[GD XI, PFS2, MTS] GM Blake's 3-98: Expedition into Pallid Peril (Tier 5-6) (Inactive)

Game Master Blake's Tiger

Apologies. I misread the Resistances. I will correct now and henceforth but not retrospectively.

The eel is not distracted by the blade, but the scholar-warrior still manages to stab the eel on the head once. Unfortunately, the slick slime coating the eel causes the blade to slide away (resisted all 4 Piercing damage).

Zabu ignores the teeth sunk into his own flesh and grabs hold of the eel's gill with one hand and claws at it with the other. He tears a decent rent through the fine scales (regular hit, no damage resisted).

The Screaming Eels! Round 2

Lighting: Dim Light (targets are concealed barring means to see or improve light)

Environment: Underwater (Swim DC 10)
Height from floor to ceiling is 20 ft.
Hand holds on the wall allow you use Climb (DC 10) to move instead of Swim when adjacent to the walls.

Effects: ongoing magical effects

Battle Map

Eel 2 (@ -20 ft)
Teja (53/68) (water breathing) (@ -20 ft)
Miladistra (32/32) (water breathing) (@ -20 ft)
Zabu (100/107) (water breathing; rage) (@ -20 ft) (Grabbed by Eel 1)
Therisah (70/86) (water breathing, light 20 ft (@ -20 ft)) (Grabbed by Eel 4)
Eel 4 (-20 hp) (@ -10 ft)
Eel 1 (-21 hp) (@ -10 ft) (Grabbed by Zabu)
Jun-Mei (62/62) (water breathing, light 20 ft) (@ -20 ft)
Round 3
Akuth (19/64) (water breathing) (@ -20 ft)

"Looks like the lightning went through..." She notes Jun-Mei's success. "Bah, if we weren't so bunched up!"

She focuses her hands and claps them together. A bolt of electricity shoots from each hand, zapping the two eels.

3d4 + 4 ⇒ (1, 4, 3) + 4 = 12, Basic Reflex DC 22.

"Deroff, get this eel out of mah face!" Deroff sinks his teeth into the eel's slimy hide.

Athletics to Swim down 5 feet: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (4) + 11 = 15

Jaws: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (12) + 11 = 23
Piercing Damage: 2d8 + 3 ⇒ (2, 1) + 3 = 6

Casting >Electric Arc< at E1 and E4
Direct Animal to Swim down and Strike E1. We should be -15 ft elevation.

Miladistra electrifies the eels again. She then commands her wolf to attack the eel wrestling with Zabu. The wolf's fangs slip along the slimy skin leaving only the faintest of scratches (resisted 5 piercing).

The eel biting Therisah finds her too big to swallow as well. It lets go and snaps at Akuth and Therisah, trying to tear away flesh, but it cannot get past their defenses.

Blood blooms through the gills of the eel biting Zabu. The gnome feels another set of teeth biting into his shoulder. Then, suddenly, he is yanked entirely into the eel's stomach! The process is quite painful.

The Screaming Eels! Round 2-3

Lighting: Dim Light (targets are concealed barring means to see or improve light)

Environment: Underwater (Swim DC 10)
Height from floor to ceiling is 20 ft.
Hand holds on the wall allow you use Climb (DC 10) to move instead of Swim when adjacent to the walls.

Effects: ongoing magical effects

Battle Map

Eel 2 (@ -20 ft)
Teja (53/68) (water breathing) (@ -20 ft)
Miladistra (32/32) (water breathing) (@ -20 ft)
Zabu (81/107) (water breathing; rage) (@ -20 ft) (Swallowed by Eel 1: grabbed, slowed 1, holding breath)
Therisah (70/86) (water breathing, light 20 ft (@ -20 ft)) (Grabbed by Eel 4)
Eel 4 (-26 hp) (@ -10 ft)
Eel 1 (-34 hp; <50%) (@ -10 ft) (Grabbed by Zabu)
Jun-Mei (62/62) (water breathing, light 20 ft) (@ -20 ft)
Round 3
Akuth (19/64) (water breathing) (@ -20 ft)

"Dawnflower shield him!"

As Zabu is attacked Jun-Mei calls upon the power of Sarenrae to protect him.

↺ glimpse of redemption

Zabu will either take 8 less damage and the eel becomes enfeebled 2 until the end of its next turn or it can choose to not become enfeebled and Zabu takes no damage. He's probably still swallowed though.

Jun-Mei sends a jolt of electricity through the nearby eels before slicing at the one above her with her glaive.

electric arc vs E1 and E2, reflex save DC 22: 3d4 + 4 ⇒ (4, 3, 4) + 4 = 15

glaive vs E1: 1d20 + 13 - 2 ⇒ (8) + 13 - 2 = 19
damage-slashing: 2d8 + 4 ⇒ (1, 8) + 4 = 13
deadly?: 1d8 ⇒ 6

◆◆ cast electric arc, ◆ strike

Aktuh slaps a bandage on himself.

◆ Battle Medicine, Assurance 20: 2d8 + 10 ⇒ (4, 2) + 10 = 16

Feeling a little better, he wonders where the little guy went.

◆ Devise a Strategem: 1d20 ⇒ 9 vs Eel 1
◇ Known Weaknesses: Recall with Devise, Arcana/Society +14, Occultism +15, Nature +10, Religion +12

GM, did you miss Known Weaknesses last round, or did Aktuh fail?

◆ Shortbow: 9 + 15 = 24
Piercing: 2d6 ⇒ (1, 1) = 2 plus Precision: 2d6 ⇒ (6, 4) = 10

@ Jun-Mei: I redirected your electric arc to targets you could see (4 instead of 2).

Jun-Mei continues to summon lightning bolts that light the eels from the inside. She swings her glaive, but the weapon glances off of the serpentine body (miss).

Akuth tends to his most serious wounds before considering the eels. He cannot fathom the anatomy of these giant, snake-like fish, but he sees a shot and takes it. The arrow, though slowed by the mucous covering the eel, sinks deeply. It looks ready to flee (with Zabu inside).

The other eel swims back and lunges at Therisah. The martial artists proves too elusive for the fish.

The Screaming Eels! Round 3

Lighting: Dim Light (targets are concealed barring means to see or improve light)

Environment: Underwater (Swim DC 10)
Height from floor to ceiling is 20 ft.
Hand holds on the wall allow you use Climb (DC 10) to move instead of Swim when adjacent to the walls.

Effects: ongoing magical effects

Battle Map

Eel 2 (@ -20 ft)
Teja (53/68) (water breathing) (@ -20 ft)
Miladistra (32/32) (water breathing) (@ -20 ft)
Zabu (81/107) (water breathing; rage) (@ -20 ft) (Swallowed by Eel 1: grabbed, slowed 1, holding breath)

The monk persists.

◆ Flurry
Wolf Jaw Unarmed Attack: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (13) + 15 = 282d8 + 4 ⇒ (1, 7) + 4 = 12 piercing
Wolf Jaw Unarmed Attack: 1d20 + 15 - 4 ⇒ (15) + 15 - 4 = 262d8 + 4 ⇒ (8, 2) + 4 = 14 piercing
◆ Wolf Jaw Unarmed Attack: 1d20 + 15 - 8 ⇒ (13) + 15 - 8 = 202d8 + 4 ⇒ (2, 4) + 4 = 10 piercing
◆ Wolf Jaw Unarmed Attack: 1d20 + 15 - 8 ⇒ (16) + 15 - 8 = 232d8 + 4 ⇒ (1, 6) + 4 = 11 piercing

"Zabu! Come on out! I'll uh... kiss ya if you don't wind up eel chow!" She hopes that's enough encouragement. Meanwhile she shoots more electricity from her fingertips.

3d4 + 4 ⇒ (1, 1, 1) + 4 = 7, Basic Reflex DC 22 vs E1 and E4.

Miladistra knows Deroff's breath is going to stink after this. "Go on, get em!" Deroff continues to bite into the eel.

Jaws: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (16) + 11 = 27
Piercing Damage: 2d8 + 3 ⇒ (2, 3) + 3 = 8

Jaws: 1d20 + 11 - 5 ⇒ (20) + 11 - 5 = 26
Piercing Damage: 2d8 + 3 ⇒ (7, 1) + 3 = 11 Please double damage if a critical success

◆◆ Casting >Electric Arc< at E1 and E4
◆ Direct Animal to Strike E1 twice. If E1 is dead, use one of the rolls for an Athletics check and swim towards E4 if there is room.

Despite the resistance from the slime, Therisah punishes the eel within an inch of its life. The eels agilely avoid Miladistra's electricity, but the one Therisah mauled had so little life left. It floats to the ceiling. The other one manages to survive the shock, but then it is savaged by a wolf. This one sinks to the floor as Zabu struggles inside.

Creatures adjacent to the dead eel can spend 3 actions with a piercing or slashing weapon to free Zabu, also.

The Screaming Eels! Round 3

Lighting: Dim Light (targets are concealed barring means to see or improve light)

Environment: Underwater (Swim DC 10)
Height from floor to ceiling is 20 ft.
Hand holds on the wall allow you use Climb (DC 10) to move instead of Swim when adjacent to the walls.

Effects: ongoing magical effects

Battle Map

Eel 2 (@ -20 ft)
Teja (53/68) (water breathing) (@ -20 ft)
Miladistra (32/32) (water breathing) (@ -20 ft)
Zabu (81/107) (water breathing; rage) (@ -20 ft) (Swallowed by Eel 1: grabbed, slowed 1, holding breath)
Therisah (70/86) (water breathing, light 20 ft (@ -20 ft)) (Grabbed by Eel 4)
Eel 1 (dead) (@ -15 ft) (Zabu Is Inside)
Jun-Mei (62/62) (water breathing, light 20 ft) (@ -20 ft)
Round 4
Akuth (35/64) (water breathing) (@ -20 ft)

What was the result of Jun-Mei's glimpse of redemption?

Teja, seeing the first eel is distracted by a giant wolf, turns her attention on to it. The scholar, who firmly believes that while the pen is mighter than the sword, it pays to know how to use a sword anyway... attempts to prove her point.

attack vs FF eel1: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (3) + 15 = 18
P damage: 2d6 ⇒ (4, 3) = 7

Then, distracted, she tries again.
attack vs FF eel1: 1d20 + 15 - 5 ⇒ (19) + 15 - 5 = 29
P damage: 2d6 ⇒ (6, 5) = 11
deadly?: 1d8 ⇒ 5
sneak damage: 2d6 ⇒ (2, 6) = 8

Finally she tries to work out if the eels have any weaknesses.

◆ strike
◆ strike
◆ recall knowledge

With only one eel remaining, Teja cuts a whole open in the dead eel and yanks Zabu free of its stomach.

The Screaming Eels! Round 3

Lighting: Dim Light (targets are concealed barring means to see or improve light)

Environment: Underwater (Swim DC 10)
Height from floor to ceiling is 20 ft.
Hand holds on the wall allow you use Climb (DC 10) to move instead of Swim when adjacent to the walls.

Effects: ongoing magical effects

Battle Map

Eel 2 (@ -20 ft)
Teja (53/68) (water breathing) (@ -20 ft)
Miladistra (32/32) (water breathing) (@ -20 ft)
Therisah (70/86) (water breathing, light 20 ft (@ -20 ft)) (Grabbed by Eel 4)
Zabu (81/107) (water breathing; rage) (@ -20 ft)
Jun-Mei (62/62) (water breathing, light 20 ft) (@ -20 ft)
Round 4
Akuth (35/64) (water breathing) (@ -20 ft)

Jun-Mei sends a bolt of mental energy at the remaining eel then strikes out with her glaive.

daze vs E2 Will DC22: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

glaive: 1d20 + 13 - 2 ⇒ (10) + 13 - 2 = 21
damage-slashing: 2d8 + 4 ⇒ (5, 7) + 4 = 16
deadly?: 1d8 ⇒ 8

◆◆ cast daze, ◆ strike

◆ Devise: 1d20 ⇒ 14
◆ Shortbow: 14 + 15 = 29
Piercing: 2d6 ⇒ (3, 4) = 7 plus Precision: 2d6 ⇒ (2, 5) = 7
Deadly?: 1d10 ⇒ 1 plus 1d6 bleed on crit

◆ Shortbow: 1d20 + 14 - 5 ⇒ (1) + 14 - 5 = 10

Jun-Mei attacks the eel's relatively small mind and then cuts it with her glaive. Now freed from the inside of an eel, tears into the remaining eel with his claws. The fish looks ready to flee, but it never gets the chance. Akuth's arrow, even resisted as it is, puts an end to its life.

Lighting: Dim Light (targets are concealed barring means to see or improve light)

Environment: Underwater (Swim DC 10)
Height from floor to ceiling is 20 ft.
Hand holds on the wall allow you use Climb (DC 10) to move instead of Swim when adjacent to the walls.

Map

Combat Over!

Status

Zabu (81/107) (water breathing; rage)
Teja (53/68) (water breathing)
Miladistra (32/32) (water breathing)
Therisah (70/86) (water breathing, light 20 ft)
Jun-Mei (62/62) (water breathing, light 20 ft)
Akuth (35/64) (water breathing)

What next? Heal up? Press on? Retreat to rest and return? I don't expect you're ready for the last one, but it is an option.

"Good job, ya'll." Miladistra holds onto Deroff as he swims up to the rest of the group. "I see we press ahead when ya'll are ready. I can use my magic to heal, if you want."

Aktuh has Assurance, Continuous, and Ward Medic so if we take 20 min he can do everyone once and if we take 30 min he can do himself and Zabu a second time if needed. I also forgot he adds Level to BM so he should be at 41/64 if GM will allow a retcon (if not, no problem).

Teja looks around, and quickly bandages both herself and the other wounded.

medicine DC20 assurance heal Teja: 2d8 + 10 ⇒ (8, 4) + 10 = 22
medicine DC20 assurance heal Zabu: 2d8 + 10 ⇒ (1, 6) + 10 = 17
medicine DC20 assurance heal Akuth: 2d8 + 10 ⇒ (8, 4) + 10 = 22
medicine DC20 assurance heal Theriash: 2d8 + 10 ⇒ (2, 2) + 10 = 14

Before we get too carried away remember that water breathing only lasts for one hour.

Therisah can help with healing (on herself if needs be) if we want to spend less time.

medicine DC 15: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (6) + 12 = 182d8 ⇒ (7, 8) = 15

The traps and haunts of the Pallid Peak have been weakened, be it by skill or force.
The Hazards Identified condition is now in effect for Act 1.

After twenty minutes in the water, you are able to tend to all of your injures and somehow not get them infected with Aeromonas or one environmental Mycobacterium or another. You swim onward through the tunnel.

Note: The room is described as if you enter from the surface, but you enter from underwater. 30 minutes of water breathing remain.

You can see the surface of the water rippling above you in the dim light of the wayfinders. There is a dark hole in the middle of the cave that you cannot fully appreciate. Venturing closer, Akuth can see that it descends even deeper than his orcish eyes can see.

What do you do? Up or down? Or something else?

I can use combat medicine to do the healing quickly.

"I suggest we take a quick look at the cavern first, and then the tunnel downward." opines Teja.

Jun-Mei gives a concerned look at the scholar. "Do you think that is wise. Our time in the water is limited. If our journey down the tunnel does not prove fruitful within about fifteen minutes we will be forced to turn back and head to the cavern. If we visit the cavern first we may not have enough time remaining on our spell to follow that tunnel to its terminus."

"Fair point. But a quick look up the top will only take a moment or two, I'm not proposing a long expedition. Just a looksie incase someone has hidden treasure on a concealed beach."

Teja swims to the surface to take a quick look. Water lapping on stone is the loudest sound at the surface of the water in this chamber, marking its isolation from the rest of the Pallid Peak. To the north, a wide hallway rises above the water’s edge. To the east, barricades of bone and rocks block two entrances to another chamber beyond.

"If we're just gonna take a quick look, I can always ask fer help. Er, can someone magically light up a rock or somethin disposable like that?" Miladistra focuses and casts >Summon Fey< (Heightened to spell level 2)

"Nicki the >Nixie<, you still owe me. Get over here." Once the fey arrives, Miladistra points at the dark cave downwards. "Can you head down there and take a look? Maybe twenty seconds, tops. Hold onto this rock so you can see better."

Miladistra patiently waits near the hole's entrance. "I helped Nicki once with a swarm of toads at a fishing dock. Long story."

The nixie swims down, down, down into the underwater shaft. She dives another seventy feet below the floor of the chamber. No algae grows along the shaft. At the bottom of the shaft, she sees several runes inscribed. She swims back to the chamber level and informs Miladistra, in Sylvan, "There are magical runes at the bottom that control the temperature of the water."

"Thanks, Nicki." Miladistra replies.

She turns to her allies. "Sounds like we could control the water temperature from below if we need ta. Maybe a 70 foot descent. Unless you want to turn this into a spa, maybe we should go up?"

Zabu is no less enraged when he comes out of the eel than when he went in and not just because raging is what he does.

"Eaten! What a revolting development!" He takes a bit of eel flesh to give it a taste of its own medicine later. Well, actually...he'll be doing the tasting.

"I wouldn't mind a nice jacuzzi at the moment but I guess we don't have a lot of time to take advantage of these gills. Let's go check out the cavern."

As he's heading in that direction he says "I heard something about a kiss?"

Swimming to the surface, you can see in the light of the wayfinders that the pile of stone and bone to the east is intentionally arranged and threaded with rope to create a fence. The tunnel to the north continues beyond your vision and light.

"Well, Zabu, at least you don't need to go take a bath."

She gazes at the various bits of eel entrails that float through the dark waters, sticking to the pathfinder team.

"Though thinking about it, maybe we will all need a bath. Be nice to turn the water slightly warmer though. I mean its fine for me, but some of less hardly stock might take issues with that swim."

"Barricade first? There maybe someone there who can tell us what is going on here."

Rumors of the Pathfinder Society’s expedition have attracted another interested party. Table GMs, run Event 1: First Contact.

"Er, right. Ah did." Miladistra realizes a deal is a deal. She has to kiss the wild wolverine.

But then Deroff shows his kiss of appreciation, licking the gnome a few times before following Teja towards the barricade.

"Thanks, Deroff!" She giggles.

The patter of footsteps precedes a group of humans that stumble around the corner. They look at each other in surprise before one says, “Those are the Pathfinders, right?”

Another responds, exasperated, “Yes. Get your dagger out.”

First Contact! Round 1

Lighting: Dim Light (targets are concealed barring means to see or improve light)

Environment: Underwater (Swim DC 10)
Height from floor to ceiling is 20 ft.
To the RIGHT of the white line in the water is Difficult Terrain, to the LEFT of the white line is deep water (swim required).

Effects: - -

Battle Map

Jun-Mei (62/62) (water breathing, light 20 ft) (wading)
Teja (68/68) (water breathing) (wading)
Aspis Agent 3
Miladistra (32/32) (water breathing) (@ -5 ft)
Zabu (107/107) (water breathing) (wading)
Aspis Agent 1
Aspis Agent 2
Therisah (86/86) (water breathing, light 20 ft) (wading)
Akuth (64/64) (water breathing) (wading)
Aspis Agent 4
Aspis Agent 5
Aspis Agent 6

Looks like a post or two of mine didn't go through. I'm removing runes from Aktuh's investigation list (I had voted for us to go down to investigate the runes).

Jun-Mei looks pointedly at the confused aspis agent and mocks him with a hwanggot-style haiku.

"Ridiculous snakes
think that they can beat pathfinders brave.
They should surrender."

diplomacy-bon mot vs 4: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (6) + 13 = 19

She follows up with a casting of calm emotions. "This is a warning to all of you. Please surrender now."This should get all of the bad guys.

◆ bon mot, ◆◆ cast calm emotions will save DC 22

Teja draws her rapier but doesn't move to fight.

"We are indeed pathfinders. I certainly hope we can avoid unnecessary bloodshed. But if there is some, I can assure you, it won't be ours. Who are you are what are you doing here?"

* draw a weapon
* diplomacy(aid)

Fellow Pathfinder Society agents have thinned out the dangers of the mountain.
The Creatures Abated condition is now in effect for Act 1.

With a source of copper being discovered within one of the ruins, the spellcasters at the base camp have more resources available.
The Enhanced Spellcasting condition is now in effect.

Jun-Mei insults and flusters one of the Aspis agents, weakening his will. Then all of the Aspis agents become glassy-eyed upon the completion of Jun-Mei's magic.

Teja's draws her blade.

One of the agents removes a round stone from his pouch and advances along the edge of the cave through the knee deep water.

First Contact! Round 1

Lighting: Dim Light (targets are concealed barring means to see or improve light)

Environment: Underwater (Swim DC 10)
Height from floor to ceiling is 20 ft.
To the RIGHT of the white line in the water is Difficult Terrain, to the LEFT of the white line is deep water (swim required).

Effects: - -

Battle Map

Jun-Mei (62/62) (water breathing, light 20 ft)
Teja (68/68) (water breathing)
Aspis Agent 3 (can’t use hostile actions)
Miladistra (32/32) (water breathing) (@ -5 ft)
Zabu (107/107) (water breathing)
Aspis Agent 1 (can’t use hostile actions*)
Aspis Agent 2 (can’t use hostile actions*)
Therisah (86/86) (water breathing, light 20 ft)
Akuth (64/64) (water breathing)
Aspis Agent 4 (bon mot -2, can't use hostile actions)
Aspis Agent 5 (can’t use hostile actions)
Aspis Agent 6 (can’t use hostile actions)

"Ha! I guess I'm not the only one who works wonders with words." She smiles at the Aspis agents.

"Alright, everyone. Let's calm down for a bit." She looks at the person holding the stone, advancing along the edge of the cave and casts >Charm<.

The sweet scent of peppermint wafts through the air. "Hey there, friend. What's going on? Who are yer? You know who we are."

Athletics: 1d20 ⇒ 19

She swims and motions Deroff to swim to shore.

◆◆ Cast Charm on the closest "enemy". 1st level spell and has the Incapacitation trait.
◆ Athletics to swim into knee high water
◇ >Mature Animal< independently Strides

Incapacitation kicks in, unfortunately. Success -> Critical Success

The Aspis agent who had waded closer suddenly shakes his head. "What!? No!" he shouts. "My thoughts and feelings are my own!"

First Contact! Round 1

Lighting: Dim Light (targets are concealed barring means to see or improve light)

Environment: Underwater (Swim DC 10)
Height from floor to ceiling is 20 ft.
To the RIGHT of the white line in the water is Difficult Terrain, to the LEFT of the white line is deep water (swim required).

Effects: - -

Battle Map

Jun-Mei (62/62) (water breathing, light 20 ft)
Teja (68/68) (water breathing)
Aspis Agent 3
Miladistra (32/32) (water breathing)
Zabu (107/107) (water breathing)
Aspis Agent 1 (can’t use hostile actions*)
Aspis Agent 2 (can’t use hostile actions*)
Therisah (86/86) (water breathing, light 20 ft)
Akuth (64/64) (water breathing)
Aspis Agent 4 (-1 to attack rolls)
Aspis Agent 5 (can’t use hostile actions)

Zabu scowls. It seems like the other pathfinders are going the "peaceful" route.

He crosses his arms and waits to see what happens.

Ready an action to punch any Aspis who comes close or makes an aggressive action.

The Aspis agents with glassy eyes mill about while Zabu scowls.

First Contact! Round 1

Lighting: Dim Light (targets are concealed barring means to see or improve light)

Environment: Underwater (Swim DC 10)
Height from floor to ceiling is 20 ft.
To the RIGHT of the white line in the water is Difficult Terrain, to the LEFT of the white line is deep water (swim required).

Effects: - -

Battle Map

Jun-Mei (62/62) (water breathing, light 20 ft)
Teja (68/68) (water breathing)
Aspis Agent 3
Miladistra (32/32) (water breathing)
Zabu (107/107) (water breathing) (Readied: Strike)
Aspis Agent 1 (can’t use hostile actions*)
Aspis Agent 2 (can’t use hostile actions*)
Therisah (86/86) (water breathing, light 20 ft)
Akuth (64/64) (water breathing)
Aspis Agent 4 (can’t use hostile actions)
Aspis Agent 5 (can’t use hostile actions)
Aspis Agent 6 (can’t use hostile actions)

Aktuh will ponder whether it's possible to talk them out of a fight completely. ◆ Recall Knowledge, perhaps? (modifiers in tagline) I'm specifically asking for fleeing or surrender conditions; if not, special attacks.

He will also ◆ draw his shortbow and cast ◆ guidance on Zabu.

Delay for the foe's reaction.

Akuth recognizes these as low level Aspis agents by virtue of their copper badges. They are desperate to impress their superiors and will throw themselves in front of danger to protect other agents (reaction to give an adjacent ally +2 to AC vs. an attack). They would likely surrender or flee once all their companions are defeated.

The rest of the Aspis agents continue to wander forward, apparently set on exploring the caves and ignoring you under the influence of Jun-Mei's magic. Two of them do pause to remove round stones from their pouches.

They all wander near Zabu.

@ Zabu: #6 is the first to technically meet your trigger of "Aspis who comes close," so you may make your Readied strike if you choose.

First Contact! Round 1

Lighting: Dim Light (targets are concealed barring means to see or improve light)

Environment: Underwater (Swim DC 10)
Height from floor to ceiling is 20 ft.
To the RIGHT of the white line in the water is Difficult Terrain, to the LEFT of the white line is deep water (swim required).

Effects: - -

Battle Map

Jun-Mei (62/62) (water breathing, light 20 ft)
Teja (68/68) (water breathing)
Therisah (86/86) (water breathing, light 20 ft)
Aspis Agent 3 (in hand)
Miladistra (32/32) (water breathing)
Zabu (107/107) (water breathing) (Readied: Strike - trigger met by #6)
Aspis Agent 1 (can’t use hostile actions*)
Aspis Agent 2 (can’t use hostile actions*)
Akuth (64/64) (water breathing)
Aspis Agent 4 (can’t use hostile actions)
Aspis Agent 5 (can’t use hostile actions) (in hand)
Aspis Agent 6 (can’t use hostile actions) (in hand)

"See? I was going to do this all peaceful like, but you insisted on invading my personal space. And now things are going to get ugly!" Zabu declares and throws a punch with his spiked gauntlet.

Spiked Gauntlet: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (15) + 14 = 29
Piercing: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6