Trade Prince Val Covan |
Drawing his own wand of mage armor, Val waves Busta's wand away. "Here, use mine. It served me well as a novice but my own magic surpasses it tenfold now. But I suspect you will be using that wand for many missions ahead, this will save a few charges."
Grabbing the wand of protection from evil Val sheaths it in his belt.
Sensing that the briefing is drawing to the end, the Trade Prince addresses Emira Elyse; "Emira, if you will; you know the questions I would ask."
Emira Elyse |
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Suddenly serious Emira Elyse glides down to the table and into a meditative sitting position. As she speaks her questions they echo across the planes and in time, return with answers.
Using her once per week casting of commune.
"Is this lock on Tar-Baphon's magical prison being assaulted?
Will this lock fail if we move slowly?
Is this lock still intact?
Is there a dragon at this site?
Do undead defend this site?
Will Lutorinus Exsuberia betray us?"
Val shoots the Azata a dark look at the last question.
Lutorinus Exsuberia |
Lutorinus feigns a gasp, bringing his hand to his heart. "You wound me Emira! Not only am I devoted to upholding the law, I value the honor of my word over most things. I'm even willing to work with beings antithetical to my beliefs with trust and integrity, something I see I cannot say about all of my traveling companions this trip. It's a shame really, I was looking forward to learning much about what the other side brings to the table," he says with a fake pout. Miserable is the creature that is weak to it's whims.
GM XaveTheNerd |
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"1)Is this lock on Tar-Baphon's magical prison being assaulted?
2)Will this lock fail if we move slowly?
3)Is this lock still intact?
4)Is there a dragon at this site?
5)Do undead defend this site?
6)Will Lutorinus Exsuberia betray us?"
Linked Threat: 2 Shadow drakes and 3 shae
Additional Threat 1: 1d10 ⇒ 9 - 2 Wood golems
Additional Threat 2: 1d10 ⇒ 8 - Deathtrap Ooze
Environmental Threat: 1d10 ⇒ 3 - Insanity mist trap
1) It always is.
2) It wouldn't be your fault.
3) Yes
4) Yes
5) No
6) Unlikely.
Venture captain Besnik, happy as can be that you know where to go pipes up. "Oh? Hey! Guess I don't have to research it! I'll give you guys what I was prepared to sell to find the spot."
He offers another lockbox.
6 flasks of holy water, one scroll of lesser restoration, two potions of lesser restoration, and one soul stimulant.
Let me know when each of your characters are ready to go! Any purchases you'd like to make before heading out?
Trade Prince Val Covan |
The Trade Prince nods, satisfied with the information available and prepares to depart.
Busta Jawz |
"A dragon!!"
Busta hurriedly finishes his beer and rushes out the door! Only to realize he has no idea how to get to where the party is going so he sheepishly waits around outside until other party members arrive for him to follow...
Roldala Chainbiter |
Roldala works her jaw as she watches Busta dash ahead, then borrows Besnik's map and gathers her gear.
Least the bug could say for sure that there was something down there.
Setare Katsu |
Setare shyly takes one holy water and the scroll of lesser restoration.
”I ... I just hope that al... although it is not our fault... we ... we can make a difference!“ Setare says with some doubt.
”Le... let’s go!“
Lutorinus Exsuberia |
Lutorinus stows the scroll of Lesser Restoration, he moves for the door as well. "There is nothing left for me to do here," he declares.
________
Since we know we are fighting a dragon, I'll prepare Communal Resist Energy
GM XaveTheNerd |
As you travel through the lifeless Hungry Mountains in Virlych toward your destination, a drizzle transforms into an ever more aggressive snowstorm, as if the weather itself were keeping you away, and strange whispers fill the air. As a small consolation, the tedious climb is shallow enough that you are not exposed to the dangers of altitude sickness. Eventually, you reach a toppled obelisk on a peak marking the entrance to the underground fortress. A staircase descends 30 feet into the mountainside.
Now's the time to buff before entering and get the marching order in, well, order!
Cervantes DeLeon |
I'll take point. If you get ahead of me, just leave a path for me to get a running start.
Just a reminder, Cervantes is meant to charge whenever possible. Hopefully with a path that involves stomping on another enemy on the way.
Trade Prince Val Covan |
At the last break before the mountain Val prepares his last few empty spell slots (adding Slipstream and Adhesive Spittle to his empty slots.)
"If you like a running start, let's make that start a little faster." Val casts Slipstream on Cervantes and Mage Armor on Busta, he uses his wand of mage armor on himself. Finally he casts Ablative Barrier on himself.
Val will stick to the back
Busta Jawz |
"Thank you for that, Val!"
Busta attempts to UMD a wand of longstrider on himself.
UMD: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18
UMD: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12
UMD: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27
And eventually succeeds!
"Anyone else want to use this? Feel free!"
Busta will stand beside Cervantes if we're moving along two abreast. Otherwise, Busta will stand behind Cervantes if we're moving single file.
Aside from the wand of longstrider, Busta also has a wand of endure elements if the environment we're in warrants it. Happy to share charges with anyone who wants.
Roldala Chainbiter |
Roldala fiddles and grips her hammer as her companions prepare their magics, ready to be underway.
Roldala would also go towards the front, but she's got reach, so it's fine to be behind Busta
Busta Jawz |
"I'll try not to break it, Busta."
Woooo...so you have a total of 20 extra movement? Looking forward to seeing you charge across a big room!
Lutorinus Exsuberia |
This is perfect, they are all willing to leap into the fray and endanger themselves already! "One of my many strengths is passing unseen. Perhaps it would be prudent if I had a brief look at the areas that lie in wait?" he asks, his tail patiently swaying back and forth.
________
Near the back for me too, probably next to Val. Anyone opposed to me scouting quickly?
Setare Katsu |
Setare looks at the martial prowess and then at her small Scimitar.
”Ehh ... ye .. yes. I... I will try to ... to support too. I ho... hope ... “ Setare says again with a quivering voice.
Busta Jawz |
"Go for it. But if you run into any trouble, just yell!" says Busta to Lutorinus.
Lutorinus Exsuberia |
Seeing no dissent, Lutorinus pulls out his a rod, a gold piece, and begins casting spells. Clutching the rod, he whispers a dark prayer to the gold piece before stowing it in an easily accessible place, the light in the area briefly distorting as he does so. Then, he snaps his fingers and disappears. "Fifteen minutes at the most," he says before leaving.
________
Deeper Darkness on the coin, Invisibility on myself, both extended. GM, I'll start off by taking 10 on my stealth (26 w/o invi, 46 w/invis) and perception (28) checks. For ease of doing this in PbP, I'll follow a right hand rule for doors and such. Please let me know what the ambient light level is in each room, it would matter if I have to pull the coin out!
GM XaveTheNerd |
The dungeon walls, unless noted, are 10 feet tall. The rooms are completely dark unless a light source is explicitly described.
Map will be ready later this evening. I'll be sure to post then.
GM XaveTheNerd |
Now there's a map, yay!
Lutorinus, finds, first, a maze of sprung traps obstructing a large entrance hall. Blades, spikes, blast marks, and bones litter the ground. Carved holy symbols of Aroden, Sarenrae, and Pharasma cover the walls, but many of them have been vandalized.
Acrobatics: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20
Lutorinus is able to gracefully bound over the traps and make his way to a hallway. He finds three shrines down the hallway, one to each of the gods listed before, but as he approaches he notices the distinct arcane hum of constructs moving about. They seem confused about the sudden inability to see, and begin whirring up to start looking for the source of the darkness.
What's next?
Lutorinus Exsuberia |
Lutorinus continues moving down the hallway to learn more about the little dungeon they've found themselves in. Of all the deities that grant mortals power, these are the ones they chose? Pah!
________
Sorry GM, I wasn't clear about this before. The Deeper Darkness coin is fully concealed so the light levels shouldn't have changed. It is my "trump card" so to speak for when I happen upon something that can see me despite invisibility! I have no intention of fighting anything, so I'll just look through the next couple of rooms and then report back.
Setare Katsu |
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Setare waits for a sign.
Lutorinus is a good man! He is really placing himself in a dangerous situation for the team! A spark of hope is visible in this very companion at my side ... I hope I can bridge the gap and care for their soul should they wish my help ... well hopefully they want my help ... Setare thinks.
Busta Jawz |
"Go for it. But if you run into any trouble, just yell!" says Busta to Lutorinus.
After Val casts message, Busta corrects himself, saying, "errrr.... or just whisper?"
Trade Prince Val Covan |
Val waits...
"Busta, Setare, stand close. If Desna starts laughing we might teleport after him."
Trade Prince Val Covan |
Thinking on his feet Val improvises a response, "No, no. We three are the decoy. It will be a pincer attack with you two coming in as the hammer from the back..."
Busta Jawz |
"That's genius!" exclaims Busta, not realize Val is simply trying to cover for a mistake...
GM XaveTheNerd |
Sorry GM, I wasn't clear about this before. The Deeper Darkness coin is fully concealed so the light levels shouldn't have changed. It is my "trump card" so to speak for when I happen upon something that can see me despite invisibility! I have no intention of fighting anything, so I'll just look through the next couple of rooms and then report back.
Ahh. That makes sense. I'll have you go a bit deeper, then.
Lutorinus, following the right wall, makes his way into a long room (pictured to the right of the entryway). This room contains racks for bows, crossbows, and other ranged weaponry along the southern walls of the chamber. Receptacles for ammunition stand between the racks. A large arcane mark glows on the floor atop a raised platform. The room appears to be in an odd state, as wind randomly blows throughout the room. Seeing this, Lutorinus takes note and turns back, heading into the horizontal room above the entryway.
Coiled in the eastern alcove is the statue of a cobra-like snake with a contemplative humanoid face. Parts of the statue have crumbled and fallen to the ground, though enough detail remains to see sadness in the creatures's stony eyes. The room appears occupied by two cat-sized, two-legged, two-winged creatures, as well as three humanoid shapes composed of almost pure, opaque shadow. Lutorinus is not able to identify the creatures, and seeing vaguely dragon-ey shapes makes him think he should return to his compatriots.
Map updated
Lutorinus Exsuberia |
While still invisible, Lutorinus explains what he learns to the group. The above posts!
"Any preparations to be made?" he asks. It better go smoothly now that I've risked my life for this knowledge. Once the group is ready to dive deeper into the dungeon, he takes his position in the formation seamlessly.
________
Thanks for your patience everyone! First time scouting in PbP. I'll prep the following spells in my open slots (unless someone knows of any better cleric spells!): Make Whole, Silence, Unbreakable Heart, Obscuring Mist.
Busta Jawz |
"I believe I'm as prepared as I'll ever be. How about everyone else?
"And shall we approach the constructs first or the room with the arcane mark?
Setare Katsu |
Setare nods!
Lutorinus Exsuberia |
"Nullifying mobile threats is clearly the most prudent strategy, I concur with the others. I believe "busting heads" is in order," Lutorinus lectures, almost choking out the colloquial phrase.
GM XaveTheNerd |
Where to first, everyone?
As everybody moves through the first room, I need an acrobatics check. Avoiding the sprung traps proves difficult for the less maneuverable among you.
Lutorinus Exsuberia |
Having done it before, Lutorinus does his best to take the same path. Once he gets to the other side, he watches his companions to see how they fair.
________
Acrobatics: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18
Those constructs are what I interpreted to be the first destination.
Trade Prince Val Covan |
"I'd rather not catch lockjaw from old traps.." With an arcane chant Val summons a tiny man with horns and eyes of glowing rubies and commands it; "Cast spider climb on myself, Cervantes, and Roldala." Gesturing to each in turn. It can also levitate anyone else who needs it, but the rest of the group is fairly acrobatic.
Summon Monster 3; Tripurasura, made available with Expanded Summon Monster
With the spells complete Val places his hand on the tiny Asura. In a blink it is gone and a heavily stylized tattoo of a red devil in on the back of his hand, where nothing was before.
Using Tattoo Attunement
Content with his ability to climb around the hazards Val follows the team forward with a alexandrite gem in hand, heatless flames licking his fingers.
Busta Jawz |
"Right behind you, Cervantes!"
Acrobatics: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (9) + 10 = 19
I've moved Busta's token.
Roldala Chainbiter |
Roldala starts at Val's sudden friend, but reluctantly accepts its spell, she slings her long-hafted hammer across her back and begins to climb around the old traps.
"....thanks," she mutters after slightly too long.
Setare Katsu |
Acrobatics: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (13) + 10 = 23
GM XaveTheNerd |
Please place your tokens where you'd like to be when the combat starts. Moving full speed in the large room requires acrobatics checks in combat.
Cervantes DeLeon |
Some day I'll get a clear charge path. Also, how does the terrain work with my Fey Blood rage power. "While raging, when the barbarian charges, she ignores difficult terrain (including magical terrain, but not other creatures)."