NG Dwarf Male Warpriest-6 | HP 51/51 | AC 24 / 13 T / 22 FF; +4 Dodge vs Giants | CMD 19 (23 vs Bull Rush, Trip | Fort +9, Reflex +5, Will +9; +2 vs. poison, +4 vs. spells and spell-like abilities | Fervor (2d6; 6/6 per day) | Blessings 6/day (Good: holy strike, Magic: hand of the acolyte) | Channel positive energy 3/3/day (DC 16, 2d6) | Sacred weapon (1d8, +1, 6/6 rounds/day) | Init +3 | Perception +9 (+11 vs devils, +11 to notice unusual stonework); darkvision 60 ft. | Speed 20 ft. | Conditions: None
"Thanks, Sheela," McKieg says, accepting a dose of the motion-lotion.
When Luurg signals he ready to move on, the dwarf advances with the half-orc, using his darkvision to peer ahead and looks for magical auras.
Internal Alchemist 8 HP67/67 Fast Healing 4/4 | AC 20, T 12, FF 20 Uncanny Dodge| Fort +11, Ref +10, Will +5 | Init +2 | Perc +12, 60' Darkvision, Bombs (13/13) Fly (8/8) Effects: Ant Haul
"Luurg smiles at the Bosslady and nods happily [b]"A slipp'ry Luurg is a happy Luurg!" He wiggles his lower body and then lubes up, ready for more of them crabby crabs.
"Lez go half mang n new spear we gots crabbies to crunch!" And awaaaaay they go.
You press on, eyes and ears on high alert for danger now. The passage continues, arcing slightly towards the north before dipping back towards the southeast once more. But as you move forward, something changes. Further down the passage the steady glow of light can now be seen, glinting off of the water that seems to be puddling up over the floor again.
McKieg:
Just ahead and to your right, you detect an aura of magic. As you pause to focus on it you realize that a section of the wall is registering as magical, giving an aura of illusion.
Please make a DC 17 Will. If you succeed, open the spoiler below.
Spoiler:
You realize that the magical section of wall is just an illusion and not really there at all. But even though you *know* that it's not real and that you could simply walk through it if you wished, the wall doesn't actually fade from your sight like most illusions would once disbelieved.
NG Male human (Garundi) Bard (Arcane Healer) 5; Init +4; Senses: Perception +8: AC 20, touch 12, flat-footed 18 (+6 armor, +2 Dex, +2 shield) hp 43, Fort +4, Ref +7, Will +5 (+2 trait bonus vs. divine spells of different faith than you); +4 vs. bardic performance
Tiffany dabs her finger on Luurg's arm, and then sniffs the strange, slippery salve. "Kinda gross, but if it works, it works! I think I'll keep my distance, maybe morph into an eagle, a rhino, or I dunno, a pink fluffy bear!"
NG Dwarf Male Warpriest-6 | HP 51/51 | AC 24 / 13 T / 22 FF; +4 Dodge vs Giants | CMD 19 (23 vs Bull Rush, Trip | Fort +9, Reflex +5, Will +9; +2 vs. poison, +4 vs. spells and spell-like abilities | Fervor (2d6; 6/6 per day) | Blessings 6/day (Good: holy strike, Magic: hand of the acolyte) | Channel positive energy 3/3/day (DC 16, 2d6) | Sacred weapon (1d8, +1, 6/6 rounds/day) | Init +3 | Perception +9 (+11 vs devils, +11 to notice unusual stonework); darkvision 60 ft. | Speed 20 ft. | Conditions: None
Will DC17:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13(Steel Soul and Glory of Old: +5 vs Spells & Spell-like Abilities) "Just ahead and to our right, I detect an aura of magic." McKieg whispers, pausing to focus on it. "A section of the wall is registering as magical, giving an aura of illusion."
(I'm pretty confident the feat and trait bonus apply to the Will save, but I'll wait till you rule, before I open the spoiler.)
NG Dwarf Male Warpriest-6 | HP 51/51 | AC 24 / 13 T / 22 FF; +4 Dodge vs Giants | CMD 19 (23 vs Bull Rush, Trip | Fort +9, Reflex +5, Will +9; +2 vs. poison, +4 vs. spells and spell-like abilities | Fervor (2d6; 6/6 per day) | Blessings 6/day (Good: holy strike, Magic: hand of the acolyte) | Channel positive energy 3/3/day (DC 16, 2d6) | Sacred weapon (1d8, +1, 6/6 rounds/day) | Init +3 | Perception +9 (+11 vs devils, +11 to notice unusual stonework); darkvision 60 ft. | Speed 20 ft. | Conditions: None
"Fascinating. The magical section of wall is just an illusion and not really there at all," McKieg adds in a whisper, running a calloused hand over his bald head. "But even though I *know* that it's not real and that I could simply walk through it, the wall doesn't actually fade from my sight like most illusions would once disbelieved."
"I suggest it would be prudent for one of our more stealthy brothers and sisters to scout ahead, though, before we attempt to pass through and discover whatever is on the other side of the illusion."
Internal Alchemist 8 HP67/67 Fast Healing 4/4 | AC 20, T 12, FF 20 Uncanny Dodge| Fort +11, Ref +10, Will +5 | Init +2 | Perc +12, 60' Darkvision, Bombs (13/13) Fly (8/8) Effects: Ant Haul
"Luurg sniggy, no one know Luurg dare. Me go Boss Lady." He tip toes towards the 'wall' to go through quietly, easing his head into it, not quite sure if its real or not...
NG Male human (Garundi) Bard (Arcane Healer) 5; Init +4; Senses: Perception +8: AC 20, touch 12, flat-footed 18 (+6 armor, +2 Dex, +2 shield) hp 43, Fort +4, Ref +7, Will +5 (+2 trait bonus vs. divine spells of different faith than you); +4 vs. bardic performance
Taking the hint from Sheela, Adyr casts Vanish on himself as well.
Though it's difficult reconcile what he's seeing with what McKieg has told him, Luurg accepts Sheela's vanishing spell and boldly moves towards the wall. Just when he thinks he's going to walk right into the solid, unyielding side of the passage...his head simply passes right through it. McKieg is right - even though by gods it LOOKS like there's a wall here, there isn't. The burly half-orc takes a moment to peer around...
Luurg:
The organic walls of this chamber appear diseased, peeling away from the bedrock walls in large flakes. The desiccated carcass of some huge, aberrant sea creature lies atop a large bier-like growth rising in the center of the room. Dried husks composed of what looks like discarded, wrinkled skin lie scattered about the floor, which is coated in a thin veneer of slime.
______________
Luurg, please make a Stealth check and tell me what you're doing.
Internal Alchemist 8 HP67/67 Fast Healing 4/4 | AC 20, T 12, FF 20 Uncanny Dodge| Fort +11, Ref +10, Will +5 | Init +2 | Perc +12, 60' Darkvision, Bombs (13/13) Fly (8/8) Effects: Ant Haul
Sniggy Luurg pokes his invisible head into the room and looks around. He looks up, he looks down, he looks all around for anything that looks alive. He looks on the ground to see if there's a path through the slime. Tracks? Obvious other exits? He keeps his hands tight on New Spear the whole time. His mind says Hello but his mouth stays shut. Then he pulls his head back out to report to the others in a whisper.
Of course you can't tell if there are any magical auras anywhere in the room but as you look around you're reasonably certain that there aren't any other obvious exits from this dead-end chamber. There also doesn't seem to be any clear path through the slime that covers the floor.
And though you don't see any tracks in this area your keen eyes do suddenly detect movement...from the great carcass that lies atop the bier! A deep, shuddering breath, and the twitching of tentacles. Whatever it is, it's not as dead as it first appeared.
Luckily, it doesn't seem to detect your presence.
Yet.
______________
The creature is huge, to give you an idea of the size of what you're looking at.
Internal Alchemist 8 HP67/67 Fast Healing 4/4 | AC 20, T 12, FF 20 Uncanny Dodge| Fort +11, Ref +10, Will +5 | Init +2 | Perc +12, 60' Darkvision, Bombs (13/13) Fly (8/8) Effects: Ant Haul
"Big dead but not dead ting up on altar ting. Lotsa tentacles. Slimy floor. No ways out." Is all Luurg says as he reappears at the door way.
Ready to go in, sorry that wasn't a more useful scouting. Not something Luurg wanted to deal with by himself! May want to put that grease to use for those that haven't.
Depending on the size of the room and such, Luurg would like to use enlarge before we go in.
NG Dwarf Male Warpriest-6 | HP 51/51 | AC 24 / 13 T / 22 FF; +4 Dodge vs Giants | CMD 19 (23 vs Bull Rush, Trip | Fort +9, Reflex +5, Will +9; +2 vs. poison, +4 vs. spells and spell-like abilities | Fervor (2d6; 6/6 per day) | Blessings 6/day (Good: holy strike, Magic: hand of the acolyte) | Channel positive energy 3/3/day (DC 16, 2d6) | Sacred weapon (1d8, +1, 6/6 rounds/day) | Init +3 | Perception +9 (+11 vs devils, +11 to notice unusual stonework); darkvision 60 ft. | Speed 20 ft. | Conditions: None
McKieg listens to Luurg's abbreviated recon report, grateful he can also read the half-orcs thoughts for more information.
"I mentioned it before, but it would be prudent for someone stealthy to also scout the way ahead along this passage, before we pass through the illusory wall."
Internal Alchemist 8 HP67/67 Fast Healing 4/4 | AC 20, T 12, FF 20 Uncanny Dodge| Fort +11, Ref +10, Will +5 | Init +2 | Perc +12, 60' Darkvision, Bombs (13/13) Fly (8/8) Effects: Ant Haul
McKieg wrote:
McKieg listens to Luurg's abbreviated recon report, grateful he can also read the half-orcs thoughts for more information.
"I mentioned it before, but it would be prudent for someone stealthy to also scout the way ahead along this passage, before we pass through the illusory wall."
Oh, I thought the illusionary wall was the end of the line. If there's more down the hall then I'd check that out first and foremost.
NG Male human (Garundi) Bard (Arcane Healer) 5; Init +4; Senses: Perception +8: AC 20, touch 12, flat-footed 18 (+6 armor, +2 Dex, +2 shield) hp 43, Fort +4, Ref +7, Will +5 (+2 trait bonus vs. divine spells of different faith than you); +4 vs. bardic performance
Adyr will wait until Luurg is done with his reconnaissance.
"Be safe... we will be ready to rush in if need be."
"I mean, I could go gross rat mode and try to sneak along, but, like, if something notices me, I'm a goner!" Tiffany pouts. "Can't have your girl Tiffany remembered as a rat as her final form!"
I uncovered the hidden room just to make it easier for you guys to plan; the thing lurking within is huge size and thus takes up a fair bit of the chamber. Also, will anyone be reapplying Vanish to Luurg before he continues down the hallway? Either way, Luurg, make another Stealth check.
Behind the Scenes:
1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18
Deciding to heed McKieg's suggestion and also explore further down the passageway, Luurg does just that as he attempts to blend into the shadows. The further he proceeds, the more Luurg notices the water level rising again, until it reaches roughly 3 feet deep. Ahead, the passage opens into another chamber. A floating will-o’-wisp globe illuminates this chamber, which contains rubble and debris from an excavation against the face of the northeast wall. Water streams into the room from cracks in the wall as the surf pounds against the other side.
Luurg also sees five skum milling about; an equal number of pickaxes lie propped against the nearby wall, indicating that they've likely been the ones digging down here. It seems that you've caught them taking a break...
Internal Alchemist 8 HP67/67 Fast Healing 4/4 | AC 20, T 12, FF 20 Uncanny Dodge| Fort +11, Ref +10, Will +5 | Init +2 | Perc +12, 60' Darkvision, Bombs (13/13) Fly (8/8) Effects: Ant Haul
Stealth:1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14
Luurg moves through the water like a fish. A very round fish carrying lots of gear and displacing lots of water. He eyeballs the skum and knows what must be done, but it must be done quietly...
He takes a deep breath and swims closer, New Spear in hand ready to strike.
I'm going to assume he's seen and plans to run them through on his spear. The others will hear and head over I'm sure.
Oh yeah, they totally see you Also I'm going to say that your Long Arm has expired by now but you're still gtg on Shield.
As Luurg comes moving through the water he tries his best to move as quietly and silently as a fish but it's very difficult to hide the ripples in the water that his passage makes. One of the skum blinks and looks up, bulbous eyes widening with surprise to see the half-orc trying to sneak closer.
"Ahagl! h' mgah!"
And with that, all five skum grab for their weapons and move to engage...
Conditions: Male Human Sorcerer 8 HP 58/58 | AC 14/18/22: (MA,Shield), T 12, FF 14 | F: +6, R: +3, W: +7 | CMD 15 | Perc. +2 | Init. +1
Resources:
Elemental Ray 7/7; 1st L spells 7/7; 2nd L spells 7/7; 3rd L spells 5/5; 4th L Spells 3/4; Fires of Hell 1/1
Wadi is about to criticize Luurg's lack of stealthy prowess before he suddenly realizes he would be no better. Deciding to end the melee in one swift blow he steps forward until he sees the skum and sends some fiery death their way!
Move to map position and Cast Fireball catching all five skum. Fire damage:6d6 ⇒ (3, 5, 4, 1, 6, 3) = 22, Reflex save DC 17 for half-damage.
Luurg feels the hair on his arms singe as Wadi's fireball whizzes past him and explodes into the chamber beyond with a loud *THWOOOM*. Four of the five skum manage to take cover in the water or behind rubble but the fifth is too slow to react and is subsequently burned to a crisp!
______________
NG Male human (Garundi) Bard (Arcane Healer) 5; Init +4; Senses: Perception +8: AC 20, touch 12, flat-footed 18 (+6 armor, +2 Dex, +2 shield) hp 43, Fort +4, Ref +7, Will +5 (+2 trait bonus vs. divine spells of different faith than you); +4 vs. bardic performance
Impressed with Wadi's arcane pyromania Adyr moves forward and casts his own spell at the remaining Skum.
"Arcanum dustus blindus invokus pocus!"
Casting Glitterdust (DC 15)- positioned to get all of the remaining skum within the area of effect.
To add insult to the fireball's painful injury, Adyr strolls up and drops a glitter bomb in the midst of the skum! All four of them yelp and start pawing at their eyes in unison; it might almost be comical if it weren't so sad.
______________
Tiffany holds her nose. "And I thought Luurg's flatulence was bad! Smells like burnt lizard men!" She pads along the hallway, sling in hand, before loosing a stone at blue!
NG Dwarf Male Warpriest-6 | HP 51/51 | AC 24 / 13 T / 22 FF; +4 Dodge vs Giants | CMD 19 (23 vs Bull Rush, Trip | Fort +9, Reflex +5, Will +9; +2 vs. poison, +4 vs. spells and spell-like abilities | Fervor (2d6; 6/6 per day) | Blessings 6/day (Good: holy strike, Magic: hand of the acolyte) | Channel positive energy 3/3/day (DC 16, 2d6) | Sacred weapon (1d8, +1, 6/6 rounds/day) | Init +3 | Perception +9 (+11 vs devils, +11 to notice unusual stonework); darkvision 60 ft. | Speed 20 ft. | Conditions: None
"Moving!" McKieg yells, hustling up to Luurg under the cover of a bombardment of fire and glitter.
Taking a position on the half-orc's flank, the warpriest uses his fervor to cast divine favor upon himself.
Internal Alchemist 8 HP67/67 Fast Healing 4/4 | AC 20, T 12, FF 20 Uncanny Dodge| Fort +11, Ref +10, Will +5 | Init +2 | Perc +12, 60' Darkvision, Bombs (13/13) Fly (8/8) Effects: Ant Haul
Luurg murgliglglleehgghll's right back at the group as the artillery flies over and around him. He readies his spear for a possible charge. "Who want sum?"
You all continue your assault on the group of skum; Tiffany attempts to pop Blue in the head with a sling stone but Luurg being in the middle of the corridor makes it difficult to aim and the stone clatters harmless off the passage wall. Sheela advances and readies to try and daze the first skum to approach Luurg while McKieg also moves up and calls upon Yuelral's divine favor to bolster him in battle. Luurg hefts New Spear and readies himself for a possible charge attack.
While the charge attack doesn't come, as none of the skum are able to clear the glitter from their eyes, Blue does still advance towards the sounds of the group and is promptly cut down by Luurg as soon as he gets within reach of New Spear. The three remaining skum stumble forward as well and adopt defensive positions; Sheela attempts to Daze Red as he draws close to Luurg but the spell seems to have no effect on the creature.
Unless you have an ability that allows it to work against not-humanoids, that is.
NG Male human (Garundi) Bard (Arcane Healer) 5; Init +4; Senses: Perception +8: AC 20, touch 12, flat-footed 18 (+6 armor, +2 Dex, +2 shield) hp 43, Fort +4, Ref +7, Will +5 (+2 trait bonus vs. divine spells of different faith than you); +4 vs. bardic performance
Adyr draws an arrow, enchants it, and let's it fly (at yellow).
Internal Alchemist 8 HP67/67 Fast Healing 4/4 | AC 20, T 12, FF 20 Uncanny Dodge| Fort +11, Ref +10, Will +5 | Init +2 | Perc +12, 60' Darkvision, Bombs (13/13) Fly (8/8) Effects: Ant Haul
Luurg removes New Spear from the belly of the frog man then frowns as he sees everyone can't see. "Did dey just say Gerlack? I tink so..." He says to half mang McKieg next to him as he sticks the red frog in his belly.
Even with his companions in the way Adyr takes another bead, this time on Yellow, and lets his arrow fly...
*THWOCK*
...right into Yellow's skull! The skum falls backward into the water like a lead weight, sending water spraying in all directions. Luurg follows this up by skewering Yellow's pal Red right in the stomach, easily finishing the weak creature off.
Sheela had been planning to shoot at Red as she moves up behind McKieg and so has to settle for shooting at Orange, the only skum left standing, instead. But much like Adyr's first arrow, her bolt misses the mark and *tinks* off the side of the passage instead.
Meanwhile Wadi, alarmed to hear what sounded like a call for Gerlach, waits to see what will happen...
______________
NG Dwarf Male Warpriest-6 | HP 51/51 | AC 24 / 13 T / 22 FF; +4 Dodge vs Giants | CMD 19 (23 vs Bull Rush, Trip | Fort +9, Reflex +5, Will +9; +2 vs. poison, +4 vs. spells and spell-like abilities | Fervor (2d6; 6/6 per day) | Blessings 6/day (Good: holy strike, Magic: hand of the acolyte) | Channel positive energy 3/3/day (DC 16, 2d6) | Sacred weapon (1d8, +1, 6/6 rounds/day) | Init +3 | Perception +9 (+11 vs devils, +11 to notice unusual stonework); darkvision 60 ft. | Speed 20 ft. | Conditions: None
Not impressed by the floundering skum McKieg sloshes forward through the water and cuts down the floundering creature with a decisive strike that's, in its own way, rather merciful.
An eerie, uneasy silence falls over the passage...
We're going to remain in combat rounds for...reasons. Tiffany may take her Round 2 action and everyone may take their Round 3 actions, if you wish.
______________
"Good job, guys!" Tiffany calls as she waddles through the water. Double move for round 2
She leans to the side to peer down the tunnel, just past the others. "Detective Tiffany is on the case. With the skum calling out his name, what are the chances this Gerlach is just down the hall? We totally need to be prepared!"
Then she starts to rub all seven of her shiny gemstone rings in a specific pattern to summon forth a companion.
Tiffany will use Summon Nautre's Ally III to summon a crocodile at the start of next round.
NG Dwarf Male Warpriest-6 | HP 51/51 | AC 24 / 13 T / 22 FF; +4 Dodge vs Giants | CMD 19 (23 vs Bull Rush, Trip | Fort +9, Reflex +5, Will +9; +2 vs. poison, +4 vs. spells and spell-like abilities | Fervor (2d6; 6/6 per day) | Blessings 6/day (Good: holy strike, Magic: hand of the acolyte) | Channel positive energy 3/3/day (DC 16, 2d6) | Sacred weapon (1d8, +1, 6/6 rounds/day) | Init +3 | Perception +9 (+11 vs devils, +11 to notice unusual stonework); darkvision 60 ft. | Speed 20 ft. | Conditions: None
When the team gathers together, McKieg uses his wand to cast bless, then puts it away. (43 charges remaining.)
NG Dwarf Male Warpriest-6 | HP 51/51 | AC 24 / 13 T / 22 FF; +4 Dodge vs Giants | CMD 19 (23 vs Bull Rush, Trip | Fort +9, Reflex +5, Will +9; +2 vs. poison, +4 vs. spells and spell-like abilities | Fervor (2d6; 6/6 per day) | Blessings 6/day (Good: holy strike, Magic: hand of the acolyte) | Channel positive energy 3/3/day (DC 16, 2d6) | Sacred weapon (1d8, +1, 6/6 rounds/day) | Init +3 | Perception +9 (+11 vs devils, +11 to notice unusual stonework); darkvision 60 ft. | Speed 20 ft. | Conditions: None
Having heard Luurg's report about the horrible tentacles beyond the illusory wall, and seeing Wadi grease himself up, McKieg retrieves his own dose of salve of slipperiness and applies it a coat to himself. "I'll use my wand of bless as soon as the summoners' help arrives."
