GM Chadius presents 8-02: Ward Asunder (Table B) (Inactive)

Game Master chadius

"Inghinn, it's a gong. You don't need musical talent. That's why they have them in big orchestras; for that one guy without any discernible talent."

Hopefully the water, silver, or trail rations will be a good enough gift to the heavens.

Feel free to try the perform check if you want to- I'll just move us forward for now.

After a tough hike up a narrow trail along the face of the mountain, the Pilgrim’s Path suddenly ends. A cylindrical portion of the mountainous landscape—one hundred and fty feet in diameter—is simply missing. An old milestone still points southwest toward the strangely symmetrical crater, but an arrow engraved in the cliff face points west toward a series of water-slicked steps carved into the unnatural cliff.

Tanabru wails quietly and shakes in disgust. ”It was here! This is the place where my ward, my path, was sundered!”

You can climb up the slippery, vertical cliff. Or you can try to traverse the narrow ledge. You guess that the pit is about 60 feet deep, so it is quite a fall. Lots of vegetation grows through the base of the cliff so that may soften your fall.

If you are trying to climb straight up the cliff, make a DC 19 climb check.

If you decide to cross the three gaps, I need a DC 10, DC 5, and a DC 10 Acrobatics check to cross. Alternatively, you may try 3 DC 11 climb checks to climb horizontally across the gaps. If you tie each other together with a rope, followers within 20 feet of the leader may make DC 10 Climb checks to Aid the leader via Aid Another.

I need to know the party’s marching order, and how each of you will try to get to the temple.

You are on slide 1 on the east side, about 50 feet down from the edge of the cliff.

BONG!: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18

Knowledge (arcana): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21

"Magic made this." Gwen says investigating the perfectly circular hole.

Gwen's probably third or fourth in line.

Arcana: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26
Stonemasonry: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7
"Yes, Gwen, I concur. The magic that transported part of the monastery into the tapestry."
Since we are not being threatened or distracted, I assume we can Take 10 on the Climb check to traverse the edge of the pit horizontally to the stairs? The "you can't do this if there's an adverse consequence of failure" clause is for Take 20; Take 10 is explicitly called "a safety measure"

Yes, you can take 10 for these climb checks.

Gwen takes a chance, grabs the mallet and carefully smashes it against the gong. Hera is startled as the gong rings solemnly, and the cave echo sounds very pleasant to the ears, as if the very heavens responded in unison.

"Inghinn, it's a gong. You don't need musical talent. That's why they have them in big orchestras; for that one guy without any discernible talent."

"Still, I'd rather not...oh, you're gonna go ahead and...oh! That was rather nice! Well done, Gwen!"

Knowledge (Dungeoneering): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15

"Whatever made it, it's a bloody mess! Well, I suppose we've got a bit of climbing to do then. Here, tie this round my waist and follow after. I should be able to get across these gaps just fine if I take it slow."

If permitted to take 10 on the horizontal climb checks, Inghinn auto-succeeds with a 17 Climb check.

Miriel tries a bit of the climbing on the cliff, then comes back to flat ground, shaking her head.

"With my armor, it feels so clumsy. I might be able to scale with a rope and the climbing tools wearing my combat gear, but without rope it would be extremely difficult. Perhaps the remains of the path will be less challenging."

Miriel empties her backpack, and places much of the items on her shield, all waiting for her return. Then she removes her armor, and puts it into her backpack.

"I believe I am as prepared as I can get", she says as she follows Inghinn to the ledges.

I'm at -1 in climb & acrobatics when wearing armor. Leaving a bunch of non-essential stuff to lessen weight. Miriel can come second.

Kavor Doan climbs along the narrow ledge to the base of the water-slicked steps.

He is prepared to use Feather Fall on any party members as an immediate action should they be in danger of falling.

If a rope is tied, what bonus does that give to a Climb check? My strength is +2 and I don't have a rank in the skill. Just wondering what I'd need to succeed.

It sounds like everyone is climbing across, then? It makes my job easy :)

As you climb across the gap, you hear a sizzling noise. No, that's not right- it sounds more like the hissing of snakes!

Round 1
Inghinn (Tied to Doodle)
Doodle (Tied to Inghinn)
Miriel
Gwen
Snakes
Kavor

Most of you are ready to react before the snakes move, though!
You are 30-40 feet from the base level. Remember the stairs count as rough terrain for the purposes of movement.

Doodle continues climbing, preferring to deal with the serpents once the group was safe from possibly falling.

Inghinn begins moving toward the steps when she realizes that she's still tied to Doodle. Drawing her sword, she calls out to the gnome, "Doodle, are you safely on the ledge? We'll be stuck together if we stay tied like this, but I don't want to cut you loose if you're not safe yet."

If the party is done climbing across, Inghinn will cut the rope with her sword. Otherwise, she'll wait until everyone gets to the steps.

You are all safely on the western platform, at the bottom of a 40 foot snapback staircase. You can see your positions on slide 1.

Inghinn notices everyone has crossed safely and prepares to cut the ropes with her sword.

Doodle casts Mirror Image and four Doodle’s begin climbing the stairs.

Images created 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Gwen hops across Takes 10 for 11, or if stressed settles on climbing with a rope attached to herself.

Hera makes it look easy by flying. If there's an open wall it is likely that at some point the sees what is hissing inside the cavern just because it sounds like she has a lot of time to fly around.

Once to the far side Gwen moves up the steps (or if she has too disentangles herself from the rope and then does so).

"This is most unfortunate, I am not protected. I will try to soften their resistance with my bow for a moment" Miriel says and pulls out her bow.

"They are constrictor snakes, so we do not have to worry about poisons. They are rather agile climbers, so we cannot use the cliffs as a terrain advantage. I am not delighted to fight them, but they are predators and see us as food. We must kill or be killed."

She shoots one arrow at the red-scaled snake, and shouts at it: "Retreat, you ugly beast!"

As the party loosens the ropes and prepares for battle, Miriel takes a shot directly across the pit to hit the red snake. All of the snakes begin to close in toward the party, with the black-striped snake getting right in front of Gwen.

Round 1
Snakes (Red 2 damage)
Kavor

Round 2
Inghinn
Doodle (4 mirror images)
Miriel
Gwen

Party is up.

"Uh, here's hoping they aren't poisonous."

"They are constrictor snakes, so we do not have to worry about poisons...."

"Oh good, so they will only crush us to death with their icky, coily bodies then right?"

They are Medium-sized snakes I would guess?

Gwen closes her eyes as the snake descends the cliff wall. She pulls her foot back, and *PUNT!*

unimproved bullrush (AKA 'Pulling a Polly') v black: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 1 = 18

Afterward, if she is able, she moves to the top of the current set of stairs.

"Have you seen what poisons can do? It's not pretty! You die a slow and painful death!" Miriel shouts back to Gwendolyn , dropping to less elaborate language. She takes again aim at the red snake, and sends an arrow at it with a shout: "Back off, or I'll make a handbag of you!"

Kavor Doan moves (think that's a single 20' move - one stair square and two flat squares), calls upon his arcane power, and readies to attack the first snake that comes within reach.

Im no good with figuring out how far I am away from a snake. Can I get to one in a double move? If so, that’s what I will do.

@Doodle: You can get to two squares left and 1 square up from where you are. You won't be able to get to a snake this week.

Miriel's arrow grazes off the snake's armor.

With snakes above and in front of her, Gwen tries to push one of them back. This leaves her vulnerable, briefly...
Black's AoO: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19
Bite: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8
Grab: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 = 11
Constrict: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7
She gets a nasty bite for her trouble, but she does kick it back.

Round 1
Snakes (Red 2 damage)
Kavor (Readied Action)

Round 2
Inghinn
Doodle (4 mirror images)
Miriel
Gwen Move Action only (8 damage)

Ill do that move then, DM. Thanks.

After kicking the snake back, Gwen retreats up the stairs.

I'll move Doodle once Inghinn moves. We have a traffic jam here.

Inghinn rushes up the stairs and brings her sword down toward the blue-spotted snake. Just as her blade comes down, however, the snake slithers out of the way.

Greatsword, power attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10 Damage, pa: 2d6 + 11 ⇒ (3, 5) + 11 = 19

Doodle hustles up the stairs as Inghinn takes a wild swing at the blue dotted snake. It retaliates, wrapping its coils around her.
Bite: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23
Damage: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5
Grab: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (13) + 9 = 22
Constrict: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

The other snakes simply advance on the party, with the snake Gwen kicked slithering up the stairs right next to her, and the Red snake slithering 30 feet down to reach Miriel's level.

Round 1
Snakes (Red 30 feet down cliff 2 damage, Blue grappling Inghinn)
Kavor

Round 2
Inghinn (11 damage, grappled)
Doodle (4 mirror images)
Miriel
Gwen (8 damage)

Party is up.

How high up is the pink dashed snake, relative to the landing where Kavor Doan is now?

Pink is 10 feet above Kavor and Doodle.
Black is right in front of Gwen, on the stairs.
Red is 30 feet down the cliff, lined up with Miriel.

"This is not working" Miriel mutters and drops her bow. She steps to meet the snake, drawing her blade.

"Get behind me, I'll end its slithery dance!" she calls as she strikes the snake.

Sparks fly as Miriel cuts off a piece of the cliff.

"Doodle! Try and yank Inghinn back!" Gen steps back from the advancing snake and prepares to cast the silent image of a wall between the greater part of the party and the serpents.

Delays until just before the snakes go again.

Doodle realized the easiest way to break a grapple was to kill the serpent that was grappling her friend. Doodle shoots three magic missiles at the snake.

Damage 3d4 + 3 ⇒ (4, 2, 4) + 3 = 13

Kavor Doan moves down to block the black snake's path to Gwendolyn, and attacks.
MW Waraxe, Higher Ground: 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 7 + 1 = 23
Damage, Arcane Strike: 1d10 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6

Inghinn struggles to free herself from the snakes clutches.

Break grapple: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (16) + 9 = 25

Kavor's axe nicks off a piece of the snake's hide. It hisses back at him.
Inghinn manages to squeeze out of the snake's grip just as Doodle's Magic Missiles pummel it.

A good thing, too as Gwen snaps her fingers and a wall of stone erupts from the ground, protecting the party.

Gwen: The purple squares represent the silent image you have set up. Due to 3D, I think you have enough to draw this illusion. Will Save DC 16 to disbelieve after you interact.

As far as the party is concerned, the wall is totally real. Assuming Gwen mentions it's an illusion, you get a +4 Will Save bonus to disbelieve it after you interact with it.

The snakes are quite confused about this wall. The black snake slithers underneath the cliff and approaches Miriel from below, with the red snake behind it. The purple snake slithers around the cliff and down. The blue one follows in its footsteps (snakesteps?)

Round 2
Snakes (Red 50 feet down cliff 2 damage, Blue 13 damage)
Kavor

Round 3
Inghinn (11 damage)
Doodle (4 mirror images)
Miriel
Gwen (8 damage, Silent Image)

Unable to reach his prior target, the wizard swings his axe at the pink snake.
MW Waraxe: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12
Unfortunately, his swing goes wide. Pretty sure of that. If not, tell me and I'll roll damage.

"Get off, you living wall ornaments!" Miriel continues her taunts and strikes at the red snake.

The snake easily dodges and Miriel cuts deeply into the rock below.

Luckily, Doodle still had line of sight at the pinkish nsmake. She magic missiles it again.

Damage 3d4 + 3 ⇒ (4, 4, 2) + 3 = 13

"Get off, you living wall ornaments!" Miriel continues her taunts and strikes at the red snake.

The snake easily dodges and Miriel cuts deeply into the rock below.

"Maybe you should stop taunting the animals."

Having forced the snakes to climb to avoid her illusions of sheer walls Gwendolyn drops the figments. Moving quickly back down the steps (assuming she can angle this right) aims a hypnotic wave of scintillating rainbow light into the faces of the snakes on the cliff wall. Color spray! (Will DC 16).

If necessary, acrobatics (avoid pink AoO): 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

If necessary, concentration v DC 17: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22

If there is a better place to be to get both of the climbing constrictors in the area of effect she move there instead.

Miriel's aim is off, but Gwen's magic does something to overwhelm their senses.
Black's Will: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7
Red's Will: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7
They spasm, lose their grip and tumble down the cliff. Unconscious and Stunned...I don't think they can keep climbing.

Doodle uses this opportunity to shoot the pink-eyed snake.

Round 2
Snakes (Pink 13 damage, Blue 13 damage, Red & Black fell off the cliff)
Kavor

Round 3
Inghinn (11 damage)
Doodle (4 mirror images)
Miriel
Gwen (8 damage, Silent Image)

Inghinn continues up the stairs as Gwen dismisses the illusory wall. "Well done, ladies! Keep it up! We're almost through!" As Inghinn nears the top of the steps, she holds her blade ready to strike the blue snake as soon as it comes within reach around the top of the steps.

Assuming there is a bit of a ledge to Inghinn's right that would prevent her attacking the snake from where she currently is. Preparing a standard to attack as soon as the snake either moves directly in front of her or starts coming down the wall beside her.

Inghinn heads up the stairs. As the blue snake crawls towards her, she cleaves it in two with a single mighty slash.

The pink snake could climb down the cliff and bite Doodle, or it could roll around and bite Inghinn.

Even means bite Doddle!: 1d2 ⇒ 1
Bite: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23
Damage: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6
Grab: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 = 11
Constrict: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7
The snake decides to stay above the party and bite Inghinn. She at least evades its coils as it tries to wrap around her.

Round 3
Snakes (Pink 13 damage)
Kavor

Round 4
Inghinn (17 damage)
Doodle (4 mirror images)
Miriel
Gwen (8 damage)

Doodle double moves to engage the serpent.

Would someone move me please?

How would you like to engage the serpent exactly? Doodlevain would have to be standing where Inghinn is currently for melee. If you just want to move to the next landing (and engage at range) that might only be a single move depending on how bad the stairs are.

Ah, I thought there was a grab/grapple going on, but I see it missed. I believe if I advance 20’, I should be able to get line of sight on the last snake. If I can do that, I’ll just magic missile Again.

Damage 3d4 + 3 ⇒ (2, 4, 2) + 3 = 11

"I do the art my way, critic!" Miriel snaps back at Gwendolyn. She drops the blade, and picks up her bow again.

"I'll decorate you with tail feathers, worm!" she continues taunting despite her lack of success as she attacks the snake.

While Miriel and Gwen argue about proper etiquette, Doodle finishes off the last snake with a barrage of magic missiles.

Combat Over

After patching your wounds, you climb up to ground level and witness a magnificent temple, worn down by time.

Three sets of stairs lead up to a ten-foot-high stone platform surrounding this courtyard on three sides. Several buildings stand upon the platform, some of built directly into the mountain face.

You find several markings in the stone.

You also find some burn marks in the ground.

Tanbaru speaks up. "My memories of this temple are very hazy, but I believe going north leads to the altar room. The eastern stairs go to the Meditation Room, and the western stairs go to the Dormitory. Which way should we look at first?"

The map and your overall progress will be on slide 1. Once 2 of you agree I will move you on to the next room.

Perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 1 = 12
Arcana: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21
"Scorching Ray spell. Recent. There's trouble afoot."
Kavor Doan looks around.
"The dormitory, perhaps?"

"I do the art my way, critic!" Miriel snaps back at Gwendolyn. She drops the blade, and picks up her bow again.

"I'll decorate you with tail feathers, worm!" she continues taunting despite her lack of success as she attacks the snake.

Gwen crosses her arms and arches an eyebrow. "Well, if you are looking for a critique...."

potion of cure light wounds: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9

perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

knowledge (arcana): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12

Perception 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13

Doodle was ready to follow the others to the temple. The dormitory sounded fine to her.

perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (20) + 10 = 30

knowledge (arcana): 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

"Whoo!" Hera points out the a number of scratches amid the scorch marks.