The Barest Twitch - coDM SteveK Wednesday August 28th, 2024 7:06:34 AM
Desdichado trots down the tunnel to get to the Grotto, he was unable to do so before because Lila completely blocked the entrance to the tunnel. It takes a minute, and he finds he is still unable to get to the grotto: there is a colossal serpent and another Prismatic Wall in the way!
The Tide collectively hold their breath, Hmerrin and Ramirez needing to feel useful and prepare for a fight just in case...
Yrul, with a little bit of luck and guidance, with the barest twitch of her wrist, alters the contingency spell inside the Seal! Nira's arcane sight is hindered by the overpowering aura of the Seal itself, but fighting through the radiance, she is able to confirm a key element of the secondary nefarious spell has changed: the spell can't go off!
It is a tense 48 seconds as Yrul has to gently, delicately withdraw her hand from the Seal, retracing the path of her fingers to not make other, unwanted changes, an expert at work! As her hand leaves the spells entwined about the Seal, it begins to melt like liquid silver, until it is no more than a blob on the basalt: the same phenomenon as when they killed the Maharaja! ......................
Can heroes sweat underwater? If they do, could they notice? Did they do it?
Desdichado is the first to notice a change: the Prismatic Wall is removed, and Lila flashes by, grabbing the paladin in her jaws! The moment of shock at the sudden assault fades as Dez realizes he isn't hurt at all, no teeth, no poison. In seconds, Lila with Desdichado are back at the entrance of the tunnel with Hmerrin and Ramirez, and there, the Glittering Serpent puts Dezzy back down.
"HUNDREDS OF SURFACE TOOLS, AKIN TO THOSE SOLD YEARS AGO TO MY MERFOLK*, APPEARED IN THE SACRED GROTTO, BUT THEY DID NOT ATTACK. INSTEAD, THEY MERELY WERE ILLUSIONS, THEN FADED AWAY."
"YOUR WORDS MATCH THE EVENTS AND YOUR ACTIONS, SO I MUST CONCLUDE WHAT YOU HAVE SAID WAS TRUE. THANK YOU. I WILL NOT GO FORTH AND WILL INSTEAD RESTORE THE SACRED SPACES AND MY GUARDIAN MERFOLK."
"THANK YOU."
..............
At her words, the underwater scene blurs in front of the heroes, and suddenly... The Tide is standing at the refugee camp in the ruined foyer of Tide House. The refugees are nervously watching.
"Um... you sorta blinked and then nothing happened. When are you going to go?" "Is that the way it was supposed to go?" "Why are you all wet?"
.........
* Hmerrin or Know Local DC15 or Know History DC15: Highlight to display spoiler: { Years ago, several Dirt City Houses were involved in selling weapons to both sides of a Merfolk-Sahaugin war. The Tide was involved in stopping the arms dealers. }
Yrûl (Nick K) HP:211/211 AC:33 F:16 R:30 W:9. CMD:40 Wednesday August 28th, 2024 8:17:45 AM
~~~ It had been fraught and certainly the most important tampering that she’d ever done in her life, but with the help and support of all her friends she’d succeeded! She nodded in appreciation of a job well done as she stood. ’Thanks everyone. I’m certain all those positive thoughts really helped.’ She mentally sent to everyone.
The next thing she knew, she was back at the Tide House! How strange.
In answer to the question Yrûl smiled. ”Oh, wet, yes – that would be because of all the water. There was lots of it. Yeah, it was the water that did it.” She replied, as unhelpfully as ever and just as oblivious to the fact.
There really wasn’t much that she could do about being wet, not that it troubled her overly as she always travelled light. Her meagre attire would dry soon enough. ~~~ DR10/- in Dim Light. +2 to Saves in Dim Light. “Callie” Ioun Stone 4/50 spell levels absorbed. (8th and below) Shadow step: 80’/360 per day. Greater Shadow Conjuration: 1./4 per day. Shadow Illusion 0/5 per day (as Silent image) Shadow Evocation 0/2 per day ~~~
Hmerrin (MikeK)(HP 261/261 AC:41 T:24 FF:33 CMD:54) DR 5/- Wednesday August 28th, 2024 5:15:43 PM
Hmerrin lets out the breath he's been holding for what, hours? And then starts laughing. He can't help it. He guffaws for a good couple of minutes before finally regaining control of himself.
"Yrul, you've definitely earned your keep. And an ale. Several ales. And soon as we get a tavern standing, we're gonna get you some."
To the refugees, he grins. "One down," he announces happily.
"And we're gonna need a serious nap before taking on the next one. Not to mention prepping for the environment. What is the next one, fire? Wardd helps us if we end up in a volcano or something."
Desdichado (Ryan) [HP:125/235; AC:34/15/32 (75%fortification) - CMD 38], DR 10/evil d20+22=39 ; Wednesday August 28th, 2024 6:02:07 PM
Snatched up by Lila, Desdichado is bewildered for a moment. Did the trap go off and she's attacking? Then he is set down and barely hears her words as the group is suddenly transported back to Dirt City.
"Ugh...I really don't want to do that again, except on fire or in the air or something."
He looks around to see if there's any noticeable change in the destruction around Dirt City that he can point out to the refugees. (Perception: 39)
Ramirez (BrianZ) AC36/24(touch) HP 186/190 CMD38 Wednesday August 28th, 2024 7:07:12 PM Well done Yrul! You really saved the day, and saved either Lila or ourselves meeting a quick end. Oh and saved the City from a tsunami, let's not forget about that.
I feel like we should still help Lila repair her sacred place, but I'm not sure if she would really want us back for a visit.
Ok, I need to change. Ramirez heads out to his room to wash up and change.
Active Effects: resist fire(30) 200min daylight 200min freedom of movement(Ramirez) 200min freedom of movement(on Des) 200min haste(from Danko) underwater: Attacks with other ranged weapons take a –2 penalty on attack rolls for every 5 feet of water they pass through, in addition to the normal penalties for range.
Danko Pureheart (Yves) -- AC 31 -- CMD 37 -- HP 145/145 Thursday August 29th, 2024 6:22:40 AM
" I for one needs some rest and a little shopping before the next adventure... Also..... anyone else thinking we're being snookered here?.... Lila wasn't a menace until we showed up..... may I call shenanigans here? "
Destruction Assessment - coDM SteveK Thursday August 29th, 2024 7:04:32 AM
Hmerrin laughs. He laughs long and hard, praising Yrul's skills. The Shadowdancer herself seems immune to the popping in and out and all about: well, she has had a lot of practice!
Ramirez congratulates the Surface Drow girl of avoiding a really terrible battle. He calls for a change of clothes, but stops non-plussed as Tide House is still in absolute ruins... he doesn't have a room to go to.
Both Hmerrin and Desdichado consider preparing before hitting Gaffer's Time Stone for the next monster: is it Fire or Air or something else? They are sure Gimp sang a poem a while back.
Danko wants to talk about how the heroes might be being played for suckers.
Gaffer and Nira seem to need a little time to take in the sudden change of scenery.
.................
The paladin needs to climb a rubble pile to get a better view of Dirt City other than their immediate surroundings. When he does so, he can see there has been a change. The harbor area including Grubbertown, the Scrum, the Free School, and Dockside don't look like they were destroyed from a huge wave, but they are still absolutely destroyed. They look like they are now included in the swath of destruction, like a child running through leaves, goes from Keyhole, over Tide House, and to the Prince’s Castle. Whatever monster did that, must have then gone on to level the harbor area too.
The heroes have rightfully identified several tasks to do: get into dry clothing, rest and recuperate, and then prepare for the next challenge before using Gimp's next charge in the Time Stone.
Our heroes have the initiative.
RobC - Nira Wynvyre -- AC 34/18/28 -- CMD 27 -- HP 170/170 -- Arcane Sight, DarkVision, See Invisibility Thursday August 29th, 2024 7:08:47 AM
Nira gives Yrul a pat on the back. "Nicely done"
What the others have said makes sense.
"Isn't the next one air?" She asks, then recites the starting line of Gimp's jingle "Sea, Air, Star-liv’ed"
"If it's air then it might be a good idea if everyone had some way to fly. If we end up 10,000ft in the air it's could be a nasty fall"
She's definitely in favor of good night's sleep before tackling the next beast. Hopefully there can be another diplomatic solution.
Yrûl (Nick K) HP:211/211 AC:33 F:16 R:30 W:9. CMD:40 Thursday August 29th, 2024 7:35:43 AM
~~~ ”Thanks everyone, but I had a lot of help.” Yrûl said in response to the acclaim that she received. ”As to other clothes – well, I don’t actually have any. Could perhaps someone do that magicky thing whereby everything becomes dry and clean? That would be great. Other than that, I’ll probably need a towel. And a bed. Yes, resting for a bit does seem like a good idea. Oh, and just so you know, most of us can’t fly – except for the ones that can.” She helpfully pointed to her fluttering ioun stones, Sir Tolly (iridescent bumblebee),Callie (lavender and green butterfly), Peabo (dark blue butterfly) and Aggerz (pale green dragonfly). All these ‘insects’ were decidedly crystalline in appearance and there really wasn’t a lot of wing flapping, but they hovered around well enough. ~~~ DR10/- in Dim Light. +2 to Saves in Dim Light. “Callie” Ioun Stone 4/50 spell levels absorbed. (8th and below) Shadow step: 80’/360 per day. Greater Shadow Conjuration: 1./4 per day. Shadow Illusion 0/5 per day (as Silent image) Shadow Evocation 0/2 per day ~~~
Ramirez (BrianZ) AC36/24(touch) HP 186/190 CMD38 Thursday August 29th, 2024 5:00:01 PM Yes, of course Yrul, that magicky thing. Ramirez casts prestidigitation on everyone who makes the request and cleans and dries their clothes.
I'm not sure why, but I thought things might have been somewhat restored. We may have to stop them all before we see any real change.
Gaffer - Courtney - HP: 223/297 AC:43/T:23/FF:35) CMD:46) Thursday August 29th, 2024 5:54:33 PM
Gaffer drops his elemental form now that they are back and joins the others in giving Yrûl a pat on the back.
"That was elegantly done." He smiles, glad it was resolved without the fight he expected. To Danko he adds "I was worried about that as well, but the hidden part of the seal seems like it would have given her enough motive without us present."
Water and Fire are the two foes Gaffer was most worried about on a personal level, so he is glad to be done with one of them. Air should be where he is most comfortable, in theory. For their next challenge. "I can prepare a few rounds of the Air Walk spell, but it wouldn't be a bad idea for everyone to have a back up in case the magic is dispelled."
He moves to cast a heal over Des as he still seems rather injured, then Gaffer steps aside for ten minutes, communing with the skies to help ensure a comfortable rest.
----- Cast: Heal on Des; 150 hit points restored Cast: Control Weather; Make the weather calm and gently warm while they are all resting outside.
Desdichado (Ryan) [HP:235/235; AC:34/15/32 (75%fortification) - CMD 38], DR 10/evil Thursday August 29th, 2024 6:12:20 PM
Desdichado thanks Gaffer for the healing, and offers to use his channeling to heal others as well (Holy Champion: heal 60 within 30 ft).
"What flying options do we have? Potions of course, but anything else? Oh, and Gaffer noticed earlier that the 'air' destruction seemed to come from tornadoes. I suppose we should be ready for that, too."
Hmerrin (MikeK)(HP 261/261 AC:41 T:24 FF:33 CMD:54) DR 5/- Thursday August 29th, 2024 7:12:56 PM
"There's options at the Catacombs," Hmerrin responds. "I'm gonna swing by there and buy a smaller version of that flying carpet.
If you like riding, an Ebony Fly figure is 10,000."
The fighter finds that Catacombs opening and heads in.
Yrûl (Nick K) HP:211/211 AC:33 F:16 R:30 W:9. CMD:40 Friday August 30th, 2024 6:57:45 AM
~~~ ”I just did what I could, but like I said - we had lots of help.” Yrûl smiled at all the praise. She wanted to be sure that her little friends didn’t feel left out. She also thanked Ramirez for the drying and cleaning of her clothes. That really did feel a lot better.
”The potion sounds like a good idea. Do we need some for Fire too? We aren’t very fire proof at all. If the next place is like that watery realm, but all fiery, I’ll be crisped up in no time at all!” Getting some useful remedies and contingencies from the catacombs seemed like a good idea. ~~~ DR10/- in Dim Light. +2 to Saves in Dim Light. “Callie” Ioun Stone 4/50 spell levels absorbed. (8th and below) Shadow step: 80’/360 per day. Greater Shadow Conjuration: 1./4 per day. Shadow Illusion 0/5 per day (as Silent image) Shadow Evocation 0/2 per day ~~~
Those Magicky Things - coDM SteveK Friday August 30th, 2024 7:33:57 AM
Ramirez does that magicky thing to dry folks off, Gaffer and Desdichado contribute to a quick heal, which has the added benefit of removing the odd cut and bruise on the Refugees as well!
Danko is a little worried about having manipulation shenanigans done on the Tide, but Gaffer assures the Dragon Sorcerer that the added trap on the Seal would have probably done the same job if the Tide weren't there.
Nira recalls that the first monster, whatever it was, of Gimp's poem and the first monster they went to was water, so assumes the next one will be the air monster. All of the heroes focus on getting air magic through memorization or the Catacombs. Although there is some worry about the fire monster by Gaffer and Yrul...
Hmerrin heads off to the Catacombs.
Yrûl (Nick K) HP:211/211 AC:33 F:16 R:30 W:9. CMD:40 Friday August 30th, 2024 8:02:21 AM
~~~ ”So….is it to be Air of a fiery thing next? Oh, you don’t think it’ll be both, do you? That would be ...well, difficult. Hmm, all that floating aroundness…..I bet there are less shadows” Yrûl commented a little glumly. The lack of shadows was a concern, but it wasn’t a given that they’d be absent. After all, typically, where there was like, there were shadows…..except in that pesky Maharajah’s realm. She trusted the others to equip her appropriately. ~~~ DR10/- in Dim Light. +2 to Saves in Dim Light. “Callie” Ioun Stone 4/50 spell levels absorbed. (8th and below) Shadow step: 80’/360 per day. Greater Shadow Conjuration: 1./4 per day. Shadow Illusion 0/5 per day (as Silent image) Shadow Evocation 0/2 per day ~~~
Gaffer - Courtney - HP: 223/297 AC:43/T:23/FF:35) CMD:46) d20+25=32 ; d20+35=42 ; Sunday September 1st, 2024 11:14:54 AM
Gaffers preparations mostly involving musing on his spell selection as not too much else comes to mind to prepare.
He will spend some time more closely inspecting the devastation, trying to get a feel for the kind of attacks their next foe might use.
----- Nature: 32 Survival: 42
Hmerrin (MikeK)(HP 261/261 AC:41 T:24 FF:33 CMD:54) DR 5/- Sunday September 1st, 2024 7:20:26 PM
"Should be Air," Hmerrin answers Yrul, then reciting the poem they'd heard --
Sea, Air, Star-liv’ed, Fire and Earth arriv’ed Though immortal their coil Let heroes be the foil Avatar forms once vanquished Maharaja plot… um … Maharaja plot…
"still think 'squished' works best at the end."
Danko Pureheart (Yves) -- AC 31 -- CMD 37 -- HP 145/145 Sunday September 1st, 2024 8:38:28 PM
Danko unfolds his dragon wings… “ not to boast, but I think I’m ok…. “
“ But.. I should likely go to the Catacombs as well.”
Desdichado (Ryan) [HP:235/235; AC:34/15/32 (75%fortification) - CMD 38], DR 10/evil Sunday September 1st, 2024 11:46:01 PM
Desdichado considers what he might need for any upcoming fights.
"Oh, by the way Yrul - you're just going to disarm the rest of the seals and make these easy on us, right?"
RobC - Nira Wynvyre -- AC 34/18/28 -- CMD 27 -- HP 170/170 -- Arcane Sight, DarkVision, See Invisibility Monday September 2nd, 2024 1:32:22 AM
Nira considers their next trip.
"Hmm... If the next destination is anything like the last, we might appear quite high in the sky. It might be hard to breathe. That 'star' one could also be someplace without air. If you can afford one, a necklace of adaptation - even a slotless one - might be a good investment. There aren't many spells that I could cast that could help otherwise."
Yrûl (Nick K) HP:211/211 AC:33 F:16 R:30 W:9. CMD:40 Monday September 2nd, 2024 10:35:38 AM
~~~ ”Err….I didn’t think seals had arms.” Yrûl patently confused. She scratched her head as she considered the question. ”Don’t seals have flippers? I don’t think it would be very nice to go around dis-flippering them. How would they swim? They’d – OH! THOSE seals! Oh, right, sure – with all the help everyone provides I’m happy to have a go at all of them.” She concluded quickly eager to cover up and move on from her gaff. ~~~ DR10/- in Dim Light. +2 to Saves in Dim Light. “Callie” Ioun Stone 4/50 spell levels absorbed. (8th and below) Shadow step: 80’/360 per day. Greater Shadow Conjuration: 1./4 per day. Shadow Illusion 0/5 per day (as Silent image) Shadow Evocation 0/2 per day ~~~
Those Magicky Things - coDM SteveK Monday September 2nd, 2024 11:45:00 AM
The heroes continue to discuss and shop.
(Ooc: short DM post today. Happy US Labor Day! And looking to see when the Tide has a plan.
Hmerrin (MikeK)(HP 261/261 AC:41 T:24 FF:33 CMD:54) DR 5/- Monday September 2nd, 2024 3:29:45 PM
Hmerrin drops his head at the suggestion of a necklace of adaptation.
With an about face, he returns to the Catacombs.
Danko Pureheart (Yves) -- AC 31 -- CMD 37 -- HP 145/145 Monday September 2nd, 2024 3:41:33 PM
.... and Danko follows Hmerrin to the Catacombs...
------------- ooc> Happy Canadian Labour Day too!
Ramirez (BrianZ) AC36/24(touch) HP 186/190 CMD38 Monday September 2nd, 2024 6:36:05 PM I have a little bit of flying, hopefully it is enough. Should we all chip in for a new flying carpet?
Desdichado (Ryan) [HP:235/235; AC:34/15/32 (75%fortification) - CMD 38], DR 10/evil Monday September 2nd, 2024 6:59:53 PM
With that information, Desdichado follows the others into the Catacombs.
Gaffer - Courtney - HP: 223/297 AC:43/T:23/FF:35) CMD:46) Monday September 2nd, 2024 8:59:05 PM
[b]"I don't mind chipping in for one if it's needed."[b] Gaffer offers to help out with buying the carpet.
RobC - Nira Wynvyre -- AC 34/18/28 -- CMD 27 -- HP 170/170 -- Arcane Sight, DarkVision, See Invisibility Tuesday September 3rd, 2024 4:11:15 AM
That 'Pearl of the Sirines' Nira has probably isn't going to be of much use, but she isn't sure what else she could buy to prepare for an adventure in the skies.
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