Rivers Run Red

Game Master fictionfan

On the fourth Oathday of Lamashan, Riva stands upon a sandy shore underneath the bright morning sun, struggling to push one of two boats into the Northeastern waters of the Tuskwater. She has eschewed her typical silk robes for more a more practical pair of sturdy boots, leather breeches, a belt, a shirt and vest, and a pair of gloves--all covered by a dark, heavy cloak. She also wears an elaborate caul hat made from mithral wire, precious gems, and the bones of reptilian creatures great and small. It appears to have magically adhered to her scalp, granting her a distinctly draconic appearance.

Between aggravated breaths, she turns towards her new companions and exclaims "At least the weather seems to be holding up. I'd hate to end up in the water again. Last outing was pretty stormy, what with the thundering snap of Old Crackjaw's maw to rattle our bones. Whatever may rain down upon us now, at least he's not going to be one of them."

Giving up on pushing the heavy boat off the shore, she instead settles for moving the trip's provisions onto the boat and under the benches. In a softer tone she continues on, heedless of those around her, "Do you think we will really find giants? I hope so, but if the rumors prove true, that means their territory neighbors Allania. They best turn out to be a friendly lot. The last thing we need are enemies on both sides of our realm."

Preparing to enter H38 by boat, before exploring I37 and J36 on foot. Barring delays, the whole trip should take ~7 days.

Toran follows Riva, glancing around him with interest. Despite his thick armor, he moves easily over the sand, attempting to push the other boat.
What's this about Crackjaw? I haven't heard of this before. Hopefully we have a fairly uneventful trip.
He knocks a gauntleted hand upon the boat's hull as he finishes his sentence.

The lake is nicely empty nothing appears to have taken Old Crackjaw place. When you pull up on shore you find yourself at I37. When exploring the area you find a group of hills from the top of one of them you see.

A strange, 20-foot-wide pool of bubbling mud sits in a narrow defile between several hills here.

Riva knowledge geography: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (12) + 12 = 24

Riva can tell the The mud is heated by geothermal activity, and although it’s not hot enough to cause damage. It smells horrible.

perception Riva: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (8) + 0 = 8
perception Mallichatti: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (12) + 9 = 21

I could use an update on the cheat sheet
Mallichatti knowledge Nature: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16

Mallichatti see a what appears to be a moss-covered boulder, but his keen eyes spot can tell that is in fact a huge plant, however he can not identify what type it is.

Maer's skills and basic stats are all in her title line when she posts ^^

The elven diplomat stands back from the water with a faint frown. Her ever-silent companion assists in pushing the boats into the water. She lifts her robes, stepping daintily over the sand and kicking the side of the boat to knock some of it off. Ragathiel lifts her up and places her inside the boat once its in the water so she doesn't have to walk through the lake.

"I hope it doesn't rain, I didn't think to bring an oiled cloak.."

Tapping her cheek, she frowns as they start to move away from the city. "I don't believe giants are usually friendly. Hopefully there are not many and we can clear them out. Convince them to move onward either by force or words."

Valak helps push the boats into the water. He struggles to get into one (Dwarven stature). After rolling unceremoniously into the boat, he clears his throat and says, "If there are giants, I welcome the opportunity to do battle with them."

Looking at the mud and then at the plant, Valak says "ugh..what is that smell? Mayb we we should investigate it first.""

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Toran suppresses a brief smile at Valak trying to get into the boat. He clears his throat, timing it so that Valak looks around just in time to see him gracefully settling into the boat behind Valak himself.

Trying to contain his laughter, he gets a few words out before he cracks.
I doubt they'll be friendly, but I'd rather not fight giants if we can avoid it.

"Yes, we have a history of making peaceful contact with outsiders, at least with those who don't immediately attack us or our representatives. That is a tradition I hope to keep for a long time."

After making landfall...

Knowledge: Nature to identify the plant: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (1) + 12 = 13

As a matter of precaution, Riva does not approach the plant, merely studies it from the shore.

Even Riva can't recognize it.

Getting out of the boat as gracefully as he got in... Valak picks himself up and dusts the sand off his armor. "...never liked boats...damn things are too wobbly.." Following Riva's lead he moves to investigate the plant thing. "You sure that thing is a plant? Should we poke it?"

"In the words of Master Sootscale, 'When in doubt, use fire.'"

Walking back to the boats, she grabs a torch and some flint and steel from their supplies under the bench. She then proceeds to light the torch, motions for everyone to stand back, then tosses it up the hill into the slime.

Testing the volatility of the unknown substance before getting too close. Maybe it will explode from the gas. Maybe it will disturb some slimy inhabitant. Maybe it will simply sink. Either way, it seems a sensible test before having the whole of Caerulus' leadership approach the stuff.

How far are you throwing from?

How far are you throwing from?

I imagined tossing it from the base of the hill, up and over into the slime. If that's not good enough of an answer, I'd say probably a good 20 feet from the slime (I don't rightly know how big or tall that hill is), and from behind cover if possible (just in case it does explode). If it's too obviously far for her, she will have one of the strapping young lads throw it instead.

Then make a fortitude check.

fort: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19

You are able to stand the smell and do not become nauseated. Everyone else within 60 feet of the pit make a fort check.

avoid puking: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24

Fort Save: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18

Aer clambers out of the boat, nodding her head to Kalak. "I agree. I am not fond of boats myself."

She'll follow behind the part, frowning at the mud and wrinkling her nose in disgust. "A plant? If its just some kind of tre-thing, why would poking it do anything?"
Fortitude: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17
Fortitude(Ragathiel): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11

Is that everyone?

Aer clambers out of the boat, nodding her head to Kalak. "I agree. I am not fond of boats myself."

"You're welcome to walk next time."

She'll follow behind the part, frowning at the mud and wrinkling her nose in disgust. "A plant? If its just some kind of tre-thing, why would poking it do anything?"

"It's not the plant I'm worried about." *tosses torch*

Is that everyone?

Still missing Mallichatti.

"Im worried about the plant." MAllichatti remarks pulling his plant killer.

1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12 Fort Save.

Mallichatti is nauseated for: 2d6 ⇒ (6, 4) = 10 rounds.
and Ragathiel is nauseated for: 2d6 ⇒ (2, 3) = 5 rounds.

Also the torch angers the plant and it attacks initiative

Mallichatti init: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6
Maermana init: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21
Riva: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7
Toran: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5
Valek: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20
plant: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13

Round 1 order
Maermana
Valek
plant
Riva
Mallichatti
Toran

When her turn eventually rolls around...

Riva moves away from the beast attempting to put some distance between her and its unknown menace. She moves 30 feet away from the monster, taking the withdraw action if necessary, and attempts to get behind cover if there is any to be had nearby.

Once away she calls out in a clear, ringing voice:

"Against thy hunger and menace,
of noble misfortune I shall wield,
by abjuration, a convex shield!"

Riva casts shield upon herself granting her an AC of 22, or 26 with cover.

Aer looks aghast as her companion leans over and retches, his long red hair hanging across a pale face.

"Ragathiel! Go recover back in Heaven, I will bring others to assist us. Aer throws out one hand and a spray of silver energy spirals outward. It forms a column that heads toward the plant-thing and stops beside it coalescing into a brilliant silver-furred wolf.

The hound lets out a loud growl and lunges forward. 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20 for 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5 damage and 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15 for trip, if successful. I think the creature may be too large for him to trip, however.

Dismissing an eidolon is a standard action, so I'm not sure how you'd manage it and a spell in the same round without Quicken Spell or something similar.

The bite hits, but the plant can not be tripped.

The plants heals from the bite then it moves up to Riva and a flower filled with teeth bites down.

attack: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (10) + 11 = 21
damage: 2d6 + 7 ⇒ (1, 5) + 7 = 13

grab vs CMD: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (6) + 15 = 21
You might be interested to know that the plant has a 15 foot reach and you are at the base.

ninjad. I couldn't find what sort of action it would be when I looked.

Geez! That's over half my life in one attack! I'd appreciate a hand, guys. I guess I won't be moving anywhere anytime soon. What does this thing look like?

like this

Oof, that's a lot of damage and one ugly plant.

Toran moves cautiously forward, staying just out of the plants long reach. As he moves, he draws his halberd, and as he watches the plant, he blasts it with a spear of golden light.

I'll do another post with dice in a second, but do I have to make a concentration check if I'm outside of his range?

Why would you have to make concentration checks if you are outside its range?

Normally it is meant for attacks of opportunity, but perhaps if you ready an action to attack it as it makes its combat maneuvers against me, then maybe it will take a penalty to its CMB check, allowing me to escape.

I'm not even certain how I got into melee with the thing. I was keeping well away I thought, being at the base of the hill with it at the top. Hill must not have been nearly as big as I thought.

You said 20 feet away.

Sorry, can't help. Move actions only.

Sorry it took so long, here are my rolls for the spell. I wasn't sure if I need to make a concentration check anyways, so I figured I'd check first.

Ranged Touch Attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10
Damage: 2d8 ⇒ (8, 1) = 9

Round 2
"Riva! Here, this will help you slip out, I hope.." Maermana casts Grease on Riva. (+10 to escape or avoid grapples)

The wolf continues to pursue the plant thing, attempting to smite it in case it happens to be smart enough to have an alignment. 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3 (can he flank with Riva? :D if so +2) 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7 +2 if creature is evil

"Finally a fight!" With a song to Angradd on his lips, Valak moves in to engage the plant beast. Gripping his great axe with both hands he swings at the monster vegetable!

hi-ya!: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18 for possible dmg: 1d12 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10

Guess I should revise Riva's first round actions.

Riva attempts to escape the creature's maw, screaming in near panic as she does so.

Escape Artist check to escape the grapple: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (9) + 14 = 23

If you will allow me, GM, I would like to spend 5 points of my magic capital to get a +5 bonus on the above check (not currently included). [relevant rule]

Despite her growing hysteria, Riva manages to pull out some magical ingredients and rubs it in with the grease in the hopes it will increase the spell's potency.

Thanks to grease, her CMD is now 25 (for when the creature attempts to maintain).

If she escapes, Riva steps behind one of her comrades with a 5-foot step.

If she fails, Riva continues screaming in increasing panic.

You said 20 feet away.

Fair enough, though I also thought there was a hill in between the creature and I. How big is this thing? It's gotta' be mega huge if it has 15-foot reach.

Can he flank with Riva?

Riva still has her staff, and per the rules for grapple, she is now adjacent to the monster. It's really going to come down to if the wolf can get around the beast. Sadly I don't think Riva can use her staff while grappled (it is a two-handed weapon), so she will need to escape first, or someone would have to toss her a small knife or something before she can threaten any squares.

The bolt of light hits.
It is not evil and the wolf misses.

When Valak comes in to attack the plant takes the opportunity to lash out with a vine.
vine Attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9
damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

free grap: 1d20 - 5 ⇒ (10) - 5 = 5

Valak also is unable to land a good hit.

The plant attempts to swallow Riva whole.
cmb: 1d20 + 15 - 10 ⇒ (11) + 15 - 10 = 16
But fails thanks to the grease.

The plant does two vine attacks against Valak.
vine1 Attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20
damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

vine2 Attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12
damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

Riva mixes some powder with the grease that causes the plant to sneeze her out. She moves behind Valak. She is still in reach.

How is the plant making attacks of opportunity against Valek if it had me in a grapple? Was it taking the -20 penalty option to be treated as though it weren't grappling?

The plant attempts to swallow Riva whole.

...

But fails thanks to the grease.

...

Riva mixes some powder with the grease that causes the plant to sneeze her out. She moves behind Valak. She is still in reach.

*tears up* Thank goodness! I thought for sure I was a goner.

It took the minus 20 for the second check. It won't do that again.

Riva calls out to the beast, hoping against hope that it is intelligent enough to understand her. "Cease your attacks beast! We did not come here to harm you. If it is food you seek, that is something we can provide in great bounty."

You wouldn't be the first.

Not really sure what languages plant monsters can speak, if any. Suppose I will start with Common, Sylvan, and Terran.

It cocks it "head" at the word food. Then goes back to attacking.

Well it seems to know what food is, anyways.

Noting the creature's reaction, Riva points animatedly at the summoned wolf and shouts several times "Food! Food! We brought you food!"

Riva is using whatever language the beast reacted to before.

I'm also hoping my pointing at the dog will give me a clear indicator that the creature can "see" in the conventional sense, allowing me to hit it with a blindness spell. If it so much as follows my finger and looks at the dog, that should clue me in. Also, GM, does the thing have obvious eyes?

Sylvan, but it continues to try and eat you guys. The different between having food and being food is a subtle one in Sylvan.

Does it at least seem to notice which direction I'm pointing? I'm hoping to determine if it can "see" in the conventional sense and can thus be subject to a blindness spell.

It does not seem to notice any pointing.

Bugger!

To her fellows, Riva mutters exasperatedly in Common, "I think I may have just convinced it that we all came here to be it's food."

She then refocuses on the battle ahead.

By the way the plant is at full health. Are we in round 3 now?

Terrific! I say we retreat.

I think we are in round 2. The only actions Riva has really taken is to escape (and that was round 1).

Round 1 (in initiative order)
- Mae summoned a wolf (not enough actions to dismiss the eidolon).
- Eidolon gags on the stench.
- Valek moves in and attacks the beast.
- The beast attacks and grapples Riva.
- Riva escapes the beast's maw and steps behind Valek.
- Mallichatti gags on the stench.
- Toran blasts the beast with magical light.

Wait, that's not right. When did Mae cast grease? Did we skip Riva's turn at some point?

*confused*

EDIT: Alright, so the creature attacked with several vines, which makes me think we left off on Riva's turn in round 2.

Round 2 actions: Riva casts shield defensively then attempts to tumble well away from the creature and its ensnaring tendrils.

Concentration Check vs DC 17: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (10) + 13 = 23
Acrobatics to Tumble out of reach: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18

That's why I thought it was round 3. You acted like she had casted grease before you made your escape artist check.

That's because I thought she had. I suppose I could have delayed if she called out in advance declaring what she was intending to do. That's fine with me so long as I go before the creature acts a second time (if that's alright with you just let me know what my new initiative position is).

In any case, I should be 10 feet outside its reach (or 25 feet away), with Valek still in between us. I'm hoping that it doesn't have Combat Reflexes and can't get an AoO on me since (I think) it's already used it up this round. Tumbling anyways just in case.

The acting the second time was trying to swallow Riva whole. It falled