The pool covers a wide area, probably an acre or two, but is only waist deep (for a human) at its deepest point. So probably no dolphins.
Guntir throws a rock into the water, causing a big splash. You watch the ripples spread out and hit the shore, but beyond that, you don't see anything different.
As Guntir moves out into the water, Andrietta and Leepo catch a sudden glimpse of movement. Their foe reacts faster, though. Suddenly, a giant water bug rears up out of the pool in a spray of mist. It lunges at Guntir.
Bite@Guntir, AC18:1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11
It cleanly misses the dwarf.
Andrietta and Leepo get either a move action or a standard action in the surprise round.
It's more of a reactive sort of thing, really. Andrietta's first response is to revert to a far more primal approach and attempt to 'peck' at the bug, given a lack of weaponry in hand and the sudden nature of the assault.
Acting instinctively, Andrietta lashes out at the bug, managing to injure one of its antennae. Leepo is able to toss a bomb at the monster, doing a considerable amount of damage.
It manages to hit with both its bite and sting, doing a considerable amount of damage (12 hp total). It almost locks the dwarf in its jaws, attempting to drag him under the water. But Guntir is able to twist free at the last moment.
Hennet swings at the bug, landing a solid blow on one of its legs. Taicho fires his bow at the beast, but the shot goes wide.
Andrietta backs away from the bug slightly, pulling out a wand and shoving it roughly into Guntir's back. Middle of combat is no time to be a shrinking violet about this sort of thing!
Alternate action condition: if the terrain is difficult Alternate action: Guntir does not move and draws his Earthbreaker instead of his longhammer. Everything is the same except he only gets +5 on the attack roll.
"I've got some rope for this. If we all pull it up together, then it'll be easier on everyone, and we might even be able to do it at a distance? That's my take, thoughts?"
Andrietta will pull out her 50 feet of hemp rope and offer it for this purpose, since she voiced the concern earlier about possibly getting sucked in if there's air there still.
Trying to suggest that no one is in the pool proper when the hatch is pulled open...
Male LG Dwarf Stonelord/3 | DR 1/adamantine | 34HP | AC 18 T 11, FF 17 | CMD 17; +4 vs. Bull Rush, Trip | +6 Fort, +2 Ref, +2 Will; +3 vs. poisons; +5 vs. spells, and spell-like abilities | +1 Init | +5 Perception
Guntir nods slowly. "Aye, I suppose that's a sensible plan." He attaches one end of the rope to the handle and then makes his way out of the water. He asks the guide "Whose arm is that? It looks recent."
He hands Andrietta a CLW wand. "Give me a tap, will ye?"
That should work. Everyone can grab onto the rope, and remain free of the pool while doing so. I need a Strength roll from everyone. I will use the highest roll as the base, and everyone else will be an 'Aid Another' roll.
The group heaves on the rope. It sticks for a minute, but finally, the trap door opens with a sudden lurch. All the water in the pool rushes into the opening, sweeping any loose debris into the hole, as well. After a few moments, the flow of water subsides.
Revealed is a 5 foot square opening into dark tunnels below. It appears there are plenty of little ledges and handholds in the walls of the passage, allowing you to climb down fairly easily.
What are you guys using for light? And who is going first?
Male LG Dwarf Stonelord/3 | DR 1/adamantine | 34HP | AC 18 T 11, FF 17 | CMD 17; +4 vs. Bull Rush, Trip | +6 Fort, +2 Ref, +2 Will; +3 vs. poisons; +5 vs. spells, and spell-like abilities | +1 Init | +5 Perception
"I'll make my way down first, unh?" Guntir doesn't give the others a chance to argue before clambering down. "One o' them'd fall and break their neck, like as not." You hear him mumbling to himself as he makes his way down, the reverberations making his deep voice carry much farther than he realizes.
Andrietta watches the water and breathes out a sigh of relief. She's really glad she saw that one... getting pushed into that hole could have hurt someone!
How long does Alchemist's Fire burn? j/k
The tengu murmurs some blessings and prayers to Grandmother as she ritualistically caresses her wooden holy symbol, bringing it to light.
Fluff for Light Orison.
She'll go towards the rear of the group, because she'd be the least likely to break someone's back if she landed on them by mistake. But she'll take time on it, just to be safe.
"Huh. I didn't even think about getting some light... Glad you have some, Andrietta. Scritch, you have darkvision, why don't you stay up with Guntir." The eidolon nods his head and makes his way down next. Leepo waits til toward the end, so stay close to some light.
A network of 6-foot-wide, arched tunnels connects double-vaulted ossuary chambers. The once ornate chambers are now a patchwork of brown stone walls, faded paint, and crumbling plaster. Water seeps through the walls and collects in floor cracks and ankle-deep puddles. The entire necropolis is unlit. All of the doors are made of heavy stone and are unlocked and ajar. Several passageways end in cave-ins—evidence of the great geological violence visited upon the necropolis 10 years ago.
Map is linked above. Place yourselves on the map in your preferred marching order. You come in through the trapezoid at the top. The stair that curls around in the north east corner ends in a cave in, so you will be heading into the large room to start.
Hennet jumps down the hole, after a quick prayer to Desna. He draws his tiny rapier and casts light on the amethyst set into the pommel.
Finally... I was started to worry that there were going to be more strangeness before we finally got inside. Let's get that salamander and get outta here... This place gives me the heebie jeebies.
Hennet is ok with point, or second. Anyone care to do the rogue-y stuff?
HP 22/22 | AC 20 T14 FF15 | Init +3 Perc +8 (+1 Traps) CMB +4 CMD 18 | F+3 R+6 W+0 | NG Tengu | Rogue (Swordmaster, Trapsmith) 2; Fighter (Weapon Master) 1 | Cmp Bow +6; 1d6+2 x3 P (Dueling Sword +6; 1d8+2 19-20x2 S) | sheet
Taicho can do most of the roguish stuff.
"Look traps first."
Taicho moves to the first door to check for any traps before opening it when the party is ready to continue ...
Perception:1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 7 + 1 = 15
[crotchety old fart mode]The map has been changed so you dang kids with your fancy new phones that you don't even use to talk to people can update the map.[/crotchety old fart mode]
As you proceed down the hallway, you hear Deris clamber down into the necropolis with you. He keeps a healthy distance from the rest of the party, but follows the group as they proceed through the tunnels. The ghost appears to have stayed on the surface.
The door to this larger chamber is ajar and does not appear trapped. Carved pillars in the corners of this chamber hold aloft a double-vaulted ceiling of cracked frescos. On either side of the chamber, a single step leads up into a deeply recessed area that forms an arched room of its own.
On the floor of the east recess, the perfectly preserved body of a young boy lies in a puddle and stares silently upward.
Leepo:
The body bears an uncanny resemblance to Colson Maldris, the head of the Liberty's Edge faction.
Andrietta's player joins the Crotchety Old Fart Coalition. What's with this fancy shmancy folks getting on the internet with their phones and moving pictures around and stuff?
Andrietta will advance a bit more, but try to incorporate Deris into the group. That way he can get some protection just in case...
Hennet nods at Taicho and motions him into the front.
Good, I'll be right behind you.
As Leepo inspects the body, Hennet keeps watch for anything nasty that may be coming.
Good question. Is something here preserving it? Anyone got magic that can tell? I sure don't.
The group suddenly hears a noise behind them. Turning, they see a hulking brute of a man wielding a morningstar moving toward the group. His eyes are milky, and it looks like there are several spots in his flesh that have rotted away. He moves with a slow, shuffling gait.
Knowledge(religion), DC12:
This is a large zombie. It is an undead being with damage resistance, but is vulnerable to slashing weapons.
The tengu priestess will pull out a massive sword (Bastard Sword) and point at the zombie. "Zombie! Slashing weapons!Bastard Sword:1d20 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 21d10 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6 She will then move to position to get a good crack at the thing.
Hennet throws a flask of holy water at the abomination. It shatters against its chest, causing it to groan and writhe in pain. Taicho readies a weapon, waiting for the zombie to shuffle into range.
The thing moves forward, and swipes at Hennet with its Morningstar.
Male LG Dwarf Stonelord/3 | DR 1/adamantine | 34HP | AC 18 T 11, FF 17 | CMD 17; +4 vs. Bull Rush, Trip | +6 Fort, +2 Ref, +2 Will; +3 vs. poisons; +5 vs. spells, and spell-like abilities | +1 Init | +5 Perception
Guntir shakes his head. "Slashing weapons. My arse." he mumbles as he makes his way around his companions to the other side of the undead and draws his longhammer.
He hoists it up and brings it down with a heavy swing at the zombie's head.
Crunch:
Notes: darn. I knew there was a reason I should have kept that axe.
Round 1 action: move around allies, drawing hammer
Attack zombie
