Ruins of Azlant (Inactive)

Game Master Nathan Goodrich

Zay paused. "--hang on. 'Foggy' wasn't a joke? That's too bad. It would have been a funny joke."

"I'm not much of a magician either... I suppose we could at least untie you, I hope you'll understand if we're not quite ready to trust you with a weapon yet. And Mister Fache here is very good with his sword. Are any of the others clearer-headed?"

The cloud descended to observe the other bound figures more closely.

No pressure, Athan, given the RL stuff, but just giving you a window when you want it

Still waiting for Athan, but we might as well start getting back moving slowly at least. Get any pre-rest spellcasting, passive recovery and spell prep you need taken care of. We have some slimes coming for you.

Aurelian rests as well as he can, but still feels drained the next morning. I need magic to cure my Charisma drain.

Didn't that get cured with the Restoration scroll? I don't remember you getting drained a second time. Or maybe we weren't able to cast it yet.

I didn't remember it getting cast, but it's certainly possible I just don't remember.

Zay turns a few somersalts in mid-air, but with less exuberance than usual. Weariness can be felt even when one is being a cloud.

"I wish we could allow you all more time to rest and recover," they say to the two clear-headed seeming captives. "But there's something chasing us. ...very slowly, but all the same. You may have to be prepared to move-- or even fight-- in the night."

Zay relays what Taty had been able to tell about the oozes that pursue them, just so they're informed.

"We should post watches for tonight. Even if the slimes don't reach us tonight, that isn't to say we might not have other trouble. I can take first. Or last. Or any position. The dark doesn't trouble me. And if I may say so, Mister Fache, you look exceptionally poorly off, just now. Hopefully rest will help you...."

The small cloud hovers curiously in front of Invandi and the other one of the captives who seems most with it.

"I dread to sleep after what has transpired," Invandi offers. "my eyes will be alert for some time."

"You can untie me. I don't need a weapon, just my shield if I am to be of any service."

"...yes. I imagine you're in no hurry too close your eyes," Zay muses.

They make an executive if cloudy decision. "I've not seen any of the enslaved colonists who could speak as you have to us- lucid and clear. If it's a trick, I'll risk it."

The air elemental moves to undo Invandi's bonds.

"I'd like to hear your story but frankly-- I'm exhausted. It's been... a long day. With a dead companion to show for it. Perhaps in the morning. If the oozes don't eat us first."

I need to do some homework to figure out what time of day it is (morning or w/e) but you guys needed some rest badly. You can assume spells are back & so forth.

Just to check, did everyone level up to 8?

As you recover from the harrowing events of the day before, shouts of alarm come up from the workers on the beach. A colonist runs up to you. "Monsters!" he cries. "Some sort of moving mounds!"

Looking to the scene, you see the slimes that have been tracking you across Zanas-Tahn.

Aurelian Initiative: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21 - when does the +5 come in? Just when you have panache?
Invandi Initiative: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6
Sarine Initiative: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12
Tatienne Initiative: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3
Zay Initiative: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22

Slime #1 Initiative: 1d20 - 5 ⇒ (18) - 5 = 13
Slime #2 Initiative: 1d20 - 5 ⇒ (20) - 5 = 15

Distance at Engagement 60' +1d6(20'): 1d6 ⇒ 3

The slimes are 120' away on the beach when initiative begins.
Iniatitive Order:
Aurelian & Zay
Slimes
Invandi, Sarine & Tatienne

Should be just +2: Swashbuckler Initiative (Ex): At 3rd level, while the swashbuckler has at least 1 panache point, she gains a +2 bonus on initiative checks.

Waiting on Zay; I suck vs. oozes; fly would get me away from them, but I don't know that I'd be anymore effective at hurting them from above as I am from below. ... Unless: We knew they were coming; could I have gotten any alchemist's fire or other such splash weapons from anywhere in the camp? Remember that we know they adapt to attacks too.

Updated to 8. Given we knew the oozes were following us and given the in-character discussion of methods for handling them, I prepped spells for the night with the assumption we'd either be going after them the next day or they'd be coming to us...

Zay rolls awake with a little snort. Gone is the cloud of last night-- for Invandi, and possibly others, their first glimpse comes of a tow-headed, tanned figure that seems more or less youthful, if rather wild.

Breakfast is fish caught by hand, not so much cooked as just briefly held near the fire. Zay is munching on one of these fish when the first cry of alarm goes up.

"Oh," they say with a weary sigh as they register the approach of the oozes. "The yucks."

Zay shades their eyes with one knobby-fingered, callused hand as they observe the incoming. "We need to get all the colonists out of the way, as much as possible. Someone start on herding them out. At least the oozes are slow. I'm going to slow them down further... I hope."

If there are no colonists that would be caught in the spell's (substantial) radius, then Zay will kick things off with an entangle. DC 15. Range is long, so I should be able to hit them just fine; it's that 40-ft radius I'm worried about as far as catching our NPCs. If any colonists are currently close enough to the oozes to be caught, advise, and I'll switch action

"Is anyone intending to actually close with them? Let me know and I can give some protections to you. Let's not rush in uncoordinated, okay? They're scary, but slow. I can armor someone up a bit-- or make someone able to walk on the air and drop things from above."

"Yes, Aurelian will fight them with his sword ... or he can drop things on them from above," Aurelian says, as he urges the others in the camp to retreat.

I guess draw my sword and pick up a stone I can throw at them.

I'm going to assume that Invandi has been given his gear at this point? Or at least his equipment sans-dagger?
Prior to initiative...

Having donned his armor and setting his bag at back, Invandi lifts his shield from the floor with his foot. As he straps it to his arm he flicks its edge, the golden colored metal of the shield begins to glow warmly. A debossed sun is visible on the now lit shield, while the shapes of two crossed swords under a dangling key can be seen raised against its background.

Torchlight.

Invandi uses the new light to assess the situation, in its remarkable colored detail. He looks around to assess the group that has freed him from his bonds, silently assessing each one's visage

"Me too."

The slimes roll over the ground toward you.

Sarine Dulciare strode forward to join the group preparing for battle, stretching her arms. "You said earlier that we can hit these things once before they grow resistant, right? We better make it a good one then."

She intones a defensive spell before moving toward the creatures. She cast Shield on herself.

The slimes are 100' away from most of the party and 70' away from Sarine.

Invandi, I'd assume that you have your gear now, unless someone objects.

Initiative is simple now. Everyone can act!

Zay would not have objected to the re-gearing of Invandi. Did my entangle go off, then?

"Follow close, I've got an enchantment for us all, extra luck, skill, whatever you want to call it. A gift from the luckiest drunk himself." Tatienne whispers, following behind Sarine, her longspear gripped in both hands.

"Agreed," Taty says, "Here's something to make the hurt a little more." She lifts one hand from her spear, and lets loose a drawn-out syllable, upturning at the end, and punctuates it with a gesture, an encompassing circle with a dot, then slash. All within ten feet feel stronger, luckier, more capable. Spirits lift, adrenaline focused.

Taty will move next to Sarine and then wait for everyone who wants to to gather close, at which point she'll cast good hope (readied action). Everyone in 10' gets +2 morale bonus on saving throws, attack rolls, ability checks, skill checks, and weapon damage rolls.

Do I remember that different damage types would work? We could use bludgeoning/piercing/slashing. Of course, that's not going to help Aurelian much, but Sarine, maybe.

Aurelian gets close -- between Taty and the slimes -- and lifts his blade.

Ready an attack.
+2 rapier: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (10) + 14 = 24
Damage: 1d6 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8

Will parry if they try to hit me
Parry (DC=attacker's roll, -2 per size category difference): 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (19) + 14 = 33
Riposte (if parry succeeds): 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (14) + 14 = 28
Damage: 1d6 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11

I forgot about the Entangle yesterday, so let's take care of it now. I had to check about whether ooze traits gave them any sort of immunity to entangling effects, but I don't see it. Apparently, you can grapple an ooze...not that I've even seen grapple characters try it.

Tall grass growing sparsely about the beach suddenly grow immensely, writhing and twining themselves around the area and wrapping tightly around the oozes.

Ooze #1 Reflex vs Entangle DC 15: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (2) - 2 = 0
Ooze #2 Reflex vs Entangle DC 15: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (9) - 2 = 7

So the oozes didn't actually move last turn. Invandi didn't take his turn yet, but I'm suspicious that he's out of even shield-throwing range, so in the interest of time I'll have him move up with the group. He can retcon his action if he needs to.

"Stay back from them for just a moment before we engage," says Sarine as she continues to advance. "I've been meaning to try something...I think I can do it now." She moves up 60' or to the edge of the Entangle.

-------

The slimes continue to struggle forward mindlessly.

Ooze #1 Strength vs Entangle DC 15 (move action): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 = 11
Ooze #2 Strength vs Entangle DC 15 (move action): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (12) + 9 = 21
Ooze #2 Reflex vs Entangle DC 15: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (7) - 2 = 5

One ooze breaks free of its restraints and lurches forward a small distance before becoming entangled again. 5' as a move action due to the difficult terrain

Zay, the radius of Entangle is enormous. We'll assume any colonists had a chance to run away by now...the slimes are quite slow. Did you want to center the spell on the slimes or put them sort of near the edge of it? I guess the easiest way to ask is how much of the spell do you want them to have to move through before they reach the edge. If the spell is too deep, the party will have to fight in it as well, although that might be an ok trade for keeping them stuck.

Distances from the forward slime (rear slime is 5' further away):
* Sarine - 25' or at the edge of Entangle
* Aurelian, Invandi, Tatienne - 85'
* Zay - 115'

Everyone can act! Also, a reminder of what you learned about them earlier here.

So we can use the same attack more than once, maybe? Guess we'll find out!

As Aurelian anxious awaits the slimes' arrival, he throws his rock. I'm hoping it distinguishes between physical damage types. "Perhaps that will distract it," he says.

Rock (improvised): 1d20 + 11 - 2 ⇒ (4) + 11 - 2 = 13 With an ooze, that could hit... though not sure what distance it's at; I'd probably wait until it got closer to the edge of the entangle.
Damage?: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

And will keep my parry from above if I'm allowed.

Well, my plan was to entangle the oozes to give us time to buff and strategize, as opposed to us closing to melee and having to deal with the entangle right away.......... guess I didn't communicate that effectively. Let's say I threw it far enough back that the oozes are nearish to an edge of us, I guess.

Zay sighs as people start moving towards the slowed oozes. "We could... never mind."

I'll keep pace with Aurelian and tap him with ant haul.

"Mister Fache, if you wait a moment, I'm going to make you able to walk on air. I'm making you able to carry much more weight than you usually can. If you can find big, heavy, objects and drop them on the oozes from a significant height, it SHOULD do a lot of damage."

I'm fine waiting; I mean, I can easily just delay/do nothing until the things get close enough. Zay's plan is better than anything I have at the moment. So let's scratch my action above and just say I waited a ways away as Zay casts spells. Then I'll pick up some rocks and drop them on them.

"Yes, that sounds like a fantastic idea. Aurelian Fache will do that, Zay!"

I figured out the Level 8 & differently geared version of Sarine yesterday, so she's actually ready to participate in combat now.

For the position of the Entangle I'll assume that the forward ooze has 10' more of the zone to get through & the other has 15'. That should be enough for the party to try some plans without greatly slowing us down.

I'll wait a bit more before doing another round so Invandi has time to get his actions in.

Invandi watches in some amusement as the Zay's plan for Aurelian Fache comes to fruition.

"Smart. If you can smash these things without even having to get close to them, I can wait."

Invandi will delay, likely until the oozes are free of the entanglement.. or they die from Fache smashing.

Ooze #1 Strength vs Entangle DC 15 (move action): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 15 - second move action to move 5' forward
Ooze #2 Strength vs Entangle DC 15 (move action): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10
Ooze #1 Reflex vs Entangle DC 15: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (17) - 2 = 15

As they struggle forward, the two slimes pull even with each other. One of them moves powerfully and rolls over the vines attempting to snare it.

Both oozes are have two more 5' squares to go before they reach the edge of the Entangle zone, but ooze #1 is not currently entangled.

Distance from Oozes:
Edge of Entangle zone: 10'
Sarine 25'
Aurelian, Invandi, Tatienne, Zay 85'

A bit of interpretation for that since Zay & Aurelian are cooperating on a project but didn't specify who moved toward whom. I figure that with how slow the slimes are, the 85' distance isn't troublesome.

What size of rock are you looking to find? Without running a bunch of numbers, I'm thinking Aurelian (with Ant Haul) could meaningfully carry & walk with a Small size boulder? Does that sound reasonable? One his own size would likely still be beyond him I think.

-------

Sarine takes a half step forward as she braces for her attack. The sound of shattering ice echoes softly through the air as she summons her arcane power and her hair changes in color from black to the pure white of newly fallen snow.

She breathes in deeply before releasing her breath in a fierce torrent of freezing air filled with small slivers of ice.

Rounds of bloodrage remaining: 19/20, 16/16 temporary hp remaining, 0/1 breath weapon remaining, spell effects: Good Hope & Shield
Ooze #1 Reflex vs Dragon Breath DC 16: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (9) - 2 = 7
Ooze #2 Reflex vs Dragon Breath DC 16 (entangled): 1d20 - 2 - 2 ⇒ (18) - 2 - 2 = 14
Dragon Breath damage (cold): 8d6 ⇒ (4, 6, 2, 4, 4, 3, 2, 2) = 27

Caught in the blast, parts of the slimes freeze and shatter before being blown away by with the gust of wind. Left behind after the breath ceases, the remainder of the oozes have taken on a hue of white and blue and the vines grasping them seem to freeze as they touch the creatures.

"Do you want me to burn them?" Sarine shouts back at the group. "I have a spell for that."

No negative effect on the Entangle. Hopefully no one had a major cold attack to use against them. The oozes were not bloodied by that attack, but it seemed fully effective.

-------

Tatienne didn't act during the last round, so she can go twice. Everyone else can act normally.

Zay continues to stick by Aurelian, to dispense the second of their augmentations upon the swordsman. "Aaaaaaaand-- there, now you can walk in the air. Hopefully that will help. The higher up you get, the more the rocks will hurt... I hope. I guess we'll find out."

Air walk on Aurelian; I'm fine with assuming I'm staying way out from the oozes at least.

"Be careful, Sarine!" Zay calls as they watch Sarine close.

"I'll start hurling some direct magic at the oozes as well in a second."

Small boulder seems reasonable.

"Thank you, Zay. Aurelian Fache will now go dispatch these things."

He snatches up a boulder and begins walking upward.

Think lovely thoughts. Think lovely thoughts. Think of a mermaid lagoon, underneath a magic moon; think of a pirate's cave; think of being Aurelian brave...

Two move actions, but not dropping it yet, since I think I'm only 15 feet up.

"Go for it Sarine," Taty says, drawing her longspear. "Ice followed by fire seems prudent given what we know if these creatures. I'm afraid I have little to be of use against these creatures, but will stay close and work with you to cause as much harm as possible when they get into range."

Taty will delay until they get closer, and otherwise plans to stick near Sarine.

I'd wait for Invandi, but he was also delaying and may continue to do so. So...

Ooze #2 Strength vs Entangle DC 15 (move action): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (13) + 9 = 22
Ooze #1 Reflex vs Entangle DC 15: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (7) - 2 = 5
Ooze #2 Reflex vs Entangle DC 15: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (13) - 2 = 11

Ooze #1 wasn't entangled at the start of its turn and used two move actions to go 10' toward Sarine. It's at the edge of the zone now. Ooze #2 is 5' behind it.

-------

Sarine moves even closer to the oozes, but stops short before casting her spell.

Rounds of bloodrage remaining: 18/20, 16/16 temporary hp remaining, 0/1 breath weapon remaining, spell effects: Good Hope & Shield, spells remaining: (L1)0/2,(L2)2/2
Ooze #1 Reflex vs Burning Hands DC 13 (entangled): 1d20 - 2 - 2 ⇒ (1) - 2 - 2 = -3
Burning Hands damage: 5d4 ⇒ (4, 2, 4, 2, 2) = 14

As the fire from Sarine's spell washes over the creature, the forward ooze begins to glow from within. The air above it distorts slightly as though from a smoldering campfire.

-------

Distance from Oozes:
Edge of Entangle zone: 0' for Ooze #1 & 5' for Ooze #2
Sarine 15' (two squares between her and Ooze #1)
Aurelian 70' (and 15' in the air)
Invandi, Tatienne, Zay 85'

Aurelian continues upward and toward the oozes Double move, so 30 feet up, but also 30 feet close to them; should be able to drop this stone next round.

"I... have some elemental spells to use as well," Zay muses, observing Sarine's actions. "We'll try different sorts until I can use fire again, I suppose?"

Turning their head back to the sky, Zay begins to chant and gesture.

Casting call lightning on the closer ooze. DC 17 Reflex save for half damage, otherwise take the full 3d6 ⇒ (3, 1, 1) = 5.

Current Spells/Buffs:
-Entangle around the oozes
-Air Walk and Ant Haul on Aurelian

Ooze damage taken:
-1) Cold
-2) Fire
-3) Lightning

Tatienne follows Sarine, her spear held in front of her, taking care to place herself behind the warrior. Tatienne didn't survive the Tomb of the Blood Gargling Gargoyles by standing in front of their warriors after all...

Double move up to directly behind Sarine.

As the party advances on the oozes, Invandi approaches as well choosing to stay aside the casters. He holds his shield low, thinking any chance of a strike from the oozes might be directed at leg level.

Move, should an attack occur, he is ready to Aid Another for defense.

Ooze #1 Strength vs Entangle DC 15 (move action): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 9 = 13
Ooze #2 Strength vs Entangle DC 15 (move action): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 = 11
Both oozes are stuck this time. Lucky! As a side note, zombies are hilarious in an Entangle since they only get one move action.

-------

Sarine retreats slightly from the oozes after expending her magic on them. "I don't think they'll stay in there much longer."

Rounds of bloodrage remaining: 17/20, 16/16 temporary hp remaining, 0/1 breath weapon remaining, spell effects: Good Hope & Shield, spells remaining: (L1)0/2,(L2)2/2

-------

Zay: Call Lightning has a 1 round casting time, so the damage effect wouldn't go off on the turn you cast it.

Distance from Oozes:
Edge of Entangle zone: 0' for Ooze #1 & 5' for Ooze #2
Sarine 20' (three squares between her and Ooze #1)
Invandi, Tatienne 25'
Aurelian 40' (and 45' in the air) - let me know if I'm missing something here but that looks right. I think that means you won't quite be able to rock drop on this next turn. This can probably be tweaked a bit if you didn't go up as much during your most recent action.
Zay 85'

Yeah, let's say I didn't go up quite as much. I don't want to miss the whole combat! :)

Aurelian continues to move as far up as he can before finally dropping the rock directly on one of the oozes.

Ranged touch (improvised? range?): 1d20 + 11 - 2 ⇒ (20) + 11 - 2 = 29 Nice! I was mentally preparing what to write for a natty 1, since that's probably the only way I could miss.
Crit?: 1d20 + 11 - 2 ⇒ (12) + 11 - 2 = 21
Will let you deal with damage

Thanks for the catch on Call Lightning, I missed that. Ah well. So it goes off at the start of this round, and leaves me an action free for this round as well:

Lightning crackles down after a slight delay! Zzaaap!

"Thanks, Gozreh," Zay breathes, and cracks their knuckles momentarily. "For my next trick..."

Zay starts moving closer, and after a short stroll, beckons lightning down to hit the other ooze.

Move 30' nearer, call down a bolt of lightning on ooze 2, since the first blast could only have hit one of them.

Reflex DC 17 for half: 3d6 ⇒ (5, 6, 2) = 13

I'm going to throw some acid at them after this," Zay informs nobody in particular. "Oh, nice rock, Mister Fache!"

Aurelian: 'up as much as he can' on this turn is probably none at all. He can't be slowed on his move action if he wants to make it over the front ooze. Base damage is 2d6 (Small boulder) and you get the full amount since you are between the 30' and 150' drop heights. Unfortunately, oozes can't be crit so that doesn't help. I'll count the object as 'thrown' for this purpose instead of just falling, so no Reflex save. Target is Ooze #1 since it is closer and you didn't specify.

Falling Rock Damage (Ooze #1): 2d6 ⇒ (3, 4) = 7

Aurelian's rock crushes down on part of the ooze, striking it in the center mass. The rock slowly sinks into the ooze's body after impact. As it does, the ooze's movements seem to stiffen. This bludgeoning damage was fully effective.

-------

Zay: just in case, remember that you have 7 more lightning bolts to call down.
Ooze #2 Reflex vs Call Lightning DC 17 (entangled): 1d20 - 2 - 2 ⇒ (7) - 2 - 2 = 3

Gozreh's wrath lances from the sky down toward the rear ooze. The electricity pierces through the ooze's surface as it seeks its mother earth. After the bolt passes, you can see the ooze's surface sparking. The damage was fully effective.

-------

Ooze #1 is bloodied now. If you guys want Sarine to start engaging in melee, let me know (I'm trying not to make too many decisions since she's a GMNPC now).

I was going to write in the above post that Invandi and Tatienne could still act in the last turn, but chances are pretty reasonable that they'd just delay and I'd be bogging the game down for no reason. So both of them can act retroactively if they wish. Sarine is also on delay for now.

Ooze #1 Strength vs Entangle DC 15 (move action): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 15
Ooze #2 Strength vs Entangle DC 15 (move action): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (9) + 9 = 18

Perhaps spurred on by the party's attacks, both oozes break free from their grassy shackles and surge forward.

Poked around at the rules about whether Ooze #1 has to pay for the difficult terrain in its rear square or not when it moves forward and after looking...I'm not sure. Different editions of d20 rules have handled it differently almost every time it seems. The best I have right now is Core book doesn't say and Archives of Nethys seems to say the terrain moved into is the one that counts, which would suggest full movement for Ooze #1. I did find a 2008 reference quoted to say otherwise, but it isn't in the Core book on the page number cited. If anyone sees something different, let me know. Until then...

Ooze #2 Reflex vs Entangle DC 15: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (10) - 2 = 8

Distance from Oozes:
Aurelian 0' and 40' in the air above Ooze #2
Edge of Entangle zone: 0' for Ooze #2
Ooze #1 is out of the Entangle zone
Sarine 10' (one squares between her and Ooze #1)
Invandi, Tatienne 15'
Zay 45'

Yes, Tatienne will be delaying until Sarine initiates hand-to-hand, at which point Taty will join in. No need to wait for me - I'm reading along to see where things are at before I post, in case something drastically changes.

Zay assesses the distance now and decides this is good enough.

Casting burst of nettles, I'll get both oozes in it if that's feasible. The spell's physical damage is listed as untyped, but that seems unlikely to me-- I'd assume based on the description that it's meant to be piercing, but however you want to rule it. The acid damage kicks in on next round.

DC 17 will half this physical damage: 3d6 ⇒ (3, 1, 6) = 10
Next round acid: 1d6 ⇒ 2

As Zay shouts, the entangling vines erupt in thorns as well, stabbing into the jelly of the oozes, and leaking caustic acid through their... bodies? blobs? shapes?

Stupid non-crits!

Aurelian rushes back toward the ground to grab another rock. Full move back down; I don't think I can grab the rock this turn, since I'm 40 feet up, so moving down and a little bit away from the oozes -- say 20 feet -- so I stay out of range.

You're right, Invandi was going to just defend. But as the ooze is now leaving the entangle, I think Invandi will do a thing.

Invandi watches as the ooze slithers out of the temporary obstruction. Sliding his shield off his arm, he hurls it. The disc of glowing light spins towards the first ooze and channels its way through it. Continuing on, it flies into the second ooze, before hitting the floor and coming back to Invandi's grasp.

+1 Admt Shield - Ranged Bash vs Ooze 1, PB: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (9) + 13 = 22 for damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8
+1 Admt Shield - Ranged Bash vs Ooze 2, PB: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23 for damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

Ooze #1 Reflex vs Burst of Nettles: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (5) - 2 = 3
Ooze #2 Reflex vs Burst of Nettles (entangled): 1d20 - 2 - 2 ⇒ (17) - 2 - 2 = 13

Both oozes are pierced through by hundreds of thin needles as the undergrowth sharpens. Their adaptive response is immediate, as they seems to grow sharper in turn. The leading edge of each ooze pierces the sand in front of them. The damage was fully effective.

As Aurelian descends toward another rock, Invandi throws his shield at one of the oozes. The weapon strikes both oozes before returning to him but makes a notable clanging noise when striking the closer one as it strikes. Fully effective on both. I'm assuming the shield does bludgeoning here. Were you counting Good Hope on your damage?

As the rest of the party begins their assault, Sarine steps up to strike the forward ooze with her greatsword.

16/20 rounds of bloodrage remaining
Attack #1 (Power Attack), just don't roll 1: 1d20 ⇒ 20
Damage (Power Attack, bloodrage, Good Hope): 2d6 + 8 + 9 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (1, 3) + 8 + 9 + 2 + 2 = 25

As Sarine's attack cuts into the ooze, it seems to lose cohesion & begins to fade away.

Ooze #2 Strength vs Entangle: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 29

The remaining ooze shifts out of the snaring plants onto open sand.

Assuming we're up?

Aurelian grabs a small boulder and begins walking upward again.

"Yes, stay away from it, until Aurelian can help!" he encourages the others.

Yes, you can go. I typed all that out on my phone & gave up toward the end. As far as holding back is concerned, the last ooze is right in front of Sarine now.

Stepping to the side still 5' behind Sarine but not directly behind her Taty thrusts her spear into the remaining ooze. She grunts as she does so, putting everything she can into the attack, which is wild but packed with force.

activating archaeologist's luck (AL), attacking with her spear. Magic piercing damage.

power attack, AL, good hope: 1d20 + 9 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 9 + 3 + 2 = 19
piercing damage?: 1d8 + 13 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 13 + 3 + 2 = 19

Zay studies the position of the ooze for a moment, and then raises their hands to call on another of nature's myriad devastations-- not one that Gozreh is normally known for, but the depths of the sea have volcanic vents as well....

"Just stay right there, you ooze.. thing..."

Casting obsidian flow, I'll throw it behind the ooze so it hits the ooze but not Sarine, of course. DC 18 Reflex or take

4d6 ⇒ (3, 1, 3, 1) = 8 ...seriously? *headshake* but also entangled.

Save for half and not-entangled.

Bashing yes. I did fail to assign the good hope to my attack/damage rolls so that'd be an additional +2 damage on both.. though I suspect it isn't that big a deal.

Will delay until everyone else has got an attack in, and go just before the ooze.

Invandi moves forward next to Sarine with a charge, slamming the shield forward with low backhand.

+1 Adm Shield Bash, Charge, Good Hope: 1d20 + 10 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 10 + 2 + 2 = 24 for Damage: 1d6 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 3 + 2 = 11
If it hits...
Shield Slam (if it's even possible against an ooze?), Bull Rush CMB, Good Hope: 1d20 + 12 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 12 + 2 = 24 If successful, will not follow.

Slime #2 Reflex vs Obsidian Flow: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (12) - 2 = 10

There were a lot of potentially weird implications from that bull rush but happily I don't have to resolve them.

Invandi's mighty strike rings resoundingly against the otherwise hardened shell of the ooze. As it does, the ooze loses coherence and begins leaking fluid about the beach.

Combat is over! Good job: these critters hit hard.

*

As Sarine releases her bloodrage and color returns to her hair, she steps over to peer at the unmoving mass of the adaptive oozes. "The Azlantis came up with some crazy stuff..."

"That went better than I expected, honestly," Zay says with a big heaved sigh of relief. "Whew."

They brush off their hands. "Is anyone hurt? Hopefully the rest of the colonists didn't run too far off into the brush. I'll run to collect people if necessary. We still need to get the people who are still, um... addled... and haven't had the good luck of throwing off the control, like Invandi here, back to better safety... and then consider our next moves."

Zay sits down cross-legged in the sand. "And perhaps we can hear the rest of your story now that we've had a night's rest, Invandi? You may know of dangers we're just now discovering."

The Gozrehn worshipper looks pensive a moment. "Some of those discoveries have been lethal. We lost someone just yesterday. That complex WILL have to be cleared at some point, but I don't yet have a good idea how. We're simply very lucky those lightning beasts don't see fit to leave their lair... yet."

"I'm fine," Tatienne says, smiling, and realizing she's shaking a bit of the shock from the previous day's terrible events off - though Zay brings Kassi's death back to the forefront of Taty's thinking. Frowning, she studies the Gozrehen, admiring their quiet and pensive demeanor. "I don't think we should go back there until we're very prepared. At least, when we do we'll know what to expect."

Turning to the newcomer, Taty smiles, clapping the man on the back. "Nicely done. And you as well, Sarine. And please, tell us the rest of your story. A fine tale is always a welcome thing. Though maybe while we walk to our next destination?"