Having a fair consensus of the groups desire to return to the spire, the barbarian looks around and figures they have enough time to do it. He starts towards a city gate to get them moving.
Once out the gates he makes his way towards the known path they must take, he'll keep an eye out for.. trouble...
As the group heads back out into the wilds, Tamlara is a little less anxious about the trek to the Spire, but she still plans on keeping a keen eye out for any suspicious activity. . .
Wayne suddenly comes flying down in front of Boudacia. Boudacia senses that he is nervous, he senses 'something' up ahead, but has no way to communicate to her the location or what.
At about the same time Tamlara gives the party a warning to stop.
Since I'm still waiting for Aldhranhald's perception, I'm going to post a spoiler for each DC passed so far. So far Tamlara is the ONLY one to pass any of these DC's. If Aldhranhald passes he may also look at the spoilers, for whatever DC he does pass. The rest of you please do not peek!
Perception DC 23:
You see a human woman hidden in the trees about 20 feet up ahead on the right. She looks VERY similar to Tangar, just not as muscly. She is clearly watching the group, and while she has a bow with an arrow knocked, it is not drawn or raised. For now she seems to be just watching, and she looks directly at you. You both see each other.
Perception DC 25:
You also see a human man hidden in the trees about 20 feet up ahead on the right. He also looks VERY similar to Tangar, just not as muscly. He is also watching the group, but he holds an ax at the ready, but again not currently raised. They seem to just be watching for now, and they both see that you have seen them, but they do not react for now and just stay hidden.
Tamlara gets to read both of these, but please wait to post any responses until we get Aldhranhald's perception taken care of. *** Since Aldhranhald's perception check has the potential of being very important, I don't want to bot it for him if not needed. I want to give everybody the chance to 'glory' in their own good rolls if possible, especially when it could be important. And I've already given way too much of a hint here!
Making eye contact with the two cautious, but not overly threatening people in the bushes, Tamlara says, "Tangar, are you expecting some sort of family reunion or anything? We have at least two observers who seem very similar to you, stylistically, at least. They seem prepared, but not overtly threatening at the moment."
Male Aasimar (Angel-Blooded) NG Oracle of Life Lev.2 | HP: 22/22 (1d8+2+1 FCB) Resist Acid, Cold, & Electricity 5 | Init: +2 | Perc: +1 (DV), SM: +1 (Roll twice, take the lowest) | DefenseAC: 17, Tch: 12, FF: 15 (Armor +3, Shld + 2, Dex. +2) | F: +2, R: +2, W: +4 | CMB: +2, CMD: +14 | OffenseSpd: 20' Land & 25' Swim | Melee: +2 (1d8+1, X2) Ranged: +3(1d8, 19-20/X2) | Spells: 1st 5/5 | Channel Energy 5/5, DC 15 | Active Conditions: None. | Character sheet
I'm VERY confused?!?!? Aldhranhald and Tamlara both posted yesterday afternoon according to this, but I checked on multiple occasions last night and this morning and there were no new posts? How did this happen? -.-
Ok, Tamlara has announced what she sees to some extent. How does the rest of the group react?
"Where are they Tamlara? And what are they doing? Do we seem to be in any danger?"
Since Tamlara has indicated humanoids in the vicinity, Aldhranhald, as is his normal operating procedure, calls out in a loud voice. "Hail travelers! Do you speak Common? We mean you no harm. Please step out, and let us greet one another."
After Aldhranhald speaks up, all of you see a man and woman in leather armor stepping out from the trees on the right up ahead. You are all surprised to see another man and woman step out from the trees on the left as well (Stealth rolls of 30 and 33!). They all have an aspect of barbarian warriors, though none appear as strong as Tangar. You do notice they move more gracefully though.
The male that stepped out from the left side speaks up, "Hail yourselves travelers. We mean no harm either to those who do no harm to our home. We are not travelers as you say, but rather protectors of our home. What is your purpose of travelling through our home?"
"We are a group of adventurers heading for the Emerald Spire. I am Boudacia, and these are Tamlara, Aldhranhald, Tangar, Wayne and Alex. Well met." Boudacia punctuates her reply with a gesture towards each individual as she introduces them.
"I thought this might be the situation. Many go to the Spire, few return. I am Tilhere, of the Kellid Barbarians. These are Aldreda, Godfrid and Touillda, all of the Kellids. Please be careful as you pass through our lands that you cause no harm. Also be sure not to release anything from there out to our lands."
"Since you are going there anyways, I hope you can stop whatever has caused the waking dead to plague our forests in the recent months. We must continue our patrol to make sure none put our families in danger."
Tangar had remained silent due to his unfamiliarity with other people of his kind.. he had merely shaken his head as Tamlara spoke to him, and kept a wary eye on the people. He was relieved and yet surprised when they turned out being friendly. This is not always the case with barbaric peoples, but they are on a mission.. protection of the family is all important...
He waits until they have moved on before returning to their own trip. He hadn't liked being caught unaware of their presence... he'll strive to be more vigilant, but this silent wood bothers him..
"Rest assured we will respect your lands and take care not to unleash hazards from the Spire. As to the walking dead, we have been employed to investigate the situation by powers in Fort Inevitable. We will do what we can, though it may be beyond our powers to put a stop to the threat."
Aldhranhald holds his bow in his right hand and his quarterstaff in his left, following Tamlara's lead. As they leave the Kellid's he waves and nods a farewell. "Not to worry, we'll respect the land, as long as it respects us." He winks, then follows after his comrades.
The barbarians all either nod or wave goodbye and 'melt' back into the forest again practically disappearing from view right in front of your very eyes!
The rest of your trip through the woods goes uneventfully and you arrive at the glen of the spire around 2:30 in the afternoon.
Now, what's the plan? Going in the back 'secret' door again? At what point are you going to try to use the communal dark-vision? And whose doing that?
As they reach the clearing of the Glen, the north-man stares out at it, his emotions a mix of hope, concern and anger.. his concern was all for his new friends.. their safety was his job, he was the warrior, he was the protector... he cannot fail.
Looking out over the cleared area he shakes his head and then looks at the others, waiting for their readiness to once again rush across the expanse of the green field....
"Well lady and gentlemen, this is how I see things. The scroll should give the three of us who need it darkvision for two hours. If things go reasonably well we should easily be able to get through the first level in that time. We don't know what is there or how many rooms, but we can infer the floor area from the size of the Spire, and it is not that large.
I suggest going in the way we did last time and using the scroll just before we enter. I should be able to do that, though it may take a couple of attempts, the spell is not one that familiar to witches. Then we try to explore all the first level in the next two hours.
If all goes well, we can decide then to proceed further or return to Fort Inevitable. If we are forced to turn back earlier, by formidable foes, injury or, more optimistically, accumulating more loot than we can carry, that is what we will have to do.
Other people's ideas? Improvements?"
What this:- "... and using the scroll just before we enter. I should be able to do that, though it may take a couple of attempts, the spell is not one that familiar to witches."
Means game mechanically is Boudacia has UMD at +6 but Communal Darkvision isn't on her list. I suspect nobody else is better placed to employ the scroll based on people's class. Speak up if you are. And if I recall the rules correctly a failed UMD will just result in nothing happening, but no harm.
My UMD is +5, so yours is better Boudacia. As far as a failed check, I'm not sure.
"It all sounds good to me, Boudacia. I'm ready to get back in there just as soon as everyone else is on board."
Now that we're back, I am beginning to wonder who Gribb's other 'friend' could be?? She apparently impressed Gribb and his friends as well . . . of course, they are goblins, so it can't be that difficult.
Per the table on here, to use a scroll takes a DC 20 + Caster level. You did specify that you wanted it to be able to last 2 hrs per each, so by my understanding that works out to be a 6th lev caster, so that makes your DC a WHOPPING 26!!! It does specify that you cannot take 10 (So by default you can't take 20 either) and that you cannot receive aid from another. The good news is that as long as you don't roll a nat 1you can keep trying! So ... this could end up taking a while ... Hmmm .... me no likey ...(DM hand-waive) Hey look at that! Whenever you do go to use this first scroll - you 'magically' roll a nat 20 on your first roll! :D Let's save time here!
Just because of DM-only-knows-why - I do need the group to be specific on the actions here though, are you using the scroll before checking the entryway, or after, or what?
Thanks Stormstrider!!! We're lucky that Boudacia has that +6 on UMD or we wouldn't even be able to use the scroll. Thanks so much for the hand-waving! My vote would be cast the spell while we're still outside the "secret" goblin entrance, so that we can see clearly just as soon as we enter.
I've only heard two votes on how to proceed so far. Two does not a majority make. - I just felt like saying that in a weird way. I do know RL Tamlara was home not feeling well today. She didn't feel up to posting here apparently.
Ok, I have a consensus on using the scroll before checking the entryway.
Boudacia successfully activates the spell off the scroll giving Dark vision to Aldhranhald, Tangar, and herself.
The group then turns to go back in the back 'secret' entrance only to find it is completely blocked up with mostly rubble of the green glass/stone, except that about the middle there is a relatively large red stain, red blood dripping down the stones. You realize the source of the red stain is the body of a goblin embedded in the stones. It's obvious that as they were stacking up the rubble he was stuck in there while still alive and had larger stones placed upon his body until he was crushed. Upon looking closer Tamlara recognizes Gribb's body.
Trying to dig this out to open it and gain access would take hours at the very least and not having the proper tools will make it take even longer.
"Yes, main entrance; though this makes me even more curious, and cautious, about the other 'friend' Gribb had. I feel a bit sorry for the little guy. I mean he is a goblin, but obviously someone did not appreciate 'sharing' Gribbs affection, as it were. It does not look an easy way to go. . ."
Shaking her head, Tamlara will turn around and go back the way she came up, waiting at the base for anyone coming down after.
We'd better hurry, this darkvision scroll is already on a timer. . .
"That is decidedly rude! Blocking a secret entrance? And for what? Tangar and Tamlara already made bloody work of most of the goblins anyway... Or did they?" Aldhranhald's face takes on a quizzical look for a moment, looking at the position of the body buried in the rubble. "Either way, we're forced to head to the main entrance, or waste this darkvision." He says following after Tamlara.
Is the main entrance the one with the stairs on the far left of the current map? Wasn't there something about that entrance that made us not want to go there? I can't remember now.
The north=man has to agree the other entrance seems the only choice left to them. Looks like ve go vit da oser entrance den.. The barbarian seems deep in contemplation about something as he speaks these words..
Be careful, dey may be expecting a return visit, though dey may alvays be expecting people to come here and take dis tower, but good to be on look out..
With out thinking about it, the north-man takes the lead, his axe out and shield up. His new vision making things weird for him, but he will adapt...
The tall dark haired elf keeps his bow in his left hand and his quarterstaff in his right, following Tangar up the winding path that leads to what seems to be the Spire's "main" entrance. "There's no way this is going to be easy. I'm certain many adventurers have tried this before us. Boudacia? Could you and Wayne do a bit of scouting ahead, so to speak? See if anything at the entrance looks suspicious? I know I'd feel better having a bit of recognizance done before meandering up this winding trail of terror." Aldrhanhald says with a smile.
"Of course Aldhranhald, I should have thought of it myself. Does anyone have a length of rope I can take? If the way is clear, I will shift back to human and lower the rope for the rest of you. See you soon."
With that, with or without a length of rope, Boudacia shifts into the form of a bat. Boudacia and Wayne than head to the entrance and scope out the area from above the doorway. They are going to move pretty much silently, without the bat-like squeaks.
Boudacia's eventual position is shown by the image on the map, unless there is some reason that is evident not to go there.
Boudacia gets to the top of the ruined, crumbling stairway and finds the ancient doorway is just a mass of impenetrable rubble. Judging by the weeds and such growing out of the rubble, it has been this way for many years.
Just to make things a little clearer, your only entryway now available - without taking hours or days to dig through masses of rubble that may be unstable - is through the darkened archway at the top of the ramp at area A1. Speaking of which, perception checks! And just to save some time -
Aldhranhald and Boudacia see, while Wayne senses it. There is a goblin riding one very ugly dog just inside the archway. You can see him shouting something towards the area further back in the ruins, while he is obviously raising his bow to take a shot at the party.
Initiatives! - Aldhranhald and Boudacia are the only party members that get to act in this surprise round as the rest are unaware. - By the way Boudacia I'm going to give you the benefit of the doubt this time and say you saw the goblin as you were flying by and then you landed in front of the ruined doorway or else from where you are you can't see anything at all.
Of the three acting in the surprise round, the order is: Boudacia, Goblin, Aldhranhald. You each get one standard action or one move action or the equivalent. For time I'll go ahead and roll the goblin attack.
The goblin raises his bow and lets an arrow fly.
Attack:1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22 damage:1d4 ⇒ 4
His arrow flies true and strikes Tangar right in the chest!
After Boudacia and Aldhranhald take their surprise round actions, then the the Initiative starts from the top: Tangar, Boudacia, Goblin, Tamlara, Aldhranhald, Alex.
Stormstrider- This is either my fault or the nature of PbP, but I am in a bit of a quandary. I have moved my ikon over by the blocked door, but you told me I saw a goblin, likely with a bow, on the way. This leaves 2 possibilities.
1 If you will let me, I will stop when I see the goblin and slumber hex it. DC 15 will save negates. With luck, this will leave the goblin having a siesta rather than hurting Tangar. Got to look after the barbarian.
2 If you rule I said I moved there so I did, which is perfectly valid imho, then I will move back. Which raises a question about how high the tower in my way is. If it is relatively low, Wayne and I can go over it and return that way. If it is high, and it might go way up being part of the spire, we will have to go around.
Would you mind moving my picture to where I get via the most direct route back? Both bats fly at 40 feet. That will be all I can do.
Seeing the goblin dog rider, Aldhranhald attempts to warn his comrades, but is too late as the arrow flies and hits Tangar in the chest. "Damn it! I guess it's too late to warn you that there's a goblin in the archway?" Aldhranhald says apologetically to the now, once again, wounded warrior. Then Aldhranhald draws and looses an arrow aimed at the goblin, hoping to return the favor just done to his barbarian friend.
Tangar looks at the elf for a moment then shakes his head and laughs... He then hunkers down close to the wall and moves quickly up the path before them, hoping he can sidestep anymore of those arrows.
Double move up the path to try to get in reach of the goblin and mount.. His speed is normally 40, but 20 in difficult, so the x2 move gets him his normal move.. lol.. sigh... SMH
Aldhranhald moves as far up the path as the difficult terrain will allow in so short a timespan, and again fires his bow, this time at the hideous hound.
Aldhranhald watches as his arrow flies straight and true pushing deep into the dog's fleshy chest. "Thank you Irori!" He whispers a quick invocation of thanks.
