GM Rinaldo's Ruins of Azlant (Inactive)

Game Master The Great Rinaldo!

Lily screams in terror as the thing grips her neck...

escape artist: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13

but she freezes in fright as bad memories flood her, causing her voice to catch as the thing begins to squeeze...

Even with the help from Arcilde's spell, Lily can't quite escape the tiny creature's grip. It was very close, though!

Arcilde attacks the one next to her, and very nearly cuts it, but it manages to deflect the blow. The dice are just hating you, also very close ...

Lily has her normal round still. She can take most regular actions other than moving away from the creature or talking. She can attempt another Escape Artist check as a standard action, or she can just fire a thorn - since it has the grappled condition, it won't be able to take an AoO for you using a ranged attack.

In desperation, Lily holds her hand up to the things face and attempts to bolt it's brain like she did with the goblins...

Wood Blast: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15
Damage: 1d6 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12 Hopefully that hits!

Lily tries to line up a shot on the creature choking her, but only manages to graze its thick, rubbery hide.

Yellow vs Arcilde: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11
Yellow vs Arcilde: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19damage: 1d3 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3Grab: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16constrict: 1d3 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
The little one next to Arcilde manages to get its fingers around her throat as well. Unless Arcilde's CMD is higher than currently listed, that's 6 damage and she's staggered as well as grappled and unable to speak.

Gilstrom is up!

Seeing that Lily and Arcilde are both in trouble but Gervase is sewing a path of destruction, he decides to do what he can to get Lily out of her bind, shouting out a throaty battle cry before stabbing out, this time a little more cautiously as he's been having trouble with the rubbery skin.

"FOR NOBLEWATER!"

Attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17 Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

I'm going to assume you mean Arcilde, since you are currently trapped between two creatures next to her, and have a large pillar between you and Lily.

Gilstrom stabs out, this time taking advantage of the fact that the creature is concentrating on holding Arcilde's throat. He connects, and the creature shrieks in pain.

Blue vs Gilstrom: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10
Blue vs Gilstrom: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11
In response, the one behind him reaches out with both hands, but is unable to grip the slippery gnome.

Orange vs Gilstrom: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24damage: 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5Grab: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11
Orange vs Gilstrom: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12
Its larger companion also attacks Gilstrom, managing to bruise him but not grab hold. 5 damage to Gilstrom.

Gervase is up! Arcilde and Lily are both being choked, but Arcilde is clearly the worst off.

Round #4: AC 17 ☤ 20/20 ☤

Gervase takes a 5’ step to flank Yellow-eyes with Gilstrom.

“Hang on, Lily! Need to get Arcilde sorted first.”

2-handed longsword + flank on Yellow: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 7 + 2 = 29 +2 if an aberration
magic slashing damage: 1d8 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12 +2 if an aberration

confirm crit on Yellow: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 7 + 2 = 23
crit damage: 1d8 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12

Gervase steps up, and with a single mighty swing, cleaves the tiny creature in two. Its fingers hold onto Arcilde's throat for a few seconds longer, then release their hold.

Green maintain grapple on Lily: 1d20 + 8 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 8 + 5 = 29Green damage: 1d3 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3Green constrict: 1d3 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
The one holding Lily continues to squeeze, jabbering in its strange language. 5 more damage to Lily.

Arcilde, Lily, and Gilstrom are up! Arcilde is at 0hp and staggered, but no longer grappled. She is still threatened by Orange. Lily is grappled and cannot speak.

Gilstrom takes another hit and he sees that Lily is in a bad state and Arcilde is worse. He desperately stabs out again, but is just not doing that well in this fight.

After stabbing he moves closer to help Lily.

Attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10 Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

Wood Blast: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5
Damage: 1d6 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12

Lily scrabbles at her throat, trying unsuccessfully to peel the thing off her as shards of wooden spikes throw themselves out from her, missing in her panic as she slowly turns blue...

Arcilde steps away from the beastie that threatens her and calls on the Golden Bulwark for aid.

Losing Comprehend Languages to cast Cure Light wounds on herself.

Cure light: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

Lily and Gilstrom continue fighting, giving Arcilde a moment to step back and heal some of her wounds.

Orange vs Gervase: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12
Blue vs Gilstrom: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12
The remaining creatures continue trying to get their hands around Gervase's and Gilstrom's throats, but are unsuccessful.

Gervase is up!

Round #5: AC 17 ☤ 20/20 ☤

Gervase holds her ground and tries to return the favour to Orange.

"Stay still, Gumby!"

2-handed longsword + PA on Orange: 1d20 + 7 - 1 ⇒ (9) + 7 - 1 = 15 +2 if an aberration
magic slashing damage: 1d8 + 7 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 7 + 3 = 16 +2 if an aberration

Gervase swings the longsword, and her detailed knowledge of creatures from the deeps helps her not only hit, but hit hard. The creature slumps to the ground. One hit drop!

Green maintain grapple vs Lily: 1d20 + 8 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 8 + 5 = 18Damage+Constrict: 1d3 + 1 + 1d3 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 + (1) + 1 = 6
The one holding onto Lily continues to choke her, draining the life out of her bit by bit. 6 more damage, but the kineticist has the CON to take it!

Arcilde, Lily, and Gilstrom are up!

'ang on, Lily! Arcilde steps up and slices at the tentacles around Lily's neck with her battleaxe.

Attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5
Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

Lily scrabbles again...
Wood Blast: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10
Damage: 1d6 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12

but again, blasts of wood fleck out from her as she struggles in panic, missing her target completely.

COME ON! All this damage and I can't hit!

Attack: 1d20 + 6 - 1 ⇒ (8) + 6 - 1 = 13 Damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

Gilstrom continues to move in to help Lily, stabbing out at the blue thingamajigger to little effect.

"Just breathe, Lily."

Gervase looks relieved that Arcilde is beside her bestie.

"I believe in you."

Wow, the RNG is just not on your side ...

Gilstrom, you walked straight through a pillar there ... the only way to get where you are now is to provoke from both Blue and Green as you walk around it. I'm moving you back, assuming you prefer not to provoke twice. Even if you did get to that square, blue would be able to move over to attack you, so at least you don't take two more attacks.

Blue vs Gilstrom: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23damage: 1d3 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4Grab: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23constrict: 1d3 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
As Gilstrom tries to figure out how to get around to help Lily, the one by him manages to get its fingers around his throat. Ouch! Another 7 damage and now Gilstrom is grappled.

Gervase is up!

Can someone move me to the north of Arcilde, please?

Round #6

Gervase strides 20' back to the east to help her friends with green.

"Rough fight. Though I don't think we've done anything wrong tactically."

long sword + PA + FE: 1d20 + 7 + 2 - 1 ⇒ (9) + 7 + 2 - 1 = 17
Magic slashing damage, FE: 1d8 + 7 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 7 + 3 + 2 = 19

Gervase moves over to the wall, and with a mighty swing knocks it off the wall, off of Lily, and off this mortal coil!

With that, everyone else is up! Gilstrom is still grappled by Blue.

Excellent, 'awk! Good work.

With Lily free, Arcilde turns her attention to the gray tentacle-beastie grappling Gilstrom.

Attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17
Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

"GURK!" Gilstrom struggles int he grip of the rubbery thing. He drops his trident and yanks out a dagger before stabbing at it, trying to get it off of him the old-fashioned way.

Attack: 1d20 + 4 - 1 ⇒ (16) + 4 - 1 = 19 Damage: 1d4 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 + 2 = 5

With a final decisive attack, Arcilde and Gilstrom finish off the last of the creatures.

The room grows quiet as you look around. You can see several exits from your current location.

--- COMBAT OVER! ---
You can take a moment to heal up and decide which way to go next.

Arcilde kneels beside one of the small gray octopus-thing. I don' like to kill beasties when they're sleepin', but I can nae channel while they live. An' we don' know wha' tha rest of tha cave holds. With a quick stroke of her ax, she ends the creature's life completely.

After she clears the field of the remaining monsters, Arcilde concentrates on her holy symbol and summons a burst of healing energy.

Channel: 1d6 ⇒ 2
And the RNG love continues...

She frowns at the result. That could 'ave gone better... She draws a scroll from her bag and begins to cast.

Cure light on Gilstrom: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5
Cure light on Gilstrom, take 2: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

Cure light on Lily: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9

As the last spell vanishes from the scroll, Arcilde sighs. I 'ope that can carry us through t' tomorrow.

Losing Bless to cast Cure Light on herself: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

Gilstrom snatches his trident from the ground, obviously irritated. He kicks one of the dead ones. "Gah! Can't these uninhabited islands be uninhabited--- ooh, thank you Ariclde. That hits the spot. Everyone okay? Those throttle-monsters were no fun."

Once everyone is healed up, he explores the large cavern.

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11

"Throttle monsters ..."

Gervase looks to be turning the name over in her mind. "Or Throttlers maybe? Good name, Gilstrom."

"Makes me feel less guilty about killing them anyway."

She looks over the others with concern, though she tries not to hover like a mother hen.

"Shall we see if there is anything in these caves that was worth all that pain?"

take 10 perception: 10 + 7 = 17

Searching the southern cave, where you saw the adults emerge from, you find stashed in a nook in the wall a burlap sack filled with random knickknacks. The sack contains a porcelain tea set, haphazardly thrown into the sack such that three of the teacups now have broken handles. There is also a steel flask full of whiskey etched with an elaborate “R,” a silver mirror with a rose motif, a set of dice in a wooden cup capped with leather, two vials of liquid, four star candle fireworks, a thunderstone, a belt, and a wadded-up cloak.

Moving to the northern cave, you see that a section of the northern wall in this spacious cavern has been hollowed out and veins of various crystals exposed, which refract light cast upon their surface. Small piles of rock are heaped on the ground nearby, where the earth has been carefully chiseled away to expose the potentially precious stones.

Untrained Engineering: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

Gilstrom looks over the cave, suitably impressed. "Wow! Those crystals are neat. I always wondered what mining looked like."

Once he grows bored with the crystals he looks over the knickknacks. "The mirror and flask may be keepsakes... if the people who owned them are still alive. Anything magic?"

He grabs one of the vials of liquid and sniffs it.

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9

"The excavation is not a dedicated mining concern. It appears to be the work of a coupla individuals looking for something in particular."

untrained Knowledge (engineering): 1d20 ⇒ 17

“I guess the kick-knacks were stolen from the first colonists.”

The ranger sniffs suspiciously at the flask of whiskey. “These things love booze like they’re Bellis natives, Lily.”

“Present company excluded of course.” *eye roll* behind the kineticist’s back.

“Hey, Gilstrom I double-dog dare you to take a whiff of each vial while we wait for Arcilde to identify any magic auras on this stuf… Oh. You already have.”

Assuming Gilstrom doesn’t drop dead, Gervase will also try the vials.

Take 10 perception: 10 + 7 = 17

Lily glares at Gervase at her joke, her throat bruised from the "Throttler" and making her voice a mess for the moment. She settles for a rude gesture.

Gilstrom is anything if pliable and he happily sniffs away at the vials trying to figure out what they do.

"Come to think of it, the big Throttler looks not unlike your cousin Jemmy-Blob, Freefield. I assume from your silence you agree."

Gervase looks curiously at Lily's hand gestures. "Yeah, well I wouldn't know anything about what you and J-B got up to once the bee hives were all drained."

"As long as there weren't any young 'uns round to see you, I s'pose that's OK."

Rolling Arcilde's spellcraft:
belt: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19 meridian belt
cloak: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7 unknown

The gems are in a small pile at one end of the cavern. There is another tunnel leading out. What are you doing now? You see no signs of any more of the choking beasts.

Lily gives two rude hand gestures and then points at the gems, waving at the others. She's not about to leave THAT behind as she goes to pick it up.

☤ Health Status ☤ I make Gilstrom 18/20, Lily 21/23, Arcilde – sorry math is hard, Dorothy. I’m not sure.

“Well, if that’s truly what you think of me, Lily I’m sure you don’t want any of the six assassin vine goodberries I have left.”

Gervase shares the remaining fruit equally among the others, before patting her bestie on the shoulder. “You’re welcome!” [/Moana]

She then sheathes the Levin longsword, nocks an arrow and prepares to help Gilstrom lead the party out through the new tunnel.

"Huh, wonder what they were looking for. Maybe it's a really powerful interesting object buried deep into the walls! Or... some sort of boring squid thing. We should come back here with a pick axe later on. Maybe when we find all the colonists one of them will be a miner. Anyways I don't really have a pick axe and that well wasn't fun to climb in so let's see what's this way!"

Gilstrom cheerfully leads the way down the tunnel, checking as he goes.

Take 10 on perception for 17.

As Lily approaches the pile of gems, a section of the wall behind them disappears, revealing two small scorpion-shaped creatures apparently made of colorful translucent crystals.

"டூ நோட் டேக் ஓவர் ஸ்டோன்ஸ்!!"

Lily blinks a few times.

Um.... Hi? She squeaks out, freezing still.

“I wonder if they’re speaking Terran … or Azlanti maybe?”

Gervase extends her hand to Lily. “Maybe just back away towards us, Lily. I guess they’re unhappy about the Throttlers exploiting their gem seam.”

“If they’re enemies of the aberrations, maybe we can befriend them?”

She clears her throat. “Do you speak Taldane, resplendent ones?”

Gilstrom lets out a glass-shattering shriek of delight as the crystal scorpions appear.

"Ohmygodit'scrystalscorpionsIcan'tbelievethattheoldVarisianladywasrighthiI' mGilstromImeanyouknowharmand...EEEE!!"

Gilstrom trails off into stammering as Gervase attempts some basic diplomacy. While he does so, he does make a show of putting away his trident to indicate he comes in peace.

Old Varisian lady?

Gervase exchanges glances with Arcilde. Do I dare ask?

It's difficult to tell if they can understand you, but they step forward to stand over the pile of gems and repeat themselves.

"டூ நோட் டேக் ஓவர் ஸ்டோன்ஸ்!!"

As the colorful scorpions speaks to them, Arcilde quickly chants a spell. Casting Comprehend Languages.

She listens to the creatures again. They say we should stay away fra their jewels. I 'ave no problem wi' that.

She stares at Gilstrom as he babbles something about a varisien woman, then turns to Gervase. Did ye understand any o' that, 'awk?

“Kinda.”

Gervace saunters towards Lily, grabbing her by the hand to lead her away from the rainbow scorpions, out through the northern passage with the others.

“I’m guessing a Harrower predicted a windfall would come Gilstrom’s way on a tropical island surrounded by three beautiful women, only to be snatched away by the fickle crystalline pincers of fate.”

She inclines her head to the gnome. “How’d I do?”

With her spell up, Arcilde hears the crystalline scorpions repeat, "You leave now! Do not take our gems!" while waving their tails menacingly.

Checking up the side tunnel, you find that it slopes upward and eventually emerges on a hill not far from Talmandor's Bounty.

Other than the scorpions and their gems, there is nothing else in these caves that you can see. What would you like to do now?

Gilstrom shrugs. "Well, the pretty jewels aren't gong anywhere. Maybe we can negotiate with them later if it turns out we need the jewels."

He then nods sagely to Gervase. "Pretty close! I think there was a pineapple involved somewhere embarrassing but it's been a little while."

Gilstrom is happy to not battle the scorpions so we can exit stage right. Or left.

Arcilde nods. I agree, Gilstrom. No need t' bother the sparkly crystal beasties at tha moment. Should we 'ead back? Or look around 'ere for more information?

Is there any sign--tracks or whatever--of the throttle beasties out this direction?

You see evidence of their coming and going, but are pretty sure there are no more than what you have found.

Lily sighs.

Shiny crystals would have been nice, but not nice enough to warrant stealing them from folk who where already here, even if they are rather bug like.