GM Rednal's Cyclopean Deeps (Inactive)

Game Master Rednal

Map



This is rather necessary. XD


Female Elf Witch (Cartomancer) | CN | Init:+5 | HP7/7 | AC:17 T:17 FF:14 CMD:13 | F:+1 R:+3 W:+2[-1 fear]| Perc:+2, low-light| Spells: 1st: Infernal healing | Active: mage armor(1h) | Slumber (DC 16) | Harrow points: 1

"So, I was in this competition once. We had to write a story. I kept on asking the judge about all sorts of things. Some relevant to the topic at hand, others not. I showed a bit of what I could do, like making myself glow so bright that it seems like I'm larger than life. But in the end I delivered a blank piece of paper." The Aasimar finishes softly before twirling around, her wings flapping to keep her in balance. One is white one is black. Her sharp hawk-like eyes drill into her companions after she come to a stop.

In the same even, soothing voice as before she continues. "And then, I ended up winning. Truly a paradox, a fitting tribute to my goddess Yidhra. Sometimes, there are other ways to win than to fight the obvious fight. Sometimes you do not have to fight at all."


That was nice, but it didn't address the main issue - the massive cave-in behind you that was preventing you from returning to the surface via the Dungeon of Graves. There was exactly no chance of being able to dig your way back.

Some time ago, your path down into the deeps began to follow a winding course, apparently following the course of a now dried up river where it cut its meandering way downward through the living stone. Most of the tunnel is naturally formed by the ancient flow of water, but as you continue down there is more and more evidence of excavation in some places to widen the walls or raise the ceiling somewhat. The downward slope is quite steep, although it is manageable as long as you keep to a careful pace. From time to time you come across carvings in the stone, a strange, curvilinear script that you cannot translate into any comprehensible meaning. Perhaps it is merely decorative, perhaps it is encoded, or perhaps the logic of the writing is so bizarre that it simply makes no sense to a mind that is not tainted with insanity. (Which says interesting things about the mental state of the followers of Yidhra. It's probably best to avoid thinking too hard about it.)

You continue further and further into the depths of the earth, making your way carefully past dark pools and around ancient stalagmites, until your mind can barely remember what the surface world looks like... and soon thereafter, a faint green illumination becomes perceptible ahead of you.

What do you do?


HP: 120/120 | AC: 27 / T: 14 /F:25 | F: +11 R: +8 W: +15; +2 Fear, +4 Grip, +2 specified opp | CMD: 27; 31 disarm,34 sunder | Init: +15 | Perc: +27, darkvision 120 ft., scent

"You won on your own." Borus scoffed, but kept a faint smile on his face. "Or perhaps because the others wrote such drivel that even a blank piece of paper and inquisitive mind was better. In any case, if you ever convince me your so-called goddess had anything to do with it, I'll eat one each of your feathers. Now, howsabout we concentrate on finding a different way out, since this one seems occupied by half the elemental plane of Earth?"

After the hours ... days? ... of travelling, Borus spots the light and makes a soft clicking sound, one his companions would know marks when he spots something, and nods towards the light in the distance. "Green... fungus or magic... either way, reason to be cautious and quiet." he whispers, slowing his pace.


Wandslinger/Bard 10 | HP: 110/110 | AC: 28 [30] / T: 21 / 21 [23]: [7 / DR: Silver], Resist: 5 Cold, Elec, Fire | Fort: +10, Ref: +16, Will: +12 | M. Atk: +9, R. Touch: +18 | CMB: +9, CMD: 25 | Init: +8, Perception: +28 (+31 vs traps), See In Darkness | Luck 12/12 day, Spell Points 11/12 day, Grit 2/2 day | Feathered Hat of Foppishness | Tin Man | Wand

Joshua settled on a grin, showing off a few of his pointed teeth, and shrugged his shoulders. "I don't know, I think our friend is trying to tell us the best way to get out of here is to do nothing." Red eyes searched the area around them, "I don't mind too much, spent a lot of time in tombs and what not and I can see just fine. Don't know how you two are managing though. Tell me if either of you start to get crazier."

The strange symbols bothered the red tailed man but he moved on with the rest, pausing only once or twice to frown back at the stone before shaking his head slowly.

Upon spotting the green fungus, Joshua's eyes narrowed and his fingers twitched a little toward the thin leather holster on his hip. His voice also lowered, "Can't tell from here. Can't see it's source. Should be careful though. In a place like this light can't be a good thing." He looks from the winged woman to the solid looking man. "So, who wants to go first?"


Certainly, someone probably had to go first if you were ever going to advance. ...It was usually the toughest member of the group.

Speaking of toughness, don't forget to put up your quick reference bars. ^^


HP: 120/120 | AC: 27 / T: 14 /F:25 | F: +11 R: +8 W: +15; +2 Fear, +4 Grip, +2 specified opp | CMD: 27; 31 disarm,34 sunder | Init: +15 | Perc: +27, darkvision 120 ft., scent

Borus moved forward as quietly as he could. Thankfully, his ancestral blood made it fairly easy for him to be quiet whilst underground.

Stealth 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (2) + 11 = 13 Or not, maybe.

His vision was pretty acute in the dark, but his eyes needed some adjustment for the light. As he moved, though, his pace increased and he began using his sense of smell to make up for any lack in the vision department.

Adopting Running Hunter's stance to enhance speed so stealthing isn't so bad, plus gains scent.

He turned his senses towards the area ahead, listening and sniffing for anything he might fail to see.

Perception 1d20 + 27 ⇒ (16) + 27 = 43


Female Elf Witch (Cartomancer) | CN | Init:+5 | HP7/7 | AC:17 T:17 FF:14 CMD:13 | F:+1 R:+3 W:+2[-1 fear]| Perc:+2, low-light| Spells: 1st: Infernal healing | Active: mage armor(1h) | Slumber (DC 16) | Harrow points: 1

"Let's just go together. I'm not great at sneaking up on things. I rather be prepared if it comes to a fight and have you with me. Speaking of being prepared... Let me pray for some protection and courage for us all."

She spreads her arms wide and looks up then starts bending forward in an acobaric pose sun salutation. "Oh, great Yidhra, please grant me prescience and a foreshadowing of what is to come so I can avoid the blows of my enemies and let mine land true. Or don't as you chose, it's up to you. I can't always rely on divine insight, but perhaps you'll let me wrap myself in protective magic like armor and shield myself from blows when I can't evade them directly? Either way, some bolstering of our courage when we encounter enemies would be a nice contingency to have."

A marvelous display of colors swirl around Aleziella as she chants and moves her body into impressive poses. Even when she stops the magic seems to linger as a semi-translucent protective layer around her.

After she's done she looks to the others. "Hopefully that won't draw undue attention. I wonder if there are enemies nearby. If I knew I would make myself larger and grow brightly too. But I don't know if the green glow signifies that or something else."

Spells cast: Armored Magic (Armor), Armored Magic (Shield), Foreshadow, Prescience. Also a contingency Courage (Powerful Charm) on self. Whenever combat is initiated. Total cost: 6 SP.

I can't actually find what the holy symbol of Yidhra is supposed to be. Would a holy symbol tattoo ok for this?

Daily Abilities/Trackables:
Aura of Madness 10/10
Channel Positive Energy: 2/2
Ki Pool: 10/10
See Invisibility: 1/1
Spell Points: 18/24
Stunning Fist:11/11
Touch of Chaos: 8/8
Unexpected Whimsy 1/1
Vision of Madness: 8/8

Contingency: Powerful Courage When combat is initiated
Stamina:12/12


Wandslinger/Bard 10 | HP: 110/110 | AC: 28 [30] / T: 21 / 21 [23]: [7 / DR: Silver], Resist: 5 Cold, Elec, Fire | Fort: +10, Ref: +16, Will: +12 | M. Atk: +9, R. Touch: +18 | CMB: +9, CMD: 25 | Init: +8, Perception: +28 (+31 vs traps), See In Darkness | Luck 12/12 day, Spell Points 11/12 day, Grit 2/2 day | Feathered Hat of Foppishness | Tin Man | Wand

Joshua eyes the dancing Aleziella for a moment or two then turns to watch Borus' progress, tuning out the list of magic that his nearer ally was drawing upon. Considering her company the prayers would probably never go over well but Joshua was more glad that this group of folk did not rely much on stealth.

As always his hand remained close to his wands holster, ready to draw it faster then the eye could see. Behind him stood the Tin Man, the armor that Joshua had found and activated. Silent, strong and durable he had proven quite valuable.

When Borus' attempt at stealth fails Joshua gives a nod to the Tin Man, who begins walking forward to catch up to their friend of orcish descent.


The map is up. ^^ It's editable, by the way.

Alezi, I do need you to fill out your quick-reference bar. The instructions are in my alias - I use them quite frequently, so it's important to have that up-to-date. ^^

As for holy symbols, Yidhra accepts anything her followers genuinely believe is a holy symbol as one. (In other words, anything that both is and isn't a symbol of hers. ...She's like that on a lot of things. XD)

As you move towards the light, it isn't long before you come to a long series of steps. The stairs appear to be naturally formed, unless they are just so ancient that the passage of water (and perhaps travelers) has worn them smooth.

The stairs from the upper levels lead down to a broad stone shelf, 15 to 20 ft. in width, overlooking a large cavern. This uppermost ledge is one of a series of four terraces, each of which appears to have a sheer, 20 ft. drop down to the next tier. The cavern at the bottom of this series of giant steps is illuminated by a soft and rather sickly green light that emanates from four gargantuan stone faces. Each of the faces has a single eye in the center of its forehead, and the mouths of all four statues are open, although the lips of each appear to be held in different positions, as if the statues were all frozen at the moment of uttering a different word. The entirety of the cavern is charged with a sense of vast energy.

Several fungus-bats, startled by your approach as you come to the transition between tunnel and cavern, flap away as you first come to the chamber.


HP: 120/120 | AC: 27 / T: 14 /F:25 | F: +11 R: +8 W: +15; +2 Fear, +4 Grip, +2 specified opp | CMD: 27; 31 disarm,34 sunder | Init: +15 | Perc: +27, darkvision 120 ft., scent

"Well, well. This looks promising. Bears a closer look, no?" Borus moves forward, calling upon his ancestor's connection to caves to aid his movement. He walks up to the first step. walking along the cliff-drop on all fours like he was crawling on a flat surface. He repeats the process with the other steps, but keeps an eye out for traps or enemies as he does so. He stops at the last step to re-arm himself and look out over the statues.

spider climb in one-minute bursts as needed granted by Tunnel Runner ability granted by cave domains. Probably only need to use 1 minute.

Perception 1d20 + 27 ⇒ (7) + 27 = 34

Initiative +5 more if he has to roll with Tunnel Runner active.


Wandslinger/Bard 10 | HP: 110/110 | AC: 28 [30] / T: 21 / 21 [23]: [7 / DR: Silver], Resist: 5 Cold, Elec, Fire | Fort: +10, Ref: +16, Will: +12 | M. Atk: +9, R. Touch: +18 | CMB: +9, CMD: 25 | Init: +8, Perception: +28 (+31 vs traps), See In Darkness | Luck 12/12 day, Spell Points 11/12 day, Grit 2/2 day | Feathered Hat of Foppishness | Tin Man | Wand

Joshua follows a bit further behind, once again directing the Tin Man with a nod to stay close to Borus. The suit of armor served well on the frontlines... as much as Joshua himself did miss the armor's protection when it wasn't beside him.

"Wouldn't be us if we didn't take a gander." Joshua agreed, his eyes narrowing on the sickly light of the stone faces. There was power in the air to be certain but of what kind? What taste? What did these images say too him?

Know: Arcana: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (4) + 21 = 25


Female Elf Witch (Cartomancer) | CN | Init:+5 | HP7/7 | AC:17 T:17 FF:14 CMD:13 | F:+1 R:+3 W:+2[-1 fear]| Perc:+2, low-light| Spells: 1st: Infernal healing | Active: mage armor(1h) | Slumber (DC 16) | Harrow points: 1

"Do you need a hand getting down Joshua? I could probably carry you." Aleziella says and flaps her wings. Ah, it's nice to finally find a place where I can stretch my wings. This place even have space for me in giant form... Though once we are out of the cave that's no longer true. Aleziella waves her arm and prays. "Let your divine light glow better than this sickly green one." She starts glowing herself.

Cast light on self. It's a standard action to activate encompassing light, right?


Wandslinger/Bard 10 | HP: 110/110 | AC: 28 [30] / T: 21 / 21 [23]: [7 / DR: Silver], Resist: 5 Cold, Elec, Fire | Fort: +10, Ref: +16, Will: +12 | M. Atk: +9, R. Touch: +18 | CMB: +9, CMD: 25 | Init: +8, Perception: +28 (+31 vs traps), See In Darkness | Luck 12/12 day, Spell Points 11/12 day, Grit 2/2 day | Feathered Hat of Foppishness | Tin Man | Wand

Joshua actually considers the offer for a moment before shrugging and changing shape himself. His own magic needed no prayers or symbols or the like. It was simply a matter of will to reach into that binding of his and take what he wanted from it. His own wings were not quite as glorious looking as Aleziella's but they could lift his form fairly easily.

In this form his features grew a bit sharper and more avian like, his nose almost taking on a beak like shape forward while his eyes grew wider. His wings, a deep reddish brown, matched well with the rest of his skin, and his tail had been replaced by a much more feathery sort meant for steering. With a small jump he was floating down to the next step, ignoring the clatter that his armor made with each successive fall.

Using Standard Wereowl form, i.e. blank form with 2 traits.


Female Elf Witch (Cartomancer) | CN | Init:+5 | HP7/7 | AC:17 T:17 FF:14 CMD:13 | F:+1 R:+3 W:+2[-1 fear]| Perc:+2, low-light| Spells: 1st: Infernal healing | Active: mage armor(1h) | Slumber (DC 16) | Harrow points: 1

Uh, wouldn't the tin man take damage from falling down? 2d6 for each step, so even with half and DR it would still suffer some...

Seeing that the tin man is about to go over Aleziella rushes forward to grab it. "Uh, at least let me carry your armor down. It'll alert everything nearby to our presence of it crashes to the ground!" She'll then glide down with it after Joshua gracefully.


Wandslinger/Bard 10 | HP: 110/110 | AC: 28 [30] / T: 21 / 21 [23]: [7 / DR: Silver], Resist: 5 Cold, Elec, Fire | Fort: +10, Ref: +16, Will: +12 | M. Atk: +9, R. Touch: +18 | CMB: +9, CMD: 25 | Init: +8, Perception: +28 (+31 vs traps), See In Darkness | Luck 12/12 day, Spell Points 11/12 day, Grit 2/2 day | Feathered Hat of Foppishness | Tin Man | Wand

Yup. XD

"As if Borus' display hadn't done that already." Joshua said with a chuckle, though he made no move to stop Alez from lifting the armor. He didn't care how it got where it needed to be and while he could technically carry it, it wasn't something he would enjoy doing.


A high soprano note could be heard from one of the statues as Borus moved out onto the first step. It was followed, in succession, by a low bass note, a note that merged with the previous two, and the last in what was apparently a four-part chord as he reached the bottom step. As the last of the noted joined the others, a magic circle lit up on the ground below, slowly starting to build in intensity. None of the sounds had stopped - rather, they seemed to be holding quite steady.


HP: 120/120 | AC: 27 / T: 14 /F:25 | F: +11 R: +8 W: +15; +2 Fear, +4 Grip, +2 specified opp | CMD: 27; 31 disarm,34 sunder | Init: +15 | Perc: +27, darkvision 120 ft., scent

"Huh. Mee-miiii-moeee-la---laaaa" 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5 Perform:Sing Untrained "Never was much good at harmonizing."

Borus stops, peering down at the magic circle. "What do you make if that, Zee?"


Wandslinger/Bard 10 | HP: 110/110 | AC: 28 [30] / T: 21 / 21 [23]: [7 / DR: Silver], Resist: 5 Cold, Elec, Fire | Fort: +10, Ref: +16, Will: +12 | M. Atk: +9, R. Touch: +18 | CMB: +9, CMD: 25 | Init: +8, Perception: +28 (+31 vs traps), See In Darkness | Luck 12/12 day, Spell Points 11/12 day, Grit 2/2 day | Feathered Hat of Foppishness | Tin Man | Wand

Joshua walked rather then flew for the moment. While the air held a certain comfort for him there was not much wind for him to hold himself aloft upon. It meant using a lot of energy to stay in the air this deep underground.

The red winged and skinned man walked forward, eyeing the glowing magic circle on the ground below now. He couldn't make heads or tails of the area in general but if he studied how the magic circle was structured he might be able to make a few guesses as to it's nature.

1d20 + 21 ⇒ (11) + 21 = 32


*Rolls dice - yes, the book says to do this here*

Studying the markings, Joshua is able to deduce that some of the inscriptions of the circle seem to refer to ventriloquism, although not in any fashion that makes sense in terms of the known parameters of magic.


HP: 120/120 | AC: 27 / T: 14 /F:25 | F: +11 R: +8 W: +15; +2 Fear, +4 Grip, +2 specified opp | CMD: 27; 31 disarm,34 sunder | Init: +15 | Perc: +27, darkvision 120 ft., scent

"What's the verdict, Red?" Borus asks, tempted to bowl forward regardless, not having gotten a response from the group's seer. How bad could it be? Very bad, Borus. Patience. Whatever, grampa.


Wandslinger/Bard 10 | HP: 110/110 | AC: 28 [30] / T: 21 / 21 [23]: [7 / DR: Silver], Resist: 5 Cold, Elec, Fire | Fort: +10, Ref: +16, Will: +12 | M. Atk: +9, R. Touch: +18 | CMB: +9, CMD: 25 | Init: +8, Perception: +28 (+31 vs traps), See In Darkness | Luck 12/12 day, Spell Points 11/12 day, Grit 2/2 day | Feathered Hat of Foppishness | Tin Man | Wand

Joshua blinked and looked up at Borus from the circle, giving him a strange sort of blank expression for a moment before shaking his head and clearing it away.

"It's weird. Ventriloquism? Might be what's sending the sound too the statues. Other then that though I can't even guess... and even the magic itself seems to be done in a strange way." Not for the first time Joshua wish he had the seers ability to see the magic. It would have made his job a lot easier.

"I say we avoid it and the stones. Nothing good comes from magic that doesn't make any bloody sense." Blame the magic, real mature. Joshua ignored that inner voice of reason just as easily as Borus did.


Female Elf Witch (Cartomancer) | CN | Init:+5 | HP7/7 | AC:17 T:17 FF:14 CMD:13 | F:+1 R:+3 W:+2[-1 fear]| Perc:+2, low-light| Spells: 1st: Infernal healing | Active: mage armor(1h) | Slumber (DC 16) | Harrow points: 1

Note Aleziella doesn't actually know detect magic...

Aleziella stares at the singing statues in wonder. "I for one think the signing statues are pretty cool. We should go closer to investigate. Not sure what we'll look for or find. But we won't know until we try, right?" She's actually smiling at the situation.


As you spoke, the magic circle was continuing to increase in intensity. It had been about forty seconds since it had started doing that. There didn't seem to be any other changes in the chamber - the sound was still going strong.


Wandslinger/Bard 10 | HP: 110/110 | AC: 28 [30] / T: 21 / 21 [23]: [7 / DR: Silver], Resist: 5 Cold, Elec, Fire | Fort: +10, Ref: +16, Will: +12 | M. Atk: +9, R. Touch: +18 | CMB: +9, CMD: 25 | Init: +8, Perception: +28 (+31 vs traps), See In Darkness | Luck 12/12 day, Spell Points 11/12 day, Grit 2/2 day | Feathered Hat of Foppishness | Tin Man | Wand

Joshua glances at Aleziella and then sighs a little before heading further forward. His wings opened up once more as he reached the last step and continued down. He drifts toward the circle, curious to see if a closer inspection might reveal anything.

It was definitely growing in intensity but that hardly helped them aside from shedding light. "The statue's lips are formed in a strange way... Maybe it needs a specific word spoken to activate?" It had all started when Borus made it down onto the first step so Joshua did suspect that moving closer might also activate it, which was why he was ready to get back into the air at a moments notice.


HP: 120/120 | AC: 27 / T: 14 /F:25 | F: +11 R: +8 W: +15; +2 Fear, +4 Grip, +2 specified opp | CMD: 27; 31 disarm,34 sunder | Init: +15 | Perc: +27, darkvision 120 ft., scent

Borus descends the last step. They're Cyclopses, right? Maybe something in giant?"

He skirts the edge of the circle, moving westward to see if the nearest sculpture there reveals anything more interesting.

[b]"I just hope this cave makes sense before we find the exit. I hate ancient, unsolved mysteries." Borus smiles wistfully as he speaks. giving the impression that he's not at all serious.


The sculptures all had different faces, apparently to help create the different notes that were sounding - and with fifty seconds passed, the sound continued to rise, until it was almost impossible to even hear yourselves speak over it.


...Well, since nobody's doing anything...

When the sound reached its loudest volume, the entire magical circle flashed... and vanished, the light fading away over just a few seconds as the sound started to fade. Whatever had just happened seemed to have finished, and without affecting any of you.


HP: 120/120 | AC: 27 / T: 14 /F:25 | F: +11 R: +8 W: +15; +2 Fear, +4 Grip, +2 specified opp | CMD: 27; 31 disarm,34 sunder | Init: +15 | Perc: +27, darkvision 120 ft., scent

"That could have been worse. Maybe better, too." Borus began making his way around the edge of the chamber, keeping his eyes open for dangerous situations or enemies as he did so. "I imagine the whole cave system knows someone's here by now. We should clear this chamber and move on." he suggested.


That would not be a bad idea. XD Can't get anywhere if you don't move! ...And as this is an exploration game, your willingness as players to take the initiative and push forward is very important.

Community / Forums / Online Campaigns / Play-by-Post / GM Rednal's Cyclopean Deeps (Gameplay) All Messageboards

Want to post a reply? Sign in.