Aerel Thelon |
"Ah." Aerel says with a pleasant smile. "I had not prepared that spell this day. Fortunate that you did." He silently offers a prayer of thanksgiving to Calistria.
Marvel Manyshot |
Marvel doesn't go downstairs as the first one, but he readies his arrows to shoot at anything which might move and isn't one of his allies, letting at least two walk downstairs before following, but waits if more than two would like to go downstairs before Marvel does.
Aerel Thelon |
I propose the following marching order - Shaeda, Aerel, Nicholas (possibly with a torch, if you guys want more light?), Emma, then Marvel.
Aerel flicks his ears thoughtfully, then steps closer to Shaeda, drawing his scimitar and flexing the fingers of his off-hand. Perhaps there is nothing... but it is better to be prepared than to be caught by surprise. On the other hand, coming in armed is often the cause of hostilities... He snaps back to the present as a particularly strong breeze brings the stench of the fishery's processed... slop to his nose, and his ears twitch in distinct distaste.
GM Kamro |
Dark and dank, the ship’s hold smells of mildew. Several barrels, crates, and other containers lie stacked here and there. Dust and grime cover the floor, except where river water has collected in puddles.
I made Nicholas' token a light source. To go downstairs, I moved you guys over to the right side of the map, so scroll over if you can't see.
Perception checks for all
Aerel: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17
Nicholas: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15
Emma: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (6) - 1 = 5
Shaeda: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4
Marvel: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 1 = 13
Aerel and Nicholas soon discover the source of the skittering sound Shaeda noticed. There are spiders as large as housecats down here, and they do not look happy (insofar as a spider ever looks happy) to have intruders in their lair.
Initiative checks for all
Aerel: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
Nicholas: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13
Emma: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8
Shaeda: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17
Marvel: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19
Spiders: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
Roll-Off between Aerel and Spiders
Aerel: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3
Spiders: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19
Combat order will be:
Marvel
Shaeda
Nicholas
Emma
Spiders
Aerel
Marvel Manyshot |
The moment Aerel and Nicholas point out the spiders, Marvel chokes back a scream, five foot steps halfway back up the stairs and starts firing wildly at the nearest spider (lower left corner, on top of the boxes).
If they have really low HP, both shots hit and I kill it with the first arrow I'll take the one directly in front of Marvel to the left next
Attack 1: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 211d8 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5
Attack 2: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 161d8 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8
Emma Holt |
Gonna do this preemptively since I do not know when I will make it back to the computer.
Glaring around the room "Nasty creatures." It is dark and this massive spiders have always freaked out Emma. Between nerves and the lack of lighting her blade goes right over the massive spider.
Rapier: 1d20 ⇒ 4Not that it did me any good
damage: 1d6 ⇒ 4
Shaeda Stormborn |
Shaeda steps back and swings her whip at the spider nearest her.
Scorpion Whip Hit: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5 Disarm, Trip
Scorpion Whip Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 2
Nicholas Sparrow |
Stepping past the others, Nicholas moves into a perfect jab at as he aims for one of the large arachnids.
Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23
Crit Confirmation: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24
Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5
+ Crit Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4
Whoo Hoo! My first crit! ...but my panache pool is already full...
Aiming for the one to the lower right of me.
GM Kamro |
Shaeda's whip strike goes wide, and Emma's is too high, but Nicholas runs one of them right through the head, killing it instantly.
The final spider leaps toward Aerel with its fangs outstretched.
Attack/Damage: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 81d3 - 3 ⇒ (1) - 3 = -2
The spider, however, misses its shot and leaves itself wide open for retaliation.
Provokes AOO from Aerel for entering his square.
Aerel Thelon |
Can I AoO when I am flat-footed? I do not believe that I can - no Combat Reflexes for Aerel.
As the spiders make clear their hostility, Aerel sighs inwardly. Poor things. This is their home, and they really have not invited us, have they? His distraction, however, leads to his slow response time, and the spider leaps at him (missing by a wide margin) before he can even lift his blade. He grimaces, and his focus comes to him swiftly. Stepping slightly to the side, he slashes the spider between its abdomen and its thorax. In a blurred arc of steel, the blade strikes home.
Attack: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 1 = 21
Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7
Crit Confirm?: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9 That probably doesn't confirm. Oh well.
Crit damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
Standard action: Attack.
If it's dead, then we're out of combat. If not, Aerel will 5-foot step to the east.
Marvel Manyshot |
Marvel looks around for a bit, and if he doesn't see anything interesting, he'll mumble something about keeping guard and walk outside again to escape the webs and dead spiders.
Perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7
Nicholas Sparrow |
Any signs of skeletons (child sized or otherwise)?
Aerel Thelon |
Aerel sighs, relaxing his focus, and looks down on the spiders with some sympathy. "Poor things. We came into their home without their permission..." He sighs, sheathing his blade, and takes in the ship's hold with a mild expression.
Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20
Aerel Thelon |
"Hm." Aerel blinks, then glides over the floor, his graceful steps taking him between Marvel and Nicholas, and he examines the wall behind the crate carefully. "Ah. I was correct. I thought I felt something coming from this - a small breeze. It appears that this wall is cracked."
He considers the crate quietly, before looking back at the crack. But is it concealed deliberately, or simply by happenstance? Interesting. The spell-dancer looks to his companions, taking in their emotional states, and smiles gently at them. Poor Master Manyshot does not seem to enjoy this place. I suspect that the spiders alarmed him.
Nicholas Sparrow |
Hearing Aerel's comment, Nicholas approaches and looks over his shoulder. "A crack might mean a passage or a repaired hole. This thing looks bad enough for one, but I wouldn't put it past Gaedren to hide something here. Can you move the crate?"
Aerel Thelon |
Aerel nods slightly, pushing at the crate slowly. "Is it likely that Lamm would have made such a repair? In either case, given the condition of this vessel, I suspect there might be a way to make a hole regardless."
Do you need a Strength roll?
Marvel Manyshot |
Marvel stands outside on the deck of the boat, keeping guard and trying to brush off the last of the webs. Unfortunately as Marvel brushes off webs in his hair, the webs get stuck on his eyes and he carefully tries getting the webs lose without losing his eyelashes. Marvel doesn't notice Emma joining him before she is next to him and he has gotten rid of most of the webbing without losing a noticeable amount of eyelashes.
Looking rather shy but also as though he is more at peace with himself than before, Marvel looks Emma almost in the eyes, as he says "It's better out here - I kept thinking I saw more spiders downstairs, I really don't like them. Did they find anything downstairs before you left?"
Generic perception check if anyone or anything is moving close by the boat, within Marvel's view of the house or he hears anything out of place
Perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
GM Kamro |
Marvel doesn't see anything of note.
As Aerel pushes the box, he finds that it slides with ease. As soon as it is out of the way, a section of wall falls forward, almost like a drawbridge, revealing a door that's just about level with the water. A chain is attached to the door, and is pulled as it opens. The chain threads through a pulley that yanks on something below the water.
A wooden platform, previously hidden beneath the murky river, is pulled up, providing a walkway back to the fishery, with a door just visible on the other side. The door would be nearly impossible to see if you weren't underneath the building. It seems that this is the only way to access the lower floor.
Aerel just barely has time to process this, when something falls past his face toward the water below.
Reflex save, Aerel.
Aerel Thelon |
"Ah." Aerel says softly. "It would appear that you were correct, Nicholas. A secret door. If you would go retrieve Emma and Master Manyshot-"
Hrm. This could be interesting
Reflex: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20
Oh, hey, that is pretty lucky.
The elf cuts himself off, noticing something falling down, and before he even recognizes what it is, his hand flicks out, snatching at the object purely on reflex.
GM Kamro |
Aerel catches...a pound of raw meat? Looking up, he sees a bucket hanging over the water, a peg that was holding it in place having been pulled out by the opening of the door. It nearly dropped bloody meat into the water.
The reason for this soon becomes apparent, as for a second he's sure he sees the mottled fin of a Jigsaw Shark break the surface, before sinking back beneath the water. A primitive but effective security measure; doubtless the creature would not be satisfied with a single mouthful of food, and would hang around looking for more.
Aerel Thelon |
Aerel looks at the hunk of meat, his expression distant. "Now, you've finished butchering the first creature, little cousin." Seanthia Andosana said, looking at him expectantly. "So, next, you look to your herbs..." She had been a most patient teacher with her poor student, and word of her death in battle with a green dragon some decades past had hit the young elf hard.
Abruptly, he realizes he is lost in the past, and returns to his present, delicately setting the piece of meat aside. "Indeed. We ought to retrieve our other companions first, however."
Emma Holt |
Looking sideways at Marvel, "Not better but cowardly."
Shaking her head and putting a small frown on her lips and speaking towards the ground, "Everyone has things that they fear though. Spiders that can take down horses that wolves failed to kill is something worth fearing." Despite her words she makes no move to join everyone in that cramped little room.
Grinning and looking back up to meet Marvels eyes, "You probably did but that does not matter. They will either have more information from that little den or we will continue our search for a much worse monster."
Nicholas Sparrow |
More of Gaedren's pets, Nicholas thinks with a sigh.
Heading out of the hold, he finds Marvel and Emma talking. "Looks like there was a secret walkway into the fishery. Has Gaedren's handiwork all over it, too. You guys ready?" Nicholas says, seeing Marvel's slightly pale face.
Marvel Manyshot |
Realising for the first time just how young Emma is, Marvel smiles back as he replies, in fluent if somewhat archaic Varisian "I certainly hope there aren't more of them down there! I'll grab my daughter and run screaming away like a startled squirrel!"
"But, for what it is worth - I don't think that whether we are afraid of spiders or not makes us cowardly or brave. As you say, fearing spiders that size and bigger is sensible. Going up against Lamm, saving all those children, that makes you brave. And once again - I'd like to thank you for helping me save my daughter. She means more to me than my own life ever could."
As Marvel speaks his gaze wanders until it settles on Emma's feet, to finally look up at her right ear again.
"I... once this is all over, I mean, when Lamm is dead, I'd love for you and the others to meet my wife and son, I mean, I'm sure my daughter would like to thank you too. A good meal - my wife, or, my former wife, I mean, it was never a formal divorce after our daughter disappeared, but... she is a good cook. Not as good as Aerel, but, well... what I'm saying is it would be nice to meet in less hectic circumstances."
Marvel attempts a smile, but it doesn't take much insight to realise that Marvel halfways expects his offer to be rejected.
Marvel Manyshot |
Can we just pretend I pressed enter before Nicholas came upstairs? :-D
Looking to Nicholas Marvel readies his bow again, and then lets out a slight silent scream as he notices a (normal sized spider) dangling on some strings of webbing attached to his bow. Marvel shakes the bow violently, jumps a bit and then positions the bow again, clearly deciding to just pretend that didn't just happen.
"Right, I'm ready to go."
Nicholas Sparrow |
"Uh, huh," Nicholas mutters, keeping an eye on the twitching fellow.
Leading the others down, Nicholas finds Aerel still by the hole. "Anything changed?"
Aerel Thelon |
Aerel smiles dryly at Nicholas, shaking his head slightly. "There was a trap, albeit a clumsy one." He indicates the hunk of meat. "Would that that were fresher, and less... clumsily cut, I might make some use of it."
With that, the spell-dancer steps onto the dank underpier. "Before we strike, I wish to let you know that I have a number of thunderstones, which I would like to use against Lamm. However, given our tendency to get into close quarters, this strategy is not without its risks. The choice is yours, of course, but I shall feel mildly dismayed if I do not have a chance to use these." He indicates the place his thunderstones are kept.
Nicholas Sparrow |
Nicholas shrugs. "If it helps defeat Gaedren, I'm good.
Emma Holt |
"I have an idea for that. Once we find where he I can make one of you invisible, at least until you attack him that is. And it will have to be fast because I can only maintain it for so long. Though to do this I will need to have his full attention so the rest of you will need to hang back. Then when whomever I have made invisible has attacked him he rest can rush in." Spitting out her words in a rush to get it all out before anyone interrupts.
Marvel Manyshot |
"Would it be an idea for you to shout out a certain word then, which will tell the invisible person to attack at that moment and the rest of us to rush in, so we all are ready to fight at the same time?"
Fishing for readied actions so I can get a full round attack in once initiative is rolled :-D
Nicholas Sparrow |
"I could try to use that to get a good hit on him," Nicholas says. "I know I can hold my own against him for a while, so that will leave time for you guys to rush him as well."
"For the code word..." Nicholas trails off in thought, before a sly grin forms on his face. "I seem to recall you preferring the term 'Justice', Manyshot. Will that do?"
Aerel Thelon |
Aerel tilts his head at Emma's offer, a faint smile quirking about his lips. I think you would be proud of her, Khara... His eyelids slip half-shut, and he rubs his chin absently. Well, I think it ought to be able to work, but the only issue is...
"You do know, Emma, that this tactic will make you his primary target until Nicholas strikes him, yes?" Aerel asks gently, his expression concerned.
Shaeda Stormborn |
"Calistria can aid this plan as well. Unless it takes Nicholas more than a minute to get in position that is. She can bless Nicholas and increase his chances of striking Lamm. Let me touch Nicholas, just before you make him invisible."
Aerel Thelon |
Aerel inclines his head gravely. "Then I have no objections to this plan." The spell dancer looks to Shaeda, smiling faintly at the halfling's words, then speaking to Nicholas. "Alas, unlike the inestimable priestess, the spells I have prepared are of no direct use to you, Nicholas."
Marvel Manyshot |
Marvel, looking at Nicholas's feet, with a grave if rather twitching expression. "I... well, I've not got any magic, but, I've still got just under 50 arrows. I - I will have your back, or, not that my arrows will have YOUR back, but, you know what I mean."
Suddenly Marvel looks Nicholas directly in the eyes with a mischiveous smile. "And hey - you might not get a kiss, but Shadea is already asking to touch you! Who knows where this will end!"
Marvel, almost as if realising what he said, turns bright red and looks from Shaeda's to Nicholas's feet, right ears and Marvel's own feet. "Not that I - by Abadar - I'm sorry, I mean..."
Nicholas Sparrow |
Nicholas does not know how to respond at first, but finally settles on grabbing Marvel's shoulder and giving him a nod while smiling. What..what is this feeling, I wonder?
Pushing the thoughts aside, he turns to the others. "So shall we proceed?"