From The Tome of Renlar's Repose

Game Master Renlar

Spellcraft on the elixir from room 7.

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17

I'm good with distributing things the way that Francois suggested in the discussion thread.

It is an awful lot of alchemical items... Perhaps it belongs to the creature you were poking? You called it a dragon, right? Dragon's usually have a horde.

The Survival check is impossible for me, so...

Which way should we go? Think both passages end up in the same place?

Miles gives Balzanno a sidelong look before sighing and taking the "wahnd" from him.

If you insist.

After healing the patchouli-soaked gnome and finishing his research, he joins back up with the rest of the group, Gumshoe in tow. He takes a look at the elixir, and flicks his fingers in a familiar cantrip before taking a closer look.

Miles cannot make the Spellcraft check, but he doesn't know that.

He frowns at the bottle, handing it back to Francois.

Perhaps this one is better left to your expertise, monsieur.

He contemplates Gumshoe's question for a moment, thinking through the clues that the group has uncovered thus far.

I feel as though the eastern-most rooms show the most sign of recent activity. If there is something else here that presents a danger to us, it is likely we would find it there.

He pauses for a moment, contemplating.

That hole is mildly worrisome. Perhaps we should investigate it further before proceeding onward?

Miles proposes moving through the eastern-most tunnels first, but not before dropping a pebble with Light cast on it down the 65+ foot deep hole.

Francois uncorks the bottle and takes a sniff.

spellcraft: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 29

Francois' nose wrinkles in disgust.

"Dis is an elixir of fire breath. Whomever takes it, be warned! Everything will taste like burning for zhe next few hours after!"

Balzanno thanks Miles for using his wahnd.

"Thanks."

Without a word, he springs ahead, noticing the two branching passages and hoping to apply his Dookvision to both before any pebbles with light cantrips can be hurled down them.

That hole is mildly worrisome. Perhaps we should investigate it further before proceeding onward?

You get the sense that you can take time to explore the whole once you are finished, but otherwise the pit itself and the areas beyond it are outside the scope of this adventure.

You continue your underground exploration and encounter the following rooms:

Room #11: You peek into this room first and find nothing but more debris. With the passage behind you angled and poorly visible, you decide that there is too much risk in leaving yourself open to a flank. You decide to backtrack slightly and explore the adjacent room.

Room #12: This room is littered with even more abandoned blankets and disgusting clothing. As Balzano enters the room, he notices another suspicious mound of clothing. Suspecting it to be additional loot he nudges with a boot but ends up inciting a swarm of tiny(technically 'fine') angry insects.

Round 1
21 Francois/Gabrielle:
21 Swarm:
21 Balzanno:
20 Gumshoe:
11 Miles:

Now up: Francois/Gabrielle

Gabrielle looks back at Francois, who immediately makes eye contact and gives her a nod.

They both retrieve a flask of alchemist's fire and toss them at the swarm.

Francois ranged touch, flask damage: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 61d6 ⇒ 6
Gabby ranged touch, flask damage: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 181d6 ⇒ 3

While Gabrielle's throw lands true, Francois' toss is comically inept.

I will let you roll miss. I was assuming the aim point was 5' past Balzy so as to not hit him, but since I didn't specify, I'll let you decide. Also I forgot range increment, so the spread of the miss is 10', I think.

They then each step back, trying to scatter.

Both confident adventurers, Francois and Gabrielle know how to deal with swarms. They draw their flasks and ready themselves to throw them in tandem. As the alchemists fires gracefully fly through the air, you see them connect with the two corners of the far wall and for an instant it appears to be highly successful. However, that instant evaporates as a growing fireball engulfs the room and envelops the entirety of the ruins.

Gabrielle, seeming to take the worst of the blow, is thrown to the ground unconscious and her maid's outfit appears to have been burned away several places.

Gumshoe, unable to see the what happened, is understandably surprised by the wave of fire gushing past him but surprisingly manages to avoid the blast by using his astounding avoidance.

Somewhere in the depths of the caverns, several unknown voices cry out in surprise as the fireball flashes through the ruins.

You reflexively hold your breath as the air around you is burned away, instinctively knowing that the only fresh air for some time is going to be outside of these ruins.

Enraged, the flaming ants move to attack the nearest threat and quickly engulf Balzanno.

Round 1
21 Francois(12dmg)/Gabrielle(24dmg): Both threw alchemist fires at the swarm.
21 Swarm(23dmg): Attacked Balzanno
21 Balzanno(21dmg): Fortitude DC15 vs. Distraction
20 Gumshoe(0dmg):
11 Miles(24dmg):

Round 2
21 Francois/Gabrielle: Gabrielle requires healing so she can hold her breath, otherwise she will suffocate

Now up: Everyone!

Boy... that Francois guy has some really powerful Alchemist's Fire...

Rounds of breath: 28/28

Opening his mouth as though he wants to speak before quickly catching himself. Gumshoe covers his mouth as if to make certain no air leaks out.

My intent would have been to put the Cure Moderate Wounds wand into one of my wrist sheaths, but I didn't call that out. It will basically just make the difference between CLW or CMW. Let me know and we can adjust the healing/charges accordingly.

Gumshoe walks over to Gabrielle, produces a wand from one of his wrist sheathes, and provides the wounded Eidolon some much needed healing.

Use Magic Device: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (18) + 13 = 31
Cure Moderate Wounds: 2d8 + 3 ⇒ (3, 1) + 3 = 7 or Cure Light Wounds: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9

Oh boy... those rolls... /headdesk

Gumshoe doesn't even notice that he didn't stop covering his mouth before smiling at Francois as he finishes tending to Gabrielle,

Rounds of Breath: 26/28

My intent would have been to put the Cure Moderate Wounds wand into one of my wrist sheaths, but I didn't call that out. It will basically just make the difference between CLW or CMW. Let me know and we can adjust the healing/charges accordingly.

You were designated to carry it, and that's how your character would carry a healing wand. I'm okay with the CMW being in one of the wrist sheaths.

Round 1

Fort DC15: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22

Balzanno pauses for the briefest of moments, more distracted by Gabrielle's sudden loss of clothing more than the fire ants swarming over his body and nibbling on him.

He opens his mouth, realizes its a bad idea from his many experiences in confined quarters in the Dooklands, and instead juts a thumb towards the door.

Assuming the others nod.

Stepping up, the hulky g-nome scoops up Gabs and positions her over his shoulder, pausing to admire the goods while eyeing the quickest path to reach the outdoors.

5ft to Gabrielle or move action; then pick her up.

Posting on behalf of Miles to keep things moving.

Taking a cue from Balzanno, Miles nods at the gnome before heading towards the exit.

Miles will take a single move action towards the exit, retrieve his Wand of Cure Light Wounds from one of his spring loaded wrist sheaths, and ready to heal Gabrielle when she is in range.

Cure Light Wounds: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

Francois, looking piqued, casts haste.

He then looks at Gabrielle, seemingly passing some form of unspoken dialog with her before he flees out the door.

HP: 22/35 Breath:28/30

Gabrielle wakes up in the arms of the gnome. Cocking her head to the side, she looks around slightly puzzled.

As Francois casts a spell and, in typical fashion, flees out of the room before her, he gives her a meaningful glance.

Nodding in understanding, she glances at Gumshoe in thanks, hops out of Balzy's grasping hands and reaches down to retrieve her fauchard before she too leaves out the door.

HP: 2/19 Breath:25/26

As she passes Miles, she offers him a smile in thanks.

HP:8/19

Chaos ensues as you rally to make sense of the damage caused by the explosion. Balzanno and Gumshoe jump into action to try and save Gabrielle, while Miles makes the tactical decision to start heading towards the exit while being ready to deliver support at a moment's notice.

While many of the insects were incinerated from the blast, a handful of them appear to have been crushed under Balzanno's boot as he retreated.

Francois casts a spell and hasten's everyone's retreat, then quickly leaves the room with Gabrielle in tow.

Ants cling to Balzanno as the swarm lunges forward a second time, this time attempting to devour both Balzanno and Gumshoe.

Round 1
21 Francois(12dmg)/Gabrielle(24dmg): Both threw alchemist fires at the swarm.
21 Swarm(23dmg): Attacked Balzanno
21 Balzanno(21dmg): Stepped back and picked up Gabrielle
20 Gumshoe(0dmg): Healed Gabrielle for 7
11 Miles(24dmg): Moved towards the exit, and readied to heal Gabrielle

Round 2
21 Francois(12dmg)/Gabrielle(11dmg): Francois casts Haste and retreats. Gabrielle retrieves her fauchard and retreats
21 Swarm(34dmg): Attacks Balzanno and Gumshoe
21 Balzanno(48dmg): (Fort DC15 vs. Distraction)
20 Gumshoe(15dmg): (Fort DC15 vs. Distraction)
11 Miles(24dmg):
11 SA#2: Unknown (Round 1)
05 SS: Unknown (Round 1)
05 SA#1: Unknown (Round 1)

Now up: Everyone!

Fortitude: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

Realizing that the party is fleeing for the entrance Gumshoe begins to head in that direction, but not before losing his lunch.

Nauseated from the failed save, but still moving 60ft away from Haste.

Showing the hint of a smile as Gabrielle returns to consciousness, Miles continues to make his way to the exit.

Hasted double move to the edge of the map.

Fort DC15: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16

Balzanno shrugs as Gabs jumps out of his arms just fine and makes her own way out of the catacombs. With his earthbrakker in hand, Balzanno tucks his head low and barrels out with supernatural speed.

Double-move outside.

Gabrielle moves out of the catacombs. Glancing at her tattered clothes, she stamps her foot, shrugs then pulls out another alchemist's fire.

move action out of catacombs, move action take out alchemist's fire

Francois moves out of the catacombs as well, activates a wand from his wrist sheath, and casts it on Gabrielle.

move action; swift action spring-loaded wrist sheath; standard action infernal healing. charges 9/50 Gabby fast heals 1/10 rds for 9/19 HP Francois 22/34 HP

As you desperately head towards the entrance, you notice that the ants clinging to Balzanno manage to take him down as he collapses outside the cave.

The swarm chases after Gumshoe with surprising speed. In his weakened state, it takes full advantage of his inability to fight back. Gumshoe hunches over in pain, and the swarm of ants crashes over him like a tidal wave.

Round 2
21 Francois(12dmg): Francois casts Haste, move @ 60ft.
21 Gabrielle(11dmg): Gabrielle picks up fauchard, move @ 60ft.
21 Swarm(34+10dmg): Deals damage to Balzanno and Gumshoe
21 Balzanno(48+9dmg): Double move @ 120ft, takes cling damage at end of turn, falls unconscious
20 Gumshoe(15+6dmg): Fails distraction save, moves @ 60ft, takes cling damage at end of turn
11 Miles(24dmg): Double move @ 120ft
11 SA#2: Unknown (Round 1)
05 SS#1: Unknown (Round 1)
05 SA#1: Unknown (Round 1)

Round 3
21 Francois(12dmg): Move @ 60ft, swift to draw wand, infernal healing -> Gabrielle
21 Gabrielle(11dmg): Move @ 60ft, and draws alchemist fire
21 Swarm(44dmg): Double move @60ft, deals damage to Gumshoe
21 Balzanno(57dmg): (Con-3 DC10 vs. Stabilize)
20 Gumshoe(21+14dmg): (Fort DC15 vs. Distraction)
11 Miles(24dmg):
11 SA#2: Unknown (Round 2)
05 SS#1: Unknown (Round 2)
05 SA#1: Unknown (Round 2)

Now up: Everyone!

As stated above, the swarm's cling ability will continue to deal damage to anyone who has taken damage from the swarm until the character takes >=1 point of AOE, is affected by a gust, makes a DC 17 Reflex save as a full-round action, or the swarm is dispersed

Francois casts another charge of his wand, this time on the fallen gnome.

Infernal healing charges 10/50 Gabby 2/10 rds 10/19 HP Balzy 1/10 rds +1 HP

He then removes an alchemist's flask from his pack.

Gabrielle tosses an alchemist's fire next to the stricken gnome.

ranged touch flask 5' north of Balzy: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17

Fortitude: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16

Noticing that he is apparently the only one left in the temple, Gumshoe steadies himself and retreats outside to join everyone else.

Ow, those things hurt! Best get Balzanno back on his feet.

Use Magic Device: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (15) + 13 = 28
Cure Moderate Wounds: 2d8 + 3 ⇒ (2, 6) + 3 = 11

Single move w/ Haste and heal Balzanno using CMW wand.

CMW Wand Charges Remaining: 3/5

Con Check: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

Balzanno drops to -4 before +1 infernal +11 cmw takes him to +8.

Sadly his init count has passed in round 3.

"Heyo! Get dese tings offa me!"

Gumshoe stamps his feet as he makes for the exit and manages to crush enough of the remaining insects to force them to flee into the surrounding mountainside.

From within the cave, several footsteps can be heard rushing towards the entrance.

With a moment to rest, you collect your bearings, heal your wounds, and prepare for whatever is headed your way next.

Round 3
21 Francois(12dmg): Move @ 60ft, swift to draw wand, infernal healing -> Gabrielle
21 Gabrielle(9dmg): Move @ 60ft, and draws alchemist fire
21 Swarm(44dmg): Double move @60ft, deals damage to Gumshoe
21 Balzanno(46dmg): Receives healing, becomes conscious
20 Gumshoe(38dmg): Escapes and destroys the swarm, heals Balzanno
11 Miles(24dmg): ???
11 SA#2: Unknown (Round 2)
05 SS#1: Unknown (Round 2)
05 SA#1: Unknown (Round 2)

Everyone will have two rounds before the creatures making the footstep noises emerge from the cave.

Now up: Miles round 3, then everyone x2!

Phew... Glad that is over! Time to patch myself up.

Round 4

Use Magic Device: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (7) + 13 = 20
Wand of Cure Moderate Wounds: 2d8 + 3 ⇒ (2, 1) + 3 = 6

Round 5

Use Magic Device: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (4) + 13 = 17
Wand of Cure Moderate Wounds: 2d8 + 3 ⇒ (8, 5) + 3 = 16

CMW Wand Charges Remaining: 4/5

Francois looks at Gumshoe stumbling out of the catacombs, still covered in ants.

"Gabrielle, mon petit. Light monsieur Gumshoe on fire, s'il vous plait!"

He pauses, wrinkles his brow in thought and adds, "just a little. a very small fire, s'il vous plait."

He then casts another charge out of his wand on himself before taking a few steps back.

standard action cast infernal healing; move action; Infernal healing charges 11/50 Gabby 3/10 rds 11/19 HP Balzy 2/10 rds +2 HP, Francois 1/10 rds 23/34 HP

Gabby takes the alchemist's fire from Francois' hand, gives a small smile and tosses the flask just south of Gumshoe.

ranged touch, 5' south of Gumshoe: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12

"Something, or someone, is definitely coming. I am certain they are less than happy about this turn of events. We'd best be ready.

Miles moves forward and clasps his hand on Balzanno's shoulder, quickly assessing that the gnome's burns and bites look much more severe than his own, and delivers a Cure Moderate Wounds with a short prayer.

CMW: 2d8 + 5 ⇒ (4, 7) + 5 = 16

Miles prepares thoroughly, casting a few more buffs before whatever is coming arrives and readying his adamantine katana in hand.

Turn 3 - CMW on Balzy
Turn 4 - Divine Favor
Turn 5 - Shield of Faith on himself.

Balzanno smiles his thanks to Miles and the others as he dusts himself off .

"Damn dat swarm, it's like it was bein' controlled by some guy comin' afters us like dat!"

As the sounds of something else approaching them are evident, he follows Miles's lead and begins applying his own magicks in preparation.

Shield and Longarm.

Gabrielle removes the potion of bear's endurance and downs the contents.

+6 HP from bear's endurance from the potion. 4/10 infernal healing 18/25 HP

Francois stows the infernal healing wand and removes the wand of protection from evil.

haste is over. 2/10 rds infernal healing 24/34 HP