Lucendar's Survival PbP - Welcome to the Slaughter!

Game Master Lucendar

This assumes the ladder looks secure and Justified does not spot anything dangerous.

After checking out the ladder and peering into the water for a couple rounds Justified carefully (half speed) descends the ladder so that a foot can be quickly dipped in the water, allowing him to check the temperature.

I suspect he reports Damn cold. but correct me if that is not the case.

Looping an arm through a rung of the ladder so that he is supported at the elbow, and standing with both feet on the lowest rung out of the water he uses his free hand to prod and stir the water with his glaive, reaching out and down 10' in all directions.

Catelyn stands next to group, kneeling down with her back against the wall, studying the water and the surrounding walls, looking for clues as to how to traverse the chasm and what might be hiding in the water.

Catelyn glances down at her flimsy rags. "Not what I'd call the right swimwear for the current situation. Blast if I'm going to die from the cold."

Perception for Wall: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25
Perception for Water: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14

Menas's wounds heal as Gaza channels positive enery, he spends a few seconds securing his shield to his back. Then with a grunting leap he takes a dive from the edge of the platform into the water and swims as fast as he can for the other side.

fortitude vs cold 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21

swim check 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22

Hehe, not me, the other Tiefling.

Kor looks over to Catelyn.
"Did not the caped man mention that each trial would have multiple paths? This path seems as straight as the last, unless you see something I've missed."

Justified yells his encouragement to Menas. SWIM YOU CRAZY BARBARIAN, SWIM! in a lower voice Justified adds: He could have at least let me finish looking for tentacled monsters.

"Unless, of course, he was lying. Wouldn't put it past the bastards, but still there must be a better way across than charging neck-deep into water that'll freeze my horns off. If I only had some rope..."

Catelyn stands as the large, brutish man charges headfirst into the water, swimming for his life.

"I suppose we'll just have to wait and see."

"Haterivet, you moved through the flames unharmed. Was your secret more than luck?"

Kwin will kneel down by the water, checking it for anything odd. He'll strip off his loin cloth and dip one end of it in the water, pulling it out slowly to see if it reacts differently than normal water.

Perception 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10

When the bold human dives in, Kwin watches his progress intently.

Kwin thanks Gaza for including him in the healing burst (I'm assuming we were able to coordinate in our alternate language).

I am guessing that this is not a pure swimming trail, Gaza will look around and try to figure out what might be the catch, waiting till someone else crosses to see what happens to them.(my guess is the water will magically freeze)
Perception
1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14
K arcana
1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24

Question, in your game is darkvision constant side by side with normal or do you swith them out?

I know drizzt has to switch, but that doesn't make much sense.

What kind of clothes did gaza get? Could I unravel a sleeve to make a really long thread?

Edit, wrong alias

Whoa, I thought people hardly ever posted on the weekend. I get back and see all this posts and PMs. Wow!

Okay, to your questions:

1. I would consider the walls here rough surfaces, such as a natural rock wall (Climb DC =25).
2.The ladder is not trapped and holds Justified's weight just fine. When he sticks his glaive in the water, nothing happens to it and nothing attacks him. The water is very cold.
3. Catelyn does not notice anything weird about the wall.
4. Kwin's loincloth in the water experiment reacts normally to water.
5. Gaza, your darkvision automatically "turns on" in darkness.

So about three rounds have passed since you arrived, when Menas runs off the platform and dives in. The cold water chills him to the bone but he resists its effects so far and swims 7.5 feet this round.
Will need a Fort save and a swim check (DC 10) every round; if you swim as a full-round action, you can move 15 feet. The opposite ladder is 42.5 feet away!

To those watching, Menas does not seem affected by the cold, as he begins his swimming trek.

Emilian looks up and around, looking for any clues or help above the pool.

Justified ascends the ladder and takes a last look around

Perception check 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10

He then backs up and prepares to run and dive. Before he departs he addresses the group. Any better ideas?

Justified will need 3 checks:
Acrobatics for the Jump
Fort for cold
Swim to stay afloat

acrobatics for the jump that i said i took when i dived in but didn't roll for 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8 hopefully i can be a little closer to the end.

Menas fights off the chill and pumps his arms in his efforts to get to the other side.

fort save 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25
swim check = take 10.

fort save 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26
swim check = take 10.

fort save 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22
swim check = take 10.

Justified goes for it. With a running start he dives out over the water clearing as much of it as he can.

Jump check (acrobatics) 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

Fort Save 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20

For the swim he will take 10 if possible. If not.

Swim check 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12

No taking 10 on swim checks because there is penalty if you fail: you could drown! With those Acrobatics checks, you guys cleared 5' horizontally. Need a swim check from Menas.

We have to go into Round Order at least for the people in the water, as it is important who finishes first. In Round 3 Menas jumped in. In Round 4, Justified jumped in. The rest of you, if you wish to jump in, can act as of Round 4. Anyone else want to jump in?

swim check 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21
Menas swims 15 feet...

swim check 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5
then his head disappears from view...
failed by 5 or more go underwater.

swim check 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5
his head does not reappear...
still underwater holding breath.

swim check 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22
Menas pops up 15 feet further on...

fort save 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23
swim check 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22
shivering Menas reaches the ladder and begins to pull himself out.

edit: rolled them all at once, sorry. Menas reaches the other shore on round seven if he began on round three, assuming that his high fort saves are all passes.

Menas, where are the Fort saves? You owe me 2 of them and you are not calculating the progress correctly but will use your rolls. Edit: see you posted them before.
Round 4: swam 15 feet (22.5 ft away)
Round 5: Going under (sank 7.5')
Round 6: Going under (sank 7.5')
Round 7: Popped up to the surface, same place, no progress
Round 8: Swam 15 feet (7.5 feet away)
Round 9: ?
Need 1 Swim and 2 Fort Saves for Rounds 8 and 9.

"Curse these unused muscles there's no way I could climb that!"

Literally, there's no way I could possibly climb that.

Catelyn steps back a few paces, gearing herself for the swim. Turning her head she looks back at Kor. "Best hope you make it across. 'td be a shame to die friendless in this blasted place." Catelyn springs forth and dives forth into the frozen depths.

+2 vs. cold
Acroboatics: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19

Swim: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (2) + 0 = 2

Fortitude: 1d20 + 0 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 0 + 2 = 15

Catelyn jumps into the water in Round 4, covering an amazing 15' in her leap and plunging into the water, going under. 35' away and underwater, holding her breath.

Cirnos is waiting to see what happens to the others as they climb the ladder. (And still prodding around with that lance of his into the mid air!)

Checks for round 5
Swim:1d20 + 0 ⇒ (13) + 0 = 13

Fortitude: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16

Checks for round 6
Swim: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (19) + 0 = 19

Fortitude: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9

Menas making all those rolls at once makes me feel rushed. lol

Justified continues swimming with the goal of that far ladder in mind.

Round 5

Fort Save - 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14

Swim Check - 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11

Round 6

Fort Save - 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21

Swim Check - 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27

please let me know how far across I am as I have lost track

Justified swims through the water like a fish, ignoring the freezing cold water and passing the sinking Menas and the struggling Catelyn. Catelyn swims to the surface and begins swimming toward the ladder, but she feels the freezing cold temperature slow her down but she struggles forward.

Catelyn
Round 5: Came to surface, swam 7.5 feet (27.5 feet away)
Round 6: Takes 1d6 ⇒ 1 nonlethal damage, -1 on Swim checks, and can only take 1 move action per round, swims 7.5' (20' away)

Justified
Round 5: Swam 15 feet (22.5 feet away)
Round 6: Swam 15 feet (7.5 feet away)
Round 7: 1 more Swim check and Fort save to reach the ladder.

Justified continues his swim, pulling hard in the frigid water.

Round 7

Fort Save - 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15

Swim Check - 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13

Justified reaches the ladder and starts the climb out, shivering and trembling but safe. We have to see if starting in Round 4, anyone tries to reach the ladder in faster time, though I doubt it as all your rolls were amazing but one (the Acrobatics check).

Catelyn comes up, gasping for air after the frozen plunge. Her body shivers violently as she forces herself forward.

Round 7
Swim: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (8) - 1 = 7

Fortitude: 1d20 + 0 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 0 + 2 = 3

...wow. Fantastic

I suppose I'll take more minuses?

No progress and another 1d6 ⇒ 5 of non-lethal damage. -1 Strength checks and further damage will be lethal!

So is that a -2 to my swim checks?

Yes.

Justified stands on the ladder just out of the water. Holding the blade of his glaive and reaching for Menas he offers the barbarian the shaft of the weapon to grasp if he can get close enough.

Not sure if Justified can help this way or not but he tries.

Struggling for breath and fighting against the icy pain working throughout her entire body, Catelyn struggles on.

Round 9

Swim: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (4) - 2 = 2

Fortitude: 1d20 + 0 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 0 + 2 = 11

Fantastic... I'm done for the night. I'll see about this tomorrow as other people try to make it as well. G'night.

Justified can do that, beginning in Round 8. Negates the need for Menas' swim check but he still has to make the Fort saves.

Struggling for breath and fighting against the icy pain working throughout her entire body, Catelyn struggles on.

Good news: No damage; Bad news: No progress and you go under, sinking 7.5'.

As Justified reaches the ladder, Cirnos will make his descent.
(Full round swims)

Round 6:
Fort: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14
Swim: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3 (sink)

Round 7:
Fort: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14
Swim: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10 (surface)

Round 8:
Fort: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12
Swim: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10 35ft away

Round 9:
Fort: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24
Swim: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20 20 ft

Kwin jogs to one end of the pool and drops an end of his loincloth over the edge of the drop off. Carefully and starting against the wall, he starts to drag his loincloth across the edge of the drop off as far aout as his little arm will allow.

The water is 15 feet down from the edge you know? It would be fair to say that I am impressed with the size of your loincloth. :)

As Justified reaches the ladder, Cirnos will make his descent.

** spoiler omitted **

Anyone else jumping in, from Round 4-8?

The water is 15 feet down from the edge you know? It would be fair to say that I am impressed with the size of your loincloth. :)

Edited post above. Thanks!

When nothing happens to Justified going in to the water, Gaza will run and jump off the edge and use levitate, using the momentum to float as far as she can keeping her body in a diving profile to minimize wind resistance.
I dont know if you want me to roll for how far but here is the raw roll and you can add whatever you need to to it.(dex +3)
1d20 ⇒ 10

Then if she doesn't make it all the way across she will float down so just her hands are in the water and she will "paddle" the rest of the way.

edit;"Watch the walls, they do something I just don't know what"

fort save vs cold 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26

fort save vs cold 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18

when i pass my swim check can i not swim to the surface diagonally so i make 15ft of forward motion at the same time as 15ft up and arrive a round earlier than i normally would have done? Not a big deal really since my fort saves have been good.

Huffing and reaching for haft of Justified's weapon with a grateful nod Menas hauls himself onto the ladder and begins to climb past Justified to the other ledge. "Not to cold but I thought I would have a rest in the middle, bit of a long swim. Thanks." He pats Justified's shoulder as he climbs up, "Best pull in the healer as well, or she'll be paddling out there for ages."

edit: just to make it clear my fort save is +6 due to Varos spell.

Acrobatics: -1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22
Swim: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8
Fortitude: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12
Swim: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11
Fortitude: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14
Swim: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7
Fortitude: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22
Swim: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10
Fortitude: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16
Swim: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16
Fortitude: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

Justified helps Menas out of the water but does not yield the higher place on the ladder and does not allow the Barbarian to move through his occupied space. I believe it requires a DC 25 acrobatics check to pass through the space of an adversary, maybe even higher if both of you happen to be on a ladder. And until the group is 5 every other contestant remains his adversary, even if he does not wish to see you die. Not so fast my friend. he comments, as he finishes the climb.

Surprised by Justified's reaction, "Whats wrong friend? You no longer trust to have me with you?"