ProfPotts' Serpent's Skull PBP

Game Master Alexander Scott

Marik looks at the platform and says "Those timbers look awfully thick, perhaps from a ship. They'd be nigh impossible to break. I'm with Aerodus on this one, take our time and dig around this 'cork' in the bottle. Whatevers down there that was worth killing over isn't going anywhere."

Digging through the clay and earth at the edge of the pit proves a lot harder than excavating the pit itself, the consistency being closer to soft stone than the packed earth fill which had sealed the pit above the wooden plug. However, after another three or so hours of fairly back-breaking labour enough is cleared to allow one person at a time to climb round and under the wooden platform. The platform itself proves to be made of heavy logs, expertly fastened together, and only faced with planking, and is around ten feet thick!

Peering down into the pit (hopefully with a light source of some kind) it appears to continue for another forty or so feet of depth beneath the wooden plug, and is filled with murky water at the bottom - it's impossible to tell the depth of the water from where you are. The sides of the ten-foot wide pit shaft are shored up with wooden bracing, which should make climbing down a fairly simple matter. Climb DC 10 to descend the pit via the wooden bracing.

Wiping perspiration from his brow and shoulders (having stripped to the waist to help dig), Ishirou takes his turn peering into the freshly dug path round the wooden platform, then emerges, pulls out his parchment once more, consults it for a few moments, then puts it away again and nods,

'It seems to match what it says on the map - there should be a small passage under the water leading a little way north, then up into the chamber with the treasure.'

Climbing out of the hole once again, Shisa stops to brush as much of the dirt off her clothes as she can before slipping into her leather armor. She grabs her belt with her two daggers and slips the short sword over her shoulder in its makeshift sheath.

"Ok, I guess I'm running point again," she says somewhat tiredly. "after all, that's what you pay me for right?" She shoots the others a grin and sticks her head through the hole to peer around in the gloom below. "After the kraken spawn, I'm not rushing..shh, let me listen for a bit," she says, her voice echoing softly through the fresh dug tunnel.

Perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (9) + 11 = 20

If she doesn't hear anything, she'll slip as quietly as possible into the tunnel and hold up on the braces, not going all the way down and stop to look / listen again.

stealth: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17
Perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (3) + 11 = 14

if nothing seen / heard, she'll signal for the next person

Tony starts forward, then hesitates. He asks the assembled party;
"Ah, what are we going to do about light? Light we can submerge underwater?"

As the party breaches the gap, Aerodus (sans armor) will climb his way out of the pit and quench his thirst while searching through his pack for his Ioun Torch, rope and grappling hook. Once 'Blinky' and company have been retrieved, he gathers his sword and shield before heading back towards the hole.

When the Songstress disappears into the pit, Aerodus rearranges his gear for the climb below. As he is waved inside, he tries to find somewhere he can hook the grapple onto and lower the rope down.

At the mention of light, he draws forth 'Blinky', and holds it as it illuminates his face in the darkness. "Fear not nobleman, for I bring light with me."

Reassured that at least Aerodus has a waterproof light source, Tony slips through the passage and into the shaft. He hitches his sword around to his back and begins the descent by the wooden bracing.

Climb: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9
Stealth: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26
Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12

Not to be a jerk...but if its pitch black down here.... Aerodus is bringig Blinky out full swing.. esp since no one has dark vision. Also he will take 10 if possible on any checks (sans armor should give him 13 on the climb) and we all know Aerodus can't make a perception check to save his life... but somehow managed to get it to save taki

Only one with dark vision is Shisa. Part of why I had her go first as light attracts attention. After the spawn on the ship, she really really hates confined places and is not very apt to rush in without a look and listen first.

"Of course Sir Knight, if you wish to preceed me, be my guest." Tony grins.
"I'll be there to dive in and rescue you. Again."

Aerodus will wave Tony ahead of him as he tries to secure the grapple/rope with 'Blinky' hovering overhead before descending himself into the murky gloom. The comments about Paladin saving lost in the work.

Crouching quietly on the supports, she watches the others move ahead past her. Shrugging her shoulders, she slips quietly down into the murky water, moving to the side opposite them.

Slipping her short sword out of its sheath, she proceeds to move forward. "I don't trust this island," she whispers, "not in the least. I'll take the lead."

stealth 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21
perception 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (20) + 11 = 31

Not hearing or seeing anything particularly threatening as she first climbs round the wooden plug and into the shaft proper, Shisa descends twenty or so feet (about halfway down) before pausing to once more take a moment scan the area below her, then waving to the others to follow.

As Aerodus and blinky enter the shaft the light from the small glowing stone orbiting the paladin's head illuminates the sturdy construction of the support beams...

... and as the paladin busies himself securing a rope near the underside of the platform, Tony appears to be having a little difficulty, getting himself snagged on one of the higher beams... ('cos he forgot he could take 10... ;) )

Okay... that's some damned confusing posting there! Shisa thinks that the other two have descended past her, and Aerodus thinks that Tony's ahead of him... Only Shisa has stated she'll enter the water... but after the other two... who haven't said that they would yet...

As long as you've not got a negative total on Climb checks, you can climb down the support beams easily by taking 10. Right now Shisa is about 20ft down (out of 40ft total). Aerodus has secured his rope, and Tony's still beside him at the top of the shaft (the underside of the wooden platform). What order are people planning on descending in, and how far are they going down the shaft?

Quick while he's confused! Try and get more levels out of the DM!

Aerodus had assumed Tony was ahead of him before he started his descent.. but is fine anywhere in the order (Even First!) (I figure... with 'Blinky' Illuminating stealth is moot). And will also go all the way down. Guessing I may need a roll if people are going to stop part way on the descent (before he hits the water level he will draw his sword).

Hope it won't bother people too much, I just set the rope in case we can't take 10 (THERE ARE KRAKENS IN THE PIT!) and some of us cant climb that well.

Tony will untangle himself and proceed more cautiously [taking 10 on Climb]; going second ahead of Aerodus.
At the water level, Tony will pause and arch an eyebrow at Shisa.
You first or me?

Okay... that's some damned confusing posting there! Shisa thinks that the other two have descended past her, and Aerodus thinks that Tony's ahead of him... Only Shisa has stated she'll enter the water... but after the other two... who haven't said that they would yet...

I blame the blinky light rock thingy.. messed up my low light vision and I thought the dancing spots was them going by :)

She pauses while the rest of the group form up behind her. She looks at Tony and points to herself. She moves as close to the side wall as she can then begins making her way slowly ten feet forward, sliding her feet slowly through the water as she goes to keep the noise down.

Intent: stay about 10' ahead and pressed against the wall to minimize her silhouette being back-lit by the blinky stone floaty thing (she has no idea what an ioun stone is)

Tony nods to Shisa and follows her ten feet behind and on the opposite side of the tunnel. Where is the tunnel opening? It's supposed to be just underwater...

Stealth: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22
Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14

if needed:
Stealth: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10
Perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (1) + 11 = 12

Obviously, being back lit by the blinky rock thing isn't helping. I'm blaming the rock..heh

Slipping into the murky water - the surface of which is mostly blinky-induced reflection at the moment - Shisa quickly discovers that the chill water is deeper than she can touch and still keep her head above the surface... who knows how deep in total?

Suddenly pallid, corpse-like hands erupt from the water, their ragged nails clawing into Shisa's flesh as she's pulled beneath the surface!

Shisa takes 10 points of damage, and needs to make a DC 12 Fortitude save Vs. disease... of course... what do you expect by this point? ;)

Initiative and declared actions please!

Initiative: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13

"Cailien defend! Undead in the Water!"
Tony will draw a dagger and dive in. He tries to find a target and further, distinguish an enemy from Shisa.

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

Init: 1d20 ⇒ 18

CORPSE like hands you say?? UNDEAD YOU SAY?!

At seeing the Songstress dragged under, Aerodus will shout up towards the opening, distress filling his voice. "There's something down here!"
Aerodus ever master of the obvious

Standard: Detect evil into the water

If something shows up, move towards it, weapon drawn.
If not, move towards where the Songstress disappeared.

The explosion of water and grasping claws takes Shisa by surpise, causing her to loose her grip on her short sword. Burning pain shoots through her arm and leg as the creature rips into her flesh and darkens the water with her blood as her head disappears beneath the surface.

Initiative (improved): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26

Fort save: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (2) + 0 = 2

hps: 4/14 Aargh! Have I mentioned lately I hate fort saves? :)

Marik will climb down with the rest,taking his time and carefully placing his feet before continuing.(i.e. taking '10')
Initiative: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11
As the hands reach out of the water and grab Shisa, Marik will brace himself as best as he can and cast Grease on Shisa.
Climb check: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (6) - 1 = 5
CANNONBALL!!!!

It's probably all familiar by now, but just as a reminder - those in the water will require a DC 10 Swim check at the top of each round to determine what actions they can take and what sort of penalties they're suffering.

Shisa needs a roll or two to support her described actions there... specifically an attack and (potentially) damage roll, please...

Concentrating on sensing the presence of all that is dark and vile...

Aerodus then leaps into the water near where Shisa vanished... (since he's got his weapon drawn, and you need both hands to climb... and it's Aerodus with his history of this sort of thing... I assumed that's what you meant by 'moving towards' Shisa's location?

Diving into the water Tony... fails to find his bearings in the chill and murky pool...

Feeling something amiss mere moments before Shisa is dragged below, Marik fumbles at his spell component pouch... slipping from his perch and plunging into the water with the others as he tries to find the butter he keeps in there...

Well... okay then... these underwater fights always go so well for you guys... ;)

As Shisa struggles with her assailant (pending PC rolls...), Aerodus feels sharp teeth clamp on and sink into his shoulder as a thin corpse-like humanoid figure - moving through the water with seeming ease - attacks him from behind. (Aerodus take 7 points of damage, needs a DC 12 Fortitude save Vs disease, and a DC 13 Fortitude save Vs paralysis...)

#1 item for this party: Dust of Dryness. And Aerodus is always one to leap into danger!

Fort Save Vs Disease: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8
Fort Save vs Paralyze: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26
No roll vs Drowning/Suffocation yet!! The Divine Queen Protects!

Swim Check: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

If able to see the creature:
Swift: SMITE EVIL! (+3 Deflection to ac vs what just bit me)
Move: try and stay afloat (vs off balance) roll is above
Standard: Attack! 1d20 + 3 + 5 - 2 ⇒ (3) + 3 + 5 - 2 = 9 Smite + WF - UnderWater (I think its -2?) Or I could just miss horribly and not even bother.
Damage: 1d8 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 4 + 2 = 8 +2 more if its evil undead and half for underwater

If Unable to see:
Swift: LoH self 1d6 ⇒ 4
Move: Focus the Detect Evil at the direction of the attack?
Standard: Perception 1d20 ⇒ 9 Drat!

Despite his Valiant efforts in shaking off the vileness entering his system, Aerodus who while flailing about uselessly, is unable to connect with his sword as it slowly moves through the water.

Current HP 12/19 + Diseased

Swim check: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19
Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21

IF I can locate a target, (and distinguish friend from foe) make an attack:
Dagger: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13 for a possible 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3 points impaling damage.
IF I can make a Flanking attack, add 2 to the attack and 1d6 ⇒ 1 to the damage.

for the swim: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11

attack: (+1 Dagger if I remember correctly) 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16
Damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

ha! feint worked..can't hit the broadside of a barn..

for the movement..acrobatics? 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21

Original attack roll was 6 + 3 = 9.. when I used the edit to insert the swim roll (top of round), for some reason, the attack re-rolled

At the top of last round...

Drawing her dagger and stabbing desperately at her assailant's eyes, Shisa finds herself barely able to wriggle in the thing's deathly embrace, one of its ragged-nailed hands grabbing her wrist to prevent her stabbing its eyes out, even as its legs start to wrap round her body and its other hand paws at her... but the elf-blooded rogue proves too slippery to keep hold of! Squirming out of the creature's grasp and kicking off from it, Shisa manages to get her head above water, close enough to the shaft's lowest supports to pull herself a little way out of the water, away from her attacker...

Kudos on the attack roll honesty there!

Round 2...

Shisa gets to take an action first, 'cos she's so gosh-darned nippy... ;)

Followed by Aerodus and Tony's posted actions, then whatever Marik posts, then the poor, innocent, pool-dwellers...

Reaching the support timbers ahead of her assailant, Shisa begins to climb, giving herself distance from the creature below. As she climbs, she yells out, "Ishirou! Need a healer. Spawn in the water!" She glances at the support structure and tries to find a place she can stand and defend herself should the creature follow.

climb (nimble climber) / diseased 1d20 + 6 - 2 ⇒ (18) + 6 - 2 = 22

book at home, not sure of the benefit of nimble climber

She looks down quickly at the rend in her thigh. Blood still seeps from the wound and mixes with the water dripping off her. "Great, this was my only pair of pants too," she mutters to herself. Letting out a sigh and prepares herself for a renewed attack.

book at home, not sure of the benefit of nimble climber

The PRD on this site is always helpful in such situations! But basically it gives you a (slight) chance to not fall if you really mess up a Climb check.

Sheathing her dagger as she reaches the support beams (two hands needed to climb, remember?!), Shisa scurries up, out of the water...

With the ever-loyal Blinky illuminating the murky water Aerodus does his best to smite his (evil and undead) attacker... but instead returns to his accustomed flailing about comically in the water...

Proving much more at home in the water than his paladin companion, Tony takes a moment to see that there's two emaciated, corpse-like, humanoid figures with pointed teeth and ragged, claw-like, nails in the pool - the one Shisa's just fled from, and the one Aerodus is 'battling' (for want of a better word...). Trying to maximise his tactical advantage (and to help his friend in more immediate danger) Tony kicks off towards the creature harassing Aerodus, the swashbuckler gliding gracefully through the water to come up behind the thing, before grasping one of its shoulders to get some purchase as he plunges his dagger deep into its back! The creature thrashes and rages in the water as Tony jerks his dagger free, a cloud of dark bile-like fetid blood billowing from the wound he's inflicted...

Scrambling up the shaft supports as she shouts to Ishirou, Shisa's alarmed to see the thing that grabbed her burst forth from the murky depths to nimbly skitter up after her, it's claw-like nails narrowly missing her ankle as she only just manages to stay ahead of the thing!

Meanwhile, back in the water... the second creature opens its mouth wide, as if yelling, as it swipes its claws at Tony, catching the swashbuckler's cheek with four parallel scratches, even as it sinks its teeth into Aerodus's shoulder once more... (Aerodus takes 5 more points of damage, Tony gets away with a mere 2 points of damage. Both get to try a DC 13 Fortitude save Vs paralysis... what fun! :) )

Fort Save VS Paralyze: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25

Swim Check: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15

Free action: Release longsword and let it float/sink
Move action: Draw Dagger
Standard: Stab! 1d20 + 3 + 2 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 + 2 + 3 = 24 Str + BAB + Smite (Dont think I have a water penalty with that swim) + 2 from flank if tony isnt a floating body
Damage: 1d4 + 3 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 3 + 4 = 11 Str+Smite(2 Doubled on 1st Hit)
Swift: LoH Self. 1d6 ⇒ 6

Once more Aerodus manages to resist the ichor flowing into his veins, as he releases his blade for a more suitable weapon. With trusty Blinky exposing the creature to the glorious light, he thrusts the dagger at its form, releasing a grunt of satisfaction at feeling it sink into the creature. If I miss on a 24 Im out As it recoils from the impact/pain, he calls upon the Inheritor's mercy to heal himself.

Pardon my liberty on the creature's action/reaction

HP 13/19 + Diseased. LoH Used: 1/4

Fort save vs Paralysis DC13: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 1 = 14
Tony's muscles tense up for a moment, before he throws off the evil effect and continues to flank attack the vile ex-human...

Swim check: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10
Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18

Dagger: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 4 + 2 = 15 for a possible 1d4 + 2 + 1d6 ⇒ (3) + 2 + (4) = 9 points impaling damage.

Feeling the brief tug at her foot, she casts a quick glance back to find the foul spawn chasing her up the supports. "Crap! This thing climbs like a squirrel," she mutters. Quickly setting her footing, she attempts to leap to another support, trying to get more distance.

Accrobatics: 1d20 + 7 - 2 ⇒ (3) + 7 - 2 = 8

Her wet boots slip a bit as she prepares to launch herself into the air.

nimble climber (prevent fall)?: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (16) + 10 = 26

Twisting her body, she throws out her left hand and manages to steady her balance and keep from plunging into the water below. "Any day Ishirou!" Her voice echoes loudly in the tunnel, panic more than evident in its tone.

Prof: feel free to modify if I did that wrong :)

And yes.. with only 4 hps left and standing above a pool of water with some devil spawn on her tail.. she's panicky..

I'm assuming that the attempted jump and recover took all her actions. If any attack is needed, she's purely defensive at this point and trying her hardest not to get clawed / bit again. Just wanted to clarify :)

Well, there's a worrying trend of people posting reactions they couldn't possibly know to their character's actions... It's best if you try not to do that sort of thing, as it can get confusing for people posting after you, but before me, when I have to then go back and retcon everything you've said... ;)

Aerodus drops his sword and pulls his dagger, joining Tony in a combined assault as the pair stab the thing time and again until it finally goes limp, ichor-blood oozing from multiple wounds, and floats, lifeless, to the surface of the murky pool...

"Crap! This thing climbs like a squirrel,"

With that Acrobatics roll on a standing jump Shisa could only clear one foot up, or four feet across... Nimble Climber only aids you in recovering from failed Climb checks - it doesn't help you float back to the wall after leaping away from it! Good job there's a pool down there... ;)

Losing her footing just as she tries to leap, Shisa manages only to send herself stumbling into empty space for a moment, before plunging (paladin-like) back into the water below (she gets no opportunity to shout to Ishirou again)... Letting loose an inhuman wail, the corpse-thing scuttling up the supports after her turns and dives... Moments after plunging back into the water Shisa's feels a heavy weight impact her back as ragged nails rip across her throat... then she feels nothing more as the world fades to a blissful void... (possibly my first ever confirmed critical as a DM on this site! Shisa takes 11 points of damage and is out, sorry...)

Tony and Aerodus can't help but notice the two fresh impacts on the water, one after the other, and get to witness the horrific Blinky-illuminated sight of Shisa floating, unmoving, with a cloud of blood forming from her ripped throat as the second corpse-thing looks set to start feasting on her flesh...

Marik, meanwhile, has managed to climb out of the water and back onto the supports...

Enraged, Tony swims over to the creature to flank it with Aerodus and kill the creature using Shisa as a chew toy.

Swim check: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17

Dagger attack: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 4 + 2 = 17 for a possible 1d4 + 2 + 1d6 ⇒ (2) + 2 + (5) = 9 points impaling damage.

Wow.. grats on the Crit potts. We are now vulnerable to Vorpal!

Swim Check: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

Swift: LoH 1d6 ⇒ 1
Move: Swim towards Songstress.

Aerodus will try his utmost to swim over to the corpse-creature, and provide it a more satisfying meal, a mouth full of dagger!

Standard: Attack! 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6
Damage 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

If able, can I make a heal check to see how... *Dead* She is?

Possible Heal: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11

Unfortunately, the dice bot has other plans. Not even a single double digit

HP 14/19 + Disease LoH Used: 2/4

*bobs face down in the water spewing her lifeblood all over*

Either dead (if massive damage rule in play) or -7 of possible -11 (Con=11 if not affected by the disease) hps and bleeding out. I'd assume being in water would negate the chance to stabilize as she'd either a) bleed out, or b) drown. Either way.. owie!!

Actually I think you still make the stablize roll.. but there is that nice fun and happy, Check VS Drowning because you are unconscious and underwater that Aerodus experienced on the first day. Maybe Aerys can give you mouth to mouth?

Despite Aerodus's floundering attempts to swim he, at least, manages to get close enough to the creature to provide distraction enough for the more dolphin-like Tony to slip round it and deftly slip his dagger betwixt its ribs!

Howling noiselessly in the watery depths (as much from having its meal disturbed as from being stabbed, it seems, despite the grevious nature of the wound Tony inflicted) the corpse-thing (with an, admittedly surprising, continuation of the DM's 'hot streak'...) lashes out, managing to rake its claw-like nails across both Aerodus's face and Tony's shoulder, before sinking its teeth into the swashbuckler's thigh... (Aerodus takes 3 points of damage, Tony takes... ugh!... 12! A DC 13 Fortitude Save Vs Paralysis for Aerodus, please, two such Saves for Tony, plus a DC 12 Fortitude Save Vs Disease...)

I may have to officially call this bad guy 'Lucky'... ;)

Either dead (if massive damage rule in play) or -7 of possible -11 (Con=11 if not affected by the disease) hps and bleeding out. I'd assume being in water would negate the chance to stabilize as she'd either a) bleed out, or b) drown. Either way.. owie!!

Massive Damage doesn't kick in until 50+ points are done in one hit, so no problems there (I'll save that for the next encounter...). What Shisa needs is a DC 17 Constitution check (she's on -7 HP) to stabilize, and a seperate (and more vital) DC 10 Constitution check to avoid starting the (very brief) process of drowning...

SON OF A $#(*@, I think im back up on initiative besides the dying/drowning folks/NPC's

Stabilize: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (14) + 0 = 14 DC-17
Drown: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (14) + 0 = 14 DC-10

-8 / -11

Aero, you better kill this thing.. or Marik will return as a side dish (since he fell in the water as well.)

Current HP: 14 (87%)
CONDITION: Normal

The corpse-thing lashes out, managing to rake its claw-like nails across both Aerodus's face and Tony's shoulder, before sinking its teeth into the swashbuckler's thigh, taking... ugh!... 12!

Fort save vs Paralysis DC13 #1: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6
Fort save vs Paralysis DC13 #1: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 1 = 19
Fort save vs Disease DC12: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

Tony goes rigid and stops swimming and fighting...

Fort save vs Drowning DC10: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

Current HP: 2 (12%)
CONDITION: Paralysed, Diseased, Drowning

Well crap, that went south mighty quick.

Marik will brace himself against the timbers and, ripping his sleeve off his shirt, grab Shisa and attempt to pull her out of the water. Wrapping the makeshift bandage around the half-elf's neck he will attempt to stanch the bleeding.

Strength check: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (15) - 1 = 14
Heal check: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Calling out at the top of his voice "Father Jask, there are undead creatures down here and Shisa and Anthony are gravely wounded. The blessings of Nethys would be greatly appreciated right now."

Move Action: Draw shield as Aerodus moves closer to the human anchor.

Stabilize: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (1) + 0 = 1 DC-18

If needed:

Drown: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (6) + 0 = 6 DC-10 (if needed)

Hp: -9 / -11 plus drowning.. and diseased.. and bleeding..

With an impressive effort (considering the guy's Strength...) Marik pulls Shisa from the water (no more drowning checks... for the moment...), but his efforts to staunch the gaping wound in her neck prove to be fruitless... (Shisa can happily continue bleeding...) as blood just seems to keep running round his rag and across his hands...

In the water...

The corpse-thing easily evades Aerodus's dagger thrust, moving as if completely at home in the water. Unslinging his shield even as he swims towards the paralysed Tony, Aerodus leave himself open to another swipe from the creature's claws, which rip deep ragged scratches across the paladin's chest... (Aerodus takes 3 Hit Points and... you guessed it... another DC 13 Fortitude save Vs paralysis please). Swimming after the paladin, the creature swipes at him a second time, but this time Aerodus manages to fend it off with his trusty shield...

Finally finishing the forty-foot climb down the shaft, Ishirou arrives (still shirtless, but with his katana strapped across his back), takes a quick glance at the situation, then jumps in the water, grabbing the unmoving Tony and managing to get the swashbuckler's head above the water... (Tony can stop drowning for now... But Ishirou... would you believe he's got Profession [sailor], but no ranks in Swim... or Climb... sigh...)

"Father Jask, there are undead creatures down here and Shisa and Anthony are gravely wounded. The blessings of Nethys would be greatly appreciated right now."

'The good priest is getting a little long in the tooth for scrambling about in holes,' Gelik replies as he scampers down the supports to Marik's side, 'and whilst I'm not too keen on the idea of pot-holing myself, I just couldn't let the world lose such a fine singing voice as that of our Lady Shisa here...' the brightly attired gnome takes a look at Shisa's wound and winces... (He'll have an action free to cast a healing spell next round...)

ha! Truly an epic entrance by the cavalry! I don't think I've ever refreshed a forum as much as I have this one over the last 2 days.. o.0

stabilize DC 19: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (16) + 0 = 16

*continues to bleed all over Marik*

hps: -10 / -11, bleeding / diseased (as if the later matters..heh)

Im telling you! Ishirou is a prince!

Fort Save VS paralysis 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14
Swim Check: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 1 = 12

Standard: Attack 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12
Damage 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

HP: 11/19

Ugh! Rescued by Ishirou of all people...

With Marik supporting Shisa, Gelik chants words of arcane power as he holds onto the shaft's supports with one hand and passes the other across the near-mortal wound in Shisa's neck... Hey, good DM rolling helps out the PCs for once, Gelik rolled his maximum of 10 Hit Points healed :).

... Feeling a lingering warmth on her neck (not to mention being plastered in her own blood), Shisa's eyes flicker open once more.

'Praise the gods! Gelik teases, with a wink to Marik, 'We don't have to carry her!'

It was either that or something about a 'love bite'...

With much effort, Ishirou manages to one-handed doggy-paddle his way to the side of the shaft, dragging the stiff behind him, and pull both himself and Tony up a short way, out of the water.

Once more gliding around Aerodus's attempts to stab it, the remaining corpse-thing finds its attempt to bite the paladin blocked by the man's shield, but that its claws rake cleanly through his flesh... (let's see that's 3 plus... 7! damage, for a total of 10 Hit Points damage... plus those two DC 13 Fortitude saves Vs paralysis please... you know the ones...)

Propped up by Ishirou on the lower supports of the shaft, with a painful tingling sensation Tony feels the life returning to his limbs... (Tony's paralysis has worn off).