GM Imperius' Skull & Shackles

Game Master bluedove

Will: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (1) + 11 = 12 vs DC 23

Tucci approaches and, well, gets lost in her beauty. Wow.

He stands fascinated, watching her every move...

"Tucci, you're staring! And her eyes are up there!"

Oh...

Brother MacLaren casts Suppress Charms and Compulsions, targeting himself, Tucci, and Veronica. If the Fascinate is a compulsion effect, then it is suppressed for 10 rounds or as long as Mac concentrates.

If it isn't a Compulsion effect, then Tucci remains Fascinated.

Because his protective spell is such a short duration effect, Mac will not move any closer to the creature. He wants to be able to have a conversation.

"I am Brother MacLaren. We are not hostile. May we speak from a distance?"

Nil waves at the Neried but doesn't move from where he is. He raises his voice and yells out "Greetings! I can hear from here. I'll keep an eye out to make sure no one else barges in on you bathing, Miss."

She giggles lightly, which has a an undertone like the burbling of water. She waits politely as MacLaren chants his spell to suppress the effects of her aura. Tucci blinks rapidly as he recovers from his fascination.

"Sorry about that but it's not something I can help. This is my home and you surprised me. But you are welcome here if you mean me no harm. I had some allies among the cyclops but that was long ago. Those who dwell here now are not worth knowing. They are slow and stupid. Easy to avoid." She shrugs, dismissively.

"My name is Sefina."

Tucci purples with shame, as he backs off, and raises his eyeballs. "My apologies. Lost track of myself there for a moment. Nice to meet you Sefina, I'm Tucci," He goes on to introduce the other members of the squad.

"We've displaced the one-eyed-wonders and are moving into the island. A small town at best I expect, but a port town so there may be more folks wandering around these beaches. Uh, perhaps we should mark this as off limits..." he mumbles a bit at the end, unsure how to deal with Sefina.

"So those new arrivals are with you? I don't mind visitors, so long as they don't mind me. It's been some time since I've had good company. I don't suppose you breathe underwater though? I live in the grotto below the waves. I come up here to sunbathe." Sefina says, stretching languidly as she soaks up the warm rays of sunlight.

A frown creases her fair face momentarily and she points to the southeast. "Oh, but there is a rather nasty creature nearby. It spawned out in the Kelp Fields (O.) and it has become very territorial. It killed a friend of mine. He was a lovely old sea turtle. I do miss him still. Take care and warn your people if you travel that way."

"Greetings, Sefina. My name is Brother MacLaren. I am a priest of Cayden Cailean, a god of bravery, freedom, and ale."
He raises his tankard and takes a sip.

"Yes, we have a crew with us. Some on the ship, and some preparing the island for a feast. There will be a great number of visitors. Most of them do not breathe underwater, but there may be a few who can, through magic or through birth. I have some magic to allow my group to breathe underwater at times, and it sounds like it may be needed.

What is this new and dangerous creature? If it would pose a threat to us or to you, we would seek to kill it or drive it off."

"A feast!" Sefina exclaims with obvious glee. "How exciting! It will be so interesting and novel with so many mortals about. Please feel free to visit me anytime. I can show you all the little grottos and secret sea shelves beneath the waves if you can travel there with me."

"The Kelp Fields were cultivated to attract larger sea creatures near the island for food. But the Cyclops have long since given it up and turned to whaling." She scowls in disapproval. "The fields have overgrown without tending and something like a mass of carnivorous seaweed has spawned there. It is quite large and strong, but not very intelligent. It tangles creatures up like a living net and drags them down, crushing and drowning. It can also cause hallucinations that cloud the mind and lure beings close so that it may ensnare them. It is primarily aquatic, though it can climb or pull itself upon land if it desires."

"You are certainly invited if you care to join us. Perhaps you'll be less accosted though if you wear some clothing?" He wonders what an island full of pirates will do... but he feels obligated to extend the invitation.

"Thanks for the warning. We'll deal with the carnivorous seaweed next. Have a great week and we'll let you know when the celebrations are. It'll be a while, and I'm sure we'll chat before then."

Tucci will prepare for the Kelp fields when they're closer. The party already has a life bubble going (all day) so we can go underwater without trouble. "Should we try to get it to come to us first? Be easier to fight on land that's for sure."

"If it grabs its victims to crush and drown them, I am protected."
All-day Freedom of Movement.

"I could try to Plane Shift it to the Plane of Fire. That would be a quick and easy solution."
Could prep Owl's Wisdom in open slot for a little DC boost and resistance to hallucinations.

"If that doesn't work, I can attack it with weapons, I guess."

Tucci has Mnemonic Vestments and a scroll of Freedom of Movement so he can cast that 1/day without using up the scroll, if we wanted to protect someone else?

Nil gives Sefina a nod and a curt smile and rounds to convene with the group.

"Ha! I can't imagine seaweed would survive long in endless fire. That's a fine option. Perhaps there's something we could use to bait it out? Let's find a vantage and try to observe it first."

Pretty sure Sefina is some sort of aquatic fey, as I'm sure you guys have guessed already. Obvious guess would be a nereid, not that it matters much, I think. Seems friendly enough. Veronica thinks to the others as they talk with the fey.

"Heh, yeah, I think Mac's option is a good one. If it doesn't work, well, there's always the option of hacking it up until it stops moving. But Nil's right, let's just look at it first and plan our approach."

Casting Tactical Adaptation for Aquatic Combatant, and Mirror Image, both extend via Extend Rod.

Images: 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

For getting out to the Kelp Fields, Brother MacLaren can walk on the water via his Buccaneer's Breastplate, and on the air via his all-day Extended Air Walk.

He will take the time to prepare Owl's Wisdom in his open slot.

Once the party is close to the Kelp Fields, he will cast Extended Owl's Wisdom.

Then, once he sees the creature, he will cast Plane Shift, close to melee holding the charge, and try to touch it. At least, that is the plan. We'll see how things go.

"Nil, the three of us all have options for flight and air walking. Do you need the benefit of our magic?"

"Speaking of magic, I wouldn't mind using up a charge from Tucci's Touch of the Sea wand before we dive in. And on that note - I was thinking I could just take us next to it with a spell whenever we're ready. Make sure it doesn't get a chance to strike back before you banish it to the Plane of Fire, Mac. Only problem is that I won't be able to take us all along, though."

Dimension Door only lets me take three others, and there's four of you, counting Kasin.

Map updated!

We'll call the off map area where I placed your tokens the shore. The monster is submerged and you are probably perceptive enough to anticipate it's hiding under the shadowy area of the map.

I say we dimension door in, totally. Kasin can come in later, no problem! The combat could be over quickly if it fails the save against plane shift. If not, Kasin will get there when he gets there. :)

Tucci casts air walk on Kasin and Nil if he wants it. He'll also use the wand on himself and Vernonica. If anyone else wants a hit, let me know and I'll take the charges off.

Nil casts Fly on himself and lifts a few inches off the ground. "I have it handled, but thank you. I'm ready to go."

Before you can close on the seaweed creature, you detect an odd smell wafting on the breeze.

DC 18 Will save or become enraptured by the scent. An enraptured creature sees the monster as whatever would most compel it to approach. This is a Supernatural ability that functions as a mind-effecting phantasm.

Will Save (luck): 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 8 + 2 = 25

"Hmmm, anyone else smell something weird? Wonder where it's coming from. Something to check after we deal with this thing, I guess. Let's see if we can get a better sense of where it's hiding, while we all get ready."

Sheathing her Blackblade, Veronica takes out her longbow, touches an arrow tip with her fingers, casting a simple cantrip to make it shed light, and fires the arrow towards the shadowy area. After she looses the arrow, she stores the longbow again and draws the Blackblade, as she waits for the others to get ready for her to move them towards the creature.

Not sure if it's going to help much, but casting Light on an arrow and shooting it towards the shadowy area. Not sure if I need an attack roll, not trying to hit a particular square, just shooting in the general direction.

Attack?: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (15) + 10 = 25

Will, Owl's Wisdom: 1d20 + 12 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 12 + 1 = 24

"Sefina said it could lure you closer. Plants use scent to attract insects."

Brother MacLaren casts Plane Shift, holding the charge, and moves forward 30'. He is Water Walking with his Buccaneer's Breastplate.

Will: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (7) + 10 = 17

Nil sniffs around and a waft of brass polish, pitch, resin, and clay, and his mind goes elsewhere. His eyes search the surface of the water, and his thoughts surface in the link, Why is he HERE? Our arrangement in Absalom is safe.

He heads in to investigate.

Tucci Will: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (6) + 11 = 17 vs DC 18 or enraptured!
Kasin Will: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25 vs DC 18 or enraptured!

lol

Tucci dismounts Kasin, and closes in with Nil to investigate!

The kelpy mass surfaces, eagerly awaiting as it's prey approaches.

Veronica Initiative: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 1 = 17
MacLaren Initiative: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7
Tucci Initiative: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7
Nil Initiative: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17
??? Initiative: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14

Round 1
-------------------
➤Nil
➤Veronica
???
MacLaren
Tucci

Nil moves toward the monster and Veronica is up. We are apt to lose the boards at any moment now, though.

"Yeah, I guess that makes sense." Veronica nods in agreement at Mac's comment, and then looks in confusion as everyone starts moving ahead. "Err, guys? I thought we were going to just magic our way right next to it? Just seemed safer, but we can go ahead and charge if you're all into it."

I'll delay until Mac's turn in case he still wants to try Dimension Dooring towards the creature.

Just to make sure I'm understanding initiative correctly, Nil already moved, right? If not, he'll do his move.

Round 1
-------------------
Nil - double moves
Veronica - delay
??? - moves, slams, grabs and constricts Nil for 40 damage
➤MacLaren
➤Veronica
➤Tucci

Round 2
-------------------
➤Nil
???
MacLaren
Veronica
Tucci

The mass of kelp moves swiftly toward it's prey, reaching out of the water with a netlike flap of seaweed to crash down on Nil, tangling and crushing him ruthlessly.
Slam: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (16) + 16 = 32 Slam Damage: 2d8 + 7 ⇒ (4, 4) + 7 = 15
Grab: 1d20 + 25 ⇒ (8) + 25 = 33 Constrict Damage: 2d8 + 10 ⇒ (7, 8) + 10 = 25

Nil takes 40 damage and is grappled! Nil and Tucci are no longer enraptured. Party is up!

Tucci waits for MacLaren’s touch attack. Should his attempt fail, Tucci will swiftly extend the pike (20’) and stab the beast, if he can.
Pike: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (2) + 14 = 16
damage (P): 1d6 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13

Pike: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (10) + 9 = 19
damage (P): 1d6 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12

Meanwhile, Kasin will air walk over, drawing an AoO if Nil is freed before my initiative. Kasin takes a bite when he gets there.
Kasin Bite (magic): 1d20 + 12 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 12 + 2 = 16 (fang)
damage (B/P/S): 1d8 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 7 + 2 = 16 (fang)

Hahaha. Thanks dicebot! Sigh.

Brother MacLaren moves up and touches the angry kelp.

Touch Attack: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (8) + 11 = 19

Will DC 19 or be Plane Shifted to the Elemental Plane of Fire. This will affect only the seaweed monster and leave Nil behind.

If the seaweed makes its save, MacLaren will use a swift action to cast Liberating Command on Nil (didn't do that before because it would have ended his "holding the charge" on Plane Shift). Nil would then get an immediate-action Escape Artist check with a +20 competence bonus.

1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

The creature disappears in a puff of salty steam.

Combat Over! XD

"Well done Brother! Well done indeed!" Tucci is amazed when the creature just vanishes in a splash of water.

"Shall we search for a lair?" Everyone can breath underwater, so Tucci heads down beneath the waves and tracks the critter around the region hoping to find loot.

He casts Aquatic Trail (all day) to search under the water.

Survival Tracking: 1d20 + 17 + 10 ⇒ (18) + 17 + 10 = 45

"I guess? I wouldn't have thought to, but if you wish..."

Brother MacLaren does not actually have Water Breathing prepared today, and he used his open slot already for Owl's Wisdom.

"I suppose I'll need a charge off of that wand, Tucci."

He deactivates the Water Walk property of his armor and follows Tucci underwater.

Everyone has Life Bubble, cast on them earlier by Tucci and extended to all day. :)

Tucci will also cast Touch of the Sea (1 encounter) from the wand on any who want it for the likely brief search.

Brother MacLaren will heal Nil.

Align Weapon to CMW: 2d8 + 10 ⇒ (1, 3) + 10 = 14
Resist Energy to CMW: 2d8 + 10 ⇒ (1, 4) + 10 = 15
Divine Favor to CLW: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8

That is 37 back, so only down 3 now.