N Human Magus (starlit span) 1 [level bump] | HP 11/27 | AC 19 | F +7 / R +8 / W +7 | Perception +5 | Focus points 1/1 | Default exploration: Avoid Notice (Stealth +8) | Hero Points 2/3 | Speed: 25 ft | Conditions: none | Spell DC: 17
Mafalda raises an eyebrow.
"Strange indeed, but it quite honestly makes more sense than anything else we tried so far."
She arranges her notes to follow Desmond's solution:
1. Basalt Finger - NOW OUR LORD RESPLENDENT ON HIS TRONE
2. Flint Finger - OUR EGO DEFERRED, THIS GIFT OF HEARTWOOD BLESSED
3. Crystal Finger - OF WHAT WOULD BE DEVOTION REWARDED
4. Slate Finger - OF OUR POWER BESTOWED, OUR ENEMY DEFEATED
5. Obsidian Finger - IF I'VE PRAYED, MY LOYALTY PROFESSED
"Both flint and crystal have the same number, so that's still largely a guess. Everyone in favour of this solution?"
Voron nods, impressed with Desmond's linguistic perception.
It's so easy to get locked into the semantics of the words. Well done!
When everyone has safely backed away again he moves the fingers into place with his mage hand.
1. Basalt Finger - NOW OUR LORD RESPLENDENT ON HIS TRONE
2. Crystal Finger - OF WHAT WOULD BE DEVOTION REWARDED
3. Flint Finger - OUR EGO DEFERRED, THIS GIFT OF HEARTWOOD BLESSED
4. Slate Finger - OF OUR POWER BESTOWED, OUR ENEMY DEFEATED
5. Obsidian Finger - IF I'VE PRAYED, MY LOYALTY PROFESSED
The only way he can think to break the tie between the two twos is to say that F'IVE times fast arrange them such that there is a pattern in the endings (rewarded/blessed -> defeated/professed).
Putting the Obsidian finger, the branches squirm a bit in discomfort. But nothing violent happens. When any of the remaining fingers are placed, the barrier writhes again violently before expelling the finger, lashing vines and flinging thorns in the room. Fortunately, they are far enough, thanks to the Mage Hand they are using as they place the finger.
Immediately after the third time the barrier lashes out, the barrier takes a more direct form to deter trespassers. The vines cease blocking the way forward and weave together into two malformed tuber-like creatures!
You failed to solve it thrice, moving the exploration into combat.
Botting Razzm...
Razzm delays, waiting for an opportunity to make a perfect attack on the enemies.
Voron moves and sends a projectile but he misses. Desmond follows Voron, positions into a stance, and raises his shield.
Red advances and mits an unsettling shriek, that could be interpreted as "Intruders!". DC 23 Will save from Voron and Desmond vs Piercing Shriek (see Effects below) It then strikes with its thorny vine at Desmond who is within its reach.
Thorny Vine Attack vs Desmond AC 22 w Shield:1d20 + 12 ⇒ (9) + 12 = 21
Good thing he has his shield.
Blue also advances and gives Desmond a thorny vine attacks!
Thorny Vine Attack vs Desmond AC 22 w Shield:1d20 + 12 ⇒ (13) + 12 = 25 Thorny Vine Damage:2d4 + 2 ⇒ (2, 1) + 2 = 5 slashing damage plus bruorsivi sap infusion with DC 19 Fortitude save (see Effects below)
Thorny Vine Attack, Agile, MAP vs Desmond AC 22 w Shield:1d20 + 12 - 4 ⇒ (15) + 12 - 4 = 23 Thorny Vine Damage:2d4 + 2 ⇒ (2, 1) + 2 = 5 slashing damage plus bruorsivi sap infusion with DC 19 Fortitude save (see Effects below)
He is unprepared this time.
Botting Razzm...
Razzm advances and makes a Double Slice at Red.
+1 Shield Spikes:1d20 + 12 ⇒ (17) + 12 = 29 P dmg:1d6 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7Crit, x2
────────── BEFORE YOUR TURN: ────────── Voron (AC 17): DC 23 Will save vs Piercing Shriek Desmond (AC 20, 22 w Shield): DC 23 Will save vs Piercing Shriek, 2x DC 19 Fortitude save vs Bruorsivi Sap Infusion
────────── Character in ➤ BOLD can act! ──────────
Voron (AC 17) (18/18 HP)
Desmond (AC 20, 22 w Shield) (23/33 HP)
Red (-23 HP)
Blue (- HP)
Razzm (AC 21, 23 w Shield) (44/44 HP) │ Steel Shield w Shield Boss (HP 14/20), Steel Shield w Shield Spike (HP 20/20) ➤ Miss Sorbet (AC 18)(26/26 HP) ➤ Graeyson (AC 20)(41/41 HP) ➤ Mafalda (AC 19)(27/27 HP)
Critical Success The creature is unaffected; Success The creature is sickened 1; Failure The creature is sickened 2; Critical Failure The creature is sickened 2 and slowed 1. As long as the creature remains sickened, this slowed condition value can’t be reduced below 1.
Bruorsivi Sap Infusion (poison) :
Saving Throw DC 19 Fortitude; Maximum Duration 6 rounds; Stage 1 1d6 fire damage and stupefied 1 (1 round); Stage 2 1d6 fire damage and stupefied 1 (1 round); Stage 3 2d6 fire damage and stupefied 1 (1 round)
Graeyson moves. He knows that these are mandragoras that look like freshly pulled tubers that have grown into the malformed shape of a child with a grotesque face and hideously bloated body. These dull red mandragoras are obviously made out of bruorsivi pine material instead of the more common plant material of other mandrakes that were watered with a demon's blood. Upon absorbing the otherworldly properties of the demon's blood, the root animates and is forced to seek out blood to feast from, lest it dies of thirst. He then designates Red as his Hunted Prey.
Miss Sorbet brings herself into Overdrive and makes her move. Desmond gets sick with the shriek but manages to resist the poison of its thorny vine. Mafalda shoots but her arrow goes overhead. She then recharges. Voron is overcome by the Shriek.
Critical Success The creature is unaffected; Success The creature is sickened 1; Failure The creature is sickened 2; Critical Failure The creature is sickened 2 and slowed 1. As long as the creature remains sickened, this slowed condition value can’t be reduced below 1.
Bruorsivi Sap Infusion (poison) :
Saving Throw DC 19 Fortitude; Maximum Duration 6 rounds; Stage 1 1d6 fire damage and stupefied 1 (1 round); Stage 2 1d6 fire damage and stupefied 1 (1 round); Stage 3 2d6 fire damage and stupefied 1 (1 round)
Figuring out what these thing are, he informs his companions, He knows that these are mandragoras that look like freshly pulled tubers that have grown into the malformed shape of a child with a grotesque face and hideously bloated body. These dull red mandragoras are obviously made out of bruorsivi pine material instead of the more common plant material of other mandrakes that were watered with a demon's blood. Upon absorbing the otherworldly properties of the demon's blood, the root animates and is forced to seek out blood to feast from, lest it dies of thirst.
LG male half-orc medic 3 | HP 41/41 | AC 21 (23 shield) | F +8 R +11 W +10 | Perc +8 (low-light) | Stealth +9 | speed 35 |◆ | ◇ | ↺
@Voron, we may be screwed. The sickened penalty applies to the Fort Save to get rid of it. Even my +7, reduced to a +5 does not seem likely against a DC 23 effect. It also reduces AC.
Desmond can hardly speak without wanting to hurl. "Voron, get back!" The medic tries to push away the nearest creature, slamming it instead. Then he actually tries to vomit before raising his shield again.
Voron tries to retch to no avail, and he still feels sick. Desmond retches but can't rid of what he is feeling right now. He makes an attack and manages to Red before raising his Shield.
Red opens its jaw and bites Desmond!
Jaw Attack vs Desmond AC 22 w Shield, Sickened 2:1d20 + 12 ⇒ (6) + 12 = 18 Jaw Attack, MAP1 vs Desmond AC 22 w Shield, Sickened 2:1d20 + 12 - 5 ⇒ (1) + 12 - 5 = 8 Jaw Attack, MAP2 vs Desmond AC 22 w Shield, Sickened 2:1d20 + 12 - 10 ⇒ (6) + 12 - 10 = 8
It screams in frustration.
Blue focuses its attack on Miss Sorbet!
Jaw Attack vs Miss Sorbet AC 18:1d20 + 12 ⇒ (12) + 12 = 24 Jaw Damage:2d8 + 2 ⇒ (8, 8) + 2 = 18 piercing damage
Having successfully bitten, it grabs her with the mouth and begins draining her blood for 2d6 ⇒ (3, 1) = 4 damage. She feels drained by this action to the point she is now Dying. See Blood Drain below.
Critical Success The creature is unaffected; Success The creature is sickened 1; Failure The creature is sickened 2; Critical Failure The creature is sickened 2 and slowed 1. As long as the creature remains sickened, this slowed condition value can’t be reduced below 1.
Bruorsivi Sap Infusion (poison) :
Saving Throw DC 19 Fortitude; Maximum Duration 6 rounds; Stage 1 1d6 fire damage and stupefied 1 (1 round); Stage 2 1d6 fire damage and stupefied 1 (1 round); Stage 3 2d6 fire damage and stupefied 1 (1 round)
◆ Blood Drain :
Requirements The mandragora has a creature grabbed; Effect The mandragora drains blood from the creature it has grabbed, dealing 2d6 damage. If the creature is a demon, fey, or sorcerer, the mandragora gains temporary Hit Points equal to the damage dealt. A creature that has its blood drained by a mandragora is drained 1 until it receives healing of any kind or amount.
Drained :
When a creature successfully drains you of blood or life force, you become less healthy. Drained always includes a value. You take a status penalty equal to your drained value on Constitution-based checks, such as Fortitude saves. You also lose a number of Hit Points equal to your level (minimum 1) times the drained value, and your maximum Hit Points are reduced by the same amount. For example, if you’re hit by an effect that inflicts drained 3 and you’re a 3rd-level character, you lose 9 Hit Points and reduce your maximum Hit Points by 9. Losing these Hit Points doesn’t count as taking damage. Each time you get a full night’s rest, your drained value decreases by 1. This increases your maximum Hit Points, but you don’t immediately recover the lost Hit Points.
Critical Success The creature is unaffected; Success The creature is sickened 1; Failure The creature is sickened 2; Critical Failure The creature is sickened 2 and slowed 1. As long as the creature remains sickened, this slowed condition value can’t be reduced below 1.
Bruorsivi Sap Infusion (poison) :
Saving Throw DC 19 Fortitude; Maximum Duration 6 rounds; Stage 1 1d6 fire damage and stupefied 1 (1 round); Stage 2 1d6 fire damage and stupefied 1 (1 round); Stage 3 2d6 fire damage and stupefied 1 (1 round)
◆ Blood Drain :
Requirements The mandragora has a creature grabbed; Effect The mandragora drains blood from the creature it has grabbed, dealing 2d6 damage. If the creature is a demon, fey, or sorcerer, the mandragora gains temporary Hit Points equal to the damage dealt. A creature that has its blood drained by a mandragora is drained 1 until it receives healing of any kind or amount.
Drained :
When a creature successfully drains you of blood or life force, you become less healthy. Drained always includes a value. You take a status penalty equal to your drained value on Constitution-based checks, such as Fortitude saves. You also lose a number of Hit Points equal to your level (minimum 1) times the drained value, and your maximum Hit Points are reduced by the same amount. For example, if you’re hit by an effect that inflicts drained 3 and you’re a 3rd-level character, you lose 9 Hit Points and reduce your maximum Hit Points by 9. Losing these Hit Points doesn’t count as taking damage. Each time you get a full night’s rest, your drained value decreases by 1. This increases your maximum Hit Points, but you don’t immediately recover the lost Hit Points.
The ranger moves up and tries to slash at red with his dagger after casting gravity weapon
1d20 + 10 ⇒ (15) + 10 = 25 +1 dagger
2d4 + 2 ⇒ (3, 1) + 2 = 6 slash
1d8 ⇒ 5 Precision
Mafalda sends a burning arrow to Red, hitting it in the chest and burning it as well. The fire is indeed effective, incurring more damage than usual. Graeyson follows up the attack with his dagger which is empowered by his spell, finally bringing down Red.
Botting Razzm...
Razzm gets closer and makes a Double Slice at Blue.
+1 Shield Spikes:1d20 + 12 ⇒ (7) + 12 = 19 P dmg:1d6 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10
Critical Success The creature is unaffected; Success The creature is sickened 1; Failure The creature is sickened 2; Critical Failure The creature is sickened 2 and slowed 1. As long as the creature remains sickened, this slowed condition value can’t be reduced below 1.
Bruorsivi Sap Infusion (poison) :
Saving Throw DC 19 Fortitude; Maximum Duration 6 rounds; Stage 1 1d6 fire damage and stupefied 1 (1 round); Stage 2 1d6 fire damage and stupefied 1 (1 round); Stage 3 2d6 fire damage and stupefied 1 (1 round)
◆ Blood Drain :
Requirements The mandragora has a creature grabbed; Effect The mandragora drains blood from the creature it has grabbed, dealing 2d6 damage. If the creature is a demon, fey, or sorcerer, the mandragora gains temporary Hit Points equal to the damage dealt. A creature that has its blood drained by a mandragora is drained 1 until it receives healing of any kind or amount.
Drained :
When a creature successfully drains you of blood or life force, you become less healthy. Drained always includes a value. You take a status penalty equal to your drained value on Constitution-based checks, such as Fortitude saves. You also lose a number of Hit Points equal to your level (minimum 1) times the drained value, and your maximum Hit Points are reduced by the same amount. For example, if you’re hit by an effect that inflicts drained 3 and you’re a 3rd-level character, you lose 9 Hit Points and reduce your maximum Hit Points by 9. Losing these Hit Points doesn’t count as taking damage. Each time you get a full night’s rest, your drained value decreases by 1. This increases your maximum Hit Points, but you don’t immediately recover the lost Hit Points.
LG male half-orc medic 3 | HP 41/41 | AC 21 (23 shield) | F +8 R +11 W +10 | Perc +8 (low-light) | Stealth +9 | speed 35 |◆ | ◇ | ↺
"Mafalda! Cover us!" Desmond steps over to where Miss Sorbet is lying and he tries to set himself and his shield between her and the creature . Then he pours a healing potion down her throat.
Healing:1d8 ⇒ 3
◆ Step (I think I can share a space with a tiny creature)
◆ Raise Shield
◆ Give healing potion to Sorbet
Voron is having hard time to remove his sickedned condition. Desmond gets close to Miss Sorbet and raises his shield. He then pours potion into the poppet's mouth.
@Miss Sorbet, is your Tiny size as poppet mechanical or just a flavor? Like, is she a tiny poppet in a Small Armor, something like that?
Miss Sorbet can act with 3 HP. You are no more Drained but you are still Grabbed by Blue.
Miss Sorbet is able to Escape. She then heals herself and stands up. Blue ignores the poppet and Desmond, moving next to Graeyson and Razzm. The creature then pokes each of them with thorny vines!
Thorny Vine Attack vs Graeyson AC 20:1d20 + 12 ⇒ (3) + 12 = 15 Thorny Vine Attack, MAP, Agile vs Razzm AC 21:1d20 + 12 - 4 ⇒ (12) + 12 - 4 = 20
The attacks miss them.
❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖ ANTECHAMBER ATTACK Round 3 and 4 ENCOUNTER MAP
────────── Character in ➤ BOLD can act! ────────── ➤ Voron (AC 17)(18/18 HP) │ Sickened 2, Slowed 1 ➤ Desmond (AC 20, 22 w Shield)(23/33 HP) │ Sickened 2 Red(-65 HP) ➤ Miss Sorbet (AC 18)(10/24 HP) │ Wounded 1
Blue (-22 HP) ➤ Razzm (AC 21, 23 w Shield)(44/44 HP) │ Steel Shield w Shield Boss (HP 14/20), Steel Shield w Shield Spike (HP 20/20) ➤ Graeyson (AC 20)(41/41 HP) ➤ Mafalda (AC 19)(27/27 HP)
Critical Success The creature is unaffected; Success The creature is sickened 1; Failure The creature is sickened 2; Critical Failure The creature is sickened 2 and slowed 1. As long as the creature remains sickened, this slowed condition value can’t be reduced below 1.
Bruorsivi Sap Infusion (poison) :
Saving Throw DC 19 Fortitude; Maximum Duration 6 rounds; Stage 1 1d6 fire damage and stupefied 1 (1 round); Stage 2 1d6 fire damage and stupefied 1 (1 round); Stage 3 2d6 fire damage and stupefied 1 (1 round)
◆ Blood Drain :
Requirements The mandragora has a creature grabbed; Effect The mandragora drains blood from the creature it has grabbed, dealing 2d6 damage. If the creature is a demon, fey, or sorcerer, the mandragora gains temporary Hit Points equal to the damage dealt. A creature that has its blood drained by a mandragora is drained 1 until it receives healing of any kind or amount.
Drained :
When a creature successfully drains you of blood or life force, you become less healthy. Drained always includes a value. You take a status penalty equal to your drained value on Constitution-based checks, such as Fortitude saves. You also lose a number of Hit Points equal to your level (minimum 1) times the drained value, and your maximum Hit Points are reduced by the same amount. For example, if you’re hit by an effect that inflicts drained 3 and you’re a 3rd-level character, you lose 9 Hit Points and reduce your maximum Hit Points by 9. Losing these Hit Points doesn’t count as taking damage. Each time you get a full night’s rest, your drained value decreases by 1. This increases your maximum Hit Points, but you don’t immediately recover the lost Hit Points.
LG male half-orc medic 3 | HP 41/41 | AC 21 (23 shield) | F +8 R +11 W +10 | Perc +8 (low-light) | Stealth +9 | speed 35 |◆ | ◇ | ↺
"Miss, you may want to stay here." Desmond steps around to help Grayson and Razzm. He shouts at the creature, "Stop hurting people! I just have to fix it and I'm getting tired!" He holds his shield up, but tries to stomp on the plant creature with his heavy boots.
Desmond wants to end it and thus brings another flurry of blows in which both land on the creature's face. He then raises his shield. Mafalda flies a fiery arrow that hits straight to the enemy's heart, burning the same. The creature stands motionless while burning and drops into a heap of burning redwoods. Miss Sorber even pierces it to make sure it does not move or make hostile actions.
Buried among the burned vines are all that remain of the last creature to try to breach the barrier: the skull of a goblin tomb raider and near it a set of silver earrings worth 16 gp.
Continuing on beyond the gate is a dark chamber, dimly illuminated by a red spark. When drawing closer it becomes clear that the spark comes from a fist-sized gemstone, affixed in the forehead of a large figure — a troll — sagging on some kind of throne. An earthy, piney scent pervades the room, and tree roots hang down from the ceiling. A thick layer of fine dust makes it clear no one has been inside in quite some time. Tree roots wrap around the figure on the throne, securing him tightly, though the roots expand slightly to expand with his shallow breathing.
As they explore the room, the body sits up straight, though at an unnatural angle, so that it can address them. "Ah, visitors..." they communicate with them using telepathy understandable to them of any language, though the troll’s mouth moves as if to echo its words in a kind of strange reflex. "Some humans, an elf, a half-orc, and a poppet. Curious... I hope you can hear me."
Female LG Poppet (Toy) Inventor (Armor) 2 | TINY | HP 0/26 | AC 18 | Fortitude (+8), Reflex (+4), Will (+6) | Resist acid 4 elec 4 fire 1 | Perception (+6) | Speed 20 ft. | Default Exploration: Scout +6 | Hero Points 0 | School Item minor healing potion 0/1 | Active Conditions: Unstable, Dying 2 | ◆◇↺
If we have time for healing, Miss Sorbet would very much like some.
Miss Sorbet crams her stuffing back inside her and helps with the search. She is surprised to hear the voice in her head, but rallies quickly and responds, "Indeed, sir, we can hear you. We found you following a... small incident with a broken hand. I am Miss Sorbet. May I know who I have the honor of speaking with?"
You can have enough time to heal before this part...
“I have named myself Amkha. That is what I would ask that others call me. To my friends, also Amkha." the body answers Miss Sorbet telepathically. Who are you?” he asks sardonically.
LG male half-orc medic 3 | HP 41/41 | AC 21 (23 shield) | F +8 R +11 W +10 | Perc +8 (low-light) | Stealth +9 | speed 35 |◆ | ◇ | ↺
After the creature is killed, Desmond sits Miss Sorbet and Voron down to tend to their wounds. After a moment, he just gives Voron a bucket for him to continuously barf into.
Everyone is now at full health and conditions removed, thanks to Desmond.
"He is Naxath, I am Amkha." the troll’s mouth moves as if to echo its words in a kind of strange reflex, speaking vaguely. "Are you familiar with the saying ‘you scratch my back, and I scratch yours’? Metaphorically speaking. I don’t have a back. And I doubt Naxath would even feel it if you scratched his. I’ve been down here for thousands of years with only this empty shell for company. I never asked for this. To make it simple, I want out.” he explains. "As for this place if you ask, as far as I know, this is temple to Urxehl, Lord of Storms, the Trollfather. Though, you won’t see much of his worship here."
At this point, each of you can attempt to ask one question with DC 18 Diplomacy to know more about what Amkha is talking about.
Voron knows that Amkha is telling the truth. "You can remove me from the body, and you can get me out here." Amkha says sarcastically as if it is common sense. "If you bring me out here, I can tell you my knowledge of a lost civilization and the troll facility. Humans are curious about the past, and so are you, I believe." they tell them, trying to be more convincing. "What you say? Naxath would not complain if you take me from him."
N Human Magus (starlit span) 1 [level bump] | HP 11/27 | AC 19 | F +7 / R +8 / W +7 | Perception +5 | Focus points 1/1 | Default exploration: Avoid Notice (Stealth +8) | Hero Points 2/3 | Speed: 25 ft | Conditions: none | Spell DC: 17
"Naxath is a troll, but what exactly are you? A living crystal or simply someone placed inside that crystal? And say we remove you from Naxath. You will give us all this knowledge, and then? What would you do after you have scratched our metaphorical backs?"
Everyone can telepathically hear a sigh from Amkha. "I think you understand that, even as a gem, I have a concept of humans and humanoids from Naxath's memories, and you are the first people I can communicate with since my awakening, but I did not expect that you will be hard to deal with. You have no need to worry about Naxath, he will not lift a finger if you take me from him. And as I said, you get me out here, you learn everything about lost civilization and this facility. And no, you can't talk to Naxath because he is already dead." he tells them plain and simple.
Suddenly, they perceive a faint rumbling and shaking from where they are, momentarily. "Hmm, somebody's getting angry. It would be wise to take me now and get out of here."
