Layjiani looses (1d20+6 =16) her nocked arrow, hoping it sinks deep (1d8+1=8) into one of the beetles.
Only the third beetle avoids the flames which spout from Eltariel's spread fingers.Layjiani's arrow lays the first one low(not a surprise round as such but I'll count it as a readied action)Gashelle fells the second and Holgur's blow cleaves the carapace of the third..the fight is over before it is really begun
100 XP each
"Hmm, slaying beetles. I can't imagine sagas being written about that. It appears we must seek out more foes worthy of song."
"what rhymes with 'beetle', anyway?"
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"Hmm, slaying beetles. I can't imagine sagas being written about that. It appears we must seek out more foes worthy of song."
"what rhymes with 'beetle', anyway?"
If Skandik culture is anything like Scandinavian, skaldic verse doesn't use meter nor rhyme. Instead, the form counts stresses, in various alliterative patterns. For example:
Beowulf mathelode, bearn Ecgtheowes:
"Hwaet thu worn fela, wine min Unferth."
(each line has four stressed syllables. In the first line, the first and third stress begin with "Be-", and in the next line, the second and fourth begin with "fe-")
So a Skandik poem might begin:
Silent the ruin, broken to rubble,
When came the comrades, numbered as six.
Left went Layjiani, armed with a longbow,
Her doughty five friends making straight through the front.
Now crouched in high grasses, three beetles poised, great and fierce.
They swung to engage the entire party.
But blaze and swift shaft, blade-pole and sword
Made futile and fatal, their feral assault.
So, nothing needs to rhyme with 'beetle'.
"Be careful of what you ask for, friend Holgur," Eltariel scans again for snares and pits around and ahead of us us (I have twenty minutes duration, and can detect any time I choose to concentrate in that period - let me know when the time is up!).
Avinar looks at the charred carapice of the beaatles..."Wow, none left for me...Impressive work... there is a hint of sadness that Avinar did not get to use Mother's Kiss
RAW read...
Concentration: The spell lasts as long as you concentrate
on it. Concentrating to maintain a spell is a standard
action that does not provoke attacks of opportunity.
Anything that could break your concentration when casting
a spell can also break your concentration while you’re
maintaining one, causing the spell to end.
You can’t cast a spell while concentrating on another
one. Sometimes a spell lasts for a short time after you
cease concentrating
I can tell you that there are no pits between your current position and the tower or indeed within 60 feet in any direaction
Layjiani can still cover the party from her position if they approach the tower.
You can now all see a translucent figure behind the forcefield which shimmers ocassionally
Eltariel will take a look at the figure again ... see if it appears in any way aware.
You can now all see a translucent figure behind the forcefield which shimmers ocassionally
"Uh, should someone versed in the ways of such things examine yon spirit? Does it wish to speak with us?"
"Uh, should someone versed in the ways of such things examine yon spirit?"
Gashelle turns slowly to Aude.
Eltariel uses Detect Magic to analyse the phantom ...
The figure resembles an aged human male dressed in robes ..he seems to be floating..but not trying to take any action against you.You are currently 60 feet away from the tower itself
Eltariel
"... it's amazing ..." Eltariel whispers, her eyes like that of a child who has just seen the Candy Factory, or the poet that lays eyes on their ultimate muse. "If I had to sum up everything I ever aspired to understand ... this would be it. We have to get inside there ... we have to find out what is going on!" Her face is a combination of rapture and passionate fascination; for someone who wants to understand the very roots of magic, this is a true challenge.
Eltariel grips the amulet of Detect Thoughts do see if it is operational again yet, attempting to scan the shimmering figure.
Sorry the amulet is still not functioning properly
Gashelle bows appreciatively to Layjiani's skills.
She motions to the rest of the party to move around the courtyard, carefully, counter-clockwise. If there are no objections, she'll lead the way.
Does the figure move ? Can the sharp eyed among us see his face ?
The figure moves back and fore behind the force field..you can easily see his face..he looks...old.
Moving counter clockwise you encounter the first of the interior features...
This appears to have once been a woodframed building. It is now completely destroyed.You can barely make out the outline of where
the walls once stood. Based on the smashed furniture inside, it appears this was once a barracks of some sort.
Gashelle signals, "Layjiani, please keep watch while we search."
Nodding at Gashelle's thanks, the scout signals to indicate she understands and continues to keep a sharp eye out for any potential threats ,both inside and outside the fortress.
Inwardly though she is starting to get a bit ancy as 'exploring' old ruins is her favourite part...nevertheless, she understands her duty and will do her part.
The spirit has not as far as you can make out taken any particular notice of you.
His face bears a look of sorrow.
No recognises the style of robes he is wearing.
The tower is pristine...although the height is somewhat surprising(remember its only about 40 feet tall and that includes the roof...the walls are only about 25 feet tall) as is the fact that there seems to be no entrance...maybe it's on the other side
I presume we search this ruin of a building. If nothing noteworthy occurs, we continue on counter-clockwise.
Eltariel tears here eyes away and scans the rest of the area around us with detect magic.
"It's probably already been picked over, but who knows?"
The building reveals no secrets just a few normal rats which scurry away at your approach. You begin to move towards the building to the north. As you do you notice the spirit has moved around the tower to your side...there are still no entrances or windows visible on the structure.
You approach the northern building
This stone-framed building is relatively intact,though severely damaged. Shattered furniture that was once well constructed indicates it was probably the officer’s quarters at some point.
I presume we search this ruin of a building. If nothing noteworthy occurs, we continue on counter-clockwise.
As we approach the northern building, Eltariel pays special attention to the area around the north-eastern tower, examining the ground for signs of subsidence, prodding it with her staff. She'll even try another detect magic around this vicinity.
Detect Magic reveals nothing in the area nor are there obvious signs of subsidence..you enter the building..its doors are long gone and the furnitre is in ruins...one thing you cannot miss however is the open trap door in the smallest room of the building with a still intact iron ladder leading down into darkness
"Well that's an unexpected blessing ... unless there's something really nasty down there, or it doesn't go where we'd like. Investigate, or finish clearing the courtyard? I say the latter, just in case."
As her companions enter the building, Layjiani goes on high alert, listening intently for any signs trouble or their need for aid. She will also check out the courtyard before her, trying to determine the quickest way to reach her comrades should they need her.
Let's not be hasty there
I would like to observe this so-called spirit for an hour or two
"Well that's an unexpected blessing ... unless there's something really nasty down there, or it doesn't go where we'd like. Investigate, or finish clearing the courtyard? I say the latter, just in case."
"Seconded."
Given where she is and the placement of the next building Layjiani would be better moving down off the wall and entering the gate now
"Laijiani, why don't you come down and join us?" Eltariel calls up, "We haven't much further to go and you'll find this ... interesting."
Un-nocking her arrow from the bow, Layjiani makes her way over to the others.
Layjiani comes down from the wall at the breach and makes her way through the bushes towards you
I need to know what distance you are keeping between yourselves and the tower...how close are you getting to the spirit(which has again moved to watch to the side of the tower you are on).
Fascinated by the spirit and seeing it for the first time, Ali approaches as close to it as she can, wonder and curiosity plain on her face.
Fascinated by the spirit and seeing it for the first time, Ali approaches as close to it as she can, wonder and curiosity plain on her face.
"Layjani, what are you doing?"
Eltariel maintains her own observation of the spirit in between ur own movements, using detect magic. She tries to tell if the spirit is reacting to them, and who to. For the moment she strays no closer than thirty feet, and advises the others to do the same.
As Layjiani approaches the spirit seems to at last take note...it lets out a long low moan that seems to penetrate to the core of your being.Most of you mere ly shudder and hope that the entity cannot get any closer to you...Layjiani and Eltariel however are both within 30 feet of it and panic courses through them...Dropping bow and staff they flee....no thought in their mind but to get away from the dreadful sound.
Eltariel and Layjiani are both panicked for 5 and 7 rounds respectively.
Panicked: A panicked creature must drop anything it holds and flee at top speed from the source of its fear, as well as any other dangers it encounters, along a random path. It can’t take any other actions. In addition,the creaturetakes a –2 penalty on all saving throws,skill checks, and ability checks. If cornered, a panicked creature cowers and does not attack, typically using the total defense action in combat. A panicked creature can use special abilities, including spells, to flee; indeed, the creature must use such means if they are the only way to escape.
Panicked is a more extreme state of fear than shaken or frightened
The above means that both will be running at 240 feet a round(for 1200 and 1680 feet respectively) and Eltariel must use her Arcane bond to cast expedious retreat if threatened by something that can catch her.As the main gate is the only way out of the compound both flee towards it and out into the surrounding brush...Eltariels woodland stride allows her to pass through the undergrowth easily
Exit stage left!
At the end of the long period of running like hell, turn around and start trudging back. Along the way meet up with Laijianni ...
"... er ... you too, huh? Still, we know it reacts to external stimuli. Whatever else it is, it isn't an automated illusiory projection."
Somewhat shamefacedly, Layjiani simply nods to Elterial's comments and walks back with her towards the others. Inwardly though she is glad that of the druid/mage's easy way of lessening the embarrassment of their actions, and silently thanks her.
Would Aude have time to whip up her wand of remove fear and cast it on whichever is nearest ?
What is the spirit's reaction, or attitude, after affecting Eltariel and Layjiani?