I'm not sure what the check will be to disable the glowing rune that seems to be at the center of the pattern. Lubella can buff the person making the attempt with Inspire competence for a +3 bonus, as well as an effective +4 morale bonus from Moment of Greatness + Good Hope (assuming that we have enough duration left on Good Hope).
I think we're waiting for Arcos and Sidius to attempt the Will save to pass though the barrier and enter the chamber (DC 17). Don't forget the +2 morale bonus from Good Hope, as well as the +4 bonus from others telling you that the barrier is an illusion.
Correct. Once they do, something happens. I will push us along tonight either way. This is the last part of this chapter, then we move to a new venue (and out of the underwater combats - yay!)
Thanks all. Will post actions tonight …
If botting is necessary, I suggest Knowledge checks would be useful. Knowing whether enemies are immune to mind-affecting or electricity would be helpful for Sidius or Arcos respectively. Of course, I don't know what either of them can see right now.
I don't think I can see anything helpful aside from the bodies.
Fair enough. Unfortunately, Lubella bombed her monster knowledge check; she also doesn't have a 2nd lvl spell slot remaining to cast Glitterdust. :(
You'd think that the grappling tentacles would be a clue as to the presence of something nasty.
This is where the situation gets a bit weird. The creature is not invisible, it just looks like a corpse. But it is in fact much larger and different shape. The spell (Veil) does not go into details and I could not find anything in FAQ on how the different sizes/shapes affect targeting the creature.
Taking a look at the spell and some forum discussion on it, it seems like actions that the creature takes that obviously defy what a corpse could do (presumably tentacles grappling you) would allow a will save as if the illusion had been shown to be false. Alternatively/additionally, attacking the corpse would presumably allow for hits without concealment since the creature is bigger than the illusion is.
I've always played that high level spells like veil alter the actions taken by the veiled creatures to fit their disguise -- so that in a case like this, the illusion would make it look like arms and not tentacles, for instance.
That said, the ability to grapple with a single limb from far away by wrapping it around someone isn't a thing arms actually do, unless it's a zombie Mr. Fantastic or Plastic Man - so I'd think Arcos' statement about a will save is pretty safe, here. ;)
The additional will save is allowed and given (with bonus)
And to be clear, the only tentacles doing any grappling are the black tentacle spell.
I think the confusion arose since in the 4 attack rolls I applied the ‘grappled condition penalty’ to the dice rolls, like I would do for prayer or cover etc)
This is a high level spell and my group used it to great effect in Eyes of the Ten series…hiding our party as flies or ants etc. but reality breaks down when huge creatures are disguised as something much smaller and then attack. Like AntMan movies where he still supposedly has the same Mass in tiny packages. :(
I remember playing in a game where a dragon was veiled as a halfling, and we all assumed he was a psionicist (dating one's self) based on the dragon using its standard dragon abilities.
To be fair, the dragon might have told us that. But it explained *everything*.
Did Kenjii learn anything with his monster knowledge check about the creature?
Kenji did…I posted basic info but missed if he asked his one extra question allowed (specifical attacks, saves etc)
It might be useful to know about special attacks, given that it's threatening to make us its slaves.
I would like to know of it has DR please.
Did it use an action to break the grapple from when the spell was first cast? I believe it needs to escape that - the failed roll for round 2 just means that the tentacles couldn't constrict and do damage.
I mean, it's probably trivial for it to do so, but action economy and all -- and then there's the question of whether the difficult terrain from them works in 3 dimensions.
In retrospect, I should have just summoned something for easier adjudication. ;)
When I Checked the grapple rules it said failed check by grapple end with loss of grapple ( I was not sure )
A grappled creature needs to make a concentration check to cast a spell of use a spell-like ability, FWIW:
A grappled creature is restrained by a creature, trap, or effect. Grappled creatures cannot move and take a –4 penalty to Dexterity. A grappled creature takes a –2 penalty on all attack rolls and combat maneuver checks, except those made to grapple or escape a grapple. In addition, grappled creatures can take no action that requires two hands to perform. A grappled character who attempts to cast a spell or use a spell-like ability must make a concentration check (DC 10 + grappler’s CMB + spell level, see Concentration), or lose the spell. Grappled creatures cannot make attacks of opportunity.
When determining the tentacles' CMB, the tentacles use your caster level as their base attack bonus and receive a +4 bonus due to their Strength and a +1 size bonus.
… you must continue to make a check each round, as a standard action, to maintain the hold. If your target does not break the grapple, you get a +5 circumstance bonus on grapple checks made against the same target in subsequent rounds. Once you are grappling an opponent, a successful check allows you to continue grappling the foe, and also allows you to perform one of the following actions (as part of the standard action spent to maintain the grapple)..
The creature did not cast any spells and the failed check (+5 was included) releases the creature per rules quoted above. Probably moot in this case but will be good in future. The spell is very good so it will come up again.
I will delay further actions until the above is agreed or corrected if I am misreading it. There is a flowchart on SRD which says the same.
I would like to know of it has DR please.
FWIW, smite evil allows Kenji to bypass DR.
The creature did not cast any spells and the failed check (+5 was included) releases the creature per rules quoted above. Probably moot in this case but will be good in future. The spell is very good so it will come up again.
I will delay further actions until the above is agreed or corrected if I am misreading it. There is a flowchart on SRD which says the same.
Ugh, I forgot how much I hated the grapple rules.
My own fault for working from the spell description and not going to the grapple rules (that said, it certainly makes wasting an action getting out of a grapple less of a thing unless the grappler is way better than you)
Yes, the grapple rules were always confusing but the spell is too good not to use.
This was an above average aboleth with class levels. Most of its Schtick is the domination but you rolled exceptionally well. After that and it’s minions were neutralized it was short order.
Definitely a dangerous encounter! I was prepared to use my re-roll on a failed Domination save.
I forgot to write that but all my attacks penetrate any DR as I have smite evil active.
Correct. In this case, there was no DR but will definitely help in the future. The biggest problem the party faced prior to Kenji was high DR but on neutral foes like golems or elementals.
After you wrap up here, the loot sheet and allocation will need to be updated before the next chapter begins.
BTW my wife is having major surgery tomorrow morning and will be in the hospital all week. I may be limited in posts this week.
Hope things go well!
In terms of the loot, that mithral chain shirt looks mighty tempting unless someone else wants to claim it.
All the best to you and your family!!
I think it's between you and Talvek.
I'll also mention that when the rebellion reaches Rank 8, we will all get a Gift (armor or wand):
At rank 8, the gift is a piece of armor or wand worth 1,200 gp or less.
A mithril chain shirt is within the allowable price range.
Lubella already has Lorelu's small +2 Shadow Leather Armor, so she's good for armor. She'll probably go for a wand of cure light wounds. As far as loot goes, she would like the Vest of Escape that we got from the ghasts in the Lucky Bones; getting grappled is always a concern for her.
Kenji likely is the best person for the +1 mighty cleaving greatsword.
I will you all rock-paper-scissors on the loot to ensure it is balanced. The sword and armor are nifty. Other items found earlier will be comparable (like the vest). Likewise, the sea elves may have some reward or two, so you may want to wait until you get back there before making a final decision.
Actually, I am going to push this forward a bit faster just so you can get to the dividing the spoils while I am offline. You will not be leveling yet, so that will be after the next chapter. But at least getting back to Kintargo etc.
Wishing the best to your family.
Thanks all.
Wishing your wife a speedy recovery.
Thanks - her surgery went well.
Sorry to rush the wrap up - there was not much more left in the village. Take this time to inventory items found, even those prior to the final encounter and reward) and divide as you see best.
Will start the next chapter in a few days. Some of the teams are reporting rumors from Vyre which will take your attention once you are back and recuperated.
Here's a list of magical available loot:
Vest of Escape
Vest of the Deep
+2 Dex/Con physical might belt
+2 mithral chain shirt
+1 mighty cleaving greatsword
Note: I think we have a +2 ring of protection, which Lubella temporarily borrowed for the fight against Lorelu. I'm not sure what happened to that; we should make sure someone is wearing it.
Ok there was also an IOUn stone and +1 ring on Aboleth you may have missed in spoiler
And I thought I mentioned a bladed scarf but don’t have time to scroll back and look. Not sure if anyone would use it.
I the pale Blue Rhomboid ioun stone a normal one (+2 strength), or a cracked one (+1 competence bonus on one Strength-based skill) or a flawed one(+2 enhancement bonus to Strength and a –2 penalty to Constitution)? Just want to make sure I have it right.
Is the ring +1 protection?
I assume the bladed scarf is non-magical?
Yes on the +1 ring of protection.
The scarf is actually very magical. midnight-blue +1 keen bladed scarf,
The ioun stone is not cracked or flawed (is normal +2)
I did not scroll back weeks prior to see if you had anything else.
Updated Loot list:
Vest of Escape
Vest of the Deep
+2 Dex/Con physical might belt
+2 mithral chain shirt
+1 mighty cleaving greatsword
+1 ring of protection.
midnight-blue +1 keen bladed scarf,
Normal pale Blue Rhomboid ioun stone (+2 strength)
+2 Ring of Protection (unaccounted for)
Kenji would take the ion stone and the great sword. Is that ok?
The chain shirt and/or the belt would be great for me. I think I'd go for the belt above the shirt if it came down to it, Arcos doesn't have a ton of HP thanks to taking arcane trickster and increased dex makes me harder to hit and attack better.
Kenji would take the ion stone and the great sword. Is that ok?
I think Kenji would make the best use of these two items, so I would suport this.
Does anyone want to spend a feat for Exotic Weapon Proficiency: Bladed Scarf? If not, we should probably sell the +1 keen bladed scarf.
Also, does anyone not already have a ring of protection? We have an extra +1 ring of protection in our possession (note that we also have an unused +2 ring of protection AFAIK.
After checking, it seems that Lubella doesn't have a ring of protection, so she'll take the +1 ring of protection id no-one else wants it. She'd also like the Vest of Escape, since she's always worried about being grappled.
I don't know what to suggest about the Vest of the Deep. It seems like something we should hang on to, although I don't know what practical value it has for us.
The vest of the deep is not overly useful but in specific circumstances
The belt is probably most expensive item. Most are ~8k but not all…like +1 ring
Although Lubella would benefit greatly from the belt, I'm willing to forgo that for now, and buy a +1 belt of dexterity later, when she has enough gold.
If Arcos gets the belt of dex/con, perhaps the mithral chain shirt should go to Talvek. I also suggest giving Talvek enough gold to buy a mithral rapier (2000 GP) in order to bypass DR/silver.
That leaves the question of gear for Sidius. So far I have not included the +2 ring of protection (might not be ideal for him)
Summary of suggestions:
Arcos Belt of Dex/Con
Lubella Vest of Escape, +1 ring of protection
Kenji Blue Rhomboid ioun stone (+2 strength), +1 mighty cleaving greatsword
Sidius ????
Talvek +2 mithral chain shirt, 2000 gp to buy mithral rapier
unallocated: +2 ring of protection, Vest of the Deep
To be sold: +1 keen bladed scarf (unless someone want to spend a feat for exotic weapon proficiency)
Comments?
Sidius has a +1 ring, so there's really not much there that's useful for him - suspect he'd like stuff purely for the cash value to potentially get new spells, pearls of power, rings of wizardry and all that.