Gauntlet, Dagger, Ring: A Scarred Lands 5E Campaign (Inactive)

Game Master James Keegan

"Sounds good, there were also some rocky outcroppings, looked like ancient fallen trees turned to stone. Might be able to use those as a platform as well. Though we'd have to test the stability of them."
She pauses a second, "Rather than sticking us all helpless on the ropes at the same time, send two while the rest of us cover them with missiles or ready to pull them back. The the rest can follow down the section once the frontrunners are secure?"

Perfectly sound plan, I just want to reiterate: the giant petrified trees, fully 25 feet in diameter each, are in the very center of the chasm with about 40/45 feet of clearance between the chasm walls and the petrified trees thick with webs. Bracing between the chasm and the stone columns might be possible if you nail all of the planks together to make a bridge, but it would be cumbersome to carry down to say the least. If you got closer to the columns, you may be able to find a way to crawl inside. Should I draw a cross-section so you can see better what I'm talking about?

"I volunteer to go down first."

What rolls you need from me?

Chasm cross-section and top down view, not to scale.

Anyone climbing down can give me two Strength (Athletics) rolls to reach the first 30 foot depth benchmark.

athletics: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13
athletics: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13

Zukhan covers the Unchained, shortbow in hand.

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

Climbing the knotted rope proves to be a simple task for The Unchained and he easily descends about thirty feet into the Chasm. Who is contestant number 2?

"Well, I've already been down there once..." Lhienne descends.

"Two at a time sounds perfect. We cover you..." says Djal, his crossbow ready to fire.

"I think perhaps I should go next. If something bad does show up and the others get wounded, they may need someone close at hand to heal them."

If there is no objection, Theo climbs down next.

Lhienne's climbing roll: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
Lhienne's climbing roll: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 1 = 18

Uh, whoops.

Lhienne takes the rope in hand to climb down after Unchained but almost immediately slips when her foothold on the lip of the ravine crumbles!

The breath catches in her throat as she tumbles further down the rope, only her quick reflexes saving her from a plunge into the webs below! Lhienne grabs the rope, badly burning her palms but stopping her own fall! After a few minutes to catch her breath, she continues down the rest of the way, positioning a plank in the webs near her half-orc friend while the next party member climbs.

"You all right!? Lhienne, you scared the hell out of me! Ok, I'm next, you guys down there are ready to cover us? Two of us coming down."

Djal takes the rope in his hands and takes a deep breath, then another, then another. He was never a very passable climber...

Athletics: 1d20 ⇒ 2

"TITANCRAP!"

Lhienne catches her breath. "I'm okay" flexing her hand to ease the try and ease the soreness.

Serves me right for forgetting to roll!

Iliberos grimaces at the climbing requirements and makes his way down last.

Athletics #1 1d20 ⇒ 1 - Perhaps it is self fulfilling prophecy but the Necromancer immediately falls.
Athletics if this is now a Dex check add +1 #2 1d20 ⇒ 19

Oops, just realized that I did not roll my climb..sorry

Athletics: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

Dex: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Ok, looks like I was destined to fall to my death....lol

Back in the saddle. Wow, that's a lot of 1s. The DC for the record, is 5 with a knotted rope- just so you know I'm not trying to kill you with gravity.

Djal begins the climb down, being extra careful with his footing... only to nearly topple off the edge. He grabs one of the many handholds and pulls himself back to the top, a jammed finger being the only real inconvenience.
Fortunately, Djal simply didn't make any progress. But he gets to try again.

Iliberos and Brother Theodor each take a rope, cautiously starting down. Unused to such rigorous exercise, they almost simultaneously lose their grip! While Iliberos manages to catch himself on the rope after falling (1d6 ⇒ 2x10) 20 feet, the studious priest plummets into the chasm!

The Unchained and Lhienne watch with horror as the armored cleric falls past them into the chasm, tearing through thin sheets of webbing as he descends!

Zukhan, Djal and Iliberos can't see the cleric from where they are closer to the lip of the Chasm, as the light from above fails to penetrate that deeply.

Djal watches with horror, but then catches himself. Watching serves no purpose. The priest's fall had forced their hand. "No time for caution. Our friend may still be alive. Let's hurry down and join him in death or glory!" he says, inspiring Iliberos.

+1d6 on a d20 roll in the enxt ten minutes when needed.

He hurries down.

Athletics: 1d20 ⇒ 9

Djal climbs down the first 15 feet of rope into the Chasm, more steadily this time.

I'll need another Athletics roll to go further- I believe you guys were doing 30 feet, pulling down the rope, then doing another 30 feet, rinse and repeat? And you climb at half-speed, so every 15 feet of depth is a climbing roll.

That was before Theodor fell down. Any way to go faster?

By climbing, I think it's half speed- so 30 feet in a round. Or you can throw yourself in with Acrobatics and try to hit some webs. Does anyone have Feather Fall?

Seeing as progress is too slow, Djal eyes a thicker strand, then another lower, and jumps from the ledge to sling his way down.

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19

Before Zukhan or Iliberos can say anything otherwise, Djal jumps feet first into the Chasm! The Unchained and Lhienne, below, watch amazed as the half-elf plummets past them, flying like a dart into the depths of the Chasm.

Calling upon his god-given powers, Theo calls a bright light into existence.

Cast light cantrip

"Is it that time of the year, again?!" The Unchained asks, as he witness the crazy events that have transpired.

Lhienne peers down, they seem okay, she scans the area for any other movement Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7, there's been no giant spiders so far... but they've made a lot of commotion.

A bright light sparks from the depths, dark forms scuttling away from the sudden illumination and the party can see Brother Theodor with his spear aglow balancing on some thick webs beside Djal. They're about 30 feet below Lhienne and Unchained, 60 feet from Zukhan and Iliberos at the top of the Chasm. In the light from Theodor's spell you can see that the webs seem to grow thicker the deeper into the Chasm you go.

Unlike Pathfinder, there are no rules for 'taking 10' on something and since there is a definite element of danger to it I will need Strength (Athletics) rolls at DC 5 to climb down into the Chasm for every 15 feet of movement on a knotted rope unless someone has Feather Fall or just wants to risk diving in like Djal.

At the 60 foot mark (4 Athletics checks down or one crazy dive) the webs grow thicker- moving at half speed will require DC 10 Strength (Athletics) to climb or Dexterity (Acrobatics) rolls to swing through the webs deeper into the Chasm- otherwise you're stuck like a fly for that round.

"Well, I guess I'd better follow them down." Lhienne begins her descent. Climb: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 1 = 10 climb: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9

Are we stuck in the webs? And can I see the bottom of the chasm?

"Hello Brother. Whew, that was scary..."

Djal tries to free himself from the webbing enough to get standing if possible.

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7

Lhienne climbs down into the depths with Brother Theodor and Djal a bit more assuredly than her initial descent.

Brother Theodor can only see about forty feet beneath him with his light, the thickening webs disappearing into darkness below- the bottom of the Chasm isn't apparent yet. Djal struggles in the webbing, managing to get himself into an upright position. His long hair has gotten thoroughly stuck in the webs and it takes a few painful attempts to get it loose.

You aren't entangled by the webs, you just start prone if you fell. Climbing through the webs in this section or using them to move around or stand on requires a check, though they don't impede you with spellcasting, skill use or attacks.

"Looks like they are moving down further." Zukhan slings his bow over his shoulder and starts moving down to the first stop.

First 15'
Athletics: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

Second 15'
Athletics: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

Athletics: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14
Athletics: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20

How many more rolls do I need? One more for good measure

Athletics: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20

The Unchained flexes his considerable frame and resumes his climb down.

Just two more, Unchained. We can bank the 20 for your next Athletics.

With his friend beneath him, Unchained climbs easily down to Lhienne, Djal and Brother Theodor's depth below while Zukhan makes his way down to the first benchmark at 30 feet. Iliberos closes in:
Iliberos' Athletics: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 1 = 13

The Hollowfaust necromancer manages the descent with considerably more grace.

Zukhan and Iliberos are at 30 feet deep. Two DC 5 Athletics checks will bring them to 60 feet.
Brother Theodor, Djal, Lhienne and The Unchained are at 60 feet. Two DC 10 Athletics or Acrobatics checks will bring them down to 90 feet or over toward the giant petrified columns.
If one person makes their rolls at DC 10 and spends extra time cutting away webs for the next climbers, I'll lower the DC to 5 in this section for the rest of the people climbing.
Dim light extends to roughly the 100 foot depth.

Any other light sources besides Theo's spear? And is anyone using the climbing kit? With the harness and gear you can set yourself a slack line and stop yourself at a 25 foot maximum fall- just a reminder that you found one earlier.

Iliberos, remember you have the Bardic Inspiration if you need it (1d6)

Zukhan will continue to try to bring up the rear with using his trusty shortbow and dark vision to cover the folks ahead of him. He'll be keeping an eye on the columns, with all of their potential hidey holes.

He'll then give the climbers kit to Iliberos. "Just in case."

In case it matters: Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11

Climbing down!

Athletics: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

Athletics: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15

From where he is near the Chasm wall, Zukhan doesn't notice anything in particular about the columns: there are a lot of webs in the way.

Iliberos breathes and steadies his hands as he descends once more into the Chasm.

Athletics 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 1 = 21
Athletics 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

The elf's climb begins steadily enough, the next 15' feet he practically slides off of the rope and only through sheer luck retains his hold.

Iliberos breathes and steadies his hands as he descends once more into the Chasm.

Athletics 1d20+1
Athletics 1d20+1

The elf's climb begins steadily enough, the next 15' feet he practically slides off of the rope and only through sheer luck retains his hold.

Remember that Zukhan gave you the climbers kit.

So that has all of us at the 60' level, right?

Zukhan looks around as they all make it to this spot safely. "So, is it down further or over to the columns next?"

Rolls for wherever we decide.

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20

"We're united once more, so we can resume the cautious approach, though the whole cave is probably now aware of our presence. Perhaps we can walk over the columns using these thicker webbings?" suggests Djal and tests his weight on them.

The webs are enormous and thick- they will support your weight but there's no walking; it isn't a continuous surface. You have to climb or swing from web to web the aforementioned Athletics and Acrobatics rolls in order to make progress or slowly clear them away from your rope while climbing down.

Getting over to one of the columns is three DC 10 checks through the webs, since you're near a wall for climbing purposes.

So that has all of us at the 60' level, right?

Zukhan looks around as they all make it to this spot safely. "So, is it down further or over to the columns next?"

Rolls for wherever we decide.

[Dice=Acrobatics]1d20+3

[Dice=Acrobatics]1d20+3

Yes, everyone is 60 feet into the ravine.

Rolling over and grasping a handful of the webbing, Theo attempts to climb the rest of the way down, like the others. A short prayer steadies his nerves as he swings out and begins his descent.

Cast Guidance on self to gain help in climbing

Athletics: 1d20 + 2 + 1d4 ⇒ (11) + 2 + (4) = 17
Athletics: 1d20 + 2 + 1d4 ⇒ (7) + 2 + (3) = 12

"Right. Easier to go down then." decides Djal after testing the strands. He goes after Theodor in climbing down, using webbings like ropes.

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13

Djal, Zukhan and Brother Theodor descend another 30 feet through the thick webs, climbing and swinging through the thick webs. It's slow going, but far better than falling.

A metallic tang fills your nostrils as you descend deeper into the darkness beneath you, almost like the chasms have iron in them. The air is getting stuffier and the smell of smoke is growing more pronounced.

Brother Theodor pauses for a moment, wiping the sweat from his brow... and hears a faint clicking sound... and then what must be a whistle... and a garbled voice.

He looks around and just catches a glimpse of four shapes at the edge of his spear's light- squat humanoid forms with six long, slender arms ending in wicked claws, wide heads with a bizarre array of eight eyes set above fanged maws. They seem to be dressed in scraps of cloth and bits of polished stone, holding darts in some of their many hands. A larger shape looms- an enormous spider, with one of the goblin-creatures astride it!

Not realizing that the priest sees them, they wind up to throw just before Brother Theodor calls out and alerts the others, spoiling their ambush!

Zukhan, Djal and Brother Theo are at 90 feet deep. The Unchained, Lhienne and Iliberos are at 60 feet deep- that's how I'll group initiative.

90 feet crew: 1d20 ⇒ 12
60 feet crew: 1d20 ⇒ 1

Initiatives
Group 1: Djal, Brother Theodor, Zukhan
Group 2: Spidereye Goblins and mounted Raidmaster
Group 3: The Unchained, Lhienne, Iliberos

You are in the thick webs, so movement is at half speed and requires a DC 10 athletics or acrobatics check. The goblins and giant spider are 30 feet away in dim light and in the webs as well. They count as Titanspawn for Zukhan's favored enemy bonus.

Group 1, post your actions!

Calling upon the power of Madriel, Theodor sends a bolt of flame towards the nearest of the odd creatures.

Sacred Flame: 1d8 ⇒ 6

DEX save to negate...no benefit from cover for this save.

Zukhan will mark the rider with his Hunter"s Mark as a bonus action. If there is anywhere nearby to get cover, he'll dart behind it, then fire his short bow at his quarry.

"We've got Titan Spawn down here!" He yells to inform the party.

Short Bow: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15

Damage: 2d6 + 5 ⇒ (4, 5) + 5 = 14