"Fists of the Ruby Phoenix" (Campaign) w/ DM rainzax

Game Master rainzax

Max picks back up his gun, reloads it and is holding a hammer and a shield.

Ryushi, with his katana and shield is ready to go in the frontline.

After 20 minutes of rest, Zurrus suggests they head north, and the party weighs in...

"North it is." Cirri pats Ryushi on the back and seals up the last spider bite. "It would be nice to see a pretty rainshower rather than a bloodthirsty beast, for once."

Moved us to the Northern cloud.

Abandoned Well (Part One)

Thick ivy almost completely covers what looks to be a fresh water well outside of the northern walls of the temple.

...

...

...

1) Please place your Token on the Map!
2) Supply any changing data for the Exploration Tracker
3) Go ahead and roll Initiative (if you haven't already)

Cirri keeps her staff and shield in hand as she approaches the well. "Ah, here's a clean water source. Maybe we can figure out how to connect it to the fountain to keep it clean."

She takes a look into the well. "Uh, no rope and no bucket?"

Initiative, +1 vs Traps: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (2) + 19 = 21

Zurrus has a Maestro's Instrument, so it takes up both of her hands.

Zurrus steps up next to Cirri to peer into the well. "Well, we've got plenty of rope if we need it. I'm not keen on getting my fur wet fishing for the bucket, though! I'll just lower my waterskin down if I'm thirsty."

Perception Initiative: 1d20 + 17 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 17 + 2 = 24

Perception Initiative: 1d20 + 18 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 18 + 2 = 32

Ryushi stays ahead of the others, as they investigate.

perception: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (4) + 19 = 23 init Max is a little tired today to pay to much attention to anything.

Lady Zhilan!

Snake in the Well! (Round One)

Snakey Plant to Initiative (Avoid Notice, Stealth): 14 + 24 = 38
Snakey Plant to Ambush (Cirri, Max, Ryushi, or Zurrus): 1d4 ⇒ 3

With predatory speed, nearly the diameter of the well itself, out lunges a slithering mass of vines braided into a single, flexible, tensile mass, not unlike a gigantic snake, it's jaws filled with rows of razor-sharp thorn-teeth, it's "head" seeming to lack physical eyes!

◆) Captivating Pollen
◆◆) ??

But "see" Ryushi it does, as it begins to wrap it's body around him - but not before emitting a spray of invisible sweet-smelling pollen!

Captivating Pollen to 60-foot Emanation (Enchantment, Incapacitation 13, Mental, Poison) Reset vs Will DC 33: 1d4 ⇒ 2 rounds

Everyone please roll your Save and announce your Outcome!

...

Will vs DC 33: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (9) + 18 = 27 Fail.

”Achoo!!!” Zurrus sneezes as the pollen infiltrates her nose and sticks to her fur.

...inside of Zurrus's chest, she feels her heart swell with what feels like... love?... her eyes dilate as her instincts bend towards some primal urge to simply be near the strange plant, her vision blurs, she feels her attention drift, and she finds herself purring with a low-steady hum...

"Oh, that's where the water went..."

Will Save with Poison Resistance: 1d20 + 22 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 22 + 1 = 41 With >Resolve< this is a Critical Success.

"And it's huge, watch it! Wait, what is this?"

When it's her turn, Cirri will spend an action to Recall Knowledge, using Master Nature +21.

Will Save: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (10) + 21 = 31
Spend Hero point Will Save!: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (18) + 21 = 39

Resolve crit success

For a split second Ryushi relaxes into the oncoming grip of the strange creature before forcing himself out of it with heroic resolve.

I think it wishes to eat me! he says with some measure of panic.

Snake in the Well! (Round One, Continuing)

As if to respond to his outloud wondering, while the pollen continues to spread into a 60-foot radius, tender tendrils wrap around Ryushi...

◆) Captivating Pollen
◆) Strike
◆) Grab

Vine (Grabbing) vs Ryushi (AC 29): 1d20 + 27 ⇒ (9) + 27 = 363d10 + 11 ⇒ (3, 3, 9) + 11 = 26

...crushing his ribs with suffocating constriction!

...

...

...

Cirri (w/ ◆◆) and Ryushi (Grabbed w/ ◆◆◆) are Up!

"Oh! A viper vine! It's vulnerable to extreme cold. Um... and it can track your footsteps."

Cirri thinks about her next move. while I get some sleep...

will save: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (4) + 16 = 20 oouch, crit fail.

Cirri's memories return her to a trip with a Shoanti hunter as they traveled through a lush jungle. The hunter's ancestors had been disturbed by some blundering Taldanes. To avoid an international incident, Cirri agreed to help guide the hunter and a priest to the site to return what had been stolen, and to consecrate the area.

She didn't expect the burial ground to be so cold. The hunter realized his ancestor's curse was in full effect, and the priest was able to calm them while Cirri figured out where to best bury what had been stolen.

There, she saw it: a large plant, shaped like a viper. Coiled into a ball, it hoped to conserve body heat against the cold. With the curse lifted and warmth returning to the jungle, the plant shook in place and stretched. Feeling her footsteps, the plant erupted with pollen and tried to bite her. The pollen felt warm, inviting.

The priest dragged Cirri away while the hunter distracted the plant. He said it was the family guardian and it was best to keep their distance. The pollen Cirri inhaled made his words difficult to understand, but she was well rewarded.

Now, she sees the plant again. "Max, we could use some of your ranged... uh, Max?" She looks at the half-elf's eyes. "Jeez. Zurrus, can you break the enchant- ugh."

Cirri tries to use her staff as a wedge to Aid Ryushi on his attempt to escape the plant's grip.
◆↺ Cirri will spend an action and a reaction to Aid Ryushi's escape attempt. Looks like he has +21 Athletics, so Cirri will use her +17 Athletics.

Then, she plants her shield.
◆ Raise Shield. AC is 31.

Snake in the Well! (Round One, Concluding)

Cirri does her best to wedge Ryushi free!

Ryushi is Grabbed vs Escape DC 37

The spores permeate the air, this round causing Max and Zurrus to fall under the Viper Vine's spell - and lingering as a persistent threat!

...

Ryushi!

◆ Ryushi attempts to use his Athletics to Escape
Athletics check: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (1) + 21 = 22
Then again
◆ MAP -5 Escape
Athletics check: 1d20 + 21 - 5 ⇒ (9) + 21 - 5 = 25
◆ MAP -10 Escape
Athletics check: 1d20 + 21 - 10 ⇒ (7) + 21 - 10 = 18

Just... kill it. He wheezes.

Forgot -1 for Sickened, not that it matters

Save Sickened: 1d20 + 21 - 1 ⇒ (6) + 21 - 1 = 26

Snake in the Well! (Round Two)

Ryushi remains trapped - the Viper Vine attempts to crush every single bone in his body!

◆◆◆) Constrict x3

Ryushi vs Basic Fortitude (DC 33) Blunt Damage: 3d8 + 8 ⇒ (7, 7, 2) + 8 = 24
Ryushi vs Basic Fortitude (DC 33) Blunt Damage: 3d8 + 8 ⇒ (5, 1, 8) + 8 = 22
Ryushi vs Basic Fortitude (DC 33) Blunt Damage: 3d8 + 8 ⇒ (2, 8, 4) + 8 = 22

Will our heroic cleric survive with his skeleton intact!?

...

...

The Party is Up!

Cirri nods. With the pollen intoxicating her friends and Ryushi held within its grasp, Cirri drops her staff and pulls out her spear. A gift from dad.

Then she conjures into the waterbed underneath the well and causes a Spout of water to erupt at its head.

Basic Reflex DC 29 to reduce 6d4 + 4 ⇒ (3, 3, 2, 4, 3, 4) + 4 = 23 Bludgeoning damage.

"Max? Zurrus? Snap out of it! The pollen can mess with your senses! Listen to my voice!"

◇ Drop staff
◆ Interact to draw Spear
◆◆ Cast >Spout<

Viper Vine Basic Reflex vs 23 Blunt Water (DC 29): 1d20 + 24 ⇒ (14) + 24 = 38 @ 11 damage

Water from the (functioning!) well gushes up and loosens the vine's grip upon Ryushi somewhat...

Will vs DC 33: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (15) + 18 = 33

”prrrrrrrrr- KHAK!” Zurrus coughs up a cloud of pollen. “Huh, Cirri, wha…” She shakes the fog from her mind and takes stock of the situation, pulling away from the vines. ”Keep trying, Ryushi!” she shouts, strumming an energizing chord.

◆ Stride
◇ Lingering Composition Performance: 1d20 + 26 ⇒ (20) + 26 = 46
◆ Inspire Courage, +1 status on attack rolls, damage, and saves vs fear
◆ Liberating Command, Ryushi can use his reaction to try to Escape again.

Zurrus’ tail starts waving along with the music as the wind picks up slightly. Her eyes flash blue and sparks of electricity zap between her bracelets, getting dangerously close to the vine.

◆ Demoralize the vine with Elemental Embellish so there’s no language penalty, using Fancy Moves to roll Performance instead of Intimidation.
Performance: 1d20 + 22 - 1 ⇒ (2) + 22 - 1 = 23, I assume I don’t get the bonuses from my harp since Elemental Embellish is a visual thing.

will save: 1d20 + 16 - 2 ⇒ (1) + 16 - 2 = 15 crit failure

Ryushi!

Fort: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (20) + 19 = 39
Fort: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (14) + 19 = 33
Fort: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (14) + 19 = 33

Three passes, one crit, so 26+11+11=48 damage. So at 92 health

Will: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (5) + 21 = 26

Fail Will save though :(

Completely forgot Resolve bumped me up to crit success on the pollen

While able to resist much of the creature's attacks, Ryushi is still pretty bruised. Still, it is now his turn to attack.

◆ Attack
Inspired Attack: 1d20 + 20 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 20 + 1 = 30
Damage: 2d6 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (2, 6) + 4 + 1 = 13
◆ Cast True Strike with a martial shout mimicking his god.

Snake in the Well! (Round Three)

Zurrus does a little dance, but it seems to have no effect, meanwhile Max remains transfixed, his higher order functioning hijacked by the aroma of the lingering spores. (Fail, Fail)

Ryushi engages with his inspired attack, but fails to penetrate the Viper Vines thick stem. (Miss x2)

It wraps it's tendrils around him again and squeezes!

◆) Strike
◆) Grab
◆) Constrict

Vine (Grabbing) vs Ryushi (AC 29): 1d20 + 27 ⇒ (5) + 27 = 323d10 + 11 ⇒ (5, 4, 8) + 11 = 28
Ryushi vs Basic Fortitude (DC 33) Blunt Damage: 3d8 + 8 ⇒ (8, 5, 3) + 8 = 24

Will our heroic cleric survive a second squeezing?

...

...

The Party is Up!

"Max! Come on!" Cirri knows Ryushi is going to lose consciousness soon. She conjures another Spout of water to erupt from the well.

Basic Reflex DC 29 to reduce 6d4 + 4 ⇒ (2, 1, 3, 3, 1, 2) + 4 = 16 Bludgeoning damage.

Then she lunges with her spear, almost tripping over herself in the process.
Magical Spear, Inspire Courage: 1d20 + 20 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 20 + 1 = 22
Piercing Damage: 2d6 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (3, 2) + 4 + 1 = 10

◆◆ Cast >Spout<
◆ Strike with Spear

will save: 1d20 + 16 - 2 ⇒ (15) + 16 - 2 = 29 Failure Max continues to stare at it.

Viper Vine Basic Reflex vs 16 Blunt Water (DC 29): 1d20 + 24 ⇒ (19) + 24 = 43 @ 0 damage

With Max placated, Viper Vine has all the space it needs to dodge Cirri's blows and water magic!

Ryushi and Zurrus!

Fort Save: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (5) + 19 = 24
Regular save
Health 92-28-24=40 left

Ryushi struggles against his bonds, and calls out to Shizuru for help.

◆ Cast True Strike (verbal only so no DC flat check needed even when grabbed)
◆ True Strike Escape (it has the attack trait!)
Athletics Escape: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (7) + 21 = 28
Athletics Escape: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (19) + 21 = 40
Choosing 40
And, using the rush of strength, is able to break free with his plea to his goddess

◆Then he moves back behind Cirri. We might need to leave. I am unable to heal.

He wheezes.

Snake in the Well! (Round Four)

Ryushi breaks free, narrowly escaping with his life, most of his ribs cracked - Zurrus loses her focus to the spore influence! Delay

Viper Vine turns it's attention the entire rest of the party!

◆◆◆) Grapple x3

Grappling Vine (Athletics) w/ Reach (15 feet) vs Max (Fortitude DC 32): 1d20 + 27 ⇒ (1) + 27 = 28
Grappling Vine (Athletics) w/ Reach (15 feet) vs Zurrus (Fortitude DC 30): 1d20 + 27 - 5 ⇒ (11) + 27 - 5 = 33
Grappling Vine (Athletics) w/ Reach (15 feet) vs Cirri (Fortitude DC 30): 1d20 + 27 - 5 - 5 ⇒ (4) + 27 - 5 - 5 = 21

Grasping Zurrus as Cirri cuts herself and a stupified Max free!

Zurrus is Grabbed

...

...

The Party is Up!

"Retreating seems like a good idea, but I can't leave anyone behind." She sees Zurrus, caught within its grasp, and poor Max, intoxicated with its pollen.

"Okay, okay, new idea: Zurrus, get out of there! I'll push Max out of the way and we are outta here!"

Delaying, see Discussion thread.

Perception for Initiative: 1d20 + 16 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 16 + 2 = 25

Seishine steps into the clear to investigate the shouting but is caught off guard by what he sees before him.

Wasn't exactly sure where I should put the token on the map, so if it should start somewhere else please feel free to move me. And thanks for the opportunity to play the AP.

Seishine is (also) Up!

Will vs DC 33: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (8) + 18 = 26
Hero Point: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (4) + 18 = 22
Critical Fail, Stupified 2

”EEP! Let me go let me go let… me…..” Zurrus succumbs to the pollen once again and stops struggling, hanging limply in the vine’s grasp.

Perception Initiative 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (10) + 17 = 27

"Did I miss much?" asks a blur of green and gold, zooming into the room. Guillias "Gills" Vernedethi has arrived, hoping to achieve glory for you all and redeem himself from his devastating loss the last tournament held in the Ruby Phoenix's honor.

Guillias is (also) Up!

Better... Late... Ryushi wheeze.

Seishine pauses for the briefest moment, Now what's this? he thinks to himself.

Fortitude vs. DC 33: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (1) + 21 = 22 Critical failure!

"Keep down! It's going to b..." he shouts as he moves forward but then his eyes begin to lose focus and they glaze over. He stares blankly ahead and begins to slowly approach the snake-like creature.

Welcome to the party I guess!

"Wait, stay back! The pollen is... hmm." Cirri sighs and conjures more water from the well to blast the plant. "I'd love to run, but everyone's flocking to this plant."

Basic Reflex DC 29 to reduce 6d4 + 4 ⇒ (4, 2, 3, 1, 2, 2) + 4 = 18 Bludgeoning damage.

She lunges with her spear.
Magical Spear: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (13) + 20 = 33
Piercing Damage: 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (3, 6) + 4 = 13

◆◆ Cast >Spout<
◆ Strike with Spear

Snake in the Well! (Round Four, Continuing)

SPLUNCH!

Cirri's spear finally penetrates the beast's thick stem - light green liquid spills out - and Viper Vine whorls on the druid as she blasts him yet with a spout of water!

Viper Vine Basic Reflex vs 18 Blunt Water (DC 29): 1d20 + 24 ⇒ (12) + 24 = 36 @ 9 damage

A newcomer Seishine NoMichi arrives onto the scene - and is immediately transfixed by the pheromonic spores! (Critical Failure) - a second newcomer Guillias Vernedethi arrives and begins to wrinkle his nose (Save Incomplete)...

...Meanwhile Zurrus, trapped in the grasp, is once again lulled into a stupor (Critical Failure)...

The party, larger now, decide what to do!

...

...

Guillias, Max, and Ryushi are Up!

"I think I got its attention!"