GM Abraham's Emerald Spire

Game Master Abraham Z.

When Yanda begins to move into the adjacent square, she realizes that it is occupied by something beneath the water. Yanda, putting you back to the square you started this action in; you still have 20' of movement remaining. See indicator on the map to see which square I'm talking about.

With his shield on his arm, and feeling better after all the healing, Dasus takes a risk to stand up.

triggering AoO if the crab has any left. Also, does standing up count as a move or can I use 5-foot-step? If I can, I'd like to step into flanking position. I'll roll without the bonus, since I'm guessing not.

If he's still conscious once he's on his feet, Dasus once again swings at the crab. Like his monstrous companion, he aims for a more careful swing instead of putting all his muscle behind it.

Attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22

Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

Yanda completes her turn by moving around the obstacle and ending up on the other side. Map updated.

Romulus hopes he can break free of the blindness this time, impared as he is.

will: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14

00:00 Combat Round 5->6

Conditions: Covering Fire feat granted to all PCs; squares in the corridor down the stairs are difficult terrain (water at least 2' deep);
Dasus - 10 dmg;
Romulus - dmg; mirror images (3); blind (3/?);
Altovin - 10 dmg; life link (Dasus);
Courage - dmg;
Yanda - 8 dmg; mutagen (00:50); shield (00:05);
Green - dmg; moved away down the corridor, no longer in view
Blue - 10 dmg; no longer in view;
Orange - 38 dmg; unconscious; prone; dying; no longer in view;
Shabah - 20 dmg; Shapechanged (05:00);

Altovin heals himself.

Yanda moves out into the watery corridor, finds something in the water is blocking her path, and moves around it to the other side.

Dasus stands up, takes a 5' step, and swings at the now-flanked crabmonster, hitting it and, finally, knocking it out! Dasus, to answer your question, standing up uses a move action, but does not count as moving for the purposes of the rule that you cannot both move and take a 5' step. If that makes sense...

Romulus, you missed a turn in there, so you now get another Will save vs the blindness...
Romulus Will: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10
... unfortunately, the dice are not with you right now. Also, you never answered my question about why you have 3 mirror images? Shouldn't it be 2? What's giving the additional +1? Lastly, are you continuing to use performance rounds through all of this?
Romulus continues to struggle fruitlessly to clear the glitter out of his eyes.

Orange stabilization: 1d20 + 2 - 7 ⇒ (2) + 2 - 7 = -3

Although Yanda cannot see anything moving in the water at her feet, she senses motion.

Then, strangely, the unconscious body of the crab creature lying at Dasus' and Shabah's feet simply winks out of view!

After the heat of battle, things are suddenly strangely quiet on the landing and in the watery corridor, with no foes apparent. Other than some small stray crabs foraging about, the pathfinders neither see nor hear any living thing.

Altovin's lifelink again transfers some of Dasus' wounds to himself.

We are still in initiative because reasons. If you move, please be sure to show the path of your movement. Also, remember that after the stairs all squares are difficult terrain (and count as the double for movement costs).

Also, some practical details about this level: unless otherwise stated, hallways and rooms are 7 feet high. Luminescent corals and algae grow in the hallways and rooms, lighting them like a candle (if you have other light sources, please tell me).

Pathinders are up! The bold may act! After Shabah, this will be the beginning of round 6.

Yanda peeks around the corner to the south but stays where she is. Pointing at the square she was balked at she says, "Something's there. Could be the mage."

Other than that she takes a wait and see attitude and readies herself to attack if a target presents itself (i.e. waiting until the other pathfinders have acted before taking an action. She is unarmed at the moment, carrying a wand of CLW instead of her dagger)

It's difficult for Yanda to see much into the room around the corner from where she is but the silty water in this flooded room reeks of shellfish.

Shabah steps back against he corner and gulps down their mutagen, layering extra muscle onto their sallow frame, and sprouting new claws on their hands.

"Please...those with wounds gather near me. I do not know what is going on but I want us at full strength. Was that thing a summoned creature?" Altovin says as he works his way around healing with his wand this time.

Move Action: Draw Wand.
CLW@Self: 1d8 + 1 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 1 + 1 + 2 = 6

I'm not stopped playing once i realized i couldn't do anything, and the extra "Image" is the real romulus. The spell creates 1d4+1 images, but an opponent will see x number of images plus the real deal, sorry, badly worded on my part.

Romulus continues to try and wipe away glitter.

Glitter: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12

but still has no luck.

Conditions:

Covering Fire feat granted to all PCs;

Squares in the corridor down the stairs are difficult terrain (water at least 2' deep);

Underwater combat rules apply if attacking a target underwater;
Shabah - 20 dmg; Shapechanged (05:00); mutagen (00:50);
00:00 Combat Round 7
Dasus - 5 dmg;
Romulus - dmg; mirror images (2); blind (4/?);
Altovin - 9 dmg; life link (Dasus);
Courage - dmg;
Yanda - 8 dmg; mutagen (00:50); shield (00:05);
Green - dmg; moved away down the corridor, no longer in view
Blue - 10 dmg; no longer in view;
Red - dmg; underwater;

While Yanda peeks around the corner, Shabah drinks their mutagen, and Altovin heals himself. Romulus, unfortunately, remains blinded by glitter. Dasus and Yanda, you both still have actions available for this round (round 6) so feel free to retcon if there's something you wanted to do but otherwise I'll move us along).

Previously, Yanda sensed some motion in the water around her but unfortunately she is caught unawares when a creature with huge teeth attempts to bite her under the murky water.
Bite vs flat-footed: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14
Tail vs flat-footed: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (18) + 0 = 18
Fortunately for her, even being unaware of this new attacker, Yanda's defenses are too strong and its teeth and tail clang harmlessly off her tough armored hide.

Altovin's life link triggers again, healing Dasus.

Pathfinders are up! Please note the linked underwater combat rules.

"Uh oh. A crocodile just tried to bite me. I wonder if that water girl summoned something. A little help here?"

knowlede nature: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (11) + 9 = 20

Yanda moves back a bit and draws a flask of acid.

Yanda, the squares here are difficult terrain so you can't 5' step. Do you still want to move?

Yes, there is no AoO if she only goes that far even if it is not a 5', right?

Otherwise she will move further. I would have actually thrown that vial had she gotten a move and and attack.

No - if you use a move action to move out of a threatened square, you provoke an AoO, regardless of whether or not you only move 5'. The way to avoid the AoO is to take a 5' step, but of course that's not an option here unless you have a swim speed or some other shenanigans.

Shabah withdraws towards Altovin, anointing their armor with a shimmering silver liquid. Mercurial Oil, DR 2/- for the next 5 minutes.

Shabah, it's a move action to move, a move action to draw the oil, and a standard action to apply it, so not possible to do all that in 1 round.

No - if you use a move action to move out of a threatened square, you provoke an AoO, regardless of whether or not you only move 5'. The way to avoid the AoO is to take a 5' step, but of course that's not an option here unless you have a swim speed or some other shenanigans.

In that case she moves back further, drawing the AoO and hopefully not getting grabbed.

Bite AoO vs Yanda: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23 Sigh... stupid pathfinders!

That was too close. I need to get more ways to boost her AC! :)

Mmm. Good point. Thought it worked like an infusion where drawing it was part of the standard. I'll wander around and draw it then.

Dasus spends those few moments just catching his breath, letting the link with the other paladin heal him, though he does pick up his greataxe and strap to his back. When the action starts again, however, he moves over to the stairs in front of Yanda. To Shabah, he says, "Let us guard the stairs while everybody else gets into position. Maybe we can bait it out of the water by backing up once it attacks?"

I'm not sure if this plan is appropriate to a low wisdom character, but I'm hoping it fits under intelligence. (Of course, it could be a terrible plan and thus still fits under the wisdom. ;-))

Raising his battle axe, he prepares to strike if the creature shows itself.

Readying action to attack if the creature enters melee range and Dasus is aware. :-)

Readied attack with power attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20

Readied damage: 1d8 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15

Altovin reaches out with the wand as Shabah draws close.

Wand of CLW: 1d8 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 + 1 = 4

"Sorry, it seems my magic wasn't as strong there. Courage please stay with Romulus and help him clear his eyes." he asks his companion.

Courage will stay with Romulus providing Guidance.

Conditions:

Covering Fire feat granted to all PCs;

Squares in the corridor down the stairs are difficult terrain (water at least 2' deep);

Underwater combat rules apply if attacking a target underwater;

Red and Blue stars indicate the last known positions of the croc and the caster, respectively.
Shabah - 16 dmg; Shapechanged (05:00); mutagen (00:50);
00:00 Combat Round 8
Dasus - dmg; readied attack if croc comes within reach
Romulus - dmg; mirror images (2);
Altovin - 14 dmg; life link (Dasus);
Courage - dmg;
Yanda - 8 dmg; mutagen (00:50); shield (00:05);
Green - dmg; no longer in view
Blue - 10 dmg; no longer in view;
Red - dmg; no longer in view

Yanda moves back, avoiding the croc's bite, and draws a flask of acid. You are going to make me figure out the rules for what happens when you throw a flask of acid at something under water, aren't you?!? :-)

Shabah also moves and draws a different sort of flask.

Dasus readies to attack the creature if it comes within his reach. Dasus, I would say that neither low Wisdom nor low Int would keep you from being able to do this. Although you may be foolish, you are also a battle-trained warrior of considerable skill.

Altovin heals Shabah while Courage attempts to help Romulus overcome his blindness...
Romulus Will, guidance: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 6 + 1 = 18
... which does the trick, as Romulus finally manages to get the glitter out of his eyes! This happens at the end of Romulus' turn

The croc disappears into the muddy water and is nowhere to be seen...

Altovin's lifelink triggers once again; Dasus is now fully healed.

Pathfinders are up! The bold may act. The blue and red stars on the map indicate the last known position of the caster and the croc, respectively. Please be sure to show the path of your movement on the map and don't forget that the squares in the corridor are difficult terrain for standing/walking.

You are going to make me figure out the rules for what happens when you throw a flask of acid at something under water, aren't you?!? :-)

I was rather hoping to avoid that particular question by luring the croc to the stairs.

Since the croc did not follow, Yanda takes the opportunity to tap herself for more healing, then she stows the wand back in its place.

CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

GM Abraham wrote:

You are going to make me figure out the rules for what happens when you throw a flask of acid at something under water, aren't you?!? :-)

I was rather hoping to avoid that particular question by luring the croc to the stairs.

Thrown weapons are ineffective underwater, even when launched from land.

Guess that settles that question.

Now, hopefully it will emerge or Yanda will be sitting this fight out or perhaps, performing the role of backup healer with a stick.

Shabah anoints their armor and flaps over to join Dasus.

Altovin gives himself a tap of his wand as he feels his strength draining to Dasus.

"I am quite glad to be behind all of you. Even back here I am having a rough time...and I may be swimming down there." he says shakily looking down at the murky water.

CLW@Self: 1d8 + 1 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 1 + 1 + 2 = 7

Still feeling the pain he waves his other hand across his body calling on divine healing.

Lay On Hands (Swift): 1d6 + 1 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 1 + 1 + 2 = 8

Conditions:

Covering Fire feat granted to all PCs;

Squares in the corridor down the stairs are difficult terrain (water at least 2' deep);

Underwater combat rules apply if attacking a target underwater;

Red and Blue stars indicate the last known positions of the croc and the caster, respectively.

Light Blue square indicates a 10' diameter of churning water.
Shabah - 16 dmg; Shapechanged (05:00); mutagen (00:50); DR 2/- (00:05);
00:00 Combat Round 9
Dasus - dmg; readied attack if croc comes within reach
Romulus - dmg; mirror images (2);
Altovin - dmg; life link (Dasus);
Courage - dmg;
Yanda - 1 dmg; mutagen (00:50); shield (00:05);
Green - dmg; no longer in view
Blue - 10 dmg; no longer in view;
Red - dmg; no longer in view

Yanda takes a moment to heal herself.

Shabah anoints their armor with mercurial oil.

Altovin heals himself, with both his wand and his Paladin powers.

Romulus and Dasus on delay

From somewhere down the corridor, the pathfinders can hear the sound of arcane utterances, though they do not see anyone. Nor is the crocodile anywhere to be seen. However, suddenly, as the utterances die away, a huge mass of water appears right on top of Yanda, practically about to douse the Emerald Spire itself. This watery orb attempts to swallow Yanda and then, seemingly of its own accord, moves to catch Dasus and Shabah.

All three of the heroes easily leap out of the path of the huge pile of water, but they now find themselves face to face with a churning 10' tall sphere of roiling, churning water. The orb is indicated by the light blue square on the map.

Pathfinders are up!

"Hmph. Let her see if she can get me if she cannot see me."

Yanda simply moves out of sight from the annoying spellcaster, or so she hopes. And since there is a door there, she opens it if she is able.

Yanda finds a small storage room, filled with rotting debris and other materials. At a glance she thinks she would probably need about ten minutes to thoroughly search it.

"If need be we could wait out the spell in here. At least I think it is a spell since I don't see a face."

"Is anyone capable of revealing this creature from hiding?" Glitterdust or faerie fire?
Oh, also, if there's something invisible in the water we'd be seeing ripples if we're not stirring things up, right?

No help here.

Altovin wades down but doedsn't get too far thanks to the water level.

"I don't have any tricks for that...I am sorry Shabah." he apologizes.

Oh, also, if there's something invisible in the water we'd be seeing ripples if we're not stirring things up, right?

Not necessarily. Invisible creatures displace water, and that can be seen, *if* the water is clear, which this definitely isn't. Also, there are loads of crabs and other small creatures crawling about, so it's not like any ripple could necessarily be attributed to the caster or the croc. Also, there is lighting in the corridor (and the landing where you currently are) from luminescent corals and algae growing there, but they only give off the equivalent of candle light. In short, you've heard the (presumably invisible) caster casting a spell (just before the water orb appeared) and he sounded like he was somewhere down the corridor, but you have no visual cues to tell you where. And you've seen the (presumably *not* invisible) crocodile but it appears to be lurking somewhere in the murky water and it's difficult to have an idea of where without going to investigate. Oh, and also there is now a 10' diameter orb of churning water in front of you, so your view to the back of the corridor is even more hampered.

Conditions:

Covering Fire feat granted to all PCs;

Squares in the corridor down the stairs are difficult terrain (water at least 2' deep);

Underwater combat rules apply if attacking a target underwater;

Red and Blue stars indicate the last known positions of the croc and the caster, respectively.

Light Blue square indicates a 10' diameter of churning water.
Shabah - 16 dmg; Shapechanged (05:00); mutagen (00:50); DR 2/- (00:05);
00:00 Combat Round 9
Dasus - dmg; readied attack if croc comes within reach
Romulus - dmg; mirror images (2);
Altovin - dmg; life link (Dasus); move action used;
Courage - dmg;
Yanda - 1 dmg; mutagen (00:50); shield (00:05);
Green - dmg; no longer in view
Blue - 10 dmg; no longer in view;
Red - dmg; no longer in view

Altovin moves forward. Altovin, just to clarify, the landing where you are currently standing is dry and not difficult terrain. The watery area begins just after the landing, down the stairs leading into the corridor (just past where Dasus and Shabah are currently standing). You still have a standard action available if you want to do something.

The bold may act!

Oh gotcha. Then Altovin will move one more space forward then heal Shahbah.

CLW: 1d8 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 + 1 = 6

Shabah's mighty wings beat, driving them through the air, taloned feet skimming along the water's surface. Just one move action for now

Shabah, the ceilings are only 7' high, so this route will require you fly through the watery orb. Do you want to do that?

Sure thing

Reflex: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (12) + 9 = 21

Conditions:

Covering Fire feat granted to all PCs;

Squares in the corridor down the stairs are difficult terrain (water at least 2' deep);

Underwater combat rules apply if attacking a target underwater;

Red and Blue stars indicate the last known positions of the croc and the caster, respectively.

Light Blue square indicates a 10' diameter of churning water.
Shabah - 10 dmg; Shapechanged (05:00); mutagen (00:50); DR 2/- (00:05); move action used;
00:00 Combat Round 9
Dasus - dmg; readied attack if croc comes within reach
Romulus - dmg; mirror images (2);
Altovin - dmg; life link (Dasus); move action used;
Courage - dmg;
Yanda - 1 dmg; mutagen (00:50); shield (00:05);
Green - dmg; no longer in view
Blue - 10 dmg; no longer in view;
Red - dmg; no longer in view

Altovin heals Shabah, who then bravely flies right through the orb of water, somehow avoiding any harm.

Shabah Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 29

Shabah thinks that the crocodile is lurking in the water just beneath him. Map updated However, he is still not sure where the caster might be. Shabah you still have a standard action.

The bold may act!

With a splash Shabah lands, stretching out their jaws through the murky water to dutifully chomp on the croc!

Chomp (PA): 1d20 + 11 - 1 ⇒ (6) + 11 - 1 = 16
B/S/P: 2d6 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (2, 3) + 8 + 2 = 15 Firm Footing and Piercing, so I think this is full damage if it hits... 3D stuff is odd, but I probably provoked as I landed though.

Conditions:

Covering Fire feat granted to all PCs;

Squares in the corridor down the stairs are difficult terrain (water at least 2' deep);

Underwater combat rules apply if attacking a target underwater;

Red and Blue stars indicate the last known positions of the croc and the caster, respectively.

Light Blue square indicates a 10' diameter of churning water.
Shabah - 10 dmg; Shapechanged (05:00); mutagen (00:50); DR 2/- (00:05);
00:00 Combat Round 9
Dasus - dmg; readied attack if croc comes within reach
Romulus - dmg; mirror images (2);
Altovin - dmg; life link (Dasus); move action used;
Courage - dmg;
Yanda - 1 dmg; mutagen (00:50); shield (00:05);
Green - dmg; no longer in view
Blue - 10 dmg; no longer in view;
Red - 15 dmg;

Shabah spots the crocodile lurking in the water below and quickly lands in the murky water, scattering random crabs, and chomping down with full force upon the croc. Although the croc is large, it doesn't have reach, so you don't provoke.

The bold may act!

I am so sorry for the delay.

Dasus frowns at the sphere of water in front of them, but with no enemies on the side of the sphere, and an ally to support on the other, Dasus takes a breath and holds it, charging through.

Reflex: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9

Oh no! :-0

Yanda watches the impulsive warriors disappear from view, shaking her head disapprovingly. Well, mostly from view. Dasus did not get far and she could swear that is a look of surprised despair on his face though it could be just the watery orb distorting his features.

I liked my plan better. Though considering their choice of professions, I guess I truly expected no less.

Conditions:

Covering Fire feat granted to all PCs;

Squares in the corridor down the stairs are difficult terrain (water at least 2' deep);

Underwater combat rules apply if attacking a target underwater;

Red and Blue stars indicate the last known positions of the croc and the caster, respectively.

Light Blue square indicates a 10' diameter orb of churning water.
Shabah - 10 dmg; 6 non-lethal; Shapechanged (05:00); mutagen (00:50); DR 2/- (00:05);
00:00 Combat Round 10
Dasus - dmg; 7 non-lethal dmg; engulfed; holding breath (1 round);
Romulus - dmg; mirror images (2); on delay;
Altovin - dmg; 5 non-lethal; life link (Dasus);
Courage - dmg;
Yanda - 1 dmg; mutagen (00:50); shield (00:05);
Green - dmg; no longer in view
Blue - 10 dmg; no longer in view;
Red - 15 dmg;

Dasus attempts to rush through the orb but finds himself buffeted by its force...

Engulfed creatures are immersed in water and must hold their breath unless capable of breathing water. They gain cover against attacks from outside the aqueous orb but are considered entangled by its churning currents, takes 2d6 points of nonlethal damage at the beginning of their turn each round they remain trapped. Creatures within the orb may attempt a new Reflex save each round to escape into a random square adjacent to the aqueous orb.

Putting Romulus on delay.

The croc now attempts to repay Shabah for his tenderness.
bite: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10
tail slap: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (1) + 0 = 1
But its efforts are ineffectual.

The orb now begins to move - almost as if someone is directing it - first towards Shabah...
Shabah Ref: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 9 = 12
non-lethal dmg: 2d6 ⇒ (5, 3) = 8 reduced by 2 from your Mercurial Oil
Shabah 2nd Ref: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (19) + 9 = 28
... and then, after buffeting but not managing to engulf him, back up the stairs towards the others, all the while carrying poor Dasus along inside itself.

Shabah Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 29

Despite the chaos of the churning orb battering him and the crocodile trying to swallow his face, Shabah somehow manages to make out a distinct splash at the end of the corridor - certainly too large to just be another crab - as if something unseen and underwater had just moved around the corner. Blue star on the map indicates where Shabah thinks something is.

At the start of Dasus' turn:
non-lethal dmg: 2d6 ⇒ (4, 4) = 8

Fortunately, Altovin's lifelink soon heals Dasus of some of that damage, transferring it to himself.

Dasus you can make another Reflex save to attempt to escape.

Pathfinders are up! The bold may act!

"Oh Dasus! It seems it is always a good choice to link our lifeforce together...how did you manage to get trapped in there?" Altovin says worriedly while moving away while preparing for any other tricks.

Move and Total Defense.