Soumral shuffles her way through people to move up to the front. She casts the cantrip to detect magic as well, and follows Rediz's gaze to see where she should be checking.
"Well... if there is a trap, and its magical, I could try to dispel it..."
Elliander is about to step out onto the tiled floor when that familiar, tingling sensation tells him there’s magic around the floor and the door ahead.
Those that are able to read magical auras detect the school of abjuration - both on the door and on the tiles. Nothing else seems to stand out, though.
”There're some protective spell cast on the floor and the door over there.
Sorry, I can’t dispel them, can anyone of you?
Rediz, do you see anything to tinker with to get passed this?
Or, do we just brave it? I don’t think we can just rush to that door and open it easily.
Maybe if I try the floor first and you wait here? Maybe yank me back with a rope if there’s a pit or something?”
Elliander thinks there might be enough fighting ahead, not to risk too much injury to a trap.
Soumral continues to concentrate on the magical auras, trying to determine if the door and floor have separate auras, or a single one. She also looks for any focal point or points where the aura(s) might be strongest.
"The magic is abjuration, protective magic. That seems right for a trap to me. I'm trying to narrow things down. It might take a little time..."
Soumral is quite certain (really good Spellcraft check of 32 for the door) that the door is locked with Arcane Lock. The floor is a bit more difficult for her to discern... there's the possibility it's trapped somehow (player deductions and that previous Spellcraft check of 26), but she can't figure out how... ('Take 20' for Perception still doesn't help.)
Elliander digs out his rope from the backpack and starts tying it around his waist.
If no one else has a better idea, like dispelling or disarming, he’s ready to venture out on the floor to test it.
(Conditional:He waits for a nod from the rest and then gives them the other end of the rope.
”Pull me back if I’m knocked unconscious, a pit opens up or something nasty like that.” he says before entering out on the floor, shield and sword ready.)
Francis takes hold of the rope for Elliander. "I don't know what spells are possible for abjuration, but I don't think it could open a pit. But the rope does seem like a good precaution."
"I can only dispel once. I'm fairly confident I could get the door open, but I can't get a good read of the floor. Magically speaking, there's a difference between opening a pit and creating a pit. I agree that abjurations are very probably not going to create a pit. I'm not so sure they couldn't open an existing pit as a countermeasure to intrusion. What do you think Rediz?"
|
"If it is an spell of Abjuration, I don't think its the smartest move to have somebody like Elliander be the first to step out there. Maybe we rather choose somebody who is less magical and has better reflexes"
Rediz offers to take the rope instead and step into the floor.
When soumral mentions dispelling the arcane lock he answers "Let me give it a try first, unfortunately I cannot guarantee that I can break through it, but I have a good chance."
Rediz takes a long, hard look at the floor and finds that the tiles are quite loose, and that they are individually a part of the magical trap. The ratfolk further determines that the very subtle trap can be disarmed, but it will be a very delicate process...
"The tiles are loose? Can they be picked up without setting off the trap? If anyone has a mage hand spell perhaps that could be used to pick them up at a distance?"
"Not handy I don't."
From what Rediz can tell about the trap (coupled with Soumral's knowledge of the Abjuration aura), it seems that any contact with the tiles will set off the trap. If Rediz tries to disarm the trap, he knows that doing so could very well trigger it as well...
|
|
"Well I don't think it can be helped either way. We trigger it, when we step on it and we trigger it when we fail the disarm. So we might ath well try it."
Rediz kneels down on the lowest steps, the rope around hius small body and asks anybody else to step back 30 ft at least.
Fireday, the 30th day of Gozran, 4714 AR
Weather is clear and fairly hot by mid-afternoon.
Three hours after sunrise.
----------------------------------------------
As Rediz begins his work, he realizes his mistake almost immediately – though too late! In the next instant, tiles begin flying at the adventurers with terrible speed!
vs Rediz’ AC = Miss!
vs Amenhep’s AC = Miss!
vs Elliander’s AC = Hit!
+ vs Elliander’s CMD = Failure! (1 HP absorbed)
vs Soumral’s AC = Hit!
+ vs Soumral’s CMD = Success! Soumral is knocked prone!
vs Francis’ AC = Hit!
+ vs Francis’ CMD = Success! Francis is knocked prone!
Though quite tiny, their sharp edges make them incredibly lethal, and their velocity packs quite a punch, knocking Soumral and Francis off their feet as they slam backward into the wall of the staircase!
--------------------------------------------
Party Health & Adventure Notes
Elliander 50/57 [Shield is shedding Light (20’); Detecting for Magic Auras; Armor Crystal - DR 1, has absorbed 2 (of 10) damage this day]
Francis 37/47 [Prone]
Rediz 35/35 [+4 to Perception and Darkvision 60’ (Crypt Breaker’s Draught) for 25 minutes; +2 to Perception and trained Knowledge checks (Heightened Awareness) for 60 minutes; +3 natural bonus to AC (Barkskin) for 60 minutes]
Soumral 39/45 [Prone; +4 armor bonus to AC (Mage Armor) for 60 minutes]
Amenhep 51/51 [Spear is shedding Light (20’)]
Francis rolls back to his feet looking for the debris from the floor. He holds out his holy symbol and calls out a prayer to Pharasma, shielding himself hoping to protect from the trap.
Elliander looks at the smaller and more agile Rediz. He shrugs his shoulders, unfastens the rope, and hands it over to the alchemist.
Rediz hasn’t much more than started, when something is triggered and the tiles from the floor start swirling. The first nearly misses the ratfolk, but the rest of the team is not safe from the trap either and Elliander prepares to defend himself, smashing any tiles that attack him.
Strike at tile(s) (is it only one tile that attacks at a time?) attacking Elliander or close enough to attack someone else.
The Biter:
Possible Critical Hit:
The Biter:
with Arcane Strike (x2 if Critical Hit)
with Arcane Strike
Fireday, the 30th day of Gozran, 4714 AR
Weather is clear and fairly hot by mid-afternoon.
Three hours after sunrise.
----------------------------------------------
The party tries to defend against the incoming tiles as best they can…
vs Rediz’ AC = Hit! Possible Crit!
vs Rediz’ AC = No Crit!
+ vs Rediz’ CMD = Success! Rediz is knocked prone!
vs Amenhep’s AC = Miss!
vs Soumral’s AC = Hit!
Elliander easily smashes the one flying toward him with Biter, and though Rediz is struck hard and knocked down by a spinning tile, the ratfolk manages to dodge away from a potentially lethal blow while Amenhep is protected by his armor and Soumral is struck again as she lies on the steps of the stairwell. Francis stands up and brandishes his holy symbol to try and protect himself as well, and oddly enough, the cleric is the only one not targeted by the tiles at all…
--------------------------------------------
Party Health & Adventure Notes
Elliander 50/57 [Shield is shedding Light (20’); Detecting for Magic Auras; Armor Crystal - DR 1, has absorbed 2 (of 10) damage this day]
Francis 37/47 [Shield of Faith (+3 deflection bonus to AC) for 6 minutes]
Rediz 23/35 [Prone (+4 to AC vs ranged attacks); +4 to Perception and Darkvision 60’ (Crypt Breaker’s Draught) for 25 minutes; +2 to Perception and trained Knowledge checks (Heightened Awareness) for 60 minutes; Barkskin (+3 natural bonus to AC) for 60 minutes]
Soumral 31/45 [Prone (+4 to AC vs ranged attacks); Mage Armor (+4 armor bonus to AC) for 60 minutes]
Amenhep 51/51 [Spear is shedding Light (20’)]
Surprised that he isn't targeted Francis watches the tiles flying around. "My Shield of Faith seems to be protecting me. I don't have another prepared but maybe if you stand behind me?"
The tiles keep coming and knocking them down, but circling back up the stairs would take some time.
Elliander chooses to stand his ground and protect himself and the prone Soumral.
Ready attack to strike at tile coming close to/attacking Elliander or Soumral.
The Biter:
with Arcane Strike
It take a moment for Soumral to refocus her thoughts after beig slammed by the tiles. She does take a cue from Elliander, but just standing around swatting them down isn't really a plan with future promise. Sourmal stays down for the moment.
"We either need to go forward or back. Staying in place here doesn't help us at all. I can try to dispel the lock on the door, but I'll need cover from the rest of you. If I'm getting swatted by tiles I could lose the spell."
"If it works we can run for it and close the far door behind us. If it doesn't we need to get back up the stairs the way we came."
"If you don't like that idea, here's a second. All of us go back up the way we came except for Rediz, who keeps the holy symbol. It seems to work like a signal for the trap to leave the bearer alone. Rediz gets the door open, then we're back to running for it when we have a safe place on the other side to get to."
"I'll try Rediz idea first. But if the tiles continue the attack we go with Soumral's. Rediz, be ready to take my holy symbol and the rest of us will retreat from the room."
He calls on Pharasma to Bless everyone, then watches for the tile attacks.
Fireday, the 30th day of Gozran, 4714 AR
Weather is clear and fairly hot by mid-afternoon.
Three hours after sunrise.
----------------------------------------------
Soumral and Rediz stay down, trying to avoid the flying tiles as they call out possible plans of action. Amenhep and Elliander both use their weapons to smash the incoming tiles, while Francis again avoids notice as he summons Pharasma’s blessing with his holy symbol still in hand.
vs Rediz’ AC = Hit!
vs Soumral’s AC = Miss!
Despite lying flat on the ground, one of the heavy tiles still manages to score a painful hit on Rediz, though Soumral watches as another flies past her, shattering against the wall just above her head! Despite the blessing, the tiles continue to spin away from the floor…
--------------------------------------------
Party Health & Adventure Notes
Elliander 50/57 [Bless (+1 to attack rolls/saves vs Fear) for 6 minutes; Shield is shedding Light (20’); Detecting for Magic Auras; Armor Crystal - DR 1, has absorbed 2 (of 10) damage this day]
Francis 37/47 [Bless (+1 to attack rolls/saves vs Fear) for 6 minutes; Shield of Faith (+3 deflection bonus to AC) for 6 minutes; Prone (+4 to AC vs ranged attacks)]
Rediz 17/35 [Bless (+1 to attack rolls/saves vs Fear) for 6 minutes; Prone (+4 to AC vs ranged attacks); +4 to Perception and Darkvision 60’ (Crypt Breaker’s Draught) for 25 minutes; +2 to Perception and trained Knowledge checks (Heightened Awareness) for 60 minutes; Barkskin (+3 natural bonus to AC) for 60 minutes]
Soumral 31/45 [Bless (+1 to attack rolls/saves vs Fear) for 6 minutes; Prone (+4 to AC vs ranged attacks); Mage Armor (+4 armor bonus to AC) for 60 minutes]
Amenhep 51/51 [Bless (+1 to attack rolls/saves vs Fear) for 6 minutes; Spear is shedding Light (20’)]
Seeing the Bless fail in stopping the tiles, Francis drops his holy symbol on Rediz and runs for the exit.
Elliander doesn’t really like leaving Rediz alone down there to tough it out with the door and the tiles.
If Rediz agrees to take the holy symbol and proceed and the rest of the team starts to back up the stairs, Elliander will follow.
Delay to after Rediz.
If Rediz chooses to continue, then move back up with the rest (move action), but Ready Action (standard action) to strike at tile coming close to/attacking Elliander or Soumral.
The Biter:
with Arcane Strike
If Rediz chooses to flee back up too, then just move up with the rest.
Soumral gets up and quickly follows Francis.
"I think you're okay if you have Pharasma's symbol Rediz!" she calls encouragingly as she goes.
Amenhep gives a curt nod to Rediz, "Blessings of the light and the Lady of Graves will be with you. Call my name if you are in danger, and I will not hesitate to come to your aid."
Fireday, the 30th day of Gozran, 4714 AR
Weather is clear and fairly hot by mid-afternoon.
Three hours after sunrise.
----------------------------------------------
Rediz takes Francis’ holy symbol and holds it aloft as the others retreat, Elliander covering them as he smashes another tile out of the air. A moment later, Rediz is alone on the stairs and the flying tiles have quieted down. For the moment, at least…
--------------------------------------------
Party Health & Adventure Notes
Elliander 50/57 [Bless (+1 to attack rolls/saves vs Fear) for 6 minutes; Shield is shedding Light (20’); Detecting for Magic Auras; Armor Crystal - DR 1, has absorbed 2 (of 10) damage this day]
Francis 37/47 [Bless (+1 to attack rolls/saves vs Fear) for 6 minutes; Shield of Faith (+3 deflection bonus to AC) for 6 minutes; Prone (+4 to AC vs ranged attacks)]
Rediz 17/35 [Bless (+1 to attack rolls/saves vs Fear) for 6 minutes; Prone (+4 to AC vs ranged attacks); +4 to Perception and Darkvision 60’ (Crypt Breaker’s Draught) for 25 minutes; +2 to Perception and trained Knowledge checks (Heightened Awareness) for 60 minutes; Barkskin (+3 natural bonus to AC) for 60 minutes]
Soumral 31/45 [Bless (+1 to attack rolls/saves vs Fear) for 6 minutes; Prone (+4 to AC vs ranged attacks); Mage Armor (+4 armor bonus to AC) for 60 minutes]
Amenhep 51/51 [Bless (+1 to attack rolls/saves vs Fear) for 6 minutes; Spear is shedding Light (20’)]
”Rediz is wounded. What happens if he is attacked by something trying to open the door? He has your holy symbol, Francis. Can you do your healing if it’s lost?”
Elliander carefully starts probing by going down again, at least to the level he last got attacked by the tiles before. Sword and shield ready to defend against any new flying tile.
If a new tile attacks him, he will try smashing it too, but then head back up again.
If not attacked, he will continue to the tiled floor.
Moving as if in combat, but Ready Action to strike at tile coming close to/attacking him.
The Biter:
with Arcane Strike
If Rediz comes running back up again, then just move up to the rest.
Francis shakes his head at first with Elliander's question. "I can't cast a spell, but can use the wand." He notices Rediz doing the same and uses his wand on himself.
"You don't carry a spare?" Soumral asks with surprise.
Not Pathfinder Society trained for sure. Probably a clerk in his normal day to day life...
Rediz heals himself and sees to the trap... but it's already been sprung and still seems active. He doesn't believe he can shut it down at this point. At least he's not being attacked by tiles!
As Elliander moves down the steps, another tile launches itself at the duskblade, but the duskblade smashes it to pieces with his blade! Rediz is still not targeted, as the ratfolk continues to hold the holy symbol in hand.
Unfortunately, the trap still seems to be active and Elliander realizes flying tiles will be a distraction for Rediz even if the holy symbol seems to make the tiles stay away from him.
The duskblade reluctantly starts backing up the stairs again until he is no longer attacked. He keeps his sword and shield ready to deal with any more tiles chasing after him.
Move back up as if in combat, with Ready Action to strike at tile coming close to/attacking him each round.
The Biter:
with Arcane Strike
If Rediz comes running back up again, then just move up to the rest.
Elliander hears Rediz’s questions and relays the info further up the stairs if he believes the initial message wouldn’t have carried up to the rest. He doesn’t like the trap. If it had been sprung before, the floor would have been broken in places already, or it has some mechanism to reset. Yet the tiles feel real, alright. The stairway is littered with the broken pieces of the tiles they have already smashed, and they don’t seem to magically vanish directly either. Some peace and quiet would be good though. He thinks about what he has heard about a spell like this.
to estimate how long such a spell could last
"As long as we have a way forward I'd think we can manage a few flying tiles. But we can't just stand around as tiles rain on us. This could be as simple as getting the door open and running for it."
Francis seems a bit disturbed by Soumral's question. "Oddly enough, I've never needed a spare holy symbol before. I guess I'll remedy that lacking when we leave here."
"The problem with trying to run across with the flying tiles attacking is they tend to knock you down, arresting your forward movement. If Soumral can get the far door open, maybe check to verify that the tiles don't attack him beyond it? If he's safe, perhaps there's some way to get the symbol back here? Then another could cross, return the symbol and repeat?"
|
|
"Hmm thats a very good point Francis. I haven't thought about the knocking down. But I would very much not like to spend time in the next room with the fighters only arriving one after another and with lots of delay."
"Maybe that is the place to acually spend that dispel Magic from Soumral. It would work on the runnign trap too correct?"
Elliander retreats back to the others and considers the properties of the magical trap he's seen. The limitation could certainly be time, or in the number of tiles been thrown so violently. He saw somewhere upward of a hundred tiles on the floor, and those that had been thrown at the party were leaving 'holes' in the floor, revealing the stone beneath.
Shouting down into the room poses no difficulties, as the distance isn't great and the tomb remains silent - save for the adventurers' rather loud conversations. Soumral suggests that they simply find a way to quickly get beyond the door in the room, sparking a conversation between Rediz and Francis, with the cleric suggesting that someone use the holy symbol as protection to get the door open, hoping that maybe once beyond that threshold the tiles would no longer target that person. Though getting the holy symbol back to another on the staircase could be problematic. He points out that making a run for the door would trigger the tiles, which have been seen to knock the victim backward. The alchemist wonders if maybe a spell cast by Soumral to dispel the magical trap might do the trick.
Francis considers Rediz's suggestion, then calls out, "Wait a minute! The tiles! Rediz, can you pull up the tiles from the floor? Once they've launched they're done. Maybe pulling them from the floor will disable them so they can't attack anymore! But keep the holy symbol up so the trap doesn't target you."