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"I wish I knew if those soul-bound dolls are temporary or not, but I know not the answer to that." Kyle frowns. "Someone created these and left them to wreak havoc on intruders for sure."
Kyle adds more light to the darkness by following Taryin in throwing a light stone down the corridor. He is not surprised at all by Edmond's appearance.
Beppo grins at Edmund's dramatic entrance and the influence it has on their new companions. He gives a brief wave. Edmond. If you see anything that looks like a doll, shred it. He then nods at Damaia to suggest that she should lead them down the hallway.
Thanks for the lights, friends. Let's keep it up.
Friend Beppo, you have just described my raison d'etre. Lead on and I will follow.
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You're not sure, but you think Damaia's face has turned an even deeper shade of red than normal. Looks that can kill and with gentleman's touch! Boys, take notes here. Bran...Edmond, the pleasure is all mine.
With renewed vigor, she moves to the front. I see what you were talking about. Looks like a creature made out of water is moving around in the fountain, perhaps guarding it. How do you all want to proceed?
Aemon frowns and shakes his head. "Each to their own..." He then focuses up as Damaia starts to move down the hallway. "Made of water? Umm"
"A creature made of water?" Sure that such a creature would leave a magical trace, Taryin scans the area for any auras.
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You find no aura. However, this does not completely surprise you. Not all creatures made of water have a magical aura in and of themselves. According to your studies, many are from other planes of existence, but unless recently summoned to the material plane, would not have an aura of magic in and of themselves.
So, umm....guys? What do we do?
"I suppose it's another guardian... let's prepare and move up we have to keep moving through this place." Aemon switches his arrows to blunt and then prepares to follow those going in.
"I suppose it would be wishful thinking to hope that this particular creature would prefer pleasant conversation over trying to eviscerate us at first glance? Mores the pity. It really is a shame Delvehaven has slipped into such a state." Killian readies his sword, the mithral gleaming in the dim light. "So do we try talking or do we rush in through that inky blackness I can't see through?" A slight chuckle escapes his lips at this last humorous comment as a broad smile stretches across his face.
Beppo looks to the ranger and the magic-using types for their superior knowledge. Unless this is going to be one of those things we can only hit with magic, let's keep going. If it addresses us, good. If it attacks us - Beppo shrugs ...just as well.
Satisfied that a decision has been made, Edmond gestures to Beppo to lead into the room and follows behind.
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Damaia leads the way, carefully searching for traps.
The room contains a crystalline pool encircled by a border of eldritch symbols.
Suddenly, Damaia's face brightens up. As you get closer, you see that the watery figure looks exactly like her. Aside from the fact that it does not leave the pool, it mimics here from the ankles up.
She waves, and it waves back, just like a mirror image. She giggles. Hey, this isn't a creature...it's some sort of trick! It appears to be the work of magic, yet Taiyan detects none.
Map updated.
"Or it is a creature mimicking you, Damaia. If so, you might not want to stray too close."
Taryin frowns, then tosses a rock into the water.
Taryin examines the water closely, then casts a cantrip to see if it mimics him. After that he'll try several movements while looking around the room.
That's right, Damaia. Keep your distance, and let's move on. Beppo starts to move around the pool, keeping a wary eye on the water mimic-thing.
Taryin stares at the water another moment, then quickly draws his dagger and stabs forward...making sure he just misses it.
Edmond's lips curls in a sneer at the thing but he makes sure to keep his distance. He has never been comfortable with mirrors - perhaps he is afraid of what he sees looking back at him.
Killian pauses in his stride for a moment, a question playing across his face before he finds the words to voice it. "Hold on a moment. If you all saw this creature in the pool from down the corridor, then what was it mimicking before we were close enough to mimic?"
Now that... is a good question. Edmonds says, scanning the corners of the room.
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As Taryin thrust forward with the dagger, the watery doppelganger seems to do exactly the same... but in the split second that Taryin's body is committed to the false attack, the duplicate grabs his outstretched arm and pulls him into the water! The party turns from the resounding noise of the ensuing contest as Taryin finds himself engulfed by a watery copy that now seems twice his size! Taryin struggles to free himself before he drowns as the party looks on in horror!
COMBAT ACTIONS!
Beppo yells, Dammit, Taryin! and takes a swing at their aqueous foe.
"Taryin watch out!" Aemon then fires his blunt arrow's at the now massive watery looking Taryin.
Edmond rushes forward to attack.
"Ta-Taryin! Shelyn help us. Quickly, friends, before Taryin is lost to us!"
HP: 29/32
AC: 20 (12 T / 18 FF)
CMD: 16
F/R/W: +2/+5/+4
Bardic Performance rounds used: 7/24
Spell Slots:
Level 1 (4+1) - [X], [ ], [ ], [ ], [ ]
Level 2 (2+1) - [X], [X], [X]
Arcane Bond - [ ]
Ongoing Effects
heroism: Beppo (1/10 rounds, 35/50 minutes)
heroism: Brandon (1/10 rounds, 35/50 minutes)
inspire courage (+2): 1/3 rounds
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Round 1
Beppo hits the creature hard, and it recoils back. Immediately, it takes a more defensive posture. Aemon shoots...one of the arrows miss the creature, but as the other one hits, the creature shifts Taryin's body, and the arrow pierces not only the creature, but Taryin's arm as well. The resulting bleeding mixes slowly with the water creature's body in that area. Taryin absorbs half of the damage
Enemy Turn
The creature has not only cut off Taryin's oxygen supply, but the internal pressure threatens to expel the air he's holding in his lungs!
Taryin, fort save, DC 16. Failure reduces the normal time you can hold your breath by an additional 3 rounds.
The creature lashes out at Beppo, who hurt it earlier.
Beppo is hit hard by the watery attacks.
Status
EFL Water (Good, Taryin Defense), Taryin (20/27 Engulfed. 1 Rd Held Breath),
PFL' Beppo (23/49 Heroism (5m)), Brandon (48/48 Heroism (5m)), Killian (36/36 ),
5' Kyle (32/32 4 STR Dmg), Aemon (44/44 ),
10' Damaia (16/16 ),
Killian begins to strike out with his sword, but his swing falters as he tries not to wound Taryin. "I don't know how to help him without hurting him further!"
HP: 29/32
AC: 20 (12 T / 18 FF)
CMD: 16
F/R/W: +2/+5/+4
Bardic Performance rounds used: 8/24
Spell Slots:
Level 1 (4+1) - [X], [ ], [ ], [ ], [ ]
Level 2 (2+1) - [X], [X], [X]
Arcane Bond - [ ]
Ongoing Effects
heroism: Beppo (2/10 rounds, 45/50 minutes)
heroism: Brandon (2/10 rounds, 45/50 minutes)
inspire courage (+2): 2/4 rounds
"Watch out! I just hit Taryin, this bastard is smart." Aemon then attempts to aim for a spot were Taryin is not in.
Taryin reels, trying to break out using his knife.
Edmond sees little option but to destroy the creature. Whilst it lives - Taryin dies. It's a simple equation.
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Round 2
Beppo is healed as the bard misses the creature. Aemon shoots...
... and manages to hit spots that his friend is not in. Edmond attacks, but misses. Taryin struggles inside of it...
...but cannot get out.
Enemy Turn
Taryin has used 5 rounds of breath now. He can only last 2 rounds per pt of CON, in this case...20 total.
The creature continues to squeeze the sorcerer.
Fort save.
As Edmond lunges forward, the creature attempt to swallow up Edmond with waters from the pool.
And it does! The water creature grows with TWO men now engulfed inside of it!
(Engulfed creatures may attempted a CMB, swim check or Escepe artist to get out after 1 round. This attempt is a full round action.)
Status
EFL Water (Hurt, Taryin Defense, Edmond Defense), Taryin (20/27 Engulfed. 1 Rd Held Breath),
PFL' Beppo (40/49 Heroism (5m)), Brandon (48/48 Heroism (5m), Engulfed), Killian (36/36 ),
5' Kyle (32/32 4 STR Dmg), Aemon (44/44 ),
Without preparation, he can hold his breath for a number of minutes equal to his Constitution score (after this, he must begin making Constitution checks or risk suffocation)