Lucendar's Survival PbP - Welcome to the Slaughter!

Game Master Lucendar

Emilian:
Round 4: 30' away with leap
Round 5: Swam 15', 15' away
Round 6: No progress
Round 7: Swam 15' as full round action, reached ladder
Since Justified reached ladder with a move action, he is still in the lead!

Fortitude: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16

Then

Fortitude: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11

Then another for good measure

Fortitude: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

After a brief conversation from the water with Justified, Menas waves away the haft of the polarm and carries on swimming.
Swim check so justified can climb 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5
damnit sank again. Menas Dips back below the surface...

Round 9
Fort save vs cold 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15
swim check 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20
then, panting from his exertions, Menas finally makes the ladder and begins to climb..."Not as fit as i used to be."

Nice jump Emilian!

** spoiler omitted **

Fortitude: 1d20 + 2

Then

Fortitude: 1d20 + 2

Then another for good measure

Fortitude: 1d20 + 2

Need 2 more Fort saves, Catelyn.

And another

Fortitude: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11

And one more

Fortitude: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17

You only take 1d6 ⇒ 6 of non-lethal damage.

So far, Catelyn, Cirnos, Emilian, Gaza (moving 5' per round), Justified, and Menas have made it or are making it across. I know what Kwin and Haterivet are doing. How about: Varos, Morgthar, Kor? Quain is still in previous trial. Anybody else trying to beat Jusitified's time?

Initiative Round 8:
Emilian: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20
Justified: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22
Justified climbs and reaches the platform first.

Once at the top, Emilian shivers for awhile then as Justified descends back down to help Menas, he studied the ladder to see if it could easily be smashed loose (once there was nobody on it, of course).

Also, he'll move about to find the next plaque, just in case just reaching the top first didn't constitute winning.

Everybody not in the water sees a side panel in the wall open at I-1 when Justified reaches the top and he moves toward it assuming no one else beats his time of course. Holding off to declaring him the winnder till I hear what actions Kor, Varos, or Morgthar take.

Once Menas reaches the ladder he will turn and help Cirnos get Catelyn up onto the ladder. "I think I've seen everything, was that the strong helping the weak?" Menas grins at the tyrant as he holds out his hand, "Maybe the dark gods will no longer favour you for your weakness."

Quain takes a lot of time to beat the odds of the first trial an when he decides to go, his mind is prepared from the task.

Check one 1d20 ⇒ 7
Check two 1d20 ⇒ 12
Check three 1d20 ⇒ 12

He then proceeds with all haste towards the next trial.

Quain passes unscathed by the flame jets, reads the pedestal, and is transported to the second trial.

Forgive me, I was busy last night but the only way Kor's actions will make any sense is if I play with the timing a lot.

Seeing Menas dive in, Kor shrugs at Catelyn and dives in after.

Acrobatics Check:1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7
Round 1
Swim Check 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16
Fort save 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10
Round 2
Swim Check 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7
Fort save 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22
Round 3
Swim Check 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23
Fort save 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22
Round 4
Swim Check 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6
Fort save 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21
Round 5
Swim Check 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15
Fort save 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19
Round 6
Swim Check 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17
Fort save 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20
Round 7
Swim Check 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7
Fort save 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24
Round 8
Swim Check 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11
Fort save 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7
Round 9
Swim Check 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22
Fort save 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25
Round 10
Swim Check 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22
Fort save 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15

again, sorry about the delay and all the checks at once. Just trying to play it safe.

Morgthar leaps from the platform and attempts to enter the water with as little splash as possible. The cold of the water drives the air from his lungs but he tries to power on regardless.

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19

Round 1
Fortitude: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12
Swim: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

Round 2
Fortitude: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9
Swim: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10

Round 3
Fortitude: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10
Swim: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17

Round 4
Fortitude: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15
Swim: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15

Round 5
Fortitude: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19
Swim: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15

Round 6
Fortitude: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5
Swim: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11

Round 7
Fortitude: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17
Swim: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11

Round 8
Fortitude: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20
Swim: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20

Round 9
Fortitude: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
Swim: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9

Round 10
Fortitude: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8
Swim: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

Quain moves in and takes the situation into account. Swimming... I hate that, I usually sink like a stone. Is there anything I can do with this ladder ?

As every one has jumped, he looks for the ladder, does it looks longer than 15'? If so, he will try to take it out of the water and if it's long enough, to make it land on the other platform to get through walking on it.

The other thing he will look at it the ceiling. How high is it and is there any possible handholds to cross through it?

Varos looks as others pummels into water and soon dives after others
Damn bad luck, comp went down... and got to buy a new one. well, s+&! happens to speak. anyway-- I will take each round as a full action to try swimming at another side as fast as possible... but rolls are not on my side huoh
Fort check 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12
Swim check 1d20 ⇒ 2

Fort check 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10
Swim check 1d20 ⇒ 8

Fort check 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14
Swim check 1d20 ⇒ 5

Fort check 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14
Swim check 1d20 ⇒ 19

Fort check 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20
Swim check 1d20 ⇒ 9

Fort check 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22
Swim check 1d20 ⇒ 8

Fort check 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19
Swim check 1d20 ⇒ 18

Fort check 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10
Swim check 1d20 ⇒ 10

Fort check 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10
Swim check 1d20 ⇒ 7

Fort check 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7
Swim check 1d20 ⇒ 3

Fort check 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19
Swim check 1d20 ⇒ 5

Fort check 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8
Swim check 1d20 ⇒ 8

Fort check 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11
Swim check 1d20 ⇒ 18

Fort check 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9
Swim check 1d20 ⇒ 20

Kor's swimming:
End Round 4: 30' away
End Round 5: No progress
End Round 6: 15' away
End Round 7: No progress
End Round 8: Reaches ladder

Morgthar's swimming:
End Round 4: 35' away
End Round 5: 27.5' away, -1 swim checks, 1d6 ⇒ 5 nonlethal, further is lethal!
End Round 6: 20' away
End Round 7: 12.5' away
End Round 8: 5' away
End Round 9: Takes 1d6 ⇒ 5 lethal damage, taking him to zero hit points and he climbs out

Varos' swimming:
Round 4: 50' away, no progress goes under 7.5'
Round 5: same as Round 4
Round 6: 50' away, goes under 15'
Round 7: 50' away, surface
Round 8: 50' away, surface
Round 9: 35' away, surface
Round 10: 20' away, surface
Round 11: No progress
Round 12: Takes 1d6 ⇒ 5 nonlethal damage, -1 swim checks, goes under 7.5', further damage will be lethal
Round 13: Goes under 15'; will stop at there for now, to see if anyone interferes

So, when Kor reaches the ladder, are there still other people on it? Is it possible for me to start climbing up?

Yes, you can climb out.

No, Justified was the first, as he got out at the beginning of Round 8. Cirnos and Catelyn don't reach the ladder till Round 14.

Kor climbs up the ladder and moves towards the panel that slid out when Justified reached it.

Kor, the wall has closed by the time you reach it.

Waiting for Quain to respond to a PM to move the game along.

"Are you okay, Justified?" Emilian asks. "Other than a bit of extra looseness in my loin cloth, I seem to be relatively unscathed by the water, and the cold has numbed the pain of my burn."

Okay, we move along.

In Round 12.. Suddenly, a bridge of stone appears on the side of the platform. After confirming the bridge is not an illusion by throwing stuff on it, Kwin and Haterivet, who were taking their time and in no hurry to jump into the freezing water, easily make the jump across (Acrobatics 5 check) and run across the bridge and jump onto the platform without getting one single inch of their body wet.

Map with bridge

Quain, need 2 Acrobatics checks or fall in the pool.

Meanwhile...
Varos' woes:
Round 13: Takes 1d6 ⇒ 2 lethal damage
Round 14: Sinks to the bottom of the pool
Round 15: Takes 1d6 ⇒ 5 lethal damage and dies frozen/drowned in the pool, as the last thing his eyes see is the conjured bridge.

Voice: "Congratulations to Justified for his win and a second of silence for the doomed Varos. He forgot that patience was a virtue and paid for it with his life. The remaining survivors are:
Catelyn
Cirnos
Emilian
Gaza
Haterivet
Justified
Kor
Kwin
Menas
Morgthar
maybe Quain.
We have news to report: Filsgerit, surrounded by so much evil, preferred to take his own life in his cell. So that leaves 11/18, with 2 more Trials to go. Place your bets!"

Wow, sorry Varos. Nasty way to go. And another healer bites the dust.

"Are you okay, Justified?" Emilian asks. "Other than a bit of extra looseness in my loin cloth, I seem to be relatively unscathed by the water, and the cold has numbed the pain of my burn."

Justified, still dripping from the cold water, his skin slightly blue, turns from the closing wall panel to Elimian. Yes Elimian I too am ok. Glad I learned to swim. Moving past Elimian, Jutified heads for the ladder. I need to see to the others trying to get out of the water. Some can not swim well and should have looked for a more suitable way across. And Gaza, while currently safe may yet need some help. He points the the somewhat comical, but totally safe cleric floating across the water while padding at the surface to slowly move forward.

Waiting to get a new clue of this game, Quain see the stone bridge appear, and blessing his luck, barely jumps across it.

acrobatics check 1 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9
acrobatics check 1 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

Kwin lands safely on the other side and quickly masks his elation so as to not appear to be gloating in front of the other contestants, all of whom are taller, stronger and meaner than he is.

With his usual calm, Quain approaches Menas, Justified and Emilian

"Sorry for the delay, it took me time to figure out the patterns of the fire jet in the previous round. I'm glad you all made it okay. Let me give a hand to Gaza there, I'm not as tired as you are."

Quain moves down the ladder and, carefully holding with one hand, extends his guisarme towards Gaza. "Here, grab that and I'll haul you to safety."

So who still follows Zon-Kuthon? Not enormously happy at being at 0 HP!

So now that everyone is on the other side, is another invisible plaque going to appear and portkey us to the next test?

A pedestal appears with a plaque, that reads:
TRIAL #3
"In honor of Kuthona, the twelfth month of the year, I give you the Test of Chains!"

As you read it, you are instantly buffered by a warm and comforting breeze of air that heals all nonlethal damage (not lethal!) anyone sustained in Trial #2. You appear on a chain-linked platform suspended 50' above the ground by magic you assume, as you see no columns holding it up. You also see the ground below is covered in spikes. There is a 10' gap to another platform suspended by magic, then another 10' gap to another platform, and finally another 10' gap to the last platform and the end of the Trial. To the north, the platform ends at a wall where you see strands of chains evenly spaced along the wall every 10'. Be careful, any misstep and you might fall and if the fall doesn't kill you, the spikes definitely will! The walls here appear to be the same quality as in the prior room (DC 25 climb check). Good luck!

You begin the Trial exactly where I have placed you. In your actions, please be specific as possible with details: exactly what you are doing, time in rounds spent, location of your weapons, movement, etc. Again, you may post or PM.

Map

How much give is there to the chain-link platforms? Are the chains on the walls free to swing?

Kor will move past Varos (unless Varos decides to prevent me from doing so) up to square G,-28. From there he will jump to the next platform, hoping to land at G, -25.
Acrobatics Check:1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23
If the platform remains steady when he lands, he will will move to G,-22 and jump again landing at G, -19.
Acrobatics Check:1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25
Following the pattern, move to G, -16 and make the final jump.
Acrobatics Check:1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20
Assuming all goes well I think that will take 2 rounds and place me at G,-13.

How much give is there to the chain-link platforms? Are the chains on the walls free to swing?

The platforms can support the party's weight (don't know if that answers your question) and the chains are hanging so they can swing.

Give me a Reflex save, Kor. By the way, that is Morgthar, not Varos. Varos is dead.

Just the one?
Reflex Save:1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19
Sorry Varos. You know you Kuthites all look alike.
But seriously, sorry. My mistake.

Kor jumps to G-25 but unfortunately, he passes right through it! He reflexively reaches out to stop his fall and his fingers do touch metal, but not enough to grasp on! He lands with a crunch, spikes ripping through his abdomen, and his screams piercing the air! Even assuming he twists his body to reduce 1d6 of damage, he still takes:
Damage: 4d6 + 2d6 ⇒ (1, 4, 1, 1) + (2, 6) = 15

Voice: "Ouch, that's got to hurt! The crowd felt his pain from up here! A lot of people lost money on that one! 10/18 left!"

Kwin grimaces at the sight of Kor down below. with a shake of his head, he puts his dagger between his teeth and steps over to B-32. From there, can he reach out and grab the chain in B-31? If so, he'll grab hold and try to swing out and reach the next chain.

Kwin grabs the chain. You can use Acrobatics or Climb for your 10 checks.
EDIT: Forgot Kwin is small, so no he can't grab the chain, as his arms are too short. Need 11 checks from Kwin.

Actually, I was imagining that the platforms were like sections of a chain link fence. Obviously the one they're on is considerably more stable than that, and the one they're jumping to is much less.

How long are the chains hanging in the wall? Do they reach the floor or part way down to the floor? Also, the map makes it look like there are clear patches on the floor, but your description says covered with spikes.

Could the party see that Kor's fingers touched something briefly?

Chains reach the platform, not the floor. Yes, his fingers did touch metal briefly (at G-24), but his weight was too much and they came off, before he fell to his death.

Quain uses his guisarme to check if there is any invisible chain starting from the platform and crossing the gap.

Quain does not find any.

Dagger still clutched between his teeth, Kwin jumps carefully onto the first chain, and then swings on it, gaining momentum toward the next.

If he can, he will continue to hold onto a chain with one hand while reaching out with the other for the next chain, rather than sort of "leaping" between them. I know it wouldn't be a sure thing, but it would tell him if the next chain was illusionary before releasing the first. It may take a little longer (some extra swings back and forth) and someone else may pass him, but the recent sight of Tor's fall makes that okay in Kwin's book.