"I have rope and grapple hook. I think I could toss hook ten feet up, climb, then toss hook another ten feet, climb, and keep going until I reach top."
Is something like that doable, WS?
Yep, that's fine. If you can't auto-make the skill checks, you may still fall, but you'd only fall 10 feet, max.
---
Fuzzfoot uses the boots of the cat to begin climbing, while Rakesh uses his grappling hook. Kit waits for Fuzzfoot to drop the boots.
Ehm and Roderick fly to the top. I don't know if Ansha does as well, but if she does, she can open the spoiler as well.
Ehm and Roderick:
Jagged and barbed iron sculptures of various sizes cover the floor of this large stone plateau. A pair of wide stone stairs ascends to a balcony overhead. Shattered pieces of intricately painted pottery and shreds of fine silk are piled along the walls. Four pillars divide the space, holding aloft stone arches covered with pictograms. A wide pair of iron doors bears a ruby-studded engraving of an inferno and a hefty iron lock.
Four sentries stand guarding the door and several elaborate iron sculptures (black objects).
See layout on Slide 5. Because Ehm flew in from a distance, they have not spotted you yet (or heard the team noisily climbing the stairs) - you can choose to begin an attack now (getting a surprise round but without the group), or tell the group (potentially foregoing surprise, but getting everyone up to the top at the same time).
LN male Nagaji | Ranger (skirmisher) 9 | HP 67/67 | AC 21, t 14, ff 18 | CMB +13, CMD 25 | Fort +8, Ref +10, Will +6 (evasion, +2 vs mind affect & poison) | Init: +5 | Percept: +17 (low-light), Sense Motive: +7 | Speed 30' | Fav. Enemy: +2 vs. mag. beasts, +4 humans | Active conditions: ---
Yes. I can Auto-pass the checks. +11 to climb checks & +12 to ranged with grappling hook.
Hey, Wait! I have a flight grapple. 20' range and need to hit AC 5.
First 20':
Toss grapnel vs. AC 5:1d20 + 12 ⇒ (2) + 12 = 14 Take 10 to climb rope for a result of 21.
Second 20':
Toss grapnel vs. AC 5:1d20 + 12 ⇒ (3) + 12 = 15 Take 10 to climb rope for a result of 21.
Third 20':
Toss grapnel vs. AC 5:1d20 + 12 ⇒ (15) + 12 = 27 Take 10 to climb rope for a result of 21.
Rakesh makes sure the grapnel is secure at the top of the cliff.
"Use rope to climb up!"
He calls down to the others.
Ansha, I'll answer in the open. With Ehm's knowledge, you have the opportunity to set yourself up however you like. See Slide 5 - the stairs are in boxed in yellow, and they're steep (60' vertical over 10' horizontal), but those who are climbing are going to start in that box. The fliers can position themselves wherever they want outside the actual room. I'll roll initiative when the climbers get within 20' of the top of the stairs, or when one of the fliers enters their field of vision.
Totally out of character for Ehm, but are all of you absolutely sure all of these dwarves are supposed to be killed? Might not some of them be serving under duress? I mean if you want me to start a fight I will of course be happy to proceed with the exploding stuff.
male Human Chirurgeon 8 AC20(24)/T15(19)/F16/CMD17 |HP 67/67 | Fort:+11;Ref:+13;Will+6 |Percept.+12 | Init.+10 (1/1 mutagen: used bombs 11/15 used) wings 2/7min {heroism, cues, endure elements, shield, mutagen}
Indeed, if bloodshed can be avoided, especially ours. And if intelligence is to be gained, assuming they have any to provide, then any diplomatic efforts will be worthwhile.
Returning to hear the discussion on diplomacy, Ansha sighs. She had really felt like causing mayhem today, but the others had a point. "Fine. I'll talk to them."
She flies back up to the top and, after waiting for the others to get into a position to back her up if necessary, she hails them from a safe distance away. "Greetings! I'm looking for the residents of Naldak's Point. I've a trade that may be of interest to them. Can you help me find them?"
Diplomacy:1d20 + 26 ⇒ (5) + 26 = 31
GM WS:
Do these dwarven sentries look like duergar? Ansha's fought duergar a few times in the past, so presumably she knows what they look like. If so, and if they seem hostile, she uses Covert Spells to mask a Confusion (DC22) spell behind her Diplomacy attempt, centered to catch as many of them in its AoE as she can.
If she does end up casting Confusion, they have to beat both her Bluff and Sleight of Hand rolls to know she cast a spell. She also has the Subtle Enchantments feat, which means there's only a 50% chance that a target who makes a successful save realizes they made a saving throw at all.
Currently, Kitoro has not listed a way to get to the top. Ehm, Roderick, and Ansha are flying. Rakesh is climbing and 20' from the top; Fuzzfoot is climbing and presumably about the same height. Kitoro is still at the bottom. If Ansha is entering their field of vision, I'm going to roll for initiative, even though no overt hostility has started.
The rope is already available, though if you wanted the boots, you'd have to wait. Regardless, Ansha is waiting for the group to be up-top before she acts.
LN male Nagaji | Ranger (skirmisher) 9 | HP 67/67 | AC 21, t 14, ff 18 | CMB +13, CMD 25 | Fort +8, Ref +10, Will +6 (evasion, +2 vs mind affect & poison) | Init: +5 | Percept: +17 (low-light), Sense Motive: +7 | Speed 30' | Fav. Enemy: +2 vs. mag. beasts, +4 humans | Active conditions: ---
Rakesh looks down to see what is taking so long. He wiggles the rope from where he is as he clings to the rope and vertical stairs. The end of the rope wiggles at the bottom of the staircase.
"Rope is there. Please hurry. My arms are getting tired from hanging onto rope."
Before Ansha moves up and starts talking. Ehm will hand Rakesh and infusion of shield. Then moves in (still invisible) about 30' over the 'artwork' pieces. Ready in case things go to pot. I do not want to burn my Heightened Awareness on this initiative roll.
Okay, I'm putting Rakesh, Kitoro, and Fuzzfoot on the steps, 20 feet below the floor level. I will assume Rakesh threw the grappling hook to the top just as Ehm moved in (either triggers combat), so one PC at a time can use the rope to get to the top. Climbers may not have their weapons out.
Ansha, Ehm, and Roderick are flying 10 feet above floor level. Ehm has entered the room.
--Surprise Round
Kitoro
AnshaIf you wish to use the actions listed above, you may use those rolls. Roderick (invisible, heroism)
Ehm (invisible)
Rakesh
Fuzzfoot
--Round 1
Red Duergar
Yellow Duergar
Green Duergar
Blue Duergar
Kitoro
Ansha
Roderick
Ehm
Rakesh
Fuzzfoot
DC 15 Knowledge (local):
These are duergar fighters. They're immune to paralysis, phatasms, and poison; and they are weak to light.
Yeah, I'll go with the above actions and rolls. Or better, if they're aware of Ehm/Rakesh and obviously hostile, and not yet aware of her, she'll just cast confusion on them (DC23 because she gets a +1 boost to DCs when targets are unaware of her).
LN male Nagaji | Ranger (skirmisher) 9 | HP 67/67 | AC 21, t 14, ff 18 | CMB +13, CMD 25 | Fort +8, Ref +10, Will +6 (evasion, +2 vs mind affect & poison) | Init: +5 | Percept: +17 (low-light), Sense Motive: +7 | Speed 30' | Fav. Enemy: +2 vs. mag. beasts, +4 humans | Active conditions: ---
Rakesh grips the rope and carefully, but quickly, climbs to the top of the ledge.
climb, heroism, half speed:1d20 + 11 + 2 - 5 ⇒ (10) + 11 + 2 - 5 = 18 Full-round action to climb to top.
LN male Nagaji | Ranger (skirmisher) 9 | HP 67/67 | AC 21, t 14, ff 18 | CMB +13, CMD 25 | Fort +8, Ref +10, Will +6 (evasion, +2 vs mind affect & poison) | Init: +5 | Percept: +17 (low-light), Sense Motive: +7 | Speed 30' | Fav. Enemy: +2 vs. mag. beasts, +4 humans | Active conditions: ---
At the top of the ledge, Rakesh grips the edge with his fingers and peers over to get a look around.
Stealth:1d20 + 14 ⇒ (10) + 14 = 24 Making it so the ledge gives Rakesh cover.
Rakesh and Fuzzfoot creep closer to the edge (Rakesh - it's a surprise round, so only one move). Ansha casts a spell secretly. You can only get two with a 15' burst, so I'm choosing Green and Blue because of line of sight - neither can beat your Bluff or Sleight of Hand, even on a nat 20.
Green Will:1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22 vs DC 23
Blue Will:1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17 vs DC 23
Kitoro's song fills the air, alerting the duergar. Ehm and Roderick don't think they're seen, they seem to be zeroing in on the staircase.
Red and Yellow draw their longbows, taking up defensive positions behind the pillar and by the staircase, respectively.
Green Confusion:1d100 ⇒ 24
Green draws a longbow and hides behind a pillar.
Blue Confusion:1d100 ⇒ 31
Blue yells out "BAHAMENWHOLETTHEDOGSOUT!!!" and raises his warhammer victoriously, earning some puzzled looks from his teammates.
--Round 1
Kitoro
Ansha
Roderick
GM
Ehm
Rakesh
Fuzzfoot
--Round 2
Red Duergar
Yellow Duergar
Green Duergar
Blue Duergar
Kitoro, Ansha, and Roderick can act - but not Ehm, Rakesh, and Fuzzfoot.
LN male Nagaji | Ranger (skirmisher) 9 | HP 67/67 | AC 21, t 14, ff 18 | CMB +13, CMD 25 | Fort +8, Ref +10, Will +6 (evasion, +2 vs mind affect & poison) | Init: +5 | Percept: +17 (low-light), Sense Motive: +7 | Speed 30' | Fav. Enemy: +2 vs. mag. beasts, +4 humans | Active conditions: ---
Sorry to ask this, but, how high is the platform in front of the double doors? Also, are those squiggly runes raised up high enough to provide cover or are they like giant bas reliefs?
LN male Nagaji | Ranger (skirmisher) 9 | HP 67/67 | AC 21, t 14, ff 18 | CMB +13, CMD 25 | Fort +8, Ref +10, Will +6 (evasion, +2 vs mind affect & poison) | Init: +5 | Percept: +17 (low-light), Sense Motive: +7 | Speed 30' | Fav. Enemy: +2 vs. mag. beasts, +4 humans | Active conditions: ---
Cool. Thank you. Also, climbing at half speed in a single move during surprise round gets Rakesh to 5' below the ledge. On his next turn, he'll aid Kitoro to climb.
Ansha looks to see if there is one who looks like he's the leader of the group. If she spots him, she quietly incants the words to a charm person spell (DC19, Covert Spells and Subtle Enchantments apply).
None of the duergar look like the leader, so Ansha delays.
One of the iron statues near Roderick begins moving!
The picture and the description mismatch. The "statue" is a scrap iron sculpture, which, as previously described, gives cover but does not block line of sight. The animated armor was the only icon I could find that wasn't copyrighted.
--Round 1
Ansha
Ehm
Rakesh
Fuzzfoot
--Round 2
Red Duergar
Yellow Duergar
Green Duergar
Blue Duergar
Kitoro
Roderick
Orange Statue
LN male Nagaji | Ranger (skirmisher) 9 | HP 67/67 | AC 21, t 14, ff 18 | CMB +13, CMD 25 | Fort +8, Ref +10, Will +6 (evasion, +2 vs mind affect & poison) | Init: +5 | Percept: +17 (low-light), Sense Motive: +7 | Speed 30' | Fav. Enemy: +2 vs. mag. beasts, +4 humans | Active conditions: ---
"Easy now. Do not look down. You are almost to top."
He says calmly and gives a reassuring smile to Kitoro and Fuzzfoot.
Auto-succeed climb to move at half speed and get to the top.
Rakesh scampers up the last five feet of rope to the top of the ledge. Scanning the area, he notices a familiar creature made of iron as it lumbers about.
He pulls out Ehm's shield elixir from his magical haversack.
Rakesh moves to the top. Ehm and Ansha recall that these animated objects are easy to hit, but have construct armor which will take the force out of physical attacks (hardness).
--Round 1
Ansha
Ehm
Rakesh
Fuzzfoot
--Round 2
Red Duergar
Yellow Duergar
Green Duergar (confused)
Blue Duergar (confused)
Kitoro
Roderick
Orange Statue
