The ancient road slopes down to the beach ahead of you, to follow the terrain around a headland to the south. There you can get into the water without diving.
There is also nearby a field of large boulders the rest of the crew can conceal themselves from large predators.
Sunny does her best to help folks 'Settle in' amongst the boulders. The better for people to defend themselves against anything untoward.
Before skipping off and getting ready to swim across to the rock pillar to see about getting her other freinds some help.
(^_^)
With the rest of the passengers and crew settled in defensive positions amongst the field of boulders at the base of the mainland cliff, the partners take time to heal back up and otherwise prepare for the swim across to the island.
Plunging into the surf, you find the water breathtakingly clear; you can see the multicolored riot of aquatic life in and among the coral and anemone on the bottom. Occassionally along the mile long swim you see barracuda and small sharks nose towards you, but shear off as being unfamiliar prey.
You reach the base of the haystack rock without incident, and diving down, you spot the underwater cave Sunny mentioned.
Holding your breath you enter the tunnel and follow it 40 yards or so until you see the tunnel rising to the surface 20 feet above you.
Overhead you see the interior of the hollow island above you.
On a rocky pinnacle you see the survivors of the attack on your party, and further up you see more gargoyles flocking and brawling further up the interior to the open sky far overhead.
TACTICAL MAP
Bryson flys up to the landing and allows his anger to boil over. HE doesn't want to lose control, but sees no other way to save his beloved Annie. He only hopes that he will not lose his soul in the process. Bryson's body grows and changes, eventually taking on the form of one of the dinosaurs the crew has fought on the island.
Sunny skirts the edges of the platforms staying in tha shadows and keeping to cover.
Burian swims to a spot central to all of his allies, and quickly weaves a spell... a faint golden light emanates from his body, and encompasses all for a brief moment.
Marius would have liked to take a moment to come up with a plan. Then again, he suspected that they were going to have to fight the gargoyles here - if they tried to retreat with the others, they'd end up being harried all the way back to shore and beyond.
Having cast his Ride the Waves spell in preparation for the swim across, he was very much in his element and made for the pinnacle, waiting to see how the gargoyles responded to the abrupt appearance of Bryson. Hopefully they'd cluster up a bit and he could hit them with a fireball.
Bryson flys up to the landing and allows his anger to boil over. Bryson's body grows and changes, eventually taking on the form of one of the dinosaurs the crew has fought on the island.
Sunny skirts the edges of the platforms staying in the shadows and keeping to cover.
Burian swims to a spot central to all of his allies, and quickly weaves a spell... a faint golden light emanates from his body, and encompasses all for a brief moment.
Marius was very much in his element and made for the pinnacle, waiting to see how the gargoyles responded to the abrupt appearance of Bryson.
(npc) Ghirrak, taking advantage of Bryson’s distraction, swam underwater towards the rocky pinnacle the prisoners were crowded on.
The gargoyles stopped squawking, amazed at the appearance of a dinosaur inside their redoubt. Warily they called out to each other and took flight. They took their time descending, and they don't attack just yet.
Round 1______________________
Player characters may take their turn in order of posting; enemies will go last.
Sunny swims languidly under the surface. Taking advantage of the shadows cast down from above.
The better to sneak closer to the rocks upon which her freinds are being held.
Bryson-Dreadsaur roars his anger as he lashes out at the gargoyle.
Bite: pounce, gtr magic fang
Claw: pounce, gtr magic fang
Claw: pounce, gtr magic fang
In case both claws hit.
Rake: pounce, gtr magic fang
In case AoO is needed.
Bite: pounce, gtr magic fang
As Bryson begins savagely tearing into the gargoyles, Ghirrak swims around to pull himself up onto the shelf of rock as silently as possible, signaling them to begin one by one, swimming over to the western platform.
For his part, Marius held his position, ready to provide ranged support wherever it might be needed, whether than be by conjuring a thundercloud to interfere with any attack on the crew, or a fireball to disperse the gargoyles if they tried to swarm Bryson.
Spotting the lowest platform, Burian makes his way to the shallow water. As he does, he utters a few words to Welt - an unintelligible dark speech and the name Ghirrak .. who floats up next to the half-orc.
Welt looks up at Ghirrak, and asks.. "What's the plan, Captain?" in his soft emotionless voice.
Eye's widening in surprise for a moment, Ghirrak shakes his head with a twitch of amusement. "They're all chained to the rock, though the shackles look old and rusted. Right now Bryson is creating a substantial distraction, for us to try breaking them free. Otherwise we'll need to take all the gargoyles out first."
Round 1 complete______________________
Sunny swims languidly under the surface. Taking advantage of the shadows cast down from above.
Bryson-Dreadsaur roars his anger as he lashes out at the gargoyle.
He lept and dragged one out of the air, to be torn to pieces with tooth and fang.
When they stooped to attack, he grabbed another one out of the air as it swooped by to slash him.
As Bryson begins savagely tearing into the gargoyles, Ghirrak swims around to pull himself up onto the shelf of rock as silently as possible.
Marius held his position, ready to provide ranged support wherever it might be needed.
Spotting the lowest platform, Burian makes his way to the shallow water. As he does, he utters a few words to Welt - an unintelligible dark speech and the name Ghirrak .. who floats up next to the half-orc. Welt looks up at Ghirrak, and asks.. "What's the plan, Captain?" in his soft emotionless voice.
Ghirrak shakes his head with a twitch of amusement. "They're all chained to the rock, though the shackles look old and rusted. Right now Bryson is creating a substantial distraction, for us to try breaking them free. Otherwise we'll need to take all the gargoyles out first."
The Gargoyles, shocked at the sudden appearance of a huge Bryson-dinosaur, recover and swoop down to attack!
The first one is snagged before he could land his attack.
The others swirled about Bryson, slashing with wing, claw and horn.
for a possible slashing damage.
for a possible piercing damage.
for a possible slashing damage.
for a possible piercing damage.
for a possible slashing damage.
for a possible ear torn off; an extra slashing damage, 1 Cha damage and -4 to hearing perception checks.
for a possible piercing damage.
for a possible slashing damage.
for a possible piercing damage.
for a possible slashing damage.
for a possible piercing damage.
No.
Round 2______________________
Player characters may take their turn in order of posting; enemies will go last.
Sunny surfaces and looks about briefly before quielty beginning to climb up to where her freinds are all gathered.
Once up with every one she grins and waves, then notices what Captain Ghirrak had seen. (^_^)
"Oh. They's linked ye all ta' 'gether, like." The tanned Elf muses, scampering over to Annie and peering at the manacles. Sunny looks to all the folks to see what every one is wearing.
Before deftly moving over to ________ and quielty asking for a bit of something such as a pin or small dagger. (Basically somethig to help pick at the locks)
Bryson-Dreadsaur lashes out against the horde of gargoyles.
Bite: pounce, gtr magic fang
Claw: pounce, gtr magic fang
Claw: pounce, gtr magic fang
Rake: pounce, gtr magic fang
Possible AoO
Bite: pounce, gtr magic fang
Confirm Fumble
Claw: pounce, gtr magic fang
Well, this was probably as good a clustering as he was going to get, and Marius really didn't want to let the gargoyles continue to pound away at Bryson unopposed.
Taking a few moments to carefully gauge the blast radius, Marius let fly with a fireball, the pea-sized orb streaking out to the middle of the crowd before detonating into a roiling mass of fire.
The blast would catch the closer gargoyles, and hopefully those further back would hesitate to get involved for fear of further retaliation. It was probably too much to hope for though, and in all likelihood they'd trace the fireball to its source and come after him.
You can see each individual prisoner is shackled by one ankle, with a six foot stretch of chain leading to a heavy metal staple sunk directly into the rock platform. The metal of the chains seems old and rusty, but still strong.
After the blast from Marius, Burian notes the direction the battle is taking, and scales the stone in front of him.
Welt shimmers for a brief moment, then suddenly swells to a slightly larger - significantly more muscled form.
"I will aid you in breaking the chains, Captain."
"I can be undoin' each at tha' ankles. Maybe people can be pullin' tha' chain length from tha' rock, like?" Sunny offers her thoughts.
*PING*
Round 2 completed______________________
Sunny surfaces and looks about briefly before quielty beginning to climb up to where her friends are all gathered. Yah, who ever's got a bit of something fer Sunny to get the chain off is where she'll be ending up.
Dreadsaur (Allosaurus, huge) HP 94/94| AC 19 FF 18 Touch 10| Fort +10 Ref +3 Will +12| LLV, Scent| Str 26 Dex 12 Con 18| CMB +16 CMD 28| Spd 50| Reach 15
Bryson-Dreadsaur lashes out against the horde of gargoyles. He damaged some and killed one he had grappled in one paw.
Taking a few moments to carefully gauge the blast radius, Marius let fly with a fireball, the pea-sized orb streaking out to the middle of the crowd before detonating into a roiling mass of fire.
He damaged or seriously hurt seven gargoyles, but no fatalities. He did however attract attention.
Ghirrak examined the shackles for weaknesses.
Welt shimmers for a brief moment, then suddenly swells to a slightly larger - significantly more muscled form.
"I will aid you in breaking the chains, Captain."
Between Ghirrak and Welt, they succeed in breaking the shackles tethering Mr. Nysmore to the rock.
"I can be undoin' each at tha' ankles. Maybe people can be pullin' tha' chain length from tha' rock, like?" Sunny offers her thoughts.
Sunny succeeds in releasing Annie from the shackles binding her to the rock.
Spotting the source of the fireballs, two gargoyles dove down onto Marius.
for a possible slashing damage.
for a possible slashing damage.
for a possible slashing damage.
for a possible slashing damage.
A whole cloud of gargoyles wheel about Bryson, slashing and biting in a frenzy.
for a possible slashing damage.
for a possible slashing damage.
for a possible slashing damage.
for a possible slashing damage.
for a possible slashing damage.
for a possible slashing damage.
for a possible slashing damage.
for a possible slashing damage.
for a possible slashing damage.
for a possible slashing damage.
for a possible slashing damage.
for a possible slashing damage.
for a possible extra slashing damage.
for a possible slashing damage.
for a possible slashing damage.
for a possible slashing damage.
for a possible slashing damage.
for a possible slashing damage.
for a possible slashing damage.
for a possible slashing damage.
for a possible slashing damage.
for a possible slashing damage.
for a possible slashing damage.
for a possible slashing damage.
for a possible slashing damage.
One spotted Sunny and dove to attack.
for a possible slashing damage.
for a possible slashing damage.
One spotted Burian and dove to attack.
for a possible slashing damage.
for a possible slashing damage.
When Freed, Annie went to help Professor Forol.
When Freed, Mr. Nysmore dove into the water and swam for the exit.
Round 3______________________
Player characters may take their turn in order of posting; enemies will go last.
Bryson-Dreadsaur's hide protects him from the host of attacks. He only takes a small scratch.
He keeps attacking the stony horde.
Bite: pounce, gtr magic fang
Claw: pounce, gtr magic fang
Claw: pounce, gtr magic fang
Rake: pounce, gtr magic fang
Possible AoO
Claw: pounce, gtr magic fang
Round 2 completed______________________
One spotted Sunny and dove to attack.
"Owie!" Sunny exlaims as the rocky critter swipes at her tanned self. She frowns at the glaring beasty.
Before looping the now loose chain about the Gargoyle's frame and...
Simply pushing it off the edge.
She turns and grins at her companions, "Okeys! Who's next?" She asks brigtly, waiving her naffy little lock opener. (^_^)
The quick and explosive chaos within a delicate situation throws Burian off a moment.
His silvery locks ineffectively slap against the gargoyle attacking him.
Well, that looked to have been a mistake. Additionally, he really ought to have cast a mage armour spell before the fight. The island, Marius felt, was getting to him.
Still, his immediate course of action was clear. He ducked back out of the gargoyles' grasp and conjured up a crackling thundercloud to bedevil the gargoyle on the left.
Round 3 completed______________________
Bryson-Dreadsaur's hide protects him from the host of attacks. He only takes a small scratch.
He keeps attacking the stony horde. In the frenzy of tooth and claw, he brought down two more gargoyles.
"Owie!" Sunny exlaims as the rocky critter swipes at her tanned self. She frowns at the glaring beasty.
She swung the chain, hitting the gargoyle for modest damage. She tried to loop the now loose chain about the Gargoyle's frame, but was unable to secure the loop.
The quick and explosive chaos within a delicate situation throws Burian off a moment.
His silvery locks ineffectively slap against the gargoyle attacking him.
Marius Hawk ducked back out of the gargoyles' grasp and conjured up a crackling thundercloud to bedevil the gargoyle on the left. A bolt of lightning licked out and hit hard, also leaving it stunned.
(npc) Ghirrak. Knowing that getting the prisoners free is their only victory, Ghirrak pitted his strength against the rusty shackle holding Shari Nysmore to the rock. Straining mightily, he managed to burst the chain.
Shari dove off the rock and swam towards the exit.
The swarm of gargoyles attacked Bryson viciously.
for a possible slashing damage.
for a possible slashing damage.
for a possible slashing damage.
Hit! for piercing damage.
for a possible extra piercing damage.
for a possible slashing damage.
for a possible slashing damage.
for a possible slashing damage.
for a possible piercing damage.
for a possible slashing damage.
for a possible slashing damage.
Hit! for slashing damage.
for a possible extra piercing damage.
Hit! for piercing damage.
for a possible extra piercing damage.
for a possible slashing damage.
for a possible slashing damage.
for a possible slashing damage.
for a possible piercing damage.
for a possible slashing damage.
for a possible extra piercing damage.
for a possible slashing damage.
for a possible slashing damage.
for a possible piercing damage.
The Gargoyle leapt upon Marius again.
for a possible slashing damage.
for a possible slashing damage.
for a possible slashing damage.
for a possible piercing damage.
The gargoyle near Sunny turned on her and attacked again.
for a possible slashing damage.
for a possible slashing damage.
for a possible slashing damage.
for a possible piercing damage.
The gargoyle near Burian turned on him and attacked him again.
for a possible slashing damage.
for a possible slashing damage.
for a possible slashing damage.
for a possible piercing damage.
A gargoyle in the air over the rock noticed Ghirrak, screeched, and dove to attack him.
for a possible slashing damage.
for a possible slashing damage.
for a possible extra piercing damage.
And diving out of the shaft overhead, a large four armed gargoyle crashed into Bryson-Dreadsaur, dealing fall damage (fort save dc18 or stunned).
Round 4______________________
Player characters may take their turn in order of posting; enemies will go last.
Round 3 completed______________________
"Owie!" Sunny exlaims as the rocky critter swipes at her tanned self. She frowns at the glaring beasty.
She swung the chain, hitting the gargoyle for modest damage. She tried to loop the now loose chain about the Gargoyle's frame, but was unable to secure the loop.The gargoyle near Sunny turned on her and attacked again.
The Gargoyle's swirling number of swipes leaves the tanned Elf lascerated and bloody. Sunny's features show her hardening resolve to try and if not finish the fight, at least hold her own and returns a flurry of strikes of her own.
Then she deftly steps closer to Burian and help flank. She deftly quick draws her tonfa and sets a defensive stance against further gargoyl lashings.
Ghirrak grunts from the well-aimed hit, retaliating with a furious assault on the gargoyle.
Burian whips his hair at the attacking gargoyle. It wraps around the beasts waist.
Burian grits his teeth .. willing his hair to squeeze....
Leaving the thundercloud to continue to zap the left hand gargoyle, Marius ducked back and lashed out at the other with his ring.
Bryson could definitely use some help, but he had his hands full with his own two-on-one fight just now.
Though well protected, the continuing onslaught is beginning to take it's toll on Bryson-Dreadsaur.
Bite: pounce, gtr magic fang
Claw: pounce, gtr magic fang
Claw: pounce, gtr magic fang
Rake: pounce, gtr magic fang
Possible AoO
Claw: pounce, gtr magic fang
DM Camris took all the nat 20's.
Round 4 completed______________________
Sunny Quick Draw to produce two wushu blades
Flurry of blows, she hit twice dealing moderate damage and 3 bleed.
Then she deftly steps closer to Burian and help flank. She deftly quick draws her tonfa and sets a defensive stance against further gargoyl lashings.
Ghirrak grunts from the well-aimed hit, retaliating with a furious assault on the gargoyle.
He missed wildly, missed barely, missed, hit for light damage, and a critical hit for a lot of damage. Stone chips flew and left the gargoyle reeling stunned.
Burian whips his hair at the attacking gargoyle. It wraps around the beasts waist.
Burian grits his teeth .. willing his hair to squeeze.... and with a crackling of gargoyle skin, the beast crumpled dead.
Leaving the thundercloud to continue to zap the left hand gargoyle, Marius ducked back and lashed out at the other with his ring.
Greater aggressive thundercloud: hit the left gargoyle hard.
Ring of the ram, 3 charges. The ram nailed the gargoyle and hurled it back against the cliff face, where it shattered in a thousand pieces and fell into the water.
Though well protected, the continuing onslaught is beginning to take it's toll on Bryson-Dreadsaur.
He bit one into sand. He smashed two more out of the air as well, but missed the AoO.
A gargoyle swooped down to attack Burian.
for a possible slashing damage.
for a possible slashing damage.
for a possible slashing damage.
for a possible slashing damage.
The gargoyle being harassed by the thundercloud swooped down to attack Marius again.
for a possible slashing damage.
for a possible slashing damage.
Two gargoyles continued to attack Brysonsaur in the back.
for a possible slashing damage.
for a possible slashing damage.
for a possible slashing damage.
for a possible slashing damage.
for a possible slashing damage.
for a possible slashing damage.
for a possible slashing damage.
for a possible slashing damage.
The big four armed gargoyle, whose jewelry marked him of high status, looked startled that Bryson was still standing, but he recovered and lit into him with everything he had.
for a possible slashing damage.
for a possible slashing damage.
for a possible slashing damage.
for a possible slashing damage.
for a possible slashing damage.
for a possible slashing damage.
Annie, realizing that Bryson was in trouble with the big guy, started running towards him over the bridge and the melee scrum.
"Awe... nutz..." Sunny exclaims as Annie scampers towards the fray and big Master Bryson. She glances at Mister Burian.
"Okeys... new idea." She grins. "We get this critter out'a tha' way an' then quicky help Marius, okeys?" So saying she steps closer and attacks the remaining gargoyle annoying them.
Though he's taking damage, Bryson Dreadsaur can taste blood and fear of his enemies.
Bite: pounce, gtr magic fang
Claw: pounce, gtr magic fang
Claw: pounce, gtr magic fang
Rake: pounce, gtr magic fang
Possible AoO
Claw: pounce, gtr magic fang
"Marius! Can you hold out a few more seconds?!"
Burian attempts the same combination of attacks which felled the previous gargoyle... slash, grab, and squeeze....
Ghirrak presses the attack, determined to drop the gargoyle.
Marius probably didn't have much choice but to try and hold on. Having dealt with one assailant and hurt another, he slipped further back and finally conjured up some armour, letting the cloud continue to do its thing.
Round 5 completed_________________________
'Sunny' "Okeys... new idea." She grins. "We get this critter out'a tha' way an' then quicky help Marius, okeys?" So saying she steps closer and attacks the remaining gargoyle annoying them.
The gargoyle only took damage from Sunny’s ki-infused strikes, so ends up with light damage.
Those in chains are noted by the clenched fist symbol.
Though he's taking damage, Bryson Dreadsaur can taste blood and fear of his enemies.
Pouncing on the four armed gargoyle, stone flakes fly as Bryson-saur tears into it for monstrous damage.
He also had time to backhand one of the flanking gargoyles for moderate damage.
Burian attempts the same combination of attacks which felled the previous gargoyle... slash, grab, and squeeze....
But just missed.
Ghirrak presses the attack, determined to drop the gargoyle.
And he smashes his gargoyle into gravel.
Marius probably didn't have much choice but to try and hold on. Having dealt with one assailant and hurt another, he slipped further back and finally conjured up some armour, letting the cloud continue to do its thing. Casting mage armour and directing the thundercloud to continue zapping the gargoyle.
And the thundercloud killed the gargoyle with a lightning strike, dropping its shattered body into the sea pool where it sank like a stone.
(npc) Shari Nysmore swam out of the sea pool after her husband, happy to be free or trying to catch her husband it’s hard to tell.
(npc) Annie cast a spell and leapt off the bridge to grapple a gargoyle that was attacking Bryson.
Her tackle and their combined weight pulled the gargoyle down to splash into the sea pool.
(npc) Professor Forol tries to release the prisoner next to him, but is unable to make progress on the lock with just the bent nail he has to work with.
The gargoyles attacked Bryson viciously.
for a possible slashing damage.
for a possible slashing damage.
for a possible slashing damage.
for a possible slashing damage.
The gargoyle counterattacked Sunny.
for a possible slashing damage.
for a possible extra slashing damage.
for a possible slashing damage.
for a possible slashing damage.
for a possible slashing damage.
The gargoyle clawed at Annie.
for a possible slashing damage.
for a possible slashing damage.
for a possible slashing damage.
for a possible slashing damage.
The Four armed Gargoyle leader clawed at Bryson.
for a possible slashing damage.
for a possible slashing damage.
for a possible slashing damage.
for a possible slashing damage.
for a possible slashing damage.
for a possible slashing damage.
Round 6______________________
Player characters may take their turn in order of posting; enemies will go last.
Managing to avoid all but one of the critter's attacks Sunny still winces as it manages to land a hit.
Giving a couple of jabs in return herself. Seeing Ghirrak smash his foe into bits,
"Okeys," Sunny quips to Master Burian puffing from her exertions, "Maybe we might be askin' Master Ghirrak fer some small helpin' instead?"
Moving to give the large Monk a clearer chance of having a go at their currently bothersom foe.
Bryson Dreadsaur focuses in on the four armed boss.
Bite: pounce, gtr magic fang, smite
Claw: pounce, gtr magic fang, smite
Claw: pounce, gtr magic fang, smite
Rake: pounce, gtr magic fang
Possible AoO
Claw: pounce, gtr magic fang
With his own enemies dealt with, Marius sent the thundercloud to start zapping Bryson's remaining small enemy, while beginning a steady barrage of magic missiles aimed at the larger, four-armed gargoyle.
Thoroughly (and apparently needlessly) distracted looking over his shoulder to gauge the well-being of Marius, Burian fails to score a clean hit against his current foe.