DM Carbide's Core Emerald Spire

Game Master John Woodford

After another few seconds the rush of water slows down to what it was before.

Joseph, since you're not in a fight and aren't being distracted by the possibility of drowning, you can take 10 on the Swim check.

Lybram doesn't think there's anything off about the door.

"Everyone OK?"

"Better than I deserve."

Once she feels it is safe to do so, Mrs. Book detaches herself from her lizard 'mount' and attaches herself to the wall.

"Are you all ready to look behind this door?" Lybram waits for a nod from the group.

Mrs. Book gives her a needed nod.

Lizard nods.

Let's move. Challenges await.

Corbrae dries herself with a prestidigitation spell, then renew her dancing lights if needed

Lybram will cast bless on the group and open the door.
"Mighty Erastil protect us and bless us, give us strength."
Casts Bless. Everyone is +1 to hit and saves vs fear.

He then examines the room and if nothing is evident will move in and examine further.
percept of room: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21

If we are now out of the water Joseph switches to his bow.
After watching Corbrae magic herself clean he waves.

"Oh me next."

With pleasure, it won't take long.

The bardess uses her minor spell on Joseph, taking particular attention to his bow and arrows until she's sure they are dry

You're all still under water, at least for the moment.

The door opens towards the party, and does so easily. Immediately on the other side is a shimmering, translucent wall that blurs the image of the room on the other side.

Cutting to the chase, there are no traps associated with it. There is, however, some small resistance to passage through it--DC 5 STR check to push through.

There's air on the other side. A narrow platform hugs the wall of this octagonal room, just above the level of the pool of water filling the bulk of the room. A blue-skinned woman in silvery armor is there along with a human-sized crustacean. She looks up with a start. "Oh! Hello!"

Lizard Druid. Does not speak but will swim to attack if this is the same creature that attacked before …does she look to discuss or just hello like she was surprised…?(

SM : 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 1 = 16

She looks similar to the undine you fought before, but the one you fought before was male. Viridian doesn't think she sounded hostile.

Know planes, Bard: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 7 + 2 = 13

Diplomacy, Skill focus: 1d20 + 9 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 9 + 3 = 28

First, Corbrae looks at the crab-man, for lack of a better term, and tries to identify its race and power, suspecting it comes from another plane. But then, who knows what is hidden in the depths of the oceans? If Know Nature, bonus is +6 (+8 with bard bonus)

Then, as the undine doesn't attack-which is a relief in this place-Corbrae starts to speak, with a calm and confident voice

Hi, my name is Corbrae, and we are a band of adventurers tasked to explore the place. We have just fought, and defeated, the undead who was the self-proclaimed ruler of this level. But you don't seem to be an ally to him, even less a servant, and we're all for a peaceful encounter. We're just cautious. May I ask you your name, and why you are here?

Lybram just smiles and nods. He hopes the others will handle the talking. He does however attempt to get through the barrier just into the air
strength check dc5: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15

Mrs Book attempts to follow Lybram, and finds that the barrier is a bit weakened in his wake.

strength: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (18) - 1 = 17

Can I just take 10 to get through the barrier?

After getting through the barrier somehow Joseph realizes talking is taking place and stows his spear.

Alton follows the party.

"Did the barrier move Mrs Book?"

Viridian swims forward but not closer than those speaking (and watched for anyone else approaching while diplomacy occurs)

Lybram changes his mind and try to aid Corbrae'sdiplomatic attempts. "I am Lybram Tendras, cleric of Erastal. We are explorers not raiders and we mean you no harm. We can tell about what we have seen to this point if you could do the same, I think we could help each other."
diplomacy aid: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16

"It sure would be nice to encounter someone friendly in here. Though those troglodytes were quite accommodating, if strange."

diplomacy banter/aid: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (3) + 10 = 13

Joseph pipes in.

"Hey I'm sure you are fun at parties and all but soaking wet isn't fun for me. We would love to explore this place and then move on. We can be pen pals or something."

diplomacy aid?: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (6) - 2 = 4

Viridian the lizard waits and watches...

"Do you think she doesn't know our langauge? Common is common but not everywhere."

Lybram continues to smile. "If she were a giraffe, I could get help from Erastil, but as it is, Common is all I got for people."

Corbrae, the crab creature looks similar to the other undine's eidolon.

"It's possible that we can learn from each other. My siblings and I came here from the Elemental Plane of Water a few months ago, and have been studying the other portals since then. I assume you came from above?"

We come from the outside of the Spire, we're not some of its inhabitants. One of your siblings attacked us, without apparent reason, while we arrived at this level, and we defended ourselves. I'm glad we can speak peacefully with you. I wish it could have been the same with your sibling

The bardess takes a few seconds to truly understand the undine words.
So all this water come directly from your homeplane, and you used it as a portal to our world? I suppose the water goes back to your plane, or the tower would be totally drowned by now. Can you tell us more about what you study?

"Yeah we're just explorers. We don't mean any harm. I'd like to learn more about the plane of water. Are there any more portals you know of on this level?"

"Can you tell us anything about the surrounding rooms? Is there anything dangerous? Have you seen stairs down maybe?"

When Corbrae mentions the other undine, Lybram realizes that although the woman tries to suppress her reaction she's really angry.

Round 1:

Initiative order
Mrs. Book
Joseph
Elemental
Lybram
Eidolon
Viridian
Corbrae
Alton
Undine

Mrs. Book and Joseph can act! There wasn't a lot of room, so you're still out in the hall.

Delay for now.

Since she was largely ignored, as were the others, Mrs. Book waits for the Undine to say or do something, taking a moment to look around from the vantage point of the hallway. she does try to move past the others to the corner of the hallway so that she can see into the room.

I have not moved her icon yet as I'm not sure if she needs to make a roll to make it there.

what is water situation?
Just wet floor, difficult terrain, waist deep, swimming required?

Lizard Viridian blinks as he silently watches the creatures

There's water filling the hallway outside of the room, a barrier of some kind in the doorway that keeps the water out, and inside of the room there's a narrow walkway around a pool of water that looks fairly deep. Because no one said anything about slipping into the pool or pushing past the eidolon on the walkway, I assumed that only half of you are in the room at the moment.

"Are you trapped in here? If so, could we help?"

"Madame, you seem very upset. I assure you, we don't want to fight and the incident with your sibling was not personal, just a misunderstanding, we do not want to repeat."

diplomacy: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15

I don't think it is Lybram's turn yet. He is after the elemental. But I thought he really has not told the group the lady is upset. He would call out the above as both a plea and a warning to his buddies.

It doesn't look like she's willing to listen, Lybram.

"We're sorry we intruded"

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17

Viridian only stares at the lady since he cannot speak.️

Has the elemental gone and is it now Lybrams turn?

"Well, this doesn't look good."

Lizard turns its head to stare with its other eye.

diplomacy: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (7) + 10 = 17

"Please, we just want to help you."

The only ones who can even see her right now are Alton, Lybram, and Corbrae.

Round 1 (ongoing):

Initiative order
Mrs. Book-delaying
Joseph-delaying
Elemental-delaying
Lybram
Eidolon
Viridian
Corbrae
Alton
Undine

Lybram can act!

Lybram takes the total defense action. AC should be with mage armor, dex, and total defense would be 10+4+1+4 or 19. "Madame, call off your pet!" Lybram finding the crab thing in his face, he hold his spear ready to dodge.

Round 1 (ongoing):

Initiative order
Mrs. Book-delaying
Joseph-delaying
Elemental-delaying
Lybram-full defense
Eidolon-delaying
Viridian
Corbrae
Alton
Undine

The crab creature looks alert (I don't know, maybe its eyestalks point at the party), but doesn't act yet.

Viridian, Corbrae, and Alton can act!

Viridian considers moving into the room’s pool to
Get a view but reconsiders as the party continues conversations and holds his spot (delay)

Alton delays and waits for the rest of the group.

As everyone seems to play the waiting game, Corbrae joins the fun.

She will cast Mirror Image if the undine and her thralls attack

Looks like we are all delaying, waiting to see if it attacks.

Viridian cannot see into the room, so is waiting for some action - forward or back by those in the room.