[AP] The Shackled City Adventure Path by GM Rutseg (Inactive)

Game Master Balacertar

Round 11 it is then, thank you

Ryan claps Maxim on the shoulder as he regains his feet and begins moving again, albeit shakily. Laughing good naturedly as Maxim knocks back the potion "Dwarves, always taking time for a drink. Come on they're gonna have all the fun without us."

Ryan then moves through the fallen creatures, calling out to JJ. "Stand tall Scion of Surabar, against the foul Ebon Triad as they have come to call themselves!"

move forward and use inspiring word on JJ(Inspiring Word (7/day) (Sp) Target receives +2 on attack, skill checks, ability checks and saving throws for 1 rds) used 3 of 7.

JJ moves fast through the second cavern pass and jumps over the halfling stabbing his sword on the chest of the little wizard!

Kikinnin makes his way through the same pass and locates himself next to the young Surabar.
Kikinnin@ it's ok, I rolled an extra 1d6 because paladins get 2d6 LoH at level 4!

Marigold follows suit avoiding the little sticky webs that has not been consumed into flames yet.

With great effort Maxim produces a small vial of antitoxin and drinks it. The beverage seems to work, provisionally halting the poison, but the dwarf can feel still the danger on his muscles.
A second consecutive Fort DC 17 save and this will be done!

Ryan advances through the cavern cheering up Maxim and giving words of inspiration to JJ.

"Damn it! You are more difficult to kill than I thought!" Skaven steps to the side, just in front of JJ and Kikinnin. With great skill he picks a piece of fur and a glass rod from his pouch and saying a few arcane words an arc of electricity born at his fingertips is send forward by him with a twist of his hands.

A powerful stroke of electrical energy bolts through the caverns, just a few inches from Kikinnin and Juraan, lighting the whole place and striking with a powerful shock JJ, Marigold and Ryan.
Lighting bolt electrical damage: 7d6 ⇒ (2, 3, 2, 3, 1, 3, 1) = 15
Ref 18 for half damage

Skaven Umbermeat: 38 damage, very damaged
Everybody: Bless 3 min
Juraan:
Kikinnin: 12/44 hp
Maxim: 10 Dex damage (Fort DC 17 [it went from 15 to 17 because I packed the harpoon and ettercap dosis] or -1d2 Dex for 3/X rounds)
Ryan: 31/33 hp
JJ: 17/36 hp
Maxim: 24/24 hp, guidance
Round 12: Foes, JJ, Kikinnin, Marigold, Maxim, Juraan (x2), Ryan

Round 12

Kikinnin bellows frustration as the halfling spews more violence, this time, as nature's crackle races across the cavern, hitting three of his. He sidles up to Skaven, careful to avoid the webbing. His axe arcs, again.

MW Dwarven Greataxe: 1d20 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 8 + 1 = 15 for 1d10 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8 damage

"End your assault, halfling! Your animosity is about to burn out. We'll make sure you're unable to take any of us with you, when the world goes black before your eyes."

"Get him between us Kikinnin.." cries JJ as he dodges the worst of the lightning.
reflex: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20

Movement attracts an AOO if he has a weapon in hand, but I've seen no sign of one. If Kikinning can 5' step up, we can get him where he can't 5' step to safely cast. And get +2 to hit from flanking!

attack, bless, possible flank: 1d20 + 10 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 10 + 1 = 19 <-maybe +2 if Kikinnin 5' steps
damage (magic, silver): 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11

"Yeah, don't think I don't want him there, JJ. I'm not terribly interested in getting stuck again in the webs. So I move slow..."

Kikinnin looks Skaven over, wondering if the halfling has the ease of navigating the webs as easily as the ettercaps and harpoon spider. By the company he keeps, very likely.

Kikinnin already took a 5' step, avoiding the need for a Reflex Save in the fresh webs...

Not that you need it much with those rolls JJ but you get an additional +2 to both the saving throw and the attack, for this one round.

ref(DC18): 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (10) + 0 = 10

With typical cleric reflexes Ryan takes the full brunt of the lightning strike, breastplate exhibiting scorch marks and his hair singed everywhere, the cleric fights for breath.

Gritting his teeth, he aims at the halfling; but residual twitches throw his aim way off.

Hvy Xbow: 1d20 + 2 - 4 ⇒ (5) + 2 - 4 = 3
damage: 1d10 ⇒ 7

Sensing the fell poisons are stymied, but not neutralised, Maxim once again draws on inner reserves and the divine support granted him by Marigold;

Gods iffen yer listenin' now. Grant this heathen's body the grit to thrwart the spider-kin's pizens!

DC17 Fort Save (using Guidance: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 3 + 1 = 20

Round 12 - Conditions/Buffs: Bless (+1 attacks, +1 vs fear saves); Guidance (+1 bonus to attack/skill check/save); Poisoned (10 DEX damage)

The depleted mage draws his pistol(Move Action), and with shaky hands loads bullet and powder [ooc](Standard Action)

Boy, I'm telling you! I sleep in a bit, do my laundry, and miss a lot of the fun as a result! :o

Round 11
Juraan runs in past marigold and casts a cantrip at the halfling:
« ცივი მჟავა »

Round 12
Juraan then closes in and tries hitting the surrounded halfling with his rapier:
skewer (mw rapier): 1d20 + 5 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 5 + 1 + 2 = 12
damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
(bless and flanking)
… but evidentially needs more fencing practice!

Juraan shots a ray of frost but pressed by cover the halfling is able to dodge the attack.

Kikinnin steps with secure foot next to Skaven but fails to land his axe on him, a magic field deflecting the weapon in the last moment.

mwk dagger AoO: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22
Damage: 1d3 - 2 ⇒ (1) - 2 = -1 1 damage

Crit?: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8
Damage: 1d3 - 2 ⇒ (2) - 2 = 0
The halfling uses a tiny dagger, a needle for JJ's mind, still it scratches the young man face as he passes by.

Ref JJ+inspired word DC 15: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 5 + 2 = 20
JJ jumps around the wizard, and using a bold movement stabs his silver magic sword on the halfling's back. Clearly physically overpassed by the taller and stronger JJ, Skaven collapses to the ground defeated.

Ryan shots a bolt from the rear, but it breaks against a wall.

Maxim finally defeats the poison, getting rid of the spider's venom effect. Still his hands are very shaky.

Juraan reaches the place and looks the body, he places his rapier over the halfling and controls the situation as everything becomes calmer in the caverns.

Combat is over!

As you check Skaven's body you find out he is a fully equipped wizard. Among his belongings you can loot a masterwork dagger, a set of bracers of armor +1, a symbol of the Ebon Triad worth 25 gp, magical goggles, magical slippers, a pearl of power I, a wand of mage armor (40 charges), a second wand with a different much more powerful aura, a potion of cure moderates, a second unknown potion and six elixirs of hiding. Additionally he has a leather pouch containing 58 gp and 4 pp as well as a key ring. Hidden behind his shirt you find out a strange symbol made of silver worth 25 gp.

Upon using detect magic to identify the halfling magics, something also sparks in the upper ceiling among the webs. It takes the group a great search effort, but ultimately you do locate the harpoon spider valuables encased in a niche in the easternmost cul-de-sac of the cave.

You also discover the cul-de-sac is a product of collapse. The harpoon spider probably came from the Darklands and was encased in this place long time ago, ultimately making it its home.

With the help of a dagger you cut the web strings and check the spider posesions: 500 sp, 450 gp, a darkwood and silver masterwork lap harp worth 800 gp, a diamond ring worth 5000 gp, a jade idol of Erastil worth 700 gp, a +1 light steel shield, an elixir of hiding, a set of bracers of armor +2 and a magical wand.

Reflex (DC 18): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

Marigold wasn't entirely sure of what happened; her brain had barely registered the enemy wizard speaking words and then pointing his finger at the group before she felt a powerful force connect solidly against her chest. She staggered, dimly aware of pain and the scent of burnt flesh and clothing but for some reason she couldn't hear; it was almost as if she'd been dunked underwater for everything sounded muffled.

It only took a few moments for her hearing and her wits to return but by that point the battle was finished and the enemy halfling lay dead on the ground.

"Wha...wh-whatever it was that h-hit me, it p-packed a w-wallop..." she groans, looking down at the burnt and scorched places in her skin, clothes, and armor. "Is everyone okay?" she continues, trying to assess injuries. "Oof...you t-two look awful," she nods at Kikinnin and JJ. "H-here, I've still got two p-potions from earlier...."

MG has a Cure Moderate potion and a Cure Light potion for whoever needs/wants them.

"Good thing I still had those fireball beads! Only one weak one left."
"Looks like a good start; one out of three of the triad we're up against."

"While we have a bit of time on our hands to breath, let me patch you up a bit, JJ:"
use magic device: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (5) + 10 = 15
use magic device: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (16) + 10 = 26
cure light wounds (wand): 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
use magic device: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (16) + 10 = 26
cure light wounds (wand): 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8
That's 10 HP healing for JJ

"And you too, Kikkinin:"
use magic device: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (4) + 10 = 14
use magic device: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (15) + 10 = 25
cure light wounds (wand): 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7
use magic device: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (13) + 10 = 23
cure light wounds (wand): 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8
And 15 HP healing for Kikkinin

--------------------

"Right, let's see about this halfling's kit:"
Juraan casts Detect Magic and tries to see if he can figure out some of the items found:

spellcraft vs goggles DC 18: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11 (nope!)
spellcraft vs slippers DC 19: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19 (yuuuup!)
spellcraft vs wand DC 22: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20 (nope!)
spellcraft vs potion DC 20: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14 (nope!)

"Well, the slippers are for Spider Climbing. Very handy, those."
"I'm not sure about his other magical gear, though."

Kn:Religion(DC15): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12 nope
Spellcraft(DC18): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21 yep
Spellcraft(DC19): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9 nope
Spellcraft(DC22): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15 nope
Spellcraft(DC20)+Detect Magic: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20 yep
Spellcraft(DC22)+Detect Magic: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18 nope

Ryan studies the items wearily found on the halfling, some easily discerned others not so much. The religious symbol should ring a bell but in his weary state he cannot recollect what it is.

Holding up the goggles he nods towards JJ, "These would do you well when working on locks or any other devious devices they leave in the way." Smiling as Juraan ID's the slippers he couldn't.

Both wands are unknown to him, but the potion he studies for a long moment before stating. "This would allow someone to become like a mist, slipping through the tiniest of cracks with everything they are carrying. Usually this would last about 6 minutes and you can't move very fast, and stay away from strong winds, much like Kikinnin's snoring, they will bear you far from where you wish to go." He finishes with a smile.

Kn. Religion (DC 15): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15

"Th-that's Rovagug's symbol!" Marigold exclaims, eyes wide with a mixture of fear, anger, and disgust. "G-good r-riddance," she adds, scowling at the dead halfling.

As the group works to identify the various items they'd found, Marigold waits patiently until Juraan and Ryan have finished looking before she takes a crack at it.

Spellcraft: Wand (DC 22): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20

Spellcraft: Wand (DC 22): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16

"N-no...it's no g-good, I can't f-figure out what these wands are f-for," she sighs.

"Perhaps Marigold can make use of the sorcerer's dagger?"
"It was made for your size, so you might as well take it."
"Doubtless those elixirs of hiding will be useful for some of us."
"We better search the rest of this cave, just in case."

Juraan will then search the cave for other stuff, loot, or clues:
perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15

Status: Poisoned (10 DEX damage)

Still hurting from the effects of the fell poison's, Maxim lends his eye to discerning the nature of the mysterious wands;

ID Wand #1 Spellcraft DC22: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (18) + 10 = 28
ID Wand #2 Spellcraft DC22: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (2) + 10 = 12

He holds up the first with a pained smile, uncharacteristically resorting to a two handed grip to hold it securely;

"...This is one o' our elusive water controlling wands..."

The gun-mage nods toward the other with a quizzical expression;

"Alas, second one is still a mystery..."

Maxim's voice drifts off as his eyes his trembling fingers with concern;

"Taskerhill. Lil' Miss. Either o' ye got magicks to cure the damage wrought by pizens an' such? Seems my body is fine but my blood still carries the spider venoms taint..."

(Presume DEX damage would manifest as shakes, trembles and lack of coordination? :)

Ryan steps up beside of Maxim, laying one hand on his shoulder and the other grasp the key at his neck.

"Most Holy Abadar, restore this one to his former self, these foes, servants of Rogvagug, have sapped him, stealing his natural grace."

Lesser Restoration(Spell): 1d4 ⇒ 2

Studying MAxim, Ryan still sees the shakes and the tremble in Maxim's stogie. <sigh> "I think the sorcerers symbol has blocked part of my request, it's less than it best. try this potion perhaps it will do better, it was created above and away from this foul symbol" Handing Maxim a vial from his kit.

Lesser Restoration(Potion): 1d4 ⇒ 2

However while improved, Maxim is far from fully restored. "Sorry Maxim, this foul hole is blocking the benefits of this work. At least that's what I think and not just natural Dwarven stubbornness versus magics." Ryan says with a wry smile, wishing to ease the blow of the magics failure to restore the mage. "With rest I can try again tomorrow, I have already expended my more powerful graces from Abadar for today."

Status: Poisoned (6 DEX damage)

Maxim takes both the divine restoration and the offered potion with humble thanks.

He nods at the potential limitations of both, given the circumstances and Ryan's hypothesis;

"Many thanks Taskerhill. Ye've eased the symptoms somewhat. Reckon ye are right... on the morrow we can try again..."

The dwur lights a stogie and looks over the cavern and the littered spider kin corpses;

"What now?"

Kikinnin breathes a little easier, watching Skaven hit the cave floor. The thought of another blast of heat makes him a little queasy, in fact. The might of it, its ability to work him over, despite his metal protection... it undermines his confidence a little, as his mind tries to grasp for the root of such power, envious of those able to throw it about, at will.

The black-beard steadies himself, and leans over, beginning to feel about his gut, which has started to feel warm. Well, no, not warm, but actually quite hot. Unusually hot. His eyebrows begin to rise, as he realizes he's going to hurl forth the contents of his stomach. He looks about, making sure there's no one immediately in front of him, then turns away, hoping but not entirely expecting to conceal his nausea from the others. All hope is dashed, when a great plume of flame spews forth from his mouth, extending out to fifteen feet, burning away more web within the cavern. Cast Firebelly

Kikinnin stands upright, the nausea suddenly gone, his eyes enormous for what he's just witnessed. What he's just generated.

"The blazes was that..?"

He looks back to the others, a look which mixes confusion and embarrassment at turns.

...

"Oof...you t-two look awful. H-here, I've still got two p-potions from earlier...."

Kikinnin gratefully accepts a potion from the sane halfling, but he holds off drinking it, as Juraan approaches with his healing wand whipped out. He thanks them both with a closed mouth and a brisk head nod. He downs the potion once the wand and wizard have done their work.

CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3 30/44 hp

"This would allow someone to become like a mist, slipping through the tiniest of cracks with everything they are carrying. Usually this would last about 6 minutes and you can't move very fast, and stay away from strong winds, much like Kikinnin's snoring, they will bear you far from where you wish to go."

Kikinnin snorts before he can stop himself. He claps a gloved hand over his nose, just in case. He's heard of folk bored off their rock long enough to go about lighting their lower emissions with a candle and a fart, but can't bring himself to poke fun at Maxim at the moment, with the taste of char still in his mouth.

"...This is one o' our elusive water controlling wands..."

Kikinnin finally takes the risk of speaking further, in answer to the blond-beard's words. "What in earth would that wand be doing in the spider cavern?? Skaven must have come and gone from here, I suppose, but why does he only have one, when if one is found, we should find them all? You search him thorough?"

Maxim fixes his fellow dwur with a hard stare at the barrage of questions;

"Check him. Nah... why would we do that!?! Course we did ye eijit!"

The gun-mage chews on his cigar as he mulls Kikinnin's points before wryly answering;

"As fer what the wand is doin' here? Hell's Teeth why you asking' me Brodir? I might be a wizard an' all but I just got me hairy balls not crystal ones!"

Maxim taps Skaven's corpse with his boot;

"Why don't we jes' ask the little weasel..? Ahhh. 'Cause we killed him that's why!!"

Kikinnin snorts, again. "Aiieeyeah. In the heat of battle, and all. This one felt like he wouldn't have given us much, but I suppose we'll not know now." The black-beard hears the blond-beard go on.

"What, you don't shave yours?"

"Um...b-balls aside, if there's one w-water wand down here then th-there's b-bound to b-be more," Marigold points out. "There's still a lot of this p-place to search!"

She ponders the offered dagger from the halfling for a moment and then nods. "P-probably a good idea. It's nicer than either of m-mine," she comments as she pockets it.

"Afraid I c-can't do anything m-more for you Maxim," she adds sadly. "I haven't f-figured out how to fix ailments that linger..."

MG takes the Masterwork Dagger unless someone else really wants it!

"I hope we don't have too many more fights like that one."
"Don't fret about Skaven dying before answering questions, Maxim."
"He was rather preoccupied with killing us all."
"Didn't seem like the type to exchange pleasantries anyway."

⋮

Marigold might as well keep that dagger. I don't think anyone else can use it anyway.
Since it is made for small characters, not big oafs medium characters.

Maxim shakes his head at the playful interplay;

"No worries Lil' Miss. Drakblood you need to grasp the notion o' irony! An' you brodir... Shave indeed!"

The gun-mage hacks a laugh, then nods toward the unidentified wand;

"We need to discern the nature o' that one. Could be a water wand... could be one of them detection wands even... who knows... but Marigold has the crux o' it. They'll be more down here..."

Juraan looks around the cavern but finds nothing else but webs and rock.

When Kikinnin starts vomiting fire the strings around take flame, a small patch being consumed in the process.

Oooh, forgot to react to the fire-vomit earlier!

After a moment's pause it suddenly registers in Marigold's mind that Kikinnin just...vomited fire?

"Wh...WHAT WAS THAT!?" she exclaims, staring at Kikinnin with shock and amazement. "K-kikinnin, I d-didn't know you c-could m-make fire too..." she says, sounding a little hurt.

And he had the nerve to get mad at ME for doing that?

Kikinnin's eyes widen a little, his beard fully concealing his mouth for a little while, before answering. "Didn't know, myself, Marigold. Had two thoughts in my head- 'fire did good', and 'those spiders are disgusting'. Something shifted behind my eyes, put those two things together, and all of a sudden, I felt sick. And out came fire..." The black-beard rubs his gloved hands together, nervously.

"Don't suppose you could tell me how to avoid that from happening again?"

"Good thing that didn't happen during the drinking contest!"
"Would have added a whole new meaning to 'Fire Water'!"

"I...I d-don't know," the halfling confesses. "For m-me it felt more like s-something welling up inside me that had to b-be released, like...like a teakettle. Does that m-make sense?"

"Oh...and d-did it hurt just now? I m-mean it did look a bit p-painful, but..."

Ryan listens to the dwarves as they pick back and forth, shaking his head as they descend into personal grooming preferences. The lightning had taken a toll on him, and he wasn't up to the verbal sparring.

" Kikinnin, that stands to be useful, just becareful not to melt your own armour with it. Shall we move on, with a little distance from these foul creatures I can apply a bit more healing on the group. Just don't want them to stand back up after JJ and Kikinnin did so well putting them down."

"I...I d-don't know. For m-me it felt more like s-something welling up inside me that had to b-be released, like...like a teakettle. Does that m-make sense? Oh...and d-did it hurt just now? I m-mean it did look a bit p-painful, but..."

"Kikinnin, that stands to be useful, just be careful not to melt your own armour with it."

Kikinnin nods, only understanding a little of his new outburst. "Alright, then. It didn't hurt, so it was more like the welling up you mention. Ok. Let's get a move on. We've got one wand, at least, but we need, what, how many more?"

The black-beard lets Ryan do more sorely-needed healing, before pressing out of the spider den, and onwards. He shuffles back to the unopened door they left behind them, before marching back and through the next room, hopefully further into the complex.

Door that leads to the undiscovered space between K23 and K27, then back to K21, and the door that awaits there...

"We need to get seven more wands, that's all."
Juraan concludes with a sigh.

"Guess we won't be so lucky as to have the other wands tucked neatly in a cigar box, sitting on a table somewhere, eh?" Kikinnin makes sure the others aren't too far behind, before opening another possible can of wyrms.

Status: Poisoned (6 DEX damage)

Maxim eyes his own cigar, then nods grimly;

"Aye. We'll no doubt find 'em stowed in a dragon's hoard or some such curse'd luck!"

The gun-mage looks at his hand; veins prominant and tremor less pronounced, afore grimly chuckling;

"Afore we get in deeper, is anyone else carryin' wounds or such, outwith mysel o' course..? Reckon I can just about shoot straight... Hit a wyrm at least har!"

The door remains closed, but one of the keys in Skaven's ring easily opens the doors.
K24. Skaven's Parlor
The room is a breath of fresh air. While still a little warm, the air is dry and nowhere near as foul in here. A well-made desk sits against the opposite wall, which looks like it has been partially melted by an ancient lava flow. A bookshelf sits against the northern wall, and the room is well lit by a softly glowing continual flame that hangs from a chain set into the ceiling.

Next to one of the bookshelves stands a cloud-like creature with dark hollows reminiscent of eyes and a mouth, and a howling wind whipping it into ominous shapes. The creature keeps glowing from time to time, making the air inside to move.

The bookshelf is cramped with books. And over the desk lies some scrolls and two books open. One seems to have dates written on its pages.

The northern door seems securely closed with a lock and has a couple of lines with words written.

Earlier - before the door is opened
"Well lets hope we do not run into any Wyrms, and too many more engagements like that and I will be down to nothing but my heavy mace."

Ryan ends with a grimace, but raising his shield for all to see, he seeks to channel Abadar's healing grace once more.

Channel: 1d6 ⇒ 5hp

and then once again.

Channel: 1d6 ⇒ 2hp +7 hp for at least Ryan and Marigold, not sure who else needed it.

"Going to hold on to the last one, may be needed before long."

Once inside the room

Ryan inspects the desk, watching the creature against the wall, hoping it remains content to remain quite. "Juraan, Maxim, that thing likely to attack?"

Reflex (DC16): 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (5) + 0 = 5 <sigh>

Coming forward to see what the others were inspecting on the door Ryan bumbles nearly head first into the trap.

"Afore we get in deeper, is anyone else carryin' wounds or such, outwith mysel o' course..? Reckon I can just about shoot straight... Hit a wyrm at least har!"

Kikinnin frowns, recognizing Maxim's plight far later than he'd have liked. A belly of fire will do that. He comes over to inspect the blond-beard's forearms, clasping them, and turning them over to see the veins.

"Alright, then. Fire from my belly, let's see what else I can cough up. You trust me, bror? Something keeps swimming behind my eyes, and I might as easily miss it as grab it. It feels slippery, like a fish, but if I just concentrate... here..." The black-beard brings a gloved finger to Maxim's elbow, then begins to trace a prominent vein downwards, towards the wrist.

"Flow of underground river, trace of vein through Mother Mountain, channel this surge of power, Abadar. This time, I need it to help my mate overcome the vile poison seeding itself where it is not welcome."

Like little trickles of molten magma, Maxim's blood glows slightly red, as it begins to burn the poison out. Cast Lesser Restoration

Lesser Restoration: 1d4 ⇒ 4

"How's that?" Kikinnin turns towards the halfling girl. "Marigold, that was better! I needed to see something, to focus its purpose. Make it into something useful, like Ryan said." He looks somewhat hopeful that time will help him understand it better, for however long he might enjoy its presence.

...

When Ryan trips something, Kikinnin reflexively steps back and away from what might be a second or third trap... He looks to Juraan, Marigold, and Maxim to sort out what Ryan's just got himself into.

As Ryan reads the words in the door with his inner voice they start to magically glow. All of a sudden the letters composing the words break transforming into a large sepia serpent that springs forth towards him with a horrible shriek!

Ryan is then engulfed in a shimmering amber field of force and immobilized.

The creature in the room observes the action but does not seem to otherwise react.

"Th-that was wonderful!" Marigold exclaims happily. "You've learned s-something new about yourself - there's f-few things greater than th-that!"

She looks thoughtful. "And you s-said you needed a f-focus point? Hrm...th-that's a thought...I'll have to keep that in m-mind for myself, too."

**************************

When the strange snake suddenly leaps out of the book at Ryan, Marigold shrieks with surprise and very nearly drops her crossbow. Her surprise and terror quickly fade to puzzlement however as nothing else happens beyond Ryan's sudden paralysis.

"Th-that's w-weird..." she murmurs as she tries to figure out what just happened.

Spellcraft (DC 20): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20

"Oh no...I know wh-what this is," she suddenly groans. "It's a s-sepia snake s-sigil...a m-magical trap. Ryan's stuck like this f-for days, m-maybe even a week or more unless we c-can dispel it!"

She looks up at the others. "The s-silver lining is that he w-won't age, b-breathe, or get hungry while he's trapped so we d-don't have to worry about him st-starving to death or anything like that..."

knowledge (planes): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20
Juraan points at the wispy creature:
"Funny an air elemental being in here!"

--------------------

"I don't have any tricks to dispel that trap's magic."
"How about you, Maxim?"

Juraan then looks at the Air Elemental:
"Can you understand us?"

Status: Slightly Poisoned (2 DEX damage)

With Kikinnin

As his fellow dwur restores the majority of his manual dexterity Maxim flashes a hard smile and claps the black-beard's broad shoulder;

"New tricks for an olde beard eh bror? Hah!"

He nods to himself flexing his fingers with only a hint of pain.

In Skaven's Chambers

The gun-mage scowls at the wisp-like figure, shrugging his shoulders;

"Beyond my ken..."

As Ryan triggers the arcane trap and Marigold recognizes its nature he grimaces;

"Hell's Teeth! Pretty sure I've naught in my arsenal to aid Taskerhill... Little basterd might have tho...

He moves to the wizard's desk and casts his eye across the scrolls and books there... (Will cast read magic)

"Oh no...I know wh-what this is. It's a s-sepia snake s-sigil...a m-magical trap. Ryan's stuck like this f-for days, m-maybe even a week or more unless we c-can dispel it! The s-silver lining is that he w-won't age, b-breathe, or get hungry while he's trapped so we d-don't have to worry about him st-starving to death or anything like that..."

"Beyond my ken... Hell's Teeth Pretty sure I've naught in my arse..."

Kikinnin moves to the door, and stands guard, wondering if Ryan had done more than got himself trapped. Perhaps others are now aware that someone got snared...

Hi all, just checking in, back after the weekend

JJ looks at the elemental with interest and a little distrust.

"More off-plane creatures. That halfling must have been powerful indeed."

Then Ryan is caught in the field.

"Perhaps we can pull him out?" suggests the youth.

He looks for something that would enable him to try and push Ryan out of the field.

JJ pushes Ryan with a chair but the cleric seems to remain immobile even after forcing him to move.

Maxim approaches the desk and looks the open pages of the books without touching them. They seem treaties about some Kopru ruins. One other book seems a rather thick journal but it is difficult to tell what it is talking about without reading the pages before.

While Maxim studies the books the elemental stops blowing and refreshing the atmosphere. Instead it stares at the dwarf as he looks from close at the books.

Lol, read your original posting about the room as we had already had someone trigger the effect and needed to roll the save, oops, should have remained reading the items on the desk. :) It's all good

Ryan's body remains standing with hand outstretched as if reading some text and head pulled back as if trying to escape something only he can see.

While within he sees nothing, almost as if his soul has been set adrift within the blackest ink.... I wonder if this is how Ruben felt...feels

JJ don't knock me over please, don't think the pieces will be very pretty in a week or so when I return

Juraan will also search Skavin's room.
Avoiding the trap that ensnared Ryan, and using Detect Magic as needed:
perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27

"Well, let's see if we can find something here to help Ryan."
"I doubt the wizard would leave a trap he couldn't unlock himself somehow."

@ GM Rusteg:
Juraan will inspect Skaven's keys with Detect Magic too.
Just in case there are keys that help with less mundane locks.

"I s-sure hope he has s-something to f-fix it, otherwise we'll have to h-haul him b-back out of here s-somehow..." Marigold mutters as she moves to help Kikinnin watch for more trouble.

"I hate the delay.." agrees JJ

"But we have to look after Ryan, and we have found at least one, possibly two of the wands. While not enough, it may be enough to buy Cauldron time for us to find the rest. And honestly after those spiders, Maxim doesn't look in the best health either. We should return to Janira and ask her help."

He looks at Ryan

"Surely she can remove this curse."

As he scans the desk and writings, Maxim shoots a jaundiced look toward the air elemental;

"Don't fret about me Surabar... I'm still in the fight. Someone keep an eye on the animated fart eh? Don't want it gettin' all ornery when I checkin' o'er these writings..."

Wary of more potential arcane traps, the gun-mage casts his own detection incantation on the closed large journal;

"Opsporen Magie" "Detect Magic"

Knowledge (Arcana) - to identify spell auras/effects: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27

When both Juraan and Maxim start touching around the books and scrolls, the elemental goes wild and attacks!

slam vs Juraan: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (16) + 9 = 25
Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9
The creature slams on Juraan's hands as they go into the books. The hit is terrible, like a hurricane has gone into the professor's hands!

Round 1: Elemental, Marigold, Juraan, Maxim, JJ, Ryan, Kikinnin

Kikinnin tries to makes mane or tail of the situation, and comes up with goose eggs. Ryan trapped, an air pocket hovering about. He listens to speculation on how to help the priest, hoping someone comes up with a solution. When the air pocket turns hostile, at least he knows how to engage a combatant.

Round 1

Kikinnin tries to break wind. "So, this thing a guardian, eh? Touch the stuff, and it roughs you up?"

MW Dwarven Greataxe: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15 for 1d10 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4 damage