With a silent nod Elsir strides up the deck of the ship, chanting a spell as he moves. He launches a ray of frost at the pink snake. "I don't want to get in anyone's way. You know I was always the last to board a ship."
Lavanna keeps her spell going as she moves in closer and draws out a dagger. The snake seems to contemplate lashing out at her but realizes t can't quite reach her her on the ship. The halfling then proves her chops as a first-mate by calling for the other people in their group to get a move on.
Kaako, springing into action at the halfling's words, strides up to the beach, slogging through some water as he goes, before pulling out his oiled and dry rapier.
Elsir moves a few steps closer and fires a ray of freezing cold at pink-diamonds, scoring a deep freezing along the snake's side.
++++++++++++++++
Kaako
Elsir
Round 2
Lavanna
Jadren
Pink-diamond -15
Black-fang
++++++++++++++++
Current map
Jadren laughs out loud while entering the fray. I should've worn plate armor while I was pirate. This is amazing! Sure the sand is annoying but still... Jadren thinks and is apparently oblivious to the stupendous amount of maintenance required to keep such a suit of armor functional under the harsh conditions at sea.
Despite the armor protecting him from the snake bites, Jadren does not want to stretch his luck and raises his shield, before he slashes twice at the viper with the black pattern.
Jadren proves how deadly he has become in full plate and a longsword and takes out one snake in two deadly slashes. The first scores a deep slash and the second lops off its head in one smooth swing.
The final snake gives one last lunging strike at the fighter in plate.
The snake bashes into the shield of the fighter and only gets its fangs into the steel, failing to harm the man himself. It then quickly trys to slither away, clearly acknowledging that Jadren is a scary opponent.
It gives one hiss at Kaako as it slithers past in warning, but it doesn' seem interested in continuing the fight.
++++++++++++++++
Kaako
Elsir
Round 3
Lavanna
Jadren
Pink-diamond -15 Fleeing
++++++++++++++++
Current map
"Never been a fan of snakes." Comments Elsir as he slings another frosty ray at the fleeing snake. "I'll be on the beach when you're ready to enter the caverns." He adds, climbing over the deck and onto shore.
"It's running away, Elsir!" Lavanna snaps "Kaako you see this!?"
◆◆◆) Give Elsir shit for being mean
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Kaako notices the big snake begin to move towards him. Although a bit nervous as the ssnake hisses, he stands his ground and then sees that the snake is actually fleeing.
In their first battle together after 5 years, Kaako doesn't want the others to think he's lost his nerve and is a coward now. These are snakes, after all. They eat birds!
He puffs up his feathers, points his rapier in front of him, and darts after the snake.
I got 'im! I ain't a yella-belly sapsucker!
He thrusts his blade into the serpent,
Then again, in full swashbuckler style...
En garde!
Apparently, Kaako is still a bit rusty with his blade.
Now furious with both of them, Lavanna pleads with Jadren.
"Let it go dear!" did she just accidentally let the word slip? "It's not going to hurt us anymore"
Why is she so wrapped up in this snake!?
Kaako turns to stare at Lavanna with a puzzled look as he shifts his tricorne hat up to see the halfling better.
He points at the snake hissing threateningly.
You wanted me to just let it run away!?!
Why didn't ye just say so, lass!?!
He throws his arms up and sighs in frustration then suddenly remembers there's a hostile serpent right in front of him.
He gets back into a fighting stance with rapier at the ready.
The snake deftly dodges all of the attacks thrown at it as it speeds up its slithering retreat. It clearly wants nothing more to do with the beach or the group that are still threatening it.
Jadren feels exuberant after chopping off the black-patterned snake’s head. Bright red blood splatters across his plated legs and boots, while the lifeless body of the snake stains the sand. In the last minute, Jadren can place his shield in between himself and the remaining snake with the striking pink diamond pattern. He is just about to set after the fleeing reptile as Lavanna’s plead lets him stop dead in his movement.
With a nod, he sheathes his sword. ”Alright.” He walks over to the rest of the group as he examines the two small holes in his shield, left by the snake’s fangs. While poking his finger in one of them he looks at Lavanna. ”What’s the matter with you and these snakes? Do you know anything we don’t?” Jadren bluntly asks the Halfling.
After having asked Lavanna, Jadren turns towards the slain snake and gives it a closer look. Maybe there is something special about them?
Jadren thinks he's heard a story about snkaes like these. They must be the diamond head snakes that he heard about in a tavern years ago. They supposedly have actual diamonds in their heads! But if you stress the snake out the diamond disappears, the only way to get one is to kill the snake quickly. Lavanna must have realized that and she'd probably suggest they kill it later after the diamond returns. But for now taking the head of the snake wouldn't be a bad idea, unless you want to search for the precious stone now.
After some time to fix their weapons or refocus , the former crew moves into the caverns. The place is damp and shadowed but light trickles in from somewhere above. The passageway beyond the hidden door ascends at an incline a few feet above the high tide line of the cove before leveling off. The passage ends in a short set of stairs that descend toward a large chamber lit only by vine-choked cracks in the ceiling above.
The rough-hewn chamber has fallen into disrepair. The western wall has collapsed partially and dirt, rock, and plant debris litter the floor, nearly obscuring a large leaf pattern made from green quartz.
The tip of this leaf ends in a brackish pool of water. Rising up from the water is a mold-encrusted stone statue of a woman who appears to emerge from a wave, with seaweed for hair and her arms held high in supplication to the sky above.
A faint clicking and rustling sound can be heard from the collapsed wall, but its source is not immediately apparent.
Looking at the clicking sound everyone is quickly able to see that a colony of large ants have burrowed into the chamber. It sounds like there's about four ants in there. They haven't noticed the group yet but moving further in without being sneaky would surely draw their attentions.
Lavanna smiles as Jadren let's the snakes go, but she second-guesses his assertion about them having diamonds in their heads.
"Gozreh!" she guesses as the statue comes into view.
She looks towards Kaako upon seeing the ants "After you" and crouches low to follow him...
Elsir (Untrained) +4
Jadren (Untrained) +0
Kaako (Expert) +13
Lavanna (Untrained) +2
Elsir @ +11
Jadren @ +7
Kaako @ +13
Lavanna @ +9
Kaako points to the southern edge of the small fountain.
Follow me. I'm going across the chamber to that fountain. Try to be very quiet.
He then tip-toes across the room, keeping an eye on the ants.
Elsir rolls his eyes at Lavanna's overzealous snake love "They're just snakes and they attacked US. Besides, I haven't had to use these spells in a fight in a while. A little practice would do most of us good." Giving Jadren a nod "He's obviously been training for the last five years, while I've been slumming around Absalom trying to get by."
And with that he follows Kaako into the caverns, doing his best to stay quiet. I bet there's magic in that statue... but if I cast anything those ants will be on my head! He gives Kaako a look, wondering if he thinks they should just eliminate the ants while they have the chance.
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”And who’s fault is that Elsir? You could’ve trained too. If this is done, I’ll gladly teach you the ways of Iomadae. She led me on the path of redemption, it would be my pleasure to do the same for you.” Jadren says and his initial quipping tone quickly shifts to something more lecturing, as Jadrens puts his hand on Elsir’s shoulder.
”Let’s see what the captain has put away for us and then head back to the beach to find these diamonds.” Jadren continues as he draws his sword again. Upon encountering what sounds like giant ants he hold back at the entry of the cave, ready to rush in should the insects interfere with the crew’s inspection.
The group chatters among themselves in what is hopefully hushed tones as Kaako leads them into the room as quiet as he can.
Trying to make sure that the rest of his companions aren't heard as they sneak into the room, Kaako fails to look at his feet, kicking a large stone across the room and bounding it off the head of one of the ants. They all start to swarm out of the hole as the first ant gives a warning signal over the injustice.
Luckily everyone, including Kaako himself, is used to the occasional blunder from the tengu and are able to spring into action before the ants can get moving.
++++++++++++++++
Kaako
Elsir Undetected
Lavanna Undetected
Jadren Undetected
Ants
++++++++++++++++
Current map
Arrgh! Today's not me lucky day.
Kaako exclaims as he inadvertently knocks a stone into the giant ant hill. He sees the ants become agitated and begin to crawl towards them.
With rapier in one hand, he thrusts his other hand forward and mutters an incantation. A crackling bolt of lightning springs forth at the red ant and arcs to shock the pink ant.
He then takes a few steps back to get next to Elsir while keeping an eye on the ants' reactions.
Let's just wait for them to come to us. I hope you're ready for a fight, matey.
He says with a tip of his hat to the elf.
Jadren sighs as he hears the clacking and cluttering of way too many insect legs coming their way. He rolls his shoulders as he strolls into the main cavern. ”You let me know, when you want so save them too, will you?” He whispers to Lavanna as he passes by her.
He looks towards the wall where he can make out the sounds an even believes he can see some movement. With a loud bang he smashes the pommel of his sword against his shield that he is lifting to gain some extra protection.
”Come on now, filthy scum! Let’s see what you’re capable of!” He yells loudly, creating a small echo in the chamber.
Elsir hears the crumbling rocks and stops mid track, looking around. Here come those vermin, ah good Jadren is taking point, excellent.
"Don't worry Kaako, they're only ants." He says as he moves up beside the bulwark of Jadren before chanting and pointing. He summons a massive wall of water that crashes and tumbles through the ants and their tunnels, slamming them around like buoys in the surf.
Crashing Wave Spell 3
Evocation Water
Source Advanced Player's Guide pg. 217
Traditions arcane, primal
Cast Two Actions somatic, verbal
Area 30-foot cone
Saving Throw basic Reflex
You summon a crashing wave that sweeps away from you. You deal 6d6 bludgeoning damage to creatures in the area. The water also extinguishes non-magical fires in the area.Heightened (+1) The damage increases by 2d6.
"Not bad..." Lavanna teases her "nemesis"!
◆) Stride
◆◆) Sound Burst (Level 2)
Adding a "crashing" sound to Elsir's waves, exploding a concussive force into the 10 foot burst centered on the "white" bugger!
...the party strains their ears here to hear little more than a faint "whoosh" as the halfling's cheeks enrosen in relative embarrassment...
"Not good." Retorts Elsir with the faintest smile.
Kaako draws his rapier out and uses it to direct a bolt of electricity at two of the ants. Both ants fail to get out of the way in time taking the full brunt of the shocks.
Jadren rushes forwards and takes up a defensive postion with his sword and shield and tries to terrify the red ant, it skitters back some from the sound of the man shouting.
Elsir starts a spell battle by firing off a massive flush of water into the tunnels of the ants.
Red and black both fail to get out of the way of the spell and are flushed away down the tunnels, the black ant in particular being especially battered by the spell. The white and pink ants both dodge behind some rocks to avoid the worst of the spell.
Lavanna then follows up with a spell of her own that proves to be a little less impressive than Elsir's spell. The white ant proves to be resistant to the sounds, barely taking any damage from the spell.
The two ants still living rush forward to Jadren and Elsir. The piunk one grabs out at the fighter with its mandiblesand fails to hit due to the shield, but then turns around and stings the fighter, who tries to block the damage aware that he'S not likely going to get a good opportunity to counter attack.
The shield takes most of the damagem but Jadren and it take a small cut from the ant itself. He sees that the ant has injected something into him that starts to itch soon.
The second ant takes it's mandibles and slashes at Elsir.
It hits and then latches onto the man.
++++++++++++++++
Kaako
Elsir -16 Grabbed
Lavanna Hidden
Jadren -2 Shield -2 DC 18 Fort save
Pink -22
Red
Black
White -17
++++++++++++++++
Current map
Elsir grits his teeth as the mandibles grab hold with crushing force "I'll teach you to chew on this Elf!" He raises his hands and lets out a blast of water into the white ant's face.
"And stay back." Elsir retreats after the ant gets blasted away.
Hydraulic Push Spell 1
Attack Evocation Water
Source Core Rulebook pg. 344 2.0
Traditions arcane, primal
Deities Besmara, Dagon, Hanspur, Lysianassa, Ragadahn, Sobek
Cast Two Actions somatic, verbal
Range 60 feet; Targets 1 creature or unattended object
You call forth a powerful blast of pressurized water that bludgeons the target and knocks it back. Make a ranged spell attack roll.
Critical Success The target takes 6d6 bludgeoning damage and is knocked back 10 feet.
Success The target takes 3d6 bludgeoning damage and is knocked back 5 feet.
Kaako rushes up to get in striking range of the pink ant. He thrusts his rapier twice at the big insect.
Upset the spell was unable to crack their shells, Lavanna braces to secure the area around her.
◆) Cast Shield
◆◆) Ready (concentrate)
Trigger @ Crab comes within her area
Effect @ Attack with Trident of Striking
"Come in with the tide, little one!"
Kaako strides forward and stabs the pink ant once deep in the back very nearly piercing its heart, before the thing falls over dead.
The tengu still has time to react to something.
Elsir slams a funnel of water at the ant holding him still, and harms hit badly but not enough to kill it or make it let go. The mandibles still hold him in place preventing him from escaping like he wanted to.
Lavanna readies her shield spell and her trident, prepared to handle any ants that might come near her.
++++++++++++++++
Kaako 1 action left
Elsir -16 Grabbed 1 action left
Lavanna Shield
Jadren -2 Shield -2 DC 18 Fort save
Pink
White -26
++++++++++++++++
Current map
I'll help ya, Elsir!
After taking out the ant, Kaako moves behind the ant that has a hold on his elf friend.
"Ha! Well done friends!" Jadren shouts in excitement.
Jadren looks from the tiny scratch at his arm down at the last remaining creature in front of him. The itching already ceases as the tall man slashes twice at the ant, before raising his shield in a protective manner, again.
;
;
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Jadren steps right up to the ant and slices the things head off before it can even recover from being pushed back by Elsir's spell. The head bounces once, twice and then rolls to a stop, all of the other ants have been handled.
Jadren: -2
Jadren's shield: -2
Elsir: -16
A small fountain in the pond of water at the back of the room fills the space with a soft tinkling sound, as Lavanna quickly guesses correctly this is a place dedicated to Gozreh.
Looking over the fountain and waters below it she quickly realizes that this has been enchanted with some conjuration magic, but can't quite tell what would trigger it.
Lavanna treats Jadren's much more minor wounds first before moving on to Elsir's more serious wounds.
When she finally gets to him "Oh dear that's worse than I thought!" pouring salt water on his wounds to "clean" them and rubbing down with salves.
"Do you recognize the magic in that fountain?" she asks her second patient.
Cawlo flies into the room, now that the ants are gone and settles on the statue to watch the group with a bird-like curiosity as he waits for the group to decide what to do next.
Jadren looks at the minor cut on his wounds and at Lavanna’s work. ”Thanks, Lavanna.” he says and a boyish smile flashes over his face when he moves the wounded arm around. ”Good as new.” he says and sheathes his sword.
He proceeds to walk over the small pond and take out the patched together map. ”Make an offering to Gozreh, but prepare to face the storm’s wrath.” He repeats the words written on the section of the map depicting this chamber.
”What do you all make of this?” Jadren asks. ”Is there a special practice amongst worshippers of Gozreh? Lavanna you would know, right? I doubt we just toss a coin into the water and see what happens.” A bit confused the tall man scratches his head and his eyes move from the parchment in his hands to the pond and back.
Elsir studies the fountain while Lavanna oogles Jadren again. He casts a quick detection spell and confirms the presence of conjuration magic. "I don't know exactly what the conjuration magic will do, but I'd guess it will summon in something, hopefully good, but the map's phrase seems like that's a long shot."
He endures his treatment, remaining mostly silent as Lavanna works. "You're the resident religious ones here Jadren and Lavanna, what would Gozreh see as an appropriate offering?" His eyes do linger a bit on the ant excavations, but he's wary of running into a whole nest.
Kaako watches the clockwork parrot swoop in.
Ahh! Hello, Cawlo!
Kaako listens to the rest of the group about offerings to Gozreh, then chimes in.
How about lightning as an offering? Gozreh is Lord of Storms, right?
"Be prepared to face the storm's wrath" it said.
With a gleam in his eye, he holds up a claw as it crackles with small arcs of electricity.
Cawlo gives Kaako a whirring chirrup of greeting in return, and hops down to the edge of the fountain, peering into the water for a moment before he reaches a telescoping claw into the murky depths and pulling a small round disk out of the water that glints gold where the moss is not covering it. He then ferrets it away into his feathers.
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Well, well. What did you find, Cawlo?
Kaako sticks out his hand.
Go on. Give it here.
Cawlo wants to have a bit of fun, but Kaako insists.
C'mon, Cawlo! Give me it! Give it, now!
After having fun teasing Kaako, the clockwork parrot drops the item and Kaako fetches it.
I'll get you for this, you ol' tin can.
Kaako shakes his fist at the parrot, but gives him a sly grin, knowing it was all in jest.
He picks up the item and gives it a good look as he turns it in his hand.
Arr. Take a look at this here thing. I can't tell what it be.
He hands it over to whoever wants to take a look at it.
"There's gold in this pool?" Elsir suddenly becomes much more interested, reaching down into the pool and feeling around.
"Maybe you've got to toss in some coin as an offering?" He ponders out loud.
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"In fear or love, sailors wanting to appease the god of the seas make small offering of things of personal importance or value. I will be leaving for him (or her, depending on the aspect!) these pearls earrings that we found from our last adventure together - remember Kaako? We got stuck on that sand bar with those giant crabs!? - anyhow, I'll consider it a wager that this adventure will bring us forth what we need"
Lavanna takes the earrings off, worth gold pieces, and waits to see what others will make offer!
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We dined like royalty on giant crab after low tide went down and we got off that sand bar!
Both earrings? You sure you want to toss both in? At least keep one. Those cost at least a buck-an-ear.
"I'm afraid I don't have much to part with, besides some gold coins from my pouch." He waits to see if Lavanna's offering is enough before adding a pair of gold coins to the pool.
Kaako reaches out at Cawlo and what the bird has found, causing the parrot to hop away. A short tussle latter, a fuming Cawlo flitters up to the high rafters having lost his prize to the bigger bully bird. Kaako takes a moment to clean off the disk to find an older style gold piece, worth about a gold piece. Cawlo gives a small gear grinding sound not dissimilar to a hrumph from the ceiling, staring at the glinting gold with avarice, if the clockwork bird could have such an emotion.
Elsir digs around in the pool for a moment, but only finds a silver piece and a few coppers in the bottom of the muck of the nearly motionless water.
Lavanna recognizes this trial for what it is, she needs to offer up something of value and 'be prepared to face the storm's wrath.' With her knowledge of the conjuration effect and the warning she suggests that everyone stand back from the fountain and tosses the earrings in from slightly further away.
As one of the earrings lands in the water, a booming voice rises from the statue. “Those who seek the blessing of the Wind and the Waves must face the storm’s fury!”
As the voice fades, the water from the pool explodes, blasting the chamber with brackish filth. The explosion reveals a towering creature made from the purest azure water. Like a living tidal wave, the creature surges forward to attack!
However, before it quite gets a bead on the group, Jadren is already springing into action.
++++++++++++++++
Jadren Shield -2
Waterman
Elsir
Lavanna
Kaako
++++++++++++++++
Current map
"That is one large waterman..." Elsir's eyes slowly rise up to take in the entirety of their situation.
Lavanna begins praying...
Jadren gives a creeeking noise not unlike Cawlo when he's not had his daily oiling, as the man drops his shield and stalks forward closing the distance between him and the Waterman. Jadren then takes a swing at the thing.
The water creature gives a roar of what might be pain at Jadren's well placed swing, as the sword physically slices a hunk of water off the creature, causing the liquid to fall to the bottom of the fountain, inanimate.
The water creature then takes a swing back at Jadren, as the fighter raises his shield in response.
The wave of the punch barely connects with Jadren and pushes him back 5 feet. The water thing then swings again and again.
Both waves wash over the fighter with little to no impact, leaving Jadren and his armor only a bit wet.
Lavanna prays to Gozreh for guidance as she tries to recall what this thing could be. Sadly, Gozreh only indicates that this isn't holy and she should look to nature, but she can't recall anything about this type of creature.
++++++++++++++++
Elsir
Lavanna 2 actions left
Kaako
Jadren -17 Shield -2
Large Waterman -28
++++++++++++++++
Current map
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A gush of water hits the stone floor with a loud splat, when Jaden coughs up the water the elemental forced down his throat. Jadren wipes his mouth with the back of his hand and grins at the water elemental in front of him.
”This reminds me of the time Timmy, Duncan and I fell into a well back in Oppara. Well we jumped into it, hiding from the guards…” He reminisces as he moves closer to face the creature.
”Let’s break some waves, shall we?” Jadren attempts a lousy pun, before he slashes at the liquid entity in front of him and raises his shield to fend off the upcoming assault.
Elsir wastes little time probing the creature's defenses. "I have nothing helpful to add about this angry wall of water. It is not covered under the field of arcane study!" He moves to the south to have a clear firing lane and launches a bolt of frost.
Lavanna prays harder to try and recall this creature's weaknesses and resistances...
◆) Recall Knowledge
◆) Recall Knowledge
◆) Cast Shield
↺) Shield Block (if needed) @ Hardness 10