Heralding the Coming of the Age of Worms (Bravo Team) (Inactive)

Game Master Fanguar

Harold continues to haul frantically on the rope.

"I knew there was more trouble down there..."

Parnel is up...

I thought Parnel was making full speed for the surface. At this time he has no idea that he is not being followed. When he gets to the surface and finds himself alone, he will dive back down quickly and try to see if he can help...but will not commit suicide :-)

Ahh gotcha

Parnel bursts from the water and not seeing Talia right behind him, turns to dive back in, but before he does her limp and bleeding form is pulled into sight by the frantic reeling in of her tow rope.

Talia for save: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21 You're Stable

Round 1 redux
25 Enemy
19 Parnel
19 Elvar
19 Harold
3 Istvan

Istvan loses his prepared spell as a undead horror emerges hot on the heels of the others
Acid: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2 Undead can't be nauseated

It sizzles slightly as it pushes through the haze and takes a swing at the still dripping Parnel:

Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10 and misses

You're all up. No need for a map, just assume you can reach it to attack.

Harold does a double-take when the undead creature explodes out of the water, but he recovers quickly, drops the rope, draws his earthbreaker...

Earthbreaker: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22, for 2d6 + 9 ⇒ (6, 6) + 9 = 21 Bludgeoning damage.

...and crushes the monstrousity's head down into its ribcage!

Wow. So maybe the next time two members of the group go off exploring the dangerous unknown, Harold should be one of them. Just saying...

Talia lies on the ground, blood pooling out of her wounds, dark against the lacerated crimson armor...

Istvan is thinking we should be resting. Istvan is doing nothing for our friend Talia until tomorrow.

Harold steps up, and touches Talia gently on the shoulder.

Lay on Hands: 1d6 ⇒ 5.

That's it for the day - as a Paladin, I feel kind of naked without the ability to swift action heal myself :-/

As life comes back to her, Talia rolls on herself, grasping for the sword that now lies under the water.

"Where is the thing, did you get it?"

At last, she stops when she sees the mangled ghast corpse.
"Wow, who did that? And thanks to all for getting me out. "

She sits down heavily, realizing how close to death she's been.
"I'm done for today,I need to rest somewhere dry."

I suggest we go back up to rest and think about our next moves. Maybe tomorrow with the air bubble spell from Parnel, the other can finish exploring the underwater room.

Bump... Shall we move on?

Harold points to the crushed fragments of undead flesh.

"Yes, we got it. The beast discovered that tangling with a follower of St Cuthbert was unhealthy for it."

He then nods.

"I agree, we should probably rest before we explore further underwater; perhaps we could set-up camp here?"

Elvar nods his agreement that rest was in order. "I guess we'll just have to keep careful watch on the water then, if we're going to settle down here." he offers.

"And yay! for St. Cuthbert." he adds as an afterthought.

Just to move the narrative along. ..

You find a suitable spot to rest and are undisturbed. Searching the remaining room in the underwater area, reveals a disused privy. Nothing else of interest is to be found. Searching the undead reveals a pouch containing 100gp worth of coins and an exquisitely preserved cloak. You have cleared the dungeon and recovered the missing lanterns.

Spellcraft -Cloak: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22
Spellcraft -shortsword: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26

Oohing and aahing can be heard from Elvar as he examines the magical cloak and shortsword come morning. "The sword is magiced to bite better and keep it's edge, real handy, and the cloak is magiced to enhance a bodies natural resistances. All very nice."

+1 short sword and a cloak of resistance +1. Who wants or needs. I'm always keen on a cloak of resistance but my saves aren't terrible though they have room for improvement.

I'll pass on both

The following morning, after some time spent consulting a dog-eared book, Istav walks over to Talia. After a brief, abrasive chant, he touches Talia's head with a drop of black blood. Seconds later, her wounds begin to close.

Infernal Healing. I'll use my pearl of power to regain the spell.

Infernal healing 10 HP +natural healing 2HP, Talia is back to 15 HP.

I propose Parnel keeps the cloak and for the moment either Talia or Elvar keep the sword. We can sell it later if we don't want it as Talia will more often than not use a bow.

"Thanks, Istvan, I'm much better now. Let's go back up and put all the lanterns back in place, maybe that will help us deal with the trap by the blue one."

"Elvar, you're the only one of us trained with magic and traps, so maybe you could go and check.", says Talia handing him the ring of feather falling. "The ring should help you if you're blown back again."

With the ring of feather falling, maybe Elvar can go back up and safely check what's going on when we have all the lanterns in their slots.

I have the ring? I thought it went to you, Talia? But sure, Elvar can go check.

Climb if needed: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19
perception if needed: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24

I have the ring? I thought it went to you, Talia? But sure, Elvar can go check.

[dice=Climb if needed]1d20+6
[dice=perception if needed]1d20+6

Talia had the ring but the post meant Talia was giving it to you. I'll edit it. Elvar can deal with traps and know how to detect magic, so he's the best for that task.

(For the sake just moving things along, I'll assume the lanterns were lit.)

When Elvar investigates the wind tunnel with the carved face, he sees that there is now a open door in its mouth that leads to another chamber.

Upon hearing the news from Elvar, Talia will assist every one that needs help climbing up to the wind tunnel.

Once every one is up there, she asks. "How should we proceed"

"Guess I'll go first.." Elvar says with a shrug and leads the way through the now open passageway.

Cast detect magic before stepping over the threshold and maintain it as I go, moving at half speed.

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23

Istvan will bring up the rear of the group, casting Mage Armor on himself before climbing up the rope.

Istvan is wondering, what will Istvan be finding down such a well protected door?

Peering through the gaping mouth at the end of the hallway, Elvar sees a long, dark room with no floor. A three-foot-wide beam of petrified wood spans the chasm, leading straight ahead into darkness. About ten feet below the beam, countless clay balls the size of oranges form an irregular floor, but it is impossible to tell if they represent a wholly solid surface. The walls to either side of the beam are covered in a honeycomb of geometric patterns and the featureless stone ceiling extends about 20' above the beam

You hear an occasional rattle as the clay balls shift below you.

Map is updated

Reluctant to allow Elvar to move forward alone (and not wanting a repeat of what happened to Talia), Harold follows along immediately behind him, Earthbreaker at the ready...

...staring at the unusual construction of the corridor, Harold cannot help but raise an eyebrow.

"I can honestly say that I have never seen anything quite like this before. What do you think those balls are, Elvar?"

Talia peers down at the clay balls "You know what? I've learn my lesson. I'm not going to jump down or cross straight ahead right now. My best guess is that there's a big trap right under the middle of this beam. And all the balls explode upwards when someone crosses. Elvar or Istvan, can you see anything magical ?"

After a moments concentration, Istvan surveys the scence looking for anything magical in nature.

Istvan is thinking. If this is being a trap, what reason not to trigger before the crossing is made? Istvan might have a spare rock he can toss.

I apologize, if you were waiting on me. No magical auras are to be found

After a moments concentration, Istvan surveys the scence looking for anything magical in nature.

Istvan is thinking. If this is being a trap, what reason not to trigger before the crossing is made? Istvan might have a spare rock he can toss.

"Maybe a rock will be too light. Let me try something"

Talia fishes her bedroll out of her bag. She deftly loops some string around it and throws it forwards, holding on to the other end of the string.

For her first threw, she targets the middle of the beam. If nothing happens, she tries again, this time deliberately missing the beam to let the bedroll fall down on the clay balls.

Interesting choice, but Istvan would be tossing the dead ghoul, not his bedroll.

Interesting choice, but Istvan would be tossing the dead ghoul, not his bedroll.

"Good idea, but who is going to get down to grab that rotting corpse, ride the stone cylinder with it then climb up here hauling it behind her. Feel free to do it, but I'm not going to do that ever. The first thing I'll do when we go back to town is find someone who knows how to kill them efficiently and learn as much as I can.", replies Talia with a half smile.

Talia lobs her pack out into the middle of the walkway. When land a mechanical clatter arises in the walls and a short lived barrage of clay balls fire from the holes cleverly hidden in the carved patterns. Some experimentation reveals the trigger to be localized to the centre of the walkway and the trap seems to continually reset.

"Right. Well, can anyone deal with that, or shall we just try running jumps to get to the other side?"

"Right. That's my que." Elvar mutters and, clearing his throat, starts off down the beam to inspect the trap.

Disable Device with Archaeologists Luck: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (16) + 14 = 30

Cautiously examining the beam, Elvar finds the cleverly hidden pressure plate worked into it. With a little finesse, easily disables the mechanism.

While he's working, there is a rustle from beneath the spheres and a tentacled wormlike creatures busts out hissing angrily.

Round 1
21 Elvar
16 Istvan
14 Talia
13 Harold
8 Bad guy
5 Parnel

Couple of notes: its a 10 drop to the ball pit and the balls count as difficult terrain

Bardic Knowledge: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22

"Grick!" Elvar blurts out as he draws his bow. "Only magic weapons will harm it effectively!"

Drawing a bead on it he infuses the arrow with magic and shoots it.

Attack w. Arcane Strike: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20, Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Harold curses, and then focuses on the 'Grick' (Full round action to Detect Evil on it).

"Stay back Harold". This is not your battle".
Parnell casts Magic Stone, and moves into throwing range.

Harold looks at Parnel incredulously.

"I have no intention of jumping down to fight it!"

I stand by the observation that we all know what happened the last time the fighter was asked to 'sit out' the encounter ;-)

Sorry, I meant to say Hector, not Harold, but it's too late to edit :-)

Heh. No worries! I think it is funnier this way ;-)

knowledge dungeoneering: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9

"Damn, why did I bother bringing a bow here.", mutters Talia, drawing her newly acquired sword and moving to protect Elvar, getting ready to strike the aberration should it come near.

Move action: move by Elvar, drawing the magical short sword.
Ready an attack action.

Dungeoneering: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14

Seeing the aberration arise from Istvan smiles.

If magic is required, then Istvan will happily accommodate the beast.

Acid cloud: DC 15 fort save for 1/2 damage and avoid sicken

Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

@Harold; Isn't it a move action for a paladin to determine if the creature is evil?

That is a common misconception. Paladins have Detect Evil as an at-will spell-like ability, which RAW, is a standard action to activate. They then have the ability to, as a move action, determine whether a single creature/object is Evil, as if they had studied it for three rounds.

Grick fort: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20
@Harold: it's not evil.

Elvar's arrow sinks deep into the beast and it hisses waving its tentacles in fury. Istvan's acid burns it, but does no lasting harm.

"Oooo, Nice shot and magic too, fancy."

Unable to reach anyone on the walkway, the grick crawls to the base of the wall.

round 2
21 Elvar
16 Istvan
14 Talia
13 Harold
8 Bad guy
5 Parnel

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9

Puzzled by the grick's apparent intelligence Elvar hesitates before nocking another arrow and firing again...

Attack w. Arcane Strike: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17 Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

...when the arrow is flow he turns to Istvan and frowns. "Gricks aren't intelligent, right?"

Edit: Doesn't elemental damage bypass DR of any kind? That's what energy resistance is for, right?
Edit v2.0; Hah! It made the save, half damage. That threw me off.

Istvan is not knowing what a Grick is, but that thing talks.

Perhaps Istvan should be slowing it down.

Istvan slaps the side of the wall, causing a black, oily stain to spread around the Grick and the wall immediately above it.

Grease: DC 17 reflex save

"Istvan, can you move out of the way? If it can climb, I want to be close to it."

If Istvan moves back behind Parnell and Harold, Talia moves back 5 foot on the beam to be able to reach the Grick when he climbs up.

I'll move back after casting