I like this band of happy travelers ... and I was really hoping Chi would have a bit more life left in her, I really liked what we've been doing together as a group and AKs DMing. It's been a great AP so far and I'd really like to finish this Race to Ruin so we get to a point where there is a good break. But in all honesty if AK, you have too much work to make the 3rd book work and are uninspired with it, then knowing you have to have a DM committed to make the game work, its best to go with AKs choice. I really like what AK's done in Race to Ruin so far and I think its been fun and you're doing a great job with the story, despite the occasional lapses when we've stuttered.
I agree. I'd really like to see our group get to Tazion for closure if for nothing else, but I'll be happy with whatever AK decides.
My vote is for DM choice as well, although I'll really miss playing Ambroze (and playing with Tun'ada, and Chi, and Marcus, and Willow) if this one ends.
Not sure if it's my turn yet (still in Round Two?), but I'll go ahead and post an action.
Round Two:
Coughing and choking in the salty dust cloud, Ambroze struggles to continue speaking words of advice for battling the salt wights. As he speaks, he fires his crossbow at what he thinks is one of the undead creatures, and then reaches into his magical pack to retrieve another bolt.
Free action to maintain Bardic Performance (Naturalist), granting all allies within 30 ft a +2 insight bonus bonus to AC and attack rolls and saving throws against exceptional, supernatural, and spell-like abilities of the salt wights. Standard action to fire light crossbow at a salt wight. Move action to retrieve crossbow bolt form handy haversack.
Rounds of Bardic Performance used today: 4/21 Number of Crossbow Bolts used: 5/50
Buffs in Effect: Naturalist (Party): +2 insight bonus to AC, attack rolls, and saving throws against exceptional, supernatural, and spell-like abilities of the salt wights.
Willow, don't forget the +2 to Hit from Naturalist.
Naturalist?
Ambroze is using his Bardic Performance (Naturalist) ability to grant allies within 30 ft a +2 insight bonus bonus to AC and attack rolls and saving throws against exceptional, supernatural, and spell-like abilities of the salt wights.
Curious as to the source of the loud banging above the party, Ambroze mentally directs his dancing lights upward toward the darkness-enshrouded ceiling. At the same time, he retrieves his loaded crossbow from his magical haversack.
Free action to direct dancing lights. Move action to retrieve loaded crossbow from handy haversack. If any enemies are spotted, Ambroze will try to identify them and use a standard action to begin Bardic Performance (Naturalist) to grant allies within 30 ft a +2 insight bonus bonus to AC and attack rolls and saving throws against exceptional, supernatural, and spell-like abilities of the hostile creature(s).
Ambroze continues to offer his companions advice for battling the salt wights as he fires his crossbow at the creature not flanked by Marcus and Tun'ada. The gnome scholar then reaches into his magical haversack to retrieve another bolt.
Free action to maintain Bardic Performance (Naturalist), granting all allies within 30 ft a +2 insight bonus to AC and attack rolls and saving throws against exceptional, supernatural, and spell-like abilities of the salt wights. Standard action to fire light crossbow at the non-flanked salt wight. Move action to retrieve crossbow bolt from handy haversack.
Ambroze studies the strangely dry undead in order to advise his companions as to the best methods for battling such creatures, even as he reaches into his magical pack to retrieve his already-loaded crossbow.
Knowledge (religion) check: Taking 10 via Lore Master ability for total check of 19.
If Knowledge check is sufficient, Ambroze spends his standard action to activate Bardic Performance (Naturalist) to grant all allies within 30 ft a +2 insight bonus to AC and attack rolls and saving throws against exceptional, supernatural, and spell-like abilities of the undead creatures. Move action to retrieve loaded light crossbow from handy haversack.
After Ambroze has attempted to retrieve the bone scroll case:
Ambroze reaches into his magical haversack and withdraws a coil of fine silk rope. "Here, Tun'ada. Before you try to jump across we can secure one end of the rope here and then you can use it to climb back up if need be," the gnome scholar suggests, handing the rope to the tribesman. Ambroze then calls upon another of his minor magicks to send four glowing globes of light spinning across the gulf to illuminate the alcove.
"Good idea, Marcus," Ambroze replies. The gnome scholar points toward the bone scroll case and mutters the words to a minor cantrip, motioning for the scroll case to float to his outstretched hand.
Cast Mage Hand (range 35 ft) to lift the bone scroll case and bring it to us on the walkway.
"Marcus, can you move your light over here?" Ambroze asks softly, moving toward the wooden walkway as he keeps one eye on his humanoid-shaped light near the water. "I want to take a look at this walkway."
Assuming Marcus brings the light over, Knowledge (engineering) check to examine the walkway: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11 - sure, it's totally safe! The heaviest person should go first...
Note to Self: Put more ranks in Knowledge (engineering) at next level-up.
Ambroze casts his Dancing Lights cantrip, shaping the lights into a faintly glowing humanoid shape. The gnome scholar then directs the glowing form toward the water. If the ooze reacts and attempts to attack the light, Ambroze will direct the glowing form to move away, trying to draw the ooze away from the walkway.
Thinking me just in front of Tun'ada, Tsura and Ambroze in the middle, Chi and Willow at the rear unless someone has a better idea. Also suggest casters cast any hours/lvl before we go in.
This marching order sounds good. Ambroze is ready to descend into the depths.
Dead whose touch withers flesh... Is this enough info for Ambroze to make a Knowledge (religion) check to ID - or at least to begin to develop some workable theories?
Ambroze thanks Athyra for her gift and promises that the group will meet her on the other side of the mine. The gnome scholar waits patiently as Chi scouts the ruined mine camp, and nods in agreement with Marcus' suggestion to stable the animals in the buildings.
Ambroze bows deeply and addresses the woman again in her native language.
Polyglot:
"It is an honor to meet you, Athyra. My companions are Chi, Tun'ada, Marcus, Willow, and Tsura," Ambroze introduces each of his companions in turn. "As for where we come from: I am from a land called Varisia, which is far from the north of here. Tsura is from that land as well. I am a scholar of the history of the peoples of the Mwangi Expanse; I seek to discover all that they learned so long ago. Tsura is a priestess of the goddess of dreams and travelers. Marcus is from another land far to the north as well - a land called Taldor. Chi and Tun'ada are from the Mwangi Expanse but have traveled far to the northern lands from which I hail. And as Willow said, she is from the jungles deep within the Mwangi Expanse."
"We thank you for your permission to enter the mine, and are sorry to hear of the loss of your parents. If the unquiet dead still reside within the depths, we will seek to put an end to them."
Ambroze then translates all that has been said for his companions who do not speak Polyglot.
Ambroze glances toward his companions and then raises his hands in a non-threatening manner as he turns to address the woman in the native language of the Mwangi Expanse.
Polyglot:
"Please forgive us our trespass, brave warrior. We have no wish to offend. My name is Ambroze," the gnome scholar introduces himself, bowing his head respectfully. "My companions and I are the outriders of an expedition traveling from Eleder to Kalabuto. It is our understanding that passing through the Fzumi Salt Mine rather than detouring around the hills would shorten our travel time. We also understand that the mine has been abandoned for some time, and rumors state that the mine holds some sort of unknown danger for travellers. I do not wish boast, but my companions and I have some experience with battling evil forces, and believe that we may be able to remove whatever haunts the mine. However, we respect your claim of this land. May we have your permission to proceed into the mine? If not, we will leave you and your land in peace and not trouble you again."
"I've been making some inquiries and apparently, the Freemen brotherhood were paid a visit a few days before their protest. The reports of their guests were a little vague but one detail remains consistent throughout various witness reports; one of the three humanoids that met their contact bore a brooch; a golden snake upon a shield. Does that mean anything to you?"
DC 15 Knowledge (local) check: Taking 10 via Lore Master ability for total check of 19.
"That's the symbol of the Aspis Consortium," Ambroze informs his companions. "I'd say that the brooch is circumstantial evidence at best, as there are often pretenders selling knock-off brooches to those wanting to appear as though they have the backing of the organization. We should be wary, however." Ambroze pauses as he is struck by a new thought. "Those three humanoids... None of them matched Ishorou's description, did they?" he asks worriedly.
Ambroze has purchased everything he needs and is good to go.
I went with Iron Will (Ambroze is a bit weak in the Wisdom department). It was a toss-up between that and Great Fortitude (may pick that at 7th level if I survive until then).
For new 2nd level spell I chose Sound Burst. Also swapped out Sleep for Expeditious Retreat.
Antelope-Ambroze continues to offer words of advice for battling the giant snakes, even as he lowers his head and charges to gore the creature trapped in Tun'ada's jaws.
Free action to maintain Bardic Performance (Naturalist), granting all allies within 30 ft a +1 insight bonus to AC, attack rolls, and saves vs. exceptional, supernatural, and spell-like abilities used by the giant snakes. Full-round action to Charge to square C,9 to try to gore the giant snake.
Antelope-Ambroze begins offering advice for battling the giant snakes as he trots over to stand between Marcus and the Tempest.
Standard action to activate Bardic Performance (Naturalist), granting all allies within 30 ft a +1 insight bonus to AC, attack rolls, and saves vs. exceptional, supernatural, and spell-like abilities used by the giant snakes. Move action 20 ft to square D,6.
Ambroze follows along as the Tempest leads the companions into the cave. The gnome scholar whispers the words to a minor cantrip to dry the group's clothes as they sit around the fire, and watches with intent interest as the nature priest paints the faces of his companions.
Weird. I posted a knowledge (geography) check to see if I could answer Chi's question on Monday, but it seems to have disappeared. I think the check result was a 13 total, but I don't remember for sure so I'll roll again: Knowledge (geography) check: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13.
Ambroze replies to the warriors in Polyglot, translating for his companions as well. The gnome scholar agrees to the warriors' request to wait while one of them verifies the companions' tale, and graciously invites the remaining warriors to share a lunch of trail rations and sea drake steak.
Sorry I couldn't post earlier - been totally swamped with sick kids and work over the weekend and today.
Ambroze adds to the discussion
in Polyglot:
"Indeed, brave warriors. As my companions stated we were sent here by the Tempest, servant of the Wind and the Waves, to beg of the Stormbird one feather of her magnificent plumage. As we entered her blessed lands yesterday we were attacked by a fearsome sea drake, but through the prowess of our own brave warriors the sea drake was slain. As we made camp last night the Stormbird greeted us and thanked us for slaying the drake. In return she gifted us with one of her feathers as well as this spyglass," Ambroze pauses to show the warriors both items. "And she guarded our campsite from predators as we rested. Perhaps you saw her circling in the sky above our camp last night, with the flares of her powerful light and drops of radiant brightness illuminating the darkness as she protected us?"
Ambroze humbly thanks Chirok for the gift of the feather, and again when she returns to offer the gnome the spyglass as a reward. In return he offers her a gift of a shiny object for her nest - his compass that he purchased in Magnimar before setting out on the ill-fated Jenivere. As the great stormbird wings away into the distance the gnome scholar waves farewell and wipes away a tear of joy, fully appreciating the privilege he received to have met and interacted with one of the most beautiful wonders of nature.
As his friends congratulate him the gnome scholar blushes self-consciously. He translates a bit of his conversation with the creature, explaining how the group had done the great bird a service by dispatching the sea drake that had plagued its territory, and shows them the spyglass that it gave him. "I'm just glad we were able to fulfill the Tempest's quest without harming the Stormbird. It would've broken my heart to battle such a wondrous creature. And this spyglass may come in handy once we get it repaired in Eleder."
I'm good with the watch order. Looking forward to seeing what the Tempest has in store for us next.
