Not knowing what to do besides keep shooting, Evalina did not lose a moment before sending another arrow into the creature.
What Min/Joanna said.
You can attack but not with a two-handed weapon.
I'll let you take out a dagger and attack but you will then receive the constrict damage automatically....
Zeljka struggled against the plant arm that had her entangled. She sought any purchase at all with which to rip apart its arm.
Feeling increasingly helpless, Min let her last magic missile fly at the plant-monster.
Action 1:
The half-orc only waited a moment to see if Nsizi would get to his feet after being released by the plant. After Nsizi had healed her so many times, Zeljka felt like she had to return the favor. Rushing over to the Bas'o, Zeljka pulled out her only healing potion and poured it down his throat.
Seeing his eyes flutter open, Zeljka sagged to the ground in relief. She then became painfully aware of her own wounds. For the first time since entering the Temple, she had her doubts that she was strong enough to help them succeed.
Action 2:
Zeljka looked around the creature's lair with the others. "How many lizardfolk do you think this thing killed? Do you think the others fed them to it?" Seeing the potions she added, "These will be useful."
Nsizi awoke spluttering and choking, but he recognized the taste of the healing potion, so he caught his breath and swallowed it down. It seemed he would live, after all.
Moaning softly, he just lay there for a moment. The rain pattered on his face, and his neswambi steamed in the damp heat. Slowly, he sat up - he felt completely battered, and doubted that his body would ever be the same shape again. "Is everybody," he coughed harshly, his breath hurting his lungs, "everybody okay?"
Min and Evalina approached - they looked unharmed, thank the spirits. He and Zeljka, on the other hand...well, it was nothing that the spirits couldn't help with. No less than four times he called for the healing help of the spirits - twice for each of them. They would need to be strong to continue exploring this place. If they survived it.
Evalina released her breath as the creature succumbed into the ground, already with another arrow in her hand. Putting it back, she quickly moved towards Nsizi and Zeljka. "For the Gods, are you alright? That was a pretty nasty monster... for a moment, I thought everything was lost."
"For sure." Evalina agreed with Zeljka. "Keep them with you... so far, you've protected us from much of the harm, hurting yourself instead."
Finally pulling himself to his feet, Nsizi grumbled, "Can we just go through the north doors now? I don't think I have it in me to fight more monsters that are probably perfectly happy to live in their corners."
Min took a look in the bag at the statuettes. "Looks like someone was looting. I wonder how he found the temple when Ms. Gadd and Mr. Blackwell had so much trouble locating it. I hope this isn't Magdi."
"How many lizardfolk do you think this thing killed? Do you think the others fed them to it?"
She shrugged. "Could have, I suppose, but it's just as likely that they were unlucky enough coming or going to stumble across its hunting grounds."
Finally pulling himself to his feet, Nsizi grumbled, "Can we just go through the north doors now? I don't think I have it in me to fight more monsters that are probably perfectly happy to live in their corners."
"It seems clear that the lizardfolk don't frequent this part of the temple," Min agreed, "although we've now made it safe for them to do so."
Turn 143 - The North Double Doors
Read the OOC.
Questions, comments, and/or suggestions?
Game on!
, north
With a sigh, Evalina turned east, scratching the back of her head. "Well... that is a bit frustrating. It looks like we'll have no choice but to check the west wing for the second disc."
Then, a thought occurred her. "Hum... do you think the Swamp Speeker will be on the other side of this room?" She pointed to the double doors. "Because, if he is, who took the disks and hid them in the other rooms, and why? This doesn't make a lot of sense does it? Unless he found another way in..."
Looking at the pile of junk and refuse. "I really don't want to search the disk there if I could choose... there is a far bigger chance that we'll find some nasty bug in there instead."
"Because, if he is, who took the disks and hid them in the other rooms, and why? This doesn't make a lot of sense does it? Unless he found another way in..."
Nsizi frowned - he hadn't thought of that. "It's a good point. Why not just bring them with him? Unless he went up and over? For that matter, why don't we try that? Save us some exploration and unnecessary fighting. Do any of you have rope?"
tag
Looking at the pile of junk and refuse. "I really don't want to search the disk there if I could choose... there is a far bigger chance that we'll find some nasty bug in there instead."
Nsizi nodded. "Let's look in obvious places first, before asking for trouble."
Action 1:
Zeljka put her pack down so she could rifle through it. "I have rope but I doubt that's how he got in. More likely he used magic or something to open and lock the door without the keys. Or some of the lizardfolk locked him in and were supposed to be guarding and got themselves killed. Seems pointless to build a locked door if someone could just climb the fence."
Action 2:
Remembering what happened when they explored the Fort, Zeljka shook her head. "I'm not going anywhere near those centipedes. Let's look in the next room."
Min cocked a quizzical eyebrow. "Well, it's better than being attacked on sight," she murmured to the others before raising her voice to address the lizardfolk. "What are to be the prizes? If you defeat our champion, we will give you these jade earrings to mark you as victor. If our champion defeats you, we seek information about a, erm, 'yolk-sucker' such as ourselves who we believe was brought here as a prisoner."
Min cocked a quizzical eyebrow. "Well, it's better than being attacked on sight," she murmured to the others before raising her voice to address the lizardfolk. "What are to be the prizes? If you defeat our champion, we will give you these jade earrings to mark you as victor. If our champion defeats you, we seek information about a, erm, 'yolk-sucker' such as ourselves who we believe was brought here as a prisoner."
Health status need to be updated. Zelkja and Nsizi are at light wounds.
Surprised at the challenge, Nsizi hesitated a moment, then translated the mjusi's words, and Min's response, for Zeljka and Evalina. Softly, he said, "Zeljka, this would be on you. Do you feel up to it?" As he waited for her answer, he called upon the spirits to heal the last of her wounds. It was better that she was completely well, whether or not she fought this creature.
Min cocked a quizzical eyebrow. "Well, it's better than being attacked on sight," she murmured to the others before raising her voice to address the lizardfolk. "What are to be the prizes? If you defeat our champion, we will give you these jade earrings to mark you as victor. If our champion defeats you, we seek information about a, erm, 'yolk-sucker' such as ourselves who we believe was brought here as a prisoner."
The lizardman laughed, his ample girth rising with his laughter, "Information is cheap. You can have that. However, if you beat me, you get to be the champion. Will you be fighting me? You look a little... light."
tag?
Min gave the lizardfolk a crooked smile. "Oh, I'm stronger than I look. My brother Vespasian found that out when we were children. But I think the honor of serving as our champion is likely to fall elsewhere." She glanced questioningly at Zeljka. "What are the ground rules of this match? Or is it 'all's-fair-in-love-and-mud-wrestling' and 'Asmodeus take the hindmost?'"
Unsure if Zeljka would indeed accept the 'champion's challenge, Evalina also added her questions to those of Min. "When you say 'wrestling', you mean actual punches and grapples, correct? You'll not be allowed to bite or claw, since we don't have sharp teeth or slashing claws..." She looked at Nzisi for the translation.
Unsure if Zeljka would indeed accept the 'champion's challenge, Evalina also added her questions to those of Min. "When you say 'wrestling', you mean actual punches and grapples, correct? You'll not be allowed to bite or claw, since we don't have sharp teeth or slashing claws..." She looked at Nzisi for the translation.
The lizardman looked offended for a second, "Rules? Well, it's wrestling. No claws or biting or weapons. That's fighting."
When he saw them hesitate, he added, "If you win, I will personally take you to see the chieftain and give you the champion's belt, of course."
The older lizardman slapped his big belly in anticipation and addressed Zelkja, "I'll give you a few second to prepare yourself if you want. C'mon."
tag?
Yeah, we're assuming there's translation going on.
So mechanically, the wrestling is just combat maneuvers (grapple, etc.) and only non-lethal damage is dealt.
The match is lost if you get pinned by your opponent or if you suffer enough non-lethal damage to become unconscious.
He's allowing you to buff up so if you want to, go ahead.
Other than that, I'd like to get this match going...
Questions?
Game on!
Nsizi was torn - taking time to have a wrestling match in the middle of their search seemed unnecessarily risky and time consuming. On the other hand, if Zeljka won, it would win her the respect of the mjusi, and they could get information, and possibly even help.
Calling on the spirits for help, Nsizi ensured that Zeljka would have their favour and guidance to help her in her bout.
You had all 4/4 in Turn 135.
Used gust of wind in Turn 136.Used CMW in Turn 137.
I counted 1 CMW in Turn 138, which may have been a mistake.
Used bull's strength in Turn 140.
And that was it so you have 1/4 2nd level spell left.
I'm assuming you'll use bull's strength on Zelkja before the 'wrestling' match?
I'll wait until tomorrow to give Zelkja a chance to post if possible and then move this along.
Questions?
Game on!
Zeljka handed her weapons over to Nsizi for safe keeping and was grateful as the oracle's words infused the half-orc with strength and favor. She then stepped forward, baring her tusks in a feral grin. "I, Zeljka Greenfoot, accept your challenge." She studied the older lizardman, knowing better than to assume things based on age. He had experience and probably was faster than he looked. She also was doubtful that he would fight fair. Otherwise, why would he want to challenge another fighter. What did he have to gain by winning? She also quickly assessed the mudpit. Even though she had done a lot of fighting lately in the rain and mud, it was not exactly a venue she was proficient in.
Glad you made it home OK.
Hold off on rolling anything until I recap later tonight.
Game on!
Round 1:
Zeljka wasted little time circling with her opponent. She saw an opening in Othok's defenses and went to grab at his legs in order to get him on his back and vulnerable.
Round 2:
The half-orc continued to get filthy as she wrestled in the mud with Othok. Hoping to end the match as quickly as possible, she attempted to put the mireborn into a sleeper hold.
so grappling is a pain in the butt interesting...
Look at the charts found here; scroll down to 'grapple'.
In summary, you need to establish a grapple and then roll to maintain the grapple and do something else (inflict damage, either lethal or non-lethal, or pin).
Do you want to grapple and pin or do you want to grapple and inflict damage (lethal or non-lethal)?
ROUND 1
Zelkja successfully grapples Othok
, fail
ROUND 2
Zelkja successfully pins Othok
, succeed
OK, So this may take a while... :(
Let's grapple and inflict non-lethal damage such that the person who loses their hit points first becomes unconscious.
Zelkja, give me two more rounds the way you had provided them at first.
Questions?
Game on!
Trying not to become overconfident with her initial success, Zeljka went to grapple Othok again but approached him in a different direction to keep him guessing.
Nsizi realized he was holding his breath as Zeljka and the mjusi warrior grappled in the mud. When the mjusi escaped from Zeljka's grasp, he let out his breath in a disappointed, "No!" As she lunged again at her opponent, the Bas'o man called out, "Come on, Bufi! You can do it!"
Evalina was biting her lips in anticipation... she fully believed in Zeljka, but that lizardman was pretty strong as well.
Unfortunately, we just lost Evalina so it's just the three of you now.
My intention is to finish this story and move on to something else so it doesn't make sense to introduce a new PC now unless they take over Evalina.
I'll probably give you all another level after we send our archer 'out hunting'.
I intend to recap and finish the wrestling match today so we can move this along.
Questions?
Game on!
Unfortunately, we just lost Evalina so it's just the three of you now.
Really? That was sudden. :(
Min looked around in vain for anything like bleachers and stayed on her feet in resignation. "Not the same without tiered stands and overpriced concessions," she breathed. "Oh well."
"Come on, Zeljka!" she cheered. "Excellent! Oh!... slippery little bugger, isn't he? Never mind; try again! Grab him a bit lower; don't be squeamish! Try and lock your arm around him!"
Turn 146 - Othok, Still the Champion
Read the OOC.
Questions, comments, and/or suggestions?
Game on!
ROUND 3
Zelkja successfully grapples Othok
, succeed
ROUND 4
Zelkja successfully escapes Othok
, succeed
ROUND 5
, fails
, fails
ROUND 6
, success
, succeed
yada yada yada
Action 1:
Zeljka nodded, "Draw. I had no real desire to fight you to begin with. It just seemed the fastest route to meeting your chieftain. So what happens now? Will you still take us to your chieftain?"
Action 2:
“So why are you here? What do you want?”
The lizardman had kept his word this far so Zeljka was straight with him. "There are unnatural storms intent on destroying Pridon's Hearth. We know they're being caused by the Swamp Speaker and he's here somewhere. We want to stop him. We have no problem with anyone else, just him."
"We're also looking for a man who we've been told may have survived a confrontation with your people, perhaps taken prisoner," Min put in. "We would like to negotiate for his release if he is here, as well as for peaceful and respectful coexistence between your people and ours."
Action 1:
Zeljka nodded, "Draw. I had no real desire to fight you to begin with. It just seemed the fastest route to meeting your chieftain. So what happens now? Will you still take us to your chieftain?"
The lizardman adjusted his champion belt, "I am still the champion but yes, I will take you to see our chieftain."
Action 2:
“So why are you here? What do you want?”The lizardman had kept his word this far so Zeljka was straight with him. "There are unnatural storms intent on destroying Pridon's Hearth. We know they're being caused by the Swamp Speaker and he's here somewhere. We want to stop him. We have no problem with anyone else, just him."
Othok showed a healthy array of teeth when the Swamp Speaker was mentioned, "Only death came when he took part of the tribe over. Our current chieftain is too afraid to unity the tribe. He's my enemy as well."
"We're also looking for a man who we've been told may have survived a confrontation with your people, perhaps taken prisoner," Min put in. "We would like to negotiate for his release if he is here, as well as for peaceful and respectful coexistence between your people and ours."
He nodded, "There's a human prisoner but he's kept locked up and with guards. They won't let him out."
Othok showed a healthy array of teeth when the Swamp Speaker was mentioned, "Only death came when he took part of the tribe over. Our current chieftain is too afraid to unity the tribe. He's my enemy as well."
Nsizi frowned. "Then why are you here? Why were you not expelled with Achahut?"
Finding a possible friend in a place like this seemed too good to be true.
"Great Chief," Min began in slow Polyglot, bowing her head in respect, "we are emissaries from the human settlement. Our town is in danger from the weather the Storm Speaker is conjuring. We seek peaceful relations with your tribe and would be happy to aid in restoring your rightful authority over your people."
"We also understand that there is a human prisoner being held by your people. While we are not allied with those who led his expedition into this area, we wish to negotiate for his release."
Min offered a pleasant smile to the alert guards and suspicious onlookers. "Looks like we were wise not to come this way first," she murmured to the others in the Common tongue. "Fighting Othok in the ring was much less dangerous than fighting a whole tribe of possible allies."