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As everyone gets ready for finding the arcophage and continues to be alert for danger, Sheldon spots on the highest point(about 60 feet above you) of the small path that leads into a cave, he sees a few tall humanoids that look like a cross between a powerfully built human and a lizard. They are looking at the group and slowly making their way down the path....
The rest of the group sees a small statue in relatively good shape with a head of a hippopotamus. It stands off to the side of the begining of the path that leads up the hill towards the cave mouth.
The path is big enough for one person at a time to travel up and is slippery from the mist of the falls and a few minor mini water falls. The trail winds back and forth up the face of the falls making it easier to travel to the top. The face of the falls is about 160 feet across.
Sheldon says "Lem come here quickly! Everyone, look up the path, we have company" He then casts "invisibility" on him. After he says, "Lem perhaps you will be able to sneak up the path at the right time?"
Harsk and Seelah draw bows. Both wonder if they can identify who or what these beings are:
Seelah then Harsk (1d20=8, 1d20=3)
Maybe not!
Seelah also taps into her knowledge of religion to understand the religious meaning of the statue:
Seelah then Harsk (1d20=8, 1d20=3)
Maybe she understands this. She shouts to the Captain, who are they & what is their intent?
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As the group readies weapons the lizardfolk stop. They watch but do not draw weapons. They seem to be talking amongst themselves and pointing at your group. They seem to have noticed that one of your party is now gone, disappeared. The captain calls out that these are lizardfolk who live in the swamp and that these idol are from old loa spirits of the jungle. This place seems to be a sacred area for the lizardfolk. This is the first time I have seen anyone else here, I thought the area long forgotten. We need the arcophage so do what you must to get it........
Lem decides to assert himself. "Sheldon, no this time, you follow my lead, laddie! Go and pick up the two spears, two longbows with 21 thistle arrows, and the two necklaces the elves wore. Also, get the dead arcophage. You will follow five steps behind me as we go up the stairs. When you get back, wait for my entrance and performance as we walk up the stairs."
Then more directed to Seelah & Harsk, "my friends trust me on this one -- just stay back keep your bows down but ready, and let's see if we can get what we need through diplomacy!"
As Sheldon goes back to the boat, remarkably to the audience up above, our beloved Bard breaks into song with his flute, singing of peace and understanding. "We can get along, we can get along dan dan danna da da danna dahh aahh ahh ah . . . there is no time for fussing and fighting my friend . . ."
Sheldon tells Puff to fly high and let him know what is going on, "my beloved nightwatch."
When Sheldon returns, they both begin the journey slowly and carefully up the stairs.
Climb Checks:
Lem then Sheldon (1d20=17, 1d20=7)
[If Sheldon stumbles, Lem plays on and waits for him to regain his poise then advance]
As they get half way to the top, Lem concentrates his ability of fascination in the song on the most prominent and up front lizard and anyone who has a unique necklass (looking for a shaman):
He rolls his fascination roll:
As they reach the top Lem smiles broadly and continues playing. Sheldon slowly goes to Lem's side a few feet away, sets down the items except the plant, and bows. He then steps back a few feet.
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Sheldon begins his climb up to the first switchback and spots another idol this one of a monkey. He continues onto the second switchback seeing another idol but its head is missing so you can't tell what it is. Following the trail now gets more difficult as water is spraying you making everything slippery, Lem who has been with Sheldon the whole way but invisible has no problems climbing up. Sheldon on the other hand slips and falls down, he's going to need to try again. Lem's music continues to play as he gets closer to the Lizardfolk standing and watch Sheldon attempt to climb on his own....
Lem pauses, half way there and begins his persuasion while waiting for Sheldon!
Sheldon tries again: 1d20=9
And yet again:
Noticing Sheldon's disaster, Lem goes down to aid Sheldon; he stops playing under the waterfall; Lem takes the necklasses from Sheldon; then having turned visible starts up the stairs again and begins playing anew.
sheldon waits here until he's needed if at all.
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Tired of trying to get up the falls Sheldon hands off the now visible Lem the items and goes back up to where the Lizardfolk are now sitting on the ground listening to the music. They watch Lem as he walks up and give him a big toothy smile. They're feeling his facination. You play nice music little one the lizardfolk shaman says.
With him most persuasive smile, Lem bows to the shaman and then to the rest of the lizard folks. He waves his cape while doing so.
Lem says to the shaman: "thank you good Lizard folk. I am always honored when my music is appreciated. Would you like to hear another song, a tale of adventure and need?" He asks the shaman.
Lem says in a reverent and hushed tone "we are travelers in need of assistance, we have lost our way, and need your help to get home." Lem then sings a few lines:
We cannot go with no arcophage, we cannot go. We need arcophage, we need it so! For this precious gift, we are willing to give. Willing to give these holy offerings, holy gifts to the sacred ones, holy gifts on this sacred place."
As he is doing this, he takes out the necklasses and presents them so that the shaman can see them clearly, letting them catch the sparkle of light.
He then continues, "with the arcophage, we will be on our way, on our way to our home giving thanks for your aid and comfort, given honor to the god of the Lizardmen, giving honor to the race of Lizardmen."
He then bows again.
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The lizard shaman looks over the gifts taking a bit longer over the necklaces. He nods at the gifts and asks in a hiss, what is this arcophage you ask of this place? He waits for a reply from Lem who notices the other two suddenly get nervious and start to glance around, mostly up in the direction of the cave at the top of the path. Lem also can see another idol at the entrance of the cave, this one of a crocodile head.
Lem bows then prostrates himself on the ground with arms forward. He looks up and with his arms forms a cup saying arcophage is a sacred plant. It is rare and precious of the gods. We need only a little bit to be on our way. We have heard that it is found in only the most sacred of places, it is a gift of your god; I say this with great reverence (pause) . . . it lies within your sacred cave above. If it not be a violation of your holy rules, we ask that you offer this to us; our gratitude and prayers to your god would be beyond measure . . .
Lem is also now muscles slightly tensed in case he needs to make a quick run for it -- he is ready to spring & flee if he is being attacked!
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The lizardfolk jump up at a sound from behind them in the direction of the cave. They point at what shambles out of it saying, there is your plant you seek... They rush by Lem, heading away from the creature that looks like a mass of leaves and vines with a generally human like form. It has a barrel-shaped body with ropey arms and stumpy legs, it doesn't seem to have a head though. Its about 6 feet tall and has a 8 foot girth. It starts to move in Lem's direction making no noise what so ever and your not sure how you know but it looks hungry........
Lem "sizing" up the situation, bolts as quickly as he can to the path down [occ -- was the path wide enough in Lem's perception for this creature to follow him?]
If the path was wide enough to be followed, he bolts as fast as he can down. If not, he moves quickly, but with some caution for the path.
Either way, he screams "I found it! Captain you WILL have some explaining to do!!! Everybody get ready for a fight!!"
Sheldon seeing him coming down immediately heads down toward the ground level.
The others have bows at the ready to fire should a target present itself.
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The three lizardfolk run up the one switchback heading to the top and disappearing into the jungle. The plant monster follows down the trail after Lem. It being easier to travel fast down the falls than up, Lem easily makes it next to Sheldon at the bottom next to the boat. Everyone else is ready to fight but the plant monster is not moving very fast seeing its prey get out of range even stopping trying to decide what to do. The captain says to the group, the arcophage is a fungal parasite that attaches itself to mobile plant creatures, unfortunatly for us it has attached itself to that shambling mound. So we must kill the creature to get the arcophage and then work quick to get it to Hurg to place it into the engine. Its a parasite so that mound is slowly dying, it should not be hard to kill I would think, especially after how I have seen you all can take care of yourselves. Faruq and I will stay here and protect the boat in case there are more creatures about, good luck!
Seelah and Harsk quickly move into action:
Seelah's shot:
Harsk's shot:
Sheldon seeing the danger goes within and casts Summon Monster II, calling forth a celestial eagle to engage in the battle. (He has four level 2 spells left).
Lem begins playing inspire courage giving +1 to attack and damage, as he sings a song about how this party has hung together through thick & thin!
Initiative roles:
Seelah, Harsk, Sheldon, Lem (1d20=1, 1d20+3=23, 1d20+2=12, 1d20+3=15)
Seelah: 1
Harsk: 23
Sheldon: 12
Lem: 15
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Shots are fired up the falls at the plant creature both missing it, the shots must not have as clear as they thought! An eagle appears on the scene and makes a fly by attack on the creature swooping down, talons stretched out but just not quite enough. The creature pays it no mind. Seeing its prey gone from sight it moves back into its cave out of sight of the party.
The party takes a few moments to recollect themselves. Seelah offers "at least we know what we face."
Harks rolls a knowledge check about this creature:
He then proceeds to tell the party what he knows. [DM here].
Harsk does suggest a plan. [Unless DM's info contradicts]. He says "these are creatures which we must avoid. It is critical that we not get too close. I do think there is a chance I could slow it down to allow us all to take shots until we stop this creature. Otherwise I would suggest a trap with oil & fire, but we must not harm the arcophage."
"We will all cautiously & slowly move to the top without showing ourselves. I will be in the lead. I will cast a spell to entangle the creature as it runs out from the cave. We will all be in line and fire as quickly and often as we can except Lem who will hold a lighted torch -- if the creature starts to get close, Lem will you be so brave as to hold it off with the fire?"
Lem nods a bit sad not to be shooting, but knowing he has an important role to play. Lem has a lit torch stuck in the ground. He will play to inspire courage +1 as the shots ring out!
Harsk tells Lem "if it gets to close, simply toss the torch at the creature and run with us. Do you understand?"
Lem again nods a bit sad.
Agreed, the party moves slowly to the top, and Harsk prepares the spell, pops up casts, then makes room for the four to stand in a line ready to do their parts.
Addendum:
Sheldon casts mage armor before going up the hill while the others were talking!
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Harsk begins to tell the group what they face, Its called a shambling mound for lack of a better name I guess. The creature is an intelligent, carnivorous mass of rotting vegetation. It lives in moist areas such as this. Fire might not work especially this close to the falls and in a dark dank cave. We might need to rethink the plan...
Harsk, thinking it over says to the little one: "would you be game to lure the beastie out one more time? I could then entangle it and we could all take our shots. What do you think?"
Lem even more reluctantly agrees, but senses this plan might actually work!
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After a slow and steady climb up your group makes it to almost the top of the falls following the trail leads to the cave. Lem creeps up to the cave mouth and peeks into the cave. He jumps back immediatly as the mound is right there at the cave mouth. It steps out at him as Lem scampers back down the path having done his job.
Harsk:
So, like he already did his spell? The whole thought was we'd get the creature back down on the path -- so if that's not what's happening, then that's the goal and Harsk casts the spell and saves his really good attack role for next time!!!
Sheldon lets three missiles fly:
Sha Zing!!!
Seelah lets her arrow fly:
Another fine shot!
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The creature strikes out but gets tangled with living plants as they entwine about it. The whole time all you hear is russling of leaves and branches plus the falls of course. Arrows and arcane missles fly in at the creature as it tries to free itself. Its hard to tell but you are damaging it. Pieces of it drop off as it gets hit and trying to free itself.
Harsk is again true on this shot:
+1 bolt (1d20+9=17, 1d10+2=10)
This time Lem let's his bullet fly too:
Sheldon again lets his arcane energy fly!
"Not bad!" Sheldon lets out.
Seelah, last but with aim for the center of the creature let's fly:
+1 arrow as was used last time! (1d20+6=25, 1d8+4=8)
Knowing her strike to be true, Seelah let's out a triumphant "ahh!"
The eagle attacks too!
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The mound of plant takes another of Harsk's arrows doing it more damage. The plant flings around in fury at being tangled by its on kind trying to free itself but is unsuccessful. Sheldon follows up with another blast of arcane energy as does Seelah with a shot of her own magic, her trusty bow. The creature thrashes around and finally drops with a bullet from Lem who hesitated a bit to admire Seelah's shot, with a sly smile on his face and a laugh........
Harsk quickly takes over bellowing -- "little one, I will cut off the arcophage, you hold open a bag. When I'm finished, close the bag and run down to the boat and give it to the elder!"
After Harsk finshes and Lem runs off, he tells the others, "follow me" we must at least peer into the cave. If it's not too deep we may find something of interest."
Harsk takes the lead approaching the cave flanked by Seelah with bow drawn on her left, Sheldon on the right.
Harsk peers in first. Once he give the go ahead the all step in. Sheldon casts detect magic and scans the surroundings. If it is dark, Harsk lights a torch as does Seelah and the party begins searching.
The little one reaches the old dwarf and gleefully proclaims "we have it, now you make this boat go, sir dwarf!!!"
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Harsk quickly harvests the arcophage from the shambling mound and passes it off to Lem who streaks down the falls pathways back to the boat. Harsk and the rest enter the cave and after a little searching they only find a masterwork longbow, three small gold nuggets worth 20 gp each you guess and a jade lip disk worth 50 gold guessing again. Hurg takes the arcophage and begins to install it to the protean engine saying its going to take about an hour to recharge. Once everyone is back at the boat the captain says that while the engine is charging might as well start pulling the boat back through the swamp to the river. The engine won't be able to be used until we reach the river anyway. He smiles, shakes everyones hand and thanks them for a great job and all the hard work!
With signs of some exasperation, the party decides Harsk & Sheldon will pull for the last time. They prepare themselves and presumably with help from Faruq get the boat going again. Lem has responsibility for the "loot" for what it's worth. He begins playing a song of good cheer to keep them all going. Seelah is cautiously eyeing everything going on, including the boat crew to make sure nothing goes awry.
Where's yr post, eh!? smiles!
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After leaving the swamp and passing the now-abandoned village of Nantambu, the River Queen appears to be finally having a smooth run. The captain does not stop for fear of ambush from the hostile elves in the area. Everything seems to go well since leaving the swamp two days ago. During the afternoon you all hear the door to the magazine banging open as if someone had forgotten his own strength. Faruq lumbers up out of the cabin, and something is obviously not right. His normally sheathed falchion is gripped in his hand. His sallow skin has taken on a pale yellow cast, and stark white eyes stare out from his beastial face........
Let's assume the party is all together. Each makes a roll to see if in his/her wisdom she recognizes what's going on!
Seelah, Harsk, Sheldon and Lem (1d20=2, 1d20=13, 1d20=14, 1d20+1=3)
Seelah is simultaneously detecting evil:
Initiative:
Seelah, Harsk, Sheldon & Lem (1d20=12, 1d20+3=9, 1d20+2=14, 1d20+3=22)
Lem yells out very loud, Faruq "what are you doing? What's the matter?" Lem stays in a defensive ready to tumble mode. He also hope to draw the Captain's attention to what's hapening!
Sheldon the brave, casts invisibility on himself.
Harsk ducks and has his bow drawn. He will only fire if Faruq moves in to attack him. If so, he will launch ferociously.
Seelah has her hand on her sword hilt. She is giving Faruq the benefit of the doubt while she senses what is happening. She will strike out with speed and courage should she be attacked.
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Seelah can feel a evil presense coming from Faruq that she did not sense before. Faruq growls at Lem's questions and continues to walk with purpose, sword ready to attack. Those looking closely enough can see a small tiny green vine growing out of his ear. His movement seems sluggish and his feet seem to drag along the deck. Sheldon the brave dissappears from sight of everyone. The captain comes out hearing all the ruckest, he stops speechless at seeing Faruq in his current state. He finally says, he must be possessed by something or something like that has taken over his body. Whatever he is he's not Faruq anymore, defend yourselves and kill him before he causes any damage to the boat.
I don't know, what the . . . does one do with this?
Seelah yells: strike to incapacitate Faruq, it is possible the creature will leave him, even as he is on the verge of death, we may save him."
They all go balistic on Faruq:
Harsk w/ +1 bolt: 1d20+9=18, 1d10+2=12
Seelah with sword while intercepting and engaging Faruq blocking his move toward the others: 1d20+9=16, 1d8+4=8
Sheldon lets the missiles go: 1d4+1=4, 1d4+1=2, 1d4+1=5
Lem lets a bolt fly aiming for Faruq's head with the hopes of knocking him out!!
Mama say knock you out???
What more can you ask of a solitary man? Love? Compassion? or just D&D mayhem???
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With a scream the tainted Faruq attacks the closest which happens to be Seelah but first he gets struck by a bolt by the halfling and then hit by a now visable Sheldon. He shakes off the attacks and swings away at Seelah who blocks his attack with her sword and sneaks in her own hit on the creature. The boat veers a bit due to all of the sudden movement. The captain races into the pilot house to get the boat back under control.
Did Harsk's last attack hit?
In any event, and with some reluctance, the party continues its defense:
Seelah confronting the evil she faces, looks for an opening then strikes:
Harsk using his point blank skill again fires!:
Lem not having such accuracy, quickly takes out his flute and begins a ballad of courage granting his friends +1 to attk & dmg!
Sheldon now visible again lets launch another volley of magic missiles:
The party is girded for this unwanted fight and the chatter about is hoping to save Faruq if possible!
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Yes I did count Harsk's attack just missed putting it into the post!
Lem dances around and starts playing his flute hoping his friends gain courage for the task at hand. Sheldon steps up and fires off three more arcane blast into Faruq who swings its weapon at Seelah again, missing again! Seelah and Harsk both attack Faruq, hitting the first mate but somehow the creature keeps his feet and is readying another attack. The captain gets the boat under control and make it easier for the combatants to keep their footing.
Lem continues with his inspiring verse while Sheldon again seeing the need to stop the lumbering half-beast whole foe, fires his arcane missiles again:
Seelah moving next in the flow of battle seeing the missiles impact his former ally moves to strike the felling blow:
Harsk then seeing an opening let's fly another deadly bolt:
1d20+9=18, 1d10+2=11 (using +1 bolt)
(He visualized a strike & got one).
Please be sure to add Lem's +1 to attack & damage rolls!!!
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Lem continues to play an inspiring tune to help as Sheldon blast Faruq in the chest with his arcane might. He drops the beast that once was Faruq to the deck of the boat his Falchion falling from his hand clanging to the deck also. The captain has stopped the boat and comes back out to see his first mate laying on the ground. It's to bad this had to happen, he was a good first mate, he will be missed. He turns to the group and says; We need to check the boat from top to bottom to see what the %@$$ happened here. He was fine one minute and now he is dead on the deck of my boat, it just doesn't make sense........
All in the party ask themselves if they have any knowledge of what might have affected Faruq. Nobody moves to check him though.
Rolls:
1d20=18, 1d20=3, 1d20=3, 1d20=18
If they know anything, they share it with each other!
The party takes a moment to collect itself. It is decided that they will move out with Seelah in the lead sword drawn and Harsk behind slightly to the left with x-bow at the ready. Sheldon and Lem will take the rear with Lem playing his song of courage. Sheldon casts mage armor to ready himself. The groups moves first to the top of the boat and then will systematically work its way down and through the ship. It will fire and attack at the first indication of trouble.
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Your group starts out checking the main deck and the pilot house and finds nothing out of the ordinary. Then you all make your way below into the engine room where you run into Hurg the engineer who says he's seen nothing out of the sorts in his area and after checking around you confirm this to be true. Harsk did notice on his way down the stairs that the lock on the magazine room was unlocked which it has never been before as the Captain and Faruq both let you know that this room was off limits to everyone but them. This is where Faruq usually slept you know. Seelah pushes the door open with Harsk at the ready by her side. The room is filled with cargo, weapons of all sorts, Faruq's bed and barrels of rum. As Seelah is looking around a puff of yellow powdery stuff shoots at her....
Seelah, Harsk, Sheldon, Lem: 1d20=14, 1d20+3=10, 1d20+2=14, 1d20+3=5
Seelah perceives what? And let's everyone know what she sees, if she is able! Seelah strikes if it's close!!!
Harsk dives & rolls & shoots if he can!
Sheldon fires magic missiles if he gets a shot -- he moves forward near Seelah.
If Seelah needs help, Lem will aid her. Otherwise he keeps playing, +1 courage -- to hit & damage rolls!
Rolls will come once we have a clearer picture of what's happening!!!
Seelah's Fort Save 1d20+8=26 with +1 because of the bard song -- I checked it helps v. charm.
Seelah sensing deep evil launches a ferocious smite evil attack:
This attk includes +1 bard, +1 charisma; the damage roll has +1 bard, +4 paladin levels.
Harsk screams out, he will "deal" with this beastie and at first opportunity pops his head across the door -- if there are plants in the room he casts entangle; if not he will take a point blank shot.
Sheldon pops across the door only long enough to take a shot when the view is clear letting his arcane missiles fly:
Lem, in the background keeps the music up!!!
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Seelah is able to shake off the effects of the yellow powery stuff the plant shot out at her and launches an attack of her own. She hits it lopping off one of its vines reaching out to her. Harsk only sees the creeper and no other plants to use in the room so takes a shot at the thing(attack roll and dam). Sheldon launches another one of his deady arcane blast hitting the plant in various places but fails to kill the plant as of yet. Lem continues to sing a lovely song!
It was acting pretty evil making zombies, don't you think?
Anyway, here's two shot rolls for Harsk:
Sheldon beginning to be really annoyed that he signed up for this journey lets loose what in his mind will hopefully be a finale to this "mis" adventure!!!
Seelah slashes away at what may not be an evil beast, certainly a creature that creates evil effects in this world. She is determined to right the wrong to Faruq and prevent more harm. With a grunt she attacks:
Let this be done!
Her strength is 16 so I don't know how this works. I didn't add strength modifiers.