TOZ's Passing the Torch (Inactive)

Game Master TriOmegaZero

I too prefer the jungle adds Kasimir.

Yuri agrees. "I've heard that there are trees in the jungle with sap that can be distilled into pure nectar. We should at least check it out. What could possibly go wrong?"

@Hamish - Would it be possible for your character to cast Mage Armor on my character before you turn in for the night? With my character's Extend Rod it should carry all the way through tomorrow. I suggest that you do the same on yourself with your own rod. It saves spell slots and the need and time to buff tomorrow.

Feh, Hamish isn't that obsessed with his AC. Hell, I still have the same leather armor I bought at level 1 =) If they'll hit me at 14, they'll hit me at 16.

But if you want him to use your extended rod to cast one, sure... won't make a big difference though, since I have to cast it basically 9 hours ahead of time... so the rod is only gaining you 3 hours.

@Hamish - Thanks. It is appreciated. It actually works quite well this way as your character can cast it at the end of his day with a left over slot and it will last 24 hours. In essence it is a free casting that lasts all day and can be repeated everyday before bed.

Are we ready to roll out to the Jungle? If someone wants to make a last minute purchase I can transport them to Absalom and back tomorrow morning before we head out.

I am ready adds Kasimir.

As am I. The sooner we resolve this issue and find this lost woman, the better.

The knight stands silently waiting.

• I will learn the weight of my sword. Without my heart
to guide it, it is worthless—my strength is not in my
sword, but in my heart. If I lose my sword, I have lost a
tool. If I betray my heart, I have died.

Yuri looks mournfully into his threadbare pouch. "No purchases for me, alas, done spent it all on grog! I reckon the sooner we head to this jungle the sooner we gets paid..."

Yuri doesn't have enough gold to buy another, but he only has a single potion of Fly. I don't know if anyone has the ability to cast Fly (or similar) on him, but of course it could come up.

Also, if anyone has the ability to cast Enlarge Person, it could be handy, though Yuri can also accomplish the same with a potion. And he can also do his thing without being enlarged - it's just that 20' of reach is fun.

Strake is more than happy to entertain the freed captives at his estate while you perform your business. "If it confounds the Mantis, I'll take it as payback for shoving me brain in a damned innocent goblin." The morning dawns bright and clear for your departure.

Rokgurn (or anyone else if someone is better at it), please give me a Survival check to navigate to the ziggurat. The rest of the party is welcome to attempt aid another as normal.

Survival aid another: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23

Rokgurn floats into the room. He nods to Whisper.

"Accept now the bounty of nature."

Rokgurn will cast Hunter's Blessing on the Party.

While in a jungle environment for the next 13 hours. All characters and minions will receive a +2 sacred bonus on initiative,perception,stealth and survival checks.

Also against all animals you will receive +2 sacred bonus to attack and damage and +2 sacred bonus to bluff, perception, sense motive and survival checks against them. Dinosaurs were mentioned by Strake. :)

Rokgurn leads the party into the wilderness. If possible he will transport the party nearer to the center of the island via Transport via Plants to save time.

Rokgurn's take 10 on Survival is now 31 without aids.

Whisper attempts to help his master navigate the jungle.

Aid Survival: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

Kasimir looks a bit out of place in a jungle, and tries to stay on his floating prayer rug and away from the vegetation and insects.

Overland Flight on Hamish (12 hours). Mage Armor on the Gull (12 hours)... and if we sense we are getting close to the ziggurat, he will supplement the Gull's defenses with a Barskin (2 hours)

Hamish looks entirely at home in the jungle... or at least puts on the appearance of being so. He pulls out his flaming cutlass to hack at vines that get too close (though you soon realize its mostly for show, as he lets the crew of the Seaward Gull do most of the work).

The Seaward Gull takes up a position in front of him, all the little sailors wielding blades of their own, hacking at vines, most wider than they are, with abandon. While they're captain floats along behind them, a few feet off the ground.

"Reminds me of that time me and the lads forayed into the Expanse, lookin' to loot the treasure vaults o' the Gorilla King himself." He says. "Course, was much hotter there, and it all went to pot when we stumbled right into the middle of some ruins with a hoard demon monkeys, during their ritual sacrifices. They got their knickers in a right bunch, I tell you, har! Though those native mwangi woman can be quite thankful, when you rescue 'em from certain doom..."

Bluff: 1d20 + 30 ⇒ (5) + 30 = 35

He happily points out clear paths, and unseen dangers as they go...

Hamish, Survival (aid): 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (4) - 1 = 3

Though it quickly becomes apparent he has no idea what he's doing, and it is only through the guidance of his crew that he avoids walking into all manner of environmental hazards... the Gull apparently much more aware of such things then their fearless leader.

Seaward Gull, Survival (aid): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11

You spy the stone structure peeking through the canopy well before you reach it. It squats among ruined buildings in this stretch of the jungle. Patches of dense vegetation cluster throughout the ruins and looming trees cast much of the area in shade, although there is little relief there from the humid heat to unprotected creatures. Forty feet up at the peak of the ziggurat, ten feet higher than the canopy, a stone sarcophagus rests.

Map is updated, tokens are in approximate marching order.

question: is the ziggurat where we were supposed to run into the saurian fellow, Rurat? The 'Horn' I think they called it.
Or did we bypass that, and this ziggurat is where we're to get on the gnome's trail?

Rokgurn grins at Hamish's antics. The man is more useful than he thinks as he unerringly points the party in the absolute wrong direction. His navigation skills on land might be lacking but his conviction in the quality of his own story telling is unmatched.

"A fine story and you tell it well you old sea dog!"

The convocation of four giant eagles bank slightly left squawking quietly about the infernal heat. They easily carry members of the party that do not easily fly by themselves.

As the group approaches the ziggurat Rokgurn begins to pray again. Suddenly the intense heat and humid air is replaced with a cooling and self-contained breeze that is refreshing and comforting for all party members. He casts other spells in quick succession to fortify the team before the next encounter.

Here is a list of buffs going up. People please try to remember them. At least the +2 to Initiative and +2 to Perception as these are most likely to come up. Omrax your speed is increased by 20' for the next 13 hours

1) Delay Poison, Communal - Omrax,Kasimir,Hamish,Seaward Gull, Yuri, Crazy (2 hours each), Whisper (1 hour). My character has poison immunity.

2)Life Bubble - Omrax,Kasimir,Hamish,Seaward Gull, Yuri, Crazy (4 hours each), Whisper (2 hour). My character has it running from last night.

3)Hide from Animals (Entire Party, including all minions) 2 hours 10 min.

4)Longstrider, Greater ===> Omrax (+20' move, +10' Fly) 13 hours.

5)Heightened Awareness (Self) 2 hours 10 min.

6)Resist Energy(Fire,30) 2 hours 10 min on self unless Kasimir puts up communal version.

7)Remove Sickness 2 hours 10 min on self. Spell recovered with pearl of power.

(Renew Barkskin on self if time spent flying is >4 hours)

As Rokgurn casts his spells, clouds begin to gather over the jungle, darkening and rumbling with thunder. As you land at the ziggurat, severe winds buffet the ruins, with worse conditions above the thick canopy.

Severe winds conditions are now in effect. Small creatures are checked by the wind, Tiny are blown away, unless they make successful Strength checks on the ground or Fly checks when flying. Ranged attacks, Perception checks, and Fly checks are at -4.

Hamish is certain that this is the location Strake said could lead you to Elysia, and the entire jungle is Rurat’s territory.

"We get a noreaster blowin' in." Hamish says with a concerned frown, as the storm clouds start to gather, and the winds pick up. "Looks like its gonna be a bad one."

He calls a command to the ship, and you see various crewmen rushing about the deck, battening down hatches, and securing lines, in preparation for a storm.

"If this be the territory ah this Rurat fellow, and he's no friend o' the Mantis'... perhaps there be room to parlay." He adds, looking around. "Though I'm sure he will lump all o' us in the same boat at this point."

What do we know about saurians?

Knowledge (arcana) to know something about them?: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20

"Tried talkin' to one of these saurians before." He adds, "But the scaly bastard just wanted to talk about dinner patterns and fine china... go figure."

He glances over at Rokgurn, "That bird spell a yours do dinos? Might get a better reception."

He eyes the storm again, clearly not happy about it, or the speed at which it descended on them.

Going to cast detect magic, and maybe see if its a natural phenomenon?

Studying the storm
Knowledge (arcana): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7
Spellcraft: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19

As the winds pick up Rokgurn is quick to store Whisper in his familiar sachel for safe keeping. His own elemental body dances against the force of the wind but he continues to hover in place (Fly skill reduced to +16). He looks over at the enormous Eagles that seem nonplussed by the wind storm. They simply rest in the clearing with a serene otherworldly composure.

"I think that we should go on foot from here. Air Walking is out of the question in this wind and only the most capable flyers should attempt to fly."

Rokgurn gives a careful eye to the weather to see if it is of natural origin and if he thinks it will worsen.

Take 10 on Survival is 31.

Cross-post again.

Rokgurn turns to Hamish.

"That is an idea."

@Grandmaster TOZ. Could a Pteranodon be considered a bird? It is sort of an edge case.

"In the meanwhile I have also shielded us from the notice of ordinary animals. As long as we do not attack them they should not even be able to perceive us."

Whisper tries to determine if the spell is magical in nature.

Take 10 on KS-Nature is 33, Take 10 on KS-Arcana is 27

Rokgurn, better to ask after the smaller swoop lizard or the like (the Rhamphorhynchus!) The description does say a cross between a bird and a lizard =)

Then again, they wouldn't be able to fly in the wind... catch-22!

"There be many a sea creature what could whistle up a storm like this so quickly." Hamish replies. "But we be miles from the waters such usually ply, here."

"Get a man up in the nest." He calls to the Gull. "Keep your eyes peeled for trouble. Don't like the feel o' these waves!"

Mr. Phips repeats the commands to the crew, and they start scurrying about again, one of the tiny figures crawling up into the crow's nest at the top of the main mast, and pulling out a tiny telescope to scan the 'horizon'

Gull, Perception: 1d20 + 20 + 2 - 4 ⇒ (19) + 20 + 2 - 4 = 37

Omrax continues his silent vigilance as the eagles head into the heavy winds.

by the Inheritor, thy eagles proved most hekpful. Yet if these winds increase much more, we shall be better off on land than tumbling from the clouds.d

The Gull keeps a weather eye open on the weather, seeing little else in the ruins that the rest of the party hasn't already spied.

"So let's crack this pyramid open, and see if we can't find the trail o' this gnome lady." Hamish says.

Is there a way in?

There does not appear to be one.

Rokgurn searches the area around the ziggurat for tracks. In particular any tracks that will lead to an entrance of sorts.

Survival take 10 is 31.

Kasimir reaches into his bag, and finds a scroll of detect secret doors.

Assuming that no tracks are found that lead to an entrance. Rokgurn suggests investigating the summit of the ziggurat.

"Perhaps we should go to the top of the ziggurat? We did see a stone sarcophagus there. It might lead to a way in."

Whisper tries to recall the construction of ziggurat. Is it possible or likely that the entrance could be at the top of this type of pyramid?

25 on a take 10 KS-Engineering.

Perhaps we shall locate the entrance at the summit. he nods in agreement with Rokgurn.

I am no architect. For all I know, the entrance could be a tunnel leading from somewhere in the forest or some mystical gate.

Omrax will fly closer to the top with the others, and when within 60' will scan for detect evil on the sarcophagus mentioned.[/b]

Yuri passes around a flask of hard cider to fortify his comrades for whatever awaits them, and begins to sharpen his dorn-dergar until he remembers that it has no blade. Gazing up at the ziggurat, he scowls. "Funny place to put a sarcophagus, now ain't it?"

Kasimir suggests We should look around.

He will start with a mundane inspection of the ziggurat top, after stashing his rolled-up prayer rug inside of his Handy Haversack.

Perception check 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (2) + 20 = 22 (plus bonus for anyone aiding)

Omrax will auto aid on the perception check.

”No thank you on the cider, Master Yuri. I will agree placing a coffin atop a pinnacle is hardly commonplace.“

Yuri nods in agreement to the paladin's words. "Aye, 'n I ain't hardly never seen a pinnacle put under a coffin, neither. Dern strange, if ye ask me!"

After applying a few buffs, Bombshell ties a rope to her waist and hands it to Yuri before testing her wings to see if her freedom of movement will allow her to fly without hindrance in the heavy winds.

His fly skill mod is currently +28, but seeing if he can ignore the negative effects of wind.

Yuri, can you get the lid off the sarcophagus? Be careful, it could be trapped.

Suggests Kasimir, who casts detect magic, and looks around again.

"I reckon if I can't lift it off, there's not too much I cain't just sunder if need be, though we might be sorry t' break the lid if we decides that it were better kept closed... Want me to climb up there and take a look?"

As far as I know, we are all still on the ground at the base of the ziggurat, and communal air walk has NOT yet been activated. Correct?

Kasimir has walked up to the top. Care to come with?

Yuri joins Kasimir at the top of the ziggurat. "Nice view from here, eh? Bit windy, though..."

I do not sense any dormant evil waiting, but it could be masked. And Aye, the wind is unusually strong methinks. Something else at work here. as Omrax relays his results.

Rokgurn is able to fly fairly well even in this windstorm. He floats up to the sarcophagus looking for traps or an entrance.

"I am pretty sure that this is the way in. It just makes sense."

Rokgurn's Take 10 on Perception is now 39. This includes the -4 penalty.

I recommend lifting the lid in one piece, we’re still trying to evade a guild of assassins, if you’ll recall. And yes, we might wish to seal it again.

While no stone,Aston, Kasimir was decently observant. He tries to memorize the way the sarcophagus looks, and makes a quick sketch in his notes before putting the notebook away.

Above the canopy on the pinnacle of the ziggurat, the winds are even more severe, making it difficult for Kasimir to hold on to his notes. (Medium creatures are checked, Small creatures are blown away, Perception and Fly checks are -8 and ranged attacks are impossible.)

As Yuri lifts the heavy lid away from the sarcophagus, skeletal remains are revealed, dressed in golden clothing encrusted with gems. A fine pair of boots appear to be in pristine condition as well. Nothing else of interest appears to be in the stone coffin.

Climbing the sides of the ziggurat is at one-quarter movement as well.

Yuri looks at the skeleton with interest. "Anyone know how t' speak with the dead? I'll bet this lord or lady's got some tales to tell!"

Rokgurn lands and looks carefully around and within the sarcophagus for signs of entrance, traps or animated creatures.

His take 10 on Perception is still 35 even with the -8 penalty.

Assuming that there is no immediate danger he concentrates for a moment trying to detect the presence of any creature within the coffin with his spirit sense ability.

Detects undead,ethereal,incorporeal,astral,outsiders or fey.

If he detects no creatures he will cast guidance and detect magic to determine the properties of the boots and clothing.

Spellcraft 26 with a take 10. Up to 11th level magical items will be identified.

Would Knowledge Nobility or History help here to identify the body of this sarcophagus? It would be a 25 on either. Rokgurn could always remove a cork on the familiar sachel allowing me to look through an opening while remaining relatively sheltered from the wind.