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The Ravine

DM Carl
Thursday May 16th, 2019 10:18:49 PM
Looks like the decision is to strap Pressi's body to Harper and continue with an unwitting irlgaunt.

The party has second breakfast. Pressi finds her current body doesn't have any real appetite for rations, though her companions look positively delicious. One can assume she controls herself.

Hobie feeds her body a goodberry, and what was left of her scratch vanishes. She is fully healed.

OOC: You still have your spite spell. The creature did not make a standard melee attack on you.

The stone wall the irlgaunts created to block the ravine is easily dealt with by irlgaunt Pressi and earth elemental Murphy. The DPAA points the party further down the ravine, and so the party follows...

***

Scene done. Everyone gets 20k XP for removing the irlgaunt threat from the Caverns of Glimstone, not dying, and putting up with my maps. A few of you don't appear to have kept up with XP accounting. Take a moment and update your sheets, please.

***

Travel along the ravine is quiet, except for the rush of water at the bottom. It's not immediately evident, but the cave system is crawling with life if one looks. Like...literally crawling. Millipedes, crayfish, salamanders (the slimy kind, not the fire kind), and blind fish all live happily in this hidden ecosystem. The odd bat even flies by. Talia even notices a small number of them clustering around what looks like a tree trunk erupting from a cave wall.

Succotash (Jeremy) AC 29/15/28 CMD 31 HP 124/129 Miss Piggy AC 30/12/28 CMD 25 HP 96/96
Friday May 17th, 2019 5:30:54 AM
As Succotash notices the wildlife of the ravine. he takes a moment to enjoy the tranquil beauty of it, and says, "I wouldn't want to build a summer home here, but this ravine is quite lovely"

Bliss (Cayzle) HP124, AC31
Friday May 17th, 2019 11:36:04 AM

"Wait a minute! Wait a minute!" exclaims Bliss before the party leaves the spider lairs. "Where's the Giant Cave Spider Silk?! It's got to be around here somewhere! That stuff is valuable. You haven't enjoyed wearing a mitten until you've worn a *Superior Cave Spider Silk Mitten* -- or even two!

Bliss spends at least ten minutes wandering around in search of webbing.

After the party travels a bit, the caverns become more lively. "Watch out, everybody," says Bliss. "If you fall in the water, there may not be an easy way out. And watch out for carnivorous carp! Especially the undead ones!"

Coming up to the tree, Bliss takes a good look at it. He's thinking that this is one of them Tower Caps that we're supposed to look for. "Mister Murphy, can you use your druid powers to ID this tree-thingie."

"I hope someone brought an ax. Even a copper one would do."

========

[OOC: For them what's lost track, for this module we were awarded 7,500 xp on Mar 27 and 20,000 yesterday. ALSO, I updated the game page a smidge.

Pressi (Melvin) - AC 22 (27), HP 95/101, CMD 21; Harper AC 23 (28), HP 61, CMD 23
Friday May 17th, 2019 1:44:01 PM
Pressi continues to skitter about through the caves, keeping an eye out.

Harper follows, the body swaying back and forth.

Murphy (Kim) Halfling Druid(12) Huge Earth Elemental AC27 CMB18 CMD32 HP131 d20+18=30 ; d20+30=39 ;
Friday May 17th, 2019 8:43:30 PM

Informing the Dwarfs
Just before the group delves more deeply into the caverns, Murphy goes (with whoever wants to accompany him) to fill in the dwarfs on what they have accomplished so far. He lets them know where he found gems in various places while earthgliding, tells them of the chambers - and the small holes to find them with, and of the new tunnel to the surface. He asks if they might send in a cleanup crew to get rid of the broken eggs, and any left over irlgaunt bodies. He lets them know that at least one irlgaunt was able to escape - and that one is currently under the party's rather direct control.

He also tells the dwarfs, "Once we get more than a mile from here, I may personally harvest a few gems and plantlife as we travel along. I hope I may have your leave to do so. Don't worry, I'll leave most in place, and, as I am able, will tell you additional spots once we are back, and perhaps bring a few samples so you know the quality of what you can find in different areas. But we may need something for a spell component or the like. I want to be transparent with you."

He also draws on paper the four symbols found in the four different chambers, and asks if any know the significance of the symbols - what language, or nomenclature they come from.

Down into the mountains' roots
"You have a cousin Bernie, Kezzem?" Murphy asks. "You and Pressi were with him some time back for a weekend? Where does he live?"

Once all are ready to journey, Murphy takes a few items and places them in a doubled bag*, then wildshapes back to his favorite underground traveling form.

"Talia - there in the bag is some parchment, pens and ink for jotting down notes, maps, or what-have-you as we travel along." He tells everyone whatever he may have learned from the dwarfs about the meaning of the symbols they found in the four chambers - if any dwarf knew enough to decipher them.

He tell everyone what else is in the bag. "If someone would carry it - Succotash, maybe? - then those items can be accessed."

*Inside the big doubled bag:
1 each:
Blanket
Antitoxin vial
Holy water
Oil
Sunrod
Tanglefoot bag
Thunderstone
Bucket (folding canvas)
Handaxe, small humanoid
Hammer
Miner's pick
Hooded lantern
Signal whistle
Multiples of:
2: Rope - silk 50'
10: Pitons
10: Parchment sheets
2: Inkpens
2: Vials of ink

Addressing Bliss's request
"Sure, happy to take a look, buddy." He looks over the apparent tree trunk - comparing that with how Kade described the tower caps [see DM Carl's post of 2019-03-26].

If this indeed is a tower cap [Knowledge, nature 30 - gave a +2 based upon detailed description Kade gave], Murphy says, "No need for an axe, Bliss - though there is one in the bag. Remember that Kade said he needs spore from the very top cap. We don't have to chop down the whole thing. A knife to slice off a small wedge - see this part, here? Just a small wedge, maybe six to eight inches deep, wrap it in burlap.

Before any samples are taken, though, Murphy visually inspects it carefully, making sure he does not disturb any part of it, nor the bats unduly. He offers to lift up in his cupped hand whoever would like to take the small sample he suggested. "First, though, put some cloth over your face - some spore may shoot out, and likely you're not going to want to breathe them in." He will be quick and careful to pull them back should anything threatening occur due to the slicing.

==============
General Perception Roll: 39

Talia (Jon-Paul) AC 28 | CMB 5 | CMD 27 | HP 89/90
Friday May 17th, 2019 10:38:01 PM
Talia will go along with the group hovering 6" above the ground.

DM Carl
Friday May 17th, 2019 11:09:14 PM
Succotash appreciates the beauty of the underworld. His decision not to move in is wise; there are worse things down here than irlgaunts.

Bliss seems to know a lot more about this place than one would think he would. He looks everywhere for webbing, but aside from garden variety spider webs, comes up empty. Maybe they're elsewhere...

He asks if anyone has an axe, as he seems to think the tree thing is a tower cap.

Pressi the Irlgaunt keeps her multiple eyes peeled. The body she occupies is very efficient in navigating the ravine.

Murphy...goes and sees the dwarves? Ok, it's not far. He finds they don't take kindly to his suggestion. "Friend," starts Urist, "We've been real clear that we like to handle our own." Still, he does provide Murphy with the boundaries of their claim, indicating he's free to take what he finds beyond that.

He finds Maggad much more hospitable. "Killed'a bunch of'em AND smashed their eggs? That's great news, Murphy. Wouldn't mind pickin' your brain about that caster one; hopefully it was just a...well, an aberration. Those things are dangerous enough without magic behind'em." He doesn't seem concerned about the one that got away.

He places items that may be important in a bag before shapeshifting into (assuming) an earth elemental. Smart. That way he won't need to shift back to retrieve it.

He does successfully identify the tree as a tower cap, but knows that their spores are at the very top. In this case, the tower cap's trunk breaks through solid rock above them. They'll need to dig, or burrow, or earthglide...they'll need to go up.

Talia hovers upward a bit, checking the ceiling where the tower cap vanishes. She finds there is no gap between the tower cap and the stone surrounding it, but there are micro-cracks radiating outward. Likely, it's grown in diameter since it pushed through the stone as it grew.

Bliss (Cayzle) HP124, AC31
Saturday May 18th, 2019 12:52:28 AM

If anyone looks at Bliss for knowing too much, he says scornfully, "Sure, I'm a player!"

Murphy (Kim) Halfling Druid(12) Huge Earth Elemental AC27 CMB18 CMD32 HP131 d20+30=32 ;
Saturday May 18th, 2019 1:20:10 AM

[My post of 5/16 did say Murphy was planning to talk to the dwarfs as his friends finished their meals.] As long as Murphy is clear on the boundaries of the claim, that's fine with him (about how far out from the little passageway they initially come in through to the edge of their boundaries is it? Less than a mile? More than?) Also - was Urist offended at the notion of clean up (if so he says it's not required, surely some critters will eat up the remains), or at the notion that deeper within he might take some gems? Or were they offended that he told them about the pockets of gems that he found by earthgliding?

"All right, Bliss, to get to the top of this, I may have to earthglide with a tiny bit of burrowing twenty, forty feet or more out of sight. Will communicate with Pressi as I do so. Have I your permission to go? For the sake of mushrooms?"

If Bliss grants leave for him to go solo, he does so, after asking for a knife or something sharp. "Adamantine would be nice." ;-)

He goes slowly, with care, trying not to damage the plant, circling around until he finds the top of it. He then continues on to the other side, to know the parameters. Then back to the top. The whole way, he mentally passes on to the Pressi the gist of what he finds - perhaps to the point of boredom for her, or, not.

If all seems well, he slices off a pie-shaped wedge. He burrows just enough to get the wedge out of the rock, earthgliding the rest of the way. IF he determines that will work.

================
Perception: 32

Murphy (Kim) Halfling Druid(12) Huge Earth Elemental AC27 CMB18 CMD32 HP131
Saturday May 18th, 2019 3:17:21 AM

Hope it goes without saying, but Murphy, during this operation, is mindful not to damage the structural integrity of that to which the plant depends for support. If at some point he deems Pressi's irlgaunt host's rock-shaping ability might be the better extraction technique, he will coordinate that with her.

Most of all, he simply wants to Avoid Messing It Up. If the DM believes a particular skill check would be needed, the Player requests he do so on the druid's behalf.

Hobie Browncloak (Nick T) HP 98/98 AC 26 Touch 16 Flat 22 CMD 29 Hero Points 8
Saturday May 18th, 2019 3:47:26 AM
Hobie will follow the team. He's not too interested in a mushroom, but will wait patiently as the others examine it.

Bliss (Cayzle) HP124, AC31
Saturday May 18th, 2019 7:08:12 AM

Bliss says to Murphy, "Meow!"

Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 29+1(+3), touch AC 18+1(+3); HP 116/125, CMD 28; Rumpus - AC 25+4+1, touch 14+4+1; HP 62/62, CMD 24
Saturday May 18th, 2019 2:23:43 PM
"'Cause Bliss's a player
He's a griner
He's a slayer
And he's a sinner
Layin' like a cat in the sun
He's a chamer
He's a harmer
He's a mushroom farmer..."

Pressi (Melvin) - AC 22 (27), HP 95/101, CMD 21; Harper AC 23 (28), HP 61, CMD 23
Saturday May 18th, 2019 2:30:45 PM
A quick reminder: Pressi can�t cast stone shape, which is why the DM ignored her attempt. Under soul gem, natural abilities transfer but not mental ones like SLAs.

Pressi, along their travels, tests out a few other moves like the acid spit. She also checks how long Murphy�s trip took so she can figure out the time left.

Pressi (Melvin) - AC 22 (27), HP 95/101, CMD 21; Harper AC 23 (28), HP 61, CMD 23
Saturday May 18th, 2019 3:39:03 PM
Pressi agrees to Murphy�s travels but considers the bottom to be the bigger deal. She uses Spellcraft and detect magic on the mushroom.

Murphy (Kim) Halfling Druid(12) Huge Earth Elemental AC27 CMB18 CMD32 HP131
Saturday May 18th, 2019 6:39:54 PM

[Murphy's trip time, for Pressi's edification:
1. Explorations after killing tattooed and regular irlgaunt: Up to DM Carl, but figure 30 minutes.
2. Finally discerning Pressi's location and effecting a rescue: About 10-15 minutes.
3. Time to castigate Murphy for his having rescued Pressi's body from the cell 500' away and discussion about what to do next: About 10 minutes
4. Second Breakfast: About 20-30 minutes. The druid left in the middle of second breakfast, and was hoping to be back as people were finishing up with feeding their faces. He really only hoped to take 10-15 minutes round trip - maybe figure 30 minutes for breakfast, at which time Murphy would have returned. No one accepted his twice or thrice offered chance to go with him, so I assume he traveled alone.
Average of ranges: About 80-85 minutes total until we resumed travel, plus however long DM Carl indicates it took for us to travel to the place of the mushroom tree. I fear that Talia did not have time to meditate for a full 2 hours.
And all of this is subject to DM Carl's adjudication.]

Jack The Unbelievable J.T.T. Zaragosa (Jairus Houdek) (AC 24 CMD 23 HP 71/71) 3 non-lethal damage
Saturday May 18th, 2019 11:34:29 PM
Jack has no real intest in the mushroom other than the group no group was not in danger.

Succotash (Jeremy) AC 29/15/28 CMD 31 HP 124/129 Miss Piggy AC 30/12/28 CMD 25 HP 96/96
Monday May 20th, 2019 5:37:53 AM
Before Murphy identifies the tree like mushroom, Succotash answers Bliss by saying, "Which would you prefer a throwing axe, or a great axe? Cause I got both as you well know!" Even though he hasn't used it, he has a masterwork great axe strapped to his back next to Twinklesting as a backup weapon, and he has 4 throwing axes hanging from his belt, that he used with no effect in the fight with the umbral dragon during the battle with the Sarr)

After the Identification, Succotash says to Murphy, "You be careful! At the slightest sign of trouble you get back here, but for the sake of mushrooms and fulfilling a promise to Kade, you have my leave to go solo, and yes, I'll carry your bag, or more accurately, Piggy will". Since it's a mundane bag, and not a bag of holding, he takes the it and puts it into one of his saddlebags of holding

DM Carl
Monday May 20th, 2019 10:35:06 AM
Murphy gets the feeling that the dwarves mean exactly what they say: they value self sufficency and do not appreciate outsiders giving unsolicited opinions or advice. Urist doesn't seem to care one way or another about some irlgaunt corpses.

(I'll get back to your trip up the tower cap later in the post. Your time-frame seems reasonable, but there's about 45 minutes from the time you left the dwarves until the time you found the tower cap.)

Bliss meows his agreement with Murphy's plan.

Hobie and Jack aren't particularly interested in mushrooms, but can be patient in the meantime.

Kezzem jokes around.

Pressi confirms she's unable to use the irlgaunt's stone shape ability. Her new body continues churning acid and stone in the irlgaunt's bladder, but she lacks the muscle control to fire them. She finds the mushrooms quite mundane.

OOC: It's an extraordinary ability, which is disallowed per magic jar rules.

Succotash has axes to spare, but it looks like Murphy's gonna have to do it the hard way. He places the bag Murphy offered earlier in Miss Piggy's magic saddlebags and asks him to be cautious; some mushroom spores as a favor to Kade are not worth getting hurt over.

...and thus, Murphy begins his ascent. He finds the tower cap to be exceptionally sturdy for a mushroom; he's unlikely to damage it without intending to. The earthglide/burrow trip upwards is uneventful. After travelling for about 120', his head (or the earth elemental equivalent) breaks the surface into a massive underground cavern. The tower cap extends another 30' into the air before it blooms into a large crown containing the spores.

Murphy's attention is quickly diverted from the mushroom by a cacophony of noise and the smell of burning coal. He has to swivel 180' to find the source: giants. Dozens of giants mill about the cavern. He sees fire giants working huge forges, attended by hill and stone giants. Temporary shelters have been constructed. There are stockpiles of weapons and supplies...this is a camp! Murphy's lived in Crescent Valley long enough to know this is not typical giant behavior. The fact that they're working together, forming a small army, is a very bad sign.

As for him, he's about 80' away and looks like the surrounding stone. He's safe for now, but getting some mushroom spores may attract attention if he's not sneaky about it.

Murphy (Kim) Halfling Druid(12) Huge Earth Elemental AC27 CMB18 CMD32 HP131 d20+30=40 ;
Monday May 20th, 2019 12:11:40 PM

Murphy, of course, keeps Pressi apprised of what he is seeing. All of it. Once he sees the giant, he freezes in place. He takes a few moments to gather what details he might by taking a quick census of the giants he can see, listening (he speaks the giant tongue) and silently observing so as to gather a better idea of the layout. Once he has done so for a bit, he eases back down beneath the surface of the huge cavern.

He asks Pressi if she wants him to do a bit more reconnaissance, or return to the party. "Whatever we do, we must notify the dwarfs of this threat near their doorstep."
=========
Perception: 40

Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 29+1(+3), touch AC 18+1(+3); HP 116/125, CMD 28; Rumpus - AC 25+4+1, touch 14+4+1; HP 62/62, CMD 24
Monday May 20th, 2019 1:00:51 PM
"Well, that's not good," says Kezzem. "You might say we have a...giant problem."

Hobie Browncloak (Nick T) HP 98/98 AC 26 Touch 16 Flat 22 CMD 29 Hero Points 8
Monday May 20th, 2019 2:04:19 PM
Assuming Pressi fills the group in on what Murphy says, Hobie gets a little bit excited. After the crazy snipe hunting expedition with the Irlgaunts, he's ready for a straight up battle. "Alright, looks like we've got a camp to clear out. How many are there?"

Jack The Unbelievable J.T.T. Zaragosa (Jairus Houdek) (AC 24 CMD 23 HP 71/71) 3 non-lethal damage d20+12=19 ;
Monday May 20th, 2019 3:00:03 PM
(OOC, I'm not complaining but it was suggested that I write what Jack is feeling in these posts)

Jack would give a chuckle on Kezzem's joke, though the seriousness of the current events keep him from really laughing.

He also feels he waisted his best spells and a real fight is on the way. Though he is confident that the team could be this camp with or without his powers.

He waits for the team to respond, keeping his thoughts to himself. Not expressing them verbally in any way. In fact he would keep a straight face as much as possible to the team (bluff 19).

Pressi (Melvin) - AC 22 (27), HP 95/101, CMD 21; Harper AC 23 (28), HP 61, CMD 23
Monday May 20th, 2019 3:40:50 PM
After Pressi quickly briefs the group, she forces herself not to shout come back protect yourself speeches.

�I don�t want to notify the dwarves until we have a better idea of their size or target. Is there any way to get audio? Can you see any connecting tunnels?�

Pressi tells Hobie to calm down, not liking the odds even at full rest. �Besides, I�ve never been one to pick a fight I don�t have to, unless they won�t fight back.�

(If Hobie pushes, she can tell stories of the last time they took on a camp like this.)

Bliss (Cayzle) HP124, AC31
Monday May 20th, 2019 4:14:59 PM

Did you ever hear a cat snort? Maybe it is like coughing up a hairball? That's the sound Bliss makes in cat form at Sir Kezzem's "giant problem" comment.

Bliss turns back into a halfling for the war council.

"We have to get 120 ft straight up through rock. Maybe there's a way to walk it if we look -- but they'll be expecting an approach from that direction. If we can manage to come up from behind, well, wowsy, we can use this giant mushroom as cover and get the jump on them!"

"How are we doing with Dimension Doors? Miss Talia, you can cast one, right? Even if you have used up your fourth level slots, you can use a higher level slot to cast a lower level spell. You can take three or four others with you, right?"

"Before we go we can buff up. Jack can Inspire Courage, I can cast Barkskin if anyone needs Natural Armor. Hobie, you got buffs like Mirror Image and Heroism and like that, right? The paladins can dismiss their pals and resummon them once we get up there. We can be ready to the nines!

"So we got Miss Talia with Succotash, Jack, and Kezzem. And Mister Murphy, Miss Pressi, and I can all change into earth elementals and glide up. Miss Pressi, you can change Hobie into an elemental too, right? That gets everyone through."

"First thing we do when we pop out is have the paladins check for evil, right? Nobody wants to kill innocent giants!"

"Comments? Ideas?"

Murphy (Kim) Halfling Druid(12) Huge Earth Elemental AC27 CMB18 CMD32 HP131
Monday May 20th, 2019 9:49:15 PM

Murphy asks Pressi, "Can you tell Hobie I'll let him know about how many targets there are as soon as I can?" He communicates a smile. "Looks like they are not interested in this quiet piece of rock at the moment. As soon as I have a fair first glimpse at the lay of the land, I'll drop back below. Might be a good time to think about summoning lots of help if we decide to take them on."

Murphy does intend to go beneath the surface, but after one good look about of 1-3 rounds. No sudden moves. No rising higher above the surface than he already is.

Talia (Jon-Paul) AC 28 | CMB 5 | CMD 27 | HP 89/90 d8+1=5 ;
Monday May 20th, 2019 9:57:26 PM
Talia, removes her wand of CLW, and casts a healing upon herself. Talis listens to everyone and thens asks everyone if they know how much time has expired since the Irlgaunt fight began?

"Yes, Bliss, I am able to cast that spell. Nope, I'm good I spells for today, I meditated for two (2) hours while the group did their things. Yes, I can take 4 others with me" explains Talia to Bliss.

"In addition Bliss, I have some wands, especially Stoneskin like I casted on the group last fight, if we are gonna gear up for a altercation!" explains Talia.

My Spells Active:
Mage Armor: +4 armor bonus to AC, CL12, 675 Minutes
Overland flight: fly at a speed of 40, can hustle over long distances without taking nonlethal damage, CL12, 715 minutes
Stoneskin: DR10, CL7, 70 hp | 25 minutes remaining

ADM Kim interrupts this adventure for a brief announcement
Monday May 20th, 2019 11:50:22 PM

Get your character over to the Giggling Ghost. A veteran group is graduating to Dragon Status. Every character in the Wold should take the opportunity to witness such an event.

Don't worry - you can keep posting here, too. Woldian adventurers visit the Ghost in some sort of dream state. I can't explain it very well. But, describe your character entering the GG Inn via the green-flamed fireplace, then find your way to a place to park yourself. Interact with whom you choose - or with whoever chooses you. Witness history in the making

This is Woldian Tradition.

End of Announcement - return to game - and also Go to the Ghost.

ADM Kim answers Talia's query
Monday May 20th, 2019 11:57:21 PM

It's been roughly 2 hours and 10 minutes since the beginning of the encounter with the irlgaunts. That's 85 minutes up to the point of leaving after second breakfast, plus 45 minutes of travel after that. Am not sure you had time for 2 hours of meditation - but DM Carl can address that.

Succotash (Jeremy) AC 29/15/28 CMD 31 HP 124/129 Miss Piggy AC 30/12/28 CMD 25 HP 96/96
Tuesday May 21st, 2019 5:39:35 AM
Succotash rolls his eyes at Kezzem's pun than he shares his opinion, "Well I know these giants are technically not our problem, at the moment, as we are going down, not up, but we are heroes taking on the baddies and saving the day is kinda what we do". He then adds, "Besides, if they are this close to home, I worry that, after wiping out the dwarves here, they may decide to mess with Humble's Ford, and with the giant towers down, it would be a slaughter! I'm down with Bliss's plan, but am open to other suggestions".

Pressi (Melvin) - AC 22 (27), HP 95/101, CMD 21; Harper AC 23 (28), HP 61, CMD 23
Tuesday May 21st, 2019 10:41:39 AM
"Since some of us have clearly forgotten," Pressi glared at Bliss, "The last time we went against a camp of giants, half of us died or went unconscious, in part because we decided to just rush in and start pounding instead of working on a plan. Yes, we are increased in power now, but back then we had all our spell slots and superior intel, and we needed to only target the head and we hadn't just cast a bunch of buffs for a different threat.

"But on the odd chance that I can't convince us to at least camp or do intelligence gathering and planning first, may I make one last 'time wasting' suggestion. I currently occupy someone who might know something about these giants. I can release his soul back into his body after you bind it and we can ask him what HE knows about the giants. Or I can just walk up there in this form and try to bluff my way into the camp. By pretending to sell mushrooms. I know you won't approve a plan like this otherwise."

Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 29+1(+3), touch AC 18+1(+3); HP 116/125, CMD 28; Rumpus - AC 25+4+1, touch 14+4+1; HP 62/62, CMD 24
Tuesday May 21st, 2019 1:52:33 PM
"Succo, dude, giants are ALWAYS a problem," says Kezzem. "And yes, Press, I remember some of us got knocked out and died last time we fought giants. I was the one who died, afterall, and let me tell you, that is something you don't forget. But I got better and am much more sturdier now...plus we have Succo. Last time we fought giants we didn't have two paladins with us."

Talia (Jon-Paul) AC 28 | CMB 5 | CMD 27 | HP 89/90
Tuesday May 21st, 2019 1:59:15 PM
"Bliss, I am able to cast that spell. Yes, I can take 4 others with me. As for if I am able to actually cast it again, I will have to look into my accounting" explains Talia to Bliss.

My Spells Active:
Mage Armor: +4 armor bonus to AC, CL12, 675 Minutes
Overland flight: fly at a speed of 40, can hustle over long distances without taking nonlethal damage, CL12, 715 minutes
Stoneskin: DR10, CL7, 70 hp | 25 minutes remaining

[OOC: so, if less than three hours has past, then the original Overland flight is still in affect. No need to cast it again, eh?]

Bliss (Cayzle) HP124, AC31
Tuesday May 21st, 2019 1:59:17 PM

"Miss Pressi, you are wise. We should at least consider what we know. How many giants did you see, Mister Murphy? What kinds were they? What were they doing? Did they have weapons or armor? Was it hot or cold there?"

Bliss is still up for a fight, though. "Last time I was not as good at clawing and biting!" he says.

DM Carl
Tuesday May 21st, 2019 2:38:46 PM
Murphy keeps Pressi appraised of the Giant situation and goes into reconnaissance mode. He takes his time to observe the giant forces. He speaks their language, but they're pretty far away and there's a lot of background noise.

Murphy only, Perception DC35, Highlight to display spoiler: {On the edge of camp are a hill giant and a much smaller hill giant, almost certainly a child.

"So what do halflings taste like, anyway?"
"They eat a lot, so they're fat. Lots of hair, though, so ya gotta boil'em first."
"How come we ain't ever eaten'em then?"
"Told ya. Magic kept us away, but it's gone now. Gizziar says we're gonna take over so they don't kick us out again. We'll eat plenty good."}

He counts aboooouuuuuuuutttt 72, but some may be in shelters, and he thinks some of the smoke is coming from other sections in the cavern. There may be other camps here, but he can't tell from his current situation.

Kezzem notes, in very serious tones, that this problem is indeed vexing.

Hobie gets excited at the thought of such a target rich environment. Such big, easy to hit targets to boot!

Pressi feels it prudent to get a grasp of the situation before running to tell the dwarves. Said dwarves are 45 minutes away. She keeps her desire to boss Murphy around in check, but does calm Hobie down.

Jack worries he's not prepared for another fight, though he keeps the thoughts to himself.

Bliss is the voice of reason. How novel! He has some solid ideas on how to prepare for a possible battle.

Pressi reminds the party how poorly their last assault on a giant camp went. She suggests letting her use her still active magic jar spell to look around.

Looks like Murphy's intel is needed before a decision can be reached. There's no activity in the camp to indicate anything out of the ordinary is going on over there.

Murphy (Kim) Halfling Druid(12) Huge Earth Elemental AC27 CMB18 CMD32 HP131 d20+30=47 ;
Tuesday May 21st, 2019 3:18:49 PM

Murphy listens and relates to Pressi what he is hearing. "There are maybe six dozen giants I can see - fire, stone, hill - but there are other areas out of sight. So, who knows? Hundreds?

"Oh, on the edge of camp are a hill giant and a hill giant child talking.
Child hill giant - 'So what do halflings taste like, anyway?'
Adult hill giant - 'They eat a lot, so they're fat. Lots of hair, though, so ya gotta boil'em first.'
Child - 'How come we ain't ever eaten'em then?'
Adult -'Told ya. Magic kept us away, but it's gone now. Gizziar says we're gonna take over so they don't kick us out again. We'll eat plenty good.'"

He pauses after this, then tells her, "So, I'd take a stab and say that Gizziar heads up this army."

Murphy looks over the area to mentally map out the parts of the cavern he can see, and get a feel for where the forges are, other structures, if any, and where giants tend to be grouped. He has in mind finding one or more vantage points he might earthglide to for additional intelligence on the planned invasion force. He doesn't tell this yet to Pressi, until he has pulled in the information.

Meanwhile, he adds to Pressi, "I am wondering how our group can go up against hundreds of giants. If it were a few dozen, with a good plan on our part, surely. But perhaps the best thing we can do is to get us as quickly as possible to where we can plug the dual-prismatic aetherial amplifier into the power source, and then get the empowered DPAA back as soon as possible to Tiana, so that the tower can be brought back to life before the giants get here.

"Another alternative - repeat what we did before. Cut off the head - find and kill the leader - Gizziar? - and engender confusion and disorder in the ranks.

"My current thoughts, though? Power up the DPAA. Jet it back to Tiana. Then work on leadership disruption."

=============
Perception: 47 - pretty good!

Bliss (Cayzle) HP124, AC31
Tuesday May 21st, 2019 8:29:53 PM

Bliss feels humble. So many giants! Maybe it would be a mistake to attack. "Miss Pressi, please don't be mad. You are right. We don't want to visit Lord Gargul again."

(Under his voice, Bliss mutters, "Especially since that guy has it in for my family!")

When Murphy suggests that the party simply ignore the giants in order to focus on what they really came for -- that magical power supply -- Bliss is inclined to agree.

"Yeah, we should instead go get the power we need to fix the tower."

Bliss taps on the headband that makes him smarter and tries to remember stuff ... "Please, do let's break out the primsal-amp thingie asap and see where it points us. If it points through the giant camp, well, we'll see. If not, then we bypass the giants to get to the energy source!"

Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 29+1(+3), touch AC 18+1(+3); HP 116/125, CMD 28; Rumpus - AC 25+4+1, touch 14+4+1; HP 62/62, CMD 24
Wednesday May 22nd, 2019 12:38:40 AM
"As his paladin, Gargul's like a father to me," says Kezzem. "And just like my natural father, I hope it's a really long time before we see each other again."

Succotash (Jeremy) AC 29/15/28 CMD 31 HP 124/129 Miss Piggy AC 30/12/28 CMD 25 HP 96/96
Wednesday May 22nd, 2019 5:21:51 AM
Succotash is a bit perplexed, thinking to himself, "That's a lot of giants", but says, "Hey Murphy, can you get a judge of how soon the giants plan to advance? Because if it seems like attack is eminent, then we have to at least slow them down, even if it means laying our lives down, though someone needs to teleport home to warn them". He is OK with the idea of leaving them alone, for now, if it seems as if they have time, but he would stress the new found need for speed. He is also comfortable with the idea of taking out the leader as a show of strength and a means to disorganize the giants.

Murphy (Kim) Halfling Druid(12) Huge Earth Elemental AC27 CMB18 CMD32 HP131
Wednesday May 22nd, 2019 7:33:34 AM

"Say, Pressi, would you like to ask Bliss if he'd like to join me on reconnaissance - and especially on getting some of the spores. I think me here with my rocky head standing stone cold is fine for surveillance, but I have all the subtlely of movement when I am moving so as easily to give myself away. Bliss, on the other hand, has a lot better chance of scooting up the thirty-foot tall stalk and recovering spores for Kade than have I. Check with him, would you?" Murphy adds that request to his letting her know what he is seeing.

Talia (Jon-Paul) AC 28 | CMB 5 | CMD 27 | HP 89/90
Wednesday May 22nd, 2019 7:50:43 AM
"Speaking of which, which way is that Magical direction finder pointing, Mister Murphy?" asks Talia. "I say, let's life and let live...we are far too small a force to reckon with that many Giants!"

"So, since we are in this predictament, lets get an accounting of what we have left for the day in terms of spells and offensive materials in case we need them on a moments notice, shall we?" explains Talia to the group. Talia starts thinking as her eyes roll upward.....

Pressi (Melvin) - AC 22 (27), HP 95/101, CMD 21; Harper AC 23 (28), HP 61, CMD 23
Wednesday May 22nd, 2019 11:08:36 AM
Pressi agrees with Succotash that they need to figure out how soon they will move. She also passes the message along to Bliss, along with the rest of the group. "And I'm not mad. I'm just ... don't say disappointed, don't say disappointed... Uh oh."

(I'm assuming that the group wants Pressi to hold on to the irlgaunt body for now - its a fairly good tank build - so holds off on releasing it or burning more spells.)

If Murphy left the indicator behind (I don't think he can use it under the current conditions) she takes a look.

Pressi (Melvin) - AC 22 (27), HP 101, CMD 21; Harper AC 23 (28), HP 61, CMD 23
Wednesday May 22nd, 2019 11:32:43 AM
(OOC: Updated Info)

Pressi takes some stock as to how many spells she has left. She isn't in as bad shape as she thought, but in a tough fight....

---------------

Both
Ritual of Warding
Shared Spell (cast by Pressi) - shield of faith

Harper
Resist Energy: Acid (From Murphy)
sprint used - 1/1

Pressi's Body

spite tatoo: ghoul touch
Protection from Energy - self
Stoneskin - Talia
see invisible?

Pressi
irlgaunt Form - 6-7 hrs left
Stats: 27, 29, 20, 21, 10, 12
AC 29, HP 133
Protection from Energy - self
Stoneskin - Talia

L1 1/7+1
L2 3/5+1
L3 4+1/4+1
L4 2+1/4+1
L5 2/3+1

DM Carl
Wednesday May 22nd, 2019 12:44:01 PM
Murphy's excellent hearing reveals the giants' target. With his ability to earthglide and remain undetected, he's able to move and get another vantage point looking over the cavern...where he sees his hunch was correct: there are more camps. Where once he saw dozens of giants, he now sees hundreds. Each camp seems to be self sufficient, though others are more or less segregated by species of giant. The initial group he saw seems to be producing arms for the assembled giants.

Succotash asks Pressi to see if Murphy can gauge the giants' readiness. If Murphy's looking for a way to do that, the number of weapons on hand from the forges is probably his best bet. There are about two hundred giants, but only enough weapons to arm half of them. Most weapons are just crude clubs, quick to make. Working full speed, they'll be fully armed in...3 days? Maybe a little less? There are too many variables to get an accurate estimate, but it seems likely that Humble's Sword has a few days to finish their mission. Deep in the middle of the cavern is a tent that looks just a bit nicer than others, but Murphy sees no one coming or going from it. It's not exactly guarded, but there is a lot of ground to cover if someone wanted to get in there, and it's crawling with giants.

He asks Bliss to help with the spores and suggests maybe finishing their mission is the better option to stymie these invaders.

Bliss agrees with Pressi's reading of the situation and Murphy's suggestion.

Kezzem seems to have daddy issues, but agrees not dying to be a good idea.

Talia wonders if the DPAA is pointing towards the giants' encampments. Your narrator is unsure who's holding the thing, but let's assume it's not Murphy for brevity's sake. The DPAA is produced and observed. It points downward, along the ravine the party has been following. In fact, it's always pointing the direction the water at the bottom of the ravine is flowing. That's probably not a coincidence.

Pressi sees that the path before them doesn't necessarily lead through the giants and takes stock of her spell situation.

Hobie isn't comfortable leaving these giants to their own devices. "Jack and I should stay. We can hide easily enough and can easily outpace them if we have to run and warn someone about any movement." Jack nods his agreement.

OOC: This is me bowing the two of them out gracefully, so let's not argue with them too much. :D

Murphy (Kim) Halfling Druid(12) Huge Earth Elemental AC27 CMB18 CMD32 HP131
Wednesday May 22nd, 2019 3:03:27 PM

After learning what he has learned, always passing it on to Pressi, Murphy tries to gauge which is the most productive forge, then returns to the party. "Bliss, I'd still like your help in getting the spores we need, but before we do that, let's talk about a few possibilities."

Fare Well, Brothers
Hearing Hobie's plans, and Jack's concurrence, Murphy looks down at the ground. "That is a serious proposal, friends. Brothers." The wild shaped druid allows himself to sink into the ground until his head is eye-level with theirs. He then looks up, his blue-gem eyes meeting theirs. "Are you certain?" Hearing that they are, he nods. "Very well. You have my respect. Two requests before we part ways. Please wait until we have recovered the spores. We'll give half to you, and keep half. Kade only needs a few to do what he desires.

"And, second, once we are on our way, please go and inform the dwarfs about the two hundred or so giants who are arming themselves for war less than an hour's march from where they mine gems. If Urist gives you grief for delivering such news, then let him bleed on his own prickliness." He pauses a beat. "I know you understand I don't mean by it that you cause him to bleed, Hobie," he adds with a wry grin.

"After that, do what you believe best. I know you'll watch each other's back. Perhaps you can race back to warn your cousin, Hobie, and Mayor Bumbleluck of the arms being forged against us, and ask Sarabella LoveSong and the other clerics in town for their prayers on our behalf. Should you return to town, please deliver the spores... which I hope we're about to fetch - to Kade at the Sanctuary.

"May the heavens watch over you. May they contrive to reunite us safely in due course. I shall pray regularly for you while we are absent one from the other."

Two Quick Missions, then an exit - Part The First
"Bliss, you outrank us all, to the best of my knowledge, in being stealthy," Murphy begins. "This is our opportunity to handle Kade's request - and look forward to some nice truffles in time. I try to keep my promises. If I go for it, we'll likely have giants swarming to find out what's going on by the head of the mushroom tree. I'll be there, watching your back, but keeping a low profile. Are you up for that? Should take us only a minute or two, if all goes well."

Part The Second
Murphy tells the party, "Look, I am thinking of a way to slow them up, if only a bit, without drawing undue suspicion. We can undermine the area beneath the largest forge, burrowing out a small subcavern. We leave a few supporting pillars. When it's sufficiently cleared out, we buckle the pillars, allowing the forge above to fall quickly into the space we've created. It might end up slowing their weapons production a bit, and maybe gain us half a day, if we're lucky. Who knows, maybe a few giants will die or be severely injured in the cave-in. Anyone who plans to invade our valley and eat our fellow halflings I do not feel very bad about harming.

"We only do this to one forge, otherwise they will know it's a planned attack. If properly executed, they may mark it up to bad luck. How does that sound to you?"

Part the Third
"I have two Swan Boat Feather Tokens. I finally studied the rudiments of being a sailor. The river below seems to be going the right way." He describes the dimensions of the craft - and most should recall they traveled on one from Emerald City upriver to the western edge of Crescent Valley. "Someone check the river below, and see if you think the boat would fit. If so - that may be a swift way for us to attain our goal. There are risks. Is it worth trying?"

Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 29+1(+3), touch AC 18+1(+3); HP 116/125, CMD 28; Rumpus - AC 25+4+1, touch 14+4+1; HP 62/62, CMD 24
Wednesday May 22nd, 2019 3:52:24 PM
"Nice idea Murph, but couldn't we collapse the tunnels to the surface so they can't get to us?" asks Kezzem. "Or are there too many for that to be feasible? And since I seem to be acting also serious for a second, please be sure to insert a witty comment from me here."

Murphy (Kim) Halfling Druid(12) Huge Earth Elemental AC27 CMB18 CMD32 HP131
Wednesday May 22nd, 2019 4:09:39 PM
"Not a bad idea, Kezzem. It would take more exploration to determine where they may be, in addition to the ravine we're following. But for the forge collapse, perhaps we can put some meat on a stick to take advantage of the sudden heat. A nice warm meal before we beat feet." He asks the paladin. "Will that do? Not quite up to Kezzem standards, I know."

Bliss (Cayzle) HP124, AC31
Wednesday May 22nd, 2019 9:48:15 PM

Bliss is embarrassed. He looks down, and says quietly to Murphy, "Wowsy, I'm not as sneaky as I used to be. Plus I'd have to earthglide up 120 ft, okay, that's fine, but then I have to climb the Tower Cap up 30 ft, and my Climbing training is really very limited. I'm really scared I'd fall and alert all the giants."

Under his breath, he mutters, "I really really should have gotten that spider cloak!"

Bliss looks around at the others. "Can we keep our eyes on the top goal? Get to the energy source, then maybe stop by to collect Tower Cap spores on the way out."

Bliss suggests we follow the waterway. He's thinking the group may have to swim or even water breathe if the water goes deep.

Talia (Jon-Paul) AC 28 | CMB 5 | CMD 27 | HP 89/90
Wednesday May 22nd, 2019 11:27:31 PM
Talia still thinking about her spell slots, hears that two of the group are staying behind to monitor the giants..."Farewell & GodsSpeed my friends it was a pleasure getting to know you two, hope to see you both again someday."says Talia to Hobie and Jack.

After using these spells thus far:

1x | Overland flight | Lvl 5th
1x | Mage Armor | Lvl 1st
1x | Dim Door | Lvl 4th
1x | fireball | Lvl 3rd
1x | light | Lvl 2nd
1x | Vampiric Touch | Lvl 3rd
1x | Glitterdust | Lvl 2nd
1x | summon Monster VI | Lvl 6th

Magic Slots Left are:

8 1st lvls,
7 2nd lvls,
5 3rd lvls,
7 4th lvls,
6 5th lvls, &
4 6th lvls

I think we should serioulsy give precedence to our goals and make haste to warn those in a position to defend.

=-=-=-=-=-=

My Spells Active:
Mage Armor: +4 armor bonus to AC, CL12, 675 Minutes
Overland flight: fly at a speed of 40, can hustle over long distances without taking nonlethal damage, CL12, 675 minutes
Stoneskin: DR10, CL7, 70 hp in 25 minutes

Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 29+1(+3), touch AC 18+1(+3); HP 116/125, CMD 28; Rumpus - AC 25+4+1, touch 14+4+1; HP 62/62, CMD 24
Thursday May 23rd, 2019 12:09:11 AM
"Heh, I hear you Bliss, I hear you," says Kezzem. "I used to be very sneaky too once, back in my younger days."

Pressi (Melvin) - AC 22 (27), HP 101, CMD 21; Harper AC 23 (28), HP 61, CMD 23
Thursday May 23rd, 2019 11:53:38 AM
Pressi messages back to Murphy. "Just come back down. We have the information we need, and can't risk them knowing we are here. For now, they aren't a priority and we have eyes on them in case that changes."

Turning to the two friends who are staying behind, "Ok, just... be careful down here. We'll miss you guys."

Bliss (Cayzle) HP124, AC31
Thursday May 23rd, 2019 12:58:42 PM

Bliss turns to Hobie and Jack. "Usually I'm not a fan of splitting up the party, but in this case, I'll make a suggestion! Turning our backs on a hundred giants is not a good idea. Thanks, you two, for being lookouts."

"Now, who knows how far the rabbit hall this goes," he adds after a thought. "We might even have to rest up and get spells. So don't worry, you two, if we are delayed. If we take too long, head back and tell the dwarves about the giants, OK?"

When it is time, Bliss shakes hands with his two comrades and then (hopefully) leads the rest of the party toward the water per the direction from the magic compass.

Murphy (Kim) Halfling Druid(12) Huge Earth Elemental AC27 CMB18 CMD32 HP131 d20+15=20 ; d20+30=34 ;
Thursday May 23rd, 2019 1:52:35 PM

Murphy looks around for an area where the sight line to where the giants are is obscured. Perhaps where some rocks stick up from the ground, with space behind. Or a nearby fold in the wall of the cavern. All he needs is a small hiding place. He does not go there yet. He just marks the location.

He thinks to himself, 'Bats. There are lots of bats around here. I've been a bat several times. Natural inhabitants of caves.'

"One moment, I'm going batty up here," he tells Pressi.

Murphy wild shapes into a bat. He flits, stealthily (Stealth: 20 - and, if the nearest giant is 80 feet away, that becomes 28) up to the area of the spores (along the backside, relative to the nearest giants), and with his little bat hands tears off some of the spore-rich crown - a couple of pieces, if possible. If it takes a round or three, so be it. He then flies to the obscured place, and lands there. Then he wild shapes back into huge earth elemental, earthgliding as he changes into the adjacent stone - incorporating the fleshy spore flesh bits into his renewed form. Then he earthglides back down to his friends.

"Hi. Got it. So, you don't want me to undermine their biggest forge before we leave? - maybe summon some earth elementals to do it for us?" He is fine either way with the answer.

"Did anyone bother to check the riverbed for sizing as I asked?" (As I think the answer is no...) Murphy says, "Hold on a couple minutes, Jack and Hobie." He works his way down to the riverbed. He considers the width of the stream, and the width of the swan boat, as well as the speed of the water. If he deems it of sufficient width (say, 10 feet or wider, though 15 would be better), he then ascends, and reports whether or not the swan boat may be a viable means to travel briskly into the depths of the range.

If it looks to be a good path, he says, "Let me help you down to the riverbed - but give me a few minutes to build a landing spot for us and the boat." He explains his plan to burrow a ledge below for getting the boat set up, and to serve as an inset for docking the boat. He waits to get an okay from the party before doing so, though.

Once all is set up and ready, he reverts to his halfling form, places the two spore samples into two little bags, tears off two small scraps of parchment, on each one writes "Spores of Tower Cap" as well as today's date, and gives one to Hobie. "This will be for Kade." He places the other bag into a pants pocket.

[DM Carl - and fellow players - if this is too much crammed into one post, then please dial me back to a point of your pleasing. Just trying to help wrap up this segment for us.]

He adds, following Bliss's counsel to Hobie and Jack, "I agree with everything Bliss says. Except one thing. After waiting for a few minutes once we've left, it might be smart to return to let the dwarfs know sooner, rather than later. That is news that will be more dire and urgent if delayed overmuch."

========
Perception: 34
Stealth: 20/28

4 of 7 wild shapes used today

Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 29+1(+3), touch AC 18+1(+3); HP 116/125, CMD 28; Rumpus - AC 25+4+1, touch 14+4+1; HP 62/62, CMD 24
Thursday May 23rd, 2019 1:56:25 PM
"You two sure you're going to be okay on your own?" asks Kezzem of Hobbie and Jack. "You sure you don't want me or Succo to stab behind with you? We're a bit sturdier than you two."

Bliss (Cayzle) HP124, AC31
Thursday May 23rd, 2019 4:10:58 PM

Bliss giggles when Sir Kezzem the Paladin offers to stab his friends in the back.

DM Carl d20+14=31 ; d20+14=28 ; d20+14=22 ;
Thursday May 23rd, 2019 4:37:13 PM
Hobie and Jack's decision to stay behind and watch is met with some sadness. They really will be missed.

Murphy asks if Bliss can sneak up the tower cap, but Bliss isn't as sneaky as he used to be. He also has concerns about climbing the tower cap, but it's got a rough exterior and is as tough as any tree (OOC: climb DC is 10). Bliss wonders if they should focus on the mission and leave the tower caps for later.

Knowledge, Nature DC 25, Highlight to display spoiler: {Tower caps aren't common in this part of the world, despite their representation in popular culture. There's absolutely no guarantee you'll be able to find another one.}

Murphy also suggests they could slow down the giants by collapsing the stone beneath the forge. That's actually a really neat idea, but...

Knowledge, local or engineering DC30, Highlight to display spoiler: {Fire giants are renowned metal workers, and almost certainly chose the site for the forge carefully. They're unlikely to believe it to be just an oversight if it collapses the ground underneath it. (This is not me saying it's a bad idea.)}

Kezzem wonders if maybe they'd be better off collapsing the tunnels that lead out of this cavern. Also a neat idea! There are no obvious exits from the caverns, from Murphy's general location. It's a very big cavern and Murphy can't see all the perimeter (Also not me saying it's a bad idea).

Talia says farewell for now to her friends and takes stock of her remaining spell power.

Pressi's feels it's best to leave them and stick to the mission, but Murphy's feeling a little batty.

The druid changes shape again into one of the bats he's seen flying about. The spores of the tower cap are quite small, and even a tiny batclaw's worth contains a substantial amount of them. Looking around, he notices two fire giants look over and spot him (perception 31 and 28), but there are plenty bats around and don't particularly seem to care. Still, Murphy is likely extra special careful not to change shape again in eyesight of them!

He returns with the goods, giving half to Hobie to maximize the chance that Kade gets his spores, then makes a little dock for some swan boats. The ravine's width varies, but averages about 20' across. In some places, the party can remember it getting narrower, but usually to about 10-15'. The quick moving water in the ravine has had many, many years to wear away any true bottlenecks.

If the party wishes to travel by boat, it will indeed be faster. Pressi will probably need to go back into her old body, though. Also, the water is pretty rough. Does anyone have any experience piloting a boat in rough waters? (Looking specifically for profession-sailor)

Whether Hobie and Jack leave sooner or later depends a lot on whether our heroes are going to try and sabotage anything. If not, we'll proceed in tomorrow's post.

Murphy (Kim) Halfling Druid(12) Huge Earth Elemental AC27 CMB18 CMD32 HP131 d20+17=29 ; d20+16=30 ;
Thursday May 23rd, 2019 6:06:46 PM

Murphy, after a few years of adventuring trying to handle boats and rafts without the sailing profession under his belt, finally received training in it at the WLA, and has earned his Beginning Sailor Merit Badge (he has an adjusted 8 total on this skill).

"Are we ready?" Murphy asks. "If we're agreed, I will have this feather change into a beautiful swam boat, and we can all board. Though... Pressi, how do you want us to handle your current host? A bit large for the boat - but maybe not impossible."

[Swan boat is 50' long, can hold up to 32 medium-sized creatures. It also can hold large (1 large for 4 medium slots).]

If all agree, and all climb aboard, and settle in, then Murphy will launch the craft. If there are matters to resolve before doing so, then he waits until those are taken care of.

=============
Knowledge: Engineering: 29
Knowledge: Nature: 30

Talia (Jon-Paul) AC 28 | CMB 5 | CMD 27 | HP 89/90
Thursday May 23rd, 2019 8:17:14 PM
Boat Ride

Talia looks around to see if she can help with the next task. Seeing nothing to assist with, climbs into the boat, although she is still hovering a few inches above the inside of the boat.

My Spells Active:
Mage Armor: +4 armor bonus to AC, CL12, 675 Minutes
Overland flight: fly at a speed of 40, can hustle over long distances without taking nonlethal damage, CL12, 675 minutes
Stoneskin: DR10, CL7, 70 hp in 25 minutes

Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 29+1(+3), touch AC 18+1(+3); HP 116/125, CMD 28; Rumpus - AC 25+4+1, touch 14+4+1; HP 62/62, CMD 24
Friday May 24th, 2019 1:09:01 AM
"I believe that boat should be big enough for Pressi," observes Kezzem. "Yeah, she may have put on a little weight and become a spider monster, but there seems to be plenty of room."

Murphy (Kim) Halfling Druid(12) Huge Earth Elemental AC27 CMB18 CMD32 HP131
Friday May 24th, 2019 1:26:39 AM

"We might have to adjust the seat height for you, Talia," jests Murphy.

Bliss (Cayzle) HP124, AC27
Friday May 24th, 2019 11:00:45 AM

Bliss is thinking that sometimes underground waterways eventually head completely underground, with little or no clearance for air above. What will we do with the swan boat if / when that happens?

"Well, we can buy that trouble when we get to it," he mutters. "Hey Mister Murphy, can you cast Water Breathing if we need it?"

Clambering aboard, he asks Talia if she wants a rope to hold onto. "You're kind of like a magic balloon, Miss," he declares.

Sitting in the magic boat, Bliss takes stock of what he has used and what he has left. He decides to take this ride in cat form.

Bliss's DM Sanity Stuff

Minor Ritual: Cat: On
Intermediate Ritual: Sharing Extended Shield of Faith, CL12, +4 AC, 5 of 80 rounds used (Shared with Pressi and Harper)

Spells:
Lvl 1: used 2 of 5+1 spells/day (Divine Favor, Surrender Blood to boost Pressi's Shield of Faith CL)
Lvl 2: used 3+1 of 4+1 spells/day (Extended Barkskin 3hrs, Delay Poison 9hrs, Extended Resist Acid 20 3hrs, Still Silent Dance Lights)
Lvl 3: used 1 of 4+1 spells/day (Still Vomit Swarm)
Lvl 4: used 2 of 3+1 spells/day (Threefold Aspect, Locate Creature)

Meta Rod of Extend: Used 2 of 3 charges

Continuing and still active effects:
Stoneskin DR10, CL7, 70 hp in 70 minutes
Extended Barkskin 3hrs
Delay Poison 9hrs
Extended Resist Acid 20 3hrs
Threefold Aspect (all day)
Hoping these are all still active??

CatBliss: http://bit.ly/2vSp6p9 | Bliss: http://bit.ly/2wQoG3x

Pressi (Melvin) - AC 22 (27), HP 101, CMD 21; Harper AC 23 (28), HP 61, CMD 23
Friday May 24th, 2019 1:35:45 PM
With a heavy sigh, irlgaunt Pressi bounces herself off a couple of rocks in the river before falling in. The body bobs and drifts before dipping below the surface, the shell separating to sweep out of sight by the fast current.

By Harper's side, the gem sits. Slowly, the light fades out.

Pressi jerks her actual body from a slumped position. "I swear, I need to find some men, any men, who can't make things so complicated. Ok everyone, problem solved, all aboard. And let us never speak of this again."

She paused to see Talia just floating about. "Oh come on..."

---------------

Both
Ritual of Warding
Shared Spell (cast by Pressi) - shield of faith

Harper
Resist Energy: Acid (From Murphy)
sprint used - 1/1

Pressi

spite tatoo: ghoul touch
Protection from Energy - self
Stoneskin - Talia
see invisible?

L1 1/7+1
L2 3/5+1
L3 4+1/4+1
L4 2+1/4+1
L5 2/3+1

Talia (Jon-Paul) AC 28 | CMB 5 | CMD 27 | HP 89/90
Friday May 24th, 2019 7:21:01 PM
"Good to see you too, Pressi! This is going to be fun! I havent been in a boat on rapids in a long time!" giggles Talia with glee!

Sir Succotash (substitute Cayzle) d20+8=26 ;
Friday May 24th, 2019 11:49:01 PM

The paladin gets himself and his companion, Miss Piggy, settled in the swan boat.

He sits in the front and uses his Detect Evil ability to scan the way ahead. Maybe there might be warning of an enemy. He uses his perception too.

Roll 26!

DM Carl
Saturday May 25th, 2019 8:16:35 AM
Murphy takes a small feather and dips it into the water, where it grows rapidly until it's formed a 50' long swan boat. Feather tokens are weird...

Talia is still airborne, so she's tied to the ship.

Kezzem notes the boat should be plenty big for spider-Pressi.

Bliss asks if Murphy can cast water breathing, just in case the ravine heads underground. Well, more underground. He turns into a cat.

Pressi decides she's had enough of being an irlgaunt. She jumps overboard into the swiftly running water. It's deeper than expected, and her weight carries her under instantly. She pops back into her body before it gets out of range. Somewhere down the current is a very confused irlgaunt.

Succotash takes point, keeping his eyes and paladin senses open for danger.

With Captain Murphy at the helm, the boat sails merrily down the ravine. Except, it doesn't. It's a rough voyage. The water is choppy and the ravine walls vary unpredictably. Murphy does his best, no doubt, but is it enough?

Murphy needs to make a DC 22 profession sailor check. Success indicates he steers the large craft more or less successfully through the ravine.

Failure by 5 - 10 indicates a successful, but rough trip. Everyone else must make a DC 15 fort save or be nauseated for one hour.

Failure by more than 10 indicates the ship is damaged and the party is forced to abandon ship.

Murphy (Kim) Halfling Druid(12) d20+8=27 ;
Saturday May 25th, 2019 3:16:18 PM

Before the water journey begins
Alarmed by the fall and harm done to Pressi's host - then watching it be swept away in the current, Murphy has to remind himself of what little he was told of the spell. He watches the gem fade, and the soul return to Pressi's previously limp body.

He rushes over to take hold of her. "Pressi - Pressi. I do not like that spell. I do not like it at all!" Somewhere within him may be awakening the feeling that his friends have when he does something he is fine with, but they think is potentially quite dangerous.

After she makes her proclamation, the towhead answers, "I come from a family of complicators - and simplifiers. Sometimes one thing is needed, and sometimes the other."

Downstream voyage
"Sure, I can cast water breathing, Bliss - tomorrow."

Just before they set out, Murphy uses some of his cordage to wrap the DPAA so that if there is a mishap, it will be less likely to be swept away. He fashions two points of attachment - one to a loop to run around the back of the neck, and one to fasten to something else - a belt, or bench, or whatever the wielder (who wants to monitor the sensor Tiana fashioned?) chooses.

The experience from Murphy's multiple weeks of untrained river navigation in prior adventures melds nicely with his recent formal training in sailing. [Profession: Sailor: 27].

"Woo-hoo!" he exults in some of the areas of rapids. As they descend further into the depths, Murphy uses his know direction spell fairly frequently as he mentally maps the twists and turns of the subwoldian waterway. He also notes from time to time possible intermediate landing sites. He ponders the notion of using his remaining unused swan boat feather token of ferrying the crew back upstream.

In anticipation of possible mishaps, Murphy generates multiple rescue / recovery plans for crew and craft. "Does everyone have a waterskin? If so, it's not a bad idea to fill one with air, and tie it to your body somewhere. If you go overboard, it's nice to have something floaty to hang on to."

"So, as long as we're on a boat, some rudimentary vocabulary is helpful. The front pointy part of the boat is the bow - the forward part of the boat. The back end, or aft, is called the stern. Looking toward the bow, the left side is port, the right side is starboard. So: Bow, stern, port, starboard. Those are the four main directions. I'll tell you more later. Bow. Stern. Port. Starboard" he says as he points to each.

Talia (Jon-Paul) AC 28 | CMB 5 | CMD 27 | HP 89/90
Saturday May 25th, 2019 10:49:14 PM
Talia, not trying to make Mister Murphy's life harder, stops the hovering and walks on the deck.

Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 29+1(+3), touch AC 18+1(+3); HP 116/125, CMD 28; Rumpus - AC 25+4+1, touch 14+4+1; HP 62/62, CMD 24
Monday May 27th, 2019 12:38:36 PM
"Hi Talia, it's nice seeing you being a little more...down to earth," says Kezzem. "I imaging you are feeling more...grounded."

Murphy (Kim) Halfling Druid(12)
Monday May 27th, 2019 12:50:40 PM

"Not grounded, Kezzem. She's being shipped," responds Murphy.

"Who is using the DPAA thingee?" he asks.

Succotash (Jeremy) AC 29/15/28 CMD 31 HP 124/129 Miss Piggy AC 30/12/28 CMD 25 HP 96/96
Monday May 27th, 2019 1:51:31 PM
Succotash keeps his evil GPS in full go mode so as to keep his friends appraised of what maybe around the corner. He is prepared to jump ship along with Miss Piggy if the need arises.

Bliss (Cayzle) HP124, AC27 d20+23=30 ;
Monday May 27th, 2019 2:13:22 PM

Bliss is amazed at Murphy's piloting skill. "Wowsy, Mister Murphy! I did not know you were a sailor! Good job!"

The halfling shifts back into cat shape as the boat continues, thinking that danger may well be just around the corner.

Perception 30 plus scent

Talia (Jon-Paul) AC 28 | CMB 5 | CMD 27 | HP 89/90
Monday May 27th, 2019 5:46:07 PM
"Mister Murphy is a treasure trove of Elecctic and ecentric knowledges...a veritable walking library of Halflingsness!" giggle Talia. "How much further do we have?" asks Talia to Pilot Murphy.

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