Gansu, I get the same thing with my math. I am fine with a party member tossing a torch instead. We will need 2 people per lid (four people, two lids), one member throws the torch or Alchemists Fire, and Boudacia is in bat form...
Brother Guiness steadies himself behind the heavy lid. ”We ready to do this?”
I have moved our figures in a representation of the scene--four of us ready to topple the 2 lids and Sama ready to throw the torch or alchemist's fire (assuming Boudacia is in bat form and holding action to hex any spider that emerges). Does this look okay to people? Let me know if we want to switch around some...
Boudacia is in bat form and readies an action to use the slumber hex on the first spider to come within three feet of the top of the pit. Wayne, who has nothing to do, will stay in the air away from the pit.
| Active Conditions: 1 CON damage.. | Current Buffs: none.
"One... two... three... Push!"
Gansu slides the lid over the edge and watches it fall.
GM: the lids each occupy two squares so we will be "attacking" four squares at the bottom of the pit... but it will be kind of random which ones. We may or may not get any spiders this way. Since we are shooting "blind" and our attacks are affecting an area, you may want to determine if any targets are in the AoE and then give them a save for 1/2 damage instead of making rolls to hit. Not sure what the DC should be.
Aldhranhald, not used to being tasked with such physical exertions, bellows a loud grunt, "Uuummmffff!" as he taxes his muscles in the exercise. As the lids fall he says, quietly, "Don't look out belowwwwwwww..."
... As the lids fall he says, quietly, "Don't look out belowwwwwwww..."
Hahahaha! Thanks! I needed that laugh today! RL being rough!
As to the Sarcophagi lids: I'm thinking give each one a 50/50 chance of hitting? If it hits I am going to consider the spider dead. Period. I figure that much weight, falling 90 ft? Yeah, even if it hits only a quarter of a spider, that spider is no longer 'functional' to say the least.
So if you all agree to this 50/50 thing, I want each team of 'lid droppers' to decide high or low in your favor. Boudacia or Sama, either one of you (whoever's first as far as I'm concerned) can chime in for Tamlara's vote since she is no longer with us. ... :-(
Boudacia and Tamlara vote to accept the 50% hit chance from the Sarcophagi lids. And having a big lump of stone fall on a spider is very likely going to at least disable it imho.
Boudacia and Tamlara vote to accept the 50% hit chance from the Sarcophagi lids. And having a big lump of stone fall on a spider is very likely going to at least disable it imho.
I think SS was asking for a "high" or "low" call on the percentage die roll...
... I think SS was asking for a "high" or "low" call on the percentage die roll...
Correct. I need a choice to be made. Does team Boudacia and/or Tamlara along w/Gansu, choose 0-50 (low) in their favour or 51 - 100 (high) in their favour?
Both teams push their make-shift missiles off the edge of the pit at roughly the same time. ...
Team A.B.:1d100 ⇒ 68
Team G.T/B.:1d100 ⇒ 65
The Alchemist fire is thrown at the same time the lids are dropped. When it shatters the entire 20 ft diameter pit suddenly goes up in one HUGE WHOOSH of FLAMES! as all the webbing accumulated throughout the centuries goes up in flames.
The entire party is briefly blinded by the bright lights flashing in their eyes, but they quickly start coming back to their senses.
Upon investigating further, they found both live spiders were completely squished by the sarcophagi lids! The way is now clear to proceed!
"Ha ha! Excellent plan, well executed." Aldhranhald says patting Gansu and Brother Guiness briefly on the back. "My old dwarven monk friend always said, 'fight smarter, not harder.' I'd say this most definitely qualifies as that. After you brave souls!" He says, pointing down the ladder with a wide grin on his face.
Brother Guiness looks into the pit, seeing the last few twitches of the arachnid appendages in the flaming rubble. "Yes, well done everyone! Let us see what lies below."
BG slowly and carefully heads down the ladder, occasionally stopping and looking below to see if there is any additional danger. If not, he gets to the bottom of the ladder and strikes a defensive pose as the others descend.
Boudacia and Wayne fly down the now spider free hole to scout the area before the others head down.
[dice= Perception, Boudacia] 1d20 +6
[dice= Perception, Wayne] 1d20 +10
Ha! Simultaneous posts! I assume Boudacia and Wayne get there wayyyy before BG does, since he is going slowly and carefully so as not to fall and go splat.
Indeed. There were 3 posts of actual play in the last 2 hours and 21 minutes, and 2 of those were within 1 or 2 minutes of each other. Odd. I guess it is realistic our characters would not be totally on the same page, as Boudacia can't talk to anyone at present.
At the bottom of the pit you do find there is indeed a 3rd spider that is quite dead. The strange thing is that it's ... 'abdomen?' section has been cut open and something or someone was quite obviously digging around inside there for something or other.
Other than that you find a relatively clean tunnel about 10 ft wide with stairs descending into the darkness.
After consulting with Wayne and Boudacia (using gestures) to determine there is no immediate threat, BG motions to the rest of the party that it is safe to come down. While he is waiting for them, he inspects the spider (per previous post).
So far no one has noted anything else 'special' about the dead spider. Maybe whatever/whoever hacked it open already took anything 'interesting'? Or maybe not ... ? Insert evil DM laughter here. ;-)
So far no one has noted anything else 'special' about the dead spider. Maybe whatever/whoever hacked it open already took anything 'interesting'? Or maybe not ... ? Insert evil DM laughter here. ;-)
After getting the all clear from his companions, Aldhranhald descends the ladder carefully, then takes a moment to survey the scene at the bottom. Knowing what they already know about traps and secret doors, he takes a moment to look around for anything of that sort.
Perception Take 20:20 + 10 = 30 31 when looking for traps
... Do we have a map page for the 3rd level down yet?
Technically you have not reached the 3rd level yet. Just a tunnel with stairs leading down. I will try to get you arriving to the start of the 3rd level tonight, but I have some RL issues ... It may be tomorrow ************** Oops! All the previous was supposed to have been posted Monday morningish, but obviously wasn't. I got brutally interrupted & then totally forgot about this! I will try to get a post getting you to the 3rd level Tuesday evening, but no guarantees as RL has thrown me several curveballs recently ...
The heavily armored dwarf strides carefully down the long, dark tunnel, his watchful gaze searching ahead for signs of trouble. Pausing a moment to glance back at his companions, he stops and asks quizzically, ”Tamlara, are you okay back there? Practicing your hiding skills again?”
... ”Tamlara, are you okay back there? Practicing your hiding skills again?”
There is no response from Tamlara. Upon looking back, she seems to have simply ... disappeared? There is no trace of her.
Upon arriving to the bottom of the stairs ...
"Broad stone stairs open into a small, irregularly shaped chamber lit by oil lamps. To the east, a short flight of steps leads up to a sturdy metal door set in the middle of a wall and flanked by arrow slits. To the north, a wide gate of iron bars blocks an archway leading to a larger chamber filled with the eerie green glow of the Emerald Spire."
Aldranhald, as usual notices there is a secret door to the right, which is not trapped.
Sorry I have been delayed, but getting there. Also, I really have no idea how to handle Tamlara leaving in gameplay. Open to suggestions or we can just go with the mysterious disappearing act. Could make for future DM fun ... ;-) ************ Working on the links to the new battle grid now.
... ”Tamlara, are you okay back there? Practicing your hiding skills again?”
There is no response from Tamlara. Upon looking back, she seems to have simply ... disappeared? There is no trace of her.
Sorry I have been delayed, but getting there. Also, I really have no idea how to handle Tamlara leaving in gameplay. Open to suggestions or we can just go with the mysterious disappearing act. Could make for future DM fun ... ;-) ************ Working on the links to the new battle grid now.
I have proposed to Tamlara via PM that a sudden flash of returned memory of how she knows Brother Guiness (and recognizes the armor he is wearing) could realistically prompt her to flee the group to sort things out on her own. So far she has not responded, but it would fit with her suddenly being gone with no explanation.
After a frantic search for Tamlara in and near the spider pit, Brother Guiness returns to the long, dark hallway and sighs heavily...That’s one girl who won’t be found if she doesn’t want to be. Cayden Cailean, guide her steps....and mumbles a prayer of some kind, letting a single drop of his precious Dwarven Stout fall to the hard ground.
”I suppose there is nothing for it other than to move forward,” states Brother Guiness, soldiering on down the long hallway. When he arrives at the irregular chamber, BG takes in all the defensive fortifications and frowns,”Looks like a heavily defended entrance. Anyone have any ideas how to proceed?”(Assuming here BG hasn’t seen the secret door and Aldhranhald hasn’t announced it yet)
"Uh, there's a secret door right there." Aldy says pointing to the spot where his keen vision detected the small traces of discrepancy between the construction materials. He then walks over to the secret door and gives it a good listen.
Perception Take 20:2010 = 2010 31 When seeking traps
Sorry I didn't post earlier, had a busy day yesterday, and I wasn't sure you really needed my input. I missed that little bit about the secret door. Has anyone actually seen the arrow slitted doorway in the next chamber? Cause I'm certain there's gonna be arrows coming out of those slits? Did Aldy notice any pressure plates or triggers that might trigger a trap in the next room? On the subject of Tamlara, I, for one, think running with the idea that Tamlara might just be stealthily following us provides some wonderful role play bits. Is she back there? Is she not? Will she suddenly swoop in to our aid when we need her most? How many licks does it take to get to the tootsie roll center of a tootsie pop?
Sama makes sure that the heavily-armed gents are between herself and the door and says, "Also ready!" as she raises her hands in preparation for any magical support that may be needed.
Perception Take 20:2010 = 2010 31 When seeking traps ...
WOW!!! I knew Aldy had a great perception, but 2010 on a perception check?!?!?! AMAZING! ;-) Thanks! I needed that laugh!
Boudacia, I am going to say that you could fly between the bars, or you could land and crawl through the arrow slits. Now, just because you are able to is that something you really want to do? Go somewhere where you are going to have no party support whatsoever & you have no idea what you would come across? Let me just put it this way, Please don't make my job harder. How does that sound?
Hearing no indication of a 'presence' on the other side of the door & no sound indicating a trap is present either, Aldhranhald gives the all clear signal & BG opens the door.
Weapon racks and wooden wardrobes line the walls of this room. The dummies in the center of the room wear suits of armor. Masks hang on the wall near the door; each consists of a brass nosepiece with cheek guards, from which a veil of red silk hangs.
There is a door, which is currently closed, in the opposite wall.
The racks and arming dummies contain 10 short swords, 12 daggers, four light crossbows, three composite short bows (which seem a little unusual somehow?), two suits of leather armor, and three suits of padded armor. The wardrobes contain 15 blood-red ceremonial robes, which are used for ... ? Nothing detects as magical.
| Active Conditions: 1 CON damage.. | Current Buffs: none.
"I don't care for the looks of this," whispers Gansu. "we should expect this place to be actively garrisoned. And those red robes... perhaps the is the lair of some sort of cult?"
Being a frequent user of shortbows in his life, Aldhranhald picks up one of the shortbows and gives it a thorough examination, seeing if perhaps it might be better than the bow he is currently using.
Perception:1d20 + 10 ⇒ (18) + 10 = 28 Appraise:1d20 + 9 ⇒ (12) + 9 = 21 Knowledge: (they all use the same dice so whichever one is appropriate):1d20 + 9 ⇒ (8) + 9 = 17
Brother Guiness assess the robes and masks and compares them to the size of the members of the party, still looking around for Tamlara occasionally.
"Perhaps we might get a tactical advantage if we were able to fit into these robes and masks as we infiltrate this area." Glancing at his own heavy armor and the size of the mask, he considers,"Although I doubt the mask will work for me unless I take my helmet off, and I am not particularly skilled in pretending to be a cultist. What do you guys think?"
Being a frequent user of shortbows in his life, Aldhranhald picks up one of the shortbows and gives it a thorough examination, seeing if perhaps it might be better than the bow he is currently using.
[dice=Perception]1d20+10
[dice=Appraise]1d20+9
[dice=Knowledge: (they all use the same dice so whichever one is appropriate)]1d20+9
Aldhranhald manages to figure out that all 3 composite short bows require extra strength to use them. (+ 2 Str)
More importantly though, he also realizes he hears people talking somewhere on the other side of the door. He can't make out what is being said, it sounds a little distant.
"Maybe... though we don't know anything about them. Maybe if someone can listen in invisibly or something?" says Sama in response to Guiness' suggestion.
Instictively holding up his hand with a sharp movement to silence his friends, Aldhranhald barely whispers, "I hear voices in the next room." He then makes his way as stealthily to the door as possible, waiting for Brother Guiness to step aside, and then puts his pointed ear to the door to try and get a better listen.
Aldhranhald listens long enough to know there are at least 3 different people speaking occasionally, but he still cannot make out what they are saying. His best educated guess? They are slightly ahead & to the left when facing the door from in here.
Aldhranhald poster, Who are you and what have you done with my friend Mended? ;-) Aldy? Posting on both a Saturday AND a Sunday? I might faint! :-P
BG steps aside for Aldhranhald to have a listen at the door, then comments quietly, ”I like your idea, Sama, but who can listen more closely without being seen?”
Ilyanaro Balmaris
Low Light Vision. Perception +12. Spd 30. Male Elf Evoker 6. AC 15 / T 13 / FF 13. HP 31/31. Fort +4, Ref +5, Will +7; +2 vs enchantment CMB +2; CMD 14. Force Missiles (1d4+3; range 150, 8/9 remaining).
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