Hymenopterix's Colonies of the Salt Coast

Game Master Electric Monk

There doesn't seem to be anything magical about the carvings.

"Let's move down, then. Have we got enough torches?"

The steps, like the passageway have a slight dip in the centre - evidence of the passage of many feet over the years. As you descend the steep steps for approximately 20' you slowely become aware of a lightening from in front of you - from what appears to be another doorway 20' further down the passage. As you draw closer you can hear the drip of water echoing through the chamber. You emerge through the doorway onto a 5' wide ledge with steps dropping down into a pool of water 35'x35'. to your right, you can see another opening (Y on the map), mirroring the one you are standing in (X on the map), with a similar leadge and steps. The water itself is dark black and ripples spread accross it as water drips from above. The whole scene is illuminated by a 10'x10' opening in the roof 90' above your heads.
In front of you, where the far walls of the cavern come together, a third opening (Z on the map) contains steps which descend straight into the water.

ZZ_____________
Z______________!
!______________!
!______________!
!______________Y
!______________!
!______________!
!______X_______!

"I wonder how deep this water is. Have we any rope?"

"I wonder how deep this water is. Have we any rope?"

Finnabar pauses to take out some silk rope from his pack.

Perception check for traps if needed 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20

Jack smiles. "Actually, I was thinking of tying it to something heavy and lowering it into the water. The weight would touch bottom and we could see how deep it is by the length of the rope we have to let into the water."

"But I don't mind doing a little swimming, after we check for any trouble."

"I can lead if is isn't too deep, that way I encounter something you don't need to hold back. My armor should protect me from both friend and foe, but it all depends on how deep the water is..." Sheathing his longsword and shouldering his shield Bein draws his greatsword, intent on probing the water once he is given the all clear to do so.

Since its a fairly long blade, he can kneel down and use the tip to try and tap the bottom of the pool. If there is one :)

"Certainly, Captain."

Xarafine casts DETECT MAGIC on the water.

*Sorry for the lack of finesse, I'm posting by phone at the moment*

Rather than risk soiling or damaging our equipment, wouldn't a tree branch do just as well to test the depth of the water?

Volpe dashes off to get one, forgetting that he's carrying the torch.

"Certainly, Captain."

Xarafine casts DETECT MAGIC on the water.

*Sorry for the lack of finesse, I'm posting by phone at the moment*

"I can lead if is isn't too deep, that way I encounter something you don't need to hold back. My armor should protect me from both friend and foe, but it all depends on how deep the water is..." Sheathing his longsword and shouldering his shield Bein draws his greatsword, intent on probing the water once he is given the all clear to do so.

Since its a fairly long blade, he can kneel down and use the tip to try and tap the bottom of the pool. If there is one :)

Dipping our sword into the water you can feel-out the steps descending into the water, the pool's floor seems to level out at about 4' deep.

"Be wary, Master Bein. The water holds magical energies."

Xarafine examines the aura. Comparing it in her memory with the aura of the water from the broken statue. *Hy: if you could make a spellcraft roll for me.*

Jack sees Bein pull his sword out of the water. "So... not that deep? but..." Jack pauses, awaiting Xarafine's final assessment, adding in a mutter, "I don't like that we can't see into it."

Nevermind, Hy. I got a chance to get to a computer for a few secs.

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8

Xarafine frowns as she ponders the water, then sighs and shakes her head.

"This may be another situation like the idol above. Someone will have to risk testing the water in order to determine its purpose."

"Allow me then to test the water Teacher." Sheathing his greatsword, kneeling down, Bein pulls off a gauntlet and cups his uncovered hand to scoop some of the water up to drink it.

As Bein puts a hand in the water and bring it some to drink, Finnabar puts a hand on him to stop him.

"Beim, you should not drink stagnant water like that. you would not do it if it was in the open. But if you really do, let me add something."

Passing his hand on the cupped water, Finnabar chants a few words and a bluish light moves from his hand to the water, illuminating it for an instant.

Casting Purify Food and Water

"Here, that should be better. If it does not hurt you, I will try to cross."

If Bein is fine, Finnabar will rope himself up, give the other end to Bein and descend into the water to go to the exit Y.

Xarafine watches Bein carefully as he drinks the water.

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20

Healing: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12

Bein carefully takes a drink of the now purified water. The taste is unpleasant but doesn't seem to cause any side effects. Seeing that Bein is unharmed Finnabar ropes himself up and begins to make his way towards the other entrace.

Finnabar: As you move down the slippery steps and into the pool you can feel your feet sinking through a somewhat thick layer of silty mud before they find the hard surface of the rock. Slowely you make your way towards the other entance, carefully chooseing your steps on the muddy floor of the pool. (since you are mostly underwater you movement is down to 5' / round)

As Finnabar nears far door -

Volpe returns, proudly bearing a six foot long tree branch, just in time to see Bein take a drink.

All right, now let's find out if there's any danger from the... Well, Heck!

Perception 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14

Perception 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22

Jack smiles at Volpe. "Finnabar blessed the water first, don't worry."

Perception 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25

*grumble* I hate it when I'm just 1 off... :)

Perception 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (15) - 1 = 14 Swing and a miss!

Bein watches Finnabar wade into the water, his helm hides his disapproving look but if his lordship wished to brave the way. Then he knew better then to stop him. As his grandfather once said It is best to choose ones battles wisely, fight too many and soon you would be surrounded by foes.

As Finnabar draws closer to the platform 6 bat-winged shapes swoop out from the doorway. The creatures are tiny and quick, bearing a needle-like snout from the front of their small heads which also bear large eyes and bat-like ears. Strangely, the creatures seem to have 4 wings, each of which bears several wicked barbs.

The creatures swoop down at Finnabar, slashing forwards with their barbed wings as if trying to attach themselves to him,..

One of the creatures manages to attach to Finnabar's back and, drawing back its head, strikes forwards with its needle-like proboscis. (Take 1 CON damage)

Finnabar:- You are now 10' from the other entrance and 15' from the ledge the rest of the party are standing on. The animal is grappling you and sucking!

All:- Initiative

initiative 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 1 = 20

Hy, Finnabar action this round would be to submerge himself in water (free action), then grapple back the creature to remove it. If it's possible then, I would use my movement to go back to the party while keeping in the water. Is it doable and what negative modifier would I get?

Initiative: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9

Jack curses.

Initiative 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20
I will wait for Finnabar's action to complete before Jack acts

initiative 1d20+1

Hy, Finnabar action this round would be to submerge himself in water (free action), then grapple back the creature to remove it. If it's possible then, I would use my movement to go back to the party while keeping in the water. Is it doable and what negative modifier would I get?

Going under water'd negate any Dex bonus to your CMD but the same'd apply to the creature. As for moving U/W you'll be able to move at 5' / round but might get disoriented since you won't be able to see.

Finnabar d'Orlovsky wrote:

initiative 1d20+1

Hy, Finnabar action this round would be to submerge himself in water (free action), then grapple back the creature to remove it. If it's possible then, I would use my movement to go back to the party while keeping in the water. Is it doable and what negative modifier would I get?

Going under water'd negate any Dex bonus to your CMD but the same'd apply to the creature. As for moving U/W you'll be able to move at 5' / round but might get disoriented since you won't be able to see.

I don't care, I don't have any dex bonus :-)

When the creature lands on his back, Finnabar drops in the water, trying to grab the creature and tear it from his back.

Grapple check 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14

The post-eating monster likes the flavor of my posts lately

Volpe steps up, and draws his sabre.

Initiative 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17

Initiative... Awww D: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Bein curses loudly as the creatures descend and his heart stops for a moment when Finnabar disappear's beneath the water.

OK, so Init order is....

Finnabar
Jack
Volpe
CREATURES
Xerafine
Bein

Finnabar ducks underwater, scrabling at his back as he disappears beneath the water, dragging the attached creature under with him.

Grapple check: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8

As he does so, the creature tears away from his back, flapping awkardly in the water with its four wings and screaming outwith a high-pitched whistle.

(Jack, You're up)

Seeing the creature pull itself away, flapping frantically along the water's surface, Jack takes his bow in hand, knocks an arrow, and fires, aiming to be sure the arrow could not stray in a way to harm Finnabar.

Attack, with -4 penalty for firing into melee. If the creature is within 30 feet, at +1 to the result for Point Blank Shot 1d20 ⇒ 1

Apparently he forgot to string his bow before firing. ;p Also, that looks like three 1s on a d20 roll in a row. The die roller must be grumpy today.

that's a 1/8000 chance. Let's see if I catch the backswing of that mojo.

Volpe takes a couple of steps into the water, just enough to stay mobile. He'll take a swing at a bat creature as they come into range.

1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6
1d6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

Or maybe not.

Volpe, you'll only be able to get 10' into the water, leaving the creatures another 5' away. But, denied any other target (with Finnabar under) the five that are still flying swoop towards you...

two of the creatures latch on to Volpe, and jab him with their needle-like proboscises. Take 2 Con Damage

The creature that was in the water awkwardly flaps into the air.

Xerafine
Bein
Finnabar
Jack
Volpe
CREATURES

Xarafine attempts to jab one of the creatures attacking Volpe with the butt of the Speaking Staff.

"Gettoff, bloodsucker!"

Attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11

Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

FYI going to visit family this weekend. Should have posting access with my phone but may not be able to get on very often regardless. Will be back Tues

20 and 19 on the dice! The damn monsters caught all the dice mojo!

Bein draws his longsword and readies to counterattack one of the foul winged creatures if they approach him.

MA: draw Longsword
SA: Attack whatever attacks him.

Attack roll if needed 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23 Damage 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

Finnabar, free of its attacker, raises out of the water, drawing a javelin.

Focusing on the bat-like monster that has just harmed him, he trows with all his might, trying to pin it againt the wall.

"Be careful, these beast try to suck our blood."

Javelin throw 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19, damage 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

Jack gasps as two land on Volpe and attempts to assist him.
(((My phone has no bracket keys so:
if it seems feasible, Jack will drop his bow and draw his short sword, moving to hack at one of the creatures attacking Volpe ((((can we have a name for them so we don't have to type "creature" all the time?)))). Flanking if possible.

If that is not feasible, he will just shoot an unengaged thingy.
Hym, please roll for me.)))

Xerafine takes a 5' step forwards onto the steps and strikes out at one of the creatures but, because of its small size she fails to land a hit. Bein draws his longsword, waiting for one of the "bats" to come within range. As he does so, Finnabar rises from the water, hurling a javelin at the "bat" that has just flapped out of the water. His javelin strikes the creature, slahing straight into its body and bringing the creature down, twitching, into the water where it begins to sink.

Jack steps forward onto the step next to Xerafine, and slashes at a bat with his shortsword.

Attack: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17, Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

The sword nicks the bat's rear wing, causing it to shrink backwards but not release its hold on Volpe.

Volpe, you're up.. then the "bats" have another go!

Xerafine takes a 5' step forwards onto the steps and strikes out at one of the creatures but, because of its small size she fails to land a hit. Bein draws his longsword, waiting for one of the "bats" to come within range. As he does so, Finnabar rises from the water, hurling a javelin at the "bat" that has just flapped out of the water. His javelin strikes the creature, slahing straight into its body and bringing the creature down, twitching, into the water where it begins to sink.

Jack steps forward onto the step next to Xerafine, and slashes at a bat with his shortsword.

Attack: 1d20+2, Damage: 1d6+1

The sword nicks the bat's rear wing, causing it to shrink backwards but not release its hold on Volpe.

Volpe, you're up.. then the "bats" have another go!

Well, isn't this a bloody mess.

1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6
1d4 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

As Volpe scratches at the bat on his back, failing to dislodge them, the remaining two swoop down at Finnabar.

1d20 + 7 - 4 ⇒ (12) + 7 - 4 = 15
1d20 + 7 - 4 ⇒ (3) + 7 - 4 = 6

However neither manages to get a purchase. Meanwhile the two attached to Volpe continue to draw blood... (Volpe, take 2 more Con Damage)

Xerafine
Bein
Finnabar
Jack
Volpe
BATS

Xarafine, once again, tries to dislodge the creature from Volpe with the butt of the Staff.

Attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12

Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

I'm not sure I'll be able to post later today, so I'm posting ahead.

Bein maneuvers himself into the water and tries to use his longsword to bring one of the flying cretins low.

MA: move upto 20 ft to engage one
SA: Attack with Longsword 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8
Damage 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

Xerafine smacks the bat again with the end of her staff. It sqeals as its head is smashed against Volpe's back and drops off into the water, twitching for a moment and flailing in the dark water.

Bein steps forward and swings at the other creature attached to Volpe, but his careful swipe swings wide, missing the creature. Pulling his axe free of the water, Finnabar swings wildly at another bat, his axe slices straight through the creature splitting it in half and lodges into the remaining bat, severing two of its wings and droping it into the water.

Only one to go - attached to Volpe. Jack and Volpe still to act.

I'm going to be off the Internet from tonight to Friday night(I may be able to post on Friday) for work reasons.
Then I'll be off from the 14th of July to the 16th of July for the French Bastille day.
So please, roll for me if needed and do not wait for me to further the plot.

Glad to see the other creatures dispatched by his comrades, Jack takes another determined swing at the final bat still gripping Volpe.

Attack 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3
Damage 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

*facepalm* Do we do crit fumbles around here?