motteditor RPG Superstar 2014 Top 16, RPG Superstar 2012 Top 16 |
Arryn Dawood |
Arryn calmly picks up another rock and flings it at a shrieker.
Attack: 1d20 + 6 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 6 + 1 + 1 = 24
Damage: 2d6 + 2 + 4 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (4, 1) + 2 + 4 + 2 + 1 = 14
If nothing comes at them, he continues his barrage until the shriekers are silent.
Clover Cynosure |
When Fulgun starts forward Clover takes a deep breath and does the same. She keeps her spear leveled charge-style as she runs. Very quickly she is completely outpaced by the half-orc so she slows coming to a stop beside Arryn.
"I guess we should just go ahead and go on in now"? she prompts as the man keeps throwing rocks at the mushrooms.
motteditor RPG Superstar 2014 Top 16, RPG Superstar 2012 Top 16 |
Carefully entering the cave, you find a cylindrical mass of roots hangs from the exact center of this room. The roots have been braided together to form a cradle holding a giant violet crystal as big as a human head. Sparkling veins of crystal line the walls.
The veins of crystal as you entered —- mostly rose quartz, smoky quartz, and milky quartz -- are generally too low quality to be of value, but a few locations could yield high-quality stones.
Similarly, the walls in this area could be mined for more gems.
Passages lead off to the northeast and east, beyond the reach of the sunlight from outside. Overall map is updated; Dregg's ugly mug indicates where you are; you'll need light sources to proceed further if you can't see in the dark.
Aramis Ekerton |
Aramis chants over nearly spent wand. She blows on the wand, and it begins to glow brightly. (Casting light on my wand. She'll recast it as necessary while we're in the cave).
Then she heads inside the cave.
Knowledge Nature: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17
As Aramis examines the crystals she remarks, "Looks like most of these veins of crystal near the entrance are too low quality to be of value, but you see this spot here? And this one? These could yield high-quality stones. And the walls in this area could be mined for more gems."
She finishes looking around the room then shrugs. "Not like we have the time, of course..."
I'm feeling... north!
motteditor RPG Superstar 2014 Top 16, RPG Superstar 2012 Top 16 |
Following Aramis, you discover a dark, rippling pool covers much of this sloping cavern. Water drips from stalactites above and tumbles from fissures in the rock wall. An underwater garden of colorful algae and white fish fills the pool. Several more tunnels lead to the east.
As Clover and Isabella keep their eyes on the pool, the rest of you notice two man-sized, crab-like monstrosities clinging tenaciously to the rough stone of the roof, their enormous pincers held out menacingly before it.
They're cave fishers, highly specialized predatory vermin that dwells in caves.
Fortunately, Aramis, Arryn and Dregg seem to notice them a split-second before they notice all of you, giving them a moment to act. The three of them get a surprise round action; they the creatures get a surprise round; note they're 10 feet up on the roof.
Aramis: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22
Arryn: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27
Clover: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13
Dregg: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (14) + 10 = 24
Isabella: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11
1d20 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 1 = 21
Really? That's 3! 20s you people just made me waste! :)
Aramis: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16
Arryn: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7
Clover: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18
Dregg: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 1 = 19
Isabella: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22
Antagonist: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
Aramis Ekerton |
Knowledge Nature: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7
Fulgun Dregg |
Knowledge (nature): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24
As Dregg recognizes the creatures, he barks a quick warning to the group, "Cave fishers! Watch it! They shoot webs or something!" With his axe still at hand, the burly half orc holds his ground, waiting for the cave fishers to come into striking distance.
Readied action to chop at the first successful filament to hit someone (probably me)
Greataxe: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19for: 1d12 + 9 ⇒ (12) + 9 = 21
HP: 29/29
AC: 11 (11 T / 11 FF)
CMD: 17
F/R/W: +6/+3/+2
Rage rounds used: 0/7
-Ongoing Effects-
Rage: +2 to hit, +2 damage, +2 Will, -2 AC, +2 temp HP
Accurate stance: +1 to hit
Power attack: -1 to hit, +3 damage
Arryn Dawood |
Arryn, upon seeing the cave fishers, reaches out, grabs a fish from the pond, and flings it at one of the fishers.
Attack: 1d20 + 6 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 6 + 1 + 1 = 19
Damage: 2d6 + 2 + 4 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (4, 3) + 2 + 4 + 2 + 1 = 16
motteditor RPG Superstar 2014 Top 16, RPG Superstar 2012 Top 16 |
Isabella: 22
Aramis: 16
Dregg: 19
Clover: 18
Arryn: 7
Antagonist: 3
Aramis, reacting quickly, sends a splash of acid toward the closest creature, followed a second later by a fish, which pulps against the cave fisher, knocking it back into the roof with surprising power. It seems to shake itself as Dregg hefts his ax.
A second later, each of them shoots a filament out, both toward Aramis, with her lighted wand. Dregg immediately hacks one of them into two strings, one of them hanging off the elven woman. The other, though, sticks to her, and she's inexorably drawn toward the water, feet dragging against the wet stone.
Acid: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20
1d3 ⇒ 2
targets: 2d5 ⇒ (2, 2) = 4
1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15
1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17
1d20 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 15
CF (orange): 18
Party is up; Aramis, you can try a Strength or Escape Action check to get out of the filament, or -- as you saw Dregg do -- attack it.
Fulgun Dregg |
Dregg swings at the remaining filament tugging on Aramis, "Nope! Red's not for dinner, you dumb ceiling-spider-crab!"
Greataxe: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21for: 1d12 + 9 ⇒ (10) + 9 = 19
HP: 29/29
AC: 11 (11 T / 11 FF)
CMD: 17
F/R/W: +6/+3/+2
Rage rounds used: 0/7
-Ongoing Effects-
Rage: +2 to hit, +2 damage, +2 Will, -2 AC, +2 temp HP
Accurate stance: +1 to hit
Power attack: -1 to hit, +3 damage
Huh. Just realized my damage and to hit totals are reversed from last round. Weird.
Aramis Ekerton |
Oh! I'm sorry! For some reason I didn't realize my own name alongside Arryn and Dreggs. I thought I wasn't acting in the surprise round. Apologies!
As Dregg hacks the filament off of her Aramis mutters a few strange words and casts her arms forward, sending a green bolt of energy at the fisher that had her hooked. Casting magic missile.
Force Damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
As her magical blast slams into the cave fisher she gives Fulgun a grin. "Looks like they've got good taste. Thanks."
Arryn Dawood |
Arryn takes a moment to gather power, then flings another fish against the other cave fisher, this time with enough force to maybe move the creature.
Attack: 1d20 + 6 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 6 + 1 + 1 = 21
Damage: 2d6 + 2 + 4 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (3, 1) + 2 + 4 + 2 + 1 = 13
Bull Rush: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22 Moves the creature 5 feet if successful. Up to you if that knocks it off the ceiling.
Clover Cynosure |
Clover points her spear upward toward the spider things and walks forward to stand beside Fulgun.
Readied attack against an opponent that moves into range.
Attack: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 8
Isabella Blackleaf |
Foregoing banter, Isabella simply aims her crossbow at one of the creepy critters and squeezes off a bolt.
Ranged attack 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13 for 1d10 ⇒ 3 damage.
motteditor RPG Superstar 2014 Top 16, RPG Superstar 2012 Top 16 |
Isabella: 22
Dregg: 19
Aramis: 16
Clover: 18
Arryn: 7
Antagonist: 3
Isabella's bolt bounces off the hard carapace of one of the cave fishers, to no seeming effect. Arryn and Aramis -- freed by Dregg's mighty hack -- have more luck, their combined efforts turning one of the two creatures into paste.
The second one, however, seems undaunted, and it throws out a filament of its own, catching Isabella and pulling her to the edge of the water, her boots splashing in as she's dragged forward.
1d4 ⇒ 1
1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19
1d20 + 9 ⇒ (11) + 9 = 20
Party is up.
Isabella Blackleaf |
Hissing her annoyance, Isabella reloads while being dragged forward, takes aim -- and fires again!
Ranged 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16 for 1d10 ⇒ 3 damage.
Aramis Ekerton |
Aramis beings speaking in tongues again as she waves her hands around. She sends another green bolt of energy flying at the cave fisher who's hooked Isabella. (Casting magic missile).
Force Damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
Arryn Dawood |
Attack: 1d20 + 6 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 6 + 1 + 1 = 10
Arryn flings another fish, but alas is unable to go three for three.
Clover Cynosure |
Clover does her best to sever the line pulling Isabella toward the fisher-spider-crab. I'm not exactly sure how such a thing would work so I just went with a regular attack for you to referee as approriate.
Attack: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 1 = 15
Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 4
motteditor RPG Superstar 2014 Top 16, RPG Superstar 2012 Top 16 |
Isabella: 22
Dregg: 19
Aramis: 16
Clover: 18
Arryn: 7
Antagonist: 3
Isabella, Aramis and Arryn launch attacks at the kingfisher, the first two hitting it, but not able to do enough damage to knock it from its perch, even with Dregg's yank.
Clover tries to break the filament, but it's to no avail, her spear clearly not the best choice for the task. Undaunted, the creature reels the elf closer, her feet splashing in the water as she's pulled off her solid footing, right into the cave fisher's reach!
1d20 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 9 = 13
CF: 8
Party is up; Aramis is now in melee with the creature; to get to her, you'll have to go into the water, and you can't reach the filament unless you get adjacent to her.
Arryn Dawood |
Fourth time’s the charm...another fish leaps from the pool and slams into the cave fisher, exploding into chum that rains down on the elf below.
Attack: 1d20 + 6 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 6 + 1 + 1 = 26
Damage: 2d6 + 2 + 4 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (6, 3) + 2 + 4 + 1 + 2 = 18
Bullrush: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8
Isabella Blackleaf |
If the odious vermin is still alive after the fish's heroic assault, Isabella reloads and fires another bolt at it!
Ranged 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11 for 1d10 ⇒ 1 damage.
Aramis Ekerton |
Aramis is not in melee. Isabella is.
Aramis looks on with worry as the creature drags Isabella into the water.
"Leave her ALONE!"
She casts her spell again, causing another blast of green energy to fly at the cave fisher. Casting magic missile!
Force Damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
Aramis Ekerton |
Yup! Human error. I forgot I was level three. Haha.
Second Missile: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
motteditor RPG Superstar 2014 Top 16, RPG Superstar 2012 Top 16 |
Eh, you half-elves all look alike... :)
Before the creature can inflict any actual harm on Isabella, it's destroyed by incoming attacks, dropping the half-elven woman into the water 2 hp nonlethal, where she can see several skeletons before she manages to return to the surface.
Combat's over; it's a DC 10 Swim check for anyone who wants to go investigate more in the water. You can give me Perception checks while you're down there if you want.
1d6 ⇒ 2
Aramis Ekerton |
"Careful," Aramis tells Dregg. She keeps an eye open for trouble as he heads under the surface of the water.
Clover Cynosure |
In the end Clover doesn't do anything other than stand around with her spear pointed up. But she's not sorry. All's turned out well. She relaxes and waits for Fulgun to finish looking around down in the pool.
"Not a very pleasant cave huh?" she says to nobody in particular.
motteditor RPG Superstar 2014 Top 16, RPG Superstar 2012 Top 16 |
Dregg finds what looks like four skeletons in the bottom of the pool, three about troglodyte size with lizard-y skulls, but one smaller -- likely a child or halfling.
A fifth skeleton -- now lichen-encrusted and almost impossible to see -- lies near a coffer and it still wearing a belt of fine links, which prove to be gold once they're cleaned off of pond muck.
The coffer contains 20 platinum pieces, as well as a steel wand decorated with engravings of helms and breastplates.
It's a wand of mage armor, with 28 charges (CL 1).
The belt also radiates magic.
It's a belt of incredible dexterity +2.
Back on the surface, two ways out present themselves for your choice.
Aramis Ekerton |
Aramis takes a gander at the gear with detect magic, then attempts to identify their magical properties.
Spellcraft: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22
Spellcraft: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15
"This spell in this wand can act as magical armour. That will be handy. Unfortunately, I'm not sure what the belt can do. It's magical, for sure, but I don't know its properties."
Wow, there's a lot of wand drops in this adventure! Aramis will take the wand. Who can benefit from a +4 AC? She'll use it on everyone who would benefit. Looks like... Isabella? Aramis waves the wand at Isabella. +4 Armour bonus to AC for 1 hour, Isabella! It will override your +2 armour bonus and make your current AC 17 for 1 hour.
Arryn Dawood |
”Not a nice cave indeed, though this treasure certainly makes it a bit more appealing. Is the belt likely to be harmful? Perhaps if somebody wears it, its function would become apparent.”
Arryn looks the belt over and, unless somebody stops him, he exchanges it for his regular belt and snaps it on. After a moment, he reports, ”Well, not a girdle of sex change. I heard a story about them once.”
Or is it?
Fulgun Dregg |
Dregg is presently armorless and will remain so until he can get his hands on some light armor instead of medium
Dregg watches Arryn buckle the belt and shrugs. ”Is it supposed to do something other than hold pants up? It looks like a plain, soggy belt to me.” He then turns to Aramis, ”And you see magic in it? Huh.”
motteditor RPG Superstar 2014 Top 16, RPG Superstar 2012 Top 16 |
It is not.
Keeping to the edges of the cavern complex, you keep left entering a chamber where the stench of death and old blood overwhelms the smell of troglodyte. The floor slopes down to the north wall where a narrow underground stream flows past. The sound of running water echoes off the low ceiling, and a burning torch near the stream sends rippling light patterns dancing off the wall. Racks against the walls hold the carcasses of forest creatures, some still draining their life’s blood on the ground, others mere skins left to dry.
Dregg and Isabella notice, barely, what looks like some sort of creature in the water, its eyes on you. You can avoid it if you want.
Another tunnel exits on the far side of the cavern.
Aramis: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9
Arryn: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13
Clover: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9
Dregg: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (15) + 10 = 25
Isabella: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27
1d20 ⇒ 9
Aramis Ekerton |
Aramis waves her wand at Dregg, as well! +4 armour bonus, Dregg!
Aramis follows behind the others as they travel the tunnels...
Fulgun Dregg |
Dregg nods toward the water and the eyes watching the group from just above the surface. He growls cautiously, "Something's eyeing us." He gestures at the creature with his axe and then growls more loudly, this time at it directly, "Yeah, I see you over there!"
HP: 29/29
AC: 15 (11 T / 15 FF)
CMD: 17
F/R/W: +6/+3/+2
Rage rounds used: 0/7
-Ongoing Effects-
Rage: +2 to hit, +2 damage, +2 Will, -2 AC, +2 temp HP
Accurate stance: +1 to hit
Power attack: -1 to hit, +3 damage
Mage armor (1 hr): +4 AC
motteditor RPG Superstar 2014 Top 16, RPG Superstar 2012 Top 16 |
Clover Cynosure |
The tussle with the cave fishers makes Cover remember something she is always forgetting to remember.
"I think it would be a very good idea to mount my spearhead on a longer pole. Does anyone think they could make a good straight, long pole?"
She puts maximum space between herself and the thing in the water as they pass by it.
Yeah, I screwed up back when listing equipment and put down "spear" rather than "longspear". It's been a problem.
Arryn Dawood |
”Let’s see what it is,” Arryn says.
He points a hand at one of the still meaty carcasses attached to the wall. He manipulates his fingers and whatever was holding it in place comes loose. He raises his other hand to lift the carcass and float it a few feet above the water over to where Dregg was pointing and hovers it there.
motteditor RPG Superstar 2014 Top 16, RPG Superstar 2012 Top 16 |
Fulgun Dregg |
Knowledge (nature): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17
Dregg frowns in the direction of the lizard for a moment then nods. "Hmmm. Monitor lizard." His eyes then widen briefly as the reptile bites into the cave fisher carcass. "Strong one too, looks like." He then nods at Clover's suggestion, "Yeah, let's leave it to its meal and find that centaur."
Aramis Ekerton |
Aramis nods. "Lets go."
Arryn Dawood |
”If our hope is to use these caves as shelter for the refugees, then we will have to clear out all the locals eventually. I worry that this thing is one of the lizard people’s pets, and I’d hate for it to be called to attack our rear while we engage with lizard people up ahead.”
Have the characters ever figured out that these are troglodytes?
Arryn Dawood |
Arryn fetches another animal carcass and floats it out over the stream. As Isabella fires, he flings a rock at its exposed throat.
Attack: 1d20 + 6 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 6 + 1 + 1 = 27
Damage: 2d6 + 2 + 4 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (4, 1) + 2 + 4 + 1 + 2 = 14
If the belt is a +2 stat belt, Strength does nothing, Dex increases attack roll by 1, and Con means one more damage.