GM Rednal's Planehopping from Bard's Gate (Inactive)

Game Master Rednal

Reloading!

Every creature has a scent unless it specifically says otherwise. ...Of course, since they're flying between giant floating spheres, you might have a VERY hard time tracking them unless you can follow the exact course.

I rolled a perception check for that earlier. Should I do survival too?

"Yeah might take a while, but I don't know you, but I don't think I can settle for just two." He grinned. "We should be more prepared next time, do you have some trick to stop them from running?

I guess we can try going to the sphere they have been flying to and then see if we can pick up a trace

"I don't really have anything particular that can keep them from escaping other than persistence. We'll just have to track them."

Generally, tracking a target requires a Survival check, so... yes, please roll that. ^^

Will want to take point?

Survival (Aid): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18

Survival: 1d20 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 9 + 2 = 20

[b]"Mission is to eradicate the gargoyles," he says, as if that was enough. Will tests a few methods to keep their point of reference. Without one they'd walk in circles. Compass, marks, mapping, watching the light source. Once one of them appears to be working he sets off.

Sorry for some reasons I thought that I have posted here already, perhaps it got eaten when I hit enter

survival: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14

Given the relatively small size of many of the spheres, sometimes it would take only minutes to literally walk in circles. With one point of reference, at least, you began to move forward over the silvery roads, keeping a close eye on your destination. As you did, the scent seemed to be fuzzing out a little, constantly criss-crossed to make tracking it more difficult. You did see several large spheres nearby, though - one of stone, one of opal, one of a dim metal you didn't recognize, and one that appeared to be... glowing?

"Metal." It didn't sound like a statement or a question. It was merely the most logical choice, in Will's mind, to start looking for the gargoyle's. The glowing orb would normally have his attention but in this case, the mission came first.

Knowledge: 1d20 + 1d6 ⇒ (17) + (1) = 18

I know you said we couldn't identify the metal but I want to try. Not sure which knowledge. Engineering is +6.

"Why is that one... glowing like that? Is that normal here? I haven't seen any others glow." Anders scratched at his beard and wondered.

If no one knows anything relevant, I can try asking one of my spirits. I'm guessing Kn. Planes might be relevant.

"Yeah the metal one seems more likely to me, yet, who knows, maybe Gargoyles are attracted by glowing stuff?

"Anyone knows what that sphere might be made of?"

Hehe asem doesn't have a lot of relevant knowledge on the matter I think, so he would go for whatever choice his more learned companions make

You still didn't recognize the metal, although logical deduction was at least enough to suggest that it was rather rare. (Admittedly, rare didn't always mean useful or valuable. Some very rare metals had no practical applications at all.)

The glowing sphere appeared to flicker every now and then, its light brightening and dimming with no apparent pattern.

Will did not know and shook his head. Both spheres were a curiosity to him. He'd dealt with a lot of minerals and materials but this plane may have had some his did not. Since no one seemed to offer a different course of action, he heads for the metal sphere. A slight breeze emanates from him as he switches elements again.

Switching to Elemental Flux Stance (Air).

"Anyone remember what they said the gargoyles eat? The problem was them eating the landmasses here, but did they have a preference?" Anders asked as he followed Will.

"The celestial we met when we arrived? Said they eat the softer stone globes. But a patron at the bar said they are likely to live in a lead globe. Harder to divine in one. Have not worked with lead. Poor for weapons." Though he'd have to keep the divination part in mind. could be useful for something else.

"Well, let's try to get to the stone and metal globes. We can search the closer one, then move on to the other since they're both likely places." When the others agreed, Anders led the way to the nearer of the two globes.

As you stepped onto the metal sphere, you felt it deforming slightly under your touch, as if it wasn't quite solid at this temperature. It didn't look like anything was going to live here, if only because a 'home' likely wouldn't be permanent. The roads beyond led to what looked like a honeycombed structure (or thereabouts, anyway - it probably didn't have giant bees) and a white globe that sparkled slightly in the light.

"Weird it didn't look hot enough here to melt metal, I wonder what kind of stuff this is made of.." Mused Asem, still doing his best to try and follow whatever track was left on the gargoyles.

survival: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27

"Maybe it only looks like metal. Metal shouldn't be all oozey like this. Do you think the gargoyles could have made homes in that honeycomb up ahead? Seems about the right size, though judging size here is tricky without anything 'normal' to compare against. We should check it out."

"Mercury is one of a few metals liquid at room temperature," Will says, testing the ball for himself. "Possibly other metals in other planes. Not a good home." He looks up at the honeycomb structure ahead that Anders was pointing out. "Should check these first. Make sure flank is clear."

By this point, there didn't seem to be a track to follow - any indentations in the soft metal would have smoothed out, and at any rate, the gargoyles flew off the roads.

Approaching the honeycombed sphere, you saw what looked like countless entrances heading inside. The sphere itself was at least a mile across, so there might well have been larger tunnels and passages through it. One entrance was even marked with a small sign (written in what was likely Terran), and had a ladder going in.

"Shall we check inside since we are here already? I mean I don't think Gargoyles would need ladders, but perhaps there is someone inside that might have seen them..."

"I hadn't even thought about the fact they wouldn't need ladders, that's a good point. And yeah, that's a good idea. Since they don't leave tracks, sightings are probably our best chance for a lead. Any idea what the sign says?"

Will nods in agreement. And as they get closer he pulls out a small vial. He adds several ingredients to it from a pouch at his side with practiced ease. By the time they are close to the honeycomb structure the extract is done. He drinks it without immediately and reads the sign.

Left a free slot open for an extract and it only takes a minute to prepare one. Preparing Comprehend languages and drinking. 50 min duration.

Translated, the sign reads 20 feet to bottom. Watch your footing. Do not disturb the hive - it is harmless if not provoked.

"20 feet to bottom. Watch your footing. Do not disturb the hive - it is harmless if not provoked," Will says, reading the sign. "Bees?"

"Really big ones, I guess. Probably best to take the sign's advice, but who wrote it do you think? Either way, it's gotta be worth taking a look."

"Earth elemental giant bees, could be interesting to check them... But I guess we are paid for gargoyles right? Anyway, shall we?" Asked Asem as he started to head toward the ladder, planning to take a look inside.

"I figure whoever wrote the sign might know where we can find the gargoyles, if we ask nicely."

There was no sign of whoever had put the sign there, but Asem had no particular difficulty moving over to the ladder. Looking inside, the passage seemed to head straight into a tunnel of sorts when the ladder reached the bottom. The insides of the area were covered with hexagonal patterns in the metal(?) that made up the walls. Either the shaping was natural or someone had spent a truly absurd amount of time shaping this area.

Anders followed Asem down the ladder, and onward down the tunnel. As they moved away from the entrance, Anders retrieved a sunrod and activated it.

So yeah. Just keep going until something weird happens.

Same as will here...Asem will just go on keeping his eyes open.

Keeping your sunrod up, it's fairly easy to press forward and make your way through the tunnels. As you go further in, the smooth pattern eventually gives way to areas that are a bit rougher. Several places inside the tunnels look outright damaged. Eventually, you hear a rustling noise up ahead, and see a rocky-skinned figure moving around at the far end of cave. It doesn't seem to have noticed you yet.

"Bee, gargoyle or... something else?" Anders whispered back to his companions.

If no one has any insights or ideas otherwise, I suggest we approach slowly until we can see more clearly what it is.

It seemed unlikely the sign was referring to gargoyles and it didn't look like the original denizens had been removed by gargoyles. SO the thing before them was unlikely to be one. Probably another kind of rocky creature the sign was referring to. The ones they were supposed to leave be. Will switches the rune on his body with the one of fire. His body begins to glow bright like a torch and he approaches slowly, giving the thing a wide a berth. He had trained himself to draw his weapons rapidly anyway, in case it attacked.

"Well at least it looks civil if it is the author of the signs..." He whispered back.

After all they had no way of knowing withoug asking right?

"Hello?" It was a shame that while his gift could allow him to learn foreign or even alien languages he had to touch the target first and well, it might not have been the wisest course of action with an unknown creature.

As Asem spoke up, the figure whirled around. What looked to be some sort of pumice-like rock dropped from its hands as it spotted you, and the gargoyle let out an angry hiss before darting into a side passage in a clear attempt to flee.

Oh well so much for nice and civilized..." Said Asem before following the creature down the passage, he didn't have time to shapechange, but he still did unsheathe his claws too just in case.

Anders hurried after Asem with his crossbow in both hands. It wasn't an ideal battlefield, but if they had found a hive of gargoyles in these tunnels, at least they couldn't fly away and escape.

Will still wondered if the sign was referring to the gargoyle's as they followed along. Was someone looking out for them against the will of the residents of this plane? Or did the gargoyle's move in and take over? The thoughts stayed in the back of his mind where he normally kept superfluous stuff. They had a mission to remove these pests.

As you rushed down the odd metallic hall, it wasn't long before the tunnel branched down. Given the relatively small size of the sphere, you could already feel gravity pulling you around. One of the tunnels seemed to turn upwards, one went sharply down, and the last went further ahead than any of you could see in the darkness.

"It was weird wasn't it? I mean the whole sign thing, perhaps we should try to capture the next one alive... Mused Asem, as he followed he creature through the tunnels. With the beast out of sight though, it might prove hard to capture it. As the group stopped at a turn, Asem paused for a moment, letting his ferine blood manifest, so that the enhanced senses of the beast might help him catch the scent of the creature they have been chasing.

Ss a move action Asem will shift just enough to get the scent ability, but otherwise remain mostly human (he has darkvision thanks to his armor).

Survival: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25

Did it fly away? If not, aid another to track. I have a +9 so I can't fail to at least help.

With his entire body glowing like a torch, Will waves his hands over the metal around them, looking for scuffs marks or partial foot prints. Anything to help guide them in the direction of the fleeing gargoyle.

Anders paused a moment, and spoke a prayer with what seemed like a multitude of voices. Wisps of white mist swirled around his feet, then swiftly lanced out and pierced the chests of Will and Asem before continuing on and forming a slowly spinning ring that seemed to pierce the walls like they didn't exist. Surprisingly, the sudden strike left warmth and a feeling of security instead of pain.

"Lets go," Anders muttered as he concentrated on maintaining his spirit magic.

Using Serendipity. Allies within 20 ft of Anders have +1 luck bonus to attack rolls, skill checks, ability checks, and saving throws.

In general, gargoyles prefer flying as a means of getting around. Think of them as, oh, fairly birdlike.

Sniffing the air, Asem noted the trail and began to guide you down the tunnels. After ten minutes or so of winding passages, you emerged into a much larger chamber. To the right, the entire wall was dominated by a structure that resembled a silvery beehive - but you'd never seen a hive where all the hundreds of man-sized insects were made of crystal. The gargyole was hovering in the air about halfway down the room and snarled as it saw you... but you also caught it glancing nervously towards the locals, who were shuffling around but not yet paying attention to you.

Ah, so that is what the sign referred to. Crystal insects.

Knowledge: 1d20 + 9 + 1d6 ⇒ (10) + 9 + (5) = 24 What are they and how aggressive can they be? Don't know what Knowledge this would be for the insects but I have them all.

"This is a bad place to fight. We might draw the ire of the hive," Will comments quietly. A stray shot or just the sound of fighting may provoke the crystal insects. That would be bad. But if they could drive the gargoyle into their midst, they may just do their work for them.

I could try elemental strike and maybe knock it from the air. THen the hive might attack it. Not sure if they'd leave us alone as well.

"Probably best to track it back outside. Stirring up the hive might very well get them to work on purging everything here, including us."