Hal gently pokes the floating helmet with a finger, and his finger slides into it, meeting no resistance at all! The helmet doesn't seem to react in the slightest.
Hal:
You sniff the air, but don't notice anything beyond what you would expect.
Male N Salt Mephit | Buffs:MIrror Image (Extended), Produce Flame (8 minutes),Haste, Protection from Electricity, Endure Elements, Mage Armor, False Life (16/16), Ablative Barrier (50/50). | HP 41/41 Temp 16/16|DR 5/Magic|First 5 points of damage is converted to nonlethal|FH 2 Arid Env|AC 30 T 15 FF 26|6 images|CMB +6 CMD 19|F +4 R +6 W +7|Init +6|PER +14 DV 60' SM+1|70' Fly +18 Stealth+20|Improved Evasion,SR 16
Hal and Dat look over the door for traps, but neither find any. With Bom ready for battle at his side, Hal pushes the stone door, and it swings open with little effort. After all the preparations, what lies beyond is disappointingly mundane. In the unremarkable stone corridor, there’s a door to the north and, at the far western end, another door.
Dat:
Can you please place a token for Dat and his Deinotherium on the grid and Pathfinders slide (#2)? Thanks!
You don't notice any traps in the area immediately past the door. Glancing further down the hallway, you notice there seems to be some sort of decorations hanging around the far western doorframe. It's hard to tell what they are given the distance and angle though.
Having established there are no traps in this part of the hallway or on the nearby doorway, you and your allies move into the corridor. With Hal and Bom in front, the door is flung open to reveal something you never expected to see here—a jungle!
Vibrant foliage creates thick walls of shrubbery that encase the chamber and sprawl across its center. You can even see the sky above, bright light filtering through the jungle canopy. The western side of the chamber is dominated by an enormous kapok tree that towers above the rest of the terrain. On the far side of the chamber across from you, a gap in the foliage leads into a dank, unlit stone cavern.
Ulfen tenses as it clearly smells other creatures in the chamber ahead.
Deldri:
Looking into the room, you realise that a patch of diseased-looking undergrowth in the center of the room is actually a camouflaged ooze of some kind! You can act in the Surprise Round.
Bom and Dat:
Looking into the room, you realise that a patch of diseased-looking undergrowth in the center of the room is actually a camouflaged ooze of some kind! And even more ominous, coiled around the large kapok tree is a large snake with two heads! You can act in the Surprise Round.
The following PCs may take one standard or move action in a Surprise Round:
Bom, my understanding of illusions is that you either have to study one carefully or interact with one in some way, and then you can get a Will saving throw to disbelieve. I don't think Spellcraft on its own is enough. Illusions are a complicated subject though, so if I'm wrong, someone please let me know.
Human (Ulfen) 43870-4 | Ranger 9 | AC 29* T 14 FF 21 | HP 84/ 94| F +11 R +12 W +9 | Init +5* | Perc +14*; Survival +14*; Dipl. +9; Handle Comp. +15 Ulfur (Animal Companion) | init +3; Perc +4 | HP 75 (HD 8) | AC 29* T:14 FF:24 CMD 29| F:+11; R:+9; W:+2 | Bite +12/+7 (1d8+10)
I haven't looked it up, so you are probably right. I'm just rolling in case it works as a substitute for something. if some skill I roll doesn't apply, no problem.
Dat and Deldri take up defensive positions, while Bom magically enhances his weapons. Inside the chamber, the snake seems to realise it has been spotted and hisses.
Bom, this includes your expenditure of Heightened Awareness All pets can go on the same round as their handlers. Please remember that pets aren’t robots, and role-play or make checks to direct them as necessary.
Hal 5 foot steps back a bit from the jungle scene. Drawing his rapier (which has Ghost Touch because it's super rad :), Hal begins to purr. It's a lovely purr, but at the same time makes everyone feel strong and focused. A purr that Inspires Courage.
This large, two-headed snake is the rare and reclusive amphisbaena! The amphisbaena is a dreaded viper that is quite aggressive, attacking anything that enters its territories. Amphisbaena eggs are highly sought by animal trainers and collectors. If you exceed the DC by 5 or more, you may ask one question per increment.
Identify Ooze (DC 12 Knowledge: Dungeoneering):
This must be a garden ooze, animate acidic protoplasmic goos that hide within plantlife to ambush nearby living creatures. Unlike most oozes, though, they’re quick and chase fleeing prey. If you exceed the DC by 5 or more, you may ask one question per increment.
As Hal purrs and Deldri watches the western door to make sure no surprises ambush the party, the two-headed snake moves up next to Dat. One of the heads flashes down at him, but he easily dodges. Instants later, a blob of protoplasmic slime emerges from a diseased looking tree and an acidic pseudopod darts at the snake, but its thick scales allow it to emerge from the strike unscathed.
Bom:
I’ll need Knowledge (arcana) to identify the snake. You succeeded on the ooze, and to answer your first of two allowable questions, you don’t think it has DR to any weapon types.
GM Dice:
Attack roll (snake vs Dat):1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9 Dat’s Snake Style Sense Motive:1d20 + 24 ⇒ (3) + 24 = 27 Dat, I assume you wanted to use your immediate action since you were in Snake Stance. Attack roll (ooze vs snake, w/ flanking):1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17
Deldri does Total Defense. I play botted PCs very conservatively unless instructed otherwise.
Spackle begins to talk about the benefits of working together. "Alright now lads, seems we got us a chance ta work tagether on this. Let's be smart 'bout the whole thing!" As he talks, the bard flicks his wrist and a wand slides into his hand.
Song of the Fiery Dance, next round I will drop Obscuring Mist
Bardic Performance {Lingering Performance} round 1 of 25 || 24 Rounds remain (not including Linger Performance)]
Questions. What Languaages (if any) can the snake creature understand? In terms of the Ooze please tell me special defenses, special attacks, immunities, resistances and special abilities if any.
Human (Ulfen) 43870-4 | Ranger 9 | AC 29* T 14 FF 21 | HP 84/ 94| F +11 R +12 W +9 | Init +5* | Perc +14*; Survival +14*; Dipl. +9; Handle Comp. +15 Ulfur (Animal Companion) | init +3; Perc +4 | HP 75 (HD 8) | AC 29* T:14 FF:24 CMD 29| F:+11; R:+9; W:+2 | Bite +12/+7 (1d8+10)
Bom wants to give Xilt a chance to do whatever before possibly attacking the snake.
@Spackle - I don't know how much the obscuring mist is going to help against the ooze, these things do fight in the dark. Might want to hold off on that tactic.
@Bom Assuming that the snake would be effected if it comes to it. Besides, if I just drop the regular Inspire Courage, I will have superseded Hal's version, rendering it useless. This way you still get some bonus and we are not disadvantaged. If we can negotiate with the snake, not worries. Plenty of charges and resources left in either case.
Human (Ulfen) 43870-4 | Ranger 9 | AC 29* T 14 FF 21 | HP 84/ 94| F +11 R +12 W +9 | Init +5* | Perc +14*; Survival +14*; Dipl. +9; Handle Comp. +15 Ulfur (Animal Companion) | init +3; Perc +4 | HP 75 (HD 8) | AC 29* T:14 FF:24 CMD 29| F:+11; R:+9; W:+2 | Bite +12/+7 (1d8+10)
@GM - Still on Delay for Xilt and Dat, but unless someone directs Bom to attack the snake, after Xilt and Dat go, Bom will step up and go Total Defense for an AC of 27
Bom looks at Dat..
"What say we just keep this snake penned in and see if will kill that ooze for us?"
Human (Ulfen) 43870-4 | Ranger 9 | AC 29* T 14 FF 21 | HP 84/ 94| F +11 R +12 W +9 | Init +5* | Perc +14*; Survival +14*; Dipl. +9; Handle Comp. +15 Ulfur (Animal Companion) | init +3; Perc +4 | HP 75 (HD 8) | AC 29* T:14 FF:24 CMD 29| F:+11; R:+9; W:+2 | Bite +12/+7 (1d8+10)
Bom can't imagine why a two-headed unnatural snake-like creature would be friendly, but he also can't stop wondering which end of the snake works as the exit.
The amphisbaena isn’t intelligent enough to understand any languages. Five things about the ooze in the categories you gave me: 1) It can release a terrible stench to sicken foes; 2) It can camouflage itself among diseased plants; 3) It is immune to acid; 4) It can operate effectively in total darkness, and can even strike invisible creatures; 5) It’s immune to all mind-affecting effects.
Male N Salt Mephit | Buffs:MIrror Image (Extended), Produce Flame (8 minutes),Haste, Protection from Electricity, Endure Elements, Mage Armor, False Life (16/16), Ablative Barrier (50/50). | HP 41/41 Temp 16/16|DR 5/Magic|First 5 points of damage is converted to nonlethal|FH 2 Arid Env|AC 30 T 15 FF 26|6 images|CMB +6 CMD 19|F +4 R +6 W +7|Init +6|PER +14 DV 60' SM+1|70' Fly +18 Stealth+20|Improved Evasion,SR 16
The cascading magic missiles blast scales off the two-headed snake, while Dat's weaponry cut deep. The creature is badly hurt, but its twin sets of mouths hiss as poison drips from its fangs!
Deldri’s magic fills everyone with confidence they can win the battle. Nonetheless, this is the first time the group has fought together, and Hal’s bolt goes astray as he has difficulty aiming with his allies in the way.
The snake gets soft cover, otherwise the bolt might have hit.
Although barely alive, the territorial two-headed snake knows only triumph or death. One fanged maw darts down at the ooze, while the other tries to taste Bom’s flesh! But both opponents easily avoid the attacks.
The amphisbaena is taking a 5’ step in between its two attacks.
GM Dice:
Attack roll (snake vs. ooze):1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12 Damage roll (snake vs ooze):1d8 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10 Attack roll (snake vs. Bom w/ Total Defense:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11 Damage roll (snake vs Bom):1d8 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7
Human (Ulfen) 43870-4 | Ranger 9 | AC 29* T 14 FF 21 | HP 84/ 94| F +11 R +12 W +9 | Init +5* | Perc +14*; Survival +14*; Dipl. +9; Handle Comp. +15 Ulfur (Animal Companion) | init +3; Perc +4 | HP 75 (HD 8) | AC 29* T:14 FF:24 CMD 29| F:+11; R:+9; W:+2 | Bite +12/+7 (1d8+10)
Bom was admittedly confused. He had thought the group was content to let the ooze and snake fight for supremacy, but clearly the part had taken sides. But based on watching the two creatures go at it, the not-a-snake thing looked to be the more dangerous of the two.
If the snake is still alive, Bom orders Ulfur to defend him via Aid Another defense. I think this adds +2 to Bom's defense versus target, DC/AC is 10 but cover might make that 14.
Ulfur Aid attempt with Inspire:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17
Male N Salt Mephit | Buffs:MIrror Image (Extended), Produce Flame (8 minutes),Haste, Protection from Electricity, Endure Elements, Mage Armor, False Life (16/16), Ablative Barrier (50/50). | HP 41/41 Temp 16/16|DR 5/Magic|First 5 points of damage is converted to nonlethal|FH 2 Arid Env|AC 30 T 15 FF 26|6 images|CMB +6 CMD 19|F +4 R +6 W +7|Init +6|PER +14 DV 60' SM+1|70' Fly +18 Stealth+20|Improved Evasion,SR 16
