GM Rinaldo's Ruins of Azlant (Inactive)

Game Master The Great Rinaldo!

If we get a chance to sleep, ever, Arcilde can prepare new spells. There are a couple that would be helpful for swimming/underwater action. If we ever get to sleep...(I'm not used to playing casters, so the whole "out of spells" feeling is brand new to me.) :-)

If you want to discuss with Ramona staying here overnight, you certainly can. She wants to get the colonists home, but you could camp here and walk home after dealing with the grindylows if you want. You just have to be willing to camp here. ;-)

“Do we want to rest up before hitting the caves in the morning? There’s no rush that I can see.”

“I’m sure I could spit roast a haunch of pork for supper, and there’s plenty of firewood if Ramona wants to sail the Peregrine south to Talmandor’s Bounty.”

Gervase casts her mind back to Gilstrom’s discussion of camping gear. “I’ve got basic camping gear. But do you think Ramona would lend us a couple of tents and extra bedrolls?”

Gilstrom hesitates in his plans. "Sleep? Ah, sure. I guess people do that. We can sleep, and eat boar meat, and tell stories of heroism over the camp fire. That sounds great!" He pauses. "I do -not- have camping equipment. I could only bring so many things and a gnome must have his priorities. Maybe there's something aship I can use?"

Cool with sleeping but Gilstrom will want to at least wipe a bedroll.

Lily seems to breath a sigh at the thought of taking a night to relax before getting back into the fight.

Oh, yeah, that doesn't sound so bad at all.

"Maybe there's something aship I can use?"

“Like a hammock, Gilstrom? Then all you need is a dolphin to bring you drinks from the wet bar!”

“Once we’ve finished creating gob-calamari in the caves, I guess we’ll have to walk home.”

Gervase takes a moment to let that sink in. “Walk back to our home.”

“Cos that’s what we’re fighting for, right? Our new home.”

Ramona is a little nervous about you remaining overnight in a potentially dangerous area, but defers to your choice about resting and preparing.

"If you are up to bringing it back with you, I can spare a small tent and bedrolls, since apparently we'll have some extra that the original colonists aren't using back at Talmandor's Bounty. Good luck to you!"

Hearing your plan, Anya takes a few minutes to help you skin one of your boars and build a fire pit on the beach, then joins the rest of the colonists. "I would stay and help you, but Ramona needs me to help guard the others and to start looking for sources of food near our new home. Fight well, new clansmen."

Alba Divenstar also comes over, and says, "Fire isn't much good in the water, but if you can catch something in the air, acid might help." She gives you a small glass globe with a handle. "Be careful with this. It's designed to be aerodynamic for throwing. Let me know how it works, it's a new recipe I came up with on the voyage."

Alba gave you a single Acid Flask, and Anya's assistance lowers the DC for your Survival checks for setting up camp. You can take 10 or roll as you see fit. If you have any other preparations, make them now, and let me know if and how you setting watch through the night.

survival: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11 Lol, shoulda taken 10!

Lily helps with some of the basics of setting up camp for the night.

I'll take whatever watch is most helpful... I don't have spells or anything to prepare, so it doesn't bother me.

Aid Another: 1d20 ⇒ 8

Gilstrom is hopelessly useless at setting up camp and spends most of his time getting in the way and offering half-remembered, and unhelpful advice about how to light a fire. Finally he just gives up and sets himself on watch.

Gilstrom will take whatever watch. Arcilde should be after midnight since she has darkvision.

Before they make try to make camp, Arcilde draws one of her scrolls and chants a quick spell. Casting Deadeye's Lore for +4 bonus on Survival checks, then taking 10 for 17.

Arcilde will glady take the deep night watch: she's always been more comfortable in the dark. In the morning, she'll prep two slots of Air Bubble and one slot of Suspend Drowning.

Aid Survival: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16

“I vote Lily for first watch, Arcilde and I for middle and Gilstrom for thir.. WHOA! WHOA, GILSTROM!”

“That wood’s too green. IF we could get a fire started with it, the smoke will be spotted by anything with half-a-brain in a 5 mile radius.”

Gervase looks 'mom-annoyed', though her tone is kindly. “Have you set up your hammock? Maybe Persephone could do with another polishing? If you have the wax to spare, that is.”

You set up a small camp and take turns keeping watch through the night. The sounds of the area alternate between peaceful and creepy, with every pop or hoot making you jump a bit.

Nothing bothers you during the night, and after a small breakfast you break your camp and prepare to find the grindylow cave. You walk along the beach as far as you can, but eventually you have no choice but to swim.

Let me know what preparations you do before going into the water. Keep in mind that caves tend not to have much natural light; you are unsure whether grindylows have darkvision, but it is likely they do.

For orisons, Arcilde will prep Light, Detect Magic, and Stabilize (since she can't use scrolls under water). That gives her one open slot--do we want Guidance or Resistance?

I think both orisons are equally useful under these circumstances. Happy for you to make the call, Arcilde :)

retroactive arrow hunt, hi is gut: 1d2 ⇒ 1 1d2 ⇒ 2

Knowledge Favored Enemy (aberration) on grindylows: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14

“Gilstrom, can you see in the dark? Otherwise you might be best to receive Arcilde’s light spell.”

Gervase kneels down to empty her backpack, transferring any perishable items like food and powder into waterproof bags. Once satisfied, she repacks the items.

“Arcilde, you are welcome to my dagger and leather armor again. If you take the *glowy* longsword, we’ll have another light source with the rest of the party, if Gilstrom and Persephone go scouting. I would prefer to fight in the water with my harpoon anyway.”

The ranger looks up at the ocean-rider. “Gilstrom, do you plan to scout a short ways ahead?”

“If so, I think you should come back to us by a pre-agreed time. If you’re late I'll charge in after you.”

“What else, peeps?”

+1 for guidance.

Gilstrom shakes his head. "Nope, blind as a bat in the dark. So a light spell is probably a good idea. And yes, I'll ride up ahead on Persephone - I've got good ears and Persephone is real fast in case I make something angry. So I'll do some reconnaissance and head right back to you!"

Arcilde casts a light spell on Gilstrom, who now shines like the noble knight he is. He and Persephone ride into the cavern.

Note that North is to the right on this map, so take that into account when reading area descriptions/

Reflected sunlight from outside flickers across the water and reflects on the stone ceiling in this mostly submerged cave. The waters are cold, but not to a life-threatening degree, and the motion of the surf outside sends mild, rocking waves across the chamber.

The cave is about half submerged here, with a depth of 5-6 feet and an equal amount of space between the water level and the roof.

Gilstrom notes the first chamber is empty, and starts to move forward to look around the bend. Suddenly, two grindylows pop out from hiding and jab with their spears. Neither manages to connect, though one comes very close.

Red vs Gilstrom flat footed: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15 damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7
Yellow vs Persephone flat footed: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6 damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Arcilde and Lily are up! Remember you are all swimming. You are currently at the water's surface with your heads above water. The grindylows are at the cavern floor attacking up at Gilstrom and Persephone.

I have attached a circle around Gilstrom to show the extent of the light spell. Everyone's tokens should be above it in the layers, but Gilstrom will need to be careful when moving himself.

Lily tries to swim forward a bit...

swim: 1d20 ⇒ 4

but instead sinks down to the bottom. Holding her breath and looking very annoyed, she decides to just walk along the bottom a bit, and very pointedly not looking at the dip in depth just to her left and the who knows what that might be down in those dark depths. After walking around the bend and looking at the little monsters, she holds up her hand to try and shoot one...

Wood Blast: 1d20 + 4 - 2 ⇒ (16) + 4 - 2 = 18
Damage: 1d6 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10

1 round breath held

Gilstrom swears as the Grindylows go for him and he quickly wheels around on his dolphin, yanking out his trident and stabbing out as he kicks Persephone to wheel around.

Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25 Damage+Aquatic: 1d6 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 2 + 1 = 9
Persephone Attack: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5 Damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
Gilstrom Crit!: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17 Damage: 1d6 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 2 + 1 = 6

"Ah hah! Danger is a foot! A flipper?"

5' step, attacking red.

It isn't Gilstrom's turn yet ... I need a post from Arcilde, then one of the Grindilows gets to go before you.

Sorry, got excited.

I've updated Arcilde's status line to reflect the lamellar armor.

Swim check: 1d20 ⇒ 20

If she can, Arcilde will cast Air Bubble on Lily before she moves away. If not, Arcilde will cast Air Bubble on herself. Can she draw the longsword while swimming? (I'm assuming not.)

Hi all! I am here, but don't believe it's my turn yet.

Just as Lily finds herself having difficulty swimming, Arcilde casts a spell, and Lily realizes she can breathe! Unfortunately, that does nothing for her balance, and her shot goes slightly wide. That nasty -2 / 10 feet penalty on ranged attacks lowered her roll to a 14. The failed swim check means you are currently off balance.

Arcilde: I'm going to say "no" on drawing a sword while swimming for creatures without a swim speed.

Yellow Attack: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22 Confirm: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17 Damage: 2d6 + 2 ⇒ (4, 1) + 2 = 7
One of the grindylows attacks Gilstrom again, getting its spear into a gap in the his armor!Gilstrom is still flat-footed, so the crit confirms unless you have something else not noted.

Undeterred, Gilstrom responds in kind, skewering the grindilow through! Return crit is a one shot knockout!

Red Attack: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20 Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
The other grindylow jabs at the cavalier, giving him another bruise.

That collapses the initiative, so everyone is up!

I have also revealed a little further into the cave for Arcilde's 90' of darkvision.

GM, I tried to help by including the -2 for water distance in my roll, so it still "might" have hit... still pretty low though

Lily steadies herself as best she can underwater and aims.

Wood Blast: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17 -2 for underwater distance=15
Damage: 1d6 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12

But despite the stream of bubbles caused by the force of the spike flying through the water, it doesn't do much better than the last one. Lily can breath underwater yes, and it turns out her swearing is just as colorful under the sea.

It's actually -2 *per square* and you were 10' away last time. However, since I didn't notice that you had taken -2 out, that does turn it into a hit.

You also need a new swim check this round: Lily Swim: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (19) + 0 = 19

Lily manages to prop her feet on the floor of the cave and push forward slightly, and when she does she realizes her previous thorn actually managed to barely hit her target. She fires off another, and this one lands exactly where the first did. The pain of the giant splinters turns out to be too much for the grindylow, and it passes out.

--END OF COMBAT--

Gilstrom is injured but nothing is immediately coming at you. Take a moment to decide how to proceed. The side cavern where they were hiding appears empty.

Gilstrom lets out a shout of pain as he is brutally struck by the Grindylow, walloping it mightily in return. Bleeding badly, he wheels Persephone around to give the weaker swimmers in the group a hand.

"Ow... healing?"

Lily looks up at Gilstrom and motions to her bubble surrounded head. She looks at Arcilde and makes a vague motion like hands of a clock, seemingly trying to figure out how long the bubble would last for. For now, she seems content to keep her feet on the bottom of the cave floor where it's less paddle and more slow walking to swim.

Take 10 Swim: 10 + 7 = 17

Gervase swims further to the north-east to stand tread-water watch while Gilstrom heals.

Take 10 Perception: 10 + 7 = 17

The dive ranger also makes a circular motion about her head, makes a 'two-finger walking' gesture and gives her friend an underwater thumbs-up.

Arcilde can use her fervor to heal 1d6 points of damage (4 times). It's a supernatural ability, so I don't know if she can do it under water.

Arcilde can use her fervor to heal 1d6 points of damage (4 times). It's a supernatural ability, so I don't know if she can do it under water.

I've got no problem with using fervor underwater for healing.

Fervor: 2d6 ⇒ (4, 3) = 7

Burning two fervor to heal Gilstrom

That brings Gilstrom back to only 4 damage. Anything else? Let me know who is doing what; right now you don't hear anything other than the sound of the water breaking against the cavern walls. You are currently 3 rounds into the 20 rounds of Air Bubble on Lily.

Thanking Arcilde for the healing, Gilstrom swipes one of the offered potions and takes up the lead, swimming further into the cavern!

CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

Taking 10 on perception as I go ahead, Persephone is so fast he'll be slowing up his pace to not lose the others anyways.

Healed and refreshed, Gilstrom advances into the caverns with the rest of the party staying a bit behind. Unfortunately, he discovers too late that gridylow's are *really* good at hiding, and catches another attack.

Two surprise round attacks, one on Gilstrom, one on Persephone. Third grindylow uses his surprise round to swim up to Arcilde.

Red vs Gilstrom: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20 damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
Yellow vs Persephone: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

Damn, rolled some good initiative over here ...

Red vs Gilstrom: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14
Blue vs Arcilde: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11
The gridylow attacking Gilstrom stabs again, but this time the gnome is ready for it. The third one tries his luck against Arcilde, and fails.

Everyone is up!

Round #1: AC 16 ☤ 20/20 hp ☤

Swim: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12

A surge of adrenaline as she witnesses Gilstrom take another shot, sees Gervase kick forward and up out of the water 5’, her harpoon held high. Her right arm is bent in a classic harpooner’s stance, before she drives the lance at her seaborne prey.

harpoon + PA + favoured enemy (FE) on Red: 1d20 + 6 - 1 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 6 - 1 + 2 = 8
piercing damage + FE: 1d8 + 6 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 6 + 3 + 2 = 15

Can we get roleplay bonuses on attack rolls? ;)

Lily steps underneath Gilstrom, holds up her arm, and swears creatively at it... not that anyone can hear her.

Wood Blast: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14-2 for underwater distance
damage: 1d6 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9

Lily, I need to point out a few things and let you redo that turn:

First, even moving along the ground you still need to make that swim check to move. I'm lowering the DC and letting you count as stable, but it still takes a swim effort to get where you want to go.

That said, you are now adjacent to the grindylow. Ranged attacks adjacent to an enemy provoke an Attack of Opportunity. Did you intend to provoke?

Finally, you are firing into melee, which gets you another -4 attack penalty until you get the Precise Shot feat.

So, if you don't want to provoke, you can fire from 5' back, and take the -2 penalty for range along with the -4 for firing into melee. If you are ok with provoking, you can move up and just take the -4 for melee.

That was a lot, so feel free to completely redo the turn if you want.

As an aside, you said you moved underneath Gilstrom, but you put your token under Arcilde; since Gilstrom is a long way away, I'm assuming you just typed the wrong name.

Stiiilll have precise shot boss. Gotta remember I have that. :P and yeah, I meant Arcilde, not Gilstrom. Moving up was just me being a ijit though, so yeah I'd like to redo that and just not move at the moment. Since i'm not changing my target or anything, I'll just accept my fail shot for this turn.

I swear I looked and it wasn't on your character sheet, but it is there now... :-|

Swim check: 1d20 ⇒ 10

Treading water, Arcilde draws the longsword Gervase loaned her, flooding the cavern with light. She stabs through the water at the gobloctopus.

Attack: 1d20 + 4 - 2 ⇒ (11) + 4 - 2 = 13
Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

"YOWCH!" cries Gilstrom. He quickly wheels Persephone around and lunges out with his trident angrily. "This is getting annoying!"

Power Attack: 1d20 + 5 - 1 ⇒ (15) + 5 - 1 = 19 Damage+Power+ Aquatic: 1d6 + 2 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 2 + 2 + 1 = 9

Lily, Gervase, and Arcilde all attack the grindylows but have no luck. Gilstrom manages to connect with a strong stab of his trident.

Yellow vs Gilstrom: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8
Red vs Arcilde: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3
Blue vs Gilstrom: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15
The gridylows all attack, but with no better results.

Everyone is up again!

Round #2: AC 16 ☤ 20/20 hp ☤

Swim: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21

Gervase treads water and bends her elbow once more, making her right bicep bulge.

harpoon + PA + favored enemy (FE) on Red: 1d20 + 6 - 1 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 6 - 1 + 2 = 27 crit threat
piercing damage + FE: 1d8 + 6 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 6 + 3 + 2 = 15

confirm crit on Red: 1d20 + 6 - 1 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 6 - 1 + 2 = 12 ... c'mon bulging muscles roleplay bonus!
crit damage, x3 weapon: 2d8 + 6 + 3 + 2 + 6 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (2, 8) + 6 + 3 + 2 + 6 + 3 + 2 = 32

“Hang on, Gilstrom. We’re coming!”

*Hi, Lily! You're up late*

Lily attempts to tread water...
swim: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (9) - 1 = 8
But doesn't even float. In annoyance, she stays put and takes another shot at the grindylows.

Wood Blast: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18-2 for water
Damage: 1d6 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8

Gamely keeping up his fight against the goblins, Gilstrom blocks a couple of attacks on his shield whilst guiding Persephone. "No goblinpuss will get the better of me!"

Power Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11 Damage: 1d6 + 2 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 2 + 2 + 1 = 6

Unfortunately they do, because Gilstrom's attack was lousy.

Swim check: 1d20 ⇒ 6

Floundering in the water, Arcilde holds her breath and tries again.

Swim check: 1d20 ⇒ 18

Gilstron is unable to make any progress with his pair, but Gervase manages to skewer hers through. Even without the crit, Gervase has taken care of Red.

Meanwhile, I realize that I gave Yellow credit for more hit points than he actually has. Gilstrom's first hit was actually enough to take him out. Blue is all that is left.

Seeing his two comrades go down, the last grindylow swims north out of sight.

Blue uses a withdraw action to evade Gilstrom and Persephone's AoO and gets out of the light and around a bend where Arcilde can't see.

Let's stay in rounds for now, so I can keep track of how far he gets.

I don’t believe we’re in immediate danger or distracted, GM Rinaldo?

Round #3: AC 16 ☤ 20/20 hp ☤

Take 10 Swim: 10 + 7 = 17

Gervase crawls 15’ on the surface of the water towards Gilstrom and Persephone. full round action

“Doc Gobloc could be warning the rest of his school OR leading us straight into an ambush.”

“If you give chase at full speed, the rest of us aren’t going to be able to keep up with you Gilstrom.”

“What do you think we should do?”

AoO: 1d20 + 5 - 1 ⇒ (2) + 5 - 1 = 6 Damage: 1d6 + 2 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 2 + 2 + 1 = 9

Gilstrom swipes out with another lousy attack. He is about to take off after the goblin when he hears Lily very sensibly talking sense. He sighs miserably.

"Bah, you're right. Let's stay together. I don't know what's around that corner."

That said, Gilstrom sheathes his trident and grabs his lance. He's bleeding - again, but doesn't complain.

"Everyone okay?"