ok; Llvenoc; they are not yet in sight for you.
Got it Fox;
with Caer and Kosan looking at the wall; and the sisters looking down the hall; where is everyone standing orderwise; looking South; there is long hallway and a T intesection with a hall going west, about 20ft away that Aahz visited; North,there is a long hallways about 80ft from the last T.
Woot; Llvenoc does the 5000th post; kudos, that should be worth something...
Sorry Decidio. From where I am at I don't see what you are referring to.
Based upon the discriptions of those with better vosion I try to piece together what we may be facing.
Knowledge undead
Knowledge Religion
"Casters, prepare anything you have that would work against a swarm."
No nothing undead or religious comes to mind though sometimes insects, birds, bats all swarm to feed; nothing undead does that you can remember, you seem to remember something in Egypt that does; some kind of scarab; but that was just rumor and they are not indigenous to Greece or Rome.
Based upon the discriptions of those with better vosion I try to piece together what we may be facing.
Knowledge undead 1d20+8
Knowledge Religion 1d20+7"Casters, prepare anything you have that would work against a swarm."
Kalona stops cleaning under her wings and looks in Decidio's direction. She sighs.
"It would be nice if the powers that be, had a bit more taste in open air, with all this flying about I have been doing. Ah well, will take a look for you Kusan, might be fun and hopefully better scenary."
She will head down that direction, but only get close enough to get an idea of what is out there. If something comes after her she will immediately head back, full speed.
I start working on the wooden surface quickly, using my tools to bore a hole through it. Once there is a hole big enough to look through, I observe if the other side looks safe. If that is the case, I will ask for help in removing more bricks to create an opening that is big enough for us to get through.
Kemnebi flashes June a grin, then backs up to stand with Fox behind the armor-wearers. His grip tightens and relaxes on his staff as he murmurs to himself.
behind the wood is fairly loose sand; depending on how big your hole in the wood it; the sand might start pouring through; how large is the hole?
I start working on the wooden surface quickly, using my tools to bore a hole through it. Once there is a hole big enough to look through, I observe if the other side looks safe. If that is the case, I will ask for help in removing more bricks to create an opening that is big enough for us to get through.
what are you murmuring about?
what are you thinking and the intensity of your emotions?
Kemnebi flashes June a grin, then backs up to stand with Fox behind the armor-wearers. His grip tightens and relaxes on his staff as he murmurs to himself.
kalona:
it is a swarm of insects; to many to eat; enough to be scary; they see you and begin to pursue...
Kalona stops cleaning under her wings and looks in Decidio's direction. She sighs.
"It would be nice if the powers that be, had a bit more taste in open air, with all this flying about I have been doing. Ah well, will take a look for you Kusan, might be fun and hopefully better scenary."
She will head down that direction, but only get close enough to get an idea of what is out there. If something comes after her she will immediately head back, full speed.
what are you murmuring about?
what are you thinking and the intensity of your emotions?
A little of Kemnebi's mutterings can be heard. Nebibit and Fox overhear "Charm or Evocation?,..." And "Area effect or single target?,..." among his unintelligible murmurs. He glances over to Nebibit, and gives a weak attempt at a confident smile.
behind the wood is fairly loose sand; depending on how big your hole in the wood it; the sand might start pouring through; how large is the hole?
ok; in that case; you get a little sand; if you poke the hole; you get a little more sand. If you poke a tool in there, say hands deep; you feel what seems to be more sand; it is a bit strange; this place is no where near the beach.
behind the wood is fairly loose sand; depending on how big your hole in the wood it; the sand might start pouring through; how large is the hole?
".......You're sure that wall isen't a load bearing one right?" Nebibit asks while taking a few steps back.
Kemnebi glances at Neb at her curious statement, then at the wall. AFter a quick glance to make sure that there is nothing bearing down upon them, he looks quizzically at the wall, the hole, and the sand pouring from it.
"Um, I'm certainly no expert on undead underground construction techniques,..." The mage offers hesitantly, "But where we're from," He indicates himself and Nebibit, "It is not unusual to use large amounts of sand to booby trap pyramids, tombs, even treasure rooms. There are a multitude of applications, and none of them are pleasant to experience. Perhaps instead of risking being buried alive, we should,...?" He indicates the hallway that Kalona flew down. He reflexively takes a step away from the door as well.
Kosan and Caer,
It certainly is in both your memories of vast amounts of sand being used to bury intruders alive in dungeons; so, if this is in fact one of those places; perhaps this is where the sand is loaded for a trap elsewhere; or a place now unusable where some "enemies" were trapped then just bricked in with whatever untold riches still on them...
hehe love the tension you guys are portraying; adds some nice realism. This is what I call one of my "carrot and stick" posts hehe.
kalona:
it is a swarm of insects; to many to eat; enough to be scary; they see you and begin to pursue...
As she does a run flight manuever back to the group
Ack! I do believe this maybe a locust nest...or some such. It seems there are some rather hungry insects coming our way. Probably okay to eat if there were only a few but with that many we might become the prey. Flashes a mental image of the uncoming swarm.
At Kalona's words, the mage gives a glance at the sand-laden door, then turns back to the hallway.
"Let's see, what have I got for 'extermination services'?" He mutters as he once again mentally flips through his mystic arsenal,...
;)
"Brace for impact, keep your mouths closed and your eyes as narrow as possible."
Astinos brings his shield up to act as a sceen against the oncoming wave of insects.
Hard to strike a swarm, does anyone have something that affects an area instead? I have one such, but I'd have to be by the leaders to use it effectively.
'I have several,... in my tome. I have but one memorized. Fireball. It's a classic.' Kemnebi shrugs.
'It should be effective against a swarm of insects, unless it's an unusually large swarm. But we'll need to time it properly. I don't want to cast it too close to US!' He adds hastily, pulling out a small, smelly glob of goop from a beltpouch and rolling it between two fingers.
'I can lead off with the Fireball, and then you can pick off any stragglers, if needed. Sound good Fox?'
I will certainly do my best. Durr, wait here by the mage, I will be back soon.
The masked halfling moves forward to the front ranks and readies an action to cast Burning Hands when the swarm is 5' from her position. With her improved low-light vision, she will hopefully be able to see the swarm sooner than the paladin and provide him updates as to its progress.
V:
Dice rolls:
fire damage
fire damage
Kemnebi juggles his staff and glob of goop, frowning. He looks at the skeletons standing just behind himself and Nebibit, and raises an eyebrow. With a deft motion, he shoves his staff between the rib bones of his bony shadow, using it as an improvised rack.
"Hold this for me won't you? This won't take long!" He whispers cheerfully to the skeleton. He then pushes up his sleeves and flexes his fingers in preparation.
'Alright, I'm ready. Fox, can you see well enough to see them before they get too close? I need to make sure I center the blast farther than 20' from you! I just need a few seconds of lead time to cast.'
Ok; the dread swarm of insects approaches with the angry buzz of hundreds if not thousands of wings.
first they come in view of the Drow Prince; then others according to their darkvison or lightsource is there is one; the insects fill the corridor from top to bottom.
pary roll intitiative; range weapons and range spells set and waiting of course take priority as preinitiative action. Burning hands is more or less melee range so normal initiative; but add +4 to your roll for being ready and waiting.
anyone else have a preround course of action?
Initiative
Initative
Init d20=11+7=18
Didn't someone have a Gust of Wind?
Initiative
When the leading edge of the swarm is 10 feet from us, then call it, we want to make maximum use of the spell, igniting in the midst of the swarm
When the leading edge of the swarm is 10 feet from us, then call it, we want to make maximum use of the spell, igniting in the midst of the swarm
As you wish, sir.
Helm down, Shield in back pack, Hammer in hand.
In the Mind Link: Kalona use your gust of wind you used when we first met to clear the hall of the fumes from my little explosion. Aahz, Decidio, Iunius Can ye do magic I need a freezing cone, a gaseous, cloud, a force barrier or at least a globe of force to protect ya. What about wands? Astinios give the word for the Fire ball and the burning hands. Also if any one has the ability to put up a force wall now would be a good time to do so. Beyond that have at ye you pesky flying Vermin.
If there is no light source then it is pitch black dark; but as some people have magic weapons; and all magic weapons unless specificaly stated; glow ie; a long sword has a 5ft light radius; then there is enough light for Low Light vision to work.
Initiative 1d20 + 3 + 4
moving at a speed of 150ft per round; the bugs come in; bugs swarm effects will take place/be stated on init 14 each round until dispersed.
so; 60;50;40;30;20;10; on you; do all actions and range effects before init 14; if the swarm is still active; then its effects will be felt which will modify all other actions.
hehe I just cant get out of my head that to Kalona; this probably looks like a big Buffet is coming for her; hehe some dread salad bar. hehe if it was mice; guess Fox would be licking her lips instead.
If there is no light source then it is pitch black dark; but as some people have magic weapons; and all magic weapons unless specificaly stated; glow ie; a long sword has a 5ft light radius; then there is enough light for Low Light vision to work.
"Kemnebi, on my mark, drop that fireball 30' before me.... NOW!"
When the remainder of the swarm reaches 5' in front of Fox, she will trigger her spell for points of fire damage before retreating as indicated before.
the swarm also makes a goodly amount of noise, so all can hear them and get a good approximation of their distance and become thusly unnerved. Where is the druid when you need one? parties change but the dungeon goes on...an on.
Attack of the Yellowjackets!
Kemnebi fidgits, trying not to hold his breath in anticipation. His perception narrows, and Neb and those nearest him notice a slight change in his manner. As the buzzing of the swarm gets closer, instead of getting more tense, the mage actually begins breathing slower and steadier. He posture loses the excessive tension of worry and anxiety, and shifts into a crouched stance that is both relaxed and ready.
Before Fox's mental shout is faded in their minds, Kemnebi is a blur of motion. Arcane syllables flow from his tongue as his gloved fingers fly through precise gestures. With a final flourish, he thrusts his hand forward, and a tiny flicker of flame flies from his palm. The tiny candleflame speeds forward, growing in both size and speed as it passes just overhead of his compatriots. By the time it passes Fox, it is already the size of a mace head.
The ball of flame speeds down the hallway, casting a hellish glow on the walls of the tunnel as it passes. A mere 30' from Fox, the ball bursts, causing a blinding flash of light as the burst of magical flame fills the hallway. Blinking from the flash, Kemnebi turns as the burst of superheated air ruffles his fur and plucks his staff from his accompanying skeleton's ribs.
"Thank yew!" He says absently as he turns back and assumes a guard stance, staff held pointed down the hallway.
Initiative 20 (1d20) + 7 (Mod) = 27.
I withhold action til something is close enough to smash.
Nebibit takes a deep breath really wishing at this point she had brought a scarf to put round her mouth and nose.
Initiative:
On my turn, I take out a piece of rock candy and hold it in my hand to use in case of an emergency. And I curse myself for not having any torches or oil on me!
Kenembi; what distance is your fireball set to explode at; how far away?
Kenembi; what distance is your fireball set to explode at; how far away?
Goal is to set it off in the swarm's midst while the leading edge will still be in the blast radius.
hmm; I dont think there is a light source other than your weapons; so dont think he can see 30ft which is why I asked; does anyone have light source out that shines 30ft?
hmm; I dont think there is a light source other than your weapons; so dont think he can see 30ft which is why I asked; does anyone have light source out that shines 30ft?
I turn to the mage: "I have a sunrod I can light if you think it would be useful. Let me know if you need it and I can give us some light"
5ft' so he can see 10ft; are you casting it 10 ft?
ok; so you can see 15ft; but the mage cant fire blind; he needs to target something he can see; he sets the place it will explode.
hmm; I dont think there is a light source other than your weapons; so dont think he can see 30ft which is why I asked; does anyone have light source out that shines 30ft?
Sure; you certainly can have time to light something; you had lots of warning and I can understand you guys probably forgot your walking in very dim light.
The question is do you want to have a bright light down here in the crypts; especially a sun rod? and as Llvenoc pointed out some time back and very might known to his people; Light is pollution; it can be seen a long, long way.
imagine that you are a hungry dinosaur and sundenly a whole party of appetizers suddensly appears lit in a hallway; hmm yum.
I can think of a few solutions you guys have available; am curious to see what you will do. hehe this is the exciting part for the GM; can I guess what you will do; or will you surprize me.