Hephaistos Raising... An Iron Gods thread

Game Master Helikon

It attacks me even though I'm behind Kimos and he's blocking the passage? I started my turn next to Elasbeth and only moved forward once Kimos did.

Not sensing any looming presence about to attacker her where she is at, Elasbeth focuses solely on defending herself.
Full Defense for this round.

He attacks you between Kunala retreating and Kimos killing him. As Kunala retreated it could move up to you and attack you.

Kunala, putting his weight on his trident, stands up; the blood from the bite on the front of his thigh starting to congeal, the bite on his arse still bleeding freely, into his boots and down his legs. He turns to orient himself toward combat, ready to defend.

Well at least it’s my leg and arse not my balls…it sounds like combat has stopped… or is this the lull before the storm..I wonder who can still see…Raffiyaler said blind for an hour and something about a blindhiem so he still has his vision, Kimos seemed ready so maybe he dealt with this blindhiem thing

Not hearing any combat, Kunala speaks trying to sound lighthearted.

”It feels as though I may need a new pair of hose, well at least the cod piece is still intact.”

then a little more seriously.

” Is everyone ok, who can still see?”

Again Kimos discreetly puts away his weapon and picks up his shortbow. Laying down another arrow and keeping alert as he searches the general area.

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23

"I can see just fine and am uninjured."

Looking for loot mostly. ;)

take all you can find you earned it!

Kunala, having lost a lot of blood, leaning on his trident relieved that the threat is over calls out

Excellent Kimos, Are we safe for the moment? I assume you were able to dispose of the blindheim, whatever that is, maybe it should be called a blind him, because that exactly what it has done. Can anyone else see? Raffinyaler are you alright? Elasbeth your blinded also right? Tomaq how are you and Korba? Kimos How do you think we should proceed?

Relaxing a bit now that the fighting seems to have stopped, Elasbeth carefully sits down on the ground, "Yes Kunala, I'm blind too but otherwise all right. I'm afraid that until my vision returns there is little I can do to treat any injuries we may have gotten."

"I think we will need to stay put until we regain the use of our eyesight. Raffinyaler mentioned that it will last only an hour."

Smiling in the general direction of Tamoq's voice, "I hope so, I don't think I could stand it if this were permanent. The only problem is that we are running down our ability to breathe underwater and get out of here again. Still, I think we do need to rest until this blindheimes effect wears off, too dangerous for us to all go blundering around just now." Elasbeth then leans back against the cavern wall to rest a bit as a decision is being made.

trying to ignore the pain in his buttocks that is where the second bite is at Kunala asks "we were swimming against the current coming in, might we be able, swimming with the current, to swim out just holding our breath? It might be worth our while to try before the spell runs out."Turning the general direction of the talking, "with Korba's excellent nose to warn those here, do those who still have vision want to look around a little bit? To see the lay of the land as it were?"

"We have encountered resistance with every step. We should hold until your sight returns. As to tempting the current, I would prefer to not be without breath upon the first return. We may encounter a cross current or something that feeds upon the current rather then actively hunting. Caution cost us little."

Something he seemed to be repeating to no effect apparently.

As Kimos makes his suggestion again, "I don't like the idea of splitting up, it is too dangerous, I agree with Kimos, better to wait for now and in an hour we can decide what to do."

not wanting to sit down on his tender bottom, Kunala limps around feeling for a stalagmite to lean on, waiting for the hour to pass.

Before we begin our adventures anew, I may ask one of you with medical skills to look at these two bites. Once we all have our sight back, of course.

obviously at 4 hit points Kunala is looking for a little healing

Turning her head in the general direction of Kunala's voice, "I will do what I can as soon as I can see Kunala."

Raffinyaler quietly moves back towards the beach where the party first came in, alert for any possible dangers that might come up from behind the group.

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13

Following the blindheims tracks you find A dark cavern opens up here, its twenty-foot-high ceiling thick
with stalactites. A rocky shore overlooks a placid pool and
stream, fed by a trickle of water leaking from a narrow fissure
to the north. A small garden of toadstools and dark mold grows
along the banks.

I assume you describing A4 on the map for Kimos "perception" not that an hour has passed and we have our sight, right? Or, has an hour passed and we are all moving on?

It depends on you. Was giving you a chance to do so while I am at week

As the hour reaches it's conclusion, Elasbeth's vision seems to begin to return. All of a sudden it rushes back fully and she winces at the pain the faint light she was looking into caused her, "Aaaaaa! That's bright!" She kneads her eyes a bit and blinks them open again looking for Kunala. "Finally, time to take care of the injuries."

She moves over to Kunala, "Hold still while I examine this." She looks over the extent of Kunala's injuries and realizes she is going to have to do this with magic. "All right, I can deal with this, but I need everyone else to give us some privacy please for a minute or two."

As Kunala’s eye sight returns back into the light, this cave may not be our deaths after all. He quips in his accented lisp ” Well stalagmites, mold and glowing bugs never looked so good “ as Elasbeth tends his wounds he resists the urge to say anything off color, however he does interject, ”I am your dutiful patient, but if the privacy is for my benefit do not trouble yourself, I have no modesty to safeguard”

Leaning in very close to Kunala so she can whisper in his ear,

Kunala quickly changes his tone, “gentlemen , a little privacy please” once everyone has moved forward into the cave beyond the stalamites…

As they catch up to the team Kunala says cryptically ”What can be done has been, I am not one hundred percent but let us soldier on and rescue our Magician, Gentlemen we are at your disposal” saying that Kunala looks down the hallway to the south; pointing with his trident ”Is this the direction we are going? Who is leading off? since my scouting skill seem to leave a little to be desired…”

he stands near the mouth of the tunnel and takes twenty on perception for whatever he can see

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26

Cause kimos is noisy and a touch paranoid with good reason. Let me know if he picks up the whisper or any clues and such. ;-)

That's more than enough to hear what she says to Kunala, it's only like a 15 normally, just read what was posted in the spoiler, baring the gm saying otherwise."

"When you're done with him Elasbeth, please reset our color timer. Wouldn't want to run of air breathing at an inopportune time."

Raffinyaler heads north towards the beach, wary of dangers from the water while still trying to peer to the west.

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12
He's trying to look into the area directly north of A3 on the map in case there's any confusion.

After taking care of Kunala and gathering with the rest of the party again. When Raff reminds her of the spell timer, "Is casting it on your jacket again OK Raffinyaler"

Your search of the pool reveals a man’s body, mostly eaten. Little remains to identify the body as that of one of the thugs from the second expedition,
for the blindheim has eaten most of it and has ruined its armor and clothing in the process. A belt pouch on the body’s hip is still intact and contains 42 gp, a silver unholy symbol of Zyphus worth 25 gp, and two water-tight potions
of cure light wounds.

Watching Raffinyaler fish a previously unseen body from the water Kunala says in his accented lisp well done Raffinyaler, do you want to store everything in the pack alongside your books? Also, I realize you to are wounded, I feel we should save the potions for a desperate moment, what do you think?

After Raffinyaler places whatever items he deems fit in the pack Kunala asks so who is taking point toward the south?

Kimos still with his bow out and ready.

"I would like to carry one of those potions. I suggest Kunala keep one as well. As for taking point, I seem the best choice."

Unless someone objects he places a potion in his bandolier and moves carefully forward.

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7
Stealth: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28

Edit- I guess I will take 10 on perception. xP

Tamoq has been quiet since his eyesight returned, inwardly reflecting that this unknown creature almost took out their entire party just by looking in their direction.

"I will have to prepare more thoroughly for my next mission if I am to continue working for the Pathfinders. We very well could have all turned out like that." he says, pointing to the body that was just pulled out.

Kunala, listening to Tamoq, speaks up You are right Tamoq we were not prepared for that pointing at the Bindheim However, we did defeat it. That man was alone or worse abandoned by his allies, he was not wise. He did not even use the potions he had with him. We will not make the same mistake. We must play to our strengths, work as a team and trust each other. These are simple truths whether you are a troop of troubadours, a pack of hunters or allied armies. Until we know each other we must communicate and be patient, we all have skills let us draw them out of each other Kunala looks at each team member nodding when they make eye contact. That was almost identical to the speech the ambassador gave at Sothis, I hope it works better for us than it did for him.

North or south?

south

Listening to Kunala's speech, Elasbeth finds herself nodding in agreement, "Well, if we are going to do this, then let's do it. No sense standing around here and wasting our ability to easily return." With no response fro, Raff, she simply casts prestidigitate on the handle of her 'torch' and prepares to follow the group, being careful not to be so close to the front of the group anymore.

@Helikon, it might just be me, but it seems like we bog down after combat. What can we do to keep the pace moving? Is it a map issue, or a posting issue, or a clear direction issue? Or something else?

Kunala moves in behind Kimos to provide protection for those behind, Kunala smiles and says in his accented lisp; baring anymore blindheim’s when we contact aggressors I would prefer to use a ranged attack or two and then close for melee, hopefully to provide a distraction for our quicker combatants and protect those less combat oriented. So in combat he will throw the trident and then close for melee. Or, if we can keep them at range, after he throws the trident he will use the pistol.

I am waiting. I already posted my actions, Kimos was scouting ahead while you were giving your speech. ;P

Good question.
I would like it if we speed up, but I need your help.
I made the map so that you can see where you are. If you post an action please move your tokens. The better you phrase your actions the better Sorry that I use you Kimos. You said you scout ahead. You can see on the map you have 2 options north or south. If you go north x will happen, if you go south y.
So to throw the ball back, what can you do. Move your tokens!
Be more precise. You all write beautiful storys, but the more you give me hard facts the better I can speed up.
And last but not least. Many things I can do at work, some I just can´t. And your GM needs some sleep too ;-)

I'm keeping tabs on what is happening in here, sadly, actually progressing is not as easy for someone who needs to stay back from the front lines. Also doesn't help we had the blindness to deal with and deciding how we would handle it.

Moved my token. Btw I almost always have access to the internet but not always the ability to post (not make a good post anyways) or access the map. Just so you know. ;)

I'm in pretty much the same boat I only can mess with the map when at home. Posts area pain from anyplace else but doable.

Tamoq follows Kimos, hoping not to run into any more of those cursed blinder things.

Moved my token. I'm generally more available to post on weekdays than weekends, just because I sit at my desk most of the day when I'm at work so I can make a quick post with no issue. Weekends I'm spending time with my wife and new baby more often than I am on the computer.

I post both from work, at night and home, during the day. If you want me to move your Icon just put it in your post. If will move them only when asked, that just seems polite :)

Kunala following behind Kimos and Tamoq, with trident and shield at the ready, expecting the worst

Elisabeth moves into line behind Kuala as they progress down the passage.

Let the story continue
Kunala slowly moves forward and reaches the next room
A collection of crates, boxes, rubble, and scavenged metal lies heaped in the northwest section of this damp cave. Several strange chalk drawings of twisted, spiny plants, a strange three-legged creature, and emaciated four-armed humanoids mark the walls.

Looking into the next area as best she can, Elasbeth scans for any signs of a threat in the room before she enters. "Does anyone see anything that might attack, blind, or otherwise try to kill us?"
perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10

Kimos has his bow ready to fire on any threat, he keeps his eyes roaming the area.

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13

Again will take 10 if I can. x)

As the team moves into the room A5 Kunala sees the three legged creature and the emaciated four-armed humanoids drawing and say’s in his accented lisp speaking to the creatures

Pardon me, we seem to be lost, have any of you seen Councilor Khonnir Baine, we are friends of his and are looking for him

diplomacy: 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 8 + 2 = 30

if they are drawing they probably are able to communicate, can’t hurt to try

Actually I think they are drawings.

Unsurprisingly the drawings do not react to your words.
To identify the creatures drawn you will need Know engeneering and/or local.

Looking at the creatures on the walls, Elasbeth thinks they seem vaguely familiar.

Knowledge (Engineering): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14