Tomb of the Emperor Gods -- PbP
Game Master Tarren Dei

Sykala's stony form slides up the wall of the shaft, past the sand block. The fireflies see their old friend.

Ixius buzzes around Sykala's head.

Deep in concentration Sykala points absently at the sand wall and makes a spidering motion up the wall with her hand. Continuing to stare at the wall she contemplates how to get past it.

we really need to start working out some form of sign language...Hey Tarren, question, would it be possible to cast spells that don't have a verbal component while in this form? Because, theoretically at least, couldn't the somatic component be accomplished by moving the whole body in the proper way? Just a thought

Sadly, I think it would be simplest to establish a sign language while we could still communicate. That boat has sailed unless we can get back to a normal form. Ovirid, at least, doesn't know Morse code.

Yes, that was indeed a suggestion for a future plan...should we be enable to enact it. Still, the life of a firefly can't be all bad, can it??

PRD Wrote: While in such a form, you cannot cast any spells that require material components (unless you have the Eschew Materials or Natural Spell feat), and can only cast spells with somatic or verbal components if the form you choose has the capability to make such movements or speak, such as a dragon.

I'm going to say no somatic components as you don't have hands. No material components unless you have eschew materials or natural spell. No verbal components as you can't speak. That doesn't leave many options.

1 round has passed since Sykala arrived.

Not wanting to sound irksom but at this point we pretty much have no options unless Sykala has an idea since I dont see how tiny insects would be able to burrow through a magically created wall of sand

One of the fireflies goes and lands on the druid's stony shoulder.

*blink* *blink*

Where there's a will there's a way?

Korianfly continues to search the shaft as he spirals down. If he doesn't find anything he lands on the sand floor/wall and proceeds to start digging. Jinxfly soon lands beside him and begins to help.

I hope you guys don't feel I'm being underhanded. Your foe seems to have been uniquely built for this particular tactic. In fact, he may have been.

We have not exactly responded in the optimal fashion at any other point. Why should we expect things to be simpler now that we are farther in? ;-)

Where there's a will there's a way?

I think you mean, "Where there's a Will save, there's a way."

LOL, your blinking made me lmao Ovirid! Sykala understands firefly but I don't!

After waiting a few moments (3 rounds) Sykala seems to realize that there is no immediate danger and gets a puzzled look. She then releases the spell she was holding to summon another earth elemental which proceeds to pummel a hole in the sand wall.

Summons an augmented medium earth elemental that power attacks the sand wall for 1d8+15 points of damage each attack. Sykala will assist as best she can with 1d6+3.

Gah! Just realized if I had taken my standard speak with animals spell I would be able to now speak to you guys because I have the feat Vermin Heart. Durn-it! However I can calm all those hostile feelings your having at the moment with my wild empathy. ::patting closest firefly:: Now, now...there, there...I always thought you were a bit buggy.

Hold up, my druid, only one round went by. ... It would take about 2 or 3 rounds for your friend to do what he needs to do though.

As Sykala begins to smash away at the rocks, the flaming creature appears in the shaft. His crocodile mouth is spread wide in a toothy grin. He carries a jewel-laden chest in his crab-like hands. His scorpion's tail sways back and forth as if excited.

"Do you really want to do this here, where your friends are vulnerable. Face me below, and they will not die in my hands."

Once the Croc shows up, Korian and Jinx high-tail it for the top of the shaft, fast as they can.

Ixius buzzes after Korian.

Sykala wastes no time and points down at the second mural past the creature just as she unleashes lightning from the other. In grumbling rock on rock tones she redirects her earth elemental to attack.

Elemental attack: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (8) + 9 = 17
Damage: 1d8 + 15 ⇒ (7) + 15 = 22

Lightning Touch attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22
Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

She'll back away so the elemental takes melee attacks.

Tarren

Sykala, you are hiding in the wall of a 5' by 5' shaft. We are in some very close quarters combat here. Your opponent, let's call him Mr. Croc, is standing on the 5' by 5' wall of sand he created. Where do you have your elemental appear?

Whoa! That'll teach me to read the description more closely! Was thinking it was at least 10' foot for Mr. Croc to fit. Guess I had the image of from the movie The Scorpion King in my head. Mr. Croc is only medium? In that case she'll have the earth elemental show up between us and it, half in the wall for support. Basically, I guess the elemental is technically right above it. Since that blocks off some of the shaft Sykala will point past it before circling all the way down to ground level (30' foot move?). Not sure whether she has enough actions left to zap it from behind. If she does she will.

The firefly on her shoulder buzzes in frustration for a moment, but follows the others up the shaft, landing on the wall where he can watch the battle. And wish for an axe and shield.

Okay, before we enter combat ... Sykala, roll for initiative. Anyone else who plans on fighting should also roll (but remember you have the stats of a giant bee right now). I understand Ixius, Korian, and Jinx are at the top of the shaft. Where is Refina? Ovirid, I see you are on the wall; how far up are you? There is about 80 ft. of shaft that is not blocked off.

Refina will be behhind Ovrid and the others. Also are we just using a giant bee's stats or treating it as a Vermin shape spell affect? (Since pathfinder changed the polymorph rules a fair bit. Also only giant bee stats I can come across are a medium creature is that the one we are looking for?)

That's a lot more space than I realized. Ovirid will be at about 40'. Mr. Croc is flaming, as in fire elemental?

And... can a giant bee flank?

and also, if we're medium sized, can we even get by each other in the shaft?

The module is a bit weird here. It says use the stats for giant bee but it makes it fairly clear you are "hand-sized" when it describes your enemy's potential tactics. I think it just intends that you used these stats for a specific confrontation your enemy has planned for you, but that you aren't actually medium-sized fireflies. I think you are actually safer if we follow the module. You are firefly-sized.

I know where everyone is now. Sykala, roll for initiative. You can zap it if you win initiative. His initiative is 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19.

Initiative: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12

Mr. Croc sees you aren't going to accept his request to take this fight somewhere else and glowers, "I'm trying to be nice here!"

He raises a hand and a swirl of dust becomes another wall of sand. This one divides the shaft between Ovirid and the others. (The others were at the top of the shaft. Ovirid was about 40 ft. up.)

Those in the top half of the shaft now have about 35 ft. of shaft to fly around it and are separated from the croc, Ovirid, and Sykala.

Your move, Sykala.

Whoops. Sykala and her elemental get an AoO since Mr. Croc is using a spell-like ability.

Whoops. Sykala and her earth elemental get an AoO as Mr. Croc is using a spell-like ability.

AOO for Earth elemental: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 27
Damage: 1d8 + 15 ⇒ (8) + 15 = 23

AOO for Sykala: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13
Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

I'm guessing this happened prior to my above stated action since you are saying Sykala gets an AOO too. If that's the case than continue with the above action as her actual action using those rolls (probably means elemental misses on its action but hey she may hit with her lightning!).

I'm a little confused by your action posted above, Sykala. You are circling around beneath the wall of sand and then trying to 'zap' him through the wall? In any case, you summoned your elemental because you started that before he appeared. He appears; you roll for initiative; he wins. He uses his SLA. You have AoO to interrupt him as does your earth elemental. Remember he is surrounded in flames. Does that affect your or your elemental's decision to attack him? (I should know before I make a concentration check for him.

Oh, I thought the wall disappeared when he showed up. Your saying he just appeared in the shaft before we had a chance to break through the wall? I think I understand now. No, Sykala will not go beneath the sand wall. The elemental will take his AOO on him but continue to attack the sand wall since it is still there (again just use the attack listed above (Hit: 17, Damage: 22). Sykala won't bother swatting at him since she does so little and he is on fire. She will instead go up the shaft 15' feet toward Ovirid and the others and zap him from there (Hit touch 22, damage 6 lightning). Will that work? The point being is that she is trying to make a hole for the fireflies to go through. Wish I still had a stone shape.

Yes. He just appeared.

Your elemental strikes him. He can certainly take a punch, however.

Concentration check:1d20 + 19 ⇒ (9) + 19 = 28

The wall of sand that began to form at the creature's command loses its integrity and rains gently down on the combatants.

The elemental takes some damage from the flames that surround the creature. fire damage =12d6 + 12 ⇒ (4, 6, 5, 1, 6, 6, 4, 3, 3, 2, 6, 4) + 12 = 62

I believe that is the end of your elemental.

The croc grins even wider as the earth elemental dies. "Twenty-five!" he says in the common tongue.

Tarren:

I believe that is the end of your elemental.

The croc grins even wider as the earth elemental dies. "Twenty-five!" he says in the common tongue.

Tarren

You're both right. Seems like a poor spell. Fireball, a 3rd level spell, does 1d6 per caster level and it doesn't have to wait for you to punch the caster. So, the earth elemental is still with us. The croc has not gloated yet. The elemental has taken 4+12=16 fire damage. The elemental then attacks the floor. Sykala zaps him but he shrugs it off.

Round 2 of combat. Let's let the fireflies respond first, the the croc, then Sykala and her elemental.

Confusion check on the retcon. Did the new wall of sand still fall apart? Or is Ovirid still the only firefly that can see Mr. Croc right now?

Buzz there watching

The wall of sand that Mr. Croc was trying to cast between you fireflies still fell apart. All the fireflies can see Mr. Croc. His attempt to further split the party failed.

Inquiring minds want to know...did the lightning do damage and he just wasn't impressed or was he immune to it entirely? Did the elemental manage to punch a hole in the sand wall? If not, what kind of progress was made.

I actually really like the Fire Shield spell. The damage quickly adds up for anyone attacking in melee (either damaged once a round or per attack depending on your interpretation - it's unclear IMO) and it protects you against an energy type.

He noticed the lightning, but it didn't bother him much at all. The elemental sends some of this densely packed sand flying. Sykala has travelled through the wall and has an idea of its thickness. She figures he has is now a quarter to a third of the way through the wall.

Ovirid flies up to where the other fireflies are, circles the shaft twice, then flies back down to his previous position and lands on the wall.

Don't think I can afford to try what options I have through the fire shield...

Am I correct in thinking that my lightning can actually damage the wall and go straight through its hardness? Sorry guys, I am trying my best to either hurt this guy or get you out of here and neither seem to be going well.

I'm not sure that it can. PRD WROTE: Hardness: Each object has hardness—a number that represents how well it resists damage. When an object is damaged, subtract its hardness from the damage. Only damage in excess of its hardness is deducted from the object's hit points (see Table: Common Armor, Weapon, and Shield Hardness and Hit Points, Table: Substance Hardness and Hit Points, and Table: Object Hardness and Hit Points).

Hardness is generally used against physical attacks, though, not magic (like DR works against a sword, but not against a magic missile). But I'm not sure electricity does what you want -- sonic would be a better choice, were it available.

oops, I mean

"Bzzz. Bzzz" *blink*

Well, because I am searching for any little thing to help us I discovered that the earth elemental has an additional +1 to attack and damage against the wall because of earth mastery. So take that wall! Please add one additional point of damage Tarren.

P.S. I tend to agree with your interpretation of the hardness rules Tarren but just checking.

Tarren: