DM Papa.DRB - Moru Country (Inactive)

Game Master Papa-DRB

Thanks, DRB. I knew it was written down somewhere. HP & Fort save updated, now 93 HP & Fort +8

"I am okay with the one I have as well."

Thinking about the colors remaining, Josef continues, "White means cold and feral, black means acid, water, and sneakiness. Blue means cunning and electricity. At least if the old stories about the dragon colors are true, that is."

"Too bad the tears have been undetectable by magic." She holds up the staff. "This is a staff of divination if I've gleaned it right. Maybe only usable, oh, four to eight more times maybe? But loaded with some useful augury magic. I doubt it would work on the tears... and none of us have seen Aogam so I don't think it would help with that either. But I think we could use it to look for, say, the efreet. Or hold onto it for other purposes. I wouldn't mind keeping it myself, although only Josef or Therena could access its strongest magics."

"A staff is better than a wand, though. It can be recharged with the proper spells invested. I'd say keep it, it won't be of major benefit to me at this time. I can always grab it and use a charge to use its power as we need it."

After encountering Aedhaine, you continue down the tunnel, which is getting colder and is starting to affect you. A total of ninety minutes into the journey, you still not having reached the end of this downward spiral tunnel, and the cold has become bitter.

@All - DC 15 Fortitude Save or take 1d6 ⇒ 6 non-lethal damage. Cold Dangers
@Rikar - Survival skill. DC 15 to gain +2 (assuming you are moving), and +1 to those you select for every point over the DC 15

Next?

Misha is carrying the staff. I do not know who is carrying the bronze tear, but if no one takes it, Misha will put it in her haversack and retrieve the gold tear.

Did I miss where it said it was significantly cold enough that we would be taking damage? The impression I got was that it felt cold, but not like "in the middle of the winter outside, below freezing" level of cold. It seems like we would notice how cold it was before we would actually start taking damage. Like, in real life, I went outside this morning and noticed it was really, really freezing, far colder than I expected, so I then went inside to get my scarf and hat, rather than just walked around in the cold unprotected. It seems like our characters would have a chance to notice how uncomfortable they were before they were in it long enough to take damage. I recognize I may have missed something since we had a few breaks but I just wanted to be sure.

Is Therena immune due to her cold resistance 5?

@All - The cold took a very sharp dip as you approach the end of the tunnel (within 30 minutes of the end), so it went from cold to bitter cold in a very short amount of time.
@Therena - You take 1 non lethal instead of the 6 that was rolled.

1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25 fort

"That was unexpected. Does anyone have weather protection magics available? "

Therena shakes her head. "I didn't expect hazardous weather conditions underneath s mountain," she replies.

Understood!

Fortitude Save: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24

"For some reason, they don't teach that kind of practical stuff at the bardic academy, Josef, much as it would be nice. I believe such things are the province of wizards such as yourself and priests."

For her own part, Misha reaches into her pack and grabs her bedroll, wrapping it around her shoulders in hopes of warding off a little of the sudden frigid temperatures.

Fort saves: DC 15
Kreig: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11 : 6 non lethal damage
Rikar: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 9 = 12 : 6 non lethal damage
Latys: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (9) + 9 = 18 : no damage
Telman: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26 : no damage
Therena: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15 : no damage

Braving the severe cold, you continue down the tunnel for a few more minutes. However even wrapped in a bedroll, everyone feels the cold seep into their bones. Fingers and toes are starting to lose feeling, and even the warriors are finding it difficult to hold onto their weapons as the cold continues to assault you.

You all, but especially Kreig, Misha and Rikar, know that this is somehow not natural, as although you have seen lava spots before, there is nothing that you know of that would produce this level of cold, unless there was something unnatural involved.

Next?

If you continue on down the tunnel, there will be a Fort Save, DC 15+1 per previous save, every 10 minutes, as long as you do not have any protection from the cold. Either appropriate cold weather gear, which only grants a bonus to the save, or magical protection.

Edit: c/felling/feeling/

"We are not equipped for this path right now. I don't know what is causing this cold but we must retreat and regroup before we freeze to death!"

"Whatever's causing this isn't normal. And if I were to wildly speculate, probably has the right tear." Misha looks at the group. "Also, if I were to speculate further given the confounding elemental nature of the many hazards we've encountered so far, the warm tunnel likewise probably gets dangerously hotter. I agree we should probably head back until we can get a better way of managing this, but if we don't have the means to handle cold, can we handle hot? I've got a potion of protection of fire, but that's only one."

"We should head back to town, and buy for ourselves a wand of endure elements."

Sorry, all, was at a con over the weekend with no time to post.

Survival: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (18) + 14 = 32

Rikar can easily suggest a number of mundane ways to protect themselves from cold, but this cold is far too intense to survive without magical protection. "I think Therena's right," he weighs in to the discussion, "if our magical folks can't protect us from this, we'll need to go back and find something that can - and make sure it'll protect us from the hot side as well, as I agree with Misha's thinking on what that'll be like."

"How long is that going to take? Josef, do you have a fly spell to make us travel faster?"

"I can cast fly once, and turn into a large gargoyle once. I assume I can carry at least one, if not two of you with that. Perhaps if I enlarge Rikar, cast fly on him, then turn large, we can get all of us out faster. Worth a try, at least."

"I can cast fly once as well," Therena says.

Telamon grimly stares ahead, the thought of retreat leaving a sour taste in his mouth but there is no denying the reality of the situation.

"Even with flying magics, going all the way back out is going to take a lot of time. Was there a trigger or a release or something we missed that would dispel this and allow us to pass?"

Back to dwarf fortress which is a 12 hour journey? Up to Level H, room 2, then to the outside of the mountain to near the dwarven fortress. Something else?

If you want, I can "hand wave" the trek back to the fortress and then back to here with the purchase of a wand of endure elements with 1d20 + 1d20 + 1d10 ⇒ (9) + (3) + (8) = 20 charges, and anything else you wish to purchase.

I believe the plan is to fly, which should shorten the trip, as even if travel speed is the same, we can fly over the mountain rather than walk around it.

I'm good with the hand wave.

Kreig stamps his feet and contemplates cramming himself into the Bag of Holding over his shoulder and having Rikar lug him back to town. At the mention of a potential dispel trigger he diverts his attentions to the areas they've passed so far...

Perception: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (3) + 20 = 23 (odd stone)

He grinds his teeth and stomps his feet again. "Dagnabbit! Let's vamoose outta here! I'm freezin' my giblets to the point I'm gonna haveta pee outta my bellyhole!" Kreig turns to Josef and shouts, "Make with the gargoylin'! I got dibs on his back. I ain't ridin' south o' the blowhole."

With a disgusted nod the archer agrees. "If we're headed back, best to get started. Its a long road......"

"Actually, Telman, you did have a point that I got distracted from. Before we freeze our dangly bits off, let me take a quick look here."

Misha takes a quick look around the area, both with detect magic and mundane sight for runes, auras, or other signs of wards or fields that indicate the source of the unnatural cold.

Perception: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (10) + 18 = 28

Using flight and shape changing and simply walking you head up the tunnel, passing the tomb area, till you come to the spot outside the mountain that is only a couple of miles to the Dwarven Fortress.

Upon reaching the Fortress, you are welcomed back, and invited to stay the night. Cordwin the Bard especially is interested in any tales that you have and hangs on to every word, and takes notes as you speak. "This will make a fine story to pass onto our descendants" he mutters seemingly lost in his mind as you speak of your travels.

Kreig's uncle tells the group that the earth elemental, Ground, has been extremely helpful in find ore veins, now that the water has mostly disappeared and that the dwarves have sent out word that they will be manufacturing weapons and armor for trade and sale. He lets you know that if there is anything specifically that you want to let him know and he will ensure that it is either made or purchased for you.

Next?

Besides the Wand of Endure Elements (20 charges), is there anything else that you wish to purchase?

Tried to post this yesterday and the server exploded.

Misha shares her notes with Cordwin. While giving credit where it's due, she might focus a little extra on her own accomplishments at certain points.

As for shopping, while Misha knows the others are handling better, magical solutions to their problems, she, on an incredibly crazy whim, decides to buy the following, if they are available:

Cold-weather outfit
Hot-weather outfit
Cleats
Fire-resistant boots

And even, on a random urge,

earplugs

And finally she replaces this from the one she used in her chirurgeon's kit:

1 vial antitoxin

Things to buy:

Scroll of Endure Elements (first thing, so as to scribe later in day)
Cold Weather Outfit
Arrows (like 100)
Rations (21 or so)

Well yesterday after four hours driving, three hours walking around the camper place and one hour lunch, my wife and I put a deposit on a new camper. A Heritage Glen by Wildwood, model 327RE.

Josef, Misha, and Telman - everything you listed can be found.
Therena, Kreig, Rikar - anything youse guys want / need?

I'll wait till Monday morning to move the game forward.

Oh yeah, and duh. Cold Weather Outfit for Telman too.

I'll follow Misha's example and get hot and cold weather outfits.

I'll follow Misha's example and get hot and cold weather outfits.

Ditto

Kreig is glad to be back in the fortress. His mood brightens with every step, going so far as to challenge Rikar and the others to a true dwarfish rite; drinking. But more importantly he's grateful for their safety.

I'll grab up the hot/cold weather outfits, replace my doses of Blue Whinnis, and I'll also add the following:

BLACKFIRE CLAY x2
Price 20 gp; Weight 10 lbs.
This pliant black clay is always pleasantly warm to the touch. Working blackfire clay in your hands for a full round causes the clay to grow much warmer, granting you a +4 alchemical bonus on saving throws made to resist cold weather. You can combine five blocks of clay over the course of a minute to produce a source of warmth equivalent to a small campfire, allowing you to heat a campsite and cook food.

Blackfire clay only produces heat, never light, smoke, or odor. The clay emits warmth for 1 hour before hardening into an unusable lump. A newly created brick of blackfire clay is composed of 10 blocks.

------------

CHILL CREAM x2
Price 15 gp; Weight 1 lb.
This sticky light blue paste grows pleasantly cool to the touch whenever it is exposed to light. Spreading a dose on your face and hands takes a full-round action and grants you a +2 alchemical bonus on saves to resist hot weather. In areas of bright light this bonus increases to +4, while in areas of dim light or darkness it is negated. A dose of chill cream lasts for 1 hour after being applied. A newly crafted bottle of chill cream holds 5 doses.

------------

DEFOLIANT
Price 30 gp; Weight —
This milky fluid can be mixed with water to quickly kill light and medium vegetation. One flask of defoliant kills light brush and small trees in 50 5-foot squares. Light vegetation (anything but trees) dies within 1 hour and can be cleared at a rate of 10 minutes per 5-foot square (representing uprooting dead plants and breaking stumps into gravel-sized pieces), leaving barren ground. Medium vegetation (anything but massive trees) dies in 2 hours and can be cleared at a rate of 1 hour per 5-foot square. Massive trees can usually survive a single dose of defoliant, and using defoliant doesn't make clearing them any easier. Defoliant can be used as a splash weapon against plant creatures. A direct hit with the undiluted fluid deals 1d6 hit points of damage, 1 point of Strength damage, and 1 point of Constitution damage (Fortitude DC 20 negates the Strength and Constitution damage); plant creatures within 5 feet of the target take 1 hit point of damage.

Heading back into the mountain after spending an evening with the dwarves, you rest in the area with the two tunnels, one hot and one cold, leading down. Going back down the cold tunnel, after about one hour, you again feel the cold starting to get worse, and remembering that only thirty minutes from now it becomes quite bitter, you use the want on the group so you all are protected for at least twenty four hours from the extremes of cold and heat.

Next?

Josef uses his newly acquired and prepared endure elements spell, so as to preserve the wand's charges as long as possible.

"Well, this is at least slightly better," Josef's face is muffled in his fur-lined parka's hood. "We aren't freezing to death almost instantly for the moment. I do have some energy resistance magic prepared still, just in case."

"Awright, kids. Time ta hitch up then britches n' get ta work. We got a demon heifer ta put down." Kreig cracks his knuckles and pulls up the scarf around his mouth to cover over the puffs of breath. He nods to Rikar to investigate the right side of J2 as he scoots off to inspect the left hook of J2, careful of any surprises waiting around the corner.

Stealth: 1d20 + 25 ⇒ (17) + 25 = 42
Perception: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (18) + 20 = 38 traps
Perception: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (4) + 17 = 21 normal

Assuming we've now made it to the relevant spot on the map:

Feeling much more comfortable with his heavy clothing and magical protection from the cold, Rikar returns Kreig's nod and waves Latys forward. Blade in hand, the tattooed Shoanti creeps forward, pausing from time to time to listen for any surprises.

Stealth (favored terrain): 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (19) + 17 = 36
Perception (favored terrain, uncanny senses): 1d20 + 28 ⇒ (2) + 28 = 30

Latys Stealth (favored terrain): 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (13) + 15 = 28
Latys Perception (favored terrain): 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (3) + 11 = 14

Kreig, Rikar and Latys move stealthily towards the two alcoves, where they discover a giant in each one, who is surprised at their appearance. Both giants reach for a rock to throw.

Next?
Map J Updated

Rikar, Latys and Kreig have a surprise round standard action (or move), then we start at the top of the order with Telman. Josef & Therena please hold off on actions till after the giants turn, then we will start "round 2" with you two guys being first in order.

Telman UP
Init (HP Cur/Max, AC)
Telman: 24 (97/97, 19)
Misha: 22 (81/81, 21)
Rikar: 21 (113/113, 24)
Latys: 20 (96/96, 24/28)
Kreig: 14 (80/80, 22)
Foe(s): 12
Josef: 7 (84/84, 20)
Therena: 2 (70/70, 13/17)

Attack: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (1) + 11 = 12
Damage|Vital: 1d6 + 1 + 1d6 + 5d6 ⇒ (1) + 1 + (4) + (4, 1, 3, 1, 1) = 16 Sneak, Vital Strike

Edit: For Pete's sake...

Kreig let's fly with Seeker but trips along the stoney ground, arrow sailing straight up and bow string snapping. Adding insult to injury, he stands in the breech against a frost giant.

"Aw hells..."

Bow string snapped, and I think the 1 means I'm at the bottom of the round now.

But my AC is a 26 vs Giants! Yeah!

FYI: Josef should have 93 HP - never factored in the boost to Con from the red necromancy tear

Did they actually notice us, with those stealth rolls? It seems we could have approached stealthily and not been seen, and thus be able to back off and tell the others what we saw. If for some reason that's not so, Rikar and Latys will use their suprrise round to move to flank the giant near them, with Latys getting behind it.

If they noticed you, there wouldn't be a surprise round

OK, got it.

Finding himself too far back from the action Telman moves forward along the east wall. Knowing he needs to pack more than his usual punch he takes a moment to enchant his bow in preparation for a tough battle ahead.

Move Action: 30' move forward, position updated on map.
Standard Action: Cast Gravity Bow

Just noting, because I got confused---we're still in the surprise round I thought, and Rikar hasn't taken his action yet. Once Rikar acts, it moves to round 1, and Telman acts, right? I'm holding off posting until the surprise round is done.

I described my surprise round action above, where I said Latys and Rikar moved into flanking position on the nearest giant. It was in OOC because of my question about the surprise round.

Well, then I'm an idiot who's holding everyone up for no reason. Sorry, everybody! I can't move my chit right now but she's moving N to get everyone in her spell effect. I think as long as she gets within 30' of Rikar, everyone else should be good.

Seeing Kreig shoot something, Misha moves up to a central area where she hopefully can affect everyone in a casting of good hope ([ooc]+2 morale to most rolls.

Another, slightly more positive way to look at it, Misha, is you've just caused me to realize that I was due to take my regular round 1 action and was failing to do so.

Also, I moved your token up - you can get almost everyone in your AoE, though you'll have to choose between Latys and Therena. I'm going to be a bit selfish and figure you chose Latys, so it'll help her in combat. If you'd make a different choice, we can retcon a bit.

Rikar feels his energies bouyed by a wave of hope and enthusiasm, and he strikes out powerfully at the giant before him!

Move action to grant Latys Stealth Attack, then attack giant.

Scythe, PA, Outflank, Good Hope: 1d20 + 20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 20 + 2 = 31
Damage, PA, Precise Strike, Stealth Attack, Fire, Good Hope: 2d4 + 3d6 + 1d6 + 18 + 2 ⇒ (4, 4) + (5, 4, 3) + (4) + 18 + 2 = 44

DRB - note that 4 points of that hit was fire damage.

Seeing Rikar in position, Latys lashes out with tooth and claw at her icy foe!

Bite attack, Good Hope: 1d20 + 15 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 15 + 2 = 24
Bite damage, Precise Strike, Stealth Attack, Good Hope: 4d6 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (4, 5, 2, 5) + 9 + 2 = 27

Claw attack, Good Hope: 1d20 + 16 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 16 + 2 = 20
Claw damage, Precise Strike, Stealth Attack, Good Hope: 1d3 + 3d6 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (2) + (1, 4, 6) + 9 + 2 = 24

Claw attack, Good Hope: 1d20 + 16 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 16 + 2 = 28
Claw damage, Precise Strike, Stealth Attack, Good Hope: 1d3 + 3d6 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (1) + (2, 3, 4) + 9 + 2 = 21

Trip attack, Good Hope: 1d20 + 10 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 10 + 2 = 22