Navior's Age of Worms (Inactive)

Game Master Navior

"Agreed, Udaya, but what do we do about that swarm?"

UU looks through her pack, "I've got a thick blanket and a bedroll we could burn." She involuntarily winces at the loss of money involved, "We could also maybe find some dried branches outside that might make decent torches. If we really don't want to risk going back to town yet, then we have to scavenge what we've got."

Udaya brightens, "I'm surprised you boys haven't suggested Dara and I squeeze into the cylinder together. I figure that's a fantasy come true for some of you. I hear men pay good money to see that sort of thing." She laughs.

Flash's face reddens, as it becomes clear he has thought about it. Hurriedly averting his face, he replies quickly, "I agree, the swarms need to be taken care of first, but don't forget Dara saw a mother beetle as well. I think it will take more than fire to kill it."

Udaya gives Flash an are you serious? look. "Slick, I haven't forgotten about the mama bug. I also haven't forgotten the acid damage Dara saw on a statue down there. I hear some bugs spit acid. But ONE bug, we can put to the sword. 10,000 bugs - that's a bigger problem for me. So who else has a blanket or something they can spare to the effort?"

"I have my cloak. That's about it. If I need to run outside to scavenge some tree limbs for torches, I can."

Flash gives Udaya a smirk, "Look hun, I don't think the baby bugs will stand still while you hack mama to bits. Plus, the acid is a big concern. I believe you are right, by the way." He sighs, wondering how this woman always seems to get under his skin. Hopefully, this will be worth it. "I have a winter blanket we can use, shouldn't need it for a while."

"Hun?" She rolls the word around in her mouth like it tastes bad but waves off commenting on it for the moment, "Fredrik, the idea is not to fight them both at once. If we're lucky, we'll be able to lure the swarm in first, cook it, and then kill mama bug - preferably at range. I've already been chewed on enough during this expedition that I'm not looking for more."

OK, Udaya, your plan is a sound one. I wonder if the paste those bugs were crawling in is flammable. If so then we can cook them at the source." Does that substance Dara described, sound like anything I would recognize?

OK, Udaya, your plan is a sound one. I wonder if the paste those bugs were crawling in is flammable. If so then we can cook them at the source." Does that substance Dara described, sound like anything I would recognize?

Unfortunately, she only saw it from a distance, so can't give much detail about it. She can't even describe the colour of it, since she was using darkvision. From her vague descriptions, it could be just about anything.

"I ain't got a problem with goin' down the chute. I could ride it down, stay inside then come back up again. Of course, I'd rather take out that swarm an' the big bug and then do some more scoutin'. I've got my bedroll an' tent that we could light up, though much as I hate to say it, maybe that whiskey that Vene's got might be handy."

"You ain't riding that thing alone. To get it back up we have to do a 360 with the sarcophagus... that could take a lotta time you may not have if you drop into a bug swarm we haven't seen yet... or something else has seen that cylinder rise and down in our experiments. So WE are either going together or you ain't going."

"So the plan is for all of us to go down the hole and take care of the bugs first? If so, is everyone confident they can make the climb down? Or do I need to lower some folk?"

"Yeah, I prefer that too, but then we already sent fresh meat down there an' it came back in one piece."

"True but maybe one of the them smart tentacled eyeball things is down there... or maybe something that can detect living versus dead flesh. Point is - we don't know what's down there and walking in with no easy way out isn't great."

Is this gonna be standup fight or another bughunt... sir?

"True but maybe one of the them smart tentacled eyeball things is down there... or maybe something that can detect living versus dead flesh. Point is - we don't know what's down there and walking in with no easy way out isn't great."

Is this gonna be standup fight or another bughunt... sir?

Bughunt.

"My...my whiskey?" Venedictus looks uncertain. "I suppose we could toss the bottle at the swarm, then hurl torches to set the whiskey ablaze. Sounds like an awful waste of whiskey, though, even stuff this bad. Couldn't we just all arm ourselves with burning branches? With 5 of us waving torches, we should be able to keep the bugs at bay."

So, what's the decision? The yellow cylinder, or down the hole? And if down the hole, how are you making your torches?

Looks like it will be down the hole until we've done more scouting. As far as torches, the rain-proofed canvas of Dara's tent and its tent poles would probably be the best options for making torches.

I have a winter blanket and some oil I can contribute to the cause. And if we are ALL going down there, we would need to affix the rope securely to something first, I would think.

Well why didn't you list that among our assets in the first place. What I wouldnt give for a holocaust cloak.

LOL. Well said, Bear!

"Here's my suggestion. We tie off to the sarcophagus and prepare the oiled blankets and whatnot. Dara and I go down the rope. Dara to make sure nothing has changed and me as guard. You gents come down. No lights but everything prepped. Dara (and maybe me) sneak forward to hit'em with the oiled rags and flames. You guys turn on the lights and we fall back. Hopefully the swarm is gone... but if not, Vene may be going a little dry because his booze may have to go. If all works out - the swarm is cooked and the mama bug is burned, dead, or held back by the fire and we pelt it from range." She shrugs, "May not work out that way - but I think it reduces our risks if it does."

"Sounds like a plan to me. Dara, (As the only person with the climb skill trained), woudl you mind tying this line off while we prepare the torches, cloak, and oil. Who wants to be on swarm duty?"

Yes but then this would not be as fun, he he.

"I have some pitons as well, and a hammer for them if you need it. As long as we secure the rope, we should be ok. I do have extra rope, and a grappling hook, just in case."

Maybe I should start looking at my equipment list more closely, he he.

Yes but then this would not be as fun, he he.

"I have some pitons as well, and a hammer for them if you need it. As long as we secure the rope, we should be ok. I do have extra rope, and a grappling hook, just in case."

Maybe I should start looking at my equipment list more closely, he he.

Heh, the funny thing is, I went through everyone's equipment list earlier when you were facing the last swarm to see if anyone had any oil. I totally missed it on your list, so my first reaction to seeing you say you had oil was, "No you don't!" But I just double-checked, and sure enough, you do (and I copied everyone's character into a document file when we started, so I know it's not something sneakily changed). :)

By tying several ropes together, you are able to get enough rope to reach from the sarcophagus to the end of the corridor and down the hole. Once the rope is secure, Dara begins climbing down, followed closely by Udaya.

Dara Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16
Udaya Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20

Nothing seems to have changed since Dara was last down here. By straining, they can just make out the sound of the insects in the distance. With a shake of the rope, they signal to the others to come down.

I’m going to assume you descend in your standard marching order. The Climb DC is just 5, so everyone can manage by taking 10. However, I’ve noticed an error in Venedictus’s skill bonuses on the skill matrix. He should have an armour check penalty of -2 (for a chain shirt), not -1, so all his Strength- and Dexterity-based skills should be 1 lower. So, his climb should be -4. At any rate, he can still manage the climb even with -4.

Venedictus goes first. He has the most difficulty of everyone, but the roughness of the wall and the secure rope make it possible for him to get down without falling. Fred follows next, and then Bear comes down last.

Venedictus Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16
Fredrik Perception: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (9) + 0 = 9
Bear Perception: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (2) + 0 = 2

With your lights extinguished, it's completely pitch black for the three humans. If you glance back up the shaft, you can see the green lantern shining away at the top, but its light doesn't penetrate anything on this level. Venedictus thinks he can make out the sound of the insects in the distance, but otherwise, it's deathly silent except for their own breathing.

Will save 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18, DC 10

Fredrik starts breathing hard, and his breaths cone in shallow gasps, this lasts for a few seconds before he calms down.

I’ve noticed an error in Venedictus’s skill bonuses on the skill matrix. He should have an armour check penalty of -2 (for a chain shirt), not -1, so all his Strength- and Dexterity-based skills should be 1 lower. So, his climb should be -4. At any rate, he can still manage the climb even with -4.

Oops, I'm so used to people having masterwork chain shirts and/or the Armor Expert trait that I forgot the penalty was -2 not -1. I've corrected the ACP penalties for him. Sorry about that.

Correction: Michael are you sure he has a chain shirt? I just checked his character sheet and it looks like Venedictus is wearing Studded Leather.

Navior wrote:

I’ve noticed an error in Venedictus’s skill bonuses on the skill matrix. He should have an armour check penalty of -2 (for a chain shirt), not -1, so all his Strength- and Dexterity-based skills should be 1 lower. So, his climb should be -4. At any rate, he can still manage the climb even with -4.

Oops, I'm so used to people having masterwork chain shirts and/or the Armor Expert trait that I forgot the penalty was -2 not -1. I've corrected the ACP penalties for him. Sorry about that.

Except if you look, he has studded leather armour, not a chain shirt, so change it back. He had a chain shirt when I was going on maximum starting gold, but somebody had to make us roll...

Rather than extinguishing the magical light spells, Venedictus suggests that they simply put the light spells on rocks and fold the rocks up in their clothes or pockets to block the light. That way, revealing the light is a simple matter that doesn't involve spell casting. He also suggests swiping the everburning torch from the green lantern.

OK, now that that's confirmed, I've rolled back the corrections to what was originally correct. *laughs* What an interesting morning this is turning out to be...

Upon hearing Venedictus' idea about simply concealing the lights, Dara says, "Good thinking, Vene."

"Vene, I like the idea about the light spells, but I think we should leave the torch where it is, as least for now."

Except if you look, he has studded leather armour, not a chain shirt, so change it back. He had a chain shirt when I was going on maximum starting gold, but somebody had to make us roll...

Ah, it would seem you changed that after I copied your character sheet. I've been going by the one I copied, which means I've been using the wrong AC for you as well. Oh well, I don't think it's actually made a difference so far. In future, let me know when you have to make changes like that.

Venedictus wrote:

Except if you look, he has studded leather armour, not a chain shirt, so change it back. He had a chain shirt when I was going on maximum starting gold, but somebody had to make us roll...

Ah, it would seem you changed that after I copied your character sheet. I've been going by the one I copied, which means I've been using the wrong AC for you as well. Oh well, I don't think it's actually made a difference so far. In future, let me know when you have to make changes like that.

Sure thing.

Prior to descending, Bear uses up his second scrolls of Mage Armor. AC back up to 16.

Prior to descending, Bear uses up his second scrolls of Mage Armor. AC back up to 16.

** spoiler omitted **

"In adventuring, just as it is in life, then," Venedictus gasps as he struggles to regain his breath.

Fredrik readies to light his torch with the tindertwig he has, are they reuseable? If not, then use flint/steel, he he.

Fredrik readies to light his torch with the tindertwig he has, are they reuseable? If not, then use flint/steel, he he.

They aren't.

Venedictus is right. Tindertwigs are not reusable. Flint and steel it will have to be.

Are you intending to move forward first before lighting the fires (with the unseeing humans holding onto Dara and Udaya for guidance) or light first, then move?

The light that was in this room and then thrown into the intersection earlier didn't attract the bugs so we may as well light them up now.

The light that was in this room and then thrown into the intersection earlier didn't attract the bugs so we may as well light them up now.

You threw one into the intersection earlier? I must have missed that. There was a light stone dropped to the bottom of the shaft, but I didn't think Dara took that with her when she investigated the intersection. However, it is a valid conclusion that they didn't notice the light in the first room.

Fredrik pulls out his flint and steel and oil, and the group sets to work lighting their makeshift torches. Once lit, Dara and Udaya rush forward to throw them at the insects. Upon seeing the light from the torches come round the corner, the bugs immediately start to surge forward.

Dara Initiative: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14
Udaya Initiative: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7
Venedictus Initiative: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (10) + 0 = 10
Fredrik Initiative: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13
Bear Initiative: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8
Beetle swarm Initiative: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10
Giant beetle Initiative: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (16) + 0 = 16

Order: Giant beetle, Dara, Fredrik, Beetle swarm, Venedictus, Bear, Udaya.

Waiting to see what the giant beetle does before posting my action.

ROUND ONE

The giant beetle trundles forward to the edge of the room and stops there, its pincers twitching.

Map Cairn3 Updated
Note: I've added coordinates to the map since they'll work reasonably well for this map. Unfortunately, for a lot of the maps in this adventure, the MapTool grid simply will not line up with the printed grids. It's always just a bit too big or a bit too small, no matter how much I adjust it. For those ones, I've had to turn off snap-to-grid to place tokens accurately on them and so the coordinates won't be useful.

Up Next: Dara, Fredrik, beetle swarm, Venedictus, Bear, Udaya.

Dara, Round 1
Dara unfurls the oil-soaked blanket across the hallway so that it can be ignited with the torches as soon as the swarm approaches.

The blanket lies ready and waiting in front of Dara and Udaya.

Up Next: Fredrik, beetle swarm, Venedictus, Bear, Udaya.

Eric said that he'll be gone for some time. He asked to be NPC'd: "Ok I will be headed out to see my new niece, a week old, so please NPC Pete, Flash, and Felmor, if necessary"

Flash, round 1
Flash will move into position and ready an action to toss his torch onto the oiled blankets as soon as the beetle swarm is about to cross them.

As Flash moves into position, the swarm of beetles scurries out of the paste. They crawl around and over the giant beetle and into the corridor, moving directly towards Dara and Udaya and the blankets. As the swarm reaches the blankets, Flash tosses his torch over Dara's head and onto the blankets.

Attack roll: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 1 = 14

The torch lands on the blankets, which burst into flame.

Fire damage: 1d6 ⇒ 1 x1.5 = 1.5 (round to 2 in this case).

The flames don't do as much damage as last time, but they do continue to burn.

Up Next: Venedictus, Bear, Udaya

Map Cairn 3 Updated

Venedictos steps to X12 and fires a bolt of lightning at the big beetle.
Lightning Arc Touch Attack: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (7) + 0 = 7
Lightning Arc Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 4

Venedicus's lightning zaps forward and through the flames and, unfortunately, hits the ground just in front of the big bug.

Next Up: Bear, Udaya, giant beetle, Dara, Fredrik, beetle swarm, Venedictus.