Harakani |
If these are demons, Timms gets some bonuses.
Timms strides forward towards Luca, Starknives appearing in each hand as if by magic. Stepping steadily he pauses for a heartbeat and sends a starknife winging its way towards the creature in the tree.
Move: Join Fluffy in protecting Luca,
Standard: attack starknife. 20ft range. starknife: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12 damage if hits: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8
Tyrus Regulus Veneficius |
Tyrus grunts as the claw draws blood - copiously. He curses as he realises his last warding spell has failed.
Stepping backwards to create some room, he quickly runs through his old fire-lighting spell. In his mind he concentrates on the creatures in front of him as bonfires, waiting to combust.
Free: 5ft step back to prevent AoO
Standard: Burning Hands damage: 4d4 ⇒ (2, 2, 3, 1) = 8 He'll try to maneuver to get two of these things in his arc, but will not prioritise not BBQing friends. DC 16 reflex for half
Move: Draw Torble's cup and spill it. Chill Touch should still be active.
GM Mercy |
Kien's swift and brutal retaliation snaps his attacker's neck, and it falls dead at his feet. Tyrus singes a pair of the creatures with fire, but Timm's knife goes wide and buries itself in the dirt.
End Combat Round 1
And because this will be quick...
Begin Combat Round 2
At the sudden reversal of their ambush, the creatures immediately turn tail and run. They move at an impressive pace and vanish quickly into the grass.
End of Combat
In the aftermath of the attack, the jungle reasserts its normal rhythm, seemingly with little sympathy for the recently spilled blood.
Luca Wistor, the Void Caller |
Luca blinked as the creatures turned tail and run... but if she canceled her spell now, the energy would just be wasted. Shrugging slightly, she finished the casting and let the Akata appear. The creatures were deaf, but intelligent enough to (barely) understand language, and she scratched a simple question - Smell enemies? - in the dirt. If nothing else, the creature's powerful sense of smell would help them know if any of the attacking creatures were circling back for another attack.
Kienyach |
Kien growls and bares his teeth at the others as they run away, then kneels and picks up the dead one at his feet. He considers it for a moment, neck hanging at a disturbing angle, then turns to the others. "Think it's edible?"
Tyrus Regulus Veneficius |
"I don't think we're that desperate - though I suppose we could drag one. I think it is more important to find a place to defend - apparently orcs are not the only thing we'll face." Tyrus grumps, and pulls out his kit - then thinks better of it. "This'll wait an hour - assuming we're not poisoned. Let's move on before they come back."
GM Mercy |
You beat a retreat from the short-lived battlefield, continuing towards the temple along the edge of the jungle line. This time, you make it without incident.
You approach the towering temple walls from the west, where a large gatehouse can be seen. The decrepit remains of the town or village sit at the walls base. The buildings of the village have suffered much more than the walls from the intervening centuries, suggesting magical wards once did - or still do - partially protect the temple grounds from the ravages of time.
The gatehouse has become a misnomer, given that it no longer actually houses a gate. Barely a hint remains of the timbers that once hung from the rusted hinges, even the magical protection not enough to keep unshielded wood from rotting away.
Old tracks can be seen moving through the dirt under the gatehouse. The predator-creatures have definitely passed through here, but not recently.
The temple complex map has been added to the top links. You aren't technically inside yet but I'm not going to get too picky about that.
Luca Wistor, the Void Caller |
Perception (Fluffy): 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (7) + 13 = 20
As the group approached, Luca's eidolon - her only companion after the Akata disappeared - bent down near the gatehouse, staring at some old tracks. It seemed satisfied that there were no immediate problems, though, and calmly padded back over to her.
Dante Florence |
The combat lasted only a violent moment. Dante got his arm up in time to protect his face from the creature's claws. He struggles to through it off and draws his blade. A roaring fire bursts forth from Tyrus hands, scattering the ambush predators. Only one remains and it is unlikely to put up a fight with its head at that angle. Dante wobbles as the intense burst of adrenaline wears off and from the minor blood loss. "Well that was..." He had no idea how to end that so he didn't.
At the temple, Dante follows Fluffy's progress. He grows slightly concerned at the footprints it finds. But it didn't seem concerned and neither did Luca. He knew its purpose was to protect her and that was about it. So if the threat was not nearby he could relax slightly. That just left the meaning behind the footprints. They at least knew one enemy they might face in the temple.
Which predator are we talking? The dinosaur birds or the dead thing the orcs killed?
Luca Wistor, the Void Caller |
"So, um, anybody want to guess why predators have vacated a mostly secure area...?" Luca inquired. She knew predators tended to be territorial, so if they left an area, that was often a sign that something stronger had moved in... drat.
Tyrus Regulus Veneficius |
"I think we should camp in the village, outside the walls. They've survived too well - I suspect magic. The village should be outside the range of any remnant guards or wards that still protect the grounds." Tyrus looks down where his coat is stained with his blood. "I need to set up a surgery. I need food. I need sleep. This pace has gotten us here, but if we continue with this much haste, it is only a matter of time before we make a fatal mistake."
Dante Florence |
What kind of ruins are we talking about? A wall or two? Or most of a building with wood rotted out? Can we hide here relatively safely?
Dante thought quietly about the situation. Those creatures didn't seem to come from this plane. And the orcs were hunting them. And now they saw tracks of those creatures here at the temple gate? Likely they were coming from the temple. And the orcs were keeping them contained or just plain warring with them. Hmm.
GM Mercy |
The village still has many stone buildings still standing, though covered in moss. Many others have collapsed, but you would have no trouble finding at least one building large enough to hold you all that you can be sure won't collapse on you overnight.
You said some of the magic words for some hidden info!
Once you consider the possibility that the creatures were originating from the temple, you check the tracks again. Though no expert, it seems to you that all of the tracks are going in one direction - out of the temple grounds. That would seem to confirm your theory.
Luca Wistor, the Void Caller |
Luca considered their past adventures for only a moment before nodding in agreement with Tyrus' plan. There was no sense at all in rushing stupidly forward when they could be cautious instead. And... maybe she could try to help him with his surgery or something?
Kienyach |
How much sleep do they need? Kien grits his teeth and looks around, eventually pointing to a building. "How about there? Get all rested up and ready to move."
GM Mercy |
The building Kien has selected is one the larger and sturdier built in the ancient village. It has only a single entryway. Inside the ground is half-dirt and half-mud from the common jungle rains, filled with the slightly sweet smell of rotting plantlife. As you enter, a snake takes umbrage at the intrusion and slithers away between a gap in the stones.
Given that the end of the day is only a couple hours off I assume you will be camping here for night. Make any necessary rolls for surgery. Remember that Timm may have a couple healing spells he can use if you need it.
Luca Wistor, the Void Caller |
Kien wasn't with us earlier. XD Suffice to say that I think not pushing it is the best course of action, something he's likely to learn in the near future...
Aaaand Luca will Take 10 on Aid Another for Heal (total: 11) if Tyrus makes any of those checks.
Tyrus Regulus Veneficius |
"Alright - let us set defences. Luca was right about those predators - scary as they were, something worse has driven them off." Tyrus suggests.
Timm grunts an answer, but pauses long enough to help the wounded as he can.
clw: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10
cmw: 2d8 + 4 ⇒ (3, 1) + 4 = 8
Strategy: Level 8 characters heal 8+(con/2) points with restful sleep, and half that if not restful.
Tyrus is down 7. Would get 8 or 4.
Dante is down 8. Would get 9 or 4.
Kien is down 11. Would get 10 or 5.
I'm thinking Timm would hit Kien for CMW, Dante for CLW, and suggest Tyrus sleep through the night rather than take watch. That should pretty much heal everyone up. If restful sleep isn't possible, then it makes sense to heal up Tyrus and make him do 2 hours of surgery as necessary. Rather not use up the healing kit, though.
Dante Florence |
The f@&% did my post go?
"Normally I'd suggest against it but I am wondering what is going on here. Those creatures aren't from this plane so they mist be coming from somewhere. And that somewhere seems to be the temple. If we find a place close by to rest we might be able to figure that out before heading in."
GM Mercy |
Restful sleep is definitely possible. Generally assume, unless I state otherwise, that you have gotten enough sleep for full healing and spell rejuvenation. Provided you follow this plan, we'll have our first instance of World Weariness! See Discussion for more on that.
The night passes in relative quiet, with no sign either of the creatures or orcs. Due to Timm's magic, the wounds of the previous day have been entirely wiped away.
Storm on 4: 1d4 ⇒ 4
The rising sun is a bit muted today, given the heavy clouds that lie above the treetops to the southeast. It would be wise to have somewhere dry to shelter under when the storm hits.
You judge that you have another three hours before the rain arrives, and another four before the storm begins in earnest.
Luca Wistor, the Void Caller |
@Dante: The server imps ate it?
After being forced to summon her Eidolon basically as soon as she'd woken up, Luca looked up at the sky and frowned a little.
Know Nature: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 1 = 20 Woo! ...Although that's about the limit of a check she could answer without actual study, I think. XD
"Three for the start, seven for something heavy..." she muttered, remembering some of the times she'd seen clouds gathering before she'd gotten on that boat and realized she'd known nothing at all of how nasty many parts of the world could be. "I think we should definitely secure good shelter sooner instead of later." she added, looking towards those who were tired.
Kienyach |
Knowledge (nature): 1d20 ⇒ 17
Kien sniffs the air. "Few hours before a storm is coming, and it's going to come down bad."
Tyrus Regulus Veneficius |
"So, I see two courses of action. First - we spend a few hours fortifying here, and attempt the temple after. Should we see a storm, we retreat to here." Tyrus looks over at the temple and continues "Second - we pack our things and head to the temple. We attempt to find better shelter within the better preserved stone walls. We don't waste as much time on preparations, but should we need to retreat we'd be trapped in there."
The old man looks at the others. "Vote?" he asks, and Timms shrugs.
Luca Wistor, the Void Caller |
Luca glanced at the floor of the place they were currently at. It was already fairly muddy from the recent rains, and while she wasn't entirely sure... she suspected the mud would get quite a bit worse if they were here when the rain started. Moving through that would be a nightmare, especially if creatures came after them and they couldn't move quickly enough to retreat if need be. Given that... "I think the temple will ultimately be safer." Luca finally voted. Not that the vote of a young girl counted for much. "The storm is definitely coming right now, and we should be able to find someplace much safer there."
Kienyach |
"No fortifying this. Not without days and a lot of lumber. I say we go to the stone building. Temple." Kien says with a nod, looking up at the sky with a frown.
Dante Florence |
"Seems nature has made our choice for us," Dante sighs in defeat. Well, at least his spells were ready this time.
GM Mercy |
You pick up and enter the complex through the west gatehouse, there no longer being an actual gate to bar your passage. Inside the temple grounds, all seems still. Everything is of solid stone construction and apparently all warded alike from the ravages of time, as none of them show signs of major decrepitude. To the north, abutting the mountain itself and with its upper levels seemingly letting out some fifty feet up the cliff face, stands the primary temple itself. To the south is a monolithic building bearing all the signs you were told signified the housing of the priest-king and his direct family and esteemed servants. In the center is some sort of pyramid structure, triangular in construction and standing thirty feet high.
Immediately to your right, next to the royal apartments, are some much more humble stone buildings, each long and low. in front of them is a large circular cobblestoned area.
You would guess that the paved region is a training field, and the three low buildings likely barracks for the royal guards.
Pick your destination!
Luca Wistor, the Void Caller |
Know Nobility: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19
Luca glanced over the area, having a few flashbacks to her family's estate in the process. There were many things she didn't know, but she was at least slightly competent in two areas - the weird things she summoned, and stuff about nobles.
"Training area." Luca said quietly, pointing over. "And then... barracks, probably. Three is quite a lot of buildings to dedicate to that, so they definitely had a sizable force here at one time. If anything big is living here, any underlings might be in there. Not the best place in the area, but probably designed to handle the weather, so it'll probably be dry."
Tyrus Regulus Veneficius |
knowledge: nobility: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (16) + 9 = 25
Tyrus looks uncertain "I am tempted to head straight to the temple. While probably the most dangerous, if our time is cut short by an orc invasion I would regret not having investigated the actual subject of our expedition." he carefully looks away from anyone "Furthermore I just want to remind people this is an archaeological expedition. We need to document what we see, and what we take. It will slow us down, but the journal of our expedition is every bit as important as any artefacts we find."
Dante Florence |
Dante's silence is agreement enough. He stands towards the front with Kien, looking around at the temple and barracks. Odd that a temple would have three barracks. That was a large fighting force. Hopefully that did not translate into undead.
GM Mercy |
A map of the location should now be up at the "Current Battle Map" link even though we are not in combat. I believe I've given you all control of your tokens.
The group moves to the central temple, walking past the pyramid towards the mountainside. The entrance has no door, instead opening onto a large chamber whose ceiling rises at least twenty feet high. In the center is a pillar or obelisk reaching from ceiling to floor and bearing engraved symbols on every visible inch. To three sides are large and finely-crafted statues. To the left is a corridor leading off to one side - and finally, directly across from the entrance, beyond the engraved pillar, are a set of enormous double-doors seemingly cast entirely from bronze. They too bear symbols.
When examining this you may make a Linguistics check in an attempt to decipher the writing.
The obelisk bears Makan writing combined with pictographic depictions of scenes, many of which feature fanciful beasts. In the center, facing the temple entrance, is a prominent image of a man carrying a lash and dressed in ceremonial clothing.
You may make a Know(Planes) check when examining the statues.
Flanking the entrance you walked through are two large statues, both posed as if holding up the cieling. One is of some manner of insectile or arachnoid creature, the legs of which end in sturdy looking pincer claws. Another is a bird resembling an eagle or hawk, but possessed of four wings, each of which has a pair of claws at the first bend much like a bat.
The two statues beside the double-doors are smaller, but no less detailed. One is of a fox-like creature standing on its hind legs, snarling in rage or fear. The other is a nightmarish serpentine creature whose face is dominated by four powerful mandibles. Small limbs sprout from the upper segments near the head, each tipped by a claw.
Finally, on the side wall to your right as you enter are three statues that are banally human compared to the nightmare menagerie of the others. In the center is a tall human male wearing Makan robes and bearing a whip. To each side of him is a female - one carrying weapons and wearing armor, the other dressed in revealing, almost seductive clothing and holding out her hand invitingly.
You may make a Linguistics check when examining the doors.
These enormous, solid-looking bronze doors are set on hinges designed to swing inwards. They are covered in the same Makan script as the Obelisk. The doors are so finely set that there does not seem to be a seam where they meet at the center, but at the top you can see they do separate.
The center of the doors is decorated with an image of two stylized men shaking hands, one on each door.
There is a very cleverly-hidden spell on the bronze doors. Attempting to open the doors without some kind of key, or somehow breaking the ward, will probably activate the spell.
Always remember that I don't necessarily put every possible check in spoilers - just the most obvious ones. You can always roll for other things.
Luca Wistor, the Void Caller |
Spellcraft for the heck of it: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26 ...Anybody wanna Aid Another? XD
Luca's Eidolon padded ahead of her, occasionally sniffing at seemingly random bits of the room as they examined the area. Luca followed, examining things in order. The Obelisk was interesting, and she actually did have a bit of talent at languages-
Linguistics (Obelisk): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25
-and wasn't doing too shabby at that point. The Statues, on the other hand, seemed to have a subject she was far less familiar with, and she glanced nervously at the figures they depicted. She didn't flinch away, though. Maybe she was getting a bit braver after all.
As for the doors, she was curious about the design there...
Linguistics (Doors): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11
...and, for her part, was remembering some of what she knew of the dwarves. They were rather well-known for their abilities at construction - had they been involved here somehow...? Hm.
Tyrus Regulus Veneficius |
aid spellcraft: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (2) + 12 = 14
aid linguistics obelisk: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (12) + 9 = 21
aid linguistics doors: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (5) + 9 = 14
knowledged planes: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10
At the temple Tyrus turns, pulls out his book and sketches a quick map of the layout, and a diagram of the temple. On the facing page he jots notes of what he sees in a tiny, cramped script. "I'll need to spend a while trying to capture the likeness of these creatures, and I'd like to take at least one rubbing of the script." he explains aloud.
Noting Luca has started investigations he moves to accompany her. Years of teaching have him asking leading questions more than supplying answers. "Dante - we'd appreciate your expertise as well."
Kienyach |
Kien walks around the intricate room, staring at each piece for a brief moment before moving on. Eventually he resigns to keeping watch, as nothing in the room made any sense to him.
Perception: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (6) + 14 = 20
Dante Florence |
Aid spellcraft: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (10) + 9 = 19
K:Planes: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16
K:Planes: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27 Bookworm Reroll.
"I can handle the rubbing," Dante says heading over to the obelisk. He places the paper over things the seem of importance and scratches the likeness into the paper using the carbon. In between rubbings he keeps an eye on the entrances and exits but is drawn towards the statues. They looked familiar. He is brought out of his musings though to examine the door. It was a marvelous structure. It's value in bronze would pay for this and several more expeditions if they could get it back. Not likely but a thought.
Luca Wistor, the Void Caller |
With Dante and Tyrus' help - because there was no way in heck she was going to be able to do it alone - Luca carefully scanned the door... and let out a frightened squeak before darting away. "There's a ward on the doors - set to trigger if someone opens it without getting rid of the ward or using a key." she explained. ...Not that this would necessarily stop her from sending a minion over to open it and take the brunt of the trap if they couldn't find another way in, but...
Tyrus Regulus Veneficius |
Tyrus rubs his hands together, remembering his wardsmith training from years ago. "Lucky we found that. Aright, this ward - do you think it is simply explosive, triggers a curse or - judging from the statues - summons something to dispose of would be thieves?"
Kienyach |
Kien looks silently, perpetually frowning at everything. Lots of talk of wards and magic. Sounds like somebody will call him once they get it all figured out. Or I'll be the trap monkey. Kien snorts a humorless laugh and continues keeping watch.
Luca Wistor, the Void Caller |
Luca just shrugged at the question. "I couldn't tell." she admitted. Just finding the trap at all had taken all she could do, and that was with help from the others. She was no expert in analysis.
Dante Florence |
So what do we get from those knowledge rolls?
"Well something has a key. Unless those creatures are popping up in this room."
Also, does Timm have survival? Maybe check to see if tracks are coming from the door.
GM Mercy |
Sorry bout that, was sick for a few days. And Timm does indeed have Survival +6. I'll roll a check for him.
Timm Survival: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8
Timm locates no tracks.
Obelisk: After a moment translating the most obvious bits, you recognize this as a stele extolling the history of some great figure, probably the priest-king himself. The language it uses seems fairly basic, but the sheer amount of writing on it would probably take you a couple or hours (or more) to fully translate.
Doors: The language on these doors is far more ornate than on the obelisk, perhaps partially in order to hide the warding spell you detected. You think it may be beyond your ability to translate accurately.
Re: The Dwarves You don't really have any knowledge of such a thing. Perhaps one of the others might know something. (requires Know(History) or Know(Engineering))
You hear the sound of running water echoing from a chamber down the west passage.
You stare at the statues of the creatures for awhile, following the dull tug of an old memory from your youth. Finally it comes back, vivid and whole - you've read of some of these creatures before! When you were very young you pilfered a book from your tutor's library, a book filled with descriptions of horrible, impossible beasts. When your tutor caught you he explained that this was a book of beasts who did not exist in your world, but in a far-away plane called Asperius, commonly called the Plane of Predators. It is an entire plane filled with deadly monstrosities.
TLDR: These are creatures from the plane Asperius, Plane of Predators.
The Makan used magic in a very different way than people today do, and none of you are experts in the differences. Still, you believe that the ward on the door has an effect more subtle than simple evocation magics.
I'm going to assume you guys share whatever information you find, so everyone can read all the spoilers - I just used them to organize what I needed to divulge.
Luca Wistor, the Void Caller |
"Oh. A Plane of Predators. Fantastic." Luca muttered. As if she didn't have enough of weird creatures coming out of nowhere to maul An- to maul the people close to her. Not thinking about it. Not thinking about it! "I really don't think we should try to get through that door without the key or another way of turning the ward off. And failing that, let one of the things do it." ...There was also seeing if she could send a Vilstrak over to open the door from the back, assuming the structure would let it get in. Wards didn't usually trigger if doors were opened from the inside, right?
Tyrus Regulus Veneficius |
Tyrus sighs regretfully "I agree Luca. Much as I'd like to fulfill my boyhood dream and kick down the door, we can't risk triggering a spell of unknown potency. Alright, logically if the door is locked it is likely the key is on the outside. It could be lost somewhere else, or it could be on a body in this area. At a minimum, if we can find more writing we may be able to decode the language on the door more accurately. I suggest we pick one of the other buildings - something that will withstand the oncoming storm."