM
Pru stays where she is and relies on her invisibility to keep her hidden. If she needs to move, she can always Teleport or Dimension Door.
Nikolai (JonathanT) AC 36 Tch 33 Ffted 31 HP 144/144 CMD 46/48(Grapple/Trip/Disarm) Monday February 7th, 2022 11:38:37 PM
OOC: I don't follow your posts, makes no sense: On Fri Feb 4 you posted: As Nikolai leaves the building (and Succotash approaches) one of the giants moves to it. He steps into it and Nikolai can hear a short conversation in giant. It’s a long minute before the giant emerges again and looks about suspiciously. He sees the ribbon and looks at it with suspicion
Now that same giant is back in there? The giant entering the house advances towards the Ogre, but then Succotash starts talking. He freezes in place, then starts to back out slowly. The ogre looks terrified.
Cmon, be consistent. Is the giant outside or inside?
Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 41/21/36; HP 239/248; Rumpus AC 33/16/27; HP 101/101 + 16 d20=13 ; Monday February 7th, 2022 11:41:15 PM
"Sorry, but your just not trained for stewlth," says Kezzem. He dismisses Rumpus and follows Pressi on the flying carpet.
Stealth: 1d20 + 37 = 50.
DM Mitch d20+22=37 ; d20+22=33 ; d20+22=41 ; Tuesday February 8th, 2022 6:51:00 AM Succotash continues to diplomatically engage the giant at the ogre’s house asking for the ogre to not be harmed, reiterate his requests for directions asking for directions to Flamescorn’s former home and mentioning that they have armor made from fire giant remains
Pressi slowly and cautiously makes her way to Succotash using the shadows and detect thoughts to avoid Giant patrols. She looks for signs of the temple or Flamescorn’s old home too.
Murphy wants to better understand the local layout and endeavors to describe what he and Tali see.
Tali does her best to keep searching for places to stay hidden from view, giants and her friends
Pru stays hidden where she is prepared to use Teleport or Dimension Door if she needs to move anywhere.
Nikolai is trying to determine where the giant near the ogre’s house is
Kezzem dismisses Rumpus explaining the poney isn’t trained for stealth and follows Pressi on his magic carpet ride.
(sent this in e-mail, including here in case anyone missed the e-mail. Two posts ago I posted that the giant talked to the ogre, then left the house and looked around suspiciously. I put a sense motive check, then wrote that the giant went back inside. Thus yesterday the giant referred to was the same giant who went back in with more questions.)
Pressi advances slowly. The giants are very perceptive, but with her detect thought she avoids going anywhere giants are out on the street (they rolled well enough to hear you, but not through a wall so you’re fine).
Along the way she detects the thoughts of a few of the occupants of the homes. She’s able to gather that this entire area of the city is full of the giant’s slaves. Lesser giants and giantkin mostly, judging from the languages and thoughts she hears.
More importantly she gets close enough to the home to detect the thoughts of the giant Succotash is talking to. He looks very confused as the invisible halfling talks to him, thinking ”Why would I hurt the slave? And why are they after the traitor here?”
Out loud the giant says, ”I’m just a soldier. Let me get my captain and I’m sure he can sort out all of this.” As he talks he finishes backing out and is now standing half in the doorway, half in the street (there is no door) From his mannerisms and from Pressi’s detect thoughts it’s obvious he’s going to call over both squads to try to reveal and kill or capture Succotash.
Meanwhile Murphy and Tali try to get the lay of the land. If they were hoping to find a pattern or sensible layout the area follows that hope is dashed. Buildings seem to have been thrown up wherever and the streets are very narrow for giants. The halflings would have no trouble of course. There are occasional, broader lanes but they seem to only last until some building or other bulges out a bit to far. Sometimes there’s no street at all and the only way through seems to be to cut through a shoddily built building.
The section they are floating over seems to have once been fairly populated judging from the amount of rubble. It looks like a bunch of buildings were built close together, then possibly some smaller ones added on top of the larger ones until one collapsed which in turn sent it’s neighbor tumbling down in a chain reaction that left about a block of rubble and confusion. It makes it relatively safe as the closest the giants can go without trying to walk over the rubble about 30 feet away. The party could teleport here, in the air above the rubble, and be relatively safe as long as they are invisible. Even non-invisible PC’s could find plenty of hiding places amidst the rubble.
Succotash (Jeremy) AC 31/16/29 CMD 24 HP 135/135 Valerie AC 40/14(16)/35(34) CMD 42(34) HP 157(133)/157(133) (33 temp) Spells d20+27=42 ; Tuesday February 8th, 2022 11:43:05 AM
In giant, Succotash quickly says, "You seem like a fairly bright giant, why don't you just give me the information I'm asking for. Your captain doesn't need to get involved. Do you really want to waste your captains time over something as trivial as this? Flamescorn wronged your people, and has hurt countless innocent people, which puts us on the same side, why don't you just give me the information I seek, and I'll be out of your hair. I have no desire to slaughter giants today, or any day for that matter, but I'm certain your captain will force my hand, and I would much rather avoid that situation, so please give me the information I seek."
(Not sure if I should roll for diplomacy again or not but just in case: I rolled a 42)
active spells: Succotash Resist energy (fire) Heroes feast (12 temp HP) Planar adaptation Invisibility
Valerie Resist energy (fire) Heroes feast (16 temp HP) Planar adaptation Air Walk Longstrider Invisibility Divine Power 11/19
Daily stuff: channel energy (10d6) 10/10 speak with animals 22/22 agile feet 13/13 dimensional hop 130/190 Quicken rod (normal) 2/3
Murphy (KimMc) Huge, buff air elemental AC 39/T26/F39(becuz Foresight) CMB 24 CMD 49 HP 196+6/196+6 Tuesday February 8th, 2022 1:08:18 PM
"Succotash, you are being very nice." Murphy communicates through the channels. "Perhaps much nicer to all concerned to render quiet, then useless the fellow than let him talk to his captain. Or gather immediately our party nearby and teleport over to us so they don't see Valery. Nikolai, anyone else - want to help him out?"
He then adds to all, "Meanwhile, Tali and I have found a forward spot about a half-mile in - still slums, light on patrols, narrow walkways here and there too small for giants. Want to join us here, or want us to scout farther ahead?" He gives as much of a description as he can of a good spot to teleport to, asking Tali to fill in details he may have overlooked.
Prudence Komonov (Kathy) Tuesday February 8th, 2022 5:55:35 PM Dimension Door is probably going to be safer than Teleport, Pru sends over the links. The caster doesn't have to visualize the place; just know where it is. How far, and in which direction.
Pressi (Melvin) - AC 26 (32), HP 95/150, CMD 26 (28); Harper AC 31 (32), HP 109, CMD 31 (32) Tuesday February 8th, 2022 9:08:01 PM
"Well, now that seems like a really good solution," Pressi calls from her hiding spot before the guard can call over anyone else. "I'm sorry, we haven't been formally introduced. I'm the gal that blew a hole through your wall and filled your city with ash snow, and before you so much as move a muscle to look in my direction or signal anyone else, know that I can probably do the same thing to the back of your head. Tap your shoulder twice if I have your attention."
Pressi readies an action. If he so much as signals, looks around, really does anything except what she says and agree to help out, Pressi casts a quickened Ill Omen (force him to reroll 3 times) followed by a Heightened Charm Person (Spell Level 7, Will DC 26).
Regardless of what happens, Pressi continues. "I do apologize for my blunt threat, but we are rather on a deadline and believe it or not don't want to do any more damage, so I'm prepared to make you a deal. Give us a chance, hang out, show us around, let me buy you a beer or whatever you guys drink, you share what you know, we share what we know, maybe even come out to the material plane and when it's all done we'll make sure you get to turn in the guy that broke in. Or you can turn me in directly to your leader once our investigation is done. You'll be a hero either way, and much less likely to be publicly humiliated and shunned forever which is what will probably happen if you call someone over, no matter what shakes out. All we're asking is a couple of hours and a chance, and I'll gladly bind myself from screwing you if you'll do the same. It's a better deal then what you'll get otherwise. All you have to do is say yes for now."
-----------------
Ritual Warding (+1 to AC, throws) Ritual Healing (use d12 for healing spells) goblin form (+2 dex, darkvision) contingency: blink (active) mass planar adaption (resist fire) Protection of Energy Fire Heroes Feast (13 HP, +1 attack rolls, will, +4 poison and fear) moment of Prescience shield of faith shield other (from Kezzem)
Pressi (Melvin) - AC 26 (32), HP 95/150, CMD 26 (28); Harper AC 31 (32), HP 109, CMD 31 (32) Tuesday February 8th, 2022 9:17:18 PM
Can I ask for 48 hrs instead? That seems more appropriate.
Murphy (KimMc) Huge, buff air elemental AC 39/T26/F39(becuz Foresight) CMB 24 CMD 49 HP 196+6/196+6 Tuesday February 8th, 2022 10:30:32 PM
Murphy communicates to all, "Succo, ignore what I said. You set it up perfectly. And my wife looks to be making dessert of it."
He adds, "Tali and I can fly back, be there in less than half a minute. She can teleport a good number of us back, and I can fly the rest."
Nikolai (JonathanT) AC 36 Tch 33 Ffted 31 HP 144/144 CMD 46/48(Grapple/Trip/Disarm) Tuesday February 8th, 2022 10:36:19 PM
OOC: If the giant went outside, what good would a Sense Motive check do when no one is there to see it? Nikolai was inside, so not able to 'sense motive' on an unseen creature. Maybe Pru? I don't know. But the obvious would be a visual check, not a sense motive check. Regardless of the result of a sense motive check, someone would have seen him go back inside and that obvious fact would have to be posted.
If anyone could see him to sense the motive, then they would have seen him go back inside. Since Nikolai was on the roof before the giant went inside, and still on the roof when the giant went outside, there's no way a sense motive check could succeed on an unseen creature. Nor does Nikolai know Giantish to stretch the sense motive on audio alone.
As far as Succotash, I don't know. Nikolai was signaling from the roof where only flying creatures would be able to see him. Any info to those on the ground would have been from Pru who is hiding nearby.
Anyway, whatever is whatever. So the giant is back inside or outside or somewhere in between. It is irrelevant now since the dork Succotash is a few mealtimes short of common sense and deserves a good whallop from the giant.
Nikolai (JonathanT) AC 36 Tch 33 Ffted 31 HP 144/144 CMD 46/48(Grapple/Trip/Disarm) Tuesday February 8th, 2022 10:37:06 PM
ooc: "Nikolai was inside, so not able to 'sense motive' on an unseen creature" Sorry, I meant outside on the roof.
Nikolai (JonathanT) AC 36 Tch 33 Ffted 31 HP 144/144 CMD 46/48(Grapple/Trip/Disarm) d20+29=35 ; Tuesday February 8th, 2022 10:51:24 PM
Nikolai does not understand giant but does hear a conversation outside, with one voice clearly very giantish in sound, which can't be good. That can only mean trouble and time to move on and find another place.
"Pru, get moving out of there. Trouble is about to be a visitor. Let's get over a few blocks and see if we have any luck over there." he communicates over their special link.
He directs Pru where he's going and scampers over the roofs of the buildings on this block and takes a leap to cross to another block.
Acrobatics +29 = 35 + 13 (High Jump Feat) + 16 (base speed bonus) = 64 vs DC (distance across a street)
Pressi (Melvin) - AC 26 (32), HP 95/150, CMD 26 (28); Harper AC 31 (32), HP 109, CMD 31 (32) Wednesday February 9th, 2022 7:31:16 AM
Can I ask for 48 hrs instead? That seems more appropriate.
DM Mitch d20+19=28 ; d3=1 ; d20+19=26 ; Wednesday February 9th, 2022 7:49:14 AM Succotash tells the giant that he seems fairly bright and suggests the captain doesn’t really need to get involved. He argues they are on the same side against Flamescorn and he really doesn’t want to harm giants today or any day so why can’t he be given the information he seeks.
Murphy tells Succotash he’s being very nice and that perhaps it would be nicer to render quiet then useless the fellow rather than let him talk to his captain or to just gather everyone in the vicinity and teleport over to him and Tali so that they aren’t spotted and queries if anyone nearby Succotash wants to help with that. He informs the others of the hiding spot he and Tali have found and asks if the rest of the party wants to rendezvous there or if he and Tali should continue scouting ahead.
Pru volunteers that dimension door is probably the safer bet and queries how far Murphy’s hiding place is and in what direction.
Pressi breaks cover and introduces herself to the guard, threatening to do what she did to the wall to his head if he does anything other than signal by tapping his shoulder twice that she has his attention.
Murphy takes back what he said to Succotash and offers to have Tali and him fly back and then fly / teleport the party to the location where they currently are.
Nikolai is able to listen in on most of the conversation as while the Ogre doesn't speak giant the soldier does so Succotash and the giant were spelling common. Still he figures they should move a few blocks over and see if they have better luck, directing Pru as to where he is headed as he leaps from roof to roof like a ninja in the night.
The giant does not take threats too kindly and does not tap his shoulder twice and instead makes a move to signal the others which triggers Pressi’s readied actions which would have been great except for the fact that these giants are immune to most mind affecting spells so Ill Omen and Charm Person both fizzle and the giant raises his horn to his lips and sounds a clarion call.
Immediately the giants searching the other homes start to emerge and approach. The giant whom Pressi tried to charm snarls at the empty air, ”Fhorge protects me from your charms witch.”
We are in combat rounds until you either evade or kill the giant patrols. I will create a map if the party isn’t able to or decides not to quickly escape.
Pressi (Melvin) - AC 26 (32), HP 95/150, CMD 26 (28); Harper AC 31 (32), HP 109, CMD 31 (32) d20+24=39 ; Wednesday February 9th, 2022 9:34:24 AM
Pressi frowns a bit before moving through a window and turning towards the ogre slave (and Nick and Succotash).
"You, same deal that I gave Tiny over there, plus your freedom," she continues to speak in Giant. "Also, correct me if I'm wrong, I'm just going on first impressions, but wouldn't it be nice to show these giants what an ogre can do, or help out the halfling that sacrificed himself to protect you? This is a one time offer that ends when a giant opens the front door, and can be backed out of later, so don't dally out of fear on this one. At minimum, you get a free beer out of it."
Diplomacy 39 + 18 from her moment of prescience +4 from a hero point. No fooling around on this one.
(OOC: I know we've been playing fast and loose on what people can see and hear through walls. So I'm asking for a "no you don't have to type it all again" handwave here. At least a "short short" version.)
Pressi gathers her allies and casts Shadow Walk when any giant gets even close. Regardless of what the ogre chooses, she uses it on him as well so that he has the option to escape. Once done, she leads everyone back towards Murphy and Tali at 50 MPH, knowing where they wind up inside the city is almost random.
She also sends out a message asking if anyone else would like to cast something before she completely burns out of spells.
-----------------
Ritual Warding (+1 to AC, throws) Ritual Healing (use d12 for healing spells) goblin form (+2 dex, darkvision) contingency: blink (active) mass planar adaption (resist fire) Protection of Energy Fire Heroes Feast (13 HP, +1 attack rolls, will, +4 poison and fear) moment of Prescience shield of faith shield other (from Kezzem)
Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 41/21/36; HP 239/248; Rumpus AC 33/16/27; HP 101/101 + 16 d20+37=49 ; Wednesday February 9th, 2022 11:51:49 AM
Kezzem remains invisible but gets within melee range of the giant closest to Pressi. He prepares to strike with his daggers.
Stealth: 1d20 + 37 = 49.
Succotash (Jeremy) AC 31/16/29 CMD 24 HP 135/135 Valerie AC 40/14(16)/35(34) CMD 42(34) HP 157(133)/157(133) (33 temp) Spells Wednesday February 9th, 2022 12:55:26 PM
Before Pessie can cast Shadow walk, Succotash says, via their mental link, Nikolai, Kezzem, grab hold of Pressi. He than spurs Valerie into action, and swoops down, reaches out to touch Pressi, and than casts Greater Teleport, using Murphy's description of his location, as his point of reference, teleporting his friends and himself to Murphy's location.
active spells: Succotash Resist energy (fire) Heroes feast (12 temp HP) Planar adaptation Invisibility
Valerie Resist energy (fire) Heroes feast (16 temp HP) Planar adaptation Air Walk Longstrider Invisibility Divine Power 10/19
Daily stuff: channel energy (10d6) 10/10 speak with animals 22/22 agile feet 13/13 dimensional hop 130/190 Quicken rod (normal) 2/3
Prudence Komonov (Kathy) Wednesday February 9th, 2022 5:30:10 PM
Lacking any other direction, Pru casts Dimension Door to go to the location Nikolai supplied. If there are any giants in the vicinity, Pru uses her Silent Spell feat to cast the spell without a verbal component.
[OOC: But I need to know whether she had to cast it silently so I know what level spell to mark off.]
Murphy (KimMc) Huge, buff air elemental AC 39/T26/F39(becuz Foresight) CMB 24 CMD 49 HP 196+6/196+6 d20+43=61 ; d20+50=54 ; Wednesday February 9th, 2022 6:13:32 PM
"Incoming," comments Murphy. [i]"And remember, if anyone needs to shout, just do it with your mind."
During his area inspections, and being a druid, he thinks to observe if he can discern any sort of plant life in the vicinity that has the power to withstand the incessant heat and other environmental factors.
============ Perception: 61 Stealth: 60 (net +56 on stealth, but roller only allows +50)
Pressi (Melvin) - AC 26 (32), HP 95/150, CMD 26 (28); Harper AC 31 (32), HP 109, CMD 31 (32) Wednesday February 9th, 2022 8:31:31 PM
Pressi gladly accepts the teleport instead, makes sure that Kezzem and others travel with them, and once again reaches for the ogre slave to come with them, even if it's just to get out of trouble. (But also, why not give them a chance?)
Tali (JPWard) -- Tali(JonPaul) AC:38 (T:34, FF:32), CMD:42, Saves:(F:15/R:17/W:19), HP:121/121 , temp HP:12/12 d20+16=23 ; Wednesday February 9th, 2022 8:39:23 PM Bellum Pacem Para
Tali being Tandem with Mister Murphy goes where Mister Murphy goes, but if she needs to, will cast Greater Teleport to bring as many as six (6) additional members back into the air just above the rubble, provided we are all invisible. If not, she will cast Invisibilityon those that need it up to 5 others; provided there is enough time. If not enough time, then she will cast Greater Teleport & worry about the visability after they are safer.
Nikolai (JonathanT) AC 36 Tch 33 Ffted 31 HP 144/144 CMD 46/48(Grapple/Trip/Disarm) d20+29=41 ; Thursday February 10th, 2022 12:47:29 AM
Spells in effect: Mage Armor, Ring of Invisibility
On a roof the next block over Pru catches up with Nikolai and tells him what's going on down there with the ogre and the giant guard showing up and with the horn blowing, the rest need not be said.
"Well, Pru Honey, obviously the idea of buttering up a slave to get us the information we need is out the window. In halfling terms, according to the learner's book I've been reading, Yesterday's Meal'. We are going to have to help deal with whatever that horn brings. Let's get back over there and see what we can add to the mayhem."
Strength = 23 carrying capacity: light 0-200lb total weight carried: 40.5 lb Pru's weight: don't ask (but should not put him over his 200lb light load capacity)
Nikolai picks Pru up and dashes across the roofs again and leaps back over to the roofs of the block he just came from.
Acrobatics long jump + 29 = 41 + 13 (High Jump Feat) + 16 (base speed bonus) = 70 vs DC (distance across a street).
Murphy (KimMc) Huge, buff air elemental AC 39/T26/F39(becuz Foresight) CMB 24 CMD 49 HP 196+6/196+6 Thursday February 10th, 2022 2:58:13 PM
So, it seems Murphy can discern no plant life thus far. Not even a fire rose. He waits to see what happens... and to determine whether he and Tali need to fly back quickly to offer aid and air ferry service.
"How you doin', Tali?" he asks, just talking telepathically with her directly, not including the rest of the gang in the loop on this one.
Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 41/21/36; HP 239/248; Rumpus AC 33/16/27; HP 101/101 + 16 Thursday February 10th, 2022 4:29:07 PM
Kezzem prepares for teleportation.
Murphy (KimMc) Huge, buff air elemental AC 39/T26/F39(becuz Foresight) CMB 24 CMD 49 HP 196+6/196+6 Thursday February 10th, 2022 5:42:10 PM
[OOC Note: DM Mitch reports teleportation does not work. Shadow walk does. Prepare for Pressi transport - often a thrilling ride!]
DM Mitch Thursday February 10th, 2022 8:27:58 PM
(I made a post this morning that was eaten by an internet dragon. I have not been able to slay the dragon and retrieve the post. in the morning I'll post off PC actions from last two days.)
Important things from lost post: The teleportation didn't' work, knowledge Arcana 27 to find out (will explain in morning post if someone makes check). Since Pressi only canceled her spell upon seeing Succotash preparing his own I'll allow her spell to complete and get everyone safely in the shadow realm/walk.
Pressi (Melvin) - AC 26 (32), HP 95/150, CMD 26 (28); Harper AC 31 (32), HP 109, CMD 31 (32) Thursday February 10th, 2022 8:29:36 PM
Realizing that Succotash's teleport won't work, she begins to activate her own Shadow walk abilities, hoping that she can link enough arms in time.
She does begin to consider whether doing this on another plane might have some effects.
Tali (JPWard) -- Tali(JonPaul) AC:38 (T:34, FF:32), CMD:42, Saves:(F:15/R:17/W:19), HP:121/121 , temp HP:12/12 d20+27=43 ; d20+16=23 ; d20+25=42 ; Thursday February 10th, 2022 9:36:55 PM Bellum Pacem Para...
Tali getting confused, starts checking things she believes she knows...
Prudence Komonov (Kathy) Thursday February 10th, 2022 10:02:07 PM
[OOC: Okay, so Teleport didn't work, but did Dimension Door work? And, regardless of whether it worked or not, when Pru attempted to cast it, did she see any giants and decide to cast it silently? Because I have to mark it off regardless.]
Nikolai (JonathanT) AC 36 Tch 33 Ffted 31 HP 144/144 CMD 46/48(Grapple/Trip/Disarm) Thursday February 10th, 2022 11:12:42 PM
OOC: teleport didn't work with the Frost Giants either. Hmmm... I smell a conspiracy here....
DM Mitch Friday February 11th, 2022 6:23:56 AM Pressi frowns and then moves through the window to where Succotash is with the Ogre. She offers him an ultimatum and then absconds with her friends and the ogre into the shadow realm
Kezzem remains invisible but gets within striking range of the giants nearest where Pressi used to be ready to strike out with his daggers if needed.
Succotash attempts to teleports himself, Valerie, Pressi and the Ogre over to where Murphy is with greater teleport. Sadly the teleportation spell fizzles.
Pru attempts to cast a silent dimension door to move in the direction that her husband suggested only to see it fizzle too.
Murphy tells Tali they’ve got incoming and reminds folks to use mental communication. He observes the area looking for any flora that might be able to survive the harsh conditions but doesn’t find any. He asks Tali how she is doing.
Tali is prepared to teleport folks back to Murphy and turn them invisible if they need it.
Nikolai tells Pru that the plan to work with the Ogre informant has gone out the window or is now yesterday’s meal. He picks his wife up and dashes across the roofs back to where the rest of the party is.
Kezzem prepares for the shadow walk
Tali is confused and starts checking what she knows.
Tali’s arcane knowledge lets her figure out what’s going on. The pocket reality must have properties similar to a spell like Dimensional Lock and prevents extraplanar travel. It probably doesn’t extend through the whole reality, which is why the portal into the realm works and they could cast things like Blink outside the wall, but they’ve probably reached the point where walking or flying are the only options for transportation.
If the effect is similar to the spell Dimensional Lock then forms of movement barred include astral projection, blink, dimension door, ethereal jaunt, etherealness, gate, maze, plane shift, shadow walk, teleport, and similar spell-like abilities
Pressi offers to link arms, Succotash, Kezzem and the Ogre take her up on the offer immediately. Nikolai bounds over to where everyone is with his wife and gets there just in time for them to also travel through the realm of shadows.
It’s immediately obvious that something weird is going on here. The plan seems… thinner? Then usual. Pressi and company are able to avoid combat with the ogres escaping to the shadow realm and then traven a very short distance before finding some kind of wall.
The wall looks weird. Sort of a dull, glowing filter that stretches in every direction. You can see vague shapes that look like the rest of the city past it but they’re all colored by the warrior. It almost looks like a thin layer of woldsblood. You probably do not want to touch it - woldblood is lethal to touch, and even if it isn’t woldsblood and just the barrier of the dimensional lock spell it likely won’t do good things to youl.
Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 41/21/36; HP 239/248; Rumpus AC 33/16/27; HP 101/101 + 16 Friday February 11th, 2022 1:42:58 PM
"Press, is it supposed to look like that?" asks Kezzem. "I don't like it."
Pressi (Melvin) - AC 26 (32), HP 95/150, CMD 26 (28); Harper AC 31 (32), HP 109, CMD 31 (32) Friday February 11th, 2022 3:20:10 PM
Pressi stares into the void. "After all the failures we've had with shadow walk, what are the odds that we'd have a failure again, really? I mean, this seems foreseeable in hindsight, sure..."
She shook her head, "Still, I don't think we got thrown out of the pocket universe, and our only goal is to get out of that house, because if we don't know where we are, they sure don't. So..."
Pressi first tries to see if she can follow the wall around for a bit. If that doesn't work, she tries a different direction away from the wall.
If that doesn't work, she has everyone wait a while, hoping the giants leave.
But no matter what, she stays in for 30 minutes, moves as best as she can to a place nobody is around, and ends the shadow walk there. With some luck, the giants will have moved on, or they will be shunted to a random place without any giants.
Prudence Komonov (Kathy) Friday February 11th, 2022 4:17:50 PM They thought to put cutting wires and shadow barriers into their wall? Pru sends. I wonder what kinds of things usually attack them.
Tali (JPWard) -- Tali(JonPaul) AC:38 (T:34, FF:32), CMD:42, Saves:(F:15/R:17/W:19), HP:121/121 , temp HP:12/12 d20+27=29 ; d20+16=32 ; d20+25=41 ; Friday February 11th, 2022 11:24:48 PM Bellum Pacem Para...
Tali knowing, continues to verify, & then shares all she can with the group via the various communication spells, bonds, telepathy spells that were cast prior to this foray.
Murphy (KimMc) Huge, buff air elemental AC 39/T26/F39(becuz Foresight) CMB 24 CMD 49 HP 196+6/196+6 Friday February 11th, 2022 11:54:40 PM
Knowing they've just gone into shadow walk, Murphy tests to see if they can still communicate telepathically. "How are things?" he asks.
Succotash (Jeremy) AC 31/16/29 CMD 24 HP 135/135 Valerie AC 40/14(16)/35(34) CMD 42(34) HP 157(133)/157(133) (33 temp) Spells Saturday February 12th, 2022 12:20:54 PM "Those giants really think of everything! These have to be some of the smartest giants I've ever seen! Add to that, they are rather set on attacking us. We have been here a while now, but are still no where near reaching our objective, and we are rapidly running out of options. I fear we may have to resort violence, as diplomacy and stealth haven't born any fruit. Anyone have any other ideas, because I'm feel we are losing this cat and mouse game, especially since we have been playing the role of the mice. Maybe it's time to extract our claws, and change our roles. If someone else has another idea, I'm all in, but we need to do something, and soon! Pressi's divination originally suggested the small gate, but I think that is Yesterday's Breakfast. We kinda gave up any thought of stealth now that they know we're here, and anything resembling a surprise attack is shot to heck!"
It's clear by his tone that Succotash isn't upset, he is just trying to break down the current options, by pointing out the ones that have been tried and failed. Those that know him know that he has no desire to start killing giants, but he also wants to get on with the real objective, which is finding and ending Flamscorn, and he is ready to try anything, at this point, to reach that objective.
Murphy (KimMc) Huge, buff air elemental AC 39/T26/F39(becuz Foresight) CMB 24 CMD 49 HP 196+6/196+6 Saturday February 12th, 2022 2:28:48 PM
If telepathy to those shadow walking is possible, Murphy says, "My understanding of the city's layout is growing. Since teleportation is out, as far as we can ascertain, but flying works, I can fly almost all of us up through the ash cover - and perhaps help tow a few of those who can fly, so we do not get separated. So far it does not appear the giants have any sort of air force.
"I don't think we want to attempt to fight our way through at the street level, though moving with stealth through the streets may be possible, and challenging."
If those shadow walking have gone telepathically 'dark,' Murphy speaks with Sashe (and Ketia, if she's not with the shadow walkers) to say once they come out of the shadows, communication should be restored. If Ketia is not with Pressi & company, he tries to determine where she is, and how she fares.
Nikolai (JonathanT) AC 36 Tch 33 Ffted 31 HP 144/144 CMD 46/48(Grapple/Trip/Disarm) Sunday February 13th, 2022 10:31:15 PM
Nikolai asks, "How long does this Shadow Salk last? Could we just use this Shadow Walk to wander the streets of the city and look for the place?"
Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 41/21/36; HP 239/248; Rumpus AC 33/16/27; HP 101/101 + 16 Sunday February 13th, 2022 11:05:39 PM
"Usually a Shadow Sulk last until I get hungry and stop sitting sadly in the darkness," offers Kezzem ungelpfully.
Murphy (KimMc) Huge, buff air elemental AC 39/T26/F39(becuz Foresight) CMB 24 CMD 49 HP 196+6/196+6 Sunday February 13th, 2022 11:38:39 PM
Questions to be considered.
1. Does Pressi know about how far she brought the group within the city?
2. Does telepathy work between those shadow walking and those not?
3. As it's possible, one way or another, that the larger group may join the smaller group (M & T) in the near future, can we get a slightly more tangible description of the area of rubble?
DM Mitch Monday February 14th, 2022 5:48:03 AM Kezzem asks Pressi if things are supposed to look like that wall and remarks he doesn’t like it.
Pressi observes that all the failures they’ve had with shadow walk in the past the odds of having another failure is foreseeable. She tries to move around the wall, going in a different direction away from the wall and waiting the giants out.
Pru observes that the giants put cutting wire and shadow barriers into their walls and she wonders what things normally attack them.
Tali serves as a point of communication sharing everything she can between various members of the group.
Murphy tests to see if they can still communicate telepathically while Pressi and company are shadow walking asking how things are. He finds that he cannot communicate with those Shadow Walking. Sashe did not enter the city with either group. She has secured the exit dais. Ketia is with the Shadow walkers. He figures stealth is still probably their best option albeit a difficult one.
Succotash remarks the Giants have thought of everything and that their attempts at stealth and diplomacy hasn’t really worked so they might have to start going on the offensive to meet their greater objective of stopping Flamescorn.
Nikolai wonders how long the Shadow Sulk lasts and if they can just wander the city to look for the place. Kezzem says a shadow sulk lasts until he gets hungry and then he stops sitting in the darkness.
(OOC:
Pressi brought the group a few hundred feet within the city before shadow walking and can only advance horizontally, not go further in. Telepathy does not work between those in the pocket realm and those shadow walking the pocket realm If the 2 groups condense we will try to give you a better description of the area )
Pressi tries to lead the others around the shadow realm. It’s impossible to avoid the wall and going in a different direction could have you end up outside the city walls. Ultimately she finds a spot she hopes should be free from giants on the other side, and waits 30 minutes before bringing people out of the spell.
The party perhaps forgot about the ogre. He looks rather frightened at the strange place he ended up and he still can’t see the party. Long before the half hour is up he’s begging to be released and promising anything and everything if the scary shadow spirit people will just release him.
Succotash (Jeremy) AC 31/16/29 CMD 24 HP 135/135 Valerie AC 40/14(16)/35(34) CMD 42(34) HP 157(133)/157(133) (33 temp) Spells Monday February 14th, 2022 10:36:06 AM
In giant, Succotash says to the ogre, "Don't be afraid, we are friends. I am the one who was talking to the giant at your hovel, and what you heard me say to the giant is true. My friends and I have no desire to harm anyone within this city. We only want answers about the one known as Flamescorn. As an aside, we also despise slavery, and if you wish your freedom, we will be happy to take you with us, when we leave. For now though, would you happen to know where we might find the shunned place?"
Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 41/21/36; HP 239/248; Rumpus AC 33/16/27; HP 101/101 + 16 Monday February 14th, 2022 2:07:39 PM
"Usually a Shadow Sulk last until I get hungry and stop sitting sadly in the darkness," offers Kezzem ungelpfully.
Pressi (Melvin) - AC 26 (32), HP 95/150, CMD 26 (28); Harper AC 31 (32), HP 109, CMD 31 (32) Monday February 14th, 2022 8:34:11 PM
"Ok, ok," Pressi said as she released everyone back into the spell. "I guarantee we won't be doing that again for a while, until I get bored. Let's just all settle back down..."
Once they landed, Pressi immediately began getting the lay of the land, looking for places to hide, for patrols still going, for some idea of where they were.
"You should hide too," she told the ogre. "At least until we know better how people reacted to the situation before. Do you know where we are currently and where the nearest place to get a drink is? I believe I promised you that, at least."
Pressi was quiet for a moment. "One of the patrols 'discussed' the last break in, someone sneaking into the temple. We have our suspicions of who did it, but we'd like to hear what happened and if you have any idea of what they were looking for, or why that theft set all these giants off. Did... this other thief get recognized?"
She also asks the ogre how the giants will react to his disappearance.
Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 41/21/36; HP 239/248; Rumpus AC 33/16/27; HP 101/101 + 16 Monday February 14th, 2022 9:26:51 PM
"Woah, I just deja vued," says Kezzem. "I could have sworn I made that shadow sulk joke twice. This really is a strange place."
Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 41/21/36; HP 239/248; Rumpus AC 33/16/27; HP 101/101 + 16 Monday February 14th, 2022 9:31:11 PM
"Woah, I just deja vued," says Kezzem. "I could have sworn I made that shadow sulk joke twice. This really is a strange place."
Nikolai (JonathanT) AC 36 Tch 33 Ffted 31 HP 144/144 CMD 46/48(Grapple/Trip/Disarm) d20+26=34 ; d20+34=44 ; d20+22=36 ; Monday February 14th, 2022 9:58:13 PM
Spells in effect: Mage Armor, Ring of Invisibility
Nikolai's experience with Shadow Walking was amazing but nothing like this one, leaving some halflings in some kind of time loop, repeating themselves like they'd said it for the first time. Maybe it is just the way such powerful magics affect the little guys.
Having nothing to help in the conversation with the ogre, he gives Pru a peck on the cheek and says in good ol' fashion Mailed Fist way, "Time to secure our perimeter. I'll scout around and be back."
Visible now, he goes out about 50' and then turns to make a circle around the 'camp', going out a little further as he makes his sweep.
Looking for hostiles (Perception) and a safer place to camp (Survival).
Prudence Komonov (Kathy) d20+24=29 ; Monday February 14th, 2022 11:19:04 PM
Pru does her part to help calm the jittery ogre. "I don't much like this either," she confides. "But think how nice it'll be when we're finally out and never have to do this again." [Diplomacy 29 if it matters.]
Be careful, she warns Nikolai, we don't want to have to relocate again.
Murphy (KimMc) Huge, buff air elemental AC 39/T26/F39(becuz Foresight) CMB 24 CMD 49 HP 196+6/196+6 d20+25=44 ; Tuesday February 15th, 2022 4:44:38 AM
Not immediately overly concerned with the break in communication during the shadow walk, Murphy does begin to feel a bit of anxiety as moments turn into minutes. He is then relieved as the connection is restored once his beloved and friends reappear in his mind.
He asks as to what happened, in brief. Shall assume he got a reply.
Meanwhile, has Murphy seen or sensed any flying creatures in this pocket plane other than other halflings and stones? If so, what? If there is such (firebat? pteradon? etc.), he thinks it may behoove him and the party for him to assume a different wildshape. If not, well, it likely would not go unnoticed if a raven appeared in the air without its feathers catching afire.
He begins to tick off options in his mind, which he communicates to all.
1. Tali and I try to figure out where the rest of the party is, and see about working our way in that direction. 2. Instead, while the party tries to navigate their way toward our current position, we do further scouting ahead. Advantage? Once they get here, we will have another place to go to. Considerations: * Who knows what the two of us might run into in our explorations - whether for weal or woe? * Don't split the party. * Nothing ventured, nothing gained. 3. What are Tali's thoughts on the matter? 4. What are others' thoughts on the matter?
Based upon Pressi's description of the direction she took after running into the blood wall, Murphy roughly calculates their relative positions. If he comes up with what seems a relatively useful mental map to navigate to them, he lays out the vectors and distances as the crow flies and lets the party know. [Survival 44 (rolled 19+25) to help with calculations]
"You want us to join you, then we can fly ahead Air Murphy?"
DM Mitch Tuesday February 15th, 2022 8:12:52 AM Succotash tries to calm the ogre, explaining who they are and why they’ve come. He also offers to free the ogre from slavery if it so wishes when they leave.
Kezzem reiterates a shadow sulk lasts until he gets hungry and stops sitting sadly in the darkness before experiencing deja vu.
Pressi releases eveyon back to the giant pocket realm. Once they are back she begins getting a new lay of the land. She queries him about the last break in, someone sneaking into the temple and if the other thief got recognized. She also asks how the giants will react to the Ogre’s disappearance.
Nikolai never saw a shadow walk create a timeloop before so he wonders if that is how magicks effect halflings. He then goes to secure the perimeter looking for hostile individuals as well as a safe place to hide out.
Pru also tries to calm the ogre by telling it she doesn’t like this either and that he should think of how nice it will be to never do it again.
The ogre flinches and shakes at the mention of the name Flamescorn, looking about like he expects someone to show up out of nowhere and punish them for saying it. ”Don’t say that name. It’s forbidden. He betrayed the faith. The name was taken from him and he was to be executed. His home, his family, everything marked as desecrated. He escaped. Came back, stole something. Everyone knows he’ll come back to kill us all one day. No one is allowed to speak of him.”
While waiting the half hour before leaving the shadow realm the party is able to get any information they want out of the ogre involving Flamescorn’s banishment, but the ogre doesn’t know more then what’s common knowledge. He was a giant noble, proven both in battle and in the faith, but it was discovered he worshipped another god not Fhorge, one antithetical to the giant’s faith. The ogre doesn’t know which. His manor still exists, but is considered forbidden. Everything else he owned was destroyed and his relatives executed as possible traitors, and/or for failing to catch and stop the sacrilege before it got as far as it did. He’s able to give vague directions to the noble quarter and the home - through the forging district where industry is practiced to the noble district.
The ogre has no interest in the freedom the PC’s offer, he just wants to be left alone to go back to his life of drudgery. He’s been beaten down so long he has no real hope of another life, and detect evil shows that even if he was freed he’d probably just live a life of thuggery like most of his kind or get tracked down and killed by the giants as an example to other slaves that might try to escape.
Once out of the shadow walk the ogre quickly slinks away and finds somewhere to hide unless the party stops him. A bit of searching and coordination lets the party regroup at the relatively safe area of collapsed buildings. Between all the running around and the wait in the shadow realm the invisibility spells cast wear off. Fortunately the rubble provides plenty of space and hiding spots and the party finds a nice hole in the field where they can sit and talk out of line of sight of patrolling giants.
Murphy (KimMc) Huge, buff air elemental AC 39/T26/F39(becuz Foresight) CMB 24 CMD 49 HP 196+6/196+6 Tuesday February 15th, 2022 10:55:37 AM
Murphy is not waiting for half an hour. Knowing travel time using the spell should have gotten them there within a minute or two, after five minutes, he says to Tali,"Something has gone wrong, or they are in a battle in the place of shadow, or they are exploring alternate routes. You and I have no way to shadow walk, so I can't think of a way to get to them. Here is my thought. If we fly out, and dip down occasionally, we can look up ahead. We need to get past the slums and find the better areas. Surely Flamescorn did not dwell in the slums. Once Press & all come out of the shadow walk, we'll hear from them and rejoin them. But my thought is to take about 15 to 20 minutes for more scouting. If you're up for it, then let's go."
If that sounds good to Tali, he sets forth - first casting know direction, then flying up and further in to the city. He will fly 1,200 feet, then stealthily dip down for a look, then back up, another 1,200 feet, dip down, etc. When nicer areas are found, the distances may shorten to 600 feet or so. He will frequently cast know direction.
Better knowing the lay of the land and how things work, and to speed things up, can he 'take 10' on stealth? If so, that will result in 46 stealth rolls. If he can't take 10, then the DM may feel free to roll.
He may do it such that at the very moment he breaks the visual barrier he immediately ascends, then a bit farther down (maybe 200' or so) he comes in at another spot long enough to look for a moment, then back up. The notion is to get quick snapshots.
And say max 10 minutes one direction closer and closer to the volcano, then about 5-7 minutes back without stopping until they get to the rubble place. At that point, I suppose they just hang out more and wait - and spend a lot of time praying prayers of intercession for the others, and for their situation.
Succotash (Jeremy) AC 31/16/29 CMD 24 HP 135/135 Valerie AC 40/14(16)/35(34) CMD 42(34) HP 157(133)/157(133) (33 temp) Spells Tuesday February 15th, 2022 12:07:52 PM "Well mister ogre, if you wish to remain in this life, I won't try to stop you. Thank you for the information, you may go where you please. However, I must warn you, if you sound an alarm, My velociraptor here will eat your liver." On ques, Valerie bares her teeth, and growls, to help make her master's point.
Alone with his teammates, Succotash says, "Well what do we do now? It seems to me we need to try to find the wealthier district, and look for an abandoned nobleman's home. Any suggestions as to how we should go about this?"
Prudence Komonov (Kathy) Tuesday February 15th, 2022 3:15:11 PM
"Now that we have a more specific idea of what we're looking for, is there a divination spell of some kind that could help us?" Pru asks. "Aerial recon is also a possibility, but it'll be tricky with that ash cloud."
Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 41/21/36; HP 239/248; Rumpus AC 33/16/27; HP 101/101 + 16 Tuesday February 15th, 2022 3:16:42 PM
"Yeesh, talk about bad options," says Kezzem. "Live life as a slave or get hunted down and killed. That's a real soapy choice."
Tali (JPWard) -- Tali(JonPaul) AC:38 (T:34, FF:32), CMD:42, Saves:(F:15/R:17/W:19), HP:121/121 , temp HP:12/12 d20+16=25 ; Tuesday February 15th, 2022 7:37:05 PM The Noble District
"Mister Murphy, those flight plans to relocate our friends and regroup, sounds sound!, " giggles Tali.
Nikolai (JonathanT) AC 36 Tch 33 Ffted 31 HP 144/144 CMD 46/48(Grapple/Trip/Disarm) Tuesday February 15th, 2022 8:21:14 PM
Spells in effect: Mage Armor Ki pts 13/13
Nikolai finds a good spot for the party to camp relatively safely away from the giants and their patrols, unless some halfling goes out on a diplomacy excursion again, and leads the party to it.
Filled in on what the ogre said, he comments, "At least now we know pretty much where Flamescorn's shunned home is. Do we know what we will be looking for when we get there? Did that ogre say what was stolen? Would help to know exactly what it was, just in case, you know, we come across it."
With a lot of spells being spent recently, he suggests getting some rest before the hunting begins again.
Pressi (Melvin) - AC 26 (32), HP 95/150, CMD 26 (28); Harper AC 31 (32), HP 109, CMD 31 (32) Tuesday February 15th, 2022 9:22:58 PM
Pressi nods along as the ogre says his peace. "Well, we appreciate what help you can give us. Just wish we could compensate you more for your troubles."
As soon as she touches down, she immediately messages Murphy. "My apologies, lots of traffic. Wanted to make sure the heat died down. And now... it depends on whether we want to head to the old home, hit the temple, or track down where this armor came from? Depends in part on whether anyone has any stomach to split up."
Responding to Prudence, "Divination, Find the Path, Retrocognition, Vision, Prying Eyes, Speak with Dead, maybe discern location or scrying. Honestly, though, it sounds like we can divine it through the power of sight once we sneak into the noble quarter. If it's forbidden, it should be rather straightforward to find." As for flight, "That's easy, we don't. We're better off moving slowly through the city and avoiding patrols than up in the air where they're watching, especially if we can alter self or something. Invisibility might be too short, so we should rely on our wits."
To Nikolai, "I don't think he knew, frustrating as that is. As I said, hitting the temple might reveal as such."
As for camping, "If we do, we should probably trap to the hilt, don't want some troops to come upon us if we do sleep through the night. Personally, I'm worried that it might be harder to sneak around during the day and I'm not convinced that they'll be looking even less over time."
She takes time, speaking of which, to end any unusual weather patterns currently affecting the city.
She also looks over the armor again. "It's a shame I can't just discern location on the rest of this guy."
Murphy (KimMc) Huge, buff air elemental AC 39/T26/F39(becuz Foresight) CMB 24 CMD 49 HP 196+6/196+6 Wednesday February 16th, 2022 4:02:02 AM
With the shadow walk exploration, it should be safe to assume that Murphy & Tali have completed the there-and-back-again exploration much deeper into the city - hopefully without raising too much of a ruckus.
Contact resumed with Pressi et al, Murphy expresses relief, and passes on what the two scouts have picked up. If they happened to have found a better place than the rubble neighborhood as a potential place of rest, he lets them know. If not, he suggests they head there, and settle in for rest and rejuvenation. "If we still had the Instant Fortress intact, we could set it up, and no one here should notice a tall portable oven, right?" he jokes. "Flamescorn owes us for that one."
DM Mitch Wednesday February 16th, 2022 6:22:01 AM Murphy isn’t comfortable to wait the half hour for the party to emerge from the shadow walk so he goes for a 15 - 20 minute scout while waiting. Succotash Thanks the ogre and warns it that if it double crosses the party Valerie will eat its liver. He asks the party what their next move should be while voicing his opinion they head for the wealthy district.
Pru asks if there is a divination spell that could help them. She remarks aerial recon is tricky with the ash cloud.
Kezzem says the Ogre’s options are a real soapy choice.
Tali agrees with Murphy’s scout while they wait for the party
Nikolai says they now know where Flamescorn’s shunned home is and asks if they know what they are looking for when they get there. He also asks if the ogre knows what was stolen. He suggests getting some rest before hunting begins again.
Pressi says she appreciates the ogre’s help and that she wishes they could compensate it more for its trouble. She then messages Murphy an apology. She gives Pru a litany of spells that could help and tells Nikolai that the Ogre probably didn’t know. She votes for setting traps if they are to camp and thinks it is a shame she can’t use Discern Location to find the rest of the guy.
Murphy’s exploration reveals a few things. The slum district stretches about a mile in. Then there’s a stretch of land that’s completely open. No buildings and kept relatively free of ash, about 100 feet or so, between the slums and quarters further in. A kill field for invading armies should one penetrate the wall and fight their way through the slums.
Across the field, where Murphy’s at, he can see what seems to be a barracks district. Lots of uniform buildings and bustling giants. Even a training field or two. Probably not the right way to go; it’s so busy there’s very little chance of not being spotted.
Once the rest of the party is out of the plane of shadows and able to compare notes they determine that the city is broken up into clear districts each with their own purpose. Very disciplined and organized. The ogre said they should go through the smithing district, where the giants ply their crafts to be sold in the trading district. It’s a ways west of where the party is camping, then north on through it to the noble district.
Nikolai is able to find a place in the rubble where some walls only partially collapsed, leaving a narrow opening into a rough chamber that’s save to sleep in, limits the chance of them being seen, and provides only one entrance easily watched or trapped while the party rests. There doesn’t seem to be a day/night cycle here - since the time you entered the plane the light hasn’t changed at all.
Succotash (Jeremy) AC 31/16/29 CMD 24 HP 135/135 Valerie AC 40/14(16)/35(34) CMD 42(34) HP 157(133)/157(133) (33 temp) Spells Wednesday February 16th, 2022 12:49:48 PM "I'm fine on my spells load out, but if anyone else needs to rest, and reload, I'm fine with that too. So are we going to rest here, or should we push on?"
Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 41/21/36; HP 239/248; Rumpus AC 33/16/27; HP 101/101 + 16 Wednesday February 16th, 2022 6:41:03 PM
"I haven't stabbed anything all day," says Kezzem. "If I just wanted to sneak around all day, I would have stayed a rogue."
Pressi (Melvin) - AC 26 (32), HP 95/150, CMD 26 (28); Harper AC 31 (32), HP 109, CMD 31 (32) Wednesday February 16th, 2022 8:51:43 PM
"Strangely, avoiding being a rogue is why I'm not having you stab anyone," Pressi replied. "Jerks as they may be, they haven't done anything wrong as far as we know, and we're the invading... non-invited guests?"
"Much as I've used a number of my highest level spells, I'm ready to move out myself. But I will defer to the rest of the group as well, although.... If it's always bright out, then I suppose there's no difference between going out now and eight hours from now, so we might as well rest up."
Tali (JPWard) -- Tali(JonPaul) AC:38 (T:34, FF:32), CMD:42, Saves:(F:15/R:17/W:19), HP:121/121 , temp HP:12/12 d20=19 ; d20=12 ; d20=9 ; d20=19 ; d20=17 ; Wednesday February 16th, 2022 9:22:02 PM The Noble District
Tali tells the group via Telepathy / Mental Bond, "I really need at least two hours of rest. In addition, I think we are going about this all wrong, Flamescorn has been banished and exiled and his entire family mark of the Giant Gene Pool has tried to be erased by his own people. We need to discover what he did to these people and why his actions deserved the reaction he got! In addition, how does seeing his family's home help us? What did he come back and steal?"
Effective Spells and Conditions: Overland Flight | 880 Minutes Endure Elements | 1255 minutes Mage Armor | 880 Minutes Telepathic Bond | 880 Minutes Resist energy (fire) | 65 Minutes
Heroes feast (12 temp HP)
Used Spells slots 3x Invisibility
Prudence Komonov (Kathy) Wednesday February 16th, 2022 9:25:19 PM
"Pretty much all I've cast are the Protection from Energies and Invisibilities I've cast on the party," Pru says. "And if we rested, I'd just have to re-cast them, or most of them, and I'd be right back where I am now. I say keep going.
Nikolai (JonathanT) AC 36 Tch 33 Ffted 31 HP 144/144 CMD 46/48(Grapple/Trip/Disarm) Thursday February 17th, 2022 12:35:37 AM
Nikolai answers Tali, "From what I gather, Flamescorn stole a sacred item from the temple and took off with it, not to mention he has dumped Fhorge for some other god. Two strikes against him."
The Half Elf Monk/Ranger points out some obvious things they'll face on their next foray. "You seem to forget that this is a city, and a huge one, not to mention giant sized. Not only are we to dodge armed patrols, we will be dodging the civilian population as well. Kids running around the streets, vendors, giants out on one business or other. Despite the fact that there does not seem to be night or day here, the giants HAVE to sleep sometime. We find out their life pattern and we can avoid a lot of unnecessary trouble. But ONE of you halflings needs to just make the decision to camp or to move on. Otherwise the decision making will take so long we might as well camp."
Nikolai asks Murphy if he can have a rough estimate of the city population, from what he's seen.
DM Mitch Thursday February 17th, 2022 7:25:26 AM Succotash says he’s fine on his spell load out but he is okay resting if other folks need to. Kezzem laments not stabbing anything all day. He remarks if he wanted to sneak around all day he would have stayed a rogue. Pressi tells Kezzem because he’s avoided being a rogue that she isn’t having him stab anyone. She then layouts that why the giants are jerks they haven’t done anything wrong and the party is the uninvited guests. She says that although she’s used some high level spells she’s ready to move on herself. Tali tells the others she needs 2 hours of rest at least and then argues that they are going about things all wrong and that they need to discover what Flamescorn did to the giants and why his actions deserved the reaction he got and she doesn’t understand why they need to see his former home. Pru tells the others all she has cast is protection from energies and invisibility and if they rested she’d just be in the same boat she is now so she argues to keep going. Nikolai points out some details on what they know of Flamescorn and talks about some of what they should expect going forward. He urges the group to make a decision.
Per Tali’s request the party presumably rests a couple hours then prepares to head out. With how little you’ve seen of the city it’s hard to make guesstimates of the population, but from what the party has seen so far it must be a fair sized city of many thousands at the very least.
Succotash (Jeremy) AC 31/16/29 CMD 24 HP 135/135 Valerie AC 40/14(16)/35(34) CMD 42(34) HP 157(133)/157(133) (33 temp) Spells Thursday February 17th, 2022 11:04:39 AM "If you need to rest Tali, than I think we can hang-out for a couple of hours until you're ready."
After the 2 hours Tali needs to recharge, Succotash, presumably with the rest of the part, starts heading towards the rich part of town, and Flamescorn's former abode. while traveling he answers Tali's question, "Nikolai is right, for these people, betraying their power is betraying their community. That is what seems to have started this whole thing. Than after that betrayal, he stole something sacred to the people, and if what Ironbane said is true, returned and murdered a bunch of giants. That would put just about anyone on your "I want to kill with a vengeance" list. If you remember, Tali, the reason we are here in the first place, is because a divination spell told us we may be able to find a clue of Flamescorn's whereabouts at his former home."
Prudence Komonov (Kathy) Thursday February 17th, 2022 1:04:41 PM
During the two-hour rest, everyone's Invisibility wears off. The Protection from Energy (fire) should still be active, but not for much longer.
"Now that we're all visible, we'll need a strategy for approaching the city across that cleared area," Pru says.
Murphy (KimMc) Huge, buff air elemental AC 39/T26/F39(becuz Foresight) CMB 24 CMD 49 HP 196+6/196+6 Thursday February 17th, 2022 2:23:11 PM
"Well, I could go as a fire elemental - be right at home here," Murphy says.
"To get there, we need to go toward the west," and the druid points that direction. "Then we cross over to the smiths district, then on to the noble area. But, folks, that 100' gap will likely be watched. I've used many spells which will be just about to expire if we wait only two hours for Tali to rest. If we get a full 8 hours, then we all could freshen up. Sorry, I think we rest now, rejuvenate, heroes' feast in this little cubbyhole, spell up, then travel.
"Either that, or forget any rest whatsoever, and forge ahead. But being visible, we will be quacking ducks crossing that gap. I think that air elemental ferry service up through the ash to the other side is the smarter way to go, since teleportation seems unavailable. I wonder, though - you mentioned that red, maybe Woldsblood? barrier - I wonder if teleportation on the other side of that barrier might work. Nikolai, you can dimension door, right? Have you tried it this far in?"
"So, I strongly recommend we sleep now. We all rest, or none rest. Let us all take advantage of the relative safety of this spot, then set to go in the new pretend morning."
Pressi (Melvin) - AC 26 (32), HP 95/150, CMD 26 (28); Harper AC 31 (32), HP 109, CMD 31 (32) Thursday February 17th, 2022 3:38:00 PM
"I'm with Murphy. If we're going to take the time, at least let me refresh my own spells, and get back some options."
Pressi stretched out some. "As for how to go in, I personally would prefer stealth over magic, and polymorph over invisibility, with some exceptions, yadda yadda. At this point, it sounds like moving around past patrols should be relatively easy. Changing to half ogres remains personally our best bet. We can use alter self, pretend to be slaves, generally move through the population. Changing to giants will be hard and I haven't seen any other kinds of creatures; even a fire elemental would stand out here in the city. At least an air or earth elemental could hide if anyone was coming. If it would help, some of us could burn 9 level spells to take the giant form, just talk our way through on the ground."
"I will need to refresh spells ASAP, particularly planar adaptation. The big problem is that we can't use charms and we can't go ethereal, and we can't just dimensional door. And I'd rather not fly, risk those towers or smog. But nothing's stopping us from just going from rooftop to rooftop and occasionally waiting every few minutes, maybe under a silence spell. And nothing's stopping us from using the old tricks like obscure mist or fear cones, or an old fashioned arcane eye."
Pressi thought for a bit. "There is one more option, but it's risky. We can wind walk it, and that would give us some speed and a little bit of stealth, but we wouldn't be invisible."
Nikolai (JonathanT) AC 36 Tch 33 Ffted 31 HP 144/144 CMD 46/48(Grapple/Trip/Disarm) Thursday February 17th, 2022 10:23:16 PM
Spells in effect: Mage Armor Ki pts 13/13
Nikolai points out some simple benefits of taking a full rest. "We know the giants are still swarming like ants as they know we are probably still about somewhere and we made them pretty angry. If most of a day goes by and they don't smell hide nor hair of us during that time, they will probably, as their nature dictates, declare victory over the mighty halfling army and go back to their normal routine. During this time maybe we can figure out when they rest. That will make getting through the city a lot easier, as we'll have our invisibility capabilities back."
He turns to Murphy, "Seriously? How many fire elementals have you seen going about in this city? Maybe Fire Giants employ Fire Elementals as trash incinerators. That would explain why we see them here and there? You want to blend in, then find out what is common, not flameboyant because it seems fun."
Nikolai puts on a hat and then suddenly looks like the ogre slave they just let go, albeit a good bit smaller. Then he takes the hat off and reverts back to his normal handsome looks.
Use Hat of Disguise to appear as a small ogre.
Murphy (KimMc) Huge, buff air elemental AC 39/T26/F39(becuz Foresight) CMB 24 CMD 49 HP 196+6/196+6 Friday February 18th, 2022 1:29:53 AM
"Nice trick, that hat, Nikolai. And no, I was not serious about the fire elemental thing," Murphy says. "Well, might want to keep the idea in my back pocket."
"Flameboyant. Ha!!"
Murphy finds a spot, lays some blankets down, sees them start to get smokey, douses them with water (create water), then says, "This is not my idea of a vacation spot." He wrings a good portion of the water out of the blankets, stuffs them back into his extra-dimensional bag, and gets as... wait. First he changes into a small earth elemental, and sinks into the stone. He spends a few minutes exploring the ground beneath them, say 60 feet in every direction (so a 120' diameter hemisphere, 60' deep) just to discern what there is to discern. He reports on anything of particular interest.
Then he goes to halfling, says just before nodding off that he'll take last watch, and sleeps, hopefully with Pressi next to him.
In the morning, he checks on everyone, shuffles his spells, and vaguely recalls experiencing Skald's lonely eons of imprisoned isolation.
DM Mitch Friday February 18th, 2022 6:26:31 AM Succotash is ok with resting the 2 hours Tali needs and summarizes just what Flamescorn did and why the party is seeking out Flamescorn’s former home.
Pru sees the invisibility wear off and suggests they need a strategy for approaching the city.
Murphy suggests he disguise himself as a fire elemental then explains the direction the party needs to go in and suggests a few alternative for getting there before settling on a full rest now.
Pressi is also agreement in taking a full rest so she can replenish her spells. She says she favors stealth over using spells. She outlines her own thoughts on what the party’s options are and the problems with the limitations they discovered so far. She suggests that worst case scenario they could always windwalk but that is risky or alternatively move from roof to roof using a bit of patience and maybe a silence spell.
Nikolai argues that if they take a full rest now it might calm the giants a little and maybe they can figure out more about the giants’ patrol schedules. He suggests Murphy not do the fire elemental disguise as it is too flamboyant and then demonstrates his thoughts on becoming a half-ogre using his hat of disguise.
Murphy explains he was joking and explores a little underground. Emphasis on a little; under the earth the lava flows freely and his movement is severely limited unless he wants to take a lava bath.
After discussion the party decides to take a full rest. Then they head out. The slums quiet down a little over time but the giants never stop patrols. Now instead of a patrol on every other street there’s one every three or four. The slaves also start to become more active; you can see them start to emerge from their homes and head deeper into the city or start working on things such as making themselves meals. Though most are ogres you see other giant species such as hill, stone, even a storm giant that looks especially beaten down and sullen going about their day. Presumably either you guys showed up during the local ‘night’ period or the alert you quickly set off made them all stay inside for their own safety.
Several plans are suggested, one needs to be chosen to enact and the right skill checks made. Please make stealth checks if you want to sneak across the rest of the slums, disguise checks if you want to pretend to be local slaves, and perception checks if you want to try to detect guard patrols and avoid them.
Succotash (Jeremy) AC 31/16/29 CMD 24 HP 135/135 Valerie AC 40/14(16)/35(34) CMD 42(34) HP 157(133)/157(133) (33 temp) Spells Friday February 18th, 2022 7:57:06 AM
Succotash gets his 8 hours of sleep, and than spends a hour in prayer and spell prep. His ears perk up when Pressi mentions wind walk and he says, "Why do you say that wind walk would be risky? With your Planer Adaptation spell, we could just wind walk right into the ash cloud, with nothing but our heads sticking out of it, and we should completely blend in with the cloud. I can prepare it if we chose to go that route."
Pressi (Melvin) - AC 26 (32), HP 95/150, CMD 26 (28); Harper AC 31 (32), HP 109, CMD 31 (32) Friday February 18th, 2022 8:37:30 AM
"Yeah, but what do we do with navigation? Murphy and Tali already tried that and had to bounce out?"
(OOC: While I lean toward the stealth part, I'm legitimately asking and willing to do this if someone has a good suggestion. Pressi can cast spontaneously.)
Succotash (Jeremy) AC 31/16/29 CMD 24 HP 135/135 Valerie AC 40/14(16)/35(34) CMD 42(34) HP 157(133)/157(133) (33 temp) Spells Friday February 18th, 2022 11:57:06 AM "If we just keep our heads, or maybe just our faces, out of the cloud, we should have no problem with navigation. Or for an even more stealthy method, many of us have the ability to cast know direction."
Prudence Komonov (Kathy) Friday February 18th, 2022 2:41:22 PM
Now facing an 8-hour rest, Pru decides she does not want to do it sitting on a pile of rubble. She casts a Mage's Magnificent Mansion, then shows her companions how to enter it if they choose.
She creates enough space for everyone, even the animals, and includes a buffet stocked by the not-quite-unseen servants. Privately, she expects that many of her odd new companions will choose to sit in the rubble instead, but darn it, she's going to be comfortable.
She rests long enough to recover her spell slots, and doesn't bother re-casting the Mage Armor on herself and Nikolai. Her previous casting still has nearly a full day to go.
This time, she does not cast any spells on her companions that they do not specifically ask her for.
When they pause to discuss plans, Pru says, "So far, the giants seem to fit the category of 'crazy prepared,'" she says. "Wires buried inside the wall. A barrier to shadow walking. An ash cloud to prevent aerial recon--though they may not have actually created that. We have to expect that they've got something in that open space to reveal invisible or disguised creatures. So although flying over the area is risky, I think it's less risky than trying to walk across."
"Well, I've cast know direction about 15, 20 times. I think I have a good handle on it. How one determines North, and from it the other directions, in a pocket plane, seems a bit strange, but it has been consistent. That way is north," he points ahead of where he is facing, "and that way is west," and he points off to his left.
Very happy to take advantage of Pru's mansion, he thanks her. "It's even nicer than I expected to have a human and a half-elf to travel with us."
He then nods to Ketia. "How are you doing so far in this fire giants' paradise? If you have any ideas, we're open to listening."
"Succotash, if we are to fly mainly in the ash, but with only our heads poking out, we'd be up near the stony roof of this plane - not much to see up there. If we fly with only our heads out below the ash, we'll be flying upside down, which might be fun. You'll want to be sure that things don't fall out of your pockets."
To the group, Murphy says, "Here's my suggestion. Let a few of us scout ahead briefly, see if we can find a good landing place - a broad roof or such - in the smiths' area. The scouts should travel invisibly. Once we find a good spot, we come back, and ferry or lead - I've got rope to hang onto - up into the ash, then down to the landing spot. Then we figure how to move forward from there."
[OOC: I hate scouting over the weekend. We have to wait so long to find out what happens!]
Should Murphy (& who wants to go with him for scouting?) et al find a good spot, he can run the ferry service. He wants to reach a healthy altitude above the ground where the 100-foot clear space runs as he crosses from the slums into the area above the smiths. At least 400 feet. Is it safe to assume the ash above the open space is about as close to the ground as it is above the slums and smithy area? ================= Perception: 61, 45, 51, 49 ignore accidental d3 Survival (for finding a good spot): 29, 36, 28, 33 Stealth checks (adhering to tactics described in earlier posts): 40, 50, 50, 40
If only one or two recon dips are enough to discern a good target spot, then ignore the unused rolls.
DM Mitch Friday February 18th, 2022 8:29:59 PM
(I thought of it more as giving you guys time to actually figure out which plan you like and commit to it - I'll try to chime in on e-mail if there are any questions on how spells might work in the demi-plane)
Nikolai (JonathanT) AC 36 Tch 33 Ffted 31 HP 144/144 CMD 46/48(Grapple/Trip/Disarm) d20+46=56 ; d20+35=46 ; d20+22=32 ; Friday February 18th, 2022 10:49:20 PM
Spells in effect: Mage Armor Ki pts 13/13
Nikolai takes full advantage of the Mansion, as he's been in several versions of Pru's incredible imagination and foresight on its provisioning.
For those inside, he proposes a plan: "With an expert trap finder and someone that can detect magic, I think a few of us can find a safe path through that field. Once that is done, we work our way through the streets to Flamescorn's old home. And if ogres are too dumb to know much, maybe one of those beaten down giants would appreciate freedom in exchange for information."
Since he does not need as much rest as the others, after having a good meal, he takes his pen and some parchment and heads to the edge of the slum area and open area. Invisible, concealing as best he can with his body and clothes, he sketches a rough draft of the open area between the slums and city immediately in front of him, about 100 yards wide.
When/if such a team of scouts forms, he directs them to start looking for traps, normal and magical, in a 20' wide area and going forward. He suggests they do so invisible. If no takers, he does his own checking.
Stealth +26 + 20(invisible) = 56 Perception + 35 = 46 vs Trap DC Survival (Track) +22 = 32 look for tracks
Nikolai figures that if he finds tracks across the open field, then that path is probably safe.
Murphy (KimMc) Huge, buff air elemental AC 39/T26/F39(becuz Foresight) CMB 24 CMD 49 HP 196+6/196+6 Saturday February 19th, 2022 5:40:21 AM
"I wonder if we can free the storm giant. If so, there's a place on a side of a big mountain where they might take him in," Murphy considers.
"Sounds like an exciting plan, Nikolai. But better than flying over the thing? Maybe I've just gotten too used to taking to the air, but there usually is a lot less opposition there."
Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 41/21/36; HP 239/248; Rumpus AC 33/16/27; HP 101/101 + 16 d20+27=43 ; d20+37=42 ; Saturday February 19th, 2022 4:20:45 PM
Kezzem will recast his greater magic weapon and resist energy spells after resting.
"I can help look for traps," says Kezzem, "but I'm a bit rusty at disarming them these days."
Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 41/21/36; HP 239/248; Rumpus AC 33/16/27; HP 101/101 + 16 d20+27=43 ; d20+37=42 ; Saturday February 19th, 2022 4:20:46 PM
Kezzem will recast his greater magic weapon and resist energy spells after resting.
"I can help look for traps," says Kezzem, "but I'm a bit rusty at disarming them these days."
Succotash (Jeremy) AC 31/16/29 CMD 24 HP 135/135 Valerie AC 40/14(16)/35(34) CMD 42(34) HP 157(133)/157(133) (33 temp) Spells d20+35=47 ; Sunday February 20th, 2022 11:06:30 PM
Succotash realizes he isn't any good at disarming traps, but he is pretty good at perceiving things.(Perception 47) He also knows his skills as a stealthy mover are less than excellent, but his ears perk up at the mention of freeing a slave or two, especially the storm giant.
Murphy (KimMc) Huge, buff air elemental AC 39/T26/F39(becuz Foresight) CMB 24 CMD 49 HP 196+6/196+6 Monday February 21st, 2022 4:28:14 AM
"I still vote for the air route." Murphy continues, "If by land, I can see how things are underground. Maybe, like below here, fairly solid hot rock down 30 to 40 feet, and lava flow under that. I simply think walking, sneaking, whatever, at ground level over that 100 foot gap [our DM had said 'about 100 feet', not 100 yards] is not the wisest option. It is kept clear of ash. The wires in the stone walls? Who knows that additional traps they may have set underground, as well as along the surface? I understand that is what you aim to discover. As an exercise, the on-the-ground approach may prove educational. As the best among available options, I'd be surprised."
He concludes, "I've already laid out how we can fly/ferry up in the air. So, are we aiming for a consensus? If you want to try your probes, Nikolai, I'm not opposed. But I think the non-aerial approch is fair more likely to raise a hue and cry, punctuated by heavy objects."
DM Mitch Monday February 21st, 2022 8:51:13 AM Succotash gets his rest, says his prayers and then queries Pressi more about why she thinks Airwalk is so risky.
Pressi explains the difficulty that Murphy and Tali had in navigating previously.
Succotash suggests keeping faces or heads out of the cloud or using Know Direction
Pru decides she doesn’t want to be roughing it so she casts a mage’s magnificent mansion creating a pocket reality inside a pocket reality (...creating POCKET REALITY-CEPTION!!!; anyone got a top?) She doesn’t bother renewing the mage armor as it lasts a crazy long time and only casts whatever other spells folks explicitly request. She suggests that with how crazy prepared the giants have been everywhere else they probably have some countermeasures to discourage walking through the empty space separating the slums from the rest of the city.
Murphy relates his experience with Know Direction and explains which direction is which. He thanks Pru for her mansion and ask Ketia how she is doing and if she has any suggestions. Murphy tells Succotash that depending on if they stick out of the top of the cloud or the bottom of the cloud they might face different challenges. He suggests a scouting foray to find a decent roof to land on in the smith district then have that scout ferry or lead folks to the landing area and go from there.
Nikolai lays out the plan of using a trap finder and someone who can cast detect magic to navigate the open field. They would then work their way to Flamescorn’s old home and suggests trying one of the beaten down giants for information if the ogres are too dumb. He then goes to the edge of the slums and sketches a rough interpretation of the first 100 yards of that “no-man’s land.” If the party decides to scout the field he directs folks to look for traps in a 20 foot area and if he personally finds tracks across the field then taking it is probably safe.
Murphy wonders if they free a storm giant if they could find a place it would belong and complements Nikolai’s plan as being exciting but asks if walking the no-man’s land is better than flying over it as there is less opposition in the skies
Kezzem recasts his greater magic weapons and resist energy. He volunteers to look for traps but explains he’s a little rusty on disarming them these days.
Succotash also isn’t very good at disarming traps but he is good at perceiving things and while his skills at moving stealthy are less than ideal he is on board for freeing a storm giant or two.
Ketia makes a face. ”You’ve all got your mental communication going on but with everyone invisible I kept losing track of you. It’s lucky I managed to find you here, almost just went on without you.”
The party discusses scouting and how to cross the gap. In the interest of moving things along I’m going to assume those who actually rolled stealth checks go look at the nearest part of the cleared zone to get a better idea of it. Kezzem looks and looks, but he can’t spy any cleverly hidden traps or dangers. It looks like just a plain, clear field. It also doesn’t seem to be closely watched, though of course giants, slaves, and whoever else happens to be around can see anyone or anything trying to cross it.
Profession: Soldier 15 Highlight to display spoiler: { this feature doesn’t seem to be designed for stopping infiltrators but armies. Presumably after an enemy somehow breached the walls and fought their way through the mazelike slums the giant army would have to fall back deeper into the city. The field gives them a clear space to do so, with fortified, high-roofed buildings on the other side to make good archer positions to shoot any pursuers and narrows street entrances to act as chokepoints at the other end. Once regrouped the giants would force the invaders to cross a kill field as rocks and arrows tore into them. Any traps or tricks would be more harmful to their retreating soldiers then their enemies, }
Another complication arises after the party ends their rest. It seems their rest also gave any giant casters a chance to rest as well, as a high wind starts to kick up over the city, near the bottom of the ash cloud. A windstorm that makes it difficult to fly over the roofs of buildings, though the buildings seem to break it up enough that it’s just kind of annoying at ground level. It seems to extend to just the edge of the slums.
Succotash (Jeremy) AC 31/16/29 CMD 24 HP 135/135 Valerie AC 40/14(16)/35(34) CMD 42(34) HP 157(133)/157(133) (33 temp) Spells Monday February 21st, 2022 11:46:53 AM
Succotash is starting to get annoyed as the giants seem to think of everything. "Well wind walk, or any other type of flight, is out. unless someone can deal with these winds. At this point, I'm ready to just charge forward and pray the gods watch our backs!" The cleric takes a deep breath, and regains his composure than asks, "Does anyone else have any ideas? We need to do something, and we should act soon! all this planning is great and all, but eventually we have to act."
Pressi (Melvin) - AC 26 (32), HP 95/150, CMD 26 (28); Harper AC 31 (32), HP 109, CMD 31 (32) d20+25=35 ; Monday February 21st, 2022 10:08:01 PM
"Strangely, they still haven't thought of everything. Like making sure we don't just parkour our way along the buildings or through the streets. Or trying to get slaves involved. Or, and hear me out because I'm going to get obscure, trying to contact us in the hopes of learning something about us and maybe figure out some way to deal with the other supposedly more concerning break in."
She shook her head, and touched Succotash on the shoulder. "If we wanted, we have the collective power to level this city to the ground and be done with them. These are the big boys, the ones that studied how to keep everyone else out for years. If they truly thought of everything, they'd have a page of what WE did to repel invaders. We just have to keep not acting in the way they think an invader would act. We just have to keep up the crazy."
Pressi casts her rituals, heroes feast, planar adaptation, and moment of prescience.
After that, she briefly makes her way on to the roof briefly, and decides to test out how the winds are on the roof itself. "Anyone on the team have abysmal dexterity? I still think that we can use ropes and stealth to slowly make our way across this town."
She notes that she could give disarming traps a shot as needed (+20, and she has ways of boosting that) but it's growing on her that these guys really aren't that prepared for a small strike force. Even now, they aren't swarming though the city the way halflings would in a similar situation.
If the winds are too high, she heads back down. But either way, she begins to lead the group stealthily through the streets (stealth 35). "Let's save invisibility for the field as the easiest way to cross it. And in that part, I volunteer to go last... because I can use my broom to erase tracks as we slowly move across, and these bags of flour to replace the ash clouds. Fire giants aren't the only ones who think of everything."
Tali (JPWard) -- Tali(JonPaul) AC:38 (T:34, FF:32), CMD:42, Saves:(F:15/R:17/W:19), HP:121/121 , temp HP:12/12 Monday February 21st, 2022 10:18:38 PM Ah...
Tali just goes along with Mister Murphy's suggestions.
Effective Spells and Conditions: Overland Flight | 860 Minutes Endure Elements | 1235 minutes Mage Armor | 860 Minutes Telepathic Bond | 860 Minutes Resist energy (fire) | 45 Minutes
"That open space is meant to counter armies, not small strike forces," Pru says, frowning in thought. "In the event of an attack on the city, retreating defenders would have to cross that area to draw the armies after them. Which means it's unlikely to be trapped, since the traps would be just a likely to hurt friends as foes."
She sighs. "So we don't have to worry about pit traps and things like that. But it's still very exposed. If somebody even glances our way while we're trying to cross, we'll be spotted."
Nikolai (JonathanT) AC 36 Tch 33 Ffted 31 HP 144/144 CMD 46/48(Grapple/Trip/Disarm) Monday February 21st, 2022 10:44:41 PM
Nikolai grins, "Great assessment, Honey. And armies usually don't have the capabilities to becomes invisible like our group. On the other hand, does anyone have any spells that could dig a hole deep enough to reach the lava river down below? If we could do that, we could divert some lava flows into town that might cause enough confusion for our invisible group to traverse this open space and get to the temple of Flamescorn's home."
He glances at the spellcasters hoping for some Fun with Lava.
Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 41/21/36; HP 239/248; Rumpus AC 33/16/27; HP 101/101 + 16 Tuesday February 22nd, 2022 12:22:26 AM
"Murphey's only good at making wind," says Kezzem. "At least, I think. Murph, do you have anything that can break wind? And yes, I know what I just asked."
Murphy (KimMc) Huge, buff air elemental AC 39/T26/F39(becuz Foresight) CMB 24 CMD 49 HP 196+14/196+14 d20+16=18 ; d20+43=60 ; d20+36=52 ; Tuesday February 22nd, 2022 4:26:19 AM
"I can break wind all over you, Kezzem, any time you want."
"Well, Nikolai, I do have transmute rock to mud. I could cast move earth - but that takes lots of time - minimum ten minutes, and up to three hours. Pressi has a staff of earth and stone through which we can also cast move earth, as well as passwall. If we can summon a xorn, that sort of critter could dig the sort of tunnel we might use to divert the lava. If we open a path to the lava, a bunch of create water spells would certainly kick up lots of steam... I wonder, if a passageway is open, will the lava rise to street level? I'd guess so, but don't know so.
"As an earth elemental, I can glide easily through stone and earth - think of it as swimming through the ground - but swimming in lava might not be so fun, yet as a fire elemental, I could handle it."
"And yes, Pru - glad to have your knowledge of soldiery the better to figure such matters out."
I figure we have ~7 hours left of Planar Adaptation. Murphy casts additional spells just before they set out.
Murphy does figure should he use his air elemental form he himself would do fine, unless the wind speed above the roofs got over 125 hp. Even then, air elementals love moving air, and can still maintain perfect flight. But he would have to hustle or 'run' to go against so strong a wind. 100 mph or less? No worries for him - but for others, yes. "I could go air elemental and we could race along just below the level of the roofs and give people a thrill."
Bit he opts to join Pressi et al in working his way first westward across the slums, then northward toward the smith area - at least the slum side, just a bit shy of the open corridor. He is far inferior on stealth (18), however. Not his strong suit, especially if not invisible. "Would it be better if I wild shaped into an allosaurus or behemoth hippopotamus carrying carpenter's tools, pretending I'm on my way to work?" he asks. "Or, better still, let me fly up above in the ash, and... could someone turn me invisible, please? Tali, maybe?"
If he can go invisible, he will head up into the ash cloud, figuring the strong winds might provide a sort of cover for him, anyway. Only if they reach super-gale speeds (180mph+) might he reconsider. If they were going that fast, though, likely some roofs - even stone roofs - will be ripped away here and there. If someone wants to join him in the air, he makes certain they first are multiply-rope secured, lest they be airlifted off of him.
================ Stealth as halfling: 18 Perception: 60 (very good multi-sense perception) Stealth as invisible air elemental: 52 (which may, should the DM deem it, have a few extra points - +5 to 57? - added due to the atmospheric conditions. Who's going to notice a disturbance in the air when all the air is disturbed, anyway?)
DM Mitch Tuesday February 22nd, 2022 7:01:59 AM Succotash observes the wind pick up, reflects on how the giants seem to think of everything and that now going by air seems to be out. He suggests just charging forward and praying to the Gods to watch their back. He asks if anyone has any ideas and points out they need to act soon.
Pressi suggests the giants haven’t thought of anything like preventing folks from parkouring through the buildings or streets or getting the slaves involved or contacting the party. She also points out the party has the collective power to level the city and be done with them and if the giants really thought of everything the party wouldn’t be where they are. She suggests they keep acting crazy and not like invaders and they’ll be fine. She advocates for ropes and stealth to navigate where they want to go and points out she could help disarm traps before volunteering to lead the party stealthily through the streets.
Tali goes along with Murphy’s suggestion.
(OOC: Congratulations JonPaul, wishing the newlyweds a happy marriage)
Pru turns her soldier’s eye to the open space and points out its strategic purpose against an invading army. She reasons aside from the exposure of the open space there won’t be much risk in navigating it.
Nikolai complements his wife’s assessment and then reasons that armies don’t normally have the capabilities their small group has. He asks if anyone has the capability to dig a hole to the lava river in order to confuse enough confusion and allow their group to move where they need to without being harassed.
Kezzem reasons Murphy is only good at making wind unless the druid has some means to actually break wind.
Murphy talks about spells that could dig, ways to move through the earth, He also tests the windspeed and requests invisibility.
Murphy had earlier, while resting, checked out the earth below so is able to share the following information. The entire area seems to be volcanic, with lava flows just under the surface. This makes any form of earthgliding or tunneling unfeasible. Creating a distraction by tunneling up lava would be very easy, though the lava does not seem to be under high pressure so might not come bursting out of any hole made - you might just get a hole with lava at the bottom.
The wind seems to be specifically at windstorm levels - that is, between 51–74 mph. Medium sized creatures wouldn’t be able to fly forward and small ones blown away, but it might be navigable with the party’s access to high level spells. It does seem to get faster the higher up you go, but unless you head deep into the ash clouds it doesn’t change enough to matter (IE, closer to 51 MPH in the open air, closer to the 74 MPH while in the very bottom of the clouds).
Pressi’s ready to lead everyone through the city as soon as they roll stealth checks. The constant patrols have died down but things are still tense. Both slaves and giant patrols look very wary. You’ll probably have to pass close to only 1 patrol on the way across the slums.
The slaves don’t seem to have any chains or anything to keep them from escaping. They are all wearing small glowing jewelry, but considering they aren’t dead from heat stroke that seems less of a restraint and more of a minor magical item to let them operate in the volcanic demi-plane. If the party wanted to free a slave they would have to escort them to the exit to the plane.
Succotash (Jeremy) AC 31/16/29 CMD 24 HP 135/135 Valerie AC 40/14(16)/35(34) CMD 42(34) HP 157(133)/157(133) (33 temp) Spells d20+21=26 ; d20+36=54 ; Tuesday February 22nd, 2022 10:40:24 AM
Succotash follows Pressi, hoping he remains undetected (Stealth 26), all the while he is scanning the area, looking for threats, or something helpful. (Perception 54)
active spells: Succotash Heroes feast (12 temp HP) Planar adaptation
Daily stuff: channel energy (10d6) 10/10 speak with animals 22/22 agile feet 13/13 dimensional hop 190/190 Quicken rod (normal) 3/3
Pressi (Melvin) - AC 26 (32), HP 164/150, CMD 26 (28); Harper AC 31 (32), HP 109, CMD 31 (32) d8+9=10 ; d3=3 ; d8+9=14 ; d20+25=32 ; d20+25=44 ; Tuesday February 22nd, 2022 8:57:05 PM
"Now, one thing I will grant you that's frustrating. These guys have no love for the dramatic and that sucks. No cat and mouse diplomacy? No running along buildings? The more I think about it, the more I wonder if this plane has any purpose other than to let giants stare at the paper and shout angrily at clouds. If I visit a bar, do they serve something other than prune juice here?"
She takes some time to study the jewelry and slave outfits before copying it using a mix of prestidigitation, dancing lights, and her own glammer armor. "Just in case I do have to talk our way out of this. Ok, no insults, no threats, but no offers either, maybe more appeals to ego..."
For her part, she doesn't have any plans to free any slaves, having seen the heavy lift it was with the last one.
She continues to sneak around (slealth 32, perception 44). If any patrols seem to be zeroing in on them, she readies ghost sound to mimic the sounds of halflings 2 blocks away.
Prudence Komonov (Kathy) d20+8=19 ; Tuesday February 22nd, 2022 9:48:46 PM
Pru casts Invisibility on herself and Murphy. Then she follows Pressi as quietly as she can.
[Stealth 39]
Tali (JPWard) -- Tali(JonPaul) AC:38 (T:34, FF:32), CMD:42, Saves:(F:15/R:17/W:19), HP:121/121 , temp HP:12/12 d20=6 ; d20=19 ; Tuesday February 22nd, 2022 10:08:06 PM Step by Step
So, as everyone near Mister Murphy is being stealthy and observant, so will Tali.
Effective Spells and Conditions: Overland Flight | 850 Minutes Endure Elements | 1225 minutes Mage Armor | 850 Minutes Telepathic Bond | 850 Minutes Resist energy (fire) | 35 Minutes
Heroes feast (12 temp HP)
Used Spells slots 3x Invisibility
Nikolai (JonathanT) AC 36 Tch 33 Ffted 31 HP 144/144 CMD 46/48(Grapple/Trip/Disarm) d20+46=48 ; d20+35=50 ; Tuesday February 22nd, 2022 10:31:49 PM
Spells in effect: Mage Armor, Ring of Invisibility Ki pts 13/13
A little disappointed in the nature of the lava flow underneath, Nikolai shrugs, "Well, this is a pocket dimension, so it would make sense there's no underground pressure to make the lava spew out, although anti-gravity over hole and reaches down to the lava surface would do it. But..."
Turning to Pressi, he comments in an even tone, but with sincerity, "You truly think this group can level a city this size? Consider the magics involved in creating this place to begin with, and that we just barely stirred up the few active guards. You think you can take on the whole Fire Giant Army with its wizards out for bear? I'd not be surprised at all if our next encounter includes a way to remove our invisibility. So, they haven't thought of everything? Don't delude yourself."
Nikolai takes ahold of Pru's before she goes invisible and when she does, he does too.
Stealth +26 + 20(invisible) = 48 (kinda hard keeping Stealth while sneaking a smooch with a giggling wife) Perception + 35 = 50
Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 41/21/36; HP 239/248; Rumpus AC 33/16/27; HP 101/101 + 16 d20+37=41 ; Wednesday February 23rd, 2022 1:20:46 AM
"New guy my have a point," says Kezzem. "We do tend to die a lots. Let's try to avoid another trip to Gargul if we can avoid it."
Stealth: 1d20 + 17 + 20 (Invis) = 41.
Murphy (KimMc) Huge, buff air elemental AC 39/T26/F39(becuz Foresight) CMB 24 CMD 49 HP 196+14/196+14 d20+36=52 ; d20+43=52 ; Wednesday February 23rd, 2022 6:49:57 AM
Murphy thanks Pru for invisibility. He then goes to one of his places of comfort as a huge air elemental after getting out his rope harness. If any care to firmly secure themselves via the harness, he'll bring them along to enjoy buffeting winds. He flies on the border along the street near the rooftops. ≈============ Stealth: 52 Perception: 52
DM Mitch d20+16=31 ; d20+16=24 ; d20+16=26 ; d20+16=29 ; d20+16=34 ; d20+13=20 ; d20+29=40 ; 3d6+26=37 ; Wednesday February 23rd, 2022 6:55:48 AM Succotash follows Pressi hoping he remains undetected while scanning for threats or anything helpful. Pressi laments that the giants have no love for the dramatic and wonders if this realm exists for no other reason than for the giants to stare at paper and shout at clouds. She also changes her outfit in case she has to talk her way out of things. Pru makes herself and Murphy invisible and follows after Pressi.
Tali joins the others in being stealthy and observant.
Nikolai is disappointed by the nature of the lava flow underneath and suggests this is due to the nature of the pocket dimension. He raises doubts about being able to level the city and suggests they shouldn’t underestimate the giants. When Pru goes to turn invisible he grabs hold of her, so he can become invisible too and steals a smooch as this is a honeymoon after all.
Kezzem comments on how often the party dies.
The party proceeds. With their perception they're able to spot giant patrols from afar and work to avoid them and with things having calmed down a little they do well but as expected a point comes where they’ll have to pass relatively close to a giant patrol due to being between a few. The party ends up having to cross a street with a giant patrol about 70 feet away or have another patrol walk into them.
Most of the party crosses without being noticed. Pressi gets a glance, but at that distance her disguise efforts works and the giants don’t react. Succotash gets unlucky though, happening to cross just as the patrol does an about face and heads back the opposite direction. Seeing him, the giants point, yell, and charge.
Still at over 60 feet the giants in heavy, slowing armor shouldn’t be able to reach the halfling. Shouldn’t. They cross the gap in a literal second, crowding the street. It’s too narrow for more then one giant to swing at him, but that lead giant makes a power attack, slashing the halfling for 37 damage.
Prudence Komonov [AC 28; HP 184/184](Kathy) d4=3 ; d4=3 ; Wednesday February 23rd, 2022 3:02:37 PM Oh, bother.
Pru casts Time Stop and gains 4 rounds of apparent time.
round 1: Pru casts Haste on the party. round 2: Pru moves up and casts Greater Heroism on Succcotash. round 3: Pru casts Summon Monster VIII to summon 4 Huge air elementals in the air above the giants round 4: Pru casts Reverse Gravity where the giants are (to a height of 30 ft), then returns to her starting position
Pressi (Melvin) - AC 26 (32), HP 164/150, CMD 26 (28); Harper AC 31 (32), HP 109, CMD 31 (32) d20+17=19 ; d20+19=34 ; Wednesday February 23rd, 2022 4:01:14 PM
(OOC to all: don't forget the extra HP from heroes feast.)
Pressi stares at Nick. "I'm quite aware of the dangers involved," she finally said as the giants began to pass. "They haven't thought of everything because they don't understand us, that's our advantage. Also, nobody thought that some chucklehead with a diamond and a wish spell could just start the volcano eruption, but that's another rant."
Pressi is about to get back to an almost volcanic discussion with Nick, when the shouts begin, and as the giants begin to run towards them. "Well, Nick, looks like you're about to get your 'I told you so' moment."
Squeezing past Succotash, she taps the giant on the shoulder, her eyes glowing green with various runes in the pupils (Lore Keeper, Touch Attack hits AC 19, Knowledge roll equivalent 40). Pulling back (spring attack, acro roll 34), she casts a quickened shield of faith upon herself.
"Murphy, can we get some winds of our own to deflect any incoming fire? Succotash, Tali, now's a good time for some range spells, no more holding back, that ship sailed long ago. Prudence, very nice. And can someone guard the other direction? I'd really prefer not to be a giant sandwich."
Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 41/21/36; HP 239/248; Rumpus AC 33/16/27; HP 101/101 + 16 Wednesday February 23rd, 2022 5:29:21 PM
Kezzem will cast divine favor (standard action) on himself. He will also detect evil (move action) on the apparent giant leader or otherwise the nearest giant (60 ft. range). He will step forward to put himself between the giants and the rest of the party (either 5 ft. step if he can use detect evil or moves 20 ft. towards them if he cannot).
Tali (JPWard) -- Tali(JonPaul) AC:38 (T:34, FF:32), CMD:42, Saves:(F:15/R:17/W:19), HP:121/121 , temp HP:12/12 Wednesday February 23rd, 2022 8:48:57 PM Oh here comes a 5 OG's
Tali, not wasting any time, casts Prismatic Wall spell at the position between 18U & 19U covering the width of (10 feet) from U to V with a height of 36 feet.
Spell Attack: Prismatic Wall cast at level 18: Saving Throw vs My Spell: 36
Effective Spells and Conditions: Overland Flight | 840 Minutes Endure Elements | 1215 minutes Mage Armor | 840 Minutes Telepathic Bond | 840 Minutes Resist energy (fire) | 25 Minutes
Heroes feast (12 temp HP)
Used Spells slots 3x Invisibility
{OOC: this assumes each box is 5 ft sq. }
Murphy (KimMc) Huge, buff air elemental AC 39/T26/F39(becuz Foresight) CMB 24 CMD 49 HP 196+14/196+14 Wednesday February 23rd, 2022 8:49:24 PM
"Yep!" Murphy answers Pressi.
He goes full whirlwind. He comes in on top of Giant 1 (G1) [I gave a number to each giant so we'll know who we are talking about], slamming him. He goes down the line, hitting G2, G3, G4, G5, and a bit behind G5. He then reverses course and slams again into G5, G4, G3, G2, G1, then back to G2, where he generously shares the space, requiring the giants to get past him - except for G1, who can dance nearly alone with the rest of the party.
[I will handle the combat rolls later tonight - I just got off work, and have to drive to another place -Kim]
Murphy (KimMc) Huge, buff air elemental AC 39/T26/F39(becuz Foresight) CMB 24 CMD 49 HP 196+14/196+14 Wednesday February 23rd, 2022 9:06:01 PM
NOTE TO ALL: To help keep track of changes over time, use the bottom tabs. "RND1 DM" shows what DM Mitch posted to start out the combat. Put any moves and changes on 'RND1 PCs'.
Late tonight, we can (or DM Mitch can) Duplicate the 'RND1 PCs' to make the 'RND2 DM' tab for Mitch to make any changes to what happens next.
Thanks, all!
Succotash (Jeremy) AC 31/16/29 CMD 24 HP 119/135 Valerie AC 40/14(16)/35(34) CMD 42(34) HP 157(133)/157(133) (33 temp) Spells d20+33=43 ; d20+33=46 ; d20+33=51 ; d20+33=38 ; d20+33=41 ; d20+33=47 ; 3d6+23=34 ; 3d6+23=30 ; 3d6+23=36 ; d8+23=31 ; d6=1 ; d4+23=26 ; d4+23=25 ; d6=3 ; d20=18 ; d6=1 ; 2d6=2 ; 2d6=10 ; 2d6=4 ; 2d6=3 ; 2d6=9 ; 2d6=6 ; d6=1 ; d6=2 ; d6=4 ; d6=3 ; d6=2 ; d6=6 ; d6=1 ; d4=3 ; d6=2 ; d6=4 ; d6=5 ; d6=5 ; Wednesday February 23rd, 2022 9:37:05 PM
Succotash takes a 5 ft step back, and than casts divine favor on Valerie.The Dino than takes a 5 ft step forward, and goes all in on the nearest giant.
Left Talon hits AC 45 for 34 damage +2 bane +1 shock and 2 frost Right Talon hits AC 48 for 30 damage + 10 bane + 4 shock and 3 frost Divine Talon hits AC 53 for 36 damage + 4 bane +2 shock and 6 frost Bite hits AC 40 for 33 damage +3 bane + 1 shock and 3 frost Left claw hits AC 43 for 29 damage +9 bane + 2 shock and 4 frost Right claw hits AC 49 for 26 damage +6 bane + 5 shock and 5 frost (Forgot to add +2 for giant bane)
active spells: Succotash Heroes feast (0 temp HP) Planar adaptation
Daily stuff: channel energy (10d6) 10/10 speak with animals 22/22 agile feet 13/13 dimensional hop 190/190 Quicken rod (normal) 2/3
Nikolai (JonathanT) AC 36 Tch 33 Ffted 31 HP 144/144 CMD 46/48(Grapple/Trip/Disarm) Thursday February 24th, 2022 12:42:04 AM
Spells in effect: Mage Armor, Ring of Invisibility Ki pts 13/13
With all the magic flying about, Nikolai decides to stick by Pru, readying himself for a patrol coming from behind.
Murphy does not have enough travel length to do as written in the quick post. He will simply travel down to G5, then up in the air from there, to a height of 60', and drop from there any who were sucked up into the whirlwind's vortex (60' because he was at 10' above street level on lower end of vortex).
Each giant needs to make a Reflex save DC:23, or it takes damage as though from a slam attack. If it fails its 1st save, it then needs to try a 2nd DC 23 Reflex save, or be sucked up into the vortex. (DC is 23, as Greater Air Elemental, rather than 21, as Huge Air Elemental, due to powerful shape from legacy item.) I don't know whether bonuses 'to hit' from Haste (+1), Greater Magic Fang (+4) and Heroes' Feast (+1) would affect Reflex Save DC... if so, DC 29?
Slam damage is 2d8+7 +4 from Magic Fang, Greater. So 2d8+11.
Giant1 - Reflex Save DC23 or (slam equivalent) Damage 2d8+11=26; G1 2nd Ref Save DC23 or be sucked up into whirlwind Giant2 - Ref DC23 or Dam 23; G2 2nd Ref DC23 or sucked up Giant3 - DC23 or Dam 23; G5 DC23 or sucked up Giant4 - DC23 or Dam 24; G5 DC23 or sucked up Giant5 - DC23 or Dam 23; G5 DC23 or sucked up
Ignore rolls #6-10. If any were sucked up, then falling damage will be: 17, 20, 24, 30, 16 (likely not all 5 - just use as many as were caught up). I don't know if landing on top of others will effect additional damage on 'landing pads.'
While in whirlwind form, Murphy is not subject to attacks of opportunity.
Effects in place (refreshed just before heading out with group) Heroes' Feast (16 temp hp) 12 hours Longstrider 18 hours Magic Fang, Greater (+4) 18 hours Planar Adaptation 7 hours (of 18) (from Prudence) "Planar adaptation grants you immunity to the harmful environmental effects of a particular plane of existence, including such hazards as toxicity, extreme temperatures, and lack of air. Additionally, you gain energy resistance 20 to a single energy type prevalent on that plane (choose one if more than one type is equally prevalent)." (fire chosen) Protection from Energy (fire) 3 hours Resist Energy (cold) (30 points per damage incident) 3 hours Has natural resistance to electricity: 20 points Stoneskin 3 hours (150 hp, adamantine DR/10) Freedom of Movement 3 hours Foresight (9th level divination spell) 3 hours Mage Armor 3 hours [Invisibility 18 minutes - lost with whirlwind attacks]
Murphy (KimMc) Huge, buff air elemental AC 39/T26/F39(becuz Foresight) CMB 24 CMD 49 HP 196+14/196+14 Thursday February 24th, 2022 5:32:03 AM
Oh, I forgot about haste. He could drop them from, let's be conservative, 10' higher, so a 70' drop. Feel free to roll an extra 1d6 to add to any of the falling damage.
Also - he went around Tali's wall prior to dropping onto the first giant - I'm using up the extra 20' from haste to cover that.
DM Mitch d20+9=21 ; d20+9=18 ; d20+9=25 ; d20+9=19 ; d20+9=28 ; d100=89 ; d100=11 ; d100=13 ; d100=36 ; d100=6 ; d100=55 ; d20+29=49 ; d20+29=31 ; d20+24=27 ; d20+19=33 ; 6d6+26=42 ; 3d6+26=37 ; d20+20=29 ; d20+20=26 ; d10=1 ; d8=3 ; d8=2 ; d6=4 ; Thursday February 24th, 2022 7:42:34 AM Pru casts Time Stop and gains 4 rounds. She hastes the party, casts greater heroism on Succotash, she summons 4 huge air elementals above the giants reverse gravity on them.
When time resumes 3 of the giants have managed to grab onto something and do not up due to the reverse gravity. The other 2 are affected as normal.
Pressi makes a touch attack to gain insight into their attackers and then springs away.
Kezzem casts divine favor on himself and detect evil on the nearest giant then tries to put himself between the others and harm’s way. Kezzem detects the presence of evil
Tali throws up a prismatic wall between the party and the giants
Murphy turns into a whirlwind and touches down and spreads havoc among the giants
Succotash casts Divine Favor on Valerie and sees the dino attack the nearest giant doing 204 total damage. The giant twists out of the way of attacks faster then should be possible, making one attack miss, and it’s skin or armor seems to blunt even the magically enhanced strikes of Valerie
Nikolai sticks near Pru and braces for an attack by the other patrol
Pressi realizes the following:
Highlight to display spoiler: { These giants have an ability called split second where they can move with such speed that they appears to be in two places at once. As a full-round action, they can move up double to its movement, then take a standard action at their original location, and one at their new location. They may use the action at its new location to charge and/or pounce, or to make an attack using Spring Attack (which counts as its additional standard action). They are treated as being at both locations for purposes of provoking attacks of opportunity from all actions taken (at either location) or threatening and being threatened, until the end of its action. Once they have taken all their actions, they come to rest exclusively at its new position. They cannot use split second two rounds in a row.
These giants also have an ability called Duck Aside (Ex) : Any round they do not use their split second ability they have a +20% chance to step away from any attack that would otherwise hit it. This stacks with any miss chance due to concealment.
These giants are immune to fire, cold ,mind-affecting(except detect thoughts), sleep, and paralysis
These giants have SR 22
These giants are affected by a constant freedom of movement effect }
Ketia sees the party is committing to the fight. She immediately casts silence on the spot the giant sergeant (#3) stands so he can’t blow his horn and summon the nearby patrolls. As long as you keep him from moving out of the area you should be clear to kill this patrol and keep moving without an alert going off again.
The Giants
Giant 4 and Giant 5 pull out great bows and fire off a total of 6 arrows at Valerie but none manage to hurt the dinosaur.
Giant 1 takes all the punishment Succotash can dish out and lives. With a fierce smile and a salute made awkward by the reverse gravity he responds with a crit and a hit for 105 damage.
Giants 2 and 3 instead look for the biggest threat and pick out the caster who reversed gravity. Pulling themselves up the wall to see the rooftop they look for Pru and nail her with a rock for 23 damage + 4 fire damage.
HP Tracker:
Giant 1: on ground - AC30; 204 damage Giant 2: on ground Giant 3: on ground - 23 damage Giant 4 30 feet in air - 24 damage Giant 5: 30 feet in air Ketia: 0 damage
Note: For attacks, 20% miss chance, for spells, SR 22 - PCs please roll these
Succotash (Jeremy) AC 31/16/29 CMD 24 HP 119/135 Valerie AC 40/16/34 CMD 34 HP 119/133Spells d100=22 ; d100=39 ; d100=95 ; d100=92 ; d100=29 ; d100=86 ; d20+35=53 ; d20+35=39 ; d20+35=53 ; d20+35=46 ; d20+35=46 ; d20+35=40 ; 3d6+23=35 ; 3d6+23=34 ; 3d6+23=39 ; d8+23=29 ; d6=3 ; d4+23=27 ; d6=2 ; d4+23=27 ; d6=5 ; 2d6=9 ; 2d6=4 ; 2d6=3 ; 2d6=10 ; 2d6=5 ; 2d6=7 ; d6=3 ; d6=4 ; d6=6 ; d6=1 ; d6=2 ; d6=3 ; d6=6 ; d6=1 ; d6=5 ; d6=1 ; d8=6 ; d8=8 ; d8=4 ; d8=6 ; Thursday February 24th, 2022 12:34:29 PM
Valerie continues her assault on G1. As Valerie is finishing her assault on G1, Succotash takes a 5 ft step forward, and swaps out a dimensional anchor to cast Cure Critical Wounds on Valerie, healing her 43 HP
Left Talon (22%) hits AC 53 for 35 damage + 9 bane, 3 shock, and 4 frost Right Talon (39%) hits AC 39 for 34 damage + 4 bane, 4 shock, and 3 frost Divine Talon (95%) hits AC 53 for 39 damage + 3 bane, 6 shock and 1 frost Bite (92%) hits AC 46 for 32 damage + 10 bane, 2 shock, and 3 frost Left claw (29%) hits AC 46 for 29 damage + 5 bane, 6 shock, and 1 frost Right claw (86%) hits AC 40 for 32 damage + 7 bane, 5 shock, and 1 frost (Forgot to mention last round that Valerie's damage is non-lethal, due to the mercy on her Amulet of Mighty Fists.)
active spells: Succotash Heroes feast (0 temp HP) Planar adaptation
Daily stuff: channel energy (10d6) 10/10 speak with animals 22/22 agile feet 13/13 dimensional hop 190/190 Quicken rod (normal) 3/3
Prudence Komonov [AC 28; HP 161/184](Kathy) 2d6+6=14 ; 2d6+6=17 ; 2d6+6=9 ; 2d6+6=18 ; d20+24=30 ; 20d6=76 ; Thursday February 24th, 2022 2:49:19 PM
Pru scoffs at 4 fire damage, but does take damage from the rock.
Last round, Pru summoned 4 Huge air elementals. Let's call them Breezy, Puffy, Windy, and Gale. They join Murphy in whirlwind-ing the giants. They concentrate on Giants 4 and 5, dropping in between the buildings to reach them. Breezy and Windy attack Giant 4, who must make 2 DC 21 Reflex saves or take 14 and 17 points of damage. Puff and Gale attack Giant 5, who must make 2 DC 21 Reflex saves or take 9 and 18 points of damage.
[I did not put them on the map as it's getting a little cluttered. They're staying out of Murphy's way.]
Since the three floating giants are all in a nice line, Pru casts Chain Lightning on them, with Giant 3 as the primary. [SR check 30] Giants 1, 2, and 3 each take 76 points of damage, Reflex save for half. Giant 3's save DC is 23; the others are 21.
Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 41/21/36; HP 239/248; Rumpus AC 33/16/27; HP 101/101 + 16 d20+34=53 ; d20+34=47 ; d3+29=30 ; 2d6=11 ; d3+29=31 ; d20+32=37 ; d20+27=41 ; d20+22=31 ; d3+29=31 ; d3+29=32 ; d3+29=32 ; 2d6=7 ; 2d6=12 ; 2d6=8 ; d20+35=43 ; d20+30=41 ; d20+25=39 ; d3+27=29 ; d3+27=29 ; d3+27=29 ; d6=6 ; d6=1 ; d6=1 ; d10+6=16 ; Thursday February 24th, 2022 3:39:13 PM
"He slices, he dices, he makes giant fries!"
Kezzem 5 ft. steps towards G1 and unloads with his daggers. Activating Smite Evil.
----
And now the fun part of playing a self-buffing two-weapon fighter.
Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 41/21/36; HP 239/248; Rumpus AC 33/16/27; HP 101/101 + 16 Thursday February 24th, 2022 3:40:00 PM
That should be a frost dagger, not a frog dagger, though this is Kezzem, so I wouldn't put it past him.
Tali (JPWard) -- Tali(JonPaul) AC:38 (T:34, FF:32), CMD:42, Saves:(F:15/R:17/W:19), HP:121/121 , temp HP:12/12 Thursday February 24th, 2022 7:48:53 PM Prismatics
Tali, not wasting any time, casts another Prismatic Wall spell at the position covering the width of 10 feet from 22X & 23X with a height of 36 feet. Hopefully, cutting off their quickest way around the first wall.
Unless something changes, the next spell will also be another Prismatic Wall spell at the position covering the width of 10 feet from 22S & 23S with a height of 36 feet. Hopefully, cutting off their quickest way around the other walls.
Spell Attack: Prismatic Wall cast at level 18: DC Saving Throw vs My Spell: 36
Effective Spells and Conditions: Overland Flight | 830 Minutes Endure Elements | 1205 minutes Mage Armor | 830 Minutes Telepathic Bond | 830 Minutes Resist energy (fire) | 15 Minutes
Heroes feast (12 temp HP)
Used Spells slots 3x Invisibility 2x Prismatic Wall
{OOC: this assumes each box is 5 ft sq. }
Pressi (Melvin) - AC 26 (32), HP 144/150, CMD 26 (28); Harper AC 31 (32), HP 109, CMD 31 (32) Thursday February 24th, 2022 9:00:48 PM
Pressi's felt pride at actually reaching the giant, despite such a lousy stumble (natural 2) for her touch attack. For a decent while, she smiled as facts swirled before her eyes, green glints of light flowing from her touch to her head, finally learning what was to be dealt with.
And then the smile faded, as she began to see just how prepared these giants were. Succotash and Nick were right to consider the darkness, much as she would never admit to it.
Shouting over the winds and spells, messaging whoever she could, she began to bark orders.
"Move back," she shouted to Kezzem. "They're immune to cold too, and they have an extra ability to occasionaaly dodge attacks when they don't speed burst. They've also got some sort of speed boost, can be almost in two places at once, double movement and charge or pounce, boost, boost, boost, error, error... Wow, I thought I had a ridiculous build. Divination should have mentioned we were fighting in munchkin land.
"But I digress.... Seriously, does that power set come with a years worth of steaks? Ok, now I'm done."
Pressi took a deep breath, thinking. "Prudence, good job on the lightning and summons. Tali, good with the walls. Murphy, we need lightning and reflex spells that don't get beat by freedom of movement. Succotash, do you or Valerie need assistance? Hobie, hell of a time to take a break. Ketia, guess we're deciding to forgo sonic damage. Probably wise."
And as Tali finished her wall, she realized she didn't know her next move. So she just followed a quickened surender blood by reaching out and animating every object in the street she could see, particularly rocks as the giants throw them. (22 levels worth: 2 large, 4 medium, 6 small. She orders them to target Giant 5 from behind.)
-------------
Pressi Actives
Ritual of Warding Ritual of Healing Planar Adaptation Heroes Feast Moment of Prescience Shield of Faith Haste (from Pru)
Nikolai (JonathanT) AC 36 Tch 33 Ffted 31 HP 144/144 CMD 46/48(Grapple/Trip/Disarm) d20+26=42 ; d20+35=43 ; Thursday February 24th, 2022 10:02:44 PM
Spells in effect: Mage Armor, Ring of Invisibility Ki pts 13/13
Nikolai mentally warns Pru, 'Mind those rocks will ya?' out of anger that he can't deflect rocks like a Stone Giant Monk could. Out loud he shouts, "You guys with Shape Stone or Transmute Rock, or whatever, target those foundation walls and pull down some of those buildings on those rock loving bas...."
Stealth +26 + 40(invisible) = 42 + 40 = 82 Perception + 35 = 43 keeping an eye on their rear flank.
Since Murphy caught no fire giants in the vortex, then rising high to drop them would not have been a thing. So figure ending height last round was 45, not 60 (and really, he would have just used more flybys against them than he did, with a lower altitude still, but that's water over the bridge).
Murphy hears Pressi's request, and casts chain lightning, striking for the tail end of fire giant #2, and going back to G3, G4, and G5. Their spell resistance is not enough to overcome Murphy's level and feats (and rolls). The first needs a Reflex save DC 35, and the rest vs DC 33. As the book Reflex save for Fire Giants is +4... only one of them manages to come within 10 points of making that save (all fail). One of them (G1) makes a 20% Duck Aside roll, but the rest (G3, G4, G5) take full damage of 63 hp electrical damage each... unless the DM has some other means for them to overcome this 6th level spell. If Duck Aside does not count, all four of them (G2 included) each take the 63 damage. If by some means unknown to this player they make a save, damage is halved for that person.
Murphy uses his movement to simply bounce between G2, G3 and G4 several times. With a total movement of 155 this round, he manages 3 connections each.
I'm assuming that with freedom of movement, none will be pulled into the vortex of swirling air, but each must make several Reflex Saves DC23 (really, each needs a nat 20), or they take slam damage each time he enters their space - unless they get to use Duck Aside for as many attacks as they might otherwise receive each round... for which I rolled - none made Duck Aside (needed 20 or lower, rolls were: 96, 24, 66, 57, 44, 48, 49, 68, 30). Each is connected with 3 times.
Ignore d3=3 and d8=5 rolls (roll chart scoots down when another line of rolls scrolls, so it causes a missed mouse click). With the exception of one duck aside against chain lightning, all other saves and resistances failed for them, and no other duck asides were effective.
G2 takes: 20+24+17=61 hp slam damage. G3 takes: 25+16+18=59 hp slam damage. G4 takes: 20+24+19=63 hp slam damage.
Summary: G2: 61 hp (unless duck aside not used, then add another 63 electrical damage for 124 total) G3: 63 electrical and 59 slam for 122 total G4: 63 electrical and 63 slam for 126 total G5: 63 electrical
Murphy has just enough movement to end his turn at an altitude of his vortex at 40' still leaving 15' of movement.
As he whirls about, he speaks Auran to his fellow air elementals, with words of rejoicing at being able to beat up nasty fire giants together, and enjoying the swift movement of air about them.
As he resumes a spot back up a bit above the buildings, he chats with some of his friends.
"Nikolai, transmute rock to mud just works on unworked stones - not on these buildings - sorry!" Murphy explains.
"Way to wall them in, Tali" he comments.
"Have I told you lately just how remarkable you are, [b]Pressi?"[/i] he asks.
DM Mitch Friday February 25th, 2022 5:48:39 AM
Due to confusion with the map only 2 characters actually made valid actions. The melee fighters who advanced could not due to the wall and the casters who casted could not see through the wall to cast their various spells. As such I'm just going to have to invalidate the entire last round. I couldn't think of any way to advance it with so many invalid actions. The map has been cleaned up - please choose new actions over the weekend (Tali, Valerie, and Murphy's actions remain valid should they wish to leave them the same, but please post stating they do as described in your previous post)
Pressi (Melvin) - AC 26 (32), HP 144/150, CMD 26 (28); Harper AC 31 (32), HP 109, CMD 31 (32) Friday February 25th, 2022 1:39:49 PM
Pressi thinks for a bit in regards to the prismatic wall keeping the giants away from them. "You know, technically we could just leave at this point. Wouldn't be doing my job if I didn't raise the option."
Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 41/21/36; HP 239/248; Rumpus AC 33/16/27; HP 101/101 + 16 Friday February 25th, 2022 2:37:45 PM
If the wall is in the way, Kezzem will instead cast shield other on Pressi and then fly up on his carpet to just below the top of the wall (so he can peek out next round with a 5' foot step and lob daggers over it).
"Ah crap, my giant-bane dagger is not returning so I can't throw it at them," says Kezzem. "Well, I can throw it, but only once."
Succotash (Jeremy) AC 31/16/29 CMD 24 HP 135/135 Valerie AC 40/16/34 CMD 34 HP 117/133Spells d8=8 ; d8=1 ; d8=7 ; d100=87 ; d8=4 ; d8=3 ; Friday February 25th, 2022 3:29:46 PM
Valerie's action remains the same, but Succotash's is obviously going to be different.
Succotash quickly responds to Pressi withdrawal suggestion by saying, "I'm not leaving Valerie behind, and she's stuck on the other side of this wall!" The Cleric than uses his metamagic rod to swiftly cast fly on himself. He than flies to the top of the wall. Once at the top, he swaps a Summon Monster 8 for Mass Cure Critical Wounds healing every ally in range 41 HP. (Please ignore the d100 roll. I bumped it by accident.)
Daily stuff: channel energy (10d6) 10/10 speak with animals 22/22 agile feet 13/13 dimensional hop 190/190 Quicken rod (normal) 2/3
Murphy (KimMc) Huge, buff air elemental AC 39/T26/F39(becuz Foresight) CMB 24 CMD 49 HP 196+14/196+14 Friday February 25th, 2022 3:47:30 PM
Murphy responds to all regarding Pressi's point, "If you'd like, I can provide air taxi. If we're going to do that, Succotash, tell Valerie to let me pick her up. I carried her once before, so she should be good with it. The giant in front will likely try to bash me as I grab and dash, but I should survive."
"SHALL WE FLY OUT, GANG?" Murphy asks all telepathically. For those who are still invisible, he says, "Tell me where you are, I'll pick you up."
If Succotash is good with that, and the party is good with the notion of flying out of there - Murphy is the means to transport everyone, and has the harness to do it with. [If the party agrees to flying out, he will not have gone through his whirlwind attacks and such already posts. If the party does not agree, then let my prior posts stand. I hope they agree! - we can avoid much expenditure of resources, and be perhaps better prepared to advance and maybe succeed should there be another encounter. Will post again once enough of you have decided whether fight or flight is the wiser course. As Murphy and Pressi are in favor of flight, if we have 3 more 'Fly' votes, we can implement that plan. If four 'Fight' votes come in, then we carry on with the fire giants.]
Succotash (Jeremy) AC 31/16/29 CMD 24 HP 135/135 Valerie AC 40/16/34 CMD 34 HP 117/133Spells Friday February 25th, 2022 5:38:51 PM
If everyone agrees to Murphy's escape route, after his already mentioned actions, he orders Valerie to allow Murphy to pick her up, after she delivers her assult on G1.
Pressi (Melvin) - AC 26 (32), HP 144/150, CMD 26 (28); Harper AC 31 (32), HP 109, CMD 31 (32) Friday February 25th, 2022 7:46:54 PM
Pressi isn't sure which way the vote will go. Certainly, she's worried about having to dodge a different patrol later on, though they could pick the time and place.
If Kezzem wants it, she spends her turn taking out and throwing him the rod of thunder and lightning. It's not a returning weapon either but it'll at least give him an off-hand lightning weapon (treat as light +2 mace).
Otherwise, Pressi's action is similar, except she animates what she can see, particularly the top floor and roof of the corridor buildings just above the nearby giants. (If they're three stories tall for giants, she should have line of sight above the wall to the buildings along the street.) If she sees any gargoyles or statues, or lamps and hourglasses in windows, she targets those (up to a combination of 22). Otherwise, she animates shutters and wall sconces and shingles. But the point is to have the objects come down, this time on giants 1 and 2.
Prudence Komonov [AC 28; HP 161/184](Kathy) Friday February 25th, 2022 8:21:54 PM I'm not going to insist on fighting these guys, Pru sends through the links. I'm ready to leave with the rest of you.
She does still let Breezy, Puffy, Windy, and Gale do their thing. They should still be able to attack Giants 4 and 5.
Since Pru did not cast an offensive spell, she is still invisible. She uses her Boots of Levitation to float up and grab onto Murphy's harness thing.
Tali (JPWard) -- Tali(JonPaul) AC:38 (T:34, FF:32), CMD:42, Saves:(F:15/R:17/W:19), HP:121/121 , temp HP:12/12 Friday February 25th, 2022 10:54:29 PM
Tali does as described in her previous post.
Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 41/21/36; HP 239/248; Rumpus AC 33/16/27; HP 101/101 + 16 Saturday February 26th, 2022 3:26:28 PM
Kezzem is good with his +1 frost returning dagger (+3 with Greater Magic Weapon plus Weapon Focus). Even if it doesn't do the extra 1d6 electricity damage, he has a better chance to hit with it (particularly useful while smiting).
Nikolai (JonathanT) AC 36 Tch 33 Ffted 31 HP 144/144 CMD 46/48(Grapple/Trip/Disarm) Sunday February 27th, 2022 12:07:04 PM OOC: Kathy, Pru's health should be back up since the giants could not throw rocks and hit you.
Spells in effect: Mage Armor, Ring of Invisibility Ki pts 13/13
Nikolai senses (or Pru tells him she's levitating) and scampers (Slippers of Spider Climb) up the wall of the building next to him to the roof to advise those on the ground how the giants react to the wall.
Stealth +26 + 20(moving invisible) = 42 + 20 = 62 (however, this may be irrelevant) Perception + 35 = 43 peek over the wall, if possible.
Murphy (KimMc) Huge, buff air elemental AC 39/T26/F39(becuz Foresight) CMB 24 CMD 49 HP 196+14/196+14 d8+11=17 ; d8+11=16 ; 2d8+11=17 ; d8=1 ; d8=7 ; 2d8+11=19 ; Sunday February 27th, 2022 3:47:46 PM
Murphy decides the best way to avoid further damage - albeit with a bit of buffeting for his friends inside the vortex - is to use his whirlwind ability to pick folks up. He lets Succotash know so he can tell Valerie to leap into the swirling winds (essentially, willingly 'fail' his reflex saving throw) - and the cleric, too, and Pru, unless she wants to hop off, since he starts on the roof of the building.
"Kezzem, Ketia, get to the roof, or I'll pick you up and take you to the roof. Jump into the whirlwind. You might get some light bruising. Pressi, broom up to the roof. I'll be there after getting Valerie, real quickly."
Murphy whirlwinds down to pick up the raptor, and lifts him up to the rooftop, a bit away from the edge, to be out of direct view of the giants. Succotash takes 23 hp buffeting damage, and Valerie 17 hp. He deposits them gently onto the roof, then descends to the (north?) side of Tali's prismatic wall, descends to the street to pick up Kezzem (17hp), Ketia (19hp), and any left below. He drops them all gently to the roof, goes a little higher, and shifts out of whirlwind, back to a softer air elemental. He comes down within reach. People are free then to attach to the rope harness.
I did go ahead and make a second map tab to show what I'm proposing (called 'Whirlwind'). It's to the right of the 'Combat' tab, and shows a blue rectangle with Murphy's outline on the roof, where people can harness up.
Giving them time to do so, in a round or two Murphy can fly away. He will go in a direction about 90 degress away (to the left on the map) from where they intend to head so as to make the giants think that is the way to follow them. When out of sight of them, he banks, flies a way farther, then back toward their aim to cross near the smithy area. "Someone want to make us all invisible?" he asks along the way. Some still are invisible. Once they are all relatively unseeable, he aims to stay along roof level, and book it, at a speed of 280 (125'x2+30) (~32 mph).
As the winds seem to end about the edge of the slum quarter, Murphy thinks to ascend toward the ash in the sky above the smith's quarter, but asks counsel on this matter from his mates.
[DM Mitch, feel free to pull back on my actions if I've covered too much here. At least want to give a heads up as to intentions.]
Murphy (KimMc) Huge, buff air elemental AC 39/T26/F39(becuz Foresight) CMB 24 CMD 49 HP 196+14/196+14 2d8+11=27 ; d20+4=17 ; d100=44 ; Monday February 28th, 2022 12:16:19 AM
Oh, and Giant 1, if he fails a DC 23 Reflex save, will take... 27 hp (max damage) from Murphy's whirlwind buffet. If his reflex save is +4 (or up to +9), he fails (rolled 17 vs 23)... and the Duck thingee does not work for him, either (44, needed 1-20).
DM Mitch Monday February 28th, 2022 7:56:54 AM Pressi points out that the walls Tali is putting up provide a window of opportunity to evade further hostilities at this time.
Kezzem casts Shield Other on Pressi and then positions himself with the carpet to just below the top of the wall before realizing he can’t throw his giant bane dagger because it won’t come back to him.
Succotash tells Pressi he’s not leaving Valerie behind and then swaps out a summon spell for a mass cure critical wounds spell
Murphy volunteers to provide an air taxi in order to transport people away from the battle.
Succotash orders Valerie to let Murphy pick her up
Pressi gets ready to move out by providing distractions in the form of several animated objects.
Pru instructs her air elementals to keep harrying the giants while she uses her levitating boots to get on Murphy’s harness thing
Tali throws up more walls
Nikolai climbs up a nearby wall to get a view of how the giants are reacting on the other side of the wall.
Murphy turns into a whirlwind in order to pick up all his friends and allies
Between Tali’s Walls, Pressi’s animated objects and Pru’s summoned elementals the party is able to keep the giants busy as Murphy’s plan to withdraw comes into fruition. He turns into a whirlwind and picks up all the various party members who need it and is able to set folks down, albeit a little banged up on a roof far enough away from the previous engagement that for the moment is free of any nearby giant patrolls. As they are leaving they can see the leader of the patrol grab his horn and blow on it to no effect - there won’t be an alert sounded until they can escape the area of silence Ketia created.
Murphy (KimMc) Huge, buff air elemental AC 39/T26/F39(becuz Foresight) CMB 24 CMD 49 HP 196+14/196+14 Monday February 28th, 2022 11:51:51 AM
So long as all go ahead and fasten themselves down (or get help getting looped in like Valerie) using Murphy's multi-point, many-looped silk rope harness, the buff huge elemental druid flies ahead low. He had requested his invisibility be re-upped. When at the edge of the storm, facing the ~100-foot wide-open field, he asks his mates how they'd like him to proceed. "My thought is to go up into the lower part of the ash cloud, fly over the area of the smiths, until we reach the snooty fire giant nicer neighborhood, then work on finding the general locale of Firescorn's home. As an alternative, we can fly up near this plane's ceiling until we get quite close to the volcano, then descend from there. Less chance of being spotted and tracked along the way. Or perhaps someone has a different plan entirely. I'm all ears. Except for puffy, cloudy stuff."
While he is waiting, he cast know direction, adding another point to his understanding of the layout of this pocket plane.
He awaits their discussion.
Prudence Komonov [AC 28; HP 161/184](Kathy) Monday February 28th, 2022 1:09:25 PM
"That'll work," says Pru of Murphy's plan. To Ketia, she adds, "Nice work with that Silence."
Succotash (Jeremy) AC 31/16/29 CMD 24 HP 135/135 Valerie AC 40/16/34 CMD 34 HP 133/133Spells d6=5 ; d6=4 ; d6=4 ; d6=2 ; d6=2 ; d6=6 ; d6=1 ; d6=1 ; d6=2 ; d6=4 ; d6=4 ; d6=4 ; Monday February 28th, 2022 1:28:41 PM
When Murphy deposits him and Valerie, he quickly comforts Valerie, as the ordeal spooked the poor animal, and than, when everyone is accounted for, he channels energy, healing everyone 37 HP. After channeling energy, he straps Valerie into her harness, and than does the same for himself, so Murphy can play taxi.
Daily Stuff: channel energy (10d6) 9/10 speak with animals 22/22 agile feet 13/13 dimensional hop 190/190 Quicken rod (normal) 2/3
Pressi (Melvin) - AC 26 (32), HP 150, CMD 26 (28); Harper AC 31 (32), HP 109, CMD 31 (32) Monday February 28th, 2022 8:39:09 PM
"Ok, can't be any worse up there than it's about to be down here," Pressi agreed. "If there are any requested spells or buffs, let me know."
She spends prep time covering the rest of what she had learned from the touch... and a few things she suspected, like these things could handle more damage than usual (300 HP, better saves). "These guys will not go down easily, and we can assume they're studying our abilities as much as we're studying them. Might not be a bad idea to separate a single giant, get him down, and see what he's got in gear, because I don't know what's granting their invulnerability to cold.
Tali (JPWard) -- Tali(JonPaul) AC:38 (T:34, FF:32), CMD:42, Saves:(F:15/R:17/W:19), HP:121/121 , temp HP:12/12 Monday February 28th, 2022 11:40:52 PM All together now! 1,2,3,4..
Tali, noticing the gangs all here, in this tight but cozy 8'x32' foot "Space", asks through the telepathic bond, Does anyone have a spare [b]Resist energy (fire)/[b] spell they could "buff" me up with? If my timings are correct, it's almost gone!
"Also, anyone knows what effect my walls had on the patrol?"
[u][b]Effective Spells and Conditions:[u][b] Overland Flight | 840 Minutes Endure Elements | 1215 minutes Mage Armor | 840 Minutes Telepathic Bond | 840 Minutes Resist energy (fire) | 25 Minutes
Nikolai (JonathanT) AC 36 Tch 33 Ffted 31 HP 144/144 CMD 46/48(Grapple/Trip/Disarm) Tuesday March 1st, 2022 12:12:46 AM
Spells in effect: Mage Armor, Ring of Invisibility Ki pts 13/13
Telepathically, Nikolai check's on Pru, "How are you doing, honey?"
Out loud he says, "We need to get one of those horns. If we do, we can blow it here and there and keep them scurrying away from where we want to be. Can't any one of you halflings burgle one for us?"
DM Mitch Tuesday March 1st, 2022 8:23:31 AM Murphy suggests they all mount up and fly through the lower part of the ash cloud over to the smith area until they get to the nice neighborhood.
Pru likes Murphy’s plan and compliments Sesha on the Silence
Succotash comforts Valerie and channels energy. He helps Valerie to get situated in her harness
Pressi agrees that traveling by air can’t be worse than things are about to be where they are and offers to cast buffs. She also outlines to the others what she has learned from her touch as well as what she suspected. She suggests they get a single giant alone and search his gear for whatever is making them immune to cold
(OOC: I took the knowledge rule and gave you one bit of info on the giant’s for meeting the CR of the individual giant and then an additional bit of info for each 5 your flat check beat the result by)
Tali asks for resist energy fire and asks if anyone knows what effect the walls had on the patrol.
Nikolai asks Pru directly how she is doing and then suggests they capture a horn and use it as a distraction.
Nikolai Highlight to display spoiler: { Before you evacuated you could see the patrols avoiding interacting with the prismatic wall }
Unless someone objects the party goes up and over the empty field. The wind buffest the party and would blow away most of them on their own but the ropes hold so it is merely incredibly uncomfortable not a 100 feet fall. How far does the party advance before exiting the cloud to check their position?
Succotash (Jeremy) AC 31/16/29 CMD 24 HP 135/135 Valerie AC 40/16/34 CMD 34 HP 133/133Spells Tuesday March 1st, 2022 12:42:33 PM "Do we get a meal with this flight?", Succotash jokes as they take off. As they are flying in the winds, he ignores his discomfort, and scratches Valerie behind the ear holes, comforting his dino friend, and keeping her calm.
Prudence Komonov [AC 28; HP 161/184](Kathy) Tuesday March 1st, 2022 2:15:53 PM So far, so good, Pru replies to Nikolai. How are you doing?
The ash cloud is extremely uncomfortable. Pru coughs several times, and is convinced she has swallowed about a quart of ash. She is sorely tempted to change into an air elemental to avoid some of this, but she doesn't know how many of her spells will be needed.
"Let's set down," she chokes.
Pressi (Melvin) - AC 26 (32), HP 150, CMD 26 (28); Harper AC 31 (32), HP 109, CMD 31 (32) Tuesday March 1st, 2022 7:10:36 PM
Pressi points out to Nick that any of the casters could probably recreate the sound. (She personally could probably use ghost sound to make the horn sound in every block of the city.)
She does re-up Prudence's resist fire (but reminds everyone that Planar Adaptation remains the primary protection.)
Pressi reminds the crew that they don't know what the monitoring situation is. If they can hold on in the cloud, Pressi releases a bunch of prying eyes under and along the field, giving her an idea of whether there are any checkpoints, monitoring towers, etc. It'll take several rounds, but should tell them whether its safe to fly to the middle of the field or to the next quarter (or even above it).
Tali (JPWard) -- Tali(JonPaul) AC:38 (T:34, FF:32), CMD:42, Saves:(F:15/R:17/W:19), HP:121/121 , temp HP:12/12 Tuesday March 1st, 2022 8:31:17 PM Onward...
Tali asks the group, "What's next?" through the telepathic bond.
Effective Spells and Conditions: Overland Flight | 830 Minutes Endure Elements | 1205 minutes Mage Armor | 830 Minutes Telepathic Bond | 830 Minutes Resist energy (fire) | 15 Minutes
Heroes feast (12 temp HP)
Used Spells slots 3x Invisibility 3x Prismatic Wall
Tali (JPWard) -- Tali(JonPaul) AC:38 (T:34, FF:32), CMD:42, Saves:(F:15/R:17/W:19), HP:121/121 , temp HP:12/12 Tuesday March 1st, 2022 8:31:17 PM Onward...
Tali asks the group, "What's next?" through the telepathic bond.
Effective Spells and Conditions: Overland Flight | 830 Minutes Endure Elements | 1205 minutes Mage Armor | 830 Minutes Telepathic Bond | 830 Minutes Resist energy (fire) | 15 Minutes
Heroes feast (12 temp HP)
Used Spells slots 3x Invisibility 3x Prismatic Wall
Murphy (KimMc) Huge, buff air elemental AC 39/T26/F39(becuz Foresight) CMB 24 CMD 49 HP 196+14/196+14 d20+43=47 ; d20+36=38 ; Tuesday March 1st, 2022 9:06:55 PM
[Unless otherwise noted, when Murphy's speech is bounded in double-quotes and italics, he is including all who are enjoying the Prudence-provided mental links, so that, for instance, when he addresses Tali, all can 'hear' his words to her.]
"Tali, the planar adaptation already gives you a fair amount of protection versus fire." (20 hp/round vs 30 hp/round for resist energy.) "I gather your Prismatic Walls helped keep the giants contained. I didn't notice any of them trying to run through them, though that would have been fun to watch."
Murphy had flown over the field (as per DM's description at the end of his post) and a bit beyond into the smithy area. He travels perhaps 800 yards past the 100 foot area (~20 seconds fly time), when Prudence coughs and requests to get out of the ash. [I had presumed that the Planar Adaptation would have ameliorated the effects, but one's mileage may vary.] "All right, Pru. I'm going to lower slowly, so as to attempt a wee bit of stealth, and we can take a look around. Prepare to catch rocks or asbestos kites flown by fire giant children." he slows to 60 movement, and angles down about 45 degrees from horizontal. When able to look about, he does so. The passengers can enjoy their look-see, too.
He is ready to reascend quickly should the need arise, with a "Hold your breath for 30 seconds," bit of counsel to cover moving forward another 1,200 feet forward followed by another easing downward.
On the other hand, if this looks like a good place to land, or they spot a good restaurant, it may be time to descend to the ground. It all depends upon what the local landscape looks like.
============= Low rolls... Perception: 47 (very good, but 'meh' by Murphy's typical checks) Stealth: 38 (good by normal standards, but good enough for fire giant turf? Maybe more people are just looking down focusing on their smithing, one might hope? Perhaps the extra passengers complicate his attempts to remain undetected)
Prudence Komonov [AC 28; HP 161/184](Kathy) Tuesday March 1st, 2022 10:15:45 PM
[OOC: There's no need to cast resist fire on Pru. She walks around with resistance 20 by virtue of being a fire sorcerer. And if she needs more, she can cast it herself. :) ]
Nikolai (JonathanT) AC 36 Tch 33 Ffted 31 HP 144/144 CMD 46/48(Grapple/Trip/Disarm) d20+26=46 ; d20+35=38 ; Tuesday March 1st, 2022 10:48:00 PM
Spells in effect: Mage Armor, Ring of Invisibility Ki pts 13/13
Nikolai nods at Pressi's assessment of their apparent capabilities of mimicking the horns. "Well, if you can, then let's do it. Casting a simple spell like to keep then chasing rabbits beats having to dodge patrols all day. Besides, if they figure all these calls are fake, they may not pay attention to a real one."
He confirms Murphy's observations about the giants avoiding the wall. "It's like they know how bad it will be for them to walk through it. I'm sure it didn't take long for them to go back up the street and come down another way."
Nikolai proposes that next time they meet a patrol, have that spell readied so that when they charge down the street, the wall goes up right in front such that they don't have time to stop before running into it. The mass of those behind will push those in front right on through. "They will think twice before they charge again. Gotta think outside the box!"
Nikolai is glad to be back on the ground, even if it be a rooftop. He immediately starts checking their immediate area for inhabitants (occupied houses? anyone wandering the streets? open windows? etc.)
Stealth +26 + 20(moving invisible) = 46 + 20 = 66 N20 Perception + 35 = 38 peek over the wall, if possible.
DM Mitch Wednesday March 2nd, 2022 8:03:10 AM Succotash asks if they get a meal with this flight and tries to keep Valerie comfortable.
Pru telepathically telles Nikolai so far so good and asks how he is doing. She finds traveling through the ash cloud completely uncomfortable and it isn’t long before she asks Murphy to be set down.
Pressi suggests to Nikolai that any of the casters could probably recreate the horn sound easy enough while renewing resist fire but reminds folks of the planar adaptation. Pressi suggests they wait in the Ash cloud for her to deploy some prying eyes to tell if landing would be safe or not.
(OOC: did you mean Tali not Pru, see Kathy’s comment?)
Tali asks the group what is next through the bond.
Murphy reminds Tali that Planar Adaptation gives a fair amount of fire protection and that he didn’t see any giants physically walk into any of her prismatic walls. He then flies over the field and a bit beyond into the smithy area and then attempts to lower slowly ready to either retreat back into the cloud or land depending on the situation he finds.
Nikolai likes the idea of the casters mimicking the horn sound to cause confusion and confirms Murphy’s observation of Tali’s walls. He’s prepared to stealth and take a look at their surroundings should the party land.
Pressi’s prying eyes are obliterated almost as soon as she finishes creating them. Some are torn apart by the high winds, others instantly succumb to the burning ash the party is comfortably floating in. She’ll have to exit the cloud first, then create her scouts..
Murphy lowers the party out of the ash cloud and into the smithy district. It’s a vast, open air area with rivers and streams of lava running right through it. Giant smiths hammer away at various projects, tirelessly working to keep a city of soldiers armed and armored. Kezzem even sees one sticking her hand into the lava flow next to her to extract material while patching some piece of armor.
There are probably a few dozen giants in view but they’re all focused on their work and not looking up. There actually does seem to be an eating area or restaurant nearby, two giants with some sort of food cart smoking meats and serving them to a line of hungry giants, most of whom walk off with their meals back to their anvils. Looking about the area seems to stretch for a ways still but you can see the edge of the slums in one direction and some other area in the direction you’re currently heading. Looks like you’re about halfway to the noble district.
Pressi (Melvin) - AC 26 (32), HP 150, CMD 26 (28); Harper AC 31 (32), HP 109, CMD 31 (32) Wednesday March 2nd, 2022 9:21:05 AM
"So, do I have any takers for stealing some uniforms and gas masks, and doing three halflings in a trenchcoat?
"I'm not saying it's a better way to get past than to continue flying. I'm just saying it looks like a good way to get lunch."
Pressi (Melvin) - AC 26 (32), HP 150, CMD 26 (28); Harper AC 31 (32), HP 109, CMD 31 (32) Wednesday March 2nd, 2022 9:21:44 AM
Oh, and Pressi casts resist fire on Tali, sorry I got confused.
Murphy (KimMc) Huge, buff air elemental AC 39/T26/F39(becuz Foresight) CMB 24 CMD 49 HP 196+14/196+14 d20+36=55 ; d20+43=51 ; Wednesday March 2nd, 2022 10:15:49 AM
[Informative post, DM Mitch. Request for clarification: Earlier, you mentioned the storm over the slum district ended roughly at the boundary demarcated by the 100' strip. Is that still the case, or did the storm since expand into the smith area?]
"Looks like maybe some good food, and I could get behind the stack of three halflings in a long coat, Pressi, were it not for the fact that we finished a heroes' breakfast about an hour ago. So, do some or all of us land here and see if we can raise a ruckus by asking questions, or shall we continue forward - the noble quarter is pretty near. I'm thinking let's just keep moving forward. But I'm open to arguments. Every engagement will tend to depleting our resources, however."
If the consensus is to move forward, he'll give Pru and friends the chance to take a few breaths, then ash-travel once more, but - with warning - will advance by a full minute of travel. "Maybe put a cloth over your mouth and nose," he suggests to those bothered by the ash. If travel is chosen, the team moves forward another 2,500 feet, then again gently descends for a look-see. If local exploration is chosen, then, he looks for a suitable landing spot and invisibly descends.
============= Stealth: 55 Perception: 51
Succotash (Jeremy) AC 31/16/29 CMD 24 HP 135/135 Valerie AC 40/16/34 CMD 34 HP 133/133Spells Wednesday March 2nd, 2022 1:15:34 PM
Succotash is about to volunteer for the 3 halflings in a coat bit, I mean he is a halfling, and their is food to be had after all, but reason prevails, and so he just laughs at what he believes is a joke told by Pressi. Besides, where would they find this long coat anyway.
He is ready for take off, whenever Murphy heads back to the clouds, and continues to comfort Valerie, as they fly.
Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 41/21/36; HP 239/248; Rumpus AC 33/16/27; HP 101/101 + 16 Wednesday March 2nd, 2022 6:19:18 PM
"Succo, please leave the comedy to the professionals," says Kezzem. "Or at least to me."
"I'm not sure what you're taking about, Pressi, but I'm for any plan that get's me an extra lunch!"
Prudence Komonov [AC 28; HP 161/184](Kathy) Wednesday March 2nd, 2022 6:32:33 PM
"These are regular townsfolk, not guards," Pru says. "I wonder if we could just travel openly. Just walk toward where we're headed and act like we belong. Maybe a couple of us disguised as giants so we don't stand out too much. I highly doubt that literally everyone in town is looking for us."
Pressi (Melvin) - AC 26 (32), HP 150, CMD 26 (28); Harper AC 31 (32), HP 109, CMD 31 (32) Wednesday March 2nd, 2022 9:14:09 PM
Three halflings in a coat or not, Pressi counts 2 for moving on foot somewhat disguised and 2 for taking back to the skies. Kezzem is a 3rd vote for moving on foot but it seems dependent on grabbing lunch.
Pressi decides against grabbing lunch after all, and she really doesn't want to ask questions or raise a ruckus. She does note that even the guards were fooled by her "disguise" and she was just a halfling in "tattered" clothes and one of the slave pendants. Disguising themselves as giants without Sesha's illusions continues to be a problem, though. (Unless Tali or Prudence have illusion spells of their own.)
If the vote count reaches a majority of on foot, Pressi alters self to a half ogre and begins her glammer and prestidigitations. If the vote count reaches a majority in the skies, she'll take the time then to see if she has any spells to help with breathing.
(OOC: it's a half joke. But most of our polymorphers can't grow beyond medium height as a humanoid, and the other forms like beasts or elementals or even goblins would stick out. So changing/disguising oneself as a giant is out of the question. Half ogres, however, are medium build and the number of ogres indicates they wouldn't get much of a glance.)
Tali (JPWard) -- Tali(JonPaul) AC:38 (T:34, FF:32), CMD:42, Saves:(F:15/R:17/W:19), HP:121/121 , temp HP:12/12 Wednesday March 2nd, 2022 10:50:34 PM
Tali, keeps pace with her group.
{OOC: no internet until the 5th. My phone is a poor tool for this}
Nikolai (JonathanT) AC 36 Tch 33 Ffted 31 HP 144/144 CMD 46/48(Grapple/Trip/Disarm) Thursday March 3rd, 2022 12:33:08 AM
Spells in effect: Mage Armor, Ring of Invisibility Ki pts 13/13
To Pru, "I hate to disagree with you, honey, but we don't know how much word has spread. It's been a day since the first ruckus and if this city is like any other, they will have a pretty good idea we are the ruckus makers."
Nikolai makes note of seeing about getting Permanent Comprehend Language spell on him for the next infiltrating venture.
As much as he'd like to continue on foot, being stealthy as hec, he opts the flying route as he'd rather they all get to their destination at the same time.
Murphy (KimMc) Huge, buff air elemental AC 39/T26/F39(becuz Foresight) CMB 24 CMD 49 HP 196+14/196+14 Thursday March 3rd, 2022 1:07:44 AM
"This ride will now fly..." says Murphy. "The likelihood of something going wrong before we need it to are too high if we decide without a good plan to go by foot, with at least a mile or so still to go. I have not heard a fully convincing plan laid out so far. If someone wants to construct one between now and our next stop, I'll be willing to listen."
I think we're flying forward, per what the druid said - about a half mile further ahead.
LOG ON